| With decision to donate kidney, man gives gift of two lifetimes
He wanted to be sure the recipient would take good care of the donated kidney and not abuse drugs or alcohol. The first attempt at a transplant went horribly wrong and Hughes nearly died on the operating table, but he did not take back his offer. Instead, he reassured Sherman and his wife, Linda, that he would try again, finally giving his gift of life on Feb. 26. "I wanted to donate to someone who would be a good candidate to live a full life," explained the soft-spoken Hughes, who works as a website designer so that he can be home with his two young sons while his wife pursues her career as a Pittsburgh police detective. "It wasn't based on religion. It was based on someone in need." On Saturday, members of Sherman's synagogue, Temple Emeth in Chestnut Hill, celebrated Hughes's stunning generosity, which saved the life of one of their most charismatic members.
Staging dims power of Britten's British tragedy
How much: $15-$375; call (212) 362-6000 or visit metopera.org. NEW YORK -- Benjamin Britten saw small-town life as ideal in many ways. Yet, as both an avowed pacifist during wartime and a more or less openly gay man in mid-century Britain, the composer saw the danger of not "fitting in." Beyond orchestral and choral music of roiling power, part of what makes Britten's 1945 opera "Peter Grimes" timeless is that the friction between individuality and community, between the potential for good and ill in each, will always be contemporary. Moreover, the blame in this tragedy is ambiguous, shifting according to interpretation. The Metropolitan Opera's new staging of "Peter Grimes," directed by Tony Award-winning Scotsman John Boyle in his Met debut, succeeds in its evocation of stark atmosphere and of those fundamental social tensions.
Archive for: February, 2008
Dana Gardner's BriefingsDirect Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives In the mind's eye, it's now Marissa versus Monkeyboy Posted in: Apple Microsoft Silicon Valley Wall Street Google Funny how the mind works. Sometimes it just makes associations whether you want it to or not. And now that I've read the feature article on Google's Marissa Mayer in San Francisco magazine, the images from that profile are etched into my mind whenever I think of Google, or even go to Google's gaggle of sites, services, and features. There is now continuity between Marissa, Google and me. These are actually quite pleasant, floating images of a lower Market Street aerie, with purple walls and the home-spun smell of vanilla-laced cupcakes (supported lovingly by pleated paper).
The Apple Core
The Apple Core Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives Wintel Vista conspiracy screws customers: Another win for Apple Posted in: Intel Windows Vista Leopard The latest PC market scandal — that Microsoft, Intel and some PC makers knew that the "Vista Capable" logo certification program was a lie and that some chipsets for popular machines couldn't support the new Aero interface stuff, must be music in the executive suites down in Cupertino. The story provides more evidence to PC users that there's a good reason to join the switcher movement to the Mac. This amazing story continues to unfold. Microsoft officials gave the green light to Vista certification for an older Intel chipset with integrated graphics that wouldn't support Aero.
Brent Batten: One man, two votes in school debate
Withers, back on the job Monday, said Calabrese's vote is final. Superintendent Dennis Thompson has been given direction by the board to devise a seven-period schedule to replace the block schedule and it will be up to Thompson whether he wants to bring the board back into the discussion. Under state law, “(Thompson) has a lot of authority at this point in terms of the schedule. The question of the schedule is really the superintendent's bailiwick," Withers said. Abbott, like Calabrese, doesn't support the block schedule in the long term. But she says the school system did a poor job of communicating and wants more time to inform the public about the benefits of a change. She says alternatives, including ones that fall outside the traditional seven-period schedule, should be presented during a public information campaign over the next several months with a decision ideally made before the end of the year.
Rose blooms again in Waterhouse
MICHAEL Rose has fond memories of growing up in Waterhouse, the second child of a 'litter' born to working-class parents. It's where he started a career that has made him one of roots-reggae's acclaimed singers. Last year, the 50-year-old Rose went back to his hometown to work with producers Lloyd 'John John' James and DeMarco at the famed King Jammys studio. The result is the soon-to-be-released album, Michael Rose Returns to Kingston 11. Already, the collaboration has borne fruit with the song Shootout (featuring Damian 'Jr Gong' Marley) becoming a popular club and radio hit. It is the first time in almost 20 years that Rose has made local charts. "This jus' show people sey things still can gwaan wid the elders. Look pon Sly and Robbie, dem a elders and still a mek some great beats," Rose told The Gleaner last week.
Rising above roommates
Can your dog pay taxes, give consent, sign a form, take on your debt, authorize end of life care, co-sign a mortgage or provide health insurance to you? I find it odd that people who oppose same sex marriage so often trot out this straw man argument. If - when confronted with sex between consenting adults - your thoughts automatically turn to bestiality, I'm thinking you ought to seek professional help. "" (Not verified) Thu, Feb 28, 2008 at 04:49 PM .
Survey: Holiday gifts can be budget busters
LEXINGTON, Ky., Dec. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Five out of 10 people say they have spent more than they intended to on holiday gifts although slightly fewer, perhaps with the best of intentions, say they think they will overspend during the holidays this year. That's according to a new online survey of 1,000 computer users commissioned by Lexmark International, Inc. (NYSE: LXK) , a leading provider of printing and imaging products, services and solutions. Survey respondents were about equally divided on whether they have overspent in the past with 47 percent saying they have spent too much and 48 percent saying they spent about the right amount. With respect to the upcoming holiday season, 33 percent said they believe they will spend too much while 57 percent said they think they will spend the right amount.
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