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The last time Apple rolled out a cat-themed OS X update, Spotlight was the star of the show. Introduced as part of OS X 10.4, the search feature used files' indexed metadata—creation date, body text, file kind, and size, for example—to quickly ferret out matching files.
While Spotlight showed promise, its performance often proved disappointing. In many cases its searches were too broad, producing hundreds or even thousands of results when you searched using common words and phrases. And while it was supposed to produce results as you typed, it would often hesitate after you'd typed a couple of characters and then eventually begin again as it caught up with the clacks of your keyboard.
Mac users upgrading to Leopard will find a different Spotlight waiting for them. OS X 10.5 refines the search technology in several significant—and welcome—ways. This revamped Spotlight can conduct phrase searches that actually produce useful results; it also supports a new feature in Leopard called Quick Look.
The big changes
Many Spotlight enhancements planned for Leopard were unveiled more than a year ago by Apple.
Let's start with phrase searches. When you conduct a query in your browser's Search field, one of the best ways to narrow your search is by enclosing your search terms in quotation marks. "Licorice Ice Cream," for example, produces far few results in a Google search than Licorice Ice Cream.
Leopard's Spotlight allows you to conduct these same kind of phrase searches. Additionally, with the help of metadata attributes, you can really narrow your results. For instance, type
name:" file name "(including the quotes) and, finally, you can use Spotlight's Search field to search for exact file names. This was impossible under Tiger.
File name searching is even easier within the Searching window that appears when you type Command-F in the Finder. Just enter the file name you seek in the Spotlight field within this window and click on the File Name button.
In Tiger, there also wasn't a way to create a Boolean search—one that uses words such as AND, OR, and NOT to conduct conditional queries. With Leopard, you can now search along the lines of
kind:messages lizard NOT messages:salamanderto find messages that contain the word "lizard" but exclude any that also contain the world "salamander."
While Spotlight now narrows things down nicely, you may still see multiple results. One good way to see if you have the right file is to open a Searching window, perform your search, and select the file you believe you want to open and press the Space Bar. This engages Leopard's Quick Look feature, which we explore in greater depth in our article on changes to the Finder in Leopard. But briefly, Quick Look lets you quickly scan through the contents of a file, without forcing you to go to the trouble of opening it in its native application. It's a terrific time-saver and ideal for the at-a-glance nature of Spotlight searches.
While we're on the subject of the Finder, Finder windows sport a Shared entry in the sidebar, and those Macs that have Personal File Sharing switched on will appear beneath this entry. Spotlight can now search the contents of those shared Macs as well as your local computer.
Finally, Spotlight adds capabilities reminiscent of launcher apps. It's no LaunchBar, but it is useable as a limited launching utility.
Type a word into the Spotlight search bar, and, among the results, you'll get a definition that, when clicked, will open the Dictionary.
By default, Spotlight will highlight applications as the Top Hit so it's a simple matter to type into the Spotlight field the name of the application you'd like to open—iPhoto, for example—and press the Return key to launch it.
What you may not know
Our past coverage of Leopard noted that in addition to supporting boolean logic and letting you search for exact phrases and date ranges, OS X 10.5's version Spotlight also allows calculations. We know a little bit more about this capability now—enter
123*456, for example, and in the list of results a Calculator entry appears that reads
123*456 = 56088. You can also type a word you wish to define into the Spotlight field; Spotlight will return a Definition entry in the list of results. Select that entry and press the Return key to open Dictionary and view the definition.
Here's another feature we haven't addressed previously: searching through system files. Under Tiger, Spotlight largely stayed out of areas reserved for the System—the contents of the System and Library folders, for example. Leopard allows Spotlight to enter these previously forbidden areas.
Apple's list of Spotlight features notes a Web history search feature, in which Spotlight indexes the names of any Web site you visit as well as the contents of the sites themselves. Searching for recently visited Web pages takes you back to Safari.
What we think
Spotlight's features work as advertised. The technology has largely become the utility many of us hoped it would be in Tiger. Better yet, unlike Spotlight under Tiger, this version of Spotlight is speedy. You should no longer type in the beginning of a search term only to have Spotlight pause after you've entered just the first few characters.
Spotlight remains a good tool for those Mac users who relied on the search technology in the past. The difference here is that those who turned to more advanced (and faster) search tools such as Devon Technologies' EasyFind may be tempted to return to Spotlight, as it's now usable for conducting more complex and thorough searches.
Great or Wait? With this release of Spotlight, Apple has signaled the all clear. Those who have stayed away from Spotlight due to its too-broad searches and uneven performance will be impressed with its Leopard implementation. Great.
[ Senior editor Christopher Breen fields troubleshooting questions in the Mac 911 blog. ]


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Our firm is ready to stand by your side, advocate your legal rights, and guide you every step of the way. Hiring the right Family Lawyer to provide you with Family Lawyer representation is an important decision. Providing solid legal guidance and support to families throughout California is the mission of Anthoor Law in Palo Alto.
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subset: commoncrawl


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UPDATED: Mar. 6, 2010 – This downloadable PDF lists all the child development centers in Haiti and categorizes each center as: not directly affected, moderately affected or significantly affected.
Six child development centers and one child survival program previously designated as not directly affected have recently reported several children and siblings of sponsored children as having been injured in the earthquake. They have also reported many houses that were damaged.
These centers are now considered moderately affected.
- HA-272 and HACS19
A significantly affected child development center:
- is located within the official "impact zone" as defined by the United Nations and Haitian government
- has reported deaths or injuries to children
- has reported significant damage to the church or other facilities
- has reported significant damage to children's homes, with many homes destroyed
A moderately affected child development center:
- is located outside the official "impact zone"
- has not reported any child deaths
- has reported only a few injuries to children
- has minor damage to the church or other facilities
- only reports damage to some children's homes
Child development centers listed as not directly affected are located outside of the official "impact zone" and have not reported any deaths or serious injuries to children or damage to any church facilities or children's homes.
The PDF does not detail how each child, leadership student or baby and caregiver we serve has been specifically affected. In most cases, we don't have that information yet, and getting specific information about each of the 65,000 children we serve will take us time to obtain and report.
In the significantly affected areas we are searching diligently through the "tent cities" around Port-au-Prince to determine the condition of your children. The only way to do this is through a grassroots, tent-to-tent approach. The process is slow, deliberate and difficult, but it is moving ahead steadily.
Our church partners in the outlying areas are sending people to our supply stations to pick up needed supplies as well as report on the condition of their facilities, their staff and their sponsored children.
With these circumstances in mind, please be aware that at this time we cannot categorically say that all children in the "unaffected" centers are unaffected. The probability is high, but there are situations, such as travel, where a child or student may have been in the "impact zone."
We will update the PDF as we get more information, but we will not report specific child information via the Internet.
If your child was affected by the earthquake, we will contact you directly. Even if your child wasn't directly affected, you will be contacted, although the timing may be slower and the method may be different.
Accuracy in what we report is vital. As we receive information about specific children, we need to verify that it is correct. This fact-checking means that getting the information to you takes longer, but we are doing everything we can to get it to you as quickly as possible.
Many people have asked, "If it turns out my sponsored child is alive but orphaned, what can we do about adoption? Who can we contact?"
We cannot assist in the adoption of these children. However, if you are interested in adopting a Haitian orphan we can recommend Bethany Christian Services, as an adoption agency working to help the children of Haiti.
We continue to publish more complete updates about our response to the Haiti earthquake on our Haiti Earthquakes Updates blog post.


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The Wall Street Journal explains.
Hostess Brands is going to liquidate, a blow to lovers of Twinkies, Wonder Bread and Drake's Coffee Cakes all around the globe.
But CEO Gregory Rayburn told CNBC today that as the company winds down its operations after failing to reach an agreement with a union, it will try to sell its various brands. There are 30 separate brands under the companies sugary umbrella.
[…]Rayburn, a restructuring veteran brought in for the bankruptcy, did not shy away from blaming the striking bakers' union for the liquidation after the company put out an ultimatum earlier this week for them to return to work or face this consequence. He told the television network the union hasn't "returned our calls in a couple of months."
There is a silver lining to this story, though:
The reason: insurmountable (and unfundable) difference in the firm's collective bargaining agreements and pension obligations, which resulted in a crippling strike that basically shut down the company… [the company] was unable to survive empowered labor unions who thought they had all the negotiating leverage… until they led their bankrupt employer right off liquidation cliff.
[…]Hostess' numerous brands will be bought in a stalking horse auction by willing private buyers, however completely free and clear of all legacy labor and pension agreements which ultimately led to the company's liquidation.
Now that's progress. But what causes union bosses to be so uninformed and ignorant of basic economics? How is it that they do not understand how businesses work?
Consider this quote from Richard Trumka about the looming fiscal crisis:
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka has declared there's no fiscal cliff and any address of runaway government spending is just "a manufactured crisis."
[…]"'Take what the media are calling 'the fiscal cliff.' There is no fiscal cliff!" Trumka thundered at a National Mediation Board Conference Thursday, sounding like an alcoholic pleading for one last swig well before he hits rock bottom.
[…]"What we're facing," he said Thursday, "is an obstacle course within a manufactured crisis that was hastily thrown together in response to inflated rhetoric about our federal deficit.
"But all the deficit chatter has distracted us from our real crisis — the immediate crisis of 23 million unemployed or underemployed workers. It's time to protect Social Security benefits. It's time to protect Medicare and Medicaid benefits. And it's time to raise taxes for the richest 2%," he went on.
In short, Trumka is arguing that there's no such thing as too much government spending, that deficits don't matter and that entitlements cannot be cut. Such denialist thinking is beyond irresponsible in the face of a $16 trillion debt, highest on global record and a sign of an irrational agenda often followed by would-be tyrants.
Trumka is trying to intimidate congressional Democrats into intransigence on a debt deal with Republicans to restore the solvency of the U.S. Instead, he wants them to stand fast on the idea that the debt, deficit and entitlements can be addressed simply by taxing higher-income earners who already account for more than half of federal income-tax revenue.
This is the kind of irresponsible thinking that has triggered riots in Greece and Spain — a belief that the money is there and only the meanness of austerity is keeping the common man from his share.
In reality, the money is not there — the pot is empty. Medicare and Social Security are now on "unsustainable paths," paying out more in benefits than they take in, with their trust funds projected to run dry by 2024 and 2033, according to their own trustees.
Socialism is meeting its natural end — which, in the words of former U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, is when it "runs out of other people's money."
Unions don't make anything on their own, only businesses do. And they just don't understand that. They don't understand that at some point it is possible to suck too much blood from the host so that the host dies.
I feel bad for the conservatives who are forced to join these labor unions and pay dues to greedy union bosses who don't understand capitalism or economics. My recommendation is that individual states pass right-to-work laws. Right-to-work states have created FOUR TIMES as many jobs as forced unionization states, since 2009. That's what happens when you embrace freedom and capitalism.


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Mother mourns 'grim milestone' in longest US war
Lisa Freeman was cradling her 6-day-old grandson in her left arm and watching the news on her iPad while her daughter and son-in-law caught some much-needed sleep. The retired teacher was taking notes with her free hand when she heard the news: The nation had suffered its 2,000th casualty in the Afghan war.
On Sept. 29, Army Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Metcalfe was on patrol in the country's rugged Wardak Province when his unit came under small-arms fire.
As the announcer droned on, all Freeman could do was shake her head and stare at little Matthew - named for an uncle he would never know. Marine Capt. Matthew C. Freeman fell to a sniper's bullet on Aug. 7, 2009, northeast of Kabul, not far from where Metcalfe perished.
It is almost certain that Metcalfe and Freeman - both 29 when they died - never met. Freeman grew up in the Savannah suburb of Richmond Hill, Ga.; Metcalfe was from the village of Liverpool, N.Y., population about 2,400, a few miles north of Syracuse.
Nonetheless, they were brothers, casualties in what has become America's longest war.
Looking at the number 2,000 on the small, glass screen, Lisa Freeman felt as if she'd lost her son all over again.
"I just sat here, reliving the pain and wondering: Where is America's outrage? Where is America's concern that we're still at war?"
"I walk around this country and look in faces that don't even know we're at war anymore. People that are going about their everyday lives, not realizing that they've been kept safe by this amazing group of young men and women who have been willing to sacrifice so much."
She has reason to be bitter. And yet, her son's story is a shining example of how each life - and death - touches so many others. She and all who loved him are bound to others in a spreading web of loss and grief, and they do not mourn alone.
Matthew Freeman excelled at everything he set his mind to. Eagle Scout, honor roll, student council president. So no one was surprised when he won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, following in his father's footsteps. After graduation in 2002, the son and grandson of naval aviators took his commission in the Marine Corps and went for jets.
Freeman was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, in the summer of 2009 when a resurgent Taliban began retaking areas once thought pacified. When officers asked for volunteers to shore up the thin lines, the young pilot with the striking blue eyes stepped forward.
In July 2009, Freeman made a secret trip home to marry his high school sweetheart, Theresa Hess. He wanted to make sure she would be notified - and taken care of - should anything happen to him.
They were married on July 10, 2009. Thirteen days later, he shipped out.
Barely two weeks into his deployment, Freeman and a fire support team set out for reconnaissance in the Shpee Valley when they came under almost immediate enemy attack and became pinned down. According to an official account, Freeman fought his way into a nearby building and up to the roof to get a better angle on the enemy position.
Once atop, he spotted an insurgent with a rocket-propelled grenade and was firing at the man when he was shot in the back of the head. A comrade told Lisa Freeman her son was found with his finger on the trigger of his rifle; its magazine was nearly empty.
The following January, Mrs. Freeman was visiting the Pennsylvania home of a woman whose son, an Army second lieutenant, had been killed in 2006 by an improvised explosive device in Iraq. On the wall, she noticed an amazingly lifelike pencil sketch of the fallen soldier and asked the woman who drew it.
Retired Marine Cpl. Michael Reagan knows something about long, unpopular wars.
When asked about his tour in Vietnam, he says simply, "I survived Con Thien." Translated as "Hill of Angels," the remote Marine fire base just south of the North Vietnamese border was the site of fierce fighting for a year beginning February 1967.
While there, Reagan sketched many of his buddies - some of whom didn't make it home alive.
The Edmonds, Wash., man has since done portraits of dozens of celebrities, 137 Playboy playmates, six presidents, three prime ministers, even a pope. Using pre-autographed picture boards, he's helped raise millions for children's charities and cancer research.
In 2004, a national news show aired a piece on Reagan's work. The next day, an Iraq War widow from Boise, Idaho, called him and asked how much he would charge to do a portrait of her late husband.
He told her there would be no charge; just send him a photo. When the woman called back to thank him for the sketch, he was overcome with emotion.
Reagan turned to his wife and said, "We need to do them all."
Thus was born the Fallen Heroes Project. At the beginning, a general asked whether Reagan understood what he had gotten himself in for. Reagan replied that he figured the wars would last five years, and that he would have to no more than 1,500 portraits.
He has done 3,100 so far. And every day, he gets at least one e-mail, requesting another.
"I haven't drawn 3,100 portraits," he says. "I've drawn one. ... Every one is too many for me."
The 65-year-old artist wakes around 4 a.m. each morning. He "cooks" his coffee, feeds his cats and sits down at his drawing table.
Each portrait takes about five hours, though some take longer and he has done as many as four in one day to have them ready in time for funerals or memorial services. He walks five miles each night, "to just be able to get air back in me."
Reagan works from videos and favorite photos - some showing the person in civilian life. People send him letters and diary entries from the deceased.
"So when I draw," he says, "I feel like I'm having a conversation."
When Lisa Freeman wrote to ask that he draw her son - in his Marine dress blues - she passed along a note from one of Matthew's high school classmates, who recalled the young man who listened so well he made you feel "like you were the most important person in the world."
"I believe the world and the lives he touched are better for him being here," she wrote.
Joshua Welle was president of the Annapolis Class of 2002. But there were 980 midshipmen, and though he had heard of Freeman, he did not know him - until after his death.
Welle, a lieutenant commander in the Navy, is back in the States for three weeks' leave. He is using part of that time to travel the country and tell audiences about Freeman and other classmates who have sacrificed in the ongoing War on Terror.
The surface warfare officer is lead editor of a new book, "In the Shadow of Greatness: Voices of Leadership, Sacrifice, and Service from America's Longest War." Of the Class of 2002, four have died in combat, one lost both legs, and another won the Silver Star.
As he crisscrosses the country, Welle senses that "the American people have fatigue" about the war in Afghanistan. It has become part of his mission to remind them why our troops are still there, that the war serves to protect the United States. "Americans need to have a long view," he says
Welle says he and his coeditors wrote the book "to tell a story of post-911 leadership and help America understand that there is a good news story coming out of Iraq and Afghanistan, even though there's no clear victory."
He adds: "I don't think we can look at the wounds of battle in a body count and a death toll."
Proceeds from the book - and, by extension, from Matthew Freeman's story - have helped causes to make a difference in the lives of Afghan War vets, including the Challenged Athlete Foundation's "Operation Rebound," a sports and fitness program for wounded veterans and first responders with permanent physical disabilities.
Wounded veterans like Daniel Riley.
When Riley joined the Marines in 2007 at age 21, he was "fully aware it wasn't a question of 'if'; it would be a question of when I would find myself in Iraq or Afghanistan."
He made it unscathed through his first tour, in Iraq. And, as he'd expected, he soon found himself in Afghanistan.
On Dec. 16, 2010, Cpl. Riley and his infantry squad were on a dismounted patrol to clear a compound in the Marjah district of then-hot Helmand Province. The men had found and disarmed a couple of IEDs.
They were leaving the area when Riley took a step and felt the earth give ever so slightly beneath his right boot.
"The one thing you know in Afghanistan is that, if you're not on solid ground, you're not in a good place," he says. "The minute that ground gave out a little bit, I just swore in my head and I knew exactly what had happened."
Buried beneath a "pressure plate" was a fuel can filled with ammonium nitrate - the same explosive mix used in the Oklahoma City bombing. Riley blacked out "for a split second, but woke up flying in the air and landing."
The blast took off both of Riley's legs, just above the knee, and three fingers on his left hand. He had about a week left on his deployment.
"I was, excuse the pun, I was one foot out the door," he says with a laugh. "It was probably on one of the last patrols I would have done in my deployment."
After more than a year and a half of recovery and rehab, Riley was medically retired from the Marine Corps this summer.
Learning to walk on his prosthetic legs was "like kicking a soccer ball in a swimming pool." But he didn't just learn to walk; he has learned to soar. He joined "Operation Rebound," and has graduated from competitor to mentor.
He's 27 now, living in San Diego, and though he supports the war, he understands the frustration of many who want it to end.
"I've seen both sides of it," he says. "I've seen good being done. I've seen kids going to school, roads being built, bridges being built - that kind of thing. I've also seen a bad side of it. You see seemingly an endless war where you're continually fighting, and it's hard to see progress. ...
"I mean, one casualty or 2,000 casualties," he says. "You know, it's numbers."
The 2,000th casualty occurred at a lonely Afghan Army checkpoint along the main road between southern Kandahar and the national capital of Kabul - an area of scrubby, rolling foothills dotted with Pashtun villages and trees bearing fist-sized, yellow apples.
According to Afghan officials, Metcalfe and his squad were on foot patrol when the checkpoint came under insurgent attack. Believing they were being fired on by their Afghan allies, Metcalfe and the others engaged the checkpoint, the officials said.
Metcalfe, a civilian contractor and at least two Afghan soldiers died in the firefight. The Pentagon is investigating.
Metcalfe, a member of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, was an 11-year veteran and was on his third deployment. He leaves a wife and four children, aged 11 months to 12 years.
Lisa Freeman can't help thinking he should never have been in that "impossible place."
"I don't really understand why we're there anymore," she says. "Why are we still watching death after death, and pain after pain here at home?"
All she knows for certain is that her son would not want the United States to leave just yet.
Two days before his death, Freeman called his mother back in Georgia. He told her all about the friendly locals, and how cute the children were.
"The kids would rather have pens and paper more than anything," he said. "Even food or water."
He asked if she would start collecting school supplies that he and the other troops could distribute in the villages.
"Send as much as you can," he told her. "I want to give them this."
She was discussing the first fundraiser with her eighth-grade class at Richmond Hill Middle School when the Marines arrived to inform her of her son's death.
His last request has since grown into the Matthew Freeman Project, "Pens & Paper for Peace." In the past two years, the nonprofit charity has shipped more than six tons of school supplies to military personnel for distribution in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Lisa Freeman says one of the project's volunteers told her recently that it might take years, but that their efforts would bear fruit.
"Maybe one of these young men that we're giving these school supplies to could be the future leader of a free Afghanistan," he told her.
With one son-in-law in the field and another who could be deployed at any time, the Gold Star mother cannot see it.
But she truly hopes he's right.


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Last week, porn star Christy Mack announced a competition for the ages: whoever built her "the coolest LEGO creation" to put in her house won a prize. And that prize was a blowjob.
Note: Yes, the Twitter feed in question has some NSFW stuff on it. It's the Twitter feed of a porn star.
It set hundreds of dudes (and ladies) on Twitter into a spin, some cheating and sending in images they found on Google, others going the extra mile and hand-delivering Mack their creations.
It was a brilliant piece of self-marketing, one Mack addressed in about the most perfect way imaginable.
Sadly for those hoping to take out top prize, though, the competition's off.
And just like that, you're back to building LEGO for good ol' internet fame.
UPDATE: Never say never.
How a porn star's Lego challenge went viral until lawyers killed it [Daily Dot]


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Okay, so I know I'm a little late to the party with this new take on the iconic "Keep Calm and Carry On" poster, but "Keep Calm and Continue Parenting" has become a daily mantra in the N+D household.
I want to plaster this everywhere. It's my desktop background. It's taped to the fridge. I'm considering getting it printed on a t-shirt for each of my step-kids, so it'll be front and center when we really need a reminder.
When your 12 year old suddenly decides he doesn't like bacon and won't eat dinner?
Keep calm and continue parenting.
When your toddler throws a screaming fit halfway through a four hour flight?
Keep calm and continue parenting!
When your teenager lies about whether or not he took a shower?
Keep calm and continue parenting!!
When your 6 year old spills a pocketful of marbles all over the floor of the library?
Keep calm and continue parenting!!!
I loaded the image up on Zazzle so you can get it printed on whatever you want, like this throw pillow. Although if the boy decides to dislike ONE MORE FOOD, I might throw it at him.
Soldier on, parents.
I love winter squash in all its forms. Butternut squash soup, acorn squash breakfast porridge, spaghetti squash with parmesan, garlic, and pine nuts…yum.
But hacking through those tough skins? Intimidating.
I've got a pretty poor track record with knives. And despite the frequency at which I slice into them, I really do value my fingers. So to spare my poor, defenseless digits, I often roast squash whole.
Many recipes tell you to slice the squash in half, scrape out the pulp, and roast them. Easier said than done, right? But did you know you could just roast the squash whole? Seriously. You just prick it all over like a potato and throw that sucker in the oven.
It does take longer to roast, but as long as I remember to plan ahead, I love this method. After it's cooked, the squash slices open easily. You'll need to watch out for the steam, but after you let it cool a bit, the pulp scoops right out. Then, just scoop it out of the skin, and it's ready to go!
This technique works best with squashes you're planning to puree or mash, but it's also great for spaghetti squash. Just scrape the insides out with a fork, and the strands will fall apart into a big pile of veggie spaghetti.
Whole roasted winter squash
Works well with butternut squash, acorn squash, and spaghetti squash.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Pierce the squash all over with the tip of a knife.
- Place the entire squash, whole and uncut, in the oven.
- Roast for 45-65 minutes, or until the squash very soft when poked.
- Let the squash cool on the counter for 5-10 minutes.
- Split squash open and use spoon to remove seeds and pulp. Be careful and watch for very hot steam!
- Scrape the flesh from the skin.
Ta da! Soft winter squash, ready for eating or use in recipes. Enjoy!
I've been flirting with this whole "Paleo" thing recently. I haven't given up dairy or grains yet, but I love the idea of including vegetables in curious places. So when I stumbled across this recipe for "Faux-tmeal," from Melissa over at CupcakesOMG, I knew the acorn squash languishing on my kitchen counter wasn't long for this world.
That's right, people: acorn squash. For breakfast. Okay, sure, it seems a little weird. But I like squash and I like breakfast, so why not?
I tweaked Melissa's recipe a little bit, adding more shredded coconut and a pile of chopped pecans.
I didn't have any cardamom in the cupboard, so I subbed in pumpkin pie spice and vanilla extract.
And, I used some of the fancy maple syrup that my lovely sent over from New England.
The result was a chewy, hearty mash that tasted like eating pie for breakfast. It made more than enough to feed us breakfast for the next few days, so I packed it into mason jars to make it easy to eat on the go. Yum!
Acorn squash porridge
Adapted from Faux-tmeal (Paleo Oatmeal) by Melissa at CupcakesOMG
- 1 acorn squash, roasted until soft
- 1 cup coconut milk (plus a little more to adjust texture)
- 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- 3 tbsp. maple syrup
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the squash, coconut milk, pumpkin pie spice, and maple syrup.
- Using a potato masher, mash the squash and mix well.
- Cook over medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes.
- Incorporate the shredded coconut and chopped pecans and mix well. If too thick, add coconut milk until desired consistency is reached.
Serve hot; leftovers taste great when reheated.
If you're a Pinterest addict like me, you've probably seen more than a few pins touting the benefits of making your own foaming hand soap. It's cheap! It's easy! You can control the ingredients!
You know I'm all about cheap and easy, but today, I just needed soap. The soap dispensers were empty, and since the main road has been closed since the floods, the nearest store is over an hour away.
A quick search on Pinterest for "foaming hand soap" yielded approximately 39802938 slightly different recipes for foaming hand soap, so I took a closer look at a few of them.
- The Moms Who Blog take the straightforward, thrifty approach: 1 part soap to 8 parts water, shake gently, and you're done!
- Melissa at Frugal Creativity likes to use body wash, which she says gives great results – and she only uses one tablespoon of soap!
- But, Glamour Puss cautions to never use "creamy" soap, because it can clog the dispenser.
- Kim, from What's That Smell, is concerned about unnecessary chemicals in her family's life, so she uses castile soap.
- At More Green For Less Green, Pamm scents her castile soap with essential oils.
- And Ashley Benson suggests adding "1/2 tsp of Vitamin E oil, Almond oil, or vegetable glycerin" for a little moisture.
There's a lot of varying advice out there, but I decided to try two different approaches. Here's what I did:
Method #1: "Regular" DIY Foaming Hand Soap
One glaring problem with most of these "recipes" is that they don't give any actual measurements for soap and water. "Fill 1/8 full" doesn't help very much if your container is shaped all weird like mine. "Use 1 tbsp." doesn't help if you don't say how much water you're adding. So, while you can certainly just eyeball it, I've included actual measurements. I like to mix it up in a Mason jar so I can refill my soap dispensers easily.
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup soap
- 1 empty foaming soap dispenser
Combine soap & water; mix gently. Pour into an empty foaming soap dispenser.
Method #2: "Natural" DIY Foaming Hand Soap
Dr. Bronner's is a brand of castile soap that's biodegradable, certified fair trade, and action-packed with exclamation points. All-One! My bottle of Dr. Bronner's is peppermint-scented, so I used lemon essential oil to create a light and clean fragrance. You can leave it out completely if you prefer unscented soap.
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup castile soap
- 15-20 drops essential oil
- 1 empty foaming soap dispenser
Combine soap, water, and essential oil; mix gently. Pour into an empty foaming soap dispenser.
Just look at that beautiful foam!
Both recipes created foam that's just as good (if not better!) than the store-bought refills. It's always so satisfying when a Pinterest project succeeds, isn't it?
Making extracts! It's super easy to make your own – just take your favorite flavoring ingredient, put it in a jar with some vodka, ignore it for a couple weeks, and then strain out the solids. Right now, I've got watermelon, peach, chocolate, and pineapple in jars, just steeping away. Yum!
What can you use extracts for? Well, baking, of course. But since we're homebrewers, we use them to flavor beers. We've got a delicious hazelnut-vanilla English mild in the keg right now. And while I can call them "extracts" all I want, they're really just flavored liquor, so they make one heckuva cocktail.
I just put together some new flavors (and I actually measured things this time!), so after a taste test in a couple weeks, I'll put up some instructions.
What else? Well, I broke my favorite garlic press – right through the metal! You're impressed, right?
I would love to get a new one just like this one, but I can't figure out the brand. Anyone recognize it?
But what have I really been doing? Yeah, playing with my new phone. It's so shiny! It's so fast! It does so many things! I think I'm in love…
So, what have you been doing recently?
A couple days ago, a neighbor told Bruce that it's possible to grill a frozen pizza and since then, he's been dying to give it a try. He actually made an attempt yesterday, but instead of preheating the grill to 425°, he preheated it to 700° – at which point, it caught fire. Oops.
So, take two.
Why grill a pizza? Well, I could say that it's because our natural gas is still out (no oven) or because the nearest pizza place is 40 minutes away – but really, it's because Bruce wants to prove it's possible.
And guess what, folks? It turned out just fine.
The crust was a little charred in a few places, but the pizza was cooked all the way through. Next time, we'll probably use our pizza stone (that we forgot existed until the pizza was almost done), and I imagine the crust will be even better.
Just one note: You should probably wait until the cheese cools down before you tilt the pizza to get a photo of its crust.
So, grilling a frozen pizza? Totally possible. We'll definitely be doing this again…
Wow, guys. It's been quite a week.
After a week of the wettest weather I've ever known, the sun is finally shining in Coal Creek Canyon. It started raining on Wednesday morning and just kept raining. You have to understand: it doesn't rain in Colorado! I mean, ya know, it does, but not like this. This was the wettest, thickest, heaviest rain I've ever seen – and it went on for days!
The nearest official rain gauge registered the 7-day total as 10.36 inches, but I stuck a Mason jar on the deck on Thursday, and by the next morning, it was overflowing. I'm guessing we were getting close to 1"/hour for several hours.
Our first indication that this wasn't a regular storm came on Thursday morning. Bruce was just getting in the shower when the phone rang: it was an automated call from Xcel, explaining that the natural gas had been turned off. So, no hot water. Perplexed, we turned on the computer and checked www.cotrip.org. Sure enough, Highway 72 was closed.
Then we turned on the news.
Lyons is being evacuated! The Big Thompson is destroying things! People are stuck in trees! Things were getting real.
And still, it kept raining.
We spent the next couple of days at the house, just waiting. We walked around in the rain, talked to neighbors, and brought coffee to the rain-soaked JeffCo cops who were manning the barricade at Twin Spruce.
But mostly, we stared in awe at the amount of damage that water could do.
(Click for video)
The little drainage ditch that runs along Twin Spruce/Gap Rd. was a raging torrent of water. I don't think it even has a name most of the time, but now it was destroying driveway bridges, ripping apart culverts, and washing debris onto the road.
Further down, it ripped apart the road itself.
In some places, there's less than a lane remaining. See the yellow line?
The intersection of Twin Spruce and Highway 72 is a waterfall.
It swamped the liquor store and the Kwik Mart.
And ripped off the deck of the old coffee shop building.
After a summer of worrying about fire danger, all this water was a bit of shock. But now, the flows are finally starting to subside, and there has been a steady stream of road construction equipment running back and forth in front of our house. We're moving into the recovery process, although it's going to be a long time before things are back to normal.
But compared to so many, we're incredibly lucky. Our house is fine – we took in a little water in our storage/utility room, but a couple of hours wringing out towels was able to solve the problem. We don't have natural gas (no hot water, stove/oven, or furnace), but we've had power, internet, and clean water from the well throughout the whole storm. There's only one dirt road to get out of our canyon, but at least we can get out! All in all, it could've been much worse.
I posted a few more pictures on Flickr, so take a look if you're interested: Coal Creek Canyon Flooding.
Last Saturday morning, my Facebook feed erupted with important news – it was International Bacon Day! I'm never one to pass up a food-related holiday, so I pulled a Costco pack of bacon out of the fridge and got busy.
For dinner, we had veggie burgers with bacon (affectionately called "Hippie Nightmares" around here), but the real star of the show was much more extravagant.
I planned to make these little gems: bacon cups. But none of this salad nonsense – we would eat them for dessert with a scoop of homemade cinnamon ice cream.
I had made them once before, with great success, so I figured I knew what I was doing. I didn't need to look up the directions, right?
Wrong. Some of them looked okay, but they were completely stuck to the muffin tin. We tried prying them off with a butter knife, but they just crumbled.
But as long as you don't care about presentation, it makes no difference. Bacon-topped cinnamon ice cream is basically the most delicious thing ever, no matter what it looks like. We'll call it a win.
Update: This project was recently featured on one of my favorite websites, CraftFail! You can read Robyn's commentary here.
Sometimes, It feels like my thrifting mojo is gone. For a the past couple weeks, I've had some rotten luck during my regular rounds.
But then these babies entered my life.
Thrift store Chacos! In my size! Nearly new! And with this very important tag:
Chaco manufacturing used to happen here in Colorado, but they've since been purchased by a larger company. And while their current sandals are still top-notch, they're just a little bit different. My current pair is nearly 13 years old – I bought them the same month I moved to Colorado. I wore them down to nearly nothing and had them re-soled by ReChaco last year – with their original sole, a burly Vibram number they call, aptly enough, "Colorado." It's only available on resoles and custom orders these days.
Which brings me back to the new-to-me pair – since they're older, they have the same "Colorado" Vibram sole. If you're not a Chaco person, you probably don't get this at all. But if you are: I know, right?? I was stoked!
Best part? They were marked at $5.99. And…I had a coupon!
Final price: $4.72. That's over 95% off retail!
So, that's more like it. My luck has returned!
This past Saturday, we decided to venture down the hill to check out the Denver County Fair. It's relatively new event – this is only their third year – but it was well-organized and adorably representative of Denver's quirky urban homesteading movement. We had a great time!
The event is held indoors at the Western Events Complex, and there were 14 different "pavilions" to explore.
We arrived at the Fair just in time to catch the Hot Dog Eating Contest in the Kitchen Pavilion. We ended up standing near the cheering section for a guy named Matt. Go Matt! We're on Team Matt!
Matt did pretty well – second place with a total of 19 hot dogs in five minutes! Goodness, that is a lot of hot dogs. Fortunately for the contestants, this was a bun-less competition – so you could be gluten-free and still compete, I suppose. Very Denver.
We really loved the Geek Pavilion, of course. I think R2D2 should be at every county fair.
The Boy even got to try on a Stormtrooper helmet from a local costume-making group.
There was a booth set up by the guys over at The Concoctory and I got to see a 3D printer in person for the first time. I loved that there were competition categories for the Geek Pavilion. It's not just prize-winning zucchinis and pies at the Denver County Fair – they also handed out ribbons for categories like Best Homemade Robot, Best Use of Recycled Materials, and…
Best Peeps Diorama!
This one is MINE next year.
There were plenty of animals at the Fair, too. Chickens, goats, rabbits, ducks…not to mention a couple of black bears and a tiger cub.
You could even take a unicorn ride!
We finished up our day with Digger and Mudslinger, a pair of seriously talented hogs. According to their trainer, they'll do just about anything for Cheerios.
I'm planning to actually enter the Fair next year – definitely the crochet category, and maybe baked goods or one of the Geek categories. I think Bruce should enter the homebrew competition, for sure. And there was a Juvenile division for every category, so maybe the kids will enter, too. Now we have a whole year to think about it…


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Chris Martin received a BFA in Art and Design from Iowa State University and completed an MFA in Furniture Design at the Rhode Island School of Design in 1994. He has run Chris Martin Furniture, where he designs and fabricates studio art furniture, since 1995. He is also an Associate Professor at the Iowa State University College of Design.
Chris cites Japanese aesthetics, the natural world and fantasy as influences on his work but states, "I have come to realize, however, that there is a deeper, underlying drive influencing my designs. The environment in which I grew up continues to inspire me. As a child I lived in Keokuk, Iowa, a heavily industrialized river town with huge smoke- belching factories, railroad tracks meandering through it, and a lock and dam that still amaze me. I am intrigued by the resiliency of nature and how she manages in some way, to take back what we try to claim from her...This is what drives my work: the manmade in unity with or in contrast to the natural."
This page was first displayed


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Based on the T-600 skin job from Terminator 4, this 2GB USB drive has eyes made of swanky Swarovski rhinestones. And like the USB Skull Rings (also from Solid Alliance), it'll be a limited edition run.
Given the $160 asking price, no kidding. Hardcore fans can pick one up from GeekStuff4U in September, and use it with their Mac or PC.
Like your T-600 toys? Check out the T-600 Voice 'N' Vision Skull and Power Fist, or the T-600 bobble head. Good times! [Solid Alliance (translated) via Akihabara News]


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GO IN find the way to the heart, wear this awesome hoodie and share the wisdom with the world, designed with love for the truth seeker.A cozy, no-nonsense hoodie to keep you warm.
9-ounce, 50/50 cotton/poly fleece
Air jet yarn for a soft, pill-resistant finish
Two-Ply Hood
Set in Sleeves with rib knit cuffs and waistband
Front Pouch Pocket
❤ We believe in trust!
We make sure to provide the very best service we can, from ordering to receiving the product.
✅ All of our items are made to order. This means as soon as you order, we get to work producing your item!
📦 Please allow 5-7 business days to receive a tracking number.
To receive shipping updates download the " ARRIVE " app from the order status page.
🔒 Guaranteed quality or your money back.
Because our items are made to order at the time the order is placed certain conditions apply.
1. If you have issues or problems with your item, you must contact us via email within 72 hours of the item being delivered to your address.
2. Returns are accepted only if the item arrives damaged (printed aesthetic or damaged item)
3. For apparel items, size exchanges or returns are not accepted. This is because all of our items are custom made to order. We do not have inventory on hand and produce your item only when you place the order so therefore there is no item to be exchanged.
4. After contacting us, we will walk you through the steps to ship the item back to us.


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Basking in the glowing reviews for the Dallas Opera's extraordinary production of TRISTAN AND ISOLDE, I got on a plane for San Diego to attend the west coast premiere of MOBY-DICK. It was wonderful to be reunited with this magnificent work which we commissioned for the opening season of the Winspear Opera House and which premiered there in April 2010. Most of the original cast and production team had been reassembled (only Stephen Costello and Jonathan Beyer of the principal singers were unable to join the crew for this "sailing of the Pequod", and were replaced by Jonathan Boyd and Malcolm Mackenzie, respectively. The only other major change was conductor Joseph Mechavich who has ably succeeded Patrick Summers on the podium, and the production was just as stunning as we all remember it.
Ian Campbell, San Diego Opera's long time general director, was the first colleague to "sign on" as a co-commissioner and co-producer of the five opera companies who share in the production (although the fourth company to present it, after Dallas, Adelaide and Calgary.) I am very grateful to Ian for his support of the project. By the way, San Diego Opera was also a partner in our 2001 commission of Tobias Picker's THERESE RAQUIN.
The future of MOBY-DICK seems assured now, since four other companies have expressed interest in presenting MOBY-DICK after the last original partner's performances in San Francisco this October.
It is now 6:30 on Sunday morning and I am at the San Diego Airport awaiting my flight back to Dallas in time for today's matinee of TRISTAN— I certainly wasn't going to miss one of the performances of this incredible production if I could help it, and maybe I'll be able to sleep on the plane…


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211 N. East Street | Mason, Ohio 45040 |(513) 398-0474
Open Enrollment
The Mason City Schools Board of Education permits any student from any other district in the state to apply and enroll in the districts schools free of any tuition obligation, provided that all procedures as outlined in the administrative regulations are met.
Procedures for Admission
1. District capacity limits by grade level, school building and educational program are determined;
2. Resident students and previously enrolled district students have preference over first-time applicants;
3. No requirement of academic, athletic, artistic or any other skill or proficiency;
4. No limitations on admitting students with disabilities, unless service required in an IEP are not available in the district;
5. No requirement that the student be proficient in the English language;
6. No rejection of any applying student because the student has been subject to disciplinary proceedings, except an applicant who has been suspended or expelled by another district for 10 consecutive days or more in the term for which admission is sought.
7. Procedures to ensure maintenance of an appropriate racial balance in the District's schools.
Students are ineligible for athletics for one year when they transfer from one school district to another without changing residency. There are exceptions to the ineligibility provisions contained in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Bylaws.
Application Process
1. Applications must be submitted for inter-district transfer on the Inter-district Application for Admission form as a non-tuition student.
2. A separate application form must be submitted for each student who requests an inter-district transfer.
3. Approval of student for inter-district transfer is at the discretion of the Superintendent in accordance with the District's policies and administrative regulations.
4. A transition meeting must be held with the Superintendent/designee, principal and the family.
5. No inter-district transfer will be permitted if the enrollment of the grade level being requested exceeds District capacity limits and educational program limits.
6. Mason City School District will assume no responsibility for the transportation of students.
7. Applications shall be on a first come, first serve basis (date/time of receipt) with an assurance that the following order for placement will be followed:
8. Applications must be submitted annually beginning April 1 through May 14, and all approvals will be on an annual basis in accordance with the inter-district transfer policy.
9. Students, who begin, but choose not to complete the entire school year at Mason City School District and who return to their resident school district during that same year will not be permitted to apply for inter-district transfer status for the following year.
10. Any student who expects to graduate from Mason High School must meet all the graduation requirements established in policy by the Mason City School District.
11. Any falsification of information on the application form will render the application null and void.
Inter-district Transfer Timeline
Applications Available: April 1 of each year. No phone calls or personal meetings will be accepted
Application Cut-off: Applications must be submitted to the Superintendent's office no later than May 14.
Application Approval: Requests will be acted upon (approved or denied) by August 1 with notification via letter from the Superintendent.


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Newport Skates, the only outdoor ice skating rink in Jersey City, has officially opened for the 2018-2019 season. Skating lovers can once again enjoy beautiful views of the New York City skyline while zipping around the rink. Newport Skates offers private lessons and party packages, and can be rented for private events.
Home NEWPORT SKATES NOW OPEN FOR THE 2018-2019 SEASON


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Do you want to open your own business? Do you have an idea for a product or service and you want to bring to market? Maybe you have people ready to buy your products, or customers ready to sign up for your services, but you're not sure how to start getting paid. You may have an idea what your concept is but you're not sure if it will make a profitable company. Navigating the ins and outs of creating a business plan, marketing your new business and figuring out how to determine which licenses and permits you really need to launch your new venture.
If you answered "yes" or are wondering about those, or other, questions this group session is for you.
Come learn the answer to these and other questions at this NO COST interactive group session. We'll answer many of your questions, talk about what will make your new venture profitable and how to ensure that you are ready to launch your new business. We will also set you up in the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) system so you can take full advantage of the no cost, one-on-one business advising services offered by our center.


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HABU Music Helps Listeners Groove To Their Mood
Posted by Blake Grundman on July 23rd, 2012
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
It has been said that music is the one true universal language. Going along those same lines, music can speak to your mood and feelings as well. For example, who wants to listen to "Don't Worry, Be Happy," when they are depressed? That is why death metal was created! With this specific scenario in mind, developer Gravity Mobile set out to make a tool to provide folks with tunes to suit their emotions. The result of these efforts is the new multimedia app, HABU Music.
Thanks to a little help from Gracenote, users will be able to analyze their music collection to see what it says about their personality. Along the same lines, HABU Music will also help in organizing specialized playlist that cater to the whim of a listener. Remember those wicked mood rings from grade school? Now there is finally a multimedia player that can adapt just as easily. The future of music has arrived!
HABU music
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2012-07-19 :: Category: Game


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|Product Line
|File Size
|PDF Download
|Sci Fi
|Swift Scenics
|1:60 / 28mm
|August 15, 2011
|Christopher Roe
Semi-automated Podtels blight the poorer regions of urban sprawl like concrete-and-metal mushrooms. Each room is unlocked by merely swiping a cash card and choosing from a menu, and there is no on-site staff or concierge. This makes Podtels appealing to a rather shady clientele ranging from those who are simply down on their luck to drug addicts, prostitutes, and criminals.
Out of the box, you can build a clean Podtel from the early days, or grunge it up into a seedy hot pillow or squatter complex with the following bonus items:
This set also includes automated GSD cutting files and illustrated instructions.
Save 25%!
SwiftScenics allows gamers to quickly "Print, Build, Play!" a variety of simple exterior structures to fill large sections of their game table in a very short time. Structures in the SwiftScenics line are VERY quick to build and some even collapse flat for storage or can be permanently mounted for static builds.
For a complete breakdown and dimensions please view the overview here.
David Smith said:
I liked how easy it was to build. Ended up putting more support on the inside just because I can end up being heavy handed, and wanted just a bit more strength in the base and center column. also love how easy it was to modify the signs to fit more in line with the universe we play in.
Review Posted: June 26, 2018
Alfred Turner said:
The finished product looks real good. The model itself went together easy with enough of a fudge factor built in that minor goofs do not impact the final look. A nice addition for anyone who wants to add something extra to a near future scenario. BZ to everyone involved in the developement.
Review Posted: September 30, 2011
Dennis Davis said:
All I can do is reiterate what Jeremy said. Other than those words I feel this is a great addition to any SCI-FI landscape for a city and the ability to make it shorter or taller with optional signage gives more city skyline possibilities. Have built one with the standard setup but will start making shorter and taller centerpieces and a mix of rings with the various states of signs and pods them self.
Review Posted: August 26, 2011
Jeremy Bernhardt said:
This bad boy is HUGE! It is also a really quick build for its size. In case you're wondering just how big this thing really is, the standard 4 story version is 11.5" tall and the rings are roughly 9.5" across.
The variant signs and walls are really nice additions. And there is plenty of real estate on the blank walls, signs, and main entrance to add your own details.
If you want a taller or shorter Podtel, you don't need to break out a ruler and start designing your own kitbashes. There is a sheet of central pillar extensions to add to the regular center pillar (join inside with scrap card strips for a smooth, seamless joint), and a central pillar with score and cut lines already marked for making models with less than 4 floors.
The Podtel is worth every bit of the $6.50 I spent on it.
Review Posted: August 18, 2011


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Nachos are the ultimate party food; bad nachos are the ultimate party foul. You know the old sob story: There's a platter full of chips, and only six of them have enough cheese. Some jerk dumped a can of salsa in the middle of the plate, and now people are worming their filthy plague-ridden fingers through an undetonated sour cream bomb to get at the one piece of fried corn that, against all odds, houses every topping.
It sucks. We can help. Using a little bit of math, a little bit of CAD, and a little bit of careful shopping, we have solved the nacho. REPEAT: WE HAVE SOLVED THE NACHO.
The problem with nachos is, unfortunately, the chip. Standard tortilla chips just don't hold enough cheese, and when the cheese you do manage to squeeze on melts, it runs off. What nacho perfection requires is a different chip, and a cooking vessel designed specifically for that custom chip. Unfortunately, that's not exactly a great way to start off a nacho recipe—"head down to the machine shop..."—so we decided to go the other way: find the cooker, and design the chip around it.
Ladies and gentlemen, the mini muffin pan, available from Sur La Table for about $15:
(You can get a cheaper one off Amazon.) If you think about it, the muffpan is perfect. it's designed to keep runny stuff—like melty delicious cheese—in, and each divot is about the size of a small chip.
Next step: custom chip. Chips are, of course, made from corn tortilas. So making your own chip is really not that big a deal: You just fry a corn tortila. No problem. Getting the tortilla into the muffin divot: a little bit more of a problem. You can't just cram the thing, because it will just crumple up, consuming all the space that is reserved for cheese. Never forget: This is about cheese.
In order to make a chip that fit in the tray perfectly, we enlisted the help of staff writer Jamie Condliffe, who also happens to have a Phd in engineering. We got the dimensions of the muffin divots—top diameter, internal diameter, and height of the sides—and then used CAD to figure out a shape that would fold perfectly into the muffin tin. We came up with this:
It is not feasible to hand-cut what we are now calling a Jamiegon (named after its discoverer) for every single nacho, so instead we looked for a cookie cutter of similar dimensions. We found this, also at Sur La Table:
It's a starfish! It costs $0.76.
So here's the play: punch out a bunch of starfish-shaped tortillas, and put them in the muffin tin.
You can do four at a time pretty easily. I discovered this after I had already done like 40. Sigh.
You'll end up with a lot of leftover material. Don't waste it! Make chilaquiles for breakfast.
When you're done, you'll have a stack of stars like this.
Aren't they adorable? OK, back to work.
If you've ever worked with corn tortillas, you'll be aware that they're quite brittle. So you can't just shove them in the muffin pan. You need to steam them first to get them pliable.
I don't have a microwave (tiny kitchen), but if you have one, just wrap your stars in a damp paper towel and nuke them for 30 seconds. It's easier if you work in batches of four, because you want to get the stars in the muffin tin as quickly as possible.
Before you put a star in the tin, lightly coat it with salted vegetable oil.
I put about a teaspoon of oil and a generous pinch of kosher salt on a plate, and wiped the stars around it, periodically replenishing the oil. You don't want the tortilla stars to be sopping with grease, but you need each side coated.
The idea is that you're going to oven fry the tortillas in the muffin pan. A completed pan looks like this:
Put the nachos in a 400-degree oven for 8 minutes.
They should look about like this when they're done.
When the chips are crisp but not burned (make sure the bottoms aren't soggy), let them cool for about a minute to firm up, and then add cheese. Don't be shy.
Put the chips back in the oven until the cheese is melted—about a minute—and then take them out and add your toppings. I like sliced jalepeños, salsa, and sour cream, but these nacho bites have enough depth to handle whatever your personal preference. Serve to delighted guests.
Confirmed: They are bite-sized.


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IDC raised its tablet shipment forecast for the year due to growing consumer interest in tablets and the introduction of new devices, the research firm said on Friday.
IDC increased its worldwide tablet shipment outlook to 53.5 million units, up from the previous forecast from 50.4 million units. IDC raised its forecast despite a drop in shipments during the first quarter this year compared to the fourth quarter last year.
Tablet shipment during the first quarter this year totaled 7.2 million units, a 28 percent drop compared to the fourth quarter last year. Research firms have been comparing tablet shipments on a sequential basis as Apple's original iPad started shipping in April last year.
Consumer tablet demand fell during the first quarter due to economic concerns, said Bob O'Donnell, IDC's vice president for clients and displays, in a statement. Shipments also fell sequentially as there were fewer buyers during the quarter compared to the fourth quarter post-holiday shopping season.
The introduction of new devices and growing awareness about them should boost tablet shipments for the rest of the year, IDC said.
Hewlett-Packard last week introduced its first consumer tablet, the TouchPad, which has attracted interest from early enthusiasts. Device makers such as Toshiba, Asus, Acer, Sony and Dell have already shipped or are scheduled to launch tablets based on Google's Android OS later this year.
Apple's iPad continued its market domination, but tablets based on Google's Android OS are taking away market share, IDC said. Android-based devices held 34 percent market share during the first quarter, an increase of 8.2 points over the fourth quarter last year. IDC did not respond to a request for the iPad's market share.
Apple's unit shipments during the first quarter were below expectations, partly due to the anticipation for iPad 2 and supply issues related to screens, IDC said. The iPad 2 became available in March to big lines in the U.S., but initial stock soon dried up and supply issues prevented Apple from keeping up with demand.
Samsung and Motorola saw limited success with their Android tablets, but customers were unwilling to buy tablets tied to 3G or 4G data plans, which require two-year contracts in the U.S., IDC said.
Last month, research firm DisplaySearch said that there was growing interest in inexpensive Android tablets from little-known vendors as customers try to avoid paying a premium on tablets such as the iPad. The interest in lower quality tablets is high among students, and in developing countries such as China.
IDC also said that worldwide e-reader shipments went up by 105 percent compared to the first quarter last year, as Barnes and Noble's Nook overtook Amazon's Kindle into first place for the first time. The lack of a color e-reader offering hurt Amazon, while B&N received a boost with Nook Color, which is sold as an e-reader but is also considered to be an Android tablet.
IDC projected worldwide e-reader shipments to total 16.2 million units this year, growing by 24 percent compared to last year.


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Obama's advocacy group lining up behind clean energy
- Organizing for Action partnership steers members to wind and solar power companies
- Wind supplier Ethical Electric buys clean power in the Mid-Atlantic region
- Group has no real model in American politics
WASHINGTON — As President Obama pushes an aggressive national climate-change plan, his administration's non-profit advocacy arm is becoming active in clean-energy drives across the country.
Organizing for Action also has formed a partnership that steers its volunteers to purchase wind and solar power from a single company with ties to liberal groups.
"While we are doing all of this work to advance the president's agenda in Congress, we also want to do everything we can locally to help switch to clean energy," said Ivan Frishberg, Organizing for Action's climate-change manager.
Organizing for Action, for instance, will recommend that its volunteers and activists who want to purchase renewable energy for their homes and businesses consider signing up with Ethical Electric, a firm that currently sells wind power in four Mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia and bills itself as a socially responsible energy supplier. It also has licenses that will allow it to expand to New York, Massachusetts, Illinois and Ohio.
Organizing for Action's leaders "are trying to show people that it's easy to make a change," said Tom Matzzie, the president of Ethical Electric and a former Washington director of the liberal group MoveOn.org Political Action. "It's an important role they can play in mobilizing people to participate in the clean-energy economy and not think that it's just something that happens in Washington."
Organizing for Action officials say the group is not accepting any money from Ethical Electric. Instead, Matzzie said, OFA is directing the sign-up bonus that Ethical Electric offers to all new partners to another nonprofit — Community Power Network — which helps schools, neighborhood groups and other local organizations push for renewable energy.
Meredith McGehee, who examines government ethics at the Campaign Legal Center watchdog group, questions whether it's appropriate for an organization so closely linked to a sitting president to develop ties with one business.
"You can say that developing clean energy is great, but do competitors feel the weight of the presidency being used to undermine their business model?" she said. "It raises questions about the ethical propriety of the use of the president's bully pulpit."
Organizing for Action has no real precedent in American politics. The nonprofit organization, run by former campaign and White House aides, has the goal of mobilizing Obama's legions of 2012 campaign volunteers to advance the president's second-term agenda on immigration, gun-control, climate change and other issues.
OFA counts 2.6 million people as having taken at least one action on behalf of the president's agenda this year – ranging from attending a rally to promote an immigration overhaul in Congress to making a financial contribution. The group, which can raise unlimited amounts of money, collected nearly $5 million during the first three months of the year.
The group's energy activism comes as the White House tries to sell a sweeping climate-change plan that circumvents Congress after failing to get lawmakers to pass legislation that curbs the greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming.
Under the plan unveiled last week, Obama is using his executive powers to impose new limits on carbon-dioxide emissions by new and existing power plants. The plan also increases energy efficiency standards and boosts the production of renewable energy on federal land.
Environmental groups largely applauded the move, while Republicans and some Democrats have lambasted the action as another sign of what they call the president's "war on coal."
Two months ago, OFA took aim at lawmakers who disagree with the president, launching a "climate deniers" website that singles out more than 100 members of Congress.
At the local level, the group has paired with environmental groups in northern California and in Illinois to encourage county and city governments to add more renewable energy to the mix of electricity options available to customers.
Next week, for instance, OFA volunteers plan to help urge the Santa Rosa City Council, north of San Francisco, to vote to join Sonoma Clean Power, a new public agency with the power to purchase renewable energy from electricity suppliers. Sonoma County officials and two cities within the county already have opted in to the new organization, which would displace Pacific Gas and Electric Co. as the main electricity provider. Pacific Gas and Electric still would distribute the electricity and handle billing.
(Three years ago, the San Francisco-based utility giant spent more than $46.4 million to unsuccessfully push a ballot measure that would have required two-thirds of voters to support a local government starting or joining a public power agency. Asked this week about the Sonoma Clean Power push, PG&E spokeswoman Nicole Liebelt said: "We respect the energy choices that are available to our customers.")
OFA's volunteers in the Sonoma County, who number in the "hundreds," have attended county and city council meetings to push the renewable energy plan, said Linda Hemenway, who oversees the group's volunteer efforts in the county. Hemenway also has met with Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., on national climate-change issues.
"Grassroots organizing was the key to victory in 2012, and it will be key to passing legislation for years to come," she said.
In Illinois, where a 2010 law allows municipalities to buy electrical power on behalf of residents, OFA recently approached the Environmental Law and Policy Center about joining its efforts to encourage cities and countries across the state to boost renewable energy, said Howard Learner, the environmental group's executive director.
In the next year, 30 municipalities will renew expiring electricity contracts and "we want to see more clean energy as part of the mix," he said.


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1. Skelliewag explains that if we find our flow, the money will follow.
2. The New York City Transit Authority Graphic Standard Manual is so well designed! Of course, you can't go wrong with a red binder stuffed with pages covered in Helvetica. (via draplin)
3. Tricia of bits and bobbins always gets us thinking! This week she wonders, Would you wear garbage?
4. See actual photos of all of the amazing finds that were up for sale in Michael Jackson's Neverland Estate auction. Word is that at the last minute, he negotiated to have everything returned to him. I don't blame him; this stuff is way too awesome to sell off! (via hannah)
5. Sally of Already Pretty discusses the importance of investing in quality shoes and how they can elevate any outfit. I'm honored that she chose to feature me alongside fellow shoe lover Jane Aldridge in the article!
6. Jazzi answers many intern-related questions and she should know since she's done seven internships to date!
7. Learn more about the ampersand than you ever thought possible.
8. Exciting news! In the digital age, vinyl is making a comeback! According to the article, LP sales were up 89% in 2008. I've been collecting records since high school; don't get me started on my WHAM! picture discs and the entire catalog of Journey albums.
9. Creative barcodes, anyone?
What are your favorite links of the week?


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Intel has continued to paw at the mobile phone market with a preview of Medfield, it's 32nm mobile processor.
But, as with Intel's previous mobile announcements, there was no serious partnership to talk of – only the promise that it was "sampling to customers."
Anand Chandrasekher, senior vice president, Intel Ultra Mobility Group, showed a prototype Android phone packing the processor, but it was a tease.
However, it could be the Aava Mobile handset that has previously been rumoured.
Chandrasekher talked up the chipset's abilities on active, rather than idle power. "On active power, we are [as in x86] the most efficient architecture on the planet. That's what we do, work to make active power work better."
"It will have the longest use time," he promised of the new chip. "We'll have the same standby as everybody else claims.
"You're not buying a phone so you can leave it on idle. You're buying a phone so you can use it, browse the web and so forth.
What about MeeGo?
Renée James, senior vice president and general manager of Intel'sSoftware and Services Group also talked about support for different platforms on mobile.
"All operating environments run on Intel silicon. And nothing has changed." And what of MeeGo after the Microsoft announcement? "We're open source [advocates]. It isn't surprising that we would continue on with MeeGo on its own."
We're working with developers from the iPhone environment, from the Android environment to MeeGo. Anything we have running on x86 can [work across platforms]. We support Android… As Chrome [OS] comes available from Google we'll be supporting that."


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5 Really Helpful Health Apps
These simple mobile apps will put you on the path to better health
En español | This app gives users access to a nationwide network of 47,000 U.S.-licensed doctors who respond to health questions. HealthTap's developers say 10,000 people credit the tool with lifesaving tips since its 2012 launch. Note: HealthTap is not intended or designed to replace your doctor's independent judgment about the appropriateness or risks of symptoms, conditions or treatments (including procedures), according to its website. (iOS and Android, free)1 of 7
iPharmacy Drug Guide & Pill Identifier
This app helps users to identify thousands of pills and drugs. It also lets you track your own medications. And it searches for the lowest prices on prescriptions in your area. (iOS and Android, free)2 of 7
Healthcare has never been this simple: Enter your illness, location and insurance info and ZocDoc returns a list of doctors who often can see you that day, along with available appointment times and patient reviews. It's great for sick travelers, or anyone who needs a quick appointment time. (iOS and Android, free)3 of 7
AARP Offer: Get and Stay Connected
Explore Home & Family for tips on family, relationships, technology and more Join AARP today for great ways to save and stay connected to family4 of 7
Getty Images
Medical studies have found that sitting for long stretches brings health problems and may take years off your life. This app aims to improve your health by simply reminding you to stand up and move around — you get a nudge to rise at preset intervals along with easy exercise options. (iOS and Android, free)5 of 7
There are plenty of apps designed to improve brain health and cognition, but clevermind was developed specifically for people with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Along with brain and memory games, there are entertainment options, social tools and plans for caregivers. (iOS, free. Android soon)6 of 7
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2014 Mercedes GLA45 AMG review - updated
We test the hottest version of the Mercedes GLA in the UK; with 355bhp and a 0-62mph time of just 4.8 seconds, it's one of the fastest small SUVs money can buy...
The Mercedes GLA45 AMG is one of a very small number of extreme high-performance small SUVs.
Equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine (the same unit as the A45 AMG hot hatchback), the range-topping GLA offers the unusual blend of supercar straight-line performance with the slightly raised driving position that's become so popular in the past couple of years.
This is such a small niche that relatively few manufacturers have decided to enter it, which is why the GLA45 AMG is desperately short of obvious rivals. The only genuine one is Audi's RS Q3, although you could argue that the turbo petrol versions of Range Rover's Evoque are an obvious target.
Either way, what you're left with is a bespoke performance baby SUV that can crack 0-62mph in less than five seconds and, if Mercedes' claims are to be believed, offer a more rewarding drive on twisty B-roads than most other SUVs.
You'll pay for it, mind – you'll have to stump up £44,595 for the pleasure of owning one.
What's the 2014 Mercedes GLA45 AMG like to drive?
The good news is the GLA45's immense powertrain hasn't lost anything in its translation from the 'conventional' A45 AMG, which is to say that the combination of seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and 355bhp is pretty impressive.
The tweaked transmission's automatic modes aren't foolproof - its shifts tend to be a bit slow in Comfort mode, and it can even trip over itself in manual mode, especially if you suddenly ask it to shift down a couple of ratios in a hurry - but for the most part it delivers truly stonking performance.
It's surprisingly flexible for such a highly strung engine, too; there's decent shove from just under 2000rpm, and by the time you're at 3000rpm you're already picking up speed at an illegal rate. Nor does the engine run out of puff particularly early, either; it'll happily pull to more than 5500rpm.
The engine's note varies wildly depending on what kind of driving it's doing. It sounds a little rough if you're pootling around town, but the crisp note when you're pushing on is almost like a racing motor (helped by raucous exhaust backfires on upshifts when you're in Sport mode). There is plenty of turbo whoosh too, almost enough to make the Mercedes feel like a jacked-up rally car.
The GLA45 AMG's performance might be right up there with the quickest hot hatches, but on a winding road there are occasional reminders that you are sitting higher up in a pseudo-SUV. The steering is pleasingly direct, but the GLA isn't quite so keen to change direction as a lower, more focused hatch.
Chuck it at a corner and you're most likely to feel the front wheels start to run wide. Should you then attempt to bring the nose back in line by lifting off the throttle, you may find yourself a bit surprised at just how far the rear end is allowed to slip before the car's electronic stability control scoops you up and prevents you from having an accident. Keen drivers will definitely find it amusing.
Nor does this unusual level of proficiency for an SUV come at the expense of ride comfort. There's no denying that the GLA45 AMG's set-up is firm, but its combination of revised ride height, thicker anti-roll bars and revised springs and shock absorbers does a decent job over broken surfaces at low speeds.
The ride quality deteriorates slightly at motorway speeds (expansion joints and ruts thump through the cabin), but it's a minor quibble in something this focused on performance.
What's the 2014 Mercedes GLA45 AMG like inside?
The first difference you'll notice between the GLA45 and regular editions is the seats, which are more deeply bolstered than usual and more supportive as a result.
That aside, the cabin looks pretty similar to the lesser GLAs', albeit with the option of carbonfibre trim on the front of the fascia, and contrast red stitching to give a more sporty feel. There's also a revised instrument cluster and a race-timer integrated into the central infotainment screen.
The main controls are all logically laid out. The infotainment system, which is controlled via a rotary dial between the front dials, isn't quite as intuitive as BMW's iDrive system, but is still relatively easy to use. However, you have to switch to the display ahead of the driver (and the steering wheel controls) if you want to delve into the GLA's safety systems.
Clambering into the rear will remind you that the GLA is not a full-sized SUV; the aperture at the back doors isn't particularly wide, and once you're in place there's only average leg- and headroom for anyone beyond six feet tall. Think of it as a regular family hatchback that you climb into instead of dropping down into and you'll get a fair idea.
The boot is a fair size, at 481 litres, rising to 1235 litres if you lower the 60/40 split rear seats. For comparison, that's 60 litres more standard capacity than Audi's Q3, but around 90 litres less with the seats folded. The GLA does suffer from the same problem as the A-Class, with wide rear shoulders that don't help the loading access. An electrically operated bootlid is offered as an option.
Should I buy one?
We find it rather hard to recommend a £45,000, 355bhp petrol SUV on a number of levels.
Still, if your heart is set on something with family hatchback space, a raised ride height and the equivalent of a small nuclear reactor under the bonnet, we'd look at the GLA45 AMG before taking a test drive in, say, Audi's RS Q3, which is cheaper, and will hold its value a little better than the Merc.
However, a more sensible option altogether would be to opt for BMW's X3 xDrive35d, which isn't quite as chuckable as the GLA, but offers rapid straight-line pace, greater practicality and, since it's a diesel, much lower running costs.
What Car? says…
Mercedes-AMG GLA45
Engine size 2.0-litre turbo petrol
Price from £44,595
Power 355bhp
Torque 332lb ft
0-62mph 4.8 seconds
Top speed 155mph
Fuel economy 37.6mpg
CO2 175g/km
Best family SUVs 2023
Want practicality, class and an elevated driving position in a relatively compact package? Then these are the top 10 cars you should be looking at – and the ones that are best avoided
Jaguar I-Pace long-term test
When Jaguar launched the fully electric I-Pace, it had few rivals, but that's certainly not the case any more. So, is it still worth considering? We're living with one to find out


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The United States and China couldn't have more different political systems. But with Barack Obama re-elected on Tuesday as U.S. president and China's new leaders taking over next week, there is reason to hope they can see eye to eye. If Obama builds on America's recent prudent diplomacy, the two superpowers' rivalry can be constructive.
The U.S. president's first challenge is to keep a cool head. The election run-up wasn't encouraging. Obama and Mitt Romney, his Republican opponent, both rattled sabres at the People's Republic as they campaigned for the White House. Romney even claimed that he would, on his first day as president, brand China a currency manipulator - a designation that can lead to retaliatory tariffs.
There could be more lashing out, this time from Xi Jinping, the Chinese president-in-waiting, and his officials as they try to establish credibility at home. But Obama can now afford not to retaliate. His administration has also handled past crises fairly well. Dialogue continued behind the scenes even through hiccups like the case of Chen Guangcheng, the blind activist who earlier this year fled from house arrest to the U.S. embassy in Beijing.
Another flashpoint is investment. Obama could do better, say by collaborating more freely with U.S. businesses to promote mutual interests in the Middle Kingdom, or by defusing anti-China protectionism in America and other developed countries. But his record is also reassuring in some respects. In his first two years in office, direct investment into the United States from China doubled. Xi and his politburo could help too, by increasing transparency surrounding the nation's giant state-owned enterprises.
The China-U.S. relationship is arguably the world's most important and, in GDP terms, the two could be economic equals within 15 years. That may bring an increase in geopolitical sparring in the coming years, especially given Obama's foreign policy "pivot" toward Asia and China's disputes with its neighbors over oil interests in the South China Sea.
But the two heavyweights need each other, both as trading partners and competitors to keep each other in shape. Obama is no newcomer, so he can engage right away. Romney would have taken months to get to know the men in charge of China for the next decade. Continuity and a track record count for a lot.
Read more at Reuters Breakingviews.


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Lord of our lives and our learning,
Today we embark on a journey of encounter, not primarily of our own convictions, beliefs, and opinions (although this will be the case as well), but we will encounter, no,
be encountered by You…
You who formed this world;
You would reconciles and redeems from sin;
You who will consummate your bride the Church in Christ's returning.
And we…
We who follow after your constant encounter of us.
May we be humble in our tentative response to your initiative – wary of the sin of pride;
May we be joyful in the dance of self-discovery into which you invite us;
May we never forget that with knowledge of you comes great responsibility to follow after your initiative into the uncomfortable, incomplete spaces that live in this time between the times:
With the poor, those marginalized by our systems of financial prosperity;
With those living in broken bodies or with broken minds, whose dignity is daily stole by our definitions of "abled" and "disabled";
With those whose lives have crumbled around them in the loss of those they love.
Some of us here today may identify with those places – either personally or by close association.
May what we do in this class propel us deeper into our knowledge of you and thus deeper into these spaces as we follow after your encounter.


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[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/13/art.gibbs0913.cnn.jpg caption="White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Sunday that the president doesn't think growing conservative anger directed at the administration is being motivated by the color of the president's skin."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) – A day after tens of thousands of conservatives gathered in Washington to protest the policies of the Obama administration, a top White House aide said that President Obama doesn't think the protests and the growing conservative movement against Obama are motivated by racism.
"I don't think the president believes that people are upset because of the color of his skin," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Sunday on CNN's State of the Union.
Pointing to the upcoming first anniversary of the collapse of investment banking giant Lehman Brothers, Gibbs said he thought the anger directed at the administration stems from the federal government's unprecedented intervention in the private sector during the financial crisis that began last fall.
"We've had to do some extraordinary things, both this administration [and] the previous administration, to rescue the financial system, to ensure that our domestic auto industry didn't go out of business, and to stimulate the economy," Gibbs said.
"This rhetoric often gets way too hot," Gibbs added, "I think what we have to all do is take a step back, take a deep breath and remember who we're here to represent: millions of Americans that have health insurance but are watching their premiums double."
Where oh WHERE were these oh so concerned citizens back when Bush was lying to us, back when our 'then' president got us involved in a needless war, divided us with the 'you're with me or against me' mentality?? When our deficiet was building faster than we could count?? ... where were YOU Tea Party people then? Oh that's right, your guy was in control so it didn't matter what happened to anyone else. How , what did you call us who questioned Bush's policies... OH yeah... Un-American!! A little too little and a little too late.
No. The "tea party-ers" are probably not motivated by race. But it's easy to see why there might be some confusion. They are motivated by ignorance. Ignorance is generally associated with racism, so yeah, you're going to get some major overlap.
Who does he think he's kidding?! Those tea parties are a magnet for bigots who are pissed that he's president.
"...mostly white..." 70% of the USA population is white. Why must race be a factor?
Everyone is aware the GOP has been reduced to a fringe minority. A two-party system works to help keep things in balance. The right, if they wish to be relevant, should educate themselves...
Tell Robert that EX-President Jimmy Carter has a job for him with "Habitat for Humanity" who started that program after he left office, under similar circumstances.
too funny! all you liberals still spewing about how brilliant obama is............still trying to convince yourselves? too funny!
All these angry Teabaggers got tax cuts from Obama this year so they have nothing to complain about.
This President is actually trying to help those angry and confused people, whether they hate him or not.
I thank God every day that we have such a good President who cares about working people, instead of the Republicans who only care about the Rich.
Once again, where were you all tea baggers for the past eight years, back them, you just didn't care, was allright all the gigantic over spending?????? so, you were not too patriots back them????
Obama is being kind and diplomatic but the reality is that when Bush II passed the prescription drug plan and the Iraq war there was no concern about funding or claims of socialism.
If it looks like racism, smells like racism, and quack likes racism then it is racism.
I think everybody is just getting fed-up with what he is doing.
How come the MSM only covers the teabag protesters marches, but not the pro-health reform rallies? There was a pro-health reform march today in DC and across the country but no mention of it in the media. I guess if the people aren't carrying crazy signs defaming our presidents face and calling everything he does socialism, those rallies won't get covered.
Racism has not gone away and am sure you can find someone at the te party who is motivated by race. That said I believe the majority of the anger is about the reckless spending from our government. This is not just this administration as the last 8 years was full of it as well. This President seems to willing to take spending to a new level which is scary.
I laugh every time I read that I'm racist because I disagree with the president's policies because the people calling me racist are the true racists. After all, the only reason the majority of african americans voted for Obama was because of his color. Now, tell me that isn't racist. Oh, I forgot, that's different.
All these people calling the Tea Party participants racist are really acting "STUPIDLY".
OBAMA better wake up to what people are saying... get out of our private lives, period!
You are so right: the Republicans are dividing this country. And I think it's a planned division. Like Rush says, Republicans want Obama to fail. That's so American (*tongue firmly in cheek*), isn't it? I'm an Independent and I've voted all over the political spectrum...but the Republicans are swiftly losing this swing vote.
I have to believe that racism played a BIG PART in the tea partiers.If not then WHY DO THEY ALL LOOK ALIKE? Something is wrong? Good grief no one is that dumb?
I am so sick of the race card being played! Our Country, Our Freedoms are in trouble people! I don't care if your a democrat or a republican, you'd be a fool to think that the government can efficiently and effectively run anything! Look at Medicare for example, also, the IRS can't even pass their own audit and we expect the government to get us out of financial trouble. Let's remind our politicians and our President that they work for us and if they don't like it that way then they should get their pink slip!
Yes they are.
I think that's the first accurate statement that Robert Gibbs has made since Obama took office. And liberals seem to live to misinterpret the tea party movement as a number of things: racism, ignorance, partisanship. It is nothing other than very smart or common sensical people not wanting their government to be the be-all-end-all problem solver for the nation and to stop intervening in the private sector – even if that means failure to some extent. It is Americanism in its purest form.
They just don't get it. Government is elected by the people – if you do not like the government perhaps you should elect someone else to represent you. Joe Wilson, Jim Demitt and your other heroes all voted for trillion dollar tax cuts (welfare for the rich), war, and billions of dollars in pork spending. Yet you continue to elect these people. Where was your precious Glenn Beck then?? Now get mad because we have a president who wants to spend money for good reasons.
Of course they are. Starting wiht Wilson who has a history of it. These people cannot accept the fact that a young, brilliant, articulate, educated black man is our democratically elected President. This is why they are constantly trying to de-legitimize him (alien, not born here, etc ...)
Oh, they are racists, let those tea party idiots go without Social Security, Medicare and other governement programs if that's the way they want it.


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In July 2012, the Executive Secretary established a Gender Task Team within the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS) to develop targets and an approach to gender mainstreaming within the BRS Secretariat.
"Gender mainstreaming" has been defined by the United Nations Economic and Social Council as 'a strategy for making women's as well as men's concerns and experiences an integral dimension of the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the policies and programmes in all political, economic and societal spheres so that women and men benefit equally and inequality is not perpetuated'.
Gender issues related to implementation of the conventions have been discussed and taken into account by the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, particularly the impact of poor management of hazardous chemicals and wastes on vulnerable groups such as women and young children. The issue of gender mainstreaming was also presented in May 2013 at the ordinary and extraordinary meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions in the Executive Secretary's proposal for the organization of the Secretariats of the three conventions and in a document on mainstreaming gender in the Secretariat.
The BRS Gender Action Plan (BRS-GAP) was finalized in December 2013 and includes a vision, a list of expected short, medium and long-term goals, and monitoring and reporting plans. The vision of the BRS-GAP aims to ensure that principles of gender equality are firmly embedded in activities undertaken by the BRS Secretariat.
The Secretariat developed a publication "Gender Heroes: from grassroots to global action. A collection of stories featuring gender perspectives on the management of hazardous chemicals and wastes". The stories featured in this publication bring forth a picture of grassroots action being taken around the world every day by individuals and communities to protect the most vulnerable segments of our population from the potentially harmful effects of certain chemicals and wastes.
At the conferences of the parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions in May 2015, the Secretariat provided to the Parties an information document on mainstreaming of gender within the Secretariat and on programmatic mainstreaming of gender issues in Secretariat training activities, projects and programmes. The Secretariat highlighted that, in order to mainstream gender in the Secretariat, it has also taking into consideration the approaches followed under other multilateral environmental agreements. In decisions BC-12/25, RC-7/15 and SC-7/33 the Parties requested the Executive Secretary to include a section on the implementation of the gender action plan in the next report on joint and convention-specific activities.
The 2017 conferences of the Parties to the BRS conventions adopted the first gender-specific decisions on gender mainstreaming. Decisions BC-13/20, RC-8/13 and SC-8/23 welcomed the Gender Action Plan of the BRS Secretariat, requested the Secretariat to continue its efforts in respect of gender mainstreaming in its activities, projects and programmes and recognised that efforts are still needed to ensure that women and men from all Parties are equally involved in the implementation of the three conventions, are represented in their bodies and processes and thus inform and participate in decision making on gender-responsive hazardous chemicals and wastes policies.