THE GARDEN IS OUR FRIEND

Posted on July 23, 2017 by

TO VIEW IN YOUR NATIVE LANGUAGE

The Magazine With Heart
Pacem, Libertatem, Justitiam
July 23, 2017 Vol. 9 No. 47 

THE GARDEN IS OUR FRIEND

Hi again, from the shores of the Salish Sea.  Well, after reading about a president whose staff is researching whether he can pardon himself or not, the last thing in the world I want to talk about this week is front page news.  Besides, it’s summer in Seattle.

And contrary to popular myth, we do have one here.  I’m not going to bore you with weather statistics.  I’ve lived here for 26 years and while it has warmed some and the winters tend to be wetter, this sprawling megalopolis of 700,000 in a county the size of the American states of Rhode Island and Delaware, despite its eight microclimes, always has had a summer.

Hitchin’ up my overalls and scratchin’ my head for a second.  I can recall the one of two thousand and ought six.  By golly, there was one to remember.  It got up to 106F / 41C.  The mayor declared a Sun Day so we all knocked off and went swimming.  A great time was had by all but the City spent a week and a couple million dollars scrubbing the ring off the Puget Sound nka the Salish Sea.

So far, we’ve been 33 days or so without rain.  But that’s good for the garden.  It just means trucking water down in plastic watering “cans” instead of using the rain buckets.  It’s good exercise though and a reminder not to take what rain does fall for granted.  It’s also a measure of the dedication of those involved.  The secret is that it really doesn’t take that much.

This land, despite its soggy reputation, will grow anything including pod people.  (Walmart’s Greeter Division has a big greenhouse over in Magnolia where they grow them organically.  Turns out, they’re almost as polite as Canadians.)  Like the rest of the planet, our three acres is a living organism in its own right.

Like most other life forms on the planet, it responds to recognition, acknowledgement, respect and nurturing.  You can tell a lot about a person by how they treat their land.

And on that note, gang, have a great week and thanks for the ear.

Rusty

Rusty Miller is a journalist, author, editor and photographer who lives in Seattle, Washington.  For comments, please go here.

THE PAST WEEK’S HEADLINE NEWS AT A GLANCE

FROM OLYA

Drawing painted on Bitcoin Community office in Kyiv saying “Bitcoin is freedom”. Photo by Olya Bereza. 

IN UKRAINE, BITCOIN IS FREEDOM

Hello, Rusty:

For the last few days, the news and social media has been full of speculation about the so-called “Bitcoin’s Existential Crisis”. Bitcoin swings as civil war looms over problems that faced miners and actual owners of this cryptocurrency

Based on built-in constrains, the ledger of past transactions, known as the blockchain, can have only 1MB of data added to it every 10 minutes. But luckily in the virtual world, people are more sensible than sometimes in real life so no “civil war” is going to happen.

Already miners and owners have reached an agreement led by Bitcoin on markets.  So Bitcoin won’t lose its leading ranking on CryptoCurrency Market Capitalizations

I can understand people fearing on something new and not feasible like electronic equivalent of money, but progress couldn’t be stopped and there will be no surprise if in few years crypto currencies whether it be Bitcoin lightcoin or any other will be in common use.

As for myself, I cannot make investments in popular cryptocoins as they already are a bit expensive.  But I enjoy the possibility of earning by my writing. That is a win- win situation, having of hobby and being paid for it, as provided by the SteemIt community.

I also enjoy its network of open minded people. From all social networks at the moment, my first ranking is for SteemIt that gives opportunity to be paid with Steem crypto currency. So yes I will agree with the words on mural in general that crypto is freedom for future generations.

Olya

Olya Bereza, who was born in the Soviet Union, now lives in Ukraine and is fluent in English, Russian and Ukrainian.  She is a degreed psychologist with a background in international marketing and personnel management.  For comments on this please go here.

DALAI LAMA

From birth, we all want to live a happy life and that is our right. However, many share the view that our existing education systems are inadequate when it comes to preparing people to be more compassionate—one of the conditions for being happy. As a human brother I’m committed to letting people know that we all possess the seeds of love and compassion. Having a smart brain is not enough; we also need a warm heart.

GOOD EXAMPLES

Vancouver Residents Rally To Save 70-Year-Old Trees

‘My Heart Stopped For 40 Minutes’; Man Alive Thanks to Dedicated First Responders

This Cancer Survivor Turned His Wedding Into A Fundraiser For Lymphoma Research

BAD EXAMPLES

Duterte Made Another Rape Joke. But Filipinos ‘Really Get Him,’ An Aide Says

VIDEO: Seattle Sidewalk Settlement To Cost Millions

Justine Damond’s Fiancé ‘Heartbroken’ Over Police Shooting

Most Female Homicide Victims Are Killed By Husbands Or Other Intimate Partners, New Report Shows

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Here’s How Much Americans Pay In Taxes Vs. The Rest Of The World

Six Months: Has Trump Kept His Promises?

Views: The Great Minimum Wage Debate

Lipstick Under My Burkha: The Film That Was Banned In India

OUR SCIENCE SECTION, ABRIDGED

This sort of puts a whole new spin on “Oh give me a home, where the buffalo…and stuff”… When Dinosaurs Roamed North Dakota

I wonder how long it will be before real estate prices go up there.  Island Rises Up Off Cape Hatteras

This, I thought, was a little creepy.  But then again, I am an optimist.  Arks Of The Apocalypse

THIS EARTH

Boy Trips Over Rock In Mountains in Australia And Finds Million-Year-Old Fossil

Going Inside These Caves In Washington Is Unlike Anything You’ve Seen

Ancient Underwater Forest Found In US

 SPACE

Astronomers Find Smallest Star Yet

Have You Seen The Mayak Satellite?

Impossible Physics: Meet NASA’s Design For A Warp Drive Ship

TECHNOLOGY

The Road Ahead For Electric Vehicles To Create A Sustainable, Equitable Future

‘Beam Me Up, Scotty’ — Are Scientists Getting Closer To Teleporting Humans?

Ewquay Is Go! — Supersonic Car Is Set For Low-Speed Runs

THE GREEN BEAT

Despite Steady Opposition, Trans Mountain Pipeline Forges Ahead

Coal Ash: Coming To A Town Near You?

How Human Noise Pollution Is Disrupting Wild Places

See How Much Of A City’s Land Is Used For Parking Spaces

TRAVEL

The Ultimate Washington Waterfalls Road Trip Is Here – And You’ll Want To Do It

15 Places In Washington You Must See Before You Die

10 Of Australia’s Best Beaches For Swimming

HEALTH

Here’s Why You Get Brain Freeze

Being Generous Really Does Make You Happier

Doctors Say A Third Of Dementia Cases Could Be Prevented

HOME & LIFESTYLE

Five Household Items That Keep Pests Away

The Trick To Getting What You Want: Negotiating Tips From The Experts

How to Stop Breaking Up

You’re More Likely To Retire Wealthy If You Do This One Thing

The Kids Are All Right (And These Surprising Statistics Prove It)

BEST OF THE NET

This Fantastic View Will Change Your Perspective On Our Planet

The 15 Most Beautiful Main Streets Across America

The Greatest Wolverine Video, Ever 

NORTHSTAR CLASSIFIEDS

NEXTDOOR is a dynamic non-profit community networking association helping neighborhoods across America become friendlier and better organized.  They offer membership profiles, free classifieds and local social networks, all at no charge.  For more information, contact them at https://nextdoor.com

A kid friendly story about Little Queen Harmony and her best friend, Rocky the Rocket, as they head out to enter Rocky in the World Space Models Championship. A very cute Kindle Book, it is on sale here for just $0.99: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/701471

Thought of the Day:  For true inspiration delivered to your email every week, contact Amy at SpringggRain@aol.com  It will be the nicest thing you’ll do for yourself today.

A superpower no longer, a resource hungry and repressive America faces a Latin American armada rampaging its west coast and a strong, silent and powerful Canada manning the North Wall. The fires of rebellion burn in the Pacific Northwest and it is into this crucible and forge that the cybernetic patrol boat Testament and her crew of three men and three women are thrust. Individuals of duty and conscience both, when they join the other side, all Hell breaks loose. A rollicking adventure for anyone who loves the sea, a good yarn and characters who spring to life even as Testament herself leaps the waves. For a $4.00 Kindle Book adventure you will remember for a lifetime, please go here. http://www.amazon.com/Wrath-USS-Testament-tale-rebellion-ebook/dp/B004DNWL6G

NORTHSTAR MEDIA SERVICES is an online editing, writing and tutoring and service located in Seattle, Washington.  We handle everything from general editing, to ghost writing, to online tutoring in English composition.  Please contact us at minstel312@aol.com or visit our website at http://nstarmed.wordpress.com

ADVERTISE WITH US:  50 words for $5.00 

ALL CREATURES, GREAT AND SMALL

 

This will absolutely move you.  A Tiger’s Return to the Wild

I’m almost tempted to say, “Only in Canada,” except I know better.  Hatching Peacocks Halts Construction At Victoria Condo Site

SHORTS

Ants, Dutiful Escape Artists, Build Towers In Constant Flux

Clever Humpbacks Move In For A Meal At Salmon Hatcheries

Elephant Seals ‘Recognize Vocal Rhythm’

ANIMAL RESCUES

Beached Octopus Thanks Rescuer

After 20 Years Locked In Chains This Mountain Lion Finally Tasted Freedom

Dog Jumps Into The Water To Rescue Drowning Baby Deer

FOLKS WE FOLLOW

The Cornell University Lab of Ornithology’s July newsletter is now online.  And it is a beaut.  Check it out here.

Their NestWatch July newsletter is also now online. They’re a bird lover’s matched bookends.  Check this one out here.

This is turning out to be a very good week for bird lovers.  The Audubon Society announced their annual photo contest winners in their July newsletter.  Check them out here.

YOU GUYS THINK WE MAKE THIS STUFF UP

The World’s Largest Burger Costs $8,000

Speeding Car Lands On Roof Of House In Missouri

Americans Spend at Least $900,000 a Month on Avocado Toast

ABOUT US

The Northstar Journal reaches readers in 22 countries.  Admittedly a demographic rainbow, they share a strong, passionate and proactive desire to help make our world a better place.  We are proud to serve them as a resource in that regard.  If you would like to become one of them and subscribe for whatever it is worth to you, please go here.  If you would like to sponsor an edition, with credit and a link to your organization, please contact Rusty at minstrel312@aol.com  Until next week, take care, stay well and God Bless.  RM/OB

 

 

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THE LEGACY OF DEAD RELATIVES

Posted on July 16, 2017 by

TO VIEW IN YOUR NATIVE LANGUAGE

The Magazine With Heart
Pacem, Libertatem, Justitiam
July 16, 2017 Vol. 9 No. 46 

THE LEGACY OF DEAD RELATIVES

Hi again, from the shores of the Salish Sea.  Every once in awhile, I read a headline which makes me wonder why the story was written in the first place.  It hasn’t happened in several years but it did today, Monday, 10 July.  Here it is.

‘COMFORT WOMEN’: RESEARCHERS CLAIM FIRST KNOWN FILM

Comfort women date back to the Japanese occupation of Korea during the Second World War.  Attractive females were forced into sexual slavery and used to “comfort” members of the Japanese military.  Their existence is hardly a secret and has been covered in the media before.

It also happened almost a century ago and both nations have changed.  Its leaders and most of its citizens weren’t even alive when this chapter of history was written.  I had a Native American housemate who hated white people because of what happened at places like Sand Creek and the Trail of Tears.  Excuse me?  My ancestors weren’t even in this country back then.

Can someone tell me then, the point in resurrecting historical events which risk fueling the fires of contemporary bigotry and prejudicial national policy?  Do we punish a nation and its people for what their dead relatives did in order to remind ourselves not to do it again?  That trip is totally unnecessary in my house.  Hopefully it is in yours too.

And on that note, gang, have a great week and thanks for the ear.

Rusty

Rusty Miller is a journalist, author, editor and photographer who lives in Seattle, Washington.  For comments, please go here.

THE PAST WEEK’S HEADLINE NEWS AT A GLANCE

FROM OLYA

Odessa National Theatre Of Opera And Ballet That Hosted Opening Ceremony Of The Film Festival. Red Carpet Entrance 

FROM THE ODESSA FILM FESTIVAL

Hello, Rusty, from the shores of the Black Sea:

This weekend in Odessa marks the start of it Eighth International Film Festival. The nice part of actually being here as opposed to seeing it on television is watching one of the participants movies open air at Potemkin Steppes.

During next week, 12 films from China, Ukraine, Serbia, Austria, Lithuania, Israel, Estonia, France, Brazil, Georgia, Belgium and Spain will be presented to compete for the “Golden Duke”. The award is named after the famous 19th Century Odessa governor, Duke de Richelieu, under whose wise rule Odessa flourished as a port, international and cultural center.

Founded in 2010, Odessa Film Festival is now one of the prominent events in Eastern Europe. This nine-day festival continues to promote the city as a creative and multicultural gathering place for the interested artistic public.

That’s it for this week, Mishka.  Be good and have a great week.

Olya

Olya Bereza, who was born in the Soviet Union, now lives in Ukraine and is fluent in English, Russian and Ukrainian.  She is a degreed psychologist with a background in international marketing and personnel management.  For comments on this please go here.

DALAI LAMA

“There is a saying in Tibetan, ‘Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength.  No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that’s our real disaster.”

GOOD EXAMPLES

Exclusive: Malala Yousafzai Visits Iraq to Meet Girl Victims of ISIS

Seattle Site Of Paul Allen-Funded Low-Income Housing Project Revealed 

Herowork Is Building A Better Future In Victoria

BAD EXAMPLES

Texas Will Soon Let You Openly Carry A Sword And Other Weapons

Study Finds Questionable Chemical In Mac And Cheese Products

Feds Arrest 400 In Major Health Care Fraud Bust

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Every Girl Around The World Counts! 

Coffee Drinkers Really Do Live Longer

Watch: Building Better Citizens

OUR SCIENCE SECTION, ABRIDGED

I love the answer to this question.  Can Brazil Bring Back The Airship?

This is a little unsettling.  When Will the Planet Be Too Hot for Humans? Much, Much Sooner Than You Imagine.

I live here so this is not particularly good news.  “Good morning, Rusty.”  Sigh.  Washington Welcomes Its First Certified Autonomous Vehicle Pilot Test

OUR PLANET

Possible New Threat To Earth’s Ozone Layer

When Will the Planet Be Too Hot for Humans? Much, Much Sooner Than You Imagine.

Giant Iceberg Splits From Antarctic

SPACE

Do You Have What It Takes To Live On Mars?

Incredible Jupiter Photos Are Coming

200 Days In Lockup Lab In Preparation For Future Moon Mission

TECHNOLOGY

Hypersonic Travel May Become Practical With New Heat-Resistant Ceramic Carbide Material

China’s CH-5 Drone Completes Trial Flight

China Just Built A 250-Acre Solar Farm Shaped Like A Giant Panda

THE GREEN BEAT

Where Our Clean Energy Will Come From

Microsoft Is Going Carbon-Free In The Puget Sound

The Stand Against Straws

Recycling Won’t Cut It

TRAVEL

The Road That Led To 1,000 Stories

The Best City In The World To Visit

The 8 Best Backroads In Washington For A Long Scenic Drive

The Top 100 Hotels In The World

HEALTH

The Healthiest Way To Cook Your Food

The Best Way To Lose 5 Pounds Fast

Heat Waves: 10 Tips for Extreme Heat Safety

Decolonize Your Diet

FDA Panel Recommends Approval Of First Gene Therapy Treatment

HOME & LIFESTYLE

6 Simple Ways To Stay Calm During An Argument, According To Psychology

More Americans Than Ever Are Choosing To Be Cremated

Talking About Sex To Both Daughters And Sons

The Women Poets Taking Over The World

It’s Not Just You: Robocalls And Phone Scams Are On The Rise

Millennials Aren’t The First Generation To Be Blamed For Everything

BEST OF THE NET

Mesmerizing Video Of A Whale Playing With Dolphins

World Population Day In Numbers

A 10 Year-Old Blind Autistic Boy Singing. What Happened Next Shocked Everyone.  

NORTHSTAR CLASSIFIEDS

NEXTDOOR is a dynamic non-profit community networking association helping neighborhoods across America become friendlier and better organized.  They offer membership profiles, free classifieds and local social networks, all at no charge.  For more information, contact them at https://nextdoor.com 

A kid friendly story about Little Queen Harmony and her best friend, Rocky the Rocket, as they head out to enter Rocky in the World Space Models Championship. A very cute Kindle Book, it is on sale here for just $0.99: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/701471

Thought of the Day:  For true inspiration delivered to your email every week, contact Amy at SpringggRain@aol.com  It will be the nicest thing you’ll do for yourself today. 

A superpower no longer, a resource hungry and repressive America faces a Latin American armada rampaging its west coast and a strong, silent and powerful Canada manning the North Wall. The fires of rebellion burn in the Pacific Northwest and it is into this crucible and forge that the cybernetic patrol boat Testament and her crew of three men and three women are thrust. Individuals of duty and conscience both, when they join the other side, all Hell breaks loose. A rollicking adventure for anyone who loves the sea, a good yarn and characters who spring to life even as Testament herself leaps the waves. For a $4.00 Kindle Book adventure you will remember for a lifetime, please go here. http://www.amazon.com/Wrath-USS-Testament-tale-rebellion-ebook/dp/B004DNWL6G

ADVERTISE WITH US:  50 words for $5.00  

ALL CREATURES, GREAT AND SMALL

This is pretty incredible.  See How These 10 Animals Survive The Most Brutal Desert Conditions With Ease

I thought this was an interesting question.  Can A Robot Help Solve The Atlantic’s Lionfish Problem?

This reminds me of the Walt Disney movie Dumbo.  Turns out Walt was right about them.   When This Baby Elephant Takes Its First Steps, The Herd Can’t Help But Dance

SHORTS

Portland, Oregon Leads In Urban Beekeeping

2017 Nature Conservancy Photo Winners

Bringing Down Dams To Save The Orcas

Cataloging Conflict Between Polar Bears And People

ANIMAL RESCUES

Baby Orangutan Kept Locked In A Cage Has A Stunning Turnaround After Getting Rescued

Tiny Fawn Was Drowning In A Lake Until Something Amazing Happens!

A Rescued Baby Beaver Enjoying Pool Time Is So DAM Cute

Navy Divers Rescue Drowning Elephant Who Was Washed Out To Sea

YOU GUYS THINK WE MAKE THIS STUFF UP

Air India: No Chicken In Cattle Class

Strange Radio Signals From Nearby Star

Last Survivors On Earth?

ABOUT US

The Northstar Journal reaches readers in 22 countries.  Admittedly a demographic rainbow, they share a strong, passionate and proactive desire to help make our world a better place.  We are proud to serve them as a resource in that regard.  If you would like to become one of them and subscribe for whatever it is worth to you, please go here.  If you would like to sponsor an edition, with credit and a link to your organization, please contact Rusty at minstrel312@aol.com  Until next week, take care, stay well and God Bless.  RM/OB

 

 

 

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MY PET PEEVES

Posted on July 9, 2017 by

TO VIEW IN YOUR NATIVE LANGUAGE

The Magazine With Heart
Pacem, Libertatem, Justitiam
July 9, 2017 Vol. 9 No. 45

Photo courtesy of Online Image Arcade http://imgarcade.com/two-thumbs-down-cartoon.html

MY PET PEEVES

Hi again, from the shores of the Salish Sea. I think it does us all good to once in awhile step back from the stuff of headline news and focus on things closer to home. This week, I want to share with you several of my pet peeves. Feel free to respond with your own and we’ll run those next week.

People with a compulsive need for attention. These are the folks who stomp around the house, much to the delight of people living below them. They are also the ones who cruise through their neighborhood with the car radio blasting or keep large dogs who bark at everything including their own shadow. They are also the ones who talk on their cell phones as if the whole world wanted to hear.

People who take emails for granted and do not respond to them with even a “thanks” or “cool”. They are also the ones who are usually short in the “Please” and “Thank You” Department. They see the world with a sense of entitlement bordering on the narcissistic and also believe that the earth is the center of the solar system, just as they are the nexus of their own.

People who make promises with no intention of keeping them. These folks belong to a subspecies known for its passive aggressive behavior. They will tell you what they think you want or should hear and then tell everyone else except you how they really feel. These people are generally cowards whose definition of vested self-interest excludes everyone but themselves. They spend most of their life watching the ink dry on self-authored sad endings.

Frightened people looking for a god they no longer believe in. They seek the Divine for protection and pay for it by surrendering their right to defend themselves. They look for leaders when they should be seeking companionship and they embark on an odyssey of approval instead of basking in the affirmation that is inherent in every good deed, however large or small.

All that having been said, I can honestly report that the cool folks in my life outnumber the other kind. God says we have to love everybody. But She NEVER said we had to hang with the lowest common denominators.

And on that note, gang, have a great week and thanks for the ear.

Rusty

Rusty Miller is a journalist, author, editor and photographer who lives in Seattle, Washington. For comments, please go here.

THE PAST WEEK’S HEADLINE NEWS AT A GLANCE

FROM OLYA

Art I found on Golden Beaches in Odessa. The caption reads, “Control Yourself” Olya 

12 REASONS FOR ODESSA

Hi, Rusty:

Hello from the shores of Black sea. While many of my Ukrainian friends on Instagram and FaceBook enjoy European holidays due to the European Union’s visa free regime, my holidays take me to Odessa.

I like this combination of gentle sea and the possibility of going back in the long history of this city to discover such amazing things as the Potemkin Stairs to the Catacombs.

Even in 1925, silent film  The Battleship Potemkin was a total fake as that shooting never took place but this made the Steps very famous throughout the world. It is just another reminder that from early days, unfortunately cinematograph was frequently used to propaganda against the Tzar by the Bolsheviks.

But coming back to now, I just don’t see any reason to go from Ukraine in summertime as it is just perfect weather conditions here.  So I am absolutely extending my stay in Ukraine.  Here are 12 reasons why.

Have a good weekend Rusty

Olya Bereza, who was born in the Soviet Union, now lives in Ukraine and is fluent in English, Russian and Ukrainian.  She is a degreed psychologist with a background in international marketing and personnel management.  For comments on this please go here.

DALAI LAMA

Motivation is very important. We can show love, respect for others, honesty in whatever we do, whether it’s politics, economics, business, science, law or medicine. With a good motivation we can help humanity through what we do. But if, for example, we use science and technology with a poor motivation they can bring fear and the threat of global destruction. That’s why compassionate thought is important for humankind.

GOOD EXAMPLES

Rural Resilience After A Devastating Flood

California’s Gov. Brown Unveils Plan For Global Climate Summit

Canada Apologizes And Pays Millions To Citizen Held At Guantánamo Bay

BAD EXAMPLES

Turkey Police Hold Rights Activists Including Amnesty Chief

Cuts To Tribes, Lands Would Be ‘Devastating,’ Former Interior Secretary Says

More Than 100 Shot In Chicago Over July 4th Weekend

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

The 25 Most Influential People On The Internet

If We Stopped Emitting Greenhouse Gases Right Now, Would We Stop Climate Change?

A New Zealand River Has Human Rights. Now Will Modern Law Come to Its Senses?

Quiz: See How Well You Can Draw All 50 States

OUR SCIENCE SECTION, ABRIDGED

This surprised me.  The Biggest Impediment To Electric Vehicle Adoption

Congratulations, you guys!  Welcome to space.  Ghana Launches Its First Satellite

This is way beyond anything the esteemed Jules Verne could have imagined.  The Mysterious Rivers Of The Deep Sea

OUR PLANET

In Neanderthal DNA, Signs of a Mysterious Human Migration

The First Europeans In The New World

A Birth Announcement From The Forest

SPACE

Satellite Mega-Constellation Production Begins

Bepicolombo: Joint Mercury Mission Ready For ‘Pizza Oven’

What Lies At The Core Of Mercury?

TECHNOLOGY

Tesla To Build ‘Historic’ Large Battery

Robots And 3D Printers Begin House Build

The Cyber-Attack That Crippled A Nation

THE GREEN BEAT

France Wants To Ban Gas Cars. Could America Follow?

Our Best Shot at Meeting Paris Goals? Make Energy Public

Banks Have Cut Funding For Fossil Fuels Projects 22 Percent

Oregon’s Big Road Package Has Some Green Features

TRAVEL

11 Images That Prove Mount Rainier National Park Is One Of The Most Underrated Places In The USA

China To Debut World’s First Bird ‘Airport’

China’s Impossible Engineering Feat

HEALTH

How the Summer Heat Affects Your Mood

High Heels: High Risk?

The TIME Guide to Exercise

12 Habits That Sabotage Your Mental Health

4 Unexpected Ways Summer Heat Affects Your Body

These Heartburn Drugs Are Linked to a Higher Risk of Early Death

Bad Sleep Is Linked To A Higher Alzheimer’s Disease Risk

HOME & LIFESTYLE

10 Things the Most Successful People Do Every Day

How To Cook Your Food For The Biggest Health Benefits

Toxic Algae Is Growing In Some Ponds And Lakes

These Meals Are Almost As Easy As Takeout

BEST OF THE NET

A Famed Sandwich That Defies Definition

Stunning Photos That Capture A Century

Baby Elephant Falls Into Pool, Then Herd Frantically Races Into The Water To Pull Him Out 

NORTHSTAR CLASSIFIEDS

NEXTDOOR is a dynamic non-profit community networking association helping neighborhoods across America become friendlier and better organized.  They offer membership profiles, free classifieds and local social networks, all at no charge.  For more information, contact them at https://nextdoor.com 

NORTHSTAR MEDIA SERVICES is an online editing, writing and tutoring and service located in Seattle, Washington.  We handle everything from general editing, to ghost writing, to online tutoring in English composition.  Please contact us at minstel312@aol.com or visit our website at http://nstarmed.wordpress.com

A kid friendly story about Little Queen Harmony and her best friend, Rocky the Rocket, as they head out to enter Rocky in the World Space Models Championship. A very cute Kindle Book, it is on sale here for just $0.99: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/701471 

A superpower no longer, a resource hungry and repressive America faces a Latin American armada rampaging its west coast and a strong, silent and powerful Canada manning the North Wall. The fires of rebellion burn in the Pacific Northwest and it is into this crucible and forge that the cybernetic patrol boat Testament and her crew of three men and three women are thrust. Individuals of duty and conscience both, when they join the other side, all Hell breaks loose. A rollicking adventure for anyone who loves the sea, a good yarn and characters who spring to life even as Testament herself leaps the waves. For a $4.00 Kindle Book adventure you will remember for a lifetime, please go here. http://www.amazon.com/Wrath-USS-Testament-tale-rebellion-ebook/dp/B004DNWL6G

ADVERTISE WITH US:  50 words for $5.00  

ALL CREATURES, GREAT AND SMALL

Botswana safari surprises leopard and her kitten. Click photo to watch the video. 

I totally loved this.  VIDEO: Surprise Mother & Cub Leopard Sighting

This is just a little unnerving.  Tropical Sea Creatures Make It To Alaska

Creating a wildlife garden?  Try camping out in it.

SHORTS

Woman Finds A Baby Bird Alone On A Busy Street, Makes An Extraordinary Discovery

The Chameleon The Size Of An Ant

Rescued Baby Otters Enjoy Their Morning Meal

In the Deep, Dark Sea, Corals Create Their Own Sunshine

Strange Mammals That Stumped Darwin Finally Find a Home

YOU GUYS THINK WE MAKE THIS STUFF UP

VIDEO: This Bear Trashed The Kitchen For Six Hours – And The Owner Slept…

VIDEO: Chopper Video Shows Devastating Whidbey Island Fire

Siberian Tigers Pose For ‘Selfie’

ABOUT US

The Northstar Journal reaches readers in 22 countries.  Admittedly a demographic rainbow, they share a strong, passionate and proactive desire to help make our world a better place.  We are proud to serve them as a resource in that regard.

We are entirely reader supported.  To contribute,  please go here.  To sponsor an edition, with credit and a link to your organization, please contact Rusty at minstrel312@aol.com

Until next week, take care, stay well and God Bless.  RM/OB

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA

Posted on July 2, 2017 by

TO VIEW IN YOUR NATIVE LANGUAGE

The Magazine With Heart
Pacem, Libertatem, Justitiam
July 2, 2017 Vol. 9 No. 44

American Flag flying over the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. Photo courtesy of Pininterest https://www.pinterest.com/pin/226446687486634547/

Over One And A Half Hours Of Patriotic Music For Your July 4th Celebration 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA

Hi again, from the shores of the Salish Sea. Last week, we wished Canada a Happy Birthday. This week, it’s America’s turn. And since I’m not a bombs bursting in mid air person or fond of battlefields, and since I still believe that America is a great place to live because of Americans, I’m going to turn this over to Kate Smith and ask God to Bless Our Great Nation. This video is terrific and a reminder of who we really are. And on that note, gang, have a great week and for those to whom it applies, a safe and sane July 4th.

Rusty

Rusty Miller is a journalist, author, editor and photographer who lives in Seattle, Washington. For comments, please go here.

THE PAST WEEK’S HEADLINE NEWS AT A GLANCE

AROUND THE WORLD

World Food Security Risks Growing, Chatham House Says

The Best Food Found in the World’s 10 Happiest Countries

95-Degree Days: How Extreme Heat Could Spread Across the World

ASIA

China Launches New Warship Type To Boost Military Strength

Fukushima Nuclear Disaster: Tepco Executives On Trial

China To Launch 2nd Heavy-Lift Carrier Rocket

Bullet Trains To Travel From Beijing To Xiongan New Area

India GST: Sweeping Tax Reform Introduced

AFRICA

U.N. To Reduce Peacekeepers In Darfur Region Of Sudan

Ketumile Masire, Who Shaped And Led A Vibrant Botswana, Dies At 91

U.S. Malaria Donations Saved Almost 2 Million African Children

Corruption Crackdown Intensifies In Tunisia, And The People Cheer

White House Pushes Military Might Over Humanitarian Aid In Africa

MIDDLE EAST

Israel’s ex-PM Olmert released from prison

Inside Mosul: Danger And Desperation

Suicide Bombers Hit Lebanon Camps

Syria War: Almost 500,000 Refugees Return In 2017 – UN

EUROPE

David Duckenfield Faces 95 Hillsborough Manslaughter Charges

Germany Gay Marriage Approved By Mps In Snap Vote

Pope Replaces Vatican’s Conservative Doctrinal Watchdog

UK To End International Fishing Agreement

UK To End International Fishing Agreement

Princes Attend Service At Diana’s Grave

RUSSIA

At Least 2 Dead In Biggest Storm To Hit Moscow In 90 Years

Lavrov: Trump-Putin Meeting Will Bring ‘Clarity’ On U.S.-Russia Relations

Russia Says Britain’s New Aircraft Carrier Is A ‘Convenient Target’ On The High Seas

Russian Life Expectancy Hits Record High

10% Of Russian Struggling To Buy Food — Poll

CANADA

The Quiet Life In Tilt Cove, Canada’s Smallest Town

Huge Crowds Celebrate Canada 150

Canada’s 2 Newest Astronauts Named During Parliament Hill Festivities

UNITED STATES

The U.S. Fertility Rate Just Hit A Historic Low

Maps: Fires Sweep The West

Arkansas Nightclub Shooting Leaves 28 Wounded

Doctors Work Furiously In Bid To Save Victims Of Hospital Rampage

CASCADIA (Northern California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia)

Tacoma Tackles Homelessness

Portland Has A Plan To Do For Buses What It Did For Cycling

California Supreme Court Upholds Cap-And-Trade Law

Slideshow: Seattle-Area Outdoor Movies For Summer 2017

Seattle’s Population Tops 700,000

LATIN AMERICA

Brazil Arrests Notorious Drug Kingpin Luiz Carlos Da Rocha

Mexico Police Kill 19 Gunmen In Sinaloa

Mexican Politicians ‘Targeted By Spyware’

The First-Aiders Of Venezuela

OCEANA & POLYNESIA

Deliveries ‘In Limbo’ With Fedex’s TNT ‘Significantly Affected’ By Cyber Attack

Could Tax Breaks And The Repair Movement Fix Our Throwaway Habit?

‘You Need To Lead For Everybody’: Rhiannon Slams Di Natale’s Leadership

TOPICAL HEADLINE NEWS

BUSINESS & TRADE

Google Hit With Record EU Fine Over Shopping Service

Rolls-Royce Safeguards 7,000 Jobs In East Midlands

New Study Finds Controversial Impacts Of Seattle’s Minimum Wage

CLIMATE CHANGE & THE WEATHER

Hurricane Dora Becomes The First Hurricane Of The Eastern Pacific Season Off Mexico’s Coast

Worst Hurricanes In American History (Part I)

May Was Earth’s Second-Warmest In 137 Years

Carbon In Atmosphere Is Rising, Even As Emissions Stabilize

Too Hot To Fly? Climate Change May Take A Toll On Air Travel

Merkel: Hamburg G20 To Focus On Paris Climate Deal

1,400 Mayors: We Will Lead On Climate

It’s Time For Cities To Treat Climate Change Like A Public Health Crisis

ESPIONAGE, TERRIORISM & WAR

How ISIS Tortured Prisoners In Mosul

IMMIGRATION/REFUGEES

Spotlight: They Flee War In Middle East, Who Can Save Them?

Inside The Lives Of 4 Syrian Refugee Families

Trump Travel Ban: US Sets Out Visa Criteria

The Police Officers Helping Undocumented Immigrants Feel Safe

British Columbia, Canada’s Immigrants Giving Voice To Their Own Stories

TRUMP & COMPANY

I’m Modern Day Presidential, Says Trump

FROM OLYA

Mural Fest Dnipro. Mural by Illya Kudinenko. Photo by Olya Bereza

MURAL FEST DNIPRO

Hi Rusty:

Last week I discussed the architectural challenge facing modern builders seeking to renovate structures built during the Soviet era. One of the ways came from unexpected direction – art. As you see on the photo above, an artist can transform a bleak building’s sidewalls into a masterpiece.

In Dnipro City, (formerly known as Dnipropetrovsk) in East Ukraine, starting on the 21st of June, this concept is celebrated by a street art festival called “Mural Fest Dnipro”. The main goal is to rethink the urban environment and attract public resonance. The artists from different parts of Ukraine are invited to participate. They expect communication and new acquaintances with young generation.

The one of the picture is performed by the artist from Donetsk region, Slovyansk city, Illya Kudinenko. His mural addresses environmental protection. The composite center of the drawing is a migratory bird – a stilt (himatopus), which is included in the Red Book of critically endangered species of Ukraine. Unfortunately,human anthropogenic influence by changing the physical condition and chemistry of reservoirs and biological contamination represents a direct threat to this beautiful bird.

The ideological beginning of Illya Kudinenko ‘s mural is the bird, which, being in a roundabout from the viewer, creates the effect of diving into outer space. Space symbolizes the riddle and the unknown. On the sketch, the outer space is bordered by a black and white ornament, which contrasts from the color drawing. This ornament symbolizes human activity, as a peculiar mythological prototype of the chess party of man with nature

Let us hope we, as humans, will understand that we could never win. Our aim should be finding harmony with our wonderful Mistress Nature.

That’s all for this week, Mishka. Take care and peace be with you.

Olya Bereza, who was born in the Soviet Union, now lives in Ukraine and is fluent in English, Russian and Ukrainian. She is a degreed psychologist with a background in international marketing and personnel management. For comments on this please go here.

DALAI LAMA

If something is worth doing, do it. If, in fact, you fail, there’ll be no cause for regret. You can try again. To die without even having tried, will be to die disappointed. We all have opportunities to contribute making a better world; we must seize them with far-sighted vision. I’m encouraged that so many people are becoming interested in the well-being of humanity. This is surely a sign of hope.

GOOD EXAMPLES

London Terror Hero: ‘I Wasn’t Backing Down’

Crowd Catches Girl After Ride Fall

£100m From West To Clean Up Russian Nuclear Base

Sheikh Helps Villagers Buy Chapel In Cornwall

BAD EXAMPLES

Trump Causes ‘Major’ Shift In Global View Of US

E.P.A. Official Pressured Scientist On Congressional Testimony, Emails Show

Doctor Who Over-Prescribed Painkillers Is Charged With Murdering Her Patients

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

What Kids Knew In 1867

The One Law Of Robotics: Humans Must Flourish

YES Magazine: How Can Our Economy Spark Joy? Send Them Your Ideas

OUR SCIENCE SECTION, ABRIDGED

The longer I live, the cooler these guys seem to get. The Robot That Can Pick Up Virtually Any Object

Let’s hope the answer to this question is, “not yet.” Are We Running Out Of Land?

I thought this was pretty cool. How Your Food Waste Could Eventually Power Your Home

OUR PLANET

Three Items That Helped Humanity Survive.

You Don’t Have To Be An Engineer To Appreciate The World’s Most Radical Bridges

An Upside Down Rainbow?

SPACE

High Above Mars, A NASA Orbiter Spies The Curiosity Rover

Sun Showers And The Science Behind This Weather Paradox

Top 10 Things To Know About Asteroids

TECHNOLOGY

Everything to Know About the Latest Worldwide Ransomware Attack

The Defibrillator Drone That Can Beat Ambulance Times

How To Read And Understand A Scientific Paper: A Guide For Non-Scientists

THE GREEN BEAT

Pipelines & Battle Lines

Vancouver Looks To Slash Single-Use Waste

Seeing The Light: Mining Companies Look To Solar Power, Wind For Fresh Revenue

Even As Emissions Stabilize, Carbon In The Atmosphere Is Rising

States Betting On Giant Batteries To Cut Carbon

Even ‘Safe’ Pollution Levels Can Be Deadly

TRAVEL

Most Amazing Hikes in Every State (PHOTOS)

The English Moor Where Wallabies Roam

Summer Vacation, Minus The Traffic: 5 Alternatives To Popular Trips

HEALTH

13 Foods That Could Be Affecting Your Sleep

10 Plants That Attract Positive Energies

The Hidden Dangers Of Shampoo And Makeup

Joe And Jill Biden: We’re Changing How We Fight Cancer

The Surprising Benefit of Eating Fish

Dr. Andrew Weil Says We’re Taking Too Many Medicines

How Walking In Nature Changes The Brain

Sunscreen and Bug Spray: Children’s Summer Skin Care

HOME & LIFESTYLE

10 Best No-Cook Recipes

Millennials Say GIFs and Emojis Communicate Their Thoughts Better Than English

Lavender For Health And Home

Grocer Trials Driverless Delivery Van

Where Millennials Can Actually Afford To Buy Homes

Teenagers Are As Sedentary As 60-Year-Olds By Age 19

Masculinity And The Environment: A Double-Edged Sword

BEST OF THE NET

7-Year-Old Cancer Survivor To Be Seattle’s Superhero For A Day  

Watch A Beautiful Elephant Marvel At The Power Of Water Pressure! 

America’s Pets Are Getting Much Fatter, New Research Finds

NORTHSTAR CLASSIFIEDS

NEXTDOOR is a dynamic non-profit community networking association helping neighborhoods across America become friendlier and better organized. They offer membership profiles, free classifieds and local social networks, all at no charge. For more information, contact them at https://nextdoor.com 

A kid friendly story about Little Queen Harmony and her best friend, Rocky the Rocket, as they head out to enter Rocky in the World Space Models Championship. A very cute Kindle Book, it is on sale here for just $0.99: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/701471

Thought of the Day: For true inspiration delivered to your email every week, contact Amy at SpringggRain@aol.com It will be the nicest thing you’ll do for yourself today.

A superpower no longer, a resource hungry and repressive America faces a Latin American armada rampaging its west coast and a strong, silent and powerful Canada manning the North Wall. The fires of rebellion burn in the Pacific Northwest and it is into this crucible and forge that the cybernetic patrol boat Testament and her crew of three men and three women are thrust. Individuals of duty and conscience both, when they join the other side, all Hell breaks loose. A rollicking adventure for anyone who loves the sea, a good yarn and characters who spring to life even as Testament herself leaps the waves. For a $4.00 Kindle Book adventure you will remember for a lifetime, please go here. http://www.amazon.com/Wrath-USS-Testament-tale-rebellion-ebook/dp/B004DNWL6G

ADVERTISE WITH US: 50 words for $5.00

ALL CREATURES, GREAT AND SMALL

Ralph. Photo by Rusty Miller

This takes a little set up. I live in a South Seattle, Washington neighborhood where wildlife and humans thrive together in close proximity. We are also on Nextdoor Neighbors and one of the longest threads has been about our raccoons.  The following is by one of us, Patricia Bauer, who lives north of St. Thomas Church. Rusty

Here is a little ditty I wrote several years ago about coyotes and think it could also apply to raccoons.

ODE FROM A COYOTE

Hello there folks

Here is my story that is no joke

I was fine, happy, and free

till you put the boot to me

Rabbits, mice, and birds did I thrive on

But all of a sudden all where gone

Along with my yard and trees

Nothing was left but me

You took my house you took my home

I had nothing left to do but roam

My search did continue till I found

That there were a lot of small animals around

When you let your kitty or small dog roam

I will be on them like foam

Don’t tell me to put them down

I will only laugh until you frown

It isn’t natural for me to want your pet

It is the only thing I have left

I didn’t plan it this way

But it wasn’t for me to say

This next one s as moving as the headline suggests. Elephant Was Rescued After His Mom Died. When He Gets To The Sanctuary, The Herd Runs To Greet Him

This is probably not good news to the humans who live here but I bet it is to the creature in question. Blue Shark Spotted On Holiday Resort In Majorca

SHORTS

These 9 Birds Are Some Of The Craziest You Will Ever See

9 Shows And Movies That Perpetuate An Unfair Fear Of Animals

Why Do Bird Eggs Have Different Shapes? Look To The Wings

ANIMAL RESCUES

Monkey Business: Chimp Finds Love After Being Rescued From Animal Traffickers!

Smart Turtle Does Something Pretty Amazing When He Needs Some Help  

Two Men Develop Friendship With Rescued Lioness (Video) 

FOLKS WE FOLLOW

The Cornell Lab NestWatch monthly newsletter is now online. Features this time include their Home Tweet Home Contest (No I did NOT make that up. That’s what they call it.) and new birdhouse plan for western owls. Yep, check it out here.

YOU GUYS THINK WE MAKE THIS STUFF UP

The 15 Most Influential Video Game Characters of All Time

Hogs On Road Cause Texas Rush-Hour Chaos

The 7 Sustainable Wonders Of The World

ABOUT US

The Northstar Journal reaches readers in 22 countries. Admittedly a demographic rainbow, they share a strong, passionate and proactive desire to help make our world a better place. We are proud to serve them as a resource in that regard.

If you would like to become one of them and subscribe for whatever it is worth to you, please go here. If you would like to sponsor an edition, with credit and a link to your organization, please contact Rusty at minstrel312@aol.com

Until next week, take care, stay well and God Bless. RM/OB

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

THANK YOU, CANADA, AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Posted on June 25, 2017 by

TO VIEW IN YOUR NATIVE LANGUAGE 

The Magazine With Heart
Pacem, Libertatem, Justitiam
June 25, 2017 Vol. 9 No. 43 

Peace Arch at Blaine, Washington, America & Douglas, British Columbia, Canada 

THANK YOU, CANADA, AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Hi again, from the shores of the Salish Sea.  First of all, we’d like to wish our northern cousins a Happy Birthday.  Saturday, July 1, is Canada Day.  She turns 150 and with all due respect, she is certainly holding her age well.

I have some familiarity with that nation, her history and her people.  I am, as well, acquainted with the stereotypes and some of them make me wince.  But then ignorance tends to have that effect on me.

We have shared the same continent since the first Europeans came to both shores and fought one another from the French and Indian War through the War of 1812.  With the permanent defeat of the British, both nations were free to pursue their individual “manifest destinies.”

Even after her own independence, Canada remained both a member of the British Commonwealth and a staunch ally of the United States.  When the need arose, Canadians defended that Commonwealth and protected America as well.  Canada was the first of the two nations to answer the call to God and Country in two world wars and they fought, bled and died in every theatre of operation in both those conflicts.

She was there with us during the Korean War and though formally neutral during the Vietnam War, many of her young men and women enlisted in the American armed forces, believing, as so many of us did at the time, that we were stopping the spread of something that would destroy us.  She has sent troops to Afghanistan and other places considerably less publicized.

There are many other reasons I like and appreciate Canada but these are the most important.  I owe my freedom and the freedom of my nation, to a larger extent than most of us realize, to our northern neighbor.

Thank you, Canada.  Happy birthday.

Rusty

Rusty Miller is a journalist, author, editor and photographer who lives in Seattle, Washington.  For comments, please go here.

THE PAST WEEK’S HEADLINE NEWS AT A GLANCE

AROUND THE WORLD

ASIA

India Internet Shutdowns ‘Violate Human Rights’

As Asian Scorchers Multiply, Records Fall And Attention Rises

Tesla In Talks To Set Up Electric Car Factory In Shanghai

Is a Buddhist Group Changing China? Or Is China Changing It?

AFRICA

Tanzania Outrage At Pregnant Schoolgirl Ban

Botswana’s Former President Ketumile Masire Dies Aged 91

Africa Highlights: Nigeria ‘Foil EID Terror Attack Plan’, SA Woman Crashes Car Into Roof

MIDDLE EAST

Russia Warns U.S. After Downing Of Syrian Warplane

Saudi King’s Son Mohammed Bin Salman Is New Crown Prince

Syria Frees Hundreds Of Detainees Ahead Of Muslim Holiday

Saudis, At War In Yemen, Give Country $66.7 Million In Cholera Relief

Arab Nations Demand Qatar Shut Al Jazeera, Cut Islamist Ties And Detail Funding

EUROPE

Man Drives Van Into Pedestrians Near A London Mosque

Video: Fire Kills More Than 60 In Portugal

France Polls: Macron’s Party Wins Clear Parliamentary Majority

An Attack On Muslims Shakes Cosmopolitan London

Barclays Charged With Fraud In Qatar Case

Firms Brace As Brexit Talks Begin

Business Bodies Come Together In Call For Softer Brexit

After London Fire, 11 More High-Rises Found With Combustible Material

RUSSIA

Russian Security Chief Warns Officials Of Western ‘Information War’

Moscow Region’s Largest Landfill Closed After Complaints to Putin

Russia Blocks Google Temporarily in Tax Dispute

Russia To Face Further Sanctions For Doping At Sochi Olympics, Says IOC Head

Sleepless In St. Petersburg: Make The Most Of White Nights

CANADA

Sikhs Celebrate B.C. Woman’s ‘Inspiring’ Appointment As First Turbaned Judge

‘Unprecedented Event’: 6 North Atlantic Right Whales Found Dead In June

Road To Churchill Feasible, Says Engineer, After Rail Link To Manitoba Community Damaged

UNITED STATES

USS Fitzgerald: Sailors Killed In Collision Off Japan’s Coast Named

Justices To Hear Major Challenge To Partisan Gerrymandering

Justices Strike Down Law Banning Disparaging Trademarks

15 Foreign Customs That Don’t Make Sense To Americans

On The Mexican Border, A Case For Technology Over Concrete

Census Finds A More Diverse America

CASCADIA (Northern California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia)

Climate Change Cost: What Will Be BC’s Price Tag?

Secrets Of Ancient Glass Could Help Lock Away Hanford Waste

Seattle’s White Liberalism

Photos: Oregon Couple Tracks Illegal Dump Sites

Portland Non-Profit Pairs Inmates With Gardens

How To Get The City To Fix Your Darn Pothole

Portland’s Newest And Smallest Street Is Also Carfree

LATIN AMERICA

Five Charged Over Guatemala Shelter Fire

Venezuela Father Makes Plea To President

Colombia Conflict: ELN Rebels Free Dutch Journalists

Danger Map Reveals Health Threat Zone

US Suspends All Brazil Meat Imports

Mexican President Denies Hacking Claims

OCEANA & POLYNESIA

Ministers Avoid Charges After Apologising For Slamming Courts

Politicians Under Fire For Pay Increases While Penalty Rates Cut

When Mum Goes To Prison

Student Outcomes On Turnbull’s Mind After Senate Unlocks Gonski Billions

Free Tampon Vending Machines Helping Restore Dignity To Homeless Women

‘I Saw The Knife Coming Down’: The Day A Melbourne Hospital Became A Battlefield

This Is How New Zealand Fixed Its Voting System

FROM OLYA

Beautiful Dnipro River. Photo by Olya Bereza 

COME FLY TO ME, MY GRAY-WINGED DOVES,

Hi Rusty

I would like to share with you this wonderful shot of Dnipro River. When I look at it famous Ukrainian poet Shevchenko verses appear in my mind dedicated to this river.

Thoughts of mine, thoughts of mine,

You are all that is left for me,

Don’t you desert me, too,

In this troubling time.

Come fly to me my gray-winged

Doves,

From beyond the wide Dnipro

I recently found an interesting old video almost of my age of former Dnipropetrovsk city that is now renamed after Dnipro River.

You could see in the video what was the architectural dream of the Soviet era in many of the older buildings.  Now the challenge facing modern builders is how to renovate those old structures.  Here is an interesting article on this subject

That’s all for this week, Mishka.  Take care and peace be with you.

Olya Bereza, who was born in the Soviet Union, now lives in Ukraine and is fluent in English, Russian and Ukrainian.  She is a degreed psychologist with a background in international marketing and personnel management.  For comments on this please go here.

GOOD EXAMPLES

YouTube Sets New Policies To Curb Extremist Videos

Paul Allen Seeks To End Illegal Fishing With New Technology

Uber Founder Travis Kalanick Resigns As C.E.O.

Andrew Cuomo Just Granted Clemency To A Detained 9/11 Recovery Worker

BAD EXAMPLES

Using Texts As Lures, Government Spyware Targets Mexican Activists And Their Families

Maritime Mystery: Why A U.S. Destroyer Failed To Dodge A Cargo Ship

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Surviving Power Outages During Storm

The Problem With Imam Tawhidi, The Media’s Favourite Muslim

Why It’s No Longer Possible For Any Country To Win A War

IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS

BUSINESS & TRADE

Move Over, Bitcoin. Ether Is The Digital Currency Of The Moment.

Boeing Rival Airbus Unveils 100-Jet Deal At The Paris Air Show

This Tiny Town On The Washington Coast Has Become A Small Business Incubator  

Boeing Secures Jet Deal Commitments Worth $23 Billion At The Paris Air Show

Ford Chooses China, Not Mexico, To Build Its New Focus

What Crisis Experts Say Uber Needs To Do Next

22 Retailers That Are At Serious Risk Of Bankruptcy

CLIMATE CHANGE & THE WEATHER

Climate Change Is Freeing Ancient Infections From Their Icy Prisons

Climate Change Threatens Food Supplies, Seed Saving Is An Ancient Act Of Resilience

Hundreds Of Icebergs Have Clogged Shipping Routes In The North Atlantic

ESPIONAGE, TERRIORISM & WAR

As U.S. Adds Troops In Afghanistan, Trump’s Strategy Remains Undefined

Mali Attack: Two Dead As Gunmen Storm Tourist Resort

After Terror Attacks, Britain Moves To Police The Web

Video: Inside An Iraqi Major’s Battle Against ISIS

Interactive Feature: Psychologists Open A Window On Brutal C.I.A. Interrogations

Video Refutes ISIS Claim That U.S. Blew Up Mosque

Commando Raids On ISIS Yield Vital Data In Shadowy War

IMMIGRATION/REFUGEES

Why Migrants Keep Risking All On The ‘Deadliest Route’

Justices Side With Immigrant Who Got Bad Legal Advice

‘I Started At Zero’: How A Syrian Refugee Is Rebuilding His Life Through Education

To Make Sense Of American Politics, Immigrants Find Clues From Lands They Left

TRUMP & COMPANY

Trump Says He Has Higher Approval Ratings Than Obama. That’s Not True

DALAI LAMA

What is important is not so much how long you live as whether you live a meaningful life. This doesn’t mean accumulating money and fame, but being of service to your fellow human beings. It means helping others if you can, but even if you can’t do that, at least not harming them

OUR SCIENCE SECTION, ABRIDGED

Here is an excellent learning opportunity, courtesy of the Canadian Space Agency, of whom I am personally very proud.  Satellites In Our Everyday Lives: Learn More About The Satellites That Orbit The Earth And The Important Role They Play In Our Daily Lives.

Is this the same president who wants to build a barrier at the ends of the earth so ships don’t fall off?  Scientists Praise Energy Innovation Office Trump Wants To Shut Down

Getting a little warm now that summer is here?  Watch this, then.  It worked for me.  Video: How To Make An Igloo

OUR PLANET

Yellowstone Supervolcano Hit By A Swarm Of More Than 400 Earthquakes In One Week

Extreme Heat Waves Will Change How We Live. We’re Not Ready

North America Prepares For August Solar Eclipse

SPACE

Is Earth Alone? Kepler Finds 4,034 Possible Companions

Space Gardening

NASA’s Retiring EO-1 Satellite Changed How We See Earth With Stunning Photos

TECHNOLOGY

These Solar Panels Generate Drinking Water From The Air

A Cyberattack ‘The World Isn’t Ready For’

Farhad’s And Mike’s Week In Tech: Uber Isn’t Everything

THE GREEN BEAT

Exxon Mobil Lends Its Support To A Carbon Tax Proposal

Why This Métis Man Sees The Birchbark Canoe As A Symbol For Canada’s Future

A Bold Proposal To Unleash America’s Green Economy

Rocky Flats Made Nukes. Then It Made A Mess. Now It’s About To Become A Public Park.

TRAVEL

The MOST Beautiful Place On Earth Mount Rainier National Park

Cities That Are Cheaper Than Ever

Video: 52 Places To Go: Sikkim, India

HEALTH

The Most Popular Food In Every State

How Botox Became The Drug That Treats Everything

5 Foods For Healthy Eyes  

What Not To Say To Someone With Cancer, In One Comic

2 New Studies Differ Over Effects Of Marijuana On Drivers

LIFESTYLE

These Are The Richest People In The World

Six Signs You Have A Toxic Boss

50 Ways To Use All Of Your Vacation Days This Year

4 Myths About Slavery We Should Stop Believing Now

Youth Sentenced To Life In Prison Get A Second Chance

FUNZONE

BEST OF THE NET

This Hauntingly Beautiful Loon Call Will Give You Chills

5 Ways To Take Your Love Of The Outdoors To The Next Level

Flying With The World’s Fastest Bird    

MASHA & THE BEAR
http://mashabear.com/video/#home-alone   

NORTHSTAR CLASSIFIEDS

NEXTDOOR is a dynamic non-profit community networking association helping neighborhoods across America become friendlier and better organized.  They offer membership profiles, free classifieds and local social networks, all at no charge.  For more information, contact them at https://nextdoor.com 

A kid friendly story about Little Queen Harmony and her best friend, Rocky the Rocket, as they head out to enter Rocky in the World Space Models Championship. A very cute Kindle Book, it is on sale here for just $0.99: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/701471

Thought of the Day:  For true inspiration delivered to your email every week, contact Amy at SpringggRain@aol.com  It will be the nicest thing you’ll do for yourself today.

A superpower no longer, a resource hungry and repressive America faces a Latin American armada rampaging its west coast and a strong, silent and powerful Canada manning the North Wall. The fires of rebellion burn in the Pacific Northwest and it is into this crucible and forge that the cybernetic patrol boat Testament and her crew of three men and three women are thrust. Individuals of duty and conscience both, when they join the other side, all Hell breaks loose. A rollicking adventure for anyone who loves the sea, a good yarn and characters who spring to life even as Testament herself leaps the waves. For a $4.00 Kindle Book adventure you will remember for a lifetime, please go here. http://www.amazon.com/Wrath-USS-Testament-tale-rebellion-ebook/dp/B004DNWL6G

ADVERTISE WITH US:  50 words for $5.00  

ALL CREATURES, GREAT AND SMALL

This is totally good news.  Return Of The Otters

This might be a fun place to visit.  The City Obsessed With Cats

‘Tis the season for these little dudes.  Top 10 Things About Brown Recluse Spiders

SHORTS

Native Scientists Provide Insight Into Salmon Habitat

Watched Chimps Change Their Hunting Habits

The Animals That Are Almost Invisible

YOU GUYS THINK WE MAKE THIS STUFF UP

UFO Spotted Near Sooke Basin – Sooke News Mirror

Hero Duck Races To Save His Chicken Friend From A Hawk And It Actually Works

15 Summer Destinations With The Worst Crowds

ABOUT US

The Northstar Journal reaches readers in 22 countries.  A demographic rainbow, they share a strong, passionate and proactive desire to help make our world a better place.  We are proud to serve them as a resource in that regard.

If you would like to become one of them and subscribe for whatever it is worth to you, please go here.  If you would like to sponsor an edition, with credit and a link to your organization, please contact Rusty at minstrel312@aol.com

Until next week, take care, stay well and God Bless.  RM/OB

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

RONALD MCDONALD LEADING A CAVALRY CHARGE

Posted on June 18, 2017 by

TO VIEW IN YOUR NATIVE LANGUAGE

The Magazine With Heart
Pacem, Libertatem, Justitiam
June 18, 2017 Vol. 9 No. 42

“The arc of the moral universe may be long, but it bends toward justice.” – Nobel Peace laureate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

RONALD MCDONALD LEADING A CAVALRY CHARGE

Hi again, from the shores of the Salish Sea. This has been the kind of week when distanced reflection is not only necessary but a mental health survival prerequisite.

Our hearts go out to all those impacted by the London apartment house fire. And while we will certainly pray for you, we will not ply you with platitudes. Your own cleric, John Donne (1572 – 1631), said it best in Meditations XVII. America is part of England’s “main” and we, therefore, mourn as well.

I appreciated the spirit of the LGBT demonstrations which swept North America last week. I did not enjoy watching some Seattle demonstrators clash with police and destroy private property. When I see that kind of behavior, I wonder which of the parents of those demonstrators barked and had a thing for fire hydrants.

When I watched US Attorney General Jeff “Stonewall” Sessions alternative testifying before Congress, I was struck by his similarity to Henry Gibson on Laugh In. I also noticed that he had many of his responses typed up, which makes me wonder if he knew the questions before hand.

Later, when he issued a call for federal prosecution of the marijuana industry, I wondered if he really thought he could pull that off or if he was like the world’s most convincing Devil’s Advocate, dedicated to the fall of the Present Potomac Regime by saying things so dumb it makes him look like he’s about as qualified to be the United State Attorney General as Ronald McDonald is leading a cavalry charge.

And on that note, then, folks? Have a great week, gang, and thanks for the ear. Rusty

Rusty Miller is a journalist, author, editor and photographer who lives in Seattle, Washington. For comments, please go here.

THE PAST WEEK’S HEADLINE NEWS AT A GLANCE

AROUND THE WORLD

ASIA

Dennis Rodman Returns To North Korea

In India, Slight Rise In Temperatures Is Tied To Heat Wave Deaths

Otto Warmbier: US Doctors Dispute N Korean Coma Story

Running For Adventure On Hong Kong’s Maclehose Trail

AFRICA

South Africa’s Helen Zille Makes Unreserved Apology For Tweets

Nairobi Building Collapse: People Missing As Residents Join Search

Niger Army Rescues 92 Migrants In Sahara Desert

MIDDLE EAST

Trump’s Business Ties In The Gulf Raise Questions About His Allegiances

Iran Bans Zumba, And Its Fans Fume

A Saudi Woman Who Got Behind the Wheel and Never Looked Back

Revealed In Israel, A 2,600-Year-Old Request For Wine

EUROPE

UK Inflation Rate At Near Four-Year High

What to Know About the Deadly Fire in a London Tower Block

London Fire Is Theresa May’s ‘Hurricane Katrina’ Moment

London Fire: Death Toll Rises To 17 But ‘No More Survivors’

EU Mobile Roaming Charges Scrapped

Eurozone Ministers Strike Deal To Release Funds To Greece

Duke Of York: UK Firms Should Make Best Of Brexit

Turkish President Assails U.S. Over Charges Against His Guards  

RUSSIA

Putin Critic Alexei Navalny ‘Detained’ Before Moscow Protest

‘Huge Police Presence’ At Russia Protests

Russia Day in Protests

Game On: Russia’s Cyber Athletes Have Asian Rivals In Their Sights

Russian Bank Launches Drone Delivery Scheme

Putin Accuses U.S. of Russian Election Meddling

CANADA

Victoria Mayor Encourages ‘Adopting’ A Homeless Person

Nova Scotia Man Extradited From Venezuela To Face Murder Charges

Child Porn Charges Brought Against Man Arrested For ‘Canadacreep’ Twitter Videos

Toronto Neighbourhood That Seceded From Canada Marks 50 Years Of Freedom 

Air Canada Passengers Demand Answers After Chaotic Journey In The Skies

UNITED STATES

How Americans Turned Democracy Into A TV Show

23% of Puerto Ricans Vote in Referendum, 97% of Them for Statehood

Senior US Prosecutor Bharara Fired ‘After Refusing Trump Call’

Thousands March In US For LGBT Rights Under Trump

Are Trump’s US Economy Boasts Correct?

Report: Trump Under Investigation for Possible Obstruction

Steve Scalise Shooting: The Moment Baseball Gunman Opens Fire

5 Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter In Flint Water Crisis

Guilty Verdict For Young Woman Who Urged Friend To Kill Himself

Secrecy Surrounding Senate Health Bill Raises Alarms in Both Parties

CASCADIA (Northern California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia)

Seattle City Council Vows To Uphold Paris Agreement On Climate Change

A housing policy that created jobs

Listen: He dreams of revolution in Oregon

West Coast Shores Are Bathed In Ocean Acidification “Hot Spots”

Washington State’s Largest Solar Project Is In The Works

Seattle’s Proposed Income Tax On Wealthy Draws A Crowd

Columbia Gorge Commission Backs Denial Of Railroad Expansion

Regulators Delay Oil-By-Rail Terminal Expansion In Oregon

Oregon Protects Salmon Habitat From River Mining

LATIN AMERICA

Panama Cuts Ties With Taiwan In Favour Of China

Venezuela’s Child Malnutrition Crisis Grows

Cuban Ambassador to the U.S. Criticizes President Trump’s Policy Rollbacks

OCEANA & POLYNESIA

Why Are Australians So Laid Back?

Australian PM Says Trump Impersonation Was ‘Light-Hearted’

Australia Announces National Gun Amnesty

FROM OLYA

Kiev’s Central Square. Photo by Olya Bereza 

 

 THE TRAIN IS A MODERN DAY HORSE

Hi Rusty:

Just a thought that the train is a modern day horse. While riding today through vast green fields couldn’t help imagining my Cossack grandfather, who covered the same distance of about 3,000 km/1864 miles from East to West and back.

It is interesting to note how long this 17-hour train journey took would take riding by horses. Did he look at the same silver blue sky? And he probably was lying in the rye during rests looking to the stars. Ironically, though he could choose any place to spend birthday, he felt the call to go to Dnipropetrovs’k.

Here is good news for Ukrainians. Since the 11th of June, thanks to the new Visa Free Zone, we can visit most all of Europe and they can come to experience the beauty of my country. I am today enjoying the beauty of the wide Dnieper River.

That’s all for this week, Mishka. Take care and peace be with you.

Olya Bereza, who was born in the Soviet Union, now lives in Ukraine and is fluent in English, Russian and Ukrainian. She is a degreed psychologist with a background in international marketing and personnel management. For comments on this please go here.

GOOD EXAMPLES

Puyallup Teen Baby Sitters Charge Into House Fire, Save 8 Kids Upstairs

How Bars Around The World Are Getting More Creative In Fight Against Sexual Harassment

Portland, Oregon’s Iftar Invites People Of All Faiths To Break Bread Together

Philadelphia’s Alternative To Gentrification Spreads Opportunity To All Corners

Meet The Real Bearded Santas Trying To Keep Christmas Alive All Year

BAD EXAMPLES

Justice Department: Donald Trump Can Take Payments From Foreign Governments

Former Twitter CEO Compares Meeting With President Trump to Waterboarding

Opioid Dealers Embrace The Dark Web To Send Deadly Drugs By Mail

Trump Ditches Regulation To Protect Endangered Whales & Sea Turtles

Energy Department Closes Office Working On Climate Change Abroad

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

What Happens When You Ask 13 White People To Talk About Racism?

Why So Many Mass Shooters Have Domestic Violence In Their Past

Hong Kong Wants A 3rd Runway. Will Its Dolphins Pay The Price?

IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS

BUSINESS & TRADE

Chipotle Is Giving Away Free Burritos To Nurses

Uber Loses Another Top Executive Emil Michael

Microsoft Buys Israeli Cybersecurity Firm Hexadite For $100m

CLIMATE CHANGE & THE WEATHER

It Didn’t Take Long For China To Fill America’s Shoes On Climate Change

How Much Do You Know About Solving Global Warming?

Climate Change Shrinking Colorado River

Climate Change Isn’t Just A Fact For The Dutch. It’s An Opportunity.

Seattle City Council Vows To Uphold Paris Agreement On Climate Change

ESPIONAGE, TERRIORISM & WAR

Long Before It Lost Turf, ISIS Was Already Targeting Britain

On A Tiny Norwegian Island, America Keeps An Eye On Russia

Trump Gives Mattis Authority To Send More Troops To Afghanistan

ISIS Has A Deadly New Front In Asia

IMMIGRATION/REFUGEES

Europe’s Child Refugee Family Reunion System Is Failing

What Japanese Internment Taught Us About Standing Up For Our Neighbors

TRUMP & COMPANY

Friend Says Trump Is Considering Firing Mueller As Special Counsel

Jeff Sessions Denies Collusion, Deploring ‘Detestable Lie’ in Senate Testimony

Trump Stews, Staff Steps In, and Mueller Is Safe for Now

Trump Foreign Payments: Democrats In Congress File Lawsuit

Trump-Russia Inquiry: Vice-President Pence Hires Lawyer

Trump Attacks Rosenstein In Latest Rebuke Of Justice Department

DALAI LAMA

So long as we are human we need compassion. Compassion brings inner peace and whatever else is going on, that peace of mind allows us to see the whole picture more clearly. So, in our education we need lessons about developing warmheartedness and finding inner peace. I’m convinced that today’s young people can achieve a more peaceful world if they cultivate that as their vision and begin to work towards it now.

OUR SCIENCE SECTION, ABRIDGED

Where no robot has gone before. ‘Little Sunfish’ Robot To Swim In To Fukushima Reactor

Yankee ingenuity on parade. G.E.’S History Of Innovation

This supports my theory that all we really need is here for us already. In The Hunt For New Antibiotics, Scientists Hit Pay Dirt

OUR PLANET

Video: Greenland’s Thinning Ice

A Crack In An Antarctic Ice Shelf Is Creating An Iceberg The Size Of Delaware

The Impact If The World Went Meat-Free

SPACE

NASA’s Newest Class Of Astronauts Is Ready To Hit The Pool

10 Space Objects To See In Daytime

Total Solar Eclipse 2017: Google Simulator Lets You See What The Eclipse Will Look Like Where You Live

TECHNOLOGY

The Internet Of The Future Will Be Powered By Light

Vayyar’s 3d Sensor Can See Through Any Surface

Envisioning The Car Of The Future As A Living Room On Wheels

THE GREEN BEAT

Renewable Energy Push Is Strongest In The Reddest States

Portland, Oregon Joins Effort To Publish Removed EPA Climate Change Website

Resistance That Won’t Quit: A Timeline Of The Keystone XL Pipeline

Pacific Northwest Climate Activists Fight Construction Of World’s Largest Methanol Refinery

(Electric) Ships That Pass In The Night

Greening Your Summer Vacation

TRAVEL

Top 24 Free Museums In London

BC City Secrets: Where The Locals Go

11 Trips You Need To Take As Soon As You Retire

HEALTH

6 Ways To Get A Better Sleep

Eating Eggs And Dairy Makes Kids Grow Faster

Social Interaction Is Critical For Mental And Physical Health

Hearing Aids At The Mall? Congress Could Make It Happen

Almost 30% Of People In The World Are Obese Or Overweight

Why Aspirin May Be More Dangerous For Older People

Environmental Watchdog Group Warns Of Lead In Baby Food

LIFESTYLE

The 109-Hour Work Week: Mapping What it Takes to Afford Rent in America

10 Industries Hiring Like Crazy This Summer

Trial Over Suicide and Texting Lays Bare Pain of 2 Teenagers

FUNZONE

BEST OF THE NET

The World’s Most Beautiful House

These Grizzlies Have A Hilariously Unique Way To Fish for Salmon

Buzz Aldrin’s VR Plan To Colonize Mars Comes To Oculus

NORTHSTAR CLASSIFIEDS

NEXTDOOR is a dynamic non-profit community networking association helping neighborhoods across America become friendlier and better organized. They offer membership profiles, free classifieds and local social networks, all at no charge. For more information, contact them at  https://nextdoor.com 

A kid friendly story about Little Queen Harmony and her best friend, Rocky the Rocket, as they head out to enter Rocky in the World Space Models Championship. A very cute Kindle Book, it is on sale here for just $0.99: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/701471

A superpower no longer, a resource hungry and repressive America faces a Latin American armada rampaging its west coast and a strong, silent and powerful Canada manning the North Wall. The fires of rebellion burn in the Pacific Northwest and it is into this crucible and forge that the cybernetic patrol boat Testament and her crew of three men and three women are thrust. Individuals of duty and conscience both, when they join the other side, all Hell breaks loose. A rollicking adventure for anyone who loves the sea, a good yarn and characters who spring to life even as Testament herself leaps the waves. For a $4.00 Kindle Book adventure you will remember for a lifetime, please go here. http://www.amazon.com/Wrath-USS-Testament-tale-rebellion-ebook/dp/B004DNWL6G

NORTHSTAR MEDIA SERVICES is an online editing, writing and tutoring and service located in Seattle, Washington. We handle everything from general editing, to ghost writing, to online tutoring in English composition. Please contact us at minstel312@aol.com or visit our website at http://nstarmed.wordpress.com

ADVERTISE WITH US: 50 words for $5.00

ALL CREATURES, GREAT AND SMALL

This is in Seattle, where I live. VIDEO: Goats Clearing Hillsides In Belltown

How cool is this? Fawn Found Collapsed On Roadside Rescued By Seattle Homicide Detective

There IS a god. Industrial Mine Halted On The Doorstep Of Last Remaining Grizzly Bear Habitat

SHORTS

She Rushed In To Help A Desperate And Stranded Orca. His Reactions Says It All

These Hungry Goats Learned To Branch Out

Spawning Time, When Sockeye Salmon Change From Blue to Red

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

The Cornell E Lab June Newsletter Has 18 Photos To Celebrate Father’s Day & Birds

YOU GUYS THINK WE MAKE THIS STUFF UP

‘Two-Headed’ Baby Porpoise Found In Net

The City Obsessed With Cats

The Town That Split The World In Two

ABOUT US

The Northstar Journal reaches readers in 22 countries. Admittedly a demographic rainbow, they share a strong, passionate and proactive desire to help make our world a better place. We are proud to serve them as a resource in that regard.

If you would like to donate to the next edition, please go here. If you would like to sponsor an edition, with credit and a link to your organization, please contact Rusty at minstrel312@aol.com

Until next week, take care, stay well and God Bless. RM/OB

 

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

IN PRAISE OF JAMES COMEY

Posted on June 11, 2017 by

TO VIEW IN YOUR NATIVE LANGUAGE

The Magazine With Heart
Pacem, Libertatem, Justitiam
June 11, 2017 Vol. 9 No. 41

IN PRAISE OF JAMES COMEY

Hi again, from the shores of the Salish Sea. Well, the big news for me this week was former FBI Director James B. Comey’s public testimony before Congress. I watched the entire proceedings and I have my own observations.

They come from perspectives of growing up with law enforcement and working with police and the courts in three states. I’ve also run two small political campaigns and received a national award for editorial journalism. I say that because if you’re like me, an opinion is nice. An INFORMED opinion is worth the time.

Mr. Comey’s credentials are impeccable and he is definitely one species of “Washington Insider.” He has, for the most part, navigated the slippery (and sometimes slimy) slopes of Capitol Hill adroitly and with both his ethics and his patriotism intact. He served two presidents (one of each party) well before he ran afoul of the third.

Because Trump has proven to be both enigmatic, reality challenged and unpredictable, Mr. Comey’s behavior and the means he used to protect both himself and the public’s right to know was appropriate. Trump complains about leaks after putting an iron mask on the Potomac media when the most appropriate response would have been absolute candor.

I did not and do not see this as Comey v Trump. I see it as yet another example of the “raging bull in a glass shop” behavior that has characterized Trump as a human being for seven decades. That’s a long time to be obnoxiously megalomaniacal and habits that old are nearly impossible to break. So Former FBI Director James Comey joined the ranks of other senior Washington, DC officials in essentially saying, “Chill, Donald. You can’t legally do that, dude.”

I admire Mr. Comey, as I admire my mayor, my governor, my two US senators and my Congressman. It is precisely because of individuals like these that even the most maladroit hand on the helm of the Ship of State can’t sink the flipping boat.

I’ve also learned something pretty important, I think. When people speculate about the motives of others, it is usually a revelation about the options they themselves might entertain under similar circumstances.

And on that note, then, folks? Have a great week, gang, and thanks for the ear. Rusty

Rusty Miller is a journalist, author, editor and photographer who lives in Seattle, Washington. For comments, please go here.

THE PAST WEEK’S HEADLINE NEWS AT A GLANCE

AROUND THE WORLD

ASIA

South Korea Halts Thaad Anti-Missile System Rollout

Taliban Territory: Life In Afghanistan Under The Militants

Japan Growth Rate Revised Down But Business Spending Improves

Chinese Censors Have New Target: Celebrity News

Apple Customer Data In China Was Sold Illegally, Police Say

AFRICA

Qatar Row: Six Countries Cut Links With Doha

Qatar Row: Calls For Diplomatic Talks To End Gulf Crisis

Qatar Row: Saudi Revokes Qatar Airways’ License

Forced From Their Village By Violence

MIDDLE EAST

Raqqa: Syrian Kurdish-Led Forces Launch Offensive On ISIS ‘Capital’

Iran Attacks Leave 12 Dead At Parliament And Khomeini Mausoleum

Yemen Cholera Cases Pass 100,000 Amid ‘Unprecedented’ Epidemic

Nations Silent On Qatar Blockade Plea

Qatar Crisis: The Deep Diplomatic Tensions Behind The Row

EUROPE

Britain Will Overcome Terrorism The Same Way It Always Has

London Attack: Third London Bridge Attacker Named

The British Election That Somehow Made Brexit Even Harder

Emmanuel Macron’s Amateur Politicians Are Poised To Remake French Parliament

Merkel Says EU Is ‘Ready To Start Brexit Negotiations’

RUSSIA

Russia’s Oil Bargain With Iran Has Political Overtones

Stalin’s Shadow: How A Gulag Historian Fell Victim To Russia’s Dark Past

Foreign Minister Says Russia Won’t End Travel For Europeans

CANADA

Canada’s Climate Strategy: Work With US States

4 Dead In Northern Quebec Town After Series Of Stabbings

Cankerworm Infestation Bugging Ontario City 

Canada Hit With Another Flour Recall, More Illnesses Due To 2nd E. Coli Outbreak

All Sailors Rescued From Mid-Atlantic After Violent Storm 

Analysis Another Decade, Another Trudeau, Another Stab At Sovereignty In Alberta

UNITED STATES

Drug Deaths In America Are Rising Faster Than Ever

2 Men Charged With Manslaughter In Deadly Oakland Fire

The 25 Cities Where Millennials Are Moving

Over 1,000 US Cities, States, And Businesses Vow To Meet Paris Climate Commitments

Hawaii First State To Pass Law Committing To Paris Climate Accord

Kansas Man Indicted On Hate Crime Charges In Shooting Of Indian Immigrants

CASCADIA (Northern California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia)

The Pacific Northwest Is Proving Grassroots Action Against Fossil Fuels Can Work

How Will Seattle’s New Soda Tax Impact Small Businesses And Customers?

We In The Pacific Northwest Have A Choice

Portland Prepares Kenton Village For Homeless Women

Portland Eyes Future Of Willamette River

More Evidence On Ridesharing’s Growth Surge

Tent Cities For Tacoma’s Homeless To Get $3.4 Million

How Many Minimum Wage Hours Do You Need To Live In Seattle?

LATIN AMERICA

Michel Temer: Court Rules In Favour Of Brazil Leader

Trump’s New Cuba Policy: What’s At Stake For The Island?

Guatemala Ex-Vice-President Wanted By US

Hugo Chávez’s Brother Becomes Governor Of Barinas State

Venezuela Musicians Rise Up After Violist, 18, Is Killed At Protest

OCEANA & POLYNESIA

Muslim ‘Safe Space’ Plan Sparks Row In Australia

China Seeks News Influence Through Australian Media Deals

Investigation Into ‘National Shame’ Work-For-The-Dole Scheme Underway

Top Cop Probed For Alleged Misconduct At Time Of Daniel Morcombe Inquest

‘Questions’ Over Chinese Company Donation To Western Australia Liberals

‘It Was Like Rape’: Women In Japan Tricked Into Pornography

193 Nations Urge Action To Protect Oceans

FROM OLYA

A gloomy day in London. Photo by Olya Bereza

IN THE WAKE OF THE LONDON ATTACK

Hi Rusty:

Last week was gloomy for the capital of the UK, when just a few days before elections the London attack at Borough Market happened.

Like the recent drama in Manchester, this too seems only to have united people. London thrives because of its multiculturalism so it should be no surprise that the days following tragedy, people on streets were even more polite with each other.

The results of Parliamentary elections though were a surprise.  Labour leader Jeremy Corbin was very consistent in his election campaign, so no party could win a majority. This only means that more negotiation and cooperation will be needed but on the other hand ability to choose is a fundamental for democracy.

That’s all for this week, Mishka. Take care and peace be with you.

Olya Bereza, who was born in the Soviet Union, now lives in Ukraine and is fluent in English, Russian and Ukrainian. She is a degreed psychologist with a background in international marketing and personnel management. For comments on this please go here.   

Two guitarists and a hand drummer (hidden behind the man on the right) entertain inside a tiny bar in Havana. Photo by Emily DeCarlo

HOW TO SALSA

by Dac Collins

Around sunset, heavy clouds hang sweating over the ancient, living buildings of La Habana. With this sweat comes heat, an impressive sort — one that builds as the sun dips down over the Gulf of Mexico.

It is the rainy season and while the grey water-laden clouds continue to perspire, even heavier now that the light is fading, two Yanquis sit under the tin roof of a tiny bar sipping mojitos. They watch as a three-piece band plays Chan Chan, paying respect to the Buena Vista Social Club, a place as well as a group of musicians who, though now mostly absent from the physical realm, remain living legends on the island.

The two Americans are having a hard time keeping their eyes off of one another. They talk little, taking in the surreal scene unfolding around them. A drop of sweat dives off the tip of his nose and into the cocktail, falling somewhere between the hierba buena and the rim of the glass. She dabs at her forehead with a bandana.

Then it happens—somewhere in the middle of the song. The lead singer rakes a flat pick across six nylon strings and yells, “para macané”, his voice rising like an arrow towards the clouds rumbling overhead. His shot is true and they unleash their burden on the scene, thousands of water balloons bigger than ’52 Chevies all popping at once. The two waiters on shift jump into action.

One runs outside to bring in a vacant table. The other scrambles for the tarps that are rolled up and draped over the side of the roof. He tries to unfurl the tarp that shelters the side of the bar facing the Atlantic. He fumbles with a knot. The testy double-overhand tightens its grip while the rain attempts to drown him, but he keeps struggling, embattled with a stubborn four-inch piece of twine. His friend recognizes his plight and runs for a knife. The twine doesn’t stand a chance.

Meanwhile, the musicians scramble to the center of the bar. Moving, they never miss a beat. They play even louder to compete with the raucous sound of water crashing against weary metal.

Their tempo quickens, the bongo player’s pedal-driven cowbell intensifying with the rain. The man on the tres picks away while the singer on his left, eyes closed, looking upward, yells the name of another tiny town in the campo.

Then the three musicians, who have likely never had the opportunity to leave this bizarre landmass, finally get their chance. They slide out into the rain, leaving a melody in their wake as the storm picks them up and guides them upward by the smalls of their backs.

Now floating somewhere between Havana and the heavens, they all follow in perfect time. They mirror her thunderous hip shakes and her quick, torrential footsteps, dancing on the rupturing clouds underfoot.

Editor’s Note: Dac and his friend are both fluent in Spanish and she has visited Cuba before. This was Dac’s first experience and what you read is an excerpt from notes he took. We’re preparing a more journalistic treatment which will provide some windows on this Caribbean island nation, from a source I personally know. RM

GOOD EXAMPLES

Tackling Homelessness A Different Way

As Trump Steps Back, Jerry Brown Talks Climate Change In China

The 81-Year-Old Bin-Woman With A PhD

How The First Woman To Run The Boston Marathon Is Still Running Marathons At 70 

Stop Making Excuses For Hateful White Men

BAD EXAMPLES

She’s Accused Of Texting Him To Suicide. Is That Enough To Convict?

Columbia River Methanol Plant Gets Approval On Two Permits

Masquerading As Reporter, Assassin Hunted Putin Foes In Ukraine

IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS

BUSINESS & TRADE

UK Election 2017: The Impact On Asian Business

Delphi, The Auto Parts Supplier, Embarks On A High-Tech Overhaul

CLIMATE CHANGE & THE WEATHER

Tribes Stand For Paris

As the World Turns, Temperatures Rise: NASA Predicts All-Time Temperature Highs for 2016

Americans ‘Under Siege’ From Climate Disinformation

ESPIONAGE, TERRIORISM & WAR

Terrorist Attacks In The Heart Of London Hit A Nation Still Reeling

Raqqa: US-Backed Forces Advance In ISIS ‘Capital’

Inside ‘Islamic State’: A Raqqa Diary

Marawi Siege: US Special Forces Aiding Philippine Army

IMMIGRATION/REFUGEES

The National Front Member Who Fell In Love With Calais Jungle Migrant

California’s ‘Green Rush’ Takes Hmong Back To Their Opium-Growing Roots

TRUMP & COMPANY

 

Comey Says Trump Pressured Him To ‘Lift The Cloud’ Of Inquiry

Calling Comey A Liar, Trump Says He Will Testify Under Oath

DALAI LAMA

We depend on each other for our survival. In terms of the threats we all face from climate change, national boundaries have no meaning. Looking at our small blue planet from space no such boundaries can be seen. This is the reality today. On this World Environment Day we have to think of the environment in terms of the welfare of the whole of humanity.

OUR SCIENCE SECTION, ABRIDGED

Indeed. Robot Cars Can’t Count On Us In An Emergency  And here’s another “be still my beating heart” moment because I live here. Self-Driving Cars Could Soon Be Tested On Washington Roads

We totally agree with this. Why All Animal Lovers Should Care About Bumblebees Being Endangered

How do you say, “Good morning, Dave” in Japanese? Japan To Launch Self-Navigating Cargo Ships ‘By 2025’

OUR PLANET

Oldest Fossils Of Homo Sapiens Found In Morocco, Altering History Of Our Species

As Climate Change Threatens Food Supplies, Seed Saving Is An Ancient Act Of Resilience

West Coast Ocean Acidification Rates Among Highest In The World

SPACE

SpaceX Makes History With Recycled Spacecraft Launch To International Space Station

A Planet Hotter Than Most Stars

Fruit Flies And Mice To Get New Home On Space Station, At Least Temporarily

TECHNOLOGY

The Best Apps Of The Year So Far

Ponzi Scheme Meets Ransomware For A Doubly Malicious Attack

10-Year-Old App Maker’s Plan: Change World, Become Turtle

THE GREEN BEAT

Map: The Future Is Carbon-Priced And The US Is Getting Left Behind

These Google Streetview Cars Are Now Mapping And Measuring Pollution

California Vows To Forge Ahead With Ozone Cutting Measures

All Dutch Trains Now Run On 100% Wind Power

Environmental Groups Try To Block Montana Mine Expansion

TRAVEL

These 8 Beaches Are Some Of The Best In The World

The Island That Forever Changed Science

London’s Secret Underground Mail Rail

HEALTH

15 Foods A Nutritionist Always Keeps In Her Fridge

Blackfeet Researcher Leads Her Tribe Back To Traditional Foods

Seattle Soda Tax To Fund Education, Nutrition Programs

LIFESTYLE

Four Ways to Crack Down on Fraternity Hazing

Why We Are Driven To Search For The Truth

In One Of The Nation’s Most Conservative Places, A Sanctuary City

FUNZONE

BEST OF THE NET

Africa’s Great Migration

New York Times Wellness Page Devoted To Pets

Life On Mars  

NORTHSTAR CLASSIFIEDS

NEXTDOOR is a dynamic non-profit community networking association helping neighborhoods across America become friendlier and better organized. They offer membership profiles, free classifieds and local social networks, all at no charge. For more information, contact them at https://nextdoor.com   

A kid friendly story about Little Queen Harmony and her best friend, Rocky the Rocket, as they head out to enter Rocky in the World Space Models Championship. A very cute Kindle Book, it is on sale here for just $0.99: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/701471 

Thought of the Day: For true inspiration delivered to your email every week, contact Amy at SpringggRain@aol.com It will be the nicest thing you’ll do for yourself today.

A superpower no longer, a resource hungry and repressive America faces a Latin American armada rampaging its west coast and a strong, silent and powerful Canada manning the North Wall. The fires of rebellion burn in the Pacific Northwest and it is into this crucible and forge that the cybernetic patrol boat Testament and her crew of three men and three women are thrust. Individuals of duty and conscience both, when they join the other side, all Hell breaks loose. A rollicking adventure for anyone who loves the sea, a good yarn and characters who spring to life even as Testament herself leaps the waves. For a $4.00 Kindle Book adventure you will remember for a lifetime, please go here. http://www.amazon.com/Wrath-USS-Testament-tale-rebellion-ebook/dp/B004DNWL6G

NORTHSTAR MEDIA SERVICES is an online editing, writing and tutoring and service located in Seattle, Washington. We handle everything from general editing, to ghost writing, to online tutoring in English composition. Please contact us at minstel312@aol.com or visit our website at http://nstarmed.wordpress.com

ADVERTISE WITH US: 50 words for $5.00  

ALL CREATURES, GREAT AND SMALL

This is absolutely heart-warming. Dolphins Rush To The Glass Once They Hear Incredible Violinist Playing Music For Them

If this doesn’t warm your heart, it’s because you don’t have one. After Losing Her Leg To A Landmine, This Elephant Got The Best Gift Ever From An Amazing Surgeon

I believe this because it makes sense. Extinction Of Larger, Fruit-Eating Animals May Hasten Deforestation And Climate Change

SHORTS

The Most Powerful Punch Of All

U.S. Government To Use Drones To Fire M&Ms At Endangered Ferret Habitat

Precarious Rescue For Runaway Lizard

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Here’s A Chance To Make A Difference With Your Yard By Bringing The Bees Home

No, Killing Coyotes Does Not Help Ranchers

YOU GUYS THINK WE MAKE THIS STUFF UP

Canada Tornado: Alberta Lawn-Mowing Man Defies Twister

“Trump Or Merkel?” Ukraine Beer Depicts World Leaders

The Mummies’ Medical Secrets? They’re Perfectly Preserved

ABOUT US

The Northstar Journal reaches readers in 22 countries. Admittedly a demographic rainbow, they share a strong, passionate and proactive desire to help make our world a better place. We are proud to serve them as a resource in that regard.

If you would like to donate to the next edition, please go here. If you would like to sponsor an edition, with credit and a link to your organization, please contact Rusty at minstrel312@aol.com

Until next week, take care, stay well and God Bless. RM/OB

 

 

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment