Friday, July 03, 2009

Ban on topping off gas tanks in effect | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal

Ban on topping off gas tanks in effect | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal: "Oregon gas station attendants can no longer 'top off' gas tanks because of new state environmental regulations.
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Topping off is when a gas station attendant continues to fill a gasoline tank after the nozzle clicks off.

The ban on 'topping off' is designed to reduce benzene and other toxic air pollutants from Oregon gas stations and other gasoline storage and dispensing facilities.

Topping off causes gasoline to spill and release benzene, a known carcinogen, and other toxic air pollutants. Also, most modern pumps simply return the fuel back into the pump after the overflow click, which means drivers are paying for gas that does not get into the fuel tank.

In some cases, overfilling a gas tank can cause a vehicle's vapor control system to clog and stop working, which can require costly repairs."

Police: Empty Tank Halts Car Thief Getaway - Portland News Story - KPTV Portland


Police: Empty Tank Halts Car Thief Getaway - Portland News Story - KPTV Portland: "LINCOLN CITY, Ore. -- A suspected car thief was arrested when the car he had taken from a dealership ran out of gas, police said.

A sergeant with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office saw the vehicle traveling southbound Wednesday on U.S. 101 when it suddenly slowed, turned on its emergency flashers and coasted to a stop."

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Afterbirth for Dinner - TIME

Ron says.... Whoa!

Afterbirth for Dinner - TIME: "There is so much you can't know about your spouse when you get married, like that one day she will want to eat her placenta. But there are two things you don't argue about with a pregnant woman: what she eats and that being full of life indeed looks sexy. So when Cassandra told me that for $275, a woman would come to our house, cook Cassandra's placenta, freeze-dry it and turn it into capsules to help ward off postpartum depression and increase milk supply, I said, '$275 is a bargain compared with the $20,000 I'll have to spend to tear out our kitchen immediately afterward.'"
"It's not the voting that's democracy, it's the counting."

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

NASA - ASTER Imagery

NASA - ASTER Imagery: "Global Map

NASA and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and industry (METI) released the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM) to the worldwide public on June 29, 2009."

NASA - Space Station Appearing Nationwide Over July 4 Weekend

NASA - Space Station Appearing Nationwide Over July 4 Weekend: "Space Station Appearing Nationwide Over July 4 Weekend


HOUSTON -- As America celebrates its 233rd birthday this holiday weekend, there will be an extra light in the sky along with the fireworks. Across the country, Americans will be treated to spectacular views of the International Space Station as it orbits 220 miles above Earth.

Many locations will have unusually long sighting opportunities of as much as five minutes, weather permitting, as the station flies almost directly overhead.

To find out when to see the station from your city, visit:

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings"
"Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory."

I'm home... Jacky is not :(

I drove home yesterday from Sunnyvale, CA. Jacky stayed there. Lori has some structural problems that require workmen and she can't be there to oversee the work... So good old Jacky volunteered to stay on to supervise... Don't feel sorry for her... pity the workmen. Ginger asked me why I didn't stay too? I am a rat... that's why.... I needed to be home... It's sure good to be here.

Here are some observations I had on the 14 hour drive here...
  • Did you ever wonder why most restrooms put up nice handrails for you to lower and raise your touche to the seat but hang the toilet paper dispenser below your knees? How does a wheelchair person reach the dispenser? Is it possible that the person hanging the dispenser has never gone to the bathroom (#2) before? Just wondering.
  • Have you ever been to hot-o-fornia and then returned to Oregon and got out to pump your own gas?
  • Did you know that the grass in CA is all brown but as you get close to the border of Oregon it turns green? (on the 101)
  • Did you know that when the weatherman in CA. says a cooling trend is coming ... he means the temperature will be at or below 90F?
  • Have you ever watched an elk lay on someone's front lawn and watch people who are watching him? What do you suppose he is thinking?
  • Did you know that all though there are a zillion stores in San Jose within miles of each other ... you will spend more time going to and from them, finding parking, etc than in them?
  • Why do people put their shopping carts in the middle of the aisle, wander off and stare transfixed, at products on shelves?
  • You know how people here are always stopping and having conversations at the store here? In CA. they won't even look at each other.. Why is that do you suppose?
  • I took the GPS unit and for fun asked it to plot a route home... I wanted to be on the 101, it (she) insisted I take the 5. Then on a turn the she rolled down under the seat where I couldn't get to her. Where she continued to replot the route to 5 and insist I take the next right turn or make a legal u turn. After awhile I was calling her awful names and recounting what I would do to her just as soon as I got out of traffic... She responded merrily, "turn right at the next intersection and then a hard left.... Bitch....

Tuesday, June 30, 2009


"It is of interest to note that while some dolphins are reported to have learned English -- up to fifty words used in correct context -- no human being has been reported to have learned dolphinese."

Monday, June 29, 2009

Oregon senators back placing NOAA fleet in Newport - OregonLive.com

Oregon senators back placing NOAA fleet in Newport - OregonLive.com: "'The Port of Newport is the only candidate that is centrally located along the west coast, allowing for easy access to the north and south ends of the West Coast. The Newport piers are minutes from the open ocean, which would maximize sea time for the fleet.'
NOAA is expected to make a decision in early August."

Vancouver's annual fireworks extravaganza is a no-show for this year's Fourth of July - OregonLive.com

Vancouver's annual fireworks extravaganza is a no-show for this year's Fourth of July - OregonLive.com: "July Fireworks at Fort Vancouver -- a tradition more than 45 years in the making -- won't occur next weekend.
Even though the decision was announced last year, the news comes as a shock to many people in the Portland metro area who've watched the display and have made the event part of their Independence Day celebration."

Oregon gets $16.8 million for energy projects - News�,�Community�|�Corvallis Gazette-Times

Oregon gets $16.8 million for energy projects - News�,�Community�|�Corvallis Gazette-Times: "The U.S. Energy Department says Oregon will get $16.8 million in federal stimulus money for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

The agency said Friday the money will go for a program that helps reduce energy costs and raise efficiency in public and school buildings."

Work will slow trips to coast - News�,�Community�|�Corvallis Gazette-Times

Work will slow trips to coast - News�,�Community�|�Corvallis Gazette-Times: "Two projects will add up to 30 minutes to a trip to the coast on U.S. Highway 20 this summer.

Drivers between Eddyville and Toledo on U.S. Highway 20 may encounter 10- to 20-minute delays beginning Tuesday, July 7, as Oregon Department of Transportation contractors replace a culvert at the junction with Elk City Road, about 10 miles east of Toledo."