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- Jun 3:
- Sparse turnout at East Bay polling places
- San Jose election: Sparse turnout so far; few turning on to free pot offer
- Feds to monitor Alameda County election Tuesday
- San Jose mayor's race: Dave Cortese vs. Sam Liccardo in November
- Jun 2:
- Election Tuesday: Voters face weighty decisions -- if they vote at all
SAN JOSE -- Voters with medical marijuana cards can get more than just an "I Voted" sticker after casting their ballots on Tuesday.
The Silicon Valley Cannabis Coalition will be providing free weed to members who vote in the Tuesday election. The coalition said it will announce a list of clubs participating in the "Weed for Votes" program Monday; members must show proof with an "I Voted" sticker or ballot stub.
"We have a huge opportunity to make a large impact in who runs San Jose," John Lee, director of the coalition, said in a statement. "Although we may not have regulations on the June ballot, insuring the right politicians are elected is even more important."
The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voter's Office referred questions on the legality of the offer to District Attorney Jeff Rosen's office.
In a brief statement, Rosen's office said the offer itself does not appear to violate state election law, which prohibits trying to influence voters with an offer of "money, gift, loan, or other valuable consideration, office, place, or employment."
However, depending on how the offer is administrated, it still could violate California law, according to the statement, and possibly federal law.
But the U.S. Attorney's Office had no comment when asked about the free pot offer.
The pot coalition is posting on its website recommendations for the various races in Santa Clara County, including mayor of San Jose, open City Council seats and county sheriff.
Shannon Bushey, the Registrar of Voters in Santa Clara County, referred questions on the legality of the pot giveaway to the District Attorney's Office.
The free weed effort comes as the San Jose City Council considers new regulations for medical marijuana dispensaries. The new slate of rules includes distance regulations: Dispensaries must be at least 1,000 feet away from schools, day care centers, churches, recreation centers, parks, libraries and other collectives; 500 feet from rehab centers and 150 feet from homes.
Other requirements do not allow collectives to work together to expand product lines, prohibit concentrated cannabis and mandate that all product must be grown by the dispensary at a site within San Jose.
In a statement issued by Dave Hodges, founder of the All American Cannabis Club, the coalition said it asked the city to establish a commission to aid in regulating medical marijuana businesses.
Contact Mark Gomez at 408-920-5869. Follow him at Twitter.com/markmgomez.


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The Seminole football team will never run out on the field before Osceola and Renegade make their entrance.
Valdosta fans line the streets for their heroes.
But for some --- pregame habits are more than just repetitious acts --- they affect the outcome of the matchup --- at least in their minds.
"I feel like maybe my game will be off or if we do lose, that's the reason we lost."
Senior FSU Volleyball Player Jenna Romanelli has a laundry list of rituals that are as essential to her play as her practice time.
"I always hit the door before going out of the locker room. When we line up to shake hands, I'm always second to last in front of Lauren regardless of where we are I always move. I'm always doing the same handshakes with my teammates. I never look at the score before I serve. My hair is always done the exact same way."
For some squads ---they hold a teamwide belief.
"All the years --- we have the district championships, state championships, state finalists."
The Lincoln Trojans carry their oversized equivalent of a rabbit's foot everywhere they go.
"It takes years for a rock to develop. It starts with a grain of sand and it's bonded by heat and pressure and time so that's how you build your team so when you go places no one can tear you apart," said Lincoln Head Football Coach Yusuf Shakir.
The Trojan Rock has traveled with the team under lock and key since 1993.
Leaving without it, isn't an option. Losing it would be unthinkable.
"It's really who we are, it's our tradition so it can't leave, it's stuck here."

subset: commoncrawl


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The process of getting ready for a triple murder trial is underway in Camden County as the sheriff's department prepares to house and provide security for a sequestered jury.
The trial of accused triple murderer Morris McCabe is scheduled to get underway Feb. 4 in Camden County. Camden County Prosecutor Brian Keedy is seeking the death penalty. The jury will be sequestered throughout the duration of the trial.
McCabe is accused of shooting and killing Stoutland residents Sally Amos, Don Meyers and Don Young on Dec. 3, 2010.
The three were found shot to death at a home near the intersection of Route T and Route H. Deputies arrested McCabe a day after the killings. McCabe has been in the Camden County jail since his arrest.
It is the second time McCabe has faced murder charges. In 1980, McCabe was found guilty of a murder in Lebanon. On June 8, 1979, McCabe shot and killed 34-year-old Larry Baker at the home of Nancy Row on Yates Ave. in Lebanon. McCabe was 19 at the time of Baker's murder.
McCabe's 1980 trial moved from Laclede County to Camden County on a change of venue request. He stood trial before Judge John Parrish. Jack Miller was the prosecuting attorney. McCabe served 30 years in prison for his 1979 crimes.
McCabe had been out of prison for just more than eight months at the time he was arrested as the suspect in the deaths of three Stoutland residents. McCabe pleaded not guilty to the Stoutland murders. McCabe's court proceedings have moved back and forth between counties.
Location, ST | website.com


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In Parting Gift to Bernanke, First Unanimous Fed Decision Since June 2011
The Federal Reserve's policy committee gave outgoing Chairman Ben Bernanke something that had eluded him for some time: a unanimous decision.
For the first time since June 2011, all voting members on the committee agreed Wednesday with the decision to continue trimming the Fed's monthly bond purchases, this time to $65 billion per month from $75 billion.
The absence of formal opposition marked a break with the pattern of recent years. In 2013, Kansas City Fed dissented in every meeting save December, when the central bank began trimming its bond buying. But that final gathering found an opposing vote in Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren, who said it was too early to begin trimming the bond purchases, which are aimed at spurring faster growth, given the still weak state of employment and tepid inflation.
In 2012, Richmond Fed chief Jeffrey Lacker cast dissenting votes at every meeting. And 2011 was the high-water mark of opposition: Mr. Bernanke endured three dissents at both the August and September meetings by officials opposed to the central bank's supportive monetary policy moves. Another dissent, this time in favor of the Fed doing more, came at the November 2011 meeting from Chicago Fed leader Charles Evans.
The degree of disagreement is not surprising given Mr. Bernanke's push to adopt a slew of novel tools to restore growth and stability after the 2008 financial crisis. It's hardly shocking that a leap into the unknown would leave some central bankers in opposition.
As has long been the case, the dissents had little actual influence on the course of monetary policy. That said, Mr. Bernanke — whose last day at the Fed is Friday — could also look back at the opposition as a small victory for his vision of central banking.
After the iron rule of former Chairman Alan Greenspan, Mr. Bernanke wanted, at least initially, to encourage debate and empower all the voices at the Fed. Even though the conflicting viewpoints made it difficult at times to understand the Fed's plans and raised questions about the credibility of its actions, they also gave the public a better sense of the internal discussions.
While Mr. Bernanke and his closest confidants always prevailed, the dissents bolstered Fed transparency and showed that officials were, at least to some degree, looking at problems from many different viewpoints.
Heading into 2014, there was a sense that the current year could again be one of considerable dissension among FOMC ranks. This year's class of voters included two of the most vociferous critics of bond buying, Dallas Fed President Richard Fisher and Philadelphia Fed President Charles Plosser. On the other side, Minneapolis Fed President Narayana Kocherlakota has been become the biggest proponent of the Fed doing even more to help the economy. All three were viewed as possible dissenters this year.
The grounds for Mr. Fisher and Mr. Plosser to dissent gave way when the Fed decided in December to begin cutting the pace of its bond-buying from $85 billion a month, to $75 billion. In comments ahead of the committee meeting this week, both men said they were pleased the Fed had finally begun to wind down the program. While Mr. Fisher said he would prefer a more aggressive pace of cutbacks, he nevertheless observed that he was simply happy the Fed was moving in what he considered to be the right direction. And Mr. Kocherlakota appeared willing to go along with buts in bond buys.


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Hi all,
Seeking some help. I have been ripping blu rays (m2ts files) to my hard drive and trying to stream them through my ps3. Getting them to play is easy, but as the movie plays on, the audio becomes out of sync. I have followed tutorials online, but those are dated back in 2009. I was wondering on the process that people use that's allows me to play them without any issues. Please help, I have been trying to figure this out for a month now. Thanks!


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The end is near: Blackberry's GRIM Reaper story
By Benjawan Thanachotipan, Jesse Randall, Peter Graham, Sriram Sridharan, Timothy Webb and Tyler McElhaney
Research in Motion [RIMM: $60.81], known for its private data security and e-mail addicts, may be on the verge of disappearing. Drawing this conclusion may seem strange in light of its recent stock price increases, its 27 percent market share, and the pending release of its iPad competitor, the Playbook. However, RIM's demise isn't apparent on the surface. Its misaligned long-term strategy is what will ultimately bring RIM to its knees.
Technology and innovation in the smart phone industry have developed at an extremely fast pace. This has caused consumers to upgrade their devices on an annual basis if not sooner. As these devices increasingly become an extension of the life of today's consumers, supplying innovative, advanced devices is more important than ever. This shifting consumer preference towards iPhone and Android devices (even in the business user segment) is causing RIM to lose market share at an exponential rate.


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- Nov 15:
- Caldecott Tunnel forth bore to ease traffic backups during reverse commute
- Nov 14:
- Caldecott Tunnel traffic to face delays this weekend before new bore opens
- Nov 12:
- Guest Commentary: Federal Glover: Fourth Caldecott tunnel set to open
- ViewPoints by Julie Pierce: Countdown to congestion relief with opening of tunnel's fourth bore
- Nov 11:
- Before Caldecott opened, mysterious tunnel connected counties
- Nov 8:
- Caldecott Tunnel cone guys change directions daily, but not much longer
- Nov 6:
- Roadshow: Commuter pleads for carpool lane in Caldecott Tunnel
- Nov 1:
- Caldecott Tunnel: Eight hospitalized after smoky car fire
- Oct 31:
- Anatomy of a disaster: The 1982 Caldecott Tunnel fire that killed seven
- New Caldecott Tunnel bore has safety features inspired by deadly fire
ORINDA —— Highway 24 traffic in the Caldecott Tunnel is being delayed Monday as a result of fire drills and other preparations for the scheduled opening of a new tunnel bore this weekend.
Caltrans cautions motorists not to be distracted by the presence of fire trucks and other emergency vehicles in or near the third bore — which will be temporarily closed at times -- and the soon-to-open fourth bore.
Oakland and Moraga-Orinda firefighters will finish their drills by 4 p.m. Monday. But further traffic delays for other preparations will occur between 10 p.m. Monday night and 4 a.m. Tuesday.
Officials had announced tentative plans to open the new bore Saturday, Sunday, or early Monday, Nov. 18. However, rain could upset that schedule by disrupting some of the final preparations, said Ivy Morrison, a fourth bore project spokeswoman.
There will be no fourth bore opening ceremony for the general public. While a small ceremony will be held Friday, it will be limited to invited guests because of the limited space for people and cars near the tunnel portals.
Contact Denis Cuff at 925-943-8267. Follow him at Twitter.com/deniscuff


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Through our exceptional health
care services, we reveal
the healing presence of God.
What's NewGet the latest news on St. Mary's Hospital »
How often does this happen to you: you enter a room only to realize you can't remember why you were going there in the first place. Or maybe you are searching all over for your sunglasses only to walk by a mirror and realize they're sitting right on top of your head. These things happen to all of us at some time or another. But for those of us who are getting older we may say we're having a "senior moment." The good news is we can do something about it.
At one time people assumed forgetfulness and a decrease in cognitive abilities was just part of the aging process. We now know that's not the case. In fact, brain issues like dementia have risk factors just like other diseases.
"The good thing is we do have control over our brains," says Heather Stapelmann, the Resident Care Coordinator for the Memory Care Unit of St. Mary's Care Center. "People need to keep in mind there are normal memory and cognitive declines with aging but those are very minimal. So if you are have some memory issues you need to rule out more definitive disease processes before you can just chalk it up to old age." By focusing on prevention, we are likely to minimize our risk of developing the illness.
Take 92-year-old Ida Thoenig, as an example. She plays a card game called Quiddler three times a week at the St. Mary's Care Center. On this particular day she's dealt 10 cards (D,R,O,T,G,D,O,H,IN,TH) and asked to make as many words as possible out of them. Thoenig comes up with THIN, HOG and TROD, using all but one of the letters. And she's pretty happy about that.
"The main thing is to keep you thinking," she says.
Did you know some medical conditions can actually cause memory problems? Stapelmann says these include depression, thyroid disorders and vitamin deficiencies – all of which are treatable. When someone manages these conditions, they can often relieve some of the memory problems.
"My oldest gal was 105 and she had some memory issues when she first came to the Care Center, but after identifying and treating her conditions, it was very clear she didn't have cognitive issues," says Stapelmann. "This resident was just one example of how sharp your brain really is when you're older."
Now that doesn't mean our brains at age 105 are just as sharp as they were at 15. In fact, every ten years our brains naturally shrink in size by about 2.5%. By about age 50, that can lead to normal cognitive changes like occasional memory lapses or a need to focus a little harder on tasks.
"You'll see reasoning and problem-solving abilities stay about the same," says Stapelmann, "But it will take some extra time. The speed of processing information will sometimes naturally slow. It's not that these things can't be done; it just takes longer to get done. Focus and attention remain pretty constant throughout your life as well but trying to multitask –- that becomes more difficult as we age."
"Get to your doctor if you're noticing things that just don't seem right," adds Stapelmann, "Like changes in personality –- drastic changes. People shouldn't be having word-finding problems. But they can with dementias. Getting in and getting some tests done with doctors like a simple memory screen are routine health checkups that should be done when you're noticing any mental health issues."
Other signs you should see your doctor include misplacing things –- not losing your keys once in a while –- but actually placing things where they shouldn't be like a remote control in your freezer, for instance. Or, if you're trying to focus hard on one thing and you just can't or keep forgetting, that's another indication you should seek medical help.
So what can you do to minimize your chance of developing dementia?
Stapelmann says it's a good idea to keep your brain active. "Exercise your mind –- keep learning new things, read, do crossword puzzles, word finds, anything that stimulates your brain and your thinking."
Physical exercise, walking, swimming or bicycle riding for example, also are beneficial. Studies show that people who exercise regularly have a much lower risk of Alzheimer's. The same is true for people who stay socially active –- getting together with friends, playing games, or even just sitting together and talking are all great brain "workouts."
Eating healthy foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids also has been shown to protect against cognitive problems. Many types of fish and nuts are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
And finally, lowering your cholesterol and blood pressure levels can have a positive impact on memory as well. High blood pressure and high cholesterol levels raise a person's risk of heart disease because they contribute to plaque accumulation on blood vessel walls. The same is true in the brain where plaque contributes to a condition known as vascular dementia.
You can live to a ripe old age with very little memory loss if you play your cards right like Thoenig. "Some days I feel 100 and some days 50," she says. "The important thing is to keep active in sports and whatever you do."
Nourish Your Neurons
The brain is really a "use it or lose it" organ. Follow these tips to keeping it in working order:
Is it Truly a "Senior Moment?"
Scientists say the human brain was built to last -- meaning our perception of "old age" might be skewed. Check out the following examples from the Alzheimer's Association about what's normal and not normal when it comes to memory loss. If you're experiencing things that are "not normal," talk to your doctor –- there may be an underlying cause for your memory loss that can be treated.
Normal: Occasionally forgetting appointments.
Not Normal: Completely forgetting a very important date or appointment.
Normal: Losing things occasionally.
Not Normal: Placing your keys in the refrigerator.
Normal: Having trouble finding the right words when you're talking to someone.
Not Normal: Stopping mid sentence with no idea how to finish or calling a common item by a wrong name.


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Editorial Staff And Contributors
Before treating
, your doctor should determine its cause. To do this, he will ask you about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. You may be asked questions about your:
Your doctor will ask whether you have problems initiating sleep, staying asleep, waking up early, or feeling tired despite seeming to sleep for a normal amount of time.
To make a diagnosis of insomnia, your doctor will ask if you have:
You may also be asked to fill out a sleep diary, which is a record of your sleep patterns. Your doctor may want to speak with your significant other concerning the quantity and quality of your sleep. Other specialized tests may be ordered depending on what your doctor suspects may be the cause of your insomnia.
In some instance where the diagnosis is not clear, your doctor may order a
(sleep study), where your sleep is analyzed during a 1 or 2 night stay in a sleep lab.
Insomnia. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
. Updated July 9, 2012. Accessed August 13, 2012.
Insomnia: quick answers to medical diagnosis and therapy. Access Medicine website. Available at:
. Accessed November 8, 2009.
National Center on Sleep Disorders Research website. Available at:
National Sleep Foundation. Sleep talk with your doctor. Available at:
. Accessed February 11, 2009.
Your guide to healthy sleep. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute website. Available at:
. Accessed February 11, 2009.
Last reviewed March 2015 by Marcin Chwistek, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © EBSCO Publishing. All rights reserved.


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Unassembled. Customize your kitchen with this modular cabinet! Made of unfinished wood and feature raised panel doors accentuated with brass hardware. Designed by framed artisan John R. Adams, who preserves the detail and realism of the pieces' real life counterparts.
1-1/2"W x 2-1/8"H x 1-1/8"D; 1 fixed shelf
Scale: 1/12
Assembly Required:
Yes1/12 scale, also referred to as one-inch scale (or 1" scale), means 1 inch = 1 foot
Easy assembly,,, looks great in my kitchen. Just finishes off the kitchen, to make you miniature house look real to scale!!
miniatures.com is dedicated to bringing you quality items at the best prices, and
we stand behind our products 100 percent. Satisfaction guaranteed. If, for any reason,
you are not completely satisfied with your order from miniatures.com, simply return
it to us within 30 days. We are more than happy to exchange it or provide you with
a credit or refund.


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A woman was found dead in an apartment in Breckenridge Tuesday night, according to a report from the Summit County Coroner's Office.
Authorities discovered the body of Dawn Andrews, 52, in an Airport Road apartment after the manager of the residence called for a welfare check.
The coroner has not released any information regarding the manner of death, but an autopsy has been ordered, according to the report.


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Three cords of increasing resistance quickly strengthen and define muscles.
Triple Toning Cord Kit
Online Only
Product Number: 809500
Perfect for travel, this Triple Toning Cord Kit includes a door attachment for more exercise options. The Triple Toning Cord Kit comes with three resistance cords for different fitness levels and a Triple Toning Cord Workout DVD (approx. 25 minutes). Each cord has a different level of resistance. Choose the one that makes the exercises a challenge, but not too hard. As you get stronger, progress to a thicker cord.
Levels Include:
Levels Include:
- Red = Easy
- Green = Medium
- Black = Hard
read more...


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Islander Fans,
Happy New Year! Hope everything went well …
We started conference play today woo woo! Although we fell to McNeese State aka the defending conference champs we played a good game and came out ready to shock the world. This game helped us to realize that when we play hard and together for 40 minutes there is no team that we can't hang with. So on that note come out and support your women's basketball team during conference play cause we also need the support of our fans.
We traveled to Lake Charles, La. Jan. 6, 2012, our first road trip of the New Year, which was also a six hour plus drive. On the way we watched "Just Wright" with Queen Latifah and Common (the rapper). What a great way to start focusing on basketball … Pushing past adversity and pain to move toward a common goal.
We went straight to practice when we got there. It was a pretty competitive practice so we knew we would be ready for the next day aka game day.
Shoot around was at 7 a.m. but because we had such a long day the day before we decided to rest our legs and get mentally prepared for our 1 p.m. game. We had breakfast of course … and as usual … as you probably have guessed … I didn't eat much.
I had potato soup, which I only took six bites of … and a small bowl of fruit … and I only ate three pieces of fruit. My stomach told me I was full and that I needed to stop eating … you know you always have to pay attention to the signs that your body is giving you.
Btw, do any of you know what tenosynovitis is? If you do, email me with the answer at email@example.com and I'll give you a special shout out in my next blog.
That's the best friend: --->
On another note, I had my first career start as an Islander today against McNeese State. I was super excited. I have been working really hard these past few weeks. Your girl even hit two from downtown. Lol
But the team as a whole did a really good job for this to be the first conference game.
We are looking to do great things in our next 15 games, starting on Wednesday against UTSA. Hope to see you there!
If any of you want to ask me questions you can email firstname.lastname@example.com and I'll answer them in my next blog. Address the subject as Imani Dunn.
We are on our way home (below is what it looks like outside) and I'm about to go to sleep ... zzzzzz


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Patients at Northwest Medical Specialties have access to cutting-edge treatment plans through participation in our extensive clinical research program.
The research program at NWMS was established to provide potentially promising therapies to our patients within the South Sound community.
For the past 20 years, our physicians and staff have been committed to providing our patients an opportunity to participate in clinical trials without having to travel far from home. Clinical trials offer the chance to receive promising new therapies not otherwise available.
All new cancer treatment must first be tested in clinical trials. Clinical trials evaluate new drugs that are not yet approved by the FDA or test new uses for drugs that have already been approved. They also evaluate new combinations of existing drugs and treatments, different doses of approved drugs, or find the best time to begin using a drug or treatment.
To find out if participating in a clinical trial is right for you, please ask your doctor or nurse today!


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The June 30th deadline is nearing for the Lansing school board to solve its budget shortfall and it appears to have hit a snag. School district leaders were going to finish up tomorrow but now they've pushed that to the middle of next week.
The school district has raided its rainy day fund, laid off hundreds of employees and is now trying to chip away at its nearly $8 million deficit.
"Because we don't control the revenue source, it's a state source, we're always dependent on the state's allocation per student so if that allocation continues to dwindle we'll always be in a hole," said board member Guillermo Lopez.
Lopez says everything is on the table, from closing more schools to looking for other sources of revenue.
"We're limited in a way --- we can't ask for a millage increase, we can't do that. So we have to look for foundation grants and governmental grants."
The board was scheduled to meet on Thursday where they could have approved the budget but that's been moved to next week because board members want more time to get employee concessions.
"There's a willingness from every employee group to work, to help everybody out so we're hoping for a good result," said Lopez.
Now that the state budget has passed, the district knows what to expect; but, board members say that doesn't make their job any easier, especially going forward.
"Our budget this year is hard but we foresee that it's going to be harder next year."
While they want to lay framework for the future to make years to come a bit easier, they have no choice but to deal with the reality here and now.
"Whether it's a balanced budget or not, we will have a budget."
The board will be meeting next Wednesday night, one day before the deadline. And, that's cause for concern for the teacher's union president, Patti Siedl who says waiting a week cuts it too close and it's "muddying the [negotiation] waters."


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Pios see Red: No. 8 MC defeats Denison in Deegan's homecoming
April 30, 2013
Denison head coach Mike Deegan is used to coaching in lopsided games at Don Schaly Stadium. He is not, however, used to being on the wrong end of them....
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Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., right, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., left, react after the Senate passed a $50.5 billion emergency relief measure for Superstorm Sandy victims at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 28, 2013. Three months after Superstorm Sandy devastated coastal areas in much of the Northeast, the Senate is finaly sending a $50.5 billion emergency package of relief and recovery aid to President Obama for his signature. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)


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Paulson Teases Lew in Aspen
Treasury secretary alumni are supposed to be there for each other on a moment's notice, quick with advice or support. Or, in former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's case, some public teasing.
Mr. Paulson, who led Treasury from 2006 until 2009 and was well-known for his actions during the financial crisis, introduced current Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew at the Aspen Ideas Festival.
More In Jacob Lew
- Former Treasury Officials Urge Lew to Reconsider Inversions Rules
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- Treasury Secretary Lew: No Recollection of Clinton Email System
- Lew to Germany and Japan: Be More Like Us
- Obama to Discuss Wall Street Oversight With Yellen, Others
- Strong Support for Congressional Action on Inversions -- WSJ/NBC Poll
He started his introduction the same way virtually everyone starts their introduction of Mr. Lew these days, with a joke about penmanship.
The signature "has the distinction of even being less legible than my signature, and that's not easy to do," Mr. Paulson said.
Mr. Paulson bemoaned how he had to defend the controversial Troubled Asset Relief Program, and he said Mr. Lew was lucky to have nothing to do with that.
"But hey, he's got the IRS, you know," Mr. Paulson said, referring to the Internal Revenue Service and the headaches the agency is causing the White House over the way it handled applications by conservative groups for nonprofit status.
After the ribbing, he tried to give Mr. Lew a pat on the back on his first few months in office.
"As Treasury secretary, he's hit the ground running," Mr. Paulson said of Mr. Lew. "He has already traveled to China, to Europe…I know for a fact the Chinese leaders were very impressed."
No word on whether the last-minute praise was necessary to prevent Mr. Paulson's Treasury portrait from being moved into the building's basement.


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CONCORD, N.H. (February 2, 2013)--An immigration debate is raging and a budget crisis looms in Congress, but guns are the new rallying cry on which conservative activists from New Hampshire to Colorado have seized for the tea party movement.
Tea party leaders say the focus on blocking new gun control laws has sprung up with little coordination from national groups.
They say it doesn't matter that neither President Barack Obama nor congressional Democrats are calling for a wholesale repeal of gun rights.
Tea party activists are enraged by any possible erosion of the Second Amendment.


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It was an intriguing news release: "BREAKING: FBI Opens Investigation into No on 37 Shenanigans."
But there was one problem with it: It wasn't true.
The Yes on 37 campaign, which wants to require new labels on foods with genetically engineered ingredients sold in California, has raised concerns about various mailers that the "no" side has sent out to voters.
Chief among them is the use of an official seal of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on a No on 37 mailer. It made it seem as if the FDA, which doesn't believe genetically modified food needs to be labeled, has endorsed the No on 37 campaign. It hasn't.
The "yes" campaign recently sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice requesting a criminal investigation of the "no" campaign for possible fraudulent misuse of the FDA seal.
On Thursday, an FBI agent from the Sacramento field office apparently called the Yes on 37 campaign and said the agency was looking into the matter. That prompted the campaign to organize a conference call with reporters Friday morning to talk about the fact that the "U.S. Department of Justice is actively pursuing a criminal investigation of our complaint."
But on Friday, U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner of the Eastern District of California issued a rare statement directly contradicting the claim.
"It has come to the attention of this office that some persons have suggested that this office has an active investigation relating to the use of the FDA seal in an advertisement relating to a campaign involving Proposition 37," the statement said. "Approximately two weeks ago, the U.S. attorney's office received a letter complaining about the misuse of the official seal of the FDA in a campaign advertisement. We have referred the matter to the FDA for any action they believe is appropriate. Neither the FBI nor this office has a pending investigation related to this matter."
During the conference call, several reporters asked Yes on 37 campaign officials what led them to believe that an active investigation was under way. The officials said that an FBI agent named Jason Jones called the campaign Thursday and said he was looking into the facts behind the allegation.
"It seems to us that there is an investigation under way," said Ken Cook, president of the nonprofit Environmental Working Group and one of several people on the call. "We are waiting for the FDA to issue a statement."
The Yes on 37 campaign has enormous grass-roots support from natural-food companies and consumers who favor organic food and support new labels for genetically engineered ingredients. But opponents, led by large chemical and processed-food companies, have spent more than $45 million to defeat the measure, compared with about $8 million raised by the "yes" side.
At least $26 million of the money raised by the "no" side has gone to radio, television and Web advertising, causing support for the measure to drop in the polls.
Contact Dana Hull at 408-920-2706. Follow her at Twitter.com/danahull.


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UNH dean may make bid for Congress
PORTSMOUTH — A city resident and dean of the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics at the University of New Hampshire is in the early stages of exploring a run for Congress in 2014. Republican Dan Innis, a marketing professor and head of the UNH business school, said he started to consider a run for office after friends came to him offering encouragement.
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NEW ORLEANS -- Harrison Barnes was asked if he was going to give his starting point guard a hard time for losing the Three-Point Shootout. He paused, perhaps to recall his performance in Saturday's dunk contest, broke into a smile and confessed he wasn't in position to throw stones at Stephen Curry.
"I think we both kind of laid eggs tonight," Barnes joked.
No, All-Star Saturday didn't go so well for the Warriors. Curry failed to make it out of the first round of the shootout. Regarded as the best shooter in the game, Curry is now 0 for 3 in his bid to win the popular event.
He wants another crack next year.
"I'd do it every year, if they would let me," Curry said. "If you're a shooter, you have to (win it) at least once."
Barnes didn't come close to picking up the slack for the Bay Area. He failed to stand out in the freestyle round of the dunk competition. Then, in a head-to-head match with Indiana's Paul George, Barnes was underwhelming.
Twice he missed his attempt to cock it behind his head before wind-milling it, converting a lesser version on the third attempt. George, on the other hand, dunked home a 360-degree, between-the-legs dunk. Barnes was done.
He never got a chance to pull out his better dunks and secret weapon.
"The vintage J-Rich was in the back," Barnes said of his plans to tribute Warriors' two-time dunk champ Jason Richardson. "I should've brought it out first if I had known I was going to be up against Paul George."
Barnes and his straight-laced demeanor was always an odd fit for the dunk contest. He's more of an in-game dunker, whose dunks are more about power and belittling the defender in his way. The dunk contest is more about style, creativity and showmanship.
He said that before he'd enter the dunk contest again, he'd have to prepare with a few dunk contests over the summer. He joked about getting experience by challenging Curry and coach Mark Jackson to dunk contests after practice.
Curry's struggles in the 3-point shootout are a bit more surprising.
He needed 20 points to advance to the final round. And it looked as if he was getting warm, making all but one of the fourth rack.
A tweak in the rules gave contestants one rack of their choosing filled with "money" balls. Curry put his on the last, so he went into the final rack with 10 points up for the grabs.
He made one and finished with 16.
"I went out there and knew the number I needed to get," Curry said. "I got through the (fourth) rack and thought I had a good shot at it. But I just got a little cold.
"I'm a little disappointed that I didn't win. But hopefully I'm allowed to come back."
Curry is on pace to make 270 3-pointers this season, which puts him in the range to break the single-season record he set last season (272). He's almost unanimously considered the best shooter in the league.
But this 3-point contest is his kryptonite. His first attempt, in 2010, he made it to the final round but lost to Paul Pierce.
After a two-year hiatus, he returned last year. His 17 points in the first round weren't enough to advance.
"It's different off the racks," Curry explained, "and you have to get hot when it matters."
Curry can still get hot when it matters, as Sunday's All-Star game matters the most of this weekend's offerings.
Some good news: After flopping in the 3-point shootout last season, Curry went on to make 123 3-pointers in 30 games after the break (4.1 per game) at a 46.1 percent clip.
"We're saving our legs for the second half of the season," Barnes said. "Exactly."
Contact Marcus Thompson II at firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ThompsonScribe.
Time, TV: 5 p.m.
Sunday, TNT
Damian Lillard helps Bay Area save face.


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Two Family Meetings on Autism Subtypes Set the Tone for IMFAR
This is a guest post by Autism Speaks' staff members Leanne Chukoskie, Ph.D., Jane Pickett, Ph.D., and Andy Shih, Ph.D.
One of the challenges in pursuing the causes of autism spectrum disorders is the heterogeneity of symptoms and life history of the individuals affected. On Wednesday, one day before the start of the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), meetings of two family foundations centered on specific genetic syndromes for autism moved past these challenges to offer hope for recovery.
The Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation (PMSF) was one of the family foundations that hosted a meeting of international scientists, clinicians and parents to better understand PMSF. Katy Phelan, Ph.D. (Molecular Pathology Laboratory Network, TN) presented a characterization of the individuals affected, as many scientists working with animal models of this disorder have met very few, if any, persons with PMS. Dr. Phelan reviewed the cluster of symptoms present typically early in life, including a "floppy" infant, general developmental delays and poor or absent speech. She also reviewed evidence that led to the recognition that individuals with PMS had some form of mutation in the SHANK 3 gene on chromosome 22.
The meeting soon shifted to animal models and presentations from several researchers who presented greater detail about the role of the protein SHANK 3 at synapses, or junctions of neurons, which are crucial for learning and memory functions. It was shown that SHANK 3 is responsible for tying together two receptors for the common excitatory transmitter glutamate at the synapse. Through a series of careful experiments examining the structure and function of synapses when more or less SHANK 3 protein was present, Joseph Buxbaum, Ph.D. (Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY) and colleagues learned that SHANK 3 controlled the physical connections that underlie plasticity of the synapses (the mechanism that underlies learning and memory). After achieving this detailed understanding of how the system develops and stabilizes in the animal, the next step was to attempt to rescue normal function in these animals that lack SHANK 3. A related set of receptors present on the cells (AMPA receptors) was targeted with the drug called IGF1. Injections of IGF1 into the mouse travelled across the protective barrier that encases the brain and had the desired effects on the cells, rescuing the structure and function of the synapses that had the atypical SHANK 3 proteins.
Lastly before a dinner gathering where parents scientists and clinicians can share ideas with each other more informally, Sarah Curran, Ph.D. (Kings College, London) presented on new technology that may allow the creation of stem cell lines for deeper analysis of the effect of a single individual's mutations (the SHANK 3 gene can have mutations at several places, potentially leading to different effects on the functioning of the SHANK 3 protein) by analyzing a single complete hair from an affected person.
The Isodicentric 15 Exchange, Advocacy and Support group (IDEAS) is another family foundation that hosted a meeting of clinicians, scientists and parents. Of the several genetic disorders that have a 'causal' relationship to autism, the duplication of a portion of chromosome 15q (IDIC15q) figures prominently in post-mortem brain research. In fact, one out of every ten brain donors to the Autism Tissue Program comes from this specific population that is represented by the IDEAS organization. A major concern of the group and a factor in the high brain donation rate in this group of only 650 known affected individuals is sudden unexplained deaths, a fact reviewed by Edwin Cook, MD (University of Illinois at Chicago) at the meeting. Seizure activity is many of the individuals is thought to underlie their apparent vulnerability and the IDEAS group has been proactive in publicizing recommendations from their physician-advisors, including Carolyn Schanen, M.D., Ph.D. (University of Delaware) who gave the opening presentation at this meeting. The physician-advisors also promote brain donation to understand the causes of death and look for developmental changes consistent with autism and/or epilepsy.
The meeting brought together researchers and parent advocates in a significant effort to understand the research to date and fine tune future efforts. Jerzy Wegiel, V.M.D., Ph.D. (New York Institute for Basic Research) described neuropathology in 5 brain studies completed to date that shows unexpected ongoing production of new brain cells (neurogenesis), a atypical early migration of brain cells, and distortion of the cell structure reflecting an altered course of maturation of brain cells. Each of these brain anomalies can contribute to seizure activity and the study of brains and clinical evaluations of the donors will continue.
In conjunction with the neuropathologic examinations of brain donors, IDEAS asked its families to participate in a seizure survey. Preliminary results from about 85 participants shows various types of seizures and onsets; results will be posted on the IDEAS site and communicated via the Autism Speaks blog. Since sudden deaths often occurred during sleep, Sanjeev Kothare, M.D. (Children's Hospital, Boston, MA) was present to provide information on his studies of breathing abnormalities in patients with IDIC15q. He reviewed the clinical spectrum of duplications on chromosome 15q: epilepsy, low muscle tone, atypical facial features, moderate-severe developmental delay, and autistic behaviors. He speculated that the increased risk of sudden death is due to abnormalities of sleep, cardio-vascular function, mitochondrial function and epilepsy. The results of his sleep study on 5 children with IDIC15q revealed central sleep apnea that occurs when the brain does not send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing often in conjunction with seizure activity. This very important work will continue and many of the IDEAS families have worked with their own doctors to obtain a sleep study to determine both seizure and breathing activity.
An additional highlight of the meeting was a talk by James Sutcliffe, Ph.D. (Vanderbilt University) on one of the genes of interest in the duplicated piece of chromosome 15 – the GABA B3 receptor. GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter and any dysfunction in its receptor is thought to increase brain activity and might contribute to seizures. He is studying rare point mutation in this gene that was also found in a condition known as Childhood Absence Epilepsy. A presentation by Larry Reiter, Ph.D. (University of Tennessee Health Science Center) focused on a subset of 15q duplications called 'interstitial duplications'. These are also duplications of genes in the 15q portion of the chromosome but instead of arising de novo in the child, are inherited from the mother or father. Overall, the future goals are aimed at learning more about the conditions that affect mortality such as low muscle tone, apnea and seizures. Further genetic studies on molecular mechanisms to find drug targets will include mouse models and analysis of DNA and brain tissue.
Taken together these meetings offered a positive view for the future. Families are working closely with clinicians and researchers to find effective new therapies for genetic syndromes that present as autism. The larger hope is that as these syndromes reveal their secrets, they will provide us with new tool with which to treat other forms of autism.
Thank you to Andy Mitz, Ph.D. of NIH for providing input on the PMSF meeting.
To read complete IMFAR coverage, please visit http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science_news/imfar_2010.php.
May 26, 2010 at 12:29 pm
3year old with autism urine metabolites elevated for something that began with the letter G the neurologist wanted it repeated and it was still elevated but the pediatric dr said it involved the muscle being cut and the test would b invasive and not worth the trouble because if it was positive there is nothing that could be done about it anyway so it was never done. he is 12 years old now severely autistic. but i always wondered about what the elevated level meant. did it have something to to with mitochondria which i have been reading about?


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Chancesz, on 09 January 2013 - 11:38 AM, said:
You play wow man. You cant exactly complain about people throwing money away. If those in the wow community (myself included) were smarter with money blizzard would not be in business.
I personally have never given money to a streamer nor will I ever. You need to realize though that some people smoke, drink, do drugs, some play wow, and some give money to streamers. Were all pathetic in our own way.


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THE AILBRIN SOCIETY presents an illustrated talk by Frances McCarthy on Blackrock Castle Observatory and the various programmes undertaken there. Blackrock Castle is one of Cork's best known landmarks.
In 2007 a state of the art observatory and educational facility was opened there. A team of astronomical researchers from CIT are working on Ireland's first robotic observatory, the Planet Search, as well as projects such as a Deep Space Live Webcam, Comet Chaser and most intriguing – Movies by Moonlight. Frances will be discussing these and other interesting facts on Wednesday 20th April at 8.30 p.m. in the Red Store, North Main Street, Youghal. Admission: members free, non-members 5E. New members always welcome.


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Bicyclists group disbands after run-in with Rye police chief
RYE — A group of bicyclists that was recently caught on video clashing with Police Chief Kevin Walsh has disbanded. The decision followed an Aug. 21 incident between a group of about a dozen cyclists riding down Ocean Boulevard and Walsh, who was standing in their path.
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OAKLAND -- There was a rare calmness at Oracle Arena on Wednesday as the Warriors shifted practice from their downtown facility to their home court.
The empty stands and relatively quiet sounds of dribbling basketballs should serve as a polar opposite to the environment that will greet the Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers for Game 3 on Thursday night.
"It's going to be loud for all 48 minutes," guard Klay Thompson said. "This is the kind of atmosphere you expect in the playoffs."
Coach Mark Jackson was happy the arena's schedule allowed for his team to practice there just to get reacquainted with the facility. The Warriors will have gone 10 days without playing at Oracle when Game 3 tips off at 7:30 p.m.
"We haven't been here in awhile so we just want to make sure we're comfortable here and get some shots up in our own building," Jackson said.
The Warriors went 3-0 at home in last year's first-round playoff series against Denver in a building that has long been lauded for providing a home-court advantage. A series of befuddling home losses this season has perhaps taken away some of the arena's mystique, but the intensity should increase for a playoff game.
"These fans are the best and this is the time of the year where you embrace them," Jackson said. "It's going to be a great environment tomorrow night.
"But with that being said, they won't get a stop, they won't get a score, they won't make a free throw. We've got to do our part."
Team co-owner Joe Lacob was asked about that on KNBR on Tuesday and said, "We don't know. We haven't made that decision. We'll deal with that later."
Rick Welts, the team's chief operating officer, also addressed the topic Tuesday on KNBR. He also said it hasn't been decided but made a point to mention the team's San Francisco past.
"We started here," Welts said. "We started in San Francisco. This is bringing the Warriors home."
Follow Jimmy Durkin on Twitter at twitter.com/Jimmy_Durkin.


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This full-zip jacket has two side pockets with the classic Manchester City badge used from 1972 to 1997 embroidered over the left and the Umbro diamond logo embroidered on the right. Accented tape featuring the Umbro diamond runs down both sleeves.
Show your support for Manchester City and its rich history when you're wearing this jacket.
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Linda Lavin is getting the hang of Twitter.
She's been practicing on Thursday nights when she tweets during both East and West coast telecasts of the NBC sitcom "Sean Saves the World" (9 p.m. Thursdays). In the series Lavin plays Lorna, the loving, albeit pushy, mother of Sean Harrison (Sean Hayes of "Will & Grace''), a gay divorced father with a demanding job who is now full-time dad to his 14-year-old daughter (Samantha Isler).
"I'm getting a lot of response," says the vivacious, petite actress, an age-defying 76, about her tweets. "Someone just said to me the other day, you are doing so much for grandmothers!"
Long before the Internet, Lavin had developed close, personal relationships with fans. While starring in the popular 1976-85 CBS series "Alice," based on the 1974 Martin Scorsese film "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," Lavin became a kind of spokesperson for blue- and pink-collar working women who identified with her character Alice Hyatt, a widow with a young son who worked at Mel's Diner, a roadside eatery just outside of Phoenix.
In fact, "Alice" politicized Lavin.
Women's rights
"I was pulled into the women's movement," says Lavin, during an interview at her vintage West Hollywood home she shares with her husband, designer/painter/musician Steve Bakunas, and their Snoopyesque beagle/Jack Russell mix, Mickey.
"I was asked to speak at events," she recalls. "I had never been asked to speak in public before. I was a musical comedy actress. I was invited to labor rallies and ERA marches. I got educated. I was invited to join the National Commission on Working Women."
Her involvement in women's issues spilled into the TV series. "We did those issues on the show," says Lavin. "When Mel hired a waiter and paid him more than us, I organized the waitresses -- Flo and Vera -- and said we are on strike."
Love of theater
Though Lavin did two short-lived sitcoms in the 1990s -- 1992's "Room for Two" and 1998's "Conrad Bloom" -- she primarily has concentrated on theater. She had been a staple in New York theater before "Alice" -- earning a Tony nomination for "Last of the Red Hot Lovers" -- then went on to win the award for lead actress in a drama in 1987 for Neil Simon's "Broadway Bound."
She's since earned four more Tony nominations ("The Diary of Anne Frank," "The Tale of the Allergist's Wife," "Collected Stories" and "The Lyons''), and raves in 2011 for her performance in Jon Robin Baitz's "Other Desert Cities." In fact, her "Desert" co-star Stacy Keach recently guest-starred on "'Sean" as the smarmy father of Sean's boss (Tom Lennon) who sets his sights on Lorna.
(The actress is set to return to off-Broadway in May in a limited run of "Too Much Sun," a new play written with her in mind by "The Lyons" author Nicky Silver.)
Lavin and Bakunas also ran the intimate Red Barn Studio Theatre in Wilmington, N.C., where they lived for several years. "We did three plays a year," she says. "Last year, we decided it was time to leave. We loaned the theater to another company. We moved to New York, and then I got this job."
She had also decided last year it was time to return to the small screen. "Television has the possibility of such a huge and endearing audience," says Lavin, adding with a smile that she doesn't mind the weekly series' paycheck either.
Lavin quickly accepted the role on "Sean Saves the World," which premiered in September to mixed reviews and modest ratings. The series recently got an order from the network for five more episodes, bringing its total to 18 for the season.
"The script was one of the best I had read in a long time," she says. "Clearly, I am going to be offered mother roles, but this was a woman who had a mind of her own, was full-blown and had a great energy and a positive energy."
A highlight of the show is the wonderful chemistry between Lavin and Hayes, who exchange repartee and breezy quips. And the rest of the cast seems smitten with her.
"Linda is one of those rare gems that can get a laugh just by entering a room, giving a certain glance or simply saying one word," said Hayes in an email interview. "Every week, she gives the most real, honest performance of any mom I've ever seen on television."
"She's kind of everything I hope to be one day," added Megan Hilty ("Smash"), who plays Sean's best friend and co-worker, Liz, who has a bit of a contentious relationship with Lorna. "She wants to play and wants to make it right. There is one point in every day I say, 'I get to work with Linda Lavin.' "


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Bleep Count Final Standings [Shipping Wars]
"Shipping Wars" is officially on a mid-season break, which means the final standings for the Bleep Count are in. Roy bleeped his way to the top early on while Marc, Chris and Jenn bleeped it out all Season. It wasn't until the bee episode that Marc really gained some bleep…Read more


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A low-cost way to reduce the height of wagons, tractor fronts or to retrofit equipment for greater load-carrying capacity Reduce the height of equipment by up to 12 inches with our heavy-duty low-profile tire/wheel assemblies. Assembly includes a 20.5 x 8 x 10 high-speed trailer tire mounted on a 10"x6" wide ag wheel. This low-profile tire and wheel assembly fits standard 5-hole ag wheels, providing 1,500 lbs. capacity per axle at ag speeds. 10-ply rating.
2016 Master Catalog: Page 643


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STOCKTON - The Untouchables Car Club and other car clubs will gather at 3 p.m. Sunday at Fat Daddy's Pizza at 5066 West Lane to collect donations for Marina Hernandez and her six children, whose home caught fire Jan. 1. Hernandez and her children lost almost all of their belongings due to fire and smoke damage. Donations can also be made to account No. 325014203361 at any Bank of America branch.
Location, ST | website.com


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Parish Council to revisit Terrebonne's vicious dog ordinance
Published: Saturday, April 19, 2014 at 8:29 p.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, April 19, 2014 at 8:38 p.m.
The Terrebonne Parish Council will discuss parish regulations of vicious dogs at its Monday committee meetings.
Council committees are set to meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday on the second floor of the Government Tower, at Main and Gabasse streets in Houma. The full council meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Councilman John Navy is requesting discussion of the current ordinance, saying more must be done to protect residents after a4-year-old girl in Houma was brutally killed in March by what police initially described as a pit bull, although the dog's weight has lead to speculation that it was a mixed breed.
Navy said he primarily wants to rekindle discussion but would personally like to see greater fines imposed on people providing what he feels is improper care to such animals.
"In some areas we constantly tie these dogs to trees and poles. They are like that 24-7, and I don't think that is the proper way to care for an animal, Navy said. "They are not inside a gate or a fence, the chain could be too small or too big and get loose and injure people."
He added that such care can lead to aggression, especially in breeds known for their temper.
"I also have an issue with these 130 lb. and 140 lb. dogs in apartment complexes. We just have to consider the welfare and safety of everyone," Navy said.
Navy said this has been an ongoing conversation in the parish even before the most recent tragedy and that there may be some consideration for separate regulations tied to breeds that are known for their aggression.
"If you have an animal that is potentially dangerous, we need to make sure you are doing everything properly," he added.
There is also a need for more education about the existing ordinance, he said.
Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet has previously said he is in favor of keeping the current ordinance.
In Lafourche, Councilman John Arnold is pressing legislation that would impose stricter regulations on ownership of pit bulls.
Arnold has said he is saddened to see so many dogs chained up and living in conditions that are not fitting for their size and potential aggression.
The Lafourche Parish Council will debate his ordinance at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Mathews Government Complex.
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- Jun 18:
- San Jose stowaway: Teen speaks about flight to Hawaii, mom
- Jun 3:
- San Jose stowaway: Pilot on tape talks of teen in the landing gear
- May 3:
- Teen who stowed away on Hawaiian Airlines flight is now in custody of Santa Clara County social services
- Official: Boy who stowed away on jet leaves Hawaii
- Apr 30:
- San Jose airport fences passed inspection three weeks before teen's breach
- Herhold: The messy moral of the stowaway story
- Apr 28:
- Hawaiian Airlines stowaway's mom in Ethiopian refugee camp cries for son
- Apr 27:
- Santa Clara: Teen stowaway 'a good kid who I love dearly,' father says
- Apr 25:
- Stowaway: For advocates, survival tale shines light on national 'runaway crisis'
- Apr 23:
- Stowaway: Father of 15-year-old Santa Clara boy 'thanked God' he is safe
- Apr 22:
- Stowaway: San Jose airport eyes security changes after 'very serious' incident
- Santa Clara High student who stowed away on flight to Maui reportedly eyed African destination
- Apr 21:
- Santa Clara teen stowaway's survival in jet's wheelwell was literally death-defying
- Santa Clara teen stowaway's feat highlights airport security concerns
- Mercury News editorial: San Jose airport stowaway does us all a favor
SAN JOSE -- Now that he's back in California, the San Jose Police Department is looking to interview a Santa Clara teen about how he scaled a fence at Mineta-San Jose International Airport and hitched a death-defying flight in the wheel well of a Maui-bound jetliner, spurring congressional-level security concerns.
"We're going to attempt to make contact and document the incident," police spokesman Officer Albert Morales said Monday.
SJPD is the primary law-enforcement agency at Mineta and works in tandem with airport security and the federal Transportation Security Administration.
"Arrangements are being made and we will handle the initial investigative part of it," Morales said.
When that interview might happen is uncertain. An airport spokeswoman said officials there don't plan to talk to the teen.
The Department of Health Services in Hawaii on Friday confirmed that 15-year-old Yahya Abdi was no longer in the state. Until then he had been under the agency's watch at a Honolulu children's hospital, where he was treated for breathing difficulties. His now-world-famous April 20 trip was reportedly sparked by him running away from home amid family discord.
A source close to the family said Saturday that Yahya, a Santa Clara High School student and Somali refugee, was now in the care of social services staff in Santa Clara County. Officials would neither confirm nor deny the claim Monday, citing broad privacy restrictions regarding minors.
"Under California law, we cannot disclose whether a child is in the Department of Family & Children's Services custody or the actions the department has taken regarding specific children," said Stanley Lee, program manager for the county's overlying Social Services Agency. "When any child is in our custody, we do all we can to take the best action in that child's interest, looking at all the circumstances affecting the child."
At the family's Santa Clara home on Monday, media trucks continued to camp out. Yahya's father, Abdilahi Yusuf, could be seen coming and going from the house, but he avoided talking to reporters. Yahya's stepmother, Sainab Abdi, stopped as she was backing out of the driveway, said she had not seen Yahya since his return, but she didn't say more.
Sources told this newspaper that Yusuf flew to Hawaii April 28 with clothing and gifts in hopes of reuniting with his son and bringing him home, but was not allowed to see or talk to him. He flew back alone.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations in Santa Clara, which is helping the family deal with the media, said there will be no imminent news conferences with the family.
Contact Robert Salonga at email@example.com. Contact Julia Prodis Sulek at email@example.com. Staff writer Pete Carey contributed to this report.


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Holiday Types
Holiday TypesKE Adventure Travel offer holidays with a difference, with packages to suit everyone from family groups to seasoned explorers. Whether you want to climb Kilimanjaro, trek the iconic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu or cycle across the Tibetan plateau, we can make it happen.
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About UsWith more than three decades of worldwide experience, KE Adventure Travel is one of the world's most respected adventure tour operators. Proudly independent and with a team of some of the most travelled staff in the industry you can always find someone to talk to who has actually been on your chosen trip.
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Holiday Overview
Holiday Overview
- Learn about Indian Elephants at the Periyar Wildlife Reserve
- A feast for the senses, as we explore India`s tropical south
- Take a houseboat cruise on the Kerala `backwaters`
- See Madurai`s outrageous Sri Meenakshi Temple
At the southern tip of India, the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu offer a range of experiences unlike anything else on the Indian Subcontinent. After a day's relaxation on the Indian Ocean beaches of Kovalam, we transfer to Alleppey to meet our houseboat for a sunset cruise and overnight stay on the uniquely atmospheric Kerala 'backwaters'. Our next stop is at the Periyar Wildlife Reserve, home to wild elephant and the elusive tiger, where we have a full day's exploration with Kerala Forest Department guides. Another unmissable attraction is the amazing Sri Meenakshi temple complex at Madurai, probably the most colourful example of Indian religious architecture. Then, from the British Raj hill-station of Munnar, 4-days of trekking takes us through tea plantations, shola forest and rolling grassland, with a high point at the summit of Meesapulimala (2600m), the second highest Indian peak south of the Himalayas. Between the plantations and tribal villages and the highest peaks of the Cardamom Hills there is a world of forest and high moorland which provides excellent trekking. This area is also the natural habitat of a number of endangered animal species, most notably the ibex-like Nilgiri tahr and the Nilgiri langur, a large monkey. A visit to the picturesque old Portuguese city of Kochi brings this varied School Group Adventure to a close. This tried and tested KE Schools itinerary can be adjusted to better fit the needs of your group - please call and speak to a KE School Groups Coordinator or email email@example.com
Is this holiday for you?
This is not a long or sustained trekking holiday. We have a couple of days to acclimatise to the near-tropical climate at Kovalam and on the Kerala `backwaters`. We then start out with a slow-paced introductory walk in the Periyar Reserve, looking for wildlife in the company of forest service rangers. Then, our 4-day trek through the Cardamom Hills begins with a straightforward uphill walk through a tea estate above Munnar and continues with 3 days of varied hiking, averaging 6 hours each day including lunch stops. The altitudes attained are never sufficiently high to cause problems with acclimatisation and the underfoot conditions are generally good, on tracks and trails through tea plantations and across open moorland. We may encounter some slippery conditions on forest trails. The trip also includes a number of half-day vehicle transfers on generally good roads. We recommend a minimum age of 14 years.
Brief ItineraryView in full
- Meet at the group hotel in Kovalam. Transfers from Trivandrum Airport are provided.
- Drive to Alleppey. Board our houseboat and afternoon sail to Vembanad Lake. Overnight on the boat.
- Disembark. Drive up into the Western Ghats. Overnight at a hotel in Thekkady.
- Full day of hiking and wildlife spotting in the protected tiger reserve of Periyar.
- Drive to the temple town of Madurai. Explore the colouful bazaar and fantastic Sri Meenakshi Temple.
- Drive to the hill-station of Munnar through the Cardamom Hills and spectacular tea plantations.
- Transfer then trek to our camp on the Kolukkumalai tea plantation. Tea factory visit.
- Ascend Meesapulimala (2600m) on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu with 360 degree views of the area.
- Continue the trek to the tea plantations of Ellapatti (2100m) where we set up camp.
- Final day of trekking to `Top Station` (1700m), formerly the terminus of Kunala Valley Railway.
- Drive back down to the coast and the picturesque port city of Kochi. Evening Kathakali dance visit.
- A day at leisure in Kochi. There will be a guided sightseeing tour of the city's many highlights.
- Departure day. A Kochi Airport transfer is provided.
Tour dates and prices
Tour dates and prices
Land Only
The price of our trips does not include international air travel to the start location in the destination city and country. The start location for joining the trip is identified for each trip. It's usually a centrally located hotel. KE can easily arrange all airport transfers for you.
International Air Travel
Please contact us at KE for air travel advice. We will be happy to discuss the flight arrangement which best suits your group.
2 teachers FREE
The Guide Price assumes that 2 teachers will accompany the group. Their Land Only costs are covered by the group's payment.
|Guide Price
|Park Fees/permits
|Other Charges
* We give a price estimate for all of our school trips. This is based on 12-16 pupils and includes two free teacher places. If you are interested in a specific trip, we will send you a quote letter. You may wish to take extra teachers or add on additional days and this can all be included into your quote, on request.
Map & Itinerary
Map & Itinerary
The Route
- airport
- point
- peaks
- trip direction
- transfer
- trek
Holiday Itinerary
Meet at the group hotel in Kovalam. Transfers from Trivandrum Airport are provided.
On arrival at the airport at Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), we meet our local guide and take the short transfer by private bus to the group hotel in Kovalam. This is a laid-back beach resort, known as the 'paradise of the south' and our hotel is on the beach. KE Land Only package services begin with lunch at the group hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure and provides an opportunity for the group to rest and recover from the journey. Kovalam is a great place to spend a relaxing first day in India, with its picturesque shoreline, dominated by a high rocky promontory and a red and white striped lighthouse. There are 2 main sandy beaches, lined with simple restaurants, bars and stalls selling souvenirs and handicrafts. Each evening, the local fishermen take their boats out and these are pulled up onto the beaches during the day. Meals are provided at the hotel and we will have a trek briefing before dinner.
Accommodation Hotel
Meals ld
Drive to Alleppey. Board our houseboat and afternoon sail to Vembanad Lake. Overnight on the boat.
After breakfast, we take a scenic morning's drive northwards to Alleppey, which is one of the centres for exploration of the Keralan backwaters. En route, we pass through forests of palm trees, rich farmland and lots of small towns. We cross several rivers and have occasional glimpses of the beach on our left hand side. There are almost 2000 kilometres of backwaters, interconnected lakes, lagoons and canals, which are mostly just inland of the Kerala coast. This is a unique and fascinating water world, enclosed by palm trees. At the jetty in Alleppey, we will board the houseboats which will be our home for the night. Based on the large traditional cargo boats known as kettuvalloms, these houseboats provide surprisingly luxurious accommodation. There are usually either 2 or 3 twin-bedded rooms on each boat. Setting off on our cruise, we will traverse wide canals and shallow lakes, with isolated hamlets and houses on the banks. The way of life on the backwaters is based around fishing and the cultivation of rice, coconuts and cashew nuts. Birdwatchers will have a great opportunity to spot lots of exciting species, such as kingfishers, bee-eaters, bulbuls, darters, herons, cormorants and 2 types of kite. We will cruise for a couple of hours and then find a quiet spot to anchor up for the night, possibly in Vembanad Lake. Each boat has its own cook. Meals are traditional Keralan fare, using fresh local produce.
Accommodation Houseboat
Meals bld
Disembark. Drive up into the Western Ghats. Overnight at a hotel in Thekkady.
Awaking to the peace and tranquillity of the backwaters is a special experience. We will enjoy breakfast on the boat deep within the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, a place renowned as a stopping off place for many migratory bird species. Then, after a 1-hour cruise, we disembark at Kumarakom and meet up with our transport for the drive inland to the Periyar Wildlife Reserve. Reaching the foothills of the Western Ghats, the road climbs more than 1000 metres through dense forest to a pleasant lunch stop at a new resort on a high ridge. After lunch, the drive continues through tea plantations and several small towns to Thekkady, where we check in to our hotel for the night.
Accommodation Hotel
Meals bld
Full day of hiking and wildlife spotting in the protected tiger reserve of Periyar.
At the southern end of the Western Ghats, the Periyar Reserve extends over 777 square kilometres of hilly and mostly forested country. At its heart is the artificial lake formed by the construction of the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River. Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978, some estimates suggest that there are as many as 40 tigers in the park, although that's not to say that they are easily seen. As well as tigers, the reserve is home to sambar deer, wild pig, dhole (Indian wild dog), gaur (Indian bison), leopard, several types of monkey and numerous species of birds. Undoubtedly, the greatest attraction at Periyar, however, are the wild elephants that come down to the lake to drink and to bathe. We make the short drive to the park, where we meet the forest guards who will be our guides on a full day hike into the reserve. We may need to split the group into 2 parties and visit separate areas of the park, as group size is limited to no more than 8 persons. The guards will set an easy pace as we head into the forest and will be keen to provide an insight into the wildlife of this important reserve area. They are quick to spot elusive deer and rare giant squirrels and will point out colourful birds and many traditional medicinal plants. We will carry a packed lunch and find a suitable place to stop to eat it. We may also get a cup of tea at one of the ranger stations in the reserve. Reunited with our transport by mid afternoon, we will drive to nearby Kumili, where it is possible to take a short tour on elephant-back. We spend a second night at our hotel in Thekkady.
Accommodation Hotel
Meals bld
Drive to the temple town of Madurai. Explore the colouful bazaar and fantastic Sri Meenakshi Temple.
After breakfast, we board our transport for the morning's drive eastwards into the state of Tamil Nadu. This is a fascinating drive, as we quickly leave the Western Ghats behind and find ourselves on a rich agricultural plain, with orchards and extensive rice fields. Passing a number of impressive rock outcrops and through lots of small towns, our destination today, is the town of Madurai, one of southern India's great temple towns, with a history stretching back to the time of the Great Tamil Era more than 2500 years ago. Centrepiece of the town is the Sri Meenakshi Temple, built between the 16th and 18th centuries. This is a dramatic example of Dravidian Architecture, with its 'gopurams' (pyramidal towers) covered with images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythological figures. After checking in to our hotel in the city, we will have lunch, then set off on a sightseeing tour with a local guide. We will walk around the temple and surrounding bazaar area and also be invited by our guide to climb to the top of one of the 5-storey Kashmiri-run handicraft emporia which have viewing platforms on their roofs and do offer the best overview of the temple's towers. (There is no obligation to buy anything on your way down). Then, at 4pm, when it opens, we will enter the temple complex and mingle with the countless pilgrims who each day come to worship at the temple, to bathe in the Tank of the Golden Lotus and to wonder at the carvings of the Hall of a Thousand Pillars. As a taste of the Hindu religion, with all its colour and spectacle, this is hard to beat.
Accommodation Hotel
Meals bld
Drive to the hill-station of Munnar through the Cardamom Hills and spectacular tea plantations.
This morning, we drive back up into the Western Ghats and in so doing, cross back into the state of Kerala. We retrace our journey of yesterday for a couple of hours, then head back up into the hills on a dramatic road which features a series of 17 hairpin bends. This part of the range is known as the Cardamom Hills on account of its importance as a spice-growing area. After a stop for lunch, we arrive at the former hill-station of Munnar, founded by the British during the period of colonial rule. At an elevation of 1600 metres, Munnar is pleasantly cool after the heat of the lowlands. Tea grows well here and the lower slopes of the hills are carpeted by orderly plantations of emerald-green bushes, tended by colourfully-attired tea-pickers. Kerala's highest peak, Anamudi (2695m), which is also the highest Indian peak south of the Himalayas, rises up above the town. After checking in to our hotel, we will go out to do some exploring around the town.
Accommodation Hotel
Meals bld
Transfer then trek to our camp on the Kolukkumalai tea plantation. Tea factory visit.
It takes about an hour to drive to the start of our trek, close to the village of Suryanelli (1550m). Setting off on foot, we follow a tea estate road through stands of eucalyptus trees (planted to provide firewood for the tea factories). We soon reach a pretty tea plantation village, complete with both a church and a Hindu temple. Here, we are likely to meet the tea workers and their children, who are all pretty keen to see themselves on the screen of a digital camera. Beyond the village, the estate roads deteriorate and we find ourselves amongst the fields of tea bushes, which present a unique and very attractive landscape. If we are lucky we will encounter groups of colourful tea pickers, as we climb gradually towards the upper end of the Devikulam Tea Estate. Finally, we reach a ridge at around 2200 metres, where the ground falls away to the north and east between dramatic rocky peaks. After a total of 4 hours very steady walking, we reach a levelled camping place above the Kolukkumalai tea estate and factory. Our trek crew have driven to this camp by 4WD vehicle, the tents are already set up and tea and biscuits soon follow. After a chance to sort out our tents, we can hike down to the Kollukumalai factory and have a guided tour of the various processes which are needed to turn the fresh green leaf into the finished product. This is reputedly the highest grown tea in the world. Returning to our camp, we have dinner in the mess tent and maybe enjoy a bonfire.
Accommodation Camping
Ascent 300m
Distance 8km
Meals bld
Time 4 hrs trekking
Ascend Meesapulimala (2600m) on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu with 360 degree views of the area.
Our camp is in a spectacular spot, facing east and looking out over the lowlands of Tamil Nadu. Given clear early morning conditions, the sunrise here is fantastic, with the sun framed by dramatic peaks. An early wake-up is recommended. After breakfast, we set out to skirt above the Kolukkumalai plantation to reach the open grassland that rises to Meesapulimala's upper slopes - we can just see the top of this peak from camp. Leaving the tea estate behind, we trek for a short while through luxuriant 'shola' forest and, once again, as this is a reserve area, we have a Forest Service guide who will show us a bewildering number of weird and wonderful plant species. A short, sharp 250 metre grass slope leads to the top of Meesapulimala (2600m), which stands on the border between Kerala and Tamil Nadu and commands 360 degree views. On the ascent of this peak, we follow a trail made by elephants and we might also be lucky enough to spot the endangered Nilgiri tahr, a type of ibex. Dropping down from the peak, we find a sheltered spot to take lunch and then continue our gradual descent to Rhododendron Valley and our idyllic streamside camp at an elevation of 2400 metres.
Accommodation Camping
Ascent 700m
Distance 12km
Meals bld
Descent 400m
Time 6 hrs trekking
Continue the trek to the tea plantations of Ellapatti (2100m) where we set up camp.
Our trek today starts out with a gentle ascent on an overgrown track much used by elephants (lots of elephant dung). After an hour, we reach a viewpoint and begin a winding descent towards the west, through rolling grassland, interspersed with gulleys and the narrow tracts of forest which occupy them, where we might encounter Nilgiri langurs, a large and impressive species of monkey with a jet black body and white face. The bigger stands of shola forest that we encounter are home to Indian wild bison or 'gaur'. This is great birdwatching country, with falcons and buzzards riding the thermals and a number of rare, endemic species including the Nilgiri pipit and the laughing thrush - easier to hear than it is to see. After around 4 hours (and a lunch stop) we reach the tea plantations above the village of Ellapatti and traverse around on the plantation tracks to reach our next camp. Located on a saddle between two extensive tracts of forest, this levelled site is known as Footprint Camp and, once again, it is brilliantly positioned for the sunrise.
Accommodation Camping
Ascent 450m
Distance 12km
Meals bld
Descent 800m
Time 6 hrs trekking
Final day of trekking to `Top Station` (1700m), formerly the terminus of Kunala Valley Railway.
After another early start to witness the sunrise, we have breakfast, then set off uphill on a tiny game trail which follows a forested ridge for an hour, to finally reach an isolated grassy summit. From here, looking across a deep and well-forested valley, we can clearly see the start of our route of 2 days ago, including the upper slopes of Meesapulimala. Descending through forest, we continue our trek at the upper limit of the tea growing and, after a lunch stop, arrive at our camp at Top Station (1700m). Some of the station buildings are intact and used by the tea estate. This place was formerly the terminus of the Kundala Valley Railway and the station was also at the top of the ropeway which descended from here all the way to Bodinayikkanur in Tamil Nadu. In the afternoon, there is plenty of opportunity for exploration, with one option being the short walk to a great viewpoint on the rocky promontory where the ropeway used to be.
Accommodation Camping
Ascent 400m
Distance 10km
Meals bld
Descent 520m
Time 5 hrs trekking
Drive back down to the coast and the picturesque port city of Kochi. Evening Kathakali dance visit.
After breakfast at camp, we say goodbye to our trek crew who have looked after us for the last 4 days and then rejoin our transport for the drive back to the west coast. This is another fascinating drive and does give us the opportunity for another half hour look around Munnar (last chance to buy some tea and spices). We then drop down through the plantation country and begin a steeper descent through a dramatic forested gorge, with impressive waterfalls at Valara. Depending on how early a start we get and how long we stop in Munnar, we will probably also need to make a lunch stop at a roadside restaurant. Arriving at Kochi in the early afternoon, we check in to our hotel and have a bit of down time, a chance to freshen up. This fascinating city, formerly known as Cochin, was founded by the Portuguese at the start of the 16th century and is situated amongst the network of islands and waterways at the northern end of the Kerala 'backwaters'. In the evening we will go to see a Kathakali dance performance. Gesture and elaborate make-up are of great importance in this ancient form of theatre, which traditionally depicts themes from Hindu mythology, especially the two epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
Accommodation Hotel
Meals bld
A day at leisure in Kochi. There will be a guided sightseeing tour of the city's many highlights.
We have a full day to explore the city, to wander through the winding streets crammed with 500-year-old Portuguese houses, synagogues, palaces and forts and spread over a charming cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas. Accompanied by a knowledgeable city guide, we will visit the Mattancherry Palace built by the Portuguese for the Raja of Cochin in 1557 and watch the Chinese fishing nets in action from the waterfront Vasco da Gama Square. Made of teak and bamboo, these picturesque fishing 'engines' are believed to have been erected here as early as the 14th century. There is plenty of opportunity for souvenir buying today. We spend a second night at our hotel in the city.
Accommodation Hotel
Meals bld
Departure day. A Kochi Airport transfer is provided.
KE Land Only package services end with breakfast. A transfer to Kochi Airport is provided.
Meals b
Holiday Information
Holiday Information
What's included
- A qualified UK KE Schools leader
- Professional English-speaking local guide
- Trivadrum and Kochi airport transfers
- All land transport involved in the itinerary
- Guided sightseeing as indicated in the itinerary
- Entrance and activity fees for the Periyar Reserve
- All accommodation as detailed in the trip dossier
- All meals
- A full service trek including all equipment (excluding personal equipment)
What's not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Indian Visa
- Tips for trek staff
- Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc.
- Optional elephant ride in Kumili
Meal plan
Joining Arrangements & Transfers
View the gallery below for images of the style of accommodation used
A Typical Day
Group Leader & Support Staff
Spending Money
Guidance on Tipping
Baggage Allowance
KE Trek Bag
All KE clients will receive a FREE KE trek bag. These have been specially made to stand up to the rigours of adventure travel. Your KE bag will be posted to you when your trip is guaranteed to run or on receipt of your booking if the trip is already guaranteed. If you have travelled with us before and already have a KE trek bag you can select an alternative free gift in the booking process.
Equipment List
The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum.
You must bring the following items:
- Hiking boots
- Trainers / sneakers or sandals for river crossings and camp use
- Socks
- Technical walking socks (2 or 3 pairs)
- Spare laces
- Trekking trousers / pants
- Lightweight waterproof overtrousers / rain-pants
- Underwear
- Trekking shirts (2 short sleeve, 2 long sleeve)
- Shirts or T-shirts
- Fleece jacket or warm jumper
- Waterproof jacket
- Sunhat
- Warm hat
- Eyewear - Sunglasses
- Thermal (eg fleece) gloves
- Daypack c. 30 litres
- Headtorch / headlamp spare batteries
- Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
- Water bottles 1 litre / 1 quart (x2)
- Washbag and toiletries
- Small towel
- Antibacterial handwash
- Sleeping bag (rated to 0 degrees centigrade)
- Basic First Aid Kit including: A broad spectrum antibiotic, antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters (band-aids) and blister treatment, insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite)
The following items are optional:
- Trekking poles
- Sleeping bag liner
- Thermarest (a foam mattress is provided)
- Travel clothes
- Pocket-knife (note: always pack sharp objects in hold baggage)
- Repair kit (eg. needle, thread, duct tape)
- Small padlock (to lock your KE trek bag)
- Camera, memory cards, batteries
Group Size and Holiday Status
For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in 'Dates and Prices' table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.
Passport & Visas
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice. If you are travelling outside the EU you should have at least 2 blank pages in your passport for each country that you visit.
Electricity Supply & Plug
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Know before you go
As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Offices 'Know before you go' campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas, and we recommend that all KE travellers take a look at the FCO Travel Advice for their chosen destination on the official FCO website: www.fco.gov.uk. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.
KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates direct from the FCO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.
India: TTK State Road Maps. Kerala and Tamil Nadu sheets
Fairly basic maps showing main towns, roads and railways. Relief is not shown but administrative boundaries are marked. Intermediate driving distances are marked on major roads. In the jacket of each map is a reference booklet giving background information about the state's geography, history, cultural aspects and main towns.
Recent Reviews & Blog Posts
Recent Reviews & Blog Posts
Good or bad we publish ALL reviews so you can make an inspired and informed choice.
Educational SnapshotKerala is the home of Kathakali, a highly stylised form of dance-drama, involving ornate costumes and dramatically colouful makeup. Precise gestures, background percussion and singing complete the performance.
At A glance
- Max group size: 18
- 5 days trekking
- Max altitude - 2600 metres
- WHEN TO GO: November / December / January / February / March / April
- Minimum Age: 15
- Join in Trivandrum, End in Kochi
Accommodation & Meals
- 7 nights Hotel
- 1 night Houseboat
- 4 nights Camping
- All meals included
KE Holiday Gallery
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