Flying: Before the Air Force

From biplanes to jets...

Hot dogging in Paris.

This year marks two aviation anniversaries, cnet.com reports.

One is the 70th anniversary of the US Air Force, born in 1947 when President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947. 

The other is the 110th anniversary of the first US military service dedicated to flying aircraft in the national defense: the Aeronautical Division of the US Signal Corps, which came into being on Aug. 1, 1907. 

For a fascinating slide show that  looks at the 40 years of aircraft from 1907 to 1947: https://www.cnet.com/pictures/before-the-air-force/?ftag=COS-05-10aaa0b&linkId=40263361

Photos: Pinterest, Tumblr.

Next time on The Allen Report:

Chilling: Inside a Titan ICBM Missile Site.

Smile: Meet Your New Week

Fun...

That does it.  I'm calling a lawn service, right now.

For fun videos:

-- Capital One: Chasm feat: https://www.ispot.tv/ad/Am7I/capital-one-quicksilver-chasm-feat-samuel-l-jackson

-- Capital One: March Madness: https://www.ispot.tv/ad/A4vs/capital-one-this-is-march-madness-ringtone-feat-gloria-gaynor

-- Allstate: Grounded: https://www.ispot.tv/ad/wwOJ/allstate-accident-forgiveness-grounded

-- E*Trade: Crack of noon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA5cfR90FwE

-- Ram Trucks: Airplane rescue:  https://www.ispot.tv/ad/wtok/ram-trucks-drive-and-discover-event-airplane-rescue

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

Flying Before the Air Force.

Musical Moments: Bocelli, Con te Partiro

Wonderful...

Andrea Bocelli.

Musical Moments features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.

Today's selection is Andre Bocelli's wonderful Con te Partiro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGIfE1SjLC0

Photo: Google.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

Smile: Meet Your New Week.

Darien Ends Busy Summer Real Estate Week

Weekly update...

Beauty in motion.

Darien ended a busy summer residential real estate week today.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were:

-- Five new listings of property for sale;

-- Four price changes;

-- 11 accepted offers;

-- One property going under contract, and

-- 13 closings.

For more:

Next time on The Allen Report; 

Musical Moments, Bocelli, Con te Partiro.

How to Take Better Care of Yourself

Fitness and health...

Take a walk.

Most of us want to take good care of ourselves, and we know that good, preventive self-care routines are the best way to do that, upworthy.com reports.

But it can also be overwhelming, stressful, and time-consuming to try to remember all the things we're supposed to do.

For some tips that might help: http://www.upworthy.com/bad-at-remembering-to-take-care-of-yourself-these-25-tips-can-make-it-almost-automatic?c=sr1&s=p&sr_source=lift_facebook

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

Darien Weekly Real Estate Update.

Snope's Ugly Legal Battle

Messy dispute...

The internet's favorite fact-checking service.

On Monday, the editorial staff of Snopes.com wrote a short plea for help. The post said that the site needed money to fund its operations because another company that Snopes had contracted with “continues to essentially hold the Snopes.com web site hostage,” Alex Madrigal reports on theatlantic.com.

It was a shocking message from a website that’s been around for more than 20 years—and that’s become a vital part of internet infrastructure in the #fakenews era. The site’s readers have responded. Already, more than $92,000 has been donated to a GoFundMe with a goal of $500,000, Madrigal added.

(Editor's note: As of Wednesday, Snopes had raised $611,384 of its $500K goal in two days, according to its gofundme website.)

So, what’s going on? Well, it probably won’t surprise you that there’s a startup tech company and a lawsuit involved. There are claims and counterclaims. But if you want to know the gory details that are available in the court filings, here we go, Madrigal wrote.

For more: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/07/the-ugly-dispute-threatening-snopes/534708/

Photos: Pinterest, Tumblr.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

How to Take Better Care of Yourself.

Los Angeles to San Francisco in 50 minutes?

First successful hyperloop test...

An artist's concept of a hyperloop system in Los Angeles.

The hyperloop completed is first successful test ride in Nevada earlier this month, wired/com reports.

If it passes future tests, the new form of transportation could mean a trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco would take just 50 minutes.

For a video of the test and potential of the hyperloop:  https://www.wired.com/video/2017/07/watch-the-hyperloop-complete-its-first-successful-test-ride/

Photos: Giphy, Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report:

Snopes' Ugly Legal Battle.

29 Minutes From New York to Washington?

Hyperloop...

An artist's concept of Elon Musk's proposed high-speed hyperloop system.

With a tweet and very little else by way of detail, the entrepreneur Elon Musk last week raised the prospect of speedy, hassle-free travel along the busy section of the Eastern Seaboard between New York and Washington, D.C., Christine Hauser reports on nytimes.com.

On Twitter, Mr. Musk said he been given "verbal" government "approval" for his vision, in which one of his companies, the Boring Company, would build an underground transportation system connecting New York City to Philadelphia to Baltimore and on to the nation's capital -- enabling people to make a trip in the unheard-of time of 29 minutes, Hauser wrote.

For more of an intriguing report: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/20/business/elon-musk-hyperloop.html

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 
Los Angeles to San Francisco in 50 Minutes?

How to Dress Like a Power Player

Sun Valley chic...

Stacey Bendet, founder of Alice and Olivia, wore her brand's best look, including flared jeans.

François-Henri Pinault, the chief executive of Kering, the French luxury conglomerate that owns Gucci, Saint Laurent and Brioni, wore a stretched-out zip-up hoodie. So did Mark Pincus, the founder of Zynga. Ron Meyer, vice chairman of NBCUniversal, wore a Mr. Rogers black cardigan and baggy black shorts, Vanessa Friedman reported on nytimes.com.

Ivanka Trump wore an oversize white shirt, untucked, and skinny jeans. Omid Kordestani, executive chairman of Twitter, wore a Patagonia puffer. Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook, wore skinny cargo pants and a cardigan the color of dried mud, Friedman wrote.

These were some of the outfits modeled at that ultimate showcase of mogul leisure wear formally known as the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference 2017 and more colloquially called “summer camp for billionaires.” It may have earlier this month, but its style preferences will resonate throughout the rest of the season, Friedman added.

For more on some of the latest power player choices: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/19/fashion/allen-co-sun-valley-conference-mogul-dress-code.html?smid=nytcore-iphone-share&smprod=nytcore-iphone

Film producer Harvey Weinstein liked black on black.

Photos: nytimes.com.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

29 Minutes From New York to Washington?

Smile: A Great New Week is Here

Fun...

OK, open wide.  Hmm, that is stubborn.

For fun videos:  

-- Northrop Grumman: Make Your Dream Reality: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AP1uf3rfpk

-- Northrop Grumman: Anyone Can Dream: https://www.ispot.tv/ad/wVXA/northrop-grumman-anyone-can-dream

-- Progressive: Helping Small Businesses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCOP7wGiXjM

-- Progressive: Moving Truck: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meiFIZgCTzM

-- Allstate: Men are superiors drivers? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqwjoVi2Ct8

-- Allstate: Pillows: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln3gDPn8U44

And, as a special treat, the famous Tim Conway dentist skit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cUZhHS0PMM&t=2s

Photos: Giphy, Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report:

How to Dress Like a Power Player.

Musical Moments: Chopin, Opus 9, No. 2

Beautiful...

Li Yundi

Musical Moments features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.

Today's selection is Chopin's beautiful Nocturne Op. 9 No.2, performed by Li Yundi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvxS_bJ0yOU

Photo: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

Smile: A Great New Week is Here.

Darien Summer Real Estate Rolls On

Weekly update...

Reflected beauty.

Darien's summer residential real estate activity rolled on in the week ending today.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were:

-- Two new listings of property for sale;

-- 10 price changes;

-- One accepted offers;

-- No properties going under contract, and

-- 14 closings.

For more: 

Next time on The Allen Report: 

Musical Moments: Chopin, Opus 9 No, 2

The Subtle Power of the Uncomfortable Silence

Silence is golden...

Oprah's masterful use of silence.

At your next meeting, wait for a pause in conversation and try to measure how long it lasts, 
Lennox Morrison reports on bbc.com.

Chances are -- especially among English speakers -- it will be a second or two at most, Morrison wrote.

Anglophones tend to be most uncomfortable with long gaps in a discussion.  And yet, knowing when to be tight-lipped can give you the upper hand in everything from sales deals to pay negotiations to presentations and staff development.

Silence really is golden.

For more of a fascinating report: http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20170718-the-subtle-power-of-uncomfortable-silences

Next time on The Allen Report: 
The latest Darien real estate update.

Free Software to Protect Your Computer From Attack

Stay safe...

Protect yourself from hackers who can send your computer into a black hole.

Q. Are free PC antivirus programs safe to use?

A. The web is full of choices, but if you are looking for free protection for your computer, go with a program from an established security software company, J. D. Biersdorfer reports on nytimes.com.

And don't overlook using the free protection built into your Windows or Mac system, Biersdorfer wrote.

For more to keep you safe out there: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/12/technology/personaltech/protecting-your-computer-with-free-software.html?smid=nytcore-iphone-share&smprod=nytcore-iphone

Photos: Pinterest, Tumblr.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

The Subtle Power of Uncomfortable Silence.

Russia is Waging Cyberwar, and the U.S. is Silent

Growing problem...

Spreading hacking attacks.

By the time anyone noticed the problem, it was far too late. Hackers had compromised the network of a popular Ukraine-based maker of tax software with malware as far back as April, then waited until June 27 before pushing out a malicious update. It quickly spread across the globe, infecting multinational businesses like shipping giant Maersk and WPP, the world’s biggest advertising group, David Gilbert reports on vice.com.

Since 2014, Russian hackers have attacked government networks, financial institutions, and businesses across Ukraine. Russia, in compromising Ukraine’s power grid on three separate occasions, is seemingly using the former Soviet republic as a testing ground to hone its modern warfare skills, Gilbert wrote.

But Ukraine is hardly the only target; Russian hackers have been implicated in an attack on the German Parliament; a hack of French television station TV5 Monde; an attack on the Polish stock exchange; the theft and publication of the some of the NSA’s most powerful hacking tools; and, of course, the compromising of DNC servers and subsequent meddling in the U.S. election last year, Gilbert added.

For more about a growing problem: https://news.vice.com/story/russia-is-waging-global-cyberwar-and-the-u-s-is-silent

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report:
Free Software to Protect Your Computer From Attack.

Why Does My Dentist Give Me So Many X-rays?

Ask your dentist about American Dental Association guidelines...

Q. My new dentist gave me 22 X-rays yesterday.  He says he does to all his patients.  This seems ridiculously unnecessary and dangerous.  Could you give me info on this?

A.  It sounds as if your dentist's plan was "overkill,'' especially since ordering this many X-rays appears to be routine for him, said Dr. Sara Dirks, a dentists in private practice in San Antonio, Tex., who cares for many older patients, Catherine Saint Louis reports on nytimes.com.

Dentists should not rely on a blanket policy on X-rays for all patients, according to guidelines set out by the American Dental Association, Saint Louis wrote.

Instead, they are supposed to inspect each mouth for cavities or gum disease and then recommend specific X-rays for specific reasons she added.

For more:  https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/14/well/why-does-my-dentist-give-me-so-many-x-rays.html

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

U.S. Silence in Face of Russian Cyberwar.

Protecting Your Home While on Vacation

Tips...

Daydreaming from the hilarious and unforgettable Vacation.

We've all had that sinking feeling.  Did you leave the coffee maker on? Or a

door unlocked? Full-blown panic usually sets in about half and hour

after you're headed out of town, Ronda Kaysen reports on nytimes.com. 

With the arrival of peak vacation season comes the separation anxiety associated

with leaving your most valuable asset -- your home -- along for a week, Kaysen wrote.

For tips on how you can reduce the risks to your home, even from afar: :https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/14/realestate/how-to-protect-your-house-when-youre-on-vacation.html

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report:

Why so Many X-rays at the Dentist?

Smile: Saddle Up For Your New Week

Fun...

Hop on your favorite and enjoy the ride.

For fun videos: 

-- GEICO: Side effects:  http://www.adweek.com/agencies/boyz-ii-men-sing-nostalgic-but-new-life-into-geicos-its-what-you-do/

-- GEICO: Fleas: https://www.geico.com/more/geico-community/commercials/oddly-appropriate-segues/

--Yeti Jug: Our first, our last: https://www.ispot.tv/ad/wo3Z/yeti-rambler-jug-our-first-your-last

-- Old Spice: Lean times: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uyo6Uu_UVLI

-- Old Spice: Middle name: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wpFfiUhVCA

-- Old Spice: Endless quest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrR3xHnrMNc

Photos: Giphy, Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report:

Protecting Your House While on Vacation.

Musical Moments: Bizet, Prelude to Carmen

Happy Bastille Day weekend...

The gang's all here: Laissez les bon temps roulez.

Musical Moments features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.

A few years ago, some very talented children surprised shoppers in a Paris mall with a wonderful performance of a Bizet classic, Prelude to Carmen.

I hope you'll enjoy it, too:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eee4-d7FUis

Photos: Giphy.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

Smile: Saddle up For Your New Week.

Darien Finishes Busy Real Estate Week

Weekly update...

Happy Bastille Day.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the U.S.entry into WW I:

Lafayette we are here.

Darien finished a busy residential real estate week today.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were:

-- Five new listings of property for sale;

-- 10 price changes;

-- 10 accepted offers;

-- No properties going under contract, and

-- 14 closings.

For more:

Next time on The Allen Report: 

Musical Moments: Bizet, Prelude to Carmen.

50 Unique Independent Bookstores Across America

One in every state...

Changing Hands Bookstore and First Draft Bar, Arizon

Across the US, iindependent bookstores are having a comeback, Rebecca Johnson reports on culturetrip.com.

Often combining bookselling with a cafe or bar, these stores will usually stock rare presses and obscure publishers, alongside classics and bestsellers, Johnson wrote.

For a report on some with a little something extra that makes them stand out from the rest:  https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/articles/50-unique-independent-bookstores-you-need-to-visit-in-every-u-s-state/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=share

I'm just looking at the Novel Ideas Bookstore, Nebraska.

Photos: culturetrip.com.

Next time on The Allen Report:

The latest Darien real estate update.

An Annual Checklist to Protect Your House

Protect your investment...

Maintaining a house is a must.

Given the option, few of us would volunteer to spend a Sunday on a ladder pulling leaves out of a gutter. But when your home is your biggest investment, as it is for most Americans, maintaining it is a must, Ronda Kaysen reports on nytimes.com.

Home maintenance can feel like a daunting chore — particularly for a new homeowner who’s never seen a boiler up close, let alone drained one. But it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming, Kaysen wrote.

A home operates with the seasons, coming to life in the spring and hunkering down for the winter. 

For tips on keeping your house running like a well-oiled machine: https://www.nytimes.com/guides/realestate/home-maintenance-checklist?nytapp=true

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report:
50 Unique and Independent Bookstores Across America.

How The New iOS 11 Will Change Your iPhone

Coming this fall...

A simple and elegant iPhone travel application.

Apple announced an update to its mobile operating system — the one that powers the millions of iPhones and iPads that have become a common part of everyday life for many people, last month, Liam Stack reports on nytimes.com.

 Apple will roll out iOS 11 this fall, with a host of new features.

What are they?  Among them: Do Not Disturb While Driving and a customizable Control Center.

For more: https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/06/12/smarter-living/apple-iphone-ios11.html?mc=aud_dev&mcid=keywee&mccr=dommob&kwp_0=441646&kwp_4=1619164&kwp_1=698164&referer=http://m.facebook.com

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 
An Annual Checklist to Protect Your House.