See the Bird’s Nest up close with the Panoramic view from SI.com. You can drag and zoom in to see closer details.
From NYTimes.com: German City Wonders How Green Is Too Green
The town council took the significant step in June of moving from merely encouraging citizens to install solar panels to making them an obligation. The ordinance, the first of its kind in Germany, will require solar panels not only on new buildings, which fewer people oppose, but also on existing homes that undergo renovations or get new heating systems or roof repairs.
This is how far behind the United States is in solar usage. In this city in Germany, they may be pushing a little too hard, too fast. Here, we’re barely getting past the point of token encouragement for installations. And even that’s going a way. The program for Federal tax credits for solar are due to expire December 31, 2008. Hopefully, the new incoming President will work to get those extended.
From NYTimes.com: Masked Cyclists Apologize to Chinese Officials
The masks, issued to the athletes by the Olympic committee through USA Cycling, were given to about 200 of the 596 athletes in the United States delegation, U.S.O.C. officials said. The swimming team was among those teams that brought the masks to Beijing, said one of the doctors working with that team.
But the cyclists’ grave mistake, U.S.O.C. officials say, was to wear their masks in the airport. Photographers and cameramen captured the athletes on film as the cyclists walked through Beijing’s new terminal. In minutes, those images were on television and the Internet.
If they were given the masks by the Olympic committee, why should the athletes apologize for wearing the masks at the airport? Isn’t there air in the airport too?
From CBCNews.ca: Greyhound pulls ‘bus rage’ ads
From ESPN.com: Aug. 6: Running into a pre-Olympic protest
Interesting account of an ESPN reporter’s coverage of a pre-Olympic protest.
If you like fried fish and fries, Alabama Fish Bar is the place for you. It’s located at the intersection of Race and Liberty in Over the Rhine. I’ve driven by a thousand times, but stopped in for the first time last week. I’ve always wished for more restaurants in Over the Rhine, so there’s no excuse for not visiting and supporting the ones that are already there.
Alabama Fish Bar is a small take-out place where your only choice of food is three types of fish, Perch, Cod, and Whiting. The fish is lightly coated in batter and deep fried. It’s crispy and not too greasy. Each order of fish is served on a bed of fries and some bread. With each order there’s a choice of toppings of grilled onions and hot peppers. The fish and fries are handed to you before they’re wrapped up so you can add your condiments of choice, malt vinegar, ketchup, or mustard.
I don’t eat fried foods often, but I enjoyed the fish. It’s a cheap meal and you get a lot of fish for the money.
See more Paris Hilton videos at Funny or Die
I saw Scrappy Doo at Findlay Market on Sunday. I want one!
Scrappy Doo not backing down!
On the same walk that brought me to Goettafest, we also encountered the Ride the Ducks vehicle sitting in front of Newport on the Levee. The Duck had just loaded up and the tour guide was giving his talk. As we were walking back over the bridge to Cincinnati we saw the Duck drive by us and later float by on the river.
The Duck seemed aptly named, slowly moving up the Ohio River.
I took this photo of the Tyler Davidson Fountain at Fountain Square yesterday with my iPhone. Turned out better than I thought it would.