Gerald Ford

Gerald Ford became the 38th President of the United States on August 9, 1974. A President who did not campaign to become the Vice-President or the President. Flags are to remain at half-mast until January 25.

For information on President Ford you may go here:
The Ford Library
The Ford Museum
Gerald Ford Memorial (Interesting site. You may send condolences to the Ford family here.)


Credit: Presidential Portrait courtesy of the Gerald Ford Memorial.

Other Literary News

As you have seen by now, I write about all kinds of things. Well, this piece of news is worth sharing. "Literary"...well, I doubt it. "Significant or interesting" is more like it. Bill Amend's "Fox Trot" is going to cease daily distribution. To watch the progression of the final week of daily strips you can go here: http://www.foxtrot.com/. To read the press release go here: http://www.amuniversal.com/ups/newsrelease/?view=468.

I am going to miss the gang. I am also hopeful that the "Herald-Journal" will pick-up the Sunday episodes.

Merry Christmas!

Here is a little literary history for you. Enjoy. Merry Christmas. - Todd

Twas the night before Christmas:

Clement Clarke Moore (1779 - 1863) wrote the poem Twas the night before Christmas also called “A Visit from St. Nicholas" in 1822. It is now the tradition in many American families to read the poem every Christmas Eve. The poem Twas the night before Christmas has redefined our image of Christmas and Santa Claus. Prior to the creation of the story of Twas the night before Christmas St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, had never been associated with a sleigh or reindeers! The author of the poem Twas the night before Christmas was a reticent man and it is believed that a family friend, Miss H. Butler, sent a copy of the poem to the New York Sentinel who published the poem. The condition of publication was that the author of Twas the night before Christmas was to remain anonymous. The first publication date was 23rd December 1823 and it was an immediate success. It was not until 1844 that Clement Clarke Moore claimed ownership when the work was included in a book of his poetry. Clement Clarke Moore came from a prominent family and his father Benjamin Moore was the Bishop of New York who was famous for officiating at the inauguration of George Washington. The tradition of reading Twas the night before Christmas poem on Christmas Eve is now a Worldwide institution. (http://www.carols.org.uk) And here you are...

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Santa Gets a Physical

Men's Health Magazine Online has posted the outcome of Santa's annual medical physical. The article by Dan Hurley is funny, but it makes you think, too. So, here it is.

Santa: The Physical

Chart Notes: Patient is a borderline-obese elderly male. Presents with mild rosacea in cheeks and nose. Pipe smoker, complains of occasional back pain and seasonal work stress. Alert, communicative, jolly.
EPIDERMIS: Santa has a little redness from rosacea, but no visible blood vessels or bumps, no enlarged nose. In fact, it's a nose like a cherry. We do not suspect alcoholism. Santa assures us (and we believe) he drinks only a glass of wine or sherry nightly, except for the big December 26 blowout. This is good: Moderate alcohol intake lowers his risk of heart disease and Alzheimer's. Rosacea can be aggravated by wind, cold, high indoor heat, and hot beverages; Santa experiences a grand slam of triggers.
Prescription: If he cares, he should wear a scarf, keep his fire lower, and drink less hot chocolate.

MENTAL STATE: Santa's merry outlook keeps him alive. Happy, optimistic people tend to have lower blood pressure and less heart disease, and live longer than grumpy pessimists.
Prescription: Keep laughing. Santa's trademark "Ho ho ho" is strong medicine. It's estimated that 100 belly laughs gives an aerobic workout similar to 10 minutes on a rowing machine, according to Lee Berk, Dr.P.H., an assistant professor of family medicine at the University of California at Irvine. (Santa could literally laugh his rear off.)

NOCTURNAL HABITS: Staying up all night (while crossing 24 time zones) is like blowing 0.10 percent on a Breathalyzer, according to a research letter published in the Lancet. We'll trust Rudolph to keep the rig away from trees, but sleep deprivation can slow Santa down and cause him to mix up packages.
Prescription: "Santa should become a night worker 2 to 3 weeks before Christmas Eve so he gets used to staying up all night," says James B. Maas, Ph.D., author of Power Sleep. Maas does not recommend caffeine -- not even that bottle of Coke.

ADDICTIONS: Cute, the way the smoke "encircled his head like a wreath." But oral cancer ain't cute. It has the worst 5-year survival rate of all major cancers. Pipe (and cigar) smokers average four missing teeth, says a recent study in the Journal of Periodontology.
Prescription: Quit smoking. Grab a carrot from Dasher's stash, or, heck, even a candy cane, crunchy vegetables or hard candy can help conquer the cravings. And start drinking green tea, which can kill oral-cancer cells.

CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS: Santa spends 364 days making lists and supervising toy production, then busts tail up and down chimneys for one nonstop night. Bad pattern. A sedentary person's risk of dying suddenly of a heart attack is 75 times greater during unaccustomed exertion.
Prescription: Santa would feel better--and look trimmer--if he incorporated a simple weight-lifting regimen into his long off-season. We're leaving him a copy of the Men's Health Home-Workout Bible.

COGNITIVE FUNCTION: Remembering all those names, tracking naughty-nice trends, and reading letters keep the old elf's brain nimble. Mentally stimulating activities reduce the risk of Alzheimer's by a third, according to recent research.
Prescription: Make list, check twice. Repeat as needed.

VISUAL ACUITY: The specs over his twinkling eyes are 19th-century vintage.
Prescription: Try progressive bifocals, with aspheric lenses for edge-to-edge clarity, says Marc Piccolo, O.D., of the University of Houston. Perfect for a boss who must scan lists while keeping an eye on the workshop floor.

SPINAL COLUMN: Santa heaves a heavy sack onto his back several million times in one night. No wonder he feels a twinge. The over-the-shoulder move tilts and twists his back.
Prescription: Carry smaller loads--one-seventh of your ideal body weight is good, says Rey Bosita, M.D., of the Texas Back Institute. Have the elves refit Santa's sack by adapting the double straps found on golf bags.

ADIPOSE TISSUE: Even a "little round belly" is a heart-disease warning, and obese people have a risk of death nearly two times that of skinny ones.
Prescription: Santa starts exercising, and we start leaving healthier cookies and fat-free milk, instead of whole milk and Mom's Crisco-laced trans-fat bombs. We like Newman's Own organic cinnamon-graham alphabet cookies; spelling "HI SANTA" costs only 84 calories and 2 grams of fat.

EXTREMITIES: Santa complains of sensitivity to cold in fingers and toes, suggesting a previous bout with frostbite.
Prescription: To improve circulation, he should get rid of the tight leather boots (post those on eBay and stand back). We recommend U.S. Army "Mickey Mouse" boots, a.k.a. bunny boots. Ken Zafren, M.D., a member of the Wilderness Medical Society in Alaska (not far from you, Nick!), says their thick soles and air insulation (pumped through a valve) make them the extreme-cold choice. Only $50 at military-surplus stores.Frostbite treatment: Take aspirin to improve circulation, and rewarm slowly: Stick the feet or hands in the armpits or groin of a friendly elf.

HOME ENVIRONMENT: Santa's support system of elves, reindeer, and Mrs. Claus is a big, warm plus. Men who are married, live with someone, or have other close social contacts are at lower risk of heart disease and are twice as likely to survive a heart attack as men who live alone. Having pets--that would include Donder, Blitzen, et al.--lowers blood pressure and helps prevent depression. And federal studies found that jobs marked by a high degree of autonomy, satisfaction, and prestige decrease the risk of illness.

Let's face it: The old guy is going to outlive us all.

Christmas CRUNCH

When I was kid we would make homemade Christmas gifts. It was something most kids have done. You know, a Christmas ornament made out of popsicle sticks and glitter or pine cones with peanut butter/seed for a bird feeder. I would take a painstaking amount of time to put these little gifts together. My grandmothers and mom would oooh and aahhh over my creativity. The good ol' days...a high impact gift for very little money.

Now it is a race to get this and race to get that. Do I have "enough" for this son or too much for that son. What is the best gift for my father-in-law who literally has every toy under the sun? A peanut butter covered pine cone probably won't cut it. See the picture to your left, and you will understand.

The movement of "Wikis" is well underway. Just a quick search of "Wiki" on Google leads to 308,000,000 hits.

The Wiki that I want to bring to your attention is www.wikihow.com "The How-To Manual That Anyone Can Write or Edit".

We have 5 days until Christmas Day. Just enough time to throw something together for that special someone. Let's see what we find on www.wikihow.com:

Birdhouse: http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Birdhouse

Dollhouse: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Mini-Dollhouse

Write Music: http://www.wikihow.com/Compose-Music-on-Piano

Book: http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Kid

Candles: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Decorative-Candles-for-Christmas

I think you get the idea. There is plenty to do and make, but the problem is time. So, if not this year - maybe next. And if you get really creative...maybe you would like to start a Wiki for someone. That would be: http://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Wiki.

Happy shopping.

You

TIME's declaration that YOU are the Person of the Year is an interesting honor (see previous post). I am not certain if the recognition is something you should brag about. But then again, if you read the brief article online: http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/16/time.you.tm/index.html , maybe it is.

TIME's reason for choosing US is also the reason we as libraries have struggled to incorporate and respond to social software and change. Wikis, blogs, MySpace, BlackPlanet, etc. have created interesting times for libraries. The challenge for libraries in 2007 is to make certain that the Person of the Year does not become THEM.

It's that Time of Year

Here's the question to ask if you want to add a little fun at a Christmas party. So, who do you think will be TIME magazine's Person of the Year?

Works everytime. I learned this little trick many years ago. You go to a gathering and you work your way through the pleasantries, and then BAM...drop this little question and the dynamics of the conversation change...quickly.

For the record, I tested this theory in the office yesterday, and received fairly predictable results. However, I'll admit that I did not anticipate that People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive would work its way into the conversation.

Before you get too far into this, let's back-up and look at the history of the "award". According to TIME, "TIME's Person of the Year is the person or persons who most affected the news and our lives, for good or for ill, and embodied what was important about the year. "

In 1927, Charles Lindbergh was the first person to be selected as the TIME Magazine's Person (at that time "man" of the year). Over the years TIME has selected "groups" or "things". For example, in 1960, scientists were selected men of the year, 1975 was the year influential women were selected, in 1982 the computer was selected as machine of the year, in 1988 Earth was selected as the planet of the year. My personal opinion is that TIME is at a loss for candidates if they are choosing planets.

Last year's winners were Bill and Melinda Gates and Bono ("three people on a global mission to end poverty, disease—and indifference").

So, the question stands, who will be TIME's person of the year? Will it be Warren Buffet who transfered billions to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation? For the record, that's $30 billion.

Will it be Al Gore who suprised folks with his movie "Inconvenient Truth"? Or Condoleezza Rice for her role in the Bush Administration. How about Britney Spears for clogging up the news shows with her more than public marital problems?

For more information, you may click here: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2006/time.poty/

You will find past covers, a poll of who you think should be Person of the Year, and a variety of cool resources.

See all the honorees from 1927 to 2005

So, who deserves the recognition for 2006? It's just a matter of "TIME" before we find out.

Next Post

Hanging out at the Christmas Parade last night...Spartanburg's first! Working on a relatively good post, so check back in about 24 hours.

Jamboread! Authors Announced

Today's Spartanburg Herald Journal announced the Jamboread! line-up on the frontpage of the Life section.
This year's authors include:

Vickie Cobb: www.vickicobb.com/
Karen Cushman: www.karencushman.com/
Walter Wick: www.walterwick.com/
Ellen Wittlinger: www.ellenwittlinger.com/

Jamboread! is Saturday, March 3.

Santa is Coming to Town

Something new is happening in town. The annual Christmas parade is Tuesday, December 12 at 6:25 and ends about 8:00. The parade will begin at the corner of Pine and Henry (at the "Spice"), and proceed down Pine to Main to Church Street.

There is a new twist this year. The parade used to take place the day after Thanksgiving. This year the parade is an evening parade and about two weeks after Thanksgiving. Why the change? Well, word on the street is that this is a way to bring folks downtown for an evening event, and there is no conflict with the shopping extravaganza that takes place after Thanksgiving.

This is yet another change in the history of the parade. A couple of years ago the parade route was shortened. The parade used to begin at Pine Street School and then proceed to Main.

As a kid we would meet at the library. The Pine Street Library was along the route. If you take the time to visit with staff who worked at the library during that time they will tell you that our restrooms were very popular.

I will watch with interest as the "new" parade unfolds. It is a fun event and it is always interesting to see how creative folks are with their floats. By the way, it is time for the library to reenter a float. It will not be this year, but next. I am looking for some creative ideas. Any suggestions?

In the meantime, if you need more information, you can visit the Jaycees site: http://www.spartanburgjaycees.org/stories/storyReader$234 . In case you did not know, the parade is actually a fundraiser organized by the Spartanburg Jaycees. The Jaycees have supported numerous local charities. In 1961, the Jaycees won an award for their fundraising for a new Pine Street Library.

I am hopeful that I will see you on Tuesday night. My crowd will be around the corner of Pine and Lucas (next to Arby's). We should be easy to spot. I will have 25 teenagers with me!

Virtual Collections

Okay, a funny thing has taken place. I am hearing from folks who think the license plate collection is a riot. See previous post.

I have heard, "Who would take the time to collect and post the world's license plates? Ha ha." Well, we can snicker, but the bottom line is that we enjoy things like this. It's addictive.

So, with football season coming to a close I am submitting The Helmet Project: An "atlas" of football helmets (http://www.nationalchamps.net/Helmet_Project/). This guy, Charles Arey, has put together a collection of college and professional football helmets and their respective histories. It's cool. You can see the progression of any team's "helmet history."

This is South Carolina's 1966 helmet. According to the site, "On these helmets, the gamecock is clutching a banner on which is printed the phrase "Scholarship - Leadership"..."

For Clemson, "This special design was apparently used for just two games, October 7, 1995 vs Georgia, and September 7, 1996 vs Furman, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of intercollegiate football at Clemson. The design was intended to resemble those used by the school's first bowl team, the 1939 team which defeated Boston College in the Cotton Bowl. "

Virtual collections are fascinating, and each collection adds another dimension to the Internet. Do you know of an interesting collection that is worth mentioning? Submit it!

Automobile License Plates

On this day in 1955 the Federal Government standardized automobile license plates. Thus, removing a State's right to determine license plate size. Now, that was a committee that would have driven (excuse pun) anyone a little nutty!

Can you imagine the process? "So, ummm, Julie, ummm, what do you think the size of a license plate, ummm, should be?" Julie's reply, "How about 12 inches x 6 inches?" The committee replies, "Great idea!" And so it goes...

South Carolina is in the midst of a license plate redo. If you have a great design for a South Carolina plate go here: SC Plate Design Contest.

South Carolina has had some great plates. Yes, we have had our controversial plates...just ask our little Carolina Wren. According to some of our friends at Audubon, the tail on the 1991-1998 plate was just not "perky" enough. I remember a great quote from an article in the State newspaper suggesting that the plate looked like a serving tray that a grandmother would use.

The 1976 plate is still used, but only on the front of the car. See, in South Carolina we use only rear plates. So, folks will move plates from the rear to the front. Every now and then I will see a 1976 plate on the front of a car. The 1976 plate is cool because it was the first time we used more than two colors. Before 1976, we used a single color background and white letters and numbers.

So, which State has the coolest plate? You can't downplay Wyoming. They have used the same logo/gliff since 1936. That's 70 years. They branded their State before branding was cool.

Throughout the years, States have used plates to make a statement. You know, North Carolina is "First in Flight", New Jersey is the "Garden State", Illinois is "Land of Lincoln", but New Hampshire has the most interesting slogan, "Live Free or Die." Hmmm, live free or die. Take a moment and think about it. The statement does not lean toward increasing tourism, nor does it make a statement on the beauty of the State. What does it mean to you? For a more indepth explantation you can click on the State of New Hampshire link (http://www.nh.gov/nhinfo/emblem.html).

License plates serve as a window into the soul of a State. Some States use this opportunity well, and some do not. Think about it. In this world of homogeneous interstate intersections you can find a McD's, BP gas, Taco Bell or Motel 6. While traveling on interstates you are unable to determine the difference between an interstate exit in Georgia and an interstate exit in Montana. It is the State's license plate that may make the first impression.

So, what are your ideas? What should South Carolina's next plate look like? Submit your ideas to SC Plate Design Contest.

For those who want more on license plates you have got to visit http://www.worldlicenseplates.com/. This is the most comprehensive site on license plates from around the world. It is truly cool.

The Librarian's Internet Index

The Librarian's Internet Index: Websites You Can Trust. I came upon this site while catching up on some reading. From the LII website:

Librarians' Internet Index (LII) is a publicly-funded website and weekly newsletter serving California, Washington state, the nation, and the world.

Every Thursday morning we send out our free newsletter, New This Week, which features dozens of high-quality websites carefully selected, described, and organized by our team of librarians. Topics include current events and issues, holidays and seasons, helpful tools for information users, human interest, and more.

You can...search and browse our website for the best of the Web. We have over 20,000 entries, also maintained by our librarians and organized into 14 main topics and nearly 300 related topics.

We also offer featured collections. These have ranged from The Grapes of Web (a companion to the 2002 California statewide Steinbeck reading program) to such topics as taxes, elections, and September 11.

Check it out: www.lii.org

John Cotton Dana Award Submission

FedEx will be a little busier today. We will submit jamboread! for the John Cotton Dana Award. From the HW Wilson website:

The Most Prestigious Award of the American Library Association
The John Cotton Dana Award, sponsored by H.W. Wilson, honors outstanding library public relations, whether a summer reading program, a year-long centennial celebration, fundraising for a new college library, an awareness campaign or an innovative partnership in the community.

Winning enteries are announced after the first of the year, and honored at ALA's Annual Conference.

Jamboread, the Libraries' day long reading festival, features children's authors and illustartors from around the country. Past authors have included Jack Prelutsky, David Wiesner, Louis Sachar, Laura Numeroff, and many others. Next year's festival is Saturday, March 3.