Sasha at CVS

The Unitarian Church of Harrisburg

Falconry Excursion

The other afternoon, Sharon and I went out with our friend Bob and his Goshawk and Red Tailed Hawk. It was fun. Here are some photos and videos.

bird

Here are some video clips to watch:

Getting set up, Bob puts the electronic tracking device on the hawk, just in case it flies away.

The Hawk follows us as we try to flush game.

Launching the hawk!

Catching the squirrel!

The hawk on the kill.

Taking away the squirell by trading it with a mouse.

Successful ending.

Morning Planets

This morning I saw Jupiter in the eastern sky for the first time this year. It's chasing Venus, and today it was about as far away as a fist held at arm's length. This will be a real sight to behold if we have clear mornings through Feb 1, when they will almost touch!

Sleepover!

Amazing what you can do with some empty water bottles and long hair!

Panorama addiction continues

More Stupid Panoramas

More Panoramas. ...panorami?

Kitchen, Daughter

Cat, Woodstove and Wife!

At Work

I'm just amazed at this photo stitching software. I took this panorama from my office chair, with two guys from our marketing department talking to me.

Grubb Lake

My jog today took me up around Grubb Lake. I stitched four photos together to make this panorama. What a nice trail! I think if you click on it, you can see the picture bigger. That works for me, at least.

Healthcare Follow-up

The healthcare forum got a nice little write up buried in the Sunday News:

Click here to read it on-line, and you might need to skip through the advertisement that shows up first.

Healthcare Forum

This Saturday I will be on a panel of business leaders, talking about the advantages of a single-payer health care system. This is my first try at anything like this! I copied the conference information below. I see they misspelled my name and also Isaac's. Oh well!

CONFERENCE REMINDER:

When: Saturday, January 12, 1:00-4:15 pm

What: Statewide Single-Payer Universal Healthcare Convention (in support of House Bill 1660 and Senate Bill 300)

Where: Lancaster Host Resort & Conference Center, 2300 Lincoln Hwy E., Lancaster, PA 17602 www.lancasterhost.com
717-299-5500

AGENDA:

Registration: 12:00-1:00 with food and beverages provided

Introduction: C. Pennacchio -- "Welcome...and How We Got Here"
(5 minutes): 1:00-1:05

Keynote Address: Dr. Walter Tsou -- "The Single Payer Solution: The Proven Way to Universal Health Care for All Pennsylvanians" (30 minutes, including Q&A): 1:05-:1:35

First Healthcare Testimonial: 1:35-1:40

[3 Panels]:

Business Leaders: Charlie Crystle (CEO, Mission Research -- 20 employees); Allan Jacobs (President of Issac's Restaurants -- 700 employees); Mike Stout (President of Steel Valley Printers -- 7 employees)
Moderator: Dr. Scott Tyson (Pittsburgh-based pediatrician, business owner)

(30 minutes): 1:40-2:10

Second Healthcare Testimonial: 2:10-2:15

Healthcare Leaders: Gale Thomason (Water Street Clinic); Dr. Bill Davidson (Physicians for a National Health Plan); Kate Shenk (Nurse)
Moderator: Linda Beckman (Educator, Journalist, Activist)

(30 minutes): 2:15-2:45

Third Healthcare Testimonial: 2:45-2:50

Legislative Leaders: Rep. Kathy Manderino (Prime Sponsor of HB 1660, from Philadelphia); Rep. Barbara McIlvaine Smith (First Co-Sponsor of HB 1660, from Chester); Candidate for State Senate, Cindy Purvis (Speaking on SB 300, from Erie)
Moderator: Bob Mason (HC4ALLPA Lobbying Coordinator, Southwest Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh-based Social Worker)

(30 minutes): 2:50-3:25

Transition to Break-Out Sessions: 3:25-3:30

Break-Out Sessions: Citizen Leaders (That's You!) -- topics will include: Organizing Grassroots & Democrats to influence Legislators; Organizing Business and Labor to influence Legislators; Organizing Medical Providers and Support Staff to influence Legislators. In each group we will also touch on some combination of the following: using the Internet and Email, hosting SiCKO House Parties, petitioning, canvassing, fund raising, researching, communicating, earning free media coverage, lobbying effectively, and more.

(40 minutes): 3:30-4:10

Closing Statement: C. Pennacchio: "How We Win This Year: Next Steps"

(5 minutes): 4:10-4:15

NOTE: While the conference is free and open to all (including multi-milllion dollar health insurance and pharmaceutical CEOs), we do ask you to consider making a donation of any amount to help offset the cost of the event ( www.healthcare4allpa.org).

Venus and the Moon

Venus and the moon are worth getting up before the dawn to look at these days. They give me excitement and inspiration while I'm jogging through the cold darkness. I am really looking forward to planetary event at the end of this month. Here it is explained by Mike Smith, from the North Museum:

"Starting January 21 the two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter will begin to get closer with each passing night in the southeast. On the 21st they will be 11 degrees apart—almost a fist length. During the next 12 days the gap diminishes, leading to a spectacular planetary conjunction on Feb 1. On that morning the two planets will be about one moon width apart—the width of your little finger!"

It's a birthday gift from the sky for my brother, Paul, on Feb 1!

If you want to get Mike Smith's monthly update email that tells what is going on in the sky, send him an email at cosmicmike@fandm.edu , and ask to be put on his email list. It's very worthwhile!

Dad's New Blog

You might be interested in reading a new blog my Dad, Don Jacobs, just put up. It's all about his take on world affairs. I find it fascinating reading. He is superbly qualified to look at world events through the lenses of economics, culture and religion. His first posts about Islam and also Kenya make fascinating reading! He helps ask the question: why is the world filled with so much hatred and bloodshed? I yearn for the day when we have leaders who realize that humanity is all one tribe, and we need to make a world where communities can exist in peace and justice.

Sunset on 2007

I took a couple of shots of the sun setting on my way home last night. The last sunset of 2007! These were with Sasha's discarded Polaroid camera, since she has now upgraded to a Canon Powershot, thanks to Jody. I must say, there is something nice about a cheap CCD and low megapixels - the photos have a dreamy quality. The worse they are, the better they are!