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Does half a billion in revenue justify a Toronto casino?
A Toronto casino could net the city, province, and federal government $392 million in extra tourism revenue if it includes convention space, a hotel, and other recreation facilities, according to a new staff report released today. In total, it estimates an extra 130,000 new visitors would come to Toronto if the venue is built to the city's spec rather than to OLG's plans.
The report, which is intended to inform future council decisions, was released just hours after Rob Ford wrote an open letter to the people of Toronto expressing his support for a major gaming facility in the downtown core. Ford says he expects $150 million in direct annual revenue for the city, calling the chance to develop one of the proposed sites - probably the CNE or Metro Toronto Convention Centre - a "golden opportunity."
City Manager Joe Pennachetti says a casino, if built on the city's terms, would net around $111 to $148 million in hosting fees from OLG. The amount increases based on the overall size of the gaming floor, therefore the city would get the most money if it allowed a larger complex with a greater area dedicated to gambling. There would also be $19 million a year due in property taxes.
The lower amount is connected to the 135,000 square feet of gambling space recommended for the downtown core by city planners. OLG would rather see closed to 175,000 square feet.
In terms of jobs, a casino could generate roughly 6,200 to 7,000 building jobs and 10,070 full-time positions within the finished facility. A report from the Toronto Board of Health in February found that despite new jobs the casino would be unlikely to change the overall unemployment rate and could syphon cash from other businesses and attractions.
This latest staff report, which will be received by the city's executive committee next Monday and later debated at city council, also found 71 per cent of respondents were opposed to a Toronto casino. The areas that expressed the most support were all outside the downtown core.
Are the numbers convincing enough? Is it worth building a casino in Toronto for a chance at $148 million a year and a bump in tourism revenue? How do you think council will vote?
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Image: Phil Marion/blogTO Flickr pool.
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Why not Woodbine?
Guess how much subways cost? About $350 million PER KILOMETRE.
A casino, if done properly, would be a huge asset to the city. Look at cities like Paris and Monte Carlo - classy places hosting establishments that bring in BIG money while maintaining that class. That's the route we should be taking here, not the Vegas approach.
Everyone needs to cool down for a moment and remember that OLG is a government-run company with an objective to operate gambling that's in the best interests of Ontario. That means restricting the disastrous video gambling machines that are all over Alberta and making sure that organizations that work to support gambling addicts are given proper funding. It's a great system (as opposed to letting private companies do whatever they want) and we should let them do the jobs they're paid to do.
Rob Ford also needs to shut the F up.
If it does happen in Toronto, it will definitely be at the Ex since they can have a larger floor plate there. Plus there is already a new hotel coming up and already the city's largest convention center on the site. That's all well and good -- Montreal's casino is on their old fair grounds, and London's is next to their Olympic sites, I don't really have a problem with this.
I just have a problem with Ford running his mouth with fake numbers and made-up stories about conventions and tourists. Kick him out of the room and let the adults sort out how to do a casino as intelligently as possible. It won't pay for a subway but it can contribute something to the bottom line.
No one would object to that. We could get the shovels in the ground in no time.
Hundreds of millions of dollars a year in convention business! Why wouldn't the private sector want to invest directly in that?
I also think a casino is part of the funding solution. I get the rationale (and agree with it) that taxes and tolls are the best way to raise the necessary revenue but we should also look at other ways of finding revenue. The $$ generated by a casino won't be enough on its own but can be part of the fix.
Although my councilor (Matlow) emailed us a while ago to tell us that based on resident feedback he would be voting no for a casino, so there is one no vote. I respect that, I think a councilor should represent their residents, and if their residents are very vocal about their opposition then the councilor has to respect their wishes.
I say this as someone who has no moral objection to casinos. I've been to Windsor, Niagara and Vegas and had a good time, at least in Vegas. In my view, casinos are no more morally problematic than bars. Besides, problem gamblers can squander their life savings from the comfort of their own homes - they don't need real-life casinos for that.
My issue is with the sense that a casino will "solve" our fiscal problems. The pro-crowd seems to be trotting out the casino as the way to pay for all of our future transit/infrastturcture needs going forward, which is nonsense, and dangerous. First of all, the best-case scenario in reveunes won't come close to dealing with the gap we have in transit, and secondly, "relying" on the casino crutch just means we put off tough decisions even longer, making the infrastructure gap even worse. In other words, people will simply point to the casino and say that no other revenue sources are needed - Ford is already making that case in his "open letter" (which, as an aside, smacked of desperation, especially since he released a copy to the Star).
If a casino makes sense, it has to make sense on its own merits, like any other entertainment option - not because it's seen as some financial saviour for the city. After all, look no further than Windsor, Niagara, Detroit, Atlantic City, to see how well that works out. It has to be viewed as nothing more than another entertainment option - seeing it as anything more is simply foolhardy, and more importantly will lead to the City entering a dumb deal borne out of desperation. Especially with this gang at City Hall that is a real and legitimate concern.
A casino, well done can be an interesting revenue stream for the City - but that's it. Nothing more. It won't build subways (at least not on its own), and it won't replace the need for real courage on the part of governments to recognize the infrastructure gap and do what they have to to solve it.
I truly believe a casino needs to be a destination place. I get why downtown would be considered, but if you add convention space, a music hall, plus horse racing and card games, it's a win-win.
We don't need a casino in downtown Toronto, especially that the developers of such a place couldn't care less about the city, its cultural growth and value. Unfortunately the Mayor of this city is one of them.
Same goes with this casino nonsense. It'll get killed in the same fashion the Spadina Expressway died. People will rise up only at the last second and ensure it dies because the people don't want it.
After most big events held in the city and city projects, they're always reported on as bringing X amount of visitors to our great city and a potential of $Y in tourism dollars. Whether its the Popes visit, Pan Am Games, Caribana, Gay Pride, TIFF, etc. etc. Why should the Casino be any different?
Toronto should get the Casino, or we'll sit back and watch as Markham, Brampton or Mississauga get's it instead and uses the money for their fair city why we still struggle...
Monte Carlo's casino is closed to locals.
It will create jobs, but it will kill other businesses in the area. It will attract money and tourism, but it will also take lots of money out of the pockets of locals, which is killing the local economy, and in the long run could be a huge problem. It will create traffic congestion, Downtown Toronto already has bad traffic, this would make it even worse. I want a casino because I play a lot of poker, but people like me can move nearer to an existing casino, so something in Vaughan or Maple or Missisauga wouldn't be bad.
If you yearn to go back to when fishing the lake for large muskie.
Despite the hopelessness oof her cause, Mrs Clinton was still behaving like she was in excellent condition and
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A few months ago, I wrote an article for Parade magazine about what President Obama could teach America's kids.
Basically, the piece told children that despite having no father present and a rather loopy mom, the president was able to prosper and achieve the most powerful position in the world.
If young Barry Obama could overcome his chaotic upbringing (which included a stint in Indonesia), most American kids in difficult circumstances can do the same. There is no question that Obama is a brilliant man. After graduating from Harvard Law, he worked his way up the political ladder quickly, using Chicago's South Side as a launching pad.
That's tough turf, so Obama had to combine book smarts with guile, which he did. And so it is simply stunning to see how poorly Obama is faring in the common-sense zone as president.
The best example of his failure to anticipate trouble is how he's handling Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. I remember sitting there with some friends in New York City last November when Attorney General Eric Holder announced that old Khalid would be leaving Guantanamo Bay and heading for the Big Apple to be tried by civilians instead of by a military tribunal.
We looked at one another incredulously. Is Obama joking? Doesn't he know how raw emotions still are in the city?
And then the expense estimates began rolling in — it would take hundreds of millions of dollars to try Mohammed and four other al-Qaida thugs. Then I was reminded that Congress had passed a law specifically allowing captured overseas terrorists to be judged by the military. Since a military trial would cost about $39.95 a day (participants are already on the federal payroll), why on earth would anyone OK an incredibly expensive dog and pony show for these murderers? Remember, Mohammed already admitted to planning 9/11 and gave up his confederates in the effort, most of whom, upon capture, confirmed that he was Mr. Big.
Also, Mohammed says he personally slit the throat of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. He has admitted doing this.
So why are we wasting time? Holder says it's because we want the world to see the U.S. justice system on display.
Again, why?
The people who hate us are not going to change their minds because a jury condemns the terrorists to death instead of military officers.
Do Holder and the president not get that? Polls show that most Americans realize the Mohammed decision is stupid. Now big-time Democrats like Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Chuck Schumer have publicly told the president to wise up.
And he has. Last Friday, the White House announced it was looking at other venues. Swell. But why was this deal allowed to get out of control?
That is very troubling. If Obama is so smart, why did he not realize the absurdity of the situation? At this point, I simply don't know.
Bill O'Reilly is host of the Fox News show "The O'Reilly Factor" and author of the new book "Who's Looking Out For You?" His column appears in the Sunday Advance Perspective section each week.

subset: commoncrawl


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Liam Gallagher idolised John Lennon
Gallagher was a follower of Lennon from the early days of his career, styling his vocals and dressing like him. But Gallagher admitted that he only began idolising Lennon after his death when he saw the promo for Imagine during a news report into the Beatle"s assassination.
"I was eight and I remember coming downstairs and seeing Imagine on the telly, which was pretty haunting," the Daily Star quoted Gallagher as telling The Sunday Times.
"I like Lennon"s voice. It"s all about his voice, I don"t care whether he was into peace, or into Yoko, I don't care how big his k**b was or whether he had one ball or f**king three balls, I just like his voice. It moves me, makes me sad, makes me happy, makes me angry, makes me whatever," he added.
Read more about: liam gallagher, john lennon, oasis, the beatles
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Play In ClayAugust 12, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
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This is an open ceramic studio for community people. Lab assistants will help teach the basics of preparing clay, the potter's wheel, and hand building techniques. Lab assistants are supervised by Instructors Paul Nash and Bryce Myers. We work in the Stoneware, Porcelain, Raku, and Pit fire processes. Very advanced students can work with lusters and china paints. For more information, contact Professor Paul Nash at 236-9323. Open lab time Monday through Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.
Instructor: Paul Nash
Course Fee: $140 + $30 lab fee (payable to instructor)
Course Code: P08AR122
Dates: Mondays & Wednesdays, August 12 - September 18 (no class 9/2)
Time: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Meetings: 11
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The Wellness Center - Fitness Class Schedule
Maui Campus, Pilina Bldg., Wellness Center
Aquaponics Webinar: Paradigm Shift with Airlift Part 2
Special Oceanography Seminar
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Play In Clay
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Pinpoint Inspections provides quality inspections and consulting on residential, multifamily and commercial properties in the greater Puget Sound Region.
To our customers:
We are currently rebuilding our website due to technical problem (Good Grief!), we apologize for the inconvience. Use our contact form on our contact page and we will respond quickly.


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The center's annual in-depth report on the state of journalism, "The State of the News Media 2013," notes the significant challenges currently facing the media.
On the newspaper side, the report finds that newspapers are employing fewer than 40,000 full-time professional employees for the first time since 1978 – putting the industry down 30 percent from its peak in 2000. And a Pew Research Center public opinion survey finds that readers are taking notice. Nearly one-third of respondents – particularly those who were better educated, wealthier and older – reported that they had left a news outlet because it no longer provided the information they were used to getting. A majority of those who left said they did so because they felt stories were less complete.
On the television side, the report found that on both CNN and three cable news networks, the types of reporting that require more staff – in-depth story packages and live event coverage – were cut significantly. MSNBC, in particular, has moved toward a heavy focus on commentary and opinion rather than news reporting.
The report noted that new specialized media outlets are popping up to provide the in-depth coverage that beat reporters are less able to do – for example, Kaiser Health News publishes health reporting that has run in The Washington Post.
One of the biggest challenges facing traditional media today is how to deal with the fact that so many consumers get their news online. Traditional media continues to struggle to attract digital advertising, the study found. However, more news sites are turning toward a model of paid subscriptions. Of 1,380 daily newspapers in the country, 450 have started or announced plans for some kind of subscription or pay wall. "With digital ad revenue growing at an anemic 3 percent a year in the newspaper industry, digital subscriptions are seen as an increasingly vital component of any new business model for journalism – though, in most cases, they fall far short of actually replacing the revenue lost in advertising," the study's authors wrote.


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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y -- Don't stop the parties and picnics!
That's the good news as the owners of the idyllic Nansen Park picnic grounds in Travis and the city Finance Department have reached an agreement to prevent a tax-lien on the property from going to auction.
Lauren Lorentzen, president of Nansen Lodge, Sons of Norway, told the Advance a pact was reached in which the lien, which had exceeded $80,000, will be repaid in quarterly installments.
The nine-acre property at 3465 Victory Blvd. is owned by Nansen Property Inc., which is affiliated with Nansen Lodge.
It consists of the picnic grounds, a small hall, and a concession and barbecue area.
The estimated market value is $1.17 million, say online Finance records.
The plot was among thousands around the city whose tax liens were scheduled to be sold on May 16, according to the city Finance Department's website.
Buyers, limited to several select banks, could attempt to collect the tax liens or ultimately foreclose on the property and put it up for public auction, said a legal source.
An adjoining parcel at 3441 Victory Blvd., which houses Nansen Lodge's main hall, also was in arrears, but was not on the tax-lien-sale list, according to Finance's website.
Ms. Lorentzen said the agreement was reached on May 13 – the same day the Advance ran an article about the lien.
"We had been working for some time with the Finance Department to put a plan in place," she said.
Ms. Lorentzen said an economic downturn had bottled up revenues, but the group had always made small payments toward the taxes owed.
"This was never a matter of oversight," she said, adding the first installment of $4,457 has already been paid.
Evelyn Rogers, a principal of A Taste of Honey, the catering company at the lodge and park, said she received numerous panicked calls from customers after the original Advance story appeared.
She wants to assure them there's never been cause for concern.
"We are not going anywhere," she said.


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The number of towns challenging a provision in the new state budget that bills them for previously free State Police patrols has grown to seven, including tiny Rocky Hill in Somerset County.
Ed Zimmerman, the unpaid mayor of Rocky Hill Borough, said today the annual $90,000 bill for State Police patrols would translate into a $300-a-year increase in property taxes. He challenged it as an "unfunded state mandate" that violates a 1995 amendment to the state constitution.
Tom Vincz, a spokesman for the state treasury, said the Legislature revised the budget so "the maximum impact" would be a $100 increase in average annual property tax bills in towns billed for part of the cost of State Police services.
Zimmerman said, "I don't have any confirmation of that." He said his latest information is that property taxes would go up much more in his borough of 680 residents.
It is one of 92 towns -- mostly in rural parts of South Jersey and Hunterdon, Warren and Sussex counties -- that are patrolled by State Police. As of today, seven of those towns have filed complaints with the Council on Local Mandates, according to its executive administrator, Patricia Meyer. The six others are all in the southern part of the state.
Vincz said billing towns that get free State Police patrols for a portion of their cost -- roughly 15 percent -- is only fair to the majority of towns with paid police departments.
"The bottom line is 96 percent of the population pays for their own police services as well as police services for 4 percent of the population," Vincz said.
Zimmerman said Rocky Hill pays the South Bound Brook police department, which is 13 miles away, about $45,000 a year for 50 hours a month of traffic enforcement. But the State Police "are still the official police department," Zimmerman said.
"They do a super job," he added.


text: MINOT ON THEIR MINDS It's been nearly a year since the peak of the Souris River flood hit, but Minot and its residents are still on the minds of others around the country. The latest example is Reed Grumann, a seventh-grader in Yardley, Pa. Grumann's father, Steve, grew up in Minot and attended Erik Ramstad Middle School. Reed and other students at William Penn Middle School held a "Penny?Wars" competition to raise money for Ramstad. The students eventually raised $2,600, which will be sent to Ramstad officials. It's another reminder that others across the country with or without ties to Minot are still helping in any way they can.


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After the Giants locked up CB Corey Webster last month, S James Butler is the remaining Giants defensive starter who will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. At baggie day in the Giants locker room this morning, he spoke of his future in uncertain terms.
"I want to be back, but you never know," Butler said. "(In) free agency, the Giants have to take care of their business, and I have to take care of mine -- that's the biggest thing."
Butler, the Giants' starting strong safety responsible for making the calls in the secondary, said there weren't any talks during the season about renewing his contract here. He was originally acquired by the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2005.
It's unlikely Butler will be back, given that safety isn't a position the Giants have traditionally paid to keep. Last season, starter Gibril Wilson left for a six-year, $39-million deal with Oakland. Plus, the team drafted Kenny Phillips in the first round last spring.


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HOOVER, Alabama -- Terrance Dedrick rarely misses, so when Alabama began to hit him and subsequently found holes in Auburn's defense, the only thing the Tigers could do was start hitting the baseball.
But that didn't happen, and Auburn fell 6-3 to its rival after a three-run rally in the eighth inning buried the Tigers in the first round of the SEC Tournament.
"Sometimes when you miss spots, they can really capitalize on it," said Dedrick, who gave up two runs in the eighth. "Like coach said, that last play was a hit-and-run - or the run-and-go. Threw it up and out and Brett (Booth) just put his bat on the ball, hit it right down the line. Sometimes it falls."
The one-and-done performance in the SEC Tournament stings for obvious reasons, but some outside the potential post-season implications: Dedrick, a Tuscaloosa native, and Booth go way back. The Alabama catcher attended Tuscaloosa County High when Dedrick was a star at nearby Hillcrest and "we always had good battles back and forth."
On Tuesday, Booth got the best of Dedrick and his double to right field set the stage for the Tide's three-run rally in the eighth.
Alabama then grabbed a 4-3 on an infield single by Chance Vincent, which nearly resulted in an inning-ending double play. Instead, second baseman Jordan Ebert couldn't quite corral the sharply-hit ball and it bounced off his glove on a sliding save attempt near second.
The frustrating defensive play for Auburn resulted in a meltdown as the Tide scored twice more on a sac fly and a wild pitch.
"Once we get to the eighth inning, that's been his territory the whole year -- the seventh inning, really, if we needed it," Auburn coach John Pawlowski said of Dedrick. "It didn't work out for us today."
Starter Conner Kendrick also struggled after a stellar performance in a 3-0 victory Thursday against No. 11 Arkansas. The reigning SEC pitcher of the week allowed three runs on six hits and struck out only one batter in five innings.
He was unable to keep the ball down in the strike zone and Alabama sat on his off-speed pitches -- a similar performance to his last start against the Tide, when he allowed six runs (three earned) on nine hits in a 6-2 loss on March 28.
Kendrick and Dedrick are both first-year players for the Tigers and emerged in the middle of the season as their Friday night starter and closer, respectively.
"When you make mistakes, whether they have a scouting report or not, you leave the balls over the plate," Pawlowski said. "Against good teams -- and every team in this league is a very good team -- you're going to see the results."
Kendrick has faced the Tide three times on the mound. Both of his starts resulted in losses.
"Of course they've got probably the best scouting report on me," Kendrick said. "They've seen me twice. They've seen all the pitches I've got. And they sat on them."
Reid Carter allowed only one hit in 2 1/3 innings of relief, but it was a single that led to coach Pawlowski pulling the right-hander from the mound in the eighth.
Carter struck out three batters but was charged with the loss, allowing one run.
Carter replaced Kendrick after a game-tying RBI double, and ended the Alabama threat with a strikeout, intentional walk to load the bases, a force out throw to home and a groundout to first base in the sixth.
Auburn's leadoff hitter reached based in four of the first five innings, but the Tigers failed to score those runners.
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Twitter: @bmarcello
Facebook: Auburn Tigers on AL.com
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New York & Company marks down apparel from their InMotion Fitness Line to just $14.95, as much as 40% off retail price. The Racerback Sports Bra was $19.95, the Snap Crop Leggings lower from $22.95 and the Racerback Tank (pictured) drops from $24.95. Shipping is $4.95 and sales tax is charged in states with New York & Co. retail locations. Spend $75 and use code 8555 for free shipping.No longer available


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April 9, 2014 6:00 am
Despite what everyone says, some early performances do make a difference.
Pretty much every article you've read between Opening Day and today has started with the caveat that there's no point in drawing meaning from the statistics that are about to be presented, but then going ahead and presenting them anyway. In the end, the articles either draw a meaningless conclusion (they warned you at the beginning though) or waffle on what, if anything, any of their contents mean (nothing, they told you up top).
While I can only concur that the statistics that have been accrued since opening day (Salvador Perez has a 25 percent walk rate in six games, despite a career 4.5 percent walk rate) are at this point meaningless in a data sense, they are meaningful in that they matter to managers. I'm not going to draw any conclusions about a player's evolving skillset or change in approach, so much as I am highlighting players who have either bought themselves or potentially cost themselves some rope, in the eyes of their manager. This has a very tangible effect in the fantasy world, especially in deeper leagues, where players who merely rack up at-bats are worth something.
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March 13, 2014 6:00 am
The Rockies try to settle on a center fielder, and the Yankees consider moving a catcher.
Rockies' center-field competition a four-horse race
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Want To Cut Your Risk Of Prostate Cancer? Masturbate Five Times A Week
We usually just find cute kitty videos and links to banana slicers on our Facebook feed but today we saw a post that made us feel good about ourselves—and feel good about feeling ourselves.
A report out of Australia some years back claimed that men who masturbated five times a day were only third as likely to develop prostate cancer. The theory is that disease-causing toxins build up the urogenital tract and servicing yourself helps flush out the system.
Here are some other benefits to rubbing one out, as determined by Men's Health (so you know it's legit):
It makes you harder. As you age, you naturally lose muscle tone—even down there. Regular sex or masturbation works out your pelvic floor muscles to prevent erectile dysfunction and incontinence. "It keeps the angle of your dangle perky," says Brame. Aim to (ahem) arrive 3 to 5 times a week for rock-solid results.
It helps you last longer. Taking yourself to palm prom may help you stretch your sack sessions. "[Masturbating] an hour before a date will give you more control," says Brame. Train yourself by timing how long it takes you to orgasm, suggests Ava Cadell, Ph.D., founder of loveologyuniversity.com. If it usually takes two minutes solo, try for three next time. Or count how many strokes you need to get to your happy place. If you're spurting after 50, shoot for 60. "Most men can double the number of strokes and the time within one month," Cadell says. Practice makes perfect, right?
It ups your immunity. Ejaculation increases levels of the hormone cortisol, says Jennifer Landa, M.D., a specialist in hormone therapy. Cortisol, which usually gets a bad rap as a havoc-wrecking stress hormone, actually helps regulate and maintain your immunity in the small doses. "Masturbation can product the right environment for a strengthened immune system," she says.
It boosts your mood. Masturbating releases a slew of feel-good neurochemicals like dopamine and oxytocin that lift your spirits, boost your satisfaction, and activate the reward circuits in your brain. "An orgasm is the biggest non-drug blast of dopamine available," says Brame. "A brain scan of someone having an orgasm looks like a heroin addict's."
Now if you'll excuse us, we have some work to do.
It is nice to know that I am going to live forever. The only downside as far as I can tell is that I can barely undo my zipper with my left hand but I can crush a VW with my right.
I dunno. In a past relationship I was having sex about 3 times a day and finally I started jizzing rocks. It looked like dry, dusty semen, so I doubt anyone can sustain doing it 5 times a day. Plus, my Pedro got irritated.
I"m curious about something, though, and want to ask bottoms out there this: I take longer to climax and am super self-conscious about it (30 min or longer). Is a longer session a good or bad thing?
@Goforit: lmfao! Goddamn superhero.
Well, I can scratch prostate cancer risk off the list. lol
Now I can offset the cost of using so much tissue.
This is news HOW? More than 10 years ago my primary care physician, during my annual physical, told me, during a discussion about colon and prostate cancer, that frequent ejaculation has been proven to be a good tool to help prevent these types of cancer.
the subject arose (no pun intended) during the pre-exam interview/questionnaire session where he asked me about my sexual activities. If i was married, single, in an LTR, if i had multiple sex partners, etc. That's when i disclosed my orientation and his questions became more specific about what i did sexually.
The discussion was non-emotional and quite sterile. I think that's also why i was comfortable being 100% open with him as i didn't register any reaction to my answers or my sex partners and safer sex practices.
He asked me how often I masturbated, use of sex toys, and the prostate. To be honest, it was one of the best discussions and health-affirming appointments i've ever had. He was very upfront. Ejaculating 3-5 times a week provides many benefits to my sexual/urinary health and that it was something i should seriously consider now, as opposed to having surgury later down the road to address issues arising from NOT excercising this organ (the prostate).
That's it… I'm calling Humana right now to see if I can get a masturbatory discount.
There's an awesome charity campaign in here somewhere.
@Fidelio, taking longer is heaven for some bottoms and hell for other bottoms. Find the right bottom. Also, try to relax and enjoy the journey as opposed to being fixated on the destination, since you probably know by now that worrying about it just makes it worse. What's the worst that can happen? (Also, sometimes when I can't c*m in a timely way with a bottom I just fake it.)
Everything in moderation, I guess.
@Fidelio: I'm definitely in favor of shorter, but I never really time it. Depends how big and/or rough the top is.
@Fidelio The shorter, the better. Sadly, I'm a sex-hating bottom. I enjoy EVERYTHING else but the intercourse. Too much pain.
My prostate can beat up your prostate.
@yaoming: If you aim for 5 times a day 5 days a week you should feel great! lol
@viveutvivas: exactly! thank you. the more i think about it the worse it gets. never tried faking it, though. i suppose drinking doesn't help, either.
@Dionte: Just get a dog…
The headline should have been: A handjob a day keeps the urologist away.
Another blow to the moralist crusade against masturbation. Masturbation is good, and as said it reduces the risk for prostate cancer significantly. It also prevents the unpleasant condition called "blue balls".
Check out a couple of happenings to celebrate National Masturbation Month in May! First, there is an upcoming film called "Sticky: A Documentary on Masturbation" (see the trailer at http://www.facebook.com/stickythemovie ) as well as a viral photo project called #iMasturbate over at http://www.imasturbate.co
oh well I'll never to worry about prostate cancer. ever since my dad showed me a Playboy magazine at the age of 6 I've been going non-stop. I've been dropping 2 loads a day for 30 years. which is a good thing because I can last long with a girl. the jerking makes it less sensitive
Yeah, there may be some good science to support that this works but we all know it is just plain fun!
About the science, if it were actually true it cut your risk of prostate cancer by 1/3, would any man ever get prostate cancer?
But, seriously, a question for which I could not find an answer. I had/have prostate cancer, quite high risk at Gleason 9+. I received ADT (11 months) and radiation therapy (8 weeks) together. My PSA level has stayed low almost 4 years later. Question is: does frequent masturbation and/or use of libido stimulants (Maca, Horny Goat Weed, Tongkat Ali) pose a risk for disturbing cancerous (or potentially cancerous) prostate cells? By the way, prostatitis CAN BE AN INDICATION OF PROSTATE CANCER (contrary to what I was told 20 years ago) and I still have prostatitis pain, especially after masturbation.
I think it is interesting that the Harvard Medical School study proposes that frequent ejaculations will lower the risk of developing prostate cancer http://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostatecancer/ in older men; however, any ejaculation tends to raise at least temporarily the PSA SCORE. In fact, urologists urge male patients to avoid masturbating or sex at least 3 days prior to having the PSA tests to avoid skewing results.
Does anyone have a comment on these facts?


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2007 Littorai Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard Anderson Valley
Producer: Littorai
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type: Pinot Noir
Origin: California
Region: Other California
Appellation: Mendocino
89(+?) Points | Stephen Tanzer's IWC - May 2009
($60) Medium red, a bit pale at the rim. Less expressive on the nose than the Hirsch, offering notes of blueberry, raspberry and flowers. Supple in texture but a bit youthfully subdued, currently showing limited lift and nuance. The dark fruit flavors are framed by sound acidity, though. Lemon noted that this wine was picked later; the Hirsch and Mays Canyon came in before the "pause." I suspect this is better than it�s showing today.


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A former firefighter, who's already serving time for setting several fires, has now been slapped with even more jail time.
Cory Praschyk, of Bethlehem, was sentenced Friday in Northampton County Court to one month to a year in jail, plus four years probation.
Praschyk started two fires in Lehigh Twp., Northampton Co., in 2010, police said.
Praschyk was sentenced to one to two years in prison last month for setting a number of fires in Lehigh County.
Praschyk served as a volunteer firefighter with several fire companies in the Lehigh Valley, investigators said.


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The deeply colored 2005 Vasse Felix Estate Shiraz cuts a high profile in the glass. In addition, the wine's pungent nose of black cherry fruit, cinnamon, plum, eucalyptus, pepper, and aniseed make it hard to resist. And on the palate, this powerful full-bodied Shiraz continues its lavish display with a hearty dollop of berry fruit, deep down spice, pepper, and toasted barrel flavors. Ripe and textured, but blessed with a solid underpinning of natural acidity and tannins, the 2005 Vasse Felix Estate Shiraz is quite reminiscent of the great Syrah wines of France's Northern Rhône Valley. Moreover, the 2005 Vasse Felix Estate Shiraz exhibits all the character and stuffing to age gracefully for many more years. In fact, this is one Australian Shiraz worth laying down awhile longer; a year or more of additional ageing will pay handsome dividends. For those unable now to resist the wine's heady appeal, we suggest they open the 2005 Vasse Felix Shiraz well ahead of serving (2 hours or more of aeration will only enhance the olfactory and accentuate the complex tones of this Margaret River beauty). And like most Shiraz, we advise serving this wine at cool room temperature (62°-66° F).
Big boned and packed with flavor, the 2005 Vasse Felix Estate Shiraz can play host to all kinds of game, grilled meats, and hearty sauces. Hangar Steak, served with roasted artichokes and topped with a celery root purée and bacon-infused Bordelaise sauce gets our nod. Marinated sirloin steak or a whole beef tenderloin, served medium rare with grilled or sautéed portabella mushrooms, provides another winning accompaniment to the Vasse Felix Estate Shiraz. With either of these pairings, the wine and the beef truly complement each other, allowing for the full flavor of each to be released in tandem. Lamb, rabbit, venison, and rich stews provide other excellent choices with this wine. And for more adventuresome diners, we suggest kangaroo steak, one of Western Australia's perennial favorites with Shiraz. Rich stews and spicy grilled vegetables offer good companionship to a bottle of this tasty Shiraz, too. Enjoy!
Vasse Felix is the oldest commercial vineyard and winery in Western Australia. Many critics also consider it to be the finest winery in the state. It produces award winning Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot among reds and a bevy of excellent whites, including Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Thanks to astute winemaking and an ideal terroir, Vasse Felix consistently fashions compelling wines, which have served to put Western Australia on the viticultural map and raise the eyebrows of the world's true connoisseurs. At the same time, Vasse Felix has inspired others in Australia's largest state to follow suit.
The name Vasse Felix is derived from the Latin word for luck (Felix) and the name of an early 19th century French sailor (Vasse) who died while exploring the section of the captivating coast of Western Australia we now know as the Margaret River. At first, the name may seem quite ironic, but to anyone who has ever caught a glimpse of this eye-popping place, pure good fortune and a perpetually smiling face are no exaggerations when speaking of this enchanted land. Therefore, to die in such a place is far more fortunate than never to have seen it.
The Margaret River is a green temperate corner of Western Australia that sits beside the sea. Here the Margaret River makes its way through wooded hills and steep ridges carpeted with wild flowers, before sighing almost inaudibly into the gleaming Indian Ocean. Crystalline waters and high rolling surf offer Australia's finest surfing as well as its most compelling seascapes. These very same waters, along with steady ocean breezes, a unique soil, and a Mediterranean climate also make Margaret River one of the finest natural wine producing areas on earth and a great place to peacefully whittle away the time.
In the early 1960's, a scholar named John Gladstone was the first to recognize and publicize Margaret River's special climate, soil, and conditions known as terroir. In a detailed account Gladstone wrote glowingly of the similarities between the finest wine producing regions of Bordeaux and Margaret River. Moreover, he extolled the perfect weather of Margaret River for the cultivation of the vine, especially for the traditional Bordeaux varietals. And, indeed, Gladstone's proclamation has proven to be more than just wishful thinking, surpassing even his own expectations: In the past three decades the Margaret River has established itself as a world-class wine producing region for Shiraz and Chardonnay as well as the traditional Bordeaux varietals.
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Jun 02, 2012
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- Last updated on July 23, 2011 at 8:02 am
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I finished my favor tags. Now I just have to wait until I get the favors to tie them on to!
I can't wait to put them all together with our Lollies and center pieces!!!
- Last updated on July 20, 2011 at 6:44 am
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My mother passed away when I was seven from ALS. Her rings were divided amongst her three daughters. One sister was given her class ring, one was given her wedding band, and I was given her engagement ring. We each received our rings when we graduated from high school. (Over ten years ago. Yikes, time flies!) I've been holding on to it since then, not thinking much about it. Sometimes I would wear it on a chain, sometimes I would wear it on my right hand. My FI had the smarts to not try and buy me a new ring. It may be small tiny infinitesimally miniscule, but it was my mother's ring and it represents to me what love really means. My father never remarried.
When we told my father about our engagement, he immediately asked to upgrade the ring. I wasn't sure how I felt about changing a ring that meant so much to me just the way it was. Dad explained that he was always saddened that he never got to upgrade it for mom, so he wanted to do it for us. How could I tell him no?
I took the ring in to Borsheims, where a friend Ryan works, to see what could be done, what I would like, and what would be in budget for my retired father. They were MORE than helpful and understanding of the situation. In the end, the band stayed exactly the same. The setting was enlarged and a new (five times larger) diamond was put in. So now I have a ring that is a little of my mother and a little bit of me. And I couldn't be happier.
- Last updated on July 1, 2011 at 10:24 am
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Food, Fun, and probably a few lovable Freaks! <3
- Last updated on June 29, 2011 at 5:07 am
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A long time ago, when I was just a teenage goth girl, I volunteered as part of the tech crew at The Omaha Community Playhouse. (The OCP is the largest community theatre in the nation. It is something most people from Omaha are very proud of.) I got to dress all in black and be part of a wonderful theatre experience. I will always cherish my time there.
Every Christmas the OCP puts on a production of Charles Dicken's 'A Christmas Carol'. This is still a standard for most people in Omaha, and I worked the show several years in a row. One of my responsibilities was pushing the Cratchit fireplace onto the stage. I would stand behind it during the entire scene and then wheel it off at the proper time. My FI played one of the Cratchit kids several years in a row. I would peer at him from behind the fireplace, thinking of how cute he was. For his part, Ben was terrified of the goth girl. So nothing ever came of it. We didn't go to the same schools, we lived on opposite sides of town, and we fell completely off each others radars for well over 10 years.
FaceBook brought us back together when we both joined the Omaha Community Playhouse group. He was happily surprised to find I was no longer goth. I was happily surprised to find he was still cute. And then it turned out that we both grew up to be nerds! Less than two years later we were engaged.
When deciding on a venue for the ceremony there was really no where else we wanted to go. So, Ben and I will be getting married at the place we originally met.
This is the OCP during Christmas Carol in December. We're getting married in June, but I thought this was just too pretty not to share.
And here it is in the spring.
And this is the stage we will get married on. There won't be a set then, but this can give you an idea of how intimate the space is. (Bonus note: The play pictured above is 'Almost Maine'. The man on stage is my FI. I may not tech anymore but he still acts. And he is really good at it!)
- Last updated on June 28, 2011 at 4:44 am
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Did I mention that we are nerds?
Swords we bought together at a Ren Fair. Snuggles!
Sword play or SWOON play???
Batman and Catwoman for sure!
Playing actions figures.
Kissy Kissy!
One of use is going to get wet!
I win!


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Office 2007 SP2 released
Filed in Micorosft Office, Microsoft Office 2007, Office 2007, Outlook 2007, Service pack 2, Sp2 on Apr.29, 2009
Easy Plugin for AdSense by Unreal Microsoft released Office 2007 SP2, which I recommend to install and donwload. If you did not install the interm hotfixes which are apart of SP2 you will see a noticeable performance increase. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=B444BF18-79EA-46C6-8A81-9DB49B4AB6E5&displaylang=en
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Consumers Energy is keeping positive about its prospects for building a $2.3 billion power plant in Bay County's Hampton Township.
But a year after the company announced its big building plans, some significant hurdles continue to short circuit the start of the project.
State lawmakers are wrangling right now over a complex rewriting of state energy law that Consumers says is needed to build the plant. The legislation could come to a vote as early as Sept. 9.
And the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has not signed off on an air quality permit required for the proposed 800-megawatt, coal-fired plant. That could take a year or more.
Despite the delays, Consumers spokesman Daniel C. Bishop said the company is committed to making the plant a reality.
"We remain optimistic that the ball will get over the goal line," Bishop said.
If legislation is approved and an air permit issued, the Jackson-based utility giant still hopes to break ground on the project in 2010, with a goal of having the plant operating by 2015, according to Consumers spokesman Kelly Farr.
The project would be one of the largest and costliest industrial projects in Bay County history, creating an estimated 1,800 construction jobs, 80 permanent jobs and nearly $4 million in annual property tax revenue.
Those figures had Bay County leaders cheering in September 2007 when Consumers unveiled the plan at an event held at its Karn-Weadock generating complex at the mouth of the Saginaw River. That's where the new plant would join two others currently operating at the site.
Consumers officials were quick to point out that the project would require a substantial change in state energy law to become a reality.
Energy legislation has been one of the hottest topics in Lansing all year. Lawmakers have drafted sweeping changes that, in their current form, would give Consumers what it wants. But other energy issues at stake are holding up a final vote. Those changes would require that a percentage of Michigan's energy come from renewable sources and create a statewide energy efficiency strategy.
"This is an extremely complex package with many moving parts," said state Rep. Jeff Mayes, D-Bay City, who helped draft some of the legislation.
"There are still some major points of difference between the House, the governor's position and the Senate majority, however, conversations are still occurring," Mayes said last week.
Different versions of energy bills were approved this year by the House and Senate, and they currently are in the hands of a joint conference committee trying to work out a compromise.
State Sen. Jim Barcia, D-Bay City, said he expects to see a package emerge from committee and a vote on the energy bills as soon as Sept. 9, when both chambers are back in session from a summer break.
"There's a lot of pressure on the Legislature to act, because there are a lot of businesses looking to invest here and, if they don't get a signal from the state, they will look elsewhere," Barcia said.
Those businesses include renewable energy companies that want Michigan to establish a renewable-energy requirement mandating that a certain percentage of energy come from solar, wind or sources other than fossil fuels.
For its part, Consumers Energy wants its own changes in state energy law. Under current law, electric customers can pick their supplier, allowing large users to negotiate for service with Consumers or other independent energy producers operating in Michigan.
Some argue that keeps energy rates in check by promoting competition, and that rate increases will happen under the new laws.
"We've had the most competitive rates here in the Midwest," said Barry Cargill, head of a group called the Customer Choice Coalition, which opposes the changes backed by Consumers and Detroit-based DTE Energy.
Yet Consumers Energy argues that energy law must change to give the company enough certainty about its customer base to move forward with the expensive new plant.
Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox in March slammed the proposed law change sought by the company, claiming it would result in a 30 percent to 40 percent increase in electricity costs. But Cox has changed his stance.
"At this point, we don't have a position on the legislation," said Matt Frendewey, a spokesman for the Attorney General's office. "We'll have to see what comes out."
Frendewey said he could not explain why Cox has backed off from his earlier criticism.
Mayes said he believes energy costs are going up no matter what happens with the law.
State lawmakers are trying to craft a policy that gets ahead of the curve, he said.
"There may be some short-term (cost) impact for long-term benefit, but most agree that the worst thing is to do nothing," Mayes said. "You'll be more volatile on costs and you'll be getting more energy from out of state."
Consumers Energy and DTE Energy have enlisted the support of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and other groups under the Jobs and Energy Coalition in a push to pass the legislation.
The coalition spent about $2 million this year on a television advertising campaign to promote its position, according to Kelly Rossman-McKinney, a spokeswoman for the group.
"It's not unusual in this day and age, and it's very much driven by the need to really educate relatively new legislators," Rossman-McKinney said.
Rich Robinson, executive director of a political watchdog group called the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, estimates that Consumers Energy and DTE Energy contributed an additional $366,000 to state legislators and their leadership and caucus committees this election cycle.
"It's an awful lot of money, but it's very high stakes," Robinson said.
Mayes' campaign finance records show he received $1,600 from the DTE Energy political action committee and $700 from the Consumers Energy action committee this year. Barcia's most recent campaign contribution report from 2007 shows no income from either committee.
Senate Majority Leader Michael D. Bishop, R-Rochester, issued a statement Aug. 21 that Senate Republicans would try to finish an energy plan the week of Sept. 9.
Bishop said his party is pushing for income tax credits to help people offset price increases associated with renewable energy mandates and tax credits for the purchase of energy efficient products.
If the Legislature approves the change in law sought by Consumers and Gov. Jennifer Granholm signs the bill, it will be one big step toward a ground-breaking for the new power plant. But it won't be the last barrier facing the project.
The DEQ also must issue an air permit for the plant and Consumers must secure financing for the huge project.
Bishop said the company remains hopeful that it can pull off its plan.
"Michigan has an aging power plant fleet and there is a need for new and cleaner and greener power sources in our state," Bishop said.


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Madison & Blaise
"This is the miracle that happens every time to those who really love: the more they give, the more they possess." — Rainer Maria Rilke http://christinegacharna.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/27-8163-post/MadisonBlaiseAugust262016-360p.mp4 Happy
Rossy Rossy took third place at the 2016 AKC Dog Show Friday at the Pontchartrain Center; it was the first time Rossy has ever competed, and Lexi's first experience showing!
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Little GuyJack's Mommy was my best friend in high school. She's incredible. She runs marathons without training and is up and around just days after giving birth (via C-section, no less! Not to mention that having a baby at our age is no small task.) Jack is a pretty incredible story
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roboSHOOT X series + fuji x-t1 + nikon sb-910
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Merry Christmas!
xoxox, Christine, Carlos, Jonathan (jr), Lexi (soph) & Aspen (6 months)
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RIP Jake-y http://christinegacharna.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/19-7997-post/Jake_360p.mp4
the gaping hole
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The hospital room was lined with people — family, I presumed. Mom was still hooked to an IV, and her 40-week, full-term newborn daughter was in the bassinet next to her, no longer breathing. I was there because one of the nurses on the floor called, asking for a NILMDTS photographer to help this
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Throwing Stones Reflections on a dumpy chair, flunky college student hacks, typos, poor judgement and the man who held them all together By Christine (Verges) Gacharná The way I remember it, there was nothing special about that chair. It wasn't particularly inviting or comfortable. The room
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I found myself free for a couple of hours on Magazine St., so I walked over to Audubon Park to check out the Spanish Moss, which is the subject of a collaboration I'm working on with Steve Fleming. I was in the wrong shoes, but ventured off the paved walkway anyhow to truly explore.
Lakeview in monochrom
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from stuck to success (or, there's an ostrich in my bathroom)
By Christine Gacharná In my bathroom, I have globs of peanut butter jamming up the sink drain, 0s & 1s raining from the shower head and a raincoat hanging where my towel used to be. Oh — and a hungover ostrich propped over the toilet. Why??? Because I'm reading a new book, The Plateau
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the Rowell family
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Jay & Michelle | Cozumel
Jay & Michelle | Cozumel
Coach Lou
Coach Lou is my daughter's swim coach. He holds an MS in Astrophysics (among other impressive achievements) and is strikingly intelligent and personable. Last summer, he spent all of 10 minutes showing Lexi some stroke tips that were so simple it almost blew our minds, and the following
Family Portrait Marathon | 11.20.2010
Family Portrait Marathon | 11.20.2010
I first met Adrienne when she was just a toddler, way back in the day when my then-boyfriend was in UPT (Undergraduate Pilot Training) with her Daddy. The class graduated and scattered; fast forward 15 years that seemed like 5 and suddenly Adrienne is all grown up! We spend a chilly fall morning
New Orleans brass band
just a random street-corner grab last night … New Orleans
Family Portrait Marathon | 10.30.2010
I started the day with four boys under 5 and ended with six stair-step siblings ages 6 to 16; sandwiched in between were 49 people with crazy busy schedules, coming and going from all directions (including a couple of Trick-or-Treaters!) Many thanks to my assistant, Peter Frustaci, who helped me
shooting with Kate (St. Augustine's best!)
I spent a lovely long weekend in St. Augustine, Florida, second shooting a wedding for Kate Gardiner. Kate was recently voted "Best Photographer" in the 2010 Best of St. Augustine Contest, so it was a great honor for me to shoot alongside her at Ponte Vedra as Kristofer and Nichole
Elijah was 1 day shy of 3 weeks old for his newborn session. I found him especially amazing to watch as he moves seamlessly from the calm, soothing, peaceful and controlled arms of his parents to the lively, colorful, roughhousing world of his three big brothers. 🙂 Elijah
Sarah | 7 days old
Sarah | 7 days old
Family Portrait Marathon
Family Portrait Marathon | 10.30.2010 Q: What is a family portrait marathon? A: For me, it's a marathon day of shooting! For you, it's a chance to get a family portrait for the upcoming holiday season at a special session price. Q: How much does it cost? A: $50/family (up to six
Look closely at her medals; yes, one of those is from football season! 🙂 Lovely athlete…
Kendall, I'm so excited for you as you embark on your adventure to spend your senior year of high school in Germany! Have fun!
Shelley & David | Northern Virginia wedding
Shelley & David | July 3, 2010 David and Shelley celebrated both their first date and their engagement at Vintage Ridge Winery. "They pair their tastings with food, which altered David's plan of surprising me with an afternoon picnic," Shelley says. "So we had an evening
Katy & Kyle's engagement | Annapolis
Katy & Kyle's engagement | Annapolis
Annalise is a rising senior at West Springfield High School and both she and her mother are girls after my own heart: Annalise is a shoe girl and loves fun scarves, and her mother wants only black and whites for a family portrait wall dating back to the great-grandparents. Of course, I
Reading is Fundamental
Today, the Summer 2009 issue of The Key fell through the mail drop and this was on the cover: This is the first time an editor has used me for both the cover photos and the cover feature story! That's my daughter in the picture, my son holding an SB 800 Strobist-style to camera left. On the
Alyssa is the youngest of three girls; she sings, dances and plays soccer; she just graduated from West Springfield High School, where she earned her letterman's jacket on the football field; she's a pro gamer and rumor has it she'll win faster using only her elbows than most of
beginning figure drawing with Lisa Semerad
I didn't take any photography workshops in 2008. Instead, I enrolled in a figure drawing class at The Art League mostly as a tag-along to my bona-fide artist friend Suzanne. (We didn't know one another in Tucson, but she was an art major at the University of Arizona during the years
Catherine, Anthony & Olivia
Here's my workflow for kids: first get the photos Mom wants; then get the orthodox photos for grandparents; then get the unorthodox photos for my portfolio; then get the best funny-face photo for the kids. This is my second Christmas photographing Catherine, Anthony and Olivia, and they
Katy is a very interesting and impressive young woman. She has four brothers, one of them her twin; she loves running marathons and white water rafting; she just returned from a year in Uganda; she's a junior at the United States Naval Academy; she has a long to-do list of goals for her life
Oh, and don't forget the shoes!
Joyce is nine months pregnant and in F A N T A S T I C shape! [Why is it, we wondered, that nobody tells you until after you're pregnant that it really takes 10 months to grow a baby?]
bugs at f/2.8
It's not to say that the flowers on my front porch from summer were dead; let's just that they were no longer thriving. So I went to Home Depot to look for something fall-ish, and came home with these locally grown Mums. I chose them because one had a fuzzy white caterpillar crawling
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
There is enough water in Crater Lake to give each man, woman and child on earth 700 gallons of the purest pH balanced water available to drink. (Shhh, don't tell California!) It's the deepest lake in the United States and the seventh deepest lake in the world and, believe it or not,
Love, life and the importance of the perfect pair of jeans
Michelle and Chuck are expecting their first child… 🙂 #gallery-5 { margin: auto; } #gallery-5 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 100%; } #gallery-5 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-5
an•gel•ic |an'jelik| adjective of or relating to angels : the angelic hosts. • (of a person) exceptionally beautiful, innocent, or kind : she looks remarkably angelic in her First Communion dress. And then, of course, angelic turns to giggling, and giggling leads to shadow puppets, and then
There are so many facets to the people I photograph. Take Chris, for example: young Airman, engineering student, athlete, bike enthusiast, uncle, brother, son…just an all-American kid. I call him a "kid;" he calls me "Ma'am." Both make me laugh! When I was
DEA Special Agent and Castle CEO
Today I photographed a Drug Enforcement Agency Junior Special Agent and a Princess. Emma and Dominic were a lot, lot, lot of fun!
Gotcha Capitalism by Bob Sullivan
[UPDATE] No. 13 on the New York Times bestsellers list is "Gotcha Capitalism"! I got an email today from author Bob Sullivan telling me he was on a radio show the other day with Louie Free, who complimented him on the author photo that I took (Louie Free must've liked it, he put
New Client Inquiry.
When someone submits a request via my website for more information regarding portraits, it shows up in my inbox with the subject line "New Client Inquiry." They all follow the same generic format, answering pretty basic questions. But they're not always as entertaining as the
I handed a girl a flyer advertising my photo business…
…last summer at Seussical, and here's just a handful of the fun that it led to this week:
John Stuart Hunt, Wall 7 West, line 129
I met John Stuart Hunt on Wall 7 West, line 129, of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. I was giving my friend Miette the walking tour of downtown Washington D.C., and we stopped to look up her brother-in-law. The book we referenced gave us his name, rank, branch of service, date of
Me Danny P
Dan is a Groover, a member of a group of my husband's best friends from The Zoo (they call it); he's a happily married father of two; he's a pilot; he's the son of a cancer survivor; and he has a brain tumor. I wanted to photograph him, and he indulged me by showing up with
Christine's Mardi Gras 2016 survival guide for Shannon
1/11/2016 UPDATE: It seems I left out a few things! Thank you to my fabulous Uptown Kappa friend Joey who pointed out: Use "Mardi Gras day" instead of "Fat Tuesday." LAMINATE important phone numbers/hotel address to put in pocket for emergencies. It's not IF you will
My first morning with a Helios 44-2 f2 58mm
ISO 200, 80mm equivalent, f/2 The Helios 44 is a Russian (Zeiss formula copy) lens. Early Helios 44-2 and 44-3 lenses have a "flaw" that renders a very unique bokeh; eventually, Helios "fixed" the problem, so modern day versions of the lens (44-4 and later) aren't as
beyond grammar
"I disagree; I shouldn't be teaching grammar." :gasp: I actually heard that sentence come out of my mouth when the Director of Academic Affairs (i.e., my boss's boss, the man who runs the entire college campus where I teach) asked me to add grammar exercises into my writing
Need to update your family portrait? Check us out at JayFest 2014
Win-win: Mom gets a collection of photos to frame and share on Facebook AND makes a charitable contribution at JayFest 2014, a celebration to help Jay Rink and his battle against ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.) All proceeds go directly to Jay's Defensive
G is for grammar (and also for groan)
A 15-year-old boy slides confidently into the driver's seat, careening the seat adjustment waaaaaay back. His body language is cool and confident as he checks himself in the rear-view mirror before adjusting it to his eye level at the back window, but his mind is racing in anticipation of
M9 — M as in mmm…
M as in mine. first shot — straight from the box, didn't know how to work metering system, guessed on exposure (good enough) missed on focus Leica M9, ISO 200, 50mm Summicron, f/2.0, 1/125 sec. M as in muchos, manifold, multifarious thanks to Ken Hansen who under promised and over delivered.
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shooting tennis
I am not properly trained or practiced in sports photography (weddings and portraits are more my focus) so I really had no expectations going into Saturday's tournament. My goal was simply to try to get individual players a shot of themselves on the court that made them smile. If I fail, no
Facing the Blank Page
By Christine Gacharná I learned by accident how to face the blank page. At 24, I was working in Arizona as a newspaper reporter. My deadline was 11 a.m., at which time I had to submit 7 stories to my editor. Surprisingly, 10:59 a.m. was the most satisfying time in that job. I might still be
The Blank Page
"We see the brightness of a new page where everything yet can happen." — Rainier Maria Rilke For the last two+ years that I've had my photography business on sabbatical, I've been teaching college writing courses. I've been told that teaching will clarify just how
focal length lens comparison (in-studio)
Despite answering this question at length in a previous post, I still get a considerable number of people who continue to ask the question: What kind of camera/lens should I buy? My answer hasn't changed much in the last decade: What kind of photos are you trying to take? In the thumbnails
today, I went for a run
I spent today packing up the yoga studio and moving it from W. Esplanade Ave. to my garage. It was a strange day, a surreal mix of past, present and future. Instructors and students stopped by, called, sent emails, lit up my iPhone screen with texts … most of them had encouraging and kind words to


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The Marriage that Made the Guinness World Record
In a world of 72 day marriages (Yes, Kim K., we're looking at you!), it's always refreshing to look around and see marriages that have thrived and stood the test of time. It's the encouragement we need to get through the ups and downs of marriage, and it offers hope for those who have experienced divorce and grow anxious at the thought of marriage. Pictured above are Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher, residents of North Carolina, and the current Guinness World Record holders for the longest marriage of a living couple. This May, these two will have been married for 86 years! Isn't that incredible? Herbert is 104 and Zelmyra is 101, and for this past Valentines's Day, they teamed up with Twitter and talked about their marriage as well as dished out a wealth of relationship advice. Here are the questions and their responses from that day:
1. What made you realize that you could spend the rest of your lives together? Were you scared at all?
H & Z: With each day that passed, our relationship was more solid and secure. Divorce was NEVER an option – or even a thought.
2. How did you know your spouse was the right one for you?
We grew up together & were best friends before we married. A friend is for life – our marriage has lasted a lifetime
3. Is there anything you would do differently after more than 80 years of marriage?
We wouldn't change a thing. There's no secret to our marriage, we just did what was needed for each other & our family.
4. What is your advice to someone who is trying to keep the faith that Mr. Right is really out there?
Zelmyra: Mine was just around the corner! He is never too far away, so keep the faith – when you meet him, you'll know.
5. What was the best piece of marriage advice you ever received?
Respect, support & communicate with each other. Be faithful, honest & true. Love each other with ALL of your heart.
6. What are the most important attributes of a good spouse?
Zelmyra: A hard worker & good provider. The 1920s were hard, but Herbert wanted & provided the best for us. I married a good man!
7. What is your best Valentine's Day memory?
Zelmyra: I cook dinner EVERY day. Herbert left work early & surprised me – he cooked dinner for me! He is a VERY good cook!
Herbert: I said that I was going to cook dinner for her & she could relax – the look on her face & clean plate made my day!
8. You got married very young – how did you both manage to grow as individuals yet not grow apart as a couple?
"Everyone who plants a seed & harvests the crop celebrates together." We are individuals, but accomplish more together.
9. What is your fondest memory of your 85-year marriage?
Our legacy: 5 children, 10 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
10. Does communicating get easier with time? How do you keep your patience?
The children are grown, so we talk more now. We can enjoy our time on the porch or our rocking chairs – together.
11. How did you cope when you had to be physically separated for long periods of time?
Herbert: We were apart for 2 months when Z was hospitalized with our 5th child. It was the most difficult time of my life. Zelmyra's mother helped me with the house and the other children, otherwise I would have lost my mind.
12. At the end of bad relationship day, what is the most important thing to remind yourselves?
Remember marriage is not a contest – never keep a score. God has put the two of you together on the same team to win.
13. Is fighting important?
NEVER physically! Agree that it's okay to disagree, & fight for what really matters. Learn to bend – not break!
14. What's the one thing you have in common that transcends everything else?
We are both Christians & believe in God. Marriage is a commitment to the Lord. We pray with & for each other every day.
Reading their story brings happy tears to my eyes and I hope it encourages you as well. So much of our interaction with our lovely couples leads up to the big day, but beginning today, we're also going to start featuring marriage advice and tips, as well as date night ideas for what comes after the "I dos" in future blog posts.
What part of Herbert and Zelmyra's story touched your heart the most? We'd love to hear it in comments below. One of my favorite quotes from them is that marriage is a commitment – loving and respecting your husband or wife is a decision to be made every day. Also, the part about marrying your best friend, because, like Herbert and Zelmyra – I can honestly say I've done that and am incredibly blessed. :)
P.S. I just love how tech savvy Herbert and Zelmyra are! Follow them on Twitter: @longestmarried


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Pupils at a lower school had the chance to use Harry Potter's very own magic.
Staff at St Swithun's Lower School in Sandy arranged for education providers, the Science Boffins, to visit on Wednesday, April 2.
Children in Years One to Four were involved in making exploding rockets, ice cream, Harry Potter magic and magic soap.
This formed part of their science and environment week's work.
Miss Mangold, science co-ordinator, said: "The children were inspired by the awe and wonder of the learning opportunities and were blown away at what can be made using a few simple ingredients."


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NEW ULM - "Hello, Dolly!" is a lively musical sprinkled with comedy that tells the story of a well-known widowed matchmaker named Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi.
Dolly makes an effort to marry a man named Horace Vandergelder, who is a successful miser in the hay and feed business. She wants to circulate his money among the people just like her late husband, Ephraim Levi taught her how to do. She does do some love match-making for others along the way, but does Dolly ever get her man?
People will just have to watch the play as it is performed by a cast of ninth through 12th grade students of New Ulm High School. The show will be performed at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 21 at the DAC auditorium.
Article Photos
Waiters pose on the staircase.
Elegance in front of Harmonia Gardens.
Scene in the hat shop.
Dolly played by Olivia Blake.
The cast in a New York scene.
The show is led by Gary Maki, Shannon Stuckey and Gary Sassenberg, who are all co-directors of the show.
Sassenberg manages the choreography of the play. Stuckey is in charge of the staging, drama and musical accompanying aspects of the show. Maki coordinates all of the elements of the show and organizes the people who work on the show.
This musical play was chosen after looking at the students who may have been interested in being in the show, said Maki.
Fact Box
If You Go...
What: "Hello, Dolly!" musical play by students of New Ulm High School
When: Performances at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 21
Where: DAC auditorium
Tickets cost $8 for students high school ages and younger and $10 for adults. People can buy their tickets at CashWise Foods and Hy-Vee in New Ulm. Doors open about one hour before the show begins.
"We looked at what the show offered as far as parts and as far as chorus numbers ... it's audience appeal ..." said Maki.
All in all, there are 75 students who are involved in the "Hello, Dolly!" cast.
The lead character of the show, Olivia Blake, 17, who plays the part "Dolly" was recently involved in a car accident that occurred on Saturday evening, Nov. 6.
She was traveling with her parents Chris and Sue Blake on Highway 68 when an oncoming Ford Taurus struck a deer directly in front of them. The deer went airborne and flew onto the hood of their vehicle.
The deer continued through the windshield and T-boned Chris in the face, proceeded to hit Sue in the passenger seat scratching her face and bruising her shoulder, then hit Olivia in the face who was sitting behind her mother in the back seat. The deer had enough momentum to go through the back window of their car.
Chris had broken bones in his sinus cavity, damage to both eye sockets, a broken nose and upper jaw bone. He will need a couple of surguries to realign the bones in his face.
Olivia reportedly had a broken nose, fractured cheek, swollen face and sprained ankle. She has a couple of weeks to recover before the show.
"She is so far indicating that she will be back," said Maki. "We are hopeful, but concerned. We do not have an understudy. She is planning on being at rehearsal on Thursday (Nov. 11)."
"We'd like to wish Olivia Blake a speedy recovery," said Kelsey Neigebauer, a student from Courtland who plays Minnie Fay in the show. "We know she'll pull through and have a great performance."
Rehearsals for the show have been held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and then also most Saturdays each week, said Stuckey. The orchestra meets on Sundays.
"The kids put in a lot of hours," said Stuckey, "Their rehearsals are two to three hours long (during the week) and then the Saturdays have been all day. Then they meet before school ... some of them ... but then, it's a big musical and there's lots of big numbers."
Some of the big musical numbers the cast has been working on include: "Hello, Dolly!," "Before the Parade Passes By," "Put on Your Sunday Clothes," and "Ribbons Down My Back."
"It's been a lot of work. We've been putting in a lot of hours, but it's really starting to come together and we're seeing how well we're doing and it will be a really good show," said Silas Sellnow, of New Ulm. He plays the part of Cornelius in the show.
The show also has "lots of dancing," Maki and Stuckey both said.
"Gary Sassenberg has done a great job ... about theater about what that means ... the arts," said Stuckey. "He's very respectful to the kids. He's just done a super job."
"It's a lot of fun. We've learned a lot of different things and we've learned a lot of new stuff from Gary Sassenberg. I'm really excited to see it all pull together," said Neigebauer.
The kids in this show have been very good to work with, said Maki and Stuckey.
"They have really positive attitudes, very respectful," said Stuckey. "It's a lot of work and they've really been great to work with."
Maki said many of the students are very busy with doing many other things besides rehearsing for this show.
He added that without the parents helping out with the production, they really could not do this show.
"It's been pretty crazy. It's been pretty time consuming, but pretty sweet," said Zack Jensen, a student from New Ulm who plays the part of Horace Van
dergelder in this show.
The character of Irene Molloy played by Anna Hildebrandt, who is also a student from New Ulm said, "It's definitely time consuming and takes a lot of dedication. You know the cast really wants to be there ... and that makes it all the better."
The musical calls for three different sets that roll on to the stage - one is a full New York City backdrop.
The set designer for the show is Lynn Heuchert. Set construction has been done by Kevin Maudal.
"Lynn does a great job with detail," said Stuckey.
The costume designer is Val Besser and Jerilyn Kjellberg is in charge of props for the play.
"I've never really done a show that I didn't like and this is another show I'm proud to be a part of," said New Ulm student Zach Holmquist who plays Barnaby Tucker in the musical, "All of the time and energy spent on this show has been very productive and I can't wait to see it performed."
Holmquist added that a special "thank you" goes out to their musical directors Mr. Maki, Mrs. Stuckey and Mr. Sassenberg for doing a terrific job. He also says "thanks" to the whole cast for keeping a positive attitude and making "Hello, Dolly!" a fun show.
Photos by
Steve Muscatello


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KALAMAZOO, MI -- This year at the Fair Food Food Fair, the Golden Ladle was awarded to Jared Dellario and his crew of high school apprentices.
Dellario and his seven assistants won the award for Casa Bolero's Michigan apple, cheddar and squash soup. The soup was topped bacon, white sharp cheddar, chives, swiss chard, and a few other subtle ingredients.
Dellario said that he chose his dish based on the season.
"I think it's is a perfect time for this soup, in the fall," Dellario said. "It has a sweetness, a smokiness, and the squash flavor."
Dellario received help serving and preparing the dish from seven Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency participants that came from high schools all over the Kalamazoo area.
The group of teens collectively responded that it felt "amazing" when asked about how it felt to help win the award.
But these teens weren't the only ones having a great night.
The theme of the third annual Fair Food Food Fair, as always, was local fresh food. Eleven restaurants from all over the Kalamazoo area came out for this friendly competition and showed everyone that eating local is a way from the past that needs to be in our future.
The runner-up in the competition was Bronson Methodist Hospital's food service. They served a Michigan farm tart that contained a "knock your socks off" flavor explosion, according to Judy Sarkozy. The tart contained local roasted butternut squash, leeks, hickory smoked bacon, and "chevre."
In third place was Zazios for its roasted butternut squash polenta with a pork ragout as well as their vegetarian option of a forest mushroom ragout.
Attendees of the fundraiser were also the judges for the competition.
Everyone cast a ballot to vote for the best dish of the night. Every dish was well thought out, presented beautifully, and it is likely that no one left disappointed... or hungry.
This year Judy Sarkozy, of Sarkozy Bakery, was awarded the newly named William R. Wood Locavore of the year award. The award was given this name in honor of the late William R. Wood, the Kalamazoo Gazette's longtime food writer and critic who died in June.
The Fair Food Food Fair's goal is to bring the community together and to raise money for Fair Food Matters, an organization that helps strengthen the local food system.The list of participating restaurants in alphabetical order is as follows, Bronson Methodist Hospital, Crow's Nest, Fuel Vegetarian, Kurry Guru, The Union, Water St. Coffee Joint, Casa Bolero, Food Dance, Just Good Food, People's Food Co-op, and Zazios.


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This deal has ended.
This Sylvania 7" Dual Widescreen Portable DVD Player drops from $89.99 to $59.99 at BestBuy.com. Plus, shipping is free making this the lowest price we found by at least $20. This features two 7" color LCD widescreen displays with virtual surround sound, a headphone jack, USB port and secure digital card slot. It comes with Headphones, 2 vehicle headrest mounting straps, and remote. Sales tax is charged in most states.No longer available


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BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Alabama artist Starr Weems, a watercolorist whose dreamlike works have been featured in numerous publications and exhibitions throughout the Southeast, will show her work starting Thursday, Feb. 27, at the Birmingham Public Library's Fourth Floor Gallery.
Weems, who teaches art and foreign language at Ardmore High School, will show 34 of her paintings in the exhibition, which is titled "Illuminations in Poured Color." She uses a layering process to create highly-contrasting imagery, and gets many of her ideas from her children, Kharma and Rio.
"I enjoy making art that represents the collision of reality and the fanciful world of dreams," she writes. "My preferred medium is transparent watercolor, poured in layers over drawing gum. I create high-contrast images that are bathed in light. Vibrant colors mingle and overlap, creating a magical feeling that reflects my thoughts on spirituality and the enjoyment of life."
Her work has been shown at Kentuck Museum, Lowe Mill and Huntsville Public Library. An opening reception takes place Sunday, March 2, from 3-5 p.m. in the library's fourth floor boardroom. On March 30, she will hold a workshop teaching the watercolor pouring method she uses. That will be held in the story castle on the library's second floor. The workshop is free, but registration is required. Call 226-3670. The exhibition run through April 11.
The library is located at 2100 Park Place in downtown Birmingham.
See more about Starr Weems on her web site, and Facebook and Instagram pages.


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Marc Jacobs Explains All the Smoke and Mirrors — Er, Kilts and Mirrors
We scored some magical face time with the man of the week.
Marc Jacobs's soaring 2009 collection was a mixed-up masterpiece, with plaids and prints and jackets galore. We scored some magical face time with the man of the week to find out what's up with the kilts and all those mirrors on the runway. (Yes, they were a statement.)
This color palette was comfortable, easy, fresh.
I wanted it to be colors, and it was the idea of taking colors to another level. I also wanted pattern without print, so a lot of them were woven, yarn-dyed fabrics, etc. And I liked using the patterns as if they were solid and not being bothered by whether or not they worked together. There were things that were very mundane but done very beautifully, from tattersalls to ginghams and the grunge plaid that I love from a flannel shirt, but done in a beautiful voile.
Are you having a plaid moment?
No, just today.
You've worn kilts for your bow at both collections.
Yeah, all month.
I was told August was kilt month so I'm just following the rules. No. They're comfortable. It's not really a kilt. It's kind of like a short and a kilt.
Are you going to bring them back?
No, I was just recently fascinated by the whole men-in-skirts controversy of the nineties. No. I got one and I started wearing it and it made me happy, so I bought more. And now I just can't stop wearing them.
Why the mirrors on the runway?
I was really interested in the idea of vanity and the idea of reflecting all this color and pattern and having it fragmented and multiplied. It was an idea of multiplicity and endless possibilities and infinity.


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I am the president of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of New Orleans, with membership of over 200 families residing in New Orleans. Recently the spokesperson and missionary in-charge of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Naseem Mahdi, commented on the recent attempted bombing in New York by saying that "the world is shrinking daily, and it is highly important for us to discover and follow the paths that lead to peace. Islam condemns terrorism unreservedly and totally."
The Holy Founder of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, declared more than 120 years ago that there is no justification found in Islam for violence whatsoever. He said that Islam requires all Muslims to live in peace and harmony wherever they may be.
It is clear from events happening all around, however, that a small, fanatic, extremist minority of Muslims has hijacked the faith and continues to mislead and misguide to inflict harm upon the innocents. Such fanatics present a distorted view of Islam based on false and misguided interpretations.
For example, such people say that it is not necessary for a Muslim to follow any non-Islamic government. This is utterly false.
If the vast majority of Muslims living in the United States, who are reasonable, peace-loving and law-abiding citizens, do not speak out and speak out loudly, these atrocities will continue and ultimately ruin the economic, social and spiritual lives of all Muslims and the community at large.
Muhammad, peace be on him, the Holy Founder of Islam, said that "Love of one's homeland, one's place of residence, is a part of the Muslim's faith."
Let us end by being totally forthright. We say to those Muslims living in the United States who do not feel loyal or who do not want to express loyalty to this country from which they are benefiting and enjoying the rewards of freedom, that they are living a false and hypocritical life.
Our advice to them is to leave this country and live in the lands where their loyalties belong.
Mobashir Ahmed


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This deal has ended.
Get this HP Laser Mobile WiFi Wireless 5-Button Notebook Mouse for $12.95 plus free shipping at BuyDig. With free shipping, this was the lowest price we found by $6. It connects to your laptop using WiFi without any need for a wireless receiver or cable. It has five programmable buttons, a scroll wheel and runs on two AA batteries. There is no sales tax (except NJ).No longer available