rjhamster1956.blogspot.com/2026/06/the-rj-hamster-afternoon-show_01953819456.html
Author Archives: RJ Hamster
I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to Janet and (the late) Richard Hovis.
I grew up in Santa Monica, California where I attended elementary, junior high school, and high school (graduating in 1974), in addition to involvement in sports and recreation (Little League +, the Boy’s Club ++). Further, it was in elementary school – St. Augustine’s By-the -Sea Parish School that I found, and made the choice to truly journey with God.
I attended Arizona State University from 1974 to 1977 – seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree.
Upon graduation from Arizona State University, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and studied City and Regional Planning at the Master’s level. I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year program – I did not complete the Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning – due to personal reasons.
I returned to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA. I spent five years with Exxon Company, USA.
While working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon..
In 1982 I married Laura Flosi and in April 1983 we had our one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God.
We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM (from 1985 -1987).
From 1987 – 1995 I was an independent contractor, and a registered representative in mortgage finance, financial management, graphic design, and drafting.
Further, I attended the University of Phoenix and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1982.
I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in community events and projects.
In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix to Reston.
In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2002, I worked as a Support Officer until my retirement (due to a need for shoulder surgery) in September 2018.
Away from my Federal Government service, I have been involved in various organizations and activities in Northern Virginia.
In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California. I reside in San Tan Valley, AZ with my two hamster - Jess and Timothy, our fish, our lizard - RJ Lizard., and our cats - Pearl and Grey.
As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova.
Love and God Bless,
Peter – aka RJ Hamster Jo hi
Update from ASU President Michael Crow
To view this email as a web page, click here.From Arizona State University Office of the PresidentHarrison Ford, award-winning actor and conservationist, addressed the ASU Class of 2026 after accepting his honorary degree on May 11, 2026. Photo by Deanna Dent/Arizona State University.
Class of 2026:
“This is your time.”
Last week, we celebrated the Class of 2026, a record-setting 22,000-plus new graduates,and we did it in style. In packed and jubilant ceremonies across our campuses, we recognized the achievements of our students, the contributions of our faculty, and welcomed two very special honorary degree recipients. Famed actor and conservationist Harrison Ford and farmer, philanthropist and photographer Howard G. Buffett accepted their degrees and shared inspirational words of wisdom with ASU’s newest alumni, urging them to create positive change and live life without regrets. In addition to these memorable festivities, we also were excited to host our first-ever convocation in Los Angelesfor graduates of our Fashion Institute and Design Merchandising (FIDM) program. It was a truly memorable week.
Watch ASU’s graduate and undergraduate ceremonies
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and industry and university leaders officially break ground on the site of the future ASU Health headquarters on April 9, 2026. Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News.
The next phase of ASU Health took a major step forward as I was joined by local, state and health sector leaders for the groundbreaking of the ASU Health headquarters in downtown Phoenix. Located in the Phoenix BioScience Core, the facility will house the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering, and include traditional and virtual reality classrooms, health care training and simulation labs, dedicated space for medical-technology innovation, and amenities designed for students and the community. The building is scheduled to open in fall 2028 as a hub for ASU’s effort to improve health outcomes for all Arizonans.
Read more
Eric Gertler, Jeff Selingo, Michael Crow, Charles Isbell, Sian Beilock and Beong-Soon Kim stand for a panel photo at the Milken Institute Global Conference on May 5, 2026. Photo courtesy of the Milken Institute.
At the invitation of the Milken Institute Global Conference, I also recently joined the leaders of USC, Dartmouth and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign for a thought-provoking panel discussion about what higher education should look like 20 years from now. While our respective institutions vary in size and design, the panel agreed that the increasingly complex policy landscape and the rapid evolution of unprecedented technology will require greater adaptation and collaboration in order to meet public needs. Now more than ever, we need additional, differentiated pathways to high-quality, personalized learning, and ASU is fully engaged in designing and advancing those solutions in service to our nation and the world.
Watch video
Washington Post Futures Editor Zachary Goldfarb, MIT President Sally Kornbluth and ASU President Michael Crow discuss the future of American Higher Education at the Building America Summit on June 4, 2026. Photo by Kaz Sasahara for The Washington Post.
I recently had the pleasure of joining The Washington Post and MIT President Sally Kornbluth for a timely conversation about higher education’s service to America. Our panel was part of a day-long series of discussions spotlighting how the U.S. can build, innovate and manufacture in support of a better future. It was a thought-provoking day of ideas and issues with public and private sector leaders, and I was excited to share how ASU is contributing to these efforts. In advance of our nation’s 250th anniversary, I invite you to experience these conversations and share how we can collaborate to keep moving forward.
Read more
Michael Crow, Sonya Christian and will.i.am discuss the role of AI in enhancing access to education at scale at the ASU+GSV Summit on April 13, 2026. Photo by Unknown/Arizona State University.
This spring, we co-hosted the ASU+GSV Summit, our annual global convening of education, technology, policy and industry leaders in San Diego, California. During three days of robust programming, I participated in four panel conversations on topics ranging from the impact of AI on learning and employment to preparing a future-ready workforce to foster economic growth. Musician, FYI.AI founder and ASU Professor of Practice will.i.am, former Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and former Acting President of the Republic of Korea Ju-Ho Leewere among our esteemed panelists sharing their expertise and vision. Check out additional conversations with legendary actress Goldie Hawn and former U.S. Congressman and diplomat Rahm Emanuel on the event’s YouTube page.
Read more
Brian and Kelly Swette. Photo courtesy of The Swette Family.
The start of next Sun Devil football season is three months away, but the future of the program is being made now. Earlier this month, Brian and Kelly Swette – incredible leaders in business and philanthropy – established the Swette Family Endowed Football Coach position. Their generous $10 million gift is the largest endowed position in Sun Devil Athletics, which will support recruitment, retention compensation and technology for our student-athletes, coaches and staff.
We are grateful for this dedication to the success of Coach Dillingham and our team, and I hope you will help us to cheer ASU to victory.
Read moreWorth a look
- ASU Office of the President:
New American University: Toward 2031 and beyond - Scientific American:
The Young American Scientists: Michael M. Crow - LA Times Studios:
Space Innovation Imperative: Michael Crow and Patrick Soon-Shiong - Issues in Science & Technology:
Building pluralistic intelligence into the American research university - Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Podcast:
“Let’s Talk Business” with Dr. Michael Crow
Subscribe to my newsletter or connect with me via social media for additional higher education updates.
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Stock market today: S&P 500, Nasdaq sink as AI trade cools off, semiconductor stocks retreat
Stock market today: S&P 500, Nasdaq sink as AI trade cools off, semiconductor stocks retreatLosses for Korean memory chipmakers fueled AI trade doubts, piling further pressure on techs even amid progress in US-Iran talks.
News for you, PeterMicron to report third quarter earnings amid sky-high demand from data centersMicron will announce its Q3 earnings after the bell on Wednesday.Yahoo Finance AI stock slump raises the question if investors are just taking profits or getting very nervousTechnology companies are spending big to incorporate artificial intelligence into their businesses and to build huge data …Associated Press Emotional Savannah Guthrie speaks out after ransom note details revealedNancy Guthrie was kidnapped from her Arizona home on Feb. 1.ABC News Millions lose food stamps under Trump cuts. Arizona is hardest hitBy Leah Douglas and Erica Stapleton WASHINGTON/PHOENIX, Arizona, June 24 (Reuters) – When Angelica Garcia tried to renew h…Reuters Bessent applauds reduction in Fed guidance, says ‘dot plot’ should be abandonedWASHINGTON, June 24 (Reuters) – U. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday applauded Federal Reserve Chair Kevin War…Reuters Farm workers at higher risk amid screwworm outbreak in US south-westThose who work with animals are at greater risk for infection, but face challenges in accessing healthcareThe Guardian The future of oil prices may depend on ChinaAs the US and Iran hammer out how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the market’s next move may rely on one country ab…CNN Business The state that shuts off poor families’ power more often than anywhere elseTULSA – The lights went out when Tammy Dikes was in the shower. All of a sudden, her windowless bathroom went black. It wa…Washington Post Six jailed for life for ‘senseless’ murder of innocent womanThe murder of Joanne Penney was planned by Renaldo Baptiste from a prison cell.BBC Trump administration charges 455 people, including doctors, with $6.5 billion in healthcare fraudIn the Trump administration’s latest effort to crack down on fraud, the Justice Department on Tuesday unveiled char…CNN More like this
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SI:AM | A Tale of Two Drafts
DAN GARTLAND
Good morning, I’m Dan Gartland. I passed right over the Mets game last night while I was flying home and all I could think about was that scene in Men in Black.
In today’s SI:AM:
NBA first round in the books
Brad Penner/Imagn Images
The first round of the NBA draft went mostly according to plan, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t interesting.
This draft class was the most highly celebrated in years, with three potential stars at the top and a solid crop of prospects not far behind them. The order of the first three picks was as expected: The Wizards took BYU’s AJ Dybantsa with the first pick, Kansas’s Darryn Peterson went second to the Jazz and the Grizzlies chose Duke’s Cameron Boozer at No. 3.
While all three players were universally believed to be in a tier of their own, there is plenty of debate over who is the best prospect. And they’re three very different sorts of players, which makes the argument a fun one. Dybantsa is an athletic forward capable of creating his own shot, Peterson is an elite scoring guard and Boozer is a burly forward favored by analytical models as the best of the bunch. All three players landed in situations where they should be able to maximize their talents.
⚽ Check out SI’s World Cup Daily
The first surprise of the night came when the Mavericks selected Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. with the ninth pick. Johnson was a key piece of the Wolverines’ national championship team, but he was seen more as a mid-to-late first-round pick. He ended up going to Dallas, which just two days earlier had hired Michigan’s Dusty May as its new coach. The Mavs could have gotten a player whose stock was higher—like Arizona guard Brayden Burries, or Tennessee forward Nate Ament—but they went with someone their new coach is very familiar with. Two of Johnson’s former teammates went off the board shortly after him. The Warriors took Yaxel Lendeborg at No. 11, and the Thunder took Aday Mara at No. 12. Yes, the Thunder now have another guy who’s listed at 7’3″.
The other big draft news
The players selected last night will be playing professionally in the fall. Brendan Sorsby will not.
The NFL informed Sorsby yesterday that it will not hold a supplemental draft this year, meaning Sorsby will have to wait until the 2027 draft to attempt to resume his football career.
Sorsby applied for the supplemental draft last week after the Big 12 filed a petition in federal court that sought to reverse an earlier ruling by a Texas judge allowing Sorsby to play for Texas Tech this season. Sorsby had been ruled permanently ineligible in May after the revelation that he had placed thousands of bets on pro and college sports, including 40 on his own team. (He did not bet on games in which he played.)
The NFL’s letter to Sorsby was blunt, saying it had not planned to hold a supplemental draft this year and would not do so solely for Sorsby’s benefit. The league said Sorsby’s application was filed “without any supporting information or documentation, and only after abandoning your recent litigation efforts to avoid NCAA sanctions.”
Sorsby’s situation is surely one the NFL would like to investigate and deliberate thoroughly. Welcoming a player with a lengthy history of gambling improprieties is a major risk for the league and is not a decision that should be rushed to accommodate the timeline of the supplemental draft. Sorsby went to rehab for a gambling addiction when news of his wagers first broke, and the NFL’s decision gives him time to continue his treatment. The NFL may very well decide next spring that Sorsby has put his gambling issues behind him and is deserving of a second chance. But Sorsby broke the No. 1 rule in sports: He bet on his own team. That has to have consequences, and, at least for now, the consequence is he’s not able to play in the NFL.
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👀 The top five …
… things I saw yesterday:
5. Tigers rookie Ben Malgeri’s hit on the very first pitch he saw in the big leagues.
4. The Diamondbacks’ very unconventional double play.
3. Marco Pašalić’s back-heel pass to get the play started on Croatia’s go-ahead goal against Panama.
2. Ghana goalie Benjamin Asare’s celebrationafter keeping a clean sheet against England in a 0–0 draw. Asare, who turns 34 next month, has spent his entire club career in Ghana and only made his first appearance for the national team in March 2025.
1. Nuno Mendes’s free-kick goal for Portugal. (It was made possible by Cristiano Ronaldo acting as a decoy.)
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New NL Cy favorite emerges from loaded field
Wednesday, June 24
TOP NEWS
New Cy Young frontrunner emerges in NL, while AL race stays steady
There have been three Cy Young polls conducted this season, and there have been three different pitchers chosen No. 1 in the NL. But the name sitting atop the Senior Circuit this time around probably won’t surprise you.
Down to final strike, Phillies erupt with 8-RUN rally to stun Nats
Arenado comes up clutch in former home park as D-backs beat Cardinals
Call him ‘Lollipop Kid’! Jazz slugs go-ahead HR, gives candy jar camera time
PCA’s 5th HR in past 6 games comes vs. club that dealt him to Cubs
With his pop at Trop, hometown kid Caglianone logs 3rd multihomer game in June
Alcantara etches his name in Marlins history with 1,002nd K
Wrobleski bolsters All-Star case with 7 strong innings in Dodgers rout
Sproat’s career-high 10 K’s give Brewers double-digit déjà vu
Gelof loses MLB-best hitting streak in painful way, but there’s reason for optimism
Back-to-back-to-back! Homer-happy Astros power up to spoil Bieber’s return
ADD MLB AS YOUR PREFERRED SOURCE ON GOOGLE
TOP PERFORMANCES
Longest Home Run
Jac Caglianone
443 ft
1st Inning
Hardest Base Hit
Nathaniel Lowe
112.6 mph
8th Inning
Fastest Strikeout
Andrés Muñoz
101.4 mph
9th Inning
Decisive Play
Astros
57.5% WPA
11th Inning
1.243 OPS in June; 9 HR this month are tied for most in AL (Kurtz)
1st HR since April 27 after month-long IL stint
7 IP, 1 R, season-high 11 K’s at Coors Field
2-for-3 with HR; hitting .403 with .998 OPS in June
Carried no-hitter into 6th; 8 K’s, 0 R in 1st career quality start
PLAY A SPORCLE BASEBALL QUIZ!
MUST-SEE PLAY
With the number on his back, Taylor Walls can really pick it at The Six.
STAFF PICKS
Catchers: They’ll catch anything
Catching is hard enough as it is, but the Tigers’ Dillon Dingler had to deal with an additional obstacle behind the plate on Tuesday against the Yankees at Comerica Park.
The last MVP left in Wisconsin
With the trade of two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami, 2018 NL MVP Christian Yelich reflected on his own tenure with the Brewers and how badly he wants to help bring a championship to Milwaukee the way Giannis did in 2021.
5 players the Red Sox could deal if they’re sellers
With the Trade Deadline six weeks away, Boston — which is on pace for a 66-win season — appears to be a candidate to sell. But some of its most tradable assets have contracts that could make things a little tricky.
Giants will listen to offers for stars — except one
“I think we’ll leave all options on the table,” Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey said regarding potential trades of some of the team’s veterans.
Day 1 standouts from the 2026 Draft Combine
Some highly touted prospects took advantage of the spotlight with eye-catching performances on the opening day of the Draft Combine.
Wednesday baseball on MLB Network
It’s the Rangers vs. the Marlins at noon ET and Red Sox vs. Rockies at 3 p.m. Then, catch the Cubs vs. the Mets at 7 (or Brewers vs. Reds), followed by the A’s vs. the Giants.
SCOREBOARD
HOU 9
TOR 7
SEA 3
PIT 2
KC 12
TB 5
TEX 4
MIA 6
NYY 4
DET 3
PHI 14
WSH 9
CHC 9
NYM 6
MIL 2
CIN 0
LAD 12
MIN 3
CLE 1
CWS 2
AZ 4
STL 3
BOS 5
COL 2
BAL 1
LAA 5
ATL 6
SD 7
ATH 1
SF 3
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Open Bottle Thursday: Crisp, Tropical Sauvignon Blanc Awaits
Hello Peter,
Open Bottle Thursday
June 25, 2026
Sherwood Estate
2025
Sauvignon Blanc
Crisp, Tropical, and Made for Summer Sipping.
Our Thoughts…this is the kind of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that delivers everything you want in a crisp summer white—and more. Sherwood Estate’s 2025 Sauvignon Blanc bursts with bright gooseberry, guava, and fresh lime flavors, backed by vibrant acidity and a clean, mouthwatering finish that keeps you reaching for another sip. What really sets it apart is the richness of the fruit—left on the vine longer to ripen, it develops a creamier, more textured style than many classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. And estate fruit for under $20? Unheard of. Stainless steel fermentation and lees aging add depth and polish without losing its fresh, lively character, making it an easy match for seafood, goat cheese, patio afternoons, and warm-weather meals.
About the winery…founded in 1987 by Dayne and Jill Sherwood, Sherwood Estate has grown from a small vineyard in North Canterbury into one of New Zealand’s largest family-owned and independent wineries. Located in the Waipara Valley, just north of Christchurch, the winery oversees every step of production in-house, from vineyard to bottle. With more than 260 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards across Waipara and Marlborough, Sherwood Estate combines hands-on family involvement with decades of winemaking experience. The region’s unique microclimate—warm autumns, gravelly soils, and limestone-rich hills—helps create wines with vibrant fruit expression and bright natural acidity.
Quantities are limited, so order now for this special…
no need to wait until Thursday!
Tasting time on Thursday: 3 – 7:30 PM
Special Sale Pricing
Elsewhere: $19.99
Our Regular Price: $17.99
Buy 1-5 bottles: $16/bottleORDER 1-5 BOTTLES
Buy 6+ bottles: $14/bottleORDER 6+ BOTTLES
Thank you for shopping local!
Kate, Donna P., Heidi, Valerie, Beth, Melanie, Mari, Patty, Donna B., Matt, Bill, Steve, Rande and Mike
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Hebrews 10:22-24 – Encouraging Spiritual Growth: Paul’s Three Exhortations to Hebrew Christians
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Hebrews 10:22-24
(22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (23) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
King James Version Change email Bible version
The first thing Paul lays out in this transition is a three-step trigger to prime the Hebrew Christians’ latent memories so they will be armed with foundational incentives to rouse themselves spiritually and start moving forward. In verses 22-24, he makes three exhortations.
First, “let us draw near.” In other words, get moving! He says, “Take advantage of this privilege of coming before God, and believe without doubting, knowing your sins are forgiven and remembering that God is faithful and merciful to forgive.” Recall that in the performance of their duties, the priests had to wash their hands and feet before entering the holy place. This is why Paul mentions water. He is alluding to the Hebrews’ need to become clean. He urges them to repent of their lackadaisical attitudes and to meet with their Maker in prayer.
Second, he commands them to “hold fast your profession.” Paul uses a similar phrase five times before this. Apparently, lackadaisical drifting was a particularly common problem for them. He wants them to show by their conduct that they believe in what God has promised in the resurrection from the dead. In short, he advises, “Remember your conviction in the awesome hope of our calling.” These people were allowing the world to get them down; they were succumbing to a “what’s the use” resignation. They were not busy confirming their souls. Paul exhorts them to continue, to persevere in the grace God had already shown them, not wanting them to waste it by failing to look ahead and be persistent. He presses them to yield to God and to allow themselves to be reassured that He is faithful to His promises.
Pay special attention to the third exhortation in verse 24. The word “consider” is very emphatic. He urges them to think upon and to strive for unity by giving conscientious care to each other. He wants the Hebrews to give special attention to their brethren’s circumstances, trials, temptations, weaknesses, and needs. They need to “fire each other up” to promote love for God and for each other and to carry out our common responsibilities. Christians do this by setting a good example, by occasional suitable exhortations, by acts of kindness, and by expressions of appreciation.
Notice that as this exhortation begins, Paul calls upon the “big three” Christian virtues: faith, hope, and love. These would form the foundation of what the Hebrews must do if they were to reverse their slide toward the Lake of Fire. These virtues must be implemented because they affect the quality of a person’s relationship with God. Because a Christian has God’s Spirit, these virtues are already part of him. However, each individual must himself choose to use them to turn his life around; no one can do this for another. Of course, it is understood that God is always there to help a person do this.
— John W. Ritenbaugh
To learn more, see:
God’s Power: Our Shield Against Apostasy
Topics:
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RJ Hamster 