50/50 Bet North Pole Melts Away This Summer : TreeHugger

50/50 Bet North Pole Melts Away This Summer : TreeHugger: "According to the informal betting pool among scientists at the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado there's a 50/50 bet that the geographic North Pole will melt away completely this summer.

The ice had retreated to a record level in September when the Northwest Passage, the sea route through the Arctic Ocean, opened up briefly for the first time in recorded history."

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Gracie Allen

"When I was born I was so surprised I didn't talk for a year and a half."

Newport News-Times: Newport commuter air project receives grant

Newport News-Times: Newport commuter air project receives grant: "At this point, Bain sees no obstacle in the way of bringing commuter air service to Newport. In fact, in anticipation of the action last week by the Oregon Transportation Commission, the city had put out a request for proposals for airline companies interested in providing the coastal air service. It was announced at last week's Newport City Council meeting that proposals had been received from two companies, Cape Air and Air Azul. “I'm assuming either one of them will probably be able to provide the service,” Bain said, “but it's a matter of fine-tuning their proposal.”"

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John Ruskin

"Every increased possession loads us with new weariness."

HowStuffWorks "Causes of Stomach Growling"

HowStuffWorks "Causes of Stomach Growling": "But you may be wondering -- if your stomach is empty, why are the muscle contractions that digest food happening to begin with? The reason has to do with hunger and appetite. About two hours after your stomach empties itself, it begins to produce hormones that stimulate local nerves to send a message to the brain."

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Groucho Marx

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception."

The Stranger Everyday Science of Oregon's Coast

The Stranger Everyday Science of Oregon's Coast: "It’s so rarely photographed that some science people still don’t believe it exists. But it does, and as crowds of strangers gather together at certain vantage points to watch summer sunsets, you now often hear someone else around you talk about hoping to see the famed “green flash.”"

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Watch the International Space Station

A real time map tracking the location of our space station. Just click the link.


KEWELL!

LVH Fishing Club trip

A RIP ROARING ROAD TRIP >>or<< THE VALSETZ PICNIC ADVENTURE !!!

Yes, there really is a Ghost Town called Valsetz & it would make Indiana Jones proud to unlock it’s secrets !!! BUT I am getting, 138.7 miles, ahead of my self ….

This adventure started with an early morning fog & 12 folks excited about the prospects of being Indiana Jones for a day !!! We had 4 different maps + GPS data & enough enthusiasm to drive the 4 vehicles we took into “The Bush” !!! …. Did I mention, wonderful secret Lunches, Tow Straps, TP, Jacks & Cameras …….. Yes, we were ready for what ever the Logsden Valley & Siletz Canyon could dish out !!!

Just after our Wagon Master (Wayde Dudley) called our 1st “Convenience Stop” at Moonshine Park, we met a fellow, up in the canyon, who got his truck “cock-a-meme” off the road. Well not to worry, Frank Stout & Brian Hudson hooked their truck up to him & had him back on the road in 1 Big Pull !!! Then it was up >> up & away to our next stop at the Siletz Fish Trap …. Several of us walked down to see the Falls, Trap Equipment & another Convenience Stop. Then it was back on the road >><< KAPLUEE !!! >>> That’s when Al’s new Toyota Hybrid blew a front tire, It was not to Big of a Deal, since we were not going very fast, but it did require a tire change >> which << was accomplished by 6 men & 2 lovely ladies. (Actually, Brian & Frank did most of the “Heavy Lifting” with the rest of us giving very sound advice & commentary. Although Jerry Gibson & Bob Abbott did pretty dusty !!) The rest of the trip into Valsetz was relatively uneventful, except for Bob Abbott continuing to tell us >>> If we did not get him there “Soon” … He would Starve !!

Arrive we did >>&<< What we found was a lone cement slab, that we conjectured was a part of the long ago logging operation. We continued on a short distance & found a lovely spot to set up our “LVH FC Lunch Camp” … Boys Howdy >><< That sure made Bob Happy !!! The Weather just continued to get Sunny & Warm & we had a delightful “Luncheon Repast” ……..

I should mention that while we were enjoying our lunch. An Oregon State Trooper stopped to visit & Ginger Dale invited him to join us for a Fish Fry we were planning on having as soon as Larry could set up the stove & stuff !!! ( Actually, I just made that up because … where we were >><< It was “strictly illegal” to do any kind of Fishing. However, after he departed Ginger came up with this fun idea … maybe next time !!)

The Wagon Master then gave us the option of going back, several miles, to see & visit the “Valley of the Giants” or splitting the caravan with some of us continuing across the mountain to hook up with the Kings Valley Road,which links with HWY 20 back to Newport. We had a 50/50 Parting of the Ways ………. The Bottom Line is that we All had a Wonderful Day & Special Thanks are in order for our Wagon Master Wayde Dudley >>><<< It was readily moved & seconded, that we should begin considering What ,When & Where our Next Rip Roaring Road Trip should lead us ……

STAY TUNE FOR OUR NEXT ADVENTURE ………… THE HOOK

The Economy: The Problem We Face

The Economy: The Problem We Face: "While the economic system is considered legitimate, it is not always considered fair. When the business cycle turns downward, revealing some of the more unfair ways in which wealth is created and distributed, it turns out that while victims are aplenty, those responsible cannot be found."

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Over 200,000

We started this blog (website) in 2002 as neighborhood news for Longviewhills Retirement Community located in Agate Beach, Oregon. Soon, we noticed it could act as a kind of community history and we began to put pictures in... which was a big hit.

Somewhere along the line we put in a counter to record the number of visitors to the site and began to accumulate statistics... I became obsessed with getting more and more readers... Looking back don't know why this became so important to me but it did.

Moving along, we found that the local and all Oregon newspapers were spotty at home delivery. I like to start my day with a cup of coffee and the newspaper... No newspaper today? Soon found that all the news could be found on line and the computer became my morning newspaper. It was a short hop from there to start linking the stories I found interesting to this blog and give others in the community access to a morning newspaper.

We publish those stories and a lot of what is going on in the community as well as creating websites for community clubs.. Over time some volunteers learned how to publish to all of these sites and they input to them on a regular basis... This all began to increase readership to the point that today I looked at the counter as it ticked over our 200,186th visitor...

We have tried many new things and continue to innovate. Never know when a new idea is likely to come up in conversation or pop into my noggin. We hope you have enjoyed the blog over the years and always welcome suggestions. If you play well with others and would like to play in our sandbox we are always looking for new writers and photographers. No commitment necessary.. Just come and play... If it becomes a burden then you just quit.... No hard feelings...
Join the team or send me those pictures or just email a story... No Religion... No politics... Be nice.

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Andrew W. Mathis

"It is bad luck to be superstitious."

Hydrogen fueled cars