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- With Mayo Clinic health education outreach coordinator
Angela Lunde
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Angela Lunde
Angela LundeAngela Lunde is a dementia education specialist in the education core of Mayo Clinic's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at the Abigail Van Buren Alzheimer's Disease Research Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
The transfer of information about dementias, as well as understanding the need for participation in clinical trials, is an essential component of the education core.
Angela is a member of the Alzheimer's Association board of directors and co-chair of the annual Minnesota Dementia Conference. She is a member of the Dementia Behavior Assessment and Response Team (D-BART), a multidisciplinary outreach service assisting professional and family caregivers in understanding and managing difficult behaviors often present in dementia. She facilitates several support groups, including Memory Club, an early-stage education and support series, and more recently, helped to develop and now deliver Healthy Action to Benefit Independence and Thinking (HABIT), a 10-day cognitive rehab and wellness program for people with mild cognitive impairment.
Angela takes a personal interest in understanding the complex changes that take place within relationships and among families when dementia is present. She is particularly interested in providing innovative and accessible ways for people with dementia and their families to receive information and participate in valuable programs that promote well-being.
"Amid a devastating disease, there are tools, therapies, programs and ways to cope, and it is vital that families are connected to these resources," she says.
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Alzheimer's blog
Dec. 24, 2011
Dementia caregivers celebrate the imperfect us
By Angela Lunde
87 comments posted
For the past several days I've been contemplating (more than usual) what to say as we leave this year behind. I've read every one of your comments from the last 4 weeks and re-read some from months past. Your words are filled with every imaginable experience, opinion and emotion. In a sense, you shared your "secrets".
Yet, the truth is, in our day-to-day interactions, we rarely express our secrets, all of our true emotions, or let people see our real life or self — for acceptable reasons. But it happens here on this blog — many of you boldly admitting, owning and sharing thoughts, desires, insecurities, pain, embarrassment, vulnerability, alienation, fear, dreams and more.
As a caregiver to someone with a dementia, most of you will have many of these emotions and it can be the negative ones that consume us. So, the question isn't whether or not you (we) experience fear, pain and other emotions. The more important question is: How do you move through these emotions in an honest way so they don't paralyze, break or keep you from being who you really are?
The way we transform our insecurities, sorrow and other difficult emotions is by admitting them, owning and expressing them. This is what takes place here by so many of you. When you open up and reveal fear and pain, or the ways in which you feel flawed or imperfect, a piece of the struggle goes out of life. A door is opened for hope, joy and relief to enter.
Something else extraordinary happens — you make it safe for others to reciprocate and share their own stories of struggle. You reclaim what's important in our life — to be a part of the (imperfect) human family. Through this blog community I witness a beautiful synergy between the sharing of our truth and space for compassion and happiness to enter. I see a place where we learn about others, and at the same time we learn more about ourselves.
So, I decided what I want to say as we leave 2011 is best expressed by Bonnie (blog contributor):
"Cheers to each of you ... some of the nicest people I would love to meet"
87 comments posted
December 31, 2012 6:59 p.m.
Does anyone have knowledge of resources for dealing with guilt over placing a loved one in a dementia unit?
- patricia
December 31, 2012 6:31 p.m.
We just placed our father in a dementia unit a few days ago and we are having a terrible time dealing with the guilt. We know that he feels abandoned and wants to go home; yet he is even wonders if his own home is really his. We have done at home care for nine years, but we couldn't get sleep. Somehow we just can't accept this even tho it is a very caring dementia unit. Will this pass? He is packing all his clothes to go home every day. It has been 6 days and all we do is cry
- patricia
October 16, 2012 12:27 a.m.
I'm writing a blog to de-stress myself and would like to share....sheilamariegrimes.com
- sheila grimes
June 7, 2012 7:23 p.m.
Jack is my 86 year old father-in-law, I recently married for the second time Sept, 2011, to his step son Terri, who has been caring for Jack the past 12 years by himself. When I met Jack, I knew that one day if I married Terri I would become that second wife to Jack as a caregiver in their home. It's been almost 2 years and Jack is slowing way down, and dementia is setting in more and more each day. I read stories of incouragment on here and it helps me alot. At least once or twice a week I stuggle caring for him. I took a leave of absence from work to be his permenant caregiver because we did not have the heart to change his normal daily process by putting him in a nursing home. His behaviors sometimes bother me alot, like stairing at me all the time every move I make and even while I'm eating,following me around as I do daily chores. He gets into this habit process like eating 8 yogurts a day or pudding and a gallon of koolaide or soda. We had to lock one of the frig's to control his fluid intake,he goes from one habit to another after we control another. Now he sneaks yogurt and soda from our personal frig. when the door to our room is open,so we put lock on our door. We bought him a personal frig. for his room and he was told that what is in there is what he allowed to have each day as it is stoked in the mornings but he won't touch the other things only the yogurt and pudding. He eats because he is bored,and watches tv all day,he won't socialize outside the house. Help
- Robin
April 29, 2012 10:21 a.m.
Hello to all of you amazing people! I have just come across this blog by accident when I was researching another medical issue and I have never been so pleasantly surprised. I am the main caretaker for my 85 year old mother who has Dementia. Oh what a challenging journey we are on, as I obviously do not have to explain to all of you. But in reading the stories here about how the emotions can run from one extreme to the next and feeling as though I am now dealing with a 7 year old that wants what she wants right now and if she doesn't get it a tantrum will break out. I too have started to validate what ever emotion she is seeming to complain about at the time, which is usually anger. So I will say, "I see you are very angry" and she gets so excited and replies with "yes I am" as if I am the only one in the world that understands her. Then I will try to divert her attention to another subject just like one other blogger had mentioned and it really seems to help. I don't know if anyone else out ther has this problem but my Mom is so paranoid. She believes that everyone in her AL facility is out to get her right now and she can't seem to get off of that fixation. Any thoughts? Well thank you all for listening and being here. It sure felt good to get all of that off of my chest. Sometimes I cry really hard and sometimes she makes me laugh, but I just hope she doesn't tell me that she wishes I would be dead anymore because I love her more than anythin
- Diane
April 12, 2012 2:49 p.m.
These stories are beautiful. I just want to say that I wish everyone posing here the best as they work through Alzheimer's Disease's effectes with a patient and the time afterwards. I have just started reading up on this disease both here and on other blogs http://www.squidoo.com/alzheimers-disease-sup
port I hope everyone has found the support that they need. - Samantha
April 4, 2012 9:43 p.m.
My husband's journey through all this horrific illness ended Feb. 7th. He is finally at peace and the nightmare has ended for him. It is so sad how his family still could not see but a slight change in him, right up to the day of death his daughter asked if they were going to come get him and take him to the dinning room for dinner. Not even a call from his family, they even over ran the funural, I couldn't even bury my husband like I wanted. I will miss him every hour of the day if not minute of the day. He was like a 5 year old child at the last, and I even miss that child along with the wonderful man that he once was. I am greatful for God, that he heard my prayer and the angels wrapped their wings around him and took him to a wonderful place, I long for the day that I will see him again.
- Donna
March 22, 2012 1:32 p.m.
My husband and I are caregivers for his 100 year old mother who has dementia. We are not sure what stage she is in, but will find out soon at the next Dr.'s appt. Caregiving is challenging. but when your loved one has dementia, it requires even more patience. The repetitiveness, hiding things and the forgetfulness are daily occurrences. There are days when she feels that we are the best thing in her life and very thankful for us, the next day she wants to tear up the house, she hates it because we are against her. God bless the families that are doing the best they can to care for their loved ones, it is not easy. Find strength in knowing that when you do the best you can, God will do the rest. : ) Thank you for listening.
- LindaL
March 17, 2012 8:00 a.m.
This is for Leslie who posted in early January. This is the first time I have ever bogged and it is about something near to me now. I was married to a vet for 23 yrs. He was a great husband and father but things started changing. I wrote letters to his doctors and went with him to appts. but due to his young age, in his 50'es at the time, no one would listen to me. We are now divorced with a 21 y/o and 14 y/o and he has been diagnosed with vascular dementia. He was diagnosed at 59 y/o and is now 60. This man is so stong. He has reversed being a diabetic, survived 5 heart bypasses (although 4 of the 5 are now clogged again), survived a heart attack walking in a thunderstorm to the store last May and has now been diagnosed with a 5.5CM aneurysm of the aorta. The VA sent him home to our 21 y/o after being in restraints for 11 days. We had a time even getting him in the house. He had lost all muscle use. She spent a miserable night with him punching her in the eye and falling from the sofa 4 times. There is not an agency willig to help since he does not have insurance. He did get transferred back to the VA hospital. We are at a loss. He has no other family to help. It is so sad and exhausting. I have not worked a 40 hr. week since last May b/c I am always running him to appts. or get a call that he is lost or left the stove on unattended. Then he has a very lucid day and we get a false sense of hope that he really is getting better. Letting U know I understand!
- Shelly
March 12, 2012 6:40 p.m.
I am part of sandwich generation, my parents 83 and 84 now live behind us and we provide care while raising our 15 year old. Our daughter is a godsend, her busy activities are all of our sanity. My father has dementia and from all accounts is in the 6th of 7 stages. Right now he can't speak well, needs assistance toileting, wears depends, and is now having problems feeding himself with a spoon or fork. My mother is primary caregiver with us hiring someone one afternoon a week for her to get out, us assisting on weekends, meals on wheels deliveries and us bathing and shaving him. Without question this isn't easy, fortunately for us his personality is sweet. My mother misses her partner and gets very stressed. We try to make opportunities for her to get breaks. Emotionally I am having a hard time. I try to be strong and just appreciate that he's with us and painfree. However I miss our talks and the essence of my father. I know and see glimpses of him, i find him adorable and have a glimpse of what my grandparents saw as they raised him. A trusting man that reminds me of a sweet young child. Simply i have to care and protect him. But how I yearn to talk with my dad again, and have him care and advise me. I miss the strong father that made me feel so safe. Hopefully I make him feel safe. He trusts me completely. I love you dad very very much.
- Bookmom
March 7, 2012 10:48 a.m.
I stumbled on this site, because of my link with cancer survivors, but now I am also taking care of my 80yr old mother. This has been a struggle since I still work full time, but I am very close to my home, from work. I also have a problem with her taking a shower or bath. She thinks that, "just washing down with a wash cloth" is good enough, but it isn't. Also, the constant arguing of her thinking she can be back at her own home. She doesn't understand that that is not ever going to happen again. Has anyone had any success with telling their parent that you cannot be by yourself...?
- Diane
March 4, 2012 5:58 p.m.
HI I read Linda's question about getting her mother to the doctor etc;. I have a similar problem with my husband who has Dementia. He loves to go out to eat so I tell him after his appointment we will go out to eat. He still complains about going to the doctor but as long as he is going to get a reward this usually works. Diane
- Diane
February 14, 2012 11:49 a.m.
Linda - by the way, I don't want to mislead you - we bathed once per week - it simply wasn't on a regular day because it required multiple approaches so while trying multiple times each day and working toward a routine if it didn't happen on Mon. or Tues. - we'd finally have success on Wednesday.
- Theresa
February 14, 2012 11:43 a.m.
Linda, I understand the life change of leaving career to care for your mom. I too did this for my mother-in-law. When caring full-time bathing was our biggest challenge. I haven't met a person suffering dementia yet that likes water! Requires creative negotiations. My mom-in-law was a bather. I'd fill the tub & warm the room. Using hit/miss creative and multiple approaches each day. I would negotiate including snacks and/or an activity afterward (important to follow-through!) It was always difficult & required multiple attempts, creative tries in approach and even therapeutic fibbing. I chose morning or evening (before dressing or before bedtime). I got everything ready would bring her into the bathroom and my therapeutic fibbing was usually that she asked to bathe and it's ready to go. She always gave push back I would show her the magazines she asked for - why we didn't want to waste water - in the evening she would have wine (grape juice in a plastic wine glass!) and that I would stay to chitchat. Begrudgingly she'd get in. She would be mad as heck through the process - once she said, "I used to love you - I don't love you any more - when I get out of here, I am going to do something miserable to you - I don't know what that is, but it will be miserable you can bet on it." Following each challenging experience - once dry and warm again - it was as though it never happened and most often if AM she would need a nap because it was stressful for her
- Theresa
January 26, 2012 2:50 p.m.
I have two elderly parents, one with stroke (recovered) issues and the second, with Alzheimer's. My Mom diagnosed in June 2009. Needless to say, it is quite a challenge. I blessed because the disease has not progressed to the more severed stage. I believe she loves being in her OWN home, familiar surroundings, her dog & two cats. The doc states she is not getting worse, just more short-term memory loss is being realized. Each day is different. Lately, I am frustrated and angry at times. Mom loves to "hide" things, I now just keep what I want to locate (i.e. coffee/coffe stuff upstairs. It avoids my hunting in the a.m. when I am in hurry to get ready for work. I wonder if anyone out there in blog-land has any suggestions for utilizing Mom's memory?? Games, I've tried puzzles, crosswords, she isnot much interested. Athough, she loves to read. Let me know.
January 16, 2012 5:11 p.m.
I've been caring for my mom for 11 months. I had to leave my job and move from my home to NY in order to do so. It's been lonely and challenging, yet simultaneously magical and rewarding. However, I have one major issue that I have no clue how to deal with. She refuses to go to doctor appointments, the beauty parlor, take a shower, etc. Anything that requires leaving the living room is out of the question. Recently my brother and I asked if she'd take a shower at least once a week, and she responded, "Once a week? Are you crazy? I have to take one at least three times a week!" She has no real awareness she doesn't do these things, or a sense of time. Each morning she says today is the day for the beauty parlor or shower or...whatever...and I say, "OK, let's do it!" Like clockwork, she replies, "Dont rush me. I cannot do it now. Maybe later." But later never comes...I just get the same answer. I had to put her in the hospital in order to get some things checked out since I can't get her to the doctor. Has anyone else had this issue? Does anyone have any suggestions? (She is also legally blind from macular degeneration.)
- Linda
January 14, 2012 3:36 p.m.
I am caring for my wife of 51 years, at home. She was diagnosed with AD five years ago. My biggest problem now is her bladder and bowel incontinence. We have been using insert pads, which help but do not overcome the problem. I would welcome any comments re medication or techniques found to assist in this situation. Mal
- Mal
January 9, 2012 9:59 a.m.
I have been caring for my mom for just 6 months that is compounded by care for my dad related to a hip replacement over the summer. I admire all of those that have been in this situation for years. The main problem I am having is with a sister that lives just 5 miles away. She is a psychotherapist that has compassion for clients but not her family. She has no respect for my efforts and will not talk to me about plans that she has for them. She makes plans for my mom without asking if I think it appropriate or not. Many times the plans are in the evening which is particularly difficult for mom. She becomes completely disoriented and doesn't remember that she has lived in this home for 50 years. I would like to keep mom in at night especially, but that desire is being undermined by my sister. How do you deal with siblings that not only refuse to assist in any manner, but then undermine your efforts?
- Pam
January 8, 2012 8:21 a.m.
I too am a longtime member of the sandwich generation club as primary caregiver for my 86 yr old mom over approximate ten year slow but steady dementia journey. This summer she went from comfortably living at small ALF to hospital after small stroke, then to nursing home one month for rehab. Ugh!-could not settle for 'good enough' care for my mom who deserves 'nothing but the best'. As a nurse, I could not lower my standards. So... on the search again. Found small 3 resident home nearby who could care for her through end of life- perfect. We moved her again Sept 1st. Thankfully she adjusted well, excellent personal care, close enough to visit often and be involved in her care. After about 6 wks there, I was blind-sided with the news home was closing due to financial reasons so for lack of a better alternative, here we are back in her own home (kept for legal reasons) with 24/7 care. Thankfully, because of who she is, she has adjusted well once again. I, on the other hand, am a wreck most days. But because I am committed to see her through this un- asked for journey with dignity, respect, and love there is no turning back. I have 4 sisters who take part but not any more than they have to it seems. This has always been frustrating but in order to keep the peace I just zip it. Did you know there is a silent rule that us caregivers who are also mothers, wives, siblings, friends, employees must always smile, keep calm, stay strong, not show emotion, be present, and carry on ???
- Lori
January 7, 2012 6:52 p.m.
For all of you out there experiencing the challenge of communicating with very emotional loved ones with dementia here is system that helped me. On a sheet of paper make a list of all the emotionally charged/negative/frustrating comments your loved one regularly says. Underneath each of these comments write the most positive comment you can think of. For example, to the comment "You never come see me" it could be "I know Mom, I can't wait for the day when I have more time to spend with you." If they something out in left field that is not true you can say "Boy, I can see that this is really making you upset." Then try to redirect the conversation with a compliment such as "That is a beautiful sweater...it looks so good on you, Mom." These are just simple ideas from teaching young children: acknowledge how the person feels, redirecting, complimenting to change their focus, etc. I started doing this with my own parents and saw results right away. Other families in the Memory Care unit picked up on it and were pleasantly surprised at the difference in their interactions. The reason you write all this down is to practice your responses so that no matter what your loved one says you know what to say and are not caught off guard by your emotions.
- Kathie
January 7, 2012 5:21 p.m.
I am so glad there is others who care for aging parents with dementia.Sometimes I feel so alone and nobody understands.I have cared for mom during the last year as she become worse.During this passed year mom had three homes,her own home/respite at the nursing home which she hated and most of the time with me.Mom I love so dearly,needs 24/7 care.My question is Mom now is in long-term care but I want her home because I know her better than anyone else,she crys for that moment but the next moment forgets.So what do I do??????
- Sandy
January 7, 2012 9:46 a.m.
My Mom is 92 and is in a beautiful assisted living facility. She is 20 min away but has become increasingly demented and at times is quite angry that I do not visit more often. I will be honest that visiting with her is not always pleasant as she is demanding and I often leave feeling as though I can never please her. I am an only child, work full time, married with 3 college age children. My mother often expresses to her nurses that she is jealous of the time I spend with my family and that I don't include her in all of our activities. This is not possible since she does not move well and gets tired easily. Not to mention that she has no filter and says things that are embarrasing. She won't answer her phone but yet complaines that no one calls. I am feeling guilty for not spending time with her but I find that I come home feeling angry, sad, wishing that I could enjoy being with her. My family is supportive but they feel that she is well taken care of and I shouldn't feel that if I don't see her at least once a week I shouldn't feel guilty. I am interested in your insights. Now that my husband and I are empty nesters I would like to spend more time with him. However, my mother makes snide comments about the time I spend time with him instead of her. I have a hard time ignoring these remarks. Thanks!
- Gertie
January 6, 2012 3:05 p.m.
I am so grateful to all of you who write I have learned a lot. New years was great but have all of a sudden hit a block wall again with helucidations and not believing this is his house. How have some of you handled this? I did experience early on before he started taking the aricept over two years ago. I think this brought on by a reaction to a new bladder control medicine it happened so sudden when he had been doing so well.god bless you all!
- Donna
January 6, 2012 10:48 a.m.
To GrannyBunny, I too am a sandwich generation person. When I read your post, tears filled my eyes because I am currently caring for my mother, who is in late stages alzheimers/dementia. I have been her caregiver since my dad passed away Dec 2006. She has lived with me now for nearly 2 years and her disease has progressed to the point of her being completely incapacitated. I get hardly any help from my brother who lives only a few minutes away. My daughter with 3 young children help me as much as possible. I am a real estate broker by career and have lost my builder client because "I have too many personal issues right now". Nearly everyday I feel the resentment and bitterness swelling up within me, because I did not choose this path! At times I feel as though I am loosing everything from relationships to my husband, kids, grandkids, friends and business. Sometimes I don't even feel like myself. I know I hardly smile anymore. I'm just so tired. But being a woman that was raised with values, character, and ethics, in the quiet part of my heart, I do know that what I am doing is the RIGHT thing. When it is all "said and done",I will have no regrets. My prayer for all the caregivers like myself is "Bless us Oh Lord indeed, enlarge the place of our territory, keep your hand upon us, and keep us from harm".
- Jan
January 5, 2012 6:04 p.m.
To Bonnie.... If you "think" you may have problems, you May wat to consider being tested. It doesn't hurt, ad it isn't probably as bad as Fials in your classes.You could clear up your questions and your Fears. Nothing is worse than "getting up in the dark each morning". Life is much less stressful when "the light is on" I know, I have MCI, there are many things to do. Not only for your own health,but your Real Peace of Mind. I have learned one thing so far that has "stuck" when I talk to someone (family or friend) about my DX, they don't know how to respond... now I know why.. it's because it makes them look at their own lives,it makes them look at "Where They are" and "Who They are", and They get scared.(I get it now) I am scared everyday, but my HABITS are going to "keep me Floating for as long as God sees fit. Bless you in your decision in what to do.I am on our 45th class reunion committee and I am busy with the committee (they have no idea) so keep studying, even if you do have MCI you can learn good habits to help you stay active. I just ask that you find an excellent doctor (Mayo is good) and find out what to do after the DX, don't give up on yourself. God Bless all the Caregivers, I did it that too for 9 years with my father, and that memory still is bright as a light.
- Catherine
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Nice rooms. Good service. Wifi doesn't go all the way up to the rooms farthest away, but works fine in the lobby. Breakfast was good, good eggs............................................ .............
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You must earn 10,000 points to post other members' whiteboard
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your wife. Be blessed this day.
I would love to try it, thanks.How's everything going?
fermented ketchup? Is it easy to make and does it taste good?
Nice avatar!
Not mine actually, one of my in-laws'.
Is your avatar a new kitty? We've got three and a new dog.
Approaching Five years on GB keep it up .... ...Be my Raleigh gas buddy..
BlackSheepah..I figure the shepherds watching over Bethleham's flocks must have had at least one BlackSheepah in the flock! ;) Yes, I love puns!
BTW, all our cats have Bible Names: John Aslan reminds me of TheGreatLion..he's 14+# and strong as a lion, too! Mary, calico; long-haired Lil-Beth..leham..or Black Sheepah; and Samuel, my buddy!
Hey, "Erb"...sharp observation, there..12:12:12...... I posted something about the Russian Meteor...Boloid! Thanks for your input! Tom...Maranatha! Our daughter was born while I was leading a hike up to Avalanche Lake; she is here w/ us to help her mother w/ stageIV battle! Thanks4UrPrayz


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Check out our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide, win some awesome gadgets!
Our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide is in full swing - we are adding our recommendations daily, aimed at men, women, teens, families, techies, and more. If you need help figuring out what to get the people in your life, head on over to our Guide for some ideas. We'll even be giving away some of the items featured this year!
First up? We're giving away an iPad mini, Rdio subscriptions, and more!
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2010 Holiday Gift Guide: NeatDesk desktop scanner
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Features, Peripherals, Family, Techies, Under $500
When we wrote up our NeatDesk review a couple months ago, we didn't expect to be an impressed as we were - we had to include it in our 2010 Holiday Gift Guide. Seriously, if you know someone who wants to go all digital and paperless, or someone that just wants to be better organized with their documents, receipts, and business cards, you should consider the NeatDesk. Available both for Mac and PC, the NeatDesk scanner combines with the NeatWorks software (included) to give you one of the most powerful document scanning and organization tools we've ever seen. They normally retail for $500, but Amazon's get the PC version for $358 and the Mac version for $383.
2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Wii Remote Plus
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Handhelds, Home Entertainment, Video Games, Family, Kids, Techies, Under $50
When Nintendo announced Wii Sports Resort at E3 a couple years back, it was in conjunction with the Wii Motion Plus add-on, a Wii Remote attachment that sent much more precise data about how you were moving the remote to the Wii console. It took them a while, but now you can finally ditch that dongle and go with a Wii Remote Plus controller instead. It's the same Wii Remote that you know and (maybe) love, but with the Motion Plus technology built-in, and that's worthy enough of being included in our 2010 Holiday Gift Guide. You can get them from Amazon for $38.99, a 3% savings.
Read More | Wii Remote Plus
2010 Holiday Gift Guide: iHome iB969 Charging Station
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Accessories, USB, Apple, Family, Techies, Under $50
Yesterday we hit you with our iHome iB969 Charging Station review, and we like the product so much that we though it was appropriate to add it to our 2010 Holiday Gift Guide. In a nutshell, this thing can charge four devices at once. We've had it charging an iPod touch, iPhone 4, and Amazon Kindle while also charging and syncing an iPad all at once. It fits nicely on a desk or nightstand and makes a nice gift for a techie or a family with multiple USB and iOS devices. It makes things easy, and that makes it worthy of being a great, inexpensive holiday gift.
You can pick up the iHome iB969 Charging Station now for $59.99, or as low as $41.21 from Amazon.
2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 digital camera
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Cameras, Features, Family, Women, Men, Under $500
If you've got someone on your gift list that needs a new point-and-shoot camera that also takes great video, we'd like to recommend checking out the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7. This is the point-and-shoot that we've been using for the past 8 months or so, and the quality is great. Video recordings look superb in high definition, recorded in AVCHD Lite. You've got a 25mm ultra wide-angle lens with 12x optical zoom, facial recognition, and other bells and whistles. What we love about this camera, though, is that it has GPS built-in to geotag your photos and videos automatically, on the fly, as you take them. The ZS7 retails for $349.95, but Amazon is currently selling them for just $257.82 - a savings of $92.13!
Read More | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Apple TV
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Apple, Features, Home Entertainment, Family, Techies, Under $100
The newly redesigned Apple TV is next up in our 2010 Holiday Gift Guide, and for good reason. You can stream movies, TV shows, photos, and music to the device, and setup just requires plugging it into power, and into your television. A couple minutes later and you're connected to Wi-Fi and streaming Netflix. With iOS 4.2 and the AirPlay feature, you can even send videos and music directly from your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch directly to your television. Mix in HD movies rentals from $3.99 and TV show rentals for $.99 cents, and you have a nice little wireless media extender. You can pick one up now for $99 from Apple, or $98 from Amazon with free shipping.
2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Toy Story 3 Combo Pack
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Home Entertainment, Hot Deals, Movies, Family, Kids, Under $25
It's no secret that Toy Story 3 was one of the biggest animated films of all time, and it's certainly good enough to sit in your collection as well. That's why we've added it to our 2010 Holiday Gift Guide. The Blu-ray combo pack offers the best bang for your buck, since it packs in a copy of the film on Blu-ray, a second Blu-ray disc with special features, another copy of the film on a standard DVD, and finally, a digital copy of Toy Story 3. Basically, this means you get the superb copy for your home theater, the DVD for use in computers or in the car, and the digital copy to watch on computers and portable devices. Even better, while this combo pack normally sells for $45.99, Amazon has it for $24.99, a 46% savings, and they also throw in a $4 credit for Amazon Video on Demand as well. This is a great gift for kids and families alike.
Be sure to check out other Amazon Blu-ray specials.
Read More | Toy Story 3
Holiday Gift Guide 2010: Kinect for Xbox 360
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Accessories, Microsoft, Video Games, Family, Kids, Teens, Under $250
Microsoft's been hyping up Kinect for over a year now, and the motion sensing Xbox peripheral has finally arrived. Our verdict? We love it, and it feels like the future. If you know anyone with an Xbox 360 console who doesn't have Kinect, then we'd recommend putting this one on your gift list. The Kinect sensor costs $149.99, and includes Kinect Adventures, a disc full of mini-games that let you try out a bunch of Kinect's features. You can also do video chat with other Kinect users and Windows Live users as well, and you get voice control over your Xbox 360. Seriously, this is the video game accessory to have this holiday season--especially during your holiday parties with friends and family around.
Aside from the sensor itself, here are a few Kinect games that we think are worth picking up as well:
Dance Central
Your Shape Fitness Evolved
Of course, in order to take advantage of Kinect, you'll need an Xbox 360 console. If you don't already have one, Microsoft is selling consoles bundled with Kinect.
Read More | Kinect
2009 Holiday Gift Guide: Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z280
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Cameras, Features, Family, Women, Men, Under $250
Casio rocks it this year with the Exilim Zoom EX-Z280 digital camera, and we like it enough that we are recommending it in this years gift guide. It sports a dedicated Easy Mode, making it easy enough for pretty much anyone who enjoys pressing buttons to operate, while still maintaining the advanced features for more experienced pros, including ones that you don't typically find on budget-priced digital cameras. One such feature is mechanical (instead of digital) image stabilization, giving you nice clear shots while you stumble around during a holiday party after one-too-many eggnogs, as well as a 4x optical zoom lens. In addition, it shoots video in 720p, so it can even take the place of your Flip-style camcorder. You can grab one now for $173 on Amazon.
Read More | Casio Exilim
2009 Holiday Gift Guide: LG 47LH50
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment, Family, Techies
We wanted to find a nice mid-range HDTV we could recommend this year, and we think the LG 47LH50 is it.This is LG's 47-inch, widget-powered television, and it brings the heat with a 1080p display, and 5.1 surround sound output. Why would you want to output sound from the display? Well, thanks to the Yahoo! widget support, you get things like Netflix, YouTube, and a bunch of other embedded media playback services, including the Vudu streaming movie service. Just connect the LG 47LH50 to your home network, and the content is right at your fingertips. The part, though, is the price. These typically sell for about $1500, but Amazon is selling it for $1,139.
Read More | LG 47LH50 HDV
2009 Holiday Gift Guide: Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Family, Men, Techies, Under $100
The Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player allows you to attach any external hard drive or USB flash drive to the device, which lets you watch videos, listen to music, or even create your own slideshows from your photos, right on your television. The WD TV HD Media Player can accept up to two external drives at once, and supports Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 sound, making it ideal to play movies stored on those devices in glorious 1080p. They typically sell for $129, but Amazon has them for $99.
Read More | Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player
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Obituary of Dr David C. Reisman
The Editorial Board
Large image
His areas of research and publication were in the fields of classical Arabic philology, codicology, the history of ideas in the Islamic world philosophy, history of science and literature.
Some of his recent publications include:
Recently, Dr Reisman was working on:
Dr Reisman's books
Classical Arabic Philosophy: An Anthology of Sources
The Making of the Avicennan Tradition: The Transmission, Contents, and Structure of Ibn Sina's al-Mubahatat (The Discussions)
Before and After Avicenna: Proceedings of the First Conference of the Avicenna Study Group
ISBN: 978 90 04 12978 8This collection of papers addresses a variety of aspects of the life and thought of the medieval philosopher Avicenna including his reception of Classical philosophy, his views on topics such as metaphysics, psychology and medicine. (click here for more information).
Read online: Before and after Avicenna.
Interpreting Avicenna: Science and Philosophy in Medieval Islam. Proceedings of the Second Conference of the Avicenna Study Group
by: The Editorial Board, Thu 20 January, 2011


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Posted: Jan 10, 2013 2:15 PM by CBS News
TAFT, Calif. A student was shot and critically wounded at a rural California high school Thursday and a student suspect was taken into custody, officials said.
The sheriff of Kern County, Calif., says the 16-year-old student who was shot is in critical but stable condition.
Sheriff Donny Youngblood says the shooter is a student who walked into a class at Taft Union High School Thursday morning and shot the teen with a shotgun, and then fired at another student but missed. A teacher suffered a minor pellet wound to the head.
Youngblood says the teacher tried to get other students out a back door, then he and another staff member engaged the shooter in conversation to distract him, and convinced him to put down the gun.
The shooting happened on the second floor of the school's science building around 9 a.m., according to CBS affiliate KBAK in Bakersfield.
As word spread, Dayna Hopper rushed to the school to pick up her son Joseph Sorensen, 16, and daughter, Cheryle Pryor, 15, who had called from Cheryle's cell phone.
"I panicked. I wanted to puke and just get here," Dayna Hopper told The Bakersfield Californian.
KERO-TV Bakersfield reported that the station received phone calls from people inside the school who hid in closets.
The bell had just rung at a nearby school when teachers began shouting for students to get inside buildings, and the principal used an intercom to tell students to stay inside, Felicity Reich, 13, a student at Lincoln Junior High School, told the newspaper.
Shaken, she held the hand of her mother, Ellie Reich, as she spoke.
The student who was shot at the high school was flown to a hospital in Bakersfield, said Ray Pruitt, spokesman for the Kern County Sheriff's Department.
It was not immediately clear how many students are enrolled at the high school, which includes 9th through 12th grades.
Masses of parents headed to the school football field to find their children, and officials at other schools took action to protect their students as well, the newspaper said.
The Taft shooting came less than a month after a gunman massacred 20 children and six women at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., then killed himself.
That shooting prompted President Barack Obama to promise new efforts to curb gun violence. Vice President Joe Biden, who was placed in charge of the initiative, said he would deliver new policy proposals to the president by next week.
At the state Capitol, Assembly Speaker John Perez, D-Los Angeles, said the thoughts and prayers of legislators were with the people at the Taft school.
"It really is just another very sad moment as we deal with the ongoing reality of gun violence that has captured so much of our attention this last year," Perez said.
© 2013 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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If you're not watching "The Good Wife," you should be. It's done something series rarely do—become better in its fifth season than it was in its first and its first was a winner. What started out as an exploration of the woman who stands by her bad man has now started questioning how long that woman will stay good. It's a surprising, thought-provoking, funny, sexy show that is well worth your viewing time.
Thanks to great writing, it's easy to jump into the action this season but here's a quick recap for those of you who haven't been watching since the beginning. The "good wife" of the title is Alicia Florrick (Julianna Marguiles), a lawyer who gave up her career to raise a family and support her state attorney husband Peter (Chris Noth). Peter gets in trouble with the law and his libido, goes to jail and eventually makes a comeback all the way to the governor's mansion. Peter's downfall forces Alicia back to work but it also makes her examine her choices. As she rises through the ranks of law firm Lockhart/Gardner, she has a brief relationship with her former law school flame and current boss, Will Gardner (Josh Charles). Along the way, Alicia tries cases that test her political, social and moral views.
After an uneven season four, when the series unsuccessfully delved into investigator Kalinda's (Archie Panjabi) personal life, "The Good Wife" returns in season five with a major plot shake-up. Alicia and her co-worker Cary Agos (Matt Czuchry), along with most of the senior litigators, secretly plan to start a firm—with clients they steal from Lockhart/Gardner. The scene where Will discovers the secret is explosive and he declares war on his former lover and her new firm.
Has Alicia gone to the dark side? It's not a simple answer and that's what makes this season so compelling. Is she justified in embracing the power of her growing independence? Or are her choices simply a reflection of the worst parts of the firm she is leaving? Alicia takes pleasure in the war with Lockhart/Gardner. It's a battle that has not only revitalized a character who was in danger of becoming stale but given new life to a series that was losing interest in its central conflict.
Previously at stake for Alicia was her identity as it related to her relationship with Peter. Who is she without him? Does her goodness lie in her loyalty? Or in her ability to be a caring mother? After four seasons, the self-esteem crisis played itself out. Now, the conflict is about her moral center. How far will she go?
"The Good Wife" is on Sundays at 9 p.m. EDT on CBS.
Early in the first episode of "Almost Human," Detective John Kennex (Karl Urban), throws his partner out of a speeding car. The unfortunate guy bouncing down the highway is a battle-ready MX-43 android, required partners of all police in the year 2048. Kennex is back on the job after having been in a 17 month coma. All he remembers is that his partner was killed in a horrific attack on their unit and he lost one of his legs which has been replaced with a synthetic limb. Oh, and he really, really hates robots.
"Almost Human" is a police procedural with a cyborg twist. In 2048, cops fight technology savvy criminals with the help of very strong and very logical androids. The MX-43 is the newest generation in robot fighters, having replaced an earlier model which was discontinued due to its emotional responses. Kennex needs a new partner who he won't throw out a moving vehicle so technician Rudy Lom, played by the funny Mackenzie Crook, reanimates one DRN model from the previous generation, in the hope that the android's "almost human" qualities will connect with Kennex.
The DRN, called "Dorian," (Michael Ealy) quickly bonds with his skeptical new partner by demonstrating that he's not merely a machine who looks human. He makes decisions that the MX-43 would consider illogical. He feels empathy and sadness. He has a sense of humor. Ealy plays Dorian with a believable curiosity and longing for a world that he's both part of and apart from. It's not a unique characterization of an android but thanks to Ealy's skill and the reality of Dorian's predicament, it's affective.
Kennex is a little harder to get excited about simply because Urban plays him as the "battle-scarred policeman who secretly has a heart." While it helps the buddy cop dynamic by creating a relationship between two opposite people, it's a typical approach that keeps him from becoming a complex or layered character. Thanks to his leg, Kennex is now part android but his search for his humanity needs more depth. He either needs to fight his synthetic self more or embrace its benefits. Where Dorian's conflict feels passionate, Kennex's feels a little lifeless.
Typical of a police procedural, the action follows the duo as they investigate crimes and so far, their cases are entertaining. In the second episode, they solve a murder involving sex-bots who are just what they sound like. What's slightly less successful is Kennex's awkward crush on Detective Valerie Stahl (Minka Kelly), but I suspect their relationship will grow as the series develops. The show also needs more tech. One of the best parts of stories set in the future is all the cool things people can do. "Almost Human" wants to ground itself in a future reality rather than a future fantasy. It's not a bad thing but definitely not as fun as it could be.
"Almost Human" is on Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on Fox.
Now I like a bargain but compared to the savers on "Extreme Cheapskates," I am a complete amateur. And also, I'm not crazy. Yes, it would be nice to save money on toiletries but I draw the line at sharing my piece of floss with my husband. This is apparently not a line that extreme cheapskates draw—something I learned after watching a cheap couple's bathroom routine on this show from TLC. First, they take a two minute shower together to save money on their water bill. (Not too crazy). But then they use the same razor to shave and later, the same toothbrush. The wife also lathers her shampoo first and then throws some suds onto the husband's head so they collectively use a tiny amount to wash their hair. (Getting a little crazier). By the time they get to the shared floss, I've decided they are full on cray-cray and I'm completely hooked on this series.
The people on "Extreme Cheapskates" don't just tell, they show and showing the extremes they will go to save money is funny, surprising and sometimes kind of gross. There's the woman who pees in a jar so she doesn't have to flush her toilet and the guy who reuses paper towels by hanging them on a clothesline to dry inside his house. In what appears to be a recurring theme, this man also reuses his dental floss.
Like most reality series that feature the word extreme in the title, "Extreme Cheapskates" pulls the curtain back on the habits of eccentric characters. What's missing is a little background information. What compels these people to obsess over every penny that they spend? Their back stories would make their over the top behavior more relatable. Everyone can appreciate frugality but really, how much are you actually saving on floss per year? (Just think what the extreme cheapskates could accomplish if they hooked up with the extreme couponers!).
Occasionally, the cheapskates have ideas that on another show would be celebrated as saving the environment. The reusable dental floss man also reuses coffee grounds to create a window cleaner. But then, he takes his wife out for ice cream and instead of buying a cone, he asks for samples until he's full. It's mostly a set-up for the cameras but you have to laugh at the confidence it takes to pull it off with a straight face and seemingly no shame. Finding his behavior funny is the whole point.
Unlike other extreme behaviors featured on reality TV (hoarding for example), none of the people on this show seem to be in danger of ruining their lives or relationships. Their loved ones accept them as they are and have a laugh. Being cheap, even in the extreme, is pretty harmless. Do I need to know that a dishwasher can be used to wash clothes and my toothbrush? Or a binder clip is useful to cinch a decade old pair of shorts that have stretched to five times their original size? No. But do I want to know? Well, maybe…It could put some extra money in my pocket and make my next bargain that much more satisfying.
"Extreme Cheapskates" is on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. EDT on TLC.
"Dracula," the latest version of vampires on TV has taken things old school—all the way back to Vlad the Impaler. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers plays Vlad who, after being cursed by a shady group of priests, is reawakened by Abraham Van Helsing in Victorian London. Van Helsing, the legendary vampire hunter, has a plan to destroy a secret order of vampire hunters made up of London's rich and powerful who he blames for the death of his family. In the spirit of self-preservation, Vlad cooperates. Hiding in plain sight, he reinvents himself as American entrepreneur Alexander Grayson. He wants two things: To light up the night with electricity and to take down the order. Then he meets a woman who seems to be the reincarnation of his long dead wife Mina. It's romance, revenge and um…science.
Turning an iconic character into an ambitious businessman (he seems to be inventing wireless light bulbs at one point) out for blood (literally) is a very modern take on Bram Stoker's story that at first, feels a little odd. But if you can get past the idea of Dracula as a corporate raider, the choice works. It wouldn't be very original to have him simply hunt and kill everyone. So, Grayson sets out to destroy the very wealthy men of the secret order in the only way that really matters. He ruins them financially which for some, has devastating consequences on their personal lives.
But "Dracula" doesn't get too carried away with its twisty interpretation. There's plenty of blood, fangs, sex and killing of random, hapless victims in the streets of 19th century London. Rhys-Meyers makes Grayson dangerous but alluring and doesn't disappoint when it comes to seduction, which is the cornerstone of any successful vampire story. In fact, he's good enough that I can forgive him for his questionable American accent.
At the heart of the story is Grayson's desire for the beautiful Mina Murray (Jessica De Gouw), who he believes is his dead wife come back to him. Mina is modern and charming and engaged to Jonathan Harker (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) who Grayson has employed in order to keep Mina in his life. Their scenes allow Rhys-Meyer's to be at his smoldering best.
I think the most entertaining vampire stories find a balance between monster and man so that you root for the man even while cringing from the monster. "Dracula" does this thanks to Rhys-Meyers but it also owes a lot to Nonso Anozie who plays Renfield. A mental patient in Stoker's story, he is here cast as Grayson's right-hand man. On one level, Renfield is a symbol of Grayson's liberal outsider status but he is also comic relief and confidant. He gives Dracula just enough humanity to make you like him.
"Dracula" is on Fridays at 10 p.m. EDT on NBC.
The phrase "historically accurate drama" belongs nowhere near the CW network, home to sexy teens of the supernatural and socially privileged varieties, so it should come as no surprise that the network's new series "Reign" is not a strictly factual account of the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. This Queen (Adelaide Kane), in true CW style, is a pretty teenager surrounded by other pretty teenagers who all live in a castle and get to wear great clothes. There are also murderous plots, secret trysts, dire predictions from none other than Nostradamus and a spy who may be a spirit or who may be a little girl who likes to wear a sack on her head. It's Mary, Queen of Scots, the soap opera.
The real Mary had a fascinating and sad life that doesn't need melodramatic embellishments to turn it into good television so it's kind of disappointing that the first prime time network series devoted to telling it has made the decision to treat it like an episode of "Gossip Girl." But, the CW knows its audience so maybe it's more surprising that a network devoted to all things "sexy teen" would take on a historical figure in the first place. It's a bold move but does it work?
Surprisingly, I think it does because the emotional side of Mary's story makes the show interesting and the (very) loose historical interpretation, while not for purists, makes the show fun. Raised in a convent, Mary is engaged as a child to Francis (Toby Regbo), the future king of France. Once she is of age, she arrives at French court to marry him, but Francis has cold feet. France and England are allies. The English want Mary dead so they are free to control Scotland. Suddenly, Francis isn't so sure that a French/Scottish alliance is in his country's best interest. It's Mary, Queen of Scots, with boyfriend trouble.
But it's also Mary, Queen of Scots, enemy of just about everyone, including her future mother-in-law Queen Catherine (Megan Follows). The Queen wants her out because Nostradamus predicted she would be the death of Francis. In an early attempt to get rid of her potential daughter-in-law, Catherine sets Mary up to be raped in order to destroy her virtue and subsequent marriage to her son. The plot fails thanks to a warning from the mysterious sack-clothed girl.
So Mary spends most of the series dealing with the idea that she is constantly in danger. It provides a lot of opportunity for fun, soapy melodrama but it also adds an emotional element namely, what it means to live with the knowledge that people want you dead. Her scenes may be set to a moody pop soundtrack ready made for iTunes but Kane does a good job depicting Mary's fear and anxiety, even if it sometimes feels like she made a wrong turn on the catwalk and found herself on a period drama.
"Reign" is on Thursdays at 9 p.m. EDT on the CW.
In a past review, I wondered how so many people could enjoy "Dancing with the Stars." I didn't get the appeal or what could possibly make viewers, like my parents, love it so much that they would ask if they could call me back if I phoned them while it was on. Since I still don't pay attention to the night and time that it's broadcast, I'm pretty sure I've crossed the no call zone plenty of times. Now they just screen my number.
My parents aren't alone in their devotion. If the angry emails I received after my "I don't get this show" column are anything to go by, there are many of you who are Team DWTS. Still, I wasn't convinced. The silly paddle scoring, Bruno's over the top judging style, stiff former athletes making ballroom dancing look like a bad version of the 'robot.' Please. Make. It. Stop. Then I saw the ratings numbers for the season 17 premiere and had a rethink. Can more than 16 million people be wrong? More importantly, could I?
With so many new and returning series to occupy my reviewing time, I try not to revisit a show very often. Then I saw the list of this season's stars and I thought Snookie? Really? But if anyone deserves credit for a savvy image makeover, it's her. Learning the cha cha along with Snookie this season are the usual mix of athletes, people from the Disney Channel I don't know, other reality show stars and actors who haven't been on screen as much as they used to be, along with dance professionals who in some cases have become bigger celebrities than their partners.
Despite my need to fast-forward through Carrie Ann, Len and Bruno's comments (there's only so much Bruno I can take) and my hope that Brooke Burke-Charvet would turn into Cat Deeley from "So You Think You Can Dance," or at least try to imitate her carefree hosting style, I managed to get through an entire episode. And I kind of liked it—not because the costumes are glittery (although that's fun) or that so many of the male professional dancers can't find shirts with buttons (again, not a bad thing) or for the star spotting in the audience (J Lo was there!). I realized that I liked the storyline. It's cliché but it's also uplifting which is exactly what I need after watching the final episodes of "Breaking Bad." Every star's reason for being on "DWTS" is a version of "conquering your fears" and "living life to the fullest," making the show feel like a motivational infomercial with dance numbers. Listening to their premier episode interviews, I learned that Leah Remini wants to prove something to herself. Amber Riley wants to prove something to large size women. Jack Osbourne wants to prove something to those with and without Multiple Sclerosis. Elizabeth Berkley wants to prove that she can (finally!) move past "Show Girls" while Nicole "Snookie" Polizzi wants to prove that she's not the hot mess she was on "Jersey Shore." Valerie Harper wants to prove that life doesn't stop even in the face of a terminal cancer diagnosis.
It's a convincing narrative and in Harper's case, an undeniably inspiring one. The dance routines weren't bad either. Some were even pretty good. Of course, the stars with backgrounds in dance have a built-in advantage and while that might guarantee a high number on the paddles at the judges' table, it's not a lock on the audience vote. There was something about Bill Nye, the Science Guy's clumsy performance that made me like him even more than his "I am but a humble geek" persona. Maybe the spirit of dance is about healing, as Harper said, or maybe it's just about getting out there. Either way, I may just watch the finale.
"Dancing with the Stars" is on Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.
Just when I thought I was done telling you about shows featuring spooky towns, ABC Family drags me back in with "Ravenswood," the tale of yet another cursed town that wants to give "Sleepy Hollow" a run for its money. Ravenswood is not too far from Rosewood, the town where all the attractive girls from "Pretty Little Liars" live. In this spin-off, Caleb Rivers (Tyler Blackburn) and Miranda Collins (Nicole Anderson) go to Ravenswood because Miranda wants answers from the uncle who sent her to foster care after her parents died. In an effort to establish a simple connection between the two series, Caleb says something in voice over about his "Pretty Little Liars" girlfriend Hannah wanting him to look after Miranda but that's as far as the two shows are connected and it quickly becomes unimportant. It's also not important to know that Caleb was the "bad boy" of "Pretty Little Liars." I only know this because I read his character bio on that show's website. But if I hadn't, I could have guessed by his haircut which practically shouts "rebel." On this show however, Caleb is less bad boy and more amateur sleuth as he and Miranda try to figure out the mystery of why her uncle and the town in general are so creepy.
"Ravenswood" understands its genre and wastes no time using camera angles to create the suspense and surprise you would expect from a horror story. When Caleb takes a bath and glances up at the shower curtain, you know it's not going to end well. Ditto when Miranda is curled up on a couch looking through a photo album in a room full of Victorian pictures and dolls. Did you guess that the house where all this happens is also a funeral home?
Rounding out the town's teens are Luke Matheson (Brett Dier), his sister Olivia (Merritt Patterson) and his girlfriend Remy Beumont (Britne Oldford). When we meet Luke and Olivia, they are watching their mother desperately cleaning their father's gravestone. Someone has spray painted "black widow" on it. Remy wants to be there for Luke but her father, the editor of the local newspaper, is having none of it. When Caleb and Remy have a chat over coffee, she tells him: "We have a different kind of ordinary in this town." And with that foreshadowing, we've been warned.
In "Ravenswood," a town where a devastating flood killed most of its residents way back when, curtains move in windless rooms, bathtub faucets turn themselves on, a woman who got her styling tips from the girl in "The Ring" makes regular appearances and Miranda's uncle Raymond Collins (Steven Cabral) is who Eddie Muenster would have looked like all grown-up. In a different show with a different stylist, Raymond might be the guy in the club surrounded by much younger women and bottles of champagne. But this is a horror story and Raymond is a curt, surly funeral director who is keeping a secret.
And he's not the only one. Why do teenagers seem to die in groups shortly after one of the town's enlisted military personnel survive a tragedy in the field? Why are Caleb and Miranda's likenesses and names on the tombstones of people who died a hundred years ago? Why does everyone, including Luke, think his mother killed his father?
Despite all the you-can-see-it-coming scares, this series is solid enough to make you want to stick around and find answers to these questions. The acting has enough teen sarcasm not to take itself too seriously and the chemistry between the characters works. Toward the end of the first episode, Miranda has had enough and they decide to leave. When her and Caleb are delayed she says: "I guess we're not making that bus. He answers: "We'll catch the next one." Oh, somehow I think you won't…
"Ravenswood" is on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. EDT on ABC Family.
In honor of Halloween, this week's column is about to get spooky. I've got a man with no head to talk about, shadowy demons and gruesome murders. They all appear in a little town called Sleepy Hollow which in Fox's new version, is less quaint hamlet and more ground zero for the arrival of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. This isn't your mother's Washington Irving.
"Sleepy Hollow" is a clever re-telling of the classic story because it combines mystery with adventure and adds a good dose of humor. It's a procedural-monster-of-the-week detective story with a larger biblical/historical mythology and lots of buddy cop moments. It owes a lot to "Grimm" which owes a lot to the "X Files." The success of "Once Upon a Time" has helped as well by bringing audiences into the world of highly re-imagined fictional characters.
In this version of Irving's classic, Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison) is resurrected in present day Sleepy Hollow along with his headless nemesis who has been promoted from a cranial challenged murderer to a member of the four man apocalypse team. Crane meets Detective Abbie Mills (Nicole Beharie) who is on her way out of small town Sleepy Hollow to the big leagues of the FBI. She suspends her plans after she witnesses the headless horseman murder her boss by cutting off his head (naturally). So when she meets Crane, his resurrection/apocalypse story is suddenly not so crazy. It also forces her to revisit an event she's suppressed all her life. Abbie and her sister Jenny (Lyndie Greenwood) saw a demon in the woods when they were teenagers. The events surrounding Crane's appearance convince her to investigate the mystery, try and repair her damaged relationship with Jennifer and face what is perhaps, her destiny.
The central premise of the series is this: If headless is reunited with his head, his three friends will arrive in Sleepy Hollow along with the end of the world. Paving the way are various demons who inflict horrors on the unsuspecting people of the town. Crane and Mills must fight the monster of the week while solving a larger mystery that dates to the founding fathers. Will they figure it out before the horseman finds his head? More importantly, will Crane ever change out of his 18th century clothes?
Putting a modern day twist on Ichabod Crane's encounter could have been really silly and "Sleepy Hollow," as many critics before me have pointed out, is kind of silly. But, it works because it has a good blend of charm and emotional story points. For every scene of Ichabod being comically surprised by modern day technology (the windows in the car rise and fall by touching a button!) or an overall mythology that feels like a supernatural storytelling mash-up (witches and demons and spirits, oh my!), there is a scene of emotional authenticity that makes everything feel less silly. You care about Abbie and Jenny as they learn to trust one another again. And thanks to Mison's talents you even care about poor Ichabod's wife Katrina (Katia Winter), a good witch trapped in purgatory by the chief demon. Will they ever be reunited? Treat yourself and tune in to find out.
"Sleepy Hollow" is on Mondays at 9 p.m. EDT on Fox.
The idea of adult children still living with their parents is a popular comedy theme in film and television so it's only fair that the reverse is having a moment. This season, two comedies took on the premise of parents moving in with their children. While "Dads" is predicted to have an early retirement, "The Millers" is showing more promise thanks to solid performances from Margo Martindale and Will Arnett.
Arnett is Nathan Miller, a newly divorced 'man on the street' reporter for a local television station. When he breaks the news of his divorce to his parents, his father Tom (Beau Bridges) decides to leave his mother Carol (Martindale), reasoning that he too no longer needs to be stuck in an unhappy marriage. Carol moves in with Nathan and Tom stays with Nathan's sister Debbie (Jayma Mays), her husband Adam (Nelson Franklin) and their daughter. Nathan, with a lot of encouragement from his friend and co-worker Ray (J.B. Smoove), is looking forward to the perks of being single. Carol is looking forward to controlling even more of Nathan's life.
The Millers have been married for 43 years so their divorce leaves both Carol and Tom a little lost but also free to more openly express their hostility toward one other. So Tom may not know how to use the remote controls at Debbie's house but when Carol chastises him for eating a pile of tater tots at four in the afternoon, he is now free to tell her that it's actually his third plate of the day and then rattle off one or two insults for good measure.
There's humor in Tom and Carol's snarky back and forth but it often comes across as more mean-spirited than playful. More successful are Nathan's interactions with his ex-wife Janice played by Eliza Coupe ("Happy Endings"). Arnett and Coupe know how to deliver a snide remark with just enough bitterness to keep it funny. Here's hoping Janice makes regular appearances.
Nathan is a little insecure about his new single status and Ray is the smooth friend who wants to help him out with words of wisdom about the ladies and other life advice. I guess Nathan needs a male friend who isn't as dorky as his brother-in-law but for me, Ray's quips don't add much to the show.
There's much more humor to be mined from Nathan's relationship with Carol. Here, Arnett mostly plays the straight man to Martindale and his job is to express dismay and disbelief over Carol's controlling behavior. She is a master manipulator and Nathan is her favorite so their dynamic makes up much of the show's comedy. She tells Nathan that he needs to deal with his ex about a family matter or she will since they never got to have an "exit interview." It's a funny threat purely thanks to Martindale's deadpan delivery. She has a great ability to be sinister and harmless in the same breath.
"The Millers" love one another but never get too sappy about it which keeps their family dysfunction likeable. Tom has become less of a bumbling idiot since the first episode which is a welcome change but Jayma Mays as Debbie needs more moments to display the comedy skills she showed in her work on "Glee."
Everyone can imagine their own version of "The Millers." So far, this version looks like a winner.
"The Millers" is on Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. EDT on CBS.
Much of the critical response to ABC's new comedy "Super Fun Night" has expressed disappointment over the show's reliance on fat jokes delivered by the main character Kimmie Boubier, played by Rebel Wilson. Wilson made a name for herself in the film "Bridesmaids" and as the character Fat Amy in the movie "Pitch Perfect." She's not a size two and much of her humor is self-deprecating references to her body shape. In the first episode of the show, Kimmie, a lawyer, rushes down the hall yelling "This better be for real!" She is running because one of her colleagues tweeted that there are jelly doughnuts in the break room. There's also a joke about sweaty Spanx and the episode ends with a scene of Kimmie trying desperately to get her Spanx on.
Is a fat joke acceptable when the person delivering it is overweight? Or is that form of preemptive control (if I make fun of myself, others can't) just a poor excuse for lazy comedy? Is Wilson taking the easy way out by essentially making fun of herself?
Wilson is unapologetic about using her size in her comedy and has been quoted as saying: "As long as I look like this, I'm going to make fat jokes." This is her right and you have a right to either find it funny or tiresome.
I don't find it as tiresome as many of my fellow critics because the humor in "Super Fun Night" is a (little) more than its jelly doughnut jokes suggest. I will admit that it's hard to classify Kimmie's frantic rush for baked goods as anything more than a not so subtle fat joke but the Spanx punchlines are more universal. There are lots of thin women who wear Spanx and any woman, of any size, who has ever tried to put on this body shaping underwear will get the joke.
My problem with "Super Fun Night" is that the show does little in the way of giving us interesting and funny women characters, large size or small. Kimmie's two best friends are Helen-Alice (Liza Lapira) and Marika (Lauren Ash). One is uptight and one is a little rough around the edges. They are both socially awkward and pretty unoriginal. Also cliché is the resident mean girl character who shows up in the form of fellow lawyer Kendall (Kate Jenkinson). She sets out to mess with Kimmie because she is jealous of the attention she gets from their handsome British colleague Richard (Kevin Bishop).
The "Super Fun Night" of the title refers to a weekly get together where Kimmie and her friends pull ideas from a can for a fun night out with the rule that whatever they pick they have to do. The idea is to put themselves out there, take some risks, try new things and have fun. The conceit is a set-up for comedy scenarios–the first fun night is at a piano bar where Kimmie enters a singing competition—but it also makes Kimmie likeable because her vulnerability isn't just about her weight. Then again, after she conquers her stage fright (but loses the contest), she makes a joke about ordering a large number of "consolation pizzas." Wilson is talented and I think "Super Fun Night" would be better without all the weight related gags but in the meantime, less expected female characters who could carry some of the comedy workload would be a more welcome change.
"Super Fun Night" is on Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. EDT on ABC.


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September 15, 2011
How To Choose What To Plant For Biofuel
If one of the goals of growing plants for biofuel is to be kinder to the environment than you are by extracting oil from the earth, you wouldn't want to plant anything that could be harmful to the environment. But how could a plant harm the environment? Well, it could become invasive, outcompeting native species, altering the habitat and driving other species into extinction. The damage from and control of invasive plants already costs the United States more than $34 billion each year, according to one estimate. Bioenergy shouldn't add to that number.
Recognizing this potential for danger, a group of biologists at the University of Florida recently set out to predict whether a dozen species being considered for biofuel cultivation could become invasive. Their study appears in Biomass and Bioenergy.
The researchers note that the characteristics that make a plant attractive as a biofuel source—high productivity, low input requirements, wide breadth of habitat—overlap with those of non-native invasive species. And when the biologists analyzed a dozen non-native species using an assessment system already used by Australia and New Zealand for more than a decade, only four species (miscantus, plume grass, sugarcane and sweet sorghum) had acceptable scores. Seven other species were rated as likely to become invasive, and the last needed further evaluation.
These results may be surprising to the people who proposed these species as biofuels because nearly all of the plants have been grown in Florida for decades for ornamental or agricultural purposes. And they may think, therefore, that this study can be ignored. But growing a tree in a garden is not the same thing as growing acres of them for regular harvesting. "Cultivation of large acreages of a species previously cultivated and introduced in low numbers over relatively low acreages, might so significantly alter propagule press that shifts in dispersal and colonization frequency occur," the scientists write. In other words, growing something in large numbers can create the opportunities necessary for the species to take off and grow in even larger numbers in places you never intended.
And that has happened in the past. In Australia, for example, people grew a type of ornamental tree called Mimosa pigra for at least 60 years with no problems. But when the tree was moved to a new riparian habitat—the land near rivers or streams—the tree quickly became invasive; it's now one of Australia's worst invasive plants.
Not that long ago biofuels were touted as the easy solution to our energy future. We now know that's not the case. And this study shows that it's even more complex that we thought.
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[...] other species were rated as likely to become invasive, and the last needed further evaluation. READ MORE Full [...]
Wonderful to hear that Sweet Sorghum had an acceptable scoring. It's been cultivated for a long time in the U.S. for the production of Sorghum Syrup, so that gives somewhat of a baseline for how it will perform as a successful biofuel crop. I've been working over the past year on SORGANOL and am in the process of updating the website and starting a blog. SORGANOL is a process that utilizes the SorCane Harvester and Mobile BioRefinery Unit to produce Hydrated Fuel Ethanol right on the farm. The process is sustainable, carbon neutral and economical. The harvester presses out the juice, feeds it into a tank wagon and lays pressed stalks back on the field. This resolves the problems of biomass transport. It's a brilliant concept designed by Mr. Lee McClune of Knoxville, Iowa.
So from this article and my own intelligence its seems fairly correct to conclude that the problem is not biofuels or these specific plants themselves, but the problem is monoculture and the industrialization of horticultural practices, and in some instances the inappropriate habitat location of certain species.
If the only current way to create biofuels being studied is from a centralized/commercialized and largely industrialized process then this is also part of the problem.
Biofuel production technology needs to be innovated in such a way that it serves individuals and small locally based cooperatives in meeting their energy needs from their own immediate plant/ecosystem based resources with out any necessity or dependence on fossil fuel based shipping/transportation or unethical business/monetary hierarchical structures.
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It's raining men at 3TV! Chippendales dancers take center studio
Other Slide Shows
- Obama: Make Mandela's life work your own
- Maricopa Mugs: Dec. Arrest Photos Volume 1
- 'Hoarder fire' guts Glendale home; woman's hair caught fire in escape
- Photos: NFL games in the snow
- Cardinals beat Rams 30-10 to end NFC West skid
- Photos: Scottsdale nightlife, Dec. Vol. 1


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Congratulations on posting 2700 consecutive days, that's dedication. Y.B. Shep
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Ok guys. It's a week and two days since I've had the bottles first sitting on my shelf. It's high time things got started and boy are we off and running.
First off let me start by giving a huge shout out the AMS/FRL. You guys make great products and I relish the opportunity to do a cycle log or you whenever I get the chance. With that said, I've only done one other but I've used their products several times.
I love 5-Alpha Test. It's a favorite if mine from past cycles. I'm very interested in DecaSARM. Reading up on it, this should be a fun cycle. My dosing will be one pill five times a day alternating between each. This will give me a nice and round 30 days.
First impressions are big with a new product and that's one thing I love about the minty sublingual tabs. Huge fan of mints. Huge fan of steroids that work. It's a match made in heaven.
Given the name of this stack, this cycle's will be a bit of misnomer. I'm technically going through my strength/bulk phase already as I am looking to do my next comp next spring. As such, I've got until the first of the year to get as big as possible before having to cut down again. Although this is supposed to be a cutting stack, I'm hoping this will turn into a nice lean bulk.
My training split is a modified 531 scheme using HIT for my auxiliary exercises: 7 week rotation, 6 rep scheme PR weeks in a row followed by a deload week. Training is as follows:
Bench, Rows, Curls
Squats, Hams
Overhead Press, Dips, Calves
Deadlifts, Pullups, Lunges
My 531 scheme goes like this: warm-up, rep scheme, PR set, first rep scheme set to failure. I'm in my third week so far and I'm really liking what I'm seeing and the numbers I'm putting up. I've only got 20-30 minutes to lift so this scheme lets me get in and get out without thinking too much. I've got the weights programmed into a spreadsheet on Google Drive. So I don't even have to think about that. I just do what it says.
As for diet, plenty of protein and try to hit 4000 cals a day.


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A former New York Times in-house attorney joins Jenner & Block's New York office; Zuckerman Spaeder adds a former Manhattan federal district court judge; and K&L Gates makes its first partner hire Down Under since its merger with Australian firm Middletons took effect. The Churn is constant. Please send all announcements to firstname.lastname@example.com.
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The Churn: Lateral Moves and Promotions in The Am Law 200
The Am Law Daily
January 8, 2013
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We had the voice of Jesus, Alec Sulkin on this episode. Yes it's true, Alec writes, produces and performs the voice of Jesus for Family Guy. Alec was feeling charitable and spent 90-minutes with us for the 4th time and even judges our Twitter contest which generated hundreds of entries. During the interview, we get answers to the following questions… Where does Alec go on a 1st date? Does Alec use Twitter to find dates? Has he ever sent a penis camera phone pic to a lover? Who does Alec pick to win our best tweet contest? Does Alec participate in our Karaoke Challenge and if so what song does he sing? When Alec dies, what would he like to be remembered for? All of that plus Alec describes what he does while taking a shit.
Follow us all on Twitter. @thesulk, @theNuzzy, @theguy, @littleboatjack & @decentlyfunny… download all of our shows Decently Funny on iTunes, listen to us on the go with our mobile app at Stitcher.com/DecentlyFunny and at home on DecentlyFunny.com.