interesting

This juicy biography of the photographer who married and divorcedthe Queen's sister is authorised, in the sense that AntonyArmstrong-Jones, the 1st Earl of Snowdon, gave its author "fullaccess" to his archives and fixed her up with introductions to hisfriends and, erm, servants. But you have to wonder what he makes ofit now.
If he's pleased with it - and I gather from British newspapercolumns that he is not displeased - then the man must be even moreof an egomaniac than the text suggests. Anne de Courcy tries hardto push Snowdon's good deeds: his work for the disabled. Shepraises the Snowdon Aviary at London Zoo, which he helped tocreate, and her admiration for his photography seems to know nobounds ("His true genius," she writes, "lies in the field ofphoto-reportage", which was news to me). But there is reallynothing she can do.
The other evidence just piles up. So, Snowdon can be charming. So,he made sure that the gamekeepers on royal shoots got a vacuumflask of hot stew for lunch, just like their employers.Unfortunately, he is also, to judge by his biography, haughty,self-regarding, selfish, needy, remote, rude, chilly, oversexed andhighly spoilt.
No wonder Princess Margaret fell for him. It must have been likelooking in a mirror. Snowdon's troubles began, psychologicallyspeaking, in childhood. It was a pretty posh sort of childhood,with several grand houses in the family but Mummy and Daddy weredivorced and when Mummy remarried, she favoured her new family overpoor Tony and his sister, Susan (their father, RonaldArmstrong-Jones, was a mere barrister).
His mother, Anne, didn't even visit her teenage son when he wasrecovering from poliomyelitis and it's possible that his attitudeto women was sealed as he lay alone in his hospital bed.
Thereafter, relationships were on his terms only, and his marriageto Margaret was doomed. It wasn't only that they both had to be themost important person in the room; it was that, thanks to royalprotocol, it was infuriatingly difficult for Snowdon to absenthimself from proceedings. Still, for a while, they were a perfectmatch and de Courcy's account of the period before and just aftertheir marriage in 1960 makes for joyous reading. Their sharedvanity was immense.
The couple used to sunbathe on the roof of Snowdon's studio,preferably on tinfoil, to better reflect the rays, and he once dyedhis hair - it came out apricot - so they would "match". Then thereare the mysteries and outrages of royal life. If, at dinner, theprincess did not help herself to potatoes, no one else waspermitted to take any. This is enough to drive anyone bats and,sure enough, once the first glow had departed from their union,Tony began leaving lists around - "things I hate about you" - forhis darling wife to read. "You look like a Jewish manicurist," wasa message she once found in her glove drawer.
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:"To help parents deal with the challenge of finding a safealternative sleeping environment for their children, CPSC partneredwith a non-profit organization that is helping economicallydisadvantaged families that are desperately in need of a free crib.Parents can contact CPSC Public Affairs at 301-504-7908 if theyface this situation."
The Chicago-based safety group Kids In Danger has somerecommendations for parents affected by the recall:
If parents can afford it, purchase a new crib online or at a "
Babies 'R' Us
" store and get reimbursed once the voucher arrives.
For newborns and babies not yet pushing up or rolling over, theycan stay in a bassinet. Older babies (close to 2 years old) can bemoved to the crib mattress on the floor of a childproofed nursery.
Other babies can sleep in a portable crib or playpen. Make sure ithasnt been recalled and meets current safety standards (JPMAseal). This means it was tested for use as a sleep environment.
Never put a baby to sleep on couches, chairs, strollers or waterbeds or with another child or in a sleep environment with softbedding.

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This release contains certain statements that may be deemed"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the PrivateSecurities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-lookingstatements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties andactual results could differ materially from those expressed in anyof the forward-looking statements. The words "plan," "confidentthat," "believe," "scheduled," "expect," or "intend to," andsimilar conditional expressions, are intended to identifyforward-looking statements. Although the company believes that theexpectations reflected in its forward-looking statements arereasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations or anyof its forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Factorsthat could cause results to differ include, but are not limited to,the availability of components and successful production of thecompany's products, successful performance of internal plans, theimpact of competitive services and pricing, general economic risksand uncertainties, and various other information detailed from timeto time in the company's filings with the United States Securitiesand Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation topublicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect eventsor circumstances that arise after the date hereof. Please refer tothe company's filings at
www.sec.gov
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DOST offers water purifiers to storm-hit villages
By David Israel Sinay
Visayas Bureau
First Posted 23:08:00 07/23/2008
ILOILO CITY, Philippines -- The Industrial Technology DevelopmentInstitute (ITDI) has developed an "easy to install" water purifierthat can solve the potable water needs of typhoon-hit strickenareas in far-flung communities.
The ITDI is one of the research and development institutes of theDepartment of Science and Technology (DOST) that delves intomaterials science, electronics and process control, fuels andenergy, food processing, and environment.
DOST regional director Rowen Gellonga said the installation of this"simple" facility would cost at least P10,000, which could besubsidized by the local government units concerned.
It plans to bring a unit of the water purifier from the DOSTcentral office in Manila to Iloilo on Friday and present it tolocal government units in typhoon-hit areas here. Once installed,it will produce purified water for the consumption of theirconstituents, particularly in remote villages.
The system has been tested at the DOST central office, he said.
Gellonga said the facility "could easily be installed in thedistant villages because it uses local components... a very simpleseries of filters."
Gellonga, however, said the water purifier's filter system might be"slow" in processing drinking water. He said the facility couldinitially generate less than 100 liters of potable water in an hour"which could not meet the requirements of a community."
"We are trying to achieve its maximum capacity to serve thecommunity," he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a telephoneinterview Tuesday.
He said the facility would provide drinking water to villageswithout access for potable water.
The pipelines of the Metro Iloilo Water District, the sole waterdistribution facility here, and water sources such as deep wellswere damaged and contaminated with floodwater and mud when typhoonFrank lashed the city last June.
Drinking water in the metropolis is currently sourced from thewater treatment facilities lent and offered by other governmentagencies and private organizations while others go for bottledwater.
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The local chapter of Newborns in Need, the only one in WestVirginia, is taking part in the largest baby shower on the planetthroughout the month of August.
The chapter based in Middlebourne is only one of 46 in 29 statesthat enlist the help of over 5,000 volunteers to serve premature,sick, and needy newborns by providing clothing, blankets, healthnecessities, and care essentials. The sad fact is that somepremature and newborn babies do not have anything to wear or ablanket in which to be cuddled.
Debra Cox, president of the West Virginia Tyler County Chapter,said it is amazing how volunteers unfailingly provide just what isneeded at the moment. Once, when a hospital sent a request for softburp cloths for babies addicted to drugs, a box containing just theright things appeared.
Various items babies need are being collected in what they arecalling the largest baby shower on the planet during August. Then,on Sept. 1, Labor Day, Newborns in Need, Inc. will report theresults. They are attempting to establish the Guinness World Recordfor helping babies. In 2007 Newborns in Need donated over 557,000essential items to in crisis newborns. With success in this 2008effort, they hope to be able to double this effort.
Each chapter serves an average of 21 pregnancy centers, hospitals,homeless shelters, police departments, etc. The volunteers make byhand many of the clothes and blankets they donate. They alsoprovide beautiful handmade burial garments whenever they areneeded.
Partnering with these 5,000 volunteers in this project are many ofthe volunteers of the Mommies Network, Inc.
Churches, schools, civic clubs, hospitals, retailers, andneighborhood groups are giving baby showers throughout August.Locally, baby items can be dropped off at Curves in the NewMartinsville Plaza. Its hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.to 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.,and 3:30 to 6 p.m.
Additionally, volunteers will be at the entrances to the NewMartinsville Wal-Mart on Aug. 24 from noon to 5 p.m. collectingitems.
For more information or to make a donation, contact Cox at304-771-8163 or by mail at P.O. Box 133, Middlebourne, WV 26149.You can also visit
www.newbornsinneed.org/tcwv
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Nathan's Famous, deep in the heart of Brooklyn at the Coney Islandpier, was the scene today for the first overtime chew-off in thehistory of the hot dog eating contest.
Shortened by two minutes this year, the big kahuna of competitiveeating was the most tense scene you could imagine. The competitorswho were used to the 12 minute limit had to bring new strategy tothe table.
Kobayashi, the 6 time champ had been dethroned last year by JoeyChestnut. Jaw problems plagued the Asian wonder at last year's dogfest and he had sought out the help of physicians to assist himregain his dominance.
What a sight to see him in top form battling against the youngAmerican who needed to win to show the world that last year's firstplace finish was not directly related to Kobayashi's injury.
At the ten minute mark, both men, far ahead of anyone else in thefield, had their 59th hot dog in their mouths. If one of them hadreversed the food flow, so to speak, the other would win. They bothwere able to swallow the last bit. The chew-off commenced with 5hot dogs to be eaten and swallowed; first to stuff the 5th wholebun and dog into their mouths without any blow back would win.
A reversal by Kobayashi at the very end gave Chestnut the crown,crumbs smeared all over his face as his hand was raised in the air.A bitter defeat for Kobayashi for sure as he brought his best gameand lost fair and square. But what a finish folks! The competitorswill live to eat another day as they cross continents on thecompetitive eating circuit. Will Kobayashi hang it up in Brooklyn?If he does, he couldn't go out with a better spectacle than this.
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K at Schon and Penney Stephenson, who co-own Portland StoreFixtures, use both sides of their post-consumer recycled paperbefore they re-recycle it or use it for scrap.
Their invoices and envelopes tend to have another company's namecrossed out and theirs stamped on. And extra packing materials,shelving or stuff the store can't use or sell are distributed forfree to other businesses in their industrial Southeast Portlandneighborhood.
The store's co-owners had never sought a business loan until lastyear, when they bought the building they've leased since 2002.
"People need to start living with their environment, not on top ofit," says Schon, who eats mostly organic and locally grown food,proudly wears secondhand clothes, only goes to coffee shops onspecial occasions, and recently bought her first brand-new car, a$22,000 Toyota Prius that can get up to 50 miles per gallon of gas.
"There are frugal ways of doing just about everything. It's how Ilive personally, so it makes sense that that's the way I dobusiness."
Apparently, Schon and Stephenson are doing something right,considering they seeded their vision with only $200 when they movedto Portland from Hawaii in 1998.
Now, Portland Store Fixtures, which has more than 7,000 customers,grosses nearly $1 million a year and is a favorite of Portlanderswho take their green ethic seriously.
"If I go in and explain what it is I need, they can come up withsomething. And if they can't get it, they can find somethingthat'll work," says Debe McCaul, who has been a fan of PortlandStore Fixtures since she and her husband bought the ScottishCountry Shop, off Southeast Powell, six years ago. "We've becomegood friends with them and our dogs are good friends."
A while back, Robyn Craig says she got a phone call from Schon andStephenson after they found something they thought she might like.Craig suspended the two 8-foot tree branches from the ceiling ofher funky Northwest Portland gift shop, Stella's on 21st, and usesthem to hang bird feeders and wind chimes.
"We just didn't want to have uniform shelving," Craig explains."They always have just interesting things to pick and choose from."
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The machine's sensors monitor clothing movement and adjust the washaction and the water level to get your clothes cleaner with lesswater and energy. The bowl only fills with enough water to saturateclothes. That concentrated water and detergent solution isrecirculated via a special pump system that lets the washer useonly one-third of the hot water used in other models.
Throughout the wash cycle, the sensors continue to adjust theagitator for gentle or more intense movement, mimicking handwashing, and allowing the machine to change the water levels andtemperature as needed, which, according to the company,dramatically reduces water usage.
In addition, the washer's direct drive motor has no mechanicalbrake, pulleys, or gears, which means fewer moving parts. In otherwords, what's not there can't break.
For the truly eco-minded, the machine also comes with instructionsthat detail how you can reuse your wash and rinse water for asecond load--but you'll need to have enough storage space for thewet clothes to sit around and wait their turn.
Sensitive users can take advantage of the machine's allergy cycle,which is designed to kill dust mites and remove all their waste ina highly concentrated hot wash.

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Eli Doron said yesterday: "Meanwhile, all I care about is my wife'shealth, but as both a husband and a technical professional, I willdemand all the investigative material, and steps will be takenagainst anyone who was negligent."
Doron, an operation manager at Dagon Granaries in Haifa, has beenby his wife's bedside at Rambam Medical Center since Monday.
Chief Superintendent Beni Aviliya, head of the Nahariya police,told Haaretz that everyone connected with the gas station would bequestioned, and that a criminal investigation had been opened.
The commander of the Western Galilee fire brigade, Amir Levy, saidthat the day before, a car had driven off without taking the pumpnozzle out of the gas tank, ripping the hose.
A safety valve worked properly at that time, he said; however, itshould have been replaced then, and was not.
"The next day the valve worked as usual until evening, when anotherdriver used it and again drove off with the nozzle in the gas tank,tearing the hose. But this time the valve didn't work, and when thewoman [Doron] who came after him a few minutes later began to fillher tank, gas sprayed all over her and the car, and a spark from anunknown source, maybe even from static electricity, caused thefire."
The theory that a cell phone had caused the spark was rejectedafter Doron's cell phone was found inside the car, and it wasdetermined that she had not been using it.
Delek Group, which owns the station at Kibbutz Eilon, said it hadsent a representative to the hospital to assist the family. Thecompany also said it had begun its own investigation of the fireand was cooperating with all authorities.
The director of Intensive Care at Rambam, Dr. Yaron Bar-Lavi, saidIrit Doron's condition was serious but stable, with mainly seconddegree burns over 50 percent of her body, and that herrehabilitation will be a long process.

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The 86-year wait between Red Sox World Series victories from 1918to 2004 was agonizingly long for die-hard BoSox fan Rose Kelly.
Kelly, a Somerville native born in 1908, celebrated her 100thbirthday on July 28, and a party was held for her at the SomervilleCity Club on July 23 to celebrate her longevity.
By the time she was 20, she had already seen the Sox capture fiveWorld Series titles.
“I grew up with the Red Sox, and when I first got married Ilived right across from Fenway Park,” Kelly said. “Theyhave always been my favorites.”
On “Ladies Days,” Kelly would go to the Fenway Park fora dime, buy a program for a nickel and shell out another 5 centsfor peanuts. She remembers watching some of baseball’sall-time greats chase history, which included Babe Ruth and JoeDiMaggio.
“I liked DiMaggio, but I always cheered for the RedSox,” Kelly recalled while chuckling.
Asked what the most memorable game she went to when she was young,Kelly responded, “I went to so many I can’t rememberthem all.”
The Red Sox’ two recent World Series championships werethrilling for Kelly, and she still watches just about every game.These days her favorite players are sluggers David Ortiz and MannyRamirez, who she refers to as “the guy with the longhair.”
When Kelly was around 30 years old she left her apartment nearFenway for a place on Derby Street in Somerville and could nolonger make it to as many Red Sox games. Instead, she spent hertime making dresses and raising her three kids, sons Rich (76) andPaul (70), and daughter Lorraine (67).
Kelly still keeps herself quite busy to this day. She does her ownhousework, cooking, cleaning and prepares lunch for her daughter-inlaw and nephew every Sunday. She also leaves her apartment to playbingo, cards, visit family and California and makes the occasionaltrip to Foxwoods.
“I love to gamble,” Kelly said. “The last I timeI went, I won $401 on a slot machine. Money was coming down likenobody’s business.”
Living for many years is not a rarity in Kelly’s family. Herfather lived to be 93 and her five siblings all lived into their90s. Kelly still is able to walk without a cane, but shecouldn’t think of any reasons for members of her familyliving so long.
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