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House Evaluation is a FREE online service that provides FREE Market appraisal by connecting home owners with ONE real estate expert in Mirrabooka NSW (2264)
Understanding the real sale value of your property is the most important piece of information a property owner needs when they are selling. Getting a computer generated report only gives part of the story. Computers can only use averages and compare your property to other properties on a statistical basis. They miss out on understanding the nuance of your street and the Mirrabooka NSW (2264). Computers can only use the information available and it takes about three months before the most recent house sale prices in Mirrabooka NSW (2264) are available — and so much can happen in a local market in three months that changes the real value.
House Evaluation uses real people: One experienced agent who is knowledgeable on the Mirrabooka NSW (2264) market, They will prepare and email to your FREE House Evaluation report. 100% no obligation and FREE!. Below is what a computer generated report contains our reports will give you the value of your property.and NOT just the average for your suburb.
Mirrabooka House: Median price $387,000, Annual capital growth 3.95%, Number of sales 13, Weekly median advertised rent $350
Mirrabooka is in the bottom 30% in NSW when comparing median price capital growth over the last year. Mirrabooka gave property investors a disappointing capital gain figure when compared to the rest of the state, with 4.31%.
While Mirrabooka,2264 ranked number 1338th in NSW for increase in median house value (annualised) increase, it is ranked 1090th over the last 5 years.
Our latest figures would indicate that property sellers in Mirrabooka are currently offering property investors an average price cut of -6.86% below the asking price at the moment.
Renters in Suburb are facing rents around $4200 per annum or $350 every week.
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Vancouver car-rental customer warns of gouging
Budget franchise billed visitor $1,100 for tiny windshield chip
An Edmonton businessman is warning Olympic visitors to beware of getting gouged by car rental companies. Jim Galpin was recently presented with a $1,100 bill to repair a windshield chip on a Vancouver rental car, a cost he believes is grossly inflated.
"I thought it was ridiculous," Galpin said in an interview. "I'm concerned that charges for damages like this could be a real lucrative revenue generator — when you have the number of people who are coming into Vancouver in the next few weeks over the Olympic period."
Galpin rented a Kia Rio from a Richmond, B.C., franchise of Budget Car and Truck Rentals in November. He said the booking agent told him a courier would deliver the car to him at Vancouver's south terminal, where his flight was arriving.
He said he was told to return the car to the terminal when he finished with it, and it would be picked up later.
"I said, 'I don't need to bring it in to be checked or anything?' 'No,' they said, 'just leave the keys and we'll pick it up.' I thought it was a little strange, but I've rented from Budget before and I thought, 'OK, if that's the way they do it.'"
After dropping off the car, Galpin was about to fly out of Vancouver, when Budget called, informing him the windshield was damaged.
"I was very suspicious," he recalled. "I thought this was very strange. I drove the car for two days. There was nothing on the windshield."
Galpin later told franchise manager David Chang that Budget must be mistaken. Chang then sent Galpin a picture showing a tiny chip in the windshield, with no cracks, below the driver's eye line.
"I almost fell off the chair," Galpin said. "I thought, what on Earth? I couldn't even find the thing for a few minutes."
Still, he was resigned to paying for a chip repair.
"I thought how chintzy is that? But if that's what they want to do, fine. Bill me $25 or $30 or whatever it is. Lesson learned — I will never rent from you again."
Then Chang then informed him the entire windshield needed to be replaced, at a cost $1,000, plus tax.
Customer fully responsible: manager
"Mr. Galpin did not purchase any coverage with Budget Rent a Car and he is fully responsible for anything that happened to the vehicle," David Chang wrote in an email to the Better Business Bureau, where Galpin has filed a complaint.
Chang gave a written breakdown of the estimated repair cost, totalling $1,110.26.
Galpin said he is covered for rental-car damage through his Alberta vehicle insurance policy. But instead of making a claim, he is simply refusing to pay the bill.
"I think this matter is absurd," Galpin wrote in an email to Chang. "There is no way I should be charged for the cost of a windshield replacement on this vehicle and I have no intention of paying this cost."
Galpin believes Budget is trying to take advantage of him.
"You know, they only get so much revenue from renting a vehicle, but if you're able to pull this off, with a little chip you can't see, it could be very lucrative," he said.
CBC News surveyed windshield repair outlets Crystal Glass and Speedy Auto Glass, which quoted a price of $25 to $60 to repair a small chip with no cracks. The repair shops also estimated a windshield replacement on a Kia Rio should not cost more than $750.
"I think [the Budget outlet] could have picked up an extra $1,000 or $1,100 in revenue and never bothered replacing the windshield — or just spent the $25 or whatever it is to do the chip repair and kept the rest."
CBC News tried to contact Chang and CEO Bill Ung, who run several Budget franchise outlets in B.C.'s Lower Mainland under The Phelps Group, but they didn't respond.
Records from the Better Business Bureau show more complaints have been filed about Budget agencies than any other car rental company in the Vancouver area — 66 in the last three years. In nine recent complaints to the bureau about car rental companies, the consumers claim they were overcharged for damage.
In one case last April, involving a Budget outlet at the Vancouver airport, the customer complained of being billed $575 for a small chip on a windshield.
Insurance recommended
A spokesperson for the Insurance Corporation of B.C. said the government-owned insurance company would never pay for a windshield replacement if all that was needed was a chip repair.
"Those kind of claims are almost never brought to us," Adam Grossman said. "If they were, we would go back to the rental car company and tell them what we think the damage costs and work on behalf of our customers that way."
Grossman advised visitors renting cars for the Games to make sure they have full insurance to cover any damage claims. He said people often don't realize they are already covered in their home province or country for car rentals, if they have optional coverage on their own vehicle. Many people also have coverage through their credit cards, he said.
"You should be asking your insurance company whether you are already covered and certainly compare it to what is being offered directly by the rental car company," said Grossman.
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"The value of having [your own] insurance is that you don't end up in situations like this. If you are unfortunate enough to have a claim against you, then at least there's an insurance company there to represent you during that claim."
Chang had encouraged Galpin to contact his credit-card company to see if it would cover the bill. Instead, Galpin cancelled his credit card to try to stop Budget from putting the charge through.
"He was kind of pushing me — to phone my credit-card company to see if I had the coverage under there.
"I guess you know if you can put it through on your credit card and your insurance pays for it, then they figure the customer isn't out. But, I just don't think it's right."
No comment from Budget
CBC News asked the corporate head office of Avis Budget in the U.S. for an interview but received an email reply instead, indicating damage claims at Budget franchises are not the corporation's responsibility.
"Licensees own, maintain and insure their own fleet," wrote an Avis Budget spokesperson. "As such, they subrogate damages independently of the corporation. We cannot comment on their behalf but we have put Mr. Galpin in touch with the licensee."
Several consumer websites also list complaints about damage charges from rental car companies, but most of those cases are in the U.S. Consumer advocates on those sites recommend people take their own pictures of rental vehicles if they drop them off at remote locations or after hours.
Galpin hopes his experience will serve as a cautionary tale for international visitors to Vancouver during the Olympics.
"I would think that the people of Vancouver or certainly the Vancouver tourism people would be a little upset if they knew this type of thing went on," Galpin said.

subset: commoncrawl


text: USING REWIRE WITH PROJECT5 Riding high on the success of SONAR, Cakewalk released their answer to Reason, called Project5 (see Figure 17.24). This virtual synth studio functions a lot like Reason in that it has plenty of virtual synths, sound modules, and sequencers. To top it off, Project5 also supports ReWire, which suggests that it could be used with Reason, but there is a catch. Unlike SONAR, Project5 is not a ReWire master program. Rather, it is a ReWire slave (like Reason), which can chase to any ReWire master program, such as SONAR. In all likelihood, Project5 will become a ReWire master program in a future update. So, in order to use Project5 with Reason, a ReWire master program, such as Cubase SX/SL, Pro Tools LE, SONAR, Orion, or Ableton Live, is required. If you have the money and a fast enough computer to accomplish this feat (remember, you are now running three programs at one time, which requires a lot of CPU speed), simply use any of the PC-based tutorials in this chapter as a template and you should be able to figure it out with no trouble at all. Figure 17.24 Cakewalk's Project5 is a virtual synth studio like Reason.


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Loss of the Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2α Kinase General Control Nonderepressible 2 Protects Mice From Pressure Overload–Induced Congestive Heart Failure Without Affecting Ventricular HypertrophyNovelty and Significance
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In response to several stresses, including nutrient deprivation, general control nonderepressible 2 kinase (GCN2) attenuates mRNA translation by phosphorylating eukaryotic initiation factor 2αSer51. Energy starvation is known to exacerbate congestive heart failure, and eukaryotic initiation factor 2αSer51 phosphorylation is increased in the failing heart. However, the effect of GCN2 during the evolution of congestive heart failure has not been tested. In this study, we examined the influence of GCN2 expression in response to a cardiac stress by inducing chronic pressure overload with transverse aortic constriction in wild-type and GCN2 knockout mice. Under basal conditions, GCN2 knockout mice had normal left ventricular structure and function, but after transverse aortic constriction, they demonstrated less contractile dysfunction, less increase in lung weight, less increase in lung inflammation and vascular remodeling, and less myocardial apoptosis and fibrosis compared with wild-type mice, despite an equivalent degree of left ventricular hypertrophy. As expected, GCN2 knockout attenuated transverse aortic constriction–induced cardiac eukaryotic initiation factor 2αSer51 phosphorylation and preserved sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase expression compared with wild-type mice. Interestingly, the expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 was significantly elevated in GCN2 knockout hearts, whereas in isolated neonatal cardiomyocytes, selective knockdown of GCN2 increased Bcl-2 protein expression and enhanced myocyte resistance to an apoptotic stress. Collectively, our data support the notion that GCN2 impairs the ventricular adaptation to chronic pressure overload by reducing Bcl-2 expression and increasing cardiomyocyte susceptibility to apoptotic stimuli. Our findings suggest that strategies to reduce GCN2 activity in cardiac tissue may be a novel approach to attenuate congestive heart failure development.
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a major cardiovascular disease of epidemic proportion that has increased in prevalence in the past few decades. Several recent studies have indicated that amino acids or branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) may play an important role in maintaining cardiac function under normal conditions1 and after the development of CHF.2,3 Not surprisingly, BCAA dietary supplements promote cardiac and skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis and prolong survival in mice,1 whereas chronic oral amino acid supplements improve cardiac function and exercise capacity in the elderly patients, both with normal and abnormal cardiac functions.2,3 Consistent with the important role of amino acid metabolism in cardiac function, Lu et al demonstrated in a landmark study that protein phosphatase 2Cm, a critical enzyme for BCAA metabolism, is dramatically reduced in the failing hearts and that disrupting BCAA metabolism by inactivation of protein phosphatase 2Cm caused a significant decrease in cardiac contractility with premature death in zebra fish. These data highlighted the important role of BCAA metabolism in cardiac development and normal cardiac function.4
Amino acid availability is sensed by eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) kinase general control nonderepressible 2 kinase (GCN2). Amino acid deprivation, particular BCAA deprivation, increases the levels of uncharged tRNAs that bind the histadyl-tRNA synthetase–like domain of GCN2, resulting in its activation.5 On activation, GCN2 phosphorylates eIF2αSer51, which attenuates global mRNA translation while inducing a selective subset of stress response genes, including activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP).6 Conversely, when levels of amino acids or BCAA are sufficient to support translation, uncharged intracellular tRNAs are less abundant, and GCN2 activity is reduced. Although studies have clearly demonstrated that GCN2 plays a critical role in amino acid sensing and the translation initiation process, the effect of amino acid sensor GCN2 on pressure overload–induced CHF is unrecognized.
In this study, we tested the influence of the eIF2α kinase GCN2 pathway during the development of CHF by inducing chronic pressure overload with transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in mice with genetic disruption of the GCN2 gene (GCN2–/–) and compared the results with wild-type (WT) mice. Although GCN2–/– did not alter the cardiac structure and function under basal conditions, it significantly attenuated TAC-induced heart failure, as evidenced by decreased ventricular dysfunction and dilatation as well as reduced pulmonary congestion. Of interest, GCN2–/– increased the expression of the antiapoptotic factor Bcl-2 while reducing both cardiac oxidative stress and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Taken together, these data indicate that inhibition of GCN2 activity attenuates CHF development.
An extended Material and Methods section can be found in the online-only Data Supplement.
Mice and TAC
Male C57BL/6 (Taconic, Germantown, NY) and GCN2–/– mice7 (congenic with the Taconic C57BL/6 strain), 8 to 10 weeks of age, were used. This study was approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of the University of Minnesota. The TAC procedure was performed on WT (n=15) and GCN2–/– mice (n=17) as previously described.8,9 Body weight and age-matched WT (n=7) and GCN2–/– mice (n=8) were used as controls.
Echocardiography and Evaluation of Left Ventricular Hemodynamics
Mice were anesthetized with 1.5% isoflurane. Echocardiographic images were obtained with Veve 660 system as previously described.8,9
Western Blots
Protein content was analyzed using Western blots. The sources of the primary antibodies are listed in Table S1 in the online-only Data Supplement.
Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Total RNA was reverse transcribed using random hexamers and Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase (Clontech). The real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed using a Light Cycler Thermocycler (Roche Diagnostics). Primers are listed in Table S2. Results were normalized to 18S rRNA.
Data and Statistical Analysis
All values are expressed as mean±SE. Statistical significance was defined as P<0.05. One-way ANOVA was used to test each variable for differences among the treatment groups with StatView (SAS Institute Inc). If ANOVA demonstrated a significant effect, pairwise post hoc comparisons were made with the Fisher least significant difference test.
GCN2–/– Had No Effect on Left Ventricular Structure and Function Under Control Conditions and TAC-Induced Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
Left ventricular (LV) structure and function were not different between GCN2–/– and WT mice under control conditions, as indicated by similar LV weight, lung weight, LV fibrosis, and LV ejection fraction in these mice (Figure 1A–1D; Figure S1). Exposure to TAC for 4 weeks also caused similar increases in LV weight and its ratio to body weight or tibia length in WT and GCN2–/– mice (5.90±0.29 in WT mice versus 6.04±0.27 in GCN2–/– mice; Figure 1A; Table S3), indicating that GCN2–/– has no effect on TAC-induced LV hypertrophy.
GCN2–/– Attenuated TAC-Induced LV Dysfunction
Despite similar levels of cardiac hypertrophy, the increases in lung weight and its ratio to body weight (10.25±1.35 in WT mice compared with 7.14±0.92 in GCN2–/– mice) or tibia length were significantly higher in WT mice exposed to TAC than in GCN2–/– mice (Figure 1B; Table S3). These data suggest that genetic deletion of GCN2 reduces TAC-induced pulmonary congestion, a highly reliable marker for LV dysfunction.10 Echocardiography further confirmed that GCN2–/– mice developed significantly less LV dysfunction in response to TAC as indicated by significantly less reduction in LV ejection fraction (56±3.7% in WT versus 69±3.8% in GCN2–/–; P<0.05) and significantly less increases in LV end-systolic diameter (3.30±0.18 mm in WT versus 2.75±0.21 mm in GCN2–/–; P<0.05) and LV end-diastolic diameter (4.37±0.13 mm in WT versus 4.08±0.15 mm in GCN2–/–; P<0.05; Figure 1D–1F). TAC caused a small but significant reduction of heart rate in both WT and GCN2–/– mice (Figure 1G). Both WT and GCN2–/– mice developed significant but similar increases in LV wall thickness at the end diastole (Figure 1H).
Despite the similar amount of LV hypertrophy in WT and GCN2–/– hearts, histological staining revealed that GCN2–/– hearts develop significantly less LV fibrosis than WT hearts exposed to TAC (12.2±0.64% in WT versus 7.85±0.61% in GCN2–/–; Figure 1C; Figure S1). In addition, GCN2–/– hearts exhibited significantly less leukocyte accumulation than WT hearts exposed to TAC (leukocytes are revealed by CD45 positive staining; Figure S2). TAC also increased collagen-I mRNA expression more strongly in WT hearts than in GCN2–/– hearts (1.28±0.1299 in WT versus 0.76±0.17 in GCN2–/–; Figure S3). These findings clearly indicate significantly better cardiac adaptation in GCN2–/– hearts after TAC.
GCN2–/– Attenuated Heart Failure–Induced Lung Vascular Remodeling and Lung Inflammation
We previously reported that LV dysfunction causes significant lung remodeling,10 which is anticipated to exacerbate the progression of heart failure. Therefore, we further determined the TAC-induced lung vascular remodeling and inflammation in WT and GCN2–/– mice (Figure 2). The result demonstrated that the percentage of nonmuscularized, partially muscularized, and fully muscularized small arteries in lung tissues were not different between WT and GCN2–/– mice under control conditions (Figure 2A and 2D). TAC caused increases in fully muscularized small arteries in both WT and GCN2–/– mice, but these increases were greater in the WT mice than in the GCN2–/– mice (Figure 2D). Both WT and GCN2–/– mice had significant decreases in nonmuscularized small arteries, but these decreases were significantly greater in WT mice than in GCN2–/– mice (Figure 2D), indicating that GCN2–/– significantly attenuated heart failure–induced lung vascular remodeling. In addition, GCN2–/– dramatically attenuated TAC-induced lung inflammation as indicated by less accumulation of leukocytes and macrophages in the alveolae, in the vascular wall of large vessels, and in the interstitial space of lung tissues (Figure 2B and 2C). The increased infiltration of macrophages was confirmed by staining with the macrophage-specific marker Mac-2 (Figure 2B), whereas the infiltration of neutrophils was confirmed using a specific antibody against mouse neutrophil clone 7/4 (Figure 2C). Neither GCN2–/– nor TAC affected the relative lung water content (Figure S4), a finding that is consistent with our previous report that the relative lung water contents were not changed in CHF animals.10
GCN2−/− Attenuated TAC-Induced Phosphorylation of eIF2α
eIF2α is the only substrate of GCN2 that has been identified. However, the specific contribution of GCN2 to eIF2αSer51 phosphorylation in the heart under basal or stress conditions is not known. Western blot analysis demonstrated that both phosphorylated GCN2Thr667 and total GCN2 are expressed in the heart and completely absent in GCN2–/– hearts, as expected (Figure S5A–S5D). The phosphorylated GCN2Thr667 was significantly increased in WT hearts after TAC. The absence of GCN2 protein did not significantly influence total LV eIF2α content or eIF2αSer51 phosphorylation under basal conditions. However, although eIF2αSer51 phosphorylation was increased in WT hearts in response to TAC, this increase was blunted in GCN2–/– hearts (Figure S5A, S5E–S5G). These data suggest that GCN2 plays little role in cardiac eIF2αSer51 phosphorylation under basal conditions (or that its loss is compensated for by other eIF2α kinases) but does contribute to increased phosphorylation of eIF2αSer51 under the stress conditions imposed by systolic overload.
GCN2−/− Attenuated TAC-Induced Decrease in Serca2a and Increase in Autophagy, Oxidative Stress, and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
Western blot analysis of LV lysates demonstrated that GCN2–/– blunted the increase of atrial natriuretic peptide (a marker for cardiac stress) and prevented the loss of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (Serca2a), an enzyme that is essential for normal cardiac function. Because CHF is associated with increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress,11 autophagy,12 and oxidative stress, markers for cardiac ER stress, autophagy, and oxidative stress were determined. ER stress marker CHOP is undetectable in WT and GCN2–/– hearts under control conditions, whereas TAC caused a significant increase in CHOP expression in WT and GCN2–/– hearts. GCN2–/– significantly attenuated myocardial CHOP expression in mice after TAC (Figure S6A and S6B). GCN2–/– also reduced the TAC-induced upregulation of ER chaperone 78 Kd glucose regulated protein (GRP78) (Figure S6A and S6C), whereas the TAC-induced increase in 94 Kd glucose regulated protein (GRP94) also tended to be less in GCN2–/– mice (P=0.10; Figure S6A and S6D). Autophagy marker beclin-1 was significantly increased in GCN2–/– hearts under control conditions, whereas autophagy marker LC-3B was unchanged in GCN2–/– hearts under control conditions (Figure 3A, 3D, and 3E). TAC caused significant increases in beclin-1 and LC-3B in WT hearts, whereas the increases in these proteins were significantly attenuated in GCN2–/– hearts (Figure 3A, 3D, and 3E).
Because both the increase in Serca2a expression and the decrease in CHOP expression attenuate pressure overload–induced myocardial oxidative stress and CHF,13,14 we speculated that GCN2–/– might attenuate myocardial oxidative stress after TAC. Consequently, myocardial oxidative stress markers 3′-nitrotyrosine and 4-hydroxynoneal (4-HNE) were determined by Western blot. Myocardial 3′-nitrotyrosine and 4-HNE contents were not different in WT and GCN2–/– hearts under control conditions. However, whereas TAC caused significant increases in 3′-nitrotyrosine and 4-HNE in WT hearts, the increase in oxidative markers was significantly attenuated in GCN2–/– hearts (Figure 3A, 3F, and 3G). The reduced atrial natriuretic peptide expression, preserved Serca2a expression, and reduced oxidative stress in GCN2–/– mice exposed to TAC indicate that GCN2 plays a pathological role in the response to hemodynamic overload.
GCN2−/− Increased LV Bcl-2 Expression and Attenuated TAC-Induced Apoptosis
Cardiomyocyte death and replacement fibrosis are features of pathological hypertrophy that cause LV dysfunction. To determine whether GCN2 affects cardiomyocyte apoptosis during pressure overload, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining was performed on hearts from WT and GCN2–/– mice exposed to TAC. Although TAC significantly increased apoptotic cells both in WT and in GCN2–/– hearts, the increase in apoptotic cells was significantly less in GCN2–/– hearts than in WT hearts (Figure 4A; Figure S7). Consistent with transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining results, WT hearts exhibited greater activation (cleavage) of proapoptotic protein caspase-3 in response to TAC than GCN2–/– hearts (Figure 4B and 4C). Caspase-3 cleavage occurs downstream of mitochondrial cytochrome c release, which is promoted by the proapoptotic factor Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and inhibited by the antiapoptotic factor Bcl-2. The ratio of Bcl2 to Bax is thus an important indicator of apoptotic sensitivity. To investigate potential mechanisms by which GCN2 might increase sensitivity to TAC-induced apoptosis, we examined the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in WT and GCN2–/– hearts. We observed that Bax expression was similar in WT and GCN2–/– hearts under basal conditions. Bcl-2 expression, however, was significantly elevated in GCN2–/– hearts even under basal conditions, indicating that GCN2 limits steady state Bcl-2 levels in the heart. In response to TAC, Bax levels increased significantly in WT hearts, but this increase was blunted in GCN2–/– hearts, suggesting that GCN2 contributes to increased Bax expression in pressure overload (Figure 4B and 4D). Because increased Bcl-2 expression was maintained in GCN2–/– hearts after TAC (Figure 4B and 4E), while the increase in Bax observed in WT hearts was blunted by GCN knockout, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 was significantly higher in WT hearts after TAC compared with GCN2–/– hearts (Figure 4F). We also measured the Bcl-2 mRNA level in those experimental groups. It was found that Bcl-2 mRNA was significantly increased in GCN2–/– hearts under control conditions but not after TAC, suggesting that the increase in Bcl-2 protein expression in GCN2–/– hearts is regulated at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels (Figure S8). These data suggest that GCN2 may increase cardiomyocyte susceptibility to apoptosis during pressure overload by downregulating Bcl-2 expression and elevating the expression of Bax.
GCN2 Regulates Bcl2 Expression and Apoptosis in Cultured Cardiac Myocytes
The observation that Bcl2 expression was significantly increased in LV tissue obtained from GCN2–/– mice and that GCN2–/– hearts exhibited less TAC-induced apoptosis than WT mice suggests a novel role for GCN2 in cardiomyocyte apoptotic sensitivity, in part through regulation of Bcl-2. However, because GCN2 is disrupted in the germ line of these mice, the Bcl-2 increase and protection against apoptosis in the heart could result from an adaptive embryonic response to loss of GCN2 or from noncardiomyocyte effects. Therefore, we used an isolated neonatal rat cardiac myocyte model to further investigate the relationship between GCN2 and Bcl-2 expression and examine how this influences cardiomyocyte apoptosis. In neonatal cardiomyocytes, GCN2 was expressed at low levels under basal conditions but was significantly increased by extended hypertrophic stress (50 µmol/L phenylephrine for 72 hours; Figure 5A and 5B). Interestingly, increased GCN2 expression was associated with reduction of Bcl-2 expression in response to phenylephrine treatment (Figure 5A and 5C). To determine whether GCN2 expression contributes to Bcl-2 reduction in hypertrophied cardiomyocytes, we depleted GCN2 levels using RNA interference (RNAi). Consistent with our findings from mice studies, treatment of cardiomyocytes with GCN2 targeting RNAi effectively reduced GCN2 expression and significantly increased Bcl-2 expression in comparison with nontargeting RNAi-treated controls (Figure 5A–5C). In addition, Bcl-2 expression was better preserved in GCN2 RNAi-treated cardiomyocytes than controls after exposure to extended phenylephrine treatment (72 hours). Although transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining did not reveal significant differences in apoptosis between control and GCN2-depleted cells under basal conditions, after phenylephrine treatment, GCN2-depleted cells were more resistant to apoptosis induced by additional exposure to an oxidative stress from H2O2 (Figure 5D). Conversely, we found that overexpression of GCN2 significantly attenuated Bcl-2 expression in neonatal cardiomyocytes after phenylephrine treatment (50 µmol/L, 72 hours). GCN2 overexpression also exacerbated apoptosis induced by additional exposure to oxidative stress from H2O2 (Figure S9). Collectively, these results suggest that GCN2 attenuates Bcl2 expression in cardiomyocytes and increases susceptibility of cardiomyocytes to an apoptotic stress.
The present study provides the first direct evidence that inhibition of GCN2 activity by GCN2 gene deletion attenuates the development of heart failure. GCN2 deletion did not reduce the degree of cardiac hypertrophy in response to chronic pressure overload but did attenuate the degree of ventricular dysfunction and dilatation as well as the amount of pulmonary congestion. Additional evidence for a pathological role of GCN2 in response to cardiac stress was reduced atrial natriuretic peptide content, preserved Serca2a expression, and attenuated ER stress response observed in GCN2−/− hearts after TAC. The finding that GCN2−/− protects against heart failure during chronic pressure overload indicates that selective inhibition of GCN2 may be a therapeutic target for treating heart failure.
The finding that GCN2 deletion increases Bcl-2 expression and protects against cardiomyocyte apoptosis suggests a potential mechanism for the maladaptive effects of GCN2 in pressure overload. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is thought to contribute to the transition from compensatory hypertrophy to heart failure.15 Bcl-2 is a well-recognized antiapoptotic factor that protects against oxidative stress–induced apoptosis16 and can preserve cardiomyocyte viability and LV function under a variety of stress conditions when overexpressed in the heart.17–19 The finding that GCN2−/− mice exhibit increased Bcl-2 expression and decreased cardiac cell apoptosis identifies GCN2 as a novel negative regulator of cardiac Bcl-2 expression. GCN2 regulation of cardiac Bcl-2 and apoptosis was further confirmed in an isolated neonatal cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model, where phenylephrine increased GCN2 expression and reduced Bcl-2 expression, whereas RNAi depletion of GCN2 increased Bcl-2 expression and improved resistance to hydrogen peroxide–induced apoptosis. Interestingly, although GCN2 limits cardiac Bcl-2 expression, GCN2 increases cardiac expression of the proapoptotic factor Bax during systolic overload. These pro- and antiapoptotic factors interact with each other and have opposing effects on mitochondrial cytochrome c release,20 a critical step in caspase activation and apoptosis. Accordingly, the reduction in Bcl-2 and increase in Bax expression by GCN2 are likely to increase cardiomyocyte susceptibility to TAC-induced apoptosis.20,21
Although our data identify a novel role for GCN2 in Bcl-2 expression and apoptosis, the mechanism by which GCN2 regulates Bcl-2 levels is not totally clear. Based on previous findings, the increased ER stress response observed in WT mice (in comparison with GCN2−/− mice) may lower Bcl-2 expression by increasing the expression of CHOP.13,22 CHOP has been demonstrated to reduce transcription of Bcl-2,22 thereby increasing apoptosis in response to ER stress.23 Recently CHOP was also shown to contribute to cardiomyocyte apoptosis and LV dysfunction in pressure overload.13 Thus, GCN2-mediated increase in CHOP under stress conditions may contribute to reduced Bcl-2. However, although attenuated phospho-eIF2α/CHOP activity may help explain how GCN2 ablation preserves Bcl-2 expression under stress conditions, we observed that Bcl-2 expression is also elevated in GCN2−/− hearts under basal conditions, during which no difference is observed between WT and GCN2−/− hearts in eIF2α phosphorylation. Similarly, in isolated cardiomyocytes, we did not observe large differences in eIF2α phosphorylation in GCN2-depleted cells, even as Bcl-2 expression was increased. These findings suggest that either a moderate change of eIF2α phosphorylation is sufficient to regulate Bcl-2 expression or GCN2 regulates Bcl-2 levels independent of eIF2α phosphorylation.
Serca2a is a well-recognized therapeutic target for treating CHF.24 Previous studies have consistently demonstrated that decreased myocardial Serca2a exacerbates CHF development,25 whereas increased Serca2a expression attenuates CHF development.24 In that regard, the preserved Serca2a expression in GCN2–/– mice after TAC provides an alternative important mechanism for improved cardiac function. It has been consistently demonstrated that increased myocardial oxidative stress exacerbates CHF in response to chronic pressure overload, whereas decreased myocardial oxidative stress attenuates CHF.8,13 The reduced myocardial CHOP expression and lower levels of oxidative stress observed in GCN2–/– mice after TAC may also contribute to the improved cardiac function in these mice. The finding that CHOP expression was reduced in GCN2–/– hearts after TAC is consistent with the previous report that CHOP induction under stress conditions is partially GCN2 dependent.7 Several studies showed that CHOP expression is increased in the failing heart,13,26 whereas CHOP gene deletion attenuates TAC-induced myocardial oxidative stress and heart failure13 and oxidative stress in β cells in multiple mouse models of diabetes mellitus.27 Therefore, the reduced CHOP expression observed in GCN2–/– mice after TAC may contribute to reduced myocardial oxidative stress.
Amino acid deprivation or nutrient starvation activates GCN2 activity, whereas amino acid administration (particularly administration of BCAA) attenuates GCN2 activity. However, studies have also demonstrated that GCN2 can be activated by other stresses such as glucose deprivation,28 infection,29 oxidative stress,30 and ultraviolet radiation.31 The dramatic changes in myocardial metabolism and other mechanical and biochemical stresses in the failing heart may all contribute to GCN2 activation directly or indirectly. The increased phosphorylation of eIF2α and GCN2 in WT mice after TAC suggests an increased activity of GCN2 in the failing hearts, but the mechanism of GCN2 activation in the failing heart is not clear. A recent study demonstrated that chronic administration of high-dose BCAA prolonged survival in mice. The prolonged survival caused by BCAA treatment was associated with increased expression of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, antioxidant defenses, and marked reduction in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in cardiac and skeletal muscles of WT mice but not eNOS knockout mice.1 Inhibition of GCN2 activity through GCN2 gene deletion did not result in increased expression of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidant defense in skeletal muscles in mice, at least under control conditions,13,26 suggesting different molecular pathways are involved in the above conditions.13,26
The present study has several limitations. First, GCN2 gene deletion significantly increased myocardial Bcl-2 expression and attenuated TAC-induced Serca2a expression, autophagy, ER stress, and oxidative stress. Thus, the cardioprotective effect observed in GCN2−/− mice is likely to be a collective effect of all of these changes. We are therefore unable to determine the relative contribution of these individual factors to the cardioprotective effect in this mouse strain. In addition, as eIF2α plays an essential role in the translation of mRNAs into proteins, while GCN2−/− only moderately attenuated TAC-induced LV dysfunction, it is difficult to determine whether eIF2α is required for GCN2 effects on Bcl-2 expression in the current experimental setting. In addition, eIF2α plays an essential role in the translation of mRNAs into proteins, so disruption of eIF2α is anticipated to exert effects on cardiomyocyte survival far beyond GCN2. Therefore, we are unable to determine whether eIF2α is required for GCN2 effects on Bcl-2 expression in the current experimental setting. Finally, as a global GCN2−/− mouse strain was used for the present study, some of the observed phenotypes may be a result of chronic adaptation to the global gene deletion. Furthermore, the present study could not determine whether the cardioprotective effect is because of gene deletion in cardiomyocytes or gene deletion in other cell types.
Amino acid availability is sensed by eIF2α kinase GCN2. Although studies have clearly demonstrated that GCN2 plays a critical role in amino acid sensing and the translation initiation process, the effect of amino acid sensor GCN2 on heart failure development is unrecognized. Our study provides the first direct evidence that inhibition of GCN2 activity by GCN2 gene deletion attenuates the development of heart failure and the amount of pulmonary remodeling. The finding that GCN2−/− protects against heart failure during chronic pressure overload indicates that selective inhibition of GCN2 may be a therapeutic target for treating heart failure.
Sources of Funding
This study was supported by US Public Health Service grants HL098669, HL098719, HL102597, HL21872, and R01HL105406 from the National Institutes of Health, grant 81270319 from National Natural Science Foundation of China, and research grant 09GRNT2260175 from the American Heart Association. Zhongbing Lu is a recipient of Chinese Academy of Sciences Hundred Talents Program.
The online-only Data Supplement is available with this article at http://hyper.ahajournals.org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.113.02313/-/DC1.
- Received August 29, 2013.
- Revision received September 5, 2013.
- Accepted October 1, 2013.
- © 2013 American Heart Association, Inc.
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Novelty and Significance
What Is New?
The present study provides the first direct evidence that inhibition of amino acid sensor general control nonderepressible 2 kinase (GCN2) activity by GCN2 gene deletion attenuates pressure overload–induced congestive heart failure.
GCN2 gene deletion increased the expression of the antiapoptotic factor Bcl-2 while reducing both cardiac oxidative stress and cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
What Is Relevant?
Congestive heart failure is a major cardiovascular disease of epidemic proportion that has increased in prevalence in the past few decades. The data identify GCN2 as a novel maladaptive factor in heart failure.
GCN2 expression is maladaptive in congestive heart failure. Strategies to reduce GCN2 activity in cardiac tissue may be a novel approach to attenuate congestive heart failure development.
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- Loss of the Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2α Kinase General Control Nonderepressible 2 Protects Mice From Pressure Overload–Induced Congestive Heart Failure Without Affecting Ventricular HypertrophyNovelty and SignificanceZhongbing Lu, Xin Xu, John Fassett, Dongmin Kwak, Xiaoyu Liu, Xinli Hu, Huan Wang, Haipeng Guo, Dachun Xu, Shuo Yan, Edward O. McFalls, Fei Lu, Robert J. Bache and Yingjie ChenHypertension. 2014;63:128-135, originally published December 11, 2013https://doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.113.02313
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- Loss of the Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2α Kinase General Control Nonderepressible 2 Protects Mice From Pressure Overload–Induced Congestive Heart Failure Without Affecting Ventricular HypertrophyNovelty and SignificanceZhongbing Lu, Xin Xu, John Fassett, Dongmin Kwak, Xiaoyu Liu, Xinli Hu, Huan Wang, Haipeng Guo, Dachun Xu, Shuo Yan, Edward O. McFalls, Fei Lu, Robert J. Bache and Yingjie ChenHypertension. 2014;63:128-135, originally published December 11, 2013https://doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.113.02313


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U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signed into law a day of Thanksgiving on Oct. 3, 1863.
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All Domino's Locations Now Open Later!
FREE Elgin PIZZA COUPONS — Sign up and never miss a deal!
Exclusive Online Offers
Spicy, Sweet or Savory: Get Pizza Delivery in Elgin
For pizza delivery in Elgin that sure won't disappoint, choose Domino's! When you order Domino's, you're not ordering a run of the mill pizza. You're ordering a pizza with a golden-brown crust baked just for you, a zesty marinara sauce made from only the best tomatoes, and a flavorful combo of toppings that'll please both meat eaters and veggie lovers alike. With Domino's pizza, your grumbling tummy won't be grumbling much longer.
At Domino's in Elgin, it's never been easier to get the fast and fresh pizza you want. Visit your nearest Domino's location to place a carryout order, give us a call, or order your pizza online!
First, start by selecting from one of our handmade crusts, like our hand-tossed crust that's packed with buttery flavor, a crispy thin crust, a pan crust featuring two delicious layers of cheese, or even a gluten-free pizza crust! And then, select your sauce and start loading up on the toppings of your choice. Whether you can't get enough grilled chicken and roasted veggies or you adore a savory variety of banana peppers, mushrooms, and pepperoni, you can count on your local Domino's to deliver.
With over 34 million different ways to make a single Domino's pizza, you can be sure we've got a slice for any taste. From its sauce to its size, build your own pizza or choose from one of our famous specialty pizzas, like the popular Wisconsin 6 Cheese, Pacific Veggie, or ExtravaganZZa™, and have it delivered to your doorstep, super fast!
We Deliver, You Eat: Elgin Pizza Delivery
At your Elgin Domino's, we take pizza delivery pretty seriously. In fact, we promise your pizza will arrive hot and fresh at your door, right out of our oven. Can't wait for your pie to arrive? Use our patented Pizza TrackerⓇ system and follow your pizza order as it's prepped, baked, and headed out the door for delivery... and do your best not to drool on your computer's keyboard in the meantime.
Wings, Sandwiches, Desserts & Pizza Takeout in Elgin
We deliver pizza pretty darn fast, but we're also rockstars when it comes to lightning fast pizza takeout in Elgin. Feel free to order a delectable pie from our pizza menu or take home something entirely different. Give your tastebuds exactly what they're looking for with one of our handcrafted sandwiches, oven-baked pastas, bread bites, salads, and even mouth-watering desserts like chewy cookies and chocolatey brownies.
With more than 12,000 stores around the world, we know customer service and quality. Our aim is to not only be the best pizza delivery company in Illinois, but also the world, and everything we do reflects this commitment. You'll witness it in the way our delivery drivers take care of your order and you'll taste it in every bite of pizza you eat. Call your local Domino's restaurant in Elgin, order online, or use our free mobile phone app for fast and delicious pizza delivery and carryout today! We may be more than 56 years old, but we aren't just any old Elgin pizza restaurant. Domino's is your go-to pizza place in Elgin!
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TALLAHASSEE – The first Black Cabinet member since Reconstruction, a lawyer who fought segregation, and a state leader of the NAACP have been named by Gov. Rick Scott to the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame.
Scott's office announced Monday that the selections include the late Jesse McCrary, a native of the Ocala area. McCrary was an attorney who was appointed in 1978 by then-Gov. Reubin Askew to serve as secretary of state, and became the first Black state Cabinet member since Reconstruction.
Also named were the late attorney Earl M. Johnson of Jacksonville, who battled segregation and represented civil rights activists in Florida courts, including the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Johnson was also a law partner of the late Leander Shaw, the Florida Supreme Court's second Black justice.
The third selection was the late Rutledge Pearson, also a Jacksonville-based civil rights activist who served as president of the Florida State Conference of NAACP Branches. He participated in desegregation activities in Jacksonville as the NAACP branch president there. Ironically, Pearson became the first African-American to be buried in the city's racially segregated Evergreen Cemetery after he was killed in a car crash at age 37 in 1967.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.


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Planned Parenthood offers a wide range of health care services that vary according to location.
Specific services vary across locations. Typically you can expect general health care services, such as HIV testing and hepatitis vaccines, as well as extensive services related to female reproduction, such as breast exams, cervical cancer screening and Pap tests.
You can find specific information about the Planned Parenthood location closest to you at the national organization's website.
You may visit the Akron clinic location at:
444 West Exchange Street
Akron, OH 44302
Or call 330.535.2671
Services at the Akron location include:
c) General Health Care including anemia testing and screening for cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure screening
d) HIV Testing
g) Men's Health Services including urinary tract infections
i) Pregnancy Testing, Options & Services
k) Women's Health Services including breast exams, cervical cancer screening, Pap tests and urinary tract infections
According to information on the Planned Parenthood website:
"While the health care law means that millions of people will be getting insurance for the first time, Planned Parenthood will continue to provide quality health care to women and men— whether or not they have insurance. So you can still come to us for the care you need, when you need it."
- Medicaid is accepted.
- Fees for services are based on your household income. Bring proof of income when you arrive for your visit.
- You will not be turned away because of your inability to pay.
- Payment is expected at time of service.
- Payment plans are available for many services.


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Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated every year.by the Jain community which is the birth anniversary of the 24th and the last tirthankara, Vardhman Mahavir who is the founder of Jainism. In the month of March the birth anniversary of the 24th and the last tirthankara of the Jains, Vardhman Mahavir, the founder of Jainism is celebrated. Mahavir, born as a prince in 599 BC had renounced his worldly life at his 30 years and also undertook the austere penance until he achieved realization. Mahavir who is also called as Vardhamana is considered as the last one in the galaxy of twenty four Teerthankaras.
Lord Mahavir is known as one of the greatest prophets of peace and social reformation that has ever been produced by Bharat. His father is Siddhartha, king of Kaundinyapura on the outskirts of Vaishali near Patna in Bihar and his mother Priyakarani popularly known as Trushala Devi, who was deeply permeated with the philosophy of Jainism preached by the 23rd Teerthankara called as Parwanatha.Mahavir gave up his worldly life at his 30 years and undertook the austere penance until he achieved realization. Even the early episodes of Mahavir as a boy show that he was absolutely fearless due to which he got the name Mahavir.
Excellency of Lord Mahavir
Mahavir grew up as a prince who also excelled in intellectual acumen and physical prowess. He gave up all his pleasures and luxuries of the place and also the power and prestige of kingship and experiences a life of complete penance for nearly more than twelve years. He quietly bore the torments from the ignorant and mischievous among his own countrymen along with the rigors of the nature. Finally he became self-illumined. Without being satisfied with his own personal salvation he chose to become a great human redeemer.
Preaching of Lord Mahavir
Lord Mahavir has many followers by spreading the message of salvation to the world. He preached non-violence, no indulging in any kind of killing and also taught his followers to seek salvation through penance and abstinence. He also advised people to donate clothes, money and grain to the poor people who do not have it. The Jains are mainly divided into two sects namely Digambaras and Shvetambaras and latter divided as Deravasis and Sthanakvasis. The householders have been initiated with five-fold paths by Mahavir namely Ahimsa (not injuring others both physically and mentally), Asteya not stealing), Brahmacharya (temperance in sexual pleasures) and Aparigraha (non-acquisition of property).
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The MCL is hiring a Maker Corps Member!
The Millvale Community Library is seeking a passionate educator and "maker in residence" to help design and run our summer maker programming. As a part of the Maker Education Initiative's Maker Corps program, our Maker Corps Member would plan and facilitate engaging youth-centered opportunities for making. During the ten week period from June 6 to August 11, the Maker Corps member will work directly with the Maker Program Director and other library staff to ensure that the summer at the MCL is as fun and rewarding as possible.
Ideal candidates will possess:
- Excellent leadership skills
- Agency and ability to work on self-directed projects
- Identifies as a self-starter
- Passionate about education and working with kids
- Ability to work in an informal and sometimes chaotic environment
- Access to reliable transportation (A car would be nice, but not required)
- Interested in working in a library
- Ability to go with the flow
Qualifications and Requirements:
- Valid driver's license and proof of insurance
- Up to date PA Child Abuse History Clearance, PA State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Interested in working with closely with kids
- Skilled in one of the following areas: engineering, computer science, music, outdoor skills, sports, fine art, woodworking, filmmaking, photography, creative writing… really anything cool that you'd want to share with kids.
If you are interested in applying, please send a resume and cover letter to our Maker Program Director, Nora Peters, at firstname.lastname@example.com.
In your cover letter, please touch on:
- Why you believe you would be a good fit for this position
- What experience you have working with children
- What skills you would be interested in sharing in an informal educational setting
- What ideas you have for a *mystery* week of Maker summer camp


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Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Parents Failing Hard 3
Cheap parents are bad. Especially ones that don't pay child support. And especially ones that only have to pay about $150 a month in child support and then post pictures of themselves on Facebook where they are posing with money on their bed. Meet Christopher Robinson, 23, of Milwaukee. He's also in trouble for posting pictures of himself with liquor as well. He has a 3 year old child that he hasn't paid a single damned cent towards.
"What we do in these types of cases is we try to find out from other family members whether there is other information we may not be able to know about" Milwaukee County Chief Deputy District Attorney Kent Lovern said. "Facebook has become a repository for information that we may not know about."
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Labels: child support, Christopher Robinson, dantania.blogspot.com, dante ross, Milwaukee, Parents Failing Hard
Monday, March 25, 2013
Dante Saves You: Evil Doctor Edition
No one likes going to the doctor. You pay hundreds if not thousands of dollars to someone who puts their fingers in your holes and tells you that you're dying…again. Best case scenario you are just a little bit less wealthy than you were when you entered. Worst case scenario you end up being in the same one with one of these sons of bitches.
This is a list of some honked up ass doctors. But don't you worry your sexy little head, you. Seriously, have I told you how good you've looked lately? Well, you do. You lookin' like a delicious ham sammich I wanna eat you you're so good lookin'! One of these guys may wanna eat you as well but I'll teach you how to beat or at least get away long enough to scream like a little girl in this Dante Saves You: Evil Doctor Edition!
Posted by Dante at 10:30 AM No comments:
Labels: dante ross, Dante Saves You, Dr Moreau, Evil Doctor Edition, Human Centipede, Rocky Horror, Silence Of The Lambs, The Fly
Friday, March 22, 2013
Kids These Days 18
When I watch commercials or read articles about Kids These Days all I can do is think of how jacked up our future is gonna be. These children don't know shit. I'm sorry, not your kid. You kid is the next savior of humanity. Nothing can stop them! it's the other kids we need to worry about. These paste eating weirdos that permeate our culture are gonna be at child bearing age soon and something needs to be done about it, Children Of Men style. Yeah, you know what I'm talking about.
In my first few KTD blogs I would point out sit that kids wont get nowadays. It turned into me berating them like a, well, dumb kid. I have decided to go old school for this one with some more shit that wont make sense to kids unless a new singer that was born after 1995 mentions it in a song and it becomes cool again.
Posted by Dante at 7:22 PM 2 comments:
Labels: dantania.blogspot.com, dante ross, Kids These Days, Kids These Days Post, Klondike Bar, milk, Trix, VHS tapes
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Bad Advice From People 2
Most of the advice you're given in life is bullshit. We all think we are helping people out when we tell them things but most times we're just laughing at them later on. Like that one time you told her she looked fine in that outfit. Hahaha! Oh, that shit was hilarious! Remember how those jeans made her ass look? Like two gorillas fighting for an apple. That was priceless!
There is some advice that you get that as soon as you hear it you want to ask "Are you trying to get me killed?" I forgot that I had written the first one of these blogs so here's the link for that. You can agree to disagree with me. You can tell me how right you are in the afterlife.
Posted by Dante at 2:06 PM No comments:
Five Things I Learned Being Black
There's an old saying "Everyone wants to be Black until the police show up." For those that don't know, I'm Black. Yes, there's some other stuff tossed in there but according to everyone that sees me and the police I am an African American male. I prefer the term Blacker. Makes me sound dangerous. Now, me being Black is up for debate. Most of my life my "Blackness" has been called into question because of the way I dressed, talked, and behaved. I stopped fighting that battle years ago.
I've come up with a list of The Five Things I Learned Being Black. I already know that being Black means different things to different people and that each of us will probably have five different things but since I am Black and this is my blog I'll write what I want. Stop oppressing me!
Posted by Dante at 1:36 AM 2 comments:
Labels: Black, dantania.blogspot.com, dante ross, Five Things I Learned, Five Things I Learned Being Black
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Dante Saves You: Power Ranger Edition
For years The Power Rangers have been on television in some form or another. I hated this show…for a while. My little sister would lose her mind when it came on and start acting like she knew karate. I'm sure there are thousands of kids that ended up getting their asses kicked thinking that if they hit a bully hard enough that sparks would fly out. Which, by the way, totally does!
I didn't become a fan of the show until I started paying attention to the Pink Ranger out of costume because if I thought she was hot in it that would make me gay since there's a 99.9% chance that a tiny Asian fella was under that helmet. The Power Rangers, while many, aren't that hard to beat which is why I decided to teach your Black asses how to do it. You ready?! Its morphin' time!!!
Posted by Dante at 11:54 AM No comments:
Labels: dantania.blogspot.com, dante ross, Dante Saves You, Mighty Morphing Power Rangers, Power Ranger Edition, Power Rangers
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Rosscast Episode 276: Lady Juices
In this episode I talk about getting sick, babble for a bit, Only In Florida involving burrito fights, Dude What The Fuck? featuring a girl being handcuffed for love, Bitches Be Crazy with a lady using her vagina for a purse, and a Listener Question from California King author Heather. Click here for this and previous Rosscast Shows.
Posted by Dante at 11:19 PM 3 comments:
Labels: Bitches Be Crazy, California King, dantania.blogspot.com, dante ross, Heather Cox, listener questions, Only In Florida, rosscast, what the fuck dude
Friday, March 15, 2013
Folks Still Read: The Death Of Death Book Review
A few months back Parker posted a sample from his short story The Death of Death and I was intrigued. Just from the sample he gave I wanted to know if there was more to it. I knew that he wrote but had never seen his stuff. Hell, I'd "acted" in one of his short films but never had an opportunity to see how he wrote. He sent me the story and I was pissed because it was something I could never write.
One of the things I love most about reading certain authors like Phillip K. Dick, Walter Mosley, and Derek Landy, is that they will do something that makes me know that I am not at a level that is possible.
This story, The Death of Death, made me think this and for that I owe Parker a punch in the throat.
Posted by Dante at 10:07 PM No comments:
Labels: book review, dantania.blogspot.com, dante ross, Folks Still Read, kiyoshi parker, KN Parker, The Death Of Death
Folks Still Read: California King Book Review
I love books. I have never understood people who say that they don't read or have time to read. There is always time to read no matter how busy your life. I read a couple of books a week not because I'm in school or anything but because reading is fundamental. I really believe that. Books are better than movies in most cases and are a great way to keep your imagination sharp. On the flip side of all this are bad books. There is nothing worse than a bad book. I've read stuff from friends and they have ranged from complete ass to good. So when I was asked by a friend, Heather Cox, to read her book, I have to admit that I was nervous.
I had never read anything she had written besides Facebook updates and emails and had no idea whether or not she could write a book. Well, allow me to tell you all that she can indeed write. She can write her ass off! When I read books most of the time there is a moment or two where I laugh, cringe, or very rarely get emotionally involved.
California King does all of these.
Posted by Dante at 3:14 AM No comments:
Labels: Anabasis Publishing, book review, California King, dantania.blogspot.com, dante ross, Folks Still Read, Heather Cox
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Kids These Days 17
Allow me to introduce you to Lil Poopy. No, this isn't a post about scat films. Lil Poopy is a 9 year old rapper from Brockton, Massachusetts and reps Coke Boys. Well, that's depending on who you ask. Some guy named French Montana is saying that Poopy is not with the crew after the Department of Children of Families is investigating his dad for child endangerment and such. I don't know if you've ever heard this child's music but its…bad. It sounds like a kid rapping and for whatever reason I hate the sound of kids rapping. Its about the dumb shit adults rap about but with a kid saying it.
|Nothing inappropriate going on here. Carry on.
I've watched a video and checked out some songs of this kid and they are ass. Literally. There are a lot of big asses in his video. One video that was taken down shows him in a strip club because fuck good parenting. In the video I saw he's in the car with a girl old/young enough to be his mother. Why even play up that sexuality with a child? What could a 9 year old do with a big Black woman's ass besides weep knowing that his body cant produce the best feeling about sex? No, not love. Let's be serious here.
Posted by Dante at 12:35 PM No comments:
Friday, March 8, 2013
Dante Vs. Nature 24
Fucking lions, man. No, not, like, actual lions fucking which is hilarious. Just lions in general. The other day Cam called me and asked if I had heard a news story about a woman mauled by a lion at a sanctuary. I checked the internets and ended up finding another story about another woman being mauled and killed by a lion. The first one is a intern that worked at an animal sanctuary in Central California and police are trying to figure out what caused the attack. Hmm...one can only speculate.
The lion, 5 year old Cous Cous, attacked and killed the intern while she was in the lions enclosure. When cops arrived she had already been fucked up and lying near the lion. They tried to lure it away but it was full of human blood and didn't want to hear none of their shit so they shot it. Only one other employee was there since the park is closed on Wednesdays. This entire thing sounds like a recipe for disaster if you ask me which you didn't so I shall continue to provide my opinion.
The lion had been raised there since it was 8 weeks old. Its so weird to me that people think its tragic or act surprised when a big ass wild animal does what big ass wild animals do: attack things. And sleep. Lions that are locked up anywhere always look sad. I'm sure this one was just waiting for someone to slip.
Posted by Dante at 9:05 AM 1 comment:
Labels: africa, attack, cam., Cous Cous, dantania.blogspot.com, dante ross, Dante vs Nature, Fresno County, lion, sex
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Parents Failing Hard 2
Josh Smith sent me this story a couple of weeks ago. Its kind of hard to title this one Parents Failing Hard when what this mother does rules so hard. Judy H. Viger, 33, was arrested last month for hiring strippers, plural, for her sons 16th birthday. Now, that is ratchet as hell. I fully understand that. But it rules as well! Along the way a lot of mistakes were made that ended with her behind bars and her son wondering what the big deal was. Viger found and paid for these strippers to show up. She's being charged with five counts of child endangerment I guess because titties are dangerous.
|Beffft berfffay efffer!!!
At a bowling alley, yes a bowling alley, her son along with some of his friends were given lap dances. Judging from this picture what I thought were lap dances involve having a stripper have her cooch in your face. Nope. You keep that thing away from me, missy! I bet you're wondering how this story even got out. How could a night of fun and debauchery for a teen end with a mother arrested? Fucking Facebook.
Posted by Dante at 1:41 PM No comments:
Labels: arrest, dantania.blogspot.com, dante ross, Glynn Falls, Judy Viger, New York, Parents Failing Hard, stripper, Teaching Dangers
Five Things I Learned From My Brother
Every year my birthday passes I think more and more of my late brother. I think of him every single day but on my birthday more so because I am two years older than he was when he died. To me that is hard as hell to accept and so weird. If I had died two years ago I wouldn't have met my friends beautiful daughter, hung out with cool people, or seen my best friend flying through the ranks of the library system while simultaneously making me stutardedly happy. .
For anyone that wants to know about my brother and how he passed away (the full version I've only told someone about once) click here. There are links to previous blogs about him as well. He was a cool ass dude and I learned a lot of things from him.
Posted by Dante at 5:31 AM No comments:
Labels: birthday, dantania.blogspot.com, dante ross, Five Things I Learned, floyd kevin powers, kevin powers
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Story Behind The Photo 17
I have very little initiative when it comes to involving others in things that I do. I consider myself rather dull with extreme bursts of nonsense that hopefully is recorded for proof that I'm alive. My best friend Cam is the opposite. She loves planning events and things for people to do together. I cant very well invite folks to come and iron clothes with me or watch hours of fights on Youtube. So a few months ago when she came up with the idea to go hiking once a month I was so down with it. Yes, people still say "down." The pictures were provided by Cam and Donna.
Last month we went to Kenneth Hahn to hike and it was awesome. Besides the fact that lots of hot chicks were involved it got me out of the house. There was this one hill that Cam affectionately called "The Murder Hill" that we thought we avoided. We went one way and it led to La Brea, a street, so we turned, hiked back, and went up this sumbitch. It hurt but we survived, went and had a great breakfast, and headed home with plans to see a movie later.
That so didn't happen.
Posted by Dante at 4:24 AM No comments:
Labels: cam., dantania.blogspot.com, dante ross, Griffith Park, hiking, Kenneth Hahn, Story Behind The Photo
Friday, March 1, 2013
"Twist & Shout"
Hello. My name is Harold Green. This old lady with her mouth spread as far as it'll go is Mrs. Steinberg. The young lady standing at my door is Shannon. Neither of them likes me. Matter of fact no one does.
I am a dentist.
Did you know that we are over six and a half times more likely to kill ourselves more than any other occupation? Even the Marines. I used to sit in class during college and wonder why the statistics were so high. The pay is great. I work early and get home early. I help save peoples lives every single day. Did you know that men with gum disease are 50% more likely to suffer from heart disease? It's true. Yet everyday I go home and suck on my pistol, waiting for the day I have balls big enough to pull the trigger.
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When first checked out our new house in person this past August- after having stalked the house photos of it up online- I remember taking a walk around the property and coming to the sad realization that most of the sunlight was in the front yard and that there was probably no way we would be able to get vegetables to grow in the (fairly shady) back yard. The house layout & size was kind of perfect for our family, I felt like the exterior could definitely be charming with some paint and landscaping, and we couldn't beat the location, but the yard was (is?) a tough one for me to swallow. Our new property is much smaller than the property our last house was on (an acre to now around a quarter of an acre) but we're lucky enough to border parkland so the kids have lots of space to play in, so it works out for them, but there really wasn't a great spot to put a vegetable garden, something that I really love having and I feel like has kind of changed our way of living for the better. That first day walking around the property, I realized that the only place a vegetable garden would happily grow was the front yard.
{The view of our house from the street}
I was both bothered by & intrigued by the idea which pretty much hit me as the only solution the moment I walked the property. I'd been to our friends' Brooke & Steve Giannetti's old Santa Monica house which had a front yard potager and thought it was amazing:
But their garden was really private, and hidden by trees and shrubs, whereas our garden would have to be pretty exposed. So though I loved how having a front yard vegetable garden would make the house look and feel, I didn't love the thought of gardening with the new neighbors. (As a sidenote with possibly too much personal info, we used to spend pretty much all of our free time on nice days in our last garden... I'd come back from runs all sweaty and jump right into weeding and was pretty much always a hot mess and Dave would work shirtless, so we really didn't see that happening in a front yard setting either. Also, lots of just special family time, private conversations, wine & cheese and that sort of thing. )
As you can see in the photo above, our house is on a hill and a retaining wall separates our house from the dead end street we live on, so if you were walking on the street itself, our front yard actually would be above your head at its higher points, which does provide a little bit of its own kind of barrier from the road.
I felt like if we could flatten our the front yard- which turned into a fairly steep hill on one right end of the house- that we could actually make it feel a bit more like an authentic Cape Cod with a fence around the front garden like many of the authentic Colonial Capes once had. In the photo below (where Dave is taking down the 'for sale' sign the day we closed on the house) you can see how if you were to keep walking straight from the flagstone path you would end up walking down the hill:
{It was steep and so dry in the Fall that I literally went skating down the hill in my flipflops on the grass multiple times... fun stuff ;)}
We decided to think about it over the winter, and we found ourselves sitting on the front stoop of the house on sunny days to feel the warmth of the brick and just soak it in for a few minutes, and playing with the kids in the front yard simply because it was sunny. We got to know our neighbors more since moving in, and have became more and more comfortable with the idea of a front yard vegetable garden, so we are doing it!! eeeeeek
{ I love this image from here of a Colonial-style fenced in front yard}
And I'm so excited!!! So yes, some of our habits will change (no more shirtless weeding for Dave... maybe there's some that needs to be done
in the back yard?? ;) but I think we can keep some of the others and still get a lot of enjoyment out of it. And we'll be sort of killing
two birds with one stone here since it's in the front of our house, we'll actually be maintaining our front yard as we maintain the garden. (And
we'll probably be much more stringent since it's the front yard!! ;) We've basically just shifted our expectations a bit- no we're not getting
exactly what we want but we're hoping to really love it too. I'll let you know how it goes as the season progresses.
So, design-wise, here's the plan:
We're keeping the split rail fence design currently in place because I love how rustic and simple it is but are replacing the (crumbling) fence with a fresh one. We had a second brick retaining wall built coming off the existing brick retaining wall so that we could flatten out the front yard area to turn it into one big massive garden bed with a brick pathway:
{in this pic you can see the cinderblocks from the inside of the brick retaining wall as it was going in. Dave is digging up the holly trees on either side of the front stoop to move them to our side yard where we needed a little more greenery for privacy.}
{in-progress! Thanks to Jorge & his team!!}
We used reclaimed brick so that it would fit in with the existing 70s retaining wall. I didn't know this but older bricks were actually a slightly different proportion (longer) than today's standard bricks. When the new retaining wall went in, I honestly wanted to brick up my life I loved it so much.
I'm not usually a brick-lover but I love how old the new wall looked (which you can pretty much only see from the side yard) and I really see hardscaping around this property to be an important design element in getting it to feel older, established, and give it more of an authentic Colonial vibe. I've been pouring over images of Mount Vernon for inspiration and really love how GW used brick mixed with more natural & rustic elements like "living fences" and split rail fences throughout the property...
{The kitchen garden at Mount Vernon. Perfection.}
{Here's another image - of Colonial Williamsburg from here by David Kozlowski- that really illustrates how they mixed the brick in the gardens and I love it}
On that note, my mom and I have always loved the espaliered fruit trees planted at Mount Vernon to make living fences so I decided that to make the fence special, more private and edible, we could line it with espaliered apple trees...
{Image by Robert Foley from Ron Wade's article with really great instructions on growing espalier apples here}
We picked up a bunch the other week and I was so excited to see that each apple tree has four different types of apples growing on it! They grafted branches from different varieties because A) it's awesome and B) there's no need to have to have a second tree nearby for cross pollination because the branches with different varieties do the trick. I CANNOT WAIT!!! I expected to go buy twigs and have to wait four years before we could get any fruit or they'd take on any sort of shape, but we found some big boys and we might even see apples this year!!! They'll line the street and driveway side of the garden.
{grow pretty babies, grow!!}
We've re-routed the entrance to our front door from our driveway to up closer by our house (easiest to see this in the plan above} to make the yard a bit more private and to corral the little ones and pups in a bit better. A new brick walkway with the reclaimed bricks arranged in a basketweave pattern will lead from the driveway to our yard & past our mudroom- where I plan on doing some sort of trellis and flower garden- and then on through the vegetables with a turn to the front steps and then on straight to a small patio with just enough space for a little bistro table and chairs. We transplanted the old boxwood from in front of the right side of our house to the area where the new retaining wall is. I can't believe how much green & privacy that little move brought to the garden! We plan on filling in with a little more boxwood to thicken it up some. It'll hopefully eventually become a pretty backdrop for the table and chairs. Here it is today:
We've put in an irrigation system so that we don't kill the whole thing when it's in and I might be most excited about that. No more leaving the hose out all the time and coming home from trips to dead things!!
Most of the rest of the messy things are happening this week and I can't wait to literally dig in and get the soil happy & the plants in the ground this weekend. Though I'm a decorator and mostly focus on the interiors at work, at home, I really don't feel like things are right until I have some good exterior space to hang out in and I've got my garden going. Having a vegetable garden is something I never really thought much about - I really thought I'd be strictly flowers and a few tomatoes and herbs here & there- but having one really changed the way we live, eat and think about food in general. It's so great for the kids to be able to help in the garden and they really love trying food from it. (Want to see a kid excited about celery?!! ;)
And because this post was pretty much filled with scary in-progress photos, here's a look at our last garden (photos by taken by Helen Norman) which was filled with all of our favorite vegetables:
{I used a ton of microbasil mixed in with small boxwood to border the beds. The willow edging was found online and we cut it down to a low height. It wasn't enough of a barrier for us between the grass and the garden beds though.}
I can't wait to get the vegetables growing!!!
{Totally posed picture with us looking way more put together than we normally do in the garden... Oh my gosh, it just hit me--- is this how we're going to have to be in our new garden?!!!! eek}
I'll be back with progress pics!! To see things as they're happening, check out my Instagram feed LaurenLiess.


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C.O.N Voyage of the Dawn Treader comes to DVD!
If you missed it while it was in the theaters, the third installment of the Chronicles of Narnia is finally coming out on DVD – just when I was beginning to lose hope that it ever would.
Available for Pre-Order, or on its release date 04/08/2011, its certainly a worthwhile movie to have in your collection, if you enjoyed its predecessors.
Be sure to check out my review on the series to see if it suits your fancy!
Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader Review
Posted on 03/09/2011, in Literary Focus, Post-A-Day {2011} and tagged Christopher Nolan, Chronicles of Narnia, Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader Release Date, Dawn Treader DVD Release, DVD, Movies, PostADay, postaday2011, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Voyage of the Dawn Treader Review. Bookmark the permalink. 1 Comment.


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How do you program a radioshack 6-in-1 remote?
There is no such thing as a 3D ready Xbox. If you have a 3D TV, some games can be played in 3D mode. There is only a small amount of games which have 3D mode on.
How to program a radioshack 3 in 1 remote controller?
1. Turn on the device (for example, DVD player) and, if needed, load media (for example, DVD).2. On the remote, press a device key (that is, VCR/DVD, CBL/SAT, or TV).3. Press and hold P until the r...
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How to Program a RadioShack Pro90 Scanner?
The Radio Shack Pro-90 scanner is a 300-channel scanner with five banks. You can choose up to 30 channels in each bank. The scanner can be programmed by Radio Shack via a computer program or you ca...
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Radioshack 8 in one remote codes?
whe was blue ray invented


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For this months podcast I selected tunes from Jamie xx, Ossie, Joker and rebel Mc. I know some peeps are expecting me just to play dubstep but I think from now on I'm going to keep things on the eclectic tip. If you're checking out the show for the first time then I gotta warn you theres a bit of me chatting on the mic, I still love to host the podcast like a radio show. I hope its not too annoying for y'all. I also wanted to correct myself when I said the august edition of Giant swing is on the 22, its actually on the 20 of august. Gigs to watch out for this week are:
BKK evolution with Jiving Tribe saturday 23 at fish club
Phat Phunk 22 friday at Glow
The fit sound of Detroit saturday 23 at Glow
Last but not least download the July Podcast here:


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Katherine Kelly Lang's height is
5ft 6½in (1.69 m)
Katherine Kelly Lang (born Katherine Kelly Wegeman on July 25, 1961) is an American actress. She is known for her role as Brooke Logan on the CBS daytime soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful (1987–present).
First Name: Katherine
Middle Name: Kelly
Last Name: Lang
Maiden Name: Wegeman
Birth Full Name: Katherine Kelly Wegeman
Other Names: Kelly Lang,Kelly
Born: 25 July, 1961
Birthplace: Hollywood, CA
Height: 5ft 6½in (1.69 m)
Weight: 108 lbs (49.0 kg)
Build: Average
Eye Color: Green
Hair Color: Blonde
Astrological Sign: Leo
Sexuality: Straight
Ethnicity: White
Nationality: American
High School: Beverly Hills High School, Beverly Hills, CA
Occupation: Actress
Body Measurements: 33C-24-35
Official Websites:
Father: Keith Richard Wegeman
Mother: Judith Lang
Brother(s): Jeff
Sister(s): Tracy
Other Family Members: Charles Lang (grandfather)
Favorite Places: Italy,Tahiti,Big Sur,California
Favorite Foods: Caesar Salad,Sushi,Pasta,Fresh Fruits,Vegetables,Hot Apple Pie With Vanilla Ice Cream
Favorite Colors: Blue, Green
Filmography: Ronn's Garage (2012), Subliminal Seduction (1996, TV Movie), Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years (1995, TV Show), Till the End of the Night (1994), Made in U.S.A. (1987), The Night Stalker (1987), The Bold and the Beautiful (1987, TV Show), Delta Fever (1987), Jocks (1986), The Last Precinct (1986, TV Show), 1st & Ten: The Championship (1984, TV Show), Crazy Like a Fox (1984, TV Show), Dreams (1984, TV Show), Legmen (1984, TV Show), Riptide (1984, TV Show), Masquerade (1983, TV Show), Desperate Lives (1982, TV Movie), The Powers of Matthew Star (1982, TV Show), Evilspeak (1981), The Fall Guy (1981, TV Show), Magnum, P.I. (1980, TV Show), Skatetown, U.S.A. (1979), Happy Days (1974, TV Show), The Young and the Restless (1973, TV Show), Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (1954, TV Show), The Grove (2013), 81st Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade (2012), Living in LA LA Land (2011), Piilokamerapäälliköt (2008, TV Show), The 33rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (2006, TV Movie), Omg! Insider (2004, TV Show), 18th Annual Soap Opera Digest Awards (2003, TV Movie), SoapTalk (2002, TV Show), Scherzi a parte (1992, TV Show), Vicki! (1992, TV Show), Circus of the Stars #12 (1987, TV Movie)
Dating History: View Katherine Kelly Lang Dating History


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If you love the sound of the guitar and love listening to music, you might have your own opinions on the greatest guitar solos in the world. There are hundreds of them, after all. Take a look at these awesome guitar solos and see if you agree that they rock!
Pearl Jam – Alive
It's been more than 20 years since the album was released containing the song 'Alive'. The guitar solo on this track is a credit to the guitarist, Mike Mccready. You can definitely hear the influence that was had on him by Jimi Hendrix!
The Stone Roses – I Am the Resurrection
Taken from The Stone Roses first album, this track was big on the 'Madchester' scene. Ian Brown's haunting vocals fade away and John Squire makes an impression along with Mani. The solo that follows is truly out of this world, and will take you straight back to the 80s. This song is an indie rock classic with one of the best solos in the world!
Jimi Hendrix – Voodoo Child
This fabulous blues guitar solo is something else. If you ever wanted to use the word epic sincerely in a sentence, you'd be forgiven for using it here. Some say that Mr. Hendrix is overrated, but listening to this solo proves differently. The arrangement transfixes the listener and takes them to another world!
Pink Floyd – Comfortably Numb
Although the rest of the band's work is notable, this song stands out from the rest of them. The outro solo to this song is a highlight of not only the album 'The Wall', but the band themselves. Simple yet effective! Guitar tricks' training program could help you reach a similar level, if you wanted to.
Michael Jackson – Beat It
Michael Jackson wasn't always known for fabulous guitar solos. He certainly didn't perform them himself. He was known for his kooky dress sense, changing skin colour, and childlike attitude. However, the song 'beat it' is one of the biggest selling singles of all time, and features guitar work from Eddie Van Halen himself. Pop and rock music seriously turned a corner here.
The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps
When it comes to guitar masterpieces, you can't deny that this is one of the Fab Four's vest best work. Eric Clapton even helps out with a mesmerising hand on the fret board alongside Harrison. The acoustic guitar line is clean, yet when listened to with Clapton's creation it sounds like nothing you've ever heard before. Guitar's weren't even close to popularity at this time, but you can bet this song gave them a boost. A guitar solo you can't ignore!
Prince – Purple Rain
This classic ballad builds up more and more until it reaches a scene setting finale that you won't forget in a hurry. The energy pours out of this song and the rhythm guitars help to make it a masterpiece that isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Do you agree with these guitar solos? Have any of your own you'd like to add? Leave a comment!


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Some screen prints I've been working on based on drawings I made of the shadows cast on the hills behind the university print room by the sun and clouds. They are a work in progress, working on bringing layers into my work. I feel like these could be an element in a series of images rather than the final product.
Monday, 22 November 2010
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When I first started my coaching businesses, I used to use the word love with my clients. I told them:
Love what you do.
Love your people.
Love your work.
Love your company.
At the time, most people had never even considered that love could be a leadership competency.
People thought of love as a feminine quality, a simple emotion.
But as the years have passed, more and more of us have come see that love is not only feminine energy but has a masculine quality too. And it's far more than an emotion; it's an awareness that shapes everything about your behavior. It's what allows you to lead from within.
Here are some ways to demonstrate love as a leadership competency:
Love yourself by showing compassion. If you want to lead from within, compassion is the first necessity. And the place to begin practicing compassion is with yourself. That means seeing yourself as a unique human being with faults, failures, successes and weakness—not deciding whether or not you are deserving. Showing compassion to yourself prepares you to extend it to others.
Love your people by showing your commitment. Honoring your commitments with integrity is not only a bedrock of ethical behavior but a sign of genuine love, letting others know that you can be trusted to come through for them. Love your people enough to let them know they can count on you.
Love your work by showing up with competence. Vision is a great starting place, but it's competence that makes it into a reality. Results are important, and the care you bring to your work shows love for those you lead. When you love your work enough to contribute the very best of your capabilities, you lead with excellence.
Love those around you by showing kindness. The most simple act of kindness is powerful—nothing carries more potential for change. Kindness shows your love and transforms everyone it touches. Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which are far more powerful then a thousand thinking heads. If you can show kindness, you are leader who loves.
Love is a game-changing competency, not only in leadership but also in life.
Work to become someone who leads with compassion, commitment, competence, and kindness—the qualities that define us as human beings and that propel us and those around us to greatness.
Lead From Within: When people ask you to name the most important competency of leadership, I hope you remember the competencies of love, because in the end love conquers all.
Additional Reading:
Artwork by Hugh MacLeod
Of Lolly's many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.
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Luisa McGrath has spend the last 20 years in Aruba during the month of January. Here's her report on the latest restaurant scene:
A new, terrific "open-air mall" has been built, across and very short walk from the Hyatt, where they have shops, restaurants, and even a fountain that has a light show at 8pm. Dancing waters (very mini Bellagio) but fun and does attract a lot of people. One can see it from any of the restaurants in the mall.
There are several restaurants with outdoor dining, a Mexican, a seafood, etc., also one of called Taste of Belgium, they have indoor and outdoor dining, looked really nice but did not have time to get back there for dinner. My group had dinner (10 of us) at the new Mr. Jazz (indoors) with big windows overlooking the square, and they do have a jazz band starting at 8pm (great band) and a dance floor as well. Great looking place and the food was excellent. We all had different food choices and each one of us loved our meal. Highly recommend it.Not terribly expensive.
The Hyatt itself has several restaurants, my favorite Ruinas del Mar. Try to get a table outside. Only about 6 tables and fun to watch the swans floating on the little river while you have dinner. Cannot make reservations for an outside table, so recommend going early for better chance. Food and service there excellent. On the high-priced category.
In that area there is a fun place, "Smoky Joe's" their specialty being ribs - Dick had them and they were fabulous. They have everything, from Cuban style chicken, to terrific burgers with gouda cheese, to fish and chips (they use the catch of the day - Lisa had it and it was Mahi-Mahi. ) Casual and fun. (outdoor seating) Not expensive.
Chez Matilde is back and wonderful! Pricey but fabulous. For the past couple of years it has undergone ownership/management changes and they finally put their act together again. It's downtown, but worth while the drive down. I always have the escargot and Lisa loves their onion soup. Lisa and Dick had fillet and some other kind of steak. I had a wonderful veal picatta. Lisa had a banana souffle for dessert - to die for.
Also downtown and specializing in fish is The Driftwood. We go there every year. It is a favorite of all our friends from our time-share. All of us go back and back again. Highly recommended. On the expensive side, but not terribly.
Another downtown restaurant we never miss is El Gaucho. Argentinian beef. Try the Churrasco. They don't make reservations, but when you arrive you can have a drink at the bar and they give you a little beeper that tells you when your table is ready. It used to be a long time to get your table, but the economy has take its toll and we just had to wait around 15 minutes this time. Also highly recommended. Average on the high side prices.
Downtown has a Cuban restaurant "Cuba's Cookin" real Cuban food and fun. It can be very noisy because they do have live band, so if you go, do ask for a table in the quieter room. Not sound-proof.... quieter.... If you, or a client goes there, let me know and I will suggest what to eat. Moderately priced.
Marandi has excellent food. I did not go this year but friends of mine did and they told me food as great as always. But, it used to be on the beach, which was fun, and now they have moved to the land-side. Expensive.
Madame Janette is very popular, people love it. Somehow it is not one of my favorites, but it is always crowded and very difficult to get a reservation. Also on the high-side pricing.
Chalet Suisse on the low-rise side of hotels, is excellent. They do have excellent Chilean seabass and I have had very good filet. Not romantic, but simple, elegant decor. Food is great. On the expensive side.
There is a new, casual place - Bingo - I did not go but friends of mine had a burger that they raved about. They do have full menu and it is not terribly expensive.
Marina Pirata, past the airport, a bit of a drive, has always been fun. Specializing in seafood. Worth the drive. Moderately priced.
Hostaria Da'Vittorio is a delightful Italian restaurant. On the expensive side, but excellent.
Bucaneer is an old favorite. Very fresh fish and seafood. If you go ask to be seated in one of the rooms with the walls line the fish tanks. One side especially, with the larger tanks, has lobsters and all kinds of strange fish - lots of fun to watch. Casual, on the moderately priced side.
On the low-rise side of hotels, short walk from my place, is Pizza Bob's. Casual, fun, and we had a pizza that I thought I would never like, but Lisa wanted it, so we had it - and I loved it! Barbequed chicken pizza. They have all kinds of pizzas of course and burgers and lots of other simple stuff. They also have wonderful Aruban beer on tap - great combination.
And the one I feel is the most romantic setting is Papiamento with fabulous food and wonderful service. One of the more expensive ones. Tables placed around the original (quite old) house and surrounding the pool with tables also inside, but you really want to sit outside. I do love this one.
And a new one (We went for brunch and it was to die for). Called Windows and it's located at the new Divi Golf Course. Set up high with wonderful views of the sea and the golf course. If you are drinking champagne they do keep pouring.... I lost track.... I did have a very good nap on the beach that afternoon.... Recommend very highly for brunch on Sunday. Pricey of course...
Many other restaurants - it is hard to have a bad meal in Aruba. Just highlighting the ones I know best.
I'm hungry.... I am going home.... Luisa
Luisa McGrath
Travel Exchange - A Virtuoso Agency
Westport, Ct. 06880


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August 19 – August 21 @ Omega Center
I'll be leading a weekend workshop called Secular Meditation: A Humanist Approach to Enlightenment at the Omega Center in the beautiful Hudson Valley in upstate New York. The content will be drawn from my book, and will include a mix of sitting meditations, mindfulness practices, and discussion of the science behind meditation.
September 9, 7pm @ Harvard Book Store
1256 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA
Reading of Secular Meditation
Almost every Tuesday night, I lead secular meditations at the Humanist Community at Harvard. All are welcome to attend and there is no charge.
We meet at 7pm at 30 JFK St, 4th floor, Cambridge, MA
We most frequently do mindfulness of breath, mindfulness of ambient sound, and loving-kindness meditation. To find out the specific meditation we'll be doing, please check the announcement on Meetup.com or Facebook (the details for the Tuesday meeting usually are announced the prior Sunday).
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