Every once in a while the headlines come together in interesting ways...

When I saw the headline: Man suspected of impersonating officer arrested. I was hoping it wasn't this Officer...Detective solves case in record 30 minutes. It turns out it was the detective who got the impersonator...

Any Eagle lovers out there? How about Patriots?

This looks like it would be interesting...

Bald eagle workshop set for Flagstaff FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Did you know that many bald eagles make their home in the Flagstaff area during the winter? You can learn more about these remarkable birds and probably even spot some at the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Annual Bald Eagle Workshop in Flagstaff on Saturday, Feb. 26. The free workshop will be divided into two sessions; each one will include a lecture followed by a field trip to observe eagles. The morning session will begin at 9 a.m., and the afternoon session will begin at 1 p.m. The lectures will be held at Northern Arizona University in the Southwest Forest Science Complex, Building #82, located on the south end of campus off Pine Knoll Drive. Guest speakers will be Cecilia Overby of the Coconino National Forest; James Driscoll, Arizona Game and Fish Department bald eagle management coordinator; and Mylea Bayless, an Arizona Game and Fish Department research biologist. They will talk about wintering bald eagles and Arizona's resident eagle population. Information on an ongoing bald eagle research project will also be presented. "This workshop has always been a big success here in Flagstaff, and we hope this year's event will have a great turnout as well," says Arizona Game and Fish Department Public Information Officer Shelly Shepherd. "It is great to see so many people interested in wildlife in northern Arizona." Anyone interested in attending will need to register with the Game and Fish Flagstaff regional office at (928) 774-5045. People are reminded to dress appropriately and to bring binoculars, bird field guidebooks, snacks, and water. Space for the field trips will be limited to 50 people, but there will be extra space available for the lectures.

You may have noticed a lack of posts over the weekend...

I spent the weekend with family to celebrate my and my father's birthdays. I can't believe he's 75... Enough about age, the highlight of the weekend for me was the time I spent with my youngest nephew. In his words, "We had fun!" I put him to bed Saturday night and as we talked, I told him stories about his mother and his aunt (my other sister) and he asked questions it was great... especially when his words became unintelligible and he drifted off to sleep. The next morning we had a nice laugh about how one minute he was talking and then he was asleep. The best part of our fun on Sunday was "hunting worms" with my nephew and his dog Levi. I would move the large terracotta pots that line the porch and yard and he would try to catch the worms before they went deeper below ground. After the worms he would go after the isopods (you may call them roly-poly, doodlebugs or pill bugs, I grew up calling them potato bugs); these he would put on the picnic table and Levi would then climb up onto the table and eat them... strange dog! Of course, this was hilarious to my nephew, but what 4 year old wouldn't think it was fun? It was hard to say goodbye... but when I called to let my sister know I was home safe, he answered the phone and got in trouble for not handing it over to an adult... he just kept talking to his Uncle Dave! :-)

Now the bastards want us to quit our diets and eat cookies!

The Arizona Republic-For many people, this is when New Year's dieting resolutions begin to unravel. Some cite lagging motivation following a month of calorie counting. Others find solace in a fast-food restaurant after a stressful day at work. But each February, there is another deluge of sugarcoated temptation that presents itself on doorsteps, in the office or even grocery store entryways. The Girl Scouts are out and they're armed with cookies.

Arizona Student advances to finals of Intel Science Talent Search

All of the finalists deserve recognition, but Arizona publications outside of Flagstaff should be ashamed they have yet to pick up on this story!

Cahill advances to science finals Flagstaff High School senior James Andrew Cahill got more good news this week. His project, an investigation of astronomically significant alignments in Wupatki National Monument's Lomaki Pueblo, has advanced to the next level of the Intel Science Talent Search. As one of 40 finalists in the competition, Cahill will head to Washington, D.C., March 10 - 15 to attend the Science Talent Institute, interact with top scientists and present his findings for judges. The finalists will vie for more than $530,000 in scholarships. Students finishing in the top 10 will receive scholarships ranging from $100,000 (first place) to $20,000 (places six through 10). The remaining 30 finalists will each receive a $5,000 scholarship. All of the finalists will get an Intel Centrino mobile-technology-based notebook computer. Intel's STS is the country's oldest pre-college science competition. After six decades, some of the program's alumni hold more than 100 of the world's most coveted science and math honors, including six Nobel Prizes and three National Medals of Science. This year's finalists hail from 15 states, with 13 of them coming from New York. Cahill is the only finalist from Arizona.

Posts from Blogs I'm reading...

The ModerateVoice provides us with: Definitive PROOF Of Evolution Pure Serendipity blew my mind with this post: semen may have antidepressant properties that are absorbed vaginally during unprotected sex HAVE YOU SEEN MY SHOE asks: Why is everyone so damn angry all the time? Neil's World discoveres a pleasent surprise that doesn't bode well for Microsoft: my IE icon has magically turned into a Firefox one :) Dean's World displayes his second favorite photo of the week: He's VOTING! Gordon Smith wants the president to give the finger: If I were George Bush, I would hold up an ink-stained finger (via Instapundit, via Ann Althouse) My favorite for the day comes from Res Publica 2005 (english version)

I wish I was this guy...

A friend of my dad's won a prize like this once... it was for 5 SuperBowls in a row (He took my dad to 4 of them... all I got were some seat cushions and football trading cards... and some hats) and it's about the only prize I can think of that would have been better!

Scottsdale man comes up Aces in Super Bowl sweepstakes Ace may be the place with the helpful hardware folks. But Andy Anderson needed no assistance Monday, thank you very much. The 69-year-old Scottsdale resident won a football fantasy sweepstakes, which meant a pair of Super Bowl tickets AND his own chance to run a two-minute drill: A 120-second shopping spree at a local Ace Hardware store.

Press release tries to persuad that U.S. students say press freedoms go too far

U.S. students say press freedoms go too far This is kind of scary at first glance... there's just so much left out that I'm not sure it's anything more than a fluff piece.

One in three U.S. high school students say the press ought to be more restricted, and even more say the government should approve newspaper stories before readers see them, according to a survey being released today. The survey of 112,003 students finds that 36% believe newspapers should get "government approval" of stories before publishing; 51% say they should be able to publish freely; 13% have no opinion.

We're looking at a minority of 36%... I wonder how many really understood the survey out of this group?

Asked whether the press enjoys "too much freedom," not enough or about the right amount, 32% say "too much," and 37% say it has the right amount. Ten percent say it has too little. The survey of First Amendment rights was commissioned by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and conducted last spring by the University of Connecticut. It also questioned 327 principals and 7,889 teachers.

I don't understand why they site these numbers when no results are given for this group... I checked the website for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and they don't mention any results for this group there either.

The findings aren't surprising to Jack Dvorak, director of the High School Journalism Institute at Indiana University in Bloomington. "Even professional journalists are often unaware of a lot of the freedoms that might be associated with the First Amendment," he says. The survey "confirms what a lot of people who are interested in this area have known for a long time," he says: Kids aren't learning enough about the First Amendment in history, civics or English classes. It also tracks closely with recent findings of adults' attitudes. "It's part of our Constitution, so this should be part of a formal education," says Dvorak, who has worked with student journalists since 1968. Although a large majority of students surveyed say musicians and others should be allowed to express "unpopular opinions," 74% say people shouldn't be able to burn or deface an American flag as a political statement; 75% mistakenly believe it is illegal.

So only 1% who believe that burning the flag is illegal think you should be able to burn the flag? I find that comforting... that 1% could just be error. I'd be more interested in how many think they might ever burn or deface the American flag. Of course this whole section is just here to elicit emotion.

The U.S. Supreme Court (news - web sites) in 1989 ruled that burning or defacing a flag is protected free speech. Congress has debated flag-burning amendments regularly since then; none has passed both the House and Senate. Derek Springer, a first-year student at Ivy Tech State College in Muncie, Ind., credits his journalism adviser at Muncie Central High School with teaching students about the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech, press and religion. Last year, Springer led a group of student journalists who exposed payments a local basketball coach made to players for such things as attending practices and blocking shots. The newspaper also questioned requirements that students register their cars with the school to get parking passes. Because they studied the First Amendment, he says, "we know that we can publish our opinion, and that we might be scrutinized, but we know we didn't do anything wrong."

DiCaprio Gets Lifetime Achievement Award- it's kinda like inducting a college ball player into the professional hall of fame... premature!

Shouldn't you have to be in a business for at least 30 years to get an award like this? I can think of dozens of diserving people... DiCaprio could wait another decade or two!

Yahoo! News - DiCaprio Gets Lifetime Achievement Award: SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - On the heels of an Oscar nomination, 'The Aviator' star Leonardo DiCaprio (news) wrapped a high-flying week by accepting the Platinum Award from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Update via Regurgitated News:

I Hear That Next Year the Award Is Going to That Goofy-Looking Kid From Harry Potter

This Benson is funny!

O'Connor is public's pick for next U.S. chief justice

This caught me off guard... Personally I think she's too old- I guess there is a poll for anything!

If voters could choose the nation's next chief justice, a new national poll suggests, they'd pick Arizona's Sandra Day O'Connor. They also like former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (also a former federal prosecutor) for the top job at the Supreme Court. Americans, of course, don't get to elect their nation's chief judge.

The carnival of recipies is up... and I got top billing!

Thanks to Kin at Kin's Kouch for the kind words! The carnival is here. My recipe for hot chicken stir fry is here. Check out my previous entries here (pan-fried steak with red wine reduction) and here (Welsh pancakes). I'm off to the grocery store...

The 24 saga continues on Dave Berry's Blog...

We don't know how we're going to get any work done today. We might just start sitting in front ot the TV right now, waiting for 9 p.m. Eastern 8 p.m. Central Time, because we are SO NERVOUS about what is going to happen tonight, with the terrorists in possession of the amazing Nuk-Em-All remote-control device -- NOT sold in stores -- that causes all the nuclear reactors in the United States to melt down and apparently there is NOTHING ANYBODY CAN DO ABOUT IT. Except maybe they could call up the nuclear plants and say, "Hey! Don't let the reactor melt down, OK? Thanks." No, wait, what are we thinking? That would NEVER work. So the only hope for humanity, again, is loner rogue agent Jack Bauer, who is not afraid to take action -- who has the guts to shoot first and also shoot later on. We personally would not mind if he accidentally shot Secretary of Defense William Devane's daughter, because she gets on our nerves. We also believe Terrorist Boy, whose Terrorist Mom wrecked his social life by poisoning his girlfriend, could be a major plot factor now that he has turned against the other terrorists by using a shovel to kill the terrorist hitman who was trying to kill him under orders from his Terrorist Dad. Terrorist Boy is still out there, and as far as we know he still has the shovel. We are just going to be a wreck today.

Around Arizona... what other Arizona Bloggers are Blogging Today.

American Dinosaur Let Freedom Ring, Moonbat Style AngryKeyboarder My Senior Year Anil's Doublespeak a detailed argument on why the whole moon thing is a hoax Blog for Arizona Iraqi Elections: What Comes Next? Coyote Blog Wanted: Foreign Policy Alternative Desert Rat Ramblings Iraq votes - in droves. Disorderly Content no other commentary would be as honest as this one Jackalope Persuivant* the third verse of "America the Beautiful" J-Walk Blog It's a nationwide treasure hunt, with $1 million in jewels to be found life behind the mini mart I've created a photo blog Random Rogers Big Picture This type of idea has all sorts of flaws but it is still interesting Verns Blog Koufax Award Vox St Bridget's Day

Headlines Saturday

City's water service department director reassigned over alert PHOENIX (AP) -- The director of the city's Water Services Department has been stripped of his title over the way he handled this week's water problem. Health leaders target syphilis problem on Navajo Nation GALLUP, N.M. (AP) -- Nina Tsethlikia is a woman on a mission. Glendale Marine died in Iraq copter crash Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Wayne Finke Jr., 27, of Glendale, was among 31 killed earlier this week in a helicopter crash on the Iraq war's deadliest day for U.S. troops. Phoenix must cut $68.7 million Phoenix officials will have to cut $68.7 million - or just over 7 percent - of their $930 million general fund budget by the start of the next fiscal year. Mesa employees gird for 2 very tight years Grim budget predictions outlined in City Manager's memo Budget shortfall picture mixed in other Valley cities Most Valley municipalities are just beginning their work on their 2005-06 budget. What they expect. Gas service returning Tilford Melillo tucked herself beneath her electric blanket Thursday as she does every night. Her house was a cozy 72 degrees. Life Teen chief on leave in abuse case Life Teen suspends its president after he is accused in a lawsuit of abusing a minor. Priest given 1 year in jail Supporters of a priest gasped Friday as a Maricopa County Superior Court judge sentenced Father Karl LeClaire to a year in jail for sexually abusing a former parishioner. Device saves on hot water It may be the most blatant and yet unavoidable waste of resources in the house: that tepid stream of water that runs uselessly down the drain until the hot stuff arrives from the water heater. McDonald House gets $1 mil gift A capital campaign to expand the Valley's only Ronald McDonald House and also build a second one has received a $1 million boost, pushing the campaign's tally to nearly $3 million. 40 stunning horses share stage in show Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Horse and Man opened in Scottsdale on Tuesday beneath a 26,000-square-foot tent. District program brings dads into the classroom Fathers of Isaac school children can get involved with a new program called Dedicated Active Dads in Schools or DADS, and is holding an event for Isaac families today. Suspect in Mesa heists in custody The combination of a handgun, hair dye and a police scanner caught the attention of an alert warrants officer, leading to the arrest of a suspect in several armed robberies in the East Valley and a jewelry store heist in Tucson. Regents launch money quest Custom Clipper Clip TEMPE - You can't build a great university on Wal-Mart prices, ASU President Michael Crow said Friday as regents started to talk about setting next year's tuition. Mounting drug wars in northern Mexico blamed; 5 police hurt The latest attack in a wave of drug war violence crawling across northern Mexico struck after midnight Friday in southern Sonora. ‘You haven't seen anything yet’ As former city official eases into retirement, he warns about Yuma's exploding growth

Afternoon Headlines Friday

Measure would restrict offshore flow of consumer information A group of Democratic state lawmakers want to curtail the foreign offshoring of call centers and offer consumer protections so their personal and financial information is not jeopardized. Small business group extends Expo deadline The Arizona Small Business Association extended early-bird registration through today, Jan. 28, for its health care expo slated for Feb. 4. Valve leak cuts natural gas service in north Phoenix Southwest Gas Corp. Friday announced that a cracked valve resulted in a gas leak that left as many as 19,000 customers in north Phoenix without service since Thursday afternoon. Bills introduced to mandate water conservation in landscaping A state lawmaker wants to limit the types of landscaping used in new housing developments to better conserve water. Pinnacle West sees full-year earnings grow Pinnacle West Capital Corp., the parent company of electricity provider Arizona Public Service (APS), Friday reported lower fourth-quarter results, but slightly higher full-year 2004 figures. Ross spared jail, but loses real estate license in conflict-of-interest case Former Maricopa County Assessor Kevin Ross was spared a jail term Friday over his conflict-of-interest conviction but lost his real estate license and ordered to three years unsupervised probation.

Another prediction for the future...

"There is more money being spent on breast implants and Viagra today than on Alzheimer's research. This means that by 2040, there should be a large elderly population with perky boobs and huge erections and absolutely no recollection of what to do with them." Via FFS

I've been thinking all day about what the next shortage in Phoenix will be...

In 2003 it was gasoline due to a pipeline break. In 2004 it was electricity due to a transformer fire. In 2005 it was water due to excess runoff with an unusually high level of particulates. Not to mention the shortage of Flu shots (I mean hay, that was a national thing). It seems like it's something every 8 months. I was thinking the next one would be cable television, natural gas(it was only 10,000 people who are affected by a a leak in a line near 19th Avenue and Thunderbird Road.), or air to breathe. I was wrong the next crisis happened today... sort of. The shortage is toilet paper... not really it was a hoax, but it's nice to know I'm not the only one preparing for the next shortage. Props to Deejays "Krazy Kid," "Ruben S.," and "Corina," at 104.7 KISS FM. They caused a small run on TP after announcing that a paper plant in California had to cease production because of bacterial contamination. What do you think the next crisis will require us to conserve?

Today marks 19 years since the Challenger accident.

Has it really been that long? I still remember the day as if it just happened, I remember Virgil running down the sidewalk yelling "The shuttle blew up! The shuttle blew up!" I still remember having to eat lunch at Burger King because of the power going out. I still remember the image of the explosion after takeoff. And I remember watching Ronald Regan on TV that night consoling the country.

Around Arizona... what other Arizona Bloggers are Blogging Today.

American Dinosaur The arrests of two close associates of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi AngryKeyboarder We're currently experiencing some technical difficulties. Blog for Arizona God's Politics are the cat's pajamas Coyote Blog Free trade, despite it enormous benefits, is constantly under attack. Desert Rat Ramblings Assaults on Border Agents Increase Disorderly Content Sexist. In the best possible way. Jackalope Persuivant* Days until I come home to Arizona J-Walk Blog The 50th Anniversary of Area 51 is coming up life behind the mini mart I love to see what other people think about things Random Rogers Big Picture The GDP number came in at a very disappointing 3.1% Ravings of a Mad Tech Don't count on Mexican help for border control Slightly Off Center The submarine USS San Francisco

Headlines Friday

Life Teen co-founders sued Two co-founders of Life Teen, the nation's largest Catholic youth ministry based in the Valley, were accused Thursday in a lawsuit of covering up and helping carry out sexual attacks on a 14-year-old boy two decades ago. Bikini incident results in firing One supervisor was fired and two others disciplined after they allowed a scantily clad woman to serve pastries at a Tempe facility last week. Barrier is sought at 24th St., Camelback Motorists drive slower on Camelback Road near 24th Street, signs warn pedestrians to use crosswalks and a countdown signal flashes the seconds they have to get across. Despite growth, water use declines TUCSON - Despite the rapid population growth in Arizona, groundwater consumption has fallen in recent decades as homes have replaced farms, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Political pressure building to oust Arizona legislator Political pressure is starting to swirl around a newly elected lawmaker who overspent his public campaign funds by $7,500, setting up a possible constitutional battle over the state's Clean Elections Law. Fire season drawing concern of governor Frustrated with what she sees as federal foot-dragging, Gov. Janet Napolitano is turning to the state's congressional delegation to help determine if and when the state will get air tankers for the upcoming fire season. Open-range zoning to end in Rio Verde Livestock that freely grazed on open-range land near Rio Verde Drive since the 19th Century will soon be required to be fenced away from the busy road between Scottsdale and Fountain Hills. Man wields sword, jumps from condo on 2nd floor A man jumped through his window then from his second-floor apartment overlooking Camelback Mountain to the ground below, wielding a samurai sword and covered in blood. Gilbert preserve is for the birds - and people GILBERT - You would think a 110-acre chunk of marshy land with nine riparian habitats, six upland habitats and enough recycled wastewater to fill up to 200 swimming pools a day would be anything but obscure in Gilbert. Judge denies order to stop Mesa vote Judge refuses to grant a temporary restraining order to Mesa resident, but all isn't lost in the bigger fight Money weighs on minds of regents In the minds of the Arizona Board of Regents, the university redesign process is becoming a lot like what happens when you leave the house too fast in the morning. No matter how promising the day is, there's always a nagging thought: Did I leave the iron on? Did I close the garage door? Gunman forces way into apartment, assaults woman A gunman forced his way into a northwest Phoenix apartment and tied up two young roommates Thursday morning before ransacking their home and sexually assaulting one of the women, police said. Food bank offers 2-for-1 event tickets Westside Food Bank is scrambling to boost ticket sales for Saturday's large fund-raiser, which agency officials hope will help ease a $300,000 deficit. Glendale mayor pays off on 1 football bet Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs served a slab of humble pie to nine members of Hamilton's championship football team. And she'll have to do it again. Ark. leader rips bill on immigration LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Huckabee on Thursday heaped criticism upon immigration legislation in the Arkansas Legislature, describing it as ''inflammatory . . . race-baiting and demagoguery.'' He also challenged the Christian values of its main sponsor. Lawyers argue Prop. 200's scope Legal jostling over phrasing in Proposition 200 continued Thursday with attorneys arguing over a lawsuit that seeks to broaden the scope of the anti-illegal immigration law. Cold Case: Gruesome murder of woman, 22 The headline of the May 17, 1988, edition of The Arizona Republic read: "Woman found slain brutally." House backs prison funding boost PHOENIX (AP) -- The Republican-led House voted Thursday to give the Department of Corrections a $21.3 million midyear funding boost that Democrats criticized as too much of a good thing. Mayor orders investigation into water problem PHOENIX (AP) -- Mayor Phil Gordon has ordered an investigation into this week's water problem at city treatment plants, saying it raises serious questions about the safety of Phoenix's water supply.

Gay-slaying verdict: guilty

A 22-year-old man described as having neo-Nazi beliefs was convicted Thursday in the murder of a gay man who was beaten to death near North Fourth Avenue in 2002.

I haven't posted a Benson in a while...

So, I keep hearing this song in my head... And it's driving me crazy

Has anyone else heard this song from Portobella? I first caught it on a Saturday morning radio program playing European music (the band is from London)... It's catchy and so naughty too... sticks in your head with the female leads uptempo voice!

Covered In Punk :: Portobella Hey-oh Hey-oh Hey-oh Hey-oh Oh look at me, I'm covered in punk, Covered in new wave, covered in you. Oh look at me, I'm covered in punk, all over the radio, over you. Oh look at me, you've covered your face, covered in the moment, Covered in lace. Oh see me now, I'm bucking like a broncho, Eat your candy, eat your candy. Look at me, I scream like a banchee, God send the drag queen, god send the drag queen. Can you see me covered in showbiz, swimming in rubbish, swimming with the big fish. Do you see me coming like a comet, go like a rocket in your socket. Look at me, I'm looking at you, look at me I'm saying I do. It's my obsession, what's your confession? Chorus I'm covered in punk, I'm covered in you, I'm covered in all the things you do. I'm covered in punk, I'm sticking like glue, I'm covered in everything we do. Hey-oh (covered in it) Hey-oh Oh look at me, I'm covered in punk, Covere in the moment, covered in you. Oh look at me, I'm covered in the front page, Headlines screaming it's just a phase. Oh look at this, we kissed the graffiti. Covered in paint, covered in paint. Oh look at you, you're bucking like a broncho, Eat my candy, eat my candy. See me now, scratching your surface, Taking my chances, blowing my screen test. Look at me not minding my language, Doing you damage, doing you damage. Oh I can see you come like a rocket, go like a comet in my pocket. Look at me, I'm looking at you, Look at me, i'm saying I do. It's my obsession, what's your confession? Chorus x2 (covered in it) It's my obsession, what's your confession? x2 Chorus x2

Afternoon Headlines Thursday

Napolitano questions agency's forest fire readiness Gov. Janet Napolitano is concerned the federal government may not be ready to battle western wildfires this summer. New America West ad campaign ready for takeoff America West Airlines is launching a new regional advertising and marketing effort, appealing to business travelers and setting itself apart from rival Southwest Airlines and other discount flyers. Renzi named to influential House committee Arizona Congressman Rick Renzi has been named to the influential House Intelligence Committee. Patchlink nets $5M in new financing PatchLink Corp. closed its Series B financing round with an additional $5 million investment, the company announced Thursday. America West adds e-ticketing options America West Airlines and Northwest Airlines Thursday activated an interline e-ticketing agreement. Don't broaden reach of immigrant-benefits law, state asks judge An attorney representing the state argued Thursday for the dismissal of a lawsuit that seeks to broaden a voter-approved law aimed at keeping illegal immigrants from voting and obtaining certain government benefits.

Cardinals to unveil new logo

Perhaps they will change the mascot altogether...

Hoping to attract new merchandise sales, the Arizona Cardinals Thursday afternoon will unveil a new logo for the NFL team. The team's Cardinal design on helmets and other merchandise has remained the same since the team moved from Chicago to St. Louis in 1960. The Cardinals moved the Tempe's Sun Devil Stadium in the late 1980s and will move to a new stadium in Glendale in time for the 2006 NFL season.

Alas, no such luck! I'm surprised they didn't wait until the move to the new stadium... maybe we can change the mascot then!

Guest blogging continues!

The Queen of all Evil in all her wisdom has given me a Birthday present and decided to let me keep posting(bet you had no idea it was my birthday today)! So, go check out her blog too! Thanks to the Queen for allowing me to continue! Consider this an open thread for your birthday wishes...

Headlines Thursday

Regents may cap tuition hikes Paying for a college education and living in fear of the next wallop to your wallet? Tempe closes lake to boaters Tempe Town Lake is off limits again to boaters, the second of what could be a string of closures this winter. Liberty celebration bittersweet Today marks the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Over the past 60 years, survivors immigrated to the United States, married, had children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren, but survivors say the liberation anniversaries are bittersweet. Objections raised over student's Christ image A student at Mountain Pointe High School found out first-hand this month that art has the power to ignite passions and debate. Artworks by Erika Vogt-Nilsen Napolitano declares January 'Stalking Awareness Month' Gov. Janet Napolitano has declared January ''Stalking Awareness Month,'' making the state one of only three in the country to recognize the month. Japanese flower farm's roots run deep The Kishiyamas are the last of the Japanese-American flower growers whose gardens once lined Baseline Road for miles. Scottsdale buying last property near stadium Scottsdale is buying the last privately-held property just east of Scottsdale Stadium, but city officials said Wednesday that they are not locked into building a new spring training complex there for the San Francisco Giants. Moms-to-be without insurance to get help A program at Paradise Valley Hospital may patch a gap in health care for pregnant women in the city's Palomino neighborhood. Speed limit at issue on Pima Road A recent crash on Pima Road in north Scottsdale has residents calling for a reduction in the posted 55 mph speed limit on the much-traveled roadway. Immigration agents suspended Five immigration agents based in Phoenix have been suspended with pay for more than a year prompting concern that the federal government's effort to combat immigrant smuggling in Arizona is being jeopardized. West Valley growth predicted to be bigger GLENDALE - West Valley growth during the balance of this decade will be more expansive than the most optimistic regional economic forecasts predict, economist Elliott Pollack says. Spotlight on . . . Tracy Montgomery Tracy Montgomery, 40, a Phoenix police commander, was named in late November to direct the 262 officers assigned to the Cactus Park Precinct in northwest Phoenix. She joined the force in 1985 and is one of the three highest-ranking female supervisors. Closed-campus lunch focus of board session MESA - School board members have a lot of questions when it comes to closing Mesa high school campuses for lunch. On Wednesday, they decided to pursue more answers before bringing the issue up for public discussion. Residents fear contamination near subdivision GILBERT - A Gilbert neighborhood claims its property is contaminated and fears its groundwater supply could be in jeopardy soon. Avondale mayor set to launch ball fields AVONDALE - Mayor Ron Drake will dedicate the new ball fields at Avondale Friendship Park by throwing the first pitch of the T-ball season Feb. 8. The ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. at the park, 12325 W. McDowell Road. Bill seeks to regulate stun guns Police should have the right to shoot and kill any suspect who threatens them with a stun gun, state lawmakers said Wednesday when they took a step toward legislating the weapon in Arizona. Elections audit due on Smith The public will get its first taste this morning of a brewing showdown between the Citizens Clean Elections Commission and a newly elected lawmaker who overspent his public campaign funds. Feds bolster case against Hells Angels Federal prosecutors have beefed up their racketeering case against Arizona's Hells Angels with a superseding indictment that adds new criminal charges and expands allegations that the biker club is a corrupt criminal enterprise. Colleges not ready for population growth If the state's population grows as projected and the university system doesn't take further steps to increase its capacity, the year 2020 will find Arizona with 24,000 more students eligible for college than there are seats at the universities. Bill would toughen laws targeting ID theft State and local policymakers on Wednesday announced legislation aimed at cracking down on identity thieves who have made Arizona their hub. Despite soaring growth, Southwest uses less water Given the Southwest's dizzying growth, you might think the U.S. Geological Survey is bad at math when it reports the following trends in our water use: 27 hospitalized in vehicle crash A Chevrolet Suburban carrying 27 people crashed Wednesday night in San Luis sending all of the occupants to the hospital. It was unknown if there were any fatalities in the crash. How does your solar garden grow? Yuma, APS unveil $500,000 project at West Wetlands Park. Rays of sunshine will be producing power at the Yuma West Wetlands Park. Disbanded SWAT could cost county The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office could lose out on all or part of a $350,000 federal Homeland Security grant because its SWAT team has been disbanded, according to state and Valley grant administrators.

My Recipe for this week...

This is one of my favorites... the variation is endless as long as you stick with the basics it always comes out great. Hot Peanut Chicken Stir Fry Chicken Breast (boneless and skinless) Oil (Peanut is the best) Vegetables (use what you have fresh or frozen, but garlic, onion, and celery are essential) Cayenne Pepper Sauce Soy Sauce Peanut Butter (I prefer chunky) Sesame Oil is optional

• Slice the chicken thin across the breast (you can cut smaller pieces just try to make them uniform in size)
• With a clean knife and on a clean surface (to avoid cross contamination) prepare the vegetables by cleaning them and slicing thin.
• Heat enough oil to create a small pool in the bottom of your wok (or cover the bottom of large skillet) to the point that you see it shimmer and wisps of smoke rise above it.
• Begin cooking by carefully adding chicken to the pan, season with salt and pepper; cook until done.
• Add vegetables stirring them into the pan starting with the most aromatic (garlic, onion then celery) and working your way to the fastest cooking.
• To complete the cooking add soy and cayenne sauces and cover to steam vegetables and heat them through.
• To finish the dish push all of the food to the edges of pan.
• Add about 1 tablespoon of peanut butter to the center for every half cup of liquid in the pan.
• Stir to incorporate the peanut butter into the liquid this will thicken into a sauce.
• Give a final stir to coat the food and serve over rice.

Afternoon Headlines Wednesday

Restrictions lifted, Gordon seeks review of water problems It is now safe for Phoenix residents to approach a water faucet with an empty drinking glass in one hand, city officials said late Wednesday afternoon. Kyl presses for improvements in worker IDs For Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl, the tough slog for federal immigration reform begins with Social Security cards. Napolitano seeks extension of tsunami relief tax breaks Gov. Janet Napolitano wants the state to follow the federal government's lead when it comes to tsunami relief. AT&T cutting more than 500 jobs, closing Mesa call center Beleaguered telecommunications company AT&T is cutting 1,700 workers and closing four customer service centers -- including one in Mesa. Phoenix signs parking deal with Tennessee company The Phoenix Public Works Department has signed a management agreement with Central Parking System Inc., a subsidiary of Central Parking Corp. Proposed wind farm gets OK County planning and zoning commissioners unanimously approved a conditional-use permit for a proposed 60-megawatt wind farm east of Flagstaff despite nearby landowners' claims that the project's 40 400-foot windmills will destroy their view of the San Francisco Peaks. River runners reach compromise The commercial and private boaters submit a joint recommendation that increases recreational use of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Town Lake closing to boaters; water released into Salt River Once again, Tempe Town Lake is closing to boaters because of increased water flows down the Salt River. Showers falling, expected to be heavy at times Rain fell across the Valley Wednesday from one Pacific storm after another, and forecasters said to expect heavy rain and a chance of thunderstorms Wednesday night. Proposal would allow use of lethal force on suspects with stun guns A top leader in the Arizona Legislature said he will propose granting police officers in Arizona the use of lethal force in confronting combative suspects who threaten them with remote stun guns such as Tasers. Mexico may ask international courts to block Arizona law MEXICO CITY - Mexico may turn to international courts in an effort to block a new Arizona law limiting services to illegal immigrants, Foreign Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez said Wednesday.

Phoenix water woe roundup... with links to local bloggers

As of 4 p.m. today the Advisory is lifted. Scroll to the bottome of this post to read comments from other bloggers... So here's the deal, we've been under a drought meaning very little rainfall in the watershed over the past few years (refer to my trip to see the river and that of others). So with the frequent winds we get a lot of 'blow'. Blow is fine clay dust that accumulates during wind storms... this is what has been washed through the watershed in unprecidented amounts and this is what is choking the water treatment facilities and causing excess turbidity.

Be advised that water needs to be at a boil for at least 5 minutes before being used in the following situations:

• Drinking water
• Washing dishes
• Brushing teeth
• Food preparation
• Making ice
• Wound care

This is in effect until noon tomorrow at the earliest possibly longer. [now hoping for an end at 4 p.m.] From the county burn unit: "Be carefull not to burn yourself!" If you have consumed tap water be on the lookout for:

• Nausia
• Cramping
• Diarrea

From Vox:

OK, the weather is beautiful here 300 days of the year - I am not complaining. However, the recent rains we experienced (that we really needed) have left us another problem. Potentially contaminated water. It doesn't help that two of our treatment plants were already down for maintenance. I completely forgot the alert yesterday and showered (long and hot), did laundry, drinking tap water.... duh!

From The Desert Tusk:

I was at the gym this morning. After I had finished working out I went to take a shower, only to find the showers closed off. This is why. Phoenix's 1.4 million residents, as well as residents in the western half of Paradise Valley, were encouraged Tuesday to boil their tap water until at least noon Wednesday, and also to limit what water they do use. City officials blamed a turbidity

From Coyote Blog:

My disdain for the local news media got me in a little trouble today. Apparently, something happened to the local Phoenix water system such that they had to declare the water contaminated in some way. Everyone was told not to drink or take showers, and many restaurants closed. I totally missed this for most of the day (what does it say about me that I notice Internet outages within 5 minutes but it takes all day to figure out we have no water). The media is not giving many details, but apparently drinking water supplies were contaminated by storm runoff. Two of my doctor friends were more specific- they said that the rumor around the hospitals was that "human remains" had been found in the water systems. Yum. Fortunately, we have plenty of bottled water around the house. I usually laugh at people's perceptions of bottled water -- I bet if you asked most people, they would say the water came from some spring or glacier runoff or whatever. The fact is that most bottled water comes right from the tap. I almost bought a water company here in Phoenix that sells most of the private label water to local supermarkets, and I know for a fact they just filter and bottle good old Phoenix tap water. Anyway, I am happy to have the bottled water today.

From BBrown.info:

In case you didn't know, the City of Phoenix has issued a warning directing residents to avoid using tap water that hasn't been boiled. The mayor urges us to not panic and hoard up on bottled water. Does this strike anyone else as conflicting desires? When encouraged to boil water for no less than five minutes and then told not to worry, most people would jump in the nearest vehicle and beeline it to the grocery store.

However, the hype and hysteria centering around this announcement belie the nature of the problem: one water treatment plant failed a federal clean water standard for particulates. Particulates, to my knowledge, aren't harmful unless they're particles of poison, bacteria, or sharp objects. They just make the water cloudy. The water is then not appetizing, but it's no less potable.

The worst part of this situation—crisis seems unnecessarily dire—is the difficulty of getting valid information. Most of the local news sites carried a simple AP wire story on Monday and Tuesday that lacked any details. The City of Phoenix's site, linked above, had quite a bit of information but it was from the horse's mouth and the likely liable entity should people get litigious.

The Arizona Republic finally got a balanced story that tempered the hype and answered a lot of questions (including the advice to "wash with hot water and a lot of soap for as long as it takes to sing Yankee Doodle Dandy"). Of course, Laurie Roberts, a Republic columnist, tried to incite more hype by pandering to widespread ignorance and blaming the Department of Water Services instead of Mother Nature.

In my entire life as a Phoenix native, I have never heard of this sort of thing before. We've had serious rains before and, presumably, serious runoffs without such advisories. I have to wonder if it's because we have more stringent requirements and more sensitive instruments now. We may have had this exact same problem in years past but we didn't know anything about it. And I also wonder at the frequency of this sort of advisory around the country in places where rainfall is more plentiful.

From Snozzberries:

The sun'll come out tomorrow, betcher bottom dollar...

I have this annoying habit of always trying to find a bright side, a silver lining in a crappy situation (and it bugs the hell out of my librarian friend, Giselle) and 24 hours into the Welcome-to-Phoenix-don't-drink-the-water-or-let-it-touch-you-anywhere-your-bathing-suit-covers crisis, I have finally figured out how this can totally work for me - I now have a viable excuse not to do dishes two words: woo hoo

From Chad Campbell:

Boil your water? How about let’s boil the planners?

The Arizona Republic Laurie Roberts Jan. 26, 2005 12:00 AM

Two years ago it was gasoline. One pipeline break and we were essentially stranded, running on fumes.

But not to worry. It was, we were told, not a crisis.

Which, of course, meant that every one of us proceeded immediately to the nearest gas station to fill up, top off or suck down every last gallon of gas we could find. And for good reason. None of the people running this place seemed to figure out we had a problem until the pumps were dry.

Last year, it was electricity. One power surge at an APS substation and we were faced with the prospect of rolling blackouts.

But not to worry. It was, we were told, not a crisis.

So for 35 days last summer we turned up the thermostat until the water in the toilet reached a slow simmer, and we followed the 21-day, 2,000-mile odyssey of the only thing that could save us: a 190-ton transformer that was, curiously, not here but in Washington state.

Now, it’s water. One big storm and the drinking supply of the nation’s fifth-largest city has apparently turned to sludge.

Oh, but not to worry. It is, we are told, not a crisis. Which is why the city has issued a boil water advisory. A boil water advisory!

That’s right. We went to bed Monday night and woke up in a Third World country.

All day Tuesday we were told not to worry but oh, by the way, don’t drink the water. Not to worry but oh, by the way, boil the water before you brush your teeth or wash the dishes and by all means, give the bottled stuff to Fido. This, because of something known as turbidity.

“Abnormally dry conditions over a long period of time before recent above average rainfall in a short period of time resulted in heavier than normal sediment flowing downstream and into the city of Phoenix’s water treatment plants,” city officials said in an advisory.

Translation: There’s gunk in the water.

Which, they assure us, they anticipated.

Just not too well.

Of five water treatment plants in Phoenix, two are shut down because of routine canal maintenance and one is closed due to storm damage. So when sediment headed our way, that left only two plants standing to do battle with the muck and mire. One lost.

Thus, the need to boil water.

Meanwhile, the water’s just fine in Scottsdale and in Mesa and Peoria and, in fact, everyplace else. Only Phoenix is storming the Culligan man. Only Phoenix seems to have no alternative supply.

But it isn’t much of a problem, we’re told. Really.

“We have a very significant matter of inconvenience but it’s not life-threatening,” Mayor Phil Gordon assured us Tuesday.

“The water is not poisonous, and frankly, it’s very unlikely that anyone would get sick,” City Manager Frank Fairbanks said.

Meanwhile, the drinking fountains at City Hall were covered with tape Tuesday and posted: “Do Not Use Tap Water. Do Not Drink It or Use It for Coffee, Tea, Etc.”

It’s a heck of a way to run a city. And a state. In my present parched condition, I find myself wondering how it is that the people who run this place don’t seem to anticipate problems. Even Steve Nash has a backup (sort of). Yet when it comes to pipelines and transformers and drinking water, our only Plan B is to boil water.

In coming days, I’m sure our leaders will explain how this happened, how these things seem to so often happen here. I, for one, can’t wait to hear what they say.

For now, though, it’s about as clear as, well, water.

From Millissa the piccolo player of DOOM:

WATER CRISIS!!! Okay...maybe just a warning... Okay...now if anyone has read my story "The 6:00 News", they would have noticed that the updated chapter mentioned something about a water problem... Oh yes...there is a water problem hehe.

From Daemon X:

There's also a huge "crisis" around here today with "contaminated drinking water". All the news stations are telling us every 10 minutes to boil our drinking water and everyone's stockpiling bottled water and stuff. This is all completely ignoring the fact that the "contamination" is just a miniscule increase in microscopic dirt particles in the water because of all the rain we've been having and that only Phoenix and Paradise Valley are affected, since Tempe, Mesa, etc, get most of their water from other places. Of course, this really wouldn't affect me much anyway, since I drink about 2 glasses of water -per week- on average, but oh well.

From quirkylittleme:

Lemme just say: This water "CRISIS" is just about the dumbest thing I've ever heard of. I took a bath in Africa in brown water. OoooOOOooooooH. Dumb. You eat dirt, breathe dirt, sleep in dirt, and bath in dirt every day, and today there just happens to be a little bit more. So we should basically shut down phoenix? No, that's foolish. I can agree with not drinking a bunch of it, but no peeing school or washing your hands!? Jesus, it's not AIDS water. It's some dirt! Dirt=nature Water=nat