Mr. Spock Meets Jimi Hendrix

A few days ago, I posted this photo (right) of Leonard "Spock" Nimoy with guitar legend Jimi Hendrix and mused if there was an interesting story behind it.

Well, there is a story behind it. Good friend Bob "The General" McArthur came across this website that contains the story behind the meeting between the two.  It also has a video of Nimoy discussing the meeting.










At left, is another version of the photo.  It also has Jimi Hendrix Experience bassist Noel Redding  (second from left).  Both he and Hendrix signed it.




As Spock would say, "Fascinating!"

Storm Clouds

It was a hot and muggy night last night. The temperature didn't get below the 70s until about 6:00 in the morning. It was 80 degrees at 11:00 PM. We even had some scattered rain.

I took the above photo with my cell phone from the Burbank Hills about fifteen minutes ago of the San Fernando Valley. The view is looking west with storm clouds on the horizon.

The Japanese Breakfast vs. The American Breakfast

Above, the Hotel Asia Center of Japan, their restaurant buffet features both styles.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

You're in Japan and it is breakfast time on your first morning there. What should you have for breakfast? American-style or Japanese-style?

GaijinPot.com has a new article on just this subject. They start it with:

Please close your eyes for a second and think about your idea of the perfect, most delectable breakfast you could have. Think about every nuance. Are you eating it at a restaurant that really makes your tummy smile every time you go? Perhaps it’s at your Mom’s house or another family member. What breakfast foods are running through your mind?

Those of you reading this may be unfamiliar with what constitutes a Japanese-style breakfast. Fortunately, the article gives a description of a typical Japanese-style breakfast:

What exactly does a Japanese breakfast consist of? Well, much like back home, it depends on who you ask, but the standard breakfast that I’ve heard Japanese friends and co-workers mention consists of the following: miso soup (味噌汁), natto (納豆), steamed rice (ご飯 or gohan), and grilled fish (焼き魚 or yakizakana).

My first trip to Japan was in 2001. I like Japanese food (especially sushi), but I prefer an American-style breakfast. Fortunately, I found (of all places) a Denny's restaurant near the ryokan I was staying at in Shibuya (there's another in Asakusa near Nakamise Street). That solved the breakfast "problem."

Since then, my tastes evolved somewhat. I still prefer an American-style breakfast, but since I usually stay at the Hotel Asia Center of Japan in Tokyo, I can eat at their breakfast buffet and have a mix of American-style and Japanese-style food.

To read the article, go here.

"The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan" In Motion Picture Academy Library

As I reported last week, a copy of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan was donated to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Margaret Herrick Library in Beverly Hills, California.

Today, I received the above thank-you letter from The Academy. To see it larger, click on the image.

It is now available to movie historians and researchers.

Special thanks again to Chuck Harter for the idea!

Dollar Mired At 79 Yen

Above, toys like these are made more expensive from the strong yen and weak dollar.

The U.S. dollar is mired around 79 yen according to the news from The Daily Yomiuri.

They wrote:

The dollar lacked a clear direction around 79 yen in Tokyo trading Wednesday, before turning slightly weaker in the late afternoon in line with sluggish stock markets.

At 5 p.m., the dollar stood at 79.03-08 yen, against 79.02-03 yen at the same time Tuesday. The euro was at 1 dollars.2282-2282, down from 1 dollars.2286-2290, and at 97.08-11 yen, down from 97.10-12 yen.

How does Japan expect American tourists to flock to Japan when their dollars aren't buying enough yen to make the trip worth it? It isn't entirely Japan's fault that the dollar is so weak. The Obama economic policies (if you want to call them that) aren't helping the situation with over $17 trillion of debt piled up and high unemployment.

I was able to get 116 yen/dollar in exchange in 2007.

To read the full article, go here.

Japan's Tourism Slowly Recovering

Data on the effects on Japan's tourism has been released.

Tourism-Review.com posted:

The first 12 months after the tsunami and earthquake affected Japan’s tourism quite considerably. An analysis by Forward Data SL was released just recently giving the details regarding Japan’s tourism. 

The first 12 months that followed the destructive crisis had a result of decreasing the tourism to Japan by 29%. The business sector actually appeared more resilient than the general leisure tourists. 

The country’s tourism is slowly but surely recovering. Arrivals are growing. When the data of this year is compared to 2011 when the tragedy happened, the numbers did improve. However, it is still not enough to go over the numbers recorded in 2010. Currently Japan’s tourism numbers are 13% below 2010. 

The data clearly shows that the most decreasing segment is leisure tourism. This is not surprising since business travelers are the bulk of the head count of tourists who arrived in Japan in the previous years. 

There is also data regarding source regions. A growth patterns has been established by Forward Data SL. There was a 50% decrease in the number of tourists coming from North America when compared to 2010 figures.

To read the full article, go here.

Crazy Schedule, Etc.

It suddenly dawned on me that my next day off is next Saturday. I've been working steadily since Wednesday night. Not that I'm complaining, I can use the bucks. The shifts vary. Graveyard, swing and day. Yeesh!

My roomie is also working a lot in her chef job. Only she's putting in 10-12 hours on each shift.  Wow!

I just have to hang in through November so I can take some vacation time.

My check from ComiXpress arrived for sales of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan, so there's more to put into the bank. Every bit helps!

******

It is gratifying to see how much the teaser trailer for Legendary Pictures/Warner Brothers Godzilla (apparently set for 2014) caused such a stir at Comic Con and in the media. I don't recall this much excitement for the TriStar version in 1998.

******

It is sad to see how low President Obama's campaign will stoop in spreading lies about Mitt Romney's Bain Capitol record. It is purely an act of desperation.

The Romney needs to go on offensive!  We've a republic to save!

******

I came across this interesting photo.  It is Leonard "Spock" Nimoy with Jimi Hendrix.  There has to be an interesting story behind it!

7 Ways College Students Can Travel on the Cheap

Above, a Tokyo business hotel.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This item arrived in my email box yesterday.

If you are a college-age student and have wanderlust but don't have much money, there's "7 Ways College Students Can Travel On The Cheap."

The article begins with:

College is a great time to travel the world, and although students are young, adventurous, and don’t need much to be happy, they also don’t have very much money to spend on vacations. Those who want to travel with friends generally have to borrow money or do it on the cheap. Traveling on a budget can be quite a challenge, but it’s definitely worth it for the amazing travel experiences and memories you’ll take back with you.

Non-college students can use the tips to travel on the cheap.

To read the article, go here.

Statue Honoring Pope John Paul II and President Ronald Reagan Unveiled In Poland

A statue honoring Pope John Paul II and President Ronald Reagan was unveiled yesterday in Gdansk, Poland. It is based on a photo of the two during one of the Pope's U.S. visits.

Both men are credited in being instrumental in toppling communism in Poland.

The statue is located in President Ronald Reagan Park in Gdansk.

This is the latest statue honoring President Reagan of several in the former Warsaw Pact counties.

Godzilla 2014 Unveiled

Legendary Pictures at Comic Con International unveiled the above title card. It was said that over six thousand people crowded into Hall H for the Legendary Pictures session. A poster incorporating this design was distributed (below).

Some attendee snapped the above shot of Godzilla during one of the two screenings of the teaser trailer. This may not be the final design of Godzilla according to sources.

Godzilla Is Back and Comic Con Got Him!

The Associated Press put the story out.  The Washington Post picked it up.  So did CBS News.  And the Huffington Post posted it.  Many others did as well.

What's the big news?

Legendary Pictures/Warner Brothers' Godzilla is the big news. And it comes from Comic Con International in San Diego.

The best write-up (in my humble opinion) was by the fine folks at Dread Central.  Here's part of what they wrote on the teaser trailer that was shown:

A city decimated. Completely destroyed. The camera pans by the wreckage of a train, A distant voice is heard reading from the Book of Revelations. The voice sounds very familair. Dust everywhere. Cars crushed. Holes in skyscrapers. 

It becomes obvious that the voice belongs to Raymond Burr from the original. We then see a giant centipede-like creature with many arms and legs smoldering. (You know what that means? Monster battles!) The city appears dead as a doornail. Then blackness. THE ROAR. As in THE roar. Huge bass drop. Raymond Burr finishes his famous speech. Dust...then an arm... a hand... with claws. Pan up... holy shit... the fins. The head. Godzilla. As we know him. The real fucking Godzilla. He roars again. 

Finally, it appears that after 14 years since the TriStar disaster of 1998, we're getting the American Godzilla we've been waiting for!

From Dread Central's write-up, it seems that Legendary Pictures/Warner Brothers is getting Godzilla right!

To read the full story, go here.


UPDATE (7/19/12): The voice was not Raymond Burr, but instead was Robert Oppenheimer.

Helping A Comic's Orphaned Son

Above, Frank Lunney.

It is hard enough for a child to lose one parent, but losing two within a span of only three months must be devastating.

Such is the case of Frank “Captain Rowdy” Lunney’s son Gage.  Gage is thirteen-years-old and his mother Maureen passed away last April.  His father passed away July 5.

While nobody can replace Gage’s mother and father and their emotional support, there is one thing the rest of us can do. 

I approached William Kerns, Entertainment Editor of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal with the idea of staging a benefit or two with Frank’s stand-up comic friends for raising money to start a scholarship fund for Gage.  He suggested contacting one of Frank’s comic buddies, Scott Kennedy.  This I did, and Kennedy thought this was a great idea and added, “Let me work on it...  As many Comics For Cops Benefits as he did…you bet we can do one or more for Gage.”

Above, Scott Kennedy.

I suggested doing it in November-December as I should be awash in cash then to contribute and attend.  This would also allow Gage and his family time to decompress. Please keep in mind that this is just in the early talking stage.  We need to find a suitable venue, secure the talent, get out the publicity and get all the organizing details squared away.

If you are a stand-up comedian/comic and would like to participate, please contact me at AMVaquer@aol.com or contact Scott Kennedy through his website at www.comicscott.com. 

It doesn’t matter if you knew Frank “Captain Rowdy” Lunney or not.  This is simply to help a boy who became an orphan when he tragically lost his parents. 

JNTO Follow-up #2: The Goodies

In previous posts, I posted that the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is one of the most important resources for Japan-bound travelers.

At the time of my initial post, I ordered some maps and literature on different things to see and do. The package arrived within a week of ordering. The nice part about JNTO's services, the items were all at no cost!

To let you see some of the items that visitors can obtain from JNTO, I've scanned some of them and they are shown below.

Naturally, before getting started in your vacation planning, you're going to want to see Japan as a whole for an overview of the geography of the country to see where the places that interest you are located.

The map at left is of the entire country from Hokkaido to the north and all the way to Kyushu and Okinawa to the south.  The map is very easy to use and in English.

Once you've decided on what places you want to see, JNTO has maps of different cities.  Bear in mind, maps of the Japanese cities are essential for navigating around town.  The map of Tokyo, for instance, will also show the  different subway and train lines as well as the stations those lines feed into.










At right, are the JNTO maps of Tokyo and Kyoto.

What parts of the cities do you want to see?  JNTO also has walking guides for self-guided tours (below).

Suppose you want to take a day-trip outside of Tokyo (as an example) or an overnighter to Hakone or Mt. Fuji.

JNTO also has maps and guides for these and other areas of interest to tourists.

You're in Hakone or the Mt. Fuji area.  You spent the day wandering around seeing and doing things.  You're a bit worn out and need to unwind.

A-ha!  A hot spring or onsen bath sounds like the remedy to soothe those aching bones and muscles.  Luckily, you requested a hot spring pamplet to tell you what facilities are nearby to let you soak those aches and pains away.

Yes, JNTO has information on hot springs and other things to do.






Besides literature produced by JNTO, they also have maps and brochures produced by other entities.













Right, is an Osaka Tourism Guide by the Nankai Electric Railway Co., Ltd.  In it, are photos and description of various places and things in Osaka.  The brochure also has information on transportation, restaurants and shopping.  It also has a handy map of Namba, "the cultural heart of Osaka."


These are just a few examples of the things travelers can obtain from the Japan National Tourism Organization. You can also visit JNTO's tourist centers while in Japan for maps, literature and assistance. Their website is http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/.

If you are a fan of Japanese science-fiction and fantasy movies, get and bring along The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan (by yours truly). For information and ordering, go here.

Have yourself a great time in Japan!

Japan: The top 7 things for visitors to experience

Above, Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion in Kyoto.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

BreakingTravelNews.com has posted an article, "Japan: The top 7 things for visitors to experience." Some of which I have experienced, including Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion and Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

The article begins, in part, with:

Japan is a land of astonishing contrasts. From antiquated temples and kimono-clad geisha girls hurrying between traditional tea houses in Kyoto, to lightning-quick bullet trains carrying sharp-suited businessmen between the high-tech cities of Tokyo and Osaka, Japan is a country where the past meets the future.

One misplaced view is that Japan’s position as the world’s third richest nation makes it an expensive holiday destination. In reality, it can be cheaper to travel in Japan than in most parts of North America and Europe. The “Land of the Rising Sun” is a destination like no other; offering heritage and history one day and hi-tech city living the next.

To view the article to see the 7 top things to experience in Japan, go here.

Captain Rowdy and B-1 Bob

Above, Frank (left) and Armand chatting with Robert K. Dornan.

A lot of memories of times spent with Frank Lunney came to the surface today following the news of his passing. Hopefully, Frank's friends in the world of stand-up comedy can organize a benefit show or two to provide Frank's son Gage with a scholarship fund. But I digress.

One memory that surfaced was when Frank and I took part in a photo-shoot for congressional candidate Robert K. Dornan.

I first met Frank "Captain Rowdy" Lunney while working for the Los Angeles Times in Redondo Beach.

We hit it off as friends as we both had a similar sense of humor and shared the same conservative political beliefs.

It was the late summer of 1976 and I had previously returned from the 1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. I attended as a California Ronald Reagan Delegate. Unfortunately, Reagan lost the GOP nomination by a whisker to President Gerald Ford.

Following the convention, I devoted my time working in the Paul Bannai (for re-election to the state Assembly) and Robert K. Dornan's campaign for congress against Gary Familian.  I was 2nd V.P. of the Los Angeles County Young Republicans at the time, so I, at least, had some official party standing (to a degree).

The Dornan Campaign set up a "Youths For Dornan" campaign group and a photo session to publicize the organization was scheduled.  I enlisted Frank into the group (it didn't take much persuasion as Frank was a Dornan fan anyway) to take part in the campaign and photo shoot.

We met at Dornan's campaign headquarters to do the shoot.  The accompanying two photos are from the photo session.  I was 22 at the time and Frank was 18.

Above, the Dornan youth supporters with their candidate.

We both had a great time talking with like-minded college age conservatives. Bob Dornan was known as a "firebrand" long before running for congress, but on a personal level, he was very easy to get along with. He also has a keen sense of humor and a great story-teller. Frank enjoyed hanging with Dornan.

Dornan went on to win the seat in Congress. When President Jimmy Carter (who defeated Ford in the 1976 general election) decided to kill the B-1 bomber program, Dornan led the outrage over the action ("They're breaking out the vodka bottles in the Kremlin!"). He gained the nickname of "B-1 Bob."

The B-1 program was revived by President Ronald Reagan after he defeated Carter in 1980.

The only bumper sticker I recall ever being on Frank's car was a Dornan sticker.

I'll probably come up with more Frank Lunney stories in the days ahead.

Sampling of Frank "Captain Rowdy" Lunney

Googling around I found an assortment of articles and videos of Frank "Captain Rowdy" Lunney who passed away in his sleep July 5.

Here's a sampling of items that popped up:

Article from the Houston Chronicle of 3/17/91.

Article from Lubbock Avalanche-Journal of 8/10/03.

Article from Tulsa World of 5/21/08.

Post from A Place To Laugh.com of 2/4/12.

And, last but not least...

Video from MySpace Comedy of 4/13/11.

How did Frank Lunney become a stand-up comic?  Well, as I was there at the beginning, I can tell you!

Go to Early "Captain Rowdy" Frank Lunney to find out!

New Jimi Hendrix Blu-ray and DVD Now Available

'Jimi Plays Berkeley' Available Now!

A restored and newly expanded edition of the magical performances from Jimi Plays Berkeley, on Blu-ray and DVD is available today! This edition premieres more than 15 minutes of previously unseen documentary and performance footage of Hendrix classics including "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)," "Machine Gun" and "Hear My Train A Comin'" not featured in the original film release. Also included is a 5.1 surround stereo soundtrack! In addition, the second set from May 30, 1970, will be released on CD and on 200g (All Analog) 12" vinyl as Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live At Berkeley (The Second Set). As if this wasn’t enough, the Jimi Hendrix - Voodoo Child documentary film is available for the first time on Blu-ray. Available Now »

Japan Came Up With Odd Tourism Schemes

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Japanese government and tourism industry came up with different "schemes" to boost tourism.

Unfortunately, they mostly fell flat and did nothing to boost tourism.

CNN Go has an article that takes a look at 6 "oddest tourism schemes."

They start it with:

Given the hardships Japan has faced in the 16 months since the March 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown, winning back tourists hardly seems all that important.

Nevertheless, life moves on, bills need paying and the travel promos keep on rolling.

Here are six of the best, sometimes head-shakingly misguided, tourism promotions we’ve seen over the last year.

Above, Ginza's Wako Department Store.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have long advocated that the Japanese tourism industry target tour packages to fans of Japanese science-fiction and fantasy movies. After all, there's plenty of locations and landmarks that were featured in the movies tourists would love to see first-hand. Tour companies can even use my travel guide, The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan to set up such tour packages.

Tours have been tailored towards fans of manga and anime. Why not set up tours for kaiju fans? Doing so makes a lot more sense than the goofy schemes that they did come up with.

To see the six oddest tourist schemes, go here.

Tokyo Skytree Now Selling Same-day Tickets

Above, the Tokyo Skytree and the Asahi Beer Hall in December 2010.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Source: Kyodo News

The operator of Tokyo Skytree, the world's tallest broadcast tower at 634 meters, on Wednesday started selling same-day tickets.

Tobu Tower Skytree Co. said it will sell some 10,000 tickets a day at 2,500 yen and will distribute numbered tickets with a specified time for pickup if queuing time exceeds one hour. The tickets permit access to the 350-meter observation deck, but visitors need to purchase another ticket to reach the 450-meter deck.

The Tokyo Skytree is across the Sumida River from Asakusa. I saw it a year and a half ago while it was still under construction.

For more, go here.

Frank "Captain Rowdy" Lunney, 1958 - 2012

Above, Frank Lunney at the Sweetwater Cafe in Redondo Beach in 1977.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some sad news was just received.

Francis "Frank" John Lunney, known as comedian Captain Rowdy, has died.

Lubbock Online (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal) posted:

Frank Lunney, who would have celebrated his 54th birthday on Aug. 2, died on July 5.

It took a few days for his sister, Cathryn Morrow -- who found her brother's body in his bed last week -- to start looking for phone numbers and e-mails so she could let his friends know that he had passed away in his sleep.

I am grateful that Frank and I reconnected these past few years. We had a great time on the phone a few years ago talking about the old days working for the Los Angeles Times, life in the Torrance area of the South Bay, the 1976 Bob Dornan campaign and his start as a comedian.

53 is too young an age to die. But given Frank's illnesses and the pain he's been going through, it is probably a blessing in his case as his suffering is now over.

He will be missed and remembered as one unique guy.

Frank, thanks for the good times!

To read the full article, go here.

Left, Frank Lunney at the Portuguese Peddler in 1977. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Superman Plaque Update

Jim Nolt of The Adventures Continue sent out this update:

July 11, 2012

Yesterday, sixty-one years ago, filming began on Superman and the Mole-Men. I don't think Michael Hayde will mind if I borrow a comment he posted on a Facebook page yesterday.

Thanks to THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE for reminding me that sixty-one years ago today, on the back lot of RKO Pathe Studios in Culver City, George Reeves first donned a heavy woolen costume with rubber muscles, emerged from the Geneva County Hospital facade, and warned Jeff Corey and a mob of extras to "stop acting like Nazi storm troopers!" It was the first day of shooting for "Nightmare," which would be titled SUPERMAN AND THE MOLE MEN for theaters and THE UNKNOWN PEOPLE for television. Bless that day and the seven years that would follow.

The more I think about our celebration in 2014, the more excited I become. As I told you before, Jack Larson will be with us, and plans are in the works for a memorial plaque to be placed at the location shown at the beginning of the second-season episode "The Man Who Could Read Minds." At this time Armand has a verbal agreement with the homeowners there and is awaiting final approval and a check of utility lines, etc. 

And now for the latest news: This morning Laura Siegel Larson, daughter of Jerry Siegel, confirmed that she and her children will be with us to celebrate:

George's 100th birthday

Jerry Siegel's 100th birthday

Joe Shuster's 100th brithday

60 years of the Adventures of Superman

25 years of TAC

Jim

Crop Report

Above, the farm during the winter of 1977.

The first report on this season's corn crop came in yesterday.  My Nebraska farm's tenant reported:

All's going good.  The crops look great and the price is very good.

Things should go well as long as there are no hail or windstorms to cause damage.

Travel Daily News: Japan Arrivals Up 40%

Above, the Shin-Saikai Bridge in Kyushu near Sasebo City.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Travel Daily News is reporting that Japan's tourism industry is "on the mend."

They posted:

Japan’s inbound and outbound travel is clearly on the mend, with arrivals to the country up by 40% in the first five months of 2012.

To read the full article, go here.

Dark Shadows Movies To Be Released In October

Above, Kathryn Leigh Scott and Jonathan Frid in "House of Dark Shadows."

There's good news for fans of the original gothic soap-opera Dark Shadows!

Both House of Dark Shadows (1970) and Night of Dark Shadows (1971) will be released on DVD and Blu-ray by Warner Home Video.

The street date for both movies is October 30.

Unfortunately, it appears that it will be the theatrical version of Night of Dark Shadows rather than an expanded/restored/director's cut version.  

Black Lightning Facts: Setting The Record Straight

Writer Tony Isabella sets the record straight in presenting his side of the story of the creation of Black Lightning and what agreements between him and DC Comics were violated.  Also, Tony describes the role of artist Kevin Nowland (who drew the image at top) in the creation.

Apparently, Tony has some annoying trolls who are spreading misinformation on the subject. See his post on the matter.

To read Tony's "Black Lightning Facts," go here.

Family History

Above, the residence of Charles Lucas, M.D. in 1977.  Photo by Armand Vaquer. 

Digging around on family history today I found this write-up on my great-grandfather in a website on the History of Buffalo County (Nebraska) and Its People:

CHARLES LUCAS, M. D.

Dr. Charles Lucas has the reputation of being one of the foremost physicians
and surgeons of Shelton and Buffalo county. He fully recognizes the respon-
sibilities and obligations which devolve upon him in his professional capacity
and he is continually putting forth effort to advance his knowledge and pro-
mote his efficiency in the administration of remedial agencies to check the ravages of disease. Indiana claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in
Monroe county, that state, on the 19th of November, 1866, his parents being
Peter and Elizabeth J. (Floyd) Lucas, both of whom were natives of Indiana,
where they were reared and married. In 1880 they became residents of Lucas
county, Iowa, and the mother passed away there in the same year. In 1884 the
father came to Nebraska, establishing his home in Custer county, where two
of his sons and a daughter were residing. He continued his residence there
up to the time of his demise, which occurred in 1888.

Dr. Charles Lucas is indebted to the public school system for the early educa-
tional opportunities which he enjoyed. Passing through consecutive grades,
he was at length graduated from the high school at Chariton, Iowa, with the
class of 1886 and in December of that year he came to Nebraska, where he



History of buffalo county 29

took up the profession of teaching, spending three years as a teacher in the
schools of Custer and Lincohi counties. During one year of that time he was
principal of the schools at Chappell, Nebraska. He regarded this, however,
merely as an initial step to other professional labor and in the fall of 1888 entered upon the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. John Murray of Arnold,Nebraska. In the fall of 1889 he entered the Omaha Medical College, now
the medical department of the Nebraska State University, pursuing his studies
there for a year. He then suspended his college work for a year, during which
period he was engaged in teaching and in clerking in a drug store in North
Platte, thus obtaining the funds which enabled him to continue his preparation
for the practice of medicine and surgery. During that period of clerkship he
passed the civil service examination and a month later received an appointment
in the war department at Washington, remaining for four years in the govern-
ment service. During that time he continued his medical studies by attending
night lectures at the University of Georgetown in Washington, D. C, from
which institution he was graduated with the class of 1893. He remained in the
government position for two years longer and continued to attend lectures and
clinics, but in 1895 resigned his position in Washington to return to Nebraska, 

since which time he has engaged in the practice of his profession in Shelton, 
building up a large and enviable practice. He is a thoroughly skilled physician 
and surgeon, his capability being demonstrated in the excellent results which 
have attended his efforts as he has ministered to the needs of the sick and 
suffering in this part of the county. 

On the 7th of September, 1893, Dr. Lucas was united in marriage to Miss 
Lida E. Campbell, of Garfield, Lincoln county, Nebraska. To them have been 
born three children, two of whom survive, Mary Gertrude and Charles Sinclair. 

In politics Dr. Lucas is independent, voting for men and measures rarlier 
than party. For four years he has served as a member of the board of health 
of Shelton and for the past seven years has been a member of the school board, 
putting forth effective eft'ort to promote the interests of education. 

Fraternally he is connected with Shelton Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and along strictlyprofessional lines he is connected with the Buffalo County Medical Society, whichhe joined on its organization, and with the Nebraska State Medical Society. His 
practice is free from hasty and ill formed judgments. He studies closely the 
needs of every individual case and never allows anything to interfere with the 
performance of his professional duties. 

Roswell UFO Crash: 65th Anniversary

Above, the famous headline from the Roswell Daily Record.

Today is the 65th anniversary of the Roswell, New Mexico incident in which a UFO (later claimed to be a "weather balloon") crashed and was recovered.

Fox News posted an article on this and it reads in part:

Like Fox Mulder, some people still want to believe.

On July 8, 1947, a crash in Roswell, N.M., was the spark that started UFO fever burning in the U.S. And for some, that passion is just as intense today as when they first learned that a crash in the desert had been labeled a UFO -- and quickly re-labeled a weather balloon by government officials.

"It was not a damn weather balloon -- it was what it was billed when people first reported it," Chase Brandon, a 35-year CIA veteran, told the Huffington Post. His comments came on July 8, 2012 -- 65 years after the Roswell Daily Record newspaper ran a front page article claiming “RAAF Captures Flying Saucer On Ranch in Roswell Region.”

"It was a craft that clearly did not come from this planet, it crashed and I don't doubt for a second that the use of the word 'remains' and 'cadavers' was exactly what people were talking about."

Brandon claims to have seen photographs and written material in a special section of CIA headquarters in Langley, Va., called the Historical Intelligence Collection that conclusively proved to his mind that the crash was alien.

I've always been intrigued by this subject. But my interest was greatly increased several years ago with what my late mother told me about ten years ago.

My great-uncle was head of the U.S. Army hospitals in the Southwest United States in the late-1940s. These included ones in New Mexico and he was there at the time. He told my mother years ago (he passed away in the early 1990s) that the original story of a UFO crashing near Roswell was true and alien bodies were recovered. The weather balloon story was a cover-story and was not true.

He was not the kind of man to spread b.s. If he said a UFO crashed and bodies were recovered, one could take his statement to the bank.


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/07/09/on-65-anniversary-roswell-ufo-crash-questions-remain/#ixzz20AqxH3sh

7 Great Road Trip Movies to Kick Off Your Summer

An interesting item was sent to me today..."7 Great Road Trip Movies to Kick Off Your Summer."

It begins with:

It's summertime, the livin' is easy, and you're preparing to go on a road trip. Your playlist is ready, you know your route, and you've got a full tank of gas. But before you drive off into the sunset, spend a day immersed in the cinematic poetry of the American road trip. Let your passengers do the packing; you should sit back, relax, and draw some off-road inspiration from these seven great road trip movies to kick off your summer.

To be honest, I found some of the "honorable mention" movies to be more worthy and more to my liking. Maybe that's just me.

The photo at top is one of the movies on the list.

To see them all, go here.