UPDATES ARCHIVE FOR NOVEMBER 2007
HOME PAGE	KLEINER'S KORNER FOR WEEK OF NOVEMBER 19, 2007 “’Tis Thanksgiving week, a traditional North American holiday to give thanks at the conclusion of the harvest season,… celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States,” quoting Wikipedia. link here We have so much in our midst for which to be thankful, as a little girl captured so brilliantly in her diary during WWII. This story out last week reminds us of the bounty all around us: “The chestnut tree that comforted Anne Frank while she hid from the Nazis during World War II will be cut down Nov. 21 because it is too diseased to be saved, the city said Tuesday [Nov. 13]... The Jewish teenager made several references to the tree in the diary that she kept during the 25 months she remained indoors until the family was arrested by the Nazis in August 1944... ‘Nearly every morning I go to the attic to blow the stuffy air out of my lungs,’ she wrote on Feb. 23, 1944. ‘From my favorite spot on the floor I look up at the blue sky and the bare chestnut tree, on whose branches little raindrops shine, appearing like silver, and at the seagulls and other birds as they glide on the wind. As long as this exists, ... and I may live to see it, this sunshine, the cloudless skies — while this lasts I cannot be unhappy,’” quoting the AP. link here HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 1. KLEINERS KORNER GETS MAIL A lot of mail came in last week on several stories A. By far and away the most mail was about an item under Ramtha Student News for misidentifying 4 Paws as the NVN’s Best of the Nisqually Valley Winner in the Pet Grooming Category. The winner was Mindy’s Paws and Claws Pet Salon. 4 Paws actually received third place. My apologies to both. B. The second most mail was in response to the Mammogram story and most were like this one, “Thermograms are the way to go for diagnosis--NOT mammograms. There is tons of info out there. Much MORE accurate and safer.” This is an excellent article from the International Journal of Health Services: Danger and Unreliability of Mammography: link here Here is a great article on thermography: link here AND: “This website does a great job at informing us why they should not be routinely used and the abuses being put forth by the Cancer societies for recommending this.” link here C. On the levitation video from NBC in Washington, DC in the Oct. 29th KK, “The "stick" that he holds onto is attached to a seat that he's sitting on. Note that it doesn't really show you the stick against the ground - there's a carpet over a plate that supports the "stick" - and because he's wearing the traditional dhoti, there's enough fabric to hang over and cover the seat. They've got it fixed so that no one can get close enough to actually look up under.” Thanks to all of you that wrote!. 2. INTERESTING VOLCANO NEWS OUT LAST WEEK A. “MAGMA PUSHING UP GROUND IN YELLOWSTONE” “Yellowstone National Park, once the site of a giant volcano, has begun swelling up, possibly because molten rock is accumulating beneath the surface, scientists report.” But, “there is no evidence of an imminent volcanic eruption," said Robert B. Smith, a professor of geophysics at the University of Utah… Smith and colleagues report in Friday's [Nov. 9] issue of the journal Science that the flow of the ancient Yellowstone crater has been moving upward almost 3 inches per year for the past three years. That is more than three times faster than ever observed since such measurements began in 1923, the researchers said,” quoting the AP. link here And, this from National Geographic: link here More on Superb. volcanoes: link here B. “VOLCANOES COULD HAVE CAUSED DINOSAUR DEATHS” "Instead of being driven to extinction by death from above, dinosaurs might have ultimately been doomed by death from below in the form of monumental volcanic eruptions. The suggestion is based on new research that is part of a growing body of evidence indicating a space rock alone did not wipe out the giant reptiles… Both an impact from space and volcanic eruptions would have injected vast clouds of dust and other emissions into the sky, dramatically altering global climate and triggering die-offs," quoting Live Science. link here [Ramtha has predicted for years the Long Valley Caldera & Yellowstone are super volcanoes that, when they erupt, could create a nuclear winter where little sunlight would get through to grow plants, changing life on this planet.] link here . 3. COULD WE LIVE FOREVER? OR EVEN COME CLOSE? “Consider how life expectancy has increased over the last two centuries. An average man born in 1800 had a life expectancy of 35 years. In 1900, he would have made it all the way to 47. By 1950, average life expectancy was up to 68 years, and now it’s up to 78... In San Francisco, Professor Cynthia Kenyon is conducting experiments on microscopic worms. Their usual life span is little more than 13 days, but she has been able to get some to live as long as six times that by altering one specific gene….Kenyon believes her work shows that the rate of aging is not fixed. Rather, it can be slowed dramatically,” quoting CBS News Sunday Morning. link here . 4. “AMERICA’S WALKING” Quoting PBS :“Host Mark Fenton highlights great walking destinations across the country, provides advice on food and nutrition, presents tips on the best fitness apparel, and features the inspirational stories of individuals who have seen their lives transformed by simply walking. Plus, walking doesn't just make us healthier; it also gets us in touch with our own communities and environment. That's why America's Walking offers viewers ideas on making our neighborhoods safer and more pedestrian-friendly." link here . 5. "PARENTS FACE JAIL FOR NOT VACCINATING THEIR KIDS" NO, NOT IN RUSSIA, IN THE USA! "Scores of grumbling parents facing a threat of jail lined up at a courthouse Saturday to either prove that their school-age kids already had their required vaccinations or see that the youngsters submitted to the needle. The get-tough policy in the Washington suburbs of Prince George’s County [MD.] was one of the strongest efforts made by any U.S. school system to ensure its youngsters receive their required immunizations... Any children who still lack immunizations could be expelled. Their parents could then be brought up on truancy charges, which can result in a 10-day jail sentence for a first offense and 30 days for a second," quoting the AP. [Ed. Note: Yikes! Stay tuned, for surely more of this is coming from other school districts from around the country. Can you imagine living in a country that jails parents for not immunizing their children? What happened to the freedom of parental choice? Parents not conforming with THE SYSTEM and they are jailed for truancy? This is sad news. I remember hearing when I was growing up of a country where the government demanded parents to subscribe to the state's objectives on the care of their children or be jailed. The USA thought that was deplorable then. That country was the then-called U. S. S. R.] link here . 6. “A PRACTICAL, LIFE-SUSTAINING WATER FILTER” “People caught in a disaster-devastated area always need clean water. By clean we mean without bacteria--the little unseen critters that make people sick with diseases like Cholera. Without it, they cannot maintain their health and strength and they cannot begin recovery. Ron Mathis and the Texas Baptist Men's Water Ministry, the group Ron chairs, are very aware of the importance of potable water. They travel to impoverished or war-torn parts of the world and into places wrecked by natural disasters. To provide clean, drinkable water to these areas, the Texas Baptist Men initiated the development of a practical, inexpensive, but very effective, ceramic water filter. They call it the "Just Water, Ceramic Drip-Filter." Ron described it as, "A ceramic, half-micron water filter. The micron removes water-borne bacterium. The inside of the filter is loaded with different media or ingredients, such as man-made carbons, mother nature carbons and man-made resins. Those different resins and carbons remove the different contaminants in the water,” quoting Monolithic Dome Institute. link here . 7. COLOMBIA HIT BY AMAZING HAILSTORM “Colombia's capital of Bogotá was hit by an unusually strong hailstorm that also caused flooding. The storm hit Saturday, November 3. You gotta see this CNN video: link here . 8. SURPRISING ARCTIC DISCOVERIES IN RECENT DAYS A. HUMPBACK WHALES SPOTTED IN ALASKA’S VERY FAR NORTH “Endangered humpback whales swam into the Beaufort Sea off Alaska's northern coast this summer, far beyond their usual range, but federal officials monitoring the waters say it's too soon to determine whether it's a trend or an anomaly. Environmental groups say the presence of humpbacks hundreds of miles north of their usual habitat likely is another sign of the effects of global warming and the shifting Arctic ecosystem,” quoting the AP. link here B. “NASA SEES ARCTIC OCEAN CIRCULATION DO AN ABOUT-FACE” “A team of NASA and university scientists has detected an ongoing reversal in Arctic Ocean circulation triggered by atmospheric circulation changes that vary on decade-long time scales. The results suggest not all the large changes seen in Arctic climate in recent years are a result of long-term trends associated with global warming… Reporting in Geophysical Research Letters, the authors attribute the reversal to a weakened Arctic Oscillation, a major atmospheric circulation pattern in the northern hemisphere. The weakening reduced the salinity of the upper ocean near the North Pole, decreasing its weight and changing its circulation,” quoting the NASA News Archive. [Ed. Note: Reduced salinity because of melting ice in the Atlantic Ocean will eventually stop the Atlantic conveyor currents and Europe will freeze, I heard JZ & Ramtha to say, which has been supported by scientific reports listed on previous Korners.] link here . 9. “STORE-BOUGHT FRESH WATER FISH CONTAIN ELEVATED LEVELS OF MERCURY…” “White bass wild-caught and sold commercially contained significantly higher levels of mercury, arsenic and selenium than fish caught near former industrial areas. The University of Pittsburgh study showed mercury levels were 2.2 to 4.8 times higher in fish caught in the Canadian Lake Erie and available commercially than in fish caught near former iron and steel mills on the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers in Pittsburgh. While several of these mills have been closed for many years, the nearby rivers continue to contain high levels of pollution from sewer overflows and active industrial operations,” quoting Science Daily. link here . 10. “FISH LIVES FOR MONTHS OUT OF WATER” “A tropical fish that lives in mangrove swamps across the Americas can survive out of water for months at a time, similar to how animals adapted to land millions of years ago, a new study shows,” quoting Reuters. link here . 11. “JAPANESE PROBE TAKES HDTV IMAGES OF EARTH FROM MOON” From FOX News: “A Japanese moon probe has replicated the famous Apollo-era "Earth-rise" photograph with modern high-definition imaging. The Kaguya spacecraft, also called Selene, has been orbiting 62 miles (100 kilometers) above the moon since Oct. 18. Released Tuesday [Nov. 13], it is a still shot taken from video made by the craft's high-definition television (HDTV) for space. link here . 12. NEW FROM THE POLITICAL ARENA A. SALT LAKE CITY MAYOR’S POWERFUL ADDRESS TO BUSH/CHENEY: “Salt Lake City Mayor Ross C. “Rocky” Anderson says: ‘Today, as we come together once again in this great city, we raise our voices in unison to say to President Bush, to Vice President Cheney, to other members of the Bush administration (past and present), to a majority of Congress, including Utah’s entire congressional delegation, and to much of the mainstream media: 'You have failed us miserably and we won’t take it any more,'" quoting Truthout on October 27. link here B. REPORT: FORECLOSURES ATTRACT VANDALISM AND CRIME “Property values and tax revenues will decline most sharply, the center said, in neighborhoods with lots of minority residents, who received a disproportionate share of such mortgages. The report's authors asserted that foreclosures have a negative effect on surrounding properties, raising the risk of fire and vandalism,” quoting the AP. link here C. FABULOUS THOUGHT-PROVOKING MOVIE ABOUT IRAQ WAR SEEN FROM 3 POINTS OF VIEW Lions for Lambs is a “must-see” with the fantastic talents of Redford, Cruise, & Streep. If you want to see the Iraq War from another viewpoint that will make you pause and think: link here D. RON PAUL GAINS GROUND “On December 16, 2007, help celebrate the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party by donating $100 to Ron Paul. Our last money bomb raised $4.3 million and got lots of media attention.” link here E. "...EPIDEMIC OF SUICIDES AMONG...ARMY VETERANS" "More American military veterans have been committing suicide than US soldiers have been dying in Iraq, it was claimed yesterday [Nov. 14]," quoting UK's The Times. link here . RAMTHA STUDENT NEWS A. Suzanne Wood has been commissioned to do the icons artwork for all of the Washington State Parks on their website. 80 are completed yet only 68 are currently on the site. Suzanne works with Susan Mayer, marketing manager for the parks. Congratulations to Suzanne & Susan, both RSE students! Check ‘em out here: link here B. Susan Rowe is a Democrats in Action Trustee and Chair of Madera County, California Democratic Central Committee. Susan is also a Delegate representing the 25th Assembly District Democratic Committee to the California Democratic State Central Committee, a local DFA Group Organizer and a DFA-Link Host. This year (2007) marks the fourth California Democratic Party Convention she has attended as a Delegate. Congratulations Susan! link here C. The Survival Center & Happy Hovel Foods are now selling long-term storage canned butter & cheese: link here And: link here D. Miceal Ledwith will be the guest on the Dr. Pat Show Nov. 21st at 6pm PST. link here E. Master Marshal Arts Instructor of the style known as Taekwondo and 4th degree Black Belt, Adrian Spellen is representing the country of Guyana. Below is information about him as he trained for the World Olympic Qualification tournament, in which he did qualify, and is on his way to the Pan American Games. link here And: link here Congratulations Adrian and we loved seeing you in Yelm last week! link here F. Check-out the Nov. Bleeping Herald: link here G. “I just wanted to send this ‘Thank you’ for all of the support that assisted in sending the CSE Jr. High class to Hawai’i to swim with the dolphins,” quoting Diane D’Acuti. link here H. Masters' Connection has a new feature in the Preparedness Blog called the Weekly Wisdom Forum, where readers can send in their questions about preparedness and 3 ‘experts’ will respond. link here . LOCAL NOTES Covered on last week’s Yelm Community Blog: A. Yelm Public Hearing on the Comp Plan Announced B. Windstorm knocks out Yelm’s power for 5+ hhours C. Sebastian’s classes and holiday ordering D. Guest Entry: Beekeeping Class Nov. 19 E. Introducing Yelm artisan’s works F. Yelm City Council rejects public input G. Yelm Co-op now offering organic fruits & vegetables H. Rep. Campbell urges MTSA tracking link here . QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Slight not what is near though aiming at what is far.” Euripides (480 BC-406 BC) Greek Playwright . Kleiner’s Korner is copyrighted by Stephen R. Klein, 2007. For archived issues of Kleiner’s Korner, click on "Current Kleiner’s Korner and Archives" at link here Send comments to steve@kleinerskorner.com. KLEINER'S KORNER FOR WEEK OF NOVEMBER 12, 2007 Veterans Day, 2007 in the USA: link here 1. “ARBORIST LOOKS TO CLONE CALIFORNIA REDWOODS” "'What does this tree's immune system have in it that it has survived when other trees haven't?' Milarch asked, leaning against a massive, shaggy trunk of a redwood he's dubbed ''Grandma.'' He estimates the tree is at least 800 years old,” quoting The New York Times. link here If you do not register with the NY Times, the complete story is accessed here: link here . 2. “TUT’S FACE REVEALED TO PUBLIC FOR FIRST TIME” “The face of King Tut was unshrouded in public for the first time on Sunday [Nov. 4] — 85 years after the 3,000-year-old boy pharaoh's golden enshrined tomb and mummy were discovered in Luxor's famed Valley of the Kings. Archaeologists removed the mummy from his stone sarcophagus in his underground tomb, momentarily pulling aside a white linen covering to reveal a shriveled leathery black face and body. The mummy of the 19-year-old pharaoh, whose life and death has captivated people for nearly a century, was placed in a climate-controlled glass box in the tomb, with only the face and feet showing under the linen covering," quoting the AP. link here . 3. “CLICK TO GIVE FREE MAMMOGRAMS” “Your click on the "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button helps fund free mammograms for women in need — low-income, inner-city and minority women whose awareness of breast cancer and opportunity for help is often limited. Your click is paid for by site sponsors, and mammogram funding is provided to clinics throughout the U.S. through the efforts of the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2007, 178,480 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,460 die. One woman in eight either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. In addition, 2,030 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 450 will die this year. If detected early, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer exceeds 96%. Mammograms are among the best early detection methods, yet 13 million U.S. women 40 years of age or older have never had a mammogram,” quoting the Breast Cancer site. link here . 4. “WHAT WE LEARNED FROM WASHOE THE CHIMP” “The Chicago Tribune's William Mullen says that ‘several notable primate researchers looked back at Washoe's accomplishments as an extraordinary breakthrough. Her life permanently changed the popular perception of animal intelligence, overturning long-held assumptions about differences between humans and other great apes, and presaging the genetic revolution that would reveal that humans and chimps biologically aren't separated by much,’” quoting Truthout. [Ed. Note: The Chimp Washoe died recently at age 42, and was said to be the first non-human to acquire human language. link here ] link here . 5. “THE IVORY WAR” “Central Africa. Elephants have been called nature's greatest living monument, and correspondent Scott Pelley goes to Chad to see the endangered elephant herds firsthand. He also spends time with park rangers, who are putting their lives on the line to protect the great herds. Pelley then lands a rare interview with poachers who slaughter these magnificent creatures just for their ivory tusks. Those tusks can be worth as much as $500 apiece and are known as "white gold" to poor Africans. The ivory sells for much more after it is shipped out to thriving markets, mostly in China, where it is turned into everything from chopsticks to fine art,” quoting CBS News 60 Minutes. link here . 6. “DON’T FLUSH LEFTOVER MEDS…” “Mixing cough syrup, Vicodin or Lipitor with cat litter is the new advice on getting rid of unused medications. Preferably used cat litter. It's a compromise, better for the environment than flushing — and one that renders dangerous medicines too yucky to try if children, pets or drug abusers stumble through the trash... Not a cat owner? Old coffee grounds work, or doggie doo, even sawdust. Just seal the meds and the, er, goop in a plastic bag before tossing in the trash... That's because antibiotics, hormones and other drugs are being found in waterways, raising worrisome questions about potential health and environmental effects. Already, studies have linked hormone exposure to fish abnormalities. Germs exposed to antibiotics in the environment may become more drug-resistant,” quoting the AP. link here . 7. “ELEVATED NITRIC OXIDE IN BLOOD IS KEY TO HIGH ALTITUDE FOR TIBETANS” “The answer for Tibetans who live at altitudes around 14,000 feet is increased nitric oxide (NO) levels. High levels of NO circulate in various forms in the blood and produce the physiological mechanisms that cause the increased blood flow that maintains oxygen delivery despite hypoxia--low levels of oxygen in the ambient air and the bloodstream,” quoting Science Daily. link here . 8. “EVIDENCE OF "MEMORY" IN CELLS AND MOLECULES” "Positive memory increases the likelihood of having two interactions in a row, which generates long strings of interactions," quoting Science Daily. [Ed. Note: I heard Ramtha to say that doing something three times is a habit and is hard-wired in the brain.] link here . 9. “HOW OLD TREE RINGS AND ANCIENT WOOD ARE HELPING REWRITE HISTORY” “By collecting thousands of years worth of overlapping tree rings, with each ring representing a tree's annual growth, the researchers have created long-term records in the eastern Mediterranean that allow them to precisely date such seminal milestones in history as when Hammurabi, "the law-giver," reigned, when the massive Santorini volcanic eruption occurred, and the timelines of the Bronze and Iron ages, as well as many more recent events,” quoting Science Daily. link here . 10. “SOUND TRAINING REWIRES DYSLEXIC CHILDREN’S BRAINS FOR READING” “The study found that sound training via computer exercises can literally rewire children's brains, correcting the sound processing problem and improving reading,” quoting Science Daily. link here . 11. AIRLINE MILES CAN BE DONATED TO A WORTHY CAUSE “Sometimes a child's health depends on receiving medical treatment far from home. For many families, transportation costs can seem overwhelming. That's why we created the KidCares medical travel program in 1999. With KidCares, donated WorldPerks^® miles are used to provide free air travel for a child, accompanied by one parent or guardian, to obtain needed medical treatment. If you have a child who requires medical treatment and needs air travel assistance, you should complete our application. Northwest will respond to your request within 2-3 weeks. The Northwest Airlines KidCares medical travel program provides air travel to children age 18 and younger who are unable to receive treatment in their home area. Availability of the program is based on donated WorldPerks miles…,” quoting Northwest Airlines. link here . 12. POLITICAL STORIES OF INTEREST: A. “PRIVATE CURRENCIES IN USA” “Did you know there are over 40 private currencies in use throughout the USA? Don’t feel bad, as this is a little know fact that is hardly ever publicized. However, private currencies used voluntarily as a means of exchange within networks or local communities are becoming more popular due to the benefits involved,” quoting United Cities. link here B. “WEB FINDS RON PAUL AND TAKES HIM FOR A RIDE” KK readers have known all about this very viable Presidential Candidate for months: link here . RAMTHA STUDENT NEWS A. This month's SuperConsciousness Magazine is out and packed with fabulous interviews & knowledge: link here B. CSE is having a fundraising event Friday, November 16th at 8:00 PM, as Bar Cinco is hosting a live concert featuring Croon Ella. Tickets are $20. Profits from this concert benefit the Playground & Recreation Fund. link here C. With Christmas right around the corner, this Dec. 17, 2000 spread by the Seattle Times on JZ Knight’s celebration & treasures of Christmas will warm everyone’s heart! link here D. Diane Dondero of Babes in Belts has announced their Preparedness Expo Tent at the Nisqually Valley Home, Garden & Trade Show in Yelm April 12-13, 2008, sponsored by the Yelm Chamber of Commerce. link here E. An introduction to Beekeeping given by Thomas Mani Monday, November 19 at 6:30pm at Gordon’s Grange. $10. Sign up by email at tmani@fairpoint.net or by phone (360) 894-6038 F. Every Fall, the Nisqually Valley News has a special section on what is voted the best in the Valley. RSE student businesses winning in 2007 are: Best Veterinarian - Dr. Ron Overlie - Rainier Best Grocery Clerk - Mitch Thiery of Safeway Best Real Estate Agent - Bo Foster - Signature Real Estate - Rainier Best Jeweler - Elie Jewelry Design - Yelm Congratulations to all of them. Support our local businesses! G. The video of powering vehicles from saltwater: link here H. JZ Knight will be interviewed on As You Wish hosted by James Gilliland on Saturday, November 17 at 8 PM. link here . LOCAL NOTES: A. Introducing “R U Ready?” B. Yelm library happenings next week C. Nisqually Watershed Meeting Nov. 16 D. Rainier’s Christenson announces candidacy E. City of Yelm seeks public to fill gaps on commissions F. Guest Entry: Babes in Belts on their Preparedness Expo 2008 G. Yelm Adult Community Center Sherrill retires H. Veterans Day remembrance link here . QUOTE OF THE WEEK The world stands aside to let anyone pass who knows where he is going. David Starr Jordan (1851-1931) US biologist, educator, & ichthyologist [zoology of fishes] . Kleiner’s Korner is copyrighted by Stephen R. Klein, 2007. For archived issues of Kleiner’s Korner, click on "Current Kleiner’s Korner and Archives" at link here Send comments to steve@kleinerskorner.com . KLEINER'S KORNER FOR WEEK OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007 Daylight Savings time ended in much of the USA on Sunday, November 4 at 2 am. link here Also, in answer to so many questions about Gold, this is a wonderful Q + A from Forbes Magazine: link here 1. “THE GHOSTS WE THINK WE SEE” “A Gallup poll found that only 7 percent of Americans do /not/ believe in telepathy, déjà vu, ghosts, past lives, or other supernatural phenomena, which may have more than a little to do with the soaring popularity of Halloween. Even eminent rationalists such as Alfred Russel Wallace, who discovered natural selection (prompting Darwin to speed up his own work), believed in ghosts, haunted houses, levitation, and clairvoyance. But "supernatural"—anything that cannot be explained by laws of physics or biology—also encompasses more mundane phenomena. It includes the belief that you can feel someone staring at you from behind, and that if you think about someone, he is more likely to phone you (this doesn't work for getting first dates to call you for a second, however). Far from being pathological, the ubiquity of such beliefs is actually a clue to how the normal mind works, cognitive scientists now realize, for belief in the supernatural arises from the same mental processes that underlie everyday reasoning and perception. Chief among those normal processes is our neurons' habit of filling in the blanks. The brain takes messy, incomplete input and turns it into a meaningful, complete picture. Visualize four Pac-Man-like black shapes arranged so that the wedge removed from each seems to form a corner of a white square. Neurons in the brain's visual regions, whose job is to fire when the eyes see a square's edges, do fire—even though there are no edges to see. The mind also sees patterns in random data, which is why the sky is speckled with bears and big dippers. This drive to perceive patterns—which is very useful in interpreting experimental data as well as understanding people's behavior—can also underlie such supernatural beliefs as seeing Jesus in the scorch marks and flecks of grain on a grilled-cheese sandwich. "If a stain looks like the Virgin Mary," says Hood, "then it is a divine sign and not a coincidence. If the wind in the cave sounds like a voice, then it is a voice." link here . 2. “HUMANS HARD-WIRED FOR OPTIMISM, STUDY FINDS" "Humans are hard-wired for optimism and think good things will happen to them in the future despite no evidence to support such expectations, according to a study by U.S. and British researchers. People expect to live longer and be healthier than average, underestimate their likelihood of getting a divorce and overestimate their prospects of career success, psychologists and neurologists from New York University and University College in London wrote in the latest issue of the periodical Nature. The optimism is wired into the brain, they wrote, which recalls past events in an effort to imagine the future. Certain portions of the brain — the amygdala and the rostral anterior cingulate cortex — showed increased activity in test subjects who had been asked to imagine future events," quoting the CBC. link here And, the AP report: link here . 3. “THIRD-WORLD WIND POWER: FIRST LOOK” Video: In a conventional wind generator, gears help transfer the motion of the spinning blades to a turbine where an electric current is induced. link here . 4. “COLONY COLLAPSE JEOPARDIZING BEEKEEPERS” “If you want to grow fruits, vegetables, or nuts in the United States on a commercial basis you have to have soil, sun, seeds, water, and honeybees -- millions and millions of honeybees brought in from all over the country to pollinate the crops. As correspondent Steve Kroft explains, honeybees are the unsung heroes of the food chain, crucial to the production of one third of the foods we eat. So when billions of bees began to mysteriously disappear last year, there was plenty of concern and no shortage of theories, blaming everything from cell phones to divine rapture. None of the usual explanations seemed to fit. Some of the nation's top scientists are trying to understand this phenomenon, but no one is more immersed in the mystery than the man who is widely credited with discovering it,” quoting this CBS 60 Minutes broadcast of October 28. link here . 5. "OUR DRINKABLE WATER SUPPLY IS VANISHING" Tara Lohan of AlterNet.org reports: "Thirty-five years since the passage of the Clean Water Act, we find ourselves teetering on the edge of a global crisis that is being exacerbated by climate change, which is shrinking glaciers and raising sea levels," quoting Truthout. link here AND: "Fluid Values: Battles Over Water Rights" Farmers are squeezed as the nation rethinks the purposes of a river. When rules about common resources change, who should pay? When our understanding of a river's "purposes" shifts, what happens to those left high and dry?" quoting this Water Rights Battles Article - Orion Magazine Nov-Dec 07. link here . 6. “MAPS OF WAR” "How has the geography of religion evolved over the centuries, and where has it sparked wars? Our map gives us a brief history of the world's most well-known religions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. Selected periods of inter-religious bloodshed are also highlighted. Want to see 5,000 years of religion in 90 seconds? Ready, Set, Go!" link here . 7. FROM AUSTRALIA: DISAPPOINTING CROP YIELD MAY LEAD TO TRANSPORT, FOOD PRICE INFLATION” From Australia’s The World Today radio program, “ELEANOR HALL: As climate change and the economy feature in the political debate, a new report today [Oct. 30] highlights the growing impact of the drought on the economy. According to the official crop and livestock forecaster, low rainfall and searing temperatures have cut a swathe through the major winter grain crops. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics has cut the combined estimate for wheat, barley and canola to just 18-million tonnes. That's 4-million tonnes less than it forecast just six-weeks ago, and it's about 42 per cent below the five year average.” link here FROM THE USA This same condition is as ominous in the USA, reports Christian Science Monitor from June, 2007: “Inflation in grocery aisles is up by more in the first six months of 2007 than in all of 2006. That means food costs are on track for the biggest annual percentage hike since 1980, according to the Labor Department. The anticipated 7.5 percent increase would readily outflank the 2.6 percent core inflation rate to date, which excludes food and energy. It's across every grocery aisle, too, from burgers to bagels, from duck to dumpling. Added to sticker shock at the gas pump, high food prices, especially for meat, are forcing consumers to scrimp, coupon-clip, and ponder the possibilities of a deep freeze to take advantage of discounts, says Boyd Brady, an extension agent at Auburn University in Alabama.” link here AND: From the AP on October 30 about the USA: “Shoppers are contending with a slew of problems: higher food and gas prices, a deepening housing slump and tighter credit, among them.” link here . 8. “FOOD AND CLIMATE: A COMPLICATED BUT OPTIMISTIC VIEW" “For the last 20 years, Cynthia Rosenzweig has been trying to answer a very big and very complicated question: How will Earth's warming climate affect humanity's ability to feed itself?” quoting NPR. link here More from NPR: “Here, a look at some of the most important questions about how climate change will affect food production.” link here . 9. “SEATTLE REPORTS MILESTONE IN CUTTING EMISSIONS” The Seattle Times reports, ”Seattle is one of the first major U.S. cities to claim it has cut greenhouse-gas emissions enough to meet the targets of the international Kyoto treaty aimed at combating global warming. The achievement, at a time when the city has enjoyed a boom in population and jobs, sets Seattle apart both from the nation as a whole and other cities that have seen greenhouse gases soar in recent years.” link here . 10. “BRAIN ACTIVITY DIFFERS FOR CREATIVE AND NONCREATIVE THINKERS” “A new study led by John Kounios, professor of Psychology at Drexel University and Mark Jung-Beeman of Northwestern University answers these questions by comparing the brain activity of creative and noncreative problem solvers. The study, published in the journal Neuropsychologia, reveals a distinct pattern of brain activity, even at rest, in people who tend to solve problems with a sudden creative insight -- an “Aha! Moment” – compared to people who tend to solve problems more methodically,” quoting ScienceDaily. link here . 11. "WILLPOWER WON'T: WHY WE WON'T DO WHAT'S GOOD FOR US?" This fabulous, thought-provoking question led Stanford University Magazine to several articles of interest in their Fall, 2007 edition, contributed by an Kleiner's Korner reader who is a Stanford Medical School grad. [Ed. Note: this writer loved the "Q & A with Richard Simmons" and learning about what he is doing now. And, check-out "Fields of plenty: Where not even farm workers escape the junk-food jungle" quoting "In America, the food doesn’t go away. It’s everywhere you look. On billboards, in TV ads, around every street corner. It’s available, it’s cheap, it’s endlessly advertised and calorie-laden. And for many immigrants, it’s a sign of success."] link here . 12. FROM THE POLITICAL SCENE A. OUR DEMOCRACY AT WORK This MySpace parody mocks how Congress passes our laws and hides everything from the public, yet is so close to the truth that this is worth the view: “Rep. John Haller (R-PA) introduces a bill that will allocate (classified) dollars over the next (classified) years to fight flesh-eating (classified).” link here B. RON PAUL IS GARNERING NATIONAL ATTENTION TO STOP SUCH CHICANERY link here AND: link here C. GEORGE CARLIN: WHO OWNS YOU AMERICA? Truth mixed with humor. Carlin tells it like it is. Don't watch if you're easily offended! link here D. WEEK CLOSED WITH GOLD & OIL AT NEW HIGHS, AND DOLLAR AT A NEW LOW "The dollar continued to fall ($1.45 to the Euro), pushing gold over $800 an ounce for the first time since January 1980. Crude oil closed at a record $95.80 a barrel in New York," quoting MSN's Money Central. link here . RAMTHA STUDENT NEWS A. Australian RSE students Roxene Cossill and Leonie Frangi have created the first of a series of three children's books called the Wonder Series. The first book is "A Story of Wonder is a new children's picture book that addresses the enormous curiosity that comes from the mind of a child. It is a simple yet thought provoking, interactive book for children that engages their imagination through the journey of wonder of a child's mind," quoting their website. Pre-orders now being taken. [Ed. Note: Congratulations to Leonie & Roxene!]. link here B. To view the recent CSE newsletters, click on the following links: link here And: link here To view the CSE Board of Trustees biographies, click on the following link: link here CSE is having a fundraising event Friday, November 16th at 8:00 PM, as Bar Cinco is hosting a live concert featuring Croon Ella. Tickets are $20. Profits from this concert benefit the Playground & Recreation Fund. link here C. Dr. Miceal Ledwith's new book The Orb Project and DVD The Phenomenon of Orbs are due out this week. Order yours here or stop by Yelm's JZ-Rose: link here And: link here If you are in the New York City area this week, stop in on Miceal's talk November 10th. link here D. JeanMarie Christenson has announced her candidacy for this area's Legislative District #2 Representative to Olympia. link here E. Janice Meador & Bill Gordon have created a preparedness website, Prepared Planet: link here Bill is a CPA and they are both looking at moving to Yelm soon. Bill and Janice share their preparedness site and Pinnacle Accounting Services, LLC as co-owwners. F. JZ Knight will be having her Q + A with the Follow-up on November 10, which will be Live Streamed to the Italy Follow-up and all current students worldwide. link here . LOCAL NOTES Covered last week on the Yelm Community blog A. Guest Entry: Bald Hills Fire Commissioner about the Levy B. County Commissioners’ Public Hearing moved to Dec. 4th C. Happy Halloween D. Who is Jeff Adams? E. “Graham prepares for storms” F. Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday in USA G. Puget Power sold H. South Sound temperatures rising link here . QUOTE OF THE WEEK “To expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect.” Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Anglo-Irish playwright & poet . Kleiner’s Korner is copyrighted by Stephen R. Klein, 2007. For archived issues of Kleiner’s Korner, click on "Current Kleiner’s Korner and Archives" at link here Send comments to steve@kleinerskorner.com .