Brain Calisthenics – The Next Big Thing

As the baby boomers age, they are fearful of the brain going soft so to speak. A new trend has just started gaining traction that focuses on the keeping the brain active and vibrant with tools and tricks.

From “brain gyms” on the Internet to “brain-healthy” foods and activities at assisted living centers, the programs are aimed at baby boomers anxious about entering their golden years and at their parents trying to stave off memory loss or dementia.

This is going to be one of the hottest topics in the next five years — it’s going to be huge,” said Nancy Ceridwyn, co-director of special projects for the American Society on Aging. “The challenge we have is it’s going to be a lot like the anti-aging industry: how much science is there behind this?” Read the rest at the  New York Times.

The Nintendo DS has a game out called Brain Age that we got for my son. It is full of short fun games that make the brain focus and is purported to activate the frontal lobe. I do not know how effective it is, but is can be lots of fun to play for my son and his parents.

PETA – Daily Commentary – Thursday December 28th, 2006

Dana discusses in todays commentary

• PETA goes after a Georgia Poultry Slaughter House for Using Convicts 

Today’s Oxymoron … Police Integrity Report in Aruba

One wonders just how long this investigation was going to be kept under-wraps in Aruba? An investigation into the investigators. Aruban officials even managed to squelch this report as well. Just par for the course on “One Happy Island”.   

The report was already given to the then chief of police Ronny Bernadina on April 3rd of this year.  The investigation took place in 2005 and based on the findings, Forensic Services Caribbean advices to draw up a master plan to deal with the integrity risks.

Read the full article at Amigoe, December 23, 2006: A master plan is needed for better police integrity  

ORANJESTAD – An investigation report on the efficiency of the Police Corps of Aruba (KPA) regarding integrity, states that the control on work procedure is poorly; promotional transfers take place, while there is a disciplinary investigation going; and there is no correct follow up after irregularities within the corps are signaled. 

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Gerald Ford, 93, Former President Dies at Home

Gerald Ford, the accidental President, died at his home in Rancho Mirage, California at 6:45 PM last night. He served the country after the Nixon resignation and provided a needed bridge during the turmoil. Ford had an interesting and varied life, playing football for Michigan while in college, serving as a congressman for many years, and was the last living member of the Warren Commission that investigated the assasination of John F., Kennedy in the 1960’s.

The nation’s 38th president, and the only one not elected to the office or the vice presidency, died at his desert home at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday.
“His life was filled with love of God, his family and his country,” his wife, Betty, said in a statement.
Ford was the longest living former president, surpassing Ronald Reagan, who died in June 2004, by more than a month.
Ford’s office did not release the cause of death, which followed a year of medical problems. He was treated for pneumonia in January and had an angioplasty and pacemaker implant in August.
Funeral arrangements were to be announced Wednesday. via  Yahoo! News.

Official Biography from the White House

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum page

Daily Commentary – Wednesday December 27th, 2006

Dana discusses in todays commentary

• the running battle between Rosie O’Donnell and Donald Trump

 Standard Podcast [2:03m]: Download

30 Days Or Less – Saddam Execution Announced

It looks like Saddam will be meeting his maker soon, very soon. This will be good news for the Iraqi people.

Iraq’s highest appeals court on Tuesday upheld the death sentence for Saddam Hussein in his first trial and said it must be carried out within 30 days. The sentence “must be implemented within 30 days,” chief judge Aref Shahin. “From tomorrow, any day could be the day of implementation.” AP

Update with more coverage: Washington Post , Reuters (defending Saddam again), Pajamas Media recognized the fact the quick appeal lets the execution take place as it will be before Saddam is 70 years old.

Quake Triggers Tsunami – Headed Towards The Philippines

This is not good news for the Philippines.

Update: an official at Japan’s Meteorological Agency said there was no longer any danger of a destructive tsunami headed for the Philippines, as had been predicted. “The danger has passed,” said Hiroshi Koide of the agency’s earthquake section. “We predicted tsunami based on the depth and magnitude of the earthquake. But ultimately, it appears no large tsunami were triggered.”

A powerful quake struck off southwestern Taiwan on Tuesday, triggering a potentially destructive tsunami that was headed toward the Philippines on the second anniversary of the deadly waves that killed thousands in south Asia

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Boxing Day – Daily Commentary – Monday, December 26th, 2006

Dana Discusses the Boxing Day Tradition

Merry Christmas

Have a Safe and Merry Christmas

From All of Us At Scared Monkeys

Red, Tom, Dana, and Klaasend

Merry Christmas – Daily Commentary – Monday, December 25th, 2006

Merry Christmas From The Scared Monkeys Radio Team