How strangely like my aunt...

Longtime Expert on A.L.S. Now Knows It All Too Well
By JOHN SCHWARTZ

"SAN FRANCISCO - Dr. Richard K. Olney steers his motorized wheelchair toward the front door of the A.L.S. Center at the University of California, San Francisco.

Like other patients who visit the center, he has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a disease that destroys the nerves that control movement, trapping the victim in an increasingly inert body. It is inevitably fatal, often within a year or two."

Now, who is it that I know...

Venice Turns to Future to Rescue Its Past
By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL, International Herald Tribune

"VENICE - When Jane da Mosto scrambles from the water taxi onto the front steps of her family's ancient palazzo on the Grand Canal, her gaze is tinged with mourning. The once glorious Casa da Mosto is now little more than a decaying, waterlogged shell of a building, the rising and increasingly salty water of Venice lapping at the door and eating away at its walls. "

And, we just had a case at the office..

Enduring and Painful, Pertussis Leaps Back
By KATE MURPHY

For six months last year, Jill Wilson had a persistent cough. "It was so harsh and deep that I broke ribs," she said.

Various medical specialists told Ms. Wilson, an otherwise fit 60-year-old, that she had bronchitis, asthma, allergies and perhaps even a serious lung disorder known as interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.

"All wrong," said Ms. Wilson, a retired president of a real estate management company who lives in San Antonio.

It wasn't until she saw an infectious disease expert that Ms. Wilson learned that she had pertussis, or whooping cough.

Terry A. Garey Reads Tonight at DreamHaven Books

Tuesday, February 22nd, 6:30-8:30pm
Terry A. Garey will be reading. Her works include The Joy of Home Winemaking, and she is a member of the Lady Poetesses from Hell. Her website is www.joyofwine.net. This event is part of the Speculations Readings Series, a co-production of SF Minnesota and S.A.S.E. - The Write Place.
FFI: eheideman@qwest.net or call Eric at 612-721-5959.

Oh No! Politics again!

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Thanks to El Coyote Gordo

Science & Space or how to tell it's the beginning of the end...

Scientists feel stifled by Bush administration

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Awe crap, it's the End of March...

By a 12-1 vote on Friday, July 23 the Minneapolis City Council approved the passage of an ordinance that bans smoking in liquor and food establishments, bowling alleys and pool and billiard halls. The new law becomes effective March 31, 2005. The Minneapolis vote came three days after the City of Bloomington voted to restrict smoking in bars, restaurants and workplaces.

Wait, there's more..

A reminder that the Senate District 60 DFL is hosting a debate between Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin tomorrow, February 23 at Washburn H.S. The event begins at 7 p.m. MPR's Kerri Miller, host of Midmorning, will be our moderator!