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Aiken County employees woke up Wednesday to the news that they're going to see a bump in their pay.
Surely, it was a positive way to start the work day.
Aiken County Council made a host of adjustments to the 2013-14 budget at its Tuesday night meeting, and one of the amendments included a one-and-a-half percent cost of living increase for all employees. Another half percent has been set aside for merit increases after annual performance reviews are conducted.
Earlier this month, Aiken County Administrator Clay Killian promised Council members that he would come to them with several options of how to make raises possible.
With the help of staff, Killian presented to Council about $1.2 million of unanticipated additional revenue from delinquent tax collections, personal property taxes and the reinstatement of the Local Government Fund by the State.
Killian added that the County is remaining conservative with its budgeting, more so than it should, but it's to assure balance and good fiscal responsibility.
So, the County managed to help its employees earn a little extra cash and probably boost their morale a bit as well. And, they did all of this without raising taxes.
Setting aside funds for merit raises is also a smart move. As Councilman Scott Singer said, awarding an employee for going above and beyond sets an incentive for other employees to work hard and offer their best while on the job.
This could be a very positive sign for things to come for the County. The recession has hurt local governments across the country, and Aiken County has certainly felt the pain.
With more competitive salaries, the County can attract some outstanding employees to fill vacant positions and the pay increase will hopefully keep those high performers on staff for a while. Maintaining experienced people who are already trained saves the County time and money. Skilled employees are a valuable asset to any organization.
A government entity is only as strong as the people who work for it, and making the effort to improve compensation for employees can go a long way.


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Flask-appropriate pewter funnel. 1.25 inches x 1.5 inches in size. Nice to have when refilling your pocket Scotch. Easy to clean, compact for travel. Handmade in Sheffield, England. Pictured with Handmade Pewter Flask. (
There are few things on this earth as sad as expensive liquor hitting the floor. Don't be that guy. Use a funnel. Keeping a steady, balanced hand, replenish your flask and take your coldest weather whiskey to the woods or the dinner party, leaving only admiration, not a mess, in your wake.
This funnel is made in the traditional steel-producing city of Sheffield, England, where a pewtersmith founded the company in 1949. Pewter was traditionally used for dinner and glassware in the 18th and 19th century until the making of porcelain. Today it is mainly used to create decorative objects and useful accessories, such as this flask funnel. A nearly weightless accessory that can fit comfortably in a handbag or pocket, you should take this along with you on a night of drinking, for sure.
The simplicity of this funnel is evenly matched with its low maintenance. Use warm soapy water to wash it by hand and let it dry with a soft cloth. Because of pewter's low melting point, it's very important to not put your funnel in the dishwasher. Chances are, you won't need to be washing this tiny funnel too often anyway.
Pewter doesn't tarnish easily like silver, but if it happens to show signs of wear, you can use a metal polish, polishing in straight lines, before washing.
This pewter flask funnel contains a minimum of 92% tin. Tin doesn't oxidize in air easily and is a favored vessel for food and drink because of it's low toxicity. Lead was phased out of pewter many decades ago. Because of tin's malleability, the remaining 8% of pewter is a mix of hardening metals, mostly copper and antimony.
Skilled pewter craftsman Arthur Wentworth started his company in a suitcase, eventually conjuring a catalogue of all things pewter.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Posts tagged manners
Plane rage1
We all have it. The rage that comes from having to deal with rude people in confined spaces. Even yoga can be a hotbed.
A passenger is facing possible charges after abusing airline staff when the woman in front of him refused to turn off her reading light during an overnight flight, it was reported recently.
When airline staff told him the woman was entitled to keep her light on, he began swearing and threatened to keep kicking the back of her seat if she didn't do what he asked, which sounds very mature. Earlier this year a similarly nasty row erupted after a passenger put his seat back while the person behind him was eating his meal, and refused to put it forward again.
There, but for grace of God, go any of us. Who read- ing this hasn't had — or nearly had — a heated row in confined quarters such as an aeroplane? (more…)
Is common courtesy dead?39
Have manners died in the era of social media when it's so easy to ignore emails or texts? And what about common courtesy in general? I was in the movies last night and some dude was munching lollies and crackling paper all night during a sad (great) movie The Tree of Life while the woman in front was texting – the light going in my eyes. Road rudeness is everywhere. But "email and text neglect" is the worst.
It's so rare to get a return email from some people that you figure there is something wrong with your inbox. Maybe you've turned on spam by mistake? Nope! It's just bad behaviour that's all! And lack of respect. There is always the plea:
"I never got your text" or "My email was down for the past few days,"
Which is the "cheque's in the mail" of our decade. After all, who could argue with the precarious nature of electronic media? The worst display of rudeness comes from those who take calls and texts while you're with them at dinner or coffee. Read the full story in the Weekend Australian.
And share your views here on rudeness and what cheeses you off.
Comment above
All I want is a little RESPECT10
I hate that people don't show each other respect. What ever happened to common courtesies like returning phone calls or even emails?
It's not unusual in my profession to wait days for calls or emails to be returned or to have to ring and ring again. The reason is obvious, I am the journalist and i want something out of you the inerviewee. Therefore it is accepted that I am the groveller not the grovellee. I am naturally on the back foot. And if I do want to have your time then the onus is on me to get hold of you. Fair enough. But in daily interactions based on equality the groveller/ grovellee situation doesn't work. I know friends who only ever wait for you to contact them, or people who are "too busy" to return calls – as if we aren't all busy.
In my view it is courteous and respectful to drop someone a one-line email saying, too busy to write now, will get to you by the end of the week; or leave that message on the mobile. It is easy enough for the busiest of us to set time aside each day just to show respect. It is about acknowledging others and making them feel seen and heard even if we don't want to deal with the issue they are contacting us about.
It makes people feel like they are invisible if we leave them dangling, This one really makes me mad. What about you?
Please Comment click little "comments" button above


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It is, as Montclair's Yogi Berra would say, dejà vu all over again in New Jersey politics.
There's a Democrat in the governor's mansion seeking re-election amid a sagging economy and awful poll numbers. This unenviable state of affairs is not unique to Jon Corzine.
In fact, there are two other Garden Staters who know exactly how Corzine feels: Brendan Byrne and Jim Florio.
Thirty-two years ago, things were so bleak for Byrne that his own party rebelled in a mass uprising that led to a rare primary contest for an incumbent, one that featured six challengers -- including then-congressman Florio. In the end, Byrne survived, despite the voter anger he stirred for instituting the state income tax.
Sixteen years later, Florio was not so fortunate. After enacting a $2.8 billion tax hike, Florio lost his re-election bid by the narrowest of margins in the face of an organized opposition that painted him as a demon.
As Corzine embarks on his campaign, Byrne and Florio offered their thoughts to Inside Jersey on politics, polls and the punishment of a re-election bid in the Garden State.
Inside Jersey: How is Gov. Corzine doing?
Brendan Byrne: Well, he's behind in the polls. The question is what's going to happen to Gov. Corzine, and I believe that Corzine can win an election. He has a solid record as a governor, he's done good things for New Jersey. Don't count Corzine out yet.
Jim Florio: It's almost unquestioned that Gov. Corzine has the reputation of being an honest person, has the reputation of being a hard-working person, so that's good.
IJ: Is Corzine doing what he needs to do?
JF: He's doing good things. He's got to get a little more publicity about them . . . to convey to people that he is aware of the problem, of the need for economic development and jobs, and that he's doing things about them.
BB: He's got to do a lot more. I think he's got to focus people's attention on the fact that New Jersey's in good shape.
IJ: Would it be better for Corzine to have a Democratic primary?
JF: Who needs the turmoil of an intraparty primary? I suspect the Republican folks are going to find out the difficulties of intraparty primary fights.
BB: I don't think that the Republican primary is helping (Chris) Christie because Corzine just has to sit back and when Christie makes a point, it is answered in his own party.
IJ: Did either of you consider leaving office without seeking reelection?
BB: As my first term closed, I wasn't at all sure that I was going to run for re-election and did not really make up my mind until April. And so I had a very short primary.
JF: I had an eight-year plan, so I was planning on running right from the very start and, in fact, had tried to time things so that we could incrementally move over that eight year period to be able to implement urban policies, education policies, environmental policies.
IJ: Do bad poll numbers affect you personally?
JF: If you go into political office with the idea that you're going to do everything to try to be as popular as possible, you're not going to do anything. I think there has to be a certain amount of self-esteem that allows you to get over the hump of the bad times.
BB: One of my prized memories is the time in 1977 when I was running or about to run. I went to a high school wrestling championship at Princeton University. I went out to make the awards and I got roundly booed. That set me back. Three days later, I get a letter from a man who was in the audience that day, apologizing. He said, "You know I thought about what you did in the last four years and I regret that I booed you."
Matter of fact, I used that man in a campaign commercial. Eventually people will understand what you did and why you did it. That overcomes a lot of bad days.
IJ : What can Governor Corzine learn from your campaigns and election outcomes?
BB: One thing Corzine is perceived not to do is to fight to the finish. I'm not sure the public sees a particular issue as one that Corzine is willing to fight for and die for. I think he has to establish that kind of an image.
JF: Events have overtaken all of us such that there are not a whole lot of choices . . . He should be out there utilizing the resources that are available to have people indelibly imprinted in their mindset that Jon Corzine cares about jobs, cares about the economy, wants to bring us back.
IJ : If you could change something you did in your first term, what would it be?
BB: In this business, if you win, you did everything right. If you lose, you did everything wrong. And so why should I change what won?
JF: There's nothing virtually I can think of that I regret that we did.
IJ : What do the Republicans need to do to beat Jon Corzine?
BB: I don't know how to beat Jon Corzine.
JF: You have to come up with something; you can't just be against things.


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The Humble Indie Bundle 7 has holiday presents! As is often the case, the Humble Bundle dudes have added a couple more bonus games to the package, available to early purchasers of the bundle and those who can beat the average donation going over. Give a warm welcome to Cave Story+, Offspring Fling, and The Basement Collection, joining an already robust selection of epic indie games. The current price average is $6.42, which is pretty freaking amazing deal.
In case you're not familiar with the games, here's a brief summary of each of them:
- The Basement Collection features a compilation of Flash games from the unique mind of Edmund McMillen (Super Meat Boy, Binding of Isaac). This compendium includes Triachnid, Coil, the original Meat Boy, Aether, Grey-Matter, Spewer, Time Fcuk, and a huge amount of unlockable content and extras!
- Offspring Fling is a game about a poor forest creature that has misplaced all of her children. She'll have to fight her way through over 100 levels of action puzzle platforming to get them all back home. There's danger around every corner, but she won't rest until her family is safe again. Offspring Fling also comes with a level editor for infinite possibilities!
- Cave Story is the critically acclaimed opus by indie game developer Pixel, originally created as a tribute to games like Metroid and Castlevania. Cave Story is a 2D platformer in the "metroidvania" tradition, with a classic, world-saving hero and an emphasis on exploration and discovery. The indie studio Nicalis worked with Pixel to update graphics and add new game modes, reflected in this edition of Cave Story.
Basically, I want to get across the fact that these are each awesome games in their own right. The fact that they're being added to a bundle that already includes Dungeon Defenders, Legend of Grimrock and the rest is just... it's awesome. This is why the Humble Bundle is so amazing, it lets as many people as are willing play some of the best games for such low cost.
Check out the Humble Bundle 7 if you haven't already. It's a great deal for some great games and it'll be a few months before we get another one.


text: Comments7 Bella Swan! Twilight fanpire July 9, 2009 User blog:Twilight fanpire Bella Swan is truly my favirote girl on Twilight! Shes pretty, smart, kind, sensitive, and genouris! at times shes a little shy but i bet shell get over that in a flash! Her and Edward are perfect together! Bella is always trying to make everyones day a little better! Like when Angela takes a picture of bella in the lunch room Eric gets all mad at Angela and she says that they can just write a page on teen drinking then bella says you can always write about eating disorders! Then Angela gets happy and comes up with more ideas! I would love to have a friend like that she seems like agreat person! I cant belive Bella has a babby and that the babby kicks so hard that it leaves bruises all over her stomach! But then the babby can sense that she is hurting her so the babby does her best to not hurt Bella! Tha babbies name is so cute I mean Renesme! I love it! I cant belive that Jacob imprints on Renesme and now their like soulmates! And that at times Jacob will let Renesmae bite him or whatever and that it doesnt hurt him because Renesmae dosent have posion in her so he wont die or feel pain! From the way Stephine Myer describes Renesmae she sounds beautiful! I like jacob better with short hair I guess I do because I like Taylor Lautner and not Jacob! But I still like Jacobs pesonality! Retrieved from "http://twilightsaga.wikia.com/wiki/User_blog:Twilight_fanpire/Bella_Swan!?oldid=26325" Category: Blog posts


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Listen to MNers talking about sleep, stress and energy on the Boots Feel Good Forum and tell us what you think - voucher to be won(132 Posts)
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I am finding that I am awake 2 or 3 nights a week at the moment. I'm not aware of anything bothering me, I just go up to bed and suddenly I'm wide awake and then get restless. It's getting me down in the day, I'm running out of ideas to wind down at the end of the day.
I work part time and have a ds 16 months who regularly wakes at night. I have to care for him in the night and be on form in the day. The exhaustion is really piling up and I have no time or energy to do fun things. Any suggestions?
I've always been a poor sleeper, and since having children have survived on incredibly little sleep.
Is there a way to train yourself to sleep, even when you are inevitably going to be woken several times a night? I can never get back to sleep after being woken, so will often get through a day on 2 or 3 hours sleep, and it is not doing me any good at all!
I never really suffered with insomnia until I got pg, them it was a nightmare. So little sleep I was signed off sick from work. My Dd is now 11m & generally sleeps pretty well. I am back at work but my sleep pattern has never gone back to anything like normal. Even on nights when Dd has been asleep for hours, I often can't get to sleep until the early hours. I have to get up at 6 for work so it's really inconvenient. I don't have caffeine after midday, rarely drink & even then I only have 1 glass. Please help as I can barely get through the day sometimes.
Has gazza come back? I think he must be winding us up! (Geddit)
Do you have any tips to stop snoring?
I find I can only sleep on my front but this means I wake up with achey shoulders and neck. Is there anything I can do to help this?
When my baby wakes up (she is 7 months old so not that little now) I just can't get back to sleep. She does sleep through about one night in three and I sleep soundly these nights but on the nights she does wake, that's it. It's not a problem when she wakes at 5am but twice last week she woke up between 1.30 and 2am.
I've tried making a hot milk, lying quietly in the dark, reading in bed, browsing the internet, getting up and doing things but nothing makes me sleepy again at all.
How can I get back to sleep? I do have quite a lot of work related stress which doesn't help.
My DH has worked nights for the best part of 20 years. At the moment due to our different work hours and childcare demands he's often unable to get more than 3-4 hours uninterrupted rest at a time (At best).
He ends up sleeping for two limited sessions a day. He's always grumpy when he wakes up, often sleeps through alarms and is generally more stressed.
What are likely to be the long term effects on his health?
And, As there is no immediate alternative unless he finds another job, how can he make the best of the sleep he can get?
I was wondering what the benefits/risks are of taking pro plus or other caffeine-type tablets, in comparison to loading up on lucozade or other energy drinks? I realise neither are ideal - but sometimes there is not alternative (shift workers know what I mean!)
I have been suffering from chronic idiopathic urticaria for years now. I am currently 'under' 3 specialists who are trying to treat the symptoms (dermatology, immunology and gynaecology) due to a massive flare up that I've been suffering for just over a year now.
All agree that stress is the underlying cause. I initially "flared" after a bad viral cold/flu like infection. Shortly afterwards my husband was made redundant. He quickly found work but 4.5 hours drive away leaving me home with 4dc during the week (in a town we moved to 2 years previously for work!)
This was followed less than 2 months later by the death of both my father in law AND my Dad in the same week!
Written down it all reads like a soap opera script (and it feels a bit like I one too)! I have been/am coping with everything but clearly the subconscious stress is coming out in the hives.
How would you suggest a begin trying to tackle treating the stress? I am not averse to complimentary therapies but have no idea how to avoid the charlatans or where to begin.
Sorry it's long and thank you
Oh, can I post another one please, on behalf of dh? He also works shifts. He works a pattern comprising of early shifts (7am to 5pm), lates (3pm to midnight), half nights (5pm to 2am) and nights (10pm to 7am)
It's a complicated 5 week pattern but looks something like this
Early, early, early, rest, rest, night, night, night, rest, rest, early, late, half night, half night, rest, rest, early, early, early, rest, rest, night, night, night, night, rest, rest, rest, late, late, late, rest rest, early etc.
Have you got any tips for trying to constantly change shift like this, he gets his body clock stuck on days or nights and finds the transition really hard.
Is there any evidence to suggest working night shifts has any negative health implications - long or short term?
My husband has a real problem with waking up too early on a regular basis and not being able to get back to sleep. This leaves him very tired in the day which is affecting our home life. Please do you have any suggestions?
As a pregnant mumsnetter, I wondered what advice the FeelGood Forum could give on actually getting a good night's sleep whilst pregnant? I was on lots of pain medication before I was pregnant, and am struggling both with bump and pain...
sometimes it feels like I never really really get a break, I have me time in the evenings after bedtime, but I'm knackered by then and it seems to go so fast. any advice?
Hi, I have 5 children aged from 1-11 and seem to have got myself in a bad sleep pattern. I have no trouble getting off to sleep but then wake up at 3ish and can't get back to sleep. I don't feel stressed particularly but not sleeping properly is definitely taking its toll!
What are the best ways to deal with stress? I do the 4-7-8 breathing exercise and it really helps but are there other things I could do which would help?
I go back to work after mat leave next month. At the moment, DS sleeps through about two nights per week and wakes once or twice on the others.
Although this is a HUGE improvement on six months ago, it's still pretty tiring and likely to be even more so when I'm back to work and can't have my own naps during the day.
What are your top tips for managing to stay focussed/awake/compus mentis at work when you're totally knackered?
I've had 7 years of limited and broken sleep due to pregnancy and children who don't sleep well and now my youngest has just starting sleeping through the night occasionally. Unfortunately I am really struggling now. If he does not wake I wake up and can't sleep, and if anyone does wake up I feel really awful in the morning. I seemed to be able to cope much better with very limited sleep every night than with occasional limited sleep. Why is this and what can help!?
I can't sleep without reading and i need to fall asleep with a book otherwise my brain doesn't stop buzzing. Trouble is then I sleep with the lights on which i think doesn't help with sleep quality. Any suggestions?
I have not slept properly since my first son, now four, was born. He is in his own room now but I am co sleeping with my second who is now ten month. I find that I sleep best when cat napping when I'm putting four year old to bed so get maybe half an hour. Then I'm up again with ds2 maybe waking four or five times in night.
In the morning I am cross eyed. I am quite anxious anyway by nature but have to go back to work in six weeks and have no idea how I will Cope on the frugal amount of sleep I'm now getting. I struggle to relax but try a bit of yoga a few times a week. Mainly I'm on my iPad late at nigh for company as dh has decamped to ds1 room to avoid being in same sleep deprived boat.
Is there anything I can do to overcome middle of the night insomnia during pregnancy?
It's two am now and I can't sleep. This happens periodically, probably a combination of stress and an overactive mind make it worse.
I don't drink caffeine after six, don't eat heavy meals in the evening, rarely drink more than two glasses of wine when I drink. (I really am quite boring looking at this.)
Tips on how to avoid it? ANd how to stop milling over everything in my mind when I want my brain to switch off and sleep.
My husbands excema keeps us both awake at night, he itches and scratches so much that he bleeds on the bedding We keep the room cool, have cotton bedding and use non bio washing products. At a loss to solve it for him. Any ideas gratefully received. Thanks.
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It looks like the long-running saga of the toxic Brookfield landfill just got a little longer.
The 127-acre site was a city landfill into the 1970s, when a sanitation supervisor on the take allowed, for a fee, corrupt private operators to dispose of toxic materials there for years.
The supervisor was eventually convicted of taking bribes. The state and city shut the landfill in 1980, fenced it off and put up warning signs, but that's about all they did. Even when there was money allocated to clean it up, the funds were diverted to pay for the clean-up of other toxic sites around the city.
There were occasional spasms of interest on the part of state and city officials, and promises to clean up the poisons on this site, which abuts several residential neighborhoods. But nothing was done for a full 25 years and poisons kept leaching into the soil and wafting in the air, despite repeated calls for remediation by Staten Island elected officials and community activists.
Things finally started to look promising this past spring when city officials acknowledged the failure of responsibility and pledged to start cleaning up the site in a matter of months.
"What I want to assure you is we are committed to moving this project forward, right now," acting Department of Environmental Protection commissioner Steve Lawitts said in April.
In June, the full funding for the project came through in an agreement between the DEP and the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
"The trucks could start rolling in by the end of the summer to start the cleanup," said City Councilman Vincent Ignizio. "For the first time, there is actually money in place and a contractor in place so we can finally put this environmental disaster behind us."
His elation was understandable: The inter-agency agreement and the money, which had stymied the project for so longer, were finally in place.
Last week, however, city Comptroller William Thompson, who must sign off on such city contracts, refused to approve this one. His auditors cited a number of problems with the plan.
Among them, the company hired to do the work, Brookfield Cleanup Associates LLC of New Jersey (BCA), was not the low bidder; a Queens-based company was. But, citing higher-than-projected costs, it mysteriously dropped out of consideration days after its bid, which was a full $74 million lower than BCA's, was submitted.
That alarmed auditors, who said it was cause to suspect it might be a case of collusive "complimentary bidding," between ostensible competitors.
That BCA's bid was a surprisingly high $246 million and the contract called for most of the money to be paid up front also raised red flags, as did prospective bidders' conversations with DEP personnel before bidding started. And BCA's parent company, Barbella Construction Services LLC, was recently named in a conflict-of-interest lawsuit for allegedly improperly acquiring a controlling interest in a Clifton, N.J., bank.
BCA's ad-hoc name, in light of frequent name changes on the part of some of its affiliates, also concerned the auditors, who questioned whether the company fully disclosed all pertinent information during the city's vetting process.
With this setback derail the cleanup? Mr. Ignizio insists it shouldn't.
"I am confident that DEP and the comptroller's office will work out whatever issues they have."
We hope so. If these issues are not resolved, it would mean the cleanup would be delayed for several months, at the least.
There were three companies that originally made bids on Brookfield. The lowest bidder dropped out; the second-lowest seems to have run afoul of city regulations. So why not just automatically award the contract to the third?
In any case, here's a chance for the comptroller to show real leadership: He can bring all the parties into a room and hash out an agreement quickly so the Brookfield cleanup stays on track. That would demonstrate his concern for the people of Staten Island and prove that his objections to the Bloomberg administration's handling of this project are not motivated by his own mayoral aspirations. How about it, Mr. Thompson?


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Carol Nagel, real estate broker and sales and marketing representative for B.R. Knez Construction, believes that building a new home calls for teamwork between builders and buyers. That applies to every aspect of the process, including choosing new kitchen appliances.
Many builders offer an allowance for kitchen appliances, but those can vary greatly. Some companies offer flex plans to meet a buyer's needs.
For some builders, a dishwasher, microwave and disposal are a part of the kitchen package. For others, the package may include a cooktop, double oven, microwave, and dishwasher.
The builder no longer offers a stove or refrigerator because it's just so personal these days Buyers don't want a builder picking out all of their appliances, according to Nagel.
Nagel also said that buyers who choose built-ins on their own need to make sure that the appliances are delivered on time so the builder can install them properly and efficiently.
Some builders suggest that a buyer choose their kitchen cabinetry first because it is usually the most expensive item in a kitchen. That will help buyers know what remains in their allowance and prevents them from going over budget.
Sometimes it is easier in terms of delivery and scheduling installation to choose appliances from a builder's preferred vendors. It may also be less expensive. But appliances are usually one part of the homebuilding process that you don't want to make huge compromises.
Most builders recognize that buyers are more knowledgeable than ever before. Sometimes buyers know a little more about a specific new appliance than even builders, said Nagel. But that teaches builders, too, she said, and is a part of the good teamwork that is needed to make the perfect house. Remember, to always ask for allowance clarifications before signing a contract.


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OSHKOSH (WFRV) This week's "Hometown Heroes" come from towns all over the country to let veterans from all wars know that the D-A-V, Disabled American Veterans organization, is there to help them.
And Local Five's Terry Kovarik shows us they get that message out through a historic aircraft.
Copyright Copyright 2014 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


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My Mother's Records
My mum liked what I think of as "grown-up" songs, ones where the subject matter was adults doing, um, adult things instead of the usual wide-eyed, adolescent innocence of most pop songs — records like "Me and Mrs. Jones", "Love Won't Let Me Wait", and "Harper Valley PTA" which weren't about holding hands at the bus stop but dealt with infidelity, sex, and being a single parent. Another big favourite of hers was "Behind Closed Doors" by Charlie Rich from 1973 which, you know, wasn't about two people going home to play table tennis. Besides the sublime melody and production a big part of its appeal was Rich himself: the big, burly "Silver Fox" with the soulful voice who sounded like he'd been around the block a few times and taken a few punches along the way, but his woman letting her hair down made him glad to be a man. What woman could resist that kind of bruised poet?
Download: Behind Closed Doors – Charlie Rich (mp3)
But there was a lot more to Charlie Rich than smooth MoR ballads loved by mums which I found out for myself back in the 1980s when, loving his voice and wanting to hear more, I started following the dusty, overgrown trail that led from "Behind Closed Doors" back to his brilliant earlier recordings. At the time Rich was semi-retired and mostly forgotten so I thought I'd found the best-kept secret in popular music because it was literally like discovering another Elvis – one who had the voice and looks (plus genuine musical and songwriting chops) but hadn't blown his talent on shitty records and movies and cheeseburgers.
If Rich sounded like he'd been around the block a few times it was because he had, having spent years making records that no one bought and jumping from label to label. He started his career back in the 1950s at Sun Records but, with only a couple of minor hits to his name, had to wait until the 1970s before his big breakthrough singing string-laden "Countrypolitan" love songs which must have been a bittersweet pill to swallow as he preferred Jazz and Soul to Country — so even when he finally became famous it wasn't for what he preferred doing, no wonder he started drinking heavily.
Those years of struggle and not-making-it probably inspired his wife Margaret to write the beautiful, heartbreaking "Life's Little Ups And Downs" which should bring a lump to your throat, a tear to your eye, and a shiver to your spine. If it doesn't then there's a black chasm where your heart should be. This is the track that really turned me on to his greatness.
Download: Life's Little Ups And Downs – Charlie Rich (mp3)
His apparent "problem" making it big early on was that he didn't fit into any one box and wasn't just a little bit Country and a little bit Rock n' Roll, but also (more than) a little bit Jazz, and a little bit R&B, Gospel, and Blues too — sometimes all in the same song. His 60s recordings are particularly eclectic, ranging from hip-shaking groovers like "Party Girl" (my personal favourite) and "That's My Way" to Jazz-Gospel-Blues ballads like "River, Stay 'Way From My Door" — the common denominator being Rich's soulful voice and rolling, jazzy piano-playing.
Download: Party Girl – Charlie Rich (mp3)
Download: That's My Way – Charlie Rich (mp3)
Download: River, Stay 'Way From My Door – Charlie Rich (mp3)
Having spent most of his life as the poster boy for unappreciated genius Rich finally got the recognition he deserved before he died in 1995 — better late than never I guess — and now he's not such a big secret. A friend of mine called him "the introvert's Elvis", the King of that alternate pop universe we music geeks wished was real, the one where all the "right" people are famous.
Buy: "Behind Closed Doors" (album)
Buy: "Feel Like Going Home: The Essential Charlie Rich" (album)
Buy: "It Ain't Gonna Be That Way: The Complete Smash Sessions" (album)


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BRIDGETON --Teens from throughout the United States will take hammer and nails to needy city homes this summer.
From July 12 to 18, over 300 volunteers will fan out to the homes of senior, disabled and low-income residents and perform free repairs.
The young workers are taking part in this, one of many projects organized by the Group Workcamps Foundation (GWF), based in Loveland, Co.
The GWF, operating since 1977, puts together such service projects throughout the U.S. and abroad. The intent is as much about the spiritual and social growth of the teens involved as it is about helping people in need, according to the organization's Web site.
Tri-County Community Action Partnership's Southeast Gateway Project brings the good Samaritans to Bridgeton.
Demetrica Todd-Hunter, who coordinates the work camp for Southeast Gateway, said volunteers range in age from 12 to 20, with most falling between 14 and 18.
They will spend their nights in Bridgeton High School throughout the project, which is dubbed a junior high/ senior high camp.
Todd-Hunter said there will be one adult volunteer for every five students taking part.
They will repair, paint, clean or reconstruct portions of city homes for those who otherwise cannot afford it or are unable to do so themselves. They can also work on weatherization and build wheelchair ramps.
According to Todd-Hunter, only about 30 homeowners had applied for the free work as of last week. Organizers hope for at least 30 more, she said.
Tri-County will survey applicant homes to determine what repairs and hence what materials are needed. The organization is using $20,000 Community Development Block Grant funds to buy the materials.
Homeowners can get an application at the Tri-County Community Action Partnership main office at 110 Cohansey Street or the Gateway Family Success Center at 155 Spruce Street.
They can also call Todd-Hunter at 451-6630, extension 323 to have an application mailed.


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Bishop McDevitt historic back to school
Wednesday, August 22, 2012 9:17 PM
Inappropriate photo? Alert us.
Students change classes on the first day of school at Bishop McDevitt High School. JUSTIN A. SHAW/The Patriot-News
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- Bishop McDevitt will make 'Last Crusade' down Market Street in football rivalry with Harrisburg August 31, 2012, 6:37 PM


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White Knoll tight end Alex Brown was a bit astonished to be selected to the 76th Annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas after recording one catch all year.
But, its not necessarily the number of grabs that helped him earn the roster spot. The 6-foot-3, 265-pounder also was taken for his blocking ability, which he says is just fine.
I caught one this year, but I guess that doesnt really count, Brown said jokingly. The offense we ran, we dont throw. We ran the double wing. Were lucky to throw one pass a game. They brought me here for my blocking, I guess. Im known as a physical tight end, and so its definitely cool that I still not catch many passes and make it to the Shrine Bowl.
Its not that Brown cant catch. South Carolinas coaches are fully aware of his abilities. Brown said hes ready to go if called upon in Saturdays game against North Carolina.
I can still catch at the Shrine Bowl combine and here and everything, he said. Just because they didnt throw me a pass doesnt mean I cant catch a pass.
Brown doesnt mind blocking for his teammates and allowing them to gain the spotlight. Hell exhibit the same unselfishness for his country at the Naval Academy next year.
Brown said hes excited about the opportunity to continue playing football and defend the nations freedom.
Im really looking forward to it, he said. Its a great honor to be selected to do that. Its a very rigorous selection process. What better way to serve a country than playing football and being in the Navy afterwards. Where else am I going to get a $400,000 education for free, get to serve my country and be in a locker room full of guys who are entirely selfless than there?
Getting their legs
Sandlappers running backs Harold Atkinson (Carolina Forest), Romelo Doctor (Ashley Ridge) and Darius Hammond (Strom Thurmond) have steadily improved through each practice. South Carolina coach Ray Stackley said hes encouraged by what the group has shown so far, as well as a couple of others lining up at the position.
We feel real good, he said. Weve involved Tramel Terry and Akia Booker in the run game, as well. Both of them are strong game. Our running backs can also make you miss. They dont need but a crack. They are not what I call fast burners. They are all 195 and 200 pounds and run with a low center of gravity and can move the chains.
Tough task for O-line
Offensive linemen Johnathan Boring (Lexington), Keiton Burgess (Crestwood), Justin Day (South Aiken), Bryce King (Dillon), Joseph Park (Dillon), Isaiah Pinson (Byrnes), Trahjare Reeder (Newberry) and Alex Simms (South Pointe) will have their hands full against the Tarheels talented defensive front. Stackley said the group would have to be on its toes if his team hopes to win.
Weve got a ways to go, he said. Their defensive front is supposed to be special. They are big and fast and highly acclaimed. That will be our challenge. Well continue to work. We know we cant line up and run right at them. Weve got to mix it up.
Quarterback battle
Union Countys Keiston Smith and Hilton Heads Michael Julian are in a tight competition for the starting nod on Saturday.
Stackley said Julian appeared a bit ahead of Smith early on but the gap narrowed through Tuesdays two-a-days.
Michael Julian looks really good, he said. Keiston recently played and is a little tired, but Monday afternoon and this morning he really stepped it up and threw some really strong balls. Hes got a strong arm. Both of them do.


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HUNTSVILLE, AL -- Clayton Bass, president and CEO of the Huntsville Museum of Art, said today he has resigned to take a job with a fundraising firm in Atlanta.
Bass, who has been head of the museum since December of 2002, said his last day will be Dec. 23. He has been hired as a partner and consultant with the national fundraising firm Alexander Haas, he said. Alexander Haas, he said, raises money primarily in the fields of medicine, arts and culture and higher education.
"More than anything, this is an opportunity that came up a number of months ago and I have been considering it," Bass said today. "I have not been on the job market or looking, it just came this way and the offer was made."
Bass said he wanted to see through the completion of the museum's $6.8 million expansion, which created the 21,000-square-foot Davidson Center for the Arts. The expansion debuted to the public on Nov. 21.
"I am very much an admirer of the museum and wanted to finish this project," Bass said. "We got that done and are very proud of it - everyone is. It's just been a wonderful team effort and I just feel really honored to be a part of it."
Bass said the museum's executive committee met Monday and appointed a search committee to find his replacement.


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Sunday, October 6, 2013
Devils practicing in Edmonton, preparing to face Oilers Monday
The Devils are practicing this afternoon at Rexall Place in Edmonton in preparation for Monday night's game against the Oilers.
The game begins a five-game trip that also includes stops in Vancouver Tuesday, Calgary Friday, Winnipeg next Sunday and Ottawa on Thursday, Oct. 17.
All players on the Devils' roster are on the ice for practice along with right wing Mattias Tedenby, who remains on the injured non-roster list.
Martin Brodeur is expected to start in net Monday, setting it up for Cory Schneider to start Tuesday in his return to Vancouver. The Devils acquired Schneider from the Canucks in a June 30 trade for the ninth pick overall in the 2013 draft.
Here is the breakdown of the players today:
Forwards: Dainius Zubrus-Patrik Elias-Jaromir Jagr; Adam Henrique-Travis Zajac-Michael Ryder; Ryane Clowe-Andrei Loktionov-Damien Brunner; Ryan Carter-Stephen Gionta-Steve Bernier; Rostislav Olesz-Jacob Josefson-Mattias Tedenby.
Defensemen: Bryce Salvador-Marek Zidlicky; Andy Greene-Adam Larsson; Anton Volchenkov-Peter Harrold; Mark Fayne.
Goaltenders: Martin Brodeur, Cory Schneider.


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Mercer County to correct a 9/11 memorial mistake
Mercer County had the best intentions when we dedicated our September 11 Memorial on the 10th anniversary of one of our nation's greatest tragedies. We made the choice to memorialize the nearly 3,000 souls who perished that sad day. Each of those victims has a place in our hearts and we have collectively grieved for those souls. But we agree that the innocent from Mercer County who lost their lives that day should have a special place of remembrance at the Memorial and we now correct our mistake of not giving prominence to those residents who lost their lives in that attack.
-- Brian M. Hughes
The writer is the Mercer County executive.
Allowing Tasers — a stunning mistake
On Nov. 13, I had the opportunity to watch the CBS-TV program "60 Minutes." The topic was Taser International and founders Rick and Tom Smith, who are aggressively selling their stun guns.
As a victim in a foreign land who was tortured by electric shock where no laws against their use are in existence, I find it troubling that the attorney general of New Jersey would approve these weapons of torture when Amnesty International has recorded close to 500 deaths nationwide and where there has never been an oversight committee to monitor these weapons of death.
I see it as a big mistake that New Jersey is putting these weapons in the hands of law enforcement ("Stun guns get an OK from state — Attorney general approves use by New Jersey police officers," Oct. 15). Even the police commissioner of Baltimore does not like their use.
Congress should act with full force, investigate the Smith Brothers and charge them with inhumane acts against society.
Furthermore, using Tasers in New Jersey law enforcement was never brought to the public to vote on. I commend reporter David Martin of "60 Minutes" for bringing the issue out into the light.
-- Antonio C. Gambino,
Commuter tax benefit about to be halved
Those who use mass transportation to commute to work every day know that the IRS now allows them to allocate up to $230 in pre-tax dollars for transportation expenses and $230 a month for parking expenses per month as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which was extended through Dec. 31.
Using the full $230 per month for transportation (an NJ Transit monthly pass from Hamilton to New York is $425), the average commuter could save more than $1,000 a year in taxes.
Unfortunately, with the provision set to expire at the end of the year, we will ring in 2012 with a pre-stimulus $125 per month commuter benefit, while the parking benefit actually increases to $240 per month.
While not everyone can take mass transportation to work, I applaud those who carpool, walk or otherwise seek green alternatives to get to work. By reducing the maximum tax-free benefits for mass transportation by 45.6 percent and increasing the maximum tax-free benefits for commuter parking by 4.3 percent, we are sending the wrong message to mass transit commuters, as commuters may find it cheaper to drive to work and park.
If Congress fails to extend the current amount of the commuter benefit through 2012 and beyond, we are allowing the recession to continue by further reducing personal spending while encouraging negative consequences such as congested roadways, increased gasoline consumption and a larger carbon footprint. In other words, it would be a lose-lose for everybody.
I urge commuters to contact their congressional representatives to ask them to maintain the current tax-free transit cap at $230 per month. Mercer County residents can contact Rep. Chris Smith (R-Hamilton) to voice their opinion.
-- Eric Bruhn,
Respect for authority has gone by the wayside
I think mom Jane West is greatly confused ("Mom fears for daughter, says she'll sue school — Wants to remove girl from East Windsor after flap over Confederate shirt led to death threats," Nov. 16).
Kreps Middle School owes no apology for merely doing its job. Student Torri Albrecht needs to apologize for disrespecting authority. Had she simply apologized and turned her sweatshirt inside-out, it would have shown that she sincerely did mean no harm. But the rebelliousness and terrible attitudes of both mom and daughter seem to show that they did indeed want trouble and that they have no concern for authority, especially since, the article noted, the daughter has been reprimanded by the school before.
It's a shame. We have a major lack of respect in our society. What will become of this generation of people who think nothing of others?
-- Jessica Jones,
West Windsor has much that unites it
I thank the residents of West Windsor who came out to vote on Election Day in what proved to be a very close election. In fact, only 28 votes separated first from fourth place, clearly proving that every vote counts.
Both teams worked diligently to craft a message that represented their view for West Windsor's future, and each worked to deliver its view in a manner that would resonate with voters. The outcome, however, was an election result that seemed to nearly equally divide those who came out to vote.
Upon reflection, though, I do not believe that our messages were all that different. Both teams consisted of individuals who care deeply about West Windsor and its future. Both teams want to see the community benefit from a "downtown" area that can bring residents together. And both teams want to see taxes kept under control.
With the election now over, it is time for the members of the town council to come together to work toward those goals.
For my part, I pledge to work diligently toward delivering on these goals and earn the trust the voters have placed with me.
I would like to acknowledge and thank my running mates, Gary Zohn and Lauren Kohn, as well as the many members of our campaign team, whose hard work and sacrifice are very much appreciated.
I look forward to serving West Windsor over the next four years.
-- Bryan Maher,
West Windsor
The writer is a West Windsor Township Council member-elect.
This Thanksgiving, serve up compassion
When people tell me they love animals, I just can't help asking them, "Which ones?" They look at me, puzzled. "All of them, of course!" they answer. "Hooray!" I say "You're a vegetarian!" "Uh, well, no," most say, a bit sheepishly.
Many people truly believe they love animals, but they don't include animals raised for food in their circle of compassion. I was one of those people. Farm animals should not be outside of our consciousness when it comes to loving animals.
Thanksgiving dinner is the last stop at the end of a sad life for millions of turkeys. Truly love animals? How about granting a turkey amnesty this year by having a vegetarian Thanksgiving? Invite your friends and family. Show them how delicious a compassionate Thanksgiving can be. There are excellent vegan (containing no animal products, including eggs and dairy) alternative "turkey" roasts that can be found at most health food stores and some better mainstream grocery stores or by special order (e.g. tofurkey.com and fieldroast.com). Besides enjoying a delicious meal, you will have the warm, satisfying feeling that you saved a fellow sentient creature from a miserable fate.
And you will be doing yourself a favor by not eating a cholesterol-laden meal. Take it one step further — do something really nice for a turkey this Thanksgiving: Adopt one (farmsanctuary.org)!
-- Charles Bivona,
The writer is a member of the Animal Protection League-New Jersey (aplnj.org).


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If there's a financial services crunch, you wouldn't know it by watching Bankrate (Nasdaq: RATE ) . The financial rates publisher already set itself apart last month, when it posted a head-turning 72% increase in second quarter revenue. Now it's bucking the trend of bankers selling assets by buying assets.
Last week's purchase of CreditCardGuide.com isn't going to break the bank. Bankrate is paying just $32 million for the company, with another $2 million for the site's working capital and as much as $10 million in future payments based on the website's performance over the next two years.
CreditCardGuide.com has only one employee: its entrepreneurial founder Rafael David. His site has became one of the definitive one-stop resource centers for plastic-seeking consumers. It allows credit-hungry visitors to compare deals side by side and links them to online applications to complete the process. Issuers then pay CreditCardGuide.com for the leads.
Getting paid for financial leads is something that Bankrate knows well. It carves a living out of charging financial services providers for ads and hyperlinks on its rate comparison pages.
It's also familiar with CreditCardGuide.com. Bankrate acquired Nationwide Card Services last year, the site that runs a credit card affiliate network for hundreds of sites, including Credit Card Guide.
The credit card industry has held up far better than its financial peers. Visa (NYSE: V ) and MasterCard (NYSE: MA ) are trading well above their 52-week lows. They run a surprisingly steady business, as issuing banks take on the credit risk while they simply collect a piece of the processing action. American Express (NYSE: AXP ) shares haven't fared as well, given the company's more hands-on approach and exposure to the financial services market.
This doesn't mean that Bankrate and its latest buy can grow forever. If stingy credit markets and volatile banks dissuade borrowers and savers, it will sting. HouseValues (Nasdaq: SOLD ) wasn't strong enough to weather the residential real estate market storm. Growth has slowed for wedding services lead generator The Knot (Nasdaq: KNOT ) as consumers scale back.
For now, at least, you have to give Bankrate some credit. It hasn't only earned it, it has acquired it.
More on Bankrate:


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Japanese baseball has been dominated for years by the likes of "old school" teams, such as the Yomiuri Giants, Chiunichi Dragons, Hanshin Tigers and Seibu Lions. These teams all play in the older Central Division, but they have not fared well in recent years. For American comparisons, please consider recent National versus American League results.
This year the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters (whose roster includes Jose Macias) have claimed the title. The Fighters have been ably managed by Trey Hillman (pictured at right, rather upside down,) a former AAA Columbus Clippers manager. My gut instinct is that Trey will be announced soon as the new manager of the Texas Rangers. Trey is potentially a younger version of Cubs manager Lou Piniella. The big star for the Fighters (named after the Japanese meatpacking conglomerate Nippon Ham) is pitcher Yu Darvish (pictured to the left;) Yu shares both Iranian and Japanese ancestry – American Major League fans will start to hear about Yu in about six years when he nears free agent eligibility. Their victory was iced by a former Montreal Expo player named Fernando Seguignol, seen in the picture to the right hitting a two-run homer off of Chuinichi Dragons pitcher Kenshin Kawakami.
Hokkaido used to be one of the three "Tokyo" teams and could not survive in a market that included Yomiuri. In bad games they had less than a thousand fans, so the team headed to the northern island when Sapporo built a domed stadium. Nippon players insist that their championship could not have happened without the urgent support of the Hokkaido faithful – compare and contrast that with the egotistical "me-ism" of their American equivalents!
For American baseball fans this is the equivalent of the Seattle Mariners winning a championship – best of luck to the Fighters' players and congratulations to their fans!