Friday
Notes 2. An on-line resource for NEILSA Librarians
Be kind to your CITY CLERK Month
County Meetings Scheduled:
If your county meeting date is not on the schedule
please contact Ken at NEILSA
Allamakee County Meeting - TBA
Black Hawk County Meeting - When called - seldom
Bremer County Meeting -
Oct 19, 7:30 Waverly PL
Buchanan County Meeting
- Oct 11, 2004 7:00 Lamont
Butler County Meeting - Oct. 5, 2004 7:00 Clarksville
Chickasaw County Meeting
-
Clayton County Meeting
-
Delaware
County Meeting - Nov. 9 at 7:00 Colesburg KD
Dubuque County - DALINC - June 16 --
DALINC breakfast at the Hoffman House
July 15 -- Northeast Iowa Community College
- Peosta
Fayette
County Meeting - October 28 at 9:30 in Oelwein
Grundy County Meeting - July 26 at 9:00 in Conrad
Howard County Meeting - Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. Cresco,
April 5, 2005 7:00
Winneshiek County Meeting - November
4, 2004 @ 7:00 in Fort A KD
NEXT weeks meetings
Your Sponsor reminds County Associations THAT: One
& Two hour CE Workshop is available upon prior request from
the NEILSA staff person in attendance, just call.
NOTE: Tentative staff assignment:
KD = Ken (Consultant), ER = Eunice (Administrator)
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Direct State Aid final report. The Final Report
is due July 31, 2004 and is a requirement for Direct State Aid in FY 2005
(July 1, 2004-June 30, 2005). The report is on the Enrich Iowa web
page. You are welcome to print it off and send it in. http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/for-ia-libraries/enrich-ia
click on Direct State Aid under Shortcuts.
Please let the SLI know if your Status Report is your Final Report.
The Access Plus Annual Report form and directions are on the web
at:
http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/for-ia-libraries/enrich-ia/access-plus/
The Access Plus Annual Report for FY 2004 is due July 31, 2004.
All transactions must be documented. Transactions through SILO or
OCLC do not require additional documentation.
Entry level position at NEILSA. Salary $18 to $22 thousand per
year, full benefits, generally 8 to 5 professional office. Some local
travel and driving required.
Job description & details at: http://www.neilsa.org/searchcomm
or call 319-233-1200 or 800/772/2023 to ask for an application package.
EYE-OPENER: (lightly
edited, and links activated)
Today's news:
1) June is Internet Safety Month
2) Le Mars P.L. Staff Watches the Web
3) Niagara Falls Books Read to Circ Again
4) Meetings / Events This Week
1) June is Internet Safety Month: Thanks to Le Mars P.L. for this reminder:
June is Internet Safety Month. Last year, June was designated as the
first Internet Safety Month by I-Safe America. I-Safe America is an
Internet Safety Education Foundation aimed at empowering children and teens
with important information they need to navigate the Internet. Did
you know that more than 48 million children under age 17 use computers every
day? Data like this, along with all sorts of strategies for ensuring
cyber safety, is found on the I-Safe organization's website: http://www.isafe.org
2) Le Mars P.L. Staff Watches the Web: Le Mars P.L. prints a dandy
local newsletter. In addition to highlighting new books and touting
library programs, the staff also includes descriptions of recommended websites.
Here are a couple of their website picks for June:
http://www.keepkidshealthy.com
(health-related information for infants through teen years...)
http://www.parentsoup.com
(a staff favorite they say "...lots of fun for Moms & Dads who want to
explore the many aspects of parenting...")
http://www.familyfun.go.com
(summertime fun, family vacation spots, great recipes, and more...)
Thanks to Le Mars Library staff for web watching and especially for sharing
their favorites!
3) Niagara Falls Books Ready to Circ Again: Just a reminder that NWILS has
21 copies of NIAGARA FALLS ALL OVER AGAIN, the 2004 ALL IOWA READS title.
We've divided our 21 copies into 3 sets of 7 books in order to reach more
libraries. All 3 sets have been in steady use since January, but now
they're all back in. So if this title is on your book discussion group's
agenda--and if you need a source for multiple copies--keep us in mind.
Please contact Janie to reserve the books.
Note we also have 2 related video tapes that you can borrow. We have
the State Library's ICN broadcast from back in January, featuring Dr. Dale
Ross and First Lady Christie Vilsack discussing NIAGARA FALLS. And
we also have a videotaped interview with the author, Elizabeth McCracken.
Again, you're welcome to borrow these videos to enhance your book discussions--just
let Janie know when you'd like to reserve them.
Speaking of Elizabeth McCracken: plans are well along for the Iowa Library
Association Conference, October 13--15 2004 in Sioux City. The conference
planning committee has secured NIAGARA FALLS author, Elizabeth McCracken,
as the Friday luncheon speaker. If you're planning to attend the conference--and
we trust most every Northwest library is!:-)--then be sure to stay for the
Friday lunch and listen to Ms. McCracken talk about her book. At that
time, the 2005 ALL IOWA READS title will be announced. Much more about
the ILA Conference will be coming to you in future EYE-OPENERS:-)
4) Meetings/Events This Week: The State Library is sponsoring
EBSCO training over the ICN this Wednesday, June 9th. Choose from 2
time periods: either 9:30--11:30 or 1:30--3:30. For both time periods,
Northwest ICN locations are the public libraries in Hawarden, Orange City,
Sac City, Sioux City, and Spencer. Near-Northwest locations are the
public libraries in Bayard and Humboldt. For full details of all ICN
sites, to register online, and to find the program handouts, click here:
http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/for-ia-libraries/continuing-ed/cecat.htm#June ;
A friendly reminder: please take time to download the handouts to bring with
you. And for this particular program, best to sit in the front row.
This is a computer demo and it's sometimes difficult to see computer screens
as viewed over the ICN.
Also this week: summer school for PLM1 students begins this Thursday, with
the first day of class in person at Urbandale Public Library (10:00AM--3:00PM)
Thereafter, PLM1 classes take place over the ICN for the next 7 consecutive
Thursdays, June 17--July 29. If summer school didn't fit your schedule
this time around, there's always an opportunity to take this class in the
fall. PLM1 starts August 31st; PLM2 starts September 2nd. Registration
deadline for the fall classes is July 23rd. The fall schedule is now posted
on the State Library's website: http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/for-ia-libraries/continuing-ed/cecat.htm#September
Bonnie McKewon
Director, Northwest Iowa Library Services
CHANGES: None reported.
New LINKS of interest:
http://www.keepkidshealthy.com
(health-related information for infants through teen years...)
http://www.parentsoup.com
(a staff favorite they say "...lots of fun for Moms & Dads who want to
explore the many aspects of parenting...")
http://www.familyfun.go.com (summertime
fun, family vacation spots, great recipes, and more...)
Thanks to Le Mars Library staff for web watching and especially for sharing
their favorites!
CONSORTIA
If you have specific questions about your e-rate "account" call Glen, 9:00
- noon at NEILSA office.
When do discounts start/checks get sent? When
the vendor gets approval from SLD.
Neither the Consortia nor the vendor can hurry this up. IF I call SLD
and ask about an application it will be pulled from the pile and will go
back to start the trip all over again. If you have specific questions
about your e-rate "account" call Glen, 9:00 - noon at NEILSA office.
BEAR Forms (472) http://www.sl.universalservice.org/reference/8bear.asp
Purpose of Form: Form
472 is used by the Billed Entity to request reimbursement for discounts
on eligible services that have already been paid in full by the Billed
Entity to the service provider. (NOTE: FCC Form 474 — Schools and Libraries
Universal Service Service Provider Invoice Form is used by the service
provider to request reimbursement for discounts on eligible services which
the service provider has already provided to the Billed Entity at discounted
prices. Once a Form 472 has been filed for a particular Funding Request
Number (FRN), a Form 474 cannot be filed for that FRN.) From SLD
At the end of July we will send out a request for bills from all libraries
that have not received their credits, these will be used to file for reimbursement.
The filling for the B.E.A.R. (Form 472) will go in at the end of
July and we will close the Funding Year 2003 at that point.
SO: IF you have not started receiving discounts or if you have already told
us you want a refund check send us a copy of all the bills from July 2004
to June 2004 AFTER you get the July 2004 bill from the vendor. PLEASE
send it in one envelope and mark the envelope Attn: Glen/BEAR.. You
may send via US Poastal Service or van.
ALL: When do discounts start/checks
get sent? When the vendor gets approval from SLD, is the
simple answer. The more real answer includes; when the vendor gets
it through their bookkeeping system and on the bill in the next billing
cycle. All that is dependent on the Form 486 being filed
For Consortia libraries; Form 486 have been filed for all but B.E.A.R.
(Form 472) libraries and a confirmation was sent to the library. The
confirmation was faxed to your library (IF your fax is on & working).
The confirmation is a sheet with about an one quarter page of boilerplate
(standard copy) and below it will be one or more paragraphs of SLD printout
appended to the top part.
IF you did not receive it, or if it was incorrect and you have not
called please let Glen know.
CIPA/NCIPA: Use IE's Content Advisor with librarian input.
Be certain you have downloaded the most current version of IE.
[ http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;DOWNLOADOVER&style=home
]
Since I've been asked for some low cost ideas for small libraries who can't
afford to lose their e-rate discounts and are struggling with a reasonable
way to filter the few computers at their library in order to comply with
the requirements of CIPA/NCIPA, I have the following suggestion.
Try using Content Advisor
[http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/using/howto/security/contentadv/config.mspx]
as a way to filter computers. This solution is very controversial and
many knowledgeable people feel it to be an unacceptable solution but just
as many think it "may" work. Until a "court of competent jurisdiction"
answers the question everything is a mater of opinion.
The problem with Content Advisor is that it relies on the content providers
of the websites to rate themselves according to some rating service such
as ICRA [http://www.icra.org/about/].
Very few websites have signed on for the self rating which means very few
sites are rated.
This means that one important setting in Content Advisor is the one that
says "allow all unrated sites" because otherwise, nothing is going to get
through. But the good thing is that the sites that do get through, really
shouldn't. And the content providers agree. I recommend blocking sexual
content, Level 4, only for CIPA.
And to beef it up a bit, use the other part of the Content Advisor, the Approved
List to supplement the meager blocks you'll get with the self-rated sites.
But use the Approved List in the negative, that is as a Block List. Add sites
to the Disapprove List to give your Content Advisor a bit more bite. If the
patrons in the library find some sites you think should be blocked, those
are the ones to put on the list. You don't have to have every site known
to human kind in there, you just need to prevent the problems in your library
to keep everyone happy. Make use of the "challenge form" to add/screen
sites for the list.
Then for the folk who want unblocked access to the net, instead of turning
Content Advisor on and off; advise them to use Netscape or one of the other
browses. For the computers used exclusively by the under 17 patrons
do not put any other browser on the computer. All computers should
"boot up" to IE.
It's not the simplest solution nor is it the most thorough but it is cheap
and you won't be over blocking. That's more than most filters can say.
IF you use this method make certain to run it past your board to get a recorded
vote in the minutes approving this method and giving staff permission to
turn the blocking on and off.
xx:
>Mary Minow's article "Lawfully Surfing the Net: Disabling Public Library
Internet Filters to Avoid More Lawsuits in the United States" as the first
link. It is at
http://firstmonday.org/issues/issue9_4/minow/.
>Mary Minow, Public Libraries and the Children's Internet Protection Act
(CIPA): Legal Sources (http://www.llrx.com/features/cipabiblio.htm).
>Mary Minow. Filtering Technology (http://libraryfiltering.org/): A
nice, detailed filter comparison chart, including comparisons of administrative
functions, company contacts, etc.
>Robert Corn-Revere, United States v. American Library Association: A
Missed Opportunity for the Supreme Court to Clarify Application of
First Amendment Law to Publicly Funded Expressive Institutions. (http://www.cato.org/pubs/scr2003/publiclyfunded.pdf)
A very good review of the broader aspects of the Supreme Court decision.
{Tip of the hat to Bob Bowker for the "also reads"]
Non consortia members e-rate:
I have begun to review FCDL's from SLD for "special" apps, so keep
your eyes open for your FCDL for next year IF you have a simple Priority
I (POTS & Internet) application.
Gates Foundation Follow-up Training: http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/for-ia-libraries/continuing-ed/cecat.htm#Gates
Gates Training for Fall 2004 has been scheduled. The classes
will be 9:00-12 noon and 1:00-4:00. Day one is Teaching Computers
to the Public is offered twice. Day two is Troubleshooting
Computers in the morning and Computer Security in the afternoon.
Each of the classes will be limited to 25 people. The State Library
will take care of registrations. Online registration will be available
by June 4.
CE Catalog is at: http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/for-ia-libraries/continuing-ed/cecat.htm#September
Northeast Sessions are Thursday, Oct. 21 and Friday, Oct. 22. Fayette
PL
Sandy Dixon
Consultant - State Library of Iowa
CE:
NEW STANDARDS NOTICE
Draft
4th edition of "In Service to Iowa: Public Library Measures of Quality".
AT:
http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/for-ia-libraries/accr-and-standards/index.html
Edited note from Gerry:
"The Standards Advisory Task Force and the State Library have developed a
draft 4th edition of "In Service to Iowa: Public Library Measures of
Quality". There will be 2 ICN sessions on the draft standards, on July
12, 6-8 PM and July 13, 9:30-11:30 AM".
"The sites are open to all, no pre-registration required."
"Information about the committee, the implementation process, and the
impact on Direct State Aid is included in the Preface and Introduction
of the draft standards."
Gerry Rowland, Consultant
State Library of Iowa
NE sites for draft 4th edition
of "In Service to Iowa: Public Library Measures of Quality" ICN sessions:
Session Date: Monday,
July 12, 2004 18:00 To
20:00 Session: 1216844
Site Status Approval Status
122 MASON CITY-CC2
Committed Approved
602 DUBUQUE-STOUT-PUB LIB
Committed Approved
660 WAVERLY-PUB LIB
Committed Approved
664 MANCHESTER-PUB LIB
Committed Approved
668 ELGIN-PUB LIB
Committed Approved
674 WATERLOO-PUB LIB (CART)
Committed Approved
736 HUDSON-PUB LIB
Committed Approved
755 FAYETTE-PUB LIB
Committed Approved
764 WEST UNION-PUB LIB
Committed Approved
772 ELDORA-PUB LIB
Committed Approved
Originate: 803 DES
MOINES-STATE LIBRARY3 Committed Approved
Session Date: Tuesday, July 13, 2004
09:30 To 11:30
Session: 1217059
Site Status Approval Status
122 MASON CITY-CC2
Committed Approved
602 DUBUQUE-STOUT-PUB LIB
Committed Approved
660 WAVERLY-PUB LIB
Committed Approved
664 MANCHESTER-PUB LIB
Committed Approved
668 ELGIN-PUB LIB
Committed Approved
674 WATERLOO-PUB LIB (CART)
Committed Approved
681 CEDAR RAPIDS-PUB LIB (CART)
Committed Approved
736 HUDSON-PUB LIB
Committed Approved
755 FAYETTE-PUB LIB
Committed Approved
764 WEST UNION-PUB LIB
Committed Approved
772 ELDORA-PUB LIB
Committed Approved
Originate: 803 DES
MOINES-STATE LIBRARY3 Committed Approved
Target dates for LIBRARY 101 in Fall
2004 they are:
September 30th
December 10th
Registration for the fall PLM classes is now available.
PLM 1 starts
August 31; PLM 2 starts Sept. 2.
http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/for-ia-libraries/continuing-ed/cecat.htm
SPECIAL WORKSHOPS:
Trustee Workshop x Get Organized below
CLASSES in NEILSA:
Get Organized
This was so popular at ILA Annual meeting last year that the room
was FULL and people were turned away.
Description: Get Organized examines areas of
your work life to identify ways you can be more efficient, ordered, and
organized. You'll learn how to:
* Organize your work space.
* Eliminate the clutter in drawers, closets,
and on shelves and bookcases.
* Throw away stuff you aren't using.
* Buy office products that will help you stay
organized.
* Buy software that will help you organize your
calendar, to-do lists, and address book.
* Reduce the amount of paper that you accumulate.
* Stay ahead of filing.
Getting organized and staying organized is a great way to reduce
the stress in your life and feel more confident about yourself and the
work you are doing.
NOTES:
This is planned in two sessions one on August
20 (Friday) & 21 (Saturday).
The Friday session will be aimed directly to the needs of the public
librarian.
The Saturday session will be directed to the needs of Trustees.
DETAILS
Fees: There is no fee for library trustees. Library
Directors: $50.00
PRE-registration Required
Lunch: Included
Hours:
Registration 9:30,
Start 10:00,
Home bound 4:30
CE's: 6
Location: Fayette Public Library
OTHER CE: You must register with
the listed provider.
If you have library staff who need to take PLM classes, the fall
dates are available. Registration See http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/for-ia-libraries/continuing-ed/cecat.htm
Sandy Dixon
Consultant
State Library of Iowa
ICPC Preservation 101 workshops coming soon!
SOS! Friday, June 18, 2004, 8:30 am. – 4:00 pm. Fisher Community
Center, Marshalltown.
Featuring , Henry Wilhelm, internationally renowned expert
on image permanence in color photography and digital print media http://www.wilhelm-research.com/
followed by hands-on sessions including book and paper repair,
disaster response, preservation photocopying, flattening paper and photographs
and more!
Fee schedule:
All three sessions, package price: ICPC member $55.00; Non
member $75.00
Each ICN session: ICPC member $15.00; Non member $20.00 Or
Both ICN sessions
ICPC member $20.00; Non member $25.00
June 18 SOS
ICPC member $40.00; Non member $50.00
Mail registration to: Nancy E Kraft, ICPC, University Libraries,
100 Main Library, Iowa City, IA 52242-1420
Include ICN site you plan to attend (if relevant), your name,
address, telephone, email address and check or money order made out
to ICPC.
Information and application are available on the ILA
web site:
http://www.iowalibraryassociation.org
"Learning Activity Written Summary" may be found
at:
http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/for-ia-libraries/continuing-ed/online-learningactivitywrittensummary.htm
GRANTS:
By Sept. 15: Ezra Jack Keats Foundation 16th Annual Minigrant Program will
award minigrants of $350 (a total of $40,000) to public libraries and public
school libraries for innovative and imaginative programs that combat illiteracy.
Contact: Deborah Pope, dpope@Ezra-Jack-Keats.org; http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/programs/minigrants.htm
Building Consulting Grants
The State Library allocates
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds to provide Iowa libraries
with building consultation. These grants allow librarians to get
professional advice from impartial consultants who provide guidance and
recommendations to library staff, city officials and the community on
the extent and complexity of a building project. The building
consulting grants have been funded by the State Library since fiscal
year 1994. Grants of up to $2,500 will be awarded as funds are available.
A library that has received the entire
$2,500 grant is not eligible for another one.
http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/for-ia-libraries/LSTA/building-consulting-grants.htm
END PLATE: Previously run
& Long Announcements, Supporting Documents, & other "stuff"
Other blogs:
SWILSA House blog at: http://www.swilsa.blogspot.com
Blogs for Libraries [WebJunction]
http://www.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=1432
On line Newsletters:
Regional Rag. http://www.sls.lib.ia.us/rag.htm
Southeastern's May-June issue of "The Regional Rag" newsletter
is now posted online.
Go to http://www.sls.lib.ia.us - click on "Regional
Rag" and then the issue you wish to read.
Van Service: AEA 267 - August 10/11 Summer delivery ends, August
16 start up for fall.
AEA 1 (Keystone) Aug. 17 fall delivery starts, you may start sending
to NEILSA on Aug. 9 & 10.
The fine print stuff
blog - Friday Notes 2 AT -
http://radio.weblogs.com/0108327/
EDITORS NOTES:
"x" & "xx" are catalogers shorthand for:
x = See & xx = See also
NOTICE DISCLAIMER - pick one, any one
will do.
MY disclaimer:
Basically my opinions are my own, shared by no one
else (sometimes), and are not the opinions of my agency, my board,
my co-workers, my parents, siblings, relatives, my dogs or most any
other know life form. Except, of course, those very bright concerned,
sensitive, perceptive &, in general, well educated, widely read
and cultured individuals who wish to share this peculiar road to ruin,
as well as a couple of down & out drugged out beatniks from the good
old days. OK? The "Prime Directive" applies.
Edited by:
Ken Davenport - NEILSA Consultant
davenport@neilsa.org
COPYLEFT NOTICE 2002:
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PUBLICATION IS FREE.
It may be copied, distributed and/or modified under
the conditions set down in the Design Science License published
by Michael Stutz at
http://dsl.org/copyleft/dsl.txt
COPYRIGHT
Please note: material found on the web should be
assumed to be under copyright and is presented here for purposes
of education and research only.
NOTE: If credited [via ???] or [from so & so]
it is their material and not covered by my "Copyleft" notice.
Ken
SOURCE: {Consultant}D:Data File MiscFriday Notes
20213a.wpd
BOILER PLATE FOOTNOTES:
1. WARNING: I will be able to give you about a 5
working day warning on deadlines (by e-mail, less otherwise) I
have 10 days to reply, if I miss the deadline, well I won't miss, if
you miss ... I'll send it in late but ....
NORTHEAST IOWA LIBRARY SERVICE AREA
BOARD MEETING
Hudson Public Library
June 14, 2004 – 3:00 p.m.
Agenda
1. Approval of the Agenda
2. Approval of May Board Minutes
3. Approval of May Bills
4. Open Forum
5. General Business
a. Contracts with North Central LSA
b. Waterloo Public Library Lease
c. Report from the Trustee Council
Representatives
d. Report from the Personnel Committee
e. Other
6. AEA Report
7. Community College Report
8. Administrator's Report
a. Trustee election
b. Staff evaluations
c. OCLC Bids
d. Copier
e. ILRC
f. Hiring
g. Other
9. Consultant's Report
a. Update
10. Meeting Dates, Time and Location
a. July 12, 2004 3:00 p.m., Postville
Public Library
11. Adjourn
Some mindless trivia!
Q. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?
A. Their birthplace
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat
name requested?
A. Obsession
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until
you would find the letter "A"?
A. One thousand
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser
printers all have in common?
A. All invented by women.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?
A. Honey
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q. Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the year?
A. Father's Day
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV were Fred
and Wilma Flintstone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the US Treasury.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coca-Cola was originally green.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It is impossible to lick your elbow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work:
Alaska
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this...)
The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven:
$6,400
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The average number of people airborne over the US any given hour:
61,000
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The world's youngest parents were 8 and 9 and lived in China in 1910
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The youngest pope was 11 years old.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:
Spades - King David
Hearts - Charlemagne
Clubs -Alexander, the Great
Diamonds - Julius Caesar
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the
air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the
air theperson died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the
horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John
Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but
the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes.
When you pulled on the ropes, the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer
to sleep on. Hence the phrase "goodnight, sleep tight."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month
after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all
the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar
was lunar based, this period was called the honey month ...which we know today
as the honeymoon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts. So in old England,
when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them "Mind your pints
and quarts, and settle down." It's where we get the phrase "mind your
P's and Q's"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the
rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they
used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the phrase
inspired by
this practice.
~~~~~~~~~~~AND FINALLY~~~~~~~~~~~~
At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow.
-30-
|
