In the Race

"How I Spent My Summer Vacation" Challenge

2008-07-19T18:10:00Z

I’m holding a challenge.

I know there are many of you who would love to be a blogger on MyCommunityNow but are afraid to take the step. So now is your chance to get your little toe wet.

Write me your best summer vacation memory…past or present. Write it as a blog the way you would like to read it if one of the bloggers was writing it. It can be a funny experience, exciting, touching, whatever you want.

Write it in Arial font in 11 point. Attach one picture if you like (in a proper image size, please). Email it to me here . Please indicate if you would like your real name posted with your “blog” if it is chosen to be posted, or your comment name (please include that - your email information will remain private).

Start today if you like…deadline is Saturday, July 26^th at midnight.

Here’s what will happen. From all entries submitted, I will choose my favorite five. One will be posted each day August 4^th through the 8^th. Based on reader comments combined with my favorite, one of you will be chosen by me to write a guest blog on a topic of your choice (blog must follow NOW guidelines and I reserve the right for final approval). My decision is final.

So what are you waiting for? I know at least five of you out there would like to write a blog.

Entertain us with your best summer vacation experience. Who knows, maybe you'll decide to be the next NOW blogger after this experience.

My challenge is open to readers from all Communities.

Good luck!

No Matter How You Feel About The War...

2008-07-19T11:30:00Z

This soldier's story is worthwhile...

"Finding Inspiration In Tears Of Joy"

"This is a different Iraq than the one I left two years ago in so many ways. I am constantly surprised this trip when something subtle points to such an obvious change. It is often only much later that you recognize the measure of what you have witnessed and often it’s the absence of things such as explosions and small arms fire in the distance that point to the progress having been made.

Then there are times when the change hits you across the forehead like a 2x4. Yesterday I found inspiration in the tears of joy on hundreds of faces at the graduation for the Iraqi Military Academy at Rustimiyah as 252 young men graduated from the one year course of instruction and were commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants in the Iraqi Army and Air Force.

From the moment we arrived [....] ÃFinish the story here

All Clear! SPLAT

2008-07-18T16:42:46Z

Holy tomatoes…the all clear has been given.

What was thought to be bad is now good!

"As of today, FDA officials believe that consumers may now enjoy all types of fresh tomatoes available without concern of becoming infected with salmonella Saintpaul," the outbreak strain.”

Read the story from My Way

So it is now safe to indulge in all types of tomato activity….

Dip your hot dog in homemade catsup.

Coat those ribs in homemade BBQ sauce.

Put a giant slice of beefsteak tomato on your burger.

Make your favorite pasta sauce out of Roma tomatoes.

Or…try this….

Two gangs fight by help of 10 tons of rotten tomatoes. 1st price is a keg of lager ...

Note: Certain hot peppers are still on the Beware list

A Beer That's Just Peachy

2008-07-18T11:40:00Z

Sam Calagione (Founder/President of Dogfish Head), and next to him
is Rob Tod (Founder of Allagash Brewing).

I found my summer beer of choice for this year thanks to my son and daughter-in-law, who were visiting from Colorado over July 4^th.

They make their own beer, but went out to pick up a few different types while they were visiting. One that they brought home was just right for a hot summer day.

If you’ve ever eaten a ripe peach but ate the fruit around the “pit” you may have noticed it is more of a sweet/sour flavor. Dogfish Head makes Festina Peche, and it reminded me of that fruit around the peach pit.

Festina Peche

Availability: Summer
Release Date: June 1st each year

A refreshing neo-BerlinerWeisse fermented with honest-to-goodness peaches to (get this!) 4.5% abv!
Because extreme beers don't have to be extremely boozy! Available in 4-pack and draft during the sweaty months.Sadly, there are only two breweries left in Berlin still brewing the BerlinerWeisse style which is characterized by its intense tartness. There were once over 70 breweries in Berlin alone making this beer! In addition to fermentation with an ale yeast, Berliner Weisse is traditionally fermented with lactic cultures to produce its acidic or green apple-like character. It is delicately hopped with a pale straw color and served as an aperitif or summertime quencher. To soften the intense sourness, Berliner Weisse is traditionally served with a dash of essence of woodruff or raspberry syrup.

In our Festinal Peche since the natural peach sugars are eaten by the yeast, the fruit complexity is woven into both the aroma and the taste of the beer so there is no need to doctor it with woodruff or raspberry syrup - open and enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~

It's got to be served ice cold and forget the bottle...you need it in a glass to enjoy the beauty of it..a Pilsner is perfect.

And Woodman's has a HUGE beer selection.

Dogfish Head Craft Brew Ales

Going Down, Please

2008-07-17T22:30:51Z

So it’s the third day with oil prices tumbling…yes, I said it, tumbling below $130 a barrel…in over a month. A year ago that would have been an inconceivable thought. Right now I’ll go with it.

Since July 4th natural gas prices are down 20 percent and just since Monday, oil prices have dropped 10 percent cheaper a barrel.

Whoo-hoo!

So is this a trend?

Or just something temporary?

We’ll have to wait and see, now won’t we?

But we can enjoy it for the weekend.

Read one story at MSNBC å here

But you’ll be hearing more about this for awhile.

By Adam Schreck

Don't Mess With Landon of Louisville

2008-07-17T16:59:00Z

If you ever drive through Louisville, KY….mind your speed.

Landon Wilburn is on the prowl.

He doesn’t like people who drive too fast and he lets you know it.

Vigilantes! Taking the law into their own hands.

Read about it at MSNBC.com å

Forget About That Corn....

2008-07-17T12:02:59Z

photo by Future-PhD

How about some algae?

Certain strains of algae can be used and algae biofuel production has already begun.

We just don’t want to use this type of algae..those that may have been produced from chemicals and pollutants….

No Major Problems

China Says It Has Cleared Algea From Olympic Sailing Venue

(Don't) Go West Young Man

2008-07-17T00:15:00Z

Or young woman for that matter, if you are a student and a stable one at that.

In 2006-07 one in four California high school students, that’s 24.2 percent, failed to graduate/continue their education. Compare that with Wisconsin’s dropout rate of 1.59 percent.

Read the article from the SacBee.com Ã

Then form your own conclusions if you choose by visiting the California Dept. of Education website.

I know I have questions…

The first would be …

How many non-English speaking students are included in those dropouts?

California Dept. of Education Drop-Outs

Wisconsin Dept. of Education Drop-Outs

On A Hot Day, There's Nothing Like Cooling Off In The Water...

2008-07-16T17:42:32Z

I prefer swimming holes, brooks and creeks.....

When I was a kid...we lived near "Branch Brook" in Watertown, Connecticut. We would take the long walk down the skinny, winding road, under the cool trees in our bare feet and then lounge in the bubbling brook.

The brook had huge slate edges in some places that made it look like a giant bath tub. There was a cliff area where my brothers would swing off a rope. And there were little water snakes too. I can still smell it...the combination of fresh, cool water, green foliage, and warm wild berries in the woods.

The brook led to a reservoir in Thomaston, CT that I blogged about back in December. Another place my family spent time. There are some beautiful places in Northwestern Connecticut. I miss those times very much.

Here is another way to cool off....to each his own I guess.

Sometimes you do what you have to do to keep cool...

A very crowded swimming pool

Is There A New New Math? Or Is It The Same Old New Math?

2008-07-16T11:45:00Z

In New York, parents of young school children are having trouble with “New Math.” So that makes me wonder if something has changed. Or has the use of the calculator finally dumbed down a generation?

I’m pretty sure we are talking about the same New Math that was introduced to me as a kid…So what’s going on?

"They call it the Math Wars: The debate, at times acrimonious, over which way is best to teach kids math. In its most black-and-white form, it pits schools hoping to prepare kids for a new world against reluctant parents, who feel the traditional way is best and their kids are being shortchanged.

But there are lots of parents who fall into a grayer area: They're willing to accept that their kids are learning things differently. They just want to be able to help them with their homework. And very often, they can't."

"Rebels!" Parents find New Math daunting Ã

Feeling Old, Unhealthy, or Just Out Of Sorts

2008-07-16T02:37:00Z

I don’t know if I’m just carrying over my blog earlier today about kidney stones, or just feeling tired or what, but this AARP L site is kind of handy for the person who has medical symptoms and wants to find out what they might be…before making a trip to the doctor….

Like the symptom of sneezing for instance….

Sneezing

Definition

A sneeze is a sudden, forceful, involuntary burst of air through the nose and mouth.

See also:

Allergen
Allergic rhinitis
Allergy to mold, dander, dust
Allergy and asthma resources
Common cold
Vasomotor rhinitis

Alternative Names
Sternutation
Considerations

Sneezing is caused by irritation to the mucous membranes of the nose or throat. It can be very bothersome, but is generally not a sign of a serious problem.

Causes

Allergy to pollen, mold, dander, dust (hay fever)
Corticosteroid inhalation (from certain nose sprays)
Drug withdrawal
Nasal irritants such as dust and powders
Virus infections (common cold, upper respiratory tract infections, the flu)

Home Care

Avoiding exposure to the offending allergen is the best way to control sneezing caused by allergic diseases.

Tips to reduce your exposure:

Remove pets from the home to eliminate animal dander
Change furnace filters
Use air filtration devices to reduce pollen in the air
Travel to areas with low pollen counts

In some cases, moving out of a residence with a mold spore problem may be necessary.

For sneezing not caused by an allergy, the problem will disappear when the underlying disorder is cured or treated.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your provider if sneezing adversely affects your life and home remedies do not work.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your medical provider will obtain a medical history. You may be asked:

During what time of year is sneezing the worst?
When did the sneezing begin?
How long do sneezing episodes last?
Do you have a history of allergies?
Have you been outdoors more than usual?
What have you done to try to relieve the sneezing?
How well has it worked?
What other symptoms are also present?

A physical examination will also be performed. The doctor will examine your the upper respiratory tract. In some cases, allergy testing may be needed to provide an accurate diagnosis.

Antihistamines are the first line of therapy for sneezing caused by allergies. Nasal steroid sprays may be helpful in more chronic conditions.

Allergy shots, also called immunotherapy or hyposensitization, may be considered for seasonal or year round symptoms that cannot be managed with other drugs because of their side effects.

References

Adkinson NF Jr. Middleton’s Allergy: Principles and Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby; 2003.

Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2007.

Check out the site and bookmark it for the future:

Symptom Checker from AARP Ã

H/T Boomer Chronicles

And Here I Was Going To Blame President Bush!

2008-07-15T17:16:14Z

People like to blame George Bush for everything nowadays…well, for the past seven years anyway. Being a Conservative and a Republican, and a fan of President Bush (for the most part) I’m not going to be playing that game.

I have also noticed that besides President Bush being blamed for everything under the sun….yes, the sun, the warm, warm sun…~~global warming~~ climate change is next in line for being blamed for everything wrong in the world.

So, I’m happy to say that last May and June as I was withering in pain equal to if I would have birthed my two children at the same exact moment in time, when I could have been cursing George Bush….it really was global warming that was to blame.

You see, global warming is now thought to be to blame for increasing kidney stones! Who knew?

So maybe I better think about moving someplace much cooler, because even though I'm currently not in an at-risk state, I’ve got a s*#%load more of them lingering there just waiting.

And while I thought perhaps President Bush might do something before November to really get me going….you know, get me so upset, so riled that those stones would implode....I'm worried global warming is going to really heat things up.

Go figure.

Read about it on ABC News É here

About This "Roundabout" Situation

2008-07-15T11:45:00Z

I lived in Hollywood, Florida back in the early 70s. Nice city back then and right on the Gold Coast.

Hollywood had three roundabouts, but they were called “Circles.” The thing is, they were created correctly. They were huge...large enough to house a park, or an entire building and grounds.

They had several lanes of traffic in either direction...they were a system. The Circles were not an ill placed intrusion …or an afterthought. They were part of a grand vision and we were actually proud of these areas in our city.

Here is an ariel view of one of the Circles so you can see just how large they were:

"Joseph Young first arrived in South Florida in January 1920 to survey several parcels of land that would be suitable for the site of his "Dream City in Florida." His initial vision included a wide boulevard extending from the ocean westward to the edge of the Everglades with man-made lakes paralleling each side of the roadway. One end of each lake would empty into the Intracoastal Waterway and the other would serve as a twin turning basin for private yachts. Also included in Young's vision was the sectioning of Hollywood into districts, a precursor of present day zoning regulations, with a centrally located business district, large park spaces, a golf course, schools, and churches. Hollywood, in Joseph Young's vision, "will be a city for everyone - from the opulent at the top of the industrial and social ladder to the most humble of working people." Unique in Young's city plan was the incorporation of three large circles of land located along his planned principal boulevard. These circles became the sites of a ten-acre park (originally named Harding Circle and later renamed Young Circle), the City Hall complex (originally named City Hall Circle and later renamed Watson Circle), and a military academy (Academy Circle.) Academy Circle, now Presidential Circle, is the current site of a focal commercial structure. Having formerly lived in California, Young chose as the name of his "Dream City" the name of the Southern California town that had once been so attractive to him."

The entire article can be found at the website of the City of Hollywood, Florida

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The roundabouts that are popping up are an embarrassment and a waste of taxpayer dollars. They are confusing, an accident waiting to happen. I have overheard some residents of Franklin say they will avoid streets with these roundabouts.

Maybe that's the intention....Is the city trying to cut down on traffic on certain city streets?

The city has taken Drexel Avenue, which I thought was a public street, as in, "belongs to all of us," and turned it into something that belongs in a gated community. Unless we are all driving Mini Coopers....those mini-roundabouts are a BIG MISTAKE.

Whoever the monkeys are who came up with this concept? Take a lesson from Joseph Young from the 1920s. At least he had vision.

Yabba Dabba Dubai: You Can't Have Your Cake and Eat It Too

2008-07-15T01:54:00Z

Back in June I blogged about vacationing in Dubai and their real estate dealings. Dubai prides itself in being a sophicated and cosmic center of architecture and activity.

They have a problem though. They have one foot in their religious beliefs and culture and the other in attracting tourists from all over the world...and this is causing a huge clash.

The latest problem is on the beaches. Nude sunbathing isn't going over very well in Dubai. There's a lot of gawking going on ...

"Over the past two weeks, police have detained a total of 79 people whose behavior was "disturbing families enjoying the beach," Zuhair Haroun, a spokesman for Dubai's Criminal Investigation Department, said Monday.

First-time offenders may be issued a warning, but if caught twice, tourists could be referred to the public prosecutor for possible criminal charges, authorities said. "

Dubai detains 79 for indecent behavior on beaches Ã here

If you surf around the internet regarding visiting Dubai, you’ll find quite a few questions from people who aren’t sure of the protocol for visiting the area. People are confused regarding how to dress and the customs.

People come to the United States to vacation and they are allowed to do just that. If you are going to attend a place of worship while you are here, you may do so, and you may dress appropriately.

If I vacation in another country, I want to do that, vacation. I am not going to wear a berka as a U.S. citizen if you want me to spend my money in your country. And either you allow nude sun bathing or you don’t. Which is it? You can’t ask Westerners to come to your country in droves and then expect them to not be Westerners.

Perhaps the Muslim men in Dubai should be home with their wives rather than hanging around the beaches gawking at other women, anyway.

You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

(AP) With backdrop of the
Burj Al Arab hotel, People
enjoy the Umm Suqaim
public beach in Dubai.

Remember...No Streaking Allowed!

2008-07-14T16:49:00Z

If you are planning on attending the Olympics in Beijing...be warned...streaking will not be tolerated.

But you probably knew that already.

Beijing has advised spectators of a list of items that should not be brought to the Olympics, and high on the list is banners.

Even a banner such as Go, China! will not be permitted ...

"We advise that you do not bring banners of any kind to the Games because we must create a fair play environment for the athletes from all countries," Huang Keying, deputy director of spectator services division at the Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG), told a news conference.

"The kind of banner with "Go China!" on it would be unfair for athletes from other countries."

Umbrellas will be permitted as the Chinese are not particularly fond of sun bathing.

Personally, if I were attending the Olympics in China, I would read all of the rules very carefully....

Read the story from Reuters í here

Expect To Hear About More Deaths This Winter

2008-07-14T12:05:00Z

I was having a conversation with my father last night. He lives in northern Vermont, almost on the Canadian border. We almost (luckily) avoided politics, which we usually have to put on boxing gloves for when we have discussions. I don’t know if his skewed views are from his surroundings in Vermont, from Canada, or if he has radically changed in his older years from the person I knew growing up. But we disagree on everything.

He happened to mention that my brother-in-law, who lives in Connecticut with my sister and has been retired for several years, was asked to take a temporary job and jumped at the chance. If you’ve ever driven through Pennsylvania and looked at the sides of the roads as they cut through the hills, you may have noticed the ridges in the stone in the hills. Those ridges are made by jackhammers. That’s what my brother-in-law did all his life…run the jackhammer while making roads. He made good money but lost his hearing doing it.

My sister and her family are down-to-earth country people. They, like so many people in the Northeastern United States, heat their homes with oil furnaces. They have to plan ahead in summer as to how much oil they believe they will need for the winte, as they have to pay for it all at once. There is no budget billing as with the electric/gas company. When my brother-in-law that took that phone call, he took the job knowing that the price of furnace oil was going to cost so much he didn’t know how he was going to afford it.

Our electric bills in the midwest are horrible enough, but could you imagine paying $5 a gallon when you need 800 gallons of heating oil? I expect we will hear of many deaths this coming winter from people who couldn't afford heat. Many more than usual.

These are typical wood pellets, produced primarily as a wood
industry by-product for use as a heating fuel. (MPR Photo/Bob Kelleher)

Enter the creation of wood pellets....for people who can afford the initial switchover to a new furnace...

What a great concept.

Homeowners who use heating oil see alternatives Ã here

Sometimes Deciding On A Wedding Gift Can Be So Difficult

2008-07-14T03:48:00Z

Ah, yes…weddings.

Do you give the couple a gift from the bridal registry?

Sometimes you may not be able to find where the couple is registered.

Perhaps you don’t want to get a gift from the registry and would rather write a check.

Take a look at this from Reuters….

Do you take this credit card? Ã here

Just a little bit too tacky for me.

It's All About Synergy

2008-07-13T05:40:46Z

Did you see it?

Greg Kowalski’s post… Franklin citizens: Your community's destiny is in your hands

But first…

Remember Boomgaard, Franklin?

Bloggers here in Franklin have been known to stick together when it matters.

When it’s for the good of the taxpayer…you, me…us.

I know, those 120 days aren’t up yet, but it’s getting close…Our blogging did help to make a difference. We brought a story to you and then your input also let our city officials know something wasn’t right. Something needed to be changed.

Back to Kowalski’s post… we need to do it again. It’s synergy…working together for a common goal....community.

I hope you’ll read the post and contact your city officials.

After considering this information, I have to ask these two questions….

1. Why is the mayor allowing his staff to drag their feet on this matter.

2. Does the city lose credibility if it picks and chooses who they prosecute?

Hopefully some of my fellow bloggers, and Franklin citizens can help answer those questions.

Synergy....

Firecrackers Are Banned in the US, But Not In Space

2008-07-12T22:45:00Z

Last night two Russian cosmonauts had the extremely dangerous job of climbing out of the space station Soyuz to remove a bolt. The bolt could have exploded, and it was a very dramatic moment.

"The bolt packs the explosive power of two M-80s (a firecracker that was banned in the United States because too many people were losing fingers and hands).

In space, an explosion large enough just to damage your glove could be life threatening. Although it was claimed that the probability of the bolt igniting was low, Russian flight controllers kept saying things like, "Be careful, be very careful."

from Wired

Cosmonauts Succesfully Remove Explosive Bolt á here

and a slideshow from Reuters á here

Sex Ed 101 For Parents

2008-07-12T13:15:00Z

Having any trouble carrying on a general conversation with your teen?

What about a conversation about sex?

Can you find the right words?

Can you talk comfortably?

Or haven't you gotten around to it yet because you just don’t know how?

What if your place of employment offered you a series of classes on how to talk to your teen about sex?

Would you jump at it?

“Parents in the training arm of the study attended eight weekly lunch-hour sessions, in groups of about 15. Parents were taught to listen to their children without interrupting or starting to lecture. They also learned how to teach their children decision-making skills, assertiveness skills, and to have confidence in interacting with peers.Between meetings, parents would go home and practice these skills on their teens.

"We'd teach them some skills one week, and they'd come back the next week bubbling over with excitement that they'd talked with their teen about relationships, love, or sex, and -- this was the best part -- their teen had actually engaged in a real conversation with them," Schuster said.Surveys done one week, three months and nine months after the program ended measured its effects. Parents in the program said they had more talks with their teens about sex and they discussed more new topics on sexual matters than ever before."

from Reuters

Parents Learn as Work to Talk to Kids About Sex ç