respublica

This week goes to the dogs

This National Dog Bite Prevention Week sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association in order to make people more aware of how to avoid being bitten and how to train your own dog.

More of us are bitten by dogs each year than we may realize and dogs are bitten by dogs as well. Take some time to look over the AVMA's information, it may come in handy one day.

Who visits the White House

Ever wonder who's been visiting the White House? Me neither, but the White House has a data base which you can use to see just who's passed through security for a visit.

Texas! 85 mph Texas

The Texas House of Representatives has approved a bill which would allow a speed limit of 85 mph on some highways. 

And we poke along in Illinois at 65. And crawl along in St Louis, barely moving. Confession: I've driven 85 mph. In Kansas.

What's with JCP?

All of a sudden, out of no where, J C Penny has begun advertising in a big way. This morning's paper has at least 3 full page JCP ads which around these parts is very unusual. I can only think of 2 JCP stores in the St. Louis area, one in Fairview Heights and the other a very small store in south city on Hampton.

Oh, maybe this is why Penny's has begun an advertising blitz, the company's sales dropped 20 percent the past quarter because customers seem uneasy with their new pricing program.

Best and worst things to buy in May

What deals are out there in May and what things are not on sale? Surprisingly grills are not at their best prices for the start of summer while mattresses are.

If you plan to do some buying in the near future, this story may help you find which of the summer months to get the best deal.

Gifts and Decorations requires no introduction

This eclectic place on Kingshighway near Delmar is new to me, but it sure looks like a fun place to drop in on one of these days.

St. Louis may not have the panache other cities have but every now and then you come across something different which gives a richness to our pattern of life. 

Proper language battles

"The English-speaking world may be divided into (1) those who neither know nor care what a split infinitive is; (2) those who do not know, but care very much; (3) those who know & condemn; (4) those who know & approve; & (5) those who know & distinguish."

I'd add one more to the above list: Those who do not know and do not care.

An article on correct language from the past and today. Confession: I found this article almost unreadable and barely comprehensible.

How to keep people from knowing what you read online

At least you can keep your Facebook friends from seeing what articles you've read. Anyone on Facebook occasionally sees that one friend or other has just read something and the link to the article comes up. If this public airing of what you read doesn't appeal to you, here's the way to block public view.

East Germany's transformation

A dramatic contrast of images. What East Germany looked like at the end of its communist domination and what it looked like after ten years of capitalism. Each picture of a scene from the old East Germany is set against the same scene in the current day.

Best to worst states for business

The Chief Executive's annual ranking of the the best and worst states in which to do business. Not surprisingly Illinois is way down at the bottom at 48th. The only states below Illinois are New York and California. Missouri is in the middle at 24 and Texas is first.

But Indiana is moving up (5) and looking to become a strong job creating state.