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Is That New?
This story appears in the January 2003 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »
The federal tax laws require business owners claiming the R&D credit to discover information that is "technological in nature," a so-called discovery test. The definition of the test is likely to be modified, but for now, many companies find it undefined and confusing.
The credit is designed to encourage businesses to increase their spending in R&D. While the credit is not permanent, Congress has continually extended it. The Tax Extension and Relief Act extended the credit through mid-2004. Unlike a deduction, which reduces taxable income, a credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in your tax bill.
As more companies turn to the credit, the IRS is scrutinizing claims more carefully. A recent court case involving R&D credits claimed by Tax and Accounting Software Corp. (TAASC) of Tulsa, Oklahoma, stresses the need for companies to pay close attention to how they document the discovery test, says accountant Mark Andrus, national director for accounting and consulting company Grant Thornton's R&D services. TAASC developed software that provided new features not offered by any other commercial software. The company argued that developing these new features satisfied the requirements of the discovery test. The IRS countered that discovery actually requires expansion of existing knowledge beyond just new features. While the IRS lost in the first round, it won on appeal.
Nevertheless, in its decision, the appeals court disagreed with the definitions of the test offered by both TAASC and the government. Now business owners are waiting for the IRS to issue a clearer definition, which is likely to happen, says Andrus. Before the TAASC appeals decision, the IRS issued proposed regulations revising its definition of the test, making it less difficult to meet.
Until the regulations are finalized, Andrus recommends that companies using the credit be ready for the possibility of an audit. Here's how to protect yourself:
1. During the development project--or in the initial planning stages--be sure to document what you didn't know and what information you intend to discover.
2. Document the development process. Keep laboratory and meeting notes or reports that outline steps taken to discover new information or to apply new information to the development of a new product or process.
3. Use a tax expert to help with the documentation. The credit can help defer the cost of innovation, but the rules are complex and fluid.
4. While the IRS will probably continue to challenge companies on the test, Andrus says, "businesses can continue to claim the R&D credit, but to maximize the opportunity, follow the recommendations above."
Great Falls, Virginia, writer Joan Szabo has reported on tax issues for more than 16 years.


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Squeaky Clean
This story appears in the January 1998 issue of Business Start-Ups magazine. Subscribe »
Choosing a janitorial service may sound easy, but think of this: Your cleaning service will be in your facility after hours and unsupervised. So it's important to find a service that not only does a good job but is trustworthy and reliable. The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International offers these tips:
- Develop a list of specifications. List the areas that need to be cleaned and what you expect the service to do (dusting surfaces, emptying trash cans, vacuuming floors, cleaning glass doors and so on), along with how often. Indicate the minimum qualifications you require, such as experience, references and insurance. You may want to use this list to develop a questionnaire for initial screening.
- Prepare a request for proposal (RFP) to obtain bids from contractors that pass your initial screening. Be sure the RFP includes square footage, counts of fixtures and other specifications. The contractor should examine the premises before submitting a bid.
- Prepare a request for qualifications (RFQ) to ascertain the professional qualifications, background and experience of the bidder. Ask for client references, financial references, evidence of workers' compensation and liability insurance coverage, details on the company's hiring practices, training and supervision methods, and a list of facilities you can inspect.
- Develop a scoring system to evaluate bidders' proposals. According to a recent BOMA survey, the three most important criteria in selecting a cleaning contractor are experience, price and references.
Jacquelyn Lynn is a business writer in Winter Park, Florida.
Collect Call
You've got outstanding bills customers just aren't paying . . . how much effort should you make to get your money? It depends on the amount of the bill and the cost involved in collections. You need to recognize when you've reached the point of diminishing returns and it's time to write off the invoice as uncollectible.
Stan De Groot, national financial services manager for Wesco Distribution Inc., a Pittsburgh-based distributor of electrical and industrial supplies, suggests calculating what your in-house collection steps cost. Those steps include issuing past-due statements and making telephone calls or personal visits. Then consider your margins and what your actual losses will be if you write off the invoice.
With this information, you can set some general guidelines. For example, balances under a particular amount will get a certain number of letters and calls before they're written off. Balances at a higher level may merit stronger efforts, including outside collection activity.
A collection agency can help you determine what balances are too small to pursue vigorously. Agencies typically work on a percentage of what they collect, and they know how much collection efforts cost.
When you decide to declare an invoice uncollectible, you may be able to use that loss to reduce your taxes on other income. Check with your tax advisor first, though; the IRS and state revenue departments have guidelines that include some time limitations and require you to prove you made a good- faith effort to collect.
The Lease You Can Do
Even a one-person homebased business can enjoy the benefits of employee leasing. With employee leasing, you--and any employees you have--become employees of the leasing firm; your company then leases your services by paying a fee, which is typically the amount of your salary, taxes, benefits and administrative costs.
The number of leased employees in the United States is expected to exceed 4 million this year, which gives employee leasing companies a tremendous amount of negotiating power when it comes to insurance and other benefits, which are passed on to you. Dale Hageman, president of Accord Human Resources Inc., an employee leasing firm in Oklahoma City, says it's possible that the savings you'll realize in insurance costs alone will offset the administrative fees the leasing company charges. The leasing company also processes all your payroll-related tax requirements, giving you more time to focus on your business. "If you can more productively use your time to produce revenue and build your business, then you can benefit by outsourcing functions like payroll and tax administration to an employee leasing company," Hageman says.
Leasing companies can be found under "Employment Services--Employee Leasing" in the Yellow Pages. Hageman suggests asking other small-business owners for recommendations, then checking out leasing companies before signing up.
A Case Of The Blues
Every business experiences tough times--a big client takes its business elsewhere, you need to lay off employees, or you're in a cash crunch and can't offer raises. When hard times hit your company, you or your employees may suffer from depression. Left unattended, business-related depression can suck the enthusiasm and energy out of everyone involved--and, in turn, make matters worse for your business. So as you concentrate on pulling the business through the hard times, don't overlook your organization's emotional needs.
Open and honest communication with employees about the status of the company is essential, according to Nancy Garbett, president of Transition Management Inc., a management consulting firm in Salt Lake City. "Employees need to understand what changes are occurring and what it means for them," Garbett says. If they are feeling insecure or stressed because they don't know what's happening with the company, they won't perform at their maximum levels, and they could hinder the company's recovery and future development.
Don't hide bad news or pretend things are better than they are--your employees will see through any smokescreen. "If the owner is saying that everything is okay, but in fact it's not, everybody is going to know it's not," says Garbett. Be sure your staff understands what the situation really is, what the future possibilities are, and what you expect them to do if the company's going to get through the crisis. Keep in mind, most people become emotionally attached to their workplace and colleagues, and trouble in that arena can affect them as much as a personal crisis, such as a divorce or a death in the family.
You don't need to be able to distinguish true clinical depression from the occasional bad day, but you should be alert to potential problems, says Patricia Weik, a consultant, clinical psychologist and lawyer with RHR International Co., a management consulting company in Wood Dale, Illinois.
Weik says symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness, a loss of concentration, excessive crying, changes in eating habits, loss of energy, guilty thoughts, a sense of worthlessness or hopelessness, thoughts of suicide or even, in some cases, of homicide. If you suspect an employee is suffering from one or more of these symptoms, Weik advises addressing the situation in a direct manner. Talk to the employee privately; say you've noticed some symptoms and encourage him or her to seek appropriate and qualified help. Don't try to be a counselor, but have referral options ready and know what type of coverage your insurance offers. If you're unsure about your local resources, Weik says the psychiatry department of a reputable hospital is a good place to start.
When talking with a troubled employee, avoid minimizing his or her feelings. "A lot of people will want to back away from this uncomfortable situation and say something like `It's not that bad; things are okay.' What that does for a depressed person is essentially tell them they're being ridiculous, that things are not as bad as they think; and that gets them into another negative spiral," says Weik. "You need to normalize the process for them. Say `Yes, this is really a tough situation, and most people would feel bad in your shoes.' "
While encouraging employees to seek help for their depression, don't ignore your own well-being. If you find yourself experiencing any of the symptoms associated with depression, take the time to seek help.
Breath Of Fresh Air
Indoor air pollution has become one of the main environmental health threats of our day. How can you tell if you're suffering from sick-building syndrome? Symptoms include headaches; eye, nose or throat irritation; dry cough; dry or itchy skin; dizziness and nausea; difficulty in concentrating; fatigue; and sensitivity to odors. The causes include inadequate ventilation and chemical and biological contaminants.
It's virtually impossible to remove all chemical and biological contaminants, but increasing ventilation and air cleaning is an effective way to deal with the problem. Alan Cohen of Vornado Air Circulation Systems Inc., a manufacturer of air circulators, air purifiers, humidifiers and heaters in Wichita, Kansas, says installing air cleaners is a relatively inexpensive way to reduce building-related illnesses and absenteeism, improve productivity, and demonstrate to your employees that you care about their well-being.
Cohen recommends choosing a high-efficiency unit that can change the air in a given area four to six times per hour, so be sure to know the cubic feet you're dealing with when shopping for an air cleaner. Also consider the sound the machine makes; some models are noisier than others, and workers may find it distracting. Air cleaners can be purchased at most department stores, home and building supply stores, and office supply stores. Cohen says prices per unit typically range from $150 to $250.
Release Me?
Your lease is up for renewal. Should you sign a new one, or is it time to buy your own building? Kale Gaston, southeast regional vice president of GE Capital Small Business Finance in St. Louis, offers these tips for making this important decision:
- Consider the long-term impact on your business. This calculation is easier for some businesses than others, says Gaston. For example, if you're a manufacturer or distributor, it's fairly simple to project future growth based on your past performance. The process will take more thought and research for retail or service companies. Points to consider include tax issues, your plans for future expansion, how you manage fluctuating business cycles and your plans for customizing the space.
- If you're going to buy, decide between purchasing an existing facility and building a new one. In a tight real estate market where available inventory is limited, the costs may be about equal. Certainly you'll save time by moving into an existing space, and the initial cost outlays will likely be lower. On the other hand, constructing a custom facility can enhance your long-term productivity and efficiency, especially if your business has unique needs such as loading docks, refrigeration, lab space and so on.
- Stash some space away. If you buy, be sure the facility can accommodate your needs today and into the future. You may want to "warehouse" some space for future expansion by buying more than you need now and subletting the excess space until you're ready to expand, Gaston says.
- Talk to several lenders. Consult with your banker and several other commercial lenders who are experienced with financing real estate purchases for small businesses. Gaston says this is the most important part of the decision-making process. "You need a lender who understands what you do, can provide you with a loan product that meets your needs and can grow with you as [your business grows]," he says. A good lender will sit down with you in the early stages of the process and help you with financial analysis and forecasts, then work with you to put the package together and secure the best possible loan terms. Real estate brokers are usually able to refer you to appropriate lenders; you can also check with your accountant and attorney.
Gaston says a small business typically begins to consider buying real estate when it is about 5 years old. "In the start-up stage, [businesses] need to be putting their equity contribution and loan money into growing the business," he says. "After they've leased for a while, and they're growing and need more space, they'll buy a piece of real estate and build an investment for the future rather than [paying increased] rent."
Pros And Cons
Sooner or later, you'll have an applicant who answers "yes" to the question "Have you ever been convicted of a felony?" Should you reject that candidate? Not necessarily, says Paul Salvatore, an employment law attorney and partner with New York City law firm Proskauer Rose.
To develop a policy on hiring convicted criminals, Salvatore advises beginning with a clear understanding of the applicable legal requirements. Many states have laws prohibiting employers from rejecting an applicant strictly on the grounds of a past conviction. However, a criminal conviction may make an applicant ineligible for a job that requires bonding or special licensing.
"Once you understand the legal requirements that apply to your business, you can assess whether the applicant is the right person for the job," says Salvatore. This means considering the conviction in the overall context of the applicant's background, skills and abilities, and your staffing needs. For example, you'd probably view a relatively recent armed robbery conviction somewhat differently than a 20-year-old conviction for marijuana possession.
Salvatore says one of the most common convictions employers encounter on applications is driving while intoxicated. In that case, some issues you'll want to keep in mind are whether the person will be driving a company vehicle or driving his or her own car on company business, and if he or she is insurable.
Unless you have a legal reason for doing so, a blanket policy of excluding applicants with criminal records could expose you to liability. It's always a good idea to be able to demonstrate a legitimate reason for your hiring choices.
It's Better To Receive
When you don't issue your invoices in a timely manner, payments are delayed and your cash flow suffers. If this problem sounds familiar, you may want to consider outsourcing your accounts-receivable function.
A small but growing number of firms are offering services that include billing, posting payments and collections, or any part of those functions. One of those firms is The Out$ource Group, an alliance of five companies based in Columbia, Missouri, which handles receivables. When choosing an outsourcing resource, Out$ource vice president Bonnie Baker recommends going with a company that is familiar with the type of work you do and has a reputation you can verify. Discuss the various service packages the company offers. Most services bill on a contingency basis, charging you a percentage of what they collect, but some operate on a fixed-rate basis (such as a fee per month or per account). Calculate what you can save in labor, postage, telephone expenses and other administrative costs, as well as the benefits you'll gain from a more efficient system.
Finding a service to handle your accounts receivable may not be easy; it's a relatively new type of service, and providers are not always easy to identify. One place to start is with collection agencies, many of which are diversifying their services and offering accounts-receivable management. Some bookkeeping and accounting services may also offer this service. You can also find providers advertising in credit and collection trade publications.
Though outsourcing allows you to shift the workload, Baker stresses that it doesn't mean you can shed the ultimate responsibility. "Accounts receivable can make or break a company," Baker says. "We consider this a partnering relationship. We don't want our clients to distance themselves from the process once they set it up."
Eyes On The Prize
Business trendies have become preoccupied with thinking their way out of the box; homebased business owners, on the other hand, are trying to think their way in. Dun & Bradstreet's (D&B) Business Solutions in a Box is just one of the prizes luring home office owners to compete in the Homebased Entrepreneur Challenge, a new contest sponsored by D&B and Entrepreneur's HomeOffice magazine. Top awards include a cash prize of $10,000, an IBM laptop computer, Proven Edge Professional Edition Software, and Business Solutions in a Box, with personalized problem solvers ranging from insurance and financial services to marketing and risk management. George Martin, executive vice president of mass marketing for D&B, calls Business Solutions in a Box "an enabling program."
How do you qualify for the goodies? Simple. Just gripe to us. In 100 words or less, describe how you solved your biggest business challenge, headache, nightmare, roadblock or black cloud. If our panel of experts thinks your essay is the best, you could win $10,000.
Two monthly winners--from November 1997 through March 1998--will receive Business Solutions in a Box and a one-year subscription to Entrepreneur's HomeOffice magazine. All entries must be received by March 31, 1998. Official rules can be found at left; an entry form is on the opposite page. For more information or to receive an entry form, call (800) 357-7299, ext. 420.
Contact Sources
GFA Management Inc., P.O. Box 47024, Indianapolis, IN 46247, (317) 888-7156
The Mac McIntosh Co. Inc., (310) 376-1221, http://www.salesleadexperts.com
Savannah Bar & Grille, (440) 892-2266
True Connections, (800) 937-6217

subset: commoncrawl


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DES MOINES - With time running out in this legislative session, Gov. Terry Branstad still isn't ruling out the possibility of increasing the state fuel tax, though lawmakers seem less optimistic.
"Nothing's for sure until the Legislature goes home. I don't think you should assume anything," Branstad said this week when asked about the possibility of a fuel tax increase. "Once we get property tax relief concluded, that is something that could be considered."
For years, legislators have debated raising Iowa's fuel tax - currently 22 cents per gallon of gasoline, including fees - which has not gone up since 1989. A commission appointed by Branstad in 2011 recommended an increase of 8 to 10 cents a gallon to support the state network of bridges and roads, many of which are considered deteriorating or deficient.
When the federal fuel tax is included, Iowa drivers pay about 40 cents a gallon for regular gas and slightly more for diesel. Branstad has said he will consider a fuel tax increase if state lawmakers approve property tax reductions and the overall tax burden drops.
Debate continues in the Legislature on proposals to cut commercial and industrial property taxes. It is not yet clear if the Republican-controlled House and the Democratic-majority Senate can find a resolution. May 3 marks the last day lawmaker will stop receiving daily expense payments, though the session could continue past then.
Rep. Joshua Byrnes, a Republican from Osage who heads the House transportation committee, said the state needs the funding. He has drafted legislation that would gradually increase the tax by 10 cents, but it has not been introduced and whether there is support in the Legislature is unclear.
Byrnes said the focus has been on property tax reduction and he's not "real optimistic."
"I'll be personally disappointed if we can't bring something to the floor to be debated. I think just looking down the road, who's going to want to talk about a fuel tax next year with legislators looking at re-election," Byrnes said. "Then you've pushed the problem for two more years and the roads are not going to fix themselves."
Organizations supporting the tax include the Iowa Farm Bureau Association, the Iowa Good Roads Association and the Associated General Contractors of Iowa,
"Clearly on all of our national benchmarks, the condition of Iowa's roads continues to rank low," said Scott Newhard, executive vice president of the Associated General Contractors of Iowa, a trade organization for the highway construction industry.
Groups opposing the increase include Iowans for Tax Relief.
"Iowans already pay enough toward taxes," said Lindsay McQuarry, policy director for Iowans for Tax Relief. "They don't need this tax as well. A lot of the issues on Iowan roads exist on rural roads that most Iowans won't be driving. I just don't think the average Iowan is encountering problems on the roadways."
Iowa's taxes and fees for gas are lower than in neighboring states Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Only Missouri has a lower rate.
A 10 cent increase would yield $215 million annually for road projects, which Department of Transportation Director Paul Trombino has said would help state infrastructure needs.
Revenue from the fuel tax - expected to be about $440 million in the current fiscal year- is divided between the state, counties and cities for upkeep on the state's 114,000 miles of road and 25,000 bridges. Revenue from car registration fees also goes to road repairs.
According the commission report in 2011, the state ranks fifth nationally for the number of bridges and 13th for miles of roadways. The system, largely built in the 1940s through 1960s, is deteriorating due to age and heavy use.
Democratic Sen. Tod Bowman of Maquoketa, who chairs the Senate transportation committee, said he would like to see an increase, though he expresses skepticism on whether it would happen.
"Kicking the can down the road does not seem to be the best option," Bowman said.


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With Banned Books Week at the end of this month, I'm reminded of a little permission slip from my sophomore honors English class.
In late summer 1998 my dad and I went to a new/transfer student orientation night at my new public high school. (Over the summer we had moved to Maryland because of my dad's job transfer) While speaking with my sophomore honors English teacher, she told us about the novels that we'd be reading during the semester. (We were on a block schedule) One of them was Arthur Miller's The Crucible. She added that a permission slip would be required to read it because the play was on a list of titles containing objectionable material; this list was maintained by the county board of education.
"What's this? A Huck Finn deal?" my dad asked. He had read the play for an English class at his Connecticut public high school in the early 1960s. This was a first for me too. The only objection about reading material that I'd heard was why I was reading novels beyond my grade level at my parochial K-8 grade school in South Carolina. My teacher explained that several years earlier, a mother had been convinced there was witchcraft in the play and complained to the county board of education. What a contrast over time.
The late Arthur Miller wrote his third play The Crucible in 1953 against the backdrop of McCarthyism in the US. (In 1956 he was called to testify before the Committee of Un-American Activities and refused to testify against his friends) The play is set in 1692 Salem, MA and is based on the accounts of the infamous witch trials. Several Salem girls accuse some of the town's citizens of witchcraft to cover up for some mischief. The accusations eventually spread to include prominent citizens. (Just like the McCarthyism period, there were plenty of accusations and hysteria) Bearing false witness against thy neighbor indeed! John Proctor, one of the townsmen, is confronted about an earlier adulterous affair with one of the girls—leading to a moment of high tension towards the end of the play. As for historical accuracy, Miller took several dramatic liberties as he explains in the preface to the play. He later wrote the screenplay for the 1996 movie of the same name, starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Winona Ryder.
Later that semester I brought home the play and the required permission slip. Dad looked at it and signed, commenting on the absurdity of it. As my class read the play, I failed to see what was with the complaint of witchcraft. I thought the play had a few important lessons for today's society. After we read the play, we saw the 1996 movie which follows the play well.
Later in college, I went with a few friends on an organized evening trip to historic Salem, MA during Halloween weekend. As we walked about the town, we saw the building where the witch trials had occurred. Seeing the Salem Witch Museum helped me better visualize the setting.
At one time or another, we've read something that we have not liked or disagreed with the content. We should be able to read what we like, not have others tell us what we can or cannot. Like my dad, I thought the permission slip was a pointless exercise.
The Arthur Miller Society has information about the late playwright, The Crucible, and his other works.
For those planning to visit Salem, MA, there's plenty to see beyond the Salem Witch Museum.
Filed under: Book selection, Collection development, current topics, Intellectual freedom, Library Profession |


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Chuck Baldwin Live
Friday, June 29, 2012
Last weekend, the Chicago Police Department collaborated with over 20 local churches in a giant effort to encourage Chicagoans "to get guns out of their homes." WBBM News Radio has the story. "Using the lure of $100 gift cards, the Chicago Police Department is encouraging people to get guns out of their homes and turn them in this Saturday, during the annual gun turn-in program."
The news report goes on to say, "[T]he Police Department is partnering with 20 churches.
First Deputy Supt. Alfonza Wysinger says anyone who turns in a real gun will get a $100 gift card. Replicas and BB guns are worth $10.
"'No questions asked,' Wysinger said. 'Just show up at the church, and hand over the weapons to the CPD officer that will be there, and get your $100 gift card. So we strongly suggest that people come out that have weapons lying around the house, or weapons, maybe, that they don't necessarily want in their house. This is a chance to get some money for their weapon, and get another dangerous weapon on [sic] the street.'"
The report then lists 23 churches that are identified as participating in the gun turn-in event.
But I particularly enjoyed a few of the comments that readers posted to the online report:
One guy wrote, "Gun thieves will be lined up for blocks."
Another wrote, "They can arrest you for having a gun outside of your house."
And another person wrote, "[Criminals] are turning in the guns they used in multiple crimes because the stupid politicians will destroy them thus getting rid of the evidence…"
And perhaps my favorite comment on the story was this one: "WOW. BOTH police and CHURCHES turning traitor against the Constitution."
Truthfully, think about the absurdity of this gun turn-in program. As one reader noted, think of the money gun thieves will make on this program. As any tenured lawman knows, most guns are stolen to resell in order to get the money to purchase drugs, booze, sex, etc. Some are used in crimes, sure. But most are used for the purpose of making a buck. Imagine a gun thief who has perhaps 50 or 60 stolen guns in his possession: that guy has just made a small fortune OFF THE TAXPAYERS. Remember, there are "no questions asked." And since the cops in Chicago seem to be doing this annually, how many gun thieves are stealing guns all year long and just saving up for the big payout, or how many start a gun-stealing frenzy just before the anticipated gun turn-in program? $100 for a stolen gun is often a higher bid than what the thief would get on the street. What a deal!
And think of this angle: what better way to get some quick dough by selling a gun or two that is totally inoperable, and then taking the money and buying a gun that actually works? Again, what a deal!
And another reader nailed it when he observed that taking a firearm outside your home is a CRIME in Chicago. In fact, I am surprised to learn that people in Chicago can even legally have a gun in their homes. You cannot legally carry a firearm in Chicago. So, the CPD is encouraging people to BREAK THE LAW. I can just imagine people all over Chicago caught carrying guns and telling the arresting officer, "I was going to take it to the gun turn-in program." And you know what the cop would say, right? "Tell it to the judge."
This brings up another point: why is there so much gun-related crime in Chicago, anyway? After all, Chicago has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the entire country. GUNS ARE ILLEGAL IN CHICAGO! So, pray tell, where is all of this gun-related crime coming from? I thought that passing laws restricting the ownership and possession of firearms was supposed to reduce crime? If that is truly the case, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and New York City, etc., should be the most peaceful places on earth! Of course, the truth is if you want to find peaceful communities, go to states such as Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Vermont where just about everybody is packin' heat!
Plus, the point that another reader made about criminals turning in the guns with which they have committed crimes and thereby letting the authorities destroy those firearms–thus destroying the evidence–is a very astute observation. Way to go CPD!
But the icing on the cake for me is the point that one reader made when he said, "WOW. BOTH police and CHURCHES turning traitor against the Constitution." Bingo!
Another reader was even more direct. He said, "The government and so called churches will be the downfall of this great country's Constitution." Amen!
It grieves me to say that a sizeable percentage (if not a majority) of today's churches are as culpable in the dismantling of our Constitution and Bill of Rights as any entity one can think of. So many pastors and churches today are unwilling to take a stand against almost ANYTHING that might have political overtones. I doubt that most of them would say "Boo" to the devil himself–especially if he came dressed in a government uniform. They are all about making people feel good, entertaining people, and stroking people's egos.
In fact, let me ask my church-going readers to try an experiment. The next time you go to church, ask your pastor where he or she stands on the Second Amendment. Ask them, "Would our church participate in a police-sponsored gun turn-in program?" Ask them, "If the President declared a 'national emergency,' and FEMA (or any federal or State agency) asks you to ask your congregation to turn in their firearms, would you agree to do so?" Go ahead: ask them! Then observe their reaction very carefully.
You can count on this: virtually no pastor whose church is receiving federal "faith based initiative" taxpayer monies would take a public stand for the Second Amendment under those conditions. Count on it. So maybe you should also ask your pastor if your church is receiving federal "faith based initiative" monies. All over America, literally thousands of churches are accepting federal tax dollars to help support their daycare centers, their after-school programs, their "Christian" schools, their food banks, etc.
Contrast today's churches to those of Colonial America. In those days, gun racks for the rifles that had been brought to church were as common as coat racks. In fact, many times, the church basement or back room was used as a place in which caches of firearms were commonly stored.
I realize the times in which we live do not remotely resemble those of Colonial America, but the spirit and attitudes of the pastors and men of the church should still be the same: that freedom is fragile and that firearms are "the people's liberty teeth" (George Washington), that, "An armed society is a polite society" (Robert Heinlein), and, "No freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms" (Thomas Jefferson).
And while these milquetoast preachers are preparing their sermonettes, they should read what the Lord Jesus said: "He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." (Luke 22:36) Of course, the Roman sword was the First Century equivalent to a Twenty-First Century handgun: it was the weapon of choice for personal, close quarter combat. In today's parlance, Jesus said if you don't have the money, sell your clothes if you have to, and buy a GUN! That's a far cry from churches in Chicago asking people to give up their guns, isn't it?
I don't know about anyone else, but I will take the word of Jesus over the word of Barack Obama and his Chicago Gestapo any day!
P.S. Through Independence Day, we are shipping THE FREEDOM DOCUMENTS. This is a giant compilation of 50 of the greatest documents of American history in one volume, under one title. This is available nowhere else that I know of. This summer printing is limited, so if you want to get your copy of THE FREEDOM DOCUMENTS, you need to order now! Go to:
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North American Books I Read as a Child in Castro's CubaBy José Manuel Prieto
In the spring of 2007, I was invited to a dinner organized by The Paris Review in honor of Norman Mailer. The novelist had just published what would be his last novel, The Castle in the Forest, and would have a conversation with E. L. Doctorow. That evening, when Mailer entered the room, with his very distinctive mien—that of a rather solid and stout man who, because of his age, used two canes—I was deeply moved. I told him—what else do you say in those circumstances?—how much I admired his books and that I started reading them when I was very young, many years ago.
A few days later I told a friend about this experience. "But, how?" he acted surprised, "Did you read Norman Mailer in Cuba?" And added, "Wasn't he supposed to be one of the banned North American authors on the island?"
My friend had imagined, perhaps for a good reason, that you couldn't find American literature in Cuba, that it was banned because both countries were at more or less declared war, an openly proclaimed enmity. I patiently explained to him that nothing like this ever happened. Mailer's books and those of many other North American authors were not censured in Cuba; in fact, they were widely sold. You could find them in every library; they could be read by everyone. Read More


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Focus on the Family Responds to TOMS Controversy
TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie may not want his company to be associated with Focus on the Family, but the pro-family group doesn't feel the same way.
FOTF President Jim Daly responded to Mycoskie's apology for speaking at a FOTF event called "Feet on the Ground" in Orange County, Calif. Daly had interviewed Mycoskie during the June 30 event in front of some 1,500 people.
"This is an unfortunate statement about the culture we live in," Daly said in a statement Sunday, "when an organization like ours is deemed unfit to help children in need simply because we hold to biblical beliefs about marriage and family."
TOMS donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for each pair sold as a part of its one-for-one movement.
Christianity Today first reported that FOTF was considering to be a TOMS distribution partner in Africa.
In response to the controversy, Daly said he was "a little saddened" by how harsh some people were in trying to get Mycoskie to distance himself from FOTF.
"We interviewed Blake because we thought his story would inspire other Christians to act on their faith like he has and to help others in need," the FOTF president explained, without lashing back. "We want to tell our friends about the great work TOMS does and how they can be a part of putting shoes on the feet of impoverished kids."
Whether or not Daly will be able to share that story is still up in the air because TOMS has the right to block the broadcast of the conversation that would reach more than 2 million listeners nationwide via the radio. TOMS has not said whether they will block the broadcast as of the time of this article.
On Saturday, Mycoskie, founder of the business-charity TOMS, apologized to gay rights advocates for speaking at an FOTF event. In a blog post, Mycoskie said he did not know "the full extent of Focus on the Family's beliefs" at the time he agreed to speak at the event. And he called his acceptance to speak at the event an "oversight" and "one we chose poorly."
Gay rights advocates voiced their anger through social networking sites and an online petition over the potential partnership between TOMS and FOTF, which they deem an anti-gay and fundamentalist Christian group.
The Ms. Magazine petition on Change.org pressing TOMS to end its relationship with FOTF garnered 566 signatures.
In response to the public outrage over the TOMS-FOTF link, Daly observed that the test of faithfulness amid adversity isn't something new for Christians.
"Fortunately, as Christians we have the greatest example of all to follow in situations like this – Jesus," Daly said. "The things He stood for were not always popular, either. He was ostracized and much worse for doing the work of His Father. And through it all, He loved those who did not love Him and never stopped hoping they would come to know the Truth."
FOTF will continue to stick to its principles but hopes for the best for those who spoke out against it.
"While we may disagree with those who spearheaded this effort to get TOMS to distance themselves from us," Daly said, "our desire is not so much to defeat them at the ballot box as it is to bring them closer to the heart of Jesus Christ – the only hope any of us have for the forgiveness and overcoming of our sins."
TOMS could not be reached for additional comments on this issue.


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Ok. History. It's time to be proud to be an American again. I sure am.
So I am excited beyond all means that change is coming. Maybe not as drastic as many people believe. But the bottom line is that Bush Jr.'s regime is over. Which means something new is coming. And I am down with that. Not to mention his crew speaks to our generation. Could you imagine Shakira at Bush's inauguration ball?
I felt like a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders just thinking about George and Laura packing their bags last night.
Oh and did anyone else see Beyoncé rip up some Etta James? It was awesome. And gave new meaning to the song.
But on a more serious note:


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By Karin Calloway
Tortellini and Tomato Soup
When the winter chill sets in, I'm always in search of a new recipe for soup. This recipe for Tortellini and Tomato Soup, one of my family's favorites, is good any time of year, since it's hearty but not too heavy.
This soup is extremely simple to prepare, but the end results don't taste like a "quick and easy" recipe. When preparing the spinach for this soup, I like to cut the spinach in a method known as chiffonade. Stack about ten washed spinach leaves on top of each other, cut off the stems, and roll the whole pile like a cigar. The "cigar" is then cut into quarter-inch slices, which unravel to look like ribbons. Keep repeating the process until the whole bag of spinach is sliced. This makes the soup especially pretty, but if time is short, simply chop the spinach coarsely.
Add chicken broth. Bring to a boil and stir in tortellini. Simmer uncovered until tortellini is cooked, 7 to 9 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes and simmer another 5 minutes. Add spinach and cook until just wilted. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
Ladle into bowls and top with generous sprinklings of grated Parmesan.
Makes 6 servings.


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Press Releases
Carl's Jr. Restaurant Patrons Donate More Than $300,000 to Breast Cancer
Sep 21, 2006
Month-Long Restaurant Donation Program Raises Breast Cancer Awareness - and Funds
CARPINTERIA, Calif., Sept 21, 2006 -- Yesterday, Carl's Jr.® (NYSE: CKR) announced that customers supporting an in-store restaurant fundraising program in May 2006 donated more than $300,00 for breast cancer awareness and support. A portion of the funds were presented during an annual franchise conference event last night in Chicago and accepted by Janelle Hail, founder of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). This is the second year that Carl's Jr. franchise restaurants have conducted the in-store donation program, and the first that company-operated restaurants joined in to support the cause.
During the month-long "Pink Star" charity promotion in May of this year, Carl's Jr. restaurant guests at nearly 1,000 locations across the western U.S. were encouraged to donate $1 to breast cancer when placing their order at the register. As a thank-you for the donation, these guests received a personalized pink Happy Star™ to put on display in the lobby and a coupon redeemable for a free beverage on a future visit. Funds raised during a golf tournament event in the same month bolstered the cause.
"We at Carl's Jr. are proud of our commitment to community involvement, and are pleased to see that commitment benefit others through this year's Pink Star breast cancer donation program," said president and chief executive officer Andrew F. Puzder. "Together with our franchise community, it was the goal to raise more than $300,000 for the cause, and our customers came through. We are humbled by the gesture of support and thrilled to present these funds to aid in promoting awareness and the early detection of breast cancer."
The NBCF is a not-for-profit organization committed to saving lives through increasing awareness of breast cancer through education, and by providing mammograms to women in need. "The National Breast Cancer Foundation is grateful and thankful for the support of CKE Restaurants, Inc. and the generosity of its Carl's Jr. customers. We are amazed at the size of the gift. There will be women alive this time next year because of these efforts," said Janelle Hail, NBCF founder.
According to the NBCF, more than 200,000 women in America will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year -- and one fifth of those will die from the disease. One woman in eight has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. In addition, more than 1,000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year; the disease will claim nearly half diagnosed. If detected early, the five-year survival rate exceeds 95 percent. Mammograms are among the best early-detection methods, yet 13 million American women over the age of 40 have never had a mammogram. For more information about the disease, early detection, and ways you can help, visit the NBCF Web site at www.nationalbreastcancer.org.
About Carl's Jr.
This year, Carl's Jr. celebrates 65 years in the quick-service industry. What began as a lone hot dog cart in Los Angeles, Calif. in 1941 is today an international organization that employs nearly 30,000 people worldwide. Carl's Jr. is a wholly owned subsidiary of CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: CKR) of Carpinteria, Calif. As of the second fiscal quarter ended Aug. 14, 2006, CKE Restaurants, Inc., through its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,131 franchised or company-owned restaurants in 43 states and in 13 countries, including 1,072 Carl's Jr. restaurants, 1,945 Hardee's® restaurants and 98 La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill® restaurants. For more information, or to find a Carl's Jr. near you, go to www.ckr.com or www.carlsjr.com.
About the National Breast Cancer Foundation
The National Breast Cancer Foundation, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a non-profit, charitable foundation whose mission is to save lives by providing access to free and low-cost mammograms for those with limited resources, increased awareness through continuing education programs, and hope-inspired support programs. For details about NBCF, please visit www.nationalbreastcancer.org.


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Make your voice heard and stand up for your gaming rights while taking advantage of exclusive ECA membership benefits.
The House of Representatives announced over the weekend that they're reevaluating the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and would not move forward without consensus. However, over in the Senate, Majority Leader Reid has a vote still scheduled for their version of the legislation, the Protect IP Act (PIPA).
The House Members have listened to their constituents and are reevaluating SOPA. We're hoping the Senate will do the same. Take a moment to email your Senators and let them know they shouldn't support PIPA.
There's a few actions to do here and if you complete all three, something awesome awaits at the end.


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Murder charge in architect's fight death
A man accused of fatally injuring a prominent San Diego architect last week in Bankers Hill pleaded not guilty Friday morning to a murder charge.
Higinio Soriano Salgado, 31, had previously been charged with attempted murder after what authorities described as an altercation that left his work associate, Graham Downes, 56, with a fractured skull. That charge was upped to murder after Downes was taken off life-support systems and died Wednesday.
San Diego Superior Court Judge Lorna Alksne accepted the not guilty plea and kept Soriano's bail set at $3 million. She also ordered that the defendant receive medical care for a knee injury at the request of his defense attorney Randall Page.
Police have said they were called to Downes' Juniper Street residence about 1:10 a.m. April 19, by neighbors who heard yelling and screaming. Downes had held a social gathering at his home the previous evening, but by time officers arrived only Downes and Soriano remained.
Prosecutors have not disclosed a possible motive for the altercation between Soriano and Downes. Soriano worked for the architect as a property manager.
If convicted of murder, Soriano faces a possible sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
Downes' architecture firm was known for revitalizing urban areas, including downtown San Diego, Barrio Logan and Bankers Hill.


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Course Detail
Course Type and Name
AIARE 1 - Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain
CT1 Bellingham, Mt. Baker 12/6/2019
American Alpine Institute
(360) 671-1505 (Wk)
Course location
Bellingham, Mt. Baker, WA
Begin: 12/06/2019; End: 12/08/2019
Course Details
Ready to step out of bounds and into the backcountry? Knowing how to judge avalanche conditions, where you should travel and where you shouldn't, and being able to carry out a successful rescue if caught in an avalanche are essential skills that everyone should be aware of and familiar with before stepping under that boundary marker and heading for the backcountry.
On average 37 people are killed each year by avalanches in the United States alone. Almost all of these avalanches are started by the people caught in them. Some basic level or training and knowledge can dramatically increase your margin of safety while traveling in the backcountry.
In this three-day course, we will teach students what to look for in the snow pack, how to test stability, how to read terrain and avoid danger zones, and how to rescue themselves and partners if caught in an avalanche.
For more information, please click here: http://www.alpineinstitute.com/catalog/avalanche-training-aiare-1/


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Fan Expo is returning to Vancouver April 20th and 21st and once again, 13th Colony is thrilled to be playing a part! Vancouver's Battlestar Galactica Fan Club will join local chapters of the 501st Legion (Outer Rim Squadron), the Ghostbusters of BC and Can't Stop the Serenity Vancouver to offer con-goers a glimpse into Vancouver's fan scene.
And we've got another reason to celebrate! After having to cancel late last year, Michael Hogan (new BSG's Saul Tigh) will make it up to the Vancouver fans by appearing this year.
We'll have plenty of Battlestar Galactica (classic and reimagined) items and costumes on display. We're out to meet and greet fellow BSG fans who might not be aware we're here and we're awesome!


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Is the sleeper success of Dirty Dancing going to prompt a wave of dance movies? Could be, and Salsa is an early imitator, but with a Latin beat.
Actually, Salsa resembles Dirty Dancing only insofar as it contains a lot of sweaty limbs, a score of gyrating torsos, and pelvic thrusts a-plenty. (Both films were choreographed by Kenny Ortega, who clearly has his meter set on high.)
The story of Salsa, if it can be called a story, concerns a young garage mechanic (Robby Rosa, formerly a member of the prefab pop group Menudo) who supports his mother and sister while he dreams of winning a salsa dance contest that would send him to a big competition in Puerto Rico.
In a way, the movie is a Latin version of Pal Joey. The hero's a bit of a cad, and he's torn between two other dancers—his sweet, simple girlfriend, and an older, wealthier dancing master who's something of a witch. Which will he choose? Will he jeopardize his chances of winning the competition? Will he resist the temptations of yet another romantic interest, the obligatory curled-lip spitfire? Will he allow his willowy younger sister to date his best friend?
The answers to these and other questions are pretty easy to guess, and director Boaz Davidson tries to distract from the formulaic nature of the script by finding as many excuses for dirty dancing as possible. In some cases, Davidson and Ortega conjure up settings for dances that recall the classic Hollywood musicals, such as a duet that takes place in front of a tropical-island billboard. But the explicit nature of the dancing detracts from the charm.
The steamiest number takes place inside the hero's garage apartment, when he and the aforementioned spitfire engage in some heavy pawing. The guy even has a glittery silver ball that hangs and rotates from his bedroom ceiling, which is a new wrinkle in personal make-out accessories.
It shouldn't take long for other Dirty Dancing clones to arrive. For that matter, Dirty Dancing II, which will pick up the story of the original film's bump-'n-grinders a few years later, is already in the works. While we wait for that, a selection of unauthorized substitutes will doubtless be available.
First published in the Herald, May 1988
Who can forget Salsa, or the Dirty Dancing follow-ups? I can, of course—I'm not an idiot—but it's harder to forget the feeling of sitting through this phase of cheap moviemaking. Another knock-off from the Cannon Group.


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During the season, Mark Buehrle used his change-up about 15-20% of the time. In yesterday's perfect game, it was his go-to pitch, particularly against right-handed batters, who saw 40 change-ups out of 90 pitches. He notched 15 outs with the change, seven with the four-seam fastball, and five with the cut fastball. In the last three innings, he went even more heavily to the change-up, throwing 24 changes compared to 18 pitches of all other types combined. This while he was ramping his fastball speed from the mid-eighties to the upper eighties, touching 90 mph with his final pitch. …
July 25, 2009
What pitches did Mark Buehrle threw on his perfect game?
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FAQ: How would a union affect faculty and staff?
Will union representation and collective bargaining enhance our salary and working conditions?
Collective bargaining offers the opportunity for faculty and staff to be full partners in any decisions that affect salary, pay practices, and working conditions. From the unions' perspective, collective bargaining is a pro-active process, that is, faculty and staff would introduce comprehensive proposals regarding salary issues and working conditions that embody their goals in these areas.
The ensuing negotiations would shape the ultimate agreement on these issues. Salary and working conditions are invariably enhanced when faculty and staff collectively identify desired outcomes and negotiate from a unified position.
What is the record of negotiations at other higher education institutions?
Other institutions, large and small, such as the California State University system, the State University of New York system, the University of Hawai'i, Central Oregon State College, many of the universities in Montana, and the community colleges in most states, have successfully utilized the collective bargaining process. In addition, many of these faculty and staff members have enhanced their standing with their respective legislatures and administrations by utilizing and encouraging effective modes of communication and dispute resolution.
Does a negotiated contract offer greater security than a current shared governance agreement?
A negotiated agreement offers all employees the greatest degree of certainty and security. Such an agreement clearly sets forth the terms and conditions of employment. These terms reflect the input of employees and are secured by agreement for a specified length of time. The usual current shared governance procedure controls only the relationship between the administration and the faculty or staff. The board of trustees is not bound in any legal way to a decision reached through the shared governance agreement. In this time of fiscal volatility an agreement built on faculty involvement would provide a significant increase in stability.
What are some of the benefits and services NEA provides higher-education unions?
- Strong and Effective Advocacy -- From Maine to Hawai'i and Michigan to Texas, the NEA represents faculty, academic professionals, and university personnel in every type of institution -- from public and private community colleges to Ph.D.-granting universities. The NEA and its state affiliates offer professional advice, support, and assistance on key issues like salary, benefits, and pay equity. Association experts visit campuses to assist faculty and staff members in settling problems such as violations of tenure rights or workplace abuses.
- Seasoned Political Representation -- Key decisions on the future of higher education are generally made by politicians, not educators. Faculty and staff need a strong, reliable voice to carry our views to the state capital and to Washington DC. NEA represents the interests of students and educators in the political arena and strives to increase public support for public education. When it comes to political advocacy on education reform policy, tenure, productivity, financial support for higher education, effective tax reform, retirement benefits, health care reform, and other policies that have a significant impact on ourselves and our institution, the union has been and will continue to be the only truly effective advocate for educators.
- Legal Assistance -- Union members receive legal assistance in dealing with most employment related claims. All higher education union members are automatically protected by a one million dollar professional liability insurance policy. This liability insurance exists to defend members in cases that arise during the performance of their professional duties. It is also noteworthy to mention here that the NEA legal staff has effectively argued that academic freedom should be recognized as a constitutional right. As a result, tenure is now viewed as a property right protected by the 14th Amendment.
- Publications -- The NEA periodically publishes various journals, newsletters, and reports containing information and data about higher education. Union members automatically receive these publications. Check out the publications on NEA's Higher Ed web site.
Who will develop the constitution and bylaws of the new union?
Faculty and/or staff who become members of the local chapter would develop and adopt a constitution and bylaws to replace any interim operating principles. Officers would be democratically elected, and committee appointments made in accordance with the constitution and bylaws. The constitution and bylaws would be established in a fully democratic and inclusive manner.
How would I have a voice in the union?
The union would establish a constitution and bylaws that address the organizations structure and rules of operation. Specifically, these democratically established procedures would define the kinds of officers, committees, and representative structures that would exist. In addition, the electoral procedure, length of office, etc., would be established. Individuals would participate by becoming members and seeking an active and, perhaps, elected role in the organization


text: Navigating the college landscape can be challenging. The good news is that we're here to help. There are many resources available to help you get the information you need. No matter if your student is a current or future pioneer, here you can find information and keep in touch with what's going on at Alfred State.


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Volly has not received any gifts yet
Angie the Anti-theist sums it up most reassuringly!
You can be an atheist and still have beliefs or theories that skeptics might disagree with. Full disclosure here: I believe there is some validity to astrology, and have even been known to do horoscopes. For money (!!!).
I happen to believe in the existence of the soul, now that I've read James Hillman's book http://www.amazon.com/Souls-Code-Search-Character-Calling/dp/0446673714.
I think what makes me an atheist is the fact that I decline to try to convince anyone else of what I believe. There are also few "therefore's" in my philosophy. There's nothing I do in my life that stems from the book. The only possible exception is that I don't fear death for myself -- I anticipate that my soul or spirit will show up somewhere else after I'm dead. It may be on this plane of existence, in linear time, or it may be in some parallel universe. I may end up as an elm tree, and my soul's previous existence may have been housed in the form of a sheep. None of this bothers me or keeps me awake at night for so much as an instant, because I think the concept of heaven and hell is absurd. The thought of my death bothers me because I understand that those who know me and are close to me may be distressed at my departure. I hope that whatever I do immediately preceding my death is helpful, beneficial, and noble. And likewise, by extension, whatever else I do before all that. I hope to stay grounded in reality throughout my present existence. I once heard a truism: "When the mind goes, the heart shows." I haven't overcome all my "demons" -- my moments of guilt and regret from the past. I hope to make peace with all that so that if dementia or Alzheimer's or brain damage becomes a part of my life, I can show the world a sweet and caring side of me. Those are my spiritual concerns. I want to be serene and mindful and "in the moment." I attend a Unitarian Universalist church, and therefore want to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person, justice, equity and compassion in human relations; acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth; a free and responsible search for truth and meaning; the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large; the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
And science. And knowledge. And progress.
This I believe. Somebody call NPR.
Posted on June 6, 2016 at 9:30pm 4 Comments 3 Likes
I live in what might euphemistically be called an "economically disadvantaged" neighborhood. It has several good points, such as a fantastically short commute to work; being near 3 hospitals and a bus route, and mostly nice neighbors. We've lived there for 10 years now. In that time, we've had one rock thrown through our car windshield, another through our living room window; we've been burglarized once and…Continue
Posted on May 28, 2012 at 7:00pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Amid the brilliance of Dawkins, Harris, Dennett and Hitchens' books, Wendy Kaminer's Sleeping With Extraterrestrials may have been overlooked. Written just a couple of years before 9/11, this book breaks some important ground in the New Atheist movement. Kaminer takes the wise step of refraining from criticizing a person's individual beliefs,…Continue
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Rural women speak out about food insecurity Today's global food insecurity destabilizes rural communities all over the world, impeding their access to food and affecting their ability to earn a livelihood. In partnership with the Huairou Commission and WOCAN, FAO held a series of twenty one consultations with hundreds of women and men in Africa, Asia and Latin America to better understand the direct impacts of food security on their lives and those of their families. Today's global food … [Read more...]
WOMEN globally talk about food insecurities in rural areas
February 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment


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Salmon with chilli & lime butter
This speedy midweek supper is low in fat but big on flavour. Ready in just 20 minutes, the chilli, lime zest, spring onions and coriander give it Thai appeal
Nutrition and extra info
- Healthy
Nutrition: per serving
- kcal300
- fat20g
- saturates5g
- carbs1g
- sugars0g
- fibre0g
- protein29g
- salt0.2g
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Widely grown all over the Mediterranean, where they've been cultivated since biblical times…
- 4 salmon fillets
- knob of butter
Butter is a dairy product made from separating whole milk or cream into fat and…
- 6 spring onions, finely sliced
Spring onionsp-ring un-yun
Also known as scallions or green onions, spring onions are in fact very young onions, harvested…
- 1 large red chilli, halved, deseeded and finely chopped
Part of the capsicum family, chillies come in scores of varieties and colours (from green…
- zest and juice 1 lime
The same shape, but smaller than…
- small bunch coriander, chopped
Heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the salmon, skin side down, for about 5-6 mins until the skin is crispy and golden. Turn the salmon fillets carefully, then cook for a further 2 mins. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Tip the butter in the pan and, when melted, add the spring onions, chilli and lime zest to sizzle in the butter for 2 mins, then add the lime juice. Spoon the chilli and lime butter over the salmon. Scatter with the coriander and serve with boiled rice.


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I am constantly reminded that the sewing and quilting communities are full of kind and generous people, like you!
Thank you all so much for your heart warming donations and participation in our first { Modern } Relief fundraiser in support of World Vision's efforts to end hunger.
The drive has officially closed, and we finished with a whopping $5810.00 raised. Wow! This far exceeded our wildest expectations, and blew away the $4000.00 goal we set when we launched the effort.
What can this money provide?
- 863 apple, orange, mango, and other healthy fruit trees to provide the vitamins and nutrients growing kids need.
- 143 farm animals that will provide ample protein and vital nutrition — including milk, eggs, meat, and more — to a needy family for years to come.
- 49 sheep, whose wool can yield soft, warm, long -lasting clothes for impoverished families.
- 18 oxen and 2 plows. With oxen-power, a family has more food, and children can attend school instead of work in the fields.
- 11 dairy cows to help boost a family's protein and calcium intake.
- 7 bulls to produce the livestock — and the milk, meat, and income — that can help an entire village thrive.
In short, you guys rock.
Although the raffle for the quilts has closed, you can locate information regarding World Vision efforts and how you can continue to support their mission throughout the entire year through their website at www.worldvision.org/.
Stay tuned -- we will be announcing the winners of the raffle over the next two weeks.


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Science Makes Waves in Khairpur, Sindh
Kumail Abbas
Mr. Kumail Abbas is Ph.D student in Centre of Excellence in Solid State Physics, University of the Punjab. His subjects of interest are Cosmology, Material Science, Symmetry and Astronomy.
Roshaan Bukhari
Roshaan Bukhari is an amateur astronomer from Lahore, Pakistan. He is currently working as a secretary of Lahore Astronomical Society (LAST) and as an outreach coordinator of The Planetary Society Pakistan. His life's aim is to setup astronomical department as well as functional and capable astronomical observatories through out Pakistan.
Ahmed Waqas Zubairi
Mr. Ahmed Waqas Zubairi is a teaching and research associate at Institute of Space and Technology, Islamabad. He has done B.Sc(Hons) in Physics from University of the Punjab, with specialization in Atmospheric Physics. His research interest includes Satellite Communication and Geo Physics.


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- We noted before that WWE reached out to Kamala for induction into the 2013 Hall of Fame. There's no word yet if Kamala accepted the invite or planning to accept but there was talk over the past few days that former WWWF Champion Ivan Koloff may be inducted in Kamala's place.
- There was talk at Monday's RAW that one of the reasons The Undertaker didn't make an appearance at the Royal Rumble is because he's not so sure that he will work WrestleMania 29 now.
The plan had been for Taker to wrestle CM Punk but WWE officials are still waiting on Taker's decision. There's a feeling among some within WWE that Taker will end up wrestling but the discussion at RAW was they may have to come up with another WrestleMania storyline for Punk.
Source: PWInsider


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Friday, January 21, 2011
And so I begin
9 comments:
great start Julie - you're my first blogger friend!! Oh happy day!! AnneReplyDelete
This is an awesome idea! Thank you for doing it and can't wait to read along! :)ReplyDelete
Welcome aboard! So looking forward to your efforts. I read ahead and adore your title.ReplyDelete
I've found blogging helpful in framing my research and luring family further into my genealogical net.
Hello there!ReplyDelete
You've got a great genealogy blog and we've added it to the list of over 1,600 genealogy blogs at GeneaBloggers (http://www.geneabloggers.com).
We will announce your blog in our weekly New Genealogy Blogs on Saturday, January 29, 2011. In the meantime, please visit the About ( http://www.geneabloggers.com/about/) section at GeneaBloggers to learn how you can display your GeneaBloggers badge on your blog and also how you can participate in activities such as the Daily Blogging Prompts.
If you need technical assistance, please check out Bootcamp for GeneaBloggers (http://fbbootcamp.blogspot.com).
Welcome to Blogville! Looking forward to reading more of your posts.ReplyDelete
Julie, Love the blog! Keep writing and I'll keep reading. Maryfrances OL4ReplyDelete
Hi Julie,ReplyDelete
Congrats on starting your blog. I love the name of your blog--aah, translation and its interesting results!
The name reminds me of an actual road in Damariscotta Maine --"Controversy Lane." I wonder what went on there?
Carol Prescott McCoy
- AnonymousJanuary 24, 2011 at 6:03 PM
I do not know you and yet we share many things: a love of languages, an interest in blogging about it (my blog is forthcoming, and a grandparent from Slovakia who has captured our interest in genealogy. I look forward to reading your blog and to a sharing of ideas!ReplyDelete
Susan P. Del Conte
I'm a little late to the party, but I want to welcome you to the world of genealogy blogging. You're going to love it!ReplyDelete


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Lake Bell's new movie In A World..., the actor's directorial debut, is about an aspiring voiceover artist who struggles against the old boys' club of voiceover talent and her own insecurities about her voice. It's a topic close to her heart, since Bell herself has found it difficult to break into voiceover work. In the movie, her father--also a voiceover artist--says "The industry does not crave a female sound." It's interesting that both Bell and Fred Melamed, who plays her father, both say they were attracted to voiceover work because it didn't force them to rely on their looks alone as actors.
"I was always interested in the idea that the omniscient voice was always considered male," Bell said in a recent NPR interview. "This sound that's telling you what to buy, what to think, how to feel about what bank to have, or what kind of car, or what movie to see..."
The movie is getting good reviews, and Bell shows off her amazing range of accents and voices honed in acting studies in England. But in a flurry of interviews promoting the movie, she's also received a lot of attention for her stance against what she calls "sexy baby vocal virus." She says too many women use this combination of high pitch, vocal fry (think raspy creak) and uptalk (ending speech on a higher pitch, as we usually do with a question).
"I think what I find most unfortunate about it is that it's diminutive, it's sort of diminishing," she said in a Washington Post interview. "And it's a dialect. It's not even justified by, 'Oh, she was born with that.' It's learned."
Bell seems to be of two minds about how women should speak, however. She says in the Post:
But I don't ever want to preach that women take on a false voice and speak lower. That's not the message. The message is, find your real voice. Which is a normal, big girl voice, which sounds like what a woman should sound like, instead of insinuating that you've regressed to being an 11-year old and you're submissive."But in The New Yorker:
The vocal pandemic that is the sexy-baby virus is a form of submission to men, as if you're a twelve-year old girl. I speak lower than my natural voice, especially when I'm on a panel with a lot of dudes.Judging from the online responses to these interviews, Bell's hit a real nerve on this one. Should women try to lower the pitch of their voice to sound more like men? Are uptalk and vocal fry always something to avoid? And what should a woman sound like--except herself?
Here's the trailer for the movie:
Freelance writer Becky Ham contributed this post.
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text:
I met David because he is the head of the library at Plymouth State University, where I currently teach. Before we met, all I knew was what friends had told me: he was interested in some sort of "print things", something to do with graphic novels. Once I had to chance to talk with him and read his book, I began to understand his obsession with certain artists of the first half of the twentieth century. Lynd Ward's work, in particular, fascinated me. David's interests are eclectic and esoteric, and after many conversations, I knew I wanted to do a formal interview with him. The Swivet audience seemed a perfect one for it, and so, my dear Swiveteers, it is my pleasure to introduce you to David Beronä...
Matthew Cheney: What is a "wordless book"?Thanks to David for sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm. I'd also just like to add that Dover is reprinting the extraordinary 1934 edition of Frankenstein that Lynd Ward illustrated -- it has jumped near the top of my list of most-anticipated books.
David Beronä: Wordless books were stories from the early part of the twentieth century told in black and white woodcuts, imaginatively authored without any text. Frans Masereel, a Belgian, referred to these wordless books as "romans in beelden" or "novel in pictures." The term commonly used for these early wordless books was also woodcut novels since they used woodcuts, wood engraving, and other forms of relief printing like leadcuts or linocuts to tell a story. Although woodcut novels have their roots spreading back through the history of graphic arts, including block books and playing cards, it was not until the early part of the twentieth century that they were conceived and published due in large part to Masereel and the American, Lynd Ward. Despite its short-lived popularity, the woodcut novel had an important impact on the development of comic art, particularly contemporary graphic novels with a focus on adult themes.
MC: Why did wordless books develop when they did?
DB: Like anything, it was a matter of timing. The influence of the silent cinema, the use of the woodcut by the Expressionists, and the familiarity of the public with cartoons all contributed to the advent of the wordless book. More important, though, was Frans Masereel himself and his courage to publish his wordless books. The success of Masereel's books in Europe, though, can be attributed to the publisher Kurt Wolff, who admired these books when he saw copies from the initial editions that all had short print runs. Wolff published the first six woodcut novels with introductions by famous literary names like Hermann Hesse and Thomas Mann in large editions that made them affordable to the general public. There was a universality of these wordless books that rose above language barriers and literacy that spoke in pictures directly to the reader.
MC: What's the connection between wordless books and graphic novels?
DB: These early wordless books are just now being recognized for their pioneering graphic storytelling qualities that have so much in common with comics and today's graphic novels. Will Eisner, the artist who coined the term "graphic novel" in the 1970s, recognized the influence of these early wordless books. These wordless books highlight the components of today's graphic novels with an even flow of the pictures and just the right amount of visual information in each picture to tell a story.
MC: I'm curious for your thoughts about the way those stories are told, or, rather, how we construct stories from the images. Without text, the stories, as such, are associational and fluid. When I read them, for instance, my "reading" is a kind of narrator in my head, but that's probably because I have just about no visual imagination and so I turn everything into words. I'm fascinated by your introductions to, for instance, Lynd Ward's books, because I usually read them after looking through the book once or twice, and I find the story I've gotten on my own is often fairly different from the story you describe, yet on looking through again, I can see justifications for both ways of interpreting the images and their connections to each other. Am I just weird?
DB: I remember when I spoke with Lynd Ward's two daughters that both Nanda and Robin told me that they constantly asked their father what his wordless books meant and Lynd always replied with the same answer: "It means exactly what you think it means." And that is really the attraction of these books -- we bring so much of our own personal experiences to reading pictures because the language of pictures has, what I like to call, a "private declension" that only each of us can understand -- a secret smirk or a haunting remembrance from our private association to an image.
MC: How did your interest in this material begin?
DB: I was always fascinated with picture books and comics growing up, but when I first read Storyteller Without Words: The Wood engravings of Lynd Ward, published by Abrams (ironically the same publisher of my book) in 1974, I was immediately awestruck by these stories told in pictures without words. These were not children's picture books but rather books for adults that displayed themes of social injustice, family squalor during the Depression, and fantasy worlds that reflected a strong psychological focus. I looked for more information on Ward and a few other artists who published wordless books, like Frans Masereel, and was surprised how little had been written about this genre. I was first encouraged by Professor Estelle Jussim when I was in graduate school at Simmons College in Boston to pursue this area of research. While I began my professional career as an academic librarian after graduation, I also began my research on wordless books in earnest. I have, in the last twenty-five years, made contact with many print makers, scholars, cartoonists and their family and friends.
MC: How did you decide what to include in the book?
DB: I wanted to include works up to the early 1950s with a social rather than a religious or biographical focus. I also did not want a purely academic approach in my text but wanted the pictures to do the talking, so I toned down my writing. I wanted my text to provide only a historical framework to the visual content.
MC: So in some ways, then, you were constructing a minimally-worded book about wordless books. That seems apropos! How did you choose the images -- some of the books you could only represent with a few images, yet there are dozens and even hundreds in the complete original. I'd think some of that selection would be maddening.
DB: Yes, I wanted the images to speak and chose the images that I felt would provide enough interest for readers to go out and read the books themselves. The selection was personal and my editor was completely behind my choices, though he did encourage me to include selections of the city from Ward's Gods' Man that captured the dark shadows and looming buildings, which were the images that personally spoke to him when he first read the book.
MC: Can you tell us a bit about how you sold Wordless Books?
DB: I had originally talked about this book with James Sturm at the Center for Cartoon Studies where I lecture on wordless books. James was convinced that there was a growing interest in these historical books. We talked with one publisher but it was really not their market. My break came when I traveled down to New York with James for an opening of the exhibit, "The Jewish Graphic Novel," where he was exhibiting his work and where I met his agent, Judy Hansen of Hansen Literary Agency. When I mentioned my research on wordless books, Judy became very interested and asked for a book proposal. Since I had most of the book already written, I took a few months to polish up my manuscript, which I sent to her. Since Judy is so well known in the field, she knew Charles Kochman, senior editor at Abrams and now Executive Editor of Abrams ComicArts, who had an acute interest and knowledge of comic art and was also especially excited about these wordless books. After that it was only a matter of a couple weeks before Abrams bought the rights to my book.
MC: As a librarian, what are your feelings about books, technology, and society? Are you optimistic for the future of books?
DB: For most of my academic career I have been involved in library technology and the transformation of the traditional library into a vital online resource. The resources available now online have provided me access to more information than I could ever have discovered in a hundred lifetimes. I see our access to information growing and feel that we are in another information revolution very similar to the one experience during the advent of the printing press. Lets not forget that illuminated manuscripts were not destroyed following the implementation of the printing press. With that said, I am not only a proud supporter of online technology but also a firm believer in preserving our primary materials. I do not feel that these interests are at odds but rather an extension of my mission as a librarian to preserve information in all forms. As far as the future of the book, I believe that content will become disseminated more and more online and that the book, as we know it, will begin to metamorphosize into objects of art, as we can see in many artists books where the substance as well as the text integrate into one unique message. In addition and in contrast to the book as an object of art, I also see the book remaining viable as a cheap and disposable vehicle for content. Examples of this can be seen in today's manga, graphic novels, and paperbacks.
MC: "Cheap and disposable" -- as an occasional collector of old magazines and paperbacks, I know exactly what you mean. Even with such items, though, there's an excitement to the physical object that I imagine you must have when you encounter, for instance, an early edition of Masereel or Ward or Nuckel or dozens of others. I would love to have, for instance, a digital version of the July 1943 Weird Tales that I have, because handling it is so perilous, but there's some sort of magic to the object itself, too. Can libraries still afford to continue to strengthen their physical archives while also expanding digitally?
DB: My professional philosophy would be to insure that your specific issue of Weird Tales is being preserved and archived in some library but that a digital copy is available for everyone who does not have access to the original copy. And that is what libraries are working toward -- the preservation of materials in the original format and the digitization of the material for universal access.
I have to tell you a story that is a good example of this question. The first copy of Bochořáková-Dittrichová's Childhood that I discovered literally fell apart in my hands. Talk about a "weird tale"! I had been looking for a copy of this my entire life and when I opened up the book, the pages fell from the spine, cracked, and fell apart in fragments right through my hands, certainly due to the poor paper and humidity. Since that event many years ago, I did find another copy of this rare book that was in very good shape.
MC: Well, don't take it personally then if I don't let you touch my Weird Tales! Anyway... What's your next project?
DB: I'm working on a survey of wordless books from where I left off in my first book: the 1950s to the present day. This includes wordless comics, children's wordless picture books, and artists' books. In addition, I am working closely with Dover Publications, writing introductions to a line of new editions of out-of-print graphic arts and wordless books.
MC: Are there forthcoming releases from Dover that we should particularly keep our eyes out for?
DB: Yes, Dover is doing some exciting work publishing new editions of these out-of-print wordless books and I am so happy to be involved with these projects. There are some great surprises forthcoming. This year there is an edition with three of Masereel's woodcut novels in one volume (The Sun, The Idea & Story Without Words), and an edition of one of my favorite books and illustrators -- John Vassos' Phobia: An Art Deco Graphic Masterpiece -- not a wordless book but a powerfully engaging illustrated book from the 1930s.