Orange-y Glow

After being postponed a day because of cloudy weather, the space shuttle Endeavour and its six-member rocketed away from Cape Canaveral, Florida, early this morning, filling the dark pre-dawn sky with an orange glow. It was the start of a 13-day mission that includes a docking with the International Space Station on Wednesday.

Super Sunday

After the Saints' meteoric ascendancy to Super Bowl glory last night, downing the mighty Indianapolis Colts 31-17, the city of New Orleans and "Who Dat" nation are celebrating. They're not the only winners out there. Here are a few other winners from Super Sunday:

Anti-War Dem

Just after passing a milestone to become the longest-serving member of Congress from Pennsylvania, John Murtha, a retired Marine who called for the United States to pull out of the Iraq war, has died following complications from gallbladder surgery.

His views on the war shaped the latter part of his life and a controversial FBI investigation a generation ago sometimes dogged the Democrat -- even as his obituaries are being written.

GIBRALTAR -- Last Friday marked 25 years since the re-opening of the border between Gibraltar and Spain. The Spanish media headlined the anniversary with the words "sin advances". It is true that the over 300 year problem of the Rock's sovereignty has not been solved to Spain's liking, but there are also those in Gibraltar who see the tri-partite forum as no advance at all.

The border was closed on June 8, 1969, in a protest by General Franco who was angered that the people of the Rock had voted overwhelmingly (12,138 to 44) in a referendum to maintain their link with Britain.

Deal of the Week

Two great skiing deals are coming down the pipe this week. First is Keystone's $49 customer appreciation day on Tuesday, Feb. 9. Lift tickets and lessons are being offered at $49 each as well as $59 lift/rental packages. The resort will also be serving complimentary hot cocoa early in the day. Get there at 7:30 a.m. for first lift. Click here for more information.

Recast

In the past three years, I have been invited to two French cartoon festivals on three occasions. These wonderful events are amazing celebrations that lure cartoonists from all over the world. Some are extended week-long parties that engulf the entire villages where they are held. People come to see the cartoons, meet the artists, and to watch us draw. I just returned from my latest adventure in France -- the RIDEP, or Rencontres Internationales du Dessin de Presse, in Carquefou. My favorite part is meeting the other cartoonists from around the world.