A new PETA billboard coming to San Antonio cites swine flu and other animal-borne illnesses (like mad cow disease) as a reason to "go vegetarian" because "Meat Kills."  [source]

And I'm sure we'd all be much healthier if we consumed spinach, lettuce, sprouts, tomatoes, bamboo shoots, jalapenos, pistachios, cheese, avocados, yogurt, honey and peanuts (all of which have had recent recalls).  Honestly, in the last year or so, we've seen issues with everything from mouthwash to spice blends... 

There are plenty of positive reasons to go vegetarian, but FEAR should not be one of them.

Although overshadowed by swine flu concerns, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning yesterday that another raw alfalfa sprouts salmonella contamination was indeed detected. Consumers are urged to cease consumption of raw alfalfa sprouts, as well as any products that contain them.

Not sure if our local news ever gets reported outside of our area, but there have been confirmed cases of swine flu in San Antonio. Here are the details on the bigger new stories related to the swine flu:

• The Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD has shut down all schools in the district and two district facilities, and canceled all activities.
• The mayor of Cibolo issued a statement closing all city parks and asked local churches to postpone activities.
• As a precautionary measure, Gov. Perry has ordered 850,000 more courses of antiviral medication be placed in Texas.

So... We are going to try to avoid public places.   Unfortunately, yesterday was the final day of Fiesta -- so for the last eleven days, there have been 3.5 million people attending over 100 events around our city (carnivals, concerts, parades, festivals, fund-raisers, exhibits, block parties, athletic events, banquets, and so on) all of which were places where a mysterious flu could easily spread. 

I'm hoping the outbreak stays limited, but it has already reached 5 states in the US. 

R.I.P. Dungeons & Dragons Co-Creator Dave Arneson, 1947-2009
The co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons, Dave Arneson, died in his sleep last night, at the age of 61.

If you're not a fan of the Order of the Stick, today's comic was a nice tribute:
http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0644.html

What will those kooky scientists think up next??

 
[News: Speedway Motorsports decides to put Rockingham facility on the auction block] 
Aw geez...   I realize that the Rock's loss was Texas's gain, but it's sad to see such a great track hit the auction block.  
 

"Mr. Wizard" Don Herbert dies at 89.
So sad -- I loved watching him when I was a kid.

Do you think the boss will believe that I'm an hour late for work because a gator had me trapped on the freeway?

http://www.ksat.com/video/13219351/detail.html