Retiring Guy's Digest: 2014-06-29

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Emerald Ash Borer's Impact on Middleton

Section of Middleton where Ash trees predominate.

After the Trees Disappear. (The New York Times, 6/30/2014)

Waving a white flag. Even before the severe winter, Dr. McCullough and other scientists had come to the glum conclusion that they were going to lose the decade-long battle against the ash borer. Now they are assessing the cascade of consequences for Midwestern and Northeastern forests, both urban and wild.

The effects will go far beyond what you see on a hike or how you feel about the loss of a tree on your property. They will ripple through forest ecosystems, affecting other plants, animals and water supplies.

Middleton has been assessing the impact since 2009.

Stephen Gaskin (1935-2014)

Stephen Gaskin and the Farm in 2:11.

Stephen Gaskin, Hippie Who Founded An Enduring Commune, Dies at 79. (The New York Times, 7/2/2014)

Not mentioned in the TV snippet. But where it departed from most of its counterparts was in embracing an entrepreneurial spirit: It created a book-publishing business, marketed pickles and sorghum syrup under the Old Beatnik label, and even dealt in hand-held Geiger counters to measure radiation leaks at nuclear power plants.

It also spurned insularity for outreach. Answering Mr. Gaskin’s call to “change the world,” Farmies, as they called themselves, built 1,200 houses for the victims of a 1976 earthquake in Guatemala, set up volunteer ambulance services in the South Bronx and on an Indian reservation in upstate New York, and started a school lunch program in Belize and an agricultural training program in Liberia. They were among the earliest volunteers to arrive in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

The Farm. No relation. Well, actually, maybe there is.

Why Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti Pays His Team More Than the Minimum Wage

Paying Employees to Stay, Not to Go. (The New York Times, 7/4/2014)

Looking beyond the bottom line. These companies’ founders were intent on paying their workers more than the going rate partly because they wanted to do the right thing, they said, and partly because they thought this would help their companies thrive long term.

"These companies" include

Boloco (employees starts at $9l00)
In-and-Out Burger ($10.50)
Shake Shack ($9.50)
Moo Cluck Moo ($15.00)

Friday, July 4, 2014

Garden Kitsch: St. Francis of Assisi and the White Rabbits

Mary Kay Scooter

Effort to Raise Nebraska's Minimum Wage Gets Boost

Min. wage petition gets nearly 135,000 signatures. (Grand Island Independent, 6/3/2014)

A grass-roots effort. A campaign to raise Nebraska's minimum wage has collected nearly 135,000 signatures to place the issue on the November ballot, well beyond the minimum required, organizers said Thursday.

The group Nebraskans for Better Wages announced the final number at the Capitol as they prepared to submit dozens of petition boxes to the secretary of state's office. Approximately 81,000 registered voter signatures are needed to qualify, but supporters aimed to far exceed that number in case some aren't verified.

The proposal is to increase the current minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, through a series of steps, to $9.00

Related posts:
Seattle's minimum wages; It's complicated. (6/29/2014)
What happened the last time a minimum wage bill was introduced in the Wisconsin state legislature. (6/27/2014)
UW-Milwaukee survey: 76% of respondents support raising the minimum wage. (6/25/2014)
Wisconsin's $7.25 minimum wage: "Minimum comfort" indeed! (6/24/2014)
U.S. minimum wage since 1960. (6/24/2014)
Support for minimum wage hike grows. (6/21/2014)
More evidence that Scott Walker and the Republican state legislature is increasingly out of touch with the people they serve. (5/28/2014)
Earning minimum wage and looking for a place to live? Check the "Dumps" listings! (4/25/2014
Scraping by on $83.65 an hour. (3/17/2014)
Minnesota legislature looks to boost minimum wage from $6.15 to $9.50 per hour. (3/4/2014)
The minimum wage: It's not the same all over. (2/18/2014)
A border debate on the minimum wage. (2/16/2014)
The MacIver Institute's Pavlovian response to an increase in the minimum wage. (1/10/2014)
The view from the other side of the counter. (11/29/2013)
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. (11/1/2013)
A look at the minimum wage. (9/28/2013)

RoJo (as much as) sez, "NoRoJo16!"

Ron Johnson: I miss my old life. (Capital Times, 7/3/2014)

Washington D.C.'s "horse of a different color" knows he has a tough fight in 2016.

As for his becoming what's known as a one-trick pony, we can make it happen, as the refrain goes in Chicago's "Dialogue (Part 2)".

Related NoRoJo 2016 posts:
Chapter 1. (1/2/2013)
Chapter 2. (1/10/2013)
Chapter 3. (2/12/2013)
Chapter 4. (2/13/2013)
Chapter 5 (3/11/2013)
Chapter 6. (3/25/2013)

Chapter 7. (4/8/2013)
Chapter 8. (4/9/2013)
Chapter 9. (4/12/2013)
Chapter 10. (4/14/2013)
Chapter 11. (5/2/2013)

Chapter 12. (8/15/2013)
Chapter 13: One-trick pony? (10/17/2013)
Chapter 14. (10/24/2013)
Chapter 15. (2/19/2014)
Chapter 16. (3/15/2014)
Ron Johnson for President? Well, he might as well give it a go since he's not going to be re-elected U.S. Senator. (5/14/20140
The Mr. Sunshine of their Love. (6/18/2014).

Mary Lazich's History and Vision of U.S. Government in 125 Words

The Wheeler Report

Mary Lazich's voting records

State Property for Sale: Wiscraft Industries

Beyond Vision

State lists properties that are good prospects to sell. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 7/1/2014)

I would say it probably doesn't matter a whit to DOA Wiscraft Workshop and its administrative buildings in Milwaukee. The facility houses Beyond Vision, a nonprofit organization that provides employment for the blind. Huebsch spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis did not say Tuesday whether the state was contemplating selling the building to Beyond Vision or whether it would consider selling it to a third party that might use the property for another purpose.

5316 W. State Street. Milwaukee

Related post:
The Knapp House. (7/2/2014)

A Wisconsin Connection (or 2) to a Texas Colonia

The red square designates the approximate center of Wisconsin's sand mining activity.

La Salle County Texas

Boom Meets Bust in Texas: Atop Sea of Oil, Poverty Digs In. (The New York Times, 6/29/2014)

From us to you. Across the railroad tracks and Interstate 35, a newly reopened railroad interchange stores acres of pipe and receives shipments of sand from Wisconsin to be used in hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

[snip]

Exporting lung disease. The fracking sand — so powdery it seemed scooped from an exclusive beach — stretched for about 100 yards on roads outside homes and the Gardendale Qwik Stop, the colonia’s lone store. In 2012, federal health officials issued an alert about the health hazards workers faced from exposure to fracking-sand dust. Breathing so-called silica dust can cause silicosis, a lung disease.

Related reading.
How the Wisconsin Winter Puts a Chill on Texas Oil Drilling. (The Wall Street Journal,3/31/2014)

Mining operations disrupted due to relentlessly uncooperative winter weather. Sand mines have been popping up all over Wisconsin because the state is home to a special variety of white silica that has strong, perfectly rounded grains well suited to holding open those underground cracks created by fracking.

Not a problem with the mining operations of the Superior Silica Sands. According to the company's website, their New Auburn plant is a fully enclosed, all-weather facility, which enables Superior Silica Sands to produce frac sand at full capacity in the worst of winter weather. (The New Auburn connection with which you are probably more familiar.)

In Fracking, Sand is the New Gold. (The Wall Street Journal, 12/2/2013)

And Wisconsin is where it's at, baby! In Wisconsin, the source of white sand perfectly suited for hydraulic fracturing, state officials now estimate more than 100 sand mines, loading, and processing facilities have received permits, up from just five sand mines and five processing plants operating in 2010.

Other frac sand mining posts:
Make way for the West Central Lateral. (6/27/2014)
Scott Walker continues his "Thank You for Your Contributions" tour. (5/23/2014)
What a mere $8,000 will buy you in the Scott Walker House of Favors, (3/30/2014)
Frac sand mining and property values: Homeowners vs. landowners. (3/30/2014)
Nevertheless, transparency would have been in the general pubic's best interest. (3/15/2014)
Wisconsin Towns Association has second thoughts about that "gentler" frac sand mining regulation bill. (3/4/014)
Scott Walker likely to support Tom Tiffany's new mining bill. (2/27/2014)
The vision of Trempealeau County as one big mining operation -- nipped in the bud. (2/20/2014)
Glenwood City Council members defeat their recall challengers by a hair. (12/18/2013)
Wyoming's Republican Governor has a message for Wisconsin mining industry's "Tom Terrific". (11/24/2013)
The mining industry's "Tom Terrific" gets pushback from his Republican colleagues. (11/18/2013)
In so many words: Dear Sen. Tiffany, Your bill sucks, Sincerely, Pepin County Board. (11/13/2013)
Follow the Gogebic money. (11/7/2013)
Sand mine industry leaders put our minds at ease. (11/5/2013)
Scott Walker donor promises jobs, permanence for Independence and Whitehall residents. (10/29/2013)
Sen. Tom Tiffany's sand mine bill a hot potato. (10/28/2013)
Another Walker campaign donor for SB349. (10/25/2013)
Expensive to the Tune of $430,505.49 (as of June 30, 2013). (10/25/2013)
The Nipper Chronicles: The frac sand mining masters speak. (10/18/2013)
Things aren't so tranquil in Glenwood City Wisconsin lately (10/10/2013)

The Colonias of Texas

Boom Meets Bust in Texas Atop a Sea of Oil, Poverty Digs In. (The New York Times, 6/29/2014)

The 2013 estimated population of Texas is 26,450,000. An estimated 500,000 people live in about 2,300 colonias in Texas, along its 1,200-mile border with Mexico. Many colonias have benefited from infrastructure improvements in recent years. Others remain institutionalized shantytowns without basic services like water and sewers.

Texas Secretary of State: What is a colonia?

Texas Secretary of State: Colonias FAQs

UW-Eau Claire. Colonias in Texas..

Thursday, July 3, 2014

"Yes, Governor Walker, we know!"

WSAU, 7/2/2014

State Highway 29

Sources:

Wisconsin ranked 37th in job creation last year. (Wisconsin State Journal, 6/20/2014)
Sperling's Best Places

Wisconsin State Assembly District 55: Who's on the Ballot for the August 12 Primary?

Open Fox Valley seat. Incumbent not running for re-election.

55th Assembly District

The 55th is home to the Neenah Public Library.

And extends into the service area of the Appleton Public Library.

The 5 Republican candidates

Candidate biographies

The winner of the August 12 primary will face Democratic candidate Mark Westphal.

About Mark:

Home: Neenah
Occupation: Industrial electrician, Graphic Packaging International Inc., Menasha (current)
Elected office/memberships: President, Fox Valley Area Labor Council AFL-CIO (current)

The 55th District is currently represented by Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah), who has served in the Assembly since 1990. Kaufert was elected Mayor of Neenah in April.

Sidebar: Jay Schroeder challenged Kaufert in the 2012 Republican primary for the 55th AD. He received 35% of the vote.

Related posts
Who's running unopposed in the Senate and Assembly? (6/16/2014)
August 12 primaries
Assembly District 1. (6/17/2014)
Assembly District 4. (6/18/2014)
Assembly District 8. (6/19/2014)
Assembly District 10. (6/20/2014)
Assembly District 16. (6/20/2014)
Assembly District 19. (6/22/2014)
Assembly District 20 (6/23/2014)
Assembly District 22 (6/24/2014)
Assembly District 26 (6/25/2014)
Assembly District 27. (6/26/2014)
Assembly District 33. (6/27/2014)
Assembly District 43. (6/30/2014)
Assembly District 45. (7/1/2014)
Assembly District 51. (7/2/2014)

A Look at Public Library Circulation Using Anonymous Examples

Materials Mix: Investigating Trends in Materials Budgets and Circulation. (Library Journal, 2/19/2013)

The ebook effect. In the end, will ebooks help boost public library circulation or help knock it down? The jury’s still out. Nearly one in five of this year’s respondents saw circulation decrease, and though budget cuts, closed branches, longer loan periods, and improved school library services were among the expected reasons, Mary Cronin, Madison Library, NH, made a comment echoed by many: “More patrons with reading devices are opting to purchase content rather than borrow it from the library.”

Here's a sampling of public library circulation statistics 17 months after the publication of the LJ article I've quoted here.

Circulation at Library A is down 10.1% so far this year. It appears that Library A does not include ebook uses, or uses of other digital formats, in the total circulation. (Ebook use equals about 3% of total library circulation.)

Circulation at Library B is down 4.3% so far this year. The reports I used provide no breakdown by format.

Circulation at Library C is up 0.4% so far this year. As far as I can tell, Library C does not include digital downloads in the numbers shown here.

Circulation at Library D is down 10.1% so far this year. Digital downloads (e.g., Overdrive, Freegal) are reported separately in the monthly reports. In April 2014, the number of ebook downloads equals 4.5% of total checkouts and renewals.

Another Reason, I Suppose, to Protest the Installation of Sidewalks "After the Fact"

Funding for rural school districts helps...um, North Shore?. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 7/3/2014)

Lack of sidewalks + "hazardous route district":. So who's on the list? Fox Point-Bayside, Glendale-River Hills and Maple Dale-Indian Hill, three wealthy and compact North Shore districts [in Sen. Alberta Darling's district], received $71,000, $97,000 and $67,000, respectively. The district they feed into for high school, Nicolet Union High School District, received just under $80,000.

And who's off the list? The perennially cash-strapped Rhinelander School District, for one.

"We have students living 43 miles away." For districts like the Lakeland Union High School District — one of the largest districts in the state geographically and situated near the Michigan border — the money is essential. This year Lakeland will receive the second-largest aid package, at $143,000.

Not in my front yard.

Corn Remains King in Wisconsin

This just in. We now have a better idea of how Wisconsin farmers are using their cropland during the 2014 growing season. The USDA released its crop acreage report this week, which notes that the total number of soybean acres planted in the state is estimated at a record high 1.80 million, up 14 percent from last year, and three percent more than the March intentions. Area for harvest will also break the previous record by 80,000 acres, if realized. About 95-percent of Wisconsin's soybean acreage was planted with herbicide resistant GM seed.

About those GM seeds.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

MOOC's: Not the Future of Education. Not Even Education.

On Campus: New MOOCs at UW-Madison. (Wisconsin State Journal, 7/2/2014).

Welcome to the latest educational fad. The school’s four courses last school year reached more than 135,600 people in about 141 countries and all 50 states, according to the university. It will continue to partner with the online learning company Coursera.

The numbers -- 4 and 135 -- are massively absurd to anyone who has taught an online course and values interaction with and among students.

Source: Not Staying the Course. (Inside Higher Ed, 5/10/2013)

The Who Reconsider

The Who to Tour for 50th Anniversary. (The New York Times, 6/30/2014)

Is there an echo in here? You’ve heard this before: the Who’s next tour, which will begin in December and stretch into 2015, will definitely, absolutely, positively be the band’s last

The list of dates for The Farewell Tour 1982.

"My Generation", the single, immediately grabbed my attention the first time I heard it -- on a clock radio in my bedroom

The clock looked something like what you see pictured below. The dial was mostly likely tuned to "the Big 8", CKLW, a 50,000-watt, clear-channel powerhouse which had the most adventurous playlists of any AM station I could pick up in the remote northwestern PA outpost of Warren.

So the sound was a little tinny, to say the least. But it didn't dampen my enjoyment at all.

Unfortunately, "My Generation" was a bit too rough-edged for an AM top 40 format. The single made its debut on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending January 15, 1966. At #98. It was a "star performer" the following week, making a modest jump to #77. Then it tread water for 3 weeks -- 77, 75, 74 -- before sinking out of sight. At least as far as the Hot 100 was concerned.

For some of us, the song has never gone away and sounds as fresh as ever. Having said this, I would not want to see The Who's current line-up perform the song. In fact, I have no desire to see them in concert on their 50th anniversary..

I'm content to say, "Thanks for the memories".

Wisconsin State Assembly District 51: Who's on the Ballot for the August 12 Primary?

Open seat. Incumbent not running for re-election.

51st Assembly District

Public libraries in the 51st Assembly District

Argyle Public Library

Blanchardville Public Library

Cobb Public Library

Dodgeville Public Library

Johnson Public Library, Darlington

Kraemer Library and Community Center, Plain

McCoy Public Library, Shullsburg

Mineral Point Public Library

Monroe Public Library

Spring Green Community Library

Turgeson Memorial Library, Belmont

The 4 Republicans candidates

Candidate biographies

The winner of the August primary will face the Democratic candidate Dick Cates.

About Dick:

Home: Spring Green
Occupation: Farmer, small business owner, agricultural science, business instructor, author
Elected office/memberships:

Town of Wyoming Plan Commission
Spring Green Community Learning Foundation (VP),
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Board of Directors

Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) currently represents the 51st District. He has served in the Assembly since 2010. Marklein is running for the 17th Senate District seat.

Next up: 55th Assembly District.

Related posts
Who's running unopposed in the Senate and Assembly? (6/16/2014)
August 12 primaries
Assembly District 1. (6/17/2014)
Assembly District 4. (6/18/2014)
Assembly District 8. (6/19/2014)
Assembly District 10. (6/20/2014)
Assembly District 16. (6/20/2014)
Assembly District 19. (6/22/2014)
Assembly District 20 (6/23/2014)
Assembly District 22 (6/24/2014)
Assembly District 26 (6/25/2014)
Assembly District 27. (6/26/2014)
Assembly District 33. (6/27/2014)
Assembly District 43. (6/30/2014)
Assembly District 45. (7/1/2014)

State Property for Sale: The Knapp House

Built in the Italianate style of architecture

State lists properties that are good prospects to sell. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 7/1/2014)

The oldest. The Knapp House, a former mansion for Wisconsin governors near the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. For decades, the historic building housed 12 graduate fellows, but that program was moved to another location in 2012, according to the Kohler Foundation, which funds the fellowships.

Built in 1854, the house served as the governor's mansion from 1885 to 1949, according to an alumni website. The university took it over soon after a new governor's residence was built.

Related documents:
Sale of State-Owned Real Property Under 2013-15 Biennial Budget. (Legislative Fiscal Bureau, 3/26/2013)
2013 Assembly Bill 40

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

I imagine General Mills has done the research, but what if this is the case?

In a riffin' mood.

General Mills Is Serving Wheaties, the Breakfast of Champions, to Younger Consumers. (The New York Times, 6/30/2014)

Maybe is has something to do with milk. “As we think about trying to reach a younger, more active demographic,” said David Oehler, marketing manager for Wheaties at General Mills, it makes sense to “engage with athletes, and sports, we know this younger demographic are following.”

Related reading:
Milk consumption drops off massively in the US. (Global Post, 12/11/2012)

How much? 30% since 1975.

Related posts:
Maybe it's the rainbow colors. (7/1/2014)

I must be living under a rock. (7/1/2014)

Maybe It's the Rainbow Colors

General Mills Is Serving Wheaties, the Breakfast of Champions, to Younger Consumers. (The New York Times, 6/30/2014)

LBGT Charms. And for Lucky Charms cereal, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, General Mills is running a commercial that sidesteps the brand’s usual target audience, children, and aims at young adults. Promotions for Lucky Charms, and another General Mills brand, Betty Crocker, have been directed at consumers who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender.

Related post:
I must be living under a rock. (7/1/2014)

Related reading:
The Breakfast Champion Goes Down for the Count. (The Robin Report, 6/5/2014)

The marketplace is changing. Sales of branded cold cereal have been flat or slightly down every year for at least the past 10

I Must Be Living Under a Rock

General Mills Is Serving Wheaties, the Breakfast of Champions, to Younger Consumers. (The New York Times, 6/30/2014)

Who the frig is Grumpy Cat? For instance, General Mills this week is releasing a commercial for Honey Nut Cheerios that pairs the brand character, Buzz the bee, with the popular Internet character Grumpy Cat; the commercial was created by Saatchi & Saatchi in New York, part of the Publicis Groupe.

Only 40 views when I checked it out. But then it was just "published" today. ("The Original Grumpy Cat" video -- is it really? -- has more than 15,000,000 views.)

What Happens When It Rains a Lot

A big gully forms along one of my favorite walking paths, the one that encircles Stricker Pond.

The woodsy area of the walking path quickly becomes overgrown.

And the forebays of the Tiedeman Pond water quality and trails enhancement program fill up quickly.

Pond Level Rises, Section of Walking Path Closed

Stricker Pond

Just the northern section of the path is inaccessible. I'd guess the water will recede by Thursday or Friday.

City of Middleton Trail System

Wisconsin State Assembly District 45: Who's on the Ballot for the August 12 Primary?

Open seat. Incumbent not running for re-election.

45th Assembly District

Public libraries in the 45th

Albertson Memorial Library, Albany

Beloit Public Library

Brodhead Memorial Public Library

Eager Free Public Library, Evansville

Orfordville Public Library

Academic library

Beloit College Library

The 2 Democratic candidates

Candidate biographies

The winner of the August 12 primary will run unopposed in the November 4 general election.

Janis Ringhand (D-Evansville) currently represents the 45th District. She was first elected to the Assembly in 2010. Janis is running for the open 15th District seat in the State Sentate, which is currently held by Tim Cullen (D-Beloit), who is not running for re-election.

Next up: 51st Assembly District.

Related posts
Who's running unopposed in the Senate and Assembly? (6/16/2014)
August 12 primaries
Assembly District 1. (6/17/2014)
Assembly District 4. (6/18/2014)
Assembly District 8. (6/19/2014)
Assembly District 10. (6/20/2014)
Assembly District 16. (6/20/2014)
Assembly District 19. (6/22/2014)
Assembly District 20 (6/23/2014)
Assembly District 22 (6/24/2014)
Assembly District 26 (6/25/2014)
Assembly District 27. (6/26/2014)
Assembly District 33. (6/27/2014)
Assembly District 43. (6/30/2014)

Finding Something Good in a Bad Interview

Rick Santorum: Founding fathers had right idea limiting those who could vote. (The Raw Story, 6/28/2014)

Library Journal

Rob Wolfley: In the Minority

New Bucks owners got it right by hiring Jason Kidd. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6/30/2014)

Most of the commentary, it should be noted, is along these lines. (Another example.)

Bob's not above turning a trite phrase.

But when you dig into his biography, it makes perfect sense to me.

He began his professional career in journalism covering concerts and writing features for the Milwaukee Sentinel. (from ESPN Wisconsin)

So all is forgiven.

Many Workers in Oklahoma Plan to Take the Day Off to Watch Soccerr in Spite of Ann Coulter's Admonishment

America's Favorite National Pastime: Hating Soccer

Great headline in yesterday Oklahoman. Oklahoma City employers prepare for World Cup hooky.

John neglected to factor in reality. Projections are that today’s two-hour “break” during the workday to watch the game will cost employers nationwide about $390 million in lost wages, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc., a Chicago-based employment consulting firm. By comparison, the NCAA basketball tournament, which runs over several days, costs American businesses about $1.2 billion. In reality, there’s probably very little employers can do to make soccer fans focus on their work, said company CEO John Challenger.

Speaking of the cost of lost wages.

Related post;
That Banshee Scream you hear is Ann Coulter's reaction to reading this news article. (6/29/2014)

Monday, June 30, 2014

After the Deluge, a Beautiful Sunset

OK, 1.15 inches of rain today (figure will likely need to be revised) doesn't qualify as a deluge, but flash flooding occurred throughout the area.

They Love the Nuge in Oshkosh, Sez the $100-Dollar Man

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Follow the Money

Ted Nugent Waterfest performance sparks controversy in Oshkosh. (Oshkosh Northwestern, 6/30/2014)

It's all about the money, honey. John Casper, Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce President, said Nugent has been one of the most sought-after and requested acts Waterfest has had during the past decade. He estimated it would be the biggest show of the season. The chamber of commerce sponsors the annual Waterfest concert series at the Leach Amphitheater.

Nugent recently referred to President Obama as a "subhuman mongrel", which no doubt offended the majority of Oshkosh, Neenah, and Menasha residents who voted in the 2012 general election.

Perhaps John needs to get outside of his circle more.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Voice of Intelligence and Reason

The 8 Best Lines From Ginsburg's Dissent on the Hobby Lobby Contraception Decision. (Mother Jones, 6/30/2014)

After reading the first 7, this quote certainly has the desired cumulative effect.

Photo credit: United States Supreme Court official portrait

Decision and dissent.

Frank Flood (1920-2014) Warren High School Class of 1938

Warren Times Observer

Dragon Yearbook 1938

Frank's nickname was "Frankie", as he signed his name 76 years ago.. He was known for the following qualities: A silent classmate.... as independent as his birthday -- July 4th....puttering....trustworthy....native simplicity....considerate.

According to the Social Security Administration's Popular Baby Names website, "Frank" was among the top 10 popular names for boys for 43 years -- from 1880 to 1922. It spent another 25 years in the top 25, from 1923 to 1947.

I can imagine the silent, puttering, independent Frankie having a fondness for this song, a bit hit for Bing Crosby in early 1938.

Wisconsin State Assembly District 43: Who's on the Ballot for the August 12 Primary?

Two Republican candidates vying to challenge Democratic incumbent.

43rd Assembly District

Public libraries in the district
Edgerton Public Library
Irwin L. Young Memorial Library, Whitewater
Milton Public Library
Oregon Public Library (service area)

The 2 Republican candidates

Candidate biographies

Herschel Brodkey (Age: 19)
Leon Hebert: (Age: 76)

The winner of the August 12 primary will face the Democratic incumbent Andy Jorgensen, who has served in the state legislature since 2006.

About Andy:

Home: Fort Atkinson
Occupation:

Full-time legislator
Former assembly line operator, General Motors, Janesville
Former morning radio personality (WFAW's "Andy Arbuckle")

Elected office/memberships (selected):

Next up: Assembly District 45.

Related posts
Who's running unopposed in the Senate and Assembly? (6/16/2014)
August 12 primaries
Assembly District 1. (6/17/2014)
Assembly District 4. (6/18/2014)
Assembly District 8. (6/19/2014)
Assembly District 10. (6/20/2014)
Assembly District 16. (6/20/2014)
Assembly District 19. (6/22/2014)
Assembly District 20 (6/23/2014)
Assembly District 22 (6/24/2014)
Assembly District 26 (6/25/2014)
Assembly District 27. (6/26/2014)
Assembly District 33. (6/27/2014)

Colony Collapse Disorder Linkfest

Bees at the brink: Nature's dying migrant worker. (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 6/29/2014)

A rush of recent research points to a complex triangle of causes:

pervasive pesticides,
a flowerless rural landscape dominated by cash crops, and
the spread of parasites and diseases.

Together they inflict enormous damage on the honeybees that crisscross the country each spring and summer, like migrant laborers, to pollinate everything from almonds in California to apples in Maine.