Snowball Express Photos

I knew 1,700 were a lot of blankets. Here's the blanketeers with a small portion of them.

From left: Jill, Joy, Michelle, Cheryl, Minnie, Regina, Kathy, "Honey" (Theresa's husband), Helen and Theresa. The elf nestled in the blankets is Kaye. Taking the photo, I assume, is Jo.

You can see all of the photos at the Project Linus web site.

The gentlemen, and a couple ladies, helping us are active duty Navy personnel from NAS Fort Worth. The very young lady is the daughter of one of the Navy men. She was thrilled to be helping.

It still brings lots of smiles.

Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I can hear Andy Williams singing but I was there this evening - Andy Williams wasn't.

There was the Dallas Convention Center where I was one of almost a dozen Blanketeers representing Project Linus at Snowball Express.

This is the fourth year that Snowball Express has brought together approximately 1,500 children of our fallen heroes for a special weekend with their parent or guardian.

Each year Project Linus Blanketeers around the country have guaranteed that each child in attendance receives a new, hand-crafted blanket. (Blanketeers call them blankets; you might call it a quilt, an afghan or a fleece blanket.)

Project Linus of Collin, Dallas, Grayson and Rockwall Counties (Texas) was the host chapter this year. Theresa Costin, our chapter coordinator planned carefully. We knew the approximate number of children in each age group - from 5 to 18. We took more than enough blankets for each age group and we took 200 more blankets than the expected number of children so that the last children in line felt that they too had a good selection.

After dinner the younger kids were swooping through the hall with their blankets as capes and many were wrapped up in them starting to fade after a long day.

I didn't take photos but I will borrow some from my fellow blanketeers tomorrow and post them for you to see. The mountain of blankets was awesome.

This evening I received enough hugs, blessings and thank yous to hold me well into the New Year but the greatest joy . . . to have a youngster hold up a blanket to show me his treasure and it was one that I made. It happened several times this evening.

Baltimore Colts Programs - 1955 and 1956

Custom bound volume of the NFL Baltimore Colts 1956 and 1957 home game programs with a lovely slipcase. The book is slightly over 8 x 10.5"; the blue cloth slipcase is 8 x 11".

Programs are in good condition. They have been read and were probably saved from the games attended. There are some wrinkles and other aging although the pages are sound.
Each program is approximately 52 pages.

The book is reversible with each year starting at the "front." There is some light damage to the center dividing page. Each program has a color cover.

1956Season:

September 16, 1956 - Washington Redskins (Pre-seasongame)
September 30, 1956 - Chicago Bears
October 6, 1956 - Detroit Lions
October 28, 1956 - Green Bay Packers
November 25, 1956 - Los Angeles Rams
December 2, 1956 - San Francisco 49ers
December 23, 1956 - Washington Redskins

1957 Season:

September 6, 1956 Washington Redskins (Pre-seasongame)
September 29, 1957 Detroit Lions
October 5, 1957 Chicago Bears
October 27, 1957 Green Bay Packers
November 3, 1957 Pittsburgh Steelers
November 24, 1957 San Francisco 49ers
December 1, 1957 Los Angeles Rams

Full page B & W photos of many Colt Stars:

• Alan Ameche
• Carl Taseff
• Art Donovan
• George Shaw
• Billy Vessels
• Art Spinney
• Don Joyce
• Lenny Moore
• Jack Patera
• Bill Pellington
• Royce Womble
• Bert Reichichar
• Don Shula (as aHalfback)
• Doug Eggers
• Tom Finnin
• L. G. Dupre
• Joe Campanella
• Jim Mutscheller
• Ken Jackson
• Alex Sandusky
• Gino Marchetti
• John Unitas
• Raymond Berry
• Cotton Davidson
• Milt Davis
• Don Shinnick
• George Preas
• Jim Parker
• Gene (Big Daddy) Lipscomb
• Steve Myrha
• John Call
• Andy Nelson
• Buzz Nutter

Plus small photos of all the Stars of the visiting teams, including:

PaulHornung, Bobby Layne, Y. A. Tittle, Hugh McElhenny, Norm Van Brocklin, Elroy Hirsch, Les Richter, Paul Younger, Jon Arnett, Doug Atkins, Rick Casares, George Blanda, Bill George, Harlon Hill, Don McElhenny, Joe Schmidt, Leon Hart, Tobin Rote, Jim Ringo, Ernie Harwell, Buddy Young, Bob St. Clair, Leo Nomellini, Matt Hazeltine,

Each program includes feature articles about the Baltimore Colts franchise and profiles of Colt and visiting players, profiles of Colts coaches.

Also:

• 1955 Colts Team Statistics
• 1955 NFL All-League Teams
• 1955 NFL Leaders Statistics
• Baltimore Colts Cheers

Meet the Broadcasters: Bailey Goss, Chuck Thompson, Joe Croghan

Profilesof Baltimore Sports editors and sportswriters, including Jesse Linthicum, Paul Menton, Rodger Pippen, Sam Lacy, Cameron Snyder, Norman Clark, Walter Taylor, George Bowen, Oliver Morrison, Edward Freeman,

There is also a wonderful assortment of period advertisements:

• Gunther Premium Dry Beer – This is in color and is the backcover of the 1956 and 1957 programs.
• National Bohemian Beer – In Color, Line-Up page, 1956 and1957
• Desoto Automobiles
• Carstairs Blended Whiskey
• Emerson Transistor Radios
• Crown Gasoline and Motor Oil
• Howard Johnson’s
• Copa Night Club

Available at Pogo's Place Books, $295.00. Click here to see the listing.

Veterans Day 2009

Memorial Day was always important in our household. Cold Point, Pennsylvania was anchored by "The Little White Church on the Hill" and Memorial Day in the late 1940's included an ancient bus carrying the VFW up the hill for a service. When the bus labored past our house, my dad swung me to his shoulder as we followed it up the then dirt road to the church yard.

VietNam and Desert Storm, and marriage, brought Veterans Day into focus. I remember vividly sitting in my car in the parking lot of Half Price Books on Veterans Day 1998 listening to Mark Davis of WBAP tell the story, one more time, of the grounding effect of Tim Irvine's song "After the War" on the gathered crowd at the Wall in Washington on Memorial Day 1993 - a crowd that was not disposed to warmly welcome President Clinton. (Mark was a working reporter that day. This is his recording of the song as it was performed.)

I sat behind the wheel with tears streaming down my face as I thought of my friend Pat Wood's lost son, Lester and the men and women I knew at the Valley Forge General Hospital. I thought of Paul's tour on the USS Dennis J. Buckley, the POWs and the MIA including Col. Roosevelt Hestle whose bracelet I wore for so many years and will wear today in his memory.

As songs do, particularly those that nudge your memories, the words kept echoing and I found myself thinking again and again of the thousands of reunions that have taken place at the Wall.

Paul and I take pride in being Pluggers - a concept originally drawn by the late (and wonderful) Jeff MacNelly and taken on by his friend and colleague Gary Brookins. I described the Plugger that the song evoked for me and Gary faithfully drew it with one huge addition - the perfect tear.

It ran for the first time on Memorial Day 1999 and has been reprised a time or two over the years.

I'm pleased to have this copy of the artwork.
























Thank you Elmer and Edd and Slim and Roy and Bill and Paul (both of the Pauls) and Tom (and your Norden bomb site) and Lester and Roosevelt and my serving today Seal Chris.

love,

Helen

Fall Sale - Train and Trolley Material

Dixie's finally put aside her Halloween preparations to designate the next category of books offered for sale.

The list below is only a portion of the items available. Everything in our Transportation - Railroads and Trolleys Category will be on sale through November 8. You can view all of the items - with photos - in our online shop, PogosPlaceBooks.com.

As always, if you are interested in multiple items, please contact us before completing your order.


The Official Pullman-Standard Library, Vol. 15, Western Railroads

List Price: $190.00
Price: $171.00
You Save: $19.00 (10%)


Santa Fe Diesels and Cars

List Price: $50.00
Price: $45.00
You Save: $5.00 (10%)


Texas Central Headquarters: Walnut Springs

List Price: $140.00
Price: $126.00
You Save: $14.00 (10%)


Instructions For The Operation Of Passenger Car Heating Air Conditioning System And Water Distribution

List Price: $35.00
Price: $31.50
You Save: $3.50 (10%)


Australian Steam

List Price: $25.00
Price: $22.50
You Save: $2.50 (10%)


Prairie Rails

List Price: $50.00
Price: $45.00
You Save: $5.00 (10%)


The Last of Steam

List Price: $20.00
Price: $18.00
You Save: $2.00 (10%)


Santa Fe Freight in Color - Volume 1

List Price: $165.00
Price: $148.50
You Save: $16.50 (10%)


Gold Rush Narrow Gauge: The Story of the White Pass and Yukon Route

List Price: $25.00
Price: $22.50
You Save: $2.50 (10%)


New York Central's Mercury

List Price: $20.00
Price: $18.00
You Save: $2.00 (10%)


Street Railways Of Harrisburg

List Price: $30.00
Price: $27.00
You Save: $3.00 (10%)


Diesel Engine Mechanical Service Manual, Diesel-Electric Locomotive

List Price: $25.00
Price: $22.50
You Save: $2.50 (10%)


Three Axle Street Cars : From Robinson to Rathgeber (Vol. 2)

List Price: $27.50
Price: $24.75
You Save: $2.75 (10%)


Fares, Please!

List Price: $24.00
Price: $21.60
You Save: $2.40 (10%)


Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Session of the American Railway Association : Division I - Operating Freight Station Section, 1930

List Price: $30.00
Price: $27.00
You Save: $3.00 (10%)


Pennsylvania Railroad Compendium : Vol. No. One : Freight Car Lettering Arrangements 1954 - 1968

List Price: $95.00
Price: $85.50
You Save: $9.50 (10%)


Baltimore And Ohio Railroad Employees

List Price: $50.00
Price: $45.00
You Save: $5.00 (10%)


Colorado Rail Annual Number Nine

List Price: $30.00
Price: $27.00
You Save: $3.00 (10%)


Wendover, Acme, and Virginia Point; A Contemporary Look at the Colorado & Southern, Fort Worth & Denver

List Price: $38.00
Price: $34.20
You Save: $3.80 (10%)


Trains : Volume 31, November 1970 - October 1971

List Price: $42.50
Price: $38.25
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Amtrak Car Diagrams of the 1970s

List Price: $95.00
Price: $85.50
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The Fruit Belt Route: The Railways of Grand Junction, Colorado, 1890-1935

List Price: $81.00
Price: $72.90
You Save: $8.10 (10%)

This is a Winner

Project Linus of Collin/Dallas/Grayson and Rockwall Counties Texas is busy making blankets for Snowball Express.

Since 2006, Snowball Express has served the children of fallen military heros by helping the children see that ""service above self" is honored by others and is a value they should subscribe to as they continue to mature as adults. They also realize they can honor their fallen hero in ways other than by being sad or at a somber place.

Blanketeers all over the country, but particularly here in the Metroplex, have been busy ensuring that every child attending (1,285 registered to date) received a hand crafted blanket.

Some blankets will have a pocket for a toy. These guys followed me home. I think they will be a big hit.

J. G. Brill Magazine - Special Sale

Occasionally our Assistant Manager and Director of Customer Relations, Dixie Belle Crow, will select a few items for a special sale. Dixie's current choices are below. This sale will continue through October 25, 2009.


If you plan to purchase more than one item, please contact us first for an additional discount.

Click the title to see the full description with photograph.

Brill's Magazine : Vol. I, No. 1 - 12, January - December 1907

List Price: $175.00
Price: $96.25
You Save: $78.75 (45%)

Brill's Magazine : Vol. II, No. 1 - 12, January - December 1908

List Price: $160.00
Price: $88.00
You Save: $72.00 (45%)

Brill's Magazine : Vol. III, No. 1 - 12, January - December 1909

List Price: $160.00
Price: $88.00
You Save: $72.00 (45%)

Brill Magazine : Vol. V, No. 1 - 12, January - December 1911

List Price: $175.00
Price: $96.25
You Save: $78.75 (45%)

Brill Magazine : Vol. VI, No. 1 - 12, January - December 1912

List Price: $175.00
Price: $96.25
You Save: $78.75 (45%)

Brill Magazine : Vol. VII, No. 1 - 12, January - December 1913

List Price: $175.00
Price: $96.25
You Save: $78.75 (45%)

Brill Magazine : Vol. VIII, No. 1 - 12, January - December 1914

List Price: $175.00
Price: $96.25
You Save: $78.75 (45%)

Brill Magazine : Vol. 9, No. 1 - 12, January - December 1915

List Price: $175.00
Price: $96.25
You Save: $78.75 (45%)

Brill Magazine : Vol. 10, No. 1 - 12, January - December 1916

List Price: $175.00
Price: $96.25
You Save: $78.75 (45%)

Brill Magazine : Vol. 11, No. 1 - 12, January 1917 - June 1921 xxxxx
List Price: $175.00
Price: $96.25
You Save: $78.75 (45%)

Brill Magazine : Vol. 12, No. 1 - 12, April 1923 - August 1926
List Price: $175.00
Price: $96.25
You Save: $78.75 (45%)

Brill Magazine : Vol. 13, No. 2, September 1927
List Price: $20.00
Price: $11.00
You Save: $9.00 (45%)

The Stadium from Purgatory - Maybe

Last week I reported on our adventures at the August 19 Paul McCartney concert at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. I called it The Stadium from Hell.

Fairness requires that I tell you that they are trying. A little. Very little. More on the order of CYA but an effort to point at change, if only on the "paper" of a website . . .

The parking section of the stadium website now says:

Passenger Drop-Off Zones

There are two passenger drop-off zones at the stadium. One is located on the north side off of Randol Mill Road in Lot 1 and one located on the south side off of Cowboys Way in Lot 6. Due to post game traffic, these areas may not be accessible for pick up. Guests may use the Accessibility Shuttle serving all Cowboys Stadium parking lots.

There still seems to be an issue grasping the fact that some guests will NOT have a driver parked in one of the lots while the passenger(s) attend the event. You may remember that our driver was refused access to Cowboys Stadium property by the Arlington Police Department for the purpose of stopping so we could walk to meet him. He wasn't even allowed to drive within the gates and stop.

Do I think guests are safer by the addition of this language?

No!

As a life-long advocate for people with disabilities, I think that there will eventually be "issues" in that area also - particularly with non-football events but they too will be part of the learning process for Cowboys Stadium management.

It is my opinion that eventually there will need to be one or two designated drop-off/pick-up points. I can't imagine the stadium being able to peel away prime parking for this purpose so I'll guess that eventually the spot(s) will be off premises with shuttle buses - just like rental cars at the airport.

It will be interesting to see how it evolves but I still don't see a reason to darken their doors.

The Concert from Heaven; The Stadium from Hell

It all started quite innocently at dinner a few weeks ago. I commented that Paul McCartney was coming to North Texas on August 19 - appearing at the new Cowboys Stadium and how very much I'd like to go but only if McCartney had to say "excuse me" to get to the piano.

Those of you who know me well know that I am the poster child for "Spoiled Rotten." Thank God, there is no cure. The next evening Paul showed me seats on the stadium seating chart that were just a step or two away from the path to the piano. There was just one condition. He wasn't going.

My friend Cynthia Burr was willing to take one for the team.

Those of you who aren't in Texas may not know that I have vision issues and don't drive far from home - or after dark. Paul offered to have a car service drive us to the concert but Cynthia's husband Howard volunteered.

The stadium has a marvelous web site which included the following under parking.

Passenger Drop-Off Zones
There are two passenger drop-off zones at the stadium. One is located on the north side off of Randol Mill Road in Lot 1 and one located on the south side off of Cowboys Way in Lot 6.

Limousine Parking
Limousines will be able to drop off passengers in Lot 1 and in Lot 6. Limousine parking is available on Randol Mill Road and on Cowboys Way. A limousine parking pass is required.

Howard dropped us off at Lot 6, just steps from our entrance, without a hitch. The stadium is nice. I'm sure it's is perfect for watching football. There were little things - like our entire row having to move - pre concert - so they could tighten our chairs that indicated that they are still hustling to be ready but it is nice. Cynthia and others had comments about the sound but for my ear, it was great. $16 for a beer and 2 tacos is a bit much but I knew that was the price before I arrived.

Joined by Rusty Anderson, Brian Ray, Abe Laboriel, Jr., and Wix Wickens, McCartney was on stage for almost three incredible hours. All 5 of the men were a joy to watch because they take such pleasure in performing. They were having a good time. McCartney in particular. Cynthia and I swear the man never took a sip of water during the almost three hours he was on stage. It was awesome.

Howard had said he'd be there at 11:30 to pick us up. We took our time leaving the seating area and headed out to Lot 6 - no Howard.

Have you spotted the trap yet? Neither Paul nor I nor Cynthia nor Howard did. Did you see the words PICK UP in the quote above. They are not there because it isn't an option. Really. I'm not kidding you.

It was after 11:30 pm when we reached Lot 6 and over the next hour plus we learned from repeated phone calls that Howard was turned away by the Arlington PD at four stadium entrances. He explained his mission and was told each time that there was no admission to the stadium property.

Cynthia asked the courtesy cart drivers if there was some place they could take us where her husband could pick us up. No.

Finally a "gaggle" of police officers on bicycles drove by and we asked one of the officers for our options. He told us that we'd need to walk approximately 3 blocks - now past 12:30 am - on the fairly deserted stadium driveway to Collins St. - packed with departing traffic as far as the eye could see - where we could, hopefully, meet up with Howard.

Our guardian angels were working overtime. The taxi cab that took a good shot at hitting us missed and as we approached Collins St, Cynthia spotted Howard - among thousands of cars - second or third in line at the light.

Although Cynthia and I are still enjoying remembering the wonderful concert, all four of us are upset. As you can imagine, Paul and Howard are very upset. We appreciate hearing "we're sorry" but what we all want to hear is how is this going to be fixed.

It took until Tuesday of this week to learn from the Arlington City Manager's office, "all stadium operational issues are determined and managed by the team." The city forwarded our concerns to the Stadium General Manager. He e-mailed saying all the right things and indicated that the Director of Stadium Development would answer our specific issues.

Fasten your seat belts boys and girls, this is good. You might even want to pick up your feet.

Paul- As Jack mentioned below, thanks for communicating your concern. I agree that our procedures need better communication to patrons as to the process for dropping off. We do have areas on both sides of the stadium to be dropped off; plus, the limo/shuttle area on the west side of the facility can be used for drop off and pick up. [Helen's note: this area is neither on the parking map nor referenced in the parking narrative on the web site.] The problem is getting a vehicle through a departure mode back to the other drop off points for pick up. You would be swimming against the current and it could be unsafe for the exiting pedestrians and vehicles. [Helen's note: dropping someone off before an event and leaving the premises isn't going against the tide?]

The safest method is to use our post event pick up points (see attached) where a patron and an escort can be met by a shuttle and taken to a parked vehicle in a safe manner. [Helen's note: there was no parked car. Howard couldn't enter the stadium property.] We have areas on both sides of the facility, a short distance to all exit points. We offer this service to those who need mobility assistance from all of our lots; this service is also available to our patrons who have been dropped off and then need return assistance. [Helen's note: offering to drive us to the non-existent parked car sounded so good once, I guess it was worth a reprise.]

We will strive to better inform our patrons on this matter. Thanks for sharing your comments. We hope you will provide us another opportunity.

There will apparently not be further discussion with this gentleman. He took serious offense to our referring to the above comments as patently absurd. I don't think I've ever been "kissed off" with such flourishes, though.

Howard and I are shaking our heads in amazement at the presumption that all drivers coming to the stadium are staying for the event. This may be true of football but I think concerts will turn out to be a different type of guest.

The obvious answer is some sort of designated pick up area at the perimeter of the stadium property where arriving drivers can pull out of the flow of traffic and guests can walk or be driven by courtesy carts. Probably needs some sort of awning/shelter for inclement weather, too.

Do you recognize the flaw gentle readers . . .

Parking is a scarce, expensive commodity at the new stadium. How can revenue producing parking spots be sacrificed for the safety and convenience of guests.

I think this will come to a head sooner rather than later.

I hope that someone recognizes that guest safety needs to be addressed and makes reasonable changes now.

What I am afraid will be the catalyst is an "unfortunate incident." It won't be me. It' s hard to imagine any reason to darken their door again.

But the most important issue has been resolved - at least for the coming football season. The NFL has ruled that the scoreboard is "legal."

Don't you feel better. I do.

Sixty-seven Years Ago Today and One Year Ago Today

On April 18th, 1942, just over four months after Pearl Harbor, sixteen crews led by the then Lt. Col. James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle flew B-25 "Mitchell" bombers off the aircraft carrier USS Hornet.

This first strike by the United States against the Japanese home islands after Pearl Harbor did little damage.

Nevertheless, when the news of the raid was released, American morale soared. Reeling from the attack on Pearl Harbor and Japan's subsequent territorial gains, it was important for the American public to know that a successful military response had been undertaken











I'm married to a historian, a former Naval officer from a family of World War II Navy Veterans.

Next to the family photos in our home is more than one photo of General Jimmy Doolittle. A painting of Doolittle's take off from the USS Hornet on his way to bomb Japan hangs prominently. It's signed by the General.

Paul has exposed me to the story for over thirty years. A year ago today, I had one of my life's greatest experiences that has led me to learn all of the story.

Each year as many of the surviving Raiders as possible, and their families, gather at a reunion. In 2008, the reunion was held in Dallas. Paul and I were privileged to attend the luncheon on April 18, 2008 - the sixty-sixth anniversary of the raid.

In 2008, eleven Raiders were still with us; six were able to attend the reunion.

Two have since passed on - Major General Davy M. Jones and M/Sgt. Edwin W. Horton, Jr.


Attending in 2008 eight were (from left to right):

Col. William M. Bower, pilot of Crew No. 12

Lt. Col. Richard E. Cole, co-pilot on Crew No. 1

Major Thomas C. Griffin, navigator on Crew No. 9

Lt. Col. Robert L. Hite, co-pilot on Crew No. 16

M/Sgt Edwin W. Horton, Jr. engineer/gunner on Crew No. 10

S/Sgt David J. Thatcher engineer/gunner on Crew No. 7

Speaking in the photo above is honorary Raider and Doolittle Raiders Historian Col. Carroll V. Glines.

Our luncheon companions were family members of Col. Bower and the son of Col. James H. Macia, Jr., Navigator of Crew No. 14, whose health kept him from attending.

Each memory of the day is very special and precious but there were three I hold closest.

Each Raider was escorted during his stay in Dallas by an active-duty Air Force Sergeant. The incredible affection of each of the younger men for "his" Raider was a joy to watch.

The Air Force ROTC members from the University of North Texas who presented the colors were free to return to campus after the luncheon. Many, if not all, stood at the back of the reception and just watched. Their joy at being in the company of these heroes was a very special moment.

Finally, the silver goblets.

At each reunion a solemn, private ceremony in which the surviving Raiders perform a roll call, then toast their fellow Raiders who have passed on.

Specially-engraved silver goblets, one for each of the 80 Raiders, are used for this toast. The goblets of those who have died are inverted.

When only two Raiders remain alive, they will drink a final toast using the vintage 1896 (the year of Doolittle's birth) bottle of Hennessey Cognac which accompanies the goblets to each Raider reunion.

All of this joy also includes one regret. Sergeant Jacob DeShazer passed away just a few weeks before the reunion. His story is one of strength that is almost impossible to comprehend. I would have liked to shake his hand.

Banktoaster* from Microsoft Part 2

Gizmo Richards colleague Rhiannon over at Tech Support Alert details more about the free SharePoint Designer download.

Definitely a good thing . . .




*banktoaster A term coined by JGodsey at the Bibliophile Bullpen for special goodies that improve day-to-day productivity.

Banktoaster* from Microsoft

Vishal Gupta at Tweaking with VG calls our attention to a free download calls our attention to a FREE download of SharePoint Designer 2007 (previously known as Microsoft Frontpage).

Maybe its just me but the login at Microsoft to download was a royal PIA but . . .
This definitely merits a second look and maybe a download.



*banktoaster A term coined by JGodsey at the Bibliophile Bullpen for special goodies that improve day-to-day productivity.

Banktoaster*

Giveaway of the Day - Picture Collage Maker

Picture Collage Maker is a powerful, versatile way to build any photo collage and scrapbook project - whether you’re just starting out or have been involved in making collages for years.

You can also create your calendar, greeting card, invitation card, poster and more you can think of!

Sign up for the feeds from this site! There are some good additions to your toolbox offered.



*banktoaster A term coined by JGodsey at the Bibliophile Bullpen for special goodies that improve day-to-day productivity.

Banktoaster *

Copy and Paste from any Computer to Another

I admit to being a sucker for techie stuff and this one caught my eye. Gizmo Richards at Tech Alert posted this link and recommendation of HeyPasteIt this morning.

I agree with Gizmo. Bookmark this link. You will need it.

Looks like a winner to me!

*banktoaster A term coined by JGodsey at the Bibliophile Bullpen for special goodies that improve day-to-day productivity.

Serendipity

ser·en·dip·i·ty n. pl. ser·en·dip·i·ties

1. The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident.
2. The fact or occurrence of such discoveries.
3. An instance of making such a discovery.

Every autumn I volunteer at the Senior Adult Services Bookworm Bash (Used Book Sale). I was looking for some light fiction when one of the ladies pressed Debbie Macomber's THE SHOP ON BLOSSOM STREET into my hand. With her colleagues in full scout mode, I went home with both the Blossom Street and Cedar Cove Series.

The shop on Blossom Street is a yarn shop where a diverse group of ladies learns to knit and make afghans for Project Linus.

The primary mission of Project Linus is "to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”"

I can do that! Although the eyes aren't up to detailed sewing and quilting any longer, I can happily crochet or knit while my dear best half and I watch a game or a movie after dinner.

Nationally, and locally, this is a very dedicated group of volunteers. The national web site indicates that as of the end of September 2008 over two million six hundred thousand (2,600,000) blankets had been donated. The Dallas/Collin/Grayson Counties (Texas) chapter website notes over 4,000 blankets donated since its inception in November 2004.

Selfishly, I selected a project worked in crocheted blocks so it would be easy to carry along wherever I was going and in bold colors more suited to a young man at the older end of the spectrum served. I've just finished my first project and am happily already into the next one done in a variegated yarn that resembles military camouflage.

Serendipity . . . a good thing.

What is the Appropriate Punishment

The Associated Press reports:

"The owner of a peanut company urged his workers to ship tainted products after receiving test results identifying salmonella, imploring employees to "turn the raw peanuts on our floor into money," according to internal company e-mails disclosed Wednesday by a House committee. "

JGodsey suggests that confinement at Club Gitmo with an exclusively peanut butter diet might be appropriate. Works for me!

I MISS MY KASHI BARS!

Anonymous on the Net?

Does this headline catch your eye?

Hundreds who posted views on sex assault trial targeted in Tarrant suit

It definitely caught me eye and I wandered over to the Dallas Morning News to read the details.

Topix.com has been orderd to provide identifying information for 178 posters who posted approximately 1,700 graphic comments regarding a sexual assault trial. All three defendants were found not guilty and are now suing those who made the comments.

The suit is in Tarrant County (Fort Worth Texas) because "it appears one anonymous poster lives in Fort Worth."

Topix's reply is carefully crafted.

"We do not just give up people's privacy," said the Web site's CEO Chris Tolles. "We're very, very careful about that."

"But Tolles said the discussions are not necessarily a license to run people through the mud. "If there is a line that's been crossed from a libel standpoint — and it seems reasonable — we do, in fact, cooperate with the courts.""

Should be interesting to watch.

Color Me Surprised

Wednesday afternoon I was surprised to receive an automated phone call from Sam's Club informing me that my favorite breakfast bars have been recalled because of the peanut content.

Please return all packages to your local store for a refund. Further information available from the manufacturer at . . .

I hadn't made the connection with the recalled peanut butter crackers and MY breakfast bars but I'm quite impressed with the service.

US Airways Flight 1549 - A Passenger's Perspective

The Dallas Morning News offered a different account of the emergency landing in the Hudson River of US Airways Flight 1549 by American Airlines First Officer Susan O'Donnell who was one of two jumpseat passengers on the flight.

The whole article is at the link above and as you'd expect Ms. O'Donnell praised the crew and emergency personnel but I was once again impressed by her description of Captain Sullenberger at the ferry terminal.


"Captain Sullenberger continued in a leadership role in the aftermath, talking with the passengers, assembling his crew and including myself and the other jumpseat rider as members of his crew. I was impressed to note that he had the aircraft logbook tucked under his arm. When the Captain asked me if I wanted to join the crew at the hotel, I told him I would really appreciate it as I had lost my wallet. He immediately pulled out his wallet and gave me $20. His concern for me when he had so much else to worry about was amazing."

Captain Sullenberger has become the face of that crew but like FO O'Donnell, I am quite impressed with the professionalism of the whole crew and want to recognize FO Jeffrey Skiles and Flight Attendants Donna Dent, Sheila Dail and Doreen Welsh.

Well Done!

Everything Old is New Again

Many years ago, best sellers were available for low weekly rental fees at neighborhood shops - drug stores, gift shops, department stores and according to Lee Kirk of The Prints and The Paper independent book shops.

Yesterday's Dallas Morning News caught my attention with a photo of bright pink book carts and an article describing a relatively new Dallas Public Library program called Street Smart.

The bright pink carts posted near the circulation desk offer a selection of 28 of the hottest best sellers and 40 popular DVDs. Each item can be checked out for a fee of $5. Books can be checked out for three weeks; DVDs for one week. It is strictly an impulse item. There are no holds on these items and no renewals. Regular late fees apply.

Best Sellers are available on the cart in all branches the day they are available in the store. Copies of each item available on the cart are also available through regular library circulation/hold system.

Once the demand drops for an item it will become part of the regular collection to fill the backlog of holds. For the period October to December 2008, the library reports just under 2,100 Street Smart Express items checked out.

Doing some Google searches, I found several libraries with similar programs. One that caught my eye was a library selling a $50 Friend card that included twelve rentals for the price of ten. In these tight budget times for our libraries, this strikes me as a great way to get seed money to start and maintain the program.

It will be interesting to watch communities develop and modify programs.

Grace and Confidence - Beautifully Displayed

"Education Reclaimed ... Confidence is restored. Frustration is lessened. Barriers are overcome. Learning takes place. Success is possible at Dallas Academy. "

These are the first words I saw at the Dallas Academy web site.

Thirty years ago, I was lucky enough to work as Business Manager at DA for three school years. They were busy, never dull years surrounded by approximately 50 secondary school students, mostly male, who needed different approaches to learning but were in every other way typical high school kids. Oh, lord were they . . .

Wednesday night's Dallas Morning News feed caught my attention, quickly. Academy Basketball Coach Sees A Win in 100-0 Loss Something in the feed must have mentioned Dallas Academy because I followed the link. I was expecting a "pity party."

In addition to the news story, what I found was a video of the coach and the Dallas Academy Ladies Basketball Team talking about the experience and their hope to get better at the game. While they didn't win, they knew that they played to the best of their abilities.

With only 20 girls in the upper school, it is a "thin" team of 8 for the Academy. Of the 6 interviewed by the DMN, 3 were freshmen.

The story was followed quickly by another. XXXX School Seeks to Forfeit 100-0 win A week after the loss and the day the story was published in the print copy - although it was on the net the night before, XXXX School officials contacted and visited Dallas Academy to apologize for the "victory without honor."

Dallas Academy continued to not feel victimized. Athletic Director Civello said, "the girls' team, which hasn't won a game in his four years there, doesn't want to be credited with a victory it didn't earn on the court."

Public reactions that I heard and read, mostly read, convince me that the general public still does not know that folks with learning differences are not physically or mentally handicapped. They just LEARN DIFFERENTLY.

There is sooooo much I want to say about this event (particularly after reading the Associated Press account of the game) but neither the students, the parents nor staff of Dallas Academy are publicly going down that path so neither will I.

"Even if you are losing, you might as well keep playing," said Shelby Hyatt, a freshman on the team. "Keep trying, and it's going to be OK."

Works for me!

Edited to add:

Of course I no sooner hit the "post" button than Jacquielyn Floyd's DMN Saturday Column appeared in my feed. So well said. It's why I don't quit my day job.

Do I Have A Taker

We needed some stamps the other day. I usually pick them up at the machine in the lobby when I'm doing my mailing but the counters were empty so I popped in to wish the clerks a Happy New Year.

Pulled the stamps out of my bag today and stopped dead when I saw the $8.40 stamp. What the heck . . .

I realized that, of course, is the price of the folder but I can't help but wonder how far a package would get with that $8.40 stamp on it.

Any takers?

Color The New Year

The first color or two for your website are easy but what should you use for that third, fourth or fifth color?

Pogo's Place and Pogo's Place Books were easy when I started. Turtles are green and Pogo needed to be a dark green. The pale yellow background followed easily but how to find complimentary colors.

The folks over at CrystalXP.net have highlighted 5 free tools to help you pick the perfect colors for your website as well as a handful of other free tools to fuel your imagination.

Get going and spruce up that site.