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Anytime Bread Pudding Recipe
The following recipe is from the January 28th edition of our weekly recipe newsletter. To receive this newsletter in your inbox, sign up here!
Nicole Rees, author of Baking Unplugged, calls this dish "anytime" bread pudding because she loves to serve it for breakfast or brunch. It makes sense, really: It's hard to eat very much of this beautiful dessert at the end of a big meal, but you can afford to take a heaping serving on an empty stomach.
Rees includes instructions for a sour cherry and amaretto version, perfect for your next champagne brunch.
- Yield:9 servings
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup dark rum
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
- 4 large eggs
- 1 (1-pound) artisan bread loaf, preferably sourdough, cut into 1-inch squares (about 6 cups)
In a medium saucepan, heat the milk with raisins over medium heat until the milk is very warm but not boiling. Pour into a large bowl and whisk in the cream, sugar, rum, vanilla, and nutmeg. Whisk in the eggs until smooth. Stir in the bread chunks, making sure that all the pieces are submerged. Let stand at room temperature, covered, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is absorbed, 45 minutes to 1 hour. (Alternatively, you may place the bread-custard mixture into the prepared baking dish, cover with plastic wrap, place a plate on top of the plastic wrap, weight down with a few cans, and refrigerate overnight. Allow to warm up for 30 minutes at room temperature before baking.)
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Butter a 9"-square baking dish. Spoon the bread mixture into the baking dish and cover with a sheet of butter aluminum foil. Set the baking dish in a shallow roasting pan. Place the roasting pan in the oven; pour enough hot water into the pan to come halfway up the side of the baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes or until the center is a little wobbly in the center when juggled. Remove the foil and bake for 20 minutes more. Do not overbake—bread pudding will set upon cooling. Cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack. Serve warm or cold.
Sour Cherry Amaretto Bread Pudding
Substitute 1/2 cup sour dried cherries for the raisins, reduce the vanilla extract to 1 1/2 teaspoons, add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, and substitute 1/4 cup amaretto for the dark rum.
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Bike Forums - View Single Post - quad pain hiking down hill - could this be related to commuting too much?
quad pain hiking down hill - could this be related to commuting too much?
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a little late, but still good info
Sorry i'm a bit late to this thread, but i've got some thoughts that might clear up some problems like those Buzzbee has. It's a very similar problem to what I sometimes experience, and it's a combination of "too much" cycling and sitting and not enough other exercises.
The position a bike puts you into never fully stretches your hip flexors and two other muscles (the ones that cause me the most problems), the rectus femoris and the sartorius. Both of these muscles are involved in knee extension, but since they cross the hip, during cycling, they are never fully lengthened (since you're bent forward). If you spend enough time sitting (on a bike, chair, car, etc.), they will shorten. When you then perform an exercise the requires them to be maximally lengthened, like during the eccentric contractions involved with downhill walking/running, they end up getting overstretched. This ultimately leads to minor damage and, subsequently, sometimes debilitating cramping. The reason it normally doesn't happen when going uphill is because you're leaning forward a bit and the leg doesn't quite stretch those muscles out all the way. For Buzzbee anyway, I highly doubt that it's anything nerve related or referred pain, because generally that would affect everything downstream of that nerve (toes, foot, calf, etc). Sometimes general physicians aren't used to problems experienced by active people and forget Occam's Razor.
Like an earlier commenter, I've realized that this is more likely to happen to me when i'm traveling. I don't think its so much that i'm not getting my normal workouts, but I theorize that it's because I spend an extended period of time sitting in a car or airplane seat, which further shortens those muscles and makes them more susceptible to being overstretched when I do something more strenuous.
The best way to prevent this from happening, without cutting back on cycling or sitting, is to keep the muscles used to acting through their full range of motion. Stretching obviously will help. Quad stretches, lunge stretch, etc. Also doing things like running and resistance training exercises that work them will help. Good luck everyone!
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Isaiah Greer
|Johnson City, Tenn./Science Hill HS
2013 Cross Country: Finished 11th at the Belmont Opener in the 5K (16:06.03s)... Placed ninth at the Erik Anderson/Runners Soul XC Invitational in the 8K (26:26.5s)... Finished 25th at the Atlantic Sun Championships in the 8K (26:24.7s).
2013 Track and Field: Finished second at the Samford Multi and Invitational in the 5000 meters (15:34.92)... 4x400-meter relay team won with a time of 3:33.45 at the Margaret Simmons Invitational... Finished second in the 1500 meters at the Margaret Simmons Invitational (4:12.39).
2012 Cross Country: Took a redshirt during 2012 season...
2012 Track and Field: Distance Medley Relay team won at the Tennessee State Invitational (10:31.93s)... Finished third at the Atlantic Sun Indoor Championships in the 5000 meters (15:04.19)... Won the 3000-meter steeplechase at the BSC 'Southern Invitational (9:35.58)... Also finished second in the 1500 meters (4:05.05).
2011 Cross Country: Second-team All-Conference... Atlantic Sun Academic All-Conference... Posted conference-best five-kilometer mark of 15:23.00s at the Powerade Invite (Sept. 9)... Lipscomb-best 8K run of 25:03.02s at the Erik Anderson Invite, where he finished 12th out of 254 runners... Earned first-ever A-Sun Runner of the Week award for that performance... Led Lipscomb at the A-Sun Championships (25:44.56s) and the NCAA South Regional (32:33.30s).
2011 Track and Field: Part of three top-five distance medley teams and set a career-best in the mile run... Finished ninth at the A-Sun Indoor Championships in the mile run with a 4:20.90s mark... Was part of fourth-place distance medley team with a season-best 10:28.48s run... Set a personal-best in the 5000m run at the Birmingham-Southern Invitational with a 15:31.01s mark... Followed that up a week later at the Shamrock Invitational with a 9:45.57s 3000m steeplechase mark.
2010 Cross Country: Competed in seven meets during his sophomore campaign, posting two top-20 finishes... At the Belmont Opener, finished 11th with a 16:02.10 mark... Followed that up with a 14th-place, 26:33 run at Vermont... 25:25 mark at the Willamette Invitational was season-best in the 8K event; he finished 62nd... Finished 54th at the Atlantic Sun Championships, with a 26:51.96 mark.
2010 Track and Field: Member of excellent medley relay teams that picked up two wins... First victory came at the Niswonger Invite as part of a 10:21.87s run... Set season-best mile run at the Hoosier Hills, finishing 12th with a 4:21.93s run... Part of gold-medal winning distance medley team at the A-Sun Indoor Championships with a 10:05.55s mark... Set three personal-bests during outdoor season, beginning with a win in the 1500m run at the Austin Peay Spring Fling with a 3:59.32s... Finished ninth at the Boston-Moon Classic with a personal-best 8:54.03s in the 3000m run... Finished 10th at the Vanderbilt Invitational with a 1:57.06s 800m run.
Prep: Competed for Buddy Thomas at Science Hill High School… Science Hill finished in the top-five in the state cross country meet all four years of Greer's high school career… All-District and All-Region from 2006-08… Graduated high school with a 4.0 grade point average.
Personal: Son of Tommy and Gay Greer… Has one brother, Alexander, who plays tennis for UNC Asheville… Plans to major in math, hopes to one day get a PhD in the subject.


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Carriage trade: Claremont offers views near new Martha
Address: 830 Beverley Drive
Neighborhood: Claremont at Carriage Hill, Pantops
Asking: $209,900
Assessment: $206,400
Year Built: 2000
Size: 1445 fin. sq. ft., 220 unfin.
Land: 0.0 acres
Agent: Inessa Telefus, Sloan Milby Real Estate Partners 434-220-5656
Curb Appeal: 7 out of 10
Since the current state of the stock market has significantly undermined many opportunities for gains, reevaluating the best asset class to invest in is in order. The volatility of stocks and bonds may be driving some people with liquid assets to consider reaping the benefits of record-low interest rates by investing in real estate. Although the first-time homeowners' tax credit was not renewed this year, the median sales price in the area has risen nearly 10 percent, according to the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors' (CAAR) Mid-Year Market Report, which also shows condo and townhouse sales in the city increasing slightly over last year.
Don Vogeley of Cathcart Group reports that investors in condos at Claremont at Carriage Hill will find a financially stable investment because, unlike highly leveraged projects forced to sell units below assessment, the original developer here has maintained a significant financial interest in the property since its 2000 inception. Moreover, Claremont also claims to be bolstering property values by upgrading available condos.
The development offers a choice of several styles of attached units on a hillside with scenic views of the mountains from the road, clubhouse, and select condos. This Beverley Drive property is a one-level unit with a one-car garage.
From the garage, it's a long staircase down to the flat itself, with the entrance opening to a laundry/utility room with the guest entry leading to a shorter run of stairs leading guests directly into the living room. The design of this unit may be taxing for families with small children or for the elderly.
A showcase unit, this one was shown furnished and includes new cherry cabinets, laminate countertops, and stainless steel appliances. Most floors are carpeted, from the open-concept dining/living room area through both bedrooms, each of which contains a walk-in closet large enough to contain a dresser. The bathrooms have standard white cabinets with laminate tops, porcelain sinks, and large soaker tubs.
Natural light abounds in the living areas, and high ceilings are a special feature of this "Hamilton" model. A wood-burning fireplace provides a focal point from both the living room and a bar that wraps around the kitchen, and a small patio off the living room has just enough room to snuggle in a bistro table for two.
Homeowners have come to expect full amenities in a development like Claremont, and this community doesn't disappoint. Inside the club house, groups meet to socialize over coffee in a spacious, attractively decorated room divided into a study/dining area with a small kitchen that can also be rented for other functions. The lower level offers a hot tub, sauna, workout space, and game room. A pool, "pitch and putt" area, tennis courts, and a dog park spice up the outside.
Claremont is hidden on a hill just behind the Pantops shopping plaza, minutes from the new Martha Jefferson complex and may prove particularly attractive to health care workers eager to avoid Free Bridge at rush hour. Potential buyers are reportedly assured of long-term maintenance through a 30-year replacement reserve established by the homeowner association's Board of Directors.
CAAR's statistics show it's a buyers' market, and if maintenance-free homeownership is appealing, perhaps some of them will enjoy making an offer at Carriage Hill.
Each week a brave local seller invites the Hook in for a candid, warts-and-all review. Email to schedule yours today!Read more on: Claremont at Carriage Hillpantops mountain


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TOP 10 Must eat foods DAILY
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TOP 10 Must eat foods DAILY
5 Foods You Must Have Daily During Monsoon
Image credit: Instagram Soups
Instead of eating chaat and pakodas try having soups during your snack time. Soups are full of nutrition and give satiety. These spices not only increase its taste but also help in improving your immunity. It also acts as a hydrant for your body during the humid weather as humidity speeds up the dehydration in your body and leaves you with fatigue and nausea.
Image credit: Instagram Steamed vegetables
Steaming softens vegetables while maintaining most of their nutrients, especially water-soluble compounds that are easily damaged by heat like Vitamin C. Steaming vegetables not only removes germs from them but also helps them retain more texture and flavor.
Image credit: InstagramSprouts
Sprouts are good for your health and it should be included in diet especially during monsoon as they will boost your immunity. You can have sprouts of green moong dal, kala chana, and chole with chopped onion, tomato, and lemon juice. Make your sprout chaat tangy and tasty and you can have it in breakfast, lunch and in snack time.
Image credit: InstagramGinger
Ginger is a miracle spice and has several health benefits. Herbal teas with ginger like tulsi ginger tea, ginger, and black pepper tea will warm you up and improve your immunity. It is a rich source of chromium, magnesium, and zinc that improves the overall blood flow. It has antibacterial and antiviral properties that help in fighting against cold and flu.
Image credit: InstagramTurmeric
The golden yellow spiced powder is a well know immunity boosting agent. It is a miracle spice and should be included during monsoon. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also known to keep the sugar level under control. You should drink a cup of milk with1/4th tsp in the monsoon to keep safeguard yourself from monsoon illness.
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I took a break today from working on my book. I had downloaded the new My Chemical Romance song from "The Watchmen" soundtrack on iTunes and couldn't get enough. It's way stripped down from their last album "The Black Parade", A straightforward punk cover of the dylan song "Desolation Row" and it's awesome! I can't wait for their new album later this year.
I was inspired to create a concert poster for their show i saw last year at the warfield in san francisco. buy a print here :)


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In October of last year China's State Grid Company released a new policy encouraging solar grid connections for individual households. With a new warehouse in Shunyi, on the outskirts of Beijing, we here at Greenpeace East Asia decided to take advantage of this policy and have solar panels installed on the warehouse's rooftop. Our 5kw solar project is so far the largest grid connected distributed project in Beijing and among the first batch of such projects in China.
© Greenpeace / Liu Feiyue
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Drivers on the 10 Freeway near West Covina and Baldwin Park face snarled traffic, detours and lane and ramp closures when they return from the long Labor Day weekend.
Caltrans will shut down freeway ramps and lanes on surface streets throughout West Covina both during the day and night as they ramp up a project that eventually will add a carpool lane out to the 57 Freeway and increase the flow of traffic on one of the busiest freeway stretches in the county.
The project should cut congestion for commuters passing through Baldwin Park and West Covina, but the construction, when combined with an interchange project to west, has become a headache for some.
"It just seems like it's been going on forever," said Jesse Sifuentes, of La Puente, as he shopped at the Plaza West Covina mall. "If it does what it is supposed to, it is worth it, but it's been a nightmare."
Drivers should expect closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the on ramps for Puente Avenue, Vincent Avenue and Azusa Avenue; closures during the same time at the off ramps for Pacific Avenue, Vincent Avenue and Sunset Avenue. Additional closures start again at 7 p.m., and last until 7 a.m. for on and off-ramps for Vincent and Azusa.
Caltrans closed the auxiliary lanes — which start before exits — from Puente Avenue to Citrus Avenue as it works to widen the freeway.
Earlier this summer, Caltrans started work on the carpool lane project's second segment from Puente to Citrus Avenue after finishing the 605 to Puente leg earlier this year.
Further west, Caltrans' long-standing 605-10 Interchange project, which will connect the southbound 605 traffic to the eastbound 10 freeway through a flyover bridge, adds to the congestion. It still causes nightly lane closures and ramp shut downs.
The $66 million project will last until the fall of 2015, but once finished it should also increase traffic flow by ending slow downs created from cars cutting across lanes while merging between the freeways.
The West Covina portion of the carpool lane project requires construction crews to dig up and lower the streets that pass under the freeway by a foot to accommodate for the widened freeway overhead. Caltrans already shut down half of Azusa Avenue and West Covina Parkway and will lower the other side immediately after it finishes, according to William Rojas, a project engineer.
Drivers passing through or going to or from the freeway should expect delays at those two streets for months. After that, Caltans will dig up Vincent Avenue and similarly lower it. Additional bridge improvements will take place on Puente, Hollenbeck, Lark Ellen and Sunset avenues at later dates.
"It's staged to minimize the impact on traffic," Rojas said. "They stage so you're not doing two consecutive ramps at the same time."
Caltrans expects construction on this segment to cost $193 million and last until 2019.
The widening project briefly stalled after the completion of the 605 Freeway to Puente Avenue segment because of a legal battle with West Covina. The state took a chunk of land near the Plaza West Covina mall, where California Pizza Kitchen and Bob's Big Boy were, through eminent domain but the city contested the condemnation when the state lowered their price to a tenth of what they originally offered, according to West Covina City Manager Chris Chung.
Caltrans will knock down those buildings as part of its redesign of the freeway ramps at Vincent Avenue, according to Rojas. The widening project requires Caltrans to adjust all of the freeway ramps and they plan to make them more "user-friendly" by giving drivers better line of sight, quicker acceleration and an overall smoother merger, Rojas said.
Those ramp realignments will require long-term closures of off ramps, starting with the eastbound Vincent Avenue off-ramp in September. Both of its eastbound on-and-off ramps will close in early 2015 and remain shutdown until next summer, according to Caltrans. The other ramps will close throughout the project.


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|Benecki Fine Homes
|Philip Mitchell Design
|Mabley Handler Design
|McAlpine, Booth and Ferrier Design
|Benjamin Dhong Design
|Ellen Grasso and Sons
|Benecki Fine Homes
|Philip Mitchell Design
|Mabley Handler Design
|McAlpine, Booth and Ferrier Design
|Benjamin Dhong Design
|Ellen Grasso and Sons
Filed Under: dining room,dining room decor,dining room remodel,dining table,round dining table,round table
Posts on Design Chic may contain affiliate links or links to sponsor's sites. We try to partner with businesses we think will be of interest to our followers and always strive to bring you content you'll love. Thanks for reading!
Yes! Love the intimacy of round tables.
All the examples of round dining tables are exquisite!! I love round tables and have one myself! And they do work great in square rooms…
Know the first example very well. It is from a previous home of Melanie Turner, and it was on a Veranda cover …..Melanie is the designer that I won the Blogging award for nominating her for Traditional Home's 2012 New Trads last year. Fun experience..and that it was!
I absolutely agree. I love a round dining room table.
Great selection of photos!
That soft hint of yellow is so nice
Love that table base.
thank you for the shout out sweet girls!!!!
We too love round tables and really like the first two you show.
Oh wow! What a collection you provided for us today! I just wish I had room for a round table. I agree it is perfect for conversation. Gorgeous!
Works well for a more intimate feel. I like the Philip M. design!
Nothing is better than a round table…it's always been my favorite! What a wonderful post! I'm heading over to the give away now!
In love with photo 8 and the circular light. my table is round and I wish I had 10 foot ceilings to place that fixture there. Great ideas!!!
Round tables are my favourite! It makes for such cosy dining. I especially love the second one and last one – so intimate.
love, love, love round tables…it gives a boxy room soft curves!
Agree completely, I love dining at a round table, The place settings look so pretty and everyone enjoys them more, Also, the conversation is more intimate when everyone can see one another.
Inspiring post! Thx! I must consider getting a round table…
I love this post. Our minds are going in the same direction … I am painting my kitchen floor, have bamboo blinds on order and am using a 6 foot round dining table. Have a great weekend!
xo, Lissy
I love the looks of round dining tables but always wondered about seating a smaller number of guests at a dinner, would it be too large to intimate for say, a party of 4? These are great examples in any event. 🙂
Agree! Round tables make all the difference in the dynamics of dinner! : ) Rachel
I love that first image, the table and that floor!!
Have a great weekend!
I love all the tables – you have such a great style!!
Fabulous dining rooms! I think that a round table is perfect for conversation and dinging.
Head over to Kendall's.
Have a nice weekend.
If my dinning room was large enough for a round table I would have one… its intimate and guest are all included in a conversation..
Such pretty tables! I've always loved a big round table but have never had a space large enough to use one. Maybe in my next home… 🙂
I LOVE round tables. I always wanted one in my dining room! Great inspirations here!
Amen-that's why I switched to round in our breakfast area! Thanks for these gorgeous inspirations! Happy Sunday!
Yes, round tables do work so well for dinner parties, allowing you as the host to intervene if a guest is struggling, and everyone to join in the conversation. We've had one for over 27 years, and now I find the rectangular ones quite confining, as in if you're stuck with a pair of duds on either side, you're stuck!
I love a round table – so convivial. I have a long rectangular dining room so it wouldn't work for me but dreaming of a square dining room with a fireplace – that would be so lovely, especially at the holidays!
How do you come up with these ideas?! So wonderfuL!
I love the concept. I love the look and most of all love how inviting and inclusive a round table can be when entertaining. So much so that I am designing our current dining room to accomodate an extendable round table and a fireplace for those cold wintery evenings.
Great post!
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Chiropractor Melbourne Saturday
Chiropractor Melbourne Open Saturday
Chiropractor Melbourne Saturday Jim
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Chiro Melbourne Saturday
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We believe that everyone has a right to a long, happy, healthy life. Regardless of their age, current health status or life goals we want everyone to perform at their best.
Chiropractor Melbourne Beach, Dr. Jim and the team at the Melbourne Chiropractic & Bedding Clinic, Wellness Centre, is a warm, friendly and fun environment that empowers people to create change in their health and their life. We cultivate wellness through adjustments, information and inspiration in a professional, ethical and fun way.
Whilst your chiropractor port melbourne gets great results with back pain, neck pain and headaches chiropractic care is about more than just the obvious symptoms. We can coach you through to a healthier, happier and more vital way of life by having a body and nervous system that is functioning to its maximum potential no matter what state of health you are in.
Chiropractor Melbourne, Dr. Jim Skivalidas is committed to helping you, your family and the entire community achieve optimum health through fun, excellence and chiropractic care. We see many people from our surrounding area of Albert Park, Middle Park, South Melbourne, Melbourne CBD, St.Kilda, St Kilda Road and Elwood as well as people from as far flung as Geelong and Frankston. We also see people of all ages from children and babies (some just days old) to families and the elderly.
You will receive our full attention to your health and wellness concerns. We can supply you with advice on specific exercises and training techniques as well as solid facts on diet and nutrition
Looking for the best Chiropractor Melbourne?


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Heidi Montag has revealed her role in "Just Go With It," Adam Sandler's 2011-due comedy, will find her playing one half of a plastic surgery-driven power couple.
"Kevin Nealon is my husband," Heidi told Jay Leno during Friday's "Tonight Show" of her on-screen love interest, played by the former "Saturday Night Live" funnyman. "And he's had more surgery than I have in the movie, so we kept playing around with who has more injections."
In fact, Kevin recently Tweeted a photo of his "Just Go With It" look, showing the "Weeds" star with an almost unrecognizable face.
Heidi told Jay that she acquired the part in the film, which also stars Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman and Sports Illustrated cover star Brooklyn Decker, through a phone call.
"They just called me and they said, 'We'd love to have you,'" she said.
"The Hills" star, who recently recorded a public service announcement about paying for plastic surgery with plastic on FunnyOrDie.com — a clip directed by Oscar winner Ron Howard — revealed she actually hasn't had to try out for any of the parts she has secured thus far.
"That God I haven't had to audition yet," she said.
When Jay asked if she could handle rejection, Heidi, who underwent 10 plastic surgery procedures in one day in late 2009, joked that being turned down for a role could lead her to going under the knife again.
"I don't know. I might have to get more surgery if they rejected me," she said. "No, I'm just kidding."
But Heidi told Jay she has reached a good plastic surgery stopping point – for now.
"I've reached the point. I think I'm good for a while. I'm surgery'd out," she said.
As for working with Ron on that FunnyOrDie clip, Heidi said it's made her want to re-do some of the movies he is famous for.
"Actually, I'm the biggest fan of Ron Howard. 'Splash' is one my favorite[s]. I'm telling him I want to do the remake…I wanna be the mermaid," she said, referring to the role that helped make a young Daryl Hannah a household name back in 1984 . "I think I could play her pretty well, you know. So I think I wanna do that. And, 'Willow.' And I loved 'Willow.'"
Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Keepin' It Real With TV's Hottest Reality Stars!
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Stars Who Have Gone Under The Knife
PLAY IT NOW: Heidi Montag: I Was 'Addicted & Obsessed' With Planning My Surgery
PLAY IT NOW: Heidi Montag: 'If Cleopatra Were Alive Now I'm Sure She'd Have Triple D's'
MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Heidi Montag - Tonight Show - TV - Kevin Nealon - Reality TV


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Lulu's helping to paint the town purple this week
Lulu's Super Mercado in Sweetwater is helping to paint the town purple this week with their building décor and specials going on in the store. Any $5 purchase gets customers a free purple nine ounce drink for coffee, water or soft drinks. The store is also giving away purple ribbons this week and every 100th customer will receive a door prize. Customers can also make a donation to the American Cancer Society in the store and have their name put on a purple heart to be displayed in the store window. Shown are employees Adriana Lopez, Patricia Wood and Linda Cano.


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Flagstone Paving
Flagstone Installation in Chapel Hill, NC
If you're looking to enhance your Chapel Hill, NC property, your exterior is a good place to start. And at Landscape Logic Of North Carolina, our flagstone paving services are designed to help you achieve the curb appeal you're after.
Creating Beautiful Outdoor Spaces
Flagstone paving can add style and elegance to any outdoor space. We offer a number of options to suit your needs, budget, and taste. We're equipped to install quality:
- Walkways
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And when you work with us, you'll benefit from our landscaping experience and eye for detail. We take great pride in the work we do, and our goal is to transform your outdoor space. Best of all, our flagstone paving solutions are a great investment in any property. So whether you're looking to sell in the near future or simply want to enjoy the aesthetic benefits of a beautiful exterior, it pays to learn more about the services we offer.
Call us today for more information or to schedule a consultation.
I absolutely love this company. Everyone is very polite and helpful and always tries their hardest to accommodate my needs.
I started using Lanscape Logic for their tree and shrub program a few months ago, and their lawn feeding program as well. I have a small amount of grass that did not want to grow in one spot, and at this point, the grass is filling in and looking really good. So, after having a fence moved and some tree work, I needed some mulch and pine straw, and I wanted a gravel and paver pathway continued through the back of the house. Quite a bit of work, but the guys came early and finished all of the work in one day, which I thought would be impossible! David, who headed up the effort, listened to exactly what I wanted, and the walkway is lovely. I was particularly impressed with the detail of the pine straw. All of the straw was beautifully edged all around the driveway and pathways, leaving the neatest footprint anyone could imagine. I don't think Landscape Logic is the least expensive service, but in my opinion, it is well worth the money!
Two years ago we called Landscape Logic and three other companies for a quote and a solution to a drainage problem that created heavy flooding on our driveway each time there was moderate rainfall. Brian came out and gave us the most practical solution with the most reasonable price. After that very positive experience, we asked Landscape Logic to aerate and seed our mostly clay lawn of weeds that we inherited from the previous owner. When a lush lawn grew for our daughter to play on, we asked them to put us on their very affordable lawn care program. We have also used Landscape Logic for several projects including tree removal, yard clean up and installation of a garden path. Each time the crew comes out they are courteous and willing to assist with minor ad hoc trimming and pruning. Most recently Brian came out again to solve another drainage problem. Again his recommendation was practical without adding extra unnecessary costs. Nothing but complete satisfaction from the crew that did the work to the follow up with Sonny and Dave in the office. We will trust Landscape Logic for all of our yard plans in the future.
Great results, even though some times you get more than you asked for. Very polite and easy to work with.
Brian and his crew have helped us out several times and always at reasonable prices. Our first encounter was when they installed French drains for us to remedy a drainage problem. They are still keeping our driveway dry several years later. The have created several beautiful paths around our property. When we were hit two years ago by a major ice storm they spent two days clearing over 50 down trees and provided us with a truck full of the clippings for mulching the paths. They even spread the mulch. They will gladly come out for an estimate and offer sound advice. I always feel like they are treating my property as they would their own. With respect and reasonable plans. They are our go to company for anything to do with landscaping.
Best landscape service in the Triangle! I have used them for years and never had a problem in any way. An extremely courteous and professional crew arrives as scheduled, like clockwork, to care for my lawn and yard. They also blow off my decks, driveway, and leave not a trace of mess. All for a very reasonable price. The office staff is super easy to work with and always returns my calls within one day. I love coming home after one of their visits to see my yard looking perfect. Would highly recommend!!
Brian and his team have been taking care of our yard for years now and they do great job, at a fair price.
Landscape Logic - Awesome!!
I have now used Landscape Logic for 3 separate jobs - irrigation, French drain installation and landscaping. They have become my go to company for all my lawn needs. I am very particular about my lawn and they have met or exceeded my expectations each time. It all started a couple of years ago when I was having a lot of water issues in my yard, they were the only company that came up with a workable solution, it was very reasonable, and well done work. My yard is now dry as a bone!! Since then they have updated my irrigation system completed a major landscape re-design of my yard complete with drip system for all the new plants. The work has always been done to a very high standard....but the best part, they were always one of the cheapest quotes as well. The entire team, from the estimators (Dave is the man!!) to the office staff have been so helpful. I have the exact opposite of a green thumb, I can kill any plant with ease, but with their help, expert design and workmanship, I have been able to now have a thriving landscape....finally!!! I can't say enough good things about them. If you need any yard work done, I highly recommend you give them a call. I have since told many of my neighbors and friends about my experience, and 5 so far have also used the for work, also very pleased.
An example of good customer relations
I have been with the Landscape Logic family(father and son) for nine years.Always responsive ,always going the extra mile.Last week for example,the technician came out to spray a particularly bad outbreak of Nuttsedge weed. I saw him on my side yard pulling out some of the loner weed by hand.Who does that anymore?? A couple of days later he was working on my neighbors yard and he stopped by to check on the previous spraying.Who does that? Thank you for the great service....my lawn is fescue and still looks good in August!! Thanks to you guys it's hanging in there.
Excellent service, fair prices, excellent communication
We have used Landscape Logic for our general yard work and their spring clean up was, like their general yard work, first rate. Easy to schedule, the crew came out when they said they would, work was promptly and efficiently done. Would recommend them for all your yard/garden needs.
Excellent care of our yard
We needed cleanup, new planting, and mulching. The crew carried out each individual task on the multi step work order with precision and care. They worked efficiently and professionally. We were quite pleased with the results.
Spring clean iPhone
We used landscape logic again this year for a big yard clean out and mulch spreading. They did an awesome job.
Best Landscape Company in the Triangle
I have used Landscape Logic for all of my outdoor routine maintenance, planning and design projects for close to 15 years. They do great work, have very reasonable prices and most important they always honor the quality of their work. I would not entrust my property to any other landscaping company.
Been using Landscape Logic for 14 years, and never been happier with the job they do each time, and the services they offer.
high quality work and very nice people
This was our first time having our yard professionally done. It was a great experience and I highly recommend them. The men who worked in our yard were very nice and super efficient
A Great Company
I have been dealing with Landscape Logic and family for nine years.During that time my lawn continues to be a showplace in my neighborhood...Even in the summer when most fescue lawns suffer, mine suffers less than most.... The folks there seem to listen and respond to all problems....Brian, Henry, and the rest of the staff provide good service at prices that are competitive for the area....
Landscape Logic has taken care of our landscaping in our last three houses
Landscape Logic is a great company, that offers good service at reasonable prices. They are dependable, easily reachable and pleasant to work with. I highly recommend them for your lawn care!
Very helpful
Great experience so far with this business! We have been using them for biweekly lawn care, yard clean up, mulching, etc. Staff are typically quick to respond and knowledgeable. They will quickly set up meeting to discuss any projects or concerns. I learned a lot when had them come over for project advice/estimation. Recommend and will continue to use their services!
Outstanding job ... they delivered precisely on what they promised to do!
I had a fairly significant landscaping project. After seeking quotes from several loca landscaping firms, I landed on Landscape Logic. They offered some very economical options to accomplish my project goals and the execution was flawless. The crew and crew leader were excellent and the end result exceeded my expectations. I am very pleased I found this firm and now use them for my regular lawn maintenance as well. Thanks Landscape Logic!
High quality service
Great work and people - - currently under maintenance contract, and yesterday they aerated, seeded, etc - - very professional and friendly, and a job well done. I would highly recommend Landscape Logic.
I had Landscape Logic do a significant project consisting of shrub removal, sodding, mulching, and extensive storm water drainage mitigation. I could not have been more pleased. The management came out 3 times to discuss and ensure the contract language was correct. The workers showed up on time, were courteous and professional, and extremely hard working. The project was complete quickly...3 days...and correctly. Additionally, the owner actively managed and contacted me about a change that he recommended that saved me about $500. After the work was done, Landscape Logic cleaned everything up...better than when they arrived. The next day, the owner was out checking the job to ensure it was done correctly. And the price was fair and competitive. I highly recommend this company.
Awesome Spring Cleaning
Landscape Logic gave our yard a serious 'spring clean' and I could not be more pleased. They cleared out our yard and flower beds, trimmed bushes, edged, mowed, and put out new mulch. They guys were super clean and thorough. We will definitely use them again in the future.
Great Service for Many Years
Landscape logic has taken care of our property for over 10 years. They have performed all the regular maintenance and have landscape redesigned both our front and back years. They both are beautiful and Landscape Logic provide all planning support and service to make it all happen. I would recommend them to any homeowner looking for expertise, a great price and great staff to work with.
Professional and pretty job
My wife and I were very pleased with the work. Everything looks great with the new mulch.
A company that arrives on time for an appointment to give me a quote - we are off to a great start. The day I approved the quote I came home and work had already started! I was/am so impressed. Most of the remaining work took place while I was at work and I came home and it looked great. Exactly what was promised - looked even better. My highest recommendation. Thanks - I look forward to continue to work with you to make my outdoor dreams a reality.
My yard looks amazing thanks to Landscape Logic.
I had ideas of what I wanted to do and Brian offered great, affordable ideas to compliment my ideas. I was able to do more than I thought I could within my budget. The team was polite and professional. What a group of hard workers!! Customer service was great. I look forward to having them back for phase II.
Excellent landscaping service
I have used Landscape Logic for all my landscaping needs for twelve years, and have been exceptionally pleased with all their services. I would highly recommend them for all your landscaping requirements!
Backyard Landscaping-Excellent work!
We have been homeowners for over 45 years during which time we have dealt with many landscaping companies. We moved to Durham in 2012, and decided to have extensive landscape work to our backyard in 2016. Brian Popp and Landscape Logic evaluated our situation, in choosing the ideal plants, color scheme, and an esthetic environment that requires low maintenance. The outcome far exceeded our high expectations at a reasonable price. We love our backyard!
Excellent work--go with L-Logic first!
We hired Landscape Logic for a French drain project. We went with a higher priced competitor first--big mistake. The competitors drains didn't work and had to be redone. The service was timely, courteous, and most importantly--got the job done right. Now I enjoy using my lawn to play with my kids instead of mud boggin' Thanks Landscape Logic!
We used Landscape Logic for a large clean up and grass planting before placing our home on the market last Spring. Before landscape Logic came to the house, our backyard was an undefined mess. When they left, our entire property was a beautiful, green oasis with well defined and mulched beds, natural areas, walking paths, and foundation plants. Their work went a long way in helping us sell the house and the staff and crews were consistently easy to communicate with. We were so pleased with our experience, we will most likely use them again at our new house!
High Quality Service, Personalized Approach
We are so pleased with the landscaping work that Landscape Logic just completed. They were the 5th landscaper that we contacted to complete the work in our backyard. More than one previous landscaper refused to do our job because of the level of difficulty. Brian, from Landscape Logic came to our house, presented a very realistic plan and gave us a very competitive price. They scheduled the work efficiently and even worked around our schedule. I was so impressed with the entire team that completed our job. They worked HARD and worked FAST. I was constantly amazed at how much work they completed each day. After the job was completed, they checked with us multiple times to ensure that we were pleased, and checked on erosion and needs for touch up (which they promptly addressed). We are so pleased. They turned our hopeless backyard (with terrible access in our completed subdivision) into the place that we are showing off to everyone who comes over. We HIGHLY recommend their services.
Great Company
I have been using Landscape Logic for the last 3 years. The office staff is extremely efficient and professional. My lawn and complete landscape has never looked better. They have consistently kept my lawn looking incredible and they go above and beyond what I expected.
I'm a busy person and don't like to "micro manage" trades I employ. Brian and his team are digitally proactive in managing my lawn care. They are remarkably ahead of the pact in their client service model. They are very responsive to requests and needs of their customers.
High quality professional and fast service
I have used this service for years for my lawn-care and mowing. Recently, I had a party and needed the yard cleaned up and beds edged and new mulch, etc. I didn't remember to ask until the last minute, but they came and did my whole yard in 2 hours or less. There were maybe 8-10 guys, worked super hard, and left my yard spotless the day of my party. The full-time office staff makes it easy for me to communicate my needs, and I like the personalized service.
High quality with very proffessional and knowledgeable staff
I am very pleased with the large project I had done at my home. The staff was very professional, clean and polite. The thing that separated Landscape Logic from other companies I used in the past is they provided me several options up front to fit my budget. They then delivered within that budget and exceeded my expectations on the results. They showed up with a full crew to get the job done in a timely and efficient manner with no disruption to our daily schedule. They also took the time to show me the progress and walk me through any ideas they had to make the project even better while maintaining the integrity of the overall budget. If I had any questions they were easy to reach and prompt with a response! That is not often found anymore! I would recommend them to anyone and will be using them for future plans!
High quality with very proffessional and knowledgeable staff
I am very pleased with the large project I had done at my home. The staff was very professional, clean and polite. The thing that separated Landscape Logic from other companies I used in the past is they provided me several options up front to fit my budget. They then delivered within that budget and exceeded my expectations on the results. They showed up with a full crew to get the job done in a timely and efficient manner with no disruption to our daily schedule. They also took the time to show me the progress and walk me through any ideas they had to make the project even better while maintaining the integrity of the overall budget. If I had any questions they were easy to reach and prompt with a response! That is not often found anymore! I would recommend them to anyone and will be using them for future plans!
LL maintained my lawn for many years before we moved into a townhome. I recommend them without reservation. I am a Realtor and have called on them many times to help my clients with drainage issues effecting the property. Everything about the company is professional and reliable.
Beautiful job
L L does all our regular landscaping and yard maintenance. They just planted our entire backyard and it's beautiful. A couple of months ago they established our flower beds and placed sod in the rest of the yard. They even installed extra drainage and additional irrigation. This week they planted about 16 trees ranging from shrubs to 12' mature looking trees. Great job they worked past dark to make sure it was finished and cleaned up. Couldn't be happier and from the owner Brian Popp to any of his employees they are polite and professional. I would recommend them any time
Extra Work Requested
Office staff is very professional and listens carefully to clients needs and specifics. Easy to work with and very accommodating in their busy schedules. Workers are hard working, reliable and punctual. Each team is organized well with a supervisor to review details of the job requested. Large tree removal, major weeding and removal of debri, pruning, preparation of plant beds and application of mulch. I would highly recommend this company, The Mann's
Initially, my spouse and I decided maintain our own lawn; after doing so for approximately two years, we ended up having one of the worst looking yards on our block. It looked so bad until I was embarrassed to sit on our front porch. My neighbor across the street has a beautiful lawn (her grass looks like carpet). We complimented her on beautiful law, and asked her for the name of the company that maintains it. She referred us to Landscape Logic and we contacted them immediately (this was approximately one year ago, July 2015). Thanks to Landscape Logic, in just under one year, our lawn has gone from the worst looking lawn on the block to the most beautiful lawn on our street. Now, we sit on our front porch with pride in our lawn, and we have received numerous compliments from our neighbors, joggers and people taking a leisurely stroll in the evening. Landscape Logic knows the science of turf management. They are professionals and have competitive rates. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Landscape Logic to anyone seeking a healthy and beautiful lawn.
Great work, great folks.
Weeding beds, trimming bushes, and mulching the beds. Fair estimate, respected my property, and did exactly what they said they would do. Beds look great and the yard was left cleaner than when they started. These guys are very courteous also.
After a mistake by our previous lawn care team, I contacted Landscape Logic to help resurrect our yard. Within weeks the grass already looked better. After an entire year of regular feedings and treatments, then aeration and topdressing, the lawn looked amazing! So green and thick and no weeds! Thank you, Landscape Logic, for bringing our lawn back to life!
great work crew
Everything was done according to our agreement and for the expected price. The crew worked very hard and were extremely competent. The property looks terrific.
Willing To Work With the Customer
I have been a customer of Landscape Logic, before it was Landscape Logic and I have been extremely pleased with how they have made my lawn and shrubs thrive (or bring them back from the dead in some cases). Also, this company will own up to its mistakes. We are all human and things get lost on notes or emails or phone calls and in these situations, Landscape Logic has always erred in favor of the customer. Highly recommended!
Landscape Logic works hard
We have been very impressed with the quality of work and client relationship with which Landscape Logic works. The landscapers are always friendly, accommodating with our dogs and do a great job. The administration is attentive and willing to make adjustments to their schedule! Recently we were in dire need of mowing before a graduation party and they came to the rescue (even after a week of rain!)!! They were careful about mowing in the soft grass and did a wonderful job. They are reliable and willing to go the extra mile. I believe they are proud of their work and want to do their best at all times. They also are a rare company that offers landscaping options too. We highly recommend them.
I have used Landscape Logic several times for pruning, general yard clean-up, and spreading mulch. They always do a great job, provide quick turnaround times, and leave everything looking great!
I love everything about my lanscape. This have been the best landscape I have ever had. The ideas was excellent the best ever offered thanks lanscape logic😀😀😀
I got what I paid for, finally!
At the age of 70, it's tough to recall just how many lawn care services I've tried. Before Landscape Logic, nothing worked. I hired them as a result of watching which lawns they serviced in our development. All of them, and now mine included, are gorgeous. They are everything a service company should be including EFFECTIVE. It's easy to offer cheap products. It's a lot more challenging to offer effective products. We love Landscape Logic!!! Yes, this is an authentic review, and no, I am not their Mom.
I came home to find my yard excellent. The limbs had been picked up, the leaves gone and grass cut. Top soil had been added, yard had been aerated, limed, fertilized and seed sown! Just fantastic! They treated my yard as if it was theirs!! Just wonderful!
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Mexico Supreme Court frees Frenchwoman sentenced to 60 years for kidnapping
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MEXICO CITY – A Frenchwoman who became a cause celebre in her homeland after she was sentenced to 60 years in a Mexican prison for kidnapping left on a late-night flight for Paris Wednesday following a Supreme Court ruling that her trial was tainted and she must be freed.
Florence Cassez's arrest, trial and seven years of imprisonment in Mexico had strained relations between the countries and led consecutive French presidents to call for her release. Anti-crime activists in Mexico have bitterly objected to efforts to release the 38-year-old.
Cassez's flight left Mexico City's international airport at 9:25 p.m. local time (03:25 GMT) and was expected to arrive in Paris about 10 hours later.
Relatives of kidnap victims angrily shouted "Killer!" as a police convoy with sirens flashing escorted a sports utility vehicle out of the Mexico City prison where Cassez had been held. Social media sites in Mexico boiled with indignation, both at her release and the sad state of Mexico's legal and police systems.
Supporters of Cassez, who was arrested in 2005 and convicted of helping her Mexican then-boyfriend run a kidnap gang, celebrated the decision, saying she was innocent.
"I'm crazy with happiness, I can't say anything else," her mother, Charlotte Cassez, said in France. "I'm still struggling to believe it."
Earlier Wednesday, a Mexican Supreme Court panel voted 3-2 to release Cassez because of procedural and rights violations during her arrest, including police staging a recreation of her capture for the media. The justices pointedly did not rule on her guilt or innocence, but said the violations of due process, the right to consular assistance and evidentiary rules were so grievous that they invalidated the original guilty verdict against her.
One justice originally proposed on Wednesday asking an appeals court to review her trial, omitting the tainted evidence; however, most of the justices on the panel indicated they would oppose that, and they then voted to simply release her.
Wednesday's ruling put yet another spotlight on Mexico's historically corrupt and broken justice system and brought reactions from the highest levels of power.
"I want to recognize the Mexican justice system because it put the law first," French President Francois Hollande said on television. "That was the trust we put in it. And today we can say that between France and Mexico, we have the best relations that it is possible to have."
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said in a statement that he will "absolutely" respect the court's decision.
"This is a resounding message in favor of justice and respect for human rights," Agustin Acosta, an attorney for Cassez, said outside the courtroom. Police torture and fabrication of evidence have long been tolerated in Mexico.
Mexican police acknowledged that they later staged a televised raid on a ranch outside Mexico City to depict the rescue of the hostages and detention of Cassez. After Cassez was detained and held incognito for a day, Mexican police hauled her back to the ranch and forced her to participate in their staging of the raid for television cameras, a sort of media display that is not unusual in Mexico.
The Frenchwoman said she had lived at the ranch, but did not know that kidnapping victims were being held there.
"If she had been turned over to court custody promptly, if she had been allowed prompt consular assistance, this (raid) staging couldn't have taken place, and the whole affair would have been totally different," Justice Arturo Zaldivar said during the discussion of the ruling.
The doe-eyed Cassez became the center of a vigorous debate between Mexicans who say she was abused by the criminal justice system and those who say setting her free would only reinforce a sense that crimes such as kidnapping go unpunished.
As reporters gathered outside the Mexico City prison where Cassez is being held, the wife of one of the kidnap victims showed up, sobbing.
Michelle Valadez, 34, said her husband Ignacio was kidnapped and held for three months by Cassez's boyfriend's gang in 2005.
"We paid the ransom, but they killed him anyway," she sobbed. "It's not fair what they've done to us, it's not fair they're freeing her." The issue is sensitive in Mexico, which has one of the highest kidnapping rates in the world and where there is increasing public pressure to halt what is seen as widespread impunity for criminals.
At least one victim identified Cassez as one of the kidnappers, though only by hearing her voice, not by seeing her.
"In this country we can no longer ignore police obtaining evidence by tampering with it, by using torture, by staging raids," said Luis Gonzalez Placencia, president of Mexico City's Human Rights Commission. "We will never know whether Florence is guilty or innocent, but we know for certain there are specific people who violated due process."
It was not immediately clear how the ruling might affect the case against Cassez's ex-boyfriend Israel Vallarta, who was arrested for allegedly leading the gang and is being tried separately.
Anti-crime activist Isabel Miranda de Wallace, who led a successful decade-long fight to bring her son's kidnappers to justice even though his body was never found, lashed out at the court's ruling.
"Today, they opened the door to impunity, today a lot of people are going to go free," Miranda de Wallace told local media. "We already live without public safety, now it's going to be worse."
Ezequiel Elizalde, a kidnap victim who testified against Cassez, told local media the Mexican justice system was discredited by the ruling, and that citizens should no longer depend on it. "Get a weapon, arm yourself, and don't pay any attention to the government."
Cassez was originally sentenced in 2008 to 96 years in prison for four kidnappings. The sentence was reduced to 70 years a year later when she was acquitted of one of the charges.
The case caused diplomatic tensions between France and Mexico. In 2011, the Mexican government said it would not participate in France's yearlong festival celebrating Mexican culture, after then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the festival should be used to draw attention to the Cassez case.
The case showed Mexico's legal system to be plagued by irregularities and a slow process.
Mexico in 2008 implemented a judicial reform that called for open trials and reinforced the principle of innocence until proven guilty. The old system, still in place in most of the country, was blamed for fostering corruption and confessions extracted by torture.
The country's Supreme Court has grown more independent in recent years, and the public has become more willing to acknowledge the shortcomings of the justice system. A widely viewed documentary film, "Presumed Guilty," detailed the story of a man arrested off the street and held for several years for a murder he didn't commit.
Associated Press writers Olga R. Rodriguez in Mexico and Sarah DiLorenzo in Paris contributed to this report.


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Statistical Press notice: NHS inpatient and outpatient events
Latest monthly hospital activity events data up to and including November 2011 released today by the Department of Health
The following statistics were released today by the Department of Health:
Latest monthly hospital activity events (up to and including November 2011)
The main findings compare the year to date (YTD) to November 2011/12 to the same period in 2010/11. Year to date is a cumulative count of activity from the start of the financial year (ie we are comparing activity from April to November 2011/12 to activity in the period April to November 2010/11).
The key points from the latest release are:
GP referrals made this year, on a year to date (YTD) basis, are currently showing a 3.1% decrease, compared to the same period last year. These referrals had shown a 3.5% increase at the same stage last year.
GP referrals seen this year, on a YTD basis, are currently showing a 3.2% decrease compared to the same period last year.
The volume of first outpatient attendances, on a YTD basis, is showing a 0.8% decrease compared to the same period last year.
Elective growth this year, on a YTD basis, is currently 2.4%. At the same stage last year elective growth was 3.9%.
The day case rate (the proportion of total elective admissions that were day cases) on a YTD basis is currently 78.5%.
Non-elective admissions, on a YTD basis, have decreased by 1.9% compared to the same period last year.
Full tables are available on the Department of Health website.
Notes to Editors
This dataset covers some key aspects of inpatient and outpatient activity in the NHS.
Monthly actuals
This is a count of activity for a given month.
Provider and Commissioner based data
Commissioner based returns reflect data on a responsible population basis, which is defined as:
- all those patients resident within the PCT boundary; plus
- all patients registered with GPs who are members of the PCT but are resident in another PCT; minus
- All patients resident in the PCT but registered with a GP who is a member of another PCT
Commissioner based returns also include data for specialised commissioning. These are separate from the PCTs as there are different arrangements for commissioning specialised services.
Provider based returns cover patients who were treated in hospitals in England.
Year to Date
This is a CUMULATIVE count of activity from the start of the year to the end of a given month. Usually analysis is on a financial year basis. Looking at data on a year to date basis "smoothes" the data and aids analysis.
GP referrals made (general & acute)
This is a count of the referrals made by GPs to hospital consultants for a first outpatient appointment in general & acute specialties.
GP referrals seen (general & acute)
This is a count of the GP referrals seen by hospital consultants as a first attendance appointment in general & acute specialties. There is a time lag between GP referrals made and seen so that not all the referrals made in a given month are seen in the same month. Not all "GP referrals made" result in a "GP referral seen" as some referrals will be seen as inappropriate and do not require a consultant outpatient appointment. In these instances the referral will be returned to the GP. In addition some patients do not attend (DNA) appointments. Inappropriate referrals and DNAs contribute to the difference in volumes between GP referrals "made" and "seen".
First Outpatient attendances (general & acute)
This is the number of first outpatient attendances in general and acute specialties where the patient was seen by a consultant (or a doctor acting for the consultant). This count of attendances is for all sources of referral and is not restricted to just those as a result of a GP referral.
Elective ordinary admissions (general & acute)
This is a count of ordinary elective admissions made to general & acute specialties in a given month. An ordinary admission is a hospital admission requiring an overnight stay.
Elective day case admissions (general & acute)
This is a count of the day case admissions made to general & acute specialties in a given month. A day case admission is where a patient is admitted to hospital but an overnight stay is not required. The day case rate is calculated by expressing the volume of day case admissions as a proportion of all elective admissions ie. elective ordinary admissions and elective day case admissions combined.
Elective admissions (general & acute)
This is the count of elective ordinary admissions and elective day case admissions to general & acute specialties in a given month. There are three different admission methods for elective patients - waiting list, booked and planned. These categories are technical in nature and potentially misleading as both waiting list AND booked patients are, in lay terms, "admitted from a waiting list". Planned patients - again this is a technical term as to the lay person all elective patients might be considered to be "planned". In this more technical context, planned patients are a subset of elective patients and are those patients for whom the wait for admission was determined by clinical constraints rather than resource constraints. For example, a cancer patient will be required to wait a clinically appropriate period between doses of chemotherapy and these admissions will be classified as planned.
Elective ordinary admissions planned (general & acute)
This is the count of planned patients admitted as elective ordinary admissions in general & acute specialties.
Elective day case admission planned (general & acute)
This is the count of planned patients admitted as elective day case admissions in general & acute specialties. The proportion of elective admissions which are planned can be calculated by adding the planned ordinary admissions and planned day case admissions. Data is not collected separately on waiting list & booked admissions but the proportion of such admissions can be deduced by subtracting the proportion of planned electives from the total. So, for example, if 25% of elective admissions are planned the remainder (75%) by deduction are, in lay terms, "waiting list" (in technical terms "waiting list & booked") admissions.
Feedback welcomed
We welcome feedback on the content and presentation of these statistics within this Statistical Press Notice and those published on the DH website. If anyone has any comments on this, or any other issues regarding the data and statistics, then please email:
Additional Information
Full details of activity data for individual organisations is available on the Department of Health website.
Press enquiries contact:
Press Office
Department of Health
Telephone: 020 7210 5221
The Government Statistical Service (GSS) statistician responsible for producing these data is:
Clare Hiblin
Knowledge and Intelligence
Department of Health
Room 4E63, Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UE
Email: email@example.com


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New Website Launches Bankruptcy-Focused PACER Alternative
For the Bankruptcy Beat team, PACER (which stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records) is basically a way of life.
The federally mandated system, managed by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, began in 1988 as a pilot program. It was expanded in 1998 basically to what it is now---online access to complete federal court case files.
The information, however, has always been maintained behind a pay wall, with the fees generated going to pay for the expenses associated with running the service. Set at $1 per minute in 1990, today it costs 10 cents a page with a cap of $3 per document---an increase from eight cents that took effect on April 1. Those who accrue less than $15 in fees a quarter---75% to 80% of PACER users---aren't charged anything.
Nevertheless, those frustrated by the fees associated with the service have sought a work-around, and they've found it. Once the PDFs are downloaded, they can be shared and are frequently cataloged. We often link to PACER court files here. They are, after all, public documents.
We recently received an email announcing the latest work-around, a bankruptcy-specific website that says it's "tearing down PACER's pay wall and bringing transparency to public records."
The site, called Inforuptcy, allows users to search for a case or a document through its portal. The search is free, and if the document is available, the HTML text can be viewed free. PDFs are offered for 50% off PACER's 10 cents per page.
If it's not in the database yet, the document can be pulled from PACER, with the user paying PACER's fee. The document is then stored on the site and available for those who later request it. New users are given $5 to start before they're asked for credit-card information.
In addition to having a filings service, the site has a marketplace that allows users to buy and sell bankruptcy assets and claims.
It's not clear how many documents Inforutpcy has amassed so far, but co-founder Michael Mikikian said the company is still raising awareness of the site. (A search Wednesday for some cases I check regularly directed me to PACER each time, for example.)
"The more people who bypass PACER.gov and use our site instead, the more we will be able to share that information with the public," Mikikian said via email.
The idea echoes a service that Princeton's Center for Information Technology began in 2009 called RECAP, a file-sharing service that provides free access to many PACER documents.
That service began when then-22-year-old programmer Aaron Swartz acquired 20 million pages of court documents by installing a script he'd written on a public library computer that had been given free access to PACER, according to Wired magazine. The script requested a new document from PACER every three seconds. Swartz downloaded $1.5 million worth of documents and donated them to RECAP.
Now RECAP users can install the service, which stores documents when users download from PACER and then makes them available for everyone.
Although the government doesn't seem to love these services, they are legal. It has warned fee-exempt PACER users against contributing documents to the RECAP library and the Federal Bureau of Investigation opened an investigation on Swartz, but it was later closed.
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RBC.com | Français | | Contact Us
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About RBC > Media Newsroom > Speeches > Promoting women entrepreneurs... Leadership in action
Charlie Coffey
Executive Vice President
Government Affairs
RBC Financial Group
Financing Women's Enterprise Forum
International Finance Corporation, The World Bank
Washington, DC, USA
Tuesday, March 8, 2005
Thanks again Amanda for another marvellous introduction
Some of you may have attended The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) Global Partnership Forum: Uncommon Women on Common Ground last November, right here in Washington. I was reading the summary report by Stephanie MacKendrick, President of Canadian Women in Communications and particularly noted her recap about Amanda's comments at the conference: she "spoke about the ways in which sharing information could help propel forward women entrepreneurs, not just in the western world, but in developing countries as well. She outlined an initiative to create a master directory of women entrepreneurs from existing directors and (ideas) to connect women entrepreneurs from countries where women's roles are restricted, with North American CEOs who can help with access to markets. (And) in order for such initiatives to succeed, Ms. Ellis stressed the importance of engaging male champions on issues to ensure they are seen as important by male peers who largely control the business environment." Now I get it - this is why Amanda invited me to speak today!
Since Hannah Sorscher, President of TIAW has joined us this afternoon, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate her on a fabulous forum and TIAW's support with tsunami reconstruction efforts! To all of you who have stepped up to the plate in one way or another to help southeast Asia during this horrendous disaster, a special thank you and round of applause. Talk about leadership in action.
I'm delighted to be here this afternoon - to participate in this forum on International Women's Day. If there's anyone in the room (and this includes you Amanda), who's hearing me speak for the third time today, I appreciate your staying power. In light of this special day that's celebrated around the world, coupled with the gender equality theme, I want to share the words of Agnes Macphail, Canada's first female Member of Parliament with you, as spoken in our House of Commons on February 26, 1925: "When I hear men talk about women being the angel of the home I always, mentally at least, shrug my shoulders in doubt. I do not want to be the angel of any home; I want for myself what I want for other women, absolute equality. After that is secured, then men and women can take turns at being angels."
I'm a strong advocate of women entrepreneurs, women executives, women in public life and women in community leadership. And more often than not, these women are also wives, partners and mothers - sometimes single moms. When you grow up with six sisters, you learn pretty darn fast about the importance of women in families, society, communities and business. And yes, the Women Entrepreneurs of Canada Foundation named me a honourary woman in 2001. I wear the distinction with great pride
On February 28, Alison Maitland of the Financial Times wrote an article "The puzzle of the lost women." She spoke of "women graduates (who) enter many companies and professional firms in nearly equal numbers to men, but drop out as they rise up the ranks. How to hold on to this talent, and increase women's representation in senior jobs, has become a serious concern for leading employers." She poses the questions: "Is discrimination to blame? Is corporate culture at fault by favouring the linear career path traditionally taken by men? Or are women less ambitious, less willing to play power games and more susceptible to demands outside work?" Apparently all these elements could be at play, as several new studies reveal.
Alison goes on to write: "One survey, sponsored by Ernst & Young, Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers, was initiated by the Center for Work-Life Policy, a New York-based non-profit organization that has created a taskforce of 19 global companies looking for ways to reverse the hidden brain drain. For companies that lose talented women, the survey contains worrying news. None of those who left jobs in business, banking or finance wanted to return to their former employer: the overriding factor in their decision to take a career break was not family, as people might assume, but lack of job satisfaction." Some interesting research and food for thought
The impact and influence of women on the prosperity of Canada and nations around the globe is not lost on RBC Financial Group or me. As I mentioned at lunch, women are also part of the diversity advantage. Although business interest and opportunity led RBC to pursue the women entrepreneurs' market eleven years ago, I saw other agendas at play - the big one being the critically and strategically important contributions that women make in advancing a civil society. The countless women I've met over the years have given me insight into the intrinsic connection between the economic and social agendas of our country. And RBC's work in this market has made it crystal clear to us (call it self-enlightenment if you will), that Canada's prosperity is contingent on the key link between these two diverse agendas.
When RBC targeted the women entrepreneurs market, our initial strategy was community/grassroots-based we created advisory councils. Women told us to put dollars into learning - provide education and support, break down barriers and help build networks. Knowing we had to change the culture and mind-set of our staff, we embarked on training our workforce - small business account managers - men and women across the country. The program taught gender communication but it also served to raise market awareness within our sales force. We needed a way to sustain and spread the learning, so we created local champions - the cornerstone for delivery of our programs. The national network comprises approximately 100 women entrepreneur market champions. And our national market champion is here today - Kristina Depencier, RBC Royal Bank's recently appointed director of women's markets.
RBC also wanted to make it easier for women entrepreneurs to find useful information faster, as that's what good relationship building is all about. This was on our minds when we launched the web site for women entrepreneurs (http://www.rbcroyalbank.com/sme/women/) and our Champions newsletter. These resources provide information, association listings and news, as well as tips about access to markets, networking, financing, growing your business and much more. Copies of our newest edition of Champions are available here, so please pick one up at your convenience.
RBC Royal Bank (Canada) is a founding member of the Global Banking Alliance (GBA) for Women, dedicated to helping accelerate the growth of women-owned businesses. Other founding members include: Westpac (Australia), FleetBoston (based in Boston, Mass., USA), Bank of Ireland and RBC Centura Bank (based in North Carolina, USA). These banks have been recognized by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as best-practices banks for their programs for women. Amanda participated in the Women Trading Globally Trade Mission and Forum presented by RBC last April in Vancouver. The GBA certainly had a presence at that event
It's no surprise there's several myths about obtaining financing for women entrepreneurs. The reality is that, when it comes to financing their businesses, women and men are both approved at the about the same rate. The size of the company, length of time in business and the type of industry are just some of the factors that influence decisions made about financing - and these are non-gender specific.
For example, a common perception is that women entrepreneurs are approved for credit less often then men. In fact, women are more conservative when they approach their financing requirements - and they borrow less. When we surveyed our customers, 68% of women-owned businesses reported they have business borrowings versus 75% of male owned businesses. This includes borrowings from RBC or any other lender whether they are company loans, lines of credit, leases, or commercial mortgages.
Women-led businesses also tend to have a more conservative capital structure with less debt. As a result, women get approved at the same or better rates than their male counterparts. In a survey, Statistics Canada found that 85% of female owned businesses were approved for credit vs. 80% for men. And a Thompson Lightstone survey found the approval rate for women to be 91% vs. 82% for men.
We realize that access to financing/expertise is essential for any business, so we created partnerships both in and outside the country to help support the development of small business and share best practices. The GBA is one such partnership. RBC also initiated and participated in trade missions and alliances with the federal government.
Needless to say, RBC is proud to be the #1 bank for women entrepreneurs in Canada, with 22 per cent market share. We know the women entrepreneurs' market is the market of the future and the future is now: we also know that consumer spending accounts for two thirds of the economy and that women make 85% of all consumer purchasing decisions. Women entrepreneurs also account for 70% of new business start-ups.
RBC still has a way to go in meeting the needs of women entrepreneurs, yet we're gratified with our accomplishments to-date. Through our activities, initiatives and feedback from clients, we're generating more awareness about the economic power of businesswomen and women consumers. We believe very passionately in serving and supporting women entrepreneurs.
On the Canadian front
And in countries around the world
I would be remiss not to mention the Equator Principles in a room with IFC and World Bank colleagues. On July 23, 2003, RBC joined leading international banks in promoting responsible environmental and social development globally, when we became the first Canadian financial institution to adopt the Equator Principles, the voluntary set of guidelines to manage social and environmental issues related to large-scale project financing in developing countries. We're applying these principles globally to project financings in all industry sectors, including mining, oil and gas, and forestry. As a leading North American financial services provider, we recognize our role in supporting and advocating sustainable business practices.
The adoption of the Equator Principles enhances our existing environmental risk management policies and commitment to sustainable development. We provide loans only to those projects whose sponsors can demonstrate to our satisfaction, that they have addressed key social and environmental issues in accordance with our policies and processes. Since RBC occupies almost 20 million square feet of office space and employs over 60,000 people worldwide, our businesses are required to adhere to environmental policies regarding everything from responsible lending, to choosing suppliers and recycling. RBC Financial Group was also the first North American company, to sign the United Nations Environmental Programme's (UNEP) Statement by Financial Institutions on the Environment and Sustainable Development.
I noted the IFC launched its annual Sustainability Report for fiscal 2004 on March 2, which includes an update on the "ongoing adoption of the IFC-led Equator Principles by banks and financial institutions and a commitment to expand its portfolio of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects and the establishment of a program to promote gender equality and business opportunities for women." It's great to see that on March 3, just a few days ago, state-owned Brazilian bank, Banco do Brasil, adopted the Equator Principles, becoming the 29th financial institution to do so.
Speaking of principles, what RBC is doing in terms
of integrity of business, contribution to economic prosperity
and support for community causes, is documented in our 2004
Corporate Responsibility Report. I brought a few copies with
me or you can follow our web site link below: http://www.rbc.com/community/rbc_community/
As I wrap up, special thanks to Amanda Ellis, Aya Okajima and Ann Pasco for coordinating my visit.
In closing, whether it's promoting women entrepreneurs or
promoting sustainability, we must create and stimulate our
local, national, North American and global work environments
to capitalize on opportunities, participation, growth and
diversity. There's no turning back - there's only learning
and moving forward - leadership in action!
Thank you.


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|ESL Intermediate Class
Event Type: ESL
Date: 12/4/2019
Start Time: 9:00 AM
End Time: 12:00 PM
Do you want to improve your English speaking and writing skills? The Vernon Area Public Library offers FREE English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for adults. The class meets Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9am to noon.Vernon Area Public Library
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I'm fairly sure most (all) of us feel parent/child incest is wrong, and for fairly obvious reasons.
However, if a brother and sister are very careful about pregnancy prevention or, better, one or both of them is unable to conceive, what would be wrong with it?
BTW, I'm NOT trying to decide whether to do it with my sister (LOL). This is just a question that came to mind while in a discussion with another person.
Views: 23123
And she shouldn't be. It should go without saying really. Your siblings are there to support, co-exist or even annoy you. Not to build intimate relations with.
But don't we SEEK people to support, co-exist, or annoy? Generally, we call them husbands, wives, or at least significant others. Why couldn't a brother or sister fill that role?
I think the best argument against it is that most people have a trail of terminated sexual relations behind them that they don't want reminders of constantly, which is hardly possible in a family context.
That last is probably the true origin of such taboos. :) Familial ties are complicated enough to deal with already without the extra baggage of unhappy sexual experiences. Though I've read of some cultures ideas of incest that causes me to scratch my head. I have a vague memory of an article about a small group that is known for their promiscuity - even allowing for parent/child & sibling/sibling, but they had a taboo that made me go "huh?". It was something like the mother-in-law of a third cousin or something about as convoluted. Maybe I can trace the tribal group down again but it's been years since I read the article. I think I saw it in the mid-1980s.
Yeah, I see what you are saying but I see my brother as another version of myself. His genetics are so close to mine and I just think a siblings connection is or should be platonic. I can't even imagine how one would first reveal emotional/sexual feelings towards a sibling. 'Normally' we reproduce with the intent that our children aren't going to become 'involved'. Personally, I would be very much against my future childrens' 'relationship' and would probably feel a sense of disappointment in my own choices when bringing them up. I know you can't help who you fall in love with, but surely if you've set out in life with the view that your sibling is your sibling and nothing more, 99.9% of the time it would stay that way. Out of interest though, have you mentioned the idea to your sister? Just to see what her views are on the issue.
I ruled reproduction out from the start. Remember? Let's rule out love as well and just make it sex for sex's sake. They could have a rule amongst themselves to limit themselves to non-coital sexual activities.
I haven't mentioned it to my theistic sister. She's not of a philosophical bent and wouldn't be a good opponent for me. I know how to argue this subject in a platonic way, she probably would not.
I never said anything about the two siblings reproducing. I was talking about me reproducing and how I would feel about those kids then going on to sexual relations. Well in all honesty, I don't see your point whatsoever then, because if it was for love, I would ever-so-slightly understand making exceptions. But just for sexual reasons? No. Go out and find it somewhere else. Is it really worth the repercussions just for sex?
It is kinda a betrayal of trust. You're supposed to be safe from being screwed with within your own family. You're supposed to be able to have a safe, platonic relationship with your brother, probably for most women the only man they will ever be able to trust that way (other than their father). So that's a problem for me. *shrugs*
When it's mutually consensual, it's hard to imagine how the trust issue gets in there. And where is the betrayal of trust in such a situation?
When it's mutually consensual, it's hard to imagine how the trust issue gets in there.
So is there an age of consent? We probably agree that it depends a lot on maturity differences in the partners. "When it's mutually consensual" is easy to say, but not so easy to know.
And in what way does that apply uniquely to sibling incest? One might raise that objection to so-called "normal" relationships.
Who said it applies uniquely? As I said earlier, mentioning that it happens in more than just incestual relationships only highlights its universal risk. Are you saying that the "mutual consent" issue is irrelevant in kids' relationships and only applies to adults?
Kids today are having sex fairly early today. What are you proposing, some sort of agency they need to apply to in order to get a sex license?


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Lacewing eggs are supported on long, silken stalks for protection against predators.
Mungkan Kandju National Park, Queensland, Australia
Lacewing larvae are sometimes referred to as "aphid lions" as they are voracious aphid predators. This one consumes a milkweed aphid.
Urbana, Illinois, USA
The larva of a green lacewing sucks the juices from a milkweed aphid.
Urbana, Illinois, USA
A brown lacewing. Saint Louis, Missouri, USA.
Climaciella brunnea
Climaciella brunnea is a predatory mantisfly that mimics paper wasps in the genus Polistes.
Urbana, Illinois, USA
Predator versus predator: an immature lacewing sucks the juices from a ladybird beetle larva. Austin, Texas, USA.
Myrmeleontidae - Antlion
The delicate, lacy-winged antlion adult bears little resemblance to its predatory immature form. Yandoit, Victoria, Australia.
Adult antlions superficially resemble damselflies, but they are actually relatives of lacewings.
Sierra Nevada mountains, California, USA
Duskywing - Coniopterygidae
Some of the smallest and least conspicuous North American lacewings are in the family Coniopterygidae, the duskywings. Austin, Texas, USA.
This mantisfly is a convincing mimic of Polistes paper wasps. McKinney Roughs Park, Texas, USA.
A mantisfly poses for the 2016 BugShot insect photography workshop near Austin, Texas.
Dicromantispa sayi
The raptorial forelegs of mantisflies are used, like those of a preying mantis, to capture prey. This Dicromantispa has caught a small moth. Austin, Texas, USA.
Dicromantispa interrupta
Portrait of a mantisfly. These unusual insects are neither mantis nor fly, but a lineage of lacewings that specialize as parasites of spider eggs. Austin, Texas, USA.
Plega sp.
A Plega sp. brown mantidfly rests on a twig.
Chiricahua mountains, Arizona, USA
Antlion pits in sandy soil.
Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
An antlion larva repairs its pit by launching sand over the edge.
Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
An antlion larva (Myrmeleontidae) removed from its sand pit.
Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
An antlion (not visible) hurls sand at an ant (Camponotus tortuganus) attempting to climb out of the trap.
Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA


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Judge this: Hizzonor Helvin's gone fishin'
Here's the downside of being a judge: You can't have a beer with your lunch at Court Square Tavern because people might say, "He's drunk on the bench," or "Look at the guy ruling on drunk driving cases boozing it up."
Steve Helvin, Albemarle General District Court judge for 21 years, knows about avoiding the appearance of impropriety. That's why he likes to take off to the Florida Keys for three months to fish and bask in the anonymity. When people ask what he does, he says, "I worked for the state, and they look at me and think, 'highway flagman.'"
The youngest jurist appointed to the bench in Albemarle County in 1980, Helvin says he's tried more cases than any judge in the county. He retired last year, but still teaches law students and judges part time, taking "the cases no one else wants."
If he were to give advice to a new judge, it would be to not make decisions based on stereotypes. Helvin confesses his own bias: "I never liked people who look like the bully in my third grade class and I can't decide a case based on that."
Inquiring minds also want to know what judges have on under those judicial robes? Helvin claims he always wore a coat and tie, but fantasized about ripping off his robe to reveal a Hawaiian shirt and shorts underneath.
And the one time he did wear shorts and boat shoes on a morning when he was leaving for vacation, he ran into a woman a month later who said, "I remember you you're the judge who didn't wear socks."
Helvin offers one consolation for those who've got a court date in their future: "Everybody goes through court around here at some time."
Age: 59
What brought you here? A doctor at Martha Jefferson Hospital in 1943.
What's worst about living here? I don't like January, February, March so I go to Key Largo.
Favorite hangout? Court Square Tavern
Most overrated virtue? I think the idea of being virtuous is. Too much pressure.
What would people be surprised to know about you? When I quit smoking, I took up needlepoint. I enjoyed it.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I'd like to lose some weight.
What accomplishment are you proudest of? My accomplishments are modest. I'm very lucky to have been a judge, lawyer, and to teach law and have that variety in my career.
What do people find most annoying about you? I find a lot of them guilty.
Whom do you admire? Jefferson, Churchill, Lincoln
Favorite book? To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
What subject causes you to rant? Talking-head lawyers on television and dishonest politicians who are self-serving of either party.
What thrills you about life in the 21st century? My son thinks it's time for me to get into the 20th century because I'm not there yet.
What creeps you out about life in the 21st century? After September 11, I really worry about liberty and freedom for my son's generation.
What do you drive? A Jeep handed down from my wife
What's in your car tape player right now? Jimmy Buffett
What's your next journey? Key Largo for three months
What's the most trouble you've ever gotten in? For years I've given people the right to take the Fifth Amendment. I'm going to take that now.
What do you regret? There's not a lot I regret.
Favorite comfort food? My wife's apple pie
What's always in your refrigerator? My wife controls that, and she doesn't let me do much with it.
Must-see TV? Iron Chef, Changing Spaces, and occasionally college football and basketball.
Favorite cartoon? Shoe, Garfield
Describe a perfect day. Any day you wake up and feel good and can do what you want to do. My mother-in-law is 95 years old, and we walk every morning. She said to me one morning, "When I get old, I'm not going to be able to do this." I like that attitude.
Walter Mitty fantasy? I'd like to catch the world-record fish in the Gulf Stream at Key Largo.
Who'd play you in the movie? Any extra could do it.
Most embarrassing moment? In college I was visiting my wife at her college. I slept in a friend's car and got down to my underwear because I had an interview for admission to law school in the morning. The police arrested me because I didn't have the car's registration and was not fully clothed. They didn't charge me, but I had to hitchhike to my interview in rumpled clothes.
Best advice you ever got? My father used to say, never give your word of honor lightly, and once you do, never break it.
Favorite bumper sticker? So many species, so little time.Read more on: steve helvin