January 2019

Honeybee Robotics Develops Prototype For A Steam-Powered Asteroid Mining Spacecraft

wineprototype.jpg

Caption: 
WINE spacecraft prototype

         We tend to think of steam powered transportation as an antiquated technology. While we still heat water to steam and generate electricity, we have moved on to liquid fuels, electricity and even compressed air to power our vehicles. However, steam is making a comeback as a propulsion system for spacecraft.

1784 - Nuclear Fusion 53 - Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory Is Working On Stabilizing Plasma In Tokamaks

        One of the major problems with achieving commercial nuclear fusion is the fact that when magnetic confinement is used to squeeze a plasma, instabilities can develop which interfere with the production of fusion. This is a problem is universal in all tokamaks which are donut-shaped experimental fusion reactors. The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) of the U.S.

2019 Skull & Roses Festival Lineup Announced

If you love yourself some Dead-inspired bands and tribute bands, you have to make it to this year's Skull & Roses Festival in Ventura, California. For the third year, this festival will celebrate the Grateful Dead in a way that only those who love it can, complete with the oneness vibe you once could get at Grateful Dead concerts. Performances will include those by Rebirth Brass Band, Oteil & Friends, The Alligators, Shaky Feelin and so many other acts that it's just not to be missed.

Very Vanilla

I don't know why people use "vanilla" to describe boring things. It's my all-time temptress flavor. I'll succumb to vanilla Oreos far sooner than the chocolate ones, and don't even get me started on Nilla Wafers! Did you know that there's a martini mde with Nilla Wafers? It's really just amaretto and vanilla vodka, but could you imagine lining your glass with wafter crumbs? Mmmm... It supposedly tastes just like Nilla Wafers.

Sorry You Don't Get Comedians, Oldtimer

If I hear one more white guy in his 40s or older complaining about how we don't have any funny comedians anymore, I might just scream. Two different men in my local paper even complained this week! One laments the loss of George Carlin. Sure, Carlin was a funny guy; I loved him very much. He also called raping teenagers "a necessary thing" in one of his sketches; I have it on DVD. Not cool. 

Wash Your Hands, Doc

While working in the food industry, I remember what a hassle it was to make sure my team washed their hands, but I always made sure they did. It turns out that doctors might not be as careful as fast food workers. A new study shows that doctors' dedication to hand-washing drops down low when they're not being watched. While I think most people behave better when they know they're under public scrutiny, this is pretty important.

Background Checks Bill Introduced by House

We finally have a Blue House and that house has just introduced a Background Checks Bill, H.R. 8, which would strengthen background checks and close the federal loophole, giving us just a tiny bit more protection against gun violence. Last year we saw romaine lettuce banned after a few dozen people fell ill, but we lose 100 people a day to gun violence and nothing gets accomplished save for 'thoughts and prayers.' Many politicians, particularly those who have the NRA in their back pockets, even call for MORE guns, outrageously wishing to arm teachers and train students to handle guns.

Stammtisch

Hangry for some German pub fare? If you're in the Portland area, you might want to check out Stammtisch. With its German bier rotation and combination of both local ingredients and imported authentic fare from Europe, the restaurant is a must-try. Sample the small plates with a date, like the Obatzda, a camembert cheese spread spiced with paprika, or the currywurst, complete with curry ketchup. There's goulash and blutwurst as well as forelle, jagerschnitzel and even hamburgers on pretzel buns.

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