Blacks have higher stroke risk, better survival rates

People who are black have a higher risk of suffering a stroke than those who are white, but a new study finds that following a stroke, blacks have a better survival rate.

The study examined patients hospitalized for an ischemic stroke — a stroke caused by a blockage of blood to the brain. Black patients were approximately 30 percent less likely to die than white patients 30 days after their stroke and 14 percent less likely to have died one year after their stroke, the researchers said.

via msnbc.msn.com

Here is an informative article regarding stroke risk and survival after suffering a stroke.

2009 Human Rights Report: Rwanda

Rwanda, with a population of 10 million, is a constitutional republic dominated by a strong presidency. In 2003 voters elected President Paul Kagame to a seven-year term in largely peaceful but seriously marred elections. Chamber of Deputies elections took place in September 2008 and were peaceful and orderly, despite irregularities. The Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) dominated the government and legislature. Civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.

Citizens' right to change their government was effectively restricted. Violence against genocide survivors and witnesses by unknown assailants resulted in deaths. There were reports of abuse of suspects by security forces and local defense members, and prison and detention center conditions remained generally harsh. Security forces arbitrarily arrested and detained persons. Prolonged pretrial detention was a problem. There were restraints on judicial independence and limits on freedoms of speech, press, association, and religion. The government forcibly returned refugees. Official corruption and restrictions on civil society remained a problem. Societal violence and discrimination against women, trafficking in persons, and discrimination against Twa and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community occurred. There were restrictions on labor rights, and child labor occurred.

via state.gov

Here is a report on Human Rights and Practices in Rwanda. This report was authored by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and published through the US State Department.

Travelers' Health Risk Warning For Cozumel, Mexico

While cruising around on the internet, I came across this story about a travelers' health warning, issued by the CDC, for those visiting Cozumel, Mexico. Apparently there has been an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at some Cozumel resorts.

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by inhaling aerosolized water that is contaminated with Legionella bacteria. Legionnaires’ disease is not transmitted from person to person. Misty water such as that given off by hot tubs, cooling towers, spray misters, shower heads, and faucets is a common source of Legionella bacteria.

Why taking lunch makes you a better employee - CNN.com

Counterproductive

"From a productivity standpoint, there are diminishing marginal returns when you ask your brain to exert constant effort through an eight-hour day," says Dr. Janet Scarborough Civitelli, a workplace psychologist at VocationVillage.com. "When workers skip a lunch break on a regular basis, they often don't realize that fatigue and burnout are creeping up on them until they wake up one day and 'suddenly' feel less enthusiastic about their jobs or businesses."

via cnn.com

In the long run, it pays to take your lunch breaks. This is a well-written article which will make you stop and re-think your lunch plans.

Super Bowl may trigger heart attacks - CNN.com

This Sunday's Super Bowl could prove to be a real heartbreaker for some fans of the losing team.

A new study suggests that the emotional stress fans feel after a loss may trigger fatal heart attacks, especially in people who already have heart disease. Stress generates the so-called fight-or-flight response, which causes sharp upticks in heart rate and blood pressure that can strain the heart.

For people with heart disease -- or for those who are at risk due to factors such as obesity, smoking, and diabetes -- such strain can prove harmful, if not fatal.

via cnn.com

Wow, it sounds like professional football can be hazardous to your health- even if you are not actually one of the players.

'CSI' scoop: William Petersen to reprise role in upcoming episode | Inside TV | EW.com

via insidetv.ew.com

Well I have always been a fan of the television show CSI and really was a fan of the character named Gil Grissom. The actor who played Grissom is William Petersen. It looks like Grissom will reprise his role in an upcoming episode of CSI.

Program Overview

The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) coordinates and integrates federal research on changes in the global environment and their implications for society. The USGCRP began as a presidential initiative in 1989 and was mandated by Congress in the Global Change Research Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-606), which called for "a comprehensive and integrated United States research program which will assist the Nation and the world to understand, assess, predict, and respond to human-induced and natural processes of global change."

via globalchange.gov

Here is some interesting reading on the U.S. global change research program. I didn't know this program exists.

Diplomacy Through Dance

Here is a video that shows how countries can use dance for diplomacy.

The Terrorist Enemy

Terrorist networks currently pose the greatest national security threat to the United States. The greatest threat and the most wanted terrorists come from the al-Qaida (AQ) network, which includes a core al-Qaida organization and numerous confederated extremist groups.

The al-Qaida network has many of the characteristics of a "globalized insurgency" and employs subversion, sabotage, open warfare and, of course, terrorism. It seeks weapons of mass destruction or other means to inflict massive damage on the United States, our allies and interests, and the broader international system. AQ aims to overthrow the existing world order and replace it with a reactionary, authoritarian, transnational entity. This threat will be sustained over a protracted period (decades not years) and will require a global response executed regionally, nationally, and locally.

via state.gov

If you are interested in the U.S. Government's views on terrorism, this article is good reading.

Fishing Bloopers with Bill Dance

There are so many good videos about fishing on YouTube.  Today I was looking at some more fishing videos when I stumbled on this video here. I think you will be entertained and will not stop laughing.

Had A Great Dinner At My Son an Daughter-In-Law's House

We spent a wonderful evening at our son's house for dinner with our son, daughter in law and grand kids.  The dinner was fabulous, including barbecued steak, steamed crab legs, fresh asparagus, baked potato and mushrooms.  The weather was fantastic.  We had a great time just visiting together. Often times we just get so busy with our daily lives that we don't find the time to just be with family. I truly treasure these times and will always have good memories of time spent with family.

Fishing The Eastern High Sierras in California

Probably one of  my most favorite fishing spots for trout in the High Sierras of California.  If you travel up Highway 395 from Lone Pine, you will ultimately arrive at Bridgeport, California.  At Bridgeport, you take a right and travel about 4-5 miles to the other side of Bridgeport Reservoir.  This is where you will find the East Fork of the Walker River.  The fishing here is very restricted, so make sure you check the current regulations.  You must use artificial lures with single, barb less hooks.  The fish here are native and some are very large.  You would not believe how hard they are to catch and how much they fight.  Yep, this is one of my favorite places.  Here is a great YouTube video showing some of the East Walker River fishing.

Rock Creek Trout Fishing

There are many, many trout fishing creeks, rivers and lakes in the High Sierras of California.  Here is a YouTube video of one of my favorite (used-to-be secret) trout fishing creeks.

Fishing For Brook Trout

I grew up fishing for trout and find it most enjoyable when I find a secluded location where they are biting.  I found this short YouTube video which I think you will agree is entertaining and will make you want to head out to find your own secluded fishing hole.

Salty snacks harm your heart in just 30 minutes - Health - Heart health - msnbc.com

Just 30 minutes after you scarf down a salty snack, clear changes can be seen in your arteries, a new study shows.

Researchers found that salt-laden foods quickly impair the ability of blood vessels to widen even in people with normal blood pressure, according to the study published in this month's The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

via msnbc.msn.com

We have already heard that saturated fats are unhealthy. Now research is showing that excess salt may hinder the function of our blood vessels to widen.

Good Mexican Lunch

Well, it was such a nice day we thought we would go out for Mexican food.  We decided to go to a favorite local restaurant called Valle Luna. Valle Luna specializes in traditional Sonoran Mexican food.  I chose the Chimichunga with shredded beef and green chili.  I topped it with sour cream and guacamole... it was delicious as usual.  My wife had the combination plate which included two enchiladas, a tamale, rice and beans.  She said it was really good.

If you are ever in the Phoenix metro area you must try Valle Luna!

NASA - Glory: Understanding Earth's Energy

The Glory spacecraft, set to launch no earlier than February 2011, will study how the sun and airborne particles called aerosols affect Earth's climate.

Scientists have a thorough understanding of how greenhouse gases impact the energy budget, but the roles that two other critical elements of the climate system—the sun's total solar irradiance (TSI) and atmospheric aerosol particles—play are somewhat less certain. The Glory mission, which contains two key scientific instruments, will improve understanding of both.

via nasa.gov

CDC NIOSH Science Blog: These go to eleven, but don't go one louder!

In the mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, Chris Guest's rocker "Nigel Tufnel" proudly points out that the volume controls for his amplifiers are "one louder" than standard amps. "These go to 11." In real life, This Isn't Spinal Tap, and one can have too much of a good thing. The "good thing" we are talking about is playing or listening to your favorite music too loudly and possibly damaging your hearing. Once you have hearing loss, music will never sound the same; ringing in the ears will rob you of the sound of silence.

via cdc.gov

 

Create A Comet With Dry Ice - Education - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Learn how to build an icy model of a comet, complete with shooting jets. Safety precautions are required.

via jpl.nasa.gov

Here is a great video done by a NASA Scientist showing students how to make a working model of a comet.

Blog - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

I stumbled upon this video earlier today. It’s Isaac Asimov, famous science fiction writer and biochemist, talking about global warming — back in January 1989. If you change the coloring of the video, the facial hair style, and switch out Asimov for someone else, the video could pretty much have been made today.

Asimov was giving the keynote address at the first annual meeting of The Humanist Institute. “They wanted me to pick out the most important scientific event of 1988. And I really thought that the most important scientific event of 1988 will only be recognized sometime in the future when you get a little perspective.”

via blogs.jpl.nasa.gov

Hello everyone, I hope all is well today. I stumbled upon this video while researching information on the greenhouse effect. This famous writer and biochemist, was discussing global warming way back in January of 1989.

Asteroids Ahoy! Jupiter Scar Likely from Rocky Body - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

A hurtling asteroid about the size of the Titanic caused the scar that appeared in Jupiter's atmosphere on July 19, 2009, according to two papers published recently in the journal Icarus.

Data from three infrared telescopes enabled scientists to observe the warm atmospheric temperatures and unique chemical conditions associated with the impact debris. By piecing together signatures of the gases and dark debris produced by the impact shockwaves, an international team of scientists was able to deduce that the object was more likely a rocky asteroid than an icy comet. Among the teams were those led by Glenn Orton, an astronomer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., and Leigh Fletcher, researcher at Oxford University, U.K., who started the work while he was a postdoctoral fellow at JPL.

"Both the fact that the impact itself happened at all and the implication that it may well have been an asteroid rather than a comet shows us that the outer solar system is a complex, violent and dynamic place, and that many surprises may be out there waiting for us," said Orton. "There is still a lot to sort out in the outer solar system."

via jpl.nasa.gov

If you are interested in Space and Science, you will want to read this article. It is both informative and entertaining.

» Comfort food really works: study

Comfort food really works: study

EATING steamed potatoes could be more effective than anti-depressant drugs in treating winter depression, new research has found.
Winter depression, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is believed to develop from a lack of bright light during the winter months.

via astrology.com.au

Here is an interesting and informative article which may be of interest. The Australian Centre of Neuropsycotherapy has found that steam cooked potatoes could provide greater use of serotonin for treating the disorder than taking anti-depressants.

Good Mexican Food in Thatcher Arizona

Hello everyone, I hope all is well. I was just thinking about some of my favorite restaurant, especially Mexican restaurants. Anyway, I immediately thought of La Casita Mexican Restaurant which is located in Thatcher, Arizona. Thatcher is located in eastern Arizona near Safford. The restaurant is small and family owned for many years. In fact, you can find other La Casita Restaurants throughout Arizona which are owned and run by members of the same family. They all use recipies handed down from several different generations.

I usually order the chili rellenos and enchiladas with rice and beans- scrumptious!  My wife says that the tamales are great. The prices are very reasonable and the service is great. The restaurant is always busy, so they must be doing something right. You can read some reviews of La Casita at Yelp.

Great Mexican Food On Route 66

If you are ever traveling on I-40 (what used to be Route 66), and you are looking for the greatest Mexican food near Winslow, Arizona, then you must try the Casa Blanca Cafe.  It is located near the La Posada Hotel, and some noisy railroad tracks, and looks like a hole-in-the-wall-type of place.  Yes, it is small, but it is clean and has been in business for over 50 years which means they must be doing something right.  Anyway, my wife and I tried their food a couple years ago and have been stopping by there whenever we get a chance.

I personally recommend their chicken enchiladas, but I have also heard that the chimichungas are to die for.  You can find more reviews of Casa Blanca at Yelp.

Jail Bird: Drug-Smuggling Pigeon Caught in Colombia

One of the problems in prisons, even the highest security prisons, is use of illegal drugs by the inmates. It seems that the prisoners are always able to figure out new and creative methods to smuggle contraband into the prison confines. This inability of prison personnel to halt the influx of contraband and drugs is a worldwide problem.

Recently, Colombian authorities discovered an ingenuous method inmates were using to get their drugs into the prison. The Colombian guards near the prison in Bucaramanga, Columbia, spotted a pigeon with a package on its back. It turned out that the bird was transporting 1.6 ounces of marijuana and 0.2 ounces of crack cocaine. The bird was caught by the guards because its payload was too heavy for the bird to fly.

You can read more here.

An Effective 8 Minute AB Workout Video for that Six-Pack

Here is a very effective, easy-to-understand  workout video on YouTube for your abdominal muscles.

Can't kick bad habits? Blame the brain - Health - Behavior - msnbc.com

Uh-oh, the new year's just begun and already you're finding it hard to keep those resolutions to junk the junk food, get off the couch or kick smoking. There's a biological reason a lot of our bad habits are so hard to break — they get wired into our brains.

That's not an excuse to give up. Understanding how unhealthy behaviors become ingrained has scientists learning some tricks that may help good habits replace the bad.

"Why are bad habits stronger? You're fighting against the power of an immediate reward," says Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse and an authority on the brain's pleasure pathway.

It's the fudge vs. broccoli choice: Chocolate's yum factor tends to beat out the knowledge that sticking with veggies brings an eventual reward of lost pounds.

via msnbc.msn.com

If you can't kick those bad habits, just blame it on your brain.

Can Consumption of Genetically Modified Foods Be Hazardous To Your Health?

This is a very informative set of videos on YouTube which covers the subject of genetically modified foods. Some of the dangers of consuming these foods and the cover-up regarding these modified foods.

If you are interested in obtaining more information reference the subject of genetically modified food and safety issues then go to SeedsOfDeception.com

Peach DNA Unraveled : Clemson University, South Carolina

Peach DNA unraveled

By Peter Kent

A peach tree at the Musser Fruit Research Farm has had its entire DNA sequenced, enabling further research to identify beneficial traits to grow better trees and fruit.

This genome sequence is the culmination of an extensive research program pioneered at Clemson under the leadership of Bert Abbott, who holds the Robert and Lois Coker Trustees Chair in Molecular Genetics. The research goal is to establish the peach as a model for identifying and understanding genes that are critical for deciduous tree growth and development.

“The tree providing the DNA for the sequencing effort was chosen after careful analysis of DNA from specific trees in the Musser orchard,” said Abbott. “The choice of this tree was crucial to the overall success of the project, and the extremely high quality of the peach genome sequence assembly is a direct result of this choice.”

via clemson.edu

Who doesn't like the taste of the very best fresh fruit, including peaches, pears and strawberries? Recent genetic research by scientists from Clemson University in South Carolina may improve the quality of fruit available to all of us.

NASA - NASA's First Solar Sail NanoSail-D Deploys in Low-Earth Orbit

NASA's First Solar Sail NanoSail-D Deploys in Low-Earth Orbit

01.21.11

Artist concept of a solar sail in space. (NASA)
View large image
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Friday, Jan. 21 at 10 a.m. EST, engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., confirmed that the NanoSail-D nanosatellite deployed its 100-square-foot polymer sail in low-Earth orbit and is operating as planned. Actual deployment occurred on Jan. 20 at 10 p.m. EST and was confirmed today with beacon packets data received from NanoSail-D and additional ground-based satellite tracking assets. In addition, the NanoSail-D orbital parameter data set shows an appropriate change which is consistent with sail deployment.

"This is tremendous news and the first time NASA has deployed a solar sail in low-Earth orbit," said Dean Alhorn, NanoSail-D principal investigator and aerospace engineer at the Marshall Center. "To get to this point is an incredible accomplishment for our small team and I can't thank the amateur ham operator community enough for their help in tracking NanoSail-D. Their assistance was invaluable. In particular, the Marshall Amateur Radio Club was the very first to hear the radio beacon. It was exciting!"

NanoSail-D will continue to send out beacon signals until the onboard batteries are expended and can be found at 437.270 MHz. It can be tracked on the NanoSail-D dashboard at: http://nanosaild.engr.scu.edu/dashboard.htm.

via nasa.gov

While reading the latest news on one of my favorite web sites, I found this story about a small satellite mission which was thought to have failed, but new information indicates that the small solar sail deployed- only a month or so late.

Exercise And Fitness

Everyone knows we need to exercise to be physically fit. Over time our bodies will adapt to exercise if we repeat the same exercise routine. What we need to do is introduce a variety of exercises to our workout program, which will help our bodies overcome the inevitable plateaus which inhibit  positive results.

We must also increase the intensity of our exercise routines which will help promote the growth of lean muscle tissue. The higher the intensity of your workout, the more calories you will burn during your workout, and you will continue to burn calories after your workout. Remember, variety and intensity are they keys to your success.

Here is a short, workout video on YouTube.

Easterners Have Had Enough Of Winter

HARTFORD, Conn. — In Rhode Island, a mayor tells parents of snowbound schoolchildren to "hang in there." Atlanta has blown nearly all the money it set aside to clear the streets. In Connecticut, they're literally praying for winter to end. And at travel agencies, the phones are ringing with callers pining for tropical vacations — when the skies clear up enough to fly out, that is.

Just one month into winter, major cities up and down the East Coast have already gotten clobbered with more snow than they usually get all season, a one-storm-after-another barrage that is eating up snow-removal budgets and forcing schools to close.

And officially, winter still has two months left.

via msnbc.msn.com

BBQ- What Is Your Favorite Barbecue Restaurant?

Tonight my wife and I decided to have barbecued food for dinner.  We don't really have a favorite place in our town for barbecued food so we just try different restaurants around town.  I ordered a barbecued beef sandwich on an onion roll bun.  It tasted alright, but it just didn't compare to what I remember back in the San Fernando Valley, near Los Angeles.  I remember a place called "My Brothers Barbecue," which was in Woodland Hills.  They had the absolute best barbecued food in the area- I will never forget how good their barbecue sauce was... nothing I've had since even comes close!

Higher pump prices coming your way this spring

Gas pump prices that are around $3 a gallon now may seem like a bargain by the time your kids are on Easter egg hunts.

Pump prices have risen nearly 9 percent since Dec. 1 and topped $3.10 a gallon this week. That's the highest level since October 2008. The price may rise or fall a little over the next few months, but analysts expect it to range between $3.20 and $3.75 gallon by March and April ahead of the summer driving season.

The national average for regular gasoline about $3.12 a gallon on Friday, according to AAA, Wright Express and Oil Price Information Service. That's nearly 12 cents more than a month ago and 38 cents above a year ago.

Average pump prices range from $2.81 to $3.70 in major cities. For example, the average in Salt Lake City is $2.74 a gallon and in New Orleans it's $2.97 a gallon. Drivers in San Francisco pay $3.44 a gallon, and in Honolulu gas is $3.58 a gallon.

via aolnews.com

How much do you think gas prices will go up by summer? This happens every year so I guess everyone is used to the higher prices by now.

American Football Bloopers

Here is a funny video of American Football Bloopers on YouTube. 

It is a short video and worth your time watching.
Enjoy.

Pulled Teeth Stored For Stem Cells

BY FRED TASKER

ftasker@MiamiHerald.com

Naidelys Montoya didn't wait for her son's baby teeth to fall out. She took the boy to an oral surgeon to have two of the loose ones extracted.

``He was a bit scared,'' said Montoya, of Hialeah. ``He's not that brave.''

The dentist shipped the teeth in a temperature-controlled steel container to a lab in Massachusetts, where their stem cells will be spun out, frozen to more than 100 degrees below zero and stored -- in case her son, Raul Estrada, 6, might need them for a future illness.

``I believe in this,'' Montoya said. ``I did as a precaution against things that could happen in the future.''

Montoya and her son have joined a major new medical movement.

In South Florida and around the world, dentists are extracting baby teeth, wisdom teeth and even healthy adult teeth, and researchers are spinning out stem cells that they believe can be used to regrow lost teeth, someday even to repair damaged bones, hearts, pancreases, muscles and brains.

via miamiherald.com

Who knows what the future holds? It may take 20 years or more before stem cells from teeth will be used because of all the testing and federal approvals required.

Cocoa May Be One Super Healthy Fruit

I was surprised to learn today that cocoa may actually be a fruit. The cocoa tree produces the cocoa pod which contains a seed called the cocoa bean. Cocoa is produced from the cocoa bean.
There has been some recent research indicating a link between cocoa powder has nearly twice the amount of antioxidants of red wine, and as much as three times the antioxidants found in green tea. These studies have shown the result of consuming cocoa products may result in a reduced risk of blood clots, strokes and heart attacks.
It has also been stated that cocoa appears to have anti- aging and anti- inflammatory properties. Cocoa is a great source of the minerals magnesium, sulphur, calcium, iron,zinc, copper, potassium, manganese and some B vitamins.
Fresh cocoa beans are highly rich in the type of bioflavonoid called flavanol which are very strong antioxidants that help maintain healthy blood flow and blood pressure. These flavanols prevent fatty substances in the bloodstream from oxidizing and then clogging the arteries.

Places Where Germs Breed On A Plane

One of the places on an airplane where germs breed is in the seat pocket which is on the back of the seat in front of your seat.  Once we get on a plane we usually place our personal items in the seat pocket for convience.  Some people compare reaching into that pocket is the same as putting your hand in someone elses purse and rummaging among their used tissues and gum wrappers. Some of the odd items found by airline passengers and personnel inside airplane seat pockets include toenail clippings and mushy old french fries.

Cold and flu viruses can survive for many hours on fabric and tissues.  These viruses can survive even longer, up to 48 hours, on nonporous surfaces such as plastic and metal.  So you might think twice before you remove that airline magazine from the seat pocket.

Laughlin Or Las Vegas- Which Is More Fun

Many people, from across the United States and around the world, travel to Las Vegas, Nevada, for vacation.  Las Vegas is known for gambling, extravagant shows and casinos.  At night the Las Vegas Strip comes alive with bright lights and "beautiful people."  The millions of colorful lights are awesome and the casinos are magnificent.  Personally, I prefer to stay at a resort located off the "strip" where there are not so many people.  It is less crowded and things seem to move at a slower pace.  Anyway, that is just my preference.  It is obvious, by observing the thousands of people visiting the "strip," that most people prefer the "strip."

Laughlin, Nevada is another gambling resort city located in Nevada.  Laughlin is a very small resort town on the border of Arizona along the Colorado River.  This area is extremely hot in the summer and temperatures can easily exceed 120 degrees F.  You will notice some bright lights in Laughlin on the small number of casinos located along the river.  Laughlin does not attract the large crowds like Las Vegas and everything moves at a relaxed pace.  The gambling in Laughlin is equivalent to that in Las Vegas and seems to be more fun... just my humble opinion.

Which location, Las Vegas or Laughlin, would you choose for your next vacation?

Grandsons' Football Scrimmage

I have two grandsons that play tackle football together.  Their team is composed of kids from age 9 to age 13.  The youngest grandson is only 9 and looks small compared to some of the other kids.  He likes to play on defense and rush the quarterback and running backs.  Today he was able to get in on the quarterback so many times that the other team's coach decided to start double-teaming him.  That worked briefly, but he was still able to get in the backfield and put some good hits on the quarterback who was a little slow getting up after the hard hit.

I was really proud of both boys.  My other grandson, on the team, plays quarterback.  He plays the position really well, and was able to run the ball effectively as well as complete several passes.  The scrimmage was very effective in that the boys were able to practice against a team of comparable ability and experience.  They were able to learn a little more about their positions and what they are expected to do.  They are going to scrimmage the same team next week.

British Medical Journal claims famous autism study flawed, wrong

• By: Mike Pelton

PHOENIX - Parents worldwide are dealing with the news that a well-known autism study may have never been true.

British Medical Journal reporter Brian Deer has uncovered information that suggests a study done in 1998 by British Surgeon Andrew Wakefield is deeply flawed.

In 1998, Wakefield published a study that suggested there may be a link between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism. Early last year, the British medical journal Lancet retracted the study, as many of its co-authors had done the same.

via abc15.com

Vaporizing Boiling Water In Cold Air

via youtube.com

Watch some science in action as boiling water vaporizes in the Cold (probably like Indianapolis) Air!

Facebook update prompts privacy concerns

Updated: Tuesday, 18 Jan 2011, 1:06 PM MST
Published : Tuesday, 18 Jan 2011, 1:05 PM MST

(NewsCore) - A tweak to Facebook's permissions and privacy settings means third-party developers can now access users' home addresses and phone numbers, security firm Sophos warned Monday.

Facebook announced Friday night a minor change of settings that expands the data people share with external websites and applications.

Facebookers now expressly grant third-party apps like Farmville and sites the right to see your address and phone number via the standard permissions dialogue—although the social network maintained that the new changes would not provide access to the data of a user’s friends.

via myfoxphoenix.com

This is good information for those of you who play Farmville and use other apps on Facebook. You might want to consider removing your address and phone numbers from your personal information.

Trout Fishing

While watching some good videos on YouTube, I came across a great video showing some huge trout.  This video was posted at this site.  If you want to see some good fishing spots, go to YouTube and do searches for "East Walker River," "West Walker River," and "Virginia Lakes, CA."
The East Walker River is home to some huge, wild trout that will really put up a fight.  There are some restrictions on the fishing there, including artificial lures and flies with barb-less hooks.  Also, bring your mosquito repellent!  If you need any expert information regarding what lures are working the best, just ask anyone in Ken's Sporting Goods located in Bridgeport... they are always willing to answer your questions.  They will also freeze your trophy fish.

Little Virginia Lake, Eastern Sierras, CA

via youtube.com

My all time favorite vacation location was Virginia Lakes. This short video will show you why- a little slice of heaven!

Psychic Octopus to be Honored with Statue

Updated: Monday, 17 Jan 2011, 12:35 PM MST
Published : Monday, 17 Jan 2011, 12:35 PM MST

(NewsCore) - Paul the Psychic Octopus may have gone to that great aquarium in the sky but the wizard of World Cup predictions will live on in a German shrine featuring a six-foot statue of him atop a soccer ball, plus his ashes, The Local reported Monday.

Paul won worldwide acclaim, and a Facebook fan club, by correctly predicting the results of seven Germany matches and Spain’s 1-0 triumph over the Netherlands in last summer’s World Cup tournament in South Africa.

Following that triumph, the tentacled tipster passed away peacefully in his sleep last October at his home at the Sea Life Centre in Oberhausen, Germany. He was almost three.

Now his aquarium has announced the unveiling later this week of “Paul’s Corner,” featuring a statue 1.80 meters (six feet) high of Paul atop a soccer ball. In the middle will be a see-through window with a golden urn containing Paul’s ashes, The Local's German edition said, citing AFP.

via myfoxphoenix.com

I thought this would be an interesting article for everyone. Paul, the Psychic Octopus, was such a hit during the World Cup Soccer Matches.

^^ Funny accidents with animals ^^

via youtube.com

This video will definitely keep you entertained!

Funny kids and animals

via youtube.com

This is a very funny video of kids and animals!

KSAZ: Driving Today

Can Toyota Rise Again

By Tom Ripley for Driving Today

For a long time, Toyota had everything going its way. Its vehicles were adored by the American public and revered overseas. It was acknowledged as the automotive-technology leader. Plus, it shot past General Motors to capture the top spot on the light-vehicle sales and production charts after assuming the throne of the “world’s leading automaker.” The economic disaster of 2008 and 2009 hampered the Japanese auto giant in the United States, but globally, Toyota remained in a strong position to become an even more dominant force as 2010 dawned. But then the unthinkable happened: Toyota tripped over its own shoelaces in the form of an “unintended acceleration” issue that mirrored what Audi had experienced a generation earlier.

The “unintended acceleration” and safety recall problem threatened the very core of the company, since Toyota had built a reputation as a car manufacturer that didn’t make mistakes. Other auto builders might put products with iffy quality into the marketplace and then suffer the consequences of consumer outcry, but not Toyota. Sure, its cars and trucks weren’t the most exciting in the marketplace -- or the least expensive -- but they sure as heck didn’t break. Then, out of the blue, we began to hear reports that Toyota and Lexus vehicles allegedly did some pretty scary things, like accelerating wildly when the brakes were applied. Even more damning, we learned the Toyota officials had worked hard behind the scenes to cover the stories up.

Now some automotive experts will tell you that suffering a bout of “unintended acceleration” in a car is akin to being gored by a unicorn. It just can’t happen. Others will say that intermittent, unrepeatable electronic and/or mechanical problems can, indeed, happen; they are just, by definition, impossible to repeat. No matter how you feel about the entire issue, there is no doubt that the deluge of bad publicity that started almost exactly one year ago was devastating to Toyota’s reputation and to its bottom line. People who track such things said that fewer and fewer consumers considered buying Toyota and Lexus vehicles as the crisis deepened. Owner loyalty dropped, and Toyota’s used-vehicle values, which had stood tall on the citadel of its quality reputation, took a tumble as well.

Oh, then there’s the company’s sales performance in the United States, which is the second-largest car market in the world. In December 2010, Toyota sales tumbled 6 percent in an overall market that was up 11 percent. Even unheard-of levels of incentive spending by the automaker couldn’t quell the downward trend. But despite having its turn as whipping boy -- something that General Motors also experienced -- and despite the fact that some have predicted its steady decline, Toyota can expect to recover quickly this year. At North American International Auto Show in Detroit recently, it showed off a full line of new Prius vehicles, which places firmly at the forefront of the hybrid segment. Even more important, new versions of old, reliable favorites like the Corolla and Camry will eventually arrive on the scene to expected fanfare. By this time next year, we expect consumers and the press alike will be singing Toyota’s praises again.

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via driving.myfoxphoenix.com

I thought this was an interesting article by Tom Ripley for 'Driving Today'

One Of My Favorite Vacation Places- California's High Sierras

I remember taking many enjoyable vacations when I was growing up.  Some of my most memorable vacations was when we went to a place in the High Sierras called Hilton Lakes.  These lakes are located high up in the Sierra mountain range of California about 5-6 hours northeast of Los Angeles.  These lakes were only accessible by foot or on horseback, and a permit was required from the forest service.  We had to get up very early in the morning, then we mounted our horses for the 5 mile horse pack trip to the lakes.  We stayed in a quaint little cabin which had no running water.  We had to collect water from the lake, carry it to the cabin, then we had to boil the water before using it.

We had to chop wood each day in order to have a crackling fire each night for ambiance and warmth.  The fishing was absolutely fantastic.  We were able to catch our limit of rainbow trout each day.  Let me tell you, there is nothing better than a dinner including fresh rainbow trout.  This had to be one of the best weeks of my life.  It gave our family a great chance to be together, with no distractions, and get to know each other.

No Seat Belts On School Buses

Hi there, here is something for thought and debate.  These days everyone seems to be concerned for the safety of others when they are travelling .  There are helmet laws in many states for motorcyclists and child restraint laws and seat belt laws for personal and commercial vehicles.  I was just wondering why the safety of our children is not so important when they are riding in school buses.  Why don't school buses have seat belts?  I don't see why we should have to debate this issue.  In my humble opinion, all school buses should be required to be equipped with seat belts.

What do you think about this issue?  Just something I think is extremely important to consider implementing immediately!

Is Your Favorite Pizza Restaurant In New York Named Ray's ?

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you so far in this new year.  I was surfing the net and found a story on MSNBC.msn.com about pizza parlors in New York City.  As most people know, New York prides itself on the diversity of its population and visitors.

Well, if you are in New York and love pizza as much as I, then you would probably get on the internet and do a search for pizza restaurants.  The results of the search will reveal that the name, "Ray", appears in more than 56 Manhattan pizza restaurants. Of those 56 pizza restaurants, there are 24 with variations that include the words Ray, Famous or Original. 

I found this interesting because my favorite pizza restaurant in my hometown also has the name Ray in it.

Green Bay Packers Defeat The Atlanta Falcons

Well, hi there Franklin is back.  I was watching the Packers- Falcons play-off game tonight.  The game was fairly close in the first half.  I don't know what happened to the Falcons in the second half.  I think their trouble started at the end of the first half when Falcon's quarterback, Matt Ryan threw an interception, with less than a minute to go and the interception resulted in a run back for a touchdown.

I think the Falcon's just gave up in the second half.  Their offense was unable to do anything.  His receivers were unable to get open and were being covered real closely.  The Falcon's defense had to spend too much time on the field and it looked like they were simply too tired.  If you were a Packers fan, then the game was great.  They couldn't do anything wrong.  Oh well, for the Falcons, there is always next year.

Our Grandkids And Their Sports On A Beautiful Saturday

Well, hello there again.  Franklin here saying I hope all is well with everyone!  We spent today watching our Grand kids play their sports.  Two of our granddaughters play volleyball on the same team.  They played today against their old team (the team they were on in the last session).  Both girls played outstanding, got most of their serves over the net and bumped a lot of the other teams serves back over.  They put forth a lot of effort and had a lot of fun.

Our oldest grandson plays on an 8-man tackle football team.  The played well and the game ended up in a tie.  Our grandson played well, considering he was sick most of the week.  He is the quarterback and usually plays safety on defense, but today he just played on offense. 

Inaccurate Horoscopes Caused By Wobbly Earth

As most people know, astrological signs are determined by the position of the sun in relation to certain constellations on one's day of birth.
The positons were determined almost 3,000 years ago and since then the stars have shifted in the night sky so much that horoscope signs are almost a month off.

The wobble in the Earth's axis is caused by the gravitational pull of the moon on the Earth's equator. More information on why your horoscope is all wrong can be found at livescience.com.

Visiting With Family Who Live Far Away- It Doesn't Get Any Better

Hi there everyone, how is everything today?  I had a great day visiting with family whom I haven't seen for months.  We had a great time sharing memories and looking at some old photos of the family. We also had a very good dinner consisting of pork loin, mashed potatoes, corn, squash, rolls and scrumptious gravy.  We finished it off with chocolate cream pie and coffee.

Dust Never Sleeps

Unknown cleaning opportunities for hyper productive people (by Maria Shollenbarger) :

• Use a dryer sheet to grab cobwebs in the laundry room while the washer is filling up.

• After doing the dishes -- but before taking off the rubber gloves -- run palms over upholstery to catch fur.

• While brushing your teeth, polish the faucet (chrome only) with toothpaste.

• Using a lint roller to defuzz your clothes? Tackle the nearest lamp shade, too.

For more quick cleaning solutions for every room go to realsimple.com 

Forecaster: Two Phenomena Responsible For World's Bizarre Weather

The catastrophic weather events taking place across the globe – from Brazil’s and Australia’s flooding to the Eastern United States’ heavy snowfall – have two likely explanations.

Tony Barnston, lead forecaster at Columbia University’s International Research Institute for Climate and Society, said two phenomena – La Niña and the North Atlantic Oscillation – are likely responsible for the patterns we’re seeing.

Though La Niña is different every time, it can be simply defined as a drop in water temperature in the eastern and central tropical Pacific Ocean. This particular La Niña appeared in July, Barnston said, and will last through spring.

Thanks to CNN News for this story!  Read more at CNN News.

President Obama Urges Americans To Debate 'In A way That Heals'

President Obama faced a huge challenge in Tucson, Arizona on January 12, 2011 when he spoke at a memorial for victims of the Tucson shooting rampage that left six people dead and 13 wounded. One of the wounded included U.S.Representative Gabrielle Giffords(D-AZ).
President urged all Americans not to point fingers of blame but to "expand our moral imaginations" and also to "sharpen our instincts for empathy."
To see photos from the Tucson shooting rampage you can go here.

Google Global Science Fair 2011

Google is looking for the brightest, best young scientists from around the world to submit interesting, creative projects that are relevant to the world today. There is an interesting video presenting more about the Google Global Science Fair.

The deadline for submissions is April 4. In July, 15 finalists will attend the awards ceremony at Google headquarters in Mountain View, California. Visit Google Science Fair to learn more.

Who Doesn't Like A Good Chinese Dinner?

Hello there everyone, how's it going? I had one of my best Chinese dinners ever!  I started it all off with the world's best wor won ton soup which was full of won tons, beef, chicken and shrimp.

 I ate lo mein noodles with beef, house special fried rice which has beef, barbecued pork and shrimp, sesame chicken (which is to die for!), terryaki beef and vegetables and the best crab puffs in the world. 

Study: Drinking Green Tea May Prevent Dementia

According to some scientists from Newcastle University, in northeastern England, drinking green tea on a regular basis could possibly protect our brains against developing forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.

These researchers also suggested it is possible green tea may help protect our bodies from certain types of cancer. This has been suggested for many years, however the amount of green tea concentration in our bodies may have to be at really high levels to be effective.

Age of Aquarius Actually Age of Capricorn, Thanks to Earth's Rotation

Astronomers with the Minnesota Planetarium Society have dropped a bomb on the zodiac, noting that thanks to the millennia-long effect of the moon's gravitational pull on the Earth, there's about a one-month bump in the alignment of the stars

via myfoxphoenix.com

Wow, does this mean that astrologers will have to re- think their observations and calculations?

Safety For Children: Childproofing Your Home

One of the most important steps to take as a parent is to childproof your home. Accidental injuries, other than motor vehicle injuries, account for over 18% of all deaths in children. These injuries include burns, strangling, poisoning, cuts and falls. In the United States, over 70,000 children less than 5 years old are treated in emergency rooms each year. Many of these accidents can be prevented with a little thought and preparation.

via ezinearticles.com

All parents of young children should consider childproofing their homes. Pass this on to your friends and family. This is a great, informative article to read.

Special Olympics- A Short Video

Hello everyone, this is Franklin again. I recently came across this YouTube video which sent a chill down my spine and actually caused me to "tear up" a little. It is only 42 seconds long and well-worth your time to view it.

Another Great Mexican Dinner

Hi there all!  Well, we had another fabulous Mexican dinner tonight.  We had the best homemade tacos garnished with cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, guacamole and real hot sauce from Mexico.  Wow, my mouth is still burning but it sure tasted good.  We also had the traditional Spanish rice and re- fried beans.  It was all simply exquisito.

Video of B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber

Hello everyone, how is everything going today?  I am an avid fan of cool Military aircraft and I want to share an awesome video of the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber.  It is just awe-inspiring to watch this graceful bomber in flight.  I am sure you will be entertained as much as I was while watching this video.

Great Dinner Tonight At T.G.I. Fridays

Hello everyone!  I thought I would let you know I had a great dinner tonight at T.G.I. Fridays.  I had the steak and lobster and you wouldn't believe how good it was- and the price was reasonable.  I highly recommend that you try it the next time you are out and about. 

BCS National Collegiate Championship Game

Wow, what an exciting game!  If you are an Oregon fan it had to be disappointing at the end after coming back to tie the game with just a couple minutes left. If you are an Auburn fan you must be ecstatic!  What a game!

Studies Show Botox Can Reduce Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches are suffered by millions of Americans each year. Studies have shown that Botox can reduce these migraines in many instances.

Injections of botulinum toxin, best known as a wrinkle treatment, are now being used increasingly to prevent chronic migraine sufferers. Scientific data are mixed, but two large recent studies show Botox can reduce the number of headache days in chronic sufferers.

Read the entire article at FoxNews.com

Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance

This YouTube video by Red Skelton is a great example of ideals long forgotten by too many U.S. citizens. Remember, representatives are chosen by the people...Government is the people... and its from the people to the leaders- not from the leaders to the people...One Nation so blessed by God...

Lots of Snow, Ice in Southeast U.S.

Can you believe all the snow and ice they are getting in the Southeastern part of the United States, including Atlanta,GA and Charlotte, NC?  It was predicted that Charlotte would get as much as 6 inches of snow which would probably make everything come to a stand still.  The storm is expected to move up the eastern coastline into Virginia and New York.

Great Dining in Charleston, SC

While visiting relatives in Charleston, SC over the Thanksgiving Holiday, we ate our Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant called Poogan's Porch.  If you ever visit Charleston you must try the "She Crab Soup," it is simply out of this world!

Franklins Stuff First Post

Hello everyone, this is Franklin. I started this blog to let all my friends and family and followers know what's new and exciting in my life and times. I will also update everyone when I find something new and cool.