Tuesday

16 February 2010--Week 7 of 2010: 47 days this year…318 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"Might as well be frank, monsieur. It would take a miracle to get you out of Casablanca and the Germans have outlawed miracles." ~Casablanca (by Sydney Greenstreet as Signor Ferrari)

Those who can adapt to change are those who will continue to grow.” ~Justin Ramalho, architect

» Free Ramblings «

On this Presidents’ Day—oops, Washington’s Birthday, it was a good day to reflect. Senator Bayh of Indiana announced today that he will not seek re-election—even though he is 20 points ahead in the polls in Indiana. Why? He says the Congress is broken. I couldn’t agree more. It is real hard for me to watch Republicans vote against a bill, then, when the bill is passed, go to their home districts and talk about how great the bill is. I am beginning to believe that our political system is at a crossroads. We need political leaders that stand by their beliefs. If they honestly vote against a bill, then they should stay in the shadows when it does something good for their district. The other thing that causes concern, is the Republicans who ask for something, then get it, then say they don’t want it now. Are they really supporting the citizens?

Today had some great events. I didn’t have time to watch everything, but I must say, the Snowboard Cross was great, and not just because an American won. Four guys go down a course, in a pack, and like any track race, they pass each other, bump each other, and speed to the finish line at about 40-45mph on a friggin’ board. It’s snowboarding so there has to be elevated curves, lots of jumps, and on occasion, a wipeout.

I have two hardwired smoke detectors—one upstairs and one downstairs. I’ve been here for almost three years. Today I learned that even hard wired detectors have a battery. How did I learn this? Yep, that obnoxious beep. I climbed up to see why it was making that noise and there was the 9v battery. Of course, I have a nice box, with lots of batteries—AAA, AA, C, D and no 9v. So tomorrow morning I will be out getting a battery. The problem with hard wired systems is that you can’t just take out the battery and stop the beeping. It is in my office, so if I close the door, it won’t bother me while I sleep.

Today was a holiday for many. Turns out it wasn’t a holiday for my dentist. My new crown isn’t due until the 23rd, so I was surprised when the caller ID popped up with the dentist. Turns out it was Tanya, the dental assistant, just calling to see how my temporary was doing. Since the last one came off three times in two and a half weeks, and this one seems to be staying on, she was just checking. I knew I liked this dentist and his staff.

We had a great weather day again today. Lots of snow melted, and part of the snow banks near my front door is beginning to fall or melt or something. We just need more and more days like today before the next storm comes. According to the forecast, it will be decent weather through the entire week. Finally.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.

According to the National Sporting Goods Association, U.S. consumers spent $309 million on snowboarding equipment in 2008. That's more than hockey and football equipment combined ($249 million).

»Side Show Stories—«

ISLANDIA, N.Y. - Deputies in New York's Suffolk County said a woman was ticketed for driving in a carpool lane alone with a mannequin disguised as a passenger. Mike Sharkey, Suffolk County Sheriff's Office chief of staff, said Deputy Robert Howard was driving Tuesday on the Long Island Expressway in Islandia when he grew suspicious of a car in the high-occupancy vehicle lane because the passenger was wearing a visor and sunglasses despite the cloudy weather, Newsday reported Thursday. Sharkey said Howard pulled over Kathleen Frascinella, 61, of Mount Sinai, N.Y., and discovered her only passenger was a mannequin dressed in clothing including a blazer and a scarf. Frascinella was issued a $135 citation for operating a vehicle in the HOV lane without a passenger. "At first glance, this may seem humorous, but it is not a joking matter when you drive off with a ticket," Sheriff Vincent DeMarco said.

»Random Fact: «

The shoreline at Wildwood, NJ grows almost 100 feet per year.

» Puzzle «

Word Boxes are like miniature crossword puzzles, except that each word is filled in across AND down the grid. That is, the answer to 1 across is the same word as the answer to 1 down; 2 across is the same as 2 down; etc. Can you solve these Word Boxes? To solve: draw a square that has four X four sections.

1 couple

2 French abbott

3 big nose bird

4 remainder

» Calendar Information «

☼ February’s Month Long Observances ☼

Birthstone: Amethyst …Flower: Violet and Primrose

Adopt A Rescued Rabbit Month^AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month^American Heart Month^Bake for Family Fun Month^Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month^Grapefruit Month^International Boost Self-Esteem Month^International Expect Success Month^Jobs in Golf Month^Library Lovers Month^Marijuana Awareness Month^National African American History Month^National Bird Feeding Month^National Black History Month^National Care About Your Indoor Air Month^National Cherry Month^National Condom Month^National Children's Dental Health Month^National Laugh-Friendly Month^National Mend A Broken Heart Month^National Parent Leadership Month^National Pet Dental Health Month^National Senior Independence Month^National Time Management Month^Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month^Pull Your Sofa Off The Wall Month^Relationship Wellness Month^Responsible Pet Owner's Month^Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month^Spiritual Teachers Month^Spunky Old Broads Month^ Sweet Potato Month^Wise Health Care Consumer Month^ Youth Leadership Month^

☼ Observance Weeks in February ☼

Celebration of Love Week: 10-16

Children of Alcoholics Week: 10-16

Alzheimers and Dementia Awareness Week: 14-21

Love a Mench Week: 14-21

National Condom Week: 14-21

National Engineers Week: 14-20

National Pancake Week: 14-20

☼ 16 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

Do A Grouch A Favor Day

Fastnachts Day (Pennsylvania Dutch - Shrove Tuesday)

International Pancake Day

Mardi Gras begins

US: Paczki Day: Polish pastry similar to Bismarks

Shrove Tuesday: Tuesday before Ash Wednesday (traditionally consumption of fat, sugar, and eggs is restricted during Lent)

☼16 February Observances—by country ☼

Iceland: Bursting Day—salted mutton and pea soup for Shrove Tuesday

Lithuania : Independence Day (1918 from Russia and Germany)

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1868…The Jolly Corks organization in New York City decided to change their goofy name to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE). The purpose of the fraternal group: “...practice charity, justice, brotherly love and faithfulness.”

☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Richard Ford, 66, author (Independence Day, The Sportswriter)

Vera Menchik, in 1906, (Moscow), 1st official women's world chess champion (1927)

Johann Strauss, in 1866, Austrian composer-Waltzes

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Hugh Beaumont, in 1909, actor (Ward Cleaver-Leave it to Beaver)

Edgar Bergen, in 1903, ventriloquist (Charlie McCarthy)

LeVar Burton, 53, (Germany), actor, host (“Roots,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Reading Rainbow”),

Robert Flaherty, in 1884, father of documentary film (Nanook of the North)

Machito "Frank Grillo", in 1912, (Florida), bandleader (created salsa music)

Ice T (Tracy Marrow), 51, rap singer, actor (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” New Jack City)

Margaux Hemingway, in 1955, actress

     »Athletes

John Patrick McEnroe, Jr, 51, former tennis player

     »Business, Education, Politics

Sonny(Salvatore) Bono, in 1935, singer, Mayor of Palm Springs CA

Kim Chong-Il, 68, President of North-Korea (1994- )

Charles Taze Russell, in 1852, founded Jehovah's Witnesses

Henry Wilson, in 1812, 18th Vice-President

     »Science/Religion

Ernst Heinrich Haeckel, in 1834, German biologist (Causes of Evolution)

Mr Jefferson, in 1998, (Virginia), 1st cloned calf

Hugo de Vries, in 1848, Dutch botanist (How species emerge)

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Angela Carter, in 1992, British novelist (Magic Toyshop), cancer @ 51

Martha Gellhorn, in 1998, war reporter (Reuthers), @ 89

George Mann MacBeth, in 1992. Scottish journalist/poet (A War Quartet), motor neurone disease @ 60

☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1950…What’s My Line debuted on CBS.

     »Athletics

1936…4th Winter Olympics games close at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

     »Business, Education, Politics

1659…1st known check (£400) (on display at Westminster Abbey)

1857…The National Deaf Mute College (Gallaudet College) was incorporated in Washington, DC.
1862…Ft Donelson captured by General Grant (1,400 confederates surrender)

1887…1st newspaper convention (Rochester NY)

1909…1st subway car with side doors goes into service (New York NY)

1927…US restores diplomatic relations with Turkey

1938…US Federal Crop Insurance program authorized

1961…China uses it's 1st nuclear reactor

1968…The first 911 emergency telephone system is inaugurated in Haleyville, Ala—takes 20+ years to become nation wide.
2005…The Kyoto accord, which aims to curb the air pollution blamed for global warming, has come into force seven years after it was agreed.

     »Science/Religion

600…Pope Gregory the Great decrees saying "God bless You" is the correct response to a sneeze

1840…American Charles Wilkes discovers Shackleton Ice Shelf, Antarctica

1937…Wallace H. Carothers patented nylon

» Number One Songs in…

1951…Tennessee Waltz - Patti Page

1959…Stagger Lee - Lloyd Price

1967…I’m a Believer - The Monkees

1983…Down Under - Men at Work

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

pair

abbe

ibis

rest

Monday

15 February 2010--Week 7 of 2010: 46 days this year…319 remain

» Quote Times Two «

A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties.”~Harry Truman

"Misery loves company, but company does not reciprocate." ~Addison Mitzner, architect

» Free Ramblings «

There were sure some great events in the Olympics today. I am amazed at the variety of events. Who would ever put ski jumping and cross country skiing together for one event. Norway had this event at local carnivals in the 1800’s. It has been an Olympic sport since 1924. Athletes first do a ski jump—where judges look at distance and style. Then, based on these results, the skiers line up for 10K of cross country skiing. These two competitions are also separate events. Today’s’ race was hard fought and the US got a silver. It’s a great event putting two popular sports into one competition.

One of our county supervisors made headlines today. During our recent snow problems, the Navajo and Hopi had much worse problems. The isolation, the dirt roads, the lack of snow removal equipment, and the problems of getting hay to animals make any big snowstorm a call to many to help. All of these workers need to be fed. The supervisor used a charge card to pay a mere $2100 in meals. In these tough economic times, some are wondering why these meals were needed. I have been to many meetings and a few dinner meetings in Tuba. The dinner meetings allow for a much more relaxed atmosphere and I have found that many times good things can be accomplished. Anyone living or working on the Rez knows that wherever there is food, some will be taken home to family members who are not at the meal. What the supervisor did was within the guidelines of the card, and I’m sure, provided for a good meeting. I doubt if this would have been ‘news’ in Flagstaff, except that it was something that happened on the Rez. The headline, “Steaks on the House” certainly slanted the information. Guess we will see how much ‘news’ this really is.

It was a great day today. We made it to 45° and melted more of our snow. So glad I don’t have to deal with dirt roads this winter. It is so nice to have had several days of all day sunshine. I just hope this keeps up.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.

Each Vancouver medal weighs 500 grams (17.6 oz). The Orca Whale is on the obverse, with the Vancouver logo, the sport, and the Official Name of the Games in English and French on the reverse. A total of 615 individually handcrafted medals are prepared for this Olympiad.

»Side Show Stories—«

WENATCHEE, Wash. - Officers at a jail in Washington state said they found tobacco and oxycodone pills hidden inside a cantaloupe meant for prisoners. Chelan County Regional Justice Center officers said workers at a Plaza Super Jet store in Wenatchee called the jail Monday and said security cameras recorded two women placing the melon with surplus food that had been sent to the facility's kitchen to be served to prisoners and detainees, the Wenatchee (Wash.) World reported Thursday. "It was like a pumpkin, with a noticeable cut around the top," jail administrator Phil Stanley said of the cantaloupe. "Somebody would have had to be a little bit more sneaky than they were." Stanley said officers found tobacco and a bag full of the powerful prescription painkiller oxycodone. Investigators do not expect to make any arrests in the case.

»Random Fact: «

February was selected as Black History Month as a way to honor of the birth of two men whose actions drastically altered the future of black Americans. Abraham Lincoln, the U.S. President who issued the Emancipation Proclamation was born on February 12th and Frederick Douglass, one of the nation's leading abolitionists was born on February 14th.

» Puzzle «

Word Boxes are like miniature crossword puzzles, except that each word is filled in across AND down the grid. That is, the answer to 1 across is the same word as the answer to 1 down; 2 across is the same as 2 down; etc. Can you solve these Word Boxes? To solve: draw a square that has four X four sections.

1 wander (about)

2 inspiration of invention

3 Superman foiler

4 woman

» Calendar Information «

☼ February’s Month Long Observances ☼

Birthstone: Amethyst …Flower: Violet and Primrose

Adopt A Rescued Rabbit Month^AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month^American Heart Month^Bake for Family Fun Month^Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month^Grapefruit Month^International Boost Self-Esteem Month^International Expect Success Month^Jobs in Golf Month^Library Lovers Month^Marijuana Awareness Month^National African American History Month^National Bird Feeding Month^National Black History Month^National Care About Your Indoor Air Month^National Cherry Month^National Condom Month^National Children's Dental Health Month^National Laugh-Friendly Month^National Mend A Broken Heart Month^National Parent Leadership Month^National Pet Dental Health Month^National Senior Independence Month^National Time Management Month^Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month^Pull Your Sofa Off The Wall Month^Relationship Wellness Month^Responsible Pet Owner's Month^Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month^Spiritual Teachers Month^Spunky Old Broads Month^ Sweet Potato Month^Wise Health Care Consumer Month^ Youth Leadership Month^

☼ Observance Weeks in February ☼

Celebration of Love Week: 10-16

Children of Alcoholics Week: 10-16

Random Acts of Kindness Week: 12-15—what? Only three days—that is just wrong.

Alzheimers and Dementia Awareness Week: 14-21

Love a Mench Week: 14-21

National Condom Week: 14-21

National Engineers Week: 14-20

National Pancake Week: 14-20

☼ 15 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

National Gum Drop Day

Lupercalia: Pre-Roman pastoral festival to rid the world of evil spirits

Orthodox Green Monday: Beginning of Lent

Susan B. Anthony Day

Shrove Monday: Monday before Ash Wednesday: Mardi Gras and Carnival begin

Battleship Day, Remember the Maine (1898)

US : Presidents' Day

☼14 February Observances—by country ☼

Canada: National Flag of Canada Day for flag adopted in 1965

Serbia: National Day since 1804 Revolution against Ottoman Empire

Singapore: Total Defense Day: to remind students of the 1942 takeover by Japanese

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1971…The UK banks will reopen today as the British Government launches the changeover to the new decimal currency system across the country.

☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Susan Brownmiller, 75, author, feminist (Against Our Will, Femininity

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

John Barrymore [Blythe], in 1882, actor

Claire Bloom, 79, actress

Chris Farley, in 1964, actor

Matt Groening, 56, cartoonist (“The Simpsons”)

Harvey Korman, in 1927, actor, comedian

Melissa Manchester, 59, singer (“Don’t Cry Out Loud”)

Kevin McCarthy, 96, actor (Invasion of the Body Snatchers)

Cesar Romero, in 1907, actor

Jane Seymour,[Joyce Frankenberg], England, 59, actress ( “Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman”)

      »Athletes

Graham Hill, in 1929, auto racer: Indianapolis 500 winner

     »Business, Education, Politics

Susan Brownell Anthony, in 1820, women's suffragette

Claudius Drusus Germanicus Caesar Nero, 37AD, emperor of Rome (54-68)

John Augustus Sutter, in 1803, Swiss/US colonist of California gold rush fame (New Helvetia CA, Sutter Mill)

Charles Lewis Tiffany, in 1812, jeweler

     »Science/Religion

Galileo Galilei, in 1564, (Italy), astronomer/physicist

Christopher Sholes, in 1819, inventor (typewriter)

Ernest H Shackleton, in 1874, (Kilkee Ireland), explorer (Antarctica)

Henry Engelhard Steinway, in 1797, piano maker (Steinway)

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Wally Cox, in 1973, actor (Mr Peepers, Hollywood Squares), heart attack @ 48

Nat King Cole, in 1965, singer (Unforgettable, Mona Lisa), cancer @ 45
Johann Gottlieb, in 1778, Gorner composer, @ 80
Ethel Merman, in 1984, singer/actress (Kid Million), in her sleep @ 76
Tommy Rettig, in 1996, actor (Jeff on Lassie)/computer programmer (Foxpro), heart attach @ 54
McLean Stevenson, in 1996, actor (MASH), cardiac arrest @ 66
Lewis Wallace, in 1905 US diplomat/writer (Ben Hur), @ 77
Thomas "Fats" Waller, in 1943, US jazz pianist (Hot Chocolate), pneumonia @ 38
☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1903…1st Teddy Bear introduced in America, made by Morris & Rose Michtom

1913…1st avant-garde art show in America opens in New York NY

1931…1st Dracula movie released

1950…Walt Disney's "Cinderella" released announced

     »Athletics

1916…New York Yankees buy Frank "Home Run" Baker from the Athletics for $37,500

1936…Sonja Henie, Norway, wins 3rd consecutive Olympics figure skating gold

1961…Entire US figure skating team of 18, dies in Belgian Sabena 707 crash

1976…12th Winter Olympics games close at Innsbruck, Austria

1990…Baseball owners lock out players

     »Business, Education, Politics

1764…St Louis founded as a French trading post by Pierre Laclade Ligue

1799…1st US printed ballots authorized

1848…Sarah Roberts barred from white school in Boston

1869…Charges of Treason against Jefferson Davis are dropped

1933…President-elect Franklin Roosevelt survives assassination attempt—Chicago mayor dies by same assassin

1955…1st plant to produce man-made diamonds

1989…Soviet troops are withdrawing from Afghanistan

     »Science/Religion

--

» Number One Songs in…

1950…Dear Hearts and Gentle People - Bing Crosby

1958…Get a Job - The Silhouettes

1966…Lightnin’ Strikes - Lou Christie

1982…Centerfold - The J. Geils Band

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

mill

idea

lead

lady

Valentine's Day

14 February 2010--Week 7 of 2010: 45 days this year…320 remain

Happy Valentine’s Day

» Quote Times Two «

"Show affection, it will probably meet with pleasant response." ~unknown

“Love wholeheartedly, be surprised, give thanks and praise - then you will discover the fullness of your life.” David Steindl-Rast (born 1926); Catholic Theologian

» Free Ramblings «

I recorded the Opening Ceremonies and caught up on them this morning. My next two weeks will be busy experiencing the Olympics on TV. The Ceremonies, as always, were phenomenal. Now that I have a big screen and HDTV, they were probably better than being there. The committee handled the Luge death very well. Very sad. The indigenous people were very well represented in the opening program. The leaders of the four First Nations welcomed the athletes in their native languages. Then they danced during the parade of athletes. The program had lots of Indigenous tales, and surprisingly some fiddle music with dancers in what looked very Celtic. Seeing Steve Nash, of the Suns, help light the main torch was great. Knowing that his mother is Welsh and that he plays here in AZ made it even better.

The Olympics always gives many a chance to forget about the world’s troubles for the 16 days of the competition and watch athletes from around the world compete in their sport. Watching the youth of these countries compete, celebrate, and show friendship to other countries gives me hope that the world will be a better place. I like the Winter Olympics because they are smaller than the summer games, and there is more time to learn about the athletes. The athletes seem to be getting younger and younger every four years…or maybe, just maybe, I’m getting older. It is nice to see the US Team win medals, but it is also nice to see other nations win. A guy from the Netherlands won a gold in speed skating today and climbed up into the crowd over several barriers to hug his family then ran back down to the track. The Swiss guy who won the first gold of this Olympics—in ski jump—was trying so hard to be calm during the interview…he couldn’t pull it off.

It was cold last night, down to 9°, but today melted a lot of snow…we made it to 51° on my deck. So nice to start seeing some ground again.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.

This is Canada’s third Olympics and this torch run was the longest in Olympic History. Over 12,000 carried the torch across Canada in 105 days.

»Side Show Stories—«

MIDWAY, Utah - A Utah ice sculptor said his massive outdoor ice castle has grown to include 18 towers, each of which measures 30 to 35 feet high. Brent Christiansen said he uses 20 sprinkler heads to expand the structure by 10-12 tons of ice each day on the golf course of the Zermatt Resort and Spa in Midway, Utah, and he plans to continue expanding the project through the end of February, The Salt Lake Tribune reported. Christiansen said the resort allows him to keep the $2 entrance fee visitors must pay to enter the castle and he and his wife were given a room at the hotel for the season. The self-taught sculptor said the main tower of the structure is expected to reach three to four stories high by the time of its completion.

»Random Fact: Valentines Day«

The tradition of Valentine's cards did not become widespread in the United States, however, until the 1850s, when Esther A. Howland, a Mount Holyoke graduate and native of Worcester, Mass., began mass-producing them.

It was not until the 14th century that this Christian feast day became definitively associated with love. it was Chaucer who first linked St. Valentine's Day with romance in 1381 when he wrote a poem in honor of the engagement between England's Richard II and Anne of Bohemia. He associated the occasion with the St. Valentine's feast day.

Valentine's Day stems from the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration commemorated annually on February 15. Pope Gelasius I recast this pagan festival as a Christian feast day circa 496, declaring February 14 to be St. Valentine's Day.

» Puzzle «

Word Boxes are like miniature crossword puzzles, except that each word is filled in across AND down the grid. That is, the answer to 1 across is the same word as the answer to 1 down; 2 across is the same as 2 down; etc. Can you solve these Word Boxes? To solve: draw a square that has four X four sections.

1 matter unit

2 lion handler's task

3 warning sign

4 fix

» Calendar Information «

☼ February’s Month Long Observances ☼

Birthstone: Amethyst …Flower: Violet and Primrose

Adopt A Rescued Rabbit Month^AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month^American Heart Month^Bake for Family Fun Month^Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month^Grapefruit Month^International Boost Self-Esteem Month^International Expect Success Month^Jobs in Golf Month^Library Lovers Month^Marijuana Awareness Month^National African American History Month^National Bird Feeding Month^National Black History Month^National Care About Your Indoor Air Month^National Cherry Month^National Condom Month^National Children's Dental Health Month^National Laugh-Friendly Month^National Mend A Broken Heart Month^National Parent Leadership Month^National Pet Dental Health Month^National Senior Independence Month^National Time Management Month^Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month^Pull Your Sofa Off The Wall Month^Relationship Wellness Month^Responsible Pet Owner's Month^Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month^Spiritual Teachers Month^Spunky Old Broads Month^ Sweet Potato Month^Wise Health Care Consumer Month^ Youth Leadership Month^

☼ Observance Weeks in February ☼

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week: 7-14

Rejection Risk Awareness Week: 7-14—for those who get rejected by someone

Love Makes the World Go Round; But, Laughter Keeps Us From Getting Dizzy Week: 8-14

World Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week: 8-14

International Flirting Week: 8-14

Celebration of Love Week: 10-16

Children of Alcoholics Week: 10-16

Random Acts of Kindness Week: 12-15—what? Only three days—that is just wrong.

Alzheimers and Dementia Awareness Week: 14-21

Love a Mench Week: 14-21

National Condom Week: 14-21

National Engineers Week: 14-20

National Pancake Week: 14-20

☼ 14 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

Western World: Valentine's Day

Ferris Wheel Day

National Heart to Heart Day

Daytona 500

Ferris Wheel Day

Library Lovers Day: 14

National Have A Heart Day

National Condom Day

(World) Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day

League of Women Voters Day

National Women's Heart Day

National Call In Single Day

Race Relations Day

National Donor Day

Quirky Alone Day

AZ: Admission Day 1912—48th state

Oregon: Admission Day 1859—33rd state

☼14 February Observances—by country ☼

Bulgaria : Viticulturists' Day/Trifon Zarezan, cult of Dionysus

China : Chinese New Year-The Year of the Tiger (2010/4708)

Denmark : Gaekkebrev/Fjörtende Februar-gift exchanges by school kids

Iraq: 'Communist Martyrs Day' celebrated by Iraqi Communist Party

Mexico : Day of National Mourning (Vincent Guerrero-1831)

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1929…Sir Alexander Fleming discovers Penicillin after leaving a plate of staphylococcus bacteria uncovered, he noticed that a mold that had fallen on the culture had killed many of the bacteria.

☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

--

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Jack Benny [Benjamin Kubelski], in 1894, "Oh! Rochester!"

Don Everly, 73, singer, musician, with brother Phil (The Everly Brothers)

Michael C. Hall, 39, actor (“Six Feet Under,” “Dexter”)

Sherman Hemsley, 72, actor (“The Jeffersons,” “Amen”)

Florence Henderson, 76, actress/singer (Carol-Brady Bunch)

Gregory Hines, in 1945, actor/dancer

Terry Jones, 68, (Wales) actor, director (“Monty Python’s Flying Circus”)

Garrett Morris, 73, comedian (“Saturday Night Live”)

Edward Platt, in 1916, actor (Chief-Get Smart)

Lisa Marie Presley, 42, singer

Thelma Ritter, in 1905, actress

Pauly Shore, 40, comedian, actor

     »Athletes

Drew Bledsoe, 38, NFL quarterback (Patriots)

Woody (Wayne) Hayes, in 1913, College Football Hall of Fame (Ohio State)

Jim Kelly, 50, NFL quarterback (Bills)

Steve McNair, 37, NFL quarterback (Oilers)

(Alicia) Jo Jo Starbuck, 59, twice Olympic ice skater

     »Business, Education, Politics

Carl Bernstein, 66, Washington Post investigative reporter (Watergate)

Hugh Downs, 89, TV journalist, Game Show Host

Jimmy Hoffa, in 1913, Teamsters leader who disappeared in 1975

Bob Jamieson, 67, broadcast journalist

Anna Howard Shaw, in 1847, US, suffragette

     »Science/Religion

George Washington Gale Ferris, in 1859, engineer/inventor (Ferris Wheel)

Porpoise, in 1940, 1st born in captivity in US (Marineland, Florida)

☼Today’s Obits ☼

James Cook, in 1779, British explorer, murdered by natives in fracas with Hawaiians @ 51

William Blackstone, in 1780, English lawyer, @ 56

William Tecumseh Sherman, in 1891, Union Civil War General (captured Atlanta), @ 71

Patricia Highsmith, in 1995, writer, @74

☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1962…1st lady Jacqueline Kennedy conducts White House tour on TV

1967…Aretha Franklin records "Respect"

»Athletics

--

»Business, Education, Politics

1776…The first Spanish arrive at what eventually becomes Needles, California.

1778…"Stars & Stripes" arrives in foreign port for 1st time (France)

1849…The first photograph of a U.S. President, James Polk , was taken by Matthew Brady in New York City.

1873…Congress creates the office of Indian Inspector. The initial three inspectors are appointed by the President for four year terms. They inspect the operations of Indian Officers in the field.

1889…1st trainload of fruit (oranges) leaves Los Angeles for the east

1903…US Dept of Commerce & Labor established

1920…League of Women Voters forms in Chicago

1924…IBM Corporation founded by Thomas Watson

1929…St Valentine's Day Massacre in Chicago IL, 7 gangsters killed

1939…The German Reich launches the battleship Bismarck

1949 1st session of Knesset opens in Jerusalem

1989…African National Congress (ANC) opens office in Amsterdam

1989…Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a ( FATWA ) death sentence on British writer Salman Rushdie

     »Science/Religion

1349…2,000 Jews burned at the stake in Strasbourg France

1872…1st state bird refuge authorized (Lake Merritt CA)

1894…Venus is both a morning star & evening star

» Number One Songs in…

1949…A Little Bird Told Me - Evelyn Knight

1957…Too Much - Elvis Presley

1965…You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’ - The Righteous Brothers

1973…Crocodile Rock - Elton John

1981…Celebration - Kool & The Gang

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

atom

tame

omen

mend

Saturday

13 February 2010--Week 6 of 2010: 42 days this year…323 remain
» Free Ramblings «


Tonight our Great Decisions Group met to discuss the world, UN, role in human atrocities throughout the world. An interesting and sometimes heated discussion. I was the moderator and it took a little more time than I expected.

All the regular features will return tomorrow.

We had a great day weather-wise—making it to 50° on my deck. This really, finally, helped melt some of our snow. It should be about the same throughout the weekend and I will be enjoying every minute of it.

Friday

12 February 2010--Week 6 of 2010: 41 days this year…322 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"No one can feel as helpless as the owner of a sick goldfish." ~Frank McKinney ‘Kin’ Hubbard, (1860-1930)-American humorist, cartoonist

“To love deeply in one direction makes us more loving in all others.” ~Anne Sophie Swetchine, (1782-1857); Author, Russian Mystic

» Free Ramblings «

For many years, schools across our country celebrated Feb. 12 as Abe Lincoln’s birthday. The silhouettes of Lincoln and Washington along with a Valentine’s heart or two or more decorated bulletin boards. Kids learned trivia about Lincoln—born in a log cabin, freed the slaves, Civil War President, Gettysburg Address, Stove pipe hat, a young girl told him to grow his now famous beard, assassinated. After the Kennedy Assassination students learned of the rather eerie similarities to the two men. Both were elected in a ‘0’ year, both had a running mate names Johnson( Andrew born in 1808, LBJ in 1908), both lost a child while in the White House, both were invested in Civil Rights, both were shot in the back of the head with their wife present, both assassins were known by three names containing 15 letters and were killed before a trial. Lincoln has never been honored with a Federal holiday. Since 1880, Washington’s Birthday has been a Federal Holiday. First it was on Feb 22, his real birthday. Then in 1971the ‘Uniform Monday Holiday Act’ moved the holiday to the 3rd Monday in February. One provision of that act, which never made the final law, changed the name to ‘Presidents’ Day’ to honor Lincoln and Washington. In 1981 retailers began advertising ‘Presidents Day Sales’—without the apostrophe. While it is still officially Washington’s Birthday, many now just call it Presidents Day. Arguments continue if the day honors Washington or Washington and Lincoln or all presidents. Whatever you call it, it’s a day off for many workers.

I certainly hope that teachers continue to use today as a ‘teaching moment’ to teach some history that may not be on ‘The Test’.

Our retirement group had lunch at Olive Garden today. I like their food, but I always get lost as I wind my way through the maze of two or three table cubicles. As usual we arrive about 11:30 to a basically empty restaurant. I was amazed today, because as we left, around 1pm, the place was packed. So was the parking lot. I still have a hard time figuring out how all these people can have such a leisurely lunch on a work day. Since I was always in schools, it was very rare that I went out for lunch. We used to take out our secretaries on Secretary’s Day—which changed to ‘Office Assistant Day’. Both the secretaries and the bosses felt a little strange doing it. Being Tuba, the bosses always went in one vehicle and the secretaries in another. Usually the secretaries sat on one side of the long table, with the bosses on the other side. We all knew how tongues liked to wag in Tuba. I know lots of working people have jobs that let them go out to lunch quite regularly, but for me, it is still a treat.

One can’t have everything when it comes to weather. We finally had a full day of cloudless blue sky. We made it to 42° and there was no wind. Some snow melted, roads were dry, people around town seemed happier. Of course, last night it dropped to 3° so it took quite a while to make that 42°. When I left for lunch, about 11:15, it was only 31° outside and there was still a little ice on my windshield. We can’t have everything concerning weather, but today sure made me a whole lot happier that I live here. I saw a cartoon of a guy looking out his window to a huge pile of snow, singing “I’m dreaming of a White Easter.” I’m sure it will be a hit in Flagstaff.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.

Did you know…

Tonight is the Opening Ceremony in Vancouver. Watching this extravaganza always puts me the mood. All the athletes will march into the arena carrying their countries flag. In two weeks they will re-enter en masse—no flags, and walking with ‘new’ friends from lots of different countries. So Cool.

Watching over the Olympics will be this year’s mascots: Sumi, Quatchi, and Miga. Sumi is a guardian spirit who wears the hat of an Orca, flies like the Thunderbird and runs with the strong legs of the black bear. Quatchi is a young sasquatch of the Canadian forest who reminds everyone of the mystery of the natural world. Miga is a mythical sea bear from indigenous stories of an orca whale that becomes a bear and comes on land.

»Side Show Stories—«

DORCHESTER, England - An elderly British couple has been told a cracked Chinese vase they hid in a spare bedroom is worth more than their house and possibly everything else in it. The couple, who want to remain anonymous, received the blue and white lantern vase as a gift half a century ago, The Sun reported. An appraiser for Dukes Auction House in Dorchester spotted it during a routine appraisal at the couple's home in Dorset. Guy Schwinge of Dukes said the vase is expected to bring in 500,000 pounds ($807,000) when it is auctioned. If it was in mint condition, it might fetch twice that, he told the Sun. The vase was made in about 1740 for the Emperor Qianlong, Schwinge said. He said it may have belonged to the family of Florence Nightingale, founder of trained nursing, during the 19th century. Schwinge said the vase "exemplifies the best porcelain of the period." "There is evidence that it had been used as an umbrella stand and it does have a crack in it and has been splashed with paint," he said.

»Random Fact: Valentines Day«

Some conversation hearts classic sayings include "Kiss Me," "Sweet Talk," and "Be Mine." Some mottos are discontinued for awhile and then make reappearance, while others are deleted for good when they become too outdated. Examples of outdated sayings include "Dig Me" and the cheerful "You Are Gay."

» Puzzle «

In each of these puzzles, there are two double blanks. Fill in the blanks with the same pair of letters to complete an English word. For example, use the letter-pair ac in b_ _ckp_ _k to make the word backpack.

1 s _ _ ur _ _ e

2 lo _ _ i _ _

3 _ _ i _ _

*Note New Puzzle tomorrow

» Calendar Information «

☼ February’s Month Long Observances ☼

Birthstone: Amethyst …Flower: Violet and Primrose

Adopt A Rescued Rabbit Month^AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month^American Heart Month^Bake for Family Fun Month^Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month^Grapefruit Month^International Boost Self-Esteem Month^International Expect Success Month^Jobs in Golf Month^Library Lovers Month^Marijuana Awareness Month^National African American History Month^National Bird Feeding Month^National Black History Month^National Care About Your Indoor Air Month^National Cherry Month^National Condom Month^National Children's Dental Health Month^National Laugh-Friendly Month^National Mend A Broken Heart Month^National Parent Leadership Month^National Pet Dental Health Month^National Senior Independence Month^National Time Management Month^Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month^Pull Your Sofa Off The Wall Month^Relationship Wellness Month^Responsible Pet Owner's Month^Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month^Spiritual Teachers Month^Spunky Old Broads Month^ Sweet Potato Month^Wise Health Care Consumer Month^ Youth Leadership Month^

☼ Observance Weeks in February ☼

Dump Your Significant Jerk Week: 6-12—It takes a full week?

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week: 7-14

International Coaching Week: 7-13

Jell-O Week: 7-13

Just Say No to Powerpoints Week: 7-13

Publicity for Profit Week: 7-13

Rejection Risk Awareness Week: 7-14—for those who get rejected by someone

Freelance Writers Appreciation Week: 8-13

Love Makes the World Go Round; But, Laughter Keeps Us From Getting Dizzy Week: 8-14

World Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week: 8-14

International Flirting Week: 8-14

Celebration of Love Week: 10-16

Children of Alcoholics Week: 10-16

Random Acts of Kindness Week: 12-15—what? Only three days—that is just wrong.

☼ 12 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

National Plum Pudding Day

Darwin Day

Lincoln's Birthday

National Freedom to Marry Day: since 1999 for same-sex marriage

Red Hand Day (United Nations) since 2002 to end children as soldiers

Safety Pup Day: a mascot to remind children how to be safe in various situations

Booneville Indiana : Nancy Hanks Lincoln Memorial Day (Abe’s Mother)

Georgia : Georgia Day/Oglethorpe Day (1733)—for the founding of Georgia in Savannah

☼12 February Observances—by country ☼

Myanmar (Burma) : Union Day (uniting all of the country:1947)

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1908…New York to Paris auto race (via Alaska & Siberia) begins in New York NY; George Schuster wins after 88 days behind the wheel

☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Judy Blume, 72, author (Blubber, Superfudge)

Dr Cotton Mather, in 1663, pro-Salem Witch Trials author

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Maud Adams, 65, actress (Killer Force, Octopussy)

Stephen Baldwin, in 1967, actor

Joe Don Baker, 74, actor (Charlie Varrick, Cool Hand Luke)

Josh Brolin, 42, actor (Milk, No Country for Old Men)

Joseph Henry (Joe) Garagiola, 84, sportscaster, former baseball player

Lorne Greene, in 1915, (Ottawa Canada), actor (Bonanza, Battlestar Galactica)

Arsenio Hall, 55, comedian, actor (Coming to America), former television talk show host

Joanna Kerns, 57, actress (“Growing Pains”), former gymnast

Ted Mack, in 1904, (Denver CO), TV host (Original Amateur Hour)

Forrest Tucker. in 1919, actor (O'Rourke-F Troop)

     »Athletes

William Felton (Bill) Russell, 76, Hall of Fame basketball player and former coach

     »Business, Education, Politics

John Llewellyn Lewis, in 1880, union leader (United Mine Workers)

Abraham Lincoln, in 1809, 16th President (1861-65)

Arlen Specter, 80, US Senator (D, Pennsylvania), born Wichita, KS, Feb 12, 1930.

John Winthrop, in 1588, English attorney/puritan/1st Governor of Massachusetts

     »Science/Religion

Charles Darwin, in 1809, (England), discovered evolution (Origin of species)

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Tom Landry,in 2000, Hall-of-Fame football coach (Cowboys) to five Super Bowls in 20 consecutive winning seasons, leukemia @76

Sal Mineo, in 1976, actor (Exodus, Rebel Without a Cause), stabbed @ 37

James Cash Penney, in 1971, US founder (J C Penney), @ 95

Sidney Toler, in 1947, actor (Charlie Chan, Dark Alibi), @ 72

Grant Wood, in 1942, US painter (American Gothic), liver cancer @ 49

☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1994…Thieves have stolen one of the world's best known paintings ( Scream by by Edvard Munch circa 1893 ) from a gallery in Oslo.

     »Athletics

1876…Al Spalding opens his sporting good shop

1878…Frederick Thayer patents the catcher's mask (pat # 200,358)

1879…1st artificial ice rink in North America (Madison Square Garden, NYC)

1880 - The National Croquet League was organized in Philadelphia

1994…17th Olympics Winter games open in Lillehammer, Norway

     »Business, Education, Politics

1793…1st US fugitive slave law passed; requires return of escaped slaves

1818…Chile gains independence from Spain

1825…Creek Indian treaty signed; Tribal chiefs agree to turn over all their land in Georgia to the government & migrate wes 1832…Ecuador annexes Galápagos Islands

1909…National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is founded

1924…Calvin Coolidge became the first U.S. president to deliver an address by radio

1955…President Eisenhower sends 1st US advisors to South Vietnam

1973…As part of the Vietnam cease-fire agreement, the first U.S. prisoners of war were released by North Vietnam

     »Science/Religion

2001…NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft touchdown in the "saddle" region of 433 Eros becoming the first spacecraft to land on an asteroid.

» Number One Songs in…

1947…For Sentimental Reasons - Nat King Cole

1955…Sincerely - McGuire Sisters

1963…Hey Paula - Paul & Paula

1971…Knock Three Times - Dawn

1979…Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? - Rod Stewart

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

1 saturate

2 longing

3 onion

Thursday

11 February 2010--Week 6 of 2010: 40 days this year…323 remain
» Quote Times Two «
"Nobody can be as agreeable as an uninvited guest."~Frank McKinney ‘Kin’ Hubbard, (1860-1930)-American humorist, cartoonist
“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” ~Emily Brontë, (1818-1848); Novelist, Poet
» Free Ramblings «
SSDD: Same snow, different day. Not a lot was sticking, but it snowed on and off all day. Boring. High was 35° and the low was 25° with a slight wind. Very boring.
I just don’t get health insurance. You pay when you are well, you pay when you are sick. Near the end of last year, when I thought I had reached my deductible, I had a basal cell removed from my nose. In December I got a bill from the doctor for $400. I figured the insurance hadn’t been processed. Today I got another bill, for the same $400. I can’t believe my insurance didn’t cover more of the bill. The total bill was like $1500. I guess I should be happy they paid much of the bill, but I really expected them to pay more. A few years ago, I’m sure they would have. The more I read about health care issues, the madder I get. The insurance lobby realizes that change might happen. So they have been busy raising premiums—much faster than inflation, they have rewritten what they cover. They have increased deductibles and co-pays. They have no idea what will eventually happen with Health Care legislation, but they are going to be ready. No matter what happens, they have already put a good cushion for the worst case scenario. If something less that that happens, they will either make more profit, or they will eventually lower some premiums or deductibles. My guess is they will just hope we are all too dumb to do anything and they will continue to make big profits. Thank you to all those short sighted idiots who have blocked necessary changes. It will be hitting your pocketbook, just like mine.
»* Winter Olympics* «
The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.
Did you know…
There are 16 categories at this Olympics:
5. Snowboarding: The first official snowboard competition was held in Colorado in 1981. Two snowboard events were introduced at the Nagano 1998 Winter Games — half pipe and individual giant slalom. Parallel giant slalom replaced individual giant slalom at the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games and snowboard cross was introduced in 2006, at the Torino Olympic Winter Games. 2010 will have 3 Men’s and 3 Women’s events.
There are 190 athletes participating—US has 18 (aged 17-37 yrs old); Great Britain has 4 (aged 21-35); Ireland has 0; and South Africa has 0.
»Side Show Stories—«
Colorado Springs, CO: A Colorado man used his children to run interference with the police for him while he passed out drunk.
Colorado Springs Police said Joshua Algers, 28, was found passed out drunk in a McDonald's play area, because that's where people go in Colorado Springs to sleep off a hang over, and officers placed him under arrest upon learning there was a warrant out for his arrest.
Algers became aggressive when police called the mother of his children to come pick them up, and then instructed the kids to "bite the officers' faces off."
»Random Fact: Valentines Day«
Conversation hearts were invented in the 1860s by the brother of NECCO's founder. These first hearts had printed paper notes tucked inside. The lengthy, old-fashioned sayings included such wistful thoughts as "Please send a lock of your hair by return mail."
» Puzzle «
In each of these puzzles, there are two double blanks. Fill in the blanks with the same pair of letters to complete an English word. For example, use the letter-pair ac in b_ _ckp_ _k to make the word backpack.
1 c _ _ kb _ _ k
2 a _ _ mo _ _
3 _ _ at _ _
» Calendar Information «
☼ February’s Month Long Observances ☼
Birthstone: Amethyst …Flower: Violet and Primrose
Adopt A Rescued Rabbit Month^AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month^American Heart Month^Bake for Family Fun Month^Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month^Grapefruit Month^International Boost Self-Esteem Month^International Expect Success Month^Jobs in Golf Month^Library Lovers Month^Marijuana Awareness Month^National African American History Month^National Bird Feeding Month^National Black History Month^National Care About Your Indoor Air Month^National Cherry Month^National Condom Month^National Children's Dental Health Month^National Laugh-Friendly Month^National Mend A Broken Heart Month^National Parent Leadership Month^National Pet Dental Health Month^National Senior Independence Month^National Time Management Month^Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month^Pull Your Sofa Off The Wall Month^Relationship Wellness Month^Responsible Pet Owner's Month^Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month^Spiritual Teachers Month^Spunky Old Broads Month^ Sweet Potato Month^Wise Health Care Consumer Month^ Youth Leadership Month^
☼ Observance Weeks in February ☼
Dump Your Significant Jerk Week: 6-12—It takes a full week?
Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week: 7-14
International Coaching Week: 7-13
Jell-O Week: 7-13
Just Say No to Powerpoints Week: 7-13
Publicity for Profit Week: 7-13
Rejection Risk Awareness Week: 7-14—for those who get rejected by someone
Freelance Writers Appreciation Week: 8-13
Love Makes the World Go Round; But, Laughter Keeps Us From Getting Dizzy Week: 8-14
World Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week: 8-14
International Flirting Week: 8-14
Celebration of Love Week: 10-16
Children of Alcoholics Week: 10-16
☼ 11 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼
White Tee-Shirt Day: Originally White Shirt Day: to honor UAW workers who ended their sit-down in Flint, MI in 1937
Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day: A day to be more optimistic
Be Electrific Day: celebrating Tom Edison
Pro Sports Wives Day
National Shut-in Visitation Day
National Inventors Day
Satisfied Staying Single Day
Florida : Gasparilla Carnival-remembrance of pirates
Ft Myers FL : Pageant of Light (1884)
☼11 February Observances—by country ☼
Cameroon : Youth Day
Japan : Foundation Day (660 BC)-accession of Emperor Jimmu, their first
Liberia : Armed Forces Day
Mauritius : Chinese Spring Festival
☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1970…Variety reported this day that Walt Disney had secretly taken its Song of the South movieout of circulation back in 1958. Originally released in 1946, the live-action/animated flick featuring Brer Fox, Brer Rabbit, Brer Bear, Uncle Remus and kids, Johnny and Ginny, won an Academy Award (1947) for the song, Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah. James Baskett won an Oscar for his Uncle Remus role.Variety said Song of the South was pulled because of ...racist attitudes reflected in the Negro roles in the film.
☼ Born on this day ☼
     » The Arts
Authors, Artists and Composers
Mary Quant, 76, fashion designer (Mod Look)
Sidney Sheldon, in 1917, author: Bloodline, The Doomsday Conspiracy, The Other Side of Midnight
Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV
Jennifer Aniston, 41, actress (“Friends,” The Good Girl)
Brandy Norwood, 31, singer, actress (“Cinderella,” “Moesha”)
Sheryl Crow, 48, singer, musician
Eva Gabor, in 1921, (Hungary), actress (Lisa-Green Acres)
Taylor Lautner, 18, actor (Twilight)
Tina Louise, 76, actress (“Gilligan’s Island)
Sergio Mendes, 69, (Brazil), musician, bandleader
John Mills, in 1889, dancer (Mills Brothers)
Leslie Nielsen, 88, actor (Naked Gun films, Airplane!, “Peyton Place”)
Robert George Bobby "Boris" Pickett, in 1940, rocker (Monster Mash)
Burt Reynolds, 74, actor (Hooper, Deliverance, Cannonball Run, “Evening Shade”)
     »Athletes
Max Baer [The Livermore Larruper], in 1909, heavyweight boxing champion (1934-35)/actor
Mary Docter, 49, 3000 meter speed skater (Olympics-1980, 84, 88, 92)
     »Business, Education, Politics
Lloyd Bentsen, in1921, politician (1988 Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee)
General Manuel Antonio Noriega, 76, Panamanian General/dictator
Sarah Palin, 46, 2008 candidate for vice president, former governor of Alaska (R)
     »Science/Religion
Thomas Alva Edison, in 1847, inventor (held 1200 patents)
Auguste Édouard Mariette, in 1821, French Egyptologist, (dug out Sphinx 12/16/42)
William Henry Fox Talbot , in 1800, photographic pioneer
☼Today’s Obits ☼
Lee J Cobb, in 1976, actor (12 Angry Men, On the Waterfront), @ 64
William Conrad, in 1994, actor (Cannon), heart attack @ 73
René Descartes, in 1650, philosopher "I think therefore I am", pneumonia @ 54
Al Dubin, in 1945, Swiss songwriter (Tiptoe Thru The Tulips), barbiturate poisoning @ 53
Lady Jane Grey, in 1554, deposed Queen of England, beheaded after 9 day rule @ 17
Patrice Lumumba, in 1961, 1st premier Congo, murdered @ 34
Don Porter, in 1997, actor (Gidget), @ 84
☼What happened on this day? ☼
     » The Arts
1941…1st Gold record presented (Glenn Miller-Chattanooga Choo Choo)
1942…"Archie" comic book debuts
     »Athletics
1928…2nd Winter Olympics games opens in St Moritz, Switzerland
1970…John Lennon pays £1,344 fines for 96 protesting the South African rugby team playing in Scotland
     »Business, Education, Politics
1573…1st European, Francis Drake sees the Pacific (from Panamá)
1766…Stamp Act declared unconstitutional in Virginia
1794…1st session of US Senate open to the public
1852…1st British public female toilet opens (Bedford Street London)
1878…1st weekly Weather report published in UK
1953…President Eisenhower refuses clemency appeal for Rosenberg couple
1963…CIA Domestic Operations Division created
1970…Japan becomes 4th nation to put a satellite (Osumi) in orbit
1975…The British Conservative Party has chosen it's first women leader, Margaret Thatcher
1979…Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini took control of Iran
1990…Nelson Mandela is released from prison after 27 years.
2006…Vice President Dick Cheney accidentally shot and wounded a Harry Whittington
     »Science/Religion
1752…Pennsylvania Hospital, the 1st hospital in the US, opened with Ben Franklin’s help
1790…Society of Friends petitions Congress for abolition of slavery
1809…Robert Fulton patents the steamboat
1858 1st apparition of Mary to 14-year-old Bernadette of Lourdes France
1916…Emma Goldman arrested for lecturing on birth control
1929…Vatican City (world's smallest country) made an enclave of Rome
» Number One Songs in…
1946…Let It Snow - Vaughn Monroe
1954…Make Love to Me - Jo Stafford
1962…Peppermint Twist - Joey Dee & The Starliters
1970…Venus - The Shocking Blue
1978…Stayin’ Alive - Bee Gees
1986…That’s What Friends are For - Dionne & Friends
» ANSWERS to puzzle «
1 cookbook
2 anemone
3 orator

Wednesday

10 February 2010--Week 6 of 2010: 41 days this year…324 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"Now and then an innocent man is sent to the legislature." ~Frank McKinney ‘Kin’ Hubbard, (1860-1930)-American humorist, cartoonist

“Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.” ~Antoine de Sainte-Exupery (1900-1944); Aviator, Writer

» Free Ramblings «

An amazing billboard popped up on I-35 somewhere in Minnesota. Half of the board is a picture of George Bush looking down at the highway. The other half says “Miss me yet?” I guess not everyone is happy with the work our President is doing. What a shock.

The Cheyenne River Tribe, in South Dakota, has been in at least one news program for a couple of days. The last big storm hit that rez hard, cutting off most electricity and water to the entire Rez. Eagle Butte and the other 12 communities already live in poverty and this winter is making it even worse. Our local news has talked about the problems the Navajo and Hopi are experiencing during our big storm, but even that barely got recognition on National news. I continue to be amazed that so few Americans are aware of the living conditions on many of our nation’s reservations. News crews rush to Haiti and show the world the poverty. Yet, in our own country, many Natives live much like the Haitians, only in our country they don’t have tropical weather. The summers are hot, the winters are bitter cold. When a bad storm hits, life becomes much more difficult than usual. Until the plight of the tribes becomes news on all the major networks, most Americans will continue to be unaware of the problems associated with poverty, freezing weather, and the real life on the Rez.

High 35°, low 24°, snow flurries at various times during the day. Flagstaff weather is becoming so predictable and so boring.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.

Did you know…

There are 16 categories at this Olympics:

4. Speed Skating: began in the 1200’s in Holland, with the first recorded completion in 1676. It was introduced to the Olympics in Chamonix in 1924. Originally, only men took part in competition. At the Lake Placid 1932 Games, however, women’s speed skating was a demonstration event and became a full medal event at the Squaw Valley 1960 Olympic Winter Games. Men and Women now compete in 500m, 1000m, 1500m, and 5000m races. Women have a 3000m and men also have a 10,000m race. There are also team pursuit races. Skaters can reach 60km/hr (38mph).

There are 180 athletes participating—US has 18; Great Britain has 0; Ireland has 0; and South Africa has 0.

»Side Show Stories—«

PRESTWICK, Scotland - A Scottish motorist who was ticketed for blowing his nose while his car was stopped in clogged traffic said he will take the charge to court.

Michael Mancini, 39, of Prestwick, said he was in stationary traffic with his parking brake on when he reached for a handkerchief to wipe his runny nose, leading police Constable Stuart Gray to issue him a $97 fine because he was "not in control of his vehicle" while blowing his nose, the Daily Mail reported. "It's beyond a disgrace," Mancini said. "Surely it would have been more dangerous to drive with a blocked nose?" Mancini said he will not pay the ticket and is now likely to face a criminal trial later this year, the newspaper reported. "I am really angry. I made sure it was safe to blow my nose. It's doubtful I'll get legal aid so this could potentially cost me thousands of pounds in legal fees," he told the Daily Mail. "But I won't be paying the fixed penalty." Gray previously made headlines last year when he issued an $80 littering ticket to a man who accidentally dropped a 10-pound ($16) note in the street.

»Random Fact«

Cape May, NJ is the oldest seashore resort in America.

» Puzzle «

In each of these puzzles, there are two double blanks. Fill in the blanks with the same pair of letters to complete an English word. For example, use the letter-pair ac in b_ _ckp_ _k to make the word backpack.

1 p _ _ dl _ _

2 _ _ p _ _ zard

3 h _ _ g _ _ lin

» Calendar Information «

☼ February’s Month Long Observances ☼

Birthstone: Amethyst …Flower: Violet and Primrose

Adopt A Rescued Rabbit Month^AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month^American Heart Month^Bake for Family Fun Month^Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month^Grapefruit Month^International Boost Self-Esteem Month^International Expect Success Month^Jobs in Golf Month^Library Lovers Month^Marijuana Awareness Month^National African American History Month^National Bird Feeding Month^National Black History Month^National Care About Your Indoor Air Month^National Cherry Month^National Condom Month^National Children's Dental Health Month^National Laugh-Friendly Month^National Mend A Broken Heart Month^National Parent Leadership Month^National Pet Dental Health Month^National Senior Independence Month^National Time Management Month^Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month^Pull Your Sofa Off The Wall Month^Relationship Wellness Month^Responsible Pet Owner's Month^Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month^Spiritual Teachers Month^Spunky Old Broads Month^ Sweet Potato Month^Wise Health Care Consumer Month^ Youth Leadership Month^

☼ Observance Weeks in February ☼

Dump Your Significant Jerk Week: 6-12—It takes a full week?

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week: 7-14

International Coaching Week: 7-13

Jell-O Week: 7-13

Just Say No to Powerpoints Week: 7-13

Publicity for Profit Week: 7-13

Rejection Risk Awareness Week: 7-14—for those who get rejected by someone

Freelance Writers Appreciation Week: 8-13

Love Makes the World Go Round; But, Laughter Keeps Us From Getting Dizzy Week: 8-14

World Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week: 8-14

International Flirting Week: 8-14

Celebration of Love Week: 10-16

Children of Alcoholics Week: 10-16

☼ 10 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

Umbrella Day

☼10 February Observances—by country ☼

Italy: National Memorial Day of the Exiles and Foibe, commemorate Italian Istrian and Dalmatian exiles and Foibe massacres (especially in Trieste)

Malta: Feast of St. Paul's Shipwreck, celebrate the birth of Catholicism

UK: Plimsoll Day: to honor Samual Plimsoll who made world waterways safer

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in ☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Jerry Goldsmith, in 1929, pianist/composer (Twilight Zone)

Frances Moore Lappe, 66, author (Diet for a Small Planet, Rediscovering America’s Values)

Boris L Pasternak, in 1890, Russia, novelist/poet (Dr Zhivago, Nobel 1958)

William Allen White, in 1868, editor (Pulitzer 1942)

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Dame Judith (Frances Margaret) Anderson, in 1898, actress

Lon Chaney Jr, in 1906, actor

Laura Dern, 43, actress (Blue Velvet, Rambling Rose)

Donovan P. Leitch, 64, (Scotland), singer, songwriter

Jimmy Durante, in 1893, long-nosed comedian

Roberta Flack, 71, singer

Sharon Stone, 52, actress

Robert Wagner, 80, actor (“It Takes a Thief,” “Hart to Hart”)

Don Wilson, 73, rock guitarist (Ventures-Walk Don't Run, Batman Theme)

     »Athletes

Leonard Kyle (Lenny) Dykstra, 47, baseball player (Mets; Phillies)

Gregory John (Greg) Norman, 55, (Australia), golfer

Mark Andrew Spitz, 60, Olympic gold medal swimmer

Jim Whittacker, 81, mountain climber (1st American to climb Mt Everest)

     »Business, Education, Politics

Jim Cramer, 55, financial analyst, broadcaster (“Mad Money with Jim Cramer”)

George Stephanopoulos, 49, presidential adviser (Clinton); news anchor

     »Science/Religion

Walter H Brattain, in 1902, (China), US physicist (Nobel 1956-transistor)

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Joseph Lister, in 1912, surgeon (pioneer of antiseptic), @85

Laura Ingalls Wilder, in 1957, US author (Little House on Prarie), @ 90

Alex Haley, in 1992, US writer (Autobiography of Malcolm X, Roots), @ 70

☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1951…"John & Marsha" by Stan Freberg peaks at #21

1956…"My Friend Flicka" premieres on CBS (later NBC) TV

1964…Bob Dylan releases "The Times They Are a-Changin"

1960…Jack Paar, the host of The Tonight Show had walked off the set on this day, in protest of censorship

     »Athletics

1961…AFL's Los Angeles Chargers move to San Diego

1968…Peggy Fleming wins Olympics figure skating gold medal, Grenoble, France

     »Business, Education, Politics

1535…12 nude Anabaptists run through Amsterdam streets

1676…Wampanoag Indians under King Philip kill all men in Lancaster MA

1824…Simon Bolívar named dictator by the Congress of Perú

1846…Beginning of Mormon march to west US

1855…US citizenship laws amended all children of US parents born abroad granted US citizenship 1870 City of Anaheim incorporates (1st time)

1890…Around 11 million acres, ceded to US by Sioux Indians opens for settlement

1897…New York Times begins using slogan "All the News That's Fit to Print"

1931…New Delhi becomes capital of India 1940 Tom & Jerry created by Hanna & Barbera debut by MGM

1954…Eisenhower warns against US intervention in Vietnam

1962…Francis Gary Powers, an American who was held by Russians after being shot down while flying over the Soviet Union, was released

1967…25th Amendment (Presidential Disability & Succession) in effect

1971…American Mensa, Ltd incorporates in New York

     »Science/Religion

1720…Edmund Halley appointed 2nd Astronomer Royal of England

» Number One Songs in…

1945…Don’t Fence Me In - Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters

1953…Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes - Perry Como

1961…Will You Love Me Tomorrow - The Shirelles

1969…Crimson and Clover - Tommy James & The Shondells

1977…Blinded by the Light - Manfred Mann’s Earth Band

1985…I Want to Know What Love Is - Foreigner

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

1 peddled

2 haphazard

3 hobgoblin

Tuesday

9 February 2010--Week 6 of 2010: 38 days this year…325 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"Of all forms of caution, caution in love is the most fatal." ~unknown

“I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love.” ~Mother Teresa (1910-1997); Founder of the Missionaries of Charity

» Free Ramblings «

I am getting very tired of cloudy days and snow. I know, the forest needs the moisture. I know the water table needs the moisture. I like snow. I just don’t like it every friggin’ day. Sometimes we get huge flakes, sometimes tiny flakes. Sometimes it is mixed with rain. Sometimes it is fluffy powder, other times it is wet and sticky. It may come in four feet, or in six inches, or in two inches, or just enough to wet the sidewalk. Lately it has not been enough to make driving dangerous, or to keep one at home. It just snows. I can look out my office window and see blue sky then fifteen minutes later I can’t even see the trees because it is snowing so hard. Then in a few minutes, back to no snow. It has been sunny and snowy on and off all day. Never a lot of wind, just blue sky then whiteout. What does one wear when going outside? Today I had a routine doctor appointment at 8:30. It was 17°. I had a layer of ice, not frost, on the windshield. I cleared it off and headed out. I was out of the Drs. Office by 9:00. The sun was shining, I didn’t need my heavy jacket, it was about 30° with a clear sky. I stopped at the grocery store. When I came out it was snowing and my heavy jacket was in the car. This type of weather continued all day. Maybe I’m just not able to handle change. Anyway, this kind of weather will continue most of this week. I hope I don’t lose my mind.

I enjoy Facebook. I learned that a former colleague is running for State office. He commented that his ‘handlers’ may be putting up a facebook page. What? His ‘handlers’? I live in a different district, so can’t vote either way. I guess this is part of politics in 2010. But the term just hits me the wrong way. I want someone who will fight for me in Phoenix, not someone who has handlers. A handler is one that directs someone or something. Like at the AKC Dog Show?

I learned that the Mayor of our town likes my Facebook status—at least sometimes. When I commented that I wouldn’t believe the train noise would be gone until I didn’t hear it anymore, I got no response from her post. When I posted a clever comment on the Saints win, she marked that she liked it. How cool is that? Stop the presses, the Mayor reads my Facebook posts and she takes that extra millisecond to click on ‘like’. But wait, who doesn’t like the Saint’s win? I think I will start responding to her many, many posts. Maybe she will ‘like’ or add a comment to something a little more substantial than the Saints win.

I must say I have trouble understanding the ‘like’ choice on Facebook. I get it when someone posts something like “My grandson just took his first steps.” I quickly hit ‘like’ and to me that means that I like the fact that the kid walked. Then there are the news posts. NPR posts that Obama’s speech was a success. I click like because I’m glad that our President’s speech was successful. Then NPR posts that “Rep. Murtha, D. PA, dies at 77”. I have to wonder why 12 people like this. Do they like the fact that NPR told us? Do they like that a Democrat died? Do they like that Murtha died? What about all the Haiti Disaster Posts? If I click ‘like’ does that mean that I like knowing the latest news? That I like that so many people died? That I like that more people didn’t die? Facebook doesn’t have a ‘dislike’ button, but in the news story cases that wouldn’t work either. So, until Facebook comes up some better choices, I will not respond with ‘like’, and wonder about the people who do respond. I will hold off, hoping that Facebook realizes that multi-dimensional posts just can’t be made so one dimensional.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.

Did you know…

There are 16 categories at this Olympics:

3. Biathlon: Shooting and skiing have been around as early as 2000BC to put food on the table. In the 16th century Scandinavian armies began using shooting and skiing against enemies. The Men’s Biathlon first appeared in the 1960 Squaw Valley games and the Women’s Biathlon started in Albertville in 1992. In 2010 there will be 5 separate events for men, and 5 for women.

There are 220 athletes participating—US has 9; Great Britain has 1.

»Side Show Stories—«

STUART, Fla. - Police in Florida said a man who found $3,100 cash in the frame of a picture he pulled from a dumpster in his apartment complex may be able to keep the money. Warren Bendix of Stuart told police he pulled a framed picture of a space shuttle from the trash while he was dumpster diving at Sierra Condominium Apartments, where he lives, at about 1:45 p.m. Bendix said he took the photo home to change the frame and discovered 24 $100 bills and 35 $20 bills hidden behind the picture. Sgt. Marty Jacobson, a police spokesman, said Bendix turned the money over to officers. "If there isn't a legitimate claim to the property, he can claim it," Jacobson said. "We want to give a legitimate owner an opportunity to claim it if it's theirs."

»Random Fact«

In the game Monopoly, the properties are named after streets in Atlantic City.

» Puzzle «

In each of these puzzles, there are two double blanks. Fill in the blanks with the same pair of letters to complete an English word. For example, use the letter-pair ac in b_ _ckp_ _k to make the word backpack.

1 d _ _ tingu _ _ h

2 _ _ s _ _ de

3 _ _ od _ _ rk

» Calendar Information «

☼ February’s Month Long Observances ☼

Birthstone: Amethyst …Flower: Violet and Primrose

Adopt A Rescued Rabbit Month^AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month^American Heart Month^Bake for Family Fun Month^Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month^Grapefruit Month^International Boost Self-Esteem Month^International Expect Success Month^Jobs in Golf Month^Library Lovers Month^Marijuana Awareness Month^National African American History Month^National Bird Feeding Month^National Black History Month^National Care About Your Indoor Air Month^National Cherry Month^National Condom Month^National Children's Dental Health Month^National Laugh-Friendly Month^National Mend A Broken Heart Month^National Parent Leadership Month^National Pet Dental Health Month^National Senior Independence Month^National Time Management Month^Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month^Pull Your Sofa Off The Wall Month^Relationship Wellness Month^Responsible Pet Owner's Month^Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month^Spiritual Teachers Month^Spunky Old Broads Month^ Sweet Potato Month^Wise Health Care Consumer Month^ Youth Leadership Month^

☼ Observance Weeks in February ☼

Boy Scout Anniversary Week: 3-9

Dump Your Significant Jerk Week: 6-12—It takes a full week?

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week: 7-14

International Coaching Week: 7-13

Jell-O Week: 7-13

Just Say No to Powerpoints Week: 7-13

Publicity for Profit Week: 7-13

Rejection Risk Awareness Week: 7-14—for those who get rejected by someone

Freelance Writers Appreciation Week: 8-13

Love Makes the World Go Round; But, Laughter Keeps Us From Getting Dizzy Week: 8-14

World Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week: 8-14

International Flirting Week: 8-14

☼ 9 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

Read in the Bathtub Day

Toothache Day

☼9 February Observances—by country ☼

Wales: St. Teilo (Latin: Teliaus; also Eliud) Day: founded 1st church in Llandaff

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1922…Snow on Mauna Loa, Hawaii

☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Brendan Behan, in 1923, (Ireland), author/poet (Hostage)

Amy Lowell, in 1874, US, critic/Imagist poet (Patterns, Sword Blades & Poppy Seed)

Alice Walker, 66, author (The Color Purple)

Vasili A Zjukovski, in 1783, Russian folk poet/translator (Homer)

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

(Waldo) Brian Donlevy, in 1901, (Ireland), actor

Mia Farrow, (Maria de Lourdes Villers), 65, actress (“Peyton Place,” Rosemary’s Baby)

Carole King (Klein), 68, singer, songwriter

Gypsy Rose Lee (Rose Hovick), 1914, actress, dancer, stripper

Judith Light, 61, actress (“Ugly Betty,” “One Life to Live,” “Who’s the Boss?”)

Carmen Miranda [Maria do Carmo Miranda Da Cunha], in 1909, (Portugal), vocalist/actress (Copacabana)

Roger Mudd, 82, journalist

Joe Pesci, 67, actor (Raging Bull, Goodfellas, My Cousin Vinny)

Smokey Robinson, in 1940, rocker (& The Miracles)

Shakira (Isabelle Mebarak Ripoll), 33, singer, (Colombia)

Charles Shaughnessy, 55, actor (“The Nanny”) (England)

(James) Travis Tritt, 47, country and western singer

Ernest Tubb, in 1914, guitarist/singer

     »Athletes

Vladimir Guerrero (Nizao Bani), 34, baseball player, (Dominican Republic)

Lennox Lewis, 45, (England), Super heavyweight boxer (Olympics-gold-1988)

     »Business, Education, Politics

William Henry Harrison, in 1773, (Whigs) 9th President

(David) Dean Rusk, in 1909, US Secretary of State

Samuel Jones Tilden, in 1814, philanthropist for New York Public Library

     »Science/Religion

Ulrich Walter, 56, German Federal Republic, cosmonaut

Andrew N Meltzoff, 60, developmental psychologist

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Feodor M Dostoevski, in 1881, Russian novelist (Crime & Punishment), @ 59

Bill Haley, in 1981, vocalist (Rock Around Clock), heart attack @ 55

[George] Gabby Hayes, in 1969, actor @ 83

John Hooper, in 1555, deprived Bishop of Gloucester, burnt for heresy @ about 57

Princess Margaret, in 2002, sister of Queen Elizabeth II of England, stroke @ 71

Sophie Tucker (Sonia Kalish), in 1966, Russian/US singer/actress (My Yiddish Mama), @ 79
David Wayne [Wayne McMeekan], in 1995, US actor, @ 81

☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1997 Fox cartoon series "Simpsons" airs 167th episode the longest-running animated series in cartoon history

     »Athletics

1895…Volleyball invented by W G Morgan in Massachusetts

1932…America entered the 2-man bobsled competition for the first time at the Olympic Winter Games held at Lake Placid, NY.

1964…9th Winter Olympics games close at Innsbruck, Austria

2002…XIX Winter Olympics opens in Salt Lake City UT

     »Business, Education, Politics

1674…English re-conquer New York from Netherlands

1822…American Indian Society organizes

1867…Nebraska becomes 37th US state

1886…President Cleveland declares a state of emergency in Seattle because of anti-Chinese violence

1909…1st federal legislation prohibiting narcotics (opium)

1943…FDR orders minimal 48 hour work week in war industry

1943…The Battle of Guadalcanal ends with US victory

1950…Senator Joseph McCarthy charges State Dept infested with 205 communists

     »Science/Religion

1863…Fire extinguisher patented by Alanson Crane

1969…The Boeing 747 flew its inaugural flight this day

1996…The legendary Russian Chess Grandmaster Kasparov loses his first chess game ever to IBM's chess computer Deep Blue

» Number One Songs in…

1944…Pistol Packin’ Mama - Al Dexte

1952…Slowpoke - Pee Wee King

1960…Teen Angel - Mark Dinning

1968…Green Tambourine - The Lemon Pipers

1976…50 Ways to Leave Your Lover - Paul Simon

1984…Karma Chameleon - Culture Club

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

1 distinguish

2 cascade

3 woodwork