text:
I always feel like I am getting ripped off at restaurants
re: wattacetti
Strangely one of the top ten dishes ever served to me was a pasta pomodoro in a Italian vineyard. They grew their own tomatoes and basil and made their own pasta. It was cooked on a outdoor veranda by the owners mother and when she combined this deceptively simple dish it was probably the most sublime combination of fresh flavors, oil and salt that I had tasted in a long while and it has stuck with me ever since. I would gladly have paid $25+ for that dish but I do understand your comment.
Keep in mind that a restaurant's food cost is about 29% of your bill. You are paying for service, and someone's rent, away from your home. If you don't want the convenience of restaurants, stay home and save the 71 cents.
re: Veggo
As Veggo points out, the rule-of-thumb, worldwide, is that food costs will be about one third of menu price (with another third being staff costs and the remainder the restaurant's gross profit).
It is always something I have in mind when I see "cheap" restaurant food. Always makes me think what the quality must be like if it's only cost that much to buy.
That said, value for money, or lack of it, can apply at any point on the range of restaurants from top to bottom. Perhaps oddly, I have never felt really ripped off at a high level, expensive restaurant - say Michelin starred place. But I have, on occasions, experienced poor value for money when I've only been paying a few pounds/euros/dollars.
re: Harters
I never do "the math," as I am not a restaurant owner, nor an accountant. I go for my "enjoyment level," and if that is high, then I am a happy camper.
As you state, at the "top," I have had few meals, that did not live up to the bill - though there have been a very few exceptions.
Now, I seldom will order something, that I can replicate at home - seldom a steakhouse, or "home cooking," but when I do not break from that, will usually be wow'ed by the food. If not, then I do not return.
re: Bill Hunt
re: Bill Hunt
re: cleobeach
re: Crockett67
Once again, dining out should be enjoyable. I can make a great breakfast at home, I can make great pasta at home but having the option to order something that appeals to you at that very moment is what I enjoy about eating out - regardless of how simple or complicated the preparation.
re: Crockett67
re: Crockett67
If you don't have an enjoyable experience then don't go. You shouldn't have anxiety over an experience that's supposed to decrease stress.
I don't play accountant when I'm out for a meal. I'm either satisfied by the experience or I'm not. One of my most memorable meals was a fried perch with mac and cheese that I had about 20+years ago at a fairly high-end restaurant. It cost about 3 or 4 times as much as the similar dish at a diner but the ingredients were top-notch, all made from scratch (pasta included) and it reminded me how stellar the combination could be when executed so beautifully. Did I get fair value for my money? I walked away happy and I'm still chasing the dragon, but I've never been able to match that combination since.
Nowadays, if you feel "ripped off" at a restaurant the problem is more "you" than the restaurant.
Between, Chowhound, Yelp, Urbanspoon, food bloggers, online menus, and the Internet in general, if you don't know the general parameters (food, portions, price) going in, then the only person you should blame is yourself.
re: ipsedixit
I want to do more than hit "recommend." There's so much info out there that I feel *I'm* at fault if I'm let down. Tonight was a perfect example. We're in Seattle and I've read here for a couple of years about a particular place. Sometimes I worry that I've set my expectations too high. Not so. So I guess I'd say do your research, understand that any place or dish can be off but otherwise go for it.
re: c oliver
re: Bill Hunt
I think you hit the nail on the head. Case in point, Cafe Fresco in Harrisburg. We had been wanting to try it and had never gotten around to it. I was expecting it to be poorly executed and the prices are fine dining prices for the area. I was pleasantly surprised and although we spent more than we had wanted most of our bill was alcohol of which we typically don't drink much.
However my fiancé had very high expectations and was disappointed in the experience for the price. He said he would prefer not to return. I'm hoping I can change his mind because I would rather not miss out on some of these items which are unique to the area (upscale Asian inspired modern American serving both small plates and entrees).
re: ipsedixit
re: klyeoh
I would agree with that most of the time in larger towns but we are in smaller towns often and have to resort to asking around and looking for a full parking lot. Often people will recommend a chain. Sometimes it is even the best choice.
We try to leave feedback as much as possible when we find something good.
re: wekick
Once, a "full parking lot," might have been a good barometer, but I have not seen such, in decades. Some of the worst food, and service, have been at locations, with full parking lots. I feel that a majority of folk, just do not know good food - they want quantity, and could care less about quality.
In Metaire, LA, one "famous" restaurant always had tons of patrons, but their food was mediocre, at best - but the portions were very large, and especially the French Fries, and Hush Puppies - the rest? Not so good, but many just wanted a ton of food, to take home and feed the entire neighborhood for a week. So be it.
re: Bill Hunt
Re your first paragraph, Bill, that's a good point. We have a favorite Chinese restaurant in Reno, right up there with the best that SF can offer. The parking lot is full but it's for the regional chain, Black Bear Diner, which honestly has good breakfast, can't speak to the rest of the menu. But I want to flag people down and say "hey, come over here" :)
re: Bill Hunt
Just as there are extremely popular, always-full restaurants which serve mediocre food (and I've come across more of these than I'd have liked), there are also restaurants which served great food but remained strangely empty, e.g.
re: klyeoh
re: klyeoh
Yes, that can happen too.
In the Deep South, it is not all that often about the quality about the food, but the portions. Personally, I do not dine for "leftovers," and am not feeding my neighborhood many meals. I dine for myself (and that my wife), and care only about the enjoyment level, and usually hope that the portions are small enough, so as to NOT leave anything, after we dine.
re: klyeoh
re: Bill Hunt
Yes but this is a small town. If you have a choice, there are two places, one with a full lot and one a few cars. You gotta go on something.
One of my favorite places ever was found this way. A "buffet" with pan fried chicken, veggies from the garden and everything from scratch. All ridiculously cheap. The buttermilk pie was perfection- perfect crust, fresh and an unusual type.
re: ipsedixit
re: ipsedixit
i feel that way about 1/2 of 1% of the time (i.e. 50 basis points).
the other 99.5% of the time i feel like i'm getting a fine deal.
Either you are choosing the wrong restaurant (i would feel ripped off at olive garden no matter what my bill was) or not understanding the whole experience of restaurant dining- you are paying for much more than just the food as previously mentioned.
Perhaps focusing on small local hole in the wall places, or unique ethnic eats would be more your style.
Around here I don't feel ripped off because we don't really go out to eat unless it is a sandwich for lunch. The established restaurants are red-sauce joints that I can replicate. The new ones are attempts at I have no idea other than really high prices. We avoid all of them and venture out to a restaurant or diner occasionally for breakfast for a roast beef club for lunch. NOTHING around here is worth much money at all.
We went to Vegas for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed the meals that we had. The price was higher than normal for this area but we had a lot of delicious food as a result. I hated almost everything about Vegas except the food. I want to go back for some more of the food! We were happy to spend every penny for what we ate.
re: Njchicaa
Ah, LV. I will ONLY go, if I get to pick a restaurant for two nights. If wife has working dinners, then I stay home.
OTOH, we have had some marvelous meals there, and one chef (Michelin starred) has produced one of the top-five greatest meals, though it did cost a bit. That has risen to the upper-list for me, and many others fall, by the wayside, based on those meals. Some others - very good, but not rising to the challenge, or the price.
It just depends.
I don't usually feel ripped off by food in restaurants. If there is something I'm really in the mood for, sometimes its cheaper to go out to eat to get it instead of buying all the ingredients to make it at home.
However, I hate ordering cocktails at restaurants. I could buy the whole bottle for what I pay for two drinks, and they only pour like an ounce of liquor in them.
re: Atomic76
I agree with cocktails/wine. At this point, if I'm going to go to restaurant for a great meal, I'd rather do moderate alcohol consumption - and if I want to do a meal around wine or drinks, I'd just rather do that at home. I recently hosted a bachelorette dinner for a friend at my place - we got all of the food take away, but then made our own cocktails, bought bottles of wine, and it was dramatically cheaper and just made more sense for the occasion.
The only other time I feel ripped off, is if I'm out with friends, we decide to split a few dishes between us, and someone insists on a dish that I feel "isn't worth it" at a restaurant. I think everyone's list of what those dishes are is different, but there are also a whole lot of dishes I just never want to bother making at home and am thrilled to eat out.
The only part about dining out that makes me feel like I got ripped off is for wine. The markup on wine is substantial, and I don't feel that it's justified most of the time. Then again, I'm not a oenophile by any stretch, so it may be that I do not place enough importance on the wine component of the overall restaurant experience to appreciate the added value.
There are times after a meal out that I think, "Eh, I could have done better at home," but that's not the same as feeling ripped off.
re: ricepad
There's always been something about eating a meal with strangers on all sides that un-nerves me.
Call me strange.
Laying down a lot of money for food I can make for a fraction of the price and paying a 'premium' for a glass or two of average wine also un-nerves me.
I don't get it.
Pretending that the wait staff aren't just a few college kids who have to get dressed up in 'monkey suits' and nod and smile and 'cow-tow for my tip un-nerves me.
The idea that a stranger may have sneezed on my food sends shivers.
There are some excellent small 'Ma and Pa' Italian/French/Greek/Asian/Mexican/etc restaurants where excellent food and genuinely warm/caring service is always on offer. IMO stick to them and forget the 'chains'.
re: ricepad
When dining out, we usually go with the "Chef's Tasting Menu," and then ask for the "Sommelier's Pairings" to match. When done well, that is great.
As I have maybe 9K bottles of wine, I have a lot back home, BUT if the sommelier can take me on a "journey," then I do not try and do the math. It is all about my enjoyment.
Just when I order alcohol and/or dessert.
re: Uncle Bob
I don't feel cheated when I order wine out. The markup is generally 2.5 to 3x and they have plenty of costs associated with that bottle. Last night I paid $8 for a relatively modest serving of dessert but it was amazing. I totally got what I paid for. At the same meal, we had five dishes (small plates size) for about $50. A couple of them I couldn't have made either for skill or ingredients. A couple more I could have made but so what? It was a special evening out. And if *I* had made all those things I'd have been frazzled instead of delightfully taking each bite :)
re: c oliver
I like wine and I do truly believe that wine makes many a meal better. However, when I eat out, I am unlikely to use that as an opportunity to try more expensive wines that I might otherwise be interested in trying. I am also more likely on average to drink less than at a meal at home.
Most restaurant meals I seek out involve skill or ingredients I lack. However, for all wine in my price range - there's no restaurant able to obtain a bottle that I can't get at a wine shop. For trying more expensive/interesting wine - I'd rather do that at a meal at home than paying the mark up.
re: cresyd
re: Bill Hunt
re: cresyd
I do consider myself fortunate, in that respect. I am always in the "market" for new pairings, new wines, new regions, new varietals, heck, everything. That is one big reason that I love a good "Sommelier's Pairing." The other biggie is that they *should* know the kitchen, and the dishes, plus their wine cellar.
I know many folk, who will ONLY drink wines that they know and have enjoyed before. I only use that as a "fall-back," when I am hosting, and there is no "wine pairing" available. Then, I WILL go with something, with which I am familiar with. Still, that is not where I usually find myself.
As I am from the US, and as we do not get a lot of the wines of Australia, Tasmania or New Zealand, when I found myself in Sydney, usually doing a Chef's Tasting, I turned our sommeliers lose, and only asked that they pair with "local wines." All but one was highly enthusiastic, and all of those, stated that they had never been instructed to do that. We enjoyed, they enjoyed, and I got to drink a lot of wines, that I will never see "State-side." Again, I want to "go on a wine trip," whenever I dine out.
re: Bill Hunt
That is a case where I definitely see a wonderful appeal.
I'm at a stage in life where I'd call myself a "scattershot wine enthusiast". There's a wine store I like that has one of those "buy 3 for X", so it's a great way for me to try new bottles. But it's definitely not a focused way of learning. Great enthusiasm, less knowledge - but something to perhaps look forward to later in life.
re: Bill Hunt
re: RUK
Recently, we were in Sydney, Australia. While doing "fine-dinging" each night, we turned our sommeliers loose - as we WERE in Australia, we wanted Australian, New Zealand, or Tasmanian wines, in their pairings. All but one were intrigued by that prospect, and accommodated us 100%. One, however, told us that he would not change his pairings, regardless. That was the lowest point in our culinary trip - poor food, poor wine selections, and a big, big price. Others, well they loved the challenge, and altered their normal pairings to match. They were on the same page, as we were, and went overboard, with the wines - all somewhat local. That is how I would have it!
re: c oliver
I agree completely. I do not bother to calculate the wholesale price vs the B-T-G, prices. Same as when I am in the UK - I do not do the math for the exchange rate - I let AMEX do that for me, a month later. I want total enjoyment, and then will pay the rate, later on.
Now, I DO want food that I will likely not get at home - same for the wines, though I have many great ones. I want something delicious, and new.
re: Bill Hunt
Agreed, Bill. Comparison of the exchange rate is generally a pointless, and possibly soul-destroying, exercise.
You're not going to order that seabass because it's so many dollars/euros/pounds more than it is in pounds/dollars/euros at home?
Of course, you factor in costs when travelling. We're just about to embark on three weeks touring in America. I've done some research for possible restaurants at towns where we're staying. So, yes, I know that like-for-like it's going to be more expensive than dining in the UK but we've factored that into costing the holiday. Having decided on a restaurant, I'm not then going to be constrained by thinking "wow, that bass is $X, when I'd usually only pay £Y, so I won't order it."
re: Harters
I am with you completely. I do not want to spend my evenings with a calculator, so I just go with the flow. In a recent trip to Sydney, someone commented that I could have bought some higher-priced wines, due to the exchange rates - well, I think they were closer, than that person realized, but I got what I wanted.
As you know, I host several "board dinners" in London each year. Those might be for 12 patrons, or up to 30. Then, as the meals and wine come out of my wife's expense account, I will fret a bit more, trying to get the best I can, for a total amount, that she can afford. For us, I just go with what I see, that I want, and let it get sorted out next month. I know that travel can be expensive, so build in a bit of "exchange rate wiggle room."
While in the US, and since the £ is stronger, I hope that you get to try some US wines, that do not show up in the UK, or are so drastically priced, that one would not order them.
Enjoy, and travel safely,
re: Bill Hunt
Thanks, Bill.
I no longer drink alcohol but my wife enjoys a glass of wine or three with dinner. It makes it difficult for her in many places as the "interesting" wines are not usually available by the glass or half bottle. If we are, say, eating a tasting menu she will usually get the sommelier's advice for those three glasses to last her through the meal.
There's a restaurant near home which has a good selection of interesting, mainly Italian, wines. Their policy is that they will open any bottle on the list and serve a single glass at, I think, one fifth of the bottle price, which seems a very good deal.
re: Harters
What we need to do is gather together in London (or near-by), and then your wife can join us, and have some special wines. I can make that happen.
For us, wine is right at 50-50 with the food, and wine service is equal to the food service.
Still, wine IS part of every meal, after breakfast, and we take it very seriously.
I frequently feel I could've made it better at home; I just keep reminding myself how much I hate cleaning the kitchen after cooking and I feel a tiny bit better. I very much long for restaurant food that makes me think "How'd they DO that?" (in a GOOD way, for a change)!
In Nashville, where I live, the restaurants generally have crappy food and even worse service.
Also I hate when they triple the liquor-store pricing on wine, especially mid-priced bottles (say, $90 for a $30 selection). Seems unfair, somehow.
So yes, I fell your pain. I just keep trying, though... =)
re: aT0Mic
re: Harters
Well now that I set the expectations low for you, I hope that all your dining experiences will pleasantly surprise you!
I suggest Tripadvisor and Urbanspoon for restaurant research.
If I may recommend a couple places:
Monell's in the Germantown neighborhood of Nashville. Served "family style" - you're seated with strangers, and the serving dishes are passed around. Excellent southern food. (disclaimer - I know the owner, but only from working charity events with him)
Ken's Japanese - Best, inexpensive (nearly cheap) sushi in town!
Good luck, I didn't mean to scare you!
re: aT0Mic
re: Harters
Since you are going to honky tonks, may I suggest (somewhat off topic) that you visit "The Station Inn". They usually feature bluegrass music, which along with jazz is America's invention. And I hear that the BBQ spot just outside on the sidewalk isn't anything to sneeze at either!
re: aT0Mic
Totally agree. I'm surprised how many people didn't relate to the OP on some level. I don't know if I feel "ripped off" but I certainly feel like I could have made it better at home - for less money - with better wine.
So I don't go out to eat all that much anymore, I'm typically disappointed. (Even with all the Yelp/Chow/Etc/Etc reviews - which are only helpful really 50% of the time at best).
re: thimes
Partly a function of where you regularly dine and how adventurous you are. I liek to try all sorts of ethnic cuisines which I could never hope to replicate without access to specialized ingredients, possibly equipment and TIME. The last thing I think of at an Indian or Asian restaurant is "how much did they spend on these ingredients?" I'm confident the answer in many cases is "not much" but as I posted above that isn't even on my radar.
As for other meals, I can eat breakfast out every day if I could afford to and I KNOW the ingredient cost is minimal, but I like a comfortable morning out chatting with whoever is with me and not cooking, serving, cleaning.
And when it comes to finer dining there are meals that I might hope to replicate but wouldn't really consider it and the ingredients are sourced from purveyors that I don't necessarily have access to.
Finally, I've eaten at Alinea, where dinner for 2 was approximately 1 month's rent at my first apartment. Eye-poppingly expensive. And I doubt there was much profit made on the meal (it required a small army to prepare and serve it).
re: ferret
Very true on the cost/value ratio of ethnic cuisines! Back when we were first discovering Indian I tried making Chicken Korma. Had to buy 20 special ingredients (ground my own fenugreek) and it was a real learning experience! Not something I'd make again! (although it came out pretty good)
Another big lesson was the sushi party we held for about 15 friends. Bought the special ingredients and it cost probably $200, back in 1990 dollars... not bad compared to buying all that sushi at a restaurant, but a lot of work... learned not to stress too much over sushi (and Indian) prices, at least!
Ooh, Alinea! I read a funny blog post about them; sounded like quite the show!
re: ferret
re: thimes
re: aT0Mic
Well, when it comes to items that I can do better, like a fine Filet Mignon, then I agree with you. That is one reason that we do not do many "steakhouses." I can get some fantastic beef, and prepare it beautifully. My wife can do most sides, better than all, but the best, and then, I have many hundreds of great wines (some that have leather-bound books written about them), so for those meals, I would rather prefer to do it, myself.
Go to a Chinese Buffet, I can promise you for $19.99 you will have hard time feeling ripped off!
re: jrvedivici
re: jrvedivici
re: miss_belle
Really? Where is here, if you don't mind me asking.
I've got to say, my kids drag me to them every now and then, due to the high volume items don't sit and languish so the steam table doesn't negatively affect them. They also have all you can eat peel and eat shrimp (I love them) -AND- fresh made/rolled sushi. At least in my area which is Monmouth Cty. NJ
re: jrvedivici
re: Violatp
The only one's around me I guess are the level two Chinese buffet. They have the unlimited snow crabs, dungeness crab, and loads of shrimp dishes. I believe they also have prime rib along with many american dishes. I'm honestly amazed when I do go at the variety. It's a bargain in my eyes.
The pricing is either $18.95 or $19.95 flat, unlimited.
re: Violatp
re: c oliver
re: Bill Hunt
re: c oliver
Yeah. I more often chide a restaurant on overly-large portions, than portions that are too small. Of course, there have been a very few instances, where I would have liked to have Course 4 be a tad larger, but only because it was so very good.
Others, however, want to feed a dozen people, from their restaurant meal, and that is not me (us).
Give me quality, give me innovation, and take me on a culinary "journey," and I am a happy camper.
re: Bill Hunt
I think there are two kinds of people - those who view eating out as a means to an end, and those who view eating out as an ends onto itself.
It seems you and I, Bill, are in the latter group. We tend to consider the experience and culinary journey of dining out the very reason to eat out.
Others, who are in the former group, consider eating out as simply an intermediate step to getting enough "stuff" into the body to fuel it for daily (and non-daily) activities.
It seems this former group is more prone to feeling "ripped off". One can only imagine why.
re: ipsedixit
As I grew up in the shadow of New Orleans, I realized that I might be different than, many of the "masses."
When we moved to Denver, very long ago, I realized that I WAS different. Most people ate to live, while I lived to eat.
Many decades later, I have not changed that attitude.
While I have had some poor meals, and those are painful, where I expected so much more, the majority have been good, to outstanding. That is part of what my life is about - great food.
re: Bill Hunt
re: c oliver
I agree with you. That has almost worked 100%, but when it has not, then I move on, mark THAT place off the list, and do not recommend it to others.
Friends just spent a week in Paris. They are both great "foodies," and asked for my recs.. I gave those, gladly, but pointed out that one "Michelin 3-star restaurant," did not live up to the billings, or to the charges. I gave them a few others, down to below Michelin stars. I got an e-mail, as they headed to Italy, and they were very pleased with those recs., and thanked me for them. As for that other one (also a member of a respected hotel/restaurant group), they did not dine there. Now, maybe I hit them on their "night from hell," but they showed us nothing to recommend them, and at any level. Too many great restaurants, and none of us collects "stars."
I always try to have a clear mind, though still with expectations, and let the restaurant either wow me, or not. While I grade toughly, I also feel that I grade fairly. It is, as always, about our enjoyment, and most come through - some better than others.
re: ipsedixit
re: ipsedixit
re: ipsedixit
Oh, I don't know. I would be in the second group but my finances don't really allow for it. It's why I hate when I end up (not by my own choice) somewhere where I pay $10 a bite for food, have 7 bites total, am still hungry at the end, and am out $100 after tax & tip!
I try and find a balance.
re: c oliver
re: calumin
re: calumin
re: jrvedivici
re: jrvedivici
re: Bill Hunt
Lets see prime rib, pizza, snow crab, dungeoness crab, sushi, shrimp cocktail, oysters and clams on the half shell, fried shrimp, stuffed shrimp, crawfish, pork roast, chicken cordon blue, rotisserie chicken AND probably another 40+ items they offer, nope no breakfast burrito Mr. Hunt.
I have never been there for lunch though so there is hope!
re: jrvedivici
re: c oliver
I've seen places in California that advertised themselves as "all you can eat" sushi places that were run by Chinese-speaking people. The sushi was usually pretty mediocre, but the one that used to be near me did some interesting Chinese dishes.
And jello. Always at least two flavors of jello.
re: jrvedivici
My parents live in Monmouth County, NJ, but I live in upstate NY and we have tried chinese buffets in many other places as well.
I can attest to the surprisingly high quality of food at the places in Monmouth County compared to elsewhere. We love the buffets there (particularly the seafood selections), but in any other area we've been the buffets have been pretty darn lousy.
re: fisher
Thank you for the testament! I don't go out of my way to eat there, as previously stated, my kids enjoy them so if they request it then off we go. For the quality, which is very good combined with the variety and the all you can eat aspect of a buffet, there is certainly a value to be had. That was my only point based on my local experiences.
Funny that my kids grew to like them because as children we were VERY selective where we would or more accurate where we wouldn't bring them out to eat.
The Chinese buffet while good food and selection is very low on an overall dining experience, so we felt comfortable bringing an unpredictable child there to eat. There were only a handful of places we felt comfortable taking them too, so way back in the day, we probably went there once or twice a month. I guess that's how both my children now 18 & 15 developed their fondness for them.
Well, I have been on both sides. Having worked in restaurants, I now wonder how they can possibly make a profit at those prices. And of course many don't, since most restaurants are out of business within a few years. OTOH I can see your subjective point: If all you care about is feeding yourself, restaurants may be providing a lot of stuff you don't want and are unwilling to pay for.
After reading this, I can think of one time I'd feel ripped off.
Where do you live? Are you choosing only expensive restaurants? What specifically do you think is not good value? The quality of the food? The quantity of the food? The service? You wrote a very general, very vague statement about all restaurants you go to in some town or city. Are you eating only in corporate chains such as Bennigan's? Try being more specific.
I know that where I live, there are hundreds of good, cheap ethnic restaurants. It is super-easy to get a great meal for very little money, but service is not what you would expect in a high-end restaurant. Conversely, there are high-end restaurants that are exquisite and well-worth the expense and others that are dreadful (yes I WILL say it again: Morton's). And lots of places in between.
It's not just about the cost of the ingredients. You are also paying for the labor it took to order, prep and cook those items. You are paying for the person who took the order, brought you the food and processed your payment. you are paying for the busboy who cleared your dirty dishes and refilled your water. You are paying for the back of the house dishwasher to wash those dishes. You are paying for the ambiance and the "luxury" of being waited on.
At home, you are buying the ingredients, prepping them, and cooking. How much would you say your time is worth per hour? If it took you 30 minutes to go buy the chicken and vegetables to make a seared chicken breast with sautéed vegetables and pan sauce, you would probably spent 10 minutes to chop them up and prep them, and another 30 minutes to cook and plate them. You just spent 1.16 hours getting your food ready for eating. If you think your time is worth $20 per hour, you just spent $23.20 making your meal. That's not including the extra time to clear the table and wash the dishes, pots and pans. That $8 worth of ingredients just cost you $25 in time and groceries.
I'm not sure what kind of places you eat at, but it's all subjective. You might think an expensive restaurants costs $20/plate. I may think it costs $80/plate. You might feel a fast food meal is a good bang for your buck because you can get a burger, fries and a drink for $5. I may think it's a rip-off, because it's all processed foods and high in fat and calories.
You have to see what your priorities are and then decide where you want to spend your money, and when.
I've had some cheap food that was great and some that was over priced. The same with expensive food.
We have places that charge 3-4x markup on a bottle of wine. There are also places that just double it. There are some that just stock wine you've never heard of so you have no idea of the mark up.
We are fortunate where we live that we have pretty good food at many places at a reasonable price. We also have some that are higher priced and well worth it.
Worst value-$100 prefix with
barely enough soup to cover the bottom of a soup bowl, 1 oz meat, shaving of a vegetable and tiny dessert. Haha. We had to get a hamburger on the way home.
While it's rare that I feel like I am being ripped off I do find that I tend to get disgusted at prices for breakfast items and very rarely eat breakfast out. Ironically if I am in the mood for breakfast for dinner I don't mind paying the price - weird I know.
Secondly I find that I tend to feel more ripped off at the lower price places that serve shitty food. I would much rather pay $10 for a average hamburger than $5 for a sawdust burger that is burnt on a stale bun with weepy lettuce, processed cheese slices and a dollop of dressing that isn't even spread over the bun.
I have been enjoying this thread for the past few days, but must conclude that I believe this is a "glass half empty" or "glass half full" question. Of course you can cook at home, but the experience is so different that it really cannot be compared equally. Still, the comments have all been very good and interesting.
Wow. 127 replies and we still don't know WHY observor feels the way he/she does.
re: Just Visiting
re: Just Visiting
"always feel like I gave a lot of money and didn't get that much in return"
I don't know what more to say: I give a lot of money and the portions are usually small and/or they cut corners to save money ie. watering down the hummus, or giving more noodles and vegetables instead of meat, etc.. I always feel like they are trying to give the minimum possible and charge as much as they can. I always feel like I can make something similar at home at a fraction of the cost.
re: observor
There is a very easy solution to this. Stay home and make food you enjoy in portions that you prefer. Invite friends over if you want to have the social aspect of dining out.
They other solution is do some research first and find better places to dine. Any place that "waters down it hummus" (really??) doesn't sound like place that anyone would give even a passing review.
re: observor
The cuisines that first spring to mind that have noodles and vegetables and meat are Asian and Italian. In non-Chinese-American restaurants and in non-Italian-American places, the meat is usually considered almost a condiment. Not really but you get the picture. There will always be less meat and that's how it's intended to be, not being cheap. Perhaps you'd be happier with cuisines and restaurants that are heavy on meat or heavy on everything. Just a thought.
re: observor
Sounds like you are eating in cheap and/or lousy places. Although as to portion size - remember, it is quality, not quantity. Most restaurants have enormous portions (as evidenced by the American waistlines! when we have guests from overseas, they are always astonished by the amount of food that is put in front of them in a restaurant). I've never heard of watering down hummus - perhaps you just like a thicker style? There are various styles and some are thicker than others. And I agree with C. Oliver - it sounds like you may be eating at restaurants that serve the kind of cuisine where the animal protein is a minimal part of the dish, to the point of seeming more like a condiment.
Go to an Outback Steakhouse. You won't have this problem.
re: Just Visiting
re: Just Visiting
No, I went to the Oceannaire Seafood Room in Boston, which charges $30+ an entree and the portion sizes were minuscule. Then I went to Grill 23 in Boston, had a regular sized steak, side of creamed spinach, and a beer and it came to $75 dollars. That's just ridiculous. I went to a Chinese restaurant (Bamboo in Westford, MA) and the dish of shrimp and vegetables had a huge mound of noodles buried underneath it, ostensibly so the dish would look bigger than it is. It was a pasty mound that seemed to have cornstarch added to it so it would clump together.
I think it should be quality *and* quantity. What's the point of going to an expensive restaurant, dumping a bunch of cash on the table, and leaving hungry? That's the stupidest thing I can think of.
re: observor
I've been to Oceannaire in DC numerous times and portion sizes have always been ample and then some. I can't speak to your other experiences. Perhaps you have a larger appetite or stomach than most? However, as to the Chinese restaurant, as others have told you, the animal proteins are almost like a condiment and are always the smallest part of the dish.
I looked at the menu for Grill23. It is obviously an expensive place. $13 for a simple green salad is high. You can order a la carte and chose your protein by size. The spinach is $11 and let's say the beer was $5. So of your $75 (you imply it was before tax and tip) you had $59 worth of steak, which means you had the 10 oz Kobe. Now 10 oz is not a small amount of steak and it was Kobe, but if you wanted a larger amount of protein, you could have done the 24 oz (!) Porterhouse for $55, the 18 oz ribeye for $49, and so on.


text:
Stanford News
Local news for Stanford, KY continually updated from thousands of sources on the web.
Sunday Jul 6 | SFGate
News briefs from around Kentucky at 1:58 a.m. EDT
A federal judge has alerted a Pennsylvania warden that an inmate at his facility known for filing frequent, frivolous lawsuits may be at it again.
Popular Stories
In Pictures: Preparing for a demolition derby
Buck Sawyer prepares Angie Grubbs for the demolition derby at the Lincoln County Fair in Stanford, Ky.
In Pictures: Preparing for a demolition derby
Angie Grubbs smiles after the Demolition Derby Wednesday July 2, 2014, at the Lincoln County Fair in Stanford.
Suspect sought in smash-and-grab at Lincoln County gas station
It happened early Thursday morning at the Marathon Gas station on Frontier Boulevard in Stanford.
Stanford News, Events & Info
Updated: Sun Jul 06, 2014 01:31 am
Copyright © 2014 Topix LLC

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Invest in Africa is a partnership working to create opportunities and make it easier to do business in the world's fastest-growing continent
Find out what Invest in Africa have been up to, our latest developments and events we have hosted.
> IIA Launch of EY's Africa Attractiveness Survey 2014
> Invest in Africa announces AB & David as new Local Partner
On 26th February, Invest in Africa's Programme Director spoke at the Africa Business Partnership Forum.
The people behind Invest in Africa who decide the vision and make strategic decisions for the organisation.
Find out about how Ghanaian companies have grown their businesses through winning international contracts with Invest in Africa Partners:
> Process and Plant Sales Ghana & EY
Check out our latest interviews, videos and events footage


text:
Legalized sports betting, still not legal
New Jersey voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a resolution to legalize sports betting specific facilities in the state. But now we've got to challenge the federal law – and we could be facing a more well-armed opposition.
Monmouth County soil inspector is charged with taking a bribe
Apparently there's such a thing as an inspector for the Freehold Soil Conservation District, and police said a guy with that job – whatever it is he does – took a bribe.
The reunification of Princeton
After more than 100 years apart, Princeton Township and Princeton Borough finally voted to reunite – forced into it by economic necessity. Dare we hope that other New Jersey towns take the hint and start merging, too?
'I dedicate this scandalized batting cage'
Trenton Mayor Tony Mack proudly opened a Little League batting cage facility that was cited in a recent lawsuit as an example of spending malfeasance at City Hall. They were supposed to be put up for a competitive bid. Were they?
Old rivals join Tony Mack recall effort
With recall advocates still lacking more than 2,000 signatures to force a recall election, three men who ran against Trenton Mayor Mack say this isn't just politics. He's got to go. "Stand by Tony" members say they're just sore losers.
Princeton Borough and Princeton Township can just be Princeton
In an election Tuesday, a tough economy could finally make the two Princetons reunite into one government again for the first time on more than a hundred years.
'Take a lie-detector test, Mr. Mayor'
Yes, it's reached actually that point in Sayreville's mayoral election. Democratic challengers have asked the Republican incumbent mayor to take a lie-detector test about a planning board recording that got partly erased.
Official stole from fire fighters' widows
Hazlet's former Fire Commissioner Anthony Ciavarro admitted in court last week that he stole $30,000 in death benefits that should have gone to the widows of his dead fire fighters – by making himself the beneficiary.
Did mayor fire worker for obeying the law?
Trenton's former youth opportunity coordinator said Mayor Tony Mack laid her off because she wouldn't give grant funds illegally, wouldn't hire his friends and wouldn't hand out contracts without following public bidding laws.
September floods make Lambertville set up 'reverse 911′ phone system
After last month's tropical storm floods taught Lambertville that they needed to be able to call everyone in an emergency, the town is setting up a reverse-911 system.


text:
According to statistics, more than 85% of the population of the United States, there is a problem of some people with bad credit now. Check out also instant 200 loan . They do not have to prevent many people from living their lives properly when you do not have access to all products provided by the credit good, this is to consider the recent status of U.S. economy is not that surprising. And your credit rating is to find something, you will need to order a credit report instant. Score of people with bad credit is the result of factors beyond your control, sometimes even giving a second chance to repair your score, improve the options for the information of the future all financial institutions You know well the fact that the willing.
Having a good credit report instant holds many advantages for you - to improve your credit score will be worth it and when you try to. You can get some help for your financial loan in the form of bad credit you. I think when you have applied to either one, the lender, and want to know everything about your payment history - or at least part of recently. Check out also payday advance loan. If you have made all payments on time, you think if you are late to become what is now almost, to be related to them, what is. Payment history, lenders will become part of all the information you will need to clear your credit, however.
Instant credit report will feature, including a card complete credit history from any credit card and mortgage account, department stores, loan sales, the company. Between do not have a powerful effect other people, such as your application, some of these are considered very seriously by the lender.
Another very important factor of instant credit report is the length of time that has elapsed since the last payment was delayed. If you were late in payment by 30 days or more months before just for you, which dates back more than three years ago, will give a much stronger impact than 90 days overdue. So that very many problems at the exact sum of money, please consider carefully the situation.
Will it also be affected, depending on whether you have a credit card number or one of them - instant credit report score is affected by many factors for it. All has been done in your money will be reflected in your credit report, if you're in a bad situation, loan bad credit, be the ideal solution for most of you to this problem according to a report that may not. Check out also instant payday loans completely online .
Remember that, despite the risk of your company is high, you can go aboard as a client just because it is possible to compensate themselves for their high risk but in the contract. This is usually not only to charge you with higher interest rates on the contract, than you first thought, which means other factors can be much less appealing. See Also instant loans military . In addition, the lender can have a bad credit, in order to accept these high interest rates, would make more pleased, in the expansion rate some very useful stuff into the pockets of lenders to lenders only You have been created through the month and finally appears to be under the impression that you do not let going through by charging you. The possibility of you know what, lenders now, if you can not offer a deal to suit your needs, you just walk and find different things - always willing to take your case There is no worry that you'll have a lot of lenders in the market. See Also direct lenders, cleveland oh .
In some financial institutions are obtained, the application you can fill out on the Internet, which has been specifically designed for that bad credit loans. Many of these companies, it was actually submitted the application response will be obtained within just a few minutes. These applications usually give a better idea of whether or not ultimately accepted your loan, the original is because it is being considered by the computer. If the application that require inspection of more then, you might need to contact the loan officer from the company in order to grasp the option of a loan by loan companies. Because it ends with it pleased you really, to change the contract in your favor as you can as the best, is only the best interests of you - so that it can be as much as you Please make sure that you do not leave anything to chance, regardless of negotiations and to


text:
press conference
Hosea Feed The Hungry Prepares For 44th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner
Atlanta (WAOK) — Hosea Feed The Hungry and Homeless held a press conference at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Georgia World Congress Center to unveil plans for its 44th consecutive dinner event series. This Holiday […]
The Mo Ivory Show….Gov. Chris Christie Tell Ex White House Doc To "Shut Up"
New Jersey Gov Chris Christie lashed out Wednesday on Former Clinton administration Doctor Connie Mariano after she came out publicly and stated "I'm worried about this man dying in office." Needless to say, a very […]
WAOK Wants To Know: "Whitney VS. Whigham"; Who Really Took The Picture?
Whigham Funeral Home Strikes back regarding Whitney Houston's Casket Pic. Who do you believe is responsible? Check out the Video and Then take our Poll!


text:
Ben King's Tour de L'Avenir stages 3 & 4 race report
Ian Boswell graduated from Bend's Summit High School in 2009 and races with the USA Cycling U23 National Team and the Bissell Pro Cycling Team. (Boswell has signed with Trek-Livestrong for 2011). He is currently in France at the Tour de L'Avenir, where his teammate Andrew Talansky is fighting for the overall win. USA rider Taylor Phinney won the prologue and started stage 1 in yellow but lost the jersey after a bad crash. After several tough stages in a row, Boswell joked that he was too tired to open his computer and instead sent Cycling Action these reports by teammate and U23 national champ Ben King.
Teammates and friends make all the suffering worthwhile
By Ben King
Stage 3: 157 km
Wednesday, Sept. 8
Last week we previewed the last 50 km of this stage, including the two 12 km climbs. To achieve redemption we had to put a stamp on this decisive stage. We did. We tossed a man into the British rotation leading the field and sharing the dirty work so that our team could rest unhindered behind Alex Dowsett in his yellow jersey. Again Boz, Alex Howes, and I took turns pace making. Approaching the first long climb, our team took full control with Phinney as the engine on the flats. Chris Butler and Andrew Talansky started the climb in perfect position. Our work done, the rest of us rode as easy as is possible up the next 30 km of mountains. When we got to the finish Talansky had a wild look in his eyes, "Third, I got third. We can still win this race, guys." What satisfaction that brought us. If he had not flatted yesterday, Talansky would have put us back in yellow. As it is, we're within striking distance without the responsibility of defending.
Stage 4: 180 km
Thursday, Sept. 9
The novelty of this lifestyle is wearing off. A road in Europe feels the same as a road in my hometown. Team buses, race banners, and the competitors' vein-shredded calves no longer jolt my nerves. New hotels, new teams, new food, courses, languages, tactics; new is normal. This sport is hard and often miserable. Four hours in the rain, legs screaming, heart race 170 for the fourth day in a row. But you won't stop. Even quitting is hard. To be dropped is like taking a knockout punch in the face. I don't think we do it for the love of the sport. We do it for people. When teammates become friends you will ride yourself into oblivion for them. You suffer each day because "good job" from your director sounds best when you know you've earned it.
Today's stage brought on this introspection. My fuel light came on early. Other riders had tunnel vision like me, but after two draining hours of constant hills, I found a purpose in the race. A gap opened ahead of Talansky on a windy false flat. I closed it for him then exploded slipping out the back of the front group. But Butler never passed me. I found him in a group off the back with Boz. Butler had to stay in the front group with Talansky. Go time. "Butler, get on my wheel!" Another cross-eyed effort closed the gap. Boz, Butler, and I were the last three to make the 40-man front group. A tweet from @cbutler88 (Chris Butler) after the race completed my day. "A very draining stage 3 of L'Avenir. @benking89 saved my butt in a crucial moment!" That's what it's all about. That's why I'm here.
Ian Boswell's Tour de L'Avenir race report: Stages 1 & 2, By Ian Boswell, Oregon Cycling Action, Sept. 10.


text:
Szechuan restaurant (old Cheung's Garden) - Calgary
God, I agree with you YB. I have no fallback Chinese place to go to now on a semi-regular basis.
Although I have yet to try Golden Happiness (I think that's the name) and Dragon Dynasty that other people have recommended here.
Part of the problem is I don't read Chinese that well although I can speak it well enough. That's why Cheung's Garden was great along with T. Pot and Peking Garden - gotta love the English menus to confirm what a dish actually is :)
I ate at the new Szechuan Restaurant on 16 Ave a few weeks ago with friends who moved to Calgary from China, and who acted as hosts for a table of 9 people. This is the real deal: the food is simply prepared, generally coarse cuts with bones and tongue and stomach and whatever, and the flavors are right in your face - very ma and la.
I especially enjoyed the twice-stirred port and a spicy beef soup. We also had a whole steamed fish that had to be ordered in advance that was so mind-numbingly hot that I literally stopped thinking for minutes at a time, a cold spicy dish of beef parts, two different spicy chicken dishes, noodles, vegetable dishes and rice. Dessert was some kind of fermented rice porridge.
The restaurant was packed on a week night, mostly Chinese families. You might need a Chinese friend to help navigate the menu and the cuisine, and be prepared for an assault on your senses.
Just had dinner tonight at Szechuan Restaurant. For starters, a dish of roasted peanuts were brought out.
The menu is written in both English and Chinese.
We ordered these dishes:
- Bamboo Fungus, Mushrooms, Sea Cucumber Soup - Delicious and a nice clear broth!
- Green Beans with Minced Pork (Spicy) - So good!! Love the red chillies in the dish.
- Hot and Spicy Chicken (Boneless) - it was cooked with light batter and fried with dried red chillies! Gosh! I love the chillies in the dish!
- Pig's Blood, Tripe, Calamari Stew - Spicy as can be but so wonderful on a cold night!
- Beef Fried Noodles - looks boring but so good with loads of garlic. The beef is so tender.
If you like spicy and chillies, this is the restaurant for you.
If you don't, try the non-spicy dishes.
They also have hot pot - adults $23.95 kids $10.95 - the soup included is the clear broth but you can pay extra to get different soup bases. You also get a list to pick out what raw items you want to cook in your hot pot. We shall try the hot pot the next time.
The owner of the restaurant came out to chat with us and she is originally from Szechuan province in China. She can speak Mandarin, Szechuan and English. She asked us if we could read Chinese and we said we're not that great and promised to write the special food items in English as well as in Chinese.
I think I'm the lone dissenter here: I found Szechuan Restaurant disappointing. For the record, I've never been to Sichuan Province so I don't know what the food is supposed to taste like.
We ordered (the names will not be exact) the sliced pig's ear, the "fish aroma" eggplant, and the fried green beans with bits of pork. The eggplant came in a generic Chinese thick brown sauce, no fish taste nor fish discernible. It could have been called soy sauce eggplant for all flavours that were in the dish.
The fried green beans were adequate, but not by far--comparing them to the one from Han's, they were soggy and lacking in depth of flavour. Again, one-note and missing the contrast of crisp skin and tender bean I've come to expect from this dish.
The pig's ear was not tender enough for me, too crunchy, but this may be how it is supposed to be prepared. Again, the flavour was, to me, a bit bland and simply a bit salt, nothing more.
All in all, for a mediocre meal that costs a bit more than a similar one from Han's, I won't be going back to Szechuan Restaurant.
re: aktivistin
re: aktivistin
Fish aroma (yuxiang) means things cooked with the same seasonings as fish would be cooked, not cooked with fish. In sichuan you can get fish aroma eggplant, pork slivers, canola, etc but none of these dishes contain actual fish. yuxiang still comes in a couple of different styles, some red, sour and garlicky and some very dark and sweet.
So anyone got a map to this place? I think I passed by yesterday, but wasn't sure if that was the restaurant... For the record, I haven't been to Cheung's Garden, so that's why I ask :)
re: MeXx
I believe it's at 414 16th Avenue NW. Does anyone have a number? I want to call and make a reservation but googling Szechuan Restaurant isn't helping. And, of course, the old Cheung's Garden number hasn't been taken over by them. I'd really like to order the fish for tomorrow night, so a number would be great.
re: Suzi Edwards
Szechuan Restaurant
414 16th Ave. N.W.
Martini Boys has a little overview - http://www.martiniboys.com/Calgary/Sz...


text:
Iron-Deficiency Anemia
(Reduced Iron in Blood)
Definition | Causes | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Prevention
Anemia is a low level of healthy red blood cells (RBC). RBCs carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. When red blood cells are low the body does not get enough oxygen. This can cause symptoms such as fatigue, pale skin, or irregular heartbeat.
Iron is needed to build healthy RBCs. Iron-deficiency anemia is caused by low levels of iron in the body.
Red Blood Cells
Factors that play a role include:
- Iron that is poorly absorbed in the digestive tract (may occur due to intestinal diseases or surgery)
- Chronic bleeding (eg, heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding in the gastrointestinal [GI] tract)
- Not enough iron in the diet (common cause in infants, children, and pregnant women)
Risk Factors
These factors increase your chance of developing this condition. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
- Rapid growth cycles (infancy, adolescence)
- Heavy menstrual bleeding or chronic blood loss from the GI tract
- Pregnancy
- Diets that contain insufficient iron (rare in the United States)
- Breastfed infants who have not started on solid food after six months of age
- Babies who are given cow's milk prior to age 12 months
- Alcoholism
While most people with mild anemia have no symptoms, when present, symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Pale skin
- Fingernail changes
- Weakness
- Headache
- Decreased work capacity
- Heart palpitations
- Infection
- Craving to eat things that are not food (called a pica), such as ice or clay
- Hair loss
- Shortness of breath during or after physical activity
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.
Tests may include:
- Serum iron
- Transferrin iron binding capacity
- Serum ferritin level
- Microscope examination of a blood smear
- Fecal occult blood test —to look for hidden blood in the stool
Treatments may include:
Iron Supplements
Iron can be taken as a supplement or as part of a multivitamin. Iron comes in many "salt" forms. Ferrous salts are better absorbed than ferric salts. Ferrous sulfate is the cheapest and most commonly used iron salt. Slow-release or coated products may cause less stomach problems. However, they may not be absorbed as well. Some products contain vitamin C to improve absorption. Talk to your doctor, though, because your iron level could get too high.
To help reduce you or your child's chances of getting this condition, take the following steps:
- Eat a diet rich in iron (eg, oysters, meat, poultry, fish)
- Avoid foods that interfere with iron absorption, like black tea
Ask your doctor if your infant is getting enough iron—The general guidelines are:
- Starting at four months, breastfed infants need an iron supplement until they get enough iron from other sources, like infant cereal or iron-fortified formula.
- Bottle-fed infants should get a formula that is fortified with iron.
- Many premature infants need extra iron starting at one month of age.
American Academy of Pediatrics
American College Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dietitians of Canada
Health Canada
American Academy of Pediatrics. Committee on Nutrition. Iron fortification of infant formulas. Pediatrics. 1999;104:119-123. Pediatrics website. Available at: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/104/1/119. Accessed July 15, 2007.
Beers MH, Berkow R. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. 17th ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons; 1999.
Beers MH, Berkow R. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. 18th ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons; 2006.
Iron. EBSCO Natural and Alternative Treatments website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/. Updated December 2007. Accessed July 15, 2008.
Schroeder K. Good food sources of iron. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/. Updated December 2006. Accessed July 15, 2008.
US Preventive Services Task Force. The Guide to Clinical Preventive Services: Report of the United States Preventive Services Task Force. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2002.
US Preventive Services Task Force. The Guide to Clinical Preventive Services: Report of the United States Preventive Services Task Force. AHRQ Publication No. 06-0588; Rockville, MD: 2006.
10/12/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php: Baker R, Greer F, the Committee on Nutrition. Clinical report—diagnosis and prevention of iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia in infants and young children (0-3 years of age). American Academy of Pediatrics website. Available at: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/peds.2010-2576v1. Published October 5, 2010. Accessed October 12, 2010.
Last reviewed September 2013 by Marcin Chwistek, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.


text:
DeSoto Veterinarians
We invite you to explore the biographies of our doctors and learn more about them. Our doctors have a wide variety of backgrounds and interests.
George TaboneMedical Director
Veterinary School: Texas A&M University
Graduate School: BS biochemistry & Veterinary Science
Dr. Tabone grew up in Desoto and graduated from Desoto High School in 1983. Beginning in 1981, he worked for Desoto Animal Hospital throughout high school and during college breaks. Dr. Tabone is a 1993 ...
Read Full Biography
1 of 3 »
Erika BollinAssociate Veterinarian
Veterinary School: University of Missouri
Dr. Bollin was born and raised in Independence, Missouri, a suburb of Kansas City. After high school, she first attended Kansas State University for undergraduate training. She transferred to the ...
Read Full Biography
Megan Buford, DVMAssociate Veterinarian
Veterinary School: Oklahoma State University
Read Full Biography
Rebecca JonesAssociate Veterinarian
Veterinary School: Oklahoma State University
Following graduation from Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Dr. Jones completed a small animal rotating medicine and surgery internship in Maryland before returning ...
Read Full Biography


text:
Coarsegold Community Center Mondays and Third Saturdays; Monday 10 a.m., senior meals 11:30 a.m., games start 12:15 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m., games at noon. 35610 Hwy. 41, Coarsegold. Details: Agnes (559) 683-5646.
Senior Center Bingo Noon Every Thursday and First two Saturdays; 49111 Cinder Lane - behind the community center, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-3811.
Service Organization of the Sierra (SOS) 9:30 a.m. Last Tuesday; serving the community by raising funds for scholarships, public library and teacher grants. Oakhurst Medical Group Room, 40232 Junction Dr. at Hwy. 49, Oakhurst. Details: Linda Seaberg (559) 642-4280.
Bass Lake Lions 11:30 a.m. Second and Fourth Wednesdays; President Jim Milligin. Ducey's Restaurant, Bass Lake. Details: www.basslakelions.org.
Grandmothers Club - 24 10:30 a.m. First Wednesday; The Village Clubhouse, 46777 Oonay Nation Road, Coarsegold.
North Fork Women's Club 10 a.m. First Wednesday; scholarship funding for women. Mill Site meeting room, 57839 Road 225, North Fork. Details: Mary Collins (559) 877-4332 or email@example.com.
North Fork Women's Club - Craft & "Mini" Bake Sale 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Second Wednesday; nonprofit funds for Women's Scholarships. Post Office parking lot, 33173 Road 222, North Fork. Details: Mary Collins (559) 877-4332 or email@example.com.
Our Lady of the Sierra Women's Guild 8 a.m. Second Wednesday; Saint Dominic Savio and Saint Joseph the Worker Guild. Mass, Rosary followed by breakfast and meeting. Our Lady of the Sierra, Indian Spring Road, Oakhurst.
Sierra Mountain Quilters Association 5:30 p.m. First Thursday; business meeting at 6 p.m. Pavilion at the Community Center Road 425B, Oakhurst. Free. Details: Lin (559) 642-2673.
MOPS "Mothers of preschooler's" 9 a.m. First and Third Tuesdays; all mothers of preschool age children and younger. Child care provided. Evangelical Free Church, 50443 School Road (427), Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-2254 ext. 201.
Democratic Club of Oakhurst 9 a.m. breakfast Saturday, December 7; Special Guest: Eric Linville from Camerena Health Center "Covered California." Also, Michael Keitz, Madera District Attorney. Denny's Restaurant - 40650 Hwy 41, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 658-2342.
Gold Dust Dancers - Square Dancing and Line Dancing 6 p.m. Wednesdays; line dancing first hour followed by square dancing. Sessions for new dancers at 7 p.m. Community Center, Road 425B, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 641-7765 or (559) 868-3319.
Ballroom Dancing 7 p.m. Second Friday; dance instruction until 7:30. Beginners, advanced, dance teachers. Live music by the Larkspur Band. You don't have to have a partner. Elks Lodge, 42484 Hwy. 41& Road 222, Oakhurst. Details: reservations (559) 683-2717 or information: Ed Bailey (559) 683-5193.
Self Defense Class 1 p.m. Sunday, December 15; verbal skills, assertiveness, physical techniques. All ages 6 +. Benefits YLOA Rec Center and Rivergold PTA. Kenpo Karate, 28420 Yosemite Springs Parkway, Suite D, YLP Coarsegold. Donations welcome. Details: (559) 681-1466 or email@example.com.
Coarsegold Historic Village - Dec. 10 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Second Tuesday; fresh, perishable food and other items. Some foods have limits so enough for everyone. Bring bags with you. 35300 Hwy. 41, Coarsegold. Free. Details: (559) 237-3663.
Oakhurst - Our Lady of the Sierra - Dec. 17 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Third Tuesday; fresh, perishable food and other items. Some foods have limits so enough for everyone. Bring bags with you. 40180 Indian Springs Road, Oakhurst. Free. Details: (559) 237-3663.
North Fork - Grace Community Church - Friday Dec. 20 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Fourth Tuesday; fresh, perishable food and other items. Some foods have limits so enough for everyone. Bring bags with you. 56442 Road 200, North Fork. Free. Details: (559) 237-3663.
Oakhurst Petanque Club 9 a.m. Saturdays; www.oakhurstpetanque.org. Behind Oakhurst Elementary School on School Road (427), Oakhurst. Free. Details: Tish (559) 683-6540.
Spaghetti dinner - Our Lady of the Sierra 5 - 7 p.m. First Friday; monthly dinner prepared by the Knights of Columbus. All you can eat includes salad, bread & beverage. 40180 Indian Springs Road, Oakhurst. $7.50 adults, $4 children. Details: (559) 642-3452.
Pancake Breakfast - Kiwanis 7:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, December 7; pancakes, eggs, ham, sausage, coffee, milk and orange juice. Community Center on Road 425B, Oakhurst. $6 adults, $3 children 12 and under, 5 and under Free.
Huge Oakhurst Rummage Sale 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, December 14; Look for signs, benefits the animals of Kellen Rescue. Rain will cancel till following Saturday 40820 Winding Way off Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Details: Keri Hills (559) 676-2784.
Manzanita Garden Club 10 a.m. Second Thursday; call for location, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-4402.
Mountain Laurel Garden Club 10 a.m. First Friday; meet at members homes, Mountain community. Details: Cheryl (559) 683-4079.
Christ Church 12th Annual Event 9 a.m. - 3 p.m Saturday, December 7; handcrafted wooden items, nativity sets, tea boxes hand painted, birdhouses and trivets. Linens, knitted items and Christmas decor and more. ECCO, 43803 Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Lunch 11:30 a.m - 1:30 p.m.: $6 pre-sale or $7.50 at the door. Details: Diane (559) 877-3401.
Sierra Meadowlarks Annual Event to benefit residents of the Oakhurst Living and Wellness Centre 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, December 7; cookie walk, bake sale, white elephant table, raffle. Vendors tables available $25. Oakhurst Living Center, 40131 Hwy. 49, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 641-7209.
28th annual Christmas Craft Fair - Mariposa / Yosemite Crafter's Guild Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Friday, December 13 to December 15; Jewelry, original artwork, woodworking, knitted and crocheted goods, baby and full-sized Afghans, handmade soaps, household goods and plenty more. Mariposa American Legion Hall, 5117 Bullion St., Mariposa. Details: Janet Shoff (209) 742-6062.
10th Annual Christmas Tree Lot at Wasuma School Thursday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Friday 4 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; 2 to 9 foot Douglas and Noble trees. Friday is the tree lighting and visit with Santa 6 p.m. Cookies and hot chocolate. Donations appreciated. Wasuma School , 43109 Hwy. 49, Ahwahnee. $15 to $65 for trees. Details: Carey Smith (559) 760-6939.
Christmas Craft Show - Soroptimist of Mariposa 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday, December 6 and Saturday December 7; handmade gifts with over 85 local crafters. Door prizes and raffles. Mariposa County Fairgrounds, Highway 49S, Mariposa. Free admission and parking. Details: Karen Verdugo (209) 742-4680.
Coarsegold Tree Lighting 5 p.m. Friday, December 6; craft fair, Santa Claus, cookie decorating and more. Coarsegold Village Hwy. 41, Coarsegold. Free. Details: (559) 683-3900.
Holiday Fest - Rivergold Elementary School 5 p.m. Friday, December 6; Live music, soup and potato bar, sweets and Holiday cheer. Lighted parade, pictures with Santa, auctions, craft tables, raffles. , Coarsegold. Details: Sarah Curley (559) 676-0921.
Christmas on the Mountain at Sugar Pine Christian Camps 11:45 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, December 7; Family fun with hay rides, pine bough crafts, decorate cookies, games, lunch, family photos, Red Rider BB gun range.
Family Christmas story with author, illustrator and speaker Steve Riley. 48478 Mill Canyon Road, Oakhurst. Free. Details: RSVP please to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Christmas Tree lighting - Oakhurst 5 p.m. Saturday, December 7; Enjoy a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Christmas carols, hot cider, coffee, cocoa, hot dogs, cookies. Pony rides and bounce house. Pine cone decorating, petting zoo. Corner of Hwy. 41 and Crane Valley Road, Oakhurst. Free.
Elks Lodge - Crab Feed 5 p.m. Saturday, December 7; Christmas Charity fundraiser and Toys for Kids dinner. All you can eat includes salad, bread and linguini and clams. Lots of raffle prizes. 42484 Hwy. 41 across from Bass Lake Road (222) turnoff, Oakhurst. $40. Details: (559) 683-2717 for reservations.
Christmas Tree Auction - 12th Annual Holiday Event 3 p.m. silent auction begins, Live Auction follows Sunday, December 8; complimentary champagne, hors d'oeurves, raffles and door prizes. Proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club and other local charities. Event Center at Bass Lake. $30 per person. Details: Details: (559) 683-9000 or www.SupportBGClub.cMarket.com.
Christmas Sing-along by the Friends of the North Fork Branch Library 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 11; Leading singing around the tree the local group "Sugar Pine." Refreshments will be served. North Fork Library, 32908 Road 222, North Fork. Free. Details: (559) 877-2387.
Annual Children's Christmas Party - Oakhurst Elk's 11 a.m - 1 p.m. Saturday, December 14; Children ages 4 - 12 will be treated to a holiday dance program, pizza lunch and a visit from Santa Claus, a stuffed animal, item of clothing and a reading book. Elks Lodge, 42484 Hwy. 41& Road 222, Oakhurst. Details: Dennis Huff, Exalted Ruler (559) 683-2717.
Holiday Home Tour sponsored by MCW - Mountain Community Women 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch being served 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, December 14; take a self-guided tour of decorated homes plus air streams and a caboose. The event is for adults only. All proceeds go to benefit and maintain the Oakhurst Community Center. email@example.com Community Center on Road 425B, Oakhurst. Suggested donation is $17. Details: Jill (559) 641-7867 or Kraft and Lee Insurance.
Community Christmas Choral Concert - 4th Annual 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, December 15; "The Promise of Light" with a live orchestra and a community chorus of more than 50-voices from local area churches. Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Free - donations appreciated. Details: Cathy Walker (559) 906-3068.
Christmas Feast Outpouring 3 - 7 p.m. Monday, December 23; Free dinner, food, music, and Christmas presents. Oakhurst Community Center, 39800 Road 425B, Oakhurst. Free. Details: Rebecca (559) 313-9570 or firstname.lastname@example.com
Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner - "Don't be alone for Christmas" 12 noon Wednesday, December 25; seniors are invited who will be alone on Christmas Day. Appetizers will be served at noon. Lunch will follow at 1 p.m. Please call for reservations and or transportation if needed. This is a 17 year tradition, so please come and share your day. Senior Center, Oakhurst. Free. Details: Carol Breit (559) 683-3811.
Sierra Masonic Lodge - 788 8 a.m. breakfast and 9 a.m. stated meeting First Saturday; monthly stated meeting. 40216 Hwy. 49, Oakhurst. Details: Bill Bastian, Secretary (559) 683-4359.
Men's Breakfast 8:30 a.m. First Saturday; Sierra Pines Church, 40855 Covey Court, Highway 49, Oakhurst. $5 donation. Details: (559) 683-2882.
Coarsegold Community Center Board 3:30 p.m. Second Monday; 35610 Hwy. 41, Coarsegold. Details: (559) 683-7953.
Republican Party of Madera County (RPMC) 11:30 a.m., call for location of lunch meeting. First Monday; www.MaderaGOP.org. County wide meeting, Madera. Details: Bobbie (559) 683-0719.
Chamber Board of Directors 4:30 p.m. Fourth Thursday; Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce. Yosemite Bank conference room, 40061 Hwy. 49, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-7766.
Baha'i's of the Mountain Area 7 p.m. Third Wednesday of the month ; discussion on topics as "What is the Baha'i' faith" and Oneness of Mankind, Life after Death, Equality of Men and Women. www.bahai.us. Yosemite Bank community room, Oakhurst. Details: Don Reed (559) 683-7702.
Woodcarvers - Central Sierra Woodcarvers 12 p.m. Thursdays; beginners to advanced. Tools available. Senior Center, 49111 Cinder Lane, Oakhurst. Free. Details: Larry Smith (559) 906-4198 , email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Coarsegold Resource Conservation District 10 a.m. Thursday, December 5; North Fork Mill site on Road 225, CDC Conference Room, North Fork. Details: (559) 642-3263.
Women In Business Luncheon and Networking noon Thursday, December 12; Gourmet soup and salad buffet, dessert and beverage.Featuring the Children's Strings, a Holiday Vintage Fashion Show from vintage Chic Boutique and a tour of the Ascent Spa. Sponsored by the Oakhurst Area Chamber of Commerce. Tenaya Lodge , Forest View Room, Fish Camp. $20. Details: Reservations a must (559) 683-7766 or email@example.com.
Western Gospel Service - Cowboy Church 4 p.m. Sundays; Tim Johnson - fiddler, Cliff Neufeld - piano, Eddie Guzman -guitar and harmonica, Rudy Helm - bass guitar and Mark Albosta - drums. Music genre of Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers. Lutheran Church, Crane Valley Road (426) and Black Road, Oakhurst.
Winter Concert - Yosemite High School 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 5; bands, choirs, percussion, and Bass Lake District Bands. Mountain Christian Center, 40299 Hwy. 49, Oakhurst. $4. Details: (559) 683-4667.
Cowboy Christmas Concert 3 and 6 p.m. Saturday, December 14; Concert featuring Bobby Black on the steel guitar and Jimmy Collier on the Banjo. Great afternoon of voice and soul-raising music. Lutheran Church, Crane Valley Road (426) and Black Road, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 658-2019.
Mountain Pianists 2 p.m. Sunday, December 15; Library on Civic Circle Dr., Oakhurst. Details: Lucie Richter (559) 683-0352.
Boy Scout Troop - 357 7 p.m. Mondays; boys ages 11(or in 6th grade) to 17. Scout Building, North Fork. Details: Dave Smith (559) 877-2186.
Boy Scout Troop - 316 6:30 p.m. Mondays; boys ages 11(or in 6th grade) to 17. Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, 39696 Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Details: George Stillman (559) 642-7683.
Boy Scout Troop - 341 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays; boys ages 11(or 6th grade) to 17. Oak Creek Intermediate (OCI.), Oakhurst. Details: John Dufresne (559) 683-8635.
Cub Scout Pack - 341 6 p.m. Last Thursday; boys ages 6 to 10 (1st - 5th grade) Locations vary, Oakhurst. Details: Nicole Star (559) 997-6964.
Royal Rangers - Outpost 242 Wednesdays; boys ages 5-18. Mountain Christian Center, 40299 Hwy. 49, Oakhurst. Details: Andy Clendenning (559) 683-8760.
Alanon "Women Only" 9:30 a.m. Saturdays; Methodist Church, 49223 Crane Valley Road (426), Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-1166.
Overeaters Anonymous 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 40707 Hodges Hill Dr., Oakhurst. Details: Betty (559) 683-7016.
Alanon Tuesday 6 p.m. and Friday noon; New Community United Methodist Church, 49223 Crane Valley Road (426), Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-1166.
Alanon 7 p.m. Mondays; Yosemite Lakes Park Community Church, 43840 Patrick Avenue, Module #1, YLP Coarsegold. Details: (559) 658-7281.
Celebrate Recovery 5 p.m. Wednesdays; find Freedom from your hurts, hang-ups and habits. Sierra Pines Church, 40855 Covey Court, Highway 49, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-2882.
Coarsegold - Senior Nutrition Program 11:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday; to order lunch, call by noon the previous week day. Community Center, Coarsegold. $1.75 seniors 60 plus. Details: Joanna Fuchs (559) 683-7953.
North Fork - Senior Nutrition Program 11:30 a.m. Monday - Friday; to order lunch, call by noon the previous week day. Community Center, North Fork. $1.75 seniors 60 plus. Details: Dru Whitener (559) 877-2653.
Oakhurst - Senior Nutrition Program 11:30 a.m. Monday - Friday; to order lunch, call by noon the previous week day. Sierra Senior Center, Oakhurst. $1.75 seniors 60 plus. Details: Connie Graham (559) 683-3811.
Caregiver Respite Group 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays; Mountain Area Caregivers will provide a much needed break for the family caregiver and an opportunity for their loved one to enjoy a relaxing day of activities and socialization with personal care assistance. A small fee includes lunch. Sierra Senior Center, 49111 Cinder Lane, Oakhurst. $15. Details: Jennie (559) 658-8227.
Soroptimist International of The Sierras Noon First and Third Thursdays; Crab Cakes Restaurant, Golden Oak Loop, Oakhurst. Details: Sue Graham (559) 683-7845.
Oakhurst Sierra Rotary Noon Wednesdays; Yosemite Gateway Restaurant at Best Western, Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Details: President Doug Macaulay (559) 683-4494.
Sierra Lions Club 6 p.m. First and Third Wednesdays; Denny's - 40530 Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Details: www.sierralionsclub.org.
Oakhurst Elks Lodge - 2724 7 p.m. Second and Fourth Tuesdays; Elks Lodge, 42484 Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-2717.
Sierra Oakhurst Kiwanis Noon Tuesdays; Sweetwater Steak House, Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Details: Vicki Burkhalter (559) 683-5854.
Oakhurst Mountain Lions 6 p.m. Second and Fourth Wednesdays; Best Western Yosemite Gateway Inn, 40530 Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Details: Wayanne Markley (559) 683-4475.
MCW - Mountain Community Women 9:30 a.m. First Monday; "MCW " serves the community by raising funds to support the Community Center. Check out our website at: firstname.lastname@example.com Community Center on Road 425B, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-3068.
Oakhurst Sierra Sunrise Rotary Club 7 a.m. Tuesdays; Yosemite Gateway Restaurant at Best Western, Hwy. 41, Oakhurst. Details: President Susan Macaulay (559) 683-4494.
Senior Singles Dining Club Second Friday; 55 years and older. Dinner in local restaurants, or members' homes. Details: Mort (559) 642-3632 .
Better Breathers 12:30 p.m. Last Saturday; use elevator outside main entrance. Anyone with COPD or breathing problems (and spouse). CMC (Urgent Care building) 48677 Victoria Lane, second floor, Oakhurst. Details: Jackie Wilson (559) 683-4250.
Stroke Support Group 10 a.m. Third Friday; Ray Castro of Oakhurst Evangelical Free Church conducting this group for all stroke survivors and caregivers. Yosemite Bank conference room, Hwy. 49, Oakhurst. Free. Details: Ray (559) 760-9839.
Pathway to Freedom 6: p.m. Tuesdays; find Freedom from destructive thoughts, behaviors or bondage's. Oakhurst Evangelical Free Church, 50443 School Road (427), Oakhurst. Details: (559) 683-2254.
Grief Support program 6 p.m. Tuesdays; Hinds Hospice Center for Grief & Healing facilitated by a Master's - trained grief counselor. Must pre-register at the Grief Center for this 12 week course. No meetings Dec. 25, 2013 or Jan. 1, 2014. VA - Veterans CBOC, 40597 West Lake Drive, Oakhurst. $25. Scholarships available. Details: (559) 248-8579.
Alzheimer's Caregiver 10 a.m. Second and Fourth Tuesdays; Support group for individuals caring for person with Alzheimer's or dementia. Valley Caregivers. Lutheran Church, 39255 Black Road, Oakhurst. Free. Details: (800) 541-8614 or Carol (559) 683-4045.
Parkinson's Disease support group 10 a.m. Second Tuesday; Yosemite Bank conference room, Hwy. 49, Oakhurst. Details: Sharon Swanson (559) 658-7798.
Women's Veterans and PTSD support group 11 a.m. First and Third Tuesdays; VA Clinic on Hwy. 49, Oakhurst. Details: Barbara Cole (559) 658-8939.
Marine Corps League, Griswold Mountain Detachment - 1121 9:30 a.m. Second Saturday; Positive Living Center, 49269 Golden Oak Dr., Suite 103, Oakhurst. Details: Bill Volner (559) 658-2684.
American Legion - Post 110 6 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. regular meeting. Third Thursday; Community Center, 34540 Hwy. 41, Coarsegold. Details: (559) 683-1215.
EMC - SPCA 5:30 p.m. Second Tuesday; if you love animals and would like to help. The Cat's Meow, 40315 Junction Dr. Suite C, Oakhurst. Details: (559) 642-6611.
Helping Hands presents "Earn While You Learn" Parenting Classes 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (1 hour classes) Monday-Thursday ; receive baby bucks while attending classes. Call for schedule and class times. Child care not provided. Pregnancy and Parenting Center, 40356 Oak Park Way, Suite A, Oakhurst. Details: Kenya Deto: email@example.com (559) 642-2229.
Los Nino's Bien Educados - parenting class for Spanish speaking parents 11 a.m. Thursdays; Mountain Wellness Center sponsors this event. Oakhurst Counseling Center, 49774 Road 426, Oakhurst. Free. Details: (559) 683-4809.


text:
From Bay City News:
A pair of suspected burglars was arrested earlier this month after allegedly using a Contra Costa Times subscriber vacation list to target and burglarize at least one home in Walnut Creek, police said.
Police arrested Patrick Piazza, 28, of Bethel Island, and Morgan Scales, 21, of Antioch, in Livermore on Jan. 13. Police had responded to a resident who had spotted the pair driving off in his car, which he had left idling outside of his home, Livermore police Sgt. John Hurd said.
"We believe it was a crime of opportunity as they were cruising through the neighborhood," Hurd said.
Officers stopped the suspects on Interstate Highway 580 and arrested them. Police then learned that the pair had driven another vehicle to Livermore, which had been reported stolen out of Walnut Creek.
That stolen car was returned to its owner, who discovered items that did not belong to him in the car. One of those items was a list of subscribers to The Contra Costa Times who had requested holds on newspaper deliveries while on vacation.
Police believe Piazza and Scales, and likely other suspects, used that list to target a home in Walnut Creek belonging to a subscriber on the delivery hold list.
It appears that the suspects intended to burglarize a home in Livermore that was on the same list, but instead decided to steal the idling car parked next to that home, Walnut Creek Police Lt. Steve Gorski said. At least one other home burglary appears to be linked to the subscriber list, the lieutenant said.
He said that investigators are working closely with the Contra Costa Times, which has launched an internal investigation to help determine how the subscriber list got into the wrong hands.
According to the lieutenant, WCPD a few years ago saw a similar case in which thieves targeted people on the newspaper's delivery hold list and were arrested. It is unclear whether the recent burglary and car thefts are related to that case.
Copyright © 2012 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.


text:
The front page of the Sunday Enquirer (July 11) illustrates our community values: ("Layoffs loom for teachers") and ("Advocates paint a rosy scenario for streetcars"). The teacher layoff article discusses in detail the fact that we can no longer afford to adequately staff our schools. Teachers will have to face possible unemployment just like workers in other fields. This is very bad news for our children, the teachers, and the future of our country. It sounds like there is nothing we can do about this very bad news, but, thank goodness, there is a jolly article on the likelihood that money can be found to re-create a nostalgic relic of the past, a streetcar line up the hill to Clifton from the basin (downtown). This would be a great way for commuters to whiz back and forth between Clifton and downtown, but what about commuters to other places?
I guess they will still ride regular buses to Government Square and then look for a bus to their destination. How many years do you suppose it will take to gradually re-create more historic transportation routes (and inclined planes as well) to assist us in moving about Greater Cincinnati?
Norman E. Bissell
College Hill
Posted in: government, Greater Cincinnati, taxes
Tags: Clifton, College Hill, downtown, inclines, schools, streetcars, teachers, transit


text:
With at least some amount of signage already in place, area residents took to the HOPE listserv over the weekend to wonder if it was now legal to park along Route 1 in downtown Hyattsville.
The answer, according to Hyattsville Communications Director Abby Sandel, is a loud and clear "we are in a grey area."
"Technically, parking is permitted, but we discourage it," said Sandel in an interview yesterday.
the State Highway Administration has yet to deliver all of the necessary signage to clearly define where and when one may park their car along the thoroughfare.
"Until the signage is in place, it would be very difficult for somebody to figure out where they may park," said Sandel. "One of the requirements for Route 1 parking is that we be vigilant about enforcing prohibitions on parking during peak hours, when we will be towing cars that are parked."
The new streetside parking arrangement prohibits parking on Route 1 between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.
And while the dozen or so signs which currently line the road do spell out when one can park, they do not, among others, warn motorists that those who flaunt the parking prohibitions face the prospect of being towed for their obstructive infraction.
According to Sandel, city officials spoke with SHA representatives early yesterday morning to confirm that the full regimen of necessary signage is on its way, however there is no definite date by which the signs are expected.
Once the signs are installed, before the Route 1 parking plan is fully implemented as approved by the City Council, which means residents could see a few weeks of free streetside parking downtown.


text:
LONDON, March 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
first direct, recent winner of the Consumer Moneyfacts Remortgage Buyers' Choice award, will launch three market-leading mortgages on Friday 15 March 2013. Borrowers with a 35% deposit or equity will be able to take advantage of the new rates which include both repayment and offset products.
The move by the direct bank comes as mortgage rates reach unprecedented low levels.
Andy Forbes, Head of Retail Products at first direct commented: "Over the last month we have seen competition increase in the mortgage market. In particular our five year fixed rates have been extremely popular. In response to this demand we have lowered the rates on many of our five year fixed rates, to ensure our customers have access to our most competitive rates."
first direct facts
first direct provides both telephone banking and online banking services to its 1.2m customers. It offers a full range of personal banking products including its award winning Current Account and offset mortgages.
SOURCE first direct


text:
You are always welcome here at this site, where it's possible to use hot ringtones for your phone. Today we have a ringtone of "Weightless" by All Time Low as well as 1552 other ringtones by All Time Low. "Weightless" is a top-rated song from the "Nothing Personal" album that was created by All Time Low at their label together with other 49 tracks. You can listen to all 69 All Time Low – "Weightless" ringtone variations available here and download it for free directly to your smart phone. You can also select other 10 albums produced by All Time Low for all time. "Weightless" is referred to Pop Punk, and we can offer you a huge amount of Pop Punk compilations absolutely for free. And finally, we have collected lyrics for this track and you can view it here as well. So feel free to browse, listen, download ringtones at Audiko.net. Make your phone sound cool!
All Time Low Weightless Ringtone
Similar Ringtones
Browse Genres
Alternative Emo Indie Pop Punk Pop-Punk Powerpop Punk Rock
Albums by All Time Low
All Time Low
9 Oct 2012
All Time Low
7 Jun 2011
Top ringtones by All Time Low
- All Time Low - Time-Bomb
- All Time Low - Dear Maria, Count Me In
- All Time Low - A Love Like War (feat. Vic Fuentes)
- All Time Low - Time Bomb
- All Time Low - Umbrella
- All Time Low - Somewhere In Neverland
- All Time Low - 05 Time Bomb
- All Time Low - Remembering Sunday
- All Time Low - Time-Bomb (Acoustic Version)


text:
The City of Circleville is a Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) city. RITA processes all forms and payments for the City of Circleville.
New Businesses/Employers
Business Electronic Registration with RITA: E-Registration
Business Paper Registration with RITA:
1) Complete a Business Registration Form unless your business is already established with RITA. If your business is already established with RITA follow the same business guidelines as other cities.
2) Mail or fax the form to the City of Circleville Income tax, using the contact information on the left.
3) Your account(s) will be set by RITA and a Business Packet will be mailed to you. The Business Packet will identify all business tax requirements concerning city income tax for the City of Circleville.
All Business Forms and Instructions:
RITA Business Forms: Business Forms
Business forms be filed electronically using: RITA's E-File
Business payments can be paid electronically using: RITA's E-Payments
Employer Withholding Information:
Monthly - If the taxes withheld during any month exceeds $500.00, monthly
payments shall be made. Monthly payments are due on or before the last day of
the following month.
Quarterly - All employers not required to make monthly payments shall make
quarterly payments. Quarterly payments are due as follows:
Employer Withholding Statement Instructions: Employer Form 11 Instructions
Employer Withholding Statement Form: Employer Form 11 Form
Employer Withholding Reconciliation:
The reconciliation form must be filed on or before the last day of February following the calendar year in which employee withholding deductions have been made by an employer.
Employer Withholding Reconciliation Instructions: Employer Form 17 Instructions
Employer Withholding Reconciliation Form 17: Employer Form 17
If you have any question please contact us or the Regional Income Tax Agency - Business Division at 1-800-860-7482 ext 3244.
Thank you for your new business!
Copyright © 2000-2001 by Software Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved. Site Developed by Project A Inc.
If you have questions regarding the site, please contact the webmaster.
Terms of Use


text:
Live On Stage, Inc./Cullman Community Concert Association
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Hal Linden, jazz musician and legendary star of Broadway and television, will present a program of classic tunes, stories and nostalgia at the Betty Leeth Haynes Theatre on the Wallace Stage Community College campus on Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Season subscriptions for the five-concert season are $55 (adult), $35 (student/children) and $140 (family). Single tickets will be available at the door for $20. For more information please call 256-339-4449, or visit our website www.cullmancommunityconcertassociation.com.
Hal Linden, a 65 year entertainment veteran, is best known for his portrayal of the police precinct captain in the hit television series "Barney Miller," for which he earned multiple Golden Globe and Emmy nominations. In 1957 he made his Broadway debut in the musical "Bells Are Ringing" opposite Judy Holliday, and has continued to perform in more than 20 Broadway and off-Broadway productions, including "Pajama Game," "A Christmas Carol," "Chicago" and "Cabaret." In 1971 he won the Tony Award for "Best Actor in a Musical" for his role in "The Rothschilds." An accomplished jazz clarinetist and vocalist, Linden is backed by a seven-piece band performing America's classic songs, along with a lifetime of showmanship and charm.
The Cullman Community Concert Association was established in 1949. The organization is committed to bring a wide variety of entertainment of the highest caliber to the community at a reasonable price.
Live On Stage, Inc. provides excellent, affordable, entertainment attractions and support services to an American community of concert presenters. For more information, visit www.LiveOnStage.biz.


text:
City (520)
Neighborhood (520)
Reviewed (95)
Open 24-Hours (19)
Breakfast (131)
Lunch (402)
Dinner (403)
Late Dinner (191)
Brunch (70)
Take-Out (234)
Delivery (50)
Outdoor Dining (105)
Catering (158)
Banquet Rooms (101)
Bar Scene (168)
Kids Welcome (176)
No Jeans (3)
Romantic (56)
Wheelchair Access (208)
American Express (256)
MasterCard (314)
Visa (314)
Carte Blanche (40)
Discover (176)
TransMedia (15)
(American, Breakfast, Café, Seafood, Soup, Burgers)
Delicious American and Italian dishes offered at reasonable rates in a family restaurant environment...
"This contemporary version of the classic 'bar & grill' features modern American cuisine accentuatin...
"A neighborhood bar with lots of style." The top floor has huge windows overlooking Woodward. Downst...
Steak and wine at great prices.
"Formerly the Wacky Wing Cafe, Your Mother's is the newest restaurant/bar in Mount Clemens - attract...
(American, Breakfast, Café, Deli, Vegetarian Menu)
Zingerman's creates made-to-order sandwiches using traditionally made foods. It was rated the #1 mea...
(American, Breakfast, Deli, Salads)
As fine a deli as anyone could wish for, and more than just a haven for triple-decker sandwiches and...
Zingermans Roadhouse presents "unusually good American food," declares a neon sign over the roof, i...


text:
Budget Accommodation North America USA New York Bed & Breakfasts NYC Guesthouse
It's a great place if you don't want to spend too much money. The staff is nice and you meet a lot of nice travelers, perfect for a backpacker traveling on his/her own, just like me. I would go back to this place any day.
Private Rooms From US$90 Photos Description Map Guest Reviews
Cosy guesthouse in Brooklyn catering mostly to students and travelers. Stunning rooms, great location and cheap rates ... We are one block away from the NYC Marathon route.
Voted Best Atmosphere by Hostelbookers customers in June 2013. PLEASE READ everything BEFORE booking. You will need a valid passport or a non NY state ID.
NYC Guesthouse was founded by 2 Pratt students. They dreamed to create a quirky guesthouse that would truly feel like a home away from home. We have a cat.
We arrange check-ins from 11am to 11 pm. However, you MUST notify us of your expected arrival time, as we do not have staff around the clock. We understand hours may change, so please notify us as soon as possible if there are changes in your arrival time and you do not wish to lose your spot.
We will add an administrative turnover fee of $4.95 if you stay less than 5 nights with us. This is to cover sheet-rental and general turnover costs.
Check-ins after 11pm can ONLY be arranged by special request (e-mail or telephone at least 2 nights before), and incur a late fee per booking of:
$27.95 - 11pm - 1am
$37.95 -after 1am
If you think you will be more than 2 hours delayed, please notify us as soon as possible. Failure to do so will signal a no-show and can lead to the loss of your reservation to another traveler. If your reservation is forfeited, but you arrive more than 2 hours late, all efforts will be made to accommodate you, but it may be in a different room, with different services and prices. Any alternative accommodation will be at the prevailing rate, which may be more than what you booked on your forfeited reservation.
If you want to CANCEL or CHANGE your reservation, you must notify us at least 3 DAYS BEFORE ARRIVAL, so that an alternate can be found to take your spot. We reserve the right to charge your credit card in full for cancellations made less than 3 days before arrival. ALL CHANGES MUST BE MADE IN WRITING.
We require a passport to check in. We cannot provide accommodation for NYS residents.
Note: TAXES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE BOOKING PRICE.
We reserve the right to refuse bookings from New York residents. Please contact us before you make a reservation if you live in NY, unless you have a non-US passport.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You will be responsible for payment of ALL booked nights at check-in. We must hold a bed for you once you book, so be courteous to other travelers that need a bed and don't book more than what you need.
What we offer:
There is a backyard, several common areas, 2 kitchens, summer BBQ's, communal meals, luggage storage, no curfew, easy on-street parking, bike rental and unique organized trips and travel services.
We do NOT have 24 hour reception. Please remember to let us know your approximate arrival time (not just date), so we can ensure someone will be present to check you in. Please call us when you are on your way, so we know to expect you.
BY SUBWAY: A or C to Nostrand stop in Brooklyn. Walk north on Nostrand Ave (in direction against traffic). You will pass 4 short blocks: Macon St, Halsey, Hancock, Jefferson… then Putnam Ave. make a right on Putnam Ave; we are the 2nd house on the right.
FROM JFK AIRPORT: Air Train ($5, approx 20 minutes) to "A" line subway ($2.25, approx 40 minutes). Then same as above. Door-to-door $7.25, 1-1.5 hrs. Alternatively, a taxi from JFK costs $30-$40, and takes 20-40 minutes.
From Penn Station, Port Authority or Chinatown bus: A or C to Nostrand stop. Then same as above. Approx. 40-50 minutes.
After booking you will receive our e-mail address. To fully secure your booking, you'll need to e-mail your card security code of the card you used when booking (the last 3 digits number on the back of your card) and your zip code (postal code of the address on record with your credit card). This is to ensure that you are the legitimate card-holder who made the booking. Failure to do so can result in losing your reservation."
If you want to CANCEL or CHANGE your reservation, you must notify us at least 3 DAYS BEFORE ARRIVAL, so that an alternate can be found to take your spot. We reserve the right to charge your credit card in full for cancellations made less than 3 days before arrival.
Note: TAXES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE BOOKING PRICE.
The New York Tax for accommodations less than 30 days is 14.75%.
Customers can cancel their reservation free of charge up to 3 Days before arrival. After this date, charges will be applied by the property up to the full cost of the reservation. Deposits paid are non refundable.
272 Putnam Ave
Click here to enlarge map
This is a Trusted Review. Why?
It's a great place if you don't want to spend too much money. The staff is nice and you meet a lot of nice travelers, perfect for a backpacker traveling on his/her own, just like me. I would go back to this place any day.
This is a Trusted Review. Why?
Nice but rooms very small
This is a Trusted Review. Why?
THEY CANCELED MY STAY BEFORE 1 DAY OF ARRIVAL. So I ended up sleeping on street one night (thank you occupy wall street demonstrators!) before finding a new place. This almost ruined my trip as you may understand. Maybe the place is good, but you just DON'T do this for travelers.
This is a Trusted Review. Why?
it's good for cost to stay NYC.
This is a Trusted Review. Why?
I had a GREAT time there, more than I expected! Everyone there is so nice and lots of them think this place is kind of special. It's smaller than I thought, but it's like A COMMUNE also because of that. Joseph treats everybody like a friend instead of a customer, super nice guy. The bathroom is so brand-new. Everyone had a chat in the front door all night and it's such a great time. I can assure you it's a pretty safe place. Miss you guys so much! Can't wait to get back.
Have you stayed here? Write a review
* The Customer Satisfaction score is based on a combination of ratings from Travellerspoint and external websites. The score of 80% for this property is based on ratings provided by 30 guests.
Loading ...