Lamb Creek fire, courtesy of CBC British Columbia

I know lots of people in eastern North America have been affected by a big blackout over the past 24 hours, but spare a thought for the residents of some small towns here in British Columbia. Forest fires all over the province have burned up some small towns completely and others have lost a lot.

The decent thing to do might be to join the big banks and donate to the Red Cross relief fund.

Cruising this week:

• Our Roots: Canada’s local histories online. Huge collection of local history documents.


• AKMA digs warning signs


• Douglas and Catherine Harding’s Headless Way


• Throat singing in Tuva. Article in Scientific American


• An annotated review of some really good science sites


• A great time and date site, with calenders, calculators and miscellaneous stuff.

My God. I am ranked third by Google for a search on pictures of products of chemical technology by filipino chemists.

I’m flattered. I’d like to thank the academy.

Mars, showing the southern ice cap

All this hoopla about Mars being closer to Earth than it has been in 50,000 years is interesting, especially because, even with backyard equipment, you can witness Mars melting right before your eyes.

Dog days of summer….not much to blog.

Arf!