"What if a crippling attack struck the country's digital infrastructure?" Current and former national government officials tackled the question in a Washington hotel ballroom on Tuesday, February 16, 2010. The results, which will be broadcast on a special CNN report soon, were not comforting.

Michael Chertoff served as the national security advisor in the exercise. The Bipartisan Policy Center sponsored the exercise. The scenario was developed by Georgetown University and companies such as PayPal developed the cyber-attack scenario. Participants did not have knowledge of the scenario beforehand.

For me, the most alarming statement was the last sentence in the Los Angeles Times story: "In the end, no grand plan emerged, but the group did agree to advise the president to federalize the National Guard, even if governors objected, and deploy the troops -- perhaps backed by the U.S. military -- to guard power lines and prevent unrest."

To read the full Los Angeles Times article, go to:
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-na-cyber-attack17-2010feb17,0,803757,full.story

Get Ye to the Alhambra Theatre in Jacksonville

Today, I enjoyed an absolutely delightful afternoon at the Alhambra Theatre & Dining here in Jacksonville, Florida. After a delicious luncheon buffet, I saw "High School Musical." The food was plentiful and excellent. The play was fun and full of youthful enthusiasm.

The Alhambra Theatre is the oldest professional dinner theatre in the country. After 42 years of continuous operation, it closed its doors briefly in 2009 due to the economy. Thankfully, a group of investors quickly reopened it in December 2009.

They recruited one of Jacksonville's premier chefs, Matthew Medure, to revamp the menu. The luncheon buffet today featured baked chicken, seafood newburg, baked ham, and a variety of sides. An absolutely fresh salad with an assortment of greens and vegetables was served at the table beforehand. Two desserts are offered: bread pudding and chocolate mousse. Both were good, but the mousse was to die for.

The group of twelve seniors I was with included four in electric wheelchairs and several others who use walkers or canes. Physical improvements to the theatre helped, especially a new fully accessible restroom. The staff could not have been more helpful in accommodating our needs. They made trips to the buffet to bring our food.

The Alhambra has always offered wonderful theatre productions. Fortunately, founder Tod Booth, Sr. continues to be involved. The actors and actresses today were excellent with strong voices and seemingly endless physical vigor for the strenuous dance routines.

I encourage everyone to support the Alhambra Theatre in Jacksonville. Coming shows here in 2010 include:
42nd Street: March 10 – April 25
Cinderella: June 16 – August 8
Amorous Crossing: August 11 – September 5
The Wedding Singer: September 8 – October 10
The King and I: October 13 – November 28
It’s a Wonderful Life: December 1 – December 24

The Alhambra Theatre is located at 12000 Beach Blvd. on Jacksonville's Southside. Their phone number is (904) 641-1212. Go to www.alhambrajax.com for current ticket prices or to make reservations online. You will be glad you did.