Monthly Archives: January 2013

Hugo award nominations open

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hugo_smNominations for the biggest award of the year for science fiction are now open. The Hugo Award nomination process started on January 2 and run to March 10th. The 2013 Hugo Awards are being administered by LoneStarCon 3, the 2013 World Science Fiction Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

The awards are named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories. The Hugo is awarded by the World Science Fiction Society.

People eligible to nominate for the award must be, or have been, a member of the 2012, 2013 or 2014 Worldcons as of January 31, 2013. Nominations must be received by March 10, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. Post marks and other date stamps do not count.

Tuscon gun buy-back a limited success to those looking for deals.

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guns
TUSCON—The Tuscon Police Department held a gun buy-back on Tuesday at the behest of Tuscon City Councilman Steve Kozachik. After the announcement of the gun buy-back, Former Republican Senator Frank Antenori of Tuscon announced he was going to assist the police in their efforts. In fact, he was going to offer double—$100—over the “crummy” $50 Safeway gift certificates.

Apparently the offer met with limited success as only about 30 weapons were purchased through private sales.

washington-compostA Washington Post caption of a photo by Matt York erroneously read that the event was “disrupted by buyers who offered cash” to those who came for gift certificates. As NewsBusters’ Ken Shepherd pointed out, however, there were no reports of incident or arrests.

In Arizona it is legal to sell guns between private citizens.

The NRA attempted to stop the destruction of the weapons, but NPR in Tuscon reports that the Tuscon police sent the 205 weapons collected to be destroyed Tuesday Afternoon. This could be a violation of Arizona Revised Statute if the gift cards offered were paid for with taxpayer dollars.

Ted Robbins of NPR News in Tuscon stated, “…but in the current political climate, this controversy seems to show – in Arizona, at least – it’s tough for an owner to get rid of an unwanted gun.”

200 guns were collected by police and about 30 guns were purchased by the supporters of Senator Antenori. If that seems to be a small turn-out it could be that Arizona citizens are not as “dumbed-down” on the Second Amendment as Washington pundits would like them to be.

Roughneck Nine-One

SEE ALSO: Arizona Daily Star – January 5
Arizona Daily Star – January 8
NPR News, Tuscon
Newsbusters

Photos:
tuscon-guns.jpg (NPR)
washington-compost.jpg (NewsBusters)

Indiana considers regulating the use of drones.

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INDIANA—The Indiana State General Assembly is considering a bill to ban the use of drones without the consent of those being monitored.

The synopsis of Senate Bill No. 20 concerning the use of unmanned aerial vehicles reads:

Provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally uses an unmanned aerial vehicle to monitor a person, property, or thing without the written consent of the subject of the monitoring commits a Class D felony. Provides that images or communications obtained through the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle are not admissible as evidence. Provides that a person who possesses an image or communications obtained through the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle commits a Class A misdemeanor. Prohibits the use of public money to purchase an unmanned aerial vehicle.

The bill would take effect July 1, 2013

Indiana lawmaker—Senator Jim Tomes (R-Wadesville)—submitted the bill placing limits on drones. In an interview with onpolitix, he said, “That you [sic] couldn’t be videotaping you, your property, or your things without your written permission.”

He, also, cited the possibility of a crash by a drone.

Rep. Clyde Kersey (D-Terre Haute.) disagrees with the Senator. He believes the legislation is misguided because drones are safe. “They’re like an airplane and they’re crash record is pretty good compared to aircraft, so I don’t see a problem with that at all,” he said

Coconino Parks and Recreation meeting tomorrow

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January 10, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM @ Mess Hall, Coconino County Fairgrounds, Fort Tuthi

The Coconino County Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, January 10th at 3:00 p.m. in the Mess Hall, Coconino County Fairgrounds, Fort Tuthill County Park. See meeting agenda (PDF link)

Agenda items include elections of 2013 officers, discussion and action on the desire to form an Open Space subcommittee, and fee changes.

NLRB board member Richard Griffin allegedly covered up embezzlement at a major labor union

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nlrb-logo-300x297A recent lawsuit filed in a federal court in California alleges that National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) member Richard Griffin was complicit in a scheme to cover up embezzlement at a major labor union by terminating employees who attempted to expose the effort.

The allegations appear in a lengthy complaint filed against the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE). The lawsuit alleges numerous violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, and names Griffin, IUOE’s former general counsel, as a defendant.

Read more at NetRightDaily.com

To Sidestep Obamacare, Wendy’s Reduces Hours for Hundreds in Nebraska

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Employees at various Wendy’s restaurant locations in Nebraska will work fewer hours this year, reportedly due to costs associated with Obamacare.

Under the new healthcare law, businesses with 50 or more “full-time” employees must offer health benefits to their staffers working between 32 and 38 hours. Non-managerial workers at Omaha-area Wendy’s will see their hours cut to 28 hours a week, according to local NBC affiliate WOWT.

Gary Burdette, vice president of operations for the Wendy’s franchise, acknowledged the cuts are an attempt by the franchise owner to reduce the number of full-time employees at his Wendy’s locations to avoid offering health care benefits to his staff, according to WOWT.

Wendy’s spokesman Denny Lynch stressed in a Huffington Post interview that the decision of franchise owner Scott King was his alone and not “a company decision.”

“Our franchisees are independent businesspeople, and they make the decisions regarding their restaurant teams. As small-business employers, our franchisees are facing rising food and operating costs and many new government regulations,” Lynch said.

Read more at Newsmax.com

Georgia soldier in Afghanistan marries on Skype

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WLTZ 38 | Columbus Georgia Regional News
(CNN)-A couple from Georgia did not let the thousands of miles separating them keep them from getting married. They used Skype to bridge the gap and tie the knot.

Jacqueline Durham spent her wedding day like most brides. From her bedazzled bride outfit, she got ready with her bridesmaids and took plenty of pictures.

“Say cheeeesee.”

And something not on a typical bride to be list, check her Internet connection.

Jacqueline would marry her Fort Gordon Soldier while he is still stationed overseas in Afghanistan- through skype! “He told me about it. And he’s like what do you think about that? Do you want to do that? And I was like, of course. Since we can’t be together, it’d make it special”

After two years of dating Trey, Jacqueline told me she couldn’t wait any longer.

Read more at WLTZ Channel 38

Northern Arizona Authors Association meets January 12

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All writers—published or not—are invited to The Northern Arizona Authors Association meeting at 10 am on Saturday January 12th at the Wild West Junction in Williams, Arizona. All writers, published or not, are welcome to join us.

The following meeting in February will be in Flagstaff to accommodate our authors from Sedona, Flagstaff and beyond.

Our newest published author Jessie Medeiros is having great success with the sales of her “Angels and Miracles” book.