The Passenger Pigeon

The findings also have implications for how conservation scientists think about vulnerability to extinction, Dr. Shapiro added. The passenger pigeon illustrates that even species with colossal population sizes are not safe from disappearing.

From the NYTimes.

So thick they blotted out the sun when flying to and fro,

These pigeons numbered in the millions not so long ago.

A single buckshot discharge could bring down about a score,

For pioneers to pluck and roast, and then go back for more.

Just like the shaggy buffalo, these birds pell mell were slaughtered;

Their simple blood was spilled so much the prairie ground it watered.

But buffalos were salvaged by our conscience-stricken nation,

While these poor fowl were hunted to a final desolation.

Is there, then, much safety in the teeming, surging crowd --

Or does the very size of it produce its own dread shroud?

Majorities appeal to man and beast as havens snug --

But just remember Noah when you start to feeling smug!

Los propietarios de pequeñas empresas tienen sus propias vacaciones de compras

Iniciado por la industria de tarjetas de crédito en 2010, Small Business Saturday tiene lugar un día después del Black Friday. El ímpetu detrás de estas vacaciones de compras relativamente nuevas fue el hecho de que los consumidores estadounidenses todavía aman las tiendas locales de su vecindario y, a menudo, optan por ir de compras en las grandes tiendas o incluso en línea. Una ferretería de barrio o una tienda de regalos boutique; una frutería local o una librería independiente: son la columna vertebral de la comunidad de pequeñas empresas, donde los propietarios / operadores conocen el nombre de cada cliente y pueden pasar mucho tiempo con cada persona que ingresa a su tienda para ayudarlos a seleccionar el artículo correcto las vacaciones. Es un sueño pasado de moda que muchos estadounidenses aún aferran. Y Small Business Saturday aprovecha esa nostalgia para ayudar a la persona de negocios independiente a crear interés entre los clientes y aumentar las ventas.


A continuación se detalla cómo hacer que el sábado 25 de noviembre de 2017 sea un día destacado para las ventas de su pequeña empresa: Que todos sepan en línea Utilice cada bit de las redes sociales que pueda para alertar a sus clientes y posibles clientes de que su empresa tiene la intención de honrar a Small Business Saturday con algunas ventas y excelentes negocios. Incluso si no ha estado haciendo mucho con el contacto con el cliente en línea, aún puede difundir el mensaje a través de Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, etc. Si no ha comenzado cuentas en algunos de estos lugares de oro, ¡ahora es el momento de hacerlo! Cree un cupón en línea que se pueda imprimir y que sea válido para un descuento del diez por ciento en cualquier artículo de veinte dólares en su tienda. Te sorprenderá cuánto tráfico en línea y en tu tienda esto puede crear.


Contratar personal adicional Muchos medios de comunicación importantes presentarán Small Business Saturday como una noticia legítima, por lo que recibirá publicidad gratis para el evento y debería prepararse para que los compradores adicionales se detengan. Este sería un buen momento para brindar ayuda adicional, de modo que ningún cliente potencial tenga que esperar, ni siquiera por un segundo, cuando ingresen a su tienda. Recuerde, una de las principales atracciones de un negocio de nicho es que el servicio es siempre personal, amigable e inmediato. Abre temprano, cierra tarde Black Friday ha puesto a los consumidores en forma para su Shopping Shopping Frenzy: ahora puede aprovechar el Morning After, cuando los consumidores aún tienen hambre de algo que no podían encontrar en la tienda o en línea. Así que abra las puertas antes de que salga el sol y manténgalas abiertas hasta mucho después de que el sol se haya puesto. Solo obtienes este tipo de oportunidad una vez al año, ¡así que aprovecha al máximo!

Promoción cruzada

Trabaje con otras empresas del vecindario en su área para promover productos cruzados. Por ejemplo, si tiene una tienda de alfarería, hable con el florista local sobre cómo trabajar en conjunto en descuentos especiales en jarrones para las flores compradas en su tienda. También puede promocionarse mutuamente mediante dibujos en los que regala no su propia mercancía, sino algo de un negocio diferente; por ejemplo, solicite a su ferretería que presente un dibujo para regalar un conjunto de sales de baño de la belleza local. salón, y ellos, a su vez, pueden organizar un sorteo en Small Business Saturday, para regalar un cinturón de herramientas de su ferretería. Es una propuesta de ganar-ganar.

Instant Ramen Noodle Review: Indo Mie brand hot & spicy. From Indonesia.

These need to be boiled in water for the standard 3 minutes. I added some sliced sweet peppers and some pineapple chunks from an aborted Panang curry I planned the other day. 

Some instant ramen noodles create a scum when they're on full boil, which leaves an unsightly ring around the burner to clean up. Not these babies -- the boil nice and clean.

The flavor packet didn't really add much savor to the noodles. And I only used half of the chili pepper packet -- I've learned my lesson! The noodles were just fine. They slurped well, and the peppers and pineapple added just the right light touch. I'm saving my stomach for this afternoon, when the Provo Senior Center is having a turkey dinner for us geezers. 
I'd recommend these noodles for a hasty bachelor breakfast anytime -- kids will like 'em, too.

The Unwise Experiment

We are running a terribly unwise experiment: What happens when you replace U.S. presidential leadership with the slapstick antics of a clown?
-- Eugene Robinson

Comparing politicians to the noble circus clown

Is slander pure and simple -- it would make a jurist frown.

Equating Donald Trump with Weary Willy is a crime

For which the guilty party ought to serve some real hard time.

For clowns with all their slapstick are at heart such gentle souls;

You can sense it neath the costumes of their merry roles.

They champion the downcast and wield cap and bells to hold

Back the tide of misery that comes from prude and scold.

A politician wreathes his face in smiles as cheap as tin;

His heart is but a weathervane, his courage mighty thin.

A clown exhibits truth that leaves us rolling in the aisles,

While politicians cheat us with their patriotic wiles.

Has Al Franken been Kissing and Groping?

A morning news anchor in Los Angeles is accusing Minnesota Democratic Sen. Al Franken of kissing and groping her without consent in 2006, when he was a comedian headed to entertain U.S. troops overseas along with other celebrities.
from BuzzFeed.

Kissing and groping is all the new rage,

By congressmen, businessmen, stars of the stage.

Even Al Franken, that North Star boychick,

Is up to his waist -- but can they make it stick?

Had there been drinking? Was there horseplay?

What kind of clothes did the woman display?

Is she a Democrat or Tea Party snot;

Was she quite proper or was she quite hot?

The man in the case will remember that she

Took it in jest -- there was no villainy.

The only way out of this terrible puzzle

Is to have ev’ry man wear wool mittens and muzzle.

Is it still okay to make fun of Mormons?

The late-Catholic theologian Stephen Webb observed that “mocking Mormonism is one of the last frontiers of verbal lawlessness to be untouched by the vigilante powers of political correctness.”

From The Atlantic.

The world is growing tolerant of great diversity.

We respect most ev’rything with true sincerity.

There is room for all beliefs, nobody needs get sore --

Until, that is, a Mormon tries to come through our front door.

Then we start to snigger and to snipe at their beliefs --

Shaking heads about their Salt Lake City holy chiefs.

Oh yes, they are nice people -- but you wouldn’t be caught dead

Sitting in a pew of theirs and bowing your smart head.

And what’s with all the temples and the missionaries who

Do not teach us how to vote but rather what is true?

I’d rather have old Donald Trump a-stirring up a mess

Than any kind of President who has gone LDS!

Photo Essay: Saying Goodbye to Daisy.

This is my youngest child, Daisy Torkildson. She is named after my maternal grandmother, Daisy Gagne. After struggling with finances and physical challenges for several years, she finally received her mission call from President Thomas S. Monson several weeks ago to serve for 18 months as an LDS missionary in Irvine, California.

Daisy and her niece Brooke have a very close relationship -- especially after several ice cream cones at Chuck-A-Rama.

Daisy with her sister Sarah; catching them in repose is like trying to catch a Golden Snitch.

Grand daughter Cici asks "Why can't I be in this photo essay, too? Ain't I just as cute?"

President Rahlf, Second Counselor in the MTC Presidency, set Daisy apart this morning. He graciously allowed me to participate in the ordinance. He lived in eastern Montana and knows some of the same people Daisy knows in Willison, ND.

There have now been 3 missionaries in the Torkildson family; me in Thailand, son Adam in Sacramento, and Daisy in Irvine. Soon it will be time for the grand kids to decide if they are going to step up and serve the Lord in the same way. I hope I am still around to see at least some of them get their calling and go into the MTC.

An LDS Mission is like no other education or vocation. Sometimes it can melt your bones, Daisy.

********************************************************************

Here is Daisy's first email from the MTC, written this afternoon:

Hello Family!

Uff da. Times a million. But it's a good Uff da, because I feel the spirit so strongly right now, that I could probably lift a car. At the same time, I'm so tired, I could literally fall asleep on this concrete floor. Anyway, the reason I am able to write so soon is because it's part of our first day activities, which is nice! I'm so happy right now, it's unbelievable. And I know I said goodbye to almost all of you literally hours ago, but I miss you all already. My companion's name is Sister Stout and she's great! She loves to sing, which is a plus for me, and she's from Northern Virginia (I told her about you, Madel) and she's serving in the Reno, Nevada mission. My official P-day is Saturday, so that's when I'll be writing to you from now on. I've met so many people today, that I hardly remember my own name or where I'm going, but it makes me so happy to meet so many people who are here for the same thing as I am: to share the gospel, and serve the Lord. We had a huge meeting with all the new missionaries where the MTC presidency spoke( Presidents Martino, ?, and Ralph) and it was super powerful. We talked about how important it is to have a good relationship with our companion and how we need to become as the Lord is. I was very uplifted at the end. Okay, I don't have much time left because I'm supposed to go to another class, but I love you all so much!  Until next time,

Sister Torkildson

Free Money

The idea is gaining traction in many countries as a proposal to soften the edges of capitalism. Though the details and philosophies vary from place to place, the general notion is that the government hands out regular checks to everyone, regardless of income or whether people are working. The money ensures food and shelter for all, while removing the stigma of public support.

From the NYTimes.

Inadequate wages have spurred the debate:

Should countries free income for people create?

It might be a blessing, or terrible jinx.

A riddle, indeed, worthy of the keen sphinx!

They’ve tried it in Kenya, in Finland, in Canada too.

The city of Oakland might also come through.

Conservatives, though, are not beating a path

To give it a whirl -- they are swooning with wrath.

“There is no free lunch” has been thousands of years

Dinned into peasants and pauper’s sore ears.

But maybe it’s time for all those who won’t spread

humane economics on crow to be fed.  

The Great Italian Clown Illustrator: Roberto Formigoni

The great Italian circus clown illustrator Roberto Formigoni is from Bescia, in northern Italy. His father worked as a political cartoonist in Rome, until Mussolini forced him to flee the city or face a long jail sentence.

Roberto loves all clowns. He calls Chaplin "the Mime King" and considers Laurel and Hard to be "the Maestros of Mayhem." He is especially drawn to circus clowns in his native country, drawing them frequently for newspapers, magazines, and for sale at art galleries.

Formigoni calls Italian circus clowns "the only people on the Earth today who can save us from the Void." His illustrations on this blog show some of his work illustrating circus programs for Il Circa del Mosca and for the academy La Scuola Del Circo.

 Formigoni once tried his hand at being a circus buffoon. He said that the audience knew he was not in love with them the moment he walked into the ring, and so they wouldn't believe his clowning and refused to applaud him.

He admires the work of American clown artist Jim Howle, calling him "the Norman Rockwell of the big top circus -- he's a worshipper first, and a painter second."

Formigoni says that the Italian Circus is not under any cloud or pressure to change their traditional animal acts.
"All this false publicity about our circuses going under is a black falsehood. Only a sick person would want the Italian circus to fail. Only a sour soul wants to end something that is so fun and beautiful!"

The Street Performer. Dedicated to Johan Figueroa-Gonzalez

Remarked upon, then left behind, small change tossed in a jar;

The street performer follows a peculiar canny star.

Competing with reality, he aims beyond the crowd

For something quiet and sincere that comes off very loud.

Roasted by the sun or dampened by the sullen rain,

She counts donations carefully -- until she’s robbed again.

Hoping for reporters to give her publicity

So she can get the tourists to pay for photography.

You don’t find many seniors on the street as mimes or wits;

The hours are too long and then the money often quits.

But young and reckless buskers are a salt to savor oft --

They make the dark streets brighter and hard avenues quite soft.

Read about Johan Figueroa-Gonzalez at https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/14/nyregion/a-wall-hanging-stirs-to-life-in-washington-square-park.html