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Pasta & Pizza
Update: Andris Lagsdin, fan of Modernist Cuisine and steel expert has just launched a Kickstarter for Baking Steel, a low-cost slab of pre-cut steel for baking pizzas and breads in just the way I describe below! I've tested one of his prototype units and it performs like a champ – even with a single Baking Steel (no double-decker) I was able to produce fantastic, wood-fired-oven-like results on my grill! I highly recommend this Kickstarter for anyone looking to make pizza or breads at home.
The guys from Tested.com came to Seattle, so I shared with them one of the projects that's been on my mind lately: making perfect pizzas at home. In a previous post, I discussed my approach to making great pizza dough. But, dough is only one half of the equation. Without a good oven, the best dough in the world still won't produce quality pizza.
Now, let me first say that there are people who devote their entire lives to pizza ovens – to building them, to studying them, and to understanding how they work. I am not one of those people, and, although I still have a blank space in my yard that I one day hope to fill with an actual pizza oven, my goal here was to produce the best pizzas possible using my CharBroil infrared grill as a starting point. But if you want to send me a pizza oven, I'll test the shit out of it.
There are two keys to hacking a grill into an effective pizza oven: getting it really goddamned hot, and holding the heat. Getting a grill hot is not so much of a challenge – add enough charcoal and let it burn for long enough, and you'll have quite an inferno. Add more airflow or additional oxygen, and your fire will burn hotter and faster. But, retaining that high heat when you open the lid or add cold food… well, that requires mass.
Physics Interlude!
Mass, like a pizza stone, or the thick floor of a pizza oven, or in this case, 25-lb steel plates, act like a heat battery, storing up heat energy. I was first turned on to the idea of using steel instead of ceramic brick by Modernist Cuisine, who recommend the technique not only for grills but for household ovens as well. So, why are steel plates better than a pizza stone? A few reasons:
- Steel is much denser than ceramic materials. A typical pizza stone has a a density of 0.0625 lbs. per cubic inch. The steel plates I'm using have a density of 0.329 lbs. per cubic inch – about 5 times as dense. That means that for the same volume of material, I can store much more energy in steel than brick.
- Steel has a much lower specific heat than brick. This means that it takes less energy to heat a steel block than a brick of equal mass. So, the steel will heat up faster in the oven.
- Steel has a much higher thermal conductivity than brick. Thermal conductivity measures how quickly heat moves through a material, or between materials via conduction. This means that the heat can move from the steel plate to the pizza crust faster than it could if I were using a ceramic material.
All of these factors are summed up in one convenient measure, known as thermal diffusivity. And, it turns out that the thermal diffusivity of 304 steel (the grade I'm using) is about ten times greater than the thermal diffusivity of brick. [I don't have precise numbers for the ceramic composition of pizza stones specifically, but it will be similar in magnitude. Some types of steel, like high-carbon steel, have more than 20 times the thermal diffusivity of brick.]
Do ceramic pizza stones produce good-looking, great tasting pizzas? Yes, absolutely. But according to physics, they necessarily do so more slowly than steel. One of my pizza criteria is a crunchy crust that will support its own weight when held from one end. I've found great success in achieving this texture with a steel cooking surface. The other advantage to steel, of course, is that it will last nearly forever. I don't have to worry about dropping and shattering it, I can use it as a griddle and scrape it clean, and if I need to build an impromptu blast shield, I'm all set.
To hack your grill into a worthy pizza oven, here's what you'll need:
- A grill, preferably one that runs on natural gas, or propane, but has a place to load in charcoal
- Two 1/4" 304 stainless steel plates [either purchased in pre-cut size, or custom cut to fit 2/3 of your grill area]
- 4 5-inch stainless steel pipe nipples, or any other 5" length of stainless to act as a stand for the top plate
- BBQ grill fan, or an electric bellows, or a hair dryer and about 18" of metal tubing to fit
- An aluminum pizza peel
To assemble your pizza oven:
- Place one of the stainless plates in a corner of your grill.
- Place two of the stainless steel pipe segments on the two far corners of the plate. Place the other two pipe segments on opposite edges of the plate, about 1/3 of the way back. These pipe segments will hold up the top plate. By pushing them back from the front corners, you allow yourself a little more room to negotiate the pizza with the peel.
- Place the top plate on top of the pipe segments. It should sit firmly – you sure don't want it crashing down on you during cooking.
- Install your BBQ grill fan or bellows on the opposite side of the grill, above the open grilling area not covered by the steel.
- If your grill has a charcoal tray or basin on the open side, fill it with charcoal. If not, place the charcoal in a roasting pan or metal dish on that side of the grill. Ignite the charcoal, turn on all of the burners and close the lid. Allow the grill 45-60 minutes to preheat thoroughly.
- A few minutes before cooking, start your grill fan or bellows. This will boost the internal temperature of the grill and even out hot and cold spots. A cooking temperature between 800°F and 900°F is ideal.
- Just before cooking, turn the burners below your steel plate down to 75% power. This will help prevent the bottom crust from burning before the top crust is fully cooked. However, I've found that the first pizza of the day is usually somewhat sacrificial
- Slide your pizza onto the bottom steel plate and cook, turning once, for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the top crust is golden brown. Keep the grill lid closed as much as possible during cooking to maintain the high temperature.
- Enjoy extraordinary pizza made at home!
I hope you enjoy the pleasure of homemade pizza as much as I have. I've probably made 50 or so pizzas this summer, and there is nothing quite as satisfying than pulling a perfect pizza out of the grill and serving it to friends. If you don't (or can't) have a grill, this technique works pretty well in a home oven, too. Place one steel plate on the bottom floor of your oven to act as a heat battery. Set the other on the top rack. Preheat your oven for an hour on its highest temperature setting. You'll need to add a minute or two to the baking time, but the results will be worth it!
If you caught my post last week on smoking your own salt, you learned how easy it is to turn ordinary salt into an extraordinary seasoning. But did you know that you can pull off the same trick with flour? In this recipe, I've smoked Semolina flour – the most common kind used for pasta making. The finished pasta takes on a subtly spicy smoke flavor and is a great match for Morel mushrooms.
Sometimes there's nothing like a hot plate of lasagna on a cold winter evening. If you're nodding in agreement, for the love of God, stop buying frozen lasagna! This dish is nearly foolproof, and if you don't want to make your own noodles and sauce from scratch, you can easily substitute store-bought ingredients. I chose to make mini-lasagnas since I have a set of cocottes (tiny dutch ovens), but the same recipe will work in an 8"x8" baking dish.
This recipe was inspired by a recent visit to Piroshky Piroshky, the small, wonderful-smelling Russian bakery in the Pike Place market. They make some of my favorite street food, and I can't make a trip to Pike Place without stopping by for a snack. On my latest trip, I tried their salmon paté piroshky (a piroshky is a stuffed, flaky, handheld pie) and it was divine. This "calzone" doesn't attempt to recreate the salmon piroshky, but was simply inspired by it. The mascarpone cheese melts away during baking, leaving the rich smoked salmon moist and delicious.
Makes: 2 Coho Calzones
Total kitchen time: 30 minutes
Slow-roasted cherry tomatoes are really the star of this dish. The French Laundry uses tomato confit in many of its preparations. My method isn't quite as intricate as theirs, but the intent is the same: to sweeten and intensify the flavor of the tomato. The result is a delicious variation on your otherwise ordinary pasta night. After baking the tomatoes, to really make them confit, store them in an airtight jar immersed in olive oil for later uses.
Makes: Special pasta night for 2
Total kitchen time: 1 hour (15 minutes working time)
Shopping list:
- 1/2 lb. cherry or grape tomatoes
- 4 oz. (about 2 cups) penne pasta
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted
- 1/4 cup green olives, pitted
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, cut into 1/2" cubes
- 1 tbsp. freshly chopped oregano
- ooks&fgbp
- Rinse and pat dry the tomatoes. Slice in half through the stem end. In a small bowl, gently toss the tomatoes with about 1 tsp. kosher salt and enough good olive oil to coat.
- Arrange the tomatoes in an even layer, cut side up, on a baking sheet. Bake at 250°F for 1 hour. This is a good time to use your toaster oven, if you've got one.
- About 30 minutes into the tomato roasting, bring a very large pot of water to a boil. Even if you're only cooking for two, use at least a gallon of water if you can. All the Italian chefs say we need to, though they may be in the pocket of Big Water. Salt the water.
- Cook the pasta to al-dente (10-12 minutes, check the package for directions) and drain well. Toss together the pasta, feta, oregano and olives with a little more (good) olive oil, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Plate, and add the confit-ed tomatoes on top.
For real tomato confit, Thomas Keller suggest that we blanch, peel, and seed the tomatoes before baking. If you've got the extra time on your hands, please go ahead and report back. I should be just about done with dinner by then!
A few weeks ago I ate at Crow, a fantastic little restaurant in my neighborhood. They served a gnocchi with brown butter, roasted corn and morel mushrooms that blew my mind. Honestly, it was so good that I would have kept eating until I developed a food hernia, had there not been a finite portion before me. Here's my version, topped with a Boursin- and wild mushroom-stuffed chicken breast.
Makes: 2 finite portions
Total kitchen time: 45 minutes
Shopping list:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6 oz. wild mushrooms (morels are best, but shitake or porcini work as well)
- 3 tbsp. Boursin cheese (it comes in a small box, available at most grocery stores)
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- 2 cups gnocchi
- 1/2 cup corn kernels (roasted, if you can make/buy them this way)
- 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and set the top rack in the middle position. In a large stockpot, boil 1 gallon of water (or as much as you can fit).
- If you're using using dried mushrooms, let them soak for 20-30 minutes in a bowl of hot water to re-hydrate. Drain and chop the mushrooms into 1/4" pieces.
- Prepare the chicken breast by cutting a slit through the side of the breast, being careful not to cut all the way through the other side. Expand the incision to make a pocket in the breast.
- Reserve half of the mushrooms. Divide the remaining half and the Boursin cheese between the chicken breasts, stuffing it into the pocket you created. Wipe away any excess Boursin that may be hanging outside the pocket – it will burn when the breast is cooked. Salt and pepper the chicken breasts and lightly coat with olive oil.
- Bake on an oiled, rimmed baking dish for 20 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Meanwhile, boil the gnocchi until just undercooked. This will usually take 2-3 minutes. The gnocchi will float when they are ready. Drain the gnocchi and set aside.
- In a large, not-nonstick skillet, heat the butter over medium-high heat. Swirl the butter in the pan and cook until small brown spots begin to form. This is one of the butter solids beginning to burn, and this is how we'll make our brown butter. Raise the heat to high and add the gnocchi. Toss the gnocchi to coat in the butter and sear them, flipping occasionally, until they develop a very slight golden-brown crust.
- Add the corn, remaining mushrooms cinnamon and cloves and sauteé 1 minute more, then remove from the heat. Salt and pepper the gnocchi to taste, then plate and serve.
Of course, you can always serve the gnocchi on its own as a main course. Try pairing it with a brothy asparagus, mushroom and pancetta soup as a starter. Or, kneel below a wheelbarrow of brown butter gnocchi with your mouth agape. You know, whatever works for you.
If you asked me my favorite thing about summer, you could be sure that my answer would involve the words "grilling" and "pizza". Grilled pizza is an excellent easy supper, especially when you're cooking with friends. Go get some pre-made, uncooked dough and a few of your favorite ingredients and dive head-first into your relationship with the grill. In the pizza above, a simple red sauce, some prosciutto, porcini mushrooms and fresh mozzarella make a great dinner. Or, if you're feeling less traditional, try out my other grilled pizza suggestions.
Let me start by saying that I would eat the Los Angeles Times (Sunday Edition) if you spread enough Ricotta over the top. Well, maybe all but the sports section. Anyhow, this was a delicious, easy and colorful dish that I whipped up for company on short notice. Keep this one (and, of course, your own variations) in your arsenal for good, quick eats.
Total kitchen time: 35 minutes
Makes: Op-Ed taste like Home & Garden for 4 lovely readers
Shopping list:
- dried pappardelle noodles (really, just get as much as it looks like you'll need. Unlike smaller noodles, the cooked yield isn't deceptively larger than the dried volume.)
- 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2″ cubes
- 12 cups baby spinach (to yield about 1 1/2 cups wilted)
- 1/4 cup ricotta cheese
- 4 slices proscuitto
- 4 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt and pepper, to taste
- Preheat your oven (or toaster oven) to 400°F and place the top rack about three quarters of the way up.
- Boil at least a gallon of lightly salted water in the largest pot you have. This will take some time to boil, so I've put it here in step 2 for you. I know, what would you do without me?
- Toss the sweet potato cubes with 1 tbsp. of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Spread in an even layer on a baking sheet and roast until tender and just starting to get golden corners, about 20 minutes. Set aside.
- In a large skillet or a griddle over medium heat, lightly fry each piece of proscuitto until crispy. This will only take a minute or two per side, so keep a close watch. Since proscuitto typically doesn't come in packages of 4, you can always pretend that you overcooked a slice and sneak a bite when nobody is looking. It will be our secret. Once you're done with your shameful crisping, set the proscuitto aside on paper towels.
- Now, cook the pasta. This will take 15-20 minutes, so proceed to the next step while you're waiting. Hey look, we're multitasking!
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, wilt the spinach until just done. Be sure that the amount of spinach is not too great for the size of the pan – you want a lot of room for the moisture to cook off, otherwise you'll end up with gritty, watery greens. Bad stuff.
- In a large bowl, toss the pasta with 3 tbsp. of olive oil and salt a pepper to taste. Add in the ricotta, sweet potatoes and spinach. If you want, crumble in the fried proscuitto, or just serve it to the side like a ham wafer. Yum!
That's it, folks. An unapologetically simple and easy meal. If you felt this was too straightforward, serve only a small portion of the pasta aside duck confit with a balsamic reduction, jerk.
I'm on a quest, of sorts, to replicate my favorite restaurant's pizza in my own kitchen. Will it work? Well, I've got a lot working against me: no 700 degree brick oven, no special flour or wheat, no commercial baking experience… but on the plus side, even if I fall short, I still end up with great pizza.
Here's my latest attempt in which some cast iron improv takes the place of a dedicated pizza oven.
Total Kitchen Time: 30 mins + rising time
Serves: 4 teenage mutant ninja turtles
Shopping List:
- 1 package (1/4 oz) active dry yeast
- 3/4 cup of 110-degree F filtered water
- 1 3/4 cups unbleached flour
- 1/4 cup cornmeal
- 2 tsp salt (fine/table salt)
- 1 tbsp + 2 tsp olive oil
- 2 cups mozzarella (fresh, sliced and pressed dry OR shredded)
- 2 tbsp tomato sauce, prepared
- 1 cup crimini mushrooms, sliced
- If your oven has a bread proof setting (or a 100 degree setting), preheat it on that mode. Bloom the yeast in the 110-degree water for 5 minutes.
- Clear off some counter space and dump the flour into a pile. Add the salt and cornmeal and mix with your fingers until combined. Arrange the flour like a volcano with a crater in the middle. Add about 1/4 cup of the water and slowly combine with your fingertips until it is fully absorbed. Add another 1/4 cup and repeat, trying to work the dough as little as possible. Add the remaining water (or less) until the dough can be rolled into a large ball and no flour spots remain. Avoid adding unnecessary water; you may not need to use all 3/4 cups.
- Coat the inside of a medium bowl with 1 tbsp of olive oil. Add the dough ball and toss in the oil to coat. Cover loosely and let rise for 40 mins.
- If you have an oven-proof griddle or very large cast iron skillet, place it in the oven on the middle rack. Now, crank your oven as high as it will go and give it at least 20 minutes to preheat. In the meantime…
- Roll out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. As much as you can, use your hands to gently stretch the dough into a shape that will fit your cooking vessel (for me, a large rectangle fits my cast iron griddle). Remember to only handle the dough as little as possible – overworking causes the gluten in the flour to activate, leading to a dense, gummy texture. Brush the dough with olive oil on both sides.
- Once your oven is nice and hot, carefully transfer the dough to your cooking surface. It should sizzle a bit. Bake for 2 – 3 minutes, or until the bottom crust has started to char a little. Remove the dough from the oven and add the toppings. Return to the oven and bake about 7 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown around the edges.
- Remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest 10 minutes. Cut and serve!
The secret to really great pizza is, of course, great dough. This dough is simple and reliable, though it lacks the flavor and crunch profile of my "goal crust". I'm sure that a few hundred slices from now, I'll get it right. Enjoy!
With equal parts hunger and bravery, you'll find that your grill cooks much more than burgers. This recipe is a summer staple for me; as soon as the weather warms up, I start to crave pizza on the grill. Be creative with your toppings – choose 2 or 3 veggies, a cheese and a meat. When I recently made this recipe for some friends, I went overboard (7 veggies was just too much) but the result was still delicious.
Makes: 4 10″ pizzas
Shopping list:
- 2 packages (2 oz total) active dry yeast
- 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornmeal
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup + 3/4 cup warm water (105F- 115F)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup goat's cheese
- 1 dz fresh figs, halved
- 2 Vidalia onions, cut in 1/4 in circular slices
- 1 lb fresh chicken and apple sausage
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, torn into small bits
- Proof the yeast in 1/4 cup of the warm water for 5 minutes.
- Combine the flour, cornmeal, salt, yeast and remaining water. Mix until combined, but don't over work the dough. Roll into a large ball and coat with olive oil. Cover and let rise 1 1/2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
- Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll out into ovals (or circles or hearts or whatever shape you like) about 1/8″ thick. These will be really thin, but try to make sure there are no holes or weak spots. Lightly brush each of the doughvals (get it?) with olive oil and set aside until you're ready to grill.
- Preheat your grill on medium. Add the chicken sausage and cook, turning occasionally, until they look right. The cooking time depends on a lot of things, but trust me, you'll know when they're done. Slice into 1/4″ pieces and set aside and keep warm.
- Raise the heat to medium-high and cook the onions until brown, soft and sweet, about 10 minutes. Set aside and keep warm.
- Grill the figs, cut side down, about 3 minutes. Set aside and keep warm.
- Turn your grill down to low and wait for the heat to dissipate. Grill the doughvals until set, about 1 minute per side. Add the goat's cheese, onions, figs and sausage. Sprinkle on the mint and top with really good olive oil, if you like.
Cut and serve the pizzas. They pair great with a dry white wine and a platter of sliced, preserved meats. Also try any of the following for toppings: {Stilton, apricots, pork sausage}, {Manchego, pesto, shrimp}, {feta, lamb, cucumber}, {mozarella, bell pepper, eggplant}. If things have gone well, you'll have a whole new admiration for your grill.


text: You can't quite wear your birthday suit to Banya 5. In deference to the spa's co-ed policy, swimsuits are required. But the compact network of well-kempt saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs delivers everything else you might want for a very serene celebration. And if devotees of the Slavic sauna tradition are right, broiling in a hot room before plunging into a frigid pool might just keep you feeling like there are fewer candles on your cake. HANNA RASKIN 217 Ninth Ave. N., 262-1234, banya5.com

subset: commoncrawl


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With the current state of public transport many feel their car is becoming more and more of a necessity. The consequences of a speeding ticket or a court summons, and the possibility of the loss of your licence could incur great personal difficulties and/or exceptional financial hardship. Whether you are a recently qualified driver facing the agony of keeping less than 6 points off your licence, or an experienced driver facing accumulating points in 3 years, advice on your situation is now only an e-mail/phone call away.
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VIDEO: All-New Trailer for TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: OUT OF THE SHADOWS
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Sea water contains 92 minerals, trace elements and organic compounds plus more than 50,000 organic substances.
Over fifteen million gallons of sea water are used each year for the production of SEA-90 minerals and trace elements. Only a few ounces of mixed with water creates a "seamazing fertilizer", and as little as one ounce of SEA-90 Essential Minerals fed daily to livestock provides nearly complete mineral nutrition.
Scientists report that the major benefit of SEA-90's minerals and trace elements is to stimulate, feed and enhance micro flora populations. Micro flora or micro biota live in the soil, on plant tissue, and in the digestive systems of all life forms.
Crop production benefits from enhanced micro flora populations include:
Livestock benefits from enhanced micro flora populations include include:
SeaAgri's inspiration comes from the research of Maynard Murray MD, Weston Price, DDS, William Albrecht PhD, Arden Anderson MD, Jerry Burnetti, author and renowned speaker, Robert Cain, President SeaAgri, inc, and Hugh Lovel, multi-disciplinary scientist. SeaAgri is dedicated to fulfilling Dr. Murray's lifelong dream of improving human health by bringing Sea Energy Agriculture to gardeners, ranchers and farmers throughout the world.
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Southeast Ecological Science Center
Establishment of the green mussel, Perna viridis (Linnaeus 1758), (Mollusca: Mytilidae) on the west coast of FloridaAMY J. BENSON1, DAN C. MARELLI2, MARC E. FRISCHER3, JEAN M. DANFORTH3, and JAMES D. WILLIAMS11U.S. Geological Survey, Florida Integrated Science Center7920 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 326532Academic Diving Program, Florida State University036 Montgomery, Tallahassee, FL 32306-23103Skidaway Institute of Oceanography10 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah, GA 31411Presented at the Eleventh International Conference on Aquatic Invasive SpeciesFebruary 25 to March 1, 2002, Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, Virginia
In 1999, the green mussel, Perna viridis, was first observed in Tampa Bay, Florida. This was the first reported occurrence of this Indo-Pacific marine bivalve in North America. The mussels found in Tampa Bay were confirmed to be P. viridis based on both morphological and genetic characteristics. Since the initial discovery, surveys in Tampa Bay and on the west coast of Florida have documented the growth, recruitment, and range expansion of P. viridis. From November 1999 to July 2000, the mean shell length of a Tampa Bay population increased from 49.0 mm to 94.1 mm, an increase of 97%. Populations of P. viridis are successfully reproducing in Tampa Bay. Recruitment was observed on sampling plates in May and continued through July 2000. The full extent of mussel colonization is not clear, but mussels were found outside Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, Florida south to Venice. Based on these studies it is evident that P. viridis has successfully invaded Tampa Bay and the west coast of Florida. The long-term impact of P. viridis on native communities off the west coast of Florida cannot be predicted at this time.
For full paper, see:
Benson, A. J., D. C. Marelli, M. E. Frischer, J. M. Danforth, and J. D. Williams. 2001. Establishment of the green mussel, Perna viridis (Linnaeus 1758), (Mollusca: Mytilidae) on the west coast of Florida. J. Shellfish Research 20(1): 21-29.
We thank Daniel O'Connell of Newcastle University, Newcastle, England and Gary Hill, Robert Lewis, Marc Blouin, and Don Hickey of USGS for collecting samples of green mussels in Florida; Suzanne Dilworth of the Center for Coastal Studies, Corpus Christi, Texas for supplying Perna perna samples; Dr. Peter Smith of the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd (NIWA) Wellington, New Zealand for Perna canaliculus samples; and Paul Gabbadon and Addison Titus of the Institute of Marine Affairs, Trinidad for Perna viridis samples. We also thank Jon Fajans of the University of Florida for identifying the commensal invertebrates.
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Say Uncle
|Release Date: June 23, 2006
|Running Time: 90 mins.
|MPAA Rating: R
|Box Office: $5,203.00
|Genre: Comedy, Satire
Peter Paige
Kathy Najimy
Anthony Clark
Gabrielle Union
All Cast & Crew >>
Summary:Portland-based artist Paul Johnson, who happens to be gay, returns from his telemarketing job one day to some very distressing news--his closest friends, the Fabers, are moving to Japan, and they're taking Paul's two year-old godson Morgan with them. Shifting into serious denial mode, Paul misses their final departure, but ultimately faces the truth that the Fabers are gone and aren't coming back. When Paul's friend Russell convinces him to "get back out in the world," Paul ventures out to play with some kids at the local playground. Watching Paul's natural, playful chemistry with the children, one local mother, Maggie Butler, wonders who this amazing "Super Dad" is. Upon further investigati... Full Summary >>


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The Green Giant team (and Sprout!) recently froze some sweet corn from our fields in Le Sueur in order to have a taste of summer this winter. Read on for instructions for freezing sweet corn.
Recently, the Green Giant team volunteered in the Giving Garden on General Mills' campus. Green Giant helps sponsor the Giving Garden, which was founded in 2010.
Have you ever wondered what goes into getting sweet corn from the fields into your freezer? Here's a closer look.
Growing your own garden can be fun and rewarding! Here are a few tips for the beginning gardener, along with additional resources to find out more.
Growing vegetables is no doubt a challenge, but it comes with lots of rewards. Hone your gardening skills at one of these programs.


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Home News Local News Baker City mayor claims city has overcharged his motel for water, sewer fees
Baker City mayor claims city has overcharged his motel for water, sewer fees
By Pat Caldwell
Baker City Mayor Richard Langrell says the city owes him almost $15,000.
City officials contend they don't owe Langrell a cent.
That difference in perception and interpretation is the epicenter of a dispute regarding water and sewer fees, zoning, and property taxes.
"The only thing I've done wrong is try to get along with them (the city)" Langrell said Thursday.
Langrell wants the city to reimburse him $14,907.71 in water and sewer fees he paid during the past several years for his motel, the Always Welcome Inn.
In a Jan. 9 "Letter of Demand" to the city, Langrell's attorney, Rebecca Knapp of Enterprise, asked City Manager Mike Kee to reimburse the money to Langrell.
The storyline in this clash goes back more than 15 years and flared again in 2004 when the city decided to annex Langrell's hotel along with two other landowners' properties that are just east of Interstate 84 near the Campbell Street interchange.
Ordinarily all those properties, once they were annexed into city limits, would be required to pay city property taxes.
However, at the time, the city gave the property owners — including Richard Langrell and his wife, Lynne — the option of avoiding city property taxes for 10 years in exchange for continuing to pay double the normal water and sewer rates.
The city charges the double rate for properties that are connected to the city's water and sewer systems but are outside the city limits. The rationale behind the higher rates is that those properties, being outside the city limits, don't pay property taxes to the city.
Knapp said in an interview Thursday that once the properties were annexed the city had "no authority to do that (continue charging double rates for water and sewer)."
In her letter to the city, Knapp asserts that the Langrells ". . . did not agree, neither expressly or by implication, to pay double the water and sewer rates upon annexation. . ."
Knapp said in her letter that the city insists the Langrells ". . . agreed to pay double water and sewer rates upon annexation to the city in exchange for the city's agreement to waive property taxes on the Langrells' real property for a period of 10 years. There is no basis for any such contention by the city . . ." Knapp wrote.
Langrell said Thursday that the annexation pact did not specify he was to pay double sewer and water fees once his business was brought into the city limits.
"The annexation papers, there was nothing in there about double rates. There's nothing in the city ordinance that allows them to charge double rates (for properties inside the city limits)," he said.
He said there was "talk" at the time of the annexation about an agreement regarding double fees for sewer and water, but nothing specific.
"It was talked about but was never put into any contracts," Langrell said.
But City Attorney Brent Smith said a pact between the city and the Langrells regarding the sewer and water fees does exist.
"There was an agreement. It was a 10-year (property) tax waiver and they'll pay double water and sewer," Smith said.
Smith, in a response to Knapp's letter of demand, listed 10 separate public documents that indicate there was a deal crafted between the city and the Langrells regarding sewer and water fees and property taxes.
"The Langrells would either (1) have City property taxes waived for ten years while continuing to pay double water and sewer rates or (2) pay city property taxes and pay regular water and sewer rates," Smith wrote in his response.
One key public document — the meeting minutes to a Dec. 14, 2004, City Council session — appear to indicate that Langrell was aware of an agreement regarding double sewer rates in exchange for a 10-year property tax waiver.
At the time of the meeting, the city was requesting that the Langrells sign a consent to annexation agreement.
According to the minutes, ". . . He (Langrell) said he would agree to annex their property if City taxes were waived for ten years, but he said he would be willing to continue paying double water and wastewater charges until the ten year waiver of taxes ended. . ."
At that meeting, and after a brief discussion of an agreement between the city and the Langrells from 1998, six years before the city actually proposed the annexation, a motion was made to have city staff craft an agreement with Langrell ". . . including a ten year tax waiver . . ." A unanimous vote in favor was made and the motion was carried.
Langrell conceded on Thursday that his business has not paid property taxes since the motel was annexed in 2004.
"We are still in the 10-year moratorium," he said.
Langrell said the bottom line on the matter is that when his business was placed inside city limits, he believes the city should have ceased charging him double for water and sewer service.
"Once you are annexed the city has no ability to charge double," he said.
For Langrell one critical piece of the overall issue centers on whether there was a written contract that specifically outlined he was to pay double sewer and water rates once his property was annexed.
"If it was in the contract we could pay double there'd be no question. There is nothing in writing. When I asked for written stuff (from the city) they say 'we don't have anything in writing' " he said.
The Langrell/city fee issue also came to the city's attention in late 2007. At that time, the city asked its then-attorney, Dan Van Thiel, to review the issue and give a legal opinion. Van Thiel wrote that a contract regarding double sewer and water rates in exchange for a property tax waiver on Langrell's business did exist.
". . . It is my opinion and I am so advising the City that there is a contract, which comes into existence in various ways and is evidenced by the minutes of the City Council of this City, the annexation agreement itself, together with the waiver of taxes over these years and the payment of double water and sewer rates. It is clear to me there is a contract and one, which is enforceable. . ." Van Thiel wrote.
Langrell said the city made an error when it continued to charge him after his business was brought into city limits.
"The city has a problem with correcting its mistakes," he said.


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Sydney Confidential
Sydney was long regarded as the edge of the known world, looking to other shores for inspiration. But the rest of the world is now flocking to Sydney. Whilst the USA was once viewed as the ultimate lifestyle mecca, Australia is now the place to be in terms of living. Nine Sydneysiders who are Nespresso Club Members give a tour of their paradise down under.
Straight lines
Nothing in the aesthetics of Sydney is left untended. It's a land of where order and clean lines live alongside cosmopolitan chaos. White-clad bowls players roll their leather balls along an impeccably-mown green. Seawater pools are barely separated from the ocean by a fragile sea wall. The raucous cries of Cockatoos with their neatly-combed crests remind you which continent you are on.
Sydney and its population seem to be gripped by wanderlust, a wayfaring temperament. Most Sydneysiders head off travelling in early adulthood, perhaps to make up for a feeling of loss, thinking that a visit to the other hemisphere might be a cure for bipolar disorder. They return with the world in their pockets, and their rich pickings add to the wealth of this ocean-side city.
Member since 2002
Robert's mother was English, which is probably why he was a tea-drinker for so long. With the Italian culture that is ever-present in the city, it was inevitable that this Chartered Accountant should eventually get into coffee – he now prefers VIVALTO. Although the 2000 Olympic Games brought this bay to the world's attention, Australia has been open to world cultures for many years, granting special visas to chefs, which has had an extremely positive impact on local cuisine. But of all Sydney's delights, Robert still prefers the smell of the bush, which still holds out against the urban jungle.
Robert prefers less touristy spots like Manly.
MANY AUSTRALIAN CITY-DWELLERS GREW UP IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, and they are very attached to the fragrances of their childhood that waft down from the papaya, frangipani and eucalyptus trees around Sydney. Although he obviously recommends the lush walk from Bondi Beach to Tamarama, Robert prefers less touristy spots such as the suburb of Manly, about half-an-hour north of the Opera House, an area loved by surfers and boasting the best Italian restaurant in Oceania, PILU AT FRESHWATER, which looks out over the sea, back towards its owner's homeland of Sardinia. A nearby kiosk serves up panini with pancetta and scrambled eggs throughout the day. Heading on a bit further in the same direction, you come to the Palm Beach lagoon, where the secretive BOATHOUSE rustles up fish & chips and BLT in a sleepy backwater atmosphere, with seaplanes touching down in the background. The traditional NIELSEN PARK CAFE is a delightful Italian eatery in a secluded picture- postcard cove, protected from sharks throughout the year with safety nets. The best breakfasts in the city are available from another Italian café, FRATELLI PARADISO in the city centre.
Member since 2004
In Sydney, outdoor living is an integral part of life. Joseph lives opposite Clovelly Beach, one of the communities that persuaded the Bank of Australia to issue waterproof banknotes so that surfers could keep them in their trunks. He runs a handmade furniture design workshop from this ocean-side location, and is addicted to ARPEGGIO macchiato.
A curiosity shop, florist and porcelain warehouse, alongside old hunting trophies.
JOSEPH DESIGNS THINGS TO LAST AT LEAST A LIFETIME OR TWO. Many of his favourite retailers share this philosophy of durability. DAVID MET NICOLE gives another life to forgotten treasures from an industrial revolution or the closure of a primary school, while SEASONAL CONCEPTS is a strange combination of curiosity shop, florist and porcelain warehouse, alongside some old hunting trophies that seem to have been pawned off by a hard-up lord or lady. Another interesting haunt is ICI ET LA, where Mike McEnearney, former chef at Spice Temple, cooks up his delights once a month in the midst of a jumble of interior design artefacts. Reserve a place by e-mail, in the hope that you will be one of the lucky few to get a confirmation message in reply. CHEE SOON & FITZGERALD sells pretty china and a wide range of African, Japanese and Indian fabrics whose designs are based on previous pieces (just like antique tapestries would be copied from a master piece).
Members since 2009
Linda has been the head accountant of the same company for twenty-three years. She recently took a Nespresso machine to her office. Her boss was delighted, and soon she was having to make repeat orders several times a week. She enjoys DULSÃO do Brasil after all her meals, preferring a cappuccino to a dessert. Linda was won over by her daughter Catherine, to the great surprise of friends and family who had previously only ever seen her drink tea. She now wouldn't dream of going home to her native Philippines without a PIXIE in her luggage.
Sydney boasts two great temples of shopping.
LINDA HAS BEEN LIVING IN SYDNEY FOR THIRTYFOUR YEARS, TIME ENOUGH TO KNOW EXACTLY WHY SHE LOVES THE CITY. It's clearly a stunning setting. Anyone who strolls along the winding promenades, among pearly-white cliffs that look like they are sculpted from mother-of-pearl, cannot help but be won over. The city boasts the rainbow arches of Harbour Bridge and the worldfamous Opera House. But Linda is more attached to DAVID JONES and the QVB (Queen Victoria Building), Sydney's two great temples of shopping. QVB was opened in 1898, and is probably the oldest mall in the Pacific. David Jones is a highclass department store with a food hall where you can be sure to find a delicious surprise to slip into your shopping bag. Linda's daughter Catherine prefers window-shopping in the designer boutiques of PADDINGTON or treating herself at COCO CHOCOLATE, a box of delights run by artisan chocolatier Rebecca.
Member since 2010
The name Pearl suits her down to the ground. She is a slight young waitress with mother-of-pearl skin and a love of coffees with a fruity note, like VOLLUTO. She left Thailand to come to Sydney while she was still a girl. She loves her adopted multicultural home – it's the whole world in one city, from the Thai restaurants in Newtown, past the Korean grills of Strathfield, to the Vietnamese bistros in Marrickville.
The whole world in one city.
PEARL WORKS AT SPICE I AM, A DARLINGHURST RESTAURANT, which she describes as loyal to Thai traditions, but daring enough to update them for today's world. Peanuts are replaced with cashews, for instance, in order to cater to those with allergies. Her favourite dishes are Betel-leaf tempuras with shrimp and spicy yum gai salad with chicken, lemon grass and ginger. Cocktails are also served, including the Pink Paparazzi, designed by Pearl herself, with pomegranate seeds, lime juice, raspberries, mint, kaffir lime and a dash of gin. Further down Crown Street, she recommends the RED LANTERN for Vietnamese home cooking and the outstanding Japanese-inspired TOKO, featuring a multitude of small dishes orbiting like a mini solar system. In the vibrant Kings Cross district, JIMMY LIKS mixes up a delicious fusion of Asian food in the dusky interplay of shadow and light.
Members since 2007
George is an IT Consultant and has travelled the world with his job, but has never been tempted to move away. He feels Sydney has everything a father could dream of for bringing up his children. George and Penny are both from a Cypriot background. Along with many other Greeks, their parents came to Australia in the 1950s to start a new life, luggage packed full of fine foods. They love their European roots, but prefer a strong LIVANTO to the traditional Turkish coffee, which they find as appealing to drink as mud.
Spanish tapas with an antipodean twist.
SYDNEY HAS BECOME A PROMISED LAND FOR EUROPEAN CUISINE, A PLACE WHERE FOOD IS MORE REFINED, HAVING SHED ANY TRADITIONAL DEAD WEIGHT. It is here, nearly ten thousand miles across the globe, that European food has found a way to create accessible concepts that even children like George and Penny's daughter Chrystall (8) and older brother Stephen (11) can enjoy. BODEGA offers Spanish tapas with an antipodean twist – a flavour of the Southern hemisphere. The bar does its utmost to draw in its punters, with an off-beat take on Spanish identity, both on the plate and in the surroundings, with surreal murals, tattooed arms, massive quiffs and Dali-style moustaches. The WINE LIBRARY continues the Spanish theme, slicing up tapas and bocadillos across its traditional counter, leading you into temptation. LUCIO, down on Crown Street, serves up the city's best pizzas, and the EATHOUSE DINER takes you to the wilderness of America, the other continent that Old Europe has always loved to explore.
Members since 1998
Mathew is a Manager at the Australian stock market. Larissa was born in São Paulo, the coffee metropolis whose region supplies one fifth of the world's needs. In Brazil, in fi ne São Paulo tradition, she drank short black coffees throughout the day, in small but very regular doses! However, after fourteen years in Sydney, her habits have clearly been influenced by the people around her. She now takes her ROMA with large quantities of hot milk, and even drinks it with her meal, instead of after dining.
Larissa's habits have clearly been influenced by Sydney life.
THE CROCKERS HAVE TWO CHILDREN, RAFAELA AND GABRIEL. WHEN THEY ARE NOT OUT HORSERIDING IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS, the family hangs out near their home in Kirribill, a harbour-side suburb on the North Shore of Sydney, with all the benefits of city living, without the disadvantages. Mathew and Larissa recommend the BATHER'S PAVILION CAFE, adjoining the colonial grandeur of the gastronomic restaurant of the same name, with its airs of an ocean-going liner moored up in the quiet waters off Balmoral Beach. The pizzas are excellent and the children can draw and colour in on the tables before running off to play on the beach. Amidst the aisles of the Italian food emporium FOURTH VILLAGE PROVIDORE, the thin-crust pizzas are worthy of the fi nest Napolitano traditions – and gnocchi-lovers will find plenty to enjoy as well. The family enjoy taking the ferry into the city, with the children peering out of the portholes. They enjoy eating out at PORTEÑO, an Argentinean steakhouse offering enormous portions and an atmosphere that reminds Larissa of her native South America. She rounds off her meal with a strong Espresso, just like in São Paulo, in LATTERIA, a miniature Italian coffee bar.
Member since 2006
Deborah discovered Nespresso during a fi lm shoot in Paris, where she was working as a make-up artist, hairdresser and stylist. Since then she has been unable to resist the velvety texture of her favourite ARPEGGIO. Despite loving this little taste of Europe, she doesn't think she would be able to leave the tranquil, ocean-side delights of Sydney, even though one of the world's biggest financial districts is just ten minutes away. It feels so easy to get a change of scenery here, just like flicking between travel and cooking channels on the TV.
The sea in its purest state, that of the prehistoric era.
AFTER TOKYO, SYDNEY FISH MARKET IS THE SECOND LARGEST IN THE ENTIRE PACIFIC. Deborah comes here to enjoy sashimi made with freshly-caught produce, hampers full of oysters and octopus fritters that are so fresh they are almost wriggling. She also likes checking out the excellent cooking utensils, as well as the view of the sea in its purest state, that of the prehistoric era with its dinosaur-sized crabs and sea snails. Up on the tranquil headlands of Tamarama, overlooking the beach, M DELI CAFE offers excellent sandwiches on bread from IGGY'S bakery, the unrivalled king of sourdough. It is a genuine working bakery, without a proper shop front – just a large window showing you what's going on in the ovens. If you want a taste of another world, the easiest thing is to head down to Leichhardt, Sydney's Little Italy, where the bakery MEZZAPICA serves up unusual cakes in the form of Louis Vuitton bags and glorious sfogliatelle ricce pastries that are best enjoyed on the outdoor terrace with a cappuccino.
Member since 2010
John takes his Espressos short without milk or sugar. Although Sydney is packed full of little cafés, the best ones are not always on his route to the office. So John has kitted himself out with a CitiZ machine, that now churns out thirty-odd cups of INDRIYA from India each week, not to mention the DECAFFEINATO he drinks in the evening. But he's no home-bird at heart. His job in Customer Relations for American Express gives John an ever-changing schedule, with plenty of new experiences to enjoy. No two days are ever the same!
A rush of new experiences to discover.
JOHN SEEMS TO THINK THAT IF HEAVEN ISN'T ACTUALLY A PLACE ON EARTH, SYDNEY IS THE NEXT BEST THING. There are so many options, so many new things to discover, new views that you've never seen before. You can head down to HARRY'S CAFE DE WHEELS with a group of friends for a quick hot dog, opposite the old Woolloomooloo warehouses that have been converted into a luxury hotel complex. Or why not take afternoon tea with scones and clotted cream at the VICTORIA ROOM, decked out like a colonial officers' club with its old babysoft leather armchairs? If not, you could sink into the deep-pile carpet, sofas and dusky atmosphere of EAUDE- VIE, a throwback to the golden age of cocktail bars between the Prohibition and the early days of the Cuban revolution. Enjoy some tasty bites with your drinks. And if you're still feeling hungry, you could head to BOURKE STREET BAKERY, where an accordion player entertains patrons each morning as they wait to taste the best pies in town.
Member since 2011
For this former architect, the two main attractions in Sydney are the Opera House and the many places to drop anchor. Michal is a real old sea dog; he and his boat have visited many different harbours around the world. He describes the Sydney coast as the ideal place to go boating all year round on his little racing yacht, the Indulgence. In his professional career, this recently-converted ROSABAYA de Colombia drinker was lucky enough to work with legendary architect Jørn Utzon on the biggest project in the history of Australia, the Opera House.
Michal is a real old sea dog; he has visited many harbours around the world.
WHEN HE IS NOT TRAVELLING TO THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE WORLD, Michal spends plenty of time at the little yacht club he used to chair - one of the oldest in Australia. SYDNEY AMATEUR SAILING CLUB is close to his home in Mosman, in the tropical luxuriance of a typical little cove on this secretive bit of coastline. Although he sometimes heads down first thing in the morning after two super-short coffees, the atmosphere is livelier on weekend nights, when the bar is buzzing with excitable sailors. In Australia, pubs are known as "hotels", like the famous LONDON HOTEL, maybe because people spend more time there at night than in their beds. If he's looking for a waterside treat, Michal heads to RIPPLES, which seems to fl oat on its jetty in Chowder Bay. If he ever ventures away from the tranquillity of the North Shore, he likes to have a drink at the unmissable SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, enjoying the bold, avant-garde lines of its architecture and looking out from the solitary peninsula at all the bustle of the bay.
Sara Stuart-Smith is the manager of the Pitt Street Boutique. She met us in the heart of Sydney's main shopping street in a mall which was recently opened Following persistent local demand.
Sara Stuart-Smith, where exactly are we at the moment?
SARA STUART-SMITH : We are right on what is literally the city's busiest street, on the ground floor in the Westfi eld Pitt St. Mall. It's a very pretty shopping centre which has only just opened and provides the best views over Sydney from the city's highest point – the top of the AMP Tower.
On the first floor, one of the boutique's walls has been decorated with a composition inspired by aboriginal art...
S.S.-S. : The work of art behind me (photo top right) is called "Bush Tracks". It was specially produced by the Balarinji design agency [see Cult Object] using Nespresso capsules. The graphic style symbolises the return of summer through its journey between 'winter camp' and an ideal destination on the freshwater banks.
Who are your customers?
S.S.-S. : There are so many people and they are all so amazingly diverse that it would be impossible to define them. There are single City workers, families at the weekends, passing tourists, city-dwellers looking for a place to relax and so many more.
Do celebrities ever come here?
S.S.-S. : Fashion stylist Alex Perry, stylist and magazine queen Donna Hay, celebrity chef Justin North and TV Presenter David Koch are among the many loyal Members who come to our Pitt Street Boutique.
What are the most popular grands crus?
S.S.-S. : Ristretto, Arpeggio, Roma and generally the Grands Crus with more body are the most successful. This is hardly surprising, as Australians usually drink their coffee with milk.
Do australians drink a lot of milk?
S.S.-S. : Most definitely. Australia has always had access to fresh dairy produce – they eat lots of cheese, yoghurts, icecreams, and cereal for breakfast. Admittedly, more and more people are beginning to enjoy our Grands Crus black. But more often, they are enjoyed with full milk, semi-skimmed milk and even soya milk as cappuccinos or fl at whites - a similar recipe but with a thicker foam.
Where to drink Nespresso coffee in Sydney
A selection of Sara Stuart-Smith's favourite venues serving Nespresso grands crus.
There are two excellent restaurants right on the waterfront. The Berowra Waters , for its natural setting and the stunning Quay right in the heart of the urban jungle, which is well-placed in the San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants list. There are plenty of hotel bars that trust Nespresso – hardly surprising in this city of connoisseurs. Sara recommends the Sheraton on the Park and the Shangri-La , two luxury establishments in an outstanding setting opposite the Opera House. Close to the Nespresso Boutique, there is also the Observatory Hotel with its fairytale décor. The Diamant Hotel in Potts Point is also worth a visit for its spectacular views out over the busy streets of Darlinghurst.
Production : Sandrine Giacobetti, Texte : Julien Bouré, Photography : Jean-Claude Amiel
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France begins debating equality
Timothy Kincaid
January 29th, 2013
The equality bill now has been introduced into the French Paliament and debate is expected to go on for weeks. In a last ditch effort, anti-gay activists have placed banners on the city's bridges insisting on discrimination and exclusion. (expatica)
Justice Minister Christiane Taubira told parliament as the debate kicked off that introducing gay marriage was "an act of equality". The government has allowed for the debate to run until February 10 with a vote due two days later.
With opinion polls having consistently shown that a comfortable majority of the French support gay marriage, Hollande could never have anticipated that a promise he made in his election manifesto last year would generate such controversy.
The Socialist Party has the votes to pass the legislation and it is also supported by Communists, Greens and some other centrists.
France's New Year's Baby Born to Lesbian Couple
Jim Burroway
January 3rd, 2013
This is a popular story this time of year: cities, states and countries all over scour the area hospitals to herald the arrival of the first newborn for the new year. In France, where the country is in the midst of a debate over marriage equality, the first newborn has a particular relevance. Sacha was born at a minute past midnight at a hospital in Moulins as the proud son of two moms. The couple underwent artificial insemination in Belgium because French law currently bars the procedure to same-sex couples, even though the couple have been in a civil pact since 2010. They plan to marry as soon as marriage equality becomes legal in France.
Jan 29: France votes
Timothy Kincaid
December 10th, 2012
The French legislature is scheduled to vote on the marriage bill on January 29th. Of course they've had previous schedules so we'll see how that goes. But, in any case, let's keep this date as a possible day of interest.
The French symbol of anti-equality
Timothy Kincaid
November 7th, 2012
The National Organization for Marriage is joyously reporting that France's faithful Catholics are in opposition to marriage. And accompanying that article is this rather perplexing photograph:
I have no idea what this guy is doing, but it does raise an interesting question: Why wear neck-to-knee underwear under your skin tight body suit if your junk is going to show anyway?
Meanwhile, in France…
Timothy Kincaid
November 7th, 2012
The French cabinet approved a draft bill legalizing same-sex marriage on Wednesday after weeks of loud opposition, especially from religious figures and the political right.
The draft law redefines marriage to stipulate that it is "contracted between two persons of different sex or of the same sex," and the words "father" and "mother" in existing legislation are replaced by "parents." The bill would also allow married gay couples to adopt children.
France Sets A Date
Jim Burroway
October 10th, 2012
In an interview with AFP, French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said that a draft law allowing same-sex marriage will be approved by government ministers on October 31. The bill, which will be presented to President Francois Hollande's cabinet, has drawn fierce opposition from the country's religious leaders and more than 1,200 French mayors or deputy mayors:
Xavier Lemoine, a mayor who has said he will not allow gay weddings to take place in his town hall in the Paris suburb of Montfermeil, said the proposed legislation would be a disaster for society.
"I can refuse to apply the law if the law is tyrannical," he said. "Above all else, I have to respect my conscience."
The mayors' petition against gay marriage is being orchestrated by Jacques Bompard, mayor of the southern French town of Orange and a member of the far-right National Front. The 1,200 signatures represent less than one percent of the total number of mayors and deputy mayors in France.
Hollande predicts that the bill will become law in mid-2013, and claims to have enough cross-party support to get the measure passed. Eight European countries, including six in the EU, provide full marraige equality for same-sex couples.
More callous than Marie Antoinette
Timothy Kincaid
April 16th, 2012
Marie Antoinette got a bad rap.
As the lore goes, she was told about the plight of the French people who were suffering during a famine. And upon learning that there was a shortage of bread, a staple of the diet, she said, "Qu'ils mangent de la brioche". And since that day, the term "let them eat cake" has been a symbol of the callousness or obliviousness of the wealthy elite.
Actually, she probably never said it. A story written when she was a child (living in Austria) was combined with anti-royalist sentiments and, as is often the case in politics, actual truth was far less interesting than a story too good not to repeat. The real Marie was less villainous than the cartoon characterization and was reportedly concerned about the plight of the people and generous with charity. Had she also not been even more generous with herself while France was in financial disarray (or had royalists quelled the revolution) history would be kinder.
But whichever noblewoman (real or fictional) uttered the phrase, they don't deserve to be the symbol of callousness.
The response reflects on a character so self-absorbed that it isn't aware of the plight of others and so oblivious of the lives outside their experience that they make absurd assumptions. But at least she offered a solution. An ignorant foolish solution perhaps, but one that hints that she cared at least some little bit about their plight.
Which is more than I can say about some today in the anti-gay movement.
I don't think we need to reiterate here that there is an epidemic of bullying in schools across the nation. At this point, it is not speculative or alleged or partisan. On this, voices as diverse as Lady Gaga and Mike Huckabee can agree.
And it is simply irrefutable that gay students are more likely to be a target than are most students. And after several kids who identified as gay (or were assumed to be) took their own lives, our community coalesced around a serious effort to reduce the terrorism that gay kids experience. One of the efforts implemented is to encourage schools to establish anti-bullying programs that specifically address anti-gay bullying. And related to that is an annual Day of Silence to bring attention to the problem and the encourage students and staff to take this problem seriously.
But solutions are not easy or obvious. Even schools that have implemented anti-bullying programs still experience levels of bullying that would have been considered unacceptable a decade ago. And people of good intention may differ on the response.
Some religious conservatives also have been worried that in their advocacy for gay kids, schools might not fully consider the consequences of some messages. Many people of faith have restrictions on sexual behavior as part of their moral code and teach their children certain rules about sex outside of marriage. Sometimes those outside the faith do not understand the nuance of such teachings. And should a public school misrepresented such teachings or declared them "harmful" and those who followed such rules as "bigots", it could make targets out of religious kids.
Replacing gay kids as a target for scorn and humiliation with Christian kids doesn't solve the problem, and it is valid to raise that point. And, indeed, some school districts listened to those views and were able to bring in gay people and pastors and people of diverse communities to make sure that the programs addressed everyone's concerns and were supported by the full community. This is an area about which there should be no disagreement and, when all parties want to work together consensus is possible.
Alternately, some chose to respond directly by participating in a Golden Rule Pledge. Rather than discuss the possible implications, they sought to offset any possible negative views of Christian kids by visibly breaking the association with bigotry. By having religious kids say, "Yes, we agree, no one should be bullied and we promise to stand with you and protect you", Christian kids could oppose the harm without having to defend their own values.
But there were those among conservative Christianity who had a less generous response. For example, Dr. Michael Brown writes today about the Day of Silence in a way that makes it clear that kids bullied to death are the least of his concerns.
Brown sets the tone by starting with dishonesty:
On April 20th, in thousands of schools across America, your hard-earned tax dollars will help underwrite the homosexual indoctrination of your kids.
Setting aside the absurd notion that protecting children from bullying is the same as "homosexual indoctrination of your kids", the Day of Silence is not funded by tax dollars. It doesn't really cost much of anything for students to be silent for the day and the direct costs of posters and other publicity are not paid by the schools. I suppose that one could argue that anything that occurs on a school grounds is "underwritten" by "your hard-earned tax dollars", but by that logic it would be much more truthful to say, "your hard-earned tax dollars help underwrite the abuse of gay kids today".
Dr. Brown is a careful writer. He usually avoids sentences or short passages that can be extracted from his writing to illustrate his animosity. He doesn't use words like "pervert" or "abomination". He works with innuendo and insinuation and plays on the existing biases of his target audience. Consider:
But don't some schools already have generic, anti-bullying programs in place along with special, daylong events to highlight the destructive effects of bullying, a subject that should concern all of us? Of course they do, but that's not enough. GLSEN insists that a special focus must be put on LGBT kids, as if bullying a gay kid was worse than bullying a fat kid.
It's clever. In one sentence absent of any slurs he manages to insinuate that gay people are demanding special consideration, that any attention given to gay bullying takes away from other targets of bullying, and that gay activists are unfairly demanding resources that aren't needed.
Of course, that isn't close to true. As the epidemic of bullying illustrates, most schools have, at best, a perfunctory anti-bullying program (that isn't implemented with seriousness) coupled with a devoted commitment to denial. The movie Bully provides an illustration of a child being tormented daily on a school bus while administrators assured the documentarian that the other children were "good as gold".
And as any gay kid – and most fat kids – will tell you, bullying of gay kids really is worse. Fat kids have families to turn to while gay kids often do not have that option. And on most campuses there is an agreement that calling a fat kid names is "a bad thing to do" while many children attending churches of which Dr. Brown would approve do not share the belief that saying "you're an abomination and going to hell" to gay kids is "a bad thing to do".
But that isn't really the most telling point about that paragraph. I'll come back to that.
He goes on with artificial concern about ex-gays being excluded from the Day of Silence (as though there has ever been a single kid to identify as ex-gay who was in any way excluded from this student organized event). He rants about a nameless black teacher who "did not approve of equating gay activism with the civil rights movement." He makes the usual intentionally dishonest false equation in which the balance to "don't bully gay kids" is "a religious or moral objection to homosexuality".
But all of that is just filler and fluff; it's what he didn't say that is worth noting. At no point in his 869 word essay did Dr. Brown ever express the slightest concern about the plight of tormented gay kids or provide any alternate solution. His position – that which is opposite of GLSEN's position, can be seen in the paragraph we noted above.
Of course they do, but that's not enough.
Dr. Brown and GLSEN are both aware of the high rate of gay teen suicides. Dr. Brown and GLSEN are well aware that openly gay teens – and even those suspected of being gay – are tormented at rates far higher than any demographic. Including the "fat kid" demographic. GLSEN believes that the current status is "not enough" and Dr. Brown disagrees.
Now Dr. Brown would never use the words. He would never say them out loud. And he'll likely send me an email telling me that I'm misrepresenting his position and putting words in his mouth. But the message is clear.
When told that due to the famine the peasants had no bread, Marie Antoinette's solution was, "let them eat cake". When told that gay students are being bullied to the point that they kill themselves, Dr. Michael Brown's answer is, "let them die."
Marie Antoinette got a bad rap.
France to upgrade couple recognition
Timothy Kincaid
January 13th, 2012
Of those European nations which offer recognition to their same-sex couples, France's form, Pacte civil de solidarité (PACS), is probably the weakest. And while they do offer protections and rights and there are some amusing advantages to a nation providing such a structure (many young heterosexual couples enter PACS as a sort of pre-marriage tryout), they simply do not provide equality. Gay couples are stuck in the "tryout" phase.
But that seems likely to change.
A poll to be released tomorrow will show that about two-thirds of the French (63%) support opening marriage to same-sex couples. And French politicians are scrambling to show that they are in alignment with the will of the French people. (Bloomberg)
Francois Hollande, the Socialist Party candidate and front- runner before the two-round election in April and May, supports homosexual marriage and will add it to his platform, Manuel Valls, head of communication for the Socialist campaign, said on RMC radio today.
And President Nicolas Sarkozy, while continuing to oppose same-sex marriage, has discovered a new-found interest in establishing a civil union provision that contains all of the rights, privileges, and duties of marriage.
Regardless of who wins which position in French Government, it is inevitable that the shame of offering less liberté, égalité, or fraternité than their ancient frenemies the Spanish, Dutch and British (especially the British) will eventually lead to change.
French Protest American Ex-Gay Program in Tolouse
Jim Burroway
November 9th, 2011
Organizers of Rainbow Toulouse had hoped that maybe a hundred people at the most might to show up in front of a small Evangelical church to protest a planned ex-gay seminar. Instead, they were pleasantly surprised to see between 200 and 300 protesters turning out. Michel Megnin, secretary of Rainbow Toulouse, called the showing "the most important LGBT gathering in Toulouse aside from Gay Pride." Protesters denounced the ministry, saying "we are not sick." Another sardonically noted the price of an ex-gay seminar that was scheduled for last weekend and said, "At €330 (US$400), I am too poor to become straight."
The scheduled seminar, scheduled for last weekend, is affiliated with Andrew Comiskey's Living Waters program in the U.S. Comiskey, a former president of Exodus International, has been aggressively expanding his Desert Stream Ministries and its Living Waters program in Canada and Europe. Former ex-gay leader Vonnie Pits issued an apology for her role in a Living Waters-based program she set up in New South Wales, Australia. Last year, Comiskey posted an admission on his blog that a staffer at DSM had sexually abused at least one teenager under their care. But instead of publicly apologizing for the appalling transgression or expressing anguish over the teen's abuse, he talked about his own anguish over having been interrogated by police and liability insurers, and he thanked his god that "God spared us" from the humiliation of their story appearing in the newspapers. In 2005, DSM moved to Kansas City where Comiskey announcedhe was partnering with Dominionist theologian Mike Bickle (organizer of Texas Gov. Rick Perry's crusade in Houston) and the International House of Prayer. DSM reportedly uses "extreme methods that involve forms of exorcism (deliverance/healing prayer) and rely on teachings that believe that people become gay through demonic influences and the sins of ancestors."
You can see a video testimony of an ex-gay survivor of Living Waters here.
France votes "no" on to marriage equality
Timothy Kincaid
June 14th, 2011
France has a limited second-tier recognition it allows for same sex couples, pacte civil de solidarité. It appears that this will remain the case for a while (Pink News)
The French parliament has rejected a bill designed to give gay couples the right to marry.
Today, lawmakers voted by 293 votes to 222 to block the bill, which was not expected to pass.
This is a bit ironic. One of the unexpected results of offering the second tier PACS is that many opposite-sex couples are opting for PACS as a sort of trial-marriage rather than take on the full obligations in marriage. Those who voted for religious beliefs about marriage being ideal or who sought to "protect marriage" actually hurt their cause.
France's anti-gay marriage ban upheld
Timothy Kincaid
January 29th, 2011
Of all the schemes in Europe by which various nations recognize same-sex couples, France's (PACS) is among the weakest. Sophie Hasslauer and Corinne Cestino sued for marriage rights and the supreme court ruled that gay couples are not entitled to equality under France's constitution. (NY Times)
The constitutional council upheld longstanding legislation on Friday that effectively bans marriage for same-sex couples. The council ruled that civil code references to marriage as a union between a man and woman were not contrary to the Constitution, and said the legislature could change the law if it saw fit. "The principle of equality prohibits neither that the legislature regulate differing situations in differing manners, nor that it depart from equality for reasons of general interest," the decision said.
Perhaps that makes sense in French.
More sensationalistic HIV headlines
Timothy Kincaid
September 8th, 2010
Here's a Reuters headline from France:
HIV spread "out of control" among French gay men
And here's the meat of the story:
Thursday's study, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal, found that HIV in France fell significantly from 8,930 new infections in 2003 to 6,940 in 2008.
But the number of new infections among gay men was stable despite a decline in other groups, and accounted for 48 percent of new cases in France in 2008.
To Reuters "stable" = "out of control"
Yes, France has unacceptably high HIV infection rates – nearly 10% of gay men. Yes, we need to address the increase in young gay men who seem to be receiving ineffective messaging. Absolutely.
But, really!
Defenders of marriage be warned: you may be killing it
Timothy Kincaid
May 19th, 2010
Evidence from Europe suggests that those who so ardently oppose same-sex marriage need to ask themselves a question: do you want to save marriage, or do you want to be anti-gay? It appears that doing both may not be a long term option.
It is a foregone conclusion that some form of recognition of same-sex relationships is coming to every state in the union. And soon. With two thirds of the citizens supporting marriage, domestic partnerships, civil unions, or some other model – a number which is trending favorably – it is inevitable.
So the only question is whether it will be incremental, signing a register, a few rights doled out, no responsibilities, easy termination and no formality; or if it will be full marriage (or civil unions equal to marriage)? Will it be grudging and as little as they can get away with so as to keep gays in their place, or will it be all at once?
Supporters of "traditional marriage" may have to fight their instincts and opt for equality (or near equality). Because quasi-marriage, glorified "going together", may prove to be a tempting alternative for heterosexuals. It may actually detract from marriage. It certainly seems to in France. (BBC)
A heterosexual Austrian couple have embarked on a court battle to have their relationship legally recognised as a "registered partnership" – a new form of civil union for same-sex couples.
Helga Ratzenboeck and Martin Seydl say they don't want a traditional marriage and insist that the law should be blind to gender and sexuality.
Meanwhile, the kind of pared-down marriage they want is proving a huge hit with straight couples in France, where 95% of couples taking up the pacte civil de solidarite (Pacs) in 2009 were heterosexual.
As the number of straight French couples opting for Pacs has grown, the number of marriages has shrunk, to the point that there are now two couples entering into a Pacs for every three getting married.
Some might look at the overall picture of a cumulative increase in those who make some form of commitment (see chart), but "traditional marriage supporters" tend not to think like that.
I, of course, think it smartest just to make marriage available to all and be done with the drama. Then we can get on with the important task of bitching about who is going where for Thanksgiving.
Adoption in France
Timothy Kincaid
November 11th, 2009
Gay rights in Europe have different difficulties than in the States. Where here the battle is over legal rights and recognition for couples, European countries tend to place more restrictions on parenting. For example, in France where PACS have been legal since 2006, only heterosexual married couples can adopt.
Radio France Internationale is reporting that a breakthrough has just been accomplished in France:
School teacher Emmanuelle B. should receive the necessary paperwork within 15 days following Tuesday morning\'s decision, capping off a long court battle that has lasted more than 10 years.
Emmanuelle and her partner Laurence R., a school psychologist, have been living together for twenty years, and meet the requirements of seriousness and stability asked of prospective adopters, the judges wrote in their decision.
Her battle has been through French courts, the European Court of Human Rights, and back again. And it appears that, at least in this instance, Emmanuelle's desire to be a parent will not be blocked by legislative roadblocks.
But the decision isn\'t an outright victory for homosexual couples.
"The judge authorised a woman, who made her request to adopt as an individual, not a homosexual couple as such," he said.
French Support Marriage
Timothy Kincaid
July 24th, 2008
Canadian anti-gay news site LifeSiteNews.com is reporting on a recent poll taken in France
According to the survey, 62% of respondents were in favor of allowing homosexual "marriage," up from 45% in a similar survey conducted in 2006, and 51% were in favor of allowing homosexual couples to adopt, up from 36% in 2006.
France currently provides limited recognition of couples by means of a contract called Pacte civil de solidarité (PACS).


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Students enrolled at UMC pay an UMC Campus Fee and Durable Goods Fee each semester. The fee covers the costs associated with providing students with: notebook computers; pre-installed software; access to laser printers; power and LAN connections in classrooms, residence halls, and lounges; assistance from the Computer Help Desk; e-mail system; student Web page account; on-line library card catalogs; and World Wide Web access. Learn more about the Student Notebook Computer Program >>>
NOTE: Students issued a notebook computer must sign a rental contract. Students are responsible for lost/theft of the notebook computer. UMC limits the students liability for damages to $500 per occurrence. Failure to return the computer at the end of the semester or upon cancellation from school will result in a late fee assessment of $50, and a weekly charge of $31.25. If the computer is not returned upon demand, the student will be assessed the current market value of the notebook computer. Students are encouraged to read the contract carefully and to arrange for personal insurance coverage for the notebook.
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The agenda as set forth below will be followed at the regular meeting of the Board of State Examiners of Electricians and the Board of Electricians' Appeals which is scheduled to be held Monday, March 28, 2011 at 1000 Washington Street Room 105 C, Boston, MA.
Fire/Emergency instructions.
1. The Chairman (Fire Marshal's Designee) to call the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
2. Consideration of the minutes from the meeting of February 28, 2011.
3. Schedule of licenses issued by Board Action on February 28, 2011 to be presented for Board ratification.
4. The Board to consider recommendations for the issuance of licenses by reciprocity agreement with the state of New Hampshire:
5. The Board to consider Corporate and individual license change submissions:
6. Board Input
7. The Chair to announce that the next Board meeting date will be April 25, 2011.
8. Prosecutors to address the Board with permission granted from opposing counsel (Closed Session):
9. Final Decisions and Defaults (Closed Session)
10. Investigative conference(Closed Session):
11. The Chairman (Fire Marshal's Designee) to request a motion to adjourn the meeting.


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Woodbridge's baseball team had its final tuneup before the start of Pacific Coast League play Tuesday night, but the results weren't what the Warriors were hoping for.
Woodbridge dropped a nonleague doubleheader to Valencia at Ryan Lemmon Stadium.
Valencia (8-1 overall) won the first game, 14-3, and took the nightcap, 8-3.
"We're just not playing very well," said Woodbridge Coach Tim Murray after the second game. "When you're not playing well, it makes it hard. We'll fix them in practice and hopefully we will be ready for league."
Woodbridge (0-6) opens Pacific Coast League play Friday at 3:30 p.m. hosting Northwood at Ryan Lemmon Stadium.
"We're playing tough teams, Valencia is 8-1," Murray said. "It depends on how your approach is as a coach. Do you want to play the best or play teams that you can beat? Our philosophy has always been the same.
"I think in the end it will pay off and make us stronger."
Shortstop Max Mariahazy led Woodbridge on Tuesday, going 2 for 4 with an RBI single in the first inning and an RBI triple in the fifth inning.
The Warriors battled back from a 3-1 deficit to score two runs in the fifth inning to tie the game. A.J. Drake reached on an error in the fifth to drive home Mariahazy to make it 3-3
But in the top of the sixth inning, Valencia cashed in two errors to score four unearned runs and move ahead, 7-3. The Tigers added another run in the seventh inning.
David Miranda led Valencia, going 4 for 5 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Valencia outhit Woodbridge, 7-4.
Mbusi Hlatshwayo reached all four times for Woodbridge on walks and scored a run.
Shane McDevitt started on the mound for the Warriors before being relieved by Drake in the sixth and Connor Rogers in the seventh inning.


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Creative Home Ideas From Storefront Displays
Posted by Erin | Filed under Design Tips, Inspiration, Musings
If you're anything like me, you're easily inspired just walking down the street. Yet one of my favorite ways (by far!) to glean inspiration is from storefront windows and displays at my favorite shopping haunts. They've certainly come a long way from displaying mannequins in awkward positions, yes?
My favorite storefront to peruse? Anthropologie. Whether it be paper planes or fake snow, they've always got something fabulous on board, and in fact, I've stolen quite a few home decor tips from their recent displays! Here are three ideas I can't wait to try in my own home (all sourced from Ruthi Auda!):
1. Impromptu Art. Place anything under a bell jar, and suddenly, it blooms into a marvelous installation of display goodness. Don't believe me? Have you ever seen a light bulb look more artsy? Actually, we'll answer that in #3.
2. Nailed It. Want a quirky house number display that you can guarantee no one else on the block will be donning? Simply nail in your house numbers, courtesy of this #40 above. Can't wait to try this one at home!
3. Solidarity Shines. Sure, one lone light bulb can technically light up a room, but not quite like hundreds bundled together. I'm a firm believer that sometimes, more is more. And in this case? More is stunning.
Thanks for the inspiration, Anthropologie!
Tags: collection, decor, decor ideas, display, ideas, storefront displays


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Flounce Skirt
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Carven grey wool-blend flannel flounce skirt.
- Smooth heavyweight flannel
- Vertical double welt pockets at front, grosgrain ribbon faced waistband
- 19" from waist to hem, approximately
- Lined
- Zips at back
- Available in Grey
- Wool/nylon; lining: acetate/viscose
- Dry clean
- Imported
Our model is 5'10"/178cm and is wearing a size 40.
Style # 503519932
Since the company's revival in 2009, Carven has combined vibrant colors, youthful prints, and unexpected tech fabrics to update the enduring silhouettes made famous by Madame Carven Mallet in the 1940s and 1950s. Beautifully constructed dresses and playful separates characterize Carven's aesthetic, bringing her illustrious legacy into the twenty-first century.
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User Profile
Rick Reibstein is interested in efficient and effective environmental governance. He has worked primarily on developing and studying programs that assist people (in corporations, schools, agencies, households) to reduce toxics use and comply with regulations. He is also interested in innovative enforcement strategies, environmental democracy, the economic valuation of pollution prevention, the tools government may use to promote sustainable development, and the enhancement of interactions between academic researchers and policy developers. He is currently developing the Regulated Community Compliance Project (RCCP), which is now focusing in two areas: the federal requirements pertaining to lead paint in residences, and special wastes on tribal lands.
He is currently an environmental analyst in the Office of Technical Assistance for Toxics Use Reduction of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. He is also an adjunct professor in the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies at Boston University. Reibstein graduated with a JD from Brooklyn Law School in 1981.
E-mail: Rick Reibstein
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Secure Cloud – Introduction
Secure Cloud is Secure-ISS's centralised, robust and flexible Virtual Private Server infrastructure. Offered by an Australian company through Australian data centres.
Ask yourself: what if
- Your business grows and exceeds the capacity of your existing infrastructure
- Your server (with all of your valuable data) crashes!
- You have an application issue which you don't have the expertise on site to fix
- You're planning a new software deployment, but don't know where to start
- A new software version comes out with essential features which you need to leverage
All of these issues traditionally cost businesses big dollars. With a Secure-ISS Cloud solution, a speedy resolution is just a phone call away.
At Secure-ISS, we believe in bringing together and uniting technology to serve you and allow you to focus your attention on the things that actually matter to your business.
Managing IT can eat up time and money that is better spent investing in your business or customers. With the Secure Cloud, we host and take care of your IT infrastructure so you don't have to. Our managed servers, hosted in our Secure Private Cloud, give your staff secure access from any PC, anywhere in the world.
Stop sending internal spreadsheets around via email – centralizing your data and IT infrastructure will result in performance and productivity gains for any business.
Secure-ISS is an Australian company, so you know that your data isn't being sent overseas, and support is just a local phone call away.
In 'industry-speak', Secure-ISS Cloud is a centralised, managed, Platform as a Service solution. We provide a centralised, managed platform (Windows or Linux) which holds all of your data securely and provides remote access to your staff. All patching, software upgrades, and hardware upgrades are managed by us silently in the background. We spend our time worrying about your IT systems and security so you don't have to!


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Ivona M. Perecman is a real estate lawyer and a licensed real estate broker in NYC. Prior to focusing on real estate, Ivona practiced civil litigation on both plaintiff and defense side.
Ivona M. Perecman graduated summa cum laude from New York Law, where she received a meritorious scholarship and was Law Review Editor and a member of the Dean's List. She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2004. Ivona is also admitted to the United States District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, American Bar Association and Real Estate Board of New York.


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Non-Immigrant Visas
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General Information about Non-Immigrant Visas
To apply for your visa, please visit our Visa Information Page or contact the Visa Call Center today:
Website: www.ustraveldocs.com/hn
Telephone from the US: (703) 745-5478
Telephone from Honduras: 2202-8959
Email: email@example.com
Please Note:
- Call Center representatives are available Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (except on holidays)
- Applicants must make their payments at an authorized Banco Atlantida, Banco de Occidente, or Banco Ficohsa location.
- There is no home delivery service.
Important Note: Processing time for visa issuances from the time of the interview to receipt of the visa is approximately one week. Same-day service is not typically available. The U.S. Embassy strongly urges all individuals to apply for their visa at least three months in advance of planned travel.
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Pilates exercises to reduce stomach, hips and legs
In addition to caring for the health of our skeletal system and helps you relax , Pilates helps to improve our figure. Their different positions or movements can we reduce abdomen, hips and legs. Know the most effective Pilates exercises to hone your body:
"The Mermaid" to mobilize the hips and arms
This exercise is to stretch the muscles in your sides and arms, while contracting the muscles of the hips. Notes:
Put on your knees with your back straight and abdomen tight. Take your hands up above his head.
Take a deep breath and as you exhale, tilt the pelvis to the right until you feel on that side. Keep the trunk and arms formed a "C". Return slowly to starting position.
Lean your body toward the opposite side switches arms and makes sense also of the whole exercise.
Linking to force their hands when they are above your head, you control the movement. Also can help yourself to a ball for stability.
Repeat three times on each side.
"The Swan", strengthens the back and stretches the abdominal muscles
In addition to gain strength in the abdominal area, neck and lower back this movement will help correct the curvature of the back.
Lie face down on a mat (or towel), leaving the legs fully extended. Place your hands on the sides of the shoulders well supported palms. Inhale deeply; raise the trunk by pressing your pelvis off the floor and no hips.
Take a deep breath and re-support the body on the floor starting with the abdomen and ending in the head.
Repeat 4 times. while longer notes as your muscles.
Of course, if you feel discomfort in your lower back is better to leave this exercise when you have further strengthened the area.
"Scissors", move the legs and activates the heart
The following exercises will help improve your circulation, prevent fluid retention, combat cellulite and keep your legs and heart strong and toned:
Lie down and place a folded towel under your lower back. Raise your legs at an angle of 90 ° to the trunk.
Keep one leg up and down the other leg, but always bringing it up just where you keep all your back against the floor. Back up slowly and repeat 10 times.
The "tip" most important for this exercise is not to force the neck to move the legs, should only focus on the abdomen.
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Doctor said I might have to go to labor and delivery, what does this mean?
I'm currently 32 weeks pregnant and this morning I'm pretty sure my baby dropped some and I went to work and got sent home early because I can hardly stand on my right leg because my upper inner thigh feels like it constantly has a charlie horse. I got home and called my doctor and she just called back saying that if it doesn't get better by tomorrow or if it gets worse, to call them back and I would be sent to labor and delivery? What does this mean? would they try to get me to deliver him now or what? and would he be ok if I did have to go into labor?
Posted: 01/22/2013 by Kaitlyn93
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I can't say for sure why, but it would most likely be to monitor you and run some tests (blood pressure, urine, etc..). If they want you to deliver it's because it's the best thing for him. Just try to relax (it's hard, I know), but the stress won't help. If you think about it, all of the monitoring equipment is at the hospital. Most doctor's offices don't have all of that. Monitoring you may help them understand why you have this pain. It could also be nothing more than a pinched nerve from the baby's position. So, take it easy, keep your feet up, and make your SO do the work. And call your doctor if anything changes. Good luck.posted 01/23/2013 by Fearless Leader
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May 6, 2016
Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) -- A Myrtle Beach woman has been arrested after police say she choked a man for taking too much of the covers in the bed they shared.
Authorities say 42-year-old Tina Berryhill Rucker was arrested Wednesday around 11 p.m. and charged with criminal domestic violence.
Police say a man told them he was lying in bed with Rucker when he tried to pull more of the blanket that they shared to his side.
He says Rucker jumped on top of him and tried to choke him. Police said the man was bleeding where Rucker had scratched him in the neck.
Authorities say Rucker was intoxicated and uncooperative. She was being held without bond. It wasn't known if Rucker had an attorney.
(Copyright 2013, The Associated Press)
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