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Peruse this remote-controlled 'smart house'
Armeane M. Choksi acknowledges he's a bit of a "gadget freak" in explaining his need for an uber-connected house.
Whether he's sitting in his second-floor home office or vacationing out of the country, Choksi can control just about every major component of his mansion in Northwest Washington by touching the screen of his smartphone or tablet.
He can preset his drapes in his dining room, living room and south side area of his family room to open at 4 p.m. and close at 10 a.m. to protect his rugs and furniture from the harsh sun. While he's in the kitchen, he can lower the screen in the basement home theater and begin playing a favorite movie so that it's ready for him when he gets there. And he can turn on, turn off or dim practically any light in the house.
"This system is completely comprehensive and controls the front-door camera, cable TV, the Kaleidescape video-distribution system, Internet radio, satellite radio, lighting, temperature, the shades and security," says Choksi, 69, who served as vice president of the World Bank before founding two investment firms.
"The advantage is that if I want to change the temperature, I don't have to go running from room to room," adds Choksi, who lives in the house with his wife, Mary. "If I have dinner, I can preset the lighting in every room and preset the music -- all with one button. You can watch one TV in one room and listen to music in a second room."
Smartphones and tablets have made luxury more convenient to those with means, but it's not for everyone. If you're the type of person who struggles with the TV remote, you may not want your entire home controlled by technology. And some over-the-top features can become outdated quickly, requiring expensive updates.
Choksi said the app-based technology is far more advanced than a similar system he previously owned. The older system, he said, was clunky, with touch screens attached to walls and components that didn't talk to one another.
Being able to operate "online has lowered prices and made these systems more accessible," says Tom Wells, president and founder of Integrated Media Systems in Sterling, Va.
Neither Choksi nor Wells would disclose the cost of the system. But experts say such technology can cost tens of thousands of dollars or more.
Wells says the new systems can do 50 percent more than they used to for 30 percent of the cost. "Now everyone can start with a Web-based device instead of needing to install a special touch panel. That brings down the cost tremendously."
Although this technology may seem frivolous, it has some practical applications.
For example, when Joseph Pigg needed to let a plumber into his beach house in Delaware while he was at work in Washington, he pulled out his iPhone to shut off his alarm system. When he's at the beach and his dogs need walking in the city, he can use the same app to handle security at his Washington home and let in a pet sitter.
Pigg installed SimpliSafe, a wireless home-security system with motion sensors on the doors and windows. He gets a text message when they're opened.
"The ability to use my phone to control everything remotely is what really sold me on the system," Pigg says.
Joshua Baker, founder and co-owner of Bowa, a luxury-home renovation and remodeling company in McLean, Va., says handling things remotely from a tablet or smartphone is particularly important for people who travel frequently or have a second home.
"One client travels often and has a lot of packages delivered to her home," Baker says. "We have a sensor set up so that if the door to her vestibule is opened, a caretaker gets an e-mail and can check by camera to see if a package has been delivered, and then go pick it up."
Derek Goldstein, principal and chief executive of Casaplex, a technology-services company in Kensington, Md, says someone typically calls his company to set up TVs or a security camera and then asks what else can be automated. The answer: everything.
"You can incorporate everything into your home-automation system such as lighting, security, audio-visual equipment, energy monitoring and your HVAC, and then all the systems can speak to each other," he says. "For instance, I can set my system so that when the security camera picks up the fact that I'm coming home, it can turn the TV on to CNN, kick on the heat and turn on the right lights to illuminate a path to my bedroom so I can get changed."
Here's a look at some of the most popular smart-home devices:
-- Lighting: Baker says Bowa frequently installs lighting "scenes" that can control an entire house.
"Most people only have a few ways that their home is lit, so we can set up standard weekday scene, a weekend scene and an entertaining scene," he says. "For example, if you have a 'night' scene, you can touch your iPad or a button on your bedroom wall that will set the TV onto the news with a 30-minute timer, turn off the interior lights throughout the house, turn on the alarm, turn on your outside security lights and set your temperature for sleeping."
-- Security: Multiple cameras allow owners to remotely monitor their homes and to allow people to enter.
Casaplex's Goldstein says some homeowners are adding keyless entry systems; a regular key is a backup.
"If you have a maid that comes every Tuesday, you can give her a code that you activate to let her in and deactivate at all other times," Goldstein says.
-- Energy efficiency: A temperature sensor will record your preferences and learn over time how to optimize your energy use. You can also get a monthly energy-use report from the system.
"You can tie your HVAC to your mobile phone's GPS, so that when the GPS shows that you're four miles from home, the heat will automatically go on," Goldstein says.
-- Home monitoring: You can set sensors to check for a leak in your basement, to alert you if your plants need water and even keep an eye on your kids.
"If you have cameras or sensors and it's time for your kids to go to sleep, you can flash the lights in their room instead of yelling at them," Goldstein says.
-- Entertainment: "Consumers want their entertainment to be tech-friendly, too, so they're including the ability to stream video and audio services anywhere in the house," says Wells, of Integrated Media Systems. "People want to store their photos, music and movies on the cloud so that they can access them remotely, especially if they have a second home."
-- Appliances: "Some of the new ranges and refrigerators have a built-in ability to look up recipes and set the temperature and timer for you," Goldstein says. "They have internal diagnostic systems that e-mail the dealer and the homeowner if servicing is needed."
New appliances also have safety features that allow you to deactivate the controls and reactivate them with a smartphone, Goldstein says.
At the International Consumer Electronics Show in January, Goldstein says, he saw a prototype for wall-mounted refrigerator cubes that cool different types of food to the optimal temperature. The cubes can be connected to food providers that automatically deliver more chicken, for example, when poultry is running low.
With the smartphone and tablet serving as the nerve center of the home, what happens if the devices are lost or stolen?
"The thought that someone would have your address and complete access to your home is pretty terrifying," Wells says. "That's why you need make sure all your information is encrypted and that you password-protect your devices."
In addition, most devices can be wiped clean remotely if you report it as stolen. Goldstein says his company installs one or two hard-wired control panels in the house as a backup to wireless systems. He says wireless networks sometimes get congested, which can cause problems with home-automation systems.
"Before you jump into adding high-tech features to your home, you need to make sure you know what you're asking for," Baker says. "There's a fine line between control and automation, so you want to make sure whatever it is, that it actually makes your life easier."


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29 August 2016
Setting Up Your Emerging Markets Week
EM ended last week on a soft note, as Fed tightening expectations ratcheted up. The December Fed funds futures contract has an implied yield of 0.5%, the highest since June 2. Note that on June 3, US rates plunged after the May jobs shocker (+38k). If the hawkish Fed storyline can be maintained, then EM will have trouble getting traction. This Friday's jobs report for August will be key, with consensus at +185k vs. +255k in July.

subset: commoncrawl


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Regardless of provenance, this recipe is too elegant not to share. The Eggvocado is, in essence, exactly what it sounds like - an egg gently baked in a cradle of lightly-hollowed avocado. The elegance of the recipe is in its simplicity and versatility; you can top your Eggvocado with just about anything, from cracked pepper or parmesan, to chili flakes or a balsamic reduction (side note: I've been obsessed with balsamic vinegar of late - in my opinion, it's a culinary powerhouse that has yet to get its due).
If I'm honest, I actually prefer the flavor of unbaked avocado, but it's the texture of this dish that really makes it; the ever-so-slightly molten egg combined with the creamy avocado is just dreamy - and remarkably filling. The recipe requires the minimum of prep, which makes it perfect for an indulgent snack or, paired with whole wheat bread soldiers, a luxuriant meal. I'd love to try it topped with bacon crumbles because, well, it's bacon. And avocado. And egg. A combination worthy of internet celebrity if there ever was one.
My method is a little different than the original. I have my reasons, but pretty much any incarnation of this recipe will be worth your time.
1 half of an avocado, pitted
1 egg
Salt and pepper, to taste
Topping of choice (some suggestions: parmesan, chili flakes, balsamic, oregano, basil, bacon, etc.)
Preheat oven to 375°F. Using a small piece of aluminum foil, create a 'bowl' or 'boat' in which to bake your Eggvocado (or you could use a ramekin). Scoop out a small amount of the avocado to create a larger hollow. This will prevent your egg from overflowing completely (a small amount of overflow is normal). Place avocado in your foil 'bowl' and crack the egg into the hollow. Top egg with salt and pepper, and add toppings of your choice. Bake until egg reaches desired doneness (about 15 minutes should give you a tender yolk without runny whites). Serve warm.
A few notes: A recipe so simple shouldn't need notes, right? That's true, but I wanted to explain my reasons for changing the 'original' recipe. The lower oven temperature makes it easier to control the texture of your egg. It will, however, also cook your avocado more thoroughly, so if you're not a huge fan of cooked avocado, you can bump up the temperature a bit. As I mentioned above, I'm a little put off by the taste of baked avocado, but the baked egg in this recipe is so divine that I'm willing to overlook this. Rest assured, if I come up with a way to have my egg and my avocado, too, you guys and gals will be the first to know!


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Urban Surfaces Reduce Groundwater Recharge and Increase Runoff
In typical urban areas, one third to one-half of the surfaces are impermeable. When precipitation falls on road, roofs and paved surfaces, it picks-up pollutants and quickly runs off. If urban runoff (stormwater) is simply piped underground and dumped into the nearest stream, it triggers:
In Toronto, the cost to clean-up past stormwater mistakes will probably exceed a billion dollars. However, the status quo is even more costly in terms of risks to public health and impairment of beneficial water uses such swimming, recreation, tourism, fishing and safe drinking water.
Case Study Morningside Tributary Mistakesand Remediation Opportunities
In the 1960s, the Morningside Creek was small enough to jump across and it supported large spawning runs of trout and other migratory fish. It flowed through a beautifully wooded valley, with two to three foot diameter maple, cherry and pine trees, before joining the Rouge River Valley beside the Toronto Zoo's current location.
Malvern Stormwater Harms Rouge Stream
In the early 1970, the federal government created an affordable housing project in Malvern between Markham Road and Morningside Avenue and Sheppard and Finch Avenues. Runoff from this large area was simply funneled into two huge 2.5 to 3.0 metre diameter underground pipes and then dumped into the Morningside tributary.
Serious Drowning, Pollution and Erosion Hazards
After a heavy thunderstorm, the two big Malvern stormwater outfalls change the gently flowing stream into a raging torrent of polluted water that could sweep a child or adult to their death. At the mouth of the Malvern outfalls, the Morningside stream is stained with pollutants such as oil, rubber, plastics and heavy metals from driveways, roads and parking lots. Immediately downstream from the lower Malvern outfall, a large concrete channel and stone filled gabion baskets have been undermined by the force of the frequent flash floods. A little farther downstream, the banks of the stream are failing and hundreds of trees are being uprooted and swept away. Another kilometre downstream, a high quality spawning area for trout and salmon is suffering significant harm from the flash floods and pollution.
Tragedy or Lawsuit
The Malvern stormwater outfalls create dangerous flash floods in Morningside Creek near two primary schools (Fleming and St. Bede). With a bit of luck, the City will remediate these dangerous outfalls before a drowning tragedy occurs or a lawsuit.
On another Scarborough stream, Highland Creek, a lawsuit occurred. The Scarborough Golf Course successfully sued the City for millions of dollars to repair the erosion and loss of property enjoyment caused by flash flooding and erosion in Highland Creek. Since that time, many more millions of dollars have gone to damage control. These costs to taxpayers could have been avoided through good stormwater management.
Reducing Flash Flooding
Steps can and should be taken to reduce flash flooding. Vacant lands near the Malvern outfalls could be used to create a storm water storage and treatment area. The creation of a wetland area, perhaps in the shape of coiled snake, would reduce the flash flood flows and remove pollutants. A large stormwater storage pipe could also be buried under an abandoned railway spur line near the outfalls. This pipe could store the peak flows and allow the water to slowly leak into the soils of the adjacent Morningside stream valley. The surface of the rail line could be converted into a bicycle and hiking trail for the community and the adjacent Rouge Park.
Reducing Runoff at its Source
The best measures for storm water management involve good watershed planning and reducing runoff near its source. Maintaining and restoring forest cover is one of the best ways to reduce runoff and protect water quality. Keeping paved or hardened surfaces to less than 10% of the watershed area is another important strategic step.
At the local level, many small steps can be taken to reduce stormwater. Small diagonal ridges can be installed on driveways to deflect runoff into boulevard areas to water the grass and trees. Roof down spouts can be directed to rain barrels or cisterns that then discharge to lawn and garden areas. Owners of large parking areas can be encouraged to create perimeter cattail ditches to store and purify runoff and provide water for trees and grass. These are just a few of the innovations necessary to reduce the flash flooding and its costly damages.
Improving Stormwater Ponds and Creating Wetlands
Many new urban developments use large ponds to reduce flash flooding. However, if these ponds are built in a stream valley or flood plain, they destroy sensitive soils and habitat. Furthermore, if ponds are created with berms within a flood plain, they can aggravate flood damage during a major storm by clogging the flood plain with silt and debris.
Stormwater ponds should not be located within stream flood plains, valleys and environmentally sensitive areas.
Meeting Surface Water Quality Standards
Stormwater ponds may be a step forward, but they are failing to remove enough pollutants to meet provincial water quality standards. Water quality should be improved further by having stormwater ponds drain into large constructed wetlands full of cattails. Cattails are natural water purifiers.
Avoiding Nuisance Bird Problems
Another problem is the attraction of nuisance numbers of Canada geese and mallard ducks to stormwater ponds. In large numbers, the excrement from these waterfowl leads to bacterial and nutrient pollution. Ponds surrounded by tall trees and dense shrubs are less attractive to ducks and geese because they are more difficult for landing and take-off and they provide hiding locations for predators. Unfortunately, few ponds are currently designed to have fast growing trees around their perimeter.
Forests Reduce Runoff and Recharge Aquifers, Streams and Wetlands
There is little surface runoff (storm water) within a healthy forest. In forests, precipitation is temporarily stored in the sponge-like leaf litter layer and depressions in the forest floor. This stored water percolates underground, slowly flowing towards aquifers, wetlands, streams and lakes. This groundwater flow supports stable and clean stream flows in contrast to the flash-flooding and low flow cycles of deforested or urbanized watersheds.
Modern scientific studies reveal that water quality, stream flow, and fish and wildlife habitat, undergo a serious decline when a watershed contains less than 30% forest cover, or more than 10% impermeable surfaces.
Large trees are also important to provide shade and reduce solar heating of the water. Nuisance blooms of algae grow in warm, sun-exposed, nutrient rich water. When these nuisance algal blooms decay, they release a foul odour and they remove oxygen from the water, leading to a less attractive environment for people and aquatic life. Open ponds also reduce natural stream flow because wind and sunlight increase evaporative water loss.
Good watershed planning can help us to avoid costly stormwater management mistakes. We can do a much better job of treating stormwater and returning it to the groundwater system to recharge our aquifers, streams, wetlands and lakes. We can take significant steps to remediate past stormwater mistakes so that we can enjoy the benefits of clean and healthy water. However, we need to understand and respect the carrying capacities of our watersheds or we will degrade the fresh water cycle that is essential to our health and well-being. We cannot pave-over ever-increasing areas of our watersheds and expect to maintain healthy water and healthy communities.
With current technologies, it appears that we should be striving for less than 10% hard surfaces within our watersheds and more than 30% forest cover, in order to protect our precious fresh water resources from pollution and depletion.
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You may know Carlos Ruiz as one half of the PROLIFIC & inspired duo of CMRTYZ, or perhaps just that handsome fellow you see around town at shows, or haunting coffee shops..... EITHER WAY, we are pleased to announce Carlos's truly epic design as the winner of this year's CAIRO T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST.
These beauties are now available in-store (open 12-7 daily) in Small, Medium, Large, and XL. If you live outside of Seattle and would like to special order a TEE, please hit us at firstname.lastname@example.com, we'd love to send you a package (maybe we'll even include an extra special something!
THANK YOU to everyone who sent in designs, there were many MANY stand-outs, and the process of choosing a winner was made especially hard by the sheer quality of designs submitted!
AND, don't forget to join us May 10th at 7 pm for the official release of Carlos's FUNGI GIRL zine. Come say hi! RSVP here, or just show up (either works just great for us). SEE YOU ON THE 10th!


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What is the saddest thing about geeks' love for William Shatner?
1) Calling him "Bill" as though they hang out with him on a regular basis?
2) Thinking that nobody except them has discovered his singing career?
3) Not knowing if they like him genuinely or ironically, because they're not quite sure what the correct answer is supposed to be?
He'll always be the young Captain Kirk to them, though that isn't saying much, because they all think of themselves as the young Captain Kirk as well, and geeks LOVE William Shatner.


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started playing ukulele last month,good fun and for some reason it seems like a natural thing for a beekeeper to do.any other uke players out there/,or maybe other string benders?
started playing ukulele last month,good fun and for some reason it seems like a natural thing for a beekeeper to do.any other uke players out there/,or maybe other string benders?
I could never stand the trebly twangy sound of a regular uke. Just my ear I suppose. I have a very nice all mahogany Hohner Baritone uke that I bought to teach the kids to play and now the grandkids play on it, and I take it camping sometimes. I also have an old 12 string Martin (late 60's or early 70s), a very old Washburn Lyon and Healey (late 1800's to early 1900's), a Yamaha 12 string (early 80s) and a Yamaha classic (late 70s). These I play. I also own a Fender squire that I play with the electronics on and, until I recently sold it to my son, a original 1963 Fender Jaguar. That's not counting the 4 string banjo and the mandolin that I hardly ever play.
I've designed and built pickups, preamps and compressers for acoustic guitars and fuzz boxes for electric guitars.
I fingerpick and play some gospel, folk, acoustic blues and rock. My son, on the other hand, is an awesome lead player and can play blues, rock or anything else.
Okay Michael, just curious. Is there anything you don't do or haven't done?
>Anything you haven't done?
Tough question. Not much. I've never sold shoes. I cut firewood for money when I was 10. I threw a paper route when I was 12 and again when I was 18. I grew up in a dark room (my dad was, among many other things, a photographer) and I was a THE lithographic photographer at the local print shop by the time I was 14. I was a carpenter by the time I was 18 and did everything on a house from the foundation to the roof to the bathroom tile. I've built everything from outhouses and barns to 6 million dollar churches. I've plumbed and wired houses, repaired cars and appliances. I was a baker, a projectionist, a roofer, concrete finisher, lumberyard foreman, and truck driver. I've doctored, vaccinated and branded calves. Put up, taken down and fixed all kinds of fences from barbed wire to chain link. I've shoveled out corn bins and mucked stalls and run a corn picker. I've delivered baby humans and foals and hatched baby chicks and raised chickens and pheasants and horses.
As for musical instruments, in addition to the guitar, I mess around on the piano. I played the trumpet and the Sousaphone in band.
If you want a list of things I'm really bad it:
I'm not good at gardening. I'm not bad at trees, but terrible at tomatoes and cucumbers and such.
I love to hunt big game, but I'm really not good at fishing. I fished most every day of the summer from when I was born until I was 16. While my sons catch 60-pound catfish all the time, the biggest fish I ever landed was a 1 1/2 pound channel cat.
Can't think of much else off the top of my head.
I was never one to stand around and wait for things to happen. I got married when I was just 18 and had five kids by the time I was 26.
michael,have you ever slept?
I get a horrible mental picture of Tiny Tim and Tip toe through the Tulips.
no,no, think topless girls in grass skirts.
Ahhhh......Much Better thanks
Jeez, Michael, I didn't think there was anything I could do that you couldn't, but I can grow great tomatoes and cukes. How 'bout I trade you some organic home grown veggies for some pheasant? We don't have pheasant in this area, and that's the best bird to eat that there is.
Pheasant is the best bird there is to eat. I wish I had time and places to hunt them. Can't say I'm a great wing shot, but I have hunted them.
>Good gawd. Think about it. How drunk did someone have to be to invent a ukelele, or a banjo for that matter?
The twang of a banjo or uke or a sitar for that matter is purposful. Many cultures love the feel of a twang or a bend in a note. If you don't belive me listen to Country Music. It's like coffee. You LEARN to appreciate it.
>As for fishing, the reason you (Michael)aren't catching them is that you're not matched to those fat catfish. What you need is a pristine high mountain stream with native cutthroats, or the quality waters of the San Juan. If you're ever in this neck of the woods, I'll take you out for some of the finest trout fishing in the states. Not that elite nonsense either, just straight up fly fishing for rainbow, brown, and cutthroats that'll tear you up IF you bring the right spirit to the river.
I've fished all over from St Ignatious, MT to the Snowy's in WY and all over Southern IL and Eastern and Western NE. I can think like a deer pretty well. But I don't know how to think like a trout or a catfish.
>Well, there ya go. You're thinking too hard. Some kinds of fishing are akin to dating. The harder you try, the worse off you are. Ever notice how some of the most homely, socially inept, butt ugly guys end up with the nicest wives? It's because they're honest, sincere, respectful, and truly grateful for the catch. I speak from experience. Don't try to out think the wimmens or the trout.
I admit, I don't really try to THINK like a deer, I just get in tune and slow down to get deer. You're probably right about thinking too much with fish and wimmen. Thinking too much has been a problem for me all my life.
michael,if you want to sell that 4 string banjo,let me know.
I might. I don't play it much. I believe it's over a hundred years old.
As far as music .I took lessons on the Bagpipes for a while .I thought I was getting pretty good .Some people didnt think so but they just cant appreciate good music.
I was going to mention this awhile back but was afraid you all would think I was a bit silly. I think like a fish-that's how I caught my trout limit in Spearfish Canyon,SD
when the 5 guys I was fishing with caught nothing, and that's how I caught my one and only large mouth bass from Lake Okeechobee,FL--it weighed 8 1/2 pounds.
Yea, and you can probably think like a woman too...
Yeah, I do that too.....
I just got bagpipes for chrismas funny you should mention them. I also play guitar, tin whistle, and a few other similar types wind instruments. I will have to get the pipes out and make some noise later..... :>


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Lambro falsely claimed filibuster of judicial nominees "clearly violates" the Constitution
Washington Times chief political correspondent Donald Lambro claimed that Democratic filibustering of judicial nominees is a violation of the U.S. Constitution. In fact, the Constitution makes no mention of filibusters, but explicitly empowers the Senate to determine its own rules, and Senate rules allow for unlimited debate on any subject, including judicial nominees.
Lambro wrote in an April 28 "Commentary" column [1] for The Washington Times:
But applying the filibuster rule to prevent the Senate from carrying out its constitutionally granted authority to approve or disapprove each judicial nominee clearly violates our nation's governing document.
The "constitutionally granted authority" Lambro referred to is the Senate's authority to provide "advice and consent" to the president's nomination of judges and other officials, as explained in Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution [2]. But Lambro failed to note that the Constitution also grants the Senate authority to "determine the Rules of its Proceedings," according to Article I, Section 5, Clause 2. Rule XXII [3] of the Standing Rules of the Senate allows unlimited debate "upon any measure, motion, other matter pending before the Senate" unless a three-fifths supermajority vote is achieved to invoke cloture (end the debate and force a vote).
Lambro attacked Democrats as "undemocratic," and "the minority that does not have that right" to prevent a vote on a judicial nominee. He failed to note that Republican senators prevented [4] approximately 60 of President Clinton's judicial nominees from even receiving a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, much less a vote on the Senate floor.
On April 27, Lambro wrote a "hard news" article [5] for the Times, titled "Judicial battle seen as attack on faith," reporting on the emerging religious character of the filibuster debate. In that article, Lambro lent credence to the baseless claims [6] on the part of some religious conservatives that Democrats were opposing nominees because of their religion: "Meanwhile, moderate Democrats have warned their party that attacking religious Americans over cultural and social issues in the political arena can only hurt the party's chances of expanding its base in the next election."
- Posted In
- Government [7], Nominations & Appointments [8], The Senate [9]
- Stories/Interests
- Filibusters/Nuclear Option [10]


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Science Friday® is produced by the Science Friday Initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Science Friday® and SciFri® are registered service marks of Science Friday, Inc. Site design by Pentagram; engineering by Mediapolis.
|What goes on in the nose and brain when we smell a smell? Why can one whiff of a particular scent bring back detailed memories of an experience long ago? How do certain odors stimulate certain parts of the brain? We'll talk about the chemistry, biology, and psychology of smells.


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Four-star feasts: From Thomas Keller to Douglas Keane, top Bay Area chefs share their home holiday menus
From Thomas Keller's roast sirloin to Douglas Keane's casual shrimp dinner, top Bay Area chefs share their menus for a holiday at home
They set the bar for Bay Area fine dining, but The Chronicle's four-star chefs have less in common when it comes to feasting at home. Asked to compose a Christmas meal they might serve family or friends, these six top toques came up with a wide variety of menus that define pleasure for them. If you think their holiday must-haves are foie gras and truffles, the results may surprise you.
Although at least one of these chefs cooks as lavishly at home as he does for his well-heeled customers, others show a taste for rusticity.
Grilled duck, Cajun shrimp, pork and beans - recipes home cooks can execute - are among the dishes that satisfy these high-profile chefs when they can dine at their own table. Accustomed to working at full tilt through the end-of-year holidays, most of them are just grateful to have Christmas Day off.
"We try to make it pretty festive," says La Folie's Roland Passot, the only one among the six chefs whose Christmas dinner qualifies as deluxe. "The next day we go back to work, so we have to make it worth it."
Passot and his wife, Jamie, typically convene at home with some of their French compatriots, including Fleur de Lys chef Hubert Keller, Ritz-Carlton executive chef Jean-Pierre Dubray and former White House chef René Verdon. With so much culinary talent at the table, "it's not like we're making stew," says Passot.
The festivities generally get under way with Champagne and an appetizer, such as caviar, foie gras or scrambled eggs with truffles. The next course might be Passot's lobster "cappuccino" - a lobster bisque served in a coffee cup and topped with orange zest-scented whipped cream - with a miniature lobster croque monsieur. The main course runs to game, perhaps squab, quail or venison. For The Chronicle, Passot suggested a pancetta-wrapped venison loin. A cheese course follows, with a purchased bûche de Noël, possibly from the Ritz pastry kitchen, for dessert.
Contrast that menu with the elbows-on-the-table shrimp feed that spells Christmas for Douglas Keane and his family. The Cyrus chef isn't sure where his mother got the recipe for spicy Cajun-style shrimp - she is from Detroit - but the dish has been the centerpiece of a family ritual for years.
The dining table is blanketed with newspaper, and the messy, buttery shrimp are served family style, preferably with beer. "We all liked it so much it evolved into a Christmas dish," says Keane.
An arugula salad with persimmons, Asian pears, blue cheese and cider vinaigrette joined the menu after the family moved to California, and the meal typically ends with bananas Foster - sauteed and flambeed bananas with vanilla ice cream - because Keane's mother adores it. Her homemade Christmas cookies appear as a finale, with coffee.
David Kinch of Manresa also credits family history for his menu's main course: a braised pork shoulder with cabbage, chestnuts and white beans. His Pennsylvania Dutch parents prepared roast pork with sauerkraut at holiday time, but after moving from Lancaster County, Pa., to New Orleans, embraced the custom of eating black-eyed peas at New Year's. Combining all these elements - pork, cabbage and beans - Kinch produced a lusty French-style garbure, a stewy soup, that reminds him of childhood holidays.
"I love these kinds of homey dishes," says the chef, whose family was so far-flung that when it did gather, food wasn't the point. "The big deal was everybody getting together."
Jean-Pierre Moullé, the longtime Chez Panisse chef, grew up in France in a family that celebrated Christmas with seasonal game. "Both my parents were hunters," says Moullé, "so all winter, it was game, from partridge to deer to rabbit."
A typical Christmas dinner in his childhood home would begin with truffled foie gras mousse, followed by a leg of venison with red currant sauce and chestnut puree. Moullé's wife, Denise Lurton, comes from a Bordeaux winemaking family that launches its Christmas Eve dinner with fresh oysters. Moullé adopted that custom for his Chronicle menu and settled on grilled duck as a main course, a more accessible choice for home cooks than leg of venison or the traditional French roast goose.
For French Laundry chef Thomas Keller, cooking outside of his restaurant is a rarity. "I hardly ever cook at home," he says. Although Keller does get Christmas Day off (both French Laundry and his New York restaurant, Per Se, are closed), he isn't likely to spend it in his home kitchen. So his Chronicle menu has little to do with tradition, he says, and everything to do with "what I would enjoy having at this time of year."
That means a simple romaine salad with a poached egg and herbs, and a roast sirloin of Mishima Ranch beef with Yorkshire pudding. Mishima, from Redding, raises a breed that is 75 percent Japanese Wagyu and 25 percent Black Angus, yielding well-marbled beef sometimes referred to as American-style Kobe. For home cooks, the closest equivalent would be USDA Prime, although American-style kobe is available at some markets.
Keller sauces this super-rich beef with beurre Colbert, an herb butter, and partners it with bacon-wrapped King Richard leeks, a long-shanked variety available at some farmers' markets.
Holiday food is much simpler at Ron Siegel's home. For the Ritz-Carlton chef, Christmas Day is no time to spend laboring over the stove. "It's more about being with the kids," says Siegel, whose four children are aged 7 to 17.
On Christmas Eve, Siegel generally makes a Caesar salad and some cocktail sauce, boils a heap of Dungeness crab, and sends all the kids into the backyard to find rocks to crack the crab shells.
"We put newspaper all over the table and tell them to go at it," says the chef. "Our table's not going to the museum."
For The Chronicle, Siegel devised a more elaborate menu aimed at the grown-ups. It opens with crab and persimmon salad and moves on to grilled lamb chops with accompaniments - sunchoke puree and shallot marmalade - that can be made ahead.
Although the main dish is moderately time intensive, it is not overwhelming unless you have four children underfoot. In that case, the interactive boiled crab on the newspaper sounds pretty good.
Roland Passot's Holiday Menu
Fluffy Truffled Scrambled Eggs
Lobster "Cappuccino" with Lobster Croque Monsieur
Pancetta-Wrapped Venison Loin (recipe)
Cheese course
Buche de Noël with Milk Chocolate & Passion Fruit
Thomas Keller's Holiday Menu
Hearts of Romaine Salad with a Soft Poached Hen Egg & Fines Herbes Creme Fraiche
Herb-Roasted Sirloin of Beef with Beurre Colbert (recipe)
Yorkshire Pudding
Applewood Smoked Bacon-Wrapped "King Richard" Leeks
Honey- & Spice-Roasted Quince
Ron Siegel's Holiday Menu
Chilled Dungeness Crab Salad with Persimmon & Arugula
Lamb Chops with Sunchoke Puree & Shallot Marmalade (recipe)
Winter Squash Custard Tart with Vanilla Ice Cream
Douglas Keane's Holiday Menu
Arugula & Baby Spinach Salad with Persimmons, Asian Pears & Blue Cheese
Cajun Shrimp (recipe)
Bananas Foster with Vanilla Ice Cream
Jean-Pierre Moullé's Holiday Menu
Hog Island Oysters on the Half Shell
California Spiny Lobster Salad with Beets & Fennel
Grilled Duck Breast with Cabbage, Chestnuts & Citrus Salsa Verde (recipe)
Meyer Lemon Ice Cream
Meringue Tartlet
David Kinch's Holiday Menu
Pumpkin & Apple Soup with Spiced Crème Fraîche
Braised Pork Shoulder with Savoy Cabbage & White Beans (recipe)
Roasted Pears with Licorice Ice Cream
Wine pairings
If you want to match wines with today's four-star feasts, here are recommendations from the chefs or their sommeliers.
Roland Passot's Pancetta-Wrapped Venison Loin
Pair with: 2002 Jasmin Côte-Rôtie
Alternate: California Syrah or Australian Shiraz
Why: La Folie chef Roland Passot chose Côte-Rôtie, a Syrah-based Rhône wine, because it has the intensity and peppery spice to stand up to the highly spiced venison.
Thomas Keller's Herb-Roasted Sirloin of Beef with Beurre Colbert
Pair with: 2004 Igneous Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Alternate: Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Why: The French Laundry's Thomas Keller chose the Igneous Cabernet Sauvignon, a full-bodied red, because he thought its smoky undertones were reflected in the beef dish.
Ron Siegel's Lamb Chops with Sunchoke Puree & Shallot Marmalade
Pair with: 2005 Walter Hansel Pinot Noir, North Slope Vineyard, Russian River Valley
Alternate: Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Why: Stephane Lacroix, director of wine for the Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton, chose the Walter Hansel Pinot Noir because it has the ripeness to match the richness of the shallot marmalade and because he has long been a fan of the winery's "food-friendly" wines.
Douglas Keane's Cajun Shrimp
Pair with: Bear Republic Brewery Racer 5 India Pale Ale or 2006 Scarpetta Vino da Tavola Bianco
Alternate: Any India Pale Ale or off-dry Riesling
Why: Douglas Keane of Cyrus prefers beer with this Cajun-inspired menu, but for wine lovers he recommends Scarpetta, a 100 percent Tocai Friulano, which has the high acidity to work with the lemony sauce.
Jean Pierre Moullé's Grilled Duck Breast with Cabbage, Chestnuts & Citrus Salsa Verde
Pair with: 2005 Green & Red Vineyard Zinfandel, Chiles Mill Vineyard
Alternate: Napa Valley Zinfandel
Why: Although Burgundy is the conventional choice with duck, Chez Panisse's Jean-Pierre Moullé says he wanted to choose a California wine for his dish. The Green & Red is "honest and fruity," says Moullé, and owners Jay and Pam Heminway are longtime friends of Chez Panisse.
David Kinch's Braised Pork Shoulder with Savoy Cabbage & White Beans
Pair with: 2006 Storrs Winery Gewurtztraminer, Monterey County, Viento Vineyard
Alternate: German Riesling Kabinett
Why: Manresa's David Kinch says the Storrs Gewurztraminer is has just a touch of residual sugar, comparable to a German Kabinett, making it a pleasing match with the pork.
- Janet Fletcher
The four-star restaurants
Here are the restaurants of the "Four-star feast" chefs.
Chez Panisse. 1517 Shattuck Ave. (near Cedar), Berkeley; (510) 548-5525 or chezpanisse.com.
Cyrus. 29 North St. (at Foss), Healdsburg; (707) 433-3311 or cyrusrestaurant.com.
Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton. 600 Stockton (at California), San Francisco; (415) 773-6198 or ritzcarltondiningroom.com.
La Folie. 2316 Polk St. (near Green), San Francisco; (415) 776-5577 or www.lafolie.com.
Manresa. 320 Village Lane (near Santa Cruz Ave.), Los Gatos; (408) 354-4330 or manresarestaurant.com.
The French Laundry. 6640 Washington St. (near Creek Street), Yountville; (707) 944-2380 or frenchlaundry.com.
Jean-Pierre Moullé's Grilled Duck Breast with Cabbage, Chestnuts & Citrus Salsa Verde
Serves 4
The citrus salsa verde recipe is adapted from "The Art of Simple Food," by Alice Waters (Clarkson Potter, 2007).
- 2 large boneless duck breasts, skin on
- -- Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- The citrus salsa verde:
- 1/3 cup coarsely chopped parsley (leaves and thin stems only)
- 3 kumquats, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped niçoise olives
- -- Grated zest of 1 Meyer lemon
- 1 small garlic clove, chopped very fine
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- -- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- The cabbage & chestnuts:
- 1 small to medium savoy cabbage
- 16 large fresh chestnuts
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 4 thin slices pancetta
- -- About 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions: Trim any extra fat or skin protruding from the edges of the duck breasts, then turn the breasts skin side up. Without cutting into the flesh, score the skin with long diagonal slashes in one direction, then at a 45° angle to make a crosshatch pattern. Season the breasts on both sides with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours. Bring to room temperature before grilling.
For the salsa verde: Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and taste for salt. Let sit for about an hour to develop flavor.
For the cabbage & chestnuts: Remove the outer leaves of the cabbage. Cut in half through the core, then cut each half into 2-inch wedges.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Plunge the cabbage into the water and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the cabbage wedges with tongs or a skimmer to a colander and let drain, then pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.
Make an "X" in the flat side of each chestnut, then parboil the chestnuts for about 5 minutes. Lift them out of the boiling water one or two at a time and peel while hot, removing both the hard shell and the thin skin underneath. The skin tends to cling, so use a paring knife to remove it if necessary. Simmer the chestnuts in the chicken broth until they are just soft enough to eat but still firm. Drain and set aside.
Render the pancetta slices in a skillet until crisp, then set aside on paper towels to drain and cool.
Prepare a medium-hot charcoal fire or preheat a gas grill. Grill the duck breasts skin side down until the skin is nicely browned, about 10 minutes. Then turn and cook 3 minutes more. Let the duck breasts rest on a platter, covered loosely, for 10 minutes before slicing.
While the duck rests, melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over moderate heat. Add the cabbage wedges, season with salt and pepper, and cook on both sides until hot throughout.
Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in another skillet and add the chestnuts. Season with salt and pepper and saute until browned.
Slice the duck breast thinly on the diagonal. Divide among four warm plates. Arrange the cabbage next to the duck. Crumble pieces of chestnut over the cabbage. Crumble the crisp pancetta over the cabbage. Spoon the salsa verde over the duck and serve immediately.
Per serving: 790 calories, 48 g protein, 33 g carbohydrate, 52 g fat (15 g saturated), 199 mg cholesterol, 600 mg sodium, 8 g fiber.
Ron Siegel's Lamb Chops with Sunchoke Puree & Shallot Marmalade
Serves 4-6
Siegel adds a few sauteed wild or cremini mushrooms to each plate, but most home cooks will find the dish sufficiently labor intensive without them. If you have time, add sauteed mushrooms seasoned with garlic and thyme. For the shallot marmalade, do not mince the shallots finely or you will release the sulfury juices. They should be in neat, fine dice. A sharp paring knife is the best tool for this task.
- 1 1/2 cups Pinot Noir
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 1/2 pounds shallots, peeled and finely diced (see introduction)
- -- Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 pounds sunchokes (Jerusalem artichokes)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 yellow onion, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 4 cups milk
- 2 eight-rib racks of lamb
Instructions: Put the wine in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over high heat. Ignite the alcohol with a long kitchen match or the burning tip of a rolled paper towel. When the flames subside, the alcohol has burned off. Reduce the heat to low, add the wine vinegar and sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the shallots, cover with a round of parchment paper, and cook gently over low heat until the shallots absorb all the liquid, 2 hours or more. Season with salt and pepper.
Peel the sunchokes and cut into large chunks of approximately equal size.
Melt the butter in a saucepan over moderate heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add the sunchokes, milk and a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer, cover, and adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook until the sunchokes are tender when pierced, 20 minutes or more depending on their size. Transfer the sunchokes with a slotted spoon to a blender and puree, adding a little of the cooking liquid if necessary. Return the puree to a clean saucepan and season with salt and pepper
Prepare a charcoal fire or preheat a gas grill. Slice the racks of lamb into individual chops. Season the chops on both sides with salt and pepper. Grill to desired doneness, about 2 minutes per side for medium rare. While the lamb cooks, reheat the sunchoke puree.
Divide the lamb chops, sunchoke puree and shallot marmalade among the dinner plates. Serve immediately.
Per serving: 580 calories, 32 g protein, 63 g carbohydrate, 18 g fat (9 g saturated), 93 mg cholesterol, 167 mg sodium, 5 g fiber.
Thomas Keller's Herb-Roasted Sirloin of Beef with Beurre Colbert
Serves 6
Beurre Colbert is an herb butter blended with veal stock. It has the texture of whipped butter and is dolloped on sliced meat to mingle with the meat juices. Keller uses well-marbled USDA Prime beef.
- 3 pound piece of boneless New York strip loin cut from the rib end, preferably USDA Prime
- The beurre Colbert:
- 6 ounces ( 3/4 cup) rich, concentrated veal stock (see Note)
- 1/4 pound unsalted butter, in 1/2-inch cubes, softened
- 1 tablespoon finely minced shallots
- 1 tablespoon finely minced fresh tarragon
- 1 tablespoon finely minced Italian parsley
- -- Juice from 1/2 large lemon, or to taste
- -- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- The beef:
- -- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1/4 pound unsalted butter
- 1 whole head of garlic, halved crosswise
- 1 small bunch fresh thyme
- -- Sel gris (gray salt) for finishing
Instructions: Trim the beef of any superfluous fat and silverskin, leaving about 1/4 to 1/3 inch of fat on top. Pat the meat dry with a paper towel. Let it come to room temperature uncovered. The meat will form a better crust when seared if all surfaces are thoroughly dry.
Prepare the beurre Colbert: In a small saucepan, reduce the veal stock over moderate heat to 1/4 cup. It should be syrupy. Allow the stock to cool to about 100° (just above body temperature). Put the softened butter in a bowl and add the reduced stock, using a rubber spatula to get every drop of the stock. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in the shallots and herbs. Add lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Leave the seasoned butter at room temperature while you cook the beef.
Preheat the oven to 350°.
Season the beef liberally all over with salt and pepper. Heat a 12-inch skillet over high heat. Add the canola oil to the hot skillet. When the oil just begins to smoke, add the beef, fat side down. To avoid splattering yourself with hot oil, place the meat in the pan gradually, starting at the edge of the skillet closest to you and ending at the far edge. Sear the fat side until well browned, about 4 minutes, then turn and sear both ends of the meat and, lastly, the bottom. Transfer the meat to a plate and discard all the fat in the skillet. Let the skillet cool slightly, then wipe it out with paper towels. Return it to moderate heat and add the butter, garlic and thyme. When the butter melts and begins to foam, return the meat to the skillet and spoon some of the seasoned butter over it.
Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast the beef to the desired doneness, basting it every 7 minutes or so with the buttery pan juices. Use a meat thermometer or probe to check doneness at the thickest part of the roast, and remember that the internal temperature will climb 10 to 15 degrees as the meat rests. Final internal temperature after resting is 125° for rare meat, 132° to 135° for medium rare, 142° for medium, 150° for medium well and 160° for well done.
Let the roast rest in a warm area for 15-20 minutes before carving. Slice into six uniformly thick medallions. Season the sliced surfaces with freshly ground pepper and a few grains of sel gris before transferring to the serving plate. Dollop each serving with some of the beurre Colbert, or shape the butter with two spoons into attractive quenelles and serve on the side.
Note: Look for rich veal stock in the freezer case of better markets.
Per serving: 540 calories, 54 g protein, 4 g carbohydrate, 33 g fat (18 g saturated), 205 mg cholesterol, 135 mg sodium, 0 fiber.
David Kinch's Braised Pork Shoulder with Savoy Cabbage & White Beans
Serves 8
- 1 pound large white beans, soaked overnight
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- -- Handful of parsley stems
- 1 rib celery, halved crosswise
- 8 cloves garlic, peeled
- -- Grapeseed or other neutral oil
- 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder, in 2 equal pieces
- -- Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup dry white wine
- -- About 6 ounces slab bacon, in 1/2-inch cubes
- 4 medium carrots, peeled and halved crosswise
- 4 medium leeks, white part only, halved lengthwise
- 2 large turnips, peeled and quartered
- 16 whole chestnuts, peeled (see Note)
- 1 small savoy cabbage (about 1 pound), in 8 wedges
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Instructions: Drain the beans and put them in a large pot with 2 1/2 quarts cold water. Make a bouquet garni by sandwiching the thyme, bay leaves and parsley stems with the celery ribs; tie with kitchen twine and add to the pot along with 4 of the garlic cloves. Bring to a simmer over moderate heat, skimming any foam. Cover partially, adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the beans are almost tender but still slightly firm, 1 hour or longer. Drain the beans, reserving the liquid but discarding the bouquet garni.
Preheat the oven to 325°.
Choose a heavy pot large enough to hold all the meat and vegetables. Set the pot over moderately high heat and add enough grapeseed oil to coat the bottom. Season the meat all over with salt and pepper. When the pan is hot, add the meat and brown on all sides.
Transfer the meat to a platter, pour off any fat in the pot and return the pot to moderately high heat. Add the wine and simmer briskly until reduced by half, using a wooden spoon to dislodge any bits of meat clinging to the bottom of the pot.
Return the pork to the pot and add the bean broth. Cover and braise in the oven for 1 1/2 hours.
Put the bacon cubes in a small saucepan and add water to cover. Bring to a simmer over high heat. Drain and set aside.
Transfer the pork with tongs to a platter and pour the broth into a large glass measuring cup. Let the broth settle for about 5 minutes to allow the fat to rise, then spoon off as much fat as possible. Return the pork and the broth to the pot. Add the beans, bacon, carrots, leeks, turnips, chestnuts and remaining 4 cloves garlic. Set the cabbage wedges on top. Cover, return to the oven and braise until the vegetables are almost tender, about 45 minutes. Uncover and continue cooking for 20-30 minutes to allow the sauce to reduce and the top to brown slightly.
Transfer the pork, beans and vegetables to a large platter, leaving the broth behind. Skim as much fat as possible from the broth, then whisk in the mustard. Taste for seasoning, then pour over the meat and vegetables and serve immediately.
Note: To peel chestnuts, cut an "X" in the flat side of each chestnut. Boil for 10 minutes, then lift the chestnuts out one at a time with a slotted spoon and peel them while they are hot. The hard outer shell will peel back easily from the X. The papery inner skin may want to cling; if so, scrape it off with a paring knife.
Per serving: 715 calories, 47 g protein, 59 g carbohydrate, 30 g fat (11 g saturated), 125 mg cholesterol, 290 mg sodium, 18 g fiber.
Douglas Keane's (with Help from Mom) Cajun Shrimp
Serves 8-12
Keane recommends purchasing 16- to 20-count shrimp (meaning there are 16 to 20 in a pound), but "the larger, the better," he says. This recipe can be halved.
- 1 pound unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 teaspoons Tabasco
- 2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 6 pounds large shrimp in shell
- 4 lemons, thinly sliced, seeds removed
Instructions: Preheat oven to 400°. In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter with the Worcestershire sauce, pepper, rosemary, Tabasco, salt and garlic. Simmer 10 minutes over low heat to blend the flavors.
Arrange the shrimp and lemon slices in a large baking dish, preferably in a single layer. (You may need to cook the shrimp in batches.) Pour the warm sauce over the shrimp. Bake uncovered, stirring once or twice, until the shrimp are just cooked through, about 15 minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp. Serve directly from the baking dish or transfer to a serving platter and serve immediately.
Per serving: 420 calories, 30 g protein, 4 g carbohydrate, 32 g fat (19 g saturated), 352 mg cholesterol, 786 mg sodium, 0 fiber.
Roland Passot's Pancetta-Wrapped Venison Loin
Serves 6
You can order fresh venison from Golden Gate Meat Company or Bryan's Quality Meats, both in San Francisco. Note that the recipe requires concentrated veal stock. It should be stiff when cold, with intense flavor and a tongue-coating texture. To approximate restaurant-quality veal stock, purchase 2 cups of stock (check the freezer case of better markets) and simmer it until reduced to the 1 cup the recipe requires.
- 1/4 pound pancetta, very thinly sliced, as for prosciutto
- 1 fresh venison loin, about 1 1/2 pounds
- 1 1/2 cups red wine
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon coarsely cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon whole juniper berries
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup rich, concentrated veal stock
- 1/8 ounce unsweetened chocolate
Instructions: Preheat the oven to 450°. Put a sheet of parchment paper longer than the venison loin on a work surface. Unfurl the pancetta slices and arrange them side by side on the parchment, overlapping them slightly to make a bed of pancetta as wide as the venison is long. Set the venison on top of the pancetta, near the bottom edge, then lift the parchment to help you roll the pancetta firmly around the venison. The pancetta should encase it completely, except for the ends.
Put the wine, 1 tablespoon olive oil, pepper, juniper, thyme and bay leaf in a nonreactive baking dish. Add the pancetta-wrapped loin and marinate for 15 minutes, turning it once halfway through. Lift it out of the marinade and pat dry. Reserve the marinade.
Choose a heavy skillet large enough to hold the venison loin. Heat the skillet over moderately high heat, then add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Swirl to coat the skillet. Add the loin and sear it on one side, 2-3 minutes, adjusting the heat if needed to prevent the pancetta from burning.
Turn the loin seared side up and place the skillet in the oven. Roast until the internal temperature of the meat measures 115°, about 7-8 minutes (see photo below). Remove the loin to a cutting board and let rest while you prepare the sauce. The meat's internal temperature will climb another 5 to 10 degrees as it rests.
Add 1 cup of marinade to the skillet and place over high heat. Simmer until reduced to 1/4 cup. Add the veal stock and simmer for about 2 minutes, then strain through a fine sieve, pressing on the solids to extract their flavor. Return the sauce to a clean saucepan over low heat. Whisk in the chocolate. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
Carve the loin into 12 medallions. Place two medallions on each plate and spoon sauce around them. Serve immediately.
Per serving: 270 calories, 30 g protein, 1 g carbohydrate, 12 g fat (4 g saturated), 110 mg cholesterol, 435 mg sodium, 0 fiber.


text:
< back
to Quotes from Women, Power & Peace
Eisler, Ph.D., J.D., a social scientist, attorney,
and social activist, is best known as the author
of the international best-seller The Chalice
and The Blade , now available in 22 languages.
Cofounder of the Spiritual Alliance to Stop
Intimate Violence and president of the Center
for Partnership Studies, her pioneering work
in human rights has expanded the focus of international
organizations to include the rights of women
and children. Her latest book, The Real
Wealth of Nations, is hailed by Archbishop
Desmond Tutu as "a template for the better
world we have been so urgently seeking." www.partnershipway.org
can't talk about empowerment of women
and justice in the world without talking about
the economic system.
real wealth of nations isn't financial – it
constitutes the contributions of people and
of nature...we need an economic system that
gives value to the work of caring and caring
for our Mother Earth.
have a very distorted system of values in which
anything that is stereotypically associated
with women and the "feminine" is given less
value than anything associated with the stereotypically "masculine".
And this has nothing to do with anything in
terms of women and men – I happen to
be married to a very caring man, and some women
are not caring. We are talking about a system
of values that drives economics.
pays in dollars and cents.
is not going to happen. But people – if
we don't take leadership, somebody else
will. And we're not going to like the
direction are we. So I challenge you – be
who you are. Be leaders.
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text:
Two stolen Tom Brady Super Bowl jerseys found in Mexico
Report says FBI is involved
Report says FBI is involved
Report says FBI is involved
An international investigation has recovered two stolen Tom Brady Super Bowl jerseys, according to a statement from the NFL.
Working with the FBI "and other law enforcement authorities" the NFL said they recovered the jersey from the Super Bowl 51 victory over the Falcons last month and also the Super Bowl 49 victory against the Seahawks in 2015.
"The items were found in the possession of a credentialed member of the international media," the NFL said in a statement.
Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo Tweeted his department's Major Offenders Division traced the jersey to Mexico, where it was recovered in an operation involving both American and Mexican authorities.
Acevedo said Monday that Houston investigators found an informant who pointed the investigation to Mexico.
Video footage helped investigators and likely will serve as evidence for criminal charges expected from the U.S. attorney's office, the chief said.
Brady, the MVP of perhaps the greatest comeback victory in Super Bowl history, said he left the SB51 jersey in a bag in his locker after the game on Feb. 5, and changed into a champions t-shirt for the post-game ceremony. When he returned, the jersey was missing.
"I put it in my bag, and then I came out and it wasn't there anymore. So it's unfortunate because that's a nice piece of memorabilia. So if it turns up on eBay somewhere, someone let me know," he said.
Houston police estimated the value of Tom Brady's stolen Super Bowl 51 jersey at $500,000.
Complete NFL statement:
"Through the cooperation of the NFL and New England Patriots' security teams, the FBI and other law enforcement authorities, the Super Bowl LI jersey worn last month by MVP Tom Brady has been recovered. Also retrieved during the ongoing investigation was the jersey Brady wore in the Patriots' victory in Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks in 2015.
"The items were found in the possession of a credentialed member of the international media. Due to the ongoing investigation, we would refer any additional questions to the FBI."
Corey Roepken and Andrew Kragie of the Houston Chronicle contributed to this report.


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text: This week's selection of games was full of fun little surprises, including a movie tie-in that I actually really enjoy. First up, though, is a rogue-like game called Quadropus Rampage, which I almost picture what it would be like if they made an action version of Squids. The game has lots of redeeming qualities, but it's almost worth it just for the goofy names of all the weapons. If you're looking for something completely different you might want to try Rescue Me – The Adventures. As the name implies the game involves rescuing people, but the mechanics are clever and it can be quite humorous at times. Now about that movie tie-in: the game is Despicable Me: Minion Rush. Instead of trying to recreate the movie in a game this is simply an infinite runner that takes place in the Despicable Me universe, but there are enough movie references to satisfy fans and it's just loads of fun.


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Taylor Leadership Institute
The Taylor Leadership Institute seeks to develop leaders through a comprehensive three-year certificate program. This program will strengthen your leadership skills and community awareness through established leadership theories and research coursework, preparing you for leadership roles on campus and after graduation. The strong point of this program is that it will connect you to community leaders. In this way you will witness firsthand the skills and attributes of successful leaders.
Sophomore Year
- Students enroll in BUSN410 Leadership, a three credit course in the spring semester. This course establishes leadership theory and self-awareness of students' leadership traits and abilities.
- Students will participate in at least two outside leadership development activities.
Junior Year
- Participate in the Taylor Corporation Leadership Speaker Series (open to the Bethany community). SLI students plan and organize the speaker series to work on developing project management skills while developing relationships with the speakers and community members.
- Students will participate in a ropes course and other team-building activities
- Students will conduct leadership research with local companies
- Students will participate in leadership activities with faculty and staff.
Senior Year
- Students participate in E-Leaders, a mentoring program wherein Bethany students are partnered with Taylor Corporation leaders as well as other community leaders in the students' fieldof interest. Students and mentors will develop a relationship via email focusing on leadership and helping students prepare for their career. Throughout the year, the Glen Taylor Chair of Leadership and Business will send out prompts for the student and mentor to respond to each other.
- Students attend the Leader to Leader Trip, attending Greater Mankato Day at the State Capital to interact with state and local government leaders. The two-day trip will also include visits with alumni leaders.
- Students assist with recruiting the new Leadership Institute class and other activities on campus.
Schedule subject to change
Topics Include:
Leading through Vocation: How am I to serve others? How is leadership a form of service? Can I be a leader? These questions will be explored to develop an understanding of how God presents different tasks, some of which require us to serve others through different types of leadership roles.
Challenges of Leadership: Each of us has unique, God-given talents. Learn to understand what your talents are, and to appreciate the talents of others, through a developmental assessment, discussion, and personal development activities.
Leading through Service: Ultimately, the leader's role is one of Christian service to others. Participants will explore opportunities on campus, at church, and in the community to serve in leadership roles.
Leading through Advocacy: Our role as Christians and citizens will be explored in this two day session. Participants will meet with local and state government leaders and travel to the Minnesota State Capitol in order to gain an understanding of how government functions and of advocacy.
The Ethics of Leadership: How are Christians to live in this world? What are faith fruits? Leaders are often challenged with decisions about right and wrong. An understanding of the limits and boundaries can help leaders with these difficult decisions.
Communicating to Influence: In order to develop and meet goals, gain the support of others, and work well in team settings, leaders must be good communicators.


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Lindsay Llewellyn
|Birth Date:
|Agoura Hills, Calif.
|High School:
|Agoura HS
|Team Manager
Lindsay Llewellyn, a former player with the Gaucho women's water polo team, joins is in her first season as the team's manager after being sidelined before the 2006 season with a shoulder injury. Llewellyn played center for UCSB in 2005 recording 16 goals for the Gauchos after redshirting the 2004 season. A two-time First Team All-CIF selection at Agoura High School, Llewellyn was the Maramonte League MVP in 2003 and First Team All-Maramonte League in 2002. Played a key role in Agoura becoming CIF champions in 2001 and winning league titles all four years of her high school career. She was also a member of the softball, swimming and volleyball teams at Agoura and played for the Agoura Breakers club team. Llewellyn is a sociology major at UCSB who wants a career in a field that will assist those less fortunate.


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Magnesium with Zinc - 100 tablet
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Minerals are important constituents of any healthy diet. But today's farming methods often strip the essential minerals from the soil. Add in the high fat content and over-processing in a normal diet and you have a recipe for nutritional disaster. This supplement is a good source of the Magnesium and Zinc you need everyday for health.** Magnesium helps with bone health, muscle contraction and nervous system promotion.** Zinc is great for immune system health and cell growth.** Together, they make up a quality supplement that ensures a sufficient daily intake of these important nutrients.**
No Artificial Color, Flavor or Sweetener, No Preservatives, No Sugar, No Starch, No Milk, No Lactose, No Soy, No Gluten, No Wheat, No Yeast, No Fish, Sodium Free.


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It's Monday morning and not a cloud in the sky this beautiful day in Houston.
Oh and the guy who provided a huge portion of the Texans offense last year, running back Arian Foster was re-signed by the Texans.
What is clear is that Houston wanted Foster back and Foster wanted to stay in Houston. Jason LaCanfora's early report of deal terms are:
"Arian Foster joins AP and CJ atop RB $$ ranks. $43.5M over 5 years, $20.75M guar, $30m in 1st 3 years of deal, $18M in 2012."
Boom. It's best to think of that as partial compensation for the last two years where he has dominated the NFL without being paid dominate the NFL money. And not holding out even though he could have.
Things I wish to say in no particular order:
BLEEP YEAH! For the logic behind that, you can revisit the Grantland article. Yeah, I thought he'd be coming back, but until it is official, it kind of bums you out.
Brave deal. There's a number of running back deals that haven't been done yet. It isn't easy to be one of the first ones. I strongly suggest listening to the interview with Arian Foster's Agent Mike McCartney who was on Sports Radio 790. It's a love fest.
The Texans were clear they appreciated how Foster conducted himself in the last year of his contract (the anti-Chris Johnson thing), and Foster apparently was very happy to remain a Texan. You have to like hearing:
"Arian is thrilled….it was very important to Arian that he show the proper respect for the team, the organization and the city. He loves being a Houston Texan, he loves living in the city of Houston, he adores the fans."
This just made so much sense. Yes, the Texans system is good for running backs. Yes, Arian Foster could likely contribute for any number of teams. But it would have just been wrong for him to go somewhere else. Just wrong.
Silence being golden. Yet another example of the Texans quietly doing their bit without leaks.
Kudos to GM Rick Smith. And Vice President, Football Administration (cap guy) Chris Olsen. McCartney couldn't have been any more complimentary about Smith. So often we crush people when things go poorly but ignore things when they go well, so I pass this along. He still has a lot more to do these days.
A Special Back. I know I've mentioned this before, but there are some on this staff who were with Denver back in the day who were upset when Clinton Portis was traded to the Redskins. Yes, Champ Bailey has been productive a long time at a premium position, but they believe Portis was a special back for their system.
Foster does all the things that you need a back to do in this system. He has great vision. Solid size for his position. Plays through injuries. Blocks, receives. Draws defensive attention. Runs the tough yards when everyone knows he is likely going to get the ball.
Now let's wrap him in bubble wrap.
Personality. I've mentioned this before but I will put this in the blog post. Arian Foster is a great ambassador for the team. Great player, great personality. There are plenty of players for the Texans who are interesting people, but outside of the city, the organization and its players were seen as vanilla. That's not a totally terrible thing given how much *interesting* these days often translates into nasty and controversial.
When a player is so good at his job and is also a fun personality, that's special and worth mentioning. Relative to the rest of the teams in the league, the Texans are still developing their history and their identity. How beautiful it is that Foster's signature move after TDs is namaste, which to oversimplify is a demonstration of the flow of love and respect.
So you are paying for his performance, but you also get the perk of him being one of the faces of the franchise.
Favorite Arian Foster Blog Posts. One of my favorite blog posts comes from before his first full season. Outsiders were not believing that this undrafted free agent Foster would be the Texans starter no matter how much you told them that he was. Through blog comments, I found out that Foster wrote poetry, and he was kind enough to send me some.
Then after Foster put up 231 yards, 3 TDs against the Colts in the first game of that season, I asked you to write love poetry to him. It is very funny to read those comments.
Exuberantly Happy. When cool things happen during games, everybody celebrates together. When cool things happen with contracts, all you can do is write a silly blog post and do a virtual fist bump.
The best way to describe this feeling is to watch this video. I suggest watching through until the end. It might be one of the most remarkable things on YouTube. It's like watching a 8 year old boy if they were very gifted at music. Or someone on the sort of drugs I am not familiar with.
And now we need Chris Myers to be signed to make the day better and more like the out of control joy of this video. Any displays of exuberance you wish to share or anything else?


text: This tuesday, we turn enterprise stories to a clinic where we listen, advise and assist you navigate the business terrain. Access to those that understand the tough business environment is critical in order to make running your business smooth. Join olawale anifowose and the edc experts this tuesday at 3pm for the live program on inspiration 92.3 fm -business clinic on enterprisestories. The numbers to call to join the conversation are: 09090000923, 01-2772923, 01-2773923, 01-6320923. To jump the queue, send your questions, challenges or comments ahead of the program to firstname.lastname@example.com, tweet us @edc4sme or upload your audio recording via http://edcradioonline.com/e-report (using your facebook account). When we treat your case, many similar cases are simultaneously resolved!


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Get ready for your retail hobby shop to go from good to great with the Shopify POS system. Giving you the ability to process orders, swipe credit cards and print receipts right on the spot, Shopify point of sale is everything your hobby shop's been missing.
Wow your customers with innovative and cutting edge technology that not only makes you look good, but that also improves the way you run your business.
Shopify POS software is built to keep you organized. Without any additional effort on your end, the app automatically and instantly syncs all information between your online and offline stores including orders, customer details and inventory levels.
Consider investing in Shopify's POS hardware items such as the cash drawer, barcode scanner or iPad stand to maximize your in-store functionality and skyrocket your productivity.
Shopify POS works with your existing credit card reader to accept Visa, Mastercard and Amex cards.
You can also setup custom payment options like debit, process partial payments, split tenders and more.
Use Shopify's dashboard to track customers and sales made both online and in your retail location using Shopify POS. Detailed reporting and analytics help you make the best choices to grow your business.
Upgrade your point of sale system with hardware compatible with Shopify POS.
Hardware includes a cash drawer, stand, receipt printer, scanner and more. Browse and buy the compatible hardware.
Shopify POS has fundamentally improved our retail experience. It's easy to use, automatically syncs customers, products and orders with our webstore, and it looks absolutely great at our checkout.
Owner, Nice Kicks
It helps me focus on the important thing: my clients. With the Shopify POS iPad app, I have all my stock at my fingertips, and I can take orders from anywhere. This is what retail looks like in the 21st century.
Owner, Amanda May Lingerie
or call 1-888-488-3465 for a free consultation.


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FC Kahuna
AlbumsSee All
About FC Kahuna
Dan and John Kahuna were a hot property throughout the 90's, bringing the big beat sound with an unstoppable combination of the former's DJing skills and the latter's business sense.
Along with the Chemical Brothers, they really defined the idea of big beat and gained followers as dedicated and famous as London club mainstay-turned-big beat fanatic Fatboy Slim.
And in true Sex Pistols fashion, the two brothers cut their own career short when they were on the verge of breaking into the mainstream.
The two didn't make a full album at the time, and their potential was often mourned.
They finally quit living the hedonistic swinging lifestyle they had developed through owning the Big Kahuna Burger club and got back to business, starting with remixes and a tour with the Charlatons UK.
Recording with a few guest musicians and combining their two influences, FC Kahuna (as they called themselves) debuted in 2002 with Machine Says Yes. ~ Bradley Torreano
Similar ArtistsSee All


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Yet new information just released from credible medical sources is shedding valuable light on a murky subject that certainly needs illumination. For women who are considering HRT, what you are about to learn will certainly help you clarify your options.
The first breakthrough is considered good news for many women who are facing treatment decisions. Researchers at the Osteoporosis Research Center of Creighton University School of Medicine just reported key findings in the medical journal, Annals of Internal Medicine. Exploring alternatives for standard dose HRT, Dr. Robert Heaney and colleagues discovered for the first time in a controlled study that women who received calcium and Vitamin D supplements required half of the lowest dose of estrogen previously thought to be necessary to avert osteoporosis. This is a condition defined by the National Institutes of Health as "a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength predisposing to an increased risk of fracture." Bone loss essentially leads to fractures, diminished quality of life, increased nursing home admissions, disability and death.
The Creighton research team carefully studied 128 women over the age of 65 for 3.5 years. Of great importance is the fact that women receiving lower dose estrogen (only 0.3 mg./day) actually manifested greater increases in spinal bone, forearm and total bone density than women taking the standard estrogen dose without the supplements.
This finding is especially relevant to the ongoing duel in medical circles pitting the virtues of HRT such as preventing bone loss with its dangers and side-effects. According to the researchers, "side effects such as weight gain, breast tenderness, spotting, pelvic discomfort and mood changes disappeared within 6 months" when lower dose estrogen was prescribed.
The bottom line - according to Dr. Heaney, "If bone cells are to grow, they need materials. Many of us in the medical profession have ignored the need to provide an adequate number of building blocks."
This physician agrees and strongly suggests that you consider and discuss the issue with your physician, especially in light another recent breakthrough reported in the Journal, Cancer by Dr. Christopher Li of the world-renowned Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. Dr. Li and colleagues reported that the incidence of lobular carcinoma, (roughly 10% of all breast cancer cases) has risen considerably since the advent of combined estrogen-progestin treatment in the 1980s. They found that using combination therapy for at least six months has the potential to more than double the risk for developing this form of cancer.
These findings are critically important given the fact that of the 20 plus million women taking HRT in the US, roughly 8.6 million are using combination treatment.
It is essential to understand the rationale for adding progestin is to lower the risk of developing endometrial (uterine) cancer associated with taking estrogen supplements alone. If one combines these two studies, and you consider the insights revealed through these research projects in the step-wise fashion presented below, it becomes readily apparent (bear with me) that:
Through ongoing research, we may learn that reducing the dose of estrogen, eliminating progestin and adding Calcium and Vitamin D supplements will result in three major benefits - reversing osteoporosis and lowering the risks for endometrial and lobular breast cancer.
Please note that I am not suggesting you immediately discontinue estrogen. It has been well-established that estrogen plays a significant role in preventing heart disease, lowering cholesterol and improving symptoms of menopause. What I am proposing however, is the consideration of using less estrogen in combination with Calcium and Vitamin D rather than progestin based upon these reported findings. Further research is needed to determine whether or not lower levels of estrogen can ensure the same health benefits.
Ultimately, it makes a great deal of sense to learn as much as you can about your choices that will impact your quality of life and longevity. Next time you're face to face with your doctor, take time to discuss these issues and establish yourself as an active member of your healthcare team. What's on your mind is bound to affect your body
-- Mind Over Matter!


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Justin Bieber Talks Gun Control Laws & Feeling Lonely -VIDEO Interview
Justin Bieber is opening up in front of cameras again, this time in a revealing new video interview. Speaking with France's Clique TV, Justin talked about fame, his bad boy reputation, working with Kanye West, gun control and his top five favorite rappers.
On his image: "I just want people to see me as a normal dude. Like, I just come in here with my hoodie because I'm comfortable, and just chillin', and not trying too hard. I just want to have a good time and show people that I'm normal."
On what it was like to get his first big paycheck: It felt really cool, man. It felt like … I used to have to, my mom would always make me order water at restaurants. I could never get a soft drink. Those are like little things that when you're a kid, they matter. Like, you get disappointed, like, 'I just wanted a soda, Mom.' Or like, I would go and share meals with my mom and stuff. It's not like we were like, really, really, really dirt poor, but there were struggles, and when I got my first check I just felt the security to be able to take care of my mom because she always took care of me. Just being able to take care of your mom feels really good."
On feeling lonely: "People would never guess that artists like myself would feel lonely, with all things that are always around us and people, but a lot of it is really surface-y, and there's no depth to those relationships. So you just end up feeling like, well, I'm connecting but I'm not feeling what I want to feel. So, that's where I ended up. I was just in a place of like searching because I felt like people weren't what I needed them to be for me. So now, I'm really surrounded by really cool people who are like, really for me, and I can really connect with [them]. I'm in the best place ever, probably [that] I've ever been in my life."
On collaborating with Kanye West for the singer's next album: "We did this one song — I don't know if it's gonna make the album, but it was really cool, a really New York vibe. Kanye's a talker, so you get him in a room and he just starts talking, and he just starts ranting, and I just sit and I listen because he's been through a lot of stuff. He's not just talking to just talk. He's obviously got something to say that he's feeling from his heart. So when I hear that, I like to just sit and listen. He's a really, really smart guy."
On gun control laws: "I'd probably just fix some of the gun laws. In Canada, we don't really have any guns and there's no gun violence, so that really solves it. I mean, they think that it's for protection and stuff, but it always ends up in some bozo's hand."
Justin also named his all-time favorite rappers, talked about his friends in the skateboarding community and more. Watch the full interview below:


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Look forward to taking a break from cooking on March 10 as the Bluffton Firefighters are inviting the community to visit the district's headquarters at 357 Fording Island Road from Noon to 3 p.m. and enjoy a chili dinner.
Visitors will also be able to tour the fire station and take a peek at the fire trucks after eating their dinner in the fire station. All funds raised will benefit the Bluffton Firefighters Auxiliary which supports the fire department throughout the year by providing much needed drinks and snacks for first responders on serious incidents and calls.
The cost for a bowl of chili, corn bread, drink, and dessert will be $7
per adult and $5 for children or seniors over 65. Hot dog meals can also be purchased. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the district's headquarters station or at the door the day of the


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"The Recruits" - NCIS: New Orleans S1 E4
After a Navy Seal is found murdered in a sorority house, the NCIS team must determine if the motive pertained to one of his classified missions or collegiate foul play. Meanwhile, Pride's daughter, Laurel, pays the NCIS office a visit, on NCIS: NEW ORLEANS, Oct 14 (9:00-10:01, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Pictured: Scott Bakula as Special Agent Dwayne Pride Photo: Skip Bolen/CBS ©2014 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved


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Attached are three copies (afterward scanned) of the U.S. Federal census in Washington State (1920, 1910, and 1900) showing the family of Richard Jacob McDonald, to whom was born Louisa [Cecelia] McDonald, shown as the fourth child, 15 years old (as of 1 January 1920, when the 1920 census was begun). This Louisa Cecelia McDonald is my great-grandmother.
The marriage certificate (included) verifies that the wedding of Richard and his wife (also Louisa) took place in Wadena County, Minnesota, performed on 29 November 1899. (The copy turned out of poorer quality that the original document, although with Fold3's viewer adjustment tool, you can change contrast / brightness or invert the image for a better view.)
The census was taken in Monroe, Snohomish County, Washington state. On the census, the first location given is the place the individual was born; the second is where the father was born; and the third is where the mother was born. This, then, indicates that she was born in Washington state, while her dad was born in Minnesota, her mom in Wisconsin. Age, known information about the states where parents were born, etc., verifies that this should be the right family. With her parents thus established as Richard Jacob McDonald and Louisa McDonald, I am ready to follow the line further back.


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Point Park to Host Prague Writers' Festival October 18-19 Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Point Park University will host the Prague Writers' Festival in Pittsburgh, October 18-19, 2013. The event will feature international writers, poets, historians and journalists.
The Writers' Festival takes place annually each spring in Prague. The precursor to the Prague Writers' Festival was founded by American poet Michael March and originally focused on poetry readings. Since then it has expanded in its scope, featuring international writers and many genres. Past participants have included Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Salman Rushdie, Irvine Welsh, William Styron, Derek Walcott and Nadine Gordimer.
Featured Authors and Presenters
The Pittsburgh gathering of the Festival will feature author E.L. Doctorow in a world premiere reading from his latest novel Andrew's Brain due to be published in 2014.
Author of Ragtime, Loon Lake, Homer & Langley and Billy Bathgate, Doctorow has won numerous awards and honors, including the PEN/Faulkner Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Pulitzer Prize.
In addition, the Festival will feature Anita Desai, an Indian novelist and the Emerita John E. Burchard professor of humanities at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Eda Kriseova, author of Vaclav Havel: The Authorized Biography; and, Egyptian writer, playwright and columnist Hamdy El-Gazzar, author of Our Revolution: Stories to Fit in the Palm of Your Hand.
According to Channa Newman, Ph.D., professor and director of the global cultural studies program at Point Park and the director of international programs for the Prague Writers' Festival, "This exceptional event is a wonderful occasion to introduce the Prague Writers' Festival to a new audience, and to showcase Point Park University and Pittsburgh. It will also offer our community a rare opportunity to interact with internationally known writers in a personal and meaningful way."
Entitled "Birth of Nations/The Pursuit of Happiness," the two-day event will also include an opening reception hosted by Point Park president Paul Hennigan for Festival participants, representatives of Point Park University, state, city and civic leaders.
Event Details and Registration
The opening event will be held on Friday, October 18 at 7 p.m. The second reading will be held on Saturday, October 19 at 7:30 p.m. In addition, special sessions and conversations with authors and historians will be held during the two days.
For more details on the Festival, contact Lynn Monahan, School of Arts and Sciences director of academic administration, at 412-392-3938 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
To register for the event, use this online registration form.
More About: global cultural studies, Department of Humanities and Human Sciences


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Saturday, January 27, 2018 - 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Location: Uptown Campus
City Diner, LBC Garden Level
Come take part in trivia night in the City Diner where you can test your random knowledge and win prizes! Each week, the team with the best name will win a GIANT PANCAKE from City Diner and the top two teams will win awesome prizes!
* Each trivia team can have up to 5 people *


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Folded cards $2.99 - $3.99
Type your cards on the site and we'll mail them to everyone for you.
5.5" x 4.25" folded card with envelope
Printed on 100% recycled paper
Sea & Lake Paper Co. is a Toronto based handmade greeting card and various paper goods shop! We make honest, quirky, hand drawn and lettered cards, art prints, gift tags, and more. We love cards, and we were having a hard time finding any that matched our personalities, so Sea & Lake Paper Co. was born.
Please login or sign up to add cards to your favorites list!Got it. Thanks.


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05/09/18 by Lyon Real Estate
The Lyon Cares Foundation announced today that Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the recipient of a $5,000 grant. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services.
Operated by Lyon Real Estate, the Lyon Cares Foundation offers time, talent, and treasure to local nonprofits that make their communities a better place. Funds are raised through escrow and payroll contributions by Lyon agents and staff in addition to Lyon's annual Golf Tournament.
"This grant will help us tremendously," said Jenaye Shepherd, Executive Director. "We greatly appreciate Lyon's support."
"It gives us great pride to give this grant to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society," said Lyon Real Estate president Pat Shea. "They are doing very important work."
In 2018, each of Lyon's 14 offices, in addition to their headquarters office will be giving two $5,000 grants to organizations of their choice, totaling $150,000. Lyon's Land Park office chose Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to be the recipient of their grant.
About Lyon Cares Foundation
The Lyon Cares Foundation provides time, talent, and treasure to local nonprofits that make their communities a better place. Our partner in giving is the Sacramento Region Community Foundation. In 2017, Lyon Cares gave grants totaling $160,000 to 32 organizations in the Greater Sacramento Area and will be giving grants totaling $150,000 in 2018.
About Lyon Real Estate
Ranked the number one brokerage in annual home sales in the greater Sacramento region by the Sacramento Business Journal, Lyon Real Estate has served the area for over 70 years. In 2017, the company closed 7,333 transactions worth a total of $3 billion in sales volume. Lyon Real Estate has 950 agents in 17 offices located throughout the region. The company is a member of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, the largest network of premier locally-branded firms, as well as LeadingRE's Luxury Portfolio International® program. In addition to its real estate services, Lyon Real Estate offers RELO Direct, a global relocation program. For more information about Lyon Real Estate, click to GoLyon.com and follow us on Facebook.com/LyonRealEstate.


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The official Rhapsody (www.rhapsody.com) app has been updated for Windows Phone 8. The music service enables consumers to access millions of music tracks within its expansive catalogue, but it's restricted to the US which leaves everyone else outside the exclusive club.
While majority of Windows Phone owners have access to both Xbox Music and Nokia Music (depending on location and device), it's always good to have more choice available. Back to Rhapsody. We're looking at a rather large update, so what's new in version 3?
- Offline playback of downloaded tracks, albums, and playlists
- Support for My Music, including the ability to add or remove tracks, albums, and artist—plus check out other people's libraries.
- Add and remove stations from My Stations
- Add and remove playlists from My Playlists
- See your listening history
- Improvements to audio playback, album art, and search
Should you already own and use a Rhapsody account, this update will be more than welcomed. If not, there's a free trial that you can kick off from within the app. Do note that Nokia Music+ is beginning to roll out in select markets too.
You can download Rhapsody from the Windows Phone Store. Thanks, Jigar, for the tip!


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Opinion: Defense Cuts Before Tax Hikes
Assistant editorial page editor James Freeman on what's likely to come out of President Obama's meeting with Congressional leaders. Photo: Associated Press
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... a compromise ... unlike the US ... I've been encouraged over the past week Junior Republican after Republican agree ... on the need for no more revenue from the wealthiest Americans as part of arrhythmic sic if were to be serious about reducing ... the deficit ... because when it comes to taxes ... there are too fat to Isabel ... option one ... if Congress fails to act by the end of this year ... everybody's taxes will automatically go up ... the other option is to pass the wall right now that would prevent ... any tax Ike whatsoever on the first to earn fifty thousand dollars ... of everybody's income ... welcome to Opinion Journal I'd mind Dan Henninger well that was President Obama earlier this week expressing his views on avoiding the fiscal cliff and reducing the deficit ... the president met earlier today with the Congressional leadership of both parties and when they emerge of most of them said they felt positive about the possibilities of a compromise ... here talk about with me is the editorial pages the system editor James Freeman had been James this so op how are you feeling about the ... negotiations and feeling positive ... while the euro is on the market rally isn't happy talk that they're going to get a deal ... not sure I'm wearing the all that optimistic ... because the president so far hasn't really said what he's willing to do he said again and again and again the taxes he wants to raise but ... he's never really put on paper ... what exactly he's willing to cutting this massive federal budget and a ... I think that's what Republicans in the house would like to see big they passed a budget last year what see your doctor ... well that raises a timing issue James on the one hand ... many people would like to see a deal before generate first when the fiscal cliff is triggered ... on the other hand they're talking about negotiating into next year ... these negotiations are never easy to do when we're in the middle of November what ... prospect effective they are getting a deal before ... the deal could happen I think one for Republicans what they've got a focus on is that ... people call the fiscal cliff it's mainly the tax cliff lots of big tax increases ... but the other piece of that is the sequester this is the ... agreement covering of the twenty eleven of ... a fight over the of the debt ceiling that the forces a bunch of spending cuts ... I'm I'm about a hundred billion next year and I think the Republicans have to realize that is there one leverage point with the president ... it's got both of military and social program spending in there ... I think Republicans have to say we're willing to accept some budget cuts of the Pentagon now been to test how for Brock Obama is willing to go to avoid spending cuts ... to the rest of the governed ... well that and I think I agree with you but it does raise a ton of interesting dynamic that ... ultimately were talking about reducing the deficit ... most people think you have to cut spending to reduce the deficit ... but the president's side ... doesn't feel too enthusiastic about cutting spending or as the Republican side is not enthusiastic about raising taxes ... something's gotta give in between there and the straight and I you know this Tax Cliff and is serious about five hundred million next year stagnant economy Ohio employment economy still ... I think ... you have to be concerned about that blow to the economy was over we did ... president all he's talking about is bigger and bigger numbers of taxes he wants to raise ... so I think ... if you're a ... Republican you need to think about how you pushback on that whether it's ... getting a little bit more sane tax policy ... or getting some long-term spending reforms on the onthe Altly side of the federal ledger ... I think it really comes down to being willing to say we'll ready to let the sequester go forward a new show was what you're willing to do to avoid ... there is a school by the president ... would take the sequester and then blame the consequences on the Republicans an American Indian you could've been programmed for right where they can win this week is the really are consequences to the sequester we're not talking about ... cutting federal budget in half you talking about modest ... reduction in federal spending despite what what people say to me that's not going to hurt the U S economy if anything is can give businesses confidence ... that the government might actually start a ... restraining it spending putting its house in order but the big economic it is from those tax increases and that's certainly what Republicans are negotiating to avoid all right James thanks ally