text:
Faith on Friday: Almost…
- At January 31, 2013
- By Susan
- In Faith on Friday, Travel
- 1
I'm writing this post on Thursday afternoon, because I plan to leave Memphis around 7 a.m. Friday morning to drive down to Seagrove Beach, Florida. I'll be spending the month of February writing on the beach. I'm starting a new novel, and hope to get a first draft done. But I'll try to keep up with my blog posts… except for today.
I was going to write about fellow Circling Faith contributor, Barbara Brown Taylor's, wonderful memoir, Leaving Church. But I'm not quite half through with it, so I want to wait and give it a full review on another Friday. I'm really enjoying it.
Leaving Church made the "short stack" of books I'm packing for my month at the beach. Other titles include:
Light in August (William Faulkner)
Help, Thanks, Wow (Anne Lamott)
The Art of Fiction (John Gardner)
Daring Greatly (Brené Brown)
The Shoemaker's Wife (Adriana Trigiani)
I'll be stopping in Jackson (MS) to visit my mom at the nursing home mid morning, and hoping to make it to the beach by sunset, but I'm pretty sure I'll miss it tomorrow night…. Fortunately, there will be many more sunsets during February. Watch for photos here and on Facebook. And please send up some prayers and/or good thoughts for my new novel. Working title is The Secret Book Club….
Writing on Wednesday: Essay Revisions, Blogging, Fiction and Essays in the Age of Unbelief
- At January 30, 2013
- By Susan
- In Blogging, Essays, Fiction, Spirituality, Writing
- 3
Don't let my title overwhelm you… I'm really not going to WRITE about all of those things today, but I am going to touch on them briefly… and send you to some good places to read more if you want to.
ESSAY REVISIONS: I'm really having fun working with an editor on an essay I've been invited to contribute to an upcoming anthology. I sent him about 5,000 words, which included lots of SCENES, from my training with the Creative Nonfiction folks. But he didn't like most of my dialogue, saying it "takes away from the power of the story, mostly because it doesn't read quite natural, and so is disruptive." I went back and read the essay aloud again, and I agree with him. So, I just did another revision, removing most of the dialogue, and I hope it's more powerful now. He says my essay is a "serious, cautionary editorial… a clarion call to women of a generation that were made to believe the status quo was acceptable, and it was just a matter of how one coped—with "clothing" in your case." The title of my essay? "Dressing the Part: What I Wore For Love." I'll be reading from it at The Shoe Burnin' in Waterhole Branch, Alabama, on February 9.
BLOGGING: Check out Nathan Bransford's post today, "Where Have All the Bloggers Gone?" Not sure I agree that blogging is waning (I've been posting three times a week for 5 ½ years, so I'm doing my part!) but I agree with him that more and more people are commenting on blog posts in a thread on Faceback rather than on the blog itself. (It's definitely happening with my blog.) Why? I think Blogger and WordPress make it more difficult to comment. Your thoughts?
FICTION AND ESSAYS in the AGE OF UNBELIEF: Over at Patheos, David Griffith posted "Writing in the Age of Unbelief." (Thanks to Dinty Moore for the link over at Brevity.) Griffith writes about why he thinks more and more spiritual/religious writers are turning from fiction to creative nonfiction—and especially to the essay—as a venue for their craft. He points to great Catholic writers as a thing of the past, saying, "I also agree that we'll never again see a confluence of writers like O'Connor, Merton, and Percy having such a broad cultural impact." This makes me sad, because they set the bar, in my opinion, for writing great fiction that isn't "religious" but is shot through with their own spirituality, in an organic manner. This is what I'm trying to do with my own fiction—the novel I'm shopping out right now to agents, and the novel I'm going to start writing this weekend as I begin another month-long writing retreat at the beach. But I do see his point, and even my favorite memoirist—and a recent convert to Christianity—Mary Karr, has succeeded mostly in the nonfiction marketplace, although she's also a poet. My ten published pieces are all essays, and in most of them, I write freely about spiritual things. But only because I don't separate my spiritual life from the rest of my life. Whether I write about sexual abuse, eating disorders, addictions, art, Alzheimer's or adoption, God is in there. Even if only in the details.
Mental Health Monday: A Smorgasbord of Wisdom
- At January 28, 2013
- By Susan
- In Mental Health
- 0
Well, I'm thinking I had the norovirus last week. Took a full week to get over the nausea, even after getting IV fluids and meds in the ER after four days of vomiting, nausea and dehydration. So here I am, home for less than a week before taking off for my February writing retreat at the beach, and wishing I had more energy for everything I need to do. My only consolation is that I've been doing some reading while I'm resting up a bit. And I found a few jewels to share with you for Mental Health Monday.
First up is a blog post by my Memphis writing friend, Ellen Morris Prewitt: "My New Definition of Worthwhile." Short post and definitely worth the read. Take home quote:
"Nothing is really worthwhile unless it is a totally extravagant, unjustifiable expression of the spirit that no one will understand except your tribe."
Take that and apply as needed.
Moving on to another blog post another writing friend, Keetha Mosley, shared with me over the weekend: "On depression as addiction" by Adam Purple. Adam's also a writer, and I hope to see his historical fiction novel published soon! Adam talks about how being on medication for depression causes him to experience a degree of loss of his creative edge:
"During the first years of anti-depressants, I felt remarkably better, much more stable, capable, and confident. I also felt an intense frustration, for I had lost a significant part of my emotional repertoire…. Because now, even a decade later, I miss that part of me that I can't quite touch anymore. And that in itself, is sad."
Read his post for more of his gutsy wisdom.
And finally, I got an email this morning from a precious Goddaughter who lives in another state. She wanted to tell me about a book her husband was reading, that she picked up and thought I might be interested in. It's this:
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown.
Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She has spent the past twelve years studying vulnerability, courage, worthiness, and shame. Her groundbreaking research has been featured on PBS, NPR, CNN, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. I just ordered the book to take with me to the beach. I'm sure I'll be blogging about it eventually.
Hope some of these resources resonate with you. I always loving hearing your comments, and thanks so much for reading!
We Got Your Urine Sample Mixed Up ….
- At January 25, 2013
- By Susan
- In Family/Personal
- 2
That's what the nurse told me in the emergency room on Tuesday night. I had been there for 4 hours, after 4 days of nausea and vomiting and finally dry heaving. Worst I can ever remember feeling. Even took some of my "magic nausea pills" (the kind they prescribe for people going through chemo) and they didn't help. I was on a bed waiting for my IV fluids and nausea meds when she asked me to pee in a cup. It was close to midnight and I had arrived at the emergency room before 8 p.m.
"I did that. About 4 hours ago."
"I know, Mrs. Cushman, and I'm so sorry, but they got your urine sample mixed up with someone else's and we need you to give us another one."
Probably some drug addict trying to steal my clean pee. *Sigh* So I got off the bed, held my hospital gown together to cover my ass and walked across the hall to the bathroom.
(4 hours in the emergency room with dozens of folks who probably have the flu made me regret that I haven't gotten my flu shot yet. It's on my list for when I get back to Memphis. At least they gave out surgical masks for some of those folks to wear while they waited.)
This is the third time I've gotten altitude sickness while visiting my kids and grandkids in Denver. Always in the winter, when it's even dryer than ever, I guess. And yes I had a couple of drinks with my first class upgrade flying here last Saturday, but I'm pretty sure there's more to this. I got sick here in Denver on Christmas day with a terrible cold and stomach bug, then I spent 8 days in the hospital with my mother down in Jackson, then flew back to Denver. I'm sure exhaustion and stress have played into this. I've had GI problems for over a month, so I'll be seeing my GI doc next week and scheduling some plumbing tests. *Yech*
Fortunately the fluids, meds, and a day of resting at my son's house on Wednesday got me back in the saddle in time to stay with Gabby Thursday and Friday while her mom was at work. She starts at a new daycare on Monday, so I took her for a Granny/Grandkid "visit" on Thursday and then dropped her off on her own for 2 hours today. Just enough time to have a light lunch (still can't eat much) and do some quick shopping at Nordstrom's. Of course she snowed her new teachers with her happy spirit and mad gymnastics skills.
On the news last night I saw something about being careful not to post too many "happy things" on Facebook… that it causes envy, and some people will even unfriend you because of it. (Really?) So… when I start posting about spending the month of February at Seagrove Beach for another personal writing retreat, I hope everyone will remember what a tough time I had in January and forgive me.
Granddaughters Trump Blogging
- At January 22, 2013
- By Susan
- In Family/Personal
- 2
Every now and then I find myself with no time for blogging…. I'm in Denver with my kids and grands. So, my usual Mental Health Monday and Writing on Wednesday posts are cancelled this week.
Although I must say that being with my babies definitely improves my mental health. And the Denver sunshine doesn't hurt!
This morning I went with my daughter to take Gabby for her nine-month check up, and a follow up on some cold/allergy issues she has. I really like her pediatrician. After the height (90 percentile) and weight (75 percentile) measurements and his routine exam, he asked Beth lots of questions about her development at this point. Clapping? check. Waving? check. Rolling over? Really? We moved right along to pulling up to standing alone and walking with assistance. She's advanced, of course. But here's the part I liked best. He told Beth that the best thing she can do for Gabby's development is to READ to her. He said to read her a book before naps and bedtime. Every day. I wanted to high-five him!
Gabby's about to wake up from her nap, so I'll close with a few photos of all three girls. Gabby (9 months) showing off her standing skills, Anna (2 1/2) and Grace (3 1/2) playing rock star. I'll try to download the videos to Facebook. If I don't get a post done on Friday, you'll understand why, right?
(P.S. Still having difficulties with my blog… although I can now download photos, they are too small, and when I stretch them, they're kind of fuzzy. hmmmm always some technology to muddle through….)
Family AND Faith on Friday: Love in the Intergenerational Ruins
I made another 400-mile round trip yesterday, to visit my mother in the nursing home in Jackson, Mississippi. I've been making this drive about twice a month for the past four years. The years my mother has been in a nursing home. Before that, I visited monthly during the three years she spent in assisted living. Seven years of long-distance caregiving. In all those years she has only been in the hospital twice. This last time was a two-week stay, and I was at her side for eight of those days.
Close friends and family who know a bit about the verbal abuse I suffered from my mother for most of my life—especially my adolescent and young adult years, when she was drinking heavily—marvel at my attentive care. "You're such an amazing daughter." Like I have a choice? She's my mother.
The mother I could never please for almost six decades no matter what I did. I could never be skinny enough, fashionable enough, or properly enough coiffed for her approval. And yet, here I am, angsting over every minute detail of her care, especially as the end of her life may be drawing near. I don't want her to be anxious. Or in pain.
When I found her sitting in her wheelchair in the hall yesterday, a sigh of relief escaped my lungs. One of my fears as she returned to the nursing home in such a diminished state a week ago was that she might end up bed ridden. And I know this could still be her fate if she lingers in Alzheimer's Hell for many more weeks, months, or years. But there she was—dressed, hair brushed and braided, and her bed made up and room neat and clean. The only problem was that one of the foot holders they had added to her wheelchair was broken, and her foot wouldn't stay on it as I wheeled her up to the lobby for a visit.
A physical therapist came by and I flagged her down and addressed the problem. She went off in search of a new piece for the chair, saying that this one was broken. Thirty minutes later I found her in physical therapy, busy with another patient, and reminded her. Another therapist promised me they would fix it soon.
"Is the speech pathologist here today? I want to talk with her about what's going on with Mom's oral feeding. The nurse told me they aren't allowed to feed Mom yet due to her risk of aspirating."
"Not today. Call her tomorrow, okay?"
It's not perfect in this institution where Mom is spending the final years of her life. But it wasn't perfect in the home she made for me as a child, either. Ouch. Did that sound spiteful? Would I have found a way to care for her in my home if she had been a different mother to me? I've asked myself that many times in recent years. There isn't a clear answer. Life is often like that—messy, and unclear.
This morning I read some more of Anne Lamott's wonderful little book, Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers. Again, I found comfort and a bit of enlightenment in her words. Not because they are especially brilliant from a spiritual or psychological point of view (although I do believe she's pretty smart and she's learned a lot from what she's been through) but I think more so because of the beauty of her words. It's art. And it soothes and nourishes my soul. And yes, sometimes she helps me find God in the suffering.
"We find God in our human lives, and that includes the suffering.…. We visit those shut-ins whom a higher power seems to have entrusted to our care—various relatives, often aging and possibly annoying, or stricken friends from our church communities, people in jails or mental institutions who might be related to us…. My personal belief is that God… has a certain kind of desperate person in Her care, and assigns that person to some screwed-up soul like you or me, and makes it hard for us to ignore that person's suffering, so we show up even when it is extremely inconvenient or just awful to be there."
I know that part of Mom's suffering is for my salvation. I hate it, but it's true. I began to forgive her a few years ago, and I keep finding little reminders that God's grace continues to heal me through these difficult times with her now. It seems to be too late to receive anything more from her—she can barely talk now, and doesn't follow my image when I move even a few inches to the left or right of her vision. Only when I'm a few inches from her face does she respond, and then only with one word, "Hi." Nothing more, no matter what words I say. After two hours of this yesterday, I found myself saying, "Mom, are you in there? If you can understand this, I just want to say that I forgive you. And I hope you forgive me. I love you." And in the midst of this I find myself praying. Yes. I think I've prayed more in the past few weeks of Mom's decline than in the past year or more. Pain seems to awaken even my messed up soul to prayer. Lamott nails it again:
"Domestic pain can be searing, and it is usually what does us in. It's almost indigestible: death, divorce, old age, drugs; brain-damaged children, violence, senility, unfaithfulness…. But grace can be the experience of a second wind…. For us to acknowledge that we have been set free from toxic dependency, from crippling obsession or guilt, that we have been graced with the ability finally to forgive someone, is just plain astonishing."
And so I find myself embracing Lamott's second of the three essential prayers: Thanks.
She says that if we are lucky, gratitude becomes a habit:
"You say 'Thank you' when something scary has happened in your beloved and screwed-up family and you all came through (or most of you did), and you have found love in the intergenerational ruins (maybe a lot of love or maybe just enough). Or you can look at what was revealed in the latest mess, and you say thanks for the revelation, because it shows you some truth you needed to know, and that can be so rare in our families."
Love in the intergenerational ruins. I'm headed to Denver again tomorrow, to spend a week with my daughter. And her daughter. She and her husband are moving to a new apartment and I'm going to help with Gabby and whatever else she needs from me. It fills me with hope to watch Beth with her daughter. She's amazing—full of unselfish love and unrelenting attentiveness. And Gabby is beyond amazing. A child kissed by the angels with physical beauty and intelligence and strength and a quiet and happy spirit. I think she may be God's gift to my daughter, who endured abandonment by her birth mother when she was just over a year old, and then suffered my overbearing ways and lots of craziness during much of her childhood in the very imperfect home into which she was adopted.
Again, Lamott's words say what I'm feeling:
"But if you've been around for a while, you know that much of the time, if you are patient and are paying attention, you will see that God will restore what the locusts have taken away."
I will be 62 in March, so maybe that counts for being around for a while. I'm definitely seeing God restore what the locusts ate. And more and more, I'm able to pray, "Thanks."
Writing on Wednesday: Return to the Essay and Shoes to Burn
It's been quite a roller-coaster ride these past few weeks, trying to decide what to write for my contribution to the Shoe Burnin' event and anthology. The event is slated for 8 p.m. on February 9 at Waterhole Branch, just outside Fairhope, Alabama. I was thrilled when event organizer, Shari Smith, invited me to participate. Check out the Facebook Page for more info and updates. (For some terrific reading, check out Shari's blog, "Gunpowder, Cowboy Boots and Mascara.")
Back around Christmas, I sent out a call for names for a short story, and I had a great time considering all my readers' wonderful suggestions, both here and on Facebook. Last week I was still considering fiction. But yesterday it became clear that I should return to my favorite genre—the personal essay. (All my published pieces to date are essays.) The problem I have with short stories is coming up with a plot that's complete in 5000 words or less. Everything I think of lends itself towards a book-length piece.
So this morning I drafted the first 3000 words of the essay, which is beginning to feel like a good fit for the Shoe Burnin'. I'm so thankful to Joe Formichella, our wonderful anthology editor, for his advice and guidance so far. I'm actually using some sections of a memoir I wrote a few years ago, Dressing the Part, and crafting an essay from those ideas. Although I decided not to publish the memoir, I love that for the writer, nothing is ever wasted. (I used a revised excerpt from another memoir I didn't publish, Jesus Freaks, Belly Dancers and Nuns, for my essay for Circling Faith: Southern Women on Spirituality.)
All that's left now is to finish the essay, work with Joe on revisions, and find a pair of vintage 1970s high heels to toss into the fire. Or some clogs. eBay? Salvation Army? Time to get back to writing… and then go shopping…. (No I didn't save anything from the '70s.)
Mental Health Monday: He's Back
- At January 14, 2013
- By Susan
- In Mental Health, Prayer, Psychology, Spirituality
- 3
He's such a creep. My old enemy, acedia. And his first cousin, depression. That dark, oppressive, heaviness that comes over me unexpectedly at times. Like Sunday morning. It was cold and rainy and I didn't want to go to church. But I hadn't been there since December 30, and I'll be out of town for another week starting Saturday, so I made the effort. I put on nice clothes. Even makeup and jewelry. And I showed up. Because someone once told me that showing up is half the battle.
My (almost) ten-year-old Goddaughter, Sophie, found me right away and came to sit with me during the Liturgy. Her Mom has been out of town for a week, caring for her father, who's in the hospital in Atlanta. Sophie was needing some mother-love, and so she asked me what I was doing after church. I felt selfish when I told her that I needed to take down our Christmas decorations, pay bills and do laundry. That I had been out of town for 8 days caring for my mother, who had been in the hospital in Jackson. I could see such longing in her beautiful eyes, and I almost gave in and said, "Let's go do lunch." But I didn't have the energy—emotionally or spiritually. I was empty.
I tried to pray and be joyful during the church service. I tried to find encouragement from the prayers and the music and the homily (sermon) but somehow it all felt like a drain on my energy, rather than nourishment. I was hoping to hear about God's comfort and grace, but it seemed to be a day for hearing about repentance and laziness. Don't get me wrong—I am a big sinner. But laziness just doesn't happen to be one of my main vices.
After Liturgy I went downstairs to coffee hour, but the bombardment of so many people all talking at once felt overwhelming, and I didn't want to be there. As I slipped out the door into the rain, a friend who was also leaving caught me and said, "You're weird." He had seen my Facebook cover photo—where the little girls are whispering and pointing and one is saying, "She's a writer" and the other one says, "Oh, I thought she was just weird." I smiled and said, "I wouldn't have it any other way." He smiled back. And that helped. For about five minutes.
Driving home from church I recognized what was happening. It was depression. On top of physical and emotional exhaustion. It felt like a big monster was climbing on my back, suffocating me. Even though Mom seems to be doing "better" back at her nursing home—the speech pathologist and physical therapist are working with her—the whole situation has taken a toll on me. I just wanted to crawl in bed and sleep.
When I told my husband how I was feeling (through tears when he got home from church) he said, "Then just do it. Go to bed. Get some sleep."
"But I don't want to. When I wake up, all this stuff will still need to be done—the Christmas decorations and the laundry and the bills. I'll feel better if I can get some of it done today."
Without a word he went to the garage and started bringing in the boxes that I pack the Christmas decorations in and setting them down in the living room for me. We warmed up leftover pizza and while we ate we talked about the coming days and weeks in our busy lives. After lunch I packed away the decorations and started the laundry while he opened mail and started working on his own "to do" stacks. I didn't fall apart—that takes way too much energy.
I picked up my copy of Acedia and Me and opened to the bookmark to see where I left off about nine months ago. Norris' words always seem to help. Interesting where I picked up yesterday, right where she was talking about going to church on Sunday mornings:
"Sometimes I persuade myself to go because I know I'll receive a blessing, or because I need to listen to the words of Scripture and give them a chance to work on me. I may desire to sing hymns with others, or be cheered by the sight of children perched on their favorite 'climbing tree' before and after services. If I go to church feeling depressed, a congregation, by its very nature, reminds me that I am not in the struggle alone."
All of those were thoughts I had as I went to church yesterday morning. And I'm sure it was my own sinfulness and not the failings of the community that kept me from receiving a blessing.
I read further in Norris' book:
"When I detect acedia beginning in myself, I do well to muster my resistance, even if it is only to let John Cassian remind me where I am headed if I do not. 'From acedia,' he writes, [are born] idleness, somnolence, rudeness, restlessness, wandering about, instability of mind and body, chattering, [and] inquisitiveness.' If I allow myself to reach this stage I will be a distracted tourist rather than a pilgrim, and am likely to turn away from the very things that might bring me to my senses. I have learned that nothing will erase my susceptibility to acedia, for it is a part of who I am. But this does not mean that I am helpless. I can look for the seed of hope in my despair, and pray with the psalmist: 'Bring my soul out of this prison and I shall praise your name." (Psalm 142:8)"
I remembered Ann Lamott's wonderful little book, Help, Thanks, Wow, and so I prayed. Just Help. I'm hoping the Thanks and Wow will come later. Or sooner.
My daughter called from Denver and put my nine-month-old granddaughter, Gabby, on Face Time so we could make silly faces at each other. Now that helped more than anything. I'm going to need lots of energy to keep up with her when I return to Denver for a week on Saturday, so I'd better start getting ready. Time to get some exercise and eat something healthy. And to WRITE. Maybe I can't kick depression's ass, but I can do my part to minimize his power.
*shoots bird at invisible enemy*
Family on Little Friday (Thursday): Hi, Honey, I'm Home!
- At January 10, 2013
- By Susan
- In Alzheimers, Family/Personal, Mental Health
- 2
I'm about to leave Jackson for Memphis this morning, after a week of being here with Mom while she was in the hospital. She returned to Lakeland Nursing Home yesterday afternoon, and to a reception I wasn't prepared for.
It's not that I haven't been pleased with the care Mom has received at Lakeland, because I have. But with her severe decline over the past few weeks—a fall, urinary tract infection, pneumonia—her Alzheimer's seemed to have escalated. At one point I wasn't sure whether or not to have a PEG (stomach feeding tube) put in, but that was done successfully last Friday, and she's tolerating the feedings well. But she has forgotten how to eat, orally. I was able to feed her some soft ice cream the last couple of days, but she doesn't hold the spoon herself. Yet. She's pretty much been in a fog, only responding briefly when I look in her eyes, but not following me with those eyes when I step away. Sleeping a lot, with a glazed-over look.
Mom was evaluated for Hospice care on Monday, but she didn't "pass." The Hospice nurse said she just didn't have a clear diagnosis of a six month or less life span. Her only option was to return to the nursing home.
My concern was that, while the ambulatory residents at Lakeland seem to get good care, the folks who are bedridden might be ignored. I was so saddened by images (in my head) of Mom lying in her bed with no one paying attention to her. The discharging physician sent recommendations (to Lakeland) that she receive physical and occupational therapy, as well as help from the speech therapist, to try to get her up and around and feeding herself again. I wondered if the folks at Lakeland would follow up.
So, yesterday afternoon after the ambulance arrived to take Mom back to Lakeland, I followed in my car. As I arrived, the EMTs were transferring her to her bed. I spent a little time cleaning out her closet, putting some new toiletries in her drawers, and chatting with various staff. Finally the EMTs left, and I was with Mom in her room. I held her hand, got right in her sight-line, and told her I loved her and that she was "home" now. She didn't respond.
Half a minute later, Lashonda, the head nurse on Mom's wing, was on the other side of Mom's bed, in her face, saying, "Hi, Miss Effie! How are you today?"
The biggest smile I've seen from Mom in days spread across her face and in her strongest voice she boomed out, "Well, hello! I'm fine! How are you?"
Mom recognized Lashonda. In another minute three aids joined Lashonda at her bed, all fussing over her return like she was a rock star. The nurse checked her all over for skin breaks. Only a small sore on the heel of her right foot. "We'll treat this right away."
"So, what are your plans for helping Mom get up and around again?" I ventured.
"We're going to have her evaluated right away—PT, OT and Speech." Lashonda answered without a pause in the care she was giving Mom.
I backed away from the bed and watched as Mom continued to respond to these familiar caregivers, and tears filled my eyes. What a great team. She really is home.
Writing on Wednesday: Shoe Burnin' Stories and the Writer's Authority
- At January 9, 2013
- By Susan
- In Events, Writing
- 0
As I mentioned in my post back on December 26, "Call for Names," I'm working on a short story for an anthology to be published later this year (yes!) … and I really appreciate all the input I got from everyone. But, alas, I've abandoned my original story idea for another one, so I might be sending out another call for names soon. Or I might end up writing an essay instead.
In the meanwhile, please LIKE our Facebook page, The Shoe Burnin', so we can rally more interest in the event and the book. The actual event will be February 9, 2013, at Waterhole Branch, Alabama, just outside Fairhope. Time and venue TBA.
It's been such an emotional week for me, with my mother in the hospital (and me here with her, in Jackson, Mississippi). She will be discharged back to Lakeland Nursing Home this afternoon, and I'm staying around to be sure everyone is on board with orders for her follow up care. During my hours in the hospital room with her every day, I pulled up some of my old blog posts about Mom, and worked on combining a few for my entry in the Shoe Burnin' anthology, but I'm not sure they're a good fit.
I still might return to a fiction story…. Possibly set in the 50s (instead of the 70s) in the South. It will be a racially charged story involving a light-skinned, mixed-race girl who tries to enter white society. When her dark-skinned baby is born, she's faced with unthinkable decisions.
Hoping to be back in Memphis tomorrow… and back at my writing desk. I've been reading John Gardner's The Art of Fiction (as a follow up to reading his book, On Becoming a Novelist) and am gleaning some pearls. Like this one:
"… the great writer's authority consists of two elements. The first we may call, loosely, his sane humanness, that is, his trustworthiness as a judge of things, a stability rooted in the sum of those complex qualities of his character and personality (wisdom, generosity, compassion, strength of will) to which we respond, as we respond to what is best in our friends, with instant recognition and admiration, saying, 'Yes, you're right, that's how it is!' The second element, or perhaps I should say force, is the writer's absolute trust (not blind faith) in his own aesthetic judgments and instincts, a trust grounded partly in his intelligence and sensitivity—his ability to perceive and understand the world around him—and partly in his experience as a craftsman; that is (by his own harsh standards), his knowledge, drawn from long patience, of what will work and what will not."
I'm praying for some of that authority. That humanness, trust, and patience as I continue to be my mother's caregiver, and to write stories. Both are labors of love, requiring all that I can give to the task. And then some.


text:
Getting shoppers through the checkout as quickly as possible is key to building customer loyalty. Irisys' queue management technology is so smart it makes scheduling more efficient, meaning reduced customer wait time and an improved shopping experience.
Called QueVision, the system was reported by Kroger as one of the reasons earnings were up 9.6% in the three months ending May 25, 2013, compared with the same time the year before.
Rodney McMullen, Kroger President and COO explained "…we developed a solution that has reduced the average amount of time a customer waits in line to check out to about 30 seconds today compared to around 4 minutes in the past…"
As featured in NBC's Today and The Wall Street Journal.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Speaker: Burlington's gun control measures conflict with Vermont law
Burlington's city attorney, however, said the charter change simply asks for an exception.
Meanwhile, lawmakers who must approve the changes made it clear they are bracing for an all-out gun debate in the Statehouse, though it will likely have to wait until next year.
Burlington voters Tuesday approved by a 2-to-1 margin three charter changes that would ban guns from any establishment with a liquor license, allow police to seize them after domestic abuse incidents and require firearms to be locked at all times.
It remains to be seen whether the local gun control measures can be approved by the Legislature without changing a state law that prohibits local governments from regulating firearms.
Burlington legislators Wednesday called on their colleagues at the Statehouse to respect the wishes of Burlingtonians and rubber stamp the charter.
But lawmakers said they know it will be anything but a slam dunk.
"It's a political football, whether it's this year or next year. It's an issue that's going to have a lot of politics surrounding it," Smith said in a phone interview Wednesday.
Listen to Smith on the Mark Johnson Show.
The charter changes specify that the ordinance be ruled an exception to a 1988 state law known as the sportsmen's bill of rights, which bars municipalities from regulating firearms. That law specifically says state law supersedes any municipal charter.
Burlington City Attorney Eileen Blackwood on Wednesday said the charter is a state law as well, and asks for authorization for specific changes in Burlington.
"We're not saying give us an exception to let us make up laws on our own, we're saying go ahead and give us the authority to do just these limited things," she said.
Smith did not say the conflict is unresolvable, or that the charter proposal is unacceptable in principle.
"My view is that to resolve this issue we really have to go into the question of whether we need to amend the sportsmen's bill of rights," Smith said.
Evan Hughes, vice president of the group that fought against the charter changes, said he is aware that the charter changes conflict with state law.
"It's very unlikely that the Legislature is going grant Burlington an exemption," said Hughes, of the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs.
That would set a dangerous precedent for municipalities to ask for other charter changes that violate other sections of state law, he said.
"We have a state statute that served us well. We have one of the safest states in the nation with regard to crime," he said.
Senate Pro Tempore John Campbell on Wednesday said action on the charter isn't likely this session because it needs vetting - and because this is an election year.
"I do not believe that we will have sufficient amount of time left in this biennium to provide the legislative oversight that a charter of this type would need," he said.
But statewide gun laws will surely be a major topic next year, he said.
"I believe it would be in everyone's best interest that we dealt with this in a comprehensive fashion," Campbell said.
In Vermont, municipal charter changes require legislative approval and the governor's signature. About 41 of the state's 246 cities and towns have charters, according to Secretary of State Jim Condos.
After Condos' office certifies the Burlington charter vote, copies will head to the Legislature and Attorney General's Office, he said. There was also a fourth charter change in Burlington about ward redistricting that also passed.
Charter changes, typically a routine measure that garner little attention or debate, will then be introduced as a bill and likely referred to the House Government Operations Committee.
Chairwoman Donna Sweaney on Wednesday did not rule out the possibility of taking up the charter change this session, but pointed out that only one week remains for lawmakers to pass bills from one chamber to the other if they are to have any chance of passage this session.
Sweaney said the charter change will not get the rubber stamp. "We'll have a lot of discussion about it, I'm sure," she said.
There is no time limit for approving charter changes and whatever happens with the ordinance will set a precedent about local control versus state law, she said.
"It's a balancing act," Sweaney said.
Sweaney said she believes there should be more background checks for buying guns.
"I think there's a lot of issues, it's a statewide issue, it's a country-wide issue for me," she said.
Government Operations committee member Rep. Joanna Cole, D-Burlington, said she expects heavy lobbying on both sides of the issue.
"There's going to be a lot of fireworks, I suppose. And it's an election year," she said.
Cole received hate mail from gun-rights advocates last year in the midst of debate over a gun bill, she said.
"We're all going to have a heavy pounding, let's face it," she said.
Meanwhile, other Burlington legislators called on their colleagues to respect the wishes of their constituents.
"I'm going to push them to honor the will of Burlington voters, but it really is going to be a decision made by high-level Democrats," said Rep. Chris Pearson, P-Burlington.
One of those Democrats, Rep. Johannah Donovan, also said lawmakers should respect Burlington voters' decision. She said she hopes the rest of her delegation will join in calling for action on the charter this session.
"I would imagine that it's going to be difficult," she said.
If the charter does make it to Gov. Peter Shumlin's desk, Donovan said he should sign it.
"I would again be very surprised if the governor would not approve what the voters of Burlington did," she said.
Asked about that scenario, Shumlin's office Wednesday referred to a Feb. 26 news conference in which the governor evaded the question.
"I'm supportive of local control. I didn't say that I agree with Burlington on this issue," said Shumlin, a supporter of gun rights.
Shumlin did, however, call last fall for facilities to house guns seized from domestic violence suspects.
Shumlin said Vermont's founders wisely set up the charter system so the Legislature could consider charter changes in a wider context.
Smith said he is concerned about creating a patchwork of gun laws across the state. It is unlikely that lawmakers will pass a charter change this year. He said there will be complicated and intense discussions about the charter change that will likely extend the discussion into next session.
"I believe that there is a place for some reasonable gun safety legislation that does not affect traditional hunting," the speaker said. "It may take more than eight weeks to square the circle on this one."
Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger on Wednesday told Vermont Public Radio the Legislature should take its time sorting through the matter, but said he will lobby legislators to make sure his city's wishes are respected.
"Certainly we will be working on this issue, and my sense is this issue will require some considerable debate in Montpelier," he said.
Several Burlington lawmakers said they hope the charter debate will spark a statewide conversation about gun policy in Vermont, which has among the most lax gun laws in the nation.
Rep. Jean O'Sullivan said if re-elected she will propose a statewide bill that mirrors the Burlington charter change allowing police to seize guns when there is reasonable suspicion of domestic violence.
"I'm fine with guns. I'm not fine with guns being used in an unsafe manner," she said. "This is no longer peaceful Vermont that has hunters. We're in the midst an epidemic of opiates and there are armed dealers, and it's scary. So Burlington is responding to it."
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us. We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.


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Micro Pump
In the field of micro fluids technology to transport tiny amounts of gases or liquids, Rotina is pleased to introduce one of the world's smallest pumps – the Bartels micro-pumps mp5 and mp6 from leading innovator Bartels Mikrotechnik.
No Space for Compromises: Bartels Micro Pumps mp6 and mp6-pp
These piezo membrane micro-pumps, no bigger than a coin and weighing 0.8 gram, are made of injection-molded plastic (polyphenyl sulphon/polyimide). Only this plastic material is in contact with the fluids. The pump chamber is fed by two double valves controlling the flow of fluids. The piezo actuator is made of ceramic and mounted on the brass membrane.
Micropumps transporting the tiniest amounts of gases or liquids can be considered the heart of microfluidics. In many sectors they have become indispensable.
The piezo actuated membrane pumps are small power packs, offering universal capabilities for liquids and gases. The pump design is ingeniously simple and its advantages are next to the small size and low weight its robustness, long lifetime and high reliability. The pump is driven via frequency and amplitude allowing flexible adjustment in accordance to the system requirements at low energy consumption. Different control units are offered, also battery powered versions for use in portable devices.
In the entire pump only one material gets into contact with the pumping medium. Now two types of materials are available. In the standard mp6 all relevant parts are made out of poly phenyl sulsphon (PPSU) and in the mp6-pp of poly propylene (PP).
Important advantages for all users result from the radically simple pump design: Injection molded parts for housing and pump chamber, piezo actuators and passive valves constitute the key components. Thus any adaptation to specific requirements concerning flow rate or back pressure is easy to realize.
This customization of micropumps and the correspondent electronic controllers is part of the services offered by Bartels microComponents. If requested, the pumps can be fully integrated into complex system designs as well.
The mp5 is the first generation version and the smallest while the mp6 and mp6-pp is a latter version with 2 piezo actuators inside one single housing, thus doubling the back pressure.
- High particle tolerance
- Easy integration with fluid systems
- Feed pressure (max 500 mbar for liquids & 60 mbar for gases)
- Adjustable pump rate ( also via a USB interface)
- Power Consumption
- Standardized Fittings for easy connection
- Various Control devices from manual to PC-supported
- Mass Production at low cost.
Key Features mp6 and mp6-pp!
Piezo membrane pump
Mass produced micro pump
Broad performance spectrum
Low cost, for consumable applications
Robust for long life permanent installations
Compact ( postage stamp) size
Only one materials in fluid contact
Unbeatable cost effectiveness
Low energy consumption
Intrinsic regulation of flow rate possible


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Zolinza May Circumvent TKI Resistance in Some Lung Cancer Patients
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) like erlotinib (Tarceva) and gefitinib (Iressa) are effective treatments for many patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have mutations in the EGFR gene. However, patients who also have a certain version of the BIM gene are resistant to TKIs. Vorinostat (Zolinza), a member of a family of drugs called histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, restored the antitumor activity of Iressa in EGFR-mutant NSCLC cells and in animal models of EGFR-mutant NSCLC that carried the resistant BIM version. Combining Zolinza with TKIs may therefore help circumvent TKI resistance in patients who have the resistant form of BIM.


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Playbill: Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
Friday through Nov. 20, The Drama Center of City Arts presents the musical comedy, "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," in the Stephen D. Hyers Theater in the Greensboro Cultural Center. The show, which is a series of vignettes on love and relationships, explores the toils of dating, falling in love, getting married, having children, and growing old together. The funny and thought-provoking production includes spirited songs and observations we all can identify with.
Also new this week is Theatre Alliance's production of Sunset Boulevard, a drama about a former silent movie star whose glory has faded with the introduction of "talkies."
This week through Sunday, Community Theatre of Greensboro continues its lively production of Sister Act: The Musical, a musical comedy that uses fun dance numbers and gospel music to tell the story of a woman hiding in a convent.
Monday through next Sunday, Nov. 14-20, Studio 1 in Burlington will perform The Miracle Worker in partnership with UNCG's Professions in Deafness Program and members of the Deaf Community. The "shadowed production" is a beautiful art form where the interpreters are incorporated into the action on the stage, allowing everyone to enjoy the full experience.
"In a traditionally interpreted event, the deaf community must 'ping pong' between the interpreters and the event," said Bobbi Croy of Studio 1. "In a shadowed production, everyone is able to immerse themselves in the experience because the action and interpretation is all happening on stage. The actors and interpreters work together to create the characters and action and to tell the story in an unforgettable way. It is a unique experience for all audience members."
Studio 1 is now at their new location in Suite 540, Holly Hill Mall (309 Huffman Mill Road, Burlington, NC – behind La Cocina).
Still ongoing is Barn Dinner Theatre's high-energy musical revue: Love Machine The Musical, which highlights the soulful Motown hits of the 60s and 70s. The production runs this weekend through Nov. 22.
Coming soon next week, Nov. 17-20, is Bennett College's Little Theatre's production of What, which examines the personal side of the Black Lives Matter movement.


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News broke that certain politicians have connections with the militant grouping known as Niger Delta Avengers. Is this true or is it just another trick to draw attention and threaten people? Learn more from my article.
The grouping emerged in March of this year. It was their first official announcement. As they claim they want to create a unique sovereign state in the place known as Niger Delta. To achieve this, they have already attacked and severely damaged facilities and industries which had their facilities in this delta.
Their main focus is oil industry; it is due to their efforts that Nigeria is now the last among all the African countries in the rating for oil production. It was done by blowing up several oil pipes in the Delta as well as Bonny-Soku Gas Export Line and several others.
The militants of this group strongly oppose the current government and especially the President, Muhammadu Buhari, as he had never visited Delta during the time of his reign. They promised to ruin Nigeria's economy in a way only they know about in case anyone tries to stop them or does not meet their requirements.
Moreover, recently the news about connection of some politicians to the activity of the militant grouping Niger Delta Avengers broke on the Internet. In particular, Daily Post mentioned about this possibility on June 17.
Here is what the reporters say: spokesperson from the Warri Study Group announced that there was an information leakage, and it became known that Niger Delta Avengers use the help of certain politicians from the former and current governments to influence on the decisions of the authorities from the inside.
The politicians that are connected to the matter allegedly have criminal chrges and are helping the Niger Delta Avengers secretely. Their aim is to persuade the government to drop any criminal charges that were put on the grouping. They also have to do it in such a way to ensure that the government does not suspect their collaboration with the Avengers.
However, politicians found out about this and encourage the current government not to negotiate with the rebels, as it is below their dignity and there is basically nothing to discuss.
Avengers keep blackmailing the government saying that in case they do not meet their demands, they will stimulate even bigger crisis in the country. It has already been significantly dropped in the view of the blow-ups in the oil pipes and export lines. However, terrorists claim they will make it even worse.
As the Warri Study Group spokesperson claims the politicians involved into the collaboration with the terroristic group are interested in this relations, as they probably are paid or at least cut in on the financial benefit of the returns of creating a state in the Delta.
The Warri Study Group calls politicians to be aware of the situation and stay away from the corrupted "colleagues". The negotiation with them is pointless; moreover, it can lead to worse living condition in the Delta area where the situation is now worse than within the last twenty years.
As Edward Ekpoko explained the Avengers only want to get out of any troubles they can have with the law by blackmailing or bargaining politicians and offering them gold mines in exchange for freedom of actions in the Delta which will only lead to economic instability and more dropdowns in oil industry.
The news is quite sad for the country; nevertheless, the authorities are eager to take actions in order to prevent more collaboration of the government with the Avengers. The ways to do that are still being investigated. Let's hope for the better! Follow our news to learn more about Niger Delta Avengers as being informed means being equipped and ready to fight.
Source: ask.naij.com


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Samsung will launch multiple Tizen powered devices in 2013
Samsung has confirmed that it will launch more than one Tizen device in 2013. Tizen is an open-source OS based on Linux that counts Intel and Samsung as development partners and its target is to replace previous Samsung attempt which was Bada OS.
Some have questioned whether Google's purchase of Motorola would prompt Samsung to move away from Android, and, according to Bloomberg Businessweek, the 2013 Tizen launch is the first sign that this may become a reality.
In an official statement, Samsung said that it plans to release "new, competitive Tizen devices within this year," adding that it will expand its lineup depending on market conditions.
Additionally, an Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Samsung was set to launch a Tizen smartphone at MWC 2013 which will happen this February with local carrier NTT DoCoMo on board to sell the phone shortly after.
We didn't heard any informations regarding pricing or specifications for the upcoming handsets. We can only predict that Samsung will tell more soon.


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Who says you can't try before you buy?
One of the many benefits of living in a retirement village is the security it offers. Residents have peace of mind knowing that their home will be looked after while they're out and about enjoying their lives.
But what if you're unsure about making the move?
Well, did you know Stockland offer a free two week trial stay^?
At The Lakes Estate, you can stay in one of our condos or serviced apartments and experience what it's like to be a resident. Our trial stays are fully furnished, so all you'll need to do is bring a bag!
In a condo apartment, you will be located in the heart of the village. In a serviced apartment, you will experience the added benefit of daily meals, weekly cleaning and linen services.
In addition to your apartment, you'll have access to the Community Centre with indoor pool, lounge, library, bar, hair salon and more.
Or you can join in the activities on offer including lawn bowls, happy hour or the many resident events that the active social committee organise.
"Our free trial stay is a great way for people to try living in a retirement village and find out if it's right for them," says Kailee Barlow, Sales Professional at The Lakes Estate.
"We can provide all the information they need, but it's not until they are actually experiencing village living that they will know if it's the right move for them. We want to make sure that they are happy and comfortable with their decision," she continues.
"Not only does it offer peace of mind for our guests, but their friends and family can rest assured that they are making an informed decision."
So what are you waiting for? Contact us to book your free trial stay today.
^Subject to terms and conditions. The free trial stay is only available at selected villages and for a maximum of two weeks. For full terms and conditions relating to the Trial Stay phone 1800 72 71 70.


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Para ver esta página en español, oprima aquí.
Will The Mud Stick?
When former Governor Pedro Rosselló came back to Puerto Rico to a heros welcome in March of 2003, the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) knew that it had a problem. Looking past the New Progressive Party (NPP) primary that they assumed Rosselló would win handily over contender Carlos Pesquera, PDP party strategists decided that the best way to beat the popular former governor was to dirty him.
The mud slinging began even before Rosselló formally announced his intention to again seek the governorship. PDP governor Sila Calderon devoted part of her February, 2003, "state of the Commonwealth" address to the possibility of Rossellós return, saying that she was confident that the Puerto Rico electorate would be "wise enough to reject the most corrupt government the island has had." At the time everyone thought that Calderon herself would be Rossellós opponent in 2004.
Before Rosselló could unpack his bags, the PDP launched an ad campaign with the tag line, "forgetting is prohibited here." The effort was to tie the former governor with NPP officials already convicted for bribery and influence peddling. Rossellós protestations, that he was unaware of the illegal activity that surrounded him, were ridiculed by PDP spokespersons.
Calderons dramatic announcement in May of 2003, that she was not going to run for re-election, sent the PDP into frenzy to select someone to replace her in 2004. At the time, polls had her losing to Rosselló, had the election been held at the time. Rejecting her year-2000 running mate, Resident Commissioner Aníbal Acevedo Vilá, as her successor, she bestowed her favor on José Alfredo Hernández Mayoral, son of a former PDP governor. When he withdrew from the race, she smiled on Sen. Roberto Prats, but the PDP leadership rebuffed her and selected Aníbal Acevedo Vilá to oppose Rosselló in the run for the governorship.
The PDP musical chairs did not deter the anti-Rosselló slant to that Partys message. From the very beginning, this was to have been a Pedro Rosselló smear campaign. The PDP released a TV ad showing Rosselló in the company of indicted members of his former cabinet. In a variety of ways, the implication was, and continues to be, that the former 2-term governor was complicit in the corruption of some of his lieutenants.
Recent indictments filed against two NPP Rosselló aides have provided PDP spokespeople with new opportunities to splatter their opponent. The latest maneuver was to release the image of Pedro Rosselló as the ace of spades, reminiscent of the Iraq coalitions display of playing cards, depicting fifty-two Baath Party criminals, with Saddam Hussein as the ace of spades, the nations chief culprit.
PDP surrogates have questioned Rossellós eligibility to run for governor due to his absence from the island for several years, the legitimacy of his $52,000.00 annual government pension because of several months of alleged absence many years ago and the honesty of his local tax return when he was teaching in Washington.
The idea has been to keep the former governor on the defensive, stymie his campaign themes and sow suspicion of his credibility among Puerto Rican voters.
In spite of all this, a mid-May poll conducted by El Nuevo Dia showed Rosselló with a 7-point lead over Acevedo Vilá with the election five months away. There is now a question as to whether or not the PDP mudslinging is counterproductive.
The NPP has run a somewhat more positive campaign, crafting a message of fighting crime, improving healthcare and education and igniting a stalled local economy, but has lost no opportunity to slam the ineffectiveness of the Calderon administration and to discredit Acevedo Vilás record as an absentee Congressman. It, too, has buckets of mud ready to fling at the crisp white shirts of PDP opponents.
Meanwhile, the Puerto Rico Independence Party (PIP) is looking on the mud slinging with glee, hoping for gains from an electorate weary of the negative tone of campaign to date.
This week, Herald readers may decide if the PDPs mud slinging will stick on Pedro Rosselló and fatally flaw his candidacy.
Please vote above!
This Week's Question:
Will the mud slinging stick on Pedro Rosselló and fatally flaw his candidacy?
It will flaw his candidacy
He will overcome it
Dont know
It will flaw his candidacy
He will overcome it
Dont know
.To submit your idea for a future PR Herald poll question or "Hot Button" issue, please click here.


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Gwyneth Paltrow Named New Face of Hugo Boss Nuit Pour Femme Perfume
Gwyneth Paltrow seems to have discovered the secret to staying always young and beautiful, so no wonder she is often associated with GOOP and healthy eating. Now the 39-year-old actress has been selected as the face of the new Hugo Boss Nuit Pour Femme perfume. She will appear in TV, print and online ad campaigns for the German brand's scent scheduled for August 2012. As for now, a behind-the-scenes image has been leaked alongside the legendary house's announcement of the collaboration.
"We are delighted to welcome Gwyneth Paltrow to the Hugo Boss family as the face of our new Boss Black female signature scent," said Gerd Von Podewils, Global Marketing Director for Hugo Boss Fragrances, P&G Prestige. "Her effortless style, captivating beauty and remarkable achievements make her a true icon of female success."
Gwyneth Paltrow spoke about her new gig with WWD, saying that, "I was honoured and very happy to be chosen as the face of Boss Nuit Pour Femme. To me, the Boss woman is driven, ambitious and goes after what she wants, but she balances being strong and very feminine at the same time 'Äö√Ñ√∂'àö√ë'àö√Ü characteristics that I strive toward in my own life."
Speaking about the new LBD-inspired scent, the gorgeous actress said that, "I love the idea of basing a fragrance on a little black dress because it's such a resolutely feminine concept but it's so simple at the same time. I love how perfume can finish off an outfit and make you feel pulled together."
We are more than sure that Ms. Paltrow will shine in all those ad campaigns for the Hugo Boss Nuit Pour Femme perfume. Just have patience to wait for the official launch of the scent to feel it on your skin.
Photo courtesy of Hugo Boss


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Release Date: 19 October 2016
Thanks to a £50,000 EU project, more than 100 pupils from schools across Dundee and Angus descended on D&A College for a day of non-traditional sport.
'Not Only Fair Play' is an Erasmus+ initiative designed to promote academic subjects among sports-loving pupils while encouraging sports among academic pupils.
The project also aims to boost an interest in less-fashionable sports while also upholding the values of fair play.
S2/3 pupils from city schools Grove Academy, Morgan Academy, Craigie HS along with Websters HS in Kirriemuir and Arbroath Academy, enjoyed a variety of sports and activities at D&A Gardyne Campus.
Taster sessions in frisbee, skipping and speedminton – an alternative to tennis, squash and badminton – were all on offer.
The event was supervised by both sports staff and students at D&A College, plus staff from Dundee Academy of Sport, which is based in Enterprise D&A – also on the Gardyne Campus.
"By highlighting an alternative this project encourages inclusivity in sport," commented Lol Scragg, project leader international services, at D&A College.
"For example, I remember all too painfully being 'last man picked' for football when I was at school but I really enjoyed cricket.
"Sometimes it is just a matter of introducing people to something new and watching them discover that they like it."


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Natalie here! A few weeks ago we were at Wal-Mart and since I had a Wal-Mart gift card, I decided to buy myself a few Monster High things. One of the things I picked out was the Monster High Coffin Bean play set. It was about $30 and I can't believe all the goodies that were in it.
The Coffin Bean set comes with a cash register, a coffee maker, two drinks, a cupquake, and a pastry dessert. It even comes with a little Monster High sized magazine for the dolls to read while waiting and a small apron for your Monster High doll that is serving the customers.
Here is another look at the counter. Plenty of shelves to put your Monster High goodies on.
The set also comes with a doll – so you get the whole coffee shop and a doll for under $30 – that is a good deal if you ask me! The Clawdeen Wolf doll that comes with this set is just so cute. I really like her.
The Coffin Bean set also comes with a counter, one red chair, a blue couch, and a table to put their food on. The red chair definitely one of my favorite pieces!
Draculaura is ordering a cupquake and a special brew from Clawdeen while Operetta and Frankie Stein are relaxing with their coffee and treats!
For Christmas and my birthday I got the Monster High School, some more Monster High dolls and fashion packs so I will be taking photos of them and doing reviews of them soon.
Photos and review by:


text: Bloomberg's Business Week is reporting that Time Warner Cable is pitching an idea to the large cellular companies (AT&T/Verizon) to help ease the congestion that Blackberry's and iPhone's create. As most of us are aware, AT&T's network is under a lot of strain due to the massive number of 3G iPhone users, and Blackberry users do contribute also. What Time Warner is pitching to these companies is to route some of the wireless data through their pre-existing underground cables which would help to decongest AT&T and Verizon's existing strained networks. Personally I don't think it's a bad idea, if these wireless companies aren't willing to spend the money and upgrade their networks to where they need to be, then I'm all for Time Warner trying to get their piece of the pie. What do you think?


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STC Capital BankBack to Office
Location: St. Charles, IL
Owner: STC Capital Bank
Architect: Charles Vincent George
Square Footage: 6,000 sq. ft. and 6,850 sq. ft.
Category: Office
- Two separate branch locations in St. Charles, Illinois
- 6,000 sq. ft. branch office is on the main floor of a four-story mixed-use building
- 6,850 sq. ft. two-story steel framed with stone and brick exterior stand-alone full service branch
- Teller stations
- Conference rooms
- Executive offices
- Administrative office space


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Curran's goal gives Finn Harps deserved win over Longford Town
Finn Harps picked up another crucial win in the Premier Division with Saturday night's 1-0 victory over Longford Town at Finn Park.
Ryan Curran scored his second of the season, his penalty early in the second half enough for the win.
Harps produced a fine performance, although they did sit back a bit after their goal, ensuring a nervy conclusion to the contest.
The result leaves Harps seventh in the Premier Division, well clear of the likes of Wexford Youths and Sligo Rovers who both lost again at the weekend.
For report and reaction from Saturday's game, see Monday's Donegal Democrat/Donegal People's Press.


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The IHOT Branded Email Server Update
Nov 14 2018 9:00AM PST: The issue with the IHOT Private Label Email server seems to have been resolved. Not issue seen for the last 12 hours. We consider this issue to be a closed. Support at IHOT
13º Nov 2018
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After the fiasco of the wedding, Olivia had kept mostly to herself in her own cabin. She felt a distance between her and her brother, but she knew it wasn't his fault. He seemed distracted. His despair was obvious. Feeling like she needed to close the gap between them, Olivia went to the house to find Quincy, hoping he might be home eating his lunch. She was about to open the screen door when she saw Madge.
Cold chills shot through her body. Her irritation was evident. That's why she'd tried to keep to herself. She didn't want to create more strife than there was already. She'd seen a drastic change in Quincy. He was losing weight, and he very seldom left the house, except to work the farm. Even so, the farmwork was backing up, and he didn't have the cows or pigs slaughtered. He needed to get all the work done before the winter season, and she wasn't sure Adam could help him get everything done.
Olivia hesitated, unsure if she should go inside or not. Then it was too late. Madge had seen her.
"Why, Miss Olivia, don't you look a sight," Madge said, approaching the door. "Would you like to come in for some nice, cold sweet tea? The kind your brother likes so much?"
The reference to sweet tea was deliberate, and Olivia knew it. She'd drugged Quincy with sweet tea, and now she was mocking them both.
Olivia rushed into the house. Unable to control her anger, she shouted, "You whore! Tramp!" When Olivia got within striking distance, she balled her fist. With straight accuracy, Olivia punched Madge in the right eye. "You harlot; get out of my brother's house! You've done enough damage!"
The blow rocked Madge. After she settled herself, Madge casually sat back down. "It's you who should leave," she said. "This is my house now, and you know it."
"Over my dead body!" Olivia screamed. She grabbed Madge's wig and pulled as hard as she could. "I'm going to whip your conniving ass! You've done enough damage to this family. I'm not going to let you destroy my brother with your lies."
Once Olivia got Madge to her feet, she struggled to keep her own balance. "I'm not afraid of you like your men friends are!" She wanted to grab the scum by her long neck and wring her head off. "I'm going to slap you so hard that when you quit rolling your clothes will be outta style."
Both women bumped into the credenza and knocked the hurricane lamp on the floor. As the fight continued, other pieces of furniture were turned over. Soon, the entire room showed signs that a fight had taken place.
Madge scratched Olivia's face with her long fingernails. But she was unable to do much damage. She twisted her body around hoping that she'd dislodge Olivia's hands that were entangled in her wig. The more she twisted, the tighter Olivia held on to it. "Let me go! I'm going to kill you!"
Madge reached above her head and grabbed Olivia's left hand that was embedded in her wig. She was going to throw Olivia over her head to the floor. But Olivia had other ideas. She opened her mouth widely and chomped down on Madge's forearm like a rabid dog. Olivia had zoned out. She was incensed with Madge. She hated everything about her.
"Ouch! Let me go! Are you crazy?" Madge shrieked loudly. "Is that all you got?" She refused to relinquish her hold on Olivia's head. "I'm going to rip your eyes out!"
"I hope you ate your breakfast, because it's going to be an all-day job whipping my ass!" Olivia knew she was getting tired, but she refused to let go. "Don't let your mouth overload your tail!"
As Olivia struggled with Madge, she saw something strange. The woman's belly seemed to have come loose.
"What the hell?" Olivia stepped back.
Madge hauled off and hit her hard, knocking her almost senseless. Olivia dropped to her knees and shook her head.
"Stop it! Both of you stop it!"
Olivia looked up to see Quincy standing in the living room, his hands on his hips, the anger obvious in his eyes and in his voice. She glanced at Madge. She was hunched over and panting.
"Quincy, help me! Get this lunatic off me!" Madge screamed at the top of her lungs. "Olivia is going to hurt our baby!"
Olivia stared hard at Madge's belly. Had she really seen it move, or was it a trick of the eye?
"I don't want any more fighting," Quincy said. "You hear me? You both hear me?"
"I'm sorry, Quincy," Olivia said. "I don't know what got into me."
"You better be sorry, you—" Madge yelled.
"Shut up, Madge," Quincy said.
"You wouldn't be here at all if you hadn't raped Quincy," Olivia hissed. "You must really be hard up. What does my brother have that your other lovers don't have?" Olivia stood still before continuing. "You don't know yourself. Quincy can't make your tarnished name and reputation anew. You've destroyed both on your own. And you'll never get them back, whether you're married to Quincy or not."
"Olivia!" Quincy said. "That's enough!"
Madge shortened the distance between them. "I'm going to make you eat all those words. I can be anything I set my mind to. Being a good wife to this country bumpkin is going to be a snap. I'm going to prove you wrong this time, Olivia. You might've gotten Adam, but Quincy is another matter entirely. He'll never let anyone raise his child."
Without saying another word, Madge sat down.
"I want you to leave," Quincy said to Olivia. "No more fighting. It's bad for the baby. Come on, sis, let's get you out of here."
"I want to see Momma first," Olivia said.
"You two promise to be good?" he asked.
Neither woman spoke.
"I can't take this anymore," Quincy said. "Kill each other for all I care." He stormed out of the house.
"Now you see what you did?" Madge asked. "You made your brother feel terrible. You should be ashamed of yourself."
Olivia wanted to kill Madge on the spot. "I pity any child you have. You don't have the scruples to raise a child the right way. What are you going to teach him? How to drug and rape someone?"
Madge rose from her seat and walked over to Olivia. With an open palm, she slapped her sister-in-law. She grabbed Olivia by the head and tried to run it into the doorjamb.
But Olivia figured out what she was doing and dug her feet into the throw rug. Her action propelled Madge forward, and she crashed into the living room wall.
When Madge hit the floor, her false baby belly broke loose from her body. When it hit the floor, both women looked at each other.
"So, this is my niece or nephew!" Olivia laughed like she was possessed. She couldn't believe any woman would stoop this low to get a husband. Once she stopped laughing, she turned her cold eyes toward Madge. "You were going to concoct a story that you lost the baby. With all your deceitful ways, I'm sure you can think of a good story about how you lost it. Quincy is innocent, and I don't want him hurt." Olivia couldn't believe Madge had created this sad ruse to force her brother to marry her.
"That's none of your damn business."
"You're a piece of trash, Madge!" Olivia slapped the other woman so hard the wig finally flew across the room. It landed near the false pregnant belly. "You're going to do exactly what I tell you to do. You're going to go see your doctor and get him to authenticate your miscarriage. If you do anything to hurt Quincy, I'm going to tell him everything. You better thank God that I saw the baby belly hit the floor instead of Quincy. He got every right to end your sorry life right now!"
"What's to stop me from saying you caused my miscarriage because of our fight?" Madge asked. "Ever think of that? Quincy would blame you for the loss of his baby."
Madge's words held a ring of truth to them. The idea that Madge would have walked around for months with a fake baby belly was almost too bizarre for belief. In fact, as Olivia thought about it, she doubted anyone would believe her. Quincy had said that he and Madge weren't sleeping together, so there would be no way he'd know she'd duped him. And if she did convince him, Olivia was almost certain her brother would kill Madge and be sent to prison.
"I guess I can't stop you from doing that," Olivia said. She tried to keep her emotions in check.
"That's right. You can't. So back off, Olivia!"
"I'll back off for now. Just break the news to Quincy gently. Don't hurt him too much. I don't know how much more of this he can take with his heart condition," Olivia said.
"It really would be a shame if he dropped dead," Madge said. "Wouldn't it?"
Olivia stalked out of the house, her thoughts and emotions in a jumble. She went back to her cabin and tried to rest, but she kept seeing that awful woman in her mind's eye. The lady was a monster, and she was living in her brother's house.
What can I do? What?
A short time later, she heard a knock on the door.
"Olivia? Olivia, you in there?"
She got out of bed and answered the door.
"Quincy, I'm so sorry," she said, giving him a hug.
"I know you are. Can I come in for a minute?"
She closed the door and faced her brother.
Olivia dropped down into a chair in the living room. "I'm sorry, Quincy, for my behavior. That woman can work a saint's last nerve."
"I know."
"Quincy, there's something I need to tell you. There was a good reason for the fight. Madge is pretending to be pregnant. I know for a fact that she isn't pregnant at all. She was wearing a baby bump under her clothing. While we were fighting, it dropped to the floor. That's why I whipped her lying ass!"
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Anna, 25 y.o.I am from Ukraine, Nikolaev
I remember that we have only one life, that is why I try to make it interesting, bright and colorful. This is my life principle. I always try to be cheerful and optimistic, in every life situation and life aspect. We live in the society, among people. That is why we should be tolerant and helpful. I can also say it about me.
Hobbies: I love arts very much going to exhibitions, I love being outside, I love sports and it is my hobby because I love to stay fit. I love cinema. I like to cook very much and it is my hobby to try to cook new dishes, I love reading very much
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1st August 2017 14:28pm
Former Charlton Athletic player and manager Chris Powell will be playing in the Legends United charity game on Sunday 17 September, in aid of Charlton Athletic Community Trust.
Chris played 270 times for the Addicks in three separate spells between 1998 and 2008.
He earned five England caps during the 2000-1 season, the first Charlton player to play for England since 1965.
He was also Chair of the Professional Footballers' Association from 2005 until he retired in 2010 before embarking on a coaching career at Leicester City.
He didn't stay away long from Charlton, returning as Manager in 2011 and leading the side to promotion as champions of League One with 101 points, the highest total in the division's history at the time.
Since leaving the club in 2014 he has coached the England U17 team, managed Huddersfield Town and been Assistant Manager at Derby County.
He will be returning to Charlton yet again to share a special day with the fans he had such a rapport with.
Keith Peacock said: "Chris Powell showed great passion and determination as a player and a manager – he is a legend who has been admired by the fans over the years. I'm delighted that he was able to accept the invitation to be part of this one-off game.
"Our aim is to commemorate the 25 years being back at The Valley and the start of the community scheme. All money raised will support the work of Charlton Athletic Community Trust – so it can only be a good thing."
Tickets for the game are now on sale on the club's website, priced at £10 for Adults and £2 for Under 11s. All proceeds go to CACT's work in the heart of the community.


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FEMA Rolls Out New Flood Map
For all those who read my blog on a regular basis you know I just went through a flood in my basement. I then wrote two newspaper columns talking about my problems and frustrations with the insurance industry. You'll also remember I advocated looking into flood insurance as an option. These new digital maps now available with FEMA will help alot in making sure your insurance company is treating you fairly. Read on below and find out how you can check if your home is in a flood plain.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has released digitized flood insurance rate maps of more areas of the country.
The maps were initially rolled out in some areas in 2003. This fall, they have been distributed in 100 communities in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
By 2010, about 92 percent of the U.S. population and 65 percent of the land will be covered by the maps, FEMA says.
Home owners in affected areas should check the new maps, which revise flood zones significantly. Some home owners who never needed flood insurance will need to buy it. Other homes will no longer be in flood zones, relieving their owners of the obligation to buy the insurance.
"In the past, we did not have as precise information and so, with the digital products, in some areas the special flood-hazard area has gotten smaller. In other areas it has grown," says Roy Wright, deputy director of the risk analysis division for FEMA.
Source: USA Today, Jennie Coughlin and Jessica Durando


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The Philosopher responds.
My responses to him are inserted and always follow an asterisk *:
I like your spirited reply!
I guess I'm going to just have to read that damn book [Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature] and hope to God I don't lose my "illusions."
* This, for me, raises the question of what makes us attach to the ideas, conceptions, beliefs that we are attached to that "seem right" even when (or if) the argumentation and evidence don't prove them or when the relevant community doesn't agree on an answer? We could say that some of us have an intuitive connection to the way things are, but that begs the question of whether there is a "way in which things are." And what's the nature of the "intuitive" connection? There is an interesting, bypassed world hidden in words like: assumption, intuition, conversion.
That having been said, sometimes it seems to me that Rorty is too absolute. (Ha!). Either the Real is self-present to us in some absolute way, a la Descartes, "clear and distinct" and all that or we must simply give up any hope of knowing the real and turn our attention to more "useful" topics. But isn't that attitude overdrawn? I mean, why can't we, in Aristotelian fashion, move toward the real, make models, test them, listen to what nature is telling us she's like, try to correct for bias, and "slouch toward verisimilitude" (with apologies to Yeats). We don't have to be the (Rortian) victims of his Cartesian anxiety. Rorty seems to couch things in this "all or I want no part of it" way. I believe science is one very good way, perhaps our best and only way, of getting out of our way, and letting nature tell us what she's like. How, for example, can we explain its pragmatic success if it doesn't bear some semblance to the real (note small r)? Anyway, I suspect Rorty's model of knowledge is too Platonic. He'd have done good for a good dose of the Stagirite. But, hell, I haven't done my homework.
* Rorty would be fine with making models, testing them, correcting for bias, even using colloquially the phrases "listening to nature" and "seems right but is it true?" as long as some ambitious philosopher doesn't say "Is nature really telling us things?, What is the 'real'?" Being a pragmatist he'd support all scientific inquiry. He just recommends not getting fooled by metaphors - here the aural metaphor of "listening" rather than the visual metaphor of a "mirror of nature" - like nature telling us what she's like. He suggests that we be satisfied with working towards agreement with our fellows and not taking the Peircian step of "The real, then, is that which, sooner or later, information and reasoning would finally result in".
* Now how does Rorty explain why science works so well if it's not telling us what nature is like? But does poetry work less well? Does it tell us what nature is like?
* Here's Rorty: "[The pragmatist] drops the notion of truth as correspondence with reality altogether, and says that modern science does not enable us to cope because it corresponds, it just plain enables us to cope. His argument for the view is that several hundred years of effort have failed to make interesting sense of the notion of 'correspondence' (either of thought to things or of words to things). The pragmatist takes the moral of this discouraging history to be that 'true sentences work because they correspond to the way things are' is no more illuminating than 'it is right because it fulfills the Moral Law.' Both remarks, in the pragmatist's eyes, are empty metaphysical compliments - harmless as rhetorical pats on the back to the successful inquirer or agent, but troublesome if taken seriously and 'clarified' philosophically." Consequences of Pragmatism, p. xvii.
* So you and Rorty agree on the doing of science, he would just caution against letting the sometimes useful concept "real" slide into the historically unsuccessful investigation of the "Real."
Thank you for your interesting reply.
* And thank you.
Saturday, August 06, 2011
The Richard Rorty Exchange Part IX
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ETAC Governance
In 2010, the following technology governance structure was established at SF State by the University Provost and the Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer to steer an effective technology course for the University.
Executive Technology Council (ETC)
- The University Provost and the Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer solicit and receive advisement from the ETC.
- The ETC develops strategy and vision related to technology policies, systems and initiatives to best support the mission of SF State.
- Meets quarterly or as needed.
Educational Technology Advisory Committee (ETAC)
- ETAC represents University faculty and advises the ETC on academic uses of technology.
- Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month during University session Noon - 1:30PM in LIB 222.
- ETAC membership.
Campus Technology Committee (CTC)
- CTC represents University departments and advises the ETB on technology proposals and implementation of technology initiatives.
- Meets 3rd Wednesday of the month 10AM - Noon in the LIB 121.
- CTC membership.
Faculty technology committees
- May be formed by college deans to interface with ETAC.
Technology working sub-committees
- May be formed by any of the standing committees.
Additional information about the technology governance structure.


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How would you feel if your city government wanted to dig up and relocate the graves of your loved ones to expand an airport? The congregation of St. John's Church of Christ in Chicago is taking a dim view of the idea.
The church has gone to court to keep O'Hare International Airport (ORD) from removing the 440-acre church cemetery for the expansion project. That project also will require the removal of several hundred homes and businesses.
On Sept. 30, the FAA approved the $15 million expansion project, which includes runway construction and realignment designed to make the airport more efficient.
"O'Hare is now cleared for takeoff," FAA Administrator Marion Blakey told reporters in a conference call soon after the city of Chicago received formal notification of the decision.
According to Blakey, the expansion will bring "greater safety and greater capacity" to O'Hare.
But only a few symbolic shovels of dirt were turned before the project was abruptly halted because opponents had gone to court, where they were granted a restraining order to stop the project — at least until their objections are heard.
Leading the opposition is Jared Leland, legal counsel for The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. According to Leland, the church is not opposed to airport expansion. However, it doesn't want it to come at the expense the cemetery. Grave relocation violates their religious beliefs, he said.
"If they want to change the airport, we suggest they realign the runways or make them shorter if they can," he said. He added that the group is working with aviation planners to come up with alternatives that do not involve mass grave removal.
Among those interred at the cemetery, which was established in 1848, are veterans of the Civil War, members of the Underground Railroad, and families that hosted President Lincoln during his frequent visits to his home state.
The airport was established some 94 years later as Orchard Field. It played a vital part in the war effort then, like so many former military fields, became a civilian airport. It was renamed to honor Lieutenant Edward O'Hare, a Navy flyer awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor who died during the war. The airport also was expanded after World War II. There allegedly was the understanding that the airport would not encroach on the nearby burial ground.
In 2001, however, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley unveiled the O'Hare Expansion Plan, which includes, among other things, the realignment and construction of new runways where the cemetery is now.
The graves are not in cement vaults, Leland noted, so the idea of simply digging up a vault and the surrounding soil for transplanting will not work.
"They are in wooden caskets, which eventually become one with the soil," he explained. "There are about 1,300 people there. More importantly, the congregation believes that to remove the remains of their fellow believers from the place they have been laid to await the day of resurrection would be a desecration of holy ground."
Mass grave relocation for airport expansion is not new, said Roderick Drew, public information officer for the O'Hare expansion project. He cited the expansion at Lambert Field in St. Louis in 2002, which involved the relocation of Bridgeton Memorial Park. The cemetery, which was just west of the airport where the third parallel runway is today, was mapped out using a grid system, then approximately 10,000 graves were relocated to St. Ferdinand Cemetery in Florrisant, Mo.
"We hired the firm that did the cemetery relocation in St. Louis," said Drew. "We have also been working with the FAA and the state historical preservation society so, should this be allowed, we will document the site and move forward with utmost care and respect."
Drew noted that the original project called for the removal of two cemeteries. The smaller of the two burial parks was going to be removed to allow for the construction of a cargo facility, but plans changed.
"We figured a way to redesign the cargo facility to work around the smaller cemetery," he explained. "It allows limited access to the cemetery even though its boundaries are within the property of the airport."
The second, larger cemetery cannot be built around, he said, "because it lies directly in the location of one of the new runways."
Chicago city officials are raring to go on the project, to the point of moving heavy equipment into place.
"The minute the final decision comes the bulldozers are going to start — no matter what time of day or night it is," Leland predicted. "Mayor Daley is known for doing things when the courts are closed and the lawyers are asleep."
City officials are still working to acquire property in neighborhoods adjacent to the airport so that the full project can be done, Drew said. "We have talked to approximately 150 of some 600 property owners in Bensenville and Elk Grove Village. When the record of decision is handed down, we will close on some properties, others we will make offers on."


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|Illustration by Patrick Corrigan. Toronto Star, March 16, 1983.
Back in March of 1983, Toronto Star food writer Jim White felt the local burger scene needed recognition. Noting that there were so many awards for the arts, White jokingly told readers that to correct a "cultural imbalance," the paper was launching a series of articles to hand out Oscar-style statuettes to worthy local eateries. To honour Toronto's best burgers, White devised the Wimpy Awards, which honoured Popeye's gluttonous pal.
White's criteria for the Wimpys ruled out "anything pre-fab, served by clowns or named after someone like Harvey or Wendy." Though he intended to focus on the burger alone, White discovered that "the décor, background music, and ambience of a burger joint can be just as important as the product." As a control measure, a basic burger and fries were ordered at each restaurant in the competition, as "the quality of French fries colours one's impression of the burger."
Some winners from the Wimpy Awards, presented with little fanfare on March 16, 1983:
Best Burger for the Buck: the original location of Lick's in the Beaches, then a narrow eatery with long lines, two tables, and six stools. For only $1.95, Lick's served large burgers that White described as "superb and perfectly charbroiled." He noted that "the only thing missing in this setting is John Belushi shouting 'Cheezeburgah…cheezeburgah.'" No mention as to whether the chain's singing schtick was already in place.
Most Expensive Burger in Toronto: For $10, patrons of the Courtyard Café at the Windsor Arms Hotel received a loosely packed patty served with a truffle-tinged artichoke, purposely-undercooked chips, and a bland tomato tart.
Best Staging for a Burger: At the Bloor Street Diner, diners enjoyed their meal amid a backdrop of "pink neon, high-gloss black lacquered trim and stainless steel table tops." The burger itself had a quality most people would appreciate—it wasn't "sinewy."
Best Patty: The Hayloft at 37 Front St. E. offered a burger that was lean, juicy, flavourful, and extremely fresh. Unfortunately, White felt it was ruined by lousy condiments, mediocre bun, and fries that had been sitting around for a while. The server accidentally brought White a cheeseburger, which was topped with "a tasteless, carrot-coloured film to peel off as one peels dried rubber cement off the back of one's hand."
Best Burger in a Supporting Role: Both Mr. Greenjeans (Eaton Centre and 120 Adelaide St. E.) and Partners (836 Danforth Ave. and 765 Mount Pleasant Rd.) served their burgers in large wicker baskets filled with Buffalo chips and on what White considered the city's best burger bun, a light egg roll prepared by Central Bakery.
Toronto's Darkest Burger: The experience of eating at Toby's Good Eats at 91 Bloor St. W. on even a sunny day was "like sitting in a cellar during a hydro black-out." When the waitress told him to enjoy his lunch, White replied "we would if we could see it."


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Willard Charles "Bill" Belben 1932 - 2010 Basehor
Services for Willard Charles "Bill" Belben, 78, Basehor, were Wednesday, June 16, at Elm Grove Baptist Church in Bonner Springs. Burial was in Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens in Shawnee.
Mr. Belben died Friday, June 11, 2010, at Providence Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan.
He was born on March 24, 1932, in Springfield, Mo.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He had worked for more than 23 years as a guard at the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth. He retired in 1982 as a counselor.
Mr. Belben was a member of Basehor Lions Club and was a Fairmont Township volunteer firefighter n for many years. He collected model trains and enjoyed working in his garden.
A daughter-in-law, Shellie Belben, died in 2008.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Marie Belben, of the home; two children, Charles D. "Chuck" (Sherry) Belben, Kearney, Mo., and Tina Meadows, Parkville, Mo.; a sister, Christine Nelson, Chicago; and three grandchildren.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Elm Grove Baptist Church, sent in care of Alden-Harrington Funeral Home, 214 Oak St., Bonner Springs, KS 66012.


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A collection of various Homo Habilis and Homo Erectus stone tools, some dating as far back as 2.5 Million Years, are available at Sadigh Gallery.
Also available are 20,000 Year Old Cro Magnon medical instruments, the earliest known.
Call 1(800)426-2007 to order or visit our website to see more Prehistoric artifacts in our collection.