RubberBuzz || Akron Unleashed: September 2005

9.28.2005

Half a World Away

What U.S. lawmakers do.

What New Zealand lawmakers do.

Good Press Galore

First there was Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, now there's the New York Times. The NY Times did a great write up of the University of Akron's Archives of the History of American Psychology where you can see all types of relics from psychology's past. This archive can be visited in the basement of the Polsky building located on Main Street. For all of you out there who dig psychology or follow Freud, this is a must see type of place.

Check out more in the NY Times:

NYT :: Bizarre and Infamous Join Scholarship in an Archive of Psychology

Thanks to Jill for sending this link over to us. Thanks for helping us out!

(joe :: Good Press Galore)

9.26.2005

Fire

Thanks go out to Ken for sending me this story.

The Airdock is on fire! The giant black structure on Massolion Road that has become a wonderful part of the Akron backdrop has had firefighters battling a blaze. There aren't any reports on how big the fire is but any fire in this facilty is bad. The building, once home to the Goodyear blimps, now is home to Lockheed Martin's airship factory.

The full story is available at NewsNet5.com: NewsNet5.com :: Fire Breaks Out At Akron Airship Factory

(joe :: Fire)

As Seen On TV

Last week Akron got some crappy press from Seth Godin. This week we got some good press from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. This makeover show finds a needy family and gives them what they need: a home to meet their challenges in their life. This week the Rodriguez family was in need of some help.

Luis Rodriguez served in Iraq as a medic until his transport was blown away. He lost one of his legs and had a hard time getting around his home. The Extreme Makeover crew kicked him and his family out of the home, sent them to Akron and knocked their old down. Normally these families get sent on a vacation to a beach or amusement park, but this time Akron was their destination for one simple reason: Yanke Biotics.

Yanke Biotics is doing wonderful things to help people who have lost limbs. About a year-ish ago, they helped a young Iraqi boy who lost both of this legs walk again. This time, they were helping one of our own. Their technology is helping him walk again. Not only is this great for the Master Sgt., but also for the city. People usually think rubber when they think of Akron, but maybe biomed is our next big thing. We have great hospitals in the area and amazing niche facilities like Yanke Biotics. Maybe this is will prove to be the future of our city.

(joe :: As Seen On TV)

9.23.2005

Cheating on Davie G.

I got an e-mail last night from John Campanelli from The Plain Dealer. He wanted input from local bloggers about blogging basics for a column he's working on. I felt torn. Should I respond or shouldn't I? What would David Giffels think? Would this be cheating? I don't want Davie G. to think I don't like him! Then I started seeing responses posted all over the blogosphere. I gave in and responded to John Campanelli. Davie G., can you ever forgive me?

Oh... here's my response to some of John's questions:

Which online blog-hosting site do you recommend?

Start with any free one, that way if you don't like blogging you're not out any cash. I personally started with Blogger.com. It's a bit cliche to use, but it's easy to use for the first time blogger.

How often should folks post?

Whenever you have time, read something interesting, or are drunk.

Most important piece of advice?

Have fun. If you're not having fun, why bother?

There you go. There's my 2 cents.

(joe :: Cheating on Davie G.)

Just go away!

She's back!!! This time visiting our neighbors to the north.

Thanks to Peppermint for pointing this one out.

(joe :: Just go away!)

9.22.2005

Screw Gas...

Go electric! Check out the super sweet MM 1.0:

Tallmadge-based company, Myers Motors, is about to put the MM 1.0 (aka the Sparrow) into production. This adorable little vehicle (car?) comes in 13 different colors* and can hit a maximum speed of 70 mph. What else?

The MM 1.0 is an all electric, highway-capable, fully-enclosed, single passenger, two-front-wheels-with-one-rear-drive-wheel, vehicle that drives like a car.

The MM 1.0 is for people who want to have a fun time driving, while being environmentally intelligent and who don't need a full size vehicle or SUV to transport themselves and a few bags of groceries, books, briefcase, etc. The MM 1.0 is for people who want a hand-built electric vehicle but don't have $85,000 and up to spend on a practical, highway capable, fun electric vehicle. In short, the MM 1.0 is for people who want to be a transportation pioneer and own the future... today!

Sounds awesome to me. With work only 2.5 miles away from home, I typically drive less than 10 miles a day. No details yet on exactly how much the MM 1.0 will set you back but they're currently taking reservations (with $1000 deposit) and delivery begins October 15.

Even more details here: Myers Motors

Treehugger: Myers Motors MM 1.0 (a.k.a. the Sparrow) Due Soon

*OK, so I'm not much into the really important details. All I need to know is that it's cute & functional.

(Mia :: Screw Gas...)

Things to do this Weekend

Buy Gas
Hurricane Rita is expected to make landfall sometime on Saturday. In the storm's path are two big ass refineries. You know what that means: $4 a gallon! I was watching one of the 24 hour news channels yesterday (I don't remember which one it was, but I know it wasn't Fox News) and they said gas prices will soar when Rita smacks Texas. I filled up this morning and I'm sure I'll do it again tomorrow.

(joe :: Things to do this Weekend)

More on Seth

Davie G.'s* article in today's BJ is all about the Seth Godin blog post. I'm glad that Mr. G. pointed out that this whole "Akron's dead" statement isn't nearly as important as who said it. Seth Godin is highly influential. If he states Akron is dead, people believe him. He's kinda like Oprah. When she said she wouldn't eat beef because she was afraid of mad cow disease, others followed suit. She pissed off the beef world and all of their efforts to make a living much like Seth pissed off all the Akron people who are working hard to make their city better.

Giffels also pointed out that this is a reflection on where we are as a city. I think Captial G summed up the situation fairly well with the last few paragraphs of the article.

I don't blame anyone for being angry with Godin. I was too, at first. Those of us who understand Akron and its history know that his comment was incorrect. But if we want to prove we're coming back, we need to get over our inherent inferiority complex. Brighten our eyes and un-stoop our shoulders, y'know? If Godin had blogged that Paris is a dying city, Paris would hardly have sniffed.

His impression now, based on the flood of e-mails, is that Akron is a dying city with thin skin. Don't give him any more anecdotal evidence.

We're not dying. But we're also not far enough back to ignore the occasional insult, or to use it as the opportunity for healthy self-examination. Self-confidence is the next step.

I suspect Godin already knew all this. After all, he's from Buffalo. It's no Akron, but a fine place nonetheless.

The BJ :: Anti-Akron comments a little stale

*It occurred to me a few days ago that it is entirely possible that David Giffels could have gone by Davie G. in kindergarten.

(joe :: More on Seth)

9.21.2005

Flu Shot

It's that time of year again. Time to pick up Granny, take her to Acme, wait in line and watch her get a flu shot. Here's the list of people who get first dibs on this year's batch of flu vaccine.

Anyone 65 or older, with or without chronic health conditions.

Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

Those 2 to 64 years old with chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, kidney disease, asthma or other lung diseases, diabetes, blood disorders such as anemia, or a weakened immune system caused, for example, by cancer or cancer treatment, HIV/AIDS or steroid therapy.

Any child 6 to 23 months old, regardless of health conditions.

Pregnant women.

Workers who provide direct, hands-on patient care.

Those who care for or live with babies younger than 6 months old.

Everyone over 6 months old who has been displaced by Hurricane Katrina and is living in crowded group settings.

If you or someone you know falls into one of these groups, it's time to start fighting the expected lack of crowds for your shot. According to The BJ, the supply isn't supposed to be a problem. If you're looking for a spot to get you flu shot, check out this site.

The BJ :: Priority groups for vaccine

The BJ :: Young, old get first shot at flu vaccine

(joe :: Flu Shot)

Another Way to Help

Yesterday, I blogged about ways to help people displaced by Katrina without mindlessly digging into your pocket. Well, here's another one. This one's at Jillian's.

Akron area acoustic artists and bands will perform a concert to benefit The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The concert will be held at Jillian's in downtown Akron on September 29. Admission donations will be $7.

One year ago, local musician Jason Burkett, lead singer of Akron's 10 Cent Lovers, relocated to New Orleans, LA. However, on September 4, Hurricane Katrina forced him to immediately evacuate the city with only one change of clothes and his dog, Booker. Unable to return to New Orleans to assess the damage to his new home and city, he has returned to Akron to begin the process of healing and rebuilding.

Even on the long drive to Ohio, Jason's first thoughts were of ways to aid in the relief of those who had been left behind. Before he arrived home, he called his former band mate and said, "Get the band together -- we've got another benefit to do."

10 Cent Lovers and Northeast Ohio musicians are no strangers to doing charity concerts. 10 Cent Lovers have headlined two shows for BANDing Together For Our Troops, which were benefit concerts with local bands raising money for the families of Ohio Army National Guard Soldiers who had been sent to serve in Iraq.

Joining in the cause will be acoustic artists ZACH and Ryan Humbert, and bands Alexander the Ghost and Funkyard. Other Akron musicians also will be joining the bands onstage, most notably legendary blues guitarist Colin John.

For additional information, please contact Rob Janowiak at (330) 348-3310 or via email at 10CentLovers@gmail.com.

(joe :: Another Way to Help)

9.20.2005

Ways to Help

We've all been doing what we can to help out the people effected by Hurricane Katrina, but it's tough to keep reaching mindlessly into your pocket to help. If you're still looking for ways to help, here are some events that are going on that will help the South as well as give you something to do.

Massage therapists from TheraTouch Professional Massage will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Stewart's, 2955 W. Market St. (behind Talbot's) in Fairlawn. Suggested donations are a minimum of $10 for foot or chair massages and $20 for full-body massages.

For more information, call 330-836-1772

The massage therapist will be there on Friday. The collected money will go to the Red Cross. If you don't want to rubbed by a stranger, you can go see a blues concert sponsored by the Summit County Progressive Democrats.

Three local bands -- the Wanda Hunt Band, the Colin John Band and the Mike Lenz Band -- will play the show from 7 to 11 p.m. at Northside, 111 N. Main St. in Akron.

Admission is $10 at the door. Additional donations will be welcomed.

All money will go either to support a family that has relocated to the Akron area or to buy goods for direct delivery to affected areas.

That concert will take place on October 5th.

The BJ :: Massage therapists to accept donations

(joe :: Ways to Help)

Akron Events!

A bunch of new events have been posted to the Akron events calendar. Check 'em out and add some events if you know of any!

Akron Events

(joe :: Akron Events!)

9.19.2005

Apathy

I full-heartedly believe Akron's on the mend, that this city is getting better and better every day. Sure, we're not a destination city. We don't have Broadway, the Magnificent Mile, oodles of movie studios, or even a beach, but we also don't have the traffic and cost of living that those places do. Akron is all about comfort, not show.

My Mom thinks I'm crazy. She was born and raised here and her prejudices keep her from seeing the improvements that are happening all around her. I think she'd get along great with Seth Godin. Seth is some kind of marketing guru who spoke at a conference here within the last week. His Thursday night meal included stale bread and bad service, accompanying the worn and tired employees he saw. His conclusion is the city must be dying.

We're all guilty of snap judgments and prejudices and I feel Seth is no exception. If we only experience a miniscule portion of a city our perception is blurred. Seth really just had a bad dinner and saw some people who look beaten down... on a Thursday. Nearing the end of the workweek everyone looks beaten with sad puppy-dog eyes. I'm not trying to make excuses for what Seth experienced; I'm just pointing out what he left out.

One of the commenters on Seth post brought up a really good point:

We're all ambassadors for the neighborhood, town, city or state within which we live and work...everyday. Do a crappy job or throw litter on the street and it reflects on everyone else.

This even goes back to the whole "cool Akron" stuff. If we don't love and respect our city, how can we get others to embrace this city as a great place to live? In the past few months, the city has really come together galvanizing efforts to make this city more attractive to the outside world. But all of those efforts mean nothing if the average citizen of Akron is indifferent. Until they care, how can the rest of the world care?

Seth Godin :: The end of Akron, part I, stale bread

Thanks to Ron of Buzzoodle for pointing Seth's post out to me!

(joe :: Apathy)

9.15.2005

Girls Gone Wild

My buddy Sage said he saw the Girls Gone Wild bus this morning when he was coming into work. It was right around Market and Main. So as a word of warning, don't take your shirt off for strangers who want to film you unless you want to forever be topless on film for generations of college students.

(joe :: Girls Gone Wild)

9.14.2005

5 to 2

I'm not what one would call a baseball fan, but last night at the bar I actually got into the game a little bit. I was actually root, root, rooting for the home team and it was sort of nice. I even got excited when Ben Broussard hit the 3 run homer!

But do you know what really makes me excited and even makes me giggle? Ben Broussard's debut CD! Yes, the game winning Indian has his own self titled CD. If you want, you can even listen to a sample of some of his music. Just from looking at the pictures of him on his site, I thought he'd be a country singer, but no he's early John Mayer-ish.

As an added bonus, Ben is a talented "beat-boxer". Ben acquired this ability in the 3rd grade, while attempting to break into the free styling circle of his new classmates. This talent can be heard on the song "Deep" from his new cd of originals, and also on Coco Crisp's song from the "Oh Say Can You Sing?" album.

That's the one thing I didn't get to hear on the album snippet which almost makes me want to buy the album.

Ben Broussard Official Website

(joe :: 5 to 2)

9.13.2005

Speed Demon

My friend Liz just forwarded me an e-mail her mom sent her this morning.

Akron Council just passed last night that they are setting up speed cameras in school zones. They will send tickets to owners of the cars for 21-34 mph $150.00 and 35 and up $250.00 per ticket in a school zone. It is outrageous but watch yourselves out there!

My lead foot and I thank you for the heads up. Here's the full story from The BJ.

The BJ :: Akron may nab speeders on film

(joe :: Speed Demon)

Primaries Today

I told you I'd do it. Here's your friendly reminder that there are primary elections all through out Summit County today. Now go vote.

Polls opened at 6:30 a.m. and will remain open until 7:30 p.m. in 241 of the county's 475 precincts.

Voting will take place in Akron, Barberton, Fairlawn, Lakemore, Mogadore, Richfield, Bath Township, Richfield Township, Springfield Township, and parts of Norton, Cuyahoga Falls and Stow.

The BJ :: Primary elections in 241 precincts today

(joe :: Primaries Today)

Marathon

Saturday, October 1, will be a great day to test your knowledge of the side roads in Akron. The third annual Akron Marathon will be going on that day. If your knowledge of roads off the beaten path is limited, then you might consider running the marathon or get a team together and do a relay. Or if running's not your thing, then you could always go and watch. After all, the Akron Marathon is one of the 50 best marathons out there. Don't believe me? It's in this book.

If you're interested in learning more about the Akron Marathon, be sure to visit their website. You can sign up for the marathon or download all the necessary forms. For those of you planning to avoid the Marathon at all costs, you can get a copy of the course to help plan your back-roading.

AkronMarathon.org

(joe :: Marathon)

9.11.2005

Diversity

I really wanted to go to Coming Together Akron's Unity Walk. The walk to build respect for and to celebrate diversity took place early on Saturday. Herein lies my problem. I'm all about diversity but I'm not all about Saturday mornings. I know, I know... I should've gotten off my lazy ass and gone.

``I'm extremely proud of what we've been able to achieve'' with the walk, said Dr. Fannie L. Brown, Coming Together's executive director. ``I think we've held true to the event.''

Coming Together, a community-based organization that promotes racial harmony, was formed in 1993. It began as a yearlong Pulitzer Prize-winning series on race relations in the Akron Beacon Journal.[...]

The walk covered two miles, heading from Main Street to the Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway, then across the All-America Bridge and back downtown to Cascade Plaza.

Maybe Coming Together Akron's next event will be in the afternoon. Then I can go.

The BJ :: Walk steps in right direction

(joe :: Diversity)

9.10.2005

Breach

This blows:

About 100,000 current and former Kent State students and instructors woke Friday morning to a rather alarming e-mail from the university's director of security and compliance.

University-owned desktop computers recently stolen from a locked campus office contained databases of identifying information, the e-mail revealed.

``That information, though password-protected, is believed to contain your name and Social Security number,'' Greg Seibert wrote. ``By possessing this identity information, individuals might be able to obtain additional information pertaining to you.''[...]

Friday's e-mail offered phone numbers for fraud assistance and suggested that victims keep an eye on credit accounts.

It also advised them to contact credit reporting agencies -- Equifax at 800-525-6285, Experian at 888-397-3742 and Trans Union at 800-680-7289 -- to place a free fraud alert on their Social Security numbers, forcing companies to make direct contact before issuing credit.

The BJ :: KSU warns of security break

(joe :: Breach)

9.09.2005

Political Bubble

I live in a nice little bubble where a lot of my time is occupied by naps and dreaming of random objects, like hamsters and buckets of egg salad, falling on Rebecca Ryan. So it comes as no surprise to me that I forgot about primary elections. In my post a few days ago, I yammered about the millions of political signs that I saw on my way to work. Well, they're for the primaries which happen to be this coming Tuesday*! So get out there and vote and be all civic and stuff. And I'll be sure to put up an obnoxious banner on Tuesday to remind you.

*Big thanks go out to Mark who enlightened me to the wonderful world of primaries.

(joe :: Political Bubble)

That Creeps Me Out

I like flying, but only on big planes. I haven't really flown a lot and I've never had a bad experience. Little planes, however, freak me out. In my mind, little planes seem to lodged in trees, attacked by 85 foot gorrilas, and of course land in oat fields.

Sgt. Bill Haymaker of the Stark-Summit post of the State Highway Patrol said the single-engine Cessna suffered no ill effects after the abrupt landing, and the two people on board -- a flight instructor and his student -- were unharmed. The names of the two were not released Thursday.

The plane landed about 4:30 p.m. at 1038 W. Steels Corners Road near Blossom Music Center.

I'm just glad everyone's is safe, well except for the oats below the plane.

The BJ :: Plane makes emergency landing in field

(joe :: That Creeps Me Out)

Leavin' This Babylon

Last night I went to Annabell's over in Highland Square for 50 cent draft night/ladies night. My friend Courtney who works there came up and told me that the owner of Babylon/Metro had moved back to England and that the bar had closed its doors for good. I felt a little pang of sadness sweep over me; Babylon was the first bar I went to after turning 18. I knew the bar had been up for sale for quite some time, but I never expected it to just close. Hopefully someone will step up and buy the joint. Who knows, maybe the next owner will do some remodeling.

(joe :: Leavin' This Babylon)

9.08.2005

The Amazing Race

I was driving to work today and I noticed aproximately 100 billion political signs. "Why is this happening so soon?" I thought to myself. "It's still summer. The windows are down on my car. There are to be no politcal signs out while my windows are down!" I was ready to work myself up into a rage, but the hangover quickly made me realize that the effort wasn't worth it.

After my ride in this morning, it dawned on me: elections are only 2 months away. That just seems creepy to me. It seems like it was only yesterday that I was dissapointed by the 2004 election. How could this one be coming so soon? Then I opened The BJ only to find all kinds of political buzz. It looks like Ward 7 will be a big showdown with five candidates who have thrown their hats into the ring.

The BJ :: Ward 7 has plenty of interest

The BJ :: Akron City Council 7th Ward candidates

(joe :: The Amazing Race)

Hollywood

Sean Farris, one of the stars of ABC's new show 'Reunion,' went to high school at Padua up in Parma. How do I know this? My buddy John when to school with him. John said Sean was sort of a tool to him high school, but I'm willing to over look that if this show is good. Now that Must See TV means me watching Will & Grace and then turning off the TV to read a book, I need something to fill my Thursday night.

Reunion follows a group of friends, starting at the funeral of one in the present day. A detective's investigation of the death leads into flashbacks to 1986, when the friends are finishing high school; the flashbacks then move forward roughly one year per episode.

If the show gets a second season, series creator Jon Harmon Feldman said, ``The goal would be to use one of our characters to transition to a new group of friends and tell their story over 20 years.''

Sounds like it could be interesting. I kinda like crazy concept shows like that so it could be cool... or it'll suck. One of the two.

The BJ :: `Reunion' tonight

(joe :: Hollywood)

9.07.2005

Bland

There was nothing in The BJ that I wanted to blog about today, so instead I decided to go over to Yahoo and play a game. Unfortunately, this new game I discovered is much like heroin: you think you can try it once and be okay, but instead you're hooked to it for life. So if you have a spare day or so lying around, go here. But don't say I didn't warn you when you end up super skinny with a belt wrapped around your arm and the mouse in your hand.

Chuzzle

(joe :: Bland)

9.06.2005

A Giggle a Day

I know the difference between right and wrong. Robbery and vandalism are definitely on the bad end of the spectrum. But every now and then I have to giggle at stupid criminals and stealing a giant beaver is definitely on the list of stupid crimes I find funny.

First, Builder Beaver went missing. Then Dr. B. Verr was kidnapped. And finally there were assorted acts of vandalism on the other towering, toothy fiberglass beavers created to mark this western Ohio city's 25th anniversary.

Each statue has its own unique paint job, ornamentation and name.

Vincent Van Beaver is painted in the style of the Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh. Dr. B. Verr has a lab coat and medical bag. Busta Moves Beaver carries a skateboard. To Be or Not to Be Beaver wears Shakespearean garb.

Hehe... Dr. B. Verr! Got a chuckle out of that.

These beaver statues are located in Beavercreek just outside of Dayton. They made a bunch of fiberglass beavers and decorated them to celebrate the city. They were created by a local artist and have brought tourists to the area.

Keith Maxwell, a local chain saw artist, sculpted the prototype beaver out of a huge tree that had been cut down by road crews. The prototype was used as the model for the 6-foot-6-inch, 250-pound fiberglass sculptures.

``I was really afraid about making them too small because if they were the size of a trash can, people would hardly see them,'' Vann said.[...]

Jack Haney, assistant city manager, said the beavers have attracted tourists to the city of 40,000 just east of Dayton. He said the sculptures are hard to resist.

``It's a big beaver,'' Haney said. ``It's so big it's funny.''

The BJ :: Officials hope tracking devices dam `beavernappings'

(joe :: A Giggle a Day)

Coping with Cancer

I've lost several people in my life to cancer. It's something that I still don't totally accept. These people were my friends, my family and my schoolmates. I can only image what it is like to have the disease. If you are coping with the disease or are having problems dealing with someone else's cancer, the American Cancer Society is having a series of free seminars in over in Fairlawn. Here's the info from The BJ:

To help, the American Cancer Society is offering its free I Can Cope educational program, starting Sept. 13 at Stewart's Caring Place, 2955 W. Market St., Fairlawn.

All the sessions start at 6 p.m.

This is the schedule:

- Sept. 13 -- Cancer-Related Fatigue.

- Oct. 11 -- Communicating Concerns and Feelings.

- Nov. 15 -- Self-Esteem and Intimacy.

- Dec. 20 -- Keeping Well in Mind and Body.

For information, call Stewart's Caring Place at 330-836-1772 or the American Cancer Society at 888-227-6446.

The BJ :: 10-week Hudson series targets health concerns of women

(joe :: Coping with Cancer)

Ohio: Some Fun Numbers!

Let's look at some fun numbers for the Great State of Ohio! It'll be fun!

Of the two measures used most often to define the quality of life in a state -- income and education -- the first is falling in Ohio, and the second remains at 11th from the bottom, according to data released in recent days.[...]

In 2004, Ohio was one of seven states trailing the national average in economic recovery from the recession early in the decade. Only Nebraska, Michigan and Louisiana experienced less growth.

I bet fixing up the tow path would take care of all of our problems.

The BJ :: Ohio's economy is losing ground

(joe :: Ohio: Some Fun Numbers!)

9.05.2005

Chrismukkah List Part One

I need one of these:

Consider investing in a fingerprint reader to replace the process of filling in passwords. There are readers for $50 or so.

I tested Microsoft's Fingerprint Reader, which is a small gadget about the size of a modern garage-door opener that hooks up to your PC.

If your print matches its records, the device enters your password and information into Web sites and programs. It's incredibly easy to use: Just tap it after configuring it, and the sites load. You can buy readers that come built into mice and keyboards, too.

I'm sure this would just be another gadget that I'd use all of three times before I toss it in a basket of other nerdy toys I've acquired over the years, but I bet it'd be fun to play with. Oh, man. Just imagine having a meeting and logging into your PC with nothing more then that little garage door opener thingy. That would be hot. And then if someone wants to steal your info, they'd have to go all GATTACA on your ass and make some kind of false finger thing.

Oh, the article this quote's from? Let me sum it up real quick. Some people use the same password for just about everything. Anyway, back to my fantasy.

And then there's this whole dark side to this finger print technology. Muggers don't just steal your watch and wallet anymore; they cut off your finger. They can then instantly become you and empty out your checking account at the ATM (and it could be any ATM; they don't care about the transaction fee.) Next thing you know, you're broke and you're missing a finger. You can't go to work because you can't login, you get fired and you go on a rampage. And since you don't have a finger anymore, no one can trace your atrocious crimes back to you. The world would be in chaos. Hmm... maybe I don't need a finger reader just yet...

The BJ :: Password deluge won't go away

(joe :: Chrismukkah List Part One)

To-Dabor Day is Labor Day

Yay! It's Labor Day! Don't work today; watch this cartoon instead!

(joe :: To-Dabor Day is Labor Day)

9.02.2005

My Petro Woe

$2.99 this morning, $3.09 in the afternoon. This is crazy. Plus it's a holiday weekend so gas prices are sure to jump again. It think I'd be saving money if I stopped going to work. There is a ray of light, a very small one, in the dark cloud that is gas prices...

A barrel of light crude sank $1.82 to $67.65 on the New York Mercantile Exchange, where gasoline futures also retreated for the first time this week, dropped 23.4 cents to $2.18 per gallon.

Keep in mind that $2.18 per gallon is before taxes and before stations mark it up six to ten cents a gallon to make a profit. But still, I'd be happy to see nearly a quarter come off a gallon of gas. In the meantime, Dubya has asked us to try and conserve gasoline over the weekend.

President Bush on Thursday asked Americans to be prudent in their consumption of energy, but said supply disruptions caused by Hurricane Katrina were temporary, adding: ``Don't buy gas if you don't need it.''

Gasoline prices increased almost a dime a gallon in the Akron area between Wednesday and Thursday, almost a dollar in the last month and about $1.40 in the last year. According to Akrongasprices.com, the average price of gasoline was $3.07 a gallon on Thursday, $2.98 on Wednesday, $2.13 on Aug. 1 and $1.68 a year ago.

What I wouldn't give for a time machine and a fleet of tanker trucks...

Yahoo Finance:: Stocks Fluctuate As Oil Prices Cool

The BJ :: Americans urged to curb holiday travel

(joe :: My Petro Woe)

Hurricane Relief

I'm not going to get into how tragic Hurricane Katrina is... it just is. Here is a great resource for those of you who decide to give to the hurricane relief effort:

FEMA :: Hurricane Katrina Donations

UPDATE: A loyal reader alerted me to the fact that one of the charities on the FEMA site is Pat Robertson's Operation Blessing. It's, of course, up to the individual* to decide what charity to give to and I'm sure they are a legitimate charity. But I wanted to give you the heads up. This awesome reader, Pho, also sent along this link:

Summit County Chapter :: American Red Cross

*I personally would feel 1000% sleazy sending money to an organization associated with such a wackadoo f*ckwit. But that's just me.

(Mia :: Hurricane Relief)

9.01.2005

Not a MoBlog, but a MoMuseum

I just got this press release in my inbox. Roadway has put together a mobile museum to honor the Negro League of baseball's past. The museum will be in Akron tomorrow (September 2) from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Here's the full press release:

MEDIA ALERT

ROADWAY EXPRESS PRESENTS FIRST-EVER MOBILE MUSEUM
DEDICATED TO NEGRO LEAGUES BASEBALL

Roadway Express is introducing the first-ever mobile museum dedicated to Negro Leagues Baseball on Friday, September 2, at Canal Park in Akron.

A 53-foot trailer, which has been transformed into the mobile museum, will exhibit "Times of Greatness," featuring historic photos, video, uniforms and other memorabilia from the original 24 Negro Leagues Baseball teams.

Roadway Express is transporting the mobile museum to 22 major league cities from April 30 to October 1, 2005. The public will be invited to visit the museum on selected game days.

WHAT: Mobile Negro Leagues Baseball Museum traveling exhibit, "Times of Greatness."

WHEN: General public and the media are invited to visit the mobile museum from
11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. on Friday, September 2.

WHERE: Canal Park, Akron
The museum will be located on Main Street, in front of the stadium.

CONTACT: To arrange a personal interview with a spokesperson from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum or to receive more information, call Laura Pierce, 216-373-8263, or Justin Sikora, 216-373-8203.

Be sure to check it out.

(joe :: Not a MoBlog, but a MoMuseum)

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