Is he innocent?

Posted on February 12, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Linda W.

Posted in Government | Comments Off on Is he innocent?

Where are the women?

Posted on February 11, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Might be of interest to the women residents. Thanks to Rosemary W.

Join us for a free virtual summit on February 13!

        In 2017, NWHM published our groundbreaking report, Where Are the Women?, which explored the status of women’s history in state level social studies standards. According to the report, of 737 historical figures taught in standard curricula, just 178 are women…including several fictional characters. 98 of the women appear in only 1 state standard; only 15 are named in more than 10 states. It’s time for a paradigm shift in how American history is taught, to ensure that the role of women as history-makers and agents of change is historically accurate and equitable.   Join us, the women’s history series  Unladylike2020, and other prominent national education and women’s advocacy organizations, for a 2-hour virtual #WhereAreTheWomenSummit on  Saturday, February 13 from 1:00 pm-3:00 pm ET on  YouTube Live . This free event will include remarks from U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, a dynamic panel discussion, and audience Q&A with social studies teachers, historians, textbook authors, curriculum policy leaders, and youth advocates to examine the factors that have limited the representation of women in textbooks, educational standards, and curriculum, as well as provide lesson plans and resources for educators and parents.   Teachers participating in the summit will receive a 2-hour professional development credit for their attendance.   The  Where Are the Women? Summit is presented by Unladylike2020 in partnership with PBS  American Masters, WNET, National Women’s History Museum, National Council for the Social Studies, National Council for History Education, National Women’s Hall of Fame, and National Women’s History Alliance, and in collaboration with PBS LearningMedia, with funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.   WHERE ARE THE WOMEN? VIRTUAL EDUCATION SUMMIT SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2021 1-3 p.m. ET   REGISTER HERE    

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS   The Summit will feature poetry and a land acknowledgment by U.S. Poet Laureate  Joy Harjo, of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Harjo is author of nine books of poetry, including the highly acclaimed  An American Sunrise, several plays and children’s books, and two memoirs,  Crazy Brave and  Poet Warrior: A Call for Love and Justice.    Keynote address by  Martha S. Jones, Society of Black Alumni Presidential Professor and Professor of History and the SNF Agora Institute at The Johns Hopkins University, and author of  Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All.    Research presentation by  Lori Ann Terjesen, Director of Education at the National Women’s History Museum, outlining the results of the Where Are the Women? report which finds that women’s experiences and stories are not well integrated into U.S. state history standards.   Panel discussion moderated by  Treva B. Lindsey, Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Ohio State University. She is the author of the 2017 Choice Outstanding Academic Title,  Colored No More: Reinventing Black Womanhood in Washington, D.C.      National Women’s History Museum | 703.461.1920 | info@womenshistory.org |  womenshistory.org     Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View our profile on LinkedIn View on Instagram    
National Women’s History Museum, 205 S. Whiting Street, Suite 254,  Alexandria, VA 22304 SafeUnsubscribe™ donnawolter@comcast.net   Forward this email |  Update Profile |  About our service provider   Sent by info@womenshistory.org powered by Constant Contact Try email marketing for free today!
Posted in Advocacy, Social justice | Comments Off on Where are the women?

Keeping life in perspective

Posted on February 11, 2021 by Jim deMaine
Posted in Art, environment, Nature | Comments Off on Keeping life in perspective

Snow: the forecast from Cliff Mass

Posted on February 10, 2021 by Jim deMaine

It highly probable that our region is going to have a major snow event–from the western lowlands, to the mountains, and even eastern Washington.
But it will be snowstorm in several distinct acts, with the middle act being the most significant.
Now, there is always uncertainty in weather prediction—but it is not as great as some folks are suggesting for this event:

A major complication has been the substantial differences between the various models, particularly the European Center and American GFS prediction systems.

Act 1.  Thursday afternoon to Friday morning.

We have cold air over us now, cold enough for snow.   We just need moisture.   Tomorrow, a weak low center will move eastward toward the Oregon coast and this system will be associated with light precipitation (see pressure forecast map for 6 PM Thursday).  Too far south to be optimal for Puget Sound snow.

Here is the total snowfall predicted by the European Center model through 10 AM Friday.  Lots of snow in the Cascades from Stampede Pass southward into northern Oregon.  Little snow in western Oregon, where it will be too warm.    In the lowlands, there will be a huge gradient from a dusting in north Seattle to a half foot In Olympia, with substantial amounts through Chehalis.  Not much in Bellingham.

The first act, like all good first acts, is a teaser for the main action after the intermission.Act 2:  Friday evening through Saturday afternoon
Another system…a strong system… will be approaching.  And this one will approach at the optimal position near the Columbia River bars.  Close enough to spread lots of moisture into Washington State, while it draws cool air into western Washington (see below).

The total snowfall through 4PM Saturday is–how do I say it?—chilling. Total snowfall (NOT SNOWDEPTH) of around a foot in Seattle. Twenty inches over the south Sound and nearly a foot around Bellingham and the San Juans.   Four feet in the Cascades.  And don’t forget eastern Washington, where the southern half could see a foot and nearly two feet in NE Oregon.

Third Act.  Sunday and Monday.
A strong front, with warmer temperatures will approach on Monday, with a relatively deep low to the northwest.    This will bring snow, followed by a transition to rain.   I will talk about that in a future blog.

Posted in In the Neighborhood | Comments Off on Snow: the forecast from Cliff Mass

A nest you don’t often see

Posted on February 10, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Rosemary W.

Posted in Nature | 1 Comment

Chinese New Year 2021 on February 12th

Posted on February 10, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ann M.

Posted in Art, Holidays | Comments Off on Chinese New Year 2021 on February 12th

Arts from Lehigh University

Posted on February 9, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Alice and Joe W.

We recognize that many of our patrons have been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, so we are offering these world-class artists at prices to fit all budgets, including absolutely FREE! All patrons will have access to the same performances, regardless of which price is selected. All performances and the 3 or more package have three price options listed. We ask that you select the price that best reflects your budget and ability to support the performing arts.

Zoellner Arts Center Virtual Series

On Stage at Home Series: All PerformancesOn Stage at Home Series: All PerformancesFIND TICKETS
Select 3 or more performances and choose your price: Free, $4 each, or $8.50 each
We recognize that many of our patrons have been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, so we are offering these world-class artists at prices to fit all budgets. All patrons will have access to the same performance, regardless of which price is selected. Please select the price that best reflects your budget and ability to support the performing arts.
Sankofa Danzafro: The City of OthersSankofa Danzafro: The City of OthersView from: Fri, Feb-5-2021 at Noon
View until: Fri, Mar-5-2021 at Noon		FIND TICKETSMORE INFO 
Ulysses QuartetUlysses QuartetView from: Fri, Feb-26-2021 at Noon
View until: Fri, Mar-26-2021 at Noon
Available: 2/26/2021 at Noon		MORE INFO 
Third Coast PercussionThird Coast PercussionView from: Fri, Mar-19-2021 at Noon
View until: Mon, Apr-19-2021 at Noon
Available: 3/19/2021 at Noon		MORE INFO 
Dom FlemonsDom FlemonsView from: Fri, Apr-9-2021 at Noon
View until: Sun, May-9-2021 at Noon
Available: 4/9/2021 at Noon		MORE INFO 
Casey AbramsCasey AbramsView from: Fri, Apr-30-2021 at Noon
View until: Sun, May-30-2021 at Noon
Available: 4/30/2021 at Noon		MORE INFO 
Joan Osborne: Songs of Bob DylanJoan Osborne: Songs of Bob DylanView from: Fri, May-21-2021 at Noon
View until: Mon, Jun-21-2021 at Noon
Available: 5/21/2021 at Noon		MORE INFO 
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Arts from Lehigh University

Annoying robo-calls

Posted on February 9, 2021 by Jim deMaine

I’ve been getting rather frequent calls coming in from different numbers promoting vacations at Marriott hotels. I finally submitted a formal complaint and here is what the site says, fyi.

Thank you for filing your complaint with the National Do Not Call Registry.

Do not call complaints will be entered into a secure online database available to civil and criminal law enforcement agencies. While the FTC does not resolve individual consumer problems, your complaint will help the agency investigate the company, and could lead to law enforcement action.

Click on a question below to learn more.

   Will I hear back from the FTC regarding my complaint?

   What can I do to stop unwanted calls?

Make sure your number is on the Do Not Call Registry.

Hang up on illegal sales calls. If your number is on the Registry, and you get a sales call, or you get an illegal robocall, don’t interact in any way. Don’t press buttons to be taken off the call list or to talk to a live person. Doing so will probably lead to more unwanted calls. Instead, hang up and file a complaint with the FTC.

Investigate whether call blocking can help.

  • If you get repeated illegal calls from one particular number, contact your phone company. Ask to block that number, but first ask whether there’s a fee for this service.
  • If you get unwanted calls from many different numbers, look into a call blocking solution. There are online call blocking services, call blocking boxes, and smartphone apps that block unwanted calls. Research whether the service costs money and whether it’s effective. Do an online search to look for reviews from experts and other users.

   My number is on the Registry, so why am I still getting illegal calls?

   What is the FTC doing to stop these calls?

To date, the FTC has sued hundreds of companies and individuals who were responsible for placing unwanted calls, and has obtained over a billion dollars in judgments against violators.

In addition, the FTC is leading several initiatives to develop a technology-based solution. The FTC has sponsored a series of robocall contests challenging the tech savvy public to design tools that block robocalls and help investigators track down and stop robocallers. The FTC also is encouraging industry efforts to combat caller ID spoofing.

   I gave you the phone number of the company who called me illegally. Why isn’t the FTC doing something?

Posted in Advocacy | Comments Off on Annoying robo-calls

At the Khyber Pass

Posted on February 9, 2021 by Jim deMaine

A lesson about how departing conquerors were treated by Afghans: “On January 13, 1842, a British army doctor reached the British sentry post at Jalalabad, the lone survivor of a 16,000-strong Anglo-Indian expeditionary force that was massacred in its retreat from Kabul. He told of a terrible massacre in the Khyber Pass, in which the Afghans gave the defeated Anglo-Indian force and their camp followers no quarter.”

In contrast the time of this photo was one of peace in 1966 when we headed through this pass and on to Jalalabad, Peshawar and Lahore by this famous route in our VW Beetle.

Please send along any old photos of your own from the interesting places you’ve been.

Posted in History, War | 1 Comment

Learning about End-of-Life Care from Grandpa

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Jim deMaine

From the New England Journal of Medicine by Scott Halpern, M.D., Ph.D

Grandpa married my biologic grandmother when I was 4 years old, after the deaths of their first spouses. A quarter-century later, at the age of 85, he officiated at my wedding after undergoing a nonsectarian ordainment in California. He became the grandfather my wife had never had, and he taught me how to love her. Fittingly, our second daughter was born on his birthday, a mere 93 years behind him.

Two years after my grandmother died, Grandpa, then 95, moved in with a lovely 86-year-old woman he’d met at local political gatherings. They enjoyed 4 splendid years together before she died from cancer while receiving hospice care in their apartment. Having effectively become a widower for the third time in his life, Grandpa wrote in a memoir for his family, “My life was over too, only existence remained.”

It was downhill from there. An attack of vertigo landed him in an acute rehabilitation facility. Then sudden-onset, unilateral blindness compounded the communication challenges he’d long faced due to deafness resulting from active duty in World War II. I asked him to move in with us, but he’d have none of it. “You need to focus on your family, not on this old man,” he told us more than once, despite our insistence that he played a central role in our family.

Instead, he moved into an assisted living facility in northern New Jersey. The location enabled a steady stream of visits from his children, a daughter of his recently lost partner, and my family. When none of us were with him, he kept in touch by email, and he passed the time satisfyingly enough by reading voraciously, as he had his whole life.

As his arthritis worsened, composing email messages of more than a few words became onerous for him. “It’s frustrating when the fingers can’t keep up with the brain,” he’d lament. And then visitation restrictions necessitated by Covid-19 cut him off from the outside world entirely, since his deafness had long since made phones useless to him. When the Northeast surge abated, Grandpa’s son and I received permission to visit him outside his facility on separate days. Lucid as ever, despite nearing his 103rd birthday, he rendered the same plea to each of us. Whereas he had long wished to forgo measures to prolong life, he now sought any plausible option to hasten death.

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Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Learning about End-of-Life Care from Grandpa

The doctor and Mother Teresa

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Jim deMaine
Posted in Health, Religion | 3 Comments

Let’s dance

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Donna D for keep us smiling!

Posted in Dance | Comments Off on Let’s dance

Thought for a Sunday

Posted on February 7, 2021 by Jim deMaine
Posted in Religion | Comments Off on Thought for a Sunday

A view from the 7th floor of Harborview

Posted on February 6, 2021 by Jim deMaine
Posted in In the Neighborhood | Comments Off on A view from the 7th floor of Harborview

Making a wine barrel

Posted on February 6, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Gordon G.

Barrel’s like this cost $1,300 new. The largest maker of these barrels in the US had his factory in Tenn.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Making a wine barrel

Easter Island, really?

Posted on February 6, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ann M. (not taken on her visit there).

Posted in History, Humor | Comments Off on Easter Island, really?

Eudaimonia and Aristotle on Virtue Theory

Posted on February 6, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Here’s a fun quick course on Virtue Theory for the philosophers among us

Posted in Philosophy | Comments Off on Eudaimonia and Aristotle on Virtue Theory

First Hill Community News

Posted on February 5, 2021 by Jim deMaine
First Hill Community News Vol. 120   Plan Your Trip to the Frye Art Museum       The Frye Art Museum is reopening to the public on Thursday, February 11th. The hours of operation for the Frye will be Thursday – Sunday from 11am – 5pm. As always, admission to the Frye is free, but reservations are required and it is strongly encouraged to reserve at least 24 hours in advance of your planned visit. You can reserve a timeslot here. 

Bag and coat check usually provided by the Frye are unavailable at this time, so please leave your large bags at home. Of course, don’t forget to bring your mask! The physical museum store is temporarily closed, but the online store is open.      Freeway Park has a Temporary Sculpture     If you haven’t visited Freeway Park in a while, make sure to do so! There is a temporary sculpture on display in Seneca Plaza. The sculpture is part of the Downtown Seattle Association’s Holding Hope project. The sculpture is part of a wider series that features sculptures throughout the downtown area.  

On an unrelated note, it looks like spring is right around the corner in Freeway Park. The bulbs planted in the autumn throughout the park are starting to peek out!     Mayor Durkan Announces Weekly 1,000 Vaccine Dose Allocation to Older Adults
Earlier this week, Mayor Durkan announced that the Seattle Fire Department Mobile Vaccination Teams will be administering COVID-19 vaccines to adults living in congregate permanent supportive housing, older adults living in affordable housing buildings, and they’ll also host a pop-up vaccination clinic in partnership with the Ethiopian Community in Seattle. Please read the full press release here.      Think First Hill First!  Despite the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, many of our neighborhood businesses remain open, with some operating at reduced schedules. Indoor dining occupancy is currently at 25% and take-out is still available. In previous community newsletters, we have provided a list. Our website now provides a list that is updated weekly with the latest information about open businesses in the neighborhood. You can find that list on our website here.      In Case You Missed It  Our neighborhood backyard, First Hill Park is open! Go introduce yourself to the bear cubs, Johnnie and Irish. While you’re at it, compare and contrast how First Hill Park (and University Street) has changed from the 1970s (pictured above) to today.      Support Our Work   First Hill Improvement Association (FHIA) is committed to working alongside residents, businesses, organizations, and institutions to address the needs and concerns of the community. Over the years FHIA has been dedicated to addressing issues of housing affordability, high-rise development, construction impacts, insufficient public space, accessibility, homelessness, and a growing residential population.

FHIA is dedicated to serving the First Hill neighborhood and we need your support now, more than ever, to continue this work. Please join FHIA today! Facebook FHIA Website Instagram Page  
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on First Hill Community News

Dogs are welcome

Posted on February 5, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mary M.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Dogs are welcome

Finding ways to mourn and remember

Posted on February 5, 2021 by Jim deMaine
Posted in Art, Remembrances | Comments Off on Finding ways to mourn and remember

Language of the past

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Donna D

Enjoy! 😘

I came across this phrase yesterday –   ‘FENDER SKIRTS ‘ Fender Skirts and Supper Thought you would get a kick out of this!  No offence intended. I know some of you will not understand this message,
but I bet you know someone who might.


  A term I haven’t heard in a long time, and thinking   about ‘fender
skirts’ started me thinking about other words that quietly disappear
from our language with  hardly a notice like ‘curb  feelers’ 


 

And ‘steering knobs ‘
Since I’d been thinking of cars, my mind naturally went that direction first.

Any kids will probably have to find some older person over 50 to explain some of these terms to you.

Remember ‘Continental kits‘? They were rear bumper extenders and spare tire covers that were supposed to make any car as cool as a Lincoln  Continental.  

 
When did we quit calling them ’emergency brakes?At some point, ‘parking brake’ became the proper term. But I miss the  hint of drama that went with ’emergency  brake.’
I’m sad, too, that almost all the old folks are gone who would call the accelerator the ‘foot feed.’
Many today do not even know what a clutch is or that the dimmer switch used to be on the floor.
For that matter, the starter was down there   too.
 

  Didn’t you ever wait at the street for your daddy to come home, so you could ride the ‘running board’ up to the house?


Here’s a phrase I heard all the time in my youth but never anymore – ‘store-bought.’ Of course, just about everything is store-bought these days.
But once it was bragging material to have a store-bought dress or a store-bought bag of candy.
 

  ‘Coast to Coast’ is a phrase that once held all sorts of excitement and now means almost nothing.  Now we take the term ‘worldwide’ for granted.  That floors me.
 

  On a smaller scale, ‘wall-to-wall’ was  once a magical term in our homes. In the ’50s, everyone covered his or
her hardwood floors with, wow, wall-to-wall carpeting! Today, everyone replaces their wall-to-wall carpeting with hardwood floors. Go figure.

  When was the last time you heard the quaint phrase ‘in a family way?’
It’s hard to imagine that the word ‘pregnant’ was once considered a little too graphic, a little too clinical for use in polite company, so we had all that talk about stork visits and ‘being in a family way’ or simply ‘expecting.’
 
 
Apparently, ‘brassiere’ is a word no longer in usage? I said it the other day and my daughter cracked up. I guess it’s just ‘bra’ now. ‘Unmentionables’ probably wouldn’t be understood at all. I always loved going to the ‘picture show,’ but I considered ‘movie’ an affectation.
 


 
Most of these words go back to the ’50s, but here’s a pure ’60s word I came across the other day ‘rat fink.’  Ooh, what a nasty put-down!
 


 
Here’s a word I miss – ‘percolator.’ That was just a fun word to say. And what was it replaced with?  ‘Coffee maker.’  How dull…
  Mr. Coffee, I blame you for this.
 

 
I miss those made-up marketing words that were meant to sound so modern and now sound so retro.  Words like ‘Dyna Flow’ and ‘Electrolux’ and ‘Frigidaire’. Introducing the 1963 Admiral TV, now with ‘Spectra Vision!’ 

 

  Food for thought. Was there a telethon that wiped out lumbago? Nobody complains of that anymore.  Maybe that’s what Castor oil cured because I never hear mothers threatening kids with Castor Oil anymore.
  Some words aren’t gone but are definitely on the endangered list. The one that grieves me most is ‘supper.’  Now everybody says ‘dinner.’ Save a great word.   Invite someone to supper. Discuss fender skirts.

 


Someone forwarded this to me.  I thought some of us of a ‘certain age’ would remember most of these.



Just for fun, maybe pass it along to others of ‘a certain age.’

 


 
IF YOU AREN’T OF A CERTAIN AGE, YOU MUST KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS.
 
  
Posted in Aging Sites, Remembrances | Comments Off on Language of the past

GOP – a “grotesque caricature” of what it was..”

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Jim deMaine
Posted in Politics | Comments Off on GOP – a “grotesque caricature” of what it was..”

The risks of evangelizing

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Sandy J.

A Catholic Priest, a Baptist Preacher and a Rabbi all served as Chaplains to the students of Northern Michigan University at Marquette in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

They would get together two or three times a week for coffee and to talk shop. 

One day, someone made the comment that preaching to people isn’t really all that hard, a real challenge would be to preach to a bear. 

One thing led to another, and they decided to do an experiment.  They would all go out into the woods, find a bear, preach to it, and attempt to convert it to their religion.

Seven days later, they all came together to discuss their experiences. 

Father Flannery, who had his arm in a sling, was on crutches, and had various bandages on his body and limbs, went first. 

‘Well,’ he said, ‘I went into the woods to find me a bear.  And when I found him, I began to read to him from the Catechism. 

Well, that bear wanted nothing to do with me and began to slap me around.  So I quickly grabbed my holy water, sprinkled him and, Holy Mary Mother of God, he became as gentle as a lamb.  The Bishop is coming out next week to give him first communion and confirmation.’ 

Reverend Billy Bob the Baptist, spoke next.  He was in a wheelchair, had one arm and both legs in casts, and had an IV drip. 

In his best fire-and-brimstone oratory, he exclaimed, ‘WELL, brothers, you KNOW that we Baptists don’t sprinkle! I went out and I FOUND me a bear.  And then I began to read to my bear from God’s HOLY WORD!  But that bear wanted nothing to do with me. 

So I took HOLD of him and we began to wrestle.  We wrestled down one hill, UP another and DOWN another until we came to a creek.  So I quickly DUNKED him and BAPTIZED his hairy soul.  And just like you said, he became as gentle as a lamb.  We spent the rest of the day praising Jesus.  Hallelujah! 

The Priest and the Reverend both looked down at the Rabbi, who was lying in a hospital bed.  He was in a body cast and traction with IVs and monitors running in and out of him. He was in really bad shape. 

The Rabbi looked up and said: “Looking back on it, circumcision may not have been the best way to start.”

Posted in Humor, Religion | Comments Off on The risks of evangelizing