Pueblog USa
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The Library of Congress (Part 2)....
...again, in your hip pocket.
I’m reminded, today—as I download another wonderful app—that there’s more than just music, games and literature available on the iPod Touch/iPhone.
I’m in the process of downloading an app to help identify wild flowers. And speaking of ‘wild things’ there are apps for identifying birds as well. The latter, titled iBird Explorer Pro, includes their calls and various ways to search on something you saw.
The one for wild flowers is titled Audobon Wildflowers — A Field Guide to North American Wildflowers. They talk such things at their website where they talk about a LOT of things. But there, they don’t mention….YET….their iPod Touch/iPhone guide. But they ARE advertising their Audobon Birds for iPod Touch and iPhone.
I think I’ll get that one too….
Monday, November 09, 2009
The Library of Congress….
....in your hip pocket
Well. Not exactly. But it gets pretty darn close to it. Save for those items that are still under copyright laws that the owners will not relinquish.
How does one do it? Get an Apple iPod Touch.
I’ve had an iPod (classic) for quite some time. I found it mildly entertaining while waiting for another ‘round’ at debate tournaments. I’d listen to my favorite music. But battery life was somewhat limited. And, recording was not as effective or lengthy as I would wish. So, when I figured I’d need some more recording capability, I finally dropped on a second-generation iPod Touch. And I have to admit that it has become the most used electronic device in the household. And not just for the pleasant music I’ve collected over the decades. Nor for the games that are available at Apple’s iTunes Store. But I will admit that playing Monopoly and Scrabble with other people using iPods IS a pleasant way to play such games. And then there are the internet based contest games too.
Rather, what prompted this missive is the discovery of an app titled Eucalyptus. This is a ‘reader’ program that has been developed as an ‘open source’ project to make as many books that are out of copyright or their copyright owners have agreed available to be read on the iPod and iPhone products from Apple.
At last Saturday’s debate tournament, I decided I’d like to have something good to read, but my selection was limited on the iPod. Yesterday, I went searching the iTunes store for good books to read and discovered Eucalyptus. They claim 20,000 titles so I dropped on the application for $10 and discovered what, for all the world, to me seemed the ancient library of Alexandria. Since then I’ve been merrily downloading things ranging from novels about Allan Quartermain to the histories of Herodotus, Xenophon, Josephus, Tacitus, Julius Caesar, Cicero and others to the works of Shakespeare, Cornell Wilde, Lewis Carroll, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Edgar Allen Poe, Jane Austin, Rudyard Kipling, the philosophies of Thomas Paine, John Locke, Marcus Aurelius, Thoreau…. The names and lists seem to be endless.
Kudos to Apple for coming out with a device that can be SO useful and entertaining at the same time. And special thanks to the people at Project Gutenberg, the creators of Eucalyptus.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
It’s That Time of Year!
High School is back in session…..
....and that means Speech Meets will be coming up.
I’ve had a LOT of fun being a ‘critic’, i.e., judge, at such competitions. And I’ve learned a lot too.
One of the things I’ve learned is that there are a lot of intelligent and articulate people coming down the pike, in the form of the next generation. More than I had hoped, based on all the reports of behaving badly we keep getting from the ‘media’. Another thing learned is what the schools are teaching. Some of that is not as good as I had hoped. But that’s another topic.
What I’d like to do here is offer the opportunity to everyone who reads this to join a group of people interested in (1) helping the coming generation, (2) learning about history and current events, (3) humor and drama, (4) logical, civil discussion, (5) possiblly politics and (6) fun.
What does it take? Well. There are requirements. Some are specified. Others are implied. Here are a few:
• An ability to write plainly. The critique sheets require you state your judgment of each contestant.
• An unbiased observation. You need to set aside your political and moral judgments and just listen to what is being said and how it is said in order to evaluate a competition as fairly as possible.
• A stop watch or other timer.
• 3x5 cards with numbers to show the contestant how much time they have remaining.
• Understanding the ‘Rules’. Which can be downloaded from CHSAA’s Speech Web-Site.
• Time to spend on Saturdays and some occasional Fridays. The Fridays come in later in the season for the state championships and national qualifications events.
Events are held all over the state by just about every district. Some driving may be required. For example, if you want to judge an event in Colorado Springs ore the state championships, which frequently occur in northern Colorado. [Note: The location of this year’s state championship is yet to be determined.]
If you enjoy good acting you’ll love the interpretive events of humor and drama.
If you like to follow current events, you’ll get a kick out of extemporaneous speech, which comes in two flavors national and international.
If you like the cut and thrust of a head-to-head competition of wills, you’ll be blown away by debate. REM’s famous It’s the End of the World As We Know It was based on watching a Cross-Examination Competition. The speed at which the verses are sung is indicative of how fast some of the debaters in Cross-X present. But don’t be intimidated. There are also Public Forum and Lincoln-Douglas debate forms as well. But they’re all interesting.
If you want more information, drop me a line by clicking on my name.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Lileks On the Fourth of July
Another HIT Piece.
It’s GREAT today in Pueblo. And here’s a laugh from the land of 10,000 Lakes.
Check it
out….
Hope you all have a wonderful celebration of this great day.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Parks & Rec Public Forum
Have YOUR say about how they’re doing and what they’re doing in the future.
There’s going to be a city-wide Open House/Public Forum on the future of the Pueblo City Parks & Recreation Department.
It is to be held tomorrow at the Convention Center, starting at 6:30 PM.
If you are concerned with our parks and other recreational facilities in the city, you should go.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Caveat Emptor — Cable Service
Another great reason to kill your television.
The other day, someone made comment about my life-style choice; regarding no television. Implied it was my own fault I wasn’t getting certain forms of information; specifically being able to record City Council sessions on my VCR via cable channel 17.
I didn’t go into much detail as to WHY I made that choice, about ten years ago. I didn’t think it relevant. Besides I didn’t want to drag out the meeting any longer than it was already going to go.
And the only reason I mention it now is because of THIS article.
A $2000 bill for equipment the cable service user lost during a tornado??!?!?!?
We’re talking about some SERIOUS ‘windfall’ profits here. And the Time-Warner Cable legal department must be expecting some serious bonus packages this year if it flies.
Who know that that stupid box was worth that much.
So…if some wind storm or fire or flooding or burglars damage, destroy or steal your cable box, be prepared…...
Personally? I still suggest killing your television.
Monday, November 12, 2007
HPI Mansion Tour 2007
A grand party in a grand old house.
See details….
Monday, July 30, 2007
A Busy Night for the City Fathers/Mothers
‘Hot fun in the Summertime’ was never like this.
The City Council is in for a long and interesting work-session this evening. On top of their regularly scheduled meeting, they’ll be hosting a public forum session at the Pueblo Convention center. The purpose of this special session is to explain their position on the proposed agreement with the YMCA and to collect information from the general public relating to that matter. The public forum session starts at 6 pm tonight.
There are some concerns about the forum’s format.
There are reports that the public forum will last ONLY one hour. That a good portion of this time, even up to half or more, will be taken up as the city and the representative of the YMCA explain their position and why they think it is a great idea for Pueblo. Then, it is reported, that there will be a 10 minute recess, while questions are collected from the citizens attending. After this the representatives from the city and the YMCA will answer as many of those questions as time permits.
That leaves only about 10-15 minutes for the questions to be answered. Say, 2-3 minutes to have the question asked and an answer provided. That’s only about 5-7 questions, if the reports on the format for this meeting are correct.
That doesn’t seem like much time to assuage concerns of the citizens over $2 million in public revenues that the city is talking about spending. Especially in light of the fact that the city can’t maintain recreational facilities it already has.
UPDATE The 6 PM Meeting Can Go Longer [301605 Jul 07]: Good news. According to a comment from a staff member at the Pueblo Chieftain, there will be no meeting of the City Council at 7 pm. This allows for more time to do Question and Answer during the 6 PM meeting at the Pueblo Convention Center.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
The YMCA/City Pool Management Agreement
An idea that could be ‘all wet’.
The City of Pueblo is planning to enter into an agreement that will turn over the management of your city pools to the YMCA.
It is not known what the City’s rational is behind this agreement other than the fact they starting to turn over the management of other recreation properties and this just might be another case of the City failing to meet their responsibility to protect, maintain, and manage our parks and recreation facilities. In this case they are claiming the people of Pueblo will be getting better services but not saving money. In fact, according to the agreement the cost of doing major repairs, major pool preparation to open the pool s so they are in a safe and functioning capacity at the four City pools will be the cities responsibility in addition to paying any and all operating deficits.
It appears that will be no cost savings and in reality it looks like it will cost the City more to have the YMCA manage the pools. As of this time the primary reason for considering the YMCA for managing the swim pools is that the YMCA claims they can offer more and better services. There are a couple very good reasons why the YMCA is not in a position to accomplish what is being promised at the same cost/budget as the City Recreation Department has had to operate under.
The Rec. Dept. is in a position to offer more and better services than the YMCA can because they have the people, the knowledge, and the experience that the YMCA does not have. All the Rec. Dept. needs is a level playing field and given the same dollars the City is planning to give to the YMCA. At this time the YMCA does not have more than(this is giving them the benefit of the doubt) 5 people directly involved in the operation and management of their one small swim pool. Of these five people most if not all are employed on a part time basis. The YMCA has acknowledged that the new Aquatic center(when and if it’s built) will require at least 3 to 4 times their present staff.
The majority of the people that operate and manage the swimming pools for the Rec. Dept. are high school and college students(around 120) and during this season a first year guard is paid $8.00/hr. and a pool manager $10.50/hr.. These pay rates are based on the fact that the average pay for first year guard is $9.00/ hr. in the State of Colorado. It must be remembered that these young people must have many years of swimming experience, must be in top physical condition, and go through a rigorous Red Cross Certification program to become life guards. The YMCA presently offers first year guards minimum wage. If the City and the YMCA believe the way to save money is by paying lower wages, shame on them. Those young people desire every penny they are now earning. Think about that! The availability of these young people is one of the controlling factors that determine the length summer swimming season. For the YMCA to become even remotely able to operate and manage the pools they must be in a position to hire this group of young people. The YMCA claims they will extend the number of days the pool will open and the time the pools will be open during the day. This is one of the primary considerations indicated by City for the YMCA taking over management of the pools, yet there is nothing in the agreement that sets minimum goals nor stating penalties for not meeting goals.
Something to take into consideration; What if the YMCA’s management does not meet the expectations of City and the people, will the City be able to take over managing the pools? The agreement is for ten years, what happens then? Could the City take over or is the YMCA going to be in total control of the operations because the City has no where else to go? The City must protect, maintain, and manage our parks and recreation facilities especially when there only one source for a service.
It could be a disastrous trap!
Pueblo Swimming Community Suggests Changes to YMCA Aquatics Plan
Some of Pueblo’s ‘swimmers’ think the City is swimming against the current.
With the city of Pueblo willing to contribute two million dollars towards a new aquatic center, and the county offering a matching amount for a new YMCA, there is a wonderful opportunity to work towards a facility that would meet a number of current and future needs. The inventory of outdoor city and indoor high school pools is aging, and will soon require replacements, renovations, or retirements. The elimination of swimming proficiency requirements by public schools has shifted this need elsewhere. Pueblo West’s thriving high school teams do not have a pool home. They are itinerant swimmers and divers who never enjoy a home meet. On a grander scale, Colorado has few sites that can accommodate a large aquatic event such as a state swim meet. And the overall physical health of Americans continues to decline. Youth are increasingly affected. We now have an epidemic of childhood obesity, with the US Government Accountability Office estimating that almost 20% of children 6 to 11 years old are significantly overweight.
Unfortunately, the current YMCA plan for aquatics falls well short of meeting these needs. Community aquatic centers usually incorporate a multi-use design that maximizes utilization and revenue, and accommodates the sports of diving and swimming, including competition. Some even include water polo or synchronized swimming. The YMCA’s unusual plan would allow for water play, therapy, swim lessons, and initially very limited lap swimming, but no sports. As it now stands, the city proposes to gift two million dollars for a facility that provides a nice indoor water park, but otherwise falls short of even equaling the functionality of most of our existing pools. We are happy to see a new YMCA built. As long as the YMCA’s plans did not involve public funds, and they could accept the effect their paradigm had on support and fund-raising, it was the YMCA’s concern alone. Now that they desire to obtain public money, we feel their plan should better address Pueblo’s needs.
Aquatics are just one answer to the need for exercise and social activity that leads to improved physical and mental health, but swimming, in particular, is an excellent answer. It is uniquely accessible to all ages, including seniors and even the infirm. FINA, the international governing body for swimming, maintains world records for masters swimmers over age 100.
It’s fair to ask why competitive swimming is important. It is a bridge between swim lessons and adult fitness. Not many kids will swim laps to stay healthy, but they will exercise if mistaken for fun. Very few swimmers are obese. Age group and college swimmers’ body fat averages about half that of comparably aged controls, and there is a similar trend among masters swimmers. Sports are a laboratory for life, providing lessons and tools such as goal setting, self-discipline, delayed gratification, teamwork, self-confidence, perseverance, time management and commitment. A competitive swim team is the most visible aspect of a comprehensive aquatics program, the tip of the iceberg that’s easily seen and invites outsiders to look more closely. It provides evidence that something is going on. Without it, you forfeit a banner. Participation on a team provides progressive mentoring of various abilities from those more skilled and from coaches. The present Pueblo YMCA facility plan would not allow for these benefits.
This starkly contrasts with the YMCA nationally. Quoting from YMCA of the USA National Swimming and Diving, “Ever since YMCAs began offering competitive swimming and diving in the early 1920’s, these sports have proved to be excellent opportunities for putting into action the YMCA mission. Over 1,000 YMCAs offer competitive swimming or diving, with over 50,000 youth participating. Over 1,400 YMCA swimmers annually compete at the YMCA National Championships, making it the largest youth swim meet in the country. YMCA Competitive Swimming and Diving programs are for the beginning swimmer to the most competitive, and help train individuals of all ages to compete in League, State, Area, and National Championships.” While this may not be a mandate for our YMCA to actually sponsor a local team, it would be appropriate for their facility to accommodate the sport, particularly if it’s built with public money.
As funds are available, the current YMCA plan is to build a moderate-size lap pool. Our recommendation and request is a redesign that broadens, balances and maximizes utilization, including competitive swimming and diving, at least a facility that could accommodate a regional high school or age group meet. We recommend that a plan for a complete aquatic center that can be used for competition as well as recreation, and that would draw guests to Pueblo, be part of the agreement between the city and YMCA.
Ideally, this would be done in concert with the eventual replacement of Mineral Palace pool to create a first-class aquatic center, including adequate seating and other support for events such as state high school and state age group meets. Such a pool could be configured as season and needs dictate. For example, it could be divided into 4 sections, each accommodating a different activity (such as open swimming, lap swimming, club or high school practices, diving, and swim lessons). Additional funding could include a lottery grant, schools that would otherwise have to extensively renovate existing pools or build new ones, and CDOT in lieu of their planned replacement of Mineral Palace pool. We’d be happy to see this done in concert with the YMCA, though it could be a city property run by the YMCA, or even completely independent from the YMCA.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Planting Trees in Mineral Palace Park
Doing things for the ‘hood.
Aquila has donated 10 trees to be planted in Mineral Palace Park. We need at least 2 volunteers per tree to help with the planting of these trees. The City will dig the holes so we will just need to place the trees and fill the holes.
We will planting these trees on Saturday, May 19th and will meet at 10:00 near the swimming pool. Jean Latka with Trees Please will give us instructions. Please bring a shovel and rake. We hope to get more than 20 people to show our support for this project and Mineral Palace Park.
Please pass this information along to anyone you know who didn’t get this e-mail. They don’t need to live in the OHNO area. Also, please give me a call if you’ll be able to help out so I know that we’ll have enough volunteers.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Promote Global Worming
Stop worrying and learn to love the worm.
Not joking about that. I support global worming. I’m very excited about it. The wormer it gets the better I like it….
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Speech Meet: Another Perspective
A walk on the dark side and on the bright side at a local speech meet.
I critiqued at a speech meet recently. While I feel most of the students did a really good job and all have potential, I guess I have an overall feeling of a loss of innocence.
I did a round of dramatic interpretation and it was all mental disorders and abuse. One of the questions on the evaluation was something to the effect: do you feel the speaker had insight into the mood and meaning of the author? I felt like saying, “Not really, and I hope to gosh she never does.”
Whatever happened to first love, the death of a pet, or being in a new school for dramatic interpretation?
Poetry interpretation was a little better. There was one young man whose theme for his recitation was poems on poetry. Granted, we’re supposed to evaluate their selections for literary merit, but wasn’t this a little obvious? It was sad in a way, because his delivery was on the corny side, but he had a good voice. (The kind of voice, if used right, can make “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” sound like Shakespeare.)This kid could have done “Charge of the Light Brigade,” something from “Beowulf,” or “Morte d’Arthur” or “To an Athlete Dying Young” and really made hay from it.
However, another young lady did a selection that had more abuse and misery in it. She did a really good job, but again, what happened to innocence?
Finally, in original oratory, we had gay marriage and the threats of natural disasters and terrorism. Two out of the five were inspirational/motivational in nature, and the third criticized parents (justly, actually). So it wasn’t all despair.
Extemporaneous speaking is painful just because it’s a tough thing to do.
Humor was good.
On the bright side, it was really good to see youngsters who were interested in current events and reading something besides the lyrics on the latest rap album. They were respectful of the judges, the other adults and each other. More power to them. So I suppose I’ll do it again.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
The First Debate—051105
Welcome to the 21st Century, where the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy becomes the reality of ‘debate’.
I had the distinct privilege, along with the pleasure, of judging my first debate tournament in Colorado, yesterday.
A fine time was had by all, except, perhaps, those that were doing their first oral presentations before total strangers in a competitive environment….
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Anti-Drug Event w/Helicopters
Only those who don’t DO drugs get to fly THESE things.
Pat Heine, Pueblo Police Department, informs us that there is an anti-drug program scheduled for tomorrow at the State Fair Grounds.
It will include the arrival a pair of Army National Guard helicotpers. One of them is described as “BIG”. I tried to get what model is was, but considering it’s Army and it’s “BIG”, I suspect it’s a CH-47, Chinook. Wear a good scarf. They kick up a LOT of ‘dust’ with their prop-wash.
Sounds interesting. Especially for kids who want to learn how to fly.
They’ll be landing between 3 and 5 pm at the Preferred Parking lot; vicinity of Arroyo and Mesa.
Here are details fo the entire program.