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Saturday, October 23, 2010
Cinnamon Candy Apples - Pink Saturday
From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...It's hard to imagine a fall harvest without candied apples. While caramel apples have become more popular, the cinnamon variety predates them by 50 years. Candied apples were created at the turn of the 20th century by William Kolb, a New Jersey candy maker. He made them to use as part of his Christmas display and they rapidly became popular with his customers. His approach was simple. He dipped apples into a candy made from sugar, corn syrup, red dye and cinnamon oil. As the candy hardened it formed a glistening shell around the apple and the candied apple as we know it was born. The apples are still prepared in this way. If you are comfortable working with a candy thermometer you'll find these easy to make. There are, however, a few pitfalls that you want to avoid. For openers, make sure your apples are wax free. Since this is not a recipe that can be tasted as it cooks, be generous with the amount of flavoring you use up front. You should be able to find bottled cinnamon flavoring in the spice aisle of major grocery chains. It can also be ordered online. Make sure you use a pot that is deep enough to allow dipping the apples and that sticks inserted into the apples are strong enough to hold them. If the syrup becomes too thick don't be afraid to reheat it and when you're finished dipping, make sure you put the apples down on a buttered baking sheet or parchment paper. Wax paper will melt. Finally, these are best eaten within 24 hours of making. Their appearance begins to deteriorate after that. This recipe will make enough syrup to coat 12 small apples. It may be doubled. Here's the recipe.
Cinnamon Candy Apples...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite inspired by Paula Deen
1 cup water
1/2 cup corn syrup
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon flavoring
1 teaspoon red coloring
1 dozen wooden craft sticks
1 dozen small firm apples
Boil water, syrup, and sugar together until a brown caramel color is reached (at about 250 degrees F on a candy thermometer). Remove from heat and add cinnamon and red coloring. Cool slightly. Meanwhile force a stick into the core of each apple. Dip apples 1 at a time into heavy red syrup, drain well, and place on a buttered baking sheet or parchment paper to cool. Yield: 12 small candied apples.
You might also enjoy these recipes:
Caramel Corn - Chasing Delicious
Making Candy in the Spirit of Halloween - The Food Addicts
Mummy Munch - Picky Palate
Caramel Apples - Annie Eats
Candy Compost Bars - Sugar Plum
Cakespy: Homemade Candy Corn - Serious Eats
This post is being linked to:
Pink Saturday, sponsored by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound.
40 comments :
- Kerstin said...
How cool you made these at home - definitely the perfect fall treat!
- October 23, 2010 at 12:06 AM
- Ginny Hartzler said...
I've never heard of these, but they're pretty!
- October 23, 2010 at 12:11 AM
- Mickey said...
OOPs! I meant these are one of my favorite things ever!!!:)
mickey - October 23, 2010 at 12:11 AM
- Coleens Recipes said...
How pretty!!! What a treat.
- October 23, 2010 at 5:41 AM
- Rita said...
They look like teh perfect candy apple that I remember as a child.
- October 23, 2010 at 7:07 AM
- Martha said...
I've never cared for caramel apples but cinnamon apples -- and there was a shop in KC that we used to get them at -- Topsy's (which makes the best cheese popcorn in the world!!!) -- ah, . . . . memories of days gone by --
- October 23, 2010 at 7:26 AM
- cocoa and coconut said...
Well done! These are pretty hard to make but you seem confident. They used to be sold here at fêtes and fairs all the time.
- October 23, 2010 at 7:28 AM
- Jersey Girl Cooks said...
These are beautiful Mary!
- October 23, 2010 at 8:36 AM
- Julie said...
I love these. They're beautiful. I loved hearing about your trip! Fascinating!
- October 23, 2010 at 8:51 AM
- Patricia @ ButterYum said...
Oh my... this brings me right back to my childhood in NY. It was always a huge treat to receive a red candy apple. I much prefer them to caramel apples. Thanks for posting these!!!!
ButterYum - October 23, 2010 at 8:56 AM
- A SPICY PERSPECTIVE said...
Mary I just love the color of thee apples! They bring back such good childhood memories!
- October 23, 2010 at 9:16 AM
- ♥ Kathy said...
Oh my, those look sooooo good!
- October 23, 2010 at 9:51 AM
- PeggyR said...
Those look yummy!
- October 23, 2010 at 9:59 AM
- Susi's Kochen und Backen said...
These apples look so beautiful! Wish I could reach through the screen and grab one! I'm so impressed you made them yourself! :o)
- October 23, 2010 at 10:29 AM
- Elsa said...
I would love to make candy apples. This sounds delicious.
- October 23, 2010 at 10:30 AM
- Char said...
I can't think of anything more perfect!!
Happy Pink Saturday, Char - October 23, 2010 at 10:34 AM
- Claudia said...
Oh the memories you just evoked. I ama child all over again.
- October 23, 2010 at 10:44 AM
- SashaInTheKitchen said...
I love candy apples and caramel apples - they are one of my favorite things about fall!
- October 23, 2010 at 10:45 AM
- JG said...
Oh, this brings back my childhood memories of attending the Columbus Day Fair in a nearby town. The Candied Apple was the treat we brought home. :)
~JG - October 23, 2010 at 11:23 AM
- Carolyn™ said...
Look great, my Mum made them every January when small red apples came on the market but not with cinnamon which to me would make them taste even better.
- October 23, 2010 at 3:30 PM
- aipi said...
So pretty!
US Masala - October 23, 2010 at 4:31 PM
- Unknown said...
Love to eat candy apples!
- October 23, 2010 at 5:03 PM
- LV said...
One of my favorite things when we went to the fair. A good old candy apple. Wish I had one your right now.
- October 23, 2010 at 6:13 PM
- The Red Umbrella said...
Such visual sweetness!!
- October 23, 2010 at 8:01 PM
- Fresh Local and Best said...
These apples are so enticing with the glistening gleam of the cinnamon candy.
- October 23, 2010 at 8:24 PM
- Sweet Southern Prep said...
Oh my goodness! DELICIOUS! I'm definitely going to attempt this recipe. Thanks!
- October 23, 2010 at 9:34 PM
- Donnie said...
That was so yummy. Happy Pink Saturday!
- October 23, 2010 at 9:56 PM
- Sushma Mallya said...
so tempting,love the colour..
- October 23, 2010 at 10:11 PM
- Sherry from Alabama said...
Yum! Your apples would go wonderfully with the apple-cinnamon jelly I made this week.
Sherry @ A Happy Valentine - October 23, 2010 at 10:57 PM
- Unknown said...
They look AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!
- October 24, 2010 at 1:28 AM
- Lucie said...
Your apples are beautiful, Mary! Hope India is going great!
- October 24, 2010 at 5:22 AM
- CaSaundraLeigh said...
I bet these caramel apples are extra special with the cinnamon twist!
- October 24, 2010 at 8:38 AM
- We Are Not Martha said...
I love candy apples! And cinnamon makes them all the better :) I really need to try making my own!
Sues - October 25, 2010 at 6:56 PM
- Beverly said...
Happy Pink Saturday, Mary. It sounds like you are having a wonderful trip.
These candy apples are almost too pretty to eat. They are definitely picture perfect. - October 26, 2010 at 11:28 AM
- Nancy said...
Candy apples are such eye candy! I am, however, more interested in the following recipe for chicken wings. As one who attended college in the vicinity of the Anchor Bar, I am picky about my wings. However, we always bake them, making for a healthier snack, and are actually okay with that. Of course, the sauce is Anchor original in our home!
Hope you are having a wonderful trip. Still visiting around for PS. - October 27, 2010 at 9:30 PM
- Bams Kitchen said...
Do you have an alternative I could use for corn syrup and still have the nice hard yummy crunch of the candy? Living in HK makes some product availability challenging but my teenagers still crave the foods from home.
- October 24, 2011 at 5:32 AM
complete failure.... followed directions to a 'T'.... the candy didn't harden. now i look at my candy thermometer's guide and 250º's max says 'hard ball'.
isn't at least 'soft crack' what we should shoot for at 280º? - October 16, 2013 at 6:02 AM
- Mary Bergfeld said...
jen, I'm sorry the recipe did not work for you. It was developed by Paula Deen and can be found on the Food Network website along with reviews of others who tried the recipe. I've made these myself and never had a problem.
- October 16, 2013 at 6:28 AM
- Unknown said...
golden syrup, glucose or honey x
- September 27, 2014 at 1:40 PM
- Mary Bergfeld said...
Alexandrea, you could try any of the three you suggested. You could also try a simple syrup or agave syrup. I can't guarantee what you results will be, but the major reason for using corn syrup is to prevent crystal formation, so in theory they all should work.
- September 27, 2014 at 3:18 PM


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Chemicals banned in Europe still make their way into US foods
PepsiCo Inc. is removing a controversial ingredient from its Gatorade sports drink in response to customer complaints.
Molly Carter, a spokeswoman for the company, said Friday that the removal of brominated vegetable oil was in the works over the past year after the company began "hearing rumblings" from consumers about the ingredient. She said it wasn't a reaction to a recent petition on Change.org by a Mississippi teenager.
The ingredient is also used in other drinks, including some flavors of Powerade made by rival Coca-Cola Co. The Atlanta-based company did not say whether it would remove the ingredient from Powerade as well but noted that it takes customer concerns into account when looking for ways to improve its drinks.
Ingredients in food and drinks have come under greater scrutiny in recent years, helped by the ability of consumers to mobilize online. The petition on Change.org noted that brominated vegetable oil has been patented as a flame retardant and is banned in Japan and the European Union. It had more than 200,000 supporters Friday.
For Gatorade, Carter said the ingredient is used as an "emulsifier," meaning it distributes flavoring evenly so that it doesn't collect at the surface. She said it was used only in select varieties including orange and "citrus cooler." Other drinks that use brominated vegetable oil, or BVO, include Coca-Cola's Fanta and PepsiCo's Mountain Dew.
A spokesman for competitor Dr Pepper Snapple Group said Sun Drop and Squirt are among its drinks that have BVO.
Carter noted that the ingredient is not banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and that PepsiCo's decision wasn't the result of any health or safety concerns. She said it was specifically a response to concerns expressed by Gatorade customers. The company's decision was first reported by the trade journal Beverage Digest.
Pulin Modi, a spokesman for Change.org, said the move reflects the "shift in power we're seeing between businesses and their customers."
Sarah Kavanagh, the 15-year-old who posted the petition in November, said she's "very, very happy" that Gatorade is making the change. Kavanagh said she used to drink Gatorade frequently before she checked the ingredients to see if it was in line with her vegan diet. When she looked up brominated vegetable oil online, she didn't like what she found.
Now that the ingredient is being removed, she said she'll likely go back to drinking Gatorade. Kavanagh also taped a segment on the topic for The Dr. Oz Show this week that is set to air Wednesday.
PepsiCo, based in Purchase, N.Y., is replacing the BVO in Gatorade with an ingredient called sucrose acetate isobutyrate, which Carter said will maintain the flavor and taste of the drinks.
Although Americans have been drinking less soda since 1998, sports drinks have remained a growth area for PepsiCo and Coca-Cola. Gatorade remains the dominant player with about 69 percent of the market, while Powerade has 30 percent, according to Beverage Digest.
Candice Choi

subset: commoncrawl


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The Panthers trailed 45-33 at the end of the third quarter last Saturday afternoon.
It was the second-place game of the Four Corners Classic at Ron Wright Memorial Gym.
The visiting Miyamura Patriots made the drive from Gallup, N.M., and were in control.
Montezuma-Cortez High School just came off a heartbreaking overtime loss to Monitcello (Utah) in the morning. The Panthers were without their coach, as Cory Gropp was ejected after two technical fouls in the second quarter.
The Panthers were without starting point guard Alex Lopez, who injured his ankle against Monticello.
It appeared the Panthers were also playing without hope.
However, the fat lady was anything but singing.
As ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso famously says, "not so fast, my friend."
M-CHS roared back in the fourth quarter behind junior Brackin Whiteskunk and sophomore reserve Konnar McGee.
One by one, the shots were falling.
The Panthers suffocating full court press defense resulted in turnovers.
Just like that, an inspired M-CHS squad was on an 18-4 run and possessed a 51-49 lead.
With less than a minute remaining, the Panthers second furious late rally of the day looked as if it may come up short yet again.
Miyamura's Ryan Begay launched a 3 well beyond the arc that went in. The Patriots were back on top 52-51. But the Panthers didn't panic.
McGee stormed down court with the ball in the waning seconds. Assistant coach Dusty DeBoer didn't call timeout.
He didn't need to.
McGree drew a foul after he was tripped up with three seconds left. It was a hard foul that drew intense ire from both teams.
With the tension mounted greater than Everest, McGee calmly swished the first free throw to tie the game.
"I was nervous for sure," said McGee about stepping to the free-throw line at the end. "I knew after I made that first one, it was either going to go into overtime or we were going to win it."
A couple bounces, a deep breath and a flick of the wrist, McGee's second from the charity stripe went in to give the Panthers the lead back at 53-52.
Miyamura's last second desperation heave was no good and M-CHS escaped with a 1-point thriller. McGee was mobbed by his ecstatic teammates.
"I knew my team was going to make a stop," McGee said. "I was just really happy I had a chance to do that for my team and we got a win out of it."
It was a character building victory for the Panthers (2-4), who have started the season slow adjusting to Gropp's up-tempo system. But with each game, M-CHS has taken positive steps forward.
"We've been trying to tell the boys, 'We have all the talent in the world.' It's all about mentality," Gropp said. "The boys showed today that they're starting to catch on to what we're talking about. They're starting to believe in themselves."
Whiteskunk led all scorers with 20 points.
Miyamura (4-3), a 4A school, crushed 3A Bayfield (0-3) 63-39 Friday before losing to tourney champ Monticello (5-0), 50-33.
M-CHS faced 1A Monticello (No. 5, Salt Lake Tribune) Saturday morning and the Buckaroos were on top early. Led by hot shooters Gunnar Hollingsworth and Austin Maloy, Monticello built a 30-23 halftime lead.
The Buckaroos kept the Panthers at bay with a 41-33 at the end of three.
M-CHS stormed back.
Tenacious defense and clutch 3-point shooting by Whiteskunk got the Panthers back in the game.
Trailing 47-43 with 47 seconds, Randy Haley grabbed the rebound off a missed 1-and-1 by Maloy. Haley gave the ball to Whiteskunk and the junior banked in a 3 and drew the foul.
Whiteskunk unfortunately couldn't pull off the improbable 4-point play, missing the free throw. But the Panthers weren't dead yet.
Hollingsworth hit two foul shots to put Monticello up 49-46 with 11 seconds remaining.
Gropp called timout.
The plan?
Give it to Whiteskunk.
The junior delivered again from downtown to knot the game at 49 with six seconds to go.
"Coach just told me to set a screen. Then Briston (Walker) set a screen for me and I pulled up for 3," Whiteskunk said. "Today, my 3-point (shot) was just hitting, so I was going for it. I had to hit that 3."
Hollingsworth's baseline jumper clanked off the rim and the Four Corners foes went to overtime.
But it was all Buckaroos in the extra session. Monticello out-scored M-CHS 13-7 in overtime and won 62-56. The Buckaroos took care of Bayfield in the next game, 55-43, to win the Four Corners Classic.
M-CHS dispatched Bayfield Friday night, 65-55, behind 19 points apiece from Whiteskunk and Briston Walker.
The Panthers will play in the Palisade Rotary Club tourney on Friday and Saturday before going on Christmas break.
"I think if we can get another two wins and even up our record, (it) would be just perfect going into the Christmas break," Gropp said.
M-CHS takes on host Palisade High School (3-2) Friday at 6 p.m., before facing Cheyenne (Wyo.) South (0-4) on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
[email protected].


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I did think about it. Eventually I sent my friend an email including the following passage:
[T]he other day I spotted Amateur Porn Star Killer amongst Co-Habit-Tron 3000's movies, remembered you had mentioned it, and then I thought about watching/reviewing it. I decided to first check out some other reviews of it to see what I would be getting myself into (conclusion: not well made (perhaps purposefully), lots of graphic sex (with a "13 year old"! yay!), and ultimately not a good movie)...which led to discovering that there are far, far worse films on the market than APSK- far worse than Hostel or Captivity or whatever could hope to be. Reading about the depravity of these films sent me into a downward spiral regarding the state of the human condition, what people will make- and watch- for 'entertainment'...and had me questioning my taste in entertainment and wondering whether or not I should, in fact, enjoy horror movies so much.I go through this...crisis every once in a while. Why the fuck do I like horror movies? Do I really want to see some teenager stabbed to death? How is that "fun"? Obviously, these crises never turn me off of horror for good (insert terrible Al Pacino in Godfather III impression here)- though my friend takes credit for sending me into this particular crisis and she's wearing it like a merit badge- and the next thing you know I'm adding Twitch of the Death Nerve to my Amazon Wish List. Maybe it's better to question one's own tastes from time to time. Maybe this example speaks to my conscience, speaks to the fact that I'm not completely jaded and cynical, and silences the argument that horror movies completely desensitize everyone to all horrors, real and imagined.
How fitting, then, that this week, when I'm in the midst of therapy sessions with myself, that I go to a screening of the Funny Games remake.
I haven't seen the original version- in fact, I'd never seen a Michael Haneke film before this week. Given my then-current state of mind regarding horror and brutality and violence, I was reticent to go see this one; the story of a family suffering brutality after their summer home is invaded doesn't necessarily get my juices flowing. But then, Tim Roth is in it and I haven't seen him in ages. But then, Naomi Watts is in it and to be honest, I'd pay to watch her in a film where she does nothing but insult me for 90 minutes...maybe even if it co-starred Paul Reiser. But then, trusted sources have told me to check out Michael Haneke.
I had no idea what to expect from Funny Games. Beyond the half-sentence plot summary I gave you above, I didn't know anything about it...well, other than the fact that Haneke remade his own film.
I've never seen anything quite like this, and I'm still reeling from it days later. The film exists to push the audience, to force the audience to examine their relationship with violence and their desire to witness on-screen violence as entertainment. Though the movie as a whole speaks to these notions, Haneke uses several clever- and, at times, maddening- devices to push buttons. The most obvious examples occur when Haneke has characters break the fourth wall to ask the audience what they want to see. It's a slap in the face- not that I'm complaining. I think people need their buttons pushed in a smart way; I think, as I said earlier, that people should question why they want to see people get hurt on-screen. Most people don't enjoy being forced into self-reflection, however, and I'm expecting most audiences aren't going to enjoy Funny Games.
Odd word choice, that: "enjoy". Did I actually enjoy Funny Games? No, absolutely not. I didn't "enjoy" it at all. I marveled at the acting. I was astounded by what I was seeing. I took notes on Haneke's storytelling techniques. This, however, is one of the toughest films I've ever had to sit through...mind you, Haneke doesn't really show us any of the brutality. The aftermath- and we do see the aftermath- of the violence tends to be the raw emotional aftermath. You don't need to see a damn thing to feel for this family; it's mostly a dance of words, of anticipation, expectation, and tension.
I commented afterward that I loved the fact that there was no explicit violence, that I could react so very strongly without it. Would actually seeing a helpless character get punched in the face have made me even more sympathetic? No, I don't think so. My viewing companion, however, was disappointed by the lack of explicitness. This shocked me, and we ended up talking about why she felt that way- which is, at least in part, the point of the film.
Horror fanboys and girls who have been seeing posters for the film slathered all over genre websites will perhaps hate this film. There's no "pay off" like there is in, say, Hostel. Most people who want the violence and the gore but find none aren't going to say "Hmm. Why do I feel the need to see it? Why the bloodlust?"...they're going to go home and take in another viewing of Hostel. Or Saw MCMXLV.
Whether or not that sounds like you, maybe you should go see Funny Games when it's released tomorrow. I can't remember when I've been so profoundly affected by a film, horror or otherwise.
*screengrabs pinched from My New Plaid Pants, who's been looking forward to this movie forever.


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text:
First we have Johnnie of Something Sweet Cake Studio. I've already posted the great Wreck Tribute cake she made for Orlando, so here are a few of my favs from her site:
Note how they were able to make cherry blossom branches withOUT making them look like poo logs. See? It CAN be done!
Paul and his wife Liz specialize in sculpted cakes, like so:
And so:
Matt and his wife Denise (and helper Heather), however, specialize in more traditional designs:
Thanks again to all of today's bakers. You guys have made each stop so much sweeter (pun intended) and it's been fantastic meeting you all!
- Similar Sweets: Cake Nouveau


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A rally in Sanford, Fla., today "to demand justice in the Trayvon Martin shooting death," is expected to draw "tens of thousands of people," Orlando's WFTV says.
The rally — one month after the black teen's death — is due to begin at 4 p.m. ET and end with those thousands gathered outside the city's civic center as the Sanford City Commission meets to hear from the 17-year-old Martin's parents.
Also expected to be at that town hall meeting: Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton, The Orlando Sentinel says.
Martin, who was unarmed, was shot and killed on Feb. 26 by 28-year-old George Zimmerman in what the older man claims was a case of self defense. Martin's family and supporters — and now a growing number of people across the nation — say it was a case of racial profiling and that Zimmerman only assumed Martin was "suspicious" and followed him through the neighborhood because the teenager was black.
Today, the Sentinel adds, a "friend and legal advisor each appeared on national television news shows" to defend Zimmerman. "Joe Oliver told Good Morning America co-host George Stephanopoulos that Zimmerman is not a racist. ... Zimmerman's legal advisor, Craig Sonner, told [Today Show co-host Ann] Curry that the 28-year-old Neighborhood Watch captain suffered a broken nose and injury on the back of his head during the altercation with 17-year-old Trayvon. Sonner said when all the evidence is public, it will show Zimmerman acted in self defense."
Copyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.


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Our Abstract Symbol 112 Cookie Cutter is primarily made to cut fondant. Certain cookie cutters can also be used to cut cookie dough, fruit, sandwich bread, chocolate or placed on strawberries, cake pops, sandwich cookies, cakes, cupcakes, rice crispy treats, apples etc. All cookie cutters are made with a quality 3D printer at the time of order. They are made out of PLA plastic which is biodegradable and good for the environment.
The sizes listed pertain to the approximate length of the cookie cutters.
The 4 inch size is displayed. This cookie cutter has a depth of 1/2 an inch. All other sizes are directly proportionate to this size.
Most cookie cutters will be red, however color may vary.
These items are NOT dishwasher safe. HAND WASH ONLY WITH COLD WATER. Prolonged exposure to moisture and direct heat/sunlight should be avoided.
For orders under and equal to 50 items please allow 48 hours for processing. For orders over 50 items contact us for approximate processing time.
All United States orders will be shipped via the USPS (United States Postal Service). All international orders will be shipped via the USPS or UPS. Since the US post office does NOT guarantee their ship times, neither can we. Purchasing does NOT guarantee it will get to you in time and it does NOT come with a money-back guarantee.
Custom orders now available for cookie cutter silhouettes, stencils, and stamps! Please contact us here to submit your request.


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President Obama, back from his vacation, is scheduled to address the college affordability crisis in a campaign-style bus tour that will take him to New York and Pennsylvania.
The tour, which takes place Thursday and Friday, is part of the president's overarching effort to highlight his agenda for middle-class Americans and to raise pressure on congressional Republicans to act on his second-term priorities.
White House officials weren't providing many details publicly Monday of what the president will propose during his visits to college campuses in the New York cities of Buffalo, Syracuse and Binghamton, and in Scranton, Pa. Josh Earnest, the deputy White House press secretary, would speak only in generalities at his Monday briefing:
"The president's going to be talking about his view that we need to rein in the skyrocketing cost of a college education; that never has a college education been more critical to the economic success of middle-class families in this country; and if we're going to make sure that middle-class families continue to have access to economic opportunity, that means that more students are going to need to have access to a high-quality college education ..."
It's possible Obama will build on an idea he mentioned during his State of the Union address earlier this year. Back then he proposed that Congress change the Higher Education Act that governs federal student-aid programs to ensure that "affordability and value are included in determining which colleges receive certain types of federal aid."
By taking on soaring college costs, Obama is tapping into the widespread anxiety readily found in many middle-class homes, including the affluent upper-middle class.
Tuition and fee increases that have for years outstripped inflation have made officials and faculties at colleges and universities the targets of angry parents, students and policymakers who blame the rising costs on the profligate ways of academia. Amenities such as campus climbing walls are often used as a shorthand for wasteful spending.
Yet the reasons for relentlessly rising college costs are a lot more complicated than an abundance of climbing walls and other snazzy features. Needless to say, it's difficult to deal with all the complex factors that contribute to these higher costs from the bully pulpit, which is why it would be surprising if the president attempted as much.
(Disclaimer: I have had the honor of serving as a trustee for my alma mater, Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., for eight years. So I can attest to the knottiness of college costs and affordability issues that institutions of higher education are grappling with.)
In any case, economists like David Feldman have useful insights. Feldman, chairman of the economics department at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., and an expert on what drives costs in higher education, has written about the variance between the popular notion of what is forcing up costs and what the available evidence suggests.
Feldman has found technology to be at the heart of the cost problem. First, it actually hasn't increased productivity of teachers — as it has with factory workers — because students and parents still expect higher ed to be a high-touch experience. Online learning may come to change some of that, but hasn't yet.
Feldman writes that as our society relies ever more on technology, the premium on highly educated workers has increased. College and university faculty are, by definition, highly educated.
And colleges and universities spend a lot of money on technology to give their faculty and students the best chance to compete in an ever more technological world.
"This trio of technological forces explains the entire trajectory of college cost over the last 70 years," Feldman writes.
That's before mentioning the other factors Feldman cites, like the decline in states funding their colleges and universities.
"In 1975, states allocated roughly $10.50 to higher education for every $1,000 of per capita state income. Today the figure is around $6.00, despite a massive increase in the number of students seeking post-secondary education. This type of budgeting has resulted in tuition increases at public universities, which have negatively impacted the availability and quality of their academic programs."
Then there's growing income inequality, with the richest Americans seeing huge income gains as incomes of other Americans have stagnated or retreated in real terms, Feldman says. This has forced many schools to engage in their own form of redistribution, with students from the richest families getting the least discount from tuition possible so that less wealthy students can receive larger discounts.
It's not too dissimilar to how hospitals historically passed along costs of the care they provided to the uninsured to patients with insurance.
All of this leads Feldman to conclude:
"The key affordability issues that I have highlighted are not easily solved with simple policy remedies like tuition caps. They reflect deep structural changes in the U.S. economy and in the states, and these changes have occurred over long stretches of time. Solving the affordability and access issues wrought by these changes requires policies that go well beyond tinkering with higher education programs."
In any event, it will be worth watching to see if, during his college-affordability bus tour, the president addresses the complex reasons behind the rising costs or decides to go for the climbing wall. The latter approach would certainly play into the popular mood but it wouldn't necessarily do much to address the real problems.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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Not only did Chris Hansen lose out in his bid to buy the Sacramento Kings, he apparently didn't take no for an answer, and now it's coming back to bite him. The Sacramento Bee reported Friday that Seattle native funded to the tune of $100,000 an anti-arena campaign in Sacramento that seeks to put the project to a vote in June.
Hansen admitted to the funding and a failure to report the June 21 donation, which likely will lead to a fine and damage to his credibility.
"I'm sure everyone can appreciate how easy it is to get caught up in the heat of battle," Hansen wrote in an email sent to Sportspress Northwest and other media outlets after the Bee broke the story Friday afternoon. "With the benefit of hindsight, this is clearly a decision I regret. I wish the city of Sacramento and Kings fans the best in their efforts and they have my commitment not to have any involvement in their arena efforts in the future."
Hansen's "donation" after he lost the Kings bid was revealed by a source a day after the California Fair Political Practices Commission sued the Los Angeles law firm of Loeb & Loeb seeking the identity of the donor. California, as with Washington and many states, has laws requiring timely disclosure of major funders to political campaigns.
Hansen explained that once his bid for the Kings received an unexpected rival by a group from Sacramento, he hired attorneys to investigate the opposition to public money provided by a city council vote to build the arena.
"We were faced with both the prospect of seeing our transaction fail and losing our $30 million deposit," Hansen wrote. "I engaged Loeb & Loeb to canvas the various opposition groups to gain an understanding of their efforts and the prospects of their success.
"During this time I was approached through Loeb by the opposition about making a contribution to the opposition's efforts as part of a broader group and agreed to make a donation.
"In this regard I would just like to highlight that I have never directly engaged with or even had any conversations or contact with STOP, Taxpayers For Safer Neighborhoods, or any the various consultants engaged in the Sacramento Arena opposition. It was also not my intent to be the primary financial sponsor of the opposition's efforts. I merely agreed to make a donation to the opposition in what had become a competitive and heated process.
"I have not agreed to provide any further political contributions and do not intend to make any further contributions. I would also just point out that the contribution was made in my personal capacity and not on behalf of our ownership group or my partners. In fact, I have never discussed the contribution with them to date."
How Hansen could not have known of the likely discovery of his donation is breathtaking, as was his reluctance to inform partners and advisers of his decision, not to mention interfering in another city's political process.
An attempt to influence a decision in another market is unlikely to be overlooked by NBA owners in judging Hansen's worthiness as a future owner of an existing or expansion team. It is not necessarily a deal-breaker, but the move can be seen as deliberately undercutting the new owners of the Kings, a group led by Silicon Valley billionaire Vivek Ranadive.
The money was directed to a signature-gathering campaign seeking 22,000 registered voters by December to put on the ballot the issue of using $258 million in future parking revenues for the arena project. The public funding plan was part of the commitment made by the city council to NBA owners, who subsequently voted 22-8 in May to keep the team in the California capital.
The law firm had been one that was used regularly by the Maloof family, the Kings owners, which in January received a $525 million offer from Hansen and primary partner Steve Ballmer of Microsoft. Hansen subsequently twice raised the offer, to $625 million, but said he was "extremely disappointed" when the NBA voted instead to take the $535 million offer from the Ranadive group, whose arena plan was much less further along than Hansen's plan in Seattle.
At an afternoon press conference in Sacramento, state FPPC enforcement chief Gary Winuk scolded Hansen for his negligence. The reporting deadline was July 31.
"He should have known state law required him to report his $100,000 contribution. It's not like a local school board candidate running for the first time," Winuk said. The lapse was "at best negligent, at worst purposeful behavior."
In a statement emailed to the Bee, Sacramento Metro Chamber President Roger Niello Friday called Hansen "a saboteur" and said the deception was "an assault on our entire community."
Hansen could be fined up to $95,000, depending on the outcome of an investigation.
Several weeks later in a visit to Seattle, Hansen, a San Francisco hedge fund manager, told KJR radio the process of attempting to take away the Kings from a loyal fan base "kind of made me sick to my stomach." He said he would go after another city's team again only if he was convinced the team was going to leave.
Because no other NBA teams are as close to moving as the Kings were, Hansen's best bet would seem to have been expansion. NBA commissioner David Stern said throughout the bidding war that developed between the markets that expansion was "not on the table."
But after the vote, there was discussion about expansion once the NBA knew the value of its future TV contract revenues. The deals expire after the 2014-15 season, but negotiations were said likely to begin this summer. But expansion does not seem likely for at least two more seasons, if then.
In Sacramento, an anti-arena group STOP — Sacramento Taxpayers Opposed to Pork — has been circulating petitions to force a public vote. In June, $100,000 was wired from the LA law firm to a political consultant in Tulare, CA., who was helping the Sacramento petition drive. The contribution was required to be disclosed by July 31 and wasn't, the Bee reported. That prompted the FPPC lawsuit, which generated a hearing set for Monday.
Separately, the Bee reported attorneys for the city Thursday characterized a lawsuit against the arena deal as "filled with extreme and slanderous allegations" against city officials and "a work of fiction."
That lawsuit, filed earlier by Sacramento attorneys Patrick Soluri and Jeffrey Anderson, alleged that the city's stated arena subsidy of $258 million is an illegal gift of public funds, and that city officials are concealing aspects of the deal.


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pdo_stmt_t definition
All fields should be treated as read-only unless explicitly stated otherwise.
/* represents a prepared statement */
struct _pdo_stmt_t {
/* driver specifics */
struct pdo_stmt_methods *methods; *
void *driver_data; **
/* if true, we've already successfully executed this statement at least
* once */
unsigned executed:1; ***
/* if true, the statement supports placeholders and can implement
* bindParam() for its prepared statements, if false, PDO should
* emulate prepare and bind on its behalf */
unsigned supports_placeholders:2; ****
/* the number of columns in the result set; not valid until after
* the statement has been executed at least once. In some cases, might
* not be valid until fetch (at the driver level) has been called at least once.
* */
int column_count; *****
struct pdo_column_data *columns; ******
/* points at the dbh that this statement was prepared on */
pdo_dbh_t *dbh;
/* keep track of bound input parameters. Some drivers support
* input/output parameters, but you can't rely on that working */
HashTable *bound_params;
/* When rewriting from named to positional, this maps positions to names */
HashTable *bound_param_map;
/* keep track of PHP variables bound to named (or positional) columns
* in the result set */
HashTable *bound_columns;
/* not always meaningful */
long row_count;
/* used to hold the statement's current query */
char *query_string;
int query_stringlen;
/* the copy of the query with expanded binds ONLY for emulated-prepare drivers */
char *active_query_string;
int active_query_stringlen;
/* the cursor specific error code. */
pdo_error_type error_code;
/* used by the query parser for driver specific
* parameter naming (see pgsql driver for example) */
const char *named_rewrite_template;
* |
The driver must set this during SKEL_handle_preparer(). |
** |
This item is for use by the driver; the intended usage is to store a pointer (during SKEL_handle_factory()) to whatever instance data is required to maintain a connection to the database. |
*** |
This is set by PDO after the statement has been executed for the first time. Your driver can inspect this value to determine if it can skip one-time actions as an optimization. |
**** |
Discussed in more detail in Fleshing out your skeleton. |
***** |
Your driver is responsible for setting this field to the number of columns available in a result set. This is usually set during SKEL_stmt_execute() but with some database implementations, the column count may not be available until SKEL_stmt_fetch() has been called at least once. Drivers that implement SKEL_stmt_next_rowset() should update the column count when a new rowset is available. |
****** |
PDO will allocate this field based on the value that you set for the column count. You are responsible for populating each column during SKEL_stmt_describe(). You must set the precision , maxlen , name , namelen and param_type members for each column. The name is expected to be allocated using emalloc(); PDO will call efree() at the appropriate time. |


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So far I have begun to organize my desk and install some hooks to get my belongings off of the floor. It's so great that each item checked off of the "To Do" list makes such a difference in how much more I enjoy the space I am in. And up until now, I just focused on my desk space and made sure I didn't turn my head to see this...
Just a hodge podge of magazines, catalogs, mailing supplies, craft items, etc... I started by sorting everything down and putting things away that had a home already {like the kid's wooden bowling pin...}.
Since I am doing what I can to get this space in order on a budget, I decided to take a trip to IKEA and pick up some super cheap organizing essentials for my new space.
Item #1: BYGEL Utility Cart $29.99
{source} |
I knew it was just what I needed for my laminator and Silhouette machine, ever since I saw it in the new catalog. It would allow me to roll it to my work station when needed, and tuck it away when I was done. The drawer could hold all of the machine tools and cords and there would even be more room for additional storage and my paper slicer. SCORE!
Speaking of additional storage, all of those catalogs and mailing envelopes needed to be corralled, so I thought I would pair them up with this cart, and some extremely inexpensive magazine files!
Item #2: FLYT Magazine File $1.99
{source} |
While Preston assembled the craft cart {he LOVES to help build everything}, I got to work making the magazine files all pretty for my new space.
Notice, I am working at the kitchen table, because at this point, I still have no workspace in my studio without tossing everything to the floor. Shame shame.
I instantly was forced to come up with some sort of color scheme for the new space. I knew that I wanted it to be colorful, as I do with most spaces; however, I have gray blue walls and a large orange rug in an adjoining area to be considering of. My gut is telling me to stick with those colors and bring in some greens, pinks and teals. I am telling you, colors make me HAPPY.
So I played with a couple of scrapbook paper combinations...
Until I found the perfect ones. Once I had my paper colors/patterns picked out, I traced the face of the magazine file onto the back of the pretty paper {I had to go at a diagonal to make it fit the 12x12 paper}.
And cut them all out with my paper slicer.
To attach the paper to the face of the magazine file, I used double stick tape on the very top and bottom edges, and then covered the rest of the back of the paper with a very strong glue stick.
I chose not to cover the sides since first, I didn't have enough paper and second, they wouldn't really be seen anyway.
Because I was going to be placing different items into the different files, I needed some sort of label. I had been seeing these ones on BHG all over, and they seemed perfect for this project!
So I printed them out in the circle format first, and figured I could just punch out the circle:
But I couldn't get the punch to work just right and everything was off center and the edges looked crummy....
It just didn't feel right to me....
So I printed onto some of my 2x4 mailing labels...
They were too big. Strike 2. Ugh, should have measured first and saved the waste. My bad.
I had one more size of mailing label I thought I could try, and if that didn't work, I would have to get really creative.
But they worked out just fine! I just had to trim a little bit of the white off of the edges and stick them on! Yes!
And then stick the new pretty files onto the cart that Preston had just finished up! Yes, he got it put together faster than my project got done...


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HONOLULU — The Obama administration on Friday announced a pair of executive actions aimed at strengthening federal background checks for gun purchasers, with a particular focus on limiting firearm access for those with mental health issues.
One proposed rule change aims to clarify terminology used by federal law to prohibit people from purchasing a firearm for mental health reasons. The administration said states have complained that some wording is ambiguous, making it difficult to determine who should be blocked from buying a weapon.
The change also will help states determine what information may be shared with the federal background check system for firearms transfers. The system has prevented more than 2 million guns from falling into the wrong hands, the Justice Department says.
A second proposed rule change would give hospitals and other entities covered by patient privacy provisions more flexibility in the information they provide to the background check system. However, the administration said the rule change would not require reporting on general mental health care or legally prohibit someone from having a firearm solely because they sought treatment.
The White House announced the proposals while President Barack Obama was vacationing in Hawaii.
Obama put forward sweeping gun control measures last year following the horrific elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn. But the toughest proposals, including stricter background checks, fell flat on Capitol Hill, forcing the White House to rely on piecemeal measures that can be implemented without congressional approval.
Several perpetrators of the nation's worst mass shootings have had mental health issues, including Newtown shooter Adam Lanza. However, they acquired their guns in different ways, with Lanza using firearms purchased by his mother when he went on a rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary.
In announcing the proposed rule changes, the White House also called on Congress to again tackle gun control issues this year. However, there's little indication that lawmakers plan to take up the issue.
"Today, we are taking steps to further strengthen the federal background check system. It's time Congress joins us in this effort," Vice President Joe Biden wrote on Twitter. Biden has headed up the White House's anti-gun violence efforts following the Newtown shooting.
Friday's rule changes were proposed by the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services. The agencies must accept and analyze public comments before issuing final rules.
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I particularly enjoy fennel but I hardly ever seem to use it and I was thinking that it would be perfect to pull some out for a special occasion like for Valentines day. Fennel bulbs have the flavour of star anise or black licorice that is fairly strong when raw but it mellows out really nicely when cooked. I had recently come across an interesting way of using some fennel, in a fennel gratin , on Simply Recipes and I simply could not resist the idea of covering some licorice-y fennel with cheese and baking it until it gets all bubbly and melted. Normally a gratin has a cheese sauce that starts with a bechamel sauce or a cream based sauce and I liked the fact that this recipe takes a pass on both of them and gets right to the cheese! Basically the fennel is blanched, placed in a baking pan, covered in mozzarella, topped with a parmesan bread crumb crust and baked. Despite being so simple this fennel gratin is quite amazing! The hint of the black licorice flavour remaining in the baked fennel pairs fantastically well with the savoury melted cheese and the crispy golden brown bread crumb topping adds a pleasant textural contrast.
Fennel Gratin
Fennel baked in cheese with a golden brown crunchy bread crumb crust.
- 2 pounds fennel bulbs (about 3-4 bulbs), fronds and stems removed and cut into 1/4 inch thick slices
- 1 tablespoon oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs (or regular bread crumbs)
- 1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
- 2 teaspoons thyme, chopped
- 1 tablespoon oil
- Boil the fennel in water until tender, about 5-6 minutes and drain.
- Toss the fennel in the olive oil along with the salt and pepper and place it into a baking dish.
- Sprinkle on the mozzarella.
- Mix the bread crumbs, parmesan, thyme and oil and sprinkle on top.
- Bake in a preheated 375F/190C oven, covered for 20 minutes, remove the cover and bake until the cheese is melted and golden brown, about 10 minutes.


text:
May 3, 2013
A recent study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders has shown that people who believe in God, regardless of religious affiliation, are more responsive to short-term treatment of depression.
The research looked at 159 patients in a day-treatment program at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass. Most participants had a primary diagnosis of major depression but also included people with bipolar disorder and other diagnoses such as anxiety disorders. The average length of stay in the program was two weeks.
The participants were asked to rate their belief in God, as well as their expectations for treatment outcome, on a five-point scale. Levels of depression, wellbeing and self-harm were assessed at the beginning and the end of their treatment program.
Seventy-two percent reported their belief in God or a higher power as "fair" or greater. This group was more than twice as likely to respond to treatment as those who reported "no" or only a "slight" belief in God. Results showed that belief was associated with improved psychological wellbeing as well as decreased depression and intention to self-harm.
Greater than 30 percent of participants claimed no specific religious affiliation. It did not seem to matter which God the participants believed in, but only faith in a higher power.
People who believe in God were also more likely to have higher confidence in their treatment and expect better outcomes. Researchers suggest that those with faith in God are more optimistic and believe the treatment will help them—and this might be the mechanism by which belief in God can impact treatment outcomes.
While the study does not prove any cause or effect, it shows the positive effects of spirituality. Study author David H. Rosmarin stated, "Given the prevalence of religious belief in the United States — over 90 percent of the population — these findings are important in that they highlight the clinical implications of spiritual life. I hope that this work will lead to larger studies and increased funding in order to help as many people as possible."
As Christina Puchalski, director of the George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health in Washington, D.C. commented in a LiveScience.com article about the study, "[Spirituality is] not just religion, or a belief in a higher power. The ability to connect to something outside of oneself—things like hope and being hopeful, or having a sense of coherence—it's all part of spirituality."
As hopelessness is often a major symptom of severe mental illnesses, finding ways to incorporate spirituality into treatment could be a key step to recovery.
NAMI HelpLine is available M-F, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Call 800-950-6264,
text "helpline" to 62640, or chat online. In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7).


text:
The storm dropping as much as an inch of rain per hour Sunday in some areas, toppling trees and knocking out electrical service to tens of thousands of people, officials said.
Rivers across Northern California swelled from the deluge but did not flood as extensively as had been expected, officials said.
Forecasters had issued flood warnings for the Napa and Russian rivers, two rivers north of San Francisco with a history of flooding, as well as the Truckee River, near Lake Tahoe, but by Sunday afternoon had canceled the warning for the Russian River.
"It (the storm) moved through a lit bit faster than it was looking like it would, so it didn't plant on top of us and keeping raining," said Austin Cross, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. "The period of heavy rain didn't last as long."
In Napa, where officials had handed out more than 8,000 sandbags and about 150 tons of sand before the storm hit, officials breathed a sigh of relief Sunday afternoon after the heaviest rain moved out of the area and the city appeared to avoid any major damage from the storm.
"There were predictions of the river getting above flood stage, but that did not occur," Napa city spokesman Barry Martin said. "We've had some minor street flooding and some of the intersections were flooded."
Flood construction projects were credited with keeping the river within its banks through the city, while most of anticipated flooding, expected around 6 p.m. Sunday, was expected to hit a mostly agricultural area outside of the city, officials said.
In Truckee, 30 miles west of Reno, city officials were focusing on snow removal Sunday afternoon instead of flood control after the town received 4 to 5 inches of snow in the morning, said Assistant City Manager Alex Terrazas.
"We continue to keep an eye on the river, but things are certainly better than they could have been," he said. "We'll transition back to flood management if we need to."
Besides the speed in which the system moved through the area, weather officials were heartened by colder temperatures than expected in the mountains, meaning more snow and less rain fell.
In far Northern California, flood warnings remained in effect Sunday for the Eel, Navarro and Mad rivers.
Meanwhile, as Pacific Gas & Electric crews worked on restoring power, about 57,000 people from Santa Cruz to Eureka, including about 13,000 people in the San Francisco Bay area, remained without electricity Sunday afternoon as the powerful winds from the storm knocked down trees and sent broken tree limbs and branches across power lines, officials said.
"It really did broadside California," PG&E spokesman Joe Molica said of the storm.
About 2,000 PG&E crews were working Sunday to try to restore power, Molica said.
Wind gusts, recorded as high as 60 miles per hour in parts of the Bay area, were blamed for knocking over a big rig truck as it drove over the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge at around 5 a.m. Sunday.
Tow crews had to wait for the winds to subside later in the morning before they could remove the truck, officials said.
Also, train service on the Bay Area Rapid Transit system was disrupted for about an hour Sunday morning because of an electrical outage blamed on the weather.
Associated Press writer Martin Griffith in Reno, Nev., contributed to this report.


text:
A new Princeton University committee will examine strategies to help low-income students overcome barriers to college readiness and access. The group will build on the University's success in increasing the socioeconomic diversity of undergraduates and reducing financial obstacles for students to apply to and attend Princeton.
The Trustee Ad Hoc Committee on College Access will begin meeting this month and include trustees, alumni, faculty, staff and students. The group will consider a range of factors, beyond just financial means, that may impede talented low-income students from pursuing an education at selective universities and colleges.
"While the financial aid enhancements at Princeton and many of our peer institutions have lowered the financial obstacles for our low-income students, other factors have come to the fore as powerful barriers to access, such as inadequate college counseling about the range of college options, culturally constrained aspirations, and inadequate academic preparation," Princeton President Shirley M. Tilghman wrote in her charge to the committee.
The trustee committee's work is part of broader University efforts to promote a vibrant campus community of faculty, staff and students from diverse socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Princeton became the first university in 2001 to adopt a no-loan financial aid program, replacing loans with grants that financial aid recipients do not pay back. The University also offers full financial aid eligibility to international students. Sixty percent of the Class of 2016 receives financial aid, compared with 38 percent of the Class of 2001.
"Despite these substantial gains, students whose families are in the top 5 percent of the U.S. income scale remain significantly over-represented in our applicant pools, with a concomitant deficit of talented low-income students — a demographic profile that is shared with other selective colleges and universities," wrote Tilghman, who also will chair the committee.
The main questions the committee will address are:
- What do data about Princeton applicants and undergraduate students reveal about successful strategies to recruit an economically diverse student body?
- What can be learned from practices at other selective colleges, universities and nonprofit organizations focused on college access?
- What innovative steps could Princeton take to further reduce the barriers faced by low-income students in obtaining a rigorous college education?
As part of its analysis, the group plans to review applicant pool data from Princeton and other selective universities, as well as scholarly research that identifies high-achieving, low-income students nationally. The committee also will speak with scholars who study related issues, leaders of college access programs and Princeton students to learn directly about the experiences of low-income students on campus.
In addition to Tilghman, the committee includes trustees Thomas Barron, Class of 1974; Pyper Davis, Class of 1987; Angela Groves, Class of 2012; Heidi Miller, Class of 1974; David Offensend, Class of 1975; Ruth Simmons, president emerita of Brown University; and John Wynne, Class of 1967.
Faculty committee members are Cecilia Rouse, dean of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, and Douglas Massey, the Henry G. Bryant Professor of Sociology and Public Affairs and director of the Office of Population Research.
Staff members are Carolyn Ainslie, vice president for finance and treasurer, and Janet Rapelye, dean of admission.
Also on the committee are: former trustee Katherine Brittain Bradley, Class of 1986; Andrew Blumenfeld, Class of 2013; John Fisher, Class of 1983; and Jonathan Schnur, Class of 1989.
Michele Minter, vice provost for institutional equity and diversity, will serve as secretary.
Minter said the committee expects to issue an interim report in May that proposes options Princeton should further explore to support the successful admission of high-achieving, low-income students at selective institutions. She said the Board of Trustees will review the report and may choose to have the committee continue its work through the end of 2013.
Committee part of broader context
While the trustee committee is focused on improving access to higher education, a separate working group led by Dean of the College Valerie Smith is looking at the undergraduate experience of students once they have enrolled at Princeton.
The Working Group on Undergraduate Socioeconomic Diversity seeks to learn more about ways in which students from socioeconomically diverse backgrounds experience academic and extracurricular life at the University. The group is collecting student survey data, reviewing best practices at peer institutions and seeking feedback from constituents across campus, including hosting student focus groups.
"It's not only important to admit socioeconomically diverse students to the University; it's also imperative to ensure that all students are in a position to take full advantage of a Princeton education. Our group is assessing the support systems, programs and policies that are in place to help them succeed at the highest levels," said Associate Dean of the College Diane McKay, secretary to the working group.
Smith said the group also wants "to learn as much as we can about practices and assumptions on campus that may be unspoken, but that exclude first-generation students or those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds."
The group's focus on students from socioeconomically diverse backgrounds includes students who are the first in their families to attend college, who are low-income in comparison to the student population as a whole, or who attended high schools that do not typically send graduates to highly selective colleges and universities.
The working group members are: Alison Boden, dean of religious life and the chapel; Miguel Centeno, professor of sociology and international affairs; Alison Gammie, senior lecturer in molecular biology; Maria Garlock; associate professor of civil and environmental engineering; Angel Harris, associate professor of sociology and African American studies; Jason Klugman, director of the Princeton University Preparatory Program; Justin Lorts, director of studies in Whitman College; McKay; Carol Porter, director of the McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning; Logan Powell, director of admission; Ann Marie Russell, postdoctoral research associate; Nicole Shelton, professor of psychology and master of Butler College; and Smith. The group expects to present its report to Tilghman before the end of the academic year.
In addition, the separate Trustee Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity is currently meeting to identify ways to enhance the diversity of Princeton's faculty, graduate student body and senior administration. That committee was appointed last January and expects to issue a final report in spring 2013.
"These groups all share the goal of making Princeton an inclusive place where everyone can thrive and bring their whole life experience," Minter said.


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Updated 2016
Getting off the beaten path in a popular country such as Greece is easier than you imagined. Even if you plan to visit only very popular locations, there are still options to get away from the tourist trail:
- While Athens and Thessaloniki are tourist hot-spots, plan your visit in early spring (March) and you'll have the cities for yourself. No lines at sights, no hot weather and excellent prices.
- But summer has a different appeal in Greece as the islands are teaming with life. You can avoid the crowds by visiting "secret" places such a Evia, Kalymnos, Kea or Spetses.
- The weekends in Athens should start with a walk among the stalls in the Flea Market. Pick up anything from fridge magnets to jewelry and clothes.
- If you visit Crete, spend some time exploring the ruins of the Minoan town of Gournia. Malia Palace, also on Crete, is a Minoan palace which is generally overlooked by travelers.
- Put on your walking shoes. Many islands offer excellent hiking trails , ranging from easy 20 min walks to harder several days treks.
Read: 7 Greek Food Festivals to Whet Your Appetite.
Why you should add Greece to your RTW travel list
Of course visiting Greece wouldn't be complete without seeing some of the sights the country is famous for. Here are some ideas on what to do if you've never been there or plan on staying for a while.
- Learn history and visit the Archeological Park of Athens which includes the Acropolis, the Roman Agora and the Greek Agora, among other sites.
- Watch a sunrise or sunset in Santorini.
- Spend a day doing nothing on a beach.
- Visit the Palace of Knossos in Crete.
- Visit the Old Town of Rhodes with its amazing Medieval castle.
- Visit the Old Town of Corfu.
- Be amazed by the "suspended monasteries" in Meteora.
- Take photos in Little Venice on Mykonos.
- Dance the night way in a club or on a beach in Mykonos.
- Take the ferry between the Greek islands.
- Try the amazing Greek food: tzatziki, dolmades, Greek salad, sea-food.
Read: 9 Greek Archeological Sites That Will Leave You Breathless.
Why you should not add Greece to your RTW travel list
- Visiting Greece in the summer is expensive if you plan to stick to the very popular destinations. Add Santorini, Mykonos and Crete to your itinerary and you will spend a lot of money. The alternative is to try during spring or autumn. Better yet, plan to visit one or two very popular places and also choose off-the-beaten-path locations to add to your trip.
- Temperatures are high during summer, especially on the mainland. That's why Athens and Thessaloniki almost look deserted in July and August. Everyone heads to the islands.
Read: 5 Must Visit Cities in Greece.
The birthplace of Western Civilization, Greece is a fusion of both the Old World and New World. Although known for hosting the first Olympics, Greece has been popular for years on the traveler's circuit, known for not only its white-washed party islands, but also its hundreds of famous sites like the Acropolis, Crete, Santorini, Delphi, and many ancient medieval cities. If you take the time to explore Greece, and get away from the travelers circuit, you are bound to find her heart and beauty.
For many, the heart and beauty are centered around the water. Greece's waterscapes are among the most pleasant in the world. With house-stream cliffs that jut straight into the sea, even the smallest and most obscure Greek town can be a sight to behold. Many choose to get a glimpse from the water itself as they travel from one island to another, each with a unique personality and flavor.
Read: Greece: 10 Things You Really Ought To Know Before You Go.
What to do
Athens is sprawling and hectic, but it's a must-see for any visitor. The Acropolis and the National Archeological Museum can be seen nicely in two days, with plenty of time to wander the shopping streets and soak in the pleasant vibe, but then get out and head to…
The Greek Islands are known as much for their summer party atmosphere as they are for their archeology and history. It's easy to get a mix of both on even a short stay. Reaching them is easy as the main Athens harbor of Piraeus is only 30 minutes out of the city on the subway line. From there ferries leave to all the islands daily, but only in season.
Read: 5 Tips for Your Summer Vacation in Greece.
Getting there
From abroad you'll want to fly into Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (code: ATH), which is a major hub for the entire region and often has low fares. From within Europe you can also fly directly into Heraklion International Airport (code: HER) on Crete. Greece is also reachable on trains so it's a good stop for Eurail Pass holders.
Where to stay
There are hotels and hostels aplenty in Greece. Just be forewarned that some of the hostels can be a real party scene.


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She may not look like me at all, but at least we have one thing in common: my sister loves citrus flavors, too.
When she was little, I'd take her everywhere with me – we were like peas and carrots. :)
Sometimes we'd go out for dessert and among all the decadent chocolate cakes and sweets her choice was only one: passion fruit mousse tart. I used to think that happened because back then she wanted to do everything I did – same clothes, same food... But now she has become a very independent adolescent and her love for citrus and acidic sweets is still there: I told her to choose a cake flavor for her birthday and she asked for some ideas. "How about chocolate + strawberries? Or lemon + strawberries?" I said. And the answer made her big sister very, very proud. :)
I adapted three different recipes from the same book: one for the cake itself, another for the filing and a third for the frosting. The result was a very tender cake – so soft it was almost impossible to slice – with the delicious lemon touch. The recipe I'm posting is for three 9-inch cake pans; I used 10-inch pans and for that I needed to do some crazy Math: I made ¾ of the cake recipe for 2 pans, then half of that recipe for the third pan. For the lemon mousse and the buttercream, I made the recipe below + ¼ (there was ½ cup frosting left).
I think I'm not the only one, but at the age of 15 I felt quite lost and alone. That's when Jessica arrived in our lives – she brought so much love and understanding to a home that was almost falling apart. She was a gift for all of us and I've always tried my best to be a very good sister – so now that she is 15 she doesn't feel lost like I used to.
Triple lemon chiffon cake with strawberries
from Sky High: Irresistible Triple-Layer Cakes
8 eggs, separated
¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1/3 cup (80ml) water
½ teaspoon cream of tartar
1 ½ cups (300g) sugar
1 ¾ cups (245g) cake flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
Lemon white chocolate mousse:
100g white chocolate, coarsely chopped
¾ cup (180ml) heavy cream
1 egg white
1 tablespoon sugar
zest of ½ lemon
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1-1 ¼ cups sliced strawberries
Lemon buttercream:
3 egg whites
¾ cup (150g) sugar
¼ cup (60ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
9oz/252g unsalted butter, room temperature
candied lemon peel and/or fresh strawberries
Start with the cake: preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF. Line the bottoms of three 9-inch cake pans with round of parchment or waxed paper but do not grease the pans.
In a medium-large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, oil, lemon juice, zest and water.
In a large mixer bowl, whip the egg whites with the cream of tartar on medium speed until frothy. Gradually add ½ cup (100g) of the sugar and continue to beat until soft peaks form.
Sift the flour, remaining 1 cup (200g) sugar, baking soda and salt into a very large bowl. Whisk gently to combine. Make a well in the center, pour the egg yolk mixture, and stir to make a smooth paste. Add one-fourth of the beaten egg whites and fold in to lighten the batter. Fold in the remaining whites. Divide the batter among the 3 prepared pans.
Bake for about 16 minutes or until a cake tester or wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer to wire racks and let the cakes cool completely in their pans. To unmold, run a blunt knife around the edges to release – I did not need to do this, since the cakes pulled out from the edges as soon as they began to cool. Invert to unmold; carefully peel off the paper liners.
Make the filling: melt the white chocolate with ¼ cup of the heavy cream in a double boiler or in a small metal bowl set over a pan of very hot water. Whisk until smooth. Remove from the heat, add the lemon juice and mix well. Let cool to room temperature.
When it has cooled, beat the remaining ¾ cup heavy cream with the lemon zest until firm peaks form. In a clean bowl, whip the egg white with the sugar until you get a firm meringue.
Fold the beaten egg white into the white chocolate cream, then fold in the whipped cream until just blended – err on the side of undermixing. Refrigerate until needed.
Now, the buttercream: place the egg whites in a large mixing bowl and set the mixer up with the whip attachment.
In a nonreactive saucepan, heat the sugar and lemon juice, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Bring to a boil and cook, without stirring, until the syrup reaches the soft ball stage, 115ºC/238ºF on a candy thermometer.
Turn the mixer to medium-low speed and slowly add the syrup to the egg whites, taking care not to pour it onto the beaters. Beat on medium speed until the meringue cools to body temperature.
With the mixer on medium-low, gradually add the butter several tablespoons at a time. Beat until a smooth buttery frosting forms.
Assembling the cake: place one layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Top half the filling and place half the amount of strawberry slices over the mousse. Place another cake layer, spread the remaining filling over it and top with the strawberries. Top with the third cake layer. Frost the top and sides with the buttercream. Decorate with candied lemon peel and/or fresh strawberries.
Serves 16-20


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Soup season is definitely here and do I ever have a tasty one to share with you today, a creamy roasted cauliflower and red pepper soup! The original idea behind this soup was for a creamy roasted red pepper soup but I figured that I would keep things a little on the healthier side by using pureed cauliflower to add the creaminess and to help thicken the soup up a bit. Roasted red peppers and cauliflower are a great combo and another thing that I like to combine with roasted red peppers is tangy goat cheese which also further adds to the creaminess of the soup. Like a lot of great soups, this one is super easy to make where you really just need to roast the red peppers and cauliflower, saute some onions, add the broth and goat cheese, and heat up before pureeing. I added one final touch to the soup and that was a bit of paprika to add a hint of smokiness!
I know what a few of you are thinking right about now and that is: "But Kevin, where is the bacon?" and fear not as this soup is also amazing topped with a mixture of crispy fried pancetta, sauteed apples and crispy croutons. To make this topping simply cook the pancetta in a pan until crispy followed by cooking the apples in the same pan until tender and caramelized and then toss the some diced day old bread in the pancetta drippings and toast them until crispy.
Of course it is always nice to get some extra goat cheese in there by sprinkling some on top as well!
Creamy Roasted Red Pepper and Cauliflower Soup with Goat Cheese
A creamy roasted red pepper and cauliflower soup with tangy melted goat cheese!
- 4 red bell pepper, cut in half and seeds removed
- 1 small head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 teaspoon thyme, chopped
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- 4 cups chicken broth or chicken stock or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
- salt and pepper to taste
- Place the red peppers on a baking sheet with the cut side facing down, broil until the skins are blackened, about 10 minutes, place in a sealable container and let 'steam' for 20 minutes before pinching the skins off and dicing.
- Meanwhile, toss the cauliflower in the oil, place it in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast in a preheated 400F/200C oven until tender and caramelized, about 20-30 minutes, mixing once in the middle.
- Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat and cook the onion until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the garlic, thyme and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about a minute.
- Add the roasted red peppers, cauliflower, broth, paprika and goat cheese and simmer for 10 minutes before pureeing to the desired consistency with a hand blender.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve garnished with goat cheese.
Option: Use jarred or frozen roasted red peppers to save some time.
Option: Use a can of white beans as the thickener instead of the cauliflower.
Option: Replace one cup of broth with cream or milk.
Creamy Mushroom and Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Roasted Cauliflower and Aged White Cheddar Soup
Roasted Cauliflower and Mushroom Quinoa Salad in Balsamic Vinaigrette
Roasted Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Alfredo Pasta
Goat Cheese, Roasted Red Pepper and Kalamata Olive Mac n Cheese
Roasted Cauliflower and Red Pepper Farro Salad
Roasted Broccoli and Cheddar Soup
Creamy Roasted Asparagus and Brie Cauliflower Soup
Cauliflower Chowder
Creamy Roasted Red Pepper and Spinach Goat Cheese Skillet Chicken
Creamy Curried Coconut Carrot Soup
Chickpea and Red Pepper Paprika
Creamy White Chicken Chili
Asiago Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Soup
Asiago Cauliflower and Quinoa Chowder
Roasted Carrot and Tahini Soup with Pomegranate and Pistachios
Rosemary and Roasted Garlic White Bean Soup
Asparagus Soup


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The article for all the students who have taken a year drop to try their luck once more to get selected in medical entrance examinations or those who are depressed and disheartened on not being able to pursue their dream of becoming a doctor this time and confused whether to risk a year for fulfilling their dream or to join a regular degree programme .
Tips and Suggestions
1. Identify your mistakes which you committed last year..What was the reason behind you being not selected in the exam. Whether you did not study or you did not study from the point of view of a competitive exam or you did not know what to study or you did not solve the previous years papers.
2. Learn from your mistakes. Making mistakes is not a major issue but repeating them will always prevent you from success. This rule applies everywhere in life.So rectify them and don't repeat this time.
3. Don't lose hope..have faith in your self and prepare yourself for one year of hardwork and 100% devotion.
4. If you really want to be a doctor, develop qualities that are the trademark of a doctor- hard work, determination, consistency and patience. There is no alternative to hard work, not even smart study as the latter too requires a lot of hard work.
5. Smart study – It is very important to note that you are not doing a PhD but are preparing for the medical entrances examination. You just have to study what ever is asked in the examination after all whatever you will be studying has no use in the profession you are opting for. It is a habit prevalent among many students to study from a high level book and flaunting the same in front of their friends and teachers to gain popularity in the class. First, it is of no use and second, it leads to wastage of time and may also hamper your success in the exam.
Q. It would be my third attempt for pre-medical tests. I have been preparing for medical entrances since I was in class 11th. I have even studied H.C. Verma, Resnik-Halliday for physics, Neil Campbell for Biology and Deb Mukherjee for chemistry, but still I am unable to get through medical entrances. What more do I need to study?
Ans. First, you need to bust this myth that the syllabus of BiocellEdu demands solving questions from very high-level books that are mostly read by the engineering aspirants. The level of questions in physics and chemistry is very low as compared to those asked in IIT-JEE. In BiocellEdu , questions are simple and formula based but time is less and also the cut-off goes very high. So the examination paper demands you to be thorough with your concepts and the formulae should be on your finger tips. Solving from ultra-advanced and high level books is sheer wastage of time.
However , some questions from physics and chemistry which have earlier been asked in IIT JEE are repeated in BiocellEdu especially BHU (Pre and Mains) and such questions can be found in any standard Physics objective book.
Also it is usually seen that some students are not able to clear the exam even after taking many attempts and studying rigorously while some crack BiocellEdu in their first attempt and that too without much effort.
The reason is very clear. While the former lack guidance and by hit and trial method , they study from whichever book they come to know of, the latter restrict themselves to few but authentic books and with proper guidance and smart & selective study, they come out with flying colours without unnecessary effort.
6. Is it necessary to join a coaching institute for preparation?
It depends upon your way of studying and whether your basic concepts are clear or not . If your concepts are clear and you are smart enough to understand by reading from books directly, then go ahead, study by yourself. After all coaching teachers are no wizards. They cannot wave a moron into a genius! They are only there to teach you, to help clear your concepts; if you can grasp the topic yourself then its sufficient.
However if you are one of those who cannot grasp the concept by directly reading from the book, and are dependent upon teachers, then you can join any coaching institute and attend the classes regularly. Don't hesitate to ask questions and clear your doubts with the teachers. But please never blindly follow what all they say, the teachers (mostly; however exceptions are there) can teach you but they cannot guide you on how to excel in exam.
But still, I would suggest that it is better to join some local coaching to help you clear your doubts and provide you with basic concepts of the subjects. A little guidance is very essential to prevent you from unnecessarily wasting time reading unimportant facts.
7. Evaluate yourself regularly by taking mock test papers ( with strict examination like conditions)
Is there any need to join any test- series program for this purpose?
If you have enrolled for a classroom contact program, then you should regularly take the topic- wise tests conducted by the institute. But if you have not joined any institute but are preparing by yourself then it would be better if you buy a set of previous year's question papers of exams than joining any of the costly test series. As it is, these test – series include unnecessary questions in the tests with the sole purpose of attracting more and more students.
Take previous years' questions and solve a particular paper whose cut-off you know. Keep seated for the entire time limit and simulate the entire environment of the examination hall.
After completing, match your answers and calculate your total percentage. Match it with the cut-off. No test series can give you a better assessment of your ability. Also, while you are analyzing, mention the mistakes and silly errors that you have made in each subject. Solve a paper at least every 2-3 months during your preparation period. Make a note book so that you can have a look at your own analysis. It would save thousands of money spent on futile test series, and I assure you that you would definitely benefit from this.
8. Solve more and more Previous Years papers – You can solve the previous years papers in a way as I have discussed before . Alternatively, to be quick, you can just solve a question and confirm your answer by looking at the answers. If your answer is wrong, go to the solution and look where you went wrong. Don,t forget to mark that question for future reference. While solving biology paper , learn correct answer, mark it and also jot down few extra points, mnemonics, other related facts/terms that come to your mind at that time after reading that question so that the next time you come across that same question, you can also glance across the other points you noted down yourself. This ensures easy and fast revision and the probability of missing out on topics while revising is also greatly reduced. In this way, you can use your previous solved paper book for revision just before exam. I had too followed the same approach.
9. Which Books to refer?
There are many books available in the market but none of them tell you exactly what to study and what to not. None of them tells you which topic is important but in both books handbook of biology and biology @ your fingertips, which have included only the relevant and important and frequently asked points with an assurance of over 80 – 90% questions in biology from the same books
Prescribed textbook combination
Biology – any textbook ( Trueman) /notes of your coaching institute + NCERT + both of my books (Handbook and Biology @ your fingertips) + Dinesh objective
Till now I have written just two books and I am also working on the text book and an objective book for biology. But this would take time. So, you should buy above books. I also referred to the same books.
Note : this is the ideal combination, which I have prescribed, so if at any stage you are running out of time, you can only rely on my books along with NCERT
Physics – comprehensive / teacher's notes + A.K Aggarwal objective book or any other book which your teacher has specified or pradeep or universal
Chemistry – Pradeep textbook and P.Bahadur for objective + NCERT
P.S. – If you have studied any other book instead of what I have mentioned then go ahead with it, no need to waste time studying from a new book.
10. Develop a feeling of healthy competition with your friends. Don't be jealous of them if they know more or don't become complacent if they don't fare well. Remember, you are not just competing against them but lakhs of other students. Instead of wasting time in gossip, discuss mnemonics, important facts, numericals with friends; it will make memorizing easier and you will also come to learn a lot more new things from them.
11. Fore more tips and suggestions, keep visiting the site.The site is still under construction and still there are many more things to be added.
12. Start studying again. Your target should be to complete the entire syllabus by December and start revising in January or alternatively, you should also revise the syllabus side by side in case you have joined a coaching institute as they usually finish the syllabus by February.
13. Also, keep checking your progress monthly by solving mock test papers as I have mentioned before.
These are a few points which you need to remember before starting preparation for NEET and AIIMS and other medical entrance examinations which you are going to appear in next year. If you have any query, feel free to ask. Wishing all the BiocellEdu aspirants all the best!


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Greening Your House for a Sale
Recent studies suggest that solar panels and other sustainability upgrades can help a home sell faster and fetch a higher price. Still, an experienced real estate agent said the true value really depends on smart investments and the right staging.
The Earth Advantage Institute has determined that existing homes with third-party environmental certifications sell for 30 percent more than comparable homes without such ratings. In another study, the National Bureau of Economic Research found a 97 percent return on investment for solar panels. Moreover, they can boost a home sale price by three to four percent.
Colorado real estate broker Lara Williams urges homeowners to choose their green upgrades wisely, then market them properly.
Energy Star appliances or even simple, discrete features such as low VOC paints can tip the scales for a buyer considering two otherwise similar homes. But somebody has to publicize these features.
"If a listing agent can clearly convey to the market the green upgrades that a buyer has installed, and especially the energy upgrades, the home will get special attention, and probably sell faster and at a premium," said Williams, who started the Green Team Real Estate, which focuses on buying and selling eco-friendly homes.
Green realty is a growing niche market, and those who have made substantial green upgrades should seek out a specialized green real estate agent.
Williams said she provides potential buyers with a page listing all the eco-friendly features of the home, and the benefits of each feature. She also places cards around the house pointing out specific green upgrades, creating "a little self-guided tour."
She also recommends providing specific dollar values for energy upgrades. For example, show the heating bills for the same month in the year before and after installing a more efficient furnace. This will help buyers realize the annual savings as compared to a similar house with an older furnace.
Williams' other recommendations for simple green upgrades include the following:
• "If you need to clean up your yard, add native plants and plants that require less water and maintenance."
• "If your home really needs new interior paint, spend a little more money and buy low VOC, because this really matters to a growing number of people, especially people with young children."
• "If you are planning to update an old bathroom, install a low-flow toilet, shower head and faucet. Consider a countertop made with a recycled content product."
She also suggests some more expensive upgrades, but they are typically only worthwhile if you can enjoy them for a few years before reselling the house, as you may not recoup the full value of the upgrade. Still, they could speed the sale and boost the price.
• "Concrete floors work well with in-floor radiant heat, which is a wonderful way to heat a home that you can enjoy while you live there and should also attract buyers."
• "Bamboo and cork flooring are beautiful…and really help to differentiate a home."
• "If you have old aluminum windows that leak badly, consider upgrading them with a double-paned vinyl low-e (window), and then promote that update."
On the other hand, Williams warns against some upscale upgrades. She said she worked with one homeowner who spent $80,000 installing photovoltaic solar panels and geothermal heating in 2004, then added that amount to their expected sale price.
"However, there just weren't any people at the time willing to pay that premium and it slowed down our sale and ultimately the sellers received almost no premium over similar homes without such a system," she said.
Of course, the value of green upgrades also depends on the market, and the level of awareness and interest in solar panels and other upgrades. In other words, as the National Bureau of Economic Research report notes, the sale premium for solar panels is "larger in communities with a greater share of college graduates and of registered Prius hybrid vehicles."
Green home improvements can put more green in a seller's wallet, but only if approached and marketed properly.
Steve Graham is a Networx writer. Read more articles like this one or get help with your home projects on Networx.com.
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