Monday, June 29, 2009

Master the Art of Reading Book Reviews Pancake by Ken Albala: Very interesting read. It gives you the history and various cultural attributes of a pancake. I thought the photes were cool. My favorite part has the recipes--especially Crepes Suzette! Yum! Letter to my Daughter by Maya Angelou: A truly inspiring book by a truly wonderful writer. Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong: If you love Richelle Mead, Laurel K. Hamilton, and Stephenie Meyers,you will love this author! Industrial Magic by Kelley Armstrong: For readers of Richelle Mead, Laurel K. Hamilton, and Stephenie Meyers, you will love this author! Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin: As you begin reading this novel you are automatically trasnported to a different place in time. A place where flowering language and a simpler way of life are the norm. A romance unlike any written today between Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennett you can't help but want love to triumph over each of their prejudiced and proud manners. Trouble in High Heels by Leanne Banks: Funny--had to keep reading. When She's Bad by Leanne Banks: Great book to read. Funny and a fast read. Baby needs a new pair of shoes by Lauren Baratz-Logsted: This book was ok. Sometimes hard to follow or understand. It's about a woman who lives life with OCD and later a gambling addiction. It would not be a book I would reccomend to someone else. Sorry. On Crimes and Punishments by Cesare Beccaria: This book is a translated essay originally written by Cesare Beccaria. At the time this was written in 1764 it was a shock to the public, but the way in which it was written helped pave the way for a better legal system. Complete Motorcycle Book by Jim Bennett: This book shows and describes all the different varieties of motorcycles and reviews specific bikes they reccommend. My Guinea Pig by Immanuel Birmelin: Definitely a great read for the first time pig owners! I learned lots of new things about the care and personality of guinea pigs. Delirious Summer by Ray Blackstone: Great Summer Read! Family Outing by Chastity Bono: One of the best books ever written. Chastity has really explained what life was like for her before and after she came out of the closet. Live well on less than you think by Fred Brock: This book offers great tips on spending money wisely. The author has done a lot of research to provide up-to-date, useful information. 3:32:58 PM     News from the Master The Art of Reading Adult Summer Reading Club This week 60 people read 165 books. So far this summer 104 people have read 309 books! The winners will be announced later this week. Muskegon Reads! Author Title Albala, Ken Pancake Albert, Susan Wittig Tale of Holly How Angelou, Maya Letter to my daughter Archer, Jeffery Matter of Honor Armstrong, Kelley Dime store magic Armstrong, Kelley Industrial magic Austen, Jane Pride and Prejudice Austen, Jane Sense and Sensibility Baker, Simon Ancient Rome Banks, Leanne Trouble in high heels Banks, Leanne When She's bad Baratz-Logsted, Lauren Baby needs a new pair of shoes Bartholomew, Mel Square foot gardening Beccaria, Cesare On Crimes and Punishments Bennett, Jim Complete Motorcycle Book Bertinelli, Valerie Losing it Binchy, Maeve Heart and Soul Birmelin, Immanuel My Guinesa Pig Blackston, Ray Delirious Summer Bono, Chastity Family outing Brandt, Robert Tennessee Brock, Fred Live well on less than you think Brockmann, Suzanne Everyday average Jones Brockmann, Suzanne Frisco's Kids Brockmann, Suzanne Out of Control Buckhamon, Kalisna Upstate Burroughs, Augusten Dry Card, Orson Scott Enchantment Cast, P. C. Hunted Cast, P. C. Untamed Chance, Megan Susanna Morrow Chapman, Duane ""Dog"" You can run but you can't hide Child, Lee Gone Tomorrow Christopher, Paul Michelangelo's Notebook Clare, Cassandra City of Glass Clark, Carol Higgins Zapped Coben, Harlan Long Lost Connelly, Michael Scarecrow Connelly, Michael Scarecrow Coulter, Catherine Lord of Hawkfell Island Craig, Phil Vineyard Chill Craig, Phil Vineyard Killing Craig, Phil Vineyard Prey Craig, Phil Vineyard Stalker de los Santos, Marisa Belong to me Dufresne, Jim Michigan off the beaten path Dufresne, Jim Porcupine Mountains Evanovich, Janet Full blast Evanovich, Janet Naughty Neighbor Evanovich, Janet Plum Spooky Feehan, Christine Dark Curse Feehan, Christine Dark Desire Feehan, Christine Dark Destiny FEMA Taking shelter from the storm Fluke, Joanne Cream Puff Murder Forster, Gwynne Forbidden Temptation Garner, Tammy Metal clay in a day Garwood, Julie Fire and Ice Garwood, Julie Shadow Dance Gjelten, Tom Bacardi Goldman, Steven Two parties, one tux Gordon, Lucy Princess Dottie Haley, Alex Malcolm X Hamilton, Laurell Cerulean Sins Hamilton, Laurell Danse Macabre Hamilton, Laurell Harlequin Hamilton, Laurell Micah Hamilton, Laurell Seduced by Moonlight Hamilton, Laurell Strange Candy Hamilton, Laurell Stroke of Midnight Hamilton, Laurell Swallowing Darkness Harris, Charlaine Poppy done to death Harris, E. Lynn Basketball Jones Harris, Thomas Hannibal Rising Haxton, Brooks They lift their wings to cry Helstosky, Carol Pizza: a global history Higgins, Jack Bad Company Higgins, Jack Drink with the devil Howell, Hannah Highland Angel Huegel, Kelly Survival guide for queer and questioning teens Iggulden, Conn Genghis Bones of the Hills Ilibagiza, Immaculee Left to tell Jackson, Brenda Just Deserts Jackson, Lisa Hot Blooded Jackson, Lisa Left to Die Jackson, Lisa Night Before Jackson, Lisa Wicked Games Jenkins, Beverly Bring on the blessings Johnson, Tony Will work from home Joyce, Brenda Dangerous Love Keeler, Greg Trash Fish Khoury, Raymond The Sign Kidd, Sue Monk Mermaid Chair Kincaid, Greg Dog Named Christmas King, Stephen Diary of Ellen Rimbauer Landry, Sandra Perfect Love Lee, Janice Y. K. Piano Teacher Lindsay, Jeff Dexter in the dark Maguire, Gregory Wicked Meier, Leslie Mother's Day Murder Meyer, Joyce I dare you Michaels, Fern Final Justice Michaels, Fern Final Justice Moning, Karen Marie Spell of the highlander Monroe, Mary Company we keep Mosley, Walter Fortunate Son Motorcycle Safety Foundation Gudie to motorcycling excellence Osteen, Joel Good, Better, Blessed O'Toole, James New American Workplace Palmer, Diana Heartless Paolini, Christopher Eldest Paolini, Christopher Eragon Paolini, Christopher Eragon Parks, Dennis How to plate, polish, and chrome Patterson, James 5th Horseman Patterson, James Cradle and All Patterson, James Four Blind Mice Patterson, James Max Patterson, James Step on a crack Perrin, Kayla Single Mama's got more drama Perrin, Noel Soco: life with an electric car Phillps, Carly Lucky Streak Preston, Douglas Cemetery Dance Reigler, Susan Kentucky Ripley, Ann Death at the Spring Plant Sale Ripley, Ann Summer Garden Murder Roberts, Nora Northern Lights Ronat, Hava Making handmade lampwork, beads, and glass jewelry Roosevelt, Elliott First Class Murder Roosevelt, Elliott Murder in the Chateau Roosevelt, Elliott Murder in the Lincoln Bedroom Roosevelt, Elliott Murder in the Map Room Roosevelt, Elliott Murder in the Oval Office Schreiber, Ellen Vampire Kisses 2: Kissing Coffins Seton, Anya Katherine Sigalas, Mike Smoky Mountains Sparks, Nicholas Rescue Sparks, Nicholas Walk to remember Spence, William Insulating, sealing, and venting your house Steel, Danielle House Steel, Danielle Toxic Bachelors Stratton, Allan Leslie's Journal Tatlock, Ann Things we once held dear Thomas, Jodi Re-writing Monday Thomas, Jodi Tall, Dark, and Texan Thomas, Phillip Counterfeit Wives Tolle, Eckhart Power of Now Triple Crown Productions Game: Short stories about the life Waldherr, Kris Doomed Queens Warren, Tiffany Bishop's Daughter Weber, Carl Up to no good Weissbourd, Rick Parents we're meant to be Westerfeld, Scott Uglies Wilson, Amy Forgiveness: perspectives on making peace with your past Wire, Cece Creative metal clay jewelry Wodehouse, P. G. Bachelors Anonymous Wodehouse, P. G. Biffen's Millions Wodehouse, P. G. Brinkmanship of Galahad Threepwood Wood, Stuart Loitering with intent Woods, Sherryl Harbor Lights Yarosh, Daniel New science of perfect skin Young, William Shack Zahn, Timothy Last Command Zahn, Timothy Star Wars: Outbound Flight Zane Chocolate Seduction table producing by T2T 3:12:21 PM     Congressional Health Care Legislation Will Impact Michigan. Congress is working to reform the nation's health care system with a goal of cheaper coverage that serves more people. But getting there might include caps on Medicare payments or taxes on soft drinks - and maybe even taxes on some of those health benefits. The uninsured Michigan has a smaller uninsured rate than average and ranks below average in the percentage of people who couldn't see a doctor in the past year because of cost. But more than 1 million Michigan residents still lack health insurance. As is the case nationwide, the uninsured rate is particularly high among poor adults who don't qualify for Medicaid and aren't old enough for Medicare. About 41 percent of Michigan residents ages 19-64 who are living in poverty do not have health insurance. Many congressional lawmakers and President Barack Obama want to extend coverage to everyone. That could mean requiring people to have insurance with help from subsidies, and making employers pay for it. The government also could set up a public health care plan that would offer cheaper coverage than commercial insurers do. Percentage of Michigan residents who are uninsured, 2007: 11 percent Percentage of Americans uninsured nation- wide, 2007: 15.3 percent Ranking: 37th among all states and the District of Columbia for its uninsured rate. Reasons the health care debate matters, even if you already have health insurance • Health care spending is taking up an increasing share of state and federal budgets, crowding out spending for other items and contributing to the national deficit. • Increasing costs are holding down wages as employers have to pay more to provide health care coverage. Some businesses say the rising costs make it more difficult to compete with foreign companies. • Costs for employees also have increased, taking up a greater share of their pre-tax income. • Whatever Congress does to pay for health care reform could hit consumers. Some may be taxed on the value of their employer-provided benefits. Higher-income taxpayers may face limits on what deductions they can take for such items as mortgages and charitable contributions. Congress could decide to increase the tax on alcohol or start taxing soda and other sweetened beverages. • Health care reform also could change how people get their coverage. Some people who now get coverage through their employers or on their own could get it elsewhere. • Critics say many of the steps lawmakers are considering would do more harm than good by increasing costs and decreasing the quality of care for many consumers. What to watch for among Michigan lawmakers U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, sits on the Senate Finance Committee, one of the two panels working on the Senate version of the bill. In the U.S. House, Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, is a key negotiator with the Senate and the Obama administration on health care. Rep. John Conyers Jr., D-Detroit, is the lead sponsor of a bill to create a single-payer health system. Rep. Dave Camp, of Midland, is the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, which is working on ways to pay for health care reform. Camp also is part of the House GOP task force on health care reform. How to contact your lawmaker The Capitol Hill switchboard number is (202) 224-3121. For the full article, see "Michigan will feel the impact of any health care reform", Lansing State Journal, June 28, 2009. [Red Tape Blog] 10:21:18 AM     WarrantyElephant Organizes and Tracks Your Warranties [Organization] . Warranties aren't fun or Bluetooth-capable, but they are crucial when you need them. Keep proper track of your product warranties with the WarrantyElephant web site. After signing up for an account, you can plug in warranty information for the products you own, including company name, model number, serial number, warranty contact information, and even upload scans of the invoice and warranty registration card. WarrantyElephant, in addition to acting as a repository for your warranty info, will also email notifications to you as the end of your warranty draws near, starting at six months, again at one month, and, finally, when you have one week left. While not something you usually jump out of your chair with excitement over, saving the full cost of a replacement makes a warranty something you'll pump your fist in victory over when your organization pays off. WarrantyElephant [via MakeUseOf] [Lifehacker] 10:20:43 AM

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