As I’m doing lunch late and I haven’t done an observations on the news in a while, here are a few from today’s reading:
- From the You Can Find Anything On Craigslist Department: The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that police have arrested four women in an investigation into prostitution ads that were posted on Craigslist. The women allegedly arranged several weeks’ worth of appointments in advance, then flew into a city to meet with clients, after which they traveled to their next destination. Here’s the key line: “Experts said Craigslist has become a favorite way for prostitutes to find clients and set up operations in cities where they don’t have a network.”
So what’s next? Prostitute auctions on ebay? I guess the terms of service prohibit this.
- From the Death Comes in Threes Department: As folks like to point out, death seems to comes in groupathrees. Today’s group concerns influential people in Southern California.
First up we have Jean Clinton Roeschlaub (83), who was a co-owner of Clifton’s Cafeteria that in downtown Los Angeles. Cliftons was known for its distinctive nature-inspired decor, and for how it served people during the depression. They were best known for never turning away anybody who was hungry, even if the person couldn’t pay. I remember going to Clifton’s with my parents. Alas, you don’t see that many cafeteria’s anymore (and are there any automats left?). BTW, this wasn’t a death from old age: it has been ruled a homicide. Look for it on a Law and Order soon.
Second, we have Esther Snyder (86), co-founder of the In-N-Out Burger chain. Those of you that have not had food from this simple chain don’t know what you are missing. Esther Snyder, together with her late husband Harry, are widely credited with inventing the drive-thru window. In-N-Out is a local institution, famous for its tidiness, its fresh ingredients, its friendly and well-paid staff, french fries made from the potatoes in front of you, and bible verses on the bottoms of its cups. The chain remains something of an anomaly in the fast-food genre – clean, tasty, and cheap, and (relatively) healthy. BTW, ellipticcurve, In-N-Out will be here at Circle A Ranch on August 30 with their lunch trailer.
Last, we have Harold J.J. Stueve (88), a co-founder of Alta-Dena Dairy. Alta-Dena was well known for its local milk stands and its raw milk products, which became increasingly hard to find as the “big” dairies pressured them. They were well known for their natural milk products.
From the What Goes Up Must Come Down Department: Some of us remember Skylab, one of the first space stations launched.The project started in 1968, when NASA ordered two identical flight qualified space stations (Skylab) built along with 3 full scale training mockups. One flight version, the 1st US Space Station was flown in 1973 and orbited the Earth until 1979 (some of us remember its reentry). The second flight element is now on display at the National Air and Space Museum. One full scale mockup, used by astronauts and engineers at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsvilla was on display for many years at the US Space and Rocket Center (USRC). Several years ago, this exhibit was rotated to the parking lot where the original temporary weather coverings have failed and Skylab has suffered the effects of rain, sun, wind, plants, dust/dirt, mold, animals and vandals.Many sources are reporting about a AIAA effort to restore this artifact before it is lost forever. I remember, as a young child (you know, in the dark ages) where spaceflight was still a wonder, and loving everythign about Skylab. I find this sad. Information about the project can be found at the Skylab Restoration Project.
