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Congressional investigators are struggling to figure out how federal agencies shelled out $100 billion in payments last year to people who where not entitled to receive them.
Congressional investigators warn the figure could be even higher.
"The federal government is unable to determine the full extent to which improper payments occur and reasonably assure that appropriate actions are taken to reduce them," Beryl H. Davis, director of financial management at the Government Accountability Office, said in prepared testimony for a House hearing Wednesday.
In a hearing Wednesday before the House Oversight Government Operations Subcommittee lawmakers called the figures "staggering."
"It's over $100 billion each of the last five years. That's a staggering half a trillion dollars in improper payments," Committee Chairman John Mica, R-Fla., said.
Medicare programs account for half of the mismanaged money.
But there were also tax credits given to families that didn't qualify, unemployment benefits given to people who had jobs, and medical payments made for unnecessary treatments.
"The fact is, improper payments are staggeringly high in programs designed to help those most in need - children, seniors, and low-income families," Mica said. The White House said it has stepped up efforts to identify the cause of the errors.
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And I'm officially enamored. Gor. Geous. Ridiculously gorgeous. Greener than green. Cleaner than clean. Restaurants to end all restaurants. We're sold….hook, line, and sinker. Now if fate will just cooperate….2 years from now, it could be our home. Here's a little bit of what we did.
Dropped our things at the hotel and headed out for adventure. First stop:
A few OOTD's: Me messing around on a huge Anchor on Bainbridge Island.
Me, windblown from the ferry, ready to stuff our faces at Iver's. YUM. I wore this jacket every day and was stopped multiple times a day by complete strangers telling me how much they loved it. It truly has been one of my best Anthro purchases ever.
Roundup: Must go back, ASAP. Weather = gorgeous. Sight seeing aplenty. Shopping = awesome. Picked up a few goodies I'll show you soon, the most exciting one acquired at Nordstrom Rack of all places. I don't usually have the best of luck for myself there. Happily, this time, luck was on my side. Can't wait to show ya. Anthro….gotta say, I was a little disappointed. The store is HUGE!! Two stories. They have really cool pieces, one of a kind vintage treasures that are way beyond my budget…but I drooled at them nonetheless. I think I hit this store at an odd time…right before new May arrivals, so the store was completely picked over. I did, however, find the pair of pants I was after:
I'm obsessed with them. They have perfect rear-end pocket placement, diminishing the whoomp-there-it-is factor. Hollah. I'm eyeing other colors now.
I have many posts in the works. A discussion is def in order about the new May arrivals, don'tcha think? Oi!! I've added about 20 things to my wishlist, just yesterday. Hi Anthro, so glad you're back, EN FORCE!
xoxo Molly

subset: commoncrawl


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Barr, Nicholas (2010) Long-term care: a suitable case for social insurance. Social Policy and Administration, 44 (4). pp. 359-374. ISSN 0144-5596
Costa-Font, Joan (2010) Family ties and the crowding out of long-term care insurance. Oxford Review of Economic Policy, 26 (4). pp. 691-712. ISSN 0266-903X
Forder, Julien and Netten, Ann (2000) The price of placements in residential and nursing home care: the effects of contracts and competition. Health Economics, 9 (7). pp. 643-657. ISSN 1057-9230
Glennerster, Howard (1987) A word in your ear. Nursing Times, 83 (25). pp. 40-41. ISSN 0954-7762
Glennerster, Howard and Owens, P. (1987) Aiming for the top. Nursing Times, 83 (23). pp. 35-37. ISSN 0954-7762
Glennerster, Howard, Owens, Patricia and Kimberley, Angela (1988) The nursing management function after Griffiths: a second interim report 1986-87. London School of Economics and Political Science & North West Thames Regional Health Authority, London, UK.
Kimberley, Angela, Owens, Patricia and Glennerster, Howard (1986) The nursing management function after Griffiths: a study in the north west Thames region. London School of Economics and Political Science : North West Thames Regional Health Authority, London, UK.
Malley, Juliette and Trigg, Lisa (2013) Measuring deaths in care homes: five reasons why it might not help identify poor quality care homes. Health and Social Care at LSE (16 Jul 2013) Blog Entry.
Netten, A., Darton, R., Bebbington, A., Forder, Julien, Brown, P. and Mummery, K. (2001) Residential and nursing home care of elderly people with cognitive impairment: prevalence, mortality and costs. Aging and Mental Health, 5 (1). pp. 14-22. ISSN 1360-7863
Owens, Patricia and Glennerster, Howard (1990) Nursing in conflict. Macmillan, London, UK. ISBN 0333512022
Reader, Tom W. and Voyer, Benjamin G. (2013) The self‐construal of nurses and doctors: beliefs on interdependence and independence in the care of older people. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 69 (12). pp. 2696-2706. ISSN 1365-2648


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McMahon L et al. – The review concludes by emphasizing that narrative analysis is a valuable method which offers the potential for uncovering novel insights about the illness experience for these individuals.
Methods- This argument is made through reference to an examination of the extant qualitative literature on the experience of FM and theories and narrative studies on chronic illnesses and identity.
- The empirical literature is reviewed from a narrative perspective; this assumes that the stories people tell reveal much about their identities and social worlds.
- As such, it is proposed that narrative analysis is particularly well suited for exploring issues of self and culture and for appreciating how meanings evolve over time.
- Further, it is also argued that consideration of these issues is particularly relevant for understanding the experience of FM given the enigmatic nature of the syndrome and its chronic course.


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Eden JA – Isoflavones cannot be recommended for the relief of hot flushes.
Methods- The databases Scopus, ScienceDirect and Primo Central Index were searched and preference was given to systematic reviews and meta–analyses.
- The available evidence suggests that isoflavones do not relieve menopausal vasomotor symptoms any better than placebo.
- Long–term safety studies suggest that women who consume a diet high in isoflavones may have a lower risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer.


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Main Content
Order now, receive no later than Wednesday, February 4th. Some limitations apply.
Show a little pizzazz while out with the girls with this Dotty tube top from Fox. It features printed allover dots, a shelf bra with elastic strap, shirring detailing, and a cord lock on the side that changes the length of the top. Show a little, show a lot, that's your choice, but either way your girlfriends will think it's really cute!
- 95% Cotton/5% Elastane
- Cord lock on side
- Elastic strap
- Imported
- Screen print graphics
- Shelf bra
- Shirring detail
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Customized items can be personalized with options such as your name, your favorite
number, and/or designs. Some options may be limited by league rules.


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Lee Ranaldo is a composer, visual artist, writer, and founding member of the New York City group Sonic Youth, who continue to record new music and tour the world on a regular basis. Their most recent record, The Eternal, was relased in June 2009 on Matador Records. His visual and sound works have been shown at galleries and museums around the world.
His most recent solo recording is We'll Know Where When We Get There, in collaboration with partner Leah Singer. Against Refusing, a book of poems based on internet spam, will be published by Waterrow Press in 2010. His visual work will be on view in the show Sonic Youth, etc.: Sensational Fix, which opens at the Centro de Arte Dos de Mayo, Madrid on January 28, 2010, and at Hogar Collection in Williamsburg, opening January 15/16, 2010.
Lee Ranaldo appears in the following:
Eight Days of Steve: Lee Ranaldo
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Steve Reich's music first came to my attention during my university years in the mid '70s. I was beginning to find my own way into a life in music and art, and the power and innovation in his early works—the amplified Pendulum Music (perhaps the first formal use of amplified feedback in a composition), tape pieces such as Come Out and It's Gonna Rain, the encyclopedic Drumming, and the mind-blowing Four Organs provided huge inspiration.


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Best Nugget Denver 2003 - Juwan Howard
Readers' Choice: Nene Hilario
We gotta pick somebody, don't we? The only sign of useful maturity in the chaotic kindergarten that is the Denver Nuggets locker room comes from long-suffering veteran Juwan Howard, late of the league-best Dallas Mavericks. At 6-9 and 260 pounds, the big forward has the beef to muscle up on opponents, and his personal numbers during this winter of discontent befit a winner, not a member of the NBA's second-worst team. Howard's averaging almost nineteen points per game, along with eight rebounds and three assists. As of mid-March, he'd led or co-led Jeff Bzdelik's offensively challenged club in scoring in 29 of its last 35 games and showed himself to be a solid professional, grinding out almost 38 minutes per night of losing basketball without complaint. Once he's done, there surely must be a place in hoops heaven for this intrepid warrior.


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Charges dropped in wheelchair murder case A man incarcerated for shooting to death a man in a wheelchair has been released, and a key witness who helped land him behind bars faces perjury charges. Abdullah Talib-Din, also known as Douglas Lum, originally told police Medford Holmes of Wilmington shot him and Antonio Smith on the 2800 block of North Jefferson Street in April of 2011. Smith died as a result of the shooting. The jury in the Holmes case couldn't reach a verdict leading to a mistrial. A second trial was to take place this year, but Talib-Din now says Holmes wasn't the shooter. Holmes was released last week. Talib-Din faces one count of perjury, and five counts of providing a false statement to law enforcement. |
Copyright © Jan 28, 2015, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved. Advanced permission from Delmarva Broadcasting Company required for publication or rebroadcast. |


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Should we pad pension funds?
PUBLISHED: 28 Apr 2012 00:03:57 | UPDATED: 28 Apr 2012 00:03:57PUBLISHED: 28 Apr 2012 PRINT EDITION: 28 Apr 2012John Wasiliev
Excluding our family home, my wife and I, who are in our late 60s, have two-thirds of our wealth in Colonial First State pension-paying funds and a third in blue-chip shares. The shares pay us franked dividends. Would it be better to sell them and put the proceeds into the pension-paying funds?
To be in the running for this strategy, says financial planner Julian Battistella of Battistella Financial Services, you must be entitled to make a contribution to super. As you are in your late 60s, you'll be required to pass a work test that will involve working in gainful employment – meaning you get paid for the work you do – for 40 hours over a 30 consecutive day period. You must pass the work test in a financial year before you can think about making any contributions to super. You also need to be aware any contribution to super will come from the after-tax sale proceeds of any shares you sell. Be aware you may have to pay tax on half the net capital profits your shares earn. If you can meet the work test and are prepared to pay tax on any net capital profits, it is worth comparing the income you receive from your shares with the franking credits against the return the after-tax proceeds might earn if invested in the pension paying funds.
The Australian Financial Review
Read more
Topics | Personal Investment /Superannuation , Financial Markets /Equities Markets |


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Pfc. Andrew J. Keller
Born: November 16, 1989
Died: August 15, 2012 in Charkh, Afghanistan
Pfc. Andrew J. Keller, 22, of Tigard, Ore., died at age 22 in Charkh, Afghanistan when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Caserma Ederle, Vicenza, Italy. He attended Southridge High School where he was a standout member of the football team, a team captain and a multi-sport varsity athlete.
Willamette National Cemetery – Sec KK Site 2977
To be updated…
Pfc. Andrew J. Keller by Freedom Remembered, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.
Categories: Army, OEF, Oregon, Recent Casualties


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Man, there is this school I *really* want to go to, in Natick, but God, the tuition's 35,000 dollars!!! My dad can't afford that, and I'm not even sure the scholarship could cover half of that. I guess I could apply for both the scholarship and financial aid, but other than that, what should I do? Does anybody have any advice on getting into Walnut Hill School?
check your oasismail...
Are you hanging on to something useless just because you think it's beautiful?
--William Zinsser
wow, that sounds like my situation, two years ago. how am i doing it? scholarship, student loans, and waitressing.
"freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose"
I was also had that problem. Except I wasn't able to
get any help so I am working two jobs and going to
school and trying to find time to sleep. :(
If you let people make you into what they want
what happens to you?
There are 3 kinds of people in this world...those you want things to happen, those that make things happen, and those who just wonder what the hell happened!


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More Recipe Collections
(43 Recipes) Created by CHICKYWANNA
Recipes in this Collection
This lighter version of an old classic is made with lower-calorie baking mix and ground turkey instead of beef. Submitted by TXCYNDI Carbs: 10.7g | Fat: 4.5g | Fiber: 0.3g | Protein: 21.2g | Calories: 166.5
Perfect for those crunchy and salty cravings. Submitted by KIMBERH801 Carbs: 7.6g | Fat: 0.6g | Fiber: 2.2g | Protein: 1.4g | Calories: 33.6
This protein-rich vegetarian recipe is simple to make and tasty to eat! Submitted by CHEF_MEG Carbs: 38.4g | Fat: 13.1g | Fiber: 5.4g | Protein: 7.4g | Calories: 294.9
A hearty, homecooked meal that everyone will love! Serve with steamed broccoli and sweet corn for a complete vegetarian meal. Submitted by COACH_NICOLE Carbs: 44.9g | Fat: 4.4g | Fiber: 9.5g | Protein: 10.9g | Calories: 254.2
This hearty soup will warm you from the inside out. Carbs: 31g | Fat: 9.1g | Fiber: 6.7g | Protein: 7.9g | Calories: 228.7
A tasty burger patty that's high in fiber and folate and easy to prepare. Serve on a whole wheat bun with your favorite toppings. Submitted by DENIBREITENBACH Carbs: 24.2g | Fat: 1.5g | Fiber: 4.8g | Protein: 5.2g | Calories: 127.6
(35 ratings)
Delicious Turkish-style lentil soup. Submitted by UGURBOCEGI Carbs: 15.7g | Fat: 7.3g | Fiber: 4.1g | Protein: 5.2g | Calories: 146.6
Very Good 4.7/5
(33 ratings)
This soup is yummy! It may not look very appealing but it tastes amazing! It's budget friendly too. :) Submitted by RAVENGIRL103 Carbs: 23g | Fat: 5g | Fiber: 7.3g | Protein: 7.6g | Calories: 170
Very Good 4.6/5
(24 ratings)
Tasty, lowfat, high nutrition! Submitted by FAELYNN Carbs: 11.8g | Fat: 0.4g | Fiber: 4.3g | Protein: 4.2g | Calories: 63.1
Spicy but nicey! Submitted by TREEHUGGER73 Carbs: 16.9g | Fat: 4.1g | Fiber: 6g | Protein: 9.5g | Calories: 135.7
This is a very nutritional soup, delicious on a cold winter day. Low fat, low cal, low carb, and rich in potassium and fiber. Serve with a whole wheat dinner roll or 9-grain bread. Submitted by CONNIE48036 Carbs: 11.7g | Fat: 0.4g | Fiber: 4g | Protein: 3.5g | Calories: 57.6
Very Good 4.7/5
(12 ratings)
Submitted by SIZZARAH Carbs: 19.4g | Fat: 4.8g | Fiber: 5.1g | Protein: 4.9g | Calories: 135.6
Very Good 4.7/5
(9 ratings)
Delicious, thick and stew-like lentil soup. Submitted by THEPLATYPUS Carbs: 33.4g | Fat: 2.9g | Fiber: 10.6g | Protein: 11.3g | Calories: 197.1
Very Good 4.7/5
(9 ratings)
Tastes just as good the next day. Submitted by DINEEN17 Carbs: 24.9g | Fat: 3.9g | Fiber: 8.1g | Protein: 6.5g | Calories: 157.5
This filling vegetarian meal is nutritious and easy to make. Submitted by TWINMOM143 Carbs: 52.7g | Fat: 5.1g | Fiber: 10.2g | Protein: 13.7g | Calories: 284.5
(no ratings)
A great way to get protien and taste for the very tight budget Submitted by GOTMINE9 Carbs: 54.3g | Fat: 4.7g | Fiber: 15.3g | Protein: 15.7g | Calories: 309
Good 3.5/5
(2 ratings)
Submitted by KIERAE Carbs: 3.7g | Fat: 1.2g | Fiber: 0.2g | Protein: 1.7g | Calories: 27.6
(no ratings)
Submitted by KITEFLYINGAL Carbs: 16.9g | Fat: 7.3g | Fiber: 3.3g | Protein: 4.6g | Calories: 141
(no ratings)
Submitted by ALIRA54 Carbs: 16.9g | Fat: 10.5g | Fiber: 5.9g | Protein: 6.7g | Calories: 177
Good 3.5/5
(2 ratings)
Fritters are typically fried; these are baked to cut the fat. Just about anything can become fritterish; all you need is something to hold it together, such as egg, breadcrumbs, and/or mashed beans. This one has all three. Submitted by BREEAK Carbs: 27.7g | Fat: 6.3g | Fiber: 1.4g | Protein: 12.4g | Calories: 196.6


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'Into the Woods' Review: Stephen Sondheim Survives His Trek to Big Screen
Movie Reviews By Robert Levin on December 23, 2014 | Be the First To CommentIn Stephen Sondheim's career packed with beloved musicals, none compare to Into the Woods in terms of sheer popularity. It's one of the most-performed productions on an amateur level and has been revived in different forms on and off Broadway countless times. It's also dark and subversive, a merciless fairy tale satire that subverts the form through sly sexuality and plenty of horrific moments. This is not, in other words, a great candidate for a big screen adaptation under the Disney banner. There's an uncomfortable, inherent tension between the corporation that popularized Cinderella and Rapunzel and material that undercuts the mythology. This caused great concern in the run-up to the film's release, which theater buffs latching on to every possible deviation from the source as well as reported statements Sondheim made implying that the film had been toned down, which he later took back. I'm not an Into the Woods expert. I couldn't delineate the precise ways Rob Marshall's film remains faithful to and deviates from its source. I can, however, confirm that the Sondheim spirit is absolutely and unmistakably here, probably in no small part thanks to the fact that book writer James Lapine crafted the screenplay. This is not a case of Marshall expanding a relatively intimate musical to his characteristically grand, stylized canvas. Rather, it's a filmmaker and, by extension, an entire studio smartly and vividly understanding that genius need only be translated to a different medium, not tampered with.
'Stretch' Review: A Sweet, Perverted and Exciting Adventure Film
Movie Reviews By Jack Giroux on October 8, 2014 | Be the First To CommentJoe Carnahan has carved out an eclectic career for himself as a director. Three years ago he made his best film to date with the emotional and tense dram, The Grey. That film followed The A-Team and Smokin' Aces, movies that are best described as fun. One was an unabashedly over-the-top popcorn the movie, the other a wacky R-rated shoot'm up, and the voice that gave us those two films has now returned with Stretch. Happily though, this is a more consistent and successful blend of sorrow and anarchy. Kevin Stretch (Patrick Wilson) moved to Los Angeles with the dreams of becoming an actor, but instead found himself behind the wheel of a stretch limousine. After overcoming his substance abuse and gambling problem, Stretch is at his lowest point — he has zero money to his name, a job he's unhappy with, an ex-girlfriend (Brooklyn Decker) he can't get over and the ghost of his old pal Karl (Ed Helms) haunting him. The only bright spot in his life is his friendship with a co-worker named Charlie (Jessica Alba). To make matters worse, he has to come up with $6,000 in one day to payoff a gambling debt. To achieve the seemingly impossible, he agrees to drive around "eccentric" billionaire Roger Karos (Chris Pine), a whizkid known for his antics and, better yet, his generous tips. Set mostly over one night, this wicked step-sister to Martin Scorsese's After Hours ultimately yields promise, even if the start of the film doesn't.
You Can Finally See Joe Carnahan's R-Rated Party 'Stretch' Next Month
Movie News By Jack Giroux on September 10, 2014 | Be the First To CommentWith Joe Carnahan's latest film, Stretch, Blumhouse is hoping to do for action what the production company has done for horror: make a project with low risk, high reward. Their movies cost peanuts compared to most major releases. If they make a hit, it's a major success. If they put out a bomb, nobody is going to the poorhouse. It's a great business model that's mostly been used for horror movies. They've stepped outside of their wheelhouse every now and then, to mixed results. For example, Catherine Hardwicke's Plush was a melodramatic rock 'n' roll sex thriller that, despite being Hardwicke's most fun movie in a years, went unnoticed. Hopefully that won't be the case for Stretch. The film was originally going to be released by Universal back in March, but they dropped the picture two months before its scheduled debut. The studio was unwilling dish out the money necessary to advertise it. Carnahan, to a degree, empathizes with their decision. "To hear $25-40m [to market it], okay, I guess that makes sense," he told Slashfilm. "I don't know why we're still marketing films that way. Do you know what I mean? It seems like that's the only way. But like for everything you need, you can't just be 'it's only this way.' But again, I get it. It's Universal. It's a studio. They have a way of doing things. I respect that."
Universal Has Decided You Don't Want to See Joe Carnahan's 'The Grey' Followup, 'Stretch'
Movie News By Nathan Adams on January 22, 2014 | Be the First To CommentJoe Carnahan is a director whose work has improved at such a rapid pace, pretty much everyone was caught by surprise when his 2012 survival thriller The Grey ended up being as good as it was. Even fans who were enthusiastic about his previous work like Smokin' Aces and A-Team weren't ready for what a deep and affecting meditation on mortality and the mercilessness of nature that movie ended up being. And the studio suits certainly didn't know what they had on their hands with The Grey. Despite the fact that it was good enough to end up on a whole bunch of critics' end of the year lists for 2012, they released it in January when the crap that they're not optimistic about generally gets dumped, and they mis-marketed it as some sort of exploitation film where Liam Neeson boxes a pack of wolves. Just imagine the awards potential it could have had if it was released in the fall and was effectively marketed as the powerful drama it proved itself to be. What's the point of bringing all of this up? Well, it looks like Carnahan's followup to The Grey—a movie called Stretch that's said to be a darkly comedic thriller—is also experiencing some problems thanks to the studio people who are supposed to be supporting it. So many problems that, at the moment, there isn't even a solid plan to put it out anymore.
10 Big Questions Left Unanswered By 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit'
Features By Christopher Campbell on January 18, 2014 | Comments (5)The thing that separates Jack Ryan movies from the James Bonds and the Mission: Impossibles and the Bournes, etc., is that Ryan is an analyst for the CIA. That means they should be smarter than your average spy thriller. Sometimes they're at least as smart. However, the latest, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, is one of the dumbest, more cliched entries of the genre. It's an embarrassment of plotting and exposition, with so many instances of presumed circumstances that fortuitously turn out to happen that it may as well be called "Jack Ryan: Lucky Duck." To put it in modern context, it's like a bad episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. yet has a lot less interest in characters and the logical choices they'd make. Questions I had leftover at the end of Shadow Recruit may be explained in Tom Clancy's Ryan novels, but that shouldn't matter. This isn't even an adaptation so much as an "original" story inspired by those books and featuring a character with the same name. I wouldn't be surprised if fans of Clancy find it no more a true Ryan installment than Die Hard fans found A Good Day to Die Hard recognizable as a movie fitting into that series. Feel free to give me clarification or suggestion of an answer to any of these, and remember that, though it should be obvious, this post is full of SPOILERS if you haven't yet seen the movie.
Kenneth Branagh on Supplying 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit' With An Authentic Backbone
Features By Jack Giroux on January 18, 2014 | Comments (1)Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit isn't an action movie. Sir Kenneth Branagh's reboot of the Tom Clancy-based franchise is a straight-up thriller, and that's an important distinction to make. The film may have a globetrotting story, which goes from New York to Moscow, but Branagh's set pieces are all contained, even the motorcycle chase at the very end. If you counted the amount of bullets fired in this movie, it would be drastically less than most spy thrillers. That fact likely spoke to Branagh, who was more invested in Jack Ryan's quick thinking than the character's skills in combat. If you asked him about Thor a few years ago, he would've expressed more interest in the themes of brotherhood than Thor swinging his hammer around. Branagh has always been a character-driven filmmaker. When you make a juicy four-hour version of Hamlet, you have to be. Everything from that Shakespeare adaptation to even Peter's Friends seems to play a part in Branagh's blockbuster filmmaking. The director and co-star (he plays the Russian villain, Viktor) recently discussed his progression towards tentpole filmmaking with us, along with the excitement and education that comes with it.
'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit' Review: Because 'Jack Ryan Into Darkness' Made Too Much Sense
Movie Reviews By Rob Hunter on January 17, 2014 | Comments (1)Alec Baldwin. Harrison Ford. Ben Affleck. Playing Jack Ryan is almost as dangerous of a job as being Jack Ryan, and now 24 years after Tom Clancy's most famous character first hit the screen in The Hunt for Red October he's back with a new face and a new reboot. This is not a good thing. Ryan (Chris Pine) is a college student when the Twin Towers fall in New York City, and the event leads him to join the U.S. Marines. An early mission in Afghanistan leaves him incapacitated and struggling to regain his physical faculties, but a mysterious C.I.A. agent named Harper (Kevin Costner) recruits him to help follow the money on Wall Street being used to line terrorist pockets. Ryan's nose for numbers and patterns identifies a possible discrepancy with a Russian company headed up by Viktor Cherevin (Kenneth Branagh), and then all hell breaks loose. Unlike those earlier films, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is not based on an existing Clancy novel. The "original" story uses elements of the Ryan we already know but adds in additional elements to increase his heroism and speed up his journey into the C.I.A. These elements work well enough, but as the story and action unfold it quickly becomes clear that those novels featured something else sorely lacking here. Brains.
'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit' Trailer Introduces a New Hero With a Familiar Name
Movie News By Rob Hunter on October 3, 2013 | Comments (2)Fathers everywhere may have lost their favorite novelist recently with the passing of author Tom Clancy, but the man left a multitude of parting gifts on his way out the door. At least two new Clancy-branded videogames hit shelves in a couple months, and his most memorable fictional character is getting a big screen reboot. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit brings the famed C.I.A. analyst back to his rookie days and his first real adventure after he discovers a Russian plot to upend the U.S. economy through deadly terrorist attacks. This is the first of the Ryan films to not be based on one of Clancy's novels, and that's fitting as it's once again an attempt at building a future franchise for the character. Chris Pine, already no stranger to franchise characters previously played by others, steps into the title role and follows in the big footsteps of Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, and Ben Affleck. This is particularly impressive for an actor of Pine's miniature stature (see above). Check out the first trailer for Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit below.
Why 'Star Trek Into Darkness' Works Despite Its Many Flaws
Features By Luke Mullen on May 18, 2013 | Comments (18)Please note, this piece is to be read by those who have either seen Star Trek Into Darkness or who don't mind having its various plot points spoiled for them. It is a frank discussion of what works and what doesn't work in the film and will include descriptions of all the major beats, including the ending. Let me start by saying that I quite like Star Trek Into Darkness. I have now seen the film three times and while I don't quite love it like I love the 2009 Star Trek – director J.J. Abrams' first attempt at boldly going and so on — I did enjoy it. The first film certainly has problems of its own, but several things keep you from stopping to think about the film's issues, mainly the breakneck pace, the incredibly charismatic cast, Michael Giacchino's fantastic score and, yes, even Abrams' direction. In fact, it's most of those same things that help keep Star Trek In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida afloat. But the cracks in the hull are far more apparent this time around, and the whole thing could have easily been a disaster. After the jump I review the downsides and then move past them to highlight the upsides.
20 Things We Learned from the 'Star Trek' Commentary
Commentary Commentary By Kevin Carr on May 16, 2013 | Comments (2)The reboot of Star Trek in 2009 was a risky move for Paramount. However, it paid off, reinvigorating the franchise that had died with the poorly performing film Star Trek: Nemesis in 2002. J.J. Abrams' Star Trek became one of the biggest hits of that summer and introduced a whole new generation to the classic franchise. Abrams was not a Star Trek fan before working on the film (and arguably even less of one after making the movie), but that didn't stop him and his production team from making a solid science fiction update. Throughout the commentary with his writers and producers, recorded only a month after Star Trek came out in 2009, it's clear that the Star Wars films had a greater impact on the production team's childhood. Maybe the search for a Luke Skywalker in the character of James T. Kirk was what made the film work so well.
Review: 'Star Trek Into Darkness' Fumbles Blindly Through Space and Time
Movie Reviews By Rob Hunter on May 16, 2013 | Comments (14)2009's big screen Star Trek reboot was a success on just about all fronts thanks to director J.J. Abrams and friends' delivery of an exciting and entertaining adventure that managed to overcome large script flaws with personality, fun and a real sense of energy. It was a hit with audiences and critics alike and left many people genuinely interested in a follow-up. Four years later and Star Trek Into Darkness is finally here, but instead of taking that time to strengthen the area of their first film's biggest weakness (the script) they've actually made things worse. Fresh faces, dazzling lens flares and witty one-liners were enough to distract before, but this time the script's egregious efforts to pillage the past for story ideas and even lift whole scenes has resulted in a hollow shell of a film that thinks ticking recognizable boxes is a valid substitute for earned emotion and engaging narrative. After a brief pre-title card scene on a primitive alien planet where the Prime Directive is seemingly redefined, Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and his pointy-eared second in command Spock (Zachary Quinto) are called before Admiral Pike for punishment. Kirk is demoted, but when a terrorist attack in London leads to a deadly assault on Starfleet headquarters he's quickly de-demoted and sent after the suspect, John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch). Himself a member of Starfleet, Harrison has gone rogue for reasons unknown, but when the Enterprise follows him to a Klingon planet the truth is revealed and endangers everyone aboard.
Casting Couch: Scarlett Johansson Will Help Around the Kitchen For 'Chef,' Chris Pine and Jake Gyllenhaal Are Thinking About Singing Together, and More
Casting Couch By Nathan Adams on May 15, 2013 | Be the First To CommentWhat is Casting Couch? It's the same casting news roundup that it's always been, but today Cannes started up, so it's got a little extra juice. Christoph Waltz, Bradley Cooper, Michelle Williams, Joel Edgerton: they're all in here. Seeing as Jon Favreau made more money than science knew existed with his two installments of the Iron Man franchise, he's basically the kind of director who now has the power to do anything he wants in the film industry. So it was kind of refreshing to hear that what he wanted to do was make a simple indie movie called Chef about a chef who falls on hard times and tries to make his comeback by opening a food truck. But now Variety has reported that he's gone and hired Scarlett Johansson to play his love interest in the movie, and suddenly his motivations don't appear to be all that down to Earth. Johansson is an underrated actress and will probably be fine in the film, but—come on! Try to not let all of that power go to your head, Mr. Favreau. We're watching.
'Star Trek Into Darkness' Character Posters: Who Cares About Khan? Gusty Winds Are the Real Villain
Movie News By Kate Erbland on April 15, 2013 | Be the First To CommentTurns out, all of that Khan mumbo jumbo has just been some super-clever misdirection on the part of Paramount and J.J. Abrams, as this new series of Star Trek Into Darkness character posters reveals the film's true nemesis – wind! Big, gusty, blowing wind! Somebody, put a goddamn helmet on! We are, of course, kidding (or are we?), but this batch of posters certainly puts wind power front and center, and with the highly anticipated sequel just about a month away from release, there's little else to talk about beyond the silly stuff and our excitement over the new feature. Check out the rest of the new Star Trek Into Darkness character posters, including Benedict Cumberbatch as whoever, Zachary Quinto as Spock, and Zoe Saldana as Uhura.
New 'Star Trek Into Darkness' Photos: Lots of Concerned Looks, Lots of Flashing Lights
Movie News By Kate Erbland on February 7, 2013 | Comments (1)Oh, man, things are looking rough on the Starship Enterprise. At this point, we may not know exactly who Benedict Cumberbatch is going to be playing in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek Into Darkness, but we do know that he's a formidable villain who is going to toss some of our most beloved characters into a universe-threatening tailspin. Of course, this is an Abrams film, so that means lens flares and sparkling lights and a galaxy-sized serving of concernface. Or, at least, that's what we've gotten so far and that's what some brand new pictures, over at EW, are showing us. These exclusive new shots aren't exactly anything new – Cumberbatch is the lone composed wolf, even Zoe Saldana's Lt. Uhura is looking mighty put out, lens flare – it's still nice to see the old crew back together and ready to battle a common (maybe?) enemy. The outlet also reports just a touch more about Cumberbatch's character, in saying that the feature focuses on "the headstrong Kirk [who] violates Starfleet orders and jeopardizes his command in order to take the Enterprise on the trail of a terrorist who launches spirit-crushing attacks on London and San Francisco. Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch plays the bad guy in question, a man called John Harrison who's described by co-writer Alex Kurtzman as a "member of Starfleet who turns on Starfleet."" Spirit-crushing, eh? Check out five new, sparkly, concern-laden pictures from Star Trek Into Darkness after the break.
Second 'Star Trek Into Darkness' Teaser Trailer Has Greatness In It But No Humility
Movie News By Scott Beggs on December 17, 2012 | Comments (2)While the announcement trailer (which is something studios are doing now) was decidedly dark, there's a shining kind of hope in this new look at Star Trek Into Darkness (via iTunes) even as the Tom Waits Lite voice of Benedict Cumberbatch issues threats and Bruce Greenwood tells Chris Pine's Captain Kirk that his arrogance is going to be his (and everyone around him's) downfall. Maybe it's because we're given glimpses of those people, crew members that we've already come to know and care about from the first movie. Or maybe there's cause for celebration with the scope of this film. Or maybe it's just because it isn't as dark as it could have been.
'Star Trek Into Darkness' Prologue Reactions: A Sigh of Relief and Continued Mystery
Movie News By Scott Beggs on December 10, 2012 | Be the First To CommentJ.J. Abrams and friends are going to introduce Star Trek Into Darkness to the world in a big way when they show a 9-minute prologue to audiences salivating to see The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. This is par for the course for giant films, and so is showing off the work to movie website runners before everyone else. While we caught early footage of the first Abrams Trek and were lucky enough to sit next to Leonard Nimoy for the surprise Drafthouse premiere, we didn't go early into the Darkness. Fortunately, we have eyeballs and internet browsers, so we collected a lot of the first responses. Granted, these come with a shovel-full of salt (just like insane trailer/poster speculation), but the overall message from pundits and fans? All is well. Calm down. Into Darkness is set up for greatness. Gird your loins for a few minor, opening scene details but not for who Benedict Cumberbatch is playing.
'Star Trek Into Darkness' Teaser Trailer: Benedict Cumberbatch is Pissed
Movie News By Jack Giroux on December 6, 2012 | Comments (3)There has been plenty of speculation over whether Khan (Khan!!!!) will appear as Star Trek 2's villain. This trailer — which is packed with tons of footage for a teaser — almost feels like a confirmation that Khan is indeed the antagonist of Star Trek Into Darkness. While no character outright says his name, there is a specific shot and line which implies they Abrams and his team were heavily inspired by Wrath of Khan. Or, knowing Abrams, that's just a game of misdirection Paramount is playing… Take a look at the domestic trailer for yourself and decide, courtesy of Apple:
Peter Ramsey, 'Rise of the Guardians' Director, Takes Russian Santa Very Seriously
Features By Jack Giroux on November 19, 2012 | Be the First To CommentRise of The Guardians is a step forward for Dreamworks Animation in the way How to Train Your Dragon was. Both films tossed away the company's signature pop culture references, gag-driven narratives, and all their other much-criticized characteristics. Guardians and Dragon have both created their own universes, and in an unexpected way. Rise of the Guardians director Peter Ramsey – who did storyboards for a few of our favorite movies – takes the world, the stakes, and all the famed holiday characters seriously. There is no place for self-referential jokes in this universe, which is what surprised Ramsey the most. We spoke to the director himself a few weeks ago, who discussed how story boarding is the best film school around, how he took a live-action approach to the film, and the joy world-building:
First Look: Chris Pine Makes Jack Ryan Look Like Captain Kirk
First Look By Scott Beggs on August 31, 2012 | Comments (1)The good folks at Paramount dropped this image in our inbox (which you can click to enlarge), and since it's a little late in the year for National Ride Your Motorcycle to Work Day , it must be in support of the forthcoming Jack Ryan movie where Chris Pine takes the Tom Clancy mantle from so many who came before him. The film – also starring Keira Knightley, Kevin Costner and Kenneth Branagh – isn't out until Christmas of 2013, but Branagh (who also plays the director) is already filming the story of Russian billionaires, international intrigue and terror plots. Of course, it's impossible to get a good idea of the movie itself from a single picture, and it's not like this is a period drama or superhero flick with costumes to show off, but it's still a great reminder that the character will be back on the big screen next year. The promise of an exciting motorcycle chase isn't half bad either.
Keira Knightley Is the New Anne Archer to Chris Pine's Harrison Ford
Casting Couch By Kate Erbland on August 10, 2012 | Comments (4)Despite some apparently rigorous auditioning, there has not been a tremendous flurry over which leading lady would be cast as Dr. Caroline "Cathy" Muller Ryan in Kenneth Branagh's Chris Pine-starring Jack Ryan. Perhaps the years we've spent waiting for the film have burned us out, or maybe everyone is just sick of "shortlists," but word is now out on the final choice for the role, and it's an interesting one. THR reports that Keira Knightley is in negotiations for the role of Mrs. Ryan for the film, which will serve as a prequel of sorts to Tom Clancy's book series about his popular CIA analyst character. The film will reportedly center "on ex-Marine and Moscow-based financial analyst Jack Ryan (Pine), who uncovers a plot by his employer to finance a terrorist attack designed to collapse the U.S. economy. Ryan must race against time to save America and his wife (Knightley)." The role of Cathy Ryan has been most notably played before by Anne Archer in Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger, and she has also been portrayed by Bridget Moynahan in The Sum of All Fears and Gates McFadden (hey, Dr. Crusher!) in The Hunt for Red October.
Neil Miller
Scott Beggs
Rob Hunter
Kate Erbland
Christopher Campbell


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The Swiss watch brand CIMIER emphasizes its slogan "Fascinating Times" with brand ambassadors who have become legends in their own time - known for their achievements and truly fascinating moments in sports history.
Interesting discussions about diverse sports as well as CIMIER's special models dedicated to and co-developed by Tanja Frieden, snowboarding gold medalists at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and soccer star Jörg Stiel unfolded in the course of the evening.
Tanja Frieden's sportive chronograph is adorned with 12 black zircons and snow crystals representing her discipline on band and dial.
Jörg Stiel's choice is a hand-winded model, completely in black and crowned with yellow hands and a yellow python leather band. Both series are limited to 200 pieces.
Win With Watches president Bob Siragusa with Olympic
Snowboarding gold medalist Tanja Frieden at CIMIER's Sports Legends Cocktail Reception.
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I was at the range last Sunday, and for the first time my Glock FTF. My first instinct was to tap, and rack. Just what you would do in a real world gun fight. But as I learned in my basic pistol courses you keep the weapon pointed down range, and wait. My mind was flashing on the worst case scenario. After a tap, and rack the round exploding out side of the chamber, not good for me or the guy next to me. So I waited, and no bang. As a side note, I examined the round the primer had a light strike on it. I put it in the next mag, and it did go bang.
You fight as you train, and a FTF in the middle of a gun fight could cause you to loose, depending on lots of factors. One of them could be, your fallowing the wait rule or tap, and rack.
If you are well trained I suppose you would find cover, and by that time a tap, and rack would be safe.


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… in which a stream of consciousness reveals all.
Author Archives: Steven Rosenberg
Gerald Ford: truly a uniter, not a divider
If you go around saying you're "a uniter, not a divider," chances are you're a divider, not a uniter.
Not so for the late President Gerald Ford.
In much of the coverage of Ford's death, colleagues from both sides of the aisle talk about his role as national healer following Watergate and the fact that he was well-liked by both Democrats and Republicans during his long career in the House. When he said he wanted America to win, he meant it.
I love this Ford quote (getting the wording as close as I can remember it):
"They say hard work brings good luck. I worked like hell."
My other favorite quote from our 38th president, from the time when he assumed the vice-presidency (after Spiro Agnew resigned due to allegations of tax evasion):
"I'm a Ford, not a Lincoln."
And this quote from when Ford took the Oath of Office following Richard Nixon's resignation:
"I am indebted to no man and only to one woman, my dear wife."
One of the commentators said that the early '70s was a different political time and that Gerald Ford helped set the conciliary tone back then. In a political system such as ours, you can't win a bare margin of the vote, barely 50 percent (or in President George W. Bush's case, not even that much) and then ignore, thumb your nose, demean or otherwise marginalize the remaining half of the country.
Even Sen. Ted Kennedy was effusive in his praise of President Ford. Kennedy recalled that his brother, JFK, and Ford were fast friends when both were in Congress (JFK in the Senate) due to Ford's football glory at the University of Michigan. And while, at the time of Ford's pardon of President Nixon, the current Sen. Kennedy didn't agree with the decision, over the years he came to see the wisdom in Ford's move, going so far as to have a hand in honoring the Republican with a Profiles in Courage award. (Thanks, NPR, for all this info.)
As a football player, Ford more than anybody probably knew that winning elections is sometimes all about how the ball bounces. Without pardoning Nixon, he might've sailed to re-election in 1976, just as Jimmy Carter would've been re-elected in 1980, had the American hostages in Iran been released or freed before Election Day. And would we have seen a second George W. Bush term without the War on Terror (or an opponent as out of his element as John Kerry)?
I haven't heard a lot of talk about the early '70s marking the end of the Vietnam War and of the military draft. There was more to the era than Nixon and Watergate, and if there ever was a need for a true "uniter, not a divider," that was such a time.
The same is true today. Look at all these factors: the so-called (and by so-called, I mean 10 percent real, 90 percent propagandized bullshit) War on Terror, capital W, capital T, nation-building without end in Iraq, an Israeli-Palestinian conflict almost wholly neglected, growing gap between rich and poor (with erosion of the middle class), worsening health-care (meaning insurance) crisis, wholly ignored global warming catastrophe, increasing dependence on fossil fuels, denial of equal rights to gays and lesbians, a culture of corporate greed extending past malfeasance, and so on.
I'm not saying that a president only from one party or another will be able to begin national healing and take the country in the right direction both here and abroad. I'll take a man or woman from either (or God forbid, a third) party who will inspire and, yes, unite, not divide.
All I'm saying is that there are a whole lot more similiarities between now and the time during which Ford took office (excepting that Nixon — with Henry Kissinger's help — was a foreign-policy genius … and Bush is, well, Bush).
We need a real uniter, not a divider.
NBC to White House: It looks like a civil war, quacks like a civil war
NBC News makes its move, referring on air to the war in Iraq as a "civil war," despite administration protestations that it is not:
Matt Lauer said on the "Today" show that "after careful consideration, NBC News has decided that a change in terminology is warranted, that the situation is Iraq with armed militarized factions fighting for their own political agendas can now be characterized as civil war."
The network's cable news outlet, MSNBC, drummed the point home repeatedly by using the phrase "Iraq: The Civil War" on the screen.
There are different criteria for defining a civil war. Webster's New World College Dictionary defines it simply as "war between geographical sections or political factions of the same nation." Some political scientists use a threshold of 1,000 dead, which the current conflict has long since passed.
The administration's comment:
"You have not yet had a situation also where you have two clearly defined and opposing groups vying not only for power, but for territory," White House press secretary Tony Snow said. "What you do have is sectarian violence that seems to be less aimed at gaining full control over an area than expressing differences, and also trying to destabilize a democracy which is different than a civil war, where two sides are clashing for territory and supremacy."
Also on board with the "civil war" talk: The Los Angeles Times, which has been calling it that since October.
Not on board: The AP, which has "discussed" the issue but hasn't reached "a definitive stance."
ABC, CBS and CNN have not made the leap, either. But CNN's Michael Ware says, "If this isn't a civil war, I don't know what is."
War — what is it good for?
New statistic today from the UN: There were 3,709 civilian deaths in Iraq in October alone — that's 120 a day. It's up from 3,345 deaths in September. And 100,000 Iraqis a month are fleeing the country (wouldn't you?). It's the equivalent of 1 million Americans leaving this country.
Add to that the 2,869 U.S. deaths in Iraq, along with 46,137 wounded, otherwise injured or medically evacuated (updated figures from the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count Web site), and it's pretty obvious that invading, occupying and trying to police Iraq was a very, very bad idea.
With hindsight, and all, anybody who says it wasn't a mistake to invade Iraq should have their head examined.
Invading foreign countries is freakin' messy, and it looks like we've turned a nation with one despotic nutcase (by that I mean Saddam) into a terrorist/insurgent free-for-all that won't stop until we get the f*** out of there. Seriously, you could have been "for" the war at the outset (though I question your judgment even for that), but "staying the course" at this point is sheer death-inducing folly. It's definitely time to talk "exit strategy."
A "democratic" Iraq? With every faction voting for their own (Sunnis for Sunnis, Shia for Shia, Kurds for Kurds), the timing and conditions on the ground just aren't right. I pity the "conservatives" who feel they have to support President Bush's decidedly non-conservative policy.
Pre-emptive war? The Rumsfeld doctrine? Both are probably history for at least the next 30 years. And a good thing, too. Defenders of the faith say it's not Vietnam all over again. But it is. Minus the draft.
Do I support the troops? I do. I support getting them the hell out of there.
Election coverage — it's a guy thing, for the most part
Or so says the Alessandra Stanley in the New York Times, found via Romenesko:
It could be that men still dominate because election night is like the N.F.L.: its always two guys in the booth doing the play-by-play, while women cover the sidelines. Maybe its the women who avoid signing on to a lifetime of covering politics; the campaign trail is fattening and requires far too much math.
More likely, the election night throwback to the days of Brylcreem and cigarette smoke comes from a confluence of overconfidence and insecurity.
And there's lots of Katie Couric analysis:
Since taking over the anchor chair in September, Ms. Couric has tried to insert some of her morning-show informality to the evening news, and that was in evidence even on election night. As she had said she would on her chatty blog on CBSNews.com, Ms. Couric worked some obscure trivia into her election-night conversation with Mr. Schieffer, including the fact that Jon Tester, the Democratic Senate candidate from Montana, lost three fingers in a childhood meat-grinding accident. She also wove in a word that is naughty by network standards: when discussing the Virginia Senate race, she cited the Democratic challenger Jim Webbs infamous description of the United States Naval Academy as a horny womans dream.?
Janis Barquist loses judge race
I finally remembered to check on the election for Superior Court Judge, Seat No. 144, since I heard candidate Janis Barquist speak at the Van Nuys Neighborhood Council meeting.
She lost. David W. Stuart won with 645,962 votes, or 58.88 percent, to Barquist's 451,201 (41.12 percent).
Still, it was nice to hear from a living, breathing judicial candidate. And as they say, better luck next time.
Janis, you seemed to have it pretty together — lots of endorsements, getting yourself out there. It's got to be hard to do this countywide. I don't know how anybody can figure out what to do as far as campaigning goes over such a large area. Even a mailing would be too expensive. The Web site was a big help, but how do you get the name recognition needed to win? Hell if I know.
I suppose money is what really helps — getting yourself on "slate mailers" and doing advertising, in addition to speaking to community groups and distributing flyers. Oy, what a job.
What the Dems intend to do
Here's an early snapshot of the Democratic agenda in Congress.
As I wrote previously, all President Bush needs to do is get on board and he can Schwarzenegger it, potentially saving his legacy, and actually walking the "I'm a uniter not a divider" walk.
U.S. to GOP: It's not you … it's me … OK, it's you
(also posted in the Daily News' Politics blog)
First you've got Iraq going into the shitter, then your members are either resigning and going to jail — or just resigning and not going to jail — over ethical violations, and then you've got a guy getting cozy with Congressional pages — and then in the days before the election, one of the conservative movement's most visible preachers turns out to have a thing for meth and men. It's enough to sour your base, not to mention send swing voters in the other direction.
Did I mention Iraq?
So it's no secret why the Democrats were able to take the House and very likely the Senate.
And the irony? As a conservative ex-Democrat, Sen. Joe Liberman — thrown under the bus by his own party — gets to have a pivotal, king-making swing vote in the upper house.
Then Donald Rumsfeld steps down as secretary of defense. There's your fall guy.
Sure, the GOP contention that the Democrats have no plan to govern is true. But voters didn't care so much about what the Democrats would do as they do about what the Republicans are doing.
It's going be an interesting two-year run-up to the 2008 elections, with Bush turning into Mr. Veto … and a whole lot of investigations into Republican doings over the past few years.
Clearly the GOP will have to rethink it's base-based strategy and appeal once again to the center. And Democrats will have to tread carefully and take care of that same center, or risk squandering what they've gained. That means things like "prescription drug reform," but not "national health insurance." Not yet, anyway.
And in another bit of irony, this Congress will likely give President Bush an immigration bill — one with border security, a guest-worker program and probably some form of amnesty — that he'll be willing to sign.
Bottom line: George W. needs to call up Gov. Arnold and ask for tips on how to really work across the aisle for a change.
How Come on Feel the Nuys voted
From the bowels of Come on Feel the Nuys:
In case you're waiting until … now … to vote … or if you just want to see how my ballot-casting mind works … here's how I voted this morning:
Afternoon update: Before you get to how this political spit-up began, I forgot to mention Angelides vs. Schwarzengger for governor. This bad boy is statewide, but Angelides inspires nothing within me as a voter. I think all the Democrats in Sacramento are plenty happy with Arnold and his willingness to work across the aisle since his special-election setback. The Dems in Sacramento (and statewide) seem to be pretty much accepting that it's four more years of The Big A, and then an open field for Antonio Villaraigosa (we'll call him Little A) and whoever plans to run against him for the Democratic nomination.
Phil Angelides never had a chance. So if I'm going to cast a vote in the wilderness, it's going to the Green Party's Peter Camejo. And while on the subject, it's a good thing Antonio isn't running for governor this time around, because he's got lots of talk, not so much walk, at this stage in the L.A. mayoral game. We'll see what happens in the next four years. But Angelides? They've got to be kidding. I feel for the guy. Didn't he see "Pumping Iron"? The Dems needed Warren Beatty. Didn't get him.
And now back to the beginning:
Since my work has more to do with "Borat" and less with ballot measures, I pretty much looked over the people and propositions involved in today's elections for about 10 minutes before trotting over to the polling place, still in the same inconvenient apartment building rec room as last time — not in the ultra-convenient and parking-rich neighbor's house down the street where we used to vote. This time, the new polling place housed not one but TWO voting precincts. It was a bit of a circus, having to be pre-checked and routed to one table or the other.
One cool thing about this year's election: After voting, our "Inka-Vote" ballots were fed through some kind of electronic scanning machine to "verify" them. I hope they were counted right then and there, because that will certainly speed things up when the returns start being tabulated tonight.
Back to my ballot. Now I don't watch all that many commercials. I fast-forward right through them (on a VCR, not TiVo, because I'm old school). But I do watch the news, and I actually read this very newspaper, not to mention others. I read a whole lot of blogs. I got so much campaign mail this election season that I threw out most of it unread … because it's unreadable propagandist crap. Sorry, candidates and committees, you wasted your money, .
First of all, I should mention that some journalists think those in the profession (not the world's oldest, but not generally held in any higher regard) shouldn't vote at all. While I see their point, I do vote, but I have been registered as "nonpartisan" for as long as I can remember. That's more because I find being considered a member of one of the two major political parties a potential conflict of interest on the one hand, and extremely distasteful on the other.
My voting strategy for candidates: None of the races on our ballot are close. I have a soft spot for Democrat Jerry Brown, the man with an entourage of one, and was happy to vote for him for state attorney general. He's an iconoclast, and that I admire.
Lloyd Levine (State Assembly) and Brad Sherman (U.S. House) are not iconoclasts. They also have their jobs for as long as term limits (in Levine's case) or sheer longevity (for term-limit-free Sherman) allow. There's not even any non-major-party opposition, so these two knuckleheads did get my vote. Reluctantly.
That whole flap with Levine's father, the guy behind one of those "Democratic" voter guides, taking money from tobacco and oil interests to urge a "no" vote on props 86 and 87 (I can't find the Web link for where I heard about this) leaves a bad taste … and I did pause, but still Inka'd for Lloyd, although I didn't feel good about it.
For the other races, since they aren't anywhere near close, and the candidates on both sides haven't said anything that has me cheering for them, I pretty much cast my vote for the Green Party candidates. I feel comfortable with the environmental message of the Green Party, and were things not pre-rigged to elect Democrats, my vote for candidates from that party might actually mean something. But as things stand, it really does not. (So if I leaned Republican, which I don't, I guess I'd vote for the Libertarian Party.)
None of the Democrats on the ballot (from Sen. Dianne Feinstein down to controller candidate John Chiang) either needs my vote to win, or made much of any attempt to secure it. So they didn't get it. Especially when it comes to Feinstein, how can you get excited about her work in the Senate? Maybe if the Democrats get the majority, we'll hear from her, but either she's done next to nothing in her many years in the U.S. Senate or is very quiet about it. She's no Ted Kennedy, or even Joe Biden … i.e. someone who I'd actually recognize were I not from California.
The machine politics of the major parties just chug along, and safe seats breed apathetic voters.
I'm not a big fan of ballot propositions. They're almost always poorly written, and the case for their success is often poorly stated. Why vote for an imperfect measure? Why keep on taxing myself? I don't know. But I do know that ballot measures that are bond issues and which don't regressively hit property owners exclusively, are more palatable to me. If the money to pay off the bonds comes from the general fund, I'm happier about it.
So 1A — keeping gas taxes for transportation — sounded good. Doesn't cost anything.
1B, highway bonds. Yep, we need it.
1C, Housing bond. This one was tough. Ditto for L.A.'s Measure H. But I'm in favor of affordable housing for seniors and the homeless, and I had to support both.
1D, school bond. Normally I'd balk. Seems that for construction, the LAUSD has plenty of money. But this is also for state colleges, and they could sure use some upgraded facilities. So yes on that.
But … Proposition 88, the parcel tax for K-12 education? I even have a child who will be in LAUSD eventually. But this is a statewide measure, and I've heard almost nothing about it. LAUSD is in major turmoil, given the Villaraigosa/Brewer transition. And a flat $50 parcel tax? That means I will pay $50. Madonna pays $50. Warren Buffet pays $50. Forget about it. I voted no. Come back with a compelling campaign as to why there's not already enough money in the hopper for education, make the tax progressive (or even make it a sales tax) and I'll reconsider. But $50 for every homeowner, on top of every other special assessment, is just too much.
1E — Flood control. Gotta deal with that levee situation, or we could be in real trouble. Yes.
83, "Jessica's Law." I've been on the Megan's Law database, and it seems like there are thousands of sex offenders living in Van Nuys, hundreds in my neighborhood alone. That's an easy yes on the measure for GPS monitoring and the 2,000-foot-limit on living near a school or park.
84, water quality. Water, it's what L.A. is all about. Yes.
85, the abortion waiting period and parental notification for minors. Big no. Even though I'd want to be involved, were I in such a situation, but it's still the pregnant woman — minor or otherwise — who should have ultimate control. I imagine that most girls in this situation would involve their parents, but I don't think the law needs to mandate it. If a girl wants an abortion, and the parents are opposed, I still think it should be her choice — and her choice whether to involve them.
86, cigarette tax. I don't smoke, and I am uncomfortable legislating morality, but hospitals could really use the money. I realize it's kind of hypocritical to talk about "regressive" taxes and then be whacking smokers in the knees, but the effects of smoking on society — those people get sick and die quicker — are too much to ignore. Sorry, smokers.
87, oil-production tax. Did I mention my affinity for the Green Party and environmentalism in general? This kind of thing is right up my alley. The recent lowering of gas prices has me plenty suspicious. So I'm enjoying the low gas prices while they last, but California needs to be a leader on this issue.
89, public campaign financing. Honestly, if the League of Women voters is for it, and the California Republican Party and the California Federation of Teachers are against it, it's gotta be good. Public financing could really level the playing field in California politics. A "yes" vote.
90, to restrict government's use of eminent domain. I voted no only because I just couldn't make up my mind. I had that proposition glaze that one gets when there are over 10 of these on the ballot. It's an issue I'm willing to revisit in the future.
Getting back to the nameless and faceless, I made a major change in my voting habits this election and voted for Superior Court judge.
Why? I actually saw a judicial candidate in the flesh: Janice Barquist, running for Superior Court Judge Seat No. 144, who made an appearance and spoke at the recent Van Nuys Neighborhood Council meeting.
Many in attendance were surprised that a judicial candidate actually did some campaigning, and they were ready to vote for her right then and there because she was suddenly more than an anonymous name on the ballot. And she has a lot of experience, the latest being more than seven years as a deputy city attorney.
Well, I had to fall in with all the "stakeholders" of Van Nuys and cast my first judicial vote in a very long time for Ms. Barquist (I usually skip the judicial offices because I have no basis on which to cast my vote).
So can anybody be a judge? Do you even need to be a lawyer? Seems that you can do a little campaigning and win, even if you haven't the slightest idea of how to be a judge. All I know is that anonymous people running in actual elections is not what democracy is all about. Kudos to Ms. Barquist for putting herself out there.


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WILKES-BARRE – Wilkes-Barre Health Director Ted Kross said about 150 people showed up Friday at a flu clinic at the Kirby Health Center to get shots. They all had pre-arranged appointments. Kross said at least 10 people he talked to said they were getting the flu shot for the first time in their lives.
People are finally becoming scared enough to get the vaccine, said Kross. I think they are seeing the flu becoming so prominent in the community that they are deciding to get the vaccine.
Getting the vaccine, he said, is not a guarantee against contracting the flu.
The vaccine is about 50 to 70 percent effective, said Kross. But it's the best measure to prevent getting the flu.
There is no shortage of the flu vaccine in Pennsylvania, said Kait Gillis, spokeswoman for the state Department of Health. We urge people to attend the clinics or contact their health care providers to get the vaccine, she said.
Commonwealth Health, a network of health care facilities including Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, said its facilities are experiencing a spike in emergency room visits among people experiencing flu-like symptoms.
A statement issued by Commonwealth Health reads: People at high risk for developing serious complications include children younger than 5, adults over 65, pregnant women, and individuals with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease who may have worsening of their condition if they get sick from influenza.
In light of the influx of patients at its facilities, Commonwealth Health asked that visitors to its hospitals adhere to these guidelines:
• All visitors should be 15 years old or older, and visitation is limited to those situations of a critical nature.
• Visitors with a fever and cough, sore throat or other respiratory symptoms should not visit patients until their symptoms clear.
• Visitors should use tissues when coughing or sneezing and dispose of them promptly.
• Visitors should wash hands often and use alcohol-based hand rub.
Earlier this year the state reported that influenza cases have been documented in all Pennsylvania counties, with a number of nursing homes experiencing outbreaks.
Health officials have noted that this is the earliest that such high a high number of cases have been reported. They expect the peak to come in a few weeks.
Wilkes-Barre City Health Department will hold a free walk-in clinic for flu vaccines from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday; limited vaccines available.
The st
ate Department of Health will hold two flu clinics – Tuesday and Thursday – at the state health center, 655 Carey Ave., Wilkes-Barre. To make an appointment, call 826-2071.
Hazleton General Home Care: The division of Hazleton General Hospital is offering vaccinations for $29; however, the shot might be covered by your health insurance. To make an appointment, call 501-4949.
More information: Visit state health website at www.flufreepa.


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Question of the Week: In your opinion, what's the most overrated beauty product of all time?
Answer – I don't understand fragrances based on pop stars. Most of them aren't cruelty free anyway. But who cares if my perfume has a picture of Justin Bieber on it? Maybe I'm the wrong demographic for that – LOL!
My Beauty Bunny readers – What beauty product(s) do you think are overrated?
Please Note: Not all Lipstick League posts are cruelty free.
Phyrra – shares her favorite DIY beauty for eyes, lips and hair.
we heart this – wants to introduce you to a drugstore lip stain that is glossy, pigmented and all kinds of PERFECT.
Clumps of Mascara – has finally tried the brand Yes to Carrots. Not sure what took so long but now I'm in love and can't stop bragging about their awesomeness !
EauMG – finally found a celebrity perfume to enjoy! Dita Von Teese EDP is a sultry floral over smoldering incense. And the packaging is fit for any glamour gal!
Gouldylox Reviews – What is the best DIY beauty hack? The Makeup Wars team compares their favorites. Which one is yours?
My Beauty Bunny – We're so excited to announce the My Beauty Bunny Exfoliating Moisturizer is now on the virtual shelves! The cruelty-free lotion gently exfoliates and helps minimize fine lines, and works with all skin types.
Nouveau Cheap – What if I told you that there was a new drugstore liquid liner that could change your life? OK, maybe not your life, but it just might change your outlook on liquid liners (in a good way).
Prime Beauty – dreams of being a ballerina but for now she'll settle for looking like one with the Lancôme French Ballerine Spring 2014 Collection!
Guest Post of the Week, as chosen by Phyrra – I adore Honey from Honeygirl's World. She covers beauty, fashion and lifestyle. I really like her tutorials and her recent Honey Bella Rosa tutorial combines gold and purple, two of my favorite shades.
My Beauty Bunny does not accept compensation for any product reviews; Press samples have been provided for this purpose. Opinions are the author's own. Article may contain affiliate links.


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Birnbaum, C. 2011. "Modern Mothering." National Geographic, January 2011: 24.
Kunzig, R. 2011. "Population 7 Billion: How Your World Will Change." National Geographic, January 2011: 33 -69
Markham, Vicky. 2011. "By The Numbers: Population, Consumption, and Reproductive Health." RH Reality Check. http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2011/08/16/numbers-population-consumption-reproductive-health; Accessed 18 August 2011.
National Geographic. 2011. "Video: 7 Billion." National Geographic. http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/specials/sitewide-redesign/ngm-7billion.html; Accessed 18 August 2011.
Population Action International. 2011. "7 Billion and Counting: What Population Growth Means for People and the Planet." PAI. http://www.populationaction.org/Publications/Policy_and_Issue_Brief /7_Billion_and_Counting/7bn2011.pdf; Accessed 18 August 2011.
Population Action International. ND. "Why Family Planning and Reproductive Health are Critical to the Well-Being of Youth." PAI. http://www.populationaction.org/Publications/Policy_and_Issue_Brief/FP_RH_Are_Critical_to_Youth/youth_2009.pdf; Accessed 22 August 2011.
Population Action International and Population Justice Project. 2011. "Population and the Environment: Where We're Headed and What We Can Do." PAI. http://www.populationaction.org/Publications/ Advocacy_Guide/Population_and_Environment_Where_Were_Headed_and_What_We_Can_Do/popenvguide.pdf; Accessed 18 August 2011.
Taylor, Ian. 2010. "Population Overload." BBC Focus Magazine. http://sciencefocus.com/feature/environment/population-overload; Accessed 18 August 2011.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). ND. "Family Planning and the Environment: Stabilizing Population Would Help Sustain the Planet." UNFPA. http://www.unfpa.org/rh/planning/mediakit/docs/new_docs/sheet3-english.pdf; Accessed 18 August 2011.


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When he was 26, though, Richard got a woman pregnant -- and he wasn't in love with her. The woman tried to hide the pregnancy as punishment, he says, and after the child was born, she kept Richard away from his daughter.
In 1975, Richard moved to Colorado, a place he'd fallen in love with on a trip when he was eighteen. His first job was at a Beau Jo's Pizza, and then he sold cars while going to real-estate school. The real-estate business kept him interested for almost eight years, and then he moved on to network marketing. Through his assorted careers, he continued to race and sell radio-controlled boats.
In 1995, Richard started playing professional poker. He made money, but not millions. Still, he liked the odds of poker better than the odds of American marriage. He saw that marriage had a 50 percent chance of failure, and with men losing half of everything they earned to divorce, the stakes were way too high. Richard vowed to stay single forever.
Then Seow walked into the Black Hawk casino where he was playing in September 1999.
Seow is of Chinese descent but was born in Malaysia. She was almost 25 when her 59-year-old American boyfriend was laid off by a computer company. She moved with him to his ranch in Montana in 1996. He was married, but afraid to divorce his wife because he could lose everything.
When Seow's boyfriend died, his brother agreed to put her up in his Nederland home, and she scored a job at a Chinese restaurant in Boulder.
A cook and a waiter there were both addicted to Texas Hold 'Em. They bought a tip book but couldn't read English, so they had Seow translate. Then they took her to a casino.
Seow decided to play. When she sat down at the poker table, several of the players, a couple of the dealers and the pit boss were all watching her. "But for whatever reason, she liked me," Richard remembers.
He asked Seow if she'd like to go on a motorcycle ride.
"Is it a big one?" she asked.
"Yeah," Richard said. "It's bigger than a Harley."
"I thought Harleys were the biggest motorcycle in the world," Seow countered.
"No, this one's bigger," Richard assured her.
Soon after, Richard picked Seow up at the restaurant during her lunch break, and the two drove up the canyon to the Pioneer Inn, where Seow had a beer and he had a Coke. Richard couldn't believe how Seow saw American women in the same light as he did -- overvalued -- while the men were undervalued.
Cruising down from Nederland, Richard realized that he wanted to be exclusive with Seow. She proposed marriage to him a few months later, and they were wed on January 6, 2000, in Las Vegas.
Richard got back into the car business, buying and selling wholesale with Seow's assistance. More than a decade before, he'd gotten to know his daughter back in Indiana, and he didn't plan to have another child now. Seow was taking birth-control pills that a friend at the Chinese restaurant had given her when she was trying to get pregnant. Instead, it was Seow who gave birth, to a girl named Venus.
Richard and Seow decided to take a family trip to Malaysia. Seeing how happy they were, two of Richard's friends asked if Richard could help them find wives as loyal, loving, serving and caring. Unfortunately, no one in Malaysia struck either Seow or Richard as good wife material.
On the way back home, Richard decided to check out some beach property in Thailand as a retirement possibility. But in the airport alone, he saw a half-dozen women who might work out for his friends.
Women in Thailand know all about sex tours, and they fear sex trafficking; as a bald, middle-aged white man, Richard might as well have had "sex tourist" tattooed on his forehead. But mixed baby Venus worked like a magnet with Thai women, many of whom asked Richard and Seow to find them a Western husband. Thai men were butterflies, they said.
Richard started thinking about all of the American men he knew who'd been destroyed by divorce, and he started Thailand Romance Tours in July 2003. "It's a mutual rescue mission," he says.
The first four tours consisted of men from Colorado and Wyoming, but word of mouth and the Internet soon helped recruit clients from across the country, as well as a few civilian employees in Iraq. Seow was skeptical of the business at first, but she's finally starting to feel the magic of matchmaking.
Of the 41 men that Richard and Seow took to Thailand before this twelfth tour, sixteen got married. Although one is now separated from his wife, Richard says he was against that marriage from the start. According to him, nine men are awaiting their bride's arrival in the States. Eleven are not yet engaged but are still talking with women they met on the tour. Some have returned to Thailand to visit their sweethearts.
Just four of the men have given up on the Thai bride idea.


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If you would like more information about our grant, loan, and loan guarantee programs, we encourage you to contact the field office that serves your area. You may download an application package for selected programs below. Please note that all application packages are available only in PDF format. Click here to be redirected to the Adobe Reader download page.
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The thread on "Help on a couple of questions please" has inspired me to post these questions:
(1) What plants (and fungi, etc.) should never be used (or only sparingly used) for food crop compost due to their poisonous, toxic or otherwise unhealthy nature when the food is consumed? (2) What plants (and fungi, etc.) should never be used (or only sparingly used) for any compost due to toxic effects on the plants that you wish to grow with the help of the compost? P.S. Regarding question (2), I have already heard that Walnut, Ailanthus and Norway Maple all have alleopathic properties but I am sure there are other plants of concern or open to debate. |
Follow-Up Postings:
- Posted by joepyeweed 5b IL (My Page) on Mon, Jan 21, 08 at 17:01
Technically, a complete and finished compost has decomposed any ingredients into their base chemical constituents such that, they no longer retain the toxic properties of their previous compounds. That being said, a lot of people use partially finished compost or compost in place... and then one might want to be more prudent about what goes into the pile. I personally won't compost Poison Ivy, because I am very allergic to it. I am not concerned about poison ivy urishol in finished compost, but I am concerned about possibly contacting it, while working with the pile, before it is finished. I don't want the urishol on my tools, on my gloves etc. I have composted walnut leaves, but they were a very small component of many different types of leaves and the compost was finished and aged before it was used. |
For me, it's poison ivy. Besides the fact that I don't want it in the pile, I have no idea how to get it into the pile. It's one of the few times I use Round up. |
Among other things, I was wondering if some plants that are poisonous when ingested directly (like digitalis or milkweed) could still send poisonous or harmful substances via their composted remains into food crops grown with that compost. So far it looks like y'all are saying it's not a major issue. |
- Posted by adirondackgardener z4a Adks. (My Page) on Mon, Jan 21, 08 at 20:23
Milkweed gets composted or chopped & worked directly in to the soil in my garden. (There's always some growing in the garden that I leave for the Monarch butterflies.) Since I get poison ivy just by thinking about it, I wouldn't compost it, much less go near it. I don't know how the heat of the compost would affect the oils which cause the irritation though I think a hot pile would make oils dissipate. The chemical compunds in the plants that are toxic to us when ingested are generall broken down during the composting process. I've read warnings about Eucalyptus and Walnut, but I'd suggest that unless these were the predominant organic material in your compost, the concentrations of any compound harmful to other plants or you would be miniscule. Wayne |
- Posted by billc-2007 zone 9 (My Page) on Mon, Jan 21, 08 at 23:37
I think you are safe to compost any plants. I have used walnut leaves and worse Ollie Ander leaves. Those Oliander lives are very toxic but I found worms eating them when raked in a pile, although they were dried leaves and not green. The only thing that you should not put into your compost plant wise is diseased plants. Like black moldy tamatoes, ufrasion tamatoe plants, any disease should be in the trash can. Rotating your crops help with this. Also the leaves from a peach three with curly leaf, if you pick these off throw them in the trash can. That is what I would do. BIllC |
Like many others about the only plants I will not compost would be Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac. I regularly compost Black Walnut leaves and would compost diseased plant tissue if I had any because I have seen much research that says that is okay and none that shows a plant, growing in good, healthy soil, would get that disease from my compost. |
I don't compost spent tomato plants, not out of any concern for toxicity, but because the chance of the pile heating up enough to kill all the pathogens is remote, leaving the capacity to spread plant disease by applying the finnished compost. |
- Posted by gardengal48 PNW zone 8 (My Page) on Tue, Jan 22, 08 at 8:50
If the composting process is thorough, with high enough temperatures achieved and maintained for a sufficient length of time, no plant material is forbidden, neither those with allelopathic properties or those containing disease pathogens. The process will break everything down into its elemental forms, rendering them harmless. A proper composting process is a great equalizer - the end result will be of uniform quality and substance regardless of the quality and composition of the initial ingredients. That is the entire point of composting. |
If I'm not sure the compost will get hot enough, I avoid bindweed, especially the roots and seeds, but if I know it'll get hot enough, I'll compost anything. |
- Posted by bcomplx z6VA (firstname.lastname@example.com) on Thu, Jan 24, 08 at 20:10
I'm with BP, only my forbidden plant is horseradish. I've seen dock and dandelion roots survive composting, too, but they're easy to pluck or sift out. But I don't trust horseradish not to take over the world. I let the castoff roots rot in a bucket of water until slimy before throwing them into the heap. |
Here is a link that might be useful: my website
- Posted by gardengal5 z5 IL (My Page) on Mon, Jun 9, 08 at 17:32
Is it a good idea to add Norway maple seeds to the compost pile? Or will I have trees sprouting in there just like all over my yard and beds?? I have raked up a trash bag full and am wondering if I can just leave it in a corner of my garden or should I just toss it out? There is some hardwood mulch mixed in. |
There is some research out there that indicates that it is not the heat of a compost pile that is needed for control of weeds and seeds but the length of time they are composted. Same thing with potentialy diseased plant material, the longer it is composted, not the heat of the compost, is what develops the needed immunities to control these disease pathogens. |
- Posted by gatormomx2 9 westvolusiafl (My Page) on Tue, Jun 10, 08 at 7:53
Not sure if I would compost materials that had a systemic insecticide/pesticide applied recently such as some of the Bayer products . The label recommends not using these products on fruit bearing plants . If you were using the compost on anything other than edibles then it should not be an obvious problem . Seems that the time materials spend in a compost would be the most important in mitigating harmful ingredients but again - not sure . |
A whole bag full of Norway maple seeds! Oh Boy! If you have gone to the trouble of bagging them up, I would just let them sit for awhile and bake until the seeds are no longer viable. If plastic bag just punch a few holes in the bag, like with a digging fork and it will turn into mush ready for the compost pile when it was ready. Do as I say and not as I do. I just raked everything up with the excess grass clippings and dumped it into the compost bin with a nice layer of browns over it. I guess I will see how much they like it in there. I guess it is finding out the hard way, which I am good at. Foghorn |
- Posted by joepyeweed 5b IL (My Page) on Tue, Jun 10, 08 at 15:18
I probably wouldn't compost fake or plastic plants... |
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In the 1950s the Mercedes-Benz lineup was vast and diverse with a range that included everything from buses and trucks to the 300SL sports... More
Very good condition car with recent comprehensive full service. Services include: rebuilt engine, new hoses, belts, plugs, tires, new top and much more. This... More
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This 1961 300D Sedan is missing it's engine and transmission but is a good car for complete restoration. For only $7,950.... More


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Dr. Julie L. Carkin, MD
Rheumatology, Seattle Arthritis Clinic
- 10330 Meridian Ave N Ste 250
Seattle, WA 98133 - 1 Office Location
- (206) 368-6123
Dr. Julie L. Carkin graduated from the Boston University School of Medicine in 1987. She works in Seattle, WA and specializes in Rheumatology. Dr. Carkin is affiliated with Northwest Hospital and University Of Washington Medical Center.
Gender: Female
Years in Practice: 28 Years
Languages Spoken: English
Medical School: Boston University School of Medicine
Graduation Date: 1987
Hospital Affiliations: Northwest Hospital, University Of Washington Medical Center
Specialties: Rheumatology


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Wed, Apr 24, 13 at 19:50
The neighbors behind me have a serious, unchecked teasel invasion, and they are now taking over my prairie planting. I burned last fall, and this spring, while most plants are still dormant, I went from plant to plant and blowtorched the seedling basal leaves...a week later, they mock me with their radiant, healthy green leaves. HELP! |
Follow-Up Postings:
- Posted by fatamorgana 5/6 (My Page) on Thu, Apr 25, 13 at 9:12
Teasel has a large and deep roots. I know, I have harvested them for herbal purposes and it is a challenge to dig. You will have to deal with the root rather than just the leaves. The good part, teasel is a biennial. Keep it from going to seed in your area is going to be key to eventually controlling it. FataMorgana |
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Reviewed Quinoa Salad
Jan 1, 2011 in Food Network Community Toolbox on FoodNetwork.com
"Just made this recipe as an alternative to tabouli and it is delicious! Even my husband who does not eat as healthy as I do loved it. I cut back on the mint a bit but followed it otherwise. This recipe will become one of my staples."


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DALLAS – At next month's Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, several companies will debut expanded showrooms at Dallas Market Center.
"Leading up to June markets, showrooms are investing in their business and continued success by adding additional space," said Cindy Morris, COO, Dallas Market Center. "Expansions are a win-win for both attendees and showrooms—more square footage means more products available for buyers."
DEMDACO has expanded to 11,000 square feet in Trade Mart (TM) 1-1418. "We're very excited to expand our Dallas showroom allowing us additional room to show existing lines and present even more new products," said Trish Church Podlasek, director of marketing communications, DEMDACO. "The addition of a bank of windows along the main pathway provides more visibility from the outside creating a greater line of sight directly into the showroom. This expansion gives show-goers a bigger, more inviting view."
Global Views company Studio A has doubled its square footage in its showroom, in World Trade Center (WTC) 6-6078. "We are thrilled to enlarge our Studio A showroom," said Frederick Rayner, COO, Global Views. "A greater presence at Dallas Market Center will allow Studio A to expand with new product introductions and for the showroom to be more vignette oriented. The new space is adjacent to Global Views, offering customers a convenient shopping experience of the sister companies."
Other WTC showrooms that have expanded include: French Laundry Home, now in the textile area on the WTC 6th floor (WTC 6-6272); Texas Tango, an anchor in The Range, in WTC 6-6262; and Reliant Ribbon Corp., which more than doubled its showroom (WTC 3-308).
In addition, gift and stationery manufacturers' rep group daniel *richards has expanded and relocated showroom, now located in the TM 1-1400 and with 5,200 square feet of space.


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Dec 26, 2012 2:47 PM by Associated Press
WEBSTER, N.Y. (AP) - The upstate New York firefighters wounded by a gunman as they responded to a blaze are on the mend and thankful for the outpouring of support.
Joseph Hofstetter and Theodore Scardino said in a statement released by Strong Memorial Hospital that they are "humbled and overwhelmed."
Police say William Spengler Jr. set his house ablaze Monday and then opened fire on responders, killing two. Spengler then killed himself. Seven houses burned down.
Hofstetter was hit in the pelvis and Scardino was hit in the shoulder and knee. Surgeon Nicole Stassen says they're doing well and were being upgraded to satisfactory condition Wednesday.
The firefighters ask that acts of kindness be directed to others, including those who lost homes in the blaze.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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