Movie Magic

If you're interested in the most recent news about special effects in the movies, you might check out the blog, vfxblog.

A Cosmically Smashing Success!

Yesterday, right on schedule, a man-made space satellite released a refridgerator-sized probe and aimed it on a collision-course with a comet some 83 million miles out there somewhere. The purpose of this crash was to use the resulting explosion of dust and debris to study the nature of the material on this comet. What sort of dust/dirt/ice/??? is up there? What can that information tell us about the role comets played or did not play in the formation of planets and the introduction of minerals or water to our own planet Earth.

From what I've read, it seems like the project could not have gone better and the data and pictures the team is getting from the satellite (and observations using powerful telescopes from earthlings) are quite cool.

Check out the Deep Impact website by clicking here. You'll be amazed (and impressed)!

Fourth of July Lore

If you need any reading material while you're waiting for the skies to darken tonight and for your local (or personal) fireworks display to start, you need go no farther than the Fourth of July Celebrations Database. Concerning things The 4th -- you got the question, they've got the answer.

Also, if you want a more historical slice of what happened on July 4th, check out the Library of Congress site -- Today in History: July 4th

Hungry?

The George Mateljan Foundation has a website devoted to the World's Healthiest Foods. Next time you're hungry but you conscience demands you eat something "good for you". check out the many food choices here....and also find out why they're so good for you!

Make Sure Your 4th Is Safe

Maybe this should have been on my list before July 4th, but, perhaps as you plan for next year's July 4th. Called the National Council on Fireworks Safety, this organization is dedicated to:

to educate the public on the safe and responsible use of fireworks. Based in Washington, D.C., the National Council works closely with retailers and manufacturers of fireworks on a national basis. Additionally, the Council, through its relationships with trade organizations like the American Pyrotechnics Association, and safety organizations like the American Fireworks Standard Laboratory, is very proactive in maintaining high standards in the manufacture and sale of fireworks.

If you plan on putting together your own fireworks show, I urge you to take advantage of the safety information available here.

Eminent Domain

A decision announced at pretty much the end of the Supreme Court's term this year had to do with the state's ability to condemn privately-owned property in order to use that land for another purpose....one, of course, supported by the city, town, state, or county with jurisdiction.

The justices seemed to say that pretty much any purpose the governmental agency decides is legitimate is enough justification to take over that land from the private landowner.

Much discussion about the principle of "eminent domain" has ensured and FindLaw for the Public has a page that explains this concept and how it has been applied. Click here to get to that page (you might have to enter in your zip code before the article appears).

Frankly, My Dear

In case you've ever wondered what the 100 best lines from movies are, you can find a list at the American Film Institute. You'll find the list here, and, yes, #1 in by Rhett in GWTW -- "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." I suspect you guessed it already. Some of the others may surprise you!

Oh Canada!

If you've ever wondered what the national holidays in Canada are -- or needed a list -- click here.

I told you this blog would be filled with "this & that"!!

Watch Out For Those PhisherMen and PhisherWomen

For those who don't know, there are people out there trying to steal other people's identity. And they're getting more clever (or desparate, depending probably on your point of view) all the time.

"Phishing" is the process by which fraudulent e-mail is sent out under the guise of a bank, credit card company, or other service (like an ISP or eBay or PayPal) claiming that the addressee's account numbers, PINs, and other personal information needs to be sent back or accounts will be closed.

For those who believe these scammers, they end up divulging personal financial information that is then re-sold or otherwise distributed to creeps who steal identities.

There is an online quiz you can take that present 10 actual scenarios that you rate as legitimate or phishing/fraudulent. At the end, the quiz gives you your score and also explains why each example was either legit or a fraud.

It's probably a good idea for everyone to take this test and see how savvy you are about this. Go to MailFrontier's Phishing IQ Test.

Some Great Nature Photos

Stop by Richard Seaman's Flying Kiwi website. Some great photos of many critters including insects, birds, reptiles, fungi, and "the underwater world."

Is It Getting Warm In Here?

Convictions of the current administration in Washington aside, a number of serious-thinking people are concerned about the warming of our planet. It's not so much that they wonder if we're gradually warming. They can see from the shrinking Arctic & Antarctic ice packs that global warming is indeed happening.

Visit the Global Climate Change Research Explorer site to get a great deal of information about what careful scientists are doing with research on this "hot" topic. Something must be done!

More Lewis and Clark

I've already posted once before (twice?) on sites related to those two amazing -- and I'd argue quite important in US history -- explorers, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.

National Geographic also has an amazing site full of information and interactive pages. You can retrace the trip and read journal entries and see drawings and other images related to the trip.

Check National Geographic -- Lewis and Clark

Endanged Species, Conservation, the Environment

The World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) offers an entire website dedicated to providing students (they indicate high school but it could be any interested student) about endangered animal species, conservation, and environmental issues. There are links to help with homework, ideas for projects, and a number of resources relating to specific animals that are deemed endangered.

This seems like an important and useful site when it comes to issues such as the biology of our earth and the care we must take, as humans, in protecting it.

WWF High School

King Tut

I well remember the hubbub and excitement when relics from King Tut's tomb made their US tour some 20 years ago. Now another tour has started and, while not as much todoo is being made, there is still a great deal of interest in the remaining worldly items from the burial site.

National Geographic has a website with interactive illustrations & pictures, not to mention narration that seems quite good. The site is called: Unraveling the Mystery of King Tutankhamun

Mad Cow Disease

With another apparent case of Mad Cow Disease (this time from Texas, I believe), much publicity is once again focused on this kind of scary disease. Part of the reason it seems a bit scary is because it also seems a bit mysterious.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has this page dedicated to passing on information about this disease (which is technically called: BSE -- bovine spongiform encephalopathy). A serious issue, certainly, but an instance where the more you know the more balanced and thoughtful your reactions will be.

Roller Coaster Info Galore!

If you're a big roller coaster fan -- as I am but I'm stuck in a region of the country where the biggest roller coasters are pretty meek and mild compared to elsewhere -- you should check out the Roller Coaster Database. Here's site that has all you need to know about roller coasters not just in the US but all over the world.

Reading Material From Smalltown USA

If you've ever had a hankering to check out what's making the news outside of the metro areas of the country, take a visit to Small Town Papers. A great way to get a glimpse into the pulse of places outside (one would think) of the fast pace of big city life.

Surf's Up!

Although not a Californian, I guess I'm a sucker when I see things like "Surfin' Scientist". Courtesy of the Australian Broadcasting System, there is such a guy!

His site -- called, you won't be surprised to learn: Surfing Scientist -- has a host of fun and imaginative experiments to try. I guess he even visits schools, although I doubt he makes it to many schools on this side of the equator.

Definitely something to check out. Teachers will like the teacher resources and the kids will like the science tricks and experiments. You can even ask the Surfing Scientist a question of your own.

Cool dude!

One Summer Outpost For Fun -- Themeparks!

If you thinking about taking a trip to one of the many themeparks in the US -- and would like information, advice, safety evaluations, or even hotels in the park's area -- visit ThemePark Insider for all the info you'll need!

How To How To

If you've ever had a hankering to write a How-To manual, the wikiHow and eHow partnered websites give you your chance to write a guide that actually is clear, concise, and helpful.

In true Wiki tradition, you can write your best and then others contributors will tweak and (maybe) improve on your manual. It's all one great big collaboration.

Certainly worth a try! Their motto is: Clear instructions on how to do just about anything!