Fighting Back, Somebody's Watching You, -and- Bah Humbug!

Fighting Back - homeowner takes intruder's gun away, beats him
Somebody's Watching You - citizens operate speed traps
Bah Humbug! - Florida university bans Christmas decorations

On this day in history: November 25, 1987 - Fawn Hall, Oliver North's assistant, removes documents from sealed National Security Council offices inside the White House by hiding them inside her skirt.

Born on this day in history: November 25, 1914 - Joe DiMaggio (1914 - 1999) Born in Martinez, California, baseball player Joe DiMaggio spent his career as an outfielder for the Yankees (1936–51), and was named American League Most Valuable Player three times. Married briefly to screen icon Marilyn Monroe, DiMaggio was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame in 1955.

Scripture of the Day: [Jesus said] "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." — Mark 11:25

Video of the Day: Street Legal Ferrari FXX by Edo Competition

Here is an photograph from last Sunday's Corning Hometown Christmas. Click
to enlarge.

The weather remains unusually pleasant for this time of year. The sun continues to shine, the sky is blue and clear, and birds continue their singing. Yesterday morning, the wind was unpleasantly strong. It soon dissipated, however, and did not return today. It is currently 50° and forecast to be a relatively low (it has been in the low 70°s for some time now) 61°. I realize that we need rain, but I certainly enjoy this dry, unseasonably warm weather! If the weather forecast proves correct, Thanksgiving shall present us with grilling weather. Laura and I intend to grill game hens for Thanksgiving dinner. While I can certainly tend to the grill in foul weather, it would be considerably more pleasant not to need hip waders and anorak. I much prefer grilling in shorts, tank top, and sandals!

Fighting Back, I Right the Wrongs, -and- Don't Take a Knife to a Gunfight!

Fighting Back - carjacking suspect hit with frozen turkey
I Right the Wrongs - judge sentences teens to Manilow music
Don't Take a Knife to a Gunfight! - Guard fatally shoots man armed with swords at Scientology building

On this day in history: November 24, 2003 - After his BMW struck a Toyota Camry, country singer Glenn Campbell is arrested with an impressive blood alcohol level of .20 on charges of "extreme" drunk driving, hit and run, and assaulting a police officer, in Phoenix AZ. He is freed on $2000 bond. While in custody, Campbell hummed his hit "Rhinestone Cowboy" repeatedly.

Born on this day in history: November 24, 1888 - Dale Carnegie (1888 - 1955) Born in Maryville, Missouri, writer and public speaker Dale Carnegie began in the 1930s with a radio program and books, notably "How to Win Friends and Influence People" (1936). His name became synonymous with the self-help-to-success he promoted.

Scripture of the Day: He [Barnabas] was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. — Acts 11:24

Video of the Day: Plane-to-Plane Skydive - submitted by Cap'n Jack

Here is a 360° panorama of Hometown Christmas, taken in front of my office. Click to enlarge.

I have a new Web site: David Louis Harter Photography. This will be a site dedicated to photography. If you are interested in photography, by all means visit this new site!

The weather on Saturday was beautiful, and the annual Corning Hometown Christmas benefited greatly from the spring-like weather. The attendance was excellent, and the lighted parade was easily the best ever. I took 850 photographs of the event and shall alert readers when a select group of these photographs is ready for viewing. By all means, take a look at the panorama above. I created it from photographs I took while standing in front of my office and turning in a circle. It is a full 360° panorama! To view it properly, maximize the image and scroll from left to right. I believe you will be impressed!

It was a busy weekend. Saturday—following the lighted parade—I grilled cheeseburgers. I toasted whole-wheat buns on the grill while the burger patties cooked. At the table, we added sliced red onion, sliced cluster tomatoes, and green leaf lettuce. Laura used mayonnaise and catsup for condiments. I used mayonnaise, mustard, and wasabi paste. The burgers were delicious.

Last night, we enjoyed enchiladas I had made and refrigerated earlier. I sautéed sliced onion, minced garlic, chopped Jalapeños, and ground sirloin—seasoned with Tony Chachere's More Spice, ground black pepper, ground cumin, ground Cayenne, and ground Chile de Arbol. I made sauce with tomato sauce, Gebhardt's Chili Powder, ground Cayenne, ground Chile de Arbol, ground cumin, granulated garlic, and sea salt. I coated a large Pyrex baking dish with sauce, rolled meat mixture in flour tortillas, and placed them in the baking dish. I covered the enchiladas with sauce and topped this with extra-sharp cheddar cheese. We baked this in the microwave until the cheese was melted and bubbling. I made a batch of guacamole—using salsa I had made earlier in the week. It was an incredible delight. We have another meal awaiting us in the refrigerator, another meal awaits us in the freezer, and a small portion shall follow Laura to Chico today and provide her with a wonderful lunch.

Stupid Criminals, Thank God!, -and- Animal Kingdom

Stupid Criminals - Corning sex offender with no pants arrested in pasture
Thank God! - man struck by falling .45-caliber bullet saved by cell phone
Animal Kingdom - dog drives van through coffee shop window

On this day in history: November 21, 1980 - The third deadliest hotel fire in history occurs at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, caused by faulty wiring; 84 people dead. Helicopters were used to rescue stranded guests from the top floors.

Born on this day in history: November 21, 1945 - Goldie Hawn (1945– ) Born in Washington D.C., actress Goldie Hawn began on Rowan and Martin's TV review "Laugh In" (1968–70), won an Oscar for her first film role in "Cactus Flower" (1969), and went on to many movie successes. Her autobiography, "A Lotus Grows in the Mud," appeared in 2005.

Scripture of the Day:

Video of the Day: Animals Close to Extinction - submitted by Danica

Here is a panorama created from 13 photographs taken at last May's Corning
car show. Click to enlarge.

Hometown Christmas This coming Saturday, November 22nd, kicks off the holiday season with Corning Hometown Christmas. This event draws people from all over the North State. The day starts with a pancake breakfast at 7 AM at the Veterans Memorial Hall, and you can start your Christmas shopping after breakfast. Crafter booths will be set up in the hall. There will also be a lunch of clam chowder in a bread bowl and honker potatoes served by the Senior Center starting at 11 AM. Solano Street will be closed from the Memorial Hall to 3rd Street, with more craft and food vendors along the sidewalks. There will be free carriage rides starting in front of the Corning Chamber of Commerce office, and there will also be live Christmas trees for sale. There will be fun activities for the kids, including a jump house, face painting, hair coloring, cookie walk, fun games, lollipop tree, and lots of give-away toys and candy. Santa will arrive on the fire truck at 1 PM and will be available for photos at the chamber office from 2 to 3:30 PM. You will want to check out the art exhibit of local artists at PremierWest Bank. The highlight of the day will be the Lighted Parade. It is spectacular!

Got Milk?, Vanished!, -and- Helping Hands

Got Milk? - Heather Mills: drink rat's milk to save planet
Vanished! - wife can't find husband after he wins lottery
Helping Hands - neighbors catch baby thrown from blaze

On this day in history: November 20, 1912 - Mad Bomber Carl Warr enters Los Angeles city jail with 60 sticks of dynamite strapped to himself. After an hour, two detectives attack Warr who then pulls the bomb's trigger. Nothing happens, and the freakishly masked bomber begs police to kill him.

Born on this day in history: November 20, 1923 - Nadine Gordimer (1923 - ____) novelist. She is noted for her major anti-apartheid themes of exile and alienation in "Burger's Daughter," 1979; won Nobel Prize for Literature, 1991.

Scripture of the Day: "Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song." (Psalm 95:1-2)

Video of the Day: How to charge an iPod using electrolytes and an onion

For dinner last evening, I grilled boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The chicken had marinated overnight in extra-virgin olive oil, rice wine vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, lime juice, crushed red peppers, sea salt, and lemon pepper spice. I grilled the breasts until they were approximately 75% done. I placed them in a Pyrex dish, covered the dish with aluminum foil, and placed in a 170-degree oven. After 30 minutes, I halved three medium red potatoes, baked them in the microwave, and added them—cut-side down—to the Pyrex dish. When we dined an hour later, the potatoes had absorbed a quantity of the delicious juice that exuded from the chicken breasts. We also had baby asparagus that I poached and chilled. It was a delightful meal. The chicken was fork-tender, moist, and delicious. The four leftover breasts will make some excellent enchiladas later this week, I am certain.

Photographs from the 12th annual Corning Hometown Christmas await your viewing pleasure. From the index for the Photo Gallery of Local Events, choose Corning Hometown Christmas. The photographs may be viewed individually, by clicking on the thumbnails, or as a slide show, by clicking on "start slide show" near the bottom left of the first photograph.

Repo Kids, Is It Art?, -and- Don't Bother Knockin'

Repo Kids - children taken along with car
Is It Art? - first-grader suspended over drawing
Don’t Bother Knockin’ - Boston police to search homes without warrants

On this day in history: November 19, 1991 - Michael Rockefeller, 23-year-old son of New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller (later Vice President), disappears while searching for Asmat wood carvings in the jungles near Atsj, Papua New Guinea.

Born on this day in history: November 19, 1926 - Jeane Kirkpatrick (1926 - 2006) diplomat. She was the U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations, 1981; resigned, 1985.

Scripture of the Day: "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night." (Psalm 1:1-2)

Video of the Day: Cat Talking - submitted by Cindy

Here is a photograph of the live Nativity scene at the 12th annual Corning Hometown Christmas. I shall have a slide show of photographs from this event ready for viewing soon and will make an announcement here when it is ready. Click to enlarge.

Hometown Christmas was a great success—due, in part, to some incredibly beautiful weather. The weather had been forecast to be foul, cold, and wet, yet it was sunny and glorious. Today, however, is another matter. It is cold, wet, and windy. Oh well, it is appropriate weather for this time of year.

Animal Kingdom, Weapon of Choice, -and- The Landlord

Animal Kingdom - poacher mauled by endangered bear
Weapon of Choice - man uses stapler to rob ice cream parlor
The Landlord - sheriff forces inmates to pay rent

On this day in history: November 16, 1906 - Opera star Enrico Caruso is charged with an indecent act committed in the monkey house of New York's Central Park Zoo. He pinched the bottom of a woman described as "pretty and plump," causing outrage amongst New York high society. Caruso claimed a monkey pinched the lady's bottom.

Born on this day in history: November 16, 1935 - Elizabeth Drew (1935 - ____) journalist, commentator. She has been a writer with the "New Yorker" magazine since 1973.

Scripture of the Day: "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." (Psalm 119:18)

Video of the Day: Bugatti Veyron vs. Eurofighter, Drag Race! - submitted by Jeff

Imagine my surprise when I saw that an elephant had built a nest in a tree in our front yard! Click to enlarge.

Recommended Site: Corning California Net - A free forum for Corning, California!

Recommended Site: Nikon Photographer - A free forum for all photographers (NOT just Nikon users!) and anyone interested in photography!

Tomorrow is the 12th annual Corning Hometown Christmas. For details, see the Calendar of North State Events. There will be a live Nativity scene, craft and food booths, photographs with Santa, a lighted parade, and more. There will be free games for children, provided by Harvest Christian Center. Laura shall be operating one of the game booths, and I shall photograph the event and will announce the availability of the slide show I produce from the photographs.

Comin' 'round the Bend, Going Postal, -and- Stop Thief!

Comin' 'round the Bend - Marysville woman "being silly" hit by train
Going Postal - mailman shot for slow delivery
Stop Thief! - man arrested for stealing "virtual furniture"

On this day in history: November 15, 1941 - SS chief Himmler orders the arrest and concentration of all homosexuals in Germany. Excluded were certain top Nazi officials who happened to be homosexuals—including Himmler.

Born on this day in history: November 15, 1930 - J. G. Ballard (1930 - ____) novelist. He writes books of surrealistic fiction with apocalyptic themes; wrote the best-selling novel "Empire of the Sun," 1984.

Scripture of the Day: "Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight." (Psalm 119:143)

Video of the Day: Funny Animal Bloopers - submitted by Darin

This was the sunset that greeted us yesterday at 4:59 PM. It was a very happy sunset! Click to enlarge.

Recommended Site: Corning California Net - A free forum for Corning, California!

Recommended Site: Nikon Photographer - A free forum for all photographers (NOT just Nikon users!) and anyone interested in photography!

This Saturday is the 12th annual Hometown Christmas. For details on this event, see the Calendar of North State Events.

My friend and business neighbor, Corey (owner of Corning Auto Parts), gave me a giant jug of hot and sweet Jalapeño slices yesterday. I could not resist the urge to taste them, and so I did. They are wonderful. They are hot, and a sweet under taste soon kicks in and mellows the heat. They will be excellent on sandwiches and nachos. Sunday, I plan to make a large batch of nachos for our snacking delight while playing Scrabble.

This Saturday is the 12th annual Corning Hometown Christmas. For details, see the Calendar of North State Events. There will be a live Nativity scene, craft and food booths, photographs with Santa, a lighted parade, and more. There will be free games for children, provided by Harvest Christian Center. I shall photograph the event and announce the availability of the slide show I produce from the photographs.

Laura took Mr. Nitro to Chico this morning. He needs to have his brake system reprogrammed, and he is due for his first check-up and oil change. While he has only 1365 miles on his odometer, he is past the 6-month check-up period, and the brake reprogramming is a critical issue that must be addressed as soon as possible. So off to Chico Mr. Nitro went, under Laura's aegis. It is the first time we have been separated since I obtained him on February 5, 2007, and I miss him and eagerly await his return.

The Jaws of Death, To Love Honor and Obey, -and- Going Ape

The Jaws of Death - gator eats fleeing robbery suspect
To Love Honor and Obey - man marries dog
Going Ape - Florida town has mysterious primate sightings

On this day in history: November 14, 1991 - Former postal employee Thomas McIlvane shoots and kills four of his ex-coworkers and wounds five others, and then suicides. The act was revenge for his recent firing for lying on his time card. McIlvane's previous work experience includes a dishonorable discharge from the Marine Corps, after he ran over a car with a tank.

Born on this day in history: November 14, 1947 - P. J. O'Rourke (1947 - ____) humorist, editor. He was editor of "National Lampoon," 1973-1981.

Scripture of the Day: "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit." (1 Peter 3:18)

Video of the Day: Happy

Many think that who live in Wyoming are a bunch of uncivilized ruffians.
This is not true! In fact, they have ladies' groups that meet regularly to
discuss current events and develop needed home skills. Here is a photo taken
at a recent "Say NO to Hillary" ladies' group meeting in Cheyenne. Click to
enlarge.

Recommended Site: Corning California Net - A free forum for Corning, California!

Recommended Site: Nikon Photographer - A free forum for all photographers (NOT just Nikon users!) and anyone interested in photography!

The weather remains wonderful! Hopefully, this weather will continue through Saturday and provide an excellent environment for Hometown Christmas. For details on this event, see the Calendar of North State Events.

For dinner last evening, I grilled large salmon fillets on the indoor grill and poached sugar snap peas with slivered white onion and slivered Roma tomatoes. All was seasoned with Red Monkey Lemon Pepper Spice. I built a tray from heavy-duty aluminum foil, doubled. I sprayed this with Pam olive oil spray. The tray allowed about 1" around it for the heat to convex from the cooking element. I cooked the salmon skin-side down and did not touch it until it was done. I built a dome from another piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil so that the heat would gather and convex about the salmon and cook thoroughly. A nice glaze appeared on the outside, and the inside was juicy and moist. It was a delightful meal.

Armed and Dangerous, Dude Where's Your Car?, -and- Drive My Car

Armed and Dangerous - cop accidentally tasers himself
Dude Where’s Your Car? - man absentmindedly walks home from gas station
Drive My Car - Progressive adds collision insurance for pets

On this day in history: November 13, 1974 - Nuclear activist Karen Silkwood's car is forced off the road into an embankment, while travelling to an interview with author and New York Times reporter David Burnham. Her files were missing from the wreck, but an FBI investigation concluded it was an accident.

Born on this day in history: November 13, 1949 - Whoopi Goldberg (1949 - ____) actress, comedienne. Her films include "Color Purple," 1985; "Jumpin' Jack Flash," 1986; "Sister Act I and II;" and "Ghost," for which she won an Oscar, 1991.

Scripture of the Day: "For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God." (1 Peter 2:15-16)

Video of the Day: NASCARGOT - A NASCAR Parody - submitted by Cindy

A friend visited this morning and displayed his new car. I wanted to be complimentary, and finally decided to say, "Nice color." But I could not help myself, and I added, "If you like green." Click to enlarge.

Recommended Site: Corning California Net - A free forum for Corning, California!

Recommended Site: Nikon Photographer - A free forum for all photographers (NOT just Nikon users!) and anyone interested in photography!

Hometown Christmas: Hometown Christmas will be held this Saturday. For details, see the Calendar of North State Events. The weather today is beautiful—sunny and clear. Hopefully, this wonderful weather will continue through the weekend.