Edition 12-15-05

Sticky Shower Curtain? If your shower curtain doesn't slide smoothly on its rod, rub baby oil or a bar of soap on the rod. The Navajo believe coyote to be the catalyst to leave the real world and enter the spirit world.	American Honda Motor Corp. Inc., of Torrance, Calif., is recalling about 24,000 Honda Model Year 2005 and 2006 TRX400EX ATVs. A safety defect could exist in the transmission that could allow the rider to downshift from 1st gear into reverse without operating the reverse assist (lockout) lever. The recall involves Honda 2005 and 2006 model year TRX400EX ATVs. They are adult-sized ATVs designed for use by riders age 16 and older. The 2005 model year ATVs are available in red and yellow. The 2006 model year ATVs are available in red or black. The TRX400EX model name is on the fuel tank and Honda is in white letters on the seat. Honda dealers nationwide sold the ATVs from September 2004 through November 2005 for around $5,900. Consumers should stop using these recalled ATVs until the repair has been completed. Please call any Honda ATV dealer to make an appointment to have your ATV repaired. The dealer will install a kit to prevent the shift problem. Consumers with the recalled ATVs have been sent direct notice via U.S. mail. For more information, consumers can call Honda toll-free at (866) 784-1870 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.powersports.honda.com.
not verified Submitted as food for thought MINNESOTA NEWS BULLETIN Minnesota News Bulletin This text from a county emergency manager out in the northern part of Minnesota after the recent snowstorm. Amusing, if it were not so true . WEATHER BULLETIN Up here in the North we just recovered from a Historic Event ----- may I even say a "Weather Front" of "Biblical Proportions" ---- with a historic blizzard of up to 24 inches of snow and winds to 50 MPH that broke trees in half, stranded hundreds of motorists in lethal snow banks, closed all roads, isolated scores of communities and cut power to tens of thousands. FYI: George Bush did not come --- FEMA did nothing ---- No one howled for the government ---- No one even uttered an expletive on TV ---- Nobody demanded $2,000 debit cards ---- No one asked for a FEMA trailer house ---- No one looted ---- Phil Cantori of the Weather Channel did not come ---- Geraldo Rivera and Fox News did not move in ---- Nope, we just sent out caravans of snowmobiles to pluck people out of snow-engulfed cars, fired up wood stoves, broke out lanterns or Aladdin lamps and put on an extra layer of clothes because up here it is 'work or die'. We did not wait for some affirmative action government to get us out of a mess created by being immobilized by a welfare program that trades votes for 'sittin at home' checks. Even though a "Category 5" blizzard of this scale has never fallen this early . . . . we know it can happen and how to deal with it ourselves. "In my many travels, I have noticed that once one gets north of about 48 degrees North Latitude, 90% of the world's social problems evaporate." --Hope you're having a great day.
Keeping windows frost-free - Rub the inside of windows with a sponge dipped in a saltwater solution and rub dry; the windows will not frost up in sub-freezing weather. Rubbing a small cloth bag containing salt that has been moistened on your car's windshield will keep snow and ice from collecting.	FBI, swat team search house linked to Outlaws By Times Staff Writer Published December 15, 2005 TAMPA - As part of an ongoing investigation into the Outlaws motorcycle club, FBI agents and SWAT team personnel searched a house at Hillsborough and Rome avenues Tuesday morning, enforcing a federal search warrant. No arrests were made at the home at 1211 W Hillsborough Ave. FBI spokeswoman Carol Michalik said she could not release more information because of the investigation. The Outlaws boast a motto "God forgives, Outlaws don't," and have been linked to criminal activity in the Tampa Bay area. [Last modified December 15, 2005, 00:32:19]
LOS ANGELES, -- UCLA scientists say the first study of the effects of testosterone on the psychological health of men with mild Alzheimer's disease finds improvements. The improvement in mood and behavior was assessed by caregivers. However, researchers found no significant differences in memory or other cognitive skills, as assessed by tests administered by clinicians. Led by neuroscientists at the UCLA Alzheimer Disease Research Center, the double blind, placebo-controlled study found male Alzheimer patients treated with testosterone showed significant improvement on a quality-of-life instrument that encompasses memory, interpersonal relationships, physical health, energy, living situation and overall well-being compared with patients who received a placebo, or inactive, medication. "The results suggest testosterone replacement therapy holds potential for improving quality of life of Alzheimer patients and merits further testing...," said Dr. Po Lu, lead author and assistant clinical professor of neurology at UCLA. An estimated 4 million Americans are affected by Alzheimer's disease, which causes memory loss, behavior changes and cognitive difficulties. The research is de- tailed in an early online release of the peer-reviewed journal Archives of Neurology. FLFLHTC: I think I'll leave this one alone.
* Update from the Field Often times we here at the BFC tend to focus on the harder side of life. It is news and unfortunately for all of us involved a fact of daily life. But today I want to tell a different kind of story, one that we don't normally get to tell. On any given day a group of volunteers will get up, get dressed, eat and head out to stand with our brothers in spirit the buffalo. Some of these days are as hard as any care to remember but then there are the days when we receive a special treasure that reminds us all why we are here. I personally have been lucky enough to see the sun rise over the Rockies, exploding into a kaleidoscope of pink, orange and purple. I have also witnessed herds of elk roaming across the fields, counted not in single number, but instead by tens and even hundreds. I have even seen days when eagles both bald and golden fill the skies with their graceful dance. Above this all, is in a word, the majestic buffalo and among the buffalo there is one that, in my mind, rose above the rest. We first saw him nearly two weeks ago standing near a hill of golden grass and crisp white show. He stood strong and bold, fully encompassing the spirit of the buffalo but with wisdom normally reserved for elders. When he looked to me, I could see his age. His head hung low, and his horns were warn down to the bone. This by no means meant that he had given up on life, for he was a healthy as a bull half his age. Grandfather, as some of us began to call him, had the ability to look right through you with no more than a glance. But this was not his way. When Grandfather would look at you it was not to look through you but instead to say, "Come, sit close to me so I may tell you a story of my life and of the Buffalo." He did not use words but instead used subtle movements, feelings, and his spirit to speak. For four days he stayed and told his story. After the fourth day he returned to safety. Now if I have done my job right you too will be able to close your eyes and see the Grandfather Buffalo. See him as a young calf running and playing in the fields. Later as a strong powerful bull leading his heard from year to year. Then finally as an elder sharing his wisdom to all who will take the time to watch and listen. Let him tell you his story and when he does, keep it golden and pure. After we win this fight, and we will win, It is my dream to walk into a meadow of gentle green and gold on a warm spring day to lay back and listen to the story of the Buffalo once more. It is then that I know they will tell us all of their story again, though this time they will be not just safe but as always Wild and Free. To all my relatives, Kim P.S. For more information about what happened in the field this week, check out our press release: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/media/press0506/pressreleases0506/121205.html FLFLHTC: Now try to explain why you haven't supported the the BFC. Break out your checkbooks
From Philly news Posted on Thu, Dec. 15, 2005 Police: Warlocks clubhouse was firebombed By Barbara Boyer Inquirer Staff Writer The Kensington clubhouse of the Warlocks motorcycle gang was firebombed with a Molotov cocktail early yesterday morning, police said. "The Warlocks have plenty of enemies," said Lt. Jim Miller of the East Detective Division. "This is a case where we don't have a lack of suspects; we have too many." Three Warlocks - the youngest in his 40s and the oldest in his 60s - told police they didn't know who would target them. Although the clubhouse at 1867 Frankford Ave. was not damaged extensively, swarms of investigators showed up from the Police Department, the Fire Marshal's Office, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. "It's definitely an arson," Miller said. The attack could stem from a rift dating to earlier this year, when nine Warlocks "patched over" and joined the rival Outlaws, mocking the gang loyalty expected of bikers. Or the attack could have come from the Pagans, the gang that has maintained its grip in Philadelphia and run off the Hells Angels. It appeared, law enforcement sources said, that the Outlaws and Pagans had formed an alliance. But last month, the Pagans and Outlaws faced off at a Toys for Tots motorcycle run. When the Warlocks showed up, police said, they fell in line with the Pagans. "There are groups of interest that we'll look into," Miller said. "We'll just have to see what has happened most recently." On Thanksgiving night, the Outlaws were firebombed at a clubhouse on Somerset Street, police said. Who did what? "We don't know," said Capt. Charles Bloom of Philadelphia's Criminal Intelligence Unit, which investigates organized crime. Although the Warlocks have been active in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas for decades, Bloom said the gang had not had the same high-profile showdowns seen with the other groups. "They haven't had any problems like the ones we saw with the Pagans and Hells Angels," Bloom said. Earlier this year, Philadelphia's acting president of the Hells Angels was shot to death. No one has been arrested in the slaying and there has been no retaliation. Authorities speculated that the murder was related to a turf war between the Pagans and Hells Angels. Since then, members of the Hells Angels pulled out of Philadelphia. Yesterday's firebombing happened shortly after midnight when two masked men on Blair Street were seen throwing an object at the back of the building. Police said that a flash fire followed and that the bathroom, storage area and bar of the clubhouse were damaged. The two men fled north on Blair Street. Warlock members inspected the damaged clubhouse as law enforcement officials collected evidence. "The investigation is still in the early stages," Bloom said.
WORD of the DAY
forfend \for-FEND\ verb 1 : to ward off : prevent 2 : protect, preserve Example sentence:* My roommate claims that the best way to forfend a nasty cold is to chew garlic. Did you know? "Heaven forfend if you don't treat the restaurant critic well—she'll cost you points if she leaves unhappy," wrote Peter Cohen in an October 2005 issue of Macworld, using an old meaning of "forfend" in the process. English speakers have been using "forfend" with the meanings "to forbid" and "to prevent" since the late 14th century (and the meaning "to protect" since the late 16th century). These days, however, the "forbid" sense is considered archaic; we only use it, as Cohen did, in the phrase "heaven forfend," which harks back to the days of yore. "Forfend" comes from "for-" (an old prefix meaning "so as to involve prohibition, exclusion, omission, failure, neglect, or refusal") and Middle English "fenden" (a shorter variant of "defenden," meaning "to defend"). *Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.