text:
Skip to content
and found 4 items
124cc, 9.7bhp, 56mph, Insurance group
Not a bad sporty 125 that does everything you could want a 125 to do with litte hassle. Cheap price means these are a very tempting choice over more expensive, but better Japanese machines like the Honda CBR125. f you're not bothered about the name on the tank, the Lexmoto is a good choice.
124cc, 11bhp, 78mph, Insurance group
The Taiwanese-built WK 125R is an entry-level 125cc motorcycle for British riders on a budget. Imported by the same team behind Quadzilla Quads, it's a cheap, cheerful and functional alternative to more expensive European or Japanese learner machines. It's a little basic, quite heavily outmoded and unlikely to last a lifetime, but it's also fairly cool, fun to ride and ...
124cc, 13bhp, 68mph, Insurance group
A very decent sporty 125 with great equipment and good handling that's let down by an inflated price tag. Those that need a cheap runaround will opt for a Chinese-made budget equivalent, while performance obsessed young 'uns will go for the pricier CBR125R or a YZF-R125. If you find yourself in possession of a KR Sport or can nab a ...
124cc, 12bhp, 65mph, Insurance group 4
Mid price cruiser style Suzuki GZ125 Marauder works well and makes a decent learner steed. It's got more presence than the budget custom style 125s like Yamaha's SR125 but it's usefully cheaper than the twin cylinder alternatives which cost about a grand more when new. The Suzuki GZ125 Marauder makes a decent, frugal urban commuter too.
Save money by comparing quotes. It's quick and easy
Compare and buy 100s of bargain priced products for you and your bike
Motorcycle Cover | Cheap Motorcycle Insurance | Moped Insurance | Scooter Insurance | 125 Insurance | Work Experience


text:
I then started the long journey back home by making the 9 hour drive back to Bangalore. Thankfully, we followed our drivers advice and stopped at Hotel Saravanna's restaurant for brunch.
For the complete back story on my trip to India, read these posts:
Bangalore, India / Tiruvannamalai, India / Pondicherry, India - Day One
Pondicherry, India - Day Two / Pondicherry, India - Day Three
For the complete back story on my trip to India, read these posts:
Bangalore, India / Tiruvannamalai, India / Pondicherry, India - Day One
Pondicherry, India - Day Two / Pondicherry, India - Day Three
Again, the food was amazing. The Masala Dosa at this restaurant was particularly large and delicious. Within that large pancake is a masala spiced potatoe mash, it is amazing and one of my favorite dishes!
We gobbled it right up and washed it down with Chai tea.
We gobbled it right up and washed it down with Chai tea.
Mom and I taking pictures of eachother outside the restaurant.
We then checked out the nearby temple.
A row of Tuk-Tuk's - also known as motor taxi's and always a good time.
We then traveled a few more hours and took a quick break at the above temple, which looks very similar to the one we visited at lunch.
By this time, we were a bit frazzled by the long drive and nearly forgot to follow the custom of taking our shoes off before entering the temple. Thankfully we were warned by the yelling locals. Oops!
In retrospect, it would have been better to wear lightweight flip flops and carry a larger bag with socks to navigate this process more effectively.
We then took our drivers recommendation and visited the Golden Temple (Sripuram Temple), which was started by Guru Amma. This temple is relatively new and not in any of the guide books - it was an amazing sight! Pictures were not allowed so these pictures are pulled from the internet.
You will be denied entrance if your shoulders, upper arms, collar bone or ankles are showing so plan accordingly.
We were shocked to see this temple as the estate is so large you can not see the temple from the roadside - you only glimpse the Golden Temple after you enter and follow a long winding cage-like hallway into the main temple area.
You will be denied entrance if your shoulders, upper arms, collar bone or ankles are showing so plan accordingly.
We were shocked to see this temple as the estate is so large you can not see the temple from the roadside - you only glimpse the Golden Temple after you enter and follow a long winding cage-like hallway into the main temple area.
There were many local people waiting to visit - the wait was about two hours long or you could pay 250 rupees to skip the line. We paid the rupees. It was an amazing sight and the people were curious about our presence but also very kind. Upon exiting the Golden Temple, we followed the crowd thinking the exit was near but instead was directed to an outbuilding where we were served a simple and quick meal of white rice and vegetable mash on a palm leaf. It was quite the experience!
We then drove a few more hours to Bangalore, had a quick dinner and again stayed with our Indian friend in her Rajarajeshwari Nagar neighborhood home. I packed for my departure the next day and said my goodbyes. My mom was fortunate to stay on two more weeks and spent a good portion of that time at an Aryveda Spa.
I woke the next morning at 5am to catch my early flight. My driver was a bit late (as he was stopped by the local police questioning why he was out so early), which provided for an exciting morning. But after crossing through the airport checkpoint and then checking in with the airline, passport and security checks I made my flight with 15 minutes to spare. Phew!
As Bangalore is the "Silicone Valley of India" the airplane was filled with business professional men traveling for work... and then me in my polkadot slippers. I sat next to two nice young Indian men traveling to Atlanta and London on work contracts - I passed along my last few rupees to one of these men as it was not worth exchanging.
Ten hours later I was at Heathrow Airport in London where I had a five hour layover - I wandered around the airport and blindly bought chocolates and other souiveniers in my jet lagged haze. Due to some confusion with the International time and changing of gates, I nearly missed my airplane but thankfully made it just in time. I buckled into my aisle seat (which I was thankful to have), sat next to a nanny from New Jersey who was returning from a vacation in Dubai and endured an eight hour ride with plenty of turbalance.
After traveling through three countries in 24 hours and living that day twice, I finally returned to Philadelphia... to drive an hour and half home, which my hubby thankfully did.
Here are a few more fun pictures:
To those who are wondering, I had no issues with safety or food quality. The food was amazing and I never felt unsafe however I took the obvious precautions of only using bottled water (even for brushing my teeth), getting vaccinated, taking malaria pills, and only traveling in a group usually under the guidance of a local driver. I did find it helpful to dress conservatively (keeping my ankles, shoulders and collar bone covered) as is the custom there. There were not many international tourists at the locations I traveled to so the local people were very curious by our presence - this often lead to obvious and constant staring, which was harmless in nature but occasionally felt intimdating to me.
It was a whirlwind and brief trip (only 9 days) to India but unforgettable and amazing. Words do not do it justice, only the pictures and memories can. I made some new and wonderful memories with my Mom and we were able to bond over the experience. I was also able to conquer many of my fears going into this trip, which is always a good feeling. This trip was about living intentionally and taking full advantage of the opportunities that come your way.
Thank you in sharing this journey with me! I wrapped up this review just in time for another trip I am taking soon, I am forever grateful for the travel opportunities that have come my way.
Xo, Kaylin

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Alberta, Halifax, Hamilton, Montreal, Niagara, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Winnipeg,
Czech Republic
Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Pathankot,
New Zealand
South Africa
United Kingdom
Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Gwynedd, Hull University, London, Sheffield, University of London,
United States
Appalachian Ohio, Athens GA, Atlanta, Berkeley, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbia MO, Columbus, Des Moines, Durham & Chapel Hill, East Lansing, Fredericksburgh VA, Houston, Los Angeles, Muncie IN, New York City, NYU, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Plattsburgh, Richmond VA, San Francisco, Tucson, Twin Cities
OK so this isn't a normal hollaback shoutout. This is more like my verbal travellers diarrhoea (see what I did there??). I'm not sure its really in the right place, but I hope it might be useful to some of you who need a response to 'those' questions or responses when you share your stories of harassment from your travels.
Street harassment abroad and what not to say
I have travelled in 4 continents now, I've done a brief inter-railing stint around Europe and then to Borneo, Southern Africa and now I'm in the Caribbean. In all these places I've experienced street harassment. I doubt there's many, if any, places I could travel where this wouldn't be an issue, even in England it happens to me on a weekly(ish) basis.
My involvement in hollaback has made me almost hyper-aware of the unhealthy views many people have of street harassment in the UK, but I'd never really thought about it on my travels before. That is, until the other day when I was walking through town and someone shouted something along the lines of 'hey sexy' in the local language-Papimento. I mentioned it in conversation with a friend back home, who has previously been supportive when I've complained about street harassment, but his not so great response of: "Hey sexy? Get you!" made me think of how responses to tales harassment abroad differ from harassment in the UK. I've found its somehow less acceptable to complain about what we experience abroad, you're supposed to be find it funny rather than intimidating and we're told that its just part of foreign travel or somehow we brought it on ourselves and there is an underlying message that we should suck it up or stay home.
On my first two travels (inter-railing and Borneo) I was intimidated by this harassment. I actually believed a significant proportion of the men who approached me would do me harm if given the opportunity. This paranoia was fuelled by well meaning but misguided advice and warnings on 'staying safe' given to me before I left. The phrasing of (some of) this advice implied that if I wasn't following it, the harassment (and anything worse that might happen) was my fault and it added a negative twinge to my trips. Whilst it pays to be cautious, common sense would have you do that anyway and so advice or comments like this are not welcome, especially when its given in hindsight. So here's my guide on what not to say to someone who's told you their story of street harassment whilst abroad.
"You shouldn't travel alone because you're a woman"
This is the worst. The most annoying. I wouldn't lose any respect for anyone who is reluctant to travel alone, because yes, you definitely get more unwanted attention as a woman travelling alone, and it can be intimidating. But attention is not the same as danger, and travelling alone is not necessarily less safe. And if you have already made the decision to travel alone it is not something you want to hear, nor is it useful advice. So don't say it. Nowhere is totally safe, there are dangerous neighbourhoods in every city, and these dangers aren't exclusive to women, you would be a fool to travel in some neighbourhoods alone at night no matter your size, strength and gender. Common sense (avoiding dangerous neighbourhoods, not using badly placed cash machines, not walking around late at night) is a necessity wherever you travel, but I doubt I am less likely to be attacked in London or Manchester than I was Cape Town , would you tell a woman not to visit Manchester alone?
"you should take it as a compliment/ they were just trying to be nice"
Someone said this to me a couple of days ago when I complained that my time on the beach in Grenada was cut short because I was a sick of men approaching me whenever I sat down, so I kept walking. I wasn't scared of them, they gave me no reason to suspect they would attempt to hurt me or steal my wallet,but it was annoying, I wanted to sit in the shade read my book not chat about why everyone on the beach calls him "Scorpion" or explain why I don't want to go on Abe's boat and get a tour of the island.
I can see how on first thought someone who hasn't had to experience street harassment on a regular basis can't see why being told you're attractive by total strangers isn't a positive experience, but when I tell you about a time when it wasn't, please just take my word for it and don't argue.In this instance, I'm sure 'Scorpion' was trying it on with every female tourist on the beach who didn't have a man with her, its irritating in itself and it isn't nice to be objectified. And if you try and ignore them or keep walking, some men who start with these 'harmless compliments' can get really pushy and it can be intimidating. Not to mention some of the 'compliments' can be pretty lecherous and make you uncomfortable on that basis alone.
And as for "they were just trying to be nice", sometimes, a compliment turns sour when you don't respond positively to it. For example, a month or so ago in Sheffield, I was walking home, texting, when some men walked past me and one said "Why are you looking down? You shouldn't look down, you should look up, you're to pretty to look down. Smile" or something like that, when I didn't respond, they proceeded to insult me, calling me stuck up bitch or words to that effect. People who are so quick to turn venomous are hardly people out to make others feel good. So don't tell me these comments are compliments.
"Their culture is different to ours"
I'm not going to say that British tourists should be shouting from the rooftops of the places they visit, attempting to change the way things are done in our holiday destinations, but saying its 'just culture' makes these peoples comments excusable, when they aren't, regardless of 'culture' and belittles the victims feelings.
Everyone has a story of how they know someone who went somewhere and someone offered to buy their little sister for 10 camels, and even joked about how they seriously considered it. To an outsider who wasn't there at the time, it can seem like a funny story, but consider how uncomfortable and maybe intimidated it might of made that person feel before you dismiss them with 'its just their culture'. I know some people can joke about these situations, I don't mean to imply being compared to camels is traumatic to everyone, but I'm asking you to think before you speak and make an effort to read the person your hearing this from.
Secondly, saying street harassment happens abroad because of culture is simply incorrect. We have street harassment right here in the UK, check yourself before you start implying that other places are 'less civilized' than us in some way. I mean implying that foreign men are different from here and 'just can't help themselves' would be racist, and I like to think I don't speak to many racists.
And similarly: "But what were you wearing? If you don't cover up in these places…"/ "If you go out dressed for attention you'll get it"
I can honestly say, in my experience there has been no link between what I was wearing and how much harassment I have received.
This 'what were you wearing' attitude is dangerous. It's the same attitude that leads to victim blaming in sexual assault cases, aka the idea that women in short skirts are asking for it because men just can't help themselves. Being dressed nice is not an invitation for people to make crude comments. We all have the right to dress however we please. Obviously, it is respectful to dress appropriately depending on the beliefs of the country you are in, particularly if you are visiting a place of religious worship, but getting this dress code wrong is not an invitation for harassment. Not to mention, men shouting sexual things at you is hardly the sign of someone being offended by your inappropriate dress.
I feel like some who read this will think that I am making mountains out of molehills, that we have bigger things to worry about than catcalling in streets. And to this, I suggest you do some reading and some thinking. Street harassment is a symptom of a bigger problem, allowing people to think it is ok is allowing outdated attitudes to persist, which relate to bigger problems. How can we teach people that women deserve equal pay, the right to feel safe, the right to not be thought of as a liar or a slut when reporting sexual assault, if we can't even teach people that women have the right to walk in public places without having things shouted at them?
I was walking back towards London road from a friend's house on abbeydale road at around 9.45 this evening, with a group of friends. Two men (white, young-ish, speaking to each other in an eastern European-sounding language) came towards us and as they passed one grabbed my bum. They didn't even turn round for a reaction, just carried on as if groping women you don't know on the street was the most normal thing in the world. I was pushing a bike and it was hard to turn to try and hit him as I'd have really liked to. I couldn't even think of words to say – this was unusual as I always shout back, and did so yesterday to a man on London road who told me to smile. I still feel furious at not having been able to respond, and embarrassed that it happened in front of my friends at the end of an otherwise nice day.-
I was out at Corporation one night – which happens to be one of my favourite places to go out to and my friends and I have been many times – and as I was walking through the crowd back to my friends with our drinks, a guy pinched my bum.
I got quite angry and turned around and shouted in his face – "What the f*** do you think you are doing?" – he looked taken aback that I'd had the nerve to turn around and confront him.
However, getting shouted at in the street and whistled at from cars and the like over the years, I have not answered back due to fear that the person responsible would react to my reaction.
We should not be made to feel guilty for who we are and what we wear – I'm glad that we are stepping up and showing people that this kind of behaviour is not ok and that we won't stay silent any longer.
A few months back I got a tattoo of a cat on my calf which has provoked numerous responses; some are playful miaows, some slightly more distasteful, the current best being 'I like your pussy, love!'. Delightful.
Today I've experienced 4 accounts of sexual harassment which is a bit over average. I find that when men are in groups they are more likely to harass you but this is not always the case. Today its been one guy alone stood next to his car, after he whistled I turned around and shouted "WHAT?" and he pretended he was whistling at his friend (who wasn't there), a boy about 14 years old walking around with his peer group, and the other two were from groups of men around 25.
This verbal abuse undermines every essence of my being as if I am just some sort of play thing for male satisfaction. I am not a piece of meat. This harassment is a crime. I deserve to be able to walk the earth without this burden of male objectification.
This all occurred within my first half an hour of walking through Withington and Rusholme.
The other day I wore a bright blue wig around town. I visited Stockport and the centre of Manchester. Over the course of the day (from about 9AM until I started work at 6PM) I was subject to about 20 different cases of verbal harassment (along with many weird looks from men and women which come with wearing a blue wig).
I think this shows how deep-rooted men's problems are. They could only see me as a body, someTHING to be shouted at. Not a human worthy of respect.
What is respect? What is respectful appreciation of women? Not this. Because women are not solely bodies. The men who do this believe that women are not worthy of respect and therefore are not equal human beings. Where does it come from? Look around, look into language, advertisements and magazines. This patriarchy has its roots deep set in everything we consume every day.
This happened yesterday: I was cycling up manchester road to a friends house, a van drove past and two people shouted "FIT" out of the open window. It was gone too fast and i was too out of breath to shout anything back. left me feeling degraded and pissed off.
A while back I was out clubbing with friends in Corperation. I usually don't go clubbing because I don't like dancing, but I always go for friends birthdays and such. Anyway, I was upstairs, standing next to one of the bars where people put their drinks and just swaying to the music, when some guy comes up behind me and tries to do the "grind dancing" thing that most people seem to do.
I leapt back in shock and hid behind one of my friends, as he simply laughed and gestured at me to move back to where I was. After shaking my head no to every attempt, he eventually moved off with his friends.
But when we went to get more drinks, he turned up again and started saying that he knew me, that we went to the same school. I don't know why he was saying that but I knew 100% that I'd never met him before. He asked me to dance again, and I just said no again, while backing away with my friends. He and his friend just kept laughing, which was kind of creepy. We ended up moving downstairs so I could avoid them.
Now whenever I go to clubs, I stay near the wall so it doesn't happen again. When did it become acceptable to start rubbing against complete strangers in clubs?
Ok, so this didn't happen in Sheffield, but we don't have a site in Doncaster and I wanted to share.
I was walking home this morning after taking my daughter to nursery, I passed a group of around 6-8 council workers (all men). They all stopped talking as I walked past and gawped at me, then as I walked off one wolf whistled at me and they all laughed.
I turned to glare at them, and I really wanted to say something, but I felt quite vulnerable as there were so many of them and I was on my own, there wasn't anyone else around.
I emailed doncaster council and made a complaint, I have already had a reply saying that this behaviour will not be tolerated and the offenders will be dealt with. Result!
I have to walk past this group of men every Monday morning, so I am relieved that they will be spoken to and educated as I was dreading further incidents or escalation.
Thank you Hollaback for giving me the confidence to challenge this. I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself right now!


text:
Brain bleeding; Brain hemorrhage; Stroke - hemorrhagic
Treatment includes life-saving measures, relieving symptoms, repairing the cause of the bleeding, preventing complications, and starting rehabilitation as soon as possible. Recovery may occur over time as other areas of the brain take over functioning for the damaged areas.
Treatment is ideally administered in an intensive care unit, where complications can immediately be detected....Read more
You often hear about a midlife crisis when a person's behavior changes radically. But in some cases, what's going on is not a midlife... Read more »
Depression affects people in a whole variety of ways but changes in activity are a common feature. In this Sharepost I've outlined six of... Read more »
I've always found that if caregivers understood some of the reasons for difficult and challenging behaviour it helps them to deal with it... Read more »
Stroke is the number one cause of adult disability. During a "brain attack," brain cells die and abilities controlled by that area of... Read more »
Why is it that we realize we take life for granted only after it's almost lost? After my stroke in 2001, that's how I felt. When I... Read more »
People afflicted with Alzheimer's disease find it increasingly difficult to deal with constant changes brought about by every stage of the disease.... Read more »
If you are with someone who is experiencing these symptoms and cannot reach 911, drive them to the hospital immediately. If you are experiencing the... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Acting strangelyHome CareA doctor should evaluate any unusual behaviors or personality changes. Treatments are based on the following causes of... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Confusion is the inability to think with your usual speed or clarity, including feeling disoriented and having difficulty paying attention,... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Phobia - social; Social anxiety disorderTreatmentThe goal of treatment is to help you function effectively. The success of the treatment usually... Read more »


text:
- Forum: Parenting
- Thread: should i switch to a boster seat
My son is 8 - 62# and 52", and he is still in a 5 point harness. The Britax Frontier we have goes up to 85# and 57". He is on the bigger side for a 2nd grader and has a long torso, but the straps are still above his shoulders. Keep your child in a 5 point as long as you can. The Frontier looks like a booster, so we tell him it's booster, and he has no issues with being in a harness.


text:
Not sure if you want to live in McDougal? Use realtor.com® McDougal guide to help you make the right choice. Switch between tabs to get the latest real estate market information and trends in home prices, home values and rental prices, plus local school and city data all through our dynamic charts and maps. McDougal information on realtor.com® puts the local scoop on McDougal right in front of you so you can learn more about the lifestyle, population, household income, median home prices, and other valuable information online.
|For Sale: N/A
|New: N/A
|Recently Sold: N/A
|Reduced: N/A
|Average Home Price
|Average Sold Price
|Property Records: N/A
|Foreclosed: N/A
|Median Age
|Median Household Income
Marital status represents the percent of residents in McDougal that are single, married, widowed and divorced. In McDougal, 100% of people are married and 0% of people are single. The percent of people married is 20% higher than the ratio of Clay County, which is 80%. Marital data is sourced from census, 2013.


text:
Twilight cast bids farewell at final premiere
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Thousands of screaming fans lined the black carpet late on Monday for the final "Twilight" film premiere as the cast of "Breaking Dawn - Part 2" bid farewell to the franchise and its loyal followers.
Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner and other cast members greeted fans known as "Twi-hards," many of whom had camped out for days in downtown Los Angeles to catch a glimpse of their favorite actors and see the film before it is released in theaters on Friday.
Breaking Dawn - Part 2 will see the love story of human Bella Swan (Stewart), vampire Edward Cullen (Pattinson) and werewolf Jacob Black (Lautner) come to a tantalizing end, when Bella and Edward are forced to protect their child from an ancient vampire coven.
Stewart, who was finally able to embrace her wild side by playing Bella as a vampire, hoped people would enjoy the ultimate transformation of her character in the film.
"Bella has worked pretty hard to get to the point where they can have it all, and it's fun to be there. She's always been human, but now that she's not, you're just in full blown vampire land and it feels funny in a great way," Stewart told Reuters.
More than 2,200 fans from all over the world came to camp out on a concrete plaza in downtown Los Angeles last week, where Twilight movie studio Summit laid out activities and marathon screenings of the previous movies.
All of the film's main actors spent time signing autographs and posing for photographs with the loyal fans who had camped out in chilly November weather over five days.
Pattinson, who plays vampire Edward Cullen, said he hoped the fans would like the franchise's swan song.
"I hope they feel it kind of respects them, because I think in a lot of ways that's what we were thinking when we were making it," the actor said.
Lautner, who plays werewolf Jacob, said he'd be sad to say goodbye to the films and his character and hoped fans would be happy with the conclusion of the final film.
"I'm feeling fantastic, sad, emotional, there's a lot of things going on inside of me right now but I'm just trying to soak up every moment because this means the world to me," Lautner said.
The three lead stars were joined by fellow cast members including Nikki Reed, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz, Jackson Rathbone, Michael Sheen and Dakota Fanning, as well as director Bill Condon and author Stephenie Meyer, whose Twilight novels kicked off the franchise and phenomenon.
Meyer said she would miss watching the three lead cast members evolve as actors and characters in the films.
"It's really been great to watch them grow up, particularly Kristen because her character gets to evolve so much in this film, and to watch her be all powerful and really get to where the character was always meant to go, to be the fiercest of the fierce, was really rewarding for me," the author said. (Reporting By Piya Sinha-Roy, editing by Paul Casciato)
- Tweet this
- Link this
- Share this
- Digg this
- Reprints
- Miss America defends student suspended for asking her to prom
- UPDATE 3-Soccer-English premier league results and standings
- Calls to U.S. poison centers involving e-cigarettes jump - CDC
- Abdullah widens lead in Afghan presidential vote - latest count
- India passes halfway mark in election with BJP gaining strength
'Captain America' soars again, tops 'Rio 2' to win U.S. box office
Marvel's superhero in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" claimed a third straight box office win, collecting $26.6 million at the domestic box office to beat the colorful birds of animated film "Rio 2," which generated $22.5 million in ticket sales. Full Article
"Hurricane" Dies
Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, U.S. boxer famous in folk song, dies at 76. Full Article
Film Festival
Sun, yachts and stars beckon visitors to Cannes. Full Article
Royal Tour
Britain's Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit beach in Sydney. Video
On Trial
Singer Chris Brown's assault trial delayed to next week. Full Article
Reuters India Mobile
Get the latest news on the go. Visit Reuters India on your mobile device. Full Coverage


text: You are here: Home » Recipes » Braised Chicken and Vegetables Braised Chicken and Vegetables Recipe by Jon Ashton Yield 4 servings Most likely you have everything on hand you need for this easy chicken dish. Mark Boughton Photography / styling by Teresa Blackburn PrintEmail This recipe is based on a French peasant dish. It uses inexpensive flavorful chicken thighs and other pantry staples. Use an inexpensive, yet good wine—we like the Chardonnay from Mirassou. Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil6 bone-in chicken thighs1 potato, peeled and chopped1 yellow onion, finely chopped (1 cup)2 carrots, chopped2 garlic cloves, minced3/4 cup white wine (such as Chardonnay)1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth3 sprigs fresh thyme Juice of 1 lemon1/2 teaspoon salt Coarsely ground black pepper1 tomato, chopped1/2 lemon, thinly sliced (optional) Instructions Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, and brown on both sides, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from pan. Add potato, onion and carrots; cook 5 minutes. Return chicken to pan (with any juices). Add garlic, wine, broth, thyme, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer 15 to 20 minutes. Add chopped tomato and serve. Garnish with lemon slices, if desired. Recipe by Chef Jon Ashton For a complete menu featuring Braised Chicken and Vegetables, along with 11 more simple menus for year round entertaining, check out our Supper Club Menus Recipe App for the iPad on iTunes.


text:
Let Dr. Dee help you get a firm hold on your life, navigating you through the maze of life's uncertainty with the skill of a GPS system placing you back on track. She helps you to discover and evaluate the issues and challenges that hold you back.
Dr. Dee has been using a first class process where your life is put on an effective strategic Map, and like many numerous happy clients, working with Dr. Dee will usher in a comprehensive understanding of how to ensure all areas of your life are in harmony and in working order
"One Doesn't Solve Problems; One Outgrows Them." ~ CARL JUNG
"ONE DOESN'T SOLVE PROBLEMS; ONE OUTGROWS THEM." ~ CARL JUNG The late world famous psychologist, Carl Jung, who was also an avid mystical researcher, was correct in his attitude toward problems. He presents that we outgrow problems instead of solving them. We may think we solved it but in the spiritual realm, we accomplish this through a growth of ourselves to higher spiritual consciousness. The best time to deal with a problem is at its very first sign. One needs to be calm, even in the face of a storm with the quiet self-assurance...read more
I tried to think of a clever new phrase— A slogan to inspire the next 365 days, A motto to live by this coming New Year, But the catchy words fell flat to my ear. And then I heard His still small voice Saying, "Consider this simple, daily choice: With each new dawn and close of day Make new your resolve to trust and obey." "Don't look back caught in regret Or dwell on the sorrow of dreams unmet; Don't stare forward anchored by fear, No, live in this moment, for I am here." "I am all you need....read more
You will manifest as much as you believe you deserve
When you are quickened to spiritual understanding and fully realize the true character of God and your own nature as the image, or idea, of God, you will begin to live as a child of the most high in order that you may bring forth the likeness. To perceive the true character of God and His attributes and then to grasp your relationship with Him is to realize that His attributes are your attributes. His power is your power. His character is your character. You are not limited in life. With the spiritual outpouring of today, it is safe to say...read more
You will manifest as much as you desire
Some have been taught that God is a personal being who rules the universe much after the manner of an arbitrary monarch. This erroneous and contracted teaching has led to a belittlement of God in man's concept and they have imaged a man-god, and have also formed a "graven image" of God, who is Spirit. The point to be clearly established is that God exercises none of His attributes except through the inner consciousness of the universe and man. God is the "still small voice" in every soul that heals and blesses and uplifts, and it is...read more
You will manifest as much as you ask for
Dear Friend, The laws of the universe are fixed, immutable laws and they are joined together; if you have one of them, you must have the other. This is illustrated by the laws of geometry. For instance, the sum of the angles of a triangle is equal to two right angles. No matter how large or small the triangle, no matter whether it is made on the mountaintop or leagues under the sea, if you are asked the sum of its angles, you can unhesitatingly answer—without waiting an instant to count or reckon this particular triangle—that it is just...read more


text:
I want to be the very best, in Arlen, Texas.
(Source: youtube.com)
That girl ain't right.
(Source: en.reddit.com)
Neil Armstrong is Actually Dale From King of the Hill
King of the Neil.
He's sure to be king of the restaurant, too.
Father's Day was this weekend. We celebrated by figuring out exactly which TV Dad is the best. See who won here.
(Source: College Humor)
Boomhauer From King Of The Hill Is Real
But deep down, you knew that all along.
Pam and Jim? Eric and Donna? Lily and Marshall? Help us decide the Best Sitcom Couple!
(Source: College Humor)


text:
In the last year, more than nine million Americans were victims of identity theft, costing society about $50 billion. Phishing and pharming attacks are the fastest growing form of ID theft, increasing approximately 25% each month. Consumers and financial institutions, alike, are concerned about this growing threat. This is why we have implemented a new security system that not only allows the bank to identify you, but allows you to positively identify us.
The Multifactor Authentication approach combines the traditional access ID and password with the identifying features of the customer's computer. In addition, the customer, through the use of a secret image and phrase, verifies that the website he is viewing is legitimate.
Customers will automatically be prompted to enroll when they sign up for Online Banking. On the enrollment page, you will be asked to:
That's it! You are now enrolled.
If someone steals my password, will Multifactor Authentication prevent them from accessing my account?
Yes. If an unauthorized person tries to log in to your account from another computer, they will be asked one of your challenge questions. Without this additional personal information they will not be able to log in to your account.
What keeps someone from stealing my security image and pass phrase?
Your security image and pass phrase automatically appear only if you log in from a computer we already recognize as yours. If you log in from a different computer, we will ask one of your challenge questions before showing the image.
How do I know I'm at the valid Online Banking site?
Your secret security image and text phrase will appear confirming that you're at the bank's legitimate web site.
How do you know that I'm logging in from my own computer?
When you enroll, Multifactor Authentication uses a cookie to identify your computer. Each time you log in, our software identifies your computer, your IP address, and other unique identifiers. The cookie is secure and does not contain any personal information.
If I delete cookies, will I have to register the computer again?
Not necessarily. If you have Adobe® Flash® Player installed on your computer, we will use Flash shared objects to identify your computer in the event that we can't identify your cookies. By using Flash shared objects as a backup method for recognizing you as a valid user, we ensure that your log in experience is as quick and convenient as possible.
Can I access Online Banking from multiple computers?
Yes, you can access Internet banking from any number of computers. If you log in from a computer that you haven't used for Online Banking before, you just need to answer one of your challenge questions to verify that it's you. You can register as many PCs as you like.
I share my computer with someone who also uses Online Banking. Can both of us still log in from this computer?
Yes. There's no limit to how many people can log in to Online Banking from the same computer. Just remember not to share your User ID, Password, or answers to your challenge questions.
Can I change my security image, text phrase, and challenge questions?
Yes, after logging in, select "Options", then "Change Challenge Information".
Community Bank of the Chesapeake will never ask you to change your security information, and we will never change it for you.
Is there a fee for using the Multifactor Authentication service?
Absolutely not! It's just one more way we're working with you to safeguard your privacy and security.
Click here to learn more about multifactor authentication »
© Copyright 2014 Community Bank of the Chesapeake. All rights reserved.
At Community Bank, we're committed to exceeding our customers' expectations. We've been serving the financial needs of our neighbors throughout the region for generations. For convenience, service and value, there is no place like the community.


text:
Archive for June, 2010
The Brewster Wood People….Redux
Posted by mbechara in Uncategorized on June 24, 2010
"Whadda mean you keep breaking bolts!", John half screamed into the phone.
"I'm telling you, I've replaced three bolts so far and they break after the third or fourth log", I patiently explained.
Ah yes, its wood splitting season in Brewster, NY and its environs. By this time people have accumulated enough wood for next winter and it's time to cut it, split it and have it further dry throughout the summer in preparation for burning in winter.
For a complete background on how this is done, please see our prior post:
John (the equipment guy) had lent me his splitter to split my wood. His splitter is one of the best, its old school and very powerful, with 32 tons of splitting force. The problem was that the flange that connects the splitting wedge to the hydraulic arm had been bent wider over the years. This bending of the flange causes the bolt that connects the splitting wedge to the hydraulic arm to bear a disproportionate amount of the load, resulting in…..broken bolts.
As I began to explain the situation to John, he cut me off and said, "Ok Ok fine..take the blasted thing to Rusty and let him deal with it."
"OK", I deadpanned.
So after removing the wedge from the splitter, I wrapped it in a clean rag and off I went to Rusty's place. A hardworking (and very honest) Czech immigrant, Rusty owns a transmission shop and his job on our little team is to keep all the equipment running.
I arrived at the shop and showed Rusty the wedge. After agreeing that the flange needed to be heated and bent back into position, and after a brief rant by Rusty about how John was taking advantage of him, we walked outside together.
"How's business by the way?" I asked
"It sucks", came his eloquent reply.
My neurons immediately sprang to life and I asked him, "Why, I thought people are hanging on to their cars longer and fixing them…especially with times being tough."
"Yea they are…but no one has any money", he responded.
"You see that green truck, I put a transmission in it 3 months ago and the guy can't pick it up because he can't pay for it. Same with that one over there, and look, even that red van, which is owned by a big company (his emphasis)…they just cant pay."
"You mean even the company owned vehicle is still here because they cant pay?", I confirmed.
"Yep", said Rusty bitterly.
"I just hope they don't do another "cash for clunkers" ….that almost killed me ….and besides it's a stupid program.", he commented.
Feeling terrible I lamely asked, "Cash for clunkers hit you that bad?"
"That put a lot of people out of work…lot of people out of work", he repeated quietly.
For a background on the Cash for Clunkers program see our prior post:
If It Aint Broke Then…Destroy It!!
I am telling this story because it's a perfect illustration of how craven the lofty statements of "helping the little guy" and "getting the economy back on track" really are.
Let's break this down.
When someone tries to plan economic activity or whenever someone decides to intervene in the economy, by definition they create winners and losers. For if a government program is designed to tilt the playing field in one party's favor, it will necessarily tilt the field against other parties.
So who are the winners and losers in this case?
Well the winner is the automobile industry, a mismanaged group of companies mostly owned by the unions and the government. They received what amounted to a subsidy that artificially enticed consumers to buy their product. What other business can say, "Buy my product and the government will give you thousands of dollars."
And the losers?
The first losers are the consumers who were lulled into the program. These were people who were not going to buy a new vehicle (else they would have already bought) and did so to "take advantage" of the program.
In sum these consumers traded working vehicles, that they either owned outright or made significant progress in paying off, for a new vehicle for which they likely incurred large amounts of fresh debt.
And of course repair and maintenance people like Rusty were hurt severely as these used cars were removed from the road and destroyed.
A pity that Rusty doesn't have a high powered lobbying firm working for him isn't it?
My friends, winners and losers should be decided by open and fair competition and not by bureaucrats. In other words, success in the marketplace should be defined by what you have done rather than who you know.
In addition to deciding who gets to flourish and who has to suffer, these programs are nearly always riddled with fraud. For example, take the recent homebuyer tax credit (a subsidy to the housing industry that no doubt hurt many small home remodelers) where it looks as if prison inmates and IRS employees defrauded the government. Let's go to CNN for the story:
More than 1,200 prison inmates, including 241 serving life sentences, defrauded the government of $9.1 million in tax credits reserved for first-time homebuyers, according to a Treasury Department report released Wednesday.
The report also found that improper filers included 34 employees of the IRS. This is in addition to 53 IRS employees that the inspector general identified last year as improper filers.
Within a few days I was back at Rusty's place to pick up the repaired splitting wedge. The green truck and red van were still there, in the same place in the parking lot.
Until next time,
Michael Bechara, CPA
Managing Director
Granite Consulting Group Inc.
A Little History
Posted by mbechara in Uncategorized on June 17, 2010
Another busy week at Granite…This week I thought we would view a snapshot of history together. Enjoy and let me know your thoughts!
Of the heroes of the American Revolution perhaps none was more flamboyant, bold and personifies manhood more than Captain John Paul Jones. He was one of nature's self-made men. He was born to a poor family in Scotland and was raised in poverty. Jones became a captain by his own merits at the age of twenty-one. He was slight and wiry in body, about 5'5″ tall with a sharp, wedge shaped nose, high cheekbones and a strong cleft chin. . He was always neatly dressed and had an eye for the ladies. He had, however, a violent temper which manifested itself throughout his career. Known as the Father of the American Navy he struck terror into his enemies. Indeed, Benjamin Disraeli, an early biographer, wrote that the nurses of Scotland hushed their crying charges by the whisper of his name. The following explains a little about the life of this talented, charming but often prickly man.
When Congress formed a 'Continental Navy' Jones offered his services and he was commissioned as first lieutenant on 7th December 1775. As a lieutenant on the Alfred and later a captain of the Providence, Jones gained useful experience of naval warfare. His reputation rose rapidly and he advised Congress on the drawing up of Navy regulations. In November 1777 he sailed in the 'Ranger' for France where he struck up a rapport with the American Commissioner in Paris, Benjamin Franklin and, at Quiberon, forced the French to salute the American Flag – the first time it had been hoisted in a foreign harbour.
Jones' most famous battle came in 1779, when Captain Jones took command of the USS Bonhomme Richard, a merchant ship rebuilt and given to America by the French shipping magnate, Jacques-Donatien Le Ray. On September 23, 1779, The Bonhomme Richard battled the English ship HMS Serapis off the coast of Flamborough Head, in east Yorkshire. The Serapis was a well-constructed, well-furnished man-of-war, thoroughly equipped, while the Bonhomme Richard had every disadvantage in these respects; being an old retrofitted merchant vessel.
The combat which ensued, between the Serapis and the Bonhomme Richard, is one of the most remarkable in the annals of naval warfare, for the circumstances under which it was fought, the persistence of the contest, and the well-matched valor of the commanders. The engagement was by moonlight, on a tranquil sea, within sight of the shore, which was crowded with spectators, who thronged the promontory of Flamborough Head and the piers of Scarborough. The engagement began at half-past seven in the evening, with a series of attempts by the Bonhomme Richard to come to close to the English ship. As the guns of the Serapis fired at the Richard, two of the old eighteen-pound guns mounted in her gun-room burst, killing many of the men below decks. The Richard then passed to windward of the Serapis, receiving still more fire, which did much damage to the rotten hull of the old ship. Jones next attempted to get into position to fire upon the entire length of the Serapis. This resulted in a momentary collision. Immediately seeing an opportunity, Jones ordered his men to board the Serapis. The English sailors repulsed this effort and the ships separated. As the ships maneuvered once more they again came into close contact. This time Jones ordered his men to tie the two ships together; with Jones himself helping in the task.
The ships were tied so close that the guns of one touched the sides of the other. Each release of cannon fire from the Serapis blew large holes in the hull of the Richard. With his ship sinking underneath him and the Serapis' cannon continuing to blow ever larger holes in his ship, the English Captain Pearson called out to Jones, "Has your ship struck?" (Do you surrender?) The hot tempered Jones instantly shot back, "I have not yet begun to fight."
What followed was hand to hand combat of the most vicious kind. Jones' men cleared the deck of the Serapis, with muskets and hand-grenades. One of these grenades reached the lower gun-deck of the Serapis, and there setting fire to a quantity of exposed cartridges, produced a bloody destruction of life. The damage to the Richard at this point so great that she was beginning to sink below the water line. The English prisoners of war were set to work manning the pumps thereby keeping the Richard afloat. Human courage and resolution have seldom been more severely tried than in the exigencies of this terrible night on board the Richard. Jones continued to fire what cannon he had at the Serapis while men from both ships battled on the decks. Both vessels were on fire, when, at half-past ten at night, the Serapis surrendered.
The entire losses of the Richard were estimated at one hundred and fifty, nearly one-half of all the men she carried. The English Captain Pearson reported at least one hundred and seventeen casualties. The Bonhomme Richard was so riddled by the enemy's fire, and disemboweled by the gun-room explosion, that she could not be saved from sinking. When the wind freshened, the day after the victory, she became no longer tenable; her living freight was taken from her, and Jones, in the forenoon of the 25th, "with inexpressible grief," saw her final plunge into the depths of the ocean. Jones sailed the Serapis to Amsterdam where he enjoyed the smiles of the fairer sex and rested with his men.
After the war, in 1792 Jones was appointed U.S. Consul to Algiers, but he died in his Paris apartment on July 18, before the commission arrived. His body lay in an alcohol filled coffin in an unmarked grave in a cemetery for foreign Protestants for over a century. The turn of last century was a time of great American naval expansion, encouraged by the President Teddy Roosevelt, an intensive search was made to find his body. In 1905 it was rediscovered. Amid great ceremony it was brought back to the United States aboard the USS Brooklyn accompanied by three other cruisers. Seven battleships met them off the American coast and as a single column they sailed into Chesapeake Bay. There the first four battleships peeled off firing 15 gun salutes while the Brooklyn sailed on to Annapolis. In 1913 his body was finally laid to rest in a magnificent marble sarcophagus, modeled on the tomb of Napoleon, in the chapel crypt of Annapolis Naval Academy; a far cry from his humble beginnings in Scotland.
The Lone Ranger
Posted by mbechara in Uncategorized on June 9, 2010
In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock – Thomas Jefferson
We have a warped perception of conformity in our culture. Reflecting on what is acceptable vs. not acceptable yields an interesting paradigm. Dressing weird, speaking incoherently and behaving like an angry toddler will get you cries of praise for being original, artistic and forward thinking, but to have differing intellectual points of view, to stand for basic principles or to call a failed policy by its name and ….gasp…you blaspheme.
Intellectual diversity has become a very dirty word.
Nowhere is this more true than in the realm of economics. Witness our very own Federal Reserve, where decisions are taken that affect the daily life and financial future of nearly all Americans.
You would expect discussions over monetary policy to be quite animated as the consequences of misguided decisions in this area are grave. You would also expect there to be some variations in the voting patterns as a result.
Most Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) votes have been unanimous.
It is a little strange that there is complete agreement among a group of intellectuals when discussing such weighty issues as interest rate policy. In business, the best decisions are made via the presentation and discussion of diverging points of view and rarely are these varying points of view perfectly reconciled when it come times for a vote. The recent FOMC voting patterns suggest a lax decision making atmosphere at best and a lack of any independent thought at worst.
Recently; however, there seems to be the genesis of some independent (and thought provoking) thinking coming out of the Fed.
Kansas City Federal Reserve President Thomas Hoenig has lately shown that he is not an android programmed to automatically rubber stamp the ZIRP (Zero Interest Rate Policy).
In a handful of recent votes on major policies, Hoenig has been the lone dissenting vote. His rejection of some key elements of dogma have done much to puncture some of the illogic of the "groupthink" dominated FOMC meetings.
In a recent interview with the Huffington Post, Hoenig has articulated some of his positions as follows (our emphasis added):
- Lambasted the tilted playing field that benefits Wall Street banks over Main Street banks;
- Called the idea that the U.S. needs megabanks to compete globally a "fantasy";
- Said Congress should mandate simple, easily understood and enforceable rules
- Prodded the Senate to get tougher on permanently ending Too Big To Fail
- Criticized the Federal Reserve's ongoing policy to keep the main interest rate near zero because it "guarantee[s] a spread to Wall Street", enabling unearned profits and "encourag[ing] speculation."
To illuminate a little further regarding the last point about the zero interest rate policy or ZIRP, let's just state what this means in plain English.
Look, this blog is read by many a General Manager, Financial Officer or others that are responsible for delivering business results. Who amongst us has the luxury of having a ZERO Cost of Sales?
That's right a bank's Cost of Sales is the cost of obtaining money. Allowing banks to borrow at ZERO and lend out at whatever they can get, results in a guaranteed gross margin. Not to beat a dead horse, but this is like a bookstore that receives free books and sells them at market rates.
"So Bechara, where does the free money come from and what are the banks doing with all the money they are making", yells the peanut gallery.
Boy this is where it really gets sordid.
Well the free money comes from the Fed and of course the Fed's money is either borrowed or printed. Borrowing money means the US Taxpayer is on the hook to pay it back and printing the money means the US Taxpayer will eventually suffer a decrease in purchasing power. So in short, the Fed's money comes from the US Taxpayer one way or another.
As far as what the banks are doing with all the money they make, well they pay it to themselves in bonuses. Let's go to the New York Times:
Bank executives are grappling with a question that exasperates, even infuriates, many recession-weary Americans: Just how big should their paydays be? Despite calls for restraint from Washington and a chafed public, resurgent banks are preparing to pay out bonuses that rival those of the boom years. The haul, in cash and stock, will run into many billions of dollars.
Industry executives acknowledge that the numbers being tossed around — six-, seven- and even eight-figure sums for some chief executives and top producers — will probably stun the many Americans still hurting from the financial collapse and ensuing Great Recession.
Now the President and Congress are discussing a special bank tax to recover some of the money given to the banks that they used to pay bonuses.
My friends this is why a planned economy is simply an insane idea. We are piling distortion on top of distortion in our efforts to make people act a certain way. We give money to banks and then are upset at how they use it so we now we institute a special tax to get the money back but this tax does not apply to GM, AIG, ……etc etc. and the insanity goes on.
We should rediscover our roots and go back to a simpler system based on responsibility and accountability and independence. For example, businesses can set their own pay and bonuses, but they will never see a dime of taxpayer money.
Apparently the Fed finds these ideas to be quaint, outdated and not suited to our modern world. Well, at least there is one man at the Fed who has the intellect and courage to take a lonely stand for our founding principles.
Hi Ho Silver.
Have a great week,
Michael Bechara, CPA
Managing Director
Granite Consulting Group Inc.
More Forms Please
Posted by mbechara in Uncategorized on June 3, 2010
Please enjoy this week's guest post from our friend Karla Dennis from Cohesive Tax!
I love the way government talks. Here is a quote from IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman: "Better information reporting helps the tax system work better by ensuring that everyone pays what they owe. The new law gives us an important new tool for closing the tax gap and also provides business taxpayers better documentation to compute and report their income and expenses." He makes it sound so friendly and helpful. What "IT" is happens to be the latest nightmare for taxpayers…the new 1099-K.
The 1099 is a catch-all series of IRS documents used to report non-wage income from a variety of sources like contract work, dividends, earned interest and pension distributions. The new 1099-K aims to shine a confiscatory light on a currently hard-to-track payment stream: credit cards. Starting in 2011, financial firms that process credit or debit card payments will be required to send their clients, and the IRS, an annual form documenting the year's transactions.
The result: A blizzard of new tax forms that the Internal Revenue Service will begin rolling out next year.
The massive expansion of requirements for businesses to file 1099 tax forms that was hidden in the 2,409-page health reform bill took many by surprise when it came to light last month. But it's just one piece of a years-long legislative stealth campaign to create ways for the federal government to track down unreported income.
The rule weeds out the most casual retailers: The 1099-K is only required when a merchant has at least 200 payment transactions a year totaling more than $20,000. But it applies to all payment processors, including Paypal, Amazon.com, and others that service very small businesses.
The goal of the new regulations is to catch income that is going unreported to the IRS. The federal government loses an estimated $300 billion each year from the "tax gap" between what individuals and businesses owe and what they actually pay. In short, the IRS is claiming the government is "losing" $300 billion annually that is "owed" to them. So the best way to claim more of your money is to track everything so carefully that the IRS will find every last penny. Of course, we are the ones doing the work for them by having to file mountains of new forms.
Here is how it works: For companies that currently report all their credit card and Paypal sales to the IRS, the 1099-K requirement will have little impact. All the paperwork will be done by the bank or payment processing service, and business owners will simply receive a form at the end of the year listing their total receipts.
The 1099 changes attached to the health care reform bill massively expand the requirements for filing the "1099-Misc" form, which companies use for recording payments to freelance workers and other individual service providers. Until now, payments to corporations have been exempt from 1099 rules, as have payments for the purchase of goods.
Starting in 2012 that changes. All business payments or purchases that exceed $600 in a calendar year will need to be accompanied by a 1099 filing. That means obtaining the taxpayer ID number of the individual or corporation you're making the payment to — even if it's a giant retailer like Staples or Best Buy — at the time of the transaction, or else facing IRS penalties.
In essence, the 1099-Misc is having its role changed from a form for tracking off-payroll employment to one that must accompany virtually any sizeable business transaction.
The result: Think of your business travel with hotels and rental cars. Now expand that to everything. Phone service: 1099. Computer service: 1099. Whoever does your postage meter: 1099. You do a little advertising, Yellow Pages: 1099. Your landlord: 1099. You might as well just keep a stack of them in your pocket and hand them out as you go.
This is what the President calls "revenue enhancers" an easy way to bring in more cash without raising supposedly tax rates. In reality it is another tax hike in the form of squeezing more from your existing lifestyle.
Still, the form the new law took was surprising — especially the requirement that businesses file 1099s when they purchase goods, which hardly anyone saw coming. Most average 10 filings a year of 1099 forms, each of which takes about half an hour to prepare. That's in line with the GAO report, which found that a typical small business spent between three and five hours per year filing 1099s.
The new law extending 1099s just to services purchased from corporations would push that number to at least 200 filings per year for a typical small business — adding an estimated $6,000 to the cost of preparing the average tax return. And that's without even accounting for the requirement that 1099s be filed for purchases of goods.
So you dutifully file much more so the IRS can take much more. As the saying goes "No good deed goes unpunished."
Still…I keep saying,
To Your Success…
Karla Dennis – America's Tax Diva


text:
Narrow your search
Guba.com has a fine interface, nifty features, and a hybrid video store that includes free and premium titles, but it could use more content.
Pricing not available
Your privacy is in serious jeopardy, Apple's working people to the ground in China, and all Molly can talk about is Guba. Say it! Guba!
CNET News.com's Neha Tiwari spoke with Guba employees at their bash in downtown San Francisco. Hear about their new services and why they have reason to celebrate.
Tom McInerney, founder and CEO of video-sharing site Guba, speaks with CNET's Neha Tiwari at the Digital Hollywood conference in San Jose, Calif. McInerney explains how Guba offers user-generated content and avoids copyright infringement by offering a premium, fee-based service. Unlike YouTube, Guba has relationships with Warner Bros. and Sony Pictures Entertainment to distribute video content.
Guba.com slashes movie prices
Former executives from video sharing site Guba jump to next stage in video: search and delivery.
Tom McInerney, co-founder of video-sharing site Guba, invests in Shopflick, a site with aspirations of becoming the Web's version of the Home Shopping Network.
Six start-ups pitch their new online products, in limerick.
Video-sharing company sees CEO Steven Starr move to chairman. Company best known for paying videographers has seen employee exodus in last six months.
Video-sharing site once plagued by copyright violations now features filtering system from Audible Magic.


text:
Daytech's free-standing ad displays are used on transit platforms, public parks, parking lots, or in shopping centers.
Daytech Limited is North America's leading manufacturer of transit shelters, bicycle shelters, smoking shelters, bus shelters, covered walkways & entryways, advertising displays & signage, solar lighting and street furniture. From design through fabrication to installation, Daytech can provide a complete solution.


text:
Jamaican Jerk Marinade
2 TB salt
1 onion
1/2tsp black pepper
1/2c orange juice (I had tangerine, so I just used that)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp grated ginger
¼ c White vinegar
4 scallions (I had only had two, so that's what I used)
7 cloves garlic
2 TB soy sauce
1/2c packed brown sugar
2 habanero peppers
1/4c oil
1. Blend all ingredients in food processor until they form a smooth puree. You can keep the marinade on hand for later use or freeze it.
2. In a foil-lined roasting pan, which you will also use for cooking, marinade chicken or pork for a minimum of two hours or up to overnight. Let meat reach room temperature before placing in 400F oven or, even better, on a charcoal grill.
3. If preparing meat in oven, cook uncovered for one hour then broil, turning meat occasionally for about 5 min, or so until you get charred edges on all sides. You need the sugars to caramelize for a good jerk.


text:
Pretty nice bridge camera for the price
All in all, if you are interested in a bridge camera with a long zoom range, you really can't beat the Pentax X-5. While the size might put off some, remember you are getting a zoom lens that goes from 22.3mm to 580mm (in 35mm equivalent focal lengths). It is far from perfect, but, given the cost, it is well worth the money.
Macro performance is excellent
Looking at first glance like a fully-fledged DSLR with its pretend lens ring and hotshoe flash cover, the Pentax X-5 soon reveals itself to be something of a wolf in sheep's clothing, leaning much more to the point-and-shoot end of the compact camera spectrum. Those looking for a fully-featured bridge camera will be disappointed, but for everyone else the X-5 is still appealing, especially given its low price tag.
Huge focal range, DSLR aesthetics
While this is a neat little package, you should be aware that there are many other premium compact cameras fulfilling a similar need and producing stronger image quality, offering faster lenses and heavier feature sets, albeit at a slightly higher price point. The Canon PowerShot SX50 HS and Panasonic Lumix FZ200, for example.
Great value for money, Takes good pictures
Pentax have created a decent bridge camera which will appeal to those who want a DSLR style camera but don't want the bulk or perhaps don't have the budget required. There aren't many cameras available with this amount of optical zoom for less than £200, so you'd expect there to be a sacrifice made somewhere. There is with image quality, but it's not much of one.
Long zoom, Low price, Articulated screen
Line up these specs against the asking price for an X-5 and you'll see it's an absolute bargain. Naturally some corners have had to be cut to keep the price so low, but not to a degree that would leave a hobby photographer disappointed with the results. Overall, a good performance and a great zoom make it a very tempting entry-level camera.
Well designed body, Good handling, Affordable price
If you're looking for an affordable bridge camera, the chances are that the X-5 will be on your shortlist. The good news is that the X-5 is certainly a capable camera, and one which handles well and offers a decent level of performance in a generally well designed package. There are drawbacks - the LCD screen is poor, as is the EVF, while there are some image quality issues and the use of AA batteries will disappoint some.
Clever industrial design
Ultimately, shoppers interested in the Q10 should understand that they're essentially buying into a very well-built, very expensive toy camera system. Maybe the large selection of toy lenses was already tip-off enough, but if not, understand this: the Q system exists for the sake of quirk, and quirk alone.
Lot easier to use, Handgrip a definite improvement
Thankfully Pentax seem to have realised that the Q10 can't take on DSLRs or CSCs and priced it accordingly. While £379.99/$599.95 for the single-lens kit with the 5-15mm lens is still a big outlay, it does make the Q10 cheaper than some high-end compacts, against whom it more naturally competes.
Reasonable price, Compact size, Good build
When compared to advanced compact cameras, the Pentax Q10 has a lot going for it. Image quality falls short of cameras equipped with a larger sensor. This camera is better suited to those who value compactness above all else.
Those looking for a quirky alternative to the current crop of compact system cameras, with portability being their main concern, may be well served by the Pentax Q10, so long as you're well aware of its strengths, and its weaknesses.
Extremely small interchangeable lens camera
The Pentax Q10 has a good set of features and has extremely solid, well-built body. Clearly a lot of thought has gone into its design and it's one of the best looking Pentax cameras you're likely to find, particularly in red! Unfortunately image quality isn't fantastic, about as good as you'll find on an average compact camera, but colour reproduction is good. If you are interested in a mirrorless camera with improved image quality you'd be better looking at those with larger sensors.
Intuitive to use, Reasonable price
We've been conditioned to believe smaller is better when it comes to consumer electronics, and the Pentax Q10 is the kind of camera you'd be happy to have on you at all times.
But naturally, that convenience and portability doesn't come without caveats. Here the biggest stumbling block is that the Q10's sensor at 1/2.3-inch in size is no larger than that found in the majority of point and shoot compacts some £150 cheaper on average.
Compact dimensions and a fairly solid construction in spite of them
What we found most fun about the Pentax was the ability to select on-board Lomo camera-like digital effects at the point of capture by turning a customisable dial on the Q10's faceplate. There are 19 to choose from in total, with 11 applied at the time the photo is taken, and the other 8 when reviewing images. If chosen wisely the likes of brilliant or vintage colour add contrast and visual oomph to the otherwise flat, snapshot-like appearance of JPEGs straight from the camera.
A great all-arounder
I'm very impressed with where sensor tech has gone in general and very impressed with the sensor in the Mx-1 in particular. And it could be the Pentax processor doing a great job as well in how it handles the info from the sensor. From the quality pics I've taken, it seems that they've matched the lens to sensor quite nicely. I don't usually go above 1600 ISO and the photos are clean and crisp at this mark.
Good image and video quality
If you're looking for a compact to take the place of that DSLR on casual shooting trips, seek to upgrade from an entry-level compact, or are looking for your first digital camera and want something you can grow into as your photographic skills mature, you owe to yourself to include the MX-1 in your search.
Appealingly retro design
Pentax have mostly hit the nail firmly on its head with the MX-1, especially when you factor in its £400 / $500 price-tag, which is quite a bit cheaper than the Olympus XZ-2, Sony Cyber-shot RX100, Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 and Samsung EX2F all were on launch, even without any drop in the actual street price.
Excellent image quality in JPEG and Raw, Solid build
Pentax's first entry into the premium pocket camera category is big on image quality but also a bit big for the pocket, which narrows its niche a little more than its competitors. Still, it's a very capable camera with a good set of features, a handsome finish, and an impressive sensor and lens combination.
Wide aperture lens
It's hard to get overly enthusiastic about the Pentax MX-1. While it is capable of producing some good images, and it performed reasonably well in our labs test, it just doesn't have the excitement or appeal of most of the other premium compact cameras on the market.
If you're a fan of Pentax, this might be right up your street, but the majority of consumers may find more to suit their needs elsewhere.
Metal top and bottom plates
The Pentax MX-1 has divided opinion in the office, with some liking the styling and others not as keen on the retro looks. It is definitely a unique looking camera, looking more like a classic camera in the silver and black finish. The camera feels good with a rubber grip at the front and back that is part of the cameras styling, although it is quite heavy in the hand.
Excellent design, look and feel
The MX-1 presents excellent value for money. At times during the review process, we thought that it was a much more expensive camera than its AU$499 asking price. With very good photo and video quality, the MX-1 comes recommended for photographers looking at buying an advanced compact camera with bells and whistles to keep things interesting for times to come.
Great piece of gear
Has a powerful zoom although difficult to keep steady without tripod. Still great function. Takes great pics. Bought it for my wife who really loves the look and feel. Very tough and versatile and we are not afraid to take it kayaking, backpacking, or biking. Still learning all the functions.
Capable of a low-resolution burst mode
On the whole, the Pentax WG-3 just doesn't stand out in any notable way from any other waterproof cameras this year. It finished right in the middle of the pack in our 2013 Waterproof Showdown, and we don't think that it's the best option for any kind of photographer. The Pentax WG-3 isn't anything more than a run-of-the-mill point-and-shoot that you can put through some extracurricular abuse.
Good photo quality, with respectable high ISO performance, Very rugged body
The Pentax WG-3 GPS offers a curvy, rugged design that can handle tough conditions with aplomb. Its lens is faster than most of its peers at its wide end, which allows for better low light photos. It also features a unique macro ring lamp, front-mounted LED clock/altimeter, and wireless battery charging support. Image quality is typical for a compact camera, meaning good, not great. Low light focusing is quite sluggish, and the flash is weak and slow to recharge. Battery life is below average.
Ideal camera body for using in extreme weather conditions
A lot of thought has gone into the design of the WG-3, it looks like an outdoors camera and it certainly acts like one. You can drop it, freeze it and even go down to 14m underwater, this is as deep as any other waterproof cameras will go. Unfortunately image quality isn't as good as we hoped, detail isn't great and we found the images suffered with noise from ISO 200 upwards, although the bright lens will mean you can stay away from the higher ISO settings, unless you're in really dark...
Extremely sharp, Amazing pancake kit lens
In a world of ever-shrinking interchangeable lens cameras, the mirrorless Pentax K-01 stands out from the crowd with a unique design that eschews the idea of a compact mirrorless camera. The camera defies conventional classification, as it's technically neither a DSLR nor a compact system camera. That leaves it out on its own, seemingly destined for the island of misfit cameras.
Good still image quality, Great high ISO performance
The Pentax K-01 is the first camera I have reviewed in quite a while that has left me with such a wide disparity of opinion on its performance. On the one hand there is very good still image quality - on a par with the best cameras in the class - and high ISO noise performance as good or perhaps a bit better than the best APS-C sensor cameras at present.
Excellent photos quality, Eye-catching design
If you're with a bunch of photographers and want to get noticed, just pull out a Pentax K-01. Love it or hate it, the Marc Newson-designed camera has a one-of-a-kind style that'll certainly turn heads. The K-01 is about more than just looks, though -- it's a capable interchangeable lens camera, with some of the best photo quality you'll find on an ILC. Its biggest problem is autofocus performance -- but more on that in a minute.
Very impressive results
The Pentax K-01 is a bravely different but ultimately flawed entry into the mirrorless compact system camera market. Love it or hate it looks aside, the main issue with the K-01 is its sheer size - it's not that much smaller than a regular DSLR and is much larger than any other CSC currently available, prompting the question Why?
Autofocus system lags behind the competition, especially in low light
The Pentax K-01 is a bit of an odd duck. It's a mirrorless camera that's as big as digital SLRs, which sort of defeats the purpose of being mirrorless in the first place. Photo quality is among the best out there, but other cameras offer better AF performance and more compact/usable designs.
Plenty of image-shaping options
The Pentax K-01 is a relatively unique looking compact system camera that has already divided opinion over its bold styling. You'll either love the look of it, or write it off as a bit of a brick. As this is really a matter of personal taste it's not for us to say either way. Judged purely on its merits as a digital camera though the K-01 has much going for it but also comes with some fairly major flaws.
Excellent colour
The Pentax K-01 is a bold new camera from Pentax and is certainly different to anything else made by anyone else - and perhaps that's what Marc Newson and Pentax intended with the design of this new camera. It's also the first mirrorless camera ever to use a full Digital SLR lens mount, supporting existing Digital SLR lenses.
Grip is large and accommodating, offering great control
We'd recommend the K-30 to anyone looking for a sub-$1000 model to take to an environment where dust or moisture are a constant concern. Even if that's not an issue, the K-30 still handles great and offers performance similar to its peers from Canon and Nikon at this price point. It's not for absolute beginners and it's certainly not for video shooters, but the K-30 when paired with an appropriate lens-can go places other DSLRs at this price simply cannot.
Solid, weather-sealed body
Overall, it's pretty hard not to like the Pentax K-30. For $850 (body only), you get a well-equipped, weather-sealed D-SLR that takes great photos. Sure, I wish it had better battery life, stereo sound recording, and HDMI output, but aside from those issues, there's little to complain about. Whether you're a Pentax enthusiast or someone looking for a first D-SLR, the K-30 is certainly well worth looking at.
Image quality is excellent, producing noise-free images
The Pentax K-30 is a great alternative to similar offerings from the likes of Nikon, Canon and Sony, proving that Pentax can continue to deliver the goods in their core business, despite recent misfires in the world of compact system cameras. If you're looking for an intuitive, fast DSLR that delivers great pictures, then the Pentax K-30 certainly fits the bill.
Good detail at low sensitivities (even better in RAW)
The Pentax K-30 offers a comprehensive feature set, excellent high ISO performance and very flexible Raw files at an attractive price point and is therefore an easy recommendation for any stills photographer. However, if you are looking for a DSLR to shoot video with the competition offers better alternatives.
Stabilised sensor, Detail-rich images
The fact that the body is weather-proofed is a huge bonus as one of the main reasons why cameras area sent for repair is water damage. Of course to get the full benefit of the K-30's weatherproofing it needs to be matched with one of Pentax's WR (Weather Resistant) lenses.
Impressive image quality
The Pentax K-30 is a richly featured mid-range DSLR that combines features from the more expensive but older K-5 with more recent innovations present in the K-01 compact system camera. As such the K-30 offers enough to stand out from its peers, with the overall build quality and weather sealing a notable highlight. Image quality impresses too, as does the 6fps top burst speed.
Excellent colour, Adobe DNG RAW files
The Pentax K-30 offers a vast array of features including 6fps continuous shooting, built-in HDR creation, electronic level, and a weather sealed and compact Digital SLR body, all for a very reasonable price, making it the cheapest weather sealed Digital SLR available. The camera has a slightly un-conventional design for a Digital SLR, and being available in glossy white or blue, may not appeal to some, although it's also available in the more traditional black.
Colours are realistic
The Pentax K-30 shows off what a DSLR can do without blowing the budget. But that doesn't mean this DSLR scrimps on its features. Far from it, it blows most of the competition out of the water.
Not that most of its peers can survive a blast of the wet stuff. The weather-sealed body is a great feature to have, and something that would usually only be found in a pricier camera, but that doesn't detract from the K-30's ability to produce great images too.
Image quality for still images is very good
The Pentax K-30 is an excellent DSLR choice for adventure photographers and creatives who will appreciate its in-camera effects. For most outdoor situations, the 18-135mm zoom provides plenty of width and reach, yet doesn't add much weight to the overall compact package. Image quality for still images is very good, both for raw and JPEG formats, although we like the raws a bit better. And the assortment of in-camera effects, such as HDR and multiple exposure, encourages experimentation.
Very good still image quality, Eye-Fi wireless compatibility
I'm not sure K-30 owners will be rushing out to trade into a K-50 in order to acquire an Eye-Fi capability missing from their current platform, but folks looking for a new or first-time DSLR can rest assured the K-50 is a worthy successor to the K-30, and that's a ringing endorsement indeed.
Excellent image quality, Dustproof and weather resistant
The Pentax K-50 is a very strong offering from Pentax, with a few unique bonuses such as weather resistance and even the range of colours. The idea of personalising a camera is something relatively new in the UK, but why not? It adds a certain something and takes nothing away. A rugged and reliable all weather DSLR that is well worth a look.
Internal shake resistance, Can run on AA batteries
The Pentax K-50 makes for a good starter option, and we were impressed with the lightning quick speed of its operation at this price point - with auto focus being particularly impressive. However, we did feel that overall the translucent APS-C sensor equipped Sony A58, or indeed Pentax's otherwise very similar K-500 DSLR, offer a slightly better value deal for an entry-level camera.
Excellent image quality, Fast operation including upgraded AF
We have in the Pentax K-500 an entry level model punching some way above its weight. Very well made, an excellent performer and ergonomically one of the best designs around. We still have here a 16.28 megapixel sensor, but this is well proven and produces superb results. Noise control is outstanding, colour quality is superb.
Prices may yet fall as this model is new, but outgoing Pentax K-30 and K-5 DSLRs may offer, temporarily, some keen competition themselves.
Good value for money, Decent resolution
If you're in the market for an entry-level DSLR such as the 16.2 megapixel Pentax K-500 there's a good chance that you're not going to be yet wedded to either the Canon or Nikon brands, which means that this easy-to-use means of getting more professional results stands a good chance of a fair hearing.
Good image quality, although not consistent
Unfortunately I can't wholeheartedly recommend the Q series cameras to those debating on choosing an ILC system. The Q7 just isn't consistent at giving the user a high quality image straight out of camera. With the Olympus E-PM2 being $50 less than the Pentax Q7 it makes more sense for the average ILC user to choose the Olympus unless a smaller camera with more physical buttons trumps image quality and AF speed.
Looks great and is a lot of fun
In conclusion if you equate small with beautiful then the retro-styled Pentax Q7 is worth further investigation. This may also mean you'll take it out with you more and achieve shots you might not otherwise have attempted. Yet whilst it looks great and is a lot of fun, predictably there are still better compromises between image quality and smaller form factor to be found elsewhere.
Truly compact system camera and easily pocketable lenses
The Pentax Q7 does well in everyday shooting, delivering image quality that's generally as good as the best enthusiast compacts. However, it under delivers for the entry-level ILC class in terms of resolution and high ISO performance. Though we had few serious complaints about its performance, it's hard to recommend among so many excellent fixed and interchangeable lens cameras that cost about the same.
Extremely small body, Good sized screen with decent resolution
If you're a fan of small gadgets, the Pentax Q7 is going to appeal to you, particularly with the range of colours it is available in. It's extremely small, yet packs all the features you'd expect to see on a DSLR, including the ability to change lenses. You've full manual controls, RAW shooting and 5 fps continuous shooting. The screen size and resolution hasn't been compromised and the body and 5-15mm lens have plenty of rubberised grip.
Small proportions, Large sensor, Respectable image quality
The fact that compared with larger, pricier CSC rivals the 12 megapixel Pentax Q7 appears like a bit of a toy may actually appeal to those who like their tech on the cute side. Plus on a creative note your subjects will certainly feel less self-conscious when you poke the Q7 in their face than when confronted with a full size DSLR.
The result is that you'll take shots that you maybe wouldn't have attempted with a larger camera.
Portability, Handling, Features, Build quality
It is undeniably a good quality product capable of excellent results, but will probably struggle to find a grip in a market dominated by larger, more capable rivals. It's probably worth a sober reflection that the Auto 110 was discontinued after seven years, with only two camera models and five lenses. Will the Q system go the same way?
Love this Camera!!!
I am a proud owner of the Pentax K-5 and very happy with everything about it. I just received the Pentax K-5 II and tested it out. I tried it in a low light situation and the images are better. In addition, the LCD screen on the back of the camera is much better and I can better determine if the image is tack sharp or not. I would highly recommend to spend the extra amount and go for the K-5 II instead of the K-5 at a discount.
Vastly improved autofocus in low-light shooting
Photographers buying their first top-tier DSLR will have a tough choice ahead, but Pentaxians are likely to stick with the home team. If you're looking to upgrade from a K-7, K20D, or K-x and don't shoot in low light or with fast primes (brighter than f/2.8), the K-5 is a great choice and a real money-saver. But if you just love shallow depth of field and need the flexibility to shoot in extremely dim light, the K-5 II is your answer.
Image quality is excellent
The K-5 II's image quality is excellent, producing noise-free images all the way from from ISO 80-800. Noise starts to become apparent at ISO 1600, with a little more noise and smearing of fine detail at the higher settings of 3200 and 6400, while the fastest speeds of 12800, 25600 are suitable for smaller prints. The incredible headline-grabbing top-speed of 512000 is frankly unusable - Pentax should have followed Nikon's lead and stopped the range at 25600.
Good detail and dynamic range (even better in Raw)
A good, solid, weather-sealed camera with a tried-and-true sensor, the Pentax K-5 II remains a solid digital SLR that's easy to recommend. With a decided bent toward enthusiast users, the Pentax K-5 II pairs well with the company's line of Limited lenses, and is good to have along with a Weather Resistant lens on a rainy day.
Solid build, Ease of use, Decent sensor
Like its predecessor, the Pentax K-5 II succeeds where it matters most. It produces high image quality (although its resolution scores are a little low), boasts strong autofocus performance, high build quality and is easy to use. It is a pity we can't add the camera's exposure metering to the list of superlatives, because capable though it is, the few occasions where overexposure does occur can frustrate.
However, the biggest problem the Pentax K-5 II faces is the old Pentax K-5.
Impressive AF in low light
First and foremost, the Pentax K-5 II represents a relatively minor upgrade over its predecessor, the K-5. It's worth noting though that the original K-5 was a pretty impressive DSLR, so the lack of any great sweeping changes isn't necessarily a bad thing. The main improvements the new model does bring to the table are with regards to AF performance and the viewability of the LCD screen, both of which make a noticeable difference.
Fast operation, Outstanding colour reproduction
The Pentax K-5 II is a rugged, magnesium alloy bodied, weatherproof, well designed and high quality camera with a kit zoom that is really very good indeed, and provides a package that looks very exciting against its rivals. It is more compact, arguably slicker in operation and provides the highest standards at a relatively low price level. There's not much to dislike, so the K-5 can be totally recommended.
Excellent control over image noise
The Pentax K-5 II follows its predecessor by two years with an almost identical specification which hides the most sensitive autofocus system yet. The new SAFOX X AF system is sensitive down to -3 EV which is beyond any available digital camera. The simultaneously-launched K-5 IIs which lacks an anti-alias filter is the only DSLR to top the image quality of the original K-5. The K-5 II lands right between them.
Image quality, Colour reproduction
Pentax has followed up its highly regarded K5 with an equally impressive consumer dSLR. With good image quality and great interface design in both the hardware and software, it's a very enjoyable camera to use. Although a little more expensive than some direct competitors, it's well worth serious consideration.
© 2007-14 ReviewGist.com. All Rights Reserved.
Reviews and Ratings for Pentax Digital Cameras from ReviewGist


text:
By RONNIE ELLIS / CNHI News Service
The race for the 21st state Senate District seat vacated by Republican Tom Jensen is set.
The district's Democrats Tuesday night nominated Amie Hacker, 34, a Laurel County businesswoman to oppose Republican Albert Robinson, 73, a Laurel County realtor, who previously held the seat for 10 years before losing a 2004 primary race to Jensen.
Jensen was unopposed for re-election but withdrew to run for a vacated circuit judgeship in Laurel and Knox counties.
Hacker was the only Democrat seeking the nomination. She said she's excited about an opportunity to represent the 21st district and work to improve their lives.
"I just hope the voters realize I'm just an average Joe who wants to make a difference in their lives," Hacker said. "It's a short campaign, but as many doors as I can knock on, and as many people as I can see, I'll do it. I'm a hard worker."
State Senate Minority Leader R.J. Palmer, D-Winchester, said Wednesday he thinks Hacker is "a credible candidate" even in a heavily Republican district. He said Hacker has a background in fundraising and she and her husband, Tracy, are related to and known by many Republicans who will support her.
"I think she can make this a competitive race," Palmer said.
Robinson said Hacker is "a fine lady, but unless she's a conservative, it's going to be hard to win in this district."
The 21st covers Laurel, Estill, Jackson, Menifee and Powell counties. Republicans outnumber registered Democrats 46,085 to 26,675 with 3,271 registered as independent or other.
Hacker acknowledges she faces "an uphill battle" as a Democrat but she said several Republicans have offered her support, including financial backing. She said she will remind voters that Robinson authored a controversial amendment while in the Senate to boost lawmaker pensions.
"Yes, I'm going to let his record and his past experience speak for itself," she said. "I think everybody will have a clear picture of the choice voters have."
Robinson anticipates the retirement amendment will be an issue, but he bristles when it's always mentioned in news stories about him, claiming that the amendment "was pre-approved" by legislative leaders and lawmakers who voted for it knew what was in it.
He said if people understood "the whole package" of legislation he sponsored on state employee retirement systems, they would see the bills would have saved taxpayers "billions over 20 years."
"One of the reasons I'm running is to set the record straight, but I'll do that after the election," Robinson said. Robinson declined to explain now how the legislation would have saved tax money, saying it is "nothing you can put into one section or sentence."
He said it's just as important for voters to remember he was also a key supporter of the marriage amendment which defines marriage in Kentucky as between one woman and one man.
Hacker said party officials have said "they'll be available for anything I need. They think I have a really good chance of winning this thing."
Palmer confirmed party officials are eager to help Hacker, sensing a rare opportunity to steal a senate seat in a Republican stronghold because of Robinson's controversial record.
Robinson said he will remind Republican voters that the Republican senate majority will draw new Senate districts and the existing 21st seat could be eliminated if it is represented by a Democrat.
Hacker isn't worried about raising money. She said she's previously manned phone banks seeking contributions for a home manufacturing group's annual conference and isn't intimidated asking people for money.
"I'm really good with people and I think people know when I ask for money, it's for a good cause," she said. Some offers of financial support have already come in.
"We've had some Republicans and a few businesses offer me money already," Hacker said. "There's a lot of Republicans down here who don't want to vote for (Robinson)."
RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow CNHI News Service stories on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cnhifrankfort.
Local News
Democrats choose Hacker for senate race
By RONNIE ELLIS / CNHI News Service
- Local News
Knox Schools to end daycare
Those using the Knox Central Day Care facility in Knox County Public Schools will have to soon find different accommodations.
Correctional Center open house Thursday
The Laurel County Correctional Center will hold an open house from 6-8 p.m. Thursday.
3 indicted for home invasion
Three Williamsburg men were indicted Monday in connection with a March home invasion robbery.
Car overturns on Ky. 26, lands in creek
For over 45 minutes late Tuesday afternoon, traffic came to a standstill on Ky. 26 south of Woodbine.
London police chief ordered to stay away from Berea woman
A woman who who moved to Berea in February 2013 after a live-in relationship with London Police Chief Stewart O. Walker has obtained an emergency protective order against him from Madison Family Court.
Rough draft of budget presented at London Tourism meeting
While no action was taken at Monday's meeting of the London Tourism and Convention Commission, a rough draft of a budget was presented by Commission Member Mackey Williams.
Knox Schools to end daycare
Correctional Center open house Thursday
3 indicted for home invasion
Kidney donors tell their story at hospital exhibit
Car overturns on Ky. 26, lands in creek
London police chief ordered to stay away from Berea woman
Rough draft of budget presented at London Tourism meeting
BREAKING NEWS - Fire rages on KY-472 in Laurel County
Several different fire departments, as well as law enforcement, have converged at the scene of a blaze on KY-472 in London.
BREAKING NEWS - London Police Chief suspended
The London police chief has been suspended in the wake of the issuance of an emergency protective order by the Madison Family Court.
Man sentenced for robbery, assault
A man who failed to show for a sentencing hearing in March received his sentence Monday.
- More Local News Headlines
- Knox Schools to end daycare