Friday

18 February 2010--Week 7 of 2010: 49 days this year…316 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"Man and wife make one fool." ~unknown from an Indian joke website—in India.

“The day the child realizes that all adults are imperfect he becomes an adolescent; the day he forgives them, he becomes an adult; the day he forgives himself he becomes wise.” ~Alden Nowlan; (1933-1983); Poet

» Free Ramblings «

I’m still enjoying the Olympics and can still sit for too many hours watching the competition. So many athletes performing in front of millions—everything they have done in athletics to be on this stage for such a short amount of time. In my humble opinion the Olympics is reality TV at its very best. We see some great back stories. We get to watch athletes shine. At times we see falters that just can’t be corrected. I watched a little more curling today, and am starting to understand the event a little better. It really takes a team effort and strategy. It also seems to take a whole lot of luck. The other competition that I’m enjoying is snowboarding. I remember when snowboarding first started on American Ski Slopes. Many ski areas banned them from the slopes. They were seen as crazy, mostly high kids who did little more than disrupt skiers. Times change.

The Flagstaff mail- in primary ballots have arrived. Two of the three mayoral candidates are doing a lot of free campaigning on Facebook. Interesting to read. I guess the debate next week will help me decide. The local school district has an override on the ballot. Interesting to have it on the primary ballot and not the final ballot, but this is Flagstaff. While I was traveling the town defeated the override, but due to a loophole in the law, they can have us vote again, less than three months after the defeat. Flag politics is filled with stories of not getting what you want the first time, and just re-voting by finding a loophole. Our lawmakers don’t seem to be able to write laws that aren’t full of loopholes.

Another day of almost 50°. Snow remains on the ground, and the piles are getting smaller, but still very present. At least now, there are only a couple places in town where the piles of snow make it hard to see oncoming traffic while turning.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.

Snowboarding: In 1983 on 10% of ski areas allowed any snowboarding. By 1997 less than 2% forbade it. It first appeared in the 1998 Olympics, but the Gold Medal winner almost lost his medal when he tested positive for marijuana. Now Snowboarding has some great competition and the marijuana issue has died out.

»Side Show Stories—«

Peter the Great had his wife's lover executed and his head put into a jar of alcohol. She had to keep it in her bedroom.

***After having a two year affair with Catherine the Great, Gregory Aleksandrovich Potemkin remained a valued advisor to Catherine. He even helped her pick out future lovers.

***

Cleopatra married two of her brothers and was the mistress of both Caesar and Mark Antony.

***

Fernade Olivier lived with Picasso for seven years. They wanted to marry but Olivier couldn't find her estranged husband to divorce him. In the 1940's she found out he had died right after she met Picasso - 40 years earlier.

»Random Fact: «

To fix a button about to fall off, dab a little clear nail polish over the threads holding it on.

» 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 grime (HINT: S - - -)

2 sugar... (HINT: - A - -)

3 centimeter or gallon, for example (HINT: - - I -)

4 measure (HINT: - - - E)

» 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 ☼

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

International Friendship Week: 17-23

☼ 19 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

Chocolate Mint Day

International Mother Language Day

Iwo Jima Day (Landing)

☼19 February Observances—by country ☼

Astrology: First day of sun sign Pisces: 12th sign, water sign,

Bulgaria: The hanging of revolutionary leader Vasil Levski (1873)

Ethiopia : Martyr's Day (1930s)

Gabon : Constitution Day (1959)

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1913…1st prize inserted into a Cracker Jack box

☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Jonathan Lethem, 46, author (Motherless Brooklyn, Fortress of Solitude)

Carson McCullers (Smith), in 1917, author: The Heart is a Lonely Hunte

William Smokey Robinson Jr, 70, singer, songwriter

Amy Tan, 58, author (The Joy Luck Club), born Oakland, CA, Feb 19, 1952.

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Justine Bateman, 44, actress (“Family Ties,” “Men Behaving Badly”)

Lou Christie (Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco), 67, singer, (Lightning Striking Again)

Jeff Daniels, 55, actor (The Purple Rose of Cairo, Something Wild, Dumb and Dumber)

Benicio Del Toro, 43, actor (Oscar for Traffic)

"Mama" Cass Elliot, in 1943, actress (California Dreamin’, Monday, Monday)

Stan Kenton [Newcomb], 1912, jazz musician/orchestra leader

Lee Marvin, in 1924, actor (Paint Your Wagon)

Seal (Sealhenry Samuel), 47, singer, songwriter

     »Athletes

Eddie (George) Arcaro, in 1916, only jockey to win two Triple Crowns

Roger Goodell, 51, commissioner of the National Football League

Penny Zavichas, in 1938, LPGA golfer

     »Business, Education, Politics

Prince Andrew, in 1960, (Duke of York) British royalty

Rene Firino-Martell, in 1927, cognac manufacturer

Keith Musa[kawukhathi] Zondi, in 1960, South Africa head (Inkatha Youth Brigade)

     »Science/Religion

Nicolaus Copernicus (Mikolaj Kopernick), in 1473, Polish astronomer

Sven Hedin, in 1865, Sweden, scientist/explorer (Tibet)

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Bon Scott, in 1980, (Scotalnd) Australian rock vocalist (AC/DC-Whole Lotta Rosie), alcohol poisoning @ 33

Deng Xiaoping, in 1997, head (Chinese Communist Party), @ 92

Grandpa Jones, in 1998, country comic/banjo wizard (Hee Haw), @ 84

☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1922…Ed Wynn becomes 1st talent to sign as a radio entertainer

1960…Bil Keane's "Family Circus" cartoon strip debuts 1968 1st US Teachers strike (Florida)

     »Athletics

1928 …2nd Winter Olympics games close at St Moritz, Switzerland

1984…1st brother combo to win Gold & Silver in same event at the Olympics (Phil & Steve Mahre-Slalom)

1984 …The XIV Winter Olympic Games ended at Sarajevo, Yugoslavia.

     »Business, Education, Politics

1674…Netherlands & England sign Peace of Westminster (NYC becomes English)

1859…Dan Sickles is acquitted of murder on grounds of temporary insanity 1st time this defense is successfully used

1906…W K Kellogg & Charles D Bolin incorporate Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company, Battle Creek MI

1942…FDR orders detention & internment of all west-coast Japanese-Americans (Executive Order 9066)

1945…900 Japanese soldiers reportedly killed by crocodiles in 2 days

1954…The Ford T-Bird appears as a prototype but did not selling until late in 1954 costing $2,900

2008…Fidel Castro who has ruled Cuba since the revolution in 1959 has decided to end his presidency of the country after nearly fifty years..

     »Science/Religion

1856…Tin-type camera patented by Hamilton Smith

1878…Thomas Alva Edison patents the gramophone (phonograph)

» Number One Songs in…

1946…Aren’t You Glad You’re You - Bing Crosby

1954…Oh! My Pa-Pa - Eddie Fisher

1962…Duke of Earl - Gene Chandler

1970…No Time - The Guess Who

1978…Stayin’ Alive - Bee Gees

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

S C U M

C A N E

U N I T

M E T E

Thursday

18 February 2010--Week 7 of 2010: 49 days this year…316 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"Many a family tree needs trimming."~Kin Hubbard

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

» Free Ramblings «

This is my first Olympics at home since I retired. (I was in Scotland during the China Summer Olympics) I had no idea how many hours of Olympics were on TV. I am getting very little done as every time I turn on the TV, there are more Olympics. These athletes spend hours every day for years to prepare for the Olympics, the least I can do is watch them show off their ability. I did watch some curling today. Not sure what I saw. It has its own language, and must take a long time to figure out. Strategy is the key. The announcer made it sound more like a chess match than anything. But it was fun to watch.

Three storms are headed our way—first one to have 1-4”, the second storm will have less, then the third one will be here but too early to tell how much. Gotta love winter in a mountain town. It was hard to believe as we reached 50° today.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.

German luge master Georg Hackl is the only athlete to medal in the same event in five straight games. (1988, 1992, 1994, 1998, and 2002)

»Side Show Stories—«

WATERVILLE, Ohio - An Ohio strip club said it raised nearly $1,000 during a "Lap dances for Haiti" charity event. Bosses at Marilyn's on Monroe, which does not actually allow lap dances, said all the money from the club's $10 cover charge Sunday would go to Hope, or ISOH/IMPACT, a charity based in Waterville, Ohio, that is participating in Haitian earthquake relief efforts, the Toledo Blade reported. General Manager Kenny Soprano said local businesses wanted to give back to the community. "We'd been racking our brains for about a month or so, thinking about what we could do," he said. "You don't hear much about strip clubs giving back to the community." Some wonder if the money was all in singles?

»Random Fact: «

Licensed New York taxi drivers collectively speak 60 languages

» 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 heap (HINT: B - - -)

2 little picture (HINT: - c - -)

3 bright, short-lived star (HINT: - - v -)

4 annoying insect (HINT: - - - T)

» 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 ☼

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

International Friendship Week: 17-23

☼ 17 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

National Battery Day

Introduce A Girl to Engineering Day

Pluto Day (Planet is Discovered by Clyde Tombaugh)

☼17 February Observances—by country ☼

Gambia : Independence Day (from UK: 1965)

Iceland : National Bun Day (cream puffs)

Israel : Mother's Day

Nepál : Constitutional Day (1951)

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1930…Astronomer Clyde Tombaugh located a new planet while in the observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona

☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Helen Gurley Brown, 88, author (Sex and the Single Girl), publisher (Cosmopolitan)

Toni Morrison, 79, Nobel Prize–winning novelist (Beloved, Jazz, Tar Baby, Sula)

Boris L Pasternak, in 1890, Russian poet/writer (Dr Zhivago)

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Bill Cullen, in 1920, TV game show host (over 20 different games)

Matt Dillon, 46, actor (Crash, There’s Something About Mary, Drugstore Cowboy)

Barbara Hale, 88, actress (Della Street-Perry Mason)

George Kennedy, 83, actor (Oscar for Cool Hand Luke)

Jillian Michaels, 36, personal trainer, television personality (“The Biggest Loser”)

Juice Newton (Judy Cohen), 58, singer

Kim Novak, 77, actress (Vertigo, Of Human Bondage)

Yoko Ono, 77, artist, musician

Jack Palance [Walter Palanuik], in 1920, actor (City Slickers)

Molly Ringwald, 42, actress (Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink)
Cybill Shepherd, 60, actress (The Last Picture Show, “Moonlighting,” “Cybill”)

John Travolta, 55, actor (Pulp Fiction, Urban Cowboy, Saturday Night Fever, “Welcome Back, Kotter”)

Vanna White, 53, television personality (“Wheel of Fortune”)

     »Athletes

--

     »Business, Education, Politics

Mary I Tudor [Bloody Mary], in 1516, 1st reigning queen of Great Britain

George Peabody, in 1795 , merchant/philanthropist

Louis Comfort Tiffany, in 1848, glassmaker (stained glass windows)

     »Science/Religion

Ramakrishna, in 1836, Hindu saint (preached unity of all religions)

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Harry Caray, in 1998, sportscaster (Chicago Cubs), @ 77

Andy Devine [Jeremiah Schwartz], born in Flagstaff, raised in Kingman, AZ, in 1977, actor (Jingles on Wild Bill Hickock), leukemia @ 71

[Ralph] Dale Earnhardt, in 2001, NASCAR driver/"The Intimidator", crash during Daytona 500 @ 49

Martin Luther, in 1546, biblical scholar/religious reformer, stroke @ 62

Robert Merrill, in 1998, songwriter (Funny Girl), suicide @ 76

Mary Stuart, IN 1587, Queen of Scots (1560-87), beheaded @ 44

Frances Willard, in 1898, founder (Woman's Christian Temperance), influenza @ 58

☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1678…John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress" is published

1735…The first opera performed in America, known as either Flora or Hob in the Well, was presented in Charleston, SC

1885…Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" published

     »Athletics

1932…Sonja Henie wins her 6th straight World Women's figure skating title

1960…The VIIIth Winter Olympic Games were opened in Squaw Valley, California

1994…Dan Jansen skates world record 1000 meter (1:12.43)

     »Business, Education, Politics

1745…Bonnie Prince Charlie's troops occupy Inverness Scotland

1841…1st continuous filibuster in US Senate began, lasting until March 11

1867…The Sac and Fox sign a treaty (15 stat.495). They sell much of what remains of their reservation.

1908…1st US postage stamps in coils issued

1951…Nepál becomes a constitutional monarchy

     »Science/Religion

1688…Quakers conduct 1st formal protest of slavery in Germantown PA

1979…Snow falls in the Sahara Desert

» 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…Calendar Girl - Neil Seda

1969…Everyday People - Sly & The Family Stone

1977…Torn Between Two Lovers - Mary MacGregor

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

B I N G

I C O N

N O V A

G N A T

Wednesday

17 February 2010--Week 7 of 2010: 48 days this year…317 remain

» Quote Times Two «

"Matrimony is the root of all evil." ~unknown

“Discipline isn't just punishing, forcing compliance or stamping out bad behavior. Rather, discipline has to do with teaching proper deportment, caring about others, controlling oneself and putting someone else's wishes before one's own when the occasion calls for it.” ~Lawrence Balter, Psychologist, Author

» Free Ramblings «

I think the above quote by Lawrence Balter, should be on permanent display in every classroom and administrator’s office in our schools. So many believe that discipline is forcing compliance.

Sure hope everyone got their beads and are wearing them with style. I never got into Mardi Gras, until I spent a week in New Orleans a few years before Katrina. I was there in the summer but every night there is a parade on Bourbon Street and unlike this week, we could walk around and enjoy everything with only a crowd, not a massive crowd. I was a presenter at a non-BIA workshop and stayed right on Bourbon Street. If you have been to NOLA, you already know that Bourbon Street is a very, very narrow street. If you haven’t been, I would suggest taking a taxi or shuttle to your hotel—if you are staying anywhere in the French Quarter. You can walk just about everywhere you want to go and taxis will take you everywhere else. The beads are purple for justice, green for faith and gold for power. It’s been that way since 1892. I did go to a Mardi Gras parade once…in Deadwood, SD, where it was snowing and 12° below zero. This year I’m watching it on several of the dozens of web cams set up throughout the French Quarter.

The Olympics continue to take up way too much of my time. Both Biathlons were exciting. Both the Men’s and Women’s races were messed up a little by the starter. The athletes in both races knew the mistake, and probably threw off their game plan a lot. One mistake by non-athletes should not happen. Two mistakes should never happen. A total of three mistakes, inexcusable for the athletes and for the fans.

Flag had another great weather day. We had lots more snow melt with the 43° high. It was cold last night—14°, but warmed up very quickly to make a nice day.

»* Winter Olympics* «

The Vancouver Olympics open on Feb 12.

Curling is one of four winter Olympic sports contested indoors. The other three are hockey, figure skating, and speed skating. No weather worries for these events.

»Side Show Stories—«

ORLANDO, Fla. - A Florida graduate who lost his 1989 class ring when it fell from a cruise ship 21 years ago said an Ohio woman called to say she found the ring. Tom Whitney of Orlando, who accidentally dropped the 1989 West Orange High ring from a Port Canaveral-based cruise ship the year of his graduation, said he received an e-mail last Monday from a woman who said she believed the ring had been found, The Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported Monday. "It was just this Monday, and I got a message from a woman who said she has my ring," Whitney said. The message said the ring was found by the woman's metal detector-wielding father along Florida's Daytona Beach.

»Random Fact: «

The strike note of The Liberty Bell is E flat.

» 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 warm up from freezing    (hint: T _ _ _)

2 sound in health              (hint: _ A _ _)

3 letter sequence in m????se, a feeling of uneasiness (hint: _ _ A _)
4 fence in the water (hint: _ _ _ R)

» 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 ☼

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

International Friendship Week: 17-23

☼ 17 February Observances—US/UN/World ☼

Ash Wednesday or Quiet Day

Champion Crab Races Day

My Way Day

National PTA Founders Day

World Human Spirit Day

☼17 February Observances—by country ☼

Kosovo: Independence Day since 2008

Sri Lanka : Maha Shivaratree

☼ Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1876…Sardines 1st canned (Julius Wolff-Eastport ME) 
☼ Born on this day ☼

     » The Arts

Authors, Artists and Composers

Thomas Malthus, in 1766,- economist, demographer

Entertainers in Cinema, Music, Theater, and TV

Brenda Fricker, 65, actress (Oscar for My Left Foot; The Field), born Dublin, Ireland

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 29, actor (Tommy: “3rd Rock from the Sun”)

Paris Hilton, 29, socialite, television personality (“The Simple Life”)

Hal Holbrook (Harold Rowe, Jr), 85, actor

Dame Edna Everidge (Barry Humphries), 76, (Australia) actor, comedian

Richard Karn, 51, actor (“Home Improvement”), game show host (“Family Feud”)

Jerry O'Connell, 36, actor

Gene Pitney, in 1941, singer/songwriter (Town Without Pity)

Lou Diamond Phillips, 48, actor (La Bamba, Stand and Deliver)

Denise Richards, 39, actress

Rene Russo, 56, actress

     »Athletes

Walter L "Red" Barber, in 1908, sports announcer

James Nathaniel (Jim) Brown, 74, Hall of Fame football player, activist, actor

Michael Jordan, 47 basketball player, sports executive

     »Business, Education, Politics

Yasser Arafat , 81,. PLO-leader

Mary Frances Berry, 72, educator/head (US Commission on Civil Rights)

William Cadbury, in 1867, English chocolate manufacturer (Cadbury)

Frederick Douglass, 1817, politician

Samuel Sidney McClure, in 1857, Irish-American newspaper editor/publisher

Huey Newton, in 1942, Black Panther leader

John Pinkerton, in 1758, Scottish historian

     »Science/Religion

--

☼Today’s Obits ☼

Reverend James Renwick hanged in Scotland for being a Presbyterian, @ 26

James Macpherson, 1796, Scottish poet, @ 60

Heinrich Heine, in 1856, German poet, lead poisoning @ 58

Geronimo (Goyaałé, "one who yawns"), in 1908, Chiricahua Apache chief, pneumonia @ 79

Lee [Israel] Strasberg, in 1982, father of method acting/actor, heart attack @ 80

☼What happened on this day? ☼

     » The Arts

1933…Blondie Boopadoop marries Dagwood Bumstead; Dagwood's father promptly disinherits him

1958…Comic strip "BC" 1st appears

1986…The National Critics Book Circle Award to Ann Tyler for "The Accidental Tourist"

     »Athletics

1949…Men's Figure Skating Championship in Paris won by Richard Button USA

1974…49 die in stampede for seats at soccer match, Cairo, Egypt

1989…Orel Hershiser, Dodger pitcher signs record $7.9M-3 year contract

     »Business, Education, Politics

1621…Miles Standish appointed 1st commander of Plymouth colony

1817…1st US city lit by gas (Baltimore)

1854…British recognize independence of Orange Free State (South Africa)

1867…1st ship passes through Suez Canal

1897…The National Congress of Mothers (Later PTA) organized

1911…The First Electric Self Start was installed in a Cadillac By GM

1969…Golda Meir sworn in as Israel's 1st female prime minister

     »Science/Religion

--

» Number One Songs in…

1944…Besame Mucho - The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra (vocal: Bob Eberly & Kitty Kallen)

1952…Slowpoke - Pee Wee King

1960…Teen Angel - Mark Dinning

1968…Love is Blue - Paul Mauriat

» ANSWERS to puzzle «

T H A W

H A L E

A L A I

W E I R

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