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15 Alternatives to Prescription Pain Medications
This blog does not intend to provide diagnosis...
Acute and chronic pain has affected humans since the beginning of time. Ancient healers, shamans and, nowadays, medical doctors, naturopaths, chiropractors, and acupuncturists utilize varied approaches to treat both acute and chronic pain syndromes. Chronic pain is diagnosed when a person endures pain in a specific area for more than six weeks—it usually results from inflammation, which creates an imbalance within the body.
Frequently, the following conditions are associated with chronic pain and reduced enjoyment of life:
- Osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Back pain and degenerative disc disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
- Migraine headaches
- Chronic pain related to shingles (post-herpetic neuralgia)
Drug companies have created medications to help patients reduce the pain associated with these conditions and improve quality of life. However, medications are not without side effects, some of which can be life-threatening. I frequently prescribe these medications as they work very well. However, I believe they should be used as a last resort—getting to the root cause of the inflammation and pain is a wiser route for long-term management.
The following have been shown to increase pain throughout the body:
- Systemic Inflammation
- Poor sleep
- Altered biomechanics (trouble walking, moving, etc.)
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity
- Insulin resistance (due to being overweight and/or obesity)
- Diet high in animal-based products
- Diet high in fast foods and processed foods
- Relationship difficulties – A 2014 study in the Journal of Pain and a 2017 study in the European Journal of Neuroscience showed that negative remarks from another person, i.e. spouse or friend, can worsen your physical pain
- Feelings of guilt
- Feelings of anger towards another
Addressing the underlying problem causing chronic pain is the first step that should be undertaken. However, sometimes medications may be needed, especially when lifestyle and supplements are not sufficient. Do not stop taking any medications without consulting your physician first.
The following can help reduce chronic pain symptoms:
- Routine exercise as tolerated
- Good sleep habits
- Stress relief
- Improving blood sugar control in those with diabetes
- Consuming a primarily plant-based diet
- Consuming a diet rich in nuts, seeds, and foods with omega-3 fats.
- Love of self and others
- Attitude of forgiveness toward self and others
- Good social support
- Certain medications and supplements
The Good and Bad of Prescription Pain Medications
Common medications used for chronic pain include acetaminophen (Tylenol, paracetamol), Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS), and narcotic-based medicinals. These classes of medications have helped millions get through the day by reducing pain. But, there are risks, which will be discussed below.
Paracetamol /Acetaminophen
Paracetamol, or acetaminophen in the United States, is also known by the trade names of Tylenol, Calpol or Panadol. Discovered in 1877, this medication is available without a prescription. While helpful for many, paracetamol can put oxidative stress on the liver. When taken in excess or for prolonged periods of time, it can induce liver damage or, rarely, fatal skin reactions where the skin severely blisters. Avoid drinking alcohol if you consume paracetamol or acetaminophen regularly.
Nutrients depleted:
Supplements advised:
- NAC or N-acetyl cysteine (the body converts NAC to glutathione)
Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS)
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory (NSAIDs) drugs are available with and without a doctor's prescription, depending on their strength. This category of medications is frequently used to treat headaches, back aches, neck pain, and arthritis-related pain.
I frequently prescribe them, when appropriate. When taken for a few days or weeks, they are relatively safe. However, these medications are not without side effects when used long-term for chronic pain and can increases risk of stomach ulcer, kidney disease, stroke, and heart attacks.
In 1999, the Federal Drug Administration approved rofecoxib (Vioxx, Ceoxx, and Ceeoxx) for treatment of osteoarthritis pain. Five years later, the medication was withdrawn from the market after it was blamed for causing heart attacks.
Experts believe up to 60,000 people may have died due to side effects of this drug. Fortunately, the other options on the market appear to be safer, but they do have risks associated with them, including nutrient depletion.
Drugs in this class include: Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Brufen, Nurofen, Eve, etc.), Naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), diclofenac, indomethacin and meloxicam (Mobic)
Nutrients Depleted
- Folate – important for heart and brain health
- Vitamin C – may account for some of the increased bruising seen in chronic users
- Vitamin E – important for heart health
- Melatonin – may account for insomnia related symptoms some experience
Supplements Advised
- Folate – take as directed on the label
- Vitamin C – 500 to 2,000 mg per day
- Vitamin E – 200 to 400 IU per day
- Melatonin – 3 mg to 10 mg 1-2 hours before bed
Narcotics are commonly used for chronic pain disorders. They are derived from the opium poppy. They do not fix the underlying problem nor reduce inflammation—they simply create a sense of euphoria or well being. Overuse and abuse of narcotics is an epidemic in the United States, Europe, Russia and Asia. When used short term, they can be helpful. Long-term use may actually increase pain levels and increase the risk for a person to stop breathing. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in 2015, more than 33,000 people died from an opiate overdose in the United States. Half the deaths were due to prescription opiate drugs. One in ten people who take these medications is at risk for addiction.
Drugs in this class include: Codeine, tramadol, hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine sulfate, fentanyl (see acetaminophen /paracetamol if taking combination narcotic/acetaminophen/APAP).
Cigarette use makes narcotics less effective by increasing body's elimination of the narcotic. When narcotics are combined with alcohol or other controlled medications, the results can be fatal—the combination can result in heart rate to slow and breathing stop.
Nutrients Depleted
- Vitamin C
- Melatonin
Supplements Advised:
Safer Alternatives Using Nutrition and Natural Anti-inflammatory Supplements
Nutritional Approach to Chronic Pain Relief
- Consuming a primarily plant-based diet is the best for reducing chronic inflammation and pain in the joints and back.
- Studies demonstrate that the Mediterranean diet can be helpful in reducing joint-related pain from arthritis. This diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry and olive oil.
- A study in the Lancet demonstrated that patients who consumed a vegan, gluten-free diet for three to five months and then switched to a lacto-vegetarian (dairy-vegetarian) diet significantly reduced their joint pain for up to 1 year.
- Limiting animal-based products such as dairy, cheese, beef, and chicken helps reduce chronic pain. Grass fed, hormone and antibiotic-free beef, and poultry are a better option.
- Avoid sugars, simple carbohydrates. trans-fats (hydrogenated oils) which cause more inflammation and, therefore, more pain.
- Consume cultured foods in your diet such as kefir, kombucha, miso soup, and sauerkraut
- Reach your optimal weight, which for most is a body mass index (BMI) < 25. Carrying excess weight, especially in the abdomen, places more stress on your back and joints. Extra weight also increases inflammatory proteins (ie. cytokines) in your blood resulting in more elevated pain.
- Organic fruits and vegetables contain phytonutrients, which decrease inflammation and help reduce overall pain. Aim for five to nine servings per day. Familiarize yourself with the Environmental Working Group's Clean 15 and the Dirty Dozen.
- People with food sensitivities may have increased joint pain with dairy, grains (gluten sensitivity), and nightshade vegetables (tobacco, tomato, white potato, and bell peppers).
- Do a two-week elimination diet to see if these foods are associated with your joint pain.
Alternative Therapies
- Acupuncture and Qigong may help with knee arthritis pain.
- Mindfulness and meditation is helpful in minimizing pain associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Tai Chi has been shown to be helpful in alleviating knee pain among other pains.
- Yoga has been shown to lessen joint pain in those with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.
Primary Nutritional Supplements for Chronic Inflammation and Pain
- Curcumin/Turmeric - Studies show this herb is helpful in reducing pain in both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. It can also be helpful in those with back pain and nerve- related pain. Scientists have discovered that this herb does things similar to multiple blockbuster prescription drugs since it modifies NF-KB signaling and reduces pro-inflammatory chemicals such as COX-2 and 5-LOX. Suggested dose: 500 mg one up to three times per day
- Omega 3 Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) - Studies show essential fatty acids help improve pain and reduce use of NSAIDs. Studies also show a reduction of joint stiffness when fish oil is taken daily. Omega-3s can also be helpful for those with chronic back pain. Suggested dose: 500 mg up to 4,000 mg per day
- Nigella Sativa (Black cumin seed oil) - A medicinal herb shown to reduce inflammation in both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It does so by inhibiting inflammatory chemicals called interleukin-1, 6 and nuclear factor KB. Suggested dose: As directed on the label
- Boswellia - This Ayurvedic herbal supplement can help reduce pain and inflammation markers in the blood, like CRP in rheumatoid arthritis, and reduce pain due to osteoarthritis. Studies also show boswellia can be helpful in those with pain due to peripheral neuropathy. Suggested dose: 50 mg per day or as directed.
- Ginger - Ginger can help reduce inflammatory markers and pain in arthritis. Ginger is a COX inhibitor, meaning it works similarly to ibuprofen and naproxen to reduce pain and inflammation. Fortunately, it does not have the dangerous side effects. Suggested dose: 25 mg daily or as directed
The above supplements can be taken separately or taken in a combination nutraceutical supplement.
- Vitamin D –Studies show that those with higher levels of vitamin D are less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. Routine consumption also reduces chronic pain. Suggested dose: 2,000- 5,000 IU daily.
- Probiotics – Probiotics, can help reduce chronic pain by optimizing gut health and helping to reverse a leaky gut. Consumption of a probiotic that contains both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium is advised. Suggested dose: 5 billion to 30 billion units once or twice per day
- Magnesium – Studies show magnesium, a natural muscle relaxer, can be helpful in those with fibromyalgia. A 2013 study in Rheumatology International showed that oral magnesium citrate reduced pain in those with fibromyalgia-related pain. Further, a 2015 study in the Journal of Integrative Medicine demonstrated that when magnesium chloride was applied to the skin, there was a reduction in pain. Some studies have also shown that a combination of magnesium and malic acid could be helpful. Magnesium is available in capsules, sprays, and lotion formulations. Suggested oral dose: 125 mg to 500 mg or as directed on label
Secondary Nutritional Supplements for Chronic Pain
- Glucosamine-Chondroitin Sulfate has been shown to reduce knee pain, according to a large review that compared 4,900 patients who took the supplement vs 4,100 who took a placebo.
- SAM-e is also effective in lowering pain associated with chronic arthritis and neuropathy pain. Suggested dose: 400 mg 2-3 times per day
- Bromelain is an enzyme extracted from pineapples. It helps reduce chronic pain in the joints due to inflammation. Bromelain could also help pain associated with peripheral diabetic neuropathy. Suggested dose: Bromelain 500 mg 2-3 times per day
- White Willow Bark has been used by Native Americans for fever and pain for centuries. It contains salicin, the compound aspirin comes from. Do not take this herb if you take aspirin, blood thinners or NSAIDs drugs. Suggested dose: Take as directed on the label
Note: If you are on blood thinners or other prescription medications, ask your healthcare provider before starting any supplement for acute or chronic pain.
Chronic pain is a primary cause of life dissatisfaction. Prescription medications can be helpful but are not without side effects which concern many. Balancing risks and benefits is crucial. Choosing a healthy lifestyle that focuses on generous daily servings of fruits, vegetables and increased physical activity as tolerated is instrumental to feeling better and reducing chronic inflammation. There are various supplements on the market which have been helpful for many people who are afflicted with chronic pain. Many start with supplements such as vitamin D, Omega-3 fish oil and probiotics. Thereafter, many consider adding magnesium, turmeric, ginger and others as discussed above. Go forth and seek wellness and happiness. Eat healthy, think healthy, and be healthy.
- The Journal of Pain : Official Journal of the American Pain Society. 15(9):934-44, SEP 2014
- Fauchon, C., Faillenot, I., Perrin, A. M., Borg, C., Pichot, V., Chouchou, F., Garcia-Larrea, L. and Peyron, R. (2017), Does an observer's empathy influence my pain? Effect of perceived empathetic or unempathetic support on a pain test. Eur J Neurosci, 46: 2629–2637. doi:10.1111/ejn.13701
- Vioxx deaths estimated to be 60,000 . Accessed on July 22, 2017 https://www.forbes.com/2005/08/19/merck-vioxx-graham_cx_mh_0819graham.html
- These books discuss the nutrients depleted by certain drugs. Supplement Your Prescription Copyright 2007 by Hyla Class, MD and Drug Muggers by Suzy Cohen, RPh. Copyright 2011, Rodale Publishing.
- Opiate deaths according to the CDC. Accessed December 9, 2017 https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/index.html
- Gonzalez Cernadas L, Rodríguez-Romero B, Carballo-Costa L. Importance of nutritional treatment in the inflammatory process of rheumatoid arthritis patients; a review. Nutr Hosp. 2014;29:237–45.
- Kjeldsen-Kragh J, Haugen M, Borchgrevink CF, Laerum E, Eek M, Mowinkel P, et al. Controlled trial of fasting and one-year vegetarian diet in rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet. 1991;338:899–902.
- Traditional Chinese medicine in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine 5 (2015) 182e196
- Wang C, Schmid CH, Hibberd PL, et al. Tai Chi is Effective in Treating Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Arthritis and rheumatism. 2009;61(11):1545-1553. doi:10.1002/art.24832.
- Wang C, Schmid CH, Iversen MD, Harvey WF, Fielding RA, Driban JB, et al. Comparative Effectiveness of Tai Chi Versus Physical Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Trial. Ann Intern Med. 2016;165:77-86. doi:10.7326/M15-2143
- Jackson, J.K., Higo, T., Hunter, W.L. et al. Inflamm. res. (2006) 55: 168. doi:10.1007/s00011-006-0067-z
- J Med Food. 2016 Aug 1; 19(8): 717–729.
- Arch Med Res. 2012 Jul;43(5):356-62. doi: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2012.06.011. Epub 2012 Jul 24.
- Avicenna J Phytomed. 2016 Jan-Feb;6(1):34-43.
- Inflammation. 2015 Dec;38(6):2235-41. doi: 10.1007/s10753-015-0206-1.
- Ahmad A, Husain A, Mujeeb M, et al. A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 2013;3(5):337-352. doi:10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60075-1.
- Phytomedicine. 2010 Sep;17(11):862-7. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2010.03.003. Epub 2010 Aug 8.
- Med Oncol. 2017 Mar;34(3):46. doi: 10.1007/s12032-017-0907-4. Epub 2017 Feb 15.
- James W. Daily, , Mini Yang, , Da Sol Kim, , Sunmin Park, Efficacy of ginger for treating Type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials Journal of Ethnic Foods, Volume 2, Issue 1, March 2015, Pages 36–43
- Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2015 Jan;23(1):13-21. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2014.09.024. Epub 2014 Oct 7.
- Rheumatol Int. 2013 Jan;33(1):167-72. doi: 10.1007/s00296-011-2334-8. Epub 2012 Jan 22.
- J Integr Med. 2015 Sep;13(5):306-13. doi: 10.1016/S2095-4964(15)60195-9.
- Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Jan 28;1:CD005614. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005614.pub2.


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Colorado doctors mostly support local efforts to give kids their flu shots and other vaccines at school - but they also have misgivings, a new study shows.
In particular, they threw more support to school flu shots, versus other vaccinations. They were also worried about how school vaccinations would affect their record-keeping and their bottom line.
The study, reported in the journal Pediatrics, looked at doctors' feelings on so-called school-located vaccination - one-day "clinics" where local health officials and school districts offer kids flu shots or other vaccinations.
The programs are seen as a potential way to bring more kids up-to-date with government-recommended vaccinations.
Since 2010, the U.S. has advised nearly all Americans age six months and up to get an annual flu shot.
Even though only a minority follow that advice - about 43 percent of Americans did during the 2010 flu season - that still translates to more than 100 million people clambering for the flu vaccine within the space of a few months.
"To get all of those people into the doctor's office is impossible," said Dr. Judith Shlay of the Denver Public Health Department, the senior researcher on the new study.
In Denver, a project funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided in-school flu shots, as well as vaccinations recommended for older kids and teenagers: the meningococcal meningitis vaccine, the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine and the "Tdap" vaccine against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough).
For the current study, Shlay's team wanted to know how pediatricians and family doctors felt about school vaccinations.
Of the 584 doctors who responded to the survey, most supported in-school flu shots.
About two-thirds were in favor of their privately insured patients getting the shot at school, while around three-quarters liked the idea for their patients on Medicaid.
A financial consideration likely factors in there, since the federal government provides free vaccines for kids on Medicaid, but doctors may have a tough time being reimbursed for the administration costs. Shlay's team found less support for kids getting other vaccinations at school. Half of pediatricians and 59 percent of family doctors were for it when it came to patients with private insurance; 59 percent and 67 percent, respectively, supported it for Medicaid patients.
One concern was that if older kids get all their vaccinations at school, they won't come in for routine check-ups. Many doctors were also worried they'd have a hard time keeping their patients' records straight.
"If we give vaccinations in schools and the doctor doesn't know about it, then that's a concern," Shlay said.
There is a way to address that, though. Colorado, and all other U.S. states, have computerized immunization registries that offer a consolidated record of children's vaccination histories.
"That's a really important tool," Shlay said.
But of the doctors in this survey, about one-third were not participating in Colorado's immunization registry.
If more providers get involved in state registry systems, that could help ease worries over record-keeping, Shlay's team writes.
Many doctors were also concerned about their bottom line. Most were at least somewhat worried that if an unpredictable number of patients got their vaccinations at school, their offices would have a tough time estimating how many vaccine doses to have in stock.
Shlay said that's a legitimate concern, since the vaccines for older kids and teens are expensive. (The retail price of the HPV vaccine, for example, is about $130 per dose.)
"If (doctors) end up with unused, expired vaccines, that's a problem," Shlay said. The potential waste, she added, is a concern not only for doctors, but for everyone who needs the vaccines.
So that may mean doctors' offices will need to be more careful in terms of inventory, Shlay noted.
But even if your child gets vaccinated at school, that's not a replacement for check-ups with the doctor.
"There's more to health and healthcare than just vaccines," Shlay noted.
It's important, she said, for doctors, public health officials and schools to all work together to make school vaccination programs effective - and, in the bigger picture, get all kids their appropriate vaccinations.
A government study last year found that that goal is fairly far off: Only 49 percent of U.S. teens had received the first of three doses of the HPV vaccine, while 63 percent had gotten the meningitis vaccine and 69 percent the Tdap shot.
"School-located vaccine programs are an important approach to augment vaccine delivery," Shlay said.

subset: commoncrawl


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Larry Chiang investigates and experiences entrepreneurship and pre-entrepreneurship. He covers the front-lines via Bloomberg BusinessWeek's channel "What They Don't Teach You at Business School". He has a JBA not an MBA. Its a Jedi in Business Administration. After Chiang's Harvard Law keynote, Harvard Business wrote: "What They Don't Teach You at Stanford Business School" (the same title as his NY Times bestseller). If you read his scandalously awesome "How to Hack at AfterParty", "What a Supermodel Can Teach a Stanford MBA" and "How to Get Man-Charm", you will like his latest post:
Secret Way for CS Majors to Run A Credit Report WITHOUT A TRACE
By Larry Chiang
Larry Chiang Interviews CNN's Chris Peacock on Credit Scores
I have a METHOD of getting your credit report and not having it negatively impact FICO credit score. For cs Majors ONLY, I'll personally deliver you a credit report. Text me a picture of your name written in pen/sharpie/chalk/white-board marker OR sharpie.
I said sharpie twice because I really like Sharpies as they help with addressing postage mail paper envelopes.
Megan at MBFW
Paper trail of mail works at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week and for your credit card credit score
What a Supermodel Can Teach a Bank President About Credit
a party invite for you…
|If you liked this… Larry's mentor Mark McCormack wrote this in 1983. His own book came out 09-09-09. It is called 'What They Don't Teach You At Stanford Business School'
This post was drafted in an hour and needs your edits… email me if you see a spelling or grammatical error(s)… larry@larrychiang com
Larry Chiang started his first company UCMS in college. He mimicked his mentor, Mark McCormack, founder of IMG who wrote the book, "What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School". Chiang is a keynote speaker and bestselling author and spoke at Congress and World Bank.
Text or call him during office hours 11:11am or 11:11pm PST +/-11 minutes at 650-283-8008. Due to the volume of calls, he may place you on hold like a Scottsdale Arizona customer service rep. If you email him, be sure to include your cell number in the subject line. If you want him to email you his new articles…, ask him in an email
You can read more equally funny, but non-founder-focused-lessons on Larry's Amazon blog


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Android Is Steadily Devouring Apple's Market Share In Key World Markets
Smartphones that run on the Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) iOS and Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android mobile operating system combined accounted for more than 93 percent of all smartphone shipments during the first quarter of 2013, according to the International Data Corporation's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker.
Android vendors, like Samsung and HTC, shipped a total of 162.1 million units worldwide, up 79.3 percent from the 90.3 million units it shipped in the same time frame last year, according to the IDC report.
Even though Apple sold more iPhones in terms of pure volume in the first quarter of this year -- 37.4 million, compared to 35.1 million in the same period last year -- growth in shipments has been declining. The overall market share of its mobile iOS has also been shrinking.
For the first time, Windows (NASDAQ:MSFT) phones scraped past BlackBerry (NASDAQ: BBRY) and were the third most-shipped phones in that time period.
Both BlackBerry and Symbian posted large year-over-year declines in shipments and market share. However, BlackBerry's new BB10 platform might help the smartphone maker bounce back.
There's not too much hope left for Symbian, however. According to the IDC report, shipment of phones that run on Symbian are in steep decline and will sell in drastically lower volumes in 2014.
Here's a look at smartphone operating system sales in the second quarter of 2013 in a few key market around the world, based on data from a recent Kantar report:
As can be seen from the chart, Android-powered phones have the deepest penetration in every market. Android's market share increased 15.9 percentage points year-over-year, from 59.1 percent of all phones sold in three months that ended in March 2012 to 75 percent in March 2013, according to the IDC report.
Even in the U.S., where Apple phones are most ubiquitous, Android pulled ahead of iPhone, accounting for 52 percent of all smartphone sales. Hover over any slice of the pie chart to see which smartphone held what percentage of the market share in that time:
Here's a breakdown of the smartphone models that sold the most in the first quarter of 2013:
© Copyright IBTimes 2023. All rights reserved.
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US, India Raise Concerns Over Chinese Research Ship's Potential Visit To Sri Lanka
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(NAPS)—Preventing a frozen battery in the winter is easier than you may think if you take some time to check out the situation before nasty weather sets in.
To ensure that your car battery starts dependably, no matter how outrageous the weather, Interstate Batteries cold weather expert Gale Kimbrough offers some simple tips to protect your car battery against severe cold conditions:
Test the starting power: The cold weather can dramatically reduce a battery's available starting power, so have the vehicle's starting and charging system tested every three months or every oil change.
Charge the battery: Use a battery charger to maintain charge levels and keep the battery in good condition. If the battery is more than three years old, it should be tested to make sure it can survive the coldest winter months.
Test the battery: Have the battery tested before taking a long trip or after it's been recharged.
Inspect the battery cables, posts and fasteners: Preparing your car for the winter doesn't end with the battery itself. You need to inspect your battery cables, posts and fasteners. Make sure the cables are in good shape and are secured firmly to the battery. Corrosion keeps power from flowing freely from the battery, reducing the power that is available to start the car.
Keep it clean: Clean the battery terminals with a wire brush or spray some battery cleaner on the terminals.
In just 30 seconds, Interstate All Battery Center locations can provide motorists with a free printout analysis of their vehicle's battery condition—from projected battery life to cranking performance. It's important to have the battery and electrical system checked by a professional. Sometimes the naked eye cannot detect the presence of corrosion because it is hidden under the metal between the connection and the post.
A fully charged battery is the best defense against cold weather and vehicle nonstarts because engines require more cranking amps in colder weather. The cold also reduces a battery's efficiency, reducing its charge acceptance and ability to start an engine. An engine at 32 degrees Fahrenheit often demands more than 150 percent cranking power from the battery than it does at 80 degrees. At 0 degrees Fahrenheit, it can be 250 percent.
For more information, visit www.interstatebatteries.com.


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IADW TV PSA Now Available
International Assistance Dog Week has a TV public service announcement (PSA). It tells people about IADW, gives them the dates and the website address, and shows them assistance dogs in action.
The 30-second IADW PSA was created by Rick Huff of Some Stuff From Huff and :30 Second Street in Albuquerque, New Mexico, whose time and talents were donated.
The video clips of assistance dogs performing various tasks were contributed by a number of Assistance Dog International member organizations.
Assistance Dog organizations and individuals can embed the video from YouTube into their own websites. Just go to the Free Materials page to get the link. Besides the PSA, there are a number of other free materials on the page to help you promote your own IADW event.
Or go to YouTube directly to watch the IADW TV PSA.


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Readers would criticize my opinions as, well, opinions. It seems if a reader didn't like my opinions, then I wasn't a journalist. I repeated over and over that the Commentary page is for my opinions and the Front page is for news.
It cost me about $1500 a year to operate the San Ramon Observer website. I didn't make any money from it and I was getting tired of doing it all by myself. So I contacted Embarcadero Publishing and offered to give them the San Ramon Observer website if I could stay on writing my Commentaries. I wanted a real news organization to take over reporting the news so I could continue writing commentaries.
In December, 2008 I met with Bill Johnson, Publisher of the Palo Alto Weekly, and Gina Channel Allen, East Bay Publisher of the Pleasanton Weekly, and they said they were starting up an online "newspaper" called The San Ramon Express, which would be an electronic version similar to the already existing Danville Weekly. The Danville Weekly would also be converted from a weekly newspaper to an online Danville Express.
I was very happy with this arrangement. I liked being involved with a real new organization of professional journalists. The first year I wrote for the San Ramon Express I covered local news stores and I also wrote something called a "blog," with my opinions.
The term Blog came from "Weblog," which was originally an online diary where anyone could write anything. It didn't really matter if anyone read it and most of whatever anyone was writing was rather mundane. I recall one blogger was ridiculed for writing he had a cheese sandwich for lunch. Stop the presses, set the headline, blogger eats cheese sandwich!
Well bloggers have taken on more cogent subjects and blogs have grown into internet news sites like the Huffington Post but that still doesn't equate blogging with journalism. When I'm accused of not being a journalist, I tell my critics I'm not a journalist or a reporter, I'm a "blogger." A reporter is someone who reports the news in an impartial, factual manner. There's no clear definition of "blogger," but it appears bloggers can say anything they want as long as it is on the Internet.
For about a year I was paid for news stories, but not for the blog; so I continued to write news until I negotiated a fee for the blogs. I rarely write news any more, but it should be easy to tell a blog from news. News covers the five "W's" of journalism, who, what, when, where, and why. Bloggers and opinion writers draw conclusions and take positions on the W's. That's what commentaries are for.
I consider myself a commentator. Someone who writes an opinion column about what I like or don't like and why my readers should care. I try to post two blogs every week, one on Monday and one on Friday. I can't always come up with something to write about.
In this case I'm writing my blog about writing my blog, but I really want feedback on how I'm doing. So I hope someone reads this far and answers me with what you would like me to write about.
I try to keep up on what the City Council and Planning Commission are doing. I try to keep up with other organizations and agencies and happenings in San Ramon and the Tri-Valley. What do you want me to write about? Are my commentaries on local politics helpful or confusing or does anyone care?
I this because I believe it is important to comment on local politics and issues. I have no loyalties other than trying to identify what is best for San Ramon. If anything I'm saying is wrong, and someone can prove that to me, I'll change it. So please tell me.
This is my space to tell you what I think. If you disagree with it, please post a comment and say so. I can't tell if anyone is reading my blogs anymore, and I really want to know who's out there.


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curs_overlay(3) UNIX Programmer's Manual curs_overlay(3)
overlay, overwrite, copywin - overlay and manipulate overlapped curses windows
#include <curses.h> int overlay(const WINDOW *srcwin, WINDOW *dstwin); int overwrite(const WINDOW *srcwin, WINDOW *dstwin); int copywin(const WINDOW *srcwin, WINDOW *dstwin, int smin- row, int smincol, int dminrow, int dmincol, int dmaxrow, int dmaxcol, int overlay);
The overlay and overwrite routines overlay srcwin on top of dstwin. scrwin and dstwin are not required to be the same size; only text where the two windows overlap is copied. The difference is that overlay is non-destructive (blanks are not copied) whereas overwrite is destructive. The copywin routine provides a finer granularity of control over the overlay and overwrite routines. Like in the prefresh routine, a rectangle is specified in the destina- tion window, (dminrow, dmincol) and (dmaxrow, dmaxcol), and the upper-left-corner coordinates of the source window, (sminrow, smincol). If the argument overlay is true, then copying is non-destructive, as in overlay.
Routines that return an integer return ERR upon failure, and OK (SVr4 only specifies "an integer value other than ERR") upon successful completion. X/Open defines no error conditions. In this implementation, copywin, overlay and overwrite return an error if either of the window pointers are null, or if some part of the window would be placed off-screen.
Note that overlay and overwrite may be macros.
The XSI Curses standard, Issue 4 describes these functions (adding the const qualifiers). It further specifies their behavior in the presence of characters with multibyte rendi- tions (not yet supported in this implementation).
curses(3), curs_pad(3), curs_refresh(3) MirBSD #10-current Printed 2022-12-23 1


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Karl S. Coplan
- Professor of Law Emeritus
- Director, Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic
BA, Middlebury College
JD, Columbia University School of Law
Professor Karl S. Coplan has been a Professor and Associate Professor of Law at Pace Law School and director of Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic since 1994. Prior to joining the Pace faculty, he practiced land use and environmental litigation for eight years with the New York City firm of Berle, Kass & Case. As the principal outside counsel for Riverkeeper, Inc., Professor Coplan and the Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic have brought numerous lawsuits enforcing the Clean Water Act and other environmental laws. These cases include Catskill Mountains Chapter, Trout Unlimited v. City of New York, in which the Second Circuit Court of Appeals held that the transfer of polluted, silt-laden water from one watershed to another required a permit pursuant to the federal Clean Water Act. Professor Coplan has also participated in litigation and Clean Water Act permitting proceedings involving several Hudson River power plants, including the proposed Bowline 3 power plant, and the Lovett, Roseton, Danskammer, and Athens plants.
In addition to directing the Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic, Professor Coplan teaches courses in Environmental Law and Constitutional Law. He is recently the author of the chapter on Citizen Suits in Environmental Litigation, Law and Strategy (ABA, Cary Perlman, Ed.) and the chapter on Takings Law in Handbook on Constitutional Environmental Law (ABA, James May, Ed., forthcoming 2010).
Before entering private practice, Professor Coplan clerked for The Honorable Warren E. Burger, Chief Justice of the United States, and The Honorable Leonard I. Garth, Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Professor Coplan received his J.D. degree from Columbia Law School in 1984 and his B.A. degree from Middlebury College in 1980.
"Citizen Litigants Citizen Regulators: Four Cases Where Citizen Suits Drove Development of Clean Water Law," 25 Colorado Natural Resources, Energy & Environmental Law Review 61 (2014).
"Climate Change, Political Truth, and the Marketplace of Ideas," Utah L. Rev. 545 (2012).
"The Takings Clause and Environmental Law," in Principles of Constitutional Environmental Law (James R. May ed., 2011).
"Legal Realism, Innate Morality, and the Structural Role of the Supreme Court in the U.S. Constitutional Democracy," 86 Tul. L. Rev.181(2011).
"Public Trust Limits on Greenhouse Gas Trading Schemes: A Sustainable Middle Ground?" 35 Colum. J. Envt'l L. 287 (2010).
"Ideological Plaintiffs, Administrative Lawmaking, Standing and the Petition Clause" 61 Maine Law Review 2 (2009).
"The Externalities of Nuclear Power: First, Assume We Have a Can Opener. . .," 35 Ecology Law Currents 17 (2008).
"The Intercivilizational Inequities of Nuclear Power Weighed Against the Intergenerational Inequities of Carbon Based Energy," 17 Fordham Environmental Law Review 227 (2006).
"Is Voting Necessary? Organizational Standing and Non-Voting Members of Environmental Advocacy Organizations," 14 Southeastern Environmental Law Journal 1 (2005).
"Of Zombie Permits and Greenwash Renewal Strategies: Ten Years of New York's So-Called "Environmental Benefit Permitting Strategy,"" 22 Pace Environmental Law Review 1 (2005).
"Is Citizen Suit Notice Jurisdictional and Why Should It Matter?" 10 Widener Law Symposium 49 (2003).
"Direct Environmental Standing for Chartered Conservation Corporations" at 12 Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum 183 (2000).
"Refracting the Spectrum of Clean Water Act Standing in Light of Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife," 22 Columbia Journal of Environmental Law 169 (1997).
"State DOT Issues Proposed Regulations for Employee Commute Options," Environmental Law in New York (Matthew Bender), February 1994, at 17.
"Local Law Office Requirements Should Be Abolished" (Report of the Committee on Professional Responsibility), The Record of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, April 1993, at 312.
"Balancing the Duty to Investigate Litigation Claims against the Ban on Communicating with an Adverse 'Corporate' Party After Niesig" (Report of the Committee on Professional Responsibility), The Record of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, May 1992, at 406.
"Protecting Minority Communities with Environmental, Civil Rights Claims," New York Law Journal, August 20, 1991, at 1.
"Citizen Suit Litigation." Environmental Litigation, Law and Strategy. (Cary Perlman, Ed.) American Bar Association, 2009.
"Citizen Suits." Environmental Law Practice Guide. (M. Gerrard, Ed.) Matthew Bender, 1998.
"Current Issues in Clean Water Act Litigation." In Environmental Litigation (ALI-ABA Course of Study, June 24, 1996) SA85/3 ALI-ABA 1033. Philadelphia, Pa.: ALI-ABA, 1996.
"Private Enforcement of Federal Pollution Control Laws - The Citizen Suit Provisions." In Environmental Litigation (ALI-ABA Course of Study, June 24, 1996) SA85/3 ALI-ABA 1033. Philadelphia, Pa.: ALI-ABA, 1996.


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Which Workers Need Unions, And Which Don't?
Union shops in the private sector have dwindled in recent decades. Now, public union leaders worry that they're losing political clout, bargaining power and members. That raises questions about whether unions fallen victim to their own success. Originally broadcast on June 7, 2012.
Copyright 2012 NPR


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Despite concerns that faulty brain proteins could be transferred from person to person by treatments involving human fluids and tissues, a new study finds no signs of increased risk for two major degenerative brain diseases among recipients.
"I think it's reassuring to people who had transplants, blood transfusions, morticians and researchers who work on these diseases," said the study's senior author, Dr. John Trojanowski, from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia.
Reviewing the records of children who were injected as long as 50 years ago with human growth hormones derived from cadavers showed that the recipients did not go on to develop Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease with any greater frequency than the rest of the population - which suggests the two conditions are not contagious.
Trojanowski and his colleagues, who published their findings in JAMA Neurology, in fact found no cases of Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease in about 800 individuals who were injected with growth hormones that came from the bodies of people who may have had one of those two illnesses.
Doctors switched to synthetic hormones in the 1980s when they realized some children had received contaminated cadaver growth hormones that later led to their developing Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), the human version of "mad cow" disease, which causes a fast decline in mental functioning and generally death within a year.
Because CJD is caused by a rogue protein called a prion, which causes other proteins in the brain to fold in strange ways and lose their function, there was concern that abnormal proteins involved in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases could transmit those illnesses in the same way.
"There's been concern recently because a lot of the proteins involved in neurogenic diseases are similar to these prions," said Karen Duff, who studies Alzheimer's and Parkinson's at Columbia University Medical Center in New York.
Based animal studies, some researchers feared that receiving cornea or organ transplants, blood transfusions, or working with the brains of people who had Alzheimer's and Parkinson's may put people at an increased risk for those diseases, according to Trojanowski.
For the new study, his team looked at data on 6,190 people who had a growth problem as children and were injected with human growth hormones taken from cadavers between 1963 and 1985.
The researchers also determined how likely it was that the hormones injected into the children came from cadavers with any of a variety of brain diseases.
Examining brain tissue from 34 cadaver donors, the researchers found 10 had no diseases, 9 had Alzheimer's, 3 had Parkinson's, 4 had both and the rest had other types of brain diseases.
Turning to the group of growth hormone recipients, the researchers then examined the death certificates of the 796 who died before 2008.
Overall, none of the hormone recipients' death records mentioned Parkinson's or Alzheimer's, even though the researchers determined that it's very likely they were injected with hormones from people who had those diseases.
Duff, who was not involved in the new study, agreed that the results allay fears about the diseases being contagious, especially for people involved in simply handling brain tissues and fluids.
She added that while this study can't confirm there's no risk, any chance of "catching" Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease from even a contaminated piece of medical equipment would be much less than from having the hormones directly injected, so the study should be reassuring.


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WASHINGTON—Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters unveiled a new $270 billion federal project Monday to build special lanes for dangerous and careless drivers on most major U.S. highways.
"These new lanes are for the millions of drivers who can't be bothered with speed limits, turn signal use, or not careening madly out into oncoming traffic," Peters said during the opening ceremony for the first reckless-driving route, a steeply banked, guardrail-lined on-ramp to I-395 outside Arlington, VA. "Whether hell-bent on putting themselves and everyone around them in danger or just drunk off their gourds and out for a simple joyride, America's reckless will no longer be forced to putter along with careful, conscientious, considerate citizens."
Peters then cut the ribbon on the inaugural lane by speeding through it in a rusted-out 1984 Chevy Cavalier, steering with her knees as her left hand held a cup of hot coffee aloft and her right hand slapped her 4-year-old daughter sitting in the back seat.
Peters said the Department of Transportation plans to construct some 1,400 of the new lanes over the next four years, all of which will feature a special bowl design to keep cars in the lane while drivers are sleeping, drunk, applying makeup in the rearview mirror, receiving or performing oral sex, or drumming along on the steering wheel while singing "The Immigrant Song" at the top of their lungs. Padded concrete embankments and steel-rail barriers will line the lanes in urban areas, and rumble strips will be cut into the pavement every 100 feet in an attempt to help keep drivers alert.
All of the lanes will also feature ramps.
"We wanted to make these reckless-driving lanes as convenient as possible," said Harold Bovy, chief engineer on the project, who added that his team's main priority was containing drivers while allowing emergency vehicles the easy and frequent access they will require. "So we made sure that once reckless drivers are in these lanes, they can only leave them by designated funnel-shaped ramps or in the full- service hearses that will be stationed 24 hours a day at any number of convenient rest areas."
Amid mounting pressure from drivers, the DOT decided to start planning for the new lanes last fall. The department sought out input and suggestions from motorists who, according to Peters, "really know how to drive" or simply believed traffic laws to be for "suckers."
"We made sure to interview a broad spectrum of dangerously incompetent and inconsiderate pricks," said Peters, who stressed that the DOT sent questionnaires exclusively to drivers who have had five or more accidents in as many years or have been issued at least three 100-mph-plus speeding tickets in the last six months, as well as all members of the Corvette Club of America. "Their feedback was invaluable—so much so that we hired many to drive test sections of the highway. Several of those drivers will have sections of the new lanes named after them in memoriam."
While some have raised concerns that law-abiding citizens will be tempted to try the new lanes and get into life-threatening situations, DOT officials claim they will be self- enforcing, self-regulating, and, with proper drainage and fluid grooves, self-cleaning. Nevertheless, steps are being taken to prevent their use by non-reckless drivers.
Signs will be posted to warn regular drivers that they must drive either under 30 mph or over 90 mph, and that their auto insurance is void in the special lanes. Additional wordless signs, intended for the reckless drivers themselves, will feature the icon of a swerving 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis with subwoofer lines emanating from the body and a mattress tied to the top with a single length of twine.
Praise for the new lane from drivers has been widespread and immediate.
"This is something real drivers have wanted for years," said Kevin Louden, who has received 17 moving violations in his nine years of driving. "Now I can haul ass the way God intended without worrying about the safety of others."


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Lightning over the Gulf
This was a really active storm over the Gulf. I took this in Marathon in the Florida Keys.
Pink sundew
Drosera capillaris at the edge of a cypress dome swamp
Sunset long exposure over a cypress dome swamp
Reddish egret
I can never get enough of these reddish egrets (Egretta rufescens). They are so beautiful, especially with their breeding colors as shown here, but they are really entertaining to watch as they run around trying to catch fish. They'll stand perfectly still for a period of time, often stretching out their wings to create shade that attracts fish, then either try to grab them out of the water below them or they go running after them in the shallow waters. I managed to get a few decent shots despite the overcast conditions. I will have to take a video next time I have this close of a view to one, but in the meantime, watch this clip someone posted on Youtube:
More reddish egret info:
Spinybacked orbweaver
Gasteracantha cancriformis
Milky Way core and Andromeda Galaxy
Arizona has some great night sky views with limited light pollution.
Here be dragons!
These colorful scales belong to a male eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus). Males of this species show off a brilliant aqua and blue color pattern on their sides and throat during breeding season to impress the ladies.
Leafless beaked ladies' tresses orchid bud
Sacoila lanceolata
Black swallowtail butterfly
Papilio polyxenes
Young raccoon foraging along the Chassahowitzka River
Young eastern diamondback rattlesnake
Crotalus adamanteus
Overcast morning just before sunrise on a beach packed full of coquina rock
The 2017 hurricane season left quite a mark throughout the Caribbean. In Florida, you can find patches of coquina rock in spots along the Atlantic coast. Though this spot in particular has always had a larger area of coquina, the storm surge from Hurricane Irma seems to have unearthed much more, yielding this scene that looks like it could be from Mars (excepting the ocean waves of course!).
Crepuscular sun ray reflection
Wing of sleeping dragonfly
Golden-winged skimmer (Libellula auripennis)
The headwaters of Gold Head Branch, a stream at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park in north-central Florida, is situated in a deep ravine with a relief of about 70 feet from top to bottom. Such a deep ravine is uncommon in this area. The stream water emerges from multiple spring seeps, yielding perfectly clear water with a bluish tint in deeper spots. The lush bottom of the ravine acts as a kind of oasis compared to the surrounding dry, upland ecosystems. The vibrant greens of the various plants, including a wide variety of fern species provide a captivating aesthetic with the stark contrast between the lush undergrowth and the white sand-bottomed, spring-fed stream.
Indian blanketflower
This flower, Gaillardia pulchella, goes by many common names. Indian blanket flower is the name I've encountered the most around here in central Florida. Whatever you want to call it, it's a gorgeous flower that never fails to catch my eye! I was hoping to get sunset colors in the background here, but the storm in the distance had other plans.
Southern two-lined salamander
Eurycea cirrigera
This was seen in north Georgia
waterfall along Moccasin Creek
in North Georgia
Yellow garden spider
Argiope aurantia
Coquina rock formations at sunrise
Sun rising over Orlando Wetlands
Young barred owl
Strix varia
Green treefrog closeup
Hyla cinerea


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Aroma: Deeply malty, with caramel often apparent. Peaty, earthy and/or smoky secondary aromas may also be present, adding complexity. Caramelization often is mistaken for diacetyl, which should be low to none. Low to moderate esters and alcohol are often present in stronger versions. Hops are very low to none.
Appearance: Light copper to dark brown color, often with deep ruby highlights. Clear. Usually has a large tan head, which may not persist in stronger versions. Legs may be evident in stronger versions.
Flavor: Richly malty with kettle caramelization often apparent (particularly in stronger versions). Hints of roasted malt or smoky flavor may be present, as may some nutty character, all of which may last into the finish. Hop flavors and bitterness are low to medium-low, so malt impression should dominate. Diacetyl is low to none, although caramelization may sometimes be mistaken for it. Low to moderate esters and alcohol are usually present. Esters may suggest plums, raisins or dried fruit. The palate is usually full and sweet, but the finish may be sweet to medium-dry (from light use of roasted barley).
Mouthfeel: Medium-full to full-bodied, with some versions (but not all) having a thick, chewy viscosity. A smooth, alcoholic warmth is usually present and is quite welcome since it balances the malty sweetness. Moderate carbonation.
Impression: Rich, malty and usually sweet, which can be suggestive of a dessert. Complex secondary malt flavors prevent a one-dimensional impression. Strength and maltiness can vary.
Comments: Also known as a "wee heavy." Fermented at cooler temperatures than most ales, and with lower hopping rates, resulting in clean, intense malt flavors. Well suited to the region of origin, with abundant malt and cool fermentation and aging temperature. Hops, which are not native to Scotland and formerly expensive to import, were kept to a minimum.
Ingredients: Well-modified pale malt, with up to 3% roasted barley. May use some crystal malt for color adjustment; sweetness usually comes not from crystal malts rather from low hopping, high mash temperatures, and kettle caramelization. A small proportion of smoked malt may add depth, though a peaty character (sometimes perceived as earthy or smoky) may also originate from the yeast and native water. Hop presence is minimal, although English varieties are most authentic. Fairly soft water is typical.
Commercial Examples: Traquair House Ale, Belhaven Wee Heavy, McEwan's Scotch Ale, Founders Dirty Bastard, MacAndrew's Scotch Ale, AleSmith Wee Heavy, Orkney Skull Splitter, Inveralmond Black Friar, Broughton Old Jock, Gordon Highland Scotch Ale, Dragonmead Under the Kilt


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1845 History Brought to Modern Day Guests at Bud's Inn at the Chester Plantation2018-01-31 15:26:29
[caption id="attachment_7500" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Bud's Inn at the Chester Plantation - Located just 10 minutes off of I-295 just south of Richmond[/caption] Bud's Inn at the Chester Plantation, Disputanta, VA, is the newest B&B to be inspected and approved for The Bed and Breakfast Association of Virginia (BBAV) membership. Purchased in 2007 by the now innkeepers, John and Brenda Gilliam, the Greek revival home and accompanying acreage has a history dating back to 1845. The Chester Plantation passed from Colonel Williamson Simmons, the original owner, to his family until Remmie Arnold, owner of the Arnold Pen Factory in Historic Petersburg, purchased it in the late 1940s. After that, in 1963, the land was purchased by B.B. Baugus and turned into the Prince George Country Club Estates. John and Brenda Gilliam add to the long history of the Chester Plantation by turning the home into a bed and breakfast while maintaining aspects of the property's past – such as referencing the Chester Plantation in the name and keeping the original door on the home. Bud's Inn at the Chester Plantation maintains this historical charm with its winding staircase and old-fashioned décor as well as the fact that guests have the opportunity to partake in the Prince George Golf Course, legacy of B.B. Baugus, and of their deck which overlooks a pond. The Bud's Inn Innkeepers sought a BBAV membership because "the inspection goes beyond what the local health department requires and is a higher standard to ensure that our customers are receiving the very best quality in health and safety standards that we can provide." Not only does BBAV membership help enhance Innkeepers education and information, but it helps guide Innkeepers to provide the best service possible for guests. John and Brenda Gilliam started their B&B so they could do something fun together while "meeting people and making them feel welcome and "at home" while being away from their homes". Now, with the inspection and approval of BBAV, these Innkeepers can further establish themselves as a high-quality B&B.


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You are looking at the Nintendo Super Famicom Game
Super Metroid SHVC-RI
My goal is to give the world a little taste of Japan. Here is your chance to have another little taste.
If you are a collector then this would make a fine addition to your collection. There are many games that were never even released outside Japan, and even the games that were released outside Japan are sometimes very different in gameplay. Japanese games are also a good way to study reading Japanese. Perhaps you are just a gamer, in that case sit back and play away! Obviously these are not in production anymore so get them while you can, they will only get more rare and go up in value!


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Investors pushed stocks higher into record territory Tuesday after comments from a Federal Reserve official raised hopes the central bank will continue to pump money into the financial system.
New York Federal Reserve president William Dudley said the Fed needs to rethink its current exit strategy, although he stressed that it could involve both increasing or decreasing the pace of its bond buying program.
Investors have been paying close attention to comments from various Fed officials recently as they attempt to gauge when the central bank will begin to taper off its stimulus programs.
Dudley said the uncertain outlook for the economy makes it difficult to say which direction the Fed will take.
That ambiguity helped ease concerns that the central bank may be moving toward a more rapid exit strategy, according to Steven Ricchiuto, chief economist at Mizuho Securities USA.
"Dudley may have made the chairman's job easier tomorrow," Ricchiuto said. "He clearly aligned himself with the no taper crowd."
Fed chairman Ben Bernanke will discuss his outlook for the economy Wednesday before Congress.
The Dow Jones industrial average and S&P 500 both closed at record highs Tuesday, gaining 0.3% and 0.2% for the day. The Nasdaq added 0.2% to end at its highest level since 2000.
Click here for more on stocks, bonds, commodities and currencies
Bernanke on deck: Stocks have rallied more than 16% so far this year, driven by improving economic data and the Fed's easy monetary policies.
But investors have been unwilling to push stocks much higher this week, ahead of Bernanke's testimony, said JJ Kinahan, chief derivatives strategist at TD Ameritrade.
The S&P 500 shot up from 1,600 to 1,670 "like a hot knife through butter," he said. "Now some people are wondering if we have to capitulate in order to stay higher."
Bernanke's comments may provide the catalyst for stocks to move "one way or the other," said Kinahan.
In the meantime, traders were keeping tabs on two widely-followed companies: JPMorgan and Apple.
CEOs in the hot seat: JPMorgan (JPM) shareholders rejected a proposal to split the roles of chairman and CEO, both held by Jamie Dimon. The move is a major victory for Dimon, who has been under fire since JPMorgan lost $6 billion on derivatives in the so-called London Wale trade.
Related: Dimon wins by a landslide
Apple (AAPL) was also in focus as CEO Tim Cook and other executives appeared on Capitol Hill to testify about the company's tax practices. A report released Monday by Senators John McCain and Carl Levin criticized Apple for its use of obscure subsidiaries and accounting tactics to reduce its tax burden. Cook defended Apple's policies and urged lawmakers to overhaul the nation's tax code.
Home Depot and Best Buy: Shares of Home Depot (HD) rose after the home improvement retailer reported quarterly increases in revenue, profit and same-store sales. The company cited an improving housing market and raised its sales guidance for the fiscal year. Home Depot also benefited from the reconstruction effort in areas hit by Hurricane Sandy.
On the flip side shares of Best Buy (BBY) slid after the electronics retailer widely missed sales forecasts. Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS) stock reversed earlier losses after the retailer missed revenue forecasts and issued guidance in line with estimates.
Cruising for a bruising. Shares of Carnival (CCL) stumbled after the cruise ship operator slashed its earnings forecast, and said it was cutting prices in an effort to attract customers back onto its ships.
The sour forecast shows how Carnival continues to suffer from a number of high-profile incidents, including last year's Costa Concordia disaster which led to the loss of 32 lives.
Related: Best deals in investing
Yahoo (YHOO) shares rose after the company announced a revamped version of photo-sharing service Flickr late Monday, just hours after confirming it was buying blogging site Tumblr.
Related: Fear & Greed Index dwells in extreme greed
European markets ended higher, with London's FTSE 100 trading at 14-year highs. Asian markets ended mixed.


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By continuing, you agree to Bass Pro Shops' Terms of Use/Community Guidelines, Privacy Policy


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La Marseillaise
Welcome. No doubt you've come here to see what all the fuss is about on the 14th of July. I think you'll find all you want to know here. La Marseillaise is the national anthem of France, believed by many to be the most stirring of all anthems. Here you will find a transcription of its score, complete sound clips in various formats and a translation into English. The main attractions of this site are:
Sheet music
The full score of La Marseillaise, arranged for piano.
Audio files
The song is presented in several file formats. In addition, Hector Berlioz's orchestral arrangement and a stunning recording from Mireille Mathieu are available.
A commented English translation from myself. Returning visitors to this site are encouraged to view my notes on a section of the translation I have amended.
It doesn't stop there, however. Several other translations are also featured, including a fine translation from Jean Migrenne and Sylvère Monod. This translation was commissioned by the Caen Memorial for Peace Museum and is reproduced here with permission.
The site has existed in one form or another since 1996 and has appeared as marseillaise.org since 1999. Although updates are now infrequent, the author Iain Patterson does read and respond to emails from interested visitors, of which there have been many over the years. Thanks for visiting and enjoy your stay.
Last update: 2012-04-19: Fixed some typos spotted by David R. Pitman.
Send your comments to firstname.lastname@example.com


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Elvis Dumervil didn't expect to be a free agent right now, but thanks in part to a very naughty fax machine, the veteran defensive end is looking for work.
NFL Network's Michelle Beisner reported Saturday Dumervil is "not generating a lot of interest" from NFL teams, according to a source close to the situation.
Obviously, there's concern among teams that Dumervil might wind up back with the Denver Broncos. With the NFL Players Association planning to look into the technological meltdown that led to Dumervil's release Friday, teams have yet to make a push for the 29-year-old pass rusher.
So what's next for the defensive end? We see five potential landing spots:
Back to the Broncos: Denver still is in play to re-sign Dumervil. The Broncos had no interest in paying him $12 million per year, but most teams aren't going to venture anywhere close to the $8 million per year Dumervil was being offered as part of his revised one-year pact. The sticking point here is greenbacks. The Broncos are saddled with Dumervil's $4.8 million salary cap hit after a shopping spree that netted Wes Welker, among others. Realistically, it might be best for both sides to move on.
Miami Dolphins: Why not, right? They're taking everyone else off the market. If the Dolphins re-sign Jake Long, the money to land Dumervil is gone. If Long lands elsewhere, Dumervil would make Miami's free agency haul as intriguing on defense as it has been on offense. General manager Jeff Ireland faces a contract year and he's going for the throat. Besides, it sounds as though Elvis has genuine interest in the Dolphins.
Free-agent tracker
Where will Brent Grimes wind up? Follow him and all the other NFL players on the move in our free-agent tracker. More ...
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa Bay cooled on Michael Bennett (which baffles me), but they still need help at end in Greg Schiano's 4-3 defense. The Bucs are kidding themselves if they truly believe Da'Quan Bowers is a "player with more upside" than Bennett. The 29-year-old Dumervil would bring immediate pass-rush help to the Bucs, and the team has dollars to burn.
Buffalo Bills: The Bills haven't made a splash in free agency. Landing Dumervil would give Buffalo true heat on the edge. Used in combinations with Mario Williams and Mark Anderson, Dumervil would give the Bills one of the AFC's more complete defensive fronts. Can he play quarterback? That would help.
New England Patriots: It seems too obvious, but this would amount to a Bill Belichick masterstroke for the veteran coach. Snatching up Dumervil addresses the team's queasy pass-rush situation and lands a body blow to the Broncos on the heels of the Welker defection. When it comes to the money, all five teams could craft a contract for Dumervil if the desire is there -- and the fax machine is plugged in.


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Dennis Watkins, whose Friday-night parlor tricks have been selling out his show at the Palmer House Hilton, is a formidable magician, steeped in the secret art of prestigitation and legerdemain, but also skilled at big-scale illusions where his torso gets sawed in half or his entire body disappears. Watkins makes in a living in the way most magicians make livings — performing at parties, corporate events, festivals and the like — but he's long been more compelled than most by the legitimate theater, starring in a series of narrative productions over many years at the House Theatre of Chicago, where he has many collaborators who understand the caliber of their very serious magical friend.
"The Magnificents," the self-penned vehicle for Watkins that opened at the House on Sunday night, is actually a remount of a production first staged in 2007. Watkins has come a long way since then — although in this particular show, not quite so much.
To put it bluntly, "The Magnificents" has some top-drawer magic from the formidable Watkins repertoire (more than enough, you should note, to greatly entertain most magic-loving folks of all ages for a couple of hours). But it remains underwritten. The piece was conceived as Watkins' tribute to his grandfather — apparently an irascible but loving fellow who passed on his talent to a grandson who has used it well. In its first iteration in 2007, this tale of secrets was combined with clowning by Molly Brennan (of "500 Clown" fame), which felt very much like two shows trying to fuse into one.
This time, the world is more consistent. We meet a ragtag circus-magic troupe called "The Magnificents," whose show, a combination of circus performance and magic, spills out from its truck. The headliner, Magnificent, is played by Watkins. We learn that he's taken a group of lost souls and turned them into artists, mostly by convincing them that they have skills: they can be a clown (played by Michael E. Smith), an aerial artist (the dazzlingly flexible Lucy Carapetyan), or a strongman (Jeff Trainor). At the start of the show, a young boy stops by the tent, sans the requisite nickel. One of the showpeople throws the mysterious kid a coin and he's in, soaking up the personalities and art in what's presumably a surrogate version of Watkins' own youthful progression toward magical mastery.
It all bubbles along pleasantly enough under Nathan Allen's direction — Tommy Rapley, who plays the Boy, is a performer with his own formidable range of skills, magic and otherwise — but the show doesn't fully work as a device to hold all these tricks together. In this new version, "The Magnificents" has taken a more explicit turn into the realm of narrative storytelling, and once you make such a leap, you then have to build more of a story. At this juncture, it feels like the show hasn't decided if it wants to be a series of tricks connected by a light narrative frame — something like you might see at the Cirque du Soleil — or something that really hangs together in terms of plot and character. To my mind, it needs to take a big step toward the latter: we need to know more about who this Boy might be, we need to better understand the relationship between The Magnificent and his wife (the warm-centered Tien Doman) and, above all, we need something more explicit at stake to drive sufficient dramatic tension. Too much of this show lacks urgency.
What I wanted most, though, was to see Watkins really delve into his own past — his presence on stage is a carefully enigmatic construction, but I've long felt Watkins has more to give, more to explore, more to reveal about his profession and himself. If he can layer that kind of vulnerability — and he'll have to pen the text to help him do so — on top of these terrific tricks, then he'll really have a show.
When: Through March 10
Where: House Theatre, 1543 W. Division St.
Running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Tickets: $25 at 773-769-3832 or thehousetheatre.com


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Atelier Vesper - Aestas
Welcome to the world of Atelier Vesper. Everyone deserves to identify his or her personality and character. Therefore Atelier Vesper wants to positively disrupt the market by making high-end eau de parfum accessible for everyone, without compromising on aesthetic and quality.
We hope it brings back fond memories.


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- Publication Date:
- Publication Type:Notice
- Fed Register #:75:52034-52035
- Standard Number:
- Title:Portable Fire Extinguishers (Annual Maintenance Certification Record); Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Approval of the Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements
[Federal Register: August 24, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 163)][Notices] [Page 52034-52035] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr24au10-96] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Occupational Safety and Health Administration [Docket No. OSHA-2010-0039] Portable Fire Extinguishers (Annual Maintenance Certification Record); Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Approval of the Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor. ACTION: Request for public comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: OSHA solicits comments concerning its proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements contained in the Portable Fire Extinguishers Standard (Annual Maintenance Certification Record) (29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3)). DATES: Comments must be submitted (postmarked, sent, or received) by October 25, 2010. ADDRESSES: Electronically: You may submit comments and attachments electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, which is the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Follow the instructions online for submitting comments. Facsimile: If your comments, including attachments, are not longer than 10 pages you may fax them to the OSHA Docket Office at (202) 693- 1648. Mail, hand delivery, express mail, messenger, or courier service: When using this method, you must submit three copies of your comments and attachments to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. OSHA-2010-0039, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210. Deliveries (hand, express mail, messenger, and courier service) are accepted during the Department of Labor's and Docket Office's normal business hours, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., e.t. Instructions: All submissions must include the Agency name and OSHA docket number for the Information Collection Request (ICR) (OSHA-2010- 0039). All comments, including any personal information you provide, are placed in the public docket without change, and may be made available online at http://www.regulations.gov. For further information on submitting comments see the "Public Participation" heading in the section of this notice titled SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. Docket: To read or download comments or other material in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov or the OSHA Docket Office at the address above. All documents in the docket (including this Federal Register notice) are listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index; however, some information (e.g., copyrighted material) is not publicly available to read or download through the website. All submissions, including copyrighted material, are available for inspection and copying at the OSHA Docket Office. You may contact Theda Kenney at the address below to obtain a copy of the ICR. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theda Kenney or Todd Owen, Directorate of Standards and Guidance, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3609, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210; telephone (202) 693-2222. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent (i.e., employer) burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing information collection requirements in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA-95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program ensures that information is in the desired format, reporting burden (time and costs) is minimal, collection instruments are clearly understood, and OSHA's estimate of the information collection burden is accurate. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (the Act) (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.) authorizes information collection by employers as necessary or appropriate for enforcement of the Act or for developing information regarding the causes and prevention of occupational injuries, illnesses, and accidents (29 U.S.C. 657). Paragraph (e)(3) of the Standard specifies that employers must subject each portable fire extinguisher to an annual maintenance inspection and record the date of the inspection. In addition, this provision requires employers to retain the inspection record for one year after the last entry or for the life of the shell, whichever is less, and to make the record available to OSHA on request. This recordkeeping requirement assures employees and Agency compliance officers that portable fire extinguishers located in the workplace will operate normally in case of fire; in addition, this requirement provides evidence to OSHA compliance officers during an inspection that the employer performed the required maintenance checks on the portable fire extinguishers. II. Special Issues for Comment OSHA has a particular interest in comments on the following issues: Whether the proposed information collection requirements are necessary for the proper performance of the Agency's functions, including whether the information is useful; The accuracy of OSHA's estimate of the burden (time and costs) of the information collection requirements, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; The quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and Ways to minimize the burden on employers who must comply; for example, by using automated or other technological information collection and transmission techniques. III. Proposed Actions OSHA is requesting that OMB extend its approval of the information collection requirements contained in the Portable Fire Extinguishers Standard (Annual Maintenance Certification Record) (29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3)). OSHA is proposing to decrease the burden hours in the currently approved information collection request from 69,019 to 67,995 (a total decrease of 1,024 hours). This decrease is due to updated data showing a decrease in the number of fire extinguishers affected by the Standard. The Agency will summarize the comments submitted in response to this notice and will include this summary in the request to OMB. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Title: Portable Fire Extinguishers (Annual Maintenance Certification Record) (29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3)). OMB Number: 1218-0238. Affected Public: Business or other for-profits; Federal Government; State, Local, or Tribal Government. Number of Respondents: 1,359,900. Frequency of Response: On occasion. Average Time per Response: One minute (.02 hour) to maintain the certification records to 30 minutes (.50 hour) to inspect a fire extinguisher and to generate and maintain the certification record. Estimated Total Burden Hours: 67,995 hours. Estimated Cost (Operation and Maintenance): $19,582,560. IV. Public Participation--Submission of Comments on This Notice and Internet Access to Comments and Submissions You may submit comments in response to this document as follows: (1) Electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, which is the Federal eRulemaking Portal; (2) by facsimile (fax); or (3) by hard copy. All comments, attachments, and other material must identify the Agency name and the OSHA docket number for the ICR (Docket No. OSHA-2010-0039). You may supplement electronic submissions by uploading document files electronically. If you wish to mail additional materials in reference to an electronic or facsimile submission, you must submit them to the OSHA Docket Office (see the section of this notice titled ADDRESSES). The additional materials must clearly identify your electronic comments by your name, date, and the docket number so the Agency can attach them to your comments. Because of security procedures, the use of regular mail may cause a significant delay in the receipt of comments. For information about security procedures concerning the delivery of materials by hand, express delivery, messenger, or courier service, please contact the OSHA Docket Office at (202) 693-2350, (TTY (877) 889-5627). Comments and submissions are posted without change at http://www.regulations.gov. Therefore, OSHA cautions commenters about submitting personal information such as social security numbers and date of birth. Although all submissions are listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index, some information (e.g., copyrighted material) is not publicly available to read or download through this Web site. All submissions, including copyrighted material, are available for inspection and copying at the OSHA Docket Office. Information on using the http://www.regulations.gov website to submit comments and access the docket is available at the Web site's "User Tips" link. Contact the OSHA Docket Office for information about materials not available through the Web site, and for assistance in using the Internet to locate docket submissions. V. Authority and Signature David Michaels, Ph.D, MPH, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, directed the preparation of this notice. The authority for this notice is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506 et seq.) and Secretary of Labor's Order No. 5-2007 (72 FR 31160). Signed at Washington, DC, this 16th day of August 2010. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. [FR Doc. 2010-21059 Filed 8-23-10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-26-P


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As a childless car writer I frequently chastised parents for eschewing fun cars in order to buy safe boxes for their new families, but with a kid on the way and the threat of a massive blizzard in the back of my mind I gave into a mix of fear and marketing hype and reached for the safest thing I could borrow. My bad, you guys.
No one should be more immune to the mix of marketing hype and outdated conventional wisdom that keeps putting people in crossovers than someone who has driven everything. I know that while a company like Volvo has prioritized safety as a key differentiating factor of the cars they sell, the reality is that plenty of other people make perfectly safe cars.
Crossovers and SUVs, frequently with a higher center of gravity, haven't historically been safer than wagons of equivalent size. And all-wheel-drive? A good set of snow tires is far more important than whether or not the wheels they're wrapped around are powered.
And yet...
My wife and I never planned to have our first child anywhere but Texas, let alone in a place where I wouldn't regularly have access to a car on the edge of a winter that long-range forecasts had promised would be mild with one big late season snowstorm.
Compound that by the fact that the hospital my wife was planning to deliver our new child at was on the other side of a bunch of bridges and you can see where my paranoid brain goes: It's late February, Winter Storm Gadhafi has blanketed New York with snow and wind, causing ambulance service to shut down. My family's only hope is that I've secured a vehicle from the press fleet that can tackle all of that.
Fears were almost realized when shortly before my wife's due date there was a massive winter storm that dumped a record amount of snow on the city for 24 hours. While the roads were still passable, the authorities shut down all the bridges into the city and suspended train service.
Now it was imperative I get something good. Raptor? Maybe a little too big and flashy. Pinzgauer? Kind of a rough ride. Kamaz Dakar Truck? Probably not in the press fleet. Eventually, I settled on the Volvo V60 Cross Country, which met my desire for a seemingly safe all-wheel-drive vehicle and I was legitimately curious about it.
The V60 CC was nice and would have made a great story about taking my daughter home in a Volvo wagon like the one her dad used to own. That didn't happen.
My daughter doesn't do well with vehicle schedules, it seems, and by the time the wagon had to be picked up she was still connected to my wife. A couple of days after returning the V60 CC I was roused at 2 a.m. with "I think my water broke." I had no car.
Uber may be questionable as a company, but it is a useful service and, even though we didn't have that much gear, I definitely shelled out for an Uber XL (but not a Black SUV because I'm not crazy.) Sixteen hours later we welcomed our first daughter Bette into the world.
Having a child changes you, but one thing it didn't change for me was the strong desire I had to not bring my daughter home in a Toyota Camry. How could I live with myself if that was the story?
It's here I pulled the dirtiest trick a car writer has ever pulled, and it was totally Bette's move and not my own. While trying to rock Bette to sleep in the little recovery room in the hospital the three of us were sharing I got a call from the very nice dispatcher at the fleet who manages press cars and he said they'd have another car available but probably not until after we were being discharged from the hospital.
While quietly trying to explain that this would mean there'd be no story, Bette woke up and started screaming. I begged for a minute to deal with her and before I could set the phone down the dispatcher just said "We'll figure it out" and that was that.
"Good work, Bette!"
While the XC60 wasn't my first choice, it wasn't a bad one. The skies were chilly but clear when we were discharged from the hospital and so a Hellcat Challenger would have been fine. The big Dodge, however, wouldn't have come equipped with a hatchback for collapsing the stroller into.
Despite practicing on multiple cars, it took me a good ten minutes to figure out how to get the car seat locked into the backseat appropriately and to my standards with an actual baby inside. How long would it have taken with a coupe?
And, frankly, it was just one less thing to worry about. In the coming days Bette would develop jaundice and that required us to strap her cute little pumpkin-colored body into the car for near daily trips to the pediatrician's office.
All parents are fixated on the health of their new baby, but I also had to worry about hospitalization and possible brain damage and all sorts of other scary things you read about when you turn to Dr. Google (jaundice can be serious if untreated but is otherwise common and extremely treatable.)
I was outside dropping something in the mail a couple of days later when we got the call that Bette was fine and wouldn't require any additional hospitalization, just lots of fluids and rest by the window, and I let out a literal "Yippee" in front of a bunch of tourists and started crying.
I'd love to be the cool dad who did a burnout out of the hospital parking lot, but I'm glad I didn't give into the temptation. Just being a dad and not seriously harming your child is, honestly, cool enough.
If you've got a kid and you go out and buy a minivan or a wagon or a whatever I'm no longer going to judge you about getting a car because you want to keep your family safe. I'll judge your car choices for many other reasons, mind you, but not for that.
Now that I've gotten used to the idea of carting a kid around, though, it's definitely time to be a cool dad, so I'm proud to announce that I'll be picking up where Jason left off and doing more Will-it-Baby tests.
What should we test? What car do you want to own that you have to convince your husband or wife is appropriate for children?


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Breed: Bull Terrier
Orientation: Square
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