GM Truck Recall. Star Spangled Banner by McGuire. Betty White. Humans Thrown Away. Kids Disrupting 911. Friending Fresh Air. 4-H And Monsanto. Recall Health Products. 50 Human Mysteries. GM Sells Historic Cars. Fosters Arrive.

 

For "Summary Saturday" or News, some new some old:

GM Recalling 370,000 Trucks For Fire Risk

The 2014 Silverado is one of two truck models under recall (GM).

DETROIT (AP) - "General Motors is recalling 370,000 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups from the 2014 model year to fix software that could cause the exhaust components to overheat and start a fire.
The recall includes 303,000 trucks in the U.S. and 67,000 in Canada and Mexico. All of the trucks involved have 4.3-liter or 5.3-liter engines.
GM said eight fires have been reported, but no injuries. One garage was damaged, the company said. All of the incidents occurred in cold weather.
The company is asking customers not to leave their trucks idling unattended."  More at: http://autos.aol.com/article/gmc-sierra-chevy-silverado-recall/

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Jesse McGuire blows the roof off stadium with national anthem performance

"Who was that trumpet player giving fans goosebumps at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday before the Carolina Panthers faced the San Francisco 49ers? Jesse McGuire

McGuire is from Ann Arbor, Mich., and began playing trumpet when he was 9 years old, according to his biography.

He is an author and jazz and gospel music expert. He has toured and recorded with Tower of Power, Wynton Marsalis, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Elton John, Seal and numerous other musicians and singers.

Here’s a clip of Sunday’s performance of the Star Spangled Banner by McGuire, in case you missed it or want to hear it again."

From: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/01/13/4608392/jesse-mcguire-blows-the-roof-off.html

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Many happy returns of the day, Betty!

"Happy birthday, Betty White! Our favorite TV funny lady turned 92 yesterday and she's showing no signs of slowing down!    She loves animals.  Here's a title we bet you didn't know Betty had. She's been made an honorary park ranger by the U.S. Forest Service and has worked tirelessly for animal rights." More at:  10 Things We Love About Betty White On Her 92nd Birthday

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Pope says abortion evidence of 'throwaway culture'

VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Francis has criticized abortion as evidence of a "throwaway culture" that wastes people as well as food.

In the annual speech on world crises, Francis cited abortion and said: "Unfortunately what is thrown away is not only food and dispensable objects but often human beings themselves, who are discarded as unnecessary."  More at: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/pope-abortion-evidence-throwaway-culture-21510890

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Kids + Old Cell Phones = Problem

"Old Cell Phones Disrupting 911 Services

It has become common for parents to pass down their old cell phones that are no longer in service to their children for recreational use. Often smart phones are used by kids to play games/listen to music and parents don’t mind because the phone is no longer valid.

The Cleveland Police Department wants parents to know that even though these phones do not have service, they are still able to contact 911 as long as the phone has power."  More at: http://montgomerycountypolicereporter.com/kids-oldnon-working-cell-phones-problem-for-policefireems/

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Connecting Kids to Nature in the Digital Age

NWF Report: Friending Fresh Air:  Bridge the Indoor/Outdoor Gap with Tech

"So how do parents balance the role of technology in their kids’ lives with the simple pleasures and lasting benefits of outdoor play? Better yet, how do they use technology to get kids moving, exploring and interacting with the outdoor world around them?

Be Out There takes an in-depth look at how to balance screen time with green time in the report, Friending Fresh Air: Connecting Kids to Nature in the Digital Age. Here, we offer insight on how to use technology you already love and still connect your kids to nature."  More at: http://www.nwf.org/Be-Out-There/Why-Be-Out-There/Balancing-Technology.aspx

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Is Monsanto Using 4-H to Brainwash Your Children About GMOs?

"Monsanto is boasting its partnership with 4-H Youth Development Organization, the country’s largest and most influential youth organization with more than 6.8 million members in 80 countries worldwide.

According to the annual reports, 4-H is receiving funding from Monsanto, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Cargill, DuPont, United Soybean Board, Coca-Cola, and Pfizer.

Monsanto has been hijacking society at every turn, including government institutions, colleges and universities, media agencies, and so-called representatives of “science”.

Monsanto recently attempted to brainwash young children with a 16-page book called “Biotechnology Basics Activity Book” full of colorful pages and cartoon characters touting the “benefits” of GMOs.

If your child is involved with 4-H, please monitor the messages he or she is getting, rather than making assumptions that they are based in truth."  Complete article and video at: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/31/monsanto-4-h-programs.aspx

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Recall: A number of natural health products potentially contaminated with chloramphenicol may pose serious health risks to consumers in Canada.

"The only products Health Canada is currently aware of potentially being contaminated are products used as digestive and menopausal aids. Health Canada is working with Specialty Enzymes & Biotechnologies and its Canadians customers to confirm affected products and will continue to provide updates to Canadians as warranted."  More at: http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2013/36355a-eng.php

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50 Human Mysteries

"The Human Body is a treasure trove of mysteries, one that still confounds doctors and scientists about the details of its working. It's not an overstatement to say that every part of your body is a miracle.  Here are fifty facts about your body, some of which will leave you stunned...or..." Read about all 50 at: http://themishmoshblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/50-human-body-mysteries.html

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On This Day:

GM auctions off historic cars, Jan 18, 2009:

"January 18, 2009, marks the final day of a weeklong auction in which auto giant General Motors (GM) sells off historic cars from its Heritage Collection. GM sold around 200 vehicles at the Scottsdale, Arizona, auction, including a 1996 Buick Blackhawk concept car for $522,500, a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1 COPO Coupe for $319,000 and a 1959 Chevrolet Corvette convertible for $220,000. Other items included a 1998 Cadillac Brougham, which was built for the pope. (That vehicle was blessed by the pope but never used because of safety issues; it sold for more than $57,000.) Most were preproduction, development, concept or prototype cars.

Rumors spread that the financially troubled GM was selling off its entire fleet of historic vehicles, but that was not the case. As The New York Times reported shortly after the January auction: "Much has been made of the timing of the sale coinciding with G.M.'s current situation, but G.M. is simply doing the same thing that many large-scale collectors and museums regularly do in culling certain pieces from their collections. This was hardly a wholesale dumping of G.M.'s heritage.""

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Yesterday:

After a lot of emails, and being 'on hold' to talk to a rep at Amana Corp., I finally bit the bullet and ordered one 220v. window heat/AC unit.   When we have tried that one out, to make sure that the fan goes off when the desired temperature has been reached in Heat mode, I will order the second one for the guest house.

This means that I have a big credit at Home Depot, so as Jay is not in the mood to work right now, I might use it for a green house.

Then a lot more emails with pictures, to determine which kittens I would foster for the foster mom who is overloaded right now.  She is just not feeling well, so at least I can help by keeping four in my grooming room, as I have the facilities. 

For the church potluck, I steamed some yellow cauliflower, zucchini, carrots, celery, garlic and Roseval potatoes.  But I decided not to include the Roseval potatoes as they have red streaks in them, and the diners might think that there is something wrong with them.

Our SPCA boss, Kenya, went over to the kitten's house to examine, and vaccinate them, so they could be here in the same house as my other fosters who are all ready to be adopted.  Even though they will be kept apart from my other foster cats.  I have to say cats, plural, as Peekers might come back from the Habitat at the end of the month.  She did switch out one, and so I have a silver instead of a tabby named "Charlotte", who has something wrong with one eye. 

So I have "Tulip", and "Pansy" who are fluffy calicos, "Estelle" is white with a black back and head, and "Silverbelle" is, well.. a silver.

I was already bathed and dressed for bed when she called to say that they were on their way.  So it was a mad scramble to get dressed again, turn up the heat in the Grooming Room, and fill up their water bowls and litter boxes. I am so glad that Ray and I got everything else ready the other day.