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Memorial Day -- 2014
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Nero at Daycare -- 05/27/14
It's kind of hot today in Iowa City. Not as hot as it will get, but pretty hot anyway -- especially if you are a furry dog. Fortunately, Lucky Pawz filled up their swimming pool.
In other words, Nero is all wet! Check this out:
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In other words, Nero is all wet! Check this out:
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U.S. Census Bureau to Count Gay Married Families as Actual Families
The Census Bureau, which struggles to keep up with the rapid changes in American life, is about to start categorizing same-sex married couples as families.Up until now, gay families like mine have been reporting our family data to the Census Bureau and they have been segregating our family data apart from heterosexual families.
The 2013 American Community Survey results, which will be reported in September, will mark the first time the census integrates an estimated 180,000 same-sex married couples with statistics concerning the nation’s 56 million families. Until now, they had been categorized as unmarried partners, even when couples reported themselves as spouses.
Because of the large disparity between the number of gay and straight married households, combining the two is not expected to have a significant effect on the statistics that scholars and planners use to analyze how families are changing. Its significance is largely symbolic of the growing acceptance of gays in American society. “I think the American public already thinks same-sex married couples are families, and the Census Bureau is just catching up with public opinion,” said Andrew J. Cherlin, a sociologist at Johns Hopkins University who studies families.
Starting in 2016, Americans will be offered four separate family options for the Census: opposite-sex spouses, opposite-sex unmarried partners, same-sex spouses, or same-sex partners. People will also be able to identify if they are in civil unions or domestic partnerships.
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TrekFest 2014: Generations! // Guest-Starring Martok & Gowron!!
TrekFest XXX's theme is "Generations." It is scheduled this year for June 27-28, 2014.
Here is a schedule of some of the highlights from this year's TrekFest:
Friday, June 27. 2014
6:30 PM -- Kids Parade with the theme "Generations"!
7:00 PM -- Pet Show! Big & Small Pets Welcome!
7:00 PM -- Star Trek Trivia!! at the Railroad Park Pavilion
7:30 PM -- Demolition Derby!! $10 admission for adults and free to children ages 12 and under!
7:30 PM -- Lawn Mower Demo Derby!!
9:00 PM -- Sky-Watching with the Cedar Amateur Astronomers, Inc. behind the Riverside Elementary School.
Saturday, June 28, 2014
8:00 AM -- Volleyball Tournament. This is a team event and pre-registration/payment of entry fee is required.
10:00 AM -- Parade with the theme "Generations"!
12:00 PM -- Federation Games
1:00 PM -- Costume Contest
1:00 PM -- Lone Tree Garden Tractor Pullers
2:30 PM -- The Bill Riley State Fair Talent Show located at the Main Stage at Hall Park.
3:00 PM -- Golf Cart Rodeo located at the Main Stage at Hall Park.
10:00 PM -- Fireworks located at Hall Park.
There are several bands scheduled throughout the weekend, but there is also one last big event that sounds really cool:
4:00 PM on 06/28/14 -- Meet and Greet the Stars!!! This will take place at the Riverside City Hall. There is limited seating and it is $30 per person. This year will feature two stars from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: JG Hertzler (AKA General Martok) and Robert O'Reilly (AKA Chancellor Gowron)!!!
Additionally, one ticket holder will receive a Klingon makeup makeover by professional makeup artist John Paladin!!
Sadly, I will be unable to attend this year's Trek Fest due to another obligation -- but I highly recommend that others attend. Those DS9 actors are nothing but great!
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Iowa City Woman to Compete on "Let's Make a Deal" // Updated: Iowa City Woman Wins Car on "Let's Make a Deal!"
I don't get to watch this program often because of work conflicts, but I've really enjoyed both incarnations of this game show. Audience members show up wearing crazy costumes and compete to win money and prizes by choosing the right curtain or box. You might win a car, but you are just as likely to win an angora goat! The first incarnation of the game show was hosted by Monty Hall, but the current incarnation has been hosted by Wayne Brady.
Ms. Willberg's appearance on "Let's Make a Deal" will be broadcast on CBS on Wednesday, May 28, 2014. Hopefully she will win big!
Updated on 05/28/14: We learned more about this experience. Turns out that Lauren and Lee Willberg of Iowa City did indeed win big today on "Let's Make a Deal"! Lauren was the second audience member who got to play and she ended up winning a white 2014 Volkswagen Jetta.
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Johnson County Board of Supervisors Approved "Pride Month 2014" Proclamation
PROCLAMATION
PRIDE MONTH
JUNE 2014
WHEREAS, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people across the nation celebrate pride in their culture and community in the month of June; and
WHEREAS, the whole community is strengthened and enhanced through the contributions of all its diverse citizens; and
WHEREAS, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people in Johnson County will celebrate Pride Month in June with a parade and festival on June 21, 2014.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, do hereby proclaim the month of June 2014 to be:
PRIDE MONTH
and encourage Johnson County residents to recognize the many contributions that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals and communities have made to our County.
But the important part is that the Pride Month Proclamation was approved by the Johnson County Board of Supervisors and at least one Board representative will publicly read it next month at our local Pride celebration.
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American Family Association: Boycott Harvey Milk Stamps!
The American Family Association is not happy about the Harvey Milk stamp, claiming that he was drug addict and a sexual predator who should never have been given a stamp. Because of this, they want you to boycott this stamp -- and any letter attached to this stamp!:
Unfortunately, the deed is done. The United States Postal Service honored a child predator at the whim of a drag queen...I love how they assume that gay people like me are going to rush out to every local business to ensure that they are purchasing Harvey Milk stamps -- like I have nothing better to worry about!
Furthermore, the radical homosexual lobby will undoubtedly encourage businesses to use these stamps - all in the name of inclusiveness, political correctness and diversity. This is not diversity; this is perversity.
What you can do…
1. Refuse to accept the Harvey Milk stamp if offered by your local post office. Instead, ask for a stamp of the United States flag.
2. Refuse to accept mail at your home or business if it is postmarked with the Harvey Milk stamp. Simply write 'Return to Sender" on the envelope and tell your postman you won't accept it.
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Iowa City Man to Compete on "The Price is Right" // Did He Win or Did He Not?? Update Posted Below!
(Originally written on 05/28/14): The Press-Citizen reported today that an Iowa City man named Chase Brower recently competed on CBS'"The Price is Right" game show while away at a bachelor party vacation in Hollywood. He got called from the audience to compete:
Updated on 05/30/14: I don't usually get to watch daytime television due to work, so I missed this episode of "The Price is Right." But I was hoping to provide an update to this story. Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything in the local media. So I reached out to the Press-Citizen on Twitter and learned that Chase Brower unfortunately did not win a prize:
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So there you have it. He didn't win any prizes, but he won a once in a lifetime experience!
"It was crazy," he said. "It was just so overwhelmingly amazing. I've never felt that much … I can't quite describe …. Everyone is rooting for everyone, regardless if you knew the people or not. People were just ecstatic being on the show, cheering for strangers."Brower cannot reveal if or what prizes he won until after the game airs tomorrow morning. Good luck!
Brower said when he was chosen as a contestant, he stood there in disbelief. "I just kind of stood there, like, are you kidding me?" he said. "I turned to my buddies and started going nuts and jumped on my buddies."
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Iowa's Gov. Branstad Signs "Cannabis Oil" Bill into Law
Gov. Branstad finally signed that bill into law yesterday:
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has signed into law a bill that legalizes the use of cannabis oil to treat severe epilepsy... The cannabis bill is a victory for mothers of children with epilepsy who persistently lobbied lawmakers.There is one major drawback to our new "cannabis oil" law. It's not legal to produce or sell it in Iowa. So Iowans who need it will be required to travel out of state to obtain it. I'm not sure if it's legal to mail it in from another state. Still, it's a step in the right direction!
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The Dawn of X Begins in MEGA MAN #37
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Meanwhile, there appear to be four main players in this story:
X: X is the first of a future line of living robots, also known as Reploids. Since being activated by Dr. Cain, X has been struggling to find his way in the world. So far, we have seen Arcadia City rocked by robotic attacks on human by Maverick Reploids. But MEGA MAN #37 introduces an extra challenge by anti-robot human terrorists known as the Emerald Spears. They are doing their best to get humanity to reject the robots around them:
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Mega Man: The present-day adventures of Mega Man begin in the Badlands, where Mega Man and two Robot Master allies (Pharaoh Man and Bright Man) checking out one of Dr. Wily's secret laboratories looking for a host of evil Robot Masters who stole some powerful technology last issue (here for more information). The lab is supposed to be devoid of active security devices, but we quickly discover that this isn't the case. Fortunately, Dr. Wily is back at Light Labs remotely directing them around his traps. In theory, anyway...
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Dr. Wily: Speaking of the reformed robot engineer, one has got to wonder why fewer people aren't questioning his role in last issue's Robot Master attack? I know they've bought into the idea that he was mind-controlled by Ra Moon, but he's always been a selfish, unstable fellow. You would think that they'd keep him on a shorter leash. Instead, they are deferring to him to keep Mega Man & Friends safe from harm.
Xander Payne: Meanwhile, we learn that present-day Emerald Spear terrorist Xander Payne has infiltrated the Chronos Institute. He has a time-traveling scheme to halt the "robot revolution" before it begins. He uses the technology at the Chronos Institute to jump into the time-stream, implying that he's traveling backwards in time. Which is confusing since this crossover will have Mega Man meet X one hundred years from now. But I'm sure it will all make sense eventually!
The issue ends with a battle between Mega Man and a giant Wily Walker robot. This thing is tough and loaded with all sorts of nasty weapons. Things really aren't looking good for our Mega Man -- both in the present and in the future.
The issue ends with X intersecting with the remains of this battle. Once again, it's not looking good for Mega Man. Then again, we know that he has at least three additional issues in this comic book series, so chances are that he will survive one way or the other!
"Secrets in the Deep" is written by Ian Flynn, penciled by Jamal Peppers, and inked by Gary Martin.
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Nero Launches His First Solo Album!
I learned recently that Nero has been sneaking out of the house and working with the Ralfi Chingas on his first solo album! My friend Donny (AKA Stuffed Animal) managed to capture this musical milestone with his artwork and sent me the results earlier today.
I first learned of this music project last week when Donny sent me the following email:
Check out this pics:
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In case you missed it in that final pic, there has been a lot of speculation -- mostly by corrupt music mogul Jason Blossom -- about whether Nero sings his own music or if it's really me?? I can assure each and every one of you that the warbling voice singing on Nero's new CD is definitely not me!
Thanks again, Stuffed Animal!
I first learned of this music project last week when Donny sent me the following email:
If Nero seems a bit more excited lately, it's because he's looking forward to his first solo album!!! His cartoon alter ego is in New Orleans right now. Nero specifically asked to record at Spanish Eddie's, because there's a lounge that Eddie always keeps well-stocked with Bar-B-Que dog biscuits. Besides that, it's just a bitchin' studio!
As you know, The Bettys are playing the background music. Betty, Ralfi and Jonniemae (who plays lead guitar in The Bettys) wrote the Disco arrangements, and Sabrina has a magic touch with the vocal arrangements (literally)! Midge Mercury is kicking serious ass on Latin percussion. Ralfi Chingas is producing, of course, and conducting the horn section. Just wait until you hear the songs Nero chose! Here are some of the mad groovy lyrics he's been singing:Is the poverty bringing you down?Is the mailman jerking you 'round?Did he put your million dollar checkIn someone else's box?
If those lyrics look familiar, that's because Nero is all about Prince in his debut album. The reasoning -- I'm assuming -- is two-fold. First, Nero really likes the musician who once gave up his name for a symbol. And secondly, Nero's own birth dad was named Prince. As Nero just told me, "My music is my roots." It's all full circle for our favorite poodle!What's the matter with your world?
Was it a boy when you wanted a girl?
Your straight hair ain't got no curl?
Life just ain't real funky
Unless it's got that popDig it!
Pop life
Everybody needs a thrill
Pop life!
We all got a space to fill
Pop life!
Everybody can't be on top
But life just ain't real funky
Unless it's got that pop
Dig it!Who says Disco lyrics aren't about anything? Nero refuses to sing dumb lyrics; he's a progressive pooch!
Check out this pics:
In case you missed it in that final pic, there has been a lot of speculation -- mostly by corrupt music mogul Jason Blossom -- about whether Nero sings his own music or if it's really me?? I can assure each and every one of you that the warbling voice singing on Nero's new CD is definitely not me!
Thanks again, Stuffed Animal!
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Illinois is an Official Marriage Equality State!
As I've tallied the number of marriage equality states, I've been including Illinois in that number. However unless you had some hardship situation (like a terminal illness) and went before a judge, you could not get married in Illinois if you were part of a same-sex couple.
Until today...
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Effective today, Illinois is an official marriage equality state!
Congratulations!
Until today...
Effective today, Illinois is an official marriage equality state!
Congratulations!
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Rumor: "Fantastic Four" Comic Book Going on Hiatus as Snub to Fox Movie Studios
The "X-Men" movies are also produced by Fox Studios, but the comic books related to these characters make a huge amount of money for Marvel Comics. So, the rumor goes, Marvel Comics is willing to keep those titles in place, but with greatly reduced internal promotion -- and often in tandem with the publishers Avengers titles.
Part of the rumor is that artists have been specifically told not to include any Fantastic Four characters in their Marvel 75th Anniversary sketch card submissions. Check this out:
Once again, this is a rumor -- but it is a rumor that's gaining traction in the more traditional comic book news websites (here). I will post more if/when I learn more.
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Melissa Etheridge Marries
Singer Melissa Etheridge married actress/producer Linda Wallem over the weekend at San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, CA. Lots of stars showed up to wish the women well in their new life together:
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Let's hope this marriage turns out better than that marriage.
Let's hope this marriage turns out better than that marriage.
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Neighbor Pulls Gun on Father While Teaching his Daughter to Ride a Bike
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According to the arrest complaint, 61-year-old Gary Drake began making comments about the father’s tactics May 25 as he taught the girl to ride on the cul-de-sac they shared. The father told his neighbor, “I’ve got it,” which apparently angered the older man.Drake admitted to the police that he had been drinking alcohol on the day of his arrest. He also told the police, "Maybe next time I should have shot him."
“If you don’t like my advice, get off my street,” Drake told the man, who reminded his neighbor he didn’t own the street. This apparently angered Drake even more, and police said he went inside to retrieve a Remington 870 shotgun.
He came back with the weapon and threatened to kill the father, but Drake’s wife came outside, pulled the gun away from him, and physically dragged her husband back inside.
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Neighbor Shoots at Man and Son While They Were Planting Corn
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According to FOX 9, a 40-year-old man and his 11-year-old son were in a tractor on their Camden Township farm last Friday when both of the glass windows suddenly shattered.Walsh has been charged with 1st- and 2nd-degree attempted murder.
51-year-old Kenneth Allen Walsh was arrested shortly after, KARE 11 reports, and told police he was upset with his neighbors and fired more than one shot at them from a position inside his home.
According to the Chanhassen Villager, the Sheriff’s Office says “Walsh admitted he used a scoped rifle and could see the victim in the scope cross-hairs. He also acknowledged firing more than once from a position inside his residence.” The neighbor suffered minor cuts to his neck from the broken glass, but his son was uninjured.
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Faith United Church of Christ Become First Economic Justice UCC Church in Iowa!
This vote followed a two year process of study, discussion, prayer, and action.
The covenant reads:
Faith United Church of Christ Economic Justice CovenantAdopted June 1, 2014Jesus proclaimed his ministry in the temple by reading from Isaiah: “The Spirit of God is upon me, because God has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. God has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of God’s favor.” Luke 4: 18-19. The 2009 United Church of Christ Economic Justice Covenant reminds us that “The Holy Scriptures, from the Pentateuch through the Prophets, and from Jesus to St. Paul impress upon the people of God’s Covenant that they are responsible to God for the well being of the last and the least in the human community.”Christians are called to do. To be a Christian is to be a part of creation that necessitates the extension of God's embrace. Embracing is doing: it is the acceptance of and the extension of the ongoing resurrection; it is the acceptance of the ongoing crucifixion. In enacting an Economic Justice Covenant, we are following Faith United Church of Christ’s Statement of Purpose by acknowledging “God’s presence in the human affairs of today, as God has been involved throughout history...We, as Christians, accept this calling to carry out the vision of Jesus Christ for our age.”Although God has provided the world with abundance, poverty and want persist. In the past, Faith United Church of Christ has striven to build a more inclusive world in its Open and Affirming Covenant, and has addressed economic inequality in its work toward equitable consumption practices and in the many acts of mercy it pursues. Therefore, in keeping with Jesus’ proclamation of his ministry, the constant summoning of the scriptures and Faith United Church of Christ’s own history, we, the congregation of Faith United Church of Christ of Iowa City do hereby enter into covenant with each other and with the world at large, to strive toward a more equitable distribution of God’s abundance in the world.
Therefore, be it resolved by the congregation of Faith United Church of Christ that we will:1. Create an ongoing program to discern the means of redressing the inequitable distribution of God’s abundance in our congregation, our community, our nation, and our world.2. Act upon the revelations found in that discernment on a personal, congregational, local, national and global scale.3. Pledge to continue our current acts of mercy, regularly evaluating their role in altering the current distribution of abundance and altering our actions to fit the altering needs.4. Maintain this covenant as a living document by attaching an ongoing list of our evolving acts of mercy accompanied by an explanation of the needs that make those acts of mercy necessary so that all may share in God’s abundance. Further, we the congregation charge the Council of Faith United Church of Christ to regularly update this list, or to empower a designated body of its choosing to do so, in a manner it deems appropriate, making those changes known to the congregation in a timely and well- documented fashion.
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Religious Group Promotes Children's Ministry by Quoting Nazi Leader Adolf Hitler
A billboard at the Village Mall in Auburn, Ala., features five smiling kids beneath a quote from Adolf Hitler: "He alone, who owns the youth, gains the future."Can you imagine the discussion where people were weighing the pros and cons of quoting Nazi leader Adolph Hitler VS. Republican U.S. President Herbert Hoover?
According to Lamar Advertising's Montgomery office, the billboard was rented out by Life Savers Ministries, based in Opelika, Ala.
Hitler's quote traces back to his speeches of the '30s, and has historically been tied to the Nazi youth programs.
The billboard went up Friday and will be taken down Tuesday, per LSM's request.
"We are pulling the billboard and certainly never intended to cause confusion. ... Herbert Hoover would have been a far better one to quote when he said, 'Children are our most valuable resource,'" founder James Anderegg told the Ledger-Enquirer. "We are a children’s organization and had honorable intentions and nothing less."
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Archie Comics Shares Info about New CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA Series
The new series will be titled CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA. It will be released in October 2014. It will be written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and penciled by Robert Hack. It will be an all-out horror comic book featuring witches and demons and dark magic. It doesn't sound like it's a direct spin-off of AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE. In fact, it sounds like it's a stand alone series:
Sabrina straddles the real world and an ancient pagan place while mastering her powers, but she also maintains a secret identity, unlike the Sabrina in the current non-horror Archie comics.I'm very excited to learn about Madame Satan's inclusion. She is a golden age MLJ character, but was most recently seen in THE FOX #1.
No one knows she's a witch, not even her mortal boyfriend Harvey Kinkle, says Aguirre-Sacasa. "And the cost of anyone finding out her secret — which happens at the end of the first issue — comes with dire, deadly consequences."
Sabrina's longtime supporting cast will be in the series, from her aunts Hilda and Zelda to Salem Saberhagen, a witch who's been turned into a talking cat. Madame Satan will be one of the core villains, appearing along with the Enchantress, the Witches' Council, Sabrina's Greendale High rival Rosalind and various supernatural creatures and curses.
Needless to say, this title will be added to my comic book pull-list!
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Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Jack Hatch Mulling Options for Lt. Governor // Will Likely Announce Next Week
He’s looking for someone “who could actually become governor, someone who does not need to be trained, who has had accomplishments in public life and or business, and who brings a level of depth to a campaign that we would want.”Among those being considered are State Sen. Liz Mathis, former Iowa Democratic Party chair Sue Dvorsky (who once taught my eldest boy, by the way), Cedar Rapids City Councilwoman Monica Vernon, and Rep. Anesa Kajtazovic of Waterloo.
Are you noticing a trend? I have no problem with any of the women above (though I'd need to learn more about Monica Vernon and I'm leery about losing one of our Democratic State Senators right now).
But can I make a suggestion for one additional candidate for Lt. Governor of Iowa?: Tyler Olson. That would make me very happy.
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