Wind turbine at elementary school in Palmer, AlaskaPhoto by Bill Roth, Anchorage Daily News
Hi again and yep, from the ramparts of the Bastion on the Puget Sound, it’s been another interesting week.
I’m proud of the way American President Barack Obama accepted his Nobel Peace Prize and I’m very ashamed of both those who attacked the decision of the Committee and the Committee’s need to defend it.
I’m also proud of the way some of the financial institutes the Obama Administration bailed out are paying them back, including Bank of America and Citibank. I understand the need to get tough with bankers.
As a student of history and realistic political expectations, I also know why this Administration wastes little or no time in dealing with those who suggest that in America, one man could bring down in less than a year in office what it took both Democrats and Republicans ~ all of us ~ about the last hundred years to produce. I mean, come on here. This is new?
This Administration doesn’t have time to moan about how history turned out. There’s nothing neither it nor any of the rest of us can do about that. The Obama Administration deals with THIS reality, every day, just like each of us does but with a considerably larger family involved. This New York Times story is a dramatic look at how this Recession is affecting the entire nation and it is not a fun one to read. It is, however, reality.
John F. Kennedy was quoted as saying:
“Our problems are man-made; therefore they may be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings.”
The Obama Administration believes that, as well. They are not trying to feed this nation. They are trying to give those who need it the tackle, the bait and, if necessary, some fishing lessons. I can relate to that. I come from a state with a Congressional delegation and a state legislature which has been doing that since the Klondike Gold Rush.
To get a sense of how you folks feel, each day I watch Seattle’s KING 5 morning news, The Today Show, Ellen and Bonnie. I listen to the BBC. I read a dozen online newspapers and magazines; and I have a network of people on whose information and informed opinions I can count, whether it’s what I’d like to hear or not.
There are also several online chatrooms I visit like I occasionally do the Starbucks offline and around the corner. One in particular is a collection of people of the arts who go back over a decade and have met in “real time” in some cases. This chatroom’s “regulars” come from every part of North America, the UK, Europe and even Australia. They’re a sharp and multi-talented bunch and when I first started visiting, some eight years ago, there were bestselling authors who also dropped in to share advice, connections, etc. It was a great place to hang out, particularly for the self-employed.
In concert with a marked decline in American civility offline and in general, I’ve noticed in this chatroom more and more occasions of a total disintegration of good manners. Perhaps equally disturbing, discussions which were once instructive are now characterized by vulgarity, profanity, name calling, verbal violence, a flagrant lack of concern for the truth and a collective self-centeredness that would have been the envy of Narcissus.
Frightening to me in these regards are the number of studies coming out now that suggest there is little difference between online and offline behavior, especially when it comes to the abuse of women and children.
But maybe that’s what happens to people when they can’t get that sometimes it really isn’t all about them. I hope that’s not what’s happening to America in general. I can bloody well tell you it’s not happening where I live and it most certainly is not happening under my flipping roof.
For god’s sake, people, get a clue and start working together.
And for some practical hints on how to survive this stuff and have fun doing it, keep reading.
SURVIVING HARD TIMES
I made chowder, you made pickles. Let’s trade
I so love it when my “home and native land” proves yet again that they have something to teach the International Community about surviving hard times. You’ll love this one, gang. With thanks to the Toronto Globe & Mail.
And lest we think this is limited to country folk, consider this one, headlined, Bootstrapping taken to new extremes in tech industry
Or how about a seasonable application regarding Christmas trees? (This will be a real stretch for those of you in Toronto, New York, Dublin, London and Paris) Ever imagine having one delivered to your home by bicycle? Real close to the category of You Guys Think I Make This Stuff Up so by all means, go here ye yahoos of little faith.
MORE GOOD NEWS
Well, despite now being the nation’s most congested metropolis, Seattle has nonetheless not only met its goal of reducing greenhouse gas but did it two years ahead of schedule. This is one of those, “if they can do it, maybe we ought to take a look at it” stories, so please go here.
Thanks to a new type of solar cell, ‘green energy’ may be even cheaper. It’s built in Fremont, California and a plastics company in Sacramento has a big collection of them on its roof. These new cells supply an estimated one-third of the manufacturing plant’s electricity needs. For more, please go here.
To the extreme north, rural communities in Alaska are reaping the harvest of the wind and we’re not talking these big things like they have in Holland or on these blazing tracts of Southwest American desert. One sits on the roof of a chiropractor’s office, another in a elementary school playground. Alaska is also thinking integrated energy. There are solar collectors in Nome and geo-thermal in Fairbanks. For a fascinating overview of how Alaska’s pulling all this together, please go here.
The entire province of British Columbia is preparing to go electric. They’ve found it costs two-thirds less to fuel an electric vehicle than it does one requiring gasoline or diesel. They’re building a comprehensive grid of solar, wind, tidal, geothermal and in some appropriate scenarios, methane. What makes this so impressive to me is the size of the province, the ruggedness of the terrain, the dramatic extremes of weather and the sheer challenge not only of construction and installation, but maintenance, as well. It’s a rugged go, as they say, but western Canadians are making it happen. For more on this one, please go here.
We also join all of Canada in welcoming home freelance journalist Amanda Lindhout after a horrific fifteen months of captivity in Somalia. She and Australian photojournalist Nigel Brennan were captured in August 2008 while attempting to visit a refugee camp. For more on this remarkable individual and her harrowing ordeal, please go here.
MAYBE NOT SO GOOD NEWS
Well, this one sort of falls into that nowhere land between bad news and good. One of out six Americans has contracted the swine flu, according to a report released recently by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But it also looks like this pandemic is among the mildest influenza outbreaks on record, according to another study conducted, in part, by researchers from the CDC. I guess that’s like telling the survivors of the Johnstown Flood that at least it wasn’t as bad as what Noah had to deal with.
NECESSARY TO KNOW BUT NOT GOOD NEWS
A virus of another kind is raging among users of Facebook and Twitter, capturing accounts, obtaining the most personal of information and sending out tainted messages designed to do everything from cyber robbery, to stalking, to the ruin of a reputation, relationship or career. To learn if you’re vulnerable and if so, how you can protect yourself, your family and friends, go here.
CRITTER STUFF
I’m proud of the way American President Barack Obama accepted his Nobel Peace Prize and I’m very ashamed of both those who attacked the decision of the Committee and the Committee’s need to defend it.
I’m also proud of the way some of the financial institutes the Obama Administration bailed out are paying them back, including Bank of America and Citibank. I understand the need to get tough with bankers.
As a student of history and realistic political expectations, I also know why this Administration wastes little or no time in dealing with those who suggest that in America, one man could bring down in less than a year in office what it took both Democrats and Republicans ~ all of us ~ about the last hundred years to produce. I mean, come on here. This is new?
This Administration doesn’t have time to moan about how history turned out. There’s nothing neither it nor any of the rest of us can do about that. The Obama Administration deals with THIS reality, every day, just like each of us does but with a considerably larger family involved. This New York Times story is a dramatic look at how this Recession is affecting the entire nation and it is not a fun one to read. It is, however, reality.
John F. Kennedy was quoted as saying:
“Our problems are man-made; therefore they may be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings.”
The Obama Administration believes that, as well. They are not trying to feed this nation. They are trying to give those who need it the tackle, the bait and, if necessary, some fishing lessons. I can relate to that. I come from a state with a Congressional delegation and a state legislature which has been doing that since the Klondike Gold Rush.
To get a sense of how you folks feel, each day I watch Seattle’s KING 5 morning news, The Today Show, Ellen and Bonnie. I listen to the BBC. I read a dozen online newspapers and magazines; and I have a network of people on whose information and informed opinions I can count, whether it’s what I’d like to hear or not.
There are also several online chatrooms I visit like I occasionally do the Starbucks offline and around the corner. One in particular is a collection of people of the arts who go back over a decade and have met in “real time” in some cases. This chatroom’s “regulars” come from every part of North America, the UK, Europe and even Australia. They’re a sharp and multi-talented bunch and when I first started visiting, some eight years ago, there were bestselling authors who also dropped in to share advice, connections, etc. It was a great place to hang out, particularly for the self-employed.
In concert with a marked decline in American civility offline and in general, I’ve noticed in this chatroom more and more occasions of a total disintegration of good manners. Perhaps equally disturbing, discussions which were once instructive are now characterized by vulgarity, profanity, name calling, verbal violence, a flagrant lack of concern for the truth and a collective self-centeredness that would have been the envy of Narcissus.
Frightening to me in these regards are the number of studies coming out now that suggest there is little difference between online and offline behavior, especially when it comes to the abuse of women and children.
But maybe that’s what happens to people when they can’t get that sometimes it really isn’t all about them. I hope that’s not what’s happening to America in general. I can bloody well tell you it’s not happening where I live and it most certainly is not happening under my flipping roof.
For god’s sake, people, get a clue and start working together.
And for some practical hints on how to survive this stuff and have fun doing it, keep reading.
SURVIVING HARD TIMES
I made chowder, you made pickles. Let’s trade
I so love it when my “home and native land” proves yet again that they have something to teach the International Community about surviving hard times. You’ll love this one, gang. With thanks to the Toronto Globe & Mail.
And lest we think this is limited to country folk, consider this one, headlined, Bootstrapping taken to new extremes in tech industry
Or how about a seasonable application regarding Christmas trees? (This will be a real stretch for those of you in Toronto, New York, Dublin, London and Paris) Ever imagine having one delivered to your home by bicycle? Real close to the category of You Guys Think I Make This Stuff Up so by all means, go here ye yahoos of little faith.
MORE GOOD NEWS
Well, despite now being the nation’s most congested metropolis, Seattle has nonetheless not only met its goal of reducing greenhouse gas but did it two years ahead of schedule. This is one of those, “if they can do it, maybe we ought to take a look at it” stories, so please go here.
Thanks to a new type of solar cell, ‘green energy’ may be even cheaper. It’s built in Fremont, California and a plastics company in Sacramento has a big collection of them on its roof. These new cells supply an estimated one-third of the manufacturing plant’s electricity needs. For more, please go here.
To the extreme north, rural communities in Alaska are reaping the harvest of the wind and we’re not talking these big things like they have in Holland or on these blazing tracts of Southwest American desert. One sits on the roof of a chiropractor’s office, another in a elementary school playground. Alaska is also thinking integrated energy. There are solar collectors in Nome and geo-thermal in Fairbanks. For a fascinating overview of how Alaska’s pulling all this together, please go here.
The entire province of British Columbia is preparing to go electric. They’ve found it costs two-thirds less to fuel an electric vehicle than it does one requiring gasoline or diesel. They’re building a comprehensive grid of solar, wind, tidal, geothermal and in some appropriate scenarios, methane. What makes this so impressive to me is the size of the province, the ruggedness of the terrain, the dramatic extremes of weather and the sheer challenge not only of construction and installation, but maintenance, as well. It’s a rugged go, as they say, but western Canadians are making it happen. For more on this one, please go here.
We also join all of Canada in welcoming home freelance journalist Amanda Lindhout after a horrific fifteen months of captivity in Somalia. She and Australian photojournalist Nigel Brennan were captured in August 2008 while attempting to visit a refugee camp. For more on this remarkable individual and her harrowing ordeal, please go here.
MAYBE NOT SO GOOD NEWS
Well, this one sort of falls into that nowhere land between bad news and good. One of out six Americans has contracted the swine flu, according to a report released recently by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But it also looks like this pandemic is among the mildest influenza outbreaks on record, according to another study conducted, in part, by researchers from the CDC. I guess that’s like telling the survivors of the Johnstown Flood that at least it wasn’t as bad as what Noah had to deal with.
NECESSARY TO KNOW BUT NOT GOOD NEWS
A virus of another kind is raging among users of Facebook and Twitter, capturing accounts, obtaining the most personal of information and sending out tainted messages designed to do everything from cyber robbery, to stalking, to the ruin of a reputation, relationship or career. To learn if you’re vulnerable and if so, how you can protect yourself, your family and friends, go here.
CRITTER STUFF
Everyone who loves cows is going to love this story of how a bovine that had just a month before given birth, was rescued from a frozen creek in Washington state. Both mother and offspring are reportedly doing just fine.
FROM YOU GUYS FOR YOU GUYS
FROM US SENATOR MARIA CANTWELL (D-WASHINGTON)
Today, Sen. Susan Collins from Maine and I introduced bipartisan legislation that will reduce global warming pollution, move our economy off foreign oil, and spur the growth of the clean energy economy -- the largest potential source of new jobs and prosperity today and in the future. This bill achieves two important objectives: protecting the climate and Washington state from catastrophic change, and returning money directly back to Americans.
Today, Sen. Susan Collins from Maine and I introduced bipartisan legislation that will reduce global warming pollution, move our economy off foreign oil, and spur the growth of the clean energy economy -- the largest potential source of new jobs and prosperity today and in the future. This bill achieves two important objectives: protecting the climate and Washington state from catastrophic change, and returning money directly back to Americans.
The Carbon Limits and Energy for America's Renewal (CLEAR) Act gradually limits the amount of fossil fuels entering the U.S. economy by requiring fossil fuel producers and importers to bid at an auction for permits. Out of the money raised at the auction, three-fourths goes directly back to every American, and one-fourth goes toward clean energy investment. Eventually, as the amount of carbon allowed into the market declines over time, we will reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020, and by over 80 percent before 2050.
You are rightfully concerned about rising energy bills during America's transition to a clean energy economy. That's why the CLEAR Act is rooted in protecting consumers, with most of the monthly carbon auctions going straight to your pockets. This monthly dividend, made out to each American on an equal per capita basis, is meant to compensate for any higher energy rates experienced.
I released a report today that shows how, with the assistance of these energy security dividends, all but the wealthiest ten percent of Washingtonians (who use the most energy) do not lose money but instead come out ahead. My report shows how a typical family of four would receive tax-free monthly checks from the government averaging $1,100 per year, or up to $21,000 between 2012 and 2030.
The remaining quarter of auction revenue would go toward clean energy research and development, assistance to communities and workers transitioning to a clean energy economy, energy efficiency programs, and reductions in non-CO2 greenhouse gases.
The CLEAR Act invests in America's future by positioning the United States as a global leader in clean energy expansion, creating jobs and recharging our economy at home. With the right policies, tens of millions of green jobs can be created by 2030, strengthening our economy by shipping these technologies to customers around the world.
On my web site, you can find additional information about the CLEAR Act, including the legislative text, a one-page summary and frequently asked questions. The longer we wait to tackle these issues of energy independence and emissions reductions, the larger the economic and social costs of adapting to climate change will grow. The time to act is now.
Best,
Maria
RE: OUR STORY ON SEATTLE’S ASCENSION TO THE STATUS OF AMERICA’S MOST CONGESTED CITIES.
hah ... no joke about the congestion ... I have a girlfriend who lives on mercer island ... it once took me 3 hours to get from the airport to her home ... bad weather added to the mix, but you folks have too few miles of road, and too many cars ... .
parker
REMEMBER OUR TROOPS
This one came to us from several of you and we’ve chosen the sentiments which I think best speak for all.
Please take a moment to say "thank you" to our troops abroad, for the upcoming holidays.
If you go to this website, you can pick out a thank you card. Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You cannot choose who gets it, but it will go to a member of the American armed services
Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them. This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you. Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do. We can never say enough thank yous.
The Northstar Journal could not agree more.
AND FINALLY, UNDER WEIRD BUT TRUE, REAL CLOSE TO HOME
Well, I learned recently that this neighborhood I’m living in, Seattle’s University (of Washington) District is considerably older than I thought. It predates the first white families who settled here, the European sailing vessels which explored the Puget Sound and even the Native American tribes who visited these waters to fish and to collect shellfish. To learn what a UW coed found when digging in a campus garden, please go here.
That’s it for this week. We’ve got some cool stuff down below you might want to check out. Stay the course, gang. We’re getting there and we’re going to make it. And thanks once again for the ear. And stuff.
Mick
NORTHSTAR RECOMMENDS
FUN STUFF
How about a trip to Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo to watch a couple of grizzly bears in their Northwest setting? Yep, click here and thanks to our friends at Puget Sound NBC affiliate KING 5.
If you’re into a real interesting and visual escape, we certainly recommend The Art In LA website. It’s a virtual art gallery created by a real gentle, occasionally obnoxious but totally good-hearted soul with standards as fine as those of any engineer I’ve ever met. It’s also a good place for healthy meditation. If you’re lucky, you might just run into the artist herself. Her name is Colleen and she’s a trip, trust me. Yep, she was born under the fourth flag on our masthead.
For those into words that resonate, there are fewer finer contemporary craftsman I know than a man named Mike Browne, professionally known as Tomatoman Mike and the publisher of The Tomato Man Times. He’s as Northern Californian as John Steinbeck, albeit with a dash of Sam Clemmons, Bret Harte and Robert W. Service in him. He’s a romp to read, trust me.
SEE’S CANDY FOR A WORTHY CAUSE
From Peg, in Sacramento, CA
The remaining quarter of auction revenue would go toward clean energy research and development, assistance to communities and workers transitioning to a clean energy economy, energy efficiency programs, and reductions in non-CO2 greenhouse gases.
The CLEAR Act invests in America's future by positioning the United States as a global leader in clean energy expansion, creating jobs and recharging our economy at home. With the right policies, tens of millions of green jobs can be created by 2030, strengthening our economy by shipping these technologies to customers around the world.
On my web site, you can find additional information about the CLEAR Act, including the legislative text, a one-page summary and frequently asked questions. The longer we wait to tackle these issues of energy independence and emissions reductions, the larger the economic and social costs of adapting to climate change will grow. The time to act is now.
Best,
Maria
RE: OUR STORY ON SEATTLE’S ASCENSION TO THE STATUS OF AMERICA’S MOST CONGESTED CITIES.
hah ... no joke about the congestion ... I have a girlfriend who lives on mercer island ... it once took me 3 hours to get from the airport to her home ... bad weather added to the mix, but you folks have too few miles of road, and too many cars ... .
parker
REMEMBER OUR TROOPS
This one came to us from several of you and we’ve chosen the sentiments which I think best speak for all.
Please take a moment to say "thank you" to our troops abroad, for the upcoming holidays.
If you go to this website, you can pick out a thank you card. Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You cannot choose who gets it, but it will go to a member of the American armed services
Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them. This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you. Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do. We can never say enough thank yous.
The Northstar Journal could not agree more.
AND FINALLY, UNDER WEIRD BUT TRUE, REAL CLOSE TO HOME
Well, I learned recently that this neighborhood I’m living in, Seattle’s University (of Washington) District is considerably older than I thought. It predates the first white families who settled here, the European sailing vessels which explored the Puget Sound and even the Native American tribes who visited these waters to fish and to collect shellfish. To learn what a UW coed found when digging in a campus garden, please go here.
That’s it for this week. We’ve got some cool stuff down below you might want to check out. Stay the course, gang. We’re getting there and we’re going to make it. And thanks once again for the ear. And stuff.
Mick
NORTHSTAR RECOMMENDS
FUN STUFF
How about a trip to Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo to watch a couple of grizzly bears in their Northwest setting? Yep, click here and thanks to our friends at Puget Sound NBC affiliate KING 5.
If you’re into a real interesting and visual escape, we certainly recommend The Art In LA website. It’s a virtual art gallery created by a real gentle, occasionally obnoxious but totally good-hearted soul with standards as fine as those of any engineer I’ve ever met. It’s also a good place for healthy meditation. If you’re lucky, you might just run into the artist herself. Her name is Colleen and she’s a trip, trust me. Yep, she was born under the fourth flag on our masthead.
For those into words that resonate, there are fewer finer contemporary craftsman I know than a man named Mike Browne, professionally known as Tomatoman Mike and the publisher of The Tomato Man Times. He’s as Northern Californian as John Steinbeck, albeit with a dash of Sam Clemmons, Bret Harte and Robert W. Service in him. He’s a romp to read, trust me.
SEE’S CANDY FOR A WORTHY CAUSE
From Peg, in Sacramento, CA
I have information to share that will bring joy to a lot of people locally and otherwise..... (See's Candy!) and hopefully, a new community pool at Carmichael Park.
Kiwanis Club of Carmichael, CA is partnering with See's Candy to raise funds for the proposed Aquatic Center at Carmichael Park. H&R Block has donated space for us to set up the candy shop and people can avoid long lines at See's Candy stores and visit the Carmichael Kiwanis store instead!
From now thru Thursday December 24th at 4005 Manzanita Avenue (Courtesy H & R Block)
Bel Air Shopping Center (next to Starbucks) MAP
I've attached a flyer about the sale and here's the website for more information about the proposed Aquatic Center http://carmichaelpark.com/capps.htm
If you need more info, please contact me at my email address: Pegleghill@aol.com. I'll probably be at the shop, so come visit me and buy all your See's Candy Christmas presents.
If anyone is interested in purchasing candy from us, I would be happy to send it postage free. Needless to say I need information and money paid before I can do this.
Oh by the way, the prices of the candies whether bought at a regular Sees Candy Store or from us are the same.
Oh....here's the club's website: http://www.carmichaelkiwanis.com/
HEALTH
Ten foods that really do help prevent cancer.
If you’d like to know whether your eating habits are either adding years to your life or taking them off, take this RealAge quiz. It will not only score your real age against your health age but give you a program for improvement. I’ve been working this one for about a month now and yep, I feel a lot better.
Want to know how to live to be 100? Try this one.
Ever had trouble getting behind eating a lot of fruits and vegetables despite how good they are for you? Ever had trouble selling that one to your kids and grandkids? Ever been totally sold on the idea then gone to the market and been totally tasered by the price of good health in some places? If your answer is yes to any or all of the above, you really need to check this site out. Fruits and veggies: more matters.
ONLINE TOOLS FOR THE KIT
WorldStart.com - The best source of computer information, tips, education, entertainment, industry news, graphics and useful websites.
PC World – This is the best source we’ve found yet for totally free, useful, reliable and secure (no viruses) downloads ranging from games through utilities and with a nice selection of screen savers, etc. What I particularly appreciate about it is how easy the site is to navigate. They also have a daily letter featuring two “daily downloads.”
CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
The home of Spybot-S&D! “For the past few years I've been using two free programs to remove the tracking cookies we accumulate every time we visit a site. Both have proven safe and reliable. Try them. You'll be surprised at the amount of binary barnacles your pore little hard accumulates as it sails the cyber seas. Sorry, but neither program eliminates alliterative purple patch prose. Like mine.”
Mike Browne, Sacramento, CA
Free People Search – This is an American online White Pages that I found really simple, quick and user friendly. I looked for myself under the several versions of my name and it found them all. It’s also free and doesn’t involve anything to download.
Know Thy Elected Officials - Just type in your zip code and this site will supply you with the names and contact information for your legislators from the state level up. This is a two click site with a host of other relevant features.
MEDIA
Overview
For those interested in what’s going on in the world of magazines and newspapers in general, we highly recommend Woodenhorsepub.com. They publish a weekly online newsletter for media professionals and for readers simply interested in the future of the publications they enjoy and an advance on new ones they might. Their website is located here.
Entertainment
U Got Style is a monthly ezine dedicated to independent films. Fully illustrated, it features hard news, interviews, reviews and a wide variety of other information. It’s also fun to read.
Vinyl Cafe with Stuart McLean – Live from the smallest record store in North America. Canadian humor, entertainment and commentary at its maple leaf best. Popular on National Public Radio in the States.
BBC Knowledge Magazine – designed to give the American magazine National Geographic the proverbial run for its money,
News
BBC – Best source of international news.
The New York Times – Best source of American news.
The Vancouver Sun -- outstanding source for Canadian national, provincial, and world news.
Reuters – Best source of an international perspective on American headlines.
Sightline Daily (formerly Tidepool) – Best source of Pacific Northwest regional news. Delivered daily by email, it covers Alaska, British Columbia, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. They also put out an excellent weekly environmental edition.
KING 5 News – Best source of video news of Seattle and the Greater Puget Sound.
Kiwanis Club of Carmichael, CA is partnering with See's Candy to raise funds for the proposed Aquatic Center at Carmichael Park. H&R Block has donated space for us to set up the candy shop and people can avoid long lines at See's Candy stores and visit the Carmichael Kiwanis store instead!
From now thru Thursday December 24th at 4005 Manzanita Avenue (Courtesy H & R Block)
Bel Air Shopping Center (next to Starbucks) MAP
I've attached a flyer about the sale and here's the website for more information about the proposed Aquatic Center http://carmichaelpark.com/capps.htm
If you need more info, please contact me at my email address: Pegleghill@aol.com. I'll probably be at the shop, so come visit me and buy all your See's Candy Christmas presents.
If anyone is interested in purchasing candy from us, I would be happy to send it postage free. Needless to say I need information and money paid before I can do this.
Oh by the way, the prices of the candies whether bought at a regular Sees Candy Store or from us are the same.
Oh....here's the club's website: http://www.carmichaelkiwanis.com/
HEALTH
Ten foods that really do help prevent cancer.
If you’d like to know whether your eating habits are either adding years to your life or taking them off, take this RealAge quiz. It will not only score your real age against your health age but give you a program for improvement. I’ve been working this one for about a month now and yep, I feel a lot better.
Want to know how to live to be 100? Try this one.
Ever had trouble getting behind eating a lot of fruits and vegetables despite how good they are for you? Ever had trouble selling that one to your kids and grandkids? Ever been totally sold on the idea then gone to the market and been totally tasered by the price of good health in some places? If your answer is yes to any or all of the above, you really need to check this site out. Fruits and veggies: more matters.
ONLINE TOOLS FOR THE KIT
WorldStart.com - The best source of computer information, tips, education, entertainment, industry news, graphics and useful websites.
PC World – This is the best source we’ve found yet for totally free, useful, reliable and secure (no viruses) downloads ranging from games through utilities and with a nice selection of screen savers, etc. What I particularly appreciate about it is how easy the site is to navigate. They also have a daily letter featuring two “daily downloads.”
CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
The home of Spybot-S&D! “For the past few years I've been using two free programs to remove the tracking cookies we accumulate every time we visit a site. Both have proven safe and reliable. Try them. You'll be surprised at the amount of binary barnacles your pore little hard accumulates as it sails the cyber seas. Sorry, but neither program eliminates alliterative purple patch prose. Like mine.”
Mike Browne, Sacramento, CA
Free People Search – This is an American online White Pages that I found really simple, quick and user friendly. I looked for myself under the several versions of my name and it found them all. It’s also free and doesn’t involve anything to download.
Know Thy Elected Officials - Just type in your zip code and this site will supply you with the names and contact information for your legislators from the state level up. This is a two click site with a host of other relevant features.
MEDIA
Overview
For those interested in what’s going on in the world of magazines and newspapers in general, we highly recommend Woodenhorsepub.com. They publish a weekly online newsletter for media professionals and for readers simply interested in the future of the publications they enjoy and an advance on new ones they might. Their website is located here.
Entertainment
U Got Style is a monthly ezine dedicated to independent films. Fully illustrated, it features hard news, interviews, reviews and a wide variety of other information. It’s also fun to read.
Vinyl Cafe with Stuart McLean – Live from the smallest record store in North America. Canadian humor, entertainment and commentary at its maple leaf best. Popular on National Public Radio in the States.
BBC Knowledge Magazine – designed to give the American magazine National Geographic the proverbial run for its money,
News
BBC – Best source of international news.
The New York Times – Best source of American news.
The Vancouver Sun -- outstanding source for Canadian national, provincial, and world news.
Reuters – Best source of an international perspective on American headlines.
Sightline Daily (formerly Tidepool) – Best source of Pacific Northwest regional news. Delivered daily by email, it covers Alaska, British Columbia, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. They also put out an excellent weekly environmental edition.
KING 5 News – Best source of video news of Seattle and the Greater Puget Sound.
TALENT FOR HIRE
Rusty Miller, Freelance Photojournalist – Whether it’s a one time press release, book or product review, difficult business correspondence, resume or classified ad composition you need, take a look at the services offered menu on my writer-for-hire homepage and we’ll get together on it.
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