Oregon Coast News

Oregon Coast News: "On the Oregon Coast, the Central Lincoln People’s Utility District—Newport, will receive $9,849,450. The funds will be used to provide two-way communication between the utility and its customers and deploy smart grid communication and control"

Oregon Coast News

Oregon Coast News: "Nearly 350 seabirds were rescued from the Pacific Ocean and North Oregon Coast and South Washington Coast beaches and shipped Monday night, Oct. 26th to a wildlife rescue center at Fairfield, CA after they were sickened by a foamy toxic algae bloom. Wildlife officials believe thousands of birds may have died after coming in contact with the sea foam."

Commentary: Are baby boomers turning into outsiders? | McClatchy

Commentary: Are baby boomers turning into outsiders? | McClatchy: "Not long ago, I was blithely driving along, listening to a public radio story on senior citizens and unemployment."

Personal Health - Patient Advocates Help to Manage Care - NYTimes.com

Personal Health - Patient Advocates Help to Manage Care - NYTimes.com: "Two days after surgery to replace both my knees, a social worker employed by the hospital told me that the insurance company would not pay for me to stay any longer. Seeing that I was barely able to get to the bathroom on my own, she told the company I was not ready to enter rehab and insisted that I needed at least another day in the hospital."

Earhart's Final Resting Place Believed Found : Discovery News

Earhart's Final Resting Place Believed Found : Discovery News: "Tall, slender, blonde and brave, Earhart disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean on July 2, 1937 in a record attempt to fly around the world at the equator. Her final resting place has long been a mystery."

Oregon Coast Foam Puts on Spectacular but Deadly Display: "The algae – although harmless to humans or pets – washes off the natural oils that seabirds have to keep them insulated from the cold. Without that oil, they get hypothermia and die. They've been washing up on the beaches covered in foam - usually dead."

10 Ways You Put Yourself at Risk for Swine Flu Without Realizing It - Page 2 - MSN Health & Fitness - Cold and Flu

10 Ways You Put Yourself at Risk for Swine Flu Without Realizing It - Page 2 - MSN Health & Fitness - Cold and Flu:

sent in by Mike Larsen

"First, check the ingredients in your hand sanitizer: It should contain 60% to 95% alcohol, ethanol, or isopropanol, to work best. (If alcohol-based sanitizers are not available to you or not allowed in your workplace, alcohol-free products may also be helpful, the CDC says.)"

"Bill Watterson
from Quotes
'Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us.'"

Artificial Retina Can Restore Sight to the Blind : Discovery News

Artificial Retina Can Restore Sight to the Blind : Discovery News: "The artificial retina is designed to help people with advanced macular degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa, progressive diseases that permanently blind patients, usually older patients.
Some drugs can delay the process, but once the cells that detect light (rods) and color (cones) die, they are gone."

"George Bernard Shaw
from Quotes
'If all economists were laid end to end, they would not reach a conclusion.'"

Will Rogers

"'Our constitution protects aliens, drunks and U.S. Senators.'"

Commentary: Health care as a moral issue --Calling Dr. Salk | McClatchy

Commentary: Health care as a moral issue --Calling Dr. Salk | McClatchy: "this conversation between famed broadcaster, Edward R. Murrow and Dr. Jonas Salk, inventor of the polio vaccine. �

Murrow asked, 'Who owns the patent on this vaccine?'

Salk answered, 'Well, the people, I would say. There is no patent. �Could you patent the sun?'"

Op-Ed Columnist - The Peace (Keepers) Prize - NYTimes.com

Op-Ed Columnist - The Peace (Keepers) Prize - NYTimes.com: "All that said, I hope Mr. Obama will take this instinct a step further when he travels to Oslo on Dec. 10 for the peace prize ceremony. Here is the speech I hope he will give:"

What a Disapointment :(

Ron Thomas

I went to the clubhouse computer room today thinking I might be able to take a look at some of the problems folks have been telling me about. Larry Henson had told me awhile back in August, I believe, that the feature using the internet had crashed and he bought new equipment (modem) and made one computer work and he said the wifi part still worked out in the main hall.

Looking at the disarray in that once orderly room dedicated to the enrichment of all our neighbors... I was really let down. All the computers save one had been disconnected and their monitors turned to the wall. When I think of the time and hours people put in to build that room it just completely lets the air out of my sails.

Those computers were donated by residents and the paper mill in Toledo. People like former resident Jim Dodds who is a computer tech was able to create a network that would run everything and create a wi-fi hot spot in the club house. He further loaded them with tons of programs and games and checked them out for us.

The park managing owner, Brian Fitterer bought cable high speed internet and allowed us to connect free to the office computers.

Bill Furgason helped do the heavy lifting and so did Jim Rose as well as the storage. Other folks generously gave their old equipment as they acquired new.

I had hoped it would go on when I could no longer look after it...maybe someone else would step forward... but it looks as if that is not the case. What a shame.

Wayde and I were out at the South Jetty yesterday afternoon. If you are looking for an enjoyable way to spend an hour or so, go out and watch the pelicans while they are in town. They are a wonderful sight!

"Somewhere on this globe, every ten seconds, there is a woman giving birth to a child. She must be found and stopped."

Brain Waves Surge Moments Before Death: Discovery News

Brain Waves Surge Moments Before Death: Discovery News: "Oct. 6, 2009 -- A study of seven terminally ill patients found identical surges in brain activity moments before death, providing what may be physiological evidence of 'out of body' experiences reported by people who survive near-death ordeals."

Idaho woman mistakes own hearing aid for a Milk Dud | Northwest Headlines - OregonLive.com

Idaho woman mistakes own hearing aid for a Milk Dud | Northwest Headlines - OregonLive.com: "Violet Bishop, 87, of Coeur d’Alene was tucked into bed with a box of Milk Duds, ready to watch� “Dancing With the Stars,” when something went horribly wrong. In her words:"

Debunking Canadian health care myths - The Denver Post

Debunking Canadian health care myths - The Denver Post: "As a Canadian living in the United States for the past 17 years, I am frequently asked by Americans and Canadians alike to declare one health care system as the better one."

Profiles of NOAA research ships | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal

Profiles of NOAA research ships | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal: "Profiles of NOAA research ships"

Cities that lost bid for NOAA center protest to federal officials | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal

Cities that lost bid for NOAA center protest to federal officials | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal: "'They're just pushing because they were embarrassed,' she said. 'Theydidn't ask their community to help. They didn't ask their state to help. Now they want a do-over, which is in no way legal.'

Newport and NOAA signed a contract Aug. 7.

'We have a signed contract with the government that can't be broken,' Goblirsch said."

Video: Fleet is Newport's biggest catch in years | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal

Video: Fleet is Newport's biggest catch in years | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal

We Don’t Surrender Until We Have To - Happy Days Blog - NYTimes.com

We Don’t Surrender Until We Have To - Happy Days Blog - NYTimes.com: "More specifically, my job as a journalist required me to sit at a battered kitchen table in the middle of the Wind River Indian Reservation, swapping stories with a quadriplegic Northern Arapaho horse gentler and traditional healer named Stanford Addison."

Fossil Find Sheds Light on 'Early Evolutionary Steps' | Online NewsHour | October 1, 2009 | PBS

Fossil Find Sheds Light on 'Early Evolutionary Steps' | Online NewsHour | October 1, 2009 | PBS: "TIM WHITE: Well, the first thing you do when you find a time capsule like this with that kind of evidence is assemble a team, a team of experts. And this particular team, the announcement we're making tomorrow in Science, is 47 total people, specialists in everything from the soil isotopes to the plants to the shrews to the bats to the hominids."

Teen Inventors Fight Tinnitus: Scientific American Podcast

Teen Inventors Fight Tinnitus: Scientific American Podcast: "Ever get a ringing in your ears after a loud blast of music on your iPod? That’s one example of the usually temporary condition called tinnitus, the sensation of sound even when no sound is being produced. But a new invention—created by high school students—may help."

A GPS Drive

What is a GPS Drive? Well, Jacky and I go somewhere that we would like to explore and then ask the GPS machine where the points of interest are. We select a good looking one from the list and have the lady who lives in the machine drive us to the interesting point.

This time we took some pictures of the area.. We aren't telling you where it is exactly. That would take the fun out of it.

But, we will tell you what the latitude and longitude is so you can put those coordinates into your GPS and let it take you on an adventure.

43 35 44 NORTH by
123 50 53 WEST

It is about a three hour drive and the scenery all the way there and back is magnificent. Just a hint the water you see was loaded with fish. We saw one guy get up and walk on their backs they were so thick.

Let us know if you visit it and what you saw.

Safe and Well List

Safe and Well List: "Providing Safe and Well Information

Welcome to the American Red Cross Safe and Well Website. If you have been affected by a disaster, this website provides a way for you to register yourself as “safe and well.” From a list of standard messages, you can select those that you want to communicate to your family members, letting them know of your well-being.

Concerned family and friends can search the list of those who have registered themselves as “safe and well.” The results of a successful search will display a loved one’s First Name, Last Name, an “As of Date”, and the “safe and well” messages selected."

90-year-old SC man relives WW II parachute jump in Holland | McClatchy

90-year-old SC man relives WW II parachute jump in Holland | McClatchy: "Jumping tandem with a female former Dutch paratrooper, Burriss touched down firmly, fell back onto the soft earth and beamed.

'I've been waiting a long time to do that again,' he said."

Wayde and I have been watching, rather sadly, the last couple of weeks as several people have been cleaning and fixing the little blue house on the right as you go down the hill and out of the LVH gate. Sadly, because we knew there was an elderly man living there and we have to surmise he either went into a home or passed away. It is nice to see the house fixed up, though. As we were driving by yesterday afternoon we noticed a man cleaning the roof. I thought I saw something else on the roof and asked Wayde to go back to take a look. Sure enough, as you see to the left of the stove pipe there is a small raccoon. The raccoon just stood there while the man worked, apparently they were friends. What a nice way to end the day!

Goodbye Mary...

Color-blindness Cured by Gene Injection in Monkeys

Color-blindness Cured by Gene Injection in Monkeys: "A simple injection of cells has cured monkeys of color-blindness—giving a green light to future research into improving human vision with gene therapy, a new study says."

Oregon Coast Dining Guide: A Look at Newport Restaurants

Oregon Coast Dining Guide: A Look at Newport Restaurants: "Along Oregon's coast, Newport sports something different in the way of eateries. There are more restaurants with outdoor eating areas than anywhere along these shores. And there's a unique mix of places to eat along the bay, with a beachfront view or in especially handsome interiors."

Cat and faucet

Coyotes @ play Damascus, OR

fire behind Passadena @ Jet Propulsion Labratories

This photo emailed by John Spangler

Navy to Make Jet Fuel From Seawater: Discovery News

Navy to Make Jet Fuel From Seawater: Discovery News: "The U.S. Navy could soon be sailing through an ocean of jet fuel if new research proves economical.

By extracting dissolved carbon dioxide from seawater and combining it with hydrogen stripped from water molecules, Navy chemists hope to one day secure a cheap and steady fuel source for its fleet of jets."

Still Life: Bear in a Chair - Dot Earth Blog - NYTimes.com

Still Life: Bear in a Chair - Dot Earth Blog - NYTimes.com: "A black bear sat in a lawn chair briefly during a backyard foray in Philipstown, N.Y., in mid-August."

Google Reader (558)

Google Reader (558): "'Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.'"

What the Heck is the Public Option in simple language

I found this on the internet and it explained the public option in terms I can understand...

OSU now offering a Mastery of Aging certificate | Local News | kgw.com | News for Portland Oregon and SW Washington

OSU now offering a Mastery of Aging certificate | Local News | kgw.com | News for Portland Oregon and SW Washington: "Older adults can take a college course and earn a certificate in the mastery of aging well through a new Web-based program developed by Oregon State University.

(kgw.com graphic)

Co-branded by AARP Oregon, the program developed at the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center in Central Point is expected to have nationwide reach, says Sharon Johnson, the OSU associate professor who designed the coursework and Web content.

'This is one of the first times the university has really targeted older adult students,' Johnson says."

Woods Hole of the West? That's what Newport hopes to become - OregonLive.com

Woods Hole of the West? That's what Newport hopes to become - OregonLive.com: "When the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced last month that it would move its Pacific fleet to Newport, the analogy on many lips was Woods Hole, as in Newport is going to be the Woods Hole of the West.

Comparing little old Newport, home to the Hatfield Marine Science Center, to Woods Hole, home to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Massachusetts, may seem a pretty big stretch."

Officers seize dogs, rabbits from filthy Newport home - OregonLive.com

Officers seize dogs, rabbits from filthy Newport home - OregonLive.com: "The Lincoln County Animal Shelter, working with Newport police, seized two dogs and 13 rabbits today from a garbage-filled home in Newport, police say.

Officers responded Thursday to reports of a barking dog at the only home on a dead-end street about a block from the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area."

Commentary: Why seniors are health reform winners, not losers | McClatchy

Commentary: Why seniors are health reform winners, not losers | McClatchy: "seniors are likely to be big winners if responsible health reform passes and prime victims if it fails. The casualties will not only be today's elders, but the Baby Boomers, who are the next generation of seniors. They will all pay the price if the existing health system is allowed to fester."

The FLU

H1N1 Flu and General Flu

H1N1 -- At risk groups are:

• Small children and
• Young adults up to age 35-40

Have a Flu Buddy.

• Make arrangements with family or friends to call them if you are too sick to care for yourself but not sick enough to go to the Emergency Room.
• Need someone to go to the store for you.
• Someone to be sure you are hydrated and eating.
• Your Flu Buddy needs to wear a mask around you and be absolutely sure to wash their hands. Gloves would be best.

General Information:

• Oregon has had 105 hospitalizations of H1N1 flu resulting in 12 deaths
• The US has had 9000 hospitalizations resulting in 555 deaths (.06% of those hospitalized died)

Get Your Flu Shot -- No Excuses

• You CAN NOT get sick from a flu shot. The vaccine is killed -- dead; it can’t infect you.
• You may feel a general achiness and have a low grade temperature (100 – 101). This is your immune system working to protect you.
• If you are allergic to the preservative they make vaccines without preservative.

The Flu is NOT a Cold is:

• Slow onset. Feeling generally icky
• Scratchy throat
• Runny nose
• Low grade temperature under 101

The Flu Is:

• One day you are feeling fine but the next day you feel horrible.
• High temperature 102 or higher.
• Coughing
• Possible vomiting and diarrhea (only 25% of H1N1 patient present with these symptoms).

Elderly fraud victim amazed and pleased at outpouring of good wishes and offers of help - OregonLive.com

Elderly fraud victim amazed and pleased at outpouring of good wishes and offers of help - OregonLive.com: "In February 2008, Roth's health was dire after she was diagnosed with a cancerous growth on her esophagus. But she did not die. Instead, she made a remarkable recovery, only to learn her cousin and niece, who had obtained power of attorney while Roth was ill, had sold her Southeast Portland house of 56 years. Police say they deposited the money into Roth's bank account and then wrote checks to themselves and family. They emptied out her accounts, cashed her annuities and even arranged and prepaid her funeral."

Boat capsizes in Newport surf - OregonLive.com

Ron says... 18ft of boat doesn't appear to be big enough... Last week's drowning was also an 18ft.

Boat capsizes in Newport surf - OregonLive.com: "Three Albany men were treated for hypothermia, cuts and bruises and released from a Newport hospital this afternoon after their 18-foot boat capsized off South Beach State Park."

Long Ago: A Total War in the Pacific Came to an Unimaginable End

Long Ago: A Total War in the Pacific Came to an Unimaginable End: "In 1941 to 1945 America’s fighting forces fought a desperate war with a dedicated and ruthless adversary, the Empire of Japan, which the enemy began with a surprise attack and which for nearly four years they did everything—fair and foul alike—to try to win."

Discovery News: Born Animal: 40-Million-Year-Old Iridescent Feather Found with Color Preserved

Discovery News: Born Animal: 40-Million-Year-Old Iridescent Feather Found with Color Preserved: "The discovery could pave the way for determining color features of other ancient birds and even dinosaurs, the team said.

'Of course, the 'Holy Grail' in this program is reconstructing the colors of the feathered dinosaurs,' said Yale graduate student and lead author Jakob Vinther. 'We are working hard to determine if this will be possible.'"

Two brothers die after boat capsizes at Nye Beach - OregonLive.com

Two brothers die after boat capsizes at Nye Beach - OregonLive.com: "Authorities said one man was from Sweet Home and the other from Dallas.

A caller to 9-1-1 reported two men in the surf about 1 p.m. A beach crew of rescue workers from local agencies and a U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer recovered the first man from the surf shortly after arriving on the scene.

The second man was spotted by the Coast Guard helicopter crew and recovered by the swimmer and beach team, the Coast Guard said. Both men were unresponsive and taken to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport."

an email from Ruthanne Carson

SPAGHETTI

For several years, a man was having an affair with an Italian woman. One night, she confided in him that she was pregnant.

Not wanting to ruin His reputation or his marriage, he paid her a large sum of money if she would go to Italy to secretly have the child.

If she stayed in Italy to raise the child, he would also provide child support until the child turned 18.

She agreed, but asked how he would know when the baby was born.

To keep it discrete, he told her to simply mail him a post card, and write 'Spaghetti' on the back. He would then arrange for the child
support payments to begin.

One day, about 9 months later, he came home to his confused wife.
'Honey, 'she said, 'You received a very strange post card today.'
'Oh, just give it to me and I'll explain it later,' he said. The wife obeyed and watched as her husband read the card, turned white, and fainted.

On the card was written:

'Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti.

Three with meatballs, two without.

Send extra sauce!!

Google Reader (49)

Google Reader (49): "Leslie Nielsen
from Quotes
'Doing nothing is very hard to do ... you never know when you're finished.'"

Washington lawmakers ask review of NOAA decision; Oregon congressmen confident - OregonLive.com

Washington lawmakers ask review of NOAA decision; Oregon congressmen confident - OregonLive.com: "Seven members of Congress from Washington state are asking the Government Accountability Office to review a decision by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to move its Pacific fleet of research ships from Seattle to Newport.

But two Oregon congressmen who played a role in helping Newport secure the new base say they're not worried."

I thought some of you might be interested to see my photos from the boat beached at Nye Beach last week.

an email from a neighbor

A TRIP TO Tesco’s. Supermarket

Yesterday I was at my local Tesco’s buying a large bag of Purina dog chow for my loyal pet, Biscuit, the Wonder Dog and was in the checkout line when the woman behind me asked if I had a dog.

What did she think I had, an elephant? So since I'm retired and have little to do, on impulse I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, I was starting the Purina Diet again. I added that I probably shouldn't, because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms.

I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that it works is to load your pants pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally complete so it works well and I was going to try it again. (I have to mention here that practically everyone in line was now enthralled with my story.) Horrified, she asked if I ended up in intensive care because the dog food poisoned me. I told her no, I stepped off a curb to sniff an Irish Setter's bum and a car hit us both.

Tesco’s won't let me shop there anymore.

Better watch what you ask retired people. They have all the time in the world to think of crazy things to say. Usually, the consequences are worth it.

Chocolate Helps Hinder Heart Disease : Discovery News

Chocolate Helps Hinder Heart Disease : Discovery News: "Heart attack survivors who eat chocolate two or more times per week cut their risk of dying from heart disease about threefold compared to those who never touch the stuff, scientists have reported."

Perseids: "Last Chance" for Best Meteor Viewing Tonight

Perseids: "Last Chance" for Best Meteor Viewing Tonight: "Tonight will be your last chance to see the Perseid meteor shower at its peak—and the annual sky show is especially dazzling this year thanks to a one-time-only boost from Saturn, experts say.

The Perseids light up the night when Earth passes through a trail of debris left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle, which swings past the sun roughly every 130 years."

A bright idea: LED light bulbs yield big savings in energy | McClatchy

A bright idea: LED light bulbs yield big savings in energy | McClatchy: "Lighting consumes 22 percent of electricity in the United States. The DOE predicts that solid-state lighting — which uses semiconducting materials to convert electricity into light, and includes LEDs — has the potential to reduce energy use for lighting by one-third by 2030. That's the equivalent of saving the output of 40 large (1,000-megawatt) power plants, the greenhouse gas emissions of 47 million cars and $30 billion."

Boat loaded with tuna ends aground at Nye Beach - OregonLive.com

Boat loaded with tuna ends aground at Nye Beach - OregonLive.com: "Tuesday, as the Coast Guard investigated, Vitale searched for a buyer for 5 tons of albacore tuna they'd caught in the past 11 days of fishing.

That bounty had a lot to do with the predicament the two found themselves in, said Vitale, owner of the Lori Ann.

'Too many hours up,' he said, sheepishly. 'I went to sleep for little bit and then I heard it. Bang!'

A tip 4 u

ron thomas

Jacky was wondering who to get car insurance with and remarked she didn't know how to find a good company to go with.... I told her to go to google search and type in "insurance company reviews", That will bring up all the good and the bad customers have to say about their companies... Then you just pick one and go with them.

I thought everyone knew that search technique but she said you all might benefit from it. It also works for any item you are shopping for... Just type review on the end and you will get a list for that product.

Chevrolet Volt gets 230 mpg in the city, and only in the city. - BusinessWeek

Chevrolet Volt gets 230 mpg in the city, and only in the city. - BusinessWeek: "General Motors made some big headlines this morning with word that its Chevrolet Volt electric car will get 230 miles per gallon in the city. That’s an impressive feat to be sure. It will certainly leap frog any car on the market except for all-electric cars like the Nissan Leaf or the Tesla Roadster when the Volt goes on sale late next year. But the Volt has an advantage for some drivers because its gasoline engine keeps recharging the battery, so drivers can drive far longer than the Leaf’s 100 miles. In auto industry parlance, the Volt is an extended-range electric vehicle."

Inside the Fight Against a Flu Pandemic - TIME

Inside the Fight Against a Flu Pandemic - TIME: "at Camp Modin in Belgrade, Maine, carrying flip-flops, sleeping bags and swimsuits. But they also carried something new. First there was one fever, then six, then nine campers in a single day. By the end of the first full week, dozens of kids were sleeping on state-issued cots in a specially quarantined cabin"

Veteran's info

ron thomas
I dropped in to visit the VA office in town yesterday and found out some good news.

For months now the VA has been promising a local Dr.'s office in Newport. Finally, it is a done deal. A Portland VA Dr. that lives in Lincoln City will be in Newport 3 days a week starting this October. The location of the new office has not been selected yet.

Many of you that are veterans but did not participate in a conflict should know that VA health benefits are for all veterans. In June rules for inclusion into the system were relaxed and many of you are now eligible. Check it out.. Visit the VA office here in Newport... The man running it is your advocate and he does a superior job of helping you get on board.

The recent National health care debates have pointed out that the VA provides the best health care in the United States and if you are a VET then it is free to you. My opinion, based on what I have experienced, It is a 4 star system.

Other news to your benefit. The VA provides financing and refinancing for modular homes on leased land. Ask your VA rep here in Newport.

California city shuts down girl's lemonade stand | McClatchy

California city shuts down girl's lemonade stand | McClatchy: "Hoping to raise money for a family trip to Disneyland, the Tulare girl opened a lemonade stand Monday. But because Daniela didn't have a business license, the city of Tulare shut it down the same day."

Engine rattle is rattlesnake in Klamath Falls woman's car | Local News | kgw.com | News for Portland Oregon and SW Washington

Engine rattle is rattlesnake in Klamath Falls woman's car | Local News | kgw.com | News for Portland Oregon and SW Washington: "There were a couple of things wrong with Katie Prewitt's Geo Tracker. There was the rope that seemed to hang from the car's undercarriage. And then that hissing noise; maybe a faulty emissions valve."

Voyage to the Pacific Ocean's garbage patch: Sadness, anger and a plea to help avoid catastrophic changes in the marine ecosystem: Scientific American Blog

Voyage to the Pacific Ocean's garbage patch: Sadness, anger and a plea to help avoid catastrophic changes in the marine ecosystem: Scientific American Blog: "Scuba instructor and underwater videographer Drew Wheeler is traveling on board the Algalita Marine Research Foundation's 50-foot Ocean Research Vessel, Alguita, on a two-month voyage to sample and study portions of a 10-million-square-mile oval known as the North Subtropical Gyre (aka 'Pacific garbage patch'). Wheeler and the rest of the Alguita crew left Long Beach, Calif., on June 10 with a plan to cross the International Date Line and investigate regions of reported high plastic concentrations, northwest of the Hawaiian Islands. This is his eighth blog post for Scientific American.com."

Seventh Oregon swine flu death reported | Local News | kgw.com | News for Portland Oregon and SW Washington

Seventh Oregon swine flu death reported | Local News | kgw.com | News for Portland Oregon and SW Washington: "It was the seventh death in Oregon attributed to swine flu.

More than 530 cases of the H1N1 virus have also been confirmed in the state."

Tsunami report highlights threats to Oregon Coast | Local News | kgw.com | News for Portland Oregon and SW Washington

Tsunami report highlights threats to Oregon Coast | Local News | kgw.com | News for Portland Oregon and SW Washington: "A recently published report takes a closer look at the tsunami threat to Cannon Beach and Oregon's coastal communities -- and the hazards appear worse than previously concluded."

NOAA to base research boats, jobs in Newport, Ore. | KATU.com - Portland, Oregon | Local & Regional

NOAA to base research boats, jobs in Newport, Ore. | KATU.com - Portland, Oregon | Local & Regional:

YAY!

"SEATTLE (AP) - The central Oregon coastal town of Newport will be the new base for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's research ships on the West Coast, the federal agency announced Tuesday."

"'An intelligence test sometimes shows a man how smart he would have been not to have taken it.'"

Batty Jacky

In the backyard.... on the beautiful patio deck... now sits what was once a tree (man-made)... you know an umbrella!

Great for making shade and moving the shade from here to there... Now it is a sinister cave and no longer an umbrella! How could an umbrella be a cave you ask? When a bat takes up day time residence in its folds! Now you can see Jacky move extraordinarily fast as she seeks hiding when she opens the umbrella. The little fella likes his new home and Jacky covers her neck as she runs hooting around the yard when the umbrella is extended.
Me thinks she is watching to many vampire movies on TV.

The Puppy Diaries - Our Puppy Whisperer - Series - NYTimes.com

The Puppy Diaries - Our Puppy Whisperer - Series - NYTimes.com: "Pure joy is Scout at the beach, paddling in the water, her adorable head bobbing above the waves.
Skip to next paragraph
The Puppy Diaries

When training your dog, do you prefer a Cesar Millan-style pack leader approach or positive reinforcement?

She is so cute it is hard to be tough.

In her mouthing during play, Scout has drawn blood on my forearm. On walks, she either pulls on the leash or refuses to budge. When a rabbit ran by us the other night, I almost landed in a ditch. Although we have had some luck teaching her to sit and come, our puppy training skills are rusty and the Monks, wise as they are, sometimes don’t have instant answers to our problems."

Scientist at Work - Stephen Kurtin - Making Eyeglasses With a Mechanically Adjustable Focus - NYTimes.com

Scientist at Work - Stephen Kurtin - Making Eyeglasses With a Mechanically Adjustable Focus - NYTimes.com: "The glasses have a tiny adjustable slider on the bridge of the frame that makes it possible to focus alternately on the page of a book, a computer screen or a mountain range in the distance."

Local Alert Map from WeatherBug.com

Local Alert Map from WeatherBug.com: "ALERT 1 - Red Flag Warning
FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON FOR ABUNDANT LIGHTNING AND CRITICALLY DRY FUELS FOR THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY, NORTH COAST RANGE, CENTRAL AND NORTH OREGON COAST, THE WILLAPA HILLS, AND SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADES AND FOOTHILLS
Issued: Saturday, August 01, 2009 2:38 PM PDT
Expires: Sunday, August 02, 2009 11:00 AM PDT"

Poopy beaches? Oregon's got them, according to new study | KATU.com - Portland, Oregon | Outdoors Featured

Poopy beaches? Oregon's got them, according to new study | KATU.com - Portland, Oregon | Outdoors Featured: "Nye Beach, for example, had multiple sources of contamination, said Newport’s Public Works Director Lee Ritzman. He said the city has found nine homes during the past year where the sewer line was mistakenly connected to storm drains.

When it rains extremely hard or when there is an overflow in a city sewer line, the water in Newport runs through creeks and ends up in a storm drain that flows directly onto the beach and into the ocean."

Wildlife expert battles 14-foot python inside pipe - Local - Bradenton.com

Wildlife expert battles 14-foot python inside pipe - Local - Bradenton.com: "His plan was to push the python out of a concrete pipe with a long 2-by-2. But then he had to crawl 15 feet or so into the two-foot-wide pipe to reach the snake. And then the snake turned back on him in the close quarters and struck."

Wildlife expert battles 14-foot python inside pipe - Local - Bradenton.com

Wildlife expert battles 14-foot python inside pipe - Local - Bradenton.com: "His plan was to push the python out of a concrete pipe with a long 2-by-2. But then he had to crawl 15 feet or so into the two-foot-wide pipe to reach the snake. And then the snake turned back on him in the close quarters and struck."

State is part of recall of romaine lettuce | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal

Ron says...
I had a terrible bout with upset stomach over a two week period which was in the below articles window... Jacky was also laid low by the same ailment. We had both been grazing on romaine lettuce... Hmmm....

State is part of recall of romaine lettuce | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal: "A California lettuce grower has recalled about 22,000 cartons of romaine lettuce because of concerns that the product might be tainted with salmonella.
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Tanimura & Antle of Salinas issued the voluntary recall Wednesday for cartons of bulk or wrapped romaine marked with the lot code 531380. The lettuce was harvested between June 25 and July 2 and was sold to retail, wholesale and food-service outlets across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico."

Weekend Heat Wave Drives Oregon Residents to Coast

Weekend Heat Wave Drives Oregon Residents to Coast: "(Oregon Coast) – Temperatures had been predicted to be around 100 degrees over this weekend, although that's been slightly amended. But 100-degree temps are still around the corner for the early part of the week, and the weekend is likely to be in the upper 90's. The result is a rush of folks to the coastline, where it may actually hit around 80, although it will be measurably cooler than the inland part of the state"

News Times Newport News Times - local news, vacation rentals, entertainment, school sports, event calendar, real estate, breaking news, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay

News Times Newport News Times - local news, vacation rentals, entertainment, school sports, event calendar, real estate, breaking news, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay: "“We can program the system to call specific areas,” Glasgow said. “We can use it to evacuate people in landslide and natural disaster areas, and to warn people affected by impending weather events. It works really well.”

Reverse 9-1-1 can be used to help locate missing children and adults, and for search and rescue operations. It can be useful in police investigations.

“There was a bank robbery in Depoe Bay not long ago,” Glasgow said. “We used the system to call about 2,000 people.

“We informed them that there had been a robbery, described the suspect and asked people to contact police with any information.”"

Standoff over a dead pig nearly led U.S., Britain to war | McClatchy

Standoff over a dead pig nearly led U.S., Britain to war | McClatchy: "Sometimes, pork on Capitol Hill has to do with, well, pork.

Or in this case a pig, a dead pig.

With bipartisan support, a resolution has been introduced in the House of Representatives to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Pig War."

Do Cats grow on trees?

One of the most entertaining events around our home today is the growing of a cat tree in our living room. We have two kitties and here is what is going on.

When I brought "She who must be obeyed"(Jacky) home from California this time I brought a cat tree with me. What is a cat tree you ask? As soon as we find the camera that grew legs and walked out of sight I will put a picture here on the website. But, for now let's paint a verbal picture for you. It's not exactly a scratching post but grew from that idea. It stands about 5 1/2 ft high and is totally covered by carpet.. That would be the scratching post aspect. Now, let's mount a stand with a real heavy base to that post which is a 4x4. The post and stand allow for jumping and leaping and climbing with two really heavy kitties and is very stable. Got that picture in mind?

To this weighty post and base we add three platforms for climbing, hanging out and of course napping and mock battles. The platforms all are covered in carpet. To access each platform you can leap (if you are a kitty) or even more fun squeeze through a square hole cut into the floor of each platform to get to the next level. But to be king of the hill and reach the somewhat smaller top level there is no secret passage hole. Here you have to dig in and do a pullup to get to the top. That seems to be no problem for either one of them.

We placed the post in the living room next to the window which is refered to around here as, "Cat TV" Because of all the bird activity that entertains them all day and whatever it is that only they can see slinking around at night.

Although, mostly you find only one meow face on any level at a time ... When it gets chilly you will find two balls of fur entertwined together sleeping. Did you know that when stretched out you can sleep with your head through a hole in the floor and it is comfortable.. Might be called Kitty Yoga.. that. If you are not wary you might find a paw full of stickers on yer haid from above.. a play tap.

Yesterday, a new use for the cat tree was found! Did you know if you happen to be on the top level of the platform you can easily leap up to the curtain valence over the window and strut around up there? It's like a cat street to the next window valence. Hey, you can even walk over to the bookshelves and knock off all that unnecessary stuff on to the floor where it belongs.

The ring leader of these shenanigans is our gray kitty, who by his many actions such as these has earned his name... We call him, "Damn It". He has been called that so often I think he responds to it now.

Drivers clocked at more than 100 mph | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal

Drivers clocked at more than 100 mph | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal: "State police troopers patrolling Highway 18 this weekend caught four drivers speeding more than 100 mph on the roadway with a posted limit of 55 mph.
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'The speeds which some of these drivers and motorcycle operators are reaching are frustrating,' Oregon State Police Sgt. Brad Hessel said. 'To the unsuspecting family out on a weekend drive along a highway, this can be quite frightening.'"

Parajet SkyCar flying vehicle evolves, now ready for pre-orders

Parajet SkyCar flying vehicle evolves, now ready for pre-orders: "The historians once pontificated that we'd all be cruising about in flying cars right around the year 2000, and while that whole Y2K fiasco threw us a tad behind schedule, it looks like the future may actually still be upon us. Parajet, the same company responsible for that downright unnerving personal flying machine we peeked back in '05, has now placed its long-awaited SkyCar up for pre-order."

Swine flu is spreading even in summer - Los Angeles Times

Swine flu is spreading even in summer - Los Angeles Times: "As of Friday, the CDC reported more than 40,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus (commonly known as swine flu), 4,800 hospitalizations and 263 deaths. Experts believe more than a million Americans have been infected, however. Schuchat said the CDC would probably stop reporting cases soon because most people who are infected don't get tested."

More Bathroom Stories

We stopped at a Chevron to gas up and make a pit stop on the way home from CA.

The bathrooms were unisex. The one on the left was labeled, "A" and the one on the right was labeled, "B". The doors were locked and a, "get key from the cashier", sign was up.

The cashier was about 10 ft away with a clear view of the restrooms which were in the building. Wondering why? I was about to ask and then was knocked off track when I asked the cashier for the key while dancing a very cool Mambo (in High speed). Out comes the key looking very small in comparison to the gigantic, "A" that was attached to it... The "A" had been cut from a sheet of 1/2 inch plywood and was about 8 1/2 x 11 inches.

I was thankful that all the people eating fast food now knew that the dancing fat guy was headed for the, "A" potty.

Insane Lessons the Oregon Coast Teaches You

Insane Lessons the Oregon Coast Teaches You: "Sometimes, exploring the beach is a little more adventure than you bargain for. I've learned much from my years of bouncing around the beach, often the hard way. Apparently, I'm still learning."

Outstanding Website!

Ron says...

over on the right top... is a new link to a must see link about Newport. Be sure to watch the slide show and then on the lower right the video... Really great.... Send it to your family.

FACTBOX: How swine flu spreads in humans | U.S. | Reuters

FACTBOX: How swine flu spreads in humans | U.S. | Reuters: "(Reuters) - Here are some facts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about how swine flu spreads in humans:"

Meow... I mean blub blub

Drove to CA

ron says....

Arrived at about 10pm in San Francisco. All is well here, work is done. Jacky has the place ship shape and spotless. We will start back on Tuesday.

I have more curious California stories. Will start writing them tomorrow.