Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Curious what I am up to?

Not sure if I will keep this current, but I have a twitter account at
http://twitter.com/mmowery

Powder Day on May 22

The weather forecast called for "little or no accumulation" for this late May Day, but it turned out to be a "Powder Day".


The backyard looking up toward the ski area wishing for one last run.


The corner of Dakota Ave and Aspen looking up toward the Ski Area.


Looking down Colorado Ave thru town.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names

So I looked up my name "Michael" to see where it falls on the list of popular names here on the
Social Security Administration site: http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/

And yep, as expected Michael has been hanging out at number 2 for the last 8 years, and was number 1 for a long time.



Popularity in 2006
Rank Male name Female name
1Jacob Emily
2Michael Emma
3Joshua Madison
4Ethan Isabella
5Matthew Ava
6Daniel Abigail
7Christopher Olivia
8Andrew Hannah
9Anthony Sophia
10William Samantha
11Joseph Elizabeth
12Alexander Ashley
13David Mia
14Ryan Alexis
15Noah Sarah
16James Natalie
17Nicholas Grace
18Tyler Chloe
19Logan Alyssa
20John Brianna
Note: Rank 1 is the most popular, rank 2 is the next most popular, and so forth.

Popularity of a Name

May 16, 2007
Background information


Select another ?


Similar male names for births in 2006
NameRank
Michael 2
Micheal 419

Popularity of the male name Michael
Year of birth Rank
2006 2
2005 2
2004 2
2003 2
2002 2
2001 2
2000 2
1999 2
1998 1
1997 1
1996 1
1995 1
1994 1
1993 1
1992 1
Note: Rank 1 is the most popular, rank 2 is the next most popular, and so forth. Name data are from Social Security card applications for births that occurred in the United States.


Have fun at http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/

Thursday, May 10, 2007

“Let’s consider the open container law temporarily suspended!”— Mayor John Pryor, who has the power, and who bought the keg


(L to R) Christine McGinely, Jenny Page and Susie Meade celebrate Wednesday’s announcement that the Valley Floor would soon belong to Telluride. Photo by Ben Knight
For the full article in the Telluride Daily Planet goto here: Telluride celebrates Valley Floor victory

Thank you Tom Shadyac with the last minute donation!

Hopefully we can now take us [soon] off of the 11 Most Engangered Places at National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Other newspaper articles on the victory.
Denver Post
Rocky Mountain News
San Diego Union Tribute

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

50 million is in the Bank!!!!

Words can not express the sense of relief that I have that the needed 50 million dollars is in the bank for keeping the Valley Forever Wild.



I am actually in Denver right now, and I will have to admit, that I was very worried. When my sister called me telling me the good news. WOW....

Yes, Mr. Blue

owner of General Atomics says he will fight it all the way to the Supreme Court, but this was a huge step in keeping the Valley Floor Wild.

Visit Sheep Mountain Alliance article on why $50 Million not enough for War Profiteer


My contributions were a mere drop in the bucket (or wishing well),
Locally, residents pitched in by contributing more than $1 million in loose change and $100 bills to a wishing well. from Rocky Mountain News Article
A HUGE thanks to all the contributors that made this happen.

Some quotes taken from a recent USA article:

Campaign director Hilary White says she is "cautiously optimistic" that last-minute donors will push the fund drive over the top. [which it did!] Contributions have come from more than 1,600 people in 45 states and seven countries. At least 35 benefactors have made six- and seven-figure gifts, one for $5 million.

[Richard] Holbrooke, the former United Nations ambassador and a part-time resident for 18 years, says the scene "takes your breath away. ... I am an absolutist about the valley floor. Stopping the development is a worthy goal."

He [Mr Blue] barred access in 2001 after condemnation started. That year, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, one of the Valley Partners groups, named it one of the "most endangered places" in America.

The valley floor "is the only thing left between it becoming another mall with a mountain and staying the historic landmark that it's supposed to be," says [Daryl] Hannah, who spent summers in Telluride as a girl.

Saturday, May 05, 2007

Schlappi and Smokie Bear April Pets of the Month

Schlappi and Smoke Bear are FAMOUS in Telluride.


Note: Mary Dawn (as she "sometimes" does) embellished on "where" this photo was taken. Nope not a "mountain meadow", but Boyd Lake in Loveland! I guess a mile high elevation would be considered a "mountain" for some.

Tomboy Hike

Last weekend, Mary Dawn, the dogs and I, hiked up Tomboy road as far as we could. Major snow field still up there.

A few photos from that hike.


Smokie waiting for his mom, to hurry up, so we can get going.... woof....


One of many water cascades this time of year on Tomboy Road.


Looking up toward Bridal Veil Falls.

Also, this was called our "anniversary" hike, because exactly a year earlier Mary Dawn met at the "closing" of West End Bar. See post http://mikemowery.blogspot.com/2006/04/closed-for-sanity-restoration.html for full story.