| Author wants San Antonians to get fit
A San Antonio fitness buff and author is taking his message public this month, launching a campaign to get more people to make exercise part of their daily routine. Bob Brinkmann is a man on a mission, and he practices what he preaches. After a lifelong love affair with fitness and 20 years in the Army, he wrote the book "Fitness Timer," a daily log and manual to keep exercise top of mind. It has information on everything from strength training to nutrition. "I do believe very strongly in health and fitness," Brinkmann said. "I like everyone around me to be fit. I find that people are happier and they can do a lot more activities, not only as a family, but individually as well." Brinkmann has partnered with local gyms like Lifetime Fitness and Sports and Nutrition stores.
Pensioner's basket is half full
BETTY, a pensioner from Inverell, in northern NSW, has, I am sure, never met Heath Ledger _ and I would bet on it that she has never been to New York. She would find it obscene, probably, that an apartment there - or a loft, as they call them in SoHo _ could set you back $25,000 a month. How are you coping on the pension? Let us know in the feedback form below. Betty has probably never had the luxury of employing a house-keeper or having a masseuse come around to your house to make you feel better. Betty is no international movie star, but her impact on my week has been just as profound as the impact of the much-mourned Australian actor Heath Ledger. Their worlds collided in a funny way on the radio this week when the Australian star lost his way and his life in New York on the same day - Wednesday - that Betty decided to pick up the phone and tell her story.
Sales up in Naples area in January, attitudes are upbeat
In January, home sales rose although prices fell in the Naples area, a report released Thursday showed. There were 264 home sales last month, compared to 261 a year ago. That included 142 condo sales, compared to 126 in January 2007, a more than 12 percent increase. “The buyers who are coming down for season haven't seen prices like this in a while," said Joe Ballarino, president and CEO of Amerivest Realty in North Naples. The Naples Area Board of Realtors report released Thursday reflects sales made in Collier County through the Sunshine MLS, excluding Marco Island. It includes an overall market summary and breaks sales down by price and geographic area carved out by zip code. In January, homes priced at less than $300,000 saw the biggest jump in sales -- from 81 a year ago to 103.
Why Hannah is so hot
Six days later, the last dad standing won passes to her concert. On Friday, Disney will release "Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert," a 3-D movie.
But, here's the catch -- the film will stay in theaters for only one week. Since going on sale Dec. 1, the film has become the top seller for movie ticketing service Fandango. Tickets at Tanglewood Mall's Carmike Cinemas were going so fast that Disney gave permission to add a second screen. Why is Hannah/Miley reaching fame that today's parents have not seen since Duran Duran? Her story, said Robert Thompson, a Syracuse University pop culture expert, is the ultimate fantasy. Hannah Montana is a regular teen dealing with popularity and annoying brothers -- while, deep in her mind, she knows she's a rock star.
Gadgets Greenpeace Launches Campaign Against "Toxic" Gaming Consoles
The games consoles market is one of the fastest growing in consumer electronics with over 60 million sold and 14 percent growth last year," Greenpeace explained on its newly launched Clash of the Consoles website. "These consoles contain toxic chemicals and can contribute to the massive growth of electronic waste that's often dumped, causing widespread environmental pollution and health problems for unprotected workers." Greenpeace has been pushing for the entire electronics manufacturing industry to replace the use of toxic chemicals such as brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) with safer alternatives, the environmental group believes that none of the consoles produced by the big three are toxic-responsible. "We've checked how the environmental performances of Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo measure up on toxics, recycling and energy use," said Greenpeace.
Elder menus
Merrimack Valley Elderly Nutrition Program lunches are served in Amesbury, Georgetown, Groveland, Newburyport, Merrimac, Salisbury and West Newbury. Menus are for Monday, Feb. 25, to Friday, Feb. 29. Monday — Low-salt Frank, mustard and relish, baked beans, coleslaw, Lorna Doone Cookies/All, hot dog roll. Tuesday — Beef liver, onion gravy, Tuscany-blend vegetables, applesauce/All, stone ground wheat bread. Wednesday — Grape juice, chicken fajitas, Oriental-style rice, Oriental-style vegetables, fruited gelatin/Diet fruit gelatin, tortilla wrap. Thursday — Swedish meatballs with gravy, herb-mashed potatoes, peas and mushrooms, fresh fruit/All, low-fat muffin. Friday — Pier 17 fish with tartar sauce, herb-roasted potatoes, Jardiniere-blend vegetables, Mandarin oranges/All, dark rye bread.
Back up those words with cash
But nothing would prove how much the Bears believe that doubts about their aging star are misplaced like a new contract for Urlacher, a possibility that is on Angelo's radar.
Forget about showing us the MRIs: Show him the money.
Unless the Bears take action to back up their hopeful words, many will wonder about Urlacher's ability to return to normal. And many will wonder if the Bears really wonder too.
Now that the Rex Grossman deal is done, is it a crazy idea for the Bears to extend the contract of an arthritic thirtysomething linebacker coming off neck surgery?
Not if they want to keep their franchise player happy before he starts grumbling about being unappreciated and underpaid with a contract that is as outdated as a dial-up modem.
Pie is only the beginning of great pumpkin desserts
Cut the bread into 15 slices, each ½-inch thick. Set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat together the cream, vanilla and sugar on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the bowl from the mixer and, using a rubber spatula, fold in the pecan pumpkin butter. Refrigerate until ready to use. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the maple syrup, brandy and water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. To assemble the trifle: Place 3 slices of bread in the bottom of a trifle bowl or deep soufflé dish, cutting the slices in halves and quarters as needed to form a single layer of bread. Using a pastry brush, brush the bread with some of the maple syrup mixture and let it soak in.
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