From Radio Iowa

by Matt Kelley on November 13, 2009

in Human Interest

For many Iowans, it’s time to prep the snowblower and retire the lawn mower for the winter. Jeff Bartos runs a repair shop for small engines in Omaha/Council Bluffs and says Iowans should follow a few guidelines when winterizing their equipment. Bartos says to clean up the lawn mower before storing it.

“Make sure the mower deck is all cleaned out at the bottom,” he says. “We recommend using stabilizer in the fuel. Once you put that stabilizer in there, run it for about 15 minutes so the stabilizer is in the carburetor and it should be good for the wintertime after that.” Bartos says it’s not a good idea to empty the gas tank before putting your mower in the shed for winter.

He says, “If the gas tank is empty and it’s metal, it can condensate and get water in there, so by leaving it with a full tank of gas with the stabilizer, you should be good for all winter that way.” Once the warm weather returns, Bartos says there are a few things to do before using the mower for the first time.

Now in the spring, you should drain the old gas out and put fresh gas in before trying to start the mower, but he says, that’s all you really have to do on trimmers, chainsaws and leaf blowers. If your machine is a four-cycle mower, Bartos says there’s no need to drain the oil before storing it. He says it can cause big problems if you forget to add new oil in the spring.

“I’ve seen people make the mistake, they drain it out and forget to put oil back in it in the springtime and they ruin their machines,” Bartos says. “The best thing to do is leave the oil alone and in the springtime start it up and let it run for a few minutes, then change it. Then you are good for the summertime.” When spring arrives, check the filters and spark plug to make sure your equipment is in good running condition for the season ahead.

Love can be fun
Love can be cruel
Love sometimes means to be with someone
Love at other times can mean to be lonely

To Love means to expect nothing
In return for your something
To be loved means to take what is given
And give something for sharing

Love is caring
sharing
giving
togetherness
Love also can be hating
selfishness
taking
separation

Love is a word
An expression of a feeling
That no words can explain
Love is Caring
Love is Pain

LOVE is LOVE -MM

Michael Manley

Copyright ©1987 Michael Manley

The visible camera image showing the ejecta plume at about 20 seconds after impact.
Credit: NASA
Click image for full resolution.

Data from the down-looking near-infrared spectrometer. The red curve shows how the spectra would look for a “grey” or “colorless” warm (230 C) dust cloud. The yellow areas indicate the water absorption bands.
Credit: NASA
Click image for full resolution.

Data from the ultraviolet/visible spectrometer taken shortly after impact showing emission lines (indicated by arrows). These emission lines are diagnostic of compounds in the vapor/debris cloud.
Credit: NASA
Click image for full resolution.

Click here for more images of the results.

The argument that the moon is a dry, desolate place no longer holds water.

Secrets the moon has been holding, for perhaps billions of years, are now being revealed to the delight of scientists and space enthusiasts alike.

NASA today opened a new chapter in our understanding of the moon. Preliminary data from the Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, indicates that the mission successfully uncovered water during the Oct. 9, 2009 impacts into the permanently shadowed region of Cabeus cater near the moon’s south pole.

The impact created by the LCROSS Centaur upper stage rocket created a two-part plume of material from the bottom of the crater. The first part was a high angle plume of vapor and fine dust and the second a lower angle ejecta curtain of heavier material. This material has not seen sunlight in billions of years.

“We’re unlocking the mysteries of our nearest neighbor and by extension the solar system. It turns out the moon harbors many secrets, and LCROSS has added a new layer to our understanding,” said Michael Wargo, chief lunar scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

Scientists have long speculated about the source of vast quantities of hydrogen that have been observed at the lunar poles. The LCROSS findings are shedding new light on the question of water, which could be more widespread and in greater quantity than previously suspected.

Permanently shadowed regions could hold a key to the history and evolution of the solar system, much as an ice core sample taken on Earth reveals ancient data. In addition, water, and other compounds represent potential resources that could sustain future lunar exploration.

Since the impacts, the LCROSS science team has been working almost nonstop analyzing the huge amount of data the spacecraft collected. The team concentrated on data from the satellite’s spectrometers, which provide the most definitive information about the presence of water. A spectrometer examines light emitted or absorbed by materials that helps identify their composition.

“We are ecstatic,” said Anthony Colaprete, LCROSS project scientist and principal investigator at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif. “Multiple lines of evidence show water was present in both the high angle vapor plume and the ejecta curtain created by the LCROSS Centaur impact. The concentration and distribution of water and other substances requires further analysis, but it is safe to say Cabeus holds water.”

The team took the known near infrared spectral signatures of water and other materials and compared them to the spectra collected by the LCROSS near infrared spectrometer of the impact.

“We were only able to match the spectra from LCROSS data when we inserted the spectra for water,” said Colaprete. “No other reasonable combination of other compounds that we tried matched the observations. The possibility of contamination from the Centaur also was ruled out.”

Additional confirmation came from an emission in the ultraviolet spectrum that was attributed to hydroxyl, one product from the break-up of water by sunlight. When atoms and molecules are excited, they release energy at specific wavelengths that are detected by the spectrometers. A similar process is used in neon signs. When electrified, a specific gas will produce a distinct color. The ultraviolet visible spectrometer detected hydroxyl signatures just after impact that are consistent with a water vapor cloud in sunlight.

Data from the other LCROSS instruments are being analyzed for additional clues about the state and distribution of the material at the impact site. The LCROSS science team along with colleagues are poring over the data to understand the entire impact event, from flash to crater, with the final goal being the understanding of the distribution of materials, and in particular volatiles, within the soil at the impact site.

“The full understanding of the LCROSS data may take some time. The data is that rich,” said Colaprete. “Along with the water in Cabeus, there are hints of other intriguing substances. The permanently shadowed regions of the moon are truly cold traps, collecting and preserving material over billions of years.”

LCROSS was launched June 18, 2009 as a companion mission to the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After separating from LRO, the LCROSS spacecraft held onto the spent Centaur upper stage rocket of the launch vehicle, executed a lunar swingby and entered into a series of long looping orbits around the Earth.

After traveling approximately 113 days and nearly 5.6 million miles (9 million km), the Centaur and LCROSS separated on final approach to the moon. Traveling as fast as a speeding bullet, the Centaur impacted the lunar surface shortly after 4:31 a.m. PDT Oct. 9 with LCROSS watching with its onboard instruments. Approximately four minutes of data was collected before the LCROSS itself impacted the lunar surface.

Working closely with scientists from LRO and other observatories that viewed the impact, the LCROSS team is working to understand the full scope of the LCROSS data. LRO continues to make passes over the impact site to give the LCROSS team additional insight into the mechanics of the impact and its resulting craters.

What other secrets will the moon reveal? The analysis continues!

World Diabetes Day is a global awareness campaign that’s celebrated every year on November 14. The goal is to encourage action to further the prevention, treatment, and care of diabetes, as well as to support the United Nations Resolution on Diabetes. Landmarks and monuments across the world are lit in blue to create a united voice for diabetes awareness, and diabetes events are held around the globe. As of Monday evening, November 9, the World Diabetes Day website reports that 366 registered diabetes events are scheduled for November 14^th, in countries ranging from Saudi Arabia to Argentina to Morocco. In addition, 623 monuments are being lit in blue around the globe. More are sure to be added to the list as the day draws closer and closer.

The U.N. Resolution on Diabetes focuses world attention on the need to stop the diabetes epidemic through urgent action. Governments need to promote low-cost strategies that alter diet, increase physical activity, and modify lifestyles in order to reverse the diabetes tide. According to the California Diabetes Program (DIRC) website, “For governments, [World Diabetes Day] is a call to implement effective strategies and policies for the prevention and management of diabetes to safeguard the health of their citizens with and at risk for diabetes.”

His office looks like the North Pole, with Santa Claus decorations and Christmas trees everywhere — all year long.

And, now, Mike Peppers, 67, has one more thing to add to his collection: a new Isabel Bloom sculpture that has been created in his honor.

The new piece, called “Santamobile,” was inspired by Peppers — on his 40th anniversary of helping Santa in the Quad-Cities — and the bright red convertible sleigh-mobile that Santa stores at Peppers’ business, Sergeant Peppers Auto Shop in downtown Davenport.

The sculptures, priced at $25 each, are available only through Dec. 31.

“They’re going to be sold all over the world,” Peppers said. “I think that’s really something that I’ve accomplished in my lifetime. I’m very honored to have that.”

Donna Young, the head designer for the Davenport-based Isabel Bloom company, said it was Peppers’ enthusiasm for Christmas and his commitment to bring smiles to children’s faces that sold her on the idea.

“He’s passionate about what he does,” she said. “I just think that’s huge.”

One fateful ride in July

About two years ago, Peppers left one of his “Santa” trading cards, along with a note, in the guest book at the Isabel Bloom store in the Village of East Davenport. He asked to have someone call him because he had an idea.

When Young called, Peppers told her this year would be his 40th anniversary of working closely with Santa. He wanted to know whether she might consider creating a likeness of his Santamobile. The idea intrigued her.

“A lot of the best sculptures come from customers’ suggestions,” she said.

So Young and a team of Isabel Bloom employees met Peppers at his auto shop on a hot day in July, and they all donned Santa hats and took a ride in the Santamobile, which is a convertible. She said he had holiday music blaring and people were waving as they drove past.

“It was so funny,” she said, laughing. “He spreads cheer all year long, he really does.”

That ride sealed the deal for the sculpture, but Young was a little concerned. She often creates people, animals and wildlife out of tinted cement — but not cars, she said.

No worries. Peppers is thrilled with the end result, noting how Young captured the curve of the wheel wells, the front end and the lights.

“I thought she did really well with it,” he added.

Santamobile stays at Peppers’ shop

The locally famous Santamobile was built almost 20 years ago, during the early 1990s.

It’s been repainted twice at Peppers’ shop, where he tells children he stores the vehicle for Santa. It’s kept in Davenport because it’s the “almost center” of the country, he added.

The sleigh-type convertible is good for those times when there’s no snow on the ground — as well as when the snow flies, Peppers tells the children.

“Santa has been seen in his big red Santamobile with his elf, driving around, checking on all the good boys and girls,” Peppers wrote in an essay this summer. “I know he works all year-round so Christmas will be special for everyone.”

Peppers was only 27 when he first agreed to assist Santa with his duties, doing so on behalf of the Davenport Jaycees. His brother, Bob, was president of the organization at the time, and he asked Mike to help deliver toys with him.

Those innocent faces, with their big eyes open wide in surprise and happiness — that’s what got Peppers hooked.

Eventually, he began assisting Santa at the Davenport Public Library and the Quad-City Arts Festival of Trees, along with other projects that help handicapped and low-income children.

Peppers’ office is filled with all kinds of Christmas mementos, including photos of children with Santa.

“They get so excited,” he said. “It’s tremendous.”

Looking back, I can’t believe I spent $4,000 on a computer system in 1993. It amazes me how things have evolved since my first computer a Timex Sinclair 1000 back in 1982. I remember paying $217 for my Commodore 64 in 1983, it was my third computer by then after my Vic 20. Where has the last 27 years gone?

Our students watched this short 2 minute video in remembrance of Veteran’s Day
I hope you will also take time to watch
& discuss the importance of honoring our Vets
Our Middle School & High School Student Councils have donated enough money to pay for one Vet to participate in the Washington Honor Tour
We are proud of our students and your children

This is the video, with the story behind the video following.

On November 11, 1999 Terry Kelly was in a drug store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. At 10:55 AM an announcement came over the stores PA asking customers who would still be on the premises at 11:00 AM to give two minutes of silence in respect to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us.

Terry was impressed with the stores leadership role in adopting the Legions two minutes of silence initiative. He felt that the stores contribution of educating the public to the importance of remembering was commendable.

When eleven oclock arrived on that day, an announcement was again made asking for the two minutes of silence to commence. All customers, with the exception of a man who was accompanied by his young child, showed their respect.

Terrys anger towards the father for trying to engage the stores clerk in conversation and for setting a bad example for his child was channeled into a beautiful piece of work called, A Pittance of Time. Terry later recorded A Pittance of Time and included it on his full-length music CD, The Power of the Dream.

Thank You to the Royal Canadian Legion Todmorden Branch #10 and Woodbine Height Branch #2 for their participation in the Video.

Please visit www.terry-kelly.com

So I went out to see what I could find out. Plenty of brake fluid, I then crawled around the four tires and no leaks, but I did discover that he right front tire was really low (12 psi) and that his left tire was bald to the point that the metal cords are almost showing. Good thing I was looking around the tires. I told him he needs to take the tires off his wrecked car and then take his car somewhere to have the tires swapped out on the rims with the car.Right now he is sitting on the couch watching a dvd on somebody from school’s laptop that allegedly said he could keep it as long as he wants. So this will mean that he will take it to his room at night and watch movies instead of sleeping, as usual.

As far as the brakes, I can’t quite figure them out. The car still has brakes, it is just that you have to push the pedal closer to the floor. No fluid loss and no vacuum loss. Maybe the booster going bad? Will have to do some research. I told him to take it easy and be careful, this too we shall see if he heeds.

UPDATE: I am shocked and kind of impressed that maybe he is starting to listen and take things seriously like an adult. My son just told me he was going to go out and take the tires off of the car. I am impressed and a bit proud of him for finally stepping up and doing what needs to be done.

An office worker who was evacuated from one of the lower floors says police told him there was a hostage situation. But authorities have not confirmed that.

The Governor Office Building primarily houses the staff of the Missouri Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities. It also is home to the state’s consumer advocacy office and a development finance board.

State employees in the building, reached by phone by The Associated Press, said police have told them to remain in their offices with the doors locked.

View Video in full screen to see more easily.

On Friday, President Obama ordered that all U.S flags should be flown at half-staff until Veterans’ Day to honor the victims of the Fort Hood massacre. Flying a flag at half-staff has become a well-recognized symbol of national grieving, but where did this tradition originate, and how does the decision to lower the flag work?

How did the tradition of flying the flag at half-staff get started?
It’s tough to say, but the oldest commonly accepted reference to a half-staff flag dates back to 1612, when the captain of the British ship Heart’s Ease died on a journey to Canada. When the ship returned to London, it was flying its flag at half-mast to honor the departed captain.

Why would these sailors lower their flag to honor their departed captain?
According to one line of scholarly thinking, by lowering the Union Jack, the sailors were making room for the invisible flag of Death. This explanation jibes with the British tradition of flying a “half-staff” flag exactly one flag’s width lower than its normal position to underscore that Death’s flag is flapping above it.

How long is the flag flown at half-staff in the United States?
It depends on whom the nation is mourning. Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 7 of the United States Code outlines strict guidelines for how long the flag is flown at half-staff following the deaths of various members of the government.

The death of a current or former president lowers the flag for 30 days, while the current vice president, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Speaker of the House receive 10 days of half-staff flying following their deaths.

Flags fly at half-staff from the day of death until the date of interment for cabinet secretaries, Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, former vice presidents, and the governors of states. The death of a current member of Congress lowers the flag to half-staff on the day of death and following day.

Does the President have any leeway when he’s making these orders?
Yes, the President can make an executive order lowering the flag to half-mast to honor the passing of other important figures or tragic events. For example, President George W. Bush ordered the flags flown at half-staff until the interment of Pope John Paul II.

With national tragedies, the length of time seems to be a bit more arbitrary. Following the September 11th attacks, Bush ordered the flag be flown at half-staff until September 16, 2001. The Indian Ocean earthquake and resulting tsunamis in 2004 prompted flags to be flown at half-staff from a Monday through the end of the following Friday.

What days is the flag always flown at half-staff?
The flag always flies on half-staff on Patriot Day (September 11 of each year), Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15), and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7). On Memorial Day, the flag flies at half-staff until noon, at which point it is raised to the top of the staff.

What if I can’t fly my flag at half-staff?
Some flags, like the ones commonly seen in school classrooms or on houses, are fixed in a certain position on their poles. How does one handle the sticky situation of a flag that physically can’t be flown at half-staff? The United States Code doesn’t cover this conundrum, but the American Legion advocates adding a black ribbon to the top of the flag’s pole to indicate mourning.

Can anyone other than the President order flags to be flown at half-staff?
Sure. Governors of states, territories, and possessions have the authority under the federal flag code to order a half-staffing, as does the Mayor of Washington, D.C.

It’s not uncommon for a local mayor to order a half-staffing following the death of some prominent citizen, and occasionally businesses will half-staff their flags to honor the passing of a member of the company. Technically, these sorts of half-staffings aren’t covered by the federal flag code, but there’s no penalty for breaking the federal flag code, so it’s generally no big deal if a local leader wants to honor a prominent citizen in this way.

How does one raise a flag to half-staff?
Surprisingly, not just by raising it halfway up the flagpole. To properly fly a flag at half-staff in mourning, one quickly raises the flag to the peak of the pole before slowly lowering it back down to the half-staff position.

“Understanding” could save 479 union jobs

by O. Kay Henderson on November 9, 2009

in Legislature, Politics & Government

Danny Homan

State workers who are members of the AFSCME union will be given a chance to ratify an ”understanding” that would see about 20,000 state workers take five unpaid days off over the next seven months.

The move not only would save nearly $23 million in state worker salaries, it would help save the jobs of 479 members of the AFSCME union according to AFSCME Council 61 president Danny Homan.

“This means there will not be any layoffs between now and June 30th of 2010,” Homan said.  “If there are layoffs, they will be done outside the AFSCME bargaining unit.”

Homan held a news conference at union headquarters early this afternoon. Listen to the entire news conference here:  Homan 14:00 MP3

Homan called the proposed deal a “Memorandum of Understanding” and he said it would save AFSCME jobs throughout the executive branch, not just in the Departments of Corrections and Public Safety. Not only will there be five of what Homan and others have begun calling MUD — Mandatory Unpaid Days, state workers would agree to forgo the state’s contribution to their IPERS pension funds for the remainder of the state fiscal year.

“In this uncertain economy, these measures were necessary,” Homan said, reading from a prepared statement.

Dues-paying AFSCME members who are part of the state workforce will vote between November 19 and 25th on the deal.

“If our membership doesn’t accept this, I can only assume the governor will order layoffs, as he said he would and that means some of our folks are going out the door,” Homan said.  “And, yeah, I guess that bothers me.”

Homan argues as legislators and the governor consider cuts in next year’s budget that a tax increase or an end to some tax breaks be considered as options.

“State employees should not have to step up to the plate, again, to balance the state budget. We’ve done it, again.  It’s time that we put everything on the table,” Homan said.  “I’m not telling the governor or the legislature what to do.  I’m asking that we truly put everything on the table.”

Homan openly admitted his frustration during this afternoon’s news conference.

“I’m very frustrated that 500 people’s jobs are on the line,” Homan said.  “…I remember the day I was hired by the State of Iowa. June 24, 1984 is when I thought a good job and it meant the world to me. There are 500 people that are looking at having their world come to an end — single moms…young, married folks with kids. We’re not talking about six-month employees here. Some of the folks on these layoff lists have been state employees for 33 years.  That’s a career.  That’s a lifetime.”

The governor is traveling out of state today.  Culver released a written statement, calling the potential deal a “positive step” that will “help preserve vital services for Iowans while meeting (the) obligation to balance the state budget.”

Republican legislators have been criticizing the Democratic governor’s handling of the state budget for months. Senate Republican Leader Paul McKinley issued a statement today, suggesting state workers were “living with the consequences of Governor Culver’s severe lack of leadership and mismanagement.”

Two men are still at large after a bank robbery Monday morning at the F and M Bank at 1600 Osborn in Burlington. The robbery took place at 10 am Monday morning. Police say two black men entered the bank brandishing a handgun and demanding money. The men were in their mid to late 20′s, 6’3″ to 6’5″ tall and 170 pounds wearing yellow hard hats, toolbelts, sunglasses, white shirts, white dust masks and snow bib pants. They left on foot. You are asked to call 753-8353 if you have any information about the case or Crimestoppers at 753-6835. A manhunt and investigation is ongoing.

Surveillance Photos

November 09, 2009

Governor Chet Culver and Danny Homan, President AFSCME/Iowa Council 61, Announce Terms of an Understanding to Save State Jobs



New Fan Design

ONCE again, inventor James Dyson has reinvented a machine we never knew needed reinventing. After vacuum cleaners and hand dryers, his latest target is the desktop fan.

“Conventional three-bladed fans chop at the air and fire chunks of it at you, like wedges of cheese,” Dyson says. “Plus, they can be dangerous if children’s fingers get in the grille – and they are tough to clean.”

His answer is a fan with no visible blades that he calls the Air Multiplier. Its key component is a hollow plastic hoop with an aerofoil cross section – like an aircraft wing bent into a circle. Set vertically on a pedestal, it contains a motor-driven “impeller” which forces air into the hollow rim of the hoop.

From there, air emerges through a slot that directs it over the hoop’s aerofoil surface. This generates low pressure towards the centre of the hoop, which in turn creates a steady draught by drawing the surrounding air through it. The strength of the draught can be varied by adjusting the speed of the impeller.

In terms of energy use, the machine is on a par with bladed fans, Dyson says. But at £199 ($314), some might see it as a hefty price to pay for avoiding chunky air.

When Joyce Cassity walked into the Kirkville License Bureau to get her new license plates, she came out with quite a surprise.

Joyce wanted to make sure her new plates did not have an x because she was rear-ended twice with plates that had an x in the license number. There certainly wasn’t an x, but the new plates spelled out something more offensive: WE2  HOR.

“I got in the car, did a double take at the license plate and saw what it said, and I thought oh no, and when my daughter saw it she said, there’s no way I’ll ride in the car if those plates are on your car, and I can imagine some of the comments and laughs it would get,” said Cassity.

Joyce was told she’d have to pay $12 for new plates, which she was more than willing to do. But there were so many complaints about that sequence of letters around the state, that she got a new set of plates for free.

It all started with a Bang
A Big One, full of light

The light nourished the earth
From which grew the tree

The fruit of the tree was picked
Which then made the modesty follow

Man and Woman then joined together
And her belly began to grow

Periods of time later
We saw our first light

We learned & experienced
All that is around

Years of time later
We joined with our other

We started a Circle
The Circle of Life

Much time later
It is our time

We must enter the darkness
From the darkness we enter the light

Light with he who started the Bang

Michael   Manley

Copyright ©2009 Michael Manley

Dear Diary

October 31, 2009

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Tomorrow we set sail for Las Palomas, Canary Islands. Should take us 3 to 6 days depending on the winds. So far, the weather report looks good all week with 10 to 20 knot winds coming from the stern. If these winds hold, we should make good time. Will be checking out our new genoa this trip. Haven’t taken the time to post any more pictures. Too many other things to do.

All-in-all, our stay in Ayamonte has been pleasant and relaxing. As for the robbery, all of the documents and pictures have been entered into public record and the investigation as to what compensation, if any, we will receive has been started. As with any insurance company, they will take their time and try to get out of paying anything. As of now, we do not expect anything from them.

Weather here is warm during the day and slightly cooler at night. Quite comfortable!

TTFN

October 10, 2009

It’s been a while since I last wrote in the diary, so I will try to catch everyone up.

On July 30th, we left the boat at the marina in Ayamonte, Spain (because of its security). We then flew to Rome to meet my son, Brian, and daughter-in-law, Rodica, Rodica’s sister and her boyfriend. We spent 4 days going all over seeing the sights. Rodica kept us going from early morning till late at night. I think we saw more in 4 days than most people see in 2 weeks. I even climbed the 381 steps to the top of St. Peter’s Basilica. Not bad for a 62 year old! Then, Brian, Rodica, Rodica’s sister, Willie and I flew to Chisinau, Moldova to visit Rodica’s relatives. We spent 2 weeks visiting everyone. Stayed at Rodica’s grandparenst farm for about a week. It was really great, quiet and relaxing.

When we arrived back on the 18th of August, we found that the boat was broken into and all of our old computers and computer equipment was stolen along with the ship’s documents and some personal items. I made out a claim with the marina and filed a police report. Still waiting to see if the marina’s insurance will cover the loses. Fortunately, the computers and equipment that was taken were old and not working well and due to be replaced. Just don’t know why they would take the ship’s papers!

Ordered and received a new Genoa sail from the Hong Kong Sailmakers. They did an excellent job making the new sail. It fit perfectly and looks really nice. It is a heavy sail made with 9.3 oz material. A Spanish sailor we met in Califorte, Sardinia, said we should have a heavy cruising sail instead of a lightweight racing sail. It will last longer. So that is what I ordered. Only problem I am having now is with FedEx who handled the shipping. They were suppose to bring the sail in under Yacht-in-Transit packaging, but, instead, imported it which meant that I had to pay VAT taxes. I talked with a very pleasant and helpful Spanish customs agent in Huelva and he said that FedEx errored and they are the ones who must straighten it out and refund my money. Of course, I’m having trouble getting the FedEx customs broker to answer my emails. Seems that they are in a hurry to get their money, but not in a hurry to correct their mistakes and make a refund. I had another package sent from the US by UPS and had no trouble getting it here. Guess UPS is the way to go!!!

From August 25 to October 1, we were up the Guadiana River at Sanlucar, Spain with Alcoutim, Portugal across the river. Made some great friends up there. All British execpt for one sailor’s lady who was German. Had some wonderful typically English food there. Rob, from the Moody Goose, is an excellent cook and Sheila, who with her husband Robert, has a nice home in Sanlucar, made some wonderful English desserts. We really hated to leave them. Hope we all meet again in the future.

Also, while up the river Alcoutim had a music festival. They had some good bands and they had some bad bands. The music went almost 24 hours a day over a 3 day weekend. A little difficult sleeping!!!

Still working on getting some pictures ready to make slide shows out of. Just a little lazy. Will try to do some before we head for the Canaries. TTFN

/MM

“We’re always in a position of danger working at a maximum security facility, but by virtue of keeping the same number of inmates, then reduce our staff significantly, it puts us probably in harm’s way,” said Ault.

State Senator Gene Fraise told us he feels these possible cuts to the Iowa State Penitentiary could be critical. He suggests making cuts to top positions so that a.) the state could save more money and b.) many corrections officers can keep their jobs.<

Senator Gene Fraise says,” I think you have to take a hard stand and say, okay, we can’t afford top brass, we have to run this place as efficient as we can.”

In the meantime, all wardens and directors at correctional facilities have submitted plans to reduce their budgets by ten percent this year. During the last several months, departments have reduced operating expenses such as travel, fuel and pharmacy. A hiring freeze for all positions is in effect, with the exception of critical positions, such as correctional officers and nurses.

We should mention this plan is not final.  Governor Culver is reviewing all plans from facilities across the state.  A final plan is expected by November 6th. If that plans goes into effect, Iowa corrections officials say ex-convicts will receive less supervision from their parole and probation officers.

Parole and probation officials will have to decide what people they will supervise and how much in order to stay within budget limits.  The cuts may increase agents’ caseloads by 80 to 90 per agent.

Also by the CDC’s own facts of off http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/Vaccines/HPV/hpv_faqs.html it states there were 39 deaths and 13,000 + reactions to the vaccine. And here is an absurd comment from the CDC “ Fainting is common after injections, especially in pre-teens and teens. Falls that occur after someone faints can cause serious injuries, such as head injuries. To help prevent injuries, CDC and FDA recommend that people receiving Gardasil (or any other vaccine) should sit or lie down for 15 minutes after receiving it.” This can be verified that they said this by going to http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/Vaccines/HPV/hpv_faqs.html#7 This is absurd, I have never had or heard a Doctor say that most kids faint from a shot. Get real, talk about govt side stepping to make things sound all safe! Also the vaccine was approved by the FDA after just 5 clinical trials! Currently on www.clinicaltrials.gov there are 113 trials involving Gardasil and 451 involving aspirin by comparison.

And on top of all this now the FDA has approved it for teen boys as well.

Drugmaker Merck said that U.S. regulators cleared its vaccine Gardasil to prevent genital warts in boys, a new use for a product already approved to prevent cervical cancer in women.

The Whitehouse Station, N.J.-based company said the Food and Drug Administration approved Gardasil for use in boys ages 9 through 26.
Gardasil already is approved in women to block four strains of the human papilloma virus that cause the majority of cervical cancers and genital warts. Merck has sold about 50 million doses worldwide, with more than $1.4 billion in revenue last year.

While the approval could theoretically double the market for Merck’s vaccine, analysts do not expect Gardasil to be widely used in boys.

Genital warts caused by HPV usually clear up by themselves, and the cancers caused by the virus are extremely rare in men.

The announcement came just hours after rival GlaxoSmithKline reported that the FDA approved its vaccine Cervarix for use in the U.S. The vaccine already was available in Europe and elsewhere.

Glaxo is likely to face an uphill battle to establish itself in the U.S., where Gardasil has dominated the market since 2006. Besides an established brand, Merck’s vaccine defends against HPV types that cause both cancer and genital warts. Whereas Cervarix does not target genital warts.

HPV infects about 6 million people in the U.S. each year, mainly through sexual contact. It usually causes no symptoms although rare cases can develop into warts and cancer in both men and women.

Gardasil became an early success story for Merck after its 2006 launch, achieving blockbuster sales that are rare for a vaccine.

But sales have been slowing amid questions about the longevity of the vaccine’s effect and its price tag of nearly $400.

Merck has tracked HPV immunity out to five years in women, and just three years in boys and men. Public health advocates have argued that Merck should have been required to show evidence of Gardasil’s long-term effectiveness.

DR. HARPER TALKS ABOUT GARDASIL

Amid questions about the safety of the HPV vaccine Gardasil one of the lead researchers for the Merck drug is speaking out about its risks, benefits and aggressive marketing.

Dr. Diane Harper says young girls and their parents should receive more complete warnings before receiving the vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. Dr. Harper helped design and carry out the Phase II and Phase III safety and effectiveness studies to get Gardasil approved, and authored many of the published, scholarly papers about it. She has been a paid speaker and consultant to Merck. It’s highly unusual for a researcher to publicly criticize a medicine or vaccine she helped get approved.

Dr. Harper joins a number of consumer watchdogs, vaccine safety advocates, and parents who question the vaccine’s risk-versus-benefit profile. She says data available for Gardasil shows that it lasts five years; there is no data showing that it remains effective beyond five years.

Read Judicial Watch reports on Gardasil
Dr. LaPook’s Story on HPV
Attkisson’s Exclusive Report on Gardasil

This raises questions about the CDC’s recommendation that the series of shots be given to girls as young as 11-years old. “If we vaccinate 11 year olds and the protection doesn’t last… we’ve put them at harm from side effects, small but real, for no benefit,” says Dr. Harper. “The benefit to public health is nothing, there is no reduction in cervical cancers, they are just postponed, unless the protection lasts for at least 15 years, and over 70% of all sexually active females of all ages are vaccinated.” She also says that enough serious side effects have been reported after Gardasil use that the vaccine could prove riskier than the cervical cancer it purports to prevent. Cervical cancer is usually entirely curable when detected early through normal Pap screenings.

Dr. Scott Ratner and his wife, who’s also a physician, expressed similar concerns as Dr. Harper in an interview with CBS News last year. One of their teenage daughters became severely ill after her first dose of Gardasil. Dr. Ratner says she’d have been better off getting cervical cancer than the vaccination. “My daughter went from a varsity lacrosse player at Choate to a chronically ill, steroid-dependent patient with autoimmune myofasciitis. I’ve had to ask myself why I let my eldest of three daughters get an unproven vaccine against a few strains of a nonlethal virus that can be dealt with in more effective ways.”

Merck and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintain Gardasil is safe and effective, and that adequate warnings are provided, cautioning about soreness at the injection site and risk of fainting after vaccination. A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found while the overall risk of side effects appears to be comparable to other vaccines, Gardasil has a higher incidence of blood clots reported. Merck says it continues to have confidence in Gardasil’s safety profile. Merck also says it’s looking into cases of ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, reported after vaccination. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Merck and the CDC say there is currently no evidence that Gardasil caused ALS in the cases reported. Merck is also monitoring the number of deaths reported after Gardasil: at least 32. Merck and CDC says it’s unclear whether the deaths were related to the vaccine, and that just because patients died after the shots doesn’t mean the shots were necessarily to blame.

According to Dr. Harper, assessing the true adverse event risk of Gardasil, and comparing it to the risk of cervical cancer can be tricky and complex. “The number of women who die from cervical cancer in the US every year is small but real. It is small because of the success of the Pap screening program.”

“The risks of serious adverse events including death reported after Gardasil use in (the JAMA article by CDC’s Dr. Barbara Slade) were 3.4/100,000 doses distributed. The rate of serious adverse events on par with the death rate of cervical cancer. Gardasil has been associated with at least as many serious adverse events as there are deaths from cervical cancer developing each year. Indeed, the risks of vaccination are underreported in Slade’s article, as they are based on a denominator of doses distributed from Merck’s warehouse. Up to a third of those doses may be in refrigerators waiting to be dispensed as the autumn onslaught of vaccine messages is sent home to parents the first day of school. Should the denominator in Dr. Slade’s work be adjusted to account for this, and then divided by three for the number of women who would receive all three doses, the incidence rate of serious adverse events increases up to five fold. How does a parent value that information,” said Harper.

Dr. Harper agrees with Merck and the CDC that Gardasil is safe for most girls and women. But she says the side effects reported so far call for more complete disclosure to patients. She says they should be told that protection from the vaccination might not last long enough to provide a cancer protection benefit, and that its risks – “small but real” – could occur more often than the cervical cancer itself would.

“Parents and women must know that deaths occurred. Not all deaths that have been reported were represented in Dr. Slade’s work, one-third of the death reports were unavailable to the CDC, leaving the parents of the deceased teenagers in despair that the CDC is ignoring the very rare but real occurrences that need not have happened if parents were given information stating that there are real, but small risks of death surrounding the administration of Gardasil.”

She also worries that Merck’s aggressive marketing of the vaccine may have given women a false sense of security. “The future expectations women hold because they have received free doses of Gardasil purchased by philanthropic foundations, by public health agencies or covered by insurance is the true threat to cervical cancer in the future. Should women stop Pap screening after vaccination, the cervical cancer rate will actually increase per year. Should women believe this is preventive for all cancers – something never stated, but often inferred by many in the population– a reduction in all health care will compound our current health crisis. Should Gardasil not be effective for more than 15 years, the most costly public health experiment in cancer control will have failed miserably.”

CDC continues to recommend Gardasil for girls and young women. The agency says the vaccine’s benefits outweigh its risks and that it is an important tool in fighting a serious cancer.

Dr. Harper says the risk-benefit analysis for Gardasil in other countries may shape up differently than what she believes is true in the US. “Of course, in developing countries where there is no safety Pap screening for women repeatedly over their lifetimes, the risks of serious adverse events may be acceptable as the incidence rate of cervical cancer is five to 12 times higher than in the US, dwarfing the risk of death reported after Gardasil.”

The governor issued preliminary plans for layoffs at www.governor.iowa.gov It appears the Iowa State Penitentiary was cut down by 11 from the initial proposal. The numbers are still contingent on whether the Union will negotiate or not. I am not in favor of this for several reasons.

On the business scene Warren Buffet is buying the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad, so that will be interesting to see how things shape up around here or not.  GM is deciding to keep it’s Opal auto productions overseas, which comes as a surprise to many.

The first death of a child caused my H1N1 in Iowa was reported today. The death occurred in Eastern Iowa. I had heard rumors, and mind you that this is just that a rumor, that there was a death in Des Moines county in October. I’m sure we will find out in the next few days if this was that case. Let’s hope not.

Well that’s it for my day, time for a nap and off to work.

It is now 3 am and time for this old tired, fightin’ off the sick, and rusted out body to go to bed and refresh myself. Miss Melody will be staying home tomorrow. Her temp is creeping up to just about 100°F, but luckily it has not gone higher, not like it was. Also my self centered adopted son will be home too. So I had better not get awakened by a 19 year old fighting with a sick 7 year old!!! BUT, I am not counting my breath on it, else I die.

Time for me to go, I’m starting to ramble and get mad about dead beat people. Till next time adios amigo.  

Unbelievable. Senseless. No, it’s just plain asinine.

That was likely what most of us thought Thursday afternoon when learning of the potential budget reductions in the Iowa Department of Corrections (DOC) – namely, at Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison.

We understand the state spending must be reduced by 10 percent, or about $565 million, because state revenue is falling far below this year’s projections. We understand we all must make sacrifices, whether it be with furloughs, wage reductions, mandatory overtime or, unfortunately in some cases, layoffs (In fact those of us in Lee County, which tops the list in unemployment, understand this all too well.)

But, we do not understand state officials’ failure to learn from the past. We do not understand how state officials can jeopardize the safety of Iowans and the safety of correctional officers standing between violent criminals and those citizens. And that is exactly what will happen if the DOC enacts its plan to close four guard towers overlooking the prison yard, eliminate 40-50 correctional officers through attrition or layoffs and make due with less staff by reducing the number of cell searches for contraband and weapons. One need only look back at the past to glean a glimpse of the our future.

Does anyone remember September of 1981? The riot that terrorized ISP staff taken hostage, caused $1 million in damage and ended with the gang-related murder on an inmate?

Anybody remember the summer of 1995 when an inmate walked away from one of the ISP prison farms, broke into a Fort Madison residence and sexually assaulted one of its occupants?

How about November 2005 when two convicted murderers escaped from the Iowa State Penitentiary by climbing over a stone wall where a guard tower was unmanned? (Again, because state budget cuts closed the ISP powers and reduced staff so that one employee was doing the job once done by two, and sometimes three, others.)

And how about the numerous assaults on officers by inmates, often with homemade weapons, during the last two decades? Those are too numerous to list.

ISP staff contacting the Daily Democrat anonymously say about 40 positions are now vacant and that correctional officers have been working mandatory overtime and having to do the work of two or more people to compensate for the staff shortages. At times, they say, there is one correctional officer supervising an entire cell block. These conditions are also remnants of the past and often led to assaults on the officers or escapes.

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver has said he is willing to reconsider come of the budget cuts recommended last week – particularly those made by the DOC. We hope this is true, but fear the governor may be simply pacifying his critics. Regardless, it is a chance we can’t afford to take.

Just as we encouraged readers to contact legislators and the governor to make sure the state’s new maximum security prison was built in Fort Madison, we now urge you to do the same with regard to these budget reduction plans. We hope the Fort Madison City Council and Lee County Board of Supervisors will make formal declarations to the governor as well.

This time, it’s not just about saving jobs, it’s about public safety – our safety and the safety of our kids, neighbors and friends living in the area.

Act now, and leave no stone unturned and no elected official without an earful, or history is sure to repeat itself.

Visit the Daily Democrat at www.dailydem.com for more news in the Fort Madison, Iowa area.

A Mike Manley addition to this article. In my opinion if the state were truly trying to negotiate in true faith, then why hasn’t the governor ordered a wage freeze and hiring freeze for the next two years on the non-contract employees? Also why hasn’t the governor ordered wage cuts to all of the non-contract employees? After all he has the right to do so over these employees, but he has not.

Last time in 2000/2001 the AFSCME union negotiated in faith and initiated a wage freeze of it’s members, because the state ensured AFSCME that layoffs would be minimal. Yet after AFSCME signed the agreement, the state went ahead and laid off the workers and on top of that 6 months later gave state management employees a raise! What a slap in the face. The state did the same similar thing back in the 80′s, and they wonder why the unions will not negotiate. Screw me once, screw me twice, but you will not do it a third time! /MM

To contact your representatives

State Officials

Gov. Chet Culver (D) – 515-281-5211

Fax: 515-281-6611

Lieutenant Gov. Patty Judge (D) – 515-281-5211

Fax: 515-281-6611

Secretary of State Michael Mauro (D) – 515-281-8993

State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald (D) – 515-281-5368

State Auditor David Vaudt (R) – 515-281-5834

Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey (R) – 515-281-5322

Attorney General Tom Miller (D) – 515-281-5164

For all other state agencies, call the Capitol Complex Switchboard at 515-281-5011

State Representatives

State Senator Gene Fraise (D-Fort Madison) 319-528-6176.

State Rep. Jerry Kearns (D-Keokuk) 319-524-1570.

To contact any State Senator: 515-281-3371

To contact an State Representative: 515-281-3221

U.S. Representatives

U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack (D), 1221 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515; Phone: 202-225-6576; Fax: 202-226-0757. Office in Iowa City: 319-351-0789. Office Cedar Rapids: 319-364-2288.

U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D), 731 Hart Senate Building, Washington, D.C., 20510; Phone: 202-224-3254; Fax: 202-224-9369; Cedar Rapids Office: 319-365-4504. E-mail: tom-harkin@harkin.senate.gov

U.S. Senator Charles Grassley (R), 135 Hart Senate Building, Washington, D.C. 20510; Phone: 202-224-3744; Fax: 202-224-6020; E-mail: chuck-grassley@grassley.senate.gov

October one of the wettest ever

by Dar Danielson on November 2, 2009

in Weather

Iowans are hoping for a brighter November, as sunny days were few and far between in October. State climatologist Harry Hillaker says it was a close to being the soggiest ever. Hillaker says it will probably be the second wettest Octobers in history, with wettest coming over 100 years ago back in 1881. Hillaker says some areas had 20 straight days of rain, which he says it unusual for October.

Hillaker says it will probably end up as an average rainfall of six and one-quarter inches statewide, which is about double the average of just over two and a half inches. The record amount is 6.42 inches set in 1881. The cloudy rainy days also kept things from heating up.

Hillaker says October was on a record cool pace the first half of the month and then things were more normal. Overall it will end up as the third coldest month on record. Hillaker says 1925 and 1917 were the coldest October on record. Hillaker says the early forecast for November looks to be drier and with temperatures more toward normal than October.

I pray and cross my fingers and toes that is just bronchitis or something and she doesn’t have to stay in the hospital, but it is better to be prepared. Let’s all hope she can stay home. /MM

Today, Loebsack was in Fort Madison to discuss the $4 million he recently secured to help replace the Sante Fe Swing Span Bridge.

It was designated a hazard by the U.S. Coast Guard because a change in the channel has caused too many barges to hit the swing span portion.

The money will go toward being able to raise that portion instead of swing it.

There is now a total of 5.2 million for 30 million dollar project.

Both Loebsack and Fort Madison Mayor Steve Ireland agree that this is only a small portion, but hope with this federal influx more money will be on the way.

They also hope to secure money towards repairs that would increase the bridge’s weight limit which in turn will also help the Fort Madison ecomony.

“That hurts of course when you got traffice being diverted to other towns there not going through the city that obviously the economic development aspect of it gets hurt here in Fort Madison. And once you start construction on a bridge that brings a lot of money into the area just that construction itself,” said Loebsack.

Just last fall an 8 ton weight limit was put on the the Sante Fe Swing Span Bridge.

Right now, semi’s have to travel to either Keokuk or Burlington to cross the river.

As of yet, no money has been secured for that project.

When I got off work this morning it was damn near 70°F, so I opened up a few windows and shut off the heat. I started messing on the computers and paying bills and by the time I finally went to bed (around 11:30am) it was down to a little over 50°F and cold. So once again I closed the windows and turned the heat back on. What a weird weather pattern.

Now to as what I was doing on the computer. I uninstalled Spy Bot Search & Destroy and I also uninstalled Spyware Blaster. I also made sure I did not have any adaware by Lavasoft installed. I personally have discovered over time by watching what I do and most of my family has learned not to just click on stuff, that I do not need these programs. Some which over time interfere with the browsers. So I removed them all and I did install Microsoft’s Defender.

So bottom line is I run Avast anti-virus, Windows Defender, and I do keep Malware Bytes up to date and run it once a month or so. And because I have kids at my house I also have setup and use Open DNS.

And that is my Bottomline Of The Day. BOTD/Manley

Last time AFSCME agreed to a wage freeze of it’s union members, the state promised that by taking the wage freeze no union members would get laid off. Instead the state went a head and laid off and on top of that 6 months after AFSCME agreed to a wage freeze, the state gave all of it’s administrators a 3 to 5% wage increase! This is all public record and can be verified!

But as in all cases before the state is trying to throw blame on the union and it’s members.

I would like to know what the institutions did with the money they were getting for the jobs that they did not fill. Where did the money go? It came out of the general fund for jobs and was given to the institutions, but no jobs were filled, so where is the money?

A lot on unanswered questions and a lot of media spin on making the unions look like the bad guys once again. It is sickening to me that no one reports on the facts and truths anymore. /MANLEY

Governor Culver has delivered a sort of ultimatum to unionized workers in the Departments of Corrections and Public Safety: agree to pay reductions or hundreds of employees in those departments will be laid off.

”We’re talking about keeping the roads safe. We’re talking about keeping the general public safe with those correctional officers in our prisons,” Culver said during a news conference this afternoon. “…I’m hopeful that we can find an alternative to laying off hundreds of those essential workers.”

Culver also today ordered over 3000 workers in the executive branch of state government who are not covered by a union contract to take seven days off, without pay, over the next eight months.

Culver held a news conference at the statehouse Wednesday afternoon to announce his decisions on a variety of budget-cutting fronts. But the focus was Culver’s push to reopen the contracts that three state unions have negotiated for the current year, a process that might yield reductions in pay or other benefits.

“The last thing we want to do during a recession is lay more people off. If you talk to any economist, they will tell you that that will only contribute to your economic downturn,” Culver said. “So the idea of allowing people to have a job, to have benefits like health insurance is critically important, especially during a recession.”

Culver refused to discuss what specific concessions he is seeking, only speaking in general terms. ”What we are trying to do is two things. Number one: protect essential public safety services,” Culver said. “Keep as many troopers on the road, keep as many correctional officers on the front lines at our correctinal facilities and to avoid unnecessary layoffs…that could contribute to this economic challenge for our state.”

Danny Homan, president of AFSCME Council 61 – the union that represents the largest share of state workers, issued a written statement, saying the union has agreed to “meet with the Governor to begin holding discussions for the sole purpose of reducing layoffs.” Homan said he is “unsure where the talks will lead,” and can’t say much more about the private negotiations.

Culver, too, was reluctant to discuss details. ”I have committed to each union that all negotiations will be done in private and not discussed with the media until we have an agreement — or not,” Culver said in an opening statement. “My preference is to resolve this issue through negotiations that allow all state employees to contribute to a solution to our budget challenge.”

Culver has set Friday, November 6 as the deadline for the leaders of the three unions to make a decision on their current contracts which outline pay, benefits and other on-the-job issues.

In answer to a reporter’s question, Culver closed his news conference with a direct appeal to unionized state workers: “What I’ve asked is that they join us in getting through a very difficult time for our state. I’ve respectfully asked every state employee in the executive branch — nearly 20,000 people — to help us solve this challenge.”

Culver ordered a 10 percent, across-the-board cut in the executive branch of state government earlier this month. Last week, state agency directors submitted plans which called for laying off nearly 800 state workers. Two-thirds of the proposed layoffs came in the Department of Corrections.

Culver has approved most of the plans for other state agencies, but indicated he intends to ensure some cuts are restored for programs that help poor and elderly Iowans. The governor today approved plans that will lead to layoff notices for about 180 state workers.

(This story was updated with additional information at 4:50 p.m. and again at 5:09 p.m.)

I’ll tell you what, it doesn’t take long for your hand to go numb in 45°F water. In fact it takes just a few seconds, and it hurts getting that cold.

Nice thing is now for a while anyway until I have to turn on heat in garage, I will be saving around $70 a month not having the pool pump running.

I don’t know if it because I’m getting older or what, but I get just a little more hatred towards having that pool every year. Once kids are grown and gone, not too sure if it will still be around or not.

Till later! /MANLEY