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Knife-wielding woman is jailed
6:00am Saturday 31st May 2014
By Helen Barnett
6:00am Saturday 31st May 2014
By Helen Barnett
A WOMAN has been jailed for brandishing a knife in Southend High Street and assaulting two police officers.
Abigail Walker, 41, of Cossington Road, Westcliff, admitted possessing a 14cm blade in the town centre when she appeared at Southend Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
Police were called to the town at about 1.40pm on Tuesday, after a member of the public said they feared for their safety due to Walker walking around with the blade.
Three officers found Walker in London Road where they tackled her to the ground and restrained her, before she gave up the blade.
She was taken into custody, but later attacked two female officers, which left one with a grazed elbow and the other with scratches.
Adam Merrick, mitigating, said Walker, who is a selfemployed gardener, was from bipolar and was stressed with the amount of work she had to do.
He said she wanted to see mental health services that day but was told she couldn't until Friday.
It led her to drink alcohol, negating her medication.
He said: "This may have been a cry for help."
The court heard Walker was nearing the end of a suspended sentence for a similar offence.
She was sentenced to a total of 13 weeks in prison – 12 weeks for possessing a weapon, one week for breaching her suspended sentence, and two weeks for each incident of assault, which will run concurrently.
Paul Fisher, chairman of the bench, said: "Having a knife visible to the public causes people serious concern.
"We accept it may have been a cry for help but we have to take all these matters into consideration."
Speaking after the hearing, Chief Insp Simon Anslow, district commander for Southend, said the two officers who were assaulted went on to complete their shift.
He said: "I'm proud of the way my officers conducted themselves.
"Despite Walker being in possession of a knife my officers tackled her and didn't need to use CS gas or batons.
"If you are in possession of a weapon in a public place you can expect police officers to deal with it.
"I'm disappointed that assaults on brave officers dealing with difficult situations have resulted in such a minor penalty."
© Copyright 2001-2017 Newsquest Media Group


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A BROOD of baby owls are regaining their strength at an animal rescue centre in Dorset after falling from their nests and becoming separated from their mothers.
The five tawny owls are undergoing flying lessons and learning how to break up food at the Dorset Wildlife Rescue Centre in Lytchett Matravers.
Sarah Boswell, who runs the centre with her partner Chris Easton, said: "This year, along with the usual influx of fox cubs, hedgehogs and ducklings, we have had our first tawny owlets in four years.
"We're not sure if this is due to high winds or just a coincidence but four arrived to us within a week."
At around 20 days old owls start hopping between branches and testing their wings, known as branching, but sometimes the chicks fall and are unable to get back to their nests.
It's thought most of the owlets were branching when they fell and became separated from their mothers.
Ms Boswell said: "We try to encourage people to leave them if they can because sometimes they can climb up the tree or the mothers come and feed them but this isn't always the case."
When the owls are strong enough and able to catch food for themselves they will be released back into the wild.
In preparation for their release Eric, Nell, Callan, Sam and Nate have been learning how to fly and fend for themselves.
Mrs Boswell said: "Chris is teaching them how to fly in our hallway.
"Initially we were feeding them all by hand with cut up mice, but after 24 hours they were taking them whole.
"Within five days, all the owlets preferred us to leave the mice for them to eat on their own."

subset: commoncrawl


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I spent last week in Palm Springs, CA for Epson's partner conference where I had the opportunity to rub elbows with the company's top VAR and ISV partners. Both Epson and its partners seemed genuinely excited about Epson's new OmniLink products. As mentioned during one of my NRF recaps back in January, when it comes to OmniLink you can think of an Epson printer combined with an embedded processor and memory (i.e. computer) in a package about the same size as the printer.
At NRF and last week's conference, ISVs were as big a part of the conversation surrounding OmniLink as the hardware itself. Indeed, it's the apps being developed that illustrate just how powerful and compelling a product Epson has in its arsenal. ISVs like AppCard (customer loyalty), Livelenz (real-time data analytics), Proximiant (digital receipts and rewards), and SmartReceipt (targeted marketing, nutrition education, location-based advertising) help to drive home the OmniLink benefits of being POS-agnostic, a gateway to the cloud, and a simple bolt-on to existing POS systems.
What really interested me was talk of the more advanced OmniLink DT (as opposed to the entry level OmniLink i version) being used for POS applications, including Web POS. No kidding, the unit is capable of running POS Ready 7 and has the processing power and connectivity options to turn it into a full POS station -- after you connect a touch screen, scanner, cash drawer, and other peripherals.
If all-in-one manufacturers weren't feeling enough pressure from outside competition, now they could have Epson and its huge channel and name recognition as a new entry in their space. One variable that remains to be seen is the cost of such a printer. It might just be that a T88V-DT OmniLink printer with all the necessary peripherals is priced above an entry-level POS system. We'll see.
Regardless of price, the hardware (both the i version and DT) will definitely have many uses. Beyond stand-alone POS, kiosk applications are a no-brainer. But where the OmniLink printers will really shine are in the areas Epson and its existing ISV partners haven't yet thought of. Once VARs, end users, and other ISVs become aware of the platform and apply their creativity is when things will get even more exciting and industry-altering.


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Rachel Uchitel: 'I have been in complete denial'
Rachel Uchitel is known to many as the woman at the center of Tiger Woods' mistresses scandal of 2009-2010. But now, after more than year, the former nightclub manager is reinventing herself with a new career and a clean slate. She's currently featured on VH1's "Celebrity Rehab" and recently announced she's studying to become a private investigator. Wonderwall spoke with Uchitel exclusively about being judged by strangers, her future and more.
WONDERWALL: So, you're really going to become a private investigator?
RACHEL UCHITEL: I know it sounds really random. It's so funny to me to be flipping the channels and see (that) one of the scrolling stories on CNN international news is [about how] I am becoming a private investigator. I'm not really sure why anyone is interested by this. So it's surprises me that anyone even finds it remotely interesting.
WW: It does seem like a random choice.
RU: Well, it's not as scandalous as everyone would like to think ... People that have ever done research on me know that for many years I was a producer at Bloomberg News. I love news. I was in the media for quite a long time. When I worked in the nightclub [scene], I was the media contact for all of the people who were writing stuff. I have always been in the media field, and I have always enjoyed it. Another thing I have always enjoyed privately, I guess, is watching shows like Jane Velez-Mitchell, CNN, Nancy Grace, To Catch a Predator. All those shows that are about missing children, or crimes, or cold cases -- I'm just really interested in all that stuff and the criminal mind.
RELATED: The best celebrity transformations
WW: Is that why you chose this particular field?
RU: I had majored in psychology in school. After doing "Celebrity Rehab," I was continuing my work with Dr. Drew and trying to figure where I was going to go with my life. I have lost my credibility in the last year, and I want to get it back. I can't just go into a newsroom and say, "Hey, I want my job as a producer back." I need the credibility behind me, so I decided to apply for my masters in forensics psychology. I got into a program, and I've completed my first semester. I am also taking a course in California at DGA Detectives, which is an intensive course to get your certificate in forensic investigations ... I am in that class intensively every week.
WW: Once you're done, what's your ultimate goal?
RU: My ultimate goal is to get back into the media, be a correspondent and talk about things related to the field of forensic investigations. To be able to be a correspondent on Jane Velez-Mitchell and Nancy Grace and to be part of the panel discussing the mind of a criminal, discussing where a missing child might be, discussing the ins and outs of a case ... that is my ultimate goal ... and to have the credibility behind me, whether it be on TV, radio or newspapers.
RELATED: David Arquette checks into rehab
WW: New year, new life?
RU: Everyone should be so lucky that they go through such a dark patch in their life. It's not even that they have the guts to start over, it's that they're forced to start over. I have been forced to start over. I am going back to school, and I'm doing my best to do something I have always wanted to do. It may sound really random to some people, but I don't care. It makes me really happy.
WW: Why did you join "Celebrity Rehab"?
RU: I wanted people to see who I was, and if they wanted to hate me after watching that, fine. I don't think anyone would hate me after watching that. They would see that I am a normal person with flaws like anybody else. I'm not a threatening cartoon character like I was made out to be. I wanted the chance to show people who I was. That's all.
RELATED: Learn more about "Celebrity Rehab"
WW: What exactly are you addicted to?
RU: There was an outing that we did [on the show] where a boy named Aaron who had a problem with prescription pills has a seizure and goes into a coma. His mind works like yours and mine, but his body is a complete vegetable. It was the first time that I identified myself as an addict ... I started to get into understanding love addictions. I started to really embrace that and say, 'OK I'm Rachel. I'm a love addict.' And then after we met Aaron, I 100% was like 'Oh my god, that just changed my life. I am never doing prescription pills again.' I have been in complete denial ... I finally admit that I took too many prescription pills.
WW: How are you now?
RU: I haven't taken one pill since then.
RELATED: Dr. Drew's celeb rehabbers: How clean are they now?
WW: The show has received a lot of negative press. Is it legit?
RU: I am not an actress. I have never been on a reality show. There is no way, shape or form that I would even know how to go into an area like that and become an actress ... No, this whole thing was real. Everyone has their motivation for getting in front of the camera. All I can do is speak for myself. And I can tell you is that it changed my life. I was in rehab and there happened to be cameras there.
WW: Do you still keep in touch with people from "Celebrity Rehab"?
RU: I just got off the phone with Leif [Garrett] like 15 minutes ago. I talked to him every other day. We're really close, Leif, Jeremy [London] and Jason [Davis]. Jason Davis comes to my house every Wednesday to watch the show. I am really, really close to them. I adore them.
RELATED: Jeremy London Seeks Redemption
WW: What do you hope this new year brings for you?
RU: I hope that people can learn how to stop being so hard on everybody else. It's been a really hard year for me. I had to deal with a lot of people's anger, and bitterness and I don't even know what. I've had to deal with a lot of that. And I've really internalized that and what I'd like this year is to able to feel proud of what I'm doing and what I'm accomplishing ... I'm just a person and I'm doing my best.
WW: Do you see love and your own family in the future?
RU: I hope this year brings me acceptance, love and happiness.


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Citrus grower-shipper LoBue Bros. Inc. is among the California exporters hit hard by a strike that's shut down most cargo terminals at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
"All my business this week has been put on hold because they don't want twice as much fruit arriving at the same time," Joe LoBue, vice president of export marketing at Lindsay, Calif.-based LoBue Bros., said Dec. 3.
That amounts to more than $230,000 in lost business during a week when LoBue planned to ship 15 containers. Only a few loads for Australia were unaffected.
Clerical workers represented by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 63 went on strike against terminal operators and shipping lines in both ports Nov. 27.
"There are 700 (clerks) but the bigger issue is that the picket line is being honored by all of the longshoremen, 10,000 or so," said Phillip Sanfield, director of media relations for the Port of Los Angeles.
The labor action shut down 10 of 14 cargo terminals in the two cities — seven in Los Angeles and three in Long Beach, said Daniel Yi, spokesman for the Port of Long Beach. Los Angeles has just one terminal still operating.
"There's such congestion now that when they do get it settled, it could take another week to 10 days to straighten out the port," LoBue said. "If you're talking two or three weeks, it could easily cost me $1 million."
Exporters of broccoli and celery were also affected by the strike, said Ken Gilliland, director of international trade and transportation for Western Growers. "Definitely veggies have been hit too," he said.
"We've had calls from a few exporters who are aware of the situation and just trying to make the best of it," Gilliland said. "It's hit or miss depending on where the customer is located and whether it can be handled out of a different port."
"There's a lot of uncertainty out there," he said. "Exporters have to wonder, 'Do I take this order, try to fill it and hope the strike's off by the time I ship?' Or maybe it can ship out of Oakland, depending on where you're going and what carrier you use."
Los Angeles has seen nine ships divert to Oakland or Ensenada, Mexico, Sanfield said. Eleven more are offshore. Any refrigerated containers among the 10 ships in port continue to have power.
LoBue sees a short time frame for resolving the strike before fruit now sitting in the container yards is returned.
"A week shouldn't make a big difference, but if it takes much more than that, you're going to shorten the shelf life at the other end," he said. "Some customers have already told me they don't want to take the risk so they're sending it back (before loading).
"They'd have a trucker pick it up and bring it back to me. What do I do with two-week old fruit?"
Some refrigerated goods diverted to Oakland or Ensenada could end up in Los Angeles or Long Beach again, Sanfield said.
"Some exporters are trying to get their stuff up through Oakland," Gilliland said. "But if that's a ship that then has to go to L.A., it's not going to work. It's starting to create a problem."
"The boats that go from Long Beach to Oakland are not coming up until they get unloaded, so they're all stuck," LoBue said. "We can't get out of either port. The whole California program is shutting down."


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15 U.S. Code § 80a–52 - Effective date
prev | next
The effective date of the provisions of this subchapter, so far as the same relate to face-amount certificates or to face-amount certificate companies, is January 1, 1941. The effective date of provisions hereof, insofar as the same do not apply to face-amount certificates or face-amount certificate companies is November 1, 1940. Except as herein otherwise provided, every provision of this subchapter shall take effect on November 1, 1940.
Source(Aug. 22, 1940, ch. 686, title I, § 53,54 Stat. 847; Pub. L. 100–181, title VI, § 624,Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1262.)
1987—Pub. L. 100–181struck out at end of first sentence ": Provided, however, That any such face-amount certificate company may register prior to said date, as provided by section 80a–8 of this title, and such registration shall not operate to change or affect said effective date as to any such company or any face-amount certificates issued by it".
Effective Date of 1970 Amendment
Pub. L. 91–547, § 30,Dec. 14, 1970, 84 Stat. 1436, provided that: "This Act [see Short Title note set out under section 80a–51 of this title] shall take effect on the date of its enactment [Dec. 14, 1970], except that—
"(1) sections (5)(a), (b), and (c); 8; 9(a); 11; 18; 24(a); and 25 (amending sections 10 (a), (b), and (c) [section 80a–10 (a), (b), and (c)]; 15 [section 80a–15]; 17(f) [section 80a–17 (f)]; 19 [section 80a–19]; and 32(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 [section 80a–31 (a)]; and sections 203(b) and 205 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 [sections 80b–3 (b) and 80b–5 of this title], respectively) shall take effect upon the expiration of one year after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 14, 1970];
"(2) that part of section 5 (d) which substitutes 'interested persons' for 'affiliated persons' in section 10(d) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 [section 80a–10 (d) of this title] shall take effect upon the expiration of one year after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 14, 1970];
"(3) sections 16 and 17 (amending section 27 and 28 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 [sections 80a–27 and 80a–28 of this title]) shall take effect upon the expiration of six months after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 14, 1970]; and
LII has no control over and does not endorse any external Internet site that contains links to or references LII.


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Bo Wang's film essay China Concerto, which made its U.S. debut at the Museum of Modern Art last week, takes a critical look at the culture of spectacle in contemporary China.
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Crossing the Chasm
Digital Fieldbus Networks Bridge the Gap from Field Devices to the Control Room
For more on fieldbuses, go to www.controlglobal.com/fieldbusguide.html
By Dan Hebert, P E, senior technical editor
Experts juggle swords, but the rest of us are better off just watching. Put another way, just because someone somewhere has successfully installed a digital fieldbus network doesnt mean it can by done by you or anyone at your company without proper training.
Those who dont look before leaping across the fieldbus chasm are destined to end up like these necessarily anonymous respondents from a major U.S.-based engineering firm. We have been reluctant to specify Foundation Fieldbus, HART, Profibus and other digital fieldbus networks, says the first engineer. We have seen the presentations, attended the brown bags, said thank you, and I hope we will continue to wait on this.
He has good reason to be hesitant. I have a friend working for a systems integrator who has been tearing out what is left of his hair for about two years trying to get a fieldbus network to work properly. Maybe there is a place for magic wires and magic devices in industrial applications where advanced data acquisition is justified and where the owners on-site technicians can understand and maintain it. But in the industry we serve, we do not want it or need it yet, concludes our first respondent.
Another engineer summarizes his firms general opinion of digital fieldbus technology. Fieldbus is great in theory, but for whatever the reason, in practice it doesnt yet seem to live up to the promise. Some difficulties seem to be related to training and to understanding of the technology by designers and installers. Other problems seem to be related to the complexity of configuring the systems. Overall it sounds like the benefits are offset by the associated headaches.
More Complex Than PC Networks
Consider the analogy to PC networks. You have at least one PC at work and likely a few more at home. You may even know a little bit about networking if you have a home wired or wireless LAN. But that doesnt make you a computer networking expert. Likewise, you probably also know quite a bit about instrumentation and control systems. You may have even designed and installed one or two small-scale digital fieldbus instrument networks. But that doesnt mean you are a digital fieldbus expert.
You know that to manage a large scale office network, your company needs at least a small group of experienced and highly qualified computer networking professionals.
If you want to make the transition from 4-20mA to a digital fieldbus, you will also need a small group of experienced and highly qualified digital fieldbus professionals. There is a big learning curve for someone to become fully digital, says Richard McCormick, principal at Mick Automation, Levis, Quebec. This is especially true for instrument techs that may have limited experience working with PCs.
Dont make the mistake of thinking that a digital fieldbus network is simpler than an office network just because it has fewer nodes. You may have only 50 instruments, but other factors can make even a small digital fieldbus network as complex as a PC network with hundreds of users.
These factors include multiple incompatible protocols, harsh installation conditions and multiple vendors who would often rather compete than cooperate. Not only is there a learning curve associated with first-time evolution to a digital fieldbus network, but one must also deal with incompatible device drivers and with multiple vendors when you need problem resolution, observes Thomas Toms, lead engineer at Progress Energy, headquartered in Raleigh, N.C.
End users must often deal with multiple fieldbus networks in their plants. This can complicate network design, installation, and maintenance. Courtesy of Profibus International.
Courtesy of Profibus International
One vendor may have the intrinsic barrier located at the master unit, while another may have it at the spur block. If the wrong combination of vendor products is selected, there will be no intrinsic barrier in the circuits, adds Daniels.
Another problem is addressing of the units. The Foundation Fieldbus network is just like any other network, and the addresses of the various components must be unique. We ended up addressing field devices just like our office network intranet addressing. Another issue that caused us problems was individual component programming. Each device has unique programming needs, and vendors do not always provide proper documentation, concludes Daniels.
So how do you get up to speed? One way is to hire a digital fieldbus expert who has prior experience with the design, installation and maintenance of your desired network and your existing control system. Good luck finding such a person.
This is not like the PC world with its true and few interoperable standards, its long track record and its throngs of qualified and certified network engineers. You instead have to deal with multiple incompatible technologies, relatively new products and a paucity of experienced professionals.
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UM Gusman Concert Hall
Frost Wind Ensemble
Gary Green, conductor
Svet Stoyanov, percussion soloist
Jennifer Higdon, guest composer
Paul Dooley, guest composer
The South Florida Classical Review describes the Frost Wind Ensemble as "dazzling" and NY Phil's principal trombonist Joe Alessi commends their "unmatched wind ensemble playing." Now, Director of Bands Gary Green brings the Frost Wind Ensemble to powerful new heights as they perform Percussion Concerto by Pulitzer Prize winner Jennifer Higdon, guest composer, spotlighting formidable percussionist Svet Stoyanov. The ensemble also performs the newly commissioned Point Blank by fast-rising contemporary composer Paul Dooley, guest composer. Meet the composers during a pre-concert Q&A and be among the first to hear their fiery new works!
Also included on the program is Paul Hindemith's Symphony in B-flat, one of the most revered pieces ever written for wind band.
City of Coral Gables Night
General Admission
Sponsored by
« Back to Festival Miami Events Archive


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Reading and Recycling Team Up to Increase Literacy
Stock Photography books are being upgraded to include basic words to teach youngsters how to read. Instead of letting these books fall into disuse from increased online activity, an advertising and communications corp has turned these books into literacy aids for disadvantaged children.
Listen to Famous Actors Read Children's Books for Free
This website was created by the Screen Actors Guild designed to excite students about reading. Here you can listen to some of your favorite actors read children's books aloud at no cost!
The Future of Children's Book Publishing
In the technology age, even books are now going digital. Titles can be found on the screen granting kids access to explore accompanying games and activities. While not all authors are keen on publishing their books to the internet, some publishers are making headway.
Reading Rockets' Rocket Blasts
If you haven't already signed up, start getting Reading Rockets' Rocket Blasts newsletter for great news about the world of literacy. Newsletters include links to articles about reading and learning disabilities, as well as other aspects of education.
Check Out Apple's New iPad
ScrollMotion has been developing a blend of the iPhone and ebooks to create the iPad. Teaming up with notable publishing companies, ScrollMotion hopes to begin making textbooks digital followed by books for younger children.


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Town pushes for more parking
5:53pm Tuesday 4th December 2012
5:53pm Tuesday 4th December 2012
CIVIC leaders want a new car park to be created in Wallingford to cater for a growing demand for shopping spaces in the town.
The town council, which is calling for a meeting with South Oxfordshire District Council, said one possibility raised by Waitrose in St Martin's Street was adding a deck to its existing 185-space car park.
But Waitrose spokesman Jo Maish said earlier this week: "We have no plans for a double deck car park at our Wallingford branch."
With 550 new homes due to be built at the Slade End Farm site, as part of South Oxfordshire District Council's core strategy, there will soon be even more demand for parking.
Town clerk Andrew Rogers said Waitrose had "considered the possibility of double-decking their car park", and added: "The need for more parking spaces is now quite acute and at weekends it is quite difficult to park.
"We could make a better job of utilising the spaces at the riverside car park but that can be subject to flooding and people want to park nearer the town centre when they are shopping.
"The lack of parking spaces in the town is an issue that needs addressing urgently."
© Copyright 2001-2017 Newsquest Media Group


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Joo Won and Oh Yeon Seo make a lovely Joseon couple in official poster for 'My Sassy Girl'!
Joo Won and Oh Yeon Seo are a lovely Joseon dynasty couple for the historical drama remake of 'My Sassy Girl'!
SEE ALSO: Dara shares her plans for a potential solo debut
The drama will tell the story of Joseon's finest young man Kyeon Woo (Joo Won), who is also a teacher to the crown prince. Opposite him is the bright and lively princess Hye Myung (Oh Yeon Seo), a love interest who is comical and lovable because of it.
CNBLUE's Jungshin will also star in the drama as Kang Joon Young, an official in the ministry of supervision, while opposite him will be actress Kim Yoon Hye as Jung Da Yeon, a woman in love with Joon Young.


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Kuntz back in KC clubhouse following surgery
CLEVELAND -- Royals first-base coach Rusty Kuntz was back in the clubhouse on Thursday morning, 24 hours after undergoing surgery for his broken left arm. A plate and eight screws were inserted.
"I think I've only had about six hours of sleep in three days. That was counting those three hours of surgery," Kuntz said. "Other than that, every time I lay down, I feel my heartbeat up my arm."
Kuntz was his usual effervescent self although he was using painkillers in anticipation of what doctors warned him was upcoming surgery aftershock.
"About noontime today, it's going to kick in. They say it's going to feel like a thunderstorm," he said.
Kuntz, hit in the left arm by a line drive off the bat of Salvador Perez during batting practice on Monday, said his medical experience was much more than he'd expected.
"This thing feels like a small baby I have on my arm now," Kuntz said. "The other one was a splint and this is a full cast, and it is heavy."
There's no timetable for his return to the coaching box. Meantime, it's a good bet Kuntz will continue working with his outfielders, baserunners and bunters despite having one arm in a sling.
Dick Kaegel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Topic: First CT Scan on Monday
Well, we've made it through three cycles of Gem/Cis as our first treatment plan. My wife is handling it OK so far. No major effects of chemo. She has the normal side effects of fatigue and nausea. But we've learned how to cope with those so far. Interestingly, her nausea attacks tend to eliminate lots of "air" trapped in her but not really much substance.
Monday, July 1 will be the first CT scan since treatment started. We are ready and yet still very anxious about this test. We feel progress has been made. In the early days, we could not get her to 1000 calories/day - she had no room. Her liver was quite enlarged and pressing on her stomach, which made her abdomen very extended. Over the past two weeks, we've seen reduction in her abdomen and an increase in appetite and energy. She is now at 1700 calories/day.
Ironically, she had a CA-19-9 marker test last week return a value of 1100 v. 156 on 4/23/13. That scares me a little. But the other indicators are aligned - I want to believe we are making progress. I am going in to this with a positive outlook, but the realist in me cannot get too optimistic.
We are also going to switch roles for our Oncologists. We no longer want my wife's treatment plan to be defined by the local Oncologists. We will switch to a doctor at Sloan who provided a "second opinion" originally. He has been great so far.
As an aside: Kris00j, I hope we have a better experience at Sloan. We really like our Oncologist, both from a knowledge and empathy standpoint. But I must tell you, I still personally believe Dr. Denlinger is the model for what future Oncologists should strive to be - I hope you have great success with her.
We will also ask about the new trial which has been discussed on this forum. (Hepatic Arterial Infusion (HAI) With Floxuridine (FUDR) and Dexamethasone (Dex) Combined With Systemic Gemcitabine and Oxaliplatin in Patients With Unresectable Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) ).
Finally, after the three months my wife has been through, we are hoping to get away for a few days after her CT scan. We want to go to the beach (Ocean City, MD) for a few days with our children to enjoy life while we wait for the scan results. She has not been able to sleep in a normal bed but we feel we can use enough pillows, etc. to get her through a few nights. We will work to get her ready. A change of scenery will be very beneficial.
Thank you for all you have done for me (us). I come to this site every day. And I find something every day in these posts that convinces me I must keep up my desire and drive to do everything in my power for my lovely bride (of 30 years in November). This is our new life.


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This content is brought to you by the new Hyundai Elantra which helps you "Snap Out" of your routine to live your best life. Click here to learn more about the new 2011 Elantra. What's this?
Tis the age of clickety clack. Well, more like just clickety. When modern man writes these days, chances are he's hammering away at his computer's keyboard or working his thumbs over his phone's keypad. The use of pen and paper has fallen by the wayside.
But while technology has made communication easy and convenient, traditional methods of writing should not be totally forgotten. Not for nostalgia's sake, but because writing by hand offers a man several benefits that cannot be duplicated by tickling the keys.
By scanning the brain, researchers have found that writing by hand improves memory, cognitive activity, and the expression of ideas. Because writing by hand involves making multiple strokes to form letters as opposed to simply pressing a key, it activates and lights up different parts of the brain. That's why if you're like me, you'll often find that if you run into a writing block while staring at your computer screen, when you grab a notepad and start jotting down ideas, the floodgates can really open up. Writing by hand also tends to be slower and more thoughtful, and it provides a greater connection between you and your words.
So writing with pen (or pencil) and paper can really keep your mind sharp and your ideas fresh. But with our computers and phones so handy, it's hard to snap out of the digital writing routine. So here are 5 things that can help inspire you to step away from the keyboard and take some time each day to write by hand.
Col. Littleton Leather Journal
Every man should keep a journal. A journal is a place to work out the big issues in your life. Use it to hone your life's purpose or simply as a place to empty your mind and soul of the emotional or mental burdens that you're experiencing at a particular time. And when you finally kick the bucket, your journal will ensure that your legacy as a man lives on with your children and grandchildren.
Maybe you're among the millions of people who have tried to start a journal, but never got into the habit. If you've had trouble making journal writing part of your daily routine, perhaps what you need is a journal so handsome and inviting it's hard not to write in it. Enter the Col. Littleton No. 9 Journal. Wrapped up in rugged steer hide, this baby will have you putting pen to paper in no time. It's the perfect place to record your legacy of manliness.
Price: $142
Fountain Pen
We sign documents every day. Most of it's mundane stuff, but every now and then we put our signature on pieces of a paper that carry a lot of significance. A marriage license, a mortgage, your child's birth certificate. For these sorts of occasions, a rinky dinky ballpoint pen won't do. A man needs a writing instrument with a bit of panache.
Enter the fountain pen. Used by distinguished gentleman since the mid-19th century, fountain pens turn everyday writing into an art. The nib on a fountain pen allows for calligraphic flourishes. When you sign that check to pay off your debt, it will look like you signed the Declaration of Independence. And when people receive your notes, they'll think they were delivered via a time machine.
Price: $50-$1500
Correspondence Cards
If you're like most men living in this modern age of ours, your personal communication probably takes place through the digital ether of email, Facebook, and Twitter. While these forms of communication are fast and ubiquitous, they lack the human touch.
It's time to snap out of your Web-based correspondence routine and embrace the art of the handwritten letter. But a proper letter can't be just scribbled on a piece of torn out notebook paper. If you're going to take the time to write a letter, you need to use quality stationery.
Of course we can't think of a better or manlier set of stationery than our very own Art of Manliness inspired men's correspondence cards. Choose from over 25 manly motifs that are letterpressed into the card and printed with brown ink. They're perfect for jotting a quick note to Grandpa or sending your thanks to your Aunt Gertrude for your birthday savings bond.
Price: $15
Rite in the Rain Field Flex Pocket Memobook
Hopefully by now you've gotten into the habit of carrying a pocket notebook; we've certainly mentioned the importance of this tool numerous times. You never know when you'll get an idea that will change your life. If you don't have something to write it down in, you could lose it forever. But what happens when that idea comes to you while you're standing in a torrential rainstorm? Most pocket notebooks won't allow you to write in such conditions.
Not so with the Rite in the Rain Field Pocket Memobook. Popular among farmers and contractors, the Rite in the Rain notebooks are made with all-weather paper that sheds water and enables you to write in all weather conditions. Never let Mother Nature get in the way of inspiration again.
Price: $4.25
All Black Embassy Pen
So you have your fancy fountain pen for putting your John Hancock on important documents. But what sort of writing tool should a man use in his everyday life? You could go with a cheap ballpoint pen. The problem is they're not very durable, and they have a tendency to let you down when you need them the most. Plus they're so one deminsional. The only thing you can do with a Bic pen is write with it.
A man needs an everyday writing tool that's both durable and multidimensional. A tactical pen fits the bill.
A tactical pen is a writing implement that can be used both for signing checks and as a last ditch self-defense weapon. Machined from solid metal, tactical pens typically have a tapered barrel, a screw-on lid, and a nice knurled grip. If you had to, you could use the end of the pen to forcefully disarm a would-be attacker, Joe Pesci-in-Casino style.
The Embassy All Black Pen from County Comm is the tactical pen of choice of the U.S. Government. The pen is machined from alumnium and has deep knurled grip on the body that will ensure this bad boy never slips from your hand. The Embassy Pen uses Fisher "space pen" cartridges that will keep you writing in temperatures from -30°F to 250°F. Pair this up with a Rite in the Rain notebook, and come rain or shine, you'll be an unstoppable writing machine.
Price: $44.50
Win a Col. Littleton No. 9 Journal
Hyundai will be giving away a Col. Littleton No. 9 Journal to one lucky AoM reader, so he can start snapping himself out of his digital writing routine. Here's how to enter the sweepstakes:
Leave a comment sharing what sort of tools or methods you use to snap yourself out of your digital writing routine and get yourself writing by hand.
Deadline to enter is March 17, 2011 at 12:00 pm CST.
Last updated: December 15, 2015


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Wishing you all a happy holiday season. All through the year, volunteers support our community's needs. As the year comes to a close, please recognize and support the great philanthropic organizations in your neighborhoods and the business and local government leaders who support them.
Youth grants
Congratulations to the Pleasant Hill Community Foundation Youth Grant Award recipients. These awards are funded from proceeds from the annual Pleasant Hill "Allied Waste Golf Classic." Receiving grant awards this year:
"The Pleasant Hill Community Foundation is very thankful to all the people who have participated in over a decade of our Golf Classics. Their generosity has enabled local community organizations to support these vital programs for the youth of Pleasant Hill," said Betty Geishirt Cantrell, youth grant awards chairwoman.
"We are also very excited to welcome new board member, Adrianne Roe, to our Youth Grant Awards Committee to help evaluate the 20 proposals we received this year."
Visit the foundation website at www.PHCommunityFoundation.org for more information.
Sewing for service
The Sewing Machine Shop of Walnut Creek is holding a fabric and sewing machine drive to benefit the efforts of Barbara Bretzinger's "Service, Sewing and Support," a community project for our military serving overseas.
Barbara's son Donny has served three tours of duty and is going back to Afghanistan in January.
Barbara relies on sewing to help deal with the stress involved with having a son overseas in the service. She started collecting sewing machines she purchased herself at garage sales, and teaching military wives to sew, said Sheila Lopipero with the Sewing Machine Shop.
Bretzinger's efforts have been so applauded by the U.S. Army they have asked her to set up teaching facilities in several additional locations.
She is heading to Fort Drum in New York this month with more than 400 pounds of donated fabric collected by The Sewing Machine Shop, which will continue to collect fabric, usable sewing machines and sewing accessories through December.
For more information, contact firstname.lastname@example.com or call 925-937-7575.
CHP toy drive
The California Highway Patrol is in the final two days of accepting donations of unwrapped toys for holiday delivery to needy children. Residents who would like to donate can drop off a toy from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, Dec. 21, at any CHP office.
Call the Contra Costa area office at 925-646-4980 for information or drop off your toys at 5001 Blum Road in Martinez.
Retiree Al Capri, 78, has been playing the "Claw Crane" arcade machine for 11 years to win more than 100 animals for the "Chips for Kids" toy drive.
"Mr. Capri is that untold story of so many people in our community. They are the people that reach out and give without any expectation of receiving something in return. It is truly amazing," said Capt. Jonni Fenner in a news release.
She wanted to express her appreciation for all the donations the CHP has received and to those still planning to donate.
College after 50
Emeritus College, a nonprofit, fee-supported program of Diablo Valley College, provides outstanding not-for-credit, short-term, affordable educational classes for adults over 50, just for the fun of it on a variety of topics including history, politics, literature, opera and everything in between.
Classes are held at Rossmoor, DVC and JFK University in Pleasant Hill. You don't have to be a member to take a class, but the benefits of membership ($50 annually) include discounts on Emeritus classes, free DVC parking permits for classes held on campus, free lectures and discounts on day tours, local sightseeing trips and even international escorted vacations.
A membership would be a wonderful Christmas gift for your spouse, parents or grandparents.
The Emeritus College for Seniors fall fundraiser, "High Tea and Broadway," at DVC last month encouraged volunteers to enjoy wonderful food, entertainment, fancy hats, and festive decorations, thanks to event chairwoman Lucia Falcone, and raffle chair, Patt Lass. The Emeritus College executive director is Jo Mele.
Proceeds from the event will help Emeritus College continue to provide educational opportunities. The spring class schedule will be available Jan. 7. For those wanting a complete list of classes, tours and vacations, call Emeritus College at 925-685-1230, ext. 2388, or go to www.dvc.edu/emeritus to get on their mailing list.
Aquanuts on stage
The Walnut Creek Aquanuts represented the United States in the prestigious Synchronized Swimming World Trophy Cup Championships in Mexico City and placed seventh overall, ahead of the three national teams from the Netherlands, Great Britain and Brazil.
The Aquanuts Trophy Cup team, coached by Kim Probst (Walnut Creek Aquanuts head coach), Tammy McGregor (Juniors/Seniors Aquanuts coach) and Olga Kouznetsova (Aquanuts coach), prepared routines for the competition, including a Mexican theme with full traditional costuming.
The crowd went wild when Sandra Ortellado from Carondelet High School, waved a Mexican flag while on top of the first lift.
In the shark-themed duet with Jamie Kuchan and Alexa Tchekmarev, the pair wore full body costuming featuring teeth on the arms and dorsal fins on their legs.
The highlight of the competition was when the Aquanuts beat the Russian team in the burlesque routine in the thematic team event. Sophia Bouzos, also from Carondelet, performed rhythmic gymnastics for the International Swimming Federation and celebrity judges.
To watch videos of the World Trophy Cup exhibition (I did!), or to learn more about Aquanuts, visit their website at www.aquanuts.org.
Give a gift of life
The Pleasant Hill Teen Center offers a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, at 147 Gregory Lane in Pleasant Hill. To schedule an appointment, log on to redcrossblood.org, and enter the sponsor code: PHCCPR or call 800 RED CROSS (800-733-2767).
New hatters
Members of a new Red Hat Society chapter can be seen around Central Contra Costa County wearing the red and purple clothing, and hats, of course!
The Ruby Mavens Chapter held its Christmas luncheon in Walnut Creek, with a gift exchange. Queen Gina Scheer gave out Red Hat pins, and Kim Soibelman had a miniature gingerbread house for each member.
In the chapter's short existence, said member Pat Rishell, they have enjoyed a train trip through Niles Canyon and had an evening of fondue while creating hats to wear to events. A tea is planned for the near future.
The Red Hat Society, formed in 1997, boasts thousands of chapters worldwide with a goal to have fun and enjoy friendships.
For more information contact Pat Rishell, email firstname.lastname@example.com or call 925-682-6279.
"Good Neighbors" is compiled by Faith Barnidge. Send club and organization news, Scouting items, notices of awards and other submissions to email@example.com.


text: WVU athletic department in red for two fiscal years February 13, 2013 Story Share MORGANTOWN - West Virginia University's athletic department reported a record deficit, revenues and expenses in its final season in the Big East Conference.The university ended the last two fiscal years in the red and officials expect the deficits to continue for several years while WVU receives less than full revenue-sharing benefits from the Big 12.The latest deficit - nearly $13 million for the 2011-12 fiscal year - was attributed largely to the $20 million that the university paid to leave the Big East. Without that exit fee, associate athletic director Mike Parsons said the department would have had a sizeable profit."We knew that when we made a $20 million commitment that was payable in so many days that it wasn't going to be pretty,'' he said. "But ultimately it ended up being a lot better than we thought it was going to be.''The Mountaineers left the Big East for the Big 12 Conference after the 2011-12 fiscal year. Records obtained by The Dominion Post show the athletic department's deficit that year came despite record revenue totaling more than $80 million.The 2010-11 deficit was more than $1 million. The losses in back-to-back years come after nine consecutive years of profits.The Big 12's revenue-sharing plan doles out about $20 million annually to member schools. In 2011-12, WVU's share from the Big East was nearly $10 million, but the Big East kept $9 million of that as part of the university's exit fee.WVU will receive a 50 percent revenue share from the Big 12 in 2012-13, 67 percent in 2013-14, and 84 percent in 2014-15 before becoming a full-fledged member in 2015-16.For the next several years, WVU's athletic department is expected to take out loans through the university to help pay for operating expenses."A lot of it just depends on what happens,'' Parsons said. "If ticket sales go up, maybe we don't need as much. If they go down, maybe we'll need more. "You know moving forward, because of that conference revenue piece and some increased costs, we're going to end up being in the red for a couple of years until we get full funding from the conference.''It would mark the first time that the self-sustaining athletic department has had to use an internal loan to cover operating expenses."As we project out, this year and next year are going to be the bad years, but then after that you start getting into the slight profit, if expenses and revenues hold,'' said Michael Szul, WVU's associate athletic director for business operations.No loan was needed to cover the 2011-12 loss.In addition to paying off the loans with interest to the university, there's also the repayment of a $5 million loan the Big 12 gave the athletic department when it left the Big East. While WVU doesn't plan to stop athletic renovations, begin pay freezes or cuts, or lower operating expenses in the next few years, "there are things we would like to do that we're just going to have to wait a while,'' Parsons said.Contributions to the athletic department in the 2011-12 fiscal year totaled $22.8 million while ticket sales were $21.6 million. Both figures were $4 million higher than the previous year. About $6 million in contributions came from two private, one-time donations earmarked for WVU's new basketball practice facility.- The Associated Press Story Share Story Share Trending Now 1 Facebook founder visits Cabin Creek Health Systems 2 Safety shutoff disabled prior to June coal-mining death, report says 3 Huggins, WVU tap South Florida hoops talent 4 Teen pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter in Oakes Field shooting 5 WVU hopes to get injured defenders back for TCU Top-ranked Tug Valley routs No. 2 Catholic 61-38 Previous Story Herd hangs on, beats Rice 71-70 Next Story


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Jackson enjoying opportunity to face ex-mates
WASHINGTON -- Cubs right-hander Edwin Jackson was in the visitor's locker room on Friday afternoon, reminiscing about his days with the Nationals.
In his only year in Washington, Jackson helped the Nationals win the National League East title, going 10-11 with a 4.03 ERA in 31 starts. But the Nationals decided not to re-sign him after the season. Instead, they signed right-hander Dan Haren to a one-year deal.
"I've been around the game. Nothing seems to surprise me anymore. You hope for the best and expect the worst," Jackson said. "You know me: I've always been a person that worried about what I can control. What I can't control, I really don't have time to worry about it."
Jackson is off to a slow start, going 0-5 with a 6.39 ERA for Chicago. But he feels he can turn things around.
"Mentally, physically, I'm ready to go. I've always continued to work hard, and [I'll] continue to grind out the season and finish up strong," Jackson said.
Jackson was able to catch up with a few of his ex-mates on the Nationals. He said they seem to be in good spirits. One person Jackson spoke to was right-hander Stephen Strasburg, whom he will face Saturday afternoon at Nationals Park.
"I get to face 98 [mph] tomorrow," Jackson said. "I talked to Stras' and told him I'll be ready to swing it. He would do the same. It will be a lot of fun. Them facing me and me facing them. Once the game starts, it will be no friends. They will be trying to get me, I'll try to get them. Until then, have some fun with it and get ready for tomorrow."
Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, All Nats All the time. He also could be found on Twitter @WashingNats. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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The Pasadena Public Health
Department (PPHD) is very excited to announce the opening of the new state-of-the-art
dental clinic, the City of Pasadena Michael D. Antonovich Dental Clinic! Currently, we are serving the oral health needs of HIV-positive individuals.
PPHD is proud to have worked with Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich, the Los Angeles County Department of Public
Health Division of HIV/STD Programs, the Patron Saints Foundation, the Pasadena
Community Foundation, Pastor Eisenlord with Good Shepherd Church in
Pasadena and other local community organizations to fund this clinic.
This clinic will provide much-needed services to underserved populations.
For more information, please visit http://cityofpasadena.net/publichealth/michaeldantonovich_dental_clinic/


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This Fed Decision Is a Biggie
The two-day Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting that starts today and ends tomorrow is very important because it's the first meeting of the year, and it's the first since the Dec. 11-12 meeting last year when a new round of quantitative easing was announced.
The minutes of the December meeting, released about three weeks ago, spooked the markets and were the primary catalyst for treasury yields to increase since then. The fact that more than half of the Federal Reserve governors and presidents expressed concerns about continuing QE3 (buying mortgages, announced in September), and QE4 (buying treasuries, announced in December), has shaken bond market participants....562 more words left in this article. To read them, just click below and try Real Money FREE for 14 days.
There's no substitute for a trading floor to get great ideas, so Jim Cramer created a better one at Real Money and blogs there exclusively. We then added legendary hedge fund manager, Doug Kass, with his exclusive Daily Diary and best investing ideas. Staffed with more than 4 dozen investing pros, money managers, journalists and analysts, Real Money Pro gives you a flood of opinions, analysis and actionable trading advice found nowhere else, and allows you to interact directly with each expert.
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The weather forecast is in, and it's grim—at least, if you're sick of the cold. That's right, Pennsylvania's (and Billy Murray's) favorite groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, has seen his shadow, thereby predicting six more weeks of winter (thanks a lot, Phil).
The Groundhog Day custom is rooted in the animals' emergence from hibernation, which, according to legend, is on February 2nd. In reality, the furry weather prognosticators waken much later, at least in the northern parts of a range that extends from east-central Alaska and British Columbia south to northern Idaho, east through most of southern Canada, and south to parts of Kansas and Alabama and into Virginia. In Missouri, however, where groundhogs are also found, they might emerge as early as the first week of February.
In preparation for their Rip Van Winkle sleep, groundhogs develop a heavy layer of fat in later summer and early fall to sustain them. Then they dig a burrow, complete with a "hibernation chamber," curl up, and pass out—well, almost. Their body temperature falls substantially, their breathing slows to once every six minutes, and their heart beats—which once clocked 100 times per minute—drop to four.
Now, in honor of the venerable hirsute meteorologist, here's a quiz to test your groundhog IQ (answers at the end):
1) True or False?
Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks.
2) What family do groundhogs belong in?
a) Weasels, skunks, and kin
b) Squirrel
c) Beaver
d) Rats and mice
3) True or False?
Groundhogs are exclusively carnivorous.
4) During hibernation, groundhogs' body temperature can drop to:
a) 32° F
b) <40° F
c) 70° F
d) ~85° F
5) How often do groundhogs have litters?
a) Once per year
b) Three times per year
c) Five times per year
d) Once every other year
1) True. The name "woodchuck," comes from wuchak, a Native American word used by the Cree to identify a few different animals of similar size and color. It has nothing to do with groundhogs' behavior or their habitat. Incidentally, the name "groundhog" stems from its appearance: squat, with a waddling gait and ground-dwelling habit.
2) b. Groundhogs are members of the squirrel family. And like their species name, Marmota monax, suggests, they're also marmots.
3) False. Groundhogs are almost complete vegetarians, noshing on green vegetation including grasses, clover, and alfalfa. They'll also wreak havoc on gardens by eating corn. Sometimes they scale trees in search of delicacies like apples.
4) b. Groundhogs' body temperature drops from 97°F to less than 40°F during hibernation.
5) a. Groundhogs have one litter per year consisting of about a handful of young. Though blind at birth, after a month, the young can see and crawl. They disperse at two months.
*Most facts compiled from the National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammalsand the Missouri Department of Conservation.


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- BSO Case Number: 90-1309-002501
- PIO Number: 13-9-27
- Date: September 19, 2013
- Time: 10:33 p.m.
- Place of Occurrence: 4400 block of Davie Boulevard, central Broward
- Jurisdiction: Unincorporated Broward
- Roberto Cumbay, 57, male, 9/11/1956, 1351 S.W. 44 Terr., Apt. A, central Broward (DECEASED)
- Henry Cervantes, 24, male, 6/6/1989, 1531 S.W. 44 Ave., Apt. 15, central Broward
Description of Incident:
A pedestrian was killed Thursday night when he was struck by a car driven by a neighbor just minutes from their homes.
At 10:33 p.m., Roberto Cumbay, 57, was walking south across Davie Boulevard when he was fatally struck by a 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser driven by a neighbor, Henry Cervantes, 24. Cervantes was traveling westbound on Davie Boulevard and had entered the shared turning lane with the intention of turning south onto Southwest 44 Terrace when it impacted Cumbay. Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue pronounced Cumbay dead at the scene at 10:43 p.m.
The traffic homicide investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact BSO Traffic Homicide detectives Carlos DeJesus or Michael Kelliher at 954-321-4840 or Broward Crime Stoppers, anonymously, at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or www.browardcrimestoppers.org.
- INVESTIGATORS: BSO Det. Carlos DeJesus, THI /CID
- BSO Det. Michael Kelliher, THI /CID
- THIS REPORT BY: Gina Carter/PIO 9/20/13 1400
Posted At: 09/20/2013 02:09 PM
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You may also like these photo galleries
Imagine, for a moment, a night in a hotel where no request is too much, no ceiling too high and the cost no object. Where eye-watering beauty – walls of precious stone, a grand piano and revolving beds, for example – come with a matching price tag. Here's eight of some in a long list of the most opulent and expensive suites from around the world.
If height and artisan detail matter then take the private elevator to the Ty Warner Penthouse at the Four Seasons. At 244 metres above street level, the one-of-a-kind suite on the 52nd floor can claim bragging rights as the highest in the city. Four glass balconies are on a diagonal to the north-south, east-west grid of Manhattan. The bathroom is clad in Chinese onyx, sinks are carved from solid blocks of rock crystal, underlit for effect. Walls in the master bedroom are straw marquetry, hand-applied by French artisans, Venetian velvet is hand-stamped and Thai silk is threaded with 22-carat gold. Three plasma-screen televisions promise every channel in the world. A 24-hour butler, Rolls-Royce chauffeur, an art concierge and personal trainer come with the suite. See www.fourseasons.com/newyork
Address: 57 East 57th Street, New York
Cost: From $US40,000 ($38,000) a night
The big reveal at The Peninsula New York in September was the rejuvenated Suite. Overlooking Fifth Avenue and occupying most of the 19th floor in the 1905 building, the suite's six rooms include library with chrome and mahogany work desk and dining room with seating for 10 guests. Art deco features – a palette of gold tones and creams, French marble flooring and Murano glass chandeliers – sit alongside 21st century features including a Wii, PlayStation and iPad for your stay. For those who like to tinkle the ivories, there's a baby grand piano. Perks at the suite include transfers in the hotel's BMW 7-series and an unlimited alcohol bar stocked to your tastes. It's one block, or a two-minute walk to Madison Avenue. See peninsula.com/newyork
Address: 700 Fifth Avenue at 55th Street, New York
Cost: From $US24,000 a night
General manager Jonathan H. Crook recommends: A rest in the handcrafted Savoir beds in both bedrooms of the suite. For shopping, the Bergdorf Goodman department store, just two blocks from the hotel.
At the centre of the fashion and arts district on rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, the Imperial Suite, with two bedrooms, is the largest and newest at Hotel Le Bristol. Kick up your heels in the dining room on the Versailles parquet with a dozen of your best friends, or in the lounge adorned with Taillardat, Canovas furnishings, gaze at the 18th century painting by countryman Jean-Baptiste Pater of a country festival. A bathroom in pink marble is a fitting flourish in the chic suite. For the peckish there's epicure led by the triple Michelin-starred chef Eric Frech: frogs legs with tandoori spices for €75 ($91); stuffed macaroni with black truffle, artichoke and duck foie gras (€88); and black figs from Provence (€33).
Address: 112 rue du Faubourg Saint Honore, Paris
Cost: From €16,000 a night.
A Leading Hotels of the World member. See www.lebristolparis.com
With antiques from royal times it's like a night at the museum in the Maharajah's Pavilion, or presidential suite, at the Raj Palace on the pink city of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. A private elevator leads to the suite, or more precisely four-floor, four-bedroom apartment. On level two, overlooking the inner courts of the palace and the Charbagh gardens, the private collection of Maharajah Thakur Sahib, throne included, is on display. Once a sleeping chamber for the ruler, there are gold leaf painted walls and mirror work features. The fourth floor, once the pleasure pavilion of the ruler remains, albeit with 21st century touches including soft seating lounge, bar and spa. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. See ww.slh.com; www.rajpalace.com
General manager Ankur Rara recommends: A seat in the corner of the suite to view the city's historic buildings through a pair of binoculars.
Address: Jorawer Singh Gate, Amer Road, Jaipur
Cost: From $US17,315 a night
On the outside, the 321 metre Burj Al Arab resembles the sails of an Arabian dhow. Inside, two royal suites fill the 25th floor. A marble and gold staircase leads to a private cinema, two bedrooms with four-poster rotating canopy beds and dressing room large enough to fit your average hotel room. Mahogany furniture and leopard-print tufted carpets fill the suite. Purr. See www.jumeirah.com
Address: Jumeirah Beach Strip
Cost: From $5000 a night.
If a villa on the private Laucala Island isn't escapism enough then perhaps the hilltop residence Delana at the 25-villa resort will be. Set on the highest point of the island that was once a coconut plantation, the residence has two dwellings, with 360-degree views of hills and ocean, swimming pool, cook, chauffeur and nanny. The resort has five restaurants serving island-grown produce, a man-made lagoon of swimming pools, and an 18-hole golf course. A Leading Hotels of the World member. See www.laucala.com
Cost: From $US35,000 a night.
With five bedrooms, the Presidential Suite at the InterContinental Hong Kong is said to be the largest in the land. Two-storey plate-glass windows look to panoramas of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island, which can also be seen from the rooftop infinity pool, jacuzzi and rainforest shower. The private gym is steps away and around-the-clock butler likely a step ahead. Return airport travel by Phantom VI Rolls-Royce, Bentley or Mercedes is a fitting way to arrive and, sniff, depart. See www.hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com
Address: 18 Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Cost: From $HKD106,700 ($13,000) a night
On the shores of Lake Geneva, the Royal Armleder Suite at Le Richemond takes in views of the famous lake, the Old Town of Geneva including St Pierre Cathedral and Mont Blanc. The seventh floor suite – a combination of three, in fact – has heated floors, two terraces and hammam. And for the papparazzi-weary, the hotel assures guests this is the suite for privacy. Part of the Dorchester Collection. See dorchestercollection.com; www.lerichemond.com
Address: Jardin Brunswick, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland
Cost: From CHF21000 ($21,000) a night
Photos: Take a look at some of the world's most expensive hotel rooms
What has been your most opulent or favourite hotel experience? Post a comment and share your stories below.


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The Vallejo Raiders midget division football team will be playing in the Northern California championship game on Saturday in Elk Grove.
This year there is no championship game for their level in Florida but the Raiders would like to send the team to Las Vegas.
The Raiders are asking the public to help with donations. They need transportation, lodging and food for 25 participants.
Payments can be sent to P.O. Box 1172, Vallejo, CA 94590 or call 712-7543 for more information. The Raiders must win Saturday.


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A word here as to the misconception labored under by our English neighbor; he evidently does not understand the American manner of doing things. We never level down in this country; we are always at work on the up grade. "Level up! Level up!" is the motto of the American people. [James E. Garretson, "Professional Education," in "The Dental Cosmos," Philadelphia, 1865]
Modern use is mostly from computer gaming (2001). To level off "cease rising or falling" is from 1920, originally in aviation. Related: Levelled; levelling.


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MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET National Tour Stops in Providence at PPAC, Now thru 1/20
The national tour of the Broadway musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, inspired by the electrifying true story, will make its Providence premiere tonight, January 15 - 20, 2013 at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) as part of theTaco/The White Family Foundation Broadway Series.
The international Tony Award Winning musical, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is set on December 4, 1956, when an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley together. Sam Phillips, the "Father of Rock 'n' Roll" who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, brought the four legendary musicians together at the Sun Records storefront studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The resulting evening became known as one of the greatest rock 'n' roll jam sessions in history.
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring an eclectic score of rock, gospel, R&B and country hits including; "Blue Suede Shoes," "Fever," "Sixteen Tons," "Who Do You Love?," "Great Balls of Fire," "Matchbox," "Folsom Prison Blues," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "Hound Dog," and more.
Portraying these icons are James Barry as Carl Perkins, David Elkins as Johnny Cash, Benjamin Goddard as Jerry Lee Lewis, and Billy Woodward as Elvis Presley. Vince Nappo plays the "Father of Rock 'n' Roll," Sam Phillips. The cast also features Kelly Lamont as Dyanne, and musicians Billy Shaffer (Fluke, drums), and Corey Kaiser (Jay Perkins, bass). Rounding out the company are: Katie Barton, Steve Benoit, Austin Cook, Scott Moreau, John Michael Presney, and David Sonneborn.
Benjamin Goddard is appearing with the permission of Actors' Equity Association. The Producers gratefully acknowledge Actors' Equity Association for its assistance of this production.
The show is directed by Eric Schaeffer and features a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux. The design team includes: Derek McLane (scenic design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), Jane Greenwood (costume design),Kai Harada (sound design), and Chuck Mead (musical arrangements and supervision).
When the Broadway production opened in April 2010, critics and audiences leapt to their feet in unanimous praise. The New York Times called the show, "a buoyant new musical that whips the crowd into a frenzy," New York Magazine labeled it, "a dazzling raucous spectacle that sounds like a million bucks," and NY1 called it, "90 minutes of platinum grade entertainment." The musical continued its successful New York engagement at New World Stages through June 2012.
The Chicago production of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET opened in 2008 and is still playing to packed houses at the Apollo Theatre. The West End production played at the Noël Coward Theatre in London in 2011.
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Levi Kreis) and received a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical (Colin Escott & Floyd Mutrux). The show received an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Levi Kreis), a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Musical Revue, and three Drama League nominations including Distinguished Production of a Musical and Distinguished Performance.
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is produced by Relevant Theatricals, James L. Nederlander, John Cossette Productions, American Pop Anthology, and Broadway Across America.
Visit www.MillionDollarQuartetLive.com or www.ppacri.org for additional information.
The performance schedule for MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is:
Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 7P
Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 7P
Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 7:30P
Friday, January 18, 2013 at 7:30P
Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 2P & 8P
Sunday, January 20, 2013 at 1P & 6:30P
Tickets for MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET are $63 - $36 and are on sale NOW at the PPAC Box Office at 220 Weybosset Street in downtown Providence, online at www.ppacri.org and by phone at (401) 421-ARTS (2787). All ticket prices include a $3 per ticket restoration charge and are subject to change without notice. Box Office Hours are Monday through Friday, 10A to 5P; Saturday, 10A to 2P; and through curtain time(s) on performance days.
Discounted admission is available for groups of 20 or more; for more information and to order, contact Group Sales Representative Paul Hiatt at email@example.com or (401) 574-3162.


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All of the 59 people who took part in this two-part study had coronary artery disease, and many of them were taking medications to treat risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. The study was done in two parts:
Cranberry juice had positive but different effects on vascular health after both the single drink and the four weeks of regular consumption:
Cranberries, like other colorful fruits, are rich in anthocyanins and other polyphenols, plant compounds that have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds may well be responsible for the positive effects of cranberry juice on arterial health seen in this study, and the benefits of other antioxidant-rich foods on cardiovascular health seen in other studies.
In summarizing the importance of their findings, the study's authors said, "Our results may provide further support for the American Heart Association recommendation that cardiovascular disease risk may be reduced by a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, including cranberries."
In addition to cranberries, these are some anthocyanin-rich fruits to consider including in your regular diet to protect your heart and blood vessels:
(Am J Clin Nutr 2011;93:934–40)
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After five years of being trapped in the brain of one Robert Kelly, new chapters of "Trapped in the Closet" have been liberated by the Independent Film Channel, set to begin airing the new set of 10 chapters on Nov. 23.
As basically the modern equivalent to Homer's "The Odyssey," the series has lain dormant amid whispers from R. Kelly that there might be more and relentless clamoring among fans for the same. In March, the R&B legend confirmed the dreams of many when he announced more chapters.
Now Chapter 23 has graced the public, and, in the spirit of its predecessors, is heavy on questions but light on answers. The crew, forever linked by promiscuity and poor hiding places, returns in full, ready to suffer what might befall them after the Chuck-in-the-hospital cliffhanger. And apparently that is phone calls?
There is a lot of phone-answering, but not a lot of phone-talking going on in the new installment. Each character has their activities rudely interrupted by a phone call: Kathy and Rufus are trying to shop, but "those people" ominously keep calling. Gwen and Sylvester just want to watch a movie. Lucius the Pimp could've SWORN he was on the "do not call" list (kidding).
But each of these phone calls could change their life, we'll see soon how they deal with the strife ... strife ... strife ...
Want more? Discuss this article and others on RedEye's Facebook page. Copyright © 2017, RedEye Chicago


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KINGSTON, N.Y. -- Kingston High righted its football ship Friday.
Less than 24 hours after a thunderstorm suspended play, the Tigers returned to Dietz Stadium to earn their first win, defeating Washingtonville 27-10.
Quarterback Pat Dorrian ran for two touchdowns and threw for another to lead Kingston (1-1), which straightened out execution problems seen in last week's road loss to Holy Cross.
"(Offensive coordinator) Coach (Scott) Ricketson told the players that this was the offense's most consistent performance in a long time," Kingston head coach Jeramie Collins said. "I agree.
"Today one of players on the sideline said, 'This is fun.' I told him, 'That's what happens when you do what you're supposed to.'"
"It was definitely what we needed," Dorrian said. "It was a big momentum shifter for us."
The Tigers had gotten 3:23 into Thursday night's game when play was stopped by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association's thunder and lightning rule just as linebacker Alex Chiera recovered a Washingtonville fumble.
Play resumed Friday with Kingston taking that ball and driving 76 yards on 10 plays, culminating in Dorrian's 7-yard TD pass to Shawn Marchant.
A Dorrian 20-yard strike to Cole Jordan set up Tyler Robinson's 1-yard TD run.
A Jordan interception and 21-yard runs from Dorrian and Chris Saitch set up Dorrian's 8-yard scamper that made it 21-0 in the second quarter.
Derek Deoul's 44-yard field goal for the (0-2) Wizards made it a 21-3 game at halftime.
Kingston's line play ruled the day, protecting Dorrian on his scrambles and aiding the Tigers in rushing for 220 yards.
"We wanted to establish ourselves early and we did," Collins noted.
"Everybody played outstanding," said Dorrian, who ran for 113 yards and completed 10-of-18 passes for 165 yards, utilizing five different receivers. "They get just as much credit as I get."
Saitch had 68 yards rushing for the Tigers.
Dorrian scored again from seven yards out early in the third. The Wizards countered with Dyan Cassisi's 1-yard plunge midway the third, but an interception by John Hertle and a fumble forced by Kyle Suppies and recovered by David Carlson denied any chance of a comeback.
Kingston, which got sacks from Darius Brodhead and Jack Stelter plus a combined takedown by Todd Harries and Carlson, held the Wizards to 55 yards offense in the first half.
The Tigers had just one good practice in a short week that included Wednesday's 100-degree-plus heat index.
"It was definitely a week you needed to focus," Dorrian said.
Washingtonville? 0? 3? 7? 0--10?
Kingston? 14? 7? 6? 0--27
First Quarter
K--Marchant 7 pass from Dorrian (McManus kick)
K--Robinson 1 run (McManus kick)
Second Quarter
K--Dorrian 8 run (McManus kick)
W--FG Deoul 40
Third Quarter
K--Dorrian 7 run (kick failed)
W--Cassisi 1 run (Deoul kick)
W--Nevins 14-87, Tecklenburg 6-31, McWeeney 4-21, Markgjonaj 7-13, Cassisi 3-15, Pagan 2-5; K--Dorrian 22-113, Saitch 16-68, Matthews 4-29, Robinson 3-7, Marchant 1-6, K. Ryan 1-5.
W--Tecklenburg 6-16-2, 53 yards; McWeeney 0-1-0; K--Dorrian 10-18-0, 165 yards.
W--Fusano 3-30, Woods 1-20, Markgjonaj 1-3; K--Smith 1-49, Jordan 2-48, Marchant 3-42, J. Ryan 2-15, Matthews 1-5.
Team records: Washingtonville 0-2; Kingston 1-1.