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FERC Order 1000: The Most Exciting Energy Regulation You've Never Heard Of
by Adam James and Whitney Allen
What does ultra-rich timeshare mogul David Siegel have in common with transmission lines?
Both have had trouble with planning.
While we'll admit that revamping the transmission planning process for the electrical system won't grab as many headlines as building a 90,000 square foot, 13 bedroom, 23 bathroom home, we do guarantee that it will have a much bigger impact on the majority of Americans.
We know that last week's announcement from FERC that it will begin enforcement of Order 1000 isn't a natural-born attention-getter, but read on: because if you care about clean energy this is actually really important.
Turbocharging Renewable Development
So what is Order 1000? Last year, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a Final Rule to reform the "electric transmission planning and cost allocation requirements for public utility transmission providers." This ruling is set to, as Bloomberg put it, "turbocharge the biggest transformation of the U.S. electricity market in decades, with far-reaching consequences for the economy, consumers, utilities and investors." Let's dig into the fundamental transformation which is being turbocharged here, and why we should care.
Well first, as a starting point: new transmission lines are a catalyst for clean energy development.
Historically, the gap between where energy is available and where it is needed has been pretty easy to overcome, because fossil-fuel burning plants can be placed almost anywhere and then scaled according to the needs of local cities and communities. Transmission is crucial to link the grid together, but isn't as crucial for developing carbon intensive resources.
However, as we move into an age where the environmental consequences of fossil fuel reliance are untenable, society must move towards alternative energies if we want to maintain a liveable planet. The trouble is that the areas optimal for developing renewable resources sometimes do not match with population centers, and that a much wider dispersal of renewables is needed to ensure reliability. So transmission lines are necessary to meet the energy where it's at, carry it to where it is needed, and link it into the larger grid.
Changing the Thinking of Planning
The stumbling block has been over who is going to pay for the lines. States that have a heavy reliance on incumbent, centralized fossil fuels are not going to pay for transmission lines to bring renewables across state boundaries, because they have no economic incentive to do so. This insular state-centric approach to energy management disproportionately hurts renewable energies since they are more widely dispersed.
So the importance of Order 1000 is that it changes the planning and valuation process for transmission lines. To use FERC's language:
"Local and regional transmission planning processes must consider transmission needs driven by public policy requirements established by state or federal laws or regulations. Each public utility transmission provider must establish procedures to identify transmission needs driven by public policy requirements and evaluate proposed solutions to those transmission needs."
Whereas the planning process used to only have to consider reliability and efficiency, it now also must consider state and federal laws.
Enter Renewable Portfolio Standards, which are state laws that mandate a certain percentage of electricity must come from renewable energy sources. Every region has at least one state RPS to consider, and some have several. This means that their transmission planning process must now consider (and value) lines that get enough renewables online to meet state targets. In short, regions will have to work together to get more renewables online — and fast.
Piecing Together the Clean Energy Puzzle
By building off Order 890, which required transmission providers to organize into different regions, Order 1000 represents another huge step in the right direction. The enforcement of this rule will ensure that our electrical grid moves forward in a way that is conducive to building a clean economy from the ground up, spurring economic development and creating jobs along the way. By increasing the amount of renewables in the electrical grid, systems operators will get more experience with balancing renewable resources — and by increasing the distribution of renewables across the country, we can decrease their variability.
What are the implications? Look no further than the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's report on integrating 80 percent renewable electricity. New, smart transmission plays a big role in getting us there: meeting a target of 80 percent renewables would require 110-190 million miles of new transmission and 47-80,000 miles of new intertie capacity across the three interconnections. The cost of building this new transmission, as we have argued before, is well within the average U.S. expenditures for transmission over the last 13 years. The difference is how the lines are planned and placed. In this 80 percent scenario, transmission use would increase by 8 percent (from 32 to 40 percent) to maintain reliability across the national grid, and carbon emissions would decline 80 percent.
The climate threat is very real, and with electricity generation composing a whopping 40 percent of total U.S. emissions, every step this country takes towards a clean energy future makes a difference. FERC Order 1000 is one way to help us get there.
Adam James is a Special Assistant for Energy Policy at the Center for American Progress. Whitney Allen is an intern on the energy policy team at the Center for American Progress.
6 Responses to FERC Order 1000: The Most Exciting Energy Regulation You've Never Heard Of
Why haven't we heard about the safety and low cost of thorium reactors?
This sounds like an excellent way to get the ball rolling on a green energy future, which makes it even more important to re-elect the president. If his opponent – backed and financed by the fossil fuel industry – is elected, the first regulations to go will be those like Orders 890 and 1000 that are aimed at reducing the country's use of carbon-based fuels.
This and the recent approval of the federal loan to help Solarreserve build a major concentrated solar power plant (CSP) in Nevada are good news indeed. The American desert — and certainly the American sun belt taken as a whole — has more than enough insolation to power America many times over. That insulation can be captured by CSP plants that provide reliable baseload power 24/7 — and now that power can be transmitted on high-tension D.C. lines throughout the country.
Once the Solarreserve plant is up and running, more like it will surely follow, and the growth of solar energy could be exponential — our main hope for adequately reducing emissions before the "deadline" of surpassing the 1.5 to 2ºC irreversible climate destabilization bar.
The Boardman to Hemingway (B2H) transmission line is still in planning (after planning for about a decade now). Thge most likely routing is 300 miles long for a (under)estimated US$820 million. [The estimate is somewhat out-of-date and costs keep rising.]
So that's about US$2.75 million per mile. So the estimated 125 million miles of new transmission (from the article) would cost somewhere around US$345 million million = US$345 trillion. Somehow I doubt this is affordable.
We haven't heard about thorium reactors because they offer no advantage. There's a difference between a fissile fuel (Uranium) and a fertile fuel (Thorium). Thorium must absorb a neutron and transmute to become Uranium before it can absorb another neutron and undergo fission releasing energy. In short, it takes a Uranium reactor to supply the neutrons to make a Thorium reactor work.
The authors completely misunderstood the fundamental numbers. They claim the US will need "110 to 190 million miles" of new transmission. This would be enough to go to the sun and back to the earth again, or 7500 times around the earth.
The actual unit is "megawatt-miles" of circuits. Since a major line can carry 1000 megawatts or more, and multiple circuits are normally on a transmission line, they are exaggerating by a factor on the order of at least a thousand. That is why the cost could appear to be an absurd $345 trillion; the authors made a gross error.
If the US goes to 80% renewables over a 30 year period, the transmission cost would be more like $10 to $20 billion per year in investment. This compares to a current U.S. total electricity spending of about $400 billion per year. So the expense for new transmission for renewable electricity, while it adds up to a lot of money over time, would have a relatively small effect on people's utility bills. A 2% to 5% increase spread over decades will be imperceptible.
It is also likely that most of the transmission in the report is unnecessary, since electric resources in the future will be increasingly small scale and local.


text: Dress in blue, paint yourself blue, decorate your school or office blue, bake blue cakes, drink blue drinks, play the blues... sing the blues! We don't mind how you do it – just go blue. We're celebrating World Water Day on March 22 to raise awareness about the world's water crisis – and the 650 million people around the world who still lack access to safe, clean water. We'd love you to get involved. Go blue in any way you like, and show your support for World Water Day. Four easy ways you can create ripples of change It's easy to be a part of World Water Day and make a difference. By raising funds and spreading the word, you can help us get another step closer to ensuring that everyone everywhere has access to safe, clean water by 2030. Step 1 – Change your profile picture on Facebook and Twitter with our blue wash using the app above. Step 2 – Sign the petition and ask the U.S. Government to support the Reach Every Mother and Child (REACH) Act as a way to improve assistance for maternal and child health services and promote increased access to water. Step 3 – Challenge your friends, school, office or gym to join you. Ask for a small donation to take part in your World Water Day event. Step 4 – Tell the world. Log onto your favorite social media platform and post a photo showing how you're celebrating World Water Day. Make sure to tag your posts #Blue4Water Help us make as much noise (and money) as possible, to reach the world's poorest people with the most basic of necessities: clean, safe water. Raise funds to help reach communities in need with safe water. Last year, hundreds of people took action for the 1 in 10 people who don't have access to clean water. This year, WolfPack Fitness in Auburn, Maine is hosting a #Blue4Water World Water Day Primal Fitness course, where athletes will pay an entry fee, dress in blue, and get an incredible water-themed workout. Exercises will mirror the tough physical work that people around the world do every day when they are pumping water from deep wells or carrying heavy buckets of water over long distances, all while utilizing nature, bodyweight and non-traditional items like cinder blocks and sledge hammers. Proceeds will be donated to support WaterAid programs. #Blue4Water Quiz for a cause Check out World Water Day trivia night on March 22 at locations around New York. Here's more information on event times and locations. Whether you carry 40lb. of water with friends, walk with your school or organize a bake sale at work, you can help make a difference! Start fundraising today!

subset: commoncrawl


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Jackson County, KS - Cheyanne Hare, the girl reported as a runaway in Jackson County earlier this week, has been located.
Jackson County Chief Detective Al Dunn reports that Cheyanne's mother, Deanna Wynkoop, received a call from Cheyanne asking to be picked up at a K-Mart in north Topeka.
Wynkoop took Cheyanne to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office where she was processed as a runaway.
Cheyanne was later released to her father, Jack Hare of Hiawatha.


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Staff not very communicative
Extremely small room (just a bit bigger than the bed itself
Furniture dusty
Bed sheets were blood-stained
We had never stayed overnight in Toronto, but the staff and management at the Royal Oak Inn made our trip easy by giving us helpful tips on parking and exchanging money while in Canada.
Additionally, the rooms were modern and comfortable -- reminding me of European-style hotels -- trendy and convenient in all the good ways.
It is in an older, diverse neighborhood, easily navigable to Church Street, Chinatown and the City Center, all along Dundas Street.
Would definitely recommend and stay again.
This is not a criticism, but there is no elevator, so don't over pack.
The old world charm was amazing! Hotel employee at the front desk was extremely helpful with directions, obtaining Raptor basketball tickets, and the bike rental. Loved the free parking and the free breakfast each morning. Our stay was top-notch!
Very good customer service. The hotel is very quaint with old world charm and elegance.
We were brought to a condo under construction several blocks away from the advertised location; there were a dozen cots stuffed into 3 bedrooms with no furnishings or even toilet paper. Clearly an illegal operation.
service is good
aircondition is not working
Here's why:
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At KAYAK we don't set prices, so it's not possible for us to guarantee what other companies are selling.
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Our service lets you quickly and easily compare results from hundreds of travel sites at once. In this sense, KAYAK is a search engine and we don't guarantee prices we find.
Why aren't prices accurate 100% of the time?
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I have got Windows Vista Home Premium on my Toshiba laptop, which I bought about a year ago. I then created 2 recovery discs using Toshiba Recovery Disc Creator.
One of my friends has got a Windows 7 DVD with multiuser license (or so) which I wish to try on my laptop. Now my questions are:
If I install Windows 7 (by upgrading), will it allow me to create new recovery discs? which I'll be able to use in case anything goes wrong with the Windows.
If I won't be able to create recovery disc, then if in case my Windows 7 gets corrupted will I be able to switch-back/down-grade to Vista using Toshiba recovery discs?
I am not very sure how does a recovery disc work.


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What conditions and diseases can cause dizziness?
Many different conditions can cause dizziness or sensations of being off-balance, for example, certain heart conditions, or blood disorders like anaemia. However, if you have been referred to a neurologist or an otologist, general conditions like these will usually have already been ruled out.
Dizziness is also the unwanted side effect of many different medications. You should discuss any concerns you have about medication with your GP or pharmacist.


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USD's mission captures the values that have made it a prominent Catholic university, a vibrant institution of quality higher education, and an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus.
Faculty collaborate one-on-one with undergraduate and graduate students on research, scholarship and creative activity, allowing students to experience the excitement of original discovery.
Our students strive for academic excellence and take great pride in serving their communities. At USD, students learn to think critically, act globally and work collaboratively to achieve their full potential.
USD has an active, thriving campus community. In addition to its sublime setting — enhanced by an average 300 days of sunshine each year — USD offers students an abundance of academic programs, facilities and resources.
More than 1500 full-time and 750 part-time employees worked at USD in 2011, in capacities ranging from faculty to food service to administration to groundskeeper.
From the moment you step on our beautiful campus you can see that USD is exceptional.
|Viviana Alexandrowicz
|Sch of Leadership & Ed Science
|Mother Rosalie Hill Hall 243
|Associate Professor
|Rae Anderson
|Associate Professor
|Susie Babka
|Theology and Religious Studies
|Maher Hall 258
|Associate Professor
|Mary Barger
|School of Nursing
|Hahn School of Nursing 231B
|Associate Professor
|Linda Barkacs
|School of Business
|Olin Hall 314
|Associate Professor
|Donna Barnes
|Sch of Leadership & Ed Science
|Associate Professor
|Thomas Barton
|Kroc Inst for Peace & Justice 266
|Associate Professor
|Kenneth Bates
|School of Business
|Olin Hall 238
|Associate Professor
|Adina Batnitzky
|Serra Hall 216
|Associate Professor
|Lauren Benz
|Chemistry and Biochemistry
|Shiley Ctr for Science & Techn 378
|Associate Professor
These extensions can be dialed using (619) 260 and then the number. The University of San Diego operator can be reached at 619-260-4600.
If your information in this directory needs updating or if your entry needs to be added, see the USD Phone Directory Change Request Form.
This campus directory has been compiled for the use of the faculty, staff, and students of the University of San Diego and for the convenience of others dealing with USD or members of its community. It is the property of the University of San Diego. Neither this directory nor the information it contains may be used, rented, distributed, or sold for commercial purposes.


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Direct Relief International is airlifting $335,000 in medical material aid to Pakistan to help people affected by the ongoing extensive flooding there. […]Read more →
Direct Relief International is sending an initial shipment of more than $335,000 (wholesale) in medical aid to support the emergency response to […]Read more →
Direct Relief International has offered emergency medical aid to healthcare partners responding to massive flooding in Pakistan. According to news reports, flooding […]Read more →


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1 Review
This is very similar to a recipe I use from the Terrible Hotel. I bake mine -- but first boil 15' in ch broth & crushed red pepper then bake for 20-30 in hot oven, turning once. This is an awesome sauce -- you won't be disappointed! Thanks for posting - now I don't have go search for Terrible Hotel any longer!


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GED Receiver Registration
If you are an organization or institution that will be requesting GED credentials regularly, you should sign up to become a Parchment Receive Member. This allows you to request and receive credentials on behalf of an individual through the a free Parchment Receive Basic service.
Sign up
Why Electronic Credentials?
Have questions? Browse through our Support site to find answers to the most common questions.
GED Support


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December 17. 2012 6:00AM
The Black Caucus and the left wing in general have implied that any United States senator who does not support United Nations envoy Susan Rice for secretary of state must be a racist. As tennis great Arthur Ashe once wrote, "The only thing worse than racism are those who use it as an excuse."
Editor's note: Ms. Rice has withdrawn her name from consideration for secretary of state.


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Tag: Surface Pro
Microsoft Said To Be Developing A 13 Or 14 Inch Surface Pro Tablet2
Big is in! It appears that the Surface Pro tablet lineup is on the right track, as Microsoft is said to be hard at work on expanding it with some notable new models. Notable, ...READ MORE +
Surface Pro 2 Tablet No Longer Available For Purchase0
The Surface Pro 2 tablet was more of an evolutionary step forward for Microsoft, compared to the original Surface Pro, but the company really turned up the heat with the Surface ...READ MORE +
Confirmation That Microsoft Is Working On A New Surface Pro1
They say that work on Windows never stops at Microsoft. And now you can add the Surface tablets to this list. A new Surface Pro model saw daylight just a few months back. And ...READ MORE +
Surface Pro 3, Day 2: Look and feel4
For Day 2 of the 30 Days with Surface Pro 3 series, I took the tablet out of the box and examined its physical look and feel. The Surface Pro 3 is very different from its ...READ MORE +
Microsoft Releases A New Surface Pro 3 Firmware Update1
The new tablet is in on the action, as are some older generation Surface units. The new firmware release is part of the company's Update Tuesday cycle for August 2014. Surface ...READ MORE +
Hotel Provides Surface Pro Tablets To Guests In Every Room1
The revolution is slowly but surely coming. The age of Windows powered tablet is finally upon us with the Surface line leading the charge, and other vendors following with their ...READ MORE +
Firmware Updates Incoming For Surface 2, Surface Pro And Surface Pro 27
More Surface news. Patch Tuesday is here, and Microsoft has just announced that three of the four Surface tablets are getting new firmware in this round of updates. The Surface ...READ MORE +
Microsoft Releases Firmware Updates For Surface Tablets To Fix Critical Issues0
While January saw a scattered release of firmware for the Surface tablets, the technology wizards over at Redmond have returned to their regularly scheduled programming this ...READ MORE +
January 2014 Patch Tuesday Updates Now Available, Surface Pro Firmware Also Out0
A very special Patch Tuesday update is now out. Microsoft has just launched the first updates for the year that take care of six different vulnerabilities in various software. ...READ MORE +
Surface 2 Complete Bundle Available Just Today For $1491
After surfacing in rumors last week, this amazing new deal has now gone live. Part of Microsoft's promotional 12 Days of Deals discount campaign, Surface fans can now treat ...READ MORE +
Microsoft Selling The Surface Pro $150 Below List Price On Cyber Monday3
Redmond has offered its Surface tablets at some very special prices on Black Friday, and now the company has prepared another amazing deal for the Surface Pro. As part of its ...READ MORE +
Microsoft Kicks Off Brand New Surface Pro Contest0
Not many would have imagined that the original Surface Pro would be coming back into the spotlight after the release of the second generation slates, but here we are. Redmond has ...READ MORE +
Surface, Surface 2 And Surface Pro Get A New Set Of Improvements1
The second week of a new month in the Microsoft world is always filled with software and firmware updates for many of its products, and this one is no different. Along with ...READ MORE +
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Pop Culture
Odd Mom Out Returns & Ginnifer Goodwin's Baby NewsBy Gerri Miller
Find out who's guest starring on Odd Mom Out this season and get the scoop on Goodwin's new babe!Go To Pop Culture
Tag Archives: children of interfaith families
Take the Dilemma out of December
Last year, Hanukkah came early (remember that once in every 77,000 years Thanksgivukkah Celebration?). Back then, I blogged about how the early Hanukkah was a special gift for interfaith families, allowing those of us who are a union of Christian and Jewish traditions to more easily separate the December holidays and focus on each individually.
This year is a bit more typical, with Hanukkah starting on December 16 and ending on Christmas Eve. With six weeks to go before we dust off the Hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah), I think we have just enough time to keep December from being a dilemma. Like many things in parenting, and life, your best chance to make this happen is to start planning now.
The December holidays are a wonderful time. The lights, be they candles in our windows or lights around our trees, are beautiful. The music is joyful, and the food is both plentiful and sweet. Families and friends are together in celebration, filling homes, street corners and hearts with love and togetherness. The themes of our holidays remind us about some of religion's most important lessons – faith, hope and the potential for miracles.
The December holidays can also be challenging. Expectations are high, and as parents we are often harried in our attempts to make magic for our children. Feelings of loss sting a bit more strongly for those of us missing a loved one, or out-of-touch with someone with whom we'd like to be in touch. With Christmas movies at the box office and schoolyard chatter a flurry with talk of gifts to be received, there can be a special tension for those of us whose families try to integrate multiple traditions.
I imagine that even if you and your spouse grew up next door to one another, going to the same house of worship and marrying after a long high school courtship, you can find yourselves mismatched in your expectations for December. For interfaith couples of any stripe, these mismatched expectations can be amplified. And for parents for whom being of different faiths doesn't feel like a big deal from January to November, December puts their different backgrounds front and center. Even if you stand firmly grounded in your personal choices about religion, your kids are bound to throw you off base with a question about why you do or don't do the same thing as another family they know.
Today, I would like to advocate that you make a plan. It does not need to take up all of November, but better an hour of planning in November than four hours of frustration in December. Here is what I propose.
Buy a bottle of wine. Or better yet, call a sitter. Carve out an hour of time with your partner to talk about what your Hanukkah through Boxing Day calendar will look like, and what you'd like it to be. If you're not sure, look around your community or online for articles, classes or friends who can help you plan to make the time a period of fun, giving, relaxation and maybe even a little learning.
Some questions that I have seen come up for our family and others during this time, in case you don't know where to start:
Do that, and then call your own parents. Talk to them about what they hope for, and share what your own hopes are. If you can't do that, at least share your feelings with whomever will help make the holiday spirit bright for your family.
And then have fun. Eradicate the dilemma from your December, and bring on the holiday cheer. And let me know how it all works out.
American Jewish Community Must Learn From Jewishly Engaged Intermarrieds to Remain Vital
When I set out to write my book From Generation to Generation: A Story of Intermarriage and Jewish Continuity, I wanted to demonstrate through the telling of my family's story that intermarriage has not been as bad for the Jews as many in the Jewish community would have us believe. I wanted to show that the reality of the religious lives of mixed faith families is more nuanced and richly Jewish, than is often portrayed through surveys, statistics, and snapshot anecdotes.
For years, the Jewish community's belief that intermarriage is a significant factor in the decline of the Jewish population has been reinforced by how it collects its data. Jewish demographic surveys mostly look at rates of intermarriage and Jewish childrearing by intermarrieds. There have been few studies that I've come across that dig deeper into this issue through qualitative and quantitative research; few researchers, academics, or community leaders interested in understanding the hows and the whys of Jews who are intermarried.
This focus on calculating the percentage of Jews that intermarry and raise singularly Jewish children has failed to move the debate about how to best address intermarriage and its effect on Jewish continuity forward in a meaningful way. Instead, it continuously creates communal hysteria and vitriol with the release of each new study.
One of the problems with the data on intermarriage is that it captures the religious choices of families at a single point in time. This method assumes that interfaith family life is static. However, an intermarried family's relationship to faith can be as dynamic as an inmarried family's.
For example, some not Jewish partners choose to convert after many years of living a Jewish life. Previously uncommitted couples decide to engage Jewishly when a child is born or starts preschool. Interfaith families who identify as Jews of no religion become more involved after a significant life event. Families who start out as dual-faith later make the decision to have singularly Jewish homes. Children of intermarriage choose to identify as Jews in some way when they reach adulthood.
Until recently, most demographic studies have failed to measure the Jewish identification, engagement, and experience of interfaith families in a way that captures scenarios such as the ones highlighted above. However, after the publication of the Pew report, Theodore Sasson, a senior research scientist at the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies asked the Pew research team to look at the rate at which young adult children of intermarriage identified as Jews.
He found that over the years, "the proportion of adult children of intermarriage identifying as Jewish has steadily increased, reaching 59%" for children born after 1980. The result was almost evenly split between those identifying as Jews by religion and those identifying as Jews of no religion.
In discussing his findings, Sasson states in the Spring 2014 issue of Contact, "the higher-than-expected rate of Jewish identification among the adult children of intermarriage is…a significant milestone. The rate at which young adult children of intermarriage identify as Jewish exceeds the rate at which their parents claimed to be raising them as Jewish in the NJPS 2000-01 survey."
Sasson's data captures people like my cousin, the child of a Jewish father and not Jewish mother raised in a home with no religion. During his first year of college, he met other kids like him. Some of his friends had heard of Birthright and suggested that they all look into it.
The idea of exploring his Jewish heritage interested my cousin enough that he announced at his family's secular Christmas dinner that he was planning to apply to go on the Israel trip with his friends. My Jew of no religion uncle, who had been turned-off by the faith after his
By collecting data on intermarriage and the child-rearing choices of intermarried Jews in the way that we do, we do not allow for the possibility that being Jewish or engaging in Judaism can become important or of interest to interfaith families and children of intermarriage over time. Dr. Sasson's findings will hopefully get the Jewish research community to consider additional ways to study intermarriage's effect on Jewish identity.
I hope to see more qualitative research being done too in order to better understand why intermarrieds are or are not choosing Judaism, and how they are engaging in Judaism if they are associating themselves with the Jewish people in some way. But, until communal leaders start asking these questions, it is up to intermarrieds who are actively choosing Judaism to make our voices heard.
By sharing my family's interfaith and Jewish journey in From Generation to Generation, I hope others will be encouraged to share their story. Our narratives can help answer questions such as why, how, and when are intermarrieds making Jewish choices.
The Jewish community needs to learn from and leverage the experiences of interfaith families living Jewishly in order to draw more intermarrieds into American Jewish life. If it does not, the predictions of the communal pessimists will eventually become reality.
Sasson suggests that the Jewish community support efforts to maximize the percentage of intermarrieds raising Jewish children and welcome young adults not raised as Jews to explore their Jewish heritage. He seems to recognize what many Jewishly engaged intermarrieds already know; Jewish spouses will not sustain us, but Jewish engagement will.
From Generation to Generation: A Story of Intermarriage and Jewish Continuity is available at Indibound, Amazon and other retail outlets.
Theodore Sasson, "Investing in the Children of Intermarriage," Contact: The Journal of the Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life, Spring 2014, Volume 16, no. 1, 8-9. http://www.steinhardtfoundation.org/wp-install/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/spring_2014.pdf
Why We Aren't Having Children
The following is a guest post by Stephen Richey
Reading over the posts on InterfaithFamily's Parenting Blog, I have come to the realization that a decision Kat and I made has allowed us to avoid some of the issues facing families that are blended from two distinct faiths or cultures. We know we do not want children and it was one of the easiest decisions for us to make. It also eliminates many common areas of disagreement in interfaith families such as religion in which to raise the kids, education and discipline.
How can deciding not to have kids—a watershed moment in most people's lives—be so easy for us? If you take a step back and look at the facts critically and without playing to the emotions so often tangled up in it, the matter becomes a balancing of the positives and negatives of what parenting would entail in our family. Admitting this out loud often raises people's ire because "How can one put a price on the joy that children bring?" I can imagine what some readers are thinking, because we have heard it all before. Folks most often respond with stares of horror or confusion or with comments about how we are young and will change our minds as we "grow up" (I am 33 and Kat is 29).
The most practical reason for our decision is simply this: Neither Kat nor I want a lifestyle that is suitable for raising children. Kat is an EMT and works weird hours. My schedule is not much better and is not likely to improve as we move forward with our efforts to expand my research overseas. When that happens, it is likely that Kat will move over to working with me at our non-profit full time. There's a decent likelihood that one or both of us will be out of town over a hundred days per year. That is just not a good situation to bring children into and we do not wish to give up our careers.
Another factor in the decision to not procreate is that we do not wish to give up or change our own identities and lifestyle to raise children. This may seem a very selfish reason on its face but stop and think about how many of your friends drifted away when they had children. If it makes someone else happy, that's spectacular but we know that it isn't for us. I am thrilled to live vicariously through someone with regards to their children so long as they agree to do the same with regards to our lifestyle.
One of the common rebuttals that folks (often older folks) have is "But won't you miss having children around?" And we might, but perhaps not as much as you would think. Our take is that kids are great in small doses. And we'll be able to get those small doses with our nephew, thanks to my younger sister and her husband.
The other common question is "But who will take care of you when you're old?" Once again, this is usually something that comes from people the age of my grandparents because people tend to ask about things that are sources of concern to themselves. While having children is one way to try to ensure your wishes and needs are taken care of, it is no guarantee. Grief does screwed-up things to people and clear thinking is usually one of the first things to go. So having someone who is closely tied to you make end-of-life decisions may end up causing additional problems.
As I mentioned, people most often try to persuade us with the argument that we will come to want children as we "grow up" is the most common one we encounter, and it is often done in a rather patronizing way. It is also frankly one of the most insulting things one can say to a person. Saying such things about someone's core beliefs about their life is akin to criticizing their religion. To say such things to us is to imply that we are wrong, though it is more likely that the people judging us do not fully understand our circumstance. If a lifestyle choice makes a person happy and they are not harming anyone else with their views, why should it be a concern of yours? Just as Kat and I do not judge others and may not understand fully their desire to have children, we respect and support their decisions. All we ask is the same courtesy.
Having children can be a beautiful blessing, and a continuity of the Jewish community, however, there is also sometimes strife that child rearing causes in relationships—including interfaith marriages. We cannot help but ask whether more people should be taking a critical view of whether having children is right for their situation rather than trying to make their relationship fit having children.
The social and religious expectation that a couple will produce children is so overwhelming that many do not stop to think about the reality of it in any concrete way. Maybe it is time that such matters be given more consideration and not simply be treated as a given. If it works for you, great! But the responsibility of parenting should be a rational and sober decision and not one made simply to please cultural, social, religious or family expectations.
Stephen is a secular humanist Jew and a trauma biomechanics/crash survivability researcher from Indianapolis, Indiana. He and his loving fiance Kat will be married this September in an interfaith ceremony.
A Meditation on Rules: My Shavuot Postscript
Shavuot came at an interesting time in our parenting journey this year. In addition to cheese blintzes, the main event on Shavuot is a commemoration of when the Jewish people received the Ten Commandments and the Torah. It is a holiday to renew our commitment to the Torah, to study on the Ten Commandments, and to celebrate the many stories and mitzvot that the Torah contains. This celebration of the rules that G-d gave to us at Mt. Sinai fell at a time when the role of rules in our family is at the forefront of our interactions.
At 5, Ruthie is in a period where her primary developmental focus is to test the boundaries of the world around her. This manifests itself in a constant engagement with Mom and Dad's rules, as she uses her (of course exceptional) intellect to try to sneak around rules, to push the boundaries set out for her, and sometimes to ram head-first against a decree that Eric and I think is completely non-negotiable. As we try to support her through a series of transitions–the end of the school year, the beginning of an unknown summer camp, and the anticipation of kindergarten–what I hear in her words is a complete disdain for rules, but what I see in her behavior is a need for structure even more than she's needed before.
So in the middle of a somewhat involved parenting moment, Shavuot rolled around. I was lucky to take the girls to two wonderful Tot Shabbat services the week before and after Shavuot, where they (and I) got two different perspectives on how to celebrate the holiday. And my mind was soaking it all up, particularly when we talked about the Ten Commandments. I spent a lot of the week of Shavuot thinking about those rules, and about what they provided to the Jewish people. While the commandments are not simple to follow, they are reasonable. They give us a framework to use in relating to one another and to G-d, and a lens for understanding "right" and "wrong." For the most part, they do not confine our every movement, but they do give us enough direction to frame the way we interact with the world.
So Shavuot seemed like a great way to hit a reset button and try to redefine the role of rules in our family. A wonderful parenting expert recommended to us that we rein in the rule-pushing by restarting with a set of family rules that the four of us make together. The weekend after Shavuot, Ruthie, Chaya, Eric and I sat down to make 10 family rules.
They are not exactly like the Ten Commandments, in that they did not come from G-d, or even from a single authority figure, but they came from all of us thinking collectively, in our case an important step for helping Ruthie feel like she has a role in defining her world. Unlike the Ten Commandments, they are not steadfast–they reflect a moment in time, and hopefully we can conquer these 10 as we all have some mastery and our family changes.
But they do apply equally to all of us, just like the Ten Commandments. And I hope that they show Ruthie that rules do not confine her every movement, but provide enough direction to guide her in interacting with the world, and hopefully even to find a feeling of safety within that. And for us, Shavuot marks a new start on rules, just as it has for the Jewish people for more than 3,000 years.
Double Booked: Every Day, Mothers' Day
The following is a guest post reprinted with permission from Julie A. Silver and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
By Julie A. Silver
On Mothers' Day, my wife Mary and I went on a hike at Will Rogers' State Park near our home in Los Angeles. We left our two year old home to nap, dropped off our nine year old for a horse-back riding lesson, then took the first hike we've taken together in years. I was thirsty from the moment we ascended, but Mary shared her water with me and, as always, made me laugh along the way.
When we reached the top and took in that gorgeous 360 degree view of downtown LA, the magnificent mountains and the shining ocean, I thanked God for this place that supports our family: two working mothers in an interfaith marriage who aren't exactly spring chickens with two very young daughters. And interfaith isn't limited to our respective religions. Mary loves the Mets and I love the Red Sox. Mary loves camping and I enjoy clean sheets. Mary loves cats and I'm allergic. I could go on. The bottom line is that despite our differences, we've built a life and filled it with kids, family, friends, fun and I'm exhausted just writing about it.
I also might be lying about being allergic to cats.
For the last 25 years, I've been a traveling singer/songwriter. I can't imagine doing anything else. My work requires both constant connections with people and long stretches of solitude—and let me tell you it isn't easy, but it is precisely this tension that pushes me forward in everything I do.
Mary Connelly has had a long and successful career in television and comedy and has been the Executive Producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show since its beginning. Every day she walks with grace and confidence through an industry that is the polar opposite of mine. You know, a little gray hair and a few wrinkles around the eyes can kill a woman's career in Hollywood. In my world, gray hair gives you status. Wrinkles show you've been laughing. Glasses mean you've been studying. My people celebrate age and wisdom; not so much in the fleeting world of entertainment. But Mary's creative fingerprints are all over that show in its compassionate outreach and its sense of fun—like the woman herself, always of service to someone in need.
We also have amazing childcare—women who take care of our daughters like they were their own when neither Mary nor I can be around. With that said, I like to say that Mary works Monday through Friday and I work Friday through Monday, but the truth is Mary is gone 12 hours a day during the week. I'm a full time Eema. My day is a mix of driving kids, writing, studying, practicing, taking care of my business, setting up play dates, singing to Katie, piano lessons, paying bills, managing the house, and fulfilling my deepest calling, being a "Dance Mom."
When I'm away, Mary becomes a single parent. She does the errands, cooks, and takes care of our home and our daughters. While I'm out singing at synagogues across the globe, my Catholic wife drives Sarah to Hebrew School on Sundays. She's got to deserve something for doing that alone, right? Like a cat? We'll see.
To be sure, Mary and I are together on this: We want our girls to be of service; to give of themselves and to embrace life's challenges. We want them to find loving partners who will climb to the top of the mountain beside them, share their water with them and make them laugh so hard they spit it out onto the trail. And when they get to the top, out of breath and exhausted, we want them to look around and love that view.
Julie Silver is one of the most celebrated and beloved performers in the world of contemporary Jewish music today. She tours throughout the world, and has been engaging audiences with her lyrical guitar playing, her dynamic stage presence, and her megawatt smile for over 25 years. Silver lives in Southern California with her partner Mary Connelly, a highly successful Executive Producer and their delicious daughters, Sarah and Catherine.You can follow her on Twitter at @JulieAnnSilver or visit her website at juliesilver.com.
Finding a Way to Embrace the Fifth Child
The other day, I received an email from an organization that supports unaffiliated and intermarried Jews encouraging me to recognize the "fifth child" at my seder. Curious about who the "fifth child" was I opened the note.
The message highlighted how Passover has long been a holiday that pushes Jews to acknowledge critical Jewish and non-Jewish issues of the day. Using the haggadah story about the four children – the wise, wicked, simple, and silent, as a foundation, the email suggested that seder facilitators explore the questions and challenges faced by a fifth child – a child of intermarriage.
A discussion guide was included, but before I opened it, I felt myself grimace – something about the child from an interfaith home being labeled the "fifth child" made me uncomfortable, but I wasn't sure what it was. I knew that the material was developed with the intention of making Judaism more welcoming and I assumed that the language was scrutinized to ensure that it wasn't offensive or exclusionary. So, why was I bothered by it? What rubbed me the wrong way?
As I considered the language of the email, I realized that a part of my discomfort stemmed from the use of the term "fifth child." It called to mind, the negative connotations sometimes associated with "step-child." It felt that children like my son, who come from interfaith homes, were being labeled as "other," outsiders, not part of the larger Jewish family.
But, I didn't want to dismiss the material based on my initial reaction, so I put aside my feelings and continued reading. After an overview of the number of Jewish children being raised in interfaith homes, the guide suggested that leaders ask seder participants, "What does the child of intermarriage ask?" The child of intermarriage asks, "What is my place in all this?"
I thought, Sammy and the other children of intermarriage in my circle would never ask this question.
I knew that they wouldn't ask it because they already believed that the Passover story was their story. They didn't question their place among the Jewish people. They were all raised, from birth, in single-faith Jewish homes, in a supportive temple community. They all attended Jewish preschool, and now participate in religious education and youth activities. They were sure of their Jewish identity in part because of the commitment to creating a Jewish family made by their not Jewish mom or dad.
Suggesting to these children, who come from Jewishly engaged interfaith families, that they might not have been a part of one of the defining moments in Jewish history, would be inappropriate and confusing. It would cause them to question what they see as their place among the Jewish people.
As I read further, I saw that one of the goals of the piece was to reassure children of intermarriage who were uncertain of or insecure about their Jewishness, that they, like all Jews regardless of age, background, upbringing, or parentage, had a place in the Exodus. When I realized this, I understood that this discussion was not intended for children like my son, who feel wholly Jewish and have strong Jewish identities.
Still, what I didn't like about the content was that it reminded me that many Jews still considered a child like mine to be outside of the Jewish community. The supplement touched a sore spot that I assumed, because of our high level of Jewish engagement, no longer hurt. I thought that after a dozen years of living an interfaith and Jewish life, that I had developed a callus. Apparently, my religious skin is not as thick as I thought.
But, after considering the information some more, I found the supplement's value. I saw how it could encourage thoughtful and constructive dialogue about interfaith relationships, and how it could start a conversation about the Jewish community's response to intermarriage in communal forums such as committee meetings and outreach workshops, and at holiday tables with participants from diverse Jewish backgrounds, affiliations, and observance levels. I saw how, if used in the right setting, it could produce robust discourse.
One of the things that helped to change my feelings was an article I found on Chabad.org explaining the four children. Included in the essay, was the concept of a fifth child. It quoted the denomination's former leader, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who said 37 years ago, that there was "another kind of a Jewish child," one who was absent from the seder, not interested or not aware of the Exodus or Torah. Schneerson went on to state that this child presented the biggest challenge to the Jewish community but that regardless of how difficult it was, every effort should be made to bring the absentee child to the seder table because "no Jewish child should be forgotten" or "given up" on.
The Rebbe, as he was known to his followers, makes a valid point, one that may be even more valid today given the number of unaffiliated, "Just Jewish," or non-traditional – interfaith, LGBTQ, multicultural – Jews. Yet, sadly, there are some who want to forget or give-up on Jewishly different children, especially those from interfaith homes.
What the fifth child is really about is welcoming the stranger (see Jessie Boatright's recent blog), and making a place for part-Jewish, sort-of-Jewish, or Jewishly unengaged interfaith children at seder tables in order to encourage them and their families to explore Judaism or live a more Jewish life. That is a message I can embrace. The haggadah supplement isn't the right fit for my Passover guests, but I'm no longer bothered by it.
The Most Religious Thing I Have Ever Done on Christmas
Christmas is a week away and many interfaith families are busy with preparations for their family celebrations – buying gifts, packing for travel to relatives, baking, decorating, and shipping presents. This makes many in the Jewish community nervous.
They worry that engagement in this Christian holiday will confuse children who are otherwise being raised Jewish or diminish their Jewish identity. They believe that participation in Christmas is religious syncretism and will make it less likely that Judaism will be passed on to future generations. They say that to be Jewish; a home must not include any other religious observances because they create ambiguity.
Many interfaith families like mine agree with the point that a home should have one religious identity, and that is why we have chosen a singularly Jewish path. But identifying as Jews does not mean that we ban Christmas from our homes or decline to participate in the holiday activities of our extended families.
What many within the Jewish community fail to understand is that, for a large number of interfaith families, including mine, Christmas is not religious. Yes, Christmas is technically a religious holiday, although it is not considered to be the most important by the Church. It is simply the most popular culturally and socially, and that is how many Jewish interfaith families honor it.
According to InterfaithFamily's 2013 December Holiday Survey, 88% of us celebrate a secular Christmas that lacks religious content. We give gifts; we enjoy a holiday meal and festive foods, and spend time with relatives. Most of us celebrate Christmas in the same way as I did as a Jewish kid growing-up in a Jewish family.
My childhood Christmas included a tree in my home, dinner and gifts on Christmas Eve with my father's Jewish family, and a similar celebration on Christmas Day with my mother's Jewish family. It was a period when everything slowed down, and was a convenient time for my family to reconnect with out-of-town relatives we did not see on a regular basis.
I thought that my family's celebration was entirely secular because we were Jewish, and it was not "our" holiday. So, I assumed, when I met Cameron that I would experience a more religious observance. After all, my in-laws' faith is very important to them.
My father-in-law is a graduate of theology school and a layman in the Episcopal Church, and my mother-in-law sits on the vestry. They attend services most Sundays. But not on Christmas or Christmas Eve (too many "C&Es" – people who only attend church on Christmas and Easter).
What I have learned since joining the Larkins, is that just because a family is Christian does not mean that their observance of a Christian holiday is religious. The Larkin family Christmas has no religious component; no church services or prayers, no reading of scripture or discussion of the nativity story. It is with the exception of stockings and more decorations, the same as my childhood Christmas.
Christmas Eve is a buffet dinner and a grab bag with my father-in-law's extended family, and Christmas is a lazy, relaxing day filled with food and gift giving. Like my Jewish family's Christmas, the Larkin's Christian Christmas is about enjoying time with family.
So the concern in the Jewish world about interfaith families' religious observance of Christmas made me cull through my memories for my most religious Christmas moment. What I realized is that the most religious thing that my family has ever done on Christmas is light Hanukkah candles.
When Hanukkah falls on Christmas, we observe, the holiday, religiously after our secular Christmas. If we are in Dallas, Cameron, Sammy, and I light the candles at sundown in front of our tree often with Jewish friends. If we are in Vermont, we kindle the menorah with my in-laws, sister-in-law, and nephew. Sammy, Cameron, and I say the prayers in Hebrew and our not Jewish extended family read the blessings in English. In these moments, there is more religion, spirituality and talk of God than there is in any other part of our family Christmas celebration.
I wish more Jewish academics; leaders, professionals, and laypeople took the time to understand the significance or lack thereof that Christmas has in the lives of many interfaith families choosing Judaism. Instead, they assume, like I did, that because Christmas is a religious holiday any observance of it must be religious too.
They also assume that all intermarrieds are the same; we all raise our children in two faiths or none at all, and allow our children to choose their religion when they are older. Therefore, celebrating holidays from different faiths must be syncretic and confusing. But just as there are different kinds of in-married families – secular, cultural, ritually observant, and somewhere in between – there are different kinds of intermarrieds including ones who have a solely Jewish identity.
For interfaith families like us who have chosen Judaism, and nurture their Jewish identity year-round through Shabbat and holiday observance, Jewish education and community engagement; what happens on one day in December has little, if any, impact on our embrace of and commitment to Jewish life. Just as the lighting of a menorah with Jewish relatives by an interfaith family that has chosen Christianity does not call into question the family's Christian identity.
For dual-faith or no-faith families observing Christmas may well create ambiguity and confusion. I do not know; I am not one of them. All I can say is that our Christmas celebration has no power to shape the identity of my Jewish (interfaith) household, just as it had no power to influence my childhood connection to Judaism. So excuse me for rolling my eyes at the prognosticators who predict that Jewish continuity is in jeopardy because people like me are celebrating Christmas.
The Gift of an Early Hanukkah for Interfaith Families
Thanksgivukkah has come and gone, and we have racked up stories of latke-stuffed turkeys and donuts on the dessert table, and, most importantly, of the beautiful lights of the menorah on the Thanksgiving table. But before it becomes history for another 150 or 77,000 years, depending on how you count, I want to take a moment to appreciate what makes this year different for the Interfaith (Jewish/Christian) family. This year, Thanksgivukkah gave way to an easier holiday season, where we can focus more on celebration than challenges.
As it has for the last few years, the first week in December my inbox has filled up with announcements for events about the "December Dilemma." The emails describe great-sounding panels with clergy from all walks of Judaism and Christianity offering to help me determine how to best parent through the month where our multi-faith background takes the starring role in our lives. But I have to say, its star is shining a little less brightly this year, because there is a little less dilemma before me.
As an interfaith couple, at its most challenging moments December forces us to articulate our faith choices in a way no other month does. How do we explain to our kids that they are a part of two families, even though those families' traditions seem so divergent in this month? In putting out a menorah instead of a Christmas tree, are we trying to tell them that one thing is better than another? (We aren't, by the way.) These questions are symbolic of the complexities of the choices we make for the four walls that define our home, questions that we navigate and re-navigate as individuals, parents and families all the time, the countless questions that probably led you to this website today.
And on top of the biggies that are highlighted this time of year, two slighlty smaller questions, the detail ones, always loom large for me in December. First, how do I make Hanukkah meaningful, when Christmas is just so gosh darn distractingly fun and wonderful? And second, how do I coordinate celebrating both with both sides of the family, and still minimize any "lost time" with either?
This year, Hanukkah started the night before Thanksgiving, so we squeezed in our candle lighting between packing and cooking the stuffing we needed to drive to New York for Thanksgiving dinner. As I mentioned last month, we spend Thanksgiving with my Jewish family, so the gang was mostly there for the second night. And then we had three whole nights on a holiday weekend, a rare occurrence for Hanukkah. With Christmas so far in the future that gift lists haven't even been written yet, we could fully concentrate on Hanukkah – no Christmas party invites to juggle between candle-lighting, and barely an ornament display between me and the Hanukkah decorations at Target. It has been a lovely, small holiday, with plenty of nights to share with Grampy, a few with cousins, and two with friends. And now it is over.
Hanukkah is over, and I have three weeks to shop for stocking stuffers for my husband's family, three weeks to scheme about which holiday events we'll attend together when we visit them. It is almost like Christmas is in a different season. In our home, we talk about the importance of helping our Christian family celebrate Christmas, because it is an important and joyful holiday for them. This year, we're done with our holiday, so we can fully focus on the help. Rather than choosing between one holiday or another, we did ours, and now we can move on to other things. My two detail questions are answered pretty neatly (although I will miss you on Christmas day, Dad!).
So it feels like I got an extra gift this December. And perhaps it is a reminder that even though we talk about a "dilemma," in the end what most of us are trying to accomplish two things. First, to define our own nuclear family's take on observance, and teach it to our kids with clarity and love. And second, between the long checkout lines and travel hassles and decisions about whether to light candles or strings of lights in our own homes, December is about balancing a whole lot of celebration and joy. If we focus more on the celebration and joy, maybe we can push the dilemma part of the equation off of center stage and into more of a supporting role.
Honoring my Promise to my Grandfather
About a month ago, I visited my 96-year-old grandfather at his skilled nursing facility in New Jersey while in the area for a family event. It was Shabbat morning, my favorite time to go see him.
My grandfather and I have always been very close. As the oldest grandchild and the only girl, we share a special bond that is different from the one he has with my brother and male cousins. I make it a point to spend time with him whenever I go east to see my family, and I always bring Sammy.
It is important to me to visit with him, even though I am not certain that he knows me or that Sammy is his great-grandson. My grandfather has dementia. On some visits, he does not seem to connect our smiling faces to any name or person that he can recall, but is just happy to have some visitors. On others, I can see that he recognizes me when I walk over.
But even with the uncertainty of his response, I still go and I still bring Sammy. I do not do this out of obligation, or because Jews are commanded to visit the sick. The mitzvah Bikur Cholim, a concept I learned from my grandfather when I was a young child, and he took me to visit his infirmed and elderly parents, tells us to be with someone who is ill because the presence of a loving and kind person is a gift that can lighten the burden of illness.
No, I do not perform this mitzvah because I am told to. I go to visit him because I love him, and I have a deep desire for him to know Sammy as best he can and for Sammy to know him, even though the man he will know is not the vibrant grandparent I remember. But I want Sammy to have some connection to the person he hears about in stories and sees in pictures.
I also go with Sammy because I want my grandfather to hear about my son's life and our home, our Jewish home. See, I made a promise to my grandfather 12 years ago when Cameron and I became engaged that my children would be raised as Jews, even though Cameron was not one. I remember the conversation.
"Janey, will your children be raised Jewish?" my grandfather asked.
"Yes," I said. "Cameron and I have agreed to have a Jewish home and raise our children as Jews."
"Oh, okay. Is he going to convert?"
"No, I didn't ask him to."
"Okay. Well maybe one day he'll decide to," my grandfather said.
I understood my grandfather's questions and his hopes. He was the oldest son of observant Jewish immigrants from Hungary. His father was a chazzan, a cantor, who grew-up at the Great Synagogue, also known as the Dohany Street Synagogue, in Budapest on the Pest side of the Danube. Judaism was a central part of his upbringing and identity, and Jewish continuity was important to him, especially given that intermarriage was widespread in my family.
He watched his son, my uncle; marry a woman who was not Jewish; as well as several of his brothers' children. With my engagement, another generation was continuing the pattern. While some of my intermarried relatives raised children within Judaism, others had no connection to Jewish practice or community, or any other religion either.
As someone who was a young adult during World War II and the Holocaust, my grandfather understood that every Jewish child was precious to the community, and he did not want our family's connection to the faith to disappear. He wanted some assurance that someone would pass on our tradition.
I know that he was glad to hear that Cameron and I would have a Jewish home, but I think that while he hoped for the best, he believed, like others in my family that our promise was empty and that little action would be taken to fulfill our commitment. Unfortunately, shortly after Cameron and I were married, my grandfather's mental health began to decline. By the time Sammy was born, he had been moved from assisted living to the nursing facility's memory unit.
He has never been able to experience or appreciate the central role Judaism has in our home. Yet, regardless of my grandfather's mental state, I still want him to know that Cameron and I have kept our promise.
When we visit with him, I talk about the many things he and I have done together, and about my synagogue involvement and holiday rituals. I share with him Cameron's commitment to and engagement in our Jewish home.
Sammy sings him Jewish holiday songs in Hebrew and tells him about his Jewish day school. He talks to him about his Jewish summer camp and his kippah collection that his not Jewish grandmother has crocheted for him. And because Sammy loves sports as much as my grandfather once did, especially tennis, he talks sports too.
I do not know if any of this means anything to my grandfather, but it is important to me that I demonstrate that I have honored the commitment I made to him, and show him, in whatever way possible, that his hope for a Jewish future is being realized through Sammy. So we will keep visiting, I will keep talking, and Sammy will keep singing Jewish songs.
The Maccabee on the Mantel
The other day, as the Halloween candy was being eaten and costumes were being put away, I saw a house decorated in Christmas cheer. It had a large wreath with balls covering one side of the home, and the frame was lined with bright red and white lights. I sighed and thought, "Is it really that time again?"
It seems that each year the holiday season starts earlier. What used to happen after Thanksgiving – holiday decorations in neighborhoods and stores, and merchandise on retailers' shelves – now appears before Halloween, drawing out the seasonal cheer in a way that leaves many of us feeling exhausted before the holidays even arrive.
For Jewish families, the elongated season and ever increasing intensity with which Christmas is celebrated in the public sphere can leave us feeling more than a little Grinch-like. What to people who are not Jewish are non-religious symbols and accessories (trees, garland, lights, dancing Santas), are reminders to Jews that we are different. For interfaith families raising Jewish children, the commercialization of the winter holidays can make them feel particularly stressful and drag us into a competition between traditions that we all want to avoid.
In my house, we try to take the holidays in stride and treat them like any other celebration. We work to make our observance about family and tradition. But it is hard not to be lured in by the razzle-dazzle of Christmas, and every now and then, I find myself longing for a credible Jewish alternative to elves, and reindeer, and snowmen and Santa in order to add a little more sparkle to the Festival of Lights.
My friend Abra can relate. Abra, describes herself as a nice Jewish girl who, as a child, loved latkes, delighted in dreidel and coveted Christmas bling. At age 6, she started secretly decorating her closet with homemade boughs of holly and began purchasing Christmas ornaments. She says it was never about not wanting to be Jewish, it was just that she wished that Hanukkah came with more tinsel.
Now, as an intermarried adult raising two Jewish children she wanted to make being Jewish fun and the Jewish holidays enticing, while instilling in her kids a deep love of Judaism. Not an easy task at a time of year when the merry and cheer of Christmas abounds.
So, Abra created The Maccabee on the Mantel so that her children, and all Jewish children, could have something to call their own during this season of Frosty, Rudolph, and Old St. Nick. The Maccabee on the Mantel is a children's book and snuggly toy solider doll that connects kids to the rich history and traditions of Judaism.
Mac, as we like to call him in our house, is not a Jewish Elf of the Shelf. He is historical rather than mythological. He does not possess magical powers. He does not report to a large man in a red suit. And he is not related to Hanukkah Harry.
Mac is a reminder that Judaism is full of human heroes who have achieved great things through courage, bravery, and sacrifice. He encourages us to retell our stories, and explore who we are and where we come from.
Mac does not twinkle and he does not make our mantels shine. But he does provide a more lasting radiance by reminding us to believe in miracles. To me, that is real sparkle and that is the kind of holiday tinsel I want my son to embrace.


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Kudzu Film Festival and EYEBALL Music Video Showcase Awards
When: 8-9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14
Where: Morton Theatre
Cost: Free
Awards will be given in categories to be determined by jurors.
Kudzu Film Festival Venues
Tickets available nightly at each venue.
University of Georgia Tate Student Center, (706) 542-6396
Georgia Museum of Art, 90 Carlton St., (706) 542-4662
Morton Theatre, 195 W. Washington St., (706) 613-3771
40 Watt Club, 285 W. Washington St., (706) 549-7871
Info: www.prometheus-x.com, (706) 613-7126
Student Films In Competition
When: 7-11 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 7
Where: Tate Center
Cost: $8 public, $5 students
(running times are approximate)
''L'enfant, la voche et le cochon,'' Nicholas Cervini (Athens, digital video; 5 min.) -- An excellent rhythmic work depicting our place in nature, with allusions to human's role as compared to cows and pigs.
''Helicopter,'' Ari Gold (New York, 16mm; 21 min.) -- Following his mother's death in a helicopter crash with her boyfriend, rock legend Bill Graham, 20-something Ari Gold struggles to remember her face through pictures and voice through a series of phone messages in this sweetly sad story of lost youth.
"The Pickle Jar"
''The Pickle Jar,'' Benjamin Goldman (Val Varde, Calif., 35 mm and digital still, 7 min.) -- While preparing to go out on a date, a young man is terrorized by a stink bug.
''Melting Glass,'' Patrick Grandaw (Los Angeles, 35mm; 28 min.) -- An American glass blower living in Prague asks his Czech fiance to move back to the States with him but learns a hard lesson about the importance of family in her country and her life. Glass becomes the metaphor for their relationship.
''The Interview,'' Courtney Davis (Austin, Tex., 16mm, 5 min.) -- A comedy about eye patches, job interviews and human furniture.
''Texas Pete,'' Mark Nelson (Los Angeles, 16mm, 10 min.) -- In this hilarious animated short, the story of Texas Pete, founder of the sport of ''whale rodeo,'' is told by a sports reporter, ESPN-style.
''Needle In A Haystack,'' Eva Saks (New York, 16mm, 7 min.) -- Though Penny dons the leather of a heavy metal mistress, her heart belongs to Fred Astaire.
''Slitch,'' Dianne Bellino (Baltimore, Md., 16mm, 23 min.) -- The words ''slut'' and ''bitch'' are combined by the sisters of a teen-age girl to describe her free-livin' lifestyle.
''Thou Shalt Not Kill,'' Yuk Ting Chan (Hong Kong, BetaSP, 4 min.) -- This short poses the question about where we draw the line regarding the right to kill.
''The Confession,'' Carl Pfirman (Los Angeles, 16 mm, 22 min.) -- In this touching drama, a gay man who's suffering from a life-threatening disease decides he wants to seek repentance, much to the difficulty and dismay of his longtime partner.
''Bacon Wagon,'' Lonny Zion (Venice, Calif., 35mm, 15 min.) -- The Bacon Wagon Man travels about the neighborhood, Ice Cream Man-style, delivering bacon to all the people in this silly, well-conceived live action short, told through the re-enactment of Bacon Wagon Man's best friends.
''Roadside Assistance,'' Jennifer Derwingson (Downey, Calif., 35mm, 20 min.) -- After their bus breaks down, a bridesmaid-to-be is befriended by a B-movie-actress-turned-Las-Vegas-magician and an ex-March of Dimes poster child and learns important lessons about life and love.
''Ed,'' Justin Chinn (Los Angeles, 35mm, 13 min.) -- Though Ed is consumed with a terrified obsession with germs, most specifically influenza, he is unsuspectingly seduced by a lovely librarian.
''Pillowfight,'' Scott Rice (Austin, Tex., 16mm, 4 min.) -- In this hilarious comedy, a husband battles the fitful, snoring, tooth-grinding sleep patterns of his beloved wife.
Out-of-Competition Screenings
When: 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8
Where: Georgia Museum of Art
Cost: $4 public, $3 students
"Punk Rock/Heavy Metal Karaoke"
7:30 p.m.: ''Punk Rock/Heavy Metal Karaoke,'' Sonny Aronson (USA, mini DV, color, 72 min.) -- Sonny Aronson chronicles the evolutionary movement of karaoke as wannabe rock stars hash it out at Arlene's Grocery, a New York City nightclub, backed by three-piece bands. The event began in L.A. in 1996 aided by Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh and the Minutemen's Mike Watt.
9 p.m.: ''Athens GA Inside/Out,'' Tony Gayton (USA, video, color, 82 min.) -- The 1986 film from Subterranean Productions that chronicled the rising Athens music scene of the time with performances by R.E.M., Pylon, Kilkenny Cats, the Squalls and Love Tractor, and interviews with such luminaries as James Herbert, the late John Seawright and um, Ort.
Out-of-Competition Screenings
When: 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9
Where: Georgia Museum of Art
Cost: $4 public, $3 students
"El Rey de Rock 'n' Roll"
7:30 p.m.: ''El Rey de Rock 'n' Roll,'' Marjorie Chodorov (USA, mini DV, color, 57 min.) -- El Vez does Elvis his way. The Mexican star sports a gold sombrero, a glossy pompadour and a pencil-thin mustache, and is best known across the world for his hits ''You Ain't Nothin' but a Chihuahua'' and Lordy Miss Lupe,'' performed with his lovely beehived backup singers, the Elvettes (Priscillita, Gladysita, Lisa Maria and Que Linda Thompson). Meanwhile he brings to light important issues regarding Che Guevara, Zapatistas, United Farm Workers, Mexican social and political concerns, safe sex, homophobia, racism, gang violence, drug abuse and more.
"A Stirling Performance"
8:45 p.m.: ''A Stirling Performance,'' Andy Cronk, Deborah Hogan (Scotland, DV, color, 40 min.) -- Film chronicling the arrival of R.E.M. in the small town of Stirling, Scotland, during the band's 1999 tour for ''Up.'' Though bands with R.E.M.'s following normally play large venues in major cities having little affect on a locales' daily life, in this case everyone is somehow affected. Interviews feature opinions on the rockin' invasion.
Competitive Screenings
When: 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10
Where: Tate Center
Cost: $8 public, $5 students
(running times are approximate)
''The Snowman,'' Lane Nakamura (USA, computer-generated animation, 5 min.) -- Visitors from outer space unwittingly beam up a snowman and demand answers about Earth.
''Beyond The Ocean,'' Tony Pemberton (USA/Russia/Austria, 35mm, 87 min.) -- A beautifully shot film that flashes back and forth in time between the youthful hardships of a girl growing up in Russia and her attempt to make a life for herself as an adult in Manhattan.
''Clown Car,'' David Garrett (USA, 35mm, 7 min.) -- A couple of clowns make do with their small rations of cream pies and seltzer water after breaking down in the desert.
''Sex & Death,'' Cat McKeirnen (Scotland, 35mm, 9 min.) -- A lovely woman with poor vision tries to find the man of her dreams.
''Dog Days,'' Ellie Lee (USA, 35 mm, 25 min.) -- An American family struggles to survive during wartime in the undisclosed future and becomes puzzled when a beggar, costumed and acting like a dog, shows up on their doorstep.
''Buried,'' Kathryn Bucher (USA, Super 8mm, 57 min.) -- Set in Montana in 1876, a brother and sister on the run become fatally involved with a mysterious woman who seduces them both.
"Discharge, NWO"
''Discharge, NWO,'' Deni Blaise (USA, Digi-Beta, 60 min.) -- A compelling documentary featuring interviews with Tanja and Vuk, Yugoslavians from different backgrounds who offer opinions amid the 1999 NATO air campaign, and Matt, an American helping with the camera work for the project, whose L.A. upbringing stands in sharp contrast to the destruction of what he's witnessing. The film is especially poignant in light of the recent terrorist attacks in America, providing a look into the lives of real people who've been profoundly affected by American actions.
Competitive Screenings
When: 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 11
Where: Tate Center
Cost: $8 public, $5 students
''f8,'' Jason Wen (USA, computer-generated animation, 12 min.) -- In the future, an alien force has taken over a planet forcing its inhabitants to serve as laborers. But one individual manages to break into a face vault and steal an identity, daring to escape.
''Revolution OS,'' -- J.T.S. Moore (USA, 35mm, 85 min.) -- A documentary exploring a group of computer hackers and libertarians whose two-decades-old movement to challenge Microsoft's software development (and monopoly) has resulted in a fairly successful system, Linux operating system and the Open Source Movement, which aims to create software that can be shared and altered according to users' needs.
''Dodgeball,'' Donald Bull (USA, 35mm, 20 min.) -- In an office with a junior high mentality, workers compete in weekly dodge ball games for raises and promotions within the company.
''Bike Ride,'' Tom Schroeder (USA, 16mm animation, 7 min.) -- Through an animated story, a guy details his not-so-bright idea to visit his girlfriend, traveling 48 miles (and five hours) on his bicycle.
''Breakdown,'' John Webb (USA, mini DV, 15 min.) -- A couple of chronically uncoordinated dudes determined to be breakdancers discover that perhaps they should pursue some other hobby, like watching good breakdancers.
''A Crisis Of Faith: The American Dilemma,'' Marie Paulemon (USA, BetaSP, 48 min.) -- An excellent, thought-provoking documentary that examines the rapid technological growth of a country that's lost spiritually. Interviewees Sam Keen, Richard Rohr, Jean Houston and Allen Dwight Callahan speak about the myth of progress in our country and how we are ingrained to judge ourselves not as human beings but as ''human doings,'' valuing ourselves for our economic worth, not our intrinsic and spiritual value. Their words are especially powerful, bringing up issues that have come to light even more recently in the wake of the terrorist attacks.
"Seven Storeys"
''Seven Storeys,'' Boris Ivanov (USA, BetaSP, 48 min.) -- A man who's checked himself into a clinic with an undisclosed ailment learns that the least sick patients are housed on the seventh floor, while those who are sicker go down floor by floor, to the first, where dying patients are kept. He's alarmed when he's moved, under myriad excuses, floor by floor, despite the fact that his disease is supposedly not serious.
Competitive Screenings
When: 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 12
What: Tate Center
Cost: $8 public, $5 students
''Josh W.,'' Johnnie Semerad (USA, 35mm animation, 2 min.) -- Young Josh finds that riding his bike can be a buggy experience.
"Lady In The Box"
''Lady In The Box,'' Christian J. Otjen (USA, 35 mm, 105 min.) -- In this excellent feature length film, a bartender is led to believe he's been set up in the murder of his girlfriend, whom he thinks was in a trunk he was paid to drop off in deep water. As he tries to cover up the evidence, he becomes further entangled in the mystery.
''The Pirates Of Central Park,'' Rob Farber (USA, 16mm, 34 min.) -- A young boy becomes a modern day pirate in this adaptation of ''The Pirate of the Round Pound'' by Lord Dunsany.
''The Ballad Of Little Roger Mead,'' Mark Carter (USA, 16mm, 8 min.) -- A 12-year-old boy exercises his unusual abilities in a small town talent show, much to the horror of his unsupportive father.
''I'm Good For It,'' John Huba (USA, Super 8mm, 4 min.) -- A short that examines the meaning of heroine chic.
''Frisbee Frenzy,'' Jon Riche (U.K., Mini DV, 2 min.) -- A movie that uses a Frisbee as a metaphor for chasing your dreams.
''The Man with the Empty Room,'' Todd Korgan (USA, 35mm, 19 min.) -- This beautifully shot black and white short tells the story of a lonely man who takes a chance and finds a roommate. Though it ends in failure, he is changed by the experience.
''The American Astronaut,'' Joshua Taylor (USA, 35mm, 92 min.) -- One of the most brilliantly bizarre films to come out in a long time, this twisted comedy calls to mind David Lynch's 1978 cult hit ''Eraserhead,'' mixed with a bit of Ed Wood-style sci-fi camp and song-and-dance numbers thrown in for good measure. Cory McAbee, writer and director, stars as Samuel Curtis, a space cowboy hailing from the silver state of Nevada. He travels the solar system carrying out various errands, and at a Ceres watering hole, receives his latest mission which involves, among other things, picking up a 16-year-old boy from the all-male mining planet Jupiter to deliver him to the all-female planet of Venus, where he'll become the new king.
This article published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Thursday, October 4, 2001.
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Unique Cebuano Royalty Experience
A royal experience in the Queen City of the South is assured with every stay at Golden Prince Hotel. Proving itself a grand yet welcoming home for the holidays, this business hotel in Cebu City, Philippines presents all you need and more at a most reasonable price.
Set in neutral colors, our spacious rooms and suites serve as a quiet sanctuary in the busy city. These clean and comfortable living spaces can accommodate the solo tourist, busy corporate travelers, and families with children. We satiate hungry travelers with a variety of gourmet options at our signature restaurant, Prince Fusion. Festive banquets and weddings also have a place in our meeting rooms. And to ensure the convenience of corporate guests and convention attendees, we offer Wi-Fi Internet access, the services of our business center, and transportation assistance.
In addition to our superb accommodations, our Cebu City hotel boasts an address set right across Cebu Business Park. This makes Golden Prince Hotel an accessible event venue and a great starting point for an exploration of the city and Cebu's famed beaches.


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"Usually, December is a very slow month on all fronts, but this year it has been incredibly busy," said Steve Elmendorf, a lobbyist and one-time senior adviser to former House Democratic leader Richard Gephardt (Mo.).
"Anytime government gets more active and more involved in your business, you'll look for more help in Washington," he said. "When Democrats control both chambers of Congress and the White House, there's no question that government will be more active."
Washington lobbying booms as economy tanks
"Usually, December is a very slow month on all fronts, but this year it has been incredibly busy," said Steve Elmendorf, a lobbyist and one-time senior adviser to former House Democratic leader Richard Gephardt (Mo.).
Scientists create world's thinnest material
Researchers have created the world's thinnest sheet - a single atom thick - and used it to create the world's smallest transistor, marking a breakthrough that could spark the development of super-fast computer chips.
This innovation will allow ultra small electronics to take over when the current silicon-based technology runs out of steam, according to Prof Andre Geim and Dr Kostya Novoselov from the University of Manchester.
They reveal details of transistors that are only one atom thick and fewer than 50 atoms wide in the journal, Nature Materials.
Guantanamo lawyer says Gates may have committed perjury
A declaration the defense secretary made in a Washington, D.C. District Court filing Dec. 12 during the habeas review of Guantánamo prisoner Binyam Mohamed might make some rethink the trustworthy label. Mohamed's lawyer, Clive Stafford Smith, says that unless Gates retracts his statement, he could find himself accused of perjury.
Cheney's admissions to the CIA leak prosecutor and FBI
Vice President Dick Cheney, according to a still-highly confidential FBI report, admitted to federal investigators that he rewrote talking points for the press in July 2003 that made it much more likely that the role of then-covert CIA-officer Valerie Plame in sending her husband on a CIA-sponsored mission to Africa would come to light.
Cheney conceded during his interview with federal investigators that in drawing attention to Plame's role in arranging her husband's Africa trip reporters might also unmask her role as CIA officer.
Iraqis hope to sue U.S. troops under new accord
The families of three men who were killed last week during a search of a grain warehouse want to press charges against American soldiers under the terms of a new security agreement between the U.S. and Iraq.
Their charges are a preview of some of the nettlesome questions that are likely to arise as the U.S. yields more authority to Iraq under the terms of the pact, which takes effect Jan. 1.
The Federal Reserve Bank is the Reason for America's Downfall
The American Dream, An Obituary - The American Revolution was an extraordinary event. The idea that freedom was an inherent right, that tyranny could be successfully opposed, that government could serve the people, not the few, was truly revolutionary in 1776—as it is today.
The American Revolution, however, has run its course; and unless resuscitated and given new life, the American dream and the dreams of America 's founding fathers will soon be only a memory. Dreams rarely come to pass and those that do rarely last. The American dream is no exception.
What happened in 1776 has been subverted by the passage of time and the inconstancy of later generations. Those who rule America today have subverted the principles enumerated in the US Constitution; principles the Founding Father hoped would guide those who followed them through the crises yet to come.
Israeli Human Rights organization declares settlement illegal
All the settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international humanitarian law, whether or not they are officially recognized by the Israeli government. The various governments of Israel ignored this prohibition and established more than 130 recognized settlements throughout the West Bank and on the territory it annexed to Jerusalem.
More than 100 million Americans breathe sooty air
More than 100 million people living in 46 metro areas are breathing air that has gotten too full of soot on some days, and now those cities have to clean up their air, the Environmental Protection Agency said Monday.
The EPA added 15 cities to the sooty air list, mostly in states not usually thought of as pollution-prone, such as Alaska, Utah, Idaho and Wisconsin. That's probably because of the prevalence of wood stoves in western and northern regions, a top EPA official said. But environmentalists said the EPA was only doing half its job on soot-laden areas, letting some southern cities with long-term soot problems _ such as Houston _ off the hook.
FDA Tells Consumers Not to Use More Than 25 Weight Loss Products Due to Undeclared, Illegal Ingredients
The FDA today warned consumers not to buy or use more than 25 products marketed for weight loss because they contain undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients that may be risky. Those products may be sold online or in stores as "dietary supplements."
But FDA tests found that the some of the products contained undeclared ingredients including sibutramine (a controlled substance), rimonabant (a drug not approved in the U.S), phenytoin (an antiseizure drug), and phenolphthalein (a solution used in chemical experiments and a suspected cancer-causing agent).
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For Melbourne's Tech Entrepreneurs
Established in 2011 inside a 1850s heritage-listed space, York Butter Factory is the destination point and open innovation platform for Australia's most innovative technology startups, corporates and early-stage investors with bold and global ambitions.
Our curated open innovation platform focuses on B2B startups in the areas of FinTech, HealthTech, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data and Analytics, Cloud and SaaS, Gamification and Marketplaces, CyberSecurity and AdTech.
Named after the original 1855 building, YBF is situated on King Street at the base of the Rialto.
Entrepreneurship can be a tough and lonely journey - which is why we've worked hard to help grow an active community of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and corporate partners.
We believe that diverse people shape a successful coworking space. Come join us in being a part of the York Butter Factory community.
Our partners are here to help take your startup to the next level.
Whether it's credits, promotions, or even distribution and funding opportunities, we've made sure that your startups' progress is accelerated by being at the York Butter Factory.
We're proud supporters of events in the startup community.
We host meetup groups like the AWS User Group, WordChicks Melbourne, and Melbourne Mobile.
We also run our own events - from weekly Show and Tell Sessions to monthly Pitch Nights and the Ladies of York meetup group, there's always an event for members of the startup community.
Named after the original 1855 building, the York Butter Factory is situated on King Street at the base of the Rialto, and are home to startups with bold and global ambitions to change the world.
We're a fully-functional office space with 5 meeting rooms, a cafe area, a 100 Mbps fibre connection, and unlimited refreshments.


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Pregnancy Support Group
Welcome to the waiting room for anticipating moms and dads. Whether you're expecting your first or a new little brother or sister, meet other parents in this community who are also looking forward to a new addition to the family.
0 Online
0 Online
This is my 1st baby went to the Dr today and they did an ultrasound could not find anything they said it might be to early they said uterus was thick but that's it..I'm sooo scared I'm gonna lose this baby all I can do is cry
My husband and I were about to start ttc and we discovered we were already pregnant! I am only 6 weeks. I feel terrible but almost all my thoughts/feelings about the pregnancy are negative. I have a toddler who will be 2 in September and all I can think about is how unmanageable it will be when we have this next baby. I almost regret getting pregnant and I never would've thought I would feel or...
My wife who was bipolar and depressed seemed to of gotten worse when she got pregnant and the worst of it peaked at 7 months. Did anyone else find that their depression worsened when pregnant? Was anyone on any doctor prescribed medications while pregnant?
I don't think I have ever been so emotional in my entire life, I swear these damn pregnancy hormones make me not even recognize who I am, I don't even feel like me. Tonight my hubby went to the hospital, he had an epidural injection in his neck on Tuesday and has been in pain since then, im home on bed rest so he wouldn't let me go with him, his phone died about 4 hours ago, and I have been going...
I am 6 weeks pregnant and a first time mom. I have been experiencing some unreal rage at the smallest things. My husband has been trying his hardest to be patient with me. These actions are completely outside of my normal character. Is this normal?
Hi, Im 26 years old and I'm currently 13 weeks pregnant. I am engaged to the father of baby but it seems as though he is less than happy about our new arrival. Originally, we were talking about an abortion but I won't do that. He thinks we aren't ready for such a huge commitment and maybe we aren't. But I'm looking for him to show some kind of interest because I'm feeling very alone in this...
I am 19 years old and I am currently 5 months pregnant with a precious baby boy. I have my happy moments, but I feel sad or stressed out most of the time. My boyfriend and I fight a lot, and I am starting to scare myself with the things I say or do while fighting. I have pushed and hit him a few times and it makes me feel absolutely terrible. I already have a big issue with stressing out, and I...
i love my child, but I feel like the stress in my life is making it difficult to be the mom that I want to be. I am 27and married. Being the sole income is taking a toll on me. I feel that he has it easy. I deal with a lot of nausea and I am 18 weeks. Lately we have argued a lot. I feel increasingly depressed. I want to manage it better. I am so afraid of what this is doing to my child. I feel...
After 5 years of trying to conceive, my husband I were thrilled to finally see a positive pregnancy test. I am now 9 months pregnant and will be welcoming a baby boy within a few weeks. I have had a generally easy pregnancy aside from heartburn, swelled feet, and being very tired. After dreaming of carrying a child for so long, I have had these visions in my head of what it would be like. Me and...
Hi,I'm new here seeking for advice. Although I am thrilled to be pregnant and have a very loving husband who is just as thrilled as I am, I feel completely overwhelmed with morning sickness. This will be our 2nd child. In my first pregnancy I had horrible morning sickness through out the whole pregnancy. I was so miserable. I was praying I would be less sick in this pregnancy but I'm only 7 weeks...
I have anxiety and panic attacks.. bad. And also major white coat syndrome lolLike bad to the point that I'll wait until I absolutely feel like I'm dying before I'll go to the drs. Pregnancy isn't so bad because you do go to the drs so much you kind of get used to it.. but the bloodwork is what's really bad for me. My last 2 pregnancies I had pre-e and I'm rh -. When I needed my glucose testing,...
Although, if you're an excellent sleeper, it's common to toss and turn while pregnancy. Sometimes you really can't get satisfactory sleep, particularly in your first and third trimesters. So, it is recommended to use pregnancy pillow. I have used wedged pregnancy pillow that supports my body. You can also choose for yourself. To know more about it, you can refer website "Parents Need".You can...
Hi, I was pregnant with my second pregnancy at 6.5 weeks. November 27th I went into the hospital with terrible abdominal pain... Turned out baby had no heart beat & had stopped growing.. I had to get a D&C November 30th. I haven't gone a single day since then without crying.. without wishing this lil angel was still with me. I wanted this baby so badly.. I need some support or someone to talk to...
Hi I am 29 week pregnant and my hormones are out of control. This is my third child and I have lost it. I am not fun to be around, everyone walks on eggshells around me and I am mean! I am usually happy and loving. The littlest things make me so mad. Anyone else feel this way? I feel like I should check in somewhere for my craziness. My poor husband and son hate me I am sure of it. What can I do?...
Hi,I am 7 months pregnant. This is my very first baby, I am very new to this and the whole package that comes with carrying a human. Since I found out I was pregnant I was completely devastated, I didn't know what to think or do. I was so scared, the guy I'm with is a good man to me but I think I stick up for him way too much. Lately I've been feeling very emotional and sometimes borderline...
Sharecare Resource Center
Ask the Pediatrician: Is My Child Overweight?
Nip childhood weight problems now to avoid serious health problems later.
Distracted Parenting - Parenting
Smartphones, computers and wireless devices are making people drop out of conversations, relationships, and their own lives -- parents are guilty, too.
The Scoop on Baby Poop: 5 Hues and What They Mean
Here's what's common, what's not — and when to call the doc.
6 Signs Your Child Should Go to the ER
A sick child can be a scary thing for parents. A call to the pediatrician can calm your fears, but these 6 signs and symptoms could mean a trip to the ER.


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Danny Plotnick roared into the underground film world in the 1980s.
Fueled by his love of punk and alternative culture and infected with d.i.y. spirit, he started making films that captured a similarly snarly attitude.
His films were pegged as bawdy, bad-mouthed and beautiful, straddling the line between high-brow and low-brow art.
It's no surprise that his work has screened from the MOMA in NYC to mortuaries in Baltimore to the Independent Film Channel.
With little opportunity to screen this type of work in the 80s, Plotnick took to the road, projector and films in trunk, screening in bars, warehouses and cafes.
Plotnick trail blazed a path for the underground film world that exploded in the early 90s, a scene that would ultimately champion his work.
...read more
Looking for innovative music videos, corporate/commercial work with an edge, or a graphic designer?
Looking for a director who can make high quality work on time and under budget?
Over the past several years, Danny Plotnick has worked with Chuck Prophet, The Sippy Cups, Hostelling International USA, The Jewish Community Center Macabbi Games of San Francisco, McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Beth Lisick, Red Hill Books, The Ann Arbor Film Festival and more.
View a reel and read more here.
Roxie Cinema, Thursday, December 17, 8:30 pm
OffKino, October 16, 2015.
Screens with Faster, Pussycat, Kill! Kill!
Flip About Flip Screens:
Squeaky Wheel 30th Anniversary Celebration, Buffalo, 10/9/15-1/24/16.
Brand new music video I co-directed for Candace Roberts is out now. Everything yo wanted to know about Beavers, and then some. View it here.
Take Back Your Beaver. Music Video for Candace Roberts Fields.


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Photo Details
It was 1946 when this picture was taken. The war was over and so was our life in Indiana. We left to return to California. I always miss Indiana. I enjoyed the rain storms, the leaves, and the greenery of the East. We had a nice house, good friends, and our Unitarian Church. Dr. Backus was the best minister I have ever known. It was a great congregation and had the best programs and philosophy of any church I have attended. I have always missed Indianapolis & especially my best friend Alberta.


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"We do not all respond the same way to infectious diseases13 and we do not all respond the same way to pharmaceutical products like vaccines.14 15 16 17 Public health laws that fail to respect biodiversity and force everyone to be treated the same are unethical and dangerous."
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