If it meant saving an entire species of animal, would you be okay with cloning?
The San Diego zoo saved skin samples in the 1970s in hopes that one day it might help save species, and now with the advent of stem cell research, the hopes of saving species might be possible.
So what are your thoughts?
Here's the whole article: click here.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
In the beginning....
We were all born of African decent; therefore, it stands to reason that we are all one race.
The human race.
Let's end the hate. Let's end racism. The color of one's skin is of no significance. If so many white people "hate" black people, then why do many white people strive to have darker skin by tanning.
If you want to be a good racist, keep your pasty, white skin indoors, out of the sun.
The human race.
Let's end the hate. Let's end racism. The color of one's skin is of no significance. If so many white people "hate" black people, then why do many white people strive to have darker skin by tanning.
If you want to be a good racist, keep your pasty, white skin indoors, out of the sun.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
September by John Updike
"The breezes taste
Of apple peel.
The air is full
Of smells to feel-
Ripe fruit, old footballs,
Burning brush,
New books, erasers,
Chalk, and such.
The bee, his hive,
Well-honeyed hum,
And Mother cuts
Chrysanthemums.
Like plates washed clean
With suds, the days
Are polished with
A morning haze."
- John Updike, September
Of apple peel.
The air is full
Of smells to feel-
Ripe fruit, old footballs,
Burning brush,
New books, erasers,
Chalk, and such.
The bee, his hive,
Well-honeyed hum,
And Mother cuts
Chrysanthemums.
Like plates washed clean
With suds, the days
Are polished with
A morning haze."
- John Updike, September
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
You Compare: Top 9 Group-Buying Sites
To paraphrase Dorothy in the "Wizard of Oz," "Trends come and go so quickly here."
And the latest flash trend is -- envelope please -- online group buying!
Groupon started the movement by teaching coupon-loving consumers the joys of daily online deals. The big daddy of the group-buying sites had the field pretty much to itself for several years. It now serves more than 140 markets around the world
Then yesterday, second-place competitor LivingSocial sounded the battle call with the announcement it was adding 25 new markets to its roster. The expansion nearly doubled LivingSocial's service; for a total of 52 markets in the U.S., UK and Canada.
The model is simple: The group-buying sites find local businesses willing to provide large discounts in return for spreading their names to new customers. Consumers log on daily, check out their hometown's deals and either sign up or ignore the deal.
The sites vary in their business models: Some require a certain number of takers before the deal is sealed; while others reward shoppers based on how many others they lure into signing up.
Businesses like the group-buying process because they get a short-term boost that can to lead to new, long-term customers. The group-buying sites typically get a cut of the promotions.
Here's a look at the top nine sites and how they operate.
1. Groupon
Founded in Chicago in November 2008, Groupon offers a different daily discount for every city. Members receive the coupons by email and, if a pre-set quota of takers isn't reached, the deal is off. No harm, no foul -- except everyone involved is a bit sad.
Groupon wisely builds in a few incentives to spur interest. Users are encouraged to spread the word via the usual social networks. If a friend buys into a coupon within 72 hours, the one who sent the link gets $10 worth of Groupon credits in their account. If a referred friend subscribes to Groupon within 72 hours, the person who sent the referral gets $10 worth of Groupon credits when their friend makes their first Groupon deal.
Tuesday's Denver deal offered $7 for 12 issues of the popular 5280 magazine (Denver is 5280 feet above sea level, thus the name of the magazine.) That's a 50-percent discount off the usual $14 subscription price. 3,331 people had purchased the deal when I logged in and the tipping point of 100 purchases was reached at 5:55 a.m.
2. Living Social
As mentioned above, LivingSocial is closing in on Groupon. Their model is somewhat different as they don't require a minimum number of orders before users can take advantage of daily deals. (Take that, Groupon!)
Discounts can't be used, however, until the deal's run-time has expired (shown in a clock on the home page).
Daily deals are available for exactly 24 hours each weekday. Like Groupon, LivingSocial uses incentives to encourage deal sharing. If a user shares a link via Facebook, Twitter or email and three people join via the link, the original person gets their deal for free.
Tuesday's New York deal was $50 worth of food and drink for $25 at Zenkichi, a Tokyo-style Japanese brasserie in Brooklyn. There's a limit of one coupon per table, which means you've got to eat a heck of a lot of sushi to get your money's worth (or maybe I just don't know the price of Japanese food in New York).
3. Tippr
Tippr (apparently not named for Tipper Gore) claims to offer deals in 25 major cities, although I had trouble accessing more than nine cities. Unlike Groupon and LivingSocial, Tippr gives users a choice of three deals on its home page, with at least one new deal each day.
Incentive discounts get larger as more people sign up for the deal, though there's a limit to how much the discount increases.
Two deals were offered the day I checked the San Francisco site. The first offered 50-percent off a pair of fairly ugly rings at a jewelry website that will go unnamed. The second offered $95 worth of tanning for $40, something that might come in handy during a San Francisco summer. (As Mark Twain once famously didn't say, "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.")
4. 8coupons
8coupons culls 79 group-buying daily deals from sites across the country, which can total close to 400 promotions on a given day. While this is the ugliest daily deal site I've seen, it does offer a wide selection of savings and is easy to search.
In just one search of my Colorado home town I found 30 active restaurant deals, not all for chain restaurants. One even offered a free second margarita at my favorite authentic Mexican restaurant.
Many coupons are aggregated from direct-mail companies and coupon sites, and while I would be tempted to use a Pearl Vision coupon, I'm not too sure about those dozens of Supercuts coupons.
5. BuyWithMe
New York City-based BuyWithMe went essentially the same route as Groupon. There's a new deal every day, each available for a pre-set time limit of about a week. Cities presently served include New York, Boston, San Diego and Washington, D.C., with plans to expand into 20 markets by the end of the year.
Six deals were available yesterday in Washington, D.C., but perhaps the most enticing was 50-percent off a 60 minute, "stress-busting, pain-zapping massage." Total cost - $35. I call that a good deal because there apparently are a lot of stressed out people in D.C.
6. Gilt City
I don't know about this site's slogan: "Bright lights. Gilt City." Perhaps it should be "Guilt City," since their deals are quite expensive.
Presently only available in New York City, each of Gilt City’s deals lasts for seven days and are updated weekly. Instead of trying to sell as many of their deals as possible, Gilt City’s inventory for each of the discounts appears to be limited, and can sell out, much like the sales on sister-site Gilt.com.
Yesterday's deals included up to 60-percent off a "lavish day on the links" at the Hampton Hills Country Club on the tip of Long Island, or up to 48-percent off an eight-to-10-dish dinner at the Double Crown restaurant in New York's Bowery District.
7. Juice in the City (JITC)
Calling all coupon-loving moms: Juice in the City will soon cater to your need for fun activities (and only activities). It's a smart mommy model and sets JITC apart from the growing crowd. So far, juicy juice only displays what appear to be potential daily deals within the San Francisco and Seattle-Tacoma areas and is operating without outside funding.
This week's proposed Seattle activity looked like a lot of fun: Get your hair colored and cut at SEVEN Salon while listening to music spun by a DJ and sipping an espresso or latte. The come-on must be pretty enticing to tired moms: "When you walk in, you're greeted and immediately whisked away as though you were Shiloh's mommy showing up at preschool…"
8. We Give to Get (WGTG)
Sadly, only Windy City citizens can take advantage of the unusual We Give to Get buying site -- so far.
Here's their unique model: Each person who creates an account also automatically registers with the charity website ActOfGood.org. Whenever you buy a "GO-GO" coupon, 10-percent of the money you spend while using the coupon is donated to the ActOfGood charity of your choice.
It seems like an unusual idea to connect a money-saving action to a money-giving one, but as they say, “opposites attract.”
WGTG doesn't require a minimum number of people to sign up in order to make the deal valid, and the coupon is sent to the buyer by email after the purchase is completed.
My favorite deal for yesterday included two sessions with a personal trainer for $60 (regularly $160), and not just because former accountant Mark Beier is one hot hunk.
9. CrowdSavings.com
This Tampa-based site has chosen some rather interesting cities in which to start-up. You'll present find daily deals in Albany, N.Y.; Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; Denver; San Francisco; and Tampa Bay, Fla.
CrowdSavings features one local business per day and doesn't have a minimum target for people to take advantage of the deals. Many vouchers can be given as gifts and some are good for up to six months.
from http://www.couponsherpa.com
And the latest flash trend is -- envelope please -- online group buying!
Groupon started the movement by teaching coupon-loving consumers the joys of daily online deals. The big daddy of the group-buying sites had the field pretty much to itself for several years. It now serves more than 140 markets around the world
Then yesterday, second-place competitor LivingSocial sounded the battle call with the announcement it was adding 25 new markets to its roster. The expansion nearly doubled LivingSocial's service; for a total of 52 markets in the U.S., UK and Canada.
The model is simple: The group-buying sites find local businesses willing to provide large discounts in return for spreading their names to new customers. Consumers log on daily, check out their hometown's deals and either sign up or ignore the deal.
The sites vary in their business models: Some require a certain number of takers before the deal is sealed; while others reward shoppers based on how many others they lure into signing up.
Businesses like the group-buying process because they get a short-term boost that can to lead to new, long-term customers. The group-buying sites typically get a cut of the promotions.
Here's a look at the top nine sites and how they operate.
1. Groupon
Founded in Chicago in November 2008, Groupon offers a different daily discount for every city. Members receive the coupons by email and, if a pre-set quota of takers isn't reached, the deal is off. No harm, no foul -- except everyone involved is a bit sad.
Groupon wisely builds in a few incentives to spur interest. Users are encouraged to spread the word via the usual social networks. If a friend buys into a coupon within 72 hours, the one who sent the link gets $10 worth of Groupon credits in their account. If a referred friend subscribes to Groupon within 72 hours, the person who sent the referral gets $10 worth of Groupon credits when their friend makes their first Groupon deal.
Tuesday's Denver deal offered $7 for 12 issues of the popular 5280 magazine (Denver is 5280 feet above sea level, thus the name of the magazine.) That's a 50-percent discount off the usual $14 subscription price. 3,331 people had purchased the deal when I logged in and the tipping point of 100 purchases was reached at 5:55 a.m.
2. Living Social
As mentioned above, LivingSocial is closing in on Groupon. Their model is somewhat different as they don't require a minimum number of orders before users can take advantage of daily deals. (Take that, Groupon!)
Discounts can't be used, however, until the deal's run-time has expired (shown in a clock on the home page).
Daily deals are available for exactly 24 hours each weekday. Like Groupon, LivingSocial uses incentives to encourage deal sharing. If a user shares a link via Facebook, Twitter or email and three people join via the link, the original person gets their deal for free.
Tuesday's New York deal was $50 worth of food and drink for $25 at Zenkichi, a Tokyo-style Japanese brasserie in Brooklyn. There's a limit of one coupon per table, which means you've got to eat a heck of a lot of sushi to get your money's worth (or maybe I just don't know the price of Japanese food in New York).
3. Tippr
Tippr (apparently not named for Tipper Gore) claims to offer deals in 25 major cities, although I had trouble accessing more than nine cities. Unlike Groupon and LivingSocial, Tippr gives users a choice of three deals on its home page, with at least one new deal each day.
Incentive discounts get larger as more people sign up for the deal, though there's a limit to how much the discount increases.
Two deals were offered the day I checked the San Francisco site. The first offered 50-percent off a pair of fairly ugly rings at a jewelry website that will go unnamed. The second offered $95 worth of tanning for $40, something that might come in handy during a San Francisco summer. (As Mark Twain once famously didn't say, "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.")
4. 8coupons
8coupons culls 79 group-buying daily deals from sites across the country, which can total close to 400 promotions on a given day. While this is the ugliest daily deal site I've seen, it does offer a wide selection of savings and is easy to search.
In just one search of my Colorado home town I found 30 active restaurant deals, not all for chain restaurants. One even offered a free second margarita at my favorite authentic Mexican restaurant.
Many coupons are aggregated from direct-mail companies and coupon sites, and while I would be tempted to use a Pearl Vision coupon, I'm not too sure about those dozens of Supercuts coupons.
5. BuyWithMe
New York City-based BuyWithMe went essentially the same route as Groupon. There's a new deal every day, each available for a pre-set time limit of about a week. Cities presently served include New York, Boston, San Diego and Washington, D.C., with plans to expand into 20 markets by the end of the year.
Six deals were available yesterday in Washington, D.C., but perhaps the most enticing was 50-percent off a 60 minute, "stress-busting, pain-zapping massage." Total cost - $35. I call that a good deal because there apparently are a lot of stressed out people in D.C.
6. Gilt City
I don't know about this site's slogan: "Bright lights. Gilt City." Perhaps it should be "Guilt City," since their deals are quite expensive.
Presently only available in New York City, each of Gilt City’s deals lasts for seven days and are updated weekly. Instead of trying to sell as many of their deals as possible, Gilt City’s inventory for each of the discounts appears to be limited, and can sell out, much like the sales on sister-site Gilt.com.
Yesterday's deals included up to 60-percent off a "lavish day on the links" at the Hampton Hills Country Club on the tip of Long Island, or up to 48-percent off an eight-to-10-dish dinner at the Double Crown restaurant in New York's Bowery District.
7. Juice in the City (JITC)
Calling all coupon-loving moms: Juice in the City will soon cater to your need for fun activities (and only activities). It's a smart mommy model and sets JITC apart from the growing crowd. So far, juicy juice only displays what appear to be potential daily deals within the San Francisco and Seattle-Tacoma areas and is operating without outside funding.
This week's proposed Seattle activity looked like a lot of fun: Get your hair colored and cut at SEVEN Salon while listening to music spun by a DJ and sipping an espresso or latte. The come-on must be pretty enticing to tired moms: "When you walk in, you're greeted and immediately whisked away as though you were Shiloh's mommy showing up at preschool…"
8. We Give to Get (WGTG)
Sadly, only Windy City citizens can take advantage of the unusual We Give to Get buying site -- so far.
Here's their unique model: Each person who creates an account also automatically registers with the charity website ActOfGood.org. Whenever you buy a "GO-GO" coupon, 10-percent of the money you spend while using the coupon is donated to the ActOfGood charity of your choice.
It seems like an unusual idea to connect a money-saving action to a money-giving one, but as they say, “opposites attract.”
WGTG doesn't require a minimum number of people to sign up in order to make the deal valid, and the coupon is sent to the buyer by email after the purchase is completed.
My favorite deal for yesterday included two sessions with a personal trainer for $60 (regularly $160), and not just because former accountant Mark Beier is one hot hunk.
9. CrowdSavings.com
This Tampa-based site has chosen some rather interesting cities in which to start-up. You'll present find daily deals in Albany, N.Y.; Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; Denver; San Francisco; and Tampa Bay, Fla.
CrowdSavings features one local business per day and doesn't have a minimum target for people to take advantage of the deals. Many vouchers can be given as gifts and some are good for up to six months.
from http://www.couponsherpa.com
Monday, September 13, 2010
Historical Markers
Have you ever driven through Pennsylvania and seen the Blue and Yellow Historical Markers? Ever stop to read them?
If you ever wanted more information on them or to go to a dedication of a new marker, check out:
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_historical_marker_program/2539/history_of_pennsylvania_state_historical_markers/300870
If you ever wanted more information on them or to go to a dedication of a new marker, check out:
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_historical_marker_program/2539/history_of_pennsylvania_state_historical_markers/300870
Sunday, September 12, 2010
People in glass houses....
Could you imagine living in this house? Sure, it looks secluded, but I am not sure how comfortable I would feel, living in a house where every exterior wall was made of glass.
Click here for the link to the article.
Click here for the link to the article.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
9/11
On this date, 9 years ago, the largest terrorist attack to occur on American soil was committed by radicals from several Middle Eastern countries.
Please take this day to remember those we lost.
Please take this day to remember those we lost.
Friday, September 10, 2010
8 Ways to Maximize Gas Mileage
Kelli B. Grant describes 8 Ways to Maximize Gas Mileage on the site http://www.smartmoney.com.
Americans drive more during the summer than during the rest of the year because of summer vacations and road trips during the three seasonal holiday weekends, says Christie Hyde, a spokeswoman for AAA. More people than usual are hitting the road this year, according to AAA. Memorial Day traffic was up 5.8%, and Fourth of July traffic 17.7%, for a total of 28 million and 31.4 million people on the road, respectively.
Gas prices have held steady this summer, with national averages in the neighborhood of $2.70 per gallon. But driving a vehicle that isn’t at its most fuel efficient can cost the driver the equivalent of an extra $2 or more per gallon, according to FuelEconomy.gov.
There’s no single automotive fix to dramatically improve fuel efficiency, says Jim Kliesch, a senior engineer at the Union of Concerned Scientists. But a few tricks used collectively can lower the cost of filling a gas tank by as much as 50%, he says.
Swap vehicles
Consumers with multiple vehicles should drive the more fuel-efficient one whenever possible. The difference in miles per gallon is especially obvious on long trips.
Americans drive more during the summer than during the rest of the year because of summer vacations and road trips during the three seasonal holiday weekends, says Christie Hyde, a spokeswoman for AAA. More people than usual are hitting the road this year, according to AAA. Memorial Day traffic was up 5.8%, and Fourth of July traffic 17.7%, for a total of 28 million and 31.4 million people on the road, respectively.
Gas prices have held steady this summer, with national averages in the neighborhood of $2.70 per gallon. But driving a vehicle that isn’t at its most fuel efficient can cost the driver the equivalent of an extra $2 or more per gallon, according to FuelEconomy.gov.
There’s no single automotive fix to dramatically improve fuel efficiency, says Jim Kliesch, a senior engineer at the Union of Concerned Scientists. But a few tricks used collectively can lower the cost of filling a gas tank by as much as 50%, he says.
Pack light
Clearing out the junk from a trunk can offer some quick savings. Every 100 pounds of added weight in the back of a car can reduce its fuel economy by as much as 2%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Hauling a cargo carrier, skis, kayaks or other gear atop the car is more taxing and can lower a car’s fuel economy by about 5%. “There’s going to be air resistance,” says Karl Brauer, a senior analyst for Edmunds.com.Swap vehicles
Consumers with multiple vehicles should drive the more fuel-efficient one whenever possible. The difference in miles per gallon is especially obvious on long trips.
Keep up with maintenance
Following the car’s recommended maintenance schedule can help keep it operating at maximum efficiency. An engine in need of a tune-up operates about 4% less efficiently, according to the DOE. Drivers who have followed the schedule and don’t see the phrase “service required” or “check engine” on their dashboard are probably in good shape, Brauer says.Check the tires
A spring tire pressure survey from the Rubber Manufacturers Association found that only 17% of vehicles had all four of their tires properly inflated. Under- or over-inflated tires change the way the car handles, adding drag and speeding wear, which can reduce fuel efficiency by about 3%. When inflating, don’t go by the figure stamped on the tire -- that’s the maximum it can handle, Hyde says. Look to the driver's side door panel or owner's manual for information on proper inflation levels.Use the right motor oil
Check the driver’s manual for the proper grade, Kliesch says. Using the wrong one can lower fuel efficiency by 1% to 2%.Create a fuel-efficient route
Plot out errands for the shortest route possible around town, Brauer says. On longer trips, try to factor in weather, construction and traffic to avoid periods when the car is idling -- which gets you zero miles per gallon. Many GPS units offer alternate route plotting; Google Maps also shows traffic conditions.Drive responsibly
The government estimates that the most fuel efficient driving speed is between 40 and 60 miles per hour for most vehicles. Drivers who begin following the speed limit should see dramatic improvements in fuel economy, Kliesch says. Speeding and rapid acceleration and braking can collectively reduce fuel efficiency by up to 33% at highway speeds and by about 5% at slower, local speed limits, according to the Alliance to Save Energy. When possible, set the cruise control for steadier speeds.Skip premium fuel
Aside from high-end sports cars that list premium fuel as a requirement in their owner's manuals, most cars will do fine on regular unleaded. The national average price for a gallon of unleaded is currently $2.72; a gallon of premium, $2.99, according to AAA. The difference amounts to roughly $5 per average tank.Thursday, September 9, 2010
Do you know what this symbol means?
1/3 of all drivers do not understand what this symbol on their dashboards mean.
It's a tire pressure sign. For tire and car safety, please read this short article: click here.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
4 Splurges That Make Sense
So, look to spend some money, Farnoosh Torabi has four suggestions. The article comes from http://moneywatch.bnet.com
Ever find yourself justifying an expensive pair of shoes or a pricey pair of jeans by promising yourself you’ll “wear it forever”?
Ever find yourself justifying an expensive pair of shoes or a pricey pair of jeans by promising yourself you’ll “wear it forever”?
Often, we’re just kidding ourselves - it just makes sense to go for the lower-priced alternative, especially if you’re in the market to save. But believe it or not, some merchandise (and some memberships) can be be well worth the splurge. Here are five examples, including some ways to save on the splurge:
1. Designer Perfume
Lusting after a $100 per ounce eau de parfum? If you purchase and commit to just this one bottle, you can potentially save close to $50 over the course of two years. How? Cheap scents aren’t formulated to last. At best, they’ll last a good two or three months before becoming distorted or running empty because you’ve been spritzing so much to get the same high-end effect.
Higher-quality fragrances tend to contain higher-grade oils and less alcohol, so that the scent lasts longer and does not become distorted during the day or over time in the bottle, according to Polly Blitzer, founder of BeautyBlitz.com. Splurging on a pricey classic eau de toilette can last you at least two years (or 15 cents a spritz) when used once day. With the cheap stuff, you’ll be running back to the designer-imposters counter four times a year.
Savings tip: Add more life to the perfume by requesting a few free samples of the scent. You can use them before moving on to your actual bottle.
2. Unlimited Music Plans
Services like Rhapsody and Napster, which offer unlimited music for a monthly fee, can be worth the splurge if you’re a major music lover. You pay $10 or $15 for Rhapsody’s unlimited music streaming, for example - but if you’re buying 20 songs a month off iTunes or in stores, you’re already spending north of $20. You have to pay extra to actually download the music files - but if that’s OK by you, Rhapsody can save you at least $5 a month and get you tons more songs. Potential savings: $60 a year.
3. Quality Sneakers
If you’re an avid runner, high-quality sneakers are more likely to wear better and last longer because of high-end construction and support. Most shoes over $80 are considered performance running and generally will last between 350-500 miles, depending on the size of the runner and the surface they’re running on, according to Dan Griffin, a rep for Brooks Sports. At best, that’s just a little more than 6 cents per mile. Good running shoes are designed to protect you from injury. For example, they may better cushion the repetitive pounding that would otherwise wear on your joints. Cheap sneakers on the other hand, may mean spending more money down the road to repair the aches and pains … not to mention calluses and blisters.
Savings tip: Ask the salesperson for shoes with “improved cushioning and stability.” Those are the keywords that mean “quality.” Generally, the higher the price, the more cushion and/or stability the shoe will provide. Then, test-run the shoes outside the store for a bit. This isn’t a purchase you want to do in a hurry. Invest at least a half-hour in making sure they offer comfort and fit.
4. Video Game Rental Clubs
Have kids who go bananas over the newest and latest games? At Gamefly you can rent two games at a time for $23 a month. If you normally buy at least five games in a year (at $60 a pop), you would actually end up saving you around $24 a year at Gamefly and you can play dozens more games.
Savings tip: First-time members can sometimes get a trial run that’s either free or much lower than the standard fee. For example, at Gamefly, if you sign up for a 1-year gift certificate (2 games out a time) you get 20% off the regular price, so it’ll cost you around $18 a month, instead of $23.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
9 Things Teachers Want from Parents
click here for the full article....
1. Don't be a stranger!
2. Learning doesn't stop at 3:15.
3. Stay involved — even when you don't know the material.
4. Keep your child organized.
5. Let your child make mistakes.
6. Raise a good reader.
7. If the teacher deserves a good grade, give her one.
8. The teacher's on your side — give her the benefit of the doubt.
9. There is a secret to better grades.
1. Don't be a stranger!
2. Learning doesn't stop at 3:15.
3. Stay involved — even when you don't know the material.
4. Keep your child organized.
5. Let your child make mistakes.
6. Raise a good reader.
7. If the teacher deserves a good grade, give her one.
8. The teacher's on your side — give her the benefit of the doubt.
9. There is a secret to better grades.
Monday, September 6, 2010
The end of a Philadelphia Icon? Le Bec Fin
Have you ever eaten at Le Bec Fin in Philadelphia? Well if not, you might to do so soon, if you can afford it. The owner may be selling in 2011.
This article was originally taken from http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/20100724_C_est_fini_pour_Le_Bec-Fin_.html
Georges Perrier is going to say "Au revoir!" to Le Bec-Fin, his landmark Center City French restaurant, some time next year.
Unless, of course, he changes his mind. Which he might. Unless he doesn't.
"I'm a little tired of doing the same thing. I think we will probably close in the spring," Perrier said last night.
Moments later, he added: "I don't know. You never know. You can always change your mind."
What is known for sure is that Perrier put both the restaurant business and its building, at 1523 Walnut St., up for sale earlier this week.
And Perrier held an emotional meeting with his staff yesterday, where he announced that he intended to close the restaurant.
It was a gut-wrenching decision for the celebrated chef, who opened Le Bec-Fin in 1970.
A decade later, the 5-star restaurant was recognized as one of the best in the country, and it helped transform a once-seedy section of Walnut Street into the revered Restaurant Row.
But the times changed - don't they always? - and the fancy, three-figure meals Perrier offered at Le Bec-Fin fell out of favor.
In a bid to stay competitive, Perrier eased the restaurant's formal dress code and high prices. It was forced to give up one of its Mobil Travel Guide stars because of the changes.
Last summer, he offered four-course tasting menus with a twist - customers were allowed to pay whatever they wanted. Currently, the restaurant is offering a $40 four-course menu to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
"I want to do something different," Perrier said, noting that he is working on three new restaurant projects. "I feel I have given a lot to this town. My head is high."
Perrier also owns Georges' in Wayne and a catering operation, and along with business partner Chris Scarduzio opened Table 31 at the Comcast Center and Mia in Atlantic City.
Patrons of Le Bec-Fin last night expressed a mix of sadness and reverence.
"I'm sorry to hear that," said Dr. Rhoda Maister, who was walking into the restaurant for dinner with her husband. "It's a very nice restaurant, different for Philadelphia."
"He just kissed my hand! He was so nice," Joann Manuel said of Perrier as she left after dinner.
"That's like a Philadelphia icon," she added. "How could they do that to us?"
This article was originally taken from http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/20100724_C_est_fini_pour_Le_Bec-Fin_.html
Georges Perrier is going to say "Au revoir!" to Le Bec-Fin, his landmark Center City French restaurant, some time next year.
Unless, of course, he changes his mind. Which he might. Unless he doesn't.
"I'm a little tired of doing the same thing. I think we will probably close in the spring," Perrier said last night.
Moments later, he added: "I don't know. You never know. You can always change your mind."
What is known for sure is that Perrier put both the restaurant business and its building, at 1523 Walnut St., up for sale earlier this week.
And Perrier held an emotional meeting with his staff yesterday, where he announced that he intended to close the restaurant.
It was a gut-wrenching decision for the celebrated chef, who opened Le Bec-Fin in 1970.
A decade later, the 5-star restaurant was recognized as one of the best in the country, and it helped transform a once-seedy section of Walnut Street into the revered Restaurant Row.
But the times changed - don't they always? - and the fancy, three-figure meals Perrier offered at Le Bec-Fin fell out of favor.
In a bid to stay competitive, Perrier eased the restaurant's formal dress code and high prices. It was forced to give up one of its Mobil Travel Guide stars because of the changes.
Last summer, he offered four-course tasting menus with a twist - customers were allowed to pay whatever they wanted. Currently, the restaurant is offering a $40 four-course menu to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
"I want to do something different," Perrier said, noting that he is working on three new restaurant projects. "I feel I have given a lot to this town. My head is high."
Perrier also owns Georges' in Wayne and a catering operation, and along with business partner Chris Scarduzio opened Table 31 at the Comcast Center and Mia in Atlantic City.
Patrons of Le Bec-Fin last night expressed a mix of sadness and reverence.
"I'm sorry to hear that," said Dr. Rhoda Maister, who was walking into the restaurant for dinner with her husband. "It's a very nice restaurant, different for Philadelphia."
"He just kissed my hand! He was so nice," Joann Manuel said of Perrier as she left after dinner.
"That's like a Philadelphia icon," she added. "How could they do that to us?"
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Legal or illegal? You decide!
The question at hand is, should it be illegal to say that you were a veteran of war? The article below describes the situation:
This article was taken from http://www.military.com
DENVER -- A law that makes it illegal to lie about being a war hero is unconstitutional because it violates free speech, a federal judge ruled Friday as he dismissed a case against a Colorado man who claimed he received two military medals.
Rick Glen Strandlof claimed he was an ex-Marine who was wounded in Iraq and received the Purple Heart and Silver Star, but the military had no record he ever served. He was charged with violating the Stolen Valor Act, which makes it a crime punishable by up to a year in jail to falsely claim to have won a military medal.
U.S. District Judge Robert Blackburn dismissed the case and said the law is unconstitutional, ruling the government did not show it has a compelling reason to restrict that type of statement.
A spokesman for the U.S. attorney in Denver said prosecutors are reviewing the decision and haven't decided whether to appeal. The spokesman said that decision would be made by the U.S. Justice Department in Washington and prosecutors in Denver.
Strandlof's lawyer, Bob Pepin, said he hadn't spoken to Strandlof since the ruling was issued. Pepin said he would advise Strandlof not to comment publicly because the case might be appealed.
"Obviously, we think this is the right decision, or we wouldn't have been making the objections to the statute to begin with," he said. Pepin said Strandlof has been living in a halfway house in Denver while his case is in the courts.
The law has also been challenged in California and in a case now before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Denver attorney Christopher P. Beall, who filed a friend-of-the-court brief for the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, said the Stolen Valor Act is fatally flawed because it doesn't require prosecutors to show anyone was harmed or defamed by the lie.
"The government position was that any speech that's false is not protected by the First Amendment. That proposition is very dangerous," Beall said.
"It puts the government in a much more powerful position to prosecute people for speaking out on things they believe to be true but turn out not to be true," he said.
Beall said the ACLU was not defending the actions Strandlof is accused of, but took issue with the principle behind the law.
Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., who sponsored the Stolen Valor Act in the House, predicted the decision will be overturned on appeal.
"This is an issue of fraud plain and simple," Salazar said in a written release. "The individuals who violate this law are those who knowingly portray themselves as pillars of the community for personal and monetary gain."
Pam Sterner, who as a college student wrote a policy analysis that became the basis of Salazar's bill, said the issue isn't free speech but misrepresentation. Sterner, a former Coloradan who now lives in Virginia, said authentic medal winners' credibility suffers when impostors are exposed because the public becomes suspicious of even true stories of heroism.
This article was taken from http://www.military.com
DENVER -- A law that makes it illegal to lie about being a war hero is unconstitutional because it violates free speech, a federal judge ruled Friday as he dismissed a case against a Colorado man who claimed he received two military medals.
Rick Glen Strandlof claimed he was an ex-Marine who was wounded in Iraq and received the Purple Heart and Silver Star, but the military had no record he ever served. He was charged with violating the Stolen Valor Act, which makes it a crime punishable by up to a year in jail to falsely claim to have won a military medal.
U.S. District Judge Robert Blackburn dismissed the case and said the law is unconstitutional, ruling the government did not show it has a compelling reason to restrict that type of statement.
Strandlof's lawyer, Bob Pepin, said he hadn't spoken to Strandlof since the ruling was issued. Pepin said he would advise Strandlof not to comment publicly because the case might be appealed.
"Obviously, we think this is the right decision, or we wouldn't have been making the objections to the statute to begin with," he said. Pepin said Strandlof has been living in a halfway house in Denver while his case is in the courts.
The law has also been challenged in California and in a case now before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Denver attorney Christopher P. Beall, who filed a friend-of-the-court brief for the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, said the Stolen Valor Act is fatally flawed because it doesn't require prosecutors to show anyone was harmed or defamed by the lie.
"The government position was that any speech that's false is not protected by the First Amendment. That proposition is very dangerous," Beall said.
"It puts the government in a much more powerful position to prosecute people for speaking out on things they believe to be true but turn out not to be true," he said.
Beall said the ACLU was not defending the actions Strandlof is accused of, but took issue with the principle behind the law.
Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., who sponsored the Stolen Valor Act in the House, predicted the decision will be overturned on appeal.
"This is an issue of fraud plain and simple," Salazar said in a written release. "The individuals who violate this law are those who knowingly portray themselves as pillars of the community for personal and monetary gain."
Pam Sterner, who as a college student wrote a policy analysis that became the basis of Salazar's bill, said the issue isn't free speech but misrepresentation. Sterner, a former Coloradan who now lives in Virginia, said authentic medal winners' credibility suffers when impostors are exposed because the public becomes suspicious of even true stories of heroism.
© Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Birthday etiquette
I would like your opinion on this:
Is it improper to send an e-card to family and close friends on their birthday instead of giving them a paper card? My opinion is that e-cards are more creative and paper cards kill trees. I would actually prefer e-cards because all I do is throw the paper card away (sorry, recycle) within a week anyway.
In addition, is it improper to send e-vites or e-thanks to people you are inviting to a party or thanking for coming to the party? I know someone disagrees with me on this (no names), but it saves money, time, and trees.
Now weddings might be different. What is your opinion about all three when it comes to weddings?
Is it improper to send an e-card to family and close friends on their birthday instead of giving them a paper card? My opinion is that e-cards are more creative and paper cards kill trees. I would actually prefer e-cards because all I do is throw the paper card away (sorry, recycle) within a week anyway.
In addition, is it improper to send e-vites or e-thanks to people you are inviting to a party or thanking for coming to the party? I know someone disagrees with me on this (no names), but it saves money, time, and trees.
Now weddings might be different. What is your opinion about all three when it comes to weddings?
Friday, September 3, 2010
Edgar Muller: Pavement Chalk Artist
Thursday, September 2, 2010
What is your idea of a perfect teacher?
From the words of Suze Orman:
What is your idea of a perfect teacher?
- It would have to be one who inspires you to be more than you ever dreamed you could be.To see the rest of her Q&A with Edutopia, click here:
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
A Neat Desk vs. A Messy Desk
To honor my first day of work for the 2010-2011 school year:
The article in this link pretty much says that you should have a neat desk in order to look professional.
I am more organized in a mess than I am with a neat desk. In fact, when I clean up, I have trouble finding things.....
How about you?
The article in this link pretty much says that you should have a neat desk in order to look professional.
I am more organized in a mess than I am with a neat desk. In fact, when I clean up, I have trouble finding things.....
How about you?
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