Amusing News Bits

Another drippy morning in Juneau-town. It's supposed to cool off a bit over the weekend and next week. Perhaps we will have a last bit of winter. Hope not.

Just did the regular news scan for the day...and a couple items struck my fancy.

First, from the Anchorage Daily News an article for my buddy Eric: "Sterling Homebrewer is 'Beerdrinker of the Year'." http://www.adn.com/2010/03/03/1166272/sterling-homebrewer-is-beerdrinker.html

This is a NATIONAL award - no cheap-jack Alaska job.

Howell said he figured his isolation from the larger world of beer culture, relative to the other two finalists, who have traveled and tasted more extensively throughout the world, would be a detriment in the contest. He played up his philosophy that it's more important to contribute to beer culture by educating others about it and getting new people involved than it is to simply sample it without giving anything back.

Eric, I know you're a tad worried about how to keep yourself occupied upon retirement. Perhaps Mr. Howell is looking for an apprentice...

Second, from the Oregonian under the headline "Oregon's Duck is not Disney's Donald"

EUGENE -- The Donald and the Duck are going their separate ways.

In an amicable split, the folks at The Walt Disney Co. have agreed that the University of Oregon's feathered mascot, which appears at sporting events, is not Donald Duck and that the mascot is no longer subject to Disney's trademark.

What really struck my eye was the posted comment from a reader however:

The Duck mascot made an appearance at the Blazer game last night and my young daughter asked if the Duck mascot was going to strangle her and throw her down....and take her computer....I had to explain that its just Duck football players that do that.....not the mascot....yet.....

And last, but perhaps more significant (at least for high school age kids in Oregon), a story on how Oregon educators plan to raise those pesky high school test scores. "Oregon will test 11th-graders using 10th-grade tests." http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2010/03/post_6.html

Needless to say I'm sure that 49 other education commissioners are convening emergency staff meetings this morning...