sea level and high altitude news

And at high altitude, high drama. Doubtless you have been following the tragedy on Everest, when the deaths of 16 Sherpas in an avalanche terrified the mountaineering community. I have just been trying to figure out if any of the Sherpas were on the Himalayan Experience team led by my friend Russell Brice who runs the biggest commercial operation in the place. See Jon Krakauer's piece for The New Yorker. Nonetheless, I'm sure Russell is involved, with four teams in the Himalayas right now and a close, 40-year relationship with the Sherpas in the Khumbu.
  In other news, Hannah will be hosting a retreat for small business owners in a familiar location this Columbus Day.
  Also at sea level, the Block Island house of a former Time Inc-er in on sale with seven acres for $10 million. And in Thomasville, Mo., a rock house and barn and 30 acres on the river are for sale for $225,000. One hopes it's a lot safer than West Plains!
  You can now read (some of) the West Plains Daily Quill on your phone.
  And speaking of Missouri, here are some companies that you should support if you're a good Christian (Loew's) and shun if you're on the devil's side (Apple).
  Our own Madison is hailed as a champion in riflery!
  Our own Milena Pastreich had feature film Below Dreams, for which she was director of Photography, screened at the Tribeca Film Festival. 
   An old friend of Elaine's from WBAI just died. Not mentioned in the obit was  the longstanding rumor that he was the son of Malcom X.
  Oh, and the guy who runs the dump came and got the dead deer  for $35. Bargain.