Monthly Archives: March 2021

Arts & Humanities, Books & Reading, Memories & History, Pleasures

Short Life Lessons From Jack McDevitt |

Last Updated on March 29, 2021

Jack McDevitt is an American science fiction novelist. He has over 20 novels available in print, ebook, and audio, stories that frequently deal with attempts to make contact with alien races, and with archaeology or xenoarchaeology.

McDevitt has won multiple awards including the International UPC Science Fiction award for Ships in the Night, a Nebula for Seeker, a Campbell Award for Omega, and the Robert Heinlein Lifetime Achievement Award.

Where did you grow up and what was your childhood like? Did you have any particular experiences/stories that shaped your adult life?

I grew up in South Philadelphia. Was a boy scout. Today I’m still in touch with the scoutmaster’s family, which is scattered all over the USA. My mom encouraged me to read, and provided books. Discovered Superman & Dick Tracy on the radio when I was about five. Enjoyed baseball. Couldn’t have had a better time during those early years.

–Jack McDevitt

Source: Short Life Lessons From Jack McDevitt | WorldClassPerformer.com

Film & Movies, Science & Health, Television

Katie Couric Goes Makeup-Free for PEOPLE’s Beautiful Issue | PEOPLE.com

“You’re being true to who you are and how you look,” the award-winning journalist says of stripping down to her bare skin for this year’s powerful photo shoot

From YouTube…

By Kaitlyn Frey and Julie Jordan, March 29, 2021 09:05 AM

Credit: Ramona Rosales

When Katie Couric was first asked to go makeup-free for PEOPLE’s annual Beautiful Issue, she had an instant gut reaction.

“Are you out of your mind? Hell no,” the award-winning journalist remembers. But after some thought, the 64-year-old star decided, “Why not?”, and stripped down to her natural, makeup-free self.

“Doing a shoot without makeup, makes you feel both liberated and vulnerable,” Couric tells PEOPLE. “You feel great because you’re being true to who you are and how you look. It’s a huge dose of reality! On the other hand, let’s face it, people feel prettier when they have some makeup on that enhances their features. So I think doing a shoot like this requires a lot of trust.”

Source: Katie Couric Goes Makeup-Free for PEOPLE’s Beautiful Issue | PEOPLE.com

Current Affairs, Politics, Science & Health, Times They Are A-Changing

Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccines Are Very Effective, Report Says – The New York Times

Article embed…

The coronavirus vaccines made by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech are proving highly effective at preventing symptomatic and asymptomatic infections under real-world conditions, federal health researchers reported on Monday.

Consistent with clinical trial data, a two-dose regimen prevented 90 percent of infections by two weeks after the second shot. One dose prevented 80 percent of infections by two weeks after vaccination.

There has been debate over whether vaccinated people can still get asymptomatic infections and transmit the virus to others. The study, by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suggested that transmission may be extremely unlikely, as infections were so rare.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/29/world/pfizer-moderna-covid-vaccines-infection.html

Books & Reading, Film & Movies, Libraries, Politics, San Diego

San Diego Library borrowing plunged 90 percent during pandemic, but bounced back some – The San Diego Union-Tribune

More branches likely to open, expand services soon if COVID-19 trends stay positive

Patrons at the San Diego Central Library partake in the Computers in the Courtyard program in January.
(Jarrod Valliere / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

By David Garrick, March 28, 2021 5 AM PT

SAN DIEGO — Borrowing at San Diego’s city libraries is down more than 50 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic as residents transitioned to a world dominated by curbside checkouts, electronic books and branches where browsing is not allowed.

Circulation plummeted even farther, about 90 percent, last April and May, but it bounced back to roughly half pre-pandemic levels when curbside checkouts began last summer and a dozen library branches partially reopened last fall.

Source: San Diego Library borrowing plunged 90 percent during pandemic, but bounced back some – The San Diego Union-Tribune

Las Vegas, Nevada, Pleasures, Science & Health, Travel

Nevada COVID-19 Restrictions | COVID-19 in Nevada | Travel Nevada

From article…

Nevada is one of the most incredible places to get outside and play, explore, and get away from it all.

Of course, these days, some things are a little different. Here’s what to consider before you come camping and adventuring, and what to know when you do.

For info on Nevada’s Roadmap to Recovery, please click here.

Source: Nevada COVID-19 Restrictions | COVID-19 in Nevada | Travel Nevada

Arts & Humanities, Memories & History, Pleasures, Travel, Web & Technology

Miss art museums? The Louvre just put its entire art collection online – CNN Style

Credit: Stephane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty Images

Published 27th March 2021

There is nothing like spending a rainy afternoon at a museum, soaking in the beauty and wonder of art and history.

Now the Louvre, the world’s most visited museum, is letting you do that right from home.

Source: Miss art museums? The Louvre just put its entire art collection online – CNN Style