Lesson For The Day: Jazz and Xena Show People How to Live In Harmony

              Good Day Humboldt County!

  When it comes to learning how to live with one another, humans could really take some pointers from the animal kingdom.

  We have problems living with one another if our skin color is different, or if we speak different languages. Can you imagine what problems we would have with another so-called intelligent species?

  Now take a look at these two buddies (photo by Jamie Hanson / Rex USA) and behold, no barriers).

“A pig and a parrot may seem an unlikely pair of friends, but Xena and Jazz are bosom buddies. Xena the miniature pig and his best mate, Jazz the Quaker parrot (also known as a monk parakeet), live with their owner, Nichole Willett, in Brisbane, Australia. According to Nichole, despite being from completely different species, 5-month-old Xena and 16-month-old Jazz are like brother and sister.

In particular, she says, the pair love nothing better than chasing each other. Nichole comments: "Xena is the wild one, she loves to chase Jazz around the house." "I guess it is unfair because Jazz can fly, but if he lands on the ground, Xena has got him." (source)

Time for me to walk on down the road…

Things Get Out Of Hand During Pot Dispensary Raid, Volunteer Files $1 Million Claim Against City

When you watch this video it’s like watching a home invasion…but under the guise of Federal law.

This claim could be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to getting back at cops who get too frisky while raiding marijuana dispensaries.

If they can make an example of the clowns who got too excited while bullying the staff, maybe the cops will ease up on the strong-arm tactics.

It would take money out of the bullies bosses (who in return can get back at the Rambo’s who brought them the grief in the first place). I figure money being paid out will mean some change in their methods. Perhaps sensitivity courses for future raiders!

“Lawyers for a medical marijuana dispensary worker allegedly hurt in a police raid at a Long Beach shop filed a claim on Thursday seeking $1 million in damages from the city of Long Beach.

The claim, a precursor to a lawsuit, alleges that a police raid of a pot shop June 19 was illegal and that the officers involved used excessive force. The claim, filed Thursday with the Long Beach City Clerk’s office, alleges officers injured a volunteer employee, violated his civil rights and violated the state’s disabled persons act. It also alleges officers "engaged in conduct that violated various provisions of the state and federal constitutions.

The claim stems from a YouTube video that shows officers smashing surveillance cameras and stepping on a suspect at THC Downtown Collective in the 300 block of Atlantic Boulevard. The video was posted by user "Long Beach Raids" on July 1. Officials said they learned about the video on July 3.”

A Culture of Firsts: There is no place for being second in our society

           Good Day Humboldt County!

Ever wondered why you always wanted to be first at – insert your favorite sport or past time here?

How many times has someone cut you off while you were driving your car and darting out in front of you to be… first.. to go where?

We are a culture of firsts. We worship the first new hi tech gadget that comes our way.

Being first, means winning (as Charlie Sheen once said). What is it with firsts anyway?

“A new study finds that people prefer the options that come first, whether it’s the first college to offer an acceptance letter or the first salad on the menu.

In three experiments, when making quick choices, participants consistently preferred people or products presented first as opposed to similar offerings in second and sequential positions.

“The order of individuals performing on talent shows like ‘American Idol,’ the order of potential companies recommended by a stockbroker, the order of college acceptance letters received by an applicant — all of these firsts have privileged status,” said Dana Carney, Ph.D., assistant professor of management at the University of California.

The study found that, especially in circumstances when decisions must be made quickly or without much deliberation, preferences are unconsciously and immediately guided to those options presented first.”

Read the rest here

Time for me to walk on down the road…

Sign of the Times: Whites-Only Christian Gathering in Alabama

A three-day whites-only religious conference — which will conclude with a flaming cross — in Lamar County, Alabama, has some residents upset at the racist implications while the minister complains that his freedom of speech is being violated.

"Yes, we believe that the Europeans and their descendants are the chosen people of God," according to the website for Christian Identity Ministries, which is holding the event with Church of God’s Chosen. "We believe this, not because we think that the white race is superior, but because there is overwhelming proof in support of this belief. We do not back down from this belief, because we are certain." (Read more here)

What traits do we find attractive in Men and Women?

                       Good Day Humboldt County!

Did you ever wonder what makes some people so attractive? Or why some voices are so pleasing? If you have ever given it more than a passing thought then I have a link for you:

FaceResearch.org allows you to participate in short online psychology experiments looking at the traits people find attractive in faces and voices. In addition to participating in facial attractiveness experiments, you can also complete lifestyle and personality questionnaires about characteristics that may be associated with face and voice preferences and see how you compare to others.

You can also learn about our computer-graphic technology and read about some of the findings of our previous studies. You can also participate in one of two studies on perception of dance by our colleague Dr Fink.

Time for me to walk on down the road…

AS IT STANDS WISHES READERS A HAPPY 4th OF JULY!

                  Good Day Humboldt County!

As far back as I can recall, fireworks have been an integral part of celebrating the 4th of July. When I was a kid the holiday simply meant an opportunity to make some righteous noise with rockets and cherry bombs.

After I came back from Vietnam in 1971, 4th of July fireworks took on a new ugly aspect that left me jumping at every loud boom. As the years have gone by, I sympathize more and more with animals and other combat vets who cringe rather than enjoy the loud popping noises in the night.

The rockets red glare takes on a sinister aspect, especially to Vietvets who remember the red and green tracers stitching the sky during midnight firefights. It seems ironic to me to have fireworks disturbing peaceful skies at home in the name of a holiday.

I’ll just salute the day and say, “Happy Independence Day America – you managed to last another year!”

“As millions of Americans celebrate Independence Day on Wednesday, there are some whose holiday won't be going off with a bang.

One of America's top fireworks firms said the industry, still suffering due to the nation's economic woes, is experiencing its toughest times since the Vietnam War era when the country was divided over such flashy displays of patriotism.

"What we are seeing now in the fireworks industry is equivalent to what happened in the '70s," said Philip Butler, vice president of Fireworks by Grucci, based in New York.

"At that time, unfortunately, people were tending more to burn the flag than to wave it. Fireworks suffered until 1976 when we celebrated the bicentennial and then they came back considerably," he said.

About $217 million will be spent on an estimated 14,000 Fourth of July fireworks displays across America, a Grucci spokesman said. But 70 percent of those shows will be at private or corporate events in premier locations like the Hamptons, Malibu, Lake Tahoe and the Jersey Shore, according to Grucci.

Tight local budgets - as well as wildfire threats - have forced at least 100 communities from Tanglewood Park, North Carolina, to Half Moon Bay, California, to forego the traditional Fourth of July razzle dazzle.A $1 million hole in the Lynwood City Council's budget caused the California town to end its tradition of Fourth of July fireworks. Its Candy Cane Lane Parade and Winter Wonderland Christmas events have also been axed.

Nearly two dozen Colorado communities have canceled their Fourth of July fireworks displays as firefighters battle raging wildfires. Some Colorado towns like Estes Park will postpone fireworks celebrations until the danger clears.

Other communities have banned fireworks displays because of heat and dry conditions. Affected areas include the Tennessee city of Springfield, a dozen communities in Ohio including Kent, Richmond, Newark and Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, and the Indiana towns of Brownsburg, Hartford City, New Palestine, Beech Grove, Greenfield, Kokomo, Auburn and Delphi.” (source)

Time for me to walk on down the road….

Weird News: Doctors remove 51-pound tumour from New Jersey woman

Here’s a health care story that blew my mind. I’m still reeling thinking about it…can you imagine?

“New Jersey surgeons removed a rapidly growing, 51-pound  cancerous tumor from a woman who had delayed treatment for more than a month until she became eligible for health insurance, her doctor said on Tuesday.

"She was a skinny lady with a huge belly. I mean it looked like she was literally pregnant with triplets," said Dr. David Dupree, who led the surgery on the 65-year-old woman, at Riverview Medical Centre in Red Bank, New Jersey.” (source)

Goodbye Sheriff Andy…we’re going to miss ya

If you’ve never heard this routine, I suggest you give it a listen. The seed for Sheriff Andy sprung from this monologue.

Actor Andy Griffith, who won the hearts of 1960s TV viewers with his role as gentle Sheriff Andy Taylor in “The Andy Griffith Show,” then returned as a folksy 1980s lawyer in “Matlock,” died Tuesday at his home on Roanoke Island, N.C., at age 86, NBC News has confirmed.

Andy Griffith's famous 1953 stand-up monologue about college football has become one of the most beloved comedy recordings of all time. The illustrations used in this video were drawn by George Woodbridge, a Mad Magazine artist. The comic illustration appear in Mad Magazine in 1958. You can view the illustration at: http://www.collectmad.com/madcoversite/missing_was.html

                        Related Content:

• Beyond Mayberry: The roles of Andy Griffith
• Are you whistling that famed theme song?
• Ron Howard: What I learned from Andy Griffith
• Video: Remembering the legendary actor
• Storify: Videos, fan and celeb tweets remembering Griffith

Casting Call: Nationwide search is on for single dad raising sons

                       Good Day Humboldt County!

I got this interesting email yesterday and decided to pass it on to you. It’s about a talent search for a single dad raising sons. You never know, there may be a budding star out there in the hinterlands of Humboldt County right now waiting for this big break. Well, here it is:

“Writing you today regarding an article you wrote on single dads and parenting.  http://www.times-standard.com/guest_opinion/ci_20877339/it-stands-tribute-single-custodial-fathers

I am casting a new docu-series about the day to day of a single dad raising three boys.  Kind of like a modern version of My Three Sons.  Seeking a dad living in a very rural area. 

Contacting you regarding any possible candidates you may know of and about passing my info along. If they are interested, then they can contact me.”

Mark Dalbis - Casting World of Wonder - 323-603-6300 x268 www.worldofwonder.net

                                                                      Press Release:

An Emmy Award Winning Production Company is searching nationwide for a single dad raising his sons for a new docu-series. Are you a single dad raising your boys trying to do your best be a good father figure? Do you think your family is larger than life and ready for their close-up? If so, they may want to hear from you! To submit, shoot an email to:
                                                 REALMODERNFAMILYCASTING@GMAIL.COM

Be sure to include a brief description of your family, where you live, describe the structure of your household. Tell us about the kids you raise, their ages, and personality. Include photos of as many family members as possible & a phone number where casting can reach you.

Time for me to walk on down the road…

Solar fireworks might be heading our way for the 4th

How about that? Just in time to celebrate 4th of July…why does that seem kinda scary?

At 10:43 UT time on July 2, 2012 a M5.6-class solar flare erupted from Active Region 1515. It peaked at 10:52 UT.
A Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) accompanied the solar flare and hurled a cloud of plasma into Space. In the last segment it can be seen that part of the CME is being pulled back to the surface. It did not have the escape velocity of 384 miles per second needed to continue its journey. In comparison; it takes 7 miles per second escape velocity to leave Earth. Coronal rain has long been a mystery. It's not surprising that plasma should fall back to the Sun. After all, the sun's gravity is powerful. (source) Credit: NASA SDO

Studies show coffee's perks: Five reasons to keep on slurping your java

It’s not like I need an excuse to drink coffee. I start every morning off with the steaming stuff. Have for forty years now. Still, it’s nice to read about the benefits that come from indulging in my caffeine addiction! 

Besides the caffeine boost and the rich, roasted flavor, coffee has been shown in studies to provide other health benefits, like preventing diabetes and warding off certain cancers.If you are a regular coffee drinker, here are five reasons to be glad:

1. Protects against breast cancer

Women who drink five or more cups of coffee a day are 57 percent less likely to develop estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer than women who drink less than a cup a day, according to a study published this month in the journal Breast Cancer Research.

In this study of 2,818 women with breast cancer and 3,111 women without, researchers found that coffee seemed to protect against only this particular kind of breast cancer, and not estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer or triple negative breast cancer.

2. Wards off stroke

Drinking at least one cup of coffee a day could ward off stroke , according to a study published in March in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Swedish researchers analyzed the coffee-drinking habits and health histories of 34,670 women for 10 years, and found that women who drank one or more cups of coffee a day were 25 percent less likely to have a stroke than the women who drank less than a cup of coffee a day. Even though the finding was in women, researchers said coffee would likely have the same effect for men, too.

3. Reduces risk of diabetes

Having four cups of coffee a day can slash a woman's risk of Type 2 diabetes by 56 percent, according to a study published in January in the journal Diabetes.

In the study of 359 women with diabetes and 359 healthy women, researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, found that the more coffee the women drank, the less likely they were to have diabetes. The effect likely has to do with coffee's ability to raise levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in the blood. High blood levels of SHBG are associated with a decreased risk of Type 2 diabetes, according to the study.

4. Improves brain function

Coffee can also improve brain function in mice, according to a 2010 study in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

In that study, researchers gave caffeinated coffee to mice that were engineered to develop Alzheimer's disease. The mice that were given coffee either had the disease progression slow, or the disease never developed at all. The finding suggests coffee could be a treatment for people with Alzheimer's disease, those researchers said.

5. Reduces prostate cancer risk

Regular coffee intake (either caffeinated or decaffeinated) is associated with a decreased risk of deadly prostate cancer, according to a study published today (May 17) in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

In the study of 47,911 men, 5,035 of whom had prostate cancer and 642 of whom had fatal or advanced cases, researchers found that men who drank the most coffee a day (six or more cups) had a nearly 20 percent lower risk of developing prostate cancer than those who drank the least coffee a day.

That association is even higher for lethal prostate cancer — the men who drank the most coffee a day had a 60 percent decreased risk of developing the disease, according to the study. And even drinking one to three cups of coffee a day was associated with a 30 percent lower risk of lethal prostate cancer , the study said.

(article source)