Paul Franciskato

Preventing the Likes of the Tucson Tragedy

Throughout history, we see the same thing happening again and again. Gun violence erupted in Columbine High School, the Washington D.C. area, Virginia Tech...and now Tucson, Arizona. There have been countless other incidents of gun violence in the United States and throughout the world for that matter. It seems that these tragic events are unfortunately a part of life here on Earth.

Gun violence is not the only problem. Look at the broad (and countless) acts of terrorism throughout the world...the bombing in Oklahoma City, Nairobi, Kenya, the terrorist attacks on 9/11, and most recently the suicide bombing at an airport in Moscow, Russia. When are people going to stop killing each other?

Often times, we hear about the warning signs that were evident before many of these tragedies occured. Yet, none of these tragic events could have been prevented. Or could they have?

Is anyone (or anything) to blame other than the actual killers themselves? What is it that leads an individual or group of people to commit horrible acts of violence on other human beings?

Well known people throughout time have been promoters of peace - John Lennon, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mahatma Ghandi just to name a few. During their time, these people truly believed that world peace is possible. They each had (and still do have) a large share of believers and followers. They also have their share of non-believers. Ironically and sadly, each one of these influential leaders were victims of a violent death.

I want to believe in a world without violence, but if history is any indication of the future, violent acts against others will be present as long as humans are populating Earth. My belief is that peace is possible, but only if the feeling is universal. What are your thoughts?

Looking for New Friends and Experiences in the Junction City, KS Area?

Whether you are new to the area or you have lived here for quite some time, making new friends and exploring the activities available to you could be as easy as joining Prairie Fire Meetup at www.Meetup.com! In case you are unfamiliar with Meetup, this is a place where you can find and create groups in your local area based on your interests. No matter where in the world you live, there are most likely meetup groups in your community or nearby.

Prairie Fire Meetup is a group for people living in the areas of Junction City, Manhattan, and Fort Riley. If you want to make new friends and explore the activities available to you throughout the local area and beyond, you may want to join Prairie Fire Meetup!

What kinds of things do members of this group do? The answer to that is a lot of things! Since activities may be indoors or outdoors, there is pretty much something for everyone. Some of these activities have included hiking, attending live theater and music performances, eating at nice restaurants etc. While most Prairie Fire Meetup activities are located in Junction City, Manhattan, or Fort Riley, it isn't out of the question to have activities in Topeka, Salina, or anywhere else in Kansas for that matter. As a member of the group, you are free to suggest ideas!

Want to learn more? Visit Prairie Fire Meetup!

A Peaceful Walk in the Kansas Snow

In some parts of the United States, snow is common and abundant during the Winter months. Winter in Kansas is cold, but measurable snow is not as prevalent and long-lasting as it is in other areas of the country. When the conditions are just right, the Sunflower State (or parts of it) get a nice blanket of snow!

Northeast Kansas had its first measurable snowfall of 2011 on January 9 and another round of snow fell throughout much of the day yesterday. When I woke up this morning, there were about two more inches of snow on top of the snow that had not already melted from the first significant snowfall.

With nature and scenic photography as one of my passions, I had to go out and capture some images of the Kansas Winter landscape! These photos I shot are not of what you might consider to be the typical Kansas landscape. Contrary to popular belief, Kansas is not an entirely treeless, flat land! Much of the land is flat and sparse on trees, but Kansas might surprise you with its wooded areas, hills, and other interesting features!

To capture these photos, I didn't have to venture very far. The Bluffs Park is an attractive area adjacent to The Bluffs Apartments in Junction City, Kansas. I drove about two miles one way to take a walk through the fresh snow and capture the beauty of nature on this Thursday morning! Here is part of what I saw:

A Snowy Trail Through The Bluffs Park - Junction City, Kansas

Morning Sunshine in The Bluffs Park - Junction City, Kansas

A Place of Tranquility - The Bluffs Park

Will Winter Weather Cause Cancellations in Junction City, KS?

The season for snow, ice, and blistering wind has arrived in Junction City, Kansas! Winter 2010 officially started on December 21 and the frozen precipitation in the area has been very minimal so far. That may change by the end of the weekend! According to the weather reports on Saturday January 8, 2011, we can expect a significant snowfall in northeastern Kansas. Just how much can we expect? Channel 27 Weather in Topeka is predicting 4-8 inches of snow in the area with much of that falling from late Sunday night into Monday. Some parts of Kansas may even get more than the 4-8 inches predicted!

If we do get heavy snow in the Junction City, KS area, will there be delays and cancellations? It's quite possible that schools, businesses, and other organizations will close or at least postpone opening until a later time of the day. There are a number of ways to be informed of local cancellations due to the weather or other events. Here are just a few:

• Channel 27 News in Topeka
• USD 475 Alerts
• Local Radio Stations

Tune into these local weather resources for the latest information on cancellations and be safe this Winter!