Welcome to the Techno Corner!  Basic Computing for the beginner! In
this section each month we will bring to you tips and tricks, basic
trouble shooting, plus fun and interesting things to do with your
computer and on the Internet and more.

Tip of the month: Sending pictures to family and friends
   Sending pictures over the Internet in your email, to family, friends
and co-workers is fun! Plus you don't have to get an extra set or two of
prints from the store, therefore saving you money. How do you do that?
You need a device called a Scanner. You can buy a new scanner for under
$100 and sometimes find deals for less than $50! A scanner works similar
to a copy machine, but instead of just printing the picture on paper, it
transforms the picture (image) to digital codes the computer can
understand. The computer then takes the codes and puts them all together
in such a way that you are able to see the exact same image on your
monitor. You can scan almost anything! Things like your favorite
pictures, rent/lease agreements, legal documents, certificates, drawings
your kids did in school, anything!
   Once you scan an image, save it to a file folder in your computer for
later viewing. It is really important to have some sort of imaging
software that will give you the option to change your scanned image.
Perhaps the image is too dark, or you only want to save part of an
image, or the image appears bigger than your monitor does, you can fix
and/or change the image to meet your needs. As a rule, scanners come
with imaging software that allows you to make these changes.
   For emailing your image, you need to make sure the image file size is
not too big. Open the imaging software (program) and locate the file
folder where you saved your image. Find the image and click on it to
bring into the program. If you see that the image file size is more than
900kB, you need to reduce the size before sending it on the Internet. If
you see the image size is 1Mb or greater, it's way too big! Reason being
is it will tie up the other person's email downloading the large file to
their computer and believe me . they will get upset! Some images can be
so big, it takes over an hour to download. So please . remember . reduce
the size of the image file before sending it to anyone. And one more
piece of advice, do not send more than 3 images at a time. The more
images you send, the larger the total file size in your email.
   Because there are so many different types of scanners and imaging
software, I cannot tell you step-by-step how to scan or change an image
in this article. They all have their little way of getting the same
final results. However, I can help you individually!  Just give me a
call.

Web Site of the month:  www.sciencemaster.com/
   Concerned about your child's knowledge of science? Science Master
offers you and your family a great resource to keep up with current
advances in science and technology and learn more about the
breakthroughs we now take for granted. Designed to support education,
the site contains lots of information to help explain the complexities
of modern science. But regardless of your age or education, science is
really cool. What could be more fun than downloading a movie of the
sun's magnetosphere? There are learning galleries, lots of articles, a
homework helper, and a free newsletter. So if you're feeling ready for a
daily dose of space news, or help your kids with science, or want to
visit the gallery of molecular artwork, this is a great site to visit.
   Are you thinking about buying a computer for the first time? Perhaps
wondering if it would be worth it to upgrade your existing computer?
Want to get connected to the Internet? Or perhaps you are in need of
understanding how to use your computer and the programs in it. I can
help you! I even make house calls. One thing is certain and I can never
stress enough . there is no such thing as a dumb question.
   If you have any comments, suggestions, questions, or need help with
your computer, please feel free to contact me through the Dayton's Bluff
District Forum.  Here's how:
   Write to: Robert E. Johnstone
                 Dayton's Bluff
                 District Forum
                 P.O. Box 600511
                 St. Paul, MN 55106
  Email: johnstone@qwest.net
   Or call: 651-772-2075 (Dayton's Bluff Community District Office)

A Different Dance
By Nicholas Geurts

"It's like a dance.  You work with the glass for half a minute then warm
it back up for two.  You might work on a piece for eight hours or just
fifteen minutes."  I picture him swaying glass into the furnace and out,
shaping the piece from an image in his head."  The time you spend
depends on how complex you want it.  Glass blowing can be very simple or
extremely difficult.  It just depends on what you want."
   Dick Huss is a glass blower camouflaged deeply in the East Side.  You
wouldn't know the building on Third and Maple was a studio, along with
his home, unless you peered through the blinds and saw the pieces of
glass molded into beautiful art.  Although he is located in what some
consider a rough area, Dick does not let this upset his work.  "Sure, I
think the area could use some work.  I can't even fix up the front of my
building because there is always trash being thrown at it.  When I'm in
the studio though I focus on my work.  I can also go into my garden for
some peace if I need it."        He walks me outside to his garden. "
This is where I can relax.  I take my clients in here to interview them
or I can get next to the ground and put my hands in the dirt."  He has a
great arrangement of perennials and exotic plants scattered along a
brick path.  The little pond with the trickling fountain faintly drips
water.  He bends down and puts his fingers in, lightly shaking them back
and forth.  " Do you want to see my fish?"  A few fish swim up near his
finger to come see their artist. He shows me a few plants I've never
seen and then we return inside. I begin to feel privileged to visit this
place.
   It would seem that people in the Midwest don't share the appreciation
for this art as communities on the coasts do.  On the East and West
Coast there are more places displaying glass like Dick's.   His gallery
has about 150 pieces; bowls with shading color, cups, marbles,  solid
pieces in different hues, and things I can't quite describe.  These
pieces are fantastic.  Dick explains to me about the influence schools
have on community interest. " It's a combination of an educational
influence and exposure to the art that creates an interest from the
community.  I think if places like the University of Minnesota offered a
course or two there would be a larger appreciation.  As an artist you
must be committed to glass blowing or you won't go far.  It is not a
hobby.  The equipment and expenses are too high to invest for leisurely
fun."  Dick, for instance, spends around 3,000 dollars a month on his
gas, electricity, glass, and supplies.
   He usually spends two months out of the year dedicated to
maintenance.  He cleans the studio up and picks up a few essential
tasks.  This year it is building a new furnace.  The rest of the year is
to blow glass.  For these ten months his furnace stays on at all times.
Since it takes about a week to heat it up, having it on and off is not
time efficient.  The average temperature is 2100 degrees Fahrenheit.  He
tries to blow a lot of glass in this time in order to be able to pay for
the expenses of the glass,  though you would think he is doing quite
well after staying in this one place since 1984 and blowing glass for
thirty- two years.
   He went to college at Mankato State and then went to Grad School at
the U of M.  He majored in Business and Art History.  Since then he's
had three studios but he decided to move closer to the city in order to
find more clients. Mr. Huss is also known nationwide, though he seems to
live a simple life, in low profile, and very down to earth. Yet he has a
skill revered by many.
   Towards the end of my visit we sat down outside for a cigarette and
he gave me a little advice.  " As an artist I'm always searching for new
ideas and staying busy.  You want to keep a mystery, a style, a
uniqueness about you so that people don't get bored.  I take risks all
the time and try to always have fun.  When the worst comes around you
have the fun to fall back on.  I've learned to appreciate failure
because it's really the only way to measure success.  My philosophy on
life is to always rebel.  Don't do it in a way that conflicts with
others but in a way that keeps you actively questioning what's right and
wrong.  Otherwise you become complacent and that creativity you want
leaves you."
   You would have never thought this red brick building on the East Side
held so much creativity and thought.  The inside is diverse with beauty,
peace, talent, art, and wisdom.  Dick Huss has a skill that is truly
amazing.  If people knew more about this art they might envy him much
like I do.  He truly adds something to our East Side.

                 

A  reader emailed and asked, "Where did Santa Claus originate?"
So Brian, here is your answer.
   The American version of the Santa Claus figure received its
inspiration and its name from the Dutch legend of Sinter Klaas, brought
by settlers to New York in the 17th century.  As early as 1773 the name
appeared in the American press as "St.  Claus," but it was the popular
author Washington Irving who gave Americans their first detailed
information about the Dutch version of Saint Nicholas.  In his History
of New York, published in the 1800s under the pseudonym Diedrich
Knickerbocker, Irving described the arrival of the saint on horseback
each Eve of Saint Nicolas.
    This Dutch-American Saint Nick achieved his fully Americanized form
in 1823 in the poem, "A visit from Saint Nicolas" more commonly known as
"The Night Before Christmas," by writer Clement Clarke Moore.  Moore
included such details as the names of the reindeer; Santa Claus's
laughs, winks and nods; and the method by which Saint Nicolas, referred
to as an elf, returns up the chimney (Moore's phrase "lays his finger
aside of his nose" was drawn directly from Irving's  description).
    The American image of Santa Claus was further elaborated by
illustrator Thomas Nast, who depicted a rotund Santa for Christmas
issues of Harper's Magazine from the 1860s to the 1880s.  Nast added
such details as Santa's workshop at the North Pole and Santa's list of
the good and bad children of the world.  A human sized version of Santa
Claus, rather than the elf of Moore's poem, was depicted in a series of
illustrations for Coca-Cola advertisements, introduced in 1931.  In
modern versions of the Santa Claus legend, only his toy-shop workers are
elves.  Rudolph, the ninth reindeer, with a red shiny nose, was invented
in 1939 by an advertising writer for the Montgomery Ward Company.
     In looking for the historical roots of Santa Claus, one must go
very deep in the past. One discovers that Santa Claus as we know him is
a combination of many different legends and mythical creatures.  The
basis for the Christian-era Santa Claus is Bishop Nicholas of Smyrna
(Ismir), in what is now Turkey.  Nicholas lived in the 4th century A.D.
He was very rich, generous and loving towards children.  Often he gave
joy to poor children by throwing gifts in through their windows.
   The Roman Catholic Church honored St. Nicholas as one who helped
children and the poor.    His name day is December 6th.
     To all "Ask Amber" readers in Dayton's  Bluff:  Have a very Merry
Christmas and a most magical New Year.
   If you  have a question that you would like answered, please write me
at:    Attn. Ask Amber
 798 East 7th Street
 Saint Paul MN  55106
All answers given herein are solely the opinion of the writer and not
the Dayton's Bluff District Forum nor the writers or advertisers or the
people and businesses included in the column.  Amber's answers will be
researched in depth and are accurate as opinion, but not neccesarily
fact.

Metro Names an Executive Assistant to the President

   President Wilson G. Bradshaw has named Thomas H. Cook Metropolitan
State University's executive assistant to the president.  Cook's duties
will include serving as a president's council member, and president's
liaison working with community organizations, government officials.  "I
welcome Tom to my administrative team and look forward to working with
him," said President Bradshaw.  "He brings a wealth of related knowledge
and experience to this position and will function as my chief of staff."
 

   Hour Dollars was started on the East Side two years ago to provide a
means for neighbors to meet each other, share their skills, and solve
problems cooperatively.  For example, one person has used the program to
exchange grant writing skills for help with home decorating projects.
Another makes phone calls and does mailings in exchange for rides and
errand running.  Hour Dollars promotes reciprocity.
   All people have something to give and all services are valued
equally.  Participation is free and all it takes to get started is to
attend the orientation.  To find out about neighbors sharing skills or
to register your children, please call 651-635-8680.

THE PORTAGE FOR YOUTH WOULD LIKE TO WISH EVERYONE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

   These are the twelve gifts we wish for you, in this special season 
and all the year through.
    Happiness, deep down within.
    Serenity, with each sunrise.
    Success, In each facet of your life.
     Family, Beside you.
     Close and caring friends.
     Health, Inside you.
     Love, That never ends.
     Special Moments. Of all the  yesterdays.
    A bright today, With much to be thankful for.
    A path, That leads to beautiful tomorrows.
    Dreams, That do their best to come true.
   And appreciation, Of all the wonderful things about you.
    May this Holiday Season bring community and families together in
peace and harmony.
  -------Raeann and Amber Ruth and all the Portage for Youth Young
Women, who still believe in the magic of Christmas----