Category: Brief Messages or Announcements

In Memory of Leonard Tow, Founder of the Tow Foundation and Humanism in Medicine

I just found out that Leonard Tow died on August 10, 2025. In humility, I express my gratitude and respect for his creation of the Tow Foundation, a big part of that being the Humanism in Medicine Award, of which I am one of the many recipients over the years. I hope this great tradition goes on forever, a reminder to doctors, patients, and families of the great rewards and greater responsibilities in medicine.

I thank Dr. Jeanne M. Lackamp, now Chair of the Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatrist in Chief for University Hospitals and Director of the University Hospital Behavioral Health Institute for nominating me and Dr. Jerold Woodhead, Professor Emeritus in Pediatrics at University of Iowa Health Care for placing the pin in my lapel. That was in 2007.

Leonard Tow established the Humanism in Medicine award to foster the development of humanistic doctors. They exemplify compassion and respect for others, humility and empathy.

That is how I will remember Leonard Tow.

On my lapel; in my heart
Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine lapel pin
Getting the pin

Upcoming Svengoolie Movie: “Werewolf of London”!

Svengoolie intro: “Calling all stations, clear the air lanes, clear all air lanes for the big broadcast!”

The Svengoolie show will be airing the movie “Werewolf of London” this coming Saturday night. It was released in 1935 and features something I don’t usually associate with werewolves—a special flower.

Anyway, it’s the first full-length werewolf film. This guy is not looking for beef chow mein.

See The Patio Slicer Tomatoes!

I have an update on Sena’s patio tomatoes. The last time I wrote about this, there were virtually no slicer tomatoes although there were a lot of cherry tomatoes.

There are now visible slicer tomatoes in the pot on the right, which I’m sure will make it to our dinner table soon!

patio tomatoes
tomatoes pic magnified

Svengoolie Interviewed at the Comic-Con!

Hey, I thought it would be fun to share an interview that somebody did of Svengoolie at the Comic-Con in San Diego yesterday. Svengoolie is played by Rich Koz and he’s been around a long time. He’s definitely not thinkinig of retiring. The only way we would have recognized him is by his voice!

Extreme Heat Warning for I-80 Corridor

There’s an extreme heat warning from the National Weather Service for much of the I-80 corridor today and tomorrow. Heat indices of 95-110+ are expected.

Cooling Centers in Iowa City, IA

Cooling Centers in Coralville, IA

Consider donating to the Iowa City Shelter House Beat the Heat drive!

Extreme Heat Watch This Week in Eastern Iowa!

There’s an extreme heat watch starting tomorrow through Thursday in eastern Iowa. Heat indices of 95 to 105+ are expected.

There is a list available of cooling centers published by KCRG although that was published on June 20, 2025, so it is not current.

Heat safety tips are at this link.

Two to Tango Cribbage Mistake Update!

I already have an update to the cribbage kerfuffle I posted about yesterday! The American Cribbage Congress (ACC) representative clarified what to do if the non-dealer and dealer by mistake switched roles during the cut of the deck and picking the starter card. According to Dan:

“This mishap of the cutting of the starter card is addressed in the rulebook under Rule 6.1 Even though it does not specifically address the wrong person cutting the starter card, it alludes to a similar situation and says, the starter card must be returned to the pack… the dealer reshuffles the pack, and the pone cuts the starter card.  No penalty is assessed.  Therefore, you did the exact right thing by keeping your hands and the crib and shuffling the remaining deck and then correctly cutting.  The jack that was originally cut is not in play at all.

Hope this helps.”

Dan got back to us the same day we sent the question, which was a fantastically quick response in my book!

Svengoolie Movie Tonight: “Return of the Vampire”

“Calling all stations, clear the air lines, clear all air lanes for the big broadcast!” (Svengoolie show intro).

Tonight’s Svengoolie movie is “Return of the Vampire.” I’m debating on whether to watch it because I’ve heard there’s a talking werewolf. Is that even legal?

Iowa City Jazz Festival 2025 Kicks Off July 4-6!

Hey, the Iowa City Jazz Festival starts tomorrow! The fireworks will be the evening of July 5, 2025. Read the Little Village story and for a full list of the bands and all see the Summer of the Arts web page!