Texas AG makes appearance at polygamist trial

Texas AG makes appearance at polygamist trial: "ELDORADO, Texas — Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott made a surprise appearance Tuesday at the trial of a polygamist group member, taking notes during jury selection but not actively participating in the questioning of potential jurors.

"

Food banks see rise in donations, need

ok wats up"

Food banks see rise in donations, need

Food banks see rise in donations, need: "
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The nation's largest network of U.S. food banks said it logged record donations amid a greater demand from people seeking help."

Mercedes Mayor in disbelief over vote to gut the Open Meetings Act

Mercedes Mayor in disbelief over vote to gut the Open Meetings Act: "

The executive director of the Texas Municipal League said Monday that the resolution seeking to lessen jail-time penalties for violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act did pass with 'overwhelming' support at the nonprofit organization’s annual conference.

Frank Sturzl disputed the belief of TML board member Mercedes Mayor Joel Quintanilla and Mercedes City Commissioner Ruben Guajardo that the resolution failed.

'The city officials must be very confused,' Sturzl said Monday.

When you think that governments ought to be run in the dark, that would be confusing to people who think that government is for the benefit of its citizens.

The Corpus Christi Caller Times goes after Rockport Mayor, Todd Pearson, who wants to run Rockport away from public view.

The intent of the law is to stop public officials from handling public business away from the public eye. Citizens have a right to witness the arguments for and against legislation, and to try to influence the process. If city council members e-mail each other or talk privately about city business and come to agreement in that way, citizens are cut out.

Rockport Mayor Todd Pearson claims that officials are “unduly burdened” by the “onerous” criminal penalties in this law. But that burden is intentional. When public officials feel comfortable to the point of not watching what they say, the law gets broken. Public officials have nothing to fear if they follow the law.

"

American Lung Association Gives Houston "F" on Air Quality

American Lung Association Gives Houston "F" on Air Quality: "

Houston-area Harris County received failing grades for both ozone pollution and particle pollution in the State of the Air report released in April, 2009 by the American Lung Association.

According to the Houston Business Journal, "the association's research found that Harris County had an average of 53.7 unhealthy ozone days each year during a three-year period between 2005 and 2007, based on an 8-hour daily maximum concentration."

"

HARRIS COUNTY MAN KILLED BEHIND CHURCH!

HARRIS COUNTY MAN KILLED BEHIND CHURCH!: "POLICE NEED YOUR HELP TO FIND THE SHOOTER!

From Harris County Sheriff's Office: On November 7, 2009 at approximately 1:35 p.m. DeAndre Carl, 18 YOA was found shot in the rear of a church parking lot. Deputies arrived and was able to determine from Carl that he had got into an arguement with a unknown Black male who began shooting. Mr. Carl attempted to run from the scene but was struck one time.

Mr. Carl was transported to Herman Hospital where approximately 8 hours later he died due to his injuries. The Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit is conducting the investigation into Mr. Carls death, anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 222-TIPS or the Sheriff's Homicide Unit, 713-967-5810.

"

Network Card & its uses

Network Card & its uses: "

A network card, also referred to as a network interface card or network adapter, is an expansion card that acts as the physical interface between the cable and computer. It is called an expansion card because it is inserted into an expansion slot. It prepares, transforms, sends, and controls data on the network. It converts data coming from the cable into bytes in order for the central processing unit to read it. Network cards can be used in homes and offices. At home, if you have two or more computers, a network card will allow you to do things including but not limited to sharing files, printers, scanners, Internet access, and playing network games. The following items describe the roles of network cards and how to use them.



1. Using a network card will allow peer-to-peer networking or two or more computers to connect and share resources without the need to go through a separate server. To establish a peer-to-peer network, you have to check first that the card is properly installed into the expansion slot. The gold contacts you see on the card must be entirely inserted into the expansion slot on the motherboard. Secure the card in place using a screw, and after affixing the network card and connecting the cables into their proper places, verify if it is properly installed in the device manager. Installation and configuration of the network card may vary depending on the operating system you use. Connect the computers to each other and locate ‘network properties’ from the control panel. Verify if your network card is listed as a network component. Click the ‘file and print sharing’ under the network window if you want to allow file and print sharing on your computer. Enable the same settings on the other computer. Highlight the TCP/IP protocol by clicking the ‘properties’ button in order to set it up for your network adapter. Specify the IP address and note that the other computer must have a different IP address with the same subnet mask.

2. Basic network with file sharing is possible with Ethernet network cards with speeds of 10/100 mbps, a network switch, and standard network cables, and of course two or more computers. Basic configuration to connect the computers to each other is similar to peer-to-peer settings, and again, dependent on the computer’s operating system.

3. Basic network with file and broadband modem sharing will enable all computers in the house to share one modem connection. However, with multiple users in the house accessing the Internet at one time, browsing speed will be sluggish due to the slow connection.

4. Basic network with file and Internet sharing allows computer users in the house to share one Internet connection. It requires additional hardware, Ethernet network cards, a network hub, switch or router. Do the same configuration done with a peer-to-peer network. Your broadband Internet connection must be connected to the WAN port on the router. Connect the network switch to the router and affix each of the computers to the switch. The broadband Internet provider will provide you with network settings that you have to specify in your network router.

Related posts:

1. Steps to connect 2 computers
2. Steps to install a video card
3. AT&T’s Universal Card details

"

Sesame Street 40th Anniversary

Sesame Street 40th Anniversary: "

This week Sesame Street is going to celebrate their 40th Anniversary, the children’s show was first aired on 10th November, 1969 on PBS. But the news is this that the Google has decided to celebrate with them. It is a well known generosity of Google that they celebrate the birth days and anniversaries of different renowned and famous personalities, tv shows, inventions and many other things by giving them a tribute and that tribute is generally in the shape of Google logo. The show airs on PBS since 1969.

Yesterday, they made Cookie Monster as their logo and Big Bird was featured on the day before yesterday. Now, this time too, they are going to make a new logo featuring, Bert and Ernie. These two folks are pretty close to each other having close relations as a friend and always eager to play games and read books together. Ernie also likes his Rubber Ducky as he makes bath time funny.

Like other characters of Sesame Street, Jim Henderson is the creator of Bert and Ernie. Sesame Street is children’s show which is famous all over the world. There are different characters in the show with different shapes (not like the beings). Ernie, Big Bird and Cookie Monster are the most favorite ones of the children. It is a puppet show in which characters provide the basic knowledge to little children like how to read, how to open the door, how to cross the road and many more.

Related posts:

1. Google celebrates its 11th birthday
2. Google to delete street images…
3. Shalom Sesame’s big stars in new season

"

Testing Times for Muslims and Americans

Testing Times for Muslims and Americans: "The American Muslim community is in shock and in a state of disbelief combined with apprehension as it watches the details of the shootings at Fort Hood in Texas unfold. Major Nidal Malik Hasan, a doctor and a practising Muslim, born in Virginia of Jordanian parents, turned against his fellow citizens and military colleagues and gunned down 13 and wounded 30. Fort Hood is America's biggest military installation. It is like a sanctuary where Americans should feel safe. It is difficult to describe the fear and anxiety this ghastly event must be invoking among the families who live in Fort Hood. What happened at Fort Hood follows a nightmare script that has been one of the biggest fears of the...

"

Officials to release names of 13 victims in Ft. Hood massacre

Breaking:Fort Hood officials at 4 p.m. local time will release the names of the 13 people who died in Thursday's shooting rampage

True US unemployment rate stands at 17.5%

True US unemployment rate stands at 17.5%: "

According to figures released by the Department of Labor, the real marker of American unemployment stands at 17.5 percent -- a figure which takes into account under-employed workers and those who have not sought work in the last four weeks, according to a published report.

'If statistics went back so far, the measure would almost certainly be at its highest level since the Great Depression,' reporter David Leonhardt wrote in Friday's edition of The New York Times.

The report continued: 'In all, more than one out of every six workers — 17.5 percent — were unemployed or underemployed in October. The previous recorded high was 17.1 percent, in December 1982.'

While official unemployment statistics were not available during the Great Depression, Department of Labor economists working with the Times estimated that some 30 percent of the U.S. workforce was put out during that period, the report added.

President Barack Obama called the figures 'sobering,' responding to widespread media accounts that placed the figure just over 10 percent, noting the department's calculation of workers who are actively searching for jobs.

Story continues below...

---

'To that end, my economic team is looking at ideas such as additional investments in our aging roads and bridges, incentives to create jobs and steps to increase the flow of credit to small businesses,' the president said.

Fred Dickson at DA Davidson & Co. said the report "continues to point to an economy that is struggling, but the picture is not nearly as dire as seen at the beginning of the year."

'Slowly, the trajectory is improving, but, given the huge number of unemployed and underemployed, our view of a very slow economic recovery in 2010 and 2011 remains very much in place,' he added. 'This report will not do much to encourage the Fed to raise rates anytime soon.'

The number of unemployed persons increased to 15.7 million. Since the start of the recession in December 2007, the number of unemployed has risen by 8.2 million, the Labor Department said.

The world's largest economy grew at a seasonally adjusted 3.5 percent annual rate in the July-September period. The increase was the first since the second quarter of 2008.

For the US economic community, the recession will not be over until it is declared by a research panel, National Bureau of Economic Research, recognized as the official arbiter of business cycles.

President Obama on Friday signed a measure to extend unemployment benefits and enact a new tax credit for home buyers.

With AFP.

"

Rep. Barney Frank Present at Marijuana Bust

Rep. Barney Frank Present at Marijuana Bust: "

Fox News Boston reports Rep. Barney Frank was present at the home of James Ready, his long-time companion, when it was raided for marijuana. Rep. Frank did not live at the house:

According to a police report, police charged Ready with marijuana possession, cultivation and use of drug paraphernalia in August of 2007. Ready admitted to civil possession and paid a fine. The remaining charges were dismissed in 2008. Sources tell FOX25 that when Frank was questioned he told police that he did not live in the house and that he only smoked cigars.

Here's Barney, in his own words, explaining. [More...]

"

Doctor: Some Fort Hood Wounded May Not Recover

Doctor: Some Fort Hood Wounded May Not Recover: "TEMPLE, Texas- Those wounded in the Fort Hood shootings are recovering in hospitals around Central Texas. 10 of them are in Temple at Scott and White. Four of the patients are in good condition. The others conditions vary."

Taxi driver kicks out gay couple for hugging

Taxi driver kicks out gay couple for hugging: "

Paul Bruno and Erick Ruales hailed a New York City cab on Monday evening, and were shocked when the driver, Medhat Mohamed, pulled over after driving two blocks, allegedly muttered something about 'No hugging' and tossed the pair out onto the street.

Bruno and Ruales, who are romatically involved, said they began to kiss and hug when they got into the cab, yet even a deputy TLC commissioner says 'there's no record of passengers ever being ejected before because of any of it.'

'I don't know if it was a personal or religious thing. But it's never OK to deny anyone a ride, especially when it's such blatant and direct discrimination,' Bruno told the New York Post.

NYC Mayor Bloomberg was quick to condemn the driver's actions. 'I thought the taxi driver's behavior -- if it is as reported -- was a disgrace,' Bloomberg said.

Story continues below...

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Mohamed told the New York Post that 'I wanted to pay attention to getting them to their destination instead of worrying if they were going to have sex or not.'

HBO made a reality show series based on the goings-on in the back seats of taxi cabs, but we won't be seeing this report on camera anytime soon. Both Bruno and Ruales have filed reports with the NYC Taxi and Limousine and Human Rights Commissions, which are investigating.

The Taxi and Limousine Commission 'would take such an allegation very seriously and fully investigate,' said spokesman Allan Fromberg.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn also called on the city's Commission on Human Rights to levy charges.

'Its outrageous,' Quinn said. 'If true, it's a clear violation of city human-rights law.'

"

Texas Planned Parenthood Clinic Files Temporary Injunction Against Former Director

Texas Planned Parenthood Clinic Files Temporary Injunction Against Former Director: "A Planned Parenthood facility in Bryan, Texas, has obtained a restraining order against its former director and an antiabortion-rights group in an effort to prevent them from releasing confidential information, KBTX reports."

United Nations Pulls Half Its Staff After Deadly Attack In Afghanistan

United Nations Pulls Half Its Staff After Deadly Attack In Afghanistan: "

Filed under: Afghanistan

The United Nations is relocating some 600 nonessential employees -- more than half its international staff in Afghanistan -- following last week's Taliban attack that killed five U.N. workers.

The U.N. said the move was temporary, with most of the workers being moved for up to a month to more secure locations while safer housing can be located. It was unclear how many employees would actually leave the country, the Associated Press reported.

'We are not talking about pulling out,' the head of the mission, Norwegian diplomat Kai Eide, told reporters. 'We are not talking about evacuation.'

The majority of the U.N.'s 1,100 international staff in Afghanistan lives in more than 90 guesthouses in the capital, Kabul.

The Oct. 28 attack was the most direct targeting of U.N. employees in Afghanistan in decades. Gunmen stormed a guesthouse and killed five U.N. workers and three Afghans. The Taliban claimed responsibility, saying they intentionally targeted U.N. employees.

After the assault, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon requested an additional $75 million to help with security improvements and crisis preparation in Afghanistan.

 

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"

H1N1 Vaccine Shortage Fabricated to Create Hysteria, Boost Demand?

H1N1 Vaccine Shortage Fabricated to Create Hysteria, Boost Demand?: "There's a fascinating book by author Robert Cialdini called Influence - The Psychology of Persuasion. As someone who frequently writes about Big Pharma's social engineering tactics, I've read and studied many of these tactics, noting carefully how governments and Big Business use them to wage disinformation campaigns against the People.

I was recently chatting with friends on my Facebook page when a friend named Jennifer pointed out that she thought the vaccine shortage had been intentionally engineered to create greater demand once the vaccines were available. This immediately got me thinking about a chapter in the Cialdini book that writes about something I call the 'disappearing cookies in the cookie jar' experiment.

This experiment reveals an extremely powerful strategy for influence. And as it turns out, the pharmaceutical industry is using precisely this strategy for fabricating huge demand for their vaccines in an effort to make sure all the vaccines sell out."

It is Japan we should be worrying about, not America

It is Japan we should be worrying about, not America: "

Japan is drifting helplessly towards a dramatic fiscal crisis. For 20 years the world's second-largest economy has been able to borrow cheaply from a captive bond market, feeding its addiction to Keynesian deficit spending – and allowing it to push public debt beyond the point of no return.

Yukio Hatoyama, the new Japanese prime minister, has several large challenges to tackle

The rocketing cost of insuring against the bankruptcy of the Japanese state is telling us that the model has smashed into the buffers. Credit default swaps (CDS) on five-year Japanese debt have risen from 35 to 63 basis points since early September. Japan has suddenly decoupled from Germany (21), France (22), the US (22), and even Britain (47).

Regime-change in Tokyo and the arrival of Yukio Hatoyama's neophyte Democrats – raising $550bn (£333bn) to help fund their blitz on welfare and the "new social policy" – have concentrated the minds of investors at long last. "Markets are worried that Japan is going to hit a brick wall: the sums are gargantuan," said Albert Edwards, a Japan-veteran at Société Générale.

Simon Johnson, former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), told the US Congress last week that the debt path was out of control and raised "a real risk that Japan could end up in a major default".

The IMF expects Japan's gross public debt to reach 218pc of gross domestic product (GDP) this year, 227pc next year, and 246pc by 2014. This has been manageable so far only because Japanese savers have been willing – or coerced – into lending for almost nothing. The yield on 10-year government bonds has been around 1.30pc this year, though they jumped to 1.42pc last week.

"Can these benign conditions be expected to continue in the face of even-larger increases in public debt? Going forward, the markets capacity to absorb debt is likely to diminish as population ageing reduces saving," said the IMF.

The savings rate has crashed from 15pc in 1990 to near 2pc today, half America's rate. Japan's $1.5 trillion state pension fund (the world's biggest) has become a net seller of government bonds this year, as it must to meet pay-out obligations. The demographic crunch has hit. The workforce been contracting since 2005.

Japan Post Bank is balking at further additions to its $1.7 trillion holdings of state debt. The pillars of the government debt market are crumbling. Little wonder that the Ministry of Finance has begun advertising bonds in Tokyo taxis, featuring Koyuki from The Last Samurai. If Japan's bond rates rise to global levels of 3pc to 4pc, interest costs will shatter state finances.

No one knows exactly when a country tips into a debt compound trap. But Japan must be close, even allowing for the fact that liabilities of the state Loan Programme (FILP) have fallen by 40pc of GDP since 2000.

"The debt situation is irrecoverable," said Carl Weinberg from High Frequency Economics. "I don't see any orderly way out of this. They will not be able to fund their deficit. There will be a fiscal shutdown, a pension haircut, and bank failures that will rock the world. It is criminally negligent that rating agencies are not blowing the whistle on this."

Mr Hatoyama inherited a country that was already hurtling into sovereign "Chapter 11". The Great Recession has eaten up 27pc in tax revenues. Industrial output is down 19pc, even after the summer rebound; exports are down 31pc; the economy is 10pc smaller today in "nominal" terms than a year ago – and nominal is what matters for debt.

Tokyo's price index fell 2.4pc in October, the deepest deflation in modern Japanese history. Real interest rates have risen 300 basis points in a year. It reads like a page from Irving Fisher's 1933 paper, Debt Deflation Causes of Great Depressions.

The Bank of Japan seems oddly insouciant. It will end its (feeble) quantitative easing in December by suspending purchases of corporate debt, much to the fury of the Finance Ministry.

"This is incredibly dangerous," said Russell Jones from the RBC Capital Markets. "The rate of deflation is shocking. The debt dynamics are horrible and there is the risk of a downward spiral."

Tokyo has let the yen appreciate violently – 90 to the dollar, 13 to the Chinese yuan – giving another twist to the deflation knife. Top exporters are below break-even cost, says RBS. The government could stop this, as it did in a wave of manic dollar purchases from 2003-2004. It could print money à l'outrance to stave off deflation. Yet it sits frozen, like a rabbit in the headlamps.

Japan's terrible errors are by now well known. It failed to jettison its mercantilist export model in time. It resisted the feminist revolution, leading to a baby strike by young women. It acquiesced in a mad investment bubble (like China now) in the 1980s, stealing growth from the future.

It wasted its immense fiscal firepower, scattering money for 20 years on half-baked spending projects to keep the economy afloat. QE was too little, too late, and this is the lesson for the West. We must cut borrowing drastically over the next decade, and offset this with ultra-easy monetary policy. Does Downing Street understand this? Does the White House? Does the European Central Bank? Clearly not.

"

Houston is "Financially Broke"

Houston is "Financially Broke": "Some well-known retired accountants have made a shocking discovery that Houston is bankrupt. These findings have been uncovered by Bob Lemer, CPA, Retired Partner at Ernst & Young; Aubrey M. Farb, CPA, Retired Partner at Grant Thornton; and Tom Tom Roberts, CPA, Retired Partner at Fitts Roberts. These illustrious accountants had submitted its financial assessment of the City to the "incumbent mayor, city controller and city council members," as well as other leading figures of the City."

Fighting a Sore Throat with Indoor Plants

Fighting a Sore Throat with Indoor Plants: "

I’ve had a sore throat and swollen glands for about two weeks now. I’ve had tests for strep and mono (negative) and also my immune system RH factors, white blood cell counts, are normal. The doctor says I have a virus and some viruses just take your body a few weeks to fight. I had a similar virus in January (the whole month!) As a normally healthy person, this is very frustrating!

Tips for sore throat:

1. Change toothbrush


2. wash bedding including pillow cases


3. replace pillows


4. suck on zinc lozenges


5. floss three times a day


6. use a tongue scraper/cleaner


7. gargle with salt water


8. sleep with wet washcloth over nose and mouth


9. get dental exam (is decay in a tooth making you sick?)


10. get away from cigarette smoke


11. clean the freeway pollution from inside your home


12. get rid of mold (if you can see it or smell it)

I moved to get away from a smoking neighbor, but the apartment where I’m living now allows smokers and, just my luck, several live next door to me. Smoke comes through the vents and under my front door. They smoke outside my window. I can smell it inside my apartment each time I come home right, when I open my apartment door. I think this is making me sick. See:

http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Secondhand-Smoke-Coming-Into-Your-Apartment

Here is another tip:

Get a 20 inch box fan. The older models are better than new models in the stores because the old models are quieter and move less air. The newer models sound like jet planes and move so much air it can be irritating. THe good part, there are millions of the old box fans in garages and basements all over the country.

Buy the Allergen Filtrete 1000 furnace filter by 3M in the red and white wrapper. Use masking tape, or duct tape to tape the filter sealing the edge completely to the back of the fan, so the air is pulled thru the filter. If you attach the filter to the front of the fan very little air will pass through, and it puts a bad load on the motor. Run the fan on low 24 hrs.

I have tested every model of filter. Only the Filtrete 1000 works. If you have cigarette smoke the 1000 rapidly turns grey, then coal black. Other Filtrete filters including the 700 model, or the 1200 utlra model stay white no matter how long you use them. The 1200 is supposed to be the top of the line, but it does not have the affinity for smoke particles like the 1000. I can buy the 1000 at Target, or Sears Home Hardware. Walmarts does not carry the 1000. You can also get them on the net cheaper in quantity. … 3M says the Filtrete lasts about 3 months. For us, a filter lasted about 4 weeks before it was black as coal and clogged with a mass of dust. You could tell it was spent because you would start to notice the cigarette scent again, and the fan would become louder due to the load. Putting in a new filter made a fast improvement in the smell. … (Lasko Model 3900) is designed to handle the load a filter puts on a fan motor. – thathomesite

Worth a try. I’m going to get this fan and this filter.

I also now live near a freeway. After a good night’s sleep in my new place, my throat is actually worse! Since moving again is not an option, I’m going to attempt to health-ify my environment.

I’ll start today by sealing off all the vents with plastic sheeting and duct tape (I’d rather be cold than sick.) See cautions about airflow, however…  My plan is to have a fan that brings  air in though a good filter on one side of the apartment and vent it out the other. Is there ANY kind of filter can stop particulate matter, Trichloroethylene, Benzene, and Formaldehyde and the other nasty things in cigarette smoke? Here is a list of cancer causing agents and poisons from a cigarette:

• Tar – a mixture of dangerous chemicals


• Arsenic – used in wood preservatives


• Benzene – an industrial solvent, refined from crude oil


• Cadmium – used in batteries


• Formaldehyde – used in mortuaries and paint manufacturing


• Polonium-210 – a highly radioactive element


• Chromium – used to manufacture dye, paints and alloys


• 1,3-Butadiene – used in rubber manufacturing


• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons – a group of dangerous DNA-damaging chemicals


• Nitrosamines – another group of DNA-damaging chemicals


• Acrolein – formerly used as a chemical weapon


• Hydrogen cyanide – used as an industrial pesticide


• Carbon monoxide – found in car exhausts and used in chemicals manufacturing


• Nitrogen oxides – a major component of smog


• Ammonia – used to make fertilisers and explosives

After that, house plants to remove the Trichloroethylene, Benzene, and Formaldehyde in my air from the freeway.

The toxic gas formaldehyde is contained in building materials including carpeting, curtains, plywood, and adhesives. As it is emitted from these sources, it deteriorates the air quality, which can lead to “multiple chemical sensitivity” and “sick building syndrome”, medical conditions with symptoms such as allergies, asthma, and headaches. The prevalence of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds VOC is greater in new construction.

Researchers are studying the ability of plants to reduce formaldehyde levels in the air. A study led by Kwang Jin Kim of Korea’s National Horticultural Research Institute compared the absorption rate of two types of houseplants. The results of the experiment on Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) and Fatsia japonica, an evergreen shrub, were published in the Journal of American Society for Horticultural Science.

During the study, equal amounts of formaldehyde were pumped into containers holding each type of plant in three configurations: whole, roots-only with the leafy portion cut off, and aerial-only, with the below-ground portion sealed off, leaving the stem and leaves exposed.

The results showed the combined total of aerial-only and roots-only portions was similar to the amount removed by whole plants. Complete plants removed approximately 80% of the formaldehyde within 4 hours.

… Researchers consider microorganisms living among the soil and root system to be a major contributor to the reduction. Japonica were planted in larger pots than the ficus, which may account for the lower night reduction rate of the latter. More knowledge of the contributions of microorganisms is cited by the study to be important in further understanding the air purifying potential of plants.

via Indoor Plants Can Reduce Formaldehyde Levels.

See my previous post on this topic. This summary of a NASA study is from colostate:

Pollutant                         Source                     Plants that Remove Pollutant

Benzene	Inks, oils, paints, plastics,rubber, dyes, detergents,gasoline, pharmaceutical,tobacco smoke, synthetic fibers	English Ivy, Dracaena marginata, Janet Craig, Warneckei, Chrysanthemum, Gerbera Daisy, Peace lily
Formaldehyde	Foam insulation, plywood, pressed-wood products, grocery bags, waxed paper, fire retardants, adhesive binders in floor coverings, cigarette smoke, natural gas	Azalea, Philodendron, Spider plant, Golden Pothos, Bamboo palm, Corn plant, Chrysanthemum, Mother-in-law’s tongue
Trichloroethylene	Primarily used in the metal degreasing and dry cleaning industries; also in printing inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes, adhesives	Gerbera Daisy, Chrysanthemum, Peace lily, Warneckei, Dracaena marginata

"

Houston City Council District D candidates’ ethics forms posted

Houston City Council District D candidates’ ethics forms posted: "We’ve got one more batch of ethics forms to throw at you today from candidates in the Nov. 3 Houston city election. This time, it’s candidates for City Council District D, for which incumbent Councilwoman Wanda Adams is running for re-election.
We have ethics forms for two of the three candidates in this race:
Adams’ form: Part [...]"

Five-time DWI offender arrested again after wreck, police say

Five-time DWI offender arrested again after wreck, police say: "A 54-year-old man faces a felony driving while intoxicated charge after police said he rear-ended a vehicle in Bryan.Juan Jesus Ruiz of Bryan was arrested on a DWI charge -- his sixth. His five previous convictions were between 1973 and 1981, accordi ...

"

Va. men sentenced in Texas bank fraud

Va. men sentenced in Texas bank fraud: "
SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Two Virginia men will serve prison time for defrauding a San Antonio bank by stealing identities and pretending to be in the military, prosecutors say."

TXGOP Spokesman From Ovilla?

TXGOP Spokesman From Ovilla?: "In Today’s Dallas Morning News (P 3A), a wire report about new GOP state chair Cathie Adams included a statement from the Texas GOP’s spokesman, a Bryan Preston.
Is that the same Bryan Preston of HotAir.com fame? The same Bryan Preston who grew up in Ovilla?
There seems to be an Ellis County “wing” in that party [...]"

Two Teens Arrested in East S.A. Robbery

Two Teens Arrested in East S.A. Robbery: "Two teenagers learn the hard way that crime does not pay. Police arrested Jarell Harper, 17, and another teenager for aggravated robbery. Officers say the pair confronted two 15-year-old`s who were skateboarding on Rigsby and took their electronics, cash and other items. The victims told police the suspects implied they had a gun. Harper was booked as an adult. His friend, who is 16, will face charges in juvenile court.



Posted By: Jennifer Saucedo"

More Arrests Over Seguin Homicide

More Arrests Over Seguin Homicide: "A total of 10 people have now been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting death of Garland Taylor."

No Nukes

No Nukes: "It appears that the city council will do whatever it takes to make San Antonio a world class city. Environmental and safety concerns. . . .who cares when we are on the road to greatness.

"

Attorney defends Texas mayor's $26,000 deposit

Attorney defends Texas mayor's $26,000 deposit: "BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Prosecutors say the outspoken mayor of a Texas border town deposited a $26,000 check intended for a vendor in his own bank account and spent more than $5,000 over three weeks.

"

Lightning Caused Power Outages

Lightning Caused Power Outages: "Severe weather is the cause of thousands of power outages in the Valley."

How can the Brownsville Mayor's trial be held in Brownsville?

How can the Brownsville Mayor's trial be held in Brownsville?: "I know that a lot of people don't pay attend to city politics, but really. How do you find a fair jury pool?

The trial of Brownsville’s mayor on felony charges stemming from a check scandal likely will be held in this city, his attorney said.

'We will try to select a jury here,' Mayor Pat M. Ahumada Jr.’s attorney Ed Cyganiewicz said Thursday, noting that the mayor decided not to seek a change of venue at this time.

See previous posts.

"

Cameron County Sheriff's Deputy arrested for lying about guns

Cameron County Sheriff's Deputy arrested for lying about guns: "Ezequiel Sauceda was charged with three counts of providing false information in federal documents when he bought guns for other people.

"

Donna Redskins player arrested, suspended

Donna Redskins player arrested, suspended: "A Donna Redskins star football player is benched after he and two other seniors allegedly stole equipment worth thousands of dollars."

A&M Fall Enrollment Record High

A&M Fall Enrollment Record High: "COLLEGE STATION, Sept.9, 2009 – Fall enrollment at Texas A&M University has reached a record 48,787."

Olmos Soda Bar to shut down

Olmos Soda Bar to shut down: "The diner's owner says she's ready to retire, but the Olmos Bharmacy, which operates in the evening, will not close."

Weslaco pot smuggler dressed as FedEx driver

Weslaco pot smuggler dressed as FedEx driver: "An alleged marijuana smuggler is behind bars in Weslaco after he allegedly posed as a Federal Express driver."

Recipe: Chipotle Mexi-Meatloaf

Recipe: Chipotle Mexi-Meatloaf: "Diana Barrios Trevino shows us how to add a little Latin spice into our dinner rut with chipotle meatloaf."

US Mint to honor San Antonio missions on quarter - Houston Chronicle

US Mint to honor San Antonio missions on quarter - Houston Chronicle: "

CoinNews.net (press release)

US Mint to honor San Antonio missions on quarter Houston Chronicle AP Texas News © 2009 AP WASHINGTON — The San Antonio missions will appear on commemorative quarters the US Mint plans to issue. The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park will be the 49th design to be minted as part of the US Mint America the ... Hot Springs park to lead off new line of quartersThe Associated Press San Antonio Missions will be featured on new quarterBizjournals.com Special quarters to feature YosemiteFresno Bee Troy Record -Reuters -LocalNews8.com all 471 news articles »

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Historical San Antonio missions to be featured on new quarter

Historical San Antonio missions to be featured on new quarter: "The San Antonio missions will appear on commemorative quarters the U.S. Mint plans to issue."

Hiring Bubba in Bandera

Hiring Bubba in Bandera: "Bandera County is hiring new jailers to staff an expanded detention center, but according to Judith Pannebaker at the Bandera County Courier:

In Bandera County at least, it appears the best hedge against a still-failing economy is to have a relative or friend already hard at work for the county. Using information obtained by the Texas Open Records Act, the Courier has learned that seven of the newly hired jailers are related to or friends of current employees of the sheriff’s office. ...

The fact that the majority of the hires are related to or indicated a friendship with BCSO employees – in addition that most lack previous jail experience – has rubbed some citizens the wrong way.

Ouch! Read the rest. Pretty darn good coverage for a rural county paper.

The Sheriff is an elected official; whaddya think? Is this okay or should the hiring process be more democratic?

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Alton police chief arrested for having sex in a parked car

Alton police chief arrested for having sex in a parked car: "

Alton Police Chief Baldemar Flores turned himself in Monday morning after learning he was wanted for public lewdness.

The arrest came after Mission police received 'several complaints' from store personnel of a suspicious vehicle parked behind Auto Zone and the H-E-B near the intersection of Conway Avenue and Griffin Parkway, police said.

Store employees told police that a man and woman were having sex inside vehicles while parked 'in plain view,' a according to a Mission police statement.

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Tax assessor Barrera's trial rescheduled for 2010

Tax assessor Barrera's trial rescheduled for 2010: "Read full story for latest details."

200 out as NL slashes jobs

200 out as NL slashes jobs: "NUEVO LAREDO - More than 200 city employees, including department heads, have been laid off, the mayor announced at a press conference Monday."

Locals hold "Tea Party" protesting government policies

Locals hold "Tea Party" protesting government policies: "Read full story for latest details."

Widespread power outages reported in College Station

Widespread power outages reported in College Station: "A power outage is affecting areas across College Station. Officials said some traffic signals are out as well as power to businesses and residential areas. They ask drivers to treat intersections without traffic signals as four-way stops and to be ca ...

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