TOP NEWS
3/7/06 (New York). Dana Reeve, 45, the widow of Christopher
Reeve, died Monday of lung cancer at Memorial Sloan-Kettering
Medical Center. Reeve, chairwoman of the Christopher Reeve Foundation
and founder of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource
Center, was admired for her dedication and support of her late
husband, who was paralyzed after a 1996 horse-riding accident
that injured his spinal cord, which led to his passing in October
2004.
A non-smoker, Dana Reeve announced her lung cancer diagnosis
in August. Around 87 percent of lung cancers are associated with
smoking or secondhand smoke exposure; other factors include exposure
to asbestos or fine airborne particulates. According to researchers,
lung cancer in non-smokers is distinct and may stem from genetic
mutation that occurs in the epidermal growth factor, a protein
involved in cell growth.
 
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(3/7/06). Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams, two San Francisco
Chronicle reporters, have written a book called Game of Shadows,
about baseball superstar Barry bonds and his steroid use. According
to the book, set for release March 27, Bonds took performance-enhancing
drugs over a period of five seasons because he was jealous of
Mark McGwire. The authors gathered their research over two years
including court documents, affidavits, memos, grand jury testimony,
and interviews.
"The excerpt portrays Bonds as a menacing boor, a tax
cheat and an adulterer given to (probably because of the rampant
steroid use) sexual dysfunction, hair loss and mild mood swings
that included periods of rage" (SportsIllustrated.com).
(3/7/06). According to Vice President Dick Cheney, the Iranian
government "continues to defy the world with its nuclear
ambitions." In a speech to a pro-Israel lobbying group,
the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Cheney stated that
the international community may have to get involved.
(3/7/06) - Los Angeles. NBC is set to pilot a new detective
comedy starring Conan O'Brien and Andy Richter. Richter plays
the title character, an accountant turned private investigator.
The pilot was written by O'Brien and Jonathan Groff. According
to Groff, the lead character doesn't change. "This is just
a different way for him to be who he is-a really decent, ethical
guy for whom everything has worked out through hard work. He
approaches (private detecting) with the same level with decency;
he would lecture bad guys that it's better to buy, not rent,
their hideaway place."
3/7/06 (New York). Bob Woodruff, the 44-year old ABC anchorman
that was hospitalized after serious injuries in an Iraqi explosion,
is slowly regaining his speech and ability to walk. Woodruff
and Doug Vogt, an ABC cameraman, were reporting when a roadside
bomb exploded January 29. According to doctors, body armor saved
their lives. Woodruff's brother, David, says that "my brother's
been an overachiever his entire life. I think none of us expected
him to do anything less in this whole process. We know that top
on his mind is getting back to his family, to his kids and getting
back to doing what he loves to do."
3/7/06 (Washington). Research shows that exercise may help
patients with Parkinson's disease move better, as well as slow
its progression. Physical activity can range from walking to
dancing.
Home and Garden News
 "10
Important Things to Consider Before Designing a New Kitchen"
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"Captain
Ron" Talks About The Houseboating Lifestyle
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by Susan Dunn
Dia dhuit, hello!
“The road from Chicago to Ireland is marked in green,”
they say, and the annual dying of the Chicago River emerald green
is described as “right up there with the parting of the
sea by Moses and the Pyramids of Egypt.” Well, what’s
a little blarney, it’s St. Patrick’s Day.
And how is this different from the normal murky green of the
River? “The difference,” the official Chicago St. Patrick’s
Day Parade website says, “is both significant and breathtaking.”
(Where is that stone when we need it most?)
Stephen M. Bailey, the man who dyed the River green the first
time, said, “with characteristic Irish exaggeration, ‘The
Chicago River will dye the Illinois, which will dye the Mississippi,
which will dye the Gulf of Mexico, which will send green dye
up the gulf stream across the North Atlantic into the Irish Sea,
a sea of green surrounding the land will appear as a greeting
to all Irishmen of the Emerald Isle from the men of Erin in Chicagoland,
USA.’” Malarkey!
This is my hometown we’re talking about, the Windy City,
and where better to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? On this
side of the Big Pond at any rate.
The legendary Richard J. Daley took part in the first St.
Patrick’s Day Parade formed on Chicago’s West Side
in the 50s, before he became mayor. Here’s a photo of the
Shannon
Rovers Fife and Drum Corps (Irish Pipe Band) stepping off
the parade since 1956.
Irish and Catholic is the heritage of the City, not the only
one in this melting pot city, but a strong one. My father, Ray
Garrett (a good Irish name) loved his hometown, knew its history
well, and was always telling me tales. Every single time we rounded
one curve on the road into Chicago from the suburbs he would
say, “This is evidence of the power of the Catholic Church
in this town.” The whole highway had been swung around to
allow a Catholic Church to remain standing. This may be the subject
of Eleen Skerrett’s book, “At the Crossroads: Old Saint
Patrick’s and the Chicago Irish.”
“Influential” others would say about the Irish in
Chicago, and strong in number. The Irish were one of the largest
groups of immigrants to the US and were always a large and influential
group in Chicago, especially politically. According to Eastern
Illinois University. Go to their website
and you'll hear the beautiful "Rose of Tralee."
1836, the Illinois and Michigan Canal opened, linking
Lake Michigan and the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. Much of
the labor was done by the Irish. In 1893, John P. Hopkins
became Chicago’s first Irish Catholic major. In 1900,
Charles Comiskey, son of an Irish immigrant, founded the Chicago
White Sox. In 1955, Richard J. Daley was elected mayor and
stayed in office until his death, December 1976.
And what about the wearing of the green? The three leaf clover
or seamóg became a symbol of Ireland and was worn by the
Irish regiments of the Queen's Army. According to the official
Chicago St. Patrick’s Day parade site, “when it became
an emblem of rebellion in the 19th century, Queen Victoria outlawed
wearing it – the wearing of the green - and made it punishable
by death by hanging.
Fittingly sponsored by Chicago Journeyman Plumbers Local Union
130 U. A., (which raises funds by holding their annual corned
beef and cabbage dinner in January at Plumber’s Hall, and
$55 per person at that), this year’s parade will be held
Saturday, March 13th at noon on Columbus Drive.
Meanwhile, a citywide search is on for “Chicago’s
fairest Colleen”. This bonny lass will lead the parade riding
an authentic Irish Side Car. The qualifications? “Any girl
of Irish ancestry, never married, 17-28 years old.” Take
a look at last year’s beautiful red-haired winner, Jaime
Dineen, robed in emerald green satin, and her court - Mary,
Colleen, Megan and Bridget.
And what can you do while in Chicago? In a town full of architecture,
museums, culture, art, fun, shopping, theater and the home of
urban blues, it’s just a matter of walking out the hotel
door. Chicago also has a long history of great food – remember
the cattle were sent up to the Chicago Stockyards for fattening?
A small point, but not if you’re a bread-lover – rolls
in Chicago are sublime, crisp on the outside, yielding to a soft
and chewy interior. Move over France. Eat in a “Grill”
if you can; it’s a special ambiance.
Chicago has an excellent and affordable public transportation
system (bus, cab and elevated train, “el”) that will
carry you wherever you want to go.
Here are some of my favorites. Do consider staying over through
Tuesday, as most museums in Chicago are FREE on this day.
CHICAGO MUSEUM OF ART This is a must. Housed in a Classical
Renaissance building with the famous lions out front, you’ll
see some of your favorites, and you’ll recognize Seurat’s
“Sunday Afternoon,” from that great scene in “Ferris
Buehler.” Like Hopper? There are some great ones there.
Maybe the lions will be wearing green. At Christmas time they
have wreaths around their necks.
THE FIELD MUSEUM A premier natural history museum now featuring
“Live Over Time” exhibit with “Sue,” the
largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered.
THE SEARS TOWER North America’s tallest building where
you’ll get a panoramic view of the city and Lake Michigan
CHICAGO MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY Using interactive displays
back in the 50s, this museum is full of things that clank and
buzz and whirr, offering something for all ages. It’s billed
as the largest science museum in one building in the Western
Hemisphere.
The list goes on, including LINCOLN PARK ZOO still free after
all these years, the SHEDD AQUARIUM, THE MIRACLE MILE (shopping),
the original MARSHALL FIELD’S and more.
THE NORTH SHORE I would suggest you rent a car and head up
Lake Shore Drive to look at the beautiful suburbs and lake views,
including many parks – Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka. They
move rapidly along the Drive and contain some of the most beautiful
homes in the US, as well as a few Frank Lloyd Wright structures.
Along the drive you’ll see Northwestern University, and
the world famous Ba‘hai
Temple, known locally as “the lace building.”
In Wilmette, stop at the Pancake House. This is not IHOP.
Official name, Walker Bros. Original Pancake House, 153
Green Bay Rd., 847-251-6000.
How to prepare?
Put “The
Secret of Roan Inish” in the DVD Start
listening to “The
Danny Boy Collection” by yes, the great Irish tenor,
John McDermott Take
a quick read of “Boss: Richard J. Daley of Chicago,”
by Mike Royka (available secondhand on amazon.com for pennies)
Look
up Mrs. O'Leary+cow+Chicago on a search engine And
head on up to Lake Michigan.
Go raibh maith 'ad and slán agat. (Thank
you and Goodbye).
Susan Dunn, MA, The EQ Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc , mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc.
Coaching, Internet courses and ebooks around emotional intelligence
for your personal and professional success. Coach Certification
Program - fast, affordable, no-residency, training coaches worldwide.
Email for free ezine.
Susan Dunn may be contacted at http://www.susandunn.cc or sdunn@susandunn.cc
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3/7/06. Kirby Puckett, Baseball Hall of Famer,
45, who helped lead the Minnesota Twins to World Series titles
in 1987 and 1991 has died from a stroke. An 10-time All-Star
and six-time Gold Glove Award winner, Puckett retired July 1996
after blurred vision from glaucoma. He was the third-youngest
living electee in baseball history to be elected to the National
Baseball Hall of Fame, behind Sandy Koufax and Lou Gehrig.
3/7/06 (Baghdad, Iraq). Four Christian peace
activists were kidnapped in Iraq more than three months ago on
November 26. Three of them have appeared on the network Al-Jazeera
in a 25-second video pleading for their home governments to secure
their release. They were seized by the Swords of Righteousness
Brigade, a group that has threatened to kill them if U.S.-held
Iraqi prisoners are not released.
Resources: CNN.com.
3/7/06 (Alexandria, Virginia). Prosecutor Robert Spencer,
in his opening statement to the death penalty phase of Zacarais
Moussaoui's trial, says that 3,000 lives could have been spared
had he not lied after his arrest a month before the September
11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
Moussaoui's defense attorney and his mother believe he is being
used as a scapegoat to cover government intelligence blunders.
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Harry
Potter audio books – the pros and cons
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