Book

American Pie: Slices of Life (and Pie) from America's Back Roads

WARNING: Before you sit down to read this book, go out to your favorite bakery and buy 2-3 pieces of pie. I can guarantee that you will be glad you did before you even finish the first chapter.

Coming from a small town, I really enjoy stories about real people from the parts of the country most people describe as "the flyover states." It can be amazing what you discover when you ask a simple question, "where can we find some good pie around here?" The author and her companions discover a lot about people, America, and, of course, pie.

Events

Fullerton Rail Days

Saturday, May 3rd, 9a-6p
Sunday, May 4th, 9am-5pm.

Where: In the Metrolink parking lot adjacent to the Amtrak / Metrolink Station at the Fullerton Santa Fe Depot in Fullerton, California 92832

We are planning on visiting on Saturday, May 4 and taking Amtrak from Van Nuys to Fullerton. Amtrak is running a special right now:

1 person full price, 2nd person half price, 3rd person free

AAA also offers discounts at all times.

If you want to go together on the train, or meet us there, drop me a line. I haven't booked the tickets yet but it looks like we would be taking these trains:

768 Van Nuys-Amtrak/Metrolink Fullerton 05/03/03 8:48am 05/03/03 10:12am
785 Fullerton Van Nuys-Amtrak/Metrolink 05/03/03 6:09pm 05/03/03 7:33pm

Check out the Rail Days web site for much more information.

Added 1217p:

Our friend, Lyn, will also be exhibiting at the show with the Southern California Lego Train Club. Be sure to stop by and say hello.

Career Column

Career-Op: Mac in a PC World
by Douglas E. Welch, ComputorEdge Magazine

Hi, my name is Douglas and...I'm a Mac user. It isn't just a fling either. I have several Macs and one is even running (gasp) OS X. If you were to ask my clients, though, many would have no idea that I am a Mac user. More importantly, this is exactly the way I want it. If they saw me only as a "Mac Person"? they might question my ability to solve their Windows problems. A successful high-tech career depends on being flexible and having the ability to deal with as many different computers and operating systems as possible. Identifying yourself too closely with any particular piece of hardware or software can diminish your employment opportunities.

(Continued)

Adventure Pass Free Days

As you probably know, access to most National Forest areas now requires an adventure pass in order to park. You can drive through, stop at visitor's centers and ranger stations for free, but parking at trail heads and picnic areas requires a pass. A daily pass is $5 or you can pay $30 for an entire year.

I have many issues related to the requirement of these passes, and their institution was one reason for ending an 8 year run as a volunteer for the Forest service. That said, it is nice to see that the USFS is offering 12 "Free Days" in 2003, when a pass is not required to enjoy the forests. I urge you to take the opportunity to explore the amazing public lands throughout the Los Angeles area.

From the Angeles National Forest web site...

The Adventure Pass fee will not be required the last Saturday of every month in 2003!

April 26, 2003
May 31, 2003
June 28, 2003
July 26, 2003
August 30, 2003
September 27, 2003
October 25, 2003
November 29, 2003
December 27, 2003

Experience the many improved facilities and services made possible by the Adventure Pass program.

A validated daily Adventure Pass for any of the above dates may be exchanged for a new Pass at any Forest Service office.

Campground and concessionaire fees still apply.

Angeles National Forest
(626) 574-5200 - Information Desk
(626) 574-1613 - Main Switchboard
FAX - (626) 574-5233
TDD - (626) 447-8992

Cleveland National Forest
(858) 673-6180

San Bernardino National Forest
(909) 383-5588

Los Padres National Forest
(805) 968-6640

Computers/Virus

SARS Warning Virus

File this under "yet another annoying virus." Virus writers and sender area always quick to exploit current events in an effort to get you to open emails and run malicious attachments.

Remember to be dubious of email cliams from people you do not know, (and even those you know).

Lockergnome gave the following "heads-up" today...

New Outlook E-mail Worm Exploits Anxiety Over SARS
"In the latest example of computer virus writers capitalizing on current events, a new e-mail worm uses fears about SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) to entice users into opening a file attachment, infecting host machines and helping spread the virus to other machines on the Internet." --- Always update your anti-virus software [Lockergnome Bytes]

Computers/Windows XP

Latest Windows XP Patch Slows Down Computer To A Crawl

I am usually religious about telling my clients to install Windows Updates as they arrive, but it seems there might be a problem for some people running Windows XP and the latest update from Microsoft. You might want to wait for a few days before installing the update, or if you have installed it, and are experiencing a slow down of your system, the update can be removed. Drop me a line if you think you might be experiencing this problem.

Here is the original note from LockerGnome...

"Microsoft's latest security patch can cause computers running Windows XP to slow down to a crawl, affected users say. Windows XP can take up to ten seconds to start an application after installation of the patch released last Wednesday with security bulletin MS03-013, say some users. The complaint is echoed in dozens of postings on several online discussion boards. Removing the patch brings system speed back to normal, according to these users." [Lockergnome Bytes]

Events

Egg Hunt 2003 - Los Encinos State Historic Park

We had a great time at the Egg Hunt at the park. It combined the best elements of the Living History Program and a traditional Easter Egg Hunt. Quite an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.

Click the picture above for a photo gallery of our day.