Sunday, December 31, 2006
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Friday, December 22, 2006
Sweet 16
When the Phoenix Suns face Washington tonight in a nationally televisied game on ESPN (7:30PM PST), they'll be looking to extend the league's longest winning streak in nearly seven years. The Suns are winners of their last 15.
Fifteen.
Highlighted by a 60-point game in a win over the Lakers on Sunday, Washington superstar Gilbert Arenas is averaging 37.6 points in his last three games.
Arenas is third in the league in scoring at 29.2 ppg. The former University of Arizona star had 41 points in a 112-111 win over the Suns in Phoenix last Dec. 23.
Fifteen.
Highlighted by a 60-point game in a win over the Lakers on Sunday, Washington superstar Gilbert Arenas is averaging 37.6 points in his last three games.
Arenas is third in the league in scoring at 29.2 ppg. The former University of Arizona star had 41 points in a 112-111 win over the Suns in Phoenix last Dec. 23.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Storm rescues shorthanded Denver
Less than 24 hours after their blockbuster deal to acquire Allen Iverson, the Denver Nuggets postponed their game Wednesday night against Phoenix because of a snowstorm that snarled traffic, closed the airport and forced the governor to declare a state of emergency.
No makeup date had immediately been set.
With harsh wind blowing the 12-plus inches of snow expected to hit Denver, it was no night for venturing out to watch a basketball game, and nobody benefited more than the Nuggets.
Denver faced the prospect of playing the Suns, who are on a 15-game winning streak, without Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith (suspended), Andre Miller and Joe Smith (traded), or Iverson, who hadn't yet made it to town because of weather and other logistics.
No makeup date had immediately been set.
With harsh wind blowing the 12-plus inches of snow expected to hit Denver, it was no night for venturing out to watch a basketball game, and nobody benefited more than the Nuggets.
Denver faced the prospect of playing the Suns, who are on a 15-game winning streak, without Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith (suspended), Andre Miller and Joe Smith (traded), or Iverson, who hadn't yet made it to town because of weather and other logistics.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Congress wants VA to expand mental health services
Rick Maze, Army Times Staff writer writes:
Congress is suggesting the Department of Veterans Affairs be creative in providing mental health services for returning veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Concerned in part because of a report earlier this year that showed some of VA’s Veterans Centers are beginning to feel the pinch of caring for previous patients plus new veterans and their families, Congress is ordering improvement and expansion of mental health services.
The orders are included in S 3421, the Veterans Benefits, Health Care and Information Technology Act of 2006 that passed Congress on Dec. 9 but has not yet been delivered to the White House because it is one of a flood of measures approved in the last days of the 109th Congress.
“We must do more to help veterans with mental health concerns and their families,” said Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla., a veterans’ committee member. The bill, she said, requires outreach clinics to have the capacity to provide services, either in house or by alternative means.
Under terms of the bill, mental health services can be provided at outpatient clinics, by referrals to other VA facilities, under contract with private-sector mental health professionals or by “tele-mental” health services, the bill says.
It also orders more collaboration between VA and the Defense Department to improve clinical skills at diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health problems and to improve pre- and post-deployment counseling.
Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Ind., the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee chairman, said the bill “increases support of service members returning from the war on terror by improving VA’s outreach and increasing the number of clinicians treating post-traumatic stress disorder.”
Tele-medicine — providing care via computer or video link — is part of the expansion. The VA has been using tele-medicine since the late 1970s to provide mental health counseling, which Buyer said is “invaluable to rural veterans.” The bill recommends an expansion of that program.
Congress is suggesting the Department of Veterans Affairs be creative in providing mental health services for returning veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Concerned in part because of a report earlier this year that showed some of VA’s Veterans Centers are beginning to feel the pinch of caring for previous patients plus new veterans and their families, Congress is ordering improvement and expansion of mental health services.
The orders are included in S 3421, the Veterans Benefits, Health Care and Information Technology Act of 2006 that passed Congress on Dec. 9 but has not yet been delivered to the White House because it is one of a flood of measures approved in the last days of the 109th Congress.
“We must do more to help veterans with mental health concerns and their families,” said Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla., a veterans’ committee member. The bill, she said, requires outreach clinics to have the capacity to provide services, either in house or by alternative means.
Under terms of the bill, mental health services can be provided at outpatient clinics, by referrals to other VA facilities, under contract with private-sector mental health professionals or by “tele-mental” health services, the bill says.
It also orders more collaboration between VA and the Defense Department to improve clinical skills at diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health problems and to improve pre- and post-deployment counseling.
Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Ind., the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee chairman, said the bill “increases support of service members returning from the war on terror by improving VA’s outreach and increasing the number of clinicians treating post-traumatic stress disorder.”
Tele-medicine — providing care via computer or video link — is part of the expansion. The VA has been using tele-medicine since the late 1970s to provide mental health counseling, which Buyer said is “invaluable to rural veterans.” The bill recommends an expansion of that program.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Sony admits their fan site was a fake
Premise: Charlie and Jeremy are trying to come up with clever ways to drop hints to Jeremy's parents that he wants a Sony PSP video-game system, so they've created a blog to share their tips "to help you wage a holiday assault on ur parents, girl, granny, boss -- whoever -- so they know what you really want." Their PSP-pushing ideas included a rap video posted on YouTube and a T-shirt iron-on transfer to print out.
Reality: Sony created the site to look like an independent blog to boost the image of its PSP, which is a distant No. 2 to the hand-held Nintendo DS.
Sony addressed the issue saying: "From this point forward, we will just stick to making cool products, and use this site to give you nothing but the facts on the PSP."
Good idea.
Reality: Sony created the site to look like an independent blog to boost the image of its PSP, which is a distant No. 2 to the hand-held Nintendo DS.
Sony addressed the issue saying: "From this point forward, we will just stick to making cool products, and use this site to give you nothing but the facts on the PSP."
Good idea.
Free is good
From now through December 21, Netflix customers can get free movie rentals at Blockbuster stores in exchange for the Netflix mailing labels they normally would throw away (one DVD rental per label).From US News and World Report
Friday, December 15, 2006
Great to see four hours before your flight to Portland
Strong crosswinds at Seattle-Tacoma International made for a rough landing yesterday for one Northwest flight … and video cameras were there to catch the bumpy landing. The plane is about ready to touch down when viewers can see the jet start to abruptly shake back and forth by the strong crosswinds. The pilots abort the landing and circle around for a second attempt. That goes better, though winds again appear to catch the plane as it nears the runway. Check out the video on the website of WCCO Channel 4 of Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Trapped
I may be trapped in Phoenix, my hometown. This from kgw.com in Portland, where I'm trying to fly back to:
Portland International Airport is open, but travelers should check their flights before heading to the airport since 30 flights were canceled Friday morning.
PDX spokesman Steve Johnson said that despite the cancellations, the airport is fully functioning.
Johnson said about half the cancellations were for inbound flights, half for outbound and the bulk of the cancellations were likely because of the windstorm.
Portland International Airport is open, but travelers should check their flights before heading to the airport since 30 flights were canceled Friday morning.
PDX spokesman Steve Johnson said that despite the cancellations, the airport is fully functioning.
Johnson said about half the cancellations were for inbound flights, half for outbound and the bulk of the cancellations were likely because of the windstorm.
"Worst name for a stadium" award goes to...
"jobing.com Arena".
No, seriously.
The dot com company replaced the stadium's original name, Glendale Arena. "jobing.com Arena" doesn't exacly roll off the tongue.
No, seriously.
The dot com company replaced the stadium's original name, Glendale Arena. "jobing.com Arena" doesn't exacly roll off the tongue.
Went to a fight and a hockey game broke out...
Columbus Blue Jackets left winger Rick Nash, left, falls to the ice from a hip check by an unidentified Phoenix Coyotes player during a hockey game Thursday night in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo)Mike Comrie (#89 at right) scored the lone goal during a shootout to lead the Coyotes to a 5-4 victory over Columbus ending a three game Phoenix losing streak. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
Suns guard Steve Nash was seen at the arena enjoying the game.
Turnaround trip
I made a last minute quick turnaround trip to Phoenix this week. I call it a "turnaround" trip because I was traveling from Portland to Phoenix and Phoenix to Portland about as much time as I was actually in Phoenix.
A sweet, day before internet fare and a rare few days off from work on the calendar and I was boarding a plane.
This was my first trip in years, and I have to say it was like going to the moon. To say Phoenix has changed doesnt begin to describe it. Its like Phoenix was hit with an atomic blast, few buildings remained, hardly resembling their original appearance, and the desolate land that remained was replaced by Wal Marts, multiplexes, freeways and In and Out Burgers. Not one, but two multi million dollar stadiums have been built on farmland since I was last here and the names of two other stadiums have changed.
Obviously to Phoenix residents this isnt news.
But Phoenix friends, know that if I had more than two days in town, I would have loved to have spent time with you, give you a hug and share a drink.
Stay cool down there, enjoy your holiday, and watch out for those damn Oregon drivers.
A sweet, day before internet fare and a rare few days off from work on the calendar and I was boarding a plane.
This was my first trip in years, and I have to say it was like going to the moon. To say Phoenix has changed doesnt begin to describe it. Its like Phoenix was hit with an atomic blast, few buildings remained, hardly resembling their original appearance, and the desolate land that remained was replaced by Wal Marts, multiplexes, freeways and In and Out Burgers. Not one, but two multi million dollar stadiums have been built on farmland since I was last here and the names of two other stadiums have changed.
Obviously to Phoenix residents this isnt news.
But Phoenix friends, know that if I had more than two days in town, I would have loved to have spent time with you, give you a hug and share a drink.
Stay cool down there, enjoy your holiday, and watch out for those damn Oregon drivers.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Welcome to Phoenix...
Microsoft posts security update... No wait... Just kidding.
Microsoft on Tuesday released security updates for Microsoft Office for Mac, but shortly after they were posted on the Web, the updates were yanked. According to Microsoft the updates were never supposed to be posted in the first place.
“The updates posted in error were pre-release binaries that had been staged internally as part of our testing for an upcoming release,” the company said in its Security Response Center Blog. ”Due to human error, they were accidentally published to the public websites before our full testing release process was complete.”
“The updates posted in error were pre-release binaries that had been staged internally as part of our testing for an upcoming release,” the company said in its Security Response Center Blog. ”Due to human error, they were accidentally published to the public websites before our full testing release process was complete.”
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Windows development chief 'would buy a Mac'
Longtime Windows development chief James Allchin wrote in a January 2004 e-mail to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and company co-founder Bill Gates that the software vendor had “lost sight” of customers’ needs and said he would buy a Mac if he wasn’t working for Microsoft, computerworld.com reports.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
V.A. Drops Ball
The Department of Veterans Affairs did not spend all of the extra $300 million it budgeted to increase mental health services and failed to keep track of how some of the money was used, a government report says.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
At last...
 My new iMac is sitting in a wherehouse somewhere in Portland tonight...(Image from Fed Ex Website) |
 ...but in a few hours it will be on a truck and in my hands! Yea! (Image from apple.com) |
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
"You'll shoot your...."
A leg lamp stands in the living room of the newly renovated house once used in the filming of the classic holiday movie 'A Christmas Story' in Cleveland on Monday. Owner Brian Jones plans to open the house a museum of the film on Nov. 25. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Look what I found...
Ever put on a pair of pants and find a $20 bill in the pocket that survived the washing machine?
Well according to the Oregonian, Oregon state economists realized they have more money available than previously anticipated for the 2007-09 budget.
A lot more.
$245 million more.
Well according to the Oregonian, Oregon state economists realized they have more money available than previously anticipated for the 2007-09 budget.
A lot more.
$245 million more.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Skyshow tonight
From kgw.com....
Astronomy buffs will be treated to a cosmic event this weekend courtesy of the
annual Leonid Meteor Shower.
“Just go out there and take a look, even a minute of
two,” said Jim Todd, planetarium manager with the
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.
He added that the best time to view the meteor shower
will be on Saturday night between 8:30 and midnight.
Observers should look toward the northeast part of the
sky.
Scientists said the annual Leonid Meteor Shower
happens because the Earth passes through a debris
field left behind from the comet Swift-Tuttle.
“What that means is that we’re going to have the
opportunity to see up to 100 meteors an hour,” Todd
explained. Particles comprised of dust and ice, many
no larger than a grain of sand, collide with the
Earth’s atmosphere creating what many people know as
“shooting stars.”
Astronomy buffs will be treated to a cosmic event this weekend courtesy of the
annual Leonid Meteor Shower.
“Just go out there and take a look, even a minute of
two,” said Jim Todd, planetarium manager with the
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.
He added that the best time to view the meteor shower
will be on Saturday night between 8:30 and midnight.
Observers should look toward the northeast part of the
sky.
Scientists said the annual Leonid Meteor Shower
happens because the Earth passes through a debris
field left behind from the comet Swift-Tuttle.
“What that means is that we’re going to have the
opportunity to see up to 100 meteors an hour,” Todd
explained. Particles comprised of dust and ice, many
no larger than a grain of sand, collide with the
Earth’s atmosphere creating what many people know as
“shooting stars.”
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Korean War dead memorialized on the Web
The message sent out was simple: write a letter to someone lost in the Korean War. Within a day, the responses started coming to the Korean War Project started 11 years ago by the Barker brothers. In the three weeks since the plea went out, the brothers have gotten more than 500 letters and e-mails from daughters who lost their fathers to veterans who lost friends to schoolchildren thanking those who died for their freedom.
The Barkers, inspired by their father, started the Korean War Project, an online memory bank for the 1950s conflict that claimed about 36,500 U.S. lives. They have helped comrades reconnect and tried to get relatives of the missing to submit DNA to the U.S. government to help with identification.
Korean War Project: http://www.koreanwar.org
The Barkers, inspired by their father, started the Korean War Project, an online memory bank for the 1950s conflict that claimed about 36,500 U.S. lives. They have helped comrades reconnect and tried to get relatives of the missing to submit DNA to the U.S. government to help with identification.
Korean War Project: http://www.koreanwar.org
Monday, November 06, 2006
Flipper walked among us...
Japanese researchers said Sunday that a bottlenose dolphin captured last month has an extra set of fins that could be the remains of hind legs, a discovery that may provide further evidence that ocean-dwelling mammals once lived on land.
Fishermen captured the four-finned dolphin alive off the coast of western Japan on Oct. 28, and alerted the nearby Taiji Whaling Museum, according to museum director Katsuki Hayashi.
Fossil remains show dolphins and whales were four-footed land animals about 50 million years ago and share the same common ancestor as hippos and deer. Scientists believe they later transitioned to an aquatic lifestyle and their hind limbs disappeared.
Fishermen captured the four-finned dolphin alive off the coast of western Japan on Oct. 28, and alerted the nearby Taiji Whaling Museum, according to museum director Katsuki Hayashi.
Fossil remains show dolphins and whales were four-footed land animals about 50 million years ago and share the same common ancestor as hippos and deer. Scientists believe they later transitioned to an aquatic lifestyle and their hind limbs disappeared.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Extra party time...
My birthday falls on a Saturday this year, THIS Saturday in fact (10/28)... Its great to have your birthday on a Saturday. That happens once every seven years or so.
Well, I'm not writing this to self promote my birthday (wink) ...this is also a public service reminder about daylight savings kicking in this weekend. I'm fortunate enough to have my birthday on a Saturday, and also fortunate as this Saturday will be an hour longer allowing more time for Saturday night festivities (for everyone, not just me).
A recent A.P. story describes why the culmination of these rare events will never happen again, sadly.
Most Americans can get a chance at an extra hour of sleep this weekend; clocks fall back to standard time. It's the last time this will happen in October.
Because of a law passed last year, daylight-saving time will start earlier and end later beginning in 2007. It will last from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.
The official change occurs at two a.m. Sunday, though most make the change to their clocks before going to bed Saturday night.
Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas do not observe daylight-saving time.
Well, I'm not writing this to self promote my birthday (wink) ...this is also a public service reminder about daylight savings kicking in this weekend. I'm fortunate enough to have my birthday on a Saturday, and also fortunate as this Saturday will be an hour longer allowing more time for Saturday night festivities (for everyone, not just me).
A recent A.P. story describes why the culmination of these rare events will never happen again, sadly.
Most Americans can get a chance at an extra hour of sleep this weekend; clocks fall back to standard time. It's the last time this will happen in October.
Because of a law passed last year, daylight-saving time will start earlier and end later beginning in 2007. It will last from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.
The official change occurs at two a.m. Sunday, though most make the change to their clocks before going to bed Saturday night.
Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas do not observe daylight-saving time.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Face Off....
This from the AP:
An ethics panel Wednesday approved a London hospital's plan to carry out what could be the world's first full-face transplant, but no candidates for the surgery have yet been selected, a spokesman said.
The Special Ethics Committee of the Royal Free Hospital approved a proposal for a series of four transplant operations, said Neil Huband, spokesman for The Face Trust.
"What happens next is that we continue going through the details of patients and looking to potential patients and continue research," Huband said.
He said a list of candidates for the operations could be completed within six months or a year.
An ethics panel Wednesday approved a London hospital's plan to carry out what could be the world's first full-face transplant, but no candidates for the surgery have yet been selected, a spokesman said.
The Special Ethics Committee of the Royal Free Hospital approved a proposal for a series of four transplant operations, said Neil Huband, spokesman for The Face Trust.
"What happens next is that we continue going through the details of patients and looking to potential patients and continue research," Huband said.
He said a list of candidates for the operations could be completed within six months or a year.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Microsoft Windows uses Apple iPod to infect itself
Apple Computer Inc. said a fraction of its iPod players sold in the past month contained a virus that affects Windows systems.
The problem affected less than 1 percent of the video iPods that were available for purchase after Sept. 12, according to a posting on Apple's technical support Web site. The company has received less than 25 reports concerning the problem, Apple said.
The iPods got the virus from a Windows computer at one of its manufacturing plants, Apple said. The virus, RavMonE.exe, is known to spread through external data storage devices when they are connected to computers and affects only machines running the Windows operating system from Apple rival Microsoft Corp. Security experts say the virus opens up further security holes for hackers.
Up-to-date anti-virus software included with most Windows computers should detect and remove it, Apple said.
The problem affected less than 1 percent of the video iPods that were available for purchase after Sept. 12, according to a posting on Apple's technical support Web site. The company has received less than 25 reports concerning the problem, Apple said.
The iPods got the virus from a Windows computer at one of its manufacturing plants, Apple said. The virus, RavMonE.exe, is known to spread through external data storage devices when they are connected to computers and affects only machines running the Windows operating system from Apple rival Microsoft Corp. Security experts say the virus opens up further security holes for hackers.
Up-to-date anti-virus software included with most Windows computers should detect and remove it, Apple said.
Why Favre is cool
Green Bay superstar quarterback Brett Favre sharply criticized the way the NFL handles substance abuse problems Wednesday, a day after teammate Koren Robinson was suspended for the season, apparently because of a drunken driving charge.
"I don't like the way the league has, in my mind, turned their back on him," Favre said. "I'm not against banning him for the year. I'd love for him to play, but to boot him out, clean his locker out and say you can't have no contact with this team?"
Favre, who entered the NFL's substance abuse program during treatment for an addiction to painkillers in 1996, said it doesn't make sense that the policy bans his teammate from the Packers' facilities "and the support group that can help him."
"I don't like the way the league has, in my mind, turned their back on him," Favre said. "I'm not against banning him for the year. I'd love for him to play, but to boot him out, clean his locker out and say you can't have no contact with this team?"
Favre, who entered the NFL's substance abuse program during treatment for an addiction to painkillers in 1996, said it doesn't make sense that the policy bans his teammate from the Packers' facilities "and the support group that can help him."
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Apple joins Bono's AIDS fight with "Red" iPod nano
Apple joined rocker Bono's charitable project Red on Friday with the unveiling of red iPod nano MP3 players to raise money to battle AIDS in Africa.The U2 frontman co-founded Red, which enlists renowned brands such as Giorgio Armani and Gap to make product lines that devote part of their revenues to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
A red version of Apple's nano, the world's most popular MP3 player, was created with Bono's help. Ten dollars of the four-gigabyte nano's 199-dollar sale price would go to Global Fund programs.
Apple also planned to sell Red gift cards for its iTunes online music and movie store.
"We're ecstatic that Apple is giving their customers the choice to buy a red iPod nano and help women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa," Bono said in a release.
"It's wonderful to see this incredible level of commitment from companies that are willing to lend their creativity in the fight against AIDS in Africa, the greatest health crisis in 600 years."
The Global Fund was established in 2002 with the support of the world's leaders and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to increase resources to fight the three devastating diseases.
"Now customers can buy the best music player in the world and do something to help the world at the same time," said Apple chief executive Steve Jobs.
"We're honored to work with Bono, Red and this team to contribute to an incredibly important initiative and help change the way people think about AIDS in Africa."
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Paint job
Like the new look? If you dont know the old look, then... where have you been?! No, seriously, I welcome new readers. Thanks for coming by and I hope you return. The old look for first time vistors and long time readers with poor memories, was a black background with white font and red links (click on image at left for larger version). The new style of the site I designed today is reversed, white with black font, and blue links. Any thoughts?
Friday, October 06, 2006
One of the BEST booksales...
Portland State University’s library will hold its quarterly surplus book sale starting November 2, 2006. Tables overflowing with thousands of book bargains will be located on the ground floor of the PSU Millar Library. Proceeds from this sale will benefit the PSU Library, the region's largest academic library.
When:
Thursday, November 2, 2006, Noon – 9 p.m.
Friday, November 3, 2006, 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, November 4, 2006, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday, November 5, 2006, Noon – 9 p.m.
Where:
Ground floor of the PSU Millar Library (1875 S.W. Park Ave.).
Cost:
Admission is free and open to the public.
Prices are $1 for paperbacks, $2 for hardcover books and prices range from 25 cents – $2 for records, sheet music, cds, tapes, videos, maps and magazines.
When:
Thursday, November 2, 2006, Noon – 9 p.m.
Friday, November 3, 2006, 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, November 4, 2006, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday, November 5, 2006, Noon – 9 p.m.
Where:
Ground floor of the PSU Millar Library (1875 S.W. Park Ave.).
Cost:
Admission is free and open to the public.
Prices are $1 for paperbacks, $2 for hardcover books and prices range from 25 cents – $2 for records, sheet music, cds, tapes, videos, maps and magazines.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Texas volunteers welcome home the troops
Watch the story as it aired on NBC Nightly News HEREThankful citizens greet every flight at the airport
By Janet Shamlian, Correspondent, NBC News
DALLAS - A shower of affection and thunderous cheers.
"Oh my God, it's unbelievable! Welcome to Texas, welcome home!" says a man to a soldier at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
For troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan on a two-week leave, this is their first taste of home. But it isn't home, and most offering hugs and handshakes are neither family nor friends.
"It's the first thing we see after customs, and it's awesome," says Army Lt. Anthony Iannuccilli.
Flights from the battlefield arrive daily in Dallas. Every one, for two years, has been met by volunteers who leave jobs, pack up children and drive to the airport. By comparison, it's a small sacrifice.
"Who wants to call home?" one volunteer asks the troops while holding up a cell phone.
"I got off the plane and saw everybody clapping and everything, and I got a little choked up," says Army Spc. Sam Gill.
Though some here oppose the war, this is sacred ground: free of politics and full of understanding that the warrior is separate from the war.
"Being a Vietnam veteran, we weren't received very well when we came back and we're going to make sure it doesn't happen to these guys," says Wayne Trevathan.
They meet hundreds of flights and thousands of troops. It's hard, they say, not to be moved by seeing a soldier back safely and closer to loved ones, if only for two weeks.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Really, really, wide load
The newest addition to the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville is a long-awaited F-14D Super Tomcat.
That's the kind of Navy fighter jet featured in the Tom Cruise hit movie, "Top Gun."
The Tomcat was trucked down to McMinnville last weekend from Portland during the wee hours of Sunday morning. Due to the size of the load, the Oregon Department of Transportation issued a special permit to avoid as much traffic as possible.
No kidding.
That's the kind of Navy fighter jet featured in the Tom Cruise hit movie, "Top Gun."
The Tomcat was trucked down to McMinnville last weekend from Portland during the wee hours of Sunday morning. Due to the size of the load, the Oregon Department of Transportation issued a special permit to avoid as much traffic as possible.
No kidding.
Full House
Single-game tickets for Suns regular-season home games will go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. The organization is warning fans that those single-game tickets are expected to sell out for many of the games.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Reason 642 to stop using Internet Explorer
PC World.com is reporting...
Hackers are intensifying their attacks on Internet Explorer users, pressuring Microsoft to patch a critical flaw in the software ahead of its regularly scheduled October 10 security update.
On Sunday, hackers released sample code showing how to exploit the Internext Explorer flaw on a fully patched version of Windows XP, a move that security experts believe will step up the attacks. Criminals have been taking advantage of a previously unknown vulnerability in cPanel software, widely used by Web hosting providers, to install the Internet Explorer malware on Web servers.
Hackers are intensifying their attacks on Internet Explorer users, pressuring Microsoft to patch a critical flaw in the software ahead of its regularly scheduled October 10 security update.
On Sunday, hackers released sample code showing how to exploit the Internext Explorer flaw on a fully patched version of Windows XP, a move that security experts believe will step up the attacks. Criminals have been taking advantage of a previously unknown vulnerability in cPanel software, widely used by Web hosting providers, to install the Internet Explorer malware on Web servers.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Toys ''R'' Us Releases Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids
For more than a decade, Toys "R" Us has released its Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids to provide an easy-to-use toy selection guide for parents and friends of children with disabilities. Beginning today, Toys "R" Us will offer the 2006 edition of this complimentary guide, featuring specially selected toys, in all of its U.S. retail locations and online at www.toysrus.com/differentlyabled. Since its inception in 1994, thousands of parents, relatives, friends and professionals have relied on the Toys "R" Us guide to help them determine which toys are suitable for a child's particular abilities.
The guide was developed by Toys "R" Us in partnership with the National Lekotek Center, an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to making the world accessible to children of all ages and abilities.
Toys "R" Us and the National Lekotek Center evaluate approximately 200 toys using focus groups and other criteria to determine the toys that best contribute to the development of children with physical and cognitive disabilities. Lekotek carefully evaluates all the products, selects those with exceptional qualities and writes descriptive copy highlighting the special features that make the items suitable for children with special needs.
The guide is very easy to read and includes more than 80 toys for children of all ages.
The guide was developed by Toys "R" Us in partnership with the National Lekotek Center, an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to making the world accessible to children of all ages and abilities.
Toys "R" Us and the National Lekotek Center evaluate approximately 200 toys using focus groups and other criteria to determine the toys that best contribute to the development of children with physical and cognitive disabilities. Lekotek carefully evaluates all the products, selects those with exceptional qualities and writes descriptive copy highlighting the special features that make the items suitable for children with special needs.
The guide is very easy to read and includes more than 80 toys for children of all ages.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Arrrrr! Gather ye pirates, one and all!
Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. I'm serious. So, take a spare minute today to showcase your swagger and share your pirate lingo by giving my 24 hour comment line a call. I'll post audio clips of the best pirate-isms here. Call 425-940-5075. While I'm not charging for the call, standard long distance charges apply. "425" is a Washington area code.
This should help you get started.
This should help you get started.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Remember
Delia Colon, of Hamilton Square, New Jersey, bows her head as she prays at Ground Zero near the end of an all-night vigil on the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks Monday, Sept. 11, 2006 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Friday, September 08, 2006
Cardinals Kickoff Season
The completion of a new stadium, acquisition of a star running back, drafting of a franchise quarterback and possibly the best young receiving corps in the league have created a buzz around the Arizona Cardinals.This may be the most hype they've gotten since moving to the Valley of the Sun 18 years ago.
One result is the Cardinals, hoping the addition of Edgerrin James can provide a more balanced offensive attack, will play a regular-season home game before a sellout crowd for the first time in six years on Sunday when they face the San Francisco 49ers.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Tuchdown for Tivo...
I've always been a huge Tivo fan. Heres yet another reason. This today from the AP:
A new TiVo Inc. service set to debut Thursday will let some fantasy football fans stay glued to their televisions even while making changes to their team rosters.
TiVo, a maker of digital video recorders, has teamed up with CBS Sportsline to introduce the first interactive television service for fantasy football players. The free service is for users of TiVo's Series2 recorders who are registered with the TV network's online fantasy sports leagues.
Instead of having to get on the Internet with a computer, users will be able to manage their football teams, check up-to-the-minute statistics and scores or watch highlights, all with their TiVo remote control. They'll also have access to team-related breaking news and CBS SportsLine videos, including pre-game analysis, player interviews and special fantasy football content.
The CBS Sportsline Fantasy Football Companion feature is the latest move by TiVo to differentiate its pioneer product from the growing number of rival digital video recorders offered by cable and satellite TV operators.
A new TiVo Inc. service set to debut Thursday will let some fantasy football fans stay glued to their televisions even while making changes to their team rosters.
TiVo, a maker of digital video recorders, has teamed up with CBS Sportsline to introduce the first interactive television service for fantasy football players. The free service is for users of TiVo's Series2 recorders who are registered with the TV network's online fantasy sports leagues.
Instead of having to get on the Internet with a computer, users will be able to manage their football teams, check up-to-the-minute statistics and scores or watch highlights, all with their TiVo remote control. They'll also have access to team-related breaking news and CBS SportsLine videos, including pre-game analysis, player interviews and special fantasy football content.
The CBS Sportsline Fantasy Football Companion feature is the latest move by TiVo to differentiate its pioneer product from the growing number of rival digital video recorders offered by cable and satellite TV operators.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Dog Town
Most people who know me are used to my glowing reviews of Portland since I moved here in '99. It has been, for those who don't know, in large part, been a massive recruiting effort to entice a few of my old Arizona friends to relocate to the Northwest. Other targets are those who used to live here. (You know who you are).
Anyhow, I found a similarly themed article (a yea Portland article) that may be the crown jewel of anything I've ever found about cool reasons to live here. This from:
ANTONIA GIEDWOYN, kgw.com Staff
Portland has been named the most dog-friendly city in the U.S., paws down, according to Dog Fancy Magazine.
The City of Roses – and dogs – beat 61 other nominated cities.
With more than 136,000 canines, Portland earned top status as the best place for dogs to live, based on numerous criteria, including veterinarian-to-dog ratio, preventive care participation, percentage of spayed/neutered pets, dog-friendly businesses and the existence of a leash law.
"We were thrilled to see that Portland came out on top," said Susan Chaney, Dog Fancy's editor. "Portland's forward-thinking residents place high priority on animal welfare and adoption, as the shelter adoption numbers demonstrate. Caring neighbors, quality veterinary care and pet services, combined with Oregon's natural beauty, make Portland our favorite place for dogs this year."
The editor will travel to Portland to present the "Dogtown USA 2006" plaque to Mayor Tom Potter. A canine block party will follow starting at 10 a.m. -- 2 p.m. in Pioneer Square on September 13.
"Portland has always shown great compassion towards the animals in this community," said Sharon Harmon, Oregon Humane Society’s executive director. "This is a great town to live in if you're a dog or a dog lover."
Anyhow, I found a similarly themed article (a yea Portland article) that may be the crown jewel of anything I've ever found about cool reasons to live here. This from:
ANTONIA GIEDWOYN, kgw.com Staff
Portland has been named the most dog-friendly city in the U.S., paws down, according to Dog Fancy Magazine.
The City of Roses – and dogs – beat 61 other nominated cities.
With more than 136,000 canines, Portland earned top status as the best place for dogs to live, based on numerous criteria, including veterinarian-to-dog ratio, preventive care participation, percentage of spayed/neutered pets, dog-friendly businesses and the existence of a leash law.
"We were thrilled to see that Portland came out on top," said Susan Chaney, Dog Fancy's editor. "Portland's forward-thinking residents place high priority on animal welfare and adoption, as the shelter adoption numbers demonstrate. Caring neighbors, quality veterinary care and pet services, combined with Oregon's natural beauty, make Portland our favorite place for dogs this year."
The editor will travel to Portland to present the "Dogtown USA 2006" plaque to Mayor Tom Potter. A canine block party will follow starting at 10 a.m. -- 2 p.m. in Pioneer Square on September 13.
"Portland has always shown great compassion towards the animals in this community," said Sharon Harmon, Oregon Humane Society’s executive director. "This is a great town to live in if you're a dog or a dog lover."
Friday, August 25, 2006
Kiwanis Camp
Hi everyone.
I've heard from a few of my Kiwanis Camp friends that a great article about the camp was coming soon, and sure enough, it was in the Thursday Oregonian .
The link to the Oregonian's site where you can read the story is here.
The link is only temporary, as stories fall off of the Oregonian site in a few days to become archives you must pay to read.
So, I have posted the article before it disappears to share it with you.
Most people who know me have heard my glowing reviews of Kiwanis Camp. When I first went in 2003 as a Portland State undergraduate, it solidified my desire to work with people with disabilities as a counselor.
And here I am.
I was blessed to get to go this summer as a supervisor.
My descriptions of the camp don't do it justice.
This article comes close.
It has been my wish that everyone go and be touched by this amazing place and the campers that make it so very special.
I have mentioned to administrators, teachers, and mental health professionals that volunteering at the camp should be a requirement for anyone interested in entering a helping profession.
It inevitably will change they way professionals teach, counsel, parent, and see the world.
Here is the article.
Finding success on the mountain
Disabled campers and their counselors find challenge and fulfillment in working and playing hard at Mount Hood retreat
Thursday, August 24, 2006
ABBY HAIGHT
The Oregonian
MOUNT HOOD -- Everything about Paul Dechaine's body
language said, "No way."
It was the last chance the 38-year-old from Tualatin would have to climb the rock wall at the Mount Hood Kiwanis Camp. Friends urged him on, and several counselors pleaded.
His jaw set, Dechaine looked away from the towering wall with its colorful handholds, away from course leader Thomas Hackett, who rested on his rope 20 feet up and called, "You can do it, Paul."
For 48 years, the Mount Hood Kiwanis Camp has opened the wilderness to people with disabilities, offering traditional camp experiences and providing a safe and encouraging environment for campers to push beyond physical or developmental barriers.
Micah Watkins, 24, was ready to take a risk.
Counselors secured the climbing harness around Watkins' slim torso. Then Hackett began lowering himself to the ground, his weight lifting Watkins out of his wheelchair by the rope that connected the two men. Watkins rose slowly, cheers and applause growing louder as he neared the upper reach of the wall.
Watkins spun gently in the air, smiling.
Dechaine was caught by the excitement. He cheered his friend, then pulled a climbing helmet over his thick hair. Fear melted into resolve.
"I'll go halfway," he said.
Hackett guided Dechaine up the wall, helping him find toe holds. It was hard, physical work. Sometimes the fear grew strong and Dechaine clung to the wall. But then he reached up again, pulled himself higher. Ten feet. Fifteen feet.
Joanna Stanley watched with an awed smile.
Stanley is a 27-year-old art history and painting major at Portland State University. Like all PSU students, she must complete the six-credit senior Capstone program before graduating. At its core, Capstone encourages students to a greater understanding of their diverse world through community research or service.
Portland State and Kiwanis Camp forged a relationship in 1972. This summer, almost 300 PSU students helped at the camp, spending two weeks as counselors. At Kiwanis Camp, a counselor and a camper are paired for the week. Camp staff members help the counselors as they navigate relationships with campers.
"I hear over and over again, 'This is one of the hardest things I've ever done, but this is one of the best or most meaningful experiences I've ever had,' " said Ann Fullerton, head of the Special Education Program in the PSU Graduate School of Education. "If you've never had a firsthand, human-to-human experience with a person with significant disability, you have a fear of the unknown.
"At Kiwanis Camp, all that fear of the unknown, those barriers, are gone."
Stanley was nervous before she arrived at camp the week before. Her first camper was a young girl who didn't hear or speak. Now she was counselor to the outgoing Dechaine. Two very different campers. But similar experiences.
"Life-changing," Stanley said.
Back on earth, Dechaine accepted hugs of congratulation. He held up his shaking hand.
"Whoooo-weee," he exhaled. "I was kinda nervous, kinda scared."
In the rush of adrenaline, Dechaine almost didn't hear his friend, Jeremy Thatch, call his name. Jeremy sat in a wheelchair, waiting his turn to climb. His voice was soft, and Dechaine stilled his exuberance and leaned close.
"I love you," Thatch said. "I'm so proud of you."
It was Thursday, a big day at Mount Hood Kiwanis Camp. Family members and friends would arrive in the early
evening for the traditional barbecue, skits and singing. It was the last night of the session, the last night of the summer season and the last night at camp for Gene Nudelman, who was retiring to Florida after 13 years as executive director of the Mount Hood Kiwanis Camp.
The camp is in Mount Hood National Forest, west of Government Camp. It was founded in 1933 by the Kiwanis
Club of Montavilla to serve low-income children, but changed its charter to serve children with disabilities in 1957. Although the region's Kiwanis chapters support the camp with service and about half of its budget, the camp is not connected to Kiwanis International. A big part of the job for new executive director Tod Thayer is raising money.
It costs about $1,200 for a camper to attend a weeklong session. The camp charges about $600, or less if the camper's family can't afford it.
The camp serves about 600 children and adults each summer. The lanky, silver-bearded Nudelman -- banjo player for the camp's Staff Infection Band -- seemed to know them all by name. Some of the adult campers had been coming to Mount Hood even longer than Nudelman.
"When you come to work at a camp like this, you have to slow everything down," he said. "The world slows
down. The whole idea here is not to help someone do something. It's to assist them to be successful."
The forest was piney sweet in the afternoon heat. The theme for the week was pirates, and a banner with skull and crossbones and the words "Isle de Muerta" hung above the main lodge. The camp's eight cabins had taken piratey names -- the Firebeards, Beauties of the Black Pearl, the Cutthroat Coug-arrrs.
In the shaded trout pond, the biggest fish, named Oscar by campers, bore the battle scars on its lip of near-catches.
The Little Zigzag River tumbled through the campgrounds. The river crossing -- done in harness,
inching across a cable -- is a prized accomplishment.
A mossy lane led to the stables and riding trail. Cookie, a gentle pinto, hung its head over the fence to be scratched as the canoe group, experienced campers who are more independent, gathered to ride.
Jimmy Parent and Chris Entrikin estimated they had been coming to Kiwanis Camp for 20 years. The two -- Jimmy, 35, of Beaverton, and Chris, 37, of Vancouver -- looked forward to reconnecting each summer. Thirty-year-old Jeremiah Johnson of Battle Ground, Wash., began attending the camp three years ago.
"I was nervous at first," he said. "But I think you get used to it. You start to make friends."
Later, when the camp gathered to lower the flag, Johnson led a high-energy call-and-response, the kind shouted by generations of campers at thousands of summer camps. Tarzan Swingin' on a rubber band Fell into a frying pan Now he's got a nasty tan.
The cabin skits poked fun at reality shows and camp activities and were punctuated by fierce-sounding "arrrs." There were songs by the Staff Infection Band, silly skits by camp supervisors and laughter about guys dressed as girls, wild wigs and missed cues.
But as the first stars lit the night sky, the group quieted. "We come from the spirit," the Staff Infection Band sang. "Go back to the spirit and turn your world around."
The night ended at the trout pond. Each cabin had built a small wooden boat, which carried a lighted candle. The boats were released with a wish:
A wish to come back and see old friends and meet new ones. A wish to always return to the fun of camp.
Then, from the Cutthroat Coug-Arrrs: "Our wish is that we can be who we are and never change."
The boats drifted, bright and starry, in the dark water.
Abby Haight: 503-221-8198;
abbyhaight@news.oregonian.com
I've heard from a few of my Kiwanis Camp friends that a great article about the camp was coming soon, and sure enough, it was in the Thursday Oregonian .
The link to the Oregonian's site where you can read the story is here.
The link is only temporary, as stories fall off of the Oregonian site in a few days to become archives you must pay to read.
So, I have posted the article before it disappears to share it with you.
Most people who know me have heard my glowing reviews of Kiwanis Camp. When I first went in 2003 as a Portland State undergraduate, it solidified my desire to work with people with disabilities as a counselor.
And here I am.
I was blessed to get to go this summer as a supervisor.
My descriptions of the camp don't do it justice.
This article comes close.
It has been my wish that everyone go and be touched by this amazing place and the campers that make it so very special.
I have mentioned to administrators, teachers, and mental health professionals that volunteering at the camp should be a requirement for anyone interested in entering a helping profession.
It inevitably will change they way professionals teach, counsel, parent, and see the world.
Here is the article.
Finding success on the mountain
Disabled campers and their counselors find challenge and fulfillment in working and playing hard at Mount Hood retreat
Thursday, August 24, 2006
ABBY HAIGHT
The Oregonian
MOUNT HOOD -- Everything about Paul Dechaine's body
language said, "No way."
It was the last chance the 38-year-old from Tualatin would have to climb the rock wall at the Mount Hood Kiwanis Camp. Friends urged him on, and several counselors pleaded.
His jaw set, Dechaine looked away from the towering wall with its colorful handholds, away from course leader Thomas Hackett, who rested on his rope 20 feet up and called, "You can do it, Paul."
For 48 years, the Mount Hood Kiwanis Camp has opened the wilderness to people with disabilities, offering traditional camp experiences and providing a safe and encouraging environment for campers to push beyond physical or developmental barriers.
Micah Watkins, 24, was ready to take a risk.
Counselors secured the climbing harness around Watkins' slim torso. Then Hackett began lowering himself to the ground, his weight lifting Watkins out of his wheelchair by the rope that connected the two men. Watkins rose slowly, cheers and applause growing louder as he neared the upper reach of the wall.
Watkins spun gently in the air, smiling.
Dechaine was caught by the excitement. He cheered his friend, then pulled a climbing helmet over his thick hair. Fear melted into resolve.
"I'll go halfway," he said.
Hackett guided Dechaine up the wall, helping him find toe holds. It was hard, physical work. Sometimes the fear grew strong and Dechaine clung to the wall. But then he reached up again, pulled himself higher. Ten feet. Fifteen feet.
Joanna Stanley watched with an awed smile.
Stanley is a 27-year-old art history and painting major at Portland State University. Like all PSU students, she must complete the six-credit senior Capstone program before graduating. At its core, Capstone encourages students to a greater understanding of their diverse world through community research or service.
Portland State and Kiwanis Camp forged a relationship in 1972. This summer, almost 300 PSU students helped at the camp, spending two weeks as counselors. At Kiwanis Camp, a counselor and a camper are paired for the week. Camp staff members help the counselors as they navigate relationships with campers.
"I hear over and over again, 'This is one of the hardest things I've ever done, but this is one of the best or most meaningful experiences I've ever had,' " said Ann Fullerton, head of the Special Education Program in the PSU Graduate School of Education. "If you've never had a firsthand, human-to-human experience with a person with significant disability, you have a fear of the unknown.
"At Kiwanis Camp, all that fear of the unknown, those barriers, are gone."
Stanley was nervous before she arrived at camp the week before. Her first camper was a young girl who didn't hear or speak. Now she was counselor to the outgoing Dechaine. Two very different campers. But similar experiences.
"Life-changing," Stanley said.
Back on earth, Dechaine accepted hugs of congratulation. He held up his shaking hand.
"Whoooo-weee," he exhaled. "I was kinda nervous, kinda scared."
In the rush of adrenaline, Dechaine almost didn't hear his friend, Jeremy Thatch, call his name. Jeremy sat in a wheelchair, waiting his turn to climb. His voice was soft, and Dechaine stilled his exuberance and leaned close.
"I love you," Thatch said. "I'm so proud of you."
It was Thursday, a big day at Mount Hood Kiwanis Camp. Family members and friends would arrive in the early
evening for the traditional barbecue, skits and singing. It was the last night of the session, the last night of the summer season and the last night at camp for Gene Nudelman, who was retiring to Florida after 13 years as executive director of the Mount Hood Kiwanis Camp.
The camp is in Mount Hood National Forest, west of Government Camp. It was founded in 1933 by the Kiwanis
Club of Montavilla to serve low-income children, but changed its charter to serve children with disabilities in 1957. Although the region's Kiwanis chapters support the camp with service and about half of its budget, the camp is not connected to Kiwanis International. A big part of the job for new executive director Tod Thayer is raising money.
It costs about $1,200 for a camper to attend a weeklong session. The camp charges about $600, or less if the camper's family can't afford it.
The camp serves about 600 children and adults each summer. The lanky, silver-bearded Nudelman -- banjo player for the camp's Staff Infection Band -- seemed to know them all by name. Some of the adult campers had been coming to Mount Hood even longer than Nudelman.
"When you come to work at a camp like this, you have to slow everything down," he said. "The world slows
down. The whole idea here is not to help someone do something. It's to assist them to be successful."
The forest was piney sweet in the afternoon heat. The theme for the week was pirates, and a banner with skull and crossbones and the words "Isle de Muerta" hung above the main lodge. The camp's eight cabins had taken piratey names -- the Firebeards, Beauties of the Black Pearl, the Cutthroat Coug-arrrs.
In the shaded trout pond, the biggest fish, named Oscar by campers, bore the battle scars on its lip of near-catches.
The Little Zigzag River tumbled through the campgrounds. The river crossing -- done in harness,
inching across a cable -- is a prized accomplishment.
A mossy lane led to the stables and riding trail. Cookie, a gentle pinto, hung its head over the fence to be scratched as the canoe group, experienced campers who are more independent, gathered to ride.
Jimmy Parent and Chris Entrikin estimated they had been coming to Kiwanis Camp for 20 years. The two -- Jimmy, 35, of Beaverton, and Chris, 37, of Vancouver -- looked forward to reconnecting each summer. Thirty-year-old Jeremiah Johnson of Battle Ground, Wash., began attending the camp three years ago.
"I was nervous at first," he said. "But I think you get used to it. You start to make friends."
Later, when the camp gathered to lower the flag, Johnson led a high-energy call-and-response, the kind shouted by generations of campers at thousands of summer camps. Tarzan Swingin' on a rubber band Fell into a frying pan Now he's got a nasty tan.
The cabin skits poked fun at reality shows and camp activities and were punctuated by fierce-sounding "arrrs." There were songs by the Staff Infection Band, silly skits by camp supervisors and laughter about guys dressed as girls, wild wigs and missed cues.
But as the first stars lit the night sky, the group quieted. "We come from the spirit," the Staff Infection Band sang. "Go back to the spirit and turn your world around."
The night ended at the trout pond. Each cabin had built a small wooden boat, which carried a lighted candle. The boats were released with a wish:
A wish to come back and see old friends and meet new ones. A wish to always return to the fun of camp.
Then, from the Cutthroat Coug-Arrrs: "Our wish is that we can be who we are and never change."
The boats drifted, bright and starry, in the dark water.
Abby Haight: 503-221-8198;
abbyhaight@news.oregonian.com
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Beaverton Little League Team Goes Big
The Murrayhill Little League team of Beaverton will play for the U.S. championship on Saturday in a game televised nationally on ABC.
Murrayhill overcame a two-run deficit to defeat the Great Lakes region champion from Lemont, Ill., 4-3 on Wednesday in the U.S. semifinals.
Murrayhill overcame a two-run deficit to defeat the Great Lakes region champion from Lemont, Ill., 4-3 on Wednesday in the U.S. semifinals.
Sometimes I feel like... somebody's watchin me
The FBI has begun permitting police investigators to pursue some criminal suspects by tracking the DNA of close relatives who have been convicted of other offenses.
Critics fear ‘genetic surveillance' of innocent.
No kidding.
Full story from Richard Willing, USA Today.
Critics fear ‘genetic surveillance' of innocent.
No kidding.
Full story from Richard Willing, USA Today.
Convicted meth users published on web
Donna Leinwand USA Today reports: States frustrated with the growth of toxic methamphetamine labs are creating Internet registries to publicize the names of people convicted of making or selling meth, the cheap and highly addictive stimulant plaguing communities across the nation.
The registries — similar to the sex-offender registries operated by every state — have been approved within the past 18 months in Tennessee, Minnesota and Illinois. Meth-offender registries are being considered in Georgia, Maine, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Washington state and.... Oregon.
The registries — similar to the sex-offender registries operated by every state — have been approved within the past 18 months in Tennessee, Minnesota and Illinois. Meth-offender registries are being considered in Georgia, Maine, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Washington state and.... Oregon.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Flicks on the bricks
Here is the scene in downtown Portland tonight (on a Friday night). The city puts on "Flicks on the Bricks", a free family friendly event held throughout the summer. Tonight... Indiana Jones!
I do love this city.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
iPod underwear coming soon?
Technology-savvy South Korea isn't happy making only MP3 players and the memory chips that go inside many of the more popular models. It also wants people wearing South Korean "smart" clothes with built-in digital music players, the AP is reporting.
The government is backing efforts to launch the digitized apparel by the end of the year, hoping to win a top position for the country as an exporter of such clothing.
The government is backing efforts to launch the digitized apparel by the end of the year, hoping to win a top position for the country as an exporter of such clothing.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
First Video Post
Click the play button below, and video will begin soon depending on internet connection.
Study: Apple leads industry in customer satisfaction
Apple leads the PC industry in customer satisfaction, according to the results of the annual American Customer Satisfaction Index.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Invaluable crisis resource in a crisis itself
1-800-SUICIDE is in danger of being completely shut off on August 25th to the 2,000 suicidal individuals in crisis who reach out daily because our government has not only ended all funding but also continues to owe close to $300,000 in already appropriated money to this Hopeline from over 2 years ago.
Learn more about ways you can save the Kristin Brooks Hope Center and the 1.800.SUICIDE Hotline. Take action to keep this private line running visit www.save1800suicide.org and sign the petition at www.save1800suicide.org/petition.
For details, please click the logo below.
Learn more about ways you can save the Kristin Brooks Hope Center and the 1.800.SUICIDE Hotline. Take action to keep this private line running visit www.save1800suicide.org and sign the petition at www.save1800suicide.org/petition.
For details, please click the logo below.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Monday, August 07, 2006
Dodging a bullet
A unanimous Beaverton City Council on Monday night rejected plans to build a Wal-Mart in the Cedar Mill area, saying a big-box store there would be a disaster for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders -- The Oregonian.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
24
If any more Suns games were nationally televised, America would need other network.
ABC, ESPN and TNT went to the maximum to book Phoenix games for the 2006-07 season -- 24 total.
The Suns and two-time Most Valuable Player Steve Nash will be on ABC five times, treatment only Miami, Cleveland and Detroit received.
TNT picked nine Phoenix games, matching what Miami, Cleveland, Chicago, Dallas and the Los Angeles Lakers received.
ESPN will show 10 Suns games, the most it is allowed.
The national love for Phoenix will start on the season's first two nights with a Los Angeles doubleheader of sorts.
On Halloween, the Suns will play in one of two NBA opening night games. They go to Staples Center to face the Lakers, last season's first-round playoff victim, on TNT.
Phoenix will hold its home opener on ESPN the following night against the Clippers, whom the Suns defeated in the second round of the playoffs.
The 24 national network games are one more than last season but triples how Phoenix started the 2004-05 season.
ABC, ESPN and TNT went to the maximum to book Phoenix games for the 2006-07 season -- 24 total.
The Suns and two-time Most Valuable Player Steve Nash will be on ABC five times, treatment only Miami, Cleveland and Detroit received.
TNT picked nine Phoenix games, matching what Miami, Cleveland, Chicago, Dallas and the Los Angeles Lakers received.
ESPN will show 10 Suns games, the most it is allowed.
The national love for Phoenix will start on the season's first two nights with a Los Angeles doubleheader of sorts.
On Halloween, the Suns will play in one of two NBA opening night games. They go to Staples Center to face the Lakers, last season's first-round playoff victim, on TNT.
Phoenix will hold its home opener on ESPN the following night against the Clippers, whom the Suns defeated in the second round of the playoffs.
The 24 national network games are one more than last season but triples how Phoenix started the 2004-05 season.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Sneak peak of 2006-07 Suns Schedule
The Orange County Register is reporting that the Lakers will start their 2006-07 NBA season against the team that ended their season ...the Phoenix Suns.
The matchup is part of TNT's Oct.31 opening-night lineup.
The Lakers lost three consecutive games to the Suns to end last season with a seven game playoff series loss.
The NBA will be announcing the 2006-07 NBA schedule Tuesday.
The matchup is part of TNT's Oct.31 opening-night lineup.
The Lakers lost three consecutive games to the Suns to end last season with a seven game playoff series loss.
The NBA will be announcing the 2006-07 NBA schedule Tuesday.
Summer Hoops Fix
Led by Duke University head coach Mike Krzyzewski, the USA Basketball World Championship roster features 15 of the NBA's best players including: Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Former Sun Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks); Amaré Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns); and Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat). Krzyzewski will scale down the USA Basketball roster to 12 players by the time the team reaches Japan.
Hosted by Andre Aldridge, NBA TV's 2006 FIBA World Championship schedule includes:
USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team Exhibition Schedule
AIR DATE AIR TIME LOCATION GAME
Friday, Aug. 4 4:00 p.m. (ET) Las Vegas, Nevada USA - Puerto Rico
Tuesday, Aug. 8 8:00 a.m. (ET) China USA - Brazil
Tuesday, Aug. 8 4:00 p.m. (ET) China USA - China
Sunday, Aug. 13 1:00 a.m. (ET) Seoul, Korea USA - Lithuania
Wednesday, Aug. 16 4:00 p.m. (ET) Seoul, Korea USA - Korea
2006 FIBA World Championship
AIR DATE AIR TIME GAME
August 20 4:00 p.m. (ET) USA - Puerto Rico
August 21 4:00 p.m. (ET) USA - China
August 23 4:00 p.m. (ET) USA - Slovenia
August 24 2:00 p.m. (ET) USA - Italy
August 25 4:00 p.m. (ET) USA - Senegal
August 27 6:00 p.m. (ET) Eighth Final TBD
August 27 8:00 p.m. (ET) Eighth Final TBD
August 29 TBD Quarterfinals TBD
August 29 TBD Quarterfinals TBD
August 30 TBD Quarterfinals TBD
August 30 TBD Quarterfinals TBD
September 2 4:00 p.m. (ET) Semifinals TBD
September 2 6:00 p.m. (ET) Semifinals TBD
September 4 4:00 p.m. (ET) Gold Medal Game
Hosted by Andre Aldridge, NBA TV's 2006 FIBA World Championship schedule includes:
USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team Exhibition Schedule
AIR DATE AIR TIME LOCATION GAME
Friday, Aug. 4 4:00 p.m. (ET) Las Vegas, Nevada USA - Puerto Rico
Tuesday, Aug. 8 8:00 a.m. (ET) China USA - Brazil
Tuesday, Aug. 8 4:00 p.m. (ET) China USA - China
Sunday, Aug. 13 1:00 a.m. (ET) Seoul, Korea USA - Lithuania
Wednesday, Aug. 16 4:00 p.m. (ET) Seoul, Korea USA - Korea
2006 FIBA World Championship
AIR DATE AIR TIME GAME
August 20 4:00 p.m. (ET) USA - Puerto Rico
August 21 4:00 p.m. (ET) USA - China
August 23 4:00 p.m. (ET) USA - Slovenia
August 24 2:00 p.m. (ET) USA - Italy
August 25 4:00 p.m. (ET) USA - Senegal
August 27 6:00 p.m. (ET) Eighth Final TBD
August 27 8:00 p.m. (ET) Eighth Final TBD
August 29 TBD Quarterfinals TBD
August 29 TBD Quarterfinals TBD
August 30 TBD Quarterfinals TBD
August 30 TBD Quarterfinals TBD
September 2 4:00 p.m. (ET) Semifinals TBD
September 2 6:00 p.m. (ET) Semifinals TBD
September 4 4:00 p.m. (ET) Gold Medal Game
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Military Suicides On The Rise
Below are highlights from a story by Terry Gildea of OPB News.
To read the story in full, please click here
Defense officials say they are committing new resources to detecting and preventing suicidal behavior in soldiers, including those fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. But watchdogs -- and a recent government report -- suggest the Pentagon may not be doing enough to make sure at-risk personnel get treatment once they get home.
No legislation has been passed, but Oregon lawmakers are pushing the military to do more.
Gordon Smith: "It's a tragedy to ever lose a soldier for any cause, but it just seems extra cruel when the cause is suicide. They're defending our country, America's interests and if we can't give them mental health assistance when they're in harm's way, we're really falling down on the job."
88 active duty soldiers killed themselves in 2005, a number that was up 13% over 2003 and more than 70% over 2001.
Paul Rieckhoff, executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, calls the figures alarming. And he says an overstretched military and repeat tours of duty are taking a toll on soldiers.
Paul Rieckhoff: "The last rotation, roughly 40% were there for the second time. Many are there now for the 3rd or 4th time. Divorce rates are going up, the violence continues to increase, and roughly one in three are coming home with mental health issues or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, so our people are really showing signs of wear."
Senator Smith says he's very alarmed with the military suicides and says the armed forces must do more to address mental health issues.
Gordon Smith: "Well we're not acting enough, these are not illegitimate issues these are real medical problems and if we're going to ask people to go into harm's way to defend our country we need to have medical services in which mental health enjoys an equal setting with physical health."
Recent evidence suggests the Defense Department is not effective in referring soldiers for mental health care.
About 5% of soldiers who've fought in Iraq and Afghanistan met criteria for PTSD in a study by the Government Accountability Office. But only one in five of those soldiers were referred for treatment by military clinicians. The report also found different military branches vary widely in their referral practices.
The study's bottom line: the Pentagon cannot provide reasonable assurance that Afghanistan and Iraq service members who need referrals receive them.
To read the story in full, please click here
Defense officials say they are committing new resources to detecting and preventing suicidal behavior in soldiers, including those fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. But watchdogs -- and a recent government report -- suggest the Pentagon may not be doing enough to make sure at-risk personnel get treatment once they get home.
No legislation has been passed, but Oregon lawmakers are pushing the military to do more.
Gordon Smith: "It's a tragedy to ever lose a soldier for any cause, but it just seems extra cruel when the cause is suicide. They're defending our country, America's interests and if we can't give them mental health assistance when they're in harm's way, we're really falling down on the job."
88 active duty soldiers killed themselves in 2005, a number that was up 13% over 2003 and more than 70% over 2001.
Paul Rieckhoff, executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, calls the figures alarming. And he says an overstretched military and repeat tours of duty are taking a toll on soldiers.
Paul Rieckhoff: "The last rotation, roughly 40% were there for the second time. Many are there now for the 3rd or 4th time. Divorce rates are going up, the violence continues to increase, and roughly one in three are coming home with mental health issues or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, so our people are really showing signs of wear."
Senator Smith says he's very alarmed with the military suicides and says the armed forces must do more to address mental health issues.
Gordon Smith: "Well we're not acting enough, these are not illegitimate issues these are real medical problems and if we're going to ask people to go into harm's way to defend our country we need to have medical services in which mental health enjoys an equal setting with physical health."
Recent evidence suggests the Defense Department is not effective in referring soldiers for mental health care.
About 5% of soldiers who've fought in Iraq and Afghanistan met criteria for PTSD in a study by the Government Accountability Office. But only one in five of those soldiers were referred for treatment by military clinicians. The report also found different military branches vary widely in their referral practices.
The study's bottom line: the Pentagon cannot provide reasonable assurance that Afghanistan and Iraq service members who need referrals receive them.
Governor Barkley?
Former basketball star Charles Barkley says he's switched political teams from Republican to Democrat and is again talking about running for governor in his home state of Alabama, possibly in 2010.
"I really believe I was put on Earth to do more than play basketball and stockpile money," said Barkley, known as the Round Mound of Rebound. "I really want to help people improve their lives, and what's left is for me to decide how best to do that."
Barkley has been talking about running for governor of Alabama since he was playing with the Phoenix Suns in the 1990s.
Barkley continued to identify himself as a Republican until recently, when he switched parties. "I was a Republican until they lost their minds," he said earlier this month.
"I really believe I was put on Earth to do more than play basketball and stockpile money," said Barkley, known as the Round Mound of Rebound. "I really want to help people improve their lives, and what's left is for me to decide how best to do that."
Barkley has been talking about running for governor of Alabama since he was playing with the Phoenix Suns in the 1990s.
Barkley continued to identify himself as a Republican until recently, when he switched parties. "I was a Republican until they lost their minds," he said earlier this month.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Oregon Adopts Rules to Implement Mental Health Parity Bill
Oregon's Department of Consumer and Business Services has adopted administrative rules to implement the mental health parity bill passed by the 2005 Oregon Legislature. The rules were filed with the Secretary of State's Office on July 14, 2006. The law, which is effective Jan. 1, 2007, requires group health insurance policies to cover treatment of chemical dependency and mental or nervous conditions at the same level as other medical conditions.
To view the rule, visit here
To view the rule, visit here
Ireland worker finds ancient psalms in bog
Irish archaeologists Tuesday heralded the discovery of an ancient book of psalms by a construction worker who spotted something while driving the shovel of his backhoe into a bog.
The approximately 20-page book has been dated to the years 800-1000. Trinity College manuscripts expert Bernard Meehan said it was the first discovery of an Irish early medieval document in two centuries.
The approximately 20-page book has been dated to the years 800-1000. Trinity College manuscripts expert Bernard Meehan said it was the first discovery of an Irish early medieval document in two centuries.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Wireless comes to Rose City
Mike Rogoway of the Oregonian reports:
The Portland City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to proceed with a Wi-Fi network intended to provide free Web access in "95 percent" of the city.
The pioneering network will be built by a Silicon Valley startup called MetroFi Inc., which will fund the project itself and operate the system. MetroFi hopes to make money on the deal by selling wireless services to the city and through 1-inch ads that appear when Web surfers access the network.
Network construction will cost under $10 million, according to MetroFi, and starts today. The company will begin by unwiring a small portion of Portland's central east side for a "proof of concept" network due online by the end of September. MetroFi's contract gives the company two years to build out the rest of the city.
Big municipalities, including Philadelphia and San Francisco, plan their own citywide projects, too, but no metropolis has a free Wi-Fi network such as the one Portland plans.
Portland officials said Wednesday that they intend to use the network primarily to complement existing communications systems, not replace them. MetroFi's network will use a mix of wireless technologies, including microwaves and a new, long-range standard called WiMAX. Such technology may provide more reliability for city services than Wi-Fi.
Portland commissioners acknowledged Wednesday that the wireless project puts the city in uncharted territory. But they hailed the project as an opportunity to make the Internet more affordable without spending taxpayer money on network construction.
"It's a bet. We don't know whether this will work or not," said Commissioner Erik Sten. "I have my fingers crossed, and my laptop ready to turn on."
The Portland City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to proceed with a Wi-Fi network intended to provide free Web access in "95 percent" of the city.
The pioneering network will be built by a Silicon Valley startup called MetroFi Inc., which will fund the project itself and operate the system. MetroFi hopes to make money on the deal by selling wireless services to the city and through 1-inch ads that appear when Web surfers access the network.
Network construction will cost under $10 million, according to MetroFi, and starts today. The company will begin by unwiring a small portion of Portland's central east side for a "proof of concept" network due online by the end of September. MetroFi's contract gives the company two years to build out the rest of the city.
Big municipalities, including Philadelphia and San Francisco, plan their own citywide projects, too, but no metropolis has a free Wi-Fi network such as the one Portland plans.
Portland officials said Wednesday that they intend to use the network primarily to complement existing communications systems, not replace them. MetroFi's network will use a mix of wireless technologies, including microwaves and a new, long-range standard called WiMAX. Such technology may provide more reliability for city services than Wi-Fi.
Portland commissioners acknowledged Wednesday that the wireless project puts the city in uncharted territory. But they hailed the project as an opportunity to make the Internet more affordable without spending taxpayer money on network construction.
"It's a bet. We don't know whether this will work or not," said Commissioner Erik Sten. "I have my fingers crossed, and my laptop ready to turn on."
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Yahoo IM down?
You never know how much you miss something until its gone.
Here I come back and see my computer for the first time in weeks, plug into the Web to see which of my friends are online with Yahoo IM...
...And its DOWN!
I mean, the whole thing.
No one can get on. Its a worldwide outage apparently until sometime tomorrow.
And while I'm bummed out, from the online discussion boards you'd think people have had their water turned off.
Here I come back and see my computer for the first time in weeks, plug into the Web to see which of my friends are online with Yahoo IM...
...And its DOWN!
I mean, the whole thing.
No one can get on. Its a worldwide outage apparently until sometime tomorrow.
And while I'm bummed out, from the online discussion boards you'd think people have had their water turned off.
Back online...
I know my many readers (all two of you) have been wondering, "oh where, oh where is Dan?"
I've been at Mount Hood working at a summer camp for people with disabilities for the last two weeks.
So... come down off that ledge my friends...
I'm back.
I've been at Mount Hood working at a summer camp for people with disabilities for the last two weeks.
So... come down off that ledge my friends...
I'm back.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
OHSU launches healthcare reform blog
Oregon Health and Science University President Dr. Peter Kohler is host to a new blog on healthcare reform that will support debate among diverse thinkers and leaders in Oregon and beyond. The goal of the online forum is to generate possible solutions to the healthcare access crisis by providing a central place to share perspectives and ideas.
At least 600,000 Oregonians now lack health insurance, hundreds of thousands of others are underinsured and the numbers keep rising.
This online community is still growing, but already includes a nucleus group of 20 regular contributors from OHSU faculty, reform advocacy groups, government, the uninsured and healthcare providers. The Web site is open to the public with real-time posting for comments.
Topics will cover many facets of healthcare reform. So far, columns have been posted on the potential of computer technology to support healthcare teams of the future, a tally of current reform efforts, a discussion of policy changes that would help young adults afford health insurance and ideas about how to patch Oregon's frayed safety net.
The Web site address is rxforhealth.typepad.com.
At least 600,000 Oregonians now lack health insurance, hundreds of thousands of others are underinsured and the numbers keep rising.
This online community is still growing, but already includes a nucleus group of 20 regular contributors from OHSU faculty, reform advocacy groups, government, the uninsured and healthcare providers. The Web site is open to the public with real-time posting for comments.
Topics will cover many facets of healthcare reform. So far, columns have been posted on the potential of computer technology to support healthcare teams of the future, a tally of current reform efforts, a discussion of policy changes that would help young adults afford health insurance and ideas about how to patch Oregon's frayed safety net.
The Web site address is rxforhealth.typepad.com.
Microsoft? Spyware? No waaaay!
Microsoft's WGA, software for Windows, is supposed to prevent piracy, but it may violate consumer protection laws in Washington state and California, according to a new class action suit.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Leather is dead
The leather ball is now a thing of the past for the NBA.
In conjunction with manufacturer Spalding, the NBA on Wednesday introduced a new official game ball that will be used for the start of the 2006-07 season.
This is the first change to the game ball since 1970 and just the second in the last 60 years.
In conjunction with manufacturer Spalding, the NBA on Wednesday introduced a new official game ball that will be used for the start of the 2006-07 season.
This is the first change to the game ball since 1970 and just the second in the last 60 years.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
MJ is back! (...Again)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Michael Jordan is back in the NBA, resuming his basketball career in the state where it started.
Jordan became part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats on Thursday in a deal that gives him a stake in most of majority partner Robert Johnson's ventures.
Jordan's investment makes him second only to Johnson as the largest individual owner of the Bobcats.
Johnson, who spent $300 million on the expansion Bobcats in 2002, said Jordan will be the managing member of basketball operations.
Jordan became part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats on Thursday in a deal that gives him a stake in most of majority partner Robert Johnson's ventures.
Jordan's investment makes him second only to Johnson as the largest individual owner of the Bobcats.
Johnson, who spent $300 million on the expansion Bobcats in 2002, said Jordan will be the managing member of basketball operations.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Governor, Legislators Agree On Plan To Revamp Mental Health Care
Experts warn one part of the Oregon State Hospital in Salem could crumble in a moderately-sized earthquake.
Late last week, legislative leaders and Governor Ted Kulongoski agreed on a plan they say will not only replace the 123-year old facility, but revamp Oregon's entire mental health system over the next five years.
Late last week, legislative leaders and Governor Ted Kulongoski agreed on a plan they say will not only replace the 123-year old facility, but revamp Oregon's entire mental health system over the next five years.
Cool company moves closer
The Oregonian reports that online DVD rental company Netflix Inc. plans to move its customer service center from near its Bay Area headquarters to Tanasbourne, according to Hillsboro city officials.
The company, which mails movies to subscribers who order online, will employ about 100 with plans to expand the number of employees in the future, said John Southgate, Hillsboro's economic development manager.
The company, which mails movies to subscribers who order online, will employ about 100 with plans to expand the number of employees in the future, said John Southgate, Hillsboro's economic development manager.
Monday, June 12, 2006
"Time and tide wait for no man..."
Marvel at the amazing temporary works of art which will be washed away with the incoming tide or join in the sand sculpting at the 42nd annual Cannon Beach Sandcastle Day. It's one of the largest sandcastle contests on the west coast; featuring several age divisions, kids through masters. Sculpting begins in the morning around 9:15am, and the creations of the sand are swallowed by the waves by mid-afternoon. Artwork by Donny Masterson.Visit cannonbeach.org
Thursday, June 08, 2006
You too, can be a border patrol agent from your couch and wearing your jammies...
The governor of Texas wants to turn all the world into a virtual posse. The AP is reporting that Governor Rick Perry has announced a $5 million plan to install hundreds of night-vision cameras on private land along the Mexican border and put the live video on the Internet, so that anyone with a computer who spots illegal immigrants trying to slip across can report it on a toll-free hot line.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Glad to be here
Its been one week since I had a near fatal accident that shutdown
highway 26 in Portland. Ultimately, a one car accident with only
myself and Rachelle in the passenger seat suffered only minor
bruising, stiffness and swelling that has since subsided, and a
chipped bone in my right thumb. I've heard airbags older than five
years or so have inflicted signifgant injuries on impact to
passengers. The 11 year old airbags in our accident worked perfectly,
despite her 1995 Volkswagen Jetta being totaled after hitting a
barricade dividing east from west, ricocheting across three lanes of
traffic (avoiding the other cars) and finally coming to a stop after
hitting the opposite barricade head on.
It was Memorial Day and I was meeting my family for a picnic. I was
changing lanes from the center to the left. By the time I noticed the
car in my blind spot I was too close to him, I thought, and corrected
to the right with the intent to return to my lane and avoid hitting him.
Doing so I corrected to far and again corrected left to stay in
my lane and hit the first barricade. The whole accident took less then
three seconds I would guess. It felt like three days.
Ironically, a near fatal accident I had in Phoenix 12 years ago
involved me crashing my motorcycle at over 60 miles and hour having
these identical injuries: minor stiffness, swelling... and a chipped
bone in my right thumb.
I am so thankful to God, my family and Rachelle's, my co-workers, and
friends for their love and support.
Glad to be here.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Nail biter
Steve Nash (far right) and Leandro Barbosa of Phoenix celebrate after taking the lead with 0.5 seconds left on the clock in game one of the Western Conference Finals against the Mavericks in Dallas. Nash's best friend, Dallas superstar Dirk Nowitzki is also seen looking... well... not pleased.
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Suns roll on
The Suns played larger than life again, ending the season for another L.A. team with a 127-107 rout that puts this undermanned, undersized Suns team right back where it was a year ago.Photo: Michael Chow/The Arizona Republic
Memorial wall arrives in Portland
oregonlive.com: Several hundred motorcyclists, many of them Vietnam veterans, provided a double file honor guard Tuesday for a replica of the Vietnam Memorial as it was trucked to Portland.
The line of motorcycles - Harley-Davidsons predominated - stretched as far as half a mile behind the flag-emblazoned tractor/trailer carrying the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall Experience, a three-quarter-scale replica of the famous monument that is touring 20 American cities this summer from Arizona to Virginia.
Portland is the only Oregon stop for the wall, which, even at three-quarter scale is eight feet tall and 240 feet long.
After it is set up Wednesday it will have school tours during the day Thursday and private ceremonies for Vietnam veterans that night. It opens to the public at 3 p.m. Friday and can be visited around the clock through Monday night at Lincoln Memorial Park, 11801 S.E. Mt. Scott Blvd
Although closing ceremonies are 1 p.m. Sunday, thanks to a last-minute decison, the wall will be left assembled and open through Memorial Day, said Dan Serres, general manager of Lincoln Memorial Park. He expects as many as 100,000 visitors.
The line of motorcycles - Harley-Davidsons predominated - stretched as far as half a mile behind the flag-emblazoned tractor/trailer carrying the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall Experience, a three-quarter-scale replica of the famous monument that is touring 20 American cities this summer from Arizona to Virginia.
Portland is the only Oregon stop for the wall, which, even at three-quarter scale is eight feet tall and 240 feet long.
After it is set up Wednesday it will have school tours during the day Thursday and private ceremonies for Vietnam veterans that night. It opens to the public at 3 p.m. Friday and can be visited around the clock through Monday night at Lincoln Memorial Park, 11801 S.E. Mt. Scott Blvd
Although closing ceremonies are 1 p.m. Sunday, thanks to a last-minute decison, the wall will be left assembled and open through Memorial Day, said Dan Serres, general manager of Lincoln Memorial Park. He expects as many as 100,000 visitors.
FYI: SafeNet - Safety net
SafeNet is a free and confidential help line that helps women, children and teens find health care and public services and provides information about eligibility for the Oregon Health Plan and other low-cost health insurance options. Call 1-800-723-3638 or call 503-988-5858 in Clackamas, Washington and Multnomah counties.
Details at: www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/imm/safenet.shtml
Details at: www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/imm/safenet.shtml
Monday, May 22, 2006
Game 7 Tonight: Win or go home
Former Suns teammates, Nash and Sam Cassell wish each other luck at center court. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE Photos)
Friday, May 19, 2006
Great book sale at my alma mater
Portland State University’s library will hold its quarterly surplus book sale starting June 1. Tables overflowing with thousands of book bargains will be located on the ground floor of the PSU Millar Library. Proceeds from this sale will benefit the PSU Library, the region's largest academic library.
When:
Thursday, June 1, 2006, Noon – 9 p.m.
Friday, June 2, 2006, 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 3, 2006, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 4, 2006, Noon – 9 p.m.
Where:
Ground floor of PSU’s Millar Library (1875 S.W. Park Ave.).
Cost:
Admission is free and open to the public.
Prices are $1 for paperbacks, $2 for hardcover books and 25 cents – $2 for records, sheet music, cds, tapes, videos, maps and magazines.
When:
Thursday, June 1, 2006, Noon – 9 p.m.
Friday, June 2, 2006, 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 3, 2006, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 4, 2006, Noon – 9 p.m.
Where:
Ground floor of PSU’s Millar Library (1875 S.W. Park Ave.).
Cost:
Admission is free and open to the public.
Prices are $1 for paperbacks, $2 for hardcover books and 25 cents – $2 for records, sheet music, cds, tapes, videos, maps and magazines.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Talk to me...
Kobe Bryant said Charles Barkley was wrong to call him "selfish" for not trying to score more during Game 7 of the Lakers' playoff loss to Phoenix.
Bryant took only three shots and scored one point during the second half of the Lakers' 121-90 loss to the Suns in the deciding game of their first-round series. Barkley was critical of Bryant's play on the air, believing he should have tried to take over the offense when his team needed it.
The criticism upset Bryant, who told Barkley so during dozens of text message responses he sent to Barkley's phone.
So, Kobe is so busy now that his team's season is over he can't pick up the phone and call Barkley?
Bryant took only three shots and scored one point during the second half of the Lakers' 121-90 loss to the Suns in the deciding game of their first-round series. Barkley was critical of Bryant's play on the air, believing he should have tried to take over the offense when his team needed it.
The criticism upset Bryant, who told Barkley so during dozens of text message responses he sent to Barkley's phone.
So, Kobe is so busy now that his team's season is over he can't pick up the phone and call Barkley?
SAMHSA Awards $9.6 Million for Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Programs
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Administrator Charles Curie today announced almost $9.6 million over three years for eight new grants to support national suicide prevention efforts. The first year grant total is almost $3.2 million. This grant program is authorized under the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, which provides funding for programs to combat suicide.
"Each of these new grantees will help fill a significant need in their community." Curie said.
Nationally, an estimated 900,000 youth had made a plan to commit suicide during their worst or most recent episode of major depression, and 712,000 attempted suicide during such an episode. The data are from SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Further grants will be awarded this year under announcements of available funding for campus suicide prevention grants, state-sponsored suicide prevention and post-hurricane Katrina suicide prevention.
The eight grants announced today will be administered by SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services to the following:
Alaska, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Montana, Wisconsin, Utah and...
Oregon Department of Human Services -- $400,000 in the first year and similar amounts in subsequent years to reduce suicide among youth ages 10-24. The program will be implemented in Lane County, Josephine County, Jackson County, Baker County, Umatilla County, Union County, and Wallowa County, and at the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation. Expected short-term outcomes include: increased referrals to care; increased linkage to care; decreased barriers to care; increased knowledge among clinicians, crisis response workers, school staff, youth, and lay persons; and increased social support for survivors.
SAMHSA is a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation's substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment and mental health service delivery systems.
"Each of these new grantees will help fill a significant need in their community." Curie said.
Nationally, an estimated 900,000 youth had made a plan to commit suicide during their worst or most recent episode of major depression, and 712,000 attempted suicide during such an episode. The data are from SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Further grants will be awarded this year under announcements of available funding for campus suicide prevention grants, state-sponsored suicide prevention and post-hurricane Katrina suicide prevention.
The eight grants announced today will be administered by SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services to the following:
Alaska, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Montana, Wisconsin, Utah and...
Oregon Department of Human Services -- $400,000 in the first year and similar amounts in subsequent years to reduce suicide among youth ages 10-24. The program will be implemented in Lane County, Josephine County, Jackson County, Baker County, Umatilla County, Union County, and Wallowa County, and at the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation. Expected short-term outcomes include: increased referrals to care; increased linkage to care; decreased barriers to care; increased knowledge among clinicians, crisis response workers, school staff, youth, and lay persons; and increased social support for survivors.
SAMHSA is a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation's substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment and mental health service delivery systems.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
2-2
The Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers have found ways to win while playing to the other's strengths through the first four games of their playoff series. It remains to be seen what style each club will employ when the teams meet at the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix for a pivotal Game 5 tonight.
"It's not as bleak as it seems -- we're 2-2," Suns coach D'Antoni said. "You play all year to defend your home court. If we're good enough, we'll do it and advance to the next round. If not, hats off to them."
The series returns to Staples Center for Game 6 on Thursday.
"It's not as bleak as it seems -- we're 2-2," Suns coach D'Antoni said. "You play all year to defend your home court. If we're good enough, we'll do it and advance to the next round. If not, hats off to them."
The series returns to Staples Center for Game 6 on Thursday.
New toys
This photo from Apple shows new MacBook laptops released yesterday. Apple is getting closer to the completion of its historic shift to microprocessors used by its PC rivals. The 13-inch widescreen MacBooks feature Intel Core Duo chips that Apple says boost the laptops' performance by four to five times compared to their predecessors. (AP Photo/Apple Computer Inc., Johansen Krause)
Surf at the "paahhk"
NEW YORK (AFP) - New York's Central Park and a number of other public spaces will become public Internet hubs starting this summer when the city's parks begin offering free wireless net access, the city government said.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Nash-ville
(At right) The front page of Monday's Arizona RepublicLast year, Nash became just the second point guard in 40 years to win the prestigious award after leading the Phoenix Suns to the best record in the NBA.
Nash joined Magic Johnson as the only point guards to win MVP awards since Oscar Robertson won for Cincinnati in 1964.
At 6-3, Nash also is among the shortest MVPs in history, joining 6-1 Bob Cousy and 6- foot Allen Iverson.
This year, Amaré Stoudemire's knee surgery deprived the Suns of their top scorer and Nash led the team to 54 wins and its first repeat division title with only Shawn Marion and Leandro Barbosa back for a full season. Like a true superstar, Nash made the supporting cast around him better. Barbosa and Marion have had career years as well as new additions Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, James Jones and Eddie House.
The driving force of the Suns' relentless up-tempo attack, Nash led the league with 10.5 assists per game and set career highs in points (18.8), rebounds (4.2), field-goal percentage (51.2) and free-throw percentage (92.1).
Nash is the the first international and Suns player to win twice. Only eight previous players repeated as MVP winners. Magic Johnson was the only point guard to do so.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Redemption
Two time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash celebrates on his way to the locker room after the Suns defeated the Lakers in Game 7 Saturday night. The Suns became just the 8th team in NBA playoff history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit.Photos: Rob Schumacher, Arizona Republic
It's official...
Steve Nash won the NBA's Most Valuable Player award for the second straight year Sunday, beating runner-up LeBron James by a comfortable margin.
The award was presented Sunday at a news conference at US Airways Center, where Phoenix won Game 7 of its first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
The Phoenix Suns point guard received 57 first-place votes and 924 points overall from a panel of 125 sports writers and broadcasters in the United States and Canada.
James of Cleveland had 16 first-place votes and 688 points overall. Nash's close friend Dirk Nowitzki of Dallas was third with 14 first-place ballots and 544 overall.
The 32-year-old Nash is the ninth player to win consecutive MVP awards.
Last season, he directed the Suns to an NBA-best 62 victories. This year, the Suns lost Amare Stoudemire to injury and traded Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson. Yet they still won 54 games and a second straight Pacific Division title.
This season, Nash had career highs in scoring (18.8 points), rebounding (4.2), field goal percentage (.512) and free throw percentage (a league-leading .921). He led the league in assists at 10.5 a game and finished sixth in 3-point percentage at 43.9.
Others who have won consecutive MVP awards are Tim Duncan, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Moses Malone, Kareem-Abdul Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell.
The award was presented Sunday at a news conference at US Airways Center, where Phoenix won Game 7 of its first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
The Phoenix Suns point guard received 57 first-place votes and 924 points overall from a panel of 125 sports writers and broadcasters in the United States and Canada.
James of Cleveland had 16 first-place votes and 688 points overall. Nash's close friend Dirk Nowitzki of Dallas was third with 14 first-place ballots and 544 overall.
The 32-year-old Nash is the ninth player to win consecutive MVP awards.
Last season, he directed the Suns to an NBA-best 62 victories. This year, the Suns lost Amare Stoudemire to injury and traded Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson. Yet they still won 54 games and a second straight Pacific Division title.
This season, Nash had career highs in scoring (18.8 points), rebounding (4.2), field goal percentage (.512) and free throw percentage (a league-leading .921). He led the league in assists at 10.5 a game and finished sixth in 3-point percentage at 43.9.
Others who have won consecutive MVP awards are Tim Duncan, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Moses Malone, Kareem-Abdul Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Game 7 Cometh
Suns run in OT, force Game 7Series shifts back to Phoenix for Game 7 Saturday
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
LOS ANGELES - The Suns' locker room was euphoric through the exhaustion as they relived Tim Thomas' three-pointer that put Game 6 in overtime and the deluge of seven straight made Suns shots in overtime that gave the Suns a 126-118 victory over the Lakers.
Then, Steve Nash walked it and told everybody, "Guys, calm down. We're only up 4-2 and we've got another game to go," referencing how they felt Game 4 was stolen from them to set up the scenario of needing to win three straight games.
Now, the Lakers will find out what it is like to play a game under the diress of win or go home. With the series tied at 3, the Suns are a Saturday home win away from what seemed darn near impossible quest at the start of week - become the eighth team in NBA history to win a series after being down 3-1.
Phoenix now has a date with destiny: Game 7, 5:30 p.m., US Airways Center. And Raja Bell, suspended for Thursday's game and watching at a L.A. restaurant full of Lakers fans, can come along this time because Shawn Marion got a piece of Kobe Bryant's game-winning try at the end of regulation.
"It was amazing," Bell said. "It was kind of surreal. I don't have kids so this is the proudest I've ever been. I'm struggling for words. That was bigtime. I'm more emotionally drained than if I had played the game."
Hear the audio highlights from the greatest broadcaster ever, Al McCoy.
Photo: Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
One for the history books
Lakers coach Phil Jackson has won nine NBA titles and had this to say after L.A. beat Phoenix Sunday:"I can't remember a game that was perhaps as dramatic as that one."
"It goes back perhaps to the Phoenix series (in 1993)," he said. "We had a triple overtime game against Phoenix in Chicago, where a lot of things happened, there were many lead changes at the end. It was one of those kind of games where it was a heartbreak to lose, and kind of a joy to win."
The Suns beat the Phil Jackson coached and Michael Jordan led Chicago Bulls in that triple overtime game during the 1993 NBA Finals where the Bulls went on to win the series 4-2.
Seven teams in NBA history have come back to win a playoff series after being down 3-1, as Phoenix is.
"To win three in a row is difficult," Nash said, "but they've done it to us and there's absolutely no way that we're incapable of doing it to them."
(AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Friday, April 28, 2006
Paul Connors/Associated Press
Thursday, April 27, 2006
MVP x2
The Arizona Republic is reporting that Nash will win the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for the second straight season. The NBA is not expected to announce the MVP until early May.(Ron Hoskins/NBAE/Getty Images)
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Highlights Game 1
The best broadcaster in the business, Al McCoy, is featured in this recap of Game 1 Suns / Lakers.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
1-0 ...Suns
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant hides his face during the final seconds of a 107-102 loss to Phoenix. The win gives Phoenix a 1-0 lead in the first round best of seven series. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
Playoffs today
NBA PlayoffsPhoenix vs. L.A. Lakers
First Round - Game 1: Sun April 23
Lakers at Suns 12:30pm (PST) ABC TV
"I'm coming to play," Marion said of the matchup. "We're going to go out with one thing we're focusing on - that big-ass trophy at the end of the road."
Photo: Arizona Republic
Friday, April 21, 2006
Child protection legislation
Yesterday, The Oregon House approved HB3511 by a 54-6 vote. That bill would triple the minimum prison sentence for adults convicted of rape, sodomy, sexual penetration or kidnapping of a child 11 or younger, from eight years and four months to 25 years, plus post-prison supervision for life. The Senate approved the bill by a 30-0 vote. Gov. Ted Kulongoski is expected to sign the legislation into law this month.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Oregon Receives Suicide-Prevention Grant Money
Kristian Foden-Vencil, OPB
Oregon's senators announced Thursday a $400,000 suicide prevention grant for the state.
The money will come from the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, which passed in 2004 and is named for Senator Gordon Smith's son, Garrett, who took his life while at college.
Lisa Miette, with the Oregon Department of Human Services, says the tragedy has drawn attention to the issue and the grant will help in a number of ways.
Lisa Miette: "It will require hospitals to report suicide attempts treated in emergency rooms -- to facilitate outreach by local mental health. We will work with schools and communities to establish a comprehensive suicide prevention program, known as Safe Teen, in the schools."
The money will also provide suicide prevention training for people who work with youth and help businesses that employ people younger than 24 to establish their own programs.
Experts estimate that every three and a half hours someone is admitted to the hospital in Oregon following a suicide attempt.
About 60 youths kill themselves each year.
Oregon's senators announced Thursday a $400,000 suicide prevention grant for the state.
The money will come from the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, which passed in 2004 and is named for Senator Gordon Smith's son, Garrett, who took his life while at college.
Lisa Miette, with the Oregon Department of Human Services, says the tragedy has drawn attention to the issue and the grant will help in a number of ways.
Lisa Miette: "It will require hospitals to report suicide attempts treated in emergency rooms -- to facilitate outreach by local mental health. We will work with schools and communities to establish a comprehensive suicide prevention program, known as Safe Teen, in the schools."
The money will also provide suicide prevention training for people who work with youth and help businesses that employ people younger than 24 to establish their own programs.
Experts estimate that every three and a half hours someone is admitted to the hospital in Oregon following a suicide attempt.
About 60 youths kill themselves each year.
It's showtime
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- With a triple-double against the Trail Blazers, Steve Nash made it clear he is ready for the playoffs.
Nash had 16 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists, and the Phoenix Suns brought Portland's dismal season to a merciful end with a 106-96 victory Wednesday night.
"I'm ready to roll now. I'm excited," Nash said.
Shawn Marion had 32 points and 11 rebounds for the Suns, who had already clinched their second straight Pacific Division title.
The Suns will face the Los Angeles Lakers, who beat the New Orleans Hornets 115-95 Wednesday night to clinch seventh place in the Western Conference. The first-round, best-of-seven series opens Sunday in Phoenix.
"They've been playing well. It'll be tough," Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni said about the Lakers. "We have home-court advantage and we'll play our style of basketball and see where it goes."
"I'm coming to play," Marion said of the matchup. "We're going to go out with one thing we're focusing on - that big-ass trophy at the end of the road."
NBA Playoffs
Phoenix vs. L.A. Lakers
First Round
(Times listed are Phoenix time, which, at this time of
year is the same as Portland)
Game 1 Sun April 23 Lakers at Suns 12:30p ABC
Game 2 Wed April 26 Lakers at Suns 7:30p TNT
Game 3 Fri April 28 Suns at Lakers 7:30p ESPN
Game 4 Sun April 30 Suns at Lakers 12:30p ABC
Game 5 *Tue May 2 Lakers at Suns TBA TBA
Game 6 *Thu May 4 Suns at Lakers TBA TBA
Game 7 *Sat May 6 Lakers at Suns TBA TBA
Nash had 16 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists, and the Phoenix Suns brought Portland's dismal season to a merciful end with a 106-96 victory Wednesday night.
"I'm ready to roll now. I'm excited," Nash said.
Shawn Marion had 32 points and 11 rebounds for the Suns, who had already clinched their second straight Pacific Division title.
The Suns will face the Los Angeles Lakers, who beat the New Orleans Hornets 115-95 Wednesday night to clinch seventh place in the Western Conference. The first-round, best-of-seven series opens Sunday in Phoenix.
"They've been playing well. It'll be tough," Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni said about the Lakers. "We have home-court advantage and we'll play our style of basketball and see where it goes."
"I'm coming to play," Marion said of the matchup. "We're going to go out with one thing we're focusing on - that big-ass trophy at the end of the road."
NBA Playoffs
Phoenix vs. L.A. Lakers
First Round
(Times listed are Phoenix time, which, at this time of
year is the same as Portland)
Game 1 Sun April 23 Lakers at Suns 12:30p ABC
Game 2 Wed April 26 Lakers at Suns 7:30p TNT
Game 3 Fri April 28 Suns at Lakers 7:30p ESPN
Game 4 Sun April 30 Suns at Lakers 12:30p ABC
Game 5 *Tue May 2 Lakers at Suns TBA TBA
Game 6 *Thu May 4 Suns at Lakers TBA TBA
Game 7 *Sat May 6 Lakers at Suns TBA TBA
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Eat your Wheaties
Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns is being recognized with another honor -- his own Wheaties box. The package was unveiled today at the US Airways Center. Nash is the first Suns player to appear on the Wheaties box.
Nash, currently averaging more than 19 points and leading the league with over 10 assists per game, has his Suns poised for another strong playoff run.
Nash has made significant contributions off the court as well, including founding The Steve Nash Foundation in 2001 to help underserved children in their development and education.
"Appearing on the Wheaties box is a great honor for me," Nash said. "The list of basketball greats who have been on the box through the years is legendary, with guys like Jordan, Bird, West and Cousy. I'm honored to be included among that group."
"Steve Nash provides a great source of inspiration for anyone who is reaching for their dream," said Eric Treschuk, Wheaties Marketing Manager. "No one works harder or plays the game more unselfishly, but his dedication and perseverance truly set him apart. Wheaties is thrilled to welcome him into the family."
The new 12- and 18-ounce Steve Nash Wheaties packages will be sold nationally by the end of April.
Nash, currently averaging more than 19 points and leading the league with over 10 assists per game, has his Suns poised for another strong playoff run.
Nash has made significant contributions off the court as well, including founding The Steve Nash Foundation in 2001 to help underserved children in their development and education.
"Appearing on the Wheaties box is a great honor for me," Nash said. "The list of basketball greats who have been on the box through the years is legendary, with guys like Jordan, Bird, West and Cousy. I'm honored to be included among that group."
"Steve Nash provides a great source of inspiration for anyone who is reaching for their dream," said Eric Treschuk, Wheaties Marketing Manager. "No one works harder or plays the game more unselfishly, but his dedication and perseverance truly set him apart. Wheaties is thrilled to welcome him into the family."
The new 12- and 18-ounce Steve Nash Wheaties packages will be sold nationally by the end of April.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Macworld: News: ThinkFree Office Online adds Flickr support
The online version of ThinkFree Office, the free Microsoft Office alternative, now adds support for Flickr, the free photo blogging and sharing service owned by Yahoo.
ThinkFree Office online software lets you access your documents from any compatible computer that can access the Web.
ThinkFree Office is a Mac, Linux and Windows-compatible productivity software suite that provides word processing, presentation software and spreadsheet calculation software that uses the same file formats as Microsoft’s Word, Excel and PowerPoint software.
The new feature lets ThinkFree Office Online users connect to their Flickr accounts, adding images to their documents.
ThinkFree Office online software lets you access your documents from any compatible computer that can access the Web.
ThinkFree Office is a Mac, Linux and Windows-compatible productivity software suite that provides word processing, presentation software and spreadsheet calculation software that uses the same file formats as Microsoft’s Word, Excel and PowerPoint software.
The new feature lets ThinkFree Office Online users connect to their Flickr accounts, adding images to their documents.
Vice President booed in Washington
Greeted with loud boos, Vice President Dick Cheney threw out the ceremonial first pitch earlier this week at the Washington Nationals’ home opener.
Think we're trying to say something, Dick?
Think we're trying to say something, Dick?
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Disappointed Blazers fans can cheer for new team on the rise
The Portland LumberJax won the West Division Title tonight with their win against the Swarm at Minnesota, 13-8. The win gives Portland an 11-5 record for the season, and the Jax are riding a six-game winning streak into the playoffs. They will host the West Division semi-final game next Saturday, April 22 at 7:30p in the Rose Garden against fourth-seeded Arizona Sting. The LumberJax are the first expansion team in league history to clinch a division title.
The Portland LumberJax (www.PortlandJax.com)were founded on May 11, 2005 as an expansion franchise in the National Lacrosse League, which features the best lacrosse players in the world. The LumberJax are owned by the youngest majority owner in professional sports, 24-year-old Angela Batinovich.
The Portland LumberJax (www.PortlandJax.com)were founded on May 11, 2005 as an expansion franchise in the National Lacrosse League, which features the best lacrosse players in the world. The LumberJax are owned by the youngest majority owner in professional sports, 24-year-old Angela Batinovich.
Macworld: Study: Windows Media loses ground to Apple H.264
StreamingMedia.com compares Apple's QuickTime H.264 codec to other video compression standards.
Report: Amazon plans to take-on iTunes, iPod
Amazon plans to take on Apple in the digital music business with its own online store and portable music player, the Wall Street Journal reports.
EvolutionTV PVR adds iPod, PSP video compression
The updated software adds real time video compression for video iPods and Sony Playstation Portables (PSP), removing the need to go through software exporting to those devices.
Dogs Dispatched to Comfort Ill Children
Therapy dogs, so often associated with nursing homes, have expanded their range. The trained animals now comfort people everywhere from disaster sites to hospitals, schools, even prisons. A recent trend is for dogs to work in libraries, helping children practice reading aloud. The dogs provide an attentive, non-judgmental audience for young readers still building up their confidence.
Therapy dogs were dispatched to Ground Zero after the Sept. 11 attacks and to the Gulf Coast after Katrina. They have been a big hit at facilities serving emotionally troubled or learning disabled children.
"The demand is always more than the supply," says Kelly Morrone, a manager of volunteer services. "Never enough dogs."
Therapy dogs were dispatched to Ground Zero after the Sept. 11 attacks and to the Gulf Coast after Katrina. They have been a big hit at facilities serving emotionally troubled or learning disabled children.
"The demand is always more than the supply," says Kelly Morrone, a manager of volunteer services. "Never enough dogs."
Friday, April 14, 2006
Nash's season over
I nearly had a heart attack when I read that headline on the Arizona Republic's website.
Reading further, I learned that the season is over for Tyson Nash, who plays left wing for the Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona's pro hockey team.
Coyotes General Manager Mike Barnett said earlier this week Tyson Nash likely would undergo season ending surgery to correct a bone defect in his right knee.
Phoenix Suns superstar Steve Nash is just fine.
Deliberate or not, I'm sure the article's author, David Vest, got what every writer wants: the reader's attention.
Reading further, I learned that the season is over for Tyson Nash, who plays left wing for the Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona's pro hockey team.
Coyotes General Manager Mike Barnett said earlier this week Tyson Nash likely would undergo season ending surgery to correct a bone defect in his right knee.
Phoenix Suns superstar Steve Nash is just fine.
Deliberate or not, I'm sure the article's author, David Vest, got what every writer wants: the reader's attention.
Nash to return to birthplace
Nash will go to Johannesburg in September as part of Basketball Without Borders' annual outreach camps around the world promoting basketball, education and HIV/AIDS awareness.Nash's wife, Alejandra, was as interested as he and they pursued the South Africa camp.
Nash was born in South Africa, where his father was a pro soccer player, but left when he was 1.
"You're excited with the steps they've taken and you're frustrated that some have taken so long," Nash said. "Now, we're facing a new crisis in Africa. It never ends for those people and it's one we've turned our backs on for a long, long time."
Photo: Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic
Mac-compatible Ding ready for takeoff
"Ding", Southwest Airlines airfare-tracking application added Mac compatibility recently. Ding sits on your desktop, awaiting news from Southwest of any fare deals. When the airline sends out such a message, the application notifies you with a "ding".
Ding has been available to Windows users for a little more than a year leaving some Mac users feeling stranded at the gate by Southwest.
“My husband is an avid Mac user,” said Anne Murray, the airline’s senior director of Internet marketing. “So how would you like to have been me for the past year?”
Ding has been available to Windows users for a little more than a year leaving some Mac users feeling stranded at the gate by Southwest.
“My husband is an avid Mac user,” said Anne Murray, the airline’s senior director of Internet marketing. “So how would you like to have been me for the past year?”
TunePower gives video iPod extra juice
Belkin's TunePower provides iPod video users with up to six additional hours of video playtime.
Microsoft readying PSP challenger, reports say
Published reports claim that Microsoft is developing a portable gaming device that also plays video and music.
PlayStation 3 will outsell Xbox 360, In-Stat says
Despite the delay of the PlayStation 3, Sony is expected to continue its domination of the game console market.
"If you need help, hang up and dial Jajah"
Jajah is a new telephony service that uses your existing phone and a Web browser to make and accept calls.
Historic Journey
Greenpeace Arctic explorers, Lonnie Dupre and Eric Larsen, are gearing up for a grueling expedition to highlight global warming and help save the polar bear.
This will be first ever unsupported summer crossing of the Arctic Ocean.
The team will depart from Ward Hunt Island, Canada on May 1st.
Visit their website dedicated to the trek at ProjectThinIce.org
This will be first ever unsupported summer crossing of the Arctic Ocean.
The team will depart from Ward Hunt Island, Canada on May 1st.
Visit their website dedicated to the trek at ProjectThinIce.org
IRS still putting taxpayer data at risk
The IRS is continuing to put taxpayer data at risk, according to a report from the US GAO.
Macworld: News: Avie Tevanian to leave Apple
The man behind Mac OS X is leaving Apple to pursue other interests.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
King summer special
Turner Network Television (TNT), which scored big last year with the adaptation of Stephen King's Salem's Lot, is scaring up a top notch cast for its latest venture into King territory, NIGHTMARES & DREAMSCAPES: FROM THE STORIES OF STEPHEN KING. This anthology series of eight one-hour episodes adapted from King's short stories will feature such notable performers as Emmy winner and Oscar® nominee William H. Macy, Emmy winner Kim Delaney (NYPD Blue, CSI: Miami), Steven Weber (The Shining, Wings), Jeremy Sisto (Six Feet Under) and Oscar® winner William Hurt (Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Village).NIGHTMARES & DREAMSCAPES will premiere on TNT in summer 2006.
Swimming in a basketball court
“Liquid Freedom” is the title given to Sprite’s TV ad, featuring a basketball court that morphs into a swimming pool. The advertisement was launched in Australia in March 2005, making it to the Cannes Lions shortlist for 2005. See the ad here.
ABC takes shows online for free, with ads
ABC plans to offer four shows for online viewing, for free.
NBA Commissioner: Seattle 'not interested in having the NBA there'
David Stern gave another warning that the SuperSonics could eventually leave Seattle, saying Thursday that the city is, "not interested in having the NBA there."
Macworld: Apple's greatest hits: 30 significant products
Macworld editors came up with the idea of celebrating Apple's 30 years of existence by selecting a number of interesting, memorable, and just plain cool releases from the company.
Dave Matthews Band catalog now on iTunes
Due to fan feedback, Dave Matthews has made his entire catalog available on iTunes.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
"Internet cloud" in Portland's forecast
The Oregonian reports...
Portland picked MetroFi Inc. today to build a citywide wireless Internet cloud.
California-based MetroFi said it plans to offer free, advertising-supported wireless Internet access in Portland at download speeds of 1 megabit per second, with uploads at 256 kilobits per second.
A banner ad would appear on users’ screens while they're online with MetroFi’s network, with ad revenue supporting the network. Subscribers could also pay for an advertising-free version for about $20 a month.
The decision still has to be approved by the Portland City Council. Portland said today that parts of the network could be online for preliminary tests this year, though it could take years to build out the entire system.
Portland picked MetroFi Inc. today to build a citywide wireless Internet cloud.
California-based MetroFi said it plans to offer free, advertising-supported wireless Internet access in Portland at download speeds of 1 megabit per second, with uploads at 256 kilobits per second.
A banner ad would appear on users’ screens while they're online with MetroFi’s network, with ad revenue supporting the network. Subscribers could also pay for an advertising-free version for about $20 a month.
The decision still has to be approved by the Portland City Council. Portland said today that parts of the network could be online for preliminary tests this year, though it could take years to build out the entire system.
Friday, April 07, 2006
Honey, I'm taking the train downtown to grab some cash!
Last night, at about 6:00 p.m. (during the peak of rush hour) a man walked into the Wells Fargo Bank at 635 S.W. Sixth Ave. in downtown Portland, demanded cash, then left on foot and boarded a MAX train, Portland's public light rail transit system.
Portland police officers captured the man a short time later on another MAX train. He was being held in Multnomah County jail Thursday night and is expected to be formally charged today. His identity was not released.
Ironically, an unconventional robbery took place earler the same day. At a Washington Mutual Bank in Clackamas, a man in his late teens or early 20s, walked into the bank, demanded cash, threatened a weapon and left on a mountain bike, witnesses told investigators.
A mountain bike.
Portland police officers captured the man a short time later on another MAX train. He was being held in Multnomah County jail Thursday night and is expected to be formally charged today. His identity was not released.
Ironically, an unconventional robbery took place earler the same day. At a Washington Mutual Bank in Clackamas, a man in his late teens or early 20s, walked into the bank, demanded cash, threatened a weapon and left on a mountain bike, witnesses told investigators.
A mountain bike.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Temperature drop in Hell
Hi everyone!
I'm in shock at this news I read today. It IS computer news, and Mac news at that... (Apple's stocks jumped as a result) ...But technology experts are saying this effects both Mac and PC users in a big way.
It's not quite Coke saying to Pepsi: "It's all good, we're friends now..."
But its close.
Think of it as having your cake and eating it to.
Or having the the best parts of two of your favorite cars in one.
Here are parts of the official news story....
Maccentral - Jim Dalrymple
Apple today introduced Boot Camp , new public-beta software for Mac OS X that lets users of Intel Macs boot directly into Microsoft Windows XP.
"After we released the Intel-based Macs we had a lot of customer requests asking if it's possible to run Windows on those machines," Brian Croll, Apple's senior director of Software Product Marketing, told Macworld. "We decided we would help it along by creating Boot Camp."
The software, available today as a public preview version of a feature from the forthcoming Mac OS X Leopard, includes an assistant application to aid with drive partitioning and the installation of Windows drivers for Mac hardware.
When you run the application, Boot Camp prompts you to burn a CD, which contains all of the necessary drivers to run networking, Bluetooth, graphics and other functions in Windows. After the Windows install is complete, you insert the disk and it automatically installs the drivers.
Previously Apple executives had suggested that the company "wouldn't stop" owners of Intel-based Macs from booting into Windows XP. With Boot Camp, Apple is giving them a leg up on the process.
However, Apple made it very clear that Windows would not be made available on future Macs and the company would not support the operating system.
"We are not going to sell or support Windows," said Apple's Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing David Moody. "You have to bring your own Windows."
Time will tell if running Windows natively on a Macintosh will help sales of hardware, but Apple believes it eliminates one obstacle for many users.
"This will really help a lot of folks make up their mind whether to move over to the Mac," said Croll. "We think this makes the Mac even more appealing for all those Windows users who are considering the switch."
I'm in shock at this news I read today. It IS computer news, and Mac news at that... (Apple's stocks jumped as a result) ...But technology experts are saying this effects both Mac and PC users in a big way.
It's not quite Coke saying to Pepsi: "It's all good, we're friends now..."
But its close.
Think of it as having your cake and eating it to.
Or having the the best parts of two of your favorite cars in one.
Here are parts of the official news story....
Maccentral - Jim Dalrymple
Apple today introduced Boot Camp , new public-beta software for Mac OS X that lets users of Intel Macs boot directly into Microsoft Windows XP.
"After we released the Intel-based Macs we had a lot of customer requests asking if it's possible to run Windows on those machines," Brian Croll, Apple's senior director of Software Product Marketing, told Macworld. "We decided we would help it along by creating Boot Camp."
The software, available today as a public preview version of a feature from the forthcoming Mac OS X Leopard, includes an assistant application to aid with drive partitioning and the installation of Windows drivers for Mac hardware.
When you run the application, Boot Camp prompts you to burn a CD, which contains all of the necessary drivers to run networking, Bluetooth, graphics and other functions in Windows. After the Windows install is complete, you insert the disk and it automatically installs the drivers.
Previously Apple executives had suggested that the company "wouldn't stop" owners of Intel-based Macs from booting into Windows XP. With Boot Camp, Apple is giving them a leg up on the process.
However, Apple made it very clear that Windows would not be made available on future Macs and the company would not support the operating system.
"We are not going to sell or support Windows," said Apple's Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing David Moody. "You have to bring your own Windows."
Time will tell if running Windows natively on a Macintosh will help sales of hardware, but Apple believes it eliminates one obstacle for many users.
"This will really help a lot of folks make up their mind whether to move over to the Mac," said Croll. "We think this makes the Mac even more appealing for all those Windows users who are considering the switch."
1...2...3...
Call it a coincidental sign of our digital times or a reason to stay up late and stare at the clock. Either way, early Wednesday morning the time and date will be:
01-02-03-04-05-06.
At 1:02 a.m. and three seconds on Wednesday, April 5, 2006, it will be the first hour of the day, the second minute of the hour, and the third second of that particular minute during the fifth day of the fourth month of "06".
"It just happens to be a chronological oddity," said Geoff Chester, spokesman for the U.S. Naval Observatory, an official world atomic clock timekeeper.
01-02-03-04-05-06.
At 1:02 a.m. and three seconds on Wednesday, April 5, 2006, it will be the first hour of the day, the second minute of the hour, and the third second of that particular minute during the fifth day of the fourth month of "06".
"It just happens to be a chronological oddity," said Geoff Chester, spokesman for the U.S. Naval Observatory, an official world atomic clock timekeeper.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Barkley headed to Hall
Charles Barkley, one of the most popular sports figures in Phoenix history, has been elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame, sources told The Arizona Republic on Saturday. Barkley was elected in his first year of eligibility. The official announcement is scheduled for Monday. Barkley was not immediately available for comment.
Barkley was the NBA's MVP in 1993 when he led the Suns to the NBA Finals before they lost to Chicago in six games. He averaged 23.4 points and 11.5 rebounds and was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history.
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