Fighting Back, Daddy Dearest, -and- Plain Text

Fighting Back - college student shoots, kills home invader
Daddy Dearest - man accused of using dog shock collar on kids
Plain Text - Teen claims 303,398 iPhone texts in one month

On this day in history: May 7, 1959 - Small-time boxing promoter Don King is arrested in Cleveland on suspicion of drug dealing. His criminal record includes a 1955 arrest for arson, a 1954 arrest for murder, and others.

Born on this day in history: May 7, 1901 - Gary Cooper (1901 - 1961) Born in Helena, MT, actor Gary Cooper became a star as the laconic cowboy in "The Virginian" (1929). Initially known for off-screen romances, he came to personify the archetypal American, winning Academy Awards for work in "Sergeant York" (1941) and "High Noon"
(1952).

Scripture of the Day: Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. - James 3:13

Video of the Day: "Fast and the Furious 4" Vehicle Casting Call - submitted by Darin

Imagine my surprise when I encountered this scene while driving to my office this morning! Apparently, people are eager for May Madness to begin! Click to enlarge.

Car Shows!

May Madness - the Corning Car Show takes place this Friday and Saturday. For details, visit the May Madness Web site. Friday will feature a Cruise on Solano Street and a Car Show Mixer at Corning Ford. Saturday will feature a Show and Shine, Burnout Competition, Hydraulic Competition, 4X4 Competition, Raffle Prizes, and Trophy Awards.

Sunday, May 17th, C.H.V.A. (Contemporary Historical Vehicle Association) presents the 35th Annual Red Bluff River Park Car Show - Registration at 8 AM - Awards Ceremony at 3 PM. All pre-1984 vehicles welcome. Spectators free admission. Everyone welcome. People's Choice Awards. 50/50 Raffle, Raffle Prizes. Food.

Fighting Back, Crime and Punishment, -and- Heat of the Moment

Fighting Back - business owner kills suspected burglar
Crime and Punishment - cop shoots, kills man who gunned down his K9 partner
Heat of the Moment - coolest April in 11 years

On this day in history: May 9, 1950 - L. Ron Hubbard publishes the first edition of "Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health." This follows on the heels of a feature article in the pulp sci-fi magazine "Astounding Science Fiction." A book review in the "The New Republic" describes the work as "a bold and immodest mixture of complete nonsense and perfectly reasonable common sense, taken from long-acknowledged findings and disguised and distorted by a crazy, newly-invented terminology." The subsequent movement goes on to become one of the scariest, most powerful pseudo-religious cults in modern history.

Born on this day in history: May 9, 1946 - Candice (Patricia) Bergen (1946-)
Born in Beverly Hills, CA, daughter of ventriloquist Edgar Bergen, actress Candice Bergen began her career alongside her father's puppets Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd. She modeled as a teen, then moved into acting, gaining success with "Carnal Knowledge" (1971). In 1988, she launched her most-famous role in sitcom "Murphy Brown" (1988-1998), which won her five Emmys. Bergen published her memoir, "Knock Wood," in 1984.

Scripture of the Day: For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. - 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

Video of the Day: Old Muscle Car Show

Good Morning! Click to enlarge.

The May Madness Car Show is finally here. Corning Ford will kicked off the event with a Car Show Mixer last night. Today, the registration begins at 4 PM at the Transportation Center, and the Burnout Eliminations start at 5 pm. There will be food and other vendors operating from 5 PM to 9 PM, and the Cruise begins at 7 PM.

Saturday morning registration takes place at the Transportation Center from 7 AM to 10 AM, and the Pancake Breakfast at the Corning Volunteer Fire Hall will be held at the same time. There will be more vendors throughout the day. The Hydraulic Show begins at 10 AM, and the Burnout Finals are at 11 AM. Starting at 12 PM, the Raffle Drawings will begin, and the Awards Presentation will start at 3 PM.

Mr. Roboto, Bad Hair Day, -and- Old Glory

Mr. Roboto - Zeno, the artificial boy
Bad Hair Day - bald man steals Rogaine
Old Glory - NC school lifts ban on flag clothing

On this day in history: September 13, 1971 - After 1,300 rioting prisoners reject a list of proposed concessions because it lacks immunity from prosecution, New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller orders an attack to retake Attica prison. In all, 29 prisoners die and 85 are wounded; and 10 hostages are killed.

Born on this day in history: September 13, 1920 - Bill Monroe (1920 - 1996) musician, instrumentalist. He was the originator of the Bluegrass style of country popular music; also known as a singer and mandolin player.

Scripture of the Day: "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble." (1 Peter 3:8)

Video of the Day: Aneta Florczyk's frying pan - submitted by Cindy

The weather this morning is particularly uninviting! It is windy, overcast, and chilly. Storm clouds fill the sky. This is not good. Hopefully, the weather will improve significantly by this weekend. Forecasts indicate that it will. It is seldom that weather forecasts are correct. Let us hope this time they are! The car show in Durham is Saturday, and good weather is a must!

Brave New Schools, Huh?, -and- Flip this House

Brave New Schools - Scientology taught as mainstream education
Huh? - Edwards charged $55K to talk to students about poverty
Flip this House - vintage home for sale for $1

On this day in history: May 22, 1954 - 400 people attend the Bar Mitzvah for Bob Dylan (Robert Allen Zimmerman) in Hibbing, Minnesota. He later converts to Christianity in 1979.

Born on this day in history: May 22, 1859 - Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 - 1930) author, physician. He created the detective Sherlock Holmes in "A Study in Scarlet," 1887.

Today's Video: Ferrari vs Dodge Viper - See Who Wins!

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

Here is another photograph from May Madness Corning Car Show. Click to enlarge.

Mr. Nitro—my 2007 Dodge Nitro R/T—now has 500 miles on his odometer. He is averaging 18.9 mpg for city driving and 21.9 mpg for highway driving. He is a worthy and noble replacement for RAMMMMM. Mr. Nitro lusts for a visit to the beach at the Sacramento River (approximately 5 miles from here). This was a favorite of RAMMMMM's. This weekend is Memorial Day weekend, and I prefer to avoid travel on holiday weekends. The following weekend, perhaps Mr. Nitro shall journey to the beach!

Don't Call, Unamerican Activity, -and- The Kids Are Alright

Don't Call - anti-cell-phone lawmaker rear-ends car while on cell phone
Unamerican Activity - Las Vegas orders Hummer dealership to take down U.S. flag
The Kids Are Alright - CA teen girl climbs Mt. Everest

On this day in history: May 21, 1979 - A judge gives Dan White only seven years for the premeditated murders of Harvey Milk and Mayor Moscone, prompting thousands to march on San Francisco's City Hall. In what will come to be known as the White Night Riots, the demonstration takes a violent turn, resulting in significant property damage and the torching of twelve SFPD cruisers. Police respond with brutal beatdowns at gay bars in the Castro district.

Born on this day in history: May 21, 1844 - Henri Rousseau (1844 - 1910) artist. He was the archetype of the modern naive artist; his primitive works possess a dreamlike quality: "The Sleeping Gypsy," 1897.

Today's Video: M-134 Full Automatic BB Minigun! - submitted by Phillip

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

Here is another photograph from the recent May Madness Corning Car Show. Click to enlarge.

Fighting Back, Mother Figure, -and- Brave New World

Fighting Back - mother holding 3-year-old fights off shark with camera
Mother Figure - dog nurses tiger cubs in China zoo
Brave New World - go-ahead for human-animal embryos

On this day in history: May 18, 1980 - After a 5.1-magnitude earthquake in Washington state, 57 people are killed in an avalanche of volcanic mud in the eruption of Mount St. Helens. The volcano spews out 200 million cubic yards of of pumice, ash, and debris which covers 24 square miles of the valley below.

Born on this day in history: May 18, 1946 - Reggie Jackson (1946 - ____) baseball player. "Mr. October" hit three consecutive home runs in the 1977 World Series and established or tied seven Series records; entered Hall of Fame, 1993.

Today's Video: Ford GT linelock

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

Here is a photograph from last Saturday's car show. Click to enlarge.

Global Warming on Hold, Minority Report, -and- Please Be Seated

Global Warming on Hold - April temperatures below average
Minority Report - 7th grader suspended because hair too short
Please Be Seated - governor speaks to graduating class of one

On this day in history: May 16, 1995 - After receiving an anonymous tip that a runaway teen was hiding there, police in Coral Gables, Florida search Jennifer Capriati's motel room and uncover 20 grams of marijuana. The 18-year-old professional tennis player winds up diverted to a drug treatment program, avoiding a court trial.

Born on this day in history: May 16, 1955 - Debra Winger (1955 - ____) actress. She was an Oscar nominee for "Terms of Endearment," 1983; starred in "Urban Cowboy," 1980; "An Officer and a Gentleman," 1982; & "Shadowlands," 1994.

Today's Video: Dodge Charger 1968

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

Police presence at May Madness—Corning's annual car show—was inconspicuous. Click to enlarge

Paris at Tent City?, Headache!, -and- How Ironic!

Paris at Tent City? - Sheriff Joe Arpaio offers lodging
Headache! - bullet in woman's head for 64 years
How Ironic! - guy named "Stoner" busted for growing pot

On this day in history: May 15, 1997 - Federal prosecutors in the Unabomber trial file the necessary paperwork requesting the death penalty for Ted Kaczynski.

Born on this day in history: May 15, 1894 - Katherine Anne Porter (1894 - 1980) novelist, short-story writer. She was a master stylist of texture and complexity of character delineation; won Pulitzer, 1966, for her only full length novel "Ship of Fools."

Today's Video: Gallop Around the Bay III - 150+ Mustangs! - submitted by Frank

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

While on my way to the office this morning, I noticed this eye-catching plumber's truck. Click to enlarge.

Mommy Dearest, Taxman, -and- Cold Case

Mommy Dearest - mother indicted for selling daughter
Taxman - Girls Gone Wild founder to face federal tax charges
Cold Case - DNA could solve mystery of Billy the Kid

On this day in history: May 11, 1960 - Four Mossad agents abduct fugitive Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann from a bus stop in Buenos Aires.

Born on this day in history: May 11, 1904 - Salvador Dali (1904 - 1989) painter, printmaker. He led the Surrealist Movement; noted for his explorations of subconscious imagery, e.g., "Persistence of Memory," 1931.

Today's Video: Dodge Charger - Burnout One

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

A Soldier's Message: It's Hard to Come Home! - excellent patriotic slide show in PDF format - submitted by Laura

Excellent Resource: Operation Clambake - The Inner Secrets of Scientology

While on my way to the office this morning, I noticed that the local Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise is featuring a Hillary Special. Click to enlarge

Today is the second day of May Madness, Corning's annual car show. The mixer was last evening at Corning Ford. Tonight, the burnout elimination and cruise will take place. Tomorrow, the burnout finals, show and shine, raffles, and award presentations will take place.

Fighting Back, They Fought the Law, -and- Playing Dress-up

Fighting Back - armed store owner blasts jewel thieves
They Fought the Law - human sacrifice cult battles with police
Playing Dress-up - student tries to make roadkill pretty

On this day in history: May 10, 1924 - Attorney General Harlan Fiske Stone selects J. Edgar Hoover to head the Bureau of Investigation, later known as the FBI. He will remain at the post until his death 48 years later.

Born on this day in history: May 10, 1899 - Fred Astaire (1899 - 1987) dancer, actor. He was the leading dance star of his generation in "Top Hat," 1935 and "Daddy Long Legs," 1955.

Today's Video: Get Out of My Bed, Cat! - submitted by Laura

VIDEOS: The videos are now available via the link "Amazing and Amusing Videos" in the Links section, below the visitor counter.

Corning's annual car show, May Madness, begins tonight with a mixer at Corning Ford. Tomorrow afternoon, there will be burnout eliminations and a cruise. Saturday will feature burnout finals and a show and shine.