The Disappointing Reality of NYC?s Chinese Restaurant Decor

Like most things in Men in Black, this restaurant does not exist.

Like most things in Men in Black, this restaurant does not exist.

If you ever watched a Men in Black, The Fisher King or that episode of Seinfeld, you may have a certain idea of how a Chinese restaurant in New York should look. Red walls? Big golden statues? A wall that?s a fish tank? Well, of course, there?s always Congee Village, but for the most part, New York?s finest Asian eateries look nothing like their Hollywood counterparts, according to ScoutingNY.com.

The post really has a problem with tourists who specifically want to eat at a restaurant like the one from Men in Black:

But I really wish they?d realize that the reason they think New York is filled with MIB-style Chinese restaurants is not because of reality, but because of what they?ve seen in the movies and on TV. For a city that has nearly everything, there?s a LOT of alternatives to choose from, and I really hate having to fake the few things it doesn?t have just to do the same cliche over and over and over and over ?

We?ve never encountered that exact complaint before from visiting friends or relatives, as they are usually more worried about other issues. ?What?s that sign mean, ?Grade Pending??? or ?These aren?t real frog legs on the menu, right?? But then again, we don?t run into a lot of people whose suspension of disbelief in films goes so far that it becomes a sort of guide to the real world. If you do happen to see one of these folks, kindly direct them to the nearest sound stage and tell them to enjoy the craft services.

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Source: http://observer.com/2013/01/the-disappointing-reality-of-nycs-chinese-restaurant-decor/

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Champions of 'Idle No More' Stage Blockades Across Canada

Though not officially sanctioned by the Idle No More campaign, First Nations chiefs and activists have picked up the momentum and are rallying across Canada Wednesday as part of a national day of action in solidarity with the ongoing environmental and indigenous rights campaign.

A protestor holds a flag aloft and an Idle No More spinoff protest in Cayuga, Ontario on Jan. 16. (Photo via @CBCHamilton) Chiefs unsatisfied with Prime Minister Stephen Harper?s slow response to First Nations demands have declared the day to assert their rights and hopefully hasten official recognition and legislative action.

Demonstrations, round dances and rallies occurred across Canada while roadblocks of local railway lines and a large demonstration at North America's busiest border crossing have also been confirmed.

"We're sending the message very clearly with the railway blockade that [there's] going to be no more stolen property being sold until such time that they come to the table and deal with the original owners," said Terry Nelson, a former chief of the Roseau River First Nation in southern Manitoba.

APTN National News reported Wednesday: "Rail blockaders in Manitoba. CN confirms regional traffic has been shut down."

Also, the Global News announced earlier: ?

Posts on social media Wednesday morning called on supporters to meet at the Red Sun Smoke Shop and Gas Bar just northwest of Winnipeg to join a convoy headed to the intersection of the Trans-Canada and the Yellowhead highways near Portage la Prairie. A blockade of a railway near the intersection is planned.

Occupy Carlisle (@occupycarlisle) tweeted: "Via Rail says blockade between Belleville, Ont. and Kingston, Ont. has forced company to stop trains #IdleNoMore"

Another large grassroots group led an "economic slowdown," targeting the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, Ont. and Detroit, Mich.

Organizer Lorena Garvey-Shepley was clear to point out the action was "not a blockade," adding, "we don?t want to inconvenience people too much. But we want to be in places that are going to get us noticed and allow us to get our information out."

Organizers held a "peaceful walk" towards the bridge concluding with a rally at the base on the Canadian side.

Organizers reiterated that today's actions are expected to be peaceful though protesters are prepared to get arrested.

Chief Allan Adam of the Athabaska Chipewyan First Nation said that if the indigenous movement's demands are not recognized soon, more dramatic actions, including roadblocks, can be expected.

"The people are upset with the current state of affairs in this country and things are escalating towards more direct action," he said.?

Across Canada, protestors marched the streets?often blocking traffic?banging drums and carrying banners blatantly displaying "Idle No More."

More pictures from today's actions can be seen here.

CBC News has listed a partial overview of the solidarity actions planned for Wednesday.

_____________________

Though inspired by the Idle No More movement, Wednesday's actions?particularly the bridge and street blockades?highlighted protest tactics not condoned by the campaign's founders, marking potential divisions as the movement grows beyond itself.

?If you have an impromptu blockade that doesn?t follow the legal permits, then you?re irritating the public and that?s not the purpose behind Idle No More,? said Sylvia McAdam, one of the movement?s four originators. ?A lot of our children and elders are involved in the [Idle No More] activities, so their safety is our priority.?

The movement leaders are instead focusing on a Jan. 28 Idle No More International Call-to-Action during which they will protest at Ottawa's Parliament Hill as "MPs return to the legislature after their winter break."

In a recent interview, McAdam specified that, despite heavy media attention given to co-founder Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence's recent hunger strike, Idle No More has no one leader, saying:

The grassroots movement of Idle No More is the face of all grassroots people...The founders might be considered guides or maintaining the vision, but Idle No More has no leader or official spokesperson.

A recent press release on the Official Idle No More website echoed this sentiment:

This movement has been guided by Spiritual Elders, dreams, visions, and from peoples? core values. We are here to ensure the land, the waters, the air, and the creatures and indeed each of us, return to balance and discontinue harming each other and the earth.

January 11th's official Day of Action and meeting between First Nation leaders and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper exposed a rift in leadership when Idle No More leaders, namely Chief Spence, rejected the meeting on the basis it did not meet their demands while a number of other Chiefs partook despite the protest.?

A poll on the official Idle No More website asks "Do you think the media is playing up the perceived divisions within IDM?"

The poll will run for a month, but thus far readers have responded 56 percent voted 'Yes, we are stronger than ever!', 14 percent responded 'I'm not sure' while 30 percent said 'No, there are divisions and the media is playing it just right.'

Source: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/01/16-7

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Wal-Mart plans $50 billion "buy American" push

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc will buy an additional $50 billion in U.S.-made goods over the next decade in areas like sporting goods and high-end appliances in what the world's largest retailer called a bid to help boost the U.S. economy.

Wal-Mart, the largest private employer in the United States and the world's largest retailer, also said on Tuesday it plans to hire 100,000 newly discharged veterans over the next five years, at a time when the U.S. unemployment rate is at 7.8 percent.

The moves come as the U.S. economy continues to grow slowly 3-1/2 years after the end of a severe recession. An average of $5 billion a year in spending is a drop in the bucket for the $15 trillion U.S. economy, and the question is how many other retailers could do the same.

Terry Lundgren, chief executive of Macy's Inc and until this month the chairman of the National Retail Federation, told Reuters that Wal-Mart's plans to buy American were good but that cost would still be an issue.

"We would all love to do that, the customer will not pay more," Lundgren told Reuters on the sidelines of an NRF event where Wal-Mart presented its plans.

The moves received a cool reception from critics who claimed Wal-Mart does not pay its workers enough and slammed the retailer for selling too many goods made in lower-cost countries like China. The company is also under pressure over its sourcing practices, particularly after a deadly fire at a Bangladesh factory that made Wal-Mart clothes.

But Walmart's U.S. unit says about two-thirds of the goods it buys for its stores are made, sourced from or grown in the United States, citing data from its suppliers. It has previously run "Made in America" campaigns, and in the early 1990s it was criticized for promoting foreign goods as domestically made.

Last year, 55 percent of Walmart U.S. sales came from groceries like food and drinks as well as other products that are typically sourced locally. Only 7 percent of Walmart U.S. sales were of apparel, jewelry and accessories, which retailers typically get from lower-cost countries.

To the extent Wal-Mart buys more U.S.-made goods the company would have otherwise imported, it would reflect the recent shift in the U.S. commercial relationship with the rest of the world.

Both economic output and net imports declined sharply during the 2007-09 recession. While gross domestic product has rebounded, net imports have not, a sign the United States is meeting more demand for goods and services domestically.

The company said its Walmart U.S. and Sam's Club warehouse chain will increase what they already buy in the United States in categories like sporting goods, basic apparel, storage containers, games and paper products.

Walmart U.S. Chief Executive Bill Simon laid out the spending and hiring plan at the National Retail Federation's annual conference in New York.

JOBS FOR VETERANS

Wal-Mart is not a member of the NRF, a major industry trade association that has promoted the importance of retail jobs in the United States. The NRF asserts that 25 percent of American jobs are supported by the retail industry.

Along that line, the company said starting on Memorial Day in May, it plans to hire 100,000 U.S. veterans over five years, a move supported by First Lady Michelle Obama.

"We've developed a national paralysis that's driven by all of us waiting for someone else to do something," Simon said in prepared remarks for the NRF. "But if we're waiting on government, we're waiting on a process that can't act with the same speed as business."

Veterans' issues are of personal interest to Simon, who served 25 years in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve. The company said it will offer a job to any honorably discharged veteran in the first year after active duty.

Depending on the time of year, there are anywhere from 15,000 to 50,000 job postings at Walmart. The company said it promotes about 170,000 people each year to jobs with more responsibility and higher pay.

About 75 percent of its store management started as hourly associates, and now earn an average of $50,000 to $170,000 a year. The highest earning store manager last year made more than $250,000. Wal-Mart has repeatedly claimed its pay and benefits are in the top half of the retail industry.

Starting wages for Walmart U.S. store employees vary by market. Simon noted that in his first job as a dishwasher in a restaurant, he made $2.10 an hour.

Walmart U.S. also said it would give part-time workers the first shot at full-time positions. It also plans to make scheduling more transparent, giving part-time workers the ability to choose more of their own hours.

Simon had barely finished speaking at the NRF event before critics responded to the new spending and hiring plan.

"Retailers like Walmart could provide the nation with a much needed economic boost by paying higher wages and providing stable scheduling - while still remaining profitable and continuing to offer low prices," Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, said in a statement. "By part-timing their workforce, they're hurting both workers and our economy by fueling underemployment."

Sales for Walmart U.S. rose 1.5 percent to $264.19 billion in fiscal 2012, which ended in February 2012, and accounted for 59.5 percent of the company's total sales.

NO MENTION OF GUNS

One issue Simon did not discuss was the retailer's position on guns, a hot topic since the massacre at a Newtown, Connecticut elementary school last month. Wal-Mart is the nation's largest gun retailer.

Gun-control advocates rallied on Tuesday outside a store just eight miles from Sandy Hook Elementary School, where 20 children and six educators were killed on December 14.

The retailer canceled a series of media interviews with Simon after his NRF speech, including one with Reuters. Some media outlets claimed the cancellation was due to his reluctance to discuss the gun issue. A spokesman declined to give a reason.

Walmart shares rose 0.5 percent to $68.64 in mid-day trading, while the S&P retail index rose 0.6 percent.

(Additional reporting by Phil Wahba; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/wal-mart-says-buy-more-u-goods-add-141415846--sector.html

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PFT: Kelly hire could create dilemma for Vick

Tim BrownAP

After a bad experience with him as an offensive coordinator, former Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown said he was ?shocked? the Bears gave Marc Trestman a head coaching job.

?I don?t want to say it was a joke, but I just never saw Trestman as being a head coach,? Brown said on the Waddle & Silvy Show on ESPN 1000 in Chicago.

Brown was the lead dog in Oakland, with nine straight 1,000-yard seasons. But Trestman took over and some guy named Jerry Rice (who was familiar with Trestman?s West Coast principles) became a more prominent part of the game plan.

?The year he took over as offensive coordinator is also the year my reign with the Raiders ended because he made Jerry the No. 1 receiver instead of myself,? Brown said. ?The year before I made the Pro Bowl and caught [91 passes for 1,165 yards] ? and the year afterwards, the year he takes over I think I came like 50 yards from catching 1,000 yards in 10 or 11 straight seasons.

?Hey, look, I?m not a selfish player, but come on, if I put the work in, make this happen for me. We had some interesting words about that part of it.?

The personal beef is obvious, but Brown said he wondered if Trestman had the interpersonal skills to be the boss.

?He?s a really smart guy, knows football like the back of his hand. That?s not the issue,? Brown said. ?But there?s a lot more to coaching than just Xs and Os. You have to be able to deal with players and that?s the reason [former Raiders coach] Bill Callahan hasn?t succeeded as a head coach because he?s a smart guy, knows football like the back of his hand, but when it comes to leading me, it?s a totally different intangible you have to have.

?It?s going to be very interesting to see how [Trestman] and Jay Cutler get along, that?s for sure.?

Those questions about Trestman are far from new, and there are plenty of NFL types who grumble about what they perceive as an air of intellectual superiority Trestman carries himself with. But he also has experience as a head coach (even though it was in the CFL) since then, and has likely learned something about man-management.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/16/chip-kelly-hire-could-create-dilemma-for-vick-eagles/related/

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Basic Training in Non-Violent Communication | Aryaloka Buddhist ...

Aryaloka is a place dedicated to the study and practice of Buddhism. We are part of the Triratna Buddhist Community - an international network of public centers, communities and projects. Our mission is to create the best possible conditions in which to explore and practice the Buddhist path. We study and practice meditation and Buddhadharma in a spiritual community based on the ideals of compassion, generosity, and awareness.

Below you'll find information about featured and upcoming events, retreats, and news from our center. Hope to see you soon!

Source: http://www.aryaloka.org/2013/01/14/basic-training-in-non-violent-communication/

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Ford Spending 'Billions' on Lincoln Brand

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More than 3,500 U.S. Weather Records Smashed in 2012

News reports in the past two weeks have noted that 2012 was the warmest year ever recorded in the U.S. Today we learn that 3,527 monthly weather records were broken in 2012, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The tally exceeds the 3,251 records set in 2011, the previous high. NRDC has just released an interactive map equipped with a slider that can be moved from January to December to reveal where record temperatures, rainfall, snowfall, floods, droughts and wildfires were occurring on any given day. Tables on the map?s Web site also list the specific date, location and weather record for every one of the 3,527 events. Kim Knowlton, senior scientist at NRDC, noted in a prepared statement that the rising incidence of extreme weather ?has awoken communities across the country to the need for preparedness and protection.? Tennessee and Wisconsin lead the list of states that had the highest percentage of reporting stations that logged new heat records, at 36 and 31 percent, respectively. March 2012 was the hottest March on record across the contiguous U.S., and July was the hottest single month ever recorded. Last summer also produced the worst drought in 50 years across the nation?s midsection; 1,300 counties in 29 states declared drought disaster areas. And wildfires burned more than 3.7 million hectares nationwide; the average fire size was 65 hectares, far exceeding the 2001-2010 average of 35 hectares. The NRDC said the rise in extreme weather records should spur state and national efforts to curb carbon dioxide emissions (the driver of climate change) and improve energy efficiency, and should motivate state and local governments to develop thorough emergency management plans. Follow Scientific American on Twitter @SciAm and @SciamBlogs. Visit ScientificAmerican.com for the latest in science, health and technology news.
? 2013 ScientificAmerican.com. All rights reserved.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/more-3-500-u-weather-records-smashed-2012-181000903.html

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Garmin announces new dog collars, talks up 'Bark Odometer'

Garmin announces new dog collars, talks up Bark Odometer

Garmin's not content with just a spot on your dashboard -- the company's also hoping to help you out with your pet problems. The GPS-maker's got a couple of new additions to its line of dog collars, including the BarkLimiter series, which offers up an accelerometer-powered bark identification system and a Bark Odometer to help you keep track of your canine's woof mileage. The collar is lightweight and waterproof and promises to increase "stimulation" as barking continues. The collar'll run you $80 for standard and $100 for the deluxe edition. You can also get the BarkLimiter technology in the company's Delta series of collars, which let you set a virtual leash up to three-quarters of a mile. That line runs $200 without the bark limiting and $250 with.

Continue reading Garmin announces new dog collars, talks up 'Bark Odometer'

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/14/garmin-barklimiter/

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THE RESET: Obama: voters would blame both parties

President Barack Obama speaks during the last news conference of his first term in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 14, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Barack Obama speaks during the last news conference of his first term in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 14, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Barack Obama gestures during the final news conference of his first term as he speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 14, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Barack Obama speaks about the debt limit in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 14, 2013. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Barack Obama makes congressional Republicans the villains in the government's drama of lurching from crisis to crisis. But he also suggests Americans would "blame all of Washington" if there's a government shutdown or delays in Social Security benefits and other payments.

In his first news conference of the year and last of his first term, Obama said it's up to Congress, ultimately, to decide how to raise and spend money. "And if the Republicans in Congress have made a decision that they want to shut down the government in order to get their way, then they have the votes, at least in the House of Representatives, probably to do that."

Republicans control the House, Democrats the Senate.

Since Obama took office, gridlock on Capitol Hill has been the norm rather than the exception as one fiscal crisis has given way to another.

The government came close to defaulting on some of its obligations in mid-2011 when Republicans balked at raising the ceiling on the government's borrowing authority.

Congress now must again raise the debt ceiling for the government to keep borrowing money to pay its bills ? or face a first-ever default as early as mid-February.

Both sides have dug in. Republicans insist raising the debt ceiling must be combined with big spending cuts. Obama counters he won't negotiate any deal linking the debt limit to spending cuts. It would be "short-sighted" and "profoundly damaging to our economy," he said Monday.

He was asked if he would let the government grind to a halt if he disagreed with spending-cut proposals put forth by Republicans ? and if that happened, who'd be blamed?

Polls show voters are more inclined to blame Republicans than Democrats.

Even so, "I suspect that the American people would blame all of Washington for not being able to get its act together," Obama said.

___

Follow Tom Raum on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tomraum

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-01-14-US-The-Reset/id-2ad2753f6ef945d983b4da6a28e730da

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