http://www.geekfest.com/ en Thu, 09 Sep 2010 07:51:39 GMT vBulletin 5 http://www.geekfest.com/images/misc/rss.png http://www.geekfest.com/ http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?421217-An-Interesting-Article-About-Castro-Cuba-Jews-Anti-semitism-Etc.&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 04:43:20 GMT To me this story was intriguing from the points of view of history, religion, the Cold War, regional politics, and so forth. :) (This is Part I... To me this story was intriguing from the points of view of history, religion, the Cold War, regional politics, and so forth. :)


(This is Part I of a report on my recent visit to Havana. I hope to post Part II tomorrow. And I also hope to be publishing a more comprehensive article about this subject in a forthcoming print edition of The Atlantic.)

A couple of weeks ago, while I was on vacation, my cell phone rang; it was Jorge Bolanos, the head of the Cuban Interest Section (we of course don't have diplomatic relations with Cuba) in Washington. "I have a message for you from Fidel," he said. This made me sit up straight. "He has read your Atlantic article about Iran and Israel. He invites you to Havana on Sunday to discuss the article." I am always eager, of course, to interact with readers of The Atlantic, so I called a friend at the Council on Foreign Relations, Julia Sweig, who is a preeminent expert on Cuba and Latin America: "Road trip," I said.

I quickly departed the People's Republic of Martha's Vineyard for Fidel's more tropical socialist island paradise. Despite the self-defeating American ban on travel to Cuba, both Julia and I, as journalists and researchers, qualified for a State Department exemption. The charter flight from Miami was bursting with Cuban-Americans carrying flat-screen televisions and computers for their technologically-bereft families. Fifty minutes after take-off, we arrived at the mostly-empty Jose Marti International Airport. Fidel's people met us on the tarmac (despite giving up his formal role as commandante en jefe after falling ill several years ago, Fidel still has many people). We were soon deposited at a "protocol house" in a government compound whose architecture reminded me of the gated communities of Boca Raton. The only other guest in this vast enclosure was the president of Guinea-Bissau.

Read more: http://www.theatlantic.com/internati...he-jews/62566/ ]]> Open Forum Almost Perspicacious http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?421217-An-Interesting-Article-About-Castro-Cuba-Jews-Anti-semitism-Etc. http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?421190-Need-someone-to-repair-eletric-blow-dryer&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:18:39 GMT I have an industrial blow dryer that will dry 3 dogs. I think that one of the motors needs to be replaced and the other 2 probably need brushes. I... I have an industrial blow dryer that will dry 3 dogs. I think that one of the motors needs to be replaced and the other 2 probably need brushes. I have sent it to Springfield in the past for servicing but, would really like to have the work done locally if possible.

Thanks for any help or recommendations you can pass along.

Dorothy ]]> Open Forum diguertin http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?421190-Need-someone-to-repair-eletric-blow-dryer http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?421120-שנה-טובה&goto=newpost Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:01:07 GMT L'shana tova!!! ]]> Open Forum JrtLover http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?421119-looking-for-specific-cleaner&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:35:30 GMT Quite a while ago I got a gallon of Rubbermaid "professional plus" concentrated orange and degreaser.
It's the best all round cleaner I've found.. and either the bottle has changed.. or I just can't see it. Got any ideas about where I might find it?
Thanks. ]]> Open Forum PMilam http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?421119-looking-for-specific-cleaner http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?421096-Please...please....now-we-re-begging!!!&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:13:52 GMT Fockers needs bags...please recycle your plastic/paper bags at Fockers.

Thanks...and don't forget your FREE gift when you bring your bags. ]]> Open Forum Jan Ridenour http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?421096-Please...please....now-we-re-begging!!! http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?421057-Legal&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:19:09 GMT Local cops have speed trap set up on N.Main. One presumably clocks motorists who are speeding on N. main and radios info to a second cop who is... Local cops have speed trap set up on N.Main. One presumably clocks motorists who are speeding on N. main and radios info to a second cop who is parked several blocks OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS and who then flags down and tickets the offending motorist. ]]> Open Forum BillVoiers http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?421057-Legal http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?421056-Congratulations-Teresa&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:13:44 GMT :cool: ~Congratulations Teresa DeVito for being the Citizen of the Week~We love U-both~ :wave: :cool:
~Congratulations Teresa DeVito for being the Citizen of the Week~We love U-both~
:wave: ]]> Open Forum mtnviewsteve http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?421056-Congratulations-Teresa http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?421055-Cell-Tower-Public-Comments&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:11:15 GMT Since my wife and I have discontinued to post on here( to the extent she asked her account to be cancelled and that she has been slandered enough... Since my wife and I have discontinued to post on here( to the extent she asked her account to be cancelled and that she has been slandered enough regarding me and my running for city council), I feel it is within my civic duty as a former planning commisioner who had the wool pulled over our eyes and lied to, and as a concerned citizen, to post the following from the Tues, Sep 7, 2010 Carroll County Newspaper:

Legal Notice

This is to serve as notice that Smith Two Way is in the process of fulfilling FCC compliance requirements for a 195 foot telecommunications tower to be located on Judah Street, Eureka Springs, Carroll County, Arkansas. Comments are sought on the effect of the proposed tower on historic properties within the viewshed of the proposed tower per the Nationwide Programmatic Agreement of March 7, 2006 under the Nationwide Historic Preservation Act of 1966. For comments, please write to: L Norwood, Terracon Consultants, 2955 Premiere Pkway, Suite C, Duluth, Georgia 30097

Its an interesting side note that neither the FCC nor the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program is even mentioned here. Do with this information as you may. My opinion has been stated long ago.
One can only hope Eureka Springs will still win this one. ]]> Open Forum Quiet One http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?421055-Cell-Tower-Public-Comments http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?421031-For-all-you-cleanliness-nuts-out-there.....&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:17:54 GMT Is there a good, REALLY good, oven cleaner you would recommend over all others? (Please excuse me for not putting this on the Oven Cleaning... Is there a good, REALLY good, oven cleaner you would recommend over all others?

(Please excuse me for not putting this on the Oven Cleaning Board.)

My oven is getting really disgusting. So much so that Houseboy Tony refuses to open the door. I guess it's time to clean the damned thing.

Recommendations?

kthxbei ]]> Open Forum Yip http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?421031-For-all-you-cleanliness-nuts-out-there..... http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?420969-Questions-and-Answers&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:42:36 GMT The question posed in another thread deserves an answer. Where can you go to find out about a candidate for Mayor? Right here. I will reply to... The question posed in another thread deserves an answer. Where can you go to find out about a candidate for Mayor? Right here. I will reply to anything that is a legitimate question, either here, or on my blog; joycezeller.blogspot.com You'll find specific information about me, my interests, and my background.
That blog will be a permanent fixture of my administration with weekly, if not daily, postings. There is no such thing as 'too much information.'

Specifically, 'dumbinthere' wants a position statement on Eureka Springs. If you Google 'Joyce Zeller/position paper, ' you will find a plan I wrote in 1993, detailing my vision for Eureka Springs. There is also a marketing proposal. We've come a long way. The lodging now has jetted tubs, there are Spas here. To get that going took a lot of talking and a business plan I wrote that Jack Moyer paid attention to. The wedding business took even more nudging until Jan Watson, who managed John Cross' B&B, tried weddings, mentioned, at a Business & Prof. Women's Dinner how much more lucrative they were instead of honeymoons --which is how we were selling ourselves--and the rest is history.
We're at another crossroads, making this one of the most important elections we've had in years. This town is finally working, thanks to Mayor Joy. There are some signs that we are going to pull out of this recession. If we can get the grants we're working on, get the cooperation of state officials to achieve our goals, and continue to benefit from the tremendous help we've been getting from Parks and Tourism, we'll make it through. The survival of this town depends on what happens in the next four years. You only have one vote. Use it wisely.

I made a copy of "Hey Mayoral Candidate!! Yeah you!!, the thread started by BeeRoe and I'll begin by addressing some of those concerns. The question was "What is my vision for Eureka Springs?" Short version here. Longer version later on my blog. The main business of Eureka Springs, because of its location and topography, will always be Tourism. Our image, or 'branding' is "The Extraordinary Escape." To that end, we must preserve the historic atmosphere, the looks, and the core lifestyle at all costs. We are a time warp, a parallel universe sought, by our visitors, for physical and soul renewal. Our image to the outside should be one of peace, safety, and relaxation. Our visitors can't get that where they live.
We will always be a small town, out of time. I would discourage blatantly commercial development on the highway, limit fast food franchises unless they can come up with a tasteful design, and say NO to the highway department if they even think of messing with Highway 62. It has its' own history.

We need alternative businesses, but they need to be developed at the edges of town and be small, with not much more than fifty employees, requiring small parking areas. This is the job of the Chamber of Commerce, working with a sympathetic city council, but always with our end goal in mind.

Yeah, we need a vision plan with all the attendant zoning in place. We've talked about it long enough and the planning commission can't do it. I suggest we hire Judge Ohm, the state's foremost expert on such things, to write one for us and go on from there.
Questions anyone?

Joyce ]]> Open Forum Joyce Zeller http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?420969-Questions-and-Answers http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?420968-Sheriff-Grudek-Responds&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:21:55 GMT For some reason this story is not on the Harrison Daily Times web-site, so bear with me as I attempt to synopsize a half page story. Grudek has... For some reason this story is not on the Harrison Daily Times web-site, so bear with me as I attempt to synopsize a half page story.


Grudek has reported his opponent, Chief Bailey, for misuse of the Arkansas Crime Information Center. Grudek says Blue John had a copy of the booking documents. Grudek says the Green Forest Department was the only agency accessing the records. Asked about the sheriff's accussation Bailey said he had not accessed the information and would check with ACIC.

The second pepper spraying incident was when Deputy Chris Jones was assissting a Green Forest officer with a handcuffed subject who tried to head butt him as he tried to put on leg restraints.

Grudek pointed out Bill King sought information on the three cases after the National Guard spotted marijuana plants outside King's home.

'Also released at the news conference was a two page statement from his deputies saying they had "newfound dignity and professionalism" but they regretted the low pay and "lack of support we receive from the political heads of this county and their zeal only for that which will further their part and agenda."
Sheriff's employees have "suffered greatly recently, due to the misreporting and personal views of a select few who have the benefit and availability of space in our local media outlets," the statement said.' ]]> Open Forum James DeVito http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?420968-Sheriff-Grudek-Responds http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?420967-The-Eureka-Springs-amp-Branson-Astronomical-Society&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:18:33 GMT ---Greetings all! This is just a little FYI Post to enlighten the locals about their local astronomical society.

---The Eureka Springs & Branson Astronomical Society is now affiliated and in contact with dozens of astronomical societies from around the US and the world. The footwork has been done to make ourselves a known entity in the world of amateur astronomy. The next step is to start becoming more active in the community and helping provide learning opportunities for locals with interests in astronomy. Here are a few things we are currently working on in no particular order...

~We are currently building an observatory. This observatory will be made available to use by members.
~Register an official domain
~Build a website that allows interactivity amongst it’s members.
~Register ESAS as a non-profit organization.
~Get involved in the local community.
~Attend and plan regional star parties.
~Recruit members.

The temporary website is... http://eurekaastronomy.wordpress.com/

If you are interested in being part of the group, then please feel free to leave me an IM on here. An official e-mail address will be available when the domain is secured. I look forward to reading your thoughts. ]]> Open Forum Cobalt_Abyss http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?420967-The-Eureka-Springs-amp-Branson-Astronomical-Society http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?420966-But...but....what-would-the-American-Family-Assn.-say&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:03:59 GMT Fort Homosexual, West Virginia, maybe? http://enews.earthlink.net/article/str?guid=20100908/4dfdf04f-39a6-40e7-bc43-e4df5b470511 (I hope that... Fort Homosexual, West Virginia, maybe?

http://enews.earthlink.net/article/s...3-e4df5b470511

(I hope that link is correct.)

Xbox blocks W.Va. gamer over town's name: Fort Gay
VICKI SMITH
From Associated Press
September 08, 2010 1:06 PM EDT

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Microsoft Corp. and the chief rules enforcer for Xbox Live are apologizing to a small West Virginia town and a 26-year-old gamer accused of violating the online gaming service's code of conduct by publicly declaring he's from Fort Gay — a name the company considered offensive.

The town's name is real. But when Josh Moore tried to tell Seattle-based Microsoft and the enforcement team at Xbox Live, they wouldn't take his word for it. Or Google it. Or check the U.S. Postal Service website for a ZIP code.

Instead, they suspended his gaming privileges for a few days until Moore could convince them the location in his profile, "fort gay WV," wasn't a joke or a slur: It's an actual community of about 800 in Wayne County, along West Virginia's western border with Kentucky.

"At first I thought, 'Wow, somebody's thinking I live in the gayest town in West Virginia or something.' I was mad. ... It makes me feel like they hate gay people," said Moore, an unemployed factory worker who plays shooters like Medal of Honor, Call of Duty and Ghost Recon under the gamertag Joshanboo. ]]> Open Forum Yip http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?420966-But...but....what-would-the-American-Family-Assn.-say http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?420965-Fighting-Anti-Gay-Bullying-and-Achieving-Dignity-for-All-Students&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:41:53 GMT http://gayrights.change.org/blog/view/fighting_anti-gay_bullying_and_achieving_dignity_for_all_students http://gayrights.change.org/blog/vie...r_all_students ]]> Open Forum MotherMoon12 http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?420965-Fighting-Anti-Gay-Bullying-and-Achieving-Dignity-for-All-Students http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?420904-Citizen-Reader-Comments&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:48:14 GMT Some are getting pretty heated up on different topics... Good reading... Some are getting pretty heated up on different topics... Good reading... ]]> Open Forum JET http://www.geekfest.com/showthread.php?420904-Citizen-Reader-Comments