Mother's Day 5-9

≈Week 20 of 2010: 129 days this year… 236 days remain≈

≈ Something To Think About 

May those who love us, love us. And those who hate us, may God turn their hearts. And if he doesn't turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we'll know them by their limping.

~ Celtic Proverb

≈ Random Fact    

The Highland Games ‘caber’ is usually made from a cypress tree.

• Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1965 ► Vladimir Horowitz played his first public concert in 12 years at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The audience applauded the piano virtuoso with a standing ovation that lasted for 30 minutes.

≈ Free Ramblings    

Today was the Prescott Highland Games. I left about 5:30am and got home about 8:00pm. It was a great day of music, games, and beautiful weather. Martha, her friend Irene, and I traveled there. Southwest Skye Pipe and Drums were the host band. This is my fourth games with Martha and the band. I’m getting to know them much better. Their progress over the past two years has been nothing short of amazing. They have always been a good band. Their professionalism as a band has grown so much. I think the really amazing thing, besides a 19 year old pipe major, is that they always have fun. That fun is contagious and the audience really enjoys it. I watched a sheep dog herd sheep and make them go where the master wanted them to go. Those familiar with sheep know this is not easy. Then I watched a sheep dog herd ducks. Obviously there aren’t a lot of calls for duck herders. It is an interesting activity to watch—even though a little frivolous. I also watched some caber throwers—men and women. Throwing a tree so that it lands in a specific direction is not easy and not for the physically weak. Still, after reading the scoring process, this sport is much more than tossing a tree. I always find athletic competition interesting. Sometimes it’s the action, sometimes it’s the skill, and sometimes it is the rules. Caber throwing is certainly the scoring rules. Pick up a 15’-25’ tree by the narrow end, throw it so that the largest end is closest to you, and pointing to the 6:00 clock position from where you are standing. The closer the tree is to that position, the more points. Anyway, the day was a great break from Flagstaff.

We were in the mid-80’s down there with a cooling breeze. It was a sun block day for sure. Flagstaff must have been nice too with a high of 71° and only 20mph gusts.

≈ A Quick Smile…    

A Scotsman was invited for a visit to the home of his Canadian friend. Soon after the Scotsman arrived, he glanced out the window to see a huge beast just outside. He pointed, and asked his Canadian friend, "Och, lad, what's that?"

The Canadian replied, "Oh, that's a moose."

The Scotsman stared in disbelief, and replied, "That's a moose?! Well, how big are yer cats around here?"

≈ Puzzle    

Retronyms are terms renamed after something similar but newer has come into being. For example AM radio was just called ‘radio’ before the introduction of FM radio.

1. When a new brand of soda was released, the original needed to add an adj to reassure soda drinkers that the original was still available.

2. As car engines became more powerful and complex, new fuels began to sell. The original fuel had to add an adj so consumers with older cars could easily identify their fuel.

3. When new gear boxes were available on vehicles, the original needed to be differentiated from the newer ‘automatic.’

≈ Side Show Stories    

Ashville, NC: SWANNANOA — A Celtic church? In Swannanoa? It's got to be some sort of New Age, pagan place, right? Wrong.

St. Andrews Celtic Church is much more of an age-old church, a church that traces its history back to AD 36, when the Apostle Phillip and others landed in what is now France. By the following year, this original strain of Christianity had arrived in the British Isles, and spread among the Celts.

The prayers and creed used in the service predate the Council of Nicea, held in AD 325, and have an ancient flavor that is not found in many other churches. St. Andrews is one of only three related Celtic Churches in the U.S. The others are in New York state and Texas.

So — a Celtic Church in Swannanoa? Sure, but it's not some sort of off-the-wall religion, it's Christianity boiled down to its basics: love, compassion, community and Christ.

≈ Calendar Information    

• Observance Weeks in May•

2-8

Be Kind To Animals Week

National Correctional Officer's Week

Children's Mental Health Week

Drinking Water Week

Flexible Work Arrangement Week

Kids Win Week

3-9

Dating and Life Coach Recognition Week

Intimate Apparel Market Week

Work At Home Moms Week

6-12

National Nurses Day and Week

8-16

National Tourism Week

9-15

National Nursing Home Week

National Police Week

National Return To Work Week

National Women's Health Week

Reading is Fun Week

Salute to Moms 35+ Week

• Today’s Observances—US/UN/World •

Mother's Day

Mothers At The Wall Day: Special Mother’s Day Ceremony at Viet Nam Wall

Rural Life Sunday Day

• Today’s Observances—by country •

Channel Island : Liberation Day

Poland, USSR : Victory Day [in World War II]

• Today’s Number One Songs in…

For anyone interested, all these songs are available on iTunes.

1940 ►Tuxedo Junction; Glenn Miller

1950 ►'The Third Man' Theme; Anton Karas

1960 ►Stuck on You; Elvis Presley

1970 ►American Woman/No Sugar Tonight; The Guess Who

1980 ►Call Me; Blondie

• Today’s Happenings•

In The Arts

1754 ►1st newspaper cartoon in America-divided snake "Join or die"

1946 ►1st hour long entertainment TV show, "NBC's Hour Glass" premieres

1992 ►Final episode of "Golden Girls" airs on NBC-TV

In Athletics

1896 ►1st horseless carriage show in London (featured 10 models)

1932 ►Piccadilly Circus, 1st lit by electricity

In Business or Education

--

In Politics

1735 ►The first debate on "The Walking Purchase" takes place in Pennsbury. Thomas Penn and James Logan meet with DelawareChiefs, including Nutimus and Tedyuscung.

1944 ►Jimmie Davis becomes the Governor of Louisiana. He wrote the song "You Are My Sunshine."

1989 ►Vice President Dan Quayle says in United Negro College Fund speech: "What a waste it is to lose one's mind" instead of "a mind is terrible thing to waste"

1994 ►South Africa's newly elected parliament chose an Unopposed Nelson Mandela to be the country's first black president.

In Science/ Religion

1960 ►The Food and Drug Administration approved the first pill for contraceptive use in Birth Control , called Envoid.

• Today’s Births •

Artists, Writers, and Composers

Richard Adams, 90, author (Day Gone By)

Sir James Matthew Barrie, 1860, Scotland, novelist (Margaret Ogilvy, Peter Pan, The Little Minister)

Billy Joel, 61, singer, composer

Athletes

Dorothy Hyman, 69, England, sprinter (Olympics-silver-60)

Fred Markham, 53, 1st man to pedal a bike 65 mph

Entertainers

Candice Bergen, 64, actress

Albert Finney, 74, actor

Glenda Jackson, 73, actress

Business, Education Leaders

Henry J. (John) Kaiser, 1882, industrialist: ship builder; auto manufacturer: Jeep; aviation, aluminum, steel, magnesium; founder of Hawaii Kai residential neighborhood in Honolulu

Mike Wallace, 92, television journalist

Political Leaders

John Brown, 1800, abolitionist; led attack on Harpers Ferry

Scientists /Religious Leaders

--

• Today’s Obits •

Joseph Mallaby Dent, 1926, publisher, @ 77

Harold Gray, 1968, US comic strip artist (Little Orphan Annie), @ 74

Marion Lorne, 1968, actress (Aunt Clara-Bewitched), @ 81

A[lbert] A[braham] Michelson, 1931, US physicist (1907 Nobel), @ 78

≈ ANSWERS to puzzle    

1. classic coke

2. regular gasoline

3. manual transmission

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Sat 5-8

≈Week 19 of 2010: 128 days this year… 237 days remain≈

≈ Something To Think About 

Knowledge is an unending adventure at the edge of uncertainty.

~ Jacob Bronowski

≈ Random Fact   

A giraffe can clean its ears with its 21-inch tongue!

• Holy Mackerel: On this day in

≈ Free Ramblings   

Note to self: When there are 50+mph winds, forget trying to weld a tank in the middle of a forested area. As simple as that sounds, this is what caused the 500+ acre wild fire just north of Flagstaff. The wind has died down and it looks like the fire that never should have occurred is now under control. Hundreds of people were needlessly frightened. Many forest creatures died. Thousands of dollars in resources were used. Luckily no humans were injured, no houses were lost. Coconino County First Responders, just like those in NYC, prevented what have could have been devastating. We sure dodged the bullet on this fire. It sure seems to me that those attending welding school would be taught that all those flying sparks that require the welder to wear protective gear, including that dark glass hood, would be told straight out that those sparks can easily cause a fire. But then, I am a teacher, and haven’t been told why it was necessary to forgo safety to fix a tank at that moment.

Our retirement group spent the afternoon in Williams. Cheryl’s birthday is tomorrow so Mary and I took her out to lunch. Williams, at least downtown, is like walking back in time. A nice walk but don’t think I could live there. Main Street still has angle-in parking combined with parallel parking. Main Street is made up of a slew of home style restaurants, a few local car and farm equipment shops, and more trinket shops than any three towns need. Williams is proud that they were the last town in America to be connected to the Interstate—after all, the two lane Route 66 had always been good enough for everyone. I must say, traveling back to that time is enjoyable. As we had our lunch in a nice little restaurant decorated with various sized fancy plates all over the walls, we could also watch people walk by. People would stop and talk to their neighbor right on Main Street. Some would stand next to a vehicle and talk endlessly with the driver sitting in the vehicle at the angle in parking. One lady was sitting on a cement wall across Main Street with a schnauzer on a leash. Cheryl has a schnauzer, and commented to Mary and I how cute the dog was. Suddenly we were in a conversation with the lady. We were across the street and not talking that loudly! She didn’t know us, but smiled and started talking about how rambunctious he could be. As we walked along Main Street, it was really like a movie set without cameras. Opie and Sheriff Taylor could have walked around any corner with their fishing poles and never received a second look. On the other hand, a bell could have rung from somewhere and all the residents could have started walking zombie like toward the edge of town. Away from Main Street, the town is much more modern—like the late 80’s. Cheryl likes the town, but admits she only goes to Main Street when visitors come. As we returned to Flagstaff, our little mountain town seems like a huge Metropolis. Williams was incorporated in 1901, is about 40 sq miles, and has about 3800 people. Flagstaff was incorporated in 1894, is about 60 sq miles, and has about 63,000 people. It is good to visit a real small town, especially when you and all your friends think you live in a small town. Tuba City is about 10 sq miles and has a population of about 9500 people.

It was much less windy today—15mph wind with gusts to 30mph. We climbed to 69° and while I spent the afternoon in Williams, Flag was really nice this morning. Fortunately for us, the smoke from the nearby fire hasn’t settled into our low lying areas. I guess there is some barrier that is keeping the smoke away. That’s fine with me.

≈ A Quick Smile…   

A crew of highway maintenance workers were sent to repair some road signs that vandals had knocked down in a forested area. The first one they put back up was a symbol warning of a deer crossing.

As they moved down the road to repair the next sign, one member, of the crew looked back and spotted a deer running across the highway. She turned to a co-worker and said, "I wonder how long he's been waiting to cross?"

≈ Puzzle   

Retronyms are terms renamed after something similar but newer has come into being. For example AM radio was just called ‘radio’ before the introduction of FM radio. Identify these retronyms

1. A musical instrument where strings are plucked, an adjective had to be added when a similar instrument with solid state circuitry became popular

2. Used to tell time for centuries, an adjective had to be added when the hands were dropped and time was told only using numbers.

3. This cleanser was made at home for a long time. Then it was sold in cake form. When a liquid form of the cleanser became popular, a new adjective had to be added.

≈ Side Show Stories   

Bonita Springs, FL: 43-year-old Laslo Mujzer was charged with petty theft after a shopper at the Coastland Center mall reported him for allegedly taking change from an outdoor fountain.

The money in the fountain is intended for the Habitat for Humanity of Collier County, but apparently Laslo didn't have quite enough for his morning latte.

≈ Calendar Information   

• Observance Weeks in May•

1-7

Bread Pudding Recipe Exchange Week

2-8

Be Kind To Animals Week

National Correctional Officer's Week

Children's Mental Health Week

Drinking Water Week

Flexible Work Arrangement Week

Kids Win Week

3-9

Dating and Life Coach Recognition Week

Intimate Apparel Market Week

Work At Home Moms Week

6-12

National Nurses Day and Week

8-16

National Tourism Week

• Today’s Observances—US/UN/World •

Birthmother's Day

International Migratory Bird Day

Have A Coke Day

Letter Carrier's Food Drive Day

Missouri : Harry S Truman's Birthday (1884)

Mother Ocean Day

National Babysitter's Day

National Miniature Golf Day

National Train Day

No Socks Day

V E Day

World Red Cross Day

• Today’s Observances—by country •

Helston, England : Furry Day: Street Dancing Festival

México : Hidalgo Day

Norway : Liberation Day

Ribe, Denmark : Stork Day: Gifts from the stork are given to children—chocolate, fruits, pencils

• Today’s Number One Songs in…

For anyone interested, all these songs are available on iTunes.

1948 Mañana (Is Soon Enough for Me) Peggy Lee

1958 All I Have to Do Is Dream The Everly Brothers

1968 Honey Bobby Goldsboro

1978 If I Can't Have You Yvonne Elliman

• Today’s Happenings•

In The Arts

1984 ►Joanie (Erin Moran) and Chachi (Scott Baio) got married on Happy Days!

In Athletics

1967 ►Muhammad Ali is indicted for refusing induction in US Army

1984 ►USSR announces it will not participate in Los Angeles Summer Olympics

In Business or Education

1886 ►Atlanta pharmacist (Jacob's Pharmacy) Dr John Styth Pemberton invents Coca Cola

1962 ►London trolley buses go out of service

In Politics

1792 ►US establishes military draft

1794 ►US Post Office established

1820 ►The Mi’kmaq Acadia First Nation reserve of Gold River is established in Nova Scotia.

1858 ►John Brown holds antislavery convention

In Science/ Religion

1944 ►1st eye bank opens (NYC)

1980 ►World Health Organization announced smallpox had been eradicated

• Today’s Births •

Artists, Writers, and Composers

David Attenborough, 84, author, naturalist (Life on Earth, Trials of Life)

Peter Benchley, 1940, New York NY, novelist (Jaws, The Deep)

Oscar Hammerstein, 1848, playwright, producer

Thomas Pynchon, 73, author (Vineland, V, Gravity’s Rainbow)

Sloan Wilson, 1920, novelist (Man in the Gray Flannel Suit)

Athletes

Sonny Liston, 1934, US heavyweight boxing champ

Entertainers

Melissa Gilbert, 46, actress (“Little House on the Prairie,” The Miracle Worker)

Louis Moreau Gottschalk, 1829, 1st internationally recognized US pianist

Enrique Iglesias, 35, singer

Ricky (Eric Hilliard) Nelson, 1940, actor: The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet

Don Rickles, 84, comedian, actor

Toni Tennille, 67, singer (Captain & Tennille)

Business, Education Leaders

Thomas Hancock, 1786, founded British rubber industry

Political Leaders

Miguel Hidalgo y Castilla, 1753, father of Mexican independence

Harry S Truman, 1884, Lamar MO, 33rd US President

Scientists /Religious Leaders

Fulton J Sheen, 1895, TV bishop

• Today’s Obits •

Gustave Flaubert, 1880, French writer (Salammbô; Madame Bovary), stroke @ 59

John Stuart Mill, 1873, great Empiricist philosopher, @ 66

Edmond O'Brien, 1985, actor (Sam Benedict), Alzheimer's @ 69

George Peppard, 1994, actor (Breakfast at Tiffanys, A-Team), dies at 65

≈ ANSWERS to puzzle   

1. Acoustic guitar Before the invention of the solid-body electric guitar, all guitars amplified the sound of a plucked string with a resonating hollow body.

2. Analog (or analogue) watch Before the advent of the digital watch, all watches had faces and hands. After the advent of the digital watch, watches with faces and hands became known as analog watches.

3. Bar soap The common cake of soap used in the tub or shower was familiarly called "soap" or "bath soap"; the term "bar soap" arose with the advent of soaps in liquid and gel form.

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Fri. 5-7

≈Week 19 of 2010: 127 days this year… 238 days remain≈

≈ Something To Think About   

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.

--Henry David Thoreau

≈ Random Fact    

More people are killed each year from bees than from snakes.

• Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1933 ►Prohibition ends, Utah becomes 38th state to ratify 21st Amendment

≈ Free Ramblings    

I had an interesting day. While over at the Marketplace to pick up a birthday gift for a friend, I looked out toward Tuba. All I could see was smoke. The store clerk said the fire was about 30 miles from Flagstaff, on Highway 89. That is the highway that connects Flagstaff to the Rez. After doing some checking, the fire was not threatening any buildings but the 50mph gusts were not good in controlling the fire. The fire is human caused.

Later in the day I got an email from a former BIA-er who will be driving a friend’s military son’s car from Florida to California. He will be coming through Flag and after almost thirty years, we will hook up for lunch sometime in July. Wes was an early mentor to the importance of ESL on Navajo.

Finally, I got an email from another BIA-er who sent an article about poor politics in the Bureau where the new head of Haskell is a Native female with a masters in social work, chosen over several male Natives with doctorates in Education. Politics!?!. While I realize that paper should not be the only reason for selection, this does seem too political. Anyway, the sender was a female Native who worked hard to keep funding flowing into the BIA Federal projects for almost 30 years. She had more than her share of ‘details’ and ‘reassignments’ during her career. Most, if not all came when she told higher ups they were on the wrong path. As soon as these people left or were removed, she was back to her old position. I sent her a quick reply telling her how much I appreciated her no nonsense approach. She replied saying that she had no idea that people understood her that well. Made her day…made my day.

I have been a fan of Google Earth since its launch several years ago. I always use it before my overseas trips. I can get aerial and street views of places we are going to visit. Today a news story showed a beaver dam that was found by a scientist using Google Earth. The beaver dam is in Canada. It is larger in length than Hoover Dam. It was noted that it is in a very isolated area and until now has not been reported by any humans. Wow. Anyone with a computer can see the aerial view of this dam—up close.

We got to 68° today. The 30mph steady winds and the 50+mph gusts were an annoyance to city dwellers and horrific for people near the fire. It didn’t drop our temperature at all. Running a few errands was not difficult, but certainly made me wish I could park a little closer to the stores. I don’t like having to hug my purchases close to my body as I work my way to a car.

My townhouse does not have a storm door. This is the first time I have lived anywhere that doesn’t have one. I called the landlord soon after I moved in to see if I could get one. They would not get one, and if I bought one, it had to be approved, stay when I moved out and would not be deducted from my rent. This didn't seem like something I wanted to do. A couple of weeks ago I saw a portable magnetic screen in a catalogue for about $20. It came yesterday. It works very well. I can have the front door open and not have to worry about bugs flying in. It only takes about 3 minutes to put up and another 3 to take down. Hardly high tech. Not going to keep out any human intruders, but will allow the door to be open and adds one more area to let fresh breeze in during our warm late summer days.

≈ A Quick Smile…    

An applicant was being interviewed for admission to a prominent medical school.

"Tell me," inquired the interviewer, "where do you expect to be five years from now?"

"Well, let's see," replied the student. "It's Wednesday afternoon. I guess I'll be on the golf course by now."

≈ Puzzle    

The number next to the acronym helps solve what the acronym means... e.g. 365 DIAY = 365 days in a year, and 366 DIALY = 366 days in a leap year.

1. 1 W o a U

2. 100 D C a w W B

3. 360 D i a C

≈ Side Show Stories    

OLOFSTROM, Sweden - A Swedish teenager who missed school for three years because of his computer addiction has been placed in state custody, officials said. The 16-year-old from southern Sweden allegedly threatened suicide if he were to be moved from his home and his hours on his computer reduced, The Local reported Tuesday. Vaxjo administrative court said it was invoking the Involuntary Treatment Act because the boy has missed school since the spring of 2007 and was at significant risk of damage to his health. The court ordered a psychological evaluation to establish how the boy could be helped to handle every-day life. The boy's behavior had become increasingly disruptive, said a social worker in Olofstrom assigned to support the boy's parents in raising him. The teen had resisted home schooling but expressed an interest in completing school in order to become a computer programmer, authorities said.

≈ Calendar Information    

• Observance Weeks in May•

1-7

Bread Pudding Recipe Exchange Week

2-8

Be Kind To Animals Week

National Correctional Officer's Week

Children's Mental Health Week

Drinking Water Week

Flexible Work Arrangement Week

Kids Win Week

3-9

Dating and Life Coach Recognition Week

Intimate Apparel Market Week

Work At Home Moms Week

6-12

National Nurses Day and Week

• Today’s Observances—US/UN/World •

Children's Mental Health Awareness Day

Child Care Provider Day

International Tuba Day

National Roast Leg of Lamb Day

No Pants Day

Paste Up Day: for those who do the Paste Up for magazines, newspapers, newsletters, etc.

Tuba Day--the musical instrument...not the Rez town. 

World Asthma Day

• Today’s Observances—by country •

China : Ching Ming - families gather at graves of ancestors

Haiti : World Health Day (1948)

Malaysia: Hari Hol: to pay tribute to departed sultans and royals

Russia: Radio Day, commemorating the work of Alexander Popov

Yugoslavia : Republic Day (1963)

• Today’s Number One Songs in…

For anyone interested, all these songs are available on iTunes.

1946 ►Prisoner of Love; Perry Como

1956 ►Heartbreak Hotel; Elvis Presley

1966 ►Monday, Monday; The Mamas & the Papas

1976 ►Welcome Back (Theme from Welcome Back, Kotter; John Sebastian

• Today’s Happenings•

In The Arts

1941 ►Glenn Miller and His Orchestra recorded "Chattanooga Choo Choo."

In Athletics

1986 ►Canadian Patrick Morrow became the first person to climb each of the Seven Summits.( 7 highest peaks in the world)

In Business or Education

1902 ►Texas Oil Company (Texaco) forms

In Politics

1429 ►Joan of Arc ends the Siege of Orléans, pulling an arrow from her own shoulder and returning, wounded, to lead the final charge. The victory marks a turning point in the Hundred Years' War.

1789 ►The first Presidential Inaugural Ball was held in New York City.

1798 ►Territory of Mississippi is organized

1851 ►Yesterday, the Cherokee Nation opened a seminary (high school) for men. Today they open a seminary for females, north of Park Hill on the Cherokee Reservation in Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma). Some of the required courses include: algebra, arithmetic, botany, geography, grammar, Latin and vocal music.

1915 ►A German torpedo sinks the British Ocean liner Lusitania

1921 ►Over 5000 people have already starved to death in Ireland in 1921 and it is feared many more will follow

1973 ►According to the FBI, at 10:19 A.M. this morning, the occupation of Wounded Knee ended. The occupation started on February 27, 1973.

1977 ►Consumer Product Safety Commission bans the flame-retardant chemical "TRIS"

In Science/ Religion

1987 ►National Museum of Female Physicians opens in Washington DC

• Today’s Births •

Artists, Writers, and Composers

Francis Ford Coppola, 71, film maker (Godfather, Apocalypse Now, American Graffiti)

Robert Browning, 1812, poet

Percy Faith, 1908, conductor (Summer Place)

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, 1840, composer Marche Slave, 1812 Overture, Swan Lake, Nutcracker Suite, Romeo and Juliet

William Wordsworth, 1770, England, poet laureate (The Prelude)

Athletes

Walter Camp, 1859, Connecticut, father of American football (Yale)

Johnny Unitas, 1933, Pro Football Hall of Famer: Colts, Chargers quarterback

Entertainers

Jackie Chan, 56, martial art actor

Gary (Frank James) Cooper, 1901, Academy Award-winning actor

Totie Fields (Sophie Feldman), 1930, entertainer, comedienne

David Frost, 71, Tenderdon England, TV host (That Was the Week That Was)

James Garner [Scott Bumgarner], 82, actor (Rockford Files, Bret Maverick)

Gabby (George Francis) Hayes, 1885, actor: sidekick of both Hopalong Cassidy and Roy Rogers

Billie Holiday [Eleanora Fagan], 1915, singer

Janis Ian (Janis Eddy Fink), 59, Grammy Award-winning songwriter, singer

Wayne Rogers, 77, actor (TV-MASH)

Tim Russert, 1950, TV host, moderator

Ravi Shankar, 90, Benares India, sitar player

Business, Education Leaders

W K Kellogg, 1860, cereal magnate

Walter Winchell, 1897, newscaster/columnist

Political Leaders

Eva (Evita) Peron, 1919, Argentina’s spiritual leader and wife of Argentina’s President

Scientists /Religious Leaders

Marjory Stoneman Douglas, 1890 ,environmentalist (1st Lady of Everglades)

Francis C Lowell, 1775, founded 1st raw cotton-to-cloth textile mill

• Today’s Obits •

El Greco Δομήνικος Θεοτοκόπουλος (Doménikos Theotokópoulos), 1614, Spanish painter (View of Toledo) @ 73

Kurt Cobain, 1994, grunge rocker (Nirvana), suicide @ 27

≈ ANSWERS to puzzle

1. 1 W o a U = 1 Wheel on a Unicycle

2. 100 D C a w W B = 100 Degrees Celsius at which Water Boils

3. 360 D i a C = 360 Degrees in a Circle

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Thurs. 5-6

≈Week 19 of 2010: 126 days this year… 239 days remain≈

≈ Something To Think About  

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

~ Emma Lazarus

≈ Random Fact   

Months that begin on a Sunday will always have a "Friday the 13th."

• Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1935 ►The Works Progress Administration (WPA), opens allowing thousands of unemployed Americans decent-paying jobs on a wide range of public works projects including parks, playgrounds, major infrastructure projects, schools and post-offices.

≈ Free Ramblings    

Update: about 15 minutes after I posted yesterday’s blog, the Flagstaff City Council unanimously passed a resolution to sue the state over SB 1070 and to work with other cities doing the same thing. This really is a human rights issue.

I remember sitting in Elementary School, in the last 1950’s, learning Emma Lazarus’ poem. We were performing in the school gym at a PTA meeting. Cindy Lou was dressed as a quite striking Statue of Liberty while the rest of us stood behind her as the class recited the poem. Each of the 4th grade classes did a short skit on some part of American History. Parents sat on metal chairs with their Brownie and a flash bulb in hand to get a picture or two. Most of the parents cared less about the PTA business, but wouldn’t miss their child’s performance. We all sat in a nearby classroom practicing and waiting our turn. Then we waited in the same classroom for our parents to come to class and pick us up after the performance.

I was reminded of this event today as I listened to a couple of National Politicians who never learned the poem, and probably never studied American History. John McCain said he hoped the latest terrorist was not read is Miranda rights. Then ol’ Joe Lieberman wants to present a bill that will strip a terrorist of their American citizenship upon arrest for a terrorist crime…note: not after conviction in our great American justice system, but upon arrest. He was unclear so far if this applies only to naturalized citizens or native born citizens. Those who conspire with a terrorist will have the same penalty.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want anyone killing anyone else. Doesn’t matter if it’s over a policy, a lover, a former lover, or just a plain old jerk. Killing is wrong. I still believe in the American judicial system. It moves way too slowly for my taste, but it works. Way too many politicians don’t seem to believe it works. This, for me, is more frightening that the terrorists. Our American system seems to be destroyed by ourselves. The idea that a person can lose their citizenship because they know a suspected terrorist scares me. I know lots of people. I socialize with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds. I know many who are not happy about what is happening in our America. The climate in this country is at the beginning of another McCarthy era. I do not want to live in an America where I am fearful that my association with somebody might lead to me losing my citizenship. An overreaction? Maybe. But listening to the ‘acquaintance’ interviews of the latest two terrorists, or many of the mass murders—few seemed to suspect anything violent from the person.

More 70° made it to Flagstaff today. It is so great to be able to open the windows, walk around outside in short sleeves, and just enjoy our little mountain community. Everyone I talked to today is excited about our spring…and all usually say something to the effect that ‘but…the wind starts tomorrow.’ I interrupt them after the ‘but’ and say ‘just enjoy one day at a time.’ It has kept the wind away for three days so far, and I can only assume it will keep working. If you don’t say it, it won’t happen. Yeah, like that works.

≈ A Quick Smile…    

When I was a 20-something college student, I became quite friendly with my study partner, a 64-year-old man, who had returned to school to finish his degree. He confessed, with a wink, that he had once thought more than friendship might be a possibility between us.

"So what changed your mind?" I asked him.

"I went to my doctor and asked if he thought a 40-year age difference between a man and woman was insurmountable. He looked at my chart and said, 'You're interested in someone who's 104?!'"

≈ Puzzle    

The number next to the acronym helps solve what the acronym means... e.g. 365 DIAY = 365 days in a year, and 366 DIALY = 366 days in a leap year.

1. 64 S o a C B

2. 54 C i a P (W J)

3. 76 T L t B P

≈ Side Show Stories    

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Missouri teenager said he took his 90-year-old great-grandmother to his school prom to help her fulfill a lifelong wish. Hasselteen Rumba, 90, said she was encouraged to make a bucket list of new experiences she wanted to try by Independence Care Center Manor activities director Tracy Bunch, who was inspired by the movie "The Bucket List," WDAF-TV, Kansas City, Mo., reported Monday. Great-grandson Ron Blalock said he decided to help Rumba after learning that attending a dance was on her list. "She never went to a prom and I figured I'm having a prom so she should come with me and enjoy herself," Blalock said. Rumba said she wasn't allowed to attend dances as a teenager. "Well about 60 years ago my folks was real strict," Rumba said. "They said oh no you're not going to a dance. I couldn't do that." Rumba and Blalock attended the Fort Osage Prom together Saturday in Kansas City. The 90-year-old, who already crossed off attending a concert and meeting Reba McEntire, said she has not yet decided what will be next on her bucket list.

≈ Calendar Information    

• Observance Weeks in May•

1-7

Bread Pudding Recipe Exchange Week

2-8

Be Kind To Animals Week

National Correctional Officer's Week

Children's Mental Health Week

Drinking Water Week

Flexible Work Arrangement Week

Kids Win Week

3-9

Dating and Life Coach Recognition Week

Intimate Apparel Market Week

Work At Home Moms Week

6-12

National Nurses Day and Week

• Today’s Observances—US/UN/World •

Beverage Day: a day of pleasure and relaxation with your favorite beverage

Joseph Brackett Day: Day honoring the Shaker religious leader

National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

No Diet Day

No Homework Day

Nurses Day

National Day of Prayer

National Day of Reason

• Today’s Observances—by country •

Bulgaria: Day of Bravery, also known as Gergyovden

Bulgaria : Shepherd's & Herdsman's Day

Denmark : Prayer Day

Lebanon : Martyrs' Day

Syria: Martyrs’ Day

• Today’s Number One Songs in…

For anyone interested, all these songs are available on iTunes.

1945 ►My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time; Les Brown

1955 ►Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White; Perez Prado

1965 ►Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter; Herman's Hermits

1975 ►He Don't Love You (Like I Love You); Tony Orlando & Dawn

1985 ►Crazy for You; Madonna

• Today’s Happenings•

In The Arts

1957 ►Pulitzer prize awarded to John F Kennedy (Profiles in Courage)

In Athletics

1733 ►1st international boxing match: Bob Whittaker beats Tito di Carni

1954 ►Roger Bannister becomes the first man to run a mile in less than 4 minutes, making the new record in 3mins 59.4 seconds

In Business or Education

1833 ►John Deere makes 1st steel plow

In Politics

1527 ►Spanish & German Imperial troops sack Rome; ending the Renaissance

1822 ►As of today, all nonprofit government trading houses are closed on or near Indian lands. All future trading posts are commercial enterprises.

1935 ►British King George & Queen Mary celebrates silver jubilee

1960 ►President Eisenhower signs Civil Rights Act of 1960

1967 ►Zakir Hussain elected 1st Moslem President of India

1994 ►Nelson Mandela & his ANC, finally confirmed winners in South Africa

In Science/ Religion

1986 ►Donald E Pelotte becomes 1st native American bishop (Abenaki tribe—a non-Federally Recognized tribe from NE US, now in Canada)

1937 ►The German airship Hindenberg the largest dirigible ever built burst into flames and collapsed to the ground while attempting to moor at Lakehurst, New Jersey

1979 ►Over 65,000 anti-nuclear power demonstrators marched on the capitol in protest against more nuclear power plants

• Today’s Births •

Artists, Writers, and Composers

Bob Seger, 65, singer, musician Night Moves, Travelin’ Man

Theodore H White, 1915, historian/writer (Making of the President)

Athletes

Weeb Ewbank, 1907, NFL coach (Colts, Jets)

Willie Mays, 79, Hall of Fame baseball player

Entertainers

Tom Bergeron, 55, television personality and host (“Hollywood Squares,” “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “Dancing with the Stars”)

George Clooney, 49, actor

Roma Downey, 46, actress (“Touched by an Angel”), born Derry, Northern Ireland

Stewart Granger[James Stewart], 1913, London, actor

Rudolph Valentino (Rodolfo Pietro Filiberto Raffaello Guglielmi di Valentina), 1895, actor

Orson Welles, 1915, actor

Business, Education Leaders

Sigmund Freud, 1856, Freiberg Moravia, cigar smoker, father of psycho-analysis

Political Leaders

Tony Blair, 57, former British prime minister (1997–2007), born Edinburgh, Scotland

Maximilien Robespierre, 1758 ,Arras Fr, French revolutionary

Scientists /Religious Leaders

Chapin Aaron Harris, 1806, founded America Society of Dental Surgeons

Robert Edwin Peary, 1856, arctic explorer

• Today’s Obits •

Henry David Thoreau, 1862, US writer/pacifist (Walden Pond), complications from TB @ 44

William J Casey, 1987, director of CIA, brain cancer @ 73

Guy Williams (Armand Joseph Catalano), 1989, actor (Zorro, Lost in Space), aneurysm @ 65

Charles Farrell, 1990, actor (Vern-My Little Margie), @ 89

Marlene Dietrich [Maria Losch], 1992, actress, @ 90

≈ ANSWERS to puzzle    

1. 64 S o a C B = 64 Squares on a Chess (Checker) Board

2. 54 C i a P (W J) = 54 Cards in a Pack (With Jokers)

3. 76 T L t B P = 76 Trombones Led the Big Parade

   ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈  

Wednesday--Cinco de Mayo--5-5

≈Week 19 of 2010: 125 days this year… 240 days remain≈

≈ Something To Think About 

The character inherent in the American people has done all that has been accomplished; and it would have done somewhat more, if the government had not sometimes got in its way.

--Henry David Thoreau

≈ Random Fact   

What is called a "French kiss" in the English speaking world is known as an "English kiss" in France.

• Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1945 ►A Japanese balloon bomb explodes at Mitchell Recreation Area on Gearhart Mountain in Oregon, killing the pregnant wife of a minister and five children. This is the only recorded instants of deaths caused by Japanese Bombs on the American mainland in World War II.

≈ Free Ramblings   

I learned something interesting today. I bought a Tom-Tom GPS locator to help me find my way around. It was time to update the maps. So I go on line, update the maps—at a small charge—and it takes about an hour to do this. Tom-Tom updates its maps every quarter. My computer is not slow, but the tiny, tiny little GPS ‘computer’ is very slow in accepting info. About 30 minutes after I had bought the new maps, I get an email from my bank checking that I had made the purchase. I called the vank, rather than responding to the email, since I don’t trust those kind of emails. Turns out that Tom-Tom is not an American company. They are based in the UK. Hmmm. The UK is making maps for us to travel in the US. I sure hope they remain our friends. Some disgruntled UKer could change my map and send me into a lake somewhere. I guess if they were made in the US some disgruntled citizen could to the same thing. Scary.

Another interesting thing I discovered today is that the Flagstaff City Council Meetings stream live. Guess they have been doing this for some time. Cool. Tonight they are talking about SB 1070. I didn’t want to sit downtown, in a crowded room, so I’m listening to the discussion as I do this entry. I am interested because last week the council held a meeting to discuss what action to take against the crazy bill. Then the council got an email suggesting that they should be all be tried and hung as traitors I want to know what their response will be. While I am waiting, I heard on the news that the Phoenix Suns have changed their uniform for the play-offs. From today on their uniforms will no longer say “SUNS” on the back, but will now say “LOS SUNS”. No matter what people read or hear, there are many, many residents in AZ who are not in favor of SB 1070. The City Council and community have been talking about SB 1070 for over 3 ½ hours. The overwhelming majority have been for the injunction. I must say, Mayor Sara runs a tight ship during these meetings. I have heard several new reasons that 1070 is wrong. A Hopi artist reminded the council and participants that the Hopi and the Mexicans—through the Aztecs--are brothers and sisters. One younger speaker from Forest Highlands—a gated community—admitted he was not a resident of Flagstaff but wanted the council to accept state law and provide the town with safety by not filing any paperwork against 1070. Most of the pro injunction people as proud of the rich cultural heritage of Flagstaff and want it continue. A vote seems to be a few hours away, so tomorrow I’ll let you know how it all turned out.

We had a great weather day today. We broke 70° today. We had blue sky. We had little wind. It was a short sleeve day for sure. Our retirement group returned to the local Greek restaurant today. Great meal, great conversation. Cheryl, while living in Williams, has really gotten the planting bug. Last year she built a cinder block planter in her back yard. It was so successful, she is building another one this year. These planters are a lot of work to build, but seem to be well worth the time and expense. Mary is staying busy with her grandkids and also preparing for spring. I don’t know how much longer I will be able to hold out. I want to plant. But alas, I know that more cold weather and more snow is going to come, so for now, I will listen to these spring plans, but will still wait a while.

≈ A Quick Smile…   

Another man and I share a locker at work. Noticing that it needed a new combination lock, my partner said he would pick one up on his way to work the next day. It occurred to me later that I might not see him in the morning. How would I find out the combination? I needn't have worried.

When I arrived at work I found that he had used the locker before me and had left a note reading: "To find the first number subtract 142 from your high score the last time we went bowling. The second number is 16 less than that. To find the third number, subtract 1.87 from the amount you owe me."

≈ Puzzle   

The number next to the acronym helps solve what the acronym means... e.g. 365 DIAY = 365 days in a year, and 366 DIALY = 366 days in a leap year.

1. 57H V

2. 2 4 6 8 W D W A

3. 93000000 M E D f t S

≈ Side Show Stories   

LOS ANGELES: A standup comedian,Sunda Croonquist, whose shtick for years has been to describe her life as a half-black, half-Swedish woman who marries into a Jewish family, was sued two years ago after her mother-in-law, sister-in-law and brother-in-law said her jokes were holding them up to public ridicule.

In a 21-page ruling issued Friday, U.S. District Judge Mary L. Cooper of New Jersey concluded that the examples they cited — including one in which Croonquist says her sister-in-law's voice sounds like a cat in heat — fell under the category of protected speech. Many of the jokes, Cooper said, were clearly statements of opinion and not fact and therefore protected by the FirstAmendment. The cat-in-heat joke, the judge said, quoting from a previous court decision, was "colorful, figurative rhetoric that reasonable minds would not take to be factual."

The suit was filed in New Jersey because two of the plaintiffs, Croonquist's brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Neil and Shelley Edelman, live there. Croonquist lives in BeverlyHills and her mother-in-law, Ruth Zafrin, lives in the New York City borough of Brooklyn.

Sunda’s husband represented her in court. After the judge ruled in favor of the comedienne she said: "He's excited that I won, but he's not happy about the legal fees that his firm had to incur," she said.

≈ Calendar Information   

• Observance Weeks in May•

1-7

Bread Pudding Recipe Exchange Week

2-8

Be Kind To Animals Week

National Correctional Officer's Week

Children's Mental Health Week

Drinking Water Week

Flexible Work Arrangement Week

Kids Win Week

3-9

Dating and Life Coach Recognition Week

Intimate Apparel Market Week

Work At Home Moms Week

• Today’s Observances—US/UN/World •

National Hoagie Day

Cartoonists Day

Childhood Stroke Awareness Day

Cinco de Mayo

International Midwives' Day

Totally Chipotle Day

Occupational Safety & Health Professional's Day

Great American Grump Out

• Today’s Observances—by country •

Albania: Martyrs' Day

Denmark: Liberation Day

Ethiopia: Patriots' Victory Day

Japan: Children's Day

Kyrgyzstan: Constitution Day

The Netherlands: Liberation Day

Palau: Senior Citizens Day

Romania: Men's Day or Ziua Bărbatului

South Korea: Children's Day

Thailand: Coronation Day, commemorates the coronation of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1950.

• Today’s Number One Songs in…

For anyone interested, all these songs are available on iTunes.

1944 ►I Love You; Bing Crosby

1954 ►Wanted; Perry Como

1964 ►Hello, Dolly!; Louis Armstrong

1974 ►The Loco-Motion; Grand Funk

1984 ►Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now); Phil Collins

• Today’s Happenings•

In The Arts

1926 ► Pulitzer Prize refused by Sinclair Lewis (Arrowsmith)

1947 ►Pulitzer prize awarded to Robert Penn Warren (All the King's Men)

1952 ►Pulitzer prize awarded to Herman Wouk (Caine Mutiny)

1958 ►Pulitzer prize awarded to James Agee for (Death in the Family)

In Athletics

1912 ►5th modern Olympic games opens in Stockholm Sweden

1922 ►Construction begins on Yankee Stadium (Bronx)

In Business or Education

1809 ►Mary Kies is 1st woman issued a US patent (weaving straw and silk for thread)

1921 ►Chanel introduced "Chanel Number 5" to some of her friends. Initially, it was given to preferred clients for free at her boutique.

In Politics

1494 ►Christopher Columbus 1st sights Jamaica on his 2nd voyage to the New World

1763 ►Near Fort Detroit, Ottawa Chief Pontiac addresses a group of Huron, Ottawa, and Potawatomi warriors. He asks them to join him in his fight against the British.

1862 ►The Mexican army defeated French troops at the city of Puebla.

1864 ►The Battle of the Wilderness was the first major encounter between opposing troops under Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant.

1912 ►Soviet Communist Party newspaper Pravda begins publishing

1942 ►US begins rationing sugar during WWII

In Science/ Religion

1847 ►The American Medical Association was organized in Philadelphia, PA.

2000 ►conjunction of Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn & Moon

• Today’s Births •

Artists, Writers, and Composers

Karl Marx, 1818, philosopher (Communist Manifesto, Das Kapital)

Athletes

Charles Bender, 1883, only American Indian in baseball's Hall of Fame (Ojibwa)

Entertainers

Eric Burdon, 70, Walker-on-Tyne England, rock singer (Animals-House of Rising Sun)

Pat Carroll, 83, actress

Ann B Davis, 84, actress (Bob Cummings Show, Brady Bunch)

Rex [Reginald Carey] Harrison, 1908, Lancashire England, actor (My Fair Lady, Doctor Doolittle, Cleopatra)

Will Hutchins, 78, actor (Sugarfoot, Hey Landlord)

Michael Murphy, 72, actor

Michael Palin, 67, Sheffield Yorkshire England, comedian (Monty Python)

Tyrone Power, 1913, actor

Tammy Wynette, 1942, country singer (Stand by your Man)

Business, Education Leaders

Nelly Bly (Elizabeth Cochrane Seaman), 1867, journalist, writing about taboo subjects of her time: divorce, poverty, capital punishment, insanity; women’s rights advocate

John Batterson Stetson, 1830, American hat manufacturer

Political Leaders

Georgios Papadopoulos, 1919, Greek dictator

Scientists /Religious Leaders

Phillip Edmund Clinton Manson-Bahr, 1911, specialist in tropical medicine

• Today’s Obits •

Napoleon I Bonaparte, 1821, emperor France, stomach cancer on St Helena @ 52

Charles R Gallas, 1956, lexicographer (French Dictionary), @ 88

≈ ANSWERS to puzzle   

1. 57H V = 57 Heinz Varieties

2. 2 4 6 8 W D W A = 2 4 6 8 Who Do We Appreciate

3. 93000000 M E D f t S = 93000000 Miles Earth’s Distance from the Sun

  ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ 

Tuesday 5-4

≈Week 19 of 2010: 124 days this year… 241 days remain≈

≈ Something To Think About 

True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else.

~ Clarence Darrow

≈ Random Fact

The word "queue" is the only word in the English language that is still pronounced the same way when the last four letters are removed.

• Holy Mackerel: On this day in 1919 ►May Fourth Movement: Student demonstrations take place in Tiananmen Square inBeijing, China, protesting the Treaty of Versailles, which transferred Chinese territory to Japan.

≈ Free Ramblings   

Wednesday is Cinco de Mayo. It should be noted that this is a bigger celebration in the US than in Mexico. It is not Mexico’s 4th of July. Actually it is to commemorate a battle between the French Army and local Mexicans in the state of Puebla. In 1861 Benito Juarez had stopped paying interest money on loans from France. In 1862 France invaded. Puebla was the first battle and the French lost badly. The French continued pressing forward and captured Mexico City. Mexico was now under French control. Juarez was deposed, Maximilian I took over. Five years after Puebla, Juarez reclaimed power and had Max executed. The French invasion was the last time a North American country was invaded by a Non-North American country. The town of Puebla celebrates the battle victory. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day—it is commemorating a battle where the locals beat a much stronger and larger invader.

Americans, over the years, have made Cinco de Mayo a day to recognize Mexican ancestry within our borders. Many believe it is similar to the American celebrations on St. Patrick’s Day, Oktoberfest, or the Chinese New Year. Did you know there is an air guitar completion in the Cayman Islands on Cinco de Mayo or that Malta celebrates with Mexican Beer Drink Specials or that there is a sky-diving competition in Vancouver? Looks like everybody enjoys finding a reason to celebrate and what better to celebrate than the victory of the underdog? ¡SALUD!

Arizonans finally got some good news today. Over the past few weeks Sheriff Joe has been hinting that he will run for governor. He currently has $2+million in is campaign pockets. He is very right wing. He is a tough sheriff and has been for years. He makes inmates in his jails wear pink underwear. The prisoners live in a tent city—even during the hottest months in Phoenix. He runs ‘sweeps’ in parts of the county where illegals are believed to be staying. In these community sweeps, legals and illegals are arrested and detained, many times without charges being filed. He is currently being investigated by the Feds for racial profiling and other violations. It is interesting that in his announcement today he said that he knew if he ran, he would win the governorship, but felt that he had an obligation to the people who elected him to remain sheriff. He said he may run for governor in 2014. He is currently 77 years old. He is arrogant, if nothing else. His wife of 50+ years was encouraging him to run saying that his life would have been much less stressful.

Flagstaff had a great spring day. We had a clear sky and made it to 65°. I was able to be outside much of the day. Tomorrow is scheduled to be even better. When we have a nice day, we go all out or should I say we all go out. So nice. I think I’ll just take this week one day at a time.

≈ A Quick Smile…   

At the beginning of the school year, one seventh grader was reflecting on his chance at being the 8th grade valedictorian. He said his dad was valedictorian, his mom was valedictorian, and his sister was also valedictorian.

He paused, leaned back in his chair and said, "Looks like the end of an era!"

≈ Puzzle   

The number next to the acronym helps solve what the acronym means... e.g. 365 DIAY = 365 days in a year, and 366 DIALY = 366 days in a leap year.

1. 1760 Y i a M

2. 26 L i t A

3. 1066 B o H

≈ Side Show Stories   

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho - A SkyWest Airlines flight from Helena, Mont., to Salt Lake City was diverted to Idaho Falls after a passenger began banging on the cockpit door, saying he was a space alien and wanted to fly the plane.

Idaho Falls Police Sgt. Phil Grimes says other passengers on the Sunday evening flight helped restrain 32-year-old Matthew Kleindorfer of Las Vegas. The plane landed just before 6 p.m.

Kleindorfer faces misdemeanor counts of disturbing the peace and resisting arrest and a felony count of battery of an officer.

≈ Calendar Information   

• Observance Weeks in May•

1-7

Bread Pudding Recipe Exchange Week

2-8

Be Kind To Animals Week

National Correctional Officer's Week

Children's Mental Health Week

Drinking Water Week

Flexible Work Arrangement Week

Kids Win Week

3-9

Dating and Life Coach Recognition Week

Intimate Apparel Market Week

Work At Home Moms Week

• Today’s Observances—US/UN/World •

Bird Day

National Candied Orange Peel Day

Childhood Depression Awareness Day

National Teacher Day: Remember a teacher who helped make your life a little better

Respect for Chickens Day

Rhode Island: Independence Day, commemorates state's independence from Great Britain in 1776

Star Wars Day

Student Memorial Day (1970—Kent State) 4 unarmed students die, 9 injured

• Today’s Observances—by country •

Afghanistan: Remembrance Day for Martyrs and Disabled

Japan: Greenery Day

Namibia: Cassinga Day—since 1978 to commemorate the massacre of 600 by South African Defense Force

People's Republic of China: Youth Day 青年节

Republic of China: Literary Day 文藝節

Tonga : Crown Prince's Birthday

International Firefighters' Day

Netherlands: Remembrance of the Dead

• Today’s Number One Songs in…

For anyone interested, all these songs are available on iTunes.

1942 ►Tangerine; Jimmy Dorsey

1952 ►Wheel of Fortune; Kay Starr

1962 ►Soldier Boy; The Shirelles

1972 ►The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face; Roberta Flack

1982 ►Chariots of Fire; Vangelis

• Today’s Happenings•

In The Arts

1780 ►American Academy of Arts & Science founded

1927 ►Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences forms

1933 ►Pulitzer prize awarded to Archibald Macleish (Conquistador)

1953 ►Pulitzer Prize awarded to Ernest Hemingway (The Old Man and the Sea)

1970 ►Pulitzer prize awarded to Erik H Erikson (Gandhi's Truth)

In Athletics

1893 ►Cowboy Bob Pickett invents bulldogging

1924 ►8th modern Olympic games open in Paris France

In Business or Education

1932 ►Al Capone begins life as convict 40886 in Atlanta Federal Penitentiary serving 11 years for Income Tax Evasion

In Politics

1626 ►Indians sell Manhattan Island for $24 in cloth & buttons

1846 ►US state of Michigan ends death penalty

1863 ►After the Minnesota uprising of the Santee Sioux, and their subsequent defeat, their lands are forfeited.

1864 ►Ulysses S Grant crosses Rapidan & begins his duel with Robert E Lee

1886 ►Haymarket riot in Chicago; bomb kills 7 policemen

In Science/ Religion

1415 ►Religious reformers John Wycliffe and Jan Hus are condemned as heretics at the Council of Constance.

• Today’s Births •

Artists, Writers, and Composers

David Guterson, 54, author (Snow Falling on Cedars)

Athletes

Betsy Rawls, 82, LPGA golfer

Fred (Frederic) Stanfield, 66, hockey: NHL (Blackhawks, Bruins, North Stars, Sabres)

Entertainers

Lance Bass, 31, singer: group: ’N Sync

Audrey Hepburn (Edda Kathleen Hepburn van Heemstra), 1929, actress

Roberta Peters, 80, opera singer (retired)

Randy Travis [Randy Bruce Traywick], 51, country and western musician (“Forever and Ever, Amen”)

Dennis Weaver, 1924, actor (Gunsmoke, McCloud)

Pia Zadora, 54, actress, singer, dancer

Business, Education Leaders

Horace Mann, 1796, educator: the father of public education in the U.S.

George F. Will, 69, editor, columnist, baseball executive

Political Leaders

Julia Gardiner Tyler, 1820, 2nd wife of President John Tyler

Scientists /Religious Leaders

Francis J Spellman, 1889, US Cardinal

• Today’s Obits •

Sherlock Holmes, 1891, "dies" at Reichenbach Falls

Moe Howard [Moses Horowitz], 1975, comedian (3 Stooges), @ 77

Josip Broz Tito, 1980, leader of Yugoslavia @ 87

Bobby Sands, 1981, Irish IRA-terrorist, hunger strike @ 27

Paul Butterfield, 1987, singer/harmonica player, drug abuse @ 44

≈ ANSWERS to puzzle   

1. 1760 Y i a M = 1760 Yards in a Mile

2. 26 L i t A = 26 Letters in the Alphabet

3. 1066 B o H = 1066 Battle of Hastings

  ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈