In celebration of the Diversity in YA Fiction Tour, enter to win a copy of two, randomly selected books by participating authors!

Join the authors this month in San Francisco, Austin, Chicago, Cambridge and New York. See schedule and details!

To enter the giveaway, comment here or email me (scroll and click envelope) and type "Diversity" in the subject line. Deadline: midnight CST May 27. Note: author-sponsored; U.S. entries only.

Cynsational Giveaway Reminder

Enter to win a signed copy of The Owl Keeper by Christine Brodien-Jones (Delacorte, 2010). First prize: a hardcover copy. Second and third prize: paperback copies. To enter the giveaway, comment at this link or email me (scroll and click envelope) and type "Owl Keeper" in the subject line. Deadline: midnight CST May 27. Note: Author sponsored; U.S./Canada entries only. See also Christine on Writing Scary But Not Too Scary for Tweens.

More News & Giveaways

An Address and a Map Discovering Your Genius as a Writer by Tim Wynne-Jones from The Writers' League of Texas. Peek: "...I’m talking about the genius that each of us possesses to some degree: a natural ability or capacity or quality of mind; the special endowments which fit each of us for our work."

Children's Choice Book Awards Announced (PDF) from The Children’s Book Council (CBC) in association with Every Child A Reader, and the CBC Foundation. Rick Riordan was named author of the year, and David Wiesner was named illustrator of the year. See the complete list of winners.

JanePeddicord.com Space Blog: Where Kids Question the Cosmos. Peek: "SpaceBlog is place for kids to ask questions, to exchange ideas, and always to discover more about space. Of course, educators, parents, and space enthusiasts of all ages are welcome to join in, too!" Learn more about Jane Ann Peddicord.

Author Interview: Tim Tingle by Marie Penny at The Hub from YALSA. Peek: "My mentor, the Choctaw tribal storyteller Charley Jones says, 'tell the stories', but make sure the origin is acknowledged. The Choctaw tribe is very open, you don’t have to be Choctaw to tell the story, but you must respect the tribal origins." Source: American Indians in Children's Literature.

Lee B. Hopkins Poetry Award Teaching Toolbox: teacher guides and book trailers for the LBH award books.

The Interminable Agency Clause by Victoria Strauss from Writer Beware. Peek: "...language inserted into an author-agency agreement whereby the agency claims the right to remain the agent of record not just for the duration of any contracts it negotiates, but for the life of copyright." See also On Agency Agreements by Jennifer Laughran from Jennifer Represents...

Spaghetti Agents by Nathan Bransford. Peek: "They sign up a bunch of writers even when they're unsure about a project, they throw the manuscripts at publishers, and they see what sticks." See also Nathan on Separating Confidence from Self-Doubt.

Book Talking and Preparing for Focus Meeting by Little, Brown editor Alvina Ling from Blue Rose Girls. Peek: "....because I only have between 1 and 2 minutes to present each title, the presentation needs to be really tight. I want to touch on the summary of the book...."

Castellucci Joins 'Los Angeles Review of Books' as YA and Children's Editor by Wendy Werris from Publishers Weekly. Peek: "'So few venues review YA and teen books regularly, and even then it’s usually bestsellers and known authors, so this is an opportunity to assign reviews to the quieter books and older titles,' Castellucci says."

From Publishers Marketplace: "Nikki Loftin’s debut novel The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy, pitched as Coraline meets Hansel and Gretel, about a young girl whose seemingly delightful new school hides frightening secrets, to Laura Arnold at Razorbill, in a two-book deal, for publication in Summer 2012, by Suzie Townsend at Fineprint Literary Management (World)." Congratulations, Nikki!

Twitter Tutorial: The Long Version by Lynne Kelly from Will Write for Cake. Peek: "It's not okay to pitch your novel or query an agent or editor via Twitter, but following them is a great way to find out what's going on in the publishing industry and with their own work...."

Attention New Yorkers: anticipated budget cuts in NYC would effectively shut down many libraries, reduce hours and staff. Please stop by your local library or click to your local library website to sign a petition to save the libraries. See Queens Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and New York Public Library.

Pay-It-Forward ARC Giveaway Contest from Dawn Metcalf. Enter to win advanced reader copies of Dreamland Social Club by Tara Altebrando and Luminous by Dawn Metcalf (both Dutton, 2011). Deadline: May 7. See more information.

Career Planning: Who, Me? by Kristi Holl from Writer's First Aid. Peek: "...making a writing budget–the nuts and bolts of figuring out how much income you need, where it’s going to come from (all possible sources,) and what to do to get it. You’ll want to study this too." Note: Kristi references Chip MacGregor's excellent post Strategic Planning for Writers, but her pep talk/insights/summary are worth considering, too.

Author Advances: How Much You'll Get and When by Author/Agent Mandy Hubbard. Peek: "If you sell a book to one of the big six publishers, and it's a single book deal, and it's something deemed more quiet or literary, you may see $7,500-$10,000. if it has a bigger commercial hook, but still seems a little risky, you may get $15,000." Note: keep in mind that authors also make money from royalties, sub rights sales, public speaking, etc.

Career Insurance: Five Ways to Sell Your Next Book Before Its Written by Roni Loren from Fiction Groupie. Note: emphasis on series writing. Peek: "Unless you're writing the next blockbuster of the century, one book does not a career make. One book is just the gun going off at the starter gate." Source: QueryTracker.netBlog.

2011 Jane Addams Children's Book Awards from Mitali Perkins. The younger children's category winner is Emma’s Poem: The Voice of the Statue of Liberty by Linda Glaser, illustrated by Claire A. Nivola (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), and the older children's category winner is A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park (Clarion). See honor books. Note: "Since 1953, the Jane Addams Children's Book Award honors books published in the U.S. during the previous year that engage children in thinking about peace, justice, world community, and/or equality of the sexes and all races. The books also must meet conventional standards of literary and artistic excellence."

From Publishers Marketplace: "Brian Yansky's Fighting Alien Nation, the sequel to Alien Invasion and Other Inconveniences, which continues the story of the survivors of an alien invasion, again to Candlewick, with Kaylan Adair to edit, by Sara Crowe at Harvey Klinger (world English). Congratulations, Brian!

For Writers: Race and Science Fiction and Fantasy by Mary Anne Mohanraj from Whatever. Peek: "...it’s easy to be paralyzed by that fear, to retreat back to only writing characters who are just like you, or so vague that they can’t possibly be mistaken for anyone real. But again — that makes for bad fiction. If you’re going to write well, you have to get past those fears." See also Your Process of Creating Characters Across Culture or Class from Mitali Perkins from Mitali's Fire Escape.

Point of View in Picture Books in Celebration of National Picture Book Writing Week from Paula Yoo from Write Like You Mean It. Peek: "Look at picture books that are written from different points of view. Compare a picture book written in first person versus third person limited. What are the differences?"

"Birthing a Book: Revelations about the Publishing Process," the transcript of a chat with Bonny Becker from the Institute of Children's Literature.

I Live in the Middle of Nowhere. How Can I Promote My Book? by Kristina Springer from Author2Author. Peek: "...it's hard to get a book faced out at the book store for more than a couple of months. So what can I do?"

Hunger Mountain Critique Auction

Hunger Mountain Critique Auction: Bid for a chance to win critiques from authors, illustrators, and agents from picture books to YA and beyond. See details on:

• 50-page YA manuscript critique with author Holly Cupala;
• illustrator's portfolio critique with Julian Hector;
• picture book critique with agent Jill Corcoran;
• full childrens/YA manuscript critique with agent Elena Mechlin; 50-page middle grade/YA manuscript critique with author Sara Zarr;
• picture book/poetry for children critique with Janet Wong;
• 30-page middle grade/YA critique with agent Joan Slattery;
• newly listed 50-page middle grade critique with agent Erin Murphy;
• 50-page middle grade/YA critique with agent Ammi-Joan Paquette;
• children's/middle grade/Y​A critique with agent Emily Van Beek;
• YA novel (20-page) or poem/story critique with author G. Neri;
• 50-page children's literature critique with author Sara Pennypacker.

Note: Hunger Mountain is the Vermont College of Fine Arts Journal of the Arts, featuring an in-depth focus on children's-YA literature.

Cynsational Screening Room

Check out the book trailer for Bats at the Ballgame by Brian Lies (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010).



Edit Letter Fun: Butcher or Coddler? from lynnekelly2000.



More Personally

This week I turned in my revision of my upcoming YA Gothic fantasy novel, which will be the next fully prose addition to the Tantalize series.

To the left, we see Bashi in the guet room, helping to guard the manuscript as I read through it, tweaking text.

To the right, we see Leo, lounging on Greg's copy of the draft in the parlor. Greg, the kitties, and I read the manuscript out loud to catch typos, missing words, and other minor issues. I'm especially include to skip right over two-letter words like "to," "of," "on," and "so."

See also Official Writer Cat Bios.

I'm pleased to announce that actress Kim Mai Guest will be reading as the character Quincie P. Morris for the audio edition of Blessed for Listening Library/Random House.

Kim Mai also performed as Quincie in the audio production of Tantalize (Listening Library, 2008).

Reminder: all blurb requests must come from editors or agents. Never authors. No exceptions.

Tantalize Reviewed by Anna from Troublingly Good Teen Lit. Peek: "This book could help teens who find themselves with more responsibility than they can handle, or whose parents/guardians are absent. It could also help teens who feel they may have a drinking problem."

Holler Loudly Reviewed by Becca Huttman from South Sound Book Review Council. Peek: "This is a cute story that is just fun. It has lots of action, adventure and fun illustrations."

Holler Loudly Reviewed by GAHome2Mom from Loving Heart Designs. Peek: "...a wonderfully humorous book to share with any young child."

Check out the Holler Loudly Teacher Guides by Shannon Morgan for PreK, Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2!

Personal Links of the Week:

• The Beginning: Or As Nike Advertises: Just Do It from Bethany Hegedus
• Possibly the Best Thing About My Job from Jennifer Ziegler
• The Right Word from Brian Yansky
• Look for the "No" to Find the "Yes" by Lindsey Lane from The Meandering Lane
• Interesting Stats on Librarians by Naomi Bates from YA Books and More
• Look for Susan Salzman Raab's latest "To Market" column, "Social Media: Time Well Spent - and Time Consuming" in the May/June 2011 SCBWI Bulletin.
• Cynthia Leitich Smith at Wikipedia

Cynsational Events

Diversity in YA Fiction: Austin Tour Stop 7:30 p.m. May 9 at BookPeople. Featuring authors With authors Bethany Hegedus, Malinda Lo, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, Cindy Pon, Dia Reeves, and Jo Whittemore, and moderated by Varian Johnson.

Chris Barton will be signing Can I See Your ID? True Stories of False Identities, illustrated by Paul Hoppe (Dial, 2011) at 7 p.m. May 14 at BookPeople in Austin. See discussion guide. See also Chris on Unbridled Silliness and Carefully Researched Truth-telling.

The Chills and Thrills Book Tour will be stopping at 2 p.m. May 15 at BookPeople. Turn out for authors Mari Mancusi, Tera Lynn Childs, Sophie Jordan, Jordan Dane, Lara Chapman, Jennifer Archer, and Tracy Deebs.

The First Annual BooksmART Festival will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 11 as part of Arts & Letters Live from the Dallas Museum of Art. Peek: "Come spend the day with authors, illustrators, musicians and actors, and enjoy talks, workshops, gallery tours, and entertainment, designed to appeal to every member of the family and every age group." Featured children's-YA book creators include Rick Riordan, Norton Juster, Laurie Halse Anderson, David Wiesner, Jerry Pinkney, Gene Luen Yang, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Duncan Tonatiuh, Antonio Sacre, Joe McDermott, Jan Bozarth, and Ann Marie Newman.

Authors Jennifer Ziegler and Cynthia Leitich Smith will speak to YA readers at 2 p.m. June 18 at Bee Cave Public Library in Bee Cave, Texas. Mark your calendars for book talk and pizza!

Austin Bat Cave Offers YA Writing Workshop with Margo Rabb from May 31 to July 5. See more information.

Embattled tax attorney Roni Deutch hasn't been paying her legal bills in the state's effort to shut her down, according to the lawyer representing her, who now says he wants out of the case.

Roni Lynn Deutch may see her nationally promoted law practice – aimed at clients in tax trouble with the Internal Revenue Service – face new restrictions by a federal judge in Sacramento.

Embattled tax attorney Roni Deutch hasn't been paying her legal bills in the state's effort to shut her down, according to the lawyer representing her, who now says he wants out of the case.

Roni Lynn Deutch may see her nationally promoted law practice – aimed at clients in tax trouble with the Internal Revenue Service – face new restrictions by a federal judge in Sacramento.

Embattled tax attorney Roni Deutch hasn't been paying her legal bills in the state's effort to shut her down, according to the lawyer representing her, who now says he wants out of the case.

Roni Lynn Deutch may see her nationally promoted law practice – aimed at clients in tax trouble with the Internal Revenue Service – face new restrictions by a federal judge in Sacramento.

The law firm representing embattled tax attorney Roni Lynn Deutch has asked to be dismissed from the case because, among other reasons, she hasn't been paying her attorneys' fees.

Roni Lynn Deutch's in-your-face advertising has made her a minor celebrity. Now the North Highlands lawyer is accused of fraud.

The law firm representing embattled tax attorney Roni Lynn Deutch has asked to be dismissed from the case because, among other reasons, she hasn't been paying her attorneys' fees.

Roni Lynn Deutch's in-your-face advertising has made her a minor celebrity. Now the North Highlands lawyer is accused of fraud.

Roni Caryn Rabin: Studies have found that meditation helps prevent the recurrence of depression, perhaps by producing changes in parts of the brain associated with learning and anxiety. A new study suggests that meditation may modulate brain waves called alpha rhythms, which help regulate the transmission of sensory input from the surrounding environment. Harvard researchers [...] Related posts:

1. Meditation may help the brain ‘turn down the volume’ on distractions The positive effects of mindfulness meditation on pain and working...
2. Noise, traffic, animal sacrifice (yes, really). These are the objections put up to block Buddhist groups Here at Wildmind we’ve reported on several Buddhist organizations that...
3. Mindful meditation may strengthen certain brain regions New research suggests meditation may improve certain brain regions and...

World-famous violinist Bell inspires Montana students KRTV Great Falls News "I was very touched by that to see all these young kids and they were quiet and interested and they had great questions and this gives me faith in the future of classical music," Bell said. Eighth grader Roni Thiel says being able to see the violinist ... Virtuoso brings affair with violin to Great Falls performanceGreat Falls Tribune all 7 news articles »

IHSA investigating rule violation; forfeits possible; coach resigns

After Roni Yoaresh moved to the United States from Iraq and enrolled at Mather High School in Chicago nearly two years ago, he wasn't shy about wanting to play his favorite sport.

News10.net

Court freezes assets of 'Tax Lady' Roni Deutch Sacramento Bee Roni Deutch, the self-styled "Tax Lady," has had her assets frozen by a Sacramento Superior Court judge and could face jail time on contempt of court allegations after allegedly shredding evidence and failing to pay ... Calif. court freezes assets of TV's 'tax lady'Forbes State AG says 'Tax Lady' Roni Deutch should be jailed for contemptModesto Bee "Tax Lady" Roni Deutch in Trouble with Attorney GeneralKIONrightnow.com PR Web (press release) -ABA Journal all 226 news articles »

Roni Deutch, the self-styled "Tax Lady," has had her assets frozen by a Sacramento Superior Court judge and could face jail time on contempt of court allegations after allegedly shredding evidence and failing to pay clients refunds in violation of a court order.

Roni Deutch is accused of failing to pay refunds and destroying evidence.

Roni Deutch, the self-styled "Tax Lady," has had her assets frozen by a Sacramento Superior Court judge and could face jail time on contempt of court allegations after allegedly shredding evidence and failing to pay clients refunds in violation of a court order.

Roni Deutch is accused of failing to pay refunds and destroying evidence.

Roni Deutch, the self-styled "Tax Lady," has had her assets frozen by a Sacramento Superior Court judge and could face jail time on contempt of court allegations after allegedly shredding evidence and failing to pay clients refunds in violation of a court order.

Roni Deutch is accused of failing to pay refunds and destroying evidence.

Roni Deutch, the self-styled "Tax Lady," has had her assets frozen by a Sacramento Superior Court judge and could face jail time on contempt of court allegations after allegedly shredding evidence and failing to pay clients refunds in violation of a court order.

Roni Deutch is accused of failing to pay refunds and destroying evidence.

Roni Deutch, the self-styled "Tax Lady," has had her assets frozen by a Sacramento Superior Court judge and could face jail time on contempt of court allegations after allegedly shredding evidence and failing to pay clients refunds in violation of a court order.

Roni Deutch is accused of failing to pay refunds and destroying evidence.

Roni Deutch, the self-styled "Tax Lady," has had her assets frozen by a Sacramento Superior Court judge and could face jail time on contempt of court allegations after allegedly shredding evidence and failing to pay clients refunds in violation of a court order.

Roni Deutch is accused of failing to pay refunds and destroying evidence.

Georgia, Tbilisi, April 21/ Trend, N. Kirtskhalia / Family members of the Israeli businessmen Roni Fuchs and Zeev Frankel appealed to Georgia's president requesting for their pardon.

Press release from the California Attorney General: Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today asked a Sacramento County Superior Court to hold "Tax Lady" Roni Deutch in contempt of court, imprison her for five days on each violation and fine her thousands of dollars for shredding millions of pages of documents...

News10.net

Calif. court freezes assets of TV's 'tax lady' Forbes A California court has frozen assets and appointed a receiver to run the business operated by Roni Deutch, a nationally known tax lawyer who gained a measure of fame on late-night television commercials. Wednesday's orders came as the California ... State AG says 'Tax Lady' Roni Deutch should be jailed for contemptModesto Bee "Tax Lady" Roni Deutch in Trouble with Attorney GeneralKIONrightnow.com Calif. AG Says 'Tax Lady' Attorney Should Be Jailed for Shredding Documents ...ABA Journal all 230 news articles »

A California court froze the assets and appointed a receiver Wednesday to run the business operated by Roni Deutch, a nationally known tax lawyer who gained a measure of fame on late-night television commercials.

A California court froze the assets and appointed a receiver Wednesday to run the business operated by Roni Deutch, a nationally known tax lawyer who gained a measure of fame on late-night television commercials.

A California court has frozen assets and appointed a receiver to run the business operated by Roni Deutch, a nationally known tax lawyer who gained a measure of fame on late-night television commercials.

A California court has frozen assets and appointed a receiver to run the business operated by Roni Deutch, a nationally known tax lawyer who gained a measure of fame on late-night television commercials.Wednesday's orders came as the California attorney general seeks to have Deutch held in contempt for shredding documents and failing to promptly ...

Modesto Bee

Calif. court freezes assets of TV's 'tax lady' Atlanta Journal Constitution A California court froze the assets and appointed a receiver Wednesday to run the business operated by Roni Deutch, a nationally known tax lawyer who gained a measure of fame on late-night television commercials. Sacramento Superior Court Superior ... Calif. court freezes assets of TV's 'tax lady'Forbes "Tax Lady" Roni Deutch in Trouble with Attorney GeneralKIONrightnow.com Calif. AG Says 'Tax Lady' Attorney Should Be Jailed for Shredding Documents ...ABA Journal all 201 news articles »

Roni Deutch, the self-styled "Tax Lady," could face jail time on contempt of court allegations after allegedly shredding millions of pages of documents and failing to pay clients refunds in violation of a court order.

Roni Lynn Deutch may see her nationally promoted law practice – aimed at clients in tax trouble with the Internal Revenue Service – face new restrictions by a federal judge in Sacramento.

Roni Lynn Deutch has denied wrongdoing and vowed she will be vindicated.

Roni Deutch, the self-styled "Tax Lady," could face jail time on contempt of court allegations after allegedly shredding millions of pages of documents and failing to pay clients refunds in violation of a court order.

Roni Lynn Deutch may see her nationally promoted law practice – aimed at clients in tax trouble with the Internal Revenue Service – face new restrictions by a federal judge in Sacramento.

Roni Lynn Deutch has denied wrongdoing and vowed she will be vindicated.

Roni Deutch, the self-styled "Tax Lady," could face jail time on contempt of court allegations after allegedly shredding millions of pages of documents and failing to pay clients refunds in violation of a court order.

Roni Lynn Deutch may see her nationally promoted law practice – aimed at clients in tax trouble with the Internal Revenue Service – face new restrictions by a federal judge in Sacramento.

Roni Lynn Deutch has denied wrongdoing and vowed she will be vindicated.

Roni Deutch, the self-styled "Tax Lady," could face jail time on contempt of court allegations after allegedly shredding millions of pages of documents and failing to pay clients refunds in violation of a court order.

Roni Lynn Deutch may see her nationally promoted law practice – aimed at clients in tax trouble with the Internal Revenue Service – face new restrictions by a federal judge in Sacramento.

Roni Lynn Deutch has denied wrongdoing and vowed she will be vindicated.

This post, by Roni Loren, originally appeared on her Fiction Groupie blog on 3/30/11.

So as I go through this whole writing journey, I spend a lot of time observing other authors--be it in person or, more likely, on the internet. I want to know what makes one so successful and the other not as much. What makes one likable and another unapproachable. In other words, what separates the good from the great. And so, based on my very unscientific observations, I've come up with my own Ten Commandments. These are the things I've seen successful authors do and the things I strive to emulate.  So here we go...

read more

Attorney General Kamala Harris is seeking to have North Highlands attorney Roni Deutch, known as “the Tax Lady” from her nationwide commercials, held in contempt of court for shredding documents relating to a suit brought against her firm. Harris is also seeking to have a Sacramento County Superior Court judge fine and imprison Deutch for violating a court order to pay refunds to clients. Harris asked the court to fine Deutch $1,000 and imprison her for five days for each count of contempt. She further asked the court to immediately freeze Deutch’s personal assets and to appoint a receiver to manage her law...

Roni Deutch, the self-styled "Tax Lady," could face jail time on contempt of court allegations after allegedly shredding millions of pages of documents and failing to pay clients refunds in violation of a court order.

Roni Lynn Deutch may see her nationally promoted law practice – aimed at clients in tax trouble with the Internal Revenue Service – face new restrictions by a federal judge in Sacramento.

Roni Lynn Deutch has denied wrongdoing and vowed she will be vindicated.

A California court has frozen assets and appointed a receiver to run the business operated by Roni Deutch, a nationally known tax lawyer who gained a measure of fame on late-night television commercials.

Recycled art piece Time Portal by Colt Bowden. Photo credit: Colt Bowden Recycled art is created everywhere. If you’re traveling or living in the U.S., Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City now hosts recycled art exhibit Rubbish featuring artists Sarinda Jones, Colt Bowden, Roni Wilcox, Latch Holmgren and Nicole Broberg. The artists will visit the hotel’s nightly [...]

The Martha's Vineyard Diet rocketed to success and the author, Dr. Roni Deluz is already well known for her other diet book, 21 Pounds in 21 Days. This book is an extension (more of a second edition) of the first book (the title is even very similar). While the book is well written and contains [...]

How Halacha Plays a Role in Breeding — and Treating — Eating Disorders Forward (blog) The writer, Roni Caryn Rabin, reports on the various pressures Orthodox girls face, and looks at whether eating disorders might be the result of these pressures. She writes that, in some cases, those disorders seem to be symptoms of their desire to ...

The Martha's Vineyard Diet rocketed to success and the author, Dr. Roni Deluz is already well known for her other diet book, 21 Pounds in 21 Days. This book is an extension (more of a second edition) of the first book (the title is even very similar). While the book is well written and contains [...]

Nobu at the Beach! Rockaway Taco at the beach! The return of ice pops! And now here’s some more bright and shiny news to get you through this soggy day: When the Hester Street Fair reopens next month, it’ll be more food focused than ever, with over half the market dedicated to grub. In fact, opening day (May 7, from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m.) is being dubbed the Lower Feast Side Food Festival. Along with thirteen returning food vendors, there’ll be fourteen new ones on Saturdays, including local restaurants like Fat Radish and Poco, plus the Fair is blocking off its Sundays for special food events and themed markets throughout the season, ending in October. Organizer Suchin Pak tells us she’s planning to add new vendors weekly: “We're hoping that Hester continues to be a testing ground for all these new food entrepreneurs looking to perfect their menus and find a passionate audience.” Here, then, are the new faces you can expect on opening day.

Brooklyn Taco Company, founded by Erica Molin and chef Jesse Kramer, will use ingredients like Martinez dried chiles, papalo, pipicha, cilantro macho, and Mexican oregano to create tacos (and tamales!) such as the Chilorio Brisket and the Guaco Taco.

Mighty Balls will jump on the meatball bandwagon using local meat and “all-natural” sauces that are added when you order. Founder Dina Williamson was most recently a managing partner at a quick service restaurant in Grand Central, and her partner Kerri Brewer left the industry to become a food photographer a few years ago.

Fresh Ginger, Ginger Ale by Bruce Cost. Though it looks like P&H; won’t be back this year, the void will be filled by the ginger ale that Beard Award–winning cookbook author Bruce Cost makes from fresh ginger and cane sugar. The Lower East Side resident will also introduce Bruce Cost Steamed Bao, including a “cha siu bao” that marries Berkshire pork with an authentic Hong Kong–style yeast dough, and a whole-wheat edamame and vegetable steamed bun.

Gisella Civale of Dolce Nonna will sell all-natural jarred goods that were inspired by her Italian grandmother’s recipes — such as marinated peppers, string beans, and eggplants.

MilkMade Ice Cream, which started as a delivery service, will offer two new flavors per month, starting with Honey Lavender Granola and Mint Chocolate Brownie in May, then Southern Sweet Tea and Rhubarb in June, and Earl Grey Pine and Strawberry Lemonade in July.

Herbin' Spoonful Caramel Sauces. Texas native and Brooklyn resident Mackenzie Smith’s homemade caramels (made using organic cane sugar, organic heavy cream, and butter) will include flavors like chai (a mixture of organic cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, black peppercorn, fennel seed, nutmeg, cloves, bay leaves, darjeeling tea, and sea salt), habanero (containing organic habanero, jalapeno, serrano and cayenne peppers), and lavender (organic dried lavender buds combined with caramelized organic cane sugar).

Girl Next Door Baked Goods specializes in cookies and brownies.

Lucky Penny Bake Shop bakes chocolate-chip cookies and shortbread coins.

Flour City Pasta is a Rochester flavored-pasta-maker.

Spatzi’s makes granola by pairing, for instance, pecan with Mast Brothers chocolate and cacao nibs.

Stand NY will serve fresh lemonade.

Returning vendors include Arancini, Cheeky Sandwiches, Roni Sue’s Chocolate, Savirole Bakery, An Choi, Macaron Parlour, Melt Bakery, Sigmund Pretzelshop, Luke’s Lobster, and La Sonrisa.

Read more posts by Daniel Maurer

Filed Under: the great outdoors, hester street fair

Despite being singled out by Dr. Krongard in seventh grade for singing an octave too low, I’ve always had a head for songs. I suppose it’s part of what makes me a writer—I pay attention to words, especially when artfully (or commercially) arranged. At the slightest of triggers, I’ve been known to belt out TV jingles, from “Rice a Roni, the flavor can’t be beat!” to the more arcane “Oh, Fab, we’re glad, there’s lemon-freshened Borax in you!” And don’t get me started on....

By Roni Drukan A recent survey showed 1/3 of Palestinians support the attack in Itamar in March, in

Brazilian media describes killing by former pupil as the worst school massacre in the country's history

A gunman opened fire at a school in Rio de Janeiro, killing at least 12 children, mostly girls aged between 11 and 13, in what Brazilian media described as the worst school massacre in the country's history.

Ten of the victims were shot in the head or chest by the 23-year-old gunman, who was named as Wellington Menezes de Oliveira. Another 18 people were reported to have been injured, several seriously, before Oliveira killed himself.

Witnesses said Oliveira, a former student of the Tasso da Silveira school in Realengo, in western Rio, approached the school with two handguns just before 8.30am and opened fire on two boys on a nearby street. He shot one in the head and one in the arm.

Oliveira is then said to have continued through the school's metal gates and through its front door where a yellow sign reads: "Smile: you are being filmed."

Dorival Porto Rafael, a rubbish collector who was at the school, told Globo online that the gunman had walked into a class where students were studying Portuguese.

"He came into the class saying he was going to give a talk. He went to an eighth-grade class, on the [ground floor], and without saying anything took out a pistol from his bag and started firing," Rafael said. "The police arrived and he tried to go up to the next floor, but when he saw he was surrounded he shot himself in the head."

Authorities said Oliveira's killing spree ended only because of the intervention of a military policeman who managed to shoot him in the leg before he took his own life.

Crowds jeered as the killer's body was carried out of the school and bundled into a yellow morgue van, wrapped in a black plastic bag.

Brazil's president, Dilma Rousseff, has declared three days of national mourning.

Speaking at a hastily arranged press conference on the school's tatty basketball court, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, said the tragedy might have been much worse without the policeman's intervention. "God willing, those who are still in danger will not die," he added.

Rio's governor, Sergio Cabral, said Oliveira had been "heavily armed with two guns and a belt filled with professional ammunition".

"I believe it is our duty to … support the families of the young boys and girls killed by this psychopath, this animal," he added.

President Rousseff said: "We must unite in rejecting this act of violence … against defenceless children — children who have lost their lives and their futures."

One witness told the Guardian he had seen between 15 and 20 children dead or seriously wounded.

"It is a massacre, a true massacre," said Roni de Macedo, a firefighter who arrived on the scene shortly after the shooting began and dragged eight seriously injured children from the school.

"There is blood on the walls, blood on the chairs. There are 15 to 20 dead I think," he said, covered in blood from head to toe. "I've never seen anything like this. It's like something in the United States."

Hercilei Antunes, 44, a postman who lives opposite the school and has a daughter there, said: "I saw a load of injured kids, bleeding kids. I saw a dead guy inside. I heard more than 30 shots.

"I heard shots, shots, shots and more shots. I tried to go in, but he shot more and I am not made of steel," he added.

Antunes's porch was blood-stained where he had given first aid to injured children as they fled the school.

With police helicopters hovering overhead, Yvonette Fernandes wept as she looked for her 12-year-old niece, along with scores of other desperate family members. "Where is she? I want to know where she is."

Some students recounted lucky escapes. Sidcley Lopes Garcia, 13, said he had arrived late for class and was outside when he heard the first shots. "I jumped over the wall," he said. "Lots of my friends were injured."

Another 12-year-old student stood outside the school weeping. "I thought I was going to die," she cried. "He shot my friend. My friend is dead."

Twins Brenda and Bianca Rocha Tavares, 13, were inside the school at the time of the shooting and were both hit. Brenda died after being shot in the head, while her sister was shot in the arms and taken to hospital for surgery.

"I was working when I heard about the shooting and came here," Perla Maria dos Reis Paes, their aunt, told O Globo."Unfortunately my niece is dead."

Witnesses tell how gunman opened fire on pupils at Tasso da Silveira primary school in Rio de Janeiro

As many as 20 people are feared dead after a gunman invaded a primary school in Rio de Janeiro and opened fire.

One witness told the Guardian he had seen between 15 and 20 children dead or seriously wounded inside the Tasso da Silveira primary school in western Rio.

"It is a massacre, a true massacre," said Roni de Macedo, a fireman who arrived on the scene shortly after the shooting began and dragged eight seriously injured children from the second floor classroom. "There is blood on the walls, blood on the chairs. There are 15 to 20 dead I think," said De Macedo, who was covered in blood.

"I've never seen anything like this. It's like something in the United States."

Witnesses said the shooting began outside the school at around 8.30am when a man opened fire on two boys, shooting one in the head and one in the arm with what was said to be handgun.

He is said to have cotinued through the school's metal gates and up to a packed classroom the second floor, opening fire on children aged between 11 and 13.

"I saw a load of injured kids, bleeding kids. I saw a dead guy inside. I heard more than 30 shots. My daughter was inside," said Hercilei Antunes, 44, a postman who lives opposite the school.

"It's always been a calm school," he added, standing on his bloodstained porch where he gave first aid to children who had been shot. "Today I heard shots, shots, shots and more shots. I tried to go in but he shot more and I am not made of steel."

With police helicopters hovering overhead, Yvonette Fernandes, 51, wept as she looked for news of her 12-year-old niece alongside scores of desperate parents. "Where is she? I want to know where she is!"

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No moniker exists for the happiest Harris Teeter or the most gigantic Giant, but ask for the Social Safeway and you’ll get directions to Georgetown. Why the public bestowed a dozen nicknames for Safeway and only Safeway remains unclear, with the origins of the names often lost to history.

Perhaps it's just that the District's Safeways have been around forever, affording locals decades to experiment with appropriate coinages. Or maybe it's just that the letter "S" lends itself to alliterative riffing.

Safeway spokesperson Craig Muckle says the store is aware of the nicknames and is “OK” with a few of them. “Not that we get to bless them anyway,” he adds. Muckle declines to say which are false, explaining that these names are by the people and for the people. “We’re not a customer, so it’s probably not our place,” he explains

Corporate sensitivities aside, there's a serious consumer-protection imperative in fact-checking the various Safeway nicknames. What if, for example, a newcomer hears about the "Social Safeway," goes there expecting to rub tons of elbows, and leaves feeling lonely and ignored? False advertising!

So here we go. Via on-site observations, customer interviews, product analysis, historical research, public records, and some narrowly circumscribed input from Muckle, TBD hereby fact-checks the grocery-buying public and their fancy little nicknames.

The “Sexy” Safeway, 5th and L St. NW, D.C.

The case for this Safeway’s sexiness starts with the exterior: a steel and glass modernist design that looks hot next to some of its blocky brick neighbors. Inside, customers first encounter the floral department. Orchids are sexier than rotisserie chickens, so +1. A nut bar follows (nuts have long been considered an aphrodisiac). A generous wine department compensates for a not-so-sexy DVD selection (Big Daddy?) and a locked bathroom (no sneaking away for afternoon delight in the grocery store without asking for a key).

As for the clientele, shopper Jennifer Grzywinski is willing to call them “good-looking,” but today’s shoppers, in their conservative Washington work wear, ooze no more or no less sex appeal than you’d see in a Giant or Harris Teeter.

For Contrina Whitley, though, the sexiness of this Safeway is more about how the products make her feel than the attractiveness of people. “It’s fine,” she says. “I mean, money-wise. The feel of it, the way it look.” She gestures to a display of lusciously frosted sheet cakes. “Look how they got the cakes and things. Nice and beautiful and refined. Sexy.”

SEXY VERDICT: True

The “Stinky/Sixties” Safeway, 3830 Georgia Ave. NW, D.C.

Internet lore holds that nothing smells more foul than this location on Georgia Avenue, but this reporter found nothing but odorless aisles. In fact, the only discernible scent was detected directly above some lettuce in the produce aisle. The vegetables gave off an earthy whiff, which is what one would expect from food grown in the ground.

Customer Tyrone has not previously heard of the store’s reputation as stinky but dismisses it. “I say it’s a pleasant Safeway,” he says.

Official reports offer little to support this Safeway as stinky or stink-free. The District health department reports two complaints against the store, and the ensuing inspections found violations in the “protection from contamination” category both times. Whether these violations caused a stink is not documented.

STINKY VERDICT: Indeterminable

As for the exterior, it is straight-up Jetsons.

SIXTIES VERDICT: True

The “Spanish/Sandinista” Safeway, 1747 Columbia Road NW, D.C.

There seems to be no more Spanish being spoken in the aisles of the Columbia Road Safeway than in any store in Northern Virginia, though there is more written Spanish above the awnings of surrounding businesses: several tiendas stand across the street, alongside a Mexican bakery and Salvadoran/Mexican restaurant. Also across the street: an establishment called O’Tasty, which hints at an Irish flavor but advertises sushi and Chinese food in its window.

O’Tasty’s national confusion seems on par with this Safeway’s reputation as “Spanish.” Yes there’s a large Hispanic food section, but it shares an aisle with kosher products and a full selection of Asian foods. Customers can buy Goya yellow split peas and leche de coco while they pick up soy sauce—the stock isn’t atypical of any Safeway, and neither is the dialogue.

SPANISH VERDICT: Indeterminable

The connection between Nicaragua's contribution to international lefty lore and a grocery store in Adams Morgan remains unclear. Signs of political activity, socialist or otherwise, are nonexistent. The store’s magazine selection reveals capitalist taste: InStyle and the Ladies Home Journal---nothing by Pedro Joaquin Chamorro. Absent a push for Jose Marti-inspired collectivization on the shelves, there's no Contra movement, either.

SANDINISTA VERDICT: Untrue

The “Soviet” Safeway, 1701 Corcoran St. NW, D.C.

Between the full-ranging Rice a Roni flavors and selection of Danish squash, there are few signs of the old country at this Dupont store. Longtime shopper Larry says the moniker was more appropriate before a remodeling that doubled the space. “It used to be that they had four kinds of Campbell soup,” he says. “Now selection is better.” He adds that evidence of the store’s Soviet past lingers, like in this morning’s sparse apple offerings.

Muckle says that the location presents challenges for stocking. “Obviously we can’t park in the street,” he says. “We’re in a neighborhood.” That means stocking that typically would be done overnight needs to be balanced with respect for sleeping neighbors. The loading dock is also smaller than other stores’, and the stockroom and sales floor are on different floors. This can lead, Muckle says, to stocking concerns.

SOVIET VERDICT: Very slightly true, if by “Soviet” you mean “slightly less than perfect by Dupont standards” and nothing resembling the actual Soviet Union

The “Senior” Safeway, 2550 Virginia Ave. NW

This angular, weirdly shaped store wedged into the Watergate is old, and so are its customers. The coral and teal color panels on the wall evoke the early 1980s, and the cursive designs identifying various parts of the store are so dated they’re almost quaint. Shoppers appear to be almost entirely in the 55+ crowd.

Muckle says Safeway has “probably put some money” into remodeling this location, “but it’s not a lifestyle store.” Most of the customers, he says, are residents of the Watergate.

One of the more spry customers in the store, George Washington University student Derek Andren, says today’s mostly white-haired shoppers are typical of the older folks he sees when he shops there. How does Andren know they’re old? “Hair color,” he explains. “They move slowly.” Adding to the case for this Safeway’s senior reputation, Andren is in fact wrapping up his final year at GW.

SENIOR VERDICT: True

The “Southwest” Safeway, 1100 4th St. SW, D.C.

The Safeway is located at its stated mailing address of 1100 4th St. in the Southwest quadrant.

SOUTHWEST VERDICT: True.

The “Un” Safeway, 415 14th St. SE

Muckle isn’t sure why this location got its reputation for being sketchy. “To my knowledge, we have not gotten complaints about people feeling unsafe,” he says of the Capitol Hill store.

District government has gotten complaints about this Safeway, but not because of violence or crime. Since 2008, the health department inspected the store seven times because of complaints. In its last routine inspection in January, the store posted 22 violations, eight of them critical. The inspector cited “food debris in the handwashing sinks,” “improper temperatures” at the deli fridge, and “overflowing dumpsters.” You’re not likely to get shot at this Safeway, but the Department of Health certainly found a few things they deemed unsafe.

UNSAFEWAY VERDICT: False. "Unsafitary" or something similar would work better, but we'll leave the brainstorming to the customers.

The “Social” Safeway

The crown jewel of the District Safeways, this elegant grocery store in Georgetown does make you want to stay a while. The generous “social area” is comfortably furnished and centered around a fireplace. Fresh-faced young people abound and they aren’t afraid to smile at a stranger (I have myself made prolonged eye contact with a Brooks Brothers-type here before).

But is it all longing glances, or are singles actually doing any socializing? Muckle says it’s the latter, and that socializing has led to “innumerable” marriages. “One gentleman did tell me straight up that he met his wife there,” he says, adding that he’s certain there have been more romances. The Social Safeway moniker is the only one the company has ever given its blessing to officially, when it made it part of the company’s communications during the store’s opening.

SOCIAL VERDICT: True

[ April 17, 2011; ] Come out this Cambodian New Year for Austin’s premiere screening of award-winning ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE. Unprecedented access from top to bottom of the Khmer Rouge has been achieved through a decade of work by one of Cambodia’s top investigative journalists. The men and women who perpetuated the massacres in the Killing Fields of Cambodia break a 30-year silence to give testimony never before heard or seen. All profits go toward Austin2Angkor, a local project helping communities in Cambodia. Event Start Date/Time: 04/17/2011, 13:00 Event End Date/Time: 04/17/2011, 15:00 Time Note: N/A Venue Name: Alamo Village Address: 2700 West Anderson Lane Address 2: N/A City: Austin State: TX Zip: 78757 Telephone: (512) 476-1320 Website: www.originalalamo.com Email Address: N/A Name: Austin2Angkor Telephone: N/A Web Address: www.Austin2Angkor.com Email: roni@austin2angkor.com Designation: not for profit Price Range: Contact: Venue This post was submitted by Roni Sivan.

Filed under: Motorsports, Technology, Electric

Are you prepared for Formula One, Electric Boogaloo? Jean Todt, President of the FIA, apparently is, and he hopes to introduce a few new racing series that will provide a platform for an electrified Formula One racing series.

Before we get to see a fully-fledged electric F1 league, The Telegraph reports that Todt plans to roll out electric car, go-kart and single-seat events. The goal is to increase awareness of electric propulsion and drum up support for its use in a variety of motorsports applications.

Jean Todt may have a tough road ahead of him, though, thanks to assumed opposition from F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. Todt is looking to bring hybrid powerplants to F1 and Ecclestone has already voiced his opposition to that plan. We're going to guess that Bernie won't take too kindly to all-electric racing either.

[Source: The Telegraph | Image: Roni Rekomaa/AFP/Getty]

Report: FIA president Jean Todt interested in new electric F1 series originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roni Fuchs and Ze'ev Frenkel were convicted of attempting to bribe Georgia's Deputy Foreign Minister, sentenced to 7 years in prison.

Roni Kay Marie O'Dell: NATO must be concerned with current and future adverse effects of climate change as a major unconventional security threat. In order to address the threat, NATO's interests and identity must shift in three key areas: client focus, core mission, and strategies and activities.