A big Akron Ohio fish story

Posted By on July 18, 2007

AlligatorIts one thing to find a frozen boa constrictor in Ohio, but another to catch a live 4 to 5 foot alligator! (cellphone photo | see WKYC) Sixth grader Robert Pendleton Jr. had a “cool fishing experience” as the 14 year old described it. The boy was fishing with his 10 year old brother at Summit Lake when he thought he saw the head of an alligator. He tossed his fishing line over and missed the first and second cast, then on the third cast he was able to set the lure in the gator’s mouth. Robert slowly reeled the alligator to shore although admits it was “hard to get him in.”

As young Pendleton worked the reptile to shore, his mom called the animal control department and Jim Farrance made his way quickly over to Summit Lake and helped pull the gator from the water. He caged him and took him to the Humane Society of Greater Akron in Cuyahoga Falls. According to the director, this alligator, or perhaps cayman, is the first to be brought to the local Humane Society; they suspect it may have been a pet and either escaped or was released into the lake or nearby Ohio Canal.

Summit Lake

Sunoco Renewable’s B-20 at $2.99 this week

Posted By on July 18, 2007

Sunoco Renewable Station Mt. Gilead
Stopped to fill up at the Sunoco Renewable station off exit 151 on I-71 this week on my way to Cleveland. Noticed that the prices were up a bit from recent trips (B-20 @ $2.99) where my local West Chester, Ohio Meijer ULSD D-2 was $2.76. I’d like to see prices a little more competitive; perhaps I’m just spoiled? (my wife did just remind me that its still cheaper than gasoline and that I’m getting 45 mpg!)
🙂

www.CruisingWorld.com/donna

Posted By on July 17, 2007

DonnaLange in CW August 2007Glancing through my August 2007 issue of Cruising World magazine, I recognized the “Shoreline” photo as solo-circumnavigating sailor Donna Lange. Long time readers will recall the many posts made in my blog and might enjoy seeing one last photo celebrating as she heads into her home port of call, Bristol Rhode Island. (larger image) The link includes an online article written by Kitty Martin commenting on the final leg of the sailing, but why stop there …
😉

Here’s one more ‘leg’ of the journey; a creatively decorated “Inspired Insanity” during the 4th of July Parade in Bristol! It is also a great kick off of Donna’s plan to educate and advocate “through children” the impact, both positively and negatively, that humans have on the worlds oceans. “For the Love of Oceans” gets its start at the Youth4Oceans website.
Inspired Insanity 4th of July 2007

Job frustrations? Maybe a career change?

Posted By on July 16, 2007

A friend of mine sent me this video clip … I can’t imagine doing this for a living?

Power Line worker

Ohio gives biofuel retailers a tax credit

Posted By on July 15, 2007

biofuel retailerThere is positive news for advocates for Ohio biofuels; fuel retailers who sell E85 Ethanol and B20 Biodiesel will receive a 15 cents per gallon tax credit in 2008 and 13 cents in 2009. The credits go to the retailer of the biofuel. I’ll include a press release from the Ohio Soybean Growers Association signed by Governor Strickland in early this month. Thanks to David Brannon who posted it to our local CinciTDI website.

Governor Strickland Signs Budget with 4.5 Million Dollars for Alternative Fuel Programs

Columbus, OH– Governor Ted Strickland signed the biennium state budget on Saturday,with 4.5 milliondollars allotted to alternative fuel programs that will work to increase availability of soy biodiesel and E85 across the state. The Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) and the Ohio Corn Growers Association (OCGA), in cooperation with the Ohio Farm Bureau, have been working together to promote these programs, which resulted in the most attention biofuels have ever received in the state budget.

“The increased presence biofuels received in the state budget is a sure sign that alternative energy sources are a high priority for our state government, and it is exciting to know that soy biodiesel and E85 are leading the way,” said Mark Watkins, OSA president and Hardin County soybean farmer. “OSA’s work in solidifying these programs in the budget is just one example of the important role OSA plays in the legislative arena and how the organization is working on behalf of Ohio’s soybean industry.”

Included in the budget for the first time ever is a program that will allow fuel retailers who sell E85 Ethanol (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline) or B20 soy biodiesel (20 percent soy biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel) to take advantage of a tax credit of 15 cents per gallon in 2008 and 13 cents per gallon in 2009. These credits will be paid directly to the retailer.

A second program different from the tax credit will allow retailers who do not sell E85 or B20, but wish to start, obtain infrastructure grants to assist in the installation of the necessary equipment, such as pumps and tanks. Blenders that want to begin processing E85 or B20 will be able to take advantage of these grants to help with their specific infrastructure needs as well. The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Grant Program was established in House Bill 245.

Also included in the budget is a grant program designed specifically for soy biodiesel and its use in school buses. School districts that choose to use soy biodiesel in their buses can receive grants that will offset the incremental cost of the fuel. Currently, one of the major reasons that more school districts are not using soy biodiesel in buses is because, on average, it costs more than petroleum diesel. This grant program will give school districts a chance to use a fuel that is better for the environment and the health of students without additional cost.

All of the grant programs will be administered by the Ohio Department of Development. Details regarding grant application and requirements are forthcoming.

The Ohio Soybean Association is governed by a 24-member volunteer farmer board dedicated to education and promotion, as well as to uniting producer interest through support of legislative activities beneficial to the Ohio soybean industry.

New Greek Restaurant opens today

Posted By on July 14, 2007

Greek Isle Opens
A new friend, Konstantine Karvelas and his wife Maria opened their restaurant today. (article in the Pulse Journal) We were anxious to try the food and experience the service … my daughter is working there … and both were very good.
🙂

Although I’ve been hanging out with Konstantine over coffee several times a week admiring the new decor, equipment and sampling sandwiches, I was nervous for him as the opening day drew near. From the opening day line and the enjoyment most customers seemed to show, that was unnecessary. I think the Karvelas family have found a great niche for Liberty Township. If you are in the area and in the mood for an authentic Greek sandwich. Greek Isles, is located in the Yankee Shoppes retail center at 7037 Yankee Road, just west of Cincinnati-Dayton Road in Liberty Township.

Map

‘Catch a wave’ … even if you’re a dolphin

Posted By on July 13, 2007

Surfing Dolphins
Can’t help but include a great surfing photo … click to enjoy the larger photo or Daily Mail article:

Many visitors to Australia have two particular things on their ‘to do’ list – go surfing and swim with dolphins. It seems the dolphins like to do exactly the same. As this astonishing picture shows, this group of at least 20 of the creatures couldn’t resist catching a giant wave when it came along. The friendly animals often come close to the shore at this spot some 300 miles north of Perth in Western Australia and rub their noses against swimmers and surfers in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
Continue reading here.

VIDEO: “Lone Survivor” by Marcus Luttrell

Posted By on July 13, 2007

Marcus Luttrell in Washington DC
I’ve written previously about a book I’ve just finished reading and wanted to include a more recent interview available on the Internet. His thoughts on the fatal decision that cost the lives of his SEAL team are shared as well as a few of his personal ‘opinions’ regarding the War on Terror. The book Lone Survivor is well written and an excellent read for anyone wanting to know the kind of Americans who service in our elite special forces. I highly recommend the book.

EDIT: Original video tag in this post was removed … so am replacing with this:

Chinese WIGs could ‘take-off’

Posted By on July 12, 2007

WIG
What’s a WIG one might ask? Well it a “Wing-In-Ground” flying boat sort of aircraft that is being developed to skim a few feet above the surface of water in China. The aircraft mention in a MSNBC Technology and Science article is said to be as safe as ships yet five or six times as fast. In its current design, the WIG aircraft can hit speeds of 180 mph, carry 4 tons and travel from a few inches to several feet using ground effect (or sea effect) that is present as an airfoil (wing) passes above a level surface.

Advocates point out that a plane of this design will cost half as much as one designed for standard flying and also use only half as much fuel. The “wing-in-ground effect” design plane could see use in military and board control according to the article and the Tongji University has plans to develop a 50-seat version of the WIG by 2013 as well as prototypes capable of hauling cargo up to 400 tons by 2016 or 2017.

LINK

Steve Marbury and Starbury athletic gear

Posted By on July 11, 2007

Starbury
I was really impressed with an interview I heard this week with Steve Marbury and hope that his mission to to “not be a role model, but to be a goal model” for kids is successful. His project to get quality ‘star’ supported gear to kids is about the best thing to come from an NBA star than I’ve seen in a long time. It sure would be nice to have shoes that equal the quality of the highly marketed brands being sought by kids who shouldn’t be spending $100+ a pair for athletic shoes.

Why not support Starbury athletic shoes and clothing … it sure makes sense to me? I’m planning to stop at a Steve and Barry store in hopes of catching NBA player Steve Marbury when he comes to town next week. (Marbury is planning to be at the Steve and Barry store at Cincinnati Mills Thursday, July 19th 5:00pm) I’m planning to pick up something for my son, but who knows … I might even get a pair of shoe for myself; they are all priced at $14.98!

When was the last time you saw something really new?

Steve & Barry’s® is about change. It’s about changing the way that consumers shop for their clothes and changing the way that retailers cater to them. Steve & Barry’s is about stripping away the gloss and giving consumers something real. The fact is that great clothing doesn’t really have to cost that much. It’s a simple idea, but also a big idea—big enough, that is, to turn the industry on its ear. By delivering on its promise to provide premium apparel at impossibly low prices, Steve & Barry’s is single-handedly changing the retail landscape. We’re busting the model. Steve & Barry’s significantly impacts the communities that it serves, rejiggers shopping patterns, alters local economies, and sometimes even changes people’s lives a little bit.

We currently operate nearly 200 super-stores in 33 states and plan to open approximately 100 stores in 2007. Steve & Barry’s shoppers typically pay 50% to 90% less for the same quality clothing found at competing department and specialty stores. How do we do it? We’re a company of engineers. We strive to find solutions in every corner of our business, big and small, that allow us to charge incredibly low prices. Our innovations extend to every aspect of our company, from the way we buy paper clips and desk chairs to the way we ship and distribute our products. It’s in our culture and our DNA to scour for savings throughout every aspect of our business. We aspire to re-imagine the company daily.

Most of our stores are between 50,000 and 100,000 square feet, and offer shoppers a wide selection of jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, sweaters, polos, cargos, footwear, accessories, and more. The company also carries the largest collection of collegiate-licensed apparel in the nation, with over 350 licenses to choose from. We also feature other licensed apparel from top American brands including Marvel® Comics, World Wrestling Entertainment® (WWE®), General Motors®, Ford®, Kellogg’s®, Hershey’s®, and Coors®.

In 2006, Steve & Barry’s made retail history when the company teamed up with NBA® superstar Stephon Marbury to develop the Starbury™ Collection, which features nearly 50 casual apparel items priced at $10 and under. Perhaps no item reflects the extraordinary value of the Starbury Collection more than the Starbury One, a high-performance basketball sneaker that Marbury wears on the NBA® courts. The Starbury One offers a sleek design and is engineered with the same comfort, stability, and durability found in basketball sneakers that retail between $100 and $150, and it’s just $14.98.

Diverse product offerings coupled with an incomparable value proposition and inviting store environment make Steve & Barry’s a unique shopping destination, proving that high quality doesn’t have to mean high price.

This is new. This is what we do. This is Steve & Barry’s.

History

Childhood friends Steve and Barry have been retail partners since they were teenagers living in suburban New York. The idea that developed into Steve & Barry’s® began when they started screen-printing T-shirts and selling them for $1 at flea markets across Long Island and New Jersey. In 1985, they opened a modest collegiate apparel store at the University of Pennsylvania. Steve & Barry’s quickly became a landmark destination, as students found they could purchase the same quality collegiate-licensed clothing sold at the campus bookstore for dramatically lower prices. The success of the store at the University of Pennsylvania fueled an expansion to other universities across the country. Steve & Barry’s mall superstore format began to take shape in the late 1990’s, upon the opening of its first mall-based location near Detroit, Michigan. In addition to providing a wide variety of collegiate-licensed items, Steve & Barry’s began to offer casual apparel for men, women, and kids. Steve & Barry’s continues to expand into more malls in communities around the country, as shoppers everywhere enjoy its groundbreaking values.

Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
My Desultory Blog