At the beginning of the 21st century, a new phenomenon was added to popular American culture: the Starbucks juggle. This act involves a tall paper cup of coffee and possibly other items on the way to the morning’s destination. More advanced jugglers try to manage the coffee cup, a cell phone, purse and brief case as well. Most of us "Starbuckers" buy the java to go, for we are a people on the go. The Starbucks phenomenon, though it requires some juggling, fits into our on-the-go-fast-food-and-drink culture.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released some troubling findings last week from a four-year study on the condition of America’s streams. The agency concluded that 42 percent of the nation’s shallow or "wadeable" streams were in poor environmental condition. Another 25 percent were considered only fair, leaving just 28 percent of streams in good condition.

Customers told they would have to wait between two weeks and four months, depending on where they live, to get a gasoline-electric hybrid Honda Civic or Toyota Prius are frustrated that automakers can’t meet demand. Not that the automakers are happy about it either. Sales of both vehicles fell in April as Toyota and Honda could not keep up with surging demand accompanying skyrocketing gasoline prices.