South Bend, Indiana; February 19, 2008

Uncle Ron’s Ramblings

Note to Paris Hilton--Your 15 Minutes are Up: Life is not fair department. Why is it that people like Paris Hilton can sell their dubious talents for top dollar while people like David Evans (and other members of Creative Word Ministries) give freely of their considerable talents.
I know David is going to appreciate being compared to Paris Hilton. He already had to point out to me that he is not the Queen of the West. Actually I didn’t say that. I said that he is not related to Dale Evans, the late Queen of the West or veteran actor Gene Evans who played the father on the 1950’s “My Friend Flicka” television series. Dale’s given name was actually Frances Octavia Smith.
David researched, wrote, directed, and choreographed the CFH production of “The Underground Railroad.”
The play was entertaining and informative. It is based on actual historical incidents.
One came away from the play with an appreciation not only for David’s talents but for those of the guests and staff members who made up the cast.
The cast members did double and triple duty as slaves, abolitionists, and dancers.
David and the cast put in two-three hours, three nights a week in the month leading up to the performance. They worked overtime the past week.
One also wonders, with all the work put into the production, whether there will be demands for an encore performance.
Announcements

Special Poetry Jam: At March 3 Monday night meeting. Please see Tammy to OK poems. No foul or suggestive language.
Car Registration: CFH Guests: If you own a motor vehicle, you need to register it with your coach or it could be towed.
“One Step At a Time” Running Group: Three days a week (times and days TBA). Will meet at CFH. Open to Center guests and anyone else who is interested in learning to run. All runners will receive the necessary running gear (i.e. running shoes, shorts, warm-ups, shirts, hats, etc.). There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board by the basement stairway near the men’s lounge.
Artistic Newsletter: Are you an artist, poet or writer? Place submissions for the new Artistic Newsletter in Emily Pickerill’s box. Express your talents and ideas by participating. Start submitting as soon as possible.
Art Group: Interested in exercising your creative spirit? Want to see some of your original art work on display in the hallways?
Please see Meg about details for joining a new art group at CFH
VA Hospital Van: To schedule a ride to the VA Hospital in Ft. Wayne, St. Joseph County veterans can call Doug Davis (USMC, retired) at (574) 243-VETS (8387).
The van service also provides connecting rides to the VA hospitals in Marion and Indianapolis. .
Homeless Veterans: If you are disabled and cannot work full-time (or are over 65), you may be entitled to a disability pension from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
For more information and complete eligibility requirements, call 1-800-827-1000.
You can also contact: Dianne W. Brown, Homeless Veterans Coordinator by calling 317-554-0000, extension 82589 or direct dial 317-988-2589 at Indianapolis VAMC, Room C-2065. Office Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday, 2-3:45 p.m.

ABE

▪Money and Power: An ABE discussion group Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m.
Anyone interested in talking about issues of working, buying, and how you relate to broader society? Sign up in ABE.
Starts tomorrow (February 20).
▪Dead Poets Society: Thursdays, 3-4 p.m., ABE Room. All are welcome.
We will discuss short stories and poems.
▪Poetry Jam: Tuesday, 7-8 p.m. Share your own work; read a favorite poem; or listen, relax, and enjoy.
▪Writing: Wednesdays, 3-4 p.m., ABE. Improve your basic writing skills under the guidance of a trained instructor.
▪Creative Writing: Thursdays, 8-9 p.m. Develop your creative writing skills. You don’t have to sign up, just show up. Volunteers from Notre Dame will be there.
▪Fractions and Decimals Refresher Courses: Tuesdays, fractions, and Thursdays, decimals, in the second floor conference room. Everyone is welcome. For more information, contact ABE.

Election 2008

Hawaii, Wisconsin Go to Polls: Barack Obama hopes to continue the momentum which has propelled him slightly ahead of Democratic rival Hilary Clinton in the Hawaii caucuses and Wisconsin primary today.
Polls show the two in a close race in Wisconsin. Obama is given the edge in Hawaii because he was born there and graduated from a Hawaiian high school.
Republicans will also vote in Wisconsin.
GOP front-runner John McCain picked up the endorsement of the 41st President George H.W. Bush, father of the current president.
McCain has an overwhelming lead over his closest remaining challenger Mike Huckabee.

World

Castro Formally Steps Down: Cuba’s Fidel Castro is stepping down after almost half a century in power.
In a letter to the Cuban people, which was run overnight in the online edition of the Cuban Communist Daily Paper Granma, the 81-year-old leader conceded that he no longer has the strength to continue as President of the State Council and Commander in Chief.
Raul Castro, 76, who has been acting President since his older brother’s intestinal surgery in the summer of 2006, will be formally installed this weekend.
Left temporarily unanswered is the question of who will succeed the new president as the heir-apparent.
The elder Castro first seized power in 1959 after leading an insurgency against Dictator Fulgencia Batista.
Musharraf’s Party Accepts Defeat: Pakistan appeared to be heading for a transition to an elected civilian government Tuesday after President Pervez Musharraf told visiting United States senators that he accepted the resounding defeat of his party in elections, and would work with a new Parliament.
After fears that violence and vote rigging would mar the polling, international election observers described the victory for the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-N as an accurate reflection of the voting.
The nearly complete election tally today showed the Pakistan Peoples Party winning 80 of the 242 contested seats; the Pakistan Muslim League-N with 66; and the pro-Musharraf party trailing with 38.
The leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-N, Nawaz Sharif, who was prime minister twice in the 199s, is now in an important position to help forge the new government with Asis Ali Zardari, the leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party.
Sharif’s last government was overthrown when Musharraf seized power.
Zardari is the widower of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Herald Sports

Monday NBA Scores: All-star break. Regular games resume tonight.
Monday NHL Scores: Devils 5, Hurricanes 1; Islanders 3, Sharks 2; Red Wings 4, Avalanche 0; Coyotes 4, Kings 0 (Wayne Gretzky’s 100th win as coach).
Monday NCAA Men’s Basketball Scores: (12) Georgetown 68, Providence 58; (18) Louisville 61, Syracuse 50; (10) Xavier 81, Rhode Island 77; (7) Texas 77, Texas A&M 50.
Monday NCAA Women’s Basketball Scores: (20) Ohio St. 72, Purdue 56; IUPUI 97, Centenary 45; Wisconsin 79, Northwestern 65.
(20) Ohio St. Women 72, Purdue 56: Marscilla Packer scored 16 of her 18 points in the second half as the host Lady Buckeyes (19-6, 10-4 Big Ten) moved past Purdue into second place in the Big Ten.
FahKara Malone led the Lady Boilermakers (14-12, 10-5) with 17 points.