text:
SEAL named EMA chief
January 11, 2013
LISBON — The Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency has a new director whose special skills will come in handy should al-Qaeda invade....
I know a person who applied with over 250 hours of FEMA all the courses halleck said he wanted. Field experience too. Not even an interveiw. Easy to see why that happened. Once the new guy gets bored he will leave. Big difference from active duty and admin position.
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I may be mistaken but I believe it was the new director lately. And not worried about wrath. I respect David's position as party chairman and the job he does there. But I have not regrets about speaking my mind and praising the great job ms Dillard has done . But thx for the concern.
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Republicans, politics over everything................
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This is BS government at its' best. Why did they hire this guy. Simple, the name. He will only hold the job for a year or two and then the Republicans will move him into the elected arena. This is nothing more that a ticket punch. The really messed up part is watching the same people (Mike Hallack) get re-elected time after time. Getting re-elected by the same people that ***** at everything they do. Idiots. By the way Cyndi. Your risking Davie's wrath speaking public like this.
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I believe it's his brother who frequents the domestics in the paper..
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I want to mention that for many months now Edie Dillard, the deputy, has done a fabulous job running the department. She is a dedicated, educated, qualified woman. Too bad she now has to train her replacement. And isn't he the same man who has been in the paper lately with domestic complaints and the sheriff involved. Welcome back to Columbiana county.
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Makes one wonder...just how much is those kickbacks?
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Maybe it's time to ask for an investigation. Talk about total disregard for public safety...this is a very dangerous game these fools are playing. You know people, we have dodged a lot of bullets and we are riding on borrowed time for a major disaster or emergency to occur in our area. Only a fool would be this complacent to that fact. This game these commissioners and First Energy is playing is grown now beyond any sense of reality.
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Who is going to be in charge when he is on reserve duty? For 59,000 dollars a year the county should be his ONLY priority. The only reason he was hired over the people with the CORRECT training and experience is because of who he knows. IS THIS MAN RELATED TO CRAIG NEWBOLD? THAT WOULD EXPLAIN A LOT.
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Talk about making themselves look stupid !!
The position went unfilled even though qualified people had applied for the job.
Then turn around and pay the new guy $9000/yr more even though he isn't as expericened as the oldguy or the temp. filling the job.
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These commissions just screwed the public over big time.
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dump the monkey blame on when it all goes wrong.
I trust First Energy as far as I can throw them.
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...with the money coming from FirstEnergy."
That is what I am having trouble with and getting my head wrapped around. I am not wanting to disrespect this Seal but I think they just made a laughing stock out of him and that very first line of this article.
FirstEnergy didn't like any of the candidates? They want to protect their interests and liabilities. I get that but what about everything else. Not every threat of disaster would affect their interest, what about the rest? What I can't figure out is to hear so many people talk...resumes with experienced, qualified people didn't even get interviews. Just some letter of denial. I got a close friend that applied and he said the letter was a laugh. Thanks for applying and if your qualifications are ever needed we will contact you. There was some on here that even stated the same thing. What exactly was they looking for?
I guess we just found out...a puppet. Yes man and somebody for the "after the fact" to
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As long as he jumps when they call for roads to be plowed in the order they want he has a chance. We lost two proven ema leaders over not giving a raise. Then the paper spins it for the commissioners. I wonder why Dillard's salary was never revealed.
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wait, let me rephrase that...they think they found their new puppet...my money is on the puppet.
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They found their puppet...
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Congrats to the new director. May you never have to do the job you were hired for.
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text:
Nissan is cutting prices on seven of its 18 models in the U.S., aiming for its cars and trucks show up in more Internet searches by shoppers.
The price cuts vary with the amount of equipment on each model and run from 2.7 percent on the Altima midsize car to 10.7 percent on the Armada big SUV.
Other models getting price cuts include the Sentra compact car, Juke small crossover SUV, Murano midsize crossover, Rogue small crossover and the Maxima full-size car.
The company plans to reduce rebates and other discounts to offset some of the price cuts.
The cuts come at a time when Nissan faces intense competition as U.S.-based automakers and its prime Japanese competitors, Toyota and Honda.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
'LG Blogger's Round Britain Tour' of Osprey reserves and associated
Osprey habitats.
This is
written in MS Word as a precaution (technical tip). I decided to make this a
new thread, as disjointed blogs on different threads would be too difficult to
follow. I shall put 'signposts' to here on relevant threads to draw attention
to the additions that will follow over the next few days.
The last
visits that I paid to LG were in the 1960's as a young graduate, keen
hill-walker and climber. My recollection of LG then, is not very clear, but I
recall the pioneering spirit of those involved and the nest itself being easy
to view. I remember being struck by the idea that Osprey could exist on an
exclusive diet of raw fish.
I set off
from Surrey, just south of London on the 15th June 2010. Apart from
LG, other sites were first time visits. I shall expand my comments on the
locations in later blogs.
Rutland Water, to get an idea of the
layout of the South Shore locations and to meet the staff at the Lyndon Centre.
RW Lyndon Centre and the hides which
have excellent views of the nest.
Kielder Forest, Cumbria. Monitor
only in the castle exhibition and shop. The RSPB man a viewpoint with a
telescope, but only at weekends. The nest was invisible to me in the distance.
Tweed Valley, near Peebles, has two locations, the
Kailzie Gardens (pronounced 'caillie'
rhymes with daily!), and a small exhibition with a monitor of the nest, at Glentress, which is just outside
to 21st am, with relatives celebrating my cousin's golden wedding in
Fife and Edinburgh.
am left for Dundee, visited Carnoustie, had lunch at the pub, '19th Hole',
I said,"I have not been in for a while", "41 years, or so", then to my old
bed-sit, by the sea at West Haven.
I had heard
about, Piperdam, near Foulis on the
Coupar Angus road out of Dundee, it is called 'The Osprey Centre', but I
discovered that the ospreys left there seven years ago, much to their
disappointment the fishing centre manager told me. I strongly suspect the quad
biking, among other activites being responsible.
Alan, I bet you are sitting up and taking notice, :o), you have probably guessed where I was
off to next…..along the back road to Loch
of the Lowes….yes, on the 21st June, of all days, that could
easily have been Lady's last day. Nobody had expected what was about to happen,
just after 6.15pm, when she took off, to the water's edge. I had arrived just
after 4pm, just behind the BBC satellite truck and they set about writing the
script, for the news item, which was about to change, little did they know. So
events took a dramatic turn for the better. More of that later, in a subsequent
blog. I watched the news item in the hotel in Birnam and after that the place was
I returned to LotL and watched Lady on their superb HD monitor. The staff use
the joystick to demonstrate the points being discussed and we were watching
Lady close up, noting how ill she looked, but, enough of that, now that she has
improved a lot.
Pitlochry and some of my old haunts, including the fish ladder at the hydro
power station, which was only ticking over at 5% of capacity, as water stocks
were being conserved.
Then to Loch
Morlich and a spot of summer skiing in my kilt, only joking, but some people
were doing just that, the remains of the big freeze still being enjoyed by
some. On the way I had checked where the Rothiemurchus Fish Farm was, it was
where I thought it was, but the new road system makes it feel much closer to Aviemore.
Since I
prefer back roads, I passed the LG
turning, after closing time on my way to Nethy Bridge Hotel, where I intended
to stay four days, subsequently extended, because of the good weather.
To be
Fortunate you JSB - I read with envy and look forward to more of the saga.
Thanks JSB. It certainly was a wonderful trip round the osprey centres of UK. I wonder if anyone else has done it in so short a time? You are right I did sit up and take notice when you mentioned all those well known places especially Carnoustie, West Haven and Coupar Angus. Things must have changed somewhat after all those years as would be the case for me if I went back there. I have been to Loch Garten as recently as June 2008 but have never been to LOTL since there have been ospreys nesting there.
Looking forward to the next episode.
What a wonderful trip you have had: good idea to make it a new thread and keep it all together, so it can be read as one, later.
Thanks for the 1st installment jsb - really looking forward to the detailed descriptions and the pics.
Summary Part 2.
23rd. LG Arrived 9.15am even although I knew
that they opened at 10am. More details later. But I only plan to cover the
areas of interest, either, not known to me, or not properly understood. Otherwise
I would only be repeating stuff that is familiar to you.
Boat of Garten for a snack lunch on the banks of the Spey, joined by mother duck and
ducklings and a white goose, which shared my sandwiches. I tried various points
on the Spey, where there were paths, hoping to see Osprey fishing, but saw
Then back to
LG for more time watching the monitors and viewing the nest through the
telescopes, as it is about a fifth of a mile away from the Centre. (My
At the hotel,
the remote control for my camera had arrived, so I could take proper photos
now, instead of only using the small one.
I went back to Loch Morlich and walked up the track and then the path to the
start of the Lairig Grhu, which knew of old, but this time my Achilles tendonitis,
which is on the mend, began to complain, at the limit of the tree line, so I
returned. Again I saw no Ospreys.
After lunch
at Glenmore Forestry Commission, I went to Rothiemurchus
Fish Farm and sat in the hide, patiently watching fishermen for a couple of
hours, occasionally looking through the glazed windows behind me. Then I
realised when a local couple joined me, that, that was the better direction to
look. I was then told that the hide had been moved and the position now was not
ideal. So, then we saw three or four Osprey, who were fishing in the fish tanks
close to the entrance, but the area was fenced off and the actual water surface
was obscured by trees. But we could see them easily in the air. As I walked
back to the exit, the Osprey were still present, but the fencing was the
problem. The fee for the afternoon was £5, also escorted photo shoot sessions
are available at 5am, costing £125.
After dinner
in the evening, I passed by the Fish Farm again, but saw nothing. I then went
for an evening stroll at Loch An Eilean, which is fantastic, very scenic
and met a local man with his dog and told me that one of his jobs involved
building Osprey nests, which are kept secret, as we know. Sometimes Osprey do
fish in this loch.
At the hotel a professional photographer had told me of the 'Raptor Valley' as
it is known, it is Strathdearn, a
valley that runs South West, from Tomatin.
Leaving the village, I followed the estate road as far as one can to a small
car park, the area is almost uninhabited and I continued on foot for about four
miles on a stony track. At the head of the glen there is a very large lodge
with many windows and the distant noise of a generator could be heard. But I
had the place to myself, after a man with a van drove off in the distance.
I sighted an
eagle at height soaring majestically, a peregrine and some buzzards. Many red deer were all over the mountains and
in the valley as well. One small herd allowed me to get within one hundred
yards, but as I raised my camera, for a shot, they moved cautiously away.
If one used a
mountain bike, I believe that it would be possible to make a circular tour,
from this valley to the west then north-west. I drove over a road that was
barely single track, with many warning signs, via Farr, to Inverness. My
sat-nav had stopped working and I wanted to let Halfords have a look at it. It
still did not work though.
There was
still time to fit in Findhorn Bay,
one of Roy Dennis's viewing areas, but the traffic on the road was nearing
rush-hour and jams were building up so I abandoned that idea, returning to
Nethy Bridge.
Just seen this thread, jsb , and it seems I nearly met you....! I intended to do my trip on 21 -25th June, but things conspired, and I went this week instead ie 28th to 2nd July.
I stayed 3 nights in Boat of Garten visiting the osprey centre on morning of 29th and late on the 30th. Also went to L an Eilean, and L Morlich, but saw no ospreys. I enquired about the fish farm and went as far as the car park, but it was 5 pm by then. I did go to Finhorn Bay but did not stay long, not knowing where would be good for sighting ospreys. I did not do much on Thursday as it was raining and windy, Also stayed one night at the Birnam Hotel (!!) then on Friday I spent the morning at Lof Lowes. I saw an osprey make several fishing attempts, uncuccessful, at the far end of the Loch, not sure if it was Laird or another osprey. The large headless trout was brought in just as I was about to leave, then I headed home to Cumbria.
glad you've decided to post this - looking forward to the next instalment...........
Thanks for the 2nd chapter of your Osprey Odyssey jsb. It makes fascinating reading.
Hi ChrisyB, I met a couple, probably more senior citizens that I am, who were bloggers on these threads and they had heard of me (so they may read this) on the first morning at LG, the lady had arranged a birthday treat for her husband, which Richard had something to do with, so they went off together. In Birnam, I was at the Birnam Hotel and was entertained ? by a Canadian couple, farmers, who discussed the reproductive system of imported cattle, while I was trying to enjoy my dinner. It was actually a lot worse than that, but, I would not wish to put on here what they really said. The sandwiches that the ducks enjoyed, came from the little shop in B o G. Paths crossing and all that! Take care,
I forgot to say that due to reading this blog I took to LG some Cake - It was enthusiastically received !
I dont think there wereany other bloggers there, a nice couple from Northumberland had been several times and I asked them, but they did not 'do' computers.
jsb - Thanks very much. I am enjoying reading about your tour.
Summary, Last Part.
I spent the morning at one of the locations in the area, where a 'secret' nest
is located. I am sure that you will understand that I wish to protect the
birds, by not saying any more about this part of my trip.
In the
afternoon I went to LG for the main
purpose of photography. However, as many of you will know, visitors including
members are restricted to the Centre and only volunteers are permitted to go to
the forward hide. So even with a 500mm telephoto lens the pictures of the nest
are not zoomed in as close as one would like. Nevertheless I shall post what I
have in due course.
I travelled north again to Findhorn Bay with
the intention of trying to get photographs of Osprey fishing. The weather was
fine, sunny and warm. I stopped at the bird hide, opposite the airfield and it
was not in a very pleasant condition, with beer cans etc. Moving quickly on I
got to the village Findhorn, which has a yachting centre, places to eat, two piers
and some boatyards. The bay is almost enclosed by the Culbin sands beach, with
a narrow neck, allowing the tide to come in very fast. The seals were coming
into the bay to fish and some kayaks were enjoying the currents, no swimming definitely
everywhere, as it would be far too dangerous. The basking Sharks failed to put
in an appearance. The forest on the other side looked inviting, but, although
there is a small boat, possibly a motor boat ferry, for trips to the opposite
beach, the forest is notorious for people getting lost once inside and just to
add to the excitement, there are some unexploded munitions, dating from the
Second World War, practice of the D-Day landings.
I was advised
that the best time to see the Osprey would be in the evening when the tide was
going out, between 6 to 8pm from the piers. I was prepared to wait and enjoyed
the afternoon sight-seeing. During the afternoon the small group of boys, who
had been fishing for crabs, from the pier had gone and the clouds began to
appear, then the wind got up and the yachts started rattling their lines and
bells started clanking, the wind was now quite strong, then the rain, which was
only for a few minutes, cleared all the visitors quickly, me included. So I am
afraid, it was back for dinner with no photos.
I was due in London for a group lunch on Wednesday and I had extended my stay
by two days, so it was time to head south. I found that in future I should
allow at least two days per location, to complete all the aspects of each
visit. After leaving Nethy Bridge, I took the back road to Coylumbridge for the
last time and passed the LG turn off, with a lump in my throat, heading for
Loch of the Lowes again, I had no news of Lady, due to no hotel Wi-Fi and o2
had told me in Inverness that it was not worthwhile buying a mobile broadband
dongle, as Nethy Bridge was only served by GPRS, which is voice and not practical
for surfing the web. I had not been to Aviemore, during this visit, if you do
not count the fish farm.
After some
shopping at House of Bruar at Blair Atholl, Pitlochry and lunch in Dunkeld, I
returned to LotL. I was really
pleased to see the change in Lady, the first thing I noticed that her eyes were
open again and she was eating and feeding, but still frail and a bit unsteady.
This was before she went fishing on Tuesday, the following day, as I was later
to hear. What I learned from the staff, was how she got back to the nest the
previous Monday. There she was at the water's edge and after resting, she made
a laboured climb and circled to gain height, remember she was blind or almost
blind, when she was above the trees trying to find the nest, the chicks called
out to her and she was able to land safely on the nest. Truly remarkable, the
chicks seem to have saved their mother's life. The staff also said that Roy Dennis,
had never heard of the type of illness or symptoms that she suffered, so as far
as I know it remains a mystery. During the visit I joined the SWT and took some
photos from the hide, which I need to process and compress to get them to
I then headed
for Glentress in the Tweed Valley,
for a brief visit to the exhibition, which includes a monitor of the nest. I
shall try to scan the leaflets I collected and post the images in due course.
I treated
myself to a night in the Peebles Hydro and got an upgrade for the accommodation,
this hotel is superb and the room was immaculate, dinner was first class, head
waiter, service and politeness, there are not many hotels these days, like this
one. Just to bring me down to earth, I informed the reception lady, apart from
holding conferences there in the past, as a 21 year old student, I used to
deliver their fish from Edinburgh in my fish lorry!
As I said before I like back roads. So I wanted to go to the woollen mills
factory shops in Hawick. I headed for Traquiar, the Gordon Arms Hotel, Tushielaw
Inn, Roberton, then to Hawick. The reason being that the countryside in this
area is suitable for Osprey and I stopped on the way a few times, also to chase
lambs from the road, that refused to budge.
I thought I may see some Osprey, but no luck,
that day although the countryside was ideal. I left Hawick for Surrey via the
A7, M6, M6Toll, M42, M40 and M25.
I am thinking of returning to LG for the
migration, meantime I will be busy putting up my
photos on the thread. You will have to bear with me, if some of you remember,
from the weekly blog; the package containing the new cameras was tampered with,
just before I left, so the camera software is not on the computer yet, which is
what I have to do next.
Thanks very much JSB for part 3 of your Osprey Odyssey. It is interesting that you mentioned the Peebles Hydro Hotel as I spent one night of my honeymoon there when I was 24. It really is a lovely place as is Peebles. I also know Glentress very well as I did lots of walking in the area when I lived near Glasgow. I think you will recognise this photo of Findhorn Bay with a view across to Culbin forest:
Hi Alan: Re Findhorn picture, just as I saw it. Thanks. My sister lived in Peebles for a while. The Forestry have changed Glentress into a very popular activity centre, as I am sure you know. There were many mountain bikers getting ready to go home when I was there.


text:
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text:
caedmon, 7 years old.
43 comments:
Hardy Boys?!?! Yes I love it! I might have been caught reading old Hardy Boys and Boxcar Children when I was little.ReplyDelete
he's too cute!! Love that you included what he's into :)ReplyDelete
Check out that bow tie! Fancy pants. I love it. And I love the idea to include what they're into.ReplyDelete
So cute! I think it's great that you included the books (love theReplyDelete
2nd photo) and the legos! It will be nice to look back and remember what things he was interested in at the time.
SO HANDSOME! that hairstyle is just the coolest. As is his bowtie.ReplyDelete
Great photos Mrs.Anderson (please tell me you say "Mr.Anderson" all monotone like in the Matrix when speaking with your hubs)
Happy Birthday, Caedmon! You are rght, he is so so handsome. Beautiful photos.ReplyDelete
Handsome is an understatement. Great pics Em.ReplyDelete
Those are awesome. His smile makes me smile!ReplyDelete
He certainly is a handsome little man! And I love his reading choice. ;)ReplyDelete
These are TOO cute! Handsome man!ReplyDelete
he is so sweet, and looks so cool with his long locks these days! i love that you incorporate what they are loving at that age, i should've done that, such a good idea!!ReplyDelete
Great idea. The props of what he's into at that age. He'll love these one day, and his wife will too!ReplyDelete
photography question... what lens do you normally use? and how do you get that pale look in your photos? I love it! Is that how you take the photo or how you edit the photo?
that profile shot looks just like you.ReplyDelete
Love that idea....my big girl just turned 5...there's definitely going to be some Olivia and Fancy Nancy pics! MarissaReplyDelete
Happy Birthday Caedmon!ReplyDelete
Awesome photos! I just came across your blog today and I love your playlist at the bottom. It has caused me to begin a downloading frenzy on iTunes.
awesome photos! happy birthday caedmon!ReplyDelete
i must take pictures of these boys each birthday.ReplyDelete
handsome young man.
those are great photos...i think he looks SO much like you in theReplyDelete
5th pic down -the b & w.
He is one handsome 7 year old :)ReplyDelete
he does look a lot like you now that i think about it!!!! him and Mason will have so much fun playing together here... Mason is obsessed with the same things!ReplyDelete
love you,
He is so cute I could just eat him up with a spoon.ReplyDelete
Happy birthday, handsome little man! PS... L♥VE the bowtie!ReplyDelete
oh, HOW adorable he is. :))ReplyDelete
Just discovered your blog. You're adorable and so are your kids. Enjoy your birthday boy!!!ReplyDelete
what a cutie! My little guy just turned three last week... and you just reminded me... I need to take his photos. ahem. I've got rattling around up there, okay??!!ReplyDelete
he is too handsome!ReplyDelete
these pictures made me realize that caedmon looks so much like you. so cute!
Great pics ~ wasn't there crabbiness going on before the rain? You'd NEVER know :) You're a great mom Emily!ReplyDelete
My brother LOVED Hardy Boys when he was younger!! Cute pics!ReplyDelete
He is adorable! His smile is certainly catching!!! :)ReplyDelete
Um, if you have time, i'm having a giveaway! i'd love for you to check it out and if you're interested, join in! :)
He is indeed, such a handsome little man. That smile of his is soooo contagious.ReplyDelete
What a cutie and love the Hardy Boys book :) I was a fan of the Bobbsey Twins and Nancy Drew as a little girl. I think it's time to break those out for my own sweet peas.ReplyDelete
He may have the coloring of your Mr. Anderson...but that boy looks just like you!! Super cute pictures!ReplyDelete
yes he certainly is very handsome!ReplyDelete
What a charmer.ReplyDelete
absolutely love the shot with the legomen!ReplyDelete
YES he IS! oh so handsome!ReplyDelete
how sweet! :) I love taking pictures of my little man! :)ReplyDelete
i have an award for you on my blog, go check it out :) ♥erica
That second picture of Caedmon reading is PRECIOUS!!! And one day when I have a little of my own I am going to recreate it. These pictures are great!ReplyDelete
Handsome little man indeed :) Love that his favorite things are in the photos!ReplyDelete
great pictures! I love his outfit with his bow-tieReplyDelete
Oh my goodness, he is too cute!ReplyDelete
It's so funny how Caedmon looks like Keith to me but his facial expressions are completely yours!! I also cannot believe he is already 7 years old!ReplyDelete
#1 - I love the pic of him from behind when he's reading the book on the grass.ReplyDelete
#2 - Is it bad that I am a girl, yet I still loved the Hardy Boys?
I hope you and your family have a blessed Easter! :)


text:
As a VA hospital chaplain, I begin most weekday mornings by visiting patients with critical diagnoses such as cancer, cardiac problems or liver failure. However, a nurse recently stopped me outside a patient's room with a critical prayer request of her own.
"Do you pray for animals?" she asked.
My eyes swirled with hesitant patterns. I couldn't help but think of my dog, Toby. He's 2 years old and 28 pounds of mixed ancestry that gives him the long hair of the Lhasa Apso and the excitable temperament of the Jack Russell. I'm pretty fond of him, but the only time he's ever caused me to pray was when he had an accident on our futon, and I prayed my wife would spare his life.
"It's OK," the nurse said. "Maybe it's a bit frivolous to pray for animals."
I had to admit it did feel frivolous when compared with the concerns of our patients. However, it's not as if God rations our prayer requests. He's not some kind of Genie who grants only three wishes to the bumbling nincompoop who uncovers a buried lamp.
When I noticed her moistened eyes, I asked her to tell me more.
"My cat is in the ICU at the animal hospital," she said.
She blew into her handkerchief and then added more details. "Missy has cancer and the vet says he does-n't expect her to make it."
I recognized the pained look in her eyes as the one I saw in my children's eyes five years ago when I had to put down our 14-year-old schnauzer after she'd had a series of seizures.
"Sure," I said. "I'd be glad to pray for Missy."
We joined hands on the quiet end of a busy hospital hallway and I voiced a prayer not unlike the ones I say with the family members of our patients. I asked God to comfort the nurse and help her make the best decisions about Missy's care.
The nurse thanked me and I returned to visiting the veterans in our ICU. I didn't think of her prayer again until a few days later when I began my monthly weekend with the Air National Guard.
My chaplain assistant greeted me with a similar request.
"I need your help writing an animal eulogy," he said.
When I asked him to tell me more, he told me that his newlywed wife lost her 14-year-old Aussie shepherd, Sydney.
Well, I thought, I've never eulogized a dog, but I'd never prayed for a sick cat until I'd prayed for Missy. I suppose that God's calling offers many lanes of ministry, so I offered a few suggestions about coming to closure after loss.
Please know, dear reader, that I didn't offer reincarnation stories from other religions. Nor did I argue Christian theology that some say teaches that animals are without a soul and therefore inadmissible into heaven.
I don't try to speculate on the eternal destination of anyone, much less an animal, but knowing that the human soul grieves all loss, I offered condolences to my chaplain assistant and his wife.
At the end of the day, the best guidance I could give the nurse or my assistant came from Christian Scripture, which says, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them."
The verse, nor any other I know of, has nothing to say about animal afterlife, but I do believe it indicates that God cares for animals and looks for us to do likewise. And sometimes prayer becomes the best care we can offer.
Norris Burkes is a syndicated columnist, speaker and author. He is board-certified in the Association of Professional Chaplains. Email to email@example.com, or send comments to P.O. Box 247, Elk Grove, CA 95759. Visit thechaplain.net.


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on January 31, 2013 - 12:56 AM
NEW ORLEANS – Not to burst Ray Lewis' bubble, but this redemption tale isn't quite going according to plan. That is, unless the script called for him to stand in front of the Super Bowl media and deny he had ever used performance-enhancing drugs.
Lewis was laughing when he said it. He'd be the first to tell you how hard he's worked over the years — in fact, he did it again Wednesday. How absurd for anyone to suggest he would stoop to using PEDs to get an edge, or to make a quick recovery from a torn triceps injury.
But Lewis is so wrapped up in his own manufactured, God-fearing persona, that he doesn't realize how numb we are to athletes swearing they never used PEDs. No matter how passionate or sanctimonious the denial, we're just not moved anymore.
It's not entirely fair. But the more defiant an athlete is, the more skeptical we become. When it comes time for the requisite denial, I think of Lance Armstrong or Rafael Palmeiro and remember that when it comes to drugs, pro athletes are the most skilled liars on the planet.
Lewis can deny all he likes, but a digital Sports Illustrated report has raised questions about his recovery from an Oct. 14 triceps injury. The story claims that Lewis used deer-antler spray, which contains the substance HGH, which is banned by the NFL.
"I think honestly, I'm going to say it very clearly again," Lewis said before a packed conference room in the Ravens' team hotel. "It's probably one of the most embarrassing things we can do on this type of stage.
"You give somebody the ability to come into our world. Our world is a very secret society. We try to protect our world as much as we can. But when you let cowards come in and do things like that, to try to disturb something …
"I've said it before," Lewis said. "I've said it a million times," he continued. "The reason why I'm smiling is because it's so funny and absurd. Because I've never, ever took what he says I, or whatever I was supposed to do. It's just sad, once again, that someone could have that much attention on a stage this big, where the dreams are really real. They're really real."
Wow. In recent days, I've discovered that a lot of the NFL media consider Lewis a self-aggrandizing phony. Now I've witnessed it first-hand. He acts as if we've all been privileged to spend time in his "world," the "secret society" of pro football.
Never mind that the secret society is rife with violence, head injuries, concussions, bounty scandals, lawsuits from ex-players, drunk driving deaths and creeping suspicion of performance-enhancing drugs. Let's just sit back and watch dreams unfold on the big stage.
Later, Lewis basically said he announced his retirement early in the season to give football fans the chance to celebrate his greatness one last time.
"I believe that you should give everybody a fair chance to say their goodbyes," he said. "Playing that last game in Baltimore, announcing it the way I did, and knowing that it would be my last ride. Knowing that it would be my last time in M&T (Bank Stadium), it was one of the most amazing feelings ever."
Unless Sports Illustrated is guilty of some very shoddy reporting — and they were among the many who bought the Manti T'eo girfriend — Lewis is one of a legion of athletes who have been entangled with a sleazy, Alabama-based company called Sports with Alternative to Steroids (SWATS), which provides various remedies to athletes looking to gain an edge and recover from injuries.
Many of the products are legal. They include everything from holographic stickers to negatively charged water. Mitch Ross, who runs the two-man company in Alabama, preys on athletes' need to believe in any substance or gadget that can give them a competitive edge.
But evidently, the deer antler spray has been found to contain a banned substance. The SI story said Shawne Merriman used it during his comeback with the Bills in 2011. It said Joe DeLamielleure, the Hall of Fame guard and former Bill, used it to help with sleep deprivation.
Lewis said Ross has no credibility. He said Ross has been sued "four or five times." Ross was sued successfully by a former NFL player who used deer antler spray and later tested positive for HGH.
That doesn't mean the SI story isn't true, or that Lewis is telling the truth about his own involvement. Remember, this is a guy who lied to the police on the night of a double homicide after the Super Bowl 13 years ago and admitted to hindering the prosecution.
Lewis doesn't get the benefit of the doubt, regardless of his charitable works, his legendary leadership on the field, or the deep religious faith he never fails to mention in press conferences.
I asked Lewis if he could at least understand how, in the time of Lance Armstrong, the baseball steroid scandal, etc., it's hard for the media to take anything athletes say about PEDs at face value.
"Yeah, I don't … you know, I'm always very careful with speaking about something that I don't know about. I don't know about Lance, I don't know about nobody. I can only tell you about Ray Lewis. So to speak about other people's cases, other people's situations, that's totally on them and whatever you guys want to write about them.
"As far as me," he said, "I live a certain way. I do things my way, and everything else is everybody else's business."
There are only four more days in his "final ride." After Sunday, Lewis retires. He says he never tested positive for PEDs. Of course, the NFL still doesn't have a test for HGH, so we'll probably never know.
Lewis should be thankful for one thing. Because of the deer-antler saga, no one asked him about the old murder case on Wednesday.
email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Q: Are We In a Recession?
March 15, 2008 - By WAYNE SHEETS, Contributing Business Writer
The state of the economy is dependent on who's doing the talking — the politician or the economist. Personally, I'll take the word of the economist anytime....
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« Back to Media Releases
City of Little Rock Public Relations
Office (501) 371-4421
Contact(s):Meg Matthews501-371-4421
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Meg Matthews
August 27, 2013
CITY OF LITTLE ROCK-LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNOUNCE CHILDHOOD OBESITY impact volunteering prOJECT
Love Your School to Build on 2011-2013 Pilot Project
What: Launch of Love Your School Anti-Obesity Initiative
When: Wednesday, August 28th – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Carver Elementary – 2100 E. 6th St.
Little Rock, AR, August 27, 2013– The city of Little Rock and the Little Rock School District School District will announce the formal launch of a comprehensive, seven-school childhood obesity initiative entitled Love Your School at a Press Event to be held at 1:00PM CST on Wednesday, August 28th at Carver Elementary School, 2100 East 6th Street, Little Rock, AR 72202. The event will be held indoors in the entry rotunda of Carver Elementary School.
"This event marks a giant step in our effort to employ Service as a Strategy to address childhood obesity and its underlying causes including, access healthy food such as fresh fruits and vegetables, nutrition education for students and parents, daily physical activity and closing the gap in health disparities in Little Rock" said Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola. "Service as a Strategy is a partnership between ServiceNation and Cities of Service, the bipartisan coalition of more than 100 mayors who have pledged to work together to expand impact volunteerism," continued Stodola.
The announcement will follow a Principal Orientation during which Principals of Love Your School Partner Schools will be introduced to more than sixteen (14) interrelated evidence-based programs and the organizations that will support them including The Home Depot; Coca-Cola Refreshments; Heifer International; the University of Central Arkansas Department of Department of Family and Consumer Sciences; the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Department of Nursing; the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance; Central Arkansas Waster; the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement; the Arkansas Department of Health; Southwest Airlines, , Department of Health Policy and Management, F. W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; the Corporation for National and Community Service; and others.
"The idea we are pursuing is to eliminate childhood obesity by striking at its drivers, the things that make it possible," said Little Rock Chief Service Officer Michael Drake. "We address poverty and hunger by introducing nutrition education for K-5 students, community building through community engagement, school-based gardening, youth-led, campus-based farmers markets and a host of interrelated programming that has proven to deliver sustainable health behavior change in children, their families, their neighborhoods and their cities."
Over the coming year Dietetic Graduate Student Interns from the UCA Department of Family and Consumer Sciences will teach an evidence-based, common-core aligned nutrition curriculum to all students attending the Love Your School Partner Schools. The curriculum, entitled Grow, Eat, Thrive: Growing Gardens for Health, will be enhanced through the construction of over 300, 3'x10"x12" raised bed gardens placed on the partner school campuses. Walking trails are being developed on 6 of the 7 campuses and programming for parents, including Cooking Matters for Adults (which was piloted in Arkansas by the Love Your School program during its 2011-2012 Pilot at Western Hills and Martin Luther King, Jr. elementary schools, will be offered at all 7 partner schools.
ABOUT LITTLE ROCK SERVES and LOVE YOUR SCHOOL
Little Rock Serves was established in September 2010 as the result of a two-year Cities of Service Leadership Grant - awarded by Cities of Service, with funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Rockefeller Foundation. Little Rock Serves is the flagship organization that provides support and guidance to a variety of Mayoral-led impact service initiatives including:
Little Rock Serves was awarded a $100,000.00 "Impact Volunteering Fund Grant" by the Fund for Cities (Bloomberg Philanthropies) in 2013 for expanded implementation of its 2013-2015 Love Your School Impact Service initiatives at eight (8) Little Rock School District Partner Schools. The initiatives will launch in September, 2013.
# # #
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Meg Matthews at 501.371.4421 or email at firstname.lastname@example.com.
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on May 2, 2013 - 11:55 PM
Next stop on the Metro Rail: Amherst? Over the years, Amherst residents, town leaders and businesses have been cool to proposals for an above-ground rail line that would extend from the Buffalo border into the heart of this suburban town.
But the winds of change have come to the area's most-populous and growing suburb.
Amherst's present leaders have been briefed on a new study for extending rail or bus service to the town, and they are – if not embracing – at least open to the idea 27 years after the line came to a screeching halt at the University at Buffalo's South Campus.
What's changed?
A number of factors – from rapid growth in Amherst to rising gas prices and congestion – are different now, they say.
There's also the fact that more than 30,000 people each weekday ride public transit in the Buffalo-to-Amherst corridor – the highest ridership in the entire system.
What's surprising to some, though, is that this time around, no one seems to be against it.
"Back then, there was just an overall feeling that some of the suburbs didn't want to be part of the metro area," said former Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Chairman Raymond F. Gallagher. "But I can see that people have softened and times are different."
Now, Amherst leaders are interested enough in public transportation to Buffalo that they've pledged their full support for the $1.6 million NFTA study, which will look at rail, bus or even streetcar expansion to UB's North Campus or farther.
These days, an Amherst rider must take a bus to the South Campus Station – or get a ride there – to catch the subway into Buffalo, and vice versa for anyone in Buffalo wanting to get into Amherst.
But despite the hassle of switching from one mode of transportation to the next and complaints by some of spotty service between the city and suburbs, ridership on public transportation has soared.
And with the continued expansion of the University at Buffalo's North Campus and a desire of students to get downtown, officials say the number of people eager to use public transportation could grow substantially.
"People's perception of public transit has changed, especially if you talk to young people, who are more willing to ride public transit than has been the case in decades," said Thomas George, the NFTA's director of surface transportation.
But students aren't the only ones clamoring for a one-seat ride between the city and suburbs.
Amherst leaders point out the town has blossomed over the last couple of decades into what some would consider the economic center of Erie County.
These days, jobs and commerce bustle along Main Street and in the town's office parks.
"As far as what's changed, just look around you," said Amherst Supervisor Barry A. Weinstein.
With all that business has come loads of traffic, which snarls at the start and finish of each workday at the big blue water tower near the Interstate 290 and Thruway interchange.
The situation could only worsen as UB inches toward its 2020 plan, which calls for more growth at its Amherst campus.
It's also hard to get workers from the city out to jobs in the suburbs, said Guy R. Marlette, deputy supervisor of Amherst.
A few years ago, his Amherst computer company tried to hire students from the Buffalo Public Schools.
"There was no convenient way to get them to our office quickly and easily," Marlette said. "In many cases, if you don't have a car, it's not an option for you for employment."
Marlette ended up moving his business to downtown Buffalo to make it more convenient for the workers who lived in the city.
But it's not just the suburbs that would benefit from increased transit options, planners say. Downtown Buffalo's rebirth is also playing a role.
With more development going on than has been the case in decades, there's a new demand for suburbanites to get downtown, for jobs at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus or leisure on the waterfront. And there's not enough parking to accommodate all of their cars.
The reaction of suburbs to the idea of public transit has also changed.
Back in the 1980s, anti-transit citizen groups came out against plans for rail extension to Amherst, fearing that "once-gracious neighborhoods will become seedy backyards to a rail line."
Racial tensions also played a role in the pushback, according to George K. Arthur, former president of the Buffalo Common Council.
"That was a major factor," Arthur said. "The ridership then as well as now is from minority communities, and they didn't want students coming back and forth. They were afraid that students would destroy their nice, quiet neighborhoods."
Gallagher said transit officials encountered similar pushback when they expanded bus service to Cheektowaga years ago. That controversy came to a head after a black teenager was fatally stuck by a car while crossing Walden Avenue to reach her job in Walden Galleria because the mall had banned her East Side bus from its property.
While Marlette said some people still say they "don't want the subway running through Amherst," he and others believe attitudes have changed.
Amherst, in particular, is much more racially diverse than it was when the train was put in – and that may have opened a few minds.
"Those of us of color are not the big bad wolf that some people thought we were," Arthur said.
Gallagher also believes people's attitudes have changed, "and I'm sure the economy and gas prices have something to do with that."
Attitudes alone, though, didn't prevent Metro Rail from stretching to Amherst, Buffalo Niagara International Airport, the Tonawandas or the Southtowns three decades ago.
Money played a huge role – and is likely to again.
Original plans for a 12.5-mile rail line to Amherst were slated to cost $239 million. It ended up as a 6.4-mile line that ending up costing more than $500 million.
Gallagher said opposition to surface rail from neighborhood groups around Canisius College pushed that part of the rail system underground – the most costly option – and ate up funds that could have been used for an Amherst extension.
Transit officials will soon begin public outreach sessions and will recommend a preferred alternative – bus, rail, a combination of the two, or nothing – in 2014.
They could then apply for funds for any project through the Federal Highway Administration's New Starts Program.
While federal transit officials have said they expect local governments to commit their own funds, that may prove a stumbling block to expanded transit to Amherst.
"We're not in the transit business, and we're not getting into the transit business," said Weinstein, the Amherst supervisor. "No other local government subsidizes transit, and we're not going to start."
email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Discover our extraordinary Georgetown wedding venues for yourself. Please contact us to request more information.


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William Hearn has been trying to find a lost recipe that he thinks appeared in this paper two or three years ago. For some unknown reason, I could not locate it immediately in our archives, though, and prospects were looking kind of bleak.
The article featured three cookie recipes, he told me, one chocolate, one ginger and one he was not sure of. But the chocolate cookie rolled in confectioners' sugar was the one he is after.
Several readers recalled that recipe and pointed me to its most recent appearance in The Post and Courier on Nov. 27, 2011, or to like recipes. They included Joan Strom of Summerville; Sharon Cook and Carol Dotterer, both of Charleston; Dawn Verbarg of Hanahan; and Mary Williams and Denise Cyprian. And Robbie Yarnell of Charleston shared a recipe from 35 years ago with a different moniker: Chocolate Pixies.
This recipe made the rounds in its day, appearing in a number of magazines and cookbooks large and small. It just goes to show, a good recipe will have a long life.
Many may think of this as a Christmas cookie, and it surely is appropriate for that baking season. But don't forget, another winter celebration is coming up that is closely associated with chocolate: Valentine's Day. Maybe you can thrill your sweetie with one of these treats.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
1/2 cup shortening
12/3 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 ounces baking chocolate, melted
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Sifted powdered sugar
Cream shortening, sugar and vanilla thoroughly. Beat in eggs and then chocolate.
Sift together dry ingredients; blend in alternately with milk, ending with flour mixture. Stir in nuts if using.
Chill 2 to 3 hours or overnight. Form into 1-inch balls. Roll in powdered sugar. Place on greased cookie sheet 2 to 3 inches apart. Bake in 350-degree oven for 15 minutes. Cool slightly before removing from pan.
Meanwhile, Kellyanne Burbage of Charleston contributes a recipe for a chocolate cookie, also rolled in powdered sugar before baking, but hers also includes a healthy touch — oats.
Double Chocolate Treasures
Makes about 5 dozen cookies
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided
1/2 cup margarine
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups quick oats
11/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Melt 1 cup chocolate chips in the microwave (watch carefully). Cool slightly.
Beat together margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Blend in eggs, vanilla and melted chocolate. Stir in remaining chocolate chips.
Combine oats, flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in egg-chocolate mixture.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls and roll heavily in powdered sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake 10-12 minutes. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet and remove to wire rack.
Speaking of chocolate, readers sent recipes in response to Ireacindia Frazier of Moncks Corner. She had requested recipes for cupcakes (and butter cakes, which we'll cover next week). Below are a couple of the chocolate cupcake recipes.
The first one comes from Cheryl Cote of Summerville. She writes, "I taught cooking and cake decorating at Camp Happy Days for 15-plus years and earned the nickname 'Cupcake.' "
Molten-Centered Chocolate Cupcakes
4 tablespoons soft margarine
¼ cup superfine sugar
1 large egg
5/8 cup self-rising flour
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
1 ounce semi-sweet chocolate
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 8 cupcake tins with paper baking cups.
Put the margarine, sugar, egg, flour and cocoa in a large bowl and, using an electric hand whisk, beat together until just smooth.
Spoon half of the batter into the paper cups. Using a teaspoon, make an indentation in the center of each cake.
Break the chocolate evenly into 8 squares and place a piece in each indentation, then spoon the remaining cake batter on top.
Bake the cupcakes in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until well-risen and springy to the touch. Leave the cupcakes for 2-3 minutes before serving warm, dusted with sifted confectioners' sugar.
Elsie Clees of James Island recommends this recipe, writing, "When my Dad remarried in the mid-'70s, I acquired a stepmother and her family. Mitzi and her daughter, Henrietta, were great cooks, and this is one of their recipes."
Henrietta's Yummy Cupcakes
Makes 2 dozen
For filling:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup sugar
1 (6-ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate bits
For cupcakes:
11/2 cups sifted flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cocoa
1 cup water
1/3 cup oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chopped nuts of choice
Powdered sugar for dusting
For filling, beat together the cream cheese, egg, salt and sugar. Stir in the chocolate chips.
For cupcakes, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cocoa. Add the water, oil, vinegar and vanilla and mix well. Fill cupcake tins half full (use paper linings). Add 1 teapoon cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle tops with chopped nuts and small amount of powdered sugar or just use powdered sugar only.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.
Who's got the recipe?
Old business:
Evelyn Misko of Charleston writes, "I'm looking for tips and recipes using a pizza stone. I received one as a Christmas gift and so far have only used it for baking pizzas. I would appreciate your readers' other ideas about using a pizza stone."
Email food@postand courier.com or call Food and Features Editor Teresa Taylor at 937-4886.


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"Sustainable agriculture" is a much kicked-around term that seems to mean different things to different people.
Some groups would like you to believe that to be sustainable, farms should only grow crops organically, produce locally grown food, have grass-fed animals and you do your own processing of the products. That idea is unfair to the majority of farmers in this area and across the United States who produce most of our food.
When we look at farming, or any other business, to be "sustainable," it first has to be profitable, provide an income that pays the bills and provides a decent family living.
In agriculture, a couple of other things enter into the picture. The farm operation needs to be concerned about the environment and use practices that preserve and improve the soil and water.
Today there is also a "social" aspect to farming. That is, farmers are concerned about the impact of their farming operations on their neighbors. They think about such things as trying to avoid dusty, noisy operations next to the neighbors or being alert to traffic on busy roads.
When we take a look back, local farmers and others in this country have practiced sustainable agriculture for years. In 1944, it took 26 million cows to produce 14 billion pounds of milk in the U.S. Today, it takes only 9 million cows to produce 22 billion pounds of milk. That's 85 percent more milk from one-third the cows.
Also, across this country the dairy industry has reduced its carbon footprint by 63 percent since 1944. And fewer cows means less livestock waste to dispose of, which is highly regulated today.
Dairy farms have become much more efficient and more sustainable through practices such as improved genetics, better feeding practices and excellent care and management.
In one way, they are a bit too efficient. They continue to produce just a little more milk than we consume in this country, and that tends to keep their farm prices down.
While we don't produce a lot of pork in this area, pork production today in this country is far more efficient, environmentally sound and productive than 50 years ago. Recent studies found that hog production has increased 29 percent over 50 years with a 39 percent smaller breeding herd. Today, it takes just 4.4 pounds of feed for one pound of gain compared to 6.6 pounds 50 years ago.
Pork producers can produce 1,194 pounds of pork per acre of land compared to 326 pounds 50 years ago. They have reduced their carbon footprint 35 percent per pound since 1959.
Crop growers have their positive story to tell. They have reduced the loss of valuable farm soil by 70 percent per bushel of crops over the last 20 years, according to a study done by a coalition of producer organizations and conservation and environmental groups. Corn yields are up 41 percent with a 37 percent decline in per-bushel land use.
All these figures point to the job farmers have been doing to practice sustainable agriculture. Currently, one problem is causing concern about crop conditions this year. That is extremely dry weather lack of rain. The situation locally and in the Midwest is serious. Without rain, we are all going to be paying more for what we eat this fall and through next year. And farmers will "lose their shirts" economically.
We all have an interest in farming even if we don't recognize it. Our family farms that grow our food are important to all of us. Support your local farmers market or grass-fed producers but remember that most of your food will come from the larger family farms that practice sustainability.
Parker is retired from the Ohio State University and is an independent agricultural writer.


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Easter Reflections
It's Easter and we're all too worn-out physically, emotionally and above all politically to enjoy the break properly. What a hectic time! But before we start the annual guilty nibbling at those calorie-rich chocolate eggs, let's take stock of where we are.
Good Friday 1998: John Hume gives thanks for the peace agreement, with Eddie McGrady (left) and Sean Farren (Photograph by Alan Betson) (more…)


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Serves 15 |
Prep Time 10 minutes |
Cook Time 10 minutes
1 cup almonds
1 cup organic rolled oats
1 cup organic whole wheat pastry flour
2 tsp non-aluminum baking powder
1/8 tsp Eden Sea Salt
1/4 cup Eden Barley Malt Syrup
1/4 cup organic maple syrup
1/3 cup Eden Safflower Oil
1/2 cup unsweetened raspberry jam
Preheat oven to 350°. Place almonds and rolled oats in a blender or food processor and grind very fine. Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Blend together sweeteners and oil. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Mix well. Form dough into walnut-size balls. Place on an oiled baking sheet. Press down in the center using your thumb to form an indentation. Place 1/2 teaspoon jam in each center. Bake 10 minutes. These cookies have a tendency to spread so leave space between cookies.
American, Condiments, Dessert & Pastry, Low Sodium, Macrobiotic, Oils, Sweeteners, Vegan, Whole Grain


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Barbie™ & Her Sisters in a Pony Tale DVD
Item #: CCN82
Was: $19.99Now: $10.00
Get free shipping on orders of $39+!More Promotion Details
Join Barbie in an all-new vacation adventure movie!
More Details
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Barbie™ and her sisters set off on a Swiss adventure to the majestic Alps, where they're excited to spend the summer at a fun-filled riding academy! Barbie™ can't wait to find a new horse to bring back to Malibu. Stacie™ is super excited to prove she's an amazing equestrian. All Chelsea™ wants to do is ride the big horses, and Skipper™ ...well let's just say she's more interested in writing about the great outdoors than experiencing it. The sisters' vacation gets off to a rocky start, but when Barbie™ discovers a mysterious wild horse in the woods, their visit becomes truly magical.
- Run Time: 75 minutes
- Studio: Universal Studios
- Format: Animated, Color, NTSC, Widescreen
Age Grade: 3+


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At 5 AM can't say why I do them. In fact I can't say much of anything. It's a bunch of non caffeinated gibberish. My husband can't understand me. Good thing the gym check in gal recognizes me. She gives me "the nod", even though my worn out finger print doesn't work at the check in station (apparently too many years of working with my hands). I give her a blurry eyed glaze as she says "have a great workout". I keep a bunch of not so nice words under my breath, and carry on to whatever is in the plan.
But, I must say the after glow- well worth it. I bust out of there with endorphin powered energy ready to conquer the day. K, maybe that lasts until I get to the car. However, I feel some of that hard work stays with me all day. I'm calmer (so I think), and I sleep much better (this I know).
Plus, it follows the philosophy a teacher once explained to me over a decade ago. "If you take care of yourself, then you can more effectively help others around you." When you work in a health care field taking care of others, or are a mom, husband, brother, aunt, friend, this is one important lesson to understand.
Please my friends, in this fast paced world take the time to take care of yourself. Not only will you thank yourself, but the people you come in contact with will appreciate and thank you as well.
Need ideas? Where do you start? Check out the Body Tips page, or this quick and easy home workout.
A easy whole body strengthener, before or after work, or while the kiddies are napping.
15 Minute Full Body Strengthener
Complete each exercise to fatigue (approx 12-15 repetitions) three sets
Bridging (Single or double leg) (pics from an older post)
Push ups (on the knees or not)
Planks with leg kick, and then bring knee to chest (pics from the Healthy Diva)
Triceps dips
Mini Lunges with bicep curls with weights or soup cans
Or, check out the Shaky leg workout by Colourful Palate
Remember to stretch when you are finished!
PS- My healthy Rice and Shrimp bowl was featured on Fit Sugar! Yay!


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As I have mentioned, my number one resolution for the New Year is to follow through on the other resolutions. We tend to start off with the best of intentions, only to have the cares of the day sidetrack us from our lofty goals. Keep them realistic and refer to them often. It feels good to see them through.
On balance, we golfers are an ambitious lot. Inclement conditions will not deter us from heading out for a round of golf. The hope for a glorious finish will encourage us to continue the pursuit, even though all of us have experienced countless failures.
Names like Mickelson and Creamer inspire us to become better players than we are today. We take the game seriously, but we don't take ourselves too seriously. (In golf and in life, thinking too highly of ourselves will always be counterproductive.)
As we bravely head into 2013, Get Into Golf would like to offer a number of resolutions that will help your game and your self-esteem because these are goals that are within your grasp.
Resolution No. 1 – Practice. This does not include any range balls you hit or putts you make immediately prior to a round of golf. No, there is not enough time, and you do not have the right mindset for any real improvement.
I know how this goes. You hit several balls. If the results are high enough on your scale, you hit a few more, and you're off to the putting green. Once on the practice green, you're so happy with your golf swing you don't care about the putts.
This is not practice. You must commit to a certain amount of time each week to rehearse good things. It doesn't even have to be a lot of time. Just 30 minutes a week would go a long way toward lowering that score.
You can even make it fun. I know a group of guys who spend many of their sunsets hitting putts on the practice green. There is some friendly competition included, and this goes a long way toward maintaining a proper focus.
Resolution No. 2 — This might be Resolution No. 1B … get some golf lessons. Take a guess at who will arguably receive the most golf instruction in 2012. Hmmm … probably the top players in the world. If the best players in the world are taking lessons, we should too.
Resolution No. 3 — Get some golf clubs that fit you. Everybody out there wearing size 15 shoes right now? Why not? Everybody has size 15 feet, right? Yet, most folks are playing with a set of clubs off the rack that probably are not the right "size."
We often take this to an extreme with women who are playing a man's clubs (gee, why didn't he want them anymore?), and juniors are playing with their parents' hand-me-downs.
To a lesser but still significant degree, seniors are playing with clubs designed for younger men, and athletic players are using clubs built for the masses.
Most pro shops do not charge for this service, and I would bet that this change will result in more accurate shots and greater distance.
Resolution No. 4 — Read at least two golf books. Pick one entertaining, inspirational book and one instructional (hopefully entertaining book). The former will give you a better perspective on the game. The latter will give you a better perspective on your game.
Resolution No. 5 — Walk the course when you can. If you are able, walking the course gives you the opportunity to "smell the roses" and may even provide your game a little built-in therapy.
Resolution No. 6 — Play with someone new. It doesn't have to be a stranger (but that's OK, too). Just get out of your comfort zone a little bit. Who knows? It could be start of beautiful friendship (to borrow the famous Humphrey Bogart line).
Resolution No. 7 — Have fun. We all know that this is a great, rewarding game. As golfers, we meet new people, get some exercise, enjoy nature and, where applicable, compete. At the same time, our joy can erode if we forget … it's a game.
In 2013, tell a joke, smile, look up at the trees and, on occasion, take the long way to your golf ball. Granted, we would all feel better with a lower number on the scorecard, but that doesn't always happen. Commit to laughing a little … or laughing a lot.
Happy New Year everyone!
John Renslow is general manager and director of golf at Alta Sierra Country Club. Please contact John with your questions or comments at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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The Summer Keynote Speaker Series at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center will continue every Thursday evening through the end of the month at the Lake of the Sky Amphitheater.
The schedule of programs includes "Leave No Trace" on Aug. 9 at 8 p.m., "Winged Flight at Night" on Aug. 16 at 8 p.m., "Stargazing with Richard Combs on Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. and "Wild Things" on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
The visitor center also offers programs for visitors and kids each day, as well as "Wild Outdoor Movie Night" on Saturday nights through August. Upcoming films include "Beaver: an IMAX movie featuring beaver behavior and more" on Aug. 11 at 8 p.m., "Bees: Tales from the Hive" on Aug. 18 at 8 p.m. and "World of Raptors" on Aug. 25 at 8 p.m.
Taylor Creek Visitor Center is located approximately three miles north of South Lake Tahoe on the lake side of Highway 89. For more information, and call 530-543-2674 or visit http://tinyurl.com/TCVSsummer.


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The Stetson men's soccer team gave up two goals early in the second half and never recovered as La Salle (3-3-2) topped the Hatters (1-5-2) by a score of 3-1 on Saturday night at the Athletic Training Center.
"It's a disappointing loss," Stetson head coach T. Logan Fleck said. "I take nothing away from La Salle, they're a good team, but I think we gave away some of those goals. Again, mistakes made by us, and two mistakes made very quickly in the second half. That's where we should be pushing on, and putting more effort into it. Instead it seemed like we laid back a little bit."
One of the two mistakes allowed La Salle to score just 19 seconds into the second half, giving the Explorers an advantage it wouldn't relinquish. Glenroy Chapman received a ball through the defense from Joe Farrell, and beat goalkeeper Andreas Schnabl to make it 1-0 La Salle.
The second Explorer goal came just over four minutes later when a similar play saw Farrell finding Andrew Connors behind the Stetson back four. Connors found himself one-v-one with Schnabl and put it past the Hatter goalkeeper's outstretched arms, making it 2-0 instantly.
Stetson never gave up. Instead, it was then that the Hatter began creating chances. Stetson finished with 16 shots to La Salle's eight, recording 13 in the final 45 minutes alone. The Hatters also recorded six corner kicks to just four for the Explorers.
After giving up a third La Salle goal in the 74th minute, this time David Keen assisting on a Giancarlo Granese goal, Stetson had multiple quality chances in a row late in the game.
With under 12 to play senior Steven Saballos played a ball up to senior Evan Jimmo, who clicked the ball behind him to a streaking Justin Shirah. The outside midfielder sprinted towards the ball as it rolled towards the goal, but a La Salle defender slid in to stop it at the last second.
A few minutes later senior Chase Rodgers carried a ball up the left side, and worked a cross into the box where senior JJ Bostic and freshman Alex Haddad each had a couple of chances to put it away. Unfortunately, neither was able to get a clean look at the goal.
Finally, in the 88th minute, a long cross from Jimmo found senior Raffaele Centofanti at the other end of the box. Centofanti controlled the ball, slid it past a La Salle defender and buried it in the back of the net to make the final score 3-1.
"The problem is that we waited until they got two goals in the back of the net before we started doing some very good off the ball running," Fleck said. "That should have happened right from the get-go. You need to play with that kind of urgency when you come out in the second half."
Saturday night marked Stetson's final game before starting Atlantic Sun Conference play. The Hatters will host Northern Kentucky on Friday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m. to kick things off.


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on January 1, 2013 - 8:24 PM
, updated January 2, 2013 at 6:58 AM
Like others, Beth Iszard Swift was sickened by the carnage committed in Newtown, Conn.
But unlike her fellow Buffalo residents, Swift knew that bucolic community firsthand: She grew up there, moving to Newtown from nearby Monroe at age 8 until she went off to college in 1978. And she later lived in Sandy Hook, a part of Newtown. A sister and her family still live in nearby Woodridge.
"I was just horrified. It was ungraspable," said Swift, when she learned of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School that killed 26 people – 20 of them children – Dec. 14.
Dawn Hochsprung, the school principal killed by Adam Lanza, had previously been vice principal at the middle school attended by Swift's niece.
In response to the terrible tragedy, Swift, a graduate of Newtown High School, her brother and sister have banded together with nearly 60 other Newtown public school graduates from around the world to raise funds for mental health counseling and other community needs.
"Like everything – like in the Colorado [movie theater] shooting and these other mass shootings – the world moves on. But for the people Newtown and Sandy Hook, it's a tragedy that will always be with them," Swift said.
"There were a lot of funds raised for memorials, which is great, but our mission at Newtown Alumni Fund is to make sure that our funding will help those survivors with counseling and any kind of recovery they may need, from students and teachers to first responders."
Swift said she explored Newtown just last summer, revisiting old haunts.
"I drove around for a good 2½ hours, past our old house and my schools. I hadn't done it in a long time. It was a really great place to grow up," Swift said.
While the town's layout remained the same, she said the town looked better, because its historic buildings – Newtown was incorporated 302 years ago – were being better maintained "architecturally and preservation-wise."
Swift said the community – locals and expatriates – is determined to help Newtown get through this terrible ordeal.
"We're saying, 'We are Newtown.' That is the catchphrase. People are sticking together, and doing what they can for people. It's a lot like Buffalo in that sense."
Funds raised by Newtown Alumni Fund are being channeled through the Newtown Rotary. To donate, go to newtownalumnifund.org, or make a check to Newtown Rotary Club, Sandy Hook School Fund, with Newtown Alumni Fund marked in the memo section, and mailed to Newtown Alumni Fund, P.O. Box 3217, Newtown, CT 06470.
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KETV NewsWatch 7 weekend sports anchor Thor Tripp first became a part of the Cornhuskers media in the summer of 2008. Bo Pelini then followed suit, and a new era of Nebraska football was born.
Thor has called Nebraska his home for the past four years, but he is no stranger to the Midwest, growing up in Minnesota and playing baseball at Division II Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D.
After joining the KETV NewsWatch 7 Sports team in July 2011, Thor moved to Omaha and says he's been greeted with open arms and TV sets.
"The best part of this job is being out of the office and talking to people around the area. That's what makes every game fun to cover."
Thor's work has been voted First Place in the Great Plains region several times by the Associated Press, and he is thrilled to be part of the top-rated news team in Nebraska.
His life was also documented on the big screen with the release of "Thor" in 2011, and yes, he does carry his hammer to every game, so make way!
Thor feels lucky to be covering sports for a living and tries to bring a smile to your living room every night. He's always looking for a story idea or a laugh, so don't be afraid to say hello!
Feel free to email him at email@example.com.


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Johnson named new Salem football coach
Former Canton McKinley coach tabbed to take over Quaker program
May 24, 2012
SALEM -- Ron Johnson is getting another shot -- this time leading the Quakers. The former head of the Canton McKinley program was hired Thursday as Salem's new varsity football coach....
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CRYSTAL BAY, Nev. - It starts with a beat born of the heart that moves forward the feet and the soul, one that traces its roots back to the dawn of humans on this planet, to the continent of Africa. Along the way, it travels to the ghetto of Jamaica where it finds its three kings: Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. It's carried back across the oceans to Europe and Asia. To the islands of the Caribbean and the Pacific. To the streets of London and New York. Los Angeles and Paris. Tokyo and Berlin. And, of course, back home to Africa. Its fire burns for decades until the world takes two of the brightest flames. Time and circumstance may have robbed this reggae riddim of its revolutionaries, its most prominent voices, and yet, its heart still beats. It still moves forward the feet and the soul. It survives. And now, it has been entrusted to these musicians- The Original Wailers, whose latest album, "Miracle," delivers on a roots reggae promise that harkens back to the golden era of the genre equally as it creates the sound of tomorrow. To listen to the Original Wailers is to hear musical history while it is being made. From playing those unmistakable opening notes of "No Woman, No Cry" to the helm of today's torchbearers of the Trench Town sound, guitarist and bandleader Al Anderson unites those that have chosen to honor their history not by attempting nostalgically to recreate it, but by taking the spirit, the intent of its creators, and moving it forward through the 21st century. Sharing those transcendental moments with Anderson as a member of Bob Marley's Wailers and here with him today is Tyrone Downie (keyboards). A veteran of both stage and studio, Downie's stamped his passport with stints in the Abyssinians, Beenie Man, Black Uhuru, Buju Banton, Peter Tosh, Junior Reid, Tom Tom Club, Ian Dury, Burning Spear, Steel Pulse, Alpha Blondy, Tiken Jah Fakoly and Sly & Robbie.The principal singer-songwriter is Desi Hyson, a native son of the Caribbean island of Dominica who cut his teeth with the esteemed Joseph Hill and the group Culture, with whom he toured internationally for seven years. Hyson's time-worn vocal delivery and edge of the razor lyrics put the message back in the music.And that beat that began so long ago? It currently resides in the hands, feet, and heart of Francis (Paapa) Nyarkoh. Born in Ghana, West Africa, the self-taught timekeeper combines African rhythms with authentic Jamaican reggae, Calypso, and Soca beats from around the Caribbean. Paapa's credits include Hugh Mesekela, Glen Washington, Everton Blender, Chico Debarge, Kirk Davis, Kenyatta Hill, Kwame Badiako, Prestige and Magic System.Steve Samuels, another past master of Joseph Hill and Culture, is the other half of the rhythm duo, laying the bass foundation one bottom note at a time.Completing the sonic experience that is the Original Wailers, an original maker of melody, Ms. Erica Newell, the 1 in 2+1- Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers back-up singing trio that included Marley sisters Sharon and Cedella.Tickets are available at www.crystalbaycasino.com, by phone at 775-833-6333 or at the Crystal Bay Casino. This is a 21-and-over show, standing room only.
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November 8, 2012
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ASH New York City
ASH exhibits vintage finds from around the globe including furniture, art, and accessories. A mix of rare iconic pieces with unique finds, distinguished home fragrances, and custom-designed textiles lends the store a sophisticated, worldly quality. ASH is located in the creative hub of Williamsburg in NYC's Brooklyn.


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on December 4, 2012 - 12:19 AM
A Lackawanna preservationist who wants to save the dilapidated but architecturally significant Bethlehem Steel Administration Building from the wrecking ball said Monday that her organization would continue its efforts "until bulldozers hit that building."
Danielle Huber, founder of the Lackawanna Industrial Heritage Group, which has been fighting to preserve the ornate 1901 building, blamed city officials for not doing enough to assist the organization's efforts.
"If we don't have the city on our side, we are not going to be successful," Huber told members of the Lackawanna City Council. "It's extremely frustrating that this city sees red in regards to preservation."
But City Attorney Norman A. LeBlanc Jr. said Huber's criticisms were misplaced and he defended the city's handling of the crumbling structure along Fuhrmann Boulevard, near the Buffalo border.
"We are not opposed to saving historic buildings or reusing buildings," he said.
City officials have provided the building's current owner, Gateway Trade Center, ample time to submit reuse plans for the structure, which has been vacant for about 30 years, said LeBlanc. A potential investor in the property also was encouraged to submit plans or outlines for the building's future and also failed to provide anything, he said.
"We have yet to see one proposal," he said.
LeBlanc pointed out that two engineering studies indicated structural deficiencies in the building, including one that stated it was "in danger of a catastrophic collapse."
Gateway, he added, has been stalling for 11 months and appears to have never intended to pursue any reuse of the building.
"They've never done anything they were supposed to do," he said.
The city received a court order in the spring to force an emergency demolition, but the wrecking ball was delayed in August when Erie County Court Judge Kenneth F. Case issued a 90-day stay so that Gateway could pursue alternatives.
Gateway provided no other options, and Case lifted the stay last week.
LeBlanc told the Council that if Gateway doesn't comply with the judge's order within the next five or six days, he will seek a contempt hearing.
Also at Monday's meeting, Council members were introduced to Tony DeSantis, who was appointed by Mayor Geoffrey Szymanski as acting public works commissioner.
DeSantis succeeds longtime Public Works Commissioner Thomas N. Love, who resigned in November, six months after Council members voted to slash his pay to $10,000 per year.
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