Math Quizzine

Here is today's math question:

If you fire a bullet weighing 1/2 ounce from a gun with a 6 inch barrel, at a height of 3 feet - aimed horizontally, and at the same time you drop an identical bullet from a height of 3 feet, how much longer does the bullet fired from the gun stay in the air before it hits the ground? Assume there is no wind, and that the temperature is 30 degrees celcius.

Have fun and good luck!

Movie Promo

So you've probably heard about all of the grumbling, complaining and protesting that's been going on for years about Ten Commandments monuments on public property. There was one here in Duluth on the front lawn of City Hall until last year. The ACLU threatened to sue, so the city removed it.

So, where did the monument come from?

Well, it was donated to the city by the Fraternal Order of Eagles in 1957. Why? Well, it wasn't just to be nice, or just to promote good values.

The monuments were "donated" to promote the 1956 movie, The Ten Commandments. Don't believe it? It's not only true, but in fact, Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner and Martha Scott - stars of the move - actually attended many of the "dedication" ceremonies around the country. And who would object to such a generous gift that represents such goodness and morality?

A movie promo. Hollywood. The bed of sin and scandal. This is what everyone is fighting about? A movie promo? Morality? How about money?

Yes, I understand that the Ten Commandments contain many good, wholesome values. More people should live their lives by their teachings. But the placement of the monuments was to promote a movie. To make money. The almighty dollar! Veiled corporate greed.

God bless America. (brought to you by Verizon)

Protect Your Identity

Here are 10 tips to help keep your identity safe:

1. Destroy private records and statements. Shred or burn credit card statements and solicitations containing personal information.

2. Secure your mail. Empty your mailbox daily or get a PO Box. Never mail outgoing bill payments and checks from home. Checks can be stolen from your mailbox and modified with solvents.

3. Safeguard your Social Security number. Never carry your card with you, or any other card that may have your number, like a health insurance card. And don’t put the number on your checks.

4. Don't leave a paper trail. Never leave ATM, credit card or gas station receipts behind. And don't store them in your glove compartment.

5. Never let your credit card out of your sight. Always keep an eye on your card or, when that's not possible, pay with cash.

6. Know who you're dealing with. Don’t ever give out personal information over the phone unless you called them. Don’t ever reply to e-mail messages or click on links within them, even if they look authentic. Also, if you get a phone "survey" asking you to press buttons on your phone, don't press anything! Just hang up.

7. Take your name off telemarketers' hit lists. National do not call list: 1-888-382-1222.

8. Be more defensive with personal information. Ask salespeople and others if information such as a Social Security or driver’s license number is absolutely necessary.

9. Monitor your credit report. Obtain and thoroughly review your credit report (now available for free at Annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228) at least once a year.

10. Review your credit card statements carefully. Make sure every charge is legitimate.

Money Math Quiz

Here's today's math quiz question:

How much money would you save every year if you replaced ten 60 watt light bulbs in your house with 13 watt compact fluorescent bulbs, assuming each one was left on for 4 hours per day, and the cost of electricity is 6.5 cents per kilowatt hour?

FYI - compact fluorescents can be purchased for as little as $2 per bulb, and sometimes come with rebates from your electric company. Used bulbs should not be put in the trash but can be recycled at collection centers. Many fluorescents can now be used outside and some look just like regular light bulbs.

Have fun and good luck!

Bear Sighting

I was driving through Duluth at around 8:00 Tuesday morning. I was in a woodsy rural area on the outskirts of Lakeside/Lester Park, but not far from a group of houses. As I was slowing down for a stop sign, a furry black head poked out from the bushes. I wouldn’t have had time to stop if it had jumped out in front of me. I recognized it as a bear right away, but I could tell that it wasn’t very big. The bear was only a cub, standing about 2 feet tall at the shoulder. I watched in my rear view mirror as it crossed the four lane road and disappeared into the brush across the street. There wasn't much traffic, but it's a 45 mph road that can get busy at times. I waited and watched for the mother, but assumed that she had crossed the road first.

That was about one-half mile from where we used to live. It is estimated that there are about a dozen bears living within the city limits of Duluth. Now there's one more.

Monday Math Quiz

Here is today's quiz. Have fun.

You are a butcher specializing in ground emu. A customer calls and says they will be there in three hours to buy some, but they didn't tell you how many pounds. You are the only one qualified to wrap the ground emu and you have to leave early for the day.

Assuming you have a total of 50 pounds of ground emu prepared, and using the fewest number of packages possible, you must wrap the emu so that the customer can buy ANY amount from 1 to 50 pounds of ground emu without having to split up a package. What is the minimum number of packages you will require and how much is in each package?

Good luck!!

The 23rd Sigh

Bush is my shepherd; I dwell in want.
He maketh logs to be cut down in national forests.
He leadeth trucks into the still wilderness.
He restoreth my fears.
He leadeth me in the paths of international disgrace for his ego's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of pollution and war,
I will find no exit, for thou art in office.
Thy tax cuts for the rich and thy media control, they discomfort me.
Thou preparest an agenda of deception in the presence of thy religion.
Thou anointest my head with foreign oil.
My health insurance runneth out.
Surely megalomania and false patriotism shall follow me all the days of thy term,
And my jobless child shall dwell in my basement forever.

Is it Thursday, or Wednesday again?

So, my wife and I were trying to figure out which day was which over the past week or so. The weather has been just beautiful and all of the days are becoming a blur... especially with the long weekend. Are we just too busy, or too lazy to remember? We couldn't figure out on which day we:

1. Bought a barrel-shaped planter from Menard's
2. Mowed the lawn
3. Drove up the shore for dinner
4. Had friends over for a cookout
5. Visited Grandpa in the hospital
6. Took Grandma to visit Grandpa in the hospital
7. Pruned the pine trees

Anyway, life is good and does it really matter?

By the way, Grandpa is doing just fine. He had a touch of pneumonia but he's getting better. Last week his heart was racing, so he took a cab down to the hospital in the middle of the night. The doctors are talking about implanting a pacemaker. Grandma has had one for 5 years and it's helped her a lot. His surgery might be today and he could be back home tomorrow. Too bad he won't be able to help Grandma with her annual plant sale. Actually, it's her annual perennial sale. He's very frustrated to be "incarcerated" while we are having this nice weather.

Every year she says it's going to be her last sale, but here we are again... potting the plants, making tags, putting up signs... she loves it.

Grandpa is 92, Grandma is 95. Their 70th anniversary is coming up in October.