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In need Knife-guidance for a complex household
- sancor Nov 18, 2013 11:08 AM
Hi guys,
I've found myself suddenly and unwillingly thrust into the knife world. You see, I hadn't been planning to think about knives at all until such a time that I lived primarily by myself - and right now I live in a house with five other roommates.
We've been making due with a ragtag assortment of *terrible* knives, that until yesterday was more or less an okay situation. We had been relying almost entirely upon one of my roommate's Kyocera 5.5'' Santoku for practically all our needs. Unfortunately, yesterday as we were trying to half some gigantic onions, the blade just snapped right off in my hands.
So now I'm responsible for solving our no-knife problem... and frankly, I'm not sure what to do about it. Clearly it wouldn't be advisable to spend the money on a really nice knife considering the amount of abuse it would get in our kitchen. Several of my roommates dishwash everything indiscriminately, and they won't believe me when I tell them it's bad for certain kitchen items. On top of that none of us have any experience with competently sharpening knives.
I'm kind of tempted to go on the ceramic knife route again because they seem to hold an edge the longest, but I'm afraid we'll just break it again. I don't know much about steel knives, but it sounds like the affordable ones would be a "soft" steel that would demand frequent maintenance to keep an edge and wouldn't respond well to the abuse my roommates would put it through.
Should I just buy terrible 10-20 dollar knives and replace as necessary? What would you do in my situation?
My advice would be to buy yourself a "personal" knife just for your own use. In college I kept my kitchen knives in my room so that my roommates wouldn't use them--since I, too, would not have trusted them not to cut on stone, put them through the dishwasher, leave them in the sink, etc.
On the other hand, buying an inexpensive knife and an inexpensive sharpening stone might be a good idea. You can practice sharpening on a knife (probably pretty frequently with the conditions that you describe of your kitchen) until you get very good. If you wanted to continue the tradition of communal kitchen knives, this is what I would recommend.
re: Cynic2701
I agree. You could also probably get some decent knives at thrift stores, I know friends have. Get them sharpened commercially once so you and the roommates know how sharp a good knife is. The learn to sharpen as Cynic has recommended.
<the blade just snapped right off in my hands.>
You broke it. :)
<Should I just buy terrible 10-20 dollar knives and replace as necessary?>
I would get either a Dexter-Russell or Victorinox/Forschner knife. They are about $25-35. They are restaurant workhorse kitchen knives, so they can take up abuses. They will need sharpening about once every 6 months to once every 2 years.
If $25-35 is too much for you, then try something like the Komachi or Kuhn Rikon or Kiwi knives for about $10 a piece.
re: Chemicalkinetics
Oh yeah, it was totally my fault. The onion was rolling as I cut through it and I didn't pay enough attention and the sideways torque snapped the blade like it was peanut brittle.
I don't think it would have happened with a steel knife though, and considering I might be the most conscientious cook in our kitchen I wouldn't be surprised if a new ceramic knife wouldn't suffer a similar fate.
I think I've read that the Victorinox Fibrox knife has 15 degree edges as opposed to the traditional 20 degree western blade edge... would that change how we would sharpen them?
re: sancor
How do you currently sharpen?
re: Cynic2701
Ha...we...dont :( Though to be fair we were using the ceramic knife mostly which we couldn't sharpen ourselves according to the manufacturer.
We did have a roommate that moved out who had a nicer set of knives with a honing steel, but that isn't really sharpening I guess. I think it's fair to say we will be starting from square one here.
re: sancor
The best way to learn to sharpen is to start ;)
If you are interested in learning, then I would wholeheartedly recommend beginning with an inexpensive knife. I'd suggest picking up a King 1000/6000 stone to start with:
Look around on Youtube for knife sharpening videos. MrKnifeFanatic has a few good sharpening videos.
And then just pick up a suitably sized chef/santoku knife on the cheap since you will likely mark up or make mistakes while learning to sharpen. From experience, I can say that learning to sharpen on a $200+ knife can be painful in a variety of ways.
As pointed out by others, garage sales and thrift stores might be a good idea. Recently a friend suggested looking through a store like TJ Maxx and I was quite surprised at the kinds of finds you may come across, so this could be another place to look as well.
re: sancor
<Victorinox Fibrox knife has 15 degree edges as opposed to the traditional 20 degree western blade edge..>
I don't think it has a 15 degree, but I could be wrong. The skill to sharpen knife by hand (by hand and flatstones) is pretty much the same. If you currently is using one of those pull through gadgets, then the gadgets will change the angle, which isn't really the end of the world. The knife with the new angle will function.
re: sancor
<the sideways torque snapped the blade like it was peanut brittle>
LOL...mine developed hairline cracks and broke like a windshield. Anyway, i'd suggest going with something cheap & decent like the Forchner/ Victorinox and a sharpmaker or lansky.
re: Chemicalkinetics
I second dexter-russell, great knives...if they can survive a commercial kitchen, they can survive your place
re: BiscuitBoy
+3 on dexter-russell.
go to local restaurant supply and get a few good knives.
or, places like ross and marshall's will have cheap stuff this time of year - i have a cuisinart chef's knife that would be just fine for your situation. got it for $20 or so at ross a few years ago.
re: rmarisco
DR knives from a restaurant supply store is the way I'd go.
re: Chemicalkinetics
I now have 3 Victorinox knives, and I'm very happy with them. After decades of horrid knives and multiple cuts to my hands, I now slice, dice and chop with speed and precision. And fewer scars.
Having been thru this scenario with my kids' roomates, I'm going to say get an inexpensive set. Something like a $29 block/set from Marshall's/TJMaxx/Homegoods would be a step up from old junk, & should last several years considering the simple fact that you'll have 5 to 7 different knives to spread the abuse across.
Yes, I've shopped at thrift stores & found nice knives at great prices ($150 10" Wusthof chef for $2; $50 6" Mac cook for $2; $25 4" Mac paring for $1; several older Chicago Cutlery chefs for $2-$3 ea), but all require some work to bring back to usable cutlery. (The Wusthof is the worst, needing both blade repair & handle replacement.) Most people in your situation are not prepared to deal with pre-abused knives, so I don't recommend it for your situation.
re: Eiron
If you ever find a Wusthof with a broken handle you can mail it back and they will replace the entire knife without charge.
I highly recommend the Wustof Pro line. Yes, the are stamped blades but oh so sharp, and easy to maintain. A 10" chef will run you $45. At that price you can add the santouko for an additional $40. Check out eversharpknives.com, or SLT has them also.
Get yourself a decent german bladed knife as well as a good sharpening stone, a steel and USE THEM!
Have each house mate ask mom (or dad) if s/he has an old knife they wouldn't mind chipping in.
If nobody has, get a Victorinox/Forschner knife and beat the crap out of it. I won't say you can't but it is really hard to break a steel knife. Nothing like a ceramic one.
While not a kitchen knife, a Havalon solved the "no sharp knife" problem at a friend's cabin. They had a nice knife set, might have been Dexters, wood handles, but no one would sharpen them, they didn't have any equipment nor desire.
The guy who owned the place, didn't cook much, most of his meals were from cans or were sandwiches. Occasionally, someone would bring up a "supermarket" knife, there were several dull ones in a drawer. I bring my own knives when I go. One trip, there was a Havalon. Someone got tired of dull knifes and purchased a Havalon knife with a package of replacement blades.
The knife was utility knife size, cost ~$40 and replacement blades are ~$1 each. The knife was a folding knife.
If you use "knife skills", this knife won't work well, but if you want an easy to handle, very sharp knife and don't care about the "chef way" to chop an onion I recommend you give it a try.
go with the Victorinox. They have an 8" chef's knife for $30. It will outlast all 7 of the cheap knife block set.
re: DebinIndiana
Unless, of course, one of the roommates moves out & decides to take the 'nice' knife with them.
But that would never happen, right?
Hi. If I were in your situation (Boston, right?), I would head to an Asian market and pick up two of these Kiwi knives. They're about $5 each.
And two of these(about $3 each)
And an Accusharp from Amazon
Four knives and a sharpener for $26. That should keep the whole household happy.
If you can't get to an actual store, just get the Kiwi in the first link and the sharpener.
Gotta agree with the consensus on Dexter or Victorinox for your situation. Get a honing steel also if getting those avoid diamond rods.
Gotta disagree with grabbing ones at thrift stores to learn to sharpen with. Most thrift store finds have egregious knife woes that are a lot of work to fix.
If learning to sharpen get a Dexter or Victorinox and once it goes dull, start learning.
In your situation I would buy either DR or Forschner and an Egemaker Pro sharpener. Not to be confused with Edgepro.
All are resonably priced and will suit your needs well.
I'd recommend a cheap chinese chef's knife (often called a cleaver, but much thinner than a true cleaver, and not as indestructible). Something like this : http://www.amazon.com/Winco-Chinese-C...
re: seattle_lee
While Chinese cleavers are awesome for light duty tasks people see a large rectangular blade and think heavy duty bone cleaver and bad things result.
Seen it and fixed it many times over.
re: knifesavers
good for business.
" 1 out of 5
Chipped blade first time used.
Blade chipped when I chopped through the leg joint of a chicken. Very dissapointing.
Spend your money on another type of knife."
"1 out of 5
This is a knife posing as a cleaver-don't cleave.
A cleaver is designed to chop, to be used with force against bone, cartlidge. You do not seek the joint, you chp where it is supposed to be. Since this is tempered like other Shuns, doing so ruins the edge. You can fix it, of course, with a stone, but it is not suited to cleaving in the first place. A good cleaver requires two or so touch ups a session with a steel. This would need to be re-edged via a stone and then steeled. There are a lot of good Chinese cleavers out there for next to nothing. Get one of those. (I have 12 Shun knives, so I know about chipping. If they come up on a bone it is my fault, so I sharpen."
I bought two Wusthof knives about 15 years ago from Williams Sonoma. I put them in the dishwasher. They both are in great condition and were worth every penny... (they have a lifetime warranty, so if something were to happen to them, they can be replaced).
If there is anything I would recommend spending money on in the kitchen, it's a good knife. Using one will cut down on your preparation time and kitchen injuries.
I don't have advice for knives, but I found the most useful tool for my knives is a diamond coated sharpening steel. They are only about $ 25 and well worth the price to keep your knives sharp. On another site (ChefTalk) a professional chef recommended this. He said some claim a diamond coated sharpening steel removes too much metal, but with years of frequent use, his professional knives were fine, and no one had shown him a knife with too much metal removed by one.
Thanks to everyone for the advice, it has been really useful and much needed.
I've decided to get a couple 8'' Victorinox Fibrox chef knives and a sharpening stone and manual sharpener. I got the knives for about $22 apiece from WEBstaurant store, so I won't always be worried about them. Plus we will hopefully get a chance to learn to properly sharpen once they inevitably dull.
re: sancor
Glad to hear that you've muddled through and made a decision!
I, personally, find sharpening to be very relaxing. Perhaps you will enjoy doing it too.
re: Cynic2701
I have a Lansky system with regular and diamond sharpening stones. After about the 3rd knife it's not fun anymore, it's drudgery. I also have choc sticks in a block of wood and a diamond sharpening steel. The diamond sharpening steel is the easiest and probably best choice for the average person.
re: Antilope
Diamonds can be interesting, and even quite useful at large grit numbers in the 60+ micron range, however diamonds aren't always the best choice for every sharpening job. Thin high hardness blades (HRC 63+) can get stress risers from the way that diamonds interact with the blade steel, which is one of the reasons why waterstones are commonly recommended fro Japanese knives.
Softer blades like those found on Wüsthof, Henckels, and Victorinox blades will be just fine with diamonds. In fact, the cutting speed and the convenience of not having to "flatten" a diamond stone make them good choices for beginner sharpeners.
Have you ever sharpened to a mirror edge (i.e. sub micron finish)? It is pretty rewarding, though it could take up to a few hours to do it right. An edge that can whittle hair is the goal, though, admittedly, such an edge degrades to hair popping after only a few cuts--such an edge is best suited for slicing knives like a yanagiba for sushi.
re: Cynic2701
<Softer blades like those found on Wüsthof, Henckels, and Victorinox blades will be just fine with diamonds.>
Not too long ago, someone said the opposite. Not so much that diamond is bad for the softer steel, but that the softer steel is bad for the diamond stone. The diamond can cut too deep, and in effect, the soft steel can start to rib the diamond particles off the diamond plate.
re: Chemicalkinetics
I've found this to be true for some of the cheaper diamond stones (e.g. Smith's) but the higher quality and more expensive diamond stones like Atoma or DMT are bonded quite strongly to the substrate.
I've got a couple of cheap Smith's diamond stones I picked up when I was out of town - without my sharpening equipment - and needed to sharpen a friend's knives. They degraded to a finer grit after only a few knives. In comparison, I have several DMT benchstones that I've used for years that are pretty close to the same grit as when I first purchased them. I am able to make a comparison because I've bought several different sizes (2x6 and 3x8) in the same grit and compared the old to the new.
I have an Atoma 140 that I've heavily used to reprofile probably in the range of 40-50 knives in a variety of steels (S90V, 3V, S30V, White #1, Aogami Super, CTS-XHP, etc.). It seems to cut just as well as the day I got it.
Like many things, you get what you pay for. I think that in the long run a more expensive diamond stone will last long enough in use to match having to buy multiple cheaper diamond stones as they wear down--or, more accurately, diamonds are ripped out of the substrate.
re: Chemicalkinetics
I have a set of mid-range Henckels that I bought one at a time. A knife store had closed about 10 years ago and was selling its inventory on E-bay.
re: sancor
Glad to hear, and thanks for your update.
Hey Sancor,
For the most part, I had been using those Kuhn Rikon paring knives that I picked up from TJMaxx. They are usually only $3.99 and are great for vegetables. After reading the chowhound cookware threads for a year, I really wanted to try one of those beautiful Japanese knives. However, I don't now how to sharpen my knives. So, I bought an 8 inch chefs knive from Mercer. I love it! It was under $40 and feels beautiful in my hand. It will be a great knife for increasing my skills. I suggest looking at the Mercer and the Forschner.
re: Kalivs
Thanks for the advice Kalivs!
Probably the only serviceable knife left in our collection is the Kyocera ceramic paring knife - and even that one is kind of dull. The rest of our line-up belongs to another roommate and consists of the Kuhn Rikons you mentioned. They're so dull they can hardly cut much of anything, but I'll be interested to see if I can get them sharp once the whetstone arrives.
re: sancor
the roommate who does the washing up in my house is my father & he puts everything in the dishwasher. So, I'm happy getting a new paring knife every 3 months. My Mercer gets washed and dried by me and I have a knife guard.have fun with your new knives.
re: Kalivs
Thanks for bring this Mercer knife option up. While I have no direct experience in Mercer knives, several people here (knifesavers and others) have favorable experience with them. For people who prefer a forged knife as opposed to a stamped knife, Mercer knives are attractive options. I do want to point out that not all Mercer knives are made of the same steel. Therefore, some are better than others.
re: Chemicalkinetics
Thanks, Chemicalkinetics!
I have really enjoyed reading all the advice on the knife threads. I was trying to decide between the Forschner and the Mercer. I chose the Mercer because I I like the way it looked, but really could have gone with either one.


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Posted: 05/06/2012 - Cameras are being installed along the Platte River to capture changes in the river basin.
Updated: 05/06/2012 - Nebraska's assistant football coach Ron Brown says he won't testify at a public hearing on a proposed Lincoln ordinance to protect gay and transgender people from discrimination.
Posted: 05/05/2012 - A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until midnight Friday for southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa. This includes Omaha, Council Bluffs and Lincoln.
Posted: 05/04/2012 - Bayer CropScience has leased 400 acres in Seward County to develop a wheat breeding station.
Posted: 05/04/2012 - A Nebraska county sheriff surprised a high school senior this week by helping her go to summer camp. Cass County Sheriff Bill Brueggemann purchased 240 candy bars. However, don't expect him to eat them all.
Posted: 05/04/2012 - Retail sales were up locally south of the metro.
Posted: 05/04/2012 - A merger resolution is pending that would place the consolidation of the Cass County Register of Deeds Office and the Cass County Assessor Office on the November General Election ballot
Posted: 05/04/2012 - The Nebraska State Patrol says a law enforcement officer in south central Nebraska appears to have died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Posted: 05/04/2012 - A report from the Iowa State Patrol suggests the drivers of two semis might have been involved in some road rage Tuesday. The drivers exchanged words on a CB radio shortly before they crashed.
Posted: 05/04/2012 - The Nebraska Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a former top crime scene investigator serving a prison sentence for evidence tampering in a double murder case.
Updated: 05/04/2012 - Volunteers are needed Sunday for the annual cleanup day at Lake Manawa. The event usually attracts 200 to 300 people.
Posted: 05/04/2012 - The state attorney general says Nebraska cities cannot enact ordinances that protect gay and transgender people from discrimination.
Updated: 05/04/2012 - Reciting the Rosary as they went, students from All Saints School carried a statue of Mary through the streets of South Omaha Friday morning.
Updated: 05/04/2012 - A Lincoln man convicted for tying up three people and robbing their home at gunpoint is headed to prison.
Updated: 05/04/2012 - A 47-year-old Lincoln man has been given 188 months in federal prison for acquiring an ingredient used to make methamphetamine.
Posted: 05/03/2012 - All teammates give each other a pat on the back.
Posted: 05/03/2012 - United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that on May 3, 2012, Senior United States District Judge Richard Kopf sentenced Shawn Bursovsky, age 47 of Lincoln, Nebraska, to 188 months in prison.
Updated: 05/03/2012 - You'll remember last year's flood shut down Lake Manawa for much of the year. The problem, too much water... it was "dangerously" high. Today, a much different problem
Updated: 05/03/2012 - An alert Omaha Police K-9 Unit made an amazing arrest following a routine traffic stop.
Updated: 05/03/2012 - Bellevue's city administrator confirmed Thursday that Police Chief John Stacey has been placed on paid administrative leave because of an inappropriate comment Stacey made on Monday.
Posted: 05/03/2012 - Merger of county offices up to voters proposal tabled until the next county board meeting
Updated: 05/03/2012 - Fired and then arrested on Tuesday night, Gretna's former city administrator had bond set at 10% of $5,000 Thursday morning in Sarpy County Court. Colleen Lawry will need to post $500 to get out of jail while awaiting further legal action.


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Tweetin' Troubles
Has anything you have ever posted on Twitter been reported in the local press? How do you feel about journos being able to pick and post tweets as they wish?
June 14, 2011 4:25 by shafeer
There is an interesting blog post on Alex McNabb's Fake Plastic Souks this morning, concerning the freedom of expression on Twitter. In his post, he was referring to an article from 7days which blasted the recently posted pictures of footballer John Terry and his wife Toni OTT PDAs during their holiday in the capital this week.
And though McNabb argues that 7days highly distorted the reaction to the pictures by selectively picking tweets to make their case, we find his second point more interesting. I.e.: should journalists be allowed to republish tweets in the media: "If you're a-tweetin', there's nothing to stop a newspaper using your tweets in a story. You have spoken and done so in public and on the record. And like anyone who goes on the record, your opinion can be used in any way whatsoever, including out of context or as part of a story that distorts your intention. That's what makes going on the record so potentially dangerous."
Interesting point there Alex, but then again Twitter is still a baby as far as journalism is concerned –we are still figuring out the rules as we go. And while some journalists are already aware that the growing importance of social media in a reader's media consumption is forcing their roles to evolve, sadly, there are still some who are still playing catch up.
Hopefully, the industry will eventually get a grip on curation of content and creating a special role for itself in the social media environment—that is, connecting the dots for readers and painting a more informed and analytical point-of-view for them.
For now, we suppose we'll be seeing a lot more OTT 'tweet coverages' from media trying hard to 'get' with the 'kids'
We want to know your opinion on the matter. Has anything you have ever posted on Twitter been reported in the local press? And what role do you think tweets will have to play in the future?
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CHAMPAIGN COUNTY -- Champaign-Urbana was added to the list of the top places in the country for internet.
DANVILLE -- It's Christmas in June for some families.
NATIONAL -- It's a milestone day for the internet.
CHAMPAIGN -- Police are investigating multiple thefts of commercial wireless internet equipment.
URBANA -- Urbana Middle School may soon allow students to have personal electronics in the classroom.
CHAMPAIGN -- These days the internet is full of bloggers. Some talk about fashion, others politics.
DECATUR -- Two people arrested last week for promoting juvenile prostitution face 15-years in jail.
URBANA -- The middle school is making sure its students stay up-to-date with technology.
COLES COUNTY -- Two area colleges will get grant money to help fund high-speed internet and find creative ways to use it.
SPRINGFIELD-- Lt. Governor Sheila Simon is asking Illinois residents to participate in an online survey to help bring broadband internet to rural areas of the state.


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by TECHSTAR on MARCH 19, 2014 - 0 Comments in ENERGY
Recent research just released from Zaragoza University, Spain, by VerticalNews show that battery life, crucial to the economics of off-grid energy – can easily exceed or heavily undershoot the manufacturers estimates.
It all depends on how well you maintain your batteries. IF you baby them along, never falling below 50% power and charnging the regularly, then you can double the life expectancy. (more…)


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How many more majors will Tiger Woods win?
ZERO: 6 percent
ONE: 2 percent
TWO: 28 percent
THREE: 18 percent
FOUR: 20 percent
FIVE OR MORE: 26 percent
Based on anonymous poll of 50 Tour pros. Woods needs to win five more to break Jack Nicklaus record of 18 majors.


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Old Ebbitt Grill
- Address:
675 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005Neighborhood:
- Cuisine:
AmericanPrice: $30 and under
Old Ebbitt Grill
- Dining Style: Casual Dining
- Website: http://www.ebbitt.com/
- Phone: (202) 347-4801
- Hours of Operation:
Breakfast: Monday - Friday: 7:30am - 11:00am
Brunch: Saturday - Sunday: 8:30am - 4:00pm
Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:00am - 5:00pm
Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 12:00am,
Saturday & Sunday: 4:00pm - 12:00am
Late Night Dining: Sunday - Thursday: 12:00am - 1:00am,
Friday & Saturday: 12:00am - 2:00am
Closed Christmas Day
- Payment Options: AMEX,Carte Blanche,Diners Club,Discover,MasterCard,Visa
- Cuisine: Steak, Seafood, American
- Executive Chef: Salvatore Ferro
- Dress Code: Casual Dress
- Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
- Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Counter Seating, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Private Room, Smoking Area, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
- Catering: Please contact our events department at 202.552.5000.
- Special Events: 20th Annual Oyster Riot: Nov 21 & 22, 2014
Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, Nov 27, 2014
Christmas Eve Dinner on Wednesday, Dec 24, 2014
New Year's Eve on Wednesday, Dec 31, 2014
A word from Old Ebbitt Grill
Established in 1856, Old Ebbitt Grill is the oldest dining saloon in Washington, DC. Across from the White House, Old Ebbitt serves American Cuisine, and offers the largest selection of oysters in DC. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night dining, and Saturday and Sunday Brunch. Casual dining with service to locals and visitors alike.Continued
Foodspotting photosSee all photos
Awards voted by OpenTable diners
- Diners' Choice WinnerMost Booked
Old Ebbitt Grill - Best Restaurants in Downtown ›
Old Ebbitt Grill reviews from OpenTable diners
1359 reviews since July 27, 2014
- Food4.3Service4.3
- Ambiance4.3Noise LevelEnergetic
neighborhood gem (501)hot spot (495)special occasion (472)good for groups (453)great for lunch (446)vibrant bar scene (446)fit for foodies (399)great for brunch (262)late-night find (211)romantic (193)notable wine list (176)kid-friendly (145)scenic view (54)great for outdoor dining (19)Show More
- Bit over priced for average food.booneymanDined on 11/19/2014My wife and I split a new York strip worth spinach and whipped sweet potatoes and 2 crab cakes worth red potatoes and whipped mashed potatoes. The cream cakes were good and she said the mashed potatoes are good. The new york strip was tough and had no flavor. Basically like they slapped it pong the grill cooked it to medium and then put It on the plate. I will day the sweet potatoes helped it out and maybe that was the idea but I also thought there was way too much spinach and it was a little bitter. In their defenseI'm not much of a spinach person anyway and maybe or was actually perfect. I would have liked a little bit of season on my steak and for the price we played I would have expected it to not be as tough either.Special Features:
- Delicious!OpenTable Diner Since 2014Dined on 11/19/2014We enjoyed dinner with another couple. This restaurant was recommended by our guide from a tour we took a few days before. We were not disappointed. From appetizers to dessert, the food was delicious and more reasonably priced that we had expected. We would definitely eat here again when in our nation's capital.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Old EbbittGranvilleBoyDined on 11/17/2014Very nice "old school" dark wood atmosphere. Service folks were knowledgeable and trained well. Food and drinks were very good.....good value also. Bar was very active with the after work crowd but wasn't too noisy....just the right amount of buzz. Traditional menu but updated just enough.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Old Ebbit GrillSandyDined on 11/16/2014Obviously, the Old Ebbit Grill is a popular place: Even on cold, rainy Sunday evening the place was packed when we arrived, and still packed when we departed. Although we had reservations, we had to wait for 10-15 minutes in the bar before we could be seated. That said, we had a great experience; the food was excellent, the service was great, and the liveliness of the restaurant once we were seated was very enjoyable.Special Features:
- Early Dinner After the PlayFiddlerFanDined on 11/16/2014On line reservation worked well. Enjoyed meal. Server was great. Very knowledgeable. Noise level was a bit high but overall had a great experience.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Atrium diningLuAnnDined on 11/15/2014We waited almost two hours for our reservation, which was fine because we arrived early. The bar was fabulous as was the bartender. The problem was, when we were seated, we were put out in a large open area --maybe an atrium. There was a party going on... Everyone just standing around. Our table was next to the party. It was extremely loud and felt like we were not in a restaurant. After waiting 2 hours, I would have liked a tablet inside the restaurant.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- WastingfoodisasinVIPDined on 11/15/2014Got to choose oysters from 5 kinds. Ordered a dozen for $15, great happy hour deal. Clam chowder was quite ordinal, no surprise. Servers were very nice. Easy access from White House.
- Make your reservationJoeyVDined on 11/15/2014It is a great place to take people that are visiting DC and the food and oysters are consistantly terrific. I am disappointed that I will not be in town for the Annual Oyster fest. I made a last minute reservation on Open Table and glad that I did as the line was out the door when I arrived but we were seated immediately. Great place to meet friends for that 3 hour brunch.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Festive and Fun!OpenTable Diner Since 2006Dined on 11/15/2014We had an outstanding lunch at Old Ebbitt's Grill! It was very crowded but fortunately we had a reservation and we were seated right on time (we appreciated that very much!). Our server was wonderful--cheerful, friendly and knowledgeable about the offerings on the menu. The food was delicious! Overall a very festive and fun lunch with friends. Couldn't have been better!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Very OKOpenTable Diner Since 2014Dined on 11/15/2014I would have expected more from such a highly rated restaurant. The service was great, and the ambiance was nice (classic but not pretentious), and if you have out of town tourists visiting, the location can't be beat. However the food was astonishingly mediocre. There were 4 of us for brunch, and we had 5 poached eggs in our meals, all of which were over-cooked to the point of being borderline hard-boiled. The hollandaise sauce on my eggs was great, however there was such a tiny amount of it that I could barely taste it. The English muffins were kind of soggy instead of being lightly toasted. One of my friend's dishes, which was suppose to be a hash with sausage, looked as though every ingredient had been burnt and scraped up from the bottom of an over pan (she sent it back and ordered something else - the chicken pot pie, which she said was pretty good). Overall, for the prices they charge, the quality of the food is not there.Special Features:
- Too loud for me!OpenTable Diner Since 2014Dined on 11/14/2014Don't sit close to the bar if yoou want to talk to the people you're with. Great food!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Bustling with good food but by no means perfectGeraldDined on 11/14/2014This is a very, very busy and bustling large restaurant. We sat at a booth which was a very, very tight fit and the table was high (or the seating low) making it uncomfortable. The waiter was over efficient and when our main courses arrived while we were still enjoying the starters, we got the impression that the restaurant wanted us out and our table back as soon as possible. These two things spoiled the evening somewhat. The food itself was very nice, well prepared but not gourmet standard. We started with chicken soup and an apple salad. My chicken dish was a little over salted for my taste. My wife had the calfs liver. Our guest ate trout coated in something which he really enjoyed. There is quite an extensive wine list. We would definitely return.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Excellent food, if a bit noisyExcellentDined on 11/14/2014Never been disappointed by Old Ebbitt! The food is always excellent and the staff are incredibly friendly. I often bring people from out-of-town here, as it is a DC landmark. It can get pretty noisy, so if someone in the party has a hearing problem, I'd recommend requesting a seat in the back room where it's a little quieter.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Reunion at Old Ebbittglassiter1120Dined on 11/14/2014I met two of my high school class mates there for dinner and we had a fabulous time. We had a great table, our waiter was excellent, his recommendations for dinner were good and we enjoyed the food. The dessert was so delicious. We left full and satisfied, and enjoyed the evening with friends. This restaurant is one of my favorite places to go.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Lots of history and wonderful food/service.GeraDined on 11/14/2014The service was wonderful. I went there for lunch and the sandwich (The Walter) was generous and tasty. I had heard that the Blondie was exceptional, so ordered one for desert. It was extremely good and large.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Always Exceeds ExpectationszeldasayreDined on 11/14/2014With all of the wonderful restaurants in Washington, DC, we still have a lunch, brunch, or dinner at The Old Ebbitt Grill every time we visit. It never disappoints us! The food is excellent, the atmosphere is vibrant without being distracting, and the staff are friendly and helpful. We leave always anticipating our next visit to DC and a great meal upon our return to the Old Ebbitt Grill.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Great!!!ZyoziDined on 11/13/2014Went there for dinner as recommended by Lonely Planet. Surprisingly, food is very good, good service, and the price is reasonable! So my friend and I decided to have dinner again on our second night stay!!! Highly recommended!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Sooner2youSooner2youDined on 11/13/2014We had reservations at 6:30 on a weeknight and had to wait 10 minutes for our table. The place was packed. We were seated right by the bar and door. It was extremely loud. This is one of our "usual" places when in DC so we know how busy it is but the food is always good. We've never been this close to the door and will request not to be seated there again. We've been in the Atrium, in the downstairs dining room and the back dining room before. Service and noise level have been much better in those areas.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- SolidQueenofrogsVIPDined on 11/13/2014Ole Ebbitt Grill never disappoints - it's a solid, predictable dining experience. Everything is prepared well with no surprises. Service was professional and she checked in on us with the right amount of frequency, Old Ebbitt Grill may not blow your socks off with unexpected flight of cuisine, but sometimes you want to it down to well-prepared food presented by a competent wait person.I would recommend this to a friend.
- Best lunch in DC!!OpenTable Diner Since 2011Dined on 11/13/2014Had a couple spare hours before heading to the airport.. Just enough time to enjoy one meal in out nation's capital. No where better than Old Ebbitts Grill!!! amazing food, service ,& ambiance!!!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Great service and food!DASHDined on 11/13/2014Service was outstanding as usual and trout parmesean was outstanding! Our waitress Deboarah was very delightful and make an excellent recommendation for dessert. Can't wait to go back.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- great place in dchikerDined on 11/12/2014We enjoyed being in the dc crowd. the food was wonderful and we had a relaxing dinner with good wine after 4 days of hiking.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Great times overall as always.ValentineDinnerGuestVIPDined on 11/12/2014The food was great and scene was fun. The food is always good.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Safe BetGManVIPDined on 11/11/2014Reservations are a must if don't want to wait. We dine here regularly when in D.C. because we know we will get good food and service. The main dining area off of the entrance is generally a bit noisy, so if you want more quiet dining ask for the Atrium room. One of our guests was a first timer here and she loved it. As a vegan she found a few items on the menu she could order. Two of us had the fish and chips. A large piece of white fish, perfectly deep fried w/hot fries. I had the catfish tacos w/hot fries and they were delicious. Our vegan guest enjoyed the humus appetizer as well as her mixed greens and veggie salad. We highly recommend dining here.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Outstanding!!!!OpenTable Diner Since 2011Dined on 11/10/2014Love this spot.. old world elegance with a home welcoming vibe. Great restaurant with amazing food with a wide variety of options... although the menu is out dated..... dishes are what you would expect to find in a 1980's resturant... but I think that's part of the old charm. Still amazing and worth the visit. I'm from NY, and I eat here every time I'm in DC... love it:)Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Gold StandardJrarlingtonDined on 11/10/2014Old Ebbittt is the Gold Standard for service and price in the D.C. area. Great food, knowlegable servers, and if out of town guests have one niight only for dinner downtown, this is the place.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- OpenTable Diner Since 2010Dined on 11/10/2014As always, Old Ebbitt Grill provided a tremendous dining experience...wait staff service and meal quality were superior!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Near White HouseSunnyVIPDined on 11/9/2014Old established restaurant in a "new" since 1980's. Great shrimp & steak. Good drinks friendly and attentive bar staff. Overall great meal and evening.Special Features:
- Terrible servicedwhotzVIPDined on 11/9/2014I've been to Old Ebbitt many times, and this was by far the worst experience I've had there. We were seated in the atrium which was wonderful - albeit a little loud. The service was by far the worst I've ever had with even a split check being done incorrectly adding almost 50% to the bill. While others in the group enjoyed their food, mine was flavorless and mediocre at best. While I will likely go back, I would definitely not were this my only data point.Special Features:
- GreatOpenTable Diner Since 2014Dined on 11/9/2014Old Ebbitt never fails! Great place to bring newcomers to DC for good food and a bit of history.Special Features:
- Nice AtmosphereJennie35Dined on 11/9/2014We sat in a booth for our brunch. The decor was very nice. Our waitress was very nice and attentive. She refilled our coffee frequently. The food tasted good, but was on the lukewarm side. Perhaps it is just too big of a restaurant.
- Seating Service StinksGrumpyDined on 11/9/2014We had a party of four. Three of us were seated, waiting for the fourth. I alerted the hostess that my husband would be arriving within 10 minutes. When he arrived the foyer was jammed packed, it took him about 5 minutes to get the hostess's attention, and then when he gave her the reservation name, she had trouble finding it in the system. She kept repeating, "I can't find it." He had to repeat the name several times and she still couldn't get it right - yet it's an easy four-letter name. After going back and forth with her and getting shoved from behind by other people crowding around the hostess stand, he finally got frustrated and left and went up the street to Starbucks.
- Same Ole EbbittLCitaDined on 11/8/2014I cannot say enough how much enjoy Old Ebbitt Grill, it is truly a staple of Washington DC consistently providing a great atmosphere and even better cuisine. On this particular occasion my boyfriend and I showed up after a show without reservations and were seated in a very timely fashion for a Saturday night, I had a shrimp linguini and he enjoyed several rounds of oysters both were top notch. The staff was courteous and attentive as always, we will definitely be back!Special Features:
- A Washington Landmarkluvfood413Dined on 11/8/2014This gem was recommended by our tour guide on on our night tour of the city, and it was everything it was said to be. The place was packed at 10 pm on a Saturday night, high energy, bordering on the loud side by the bar, but once seated there was no problem holding a conversation with your dinner mates. There was an impressive wine list to choose from. I had the crispy pork shank starter with the sweet and sour apple glaze and it was fantastic. For my main dish I had the petit filet Bearnaise, the beef was so tender and melted in my mouth, loved the sunny side up egg on top. Finished off with the warm pecan pie w/ vanilla ice cream. So much more on the menu that I would love to try and will definitely be back next time in D.C.Special Features:
- After theatre dinnerOpenTable Diner Since 2011Dined on 11/8/2014I made same day reservations for 4 @10pm. We were seated in a booth in the bar area - which would not have been my first choice for my mother's 82nd birthday, but it was late and we were hungry. Salmon was not cooked through-but was readily replaced and excellent. Food was very good. Drinks were also good. Overall, we had a good dinner and good service. I would return.
- Great StaffswsanderDined on 11/8/2014My wife and I celebrated our one-year anniversary here. The staff immediately acknowledged it and was very attentive to all needs. When we ordered dessert, the manager congratulated us and the staff also made sure to write happy anniversary on our plate in chocolate. My wife and I loved all the details and attention received. I would also like to mention that our meals were amazing as well. I highly recommend this restaurant for great food and excellent staff!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Gre at locationffpmOrtizDined on 11/8/2014Good food, highly recommend making a reservation.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Great dining experienceBarbpeDined on 11/8/2014Loved the food and ambience! Surprisingly reasonable considering the location and great food. Will recommend to anyone going to Washington.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- The Eggs Chesapeake were faboulous.PammieDined on 11/8/2014They are a nice twist on Eggs Benedict that included crab cakes. Yummy.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- always good, always crowdedwaltDined on 11/8/2014I've been going to the Old Ebbitt a very long time. Always a good place to meet. It usually does not disappoint. However, the service this time left something to be desired.It was even more crowded than usual, so that might explain the impact on our service. Still if in DC it is worth a stop but definitely have reservations in advanceSpecial Features:I would recommend this to a friend.


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Better Bodies Flex Board Shorts, Black
Rating: Not Rated Yet
Sales price: $59.00You save: 0.00%
Tax amount:
Manufacturer: Better Bodies
Description The Flex board shorts have been tested like no other shorts we have done. We wanted to create a pair of shorts that you can use as fight shorts or in the gym. After all the tests, we now make them in a lightweight strong polyester, flexible polyamide fabric in crotch, inside legs and also flexible in the back, just below waist. High slits in the side seam, three needle, extra strong stitching. Velcro and drawstring in waist. MMA: Slits in the side seam, elastic fabric in the crotch and in the back. Inside pocket for your mouth guard.Perfect for crazy submissions or those "lights out" high kicks. Works as well in the fight gym as in the weight room.GYM: The extra flexibility is perfect even for heavy leg days. Not to mention, people will think twice before cutting you of at the weight rack.


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Reel Justice
Documentary Series
Launched in 2007, the Reel Justice Film Series was created to highlight the important efforts of filmmakers who inspire audiences to take on some of the most challenging issues of our time.
Upcoming Films
Dallas Buyers Club
Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2014 - 7:00pm
Part of the CEJ's Reel Justice Film Series, this film explores the early years of the U.S. AIDS epidemic. Join us for a free screening of the film at Muvico in Thousand Oaks on December 2, 2014.


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TCA Liveblog: "The Event," "Undercovers," "Law & Order: Los Angeles," "Facing Kate," Outlaw," and "Chase"
12:20 p.m. Law & Order: Los Angeles
Dick Wolf had a 20-year-run with the original Law & Order which was just axed by NBC last season. It's newest spin-off is still very young, with star Skeet Ulrich saying he's only seen one script. During the panel, only one female character was discussed, and that was Skeech's character's wife, his ex-partner that left the force to stay home with the kids.
Post-panel I asked Dick about plans for other female characters.
There are three. The captain is a woman. There are two ADAs below Terrence [Howard] and Alfred [Molina].
And will there be any gay characters?
I don't know; that's not part of the litmus test.
Interesting, so it gives me the impression it's not high on Wolf's list of priorities. If one of the women on the show isn't a lesbian, I think it's really a missed opportunity. This franchise hasn't had the best track record with putting gay women in prominent positions, unless they are finding their way out the door.
I am glad to hear there will be a female captain, though. When asked if she was cast yet, Dick said he couldn't discuss that.
11:00 a.m. NBC Executive Session
NBC received an adequate rating from GLAAD this year, improving 5 percent from 2008-2009 but still lacking in regularly occurring gay and lesbian characters. I asked Chairman of NBC Universal Television Jeff Gaspin about the rating and if they had any plans for more LGBT characters in the near future, and he didn't name any specific shows, characters or storylines.
You know, I was certainly disappointed with us because NBC has been such a huge proponent of the gay and lesbian community from years ago from An Early Frost and Will & Grace. You know, some things are cyclical and we're just on a downslide in our stories and our scripts. I certainly expect that we'll rebound.
In other words, "Yeah, it'd be cool for some more gays to make their way into our shows, but we're not really that worried about it."
NBC President Angela Bromstad touched on two of our recently canceled shows with lesbian characters. On Heroes:
It was a great show. It was a four tremendous years for us. If we could replicate, it we absolutely would.
On FlashForward and how similar The Event seems to be:
We are going to do everything in our power to guard against doing a FlashForward [with The Event]. That was a great script and a really good pilot. It's something we were afraid of competitively and we understand we did disappoint the audience. We take these lessons seriously. All I can tell you is the audience and critics will be, and rightly so skeptical, and we'll have to prove it.
As of now, it seems NBC's offering of lesbian or bisexual characters rests firmly in the hands of Carly Pope's new bisexual character on Outlaw. If Stephanie Hunt returns to Friday Night Lights for its final season as Devin, the lesbian teen, that will make two.


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Back in February, I wrote about a heavily publicized report released by the University of Texas Energy Institute that billed itself as the authoritative guide for regulators wrestling with the extraction of natural gas from shale formations and the novel combination of directional drilling and hydra ... More >>
At right you see former First Lady Laura Bush, cheerily painting a door at a health clinic in Zambia. The photo was taken earlier this month by a staffer at the Bush Institute, part of the press surrounding the former first couple's visit to Africa earlier this month. It's also included in today's D ... More >>
An SMU biologist thinks the secret to the fountain of youth may be found by putting fruit flies on a diet.
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Texas health officials say that mandatory childhood vaccinations against hepatitis B will prevent the spread of life-threatening illness. But which is riskier--the disease or the vaccine?


text:
Explore Physical Activity and Your Heart
Physical activity is any body movement that works your muscles and requires more energy than resting. Walking, running, dancing, swimming, yoga, and gardening are a few examples of physical activity.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services' "2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans," physical activity generally refers to movement that enhances health.
Exercise is a type of physical activity that's planned and structured. Lifting weights, taking an aerobics class, and playing on a sports team are examples of exercise.
Physical activity is good for many parts of your body. This article focuses on the benefits of physical activity for your heart and lungs. The article also provides tips for getting started and staying active, and it discusses physical activity as part of a heart healthy lifestyle.
Being physically active is one of the best ways to keep your heart and lungs healthy. Following a healthy diet and not smoking are other important ways to keep your heart and lungs healthy.
Many Americans are not active enough. The good news, though, is that even modest amounts of physical activity are good for your health. The more active you are, the more you will benefit.
Clinical trials are research studies that explore whether a medical strategy, treatment, or device is safe and effective for humans. To find clinical trials that are currently underway for Physical Activity and Your Heart, visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.
November 8, 2013
NIH and the Children's Museum of Manhattan launch innovative program to help families create healthier futures
Through an innovative public-private partnership, the National Institutes of Health and the Children's Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) have created a new health educational curriculum — EatPlayGrow: Creative Activities for a Healthy Start — for children ages 2-5 and their parents
September 2, 2014
Gary H. Gibbons
Researcher Brings Medicine One Step Closer to Widely Available Cure for Sickle Cell Disease
The NHLBI updates Health Topics articles on a biennial cycle based on a thorough review of research findings and new literature. The articles also are updated as needed if important new research is published. The date on each Health Topics article reflects when the content was originally posted or last revised.


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anu840 Started The Discussion:
Hi every one
Hi I am a HR Specialist recently joined to Pharmaceutical Company in Bangalore. Now I have to handle statutory things (PF< ESI, Superannuation, Gratuity)
Can any one tell me what is the ceiling limit of PF. if employees basic salary exceeds the limit then what happens????? Opting a PF benefit is compulsory or not????
need a clear information on this plz.............awaiting
Hi Anu,
The PF ceiling limit is Rs. 6500/- i.e. if the (Basic+DA) of an employee exceeds Rs. 6500/-, it is not mandatory for him to avail the PF facility.
if the (Basic+DA) of an employee is less than Rs. 6500/- and it rises due to salary hike, increments, promotion etc in between the year, he has the option whether to continue his PF or stop it.
Hope the above would satisfy you.
Santosh Iyer
alexvalet - Member Since: Feb 2006
Dear Anu,
Let me give u a brief summary abt the Employees P.F Act,1952:
Any worker who has secured employment in any establishment or who has secured employement through any contractor in connection with work in an establishment is eligible for PF.
Yes,its compulsory for an employer to bring every employer under the Act.
Under the PF Act, both the employee andemployer has to contribute 12% of the salary towards the PF.Here salary means basic pay+D.A,where the basic pay is subject to a maximum limit of rs.6500/-However,if the basic wages can be till rs.10000.
Apart from the PF,the employees are also entitled to receiving other benefits such as insurance and pension.For insurance,the employer has to contribute 0.5% and for the pension scheme,the emplyer has to contribute 8.33% and the Central Govt.would contribut 1.16%.
Sunil Joshi - Member Since: Jan 2007
Dear Anupama,
EPF Act applies to an organisation where the employee strength, including the contract employees is 20 or above.
As others have mentioned the PF is deducted on the basic + DA (here in after referred as PF Wages). The contribution is 12% by employee (deducted from his/ her salary) and 12% by employer.
Out of the employer contribution 8.33% or Rs. 541/- p.m. which ever is less goes to the pension fund and the rest (3.67%) goes to the employee's provident fund.
Apart from this there are charges and contribution to employees deposite link insurance (EDLI) scheme, the total of charges and contribution amounts to 1.61% and are paid by the employer.
The stated limit as per the latest amendment is Rs. 6500/- p.m. (PF Wages). I would like to clarify one thing that even if the PF Wages increased beyond this limit, no employee ceases to be the member of PF. In fact one cannot even withdraw the PF if s/he is moving to a company to which the PF act applies.
An employee is exempt of PF only and only if the organisation is not covered under the PF act or the first PF Wage of the employee is more than Rs. 6500/-.
If once an employee is covered under the act s/he cannot be pushed out of the PF just because her/ his PF Wages has gone beyond the limit as stated by the act.
However, the act does not force the employee and employer to contribute PF over the PF Wages. For e.g. if an employee was drawing 6500/- as PF Wages the total contribution would be Rs. 1665/- (25.61% of the PF Wages i.e. 12% employee contribution, 12% employer contribution and 1.61% towards EDLI and charges).
Now suppose the PF Wages exceeds 6500/- and is 7500/- the organisation may limit the contribution to 1665/- (25.61% of 6500/-) and not 1921/- (25.61% of 7500/-).
Even if the employer wants to contribute to the increased PF Wages, which is 7500/- in this case the contribution to the pension fund will be limited to 541/-.
I hope the underlying cases shall clarify this to you.
(A)Basic 6000/- 6500/- 7500/-
(B)PF Cont (24% of basic 940/- 1019/- 1259/-
Less pension cont)
(C)Pension Cont (8.33% or 541/- 500/- 541/- 541/-
Whichever is less)
(D)Charges 97/- 105/- 121/-
Total PF Cont (A x 25.61%) 1537/- 1665/- 1921/-
or B+C+D
Please feel free to have any further questions on this.
Best wishes,
Sunil Joshi
anu840 - Member Since: Jan 2007
Thank you to all for giving information.
Another query is of CTC.
Is PF a part of CTC?
If so then how many times PF will be deducted from employees salary. Is employer's contribution & employees contribution is deducted from employees salary only or only employees' contribution is deducted?
Pls refer this salary breakup of an employee
Basic - 7000
PF Contribution: 12% of basic
Gross: 17500
Pls tell me for 220000 CTC how do you make fitment (Salary breakup) to an employee.
How much would be his take home salary?
Is gratuity is compulsory & is a part of CTC.
Hi Anu,
If we consider his CTC Per annum Rs. 2,20,000/-, his monthly CTC would be 18,333/-. Now this Rs. 18,333/- would include the PF contribution done by the employer.
Regarding fitment of the breakup, I am not aware about your other allowances / components of the salary. It generally varies from company to company.
Regarding Gratuity adjustment in CTC, not every company considers gratuity as part of CTC.
As the term CTC itself suggests that it is "COST TO COMPANY" hence the PF contribution made by the employer will also be considered in CTC.
Hope this will satisfy you.
Santosh Iyer
sharmarkumar30 - Member Since: Jan 2007
Dear Anupama,
As per my under standing of PF Act 1952:-
Quarry :- Ceiling
Answer :- As per PF Act 1952, ceiling limit is Rs. 6500/M i.e. (Basic+DA) of an employee.
If the employees emoluments exceed Rs. 6,500/- per month, he has the option to join the Scheme(s) with the consent of employer.
Kindly see the details:-
Employee Status:-
If Employee is already member of PF Scheme.
Emoluments :-
1. Up to 6500/M (Basic +DA) -Mandatory @ 12% of Basic +DA.
2. 6501/- & above (Basic +DA)
A.Mandatory @12% up to 6500/M.
B.Above 6500/M its up the organization & its policy.
If Employee is not member of PF Scheme or New Entrant.
Emoluments :-
1. Up to 6500/M (Basic +DA) -Mandatory @ 12% of Basic +DA.
2. 6501/- & above (Basic +DA) - Its not Mandatory, but general in the interest of employees organizations cover their employees under the scheme.
If you want to exempt your employee from the scheme.
Kindly refer: - CHAPTER IV - MEMBERSHIP OF THE FUND (27. Exemption of an employee) of PF Act 1952 for further clarification. Soft copy of PF Act 1952 enclosed for your reference.
I think, it will clear your quarry, if you get more clarification on this, please share it with me also.
With Regards
Rakesh Kumar Sharma
sid_coz - Member Since: Feb 2009
Sir in this reply of yours above, you have written in "Contribution" that 'the basic wages can be till rs.10000'. Is Rs. 10,000/- a ceiling limit? Are there any different rules applying when basic wages are more than Rs. 10,000/-?
An employer whose employee started below Rs 6500/- and went to say Rs.50,000 in basic wages, would still be required to make a EPF contribution till Rs. 6500/- (ie Rs 780)? Or will it be more?
I would be grateful to anyone who can clear this doubt.
Sir, I tried your mobile number but it is switched off. If it is convinent please reply or call me at 09893235550.
Shamit Verma
I have a same querry like mr. Alex. If any one have the right answer with statuary proof then please send me on this mail Id. email@example.com Regards Manish Dixit - Sr.HR Exe
Can be deduct the PF above 12% from employer contribution, suppose an employee have total ctc is rs. 20,000 his basic Salary +DA is 7500/- can be deduct the PF from Employer Side is above than 780/-
Manish Dixit - HR
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After many fittings, it was time to party! What a party it was! All of the VIPS looked so chic, as did the models. The space was packed with the who's who of Dubai. We danced the night away and frolicked in the ball pit. Everyone in Dubai was talking about Kate Spade New York! They do have a knack for leaving a lasting impression.
I loved my time in Dubai. I cannot wait to go back and visit the friends I made there as well as explore more of this fascinating and enchanting city!


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LIFE Magazine: 1961 Yankees PhotosWritten by marianm on 07/07/2012
Whether you're a Yankees fan, sports fan, or just a history buff, you'll get a kick out of these photos from LIFE Magazine.
In 1961, the year that Roger Maris broke Babe Ruth's homerun record, LIFE asked Yankees shortstop, Tony Kubek, to take photos of his teammates, including Maris, Mantle, and Yogi Berra. The photos were never published, but are now available to view online, along with Kubek's remembrances of his teammates.


text: Greetings. I am HL Gerald of Leesville, and I would like to thank those who helped in making Stargate's Yule Feast a good memory of a good event. There were a good number of people who helped throughout the day, but there were several who were in the kitchen most of the entire day, and to them I wish to extend my most heartfelt thanks. Lady Melanie, who came in early in the day and left after the serving was done, peeled turnips for the first time, and generally was ready to help with any task that needed doing. Lady Kemma, an accomplished cook herself, who charged into the kitchen and easily translated my requests into action. With her "knife-of-sharpness" she was easily queen of the turnip peelers! Lord William, who got caught up into the whole kitchen-vortex thing and stayed the whole day. Together, we relaxed chickens ("They're dead, Jim!"), peeled turnips, stuffed meat, and did all these things and more with a good will and a quick and helpful hand. To my bean-snapping crew (Ld Ambrose (Fo), Leofrin, Ciarnet, Angela, and a young lord who's name I can't remember), thank you. I walked out back and watched you guys for a minute, and I was reminded of my younger days at home. You were all working and having a good time. For my server coordinators; Ldy Caitlin (Head table) and Ld Andrew (Server coordinator), both of whom worked with me to get the food out as fast as possible to everyone. For the servers; there were so many of you that I would be lying if I told you I could remember all your names and for that I'm heartily sorry. I would like to thank you all for having patience with me during the serving time, and, more importantly, helping me to solve problems during the serving as they came up (All of you helped to contribute, and did a wonderful job; my goal was to have the feast served in 30 minutes, and you were all speedy about the task, helping to prepare the serving trays as well as serving them). I hope you all had fun while doing the job so well. My clean-up coordinator was Lord Dolphin, who gathered together a goodly number of people and was in during the day to help with the much-needed taking out of trash, cleaning pots and pans, etc. It was a great help to know that the cleaning of the kitchen was in capable hands. My dessert cooks; Rose and Jeff Catham. In every feast that I have been a part of, you two have been in the kitchen, helping. From slicing, to preparing the plates, you both have been there on just about every occasion that I can remember. The bread pudding and sauces that you made Saturday were an excellent ending to a fine meal. Thank you, Rose, for the suggested change from a custard of some type, and thank you both for helping in the kitchen through the day. Finally, I would like to thank Ld Vaclav Namatko, known by many as "Random". A few years ago, Vaclav built a large wood-burning hearth for cooking meats in a period style, which has been used in quite a few feasts in the surrounding "Greater Loch-Ravens-Gate-March" area. Saturday he brought the hearth and cooked 40 chickens using a period-style recipe. He worked all day, tending the hearth, turning the chickens (with the help of Ld. Ambrose), and allowed me to present to table some very tasty birds. There are surely names I've left out, and for that I humbly apologize. My work philosophy, in general, is that what we do should be enjoyable, and I try to make sure that those who are working with me are having a good time while they're doing whatever they're doing. Towards the end of the day I saw many tired faces, but they still had the energy for a smile, and for each problem that came up they presented solutions instead of panic. For all who served, or served in the kitchen, know that you did the job well and true. My thanks, once again. In service to the dream with a song in my heart, I am HL Gerald of Leesville Title bard of Loch Soillier A bard of Stargate Kingdom Ansteorra


text: POPSUGAR Celebrity 2010 Spring New York Fashion Week Pictures of Fashion Week Tuesday by Celebrity 9/14/10 0 Reactions 0 Shares Print 0 0 0 0 0 Previous Photo 1 of 21 View on One Page ADVERTISEMENT ( more slides) Next 1 Pictures of Fashion Week Tuesday 0 0 0 0 0 Read More 2010 Spring New York Fashion Week2010 Fashion WeekTiffani ThiessenJessica SzohrLeighton MeesterKanye West Kanye West Kanye Wests's Nonprofit Donda's House Gives Chicago's Young People Access to the Arts 1 week ago Kim and Kanye's Guide to A-List Love 2 weeks ago It's Here: Kim Kardashian's $20,000 Hermès Bag — Hand-Painted by North West 2 weeks ago Kim and Kanye Wore Matching Outfits For Date Night 3 weeks ago North West Gets 3 Custom-Made Balmain Blazers, Because of Course 3 weeks ago North West Knows What She Likes — and It's Not Pink 3 weeks ago The 33 Best Celebrity Halloween Costumes, Ever 3 weeks ago Leighton Meester 18 Things You Never Knew About Leighton Meester 3 days ago See What Your Favorite Gossip Girls Are Up to Now! 5 days ago These Celebrity Look-Alikes Will Blow Your Mind 1 week ago Is Leighton Meester Having a Baby? 10/29 Listen to Leighton Meester's New Song 9/16 The Very Best Celebrity Engagement Rings 9/12 The Weekend's Must-See Snaps! 9/01 Jessica Szohr Taylor Swift's BFFs Lena Dunham, Lorde, Sarah Hyland, More Lavish New Album 1989 With Praise: See Their Tweets! 10/27 Are Selena Gomez and Jessica Szohr Feuding? 7/28 Which Star Was the ESPY Awards MVP? 7/17 Emma and Andrew Join Taylor For a Star-Studded Fourth of July Weekend 7/07 Nina Dobrev and Her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun in the South of France 6/17 Video: Fragrance Mogul Taylor Swift Talks Expanding Her Empire 6/13/13 Video: The Internship's Jessica Szohr Spills on the Perks of Her "Dancer" Role 6/13/13 Tiffani Thiessen Tiffani Thiessen and Luke Perry at Hallmark premiere of Northpole 3 weeks ago Time to Obsess Over This Sweet Saved by the Bell Reunion 3 weeks ago 6 Ways to Make Your Bathroom Feel Like a Spa 10/11 The Real Reason We're Watching The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story Tonight 9/01 40 Reasons Kelly Kapowski Is the Queen of Cool 6/20 Kelly Kapowski Just Made Chris Paul's Dreams Come True 6/04 You Could Still Find Kelly Kapowski Rocking This Trend at The Max 4/10 Get the scoop with our daily newsletter Enjoy the latest news on the celebs you love. Young Hollywood TV Movies A Listers Sign up with Link Love Hilary Duff reveals what Lizzie McGuire would be doing now — Us Weekly Lauren Conrad is planning a Pinterest-perfect Thanksgiving — HuffPost Celebrity Gwyneth Paltrow praises Jennifer Lopez's backside — Lainey Gossip Are there nude photos of Kevin Federline floating around? — Dlisted Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman are coming to TV — ET Ryan Reynolds opens up about his father's Parkinson's disease — JustJared Bella Thorne stirs up trouble in her TV guest-starring role — Hollywood Tuna A former boy band member strips down for Out magazine — Pink Is the New Blog How Katherine Heigl used John Mayer to get engaged — The Superficial Is Dean McDermott leaving True Tori? — I'm Not Obsessed Latest Celebrity & News


text: First Amendment Watch: Beck Forbidden from Prayer at Kennedy Center by Michael Walsh 16 Aug 2010 post a comment Share This: Technically speaking, the Kennedy Center is not Congress, but the building -- a monument to the first Roman Catholic president -- is federally supported. Luckily, this story has a happy ending. But how many ordinary Americans have a microphone or a TV show with which to make bureaucratic enormities like this public? Behold the wages, not of sin, but of the evil known as "political correctness" -- [youtube PV9j6EsjLNQ&feature nolink] Lest we forget, the Kennedy Center's forerunner as Washington's premiere concert hall, Constitution Hall, run by the Daughters of the American Revolution, once tried to ban contralto Marian Anderson for the simple crime of being black. Here she is in action, singing the "Ave Maria" just to make the atheists and Schubert-haters crazy: [youtube Rtpsd8VXTqc nolink] Eternal vigilance, indeed.


text:
When the doors to the Diamondbacks' clubhouse opened after their 15-1 loss to the Oakland A's Tuesday, catcher Chris Snyder was the only player in front of his locker. Brandon Webb left the building without talking to reporters after allowing seven earned runs in 3 1/3 innings.
Justin Upton was in the showers after striking out two more times.
Their teammates were scattered about, surely wondering if the season had hit its low point.
They had better hope so.
Make no mistake, the Diamondbacks are in trouble.
Sure, they have the good fortune of playing in the National League West, the only division where you can be just three games over .500 and still have a 4 1/2 game lead.
But this is a team in crisis. Arizona is 14-22 in its last 36 games. It can't score runs, its defense stinks and now the starting pitching has gone AWOL.
In the last three games the Diamondbacks have been outscored, 35-7, and two of those losses were to Kansas City, which has the second-worst record in baseball.
So much for those two wins in New York supposedly turning things around.
"You can put away one bad loss, but we haven't played well three games in a row," manager Bob Melvin said. "It's a concern."
Don't worry about Webb. Both Melvin and Snyder thought he had great stuff and that his velocity had returned after a subpar outing against the Mets. It was just an atypical performance at a bad time.
The bigger concern is Upton, whose average is down to .244 after he was hitting .327 at the end of April.
The D-Backs have been extraordinarily patient with Upton, but it's time they demote him to Triple-A Tucson, be it today or, more likely, when Eric Byrnes returns from the disabled list on Monday.
Upton, 20, is 3-for-36 this month with one extra-base hit, no RBIs and 18 strikeouts. He's 4 for his last 66 on the road.
Clearly, Upton has lost his confidence. A trip to Tucson would do him and his swing good.
"We're not there yet," Melvin said. "He's a pretty strong and resilient kid."
Maybe so, but Arizona can't afford for Upton to completely lose faith in himself and not be able to help the club come September.
That's assuming, of course, the Diamondbacks are still in the pennant race come September. Right now, they look like a team that could fade into oblivion.
"No one is going to push the panic button," Conor Jackson said. "We still have a lot of baseball left."
Given the way Arizona has played since April, that's not necessarily a good thing.
The Diamondbacks never will admit this, but they miss Tony Clark's calming presence and leadership in the clubhouse. He would have been the shoulder Upton and Chris Young leaned on, the veteran to call a players-only meeting and quietly demand accountability.
Instead, you're left to wonder where that leadership is coming from. Snyder has tried to assume the role, but he hasn't been around long enough for teammates to ask him for advice.
All is not lost, though. When reliever Doug Slaten struck out the 13th A's batter Tuesday, the public address announcer at Chase Field enthusiastically announced that fans had won a coupon for a free 44-ounce Thirstbuster.
After 15-1, they could have used a shot of the harder stuff.


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Hi there,
Welcome to Edugeek!
Have a nose into Becta here; you should find all you're looking for.
I am currently doing research for my dissertation I am trying to find out the governments policy in the use of ICT in secondary schools, but I have had no luck in finding out what these policies are, would anyone be able to help?
Hi kmount
I have had a look on the becta website and found the following information:
• Delivering the National Curriculum ICT Programme of Study. For example, 'There will be one hour lesson per week for all pupils throughout Key Stage 3'
• The aims of using ICT within the school. 'ICT will be used to support the teaching of all subjects'
• Health and safety in the use of ICT resources. 'All chairs must be height- and back-adjustable'
• Continual professional development of staff in ICT knowledge skills and understanding. 'One whole day per year will be devoted to ICT training and updating for all staff'
• Technical audits. 'An inventory will be kept of all serial numbers and licences'
• ICT skills audits. 'A questionnaire will be distributed to all staff each year'
• Technical support. 'There will be a network manager supported by two ICT technicians'
• In-class support. 'All support staff will be trained in the use of ICT'
• Roles and responsibilities for ICT in the school. 'The Head of ICT will be responsible for'
• The use of software and hardware resources across the school. 'Each department will be issued with a minimum of one portable projector, and laptop. Every classroom will have a network outlet'
• The role of ICT to support extra-curricular activities. 'ICT facilities will be available before and after school'
• The use of ICT by parents and the local community (for example, the school will run a family ICT course each term.')
• data protection issues
• ICT in school administration. 'Registration will be electronic. All staff will have access to the pupil management system'
• The use of the Internet. 'Access to web sites will be filtered and all pupils and parents must agree to the acceptable use policy.
I'm guessing becta don't actually give you a list of policies, just guidance on what your policy should cover?
Am I right in saying that the school creates the ICT policy? and this policy is then agreed and adopted by the schools governing body?
Hi there,
I'm not in the best position to speak on this subject but it generally works that our policies are based around the needs set out by the national curriculum and I'm merely a facilitator in providing services for those empowered (Teaching Colleagues) to meet these needs.
I've not experienced it much beyond that but Edugeek has lots of very experienced people (more so than myself) who will speak up shortly.
I hope you find all you're looking for, and once again, welcome =)
AFAIK, that is the case yes.
In practice, of course, there are various carrots and sticks the local authority can use, but the theory is that policy is devolved down to heads.
So what your saying is the school will create its own ICT policy? Would they have to follow the guidance from becta?
Hi thanks for the link to the pdf document CyberNerd was just wondering how that document helps me in finding out the governments policy in the use of ICT in secondary schools.
harnessing technology is in two phases, the first part was published in 2005.
this is the first bit
Online Publications: Product details
oh right I see, thanks for all the information, what I'm trying to do is map the governments policy to my local school, to find out what there ICT status currently is, that's why I wanted to find out what the governments policies to the use of ICT in schools was.
Have you asked them (the school)?
I work at the school, was going to ask them tomorrow what there policy was.
For primary, diss level research, that's going to be much more helpful than we can be.
Becta Schools - Self-review framework - Introduction
from a more technical Point of View, Becta has published minimum technical specifications that schools should conform to:
Industry and developers - Technical specification: institutional infrastructure - Becta
most schools don't conform to it (even the new BSF ones)
Thanks for all your help will look over the documents you have recommended.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)


text:
Talking with an artist who turns his body scan into sculpture
Once again, Ralph Nader has thrown his hat into the presidential race. The perennial candidate spoke with the Voice about corporate greed, impeaching Bush and why he thinks Obama and Clinton are one in the same. Village Voice: What made you decide to run for president again? Ralph Nader: Same rea ... More >>
Buying and selling and buying the Voice
Democrats ought to be able to put him away, but you know how they are
Corporations mount a schmear campaign during the conventions
The Tribal Rites of America's Military Leaders. No Wonder They're Bullish on War.
A Small Cartel of Conservative Lawyers Rewrites the American Rule
Economy Bad, Congress Mean, China Won't Give Back Plane
Hillary Moves In


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