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No, this has nothing to do with rainfall. Rather, the "wet" refers to moonshine. The Wettest County in the World by Matt Bondurant, a fictionalized account about the real-life Bondurant brothers in Depression-era Virginia is gritty, gutsy and sometimes even gory. It's narrated primarily by the youngest brother, Jack, who is in fact, the grandfather of the author. The author, Matt Bondurant, also enlists the help of Winesburg, Ohio author Sherwood Anderson who started his own investigation (in 1934) of the brothers' dramatic confrontation with the county sheriff. In doing so, Anderson was the first to dub Franklin County the "wettest county in the world."
The story begins in 1928 when a pair of thieves rob Forest Bondurant of his large stash of bootlegging money and end up cutting his throat. Somehow he manages to reach a hospital 12 miles away. Soon after, two anonymous men appear at the same hospital, one with legs totally shattered, the other castrated. Needless to say, they aren't talking. You get the picture — this is real roughneck country and the Bondurant boys are no angels.
Bondurant does an excellent job of imagining and portraying the probable lives of his ancestors. It's not always pretty, but it does give the reader a gripping view of their struggles to survive during Prohibition in the poverty-stricken foothills of westernVirginia.


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Businesses that use Google Apps received some potentially good news this week. The company announced that it has started testing some new enterprise social networking features for Google+, including some elements that would allow easier collaboration for users of Google Apps.
The public preview of the Google+ enterprise version includes workplace-specific features like more controls over sharing and privacy, improved administration controls, added support for video, and integrations with other products like Google Calendar.
The aim behind all of these features is to make communication between employees and business professional easier.
More specifically, business owners can use the new features to configure Google+ for their employees, restrict the sharing of posts between a company's employees and its full network, launch Google Hangout meetings directly from apps like Gmail, and even edit documents together within a Hangout.
Businesses and organizations that use Google products can use the new business features of Google+ for free through the end of 2013. No details on pricing have been released for after that time period, but that statement does hint that Google plans to charge for the enterprise features in the future.
Google Apps, the online document, calendar, and spreadsheet service, is already used by many businesses. There is also a free version of Google Apps for consumer use.
Google+ was launched in 2011 as a consumer social networking site. The company hinted last year that it would eventually launch a workplace version. The site itself does already offer a few features that could be used for networking or promotional purposes for businesses, but until now it didn't have anything specifically to address corporate needs.
But as with most Google products, the company has continually changed things up to make services tailored for different groups and needs.
In the future, Google plans to add more features like a mobile version of Google+'s enterprise social network and more IT administration features, and then possibly a full distinct enterprise offering by 2014.

subset: commoncrawl


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"The Last Picture Show" director Peter Bogdanovich will explore the story of the first picture shows for his next project.
Bogdanovich has signed on to direct a TV miniseries adaptation of Edward Ball's 2013 book "The Inventor and the Tycoon: A Gilded Age Murder and the Birth of Moving Pictures."
The book explores the true story of motion-picture pioneer Edward Muybridge and industrialist-politician Leland Stanford, and their effect on the early days of cinema.
Also read: Tatum O'Neal Reteams With 'Paper Moon' Director Peter Bogdanovich for Showbiz Comedy (Exclusive)
Bogdanovich is developing the project with Cohen Media Group, and is also serving as co-executive producer, along with Charles S. Cohen, Cohen Media Group president Daniel Battsek and Fred Roos ("The Godfather Part II").
Bodganovich called "The Inventor and the Tycoon" a "fascinating story about the origins of cinema/beginning of movies and the amazing series of coincidences that led to that creation."
Also read: Bogdanovich: I Was the Son of Frankenstein
Added Cohen, "We are thrilled that Peter Bogdanovich will direct this exciting project. He is truly one of the major figures of modern American cinema, and this exceptional story is tailor-made for him."
Set in frontier-era California, Ball's book explores how Muybridge — a murderer as well a technological pioneer — and his patron Stanford teamed to launch the age of visual media.
"Part of the screen art of Peter Bogdanovich is to make the American past look beautiful, feel intense, and to people it with rare characters," Ball said of the adaptation. "Between Edward Muybridge, the murderer who gave us motion pictures, and Leland Stanford, the robber baron made in Gold Rush California, this 19th-century story has big American aura suited to his hands, and to CMG's program for memorable, ambitious television."


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America's colleges and universities, for years the envy of the world and still a comfort to citizens concerned with the performance of the country's public elementary and secondary schools, are beginning to lose their relative luster. Surveys of the American public and of more than 1,000 college and university presidents, conducted this past spring by the Pew Research Center in association with the Chronicle of Higher Education, revealed significant concerns not only about the costs of such education, but also about its direction and goals.
Despite a long track record of serving increasing numbers of students during the past half-century, graduation rates have stagnated. A higher proportion of America's 55- to 64-year-old citizens hold postsecondary degrees than in any other country—39 percent—but America ranks only tenth in the same category for its citizens aged 25 to 34 (at 40 percent). And none of America's higher-education institutions have ever served a large percentage of its citizens—many from low-income, African-American, and Hispanic families.
Indeed, the quality of America's colleges and universities has been judged historically not by the numbers of people the institutions have been able to educate well, regardless of background, but by their own selectivity, as seen in the quality and preparedness of the students they have admitted. Those institutions that educated the smartest students, as measured by standardized tests, also moved up in the arms race for money, graduate students, and significant research projects, which in turn fueled their prestige still further, as faculty members at such schools are rewarded for the quality of research, not for their teaching.
More fundamentally, the business model that has characterized American higher education is at—or even past—its breaking point. Many institutions are increasingly beset by financial difficulties, and the meltdown since 2008 is but a shadow of what is to come. Undergraduate tuition has risen dramatically: at a 6.3 percent annual clip for nearly the last three decades—even faster than the much-decried 4.9 percent annual cost increases plaguing the healthcare industry. The full increase in the price of higher education has actually been hidden from many students and families over the years because gifts from alumni, earnings from private university endowments, subsidies from state tax revenues for public universities, and federal subsidies for students have been used to mitigate some costs. But universities are exhausting these mechanisms.
Endowments that took decades to build were devastated in 2008. During the past 15 years, state-supported schools have been shifting the burden of tuition to students and their families, who were initially shielded from the consequences because, as noted, aid had increased so rapidly that the net price to students fell, on average. But those offsetting government dollars have not kept up of late. State universities, feeling the budget crunch, have resorted to all sorts of devices to try to stay afloat—including cutting back the number of students they enroll at the very time the country needs more of its population educated. Severe government budget crises have only exacerbated the trend of shifting the costs of higher education to students and their families, a shift that is likely to become far more intense in the future because of the enormous obligations that federal, state, and local governments face in funding the pension and healthcare costs of their current and retired employees—as well as aging baby boomers. Indeed, for several years now, state spending has not kept up on a per student basis, and this past year, for the first time, state spending on higher education decreased absolutely. News from Arizona, California, and Texas portends even bigger cuts going forward.
In the aggregate, this multipronged crisis calls for the United States to rethink how it views its institutions of higher education. Since World War II, the country's dominant higher education policies have focused almost exclusively on expanding access: enabling more students to afford higher education, regardless of its total cost. Today, changing circumstances mandate that we shift that focus to making a quality postsecondary education affordable. Inherent in that shift is a new definition of quality from the perspective of students—ensuring that the education is valuable to them as they seek to improve their lives and thus improve the country's fortunes, too. If a postsecondary education is fundamentally affordable—meaning lower in cost to provide, not just the price to pay—this will also address the question of how to extend access to higher education of some sort.
A Thriving, Disruptive Innovation
Just at the moment when these challenges to established higher education have arisen and compounded, another group of universities has arisen whose financial health is strong and enrollments have been booming. And yet the brands of these schools are weak and their campuses far from glamorous; sometimes the campuses are even nonexistent from the perspective of students, as online learning has largely driven their growth. How could this upstart group be so successful when the rest of higher education is treading water at best?
The success of these online competitors and the crisis among many of higher education's traditional institutions are far from unique. These are familiar steps in a process known as "disruptive innovation" that has occurred in many industries, from accounting and music to communications and computers. It is the process by which products and services that were once so expensive, complicated, inaccessible, and inconvenient that only a small fraction of people could access them, are transformed into simpler, more accessible and convenient forms that are also, ultimately, lower in cost. We are seeing it happen more rapidly than one could have imagined in higher education, as online learning has exploded: roughly 10 percent of students took at least one online course in 2003, 25 percent in 2008, and nearly 30 percent in the fall of 2009.
What is exciting about this emerging reinvention it that it has significant potential to help address the challenges facing American higher education by creating an opportunity to rethink its value proposition—its cost and quality.
When America's traditional universities arose, knowledge was scarce, which meant that research and teaching had to be coupled tightly. That is no longer the case. Today, the Internet is democratizing people's access to knowledge and enabling learning to take place far more conveniently in a variety of contexts, locations, and times.
Online education can effect the transformation not only of curriculum but also of learning itself. Judging it by the metrics used to govern the old system is both inappropriate and limiting (as is true of all disruptive innovations). Online learning allows education to escape from the focus on credit hours logged and "seat time" in classrooms to new standards that tie progress to students' competency and mastery of desired skills. Online courses can easily embed actionable assessments that allow students to accelerate past concepts and skills they have mastered and focus instead on where they most need help at the level most appropriate for them. In this environment, learning outcomes will be a more appropriate measure for judging students and institutions.
Although this transition has begun, much of online learning's promise for higher education is still on the horizon. For example, online learning has not yet led to lower prices from the perspective of many students—even though many of the online universities operate at lower costs than the traditional universities and enable students to fit coursework around existing jobs or other responsibilities. To date, moreover, significant portions of online learning have not taken advantage of this new medium to personalize instruction and create new, dynamic and individualized learning pathways within a course for students.
This is not static, however. Disruptive innovations typically begin simply, as they aim to capture markets by offering people whose alternative is literally nothing at all (that is, current non-consumers) a stripped-down product or service that may well appear primitive as judged by the old performance metrics. But disruptive innovations predictably improve year by year and ultimately transform the world as people in the mainstream migrate to the new products or services because they are delighted with a solution that they find simpler, more accessible and convenient, and lower in cost. Over time, continuing waves of disruption progressively reinvent the market.
The emerging online universities fit the pattern of a disruptive innovation for higher education. Not only did they get their start as simple products and services, they started by serving those who were overlooked by or could not access the typical colleges and universities—by making education far more convenient. Now online learning is beginning to improve and serve more demanding customers. But this transition is still early, and the country's higher-education policies have incentivized little of this transformational behavior: government policies have continued to emphasize access to a higher education regardless of quality and true cost, which has held back the evolution.
This suggests a clear path forward for policymakers and stakeholders looking to reinvent American higher education—to realize real gains in cost and in student learning of essential skills. Their goals should be to embrace the disruptive innovation, to focus on new measures to judge its quality, and to encourage innovation driven by improving student outcomes and lowering overall costs. Over time, such policies will advance the rate at which the new education technology and business paradigm can better serve American citizens and the economy as a whole.
A Threatened Sector
But what then of the existing institutions of higher education that have served America for so long? Typically, the existing and established players in a sector do not survive battles of disruptive innovation; upstart companies utilizing the disruption upend them. Rather than recognize these disruptive innovations as exciting new opportunities, the established players characteristically regard them as mere sideshows to their core operations. Predictably, the majority of universities have taken this same defensive stance and so have done little to adopt this disruptive innovation and to reinvent themselves.
This stance exposes an even more significant problem that is forcing many American universities outside the top institutions to the brink of collapse. Although some traditional universities have used online learning as a sustaining innovation—in effect disrupting their individual classes—almost none have used it to change their business model in any significant way. Whenever we have seen a disruptive innovation reinvent a sector, change has resulted from the joint action of a new technology and an accompanying new business model. But cost increases and an increasingly broken business model—reliance on ever-rising tuition, more endowment income or government support, and research funding, all wrapped up in expensive physical campuses with large support staffs—continue to plague much of higher education.
Examining the traditional universities through the lens of innovation, we see that a muddled business model is causing the industry's ruinous cost increases. For decades now, these institutions have offered multiple, concurrent value propositions: knowledge creation (research), knowledge proliferation and learning (teaching), and preparation for life and careers. They have as a result become extraordinarily complex—some might say confused—institutions where significant overhead costs take resources away from research and teaching. A typical state university today, for example, is the equivalent of a three-way merger of the consulting firm McKinsey—focused on diagnosing and solving unstructured problems; the manufacturing operations of Whirlpool—which uses established processes to add value to things that are incomplete or broken; and Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company—in which participants exchange things to derive value: fundamentally different and incompatible business models all housed within the same organization. Meanwhile, rival organizations using online learning in a new business model focused exclusively on teaching and learning, not research—and focused on highly structured programs targeted at preparation for careers—have benefited from a significant cost advantage and have been able to grow rapidly.
This is a hopeful story for America, and there is even a potential silver lining for many of the existing institutions of higher education, too. Our studies reveal that incumbents sometimes survive and thrive amid disruption—in every case, because they are able to create independent divisions, unfettered by their existing operations, which can use the disruption inside a new business model that reinvents what they do.
It is not easy to effect such internal change, but creating the space and autonomy for these new models to thrive and grow outside the interests of the traditional groups is the ultimate test of and key challenge for leaders in all sectors. It is the test that now confronts the leaders of many of the existing institutions of higher education that seek to train the future leaders of America.


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Developing a healthy, safe and resilient community requires proactive efforts and ongoing, dedicated resources from the City and the community. Fayetteville strives to encourage active living, community wellness, access to healthful food and increasingly safe neighborhoods through a variety of programs and services. We believe that smart community design and educated, engaged citizens have the ability to promote public safety, reduce health and safety risk factors and improve the overall health of Fayetteville.
The City of Fayetteville and many other community advocates are dedicated to building a robust Active Transportation Network. Active Transportation is any form of human powered movement (cycling, walking, using a wheel-chair, etc.) that gets individuals or groups from place to place. Active Transportation can improve an individual's physical, mental and emotional well-being. Fayetteville's active transportation network promotes accessible, efficient, multi-modal transit in order to create a livable transportation network for everyone. To learn more, access the recently adopted Active Transportation Plan or get moving by using our handy Active Transportation Brochure.
A new Urban Agriculture Ordinance was adopted by City Council in 2014. This ordinance is an update and replacement of the previous "Animals and Fowl" ordinance and includes provisions for the keeping of fowl, bees and goats and allows for limited sales of home produced products in residential areas. By enabling citizens to produce their own foods at home, this ordinance aims to increase food security and healthy food availability across the city.
The Community Policing Division goals are to reduce crime and public nuisances by carefully examining the problems in neighborhoods and working with citizens to apply appropriate problem-solving strategies. These characteristics are developed through personal contacts, complaints and crime analysis. These crime-solving strategies range from neighborhood watch programs to crime prevention lectures and presentations, to law enforcement intervention and nuisance abatement.
The City of Fayetteville's Community Resources Division works everyday to build a healthier, safer, happier community. Code Compliance is committed to preserving and protecting the safety and welfare of our citizens. Community Development works to strengthen the physical, social and economic conditions of our neighborhoods. If you need an energy weatherization kit for your home, free pet food from the Ranger Pantry or just want to learn more about how to help out your neighbors, contact Community Resources.
In 2016, the City conducted a Community Survey to gather resident perceptions on a number of topics including public parkland, public safety, neighborhood cohesion, civic engagement and arts and culture opportunities. The survey provided every citizen with an opportunity to offer their concerns and ideas to the City. See design, methodology and results here.
Startup Junkie, the Fayetteville based business and entrepreneurship consulting firm, is currently contracted to provide economic development services to the City of Fayetteville. This contract includes support for the growing local artisan food and craft beverage industry. By supporting innovators in the food and beverage sectors, Startup Junkie and the City look to increase the resilience of Fayetteville's economy while bringing attention to the importance of our local food movement. Learn more about how economic vitality can compound our social and environmental initiatives.


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* All materials published on this site are free of charge and not to be distributed for commercial purpose.
Click on the links below to view or download the PDF version of the prayers.
The Prayer Book of the Helpers of God's Precious Infants Packed with three full hours of prayers, this book is the official prayer book used by the sidewalk counselors and pray-ers of the Helpers of God's Precious Infants. |
An Act of Consecration to the Trinity, Entrusted to Mary |
Prayer For Spiritual Supporters Of God's Precious Infants |
Prayer Vigil Guideline |
Did You Know? |


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(Abbatia Beatæ Marle Virginis ad lacum, or Beatæ Marle lacensis)
A Benedictine abbey on the southwest bank of Lake Laach, near Andernach in Rhineland, Germany. It was founded in the year 1093 by the Palsgrave Henry II of Lorraine who probably was a descendant from the line of the Counts of Hochstaden (P. Adalbert Shippers, O. S. B, "The Palsgrave Henry II's Charter of Foundation for Laach" in the "Trierisches Archiv", XV, 1909, 53 sq.). The monastery, which was handed over to the Cluniac Benedictines from the Abbey of Afflighem in Belgium, welcomed its first abbot in the accomplished Gilbert, in 1127, and thus became independent. His memorial tablet in mosaic with portrait and epitaph is in the Rhine Provincial Museum at Bonn. A facsimile of the same has found a place in the cloister at Maria-Laach. Until the middle of the fourteenth century, discipline was severe. Abbot Fulbert (1152-1177) did good work for the library, and promoted scientific activity, while Abbots Albert (1199-1217) and Theoderich II (1256-1295) directed their energies toward the structural embellishment and artistic decoration of the monastery. The last named erected the tomb of the founder, one of the finest pieces of thirteenth century sculpture on the Rhine (Hasak, "Gesch. der deutchen Bildhauerkunst im 13. Jahrhundert", Berlin, 1899. page 92 sq.). He also succeeded in tiding over a serious economic crisis.
In the fourteenth century there began in Germany, owing to the unfavourable conditions of the time, a deterioration in the spiritual life of the Benedictine Order. Under the thirteenth abbot, Johannes I (1328-1333), it came gradually to notice in Maria-Laach as well. It was only in the second half of the fifteenth century, through an alliance with the congregation at Bursfeld, that the monastic spirit began once more to flourish. A number of monks held out against the reform, but the sagacity and energy of the celebrated Abbott Johannes V of Deidesheim (1469-1491) prevailed finally on the side of discipline. With improvement in discipline there came a new literary life. The Humanities were ably represented by Siberti, Tilman of Bonn, Benedict of Munstereifel, and above all by Prior Johannes Butzbach (1526). Most of Butzbach's poetical and prose works remain in manuscript in the University Library at Bonn, and have not all been published. His best known work is his "Hodoipsorikon", an account of his years of travel before his entry into the monastery at Laach, issued by D. J. Becker (Ratisbon, 1869), as the "Chronicle of a Travelling Scholar". His "Auctarium in librum Johannes Trithemii de scriptoribus ecclesiasticus", a supplement to the Abbott von Sponheim's "Scholar's Catalogue" is also noteworthy. The abbey chronicle written by Butzbach has unfortunately been lost. The world-famous story of Genevieve, the scene of which is at Laach, goes back, in the oldest form that comes down to us, to Johannes von Andernach, a contemporary monk at Laach (Brull, "Andernach Programme, 1896-97"; Idem, "Prumm Programme 1898-99"). The Abbott Johann Augustine (1552-1568), left behind a book on "The Practices and Customs of Laach" (Rituale monasticæ Hyparchiæ coenobii lacensis) that is now numbered among the manuscripts in the library of Bonn University.
Until the dissolution of the abbey in the great secularizing movement in the year 1802, Maria-Laach remained a center of religious and literary activity. The church and monastery went first to the French, and then in 1815, to the Prussian government. In the year 1820 the monastery became private property, and in 1620 was acquired by the Society of Jesus. The abbey church has remained to this day the property of the Prussian Exchequer. The Jesuits made Maria-Laach a home of learning. It became a place of study for the scholastics, and a meeting place for the leading savants of the Society. Among them P. Schneeman distinguished himself as chief worker on the "Collectio lacensis" ("Acta et decreat sacrorum conciliorum recentiorum", 7 volumes, Freiberg, 1870-1890), which represents a valuable continuation of the older collections of the Councils. P. Schneeman issued vols. I to VI (1682-1870); P. Granderath vol. VII (1870-1882) dealing with the Vatican Council. Here also was begun the "Philosophia lacensis", a collection of learned books on the different branches of philosophy (logic, cosmology, psychology, theodicy, natural law) and published at Freiburg, 1880-1900. The "Stimmen aus Maria-Laach", however, bore the name of the monastery farthest. Under the direction of P. Schneeman, the first series began in 1865, and appeared as occasional pamphlets. They were undertaken at the suggestion of the provincial, P. Anderledy, in defence of the encyclical, "Quanta cura", and the syllabus of Pius IX (1864) against the attacks of Liberalism. P. Florian Riess had a meritorious share in the publication of a second series at the time of the Vatican Council. Since 1871, the "Stimmen" has been a regular periodical dealing with every department of knowledge. The "Stimmen" retained its old name when the Jesuits were banished from Maria-Laach during the Kulturkampf in 1873.
The Benedictines of the Beuron Congregation moved into the monastery in 1892. In 1893 Maria-Laach was canonically raised into an abbey. The first Abbot, Willibrod Benzler, was appointed Bishop of Metz in 1901. Fidelis von Stotzingen succeeded him as second abbot (1901). The community numbers (1910) 41 monks and 74 lay-brothers. The new tenants of the abbey have been allowed the use of the church by the state, but in return have been made responsible for the upkeep and furnishing of the building stripped as it is of all its appointments. The restoration was inaugurated by Kaiser Wilhelm II, in 1897, through the gift of a high altar. At the present time the monks are engaged in decorating the east apse with mosaics. The church is in basilica style with a transept and double choir. The east choir is flanked by two square towers, while the west façade shows a square central tower with a graceful balcony supported on twin columns. This rich group of towers, to which must be added an imposing cupola, gives the church an exceedingly picturesque appearance. The east and west choir as well as the sides of the church end in an apse. Under the east choir lies a crypt; opening on the west choir there lies a vestibule, or a paradisus, with open arcades, the arches resting on slender twin columns. The doors of the church and vestibule are ornamented with sculpture. In the west choir stands the sarcophagus of the founder under a Barocco canopy. Near this on the pillars are several fifteenth century paintings. The abbey church is a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, and marks a new phase in the history of German architecture, since it is the first columned basilica built with arches (Shippers, in "Christian Art" IV, 1907-1908, 266, in reply to Schmidt, ibid., 1 sq.). Drawings of its architectural features are given in Geier and Gorz, "Monuments of Roman Architecture on the Rhine" (Frankfort, 1874). The St. Nicholas chapel in the monastery garden was built during 1756-1766; its tower belongs, however, to the twelfth century. Several tombstones of earlier abbots grace the cloisters of the monastery. Only the portrait in relief of the Abbot Simon von der Leyen (1491-1512) has however any claim to art.
WEGELER, Das Kloster Laach, Geschicte und Urkunden (Bonn, 1854); RICHTER, Die Benediktiner-Abtei Maria-Laach (Hamburg, 1896); Idem, Die Schriftsteller der Benediktiner-Abtei Maria-Laach in Westdeuscher Zeitschriften XVII (1898), 41 sq., 277 sq.; KNIEL, Der Benediktiner -Abtei Maria-Laach (3rd ed., Cologne, 1902). See also bibliography in Studien und Mitteilungen aus dem Benediktiner- und Cistercienser Ordern, IX (1896), 277 sq.
APA citation. (1910). Maria-Laach. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09658a.htm
MLA citation. "Maria-Laach." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 9. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09658a.htm>.
Transcription. This article was transcribed for New Advent by M. Donahue.
Ecclesiastical approbation. Nihil Obstat. October 1, 1910. Remy Lafort, Censor. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York.
Contact information. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is webmaster at newadvent.org. Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.


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Acceleration clause Stipulation in a mortgage agreement that allows the lender to demand immediate payment of the entire loan balance if any scheduled payment is missed. |
Adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) Mortgage loan on which the interest rate falls and rises with changes in prevailing rates. The mortgage rate is tied to a selected index and may be adjusted annually. Also called a variable rate mortgage. |
Agent Person authorized to act by and on behalf of another. |
Air rights Right to occupy and use the open space above a parcel of land or property, such as in the leasing of air space over existing buildings or highways. |
Amortize Pay a debt in monthly or other periodic installments until the total amount, along with the interest, if any, is paid. |
Annual percentage rate (APR) Combines the interest rate with other loan costs, such as points and loan fees, into a single figure that shows the true annual cost of borrowing. |
Appraisal A formal estimate of property value conducted by a professional qualified to make such an opinion. |
Appreciation Increase in property value or worth due to economic or related factors; the opposite of depreciation. |
As is Said of property offered for sale in its present condition with no guarantees as to quality and no promise of repair or fix-up by the seller; property is purchased in exactly the condition in which it is found. |
Assessed value A value placed on a property by an agency of the government for taxation and other purposes. |
Assessment Tax or charge levied on property by a taxing authority to pay for local improvements such as sidewalks, streets, and sewers. |
Assumption of mortgage Taking title to property that has an existing mortgage, and being personally liable for its payment as a condition of the sale. |


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Lawrence Non-Profit Settles To Resolve Allegations Of Federal Grant Fraud
BOSTON – A Lawrence-based non-profit agency, funded largely by federal government grants, has entered into a settlement agreement to resolve allegations that several of its employees, including its former executive director, were paid for work on federal grants that was never done.
Specifically, the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council (GLCAC) applied for, and received, grants from the United States Department of Education to pay a program director and a program case manager to work on a full-time basis. In reality, the GLCAC program director and program case manager were simultaneously holding down part-time, paid positions with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, where they worked during normal GLCAC hours. In addition, GLCAC was responsible for claims to the Department of Education for the indirect costs of paying GLCAC's facilities manager to work on a full-time basis, when in fact, during warm weather months, the facilities manager was golfing one or more afternoons per week during normal GLCAC working hours.
GLCAC also submitted, or caused to be submitted, claims to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the costs of paying its former executive director's salary for working on a full-time basis, when in fact the former executive director worked only approximately 50 percent of the time that GLCAC claimed.
In the settlement, GLCAC does not dispute the government's allegations.
"Non-profit agencies perform important work in our communities, oftentimes using public monies. Agencies receiving taxpayers' dollars are expected to have a sense of integrity and to utilize funds for the actual purposes for which they are intended," said United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz. "Federal grant funds have become increasingly competitive in this fiscal climate. Communities suffer when funds are used inappropriately to subsidize employee moonlighting or recreational activities."
"I am proud of the work of OIG Special Agents and our law enforcement colleagues whose efforts led to today's action," said Brian Hickey, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General's Northeast Regional Office. "We will continue to work with our partners to protect the integrity of Federal education dollars."
The total settlement amount is $80,282. GLCAC will receive a credit of $57,282 for amounts previously paid to the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to an administrative audit finding.
Today's settlement with GLCAC resolves a lawsuit filed by former GLCAC employee Ruth Tarbox under the qui tam, or whistleblower provisions, of the False Claims Act. Under the False Claims Act, private citizens can bring suit on behalf of the United States and share in any recovery. Ms. Tarbox will receive $11,500 as her share of the government's recovery. The government commends Ms. Tarbox for bringing to light the allegations resolved in the settlement.
U.S. Attorney Ortiz and Brian Hickey, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region, announced the resolution of this matter today. This matter was investigated by Ortiz's Financial Litigation Unit and the Boston Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Education. It was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Gregg Shapiro of Ortiz's Civil Division.
This case is docketed as United States ex rel. Tarbox v. Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc., and Philip F. Laverriere, Sr., No. 11cv12334-DPW (D. Mass.).
To report waste, fraud, abuse or misconduct concerning federal programs, please visit the website for the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the various entities: Department of Justice, U.S. Health and Human Services, Department of Education, Department of Homeland Security, Social Security Administration and U.S. Housing and Urban Development.


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People gathering across barriers to colloborate
This shared space enables visitors to the Technology and Innovation Center to hold discussions, deepen collaboration, find partners, and discover possibilities for the future. Innovation is encouraged through the synergy of collaboration. At the adjacent DAIKIN OPEN LAB, new themes for technology development are identified while evaluating the products that emerge from Daikin's advanced technologies.
A comfortable sightline promotes audience interaction for all venues including conferences, lectures, and presentations.With seating capacity for 250 people, the Auditorium features simultaneous interpretation equipment (for interpretation in up to four languages).
Exhibits of Daikin's advanced technologies help visitors learn more about the company and serve as points of departure for collaboration between engineers inside and outside the company and customers.
With seating capacity for approximately 150 people, the dining hall provides guests with a comfortable, relaxing place to dine together and build strong relationships.
The open atmosphere of this multi-purpose conference room encourages candid, unrestricted discussion. Simultaneous interpretation in up to four languages is available.
This hall exhibits the history of Daikin business decisions and development of the products and technologies leading to turning points for the company. Visitors can learn about the engineering DNA, strengths, and corporate culture that have been inherited since the company's founding. The hall helps build the foundation for future collaboration with visitors.
Waigaya Stage
The office space accelerates internal collaboration.
The meeting stage in the center of the office space assists waigaya (collaboration) across divisions and serves as an environment to promote "Fast & Flat" management that accelerates innovation. All the work areas are no further than 30 m (the limit to which people can recognize situations) from the stage.
These rooms are designed for individuals and small groups wishing to concentrate in this open office environment.
The temperature and air in the office space are constantly monitored. Newly developed products are installed for testing. The entire the Technology and Innovation Center serves as a laboratory.
Abundant natural light shines in from above to ensure sufficient lighting and conserve energy. The wellhole provides an open atmosphere for the office floors where a large number of people gather.
Future Lab
Think current efforts from the perspective of creating the future
In this open studio space, people from different fields inside and outside the company actively collaborate. Participants engage in active, unrestricted discussions with an eye on the future to create innovation based on a backcasting approach. The Future Lab consists of a studio, prototyping space, open kitchen.
Daikin engineers receive advice from university professors around the world and researchers in different fields or work on theme-based research in small groups to create new ideas. Seven fellow rooms feature different concepts and interior designs to inspire various researchers.
World-class experiment equipment helps embody innovation.
The Laboratory is complete with state-of-the-art equipment and is located next to the Office. Respective laboratories are designed to assist both internal collaboration and collaboration with research institutions and companies inside and outside Japan. Engineers in different areas (e.g. air conditioning, chemistry) work together using the experiment equipment. The Laboratory environment facilitates interaction among engineers to achieve new technology fusion. As the core facility of "Daikin Technology, " the Laboratory will continue to create and deliver new value for the future.
Diverse chemical experiments and evaluations can be conducted in this experiment space. The open design enables spontaneous "interaction of knowledge."
This is the first 10m electromagnetic semi-anechoic chamber for air conditioners in Japan. Equipped with a two-stage (upper and lower) large turntable, the chamber enables separate measurement of electromagnetic noise generated by indoor and outdoor units of air conditioners while in operation.


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OCEAN CITY — A Worcester County grand jury last week indicted an Ocean City man on child pornography charges following a nearly two-year investigation.
Last Tuesday, the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) arrested Laurence John Bode, 60, of Ocean City, after a grand jury indicted him on 16 child pornography charges earlier this month.
The grand jury indicted Bode after an 18-month investigation into his alleged illicit activities that began back in July 2010. OCPD detectives began their investigation in July 2010 after being contacted by a Homeland Security Investigations special agent-in-charge assigned to the Ocean City office.
The HSI special agent informed the OCPD that Bode was allegedly distributing images of child pornography over the Internet. At the conclusion of the 18-month investigation, the evidence was presented to a Worcester grand jury earlier this month, resulting in Bode's indictment on 16 total counts including two counts of distribution of child pornography, two counts of distribution of obscene matter and 12 counts of possession of child pornography.
OCPD detectives, with assistance from HSI officials, arrested Bode on Tuesday without incident. He was being held on a pre-set $100,000 bond and was transferred to the Worcester County Jail.


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Madagascar is decidedly unsuited for adults, but not for lack of trying on the part of PDI/DreamWorks. With a premise described as "Friends or Seinfeld on a desert island" and jokes like a promise to fling poo at Tom Wolfe, screenwriters Mark Burton, Tom McGrath, Billy Frolick, and Eric Darnell and "creative consultants" Peter Mehlman (Seinfeld), Karey Kirkpatrick (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy), and Ted Tally (Oscar-winning screenwriter of Silence of the Lambs) aim middle but land low. But kids won't mind, as they giggle at the likeable characters and widen eyes to the colorful spectacle.
Like Seinfeld, Madagascar focuses on a group of four neurotic New Yorkers, only here they're Central Park Zoo animals: Alex (Ben Stiller), the star-attraction lion; Marty (Chris Rock), a zebra with veldt-vaulting dreams scored to "Born Free"; Melman (David Schwimmer), a hypochondriac giraffe; and Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith), a sassy hippo. Taking a cue from a quartet of P.O.W. penguins determined to dig, assault, and hijack their way home to Antarctica, birthday-boy Marty tries to take a subway train out of town. When his friends follow to talk sense into him, the entire foursome winds up crated and shipped to sea.
Circumstances conspire to deposit the city slickers on the shores of "the wild," where enthusiastic lemurs (ruled by a hilarious Sascha Baron "Ali G" Cohen) hope Alex and Co. will protect the Madagascar locals from the marauding foosas that threaten their lives. Long stretches go by with very little happening (and sometimes happening again), but in a questionable, belated effort to develop a plot, the writers have Alex go native, reverting suddenly to his killer instinct and attempting to eat his friends (imagine Dumbo turning red-eyed and chomping on Timothy Q. Mouse, and you'll start to see the problem here).
Madagascar has too short of an attention span to make a coherent point about animal nature, and the script regularly falls short of witty. On the other hand, it's well-stocked with sight and sound gags, even if the lion's share of them are exhausted "zany" pop-culture references (Saturday Night Fever, The Twilight Zone, Cast Away, Planet of the Apes: the list goes on). In one lazy and unfortunate run, the Chariots of Fire theme kicks in mere seconds after a Hawaii 5-0-theme bit. Is this all there is?
Pretty much, yeah. The voices are cute, but Cohen and his sidekick (voiced by Cedric the Entertainer) upstage the leads, and the lack of narrative drive after the midpoint gives the impression of a long walk off a short pier. For parents, I suppose all's well that ends in 86 minutes, and I see no compelling reason to begrudge the kiddies of this mostly amiable timewaster, but this one's hardly destined to join the crowded top shelf of animated winners.


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For business travelers, vacationing families and tour groups visiting historic Williamsburg, no destination captures the region's rich Civil War-era history like the Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center. Nestled in a lush garden setting with a fortification that played a key role in the Battle of Williamsburg in our courtyard, our property immerses guests in the history the conflict that took place here on May 4-5, 1862. Stroll through our grounds and see the cannon and well-preserved redoubt situated in our courtyard and you will relive the sights, sounds and struggle experienced by the brave Union and Confederate soldiers. In the lobby, view paintings depicting battle scenes as well as authentic artifacts unearthed on the grounds when our hotel was built. Our affordable, pet-friendly accommodations and central location —a 3/4 mile distance to Colonial Williamsburg and only two miles from Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA. Make us the ideal choice for unforgettable family adventures.
For conferences, banquets and executive retreats of up to 700 guests, our 26,000 square feet of modern event space sets us as one ofThe Commonwealth's premier meeting destinations.


text: Once we recognize the presence of Christ in our midst, we cannot help but respond in love to those who make up his suffering Body here within the St. Mary's community and beyond. This includes those who are poor, sick, marginalized, frail, broken, persecuted and in special need. Working together, we can offer them our friendship, care, solidarity and attention to justice and peace.


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Agenda Center
Below are agendas and minutes for this year's boards and commissions and City Council meetings. Agendas and minutes from previous years can be accessed via the year headers (e.g., 2019, 2018) to the right of the board, commission, and Council titles on this page. If a meeting has been videotaped, links to it will be posted under a "Media" header. Links to all previously taped meetings can also be found via Streamed Video.All public meetings of City boards, commissions, and the City Council have resumed meeting in person effective July 1, 2021.


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Since writing "Portrait of a Victorian" for the Victorian Web I've come across a record of a conversation with Mrs Newbery in the early 1960s. By then she was a very old lady in her nineties. In Pygmalion, Shaw said accents changed almost from street to street. I don't think so, but certainly different parts of London had slightly different ones. Mrs Newbery's accent was that of Victorian St Pancras, where she was born in the 1870s and where she lived all her life. Her grandparents had been costermongers, presumably close to the time when Mayhew wrote his account of them in the Morning Chronicle. One brother enlisted in the Army, another was a road sweeper employed by the council.
Mrs Newbery lived in a single room on the top floor of a house in (link to footnote) Tolmers Square close to both Euston and Tottenham Court Roads. It was a cold November evening (long before there was even a hint of global warming) with a dense fog. Her room was lit by a gas jet, its mantle glowing white and throwing more shadow than light. Coal burned in the grate. Dinner was cooking on a stove in the corner.
"How are you?" she asked.
"Not too bad, thank you. And you?"
"Isn't cold though?"
"How are you keeping?"
"You're right. Shocking cold."
"He's asking how are you?" her daughter told her.
"How am I? Oh, not too good, thank you. I had a fall. I couldn't get up, you see. Couldn't get up. Not anyhow. Has he got a job?"
"That's good. I say that's good. With the council?"
"He should. My brother Jack was with the council for years and years when he was alive. They gave him a coat and that's a big saving. Christmas ain't what it used to be, is it?"
"No, I don't suppose so."
"You're right. It ain't. All died out. All the singing. All the costers singing. Terrible. It was nice in them days, though. Yes, nice. Nothing will beat the old times, nothing at all. Especially when the winkleman used to come around. Granfer had a little pony and all. He used to go to market for the crabs. Yes, poor old Granny."
"What's he say?"
"He's asking if it was crabs."
"Why, yes, crabs. From Covent Garden. That big shop oppo-site. When I was a kid Granny used to send me round to the public houses selling walnuts. The old Goat public — a load of workmen used to get in there. I was sold out in no times. In no times. Took my empty basket for another load. I don't think them days will ever come back. Do you?"
"No, I don't think so."
"Never come back. Nothing will beat the old times, either, nothing at all. We used to have a laugh in them days. Me and my mate, we was in that oil shop on the corner. We bought hats alike, with a feather in them and of course when we wore them up to Hampstead all of a sudden it pelted down. It poured down. The feather was like a herring bone. And when my mother saw it, she did laugh. I tell you years ago . . . . you forget properly. But the peace was good and the Relief of Mafeking. A crowd of us all marched through, all singing. They got a band up down Charing Cross Road, right down Trafalgar Square. All singing. Oh, they was handing the bottles round. Even my mother had the flowers out of the window and she used to work hard at the wash tub. All altered now. I say it's all altered."
"Yes. It must have."
"What's he say?"
"He says it's all altered."
"He's right. I say you're right. I tell you you wouldn't know the places now. Oppo-site the eel shop, down Neate Street, that's where I worked on time. Me and my mate used to go to the pie shop and have a penny pie. Terrible. They was Sweeney Todd's pies. He had his barber shop in Fleet Street and when men went in for a haircut and shave, he used to cut them up and bake them into pies. Many of them penny pies I've ate. You wouldn't believe it. Terrible. And there was that other feller. The Ripper."
"Jack the Ripper?"
"What's he saying?"
"He's saying Jack the Ripper?"
"Why, yes. The Ripper. Why, he done no end of them in. They used to be all bad women he done in. And they could never catch him. He had one or two of them in a cupboard. What? I used to be frightened, I can tell you. I said I'm not going out tonight, Mum. She said, no, you stop home with me. Oh, there was a rare old paper out every night. 'Nother murder. 'Nother murder. He done the twelve in. We lived in Seaton Street then. Number Six on the top floor, next to Mrs Pritchard's. Mrs Pritchard said she was expecting her daughter to come, and the daughter was in a state. Her husband was very bad in the London Hospital and when she went down to see him, this man got hold of her. She said, oh, please let me go. I'm a respectable woman and my husband's very bad in hospital. Yes, terrible. When you think of the old times, you can't stop. When you think of the old faces. I don't think them days will ever come back. We used to get pease puddings and baked taters in the market in them days. You'd get a good old feed over there. Pease pudding and pork. They used to auction stuff off late at night. Saveloys as well. Saveloys and pease pudding in paper, you could get. A good old feed. Frogs wouldn't stop me hopping."
"I used to go with Aunt Anna, her what had the stall. You used to work hard, too. Terrible. And when it rained, the clay'd take the soles off your boots. They was a lively crowd down there but you was ready to doss down at the end of the day. That's all died out now. We had eight weeks of it. If they was good hops, they'd pay a shilling a bushel. If not, six bushels a shilling. Are you going?"
"No, not just yet."
"Come again tomorrow. It's been a nice old chin wag."
"He's not going yet."
"You're right. They was good old days."
"He's staying for tea."
"That's good. I say that's good. Have you got the taters on?"
Related Material
- A Washerwoman's Daughter
- Victorian Costermongers: "A Penny Profit out of the Poor Man's Dinner"
- Welsh Dairies in Victorian London
- Lost Victorian London: Tolmers Square and Seaton Market
Last modified 9 February 2007


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Friday, January 11, 2008
Suzanne Somers Loves Her Some Zebra Rugs
SELLERS: Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel
LOCATION: Alta Vista Road, Palm Springs, CA
PRICE: $12,900,000 (reduced from $35,000,0000)
SIZE: 73 acres, 10 bedrooms, 9 full and 2 half bathrooms (spread across several buildings)
YOUR MAMAS NOTES: Your Mama stayed up late last night in order to receive a ream of faxed missives from informant and aide-de-camp Lucy Looselips, and we dropped everything this morning to bring you photos and information of Les Baux de Palm Springs, the hillside compound overlooking Palm Springs that former Three's Company dingbat turned self help guru goddess Suzanne Somers and her huzband Alan Hamel recently put on the market for a blistering $35,000,000.
Ooo-wee children, Your Mama loves us some Suzanne Somers. Like most of you probably do, we too think she's a bit over the rainbow and she's probably a little too into the white light crap for our particular constitution, but this still blond behatcha is far smarter than most people give her credit. See babies, Miz Somers played Chrissy Snow so flawlessly that many just assumed she was an air brained cow. She is, decidedly, not.
Not only did Miz Somers have the know how to parlay her 15 minutes of 1970s television fame into a lifetime of public eye, she has very successfully turned her wacky ideas into a massive money making empire. Yes, children, that is correct, a damn empire. This lady has earned more money toning booties with her ThighMasters, strutting her stuff in Las Vegas, teaching fat ladies how to "Somersize," and pushing product on the Home Shopping Network than most people realize.
The seemingly charmed sixty-something year old artificial blondie has also been touched by the dark hand of Lady Luck. She was booted from Three's Company because she asked for a raise (something women simply did not do back then), she was diagnosed and survived breast cancer with a combination of traditional treatments and mistletoe injections (whatever that is), and in January of 2007, her and the Mister's ocean front home in Malibu went up in flames resulting in a total loss. Some time ago Your Mama discussed the house on swanky Sweetwater Mesa in Malee-boo that the couple leased in the aftermath.
But we digress. Let's get back to Les Baux de Palm Springs where among her other endeavors such as gardening and inventing silly things people never knew they desperately wanted, the multi-talented dilettante decorates. Oh Jeezis, Mary, and Joseph does she ever decorate. This ladee's got chandeliers hanging in the trees, a silver mine worth of picture frames, miles and oceans of fabric swinging in the breeze, dried roses coming out her well preserved wazoo, and a zebra skin rug in just about every damn room in the compound.
Located in a quiet pocket of Palm Springs at the base of the San Jacinto mountains, Miz Somers and Mister Hamel's desert hideaway sprawls across 65 (or 73 deppending on where you look) acres of canyon scrub land that they've owned since March of 1977. According to a recent article in Palm Springs Life, the small main house was built in the 1920s by Wright Ludington, an artist and architectural dramatic who went on to steward Montecito's quirky and venerable Val Verde estate. Ludington sold the property sometime in the 1950s to the Benoists, who owned the Almadén Vineyards. Presumably it was the Benoists who added the Albert Frey designed guest house up the slope from the main house.
The Somers/Hamels kept the place virtually untouched for 10 years after purchasing it, making due with minuscule square footage and a frightfully wee 4 foot wide kitchen. Then they got a bee in their rich bonnets and went all Winchester Mystery House expanding and building their faux-French-ish desert dreamhouse. The main house was enlarged, a newer, larger kitchen was built, several guest houses were dropped into the craggy landscape, the swimming pool was updated, a small amphitheater was wedged into the rocks, and over the years all services were updated to offer modern day conveniences and luxuries. The myriad of buildings that make up the hillside compound connect by way of stone pathways and curving staircase that are dotted with small terraces and provide big views over the valley.
We know some of you city sophisticates are going to scream and fuss about how Palm Springs is nothing but a deathly hot cemetery where even the young people are old and we know some of you will moan endlessly about all the wildly wealthy, leather skinned 70-something year old retirees piloting flawless, vintage 450SLs while sporting tennis togs, gigantic woman-with-a-past sunglasses and heavy turquoise bracelets. Still others of you will surely gripe about all the queens with pinky rings and jewel colored sweaters wrapped around their shoulders that parade up and down Palm Canyon Drive like it was a god-damn runway in the tents at Bryant Park. Fair enough. None-the-less, Your Mama and the Dr. Cooter happen to love the desert in general and specifically the Coachella Valley where we have spent many happy evenings staring contentedly at the craggy mountains as we toss back a few gin and tonics on the balcony of our favorite room at the Jonathan Adler designed Parker Palms Springs Hotel. So we get it when Miz Somers says that the area is magical. We happen to agree, sweater queens aside.
Naturally, we are beside ourselves with mortification about the monstrous and potentially lethal pot rack in the kitchen and we find those little skirt thingys on the dining room chairs to be both upsetting and unnecessary. But in the main, we freely confess to loving Miz Somer's house and its over-stuffed and over blown interiors. No children, Your Mama is not drunk–yet–or on drugs. We just happen to dig all the odd tidbits and pieces scattered throughout the property like the matador costume and nutty green velvet sofas in the dining room. We love that Miz Somers has a passion for opulent and glittery chandeliers and hangs them everywhere, including in the trees. Although Your Mama hasn't a single mirror in any of our houses that isn't above a bathroom sink, we j'adore all the mirrors with intricate carved wood frames and we appreciate the way she injects a single color or texture or pattern into a space that somehow makes the whole thing leap out at you like a 3-d horror movie. And we can not stand–in a good way–that she has used zebra pattern as a motif throughout the house, in almost every room. This house SCREAMS Suzanne Somers and we love that because we love her.
No children, Your Mama could never and would never live among this sort of uber luxe romantical Architectural Digest worthy decor and, in truth, iffin Your Mama and the Dr. Cooter were to buy desert digs we'd look for something far more modern with interior spaces that become outdoor spaces by simply pushing open a massive glass slider, something with a day-core that managed to stop well short of being all did up like one of those horrid clichés of mid-century modern madness that litter the steaming streets of Palm Springs. None-the-less, we can't help it. We're smitten with the Somers/Hamel house and we would relish and pull our toenails out for any opportunity to lay around that wonderfully sited swimming pool with Miz Somers and talk about bioidentical hormones, thigh tightening, organic vegetables and what she really thinks of Larry King and Joyce Dewitt.
We know y'all are going to skewer us and prattle on for days about how awful this place is. And you just go right ahead with your bad selves. Meanwhile we're going to dream about the high-larity of hanging out with Barry Manilow, Dinah Shore, and the memory of Mister Merv Griffin, may she rest in peace, while Miz Somers serenades us in her own private amphitheater.
According to Palm Springs Life, the Somers/Hamels will be packing up their zebra skin rugs and chandeliers and moving to a new Palm Springs compound currently under construction. They say they're moving on, albeit with trepidation and pained hearts, because they love the process of building and all that entails. And we believe Miz Perpetually Young. We do. But Your Mama also knows that money talks, and if the this savvy couple can unload Les Baux de Palm Springs for anywhere near it's current $35,000,000 asking price they'll pocket many millions of dollars. And that my friends is another of the many examples of just how smart Miz Somers is when it comes to making the big bank.
Since the article in Palms Springs Life provided the link to the virtual tour, so will we. Enjoy. And be nice.
46 comments:
- alex the sea turtle said...
I am glad you said the place was staged to within an inch of it's life because that's what I felt looking at the photos.
The house is over the top and in my opinion works better as a resort then a personal home. But then I often think my small home and property are too much responsiblity so I am very biased. - January 11, 2008 at 7:37 AM
I love the bed dreamy in a girl way... and the rose petals in the tub. everything else welll it's a bit much for CA dont ya think?
- January 11, 2008 at 7:48 AM
To dark and cave like. The house is jam packed. I would think bigger is better, not over stuffed rooms. Pretty not for me but in good taste.shg
- January 11, 2008 at 8:00 AM
Desert scenery is nice, but I guess I've lived in cosmopolitan locales too long to appreciate the joys of owning a desert patch of scrub, even if it's a big ass 65 acres of it. I can't imagine myself coughing up even $3.5 million for this property, let alone $35 million.
- January 11, 2008 at 8:46 AM
Oh my! A nice place to spend a fortnights holiday, but its a might too fantastical for everyday life I think. At 35m, its one hell of an indulgence.
Flora. - January 11, 2008 at 9:04 AM
- JR Davidson said...
Geez! I guess the Kauffman house auction with a reserve price of $15,000,000 could be construed as a bargain.
- January 11, 2008 at 9:14 AM
The living room looks like an obstacle course. Do you ring a bell once you've taken a seat?
- January 11, 2008 at 9:23 AM
Where do I start?OK how about the foul French provincial dining chairs with her dogs clothing on them?
- January 11, 2008 at 9:24 AM
I'm guessing it will become either a hotel or corporate retreat. I don't see any mention of it being lease land (land belongs to local indian tribes but homeowners have long term leases). 65 acres of non-indian land in Palm Springs would be pretty valuable.
http://www.palmspringslife.com/media/Palm-Springs-Life/January-2008/Theres-Magic-Here/ - January 11, 2008 at 9:31 AM
- so_chic_darling said...
That shade of green for the,is it velvet?,drapes is just my favorite color du jour,and as Mama said how can you not love her wacky ways;but I wonder is the value here in the rest of the land and would a developer be eying it for subdivision?
- January 11, 2008 at 9:35 AM
It's breathtaking - but a little scary looking. A creepy vibe, like there are a lot of tarantulas lurking there.
- January 11, 2008 at 9:58 AM
No, no, no, no, NO! Didn't y'all hear Mama! Be nice! Mama's trying to court famous people to come on her show. She doesn't need snotty nosed brats breaking any deals. I warm you, she will crate the lot of us if we scare these people away. Now here's how you be nice: I love all the ruffles and dead flowers. I mean dried floral arrangements. It's so rustic the way the candle wax runs down the sides of the empty wine bottles. I've never seen that done before. How clever! The wonderful thing is that the more you drink the brighter the room becomes and by the time you're smashed, you can easily find your way out. The pot rack is wonderful because you can see the bottoms of all the pots and can tell which ones need an extra scrubbing up. I don't think you can ever have enough zebra rugs and chenille throws. Especially pretty flesh pink ones. And someone as pretty as Ms Somers should have at least two mirrors on each wall. Of course ugly chilruns don't need ANY mirrors. Ok. Now try it. Don't you even think about screwing up this deal for Mama.
- January 11, 2008 at 10:08 AM
She used alot of voodoo and hormones to completely avoid menopause that's why we love her.
- January 11, 2008 at 10:20 AM
It's not the dining chairs that disturb me as much as the green chairs and sofa in the room ranged around it - are they for the audience to vote on your table manners while you eat a bowl of healthy grass for Miss Sommers? Do they hold up scorecards with numbers on them?
As Mama said, it looks like they kept moving that damn zebra rug from room to room; well they can just keep moving it right out the front door and into the nearest dumpster as far as I'm concerned . . .
This is more than way over the top for a desert compound; I'd be quite happy with what appears to be a stone guest house - simple, clean, elegant lines and appropriate material for the desert. The rest of the house is a sprawling mess across the landscape, dotted with oddly lovely vignettes and views.
Aunt Mary, take a nerve pill and relax; Mama's got it all under control. No one's gonna listen to a bunch of her noisy little chilrun prattle on about dead flowers, candle wax, lethal pot racks and dog's clothing anyway - Mama's the star, remember? - January 11, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Maybe they had a two for one sale on zebra rugs. And green velvet. On HSN perhaps?
- January 11, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Mamma, I just discovered your wonderful real Estalker blog and it is so wonderful! I love your description of my home town and the Somers Palace. this will be a definite keeper for me. Keep up your wonderful blog. Blessings, Palm Springs resident
- January 11, 2008 at 11:45 AM
I'm seriously crazy about the wine cellar table and chairs. This home is a groovy collision of architecture and decor. The spot green is a nice surprise. Thanks Mama.
Little aside ... we don't raise voices at our house, unless it's to alert "Hey, Suzanne Sommers is on HSN." We love her on that show, and we're not even HSN viewers! - January 11, 2008 at 12:26 PM
And don't forget, Mr and Ms Somers also own a private jet. NOT a share, they OWN it. Yes, she is shrewd in business and obv very smart. I, for one, bow down to her.
- January 11, 2008 at 12:27 PM
cool house, it does have a sort of cave feel & i dig the wine cellar.
who threw up in the tub? - January 11, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Anyone want to join me in a business venture? We won't even have to redecorate.
- January 11, 2008 at 12:41 PM
No one unswallowed (we never use vulgar terms like "threw up"), Caveman - that's her lunch.
- January 11, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Yes this was one of my biggest jobs yet,but can't you tell that I had a Conde Nast budget?You should see all the crap we had to put in the Indian caves a the back so it wouldn't be in the photos,there was twice as much crap before!
- January 11, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Staging Lady, I'd thought we'd lost you on the highway to Burt's in the Prius - where have you been?
Took a wrong turn and wound up in Palm Springs, I suppose. - January 11, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Oh, and Fat, Ugly Whore, you may not have been aound here for a while yet (although it sounds as if you have been around for quite a while), we chilruns play nice in Mama's backyard.
- January 11, 2008 at 1:10 PM
I like the outdoors, all the nice garden follies, but not the indoors. And I don't understand the point of 4 poster beds with just the frame and no curtains.
- January 11, 2008 at 1:27 PM
whats up with the cat in the patio pic? Is it her's???? I hope it's not an outdoor cat in ps? poor kitty
- January 11, 2008 at 2:24 PM
Why is this mess 35 million clams?
- January 11, 2008 at 3:49 PM
I would never, ever, live in Palm Springs (I hate a climate that arid) but I LOVE this house. It's very St Tropez-esque. Yes, the decor is over the top and chandelier filled...but it's Suzanne Somers, so it's fantastic. I am a big fan of Ms Somers and her hubby Mr Hamel, she is, without question, the smartest dumb blond Hollywood ever produced. I would think that the value of the property is the 65 acres that don't seem leased. It would make an amazing corporate retreat.
- January 11, 2008 at 5:21 PM
PLEASE STOP WITH THE FEMALE BASHING. IT IS NOT FUNNY. - January 11, 2008 at 5:36 PM
Sorry - just a little (very little) clever wordplay. Not meant to be female bashing.
I'll be a good boy for Mama. - January 11, 2008 at 5:38 PM
- January 11, 2008 at 5:40 PM
- dana said...
Even in it's death, that poor zebra is migrating all over the place.
- January 11, 2008 at 6:07 PM
relax anon, the only one that can hurt your feelings are you...is what i remember from kindergarten.
- January 12, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Caveman, Yours words make good sense for most situations. But IMHO this is not one of them. Chauvinistic slams are never cute, clever or socially tolerable, even here where the rules are liberal.
- January 12, 2008 at 2:31 PM
those who look to get their feelings hurt, are usually successful...1st grade
- January 12, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Mama I get what you say about Palm Springs. I love the pool and outdoor dining area. Where else can you get rocks like that? But then I love rocks.
- January 12, 2008 at 6:00 PM
"Chauvinistic slams are never cute, clever or socially tolerable, even here where the rules are liberal."
I didn't think it was chauvinistic, or even a slam. It was a catty comment by a gay man. DUH!
And yes, it was cute & clever.
LGB, we love you. Don't ever change. - January 12, 2008 at 6:45 PM
Thanks, anon, you hit the nail on the head with my intentions.
Even Mama can't please all of the people all of the time - but some of Mama's chilruns seem a little more high strung - no lederhosen for them! - January 12, 2008 at 11:54 PM
It looks like an extended remix version of my Grandma's house in Texas and seeings how I have the flu right now, I'd love nothing more than to climb into that big bed with the curtains and drink some Theraflu...then after my nap Granny would have chilaquiles and ice tea waiting for me out by the pool after which I'd sit in that glorious steam bath, and let the Mucinex and Nyquil run thru my body like Drano...pray for me, I think I'm goin' to the light!
- January 13, 2008 at 1:18 AM
Babe Parish, can I borrow your Granny sometime?
;-) - January 13, 2008 at 11:51 AM
OMG! It never occurred to me that some poor children might have had to call Old Hag "granny", "grandma" or "nana". NOW we know why Britney & Jamie Lynn turned out like they did....
- January 13, 2008 at 3:29 PM
Oh, and a belated thank you to Caveman - I thought you'd appreciate the comment.
That particular anon poster seemed just a tad uptight, don't you think?
I all know what we're thinking she really needs but I don't want her going ballistic . . . - January 13, 2008 at 11:59 PM
P.U.S.S.Y say out loud and say it proud children
- January 14, 2008 at 8:10 AM
isn't this the house in waiting to exhale? the house that belonged to angela bassett's character?
- January 15, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Interesting house and compound. Insane price!
For the asking price you would think you would be getting something lets say...the size of Scotty's Castle!
35 mil can get you two or three VERY, VERY, nice estates around the World and a private jet to fly you to them.
Maybe the asking price is in Canadian dollars??? - February 28, 2008 at 6:56 PM
Mama knows best! I love Suzanne and everything that makes up her world! Her home is just a fabuloso desert dreamland. If I won the lotto today, I would happliy plunk a few million denari into the lovely hands of Ms. Somers and her hubby. I want to disappear into this compound and not come out for a month or two.
- October 19, 2009 at 4:01 PM


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Five doctors at Seattle Children's offer their top tips for keeping kids healthy in the new year. Their suggestions range from protecting kids against the flu and environmental toxins, to helping them get the rest they need to succeed.
Make one of these your family's 2013 New Year's resolution:
1. Protect your whole family against the flu
Doug Opel, MD, MPH, general pediatrician at Seattle Children's Hospital, says "It's not too late, but don't wait" to get a flu shot. Opel advises parents to vaccinate their children and themselves against the flu, a contagious virus that infects the nose, throat and lungs, and can cause fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea.
"Cases of influenza are increasing in Seattle and King County, but we have yet to hit the flu season's peak," says Opel. "The flu is not your typical cold: it is much more dangerous. Several children have already died from flu this year in the United States – including a boy in Pierce County – and many more have been hospitalized."
Yearly flu vaccines prevent 70 to 90 percent of the flu in children and adults. National data shows that this year's flu vaccine contains the most common flu viruses circulating this year. Vaccines are especially important for high-risk children, such as those with cancer, lung or heart disease, and diabetes.
Use the HealthMap Vaccine Finder to search for locations offering the flu vaccine.
2. Reduce exposure to environmental toxins
Protecting kids from chemicals like lead and other pollutants may seem like a lot of work, but experts say it's increasingly important. And it's easier to do than you may think, says Sheela Sathyanarayana, MD, MPH, of Seattle Children's Research Institute.
"There are probably 80,000 chemicals that have been introduced into our environment that we do not have testing on," said Sathyanarayana. Chemicals in the environment have been linked to rising rates of everything from ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) to obesity to cancer.
Sathyanarayana says there are some simple changes parents can make to reduce kids' exposure to harmful environmental toxins:
- Keep carpets vacuumed and remove shoes at the door.
- Eat fresh and unprocessed foods.
- Reduce consumption of canned foods.
- Avoid use of plastics with recycle codes #3, #6 and #7.
Get more tips from the Environmental Working Group and the Environmental Protection Agency.
3. Help kids get a good night's sleep
"Starting each day after a good night's sleep helps boost your child's development and health, and benefits the whole family," says Maida Chen, MD, director of the sleep disorders program at Seattle Children's Hospital.
Chen suggests parents follow these good sleep habits with their kids to ensure they get the rest they need:
- Keep a regular sleep and wake schedule. Try to have bedtime and wake time at about the same time every day.
- Make sure kids get enough sleep. Most children are chronically sleep deprived. School-age children, including teenagers, need nine to 12 hours of sleep per night.
- Create a calming bedtime routine. Read books together or listen to soothing music. Wound-up kids have a harder time falling asleep.
- Provide an optimal sleep environment. Keep bedrooms quiet, dark, and free from media and screen devices (television, cell phones, computers, tablets, etc.).
- Strive for at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. Regular exercise and exposure to natural light (even when it's raining) help to regulate and promote refreshing sleep for kids and adults. Wind down any physical activity at least two hours before bedtime.
- Watch for signs of poor or insufficient sleep. Many children may not be overtly sleepy, but rather become hyperactive, inattentive, and may have trouble with focus and schoolwork. Other kids do become sleepy, and may fall asleep in school or take naps.
4. Know the signs of depression and anxiety
Everyone – even young kids – feels down from time to time. But when anxiety or gloomy moods linger for a long time, they may be a sign of something more serious.
"Parents know their children best," says Laura Richardson, MD, MPH, of Seattle Children's Research Institute and division of adolescent medicine. "If you are concerned that your child or teen is depressed, anxious, or that they might have ADHD or a conduct disorder, talk to your child, seek help, and advocate for your child to get the best care possible."
Teens are especially vulnerable to depression, says Richardson, and the period from adolescence to adulthood is critical: "Many disorders that people struggle with in adulthood, including depression, panic and other anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia, begin in adolescence." A diagnosis doesn't necessarily mean medication; Richardson's recent study shows that 50 percent of teens who screen positive for depression don't need treatment.
Richardson advises parents to watch for changes in mood, weight, sleep habits, activities, and schoolwork, as they can be early signs of depression in children and teens.
5. Make a true commitment to being more active
A commitment to moving more is one of the best resolutions a family can make. Brian Saelens, PhD, of Seattle Children's Research Institute, encourages families to make "hard commitments" to being more active, and to consider major lifestyle changes.
For instance, if walking more frequently is your family's goal, "Get rid of your car so you can't drive it," says Saelens. "It may sound extreme, but it could work for some families."
Or start smaller, with an odometer budget: "Make a commitment to not drive more than 500 miles a month." That's a significant decrease from the 1,250 miles the average family drives each month. Take public transportation to work, and walk kids to school and the store when possible. Use the money you save from not buying gas to reward you and your kids, Saelens says.
This is a great time of year for parents to evaluate their family's activity level, set goals, and decide on consequences – both positive and negative – for those commitments. "You can say, 'I'm going to walk with my kids three times a week for at least 30 minutes,' but without a negative consequence, it's not likely to happen," says Saelens.
Saying your resolution out loud to your kids and family can also be helpful, Saelens says. "Tell them, 'We're going to walk once a week to school.' That public pronouncement makes it more of a hard commitment. It's easier to dismiss if you're just thinking about it."
Beyond the home, Saelens encourages parents to be advocates for change at the policy level. His research looks at how the availability of parks, fast-food restaurants and grocery stores, along with the walkability of a community, affects kids' health. Saelens bikes to work from North Seattle to downtown several days each week as part of his own personal commitment to healthy behaviors.
If you'd like to arrange an interview with a Seattle Children's doctor, please contact Children's PR team at 206-987-4500 or [email protected].


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This product has been archived
Product SupportKey Features
For connecting two Speedlights via hard wire, maintains TTL control for 35mm SLR.
The Nikon SC-26 TTL Multi Flash Sync Cord is used to connect two TTL flash units to each other or through the AS-10 TTL Multi-Flash Adapter or SC-28 TTL Remote Cord for multi-flash operation.
Length is 5-ft.
LCD, Video and Photo Gallery images are for illustrative purposes only.


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In Season: Lemons
What's better than the tangy and sour pucker of a juicy lemon? I love them so much I've got my own lemon trees. There's more to this fruit than just lemonade -- learn why these citrus fruits are so good for you, and how to use them everywhere from appetizers to desserts.
Brought to North America by Christopher Columbus, lemons played a very important role for centuries, providing vitamin C and protecting sailors from the nutrient deficiency known as "scurvy."
California and Florida are the leading producers in the U.S., with peak season running through the winter months.
Lemon trees can be identified by electric green and oval-shaped leaves (they make beautiful greenery for flower arrangements). When producing fruit, the tree's tiny white flowers omit a citrus perfume as they bloom.
Common varieties include Eureka, Ponderosa and Lisbon. A slightly less well-known variety is the Meyer lemon, a crossbreed between a lemon and an orange. Native to China, the juice is sweeter and less acidic. They're divine for salad dressings, sauces, drinks and desserts. You'll typically find these lemons in your grocery store in the early spring.
The juice of one lemon packs in the flavor for only 12 little calories and more than 35 percent of your daily needs for vitamins C. Lemons also contain fiber, B-vitamins, magnesium, health-protecting flavonoids, and the antioxidant limonene. Limonene is believed to have anti-cancer properties, but more research is needed.
Lemons are so extraordinary because they know no culinary boundaries. From sweet and savory, cakes and cookies to main courses and cocktails, the juice, pulp and peel add the perfect hint of brightness and acidity. Use the juice to perk up sautéed or roasted veggies or melt down with sugar to make lemon simple syrup for drinks and desserts. Use the grated zest to liven up cream cheese, give flavor to marinades, or add flecks of flavor to cookies.
Shopping Tip: Choose lemons that are bright yellow, firm, plump and heavy for their size. Store for up to a week at room temperature or in the refrigerator drawer for two to three weeks.
Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition. See Dana's full bio »


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The Case.
This patient has been in your ED for over 24 hours waiting for a CCU bed. He presented with vomiting and syncope, but acquired left sided rib fractures during his collapse. He has been comfortable for most of the day on nasal-prong oxygen and a morphine PCA.
You are asked to see him as he has sudden worsening of his left-sided chest pain. He has become clammy and hypoxic.
This is what you see….
What's going on ?
What are you going to do now ??