Rachel's challenge

Sammy was recognized as a Longhorn Leader during a Wilmeth Rally at his school this week. One student from each of the classes of his school was chosen by their teacher. Longhorn Leaders are students who have shown exemplary friendship and leadership as well as given 100% best effort on their school work. Congratulations to Sammy!

The rally was part of a Rachel's Challenge. A high school student from Colorado, Rachel Scott, had a theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion then it will start a chain reaction of the same.

Rachel Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Her acts of kindness and compassion coupled with the contents of her six diaries have become the foundation for one of the most life-changing school programs in America to spread kindness and compassion.

Video footage of Rachel's life and the Columbine tragedy is used to teach students to positive change in the way they treat others.

The 2010 census

The first batch of 2010 census data were published yesterday. The U.S. population now stands at over 308 million, growing 9.7 percent in the last decade. This is the slowest growth since the 1930's when the population grew at only 7.3%.

The South (14.3%) and the West (13.8%) continued to grow at above average rates, while the Northeast (3.2%) and Midwest (3.9%) growth rates were below average. The biggest gain was measured in Nevada (35%), while Texas grew fastest in absolute numbers. The Texas population rose with 4.3 million people to 25.1 million. California remains the most populous state at 37.2 residents. Michigan was the only state to lose population.

The census website has this great interactive graphic.

The lunar eclipse on the winter solstice

We watched a total lunar eclipse yesterday. The last time there was a lunar eclipse on the winter solstice was on Dec. 21st, 1638. The next one will be in 2094. So more than likely this was a once in a lifetime event.

The moon started entering the earth's shadow at 12:33 a.m. and was fully eclipsed by 1:41 a.m. We had put our patio chairs in the yard and we all were out for some good viewing.

The moon was straight above us. As the shadow progressed, the sky got darker and more stars appeared in the sky. We used the wonderful Star Walk app on Ina's Ipad to find the names of stars and constellations.

A winter concert

Greg performed with the Cockrill Middle School Sinfonietta Orchestra at the Winter Concert last night. They played Five Note Samba by Michael Hopkins and A Shaker Hymn in an arrangement by John O'Reilly. Then they performed Primitivo by Michael Story together with the CMS Symphony Orchestra.

The YouTube clip above shows Greg (third from left) at concert two months ago.

The evil jester

Sammy dressed up as the evil jester tonight for Halloween. Greg was a scarecrow with long knives for finger nails. They made the usual round through the neighborhood, collecting a bag full of candy.

A recently built house down our

street took

the prize for the best Halloween decorations. They turned their front yard into a cemetary, complete with light and sound effects, and several fog machines.

Chip-O-Rama

Sammy has been working on a science project. The purpose was to conduct a real scientific experiment. To formulate a hypothesis, to make observations and measurements, and to document and present the results.

Sammy chose to place different kind of chips in various places. He used Lays sour cream and onion potato chips, Tostitos corn tortilla chips, and Archer Farms black pepper and sea salt chips. He placed samples in the fridge, in a book shelf, in a storage cabinet, etc. and took pictures of the samples every day.

His project was due this morning. The result will be judged today at the school's science fair. Here's a picture that Ina took this morning.

Oakley

This week the world witnessed the highly choreographed rescue of 33 Chilean miners. The 69 days they had been trapped had been enough to hammer out quite a few business deals. TV stations paid for prime camera locations in the shaft and on the shuttle, and the miners created a foundation to hold the money that is now pouring in.

The best deal was struck by Oakley who donated 35 pairs of $180 shades and generated an estimated $42 million worth of publicity. The Oakley Radar sunglasses feature a single-lens shield that wraps around the eyes. This gave the miners optimal protection from sunlight — not just straight ahead but at the sides of their eyes.