Susan Boyle went on stage in Glasgow and the Judges seemd to have already made up their minds that she wasn't going to impress them. But once she opened her mouth and began singing they were completely blown away. Here she talks us through her audition.
Susan Boyle (remember that name) became a Web phenomenon after singing "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables. The performance brought the audience to its feet and left the judges (including Simon Cowell) either speechless or in tears.
Watch the video below!
Monday, April 13, 2009
i dreamed a dream song lyrics
Les Miserables
I Dreamed A Dream
There was a time when men were kind
When their voices were soft
And their words inviting
There was a time when love was blind
And the world was a song
And the song was exciting
There was a time
Then it all went wrong
I dreamed a dream in times gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving
Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used and wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung
No wine untasted
But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
And they turn your dream to shame
He slept a summer by my side
He filled my days with endless wonder
He took my childhood in his stride
But he was gone when autumn came
And still I dream he'll come to me
That we'll live the years together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms we cannot weather
I had a dream my life would be
So much different from this hell I'm living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed
The dream I dreamed.
I Dreamed A Dream
There was a time when men were kind
When their voices were soft
And their words inviting
There was a time when love was blind
And the world was a song
And the song was exciting
There was a time
Then it all went wrong
I dreamed a dream in times gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving
Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used and wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung
No wine untasted
But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
And they turn your dream to shame
He slept a summer by my side
He filled my days with endless wonder
He took my childhood in his stride
But he was gone when autumn came
And still I dream he'll come to me
That we'll live the years together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms we cannot weather
I had a dream my life would be
So much different from this hell I'm living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed
The dream I dreamed.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
watch lost season 5 episode 7
Watch LOST Season 5 Episode 7 Online Free. LOST S05E07 is entitled The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham. The full episode will be aired on ABC this Wednesday. Those who left the island (minus Aaron) got onboard Flight 316 to head back to the island in Lost Season 5 Episode 6.
A group of people have found someone, a man wearing a suit. It’s John Locke. He wants to see the passenger list of the plane that brought them there. Nobody remembers him being on the plane, but he doesn’t remember being on it either. What he does remember is that he died and that the suit is what he was going to be buried in.
Now that that’s done with, it’s time for him to wake up in Tunisia. A truck drives up to him, and some men grab him to take him to a hospital. The doctors reset his leg. When he wakes up, he’s greeted by somebody he doesn’t know, who met him when he was 17. It’s Charles Widmore. Locke looks exactly the same since it’s only been 4 days, but Widmore’s an old man now. Widmore was the leader of the others, who protected the island peacefully until he was exiled by Ben. He wants him to bring the ones who left back. Either he gets back to the island in time for the coming war, or the wrong side will win.
Jeremy Bentham was a British philosopher. Now he’s Locke’s new identity. Charles wants Locke to believe that he’s special and should be the one in charge, which is why he sent the boat with all the C4 to get rid of Ben. He denies that the only way is for Locke to die. His driver will take him to the airport where he will head for Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.
Sayid’s there when he arrives. He doesn’t want to go back and wants to know who’s manipulating John (considering Sayid was manipulated by Ben for two years). Because he left the island, he was able to spend the best 9 months of his life with the woman he loved.
Then it’s off to New York, where he sees Walt, who’s not surprised to see him. He says he just wanted to make sure he was okay. Locke’s not worried. If he convinces one, the rest will follow. Ben’s there as well, watching in the shadows.
Next stop Santa Rosa, CA to visit Hurley, who greets him by asking him about how he didn’t make it. He may be in a wheelchair, but he’s not dead. Yet. He gets a second opinion to make sure he’s talking to a dude in a wheelchair. Hugo’s paranoid by the sight of the driver, who he thinks is evil, abruptly ending their conversation.
Locke remembers. His driver was an orderly in the hospital, and he’s the one who convinced him to go on that walkabout, which led him to the plane crash and the island. He helps people get to where they need to.
Kate refuses to return to the island, regardless of the consequences. After their discussion about whether he’s loved anyone, he insists he needs to get to Helen. So they go to a graveyard in Santa Monica. She’s where she’s supposed to be, but he’s supposed to be back on the island.
Thanks to a stray bullet, Locke is forced to hop in the driver’s seat and flee. After the ensuing car wreck, he wakes up in a hospital again, this time with Jack by his side, since he was brought into his hospital. Perhaps he’ll go back with him. Locke’s theory is that someone was trying to kill him to prevent him from succeeding. Jack calls him delusional and walks out. At least he tries to walk out until he’s told his father said hello. By process of elimination, it must be Jack’s father anyway. Still, Jack just wants to be left alone.
That night, John decides he’s going to die one way or another. As he’s about to hang himself, there’s a knock on the door. It’s Ben. He has a man watching everybody to keep them safe. He was the one who shot the driver, and he says that Widmore’s just a user. He tells him that Jack booked a plane ticket to Sydney, and if he got Jack, he can get the rest of them as well. John can’t die because he’s got too much work to do.
Locke knows where to go. They have to see Elouise. Ben knows her. With that, having just talked Locke out of killing himself, he turns it into a homicide instead, which he later rigs to look like a suicide.
Caesar, who seems to be the leader of the group of people that found Locke at the beginning of the episode, wants to know how the big guy with curly hair disappeared before his eyes. John wants some help finding his friends and thinks he knows how he got there. The pilot took the passenger list when he took off, but everybody is accounted for, except for the people who got hurt. That would include the man who killed him.
A group of people have found someone, a man wearing a suit. It’s John Locke. He wants to see the passenger list of the plane that brought them there. Nobody remembers him being on the plane, but he doesn’t remember being on it either. What he does remember is that he died and that the suit is what he was going to be buried in.
Now that that’s done with, it’s time for him to wake up in Tunisia. A truck drives up to him, and some men grab him to take him to a hospital. The doctors reset his leg. When he wakes up, he’s greeted by somebody he doesn’t know, who met him when he was 17. It’s Charles Widmore. Locke looks exactly the same since it’s only been 4 days, but Widmore’s an old man now. Widmore was the leader of the others, who protected the island peacefully until he was exiled by Ben. He wants him to bring the ones who left back. Either he gets back to the island in time for the coming war, or the wrong side will win.
Jeremy Bentham was a British philosopher. Now he’s Locke’s new identity. Charles wants Locke to believe that he’s special and should be the one in charge, which is why he sent the boat with all the C4 to get rid of Ben. He denies that the only way is for Locke to die. His driver will take him to the airport where he will head for Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.
Sayid’s there when he arrives. He doesn’t want to go back and wants to know who’s manipulating John (considering Sayid was manipulated by Ben for two years). Because he left the island, he was able to spend the best 9 months of his life with the woman he loved.
Then it’s off to New York, where he sees Walt, who’s not surprised to see him. He says he just wanted to make sure he was okay. Locke’s not worried. If he convinces one, the rest will follow. Ben’s there as well, watching in the shadows.
Next stop Santa Rosa, CA to visit Hurley, who greets him by asking him about how he didn’t make it. He may be in a wheelchair, but he’s not dead. Yet. He gets a second opinion to make sure he’s talking to a dude in a wheelchair. Hugo’s paranoid by the sight of the driver, who he thinks is evil, abruptly ending their conversation.
Locke remembers. His driver was an orderly in the hospital, and he’s the one who convinced him to go on that walkabout, which led him to the plane crash and the island. He helps people get to where they need to.
Kate refuses to return to the island, regardless of the consequences. After their discussion about whether he’s loved anyone, he insists he needs to get to Helen. So they go to a graveyard in Santa Monica. She’s where she’s supposed to be, but he’s supposed to be back on the island.
Thanks to a stray bullet, Locke is forced to hop in the driver’s seat and flee. After the ensuing car wreck, he wakes up in a hospital again, this time with Jack by his side, since he was brought into his hospital. Perhaps he’ll go back with him. Locke’s theory is that someone was trying to kill him to prevent him from succeeding. Jack calls him delusional and walks out. At least he tries to walk out until he’s told his father said hello. By process of elimination, it must be Jack’s father anyway. Still, Jack just wants to be left alone.
That night, John decides he’s going to die one way or another. As he’s about to hang himself, there’s a knock on the door. It’s Ben. He has a man watching everybody to keep them safe. He was the one who shot the driver, and he says that Widmore’s just a user. He tells him that Jack booked a plane ticket to Sydney, and if he got Jack, he can get the rest of them as well. John can’t die because he’s got too much work to do.
Locke knows where to go. They have to see Elouise. Ben knows her. With that, having just talked Locke out of killing himself, he turns it into a homicide instead, which he later rigs to look like a suicide.
Caesar, who seems to be the leader of the group of people that found Locke at the beginning of the episode, wants to know how the big guy with curly hair disappeared before his eyes. John wants some help finding his friends and thinks he knows how he got there. The pilot took the passenger list when he took off, but everybody is accounted for, except for the people who got hurt. That would include the man who killed him.
Home Style Cordless Bug Zapper
Home Style Cordless Bug Zapper. If you have ever suffered the annoyance of some insects while in your outdoor living area, the Home Style Cordless Bug Zapper may just be for you. The Home Style Outdoor Living Bug Zapper runs on a rechargeable battery, or if you are near a power outlet on an AC adapter giving you uninterrupted use.
There are quite a few alternatives to bug zappers such as this, like scented candles. However, the Home Style Cordless Bug Zapper is on sale today at Woot.com for just $17.99 plus $5 shipping.
There is debate over whether bug zappers actually just attract more bugs to your garden or whether they are actually beneficial, but you will need to make your mind up on that. If you are however looking to purchase The Home Style Cordless Bug Zapper, head over to Woot.com for today only.
In my opinion, insect repellent works just as well, but sometimes that can be a pain to have to apply when all you want to do is entertain.
There are quite a few alternatives to bug zappers such as this, like scented candles. However, the Home Style Cordless Bug Zapper is on sale today at Woot.com for just $17.99 plus $5 shipping.
There is debate over whether bug zappers actually just attract more bugs to your garden or whether they are actually beneficial, but you will need to make your mind up on that. If you are however looking to purchase The Home Style Cordless Bug Zapper, head over to Woot.com for today only.
In my opinion, insect repellent works just as well, but sometimes that can be a pain to have to apply when all you want to do is entertain.
Portugese Water Dog
Word on the street suggests that the Obamas are leaning toward making a Portuguese water dog the new First Pet.First lady Michelle Obama tells People that a rescued Portuguese water dog will join the White House in April after the first daughters, Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, return from spring break. The first lady said Sasha couldn't wait. "So Sasha says, 'April 1st.' I said, 'April.' She says, 'April 1st.' It's like, April!" Mrs. Obama said the family was having naming issues. "Oh, the names are really bad. I don't even want to mention it," she said. Names include Frank and Moose, which don't seem bad at all. The first lady said she was taken aback by the level of national attention The Dog Issue has garnered, but said it was "all great and gracious attention. People are just being as helpful as you can imagine."
10 things you may not have known about these spunky dogs:
1. One of their original jobs was herding fish into fishermen's nets.
2. They have webbed feet, one of the reasons they're such good swimmers.
3. Their coats come in two types: curly and wavy. The breed's standard states that neither coat type is preferable to the other in the show ring.
4. In the native Portugal, the breed is known as Cão de Água. The wavy-haired variety is called Cão de Água de Pêlo Ondulado ("wavy-haired water dog") and the curly-haired variety is called Cão de Água de Pêlo Encaracolado ("curly-haired water dog"). Where's the creativity, Portugal?
5. They're an extremely energetic breed; the breed standard describes them as "very resistant to fatigue" and lists shyness as a "major fault."
6. The breed's ancestors are thought to include the poodle, Kerry Blue terrier, and Irish water spaniel.
7. They're members of the AKC's Working Group and were recognized by the kennel club in the early 1980s. They first became eligible for American dog show competition in 1984.
8. Portuguese water dogs are often called "Porties" for short.
9. For show purposes, their coats are clipped in one of two styles: the Lion clip and the Retriever clip. The Retriever clip is a sort of buzz cut, with the dog's coat left no longer than an inch long (leaving the fur on the tip of the tail intact). In the Lion clip, the dog's hindquarters are shaved in a fashion similar to the Continental clip often seen on show poodles (minus the tufts of fur on the hips). This was thought to be a functional style for water dogs, since the full coat on the chest keeps the vital organs warm while the shaved rear allows for freedom of movement in the back legs.
10. Sen. Edward Kennedy's two Porties, Sunny and Splash, are well-known in Washington. Kennedy told the Boston Globe of Splash: "He's met Elton John. He was in the Oval Office. He has a dog bone from President Bush. He gave me this rawhide dog bone and wrote on it, 'From Barney to Splash.' I take him to all the hearings; he always sits under the table. He goes to press conferences, to the Cape. He loves to take long trips in the boat. He could sail all day." (Splash is also the narrator of Kennedy's book for children, "My Senator and Me: A Dog's Eye View of Washington, D.C.")
10 things you may not have known about these spunky dogs:
1. One of their original jobs was herding fish into fishermen's nets.
2. They have webbed feet, one of the reasons they're such good swimmers.
3. Their coats come in two types: curly and wavy. The breed's standard states that neither coat type is preferable to the other in the show ring.
4. In the native Portugal, the breed is known as Cão de Água. The wavy-haired variety is called Cão de Água de Pêlo Ondulado ("wavy-haired water dog") and the curly-haired variety is called Cão de Água de Pêlo Encaracolado ("curly-haired water dog"). Where's the creativity, Portugal?
5. They're an extremely energetic breed; the breed standard describes them as "very resistant to fatigue" and lists shyness as a "major fault."
6. The breed's ancestors are thought to include the poodle, Kerry Blue terrier, and Irish water spaniel.
7. They're members of the AKC's Working Group and were recognized by the kennel club in the early 1980s. They first became eligible for American dog show competition in 1984.
8. Portuguese water dogs are often called "Porties" for short.
9. For show purposes, their coats are clipped in one of two styles: the Lion clip and the Retriever clip. The Retriever clip is a sort of buzz cut, with the dog's coat left no longer than an inch long (leaving the fur on the tip of the tail intact). In the Lion clip, the dog's hindquarters are shaved in a fashion similar to the Continental clip often seen on show poodles (minus the tufts of fur on the hips). This was thought to be a functional style for water dogs, since the full coat on the chest keeps the vital organs warm while the shaved rear allows for freedom of movement in the back legs.
10. Sen. Edward Kennedy's two Porties, Sunny and Splash, are well-known in Washington. Kennedy told the Boston Globe of Splash: "He's met Elton John. He was in the Oval Office. He has a dog bone from President Bush. He gave me this rawhide dog bone and wrote on it, 'From Barney to Splash.' I take him to all the hearings; he always sits under the table. He goes to press conferences, to the Cape. He loves to take long trips in the boat. He could sail all day." (Splash is also the narrator of Kennedy's book for children, "My Senator and Me: A Dog's Eye View of Washington, D.C.")
Worlds Most Pierced Woman
The world's most pierced woman, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, has added to her collection with a 6,005th piercing, the U.K.'s Telegraph reported.
Elaine Davidson, of Edinburgh, Scotland, made the Guinness World Record official in 2000 when she had a mere 462 piercings — 192 of which were in her face.
She said: "I don't enjoy getting pierced, but to break the record you have to get to a high level...
"My family don't even like tattoos or piercings.
"But I am happy. I decided to change myself and be me."
Nine years later, the Brazilian-born nurse has thousands of piercings including more than 1,500 that she says are "internal."
Surprisingly, Davidson says she doesn't like getting pierced.
"To break the record you have to get to a high level," she told the Telegraph. "I wanted to break the record. My family [doesn't] even like tattoos or piercings. But I am happy. I decided to change myself and be me."
Excessive piercing can be dangerous, according to medical experts. In addition to the risk of infection in and around the area of the piercings, people who are well-pierced are considered at high risk for blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis and HIV, which can be spread by reusing needles.
Elaine Davidson, of Edinburgh, Scotland, made the Guinness World Record official in 2000 when she had a mere 462 piercings — 192 of which were in her face.
She said: "I don't enjoy getting pierced, but to break the record you have to get to a high level...
"My family don't even like tattoos or piercings.
"But I am happy. I decided to change myself and be me."
Nine years later, the Brazilian-born nurse has thousands of piercings including more than 1,500 that she says are "internal."
Surprisingly, Davidson says she doesn't like getting pierced.
"To break the record you have to get to a high level," she told the Telegraph. "I wanted to break the record. My family [doesn't] even like tattoos or piercings. But I am happy. I decided to change myself and be me."
Excessive piercing can be dangerous, according to medical experts. In addition to the risk of infection in and around the area of the piercings, people who are well-pierced are considered at high risk for blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis and HIV, which can be spread by reusing needles.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Mardi Gras
The terms "Mardi Gras" (mär`dē grä) and "Mardi Gras season",in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, ending on the day before Ash Wednesday. From the French term "Mardi Gras" (literally "Fat Tuesday"), the term has come to mean the whole period of activity related to those events, beyond just the single day, often called Mardi Gras Day or Fat Tuesday.The season can be designated by the year, as in "Mardi Gras 2008"
Other cities most famous for their Mardi Gras celebrations include Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Many other places have important Mardi Gras celebrations as well.
Top 10 Places to Celebrate Mardi Gras
* Acadiana in Washington. I rarely include DC restaurants in our discussions. But there are so few places on today's list that aren't just bars having an event in honor of Mardi Gras, I thought I would mention a restaurant that serves a serious, upscale version of New Orleans food.
* Ale Mary's in Fells Point. The menu for the week is completely Cajun, and today's blue plate special is beef Wellington with a Cajun crawfish cream sauce and crawfish empanada for $5.99. I'm speechless.
* Bayou Cafe in White Marsh. Known more for its music than its food, the new menu under a new chef still focuses on Cajun cuisine. Maybe the changes will make it more palatable to some of our commenters.
* Clarence's Taste of New Orleans in Edgewood. Ex-LIVE reviewer Karen Nitkin gave the food three stars, and the oyster po' boy sounds fabulous.
* Ethel and Ramone's in Mount Washington. This well-regarded, funky little place serves a mixture of Cajun cuisine and Maryland fare.
* Kooper's Tavern in Fells Point. The bar is featuring a Mardi Gras celebration tonight with hurricanes, fried chicken, jambalaya, gumbo, etouffée, barbecued shrimp and oysters.
* Louisiana in Fells Point. It's expensive, and it gets mixed reviews, but it's as close as Baltimore gets to French Creole cuisine in an elegant setting.
* Mother's Federal Hill Grille in Federal Hill. Half-price gumbo all day and beer specials.
* Pickles Pub downtown. Mick Kipp, owner of the Whiskey Island Pirate Shop, will be cooking crawfish and chicken and shrimp gumbo tonight from 7 p.m. till 10 p.m. It's all you can eat and drink (beer) for $25, plus a band that starts at 8 p.m.
* RA Sushi in Harbor East. To celebrate its first anniversary, RA is holding a Mardi RA party Thursday, with Cajun wings, a voodoo roll and Creole crawfish. The special drinks include a Queen of Parade and a King Cake Martini.
Other cities most famous for their Mardi Gras celebrations include Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Many other places have important Mardi Gras celebrations as well.
Top 10 Places to Celebrate Mardi Gras
* Acadiana in Washington. I rarely include DC restaurants in our discussions. But there are so few places on today's list that aren't just bars having an event in honor of Mardi Gras, I thought I would mention a restaurant that serves a serious, upscale version of New Orleans food.
* Ale Mary's in Fells Point. The menu for the week is completely Cajun, and today's blue plate special is beef Wellington with a Cajun crawfish cream sauce and crawfish empanada for $5.99. I'm speechless.
* Bayou Cafe in White Marsh. Known more for its music than its food, the new menu under a new chef still focuses on Cajun cuisine. Maybe the changes will make it more palatable to some of our commenters.
* Clarence's Taste of New Orleans in Edgewood. Ex-LIVE reviewer Karen Nitkin gave the food three stars, and the oyster po' boy sounds fabulous.
* Ethel and Ramone's in Mount Washington. This well-regarded, funky little place serves a mixture of Cajun cuisine and Maryland fare.
* Kooper's Tavern in Fells Point. The bar is featuring a Mardi Gras celebration tonight with hurricanes, fried chicken, jambalaya, gumbo, etouffée, barbecued shrimp and oysters.
* Louisiana in Fells Point. It's expensive, and it gets mixed reviews, but it's as close as Baltimore gets to French Creole cuisine in an elegant setting.
* Mother's Federal Hill Grille in Federal Hill. Half-price gumbo all day and beer specials.
* Pickles Pub downtown. Mick Kipp, owner of the Whiskey Island Pirate Shop, will be cooking crawfish and chicken and shrimp gumbo tonight from 7 p.m. till 10 p.m. It's all you can eat and drink (beer) for $25, plus a band that starts at 8 p.m.
* RA Sushi in Harbor East. To celebrate its first anniversary, RA is holding a Mardi RA party Thursday, with Cajun wings, a voodoo roll and Creole crawfish. The special drinks include a Queen of Parade and a King Cake Martini.
Jonas Brothers Fan
Here is some video of Jonas Brothers Fan.Jonas Brothers Play Game in 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'
After the phenomenal success of the Jonas Brothers, Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas is finally set to test if they are really THAT big of a phenomenon when their newest movie will be released on Friday entitled Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience. No doubt that every Jonas Brothers fan is uncontrollably excited about this movie! Yet, if you haven't seen this Barbara Walters feature on them then you gotta click "Read More" to know what's it all about.
The Barbara Walters interview starts up with the roots how the Jonas Brothers rose to fame when Disney channel discovered them on the Internet and put them in Hanna Montana. The rest is history for the Jonas Brothers:
After the phenomenal success of the Jonas Brothers, Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas is finally set to test if they are really THAT big of a phenomenon when their newest movie will be released on Friday entitled Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience. No doubt that every Jonas Brothers fan is uncontrollably excited about this movie! Yet, if you haven't seen this Barbara Walters feature on them then you gotta click "Read More" to know what's it all about.
The Barbara Walters interview starts up with the roots how the Jonas Brothers rose to fame when Disney channel discovered them on the Internet and put them in Hanna Montana. The rest is history for the Jonas Brothers:
Hughes Mining Barge
The Hughes Marine Barge, or HMB-1, is a submersible barge about 324 feet long, 106 feet wide, and more than 90 feet tall. The HMB-1 was originally developed as part of Project Jennifer, the top-secret effort mounted by the CIA to salvage the remains of the Soviet submarine K-129 from the ocean floor. The HMB-1 was designed to be submerged under the Glomar Explorer to conceal any salvaged remains from Soviet observers.
Anybody want some top-secret seagoing vessels? The Navy has a pair it doesn't need anymore. It has been trying to give them away since 2006, and they're headed for the scrap yard if somebody doesn't speak up soon.
After the conclusion of Project Jennifer, the HMB-1 was mothballed at the Todd Shipyard in San Francisco, California until November, 1982. At that time, the Navy towed the huge barge to a Lockheed Martin facility in Redwood City, California, where it became a floating drydock for the construction and sea trials of the Sea Shadow, an experimental stealth ship being tested by the Navy. Sea trials of the Sea Shadow continued until 1986; the existence of the Sea Shadow was made public in 1993.
One is called Sea Shadow. It's big, black and looks like a cross between a Stealth fighter and a Batmobile. It was made to escape detection on the open sea. The other is known as the Hughes (as in Howard Hughes) Mining Barge. It looks like a floating field house, with an arching roof and a door that is 76 feet wide and 72 feet high. Sea Shadow berths inside the barge, which keeps it safely hidden from spy satellites.
The barge, by the way, is the only fully submersible dry dock ever built, making it very handy — as it was 35 years ago — for trying to raise a sunken nuclear-armed Soviet submarine.
"I'm fascinated by the possibilities," Frank Lennon said one morning recently. Mr. Lennon runs — or ran — a maritime museum here in Providence. He was standing in a sleet storm on a wharf below a power plant, surveying the 297-foot muck-encrusted hulk of a Soviet submarine that he owns. His only exhibit, it was open to the public until April 2007, when a northeaster hit Providence and the sub sank.
Army and Navy divers refloated it this past summer with the aid of chains and air tanks. Mr. Lennon can't help but imagine how his sub might look alongside the two covert Cold War castoffs from the Navy. "They would be terrific for our exhibit," he said, watching the sleet come down.
But a gift ship from the Navy comes with lots of strings attached to the rigging. A naval museum, the Historic Naval Ships Association warns, is "a bloodthirsty, paperwork ridden, permit-infested, money-sucking hole..." Because the Navy won't pay for anything — neither rust scraping nor curating — to keep museums afloat, survival depends on big crowds. That's why many of the 48 ships it has given away over 60 years were vessels known for performing heroically in famous battles.
Museum entrepreneurs like Mr. Lennon who don't have much money can only fantasize about Sea Shadow and its barge. After all, a pair of mysterious vessels that performed their heroics out of the public eye can't have much claim to fame. Glen Clark, the Navy's civilian ship-disposal chief, has received just one serious call about the two vessels, and it didn't lead to a written application.
Anybody want some top-secret seagoing vessels? The Navy has a pair it doesn't need anymore. It has been trying to give them away since 2006, and they're headed for the scrap yard if somebody doesn't speak up soon.
After the conclusion of Project Jennifer, the HMB-1 was mothballed at the Todd Shipyard in San Francisco, California until November, 1982. At that time, the Navy towed the huge barge to a Lockheed Martin facility in Redwood City, California, where it became a floating drydock for the construction and sea trials of the Sea Shadow, an experimental stealth ship being tested by the Navy. Sea trials of the Sea Shadow continued until 1986; the existence of the Sea Shadow was made public in 1993.
One is called Sea Shadow. It's big, black and looks like a cross between a Stealth fighter and a Batmobile. It was made to escape detection on the open sea. The other is known as the Hughes (as in Howard Hughes) Mining Barge. It looks like a floating field house, with an arching roof and a door that is 76 feet wide and 72 feet high. Sea Shadow berths inside the barge, which keeps it safely hidden from spy satellites.
The barge, by the way, is the only fully submersible dry dock ever built, making it very handy — as it was 35 years ago — for trying to raise a sunken nuclear-armed Soviet submarine.
"I'm fascinated by the possibilities," Frank Lennon said one morning recently. Mr. Lennon runs — or ran — a maritime museum here in Providence. He was standing in a sleet storm on a wharf below a power plant, surveying the 297-foot muck-encrusted hulk of a Soviet submarine that he owns. His only exhibit, it was open to the public until April 2007, when a northeaster hit Providence and the sub sank.
Army and Navy divers refloated it this past summer with the aid of chains and air tanks. Mr. Lennon can't help but imagine how his sub might look alongside the two covert Cold War castoffs from the Navy. "They would be terrific for our exhibit," he said, watching the sleet come down.
But a gift ship from the Navy comes with lots of strings attached to the rigging. A naval museum, the Historic Naval Ships Association warns, is "a bloodthirsty, paperwork ridden, permit-infested, money-sucking hole..." Because the Navy won't pay for anything — neither rust scraping nor curating — to keep museums afloat, survival depends on big crowds. That's why many of the 48 ships it has given away over 60 years were vessels known for performing heroically in famous battles.
Museum entrepreneurs like Mr. Lennon who don't have much money can only fantasize about Sea Shadow and its barge. After all, a pair of mysterious vessels that performed their heroics out of the public eye can't have much claim to fame. Glen Clark, the Navy's civilian ship-disposal chief, has received just one serious call about the two vessels, and it didn't lead to a written application.
Orlando Sun Sentinel
Four newspaper companies have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since December, though their newspapers continue to operate. Here are some details:
Debt: $13 billion, most from complex buyout in which real estate mogul Sam Zell took the company private in 2007. Had $7.6 billion in assets at time of filing. Generates enough cash that it likely could have made upcoming debt payments, especially with planned sale of the Chicago Cubs, but concluded reorganization necessary for long-term sustainability.
Dailies owned: Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Sun of Baltimore, South Florida Sun Sentinel, Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel, The Hartford (Conn.) Courant, The Morning Call of Allentown, Pa., and Daily Press of Newport News, Va., plus Spanish-language Hoy L.A. and Hoy Chicago.
STAR TRIBUNE HOLDINGS CORP., filed Jan. 15:
Newspaper owned: Star Tribune of Minneapolis.
Debt: $661 million, largely from 2007 acquisition from McClatchy Co. by investors led by Avista Capital Partners. Had assets of $493 million as of Dec. 31. Began skipping interest payments in June to conserve cash, and filed for bankruptcy protection after failing to win concessions from unions. Newspaper has asked bankruptcy judge to cancel its contract with printers union; seeking $20 million in annual cost reductions from all unionized employees, $10 million from nonunion employees.
JOURNAL REGISTER CO., filed Saturday:
Dailies owned: New Haven (Conn.) Register, The Middletown (Conn.) Press, The Register Citizen of Torrington, Conn., Daily Local News of West Chester, Pa., Delaware County (Pa.) Daily Times, The Mercury of Pottstown, Pa., The Times Herald of Norristown, Pa., The Trentonian of Trenton, N.J., The Reporter of Lansdale, Pa., The Phoenix of Phoenixville, Pa., The Oakland Press of Pontiac, Mich., The Macomb Daily of Mount Clemens, Mich., The Daily Tribune of Royal Oak, Mich., Morning Sun of Mount Pleasant, Mich., The Record of Troy, N.Y., The Saratogian of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., The Oneida (N.Y.) Daily Dispatch, Daily Freeman of Kingston, N.Y., The News-Herald of Willoughby, Ohio, The Morning Journal of Lorain, Ohio.
Debt: $692 million. Had assets of $596 million as of Nov. 30. Forbearance agreement with lenders letting the company skip interest payments recently expired. Journal Register already has sold two Connecticut dailies and closed several weeklies. Prior to filing, company reached agreement with most of its lenders to cancel its stock and become a private company controlled by its lenders.
PHILADELPHIA NEWSPAPERS LLC, filed Sunday:
Newspapers owned: The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News.
Debt: About $390 million, largely from 2006 purchase from McClatchy by investors led by former advertising executive Brian Tierney. Initial loan terms include requirement that newspapers earn higher profit each year, an increasingly difficult feat.
Debt: $13 billion, most from complex buyout in which real estate mogul Sam Zell took the company private in 2007. Had $7.6 billion in assets at time of filing. Generates enough cash that it likely could have made upcoming debt payments, especially with planned sale of the Chicago Cubs, but concluded reorganization necessary for long-term sustainability.
Dailies owned: Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Sun of Baltimore, South Florida Sun Sentinel, Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel, The Hartford (Conn.) Courant, The Morning Call of Allentown, Pa., and Daily Press of Newport News, Va., plus Spanish-language Hoy L.A. and Hoy Chicago.
STAR TRIBUNE HOLDINGS CORP., filed Jan. 15:
Newspaper owned: Star Tribune of Minneapolis.
Debt: $661 million, largely from 2007 acquisition from McClatchy Co. by investors led by Avista Capital Partners. Had assets of $493 million as of Dec. 31. Began skipping interest payments in June to conserve cash, and filed for bankruptcy protection after failing to win concessions from unions. Newspaper has asked bankruptcy judge to cancel its contract with printers union; seeking $20 million in annual cost reductions from all unionized employees, $10 million from nonunion employees.
JOURNAL REGISTER CO., filed Saturday:
Dailies owned: New Haven (Conn.) Register, The Middletown (Conn.) Press, The Register Citizen of Torrington, Conn., Daily Local News of West Chester, Pa., Delaware County (Pa.) Daily Times, The Mercury of Pottstown, Pa., The Times Herald of Norristown, Pa., The Trentonian of Trenton, N.J., The Reporter of Lansdale, Pa., The Phoenix of Phoenixville, Pa., The Oakland Press of Pontiac, Mich., The Macomb Daily of Mount Clemens, Mich., The Daily Tribune of Royal Oak, Mich., Morning Sun of Mount Pleasant, Mich., The Record of Troy, N.Y., The Saratogian of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., The Oneida (N.Y.) Daily Dispatch, Daily Freeman of Kingston, N.Y., The News-Herald of Willoughby, Ohio, The Morning Journal of Lorain, Ohio.
Debt: $692 million. Had assets of $596 million as of Nov. 30. Forbearance agreement with lenders letting the company skip interest payments recently expired. Journal Register already has sold two Connecticut dailies and closed several weeklies. Prior to filing, company reached agreement with most of its lenders to cancel its stock and become a private company controlled by its lenders.
PHILADELPHIA NEWSPAPERS LLC, filed Sunday:
Newspapers owned: The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News.
Debt: About $390 million, largely from 2006 purchase from McClatchy by investors led by former advertising executive Brian Tierney. Initial loan terms include requirement that newspapers earn higher profit each year, an increasingly difficult feat.
Produce the Note
More than 2.3 million homeowners faced foreclosure proceedings last year and millions more are in danger of losing their homes. On Wednesday, President Obama will unveil a plan to spend at least $50 billion to help homeowners fend off foreclosure.
Consumers facing home foreclosure can use to improve their leverage against the lender. It’s called the “produce the note” strategy and amounts to the consumer demanding that the lender furnish the original paperwork — the actual promissory note — that serves as the official legal record of the loan. It is a document that contains the homeowner’s signature and proves that the lender threatening foreclosure is in fact the owner of the mortgage.
Chris Hoyer, a Tampa lawyer whose Consumer Warning Network Web site offers the free court documents Lovelace used to file her request, has played a major role in promoting the produce-the-note strategy.
The technique is proving effective because so many mortgages written during the latest housing boom were sold, resold, sliced, diced, aggregated, and securitized to the point that the original loan documents might have been lost or even destroyed. If the consumer demands the note and the lender can’t produce it, the foreclosure process could be stalled or, in some cases, stopped altogether. The Associated Press reports that a Cleveland judge threw out 14 foreclosures in 2007 because plaintiff Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. was unable to “produce the notes.”
Consumers facing home foreclosure can use to improve their leverage against the lender. It’s called the “produce the note” strategy and amounts to the consumer demanding that the lender furnish the original paperwork — the actual promissory note — that serves as the official legal record of the loan. It is a document that contains the homeowner’s signature and proves that the lender threatening foreclosure is in fact the owner of the mortgage.
Chris Hoyer, a Tampa lawyer whose Consumer Warning Network Web site offers the free court documents Lovelace used to file her request, has played a major role in promoting the produce-the-note strategy.
The technique is proving effective because so many mortgages written during the latest housing boom were sold, resold, sliced, diced, aggregated, and securitized to the point that the original loan documents might have been lost or even destroyed. If the consumer demands the note and the lender can’t produce it, the foreclosure process could be stalled or, in some cases, stopped altogether. The Associated Press reports that a Cleveland judge threw out 14 foreclosures in 2007 because plaintiff Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. was unable to “produce the notes.”
Saturday, February 21, 2009
franklin county auditor
Delaware County has a new auditor.
Former Powell City Councilman George Kaitsa, 65, easily obtained the Delaware County Republican Party’s appointment to the auditor’s office Wednesday, receiving twice the number of votes cast for the other three candidates combined.
His vote total was likely bolstered by the support of U.S. Rep Pat Tiberi (R-Genoa Township), whose personal endorsement marked the first time he has issued a recommendation for a local appointment before the central committee.
A state senator representing the northern edge of the Rend Lake Conservancy District is advancing legislation to "clean up" the district.
State Sen. John O. Jones, R-Mount Vernon, announced Wednesday his intent to push legislation that would "create a board membership that better represents all customers of the RLCD."
The legislation would disband the RLCD's seven-member board and create a nine-member board.
"As it stands we have a board that is dominated by Franklin County members," Jones said in a news release. "Jefferson County and its RLCD customers are underrepresented."
The board is currently composed, by state law, of two board members from each county in the district as well as one member from each city with at least 5,000 residents.
Kaitsa will serve out the remaining two years of the four-year term vacated by former auditor Todd Hanks, who himself was appointed to the county’s board of commissioners earlier this year.
“Thank you so very much,” Kaitsa told the committee after the vote was announced. “I’m deeply honored by this.”
Hanks said Kaitsa’s years of fiscal experience made him a worthy successor to the auditor’s office.
“You can’t ask for anything better than that,” Hanks said.
Before the vote, Kaitsa pledged to run for re-election in 2010 and to not seek any other office in the future. The auditor’s office has recently been a stepping-stone to other local and state offices. Its alumni include Hanks, former State Rep. Jon Peterson and current county prosecutor Dave Yost.
Kaitsa is the facility manager for the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission. He has government finance experience, including high-level positions in the Ohio Department of Development under former Republican Govs. George Voinovich and Bob Taft.
He was also the finance director for Franklin County from 1988 to 1991.
He is the vice-chair of the Delaware County Port Authority, and was elected to two terms on Powell City Council in 1997 and 2001. He was a member of the county GOP’s central committee from 2004-2006 and served on the Delaware County 20/20 Planning Committee.
Kaitsa said he did not know when he would take over for interim auditor Jerry Heston. He said he would meet with auditor’s office employees this morning and then head over to the county board of elections to make preparations for assuming office.
“The auditor’s office is exceptionally well-run and has a lot of lot of talented people,” he said. “I look forward to working with them.”
Kaitsa received 66 of a possible 98 votes. Lewis Center financial planner Matt Scheibeck received 16 votes, Sunbury banker Shawn Stevens received 15, and certified public accountant Karl Priedeman, of Westerville, received none.
Each candidate gave a two-minute opening statement and then had the opportunity to have two people speak on their behalf for one minute each.
Tiberi, who was in the area to help with his family take care of his newborn triplet daughters, said that he didn’t want to see the Republican Party “lose its edge” in Delaware County as it had in Washington D.C. following the November election.
Although the issue did not come up directly during the meeting, party members may have been concerned with the past financial and legal troubles of two of the candidates.
“We have to have the candidate where we don’t give the Democrats a gun with bullets in it for the next election,” Tiberi said.
As previously reported in the Gazette, Scheibeck and Stevens have both previously declared bankruptcy due to failed business investments.
Scheibeck has a 1988 DUI conviction and a 1992 misdemeanor disorderly conduct conviction.
Kaitsa, the co-chair of a Tiberi hog roast fundraiser from 2000-2005, has been an active supporter of Tiberi’s in the past.
Kaitsa also received the endorsement of county treasurer-elect and former county State Rep. Jon Peterson.
Peterson said Kaitsa was “ideally suited” for the position.
“He’s twice as qualified as either myself or (Yost) were when we received the appointment,” he joked.
Nobody spoke on behalf of the other three candidates.
Stevens said he called his speakers and told them not to come after Tiberi informed him that he would be personally attending to endorse Kaitsa.
Former Powell City Councilman George Kaitsa, 65, easily obtained the Delaware County Republican Party’s appointment to the auditor’s office Wednesday, receiving twice the number of votes cast for the other three candidates combined.
His vote total was likely bolstered by the support of U.S. Rep Pat Tiberi (R-Genoa Township), whose personal endorsement marked the first time he has issued a recommendation for a local appointment before the central committee.
A state senator representing the northern edge of the Rend Lake Conservancy District is advancing legislation to "clean up" the district.
State Sen. John O. Jones, R-Mount Vernon, announced Wednesday his intent to push legislation that would "create a board membership that better represents all customers of the RLCD."
The legislation would disband the RLCD's seven-member board and create a nine-member board.
"As it stands we have a board that is dominated by Franklin County members," Jones said in a news release. "Jefferson County and its RLCD customers are underrepresented."
The board is currently composed, by state law, of two board members from each county in the district as well as one member from each city with at least 5,000 residents.
Kaitsa will serve out the remaining two years of the four-year term vacated by former auditor Todd Hanks, who himself was appointed to the county’s board of commissioners earlier this year.
“Thank you so very much,” Kaitsa told the committee after the vote was announced. “I’m deeply honored by this.”
Hanks said Kaitsa’s years of fiscal experience made him a worthy successor to the auditor’s office.
“You can’t ask for anything better than that,” Hanks said.
Before the vote, Kaitsa pledged to run for re-election in 2010 and to not seek any other office in the future. The auditor’s office has recently been a stepping-stone to other local and state offices. Its alumni include Hanks, former State Rep. Jon Peterson and current county prosecutor Dave Yost.
Kaitsa is the facility manager for the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission. He has government finance experience, including high-level positions in the Ohio Department of Development under former Republican Govs. George Voinovich and Bob Taft.
He was also the finance director for Franklin County from 1988 to 1991.
He is the vice-chair of the Delaware County Port Authority, and was elected to two terms on Powell City Council in 1997 and 2001. He was a member of the county GOP’s central committee from 2004-2006 and served on the Delaware County 20/20 Planning Committee.
Kaitsa said he did not know when he would take over for interim auditor Jerry Heston. He said he would meet with auditor’s office employees this morning and then head over to the county board of elections to make preparations for assuming office.
“The auditor’s office is exceptionally well-run and has a lot of lot of talented people,” he said. “I look forward to working with them.”
Kaitsa received 66 of a possible 98 votes. Lewis Center financial planner Matt Scheibeck received 16 votes, Sunbury banker Shawn Stevens received 15, and certified public accountant Karl Priedeman, of Westerville, received none.
Each candidate gave a two-minute opening statement and then had the opportunity to have two people speak on their behalf for one minute each.
Tiberi, who was in the area to help with his family take care of his newborn triplet daughters, said that he didn’t want to see the Republican Party “lose its edge” in Delaware County as it had in Washington D.C. following the November election.
Although the issue did not come up directly during the meeting, party members may have been concerned with the past financial and legal troubles of two of the candidates.
“We have to have the candidate where we don’t give the Democrats a gun with bullets in it for the next election,” Tiberi said.
As previously reported in the Gazette, Scheibeck and Stevens have both previously declared bankruptcy due to failed business investments.
Scheibeck has a 1988 DUI conviction and a 1992 misdemeanor disorderly conduct conviction.
Kaitsa, the co-chair of a Tiberi hog roast fundraiser from 2000-2005, has been an active supporter of Tiberi’s in the past.
Kaitsa also received the endorsement of county treasurer-elect and former county State Rep. Jon Peterson.
Peterson said Kaitsa was “ideally suited” for the position.
“He’s twice as qualified as either myself or (Yost) were when we received the appointment,” he joked.
Nobody spoke on behalf of the other three candidates.
Stevens said he called his speakers and told them not to come after Tiberi informed him that he would be personally attending to endorse Kaitsa.
ingmar guandique
This there finally going to be an arrest in murder of Chandra Levy? Ingmar Guandique is the suspect of Chandra Levy's death in which he allegedly told his prison inmate that he killed Levy, however Guandique denies his statement to the investigator.
It’s been 8 years since Chandra Levy went missing as she disappeared on May 1, 2001 and her remains found over a year later in Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC. The controversy surrounding Chandra Levy’s disappearance implicated California Democrat U.S. Representative Gary Condit as they had been having an affair. Although never named a suspect in Chandra’s disappearance or murder, the consequences of the affair lead to an abrupt exit from Congress.
Guandique is currently in prison after being convicted from his offences.
After all this time, police are now stating that they are close to an arrest in the Chandra Levy case. It is being reported that an arrest warrant will be issued for Ingmar Guandique, who is currently in prison in California.
Police are close to arresting an inmate they’ve already interviewed in the eight-year-old murder case of Chandra Levy and charging him in her disappearance, FOX News has confirmed.
Chandra_levy_suspect
Ingmar Guandique
Law enforcement officials said an arrest warrant will be issued for Ingmar Guandique, who is currently in prison in California.
Officials said Guandique will be served papers there and likely then flown to Washington, D.C., to hear the charges against him.
WRC-TV in Washington, DC is reporting that Ingmar Guandique is in jail for assaulting two women in Rock Creek Park. This is the same park where Levy’s remains were found a year after she vanished.
Guandique attacked a woman two weeks after Chandra’s disappearance in the middle of May 2001 and another in July. The women were jogging in Rock Creek Park, when he “clotheslined” them and dragged them down the hill. There was a struggle, they escaped and he ultimately was caught and pled guilty.
Guandique is now serving a 10-year sentence at the U.S. Penitentiary-Victorville in Adelanto and is eligible for parole in 2011. The FBI most likely wants to close the case before his parole date, Brad Garrett tells ABC News.
It’s been 8 years since Chandra Levy went missing as she disappeared on May 1, 2001 and her remains found over a year later in Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC. The controversy surrounding Chandra Levy’s disappearance implicated California Democrat U.S. Representative Gary Condit as they had been having an affair. Although never named a suspect in Chandra’s disappearance or murder, the consequences of the affair lead to an abrupt exit from Congress.
Guandique is currently in prison after being convicted from his offences.
After all this time, police are now stating that they are close to an arrest in the Chandra Levy case. It is being reported that an arrest warrant will be issued for Ingmar Guandique, who is currently in prison in California.
Police are close to arresting an inmate they’ve already interviewed in the eight-year-old murder case of Chandra Levy and charging him in her disappearance, FOX News has confirmed.
Chandra_levy_suspect
Ingmar Guandique
Law enforcement officials said an arrest warrant will be issued for Ingmar Guandique, who is currently in prison in California.
Officials said Guandique will be served papers there and likely then flown to Washington, D.C., to hear the charges against him.
WRC-TV in Washington, DC is reporting that Ingmar Guandique is in jail for assaulting two women in Rock Creek Park. This is the same park where Levy’s remains were found a year after she vanished.
Guandique attacked a woman two weeks after Chandra’s disappearance in the middle of May 2001 and another in July. The women were jogging in Rock Creek Park, when he “clotheslined” them and dragged them down the hill. There was a struggle, they escaped and he ultimately was caught and pled guilty.
Guandique is now serving a 10-year sentence at the U.S. Penitentiary-Victorville in Adelanto and is eligible for parole in 2011. The FBI most likely wants to close the case before his parole date, Brad Garrett tells ABC News.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Fabric Softener Toxic
Which is better for our environment: to use dryer sheets in the dryer or liquid fabric softener in the wash? It seems they both have properties that are not very green. -- Deborah, via e-mail If you’re concerned... ... Another safer option is Maddocks’ Static Eliminator, a non-toxic, hypoallergenic reusable dryer sheet made out of a proprietary, chemical-free polynylon.
If you’re concerned about the health and safety of your family members, you might want to stay away from both conventional dryer sheets and liquid fabric softeners altogether. (That’s what we do) While it may be nice to have clothes that feel soft, smell fresh and are free of static cling, both types of products contain chemicals known to be toxic to people after sustained exposure.
According to the health and wellness website Sixwise.com, some of the most harmful ingredients in dryer sheets and liquid fabric softener alike include benzyl acetate (linked to pancreatic cancer), benzyl alcohol (an upper respiratory tract irritant), ethanol (linked to central nervous system disorders), limonene (a known carcinogen) and chloroform (a neurotoxin and carcinogen), among others.
Since fabric softeners are designed to stay in your clothes for extended periods of time, such chemicals can seep out gradually and be inhaled or absorbed directly through the skin. Liquid fabric softeners are slightly preferable to dryer sheets, as the chemicals in dryer sheets get released into the air when they are heated up in the dryer and can pose a respiratory health risk to those both inside and outside the home.
For those who don’t want to give up the benefits of fabric softeners but are afraid to risk exposure to potentially toxic chemicals, National Geographic’s Green Guide recommends adding either a quarter cup of baking soda or a quarter cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle. Either one will soften clothes, while the latter will also address static cling. (Be sure not to mix either with bleach, though, as resulting chemical reactions could cause noxious fumes.) If eliminating static cling is your top priority, try drying natural-fiber clothes separately from synthetic materials. The combination of cotton and polyester is often the culprit behind static cling. Better yet, reports Green Guide, line dry synthetic clothing, as it tends to dry fairly quickly anyway.
A few companies have heeded the ever-increasing call for greener, safer ways to soften clothes and reduce static cling. Seventh Generation’s Natural Lavender Scent Fabric Softener and Ecover’s Natural Fabric Softener are both good choices that rely on vegetable products and natural essential oils instead of harsh chemicals to get the job done.
Another safer option is Maddocks’ Static Eliminator, a non-toxic, hypoallergenic reusable dryer sheet made out of a proprietary, chemical-free polynylon. The Canadian company Maddocks originally developed the material to rid industrial-scale mechanical systems of explosion-inducing static electricity, but soon realized that it could benefit consumers as well, who can now buy the sheets—each one is good for some 500 wash loads—from natural foods retailers as well as from several online vendors.
If you’re concerned about the health and safety of your family members, you might want to stay away from both conventional dryer sheets and liquid fabric softeners altogether. (That’s what we do) While it may be nice to have clothes that feel soft, smell fresh and are free of static cling, both types of products contain chemicals known to be toxic to people after sustained exposure.
According to the health and wellness website Sixwise.com, some of the most harmful ingredients in dryer sheets and liquid fabric softener alike include benzyl acetate (linked to pancreatic cancer), benzyl alcohol (an upper respiratory tract irritant), ethanol (linked to central nervous system disorders), limonene (a known carcinogen) and chloroform (a neurotoxin and carcinogen), among others.
Since fabric softeners are designed to stay in your clothes for extended periods of time, such chemicals can seep out gradually and be inhaled or absorbed directly through the skin. Liquid fabric softeners are slightly preferable to dryer sheets, as the chemicals in dryer sheets get released into the air when they are heated up in the dryer and can pose a respiratory health risk to those both inside and outside the home.
For those who don’t want to give up the benefits of fabric softeners but are afraid to risk exposure to potentially toxic chemicals, National Geographic’s Green Guide recommends adding either a quarter cup of baking soda or a quarter cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle. Either one will soften clothes, while the latter will also address static cling. (Be sure not to mix either with bleach, though, as resulting chemical reactions could cause noxious fumes.) If eliminating static cling is your top priority, try drying natural-fiber clothes separately from synthetic materials. The combination of cotton and polyester is often the culprit behind static cling. Better yet, reports Green Guide, line dry synthetic clothing, as it tends to dry fairly quickly anyway.
A few companies have heeded the ever-increasing call for greener, safer ways to soften clothes and reduce static cling. Seventh Generation’s Natural Lavender Scent Fabric Softener and Ecover’s Natural Fabric Softener are both good choices that rely on vegetable products and natural essential oils instead of harsh chemicals to get the job done.
Another safer option is Maddocks’ Static Eliminator, a non-toxic, hypoallergenic reusable dryer sheet made out of a proprietary, chemical-free polynylon. The Canadian company Maddocks originally developed the material to rid industrial-scale mechanical systems of explosion-inducing static electricity, but soon realized that it could benefit consumers as well, who can now buy the sheets—each one is good for some 500 wash loads—from natural foods retailers as well as from several online vendors.
world nude day
RAEL, the spiritual leader of the International Raelian Movement explains in his teachings that the human body is one of the greatest works of art, the result of a scientific creation which should be cherished and celebrated. Instead, in this so called ‘enlightened’ 21st Century, nudity and the fundamental right of self expression is still under fire.
Those clever Kiwis, celebrating their world nude day by asking for video submissions of the nude doing funny things such as cooking french fries and riding on the outside of a car through a car wash… and ostridge riding? yes!
Fortunately for viewers with our tastes and inclinations, many of these fine young participants could be nude models
6th Feb is World Nude Day. It's an opportunity to celebrate the beauty of the human body and to rid society of the outdated Judeo-Christian belief that 'nudity is bad.' "On the contrary! There is nothing more natural or beautiful than the human body!", states Mark Woodgate, National Guide for New Zealand.
"It's quite unbelievable that we're only just beginning to emerge from a society with these outdated beliefs. We're ALL born naked and children feel no shame in their nudity until they are programmed otherwise."
Those clever Kiwis, celebrating their world nude day by asking for video submissions of the nude doing funny things such as cooking french fries and riding on the outside of a car through a car wash… and ostridge riding? yes!
Fortunately for viewers with our tastes and inclinations, many of these fine young participants could be nude models
6th Feb is World Nude Day. It's an opportunity to celebrate the beauty of the human body and to rid society of the outdated Judeo-Christian belief that 'nudity is bad.' "On the contrary! There is nothing more natural or beautiful than the human body!", states Mark Woodgate, National Guide for New Zealand.
"It's quite unbelievable that we're only just beginning to emerge from a society with these outdated beliefs. We're ALL born naked and children feel no shame in their nudity until they are programmed otherwise."
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monster Truck Show
Many witnesses of Saturday night's fatal accident at the monster truck show in Madison said it's the worst thing they've ever seen. And for many parents, the worst thing might be the emotional and mental toll on the youngest fans who were a witness to the tragedy.
On Saturday, a night of family fun was going off without a hitch at the Monster Truck Nationals at the Alliant Energy Center. Many young children were on hand to see a spectacular show of strength and size.
During the show, announcer George Eisenhart Jr., 41, of Chardon, Ohio, died when he stepped into the path of one of the huge trucks. Eisenhart died on Sunday from his injuries. Coroner John Stanley said preliminary investigation shows neither the victim nor the driver saw each other before the collision.
Sarah Killerlain, of Sun Prairie, spoke with WISC-TV moments after seeing a tragedy unfold.
"We got my boyfriend's 7-year-old son and my 3-year-old son and they're just, 'What happened? Is he OK?' We're trying to cover their eyes and 'Everything is OK, buddy. It's going to be OK.' They're just devastated," she said.
Many parents said that they wondered how in the world they would explain such a horrific scene.
Dr. Tom Murwin of Stoughton Clinic suggested parents level with their children.
"Keep your answers short but truthful," he said.
Murwin said in these traumatic events, some parents wait for kids to bring it up or just start a conversation appropriate for the child’s age.
"So, if they bring it up and they want to talk, go ahead and be able to take five minutes and talk because 8- and 10-year-olds aren't going to want to talk for 20minutes. They just want a couple short answers then there," he said. "I think the best way to do it is to either make a statement that reflects what they've just said back to you so that you understand what their question is or ask a few leading questions to figure out if what you think they asked is really what they asked."
He said that a 5-minute talk will suffice, but other times, the traumatic event can lead to anxiety problems. He said that if a child has trouble sleeping or is having trouble in school, it might be best to talk to a psychologist in order to approach the situation the best way for his/her age.
Killerlain said she's grateful her 3-year-old son is young enough. He might soon forget what he saw.
"I've never seen something so horrific and terrifying in my entire life, and it just breaks my heart that my kid had to see it," she said.
On Saturday, a night of family fun was going off without a hitch at the Monster Truck Nationals at the Alliant Energy Center. Many young children were on hand to see a spectacular show of strength and size.
During the show, announcer George Eisenhart Jr., 41, of Chardon, Ohio, died when he stepped into the path of one of the huge trucks. Eisenhart died on Sunday from his injuries. Coroner John Stanley said preliminary investigation shows neither the victim nor the driver saw each other before the collision.
Sarah Killerlain, of Sun Prairie, spoke with WISC-TV moments after seeing a tragedy unfold.
"We got my boyfriend's 7-year-old son and my 3-year-old son and they're just, 'What happened? Is he OK?' We're trying to cover their eyes and 'Everything is OK, buddy. It's going to be OK.' They're just devastated," she said.
Many parents said that they wondered how in the world they would explain such a horrific scene.
Dr. Tom Murwin of Stoughton Clinic suggested parents level with their children.
"Keep your answers short but truthful," he said.
Murwin said in these traumatic events, some parents wait for kids to bring it up or just start a conversation appropriate for the child’s age.
"So, if they bring it up and they want to talk, go ahead and be able to take five minutes and talk because 8- and 10-year-olds aren't going to want to talk for 20minutes. They just want a couple short answers then there," he said. "I think the best way to do it is to either make a statement that reflects what they've just said back to you so that you understand what their question is or ask a few leading questions to figure out if what you think they asked is really what they asked."
He said that a 5-minute talk will suffice, but other times, the traumatic event can lead to anxiety problems. He said that if a child has trouble sleeping or is having trouble in school, it might be best to talk to a psychologist in order to approach the situation the best way for his/her age.
Killerlain said she's grateful her 3-year-old son is young enough. He might soon forget what he saw.
"I've never seen something so horrific and terrifying in my entire life, and it just breaks my heart that my kid had to see it," she said.
Superstars of Dance
Superstars of Dance is a reality television show that debuted on January 4, 2009 on the NBC Network. The show features dance routines from eight different countries from six continents. It is hosted by Michael Flatley, co-creator of Riverdance and creator of Lord of the Dance, and is co-hosted by former Miss USA title holder Susie Castillo. It was created by executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Simon Fuller, co-producers of So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol.
On November 17, 2008 NBC announced it had ordered a new reality program titled Superstar Dancers of the World, which would feature competitors from eight international teams and would be produced by Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe of American Idol fame.[1] NBC billed the show as "equal parts sporting event, rock concert, and artistic exhibition" and Lythgoe called it "the most challenging and exhilarating project I've ever done."[1] By mid-December, the show was renamed Superstars of Dance and the debut was set for January 4, 2009. Michael Flatley was chosen to host, and Susie Castillo was given a co-hosting position.
Superstars of Dance differs from similar TV dance competitions in a number of ways. It features professionals instead of amateurs, including several world champions. Additionally, the contestants were chosen by their respective countries, rather than by the show's producers. Flatley has said Superstars is a lot like a sporting competition, even comparing it the Olympic Games.[2]
The winners are not decided by audience votes, but rather by a panel of eight judges. The producers felt that it would be unfair to decide the winner by phone-in votes, assuming the American public would probably just vote for the American team.[3] Furthermore, unlike most reality-based competition shows, Superstars does not have a live component.
On November 17, 2008 NBC announced it had ordered a new reality program titled Superstar Dancers of the World, which would feature competitors from eight international teams and would be produced by Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe of American Idol fame.[1] NBC billed the show as "equal parts sporting event, rock concert, and artistic exhibition" and Lythgoe called it "the most challenging and exhilarating project I've ever done."[1] By mid-December, the show was renamed Superstars of Dance and the debut was set for January 4, 2009. Michael Flatley was chosen to host, and Susie Castillo was given a co-hosting position.
Superstars of Dance differs from similar TV dance competitions in a number of ways. It features professionals instead of amateurs, including several world champions. Additionally, the contestants were chosen by their respective countries, rather than by the show's producers. Flatley has said Superstars is a lot like a sporting competition, even comparing it the Olympic Games.[2]
The winners are not decided by audience votes, but rather by a panel of eight judges. The producers felt that it would be unfair to decide the winner by phone-in votes, assuming the American public would probably just vote for the American team.[3] Furthermore, unlike most reality-based competition shows, Superstars does not have a live component.
8 babies born at the same time
Paying for one baby's tough enough these days, but one California woman won't let that worry her. The mother in question just gave birth to eight babies -- only the second time in history live octuplets have been born, according to doctors. No one's saying whether the mom took fertility drugs, but she did get one big surprise on delivery day: baby No. 8. Doctors had only seen seven on the sonogram. What a pleasant surprise!
The six boys and two girls, who weigh between 1.8 pounds and 3.4 pounds, were delivered by cesarean section in just five minutes by a team of 46 doctors and nurses in four delivery rooms. So far, all of the babies are doing well and are said to be breathing on their own. They were nine weeks premature and will likely remain in the hospital for two months. Doctors say the mother is resting comfortably and will be out of the hospital in a week.
Now she and the father are probably trying to figure out how they're going to pay for all those diapers.
The six boys and two girls, who weigh between 1.8 pounds and 3.4 pounds, were delivered by cesarean section in just five minutes by a team of 46 doctors and nurses in four delivery rooms. So far, all of the babies are doing well and are said to be breathing on their own. They were nine weeks premature and will likely remain in the hospital for two months. Doctors say the mother is resting comfortably and will be out of the hospital in a week.
Now she and the father are probably trying to figure out how they're going to pay for all those diapers.
petals paws calendar
When the Petals & Paws calendar debuted last May, 1,000 of the 3,000 copies were snapped up immediately. At press time the WCHS had grossed $25,500, with sales ongoing both locally and online at www.goldsboro-wchs.org. Along with other fund-raising efforts, the calendar has helped the humane society get three-quarters of the way to its $150,000 goal. The all-volunteer staff is still working to raise the rest of the money, but that didn't stop the new shelter from opening on August 16. Landscaped with crape myrtle trees and outfitted with spacious pens and brightly lit visiting rooms where potential owners can bond with pets, the new Wayne County Animal Adoption and Education Center is a far cry from the depressing pound it once was.
Though it's unlikely they'd ever have to pose half-nude again, you get the sense that the women of Goldsboro would do whatever is necessary to protect their four-legged friends. Said Barkley, who agreed to the project despite worries that her recent heart-surgery scar would show, "I'd have run naked in the streets to give a shelter animal one more day of life so someone could adopt him."
As a plus, most of the models were happy with their photos, and their husbands found the whole thing a hoot. "We probably sold 30 or 40 calendars to friends and relatives," says Bob Crenshaw, co-owner of the local health-food store, whose wife, Susan, is Miss October '09. "When people see the opening shot, where the girls are topless, they all say, 'I wish I'd been there!'"
Though it's unlikely they'd ever have to pose half-nude again, you get the sense that the women of Goldsboro would do whatever is necessary to protect their four-legged friends. Said Barkley, who agreed to the project despite worries that her recent heart-surgery scar would show, "I'd have run naked in the streets to give a shelter animal one more day of life so someone could adopt him."
As a plus, most of the models were happy with their photos, and their husbands found the whole thing a hoot. "We probably sold 30 or 40 calendars to friends and relatives," says Bob Crenshaw, co-owner of the local health-food store, whose wife, Susan, is Miss October '09. "When people see the opening shot, where the girls are topless, they all say, 'I wish I'd been there!'"
baltimore city public schools
"Instability and poor performance have been hallmarks of Homeland Security since its inception," reads a press release from the school system, released on Jan. 22. "There have been four changes in school leadership in four years, and the school's original partners have left, leaving its thematic program nonexistent. Against this backdrop, student achievement at the school has consistently lagged, with state assessment scores significantly below the City Schools average. The climate at the school has created an unsafe environment for students and staff, making the ability of students to learn and grow impossible. And given its unwieldy physical structure, the school currently is extremely difficult to secure, making it impossible to transform Homeland Security's climate."
Today the Baltimore City Public School System announced that it will seek permission from the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners to permanently shutter Homeland Security High School, an underperforming city school that has been plagued by violence.
The school, which is located in the Walbrook High School campus, opened in the 2005-06 school year.
Today the Baltimore City Public School System announced that it will seek permission from the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners to permanently shutter Homeland Security High School, an underperforming city school that has been plagued by violence.
The school, which is located in the Walbrook High School campus, opened in the 2005-06 school year.
calvert county public schools
On Tuesday evening, while some were attending inaugural balls, advocates for Relay for Life praised past accomplishments and rallied troops for a new year of fundraising.
This year's Calvert County Relay for Life fundraiser has some big shoes to fill to meet last year's record number of participants, donations and awards.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Relay for Life and it is the 12th event held in Calvert. Relay for Life is a national fundraising campaign for the American Cancer Society, with funds going to research, treatment, advocacy and services.
Calvert High School's drum line set a celebratory tone as it drummed at the back of the school's auditorium when people arrived and made its way to the stage performing a few selections before the ceremonies began.
Paula Rosnage, this year's co-chair, announced that the relay will move this year to Hallowing Point Park, increasing available space.
"The biggest event in Calvert County has now gotten bigger," she said.
Calvert's goal this year is $475,000, and if the goal is reached, it will be the most raised ever for relay, she said.
"We plan to attack it in little pieces, from all angles," Rosnage said.
Co-chair Kristin Batson said, "We always have high hopes and expectations because the community seems to support this cause like none other." The relay is reinforcing that small donations are just as important as large donations because they can work together to make a larger piece of the pie, Batson said. "We'll focus on that this year," she said.
At Calvert's relay last year, 130 teams with 2,160 participants raised $461,000 and netted $457,000 for the American Cancer Society.
This year, the relay is asking all participants to raise $100 each, and created the slogan, "Be a hero, don't be a zero."
Calvert won a Region Award for largest online donations last year, raising $162,000 with online donations making it fifth in the nation.
Calvert also won the Region Award last year for the largest per-capita money raised, with $5.02 raised per person. At the rally, Calvert County Board of County Commissioners member Susan Shaw (R) accepted last year's national per-capita relay award on behalf of the commissioners, and it will be on display in the commissioners' hearing room, Rosnage said.
Judi Coyle, who co-chaired the event last year, received a citation of recognition from state Sen. Roy P. Dyson (D-Calvert, St. Mary's Charles) for her many years of contributions to Relay for Life.
Superintendent of Calvert County Schools Jack Smith was honored as superintendent of the year for 2008 and was presented with the award at the kickoff rally. Calvert County public schools also received an award for 100 percent participation last year. The awards will be displayed at the Calvert County public schools Board of Education building.
"It's a privilege to work with Relay for Life, both as an individual and as a representative of the school system," Smith said. Every person in the community has been touched by cancer, whether it's a family member, friend or co-worker, he said.
There is a "no pressure approach" in the schools in regards to fundraising, but the school system allows relay fundraisers to use the schools to support fundraising efforts off school time, Smith said. "We try to find the right balance," he said.
Already businesses and teams are fundraising, but Batson said she understands that this year may be tougher for some businesses to become corporate sponsors and donate because of the economy. Both Sneade's Ace Home Center and PNC Bank have already agreed to sponsor the 2009 relay, and Batson said she hopes many more businesses will follow.
The schools have also begun fundraising efforts, with Barstow Elementary hosting a fundraiser on Jan. 20. Relay participants took advantage of the school's in-service day and provided breakfast and lunch for teachers, earning more than $300, Rosnage said.
This year's Calvert County Relay for Life fundraiser has some big shoes to fill to meet last year's record number of participants, donations and awards.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Relay for Life and it is the 12th event held in Calvert. Relay for Life is a national fundraising campaign for the American Cancer Society, with funds going to research, treatment, advocacy and services.
Calvert High School's drum line set a celebratory tone as it drummed at the back of the school's auditorium when people arrived and made its way to the stage performing a few selections before the ceremonies began.
Paula Rosnage, this year's co-chair, announced that the relay will move this year to Hallowing Point Park, increasing available space.
"The biggest event in Calvert County has now gotten bigger," she said.
Calvert's goal this year is $475,000, and if the goal is reached, it will be the most raised ever for relay, she said.
"We plan to attack it in little pieces, from all angles," Rosnage said.
Co-chair Kristin Batson said, "We always have high hopes and expectations because the community seems to support this cause like none other." The relay is reinforcing that small donations are just as important as large donations because they can work together to make a larger piece of the pie, Batson said. "We'll focus on that this year," she said.
At Calvert's relay last year, 130 teams with 2,160 participants raised $461,000 and netted $457,000 for the American Cancer Society.
This year, the relay is asking all participants to raise $100 each, and created the slogan, "Be a hero, don't be a zero."
Calvert won a Region Award for largest online donations last year, raising $162,000 with online donations making it fifth in the nation.
Calvert also won the Region Award last year for the largest per-capita money raised, with $5.02 raised per person. At the rally, Calvert County Board of County Commissioners member Susan Shaw (R) accepted last year's national per-capita relay award on behalf of the commissioners, and it will be on display in the commissioners' hearing room, Rosnage said.
Judi Coyle, who co-chaired the event last year, received a citation of recognition from state Sen. Roy P. Dyson (D-Calvert, St. Mary's Charles) for her many years of contributions to Relay for Life.
Superintendent of Calvert County Schools Jack Smith was honored as superintendent of the year for 2008 and was presented with the award at the kickoff rally. Calvert County public schools also received an award for 100 percent participation last year. The awards will be displayed at the Calvert County public schools Board of Education building.
"It's a privilege to work with Relay for Life, both as an individual and as a representative of the school system," Smith said. Every person in the community has been touched by cancer, whether it's a family member, friend or co-worker, he said.
There is a "no pressure approach" in the schools in regards to fundraising, but the school system allows relay fundraisers to use the schools to support fundraising efforts off school time, Smith said. "We try to find the right balance," he said.
Already businesses and teams are fundraising, but Batson said she understands that this year may be tougher for some businesses to become corporate sponsors and donate because of the economy. Both Sneade's Ace Home Center and PNC Bank have already agreed to sponsor the 2009 relay, and Batson said she hopes many more businesses will follow.
The schools have also begun fundraising efforts, with Barstow Elementary hosting a fundraiser on Jan. 20. Relay participants took advantage of the school's in-service day and provided breakfast and lunch for teachers, earning more than $300, Rosnage said.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Arsenic and Old Lace
ow calling all sweet, homicidal spinsters (or at least those who have dreamed of being one on stage): The Town Hall Players of Stockbridge are having auditions for their production of the classic black comedy "Arsenic and Old Lace." No experience making elderberry wine required.
You won't want to dawdle, though. Auditions are 6 to 8 p.m. today and tomorrow at the historic Stockbridge Town Hall at the corner of Clinton and Main streets in downtown Stockbridge.
Those auditioning will be asked to read from the script. They are looking for a total of 14 adults — 11 men and three women. Performance dates are February 28 and 29 and March 1, 6, 7 and 8
A synopsis (just in case you have somehow avoided this community theater staple and the classic 1944 film) is after the jump.
The play is a farcical black comedy revolving around Mortimer Brewster, a theatre-hating drama critic who must deal with his crazy, homicidal family and local police in Brooklyn, New York, as he debates whether to go through with his recent promise to marry the woman he loves. His family includes two spinster aunts who have taken to murdering lonely old men by poisoning them with a glass of home-made elderberry wine laced with arsenic, strychnine, and "just a pinch" of cyanide; a brother who believes he is Teddy Roosevelt and digs locks for the Panama Canal in the cellar of the Brewster home (which then serve as graves for the aunts' victims); and a murderous brother who has received plastic surgery performed by an alcoholic accomplice, Dr. Einstein (a character based on real-life gangland surgeon Joseph Moran) to conceal his identity and now looks like horror-film actor Boris Karloff (a self-referential joke, as the part was originally played by Karloff). The film adaptation follows the same basic plot, with a few minor changes. It is customary, after the cast takes several curtain calls, for the final one to finish with the "murder victims" (often well-known local personalities) entering from the basement and joining the cast for the final bow.
You won't want to dawdle, though. Auditions are 6 to 8 p.m. today and tomorrow at the historic Stockbridge Town Hall at the corner of Clinton and Main streets in downtown Stockbridge.
Those auditioning will be asked to read from the script. They are looking for a total of 14 adults — 11 men and three women. Performance dates are February 28 and 29 and March 1, 6, 7 and 8
A synopsis (just in case you have somehow avoided this community theater staple and the classic 1944 film) is after the jump.
The play is a farcical black comedy revolving around Mortimer Brewster, a theatre-hating drama critic who must deal with his crazy, homicidal family and local police in Brooklyn, New York, as he debates whether to go through with his recent promise to marry the woman he loves. His family includes two spinster aunts who have taken to murdering lonely old men by poisoning them with a glass of home-made elderberry wine laced with arsenic, strychnine, and "just a pinch" of cyanide; a brother who believes he is Teddy Roosevelt and digs locks for the Panama Canal in the cellar of the Brewster home (which then serve as graves for the aunts' victims); and a murderous brother who has received plastic surgery performed by an alcoholic accomplice, Dr. Einstein (a character based on real-life gangland surgeon Joseph Moran) to conceal his identity and now looks like horror-film actor Boris Karloff (a self-referential joke, as the part was originally played by Karloff). The film adaptation follows the same basic plot, with a few minor changes. It is customary, after the cast takes several curtain calls, for the final one to finish with the "murder victims" (often well-known local personalities) entering from the basement and joining the cast for the final bow.
Gundam 00 Season 2 Episode 15
Gundam 00 Season 2 Episode 15 is not yet around, so we have to wait a little guys, I know we want that everyday there would be Gundam 00 episodes! This is the best anime of all time and it deserves all the recognition!
I can give you some info about Gundam 00 Season 2 Episode 15 or s02E15, but just a few. expect that I will update this post because almost everyday I am searching for info about Gundam 00 Season 2 Episode 15. Gundam 00 Season 2 Episode 15 will be released on January 18, 2009 in Japan, so that's the raw version, but in the USA, the release date is not yet set.
The title of Gundam 00 Season 2 Episode 15 is "Paean of the Rebellion", or "Hanko no Gaika" in Japanese, What will happen in Gundam 00 Season 2 Episode 15? Let us just wait for a while & if we find somw spoilers, we will update this post immediately.
Anyway, Gundam fans, here is a music video of Gundam 00 Season 2, just to have some time of and relax. This is high quality guys I love this!
Watch Gundam 00 Season 2 Episode 15 and I am sure you will be lucky for the year 2009!
I can give you some info about Gundam 00 Season 2 Episode 15 or s02E15, but just a few. expect that I will update this post because almost everyday I am searching for info about Gundam 00 Season 2 Episode 15. Gundam 00 Season 2 Episode 15 will be released on January 18, 2009 in Japan, so that's the raw version, but in the USA, the release date is not yet set.
The title of Gundam 00 Season 2 Episode 15 is "Paean of the Rebellion", or "Hanko no Gaika" in Japanese, What will happen in Gundam 00 Season 2 Episode 15? Let us just wait for a while & if we find somw spoilers, we will update this post immediately.
Anyway, Gundam fans, here is a music video of Gundam 00 Season 2, just to have some time of and relax. This is high quality guys I love this!
Watch Gundam 00 Season 2 Episode 15 and I am sure you will be lucky for the year 2009!
Portfolio Diet
The goal of the eating plan's creators was simple: to see if a "portfolio" of foods, each with some minor cholesterol-lowering benefits, can have a larger effect when eaten together as part of a regular diet.
The concept was developed by David Jenkins, professor of nutrition and metabolism at the University of Toronto and a strong proponent of using food to help reduce blood cholesterol, high levels of which increase the risk of heart disease. Funding for research came from the Canadian government; Unilever, the maker of Take Control, a margarine-like spread that helps to lower blood cholesterol; Loblaw, Canada's largest food distributor; and the Almond Board of California.
But the Portfolio approach won't be for everyone. Strictly followed, it's a near-vegan regimen, meaning no meat, eggs, poultry, fish or dairy.
"It's a real challenge for people to stay on this kind of diet," notes Alice Lichtenstein, professor of nutrition at Tufts University and chair of the American Heart Association's Nutrition Committee.
In carefully controlled scientific settings, however, the Portfolio plan's cholesterol-lowering benefits rivaled those of statin drugs. That's important because millions of people take these prescription drugs long-term to control their blood cholesterol levels. Research suggests that about 25 percent of users stop taking their medicine within the first year of treatment because of complications. Without the drugs, cholesterol levels usually rise again to unhealthy levels.
When a low dose of statins isn't enough, doctors prescribe more. But there's a diminishing return: doubling the lowest dose only reduces cholesterol by about an additional 6 percent.
That's why the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute also recommend cutting saturated fat, trans fatty acids and cholesterol while boosting fiber as well as using drugs to help control cholesterol.
So can the Portfolio approach help even people who don't strictly follow this eating plan? To find out, Jenkins and his colleagues at the University of Toronto enrolled 66 adults with elevated blood cholesterol in a one-year study of the diet.
Participants were instructed to eat a mostly vegetarian diet rich in soy foods, almonds, fruit, vegetables, whole grains and beans, as well as some healthy oils and margarine made with plant sterols (substances proven to lower cholesterol). They were also advised to skip or limit fat-free and low-fat dairy products and were encouraged to forgo eggs as well as poultry, fish and lean meat. Those who continued to eat these foods were urged to limit them to three or fewer meals a week.
The study found a direct link between how closely participants followed the portfolio plan and how much their blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) improved. LDL is directly linked to heart disease risk.
Nearly a third of participants who stuck closest to the plan's goals lowered their LDL levels by 20 percent or more, an improvement that rivals use of low-dose statins.
"There's no question that you can have very good results with diet," notes Robert Eckel, president of the American Heart Association (AHA) and a faculty member at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. What the latest findings suggest, he notes, is that for some people, "diet can match that doubling of statins." And for others, altering their diets may mean a reduction in dose, "or help them avoid adding a second cholesterol-lowering drug."
Here's how you can apply some of the lessons from the study:
· Nuts and healthy margarine proved easiest to add. About 79 percent of participants ate almonds while two-thirds used Take Control spread. But there's no need to stick with these foods, which were used because of the study's sponsorship. Other healthy spreads, including Benecol and Smart Balance, also are proven to help cut cholesterol -- if they are eaten daily. Additional options fortified with plant stanols or sterols include some brands of orange juice and chocolate.
Branch out with different nuts, too. "Any that are low in saturated fat would be just fine," Lichtenstein notes. Participants ate about two ounces daily, or roughly two handfuls. Just remember that both nuts and margarine are high in calories. So if you add them, you'll need to subtract other items to avoid weight gain, which also raises blood cholesterol.
· Include okra and eggplant . Both are among the more potent cholesterol-lowering vegetables. Skip fried versions of either, because frying almost always adds saturated fat (and, when such dishes are commercially prepared, may add unhealthy trans fats). Pickled okra is one option. Another is baked eggplant. To prepare: Wash and prick an eggplant. Cover in foil. Bake in a 400-degree oven for about an hour. Cool. Scoop out the inside. Use as a meat substitute in spaghetti sauce or as a dip mixed with garbanzo beans (good source of protein and fiber) and a little tahini (sesame paste, a healthy type of fat).
· Add soy, beans and fiber. Recent research questions soy's ability to lower blood cholesterol. But as a food low in saturated fat and high in fiber and protein, "soy can be beneficial when it is used to displace animal foods from the diet, such as hamburger," Lichtenstein notes. Beans, oat bran and psyllium were some of the other high-fiber foods that helped to improve LDL blood levels. ·
The concept was developed by David Jenkins, professor of nutrition and metabolism at the University of Toronto and a strong proponent of using food to help reduce blood cholesterol, high levels of which increase the risk of heart disease. Funding for research came from the Canadian government; Unilever, the maker of Take Control, a margarine-like spread that helps to lower blood cholesterol; Loblaw, Canada's largest food distributor; and the Almond Board of California.
But the Portfolio approach won't be for everyone. Strictly followed, it's a near-vegan regimen, meaning no meat, eggs, poultry, fish or dairy.
"It's a real challenge for people to stay on this kind of diet," notes Alice Lichtenstein, professor of nutrition at Tufts University and chair of the American Heart Association's Nutrition Committee.
In carefully controlled scientific settings, however, the Portfolio plan's cholesterol-lowering benefits rivaled those of statin drugs. That's important because millions of people take these prescription drugs long-term to control their blood cholesterol levels. Research suggests that about 25 percent of users stop taking their medicine within the first year of treatment because of complications. Without the drugs, cholesterol levels usually rise again to unhealthy levels.
When a low dose of statins isn't enough, doctors prescribe more. But there's a diminishing return: doubling the lowest dose only reduces cholesterol by about an additional 6 percent.
That's why the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute also recommend cutting saturated fat, trans fatty acids and cholesterol while boosting fiber as well as using drugs to help control cholesterol.
So can the Portfolio approach help even people who don't strictly follow this eating plan? To find out, Jenkins and his colleagues at the University of Toronto enrolled 66 adults with elevated blood cholesterol in a one-year study of the diet.
Participants were instructed to eat a mostly vegetarian diet rich in soy foods, almonds, fruit, vegetables, whole grains and beans, as well as some healthy oils and margarine made with plant sterols (substances proven to lower cholesterol). They were also advised to skip or limit fat-free and low-fat dairy products and were encouraged to forgo eggs as well as poultry, fish and lean meat. Those who continued to eat these foods were urged to limit them to three or fewer meals a week.
The study found a direct link between how closely participants followed the portfolio plan and how much their blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) improved. LDL is directly linked to heart disease risk.
Nearly a third of participants who stuck closest to the plan's goals lowered their LDL levels by 20 percent or more, an improvement that rivals use of low-dose statins.
"There's no question that you can have very good results with diet," notes Robert Eckel, president of the American Heart Association (AHA) and a faculty member at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. What the latest findings suggest, he notes, is that for some people, "diet can match that doubling of statins." And for others, altering their diets may mean a reduction in dose, "or help them avoid adding a second cholesterol-lowering drug."
Here's how you can apply some of the lessons from the study:
· Nuts and healthy margarine proved easiest to add. About 79 percent of participants ate almonds while two-thirds used Take Control spread. But there's no need to stick with these foods, which were used because of the study's sponsorship. Other healthy spreads, including Benecol and Smart Balance, also are proven to help cut cholesterol -- if they are eaten daily. Additional options fortified with plant stanols or sterols include some brands of orange juice and chocolate.
Branch out with different nuts, too. "Any that are low in saturated fat would be just fine," Lichtenstein notes. Participants ate about two ounces daily, or roughly two handfuls. Just remember that both nuts and margarine are high in calories. So if you add them, you'll need to subtract other items to avoid weight gain, which also raises blood cholesterol.
· Include okra and eggplant . Both are among the more potent cholesterol-lowering vegetables. Skip fried versions of either, because frying almost always adds saturated fat (and, when such dishes are commercially prepared, may add unhealthy trans fats). Pickled okra is one option. Another is baked eggplant. To prepare: Wash and prick an eggplant. Cover in foil. Bake in a 400-degree oven for about an hour. Cool. Scoop out the inside. Use as a meat substitute in spaghetti sauce or as a dip mixed with garbanzo beans (good source of protein and fiber) and a little tahini (sesame paste, a healthy type of fat).
· Add soy, beans and fiber. Recent research questions soy's ability to lower blood cholesterol. But as a food low in saturated fat and high in fiber and protein, "soy can be beneficial when it is used to displace animal foods from the diet, such as hamburger," Lichtenstein notes. Beans, oat bran and psyllium were some of the other high-fiber foods that helped to improve LDL blood levels. ·
Houston Marathon
Ethiopia’s Deriba Merga won the men's Chevron Houston Marathon in an unofficial course record time of 2:07:51.
Women's champion and fellow Ethiopian Teyba Erkesso crossed the finish line in a 2:24:18, which is also an unofficial new course record.
Americans take half marathon
Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi won the men's Aramco Houston Half Marathon on Sunday with a time of 1:01:25 and a pace of 4:42.
Keflezighi took a lead before the first mile and never looked back. He finished a full 10 seconds in front of the second place runner Dathan Ritzenhein.
Keflezighi won the silver medal in the marathon at the 2004 Olympics and finished in third place in the Houston Half Marathon in 2007.
On the women's side, it was Magdalena Boulet who took the top spot in the half marathon. She finished in 1:11:47 with a pace of 5:29.
Keflezighi, born in Eritrea, and Boulet, born in Poland, are both naturalized Americans.
Sean Wade, the defending champion, took the men's masters race in 1:07:09, while the women's masters half marathon winner was Peggy Yetman in 1:18:43.
Women's champion and fellow Ethiopian Teyba Erkesso crossed the finish line in a 2:24:18, which is also an unofficial new course record.
Americans take half marathon
Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi won the men's Aramco Houston Half Marathon on Sunday with a time of 1:01:25 and a pace of 4:42.
Keflezighi took a lead before the first mile and never looked back. He finished a full 10 seconds in front of the second place runner Dathan Ritzenhein.
Keflezighi won the silver medal in the marathon at the 2004 Olympics and finished in third place in the Houston Half Marathon in 2007.
On the women's side, it was Magdalena Boulet who took the top spot in the half marathon. She finished in 1:11:47 with a pace of 5:29.
Keflezighi, born in Eritrea, and Boulet, born in Poland, are both naturalized Americans.
Sean Wade, the defending champion, took the men's masters race in 1:07:09, while the women's masters half marathon winner was Peggy Yetman in 1:18:43.
Fleet Foxes
On Saturday, I flipped on NBC around midnight to see Taylor Swift doing a rather bland performance on "Saturday Night Live" and wondered, 'Why is Taylor Swift even on 'Saturday Night Live'?"
Yeah, she's the biggest-selling artist of 2008, but aren't there enough late-night and awards shows for her to play?
Shouldn't "SNL" be a little more left-of-the-dial?
Part of show's early reputation was built on throwing something out there that might shock the audience, or at least keep them awake. If you were around in the late '70s/early '80s, you'll recall the B-52's hitting the stage like surf-rock aliens on "Rock Lobster," Patti Smith torching the place with "Gloria" and Talking Heads resembling preppy robots on "Psycho Killer."
That was cutting-edge stuff being exposed to an audience probably more accustomed to Paul Simon and the Rolling Stones. Nowadays, there's still a thriving underground, but it seems like "SNL" just rounds up the biggest mainstream stars.
This Saturday, though, we get something different when the show gives the stage to Fleet Foxes, a bearded Seattle band from Sup Pop that frequented Top 10 lists this year with a debut record that brings CSNY-style harmonies into a new musical context. Mom and dad and their teenage kids will probably be digging this one.
At a time when the music industry really needs more new bands breaking out and replacing the old guard, it would be nice to see "SNL" go more in this direction and offset the superstars with contenders from indie-rock and indie hip-hop scenes.
Yeah, she's the biggest-selling artist of 2008, but aren't there enough late-night and awards shows for her to play?
Shouldn't "SNL" be a little more left-of-the-dial?
Part of show's early reputation was built on throwing something out there that might shock the audience, or at least keep them awake. If you were around in the late '70s/early '80s, you'll recall the B-52's hitting the stage like surf-rock aliens on "Rock Lobster," Patti Smith torching the place with "Gloria" and Talking Heads resembling preppy robots on "Psycho Killer."
That was cutting-edge stuff being exposed to an audience probably more accustomed to Paul Simon and the Rolling Stones. Nowadays, there's still a thriving underground, but it seems like "SNL" just rounds up the biggest mainstream stars.
This Saturday, though, we get something different when the show gives the stage to Fleet Foxes, a bearded Seattle band from Sup Pop that frequented Top 10 lists this year with a debut record that brings CSNY-style harmonies into a new musical context. Mom and dad and their teenage kids will probably be digging this one.
At a time when the music industry really needs more new bands breaking out and replacing the old guard, it would be nice to see "SNL" go more in this direction and offset the superstars with contenders from indie-rock and indie hip-hop scenes.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
BCS National Championship 2009
The biggest game in college football is on as the Florida Gators and the Oklahoma Sooners play in the 2009 BCS national championship game on January 8 in Miami, Florida.
There were seven other teams with one loss at the top of the rankings, just like the Oklahoma Sooners and the Florida Gators, both at 12-1. Two more finished the season a perfect 12-0, that’s the Boise State Broncos and the Utah Utes. But since nobody dominated the last two months of the season like Oklahoma and Florida did, they got the go to play in the national title game despite having a loss each.
The Oklahoma Sooners and the Tim TebowFlorida Gators, after dominating the rest of the field during the last few weeks, were ranked No.1 and No.2 respectively in the somewhat controversial BCS standings to end the regular season. And although some people may argue if Florida and Oklahoma were the right choices to play for the national title, both teams are still two of the best programs on the college gridiron and we’re still in for a treat in Miami.
Besides, the two quarterbacks playing for the two competing teams on January 8 were the top two candidates for the 2008 Heisman trophy. Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford won it while Tim Tebow of Florida had to settle for runner-up honors.
Personally, I thought Tim Tebow will bag the Heisman for the second straight year for sure. The guy has to be disappointed right? Well, a win in Miami will sure fix that. Led by Tebow, Florida averaged 49.4 points during the remarkable nine-game winning streak they were able to put up. Nobody has come within single digits of the Gators since their 31-30 loss to Ole Miss. Tebow should have something to prove against Oklahoma and winning the national title is one sure way to prove stuff.
As good as Tim Tebow has been for Florida, Sam Bradford was the same kind of force for Oklahoma. The Sooners lost 45-35 to Texas in October, but still ended up with an NCAA-record 702 points this season. They ended the season by becoming the first team since 1919 to score 60-plus in five straight games.
This will be the first meeting between these two powerhouse programs, each seeking their second title this decade. You just know it’s going to be good people. Oh yes it is.
There were seven other teams with one loss at the top of the rankings, just like the Oklahoma Sooners and the Florida Gators, both at 12-1. Two more finished the season a perfect 12-0, that’s the Boise State Broncos and the Utah Utes. But since nobody dominated the last two months of the season like Oklahoma and Florida did, they got the go to play in the national title game despite having a loss each.
The Oklahoma Sooners and the Tim TebowFlorida Gators, after dominating the rest of the field during the last few weeks, were ranked No.1 and No.2 respectively in the somewhat controversial BCS standings to end the regular season. And although some people may argue if Florida and Oklahoma were the right choices to play for the national title, both teams are still two of the best programs on the college gridiron and we’re still in for a treat in Miami.
Besides, the two quarterbacks playing for the two competing teams on January 8 were the top two candidates for the 2008 Heisman trophy. Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford won it while Tim Tebow of Florida had to settle for runner-up honors.
Personally, I thought Tim Tebow will bag the Heisman for the second straight year for sure. The guy has to be disappointed right? Well, a win in Miami will sure fix that. Led by Tebow, Florida averaged 49.4 points during the remarkable nine-game winning streak they were able to put up. Nobody has come within single digits of the Gators since their 31-30 loss to Ole Miss. Tebow should have something to prove against Oklahoma and winning the national title is one sure way to prove stuff.
As good as Tim Tebow has been for Florida, Sam Bradford was the same kind of force for Oklahoma. The Sooners lost 45-35 to Texas in October, but still ended up with an NCAA-record 702 points this season. They ended the season by becoming the first team since 1919 to score 60-plus in five straight games.
This will be the first meeting between these two powerhouse programs, each seeking their second title this decade. You just know it’s going to be good people. Oh yes it is.
Oprah Download
If you want your chance to get a free download of Suze Orman’s latest book, then head over to oprah.com/download. The book is called Suze Orman’s 2009 Action Plan, for free, and is available for download until January 15, 2009, from the Oprah Winfrey website.
The book is copyrighted, you are able to view the download file, but you are not allowed to copy, share or forward the file to any other person. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to see the file, which is also free.
The Suze Orman’s 2009 Action Plan book is available in both English and Spanish for both PC and Mac users. On a PC right click, Ctrl-click for Mac users on the Suze Orman’s 2009 Action Plan link. Firefox users select “Save Link As,” Internet Explorer users, select Save Target As.
oprah.com/download
www.oprah.com/download
The book is copyrighted, you are able to view the download file, but you are not allowed to copy, share or forward the file to any other person. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to see the file, which is also free.
The Suze Orman’s 2009 Action Plan book is available in both English and Spanish for both PC and Mac users. On a PC right click, Ctrl-click for Mac users on the Suze Orman’s 2009 Action Plan link. Firefox users select “Save Link As,” Internet Explorer users, select Save Target As.
oprah.com/download
www.oprah.com/download
Palm Pre 3G Mobile Phone
Palm today announced its long-awaited new operating system--called Web OS--as well as the new Palm Pre smart phone to match. The Pre will be available exclusively on the Sprint 3G Network in first half of 2009. The announcement was made at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show.
As rumored earlier this week, the new phone marks Palm's effort to regain leadership in the smart phone market. Aiming for the coveted niche between iPhones and BlackBerrys, the Palm Pre with Web OS attempts to seamlessly bring together enterprise and entertainment into one device. You can see a gallery of Pre images here.
Palm did not announce pricing or an exact availability date for the Pre. (Stay tuned for PC World's in-depth look and hands-on analysis of the new phone and its OS.)
The Palm Pre Handset Specs
The Palm Pre is a multi-touch screen device with a full vertical slide-out QWERTY keyboard and accelerometer. The EVDO-capable device is Wi-Fi-enabled, and comes with GPS, Bluetooth 2.1 with stereo support, and 8GB of storage.
The Pre has a 3.1-inch size display with 320-by-480 resolution. The multi-touch extends beyond the display to the center button, which Palm calls the gesture area for launching applications on the device.
The Pre also has a 3.0-megapixel camera with an LED flash and depth and field DSP software. Additionally, the phone has high speed USB 2.0 support as well as a standard 3.5-mm headphone jack.
The phone's elegant, curved form factor is designed to comfortably fit in your hand as well as next to your cheek. The Pre is smaller in size than the iPhone and other smart phones on the market--it weighs 4.8 ounces.
The Palm Web OS
The open-source Palm Web OS strives to bring together all of the facets of a busy lifestyle and put it into one place for quick access to information with the flick of a finger.
The homescreen user interface (UI) has customizable application widgets running at the bottom of the display. Touch a widget and the app instantly pops up. All of your open applications appear on the UI as a deck of cards. Flicking from right to left and left to right on the gesture pad allows you to scroll through your "deck" of applications.
As rumored earlier this week, the new phone marks Palm's effort to regain leadership in the smart phone market. Aiming for the coveted niche between iPhones and BlackBerrys, the Palm Pre with Web OS attempts to seamlessly bring together enterprise and entertainment into one device. You can see a gallery of Pre images here.
Palm did not announce pricing or an exact availability date for the Pre. (Stay tuned for PC World's in-depth look and hands-on analysis of the new phone and its OS.)
The Palm Pre Handset Specs
The Palm Pre is a multi-touch screen device with a full vertical slide-out QWERTY keyboard and accelerometer. The EVDO-capable device is Wi-Fi-enabled, and comes with GPS, Bluetooth 2.1 with stereo support, and 8GB of storage.
The Pre has a 3.1-inch size display with 320-by-480 resolution. The multi-touch extends beyond the display to the center button, which Palm calls the gesture area for launching applications on the device.
The Pre also has a 3.0-megapixel camera with an LED flash and depth and field DSP software. Additionally, the phone has high speed USB 2.0 support as well as a standard 3.5-mm headphone jack.
The phone's elegant, curved form factor is designed to comfortably fit in your hand as well as next to your cheek. The Pre is smaller in size than the iPhone and other smart phones on the market--it weighs 4.8 ounces.
The Palm Web OS
The open-source Palm Web OS strives to bring together all of the facets of a busy lifestyle and put it into one place for quick access to information with the flick of a finger.
The homescreen user interface (UI) has customizable application widgets running at the bottom of the display. Touch a widget and the app instantly pops up. All of your open applications appear on the UI as a deck of cards. Flicking from right to left and left to right on the gesture pad allows you to scroll through your "deck" of applications.
Costa Rica Earthquake
San Jose - A strong earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.1 on the Richter Scale, shook Costa Rica on Thursday, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to property.
According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake was centred about 35 kilometres underground and 35 kilometres north of Costa Rican capital San Jose, where the tremor was strongly felt.
The earthquake took place at 1:21 pm (1921 GMT) and caused widespread panic in San Jose, with residents rushing out of shaking buildings.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the 6.1-magnitude temblor was centered 22 miles (35 kilometers) northwest of the capital of San Jose in the early afternoon, near the Poas Volcano national park.
The Red Cross said in a statement that a young girl, who hasn't yet been identified, was killed by a landslide unleashed by the quake near the city of Alajuela, north of the capital.
Local TV station Teletica showed broken windows, fallen ceiling panels and cracked walls in Alajuela. The quake was felt strongly throughout the small Central American country, Teletica said. Cell phone service was interrupted briefly.
Thousands of people ran from homes and shopping centers, frightened by the quake. In the capital, women kneeled to pray in plazas. Others cried.
There were at least four aftershocks.
According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake was centred about 35 kilometres underground and 35 kilometres north of Costa Rican capital San Jose, where the tremor was strongly felt.
The earthquake took place at 1:21 pm (1921 GMT) and caused widespread panic in San Jose, with residents rushing out of shaking buildings.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the 6.1-magnitude temblor was centered 22 miles (35 kilometers) northwest of the capital of San Jose in the early afternoon, near the Poas Volcano national park.
The Red Cross said in a statement that a young girl, who hasn't yet been identified, was killed by a landslide unleashed by the quake near the city of Alajuela, north of the capital.
Local TV station Teletica showed broken windows, fallen ceiling panels and cracked walls in Alajuela. The quake was felt strongly throughout the small Central American country, Teletica said. Cell phone service was interrupted briefly.
Thousands of people ran from homes and shopping centers, frightened by the quake. In the capital, women kneeled to pray in plazas. Others cried.
There were at least four aftershocks.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Garage Storage
The garage is often one of a home's key storage areas. But because the space it offers is rarely used efficiently, the garage is a prime candidate for storage improvements.
You can buy modular storage system kits with components that can be mixed and matched to solve many storage problems. Or you can build your own storage solutions.
The improvements shown here may help you to reduce clutter, improve organization, and store seasonal items more conveniently.
The most popular types of garage storage and organization aids are cabinets, shelves, various wall-mounted racks, and plastic containers. Cabinets work well for hiding clutter and protecting their contents from moisture and dust. Shelves tend to be more affordable than cabinets; they efficiently save space and make paraphernalia more accessible by getting it off the floor. Wall-mounted racks, the most affordable of all, are great for keeping tools as well as equipment handy.
Store items that need to be protected from moisture inside of plastic containers. Buy the type that stack; clear plastic works well because it allows you to see what's inside.
You can buy modular storage system kits with components that can be mixed and matched to solve many storage problems. Or you can build your own storage solutions.
The improvements shown here may help you to reduce clutter, improve organization, and store seasonal items more conveniently.
The most popular types of garage storage and organization aids are cabinets, shelves, various wall-mounted racks, and plastic containers. Cabinets work well for hiding clutter and protecting their contents from moisture and dust. Shelves tend to be more affordable than cabinets; they efficiently save space and make paraphernalia more accessible by getting it off the floor. Wall-mounted racks, the most affordable of all, are great for keeping tools as well as equipment handy.
Store items that need to be protected from moisture inside of plastic containers. Buy the type that stack; clear plastic works well because it allows you to see what's inside.
Exercise DVDs
Congratulations! You've made the decision to do something good for your body, mind and spirit by starting a home exercise program. That's right — exercise is about a lot more than just looking good. In addition to giving you a toned physique, exercise relieves stress, helps you sleep better and gives you a wonderful feeling of wellbeing that follows you throughout your whole day. And exercising at home with DVDs is an excellent way to stay fit, especially if you feel self-conscious walking into a gym or health club. You can practice an aerobic dance routine until you get it just right (and no one has to know how long it took you to get there!).
You can do a toning DVD one day, a Yoga DVD the next, and a cardio routine over the weekend. If you only have 10 minutes to fit in a workout, there are DVDs for you. If you have the luxury of spending an hour or more with a flowing Yoga routine, there are DVDs for that too. New to working out? There are beginner's routines. Are you an experienced exerciser? There are lots of DVDs for you. Home workouts give you so much versatility you'll never have to worry about becoming bored. When you're tired of your current DVDs, you can always find something new.
If you're new to the world of home exercise, you're probably a little confused by all the choices you see out there. Exercise DVDs vary widely in quality. They don't always say whether they're for beginning or advanced exercisers. Some workouts require tools and props, like dumbbells, exercise bands or a step. Here are a few tips to help you navigate through all those exercise DVDs and create home workouts that are exactly right for you.
Whether you're in the mood to twist yourself into a pretzel or dance off calories, the options are seemingly limitless. We narrowed down the choices for you, and present our top picks for spring and summer.
1. Best for: Making You Sweat
Amy Bento: Hi/Lo Xtreme
Estimated calories burned: 500
Equipment: None
Why we love it: The tough routines combine aerobics and plyometrics.
Tester says: "Bento offers 10 variations for the perfect workout every time." (67 minutes; $16.95; nrgfitness.net)
2. Best for: Head-to-Toe Sculpting
NYC "A New You Coming"
Estimated calories burned: 470
Equipment: 3- and 5-pound dumbbells and a step (optional)
Why we love it: Instructor Kelly Coffey-Meyer never slows down, so you burn mega calories and hit every muscle group.
Tester says: "Switching from upper-body to lower-body moves makes the routine feel easier." (55 minutes; $20; coffeyfit.com)
3. Best for: Stability-Ball Makeovers
Keli Roberts Time Saver Workouts: A.S.A.P. Abdominals, Spine, and Posture
Estimated calories burned: 140
Equipment: Stability ball
Why we love it: The ball moves target your back, core, and legs.
Tester says: "The opposite arm/leg lift really helped improve my balance." (32 minutes; $14.95; keliroberts.com)
4. Best for: Yoga in a Hurry
Perfect in Ten Yoga
Estimated calories burned: 30 (per 10-minute session)
Equipment: None
Why we love it: You'll feel energized, stronger, and more flexible in minutes.
Tester says: "My posture drastically improved." (60 minutes; $9.99; stratostream.com)
5. Best for: Back to Basics
Jillian Michaels: The Complete Workout for Beginners
Estimated calories burned: 370-460
Equipment: 3- to 5-pound dumbbells and a resistance band (optional)
Why we love it: Michaels makes circuit training effective and easy to follow.
Tester says: "I toned up -- no gym required!" (97 minutes; $24.95 for a two-DVD set; jillianmichaels.com)
6. Best for: Sashaying Away the Pounds
Dance Off the Inches: Sizzling Salsa
Estimated calories burned: 180
Equipment: None
Why we love it: Three routines get hips moving and heart rates soaring.
Tester says: "This was fun and challenging." (55 minutes; $14.98; anchorbayentertainment.com/fitness)
7. Best for: Trimming Your Tummy
10 Minute Solution: Blast Off Belly Fat
Estimated calories burned: 40 (per 10-minute session)
Equipment: None
Why we love it: From Pilates to crunches!
Tester says: "I get bored, so the variety was perfect." (54 minutes; $14.98; anchorbayentertainment.com/fitness)
8. Best for: Burning Mucho Calories
Get Ripped 1,000 with Jari Love
Estimated calories burned: 1,000
Equipment: 10- and 15-pound dumbbells
Why we love it: There's no downtime -- the strength moves and cardio keep you moving nonstop.
Tester says: "It's as intense as some classes I've taken at the gym, but the instructions are clear." (70 minutes; $14.99; jarilove.com)
9. Best for: Getting a Pilates-Perfect Body
Pilates Core Challenge
Estimated calories burned: 225
Equipment: None
Why we love it: It targets your entire core and is friendly enough for beginners, but still challenging for Pilates vets.
Tester says: "There were crazy-hard side planks that worked my whole body." (60 minutes; $14.98; amazon.com)
10. Best for: The Totally Time Starved
Denise Austin: Boot Camp Total Body Blast!
Estimated calories burned: 350
Equipment: 3- to 5-pound dumbbells
Why we love it: You get three great workouts -- cardio, strength, and stretching -- all in 20 minutes or less.
Tester says: "It's like attending an awesome kickboxing class with sports drills thrown in." (50 minutes; $14.95; collagevideo.com)
* Look for trusted names in the world of exercise. There are some fitness instructors who are known for their excellent workouts — Kathy Smith, Billy Blanks, Tracy York, Tamilee Webb, Chris Freytag and The Firm are some names you may want to look out for. If you are a beginning exerciser, Leslie Sansone and Denise Austin are good instructors for you, and so are any of the "For Dummies" series of exercise DVDs. Interested in Yoga? Yoga Journal Step-By-Step DVDs are good, as are DVDs made by a company called Gaiam. The Total Yoga series is also highly recommended. If you're looking for power yoga, Baron Baptiste and Bryan Kest are excellent instructors. When it comes to Pilates, Ana Caban and Rael Isacowitz are top instructors, as is Marie Winsor. When you get a DVD featuring an experienced, well-respected instructor, you'll know you're getting a safe, effective workout. As you become more experienced with home exercise, you can experiment with lesser-known instructors and companies (and you may find some fresh, innovative workouts!) but at the beginning, stick with the big names.
* Make sure you have all the props. If you see an exercise DVD that says it is a "step workout," that means you'll need an aerobic step! Most toning and sculpting DVDs require one or more pairs of . Yoga and Pilates workouts require mats, and some Yoga routines even require blocks, straps and bolsters.icon Other exercise DVDs may require a stability ball or their own special equipment. Take The Firm, for example. The Firm is not just a DVD workout - it's a system that has its own set of props, and every few years, they update the workouts and the props. If you were to just buy the DVDs, you'd probably be disappointed when they arrive because you'd be missing crucial equipment and wouldn't be able to do the workout. The Firm's exercise routines are some of the best out there, but if you're new to the system, instead of buying just the DVDs, make sure you get the accessories along with the workouts. If you make exercising at home a regular part of your life, you will eventually want to get a number of props — several sets of dumbbells, a step (which can double as a weight bench, a mat or two (a thinner, "sticky mat" for yoga and a thicker one for Pilates and ab work), a stability ball and perhaps some exercise bands or tubing. You can find all these items inexpensively around the web (eBay, for example) and combined with your exercise DVDs, you'll have a great home gym.
* Wear the right shoes! Don't pull out last year's running shoes for a cardio dance workout. They don't have enough bounce or ankle support. If you plan on doing a lot of choreographed exercise routines, get a good pair of aerobic shoes. If cardio or aerobic dance is just part of an overall fitness regimen, at least invest in some good quality cross trainers. And if you're exercising 3 to 5 hours a week, you should get new workout shoes every 6 to 12 months. Don't worry — the old ones are still good to wear for casual walks or when you're running errands, so they won't go to waste. But fresh footwear is essential to get the most out of your workouts.
And while we're discussing shoes, we might as well talk about clothing too. Wear comfortable, stretchy clothes. Don't wear jeans, and don't wear outfits that are too tight. And for women, a supportive, no bounce sports bra is a must. Most athletic wear these days is made from a special material that wicks sweat away from your skin. So buy some good quality athletic clothing. It'll make your workout all the more pleasurable.
* Give some real thought to your exercise preferences. And don't try to say that you hate all exercise! Even the most dedicated couch potatoes have some way of moving that moves them. Did you hate sports during your school days? So did I — and I was terrible at them! But I loved dancing and I now enjoy a variety of cardio dance styles. Maybe weight training at the gym didn't do much for you, but there are many DVD instructors who make it fun. There are hip hop exercise DVDs, kickboxing DVDs jump rope DVDs, and many mind-body-spirit exercise DVDs that are about as far from the world of sport as you can get, while still getting your body fit. And of course, there are bootcamp-style workouts for you jocks out there.
So ask yourself: In a perfect world, what would make your body want to get up and move? Start off your home exercise program with that type of workout. Did you say that in a perfect world, you'd be exercising out of doors? Guess what — your home exercise routine can enhance outdoor workouts! A toning DVD that strengthens your legs and teaches you balance will give you skills for hiking. If you love to run in the fresh air, you still need to exercise your upper body. Are you passionate about golf? Exercise at home a few times a week and see how much it improves your game. Exercise DVDs are great supplements to workouts away from home.
* Go for variety. Of course, you'll want to start off by doing your preferred exercise styles. But eventually you'll want to branch out. A good fitness program contains 3 elements: cardio workouts, strength training and flexibility. Make sure you include all of them in your DVD collections. Build your library gradually and when you outgrow a DVD, or find that you've purchased one that is not really for you... well, you can always sell it on eBay!
* Pace yourself. One of the biggest reasons that people give up on their fitness programs is because they go full blast the first few weeks and burn themselves out. If you haven't exercised in a while (if ever), go very easy on yourself. Get beginner's exercise DVDs and do them 2 to 3 times a week on nonconsecutive days. You need to give your body a day's rest between workouts. Here's a fact that most people don't consider: it's not the actual workout itself that creates changes in your body, but the recovery time. The workout stresses your body; the recovery makes it stronger and better. So when you're beginning, allow your body to do its thing and rest between your workouts. When you're more experienced, you'll be able to workout every day, if you so desire — just so long as you work different body parts on consecutive days. For example, you can do a lower body workout DVD one day, yoga the next, then an abdominal routine or an upper body routine the day after. If you listen to your body (instead of your head), you'll know when it needs a rest and when it's raring to go.
* Always have a bottle of water and a towel nearby. They tell you this in a lot of exercise DVDs. Believe the instructor — you will get thirsty and you will sweat. Get the water bottles with the sports tops so you don't risk spilling water all over your living room floor.
* Most of all, have fun! The process of becoming healthy and fit should be a happy one. If you enjoy what you are doing, you're more likely to come back for more. When you're starting out, it may seem a little tough, but find DVDs and instructors who you like, and keep at it. As your body becomes more fit and you start to feel better, you'll begin looking forward to your workouts. People will start telling you how great you look, and they'll want to know what you're doing. Tell them! In fact, don't just tell them — invite them to join you. Fitness is meant to be shared. Even those of us who prefer exercising in the privacy of our own homes can spread the word in our own circle of friends and family.
And here's one final tip for you: stop thinking about exercising and do it! Take action. Every day you put off your exercise program is one more day you put off looking and feeling your best. Start now!
You can do a toning DVD one day, a Yoga DVD the next, and a cardio routine over the weekend. If you only have 10 minutes to fit in a workout, there are DVDs for you. If you have the luxury of spending an hour or more with a flowing Yoga routine, there are DVDs for that too. New to working out? There are beginner's routines. Are you an experienced exerciser? There are lots of DVDs for you. Home workouts give you so much versatility you'll never have to worry about becoming bored. When you're tired of your current DVDs, you can always find something new.
If you're new to the world of home exercise, you're probably a little confused by all the choices you see out there. Exercise DVDs vary widely in quality. They don't always say whether they're for beginning or advanced exercisers. Some workouts require tools and props, like dumbbells, exercise bands or a step. Here are a few tips to help you navigate through all those exercise DVDs and create home workouts that are exactly right for you.
Whether you're in the mood to twist yourself into a pretzel or dance off calories, the options are seemingly limitless. We narrowed down the choices for you, and present our top picks for spring and summer.
1. Best for: Making You Sweat
Amy Bento: Hi/Lo Xtreme
Estimated calories burned: 500
Equipment: None
Why we love it: The tough routines combine aerobics and plyometrics.
Tester says: "Bento offers 10 variations for the perfect workout every time." (67 minutes; $16.95; nrgfitness.net)
2. Best for: Head-to-Toe Sculpting
NYC "A New You Coming"
Estimated calories burned: 470
Equipment: 3- and 5-pound dumbbells and a step (optional)
Why we love it: Instructor Kelly Coffey-Meyer never slows down, so you burn mega calories and hit every muscle group.
Tester says: "Switching from upper-body to lower-body moves makes the routine feel easier." (55 minutes; $20; coffeyfit.com)
3. Best for: Stability-Ball Makeovers
Keli Roberts Time Saver Workouts: A.S.A.P. Abdominals, Spine, and Posture
Estimated calories burned: 140
Equipment: Stability ball
Why we love it: The ball moves target your back, core, and legs.
Tester says: "The opposite arm/leg lift really helped improve my balance." (32 minutes; $14.95; keliroberts.com)
4. Best for: Yoga in a Hurry
Perfect in Ten Yoga
Estimated calories burned: 30 (per 10-minute session)
Equipment: None
Why we love it: You'll feel energized, stronger, and more flexible in minutes.
Tester says: "My posture drastically improved." (60 minutes; $9.99; stratostream.com)
5. Best for: Back to Basics
Jillian Michaels: The Complete Workout for Beginners
Estimated calories burned: 370-460
Equipment: 3- to 5-pound dumbbells and a resistance band (optional)
Why we love it: Michaels makes circuit training effective and easy to follow.
Tester says: "I toned up -- no gym required!" (97 minutes; $24.95 for a two-DVD set; jillianmichaels.com)
6. Best for: Sashaying Away the Pounds
Dance Off the Inches: Sizzling Salsa
Estimated calories burned: 180
Equipment: None
Why we love it: Three routines get hips moving and heart rates soaring.
Tester says: "This was fun and challenging." (55 minutes; $14.98; anchorbayentertainment.com/fitness)
7. Best for: Trimming Your Tummy
10 Minute Solution: Blast Off Belly Fat
Estimated calories burned: 40 (per 10-minute session)
Equipment: None
Why we love it: From Pilates to crunches!
Tester says: "I get bored, so the variety was perfect." (54 minutes; $14.98; anchorbayentertainment.com/fitness)
8. Best for: Burning Mucho Calories
Get Ripped 1,000 with Jari Love
Estimated calories burned: 1,000
Equipment: 10- and 15-pound dumbbells
Why we love it: There's no downtime -- the strength moves and cardio keep you moving nonstop.
Tester says: "It's as intense as some classes I've taken at the gym, but the instructions are clear." (70 minutes; $14.99; jarilove.com)
9. Best for: Getting a Pilates-Perfect Body
Pilates Core Challenge
Estimated calories burned: 225
Equipment: None
Why we love it: It targets your entire core and is friendly enough for beginners, but still challenging for Pilates vets.
Tester says: "There were crazy-hard side planks that worked my whole body." (60 minutes; $14.98; amazon.com)
10. Best for: The Totally Time Starved
Denise Austin: Boot Camp Total Body Blast!
Estimated calories burned: 350
Equipment: 3- to 5-pound dumbbells
Why we love it: You get three great workouts -- cardio, strength, and stretching -- all in 20 minutes or less.
Tester says: "It's like attending an awesome kickboxing class with sports drills thrown in." (50 minutes; $14.95; collagevideo.com)
* Look for trusted names in the world of exercise. There are some fitness instructors who are known for their excellent workouts — Kathy Smith, Billy Blanks, Tracy York, Tamilee Webb, Chris Freytag and The Firm are some names you may want to look out for. If you are a beginning exerciser, Leslie Sansone and Denise Austin are good instructors for you, and so are any of the "For Dummies" series of exercise DVDs. Interested in Yoga? Yoga Journal Step-By-Step DVDs are good, as are DVDs made by a company called Gaiam. The Total Yoga series is also highly recommended. If you're looking for power yoga, Baron Baptiste and Bryan Kest are excellent instructors. When it comes to Pilates, Ana Caban and Rael Isacowitz are top instructors, as is Marie Winsor. When you get a DVD featuring an experienced, well-respected instructor, you'll know you're getting a safe, effective workout. As you become more experienced with home exercise, you can experiment with lesser-known instructors and companies (and you may find some fresh, innovative workouts!) but at the beginning, stick with the big names.
* Make sure you have all the props. If you see an exercise DVD that says it is a "step workout," that means you'll need an aerobic step! Most toning and sculpting DVDs require one or more pairs of . Yoga and Pilates workouts require mats, and some Yoga routines even require blocks, straps and bolsters.icon Other exercise DVDs may require a stability ball or their own special equipment. Take The Firm, for example. The Firm is not just a DVD workout - it's a system that has its own set of props, and every few years, they update the workouts and the props. If you were to just buy the DVDs, you'd probably be disappointed when they arrive because you'd be missing crucial equipment and wouldn't be able to do the workout. The Firm's exercise routines are some of the best out there, but if you're new to the system, instead of buying just the DVDs, make sure you get the accessories along with the workouts. If you make exercising at home a regular part of your life, you will eventually want to get a number of props — several sets of dumbbells, a step (which can double as a weight bench, a mat or two (a thinner, "sticky mat" for yoga and a thicker one for Pilates and ab work), a stability ball and perhaps some exercise bands or tubing. You can find all these items inexpensively around the web (eBay, for example) and combined with your exercise DVDs, you'll have a great home gym.
* Wear the right shoes! Don't pull out last year's running shoes for a cardio dance workout. They don't have enough bounce or ankle support. If you plan on doing a lot of choreographed exercise routines, get a good pair of aerobic shoes. If cardio or aerobic dance is just part of an overall fitness regimen, at least invest in some good quality cross trainers. And if you're exercising 3 to 5 hours a week, you should get new workout shoes every 6 to 12 months. Don't worry — the old ones are still good to wear for casual walks or when you're running errands, so they won't go to waste. But fresh footwear is essential to get the most out of your workouts.
And while we're discussing shoes, we might as well talk about clothing too. Wear comfortable, stretchy clothes. Don't wear jeans, and don't wear outfits that are too tight. And for women, a supportive, no bounce sports bra is a must. Most athletic wear these days is made from a special material that wicks sweat away from your skin. So buy some good quality athletic clothing. It'll make your workout all the more pleasurable.
* Give some real thought to your exercise preferences. And don't try to say that you hate all exercise! Even the most dedicated couch potatoes have some way of moving that moves them. Did you hate sports during your school days? So did I — and I was terrible at them! But I loved dancing and I now enjoy a variety of cardio dance styles. Maybe weight training at the gym didn't do much for you, but there are many DVD instructors who make it fun. There are hip hop exercise DVDs, kickboxing DVDs jump rope DVDs, and many mind-body-spirit exercise DVDs that are about as far from the world of sport as you can get, while still getting your body fit. And of course, there are bootcamp-style workouts for you jocks out there.
So ask yourself: In a perfect world, what would make your body want to get up and move? Start off your home exercise program with that type of workout. Did you say that in a perfect world, you'd be exercising out of doors? Guess what — your home exercise routine can enhance outdoor workouts! A toning DVD that strengthens your legs and teaches you balance will give you skills for hiking. If you love to run in the fresh air, you still need to exercise your upper body. Are you passionate about golf? Exercise at home a few times a week and see how much it improves your game. Exercise DVDs are great supplements to workouts away from home.
* Go for variety. Of course, you'll want to start off by doing your preferred exercise styles. But eventually you'll want to branch out. A good fitness program contains 3 elements: cardio workouts, strength training and flexibility. Make sure you include all of them in your DVD collections. Build your library gradually and when you outgrow a DVD, or find that you've purchased one that is not really for you... well, you can always sell it on eBay!
* Pace yourself. One of the biggest reasons that people give up on their fitness programs is because they go full blast the first few weeks and burn themselves out. If you haven't exercised in a while (if ever), go very easy on yourself. Get beginner's exercise DVDs and do them 2 to 3 times a week on nonconsecutive days. You need to give your body a day's rest between workouts. Here's a fact that most people don't consider: it's not the actual workout itself that creates changes in your body, but the recovery time. The workout stresses your body; the recovery makes it stronger and better. So when you're beginning, allow your body to do its thing and rest between your workouts. When you're more experienced, you'll be able to workout every day, if you so desire — just so long as you work different body parts on consecutive days. For example, you can do a lower body workout DVD one day, yoga the next, then an abdominal routine or an upper body routine the day after. If you listen to your body (instead of your head), you'll know when it needs a rest and when it's raring to go.
* Always have a bottle of water and a towel nearby. They tell you this in a lot of exercise DVDs. Believe the instructor — you will get thirsty and you will sweat. Get the water bottles with the sports tops so you don't risk spilling water all over your living room floor.
* Most of all, have fun! The process of becoming healthy and fit should be a happy one. If you enjoy what you are doing, you're more likely to come back for more. When you're starting out, it may seem a little tough, but find DVDs and instructors who you like, and keep at it. As your body becomes more fit and you start to feel better, you'll begin looking forward to your workouts. People will start telling you how great you look, and they'll want to know what you're doing. Tell them! In fact, don't just tell them — invite them to join you. Fitness is meant to be shared. Even those of us who prefer exercising in the privacy of our own homes can spread the word in our own circle of friends and family.
And here's one final tip for you: stop thinking about exercising and do it! Take action. Every day you put off your exercise program is one more day you put off looking and feeling your best. Start now!
Healthy Snacks
Snacking has become a way of life for both adults and children. A recent study reported that over 95 percent of the women and children in this country have at least one snack each day.
Many common snack foods are high in fat, sugar and sodium. If these foods are used for snacks frequently, they can affect our health.
Snacks can be good for us if we make good choices. Children especially may benefit from healthy snacks. They often cannot eat enough at three meals a day to satisfy their hunger and provide all of the nutrients they need. Snacks can provide the additional foods they need.
Snack Tips
* Plan snacks as a part of the day's food plan.
* When shopping, let children help pick out fruits, vegetables, and cheeses for snacks. They will be more interested in eating these foods if they have been involved in selecting them.
* Set aside a "snack spot" in the refrigerator and cupboard; keep it stocked with nutritious ready-to-eat snacks.
* Offer snacks at regular times, such as midmorning and midafternoon. Don't let children nibble constantly during the day.
* Avoid high sugar, fatty and salty snacks, such as candy and soda pop.
* Snacks are a good way to introduce new foods. Include a game or activity to learn about the new food and let the child help fix it.
* Plan snacks to help meet the suggested number of servings per day from the Food Guide Pyramid: 6 to 11 servings from the breads, cereal, rice and pasta group; 3 to 5 servings from the vegetable group; 2 to 4 servings from the fruit group; 2 to 3 servings from the milk, cheese and yogurt group; and 2 to 3 servings meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts and dry beans group.
* Never offer food as a reward for good behavior.
Simple Healthy Snack Ideas
* Raw vegetables, such as celery, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, green pepper, green beans, cucumbers, mushrooms or zucchini may be served with a lowfat dip.
* Fresh fruit in season, cut in slices or halves, such as apples, oranges, bananas, peaches, grapefruit, grapes, melons, pears, plums or strawberries.
* Lowfat quick breads and muffins, such as pumpkin, zucchini, banana or bran.
* Non-sugared cereals, snack mixes made with popcorn and whole grain cereal.
* Lowfat yogurt with fresh, frozen or canned fruit.
* Shakes with lowfat milk or yogurt and fruit.
* Unsweetened fruit juices.
Many common snack foods are high in fat, sugar and sodium. If these foods are used for snacks frequently, they can affect our health.
Snacks can be good for us if we make good choices. Children especially may benefit from healthy snacks. They often cannot eat enough at three meals a day to satisfy their hunger and provide all of the nutrients they need. Snacks can provide the additional foods they need.
Snack Tips
* Plan snacks as a part of the day's food plan.
* When shopping, let children help pick out fruits, vegetables, and cheeses for snacks. They will be more interested in eating these foods if they have been involved in selecting them.
* Set aside a "snack spot" in the refrigerator and cupboard; keep it stocked with nutritious ready-to-eat snacks.
* Offer snacks at regular times, such as midmorning and midafternoon. Don't let children nibble constantly during the day.
* Avoid high sugar, fatty and salty snacks, such as candy and soda pop.
* Snacks are a good way to introduce new foods. Include a game or activity to learn about the new food and let the child help fix it.
* Plan snacks to help meet the suggested number of servings per day from the Food Guide Pyramid: 6 to 11 servings from the breads, cereal, rice and pasta group; 3 to 5 servings from the vegetable group; 2 to 4 servings from the fruit group; 2 to 3 servings from the milk, cheese and yogurt group; and 2 to 3 servings meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts and dry beans group.
* Never offer food as a reward for good behavior.
Simple Healthy Snack Ideas
* Raw vegetables, such as celery, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, green pepper, green beans, cucumbers, mushrooms or zucchini may be served with a lowfat dip.
* Fresh fruit in season, cut in slices or halves, such as apples, oranges, bananas, peaches, grapefruit, grapes, melons, pears, plums or strawberries.
* Lowfat quick breads and muffins, such as pumpkin, zucchini, banana or bran.
* Non-sugared cereals, snack mixes made with popcorn and whole grain cereal.
* Lowfat yogurt with fresh, frozen or canned fruit.
* Shakes with lowfat milk or yogurt and fruit.
* Unsweetened fruit juices.
Kari Byron
Kari Elizabeth Byron (born December 18, 1974) is a San Francisco-based artist and television personality, best known for her featured role on the Discovery Channel show MythBusters.
Byron graduated from Los Gatos High School and went on to study film and sculpture at San Francisco State University, graduating magna cum laude in May 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film and Sculpture.[2] Byron spent the following year backpacking—mostly in South Asia, including the Himalayas—and was also involved in a number of art projects. She also worked as a secret Martini shopper for a liquor company.[3]
On the show MythBusters, Byron is featured along with fellow Build Team members Tory Belleci and Grant Imahara and also assists co-hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman in testing the plausibility of various myths. She became involved in the show after persistently showing up at Hyneman's M5 Industries workshop in a desire to get hired at his company. On her first day as a paid employee, she was asked by Jamie and MythBusters producer Peter Rees to help out with the "vacuum plane toilet" myth, and she was asked to model her buttocks for a cast: a job which would later have her comment (jokingly) that she was hired "for her butt".[4] She was given a more prominent role in the show starting with its second season. Not having had a long history in show business, at first she found it hard to act naturally with this more visible position but gradually became more used to it.[5]
Art and sculpting are important aspects of her life, and she has claimed that she creates some form of art every day, stating, "I would go crazy if I didn't." Some of her preferred sculpting materials are polymer clay, various found objects, acrylic gouache, wood and metals. Byron showcases some of her art on her personal website [2], and photography from her public exhibit debut Stray Doll in September 2004 is available at Anno Domini.[6] She believes being an artist is a hard career to choose, but has found inspiration in artists such as various SECCA award winners in the past. Preferring to make her audience think, she has had the following to say about her art:
“ I do portraits or I make sculptures exploring my cynical view of contemporary issues. Artists that over-explain their art always take away from my experience as a viewer. I try to let my viewer make their own message. Art becomes more personal if you let yourself become involved. I will always explain my motivations and themes if someone asks but I prefer to hear theirs. ”
Following the success of MythBusters, she still makes sculptures, but she no longer displays them in exhibitions. She felt exposing her inner self through art exhibitions could conflict with the success of MythBusters, with visitors approaching her being more interested in talking about the show than her art. She has also expressed actually enjoying the freedom of working only for herself in this way.[7]
* Byron has made a guest appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman.[4]
* Byron, along with the other Mythbusters build team members, was a guest of the Gen Con gaming convention in Indianapolis, Indiana in 2006 and multi-genre Dragon Con in Atlanta, Georgia in 2006 and 2007. In February 2007 she was a guest at the Portland Rod & Custom Show in Portland, Oregon and in March 2007 she was a guest at I-CON in Long Island, New York.
* Byron has done an interview and photo shoot with popular men's magazine FHM. In the photo shoot, dressed in a red bra and lab coat, Byron recreated the popular "Diet Coke and Mentos" experiment that sparked the Diet Coke and Mentos experiment on the show.[8]
Byron graduated from Los Gatos High School and went on to study film and sculpture at San Francisco State University, graduating magna cum laude in May 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film and Sculpture.[2] Byron spent the following year backpacking—mostly in South Asia, including the Himalayas—and was also involved in a number of art projects. She also worked as a secret Martini shopper for a liquor company.[3]
On the show MythBusters, Byron is featured along with fellow Build Team members Tory Belleci and Grant Imahara and also assists co-hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman in testing the plausibility of various myths. She became involved in the show after persistently showing up at Hyneman's M5 Industries workshop in a desire to get hired at his company. On her first day as a paid employee, she was asked by Jamie and MythBusters producer Peter Rees to help out with the "vacuum plane toilet" myth, and she was asked to model her buttocks for a cast: a job which would later have her comment (jokingly) that she was hired "for her butt".[4] She was given a more prominent role in the show starting with its second season. Not having had a long history in show business, at first she found it hard to act naturally with this more visible position but gradually became more used to it.[5]
Art and sculpting are important aspects of her life, and she has claimed that she creates some form of art every day, stating, "I would go crazy if I didn't." Some of her preferred sculpting materials are polymer clay, various found objects, acrylic gouache, wood and metals. Byron showcases some of her art on her personal website [2], and photography from her public exhibit debut Stray Doll in September 2004 is available at Anno Domini.[6] She believes being an artist is a hard career to choose, but has found inspiration in artists such as various SECCA award winners in the past. Preferring to make her audience think, she has had the following to say about her art:
“ I do portraits or I make sculptures exploring my cynical view of contemporary issues. Artists that over-explain their art always take away from my experience as a viewer. I try to let my viewer make their own message. Art becomes more personal if you let yourself become involved. I will always explain my motivations and themes if someone asks but I prefer to hear theirs. ”
Following the success of MythBusters, she still makes sculptures, but she no longer displays them in exhibitions. She felt exposing her inner self through art exhibitions could conflict with the success of MythBusters, with visitors approaching her being more interested in talking about the show than her art. She has also expressed actually enjoying the freedom of working only for herself in this way.[7]
* Byron has made a guest appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman.[4]
* Byron, along with the other Mythbusters build team members, was a guest of the Gen Con gaming convention in Indianapolis, Indiana in 2006 and multi-genre Dragon Con in Atlanta, Georgia in 2006 and 2007. In February 2007 she was a guest at the Portland Rod & Custom Show in Portland, Oregon and in March 2007 she was a guest at I-CON in Long Island, New York.
* Byron has done an interview and photo shoot with popular men's magazine FHM. In the photo shoot, dressed in a red bra and lab coat, Byron recreated the popular "Diet Coke and Mentos" experiment that sparked the Diet Coke and Mentos experiment on the show.[8]
Ultra Battery
Discharge and charge power of the ultra-battery is approximately 50% higher and its cycle-life is at least three times longer than that of the conventional lead-acid counterpart. Furthermore, the ultra-battery is able to be produced as either flooded-electrolyte or valve-regulated designs in the existing lead-acid factory and also able to reconfigure for a variety of applications, such as conventional automobile, power tool, forklift, high-power uninterruptible power supply and remote-area power supply.
Traditionally, supercapacitor and lead-acid batteries are separate components relying on electronic controllers and complex algorithms to switch power between both units, whereas this newly licensed technology eliminates the need for additional electronic control and multiple energy storage devices.
A breakthrough technology is holding forth the promise of charging electronic gadgets in minutes, never having to replace a battery again, and dropping the cost of hybrid cars. Indeed, the technology has the potential to provide an energy storage device ten times more powerful than even the latest batteries in hybrid cars -- while outliving the vehicle itself.
The new technology, developed at MIT's Laboratory for Electromagnetic and Electronic Systems, should improve ultracapacitors by swapping in carbon nanotubes, thereby greatly increasing the surface area of electrodes and the ability to store energy.
Ultracapacitors, a souped-up version of the capacitors widely used in electronics, have been around for decades. They're well-known for being powerful, that is, able to quickly absorb and release electricity. But they can't store much energy so their stored electricity is depleted in a matter of seconds. As a result, they've been limited to niche applications, such as providing quick bursts of power in some hybrid transit buses.
Now researchers at MIT have found what they believe is a way to improve the endurance of ultracapacitors several-fold -- allowing the devices to retain the power and longevity advantages, while storing about as much energy as the batteries used in hybrids.
The amount of energy ultracapacitors can hold is related to the surface area and conductivity of their electrodes. The researchers have increased surface area by "more than an order of magnitude" by using carbon nanotubes, says Joel Schindall, professor of electrical engineering at MIT and one of the researchers on the project. One square centimeter of conductive plate when coated with the nanotubes has a surface area of about 50,000 square centimeters, compared with 2,000 square centimeters using the carbon in a commercial ultracapacitor today. The highly pure carbon nanotubes are also extremely conductive, which should increase power output over existing ultracapacitors, the researchers say.
The technology may find applications beyond hybrids, too. Ultracapacitors could allow laptops and cell phones to be charged in a minute. And unlike laptop batteries, which start losing their ability to hold a charge after a year or two, they could still be going strong long after the device is obsolete. "Theoretically, there's no process that would cause the [ultracapacitor] to need to be replaced," says professor John Kassakian, another of the researchers.
The main hurdle the new technology is likely to face is not technical but economic. "The nanomaterials are probably a hundred or a thousand times more expensive, today, than the materials that we use," says Michael Sund, spokesperson at Maxwell Technologies, San Diego CA, a maker of commercial ultracapacitors. "The markets that we serve are price-enabled. If our product stored a hundred times more energy, but cost a hundred times more, there might not be any market for it."
However, the MIT researchers hope that over time, and with help from economies of scale, nanotube ultracapacitors can be made for the same cost as batteries.
The next step is to measure the performance of a device using the carbon nanotubes and to grow the nanomaterials on a flexible substrate that can be rolled into a large-scale ultracapacitor.
Traditionally, supercapacitor and lead-acid batteries are separate components relying on electronic controllers and complex algorithms to switch power between both units, whereas this newly licensed technology eliminates the need for additional electronic control and multiple energy storage devices.
A breakthrough technology is holding forth the promise of charging electronic gadgets in minutes, never having to replace a battery again, and dropping the cost of hybrid cars. Indeed, the technology has the potential to provide an energy storage device ten times more powerful than even the latest batteries in hybrid cars -- while outliving the vehicle itself.
The new technology, developed at MIT's Laboratory for Electromagnetic and Electronic Systems, should improve ultracapacitors by swapping in carbon nanotubes, thereby greatly increasing the surface area of electrodes and the ability to store energy.
Ultracapacitors, a souped-up version of the capacitors widely used in electronics, have been around for decades. They're well-known for being powerful, that is, able to quickly absorb and release electricity. But they can't store much energy so their stored electricity is depleted in a matter of seconds. As a result, they've been limited to niche applications, such as providing quick bursts of power in some hybrid transit buses.
Now researchers at MIT have found what they believe is a way to improve the endurance of ultracapacitors several-fold -- allowing the devices to retain the power and longevity advantages, while storing about as much energy as the batteries used in hybrids.
The amount of energy ultracapacitors can hold is related to the surface area and conductivity of their electrodes. The researchers have increased surface area by "more than an order of magnitude" by using carbon nanotubes, says Joel Schindall, professor of electrical engineering at MIT and one of the researchers on the project. One square centimeter of conductive plate when coated with the nanotubes has a surface area of about 50,000 square centimeters, compared with 2,000 square centimeters using the carbon in a commercial ultracapacitor today. The highly pure carbon nanotubes are also extremely conductive, which should increase power output over existing ultracapacitors, the researchers say.
The technology may find applications beyond hybrids, too. Ultracapacitors could allow laptops and cell phones to be charged in a minute. And unlike laptop batteries, which start losing their ability to hold a charge after a year or two, they could still be going strong long after the device is obsolete. "Theoretically, there's no process that would cause the [ultracapacitor] to need to be replaced," says professor John Kassakian, another of the researchers.
The main hurdle the new technology is likely to face is not technical but economic. "The nanomaterials are probably a hundred or a thousand times more expensive, today, than the materials that we use," says Michael Sund, spokesperson at Maxwell Technologies, San Diego CA, a maker of commercial ultracapacitors. "The markets that we serve are price-enabled. If our product stored a hundred times more energy, but cost a hundred times more, there might not be any market for it."
However, the MIT researchers hope that over time, and with help from economies of scale, nanotube ultracapacitors can be made for the same cost as batteries.
The next step is to measure the performance of a device using the carbon nanotubes and to grow the nanomaterials on a flexible substrate that can be rolled into a large-scale ultracapacitor.
Erica Enders
Erica Enders, the popular Pro Stock racer, will reportedly compete full time in the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Erica will be behind the wheel of Jim and Gloria Cunningham's Mastercam Ford Mustang.
Enders will receive technical support from Ford Racing and will begin the season in the same car she drove when she filled in for Cunningham earlier this year at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals.
"After personally seeing Erica's incredible fan base and how she conducted herself with the fans and in the car at Indy, we asked her to drive for Jim next year, and she agreed to race with us," said Cunningham Motorsports crew chief Marcus Bowen. "She did an outstanding job driving our car and produced four outstanding runs. We are pleased to have her driving the car and marketing Cunningham Motorsports and Ford."
Enders, 25, is already the most successful female racer in class history with the most races entered, most final-round showings, most low-qualifier awards, and most round-wins.
After several meetings with Brian Wolfe, director of Ford Racing, and Doug Hervey, operations manager of Ford Racing North America, as well as several others from the Ford Racing Technology group, the Cunninghams have agreed to fully fund the program until appropriate corporate funding can be found.
The plan is to take the current A500 Pro Stock cylinder block and E460 cylinder head and make some much-needed revisions to the current tooling used to cast these parts in an effort to drastically improve their current powerplant. In addition to this project, Ford Racing has approved engine-block and cylinder-head development of its Ford engine. The new combination is being tested internally at Ford Racing Technology and could be available to Cunningham Motorsports in late 2009.
In addition to the engine-development program, decorated chassis builder Don Ness has been contracted to design a '10 Ford Mustang Pro Stock body. In support of Ness' work, Ford aero engineers have already scheduled multiple wind-tunnel sessions to bring the Mustang body to appropriate levels for Pro Stock competition. Cunningham Motorsports plans to take delivery of the first '10 Mustang in spring 2009.
The 25-year-old Enders already is the most successful female racer in class history with the most races entered, most final-round showings, most low-qualifier awards, and most round-wins. No female racer has ever won a Pro Stock race.
Enders is perhaps best known for the Disney Channel movie Right on Track, which chronicles her and sister Courtney's time in the Jr. Dragster ranks. It remains one of the most viewed movies in Disney Channel history.
The first public appearances of Enders and the Cunningham Motorsports/Mastercam Ford Mustang GT Pro Stock will be at the Ford Racing booth throughout the PRI Show Dec. 11-13 in Orlando, Fla.
Enders will receive technical support from Ford Racing and will begin the season in the same car she drove when she filled in for Cunningham earlier this year at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals.
"After personally seeing Erica's incredible fan base and how she conducted herself with the fans and in the car at Indy, we asked her to drive for Jim next year, and she agreed to race with us," said Cunningham Motorsports crew chief Marcus Bowen. "She did an outstanding job driving our car and produced four outstanding runs. We are pleased to have her driving the car and marketing Cunningham Motorsports and Ford."
Enders, 25, is already the most successful female racer in class history with the most races entered, most final-round showings, most low-qualifier awards, and most round-wins.
After several meetings with Brian Wolfe, director of Ford Racing, and Doug Hervey, operations manager of Ford Racing North America, as well as several others from the Ford Racing Technology group, the Cunninghams have agreed to fully fund the program until appropriate corporate funding can be found.
The plan is to take the current A500 Pro Stock cylinder block and E460 cylinder head and make some much-needed revisions to the current tooling used to cast these parts in an effort to drastically improve their current powerplant. In addition to this project, Ford Racing has approved engine-block and cylinder-head development of its Ford engine. The new combination is being tested internally at Ford Racing Technology and could be available to Cunningham Motorsports in late 2009.
In addition to the engine-development program, decorated chassis builder Don Ness has been contracted to design a '10 Ford Mustang Pro Stock body. In support of Ness' work, Ford aero engineers have already scheduled multiple wind-tunnel sessions to bring the Mustang body to appropriate levels for Pro Stock competition. Cunningham Motorsports plans to take delivery of the first '10 Mustang in spring 2009.
The 25-year-old Enders already is the most successful female racer in class history with the most races entered, most final-round showings, most low-qualifier awards, and most round-wins. No female racer has ever won a Pro Stock race.
Enders is perhaps best known for the Disney Channel movie Right on Track, which chronicles her and sister Courtney's time in the Jr. Dragster ranks. It remains one of the most viewed movies in Disney Channel history.
The first public appearances of Enders and the Cunningham Motorsports/Mastercam Ford Mustang GT Pro Stock will be at the Ford Racing booth throughout the PRI Show Dec. 11-13 in Orlando, Fla.
Now and Then
Now and Then is a 1995 film directed by Lesli Linka Glatter and starring Demi Moore, Melanie Griffith, Rosie O'Donnell and Rita Wilson. It was filmed largely in Statesboro, Georgia, highlighting the downtown area and Louisville, Kentucky.
The film tells the story of four friends that have been busy with their lives until an important event reunites them in their home town of Shelby, Indiana. Most of the film, however, is a flashback to the summer of 1970, in which the four 12-year-old girls (played by Christina Ricci, Thora Birch, Gaby Hoffmann and Ashleigh Aston Moore) divide their time between gathering money to buy a treehouse in search for "independence" and investigating a local mystery. Both happy and unfortunate events occur, which help them realize they're growing up. Once they achieve their goal and buy the treehouse they make a promise to be there for one another.
"Sam" Albertson
Sam (Gaby Hoffman/Demi Moore) is the sci-fi-loving, curious oddball in the group. She likes anything paranormal and often convinces the others to have seances in the graveyard. She is the unofficial leader and tries to stand up for what's right. She lives with her mother and younger sister Angela. She finds out after her father leaves that her parents are getting a divorce, which disturbs her, and then her mother goes out with another man, Bud Kent. She later grows up to be a science fiction author who smokes. Her colors are red and black. She is close to Teeny.
Roberta Martin
Roberta (Christina Ricci/Rosie O'Donnell) is the playful, daring tomboy of the group. She loves sports and games. She lives with her father and 3 older brothers and her golden retriever. Her mother Catherine died in a car crash (which her father lied about) when Roberta was 4 years old. She was traumatized and always carries a picture of her mother with her wherever she goes. She does dangerous things like faking her death to make death seem funny, to make it easier for herself. She hates acting like a girl and tries to hide her sexuality by taping her breasts. She at first dislikes Scott Wormer (oldest brother of the girls' rivals, the Wormer brothers) but they later kiss. She grows up to be a softball coach and a doctor- in fact, Chrissy's doctor and delivers her baby. Her colors are green and brown. She is also close to Chrissy.
Chrissy DeWitt
Chrissy, (Ashleigh Aston Moore/Rita Wilson) a naive, caring, conservative sheltered girl. Her mother hides a lot of things from her, and when Chrissy asks her what sex is, she compares it to gardening, which confuses her a little (and also makes her obsessed with gardening in her adult years). She hates to get dirty, cussing, and playing rough games. She lives with her parents, but it's unknown if she has siblings. She was about to save Roberta's life when she fooled them into thinking she had drowned, and was so upset when she found out, she punched Roberta and showed true backbone. She grows up to be a housewife, mother, and wife to Morton Williams (a dentist) who used to be the nerdy kid who adored Chrissy in their youth. Her colors are pink and white. She is close to Roberta.
Tina "Teeny" Tercell
Tina (Thora Birch/Melanie Griffith) is precocious, immature, and an incredibly big flirt. She is fixated on boys and not afraid to show off her sexuality. She wishes she had bigger breasts, so she puts pudding-filled balloons in her bra and then admits to receiving breast implants as an adult. Teeny also loves attention, especially from boys. She lives with her parents but they are rich country clubbers, so they are rarely around, and according to Sam, that's a "typical upbringing for actors and pathological liars". She grows to be an actress who is married 3 times (the first marriage is annulled). Teeny's colors are blue and orange. She is close to Sam.
The film tells the story of four friends that have been busy with their lives until an important event reunites them in their home town of Shelby, Indiana. Most of the film, however, is a flashback to the summer of 1970, in which the four 12-year-old girls (played by Christina Ricci, Thora Birch, Gaby Hoffmann and Ashleigh Aston Moore) divide their time between gathering money to buy a treehouse in search for "independence" and investigating a local mystery. Both happy and unfortunate events occur, which help them realize they're growing up. Once they achieve their goal and buy the treehouse they make a promise to be there for one another.
"Sam" Albertson
Sam (Gaby Hoffman/Demi Moore) is the sci-fi-loving, curious oddball in the group. She likes anything paranormal and often convinces the others to have seances in the graveyard. She is the unofficial leader and tries to stand up for what's right. She lives with her mother and younger sister Angela. She finds out after her father leaves that her parents are getting a divorce, which disturbs her, and then her mother goes out with another man, Bud Kent. She later grows up to be a science fiction author who smokes. Her colors are red and black. She is close to Teeny.
Roberta Martin
Roberta (Christina Ricci/Rosie O'Donnell) is the playful, daring tomboy of the group. She loves sports and games. She lives with her father and 3 older brothers and her golden retriever. Her mother Catherine died in a car crash (which her father lied about) when Roberta was 4 years old. She was traumatized and always carries a picture of her mother with her wherever she goes. She does dangerous things like faking her death to make death seem funny, to make it easier for herself. She hates acting like a girl and tries to hide her sexuality by taping her breasts. She at first dislikes Scott Wormer (oldest brother of the girls' rivals, the Wormer brothers) but they later kiss. She grows up to be a softball coach and a doctor- in fact, Chrissy's doctor and delivers her baby. Her colors are green and brown. She is also close to Chrissy.
Chrissy DeWitt
Chrissy, (Ashleigh Aston Moore/Rita Wilson) a naive, caring, conservative sheltered girl. Her mother hides a lot of things from her, and when Chrissy asks her what sex is, she compares it to gardening, which confuses her a little (and also makes her obsessed with gardening in her adult years). She hates to get dirty, cussing, and playing rough games. She lives with her parents, but it's unknown if she has siblings. She was about to save Roberta's life when she fooled them into thinking she had drowned, and was so upset when she found out, she punched Roberta and showed true backbone. She grows up to be a housewife, mother, and wife to Morton Williams (a dentist) who used to be the nerdy kid who adored Chrissy in their youth. Her colors are pink and white. She is close to Roberta.
Tina "Teeny" Tercell
Tina (Thora Birch/Melanie Griffith) is precocious, immature, and an incredibly big flirt. She is fixated on boys and not afraid to show off her sexuality. She wishes she had bigger breasts, so she puts pudding-filled balloons in her bra and then admits to receiving breast implants as an adult. Teeny also loves attention, especially from boys. She lives with her parents but they are rich country clubbers, so they are rarely around, and according to Sam, that's a "typical upbringing for actors and pathological liars". She grows to be an actress who is married 3 times (the first marriage is annulled). Teeny's colors are blue and orange. She is close to Sam.
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