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Government shutdown: Charity will pay military death benefits
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon and Congress scrambled Wednesday to restore full military death benefits for families to quell a growing controversy as the federal government shutdown delayed assistance even to families of those who have given their lives for their country.
In a surprise move, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced that the Pentagon had reached an agreement with Fisher House, a nonprofit charity that assists military families, to begin paying the survivor benefits, including a $100,000 death gratuity to next of kin, until the government can resume the payments.
The action came slightly more than a hour after the House passed a bill, 425-0, to restore the benefits and sent it to the Senate, although it appeared the Democratic-controlled Senate might not act on the bill after the Pentagon moved to pay the benefits through Fisher House.
If the Senate fails to act, Republicans would have a harder time claiming credit for restoring the benefits.
FULL COVERAGE: The U.S. government shutdown
The flurry of action — and finger-pointing by the Obama administration and Republicans in Congress about who was responsible — came after the deaths of four soldiers in a roadside bomb attack on Oct. 6 focused growing attention on the halt in next-of-kin benefits. The delay was becoming a major embarrassment for both parties.
A senior administration official said that 26 service members have died since the shutdown began Oct. 1, six in Afghanistan and the rest in the United States.
President Obama was "not pleased" to learn that death benefits were not being paid and that grieving families were waiting for the benefits to cover the cost of burials, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said. "The president expects this to be fixed today."
The president and Democratic congressional leaders have been reluctant to pass Band-Aid bills to fix specific shortfalls, but neither wanted to be seen as denying grieving military families their benefits.
"I am offended, outraged, and embarrassed that the government shutdown had prevented the Department of Defense from fulfilling this most sacred responsibility in a timely manner," Hagel said after traveling to Dover, Del., earlier in the day for the somber arrival ceremony for the remains of the four soldiers killed Sunday.
House Republicans blamed the Obama administration for the lapse, arguing it had the power to keep paying them. "This is a disgrace. An intentional policy of pain," said Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), a veteran.
PHOTOS: 2013's memorable political moments
"They broke a sacred trust with our U.S. men and women who are on the front lines," said Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine), also a veteran.
William A. Thien, the head of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, called the benefits lapse delay "disgusting and shameful," adding, "It is absolutely appalling and nothing short of a travesty that elected officials continue to receive paychecks and benefits while not providing for those who deserve it most."
He said the VFW's foundation would provide financial assistance to families of deceased service members until the shutdown ends.
Hagel said that Congress was at fault. "In the days before the shutdown, we warned Congress and the American people that DOD would not have the legal authority to make these payments during a lapse in appropriations."
He said department lawyers determined that the Pentagon did not have the authority to make the payments, even after Congress passed legislation after the shutdown restoring pay for the military.
Fisher House had approached the Pentagon in the last 24 hours offering to pay the benefits, including the $100,000 death gratuity, from its own funds, and administration lawyers had determined that this was legal, Hagel said. "After the shutdown ends, DOD will reimburse the Fisher House for the costs it has incurred," he said.
When asked earlier Wednesday whether the Senate would act to continue payments, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said that the president was working with the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Defense to try to solve the problem.
Times staff writers Brian Bennett and Christi Parsons contributed to this report.
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Time hasn't 'lessened our loss': US marks 18th anniversary of 9/11 terror attack with silence, tolling bells
Bells tolled across New York City, President Donald Trump spoke at the Pentagon, and moments of silence were observed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and across the nation Wednesday as America commemorated the 18th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
Politics also took center stage as Trump targeted the Taliban and a Ground Zero family member took aim at comments made by a Muslim congresswoman.
In New York, the names of the almost 3,000 people who lost their lives were solemnly read at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Intermittent moments of silence marked the impact times of the Ground Zero planes, the time when each tower collapsed and the moment when planes struck the Pentagon and a field in Shanksville.
"Eighteen years have not lessened our loss," Mary Ann Marino said after reading some of the names, including that of her son, firefighter Kenneth Marino.
The first moment of silence was observed at 8:46 a.m. EDT to mark the time when American Airlines Flight 11, en route to Los Angeles from Boston when it was hijacked, slammed into the north face of the World Trade Center's North Tower.
Son of 9/11 victim addresses Ilhan Omar:'Show respect in honoring them, please'
More moments of silence followed:
• At 9:03 a.m. for United Airlines Flight 175, also bound for Los Angeles from Boston, when it crashed into the south face of the World Trade Center's South Tower.
• At 9:37 a.m. for American Airlines Flight 77, scheduled to fly from Washington to Los Angeles when it hit the Pentagon.
• At 10:03 a.m. for Flight 93, flying from Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco when it slammed into a western Pennsylvania field.
The World Trade Center's South Tower collapsed at 9:59 a.m.; the North Tower fell 29 minutes later.
The New York ceremony was open only to family members, but the event was streamed live. The memorial will open to the public later in the day.
Nicholas Haros Jr., whose mother, Frances, died in the World Trade Center, challenged a statement this summer from Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., that "some people did something and that all of us were starting to lose access" to civil liberties. Haros wore a black T-shirt with the words "Some people did something" as he read the names of the dead.
"Our constitutional freedoms were attacked, and our nation's founding on Judeo-Christian values was attacked. That's what 'some people' did. Got that now?" Haros said.
In Shanksville, Vice President Mike Pence lauded heroes from United Airlines Flight 93. The Memorial Plaza is near the site where Flight 93 crashed into a field after passengers fought with hijackers intent on crashing into the U.S. Capitol.
The memory of those who died is "carved into the hearts and memories of the American people," Pence said. The names of the 40 passengers and crew were read, and the Bells of Remembrance were rung. A wreath was placed at the Wall of Names at the site.
18 years after 9/11:Terrorism needs to be prevented at the source
Trump led a brief remembrance on the South Lawn of the White House, joined by hundreds of guests, including 9/11 survivors and family members and current and former law enforcement personnel. He then spoke at a ceremony at the Pentagon, where 184 people were killed 18 years ago.
"Today the nation honors and mourns nearly 3,000 lives that were stolen from us," Trump said. He recounted going to Ground Zero after the planes hit.
"We are united with you in grief," he said. "We offer you all that we have: our unwavering loyalty, our undying devotion, our eternal pledge that your loved ones will never, ever be forgotten."
Trump blamed the Taliban for the cancellation of peace talks to try to end the war that started in Afghanistan shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks. He said U.S. forces have "hit them" harder than ever.
"And if for any reason they ever come back to our country, we will go wherever they are and use power the likes of which the U.S. has never used before," Trump said.
Cities and towns across the nation marked the anniversary. In Michigan, an anti-Muslim event was canceled amid condemnation from politicians and organizations.
Bloomfield Hills Baptist Church announced in a one-sentence email Monday evening that it canceled a two-day event called "9/11 forgotten? Is Michigan surrendering to Islam?" that had been scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. The event was set to host two speakers addressing topics such as "How the interfaith movement is sabotaging America and the church" and "How Islam is destroying America from within."
Contributing: David Jackson and Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY; Emma Keith, Detroit Free Press; The Associated Press

subset: commoncrawl


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Main Content
Top of the page
Pain is your body's way of warning you that something is wrong. If you step on a sharp object or put your hand on a hot stove, the pain lets you know right away that you are hurt and need to protect yourself. You may have pain from an injury, after surgery, or from a health problem like cancer, osteoarthritis, low back pain, headaches, or fibromyalgia.
Your body feels pain through nerves in your skin and organs. These nerve endings send pain signals to your brain.
Pain can affect:
You can have more than one kind of pain at the same time. For example, cancer can cause pain in your bones and your organs.
Pain feels different for everyone. Something that doesn't bother one person might feel very bad to someone else.
Pain can feel sharp or dull. It may throb or burn. It may be in one part of your body, such as with a headache or a stomach ulcer. Or you may feel pain all over, like when your muscles ache from intense exercise or the flu.
Some pain may be so mild that you can ignore it until it goes away. But other pain may be so bad that you can't do your daily activities without medicine or other treatment.
Pain may last for a short time or a long time. It may come and go or it may be constant.
Pain that starts quickly and lasts for a short time is called acute pain. Examples include pain from an injury, a headache, childbirth, or right after surgery.
Pain that goes on for months or years is called chronic pain. You may have this pain from an injury that doesn't heal or from a health problem like low back pain, very bad headaches, or diabetic neuropathy.
Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.
Controlling your pain can help you to:
Long-term pain that isn't controlled can take the joy from your life. You may not be able to work. Physical activity may be too painful or exhausting. You may have a hard time sleeping at night, which can make you tired and cranky. Your outlook on life may change and strain your relationships with family and friends. You may become depressed and anxious. Controlling pain can help with all these things.
Many different treatments can ease pain. Medicines are the most common treatment. But to feel better, you will need to do more than take medicine, such as reducing your stress level or changing how you think.
You also can try physiotherapy, relaxation, acupuncture, and other ways to feel better. Talk with your doctor about what mix of treatments might work best for you.
Your treatment depends on several things, including:
If you have pain for a long time, your treatment may change over time.
Medicines can help you get better and can even save your life. But they can also be dangerous, especially if you don't take them the right way. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Several types of medicines can be used to treat pain. Most of these medicines can treat more than one kind of pain. So you may need to try a couple of medicines to see which works best for you. Your doctor will work with you to find the right types and dosage of medicine. You may take more than one kind of medicine at the same time.
Types of pain
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS):
Opioid pain relievers:
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressants:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants:
Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants:
All medicines have side effects. For more information, see the Side Effects of Pain Medicines section of this topic.
Learn more about:
You may want to try other ways to help you relax and ease pain. These may include:
Stress can make pain worse. It can tighten your muscles, which can cause headaches and pain in your neck, shoulders, and back.
Try these methods to reduce stress and pain:
For more information, see the topic Stress Management.
How you think can affect how you feel. You may be able to reduce your pain by stopping negative thoughts. You can change what you say to yourself about your pain. To help your outlook, try the methods described in these topics:
For more information, see the topic Stop Negative Thoughts: Choosing a Healthier Way of Thinking.
Pain can get worse slowly. So it can be hard to tell if your pain is getting worse, especially if you've had it for a while. But you can look for signs that your pain is worse. You may notice that:
Using a pain scale and a pain diary can help you know how much pain you're having. These tools also can help you tell your doctor what your pain feels like so that he or she can help you. You can use these tools for short-term or long-term pain.
Health professionals often use a pain scale to find out how much pain a person has. The scale is from 0 to 10, with "0" being no pain and "10" being the worst possible pain.
To use a pain scale, write down how strong your pain is and when it comes and goes.
Use a pain diary to keep a record of your pain. Write down what pain medicines you're taking and how well they are working.
Also write down anything else you're doing to control your pain. Note the details of your pain so you can tell your doctor. Is it burning? Throbbing? Steady? How long does it last?
Take your diary and pain scale and any questions with you when you see your doctor. Talk to your doctor anytime you have new pain or your pain gets worse.
All medicines have side effects. But many side effects can be managed so that you can still take the medicine. Talk to your doctor if you have any side effects. Your doctor may change your dose or the type of medicine you take.
Opioid pain relievers are strong medicines. They can help you manage pain when you use them the right way. But if you misuse them, they can cause serious harm and even death. For these reasons, it is important to use them exactly as your doctor prescribes. But you can develop opioid use disorder. Moderate to severe opioid use disorder is sometimes called addiction. The risk is higher if you have a history of substance use. Your doctor will monitor you closely for signs of opioid use disorder and to figure out when you no longer need to take opioids. If you are worried about developing this disorder, talk with your doctor.
If you are taking a long-acting opioid pain reliever, make sure you know how to use it safely.
Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued advisories on antidepressant medicines and the risk of suicide. Talk with your doctor about these possible side effects and the warning signs of suicide.
For more information, see the topic Dealing With Medicine Side Effects and Interactions.
The best way to control your pain is to follow your treatment plan and give it time to work. The goal of your treatment plan is to be able to function and do the things you need to do, even if you still have some pain.
Some treatments may take a few days or weeks to improve your pain. You and your doctor can talk about how long you should stay on a medicine or other treatment.
It's very important to take your medicines exactly as your doctor prescribes. Following your doctor's advice will help you get the right amount of medicine with as few side effects as possible. It also will help you and your doctor know if a medicine is working for you.
Make sure to tell your doctor about any medicines or natural health products you take. Your other medicines and natural health products could mix in a bad way with your pain medicines. This could keep the pain medicine from working as well as it could.
Make the most of your pain medicines by following these rules:
Only you can tell how much pain you have and whether it's getting better or worse. Talk to your doctor anytime you have new pain, your pain gets worse, or your treatment isn't controlling your pain.
Some people may think they're weak if they tell their doctor about their pain. Or they worry that they're bothering their doctor.
You're not weak. And you're not bothering the doctor. Your doctor wants to help you. But to help you, the doctor needs to know how you really feel.
Call your doctor if:
Needing other people for emotional support is a normal part of life. You may have to lean on family and friends if you're getting over an injury or surgery or if you live with pain much of the time.
It can be hard sometimes to ask for help. But don't be afraid to reach out. Other people can help you—and they may be eager to help. Along with your family and friends, you can seek support from:
For more information, see the topic Support Groups and Social Support.
Current as of: December 13, 2021
Author: Healthwise StaffMedical Review: Anne C. Poinier MD - Internal MedicineDonald Sproule MDCM, CCFP - Family MedicineAdam Husney MD - Family MedicineMartin J. Gabica MD - Family MedicineKathleen Romito MD - Family MedicineNancy Greenwald MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Current as of: December 13, 2021
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Anne C. Poinier MD - Internal Medicine & Donald Sproule MDCM, CCFP - Family Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Nancy Greenwald MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org.
© 1995-2022 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.


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LONDON, England (CNN) -- Resourceful African filmmakers are using cell phones to tell their stories in spite of political censorship.
Art school student Kiripi Katembo Siku listens during a mobile phone filmmaking workshop at the Académie des Beaux Arts in Kinshasa.
Kiripi Katembo Siku, an art school student from the Democratic Republic of Congo is one such director who shot his first film using only a mobile phone.
The ingeniously devised "Voiture en Carton" ("Cardboard Car") provides a rare glimpse of street-life in Kinshasa, the country's capital, while highlighting the lengths filmmakers must go to in circumventing the eye of the law.
While the country's name implies freedom of speech, filmmakers in the country's capital are restricted by government censorship.
To get around these problems, Siku came up with a novel plan.
He attached his mobile phone to a toy car, set it to film, and gave it to a young girl to pull behind her on a piece of string as she walked through the streets of Kinshasa.
The film runs for seven minutes, during which time the toy car stops and starts (it also upends a number of times and has to be righted by Siku's young camerawoman) giving viewers a clandestine look at life in the capital -- the dancing feet of children, some teenagers gambling, and at one point a United Nations jeep passing by.
Siku is one of a number of filmmakers in DR Congo who say using a mobile phone allows them to film in ways that were previously impossible.
"Camera phones are affordable, small and easy to maneuver," Siku told CNN. "They allowed me to work more discreetly and get closer to my subjects."
Government officials try to keep reports of poverty and corruption quiet, which means filming permits have become virtually impossible for Congolese working in Kinshasa to obtain, according to filmmakers working there.
Salim Amin, Chairman of Kenya-based African news organization, Africa 24 Media, which has operated in DRC, agrees that it can be very difficult for filmmakers to work in the country.
"[They] try and stop stories of corruption from coming out by refusing accreditation to locals from the Ministry of Information. That's the way they weed out people who will be critical to government," Amin told CNN.
Those brave enough to defy the authorities and shoot without permission, whether or not they have an anti-government agenda, risk hefty fines, arrest, or worse.
A spokesperson from the DRC government was not available for comment.
Siku only started making films last year, when he participated in a mobile phone filmmaking workshop held by French filmmaker, Marie-Dominique Dhelsing in February 2008.
The young Congolese says it gave him the inspiration he needed to carry on making films. "After her course here in Kinshasa I fell in love with directing, editing and working in a team," Siku told CNN. Watch Siku's "Voiture en Carton" here.
Dhelsing organizes mobile filmmaking master classes in deprived regions of the world to give young people in developing countries an opportunity to tell their stories.
Although her Congolese workshop was officially organized for students at the Académie des Beaux Arts, Kinshasa's only arts school, Dhelsing also encouraged less privileged youths from nearby slums to attend her tutorials.
"The pupils who were most interested were coming from the roughest townships in Kinshasa," the 49-year-old told CNN.
"They would spend two and a half hours traveling to the school by foot because they didn't have money for a bus.
"For me it was very important that they could participate," she said.
During the two weeks she spent in Kinshasa in 2008, Dhelsing and her trainees produced a total of eight short films -- an impressive tally given the logistical problems they faced.
"I wanted them to edit what they had shot, but there was little access to computers," she told CNN.
"We also had a lot of electricity problems," she continued. "In Kinshasa, you have a period of at least two or three hours a day where you have no electricity."
Siku's film has been entered into the international section of mobile phone film festival, 5th Pocket Films Festival, which is being held in Paris in June.
The festival organizers supported Dhelsing's mobile workshops by equipping her with camera phones.
Laurence Herszberg, founder of Pocket Films, says the relative cheapness of mobile movies can serve as a stepping stone for emerging cineastes in poorer regions.
"Young filmmakers, knowing that it's very cheap, often decide to make their first feature film by shooting it on mobile, using it as an advertisement to show what they're capable of," Herszberg told CNN.
Siku's mobile film allowed the young Congolese to successfully showcase his talents and opened the vital first door to a future in filmmaking. He is now working as an assistant director on a documentary about the economy of DR Congo's mining region, Katanga.
Siku also continues to shoot on mobile phones and has, with a number of his workshop colleagues, founded YEBELA, a collective of video artists who show their films in the streets of Kinshasa.
Dhelsing is pleased that her classes have taken on a momentum of their own.
"For the artists in the collective, it's a very important way to express themselves," she said.
"We've been in touch all year by e-mail and I support them, but they're doing their own thing now."
Now, she's seeking a new challenge. Having just returned from her second workshop in Johannesburg, Dhelsing is currently planning a third in the slums of São Paulo this September.
"Sometimes I think I must be crazy doing what I do," she told CNN. "But if it wasn't for the workshops I would never get to see these places and meet these interesting people."
Mairi Mackay and Metsa Rahimi contributed to this article.


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Clementi's parents: Penalty need not be harsh
Tyler Clementi's parents want an official accounting of any criminal behavior in their son's suicide but say a harsh penalty for his former Rutgers University roommate isn't necessarily in order.
Clementi killed himself in September 2010, days after his roommate allegedly used a webcam to spy on Clementi's intimate encounter with another man. His death touched off a national discussion about bullying endured by young gays.
For the roommate, Dharun Ravi, it's meant a criminal case. Ravi is scheduled for trial in February on 15 charges, including invasion of privacy and the hate crime of bias intimidation. If he is convicted, he could get up to 10 years in prison.
But Clementi's parents, Joseph and Jane Clementi of Ridgewood, said in a statement Monday that the case is not about whether Ravi's actions caused their son's death but about whether Ravi's conduct amounted to criminal behavior.
The Clementis have sat through all the court proceedings against the 19-year-old Ravi. A few times they have read statements afterward, but have never answered reporters' questions then or at other times.
Their lawyer, Paul Mainardi, issued the statement on their behalf. In it, they applaud Judge Glenn Berman's ruling last week that prosecutors did not have to give defense lawyers copies of Clementi's personal writings.
"Tyler is not on trial in this case," they said in the statement. "Despite some media narratives to the contrary, the criminal case is not about whether the roommate's acts caused Tyler to commit suicide. The criminal case is about the roommate's conduct."
They also added: "Legal accountability does not necessarily require the imposition of a harsh penalty in this case."
Defense lawyers asked for the writings, hoping to find that Clementi did not feel intimidated by his roommate or perhaps was troubled by something other than the alleged spying.
The parents did not comment on another ruling Berman made last week that required prosecutors to tell Ravi and his lawyer the name of the other man in the encounter. The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office is expected to appeal that ruling this week.


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Welcome to Dartstore!
The personal store with the largest and widest range in Sweden/Finland. Over products in stock and growing. We have more than 25 years of experience at the dartboard from the beginner level to the professional world tour.
With us, you can get advice and tips regarding the sport of darts, either by phone, e-mail, facebook or in our shop.
If you are in Stockholm, Sweden you can always visit the store, only 10 minutes away from central Stockholm. We can give you the customer a more personal service in your choice of dartmaterials. You can try to throw with different darts and materials to find the one that feels best to you with help from us.
Darts, flights, shafts, flightprotector, rings and points are sold in one set of 3 if it not says otherwise.
We also have some poolproducts in our product range as we think dart and pool works very well together.


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What's going on in music, movies and more
A Christmas classic
Rusty Salling takes the stage as Ebenezer Scrooge for the 23rd year in "A Christmas Carol," the Hippodrome's annual telling of Charles Dickens' classic story. Now in its 35th year at the Hipp, "A Christmas Carol" runs through Dec. 22 in alternating performances with "A Tuna Christmas," which runs through Dec. 23.
"A Christmas Carol": 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 22, Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets: $15-$35. (375-4477)
"A Tuna Christmas": 7:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 23, Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets: $15-$35. (375-4477, www.thehipp.org)
The Broadway tour of "West Side Story," the classic musical about street gangs in New York and a star-crossed love affair, comes to the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday and Wednesday.
"West Side Story": 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Phillips Center. Tickets: $20-$50, $15
The Gainesville Community Playhouse production of "White Christmas," with such Irving Berlin tunes as "I Love a Piano," "Snow" and the title track, runs through Dec. 23 at the Vam York Theater.
"White Christmas": 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 23, Vam York Theater, 4039 NW 16th Blvd. Tickets: $16, $10 students and children. (376-4949)
On Saturday, the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration at the Thomas Center features caroling and holiday music along with a visit from Santa Claus and light refreshments. Carriage rides through the Duck Pond will be available as well.
Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Thomas Center Spanish Court, 302 NE Sixth Ave. Free; carriage rides for $6 adults, $1 for children from 6 to 9:45 p.m. (393-2787)
"ParaNorman," animated comedy
"Lawless," crime drama
"Step Up: Revolution," drama, dance
"The Apparition," horror
"Killing Them Softly," thriller
"The Black Box," Michael Connelly
"Cold Days," Jim Butcher
"The Law of Divine Compensation," Marianne Williamson
"Margaret Truman's Experiment in Murder," Donald Bain
"Girl On Fire," Alicia Keys
"Fall To Grace," Paloma Faith
"A Spoonful of Time," Nektar
"XX," Great Big Sea
TODAY Orchid Auction: Fall Orchid Auction sponsored by the Gainesville Orchid Society, 7-9:30 p.m., Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, 4700 SW 58th Drive. Free. (372-4981) TUESDAY Science Café: Speaker Susan Milbrath discusses "The Maya Calendar — Cosmology and the End of the World," 6-7:30 p.m., Warehouse Restaurant and Lounge, 502 S. Main St. Free. WEDNESDAY "Empires and Animals — The Wari and Tiwanaku States in Southern Peru": Susan deFrance presents talk sponsored by the Gainesville Society of the Archaeological Institute of America, 8 p.m., Leigh Hall, Room 207, Buckman Drive, UF campus. Free. THURSDAY An Evening of Grace with Lola Haskins: Local poet Haskins reads from her 10th book of poems, 7-8 p.m., Alachua County Library Headquarters, 401 E. University Ave. Free. (334-3939) FRIDAY Plaza Ice Palace: Seasonal ice skating rink returns starting Friday, open 4-10 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through Jan. 13, Bo Diddley Community Plaza, 111 E. University Ave. Cost: $7-$10. (334-8746) SATURDAY Cane Day Festival: Old-time demonstrations and music, vendors and children's activities, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Dudley Farm Historic State Park, 18730 W. Newberry Road. Admission: $8 per vehicle. (472-1142, www.friendsofdudleyfarm.org) SUNDAY "Black Nativity": This gospel song play is a retelling of the birth of Christ using dialogue, narrative, pantomime, gospel song and folk spirituals, 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 9, The Actors Warehouse, 608 N. Main St. Cost: $15. (222-3699)


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Do humans need mystery 'junk' DNA? This carnivorous plant doesn't
How's this for spring cleaning? Scientists have discovered that a carnivorous plant deletes so much of its own junk DNA that it has hardly any left. The finding, published online in Nature, hints that such noncoding DNA may not be as important as some scientists believe.
"Junk DNA is probably well named as junk. There doesn't seem to be any glorious reason or function behind it," said Victor Albert, a University at Buffalo molecular evolutionary biologist and one of the lead authors on the study.
Only 2% of the human genome is actually made up of functional elements such as genes, according to Albert. The rest of it is non-coding DNA that doesn't appear to carry active, relevant information for that living creature's proper functioning (i.e. for building proteins).
But the carnivorous bladderwort plant, Utricularia gibba, has only about 3% junk, according to an international team of researchers -- which is unusual even by plant standards. About 97% of its code actually consists of genes -- making it a lean, mean genetic machine.
U. gibba is a feathery carnivorous plant that forms mats over water and traps single-celled organisms and tiny crustaceans in submerged, millimeter-wide bladders. It draws nutrients from those tiny carcasses in environments where the soil is often very nutrient-poor.
U. gibba's genome is already short -- it's made of 82 million base pairs, while humans have over 3 billion base pairs, Albert said. Even the basic "lab rat" of plant science, Arabidopsis, has a genetic code that's about 1.5 times as long as U. gibba's.
And yet the plant packs efficiently, stuffing all its useful genetic code into a fraction of the sprawling DNA real estate afforded other plants and animals.
Repeated segments buried in the plant's DNA show them that the entire genome has been duplicated three times since its lineage split off from its common ancestor with the tomato and the grape -- and yet this regular doubling of the code hasn't increased its length. Clearly the plant must be cutting unnecessary DNA faster than it's adding it, the researchers concluded.
The scientists aren't sure why this particular bladderwort has such a tiny, efficient genetic code. It may be pure chance, Albert said, particularly since other carnivorous plants' codes can stretch much longer.
But it does show that perhaps all that junk DNA — which some scientists have argued serves some undiscovered purpose — may be getting more credit than is due, in humans as well as plants.
"The bladderwort certainly shows that at least one plant makes a perfectly good plant without it," Albert said. "By extension, I would say it's suggestive that maybe junk DNA in general isn't of much importance."
For more on carnivorous plants in the U.S., check out this Column One on carnivorous plant poaching.
Follow me on Twitter @aminawrite.
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Stool yellow, watery, coming out like a shot, all at once; < after least food or drink.
Excruciating pain, running from nipple to scapula; of same side when child nurses.
Eczema, especially of the scrotum; itches intensely, but is so sensitive to touch and sore that he cannot scratch.
When the Allopaths, in any case where they considered AN OPERATION OF THE BOWELS imperative, had exhausted all other resources, CROTON TIGLIUM was their "biggest gun for the last broadside." In other words, this is a most violent cathartic. Now if Similia, etc., is not true, CROTON TIG. ought utterly to fail to cure diarrhoea; but it is true, and notwithstanding this remedy has proven its truth over and over again the Allopaths deny and reject Homeopathy. As in PODOPHYLLUM and ALOE, CROTON TIG. cures its kind and no other. Its guiding symptoms are:
First: "Yellow watery stool."
Second: "Sudden expulsion, coming out like a shot, all at once."
Third: "Aggravation from the least food or drink."
In this combination CROTON TIG. leads all of the remedies. The first symptom is found notably under APIS MEL., CALCAREA OST., CHINA, GRATIOLA, HYOSCYAMUS, NATRUM SULPH., and THUJA. The second under JATROPHA, GRATIOLA, PODOPHYLLUM and THUJA. The third under ARGENTUM NIT. and ARSENICUM ALB. The CALCAREA OST. is found in the CALCAREA temperament and CINA in cases weakened by loss of fluids, and all the others have
strongly marked symptoms which distinguish them from CROTON TIGLIUM. For want of space we cannot give them here. ALOE has rumbling before the stool, while CROTON TIG. has swashing in the intestines as from water. Both of these remedies having aggravation after eating or drinking, we would have to look further for the symptoms deciding between them. Another symptom that has frequently been verified in this remedy is—"Excruciating pain running from nipple to back (scapula) of the same side when the child nurses." I have cured bad cases of mastitis guided by this one symptom. CROTON TIG. cures eczema especially of the scrotum, where the eruption itches intensely, but is so sensitive and sore to touch that he cannot scratch. This comprehends the main uses of this valuable remedy.


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Enterprise infrastructure company Infoblox announced this week that it plans to release a free and open-source software tool called Tapestry aimed at generating a hard measurement of any network's complexity.
The idea is to move beyond simple mapping of the network's switches, routers and wires, and toward a more meaningful index of how complicated it actually is, according to Infoblox. Tapestry rates complexity based on an algorithm created by Infoblox founder Stuart Bailey and University of Chicago professor Robert Grossman, producing a measurement called the Network Complexity Index.
[MORE SDN: Weighing the IT implications of implementing SDNs]
The index should help businesses get a better understanding of how their networks could be made more efficient, as well as a spur to greater SDN uptake.
The Network Complexity Index is "based on endpoint interaction data from network-wide control systems such as [DNS]," Infoblox's statement said. Essentially, it's a measurement of the complexity of network activity, rather than a measurement of its basic nodes.
The algorithm itself, dubbed the Bailey-Grossman Equation, was based originally on something called the h-index, a calculation generally used to measure a scholar's productivity through citations and published papers. Further scholarly details are available here.
Tapestry, which is not officially an Infoblox product, will be distributed via FlowForwarding.org, an open-source community aimed at promoting SDN use via OpenFlow and the Open Network Foundation's specifications. It will be available as a free download next month.
As an SDN application, however, Tapestry requires a control plane – and FlowForwarding will provide one of its own, called Loom. Also free and open-source, Loom will be designed to run on white-box hardware, which Infoblox said can be as inexpensive as $300.
Email Jon Gold at firstname.lastname@example.com and follow him on Twitter at @NWWJonGold.


text:
José Ignacio Fernández-Vera is the CEO of FECYT.
Science diplomacy is on the rise in Spain thanks to a new initiative that is transforming that nation's scientific diaspora into a global science diplomacy network.
Golden Family Foundation
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Science & Diplomacy. ISSN 2167‑8618 (print), 2167‑8626 (online)


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Address Your Heart will be back February 2014!
In the meantime, find all the same heart-health information at Campbell's Nutrition and Wellness website. Together with you and the American Heart Association, we will continue to make healthy eating delicious, and help to lower the risk of heart disease in women.Continue to the site >
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text: While medical innovations and public health gains in the past century have been measurable in leaps and bounds, significant progress against acute disease has revealed an equally enormous challenge—chronic disease on an unprecedented scale. Close to half of Americans have chronic conditions and 1 in 4 have more than one. They cause 7 out of every 10 deaths and cost our country 75 cents of every health care dollar. With chronic disease prevalence growing at a faster rate than the population as a whole, the forecast is daunting.


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Top 10 New England Birthday Party Ideas
Try the One Minute Birthday Party Planner and instantly reach Birthday Party providers who meet your criteria - they will reply with pricing, availability and any current deals
New England Events, Coupons, Reviews!
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The Boston Fire Museum, Where the kids can climb on the old Fire engine and ring the bell, try on the Fire fighting gear and put out a make believe fire and also look at many of the old artifacts and collectables and then go upstairs and have your Birthday party in the Old Fire House.
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With over 402 acres of fun, Lake Compounce is the oldest continuously operating amusement park in North America, welcoming families since 1846. Lake Compounce has ten cozy catering pavilions and plenty of room to host your next birthday, party, family reunion, and corporate event! Lake Compounce combines unique and exciting thrill rides and coasters for all ages with a full-sized water park'"all for one low price.As the park continues to delight families from all around the New England area and beyond, the balance of evolution and tradition continues to play an important role at the nation's first amusement park.
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Story highlights
Suppression of Sunni dissent was the best recruiting sergeant ISIS has
The group's leader served four years in a U.S. prison camp
ISIS uses cash reserves from banks, equipment seized from military
It wants to establish an Islamic caliphate stretching across the region
The face of a balding, middle-aged man stares unsmilingly into the camera. He is dressed in a suit and tie and could pass for a midlevel bureaucrat.
But the photograph is that of Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, who has transformed a few terror cells harried to the verge of extinction into the most dangerous militant group in the world.
The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria has thrived and mutated during the ongoing civil war in Syria and in the security vacuum that followed the departure of the last American forces from Iraq.
The aim of ISIS is to create an Islamic state across Sunni areas of Iraq and in Syria.
With the seizure of Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, and advances on others, that aim appears within reach.
ISIS controls hundreds of square miles where state authority has evaporated. It ignores international borders and has a presence all the way from Syria's Mediterranean coast to south of Baghdad.
How to respond to the ISIS threat
What are its origins?
In 2006, al Qaeda in Iraq – under the ruthless leadership of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi – embarked on seemingly arbitrary and brutal treatment of civilians as it tried to ignite a sectarian war against the majority Shia community.
It came close to succeeding, especially after the bombing of the Al-Askariya Mosque, an important Shia shrine in Samarra, which sparked retaliatory attacks.
But the killing of al-Zarqawi by American forces, the vicious treatment of civilians and the emergence of the Sahwa (Awakening) Fronts under moderate Sunni tribal leaders nearly destroyed the group.
Nearly, but not quite.
When U.S. forces left Iraq, they took much of their intelligence-gathering expertise with them.
Iraqi officials began to speak of a "third generation" of al Qaeda in Iraq.
Two years ago, a former spokesman for the U.S. military in Iraq, Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan, warned that "if the Iraqi security forces are not able to put pressure on them, they could regenerate."
The capability of those Iraqi forces was fatally compromised by a lack of professional soldiers, the division of military units along sectarian lines and a lack of the equipment needed for fighting an insurgency, such as attack helicopters and reconnaissance capabilities.
The new al Qaeda was rebranded in 2006 as the Islamic State in Iraq (ISI). It would add "and Syria" to its name later.
The group exploited a growing perception among many Sunnis that they were being persecuted by the Shia-dominated government led by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, starved of resources and excluded from a share of power.
The arrest of senior Sunni political figures and heavy-handed suppression of Sunni dissent were the best recruiting sergeants ISI could have. And it helped the new leader re-establish the group's influence.
Who is its master of terror?
Abu Bakr al Baghdadi graduated to the top job in 2010 – at the age of 39 – after Abu Omar al Baghdadi was killed in a joint U.S.-Iraqi operation.
Al Baghdadi's group was in a pitiful state. But with U.S. forces and intelligence on the way out, he launched a revival.
Very little is known about Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, but a biography posted on jihadist websites last year said he held a Ph.D. in Islamic studies from a university in the capital.
He formed his own militant group in the Samarra and Diyala areas, where his family was from, before joining al Qaeda in Iraq.
Al Baghdadi even served four years in a U.S. prison camp for insurgents, at Bucca in southern Iraq – a time in which he almost certainly developed a network of contacts and honed his ideology.
He was released in 2009 and went to work.
What is ISIS trying to accomplish?
It wants to establish an Islamic caliphate, or state, stretching across the region.
ISIS has begun imposing Sharia law in the towns it controls. Boys and girls must be separated at school; women must wear the niqab or full veil in public. Sharia courts often dispense brutal justice, music is banned and the fast is enforced during Ramadan.
Sharia law covers both religious and non-religious aspects of life.
Where does the group's money come from?
In the beginning, al Baghdadi focused on secrecy – with loosely connected cells making it more difficult to hunt down the leadership – and on money.
Extortion, such as demanding money from truck drivers and threatening to blow up businesses, was one revenue stream; robbing banks and gold shops was another.
It seemed the group had become little more than gangsters, but the income would help finance a growing stream of suicide attacks and assassinations that would poison the political atmosphere.
It would also aid the recruitment of Sunni tribal fighters and finance spectacular prison raids that liberated hundreds of fighters, as well as attacks on police patrols and the assassination of officials.
Now, al Baghdadi has a new strategy for generating resources: large-scale attacks aimed at capturing and holding territory.
Ayham Kamel of the Eurasia Group, a U.S.-based consultancy, says that in the latest iteration of this strategy, ISIS will "use cash reserves from Mosul's banks, military equipment from seized military and police bases and the release of 2,500 fighters from local jails to bolster its military and financial capability."
What's been its key to survival?
Al Baghdadi avoided al-Zarqawi's mistakes by avoiding the alienation of powerful tribal figures.
When it captured Falluja, west of Baghdad, in January, it worked with local tribal leaders rather than raise its black flag over the city.
One of the group's ideologues, Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, even admitted: "As for our mistakes, we do not deny them. Rather, we will continue to make mistakes as long as we are humans. God forbid that we commit mistakes deliberately."
How is it drawing support?
ISIS is, in essence, trying to capture and channel the resentment of the Sunni street. And in both Syria and Iraq, it is trying to win favor through dawa – organizing social welfare programs and even recreational activities for children, distributing food and fuel to the needy, and setting up clinics.
Again, having the money matters. The price it demands is enforcement of the strict Sharia code.
How does Syria fit into the picture?
A senior U.S. counterterrorism official told CNN this week that ISIS looks at Syria and Iraq as "one interchangeable battlefield and its ability to shift resources and personnel across the border has measurably strengthened its position in both theaters."
The explosion of violence in Syria was a gift to al Baghdadi.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad lost control over large parts of the North and the long border with Iraq.
The group, still known as ISI at the time, could build a rear base where it could recruit foreign fighters, organize and escape from any Iraqi army operations.
Al Baghdadi may have sent operatives across the border as early as the autumn of 2011, and the group later changed its name – adding "al Sham" for Syria.
It moved swiftly to take control of the Syrian province of Raqqa, aided by the al-Assad regime's focus on Homs and Aleppo.
What is its relationship with other al Qaeda groups?
As it has grown in strength, the group's vision of a caliphate under its control has expanded.
Its ambition extended to declaring early in 2013 that it was absorbing another militant group in Syria, the al-Nusra Front. According to some accounts, al Baghdadi had been instrumental in creating the group; now he wanted its obedience.
The declaration – and al-Nusra's rejection of it – set off a rare public clash between two groups that both saw themselves as part of al Qaeda.
From his hideout somewhere in Afghanistan or Pakistan, al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri at first tried to mediate between the two, and then disowned ISIS when it refused to concentrate on Iraq.
Rather than seek reconciliation, ISIS has hit back. Earlier this year, the group's spokesman, Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, told al-Zawahiri in a recording: "Sheikh Osama (bin Laden) gathered all the mujahideen with one word, but you divided them and tore them apart."
"You make the mujahideen sad, and make the enemy of the mujahideen gloat because you support the traitor, and you make the heart bleed," he said – referring to the leader of the al-Nusra Front, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani.
It was another sign of the extraordinary confidence of the ISIS leadership.
Despite the rift, ISIS' success against what are seen by militant Sunnis as loathsome Shia regimes in Syria and Iraq has attracted thousands of foreign fighters to its ranks, enabling it to continue battling al-Nusra in Syria while preparing for its big offensive in Iraq.
What is its strategy?
For Western counterterrorism agencies, the combination of fanaticism and disciplined organization is the nightmare scenario. ISIS has plenty of both.
While the world was shocked by its sudden capture of the city of Falluja, ISIS was still focused on a bigger prize: Mosul and the province of Nineveh. Operations in Falluja and elsewhere in the western province of Anbar were meant to (and did) draw Iraqi forces away from the north.
It has developed an ability to conduct operations – from suicide bombings and attacks on the security forces to wresting control of towns – in several regions at once, keeping the demoralized Iraqi army off balance.
And battle experience has created a resilient force capable of ever more sophisticated attacks.
In raids on Samarra, for example, its fighters used bulldozers to remove barriers that had been in place since the U.S. occupation.
Some analysts expect critical parts of the Iraqi oil infrastructure around Mosul to be among its future targets.
Where does its weakness lie?
ISIS runs the risk that its rapid expansion – and threat to the Iraqi state – will overstretch the group.
In northern Syria, it has retreated from some towns it held after clashes with al-Nusra and other groups.
Al-Nusra is making common cause with other groups in an anti-ISIS front.
And by taking Mosul, which Iraq's Kurds see as in their sphere of interest, ISIS may invite greater cooperation between the Iraqi army and experienced Kurdish fighters.
A U.S. counterterrorism official told CNN that ISIS "still has significant weaknesses. It has shown little ability to govern effectively, is generally unpopular, and has no sway outside the Sunni community in either Iraq or Syria."
To many analysts, that smacks of complacency.
How significant is its threat?
The weakness of the governments ISIS is confronting – and the hatred for those governments among Sunnis – means that a few dozen truckloads of fighters can seize towns and cities, overcoming forces many times larger by their sheer ferocity and battle experience.
In the words of the Soufan Group, a political risk consultancy, "ISIS has become indisputably the most effective and ruthless terrorist organization in the world."
"It now challenges the authority of two of the largest states in the Middle East, and has attracted significant numbers of fighters, not just from Iraq and Syria, but also from Saudi Arabia and other Arab states including Jordan."
There is no doubting the group's confidence and ambition.
ISIS spokesman al-Adnani took to Twitter Wednesday to declare, "The battle is not yet raging it, but it will rage in Baghdad and Karbala. Put on your belts and get ready," according to a translation by the SITE Intelligence Group.
Al-Adnani openly mocked al-Maliki as an underwear salesman who had lost Iraq for the Shia.
"You lost a historic opportunity for your people to control Iraq," he said, "and the Shi'ites will always curse you for as long as they live."
Predictions revisited: Iraq's troubles are years in the making, experts say
Opinion: How ISIS and Iraq upheaval threatens the wider world
The siege of Mosul: What's happening? Why is it significant?


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ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The World Video Game Hall of Fame is set to reveal its class of 2017.
The inductees will be announced Thursday morning at The Strong museum in Rochester, New York, where the hall of fame was established in 2015.
The hall named 12 finalists for this year's class in March. They are: "Donkey Kong," "Final Fantasy VII," "Halo: Combat Evolved," "Microsoft Windows Solitaire," "Mortal Kombat," "Myst," "Pokemon Red and Green," "Portal," "Resident Evil," "Street Fighter II," "Tomb Raider" and "Wii Sports."
A committee of video game experts and journalists choose inductees based on their longevity and impact on the video game industry and pop culture.
Carolyn Thompson, The Associated Press


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Horford, Hawks drop Nets
Brooklyn, NY – Al Horford had 22 points and 11 rebounds in the Atlanta Hawks' 105-93 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
Josh Smith added 21 points, seven boards and five assists for the Hawks, who have won three straight games on the heels of dropping six of seven and snapped a five-game road losing streak.
"Now we're a game behind Brooklyn, so it was a big win for us. We're trying to be in the best possible position for the playoffs," Horford said.
Jeff Teague finished with 11 points and 15 helpers in the win. Atlanta outscored the Nets 34-20 in the fourth quarter.
Joe Johnson netted 18 points against his former team for Brooklyn, which had won four of its last five games coming in.
"We didn't defend. I don't think we defended for most of the game," Nets interim head coach P.J. Carlesimo said.
Reggie Evans added 14 points and 22 rebounds in defeat.
The Nets took a 73-71 lead into the final frame, but the Hawks began to pull away during the middle stages of the stanza.
After Deron Williams' bank shot knotted the tilt at 77-77 with 9:10 remaining, the Hawks countered with a 16-6 run. Ivan Johnson had five points during the burst, which was capped on a Horford jumper to make it 96-83 with 4:23 left.
Brooklyn never cut the deficit into single digits down the stretch.
The Nets took a 24-21 lead after a quarter of play, but Atlanta outscored them 30-25 in the second to take a 51-49 edge into the break.
Game Notes
The Hawks outscored the Nets 56-38 in the paint ... Williams registered 18 points and eight assists for Brooklyn ... There were 15 ties and 10 lead changes.


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While we were all hoping to be the next girl to pen a tune about our love affair with Harry Styles (sorryTaylor
!), unfortunately it looks like the adorable British singer may be off the market again!
While on a break from touring with his 1D bandmates, Harry was spotted grabbing dinner with Kimberly Stewart, the daughter of music legend Rod Stewart. Sources say Kimberly's dad and brother joined the pair at a West Hollywood restaurant last week, and with Harry already meeting the fam, everyone is wondering if the two are officially an item.
A source told that Harry's newest fling is just his type saying, "Kim is very strong willed, she goes for what she wants and Harry appreciates that."
More From Seventeen
What do you think of the new couple? Is Kimberly Harry's perfect match? Tell us in the comments below.


text:
Species images and information provided by
Carcharhinus melanopterus (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824)
blacktip reef shark, Black fin reef shark, Black finned shark, Black tip reef shark, Black tip shark, Black tips nilow, Black-tip reef shark, Blackfin reef shark, Blacktip reefshark, Blacktip shark, Guliman, Reef blacktip shark, Requien shark, Shark
This powerful swimmer is well known for its tendency to enter incredibly shallow water, and is often found in water only 30 centimetres deep or less, with its distinctive dorsal fin protruding from the surface of the water. It is also found near the bottom or in mid-water in deeper water, singly or in small groups (2). It feeds on a wide variety of small fish and invertebrates, including mullet, groupers, wrasses, cuttlefish, squid, shrimp (2). Blacktip reef sharks are viviparous, and therefore the embryos develop inside the mother, for about 16 months. Females generally give birth between late winter and early summer, to between two and four pups (2). However, reproductive cycles appear to vary throughout the blacktip reef shark's range, with reports of annual, biannual and biennial reproductive cycles (5). The blacktip reef shark is not an extremely dangerous species, although it is responsible for several provoked and unprovoked attacks on humans. Many are on people that are swimming or wading on reefs, presumably because they were mistaken for small prey. These sharks are more cautious when encountering divers and can usually be driven off (2).


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Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Whiff of Joy challenge - a sketch by Rach
I had coloured this image with my Copics and was really thrilled with how it turned out. But I used the thin Copic paper and the green mat was showing through so clever clogs here decided to mount it on to white card first but used my ATG gun and all the lumps and bumps were showing through, so in the bin it went along with me paddy. I had to redo it and opted for Distress Inks as the Copic version took me flipping ages. Next time use the Xyron machine Bev!!
Stamps: All from the Whiff of Joy Autumn Kit
Papers: MME Bloom and Grow (what else lol)
Tools: Martha Stewart Lace Doily punch, SU Corner punch, Nestibilities, SU word window punch
Embellies: Flowers and bling butterfly from Crafty Feeling, buttons from a huge bag for a fiver from The Hobby House, ribbon from stash (was white and I coloured it with a Copic marker)
Thanks for stopping by,
70 comments:
gorgeous sweetie, and you have used my fave papers...delish.. what a shame about your first image hun... but this one is gorgeously coloured and i love your flower detail.. big hugs rachxxReplyDelete
Stunning as always, great colouring and the image is so fab gorgeous! Love the sketch and great papers you have used! Hugs,MoniReplyDelete
Hi Bev, Gorgeous card! Such a sweet image and I love the MME papers. I made a card with these yesterday and they are all so lovely I couldn't decide which ones to use.ReplyDelete
Lisa x
So sweet Bev. I too am addicted to these MME B&G papers! Lol!ReplyDelete
Hugs, Vicky ~x~
Bev , this is beautiful. Just love the papers and your wonderful colouring in ( sounds so child like) but done as allways to perfection. Whaty a wonderful layout!ReplyDelete
Gorgeous Card Bev!ReplyDelete
Hi Bev!ReplyDelete
You have made a great card!!! Wonderful colours and a cute stamp.
Please have a look at my site! I have something for you.... ;D
Wow - die Karte ist wunderschön geworden. Ich bin begeistert.ReplyDelete
LG Dreja
Beautiful colours and layout.ReplyDelete
It's lovely Bev!! Those colours and all thedetails.. amazingly beautiful! :))ReplyDelete
Hugs xx
Bev this is lovely, this images is just beautiful, the layout is fab and i love all those delish papers xxxReplyDelete
Beautiful card Bev and I love the sketchReplyDelete
Wendy x
Magnificent!!! What fabulous colours and papers and your colouring is exquisite. I can imagine your 'Paddy' at having to bin your Copic image (bin there, done that several times lol), your 2nd one certainly makes up for it. Love your wonderful details.ReplyDelete
hugs Heather xx
What lovely autumnal colours and the image is great with the catching of the leaves - just great! LizReplyDelete
Wow.... stunning card!!! Love the colors and your coloring!!!!ReplyDelete
ps: I use Letraset cardstock 270 g for copics, works like a charm.. ;o)
Great sketch too, have to go check out the WOJ challenge blog!
This is so beautiful too, I loved the earlier one, cause of amazing colours and papers, my favourite;-))mReplyDelete
Precioso card, los colores y detalles, a mi aunque me pongan una guia para hacerlo no soy capaz de sacarle partido, por eso te admiro tanto. Saludos.ReplyDelete
Very nice! Love that stamp :) So sad about your other pretty :0 that had to go into the trash...love your blog :)ReplyDelete
Gorgeous card Bev fab coloursReplyDelete
Wowie Bev, what a great and georgous card you made again, just wonderfull colours and colouring. Your papers are just yummie...Thanks for sharing hun. Hugs TerryReplyDelete
This is so sweet, they are so pretty.ReplyDelete
Such a gorgeous card Bev. Love the fab colours and your fantastic colouring of the cute image.ReplyDelete
Love the colours of these papers they are gorgeous and fit this image perfectly.ReplyDelete
Stunning card.
Kim xXx
gorgeous!! Love the colours!ReplyDelete
Se beautiful Bev - my Favourite colours!!!ReplyDelete
prachtige kaart weer bevReplyDelete
fijne dag
Great card!!ReplyDelete
Lovely take on Rach's sketch. Lovely colours and papers. ElaineReplyDelete
Gorjus, gorjus, gorjus ! Love the colours, papers ,the image EVERYTHING !ReplyDelete
Love Karen x
You've worked wonders with Rach's sketch this week Bev! Beautiful MME papers to go with the gorgeous WOJ image! Love it!ReplyDelete
Hugs, Danielle
Oh Bev, absolutely stunning, the colouring is gorgeous and the papers, details and design is fabulous. With love and hugs ShirleyxxxxxReplyDelete
Even for all that, it turned out gorgeous. Such pretty colors together!!! I love it! Hugs, DenaReplyDelete
Beautiful card Bev,Love the gorgeous DP with this cute image,Hugs Debbie xReplyDelete
Just GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!ReplyDelete
Bev oh my I LOVE your colors, love your take on the sketch, and your coloring amazes me!! BEAUTIFUL!ReplyDelete
Wow! This is a beautiful card. I love de colours!ReplyDelete
WOW!! Just when i think you must have filled your quota of gorgeous cards you go ahead and make another one. This is simply stunning Bev!! Love the colours you used! xxReplyDelete
Gorgeous card. I just love those papers, gonna have to get some more soon! Sweet image, coloured beautifully - you and your copics!ReplyDelete
Sam x
love it nice paper and stunding stamp gorgeously coloured toReplyDelete
by by tanja
Simply Gorgeous as always..I love this image..Very lovely!!ReplyDelete
Hugs, Linda
Just gorgeous. Love the kind of autumn colours. Sorry to hear that there was a boo boo before this. But, hey thats life, we learn through our mistakes.ReplyDelete
Incredibly pretty card Bev, gorgeous papers and colours :) Donna xReplyDelete
So adorable card and lovely colors and coloring Bev! I love this image and I'm glad I have it ;o)ReplyDelete
lovely card! and great coloring of the motif :)ReplyDelete
Hi Bev it's a beautiful card, I love the colours in green and orange and the details are so pretty! I like the sketch.ReplyDelete
Hugs Annacarin
Its lovely Bev love the orange and green together and I would of missed your flowers too.ReplyDelete
- Anonymous19 August 2009 at 18:12
Love the colours just awesomeReplyDelete
lol Sue ccs
Ohhh wowwww Bev,what a beautiful card,i love the image and colours.ReplyDelete
So gorgeous papers and details.
Hugs Riet.xx
Beatiful card Bev, really gorgeous. Great sketch.ReplyDelete
Hugs Jacqueline
just precious!ReplyDelete
This release so far is so sweet! And like you mentioned, Elisabeth has a way of capturing movement!
But you have a way of putting it all together!
Love the colors you used.
Thank you for sharing!
Beautiful card Bev, love the new stamp you have used and the wonderful autumnal colours :0)ReplyDelete
*hugs* Heather x
Beautiful Bev! Love the cute image and the fun papers. Great details. :)ReplyDelete
Well it turned out beautiful despite all that hun! Lovely colours.ReplyDelete
Tash xxxx
Gorgeous card, I love the colouring. Don't know about the first image but this one looks great to me. Like the flower!ReplyDelete
Hugs Yolanda
- Anonymous19 August 2009 at 23:08
Gorgeous, gorgeous card, Bev. Love your colouring and the papers are just fab. Pity about your first attempt but I just love this one.ReplyDelete
Alice (beemer)
What a beautiful card i just adore the sweet image Bev and what pretty papers and as always fab details.ReplyDelete
Paula xxxx
Oh Bev - big Hugs - there's nothing more distressing than having to bin a perfectly coloured image :(ReplyDelete
Another amazing card (just running out of words now...lol) - my autumn kit arrived this morning so I hope to join in :)
Hugs & Kisses
Steph XOXO
Very pretty Bev! This image is darling! And your coloring is awesome as usual! Love it! HUGS! Nicole : )ReplyDelete
2 thumbs up!!ReplyDelete
Wow Bev, I love the image and especially the colors. Great job.ReplyDelete
Hugs xx
very beautiful card love how you have used the coloures through the image and papers xReplyDelete
I love your fall kit cards Bev! The colours are perfect for fall and your layouts are truly charming.ReplyDelete
Lots of hugs
Katharina xx
Stunning,love the gorgeous colours and it's such a fabulous take on the sketch!!!ReplyDelete
Hugs xx
Another beautiful card Bev!! Love the colors on this one and I think they make her look even prettier if that is possible!!! Thanks so all the beautiful peeks!! I am still waiting patiently for mine! (LOL)ReplyDelete
ooooh Bev what a sweetie..lovely image and papers!ReplyDelete
Oh no, after all that work that would have been so hard to throw away, love the colors here, just darling!ReplyDelete
i love this, i had a look in the shop for the stamp as soon as i saw your card, but sadly it is not there. your use of colour on this really is perfect for the imageReplyDelete
Sarah x
This is sooo pretty! I love those wonderful autumn colors! :)ReplyDelete
So very preety Bev, I love the colour combo and of course the fab papers.ReplyDelete
WOW Girlfriend she is absolutely beautiful!!!! WOW!!!!!ReplyDelete
Hugs~ Kim
Comment moderation has been switched on to stop the spammers.
Thanks for visiting 💖
Bev x
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.


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|About Us
|Contact Us
|Dr. Selmeczy
|New Patients
|Our Staff
Testimonials Submitted Online
What patients are saying about Livermore Sedation and Dr. Selmeczy:
"Just went for my check-up and cleaning. Johhnie, the hygienist, is fabulous and so good at what she does. I'm always a bit nervous when someone starts prodding and poking around in my mouth, but it's not an issue with Johhnie. I will continue to be a patient here for a long time."
"Dr. Selmeczy is a very knowledgeable, experienced, gentle and kind dentist. He takes great pride in his work. I had a LOT of dental work done and I felt absolutely no pain at any time. Dr. takes his time giving Novocaine shots and I felt absolutely no pain with the needle. I highly recommend the sedation if you are a high fear patient as I am. My dental experience included chair time of 4-5 hours and I slept virtually the whole way through. It was the best dental experience I've ever had and I'm relieved to have found such an excellent dentist and wonderful and caring staff. Best decision I've ever made."
"Always professional, always sensitive to patient concerns. I hadn't gone to a Dentist for years due to fear. Since I was introduced to Dr Selcmezy's office I haven't missed an appointment or procedure."
"It has been some time since I've had to have any dental work done and I found this procedure surprisingly painless. I was also pleased that my crown could be made right there so I didn't need to make more than one appointment, nor did I have to wear a temporary crown for several days."
"First time ever I've liked my dentist and feel comfortable going in for cleaning and treatments!"
"Doc Endre is the best. He really lays it out for you, the state of you teeth with no pressure. Very Professional."
"I have always been scared of dental work and I have a lot of phobias. After reading a lot of good reviews on Dr. Selmeczy, I decided to go see him.He is one of a kind. He is great. Him and his staff knew exactly how to make me comfortable. This is the most comfortable i have ever been at a dentist office.They had a lot of patients with me and took very good care of me.They knew exactly what to do for my fears and phobias.They are great.They made me very comfortable. I am so glad i am going to Dr. Selmeczy now.the office is like a cozy home. very warm and nice there."
"Doc always takes care of me. I leave in such confidence that my teeth were completely taken cared of."
"First off, let me say that I am one of those people who are not particularly fond of dentist visits. I've been a patient for a couple of years now and thankfully have not had any real issues with my teeth. Johnnie is fantastic and does a very thorough, but gentle, job when cleaning my teeth. When there has been subtle signs of something lurking, the doctor examines me, but has not been quick to suggest work unless it's absolutely necessary. It's been quite a relief to say that I have been able to maintain good dental health and avoid major work. I am happy with my decision to become a patient here."
"Good, meticulous cleaning by Johnny without much discomfort. She was sensitive to my needs."
"How can one have two teeth extracted without pain and discomfort and have grate confidence in Dr. Selmeczy I did and drove away very pleased."
"Love the staff and specially my dental tech!"
"I got my teeth cleaned with Johnny at Dr. Selmeczy's office and she's always amazing. She does a great job with the cleaning, is gentle on my teeth and very professional. She gives recommendations on how to properly care for your teeth and makes sure to let you know if certain areas of your dental care needs improvement. I wouldn't dream of going anywhere else. I have recommended Dr. Selmeczy's office to many friends and family members and will continue to do so."
"My first visit went very well. From time i walked in the door, Annette made me feel very welcome.I really liked the doctor.He listens and cares what you have to say."
"I've been going to Dr. Selmeczy for years now. I always get friendly treatment, a good cleaning, and attention to my comfort. I chose Dr. S because he doesn't use mercury amalgam fillings. I've had several crowns done by him and he is a skilled dentist."
"I believe the work done and equipment used were of the highest standard."
"I feel like I am entering the CHEERS bar where everyone knows your name...it is such a pleasant office and I enjoy coming for my visits."
"staff was friendly and very helpful
"always a great experience - a super team at the office
"Very nice people, make you feel at ease and explain everything. Very fast, no wait EVER. Wouldn't go anywhere else again."
"As Always professional,friendly and painless!"
"Great staff all around and by far the best Hygienist I have ever had."
"I have always been well taken care of by this warm inviting professional dentist. They always take the time to explain any question and the service they provide is at the top of the industry. If you want quality care look no further."
"Hygienist was friendly, courteous and professional."
"Quality service. Safe, friendly, professional. Comfortable setting."
"good cleaning and will be back"
"Friendly, comfortable and professional."
"The Dentist office is one of my least favorite places in the world but everyone here made me feel very comfortable."
"The new online appointment reminders are a nice addition."
"As always the experience was quite good. The team was ready for me at my scheduled time and were efficient in getting me in and out as scheduled."
"Dr. Selmeczy and his staff are wonderful caring people."
"After many years and many dentists, I have finally found a dentist that I have complete confidence in. Having a problem with pain control, my crown replacement was pain free and completed in one visit! I will definitely recommend Dr. Selmeczy to anyone, especially those who put the dentist at the bottom of their "to do" list. Dr. Selmeczy's office staff is the greatest!"
"Greatest Dentistry experience ever.I't was always a dreadful, painful experience to go in the past, but now it's delightful,painless & I feel healthier & happier, thanks to the team of Endre Selmeczy D.M.D.,now the hardest thing about going to the dentist is pronouncing his last name.
"I have always been scared of dental work and I have a lot of phobias. After reading a lot of good reviews on Dr. Selmeczy, I decided to go see him.He is one of a kind. He is great. Him and his staff knew exactly how to make me comfortable. This is the most comfortable i have ever been at a dentist office.They had a lot of patients with me and took very good care of me.They knew exactly what to do for my fears and phobias.They are great.They made me very comfortable. I am so glad i am going to Dr. Selmeczy now.the office is like a cozy home. Very warm and nice there."


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Although Microsoft Office is one of the most popular productivity suites available, it is far from being the only choice available. Here are five alternatives to Microsoft Office that you might consider the next time you are looking to purchase an office suite.
This blog post is also available as a TechRepublic Photo Gallery.
Five Apps
1. Google Docs
Google Docs is a cloud based productivity suite that lets you create word processing documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and drawings. Because Google Docs is a browser based application, it isn't quite as full featured as some of the other productivity suites. Even so, Google Docs is free, and there is nothing to install on your computer. The interface is completely intuitive and Google Docs can be used to create and edit Microsoft Office documents.
2. LibreOffice
LibreOffice is a free productivity suite that is designed to act as an alternative to Microsoft Office. Like Apache Open Office, Libre Office offers a word processor, a spreadsheet, a presentation application, a drawing tool, and a database application. In fact, the launch screen is nearly identical to that of Apache Open Office. The reason for this is that in 2010 some of the OpenOffice developers broke away from OpenOffice and created LibreOffice. As such, there are a lot of similarities between the two suites. LibreOffice even supports the use of OpenOffice documents.
3. Kingsoft Office Suite Free 2012
Kingsoft Office Suite Free 2012 is, as the name implies, a free office suite. The free version includes a word processor, a spreadsheet, and a presentation application. These applications look and feel like Office 2010 applications, and the software fully supports the use of Office documents in addition to its own native file format. Also supported are standard file types such as RTF, TXT, and HTML.
4. Apache Open Office
Apache Open Office is a free office suite that can trace its roots back for well over a decade. This open source suite contains utilities for creating text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings, and formulas. Open Office should be easy to use for anyone who is familiar with Office 2010. The word processor and spreadsheet look a lot like Word and Excel. The presentation application looks different than PowerPoint, but contains familiar controls. The suite is capable of opening (and saving) Microsoft Office documents and other common file formats.
5. Office Web App
The Microsoft Office Web Apps are an alternative to an on-premise Microsoft Office deployment. This free suite of cloud apps includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Furthermore, you get 7GB of free storage space on SkyDrive, which is useful for storing your Office Web App documents. Office Web App isn't quite as full featured as Office 2010 or Office 2013, but Microsoft does have the basics covered. Besides, it is hard to argue with the price, which is free.


text:
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Today's News: Our Take - LeAnn Rimes Sues Dentist for Career-Damaging Dental Work
LeAnn Rimes may be happily married, but the country singer was hardly all smiles on Valentine's Day.
Rimes, 30, filed a lawsuit on Thursday alleging that her dentist's bad dental work damaged her career, Us Weekly reports.
In the papers, Rimes claims her "ability to perform as an artist has been and will continue to be significantly compromised until all re-treatment is complete." In addition to the physical pain she says her dentist caused, Rimes is seeking unspecified damages for "emotional and psychiatric injuries."
LeAnn Rimes shows off new bangs: It "was time for a fun change"
Rimes specifically complained about "severe tooth pain, gum inflammation and chronic gum bleeding" that she says came from veneers and crowns she had put in to fight her TMJ-related pain as well as improve her appearance.
In the lawsuit, Rimes says that she underwent nine root canals, as well as bone grafting, physical therapy, a temporary bridge and a "permanent cosmetic deficiency." Because of these procedures, Rimes claims she was forced to cancel several performances. She is seeking monetary compensation for "loss of earnings, and future earning capacity" on top of the damages to cover her physical, emotional and psychiatric injuries.
View original LeAnn Rimes Sues Dentist for Career-Damaging Dental Work at TVGuide.com
Related Articles on TVGuide.com
Other Links From TVGuide.com


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This video is longer than the videos I usually put up. But if you're a Christian, you need to see it.
Dr George Yancey presents research he's done on anti-Christian bias in academia. He is the author of Too Many Christians, Too Few Lions.
I've gotten emails from faculty at various universities down through the years that express the same sentiments he found among academicians in his research. Despite that, I was still a little shocked at the raw and obvious hatred in the things he uncovered.
It's also interesting that the bias against Christians and the acceptance of hate speech directed at Christians is so accepted that he had to juxtapose it with an illustration of putting the same kind of language in sentences that were about Jews to make his point. Presumably, if he had just left the statements stand as attacks on Christians, his audience would either have thought they were funny or otherwise failed to see the problem with them.
What his research uncovered is a bias in academia, presumably mostly in higher ed, against hiring evangelical or fundamentalist Christians in the first place, and a culture where members of this intellectual elite feel free to express hate speech against Christians in writing. He also documented biased research that is designed to show that Christians are less intelligent than others, atheists in particular. He demonstrates that the research biased in how it is constructed.
One point he fails to mention is that to try to make assumptions about the intelligence of a group of people based on something like religious preference is illogical in the first place. The existence of the research itself points to a bias of some sort. The method used in this "research" to try to determine intelligence would be faulty, even if the questions themselves were not constructed to get a biased result. There's no way that these kinds of questions can determine intelligence.
The comments on this presentation had one that was certainly familiar to me. I've seen this kind of claptrap a lot. Here it is:
There should be an anti-christian bias in academia
as well as an anti Go bias
or an anti stupid bias
an anti make-believe bias
In other words, yes I discriminate and I should. Academicians not only teach our young people, but they teach the future teachers of our young people. Bias of this sort in academia is a serious problem. It is an institutional means of disseminating discrimination, prejudice and hatred throughout our whole society. I believe it is one of the major reasons for the sudden increase in religious bigotry and Christian bashing in America today.
Here's the video.


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Wow, I go to lunch with my parents and the entire world shifts due to a Wall Street Journal report that Microsoft may buy part of Facebook which would value Facebook at $10 billion or so.
Too bad that Microsoft's management didn't listen to Jeff Sandquist and others two years ago.
Funny, you know Dave Morin? He works at Facebook on the app platform now but used to work at Apple. He told me that he tried to get Apple to pay attention too. But got frustrated with Apple's inability to get Facebook. So, he left to join Facebook.
What's funny, he told me, is now a good percentage of Apple employees are on Facebook. At the latest Apple press conference I noticed that Steve Jobs even showed off the iPhone Facebook app on stage.


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It's Eric Anderson's job to know how much it costs you to own a car. And number-crunchers like Anderson, a senior analyst at IntelliChoice, know more than they ever have before—thanks partly to the proliferation of certified preowned (CPO) programs that nearly every carmaker in America now offers. These programs offer extended service contracts as part of the package when you buy a used car, which means, among other things, that all the repairs are tracked—and tracked in the same way that repairs done under new-car warranties are.
Anderson's math helps guide IntelliChoice's Best Overall Value of the Year Awards. But the real reason data like his matter to you is that it shows the differences in warranties that various automakers offer on preowned cars—both CPO vehicles and other used autos.
Figuring out whether to buy a warranty on a used car, or how to do it, can be a tangled mess. But we're here to help. For some advice on buying used, what warranties are best on the CPO front, and what to watch out for in extended warranties if you don't buy a CPO vehicle, read on. As you might imagine, it all starts with "read the fine print."
Go CPO
Certified preowned-car warranties provide peace of mind because factory warranties are backing the product, but Anderson says there's another crucial factor: manufacturer vetting. CPO cars have to be in good to great shape to be insurable. "The only way [car companies] can offer CPO is because they're making money on the aggregate of the warranties. If they weren't, the business model wouldn't make any sense."
More From Popular Mechanics
Like any insurer, carmakers want to insure mostly healthy patients. But unlike health insurance providers, car companies can inspect every patient top to bottom to make sure it's healthy. They'll do small repairs to prep a CPO for sale, but any vehicle that needs major work, such as a new transmission, will never make it into the certified preowned pool.
The upshot: A CPO car is already a good machine or the carmaker would never sell it as such. That puts the dealer in a position where he doesn't feel like he has to hide anything from you.
Shopping for CPOs
But just as new-car warranties differ, not all CPO warranties are created equal. When you're shopping for one, Anderson says, look first at the deductibles. Audi charges $85, BMW $50, and Land Rover $100, none of which may surprise you (though neither Mercedes or Lexus charges a deductible). But it is a shocker that Chrysler charges $150 and Ford $100.
Also, check whether the CPO warranty is transferable if the car is sold prior to its expiration, which could apply to you if you're the buyer or the seller. Audi, Infiniti/Nissan, and Lexus all say no, but Kia will let you transfer a warranty, though it charges $40.
There's a ton of fine print that comes with CPO warranties. Read it—the details should be on the manufacturers' websites. The information within covers a lot of ground. Can you finance a CPO car? Can you lease a CPO car? Is roadside assistance included? Look for deal-breakers. There's no such thing as perfection; it just depends on where you're willing to bend and where you're not.
The biggest question, however, is the obvious one: how much coverage you're going to get and for how long. Lexus offers three-years/100,000 miles, which is one of the best CPO warranties around. It compares favorably witih other programs that offer anywhere from three months comprehensive/12 months powertrain to 24 months comprehensive coverage.
To Extend the CPO Warranty or Not?
Before you buy a certified preowned car, you should investigate not only the warranty details, but also whether you can buy an extended warranty.
This is especially true for a luxury car, and even more so if the CPO contract covers only a year or two. Luxury cars are typically expensive to maintain and the extra warranty protection is nearly always a wise play. However, Anderson says, extended warranties are becoming an increasingly smart move even for other vehicles. "Think of Ford's Sync or any other sophisticated electronic system," he says. When it goes south, it requires a great deal of troubleshooting. "Often the parts are cheap, but it takes them a long time to figure out why something isn't working, and at $85 or $120 an hour, that labor adds up quickly."
But (you knew there was a but, right?), not all extended warranties are necessarily worth it. Audi doesn't even offer one, nor does Porsche or Mini, and even if you can get one you still need to look at the limitations. For instance, you might find an extended warranty that covers up to five years, but ends at 74,000 miles. If you're buying a car with 60,000 miles on it already, that extended warranty isn't much good.
Finally, a little secret of the extended warranty game is that they cost the dealer a set amount. How much isn't public knowledge and carmakers won't share that information, but dealers are free to use it as a bargaining chip. They can throw it in with the purchase price of a CPO car or non-CPO car; they can charge more than it costs them. The point is that it's negotiable, so you should feel free to ask for the time to study what the warranty covers and what it doesn't, and haggle over the price.
Don't Fear if You Don't Buy CPO
Sometimes a certified preowned car isn't an option. What if you inherit a car, buy one from a neighbor or a friend, or buy an ordinary, non-CPO used car? You can still get coverage by purchasing a factory extended warranty from a dealer, or an aftermarket warranty. While the latter idea scares many customers, probably because of a belief that the factory warranty is "better," the truth is that most factory warranties are serviced by the same companies that sell aftermarket warranties. Remember: It's all insurance. Carmakers don't really want to be in the insurance business, they want to be in the car business. So they negotiate contracts with giant companies that provide insurance in the form of warranties.
Both JM&A and EasyCare provide both aftermarket insurance to dealers and new/used-car insurance to dealers and manufacturers. EasyCare lets you buy insurance directly from them, while JM&A processes most of its sales directly through dealers.
Do your homework when scouting an aftermarket warranty—and be cautious. Anderson says he's rated the warranties from companies like JM&A and EasyCare because they're safe for consumers and have a long legacy in business. But IntelliChoice actually stopped even bothering to rate the products from a slew of other firms that seemed to come and go every year.
He suggests asking for a referral to a BBB rating and even finding out what dealers or car manufacturers the insurance companies work with. If you're on the phone shopping for a quote, the salesperson ought to be able to steer you to that information easily—it's a red flag if she or he can't. The same goes for the shopping experience at the dealer. They may not know off hand about every company, but they should certainly be able to provide you with paperwork so you can do this legwork yourself.
Pimp Your Ride, Void Your Warranty
It's fine to be a tinkerer, and if you're changing your own tires, air filter, or oil, that's usually fine. But if you're doing performance modifications on your used car, then be warned: You're almost surely voiding your base, CPO, or extended coverage. That should be a no-brainer, but it's yet another reason to ask lots of questions before you buy any coverage—you should be able to find out what basic service you can do on your own car without endangering the warranty. "Dealers aren't looking for reasons to deny you coverage," Anderson says, since they're going to get reimbursed for whatever work they do on your car. But they have to protect their own liability. If you put a turbo on your Civic, then you can bet any drivetrain coverage you had went up in smoke.
The Bottom Line
Messy, right? There are some simple rules to follow. Namely: The best plan B for those of us who can't afford driving new is to drive CPO. It's a safer bet at least than driving a car with no warranty of any kind. And don't be afraid of an aftermarket warranty—it you buy it from a legit company with a long record.
But there's no default answer to cover every possible car and situation, so do your homework—and know yourself. Weigh what you owe on the car and its potential resale value; then consider whether you can afford to drop multiple thousands of dollars on a new engine or a replacement transmission, or whether the hedge of an extended warranty (which could cost you somewhere between $600 and $2000) is a smarter gamble.
Plus, doing all this math will give you a much better idea of the value of your car and how much you value peace of mind. This is why the risk averse lease, or at least sell once the manufacturer's warranty has expired.
Michael Frank has been a contributor to Road & Track, Hagerty, Men's Journal, Adventure Journal and Outside magazines. His cars have included a battered Ford Capri, a 1960 VW Beetle, and eventually a '92 Miata.


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WASHINGTON — House Republicans are proposing to let some schools opt out of healthier school lunch and breakfast programs if they are losing money.
A GOP spending bill for agriculture and food programs released Monday would allow schools to apply for waivers if they have a net loss on school food programs for six months in a row.
Championed by first lady Michelle Obama, the new standards have been phased in over the last two school years, with more changes coming in 2014. The rules set fat, calorie, sugar and sodium limits on foods in the lunch line and beyond.
The first lady was holding a call to rally supporters of the healthier food rules Monday as a House subcommittee is expected to consider the bill on Tuesday.
While many schools have had success putting the rules in place, others have said the rules are too restrictive and costly. The House Appropriations Committee said in a release that the waiver language is in response to requests from schools.
The School Nutrition Association, which represents school nutrition directors and companies who sell food to schools, said Monday that schools need more room to make their own decisions.
"School meal programs need more flexibility to plan menus that increase student consumption of healthy choices while limiting waste," said Leah Schmidt, president of the organization.
The School Nutrition Association says that almost half of school meal programs reported declines in revenue in the 2012-13 school year and 90 percent said food costs were up.The School Nutrition Association says that almost half of school meal programs reported declines in revenue in the 2012-13 school year and 90 percent said food costs were up.
Nutrition advocates and other supporters of the rules say it will take some time for schools to adjust and the House proposal is overly broad. Margo Wootan of the Center for Science in the Public Interest says the House Republicans are using a "hacksaw rather than a scalpel" to try and solve problems some schools are having.
Wootan argues that there may be other factors in play such as enrollment or food costs if a lunch program is losing money.
"It's a shame that the House Republicans are taking a step backward and allowing schools to serve more unhealthy food to children," she said.
The House bill would provide money for Agriculture Department programs and Food and Drug Administration programs. A Senate subcommittee was also scheduled to mark up its version of the food and farm spending bill Tuesday but that panel has not yet released its language.
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