Wheels on the bus go round and round

It has been over twenty years since I took my drivers training class and I had to think back what to do the other day when going down a four lane road with a grass median. Bus was in the farthest lane from me going the opposite direction. The lights were flashing and the arm was not out. Cars behind the bus were stopped, there were no cars in the bus' left lane. No cars in the inside lane going opposite direction and then I was in the farthest lane from the bus going the opposite way.

Well, luckily the bus' flashing light stopped before I got close but I could not remember if I was to stop because it was grass or if I were to speed up. (Well, I think that would have been an answer on the test, but it was just to throw me off).

I then asked myself, self, what else have I forgotten about driving in the past couple decades? I remember when my grandmother was around and tormenting the world in her 90's, I do know that she was not even worried about flashing lights let alone if she is to be stopping four lanes over. Perhaps, as one gets older, the really saving grace will be purchasing the "In God We Trust" license plate. Lord knows, anytime that plate hits the car the driver loses control like a Baptist revival!

I was on the IPFW campus the first day of school. I really think that a mandatory class for the freshmen should be driving on a campus. What a nightmare, I was lucky I got out alive.

I guess driving is a privilege that comes with responsibility. I just think like many things in life, we may not remember the necessity of both.

"Don't Play B-17

Growing up Carbo, one of my favorite places to go was Godfather's pizza. The pizza could always be expected to be very greasy and thick and the place was normally not very crowded, but it had a juke box in it that was loud and had current music in it.

I have always been fascinated with the juke box, the sound, the look and the mystery of what would be the most played song that week in the box! Well, the mystery tour stopped yesterday - I now own this Seeburg 1961 in excellent condition juke box.

My intention yesterday was to find a water fountain for the office as the one I had just purchased had the paint bubble off and it was less than attractive. Well, by the end of my adventure I realized that there are no water fountains for sale in Fort Wayne but there is one kick ass 1961 Seeburg Juke Box that plays amazing music, holds 80 45's and rocks out loud.

I just have to get it home, and it does not fit in the back hatch of a Mercedes, but soon it will be home ready for me to solve the mystery of what the "most played song" of the week will be.

I am a kid in a candy store but in a healthy kind of way :)

Don't be chicken

For those of you who know me well, know that I take great pride creating food. Well, to my own surprise I broke down and bought a chicken in a bag. Yeah, one of those prepared meals that had been cooked at a grocery store in a rotisserie and placed in a plastic bag, suffocated and heated under a lamp.

I am not sure what even possessed me to buy it. I normally walk by and say to myself, and even out loud because I do that without realizing I did it, wh buys a rubber chicken in a bag!?

Well, it was the first item in my shopping cart followed by fresh perch and monk fish and other healthy items, or at least healthy as they landed in the cart not how they would be prepared.

I came home and made lunch. I unzipped the plastic bag, carved away some meat and put it on a plate. I also had some cornbread and a swiss cake. I was pleasantly surprised. The chicken was soft, moist and warm. Really, it was not like warm that it sat in the car window all the way home, warm, but warm like it was cooked and you got home about 30 minutes after dinner was served warm. Notice, I did not say hot. I can say that I may even consider this as another lunch item but I doubt I would pawn it off as a dinner. I have too much pride, as of today, to do that...

Taste Testing

Saturday was the "Taste of Fort Wayne" to benefit the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. It was held at Headwaters Park. Admission was $10 and you received eight tickets which had an equivalent number of tickets to sample at certain restaurants.

The longest line was for Joseph's Kobe burgers. Biaggi's was serving up a great pasta dish (so my friend said), Halls was sampling cake (which I had German chocolate). I stopped twice at Pint and Slice and each slice was better than the one before. I also sampled from Cut'z, which I had never heard of but understand it is part of the Hilton family (not Paris, but closely related).

The sample at their booth was my least favorite. It was served in a martini glass, so I must give them the props on that one, but it was a couple half bites of beef tenderloin with caramelized onions in a non-descript sauce. I tasted onion and if I had not read there was beef, I would have thought it was a thick onion soup.

Another friend had tried the apple with cold curry soup. Which I sampled and it was very tasty. Nice kick of curry and presentation of a cored out apple as a bowl only elevated their efforts.

Back to the pizza again, haha, the first one was a pepperoni and sausage slice. The second slice, because I used half of my tickets at this booth, was a supreme. I am normally not a supreme person cause I do not like peppers. But I ate it with great joy.

I did not stop at the Landmark's booth. They had a very short, err, no line most of the time it appeared. I do not know the quality of their food but the people seemed so nice but I could not see what they were offering and if I got to close I would have felt obligated to sample, but I needed my tickets for pizza. Club Soda had a pulled pork sandwich and there were a few others that just did not grab me.

There was live music and a handful of seats and many people I knew and some that I knew but could not remember how I knew, but it was all for great fun for a great cause. Oh, and by the way, there was a vendor sharing her wares 8010 Gallery. Trust me she brought a great cross sampling of some awesome pieces - whether it was glass, or metal or jewelry or paintings she had everything under one tent.

Must Buy!

I have stumbled across the group "Over the Rhine" and on Tuesday they released "The Trumpet Child" CD. This is a full fledged endorsement this is one great CD. It combines soulful, yet airy vocals with amazing instrumentation. Perhaps jazz, perhaps folk, perhaps soul but perhaps the best CD of the year.


When you play the CD you could easily feel as if you are in the room with them. The layers of sound are soothing and rewarding. It does not sound like a new CD but something that has been around for years, and just discovered.

What do they sound like? Well, take the youthful soul sound of Norah Jones, add a New Orleans piano player, toss in a bit of Everything but the Girl loftiness and add some well crafted songs and you have a dynamic creation called Over the Rhine!

The group is over 15 years old, so I feel kinda goofy just finding them now. They are from Cincinnati, Ohio so they were practically in our back yard. I have back ordered many of their CD's from days gone by after falling deeply into the trance of their latest CD.

"Desperate Love", "Trouble" and "I don't want to waste your time" stand out as the three best, but trust me, you will like the entire CD.

Beyond Tolerance

Somethings are just over saturated in the media. Somethings are just beyond my level of tolerance. Here is my list of the top 10 most tiresome topics:

1. Susan Moss as a special guest on Nancy Grace. She has an irritating voice followed by a mouth that looks like more like a cartoon eating a jalapeno. She makes Nancy Grace look sane!

2. Lindsey Lohan - oh good gracious, let her just drink herself into a coma for goodness sake.

3. Taxes - yes they are high, yes we are not happy, yes we pay them and die. End of story!

4. Rosie - one name - we all know that we are NOT talking about the Bounty quicker picker upper lady or some chick with a riveter anymore. Guess this name is not going to be a popular children's name in the future.

5. Imus - okay already, he said something that upset some people. Nappy headed is not a cool term but my goodness it has been at least six months, lets move on. Those basketball players are going to be losing their hair before this story is complete.

6. Kelty! Ugh, what a disgrace to the Republican party. Heavy religion but light on intelligence. This can not be happening in our city, but are the voters smarter than him, we will see come November.

7. Brittney Spears ... again, who really cares. The court system needs to take the child for safety sake and let Brittney do whatever she wants with the consequences just the same as every other adult.

8. Harrison Square - it is going to be built, it is just one part of city development, with all the energy on hating it, why not put it toward making something else happen along with it.

9. Head-On: the most annoying commercial ever made. The product where you rub a lotion on your forehead when you have a headache.

10. Cavemen - the only time a caveman show has been funny was Captain Caveman and he was a cartoon, it was a half hour long and the could fly with his wooden club. I just don't think I find the premise of the upcoming situation comedy in the same light.

What are you sick of?

Continuing Education

School is back in session for all the young and aspiring peeps and this only gives me cause to seek out a bit of knowledge. So, I am going to pack up some luggage and head to Savannah Georgia for a few cooking classes, meals at Paula Deen's joint (as pictured above) and her brothers place called "Bubba's".

The excursion is simply a long weekend, but it will be packed with great times, memories and a haunted pub crawl that will be sure to capture a few good stories.

This fall, I am going to be educated in cooking out of town, but while in Fort Wayne I will be taking another cooking class with a couple friends. The subject is Indian Vegetarian. I don't know much about Indian food, but this Hoosier will soon find out.

What are you doing to become more educated this fall?

Hips Don't Lie

A friend and I attended the Noche De Gala last evening in the big'ole tent at the Marriott (this time the fire alarm did not go off - as it did at the Girl Scout Breakfast a few months earlier).

The celebration started at 6:00 p.m. We had some bad insider information that the first hour was social hour, so we arrived midway through that social hour to find out we missed the presentation of some of the scholarships. Luckily some of the scholarship winners must have had the same insider information because they came after us, and the award ceremony happened twice.

We found our seat and they had doubled the number of attendees from last year's event to this years. This was my first time coming so I was very surprised and pleased. Dinner arrived and it was standard fundraising food: salad, gravied dried out chicken, mixed vegetables, half sliced red potatoes, but we did have some kick ass chocolate fudge cake. Cash bar (and we elected to sit right by the bar). We had three couples join us late and they called themselves the Latino Husbands Club, as each wife was Hispanic. They were much fun, frat club fun if you will.

After dinner the lessons took place on how to dance like you know what you are doing. Well, the dancers came out and it was like Lawrence Welk in Mexico, they were dressed up and dancing up a storm. Needless to say I did not even get one move down, well I take that back, I learned if I put my right hand in the air and circled and "yaa-hhaa" I did it. But I could tell you, I don't think I would know where this move would fit into.

Back at the table the Latino wives showed my friend and I a very simple salsa move. I practiced by the bar, which probably was not the smartest thing as people thought I was left of center. Oh, speaking of left of center, Matt Kelty and his table of friends were in attendance. But back to the evening.

When the music started the dance floor was packed. Seriously about two hundred people rushed to the dance floor and they did not even have to play the Y.M.C.A to get that to happen. We waited a few songs and then we joined the group.

Once I got the feet moving in the right directions then I added the hips and then the arms. I don't know what I looked like, but I sure had a good time doing it.

Overall, we danced and had a very exciting, different and unique adventure that takes a good sport to join me for this night out. My friend, I must say, was in her Patti Labelle New Attitude look: new dress, new shoes, new doo, she was lookin mighty fine, this may have taken the attention off of me on the dance floor and onto her.

Forks to the left ... spoon to the right...

Ever give much thought to the last supper? Not the historical Last Supper, because I am more about the selfish view... what would you want as your last meal if you knew your time was coming to a close, or you were going to jail for a series of counts of political garblyeegoo.

Plus, who would you want to spend it with before you go up, down or move in with Bubba!

I would be surrounded by friends and family in the "wine tasting" set up in my own home. This is a large room without furniture, surrounded by flowers and candles and water sources, reflective mirrors and comfortable cushions to sit on.

Then I would want asiago cheese molten dip for an appetizer on some really kickass bread. My next entree would be tuna casserole, like my mom makes, with the peas and eggs and the really good tuna! Layer of cheese on top too.

I would be drinking the "house" blue wine along with this supper. I want all my favorite music playing in the background. I want to hear the laughter of my friends. I want Clyde to have a big heaping spoon of cottage cheese, cuz he should enjoy this big meal too!

For dessert I want a couple things, I figure if this is my last meal I am really not too darn concerned about calories! So I want Little Debbie Swiss cakes, coconut cream pie and a scoop of chocolate gelato.

Just before the gang is ready to leave or the police are ready to take me away, I want to pass out shot glasses and have my favorite weather forecaster give the "seven day weather forecast". We would end with a big cheers to celebrate one great time with great friends and family with a really rib-sticking meal.

What would you want for the last supper, or just supper for tonight?

If you wait ... it will come

Greetings Dear Friends, I am giving you a restaurant review from a recent adventure to Downtown Fort Wayne's newest hang-out (sorry Pint and Slice, someone is following in your successful steps) J K O'Donnell's!

My friend and I arrived Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. we circled inside like Wiley Coyote chasing Road Runner - beep beep. People were laughing and talking and drinking and having a great time. Not many were eating, but they were drinking. We finally got a tip that some lady that was just eating a hamburger or something and would be leaving soon. I am thinking, hey lady, no burgers should be eaten at a Pub, but if you are almost done can you take it to go so we can have your seat.

So we chatted and chatted with others we knew (and there was that one lady we knew but we did not talk with because we did not know how we knew her, so, lady sorry if you felt offended that we snubbed you, but you should have had a name tag on). Anyway, we finally got a flat surface and a couple bar stools and ordered a drink like everyone else had done.

My friend ordered a cider beer and I thought how about a double chocolate beer. Okay, it sounds much better than it tasted. Not the fault of the Pub, but they did put it on the menu. The cider beer was pretty decent. We also ordered our dinner. My friend asked for the Shepherd's Pie and I ordered Fish and Chips (Not the burger, lady! The fish and chips!).

The inside of the pub is fresh and New York'ish English. More bright than I anticipated. I think I thought it would be like Henry's but it wasn't and that is okay. The air was on the blink and I thought I was going to die. Big people don't do well when it gets hot.

Well an hour went by and our food was still being prepared. Our waitress was real kind and she is the kind of friend who would tell you that you were not fat when you really are... she would say, 'your food will be right up'. Well the third time she said it my friend said "I don't believe you!" I about fell of my chair but I didn't because I knew someone would have grabbed it.

Well low and behold, about ten minutes later, the food did appear. The chips were salted to perfection and the fish was the plumpest fish with a dynamic batter! I would almost say it was well worth the wait. My friend's Pie came in two bowls and though we were puzzled as why it was not put into just one, she ate it. Well, one of the bowls.

Within ten minutes we were done eating, very satisfied and a bit toasty. Not from the drinking but from the 100 plus degrees in the Pub. Overall, it was a great addition to the city scape of Fort Wayne and there is some awesome potential for this and other hang outs in the heart of Downtown. I did expect a few hiccups, not from the drinking, but from the few days of being opened.

Cheers!

Endorsement

No, I am not supporting this candidate for his bid for Mayor, I am endorsing our criminal law system that found this individual guilty (or closer to guilty than innocent).

How will this effect the election? I don't know that but I do know that the citizens of Fort Wayne have to see the light, the light shining right through the skyscape of Fort Wayne in his advertisements. (See picture above)

This is what Matt Kelty is up against: Kelty, 42, is charged with two counts of perjury, five felony counts of fraudulent election filing and two misdemeanor counts of commingling campaign and personal funds, special prosecutor Dan Sigler said.

Just for the record, not everyone that is under 40 sat in a basement playing X-box or typed on "myspace" their undying support for him. As a business owner, an under 40 years of age person, who has been very active in his community, I would not support him for a bid to be the block party RSVP taker. Even if I had a church erected next door to me.

I am a Republican by vote but smart enough to recognize that not every Republican can represent me, my opinions or beliefs. I have voted for Democrats in the past and will do so in the very near future! Can't say I have been wrapped up by other parties as of yet, but I am not going to say never.

Anyway, as Kelty was taken away in handcuffs by the Sheriff, this has to be a (religious) awakening for many who found this candidate over the top and not in touch with a (moral) majority of the community. He has been released already, but I am certain we will have more drama unfolding in the very near future.

As Carbo celebrates his 300th entry into the Creative Mind of Carbo, I could not have had a more banner topic! This fall, VOTE. Make your city proud, and let yourself do the right thing. I shoud add, that Kelty will be on the fall ticket unless he MOVES outside the boundaries OR is convicted of one of the five felony counts. Tonight, there was a rally of about 50 of his supporters who pray that this does not break his will ... I can only tell you that I, personally, believe if this guy can not be truthful now over something he should have closer knowledge or have been able to quickly research for answers, Fort Wayne could be in for many, many problems! Lord help us all, and that is not an endorsement either.

Clap

Otanjoubi (clap) Omedetoo (clap) Otanjoubi (clap) Omedetoo (clap) Otanjoubi (clap) Omedetoo (clap) Otanjoubi (clap) Omedetoo (clap) Happy (clap) Birthday (clap) to (clap) you (clap)..... Yesterday we celebrated my niece's birthday at Takayo, part of the Hall's family of restaurants.

Our chef for the night was probably not the funniest, or the most talented but he did cook the meal to order, and for that we were pleased. She is not one full of culinary adventure, she never has had (nor did she) have a bean sprout. It was a taste of something different, a glimpse into another culture.

When asked at the end if she would come back again, she said "I don't think so". Then I though, but there is always prom, so never say never! She had no problem eating her ice cream cake back at the house.

thinking out loud...

Ever get out of the shower and feel very wet? Well, that seems like a silly question considering the obvious, but there are some days when I get out of the shower and feel like I am coated with water. Perhaps this is just me, but I wondered if this was just a Carbo thing...

It has been almost a week and Lindsey Lohan has not been drunk and driving. I am not sure what the world is coming to... Perhaps rehab worked this week.

A good friend asked if I wanted to go camping this weekend. Though the idea of hanging with friends sounded like a grand idea, I just could not conjure up the words "hell yeah, it is only 100 degrees outside, I would love to be under a plastic sun breaker". But then there were some decent gust of winds so it may have not been as hot as I imagined. Hmm, Carbo doesn't like to sweat.

Barr Street Market Saturday... If you have not made your way to the YLNI Barr Street Market, you should give it a try before it leaves for the summer. I was down there on Saturday, and though I did not buy anything (because I still have one ear of corn left ... I know, I know, I only bought two last week to begin with) but there was live music, great desserts, cheeses and fresh produce!

Did you hear that Drew Carey got his arm caught in a "Price is Right" grocery game. Oh lord, who knew that there was actually food in those boxes and cans. Bob Barker must had forgotten to share with him that the food is for prop-purpose only not to be eating! When you have the munchies, you have munchies I guess!

Dean Martin releases new music... I am an advocate for new music being released. However when you haul someone from the grave and dress'em with Usher or the like ... I kind of think this is not what the artist would have even considered even on a bad day. I have not heard anything from this CD to be released on Tuesday but just the idea would make me roll over in my grave, if I were a dead famous singer. Which I am not, so I guess what do I care anyway.

One degree of Kevin Bacon.

One of my favorite television programs is called the "The Closer". It is a TNT program which airs on Monday evenings! I find myself lost in the show for the entire hour.

I am not a person who even attempts to figure out the ending when watching tv. I am here to be entertained not compete with the writers to out think them. So, I sit back and watch and watch and that at the end I am like "that IS GOOOODDDD'.

Kyra Sedgwick is Brenda Leigh Johnson, Deputy Police of the LAPD Homicide Squad. She is a divorced southern belle who has a hankering for bright lipstick and sweets. But coming from the south, you do expect that don't you? She demands from her staff no less than everything and ends each demand with a cheery "Thank you".

It is a show you can pick up and watch and not be lost, like Lost. There is an under lining story line about a boyfriend etc, but the crutch of each episode focuses on a case with a hearty ending.

So, if you have a TIVO or a spare Monday night, flip on TNT and catch out Kevin Bacon's other half kickin some major ass in a great television show. And for that ... I thank you!

... The rest of the story...

I can not begin to tell you how disappointed I am with the decision that WOWO has made to cut Paul Harvey out of the radio mix. Growing up Carbo, I found that I listened to WOWO for my farm news along with so many other elements of one stop radio. Harvey has been a radio staple for over fifty-years.

According to the WOWO website: WOWO THINKS PAUL HARVEY HAS BEEN A PREMIERE COMMENTATOR ON OUR RADIO STATION FOR YEARS. PAUL WILL NO LONGER BE ON WOWO DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES CONCERNING HIS CONTRACT IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER ABC PROGRAMMING. THIS DECISION HAS MUCH MORE TO DO WITH BUSINESS REASONS AND THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS THAN ANYTHING TO DO WITH HIS BROADCAST EXCELLENCE. WE WISH WE COULD HAVE WORKED OUT AN ARRANGEMENT THAT WOULD KEEP HIM ON WOWO, BUT JUST COULD NOT JUSTIFY THE COST IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR ABILITY TO BRING OUR LISTENERS THE BEST PROGRAMMING IN TALK RADIO

His website www.paulharvey.com will continue to be the source for his news and comment, but I am truly amazed that WOWO can't find the resources to keep this legend and historical voice alive. According to Paul's website he can be heard on another Fort Wayne station (that I had no idea even existed) FM 100.3 WLKI. Who knew? But I do now, and trust me that is where I am spinning my dial.

Counting the clicks

Got an Ipod? Well I do ... actually a couple. It plays nearly non stop while I am home.

I am a music-freak, but always have been. Growing up Carbo, I had a turntable that I played non-stop with records from my parents youth to music I bought with money I either earned by doing chores or just being cute. (I think I did more chores than being cute).

Anyway, I would rank my favorite 45's as a kid on paper and make my very own "Top 40". I have not received therapy for this but other quirks have been ironed out. Anyway, my IPOD and my Itunes does track my most listened to, or favorite tunes. What are the top 10 on your hit list:

Streetcorner Symphony - Rob Thomas

Just Might Make Me Believe - Sugarland

Piano in the Dark - Brenda Russell

Tonight I want to cry - Keith Urban

Let the Music Play - Doobie Brothers

Stay for Awhile - Amy Grant

You - Jim Brickman

Stronger - Kristine W

A Real Fine Place to Start - Sara Evans

I Will Love Again - Lara Fabian

I can be found on nearly any road in Fort Wayne with my music going, singing inside with the windows rolled up. One might assume I can sing, but that is just simply not true. But I do know a good song when I hear it. Tell me your most spun song?

Arrestable Act

One would have thought that on Saturday I had committed a serioius crime at the Barr Street Market, the market that YLNI brought back from the history books to live on for other generations.

I bought a gallon of apple cider (because it is almost fall, I continue to beat the bad news drum) and two ears of corn. If you just gasped for air, then you probably would have stopped me also, as about a half dozen people did - who I did not know.

Here is the deal, I am still wondering around the market seeing if there are other healthy food items I could buy when person after person felt the need to question why I had only two ears of corn in my bag. My reason was simple, I live alone and I doubt I truly will eat a dozen ears of corn and I for another I do not can.

I guess there are items that we should buy in bulk, even if we don't think we will need them. Today is Tuesday and I still have not made the corn. After all this drama over two ears of corn, I better eat both or I will look real stupid next week at the market carrying one ear.

Best CD's to own!

Greetings! A little known fact about Carbo is that he has thousands, literally thousands of CDs! I am an avid music listener and with so many CD's one may wonder what are some of his favorites. Excluding Greatest Hits or Holiday or Compilation issued CD's these are some of my "on a dessert island" collection!

Dannii Minogue is the baby sister of Kylie Minogue (still have a blank stare, like who are they? ...) Neon Lights is a high energy dance album that ranks as one of the best CD's to own if you are driving your car down a long road without much scenery. You will sing, and shout and bob your head. "Put the needle on it" is a real fun tune and stands out for the CD!

She has sold 20 million albums in Europe and in the United States Laura Pausini just has not made it big, but she should. "From the Inside" is one amazing album. Each song has a good singable hook, or a fun chorus or a beat that takes over your body. If you don't own this CD, you should. The song I dig is "I Do To Be".

I have been blessed to meet Anne Cochran about five times in my life. She tours with Jim Brickman, who I also think highly of, but Anne's "Cover Girl" CD is packed with memories. It takes me on a musical quest through my past with "I won't last a day without you", "We're all alone" and "In my life". It is available now through Barnes and Noble which tells me she will soon be able to be a household name!

One of my favorite albums grown up was "Dolly, Dolly. Dolly" and when I wore out the 8-track, the cassette and an album I was glad some 20 years later that a CD was released with another fun album "Great Balls of Fire" packed inside. The stand out song is "Starting Over Again"

I have owned two copies of this CD in just a few short years. Sara Evans really made a solid CD with this one. I really like "Otis Redding" and "Perfect". It is tough because "Born to Fly" the CD is just as equally wonderful. She has a twang that is either love or hate, but in this CD it works!

Phil Collins is one of my favorite male artists. I have the making of the CD on DVD and it really is kinda cool. Every single song on this CD is amazing. Filled with emotion. Phil wrote many of the songs while going through a divorce and you can feel the pain at times. I have owned at least five copies of this CD or cassette over the years. What number are you on?

You can not be an American without knowing the Carpenters' song lyrics by heart. Growing up Carbo, in my early years, the Carpenters were on the 8 track and album followed by many singles, cassettes and now CD's. The title of this 1971 album is "The Carpenters" and it gave us "Superstar", "Rainy Days and Mondays" and "For All We Know".

An amazing album that produce one of my all-time favorite song "Piano in the Dark". It is one of those easy jazz sounds that just flows just as easy as a good Muscatto! Each song is its own journey and should be in your collection!

You eat... you die!

In the past seven days, the following list of food items have been recalled for multiple reasons. I do not ever recall this many problems putting food in a can or in a bag or on a shelf. What is up?

You may be amazed at this list. I know I was.

The affected Lakeside cut green beans are sold nationwide under the following labels: Albertson's,
Happy Harvest,
Best Choice, Food Club,
Bogopa, Valu Time,
Hill Country Fare,
HEB, Laura Lynn,
Kroger,
No Name,
North Pride,
Shop N Save,
Shoppers Valu,
Schnucks,
Cub Foods,
Dierbergs,
Flavorite,
IGA,
Best Choice and Thrifty Maid.

Recalled Meat Products:
Product
Can Size
Austex
Beef Stew
15oz
Austex
Chili no Beans
15oz
Austex
Chili no Beans
19oz
Austex
Chili with Beans
15oz
Austex
Chili with Beans
19oz
Austex
Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10oz
Austex
Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10oz
Best Yet
Chili with Beans
15oz
Best Yet
Corned Beef Hash
15oz
Big Y
Chili no Beans
15oz
Big Y
Chili with Beans
15oz
Big Y
Corned Beef Hash
15oz
Black Rock
Chili with Beans
15oz
Bloom
Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10oz
Bryan
Chili no Beans
15oz
Bryan
Chili no Beans
10oz
Bryan
Chili with Beans
15oz
Bryan
Corned Beef Hash
15oz
Bryan
Hot Dog Chili Sauce with Beef
10oz
Bunker Hill
Chili no Beans
10oz
Bunker Hill
Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10oz
Bunker Hill
Spicier Chili no Beans
10oz
Castleberry's
Barbecue Beef
10oz
Castleberry's
Barbecue Pork in Barbecue Sauce
10oz
Castleberry's
Barbecue Pork in Barbecue Sauce
14.5oz
Castleberry's
Beef Stew
15oz
Castleberry's
Brunswick Beef Stew Chicken & Beef
15oz
Castleberry's
Chili no Beans
10oz
Castleberry's
Chili no Beans
15oz
Castleberry's
Chili with Beans
15oz
Castleberry's
Corned Beef Hash
15oz
Castleberry's
Creamed Chip Beef Gravy
10oz
Castleberry's
Georgia Hash
15oz
Castleberry's
Hot Chili with Beans
15oz
Castleberry's
Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10oz
Castleberry's
Onion Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10oz
Castleberry's
Sausage Gravy
10oz
Cattle Drive
Beef Stew (Steak)
15oz
Cattle Drive
Chicken Chili with Beans
15oz
Cattle Drive
Chili no Beans
15oz
Cattle Drive
Chili with Beans
15oz
Firefighters
Chicken Chili with Beans
15oz
Firefighters
Chili no Beans
15oz
Firefighters
Chili with Beans
15oz
Food Club
Chili no Beans
15oz
Food Club
Chili with Beans
15oz
Food Club
Corned Beef Hash
15oz
Food Lion
Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10oz
Goldstar
Chili
15oz
Goldstar
Original Chili
10oz
Goldstar
Tex-Mex Chili with Beans
15oz
Great Value (Canada Only)
Chili with Beans
15oz
Great Value (Canada Only)
Hot Chili with Beans
15oz
Kroger
Beef Stew
15oz
Kroger
Chili no Beans
15oz
Kroger
Chili with Beans
15oz
Kroger
Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10oz
Lowes Foods
Chili no Beans
15oz
Lowes Foods
Chili with Beans
15oz
Lowes Foods
Corned Beef Hash
15oz
Meijer
Chili no Beans
15oz
Meijer
Chili with Beans
15oz
Meijer
Corned Beef Hash
15oz
Meijer
Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10oz
Morton House
Chili with Beans (Beef & Chicken)
15oz
Morton House
Corned Beef Hash
15oz
Paramount
Chili Hot Dog Chili
15oz
Paramount
Chili no Beans
15oz
Paramount
Chili with Beans
15oz
Paramount
Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10oz
Piggly Wiggly
Chili no Beans
10oz
Piggly Wiggly
Chili no Beans
15oz
Piggly Wiggly
Chili with Beans
15oz
Piggly Wiggly
Corned Beef Hash
15oz
Prudence
Corned Beef Hash
15oz
Southern Home
Chili no Beans
15oz
Southern Home
Chili no Beans
10oz
Southern Home
Chili with Beans
15oz
Southern Home
Corned Beef Hash
15oz
Steak 'n Shake
Chili with Beans
10oz
Thrifty Maid
Chili with Beans
15oz
Thrifty Maid
Corned Beef Hash
15oz
Thrifty Maid
Hot Dog Chili Sauce
10oz
Triple Bar Ranch
Chili no Beans
15oz
Triple Bar Ranch
Chili with Beans
15oz
Triple Bar Ranch
Chili with Beans Slow Cooked
15oz
Value Time
Beef and Chicken Chili with Beans
15oz
Pet Food Products
Natural Balance
Eatables for Dogs Chinese Take Out with Sauce with Vegetables and Chicken
15oz
Natural Balance
Eatables for Dogs HOBO Chili with Chicken and Pasta
15oz
Natural Balance
Eatables for Dogs Irish Stew with Beef, Potatoes and Carrots
15oz
Natural Balance
Eatables for Dogs Southern Style Dumplings with Chicken and Vegetables
15oz
Whole Foods Market® is recalling 365 Organic Everyday Value™ Swiss Dark Chocolate Bars because they may contain undeclared almonds. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to nuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
Officials today warned consumers not to eat fresh ginger imported from China after the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s residue monitoring program detected the presence of aldicarb sulfoxide in some batches of imported ginger. Aldicarb sulfoxide is a pesticide that is not approved for use on ginger.

Product Description
UPC CODE
Colonial Wheat Sandwich 20 oz.
5040023502
Schnucks Wheat Sandwich 24 oz.
2412601044
Earthgrains Honey Wheat Berry
5040072709
Flavorite Wheat Sand. 20 oz.
4113002364
Foodland Wheat Bread 20 oz.
4130320964
Golden Bake Wheat Bread 20 oz.
5040008505
Grissom's Wheat Bread 20 oz.
5193370220
Grissoms 24oz. Wheat Sand.
5193370300
IGA 20oz. Wheat
4127003695
Great Value Split Top Bread 20 oz.
7874206274
Great Value 24 oz. Wheat Sand
7874228543
Piggly Wiggly Wheat Bread 20 oz.
5040000118
Publix Honey Wheat
4141539095
Publix 100% Stoneground
4141539190
Publix Wheat 20 oz.
4141539290
Publix Stone Ground Wheat 20 oz.
4141539390
Shurfresh Split Top Wheat 20 oz.
1116144835
EarthGrains 100% Natural Wheat Berry
5040072748
EarthGrains 100% Natural 7-Grain
5040072747
EarthGrains 100% Natural Whole Wheat
5040072746
Sara Lee Delightful Wheat
7294571706
Sara Lee Delightful 100% Whole Wheat
7294571589
Sara Lee Delightful 100% Multi-Grain
7294571588
Sara Lee Hearty & Delicious 100% Whole Wheat with Honey
7294560152
Sara Lee Hearty & Delicious 100% Whole Wheat
7294560157
Sara Lee Hearty & Delicious 100% Multi-Grain
7294560158
Sara Lee Deli Style 100% Whole Wheat
7294561001

Flight bound to Italy on a seven month delay...

Well, yesterday I received word that I needed to make that hard decision, the one between a rock and hard spot.

I could make business first or fly business to Italy. There was not much of a coin toss in progress to make the decision. More people count on me being here than they me being on an extended vacation. Exciting opportunity exists if I stay here in October and I am thinking Italy will still be there if I go next year, sometime.

Funny how it can be stream of mind, and highest priority for seven months and one simple phone call can chuck it all for doing the right thing. I guess I was just raised right. My years of giving back to the community, I realize that the people who need it the most are the reason we, as individuals, need to make the right decision the first time.

So, no olive oil, lemoncello or Italian wines for Christmas gifts. Now, if you don't get a gift from me, you now know you would have if I had taken the vacation haha.

Rolling in the money...

Fort Wayne has more and more residents who are just finding new found wealth! Since June 1st, the smoking ban has reportedly put tons of bars and restaurants out of business.

All that money that had been spent on food, beer and cigarettes is just being stashed under mattresses and put into bank accounts to record numbers.

Fort Wayne in very little time will be the money tycoon capital of America. Considering how much money is being lost every second of life since the ban, and the same quantity is not being spent in other outlining areas, I have no reason to believe that it is being spent elsewhere.

The rants about Scott's becoming Kroger's only reinforce that people are boycotting the Kroger family of grocery stores, so the money is not being spent there....

I just think we need to rejoice and know that all the money needs to put into a great place - like the American Red Cross.

Today the American Red Cross announced that the capital campaign to expand its services and its building to meet the need of Northeast Indiana begins today. So every person who used to spend money at the restaurants and bars that have closed, please send that money to the American Red Cross campaign, and tell them Carbo sent ya!