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SAN FRANCISCO — Max Levchin is not easily distracted from his work.
A few years ago, Mr. Levchin, one of the young princes of Silicon Valley, bought his first home, a 12-room Edwardian high atop a hill here, for $3.4 million. But Mr. Levchin, who made a fortune at age 27 selling PayPal, the online payment service he helped start in 1998, never moved in. He sold it two years later without having slept there for even one night.
Since then, Mr. Levchin has moved into his second home, a more expensive one found for him by Nellie Minkova, his girlfriend of eight years who has become his fiancée. But so consumed is he by work on his second company, an Internet start-up focused on sharing photos and videos, that the cartons that contain what Mr. Levchin described as "85 percent of my worldly possessions" are still stacked in his living room, five months after moving day.
Mr. Levchin, who is now 32, is typical of a new generation of junior titans in Silicon Valley who might be called the prematurely rich — techies worth tens of millions of dollars, sometimes more, at an age when many others are just starting to figure out what to do with their lives.
The Internet, a low-overhead medium with a global reach, has greatly accelerated the wealth creation phenomenon, producing a larger breed of multimillionaires even younger and richer than in the past.
They are happy to be wealthy, of course, but many of these baby-faced technology tycoons often seem indifferent to the buying power of their money, at least at this stage of their lives. Instead, nearly all of them have chosen to throw themselves back into a start-up, not so much because they want a spectacular new home or a personal jet — though many of them do — but because they are in a competition with themselves and one another.
"For most of us, doing it again means surpassing what we've done previously," said Peter A. Thiel, Mr. Levchin's partner at PayPal, who also has started a new business, a hedge fund called Clarium Capital. "And that can be a really high bar."
Even among this jittery group of overachievers, Mr. Levchin stands out. In part that is because outdoing PayPal may be an all-but-impossible goal. Mr. Levchin acknowledges that he has already earned more money than he could ever spend. But he said he would not consider Slide.com, the photo and video sharing site he founded in 2005 that is still in its start-up phase, a success unless it is ultimately worth, in real dollars, "at least $1.54 billion"— the price eBay paid for PayPal.
"Otherwise," he asked rhetorically, "what have I learned?"
During his PayPal days, Mr. Levchin was so committed to seeing the company succeed that he often sacked out at the office in a sleeping bag he kept under his desk. Considering that he described his apartment during some of this time as "scary," that had a certain logic. Cardboard boxes served as his living room furniture; a discarded computer desk was his dining room table.
These days, despite the phenomenal success of PayPal, which gave him the bulk of a fortune worth around $100 million, Mr. Levchin continues to work an average of 15 to 18 hours a day.
"We occasionally go out to eat, he sleeps a few hours, he works out," Ms. Minkova said. "But other than that, Max works."
Ms. Minkova half-joked that she might appreciate her occasional evenings out with Mr. Levchin more, if only he were not on his BlackBerry, answering e-mail messages and checking his Web site.
One friend, Dennis Fong, who sold a company to MTV Networks last year for $102 million (and is already at work on a new start-up), talks about the "weird growling sound" that Mr. Levchin tends to make when someone even mentions the name of his chief rival, RockYou.
And so committed is Mr. Levchin to seeing Slide.com succeed that he keeps a blood-pressure monitor on his desk. "I don't know what I would do if I couldn't start companies," he said. "I'd probably think about slitting my wrists."
Wealthy at a Young Age
Maximillian Rafael Levchin was born and raised in Kiev, Ukraine, a Jew living under Soviet rule for 16 years. As the Soviet Union was crumbling, the family moved to the United States and settled in Chicago. But the worst year of his life, he said, was not when he was growing up but after eBay bought PayPal.
He thought he would spend the time after the sale "exploring my inner self." Instead, he spent the better part of 12 months "feeling worthless and stupid" and baffled by what he might do with the remainder of his life. He felt too young to retire or downshift a gear or two — and too restless to become a philanthropist.
"I enjoy sitting on nice beaches and hanging out with my girlfriend and playing with my dog, but that's three hours a day," Mr. Levchin said. "What about the remaining 18 hours I'm awake?"
At first, free time was not much of a problem. Coming into a lot of money at a very young age, Mr. Levchin found himself forced to ponder things like irrevocable trusts and secondary beneficiaries. Several times a week, he would listen to the gentle hectoring of older, well-dressed men and women whom he playfully mimicked, employing a basso profondo, game-show announcer's voice.
"Think of the kids you don't have," Mr. Levchin quoted them as saying. "Think of your unborn grandkids."
As those obligations of his new wealth subsided, Mr. Levchin contemplated what he might do next. For a time, Mr. Levchin, a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, thought about returning to school and earning a doctorate. That is what his mother, a physicist, had always wanted him to do, and it seemed to suit his temperament.
But discussions with a friend who teaches computer science at Stanford convinced him that academia was not the life for him. "This friend said, 'Don't kid yourself, you're going to start another company,'" Mr. Levchin said. "It was one of those things where as soon as he said it, I knew it was true."
He thought, too, about becoming a venture capitalist or an angel investor, a well-paved path for generations of entrepreneurs before him. Sequoia Capital, one of Silicon Valley's top venture firms, gave him a desk to use while he figured out his next step. The partners at Sequoia would regularly invite him to join pitch meetings, but that experience taught him that he was hardly suited to the more nurturing side of the profession.
"I took this perverse pleasure in seeing if I could make someone cry," he said.
At Sequoia, Mr. Levchin met James Hong, another successful entrepreneur who today is one of his closest friends.
"We'd go out drinking, and Max'd talk about how miserable he was, and I'd talk about how miserable I was," said Mr. Hong, who was 27 when he and a friend started HotOrNot, a Web site popular with the under-30 crowd.
Mr. Levchin added, "We were both pretty pathetic."
While not nearly as rich as Mr. Levchin, Mr. Hong describes himself as well off enough so that work is optional. He was collecting more than $1 million a year from HotOrNot, a project he and his partner had created in seven days and which demanded little of his time.
"All of a sudden, you have the luxury — or the curse — of being able to ponder the meaning of life," Mr. Hong said. "You ask yourself, 'Why am I not happier given how lucky I've been?'"
Only later did Mr. Hong diagnose the real source of his angst: he was not doing much of anything. So like most of his peers, Mr. Hong decided to throw himself back into work, in his case refocusing on HotOrNot in the hopes of transforming the Web site into a larger business.
In Silicon Valley, said Robert I. Sutton, a professor of management science and engineering at Stanford and co-founder of the Stanford Technology Ventures Program, remaining relevant, if not also admired and respected, requires that an entrepreneur continue to speed along in the fast lane.
"In other parts of the country, things like a great estate are the symbols people most respect," Mr. Sutton said. "But here, the greatest status symbol is a person's ability," he added, to "still bring out hot new companies" and show that you are "working on the hot new technologies."
Some, of course, choose to step off the start-up merry-go-round. Pierre Omidyar, 40, the founder of eBay, remains chairman of that company, but he gave up the day-to-day operations in the late 1990s. Since that time, Mr. Omidyar, who has a net worth of $9 billion, has devoted most of his work energies to philanthropic causes and investments in projects in the United States and in the developing world.
Mr. Levchin concluded that his competitive drive was too strong for that kind of life. During his time off, he competed with Mr. Hong over who was the more frugal of the two and challenged him to push-up contests at the gym. "No matter how many I'd do," Mr. Hong said, "he'd have to do that many plus two."
So Mr. Levchin did what any young titan in his position might have done. He dipped into his deep reserves of cash to pay for a large loft space and hired a half dozen of the smartest computer programmers he knew.
"I knew I wanted to be a C.E.O.," Mr. Levchin said. "I just didn't know the C.E.O. of what."
Readying for the 'Next Race'
Mr. Levchin proved vigorous in his pursuit of the right start-up. There are those in Silicon Valley who still create new companies out of a desire to crack a challenging technical problem. But not Mr. Levchin, who, like many of the area's most highly regarded software engineers nowadays, views himself as the creator of potentially lucrative businesses more than simply the architect of a nifty new technology.
"It's easier to start the next company than it was in the past," said Marc Andreessen, who was a co-founder of Netscape Communications in 1994, when he was 22. It is also potentially more lucrative than it was even a dozen years ago, said Mr. Andreessen, who despite a net worth estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars is now at work on his third start-up, a social networking company called Ning.
"For the first time in history, you have a global market of 1 billion-plus people, all connected over an interactive network," Mr. Andreessen said. "The opportunities are bigger than ever before."
A site for sharing photos and video was not necessarily Mr. Levchin's favorite among the dozen or so ideas he pondered. But he chose Slide.com precisely because he thought it had the greatest potential to become a business that could surpass PayPal in size and reach.
In 2005, when he started Slide, the Internet already had plenty of popular photo-sharing sites, but Mr. Levchin saw a new way to cash in on the desire of so many to express themselves in cyberspace: a service that gives people an easy way to dress up their blogs and personal pages with photo slide shows, videos and the like.
Facebook users, for instance, use Slide-produced playthings like its multimedia "FunWall" or the "SuperPoke" widgets that let them hug or punch a fellow member (figuratively speaking) or even throw a virtual sheep at someone (as apparently 20,000 people an hour choose to do, according to Slide).
More than 130 million people viewed at least one Slide multimedia presentation in June, according to the Internet traffic monitor ComScore.
"I'd run any company; it's completely irrelevant to me," Mr. Levchin said. "It's really about this drive to win."
Yet what Mr. Levchin calls "my particular brand of obsession" comes with a cost. He wishes he gave more to charity, but he can never seem to find the time. "It's pathetic how much I give compared to other people I know worth considerably less," he said. And his desire to earn even more means he pays little attention to the wealth he already has in the bank.
"This 'next race' attitude really shapes your brain," Mr. Levchin said. "It's 'Ready, set, go,' and nothing else really matters."
The three-story, five-bedroom house he shares with Ms. Minkova cost him $5.3 million, but it seems to be his only big post-PayPal indulgence.
Indeed, Mr. Levchin has not splurged on the pricey luxuries that some other Silicon Valley luminaries enjoy. Those twin kings of the Valley's under-35 set — Google's co-founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, with a combined net worth of more than $40 billion — have splurged on a fully loaded customized Boeing 767-200. But for Mr. Levchin, there is no six-figure car parked in his driveway, and dinners out tend to be at chain eateries rather than at high-end restaurants.
"Spending money is a fine pursuit, and anyone's welcome to do it," said Scott Banister, a close friend of Mr. Levchin's since college who recently sold an antispam company to Cisco for $830 million and is now working on a social networking site, Zivity, which he describes as a "cross between Playboy and American Idol."
"But then obviously at that point, you're spending," he said, "not producing."


text:
Hi, I think I already asked this before, but I can't remember the answer, nor can I find the particular post I asked this question.
So here goes again...
I have an old laptop. Toshiba Satellite 4070CDS.
This laptop has no build in network interface, but it does have 2 pcmcia slots.
I have an old Xircom Creditcard Ethernet 10/100+ Modem 56 card
and a newer Sweex Lan Adapter PC Card 10/100
Since the Xircom is a very flat card, the Sweex fits in the above pcmcia slot.
I installed Freesco 036 on the laptop with the pcmcia package, but only the Xircom is recognized at 0x300 IRQ3.
The Sweex card is not seen at although the "speed led" is lighting up after Freesco finishes booting.
now for the million dollar question...
Is it possible at all to have 2 pcmcia card running at the same time in the same machine?

subset: commoncrawl


text:
From the Manufacturer:
This aromatic mist contains Pure Essential Oils to enliven the atmosphere of any room, refresh linens or balance your living environment in a safe, healthy way.
Tranquility – Lavender is one the most versatile and highly regarded Essential Oils. Known for its calming and healing benefits, it has a pure aroma that is floral yet herbal.


text:
Halloween Printables
Free Halloween Treat Bag Printables
Halloween Printables
Have you ever thought of using printables for this Halloween day, If you haven`t then this your chance? Yes, you may find it boring and uninteresting, but for those who are serious about designing stuff themselves, for them making the use of these Halloween printables is one of the better options available.
Making Use Of The Halloween Printables
The use of these Halloween printables can be very good. How does it work? Well, you choose the design that suits you the most. Now, obviously, printables are customizable only in terms of designing. So, download these printables and get a hard copy of them. You can normally print it, or you can use sticker paper to make things easier. Then color yourself or design these printables with all the different colors as per your choice and then make these completely designed printables ready for use at your Halloween party.
This is surely something new and goes out of the line. So, obviously, it will be eye catching. But, it does need a lot of imagination and patience of time as well to design these printables perfectly. If you need some help with the layouts of these printables, you can go through all the different images on this page and the other relevant pages shown below.


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Wisconsin 14 Named NEA 2011 Friend of Education
June 02, 2011
By Cynthia McCabe
Delegates to the 2011 NEA RA gave a fired-up, emotional welcome to the 14 Democratic state senators from Wisconsin who stalled Gov. Scott Walker from passing an anti-worker budget bill. The 'Wisconsin 14' are NEA's 2011 Friend of Education Award winners.
Throughout the struggle in Wisconsin, while crowds in the state capitol swelled to as many as 100,000 in protest of Walker's attack on the middle class, the Wisconsin 14 remained in Illinois for three weeks. They were isolated from the energy of the movement and facing near-constant threat of arrest. But they returned only after the Republican-controlled Senate made a late-night maneuver and passed Walker's bill.
They got their thanks in person on Saturday, as NEA delegates brought the spirit of the Wisconsin public workers' movement into the RA convention hall, holding "Thank You 14" signs, wearing T-shirts bearing their nickname and chanting "Thank you!, "We are one!" and "This is what democracy looks like!"
The Wisconsin 14's stand became a focal point for the workers' movement not only in Wisconsin, but across the country.
"The courage these senators exhibited during those long, cold weeks in February and March did not go unnoticed," said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. "Those of us who educate America's children will always be grateful for their friendship, their bravery and their willingness to stand strong for public education and working families."
Many of the Democratic lawmakers—Tim Carpenter, Spencer Coggs, Tim Cullen, Jon Erpenbach, Dave Hansen, Jim Holperin, Robert Jauch, Chris Larson, Julie Lassa, Fred Risser, Lena Taylor, Kathleen Vinehout, Robert Wirch and minority leader Mark Miller—took the convention center stage at Chicago's McCormick Place convention center.


text:
Power Stop KOE2949 Rear Z16 Autospecialty Daily Driver OE Brake Kit for 06-10 Jeep Grand Cherokee WK SRT8
Quadratec Part #: 56215.4225
Power Stop Part #: KOE2949
Autospecialty OE Replacement brake kits include a complete set of Autospecialty OE Replacement Brake rotors and high performance Evolution ceramic pads. If you need a fast, easy and affordable solution for better braking, then you need a Autospecialty OE Replacement 1-Click Brake Kit.
- Brake kits match the right pad and rotor combination for faster stops.
- Includes Power Stop Evolution Ceramic Brake Pads to provide more pad bite without noise or dust.
- You'll spend less money on these kits than a dealer charges for stock brakes!
- Features: Cast Iron, Ceramic, Rear
- Color: Silver
- Shipping Weight: 53lb
- Shipping Dimensions: 14in x 14in x 12in (L x W x H)
Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK)
- 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK)
- 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK)
- 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK)
- 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK)
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Share Your Thoughts
- Shared By Others
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- Ask a Question
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Review Summary
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text:
Maple pears with pecans & cranberries
Nutrition and extra info
Nutrition: per serving
- kcal208
- fat9g
- saturates1g
- carbs32g
- sugars9g
- fibre4g
- protein2g
- salt0g
- 4 ripe pears
Like apples, to which they are related, pears come in thousands of varieties, of which only a…
- handful dried cranberries
A tart, ruby-red coloured berry which grows wild on shrubs throughout northern Europe and North…
- 2 tbsp maple syrup, plus extra to serve
Maple syrupmay-pul sir-rup
The rising spring sap of a number of varieties of maple tree…
- 50g/2oz pecan nuts, broken roughly
Related to the walnut, pecans are native to America, and grow enclosed in a glossy, browny-red…
- Greek yogurt, to serve
Peel and halve the pears and scoop out the core with a teaspoon. Lay the halves in a shallow microwaveable dish, cut side down, along with the cranberries. Pour 2 tbsp of the maple syrup over and cover with cling film. Microwave on High for 3 mins until softened, stirring halfway through. Uncover and leave to cool for a few mins. Stir the pecan nuts through the syrup.
Spoon into serving dishes, drizzle extra maple syrup, if you like, and serve with yogurt.
Recipe Tip
Making it full of fibre or for breakfastAdd whole stoned prunes and dried apricots along with the dried cranberries. To make it for breakfast, cool the pears in the fridge overnight, then serve with muesli or crunchy oat cereal and spoonfuls of yogurt.


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Previous Lesson
Complete and continue
Complete Fingerstyle Hymns Resource
Important! Read and watch this first
How does the interactive TAB work? (3:15)
Prerequisite: How To Read TAB
1. What do these lines mean? (2:05)
2. Which fingers do I use? (2:11)
3. What do all these symbols mean? (5:16)
4. Now Let's Read the TABs for All To Jesus I Surrender (13:33)
Foundational Fingerstyle: The most important foundational ideas
1. Where do I start?
2. How should I hold the guitar?
3. How should I position my left hand?
4. What should I do with my right hand?
5. Some other very important ideas before you start
Foundational Fingerstyle: Rhythm and syncing with the metronome
1. Why do I need to learn this?
2. The visual way I think about rhythm
3. How you can start syncing quarter notes and 8th notes
4. Why subdivide into 16th notes?
5. What metronome can I use?
Foundational Fingerstyle: Technique builder
1. PIMA Pattern: Exercises
2. PIMA Pattern: Etude
3. The first workout: Exercises to build technique
4. The first workout breakdown
5. The ultimate finger independence exercise
6. PIMIAMIM Pattern: Very useful for accompaniment style
7. PAMIAMIA Pattern
8. The arpeggiate technique
9. The proper barre chord technique
10. The rolling technique
11. Subdividing into 16ths
12. The rest stroke technique
13. String skipping bass notes: PPIM pattern
14. Using the left thumb to play bass notes: PPIM Pattern/As The Deer chords
15. Putting it all together: the idea of overlapping sounds
Foundational Fingerstyle: Song overviews and understanding the how and the why
1. Playing in the Key Of C Concepts
2. Higher Ground Overview
3. Be Thou My Vision Overview
4. Were You There Overview
5. Just As I Am
Fingerstyle Hymns Interactive TAB Volume 1
1. Amazing Grace
2. And Can It Be
3. Be Thou My Vision
4. Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing
5. Crown Him With Many Crowns
6. Holy Holy Holy
7. How Firm A Foundation
8. Jesus Paid It All
9. Take My Life And Let It Be
10. There Is A Name I Love To Hear
Fingerstyle Hymns Interactive TAB Volume 2
1. Alas And Did My Saviour Bleed
2. Blessed Assurance
3. Fairest Lord Jesus
4. In The Garden
5. Praise To The Lord The Almighty
6. Softly And Tenderly
7. To God Be The Glory
8. Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
9. What A Friend We Have In Jesus
10. When I Survey The Wondrous Cross
Fingerstyle Hymns Interactive TAB Volume 3
1. All Hail The Power Of Jesus' Name
2. All To Jesus I Surrender
3. Battle Hymn Of The Republic
4. Christ The Lord Is Risen Today
5. Higher Ground
6. I Need Thee Every Hour
7. Nearer My God To Thee
8. 'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus
9. Trust And Obey
10. Were You There
Fingerstyle Hymns Interactive TAB Volume 4
1. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
2. Be Still My Soul
3. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
4. I Stand Amazed (My Saviour's Love)
5. Just As I Am
6. My Jesus I Love Thee
7. Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
8. Rock Of Ages
9. The Solid Rock
10. There Is A Fountain
Fingerstyle Hymns Interactive TAB Volume 5: Christmas Arrangements I
1. Angels We Have Heard On High
2. Away In A Manger
3. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
4. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
5. O Come All Ye Faithful
6. O Holy Night
7. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
8. Silent Night
9. The First Noel
10. We Three Kings
Fingerstyle Hymns Interactive TAB Volume 6
1. Are You Washed In The Blood
2. Count Your Blessings
3. Have Thine Own Way
4. I Am Thine
5. Leaning On The Everlasting Arms
6. Love Lifted Me
7. Nothing But The Blood
8. O Worship The King
9. Standing On The Promises
10. When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder
TAB or Sheet music downloads
Album MP3 Downloads
Help me make this resource better
6. O Holy Night
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text:
VANCOUVER -- Nearly three years after drunken Canucks hockey fans razed parts of downtown Vancouver, authorities say 298 people have now been charged as the massive investigation winds down.
In its first media update since Feb. 20, the Criminal Justice Branch said it only has to decide whether to charge two more alleged rioters forwarded by Vancouver police, which is still pursuing one or two more suspects.
"We made a commitment that we would make sure that we did everything we possibly could to provide the best evidence to Crown to prosecute," said VPD spokesman Const. Brian Montague.
The VPD used terabytes of video and photo evidence culled from social media and CCTV footage of June 15, 2011 to recommend 880 criminal charges against 364 people. Crown agreed to charge 298.
Five new alleged rioters included in Friday's update are Tauseef Merchant, Arian Shamei, Dylan Toxopeus and Robert William Harrison who were all charged with participating in a riot and mischief.
Merchant was also charged with arson, Toxopeus was charged with theft and along with Shamei faces break and enter charges, while Harrison was also charged with assault.
Conrad Vickerson faces one charge each for rioting and breaking and entering.
Of those charged, 259 have pleaded guilty, including every one of the many young offenders, according to the Criminal Justice Branch. So far, five have gone to trial, where four were convicted in the beating of Good Samaritan Robert MacKay. Ioannis Kangles was acquitted in that trial after a judge found reasonable doubt as to his actions that night.
Ioannis and one acquitted after a includes all young persons who were charged.
Of those convicted, 226 have been sentenced and one trial is scheduled to continue in B.C. Supreme Court July 16.
The VPD now has two officers dedicated to the investigation, down from its height of 60 members when it was an integrated unit, Montague said. However if someone thinks they know of a rioter who hasn't been charged, police will continue to track down tips as there is no statute of limitations on the crime of participating in a riot, he added.
Montague said officers quelled the 2011 riot much faster than the city's other hockey riot in 1994, but the department learned many valuable lessons from the destruction three years ago.
"If you look at the scale of the event the fact that there was no loss of life was an accomplishment," Montague said.
Follow me: @MikePHager


text:
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has made available a security toolkit in an effort to help organizations better adhere to HIPAA compliance mandates.
"The NIST HIPAA Security Toolkit Application is intended to help organizations better understand the requirements of the HIPAA Security Rule, implement those requirements, and assess those implementations in their operational environment," the NIST states.
The toolkit is designed to provide guidance for not only covered entities, but their business associates and any other entity impacted by federal HIPAA compliance requirements.
"Target users include, but are not limited to, HIPAA covered entities, business associates, and other organizations such as those providing HIPAA Security Rule implementation, assessment, and compliance services. Target user organizations can range in size from large nationwide health plans with vast information technology (IT) resources to small health care providers with limited access to IT expertise," NIST continued.
Toolkits are provided for download at no cost, and are available for multiple operating systems:
- Microsoft Windows Released: 11/21/2011 Download: Setup_HSR_Toolkit.exe
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Released: 11/21/2011 Download: HSRToolkit-1.0-1.noarch.rpm
- Apple Mac OS Released: 11/21/2011 Download: HSRToolkit.dmg
Support is also available from NIST for the implementation and use of the HIPAA toolkit:
- The HIPAA Security Rule Toolkit User Guide explains how to use the toolkit.
- The install guide addresses how to install the toolkit for each supported operating system.
- Questions about the NIST HIPAA Security Rule Toolkit can be submitted to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Source: http://scap.nist.gov/hipaa/


text:
Item #4596
Surround yourself with rich flowers and vegetables named after our favorite ingredient-chocolate! After a day of gardening, treat your senses to our new, chocolate Gardener's Scrubbing Soap.
(P) Chocolate Flower (150 mg.)
(A) Love-In-a-Mist Chocolate and Cream (250 mg.)
(P) Morning Glory Chocolate (500 mg.)
(A) Sunflower Shock-O-Lat (10 seeds)
Tomato Cherry Chocolate Cherry ORG (20 seeds)
Gardener's Scrubbing Soap Chocolate
(A=Annual P=Perennial)
*Please note that substitutions may apply
Item #4596
200.00 grams


text:
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Winter Baking Land
We've had a really weird winter, weatherwise, thus far. Last year we saw more snow than we had in decades and this year, nothing. Not a flake. We're coasting along in the balmy mid-50's (F). It makes me feel just a little guilty when I read about the poor people on the other side of the country who are getting beaten up by storm after storm, dumping tons of snow, to the point that people can't leave their houses. Yikes!
I wish I could send along some of our warmer weather. But since that's not really a feasible plan, I'll turn my oven on in solidarity with my fellow frozen citizens. Warm up the kitchen and bring on the comfort.
There is something immeasurably comforting about warm, messy food. It's not meant to be pretty (and as you can see from my pictures, it's not!), but it is certainly delicious. And just a bit will fend off the horrors of the day and give you hope that everything's going to be OK. Even if you can't dig down deep enough to get to the snow shovel.
Chocolate Cherry Bread Pudding
- adapted from Baking Kids Love
1/2 loaf bread (white, challah, or Italian), about 8.5 oz
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1-3/4 cups milk
1-3/4 cups heavy whipping cream
6 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup dried, sour cherries
Whipped cream, for topping
1- Preheat oven to 325 deg. F with a rack in the center of the oven. Spray a 9-inch round cake pan or pie pan with cooking spray.
2- Cut the crusts off the bread (you can discard or save to feed the birds or make into bread crumbs). Cut the bread into 1/2-inch cubes. Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. Transfer the baking sheet to a cooling rack and let cool completely.
3- Measure 4 cups of the bread cubes. The remainder can be saved in a plastic bag in the cupboard or freezer for future use.
4- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, sugar and salt until completely blended. Whisk in the milk, cream, and vanilla and blend well. Add the toasted bread cubes to the bowl and stir them into the custard. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes, then remove the bowl from the refrigerator and stir the mixture to make sure the bread soaks up the custard evenly. Return to the refrigerator for another 10 to 20 minutes, or until the bread has soaked up most of the custard and looks very soft. (If you turned off the oven after toasting the bread, turn it back on now.)
5- Stir the chopped chocolate and cherries into the mixture. Scrape the mixture into the baking dish and press it into an even layer. Bake for 50 to 70 minutes, or until slightly puffed, golden brown, and set in the center.
6- Transfer to the cooling rack and let cool for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. Serve with whipped cream. Leftovers (as if!) should be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. REheat in a 325 deg. F oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until warmed through.
12 comments:
- Debbie said...
I live in northern Virginia and haven't seen snow like this since I grew up on Long Island years and years ago. It's a mess here. Your photos are gorgeous...please send me a slice since I'm out of cherries and heavy cream.....
- February 10, 2010 at 9:13 AM
- Melanie said...
I just moved from Florida to northern KY. and we have been blasted with snow. I am sick of it:( I have gained 2 lbs. too since we got up here. I do not need anything sweet to eat:(
- February 10, 2010 at 12:59 PM
- grace said...
count your blessings, lynn--our winter this year has been dreadful!
meanwhile, at first i thought your title said 'winter baking lard' and was put off for a minute. then i thought, 'no, i'm okay with that.' :)
- February 10, 2010 at 1:37 PM
- Maria said...
Oooh, this looks so comforting.
- February 10, 2010 at 1:49 PM
- Melinda said...
Bread and butter pudding is one of my very favourites! Your recipe sounds so good.
I was feeling cold while we were watching a TV programme. When it finished I got up to put out the dog and it has snowed again! There is a
complete covering of snow everywhere.
The dog was disgusted!
- February 10, 2010 at 2:32 PM
- Aimée said...
LOVE chocolate and cherries together.
Oddly enough, we've been having an uncharacteristically lovely February.
- February 10, 2010 at 7:52 PM
- Elle said...
Bread pudding is the best messy looking dessert! Love your flavor combo Lynn!
- February 10, 2010 at 10:02 PM
- Karen Baking Soda said...
White again when I woke up this morning and I'm supposed to put up a tent ths weekend (just for storage purposes because our garage will be dismantled but still)
Winter baking is good whatever the weather!
- February 10, 2010 at 10:45 PM
- Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...
Chocolate anc cherries will do it. Can you believe that we have had no snow whatsoever so far this winter and I live in Western Canada:D
- February 11, 2010 at 5:57 AM
- Homemade Heaven said...
After the killer hot day we had yesterday (35°C), I can only dream of serving something this comforting. I know it won't be long before I am back here to search out all these winter warmers - but certainly not yet.
- February 15, 2010 at 2:58 AM
- CaSaundraLeigh said...
We usually get more snow than we have here in northern MN. Looks like it is all going elsewhere!!
Your bread pudding looks fabulous--I have never tried whipping one together, but it is defintely on my list of to-do's in the kitchen :-)
- February 17, 2010 at 12:42 PM
Warm and messy is what winter food is all about!
- February 26, 2010 at 6:35 AM


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Star Trek-Inspired 'CommBadge' Gives You Handsfree Access to iPhone, Android
The "combadge," a two-in-one device that's both a communicator and badge worn by Starfleet, has arrived three centuries early.
While it's not an exact replica of Star Trek's iconic gadget, the CommBadge functions in a similar way. The Bluetooth speakerphone, which works with iPhone and Android, helps users access their smartphone hands-free. Measuring 1.5 inches in diameters, the circular speaker can be clipped onto clothing, or left in a bag.
Why not just wear a Bluetooth headset? Commbadge's creators say it is designed so that "clean sound waves reach the user, but the sound waves that travel beyond a foot or so from the users ears are scrambled." In other words, it's a way to avoid looking "Bluetooth crazy."
The Commbadge also uses a "noise-canceling chipset" to minimize background noise, according to its Indiegogo page.
It can help users place and answer calls, send and receive text messages, as well as access Siri, Google Now and other intelligent personal assistants, among other tasks. Check out the video, above, for more.
Which do you prefer: the CommBadge or a Bluetooth headset? Tell us in the comments below.
Image via YouTube screenshot


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Lewisville, TX Real Estate
Population: 80,609 The City of Lewisville is a progressive urban Texas community located on Interstate Highway 35-E (IH35E), 20 miles north of downtown Dallas and 34 miles northeast of downtown Fort Worth. Situated in southeast Denton County, Lewisville is in a dynamic growth area with a region encompassing nine counties and spanning 100 miles with a population of over 4 million. The close proximity to Dallas, Fort Worth and DFW International Airport offers easy access to all parts of the Metroplex, Texas, the USA and the World. View Properties in this Community > Ebby Halliday Offices Serving this Community: Denton > Flower Mound > Tri-Counties > Southlake > Other Ebby Offices > Education Lewisville Independent School District This area is minutes from Denton which is home to two major universities: University North Texas Texas Women's University Cooke County Community College is a...
Lewisville, TX Homes For Sale
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For a list of schools located within the district(s) please click on the link(s) below.


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This Lebanese designer's creations stand out for their rare, unique beauty. Her first collection, "The Garden of Earthly Delights," is inspired by what Khouri calls "the connection between woman and nature." That touchstone results in designs that have an organic yet otherworldly appeal – a pair of octopus earrings whose tentacles sparkle with pink sapphires, or an intricate spider brooch, its body a mesmerizing amethyst and its spindly legs fashioned from 18ct yellow gold and blackened silver. "There's something very beautiful, but at the same time very ugly about them," muses Khouri of insects. "Which is exactly how our emotions are....this contrast between feeling good and feeling bad, which is what interests me."
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text:
Some call the Affordable Care Act (ACA) a huge over-reach by the federal government, and a few even use the "S word" -- socialism. Others say it a gallant attempt to cover most U.S. citizens and others in our country legally.
Regardless of which view you embrace, the ACA is the law of the land and its major provisions will be upon us in 2014.
Equally important for you to know, ACA's Health Insurance Marketplace, sometimes called "Exchange," will be open for enrollment on Oct. 1. It is a new way for individuals and business owners to select health insurance policies from an array of participating private companies.
The Marketplace also will qualify eligible applicants for Medicaid and subsidy tax credits and will describe the penalties businesses and individuals will pay if they opt out of buying mandated health insurance.
States have a choice of running their own Marketplace, seeking federal help for certain tasks or letting the federal government do it for them.
"In December 2012, Gov. Rick Scott announced that Florida would not be pursuing efforts to implement a state-based health insurance exchange," according to The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit that tracks health care in all 50 states. "Gov. Scott has been a vocal opponent of federal health reform, and the state has refused multiple funding opportunities available through the Affordable Care Act."
As Scott's re-election campaign casts a wider net, he has softened his objections to ACA, to the dismay of Florida's more conservative legislators. Even so, the Kaiser Family Foundation says, "The federal government will assume full responsibility for running a health insurance exchange in Florida beginning in 2014."
You can read the Florida report at tinyurl.com/l3entt9.
It was initially anticipated that the Marketplace would start on Jan. 1, 2014. But that is unlikely to occur, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a division of Health and Human Services, is now saying it will begin in 2014.
CMS advises you to enroll after Oct. 1 and keep your current insurance policy until the Marketplace-purchased insurance goes into effect.
Businesses with under 100 employees may purchase insurance for their workers through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). It is a part of the Marketplace designed to help small businesses wade through an assortment of options, tax credits, subsidies and penalties.
A company with 50 full-time employees or more must purchase insurance for its employees or pay penalties. If the company chooses not to insure its employees in 2014, the penalty is $2,000, multiplied by the number of full-time employees, minus 30. That means a company with 50 employees would pay $40,000 annually, unless it qualifies for an exemption.
In some situations, it could become less expensive for a company to pay the penalty and tell its employees they are on their own. Keep in mind, however, that most individuals are also mandated to purchase insurance and the company's morale could suffer if its employees are left to fend for themselves.
For individuals "that decide not to buy health insurance, the penalty will be 1 percent of your income in 2014, and 2 percent in 2015," says Bill Steffen, a former Bradenton resident who sells health insurance in Florida and Arizona. For low- and moderate-income people who could not afford health insurance before, subsidies will be available to help them.
In a notice of rulemaking, Steven T. Miller, deputy commissioner for services and enforcement for the Internal Revenue Service, writes that subsidies in the form of tax credits will be "generally available to individuals and families with incomes between 100 percent and 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level."
As an example, Miller says, a family of four with income between $23,550 and $94,200 may be eligible for tax credits on a sliding income scale.
"The Congressional Budget Office estimates that when the Affordable Care Act is fully phased in, the premium tax credit will help 20 million Americans afford health insurance," Miller says.
He does not say how much it will cost taxpayers.
You can learn more about tax credits and penalties for individuals and businesses at IRS's portal, irs.gov/uac/Affordable-Care-Act-Tax-Provisions.
Also check out the U.S. Small Business Administration's site, sba.gov/healthcare.
Jerry Chautin is a volunteer with Manasota.SCORE.org, a local nonprofit SBA resource partner offering free business advice and mentoring. He is SBA's 2006 national "Journalist of the Year" and a former entrepreneur, commercial mortgage banker and business lender. He writes and blogs about business and commercial real estate strategies for several publications and financial organizations nationwide. Contact him with your questions and stories at firstname.lastname@example.com and follow him on Twitter, www.twitter.com/JerryChautin.
In Monday's Business Weekly section, the Let's Talk Business column should have said that the Marketplace will qualify eligible applicants for Medicaid.


text: It sounds like you had a good week with both sets of families. I'm sure it was odd going out with your ex and his wife, but it sounds like it was a successful trick-or0treat anyway. i hope you do get out and do some hiking over the weekend. Have a great one, no matter what you end up doing!


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"Pretty much Elizabeth Taylor reincarnated."
That's what Grant Bowler, star of the biopic "Liz & Dick" (which airs Sunday night on the Lifetime network), says about Lindsay Lohan, who plays opposite him as the raven-haired child star turned vixen turned diva turn HIV activist.
In the same trailer in which Bowler gushes, Lohan agrees that she and Taylor do indeed have a lot in common.
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"I personally understand Liz because you're living your life for everyone to see, and that people are growing with you," she says. "You get to a point where you become numb to it and you live your life the way that you feel you need to live it."
It's an interesting idea, and Lohan is currently at a crossroads that Taylor successfully navigated: moving from ingenue star to respected adult actress. But taking all the much-trumpeted similarities into account, can the "Mean Girls" star actually transition into the legend who won best actress Academy Awards for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and "Butterfield 8"?
Some things are obvious. For starters both actresses achieved fame as a child star, with Taylor first appearing onscreen at the age of 9 in "There's One Born Every Minute" and becoming an international celebrity at the tender age of 12 thanks to a starring role in "National Velvet." Lohan spent a year on the TV soap "Another World" when she was 10 before making her big screen debut in Disney's 1998 remake of "The Parent Trap."
Both also had questionable relationships with the media.
"It was the start of the exploitation of celebrity," says Bowler in the promotional trailer. During one scene, Lohan-as-Taylor screams at the gathered paparazzi: "Do you have your pictures? Can't you leave us alone?" For all her complaints, it was widely reported Taylor often tipped off the paparazzi to her whereabouts.
And of course Lohan has had her share of unfavorable media coverage. Just in the past few weeks: the troubled star has been constant tabloid fodder thanks to multiple run-ins with the law in New York (Hit and Run!, Assault!), health scares (Asthma Attack!) and on-again, off-again appearances on television talk shows.
Then there are the battles with substance abuse.
Certainly not as publicized as Lohan's struggles with alcohol and drugs, Taylor battled her own demons, including abuse of booze and prescription medication – the latter stemming from pain management due to a broken back early in her career and ongoing illnesses throughout her later life. "Im a survivor - a living example of what people can go through and survive," Taylor is quoted as saying in the London Telegraph.
Lohan's struggles often appeared to arise from adolescent partying. "It is clear to me that my life has become completely unmanageable because I am addicted to alcohol and drugs," the then 20-year-old actress said in a 2007 statement, adding "I very much want to be healthy and gain control of my life and career and have asked for medical help in doing so. I am taking these steps to improve my life."
But biographer David Bret, author of "Elizabeth Taylor – The Lady, The Lover, The Legend – 1932-2011," says that Taylor had something of an epiphany about all this later in life -- something only time will tell for Lohan.
"There were two Elizabeth Taylors," explains Bret. "The first was the greedy, selfish, arrogant one. There was that side to her and then all of a sudden it changed. I think it really started with her friend Rock Hudson, when he became ill and died [from AIDS]. She changed overnight and became this really, really caring person. For once others were in the spotlight, not her. She raised so much money for AIDS charities. That's when I started calling her Saint Elizabeth."
Taylor began her humanitarian work in the 1980s when the specter of HIV and AIDS loomed large over the Hollywood community. In 1985 she co-founded the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) and also founded the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation in 1993. One of the first celebrities to publicly acknowledge and work to heighten awareness about the disease, Taylor helped raise more than $270 million for the cause during her lifetime.
It's that version of Taylor that Lohan (who has done scattered charitable work, including a 2009 documentary on sex trafficking in India) can claim no comparison to. And what ultimately may be the biggest hurdle to overcome in the eye of a public who have already written her off thanks to the constant media coverage of her legal scrapes and personal troubles.
"Liz & Dick" will air on the Lifetime network on Nov. 25 at 9 p.m. ET


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DOVER — Truth, avoidance, or a little white lie.
There are a lot of ways a parent could choose to handle talking to their children about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. On Monday evening, groups of parents were able to rehearse their reactions to various scenarios through Youth to Youth's Freeze Action Theater held at the McConnell Center.
Learning how to break the ice and have conversations with children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol use was the focus of the event, which targeted parents of fifth-graders.
Youth to Youth Coordinator to Dana Mitchell shed light on the idea to educate children with facts on biology rather than legalities — such as "because you're not old enough" — when it comes to speaking with children.
Sharing facts about how their brains are still developing is a more powerful tool than an arbitrary reason, he said.
"Don't go for that easy one," he said of what answers parents should consider giving.
One of the most surprising things, they said, was that their children of just ages 10 or 11, were aware of using drugs and alcohol.
"This is one of the very few times in your child's life that they're going to be interested in what you're saying," Nick Piscitello, Youth to Youth member and narrator of the first out of four scenarios parents participated in, said.
Piscitello also encouraged them to bring an element of reality into the answer parents would give their children regardless of whether they chose to be completely honest, or fudge the truth a bit. Above all, he said it was important not to give an answer that would make any conversation more awkward than necessary in the future.
Youth to Youth Coordinator Dana Mitchell, also encouraged parents not to share more than they are comfortable with but to give an answer in which they feel confident.
"You have a right to tell a little fib until you're ready to talk about this," Mitchell said.
The theater even was a way Youth to Youth, an organization with more than 70 members, turned their focus from educating fellow students to specifically parents.
Those who attended said they found the sessions really helpful.
"Definitely," TJ LaRoche, father of an 11 year old, said.
"I think it's just been eye-opening," he said.
He said some of the statistics children are learning at that age — along with their parents — are scary.
"I thought I learned a lot of ways, but I learned a lot more," Becca Jacques, mother of a 10 year old, and who said she would consider her own actions more thoughtfully, said.
She also said this was a good reminder that children get messages not just from parents, teachers, and peers, but from music, television and the culture around them.
About half a dozen parents participated in each of the groups which rotated through four different scenarios over the course of two hours.
With smiles and nods, they each realized what kind of impact their words can have on their children, even when parents think their children might not be listening or hearing what is said.
In reality, they were told, some of those words will sink in.
Perhaps most importantly, parents took turns participating by engaging in conversations with Youth to Youth members acting as stubborn or curious children. Though some were timid, each seemed grateful to have had a "practice run" with an audience who represented their own children.
"You can understand the concept but have trouble forming the words," Mitchell told them, encouraging those who were shy.
"Have it be awkward and uncomfortable here, so it's less awkward later," he said.
Frank Gerhard, father to an 11-year-old daughter, took a chance during one of the sessions to try out a conversation. He was most surprised about how soon he may be having a similar talk.
"I just never thought it would come up this early," he said.
Whatever the answers were, Mitchell reminded throughout the sessions that an honest attempt at speaking and listening was most important.
"It doesn't have to eloquent, articulate, or perfect," he said.


text: Wing-inspired design that's less than 22mmFamiliar and versatile Genuine Windows® 7 StarterNew and easy-to-use MeeGo OS*asus @vibe for fun, easy, and rich cloud content enjoymentBritish Council English Language Learning app - preloaded in MeeGo OS Shop Modal header Slim profile The X101H was designed to be thin and lightweight, for maximum portability. Boasting a profile that's less than one inch thick and weighing less than one kilogram, it easily slips into bags without adding much bulk. Featuring a comfortable chiclet keyboard for typing and large responsive touchpad, the X101H just screams to be used. English learning application*2 The X101H isn't all play; it's also a learning tool. Included with the MeeGo OS is the British Council English Language Learning application, designed for people from non-native English speaking countries who aspire to improve their English. The product takes the form of a content bundle of interactive games, videos and mp3s which are preinstalled on the X101H. Over 300 pieces of material was developed by English Language Training (ELT) leaders and the British Council, with the application designed by Intel's award winning Performance Learning Solutions. *2only available on MeeGo operating system Your social networking companion Today's digital life is all about staying connected. We write blogs, upload photos and stay connected with friends on countless social networking sites. The new MeeGo Operating System on the X101H brings the internet to you in a new intuitive interface, integrating Facebook, Twitter and other popular social media sites onto the homepage for quick access so you can stay connected even faster. There's also a Windows® 7 version of the X101H that's available, for those that would like the familiarity and versatility that Windows provides. Cloud computing for everyone The X101H is preloaded with not only the MeeGo OS, but also the asus@vibe store, which provides a fun, easy and convenient center filled with rich cloud computing content. As an added bonus, the popular Dropbox*1 online storage is preloaded so you can easily and seamlessly sync files across your desktop, netbook or smart phone. Instantly on, always standby ready*1 Using ASUS' unique Super Hybrid Engine (SHE) power configuration technology, the X101H is optimized perfectly for performance and battery life. With an instant on resume to Windows in about few seconds and super long standby time up to eleven days, you can get back online quicker than ever, even when you've been away for a while. *1only available on Genuine Windows® 7 Starter *2only available on MeeGo operating system


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The trend-setting hotel for family and sports holidays in Obertauern.
If you select the 4-Star Superior Sport Hotel Edelweiss, you will be choosing first-class comfort in a great location, immediate at the slopes in the ski paradise of Obertauern in the beautiful Salzburg region. Feel free to leave your car at home, because here there are countless shops, boutiques, bars, and restaurants within walking distance.
Comfort guaranteed
Comfortable, sporty and modern rooms will let you relax and feel at home. Enjoy intimacy and comfort surrounded by a fantastic panoramic view of the beautiful snow-covered mountains in the ski paradise of Obertauern.
Stylish singles and doubles, unique suites, and spacious apartments – Sport Hotel Edelweiss offers a wealth of choices for your perfect winter holiday.book now
At the 4-Star Superior Sport Hotel Edelweiss in Obertauern, everything you need is within walking distance. Spa facilities, ski rentals, our Steinbock Restaurant, as well as childcare – all this is in the immediate vicinity. Located in the heart of Obertauern, directly at the ski slopes. Come and enjoy your ski holidays in Obertauern without a car or ski bus. And you can always count on plenty of snow.
In the spacious, ultra-modern spa, with its swimming pool, sauna and steam room, you will find the ideal spot for taking it easy and relaxing.
The snow paradise for skiers and snowboarders will entice you with its perfectly groomed slopes. Because our Sport Hotel Edelweiss is in a prime location directly at the ski slopes, you can plunge right into an exciting day of skiing in Obertauern.
And if you want to be entertained when you are finished skiing, no problem – an abundance of winter activities will be waiting for you in the winter holiday resort of Obertauern – and all just a stone's throw from the hotel. Cross-country skiing as well as snowshoe hiking through gorgeous snow-covered natural scenery will give you a special adrenaline rush, not to mention snowkiting and snow biking. Or if you want, you can have fun tobogganing. You are sure to find endless fun and entertainment in Obertauern.
Relaxing fun for both of you. While you are enjoying your ski holiday, your children will be well taken care of by our experienced childcare staff.
In the children's playroom and youth room, they can romp around together, do handicrafts and artwork, and much more.


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WASHINGTON — Health and Human Services nominee Kathleen Sebelius recently corrected three years of tax returns and paid more than $7,000 in back taxes after finding "unintentional errors" — the latest tax troubles for an Obama administration nominee.
The Kansas governor explained the changes to senators in a letter dated Tuesday that the administration released. She said they involved charitable contributions, the sale of a home and business expenses.
Sebelius said she filed the amended returns as soon as the errors were discovered by an accountant she hired to scrub her taxes in preparation for her confirmation hearings. She and her husband, Gary, a federal magistrate judge in Kansas, paid a total of $7,040 in back taxes and $878 in interest to amend returns from 2005-2007.
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Asked by The Associated Press to comment on the amended tax returns as she left a Capitol Hill restaurant Tuesday night, Sebelius said, "We put out a statement and the statement speaks for itself."
Several Obama administration nominees have run into tax troubles, notably the president's first nominee for HHS secretary, former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle. He withdrew from consideration while apologizing for failing to pay $140,000 in taxes and interest.
Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., quickly issued a statement supporting Sebelius.
"Congress is going to need a strong partner at the Department of Health and Human Services to achieve comprehensive health reform this year, and we have that partner in Gov. Sebelius," Baucus said. "There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Gov. Sebelius has the political experience, determination, and bipartisan work ethic to get the job done with Congress this year. She's the right person for the job."
There was no comment from the White House.
Sebelius is to appear Thursday before Baucus' committee, which will vote on sending her nomination to the full Senate. Sebelius testified Tuesday before the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee before the tax issue became public, getting a friendly reception.
Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the top Republican on the Finance Committee, said through a spokeswoman that he is reserving judgment until the vetting process, including the nomination hearing, is completed.
In her letter to Baucus and Grassley, Sebelius wrote that the accountant discovered these errors:
—Charitable contributions over $250 are supposed to include an acknowledgment letter from the charity in order for a deduction to be taken. Out of 49 charitable contributions made, three letters couldn't be found.
—Sebelius and her husband took deductions for mortgage interest that they weren't entitled to. The couple sold their home in 2006 for less than what they owed on the mortgage. They continued to make payments on the mortgage, including interest. But since they no longer owned the home they weren't entitled to take deductions for the interest. The same thing happened with a home improvement loan. Sebelius said they "mistakenly believed" the payments were still deductible.
—Insufficient documentation was found for some business expense deductions.
An administration official said Sebelius filed the amended returns before documents formalizing her nomination were sent to the Finance Committee. Sebelius advised the committee of the mistakes, and senators requested an explanation, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
In a letter to Sebelius dated Tuesday, Baucus and Grassley wrote that they'd reviewed the three years of amended returns and "no additional items were identified that needed to be addressed."


text:
My friend and I bought the game recently but have not been able to make the play by mail work. We are using version 1.04, as he was reluctant to put in the patches I found which came out later. We have followed the directions in the manual carefully, but when I act as host, select the scenario, give orders and save, while I am on the game menu I receive the appropriate designation, but the file is not in the WIA/save. When he is the host and we exchange files, a similar event occurs on my end: I am not able to give orders to my side after watching the replay.
We both use Windows 10. We can play solitaire, and believe there is much to enjoy in the game, but quite literally have spent hours trying to get the PEBM to work.
I would like to know if the later patches must be loaded in sequence up to the last one or if the last patch is the only one needed, since it is about 75 megabytes.


text:
What is a Source of Funds request?
From time to time we may need further information to verify your age, identity, or the funds you use to play on our websites.
We've put together the following information to help explain why we do this.
Why do we ask for further information?
We're committed to providing you with a fair, open and credible experience. That means we take steps to ensure we have no links to crime and that our services don't lead to any harm.
One of the ways we do this is by collecting information from our customers, including age, identity and source of funds. So, just like banks and other organisations that handle money, we may at times need to ask you to confirm a few details. This could be confirming that you are who you say you are, or showing that you have sufficient funds to support your gambling. Occasionally we'll require this information before we can accept a bet or pay out your winnings.
Do all retail and online operators ask for this type of information?
Yes. Like many other retail and online operators, we work closely with our regulators to protect our customers. And it's under their instruction that we ask for this type of information.
We understand that you may find these requests unusual and intrusive, but we do our best to process your documents as quickly as possible to avoid any inconvenience.
How will my information be used?
The information you provide us with will be treated in the strictest confidence, in line with our privacy policy. We'll never use your personal information for any other purpose than fulfilling our regulatory and legal obligations.
What do I need to provide if I'm asked to verify my identity?
We'll let you know what you need to provide. But it'll normally be a copy of photo ID and/or confirmation of your home address.
What do I need to provide if I'm asked to verify the funds I use to bet with?
If we ask you to verify the funds you use to bet with, we're looking for confirmation that you have sufficient funds to support your gambling activity. So this could be, for example, evidence that your money has come from your employment, or from a payment made to you.
How do I send my documentation?
If we need to verify your identity or source of funds, we'll ask you to email the relevant documents to us. But we'll be in touch to make sure you know exactly what to send and where to send it.
What will happen if I do not provide the requested information?
If we ask you for any information, we'll let you know when we need it by. This could be a certain date, or it might be that we ask you to send it over before your next deposit, or before we pay out any winnings.
Unfortunately, if you don't provide this information within the requested time-frame, you won't be able to keep gambling with us. But we may be able to reconsider if you send it at a later date.
How can I find out more?
If you have any more questions, you can contact our Customer Support team.


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We were greeted to Windows 95's launch by The Rolling Stones' Start Me Up, a reminder of the new, but now iconic Start button in Windows. Maybe for Windows 8, Microsoft should use The Doors' Touch Me.
We have been waiting anxiously for this day to arrive. Tomorrow, after months of keeping a tight leash (leaks notwithstanding) on the progress of or the details about Windows 8, Microsoft will reveal its newest operating system to the world at BUILD.
BUILD is Microsoft's new developer-focused conference, a combination of PDC (Professional Developers' Conference) and WinHEC (Windows Hardware Engineering Conference). It is being held at the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA.
What we know
Ever since Steven Sinofsky and Julie Larson-Green revealed Windows 8 at All Things D's D9 conference in June this year, the anticipation and expectations have gone up for what Windows 8 will be. Windows 8 sports a brand new Metro style interface with its big tiles. This interface is obviously suited to touch gestures and along with the upcoming Xbox dashboard update, it completes the trifecta of Metro styled interfaces from phones (Windows Phone 7) where it started, to PCs and TVs. Recently, Microsoft started a new blog dubbed Building Windows 8, where they have revealed (or confirmed rumors regarding):
- Support for ARM architecture
- System requirements for Windows 8 will be the same or less than Windows 7 requirements which means the hundreds of millions of PC's being used today can be upgraded to Windows 8 without the need for further investment
- The teamswithin Windows 8, which in some ways confirmed rumors such as existence of Hyper-V in the Windows 8 client and an App Store for Windows.
- USB 3.0 support
- New file copy/move/delete experience in Windows Explorer, along with a new conflict resolution user experience
- Ribbon-ized Windows Explorer
- Native support for accessing ISO and VHD files
- Hyper-V in Windows 8 client
- Extremely fast boot times in Windows 8
From what is explicitly mentioned in the blog and what was demonstrated at D9, we also know that Windows 8 will have two user interfaces. The first being the Metro style, tile-based, interface and the other being the classicWindows 7-style interface. Both these interfaces, Microsoft claims, are an effort to have no compromise. By no compromise, they are implying that just because an interface has touch-first design, does not mean it will not support keyboard and mouse. Microsoft realizes that a large portion of its user base uses Windows in an enterprise where the tile-based, touch-first interface may not be the most optimum. Hence, instead of ditching the past and starting afresh with the new paradigm, Microsoft is now at a stage where it has to explain how the two interfaces will co-exist. This co-existence leads to many more questions, which brings me to my next topic.


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In my last blog post, I discussed the morality of the undercover operations of Live Action, the pro-life group, directed against Planned Parenthood. In that post, I cited an article by philosopher Christopher Tollefsen, in which he concluded that the undercover initiative, since it involves lying to the Planned Parenthood staff, is immoral.
Other Catholic theologians have responded to this, seeking ways to justify what Live Action has done. This has generally fallen into several kinds of approaches.
One response has involved defining "lying" in a way so that Live Action does not fall under the prohibition. So, for example, they will argue that it is not a lie to speak falsely to someone who does not have a right to the truth. The example of this might include refusing to reveal to the Nazis at the door that you are hiding Jews inside. Of course, this is a false comparison in any event, since the person confronted with such a demand is hardly free to act. Any response they give would be coerced, and thus not a genuine moral act — quite unlike Live Action's free choice to engage in their undercover activities.
Still, this kind of point can be a valid argument under the Church's teaching. There are indeed times when I may not speak the truth. So, for example, the Catechism (2489) says:
Charity and respect for the truth should dictate the response to every request for information or communication. The good and safety of others, respect for privacy, and the common good are sufficient reasons for being silent about what ought not be known or for making use of a discreet language. The duty to avoid scandal often commands strict discretion. No one is bound to reveal the truth to someone who does not have the right to know it.
There is a problem, however, in relying on this passage. The section of the Catechism in which this appears relates to situations in which a person has information they are under some obligation to protect as confidential — such as information that would endanger the privacy, reputation or safety of another, a professional secret, or the seal of the confessional. This passage, on its very terms and seen in the larger context, clearly does not apply to the situation in which the Live Action people placed themselves, since they deliberately set out to deceive the Planned Parenthood workers, and they neither were silent nor used discrete language — they made clear and repeated false representations about their identity and activities.
A second response is to compare Live Action's operation to a "ruse de guerre", such as an ambush or the use of a feint in military operations. But these actions are actually permissible under the Catechism section cited above, and those that follow it (see CCC 2491), which require that officers maintain military secrets — such as the true objectives of their movements — in order to preserve the lives of their soldiers. However, Live Action is not at war, and their ruse was not necessary to preserve the lives of anyone.
Another response to Tollefsen's argument, however, is less legitimate under Catholic teaching, and is actually quite dangerous. This claims that Live Action's tactics are necessary to serve a higher purpose — exposing the evil of Planned Parenthood. These proponents cite the analogy to the need to lie in order to effectively engage in activities like undercover police work or in spying.
While this argument is superficially compelling, there are several problems with it. Live Action is not a government agency, acting under color of authority to enforce the law or defend the nation — they are private parties, acting on their own initiative. In addition, undercover agents and spies are actually who they claim to be — they actually are drug buyers, for example — but they justifiably protect a professional secret (i.e., their actual identity and profession), in order to preserve their own safety and that of others (see the Catechism sections cited above).
But the most significant problem, is that this argument is openly consequentialist ("end justifies the means") and proportionalist ("the good outweighs the evil") — neither of which is an acceptable Christian position. Indeed, both of these approaches have been specifically condemned by the Church, most clearly in Pope John Paul II's encyclical on moral doctrine, Veritatis Splendor.
The danger of this line of argumentation is in what it leads to. There seems to be a fear that the moral law will preclude us from doing things that we really want to do. But "I really want to do it, so it must be morally permissible" is a terrible and dangerous reason to carve out very subtle exceptions to a very, very clear moral law. This argument frequently boils down to a sentiment that "living in the real world" requires actions like this, regardless of what thinkers in academia might believe in their abstract world. Thus argues the torturer, and the apologist for carpet bombing civilians. That's not where a Christian disciple should be going.
In many ways, that's what this whole argument comes down to. Am I a disciple of Christ, or am I relying on "worldly wisdom"? In this context, it would be worthwhile reminding ourselves of St. Paul's admonition:
Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Rom. 12:2)


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When I first saw the trailer for Into the Abyss I thought briefly and initially that Herzog would be exploring the details of the case as an injustice might have been carried out. The initial circumstances seemed right, murder case in Texas, someone on Death Row, perhaps Herzog would be doing his own version of friend Errol Morris' The Thin Blue Line, which told the story of the wrongly convicted Randall Dale Adams. I was quickly embarrassed when I started to watch the opening frames of Into the Abyss, because it is hardly about a true crime investigation at all and looks at the broader personal implications of murder and executions in general.
The focus of this exploration is a 2001 triple murder where two Texas teenagers in Michael Perry and Jason Burkett killed Sandra Stotler, a widowed mother, for a red Camaro she owned. Perry and Burkett also killed Sandra's son Adam and Adam's friend Jeremy Richardson in order to gain entry to the gated community where the Stotlers lived. Perry and Burkett were captured days after a shootout with police (during which an officer was hit with the car the teens fled in, which was Adam's car that they had taken from him) and the two were tried and convicted of the crimes. Perry was sentenced to death, and the interviews for the film were conducted eight days before he was scheduled to be executed, and at the same time they were done ten days after Perry's father had died from a heart attack. Burkett was sentenced to life in prison, with a seemingly certain death row sentence curbed by his father's tearful plea for mercy to the jury. Burkett's father is also in jail at the time, and his words seemed to have changed the minds of two people in the jury, with those two votes sparing his son's life.
Herzog's knack for filming unique subjects for television and feature-length documentary over the years has been amazing. I first discovered his documentaries after his films, and one of the first I saw was Little Dieter Needs to Fly, which he later made into the dramatic Rescue Dawn. In this film, we start with the interview of a preacher who has been with many inmates as they are being executed. Set against a county cemetery where dozens of executed inmates have been laid to rest, the conflict this preacher seems to hold is one that one cannot help but circle back to through the film on the parties that fall on either side of the fence on the capital punishment debate.
Starting with the one mentioned earlier, Burkett and his father provide a stark contrast to Perry's mix of optimism (inspired in part due to his newfound Christianity) and reticence of admission. And to be fair, Burkett blames Perry for doing the murders, and the forensic evidence would seem to back this assertion, but there is a larger degree of remorse in being involved with the situation to begin with. But Burkett's remorse is dwarfed by his father, who was in jail at the time of the murders and was in jail a decade later when Herzog visited him for interviews on the subject. Incarcerated for the fourth time in his life (this one a 40-year term), the elder Burkett realizes that he is likely not coming out of prison again unless it is for a burial. He recounts moments in his life where he could have turned things around, and talks about being handcuffed to Jason as the two went to jail, and talks of being a failure as a father. It is compelling stuff to watch.
Even more compelling are the interviews with the family members of the victims. In Lisa Stotler Balloun (Sandra's daughter and Adam's sister), we relive the heart wrenching experiences of her learning about the killings of her mother and brother on separate occurrences. Later we find out just how much of her family she has lost over a compacted timeframe past Sandra and Adam, and her decision to get rid of telephones in her house. We witness Charles Richardson (Jeremy's brother) as he discusses the incarceration of his father and the death of his sister shortly before Jeremy was killed. He is more emotional about his losses than Lisa is to a degree, but the striking thing about both families is that they do not harbor a visceral feeling of hatred or reprisal towards Perry and Burkett, at least barely on camera anyway. They are too busy moving on (as Lisa appears to have done to a degree) or still apparently lost (as Charles appears to be), almost a decade after the killings.
There are other interviewees that help provide additional insight either to the case or to the process itself. An interview with Fred Allen (a prison guard akin to the Tom Hanks character in The Green Mile) discusses the process of taking prisoners along the short walk from the cell to the execution room, and recounts his reasons for leaving the position after handling more than 125 executions as being emotionally exhausted from them. Herzog spends ample time on both the crime and the process for punishment, and does so impartially.
On second thought, maybe impartially might not be the correct word. Additionally, perhaps the urge to add to the discussion about whatever merits the death penalty has is only part of the discussion. While Stotler Balloun does feel some closure of sorts, it has not brought her family back, and she even was quoted as saying Perry's execution date was a 'bad day' for all involved. With the time spent on both sides of the spectrum, Herzog looks at the futility of it all, both the urge to kill for something as superficial as a nice car and the desire to kill those responsible for the crimes, and the larger question of when the madness will ever stop is the more powerful one that remains unanswered.
Into the Abyss is presented in an AVC-encoded 1.78:1 widescreen transfer and the results look as good as can be expected. The film balances the static interview shots with handheld cameras, and includes crime scene film which was shot in full frame. The disc juggles these various methods and sources capably and even on the documentary, one can glean a certain degree of background image detail and clarity, which was a minor surprise for me. It isn't the best looking Blu-ray around, but as far as documentaries go, it does the work in fine fashion.
DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 for the feature with the result being straightforward sonic material. Dialogue is well-balanced in the center channel and requires little adjustment. Directional effects and channel panning are non-existent and the soundstage does not do anything to provide the listener an immersive experience. However, the disc has no real business putting an immersive experience onto a documentary film. It is supposed to carry the interviews strongly and accurately, and does so without complaint.
The only thing here is a trailer, which is a shame considering I was curious to see how Herzog arrived at this case to focus on and some additional background on the interview subjects.
Between Cave of Forgotten Dreams and Into the Abyss, Werner Herzog made two of the best documentaries of 2011 and arguably two of the best films of 2011 period, and on vastly different subjects. Despite the variety, Herzog handles each subject with the same sense of fascination and intrigue that makes his documentaries great. Into the Abyss is a must-watch film, but the lack of supplements keeps it from being a keeper.


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ISSAQUAH, Wash. - JIM SINEGAL, the chief executive of Costco Wholesale, the nation's fifth-largest retailer, had all the enthusiasm of an 8-year-old in a candy store as he tore open the container of one of his favorite new products: granola snack mix. "You got to try this; it's delicious," he said. "And just $9.99 for 38 ounces."
Some 60 feet away, inside Costco's cavernous warehouse store here in the company's hometown, Mr. Sinegal became positively exuberant about the 87-inch-long Natuzzi brown leather sofas. "This is just $799.99," he said. "It's terrific quality. Most other places you'd have to pay $1,500, even $2,000."
But the pièce de résistance, the item he most wanted to crow about, was Costco's private-label pinpoint cotton dress shirts. "Look, these are just $12.99," he said, while lifting a crisp blue button-down. "At Nordstrom or Macy's, this is a $45, $50 shirt."
Combining high quality with stunningly low prices, the shirts appeal to upscale customers -- and epitomize why some retail analysts say Mr. Sinegal just might be America's shrewdest merchant since Sam Walton.
But not everyone is happy with Costco's business strategy. Some Wall Street analysts assert that Mr. Sinegal is overly generous not only to Costco's customers but to its workers as well.
Costco's average pay, for example, is $17 an hour, 42 percent higher than its fiercest rival, Sam's Club. And Costco's health plan makes those at many other retailers look Scroogish. One analyst, Bill Dreher of Deutsche Bank, complained last year that at Costco "it's better to be an employee or a customer than a shareholder."
Mr. Sinegal begs to differ. He rejects Wall Street's assumption that to succeed in discount retailing, companies must pay poorly and skimp on benefits, or must ratchet up prices to meet Wall Street's profit demands.
Good wages and benefits are why Costco has extremely low rates of turnover and theft by employees, he said. And Costco's customers, who are more affluent than other warehouse store shoppers, stay loyal because they like that low prices do not come at the workers' expense. "This is not altruistic," he said. "This is good business."
He also dismisses calls to increase Costco's product markups. Mr. Sinegal, who has been in the retailing business for more than a half-century, said that heeding Wall Street's advice to raise some prices would bring Costco's downfall.
"When I started, Sears, Roebuck was the Costco of the country, but they allowed someone else to come in under them," he said. "We don't want to be one of the casualties. We don't want to turn around and say, 'We got so fancy we've raised our prices,' and all of a sudden a new competitor comes in and beats our prices."
At Costco, one of Mr. Sinegal's cardinal rules is that no branded item can be marked up by more than 14 percent, and no private-label item by more than 15 percent. In contrast, supermarkets generally mark up merchandise by 25 percent, and department stores by 50 percent or more.
"They could probably get more money for a lot of items they sell," said Ed Weller, a retailing analyst at ThinkEquity.
But Mr. Sinegal warned that if Costco increased markups to 16 or 18 percent, the company might slip down a dangerous slope and lose discipline in minimizing costs and prices.
Mr. Sinegal, whose father was a coal miner and steelworker, gave a simple explanation. "On Wall Street, they're in the business of making money between now and next Thursday," he said. "I don't say that with any bitterness, but we can't take that view. We want to build a company that will still be here 50 and 60 years from now."
IF shareholders mind Mr. Sinegal's philosophy, it is not obvious: Costco's stock price has risen more than 10 percent in the last 12 months, while Wal-Mart's has slipped 5 percent. Costco shares sell for almost 23 times expected earnings; at Wal-Mart the multiple is about 19.Mr. Dreher said Costco's share price was so high because so many people love the company. "It's a cult stock," he said.
Emme Kozloff, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Company, faulted Mr. Sinegal as being too generous to employees, noting that when analysts complained that Costco's workers were paying just 4 percent toward their health costs, he raised that percentage only to 8 percent, when the retail average is 25 percent.
"He has been too benevolent," she said. "He's right that a happy employee is a productive long-term employee, but he could force employees to pick up a little more of the burden."
Mr. Sinegal says he pays attention to analysts' advice because it enforces a healthy discipline, but he has largely shunned Wall Street pressure to be less generous to his workers.
"When Jim talks to us about setting wages and benefits, he doesn't want us to be better than everyone else, he wants us to be demonstrably better," said John Matthews, Costco's senior vice president for human resources.
With his ferocious attention to detail and price, Mr. Sinegal has made Costco the nation's leading warehouse retailer, with about half of the market, compared with 40 percent for the No.2, Sam's Club. But Sam's is not a typical runner-up: it is part of the Wal-Mart empire, which, with $288 billion in sales last year, dwarfs Costco.
But it is the customer, more than the competition, that keeps Mr. Sinegal's attention. "We're very good merchants, and we offer value," he said. "The traditional retailer will say: 'I'm selling this for $10. I wonder whether I can get $10.50 or $11.' We say: 'We're selling it for $9. How do we get it down to $8?' We understand that our members don't come and shop with us because of the fancy window displays or the Santa Claus or the piano player. They come and shop with us because we offer great values."
Costco was founded with a single store in Seattle in 1983; it now has 457 stores, mostly in the United States, but also in Canada, Britain, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan. Wal-Mart, by contrast, had 642 Sam's Clubs in the United States and abroad as of Jan. 31.Costco's profit rose 22 percent last year, to $882 million, on sales of $47.1 billion. In the United States, its stores average $121 million in sales annually, far more than the $70 million for Sam's Clubs. And the average household income of Costco customers is $74,000 -- with 31 percent earning over $100,000.
One reason the company has risen to the top and stayed there is that Mr. Sinegal relentlessly refines his model of the warehouse store -- the bare-bones, cement-floor retailing space where shoppers pay a membership fee to choose from a limited number of products in large quantities at deep discounts. Costco has 44.6 million members, with households paying $45 a year and small businesses paying $100.
A typical Costco store stocks 4,000 types of items, including perhaps just four toothpaste brands, while a Wal-Mart typically stocks more than 100,000 types of items and may carry 60 sizes and brands of toothpastes. Narrowing the number of options increases the sales volume of each, allowing Costco to squeeze deeper and deeper bulk discounts from suppliers.
"He's a zealot on low prices," Ms. Kozloff said. "He's very reticent about finagling with his model."
Despite Costco's impressive record, Mr. Sinegal's salary is just $350,000, although he also received a $200,000 bonus last year. That puts him at less than 10 percent of many other chief executives, though Costco ranks 29th in revenue among all American companies.
"I've been very well rewarded," said Mr. Sinegal, who is worth more than $150 million thanks to his Costco stock holdings. "I just think that if you're going to try to run an organization that's very cost-conscious, then you can't have those disparities. Having an individual who is making 100 or 200 or 300 times more than the average person working on the floor is wrong."
There is little love lost between Wal-Mart and Costco. Wal-Mart, for example, boasts that its Sam's Club division has the lowest prices of any retailer. Mr. Sinegal emphatically dismissed that assertion with a one-word barnyard epithet. Sam's might make the case that its ketchup is cheaper than Costco's, he said, "but you can't compare Hunt's ketchup with Heinz ketchup."
Still, Costco is feeling the heat from Sam's Club. When Sam's began to pare prices aggressively several years ago, Costco had to shave its prices -- and its already thin profit margins -- ever further.
"Sam's Club has dramatically improved its operation and improved the quality of their merchandise," said Mr. Dreher, the Deutsche Bank analyst. "Using their buying power together with Wal-Mart's, it forces Costco to be very sharp on their prices."
Mr. Sinegal's elbows can be sharp as well. As most suppliers well know, his gruff charm is not what lets him sell goods at rock-bottom prices -- it's his fearsome toughness, which he rarely shows in public. He often warns suppliers not to offer other retailers lower prices than Costco gets.
When a frozen-food supplier mistakenly sent Costco an invoice meant for Wal-Mart, he discovered that Wal-Mart was getting a better price. "We have not brought that supplier back," Mr. Sinegal said.
He has to be flinty, he said, because the competition is so fierce. "This is not the Little Sisters of the Poor," he said. "We have to be competitive in the toughest marketplace in the world against the biggest competitor in the world. We cannot afford to be timid."
Nor can he afford to let personal relationships get in his way. Tim Rose, Costco's senior vice president for food merchandising, recalled a time when Starbucks did not pass along savings from a drop in coffee bean prices. Though he is a friend of the Starbucks chairman, Howard Schultz, Mr. Sinegal warned he would remove Starbucks coffee from his stores unless it cut its prices.
Starbucks relented.
"Howard said, 'Who do you think you are? The price police?"' Mr. Rose recalled, adding that Mr. Sinegal replied emphatically that he was.
If Mr. Sinegal feels proprietary about warehouse stores, it is for good reason. He was present at the birth of the concept, in 1954. He was 18, a student at San Diego Community College, when a friend asked him to help unload mattresses for a month-old discount store called Fed-Mart.
What he thought would be a one-day job became a career. He rose to executive vice president for merchandising and became a protégé of Fed-Mart's chairman, Sol Price, who is credited with inventing the idea of high-volume warehouse stores that sell a limited number of products.
Mr. Price sold Fed-Mart to a German retailer in 1975 and was fired soon after. Mr. Sinegal then left and helped Mr. Price start a new warehouse company, Price Club. Its huge success led others to enter the business: Wal-Mart started Sam's Club, Zayre's started BJ's Wholesale Club and a Seattle entrepreneur tapped Mr. Sinegal to help him found Costco.
Costco has used Mr. Price's formula: sell a limited number of items, keep costs down, rely on high volume, pay workers well, have customers buy memberships and aim for upscale shoppers, especially small-business owners. In addition, don't advertise -- that saves 2 percent a year in costs. Costco and Price Club merged in 1993.
"Jim has done a very good job in balancing the interests of the shareholders, the employees, the customers and the managers," said Mr. Price, now 89 and retired. "Most companies tilt too much one way or the other."
Mr. Sinegal, who is 69 but looks a decade younger, also delights in not tilting Costco too far into cheap merchandise, even at his warehouse stores. He loves the idea of the "treasure hunt" -- occasional, temporary specials on exotic cheeses, Coach bags, plasma screen televisions, Waterford crystal, French wine and $5,000 necklaces -- scattered among staples like toilet paper by the case and institutional-size jars of mayonnaise.
The treasure hunts, Mr. Sinegal says, create a sense of excitement and customer loyalty.
This knack for seeing things in a new way also explains Costco's approach to retaining employees as well as shoppers. Besides paying considerably more than competitors, for example, Costco contributes generously to its workers' 401(k) plans, starting with 3 percent of salary the second year and rising to 9 percent after 25 years.
ITS insurance plans absorb most dental expenses, and part-time workers are eligible for health insurance after just six months on the job, compared with two years at Wal-Mart. Eighty-five percent of Costco's workers have health insurance, compared with less than half at Wal-Mart and Target.
Costco also has not shut out unions, as some of its rivals have. The Teamsters union, for example, represents 14,000 of Costco's 113,000 employees. "They gave us the best agreement of any retailer in the country," said Rome Aloise, the union's chief negotiator with Costco. The contract guarantees employees at least 25 hours of work a week, he said, and requires that at least half of a store's workers be full time.
Workers seem enthusiastic. Beth Wagner, 36, used to manage a Rite Aid drugstore, where she made $24,000 a year and paid nearly $4,000 a year for health coverage. She quit five years ago to work at Costco, taking a cut in pay. She started at $10.50 an hour -- $22,000 a year -- but now makes $18 an hour as a receiving clerk. With annual bonuses, her income is about $40,000.
"I want to retire here," she said. "I love it here."


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Black Friday or a Beautiful Sunday in Petersham MA-you decide!
The Holiday Shopping season traditionally starts with Black Friday, the Friday after Thanksgiving. A lot of friends love Black Friday, but I think you have to be crazy to shop on such a crowded, frenzied day. The savings just aren't worth the aggravation. That's the one day of the year that this innkeeper refuses to shop.
As an alternative to Black Friday, Clamber Hill decided to take advantage of the slow time before Thanksgiving and turned the Inn into a mini shopping mall for the first time in November of 2008. The event was so popular that it now involves all three Petersham Inns and is called the Petersham Holiday Shopping Extravaganza.
Colonial Hill Alpaca Farm and B&B, Clamber Hill Inn & Restaurant and Winterwood at Petersham are all located within a two mile stretch of Rt 32 in Petersham, MA. The addresses for those who travel by GPS are 19, 111 and 235 North Main St in Petersham MA 01366. Each of the inns has a very different character but all three are lovely. This relaxed shopping extravaganza allows shoppers to tour the inns as well as giving them the opportunity to buy some unique, high quality gifts, many of which are hand made or local, in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
The Inns will host 16 different vendors with a wide range of products. Jewelry will be featured at all three inns this year. Paul Nugent at Colonial Hill, Pearson's Pagoda at Clamber Hill and Tina White with Silpada Jewelry at Winterwood.Rose 32 bread and pastries and Donna Byron of Grace Note Farm will be on hand with honey and spices at Colonial Hill. Patrick Draper will be selling high quality 100% pure cacao from Guatemala, perfect for baking and Ross Condit will be representing Green River Ambrosia with some unique beverages such at Ginger Libation, Liquid Sunshine Traditional Mead, Winter Warmer Spiced Mead and Bourban Barrel Cyzer award winning Mead, both at Clamber Hill. And last but not at all least, Natalie Reynolds will be selling Co-Co-A-Nu fine Belgian Chocolates at Winterwood.
Artisans will also be well represented. Sylvia Brown of Petersham Leather will have hand made leather items, jewelry pouches, handbags and more at Colonial Hill. Jane Hein, also a local Petersham artist will be selling her Early American Decorative one of a kind pieces at Winterwood along with Jean Day's Fredeez Flip Flops, totally fun and totally unique. At Clamber Hill, Kirby Lecy of North Quabbin Woods will have a wide selection of hand crafted pieces from a variety of different local artists.
Clamber Hill will also have Michelle Simmington representing Scentsy -- a wonderful way to make your home smell lovely for the holidays.
And for those of you who want to stay warm this winter (yes it is predicted to be a cold one), Terry Emmerich has a wide selection of lovely Alpaca products including hats that she felts herself and Deb Bachrach Jones will be at Winterwood with her special wool active wear from Jonesware.
And not to leave out Clamber Hill, we will be offering cheesecake samples and taking orders for Holiday Cheesecakes. We will also have Gift Certificates to our Restaurant (or Inn) on sale as well as a limited selection of Holiday Wreaths hand crafted by Deni Ellis who does the Inn's fabulous holiday decorations each year.
And it that's not enough to bring you to the area, there is also a Harvest Festival going on both Saturday and Sunday at the Red Apple Farm in neighboring Phillipston MA and an Art Ride both days in Holden MA so all in all it's the perfect weekend to escape to Central MA!
And if Clamber Hill is full, don't forget there are two other inns in Petersham! Hope to see you next Sunday for a "relaxing" day of Holiday Shopping!


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Injured soldier returns to Maine
Staff Sgt. Helaina Lake injured in Afghanistan last June
A soldier from Livermore Falls returned to Maine several months after she was seriously injured by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan.
Sgt. Helaina Lake was severely wounded in June when the Taliban attacked her base in eastern Afghanistan.
Lake has been recovering at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland.
"She's coming home." Lake's sister Kathrynn Lake said. "It's not the same when you fly down to a hospital to go see her."
Helaina Lake flew into the Portland Jetport Tuesday morning.
"It's so amazing. The community and my family and friends have just been such a huge support through all of this and I can't thank them enough. It's been really helpful," Lake said when she arrived.
A limo carried Lake and her family from the Jetport to her hometown, Livermore Falls. A convoy of police and fire departments led the way.
People lined up to meet Lake at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Jay. "It's really great to see the support that she's got," said family friend Rodney Therrien.
"I don't feel like I deserve it," Lake said about all the attention her homecoming received. "There's so many people that deserve it more than me, and the lives that were lost the day that I got injured... I think they're the heroes. I think they deserve it more."
"I think it's important for the community to touch her and see her and know that she's OK because they've prayed for her and supported her all along," Lake's mother, Jeannine Lake, said of her daughter's homecoming.
Lake will stay in Maine until January and will then return to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment.


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Population: 2,212 Ferris is a family oriented small town with lots to offer. Located just 20 miles south of Dallas, residents enjoy living in the country while still having big city conveniences. View Properties in this Community > Ebby Halliday Offices Serving this Community: Southwest Dallas/Ellis Co. > Other Ebby Offices > Education Ferris ISD Shopping Grapevine Mills Mall The Shops at Willow Bend Entertainment Amon Carter Museum The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History Palace of Wax, Grand Prairie The Fort Worth Zoo Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Fossil Rim Wildlife Center Six Flags over Texas The Kimbell Art Museum Texas Motorplex, Ennis Lone Star Park, Grand Prairie Texas Motor Speedway Texas Rangers Baseball Team Dallas Cowboys Bass Hall Dallas Museum of Art Dallas Zoo Dallas World Aquarium Dallas Symphony Dallas Opera Dallas...
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