Learn How To Draw Tinkerbell

One of modern history's most sympathetic, clever and ultimately luckiest spies, Pham Xuan An, successfully hoodwinked the CIA, American journalist colleagues and the South Vietnamese establishment for more than two decades, according to a new biography by Larry Berman, a political science professor at UC Davis.

"Like so many young people who joined the Viet Minh revolution to fight French colonialism, Pham Xuan An held a vision for Vietnamese independence and social justice," Berman writes in his book.

Casper Calendar for Tuesday, March 27, 2007

* The Casper Children's Theatre will present performances of Disney's "The Jungle Book" now through April 1 at the theatre's location in the Commissary Mall. Info: 235-8383.* The Fast and Easy Twist on Walls Workshop will be held tonight from 6-9 p.m. at the Casper Recreation Center. Just come dressed to paint for hands-on learning. Required materials fee of $27 plus tax will be collected in class by the instructor. Info: 235-8383.

* The Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People Workshop will be held tonight from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Casper Recreation Center. In just a few hours, you can learn enough secrets of the trade to give you years of musical enjoyment. Workshop fees are $30. Info: 235-8383.Natrona County Public Library events* All events are held in the Crawford Room unless otherwise noted.

Crab Shells and Fungi May Hold a Key to Asthma

Chitin is the stuff of crab shells and the carapaces of dust mites, the cell walls of lichens, and even the rigid innards of parasitic worms. It may also be the stuff that sets off asthma.

Despite being the most common biopolymer on earth after cellulose, chitin never occurs naturally in humans and other vertebrates. However, according to a new study led by Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) investigator Richard M. Locksley, our immune systems possess an innate ability to recognize and eliminate chitin from our bodies. The researchers found that when this potent response to the ubiquitous particles goes awry, it can cause an allergic response that could potentially lead to asthma. The new findings, published in the April 22, 2007, online version of the journal Nature, may help elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying asthma and provide new ways of preventing and possibly treating it.

County extension service to hold Type 2 diabetes management course

The Orange County Extension Service is sponsoring Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes, an educational program for those who have Type 2 diabetes.Classes are to be held from 6 to 8 p.m. each Tuesday from April 24 through May 15 in the Vidor Middle School cafeteria, with a graduation ceremony May 22.The course is free and open to the public.The program's primary goal is to help participants learn how to manage their blood glucose in the ranges recommended by the American Diabetes Association. According to the website of the ADA, Type 2 is the most common form of the disease. With Type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin — which takes sugar from the blood into the cells in the body — or the insulin is ignored by the cells. When the sugar builds up in the blood, a person's cells may be starved for energy; and over time, high blood sugar levels can lead to complications such as heart and blood vessel disease, blindness, kidney failure and foot ulcers.The class will cover several topics over its duration, including an introduction to diabetes, self-care, nutrition, reading food labels, and self-care methods including how to check blood sugar, exercise, and medications, county extension agent Paula Tacker said.Tacker said there were different meters to measure blood glucose levels — called glucometers — and that the course would include instruction on which types of glucometers were best for individuals.

Your Views: Views on the shooting continue

I once thought I might like to live in New Zealand however, after reading some of the narrow minded, immature, and downright hateful messages regarding the University shootings, I have decided that NZ is one of the last places on earth I would want to live. Good day.

Joe (US)
You are very uninformed. To base your views of America on a movie is sad to say the least. I spent 2 weeks in Auckland last year. Visiting my wifes family. Get your country's drug problem under control before you throw stones. Hope you enjoy living under Japan rule because they are buying up New Zealand 1 block at a time. Sorry we have a Constitution that allows us to buy weapons for protection or hunting. Sorry there is no sanity test attached to the purchase of a weapon. Let's not forget he wasn't an American.

Coastal Community News: Historical society seeks volunteers

ENCINITAS ---- The Encinitas Historical Society needs docents for Fridays or Saturdays, two times per month. Service times are flexible. Volunteers receive education and informational materials and orientation. Call (760) 753-5726.Seniors meet to dance

Masahiro Murata

Masahiro Murata, 35, is a hair and makeup artist whose salon, MaQueen, just behind the Kabuki-za theater in Ginza, is a sanctuary for both his loyal clients and staff. Murata loves people, and especially beauty in them, which he believes manifests itself in the way one treats others. As one of Japan's top hairstylists, for five days a week he works almost 15 hours a day, and he spends the other two traveling around the country doing workshops for professional hairdressers in styling, perms and cuts. As famous for his technique and style, he is more about substance than anything else.

Choate and Glastonbury Team Up to Discover China : Schools Offer ...

This summer, selected Choate Rosemary Hall students will be given an opportunity to participate in a full-scholarship summer program in Choate. The program, Discover China, is open to any high school students who have shown an interest in learning Mandarin Chinese. This program belongs to the STARTALK project, which is funded by the federal grant for the National Security Language Initiative. STARTALK is a multi-year plan to promote American students foreign language learning.

In March 2007, Ms. Carol Chen Lin from the Choate language department was invited to Washington D.C. During her visit, she attended a three-day-meeting with other awardees of STARTALK program. It gave me insight how to teach and organize a language program, says Ms. Chen Lin, the coordinator of the program.