The Rockford Files redux on NetFlix
Posted By RichC on March 30, 2011
This content is restricted.
Pondering an upgrade to my Canon DSLR … someday
Posted By RichC on March 29, 2011
I continue to be impressed with the Canon DSLR cameras and their ability to capture some pretty impressive video. Alexandra Erickson added this to her Vimeo blog in January when northwest Oregon was experiencing flooding.
Sandy River Flood from alexandra erickson on Vimeo.
Those crazy Russians – winter sailing
Posted By RichC on March 29, 2011
Although many in our government advocates for green or sustainable transportation, something tells me that driving a sailboat on the roadways around here … with sails up … would not be applauded by our city police or state highway patrol. This nationalclass.ru YouTube video clip made me smile
🙁
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Volkswagen recalls 71,000 2011 Jetta Sedans
Posted By RichC on March 28, 2011
Volkswagen’s new 2011 Jetta model suffers a voluntary anti-theft and horn safety recall: “to reconfigure a wiring layout.”
VOLKSWAGEN ANNOUNCES VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL OF 71,000 2011 MODEL YEAR JETTA VEHICLES
March 28, 2011 – Herndon, VA – Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced a voluntary safety recall of 71,043 2011 model year Jettas in order to reconfigure a wiring layout associated with the anti-theft alarm system and horn. No injuries or accidents have been reported as a result of this condition.
The recall affects sixth generation Jetta sedan vehicles built between March of 2010 and March of 2011.
Affected owners will be notified via first class mail regarding the corrective measures and anticipated repair timeline.
Customers with questions or concerns should contact Volkswagen Customer Care at 1-800-822-8987.
Posted via email from RichC’s posterous
Live cam: The Norfolk Botanical Garden Bald Eagle Cam
Posted By RichC on March 28, 2011
A friend of mine sent a link to the Norfolk Botanical Garden’s Bald Eagle Cam … wow! Thanks Clyde.
Another reason the VW Phaeton is such an expensive car
Posted By RichC on March 28, 2011
How much of Volkswagen’s unique ‘transparent’ Phaeton factory in Dresden, Germany will be found in their new Chattanooga, Tennessee operation? (The VW Phaeton is Volkswagen’s flagship ‘premium class’ automobile)
Proof that spring has sprung: Flowers on the Star Magnolia
Posted By RichC on March 27, 2011
Although I’d be hard pressed to convince anyone that spring is here based on the long winter and the cold temperatures we have been having, our Star Magnolia is telling us that winter is over and that spring weather is here or suppose to be here. Let’s hope the latest cold weather will be our last. (full sized photo below)
Magnolia stellata, sometimes called the star magnolia is a slow growing shrub or small tree native to Japan with large showy white or pink flowers in early spring before the appearance of the leaves.
A leading GOP presidential candidate’s resonating sound bite
Posted By RichC on March 27, 2011
It does seem a little early, but it is nearing the time we’ll find out who is a viable and electable 2012 Republican candidate for President.
As I look at the current field of previous GOP presidential candidates, a couple of them seem to be getting their names out early. One well known political hopeful is Newt Gingrich, and his 10 second sound bite this weekend resonated with me (above). I think it is well past time for politicians to curb their borrowing and looking for new places to tax … and “to quit spending.”
If our elected representatives need something to do, how about addressing entitlement reform since the majority of Americans of all ages and political parties see it as a major problem – Medicare, Social Security, etc.
Geraldine Ferraro succumbs to blood cancer at age 75
Posted By RichC on March 26, 2011
After 13 years battling blood cancer, the “political trailblazer” Geraldine Ferraro past away today at age 75. She was best known for breaking the glass ceiling in presidential politics after being selected as a vice presidential running mate in 1984 by Walter Mondale. 
After losing to the incumbent, then President Ronald Reagan, she continued to remain in the public eye although her campaign for senate in 1992 ended in defeat. Many believe it was most likely due to the legal problems of her husband and son.
Ferraro is more recently remembered in offering her thoughts and commentary on Sarah Palin after she was chosen to be John McCain’s running mate … many saw similarities to her being on the presidential ticket some 20+ years before.
Geraldine Ferraro also campaigned for Senator Hillary Clinton in her bid against then Senator Barrack Obama in 2008. She unfortunately created a controversy by bring up race; she suggested that “Senator Barack Obama achieved his status in the presidential race only because he is black.” These poorly chosen remarks caused her to step down from her honorary post in the Clinton campaign. She later insisted that she meant no slight against Senator Obama.
President Obama commented today, "Geraldine will forever be remembered as a trailblazer who broke down barriers for women, and Americans of all backgrounds and walks of life," and said that his own two daughters would grow up in a more equal country because of what Ferraro had done.
Geraldine Ferraro August 26, 1935 – March 26, 2011
Grunions: fish that walk up the beach to spawn, well sort of …
Posted By RichC on March 26, 2011
Interesting fish … and the people that ‘greet’ them: Grunions.
I’m surprised I didn’t know about them, although suspect if I lived in southern California I would? (see Grunion.org)
What is a grunion?
California grunion are a species of marine fish found only along the coast of southern California and northern Baja California. They are justifiably famous for their unique spawning behavior. Grunion spawn completely out of the water and lay their eggs on many sandy beaches in California. Shortly after high tide, on specific nights, sections of these beaches sometimes are covered with thousands of grunion dancing about on the sand. The popularity of these grunion runs means that some nights there are more people lining the beaches than grunion in the run.
The eggs remain buried in the sand throughout incubation, fully out of water for approximately 2 weeks. The larvae hatch when the eggs wash out by high waves during tides before the new and full moons. Grunion spawn at the age of 1 year, and live for 2 to 4 years. Because of their vulnerability during the spawning season, they are protected by a closed season. No taking of grunion is permitted during April and May. During other months, no gear is permitted so collection may take place only with bare hands, and a fishing license is required. Here at Grunion.Org we encourage “catch and release” of the grunion. For more information visit California Department of Fish and Game, Marine Region
Read "Introduction to Grunion Biology" (PDF), by Dr. Karen Martin
For more information visit California Department of Fish and Game, Marine Region
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.