| Baked from scratch: Local bakers sprout plan to grow wheat
It won't be your run-of-the-mill bread they're spinning their wheels for. The bicycle-driven thresher and grain mill being demonstrated at Saturday's first-of-its-kind Winter Fare at Greenfield's Second Congregational Church points to a Montague baker's plan to grow his own wheat for 'Daniel Shays Bread.' Jonathan Stevens and Cheryl Maffei of Hungry Ghost Bakery became interested in what some are calling their 'little red hen' idea of giving people wheat seeds to grow locally after a New Mexico baker at a conference eight or nine years ago introduced them to bread made from locally grown grain. Instead of baking with organic flour grown in North Dakota that gets trucked to North Carolina for milling, Stevens said, it makes much more sense to look at growing wheat and other grains nearby and milling it locally -- especially since Massachusetts is believed to have been the site of North America's first oat harvest -- on the Elizabeth Islands -- in 1602.
The Empire strikes out, and sports will be the downfall
Welcome to the decline and fall of the Roman empire, U.S. edition. Remember the great Roman empire? Its decline was not caused not just by greed, lust and indifference to civic virtues. Its decline — and you could look this up, except you won't find it anywhere — was caused by an unhealthy preoccupation with sports. The Romans became so lazy and soft and wealthy, their way of life crumbled as they filled local arenas for chariot races, gladiator fights and the occasional Christian fed to the lions. Sound familiar? Their empire and our empire have scary similarities. In ancient Rome, public executions were held at midday; in modern America, we have "The Jerry Springer Show." You think the emperor Romulus Augustulus was worried about crumbling roads and growing crime? No.
Airport defibrillator saves heart attack victim
The Ohio man was the 19th person resuscitated at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport since the installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) in December 2000. He was reported today to be in stable condition. According to airport authorities, on Wednesday night a Mesa Airlines flight, operating as US Airways Express, was pulling away from the gate when the man collapsed. Another passenger, an off-duty paramedic, checked the man for a pulse, didnt detect a heartbeat and then began CPR. After the pilot pulled the plane back to the gate, a Mesa Airlines employee retrieved an AED and used it. Phoenix fire paramedics on bicycles arrived in less than three minutes and determined that the mans pulse had been restored. .
Pedal power For commuting or just having fun, riding a bike in winter ...
Studded tires for bikes? Sure. You can also get chains if you want to join the intrepid cyclists who commute to work on two-wheelers during the winter, or who just want to have fun in the snow."I've been riding a bicycle for my main transportation for over 30 years. It's a force of habit," says John Schwenker, a 51-year-old aerospace engineer who lives near Boulder, Colo.He rides four miles to his office and four miles back, even in the snow."It's a matter of going slow in the stuff," he says.Bikes aren't just for sunny summer weather. There are those across the country - whether for environmental reasons, fun or fitness - who so love cycling that they ride year-round, pretty much regardless of the weather. .
Serbs bury US Embassy fire victim
People watch as the casket of Zoran Vujovic is lowered into the grave during his funeral in Novi Sad, Serbia, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008. Vujovic was killed inside the U.S. Embassy during a riot following demonstrations to protest against Kosovo's independence. .
|
