The Columbia River Experience
Posted By RichC on March 11, 2009
Keel Brightman, the son of a friend of mine (Donna Lange’s) is participating in an adventure of a lifetime this spring in the Pacific Northwest. He is part of a small group who has started in British Columbia, Canada this March and is hoping to paddle the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean.
The team sees the Columbia River as one of the most dammed river drainages in the world and is using their expedition to bring attention to the river, the environment and alternative energy. They post updates on their website and one member uses a great product call the Spot Satellite Messenger to check in and post his position daily.
They originally wanted to depart from the headwaters of the river but due to ice had to start a bit further downstream and intend to return to the headwaters to finish the full length of the Columbia later in the season. Still they have found snow and ice challenging and the lake paddle distances mentally grueling. Here’s wishing the team well.
Current video …
Late Nite with Jimmy Fallon features the Palm Pre
Posted By RichC on March 10, 2009
Palm Pre gets a unique appearance on NBC’s Late Nite with Jimmy Fallon as Joshua Topolsky from Engadget brought one along in his pocket — he must rate pretty high in the tech world to have had that priveledge! The Pre has made only a handful of appearances since the introduction, so is sort of a big deal for gadget fans and Palm PDA/Smartphone advocates. I thought the “geek riot” comment was pretty funny.
Enjoyed meeting with the EAA284.org guys on Sunday
Posted By RichC on March 9, 2009
Small and informal (as usual) EAA284.org gathering on Sunday afternoon and continued to discuss a couple rib stitching and wing/fuselage covering options. Stewart Systems less toxic EkoBond were looked at (PDF Manual) and we entertained thoughts on possibly creating a How-To video for making stitching needles from welding rods. Although I’m building an aluminum aircraft, learning about rib stitching is enjoyable. (I’m going to have to work on my knot-tying, although I’m sure I’ll find myself dreaming about sailing?)
😀
I also appreciated the information one member brought in as to “incident” vs. “accident” reporting and how it might be wise not to call 911 for non-lifethreatening situations. He shared a horror story of airplane butchery by emergency responders when they cut open a flipped plane rather than lifting the tail. Educating the fire department near a local airfield could be an excellent community outreach project for EAA chapters?
Another subject that came up is continuing our pursuit of non-profit tax exemption and this years filing of our IRS 990N paperwork — postcard. I’m starting here for both the EAA284.org and CinciTDI.com groups. I’m all ears if there are experts willing to offer their advice in keeping things simple.
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Annual Electronic Filing Requirement for Small Exempt Organizations — Form 990-N (e-Postcard) |
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Page Last Reviewed or Updated: February 04, 2009
Heaven bound: Lois R. Sevrence left for Home
Posted By RichC on March 8, 2009
Although her life was full and death was peaceful, it is difficult for me to say an earthly goodbye to my wonderful Aunt Lois. She was my closest aunt (my mother’s only sister) and growing up we were always together with her and her family. My brother and I were practically best friends with her two children spending every holiday and special occasion together. Aunt Lois was always the one to remember a special occasion with a thoughtful card, a short note and often a few dollars … even to my kids. She was a close and loving big sister to my mom and I know she will be deeply missed. (Toledo Blade Obituary)
I am grateful she passed away comfortably and offer my sympathy to her two children, my cousins Diane and Bob — and their families.
Lois R. Lois R. Sevrence, 85, of Toledo, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, Saturday, March 7, 2009 at the Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg. Lois was born on July 27, 1923, to Richard and Ruth Bluhm, in Sandusky, Ohio. She was a 1941 Graduate of Libbey High School. Lois worked for Toledo Scale Company and also worked as a secretary for Bunting Brass and Bronze, where she met her husband, Robert. Robert preceded her in death in 1988. Lois was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church. She enjoyed playing cards, bowling, fishing and her many travels to Panama City Beach and Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Her most favorite moments were those spent with her family and friends at holidays and special occasions. Lois is survived by her daughter, Diane (Bert) Mears; son, Bob Sevrence; grandchildren, Kari (Chris) Young, Corey Mears and Laney Rodgers; great-grand-son, Austin Young and sister, Jeanine (Bud) Corbett. Friends may call at the Walter Funeral Home, 4653 Glendale Ave. on Tuesday, March 10th from 2 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Ottawa Hills Memorial Park. Memorials may be given to Hospice of Northwest Ohio or Bethel Lutheran Church, 1853 South Ave. Toledo, Ohio 43609. Lois’s family would like to thank the staff of Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their tender care and compassion. www.walterfuneralhome.com
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QuickPress update: New Database server for my blog
Posted By RichC on March 6, 2009
Since I haven’t been traveling this week, I’ve had a few minutes to do a full database backup and reinstall on a new server. One of the primary reason I’ve been anxious to do was because of some significant slowing in access. Thankfully the upgrade was painless and looks to have corrected my primary speed problems. If you read this online and notice the improvement, you now know why.
Topgear America’s project Sipster is coming along
Posted By RichC on March 6, 2009
TopGear.com American is working on their “triple 7” — $7000, 70mpg, 0-60mpg in under 7 seconds. They have purchase a VW Rabbit diesel in New York and are transplanting a TDI engine in Regina, Saskatchewan and have labeled the project the “Sipster.”
The current video shows the engine transplant (below) although the project was announcmed in February. As a VW diesel fan I’m anxious to see if this old a 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel with a 2003 VW TDI engine will be able to succeed in their goal.
Topgear embedded video no longer supported
Portable, flexible but costly solar panel set-up
Posted By RichC on March 5, 2009
Powerenz.com makes a very portable set of solar panels that looks to provide a great way to charge or power low wattage electrical devices while away from conventional power sources. The flexible panels can be easily toted in a bag or backpack and will provide up to 180 watts of power. They can also be linked together to provide up to 300 continuous watts, with the downside being the cost — $3000.
Create your own personal font in a few minutes
Posted By RichC on March 4, 2009
YourFonts.com makes it easy to create a personalized font based on your own handwriting. I created one in about 15 minutes, including the scanning and uploading — very cool.
After printing out the PDF template , I used a fine tip ‘Sharpie‘ to scribble in the letters and numbers as the very easy instructions describe. I didn’t bother to do the ‘included’ second page, but those who need accented letters and special characters might want to take the time to do that.
I then scanned the form at 300dpi using the scanner on my multi-purpose fax machine and uploaded it to the YourFonts site. (make sure the scanned page is no less than 1000 px — lousy quality — or no more than 5000 px — better quality.) The next step is to upload the scan, preview the font on their site and finally download the .TTF file to be placed in your font folder on your Mac or PC. It couldn’t be simpler.
Below is an image of a full page (8.5×11) word document using the font I created, click for the larger version.
It is easy to selecting your font in any program on your computers and is ideal for personalized letters and envelopes you type have a personal flare. This might be a great way to address Christmas cards or to use for some special invitations, but one need to know that if you email a document, they will need to have your font ‘unless’ you embed a copy into the doc. (don’t use it for emails since the end user will most likely not have your personal font installed)
I’m looking forward to showing this to my daughter knowing she will love creating her own decorative fonts for free!
Ok, so it does get uglier: DJIA closes at 6726
Posted By RichC on March 3, 2009
I’ll keep this post short since my mood is the same; the markets tried to find a reason to bounce after loosing 299 point on the DJIA yesterday, but traders and investors would have none of it. The averages did cross yesterday’s ‘ugly’ close a couple time throughout trading on Tuesday, but in the end few were comfortable holding onto positions. Today’s loss was a little over a 1/2% seeing the DJIA down 37.27 to 6726.02 making it the lowest in 13 years.
I promise to post something positive tomorrow!
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.