As Opposed to this Blithering Nonsense from an Amateur Lap Dancer?

 Only Amazon "review" written by "Jane Black"

The point that everyone seems to be missing is that Walker's book is a bomb, already tanking in its second week of publication.   The people who should be buying it, potential 2016 Republican Presidential primary voters, aren't opening their wallets.  Or their hearts, it seems.

Let's do a little reality check here.  Scott Walker has as much chance of winning the 2016 Presidential election as Tommy Thompson did in 2008 and 2012.  Some politicians -- and let's add George Pataki, Tim Pawlenty, Mike Huckabee to the list, just to get started -- don't have broad appeal beyond the borders of the states they govern(ed).  It's as if the rest of us are scratching our heads and wondering, WTF are they on?  What do they see in this guy?

Other Unintimidated posts:
Scott Walker "Unintimidated" by roller coaster ride on Amazon.  (11/28/2013)
Scott Walker "Unintimidated" to peak early on Amazon during first week of book's publication.  (11/26)
On day 6, Scott Walker's "Unintimidated" reverses course, but the bad reviews keep rolling in.  (11/24/2013)
Day 5: Scott Walker's "Unintimidated" experiences that overnight sinking feeling. (11/24/2013) 
Day 4: Scott Walker Unintimidated As his book slowly slip slides away.  (11/23/2013)
On day 3, Scott Walker Unintimidated to tread water.  (11/22/2013)
On day 2, "Unintimidated" Shows Sales Momentum, but Reviews Still Split.  (11/21/2013)
Day one:  Amazon's best-selling books "Unintimidated" by Scott Walker.  (11/19/2013)
Once again, Scott Walker is unintimidated by the facts.  (11/2/2013)
Unintimidated by the facts.  (10/28/2013)

Valued at $15-$30 Million, Purchased for $14.2 Million, This Bargain Soon to be at a Library Near You

Excerpt:    Only 11 copies of the book, some unfinished, are in existence today, according to the Associated Press. The auctioned copy was previously held by Boston’s Old South Church before it was purchased by American businessman and philanthropist David Rubenstein on Tuesday. Rubenstein plans to lend the book to libraries around the country, according to the AP.

Related post:
Wisconsin's Public Libraries Spent $16,816,840 on Print Materials in 2012. (11/24/2013)

Bonderize Your Convector Enclosures

The Architectural Forum, June 1940

Modine. Still headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin.

Anna, a Model of Consistency Through the Years

Social Security Administration Popular Baby Names

Unlike her two other counterparts considered in this post, Anna enjoyed a period of extreme popularity for a long stretch of time -- 18 years at #2 (1880-1897), 41 years in the top 10 (1880-1920).  In addition, she has spent only 10 years out of the top 100 since 1880.  Her popularity experienced a recent resurgence, with a run of 12 years (1999-2010) in the top 30.

Ann and Anne followed similar trajectories from 1880 to the mid-1920s, at which point they followed close, parallel paths for another 30 years.  Since then, they've both shown a decline in popularity, Ann in particular.  She was poised to fall off the chart in 2011 but moved up 37 places in 2012.  Anne has made a similar rebound since 2010 -- 42 places.



As far as the Warren Area High School class of 1968, Ann(e) was much more likely to be used as a middle name.  

• Anna Anderson
• Gloria Ann Anderson
• Rose Ann Armagost
• Amelia Ann Baker
• Nancy Ann Barney
• Cheryl Ann Blum
• Sherri Ann Bookwalter
• Barbara Anne Culbertson
• Sally Ann Davis
• Monica Ann Falbriski
• Rebecca Ann Ferguson
• Rebecca Ann Gleason
• Cynthia Ann Huber
• June Ann Jackson
• Denise Ann Johnson
• Kathy Ann Klunder
• Linda Ann Knepp
• Ruth Anne Kohler
• Jennifer Anne Kusse
• Teresa Anne McCullough
• Patricia Ann Moore
• Nancy Ann Morse
• Shirley Ann Niederer
• Mary Ann Pappalardo
• Ronalie Ann Parker
• Christie Ann Peterson
• Judith Ann Repine
• Patti Ann Reuff
• Heidi Ann Ruhlman
• Ruth Anne Sampson
• Deborah Ann Samuelson
• Jodee Ann Scalise
• Cathy Anne Seigle
• Penelope Ann Shattuck
• Rebecca Ann Sheckler
• Catherine Ann Teconchuk
• Phyllis Ann Valone
• Margaret Ann Wright

Post inspired by Ann Sothern -- or, more specifically, the fact that my wife had the kitchen TV tuned to one of Sothern's Maisie movies earlier today.



Other baby name posts:
Rubies and Pearls.  (11/29/2013)
The Lucy and Ethel synchronized dive.  (11/28/2013)
The George Burns and Gracie Allen line graph.  (11/27/2013)
Rick, Dick & Rich -- but above all, Richard.  (11/26/2013)
When Jennifers rules the world.  (11/24/2013)
Ralph and Alice part ways in 1988. (11/23/2013)
Now Appearing in a Colorful Line Graph -- The 6 Jans.  (11/23/2013)
Which Do You Prefer: Catherine/Cathy or Katherine/Kathy?  (11/22/2013)
Just when you thought he was going, going, gone, Eugene bounces back.  (11/21/2013)
Sidney swings both ways.  (11/21/2013)
Popular baby names:  Nancy (1880-2012).  (11/17/2013
Madge: Off the chart even when she was an advertising icon.  (11/16/2013)
Cindy: Not Always a Nickname for Cynthia (Since 1938).  (11/15/2013)
Lizabeth:  There's only one reason why this name made the list.  (11/14/2013)
Paul and Paula:  1954 was their very best year together.  (11/14/2013)
Bonnie and Clyde take a dive together.  (11/13/2013)
Joseph demonstrates more staying power than Mary.  (11/12/2013)
The popularity of Elizabeth as a baby name:  1880-2012.  (11/12/2013)
The popularity of William as a baby name.  (11/12/2013)
The popularity of Thomas as a baby name.  (11/11/2013)
Susan is losin' popularity.  (11/11/2013)
The popularity of Robert as a baby name: 1880-2012.  (11/10/2013)
The popularity of Denise as a baby name:  1926-2012.  (11/10/2013)
The popularity of John as a baby name:  1880-2012.  (11/9/2013)
The popularity of Sheila as a baby name:  1917-2002, 2003-2004.  (11/9/2013)
The popularity of James as a baby name: 1880-2012.  (11/7/2013)
The popularity of Michael as a baby name: 1880-2012.  (11/7/2013)
The popularity of Sherry as a baby name:  1926-1995.  (11/7/2013)
Friends choose 15th and 16th most popular baby names for their unexpected twin boys.  (11/3/2013) 
Destiny Hope Cyrus's impact on popular baby names for girls.  (10/15/2013)
There really was something about Mary.  (9/22/2013)
"Gone With the Wind" and baby names.  (11/27/2011)
The baby names list, 1900-1999.  (5/11/2010)

So This Passes for a "Possible Snowy" Week Nowadays

Madison.com, 11/30/2013

The word "accumulation" is not used here.

Not much of a shovel-ready forecast.

Rubies and Pearls

Social Security Administration Popular Baby Names

Ruby spent nearly 20 years, from 1909 to 1927, in the top 30.  Best year:  #22 in 1911.

She reached her low point in 1986, dropping to #401, although she experienced a significant 27-point bounce in 1963.

Wonder how much Dion had to do with it?



More of an old-time girl than Ruby, Pearl experienced her best years in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when she had a run of 25 appearances (1883-1907) in the top 35.  Best years:  #24 in 1889, 1890, and 1900.

Since the 1970s, Pearl has struggled to maintain a presence.  She dropped off the list in 1976 and 1977 and then spent 1986 until 2006 "bubbling under" the top 1000.  The past two years, however, have been especially good for Pearl, though she still has a long way to go to reclaim her former glory.


Other baby name posts:
The Lucy and Ethel synchronized dive.  (11/28/2013)
The George Burns and Gracie Allen line graph.  (11/27/2013)
Rick, Dick & Rich -- but above all, Richard.  (11/26/2013)
When Jennifers rules the world.  (11/24/2013)
Ralph and Alice part ways in 1988. (11/23/2013)
Now Appearing in a Colorful Line Graph -- The 6 Jans.  (11/23/2013)
Which Do You Prefer: Catherine/Cathy or Katherine/Kathy?  (11/22/2013)
Just when you thought he was going, going, gone, Eugene bounces back.  (11/21/2013)
Sidney swings both ways.  (11/21/2013)
Popular baby names:  Nancy (1880-2012).  (11/17/2013
Madge: Off the chart even when she was an advertising icon.  (11/16/2013)
Cindy: Not Always a Nickname for Cynthia (Since 1938).  (11/15/2013)
Lizabeth:  There's only one reason why this name made the list.  (11/14/2013)
Paul and Paula:  1954 was their very best year together.  (11/14/2013)
Bonnie and Clyde take a dive together.  (11/13/2013)
Joseph demonstrates more staying power than Mary.  (11/12/2013)
The popularity of Elizabeth as a baby name:  1880-2012.  (11/12/2013)
The popularity of William as a baby name.  (11/12/2013)
The popularity of Thomas as a baby name.  (11/11/2013)
Susan is losin' popularity.  (11/11/2013)
The popularity of Robert as a baby name: 1880-2012.  (11/10/2013)
The popularity of Denise as a baby name:  1926-2012.  (11/10/2013)
The popularity of John as a baby name:  1880-2012.  (11/9/2013)
The popularity of Sheila as a baby name:  1917-2002, 2003-2004.  (11/9/2013)
The popularity of James as a baby name: 1880-2012.  (11/7/2013)
The popularity of Michael as a baby name: 1880-2012.  (11/7/2013)
The popularity of Sherry as a baby name:  1926-1995.  (11/7/2013)
Friends choose 15th and 16th most popular baby names for their unexpected twin boys.  (11/3/2013) 
Destiny Hope Cyrus's impact on popular baby names for girls.  (10/15/2013)
There really was something about Mary.  (9/22/2013)
"Gone With the Wind" and baby names.  (11/27/2011)
The baby names list, 1900-1999.  (5/11/2010)

The Architect's Creepy Eye-View

The Architectural Forum, June 1940

Crane, 73 years later.

One noticeable change.  They show a roll of toilet paper.

Sometimes It's Best to Keep Yer Frickin' Mouth Shut

Tuesday, November 26.

Thursday, November 28.

 Wisconsin State Journal

The View from the Other Side of the Cashier's Counter

On Register’s Other Side, Little to Spend. (The New York Times, 11/28/2013)

How may I help you?    For retail workers nationwide, who earn a median pay of about $9.60 an hour, or less than $20,000 a year, holiday shopping sprees are most often enjoyed by customers on the opposite side of the counter.

Americans' view on the minimum wage.

How many hours at a minimum-wage job does someone have to work to afford an apartment?

Moyers & Company

National Low Income Housing Coalition

In Wisconsin, this translates to annual, family-supporting earnings of $29,598.  

Related posts:

The minimum wage and the poverty guideline.  (11/20/2013)

Most of us don't buy into U.S. Chamber of Commerce handwringing over minimum wage.  (11/12/2013)
A look at the minimum wage.  (9/28/2013)

Not a Good Year on the Ebook Front for Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble's Nook sales take a long walk off a very short pier. (The Register, 11/28/2013)

Please close the door when you leave.  Nook tablets managed to win just 1.9 per cent market share during the 2012 holiday season, while rivals Apple, Samsung, and Amazon each scored in the double digits. B&N finally pulled the plug on its color devices in June, and then-CEO William Lynch was shown the door shortly after.

Other ebook/reading-related posts:
Tell me again about ebooks ruling the publishing world.  (11/27/2013)
Other ebook market trendspotting confirms latest BISG report .  (11/1/2013)
Book Industry Study Group: "Consumer Attitudes Toward E-Book Reading" (Volume 4, 2013).  (11/1/2013)
Word of the day:  accretive.  (10/21/2013)
Survey sez: 72% of U.S. adults have read at least 1 book during the past 12 months.  (10/8/2013)
For years, many people asked the wrong question about ebooks and print books.  (10/6/2013) 
Ebook Flash Sales Grab Consumers' Attention.  (5/27/2013) 
BookStats 2013: It's not all about ebooks.  (5/15/2013)
Staying ahead of the learning curve.  (4/9/2013)
"Books are dead yet," sez Salon.  (3/21/2013)
Ebooks and the hype of emerging technology.  (1/8/2013)
Based on this column graph, print books are not likely to go away anytime soon.  (1/2/2013)
Printed books still lead ebooks by a significant margin.  (12/28/2012)
Ebook market pauses to take a breath.  (12/25/2012)
Year-to-date book revenues:  Jan-Jul 2011 and Jan-Jul 2012.  (11/1/2012)
Libraries get screwed when it comes to price of and access to ebooks.  (9/10/2012)
Millennials lead the way....to fewer bookstores?  (8/22/2012)
Ebooks sliding down the peak of inflated expectations.  (8/18/2012)
Adult hardcover book sales hold their own, paperbacks sales drop in 1st quarter of 2012.  (6/17/2012)
Library ebook circulation skyrockets @ the Greendale Public Library and throughout Wisconsin.  (5/29/2012)
In so many words:  Libraries will have a place at the table. (4/30/2012)
3M Cloud Library ebook lending service goes beta at select libraries.  (4/28/2012)
Pew Research:  The rise of e-reading, summarized. (4/5/2012)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution attempts to get a handle on the ebook era.  (4/2/2012)
And I quote from "Bringing Up an E-Reader".  (3/29/2012)
The Philadelphia Inquirer editorial board weighs in on ebooks and libraries. (3/19/2012)
Carl Zimmer responds to Franzen.  (1/31/2012)
It's only Monday but this is still the best ebook headline of the week.  (1/20/2012)
Jonathan Franzen has something to say about ebooks.  (1/30/2012)
As they have been doing all along, libraries adapt to technology.  (1/29/2012)
Floating an Idea: The Harvard Library Innovation Laboratory's Library License.  (1/17/2012) 
Getting in line @ your library for ebooks.  (1/15/2012)
The Post-Christmas ebook sales surge. (1/10/2012)
Honey, we've been 'trying' it.  For years.  (12/25/2011)
Chris Bohjalian on our totemic connection to books.  (12/20/2011)
Hold that bricks-and-mortar bookstore obituary.  (12/13/2011)
Your local public library: The greenest option of all in the ebooks vs. print books debate.  (12/11/2011)
Go directly to Amazon, do not pass library.  (11/3/2011)
Ebooks in U.S. public libraries.  (10/22/2011)
How ebook buyers discover books.  (9/27/2011)
Cookbooks make the transition to digital publishing.  (9/27/2011)
Redefining what an ebook is and who gets to publish it. (9/19/2011)
The L.A.Times on ebooks: An Amazon tablet, push into interactivity. (9/16/2011)
The Economist:  "Great digital expectations".  (9/16/2011)
Lev Grossman presents a short history of the reading device..  (9/6/2011)
Speaking of gadgets, here's the latest iteration of ebooks.  (8/25/2011)
Sounds like another digital divide in the making.  (7/30/2011)
Libraries and ebooks:  Any book, not any time soon.  (6/1/2011)
On the distinction between the book reader and the book owner.  (5/10/2011)
Demand for ebooks grows exponentially in Wisconsin.  (5/2/2011)
Struggling to find an ebook common agenda between libraries and publishers.  (4/5/2011)
Ebooks and libraries:  "The challenges just keep piling up".  (3/28/2011)
Publishers Weekly tracks ebook sales.  (3/18/2011)
Word is getting out:  Ebooks @ your library.  (3/18/2011)
Ebooks continue to gain market share.  (3/17/2011)
Publishers look to bottom line in formulating ebook policies for libraries. (3/15/2011)
News stories on HarperCollins ebook decision go mainstream.  (3/5/2011)
9 years of book sales:  trade and ebook.  (2/17/2011)
Will ebook readers be wooed by Barbara Cartland?  (2/12/2011)
The impact of ebooks on libraries.  (2/11/2011)
OverDrive news release: Library eBook circs up 200% in '10. (1/10/2011)
Mashable: 5 ebook trends that will change the future of publishing. (12/29/2010)
Christmas 2010 the tipping point for ebooks?  (12/24/2010)
Ereader as brown paper bag.  (12/9/2010)
The ebook reader compatibility surprise.  (12/3/2010)
Ereader ownership:  Survey says....  (11/30/2010)
David Carnoy asks, "Does the Kindle pay for itself?" (11/29/2010)
Need to repair that ebook reader?  (11/19/2010)
Who uses an ereader:  Survey says....  (9/22/2010)
Book industry wrestles with print vs. pixels.  (9/2/2010)
Coming soon to a screen near you:  Ads in ebooks.  (8/20/2010)
Ebooks now comprise 8.5% of book sales. (8/12/2010)
Genre paperback publishers drops print.  (8/6/2010)
Ebooks and libraries.  (5/4/2010)
Ebooks eliminate a free form of adversiting:  the book jacket.  (3/31/2010)
Ebooks: another round of false promises?  (3/19/2010)
The skinny on ebooks.  (3/8/2010)
Hardcover vs. ebook:  Breaking down the costs.  (3/1/2010)

Just As Long As It's Not a Family of 6 or More

2013 poverty guidelines

City gives $650K to bring new manufacturer to Wausau. (Wausau Daily Herald, 11/28/2013)

How much more?  How much less?    The city will give $650,000 to bring new manufacturing company called O-Motion, or Ordered Motion Systems, that promised to create 50 family-supporting jobs in Wausau.

[snip]

John Brewster, the company’s founder, told the city his venture will create at least 20 jobs in its first year of operation and 50 within the first two years — more than half with salaries of $30,000 or more, he said.

Related post:
In Ryan's world, it's more than just the 47%.  (11/25/2013)

The Latest News from Toyland

Q&A: A Talking Mailbox That Growls. (The New York Times, 11/27/2013)

Staying connected.   Her latest idea, Toymail, is a line of plastic miniature mailboxes with animal faces. They play messages sent from phones, and children can send recorded replies by pressing simple arrow buttons.

The Greater West Hollywood Food Coalition Experiences a Backlash

The group has been providing meals to the homeless for 27 years.



As Homeless Line Up for Food, Los Angeles Weighs Restrictions.  (The New York Times, 11/25/2013)

Excerpt:    Should Los Angeles enact such an ordinance, it would join a roster of more than 30 cities, including Philadelphia, Raleigh, N.C., Seattle and Orlando, Fla., that have adopted or debated some form of legislation intended to restrict the public feeding of the homeless, according to the National Coalition of the Homeless.

From the 2012 Annual Homeless Assessment Report

Gustav Adolph Lutheran Church in New Sweden, Maine

Gustav Adolph Lutheran Church

New Sweden, Maine

(Photo taken on June 21, 1942, by Carl Nelson)

While a student at Augustana College Seminary in Rock Island, Illinois, my dad did an internship at Gustav Adolph.  He graduated from the Seminary in 1943, accepting a call at Messiah Lutheran Church in Auburn, Washington.

And here he is -- ready to make his way from Rockford, Illinois.  Dad was always up for a road trip.  Like father, like son, in that regard.

From the Augustana College timeline.    During the first half of the 1940s, Augustana felt the effects of World War II as it lost some students to the armed services and gained others through a cadet training program organized by the Department of War. Thanks to the G. I. Bill, enrollment increased significantly after the war's end, as it did at colleges and universities throughout the United States. The biggest change Augustana experienced in this decade, however, was to the structure of the school itself: in 1947, the Augustana Synod voted to separate the college and theological seminary. President Bergendoff lamented the synod's decision as going counter to Augustana's premises and strengths; the united college and seminary, he wrote in his president's report of 1947-1948, had been "testimony to an academic world, all too split into unrelated parts, that our Church believed that all truth is of God and all learning is related to the Word." 

Photo source  Maine: An Encyclopedia (New Sweden)
Gustav Adolph Lutheran Church in 2003

Speaking of 2003......

Church poisoning may never be solved.  (ABC News, 4/27/2003)

Back to church in New Sweden, Maine.  (CBS News, 5/2/2003)

The Lucy and Ethel Synchronized Dive

OK, so I'm cheating a little bit here.  I chose to chart the popularity of Lucille rather than Lucy.  (Stay tuned for a follow-up post.)

Social Security Administration Popular Baby Names

Vivian Vance was born in 1909. Lucille Ball was born in 1911.

For 5 years in a row, they were neck and neck in popularity.  Ethel's best years were from 1888 to 1903, when she was in the top 10.  Lucille spent 7 years in the top 20, peaking at #27 in 1919.

At which point they began their synchronized dive into obscurity.

While Ethel has remained there, Lucille has made an impressive rebound, reaching the top 400 during the past 10 years.



Other baby name posts:
The George Burns and Gracie Allen line graph.  (11/27/2013)
Rick, Dick & Rich -- but above all, Richard.  (11/26/2013)
When Jennifers rules the world.  (11/24/2013)
Ralph and Alice part ways in 1988. (11/23/2013)
Now Appearing in a Colorful Line Graph -- The 6 Jans.  (11/23/2013)
Which Do You Prefer: Catherine/Cathy or Katherine/Kathy?  (11/22/2013)
Just when you thought he was going, going, gone, Eugene bounces back.  (11/21/2013)
Sidney swings both ways.  (11/21/2013)
Popular baby names:  Nancy (1880-2012).  (11/17/2013
Madge: Off the chart even when she was an advertising icon.  (11/16/2013)
Cindy: Not Always a Nickname for Cynthia (Since 1938).  (11/15/2013)
Lizabeth:  There's only one reason why this name made the list.  (11/14/2013)
Paul and Paula:  1954 was their very best year together.  (11/14/2013)
Bonnie and Clyde take a dive together.  (11/13/2013)
Joseph demonstrates more staying power than Mary.  (11/12/2013)
The popularity of Elizabeth as a baby name:  1880-2012.  (11/12/2013)
The popularity of William as a baby name.  (11/12/2013)
The popularity of Thomas as a baby name.  (11/11/2013)
Susan is losin' popularity.  (11/11/2013)
The popularity of Robert as a baby name: 1880-2012.  (11/10/2013)
The popularity of Denise as a baby name:  1926-2012.  (11/10/2013)
The popularity of John as a baby name:  1880-2012.  (11/9/2013)
The popularity of Sheila as a baby name:  1917-2002, 2003-2004.  (11/9/2013)
The popularity of James as a baby name: 1880-2012.  (11/7/2013)
The popularity of Michael as a baby name: 1880-2012.  (11/7/2013)
The popularity of Sherry as a baby name:  1926-1995.  (11/7/2013)
Friends choose 15th and 16th most popular baby names for their unexpected twin boys.  (11/3/2013) 
Destiny Hope Cyrus's impact on popular baby names for girls.  (10/15/2013)
There really was something about Mary.  (9/22/2013)
"Gone With the Wind" and baby names.  (11/27/2011)
The baby names list, 1900-1999.  (5/11/2010)

Scott Walker "Unintimidated" by Roller Coaster Ride on Amazon

Is the ride almost over, or is there still more in store?

Reviews still being posted.  5-star reviews up 120% and 1-star reviews up 98% since Sunday evening. Not surprisingly, middle ground covers 5% of total number of reviews.

Other Unintimidated posts:
Scott Walker "Unintimidated" to peak early on Amazon during first week of book's publication.  (11/26)
On day 6, Scott Walker's "Unintimidated" reverses course, but the bad reviews keep rolling in.  (11/24/2013)
Day 5: Scott Walker's "Unintimidated" experiences that overnight sinking feeling. (11/24/2013) 
Day 4: Scott Walker Unintimidated As his book slowly slip slides away.  (11/23/2013)
On day 3, Scott Walker Unintimidated to tread water.  (11/22/2013)
On day 2, "Unintimidated" Shows Sales Momentum, but Reviews Still Split.  (11/21/2013)
Day one:  Amazon's best-selling books "Unintimidated" by Scott Walker.  (11/19/2013)
Once again, Scott Walker is unintimidated by the facts.  (11/2/2013)
Unintimidated by the facts.  (10/28/2013)

Buried on the Bottom of Page B7 of the New York Times

‘Leave of Absence’ for Lara Logan After Flawed Benghazi Report. (The New York Times, 11/26/2013)

Evidence that, for Americans, talking with a certain kind of accent helps the message go down with a spoonful of sugar.

The following video was "published" on YouTube on 10/11/2013, 16 days before Logan's fateful, boneheaded interview with "Morgan Jones", a.k.a Dylan Davies.

Tell Me Again About Ebooks Ruling the Publishing World

Barnes & Noble Reports Profit, but Sales Decline 8%. (The New York Times, 11/26/2013)

Excerpt (with emphasis added):   Barnes & Noble reported tepid sales in its bookstore and digital divisions for its most recent quarter, reflecting an overall weak publishing climate and flattening demand for e-books. 

This is why I keep repeating myself, sharing this graphic.

Other ebook/reading-related posts:
Other ebook market trendspotting confirms latest BISG report .  (11/1/2013)
Book Industry Study Group: "Consumer Attitudes Toward E-Book Reading" (Volume 4, 2013).  (11/1/2013)
Word of the day:  accretive.  (10/21/2013)
Survey sez: 72% of U.S. adults have read at least 1 book during the past 12 months.  (10/8/2013)
For years, many people asked the wrong question about ebooks and print books.  (10/6/2013) 
Ebook Flash Sales Grab Consumers' Attention.  (5/27/2013) 
BookStats 2013: It's not all about ebooks.  (5/15/2013)
Staying ahead of the learning curve.  (4/9/2013)
"Books are dead yet," sez Salon.  (3/21/2013)
Ebooks and the hype of emerging technology.  (1/8/2013)
Based on this column graph, print books are not likely to go away anytime soon.  (1/2/2013)
Printed books still lead ebooks by a significant margin.  (12/28/2012)
Ebook market pauses to take a breath.  (12/25/2012)
Year-to-date book revenues:  Jan-Jul 2011 and Jan-Jul 2012.  (11/1/2012)
Libraries get screwed when it comes to price of and access to ebooks.  (9/10/2012)
Millennials lead the way....to fewer bookstores?  (8/22/2012)
Ebooks sliding down the peak of inflated expectations.  (8/18/2012)
Adult hardcover book sales hold their own, paperbacks sales drop in 1st quarter of 2012.  (6/17/2012)
Library ebook circulation skyrockets @ the Greendale Public Library and throughout Wisconsin.  (5/29/2012)
In so many words:  Libraries will have a place at the table. (4/30/2012)
3M Cloud Library ebook lending service goes beta at select libraries.  (4/28/2012)
Pew Research:  The rise of e-reading, summarized. (4/5/2012)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution attempts to get a handle on the ebook era.  (4/2/2012)
And I quote from "Bringing Up an E-Reader".  (3/29/2012)
The Philadelphia Inquirer editorial board weighs in on ebooks and libraries. (3/19/2012)
Carl Zimmer responds to Franzen.  (1/31/2012)
It's only Monday but this is still the best ebook headline of the week.  (1/20/2012)
Jonathan Franzen has something to say about ebooks.  (1/30/2012)
As they have been doing all along, libraries adapt to technology.  (1/29/2012)
Floating an Idea: The Harvard Library Innovation Laboratory's Library License.  (1/17/2012) 
Getting in line @ your library for ebooks.  (1/15/2012)
The Post-Christmas ebook sales surge. (1/10/2012)
Honey, we've been 'trying' it.  For years.  (12/25/2011)
Chris Bohjalian on our totemic connection to books.  (12/20/2011)
Hold that bricks-and-mortar bookstore obituary.  (12/13/2011)
Your local public library: The greenest option of all in the ebooks vs. print books debate.  (12/11/2011)
Go directly to Amazon, do not pass library.  (11/3/2011)
Ebooks in U.S. public libraries.  (10/22/2011)
How ebook buyers discover books.  (9/27/2011)
Cookbooks make the transition to digital publishing.  (9/27/2011)
Redefining what an ebook is and who gets to publish it. (9/19/2011)
The L.A.Times on ebooks: An Amazon tablet, push into interactivity. (9/16/2011)
The Economist:  "Great digital expectations".  (9/16/2011)
Lev Grossman presents a short history of the reading device..  (9/6/2011)
Speaking of gadgets, here's the latest iteration of ebooks.  (8/25/2011)
Sounds like another digital divide in the making.  (7/30/2011)
Libraries and ebooks:  Any book, not any time soon.  (6/1/2011)
On the distinction between the book reader and the book owner.  (5/10/2011)
Demand for ebooks grows exponentially in Wisconsin.  (5/2/2011)
Struggling to find an ebook common agenda between libraries and publishers.  (4/5/2011)
Ebooks and libraries:  "The challenges just keep piling up".  (3/28/2011)
Publishers Weekly tracks ebook sales.  (3/18/2011)
Word is getting out:  Ebooks @ your library.  (3/18/2011)
Ebooks continue to gain market share.  (3/17/2011)
Publishers look to bottom line in formulating ebook policies for libraries. (3/15/2011)
News stories on HarperCollins ebook decision go mainstream.  (3/5/2011)
9 years of book sales:  trade and ebook.  (2/17/2011)
Will ebook readers be wooed by Barbara Cartland?  (2/12/2011)
The impact of ebooks on libraries.  (2/11/2011)
OverDrive news release: Library eBook circs up 200% in '10. (1/10/2011)
Mashable: 5 ebook trends that will change the future of publishing. (12/29/2010)
Christmas 2010 the tipping point for ebooks?  (12/24/2010)
Ereader as brown paper bag.  (12/9/2010)
The ebook reader compatibility surprise.  (12/3/2010)
Ereader ownership:  Survey says....  (11/30/2010)
David Carnoy asks, "Does the Kindle pay for itself?" (11/29/2010)
Need to repair that ebook reader?  (11/19/2010)
Who uses an ereader:  Survey says....  (9/22/2010)
Book industry wrestles with print vs. pixels.  (9/2/2010)
Coming soon to a screen near you:  Ads in ebooks.  (8/20/2010)
Ebooks now comprise 8.5% of book sales. (8/12/2010)
Genre paperback publishers drops print.  (8/6/2010)
Ebooks and libraries.  (5/4/2010)
Ebooks eliminate a free form of adversiting:  the book jacket.  (3/31/2010)
Ebooks: another round of false promises?  (3/19/2010)
The skinny on ebooks.  (3/8/2010)
Hardcover vs. ebook:  Breaking down the costs.  (3/1/2010)

Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Go Back to the Business Pages

Two headlines from the front page of today's New York Times "Business Day" section

1.  In Silicon Valley, Partying Like It’s 1999 Once More. (The New York Times, 11/26/2013)

Yes, it's yesterday once more.   Opinions differ here about exactly what stage of exuberance the valley is in. “Everyone feels like the valley has been in a boom cycle for quite some time,” said Jeremy Stoppelman, the chief executive of Yelp. “That makes people nervous.”



And it gets worse.

2.  New Boom in Subprime Loans, for Smaller Businesses. (The New York Times, 11/26/2013)

Every sha-la-la-la, every wo-o-wo-o, still shines.  A scene from the years leading up to the financial crisis in 2008? No, last month.

How Smart is Your Washstand?

A "Smart" Bathroom Mirror Powered by Android.  (Slashdot, 11/27/2013)

Brought to mind this essay published in the New York Times 13 years ago.

Do I Remember a Telephone Upstairs?

Not until the late 1960s.

Advertisement from The Architectural Forum, June 1940

(Yes, we were definitely behind the times).

Until then, the only telephone in the Nelson household, located at 4 East Third Avenue in Warren PA 16365, was one of those standard black desk jobbies.  It sat on a small cabinet in what could loosely be called the vestibule of the house.

Hell, in 1959, folks in Warren were just getting used to direct local dialing, which may or may not have been referred to as DLD.

The George Burns and Gracie Allen Line Graph

I suppose I should open this post with an *, as George Burns was born as Nathan Birnbaum. 

Gracie, on the other hand, was born as Grace Ethel Cecile Rosalie Allen.  Three middle names.

On my dad's side of the family, it was standard practice to give a child 2 middle names:

• Ford George Herman
• Anna Svea Cecelia
• Stella Amelia Sophia
• Signe Elenore Theolinda
• Lila Genevieve Marie
• Ruth Sigrid Theresia
• Carl Everett Reinhold

Social Security Administration Popular Baby Names

George experienced a long and successful run.  58 years in the top ten (1880-1937), 26 years in a row at #4 (1884-1909).  Since his drop out of the top 20 in 1950, he has experienced an average decline of slightly more than two positions per year.

Grace was also a popular name in the waning years of the 19th century and into the 20th century.  By the late 1970s, however, she had fallen to nearly 400 in the rankings.  At this point, she accomplished a very impressive reversal and now stands in almost the same place where she did 133 years ago.

Other baby name posts:
Rick, Dick & Rich -- but above all, Richard.  (11/26/2013)
When Jennifers rules the world.  (11/24/2013)
Ralph and Alice part ways in 1988. (11/23/2013)
Now Appearing in a Colorful Line Graph -- The 6 Jans.  (11/23/2013)
Which Do You Prefer: Catherine/Cathy or Katherine/Kathy?  (11/22/2013)
Just when you thought he was going, going, gone, Eugene bounces back.  (11/21/2013)
Sidney swings both ways.  (11/21/2013)
Popular baby names:  Nancy (1880-2012).  (11/17/2013
Madge: Off the chart even when she was an advertising icon.  (11/16/2013)
Cindy: Not Always a Nickname for Cynthia (Since 1938).  (11/15/2013)
Lizabeth:  There's only one reason why this name made the list.  (11/14/2013)
Paul and Paula:  1954 was their very best year together.  (11/14/2013)
Bonnie and Clyde take a dive together.  (11/13/2013)
Joseph demonstrates more staying power than Mary.  (11/12/2013)
The popularity of Elizabeth as a baby name:  1880-2012.  (11/12/2013)
The popularity of William as a baby name.  (11/12/2013)
The popularity of Thomas as a baby name.  (11/11/2013)
Susan is losin' popularity.  (11/11/2013)
The popularity of Robert as a baby name: 1880-2012.  (11/10/2013)
The popularity of Denise as a baby name:  1926-2012.  (11/10/2013)
The popularity of John as a baby name:  1880-2012.  (11/9/2013)
The popularity of Sheila as a baby name:  1917-2002, 2003-2004.  (11/9/2013)
The popularity of James as a baby name: 1880-2012.  (11/7/2013)
The popularity of Michael as a baby name: 1880-2012.  (11/7/2013)
The popularity of Sherry as a baby name:  1926-1995.  (11/7/2013)
Friends choose 15th and 16th most popular baby names for their unexpected twin boys.  (11/3/2013) 
Destiny Hope Cyrus's impact on popular baby names for girls.  (10/15/2013)
There really was something about Mary.  (9/22/2013)
"Gone With the Wind" and baby names.  (11/27/2011)
The baby names list, 1900-1999.  (5/11/2010)

Pauline Haass Public Library Considers the Cost of Litigation

Video content has nothing to do with ongoing litigation.


Library board delays lawsuit decision. (Sussex Sun, 11/26/2013)

How much money to spend in legal battle with Town of Lisbon:   So far, the Library Board has spent about $15,000 on the legal action. A Library Board budget committee has recommended another $50,000 be set aside for the 2014 budget. However, Library Board member and Village Trustee Tim Dietrich suggested at the Nov. 20 meeting that authorization to spend the money could be acted on as on "as needed" basis rather transferring all of the money into the budget at one time.

Related articles: 
Sussex/Lisbon: Mediation fails, time to go to court.  (10/23/2013)
Town of Lisbon agrees to nonbinding arbitration with Pauline Haass.  (10/19/2013)
An uncertain funding picture for the Pauline Haass Public Library.  (10/11/2013)
This land is my land, this land is my land.  (9/12/2013)
Sussex-Lisbon library agreement still appears to be more "if" Than "when".  (8/22/2013) 
Still following the Sussex-Lisbon library talks -- since 2010.  (8/6/2013) 
Following a brouhaha over a "most objectionable 3-page letter," library talks to resume between Sussex and Lisbon.  (5/27/2013)
A most objectionable 3-page letter.  (5/10/2013)
Dear Greg; Love, Lisbon Town Board.  (4/27/2013)
Perhaps Pauline Haass is spinning in her grave.  (3/18/2013)
What a long strange trip it's been.  (2/13/2012)
Dueling news releases.  (10/7/2012)
Town of Lisbon wants deep discount in payment for library services.  (9/30/2012)
As the world of joint library agreements turns.  (8/22/2012)
The beat goes on.  (7/2/2012)
Joint library negotiations continue.  (5/13/2012)
Jane Stadler on Paying Taxes: "...it is something that you do because you're part of the community.  (11/26/2011)
Lisbon town chair not likely to get his way on Pauline Haass Library funding. (11/22/2011)
Lisbon Town chair advocates paying for library services on the cheap.  (11/22/2011)
The challenges of shared governance and funding.  (9/28/2011)
Consensus building for new joint library agreement.  (7/22/2011)
Sussex, Lisbon:  Local politics and library negotiations.  (5/28/2011)
Negotiation to continue after information-gathering process.  (10/8/2010)
And the beat goes on.  (10/4/2010)
Differences of opinion of library funding continue.  (9/18/2010)
Leaders of Village of Sussex, Town of Lisbon clash over funding for library. (8/26/2010)
Will annexation resolution interfere with negotiations over joint library agreement?  (8/4/2010)
Proposal to change library funding formula gets cool reception.  (6/7/2010)
Town of Lisbon Chairman proposes new funding formula for library.  (5/31/2010)

Rick, Dick & Rich -- But Above All, Richard

Social Security Administration's Popular Baby Names

With a stretch of 108 years in the top 30, nearly half of them in the top 10, Richard is the king of this group.  Best years:  1930 through 1947, when he was lodged at #5.

A #1 song in 1947


Rick showed up on his own in 1940, sticking around for 61 years.  His best year:  #76 in 1958.

Dick was already on the scene in 1880 but disappeared from view after 1968.  He gave us his best in 1934, peaking at #138.

Rich has made a couple of in-and-out appearances through the years.  1880 to 1991, charting in 9 or those 12 years and getting as high as #697.   He periodically showed up again from 1947 to 1972, barely cracking the top 500 (#493) in 1963



Warren Area High School class of 1968

• Richard (Rick) Brewster
• Richard (Rick) Dies
• Richard (Dick) Duckett
• Richard (Rick) Huber
• Richard (Rick) Nasman
• Richard (Dick) Peck
• Richard (Rick) Pedersen
• Richard (Rick) Smith

Other baby name posts:
When Jennifers rules the world.  (11/24/2013)
Ralph and Alice part ways in 1988. (11/23/2013)
Now Appearing in a Colorful Line Graph -- The 6 Jans.  (11/23/2013)
Which Do You Prefer: Catherine/Cathy or Katherine/Kathy?  (11/22/2013)
Just when you thought he was going, going, gone, Eugene bounces back.  (11/21/2013)
Sidney swings both ways.  (11/21/2013)
Popular baby names:  Nancy (1880-2012).  (11/17/2013
Madge: Off the chart even when she was an advertising icon.  (11/16/2013)
Cindy: Not Always a Nickname for Cynthia (Since 1938).  (11/15/2013)
Lizabeth:  There's only one reason why this name made the list.  (11/14/2013)
Paul and Paula:  1954 was their very best year together.  (11/14/2013)
Bonnie and Clyde take a dive together.  (11/13/2013)
Joseph demonstrates more staying power than Mary.  (11/12/2013)
The popularity of Elizabeth as a baby name:  1880-2012.  (11/12/2013)
The popularity of William as a baby name.  (11/12/2013)
The popularity of Thomas as a baby name.  (11/11/2013)
Susan is losin' popularity.  (11/11/2013)
The popularity of Robert as a baby name: 1880-2012.  (11/10/2013)
The popularity of Denise as a baby name:  1926-2012.  (11/10/2013)
The popularity of John as a baby name:  1880-2012.  (11/9/2013)
The popularity of Sheila as a baby name:  1917-2002, 2003-2004.  (11/9/2013)
The popularity of James as a baby name: 1880-2012.  (11/7/2013)
The popularity of Michael as a baby name: 1880-2012.  (11/7/2013)
The popularity of Sherry as a baby name:  1926-1995.  (11/7/2013)
Friends choose 15th and 16th most popular baby names for their unexpected twin boys.  (11/3/2013) 
Destiny Hope Cyrus's impact on popular baby names for girls.  (10/15/2013)
There really was something about Mary.  (9/22/2013)
"Gone With the Wind" and baby names.  (11/27/2011)
The baby names list, 1900-1999.  (5/11/2010)