Here’s a few current news items that sparked our interest:
From CNS News
California Tackles Global Warming – At a Cost, Some Say
California Governor Vetoes Two More ‘Gay Agenda’ Bills
‘Gun-Free School Zones’ Blamed for Tragedy
From sacbee.com (Note – Damsel brought to my attention that the sacbee site requires a free signup to view their articles.)
Sunday, Damsel and I attended a book signing in the old Torrance Library, now the Torrance Historical Society Museum, in Downtown Torrance, California. The book we were having signed is Images in Aviation — Torrance Airport written by my long-time friend and former colleague, Chuck Lobb. We enjoyed a nice visit with Chuck and were happy to see him doing well with his book.
Image: Chuck holding the book he signed for us. Photo Credit: Damsel
I just started reading the book today, and as a long-time flyer in the Southern California area, I look forward to learning all about the airport’s history.
Amazon link to Torrance Airport book.
Book Description
Californians were panicked by the Pearl Harbor attack of December 7, 1941, and civilian flights within 200 miles of the coast were immediately terminated. Airfields were commandeered and new ones hastily built. One of these was the Lomita Flight Strip, known today as Zamperini Field, the Torrance Municipal Airport, or TOA. This 490-acre parcel sent four squadrons of P-38 fighter pilots off to war with one commanded by the judge of the Charles Manson trial, an ex-Flying Tiger. Six other pilots became generals, two became commandants of cadets at the Air Force Academy, and one became the only fighter pilot with combat victories in both World War II and the Vietnam War. Japanese Americans returning from World War II internment camps found temporary housing at the field, and the world’s largest manufacturer of civilian helicopters settled there in 1973. The first runway takeoff of a Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft was pioneered at TOA, and aerobatic champ Bob Herendeen trained at the site.
About the Author
Charles Lobb is a Federal Aviation Administration certified flight instructor and unofficial historian for Zamperini Field, the Torrance Municipal Airport. Over a 10-year period, he has combed through federal archives and private collections for vintage and compelling photographs, many published here for the first time.
The annual gathering of the Southern California Orchid Society is this weekend. We are members of the South Coast Botanical Gardens and since our facility was host to the event, we were able to attend today. All I can say is the show and the orchids and flowers on sale were breathtaking. Here’s the proof:
The little pale-blue blossom of the “Creeping Charlie” is decorated with tiny symmetrical patterns — very delicate and pretty. These short-lived blossoms are currently growing on a plant I have in the shady part of our patio.
From WIKIPEDIA:
Glechoma hederacea (Ground-ivy) is a an aromatic, perennial, evergreen creeper of the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to Europe and southwestern Asia but introduced to North America and now common in most regions other than the Rocky Mountains. Its common names include Alehoof, Creeping Charlie (or Charley), Catsfoot (from the size and shape of the leaf), Field Balm, Run-away-robin, Ground Ivy, Gill-over-the-ground, and Tunhoof.
It can be identified by its round to reniform (kidney or fan shaped), crenate (with round toothed edges) opposed leaves 2-3 cm diameter, on 3-6 cm long petioles attached to square stems which root at the nodes. It is a variable species, its size being influenced by environmental conditions, from 5 cm up to 50 cm tall.
We’ve blogged before about “Distracted Drivers” and offered humor in “Top 10 Reasons Why People Use a Wireless While Driving.” Now, Governor Schwarzenegger has signed a law to require the use of hands-free devices except for emergencies. That’s good, but it won’t take effect until next July.
From sacbee.com
Governor launches cell phone law
The law that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Friday banning motorists in California from holding cell phones while driving does not take effect until July 1, 2008, but the governor is urging drivers to begin complying now.
“You can use a cell phone, but use a headset or use a speaker system and you will be fine,” the governor said during a signing ceremony at a hotel in Oakland.
State Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, predicted Senate Bill 1613 — the law he pushed through the Legislature after four unsuccessful attempts — will save lives by decreasing driving distractions.
Under the law, motorists will be required to use a headset, speaker phone, ear bud or other device that frees up both hands when they talk. Motorists who need to make emergency calls are exempted.
Violators will be fined $20 for the first infraction and $50 for subsequent violations.
Every year, Damsel and I make the pilgrimage back to the place where we got married — Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, California. You might have seen our postings on some of the things we saw this visit.
Crossing the Catalina Channel from San Pedro to Avalon on the Catalina Express boat takes about an hour and fifteen minutes. Crossing the Catalina Channel on the Island Express helicopter takes about fifteen minutes. Always anxious to get there, Damsel and I generally take the helicopter over and the boat back. This works to our advantage two ways: one, we get there quick and start our vacation activities an hour sooner, and two, there is not a restrictive weight limit on the boat for baggage (25 lbs max on the helicopter), and if we buy souvenirs and stuff there, taking the boat back makes sense to us. Actually, both means of transportation are fine with us, and both are enjoyable. This little two-minute movie shows a few sequences I recorded our last trip over.
Last week, I got a potted zinnia at the local garden shop. I put it on the back patio before we left for a short trip to Catalina Island this week. When we returned there were several beautiful bright red flowers to greet us. This is a close-up of one of them.
