Even in hard times, one finds there’s still great optimism in the dreams of America’s popular culture. Here, from Marvel Comics and Columbia pictures, is a reboot of one of those dreams.
Enjoy.
Science/Nature
NASA’s Better Days, Our Still-Bright Future
by JOHN ADAMS •
More than a generation ago, NASA saw its greatest triumph, on this day in 1969, when Armstrong set foot on the moon. Even now, it’s a moving scene —
There’s superficial reason to be concerned about America’s future in space exploration — these are bleak days for NASA’s human space flight program (now more shell than anything else).
Yet, for all that, there’s reason to be optimistic — creative Americans are building private solutions that will make space exploration, and even travel, easier and cheaper than possible in 1969. Here’s a private launch (with NASA video) of Space X’s Falcon 9 —
Just a start, but our best accomplishments are yet ahead of us.
Daily Bread
Daily Bread for 7.20.11
by JOHN ADAMS •
Good morning.
Today should be Whitewater’s hottest day of the week, with a predicted high temperature of ninety-nine, and sunny skies.
The Wisconsin Historical Society notes that “on this day in 1976, Hank Aaron hit his 755th and last home run at Milwaukee County Stadium against the California Angels. [Source: Milwaukee Brewers].”
Here’s Vin Scully’s call of Aaron’s earlier, record-making 715th home run —
City, Government Spending, Taxes/Taxation
The Cost and Camouflage of Grants
by JOHN ADAMS •
There’s an item in the Whitewater city manager’s July 15th Weekly Report that shows how deceptive grants — supposedly free money — can be.
First, the cost. Grants for bridges, etc., aren’t free — someone had to earn that grant money, money that found its way to one public or quasi-public organization or another. When Whitewater gets several hundred thousand from an organization like the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, it’s not getting something that doesn’t come at a cost to Whitewater and Wisconsin.
(WEDC is Gov. Walker’s replacement for the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, and he chairs its board of directors. They don’t have a printing press; they do have funding from taxes. How much? Millions upon millions in taxes.)
Second, the camouflage. Even after the taxpayer-funded grant money, there’s still often shortfall (as in this case, as in the case with the Innovation Center) that the city pays through municipal indebtedness. With a bridge on North Street, that’s still hundreds of thousand in debt, after hundreds of thousands in tax revenue. We need a new bridge; we should be plain that we’re the ones paying for it.
I sometimes wonder if Whitewater’s city manager has seen one to many Matthew Lesko infomercials —
Charity, Press Release
Alzheimer’s Association’s “Maximize Your Memory,” Monday, August 8, 2011 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Irvin Young Memorial Library
by JOHN ADAMS •
WHITEWATER, WI – July 18, 2011 – The Alzheimer’s Association will be presenting a program called “Maximize Your Memory” on Monday, August 8, 2011 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Irvin Young Memorial Library, 431 West Center Street in Whitewater. This interactive and informative workshop will offer participants information on the difference between normal age-related memory loss and dementia. Tips and strategies for improving memory will also be shared, along with a discussion on the importance of a brain-healthy lifestyle.
The program is being offered by the Alzheimer’s Association at no charge and is open to the public. Registration is required; to register, please contact Bonnie Beam-Stratz at 920-728-4088 or send an email to bonnie.beam@alz.org.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research whose mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease and local services visit www.alz.org/sewi or call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.
Charity, Press Release
Alzheimer’s Association’s “Nourish Your Noggin,” Wednesday, August 31, 2011 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kenosha Public Library – Southwest
by JOHN ADAMS •
KENOSHA, WI – July 18, 2011 – The Alzheimer’s Association will present a community program called “Nourish Your Noggin” on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kenosha Public Library – Southwest, 7979 38th Avenue in Kenosha.
This fun and interactive program is for anyone interested in brain health. Topics will include how memory works, age-related memory changes – what is normal, what is not – and how to live a brain-healthy lifestyle. The program is being presented at no charge by the Alzheimer’s Association and is open to all community members. Registration is required; to register, please call 262.564.6325.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research whose mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease and local services visit www.alz.org/sewi or call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.
Daily Bread
Daily Bread for 7.19.11
by JOHN ADAMS •
Good morning.
Today’s forecast for Whitewater is for isolated thunderstorms, with a high temperature of ninety-one degrees.
Common Council meets tonight, at 6:30 p.m. The agenda is available online.
The Wisconsin Historical Society recalls that on this day in 1832,
Dodge and Henry pursue the British Band
On this date General James Henry and Colonel Henry Dodge found the trail of the British Band and began pursuit of Black Hawk and the Sauk Indians. Before leaving camp, the troops were told to leave behind any items that would slow down the chase. The troops camped that evening at Rock River, 20 miles east of present day Madison. Some sources place this event on July 18, 1832. [Source: Along the Black Hawk Trail by William F. Stark, p. 119]
I saw that one of YouTube’s featured videos for today is from Star Trek‘s original series, of an episode called Arena, where Kirk battles an intelligent lizard called a Gorn. There’s something endearing about the over-acting in the series, and the series (this episode particularly, among several others) is much a part of our popular culture.
Enjoy.
Public Meetings
Alzheimer’s Association’s “Maximize Your Memory” at Irvin Young Memorial Library
by JOHN ADAMS •
WHITEWATER, WI – July 18, 2011 – The Alzheimer’s Association will be presenting a program called “Maximize Your Memory” on Monday, August 8, 2011 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Irvin Young Memorial Library, 431 West Center Street in Whitewater. This interactive and informative workshop will offer participants information on the difference between normal age-related memory loss and dementia. Tips and strategies for improving memory will also be shared, along with a discussion on the importance of a brain-healthy lifestyle.
The program is being offered by the Alzheimer’s Association at no charge and is open to the public. Registration is required; to register, please contact Bonnie Beam-Stratz at 920-728-4088 or send an email to bonnie.beam@alz.org.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research whose mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease and local services visit www.alz.org/sewi or call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.
Public Meetings
Alzheimer’s Association’s “Nourish Your Noggin” at Kenosha Public Library Southwest
by JOHN ADAMS •
KENOSHA, WI – July 18, 2011 – The Alzheimer’s Association will present a community program called “Nourish Your Noggin” on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kenosha Public Library – Southwest, 7979 38th Avenue in Kenosha.
This fun and interactive program is for anyone interested in brain health. Topics will include how memory works, age-related memory changes – what is normal, what is not – and how to live a brain-healthy lifestyle. The program is being presented at no charge by the Alzheimer’s Association and is open to all community members. Registration is required; to register, please call 262.564.6325.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research whose mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease and local services visit www.alz.org/sewi or call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.
Animals
Protect Your Pooch from Overheating During the Dog Days of Summer – WSJ.com
by JOHN ADAMS •
Libertarians
Why Libertarian?
by JOHN ADAMS •
Mark Grannis explains how he came libertarianism, and it’s a story that may be similar to your own — or one that may yet become yours, too.
Music
Monday Music: Bob Dylan’s Hurricane
by JOHN ADAMS •
Here’s a protest song, about boxer Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter’s conviction (later overturned), but I’ve not posted it for a particular message. (The case is controversial, with conflicting opinions about his guilt; I don’t know.) Instead, it’s here because Dylan’s a powerful storyteller. I was listening to one of his albums recently, and the song reminded me of how much one can say in a song.
One doesn’t — one probably shouldn’t — measure a song solely by a political or social message: sometimes the creation is admirable, on its own, as effective storytelling.
Science/Nature
Daily Mail: How men and women really do look at things in a different light
by JOHN ADAMS •
The old advertising adage that ‘sex sells’ may be recognised worldwide, but new research has revealed exactly how men and women are drawn into looking at a sexy ad:
A study of where men and women look on a ‘sexy’ advertisement gave a fascinating insight – with men found to be first interested in the attractive woman’s face rather than her toned physique.
Via Daily Mail Online.
Free Markets
Why is it cheaper to buy a high-calorie fast-food-chain burger meal than one that is more nutritious and with less fat, salt and calories?
by JOHN ADAMS •
The hidden secret: government meddling in the free market…
Although the author of the story clearly dislikes the free market, it’s not a free market when government meddles — it’s a manipulated or regulated market. Politicians simply favor some businesses over others, subsidizing those concerns, thereby giving them an unfair advantage in the marketplace.
An unregulated, unsubsidized market would be both fairer and more healthful.