text:
Critical-illness plans are not for everyone
By Lisa
Iannucci Bankrate.com
Each year, 700,000 people experience a stroke, 340,000
have a heart attack and 1 million are diagnosed with cancer.
If any of these unfortunate events happened to you,
would you have enough money to cover lost wages, pay for medications
not covered by a traditional health plan, or other incidentals?
Insurance companies hope these statistics scare you
straight into purchasing a critical-illness insurance policy. But
other financial experts say it's a waste of money to pay for a policy
that only insures you for specific illnesses.
Critical-illness insurance is not medical or life
insurance, but a policy that covers the financial gaps when you
suffer a heart attack or stroke or are diagnosed with a major illness,
such as cancer, or you need a transplant. Once known as 'cancer'
insurance, many companies are now expanding their policies to include
several diseases or conditions, including but not limited to renal
failure, blindness, paralysis, Alzheimer's disease, and terminal
What it is -- and is not
'Cancer' policies are still available, but understand it's not medical
insurance. Most people are covered for cancer and other illnesses
under a major medical insurance policy. Critical-illness insurance
provides extra funds to pay any costs not covered under your traditional
health insurance policy or whatever else you want to spend the money
on. It's also not a life insurance policy; you will be the one to
receive the money after you are diagnosed or ill. Life insurance
takes care of your beneficiaries and funeral expenses.
Critical-illness policies can be purchased in various
increments from $5,000 to $200,000. You pay monthly premiums (a
$50,000 policy may have a monthly premium of approximately $35,
depending on the insured's age) that can increase as you age.
The policy works like this: Let's say you purchase
a $100,000 comprehensive illness insurance policy that covers heart
attacks, stroke, invasive cancer or organ transplant. If you have
a heart attack or stroke or are diagnosed with one of these illnesses,
you will typically receive a lump sum payment of $100,000. This
payment can be helpful if you need to pay off debts, are losing
income while receiving treatment, need to pay for uncovered medical
expenses or for whatever reason you want.
Lori Suggs has had two kidney transplants and is now
on disability. She knows how hard a medical illness can be -- not
only physically, but also financially. "It is very stressful
wondering where you are going to find the money for bills, medications,
etc.," says Suggs, who lives in Connecticut and has medical
insurance, but disability funds only stretch so far for other expenses.
If Suggs had known about critical-illness insurance
before she had gotten sick, she may have purchased it, saving herself
from some of this financial heartache.
Feeding off fear
But financial experts agree that these policies feed off fear while
urging you to invest money in a plan where the odds are against
your ever using it. "Comprehensive illness insurance is extra
profitable for the insurance companies," says Jordan Goodman,
author of "Everyone's
Money Book."
And, he adds, there are limitations and restrictions
and it can be difficult to collect. Some restrictions include:
You cannot purchase insurance for a condition that
you already have and, in most cases, if you are at high risk for,
say, a heart attack, you will be turned down.
Some reject it flatly
"You don't want critical-illness insurance,"
says Grace Weinstein, a financial expert and author of "The
Procrastinator's Guide To Taxes Made Easy."
"There's very little point in insuring against
one specific illness when you don't know what illness you're going
to get. These critical-illness insurance policies create an unreasoning
fear of cancer when there are so many other illnesses that can be
emotionally, financially and physically catastrophic."
But Steve Farish, partner at Palmer & Cay brokerage
and consulting firm in Columbia, S.C., disagrees. "Critics
can't make a decision on the product," says Farish. "Every
situation for every person is different; it fills a need for a lot
of people."
Farish says his firm started selling the product about
five years ago as part of group insurance policies for associations
or businesses. Typically, the prices for the group policies range
from $2 a week for smaller policies on up. For individual policies,
the more comprehensive your coverage and the older you are, the
more expensive the policy can be. His company does not work with
groups of less than 15 people and he admits that individuals will
have a harder time getting a critical-insurance policy.
"For group policies it all depends on the underwriting,
but restrictions on individual policies are much more strict,"
says Farish. "You may or may not get a policy. Every carrier
has a different questionnaire and one wrong answer can get you turned
Sales of critical-illness
insurance have been booming in the United Kingdom and Canada, but
so far U.S. sales have been sluggish. According to an article written
by Daniel Pisetsky, founder of the National Association of Critical
Illness Insurance, only 40 American individual, worksite and group
insurers are selling the insurance.
Whether or not you decide to purchase
the insurance, and how much, should depend on your current health
insurance plan, your assets, your existing expenses and what you
might receive from disability insurance or other financial resources.
Remember, however, that the odds are against your ever using it.
Lisa Iannucci is a freelance
writer based in New York.
-- Posted: July 28, 2004
* Mortgage rate may include points. See rate tables
for details. Click
here. * To see the definition of overnight averages click
Bankrate.com ®,
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text:
Agnes Browne Showtimes and Tickets
Read Movie Reviews about Agnes Browne Write a Movie Review for Agnes Browne
Dvd Release Date: 2000-08-22
Genre: Drama,
Rating: R
Duration: 1hr 31min
Set in Dublin in 1967, the story of feisty woman, who along with her seven children, learns to cope with adversity after the unexpected death of her husband. As Agnes finds her finances waning, she struggles to make ends meet, and eventually winds up selling fruits and vegetables at her Market Street stall. There, she encounters a menagerie different from the one she mothers at home, and is shored up by her best friend, confidante, and neighboring Market Street vendor, Marion Monks. Sharing an earthly laugh with Marion, tending to her children, and dreaming of someday seeing Tom Jones in concert, Agnes blazes through the days. When a French baker, Pierre, takes an interest in her, Agnes realizes that she still has her own life to live, even as she must provide for her family... Suddenly finding herself coming of age, she takes a second chance at life and love, while always keeping her twin senses of humor and resilience.
Cast and Crew
- Starring
Anjelica Huston, Ray Winstone, Marion O'Dwyer, Niall O'Shea, Ciaran Owens, Roxanna Williams
- Directed by Anjelica Huston
- Produced by Jim Sheridan, Greg Smith, Arthur Lappin
- Written by John Goldsmith, Brendan O'Carroll
Search For Theaters
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Cardiac Alert
To ensure East Valley residents who suffer a heart attack receive the best medical treatment as quickly as possible, we operate a comprehensive Cardiac Alert program.
Aimed at treating heart attack patients within 90 minutes of arrival at the hospital, the Cardiac Alert program is a partnership between:
- The Emergency department (ED) at Banner Baywood Medical Center
- Banner Heart Hospital cardiology physicians
- East Valley Emergency Medical Service (EMS) paramedics
Through the program, individuals experiencing chest pain call 911. Responding EMS paramedics with advanced training in interpreting electrocardiograms assess the patient and fax a report from the field to the ED at Banner Baywood. They confirm the report over the phone with an ED physician before calling the Acute Cardiac Transfer/Acceptance telephone line at Banner Heart Hospital to activate a Cardiac Alert.
Once an alert is activated, hospital admitting staff begins processing patient information while personnel from the catheterization laboratory at Banner Heart Hospital begin preparing for the patient.
Within minutes of arrival at Banner Baywood, the patient is quickly moved through the ED and taken to the catheterization lab to have their artery opened and treatment provided.
Through the program, we often exceed the national standard set by the American College of Cardiology to treat patients within 90 minutes of their arrival. In many cases, our "door to balloon" time is less than one hour.


text:
1 Oct 23:08 2006
Re: cross compile problem, building netbsd-3 for sparc on i386
Johan A. van Zanten <johan <at> giantfoo.org>
I fixed this, but am not entirely sure how. I mv'd my /etc/mk.conf out of the way to test if it was a bad effect of something i'd set in there. That seemed to fix the problem, in that "build.sh ... tools" installed a sparc--netbsdelf-gcc. Next, i did a make clean, and then removed the newly-creaed "obj" directories from /usr/src/tools. My mk.conf sets MAKEOBJDIRPREFIX and OBJMACHINE, so i figured i'd need to clean up since the build had run with those set. Then i mv'd mk.conf back to /etc, and it continued to work. Maybe there was some cruft in my source tree. -johan "Johan A. van Zanten" <johan <at> giantfoo.org> wrote: > > > This command completes successfully: > > > ./build.sh -u -U -m sparc tools > > > ===> Tools built to /tew/004/NetBSD/tools > ===> build.sh started: Fri Sep 29 17:30:46 CDT 2006 > ===> build.sh ended: Fri Sep 29 17:31:18 CDT 2006 > ===> Summary of results: > build.sh command: ./build.sh -u -U -m sparc tools > build.sh started: Fri Sep 29 17:30:46 CDT 2006 > No nonexistent/bin/nbmake, needs building.(Continue reading)


text:
530 E. Joppa Rd, Suite L1 Towson, MD 21286 | email: email@example.com | phone:410-337-LASH(5274)
"Every woman wants to feel pretty. Eyelash extensions give you an instant pretty look that is consistent and effortless. You will be as fabulous in your ponytail and workout clothes as you are dressed to the 9′s for a cocktail party.
In two hours I will change your lashes from "lackluster" to "luxurious"."
-Lanine, "Lash Lady"


text: Comments on Reflections on the B20 Meeting Last week, I have the privilege to participate in the B20 meetings in Los Cabos, a prelude to the G20 economic summit. My takeaway is that the global economic situation is not going to get better any time soon. The Chinese economy is clearly slowing, the Eurozone crisis seems endless, and the U.S. situation is tenuous at best. TypePad 2012-06-26T03:42:34Z Dan Reed http://www.hpcdan.org/reeds_ruminations/ tag:typepad.com,2003:http://www.hpcdan.org/reeds_ruminations/2012/06/reflections-on-the-b20-meeting/comments/atom.xml/


text: This is going to be long and l apologize in advance but on the advice of a couple of well respected members here it needs to be put in print as soon as possible. Some peices mentioned here are being verified by CONECA for addition to the registry, others will soon be as well. The information lm going to put here is to give all of you who are interested something new to search for and if it is in the wrong area please move it appropriately.Some of you may remember that recently roll searching l found several of the 1968 extra spines in BU rolls, l already had the famous '64 in my collection but actually finding it myself lit the fire to search for more. Some online searching gave me the the original list which was the 1939 extra spine, 1964 extra spine, 1964 extra bud, 1965 extra bud, 1966 extra bud, 1966 extra spine, 1968 extra spine, and the 1972 double spine. And I think the 1964 worm should be included in this list because it is similar in shape an cause to the 1968 just in a different place. I have read about a 1973 extra bud but l havent found one yet or seen a picture, but that is 10 varieties.A fellow searcher, Guy Chaput, has found 4 which need to be added to this list: a 1963 new thorn, 1971 extra spine, 1977 extra spine and the 1984 broken bud, plus a friends recent 1964 new thorn, that is 5 more so we are up to 15 now.If you know about the 1965 extra bud - well l found one just like it on 1970 (it is being verified now by CONECA to be added to the registry)in Ken Potters opinion it is also an example of hub doubling, plus on 1970 I have found a worm variety and an extra spine up by the leaves. I was looking for the 1971 extra spine to have in my set but didnt find any in my rolls, what l did find was a new bud growing beside the bud. In 1972 I found an extra bud and an extra spine and in 1983 l have found an extra bud. But maybe my favorite is the 1957 extra spine, no one has found one before on a coin that is alreaddy so old l think it must be very rare. So with those 8 added to the list there are 23, if you dont count the worms 21 but l think they belong lol.Im not sure if lm more proud of the 1970 or the 1957, maybe both :) one extra spine one extra bud.I dont have all the ones on the list yet in my set l am still looking but l do have quite a few of them. Anything ldiscover l must find more than 3 of them or it is not counted, some l was able to find several of.This is an area not many have looked into or searched for besides the well known '64 extra spine and '65 extra bud and there remains a lot of room for others to make finds which will fill in the gaps. From the oldest I have found, 1957 to the most recent, 1984 there is a span of 27 years, remove the '67 centennial from that count and there are 26 years. Of these 26 years, extra spines or extra buds or both have been found in 13 of them ..... whats waiting to be found in those other 13 years ? If anyone is aware of others that have not been listed here Id love to here about them.Pictures will follow shortly,as will theories on cause. Sorry for being so long :)but ld love to hear what you guys think


text: The Leaders The Austrian running the world's largest food group talks about trust and the need to delegate in order for an organisation of Nestle's complexity to succeed. Peter Brabeck also hits-back at critics for his decision to take the dual mandate of Chairman and CEO, whilst rebuffing journalists who write he's chosen the wrong candidate to succeed him as CEO. The Leaders:Peter Brabeck


text:
zinc oxide topical (Desitin and Others)
Pharmacy Author:
Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD
Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD
Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Medical and Pharmacy Editor:
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.
GENERIC NAME: zinc oxide topical
BRAND NAME: Ammens Original Medicated, Ammens Shower Fresh, Balmex, Boudreaux's, Butt Paste, Calmol 4, Carlesta Skin Protectant, Critic-Aid Skin Care, Delazinc, Desitin Creamy, Desitin, Diaper Rash Ointment, Diaper Relief, Dr Smiths Diaper Ointment, Johnsons No More Diaper Rash, Novana Protect, PNS Unna Boot, Triple Paste, Unna-Flex, Vaginex Powder, Yeast-X Powder, Znlin
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Topical zinc oxide is a non-prescription (OTC) over-the-counter) mild astringent with weak antiseptic properties. It is a skin protectant that is used to treat and prevent various skin conditions including minor abrasions, burns, chafing, diaper rash, insect bites, and minor skin irritation. Zinc oxide works by forming a barrier on top of the skin that protects the area from moisture and irritants.
Topical zinc oxide is available in various formulations including cream, ointment, paste, powder and solution spray. Zinc oxide paste is commonly used to treat weeping or oozing associated with poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Zinc oxide is also used with titanium dioxide in sunscreen products.
Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 10/24/2014
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Need help identifying pills and medications?
Back to Medications Index


text:
Dell Streak could be updated directly to Android 2.2 Froyo in the US
Already available via AT&T since last Friday, the Dell Streak is a unique device for the US market. However, the fact that it was launched with Android 1.6 is far from great.
Of course, an update to a newer version of Android will be released sometime soon – and it looks like it won't be Android 2.1, but directly Android 2.2 Froyo.
Lionel Menchaca, Chief Blogger for Dell, has it that, from the info he has, "current plan in the US is to go right to Froyo."
Unfortunately, he doesn't provide an exact date for this.
Also available in Europe (via O2 UK), the Streak is Dell's second (official) Android device after the Aero / Mini 3. More Android products from Dell are on their way, of course, including the quite interesting Dell Thunder, which should be out in the fall.


text:
Order your pictures from Deal's Gap (The Dragon/Hwy129) online from Killboy.com. Also,
lots of info to make your next trip to the Gap safe and fun.
Get your Dragon T-shirts and other items, find area maps,
and dining
info, local weather, and lots of info about the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, and other roads/road conditions in
the region.
- Need a great place to stay while visiting Deals Gap? Try Dunks Place by Tellico
Lake. A fully furnished 1500 sq ft house that sleeps up to 12. Only 15 miles from the Dragon!
If you have a special project that requires graphic design work, such as a logo or
header for your website, outdoor advertising, brochures, or other business tools that require design
creativity, check with these guys before you ask anyone else! See the logo above and our home page
header for a sample of their work, then check out their website. Also, check out their
motorsports specific
site. Several examples of work for companies you'll probably recognize!
Road Quest
If you live in Washington or if you plan to tour the state, you will want to check out this site.
Road Quest's Rob Green has created the ultimate guide that is full of mapped routes, lunch stops, gear
reviews, and other information that is very helpful in getting set to hit the highways of beautiful Washington.
Rob posts high-quality, 16:9 video logs of his rides to illustrate what you can expect on the rides. He also
posts high-res photo slide shows depicting the scenery of his routes. Even if you don't live in Washington,
this site will inspire you gas up your bike and go for a ride in search of the best burger and scenery in your
area, too.
Moto How-To
A nice website where members can post information about installation of parts and repairs to their
motorcycles. Posts are rated to make it easier to find the highest quality reviews on the site.


text:
Jan 3, 2011 9:14 AM
Overall, we have pretty sweet lives, we'll admit that. But there are days when everything feels so tragic, when nothing seems to go right. It is on a day like this that we truly appreciate the book F My Life ($11). It's culled from a website of the same name and is full of stories from everyday people, sharing some of the truly awful moments in their lives. How about these stories from F My Life?
"Today, my boyfriend broke up with me. I cried and told him that I loved him. He gave me a quarter and told me to call someone who cared. I threw the quarter in his face and ran. I waited for the bus, but when I got on, I realized I was 25 cents short of the fare. I walked home in the rain."
"Today, my boss fired me via text message. I don't have a text messaging plan. I paid 25 cents to get fired."
"Today, I got in line at the grocery store. The woman in front of me looked right at me, turned to her friend, and said "That reminds me, I forgot to get acne cream."
Or, consider this little gem:
"Today, my 5 year old nephew showed me green martians he'd made with his new Play Doh set. I smiled and said, "Wow! Now, how about some blue martians!" He looked at me and replied, "How about some blue shut the fuck up!".
Somehow, our calamities becomes comedy and we realize that we all live in a devastatingly, disastrously funny world where bad things happen, but we manage to survive.
If you've got a product or service that you'd like to promote on Outblush, click here to find out about our advertising opportunities.
Outblush is a blog for girls who love to shop. Our staff digs up the best clothes, home stuff, beauty items, and more. New items are posted every day — bookmark us and check out:


text:
Scott Townley wrote: [snip] > > As an aside, anyone ever heard of a "cornucopia" antenna? Some of the > old long-haul analog microwave sites run by the old AT&T still have some > up. They are generally a cone pointing up with an "elbow" opening that > opens to the horizon. Those have even better sidelobe/backlobe > performance. I have some pictures in old textbooks; they appear to be > one of the original radio astronomy antennas. And now they're all dark; > someone needs to pull one down and fire it up!! I dont recall the term "cornucopia", but from the name and description it sounds like what we used to refer to as a hog-horn. If I ever knew the derivation of that term it is long lost in the shower of discarded brain cells. As I recall, it was essentially a parabolic section with a horn feed. The sides of the horn carried on to provide side walls for the parabola, reducing the sidelobes. It had a reputation for being a 'quiet' antenna, hence the radio astronomy connection. PA0AVS has built one for use on 432 & 1296 EME; there's a picture in the antenna gallery on Rein's site, http://www.nitehawk.com/rasmit/ An S-band version would be fairly compact, and give a good G/T ratio. Definately food for thought. 73 Alf NU8I Scottsdale AZ DM43an ---- Via the amsat-bb mailing list at AMSAT.ORG courtesy of AMSAT-NA. To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe amsat-bb" to firstname.lastname@example.com
AMSAT Home


text:
To Conduct Cellular Censuses Sequence Deeply...
Diseases of the Eye That Cause...
Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Has Two Dimensions,...
Peptide Drugs Are Not Only Diverse...
Schizophrenia disease symptoms are triggered by a low level of a brain protein called kalirin, according to researchers from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Kalirin is needed to build the dense network of dendritic spines that allow information to flow from one neuron to another. Without an adequate amount, the frontal cortex of the brain of a person with schizophrenia only has a few narrow paths.
"Without enough pathways, the information takes much longer to travel between neurons, and much of it will never arrive," says Peter Penzes, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of physiology at the Feinberg School. He is also the senior author of the paper, published in a recent issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, called "Kalirin regulates cortical spine morphogenesis and disease-related behavioral phenotypes."
Previously in postmortem examinations of schizophrenic human brains, scientists found fewer connections between the brain cells in the frontal cortex and lower levels of kalirin. But they couldn't show whether one condition led to the other.
Dr. Penzes thus developed a mouse model that had low levels of Kalirin. He was able to demonstrate that the low level of this protein resulted in fewer dendritic spines in the frontal cortex. Other areas of the brain had a normal number of the dendritic spines.
These mice also developed symptoms of schizophrenia at two months, equivalent to reaching adolescence in humans. This mimics the delayed onset of the disease in humans. In normal development, the brain ramps up the production of kalirin as it begins to mature in adolescence.
Additionally, the new schizophrenic mouse model also exhibited more symptoms than other models, Dr. Penzes states. They had a poor working memory and were antisocial and hyperactive.
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text:
IMF Statement on Mission to GreecePress Release No. 12/357
September 21, 2012
The EC/ECB/IMF mission in Athens will take a brief pause from its discussions with the authorities on the program review. It expects to return to Athens after about a week. During this period some mission experts will remain in Athens to assist the authorities with further technical work, while contacts will continue with the authorities from respective headquarters. The mission has had productive discussions with the authorities since early September and has made good progress during this period. The mission looks forward to continuing those discussions soon in Athens, with the goal of reaching agreement on a set of economic policies that could provide the basis for a successful completion of the review.


text:
Ihu's Breakaway Falls, a tower with four water slides that's a one-of-a-kind in Orlando, opened at SeaWorld's Aquatica water park on May 9.
While Aquatica is packed with a variety of thrilling rides, two wave pools, and even a "lazy" river that actually rushes riders along in the rapids, Ihu's Breakaway Falls is a whole new experience perched 105 feet above the ground. On three of the slides, riders step into clear capsules that close behind them. Then they wait in breathless anticipation and drop one by one. They never know who will drop first or how long it will take, and a piped-in heartbeat raises the tension level.
For those who want to experience a somewhat milder thrill, there's a fourth slide that lets you launch yourself instead of waiting for the random drop. All four slides drop you up to 40 feet before you hit the twists and turns of the traditional enclosed slide portion of the ride. Each of the four slides is different, ensuring that thrill seekers will want to try all of the options.
Click the video accompanying this article to take a virtual ride on the orange slide (the other colors are green and blue for the plunging slides and purple for the version where you're in control of your own fate). It shows just how intense, yet fun, this new ride can be.
Ihu's Breakaway Falls is now open daily at the park, which features animal encounters and education activities along with its wave pools, rivers, and water slides. It's located across from SeaWorld Orlando and requires a separate admission ticket.


text:
Category: Reviews: Equipment: Digital Accessories: Scanners: Flatbed Scanners
If you are thinking of scanning slides with a flatbed scanner, check out our scanner reviews! Find our highest rated flatbed scanners.
Click on a letter below to view items beginning with the corresponding letter. Otherwise, click "view all" to see all items in this category.
|User Rating
|Epson V700 Flatbed Scanner (2)
|User Rating: 4.5


text:
On the last episode of "The Bold and the Beautiful" on CBS, Hope and Wyatt remain in Hawaii. Interesting how the jobs don't matter, right? Hope was amazed when the flower bud Wyatt had opened up. Wyatt claimed it was the warmth of her hand. Hope said flowers close at night and open during the day. Wyatt stated that the flower must have caught Hope's light.
Back at Forrester Creations, Rick was holding a meeting to see what Forrester employees were working on. Ridge walked in and said it was excellent that everyone was there. Rick said they were taking a closer look at what's needed for spring. Ridge said he was glad that Rick realized they needed to make some changes around here. The look on Rick's face was hardly agreeable.
Brooke stopped by Katie's house when she discovered she was working from home. Katie said it looked like Brooke had news. Brooke said she did. She told Katie it was something she thought she would be excited about. She explained Ridge was back. Katie wondered why she would be excited about that. Brooke emphasized that Ridge was home for good. Katie said she knew and mentioned that Ridge looked good. Brooke wondered if Katie had run into Ridge. Katie revealed that Ridge had come to see her and mentioned they had a nice talk.
Back in the Forrester board room, Rick didn't think that Ridge was fully aware of what went on with the Hope for the Future line during his absence. Ridge told him he was wrong. He said he was privy to how well the line did. He felt however, there were consequences connected to that line. He mentioned Forrester's core customers, the older, traditional shoppers weren't purchasing from the company the way they used to. He said that the company couldn't afford to lose those customers. Ridge said Hope for the Future was changing the identity of the company.
Brooke told Katie that Ridge knew everything. As they talked, Katie wondered how Bill was. Brooke claimed she wasn't really seeing Bill. She did admit that he kept coming around and she kept telling him to leave. Katie suddenly stopped the conversation and told Brooke she could tell she wanted something from her. She told Brooke to just tell her what it was.
Back in Hawaii, Wyatt told Hope they could still go out. Hope said she knew that and Wyatt sensed she feared being recognized. Hope said she could handle that, but not for a few weeks. Wyatt's phone rang and Hope wondered why he wasn't answering it. She said it could be his mother looking for an update about them. Hope said that Quinn was the reason why they were there. Wyatt had a pained look on his face.
Wyatt told Hope his mother did have a vested interest in them because she wanted him to be happy. He said she also believed he could make Hope happy. Wyatt claimed that Hope knew Steffy. He wondered if she thought Steffy would hop a plane with a virtual stranger and go to L.A. because that was the stranger wanted. Hope said Steffy would never do that. Hope claimed everything Liam told her seemed true. She believed nothing was happening between Liam and Steffy, but she feared Steffy would always be a part of Liam's life. She thought her life was going in one direction and now it wasn't. Wyatt said he had a suggestion and kissed Hope.
Back in the Forrester board room, Ridge asked what Forrester was known for. The answer was couture. He said the Hope for the Future line signaled that Forrester had given up on their signature style. Rick said that style was going down the tubes long ago along with the company's bank accounts. He wondered if Ridge was suggesting Hope for the Future would be the demise of the company. Ridge said that wasn't what he was saying. Ridge said he and Rick should talk. Rick said they might as well since Ridge wouldn't allow him to continue the meeting he had planned for weeks. Rick accused Ridge of wanting to be the savior of the company.
Brooke continued her conversation with Katie saying she loved Ridge and wanted to put her family back together. She knew Katie didn't believe her promise to stay away from Bill. Katie said that was because Bill kept ringing her doorbell and Brooke continued letting him in. Katie said she finally figured out what Brooke wanted. She accused a shocked Brooke of wanting both men.
Brooke told Katie she didn't come here for this. She wondered if Katie was happy living in this huge house by herself trying to accomplish it all. Katie wondered if Brooke wanted her to go to bed with a man every night who would rather be sleeping with her. Will's chatter came over the baby monitor and Katie told Brooke she was going to check on her son. She told her sister to let herself out.
Ridge and Rick shared a moment alone and Rick wondered when Ridge was leaving for international. Ridge told Rick he had bad news. He wasn't going anywhere. He told Rick that Thorne had taken the international post. Rick wondered who authorized this and he quickly found out Eric did. Brooke called Ridge saying she needed to see him, but he said it would have to wait because he was in the middle of something.
Ridge wondered if he and Rick could manage working together. He said it had always been up and down for them. Rick made comments about Ridge's need to manage everything and then brought up what he put his mother through. Rick accused Ridge of leaving Brooke to drown. Ridge wondered why Rick didn't put a stop to the relationship between Brooke and Bill. Rick pointed out that Ridge had left. He said he had no right to judge Brooke for anything. He also told Ridge that Katie was not blameless in all of that.
Wyatt sung the praises of Hawaii to Hope saying L.A. was great, but here, they had the forces of nature at their fingertips. He told her they could analyze the situation between Steffy and Liam fifty different ways, or they could simply let it blow away. The two shared another kiss. Wyatt said he envisioned him and Hope making love under a palm tree. She told him she wanted to take this slowly. Elsewhere, Caroline offered to beat Ridge up for Rick.
Ridge arrived at Brooke's and called out to her. She was in her room with candles lit wearing a robe. She told him both Hope and R.J. were off and they had the whole house to themselves. She wondered if he remembered those times from their past. He did. Brooke stroked his face and welcomed her dear, beautiful husband home. The only thing wrong was that the dear, beautiful husband guy looked as though he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
On the next episode according to this CBS video preview, Donna tells Katie that Bill and Brooke are done. She says Ridge is back and that changes everything. Bill tells someone Ridge is like a cigarette--a bad habit that Brooke needs to break. Brooke tells Ridge that R.J. wants his family back together more than anything. Katie tells Donna that Brooke is right where she wants to be--between two men who want her.
Don't miss today's episode of "The Bold and the Beautiful," and do share your thoughts in the comments section below.


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Working Waterfront Festival
Sa 11am to 6pm, Su 11am to 5pm Sat, Sep 27 - Sun, Sep 28, 2014
Venue: Working Waterfront Festival
New Bedford Historic Waterfront, Fisherman's Wharf To Merrill's Wharf, New Bedford, MA 02719Contact:
Laura Orleans
6 people saved this
Working Waterfront Festival, New Bedford, MA (September 27-28, 2014). An award winning, family friendly event celebrating the history and culture of New England's commercial fishing industry featuring live music, children's activities, cooking demonstrations, vessel and harbor tours, fisherman's contests, author readings, film screenings, local seafood, festival bookstore, maritime artisans marketplace & more. The FREE festival presents all that goes into bringing seafood from the ocean to the table in a way that is hands-on, educational and fun. This year, we put the spotlight on the historic and contemporary role of fishing families, both on shore and at sea. Programming will highlight the skills, knowledge, and traditions which are passed from one generation to the next. We will explore what it means to grow up in a fishing family; consider the important support role family members play; and pay tribute to the many family businesses which are part of the industry.
Wicked Free Summer Fun is Back!
Summer is here, and Massachusetts has over 600 FREE Events Statewide from June 21 – September 5, 2016 For...
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Thinking about filming a shirtless scene in an upcoming movie, like the entire cast of "Neighbors" had to do? Then luckily, star Zac Efron has one hot tip for you.
"It's kind of embarrassing, but you do push-ups before a shirtless scene," Efron told MTV News as part of the MTV Movie Awards Takeover.
We've previously covered the big news that Efron doffs anti-trou (that's a shirt, by the way) in way more of the upcoming comedy "Neighbors" than you might expect. Still, what works for Efron might not work for everyone. Take, for example, co-star Seth Rogen.
"That literally never occurred to me until I was working with Zac," Rogen said on the pushup tip. "I saw him doing it, I was like, 'Wooooow!' That's what guys do! I do pushups before a scene, I'm just really tired and sweaty."
So while Rogen may not be heading to the MTV Movie Awards to accept his win for Best Shirtless Performance anytime soon, Efron has already been nominated once, for his top-off turn in "That Awkward Moment."
Even though Efron has abs for weeks, he's got some stiff competition in the God of Thunder himself, Chris Hemsworth. Back on March 7 Efron threw down whatever a gauntlet is for torso muscles (chest-plate, maybe?) with the following tweet:
If I beat Thor- I'm accepting the award shirtless on stage. #movieawards
— Zac Efron (@ZacEfron) March 8, 2014
Though Efron swears he actually likes Hemsworth, and isn't trying to start a beef, he'll stick by the tweet.
"So I jokingly tweeted, if I beat him I'll accept it shirtless," Efron said. "Now I have to. I'm a man of my word. If I win, I'll do it."
Don't expect Rogen to join him in the audience if Efron does win — at least without doing a few push-ups, first.


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Carcinoma; Malignancy; Neoplasm; Oncology; Tumor
A colorectal polyp is a polyp (fleshy growth) occurring on the lining of the colon or rectum. Untreated colorectal polyps can develop into ...
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is cancer that starts in blood-forming tis...
Colorectal polyps as related to Cancer
- Tests to Detect Colorectal Cancer and Polyps - National ...
This fact sheet discusses the advantages and disadvantages of several colorectal cancer screening tests.
- Colon Polyps and Cancer Risk - Colon Polyps and Colon Cancer
Personal History of Colon Polyps. Polyps don't always become cancerous, but your risk of developing cancer increases with the number and size of colon polyps you have.
- Colorectal cancer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Colorectal cancer (also known as colon cancer, rectal cancer or bowel cancer) is the development of cancer in the colon or rectum (parts of the large intestine). It ...
- Colon Polyps & Colon Cancer Symptoms & Treatments
Information on Colon cancer and polyps including treatments, symptoms and diagnoses of cancer of the colon.
- Colon and Rectal Cancer - National Cancer Institute
Information about colon and rectal cancer treatment, prevention, genetics, causes, screening, statistics and other topics from the National Cancer Institute.
- Colon Cancer : Symptoms, Colonoscopy, and More
Get the facts on colon cancer (colorectal cancer) symptoms, stages, survival, prognosis, prevention, treatment, causes, diagnosis (colonoscopy), statistics, and ...
- What is colorectal cancer? - American Cancer Society
Colorectal cancer is a term for cancer that starts in either the colon or the rectum. Colon cancer and rectal cancer have many features in common.
- Colorectal Cancer, Colon, or Rectum Cancer Center ...
Colorectal Cancer Overview. Colon cancer and cancer of the rectum can begin as a small polyp, detectable through regular cancer screening, such as colonoscopy.
- Colon Polyps - National Institute of Diabetes and ...
The colon and rectum are part of the large intestine. Colorectal cancer occurs when tumors form in the lining of the large intestine. It is common in both men and women.


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Snail dissection in progress: Oxyloma retusa
I have dissected several specimens of the land snail Oxyloma retusa and figured out the make-up and the arrangement of the components of their genitalia. But at the moment I am a bit confused about the relation of the retractor muscle of the right tentacle with the genitalia.
I normally take photographs, but last nite I had time only for a freehand drawing. Although I am not very good at it, drawings are useful–if they make sense later–to establish a quick record of whatever one is observing.
In most pulmonates, the retractor muscle of the right tentacle passes between the penis and the vagina. Why is it there and not out of the way, say, underneath the genitalia? That's because evolution doesn't work with pre-planned designs and is not concerned with neatness. Whatever works stays around even if it's a bit awkward.
To those of you who are not familiar with the complicated genitalia of pulmonates the above drawing will not mean much. Just find the arrow labeled "retractor of right tentacle" and then notice that the darker colored retractor passes between the vagina on the left and the penis on the right (remember, they are hermaphrodites). What is confusing me is the branch of the retractor that I drew in green. That branch seems to insert to the base of the vagina and I don't remember noticing that in other species of pulmonates I have dissected. I will examine this particular dissection again later tonite and try to sort things out. I will also take pictures.
I will end with a disclaimer: This is a work in progress and my interpretations presented here are subject to change. Use them at your own risk!
Part 2 is here.


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Oct. 29, 2012
DEKALB, Ill. - For the first time this season, two Northern Illinois players were named Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week as defensive end Sean Progar (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) and kicker Mathew Sims (Hannibal, Mo./Hannibal) earned the honor, the league office announced Monday.
Progar was named MAC West Defensive Player of the Week after his seven-tackle, three-sack performance in the Huskies' 48-34 victory over Western Michigan Saturday. His three sacks are a career-high and the most by any Huskie player this season. Of Progar's seven stops, five were solo tackles, a season high for the senior. He had two sacks in the critical third quarter when the Huskie defense shut down Western Michigan's offense, allowing the Huskies to take the lead. This week's honor is the second MAC West Defensive Player of the Week honor for Progar this season and the third of his career.
Sims earned his second MAC West Specialist of the Week honor of the season after a record-setting day at Waldo Stadium. The junior scored 12 points, highlighted by the two longest field goals of his career as he connected from 49 and 54 yards. Sims put his name in the Huskie record books as he booted a school-record 54-yard field goal, 10 yards longer than his previous career high, on the last play of the first half. In the fourth quarter, Sims added the second-longest field goal of his career when he made a 49-yard three to extend NIU's lead back to 21 points at 48-27 with 4:52 remaining in the game.
The Huskies have had a player win one of the MAC West Player of the Week honors in eight of nine weeks this year. Five different Huskies, including three from the defensive side of the ball, have earned the honor in 2012. Last season, Northern Illinois players garnered just seven player of the week awards all year, with just two going to NIU defenders.
Northern Illinois (8-1, 5-0) opens a two-game homestand when the Huskies welcome MAC newcomer UMass to Huskie Stadium Saturday. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m. (CT) The game can be heard on WSCR 670 AM The Score, WLBK AM 1360 in DeKalb and WTJK 1380 AM in Janesville, Wis. Fans can also watch the game live through Huskie All-Access. Subscriptions are $6.95 a month or $49.95 for the year.


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U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) came under fire recently for his decision not to filibuster gun legislation in the Senate, but he has made his position clear on what he thinks about Second Amendment issues.
On April 11, Isakson voted to begin debate on S.649, the Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act, which is the gun control bill that Democrats are pushing in the Senate. This was a procedural vote, and Isakson later voted against an important amendment to the bill that would have allowed it to advance. The procedural vote to begin debate was 68-31, and several Republicans voted with Isakson to bring the bill to the floor for debate.
While conservatives don't support this bill, some Republicans had no interest in filibustering it.
Isakson issued the following statement concerning his vote to allow debate on April 12:
A floor debate on S.649, the proposed gun legislation, presents the best opportunity for supporters of the Second Amendment to offer and vote for amendments that will strengthen and protect the Second Amendment rights of Americans. I remain committed to protecting the unfettered Second Amendment rights of Georgians, and I look forward to reviewing the details of my colleagues' proposals and to debating gun control on the floor of the Senate. That's why I voted to proceed to debate, because there's no ambivalence in the Senate about this issue. Every senator knows where they stand on this issue, and I believe that every senator should go on-the-record and vote.
The U.S. Senate used to be the greatest deliberative body in the world. Whether it remains so is open to debate, but the right to bear arms is something that should be talked about. Avoiding a debate about the Second Amendment and whether S.649 infringes on our rights is the wrong approach. Conservatives should never be afraid to talk about this subject, and if they're worth anything, they should be able to win this debate.
On April 17, the Senate held votes on several amendments to S.649. One of the amendments was a compromise on background checks offered by Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Pat Toomey (R-PA). Isakson said, "I voted against the Manchin-Toomey amendment because of my concerns over its potential impact on private sales and on privacy issues."
The Manchin-Toomey amendment was defeated by a vote of 54-46, as it required 60 votes to pass. This amendment was a key to advancing the legislation, so its loss was a setback for the bill's sponsors. The ban on assault weapons was also defeated. These votes reveal a substantial lack of support for the legislation in the Senate. There may be more votes on the bill later this year, but it appears that even in the wake of the Newtown shootings, this bill is headed nowhere. And it is even less popular in the House, where it may not even get a hearing if it did pass the Senate.
In an April 19 newsletter released by Isakson's office, the junior senator from Georgia restated his position:
I support instant background checks on all retail sales of guns to prevent convicted felons from obtaining them, but I do not support waiting periods or the registration of any firearm. A ban on assault weapons is not the solution to ending mass acts of violence like we have seen in Aurora, Colorado, Newtown, Connecticut and at Virginia Tech. Instead, we need to take a comprehensive approach to solving this problem with a focus on mental health in our country.
Isakson suggests additional actions:
I have called for a thoughtful process to address gun safety, mental health, school security and all other components that contributed to recent acts of mass violence, similar to the work by the 9/11 Commission that made flying safer and has helped us prevent another hijacking of a U.S. plane by terrorists.
If folks think about what the senator is saying, instead of becoming upset because he didn't support a filibuster to hold up debate, they will see someone who is being deliberative and is supporting the Second Amendment. Besides, there's no reason not to have senators go on the record with their votes for and against this legislation.


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An arrest warrant was issued for Porsha Stewart from TV reality show, "Real Housewives of Atlanta." During a reunion between the stars of "RHOA," Porsha physically attacked co-star Kenya Moore.
The altercation happened in March during a reunion special. A source told Us Weekly, "Porsha stood up, so then Kenya stood up. Porsha charged at Kenya and pulled her hair, but it was over in a matter of seconds...Andy [Cohen] and a producer jumped in, and then security came."
Andy said on the Bravo website, Ask Andy, that the incident suddenly came out of nowhere. Apparently, the other women said that Kenya provoked Porsha into settling things physically. Andy continued to say that he does not approve of their actions and he said, ". . . it's totally inappropriate, it's wrong, it's not entertaining. It's just bad."
According to Sergeant Gregory Lyon from the Atlanta Police Department, the warrant for Porsha is for simple battery. As of the posting of this article, Porsha has not been arrested, yet.
No one knows why the two women started fighting in the first place. TMZ reports that witnesses say that the tension between the two was mounting all day. Some speculate that it started because Porsha may be cut from the show and this is her way to ensure that her spot stays secure. Drama equals ratings in the TV world.
What do you think started the fight?


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Artist: Stick to Your Guns
Album: The Hope Division
Genre: Rock
Black dynasty. you've defined true tragedy and this world bleeds. but i have found peace. as your enemy. as your betrayer. I AM THE TRAITOR - Erida, i pray that the same hate that KILLS AND RAPES doesn't give way in my head. if it does, I'M AS GOOD AS DEAD. - you spread your mind plague to anyone who listens i can't believe your hate has so much ambition the infection you bleed of your own volition its not enough to make your own decisions no more malice. watch us break it. we want progress so we'll make it. this is a new kind of justice. WE JUST HAVE TO TAKE IT. my mind is poised and the strike will be deadly. and you better believe I'm bringing all hell with me.
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Whether treating a toddler in an emergency or supporting a teen through chemotherapy treatments, we are dedicated to the care of each patient. It's through teamwork at every level of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and with you, the family, that we are able to achieve excellence in pediatric care.
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With a proven track record of providing world-class care to patients in more than 30 pediatric specialties, we are a model for other pediatric hospitals. Infants, teens and young adults belong in a children's hospital where they can get specialized treatment from caregivers who know the important differences between children and adults.
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Research is a cornerstone of the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta mission to enhance the lives of children. In conjunction with Emory University School of Medicine, Georgia Tech and Morehouse, Children's seeks answers to the most challenging childhood medical conditions through teaching and research.
We all want happy, healthy kids. But as a busy parent, helping your kids eat well and stay active can be a challenge.
At Strong4Life, created by Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, our doctors, nutritionists and wellness experts create fun, easy ways to help your kids eat, move and live healthier. From picky eaters to passionate gamers, we have a slew of simple tips by experts who understand, because we're parents, too.
As a not-for-profit organization, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta relies on the generous financial and volunteer support of our community. Your donations directly impact the lives of each family served by Children's and support many initiatives such as clinical excellence, research, teaching, wellness and charity care.
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Darren Johnson hopes to make a difference in children's lives, just like the staff at the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta did for him.
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In Seattle's early days, building codes were lax and citizens were allowed to build as many structures as they wanted on their land – including postage-stamp-sized lots. By 1957, the majority of citizens had had enough of that, and the city council passed a law stating that the minimum residential lot size would be 5,000 square feet, and only one house could be built on a lot.
That's still the law today: One lot, one house, and the lot must be at least 5,000 square feet.
However, savvy developers are free to use either of two building-code loopholes to bypass the minimum lot size requirement: the "Historic Lot Exception" or the "75/80 Rule" (see detailed descriptions below). The city calls them building code "exceptions." Both allow a standard-size lot to be divided into two substandard-size lots smaller than 5,000 square feet – a process often referred to as "short-platting" or "short subdivision."
Over the last 10 years, a small group of local developers has become very adept at cobbling one of those exceptions together with other arcane building-code loopholes to wedge skinny three-story homes onto lots as small as 1,050 square feet (in what used to be the backyard or side yard of an existing home).
The neighborhoods are almost always stunned to learn that this kind of construction is legal (that a giant new home could legally be built in the backyard or side yard of a neighboring house). And they're often furious that they were never even notified that such a divisive and unorthodox construction project was under consideration.
The problems that small-lot houses create for Seattle neighborhoods are immediate and long-term:
- The tall, skinny houses typically tower over the surrounding properties and feature giant windows that stare down on the yards below.
- The views that the surrounding homeowners once enjoyed are now blocked.
- The sunlight is blocked for the surrounding homeowners located to the north and west.
- Because the new homes are allowed to be built just five feet from the neighboring properties (one-third the distance required of all other homes), all the surrounding structures are at risk of increased fire danger.
- With the fire safety, privacy, views and sunlight for all the surrounding homes compromised, the property values for those homes are dramatically reduced.
Loophole #1: The Historic Lot Exception
When the city enacted the 1957 minimum lot size, it exempted any undersized lots that already had permits (so the property owners wouldn't lose their right to build on the land).
However, as former city council member Richard Conlin notes, many of the undersized lots exempted were never meant to be built upon at all: "These substandard lots, often times well below 3,000 square feet, were often created before 1957 for tax purposes. In some cases these lots were actually created by mistake when lot descriptions on more than one line were transcribed from hand-written records as two separate lots. Others had been intended to be erased by new plats or subdivisions that established legally developable lots."
Today, more than 55 years after the original exception was created, the vast majority of the original property owners (the people the exemption was designed to protect) are dead or long gone. And the sub-lots are long forgotten. The sub-lots almost never appear on city plat maps. And the current owner typically has no idea that their lot includes one.
To find them, a few savvy developers have learned to dig through the city's historical map archive, then, once they find a lot that qualifies, buy it out from under the owner at well below fair market value.
Former council member Conlin sums things up this way: "Unfortunately, there was no expiration date on the grandfathering clause, and recently some developers have rediscovered it and are using it to create infill housing that is not compatible with neighboring single family houses."
Loophole #2: The 75/80 Rule
In the early 1980s, local developers started complaining that the city was running out of 5,000 square-foot lots and convinced city leaders that the situation would soon start to impact the tax revenue that new-home construction generates.
But instead of debating the issue in public, the city council and Department of Planning and Development chose a much sneakier tactic. They simply created another loophole that would allow developers to bypass the minimum lot size requirement. But this time they added some elements to try and ensure that the new lot created would be in-character with the rest of the neighborhood. It's called the 75/80 Rule.
The 75/80 Rule allows developers to split one existing lot into two – if the new lot created is at least 75 percent of the minimum required for that zone (at least 3,750 square feet in a neighborhood zoned for 5,000 square foot lots), and the new lot is also at least 80 percent as big as the neighboring lots.
Like all building codes – and especially building-code exceptions – developers have learned how to manipulate every element of the 75/80 Rule to jam giant new homes into undersized lots that are totally out of character with the surrounding community.
The city refuses to close the loopholes
The city knows both of the above loopholes are extremely controversial, so city leaders rarely discuss them with the public, preferring only developers know about/understand them. But there is a section in the city's Comprehensive Plan (provision LU67) that explains them: "Permit exceptions to minimum lot size requirements to recognize building sites created in the public records under previous codes, to allow the consolidation of very small lots into larger lots, to adjust lot lines to permit more orderly development patterns, and to provide housing opportunity through the creation of additional buildable sites which are compatible with surrounding lots and do not result in the demolition of existing housing."
The city uses that section of the Comprehensive Plan to justify any and all loopholes created for developers.
DPD consultations
Finding lots that qualify for these exceptions is tough. But for a $1,000 fee, the Seattle Department of Planning and Development will actually coach the developer on the best way to get a lot to qualify. The resulting letters are called "opinion letters" (see a sample letter).
The DPD employees providing the coaching are typically the very same people who write and enforce the building codes. Private consultant and public watchdog all-in-one. It's a one-stop shop.
A gold mine for developers
Not only does the developer get to double the value of the property by splitting the lot, the new substandard lot qualifies for other exceptions that make them a gold mine. For example, if splitting the lot equally would make the new lot too difficult for the developer to build upon (it's oddly shaped or located too close to the existing house, for example), the DPD lets the developer reshape or relocate it through something called a "lot boundary adjustment."
The developers are also allowed to use special "substandard lot" building codes that allow them to bypass standard height limits, standard setbacks and other typical building codes. The result: a new, three-story home that towers over all the surrounding homes – and pushes right up against them.
Many of these exceptions were introduced in 2010, according to a 9/10/14 investigative article by the Seattle Weekly: "Four years ago, the City Council and the Department of Planning and Development looked at the low-rise zones and determined that they were 'underproducing,' says [Seattle city council member Sally] Clark, recalling the matter in her council office on a recent day." The article adds: "So Clark, using DPD [Department of Planning and Development] recommendations as a guideline, came up with a range of incentives meant to spur these types of [small-lot] developments."
The homeowner gets shafted
Most people who sell their homes to these developers sell at well below their true market value, because the homeowner has no idea that their property qualifies to be split into two lots (doubling the market value). Then the homeowner feels like a fool and a bad neighbor when a new, three-story house shoots up in the backyard or side yard a few months later.
Sometimes, the home isn't even for sale. In these cases, the developers use something called home stalking to find the owner and convince him/her to sell.
Our efforts to correct the situation
For three yeas (2012 to 2015), our group (representatives from neighborhoods all across the city, backed by 1,225 supporters) worked tirelessly to educate the public, lobby the city council and work with the Department of Planning and Development to close these two loopholes, or at least make the resulting homes more compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. See a summary of all that transpired.
To counter our efforts, the developers hired a full-time lobbyist and formed a lobbying group with the appealing name Smart Growth Seattle. That group, led by lobbyist Roger Valdez, proved especially effective at pressuring city council members and confusing the public (see a summary of the misleading arguments).
Out-spent and out-hustled by the developers and their lobbyists, our group was not able to get the loopholes closed. But in the end, we did get the city to pass new building codes addressing some of the worst aspects of these projects. That made the developers furious. See a summary.
The mayor's new plans
In June of 2015, Mayor Murray called for the current Department of Planning and Development to be "dismantled," its director to be retired, and an all-new department created (the Office of Planning and Community Development) to better plan neighborhood development. That seemed like a good step in the right direction.
But then in July of 2015, Mayor Murray said he was supporting a list of recommendations that would TRIPLE the housing density in single-family neighborhoods. According to the Seattle Times, the mayor's plan to rezone all the single-family neighborhoods means developers will be able to replace one single-family home (on a standard size lot) with three new, potentially much larger homes. A city council committee (Select Committee on Housing Affordability) has now been formed to study the mayor's proposal and get public input (see our summary of the committee's first meeting).
However, after Seattle Times columnist Danny Westneat wrote several very critical columns about the mayor's idea, and neighborhoods all across the city complained vehemently to the mayor and city council members, the mayor backtracked on his plans to rezone single-family neighborhoods. To learn the latest developments, see the Media Coverage page of this site.
Learn more
To see photos of side yard/backyard house projects, click here.
See all the news coverage this issue has generated.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to avoid living next to one of these projects.


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Revising and editing are essential parts of the writing process. This lesson introduces students to a peer revising/editing protocol. Using a three-step peer-editing, students learn a process that consists of compliments, suggestions, and corrections. They begin by practicing the techniques on sample student writing and viewing a PowerPoint tutorial to help reinforce the process. Once comfortable with the process, students use their knowledge to create a peer-editing assessment tool. This lesson works well within a writing workshop model or as a scaffolded lesson. (author/ncl)
In this mini-lesson, students learn to use more vivid and descriptive language in their writing by exploring the use of dialogue tags such as "he said" or "she answered" in picture books and novels. Students discuss the purpose, form, and style of dialogue. Following the mini-lesson, students work collaboratively to revise a passage from a novel to add more variety to the tags, and then apply the text structure to stories that they have written. (author/ncl)
This introductory lesson in essay writing supports students in learning to use a compare/contrast structure in their writing. Teachers begin by modeling, inviting students to contribute ideas to the essay. Teachers also show students how to incorporate new ideas and make revisions think using a word processing program. Students begin to explore the techniques that writers use, such as rearranging or clarifying words or sentences. Students then apply the techniques by writing drafts independently. (author/ncl)
This lesson features methods in which students learn strategies for developing strong characters in their own writing. Students are guided through a series of pre-writing activities as they complete a character sketch. After reading and analyzing a narrative text, students apply techniques used by authors to their own writing. This lesson uses a variety of instructional approaches, including teacher demonstrations, small group collaboration, and peer conferencing. Many links to related resources, suggestions for extension activities, and ideas for assessment are available at the website. (Author/ncl)
In this lesson, students explore the elements of fables. Links are provided to websites featuring wide collections of fables. Students first select a fable to update using a modern setting. Suggestions are supplied for each stage of the writing process. Next, they select from a list of morals and using the writing process, write original fables for them. For sharing their fables, students work in small groups to perform them as skits. This lesson provides an opportunity to reinforce students' understanding of literary elements and narrative writing. (author/sec)
Persuasive writing is an important skill, but writing an argument can seem intimidating to elementary students. This lesson introduces persuasive writing techniques through a variety of engaging, interactive activities. Students analyze persuasive pieces of writing, learn some of the terminology associated with persuasive writing, and identify examples of persuasion found in various print media. Once students become aware of the techniques used in oral arguments, they then apply them to independent persuasive writing activities. Supplemental materials, including a rubric, PowerPoint presentation, and links to additional online resources, are also available at the website. (author/ncl)
This lesson introduces students to a wide world of writing by inviting people into the classroom to talk about what, why, and how they write in their day-to-day lives. Students then reflect on how these varying purposes and processes can apply to their own lives. The lesson can help students see that writing matters in real life for real people and presents an opportunity to involve parents and community members. It is adaptable for use in middle school as well. (author/sec)
How does a seed of an idea become a story? The focus of this resource is on understanding and applying the story elements of plot, setting, and character in original narratives. Students begin by reading a short story, then analyzing the structure and development of the story. After generating a number of "what if" ideas for narratives, students work in small groups to develop their own story lines. This series of lessons is written to span four days, but may be easily integrated into a variety of teaching formats. (author/ncl)
A strong plot is a basic requirement of any narrative. Students are sometimes confused, however, by the difference between a series of events that happen in a story and the plot elements, or the events that are significant to the story. This lesson uses comic strip frames to define plot and reinforce the structure that underlies a narrative, as students write their own original narratives.
The lesson uses a version of "The Three Little Pigs" fairy tale to examine plot structure; however, any picture book with a strong plot would work for this lesson. (author/ncl)
Maintained by the National Endowment for the Humanities, this interdisciplinary unit, centered around the Oregon Trail, lets students synthesize historical data through creative writing. The activities allow students to compare imagined travel experiences of their own with the actual experiences of 19th-century pioneers. After writing stories about contemporary cross-country journeys, students learn about the experiences of the emigrants who traveled on the Oregon Trail. They then create works of historical fiction in the form of picture books or letters, drawing upon the information they have learned. (author/ncl)
In this lesson, students explore the common elements of various types of folktales (e.g. tall tales, fairy tales, animal tales). A link to an award-winning website containing retellings of American folktales provides numerous examples. Students then choose one type and write an original folktale using the writing process. For publishing, they illustrate their tales and create storybooks. This lesson provides an opportunity to reinforce students' understanding of literary elements and narrative writing. (author/sec)
Reading biographies and autobiographies is an important part of many reading programs. In this lesson, students build upon their knowledge about the content and structure of biographies to write their own autobiographical incidents. Students begin by reading a variety of autobiographies and biographies. Prior to writing, students analyze the biographical texts for organization and content. Following the steps of the writing process, this lessons offers ideas to support students at all phases of their writing. A detailed rubric provides guidance for students as they begin to write their own pieces. (Author/ncl)
This resource uses fairy tales to teach the literary features and story structure commonly found in narrative texts. This instructional unit, maintained by the New Zealand Ministry of Education, provides opportunities for students to read a variety of fairy tales and create original stories following the structure and conventions of narrative texts. Assessment guidelines and links to related websites are also provided. (author/ncl)
Art defines culture. In this lesson students gain understanding of the Greek culture through creating and painting mythological characters and by studying Greek mythology. They will learn to better analyze, create, and critique through the use of the visual arts. The class reads the Book of Greek Myths by Ingri and Edgar D'Aulaire, then they discuss the various attributes of the archetypal characters. The class uses the Metropolitan Museum of Art: Greek and Roman website to view pictures and discuss what they might represent. Research is then done in small groups using a variety of resources including the Internet. Finally students are asked to create their own mythological character and use both creative writing and a watercolor art project to represent that character. This lesson integrates language arts, the visual arts, and social studies. Ideas for assessment are included. (author/jlkrause)
This lesson uses text sets (paired fiction and nonfiction texts on a similar content area topic) to increase student understanding of a content area subject and also develop writing skills. The lesson begins by using a KWL chart to establish what the students know and also generate questions about the topic. Narrative fiction is introduced first to stimulate interest. Next the nonfiction text is introduced. By reading both the fiction and nonfiction texts, the students should be able to answer questions and fill in details of what they have learned on the KWL chart. Genre elements of narrative and expository texts are then discussed and examples of texts that blend both elements (such as the Magic School Bus series) are examined. Students then write and share their own narrative story that includes expository information. Students are encouraged to choose from a variety of formats for creating and sharing their independent writing. Links are provided that offer teachers additional strategies and resources for blending fact and fiction. (author/jlkrause)
The lead of a story is the beginning, and yet it can be the end if the reader is not engaged. In this lesson, students examine examples of leads from a selection of children's literature. Paying attention to elements such as setting, action, character, reflection, event, and dialogue, students rate the opening lines from books then discuss the characteristics and strengths of each. As a follow-up activity, students work in pairs to generate different leads. Finally, students complete the reading writing connection by writing or revising a lead in one of their one pieces of writing. Presented as an anchor lesson, the ideas presented may be adapted for a minilesson on writing effective leads or as a strategy lesson for revising stories. (author/ncl)
This lesson uses trading cards of fictional characters to support students' literacy development in writing narrative texts. Students begin by exploring popular picture books, noting how authors develop the characters in these stories. Through teacher modeling and guided practice, students learn how characters are described and developed. Using an online Character Trading Cards tool, students create their own character and plan its development. An extension for this lesson is to have students use their online character cards to write their own stories. Teachers should make sure that students have an understanding of story structure prior to completing this lesson. (author/ncl)
Designated a promising practice, this literature-based unit uses a variety of trickster tales found in folktales and modern stories to teach story analysis and written response. This instructional unit allows students to analyze and compare stories and create their own trickster tale. Assessment guidelines and links to related websites are also provided. (author/ncl)
During a novel study, students closely examine the different characters in the text by keeping journal entries, meeting for group discussions, and using graphic organizers. This extensive character examination is designed to help them to prepare a final project that involves creating an interview-style television show. Using their notes and information from the text, students write a script and assume the roles of the television host and the characters on the show. Questions about events from the novel are composed and responded to based on students' knowledge of the characters' personality traits and actions. This lesson may be adapted for use with many novels. (author/ncl)
In this lesson, a descriptive passage from a piece of prose is used to create a found poem. Students may then use found poems for models in writing parallel poems. By completing these activities, students develop an understanding of descriptive writing and learn how to recast prose as poetry. The lesson provides a detailed set of directions for teachers and links to related resources. Although the emphasis of this lesson is on descriptive language, the process may be adapted to fit many aspects of literary analysis and response. Examples of found poems and parallel poems are available at the web site. (Author/ncl)
This best practice site, a letter writing lesson, uses postcards to explore features and conventions of written communication. Set in the context of writing workshop, this resource encourages students to draw upon their background knowledge and prior experiences during writing tasks. Assessment guidelines and links to related websites are also provided. (author/ncl)
This activity uses literature and shared writing to teach letter-writing format and promote authentic letter writing. Students listen to and talk about stories dealing with correspondence, then participate in a collaborative, whole-group letter-writing activity. They go on to write their own letters to deliver or mail to adult school helpers, family, or friends. This introductory lesson requires two sessions, but teachers will need to plan opportunities for students to initiate and maintain ongoing correspondence. (author/ncl)
This resource, maintained by the National Endowment for the Humanities, provides letter writing ideas based on ten historical letters that are used as a context for authentic letter writing. Through a series of activities, students read, discuss, and respond to a variety of letters written by famous and ordinary citizens, some of whom lived during extraordinary times. The letters serve as a starting point for a discussion of and practice in the conventions and purposes of letter writing. The site provides access to the historical documents through links to other websites. Detailed directions are given to help users locate specific letters. Links and recommendations for extending the use of historical letters as an instructional resource are also listed. (author/ncl)
It is often difficult to create authentic contexts for classroom reading and writing assignments. Integrating a letter-exchange program in a writing workshop format, helps to motivate students and build excitement about literacy learning. This lesson helps teachers to select e-pals for students and develop real-life writing and learning experiences. Students learn the format of a friendly letter and the parts of an e-mail message. With careful selection of an e-pal group, students can also learn about other cultures, languages, and geographic areas. (author/ncl)
In this unit, students will explore the genre of memoir and discover how writers write about the ordinary happenings of their lives. Each lesson centers on one topic (e.g., a treasured object, photographs) and engages students with rich examples from poetry, picture books, novels, and memoirs. Lists of recommended texts are included. "Exploring activities" follow, providing opportunities for oral communication, reading, and writing in a variety of modes. Students keep a writing folder as they discover that their own lives are packed with meaningful experiences and memories. (author/sec)
Letter poems, where communicating a message is central, make poetry accessible, meaningful, and fun for children. Letter poems are also a good medium for exploring a defining characteristic of poetry--line breaks. As students work to transform narrative-style letters into poetic format, they are encouraged think carefully about where to end each line. In this lesson, students explore various letter poems and experiment with writing letters as poems, paying special attention to why the lines are broken where they are and how line breaks affect rhythm, sound, meaning, and appearance. Comparing the characteristics of traditional letters to letter poems allows students to understand the similarities and difference between the two genres. (author/ncl)
In this lesson, students explore the grace and beauty of motion in a variety of sports and dance. Examining photographs, students learn about the aesthetic elements of athletics as they use rich vocabulary to describe the images. They then write in reflective journals, view and interpret media, conduct Internet research, take digital photographs, and create original poems that are inspired by movement. The integration of popular media and digital cameras will motivate students to learn new words and compose original poetry. (author/ncl)
This lesson supports third- through fifth-grade students as they apply think-aloud strategies to reading. Using the theme of peace, students explore a variety of poems and picture books and write poems. Activities include collaborative as well as individual work. Technology tools are integrated as students research symbols of peace and as they prewrite, compose, and publish their poetry. Teachers may wish to review the wide array of activities in this lesson, selecting those that best match their instructional goals. (author/ncl)
In this lesson, students read and explore the poetry of Emily Dickinson to build their understanding of key literary elements. Students examine the use of imagery, sound, and metaphor and discover how to listen for meter in songs and poems. They begin by listening to clips of a hymn to help them hear Dickinson's meter. Then, they view 19-century bird images, describing what they see as they play with language and imagery, just as a poet would. Finally, they apply their knowledge of literary elements by writing a poem of their own using their own observations. This lesson provides a good introduction to figurative language and author's style. (author/ncl)
This lesson provides an opportunity for students to understand the experience of a slave trying to escape captivity through the Underground Railroad. Students listen to and sing African-American spirituals, and then learn the "coded messages" or true meaning of the lyrics. Once students understand the secret signals and passwords communicated through spirituals, they write their own original lyrics that contain coded messages and present them to the class. This lesson effectively integrates music, language arts, and social studies to provide a richer understanding and perspective of slaves lives and how they communicated through song. Ideas for extensions to this lesson are included. Links are provided to related websites, additional lessons, and materials for teachers and students. (author/jlkrause)
This lesson provides students with the opportunity to write authentic news stories. Using print and online newspapers, students analyze news writing, summarize articles, and plan and write their own stories. Taking on the role of reporters and editors, students publish their own classroom newspaper. Various aspects of newspapers are introduced in this lesson, including parts of a newspaper, writing informational texts, newspaper reading habits, and layout and design techniques. (author/ncl)
This promising practice, part of a Scholastic's Writing with Writers series, provides strategies for teaching students to write biographies. Designed for implementation within writing workshop, this resource includes a warm-up exercise, genre-specific tips for biography writing, and an example of a biographical sketch. An assessment rubric and a list of support materials are also posted. (author/ncl)
Using traditional stories of native Alaskans and nonfiction texts about Arctic animals, students learn to adjust their reading strategies to meet the demands of different texts. Students use online resources to locate stories and find facts about animals in Alaska. They compare and contrast narrative and expository texts, noting differences in the purpose of each and the ways in which information is presented. This lesson emphasizes the integration of content across multiple areas of study. While the focus of this lesson is on Alaska, the instructional procedures described may be adapted for use with other topics. (author/ncl)
Snowflake Bentley, a Caldecott Medal-winning book about Wilson Bentley, is an example of a multigenre picture book. Along with the biographical text are large, colorful woodcuts and sidebars describing Bentley's experiments with microphotography and other biographical data. In this lesson, students create a working definition of multigenre. Then, using that knowledge, they will together to write their own multigenre piece about winter, using Snowflake Bentley as a model. This lesson allows students to apply their understanding of fiction and nonfiction text to categorize unfamiliar texts. (author/ncl)
This resource is an online interactive workshop where "young scientists" can move through the basic steps of organizing information on a topic of their choice to create a scientific report. Scholastic partners with the American Museum of Natural History to provide students with a step-by-step support system to transform a collection of notes, observations, research, and experiments into a well-organized and thorough science report. This report can be published online and shared with other young scientists. Students will find this site useful if they've already done research on a topic, or they may use it as a guide to set goals before gathering research and data. This site includes a teacher's guide, related booklists, definitions of scientific terms, lessons, PDF forms, examples of student scientist's reports, and audio commentaries from Dr. Susan Perkins, microbiologist. Links are provided to science magazines and the American Museum of Natural History. The site is rich with information, well-organized, comprehensive, easy to navigate, and it effectively integrates language arts and science. (author/jlkrause)
Students need to know they can derive information through a variety of sources. In this lesson students make use of a KWL chart and research the life of Harriet Tubman. They locate information in traditional reference materials and also through their impressions of artistic selections that include photographs and artistic renderings. They organize their information into two categories: information from factual sources and impressions formed from photographs, paintings, and songs. Students learn that both types of information are valuable and they learn what can be revealed through each type of information. Finally students write a well-constructed paragraph telling what they have learned. This lesson integrates language Arts with the visual arts and social studies. Links are provided for supportive materials, websites, and extensions that include a continuing lesson. (author/jlkrause)


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Love the music of The National and want to see what it's like behind the scenes...from the point of view of Tom Berninger (brother of lead singer Matt)? Don't know the music of The National but want to enjoy a humorous and heart-warming story of two brothers after the younger is hired by the older to be a roadie?
"Mistaken for Strangers" (2013) is purported to be a look at the band as it performs in Europe. But actually, we are watching a film about brothers through the eyes of the insecure younger one. Looks like Matt is trying to get Tom out of the house and working on something productive. Tom brings along what looks like a fairly amateurish video camcorder with a vision: record the band's European tour and make a documentary. However, Tom's real job is to consist of things like making sure the food and booze are ready, getting those on the guest lists into the venues, and having plenty of towels in the dressing rooms.
Tom fails at some of these routine duties, to the chagrin of his brother and other crew and band members. He is downright annoying when he pushes his camcorder into the commotion that ensues before shows. Tom's questions to others frequently revolve around his brother or are clueless. He attempts to direct the band members, including his brother, to pose or look thoughtful. It is obvious that Tom's filmmaking experience is limited and his interviewing skills are nil.
Previous to Matt's invite, Tom lived at home with his parents in Cincinatti creating no-budget horror flicks and dabbling in painting and other graphic arts. Once on the road, he messes up the jobs he is assigned, gets reprimanded for being in the way, and ultimately becomes despondent, believing himself to be a total failure. Tom admits this to his own camera, face forward and honest.
Matt is alternatively annoyed and patient with Tom. Tom is not a success as a roadie but after the tour is over, Matt and his wife welcome Tom into their home so he can edit his footage. There is a method to Tom's editing madness. He posts color-coded index cards all over the wall (a creation in itself) and explains what he is doing to a sympathetic Matt.
There are spats between the brothers. Matt is angered when Tom leaves spilled cereal and milk on the bathroom floor. Later, Matt is incredulous when at the first screening of "Mistaken for Strangers" the film halts. He cannot believe that Tom didn't check to make sure his DVD of his rough cut was compatible with the projector.
Don't expect to hear much of the band's music. There are no long takes. The clips of actual performances are short, but more extensive segments of The National's music are part of the soundtrack.
Do expect to appreciate this honest portrayal of brothers who care for each other and a band with a unique indie rock sound.
"Mistaken for Strangers" will only be in Albuquerque for two screenings. It's premiere was a year ago at the Tribeca Film Festival. This Friday and Saturday at 10 PM (April 11 to 12) you can catch the film at The Guild Cinema, 3405 Central Avenue NE. All seats are $8. Check out the Guild's website or call for more information at (505) 255-1848.
If you can't get to the theater, the film is available for download on the "Mistaken for Strangers" website. Also, here is a link to The National's website which has clips of their music and more.


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Genetic Testing for Smoking Cessation
by Poornima Agrawal on January 17, 2012 at 2:19 PM Health Watch - G J E 4
Smokers' ability to quit smoking may be influenced by genetic variation. The use of genetic testing may hence increase cessation rates.
More than 1.2 billion smokers exist worldwide, and tobacco smoking continues to be the largest preventable cause of disease and premature death. With smoking it is true that cessation reverses most of its adverse effects. Although many pharmacological therapies are available, even then the cessation rate remains low as 15% to 30% which gives way to genetically tailored therapies like nicotine dependence tests. Inherited or genetic differences in nicotine clearance rates are associated with smoking behavior and cessation rates, with a genetically-informed biomarker, the nicotine metabolite ratio, NMR.
AdvertisementIn a cross sectional survey conducted in Netherlands, the knowledge of smokers, their attitudes, preferences and intention to undergo genetic testing were assessed using an online cross-sectional survey. Total of 587 participants were selected from the database of an internet research company.
They were queried with their smoking characteristics like type of tobacco product, number of cigarettes and/or shags per day, level of nicotine dependence (assessed by the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence. Their knowledge of influence of genetics on nicotine dependence and regarding the influence of genetics on smoking cessation (treatment) were assessed.
While 88.9% knew that it is important to quit, about half (49.1%) of the respondents knew that less than half of the smokers who want to quit succeed. As far as knowledge was concerned most of the Dutch population did not know about the genetic influences on smoking predisposition. About one-third knew that the chance to become addicted to smoking is influenced by genes (29.5%) and that genes exist that increase the chance of becoming addicted to smoking. only 36% believed that genetic predisposition is an (very) important cause of smoking.
Instead of being relieved by genetic tests most participants were worried that the results would become known at work or to the employer and that they would not be able to tell others. Participants were least convinced that they would be relieved by the results and most convinced that a genetic test would give a reliable result about the presence of a genetic predisposition to become addicted to smoking, and that it could help to determine the correct dose of smoking cessation medication.
While most participants (73.6%) would prefer to receive more information as well as get the genetic tests done from their General practitioners, they indicated not to be willing to pay >50 for the genetic test. A low number of participants (16.6%) were (completely) interested in undergoing a genetic test and half of them (50.6%) would not ask their GP for the test.
Knowledge level of participants on the influence of genetic factors on smoking addiction and cessation, and even on basic mechanisms of heredity, is highly inadequate and needs attention. Increasing awareness of the probability and consequences of having a genetic predisposition, and advantages and disadvantages for genetic testing, might also be an effective strategy to motivate smokers to undergo a genetic test for smoking cessation. Therefore it seems likely that General Practitioners will play an important role in the counseling of patients about undergoing genetic testing.
Further, patients' awareness of such a test can also be increased by addressing via other channels of communication, for instance, information leaflets or information campaigns on TV, radio or in magazines or newspapers. Thus when they have some knowledge about the influence of genetic factors on smoking and smoking cessation they would prefer and look for these tests.
This study suffered from few limitations as the field of pharmacogenetic influences on smoking cessation is still in its infancy, and therefore, no well-accepted tests to tailor smoking cessation treatment are commonly available. The smokers may not be familiar with genetic testing for smoking addiction and genetically tailored cessation treatments or even genetics in general, it is questionable whether they were able to give a well-considered answer to all the questions they were asked. Lastly, that the participants were recruited via an internet research company, selection bias might have occurred due to the non-representative nature of the internet population and the self-selection of participants.
Therefore we conclude that strategies for counselling patients and communicating their test results have to be adopted by general practitioners in a way to remove misconceptions regarding smoking cessation rates.
Reference: Knowledge, attitudes and preferences regarding genetic testing for smoking cessation. A cross-sectional survey among Dutch smokers; Marieke Quaak et al; BMJ 2011
Source: Medindia
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