The Things That Carried Him-SGT. Montgomery

Esquire magazine this month (MAY ISSUE) has an deeply heartwarming article that I am encouraging everyone to read. It is called: THE THINGS THAT CARRIED HIM: The True Story of a Soldiers Last trip Home. It is written by Chris Long. I call it a circular story because it starts at the end and circles back. A complete story of a soldier and his family, his friends, his town, his Army and his Country. Here is the link:

http://www.esquire.com/features/things-that-carried-him

Four thousand American soldiers have died in Iraq. This is the true story of how one of them came home. PLEASE READ THIS.

http://www.esquire.com/the-side/qa/things-that-carried-him-interview

This is a link for an interview with the writer, Chris Long and how he came about writing about SGT. Montgomery.

Photo Credit: Juliana Sohn

Polygamy of the Prairie

Everyone's talking about it. It's like the HBO show "Big Love" has decided to become REAL and is now playing out on every news channel, everywhere.

Todd Lewan had a good article on the AP Wire, where he is a National Writer today, that ran in our local Sunday News. It described how a west Texas hunting ground became ground zero for the controversial religious splinter group known as YFZ, part of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. What I recommend is reading the Jon Krakauer's UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN: A story of Violent Faith. Excellent book and it really chronicles the history of these Fundamentalists groups. I read the book after driving across country and noticing these small enclaves in the middle of nowhere in Arizona and Utah and then it all made sense.

Climate Change will Threaten Beer Production

By Caroline McCarthy, CNET news.com

We all know already that climate change will affect everything from food prices to cute baby polar bears. But now it's really hitting home, folks. A report from a researcher at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research in New Zealand suggests that rising temperatures may threaten beer. An Associated Press report details the findings from climate scientist Jim Salinger, who presented his research at the Institute of Brewing and Distilling's annual convention in Wellington, New Zealand. The grim results? Climate change may affect the production of malting barley, an ingredient crucial to the tasty beers we all know and love. If we aren't careful, the regions in Australia and New Zealand in which malting barley can grow could experience some tragic shrinkage. Salinger's study didn't extend beyond those two countries, but he did warn that "similar effects could be expected" across the globe. "It will mean either there will be pubs without beer or the cost of beer will go up," the Associated Press article quoted Salinger as saying. One word: Nooooooooooo!

Off on Vacation so we Voted in PA Early

I haven't been posting much lately..... my new position as a supervisor is taking a lot of my energy. Trying to recharge- Sweet T and I are heading off to NOLA for a week's vacation starting on Monday, April 21st.

THAT MEANS we will be missing voting in the horrible plumbing warehouse and waiting in the long lines with no decent restroom or waiting area. Our voting place is beyond anything I have ever seen or dreamed it could be ....here in the good ole USA... where our vote is suppose to count without any hanging chads......so much of the news media is focused on the Pennsylvania Primary, Tuesday April 22nd....well

We have VOTED and now we wait for the results....

Admiral FOX FALLON and ESQUIRE

I have posted before on how much I like reading articles by Tom Barnett in Esquire. I find them so thought provoking and interesting.

As the new issue of Esquire went to press word arrived that the sudden resignation of Admiral 'Fox' Fallon, the chief of Central Command, in the wake of Tom Barnett's penetrating profile of him in Esquire's April issue. Esquire reports that Admiral Fallon's departure was precipitated in part by tensions Barnett reported between the White House and Admiral Fallon over Iran and to a lesser extent, Iraq. If you haven't read,

" THE MAN BETWEEN WAR AND PEACE" it is online @ esquire.com.

Esquire notes that Admiral Fallon is a visionary commander and his sudden exit is a loss for our nation...a GREAT loss for our nation. I highly recommend this article!

photo credit: US DOD

Lancaster County and its HS Band Directors

What is up with Lancaster County High School band directors?

The band director at Columbia Junior/Senior High School was arrested Monday, April 8, 2008 for allegedly having an ongoing sexual relationship with a 16-year-old female student during the past year.

Robert E. Richards, 33, of 3808 Laurel Drive, Columbia, was charged by police in Columbia and West Hempfield Township with a total of two counts each of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and corruption of minors, as well as one count each of statutory sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault. School officials said Richards was placed on paid leave on Monday.

He was arraigned before District Judge Robert Herman and committed to jail in lieu of $175,000 cash bail, pending a preliminary hearing.The alleged relationship between the band director and student included several sexual encounters, according to court documents, once in the high school and several times in Richards' West Hempfield Township home.

Richards is the THIRD Lancaster County band director to be arrested recently on allegations of having sexual encounters with teenage girls, according to newspaper records.

Recently, Todd Sheerer of Warwick High School in Lititz was arrested. The Warwick High School band director, Sheerer, 29, of Lancaster, is awaiting trial on the charges that he had a sexual relationship with a now 17-year-old student, beginning when she was 16. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing and has been terminated from his job. Michael Wolf of Landisville, who was the Band Director @ Lebanon County Cedar Crest HS was convicted of charges stemming from DEC. 2006. WEIRD and disgusting. The takes the whole idea of that saying from the film American Pie...what I did at Band Camp.... to a whole new level.

What I learned this week...

What I learned this week...I was thinking about farms, fresh food and the high price of gas/diesel...

• PA has more than 58,000 farms, with 99% owned by families or partnerships.
• PA has more than 1,000 farmers markets. The local fruits and vegetables grown
and sold at farmers markets across the state generate over $50 million in annual
revenues.
• Of PA’s non-federal land, 19.6% is cropland and 8.2% is pasture.
• The Pennsylvania Farm Show is held in January because, traditionally, it was the time of year that farmers started looking ahead to the coming season.
• Farmers’ High School opened in 1859. Chartered to teach the application of scientific principles to farming, it was renamed the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania in 1862. It received its final name in 1953 when it became known as Penn State University.
• PA leads the nation in the number of county and community fairs with 116 across the state.
• “Agritourism” was officially added to the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate® Dictionary last year. PA is home to more than 100 agritourism destinations.
• There are nearly 60 Farm Stays across the state. Vacationers have the opportunity to learn about farm-life and agriculture while enjoying the hospitality of PA’s producers.

Check out Bill Moyers Journal on the Farm Bill :http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/04112008/profile2.html

"By April 18, 2008 the huge spending bill commonly know as "The Farm Bill" must be reauthorized. The bill encompasses so many programs and payouts that its fans and foes don't fall into predictable camps. "

Fat Tire Cans

Just in Time for Outdoor Activities: Fat Tire Cans are Light and Sustainable......

From Fort Collins, CO – New Belgium Brewing today announced that it will be packaging and distributing its flagship Fat Tire Amber Ale in aluminum cans to limited markets this summer. New Belgium, known for its commitment to quality and sustainability, will begin distributing a short run of cans in June, just when concerts, camping trips and other outdoor activities are in full swing.

30 Rock is BACK Yeahoooooo

“MILF Island.” 30 rock is BACK!

TINA FEY RULES

Martha Stewart moving to Chester County PA ?

I heard a rumor that Martha Stewart is house hunting locally, as in Chester County, near West Chester ? Tongues are wagging that the great domestic goddess is scouting real estate in West Chester as part of her new deal with QVC, which is Headquartered in WC . I have now heard that she is not scouting for a house but she is building a mini estate on the Chester/Delaware County line, near Route 1, Route 100 and Route 926. Interesting.

The AP reported that in August 2006....Six years after Martha Stewart said she was leaving Westport, Connecticut, the domestic diva really is bidding farewell to this wealthy seaside town — if only someone will buy her house. Stewart has been trying for more than two months to sell her early 19th century federal-style farmhouse for $9 million. Real estate experts say it's not unusual for luxury homes to take at least a few months to sell — even those with Martha's famous touch. "It's the most beautiful property I've ever seen," said Eileen Hill, president of the Mid Fairfield County Association of Realtors. "Every blade of grass stands at attention."

Wondering what the new house here in PA will look like....when I see it I will let you know.

*Above is a photo of the Martha Stewart Connecticut house, of early 19th century federal-style farmhouse that was listed for $9 million in 2006.

WHISKEYTOWN re-release on Vinyl

I got the following email alert from Lost Highway Records today....such good news.....

THE SEMINAL RELEASE FROM RYAN ADAMS’ CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FIRST BAND -AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER VINYL!

4.15.08 WHISKEYTOWN STRANGERS ALMANAC DOUBLE LP

Whiskeytown, a highly acclaimed founding band of the alt-country/No Depression scene, launched the solo career of four-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter-guitarist Ryan Adams as well as that of fiddler-singer-songwriter Caitlin Cary. Now the group’s 1997 major label debut album, an overlooked gem from a band considered one of the genre’s most promising, is being released for the first time ever on vinyl.

• This audiophile pressing, will be on 2 slabs of glorious 180 gram virgin vinyl
  This 2LP release mimics disc one from the STRANGERS ALMANAC 2CD DELUXE EDITION.


• Sides 1-3 feature the original 13 track album.


• Side 4 includes the 5 previously unreleased tracks from the live at KCRW radio appearance.


• Housed in a collector’s edition four color sleeve.

“The album is a minor classic, and this reissue proves Adams was ridiculously prolific even then. The bonus disc of unearthed Nineties sessions would itself make a strong album…” - Rolling Stone, 4/5 Stars
“The first disc features the original album bolstered by five previously unreleased radio performances. The second disc is a veritable treasure trove..” - Pitchfork

Save the Date=Lancaster PRIDE 2008

Lancaster Pride 2008 Festival : June 21st, 2008. Buchanan Park !!!!

Join us noon to 6 p.m. in Buchanan Park for Lancaster PA's first Pridefest !

Check out the great web site:

http://lancasterpride2008.org/default.aspx

Last year the fest was a bust and the first ever pride fest was canceled due to lack of permits or something but it looks like this year its' really going to happen. The web site is great and the planning committee looks to be well organized.

lancasterpride@aol.com