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Fine wine, beer and hors d'oeuvres will be available for sampling at the seventh annual event on Thursday. Tickets are $20 and include a commemorative glass to the first 200 ticket buyers.
Twelve Frankenmuth businesses (Bavarian Inn Lodge, Black Forest Brew Haus & Grill, Cass River Bar, DaVinci's, Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Restaurant, Frankenmuth Brewing Company, Frankenmuth FunShips, St. Julian Wine Co., T-Dubs, Tiffany's, Zehnder's of Frankenmuth, Zehnder's Splash Village Hotel & Waterpark) will offer two samples of wine or beer along with hot or cold hors d'oeuvres from 5:30-10 p.m.
Free shuttles will be available.
Tickets are available at the Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce, 635 S. Main St. For more information, call (989) 652-6106.
Out on a Ledge
Report from Chicago's Ledge: Stacy Ballard, of Bay City, who won two tickets to Chicago's Ledge through this column, made it there Sept. 1. Here's her report, including some tips if you go:
"We went around 5 p.m. -- big mistake -- I forgot that just because I was on vacation, it didn't mean that everyone else was. We were stuck in traffic for quite some time.
"The lines were not long at all as we got there, just when the new tour time was about to start. They take your picture before you go into the movie theatre. The movie was about 5 minutes and was quite interesting. It told about how the building was created, and its history.
"The elevator ride was smooth, very fast though and our ears were popping. At the top, it was a beautiful sight! We could see so many things, and the side view with the water was spectacular.
Timing is everything
Ballard continued: "The ledges are on the west side of the building and, unfortunately, when we got there, the sun was going down, which made it very hard to see. I wouldn't recommend going at the time of day we went. Morning or after sun goes down would be a great time.
"There were three ledges -- only two you could go on. The other was occupied by two women taking your picture -- again. The pictures were $32, but you did get two 8-by-10s and four wallets.
"They are building another ledge, so that will be nice when finished, because they were packed at all times.
"Stepping on the ledge was a very crazy-weird feeling. Even once you're on there, it's still hard to imagine. I had to hold onto the wall the whole time.
"Overall, it was a definite worthwhile attraction to see while in Chicago. We had a great time."
Before you go
Travel is not just about being there: Anticipation and virtual exploration of exciting destinations are huge parts of the experience.
For those of us who like something old and something new, Heritage Travel Inc., a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has launched gozaic.com for people who have a passion for heritage- and culture-rich experiences.
Part travel research tool, part social-networking with like-minded travelers, the free Gozaic membership enables people to find destinations, events and guided tours; build travel itineraries; share destination reviews and photos; and take part in discussions with those who share similar interests.
Heritage and cultural tourism is no small part of the travel market:
Seventy-eight percent of U.S. leisure travelers (118 million adults) participate in cultural and/or heritage activities when traveling, and 24 percent of U.S. leisure travelers (36 million) will take a cultural/heritage trip within the next 12 months, according to research sponsored by Heritage Travel Inc. and commissioned by the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Commerce.
E-mail Sue Schroder: firstname.lastname@example.com


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This deal has ended.
Get this Carhartt Sandstone Sierra Jacket (typically $125) for $81 from Sierra Trading Post. Even better, enter the code SITEOFF912 and bring the price down to $61. Even with $9.95 shipping, that's $39 less than the next best price we found for the same jacket anywhere. The jacket features a drawstring hood and Sherpa pile lining for added warmth. Please note this is a "2nds" jacket from the manufacturer, which means it may have barely perceptible blemishes. Sales tax is not charged in most states.No longer available

subset: commoncrawl


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AL.com Opinion
- About the writer
Beth Thames is a Huntsville columnist for the Alabama Media Group. She can be reached at email@example.com.
- Read more
See more by Beth Thames
Like a lot of former teachers, I like running into students who graduated, got jobs, started families, and turned out well. Their names and faces blur, but when they introduce themselves at the grocery store or in the mall, they wear a sense of pride like an expensive cologne. They made it through.
After 20 years of teaching freshman composition, I remember some of those students, and I remember the assignments, too. There were the research papers and the poetry essays and the Shakespearean character analyses and all the rest. Papers came in and went out. Composition teachers become grading machines from September until May.
Our last assignment was close to graduation and Mother's Day. I wrote the topic on the board. Some students thought it was corny. Others gave it some thought. They were to write an essay of five paragraphs, 350 words, using no shop-worn phrases and giving specific examples.
The question?
What was the best advice your mother gave you? (Grandmothers and mother-figures were allowed, too.)
Some of the older students were mothers themselves. They could see the wisdom in what they'd been taught. The younger students, still living with their parents, didn't really understand the difference between "advice" and "rules."
After all these years, one paper stands out. The student who wrote it was a bright, middle-aged woman who'd started college late in life. She'd done well on her assignments, so I expected a solid paper.
And I got one.
In her five paragraphs, she wrote that her mother didn't give advice; she gave orders, like "Bring me some food," or "Go get the bottle." My student and her brothers grew up in a farmhouse in the midwest, with an alcoholic mother and a father who came and went with his construction jobs.
After he left for good, the children looked after themselves. Their mother lay on the couch most of the time. The school bus rescued them for seven hours a day. It was in the school library that my student first read the phrase "Mother Nature."
She decided that's the kind of mother she'd have—one that was outside, just waiting for her. On the afternoons her mother yelled and raved, she slept in the arms of the trees at the creek's edge. When it was hot, she climbed into the upper branches, catching a breeze.
Her mother's voice was raspy, but Mother Nature's voice was sweet. She heard it in the wind and water. She grew up, somehow, and left to start her own life.
When her brother called to say their mother was in the hospital back home, my student showed up even though her mother had not been able to show up in her life. She sat with her mother until the end. She forgave her. It was what she was supposed to do, she wrote.
In 350 words, my student summed up her life: A child who needed a mother found one in the most unlikely place. In spite of her neglect, that same child grew up to be a caring mother.
This is not a Mother's Day message you'd find in a hearts and flowers Hallmark card, but it's a true message, one that has stuck with me for all these years. Maybe there should be cards for that.


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On the evening of Nov. 17, 2005, trumpeter Irvin Mayfield learned a critical lesson: It's not all about him.
Barely 10 weeks after Hurricane Katrina, Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra debuted "All the Saints" at Christ Church Cathedral.
Commissioned by the Episcopal church, "All the Saints" interpreted Katrina and its aftermath within the structure of a jazz funeral procession. At the time, the fate of Mayfield's father, Irvin Mayfield Sr., was not yet known; his body would be identified weeks later.
More than 1,000 people filled the church and spilled onto the St. Charles Avenue sidewalk; cars and news trucks lined the streetcar tracks. Inside, the atmosphere was electric. For many New Orleanians, the concert provided a desperately needed morale boost.
"It reminded me that it's not just about me, " Mayfield recalled this week. "It's about us, the community. It sounds pie-in-the-sky, but until you experience going through this thing, and think about what it's taken for us to be here, and remember where we were -- the only way we've done it is by pulling together and staying together."
Tonight, Mayfield and the 17 members of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra render "All the Saints III" at Christ Church Cathedral. "All the Saints" is a "living commission" -- Mayfield embellishes the piece for each annual performance at the church.
"My perspective obviously is a lot different from the first year, " he said. "Now people aren't saying, 'We're just glad to have the lights back on.' Now people are saying, 'Let's make this thing be what it's supposed to be.'
"There's a lot of optimism. People can see more long-term now. They understand that they can make it through something like Katrina. We have to make this thing worth something so people's lives weren't (lost) in vain."
Tonight's performance is also the public debut of the Elysian Trumpet, the most spectacular horn to ever emerge from David Monette's storied Portland, Ore., workshop.
Mayfield, Wynton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard and others have long sworn by Monette's solid-body horns. But the Elysian Trumpet is something else altogether.
Mayfield conceived the idea of an instrument as a memorial to his father and other Katrina victims. Monette and his team spent months crafting the intricate horn, finished in 24-carat gold, inlaid with precious and semi-precious stones, and laden with symbolism (visit www.elysiantrumpet.net to see the horn).
"The look is amazing, " Mayfield said, "but the sound is a beast."
A consortium of 10 "stewards, " including Mayfield, covered the six-figure cost. For insurance purposes, armed security guards -- donated by the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office -- must accompany the horn in public.
Admirers are encouraged to photograph, but not touch, the delicate instrument, especially following an "incident" at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center after a performance for the Archbishop of Canterbury.
"People wanted to take pictures, they got frantic and started touching the horn, and it was a weird little scene, " Mayfield said. "We hurried up and put it in its case."
Mayfield is nothing if not media savvy, and the Elysian Trumpet is designed to attract attention. Various religious leaders have blessed it; President Bush donned reading glasses to examine it during a New Orleans visit in August.
Mayfield feels the weight of responsibility each time he handles it.
"It's overwhelming, " he said. "Sometimes when I play, I still get emotional. It's a great icon for New Orleans. And it gets people to understand Katrina. People's reaction to it . . . they remember it. It's doing what it's supposed to do."
So, too, is the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. Five years after the orchestra's incorporation, Mayfield is more or less pleased with its progress. Since Katrina, NOJO has performed more than 100 concerts around the globe, outpacing mentor Wynton Marsalis' Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra as the busiest big jazz band. In summer 2008, they're slated to tour Australia, Asia and Europe.
Even though some members, including drummer Adonis Rose, still aren't living back in New Orleans, the orchestra has managed to maintain its identity. Saxophonist and University of New Orleans jazz professor Ed Petersen, among other musicians, has taken on a more prominent role in the operation.
The all-star NOJO roster includes trombonist Ronald Westray, formerly of Jazz at Lincoln Center; bassist David Pulphus; pianist Victor Atkins; trumpeters Maurice Brown, Leon Brown and Eric Lucero; saxophonist Derek Douget; and clarinetist Evan Christopher, a student of traditional New Orleans jazz who is based in Paris.
"That's been the real joy of NOJO, these individuals coming together and understanding how powerful that is, " Mayfield said. "These guys want to work, and they earn it every night."
But he is frustrated that plans for the National Jazz Center development downtown have stalled.
"We're still aiming for it, but I hoped by this point we would have broken ground, " he said. "Jazz does need a home. I won't be satisfied until that first shovel hits the ground. I thought it would happen before I turned 30 (on Dec. 23). I'll give it another year."
For now, Tulane University houses NOJO's offices and staff. Additionally, Mayfield is an artist-in-residence at UNO. This in addition to his duties with the city's library board and as its cultural ambassador.
Collaborating with multiple centers of higher learning dovetails with NOJO's mission, Mayfield said.
"In New Orleans, the road to rebuilding is partnerships. It makes sense for these places to come together."
What: The 18-person big band, led by trumpeter Irvin Mayfield, performs the third installment of the commissioned piece "All the Saints."
When: Tonight, 7.
Where: Christ Church Cathedral, 2919 St. Charles Ave.
Admission: Free.


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JACKSON, MI — Good morning, Jackson! Today is Tuesday, July 23.
Welcome to Jackson Current, your daily peek into stories we're working on and a look back at the latest news.
TWELVE PEOPLE ARRESTED AT PIPELINE PROTEST — Police arrested 12 people Monday morning as protesters gathered at the site of a pipeline construction project northwest of Stockbridge. Ingham County Sheriff's Major Joel Maatman did not release many details, including the reason for the arrests, but said an investigation is underway regarding the disrupting of "public utility work."
SHOOTING SUSPECT ARRESTED — A 16-year-old suspected was arrested for the Friday shooting which left two men with minor wounds. On Friday evening, Jackson
police responded to the 1200 block of Maple Avenue for a report of shots fired.
THREE CRASHES ON I-94 — Emergency crews responded to three crashes Monday evening along I-94 between Dearing Road in Sandstone Township and Parma Road in Parma Township. The accidents shut down portions of both east and westbound I-94. Crews first responded shortly after 5 p.m. to a semitrailer that had left the eastbound lanes of I-94 near the Michigan Avenue exit.
INCINERATOR RALLY — A group of Jackson residents are planning to assemble in front of the county tower building at 5:30 p.m. today to rally support for the county incinerator. The Jackson County Board of Commissioners are scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. and will most likely run into the group as they make their way into the building located at 120 W. Michigan Ave.
BREWERY CLOSES — Bad Bear Brewery, which opened late 2011, is closed after a sale of the business fell through, said John Burtka, who also owns the new Grand River Marketplace and Cherry Creek Winery. The buyer was supposed to make improvements and take the business "to the next level" but that person defaulted on payments, he said.
GAS PRICE UP, AGAIN — Jackson's gas price on Monday was 33 cents higher than it was a year ago and was more than the national and state average price, according to AAA Michigan. Jackson's current price for regular fuel that day averaged $3.88 per gallon, compared to the state's $3.81 per gallon and the nation's $3.67 per gallon, according to AAA's Fuel Gauge Report.
TED NUGENT TWEETS ABOUT RACISM — Ted Nugent fired off a series of tweets about the Trayvon Martin case, with one saying Rev. Al Sharpton and Tavis Smiley are "blind drunk on terminal racism. Sharpton called the acquittal of George Zimmerman a "slap in the face to the American people."
That's it for this morning. Come back to MLive Jackson for more news throughout the day, and make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.


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SUNO vs. Xavier Men's Basketball
Tuesday, January 15, 2013 2:22 AM
Inappropriate photo? Alert us.
Xavier guard Wanto Joseph makes this jumper with seconds remaining in overtime to seal the victory for the Gold Rush over SUNO at the Convocation Center in New Orleans on Monday, January 14, 2013. (Photo by Peter Forest)
Related articles
- Xavier men's basketball defeats SUNO in overtime, 70-68 January 14, 2013, 11:42 PM


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Lake County Illinois Democrats Welcome You Perhaps at no time in our recent history is there more at stake than now. Medicare, Social Security and our most vulnerable citizens are under attack. The middle class is under attack. Progressive values are under attack. But you can help us fight back. The 2016 election will bring a roster of outstanding Democratic candidates for office at the local and national level. Each one is dedicated to upholding the values which provide strength for our community, state and nation. And each candidate is committed to public service and brings a wealth of insight and experience. The Democratic Party stands for people-oriented public policy... jobs, fiscal discipline, sensible foreign policy, national security, education, affordable health care, environmental protection, international cooperation and the participation of the public towards the goal of this country achieving its ultimate best. The Lake County Democratic Party works towards these goals by helping democratic candidates, arranging events, assisting voters, providing information about issues and much more. We need your help to transform this county and this country into one where the needs of its people come first. Will you help? Click here to volunteer.
� 2016 Lake County Illinois Democratic Party
1001 North Ave
Waukegan IL
477 Central Avenue
Highland Park IL
A copy of our report is on file at the Lake County Clerk's office, 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085


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|1 1⁄2
|Gin, Tanqueray
|Dry vermouth, Noilly Prat
|Orange peel (as garnish)
From other users
- Very nice perfect Negroni variation. I was out of nice oranges, so I added a dash of Regans' and used a long swatch of grapefruit.The grapefruit complimented the Cynar nicely.
- Flavor-wise, more of a Martini variation than a Negroni/Cin-Cyn twin. Gin-forward, dry vermouth (I used Dolin) very prominent, with the Cynar adding viscosity, dark flavor notes, mild sweetness, and bitterness. A dash of oran
- This tastes better than a plain old Negroni with dry vermouth.
Similar cocktails
- Aristocrat — Gin, Cynar, Bianco Vermouth, Celery bitters
- Sofia — Old Tom Gin, Dry vermouth, Cynar, Cardamom bitters, Rose water, Mint
- Chin Up — Gin, Dry vermouth, Cynar, Cucumber, Salt
- Cynartown — Gin, Sweet vermouth, Cynar
- Locandiera — Gin, Sweet vermouth, Cynar, Cherry Liqueur, Grapefruit bitters, Maraschino Liqueur, Campari, Grapefruit peel
- Adair Hook — Gin, Sweet vermouth, Cynar, Maraschino Liqueur, Orange bitters
- Meat & Veg — Gin, Cynar
- Thamyris — Gin, Cynar, Elderflower liqueur, Ginger liqueur
- Br'er Rabbit — Smooth Ambler Barrel Aged Gin, Herbal liqueur, Bitters, Carrot juice
- Martini (Modern: 5:1) — Gin, Dry vermouth, Olive
4 Comments
The cocktail was updated to
Submitted by Dan on
The cocktail was updated to reflect the authoritative recipe in the PDT cocktail book. The previous (very similar) recipe was for a smaller less boozy drink: 1:2/3:1/2
I love this drink. It's
Submitted by bza on
I love this drink. It's unexpectedly floral, but in a very appetizing way. A great drink for the advanced negroni connoisseur.
I made this today
Submitted by OldFashionedWhiskey on
I made this today (accidentally), In trying to make a Negroni variation, I mixed equal parts Plymouth Gin, Cynar and Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth. After tasting, I decided it needed some Regan's Orange bitters. I shook it with ice (I know) and served it up in a cocktail glass. Tasty.
I just made this with añejo
Submitted by bza on
I just made this with añejo tequila in place of the gin as a hunch. I might like it even better than the original - good stuff!


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These days, people are having trouble getting to sleep. There may be some debate as to the reason for this. It may be stress, bad diet, lack of exercise, or the constant bombardment from all of our tech devices such as iphones and tablets. And people are becoming more aware of the dangerous side effects [...]
Valerian Root vs. Melatonin & L-Tryptophan
Comments Off
Jan 252012


text:
When Kobe Bryant demanded the Los Angeles Lakers trade him in 2007, his destination almost ended up being The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Yahoo! Sports reported today that the Lakers had agreed to a deal that would send Bryant to the Detroit Pistons, satisfying his desire to leave Los Angeles as part of a long-running feud with former teammate Shaquille O'Neal.
A source confirmed to the MLive Media Group tonight that the trade was indeed a done deal. But Bryant nixed it when he had a change of heart after meeting with Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who died today after battling cancer.
For the deal to happen, Bryant had to waive the no-trade clause in his contract, according to Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski, who reported that Buss invited Bryant to his home in the Hollywood Hills to break the news of the pending trade.
It was then that Bryant decided he didn't want to leave the Lakers and Buss after all.
"Looking back, Bryant isn't sure it would've mattered whether it was Detroit or Chicago, Dallas or New York," Wojnarowski wrote. "In that moment, in Buss' house in the hills, it washed over Bryant how much staying a Laker for life meant to him, how no matter how dire the state of the franchise seemed, that Buss had a history of restoring the Lakers to championship contention.
" 'It hit me that I didn't really want to walk out on Dr. Buss,' Bryant told Yahoo! Sports on Monday."
According to Wojnarwoski, the Pistons would have given up a "combination of core players and draft picks" to get Bryant, who has won five championships with the Lakers.


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UMMS Clinical and Educational Conflict of Interest Committee (CECOIC)
Countless examples exist to support the value of appropriate financial relationships between "Industry" (collectively the pharmaceutical, medical device, medical equipment, medical supplier, medical services, and biotechnology industries) and academic medical centers (AMCs)--research entities and their employees.
Development of new, beneficial, and sometimes life-saving drugs, devices, and tests depends on those relationships, many of which exist in our medical school. Retaining them and promoting new ones are important to our mission as a school as long as they can serve the best interests of our patients. It is important to note that such relationships are always connected to a deliverable—and academic—goal. In some of these research-related arrangements, faculty and staff may receive payment for their work directly from industry or may receive compensation such as stock options, royalties, or other opportunities for personal gain from the deliverable involved in the relationship with industry. It is understood that the aforementioned interactions in and of themselves involve conflict of interest on the part of medical school faculty and staff. Those individuals may stand to gain financially from the industry relationship. The reward may be to the individual or may come through family or a financial entity they or their family controls, such as a foundation. Because these research-related conflicts of interest have inherent bias connected with them, they must be managed appropriately. The structure for doing so has been established in the School and is delegated by the Dean to the Conflict of Interest Board.
Besides the research-related interactions with industry mentioned above, there
are other relationships—clinically-and/or educationally-related financial interests—
between faculty and staff and industry that fall within the purview of this Committee.
The overarching principle in developing the Committee's recommendations will be that its recommendations serve the best interests of our patients and the integrity and reputation of our institution and its faculty and staff.
Click here to read the full report of the Conflict of Interest Group.
Note: The Medical School Conflict of Interest Board (MEDCOI) handles COI issues related to research, intellectual property, and technology transfer as well conflict of commitment.
Committee Roster
Committee Charge
The Clinical and Educational COI Committee will serve the Medical School in developing policies governing relationships between UMMS faculty, staff, trainees, students and biomedical industries in clinical and educational realms.
The policies developed will require advisory review by the UMMS COI Board (MEDCOI), followed by endorsement by the Dean's Advisory Council – Chairs, prior to being submitted to the UMMS Executive Committee for review and decision regarding final approval.
The Committee will periodically reassess existent policies in light of evolving relationships between the academic health center and biomedical industries.
The Committee will serve as a resource for faculty, staff, trainees, and students in evaluating existent and potential relationships with biomedical industries and in determining whether they are allowable within the provisions of established policies.
The chairperson and voting members of the Committee will be appointed by the Dean and serve at the pleasure of the Dean.
The Committee will meet a minimum of six times per year.
Charge approved by the UMMS Executive committee November 11, 2010
Minor revision January 25, 2011
Updated 7/19/12


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TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Developers of Ohio's newest casino think they'll do just fine competing for gamblers with Detroit's three casinos, even without the spas, hotels and big-name concerts found just up the road.
Whether they're successful might come down to the little things like a prohibition on smoking on the casino floor, or the free garage parking.
The Hollywood Casino in Toledo made its debut Tuesday, drawing many people who for years have frequented the casinos just an hour drive to the north in Detroit. "I'm done going there," said Jaycee Riley, of West Unity.
"I can't believe how nice it is. It's better than some of the casinos in Vegas. I doubt I'll be going there anymore too," she said while waiting with most of the casino's first customers in a long line to join its rewards program.
The $320 million casino designed to look like a grand Art Deco movie house has a single floor devoted to slot machines, table games and restaurants. It sits right along Interstate 75 just south of downtown Toledo. Casino operators think the ease of getting in and out along with the free parking will be a major draw.
The lack of a hotel shouldn't hurt business because most customers will be traveling less than a half-hour, said Peter Carlino, chairman and chief executive of Penn National Gaming Inc. "This is a big-time facility by any measure," he said.
Penn National, based in Wyomissing, Pa., has 27 casinos nationwide. It's also constructing a casino in Columbus that is expected to open in the fall.
Ohio's first casino opened just two weeks ago to big crowds in downtown Cleveland. Another casino is being built in Cincinnati.
All four casinos will draw away Ohio gamblers who've been spending an estimated $1 billion each year to wager in neighboring states. Gaming analysts think Detroit's casinos could lose up to 5 percent of their revenues.
On Tuesday, executives from Penn National, local politicians and even Toledo native Jamie Farr, who played cross-dressing Cpl. Max Klinger on the TV series "M.A.S.H.," officially opened the casino as dealers, hostesses and a pair of showgirls cheered.
The casino then opened to the public about two hours earlier than expected. Most people headed to the slot machines, leaving the poker and blackjack tables empty, at least in the first few moments. By mid-afternoon, the casino's parking garage was full and visitors were being directed to overflow lots.
Perhaps the biggest difference between the casino in Toledo and the ones in Detroit is smoking. It's banned in Ohio's gambling halls, but not in Detroit.
Jake Miklojcik, a gaming industry analyst in Michigan, thinks the smoking issue will play to Detroit's advantage and might lessen the amount of business it stands to lose to Ohio.
Carlino, who was on hand for the opening in Toledo, said the absence of smoking will have an impact, but there is little the company can do about that.
Among those who were first inside the casino on Tuesday, the lack of smoke seemed to be welcome.
"I love it," said Terra Teague, of Detroit. "I can't stand that cigarette smoke."
Audrey Johnson, also of Detroit, said she didn't know about the smoking ban before walking into the casino.
"I'll probably come here a lot more often knowing that," she said.
Still, whether she skips the casinos in her hometown for the new one in Ohio will come down to what every gambler care about most.
"It depends on how the winnings are," she said.


text:
Monday, May 23, 2011
facing the morning
left, right, left, the maze we weave through the streets, faces join us, faces leave. we are all characters in this morning story. a man, tan skin creased, soul patch beneath his lips carries a case-less guitar and periodically picks a string with his ring finger, without even noticing, but the woman two seats over cant stop focusing on it, by facial expression, but says nothing.
its a buffet, where you choose whose life to taste by the seat you pick, but the one next to me is empty. we roll on stop, by stop. faces come and faces go. in po-town, projects, we pick up a few ladies just finishing work as the sun rises, their legs pearlescent lies'n books laid open til spines broken, well read & dog eared, barely disguised in short skirts that leave little unexposed to the elements of imaginations.
he boards behind them, silent as he cases his options prowling taut down the well trod rubber ribbed aisle. what skin visible, an inked canvas of muscle to the knuckle & below his eye, indigo tear eternally. sliding in beside, huff'n blow, he's ready to go, phone rings & shows a little brown haired girls picture & he thumbs the slide, passing the caller over.
yours? i ask, curious
mi hija
dos hijos, i touch my chest
and for next five minutes, regardless of where we been, culture, circumstance or language barrier, we are two dads on a bus, flashing pictures in cell phone pixels, heading somewhere, no where, now here, where faces come and faces go and a man strums a guitar, without even noticing.
linking with the Poetry Jam.
67 comments:
- happygirl said...
Buses are so different from trains. I'm glad you wrote about the bus. I hardly ever take them anymore and this felt like being back on the bus. Thanks
- May 23, 2011 at 12:59 PM
- California Girl said...
sometimes I just love you. this is one of them.
- May 23, 2011 at 12:59 PM
- Helen said...
'.. characters in this morning story ...'
riding a bus has limitless possibilities for creating a great story - as you have.
- May 23, 2011 at 1:10 PM
- Daniel said...
I really felt the vibe of this one. Gritty, real, raw. Good addition to your library my friend.
- May 23, 2011 at 1:17 PM
- lorely said...
"it's a buffet where you choose whose life to taste" apparently you chose well...that was the line which spoke to me...
- May 23, 2011 at 1:21 PM
- David Allen Waters said...
we are all just people...beautifully expressed my friend
- May 23, 2011 at 1:21 PM
- LauraX said...
"its a buffet, where you choose whose life to taste by the seat you pick" BRILLIANT line Brian!
- May 23, 2011 at 1:55 PM
- Sue said...
And for me, nostalgic.
- May 23, 2011 at 2:08 PM
- Christine said...
It's been years since I took the bus, you've captured this "buffet" world so effortlessly. Loved that word you used, I used to watch people and wonder who they were ALL the time.
- May 23, 2011 at 2:21 PM
- ayala said...
"it's a buffet , where you choose whose life to taste by the seat you pick" love this line... Nicely done :)
- May 23, 2011 at 2:24 PM
- Scott said...
Ah the bus: cyclic like life. You're partaking tin the life of others, as you said, but then others are doing the same to you. And you'll be on both sides of that coin if you ride the bus long enough, where someone will always board before you and someone will always board after. Good read.
- May 23, 2011 at 2:42 PM
- Felicitas said...
Meeting new people who might never otherwise cross your path is one of the things I have always loved most about the bus. Every day is an opportunity for a new adventure!
- May 23, 2011 at 2:48 PM
- hedgewitch said...
Great short piece with elements of story and poem--love the skirts that "leave little unexposed to the elements of imaginations"--you've caught that city vibe--if you're on the bus, you ain't no millionaire, and poor folks may have poor ways, but they are pretty good at tolerating the rough edges of life.
- May 23, 2011 at 3:15 PM
- KB said...
A bus ride can introduce us to people we wouldn't usually meet. Very nice.
- May 23, 2011 at 4:02 PM
- Hilary said...
I love the idea of the bus buffet.. and your connection .. father to father. Beautiful, Brian.
- May 23, 2011 at 4:47 PM
- Who Is Afraid Of Miss Lovett? No, Mrs.Lovett... said...
Hi! Brian...
I know that every reader, take away something different from your poem(s) [words]
Brian said,"and for next five minutes, regardless of where we been, culture, circumstance or language barrier, we are two dads on a bus, flashing pictures in cell phone pixels, heading somewhere, no where, now here, where faces come and faces go..."
What I'am picking-up on is a very well-written and very vivid description Of a bus ride and no matter where we go or what we do people are basically, the same.
(In other words, We all basically, have the same concerns, love Of family, and friends, joys, sorrows, and problems in this world.)
Thanks, for sharing!
DeeDee ;-D
- May 23, 2011 at 4:47 PM
- Pat Hatt said...
Oh how I loathe the bus so much
All the things you have to touch..lol
But yes the people that can be met
And the possibilities you've yet to get
Can make for an interesting time
But I'll walk over the bus any day, way or climb
- May 23, 2011 at 5:00 PM
- blueviolet said...
My daughter rode the bus to school last year and she told me stories. So many stories to be found on such a short ride.
- May 23, 2011 at 5:33 PM
- Jen said...
My bus rides were never that exciting.
- May 23, 2011 at 5:42 PM
- Margie said...
Loved it and especially this:
*it's a buffet, where you choose whose life to taste by the seat you pick*
Wonderful story!
I do love how you write!
Margie :)
- May 23, 2011 at 5:51 PM
- Kate Hanley said...
Isn't it cool how people can make connections so easily? Great writing, the words flowed like scenery going by.
- May 23, 2011 at 6:01 PM
- Kate Hanley said...
Isn't it cool how people can make connections so easily? Great writing, the words flowed like scenery going by.
- May 23, 2011 at 6:01 PM
- Mama Zen said...
The description of the ladies is just brilliant.
- May 23, 2011 at 6:18 PM
- rosaria said...
A bus buffet! How clever is that!
- May 23, 2011 at 7:05 PM
- Helena said...
We all seem to like the same line! Buffet...I haven't rode the bus in years, but you took me right back in time...I love this one Brian, I felt like I was in the seat behind, watching you.
- May 23, 2011 at 7:21 PM
- emily wierenga said...
oh, brian, LOVED this, every word.
- May 23, 2011 at 7:25 PM
- tracy said...
Until you met the man with the picture I had a vision of one of those videos that are made with pictures so it looks like everything moves really fast and jerky. Then it slowed. way. down.
- May 23, 2011 at 7:31 PM
- AmyLK said...
Its amazing how you describe a bus ride. Lovely!
- May 23, 2011 at 7:44 PM
- Slamdunk said...
Makes me want to go ride and explore the possibilities that I have let go by in the past.
- May 23, 2011 at 7:53 PM
- lori said...
Ok, favorite line is, "it's a buffet, where you choose whose life to taste by the seat you pick..."
That is a brilliant line. What I like so much about your work is that it inspires me to write better. I mean, c'mon! I so wish I had written that line :)
Thanks for sharing your creations!
- May 23, 2011 at 8:15 PM
A buffet where you choose whose life to taste...such a vivid description of riding on a bus. Though we may have many differences, we are all also very much alike, which you discover as you connected with another dad. It's neat to find how just a single thread can connect and create a bond.
- May 23, 2011 at 8:17 PM
- Raven said...
Such an ordinary thing made so vivid and expressive. You never cease to amaze me. Oh, how I'd love to crawl around in your head for a while.
- May 23, 2011 at 8:23 PM
- ladyfi said...
How wonderful - such vivid description of life and what binds us.
- May 23, 2011 at 8:46 PM
- ds said...
Love this. "Somewhere, nowhere now here..." Very clever. How the heartstrings touch in unexpected ways and we remember our common humanity. You are a one! Thank you.
- May 23, 2011 at 9:15 PM
- Enchanted Oak said...
I like your syntax and language, a little herky-jerky reflecting the bus ride. Nice work.
- May 23, 2011 at 10:27 PM
- ethelmaepotter! said...
"dos hijos, i touch my chest"
This touched my heart. And I think I heard faint traces of Simon and Garfunkle singing America in the background.
- May 23, 2011 at 10:32 PM
- Zuzana said...
Oh, this was beuatiful. I recall when i traveled to the university and later to my first employment by buss, for about two hours each day. I too would look at faces of strangers and after a while familiar faces, that would greet me each morning or on the way home. I even met my first serious boyfriend in that buss.;)
I also recognize that moment in time, when language poses no barrier between two people connected by life itself - no matter their geographical or cultural background.
Beautiful and poignant piece, one of my favorites.;)
Have a great day dear Brian.;)
- May 23, 2011 at 11:39 PM
- A Daft Scots Lass said...
well said, Bwian
- May 24, 2011 at 2:05 AM
- Lorraine said...
so often wanted that to see all around me, but I could never take the bus...I can only look at life behind a cloister... I love this Brian
- May 24, 2011 at 2:41 AM
- Alan Burnett said...
There is a fabulous Stacey Kent song called "Breakfast on the Morning Tram". Your piece reminded me of it in many ways. (And the lyrics are by Kazuo Ishiguro so it is good company to be keeping)
- May 24, 2011 at 2:47 AM
- Sam!! said...
Lovely post Brian..thanks!
Take care
- May 24, 2011 at 2:51 AM
- Vodka Mom said...
i heard there was a yard sale over here.
- May 24, 2011 at 3:22 AM
- the walking man said...
Nicely done Brian. Your execution of the buses atmosphere was spot on perfect.
- May 24, 2011 at 3:38 AM
- Baino said...
At least you spoke to the guy on the bus. I went into Sydney for an interview on Monday and nobody even looks at each other. Full of iPod buds and laptops. Very unfriendly and everyone dresses in black, seriously no colour in the business world.
- May 24, 2011 at 4:13 AM
- Titus said...
Wow! Wasn't expecting that. Pleasure to read.
- May 24, 2011 at 5:10 AM
- Chef Kar said...
Boy oh boy have I missed reading you. So grateful to "click" on you this morning. Wonderful, as always, Brian. Hoping to get back in the flow soon. Touching words painting a picture with grace and beauty...always a delight.
- May 24, 2011 at 5:13 AM
- annell said...
I like this one. I love to ride the bus....sometimes just for fun!
- May 24, 2011 at 5:37 AM
- Valerie said...
Loved this, Brian. I used to love riding on buses but not any more; you brought back memories.
- May 24, 2011 at 7:09 AM
- The Bug said...
Well told tale. There usually is some common ground in all people. My Magpie/OneShot (posting tonight) tells a simliar story. In a VERY different formate of course :)
- May 24, 2011 at 7:58 AM
- TALON said...
I was right in the moment, riding the bus and smiling at the dad exchange, Brian.
- May 24, 2011 at 8:02 AM
- jabblog said...
I felt the relentless drive of the bus, the mix of passengers and the final communication between two dads - beautiful!
- May 24, 2011 at 8:24 AM
- Maggie May said...
Lovely post.
I think people are the same all over and just because they might look a bit different or wear different clothes, they are just like us when you get to know them and they get to know us.
Maggie X
Nuts in May
- May 24, 2011 at 8:51 AM
- 5thsister said...
a touching vignette. I find I meet the most interesting people when in similar circumstance, be it a bus, a plane, a coffee shop... A very nice snapshot of the human condition.
- May 24, 2011 at 9:19 AM
- william said...
excellent interpretation mate, I also wrote a poem about a bus lol, catching all the characters aboard, well done ;)
- May 24, 2011 at 10:45 AM
- Claudia said...
oh i almost missed this...ha you see...even with google friend connect...smiles. glad you can't blame me for missing your posts...ha
and so glad i didn't miss it because it's so beautiful and warm-hearted. love the idea of choosing whose life to taste by the seat we pick. used to commute to work by train for about two years and know exactly what you're talking about
- May 24, 2011 at 12:59 PM
- Jess Mistress of Mischief said...
- May 24, 2011 at 1:15 PM
- Magpie said...
If we could just see each other in such basic ways...no country, no government, no religion...what a happier place this would be.
- May 24, 2011 at 4:17 PM
- Joybird said...
set the scene, then move the characters, the move my heart...just 2 dads under it all
- May 24, 2011 at 5:11 PM
- secret agent woman said...
A lovely image of how we are all more alike than we are different.
- May 24, 2011 at 6:43 PM
- slommler said...
Wonderful verbal images!! A slice of life...quick and satisfying
Congrats on your POTW
- May 25, 2011 at 2:34 AM
- Out on the prairie said...
What a nice passage, I need to ride that bus more.
- May 25, 2011 at 6:02 AM
- texwisgirl said...
that was beautiful.
congrats on your POTW!
- May 25, 2011 at 6:28 AM
- lucychili said...
lovely =)
- May 25, 2011 at 5:47 PM
- Dave King said...
A great and modern take on the prompt. I loved it.
- May 26, 2011 at 2:57 AM
- Barbara Shallue said...
I'm behind on my blog-reading, so I'm happy Hilary awarded you a POTW so I didn't miss this one. (Congratulations!) I rode a city bus for the first time earlier this year (jury duty) and had such similar thoughts as yours. It was an opportunity to connect with people I never would have otherwise and I loved it for that reason.
- May 26, 2011 at 3:37 PM
- Stranger said...
Fantastic! Are you publishing this stuff? Are you doing live poetry slams yet?
- May 28, 2011 at 8:08 AM
- poetpeteet said...
"legs pearlescent lies'n books laid open til spines broken, well read & dog eared, barely disguised in short skirts that leave little unexposed to the elements of imaginations. "was the most memorable line in this fine buffet for me as it sets up the "father of daughters"moment so well.A nice breakfast in the clear morning light.
- June 15, 2011 at 3:12 AM


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This deal has ended.
Macys.com drops the price of this Alfani Faux-Leather-Sleeve Hooded Anorak from $129 to $49.99 to $29.99. That's 75% off the original price. Shipping adds $9.95, but is free on orders of $99 or more. The anorak is machine washable and features an attached hood, hidden front placket with zipper and snap closures at neckline. Available in sizes XS, S, M, L and XL. Sales tax is charged in most states.No longer available


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Take a look at some of the best in photographs sent to The Messenger-Gazette during the week of April 2-6, 2012. Have a photo you would like to share with the paper and your community? Send it to us at firstname.lastname@example.com and we will run it in print and post it online.
BRIDGEWATER - NJ – Tickets are available for the luncheon to honor Far Hills resident Rod Ryan as the 62nd Somerset County Outstanding Citizen of the Year. Mr. Ryan will be honored at a dinner reception on Thursday, May 3, 2012, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Martinsville Inn on Washington Valley Road in Martinsville.
The Outstanding Citizen of the Year recognition is awarded annually to one person by the Somerset County Business Partnership for exemplary volunteer efforts demonstrating creativity, vision, leadership, and citizenship by providing service to programs and activities that positively impact the welfare of the Somerset County community.
The dinner honoring the Citizen of the Year continues the sixty-two year long tradition of bringing the community together honor an individual's volunteer efforts in support of the community in which he or she lives and works. Further the evening provides the opportunity to reflect on Somerset County's rich history and the people who have provided the leadership that has contributed to that success.
Admission is $85 for Business Partnership members and their guests if purchased prior to Monday, April 30 and $95 thereafter. Non-member admission is $125 prior to Monday, April 30 and $135 thereafter. Deadline for reservations is Wednesday, May 2. Reservations may be made by calling the Business Partnership at 908-218-4300 or ordering on line at events.SCBP.org. The Business Partnership provides an opportunity to congratulate the recipient with an advertisement in the Awards Journal. Information on the ad journal is available by calling 908-218-4300.
Recent Outstanding Citizen recipients are: Former Freeholder Rick Fontana, Jim Ventantonio, Esq., Somerset County Administrator Dick Williams, former Manville Mayor Angelo Corradino, Sen. Walter Kavanaugh, Steve Kalafer, Rich Reitman, Bernie Navatto, John Graf, Jr., Robert Corcoran, Christine Rose, Dan Puntillo, Donald Bowers, Evelyn Field, Frank & Audrey Dittman, Adele & Leonard Blumberg, David Prugh, Arlyn Rus, Richard Shive and Dave D'Alonzo.
"Being named as Outstanding Citizen of the Year is the ultimate recognition of volunteer efforts that serve the community," commented Troy Fischer, Chairman of the Somerset County Business Partnership. "As important as is the honor, so is the dinner. This is historically the signature event of the year, bringing together people from across the county and from all businesses and non-profit organizations, gathered in one place at one time to meet, share, and honor the best of Somerset County."
The Outstanding Citizen of the Year award was first presented in 1950 to Somerville Mayor Howard Lyons who also served as president and director of the Somerville Trust Company. The announcement of the selection was made by George H. Shay, newly elected president of the Somerville Chamber of Commerce. Since that time residents and business leaders have gathered annually to honor men and women who have served the community as medical professionals, elected officials at the local and state level, newspaper publishers, clergy, business leaders, and philanthropists.
Rod Ryan
W. Rodman Ryan is a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Viet Nam War. Following his discharge, he started a small automobile business that under his leadership would grow into the Open Road Auto Group, one of the most respected automobile dealership chains in the country. He now serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ryan Automotive LLC and the Open Road Auto Group.
While attending college following his military service, Mr. Ryan opened his first dealership in 1972, selling recreational vehicles, used cars, and Honda motorcycles out of a two-bay garage in Edison, New Jersey. Over the next 40 years, through creativity, vision, leadership, and philanthropy, Rod Ryan grew the Open Road Auto Group to include 20 locations in New Jersey and New York.
Mr. Ryan and the Open Road Auto Group have donated countless dollars and hours in support of organizations including the Somerset Hills YMCA, Somerset Medical Center and other hospitals, numerous schools, youth sports, police and fire departments, first responders, food banks, Boys and Girls Clubs, scouts, and much more.
Mr. Ryan serves as Vice-Chair of the Somerset Hills YMCA Board of Directors and is Co-Chair of the organization's Strengthen Tomorrow Endowment Campaign, a $5 million effort with over $3 million already raised. The Open Road Auto Group has served for four years as the presenting sponsor of the Y's annual Strong Kids Golf Classic and sponsor of the benefit performance at the Big Apple Circus in 2010.
The Somerset Medical Center is another recipient of the generosity of Mr. Ryan, supporting the Far Hills race Meeting, the Steeplechase Distance Run, and the Taste of the Races.
The Boy Scouts of America are also recipients of his generosity where he serves as President of the Board of Trustees of the Patriots Path Council and through his participation in the annual Man and Woman of the Year Harvest Ball, the annual Golf Classic, and the recent 100th anniversary Gala. He was recognized as the Boy Scouts of America Patriots Path Council "Man of the Year" in 2007.
He is also a Board member of the Far Hills Country Day School and a financial supporter and advocate for the Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center.
Rod Ryan and his wife Dianne live in Far Hills. Their daughter Jamie and husband Michael have provided them with three grandchildren, Grace, Jack, and Brady.


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Redemptive Discipline
In excommunication, Dr. John MacArthur writes, "the idea is not merely to punish the offender, or to shun him completely, but to remove him as a detrimental influence from the fellowship of the church, and then to regard him as ...Read More
The Disciples' Prayer
Lack of forgiveness, we learn in today's passage, may prove a lack of faith. No matter how hard it may be to forgive others, we simply cannot call ourselves followers of Christ if we do not forgive those who have ...Read More
The Fruit of Repentance
One of the more neglected tools that can help us grow in our holiness is the confession of sins one to another (James 5:16). It can be difficult to admit to other people that we have sinned, but loving brothers ...Read More
Forgiveness Mandated
"I can never forgive him" is commonly found on the lips of those who have been sinned against, especially when the violation is heinous. Some of us may feel like we can never pardon a particular individual even if we ...Read More
Repentance in Action
Repentance entails confessing one's sin to the Lord and if necessary, to an offended person as well. But the reality of repentance (and faith in God) is shown in a good-faith effort to make restitution to those we have offended. ...Read More
Loving Your Enemies
The old saying "love the sinner, hate the sin" is true insofar as it reflects our abilities. Our remaining sin makes it impossible for our hatred of the wicked and the violent to be pure and holy like God's (Ps. ...Read More
Receiving Forgiveness
Godly fear makes us work out our salvation by seeking forgiveness in Jesus and living out His pardon in the fruits of a holy life and ministry to others (Phil. 2:12–13). Ungodly fear arrogantly assumes that God's free forgiveness through ...Read More
The Only Solution
One of the most important reasons we need godly friends is so that we can discern our guilt and experience the Lord's forgiveness. Left to ourselves we will often rationalize our sins or quickly suppress guilt feelings, but others can ...Read More
Grace and Forgiveness
When Paul exhorts women to train women, and by implication, men to train men (Tit. 2:1–8), he is not speaking of doctrinal matters as if they are unconnected from everyday life. God wants godly men to teach and model all ...Read More
The Joy of Forgiveness
We can stand in right relationship to God only if the perfect obedience of Christ is put on our record. If this has happened, the Lord no longer counts sin against us. At the conclusion of our study of repentance, ...Read More


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Blog Archive
September 2011 Nail Polish BlogThursday, September 15th, 2011
Sneak Peek: Nubar Polished Chic CollectionThis Fall Season, Nubar introduces eight new colors to the Polished Chic Collection. See the press release along with sneak peek swatches! Read more about this Beauty entry.
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WATCHUNG — A series of unauthorized charges on stolen credit cards has Watchung detectives investigating the reported thefts from shoppers at Watchung Square on Route 22 West.
On Feb. 12 a woman from Ridgefield visited the Watchung police station to report that there had been $600 in unauthorized charges on a credit card, which she said was stolen at Target on Feb. 4.
Two similar reports of credit card fraud were taken at the police station Feb. 13. A Plainfield woman reported that about $85 worth of charges were rung up on a credit card that she noticed was missing when she was at Stop & Shop three days earlier.
A Piscataway woman reported that her wallet was stolen at Borders that weekend and nearly $500 in charges was rung up on the credit card.
In other police news, a coat and a wallet, both belonging to a Watchung woman, were reported stolen Feb. 12. Police were told the theft occurred at the Colorado Café on Bonnie Burn Road the previous evening.
Altagrace Vital, 37, of Irvington was arrested Feb. 13, charged with shoplifting $600.35 worth of clothes and jewelry from Kohl's in the Blue Star Shopping Center. She posted $200 cash bail and was released with a Municipal Court hearing Feb. 24.
Regina V. Ramkrith, 37, of North Plainfield was arrested on a shoplifting charge Feb. 13 at Sears on Route 22 East.
According to police, Ramkrith allegedly switched a price tag on merchandise in order to get a $5 discount. She was released on her own recognizance pending a court hearing.
Keira L. Carter, 19, of Mountain Lakes was arrested Feb. 9, charged with shoplifting $245.45 worth of clothes and jewelry from Sears on Route 22 East. She is free on $150 bail pending a court hearing.


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A coalition wants travelers to think Oregon when they take a cycling vacation
When it comes to embracing the bicycle, Oregon is on a roll.
A coalition of travel promoters and bicycle advocates has adopted a goal of confirming Oregon as a premier place to ride a bicycle over the next five years.
Portland is already ranked best in the nation among big cities by Bicycling magazine, so the foundation has been laid. And anyone who pedals in smaller places such as Eugene or Corvallis must wonder how Portland gets rated higher.
Bringing along the rest of the state comes next, but even that shouldn't be too tough because 20 years of Cycle Oregon, the state's biggest ride, has shown many small towns the benefit of bicycle tourism.
Pedaling on pavement isn't the only place where Oregon excels. The state was chosen the country's best in 2006, the most recent rating, by the International Mountain Bike Association for its riding opportunities, advocacy groups, clubs and community support.
"We're already out in front on this issue," said Scott West, chief strategic officer for Travel Oregon, the state's tourism promotion arm. "Bike tourism is here in a pretty substantial way. We're engaged with many partners to continue its economic growth."
A recent national tourism survey found that 22 percent of overnight leisure trips in Oregon included some type of outdoor recreation, compared with 13 percent nationally. In the same survey, 72 percent of respondents said Oregon is "great for biking," compared with 25 percent for the rest of the nation.
Both points argue strongly for more bicycle tourism, one element of the state's growing reputation for green-related activities.
To show what bedding down with a bicycle can become, a new organization called Unique Lodges of Sisters Country has launched a program that caters to road and mountain bikers (hikers and equestrians, too). The lodges take care of shuttling gear while nonmotorized visitors move between overnight accommodations and dining at five upscale lodges. Out-of-state bikers can get picked up at Redmond airport to begin a 10-day circuit, or Oregon cyclists can opt in for shorter getaways.
Bill Willitts, owner of the year-old Five Pine Lodge in Sisters and one of the key players, said his property was designed with bicycling in mind.
"We balance health with adventure, plus we border on 2 million acres of public open space," he said. "Instead of fighting for the few bones that come our way from traffic bound for Bend, our town and the lodges have banned together to build a target audience."
Perhaps the key player in the state's push to be bicycle-friendly is the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, which has hired a bicycle recreation coordinator.
Iris Riggs, state parks' bike planner, is working on a number of projects that will cover most of the state. Among them:
Scenic bikeways: The existing 130-mile pilot project in the Willamette Valley will set the standard when the state soon issues formal rules for future bikeways. Next up are the Calapooya mountains (southeast of Eugene) and the Portland-to-Champoeg bikeways. Within five years, seven signed byways could be linked, crossing the state in each direction over two different routes.
Better information: State parks will publish booklets describing bikeways when they are marked on the ground (the Willamette Valley Bikeway map is available now). Also, Travel Oregon is creating a new bike page on the state tourism Web site, www.traveloregon.com.
New trails: State parks will partner with clubs to build mountain bike trails and skill riding parks where appropriate, including at Stub Stewart, Holman Wayside and Silver Falls state parks in populous northwest Oregon.
Campgrounds: Hiker/biker campsites in state parks will be upgraded and managed consistently around the state, with input from user surveys.
Funding: State parks, with help from Cycle Oregon, will develop a grant program to fund bike facility improvements along bikeways. If a cafe wants to put in a bike rack, it will be able to apply for funding assistance.
Cycle Oregon has helped give a face to recreational cycling around the state. The annual September ride, 2,000 cyclists strong, is hard to miss in the rural towns it passes through.
The ride will continue to evolve, if for no other reason than the age of the riders has increased one year over each of the past six years. While the average age of riders has reached 49, they are still capable of covering long miles, but want better amenities, daily ride length options and more down time.
"We will continue to evolve to meet the needs and to broaden the appeal of our audience," said Jerry Norquist, chief executive officer of Cycle Oregon. "Our mission will remain to create an environment where people can cycle safely on roads around the state."
Oregon recently began issuing a new license plate, "Share the Road," to keep cyclists on the minds of drivers. Portland International Airport has opened a connector bike trail to its terminal and parking garage, giving cyclists the opportunity to fly into town and connect to bike paths.
Of the 14 million passengers coming and going annually at PDX, those who bring a bicycle will be small in numbers, but important, according to Veronica Rinard of Travel Portland.
"We see bicycle tourism as a niche market with a lot of potential, like culinary tourism, cultural tourism or any of a number of areas where Portland really excels," she said. "With Bicycling magazine rating us No. 1, we're already on the map as a well-known bicycling community."
Direct flights from Frankfurt, Germany, and Amsterdam, Netherlands, will attract bicycle-savvy Europeans, who should love cycling Oregon's lightly traveled roads.
"Bicycling fits into our sustainability ethos," Rinard said.
A 2006 study by the Outdoor Industry of America pegged bicycle spending in Oregon at $464 million annually, small in the overall picture but nevertheless significant, especially to the 2,300 people who owe their jobs to cycling.
-- Terry Richard; email@example.com


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Interview: Abhimanyu Negi(ABRAXAS)
- Published in Interviews
You take one look at the insane solos, drum-beats and the growling and you know this is a band you just CANNOT ignore! Say hello to ABRAXAS from Pune, whose brand of Melodic Death Metal music is fast catching the ears of metalheads across the country! Their extremely aggressive, intense and mind-blasting performances led them to win the revered RAIT Unchained soon after their formation in September 2008, and the National Finals of Campus Rock Idols Edition 5 leading them to open for heavy metal giants IRON MAIDEN at Rock in India, merely 2 months after their formation, alongside bands such as CYANIDE SERENITY, DE PROFUNDIS, SLAIN and PARIKRAMA. The band has since performed in Pune, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Cherrapunjee, Manipal, Hyderabad and Goa and stamped their presence strong, in the metal scene in the country! This is Abhimanyu Singh Negi, lead guitarist of ABRAXAS, in a candid chat with us about metal, music, Maiden, and ofcourse - ABRAXAS!


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Tuesday in Texas
AP Photos
Tuesday, June 13, 2006, 3:10 pm
Tonight's Lineup
Pods, LF; Iguchi, 2B; Thome, DH; PK, 1B; Dye, RF; AJ, C; Crede, 3B; Uribe, SS; Anderson, CF. Garland pitching.
Bronze Titan
How impressive was he last night?
A few Jose Contreras notes:
He extended his regular-season winning streak to 15, tying Wilson Alvarez and LaMarr Hoyt for the longest White Sox streak in history
Is 15-0 with a 2.39 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 19 starts during the streak, which began on 8/21/05 … it's the longest in baseball since Minnesota's Johan Santana won 17 straight in 2004-05
His last loss came on 8/15/05 vs. Minnesota
Including the postseason, Contreras is 18-1 with a 2.52 ERA in his last 23 starts
And to think that when the Contreras for Loaiza trade was made in 2004, many analysts felt the Sox were taken. Hmmm …
Contreras struck out a career-high 11 with no walks last night … according to the Elias Sports Bureau, it is the most strikeouts by a Sox pitcher without a walk since Alvarez (also 11) on 7/26/96 vs. Texas
Heart of the Order
Our 3-4-5 hitters have combined to hit .307 with 58 home runs, 164 RBI and 137 runs scored … where they rank in baseball in each category:
HR, 1st
BB, 1st (146)
Runs, 2nd
AVG, 2nd
RBI, 3rd
Paulie and HB
With 219 home runs with the White Sox, Paul Konerko needs two more to tie Harold Baines for second in club history (Frank Thomas leads with 448).
26 Comments
Thanks for the great post Scott!
Congratulations Jose, you're a champ. Literally.🙂
Jon will turn in a dominant performance tonight, lets keep rollin.
How about our 3-4-5…..one word; exciting!
Make sure to keep voting for our guys for the All Star Game, lets get them what they deserve!!
Catch ya on the flip side of a White Sox Winner!
Listen to the lady,boys…she speaks the truth…
I grew up watching the WS scuffle for runs,HR's,etc…To have the excellence of execution of Thome,Konerko and Dye is to know how all those Yank-me teams that used to haunt the Sox year after year felt…Ya wanna know something?
It feels REAL good…..
Tom Q (happy to follow Ms Conrad's feelings with my own…..)
Tom, you ol' codger you. making nice with the ladies huh? i wish you luck in any case, but you're probably too old for any of them, but then, father's day is this weekend. good luck mi amigo.you are needed to keep things in perspective. yes, occasionally we come up with an obvious comment or two, but you are our leader with the dry whit that provokes thought. i particularly liked the reference to snagglepuss from a few days ago. keep us laughing. but, now i have to dissagree with you. Juan Pizarro, Gary Peters and Joel Horlen were great pitchers, but if you put Jose in with them in his prime then, he would be in his 60's now. i'd rather keep him and times as they are and let the pieces fall where they may, namely a quality start for Jon tonight and more timely hitting like last night and another White Sox winner. talk to you all later…
P.S. today it was hot. j.k. in tucson….
WOW..I have to agree with the King and Queen of Wit…those of us who follow this team, know Contreras is "the man", but to see the stats laid out is quite impressive. Same goes to our the heart of our order. I still don't feel like the world at large shows us the respect we are due..just as well. They'll never know what hit them..AGAIN!! =)
By the way..for those of you who watch the games on Comcast Sports Net… They have a promotion. When the Sox catch someone stealing, go to their website and fill out the information on inning and date, etc and you will be eligible for a LoJack Vehicle Recovery System. How do I know?? Go to that section of their website and you'll see that yours truly snagged the one for May =)
Oh, Scott…. what a clever change to the blog title you've made. I found myself counting the W's all the way to 15.
Dawn, congrats on your new Lo-Jack system. Can't think of a more deserving winner!
Maria (in Des Moines… relegated to GameDay for tonight.)
Thanks…not sure either car is worthy, but what the heck. I saw all the Ws but didn't catch that…very clever of Scott..more clever of Maria to figure it out. Enjoy beautiful Iowa and a WS winner =)
I hate to "back to back" post, but after the top of the 6th, Paulie now needs just 1 HR to tie Harold Baines on the all time WS HR list. I'm on the Paulie watch now =).. Big Jon is looking like the guy we saw last year…so happy to see that!!
and so, no Hr's given up by Jon which equals a White Sox winner. good game tonight. this is the Sox that we have become used to in the recent past: good pitching, great D, and timely hitting. now it looks like we are on a roll. it's up to us. i don't think we can count on tampa to help out. let's make it 3 in a row tomorrow night. hey, congrats Dawn on your lojack system. j.k. in tucson….
i hope it isn't birthday Mo that has been working for us, because i'm out of june birthdays until the 22nd. my daughter and my aunt both were on the 12th and another daughter was today. (my Aunt turned 100). j.k.
Sox win! Sox win!
What an incredible night of pitching. Garland (like I called, please notice! haha) turned in a solid performance, huge for his confidence. Retiring 15 of his first 18….fantastic. And how GREAT was Brandon? And Bobby? 19 saves! Shall I continue on?
Congrats to Pauly, one away now!
A little sidenote: disappointed to see the new batch of All Star numbers. (Article on whitesox.com highlighting the standings..)- man our guys deserve so much more, and I'm having a tough time coming to terms with it. But what can you do. When it comes down to it, I'd rather have the winning team record and a World Championship at the end of the season than representation at the All Star game.
Real happy, I'll be honest! Dawn, I still have that smile on my face from last night!!
Have a great night, a good day tomorrow- and we'll meet back for another White Sox winner behind Javy!
p.s. LOVE the W's Scott. Brilliant idea!🙂
Ok, as in one of my favorite movies (Dogma), Bethany is a holy soul, and perhaps a prophet =) And since she's calling for another WS win…so it shall be. This was a GREAT win…remniscent of last year. Much like that rabbit, the smiles keep going and going and going. This is soooo much fun, let's do it again tomorrow!!
hahahaha Well we have pretty much dominated this wall tonight Dawn!
But I had to comment on your last post, it had me laughing out loud! I'm sure no prophet- but I do appreciate the thought! lol
And how could I forget to congratulate you on your LoJack winning…I even was proud to see your name posted on the Comcast website. Job well done!
For real this time, I'm out! haha
Does anyone know the name of the song that is played when Mackowiak comes to the plate?
That would be "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five.
I counted the W's as well. Very clever!
Anyone know what time the parking lot will open for the Friday game of the houston series? On the WS website in some places it says 2 hours in others it says 3. I will be in the A lot, and I would like to have enough time to tailgate and get the mini banners. Thanks in advance and Go Sox!!
Someone was asking this week if any bloggers are going to be in Cincinnati this weekend. Who was that? Anyway, I think I'm planning to drive over to Cinncy for the game on Saturday.
"WWWWWWWWWWWWWWW" <<<<< Great idea!
After winning the WS last October, WLUP-FM in Chicago was playing a White Sox Shuffling Crew. It's a take-off on the Super Bowl Shuffle the Bears did in 1985. It's rather amusing, and after listening to it again last night, it brought a smile to my face and a lot of memories flooding back. If anyone is interested, let me know and I'll pass it along.
I loved that World Series Shuffle- I have it on my ipod, so it pops up every now and then and always makes me laugh. On a few occasions, I've found myself singing it (and that's scary!).
The Loop also put together a great song montage celebrating the AL Championship, it brings chills everytime I listen to it!
Dawn & Bethany…where can I find the World Series Shuffle and the AL Championship montages?
Visit this site: http://www.wlup.com/sox/index.aspx
And scroll down until you see Promos- there are three different ones!
kr-trepac / Kris: That was me! I'm leaving Friday morning for Cincy; returning Monday. If you make it down, head over to the Westin on Saturday night. We'll be keeping it lively in the lounge.
Thank you much bethany!!
I read you guys everyday…sometimes i feel as if i know you all.
Well I guess I sort of do. We're part of the Sox Sisterhood!!!!
Go Sox!!!
Awww it just brought a tear to my eye to see the news about PK-its good to know Im only 22 but Ive had the chance to grow up watching all three-and Im so happy I can say that!


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Did it use to be a lot colder?
Well, if you went by the pre-2001 wind chill charts, it certainly was reported as feeling a heck of a lot colder.
At 5 a.m. today, the wind chill was -22, according to the National Weather Service.
Under the wind chill formula used until 2001? Try -44 degrees.
The National Weather Service changed its wind chill formula so that in general, given the same actual air temperature and wind, the new index will usually be warmer. The new formula more accurately reflects what a person feels, the experts say. More on the formulas, the change and copies of the two charts.
Want a wind chill calculator? This will allow you to convert any temperature and wind speed into both the old wind chill and the new wind chill.
Old wind chill vs. New wind chill


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Atlanta Motor Speedway's sixth points week of Friday Night Drags presented by ACDelco saw two undefeated streaks fall and featured two runs by Dick Rosberg in the Thriller Viper Jet Car.
Two divisions ended with new winners for the first time in 2008 as Covington's David Brand and McDonough's Juan Colmernero won the ATV and Tuner class respectively. With their wins, the undefeated streaks of Rodney Tolbert (ATV) and Jose Samaniego (Tuner) came to an end in Friday Night Drags' sixth week.
Making two runs during the night, Rosberg amazed the crowd in the Thriller Viper Jet Car as he exceeded 250 mph on Atlanta Motor Speedway's eighth-mile drag strip. Producing near deafening sounds with a General Electric J-85 jet engine from an F-16, the crowd erupted with applause as Rosberg ended the night with a final run.
Points will be awarded each night during the 10-week season in every class except the ACDelco Domestic and Tuner. Each division winner will take home three points, second-place two points and the rest of the participants will be awarded one point. The competitor with the most points at the end of the season wins the championship title on August 22. In the event of a tie, the competitor with the most wins will be awarded the title.
Below is a complete list of the July 25 winners:
Pro: Danny Lowry (Griffin) in a 1998 Ford Mustang
Pro Four: Matt Baade (Griffin) in a 1996 Dodge Neon
Charter Communications Street Outlaw: John Bonner (Molena) in a 1986 Toyota Pickup Truck
Pep Boys Auto Sportsman: Jerritt Scott (McDonough) in a 1969 AMX
Trucks: Dwayne Bethune (Covington) in a 2006 Dodge 2500
Domestic Advanced: Heath Maddock (Alvaton) in a 1994 Ford Mustang
ATV: David Brand (Covington)
ACDelco Domestic: Bill Garren (Lithia Springs) in a 1972 Buick Riviera
Tuners: Juan Colmernero (McDonough) in a Nissan 240 SX
The Show N' Shine competition featured everything from new imports to classic muscle cars. Below is a complete list of the July 25 winners:
Showroom Current (1973 through current): Leigh Blakey in a 2002 Pontiac Trans Am
Runner-up: MJ Dorsey in a 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer SS
Third-place: Dave Dunson (Griffin) in a 2005 Pontiac GTO
Showroom Classic (1972 and prior): Randy Bennett (Stockbridge) in a 1970 AMC Rebel Machine
Runner-up: Joseph Bradshaw (Jackson) in a 1968 Plymouth Road Runner
Third-place: Scott Vound (Fayetteville) in a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette
Tuner (all sport compact vehicles): Jesse Olive (Hampton) in a Toyota Scion Xb
Runner-up: Danny Vernon (Jonesboro) in a Nissan 350Z Roadster
Third-place: Wesley McCand (Griffin) in a GMC Sonoma
Current Custom (1973 through current: Patricia Hayes (Hampton) in a 2003 Ford Mustang GT
Runner-up: Reba Smith (Williamson) in a Ford Mustang
Third-place: Benjamin Walker (Norcross) in a Ford Mustang
Classic Custom (1972 and prior): Winfred Colley (Jonesboro) in a 1957 Chevrolet 210
Runner-up: Claude Weaver (McDonough) in a 1958 Chevrolet Apache
Third-place: Tony Ricchiozzi (Griffin) in a Volkswagen Bug
Motorcycle: Anthony Ramos (Fayetteville) on a Yamaha V-Star
Runner-up: Matt Price (Moreland) on a Suzuki GSXR 1000 LE
Third-place: Steve Rasmussen (Brooks) on a Estacy Trike)
President's Award (chosen by AMS president Ed Clark): Keith Battle in a 1955 Chevrolet 210
Atlanta Motor Speedway's Friday Night Drags presented by ACDelco is held every Friday night through August 22. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and nightly drag race eliminations start around 9:00 p.m. Entry for drag racing or the Show N' Shine is $20, spectator tickets are $7 for adults and children under six are free. More information can be found at www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.


text: Torchwood Children of Earth — Episode 1 Day One An ordinary day becomes one of terror Where to Watch Download or StreamiTunesAmazonGoogle PlayChannel FinderClick here to find your BBC America station number. The Cast: Where Are They Now? Anglophenia Torchwood: Children of Earth Photos John Barrowman in Rare Form Anglophenia Explore Episodes Children of Earth Miracle Day Children of Earth Season 2 Season 1 Episodes Ep 1 Day One Ep 2 Day Two Ep 3 Day Three Ep 4 Day Four Ep 5 Day Five Children of Earth — Episode 2 Day Two As the new 'Torchwood' adventure continues, members of the team are hunted Children of Earth — Episode 3 Day Three The eyes of the world turn to Britain Children of Earth — Episode 4 Day Four Torchwood finally learns the truth and everything now pivots around one man Children of Earth — Episode 5 Day Five Violence erupts, anarchy reigns, and a housing estate becomes a battleground Choose your provider to watch Live TV & Full Episodes Go Don't see your provider? Sign up to be notified when yours is added. To watch full episodes, you must have a cable provider that supports BBC America's full episode service and you must have BBC America as part of your cable package.


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STAFFORD, Va. (AP) - A judge says a Stafford woman can have a child cruelty case dropped against her if she refrains from spanking her daughter.
The Free Lance-Star reports Stafford Circuit Judge Michael Levy didn't impose a conviction that had been reached by a prosecutor and the attorney for Felisha KimbleTanks. Instead, the judge said the case will be dismissed in two years if KimbleTanks stays out of trouble and doesn't use corporal punishment.
Prosecutor Tara Mooney says KimbleTanks' 6-year-old daughter had bruises on her thigh after she was hit with a leather belt in January.
Mooney says KimbleTanks admitted striking the child because of misconduct in school but said she didn't intend to bruise her.


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At 12:40 p.m. on April 1, 2008, 8-year-old M.L. Lloyd III was pronounced dead at River Parishes Hospital in LaPlace. But in a case that shocked the small community of Reserve, his parents - who were arrested and charged with his murder - and prosecutors have told differing accounts of the events that brought M.L. to the hospital that day and ultimately led to his death.
But Tonya and Errstol Victor, speaking out publicly together for the first time since their arrest nearly three years ago, say they did not cause their son's death and that he was alive and talking to them on the way to the hospital. They say M.L. died after an asthma attack that may have been set off by a fight with his brothers, which caused the bruising.
A St. John the Baptist Parish jury is set to decide which side it believes beginning Aug. 16.
Blended family
The Victors are a blended family. When Errol and Tonya Victor met seven years ago, she had five sons from a previous marriage and he had six. The couple later had two more sons together.
Tonya Victor was a stay-at-home mom, raising the boys and helping her husband with several business ventures, including a used-car lot and a real estate company.
Tonya Victor said that her sons' fathers had little involvement in their lives. She said she did her best as a single parent but that the boys often got in fights and had behavior problems in school. She said she and her husband had been struggling to get the behavior problems under control and had begun home-schooling her sons, along with the rest of the boys. Errol Victor said he had always had a "no-whipping" policy in his house but that rule had been bent in an attempt to discipline the boys.
On the morning of April 1, 2008, Tonya Victor said the boys were getting dressed and Errol Victor had left to attend a meeting when M.L. came to her to confess that he had taken ice cream without permission.
Tonya Victor said she spanked M.L. for stealing, then gathered her biological sons together and told them she was going to enroll them in a military school or send them to live with their fathers if their behavior problems continued. She went downstairs to tend to her younger children, she said, leaving the older boys upstairs. A few minutes later, she said she heard loud noises coming from upstairs.
"I go upstairs and they are fighting M.L., literally fighting him, beating him," she said. "They have M.L. with a belt whipping him."
Tonya Victor said she broke up the fight and learned one of the boys was mad at M.L. because he had actually taken the ice cream but thought M.L. had told on him. The others joined in, she said, because they did not want to be sent away.
"M.L. was fine at this point," she said. "He was speaking."
Later, when Errol Victor came home, he said he was told that M.L. was not feeling well. He said he could see that M.L. was breathing hard and thought he might have overexerted himself and become dehydrated and asked his older sons to get him some Pedialyte.
"When she (Tonya) finally screams I run upstairs and he's passed out," he said. "I give him CPR. He came back, so my immediate thing is to get him dressed because we're going to the hospital."
He said Errol Jr. carried M.L. to the truck, and Errol Jr., Errol Sr. and Tonya Victor rushed him to the hospital.
By this time, Errol Victor said M.L. was in the midst of a severe asthma attack. Julie Cullen, who is prosecuting the case for the state attorney general's office, disputes the Victor's account.
"As has already been noted in court hearings and records it is the opinion of the state that the child died as a result of injuries he sustained in a beating and not asthma," she said.
Bolting from the emergency room
At the time, St. John Parish sheriff's authorities said emergency room video shows Tonya and Errol Jr. "bolted" from the emergency room after bringing M.L. in. Tonya Victor said she left the ER to take Errol Jr. home to watch the rest of the children and intended to return.
In the meantime, hospital personnel began asking Errol Victor for M.L.'s medical history and personal information. He said he didn't know the information but assured doctors he would take responsibility for everything.
The statement that he would take responsibility for everything, according to authorities at the time, was part of the basis for his arrest and indicated that he would take responsibility for the death.
"Look, I'm talking about the care of my child," he said. "They know that, because that's not a statement to police. They misrepresented that deliberately."
Errol Victor said he was still sitting in the waiting room, awaiting word on M.L.'s condition, when he got a call from a cousin who told him he needed to go home right away.
"He said, 'Man they've got cops all over your home.' He said, 'They say your son has died at the hospital.' And I'm on the phone in the emergency room and I'm like, 'Nah man, I'm at the hospital right now. I figured somebody had jumped the gun. You know how stories get started."
But soon afterward, he was approached by a detective, who told him M.L. had died and that he had to read him his rights.
Tonya Victor said she found out that her son had died through a phone call from her husband.
By the time she reached home, she said, police had already searched the house and removed several items. They arrested her and Errol Jr. He was charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. However, after Judge Madeline Jasmine voided the indictment against him and his parents because a St. John sheriff's deputy was on the jury and wore a shirt advertising his employment he was never re-indicted in the case.
M.L.'s body was turned over to his biological father, who buried him in Hammond. Tonya Victor said she didn't know her son had been buried until after his funeral.
"We had a tragedy. We all lost and are still losing," Errol Victor said. "They didn't even allow us to bury our son. That shouldn't even be legal."
Strict disciplinarian
At the time of M.L.'s death, neighbors described Errol Victor as a strict disciplinarian who made his children run with cinderblocks as punishment.
Marcus Victor, 19, said although running laps was a punishment in the Victor household, he and the other children were never made to carry cinderblocks.
"We had a list. If you fight your brother you had a certain amount of laps -- if you cheat, if you steal -- we just used to run laps," he said.
However, in a recorded statement played in court in 2009, one of Tonya Victor's juvenile children painted a different picture of life in the Victor household. The child said that Errol Victor would frequently withhold food from his stepchildren while his biological children could "eat anything they wanted."
He also testified that Errol Victor and three other brothers hit M.L. the night before his death for stealing the ice cream. He said the brothers held M.L. down by his arms, under Victor's direction.
The boy testified that when Errol Victor got angry: "You can't stop him. If you stop him you would get whooped."
Cullen said the evidence will show that Victor is a violent man.
"We think that the injuries to the victim in this case will answer that question," she said.
Errol Victor said authorities have been able to turn his stepchildren against him.
"It hurts, because my husband and their brothers gave them everything -- everything -- and you say horrible stories like that," Tonya Victor said.
Numerous attorneys fired
Since M.L.'s death, the Victors have been indicted three times, have been in and out of jail and have hired and fired numerous attorneys. In October, they were granted the right to represent themselves but have since retained an attorney.
"We had no intention to go to trial pro se," Errol Victor said. "I had to get out of jail. I had to be heard."
The Victors attribute the numerous changes to lawyers only being interested in money, not justice.
District Judge Mary Hotard Becnel expressed frustration at the numerous counsel changes during a hearing in April at which she cited seven changes in representation in the criminal case and 13 in their custody case in juvenile court. In allowing their latest attorney, Lionel Burns, to once again enroll -- he served as the Victor's attorney previously -- Becnel warned that "once you're enrolled in this case you're stuck with it. I'm not letting you out," according to court records.
Despite that, the Victors said they are now dissatisfied with their current representation and fear they won't have a fair trial if they are forced to proceed. Burns recently filed a motion to withdraw from the case. Becnel, on July 8, refused his request.
Cullen said it is not unusual for defendents to change attorneys but declined to comment specifically about the number of delays in this case.
"The state is cautiously optimistic that this trial will begin on Aug. 16 as currently scheduled," she said.
Errol Victor said he has spent approximately $600,000 on about 22 attorneys. In January, the Victors filed suit against Sherman Walker Correctional Facility and Warden Phillip Hebert for, among other things, imposing excessive bonds. The lawsuit states that the Victors have paid for six different bonds totalling more than $3.5 million.
"None of the existing bonds were reinstated nor returned except one, still leaving a total of $3 million, unreturned and non-reinstated," according to the suit.
That case is still pending.
In 2009, the Victors filed bankruptcy, they say, as a result of the money spent on bonds, on their defense and as a result of having their bank accounts frozen.
"We lost our son, and they stole everything from us," Errol Victor said. "And I say stole. We didn't lose our property. They stole it from us. We didn't lose our business. They took it. We didn't abuse our children. They took them. They took our money. They took our freedom. They are not using the law whatsoever. They are using their position."
Two children have been adopted
Five of the Victors' children are now older than 18 and are either back home or living on their own.
The Victors are prohibited from having contact with their minor children. One remains in foster care and four are living with their biological fathers.
They said the two youngest have been adopted.
"(Judge Sterling) Snowdy put them up for adoption, which is a permanent decision, and we haven't even been to trial yet," Errol Victor said.
Snowdy said he could not comment on the custody case because it took place in a closed hearing as part of juvenile proceedings.
"They stole our children. This is not a car you're repossessing. This is our blood and our flesh and our children. I'm not guilty of anything, and I've never been guilty of anything and the law still says I'm innocent -- not guilty -- innocent, until I'm proven guilty. I'm innocent this very second right now."
Jennifer Boquet can be reached at email@example.com or 985.652.0952.


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Oswego chef Michael Cali said that wild turkey is easy to mis-handle. He offers the following recommendations:
Ö¤ Cool it, clean it and refrigerate or freeze it ASAP. Don't drive it around in your truck to show you pals. Take a picture instead.
Ö¤ Don't stuff it. It doesn't do anything to the flavor and prolongs cooking time.
Ö¤ Don't baste it. It doesn't work either, but it will make the skin crispier.
Ö¤ When plucked, carefully separate the skin from the meat. Starting at the neck, work your fingers between the skin and breast. Cut up some partially-cooked bacon, onion, garlic and herbs and place between the skin and breast.
Ö¤ If you're going to roast the whole bird, roast it breast side down. Cut up some wedges of apple, onion and/or potato to keep it from falling over.
Ö¤ Do cook the breast to an internal temperature of 150 degrees. [dfi: 185?: ]Overcooking will dry out the breast.
Ö¤ Cook turkey breasts and legs and thighs separately. Legs and thighs take a couple of hours to cook, preferably with liquid to help loosen them up. Breasts cook very quickly.
Ö¤ When stir-frying sliced turkey breast, first remove the fibrous membrane within the breast. It can be tough and chewy.
Ö¤ Use the turkey carcass and drumsticks to make a flavorful stock. Roast them in a large pan with celery, carrots and onions until brown. Then toss into a large stock pot and cover with cold water. Add some herbs, garlic and peppercorns and simmer for several hours. Strain through a colander for turkey stock.
Ö¤ A tough old bird may need a little more work. The jake is the better eating bird, but I know you're going to shoot the big boy. If the bird is especially tough, try braising or slicing lightly pounding the breasts before cooking.


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As we observed last season when this video surfaced, Mike Greenwell (at left in the photo) isn't exactly in playing shape anymore. In fact, he looks a lot like your average beer-guzzling 40-something -- content, I imagine, to tinker with the car, play the occasional nine holes of golf and enjoy life's finer things.
With that said, Extra Bases has delivered us a funny this afternoon courtesy Amalie Benjamin. Apparently, at least one Red Sox security guard has no idea who the Gator is:
Meanwhile, I have to apologize for my tardiness in blogging the lineups. It's been a busy morning, with an appearance by Mike Greenwell. Greenwell walked into the clubhouse and had to go by a security guard. The exchange:
Security guard: "Umm. Can I help you?"
MG, flatly: "I'm Mike Greenwell."
A media relations staff ran over to rescue him and bring him into the interview room. We'll have some interesting comments from him later.
Interesting comments? If I'm Mike Greenwell, those comments include, "WHO IS THIS KID???"


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$8.99Number one bestselling author Janet Evanovich teams up with award-winning author Dorien Kelly to deliver a sparkling novel of romantic suspense, small-town antics, secretive sabotage, and lots and lots of beer. Kate Appleton needs a job. Her husband has left her, she's been fired from her position as a magazine editor, and the only place she wants to go is to her parents' summer house, The
$8.99Based on the family from the bestselling Love in a Nutshell, the story of an heiress longing to marry for love or not at all...From The New York Times bestselling writing duo Janet Evanovich and Dorien Kelly, comes the story of a young woman's search for true love. Caroline Maxwell would like nothing more than to join her brother, Eddie, and his friend, Jack Culhane, on their adventures. While
$3.99When bold and sexy businessman Devlin Gilvane arrives in the Irish village of Ballymuir, almost everyone is taken by his charm. Only American chef Jenna Fahey sees the threat he poses. She's highly suspicious of the way Dev is sniffing around Muir House, the old manor house she has leased and worked relentlessly to turn into a restaurant on the brink of international fame. Muir House has been
The Brightest Flame in BallymuirFrom New York Times Bestselling Author Dorien Kelly: When Irish artist Vi Kilbride travels from her village of Ballymuir to prepare her beloved late grandmother's cottage in Duncarraig for sale, more than memories of the summers she'd spent growing up there await her. Long-ago love Liam Rafferty is back in town. Vi, who has kept her heart to herself since having it broken by Liam, finds herself
Falling For You\Forward Pass\Ready and WillingFALLING FOR YOU by JANE GRAVESStuntman Kirk McKenzie is back in town. It's Dr. Amanda Stevens's second chance to convince the daredevil that no rush could be better than the thrill he'd get if he fell for her instead.FORWARD PASS by DORIEN KELLYIt's Matt O'Connell's turn to apologize to Jamie Delisle, who's never forgiven the ex-quarterback for a teenage prank. Now that he's playing kiss-and-make
$3.99After years of being called the wild child of Sandy Bend, Michigan, Dana Devine has pretty much confirmed that rumor by sleeping with Cal Brewer. Yes, she's always had a thing for the new police chief, but she never meant to live out her fantasy. Now that reality's hit, she knows they can't continue the relationship-it simply wouldn't work. What she doesn't realize is that Cal himself was living
$3.99Smart. Great Sense Of Humor. Hardworking. Kind To Children And Stray Dogs...Did she mention handsome? Mind-bogglingly sexy? Single mom Lisa Kincaid doesn't want to be attracted to Kevin Decker. She knows the sexy, caring construction-company owner will always be there for her, and up until now friendship has suited her just fine.But suddenly she isn't looking at her husband's former boss in the
$3.99Returning to Sandy Bend, Michigan, isn't Kira Whitman's idea of moving forward. Unfortunately, thanks to her shady business partner, she's stuck in her hometown until her problems disappear. Kira's plans to lie low don't go as smoothly as she hoped, though, especially when sexy Mitch Brewer finds her breaking in to her brother's home!As a kid, Kira was nothing but trouble-and Mitch is constantly
$2.24If the gods decided to grant Cara Adams one "do-over," the choice would be a no-brainer-she wouldn't have been sucked in by Mark "the Shark" Morgan. Back in law school, Cara had "dumbed down" to catch Mark's eye. Thanks to her stunt, she lost a plum job at a Wall Street firm, and the Shark is enjoying life in the Big Apple.Now Cara's thirty and doing just fine, thank you very much. Positive she's
$1.99She needed to find her blissHabitual accommodator Tessa Wright is a mess. And no amount of diplomacy will get back what she wants: Her swishy banking job. Her AWOL husband. The comfortable-albeit lackluster-life she once slipped into like a shadow.Now faced with forging a new life map, Tessa agrees to share a palatial Costa Rican vacation home with Kate, her former boss. Could it be the one-way
The Girl Least Likely To & The Deputy Gets Her ManThe Girl Least Likely To by Dorien KellyLove in a small town When Hallie Brewer left home seven years ago, she swore she'd never return. She was an accident waiting to happen as a kid, earning her the nickname Horrible Hallie. Leaving Sandy Bend was the only way to escape her past. But now she's back and is having a doozy of a time convincing people she's changed! Her only wish? That her high
$3.99Not everything is aboveboard...When Mei Lin Wang met young radical social activist Wei Chan she knew it was fate. She didn't know that less than three years later she would be left widowed with a newborn son after a suspicious illness claimed Wei's life. Now, still convinced of their shared destiny, Lin is determined to avenge Wei and continue his work, but she must also protect her son from those


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MAYVILLE - Anthony "Rob" Taglianetti II has been found guilty of second-degree murder.
The jury returned the verdict Friday afternoon, just a few hours after being given instructions by Chautauqua County Court Judge John T. Ward.
Public Defender Nathaniel Barone and District Attorney David Foley presented their closing arguments Friday morning before court broke for a half-hour lunch break. Ward then instructed the jury before deliberations began.
Article Photos
Defendant Anthony 'Rob' Taglianetti II listens to his attorney, Public Defender Nathaniel Barone, make his closing argument Friday morning in the Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville.
Pool photo by Charles Lewis, Buffalo News
Read Saturday's edition of The Post-Journal for complete coverage.


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Registration is now underway at Grand Blanc Parks and Recreation for Girl's Youth Softball this spring and summer.
Girl's Tee Ball and Coach Pitch for girls 5 to 9 on Monday and Thursday evenings, April 15 to June 6. $75 includes complete uniform.
Girl's 10 U, 12 U, and 15 U for girls 10 to 16 on Monday and Thursday evenings, May 11 to July 25. $75 includes complete uniform.


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GADSDEN, Alabama -- High school juniors and seniors will get a tour of the Lincoln Honda plant and receive technical instruction as part of the STEM Camp June 23 through 26 at Gadsden State Community College's Ayers Campus.
The 9th annual camp is sponsored by the Consortium for Alabama Regional Center for Automotive Manufacturing (CARCAM). STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math. The camp's goal is to prepare and encourage students interested in automated manufacturing industries in Alabama.
While at Gadsden State, participants will spend time learning about electronics, machine tool, drafting and design, collision repair and welding. Students will also have a hands-on project designed by instructors and will leave the class with the item he or she has made. Some will build and test robots to demonstrate the principles they have learned during camp.
For more information about CARCAM or STEM Camp, contact Beverly Hilderbrand at (256) 439-6871 or firstname.lastname@example.com and Marian Stone at (256)439-6861 or email@example.com.


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We've all got nicknames that we don't really like or border on the strange, but Tony came across an adult whose prefered nickname is a little strange. A grandmother wants to be called Kitten instead of Nana or Grandma.
We had to share some of the stranger pet names and nicknames we've heard. Check them out!


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You shouldn't have to deal with septic problems for a long time. Get them taken care of right away before the problem gets worse and smellier.
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Address39 North St
Second Phone: 914-767-9054
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Established since 1927
85 years of service