"Feds Go Online to Brief Masses About Swine Flu," says this report from The Washington Post. Three agency heads - HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Richard Besser of the CDC and Janet Napolitano of the Department of Homeland Security - will conduct a live question-and-answer online session at 12:00 noon (central) today. The hour-long "town hall" will be streamed on CDC.gov and HHS.gov, and questions can be e-mailed to hhsstudio@hhs.gov.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Keeping It Simple, Sensible ...
I've long enjoyed the work of NBC's chief medical editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman for her no-nonsense approach to health issues in the news, foregoing the sensationalism in favor of straightforward, sensible discussion.
Here, she talks to TODAY’s Meredith Vieira about what you need to know to help protect yourself from the swine flu that has filled our headlines this week.
Here, she talks to TODAY’s Meredith Vieira about what you need to know to help protect yourself from the swine flu that has filled our headlines this week.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Now You See It ... Now You Don't ...
Having all kinds of "fun" with Blogger today. My posts are there ... then they're not ... then ... I don't know. More later ... maybe ... or maybe not.
Happy Birthday, Duke ...
Composer and arranger, pianist and bandleader Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, regarded by many as one of the most influential figures in jazz, if not in all American music, was born on this day in 1899.
You can read all about the man, his life and his music at dukeellington.com, pbs.org/jazz, and his Wikipedia entry.
But also look for opportunities to watch and listen, like this clip from jazzart1 at YouTube ...
You can read all about the man, his life and his music at dukeellington.com, pbs.org/jazz, and his Wikipedia entry.
But also look for opportunities to watch and listen, like this clip from jazzart1 at YouTube ...
I Don't Usually Envy NM's Aggies ...
But the UNM Lobo in me may have to make an exception in this case. New Mexico State University now has its own hot sauce, Holy Jolokia.
"Holy Jolokia sauce," we are told, "is made from the Bhut Jolokia chile. Paul Boaslund, regents professor of horticulture, holds a Guinness World Record for confirming Bhut Jolokia as 'the hottest of all spices,' tested at NMSU at more than one million Scoville Heat Units. This 2006 discovery was extraordinary since the previous record hot chile, a Red Savina, contained only 577,000 SHUs (a typical New Mexico green chile has 1,500 SHUs)."
CLICK HERE for the rest of the story on @nmsu
A portion of bottle sales will contribute to an endowed chair and new facilities for the Chile Pepper Institute at NMSU ... a grand and noble institution, even if it is run by a bunch of Aggies! :-)
"Holy Jolokia sauce," we are told, "is made from the Bhut Jolokia chile. Paul Boaslund, regents professor of horticulture, holds a Guinness World Record for confirming Bhut Jolokia as 'the hottest of all spices,' tested at NMSU at more than one million Scoville Heat Units. This 2006 discovery was extraordinary since the previous record hot chile, a Red Savina, contained only 577,000 SHUs (a typical New Mexico green chile has 1,500 SHUs)."
CLICK HERE for the rest of the story on @nmsu
A portion of bottle sales will contribute to an endowed chair and new facilities for the Chile Pepper Institute at NMSU ... a grand and noble institution, even if it is run by a bunch of Aggies! :-)
Monday, April 27, 2009
Congrats to Coach Cowdrey's Class! ...
'Proud Papa Moment' here ... Congratulations to Curt Cowdrey's robotics class at San Jacinto Junior High School for building, then firing the winning trebuchet at the West Texas Milk Jug Chuckin' Competition, this past weekend at MC.
Here's a good write-up on the event, with lots of photos, from George at Sleepless in Midland.
Here's a good write-up on the event, with lots of photos, from George at Sleepless in Midland.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
A Night to Remember ...
For a few hours, Saturday night, Rockhouse Ranch in northeast Culberson County was 'party central' in West Texas, and provided one of the best evenings I've had in a loooooong time!
Getting there, AS U-Haul ads would remind us, is part of the fun. You get far enough west, and the West Texas countryside is a sight to behold. And as we proceeded westward, we drew closer to a break in the overcast, and clearer, sunlit skies that brought added highlights to the mountainscapes. After Van Horn, it was just under 45 miles of FM and ranch roads till we arrived at our destination.
We were greeted with all the hospitality one could ask for, plenty of good food (BBQ and all the trimmings) and drink (soft and not-at-all-soft), and a peach-blueberry cobbler for dessert that was, in-and-of-itself, sufficient reason for the trip. Plenty of socializing, as well, with lots of old friends, and new acquaintances made.
The weather, further-west and higher-up from the Permian basin, was mild. And after a colorful sunset, we enjoyed a comfortable evening under the stars, dancing to music by "Asleep at the Wheel," who offered-up everything from Bob Wills to Patsy Cline to Willie Nelson, and more.
All in all, a night 'big as all Texas.' ... a night to remember ... a night to cherish.
Getting there, AS U-Haul ads would remind us, is part of the fun. You get far enough west, and the West Texas countryside is a sight to behold. And as we proceeded westward, we drew closer to a break in the overcast, and clearer, sunlit skies that brought added highlights to the mountainscapes. After Van Horn, it was just under 45 miles of FM and ranch roads till we arrived at our destination.
We were greeted with all the hospitality one could ask for, plenty of good food (BBQ and all the trimmings) and drink (soft and not-at-all-soft), and a peach-blueberry cobbler for dessert that was, in-and-of-itself, sufficient reason for the trip. Plenty of socializing, as well, with lots of old friends, and new acquaintances made.
The weather, further-west and higher-up from the Permian basin, was mild. And after a colorful sunset, we enjoyed a comfortable evening under the stars, dancing to music by "Asleep at the Wheel," who offered-up everything from Bob Wills to Patsy Cline to Willie Nelson, and more.
All in all, a night 'big as all Texas.' ... a night to remember ... a night to cherish.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Socker Soccer Night, 6
And that's a wrap. A hard-played, but scoreless draw between the West Texas Sockers and Soles de Ciudad Juarez. About 2,000 people in attendance, tonight, including a good number here to cheer for the visitors ... the game has a strong fan base in Mexico, and in the Mexican-American community, which is one reason you see so many FMF jerseys around this part of the country. Tomorrow night, another Mexican team, Municipality of Juarez, takes the field against the Sockers.
A couple of notes on off-field matters ... a couple weeks back, I raised some concerns about the ball boys, and their activities on the sidleines - MUCH improved this time around, with the kids staying put, and staying focused on the game ... Next, even by the scheduled game time, the weather had taken a mild turn, and made for a pleasant evening ... And finally, when we have an international friendly such as this, maybe we should have that country's national anthem on file to play during the opening - they do it in baseball, and it's a nice touch.
A couple of notes on off-field matters ... a couple weeks back, I raised some concerns about the ball boys, and their activities on the sidleines - MUCH improved this time around, with the kids staying put, and staying focused on the game ... Next, even by the scheduled game time, the weather had taken a mild turn, and made for a pleasant evening ... And finally, when we have an international friendly such as this, maybe we should have that country's national anthem on file to play during the opening - they do it in baseball, and it's a nice touch.
Socker Soccer Night, 5
Ten minutes into the second half, and more of what we saw in the first half - lots of action, lots of time in the vistors' half of the field, and lots of pressure on their goal ... but no score, yet. Good play by Juarez' keeper, some help from his defensive backs, and - admittedly - some missed shots by the Sockers.
Socker Soccer Night, 4
Halftime, no score, but plenty of action. The ball's spent a majority of time in Juarez' half of the field, with lots of shots on the visitors' goal. If it weren't for some great moves by Juarez' goalkeeper, the Sockers would probably have something on the board.
Socker Soccer Night, 3
P.K. takes the field ...
The officials take the field ...
The teams take the field ...
It's nine o'clock, and it's showtime at last.
The officials take the field ...
The teams take the field ...
It's nine o'clock, and it's showtime at last.
Socker Soccer Night, 2
A live shot on the stadium marquee shows a charter bus negotiating the turns in the stadium area ... Solas aqui?
Socker Soccer Night, 1
Nothing to report, yet ... because the game hasn't started, yet. About one hour after the scheduled start of tonight's game, and the opposing team - Soles de Ciudad Juarez - is yet to take the field. The word in the stands is that their bus is caught in traffic somewhere ... which could means lot of things, judging by the various theories making the rounds.
Stuff happens ... I'll keep you posted.
Stuff happens ... I'll keep you posted.
A Good Man ...
Don Cannon went to be with his Lord and Savior on April, 19, 2009 after a long-fought and courageous battle with cancer. He's been described as "a hard worker and a friend to all those whom he came into contact with" ... and I can attest to that.
CLICK HERE to read Don's complete obit in the MRT.
Ours is a better community because of Don, and those of us who came to know him are the better for that association. He was 'good people,' and I miss him.
CLICK HERE to read Don's complete obit in the MRT.
Ours is a better community because of Don, and those of us who came to know him are the better for that association. He was 'good people,' and I miss him.
More Socker Soccer ...
Tonight finds me on an evening out with friends and family, enjoying an international challenge for West Texas' pro soccer venture. The West Texas Sockers kickoff tonight at Grande Stadium.
The Sockers will face Soles de Cd. Juarez, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Grande, in the latest of a series of exhibition games the Sockers will play before opening the regular season on May 2 at El Paso.
A few months back, I expressed my support on this blog for such a venture, and went on to purchase season tickets as soon as they were available. There's still time to get YOUR tickets ... call (432) 520-2255 for more information.
As any fan of the beautiful game can tell you, it's played with a special passion in Mexico. And Elder Son can tell you, from first-hand experience, they have a VERY GOOD pitch on which to play. We're looking forward to tonight's game.
We shall not, we shall not be moved,
We shall not, we shall not be moved,
Just like the team, that's gonna win the cup!
We shall not be moved.
(with apologies to fans of Man-U)
The Sockers will face Soles de Cd. Juarez, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Grande, in the latest of a series of exhibition games the Sockers will play before opening the regular season on May 2 at El Paso.
A few months back, I expressed my support on this blog for such a venture, and went on to purchase season tickets as soon as they were available. There's still time to get YOUR tickets ... call (432) 520-2255 for more information.
As any fan of the beautiful game can tell you, it's played with a special passion in Mexico. And Elder Son can tell you, from first-hand experience, they have a VERY GOOD pitch on which to play. We're looking forward to tonight's game.
We shall not, we shall not be moved,
We shall not, we shall not be moved,
Just like the team, that's gonna win the cup!
We shall not be moved.
(with apologies to fans of Man-U)
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Birthday Bard
William Shakespeare, English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's preeminent dramatist. Was born on this day in 1564. He is credited with at least 38 plays (which have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright) as well as 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other poems.For a man of such enduring words - and, OH, what words! - Shakespeare didn't leave all that much of a paper trail, and so much of what we 'know' about his life is based on speculation and conjecture ... informed speculation and conjecture, true, but all that nonetheless. In fact, that's what comprises my favorite 'bio' of the Bard, "Will In the World by Stephen Greenblatt ... a great deal of informed speculation, arising from the pittance of documented facts we have about the man and his life.
Of course, such speculation also opens the door for some entertaining flights of fancy, whether it's an episode of "Doctor Who" or a favorite movie of mine, "Shakespeare In Love."
It really is difficult to describe, with any sense of adequacy, the impact Shakespeare's work has had on us all ... and not just here, in the west. Just last weekend, Younger Son and I were watching "Throne of Blood," one of a number of stories by Shakespeare, adapted for Japanese cinema by Akira Kurosawa. And, sometimes, the influence might be much smaller ... yet still significant ... where would would Tolkien's Lord of the Rings be without Treebeard and the ents? And where would THEY be if a young Tolkien hadn't once speculated on what it would be like if Birnam Wood actually DID march on Dunsinane Castle?
"There was a star danced, and under that was I born."
● William Shakespeare - Digital Collection
● The Internet Shakespeare Editions
● The Royal Shakespeare Company website
● Shakespeare's Will, in Latin
● William Shakespeare at Find A Grave
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
It Ain't Easy Being Green .....
At least that's the conclusion reached in this slideshow feature at newsweek.com. It provides some chuckles for my next-to-last Earth Day post, as it places some shots across the bow of celebrities who may not practice what they preach when it comes to the environment concerns and how our lifestyle reflects those concerns.
It's the eco-gaffes of the rich and famous ... Enjoy!
It's the eco-gaffes of the rich and famous ... Enjoy!
A Sample of Earth Day Media .....
It would be hard to find an outlet, in any medium, that does not have something about Earth Day. One sample, and one of the most far-reaching can be found at greenisuniversal.com
It's described as, "the digital home of NBC Universal's commitment to bring an environmental perspective to our networks, our platforms, our audiences, our communities ... in fact, to everything we do."
Nothing new, here ... many of you have seen the green icons in the corner of your television screen while watching a Universal-related product ... and there are A LOT of those. But it does have special empasis this time of year. According to its website, "two times of the year, Green is Universal incorporates environmentally themed content across NBC Universal's multiple platforms. Earth Week always occurs in April and Green Week always occurs in November."
And a look at the "NBCU Green Sites" running down a column on the right-hand side of the greenisuniversal.com pages, gives you an idea just how far their message can reach ... impressive, to say the least.
Whether it earns your love, your hate or your indifference ... greenisuniversal.com is well worth at least an exploratory visit on your part.
It's described as, "the digital home of NBC Universal's commitment to bring an environmental perspective to our networks, our platforms, our audiences, our communities ... in fact, to everything we do."
Nothing new, here ... many of you have seen the green icons in the corner of your television screen while watching a Universal-related product ... and there are A LOT of those. But it does have special empasis this time of year. According to its website, "two times of the year, Green is Universal incorporates environmentally themed content across NBC Universal's multiple platforms. Earth Week always occurs in April and Green Week always occurs in November."
And a look at the "NBCU Green Sites" running down a column on the right-hand side of the greenisuniversal.com pages, gives you an idea just how far their message can reach ... impressive, to say the least.
Whether it earns your love, your hate or your indifference ... greenisuniversal.com is well worth at least an exploratory visit on your part.
Earth Day Photo Project ...
Stepping back from the punditz and the politicians for a moment, what do regular people have to say about positive, sensible applications of environmentalism? If you believe a picture is truly worth a thousand words, you'll want to check out the answers found at the Earth Day Photo Project sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency and Flickr.
Each year, for Earth Day, the EPA conducts a photo project, wanting to see how people would show the agency's mission to protect human health and the environment.
Each year, for Earth Day, the EPA conducts a photo project, wanting to see how people would show the agency's mission to protect human health and the environment.
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