This American Life: On HealthCare

If you have been following the heathcare debate going on in the United States, then these PodCast here are Very informative, the fact is they are a must listen i think. (These Views do not reflect the other 2 members of this site)

More Is Less Full Episode

An hour explaining the American health care system, specifically, why it is that costs keep rising. One story looks at the doctors, one at the patients and one at the insurance industry.\

Someone Else's Money Full Episode

This week, we bring you a deeper look inside the health insurance industry. The dark side of prescription drug coupons. A story about Pet Health Insurance, which is in its infancy, and how it is changing human behaviors—for example, if you have the pet health insurance, you bring your pet to the vet more often, and the vet makes more money and...well, you can see the parallels. And insurance company jargon, frighteningly decoded.

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/

An Evening of Hot Chili and Cool Brew Thursday, October 15, 6 pm @ The Newark Museum

On October 15 2009 I attended one of the best beer tasting events for me to date. The Newark Museum Volunteer Organization and The Newark Museum Business & Community Council hosted An Evening of Hot Chili & Cool Brew. It was one of the Most well organized beer events I have ever witnessed. Because it was on a Thursday night and the venue it was held in , it was calmer than the usual beer festival or tasting.

Those who attend beer tastings, to drink as much as possible, were not in attendance. The Crowd Consisted of museum members, news paper readers, chili fans and Genuine Craft beer fans. All, basically, seemed to acknowledge that Friday was a work day.

The, around, sixty domestic and international beers were presented and poured mostly by Volunteers. There was a slight air of cluelessness to those serving the beers, but that was OK, they were learning as the night went along. Some became craft beer fans in one night. It would have been nice if more Local Brewers attended the event. Those brewers from the Tri state area who did sent proper representatives were Shmaltz-New York, Climax-New Jersey, Cricket Hill -New Jersey, River Horse-New Jersey and Weyerbacher-Pennsylvania (who happened to have the best beer of the evening).

The Chili at the event was mostly decent. Many of the caterers added extra beans as filler to the chili. The Stuff I did try was respectable enough though. There was good Corn Bread all around and some nice desert to round things off. BEER AND ICE CREAM FLOATS also.

Overall it was a Great Event at the Newark Museum. Something I am looking forward to next year.

The following companies for contributed their cool brew & hot chili:

Blue Point, New York	Samuel Adams, Massachusetts
Brooklyn Brewery, New York	Shmaltz, New York
Climax, New Jersey	Sierra Nevada, California
Cricket Hill, New Jersey	Smuttynose, New Hampshire
Duvel, Belgium	Spaten, Germany
Encore Catering	Steenbrugge, Belgium
Franziskaner, Germany	St. Pauli Girl, Germany
Gaslight Brewery & Restaurant, New Jersey	Unibroue, Canada
Harpoon, Massachusetts	Weyerbacher, Pennsylvania
High Point, New Jersey	Exquisite Entertaining
Hilton Newark Penn Station	Frungillo Caterers
Lagunitas, California	Hobby's Delicatessen & Restaurant
Magic Hat, Vermont	Kilkenny Ale House
Maredsous, Belgium	Laurence Craig Catering
Okocim, Poland	Moghul Catering
Ommegang, New York	New World Catering & Food Boutique
Palm, Belgium	Terra Luna Catering
Peak Organic, Maine	Touch Bayou Catering
River Horse, New Jersey	Ultimate Caterers

Matt and "The Monster"- Rock Art Brewery vs. Monster Energy Drink

Matt Nadeau of Rock Art Brewery (http://rockartbrewery.com/), sits down with Green River Pictures to let the world know his side of the Monster Energy drink Trademark lawsuit.

An attack has been launched on Matt and Renee of Rock Art brewery
SEptember 14 , 2009 an energy drink issues a cease and desist order on :
THE VERMONSTER
the energy drink Claims that consumers will likely be confused with the two products.
I have Input from 5 Trademark lawyers In various states saying: No infringement issue. Clearly a "nuisance lawsuit".
You will lose because they have the financial resources that can wear you down till you can not afford to fund the fight, Then THey win by default. Rock Art Brewery has the beer trademark to
The vermonster
in the state of vermont.
the american pledge of allegiance does not say
"and justice for all who have the deepest pockets"
I have offered to meet the energy drink halfway and give up my rights to my Vermont trademarked VERmonster in energy drinks
read my official response letter here
This is quickly cruising the web, twitter and facebook please show your support for our small brewery.
learn how stores have pulled the energy drink and the parent company's products,
a natural drinks company, in support of our efforts.

contact Rock Art Brewery rockart@pwshift.com

as and FYI #Beer&Wine Tasting @ Mompou Tapas lounge 10-15-09 (not going, better even @ Newark Museum)

Mompou
Tapas, Wine Bar, Lounge 77 Ferry St.
Newark, NJ 07105 Toll-Free: 866-99-TAPAS
Phone: 973-578-8114
Fax: 973-578-8117 info@mompoutapas.com

Morning bike Ride Called on My own stupidity

Well as some know, I get up at, what my comrade iZatherez proclaims is an “UNGODLY” hour, around four thirty a.m. , to get my morning cardio with a brisk bike ride. At minimum I ride about twenty minutes, in the quiet and tranquil, lemon yellowish gaslight illuminated streets of South Orange New Jersey. It’s a hilly area, so its and interesting work out.

This morning I got up and checked the temperature. It’s fall so the temperature is unhurriedly falling towards the winter harshness. I checked it and the temperature outside read forty six degrees, Fahrenheit. So I figured that would be ok, got dressed warmly all except for my frellin gloves, I have these, now stupid, bike gloves with no finger tips. When I went downhill I felt all the heat leach out of my hands into the passing wind. !!!! I just had to call it quits at that point. I don’t need frozen fingers when my job involves typing.

Lesson learned, when temperature goes down, WEAR PROPPER FRELLIN GLOVES.

How Can I Support My Craft Brew?

The first and best way to support your favorite craft brewer is to purchase their beers, and if they are not sold in your local liquor store, ask the manager to stock it. Most will willing to bring in beer they know will be purchased.

http://www.newbrewthursday.com/?p=36

Tonight (or any night for that matter ) is a good night to support you local Craft Brewer,EnjoY a cold one and kick back and relax! TGIF

Gigantor - Kobe

Japan Does it again, another coool Giant Robot, G I G A N T O R !!!!
Found on

miho's dad's photostream on Flickr

Free from the planning and the scaffolding, the $1.5 million Gigantor (or Tetsujin) statue is now complete. More here aloso http://gizmodo.com/5375245/gigantor-lives