Vote For Doodle 4 Google Finalist!

Posted on May 19, 2010 by Stewart Schatz

Parker (C. James) Wolverton, a 7th grader from Shiloh Christian in Bismarck, is one of 40 regional finalists of over 33,000 entries in the Doodle 4 Google contest.

The winner will receive a $15,000 scholarship, their doodle will appear on Google May 27th, the school they attend will get $25,000 and other prizes too.

The winner is decided by votes. Voting is open from May 18, 2010 6:00 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) to May 25, 2010 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time (PT). After May 25th, we will tally up your votes and announce the four national finalists and national winner on May 26, 2010 at an awards ceremony in New York. The national winner’s doodle will appear on Google.com on May 27, 2010

Go vote! He is representing region 6 in the 7-9 grade catagory.

RACE For What It Is

Posted on April 15, 2010 by Stewart Schatz

Edward James Olmos gives a very interesting and enlightening speech on “race” at the United Nations. They were there to talk about his hit SciFi show Battlestar Galactica.

I agree with the idea that we will never get rid of racism until we stop referring to “race”.

Have you filled out your 2010 Census yet? For all the “programs” that the US Government has on fighting racism why do they keep perpetuating the situation by forcing you to choose one?

UND Logo Suggestion

Posted on April 12, 2010 by Stewart Schatz

I read a local blog called the BismarckMandanBlog.com. The author has some interesting views on issues and I especially like his comments on the UND Fighting Sioux. His latest is a suggestion of changing the nickname to the UND Valiant White Men. In his words: “nothing could be more "hostile" and "abusive" to the PC crowd than a white guy.”

He also has several other articles that refer to the UND nickname:

Another "hostile and abusive" logo spotted in Bismarck – ND State Highways are “hostile & abusive”
"Hostile and abusive" logo discovered in Bismarck-Mandan – ND State Patrol are “hostile & abusive”
University AD apologizes for UND’s presence at their tournament, Clint gets quoted by Dartmouth Review – Dartmouth College Athletic Director appologizes for the UND’s “offensive and wrong” nickname. Read his response on this one, it’s really good.

Thundersnow Explained

Posted on April 2, 2010 by Stewart Schatz

From Wikipedia:

Thundersnow, also known as a winter thunderstorm or a thunder snowstorm, is a rare thunderstorm with snow falling as the primary precipitation instead of rain. It commonly falls in regions of strong upward motion within the cold sector of extratropical cyclone, where the precipitation consists of ice pellets rather than snow.

Laughingstock Designs

Posted on November 30, 2009 by Stewart Schatz

An old friend of mine has a company called Laughingstock Designs that creates custom greeting cards. It’s a very cool idea. They also do other creative work.

Way to go Shane!

Politically Incorrect Hockey Jersey Design Champion

Posted on October 21, 2009 by Stewart Schatz

The Hockey News had a contest and found that the best design of ALL hockey jerseys is the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux. That’s right. They put it against the big boys in the NHL and still came out on top. I guess their readers don’t understand that “Fighting Sioux” is offensive.

If you read to the bottom of the article you will notice that they have made it even better.

Low Cost Of Living In North Dakota – The Myth!

Posted on July 9, 2009 by Stewart Schatz

Ive been frustrated for quite a long time with the myth of the low cost-of-living in North Dakota. Especially, in relation to the fact that companies have a right to pay you less because the cost-of-living is so low. Bismarck does not have the highest cost-of-living, but dont be fooled into thinking that this area is any different than many others in the mid-west.

CNNMoney.com has a tool to let you do the research and get the facts.

My tests are all comparing a salary of $50,000 in Bismarck, ND with some other cities.

LOCATION	EQUIVALENT SALARY
Bismarck/Mandan, ND	$50,000
Fargo/Moorhead, ND/MN	48,256
Minot, ND	49,688
Sioux Falls, SD	48,816
Kalispell, MT	52,792
Denver, CO	54,110
Minneapolis, MN	57,774
Phoenix, AZ	52,496
Palm Springs, CA	65,533
Boise, ID	49,366
Kodiak, AK	64,749

Ok, so Bismarck definitely does not have the highest cost-of-living, but it sure doesnt justify many of the claims that I have heard over the years about how the low cost-of-living makes up for the low salaries.

Interestingly, the calculations include the costs in the last year. Im a little surprised, because I thought that the housing costs in some areas would be lower.

Id like to see a calculator that uses this cost-of-living calculation and couples it with an average salary calculator.

Now, that would be interesting!

Wind Generator FAIL!

Posted on June 5, 2009 by Stewart Schatz

This wind generator failed on June 1, 2009 around 10:45 AM CT. It is located near Wilton, ND.

Im thinking if a coal fired generator ever did something like that it would have a significantly larger impact.

via Basin Electric

Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe Approves Of The UND Fighting Sioux Nickname

Posted on April 22, 2009 by Stewart Schatz

68% of the members of the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe that voted approve of the Fighting Sioux nickname. Finally, some common sense: Ask the victims! So far, many people seem to be quick to speak for the tribal members. Maybe more should let them speak for themselves.

I honestly think that the Fighting Sioux Nickname is intended as an honor and that some fat, white, east coast lawyer decided that the proud Sioux tribes should feel offended.

However, if the tribes themselves (not the leaders, the actual members) decide that it is offensive, I say we get rid of the name.

via USA Today

Blizzard Warning, Flood Warning, Flood Watch – Only In North Dakota

Posted on March 23, 2009 by Stewart Schatz

Only in North Dakota do you get a Blizzard Warning, a Flood Warning and a Flood Watch at the same time. Look at that radar image. There is more colors on it than should be allowed.