Army manipulated general's photo

The Associated Press on Friday suspended the use of photos provided by the Defense Department after the Army distributed a digitally altered photo of the U.S. military's first female four-star general.

The image of Army Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody is the second Army-provided photo the AP has eliminated from its service in the last two months.

The AP said that adjusting photos and other imagery, even for aesthetic reasons, damages the credibility of the information distributed by the military to news organizations and the public.

"For us, there's a zero-tolerance policy of adding or subtracting actual content from an image," said Santiago Lyon, …

A walk in the woods ; In brief [Edition 2]

NORTH WEALD: Enjoy a stroll in the great outdoors and discoversome of the wildlife that lives right on your doorstep.

Visitors to the Epping Forest Burial Park in Kiln Road, NorthWeald, can find out more about the fungi the thrive in our woods ona walk this …

Thome Stays at 499 As ChiSox Beat Angels

CHICAGO - Jim Thome had to wait at least one more day to enter the 500 home-run club. Thome went 0-for-4 Friday night as the Chicago White Sox beat Bartolo Colon and the Los Angeles Angels 5-3.

Thome hit No. 499 on Wednesday against his former team, Cleveland. He struck out in the first against Colon (6-7), got robbed of a hit in the third when first baseman Casey Kotchman made a diving stop of his grounder and struck out again the fourth. Against reliever Ervin Santana in the sixth, he popped out on a 3-0 pitch.

Sidelined about seven weeks with an irritated right elbow, Colon was shaky and had little help from his teammates. He lasted 4 2-3 innings in his first start …

Judge: OK for Gitmo inmate to use military attys

Military lawyers can defend a Guantanamo detainee in federal court against charges that he participated in the bombing of two U.S. embassies in Africa, a federal judge said Tuesday, as long as the lawyers' superior officers approve.

U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan urged the government to try to determine within a week whether Marine Col. Jeffrey Colwell and Air Force Maj. Richard Reiter would be permitted to defend Ahmed Ghailani. Both were seated in the Manhattan courtroom.

"I don't see any reason I would not grant their permission to appear," Kaplan said, saying he would be surprised if the Defense Department did not approve.

He also …

Youngsters' show has professional ring to it ; Review: Half A Sixpence Carmarthen Youth Opera Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen

IT had it all -- great acting, fluent dance moves, superb singingand non-stop entertainment.

As I watched Carmarthen Youth Opera's performance of the newversion of the musical Half a Sixpence at the Lyric Theatre, Iquickly forgot it was being played by young people and not by aprofessional touring company.

The Youth Opera had a lot to live up to after last year'sacclaimed performance of Beauty and the Beast (which people arestill talking about!) But the audience on our evening were more thanimpressed as I'm sure they were for the rest of the week.

There was no faulting Cuan Wyn Rowlands's performance as the leadcharacter Kipps. It was a very …

The paradigm shift has started

Almost since Scottsh Inventor John Boyd Duntop made the first pneumatic tire In 1887 (followed by the first puncture), the search has been on for an alternative to air to fill tires.

Nevada-based Amerityre was founded in 1995 as the American tire Corporation. During its initial years, it developed polyurethane foam tires based on the company's proprietary polyurethane chemical formulations. Since the tires were fabricated using a closed cell polyurethane material, they could never go flat - which led to the registration of the Flatfree trademark. Today these tires are used in applications such as bicycles, wheelchairs, lawn and garden products, golf carts and commercial …

Smarter electric grid could be key to saving power

The glowing amber dot on a light switch in the entryway of George Tsapoitis' house offers a clue about the future of electricity.

A few times this summer, when millions of air conditioners strain the Toronto region's power grid, that pencil-tip-sized amber dot will blink. It will be asking Tsapoitis to turn the switch off _ unless he's already programmed his house to make that move for him.

This is the beginning of a new way of thinking about electricity, and the biggest change in how we get power since wires began veining the landscape a century ago.

For all the engineering genius behind the electric grid, that vast network ferrying energy from …

DuPage may cut sheriff's patrol areas

DuPage County might need to do away with sheriff's patrols in thecounty's unincorporated areas as a cost-saving measure, County BoardChairman Robert Schillerstrom said Tuesday.

The county could probably save money by contracting with municipalpolice departments to patrol unincorporated areas near theirboundaries, Schillerstrom said.

"In hard times, you need to look at streamlining your government,"he said. "I think we'll take a look at it."

Such a shift could mean dramatic budget cuts in the sheriff'sdepartment, which has more than 500 employees and an annual budget ofabout $35 million. Schillerstrom estimated that as much as a third ofthat budget is allotted …

Rhino Linings USA launches new promotion

IN BRIEF

Rhino Linings USA Inc. announces another exciting promotion to increase brand awareness and customer traffic for its dealerships. The 15th Anniversary Vacation Giveaway kicks off Oct. 1 and features the company's highest consumer promotional value ever. Customers who purchase a Rhino Linings truck bed liner from a participating Rhino Linings dealer receive three days, two nights hotel accommodations at a wide variety of select hotels across the United States. Valued at $110 to $674 (depending on …

Chrysler weighs strategic options for Dodge Viper

Chrysler LLC said Wednesday it is weighing options for its iconic Dodge Viper sports car, which could include a sale of the nameplate.

The Auburn Hills, Michigan, automaker is mulling strategic options for the Viper, and has been approached by third parties "interested in exploring future possibilities with Viper," Chairman and Chief Executive Bob Nardelli said in a statement.

Chrysler spokesman Todd Goyer declined to name the parties. He said the review is part of a move toward focusing on Dodge's core nameplates.

"Obviously, we want to ensure a strong future for the Viper, but as we focus on the core business we'll listen to …

Community briefs

Golf tourney

The West Virginia Chapter of The AG Bell Association for Deaf andHard of Hearing will sponsor the Fourth Annual Hearing Heroes GolfTournament on Monday at Berry Hills Country Club.

Registration and a light lunch will be at 11:45 a.m. The shotgunstart is at 1 p.m. with dinner to follow.

There are several sponsorship levels. For more information, callCherese Lee at 304-881-2583 or Travis Austin at 304-525-7072. Moreinformation also is available by e-mailinghearingandtalking@yahoo.com.

Board meeting

The board of directors of the Kanawha County Public Librarysystem will meet at 4 p.m. Monday at the Main Library at 123 CapitolSt. in …

NATIVE AMERICAN TRADITIONS FEATURED AT COMPOSTING WORKSHOP

Known for their traditional land use practices. Native Americans shared their expertise in composting programs at an event arranged by U.S. EPA Region 5 officials. Topics featured ideas for building and sustaining community support, funding and technical resources plus waste diversion based on cultural traditions and values. Leading the workshops were …

Gorbachev: Nukes Could Keep Spreading

NEW YORK - Ex-Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev said Sunday the five original nuclear powers haven't done enough to eliminate nuclear weapons and prevent other nations from acquiring them.

Consequently, India, Pakistan, Israel and most recently North Korea have joined the club, Gorbachev said at the screening of a CNN television series on the Cold War at the Museum of Television & Radio.

"This is not good that this is happening," Gorbachev said, speaking briefly to reporters through an interpreter.

The four countries he named are not among the nearly 190 that signed the 1970 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. In the past week, North Korea announced it had carried out an underground nuclear test blast.

Under the treaty, the five original powers - the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China - were allowed to keep nuclear weaponry.

If the five undermine the treaty, he said, more than 30 countries capable of producing the weapons will say that if the five "are preserving and modernizing their nuclear weapons, why should we be hostages to this situation?'"

"This is a very serious situation," he said.

When asked whether North Korea was trying to scare the world or the other way around, the 75-year-old former Kremlin leader replied, "I think both sides are trying to scare the other side."

Twenty years ago this month at a summit in Iceland, Gorbachev and President Reagan reached a surprise agreement on removing intermediate-range missiles from Europe and limiting nuclear warhead numbers elsewhere.

The next year in Geneva, the two parties signed a formal nuclear weapons agreement that would be a key step toward ending the Cold War. Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990.

Having left office when the Soviet Union collapsed in December 1991, Gorbachev now runs a foundation devoted to international issues, including globalization, security, weapons of mass destruction and poverty.

Major combat operations end in Iraq

On May 1, President George W. Bush, addressing sailors and aviators on the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, announced that major combat operations in Iraq are over and that the United States and coalition forces had prevailed. Difficult work remains ahead, he said, including bringing order to the country, pursuing the prior regime's leaders and searching for weapons of mass destruction. Regarding the military's conduct of the war, the President said, "America is grateful for a job well done."

After the fall of Baghdad on April 9, when cheering Iraqis filled the streets and statues of Saddam Hussein were toppled, resistance still existed in parts of the country. Small skirmishes and exchanges of gunfire occurred as other parts of Iraq came under coalition control. Formal surrenders of large Iraqi units took place near the cities of Mosul and Al Ramadi. Kurdish forces, with the help of U.S. Special Forces and the 173rd Airborne Brigade, captured Kirkuk on April 10. U.S. forces also took control of the border checkpoints into Syria and Jordan.

As the fighting died down, food, water and medical supplies began flowing into Iraq. On April 12 humanitarian flights began landing at the Baghdad International Airport. Water and wheat soon began arriving by ship to Umm Qasr. In addition to foreign supplies, U.S. troops began distributing captured enemy supplies to Iraqi citizens.

To stop looting and other criminal activities, the Army began patrolling until a new Iraqi police force could be installed. To aid in the roundup of Baath Party officials, soldiers were issued the now famous decks of cards showing 55 most wanted Iraqi leaders. The cards were developed by the 99th Reserve Operations Command.

The Army is also helping to rebuild the country and return it to normal. Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division. (Mechanized) worked to reopen Baghdad University's College of Agriculture, while civil affairs teams made rapid assessments of Baghdad's clinics and other facilities in order to restore adequate medical care to local citizenry. One civil affairs team, the Direct Support Team 2 of the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion, was part of the force that raced from Kuwait to Baghdad. Once in the city, the unit worked to reopen neighborhood schools, assess electricity and sewage problems, organize garbage collection and address problems with unexploded ordnance.

This work reflects the efforts made across the country to bring order back to Iraq. Soldiers removed stockpiled Iraqi ammunition from sites in Baghdad to prevent black marketing. Schools and hospitals have reopened in major cities.

Low-intensity warfare is ongoing in the country, and tensions between the Iraqis and U.S. forces have flared up, particularly in the town of Fallujah. On April 28, an anti-American demonstration turned violent for members of the 82nd Airborne Division when the school they were staying in came under fire. The soldiers defended themselves, returning fire. No casualty assessments could be made since the crowd retrieved its dead and wounded. Two days later, U.S. soldiers came under attack from civilians throwing rocks and firing weapons. They returned fire, killing two Iraqis. One American was injured in the incident. On May 1, seven American soldiers were wounded when they came under small arms and grenade fire. Five needed medical attention, but all were in stable condition.

Fighting in Afghanistan. One American soldier was killed and five were injured when approximately 20 enemy fighters attacked an American platoon that was responding to suspicious activity east of Fire Base Shkin near the Pakistani border on April 25. The soldier killed was Pvt. Jerod R. Dennis, 19, of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 82nd Airborne Division. An Afghan military force soldier was also injured. Two days earlier, in a separate incident, a U.S. Special Forces team returned fire after the enemy had fired two rocket-propelled grenades at them near Asadabad.

On April 21 during a raid in Kandahar province, coalition forces killed the man who murdered a Red Cross worker. They also captured seven of his accomplices. Using intelligence gleaned from the raid, a coalition assault team conducted an air assault search-and-seizure mission north of Kandahar. Four Black Hawk helicopters transported between 150 and 200 personnel to the area.

On April 9, 11 civilians were killed and one was wounded when a coalition bomb accidentally struck a home after an Afghan militia checkpoint came under attack in Shkin and coalitions forces responded. Four militiamen were wounded in the attack. The previous day more than 500 soldiers from the 504th PIR and special operations forces launched Operation Resolute Strike in Helmand province. In the initial raid, 41 people were detained, many of whom were later released, and a number of weapons were captured.

Enemy forces continue to fire rockets, mortars and small arms at various American bases, prompting calls for air support. No Americans have been injured in these attacks.

Army Casualties. The following is a list of U.S. Army personnel who have been killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom from April 14 to May 12. All names have been released through the Department of Defense and families have been notified.

Spc. Edward J. Anguiano, 24

Spc. Roy Russell Buckley, 24

Cpl. Richard P. Carl, 26

Pvt. Jason L. Deibler, 20

Spc. Thomas A. Foley III, 23

1st Sgt. Joe J. Garza, 43

PFC Jesse A. Givens, 34

Spc. Richard A. Goward, 32

CWO Hans N. Gukeisen, 31

SSgt. Terry W. Hemingway, 39

Sgt. Troy David Jenkins, 25

SFC John W. Marshall, 50

PFC Joseph P. Mayek, 20

Spc. Gil Mercado, 25

1st Lt. Osbaldo Orozco, 26

Sgt. Sean C. Reynolds, 25

Cpl. John T. Rivero, 23

PFC Marlin T. Rockhold, 23

Spc. Narson B. Sullivan, 21

CWO Brian K. Van Dusen, 39

Closing German Facilities. The Army will partially close the Giessen General Depot in Germany, and return its other facilities in Giessen, Friedberg, Butzbach, Wetzlar and Bad Nauheim to Germany beginning in fiscal year (FY) 2006 as part of the U.S. Army's Efficient-Basing East project. The closures and returns will occur incrementally until 2008. USAREUR has said that the facilities are in excess of its needs.

In FY 2006, the MacArthur family housing area in Friedberg, the George Gershwin family housing area in Wetzlar and the Alvin York Village family housing area in Bad Nauheim will be returned to Germany. In FY 2007, operations at the Ray Barracks in Friedberg, the Friedberg training and storage area, Schloss Kaserne in Butzbach and the Roman Way Village family housing area will end. In FY 2008, facilities in Giessen, including Pendleton Barracks, the John F. Dulles Village Housing Area, the George C. Marshall Village family housing area and the Giessen military community facilities will be closed. Operations at the Butzbach training area and range will terminate then as well. Also in FY 2008, the Giessen Depot will partially close.

Civilian Employee Deployments Tracked. The Army's new automated civilian tracking system, CIVTRACKS, maintains data on its more than 2,100 civilian employees. Employees' locations, the operations being supported, dates of deployment and redeployment and other details are recorded.

The Army first realized the importance of tracking its civilian force during and after Operation Desert Storm and developed the system to capture data on deployed Army Appropriated Fund and Non-appropriated Fund employees and Red Cross workers. Today the web-based system also tracks contractors and Army and Air Force exchange service employees.

Deploying employees are given user IDs and passwords from their home station and are required to log onto a website and input data each time they change duty locations during the deployment. This includes the initial move from their home station. User ID deployment cards are available at the Continental U.S. Replacement Center and in the theaters of operations for employees who are already deployed. The information printed on the cards can also be accessed at the Army Knowledge Online web site. The information is also posted in the AKO Collaboration Center, under the "Civilian Personnel" Community.

DARPA Grand Challenge. In March 2004, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is sponsoring a race to spur American ingenuity to accelerate the development of autonomous vehicle technologies that can be applied to military requirements. DARPA will give $1 million to the robotics team that creates an autonomous vehicle that can traverse 300 miles of rugged terrain from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. For more information, and to apply, see the DARPA web site at www.darpa.mil/grandchallenge, or call 1-866-327-7242.

Vietnam Vet Receives Award. Retired Lt. Col. Albert (Clark) Welch received the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in a 1967 Vietnam battle. The April 25 ceremony was held in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes.

Welch was serving as a company commander with the 1st Infantry Division's 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, when his company and another were attacked by three Viet Cong battalions. As Welch organized his men and kept them steady, he was hit in both arms, his right leg and in the chest by enemy fire. Welch and another soldier were later found against a tree surrounded by 60 dead enemy soldiers. Because of transfers in-country and the deaths of commanders above him, Welch was never credited for his bravery. When enough evidence was put together, he was recommended for the Medal of Honor, but his award was downgraded to a Distinguished Service Cross. Another review for the Medal of Honor is pending.

Reserve, National Guard Update. Members of the Army Reserve and National Guard continue to serve as part of the partial mobilization authorized by President George W. Bush in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. As we went to press the total number of Army reserve component soldiers called up was 145,106.

West Point on DVD. National Geographic's 14-episode documentary on DVD, "Surviving West Point," arrived in retail stores on May 20. The series focuses on a year in the life of the cadets from their indoctrination into West Point to graduation. To order the compilation on DVD or VHS directly, call 1-800-627-5162.

NJ voters choosing GOP challenger Gov. Corzine

New Jersey voters are choosing a Republican to challenge Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine in the fall.

Depending on Tuesday's winner, Corzine could face a tough re-election bid come November.

A series of polls has shown Corzine trailing Republican Chris Christie, a former U.S. attorney under President George W. Bush.

But Christie must first thwart challenger Steve Lonegan, a former mayor of Bogota, which is about 15 miles north of Newark. GOP Assemblyman Rick Merkt has trailed both in polls.

Corzine faces token opposition in the Democratic primary. Vice President Joe Biden plans to join Corzine to formally launch his re-election bid after the polls close at 8 p.m.

CHECKUP

Here's a weekly roundup of health news you should know. Cancer gene found: Researchers have found the gene believed tocause a common, inherited form of colon cancer, and they say it won'tbe long before a test is designed that can identify peoplesusceptible to the cancer before they develop the disease. Thescientists, led by Dr. Bert Vogelstein and Kenneth Kinzler of theJohns Hopkins Oncology Center in Baltimore, have discovered the MSH2gene, which is thought to cause hereditary non-polyposis colorectalcancer. A DES risk for men: Men whose mothers took the drugdiethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy are at higher risk ofsuffering from depression, a study by researchers at BostonUniversity Medical Center has found. While the effects of prenatalexposure to the drug, given to pregnant women in the 1950s and 1960sto treat pregnancy complications, are well documented in women, theyhave not been as carefully studied in men, the study says. Diabetics sought: Patients with well-controlled adult-onsetdiabetes are being sought by University of Chicago researchers for astudy on a new medication that may reduce the risk of heart disease.Dr. John Buse says the medicine, troglitazone, may lower sugar levelsin blood, thereby making the patient's own insulin more effective.Early research showed that patients taking the drug experiencedimprovements in blood pressure and in fat levels in the blood.Subjects who complete the 16 clinic visits over one year will be paid$500. Call (312) 702-9655. New epilepsy drug: A study of the drug Vigabatrin, which is notavailable in the United States, has revealed it can control partialseizures in epileptic patients. At an American Epilepsy Societymeeting in Florida, researchers reported that the drug was highlyeffective in treating partial seizures, which begin in a hand or footand move up the limb. The drug appears to block the breakdown of thebrain chemical known as GABA. This causes GABA to accumulate inamounts that can reduce electrical activity in the brain, therebyreducing seizures. Say that again? As the U.S. population ages, the number ofAmericans with hearing loss is expected to grow. Currently, almost30 million Americans have hearing loss, the majority over age 65. Bythe year 2000, the condition will affect 40 million people, says Dr.Dean Griffin, a family physician in Westminster, Md. A major causeof hearing loss is a condition known as presbycusis, which affectsone-quarter of those over age 65 and half of those over age 75. Itmay begin with the perception that others are not talking clearly orloud enough. There is no medical or surgical cure, and a hearing aidis usually recommended.

Loyola beats Marist 80-64

Brian Rudolph scored 18 points, leading four Loyola (Md.) players in double figures as the Greyhounds defeated Marist 80-64 on Saturday night.

Robert Olson added 15 points, J'hared Hall had 12 and Jawaan Wright 11 for the Greyhounds (10-10, 3-7 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference), who snapped a two-game skid.

Rudolph scored eight of his points at the free throw line for the Greyhounds, who finished 21-for-26 from the line (80.8 percent). The Red Foxes were just 8-for-15 from the charity stripe (53.3 percent).

Loyola jumped out to a 25-14 lead in the first 6 minutes and never looked back. The Greyhounds led the entire way.

Korey Bauer scored 21 points to pace the Red Foxes (1-19, 1-9), who have lost eight games in a row.

The Greyhounds outrebounded the Red Foxes 40-29 and outscored them 30-22 in the paint.

Tax cut: ; Gov. Underwood is right; taxes don't help the poor

WEST Virginia is among the nation's leaders in poor people. Whobetter, then, to tax to support Democratic programs? Thus theMountain State collects income taxes from people who live under thefederal poverty line. Last year, the state siphoned $25 millionfrom 110,000 families who live at or below the federal poverty line.

That's a lot of medicine they could buy. That's a lot of schoolclothing they could buy. That's a lot of food they could buy.

But Democrats want the money so they can supply medicine, schoolclothing and food for the poor. How easy it is to be charitable withother people's money.

Republicans have fought to roll back the income taxes on thepoorest of the poor. Although vastly outnumbered in the Legislature,the Four Horsemen of the 32nd House District were able to have thestate stop taxing those who earn $10,000 or less a year.

Gov. Cecil Underwood has seconded a call by Delegate Rusty Webb,R-Kanawha, to raise that exemption to $17,000, to bring it to thefederal poverty line. This is part of Underwood's call for anoverhaul of the state's tax system to make it more fair andequitable.

Democrats say the plan favors the rich.

Since when is $17,000 a year rich?

Underwood's Democratic opponent, Rep. Bob Wise, has offered notax relief to the poor.

Instead, Wise would seek new revenue to pay for college for all Bstudents, regardless of income. Thus, in some cases he would betaking from the poor and giving to the well-off.

The time to end such nonsense is at hand. Instead of taxing thepoor, it's time to give them tax relief.

UK woman in Laos could go on trial Monday

A pregnant British woman who faces death by firing squad if she is convicted of drug smuggling could go on trial in Laos as early as Monday, a human rights group said Sunday.

Samantha Orobator, 23, has been in jail in Laos since August, when she was accused of trying to smuggle just over half a kilogram (1.1 pounds) of heroin in her luggage.

The British-based human rights group Reprieve said Orobator has not had access to a lawyer yet.

Reprieve lawyer Anna Morris is in Laos trying to help Orobator. She told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Sunday that she had been granted permission to meet with the jailed woman for the first time on Tuesday. But Morris said Orobator had been told the trial could start a day earlier _ on Monday.

"We understand she's been told the trial will begin Monday," Morris said. "It is not confirmed."

Morris said the situation was tense.

"We are on the ground awaiting confirmation of what is exactly going to happen. Clearly the concern is that she doesn't know what is going to happen next," Morris said. "The stress on her, of course, being pregnant must be very high. We're very worried about the stress she is under."

The circumstances of Orobator's pregnancy remain unclear.

She had been in jail for months before Britain's government learned of the detention. British diplomats and doctors have since visited her, according to the Foreign Office.

Feds indict Ald. Jones // Government unfazed by acquittals in last 2 trials

Undaunted by two straight setbacks in the Operation Silver Shovelcorruption probe, federal prosecutors forged ahead Thursday bybringing bribery charges against Ald. Virgil Jones (15th).

Jones and an associate, Charles Nix, were charged with takingtwo bribes totaling $7,000 from John Christopher, the corruptbusinessman who served as an undercover mole in the investigation.Jones, 48, allegedly pocketed the money in 1992 and 1993 in exchangefor helping Christopher win contracts and acquire city permits.

In one instance, on Dec. 18, 1992, the indictment charges,Christopher wrapped $4,000 into a newspaper at a restaurant and leftthe paper on a seat next to Jones. After Christopher left, Jonesallegedly walked into the restroom with the paper and retrieved thecash.On Jan. 8, 1993, Christopher allegedly paid Jones an additional$3,000.The unveiling of the charges came one day after a jury acquittedAld. Rafael Frias (12th) of bribery and other charges. Like formercity Water Commissioner John Bolden, found not guilty of briberycharges in September, Frias successfully argued that he wasentrapped. The Silver Shovel probe has resulted in 10 convictions sofar.But Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Lassar said each case isdifferent. "You have to judge each case on its merits," he said."We think this case will hold up very well."Lassar said he was disappointed by the Frias jury's decision butthat he did not want to elaborate about his reaction. He said hestill plans to talk to the jurors to understand how they decided thecase.Jones, unlike other defendants in the probe, allegedly metChristopher before Christopher began working for the FBI, Lassarsaid. According to the charges, the men met in summer, 1991, monthsbefore Christopher's undercover work started.Soon afterward, Christopher started making payments to anassociate of Jones, identified as Person A, for his assistance inobtaining contracts, according to the charges.Jones could not be reached for comment.In January, 1996, when Operation Silver Shovel was made public,Jones said he initially had thought Christopher was a legitimatebusinessman until someone warned him he might be shady. But laterin 1996, Jones told reporters he knew Christopher was an informant."I could tell," he said. "It was the questions he would ask me.The things he would say."In about May, 1992, Person A allegedly told Christopher thatJones agreed Christopher could install a rock crusher at 76th andAlbany if Christopher paid them $10 a load. Jones then allegedlywrote a letter and spoke to city officials to request thatChristopher be allowed to operate the rock crusher.In October of that year, Nix, 73, allegedly replaced Person A asthe liaison between Jones and Christopher.Jones allegedly explained that Person A had only once passed onChristopher's payments to Jones, according to the indictment.Nix's lawyer, Nan Nolan, said Nix will plead not guilty.Also on Thursday, Bolden was sentenced to a year of probation,including four months of home confinement, for his conviction on twofelony tax charges. Bolden, who was acquitted of accepting two$1,000 bribes, also was fined $5,000.

Future might still be bright for Polaroid after its sale

With the sale of Polaroid Corp. to Bank One Corp.'s venturecapital operation now official, the Boston-based company now beginsthe process of rebuilding itself out of bankruptcy.

The instant film and camera company, built by founder Edwin Landinto one of the great research companies and one of the famed "NiftyFifty" stocks of the 1950s, has shed real estate, sold peripheralbusinesses and halved its work force since the start of 2001. Itfiled for bankruptcy last October, facing nearly $1 billion in debts.

Chicago-based Bank One bought the company for only $255 million.Its venture capital unit, One Equity Partners, acquires some debt butalso what one analyst estimates is $200 million in cash with the dealand no burdens from Polaroid's underfunded pension fund, which willbe taken over by the government. The unit has not discussed plans forPolaroid.

It gets a business burdened for years by top-heavy management andtechnological tardiness, but also a powerful brand name and a line ofproducts that some believe could make money again.

"I figure a couple of years you'll be seeing Polaroid again, as anIPO," said Ulysses Yannas, who follows the company at Buckman,Buckman & Reid.

OEP said partner Charles F. Auster would be chairman of the new,private Polaroid Corp.

Though Polaroid has kept its numbers to itself since itsbankruptcy filing last October, Yannas estimates the companycomfortably exceeds $1 billion in sales. It has strong operations inEurope and Asia that were not part of the U.S. bankruptcy filing, butwhich OEP nonetheless now owns.

"It was a steal," Yannas said of the sale.

There is also a potential cash-cow film business for Polaroidcameras that have already been sold. And, despite a trend toward"house" brands, Polaroid remains the house brand at Wal-Mart, thelargest photographic products buyer in the world. That arrangementhas brought in as much as $100 million annually, Yannas said.

Perhaps its biggest asset is the Polaroid name, which stillcarries weight. Polaroid continues to be involved in licensing deals.

If the new Polaroid is to fare better than the old one, it willhave to avoid its predecessor's mistakes.

The old company was burdened by huge marketing expenses and aninability to get control of management expenses.

It also made several key bad decisions, backing products thatnever panned out and failing to use a windfall from a patentinfringement lawsuit to pay down debts during the 1980s.

Land, a Harvard drop-out, introduced his first instant imagingsystem in 1947. A year later, the company introduced its first cameraand film, retailing it in Boston for $89.50.

Pa. governor hopefuls focus on Philly-area voters

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Gubernatorial candidates Dan Onorato and Tom Corbett visited neighborhood churches, diners and taverns Sunday on the last weekend of the campaign to win over undecided voters and make certain their supporters cast ballots on Election Day.

Both candidates concentrated on Philadelphia and its suburbs, which account for one-third of the state's 8.5 million voters.

Corbett, the state attorney general and Republican nominee, visited several black churches through early afternoon. At the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, whose complex covers a city block in south Philadelphia, he urged congregants to go to the polls.

"Go vote," he said. "Hopefully, you'll vote for me."

Democrat Onorato began his day in his home city of Pittsburgh campaigning with Sen. Bob Casey at a diner, but within hours he was at the other end of the state being greeted by a rowdy crowd of union loyalists at a south Philadelphia tavern.

Onorato, the elected executive of Allegheny County, said he discounted speculation that turnout in heavily Democratic Philadelphia would be low on Election Day.

"I don't believe it," he shouted in the crowded bar. "I can see the excitement right now."

Independent polls have generally showed Corbett leading since the primary, although a Muhlenberg College/Allentown Morning Call tracking poll of likely voters released Sunday showed Corbett losing ground, from a 15-point lead on Wednesday to 7 points in the four-day telephone survey that ended Saturday.

"The polls are still all over the place. It's crazy," Onorato said Sunday.

Corbett, whose name recognition has been buoyed by his office's nearly 4-year-old investigation into alleged corruption in the Legislature, was the latest statewide candidate to address a Sunday service at the large church at 22nd and Bainbridge streets where he urged people to vote.

The U.S. Senate candidates — Democrat Joe Sestak and Republican Pat Toomey — addressed the congregation on separate Sundays earlier this month, church officials said.

In his remarks, Corbett said problems like crime, high school dropout rates and the number of young Pennsylvanians who leave to take jobs in other states transcend racial and religious boundaries.

"Pray for us," he said. Prayer is "not reserved for Sunday."

Leaders of the church said it does not endorse candidates but welcomes them as speakers. Several leaders who were interviewed declined to say which candidate they support, but some said they believe turnout will be surprisingly high.

Voters are "more engaged than the media gives them credit for," said James Strong, the church's director of protocol. "It's probably more low-key (than in previous elections), and I believe you'll probably see it on Tuesday."

The mostly male crowd that cheered for Onorato at the pub sounded confident that he will score an upset victory.

"He's one of us. He's from a middle-class neighborhood," said Edward Rumick, an electrician who has been unemployed for the past 18 months.

"I think he'll bring jobs to Philadelphia," said Lee Schwartz, a transportation company manager and Democratic ward leader in the city. "He has the experience. He did it in Pittsburgh."

On Monday, while Corbett and Toomey fly to rallies across the state in a "barnstorming tour," Onorato was scheduled to appear at rallies in McKeesport with former President Bill Clinton, in Harrisburg with Casey and in Philadelphia with first lady Michelle Obama.

Obama: I'll stand with the Gulf

President Barack Obama promised Saturday to stand with the people of the Gulf Coast "until they are made whole" from the oil spill catastrophe.

Obama recorded his weekly radio and Internet address from this barrier island town he visited Friday on his third trip to the Gulf since an April 20 drilling rig explosion unleashed a gusher of crude into the waters there.

He spoke of the people he'd met _ an oyster fisherman named Floyd whose oyster beds have been destroyed by oil, and Terry, a shrimper who is losing income because shrimp fishing has been shut down.

"These folks work hard," Obama said. "They meet their responsibilities. But now because of a manmade catastrophe _ one that's not their fault and that's beyond their control _ their lives have been thrown into turmoil."

"It's brutally unfair. It's wrong. And what I told these men and women _ and what I have said since the beginning of this disaster _ is that I'm going to stand with the people of the Gulf Coast until they are made whole," the president said.

Obama reiterated some of the steps his administration has taken to respond to the spill, including mobilizing National Guard troops.

And in the increasingly forceful tone he's directing toward BP PLC, the British oil giant that was drilling the well that blew up, Obama said: "We will make sure they pay every single dime owed to the people along the Gulf coast."

Obama spoke as BP worked on its latest attempt to tame the runaway well 5,000 feet beneath the sea, by capping it and trying to siphon off some of the crude. But oil continued to escape. The damaged rig has disgorged at least 22 million gallons of crude into the Gulf.

"We are prepared for the worst, even as we hope that BP's efforts bring better news than we've received before," Obama said, noting that regardless of the outcome, there will continue to be some spillage until relief wells can be completed to permanently control the leak. That won't happen until August at the earliest.

"And there will continue to be a massive cleanup ahead of us," the president said.

Obama praised the people of the Gulf for their grit.

"We will fight alongside them, until the awful damage that has been done is reversed, people are back on their feet, and the great natural bounty of the Gulf coast is restored," he said.

___

Online:

Obama address: http://www.whitehouse.gov

Learn how to trace your roots at Delta Sigma Theta's Family Empowerment Fair

Delta Doings - LaVerne Weatherly, president of the Chicago Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and JoAnn Thomas, her second vice president and programming committee chair, are in final countdown mode for the Delta Empowerment Fair: Empowering Families to Help Themselves, a combined effort of the sorority's five-point program thrust - economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement; political awareness and involvement and physical and mental health.

This free event on Oct. 27, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., at Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Van Buren, promises something for everyone, including an opportunity for attendees to learn "How to Trace Your Roots." The Delta Empowerment Fair is an effort to completely address the needs of the community.

Some of the services being offered are free health screenings including: diabetes, blood pressure and HIV/AIDS testing, along with credit and homeownership seminars. Additionally, there will be a hall meeting with Cong. Danny Davis (7th), Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd) and Ald. Emma Mitts (37th).

Other local legislators and city officials are expected to attend; a number of social and service agencies will be available and residents will have the opportunity to attend a job fair with free resume services provided on site.

"Our responsibility as a public service organization is to educate, motivate, uplift and empower the African American community by helping families help themselves," Weatherly said. "Our goal is to have over 300 residents in attendance benefiting from the many programs, informative workshops, medical and job services that will be available."

Membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., founded in 1913, exceeds 200,000 predominately African American college-educated women in more than 1,000 chapters in 44 states and several foreign countries. The Chicago Alumnae Chapter boasts more than 600 on its membership roll.

But Never Forgotten! - Our sincere condolences to the Brown Brothers (Reginald, Leroy, Charles and Herbert) one on the passing of their beloved mom, 92-year-old Ruby, who was a foster mother to more than 60 children in the Department of Children & Family Services. Visitation is Thursday, noon-8 p.m., at Travis Funeral Home, 14338 S. Indiana, in south suburban Riverdale. Final arrangements are Friday (10 a.m. wake; 11 a.m. funeral service) at Progressive Community Church, 56 E. 48th St.

Bad Girlz - Gal pals, Merry Green (of Merry Green Promotions fame) and Fran Ball (Chicago YMCA's group vice president), host a Bad Girlz Celebration for two new sistahs on the Chicago City Council, Ald.

Sandi Jackson (7th) and Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd).

The party is on Monday, 6 p.m., at Blu 47 Restaurant, 47th and King Dr. We're there!

For Jazz Junkies! - Trumpeter Corey Wilkes will record a DVD for Delmark Records this evening at Close Up 2, located at 416 S. Clark. "Come share your energy, be a part of the experience and help us capture the essence of a live show," Corey says. Free admission; arrive by 6:30 p.m. for "up close" seating . . . The Frank Russell Quartet - Frank Russell on bass; Greg Spero on piano; Buddy Fambro (who dat?) on guitar and Makaya Macraven on drums - take centerstage this evening, 7:30 p.m., during at the regular weekly series, "Wednesday Jazz Nights" at the 50 Yard Line, 69 E. 75th St. The jazz program continues with Bill McFarland and The Chicago Horns, Oct. 17; Rick Parma on saxophone, Oct. 24; and Ken Chaney on keyboard, Oct. 31. Pass it on!

Newsy Names - Happy b'day wishes go out to Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, of Rainbow/PUSH Coalition fame; Dr. Gloria Latimore Peace, retired college professor (Northeastern Illinois University's Center for Inner City Studies and "back in the day" at Olive-Harvey College); singers Toni Braxton and Mya; hoofer-actor Ben Vereen (remember "Chicken George" in Roots) and to Don Doty, founder of the Georgia Doty Health & Education Fund, who celebrated "grand style" in the penthouse abode he shares with wife, Joyce, and on the rooftop of their near south condo complete with bid whist, backgammon and dominoes tournaments and fireworks! . . . Congrats to Morgan and Wanda Carter who are celebrating their ninth year of broadcasting (radio and television) in Chicago. The duo (he's the self-styled "The World Conversation Starter") is launching a special introduction promotion which provides a high impact of radio exposures through The Morgan Newstalk Radio Show, broadcasting live from 7:30 - 8 a.m. every Thursday on WBGX AM/1570 and on Ch. 19 or 21. Call (773) 420-3645.

Fashion Focus - Chicago-born celebrated couture fashion designer Glenn Duvall Pettway (a.k.a. Duvall) will represent Chicago this evening at the The Chicago Sister Cities International Program for an extraordinary runway show under the Great White Tent in Millennium Park.

Designers represent more than 22 international cities from around the world for the Sister Cities Annual Fundraiser. Chicago is the host city for this spectacular presented by Mayor Richard Daley during Fashion Focus Week.

Duvall's show-stopping signature collection takes to the catwalk to open the free week-long celebration of Chicago's fashion industry. To RSVP, call (800) 838-3006.

Comedy Showcase - Get ready to get your laugh on when eta Creative Arts Foundation, that venerable Chicago institution, launches its monthly comedy showcase, So You Think You're Funny, hosted by Diane Corder, diva of the comedy scene and a regular host at the Red Pepper Lounge. The showcase kicks off on Oct. 17 with rising comedians Shawn Morgan and Muhammad Lawson.

Admission is $15; only $12 for groups of 10 or more. For more information, call (773) 752-3955 or visit www.etacreativearts.org.

[Author Affiliation]

email: teesee@chicagodefender.com

Octopus oracle picks Spain to win World Cup

Eyes around the world were on Germany's octopus oracle Paul on Friday as he made his biggest prediction yet in the World Cup: Spain will beat the Netherlands in the final.

Paul's prescient picks in the World Cup _ he has yet to predict a match wrong _ have propelled him to international fame from obscurity in an aquarium in the western city of Oberhausen.

TV stations in Germany, Great Britain, Taiwan and elsewhere broadcast live pictures, complete with breathless commentary, of his final decision.

Millions watched as the eight-legged oracle descended upon on a tank marked with a Spanish flag, sitting for only a few minutes before grabbing a mussel and devouring it, while completely ignoring the Dutch tank _ indicating a Spanish victory in Sunday's final match in Sunday's final.

It was the first time the 2 1/2-year-old floppy octopus had been tasked to pick a game in which Germany wasn't involved, as the Oberhausen Sea Life aquarium bowed to demand. He correctly called Germany's wins over Argentina, England, Australia and Ghana and the country's loss to Spain and Serbia.

He also predicted Friday that Germany will win over Uruguay in Saturday's match for third and fourth place.

Paul first developed his abilities during the 2008 European Championship in which he predicted five out of six games involving Germany correctly. But while he had only a community of local fans two years ago, his World Cup prognostications have brought him something like stardom. He has his own Facebook fan pages and a list of admirers that includes the Spanish leader.

His handlers say he is coping with fame well.

"Paul is such a professional oracle _ he doesn't even care that hundreds of journalists are watching and commenting on every move he makes," said Stefan Porwoll, the Sea Life aquarium manager.

Spain's defeat of Germany in the semifinals prompted some Germans to wonder about how he would taste grilled. Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero fretted about the safety of "El Pulpo Paul," as he's known in Spain, and offered Paul protection.

"I am concerned about the octopus," Zapatero said. "I'm thinking about sending in a team to protect the octopus because obviously it was very spectacular that he should get Spain's victory right from there."

In response to hundreds of angry e-mails from disappointed Germans, the aquarium actually did take extra precautions, Porwoll said.

"I even told our guards and people at the entrance to keep a close look at possible for football fans coming after Paul for revenge," he said. He added, however, that the number of love declarations and requests for predictions outweighed the hate mail.

One reporter from Greece asked if Paul could predict the end of the financial crisis and German TV stations have offered the eight-legged psychic lucrative contracts, he said.

In the Middle East, Arabic news sites offered detailed information about Paul's picks _ drawing one suggestion that Paul be sent to Iraq to choose between bitter rival, the current Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his main challenger Ayad Allawi.

Paul even made waves in the business world. Gary Jenkins, an economist with London's Evolution Securities, hedged his market analysis note on Friday, conceding "unless Paul says differently."

Animal rights group PETA weighed in, saying that Paul's tank is too small and that he should be set free. Porwoll noted, however that born-in-captivity Paul has never had to deal with any natural enemies and dumping him into the Atlantic would likely be the kiss of death. In captivity, he can be expected to live to age three or four, he added.

While Paul is no doubt the world's most famous animal oracle these days, he is facing competition. In Singapore, Mani, a World Cup-forecasting parakeet, predicted a different outcome of Sunday's final match.

Creeping out of his small wooden cage and choosing between two white cards _ one hiding a Dutch flag, the other Spanish _ the bird predicted the Netherlands will win its first World Cup championship, setting up a Mani-Paul showdown for Sunday.

In South Africa, Spanish defender Carlos Marchena, said he wasn't putting too much stock in Paul.

"It's only an octopus," he said.

____

Associated Press writers Ciaran Giles in Madrid, Spain, Alex Kennedy in Singapore, Paul Logothetis in Potchefstroom, South Africa and Sameer N. Yacoub in Baghdad, Iraq contributed to this story.

More competition for airport work

A perennial--and politically connected--consultant at O'HareAirport is getting a one-year contract extension, but soon will facemore competition for the type of lucrative city work it has dominatedfor decades, officials said Monday.

Landrum & Brown, which has reaped tens of millions of dollars inno-bid business in the last decade alone, could see its O'Haredominance and fortunes diminish as the city looks to "diversify" thenumber of companies that qualify for aviation planning work,officials said.

The decision to enlarge the pool of qualified consultants from ahandful to about two dozen, and tap more minority and localcompanies, had nothing to do with one of Mayor Daley's moreembarrassing political moments, city officials said.

That came two years ago when it was publicly disclosed thatmayoral friend Oscar D'Angelo--although he wasn't a registeredlobbyist--might have lobbied city officials on behalf of Landrum &Brown for a contract extension, and plugged two friends of Daley'swife into an O'Hare deal with W.H. Smith gift shops.

Landrum & Brown also has become a lightning rod for critics ofO'Hare runway expansion who claim the consultant has manipulatedflight projections and blunted aircraft noise reports to suit thecity's political will.

"We're doing it to make sure we don't have all of our eggs in onebasket," Chicago Aviation Commissioner Thomas Walker said of thechanges. "We want to make sure where other people are qualified andcompetent to do the work we don't stick with the larger firms justbecause they're doing the work all these years.

"We're certainly going to be doing it differently from whenLandrum & Brown was retained for the current agreement," Walkeradded. Landrum & Brown's current contract started in 1995, withextensions allowed until this year. "I don't think we're squeezingout anybody. We're providing opportunities for large consultants,middle size and small ones."

Monique Bond, a spokeswoman for the Chicago Aviation Department,said airports around the country are altering their landscapes, soit's increasingly important to have an array of qualified plannersthat can be tapped for everything from new runways to securityimprovements.

Saying they were still finalizing terms with some companies, cityofficials refused to release the list of the two dozen companies.

What chunk of O'Hare's planning contracts they--including Landrum& Brown and another leading consultant, Ricondo & Associates--mightget isn't yet known, Walker said. But because Landrum & Brown'sextension is for up to one year, other consultants might be tappedfor jobs in as soon as a couple of months.

Doug Goldberg, vice president at Cincinnati-based Landrum & Brown,said the city's changes are "consistent with what we've expected."

"I think a lot of the work we've done in the past has beencompleted," he said. "It's been successful, it's helped them achievea lot of their objectives, so there's probably less work to be done."

Joe Karaganis, attorney for the anti-expansion Suburban O'HareCommission, said O'Hare contracts historically have gone to"insiders" with ties to the political establishment. "It's been asystem based on kickbacks and cronies," he said. "The question is, .. . [are these changes] real or cosmetic?"

Tragedy as man falls from car park roof ; A Man plunged to his death from the top floor of a multi-storey car park.

A Man plunged to his death from the top floor of a multi-storeycar park.

The 20-year-old's body was found at the foot of the ChapelStreet building in Aberdeen city centre.

Grampian Police today described the death as "tragic".

A man at nearby bar Riley's said: "We were drinking and we hearda scream.

"There were lots of people outside.

"It is really shocking, not the kind of thing you expect tohappen at all."

Officers were called when the man was discovered outside the carpark.

Police today urged two people seen at the top of the structure tocontact them.

A Grampian Police spokesman said the man was seen to fall fromthe building on Saturday evening.

He added: "The tragic death of this man is not being treated assuspicious.

"It is thought there were two people at the top of the car parkat the time of the incident and we are anxious to speak to them aspotential witnesses."

An ambulance crew took him to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where hedied.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We were called tothe scene just after 5.30pm.

"We took the patient to hospital at 5.55pm although attempts tosave him were unsuccessful."

Meanwhile a man was in hospital today after a city centre attack.

The 21-year-old was seriously assaulted on George Street near itsjunction with Hutcheon Street around 10pm.

The attack was one of two assaults in the city centre onSaturday.

His attacker was in his late 20s to early 30s, slim, about 5ft8in with short brown hair and clean shaven.

He had an Aberdeen accent and was wearing a cream jacket andblue jeans. It was thought that the man went to Pittodrie Bar afterthe attack before leaving the area in a taxi.

The second assault took place on Schoolhill where a 50-year-olddisabled man was attacked.

He suffered facial injuries but did not need hospital treatment.

The attacker was 40 to 45 years old, 5ft 6in and stocky with anAberdeen accent.

He had short ginger hair, black rimmed glasses and a light greytop. He was carrying a black holdall which had a white pattern atboth ends.

lkernan@ajl.co.uk

UIC to release Obama-Ayers records

The University of Illinois at Chicago did an about-face Friday, agreeing to release records on Barack Obama's service to a nonprofit education reform group linked to 1960s radical William Ayers.

Although the records of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge had been at the UIC library since 2002, the school denied requests to review them, saying the donor had not given ownership rights to UIC.

Friday, UIC said it had fulfilled the terms of the gift and plans to make the records available Tuesday. Obama was the first chairman of the group Ayers helped start.

HOT DOG HEAVEN

PATRICIA MACK, Food Editor
The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
06-14-2000
HOT DOG HEAVEN -- NORTH JERSEY RATES ITS FAVORITE FRANKS
By PATRICIA MACK, Food Editor
Date: 06-14-2000, Wednesday
Section: LIFESTYLE / FOOD
Edition: All Editions -- Two Star B, Two Star P, One Star B

Frankly speaking, Record readers are passionate about hot dogs.

Judging from responses to our poll of favorite hot dog hangouts, we
can only surmise that North Jerseyans are leading the nation in
consumption of the 20 billion frankfurters sold annually in America.

Stand proud. Show your chili dog stains. Write your name in
mustard.

Hot dogs rule.

Want some numbers? Rutt's Hut, which got the second highest vote
tally from our readers, is a Clifton truck-stop hot dog palace that's
been serving wieners since 1928. Currently, 1,500 hot dogs are slapped
into an equal number of fresh-baked buns at stainless steel counters
each week.

And weekly, Rutt's customers consume 30 to 40 gallons of Rutt's
signature hot dog accompaniment -- a thick, bright yellow mustardy
relish.

Longtime customers ask for a "ripper" -- so named because it is
deep-fried in hot oil until it splits, or "rips," down the center.

"No other place can hold a candle to their ripper," said Ed Reilly
of Rutherford, who has been a customer for 57 years. "Dressed with their
famous mustard relish, matched up with onion rings and a cup of their
dynamite chili -- gastronomical heaven."

But there's more to it than just love of a good hot dog. There's
just plain love.

"Memories," says owner George Sakellaris. "We have a huge parking
lot; years ago boys would bring a girl here. They'd get hot dogs, take
them out to their cars, eat, fool around, have a good time ...
Grandfathers courted here, their sons, and now their grandsons ... still
bringing a girl ..."

Rutt's Hut isn't the only popular hot dog stand where romance was
an accompaniment to great eats. Readers told us that Hiram's Roadstand
in Fort Lee, which placed eighth in our poll, holds fond memories for
more than the food.

"Back in 1964 when my husband and I were dating, we went to Hiram's
for a hot dog, fries, and Coke," said Beverly M. Harms of Wyckoff. "The
hot dogs were deep-fried and delicious, and topped with kraut and
mustard. I have a special place in my heart for Hiram's."

Although Johnny & Hanges in Fair Lawn didn't rack up the high
numbers in our unscientific survey, coming in 10th out of 51 hot dog
places nominated by readers, it did garner the most impassioned voters --
and from the farthest reaches.

Maureen McGrogan Heck faxed us from her home in Rancho Cucamonga,
Calif. Born in North Jersey in 1938, Heck says she grew up on Johnny &
Hanges hot dogs.

"Relatives who know how much I miss those dogs send me letters and
news about the place," Heck said. "Over the years, I've sent money for
T-shirts, and even got some sauce, keeping it in my freezer for years
along with a piece of Sicilian pizza, Drake's coffeecakes, and
Kinchley's [Ramsey] pizza, just to keep my N.J. memories alive.

"Occasionally, I receive pictures from my relatives," she said.
"There they are standing outside Johnny & Hanges -- just to rub it in."

Bill Schubert of Wyckoff, 70, says that he can write his
autobiography around hot dogs. His first hot dog came from Libby's, a
popular hot dog place on McBride Avenue, Paterson, in 1938. During the
1940s, all the kids in the neighborhood headed for Rutt's Hut after
basketball games.

Schubert has sampled every hot dog there is to sample, he says, and
his conclusion is that the best to be had is at Johnny & Hanges.

Clixes in Wyckoff, our ninth-place hot dog palace, has a similar
following of faithful hot dog lovers who make pilgrimages to this Goffle
Road classic.

John Golden of Wyckoff, a self-proclaimed hot dog maven, proclaims
Clixes the best.

"It's been family-run for 50 years, and makes the best sauce of any
place, anywhere," he said.

The formula for such long-running success is simple, say Nick and
Pat Sasso of Hawthorne: "Good sauce plus quality hot dogs plus great
service plus great owners."

One would think that this combination would catapult a hot dog
house to the top. Ironically, what mattered more to readers were
toppings, not the dogs, according to the votes tallied for our
first-place winner Jack's Back, a cheerful little cubbyhole of a
restaurant in Lodi, wallpapered with pictures of happy customers.

The top-selling dog there is the potato dog, said owner Joyce
Foster, who runs the place with husband Jack. The Sabrett hot dog is
topped with chopped potatoes that have been oven roasted with a little
oil and seasonings.

"You put mustard on the dog, then the potatoes on the mustard --
it's delicious," said Foster, who opened Jack's Back in 1996.

In addition to the potato dog, Jack's Back offers an array of
toppings.

"I love the hot pepper- and onion-topped hot dog," said Alan
Cirecco of Saddle Brook. "They're so hot they make my ears ache! That's
the way I like it."

For Tom McCarroll of Lodi, the biggest draw at Jack's Back is the
freshness of hot dogs and toppings. "And the chili sauce is delicious --
it's not something out of a can," he said.

Freshness is also key at readers' third-place hot dog eatery,
Cubby's BBQ Restaurant in Hackensack, says owner Robert Egan -- and it's
hot dog chef Roberto Rivera's job to cook the hot dogs just so.

"It takes a caring hand to make a good hot dog," said Egan. "People
who love hot dogs want them done right and that means you have to have
top ingredients and have to give it care and attention."

In the words of one e-mailer: "Normally I'm not a fan of hot dogs
until now. My sister told me that I absolutely had to try one, and so I
did (she was treating). To my amazement, I actually enjoyed it. I got
the dog with fried onions. So, after I had one bite, I decided that I
would treat her to another and so I did. I have been there every day
since."

Cubby's Texas wiener is the top-seller at $2.40. It's a Thumann's
natural-sheath beef and pork six-to-a-pound dog, fried and topped with
fresh chopped onions and homemade chili sauce prepared with ground chuck
and the rendered trimmings from Cubby's steaks.

While Cubby's chili sauce takes a Southwestern bent with chili and
garlic flavors, the No. 4 hot dog spot, Midtown Grill in Clifton, has a
"hot dog all the way" that features a secret sauce redolent of spices.
If olfactory nerves serve, cinnamon is key.

"It's a special recipe from 1959," said owner Jerry Dimitratos,
who has run Midtown Grill with partner Jimmy Doris since 1998. "People
love it and I wouldn't change a thing about it."

For $1.60, customers get a Thumann's eight-to-a-pound hot dog
topped with mustard, onions, and the secret recipe chili sauce.

The formula for success is simple for customer Frank Karpack of
Clifton: "The buns are steamed, and the dog is thick."

Most of The Record readers who voted did so by U.S. mail, but a
newcomer to the area received all of its votes via e-mail. Grill Street
in Teaneck earned praise from fans for its "Long Dog."

"This is a foot-long dog within a foot-long bun topped with
mustard, sauerkraut, pastrami, chili, or whatever meets your fancy -- but
not cheese, because this dog is strictly kosher," one e-mailer said.

Fifth and sixth places were tied. Goffle Grill in Hawthorne and Hot
Grill in Clifton tied for fifth, and Hot Dog House in Carlstadt and
Jolly Nick's in Dumont tied for sixth.

The Hot Dog House could have no fan more staunch than Pat
Chichizola of Lyndhurst. He grew up in Hoboken where, he says, there was
a hot dog wagon on every corner.

"I know hot dogs, and for the past seven to 10 years there has been
only one hot dog oasis -- Hot Dog House," Chichizola said. "You can have
hot dogs boiled or broiled. And they have only hot dogs. No hamburgers.
No sausages. No steak sandwiches. Just hot dogs. They get my vote."

Jolly Nick's can match Hot Dog House fan for fan. The No. 1 fan,
however, has to be David MacFarlane. Twenty-five years ago, when Jolly
Nick's was a small roadside eatery in Cresskill, he said, he adored
Jolly Nick's "Red Hot," a deep-fried hot dog with mustard and chopped
onions, topped with spicy hot relish sauce.

He mourned the loss of Jolly Nick's when it was torn down there
around 1985. And he was disappointed when Jolly Nick's reopened in a
small diner in Westwood serving hot dogs sans the original sauce.

"Then, about a year ago, Jolly Nick's appeared as a storefront
eatery-takeout on Madison Avenue in Dumont," he said. "Thank the
culinary gods, the `Red Hots' are back and just as good as ever."

Long-distance Goffle Grill lover Dorothy Donohue cast her vote from
San Diego, Calif.

"When we visit our beloved Garden State, we head for the Goffle
Grill for two dogs `all the way.' The best," she wrote. "Won't someone
open a branch in San Diego? Please?"

Equally enthusiastic about their favorite hot dog spot are Hot
Grill fans. Hot Grill has a hot dog so fresh and cooked so well that
"it snaps when you bite into it," said Judy Fomen of Wayne. "Then that
great sauce tackles your taste buds."

Food Editor Patricia Mack's e-mail address is mack(at)bergen.com

(SIDEBAR)

BEST OF THE WURSTS

Here's how Record readers scored hot dog hangouts.

1. Jack's Back (77)

216 Harrison Ave., Lodi

2. Rutt's Hut (47)

417 River Road, Clifton

3. Cubby's BBQ Restaurant (34)

249 S. River St., Hackensack

4. Midtown Grill (33)

1218 Main Ave., Clifton

5. Goffle Grill (32)

1140 Goffle Road, Hawthorne

and

Hot Grill, (32)

669 Lexington Ave., Clifton

6. Hot Dog House, (31)

510 Route 17 south, Carlstadt

and

Jolly Nicks (31)

31-C E. Madison Ave., Dumont

7. Grill Street (27)

184 W. Englewood Ave., Teaneck

8. Hiram's Roadstand (21)

1345 Palisade Ave., Fort Lee

9. Clixes (19)

529 Goffle Road, Wyckoff

10. Johnny and Hanges (17)

2320 Maple Ave., Fair Lawn

Illustrations/Photos: 5 PHOTOS 1 - COLOR PHOTO BY PETER MONSEES / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
- Toppings helped put Jack's Back in Lodi on top in the poll of The Record's
readers. 2 - COLOR PHOTO BY ED HILL / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER - Gus Chrisanfinis,
co-owner of Rutt's Hut in Clifton, with one of his winning franks. 3 - COLOR
PHOTO BY PETER MONSEES / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER - Terry Hughey of Cubby's in Hackensack,
where freshness is key to customers' hearts. 4 - COLOR PHOTO BY JIRO OSE / STAFF
PHOTOGRAPHER - Voters for fourth-place Midtown Grill in Clifton cite its steamed
buns and thick dogs. 5 - PHOTO BY KLAUS-PETER STEITZ / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER -
The potato dog is the top-seller at Jack's Back in Lodi, says owner Joyce Foster.

Keywords: FOOD. RESTAURANT. RANKING. NEW JERSEY. THE RECORD. POLL

Copyright 2000 Bergen Record Corp. All rights reserved.
HOT DOG HEAVENPATRICIA MACK, Food Editor
The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
06-14-2000
HOT DOG HEAVEN -- NORTH JERSEY RATES ITS FAVORITE FRANKS
By PATRICIA MACK, Food Editor
Date: 06-14-2000, Wednesday
Section: LIFESTYLE / FOOD
Edition: All Editions -- Two Star B, Two Star P, One Star B

Frankly speaking, Record readers are passionate about hot dogs.

Judging from responses to our poll of favorite hot dog hangouts, we
can only surmise that North Jerseyans are leading the nation in
consumption of the 20 billion frankfurters sold annually in America.

Stand proud. Show your chili dog stains. Write your name in
mustard.

Hot dogs rule.

Want some numbers? Rutt's Hut, which got the second highest vote
tally from our readers, is a Clifton truck-stop hot dog palace that's
been serving wieners since 1928. Currently, 1,500 hot dogs are slapped
into an equal number of fresh-baked buns at stainless steel counters
each week.

And weekly, Rutt's customers consume 30 to 40 gallons of Rutt's
signature hot dog accompaniment -- a thick, bright yellow mustardy
relish.

Longtime customers ask for a "ripper" -- so named because it is
deep-fried in hot oil until it splits, or "rips," down the center.

"No other place can hold a candle to their ripper," said Ed Reilly
of Rutherford, who has been a customer for 57 years. "Dressed with their
famous mustard relish, matched up with onion rings and a cup of their
dynamite chili -- gastronomical heaven."

But there's more to it than just love of a good hot dog. There's
just plain love.

"Memories," says owner George Sakellaris. "We have a huge parking
lot; years ago boys would bring a girl here. They'd get hot dogs, take
them out to their cars, eat, fool around, have a good time ...
Grandfathers courted here, their sons, and now their grandsons ... still
bringing a girl ..."

Rutt's Hut isn't the only popular hot dog stand where romance was
an accompaniment to great eats. Readers told us that Hiram's Roadstand
in Fort Lee, which placed eighth in our poll, holds fond memories for
more than the food.

"Back in 1964 when my husband and I were dating, we went to Hiram's
for a hot dog, fries, and Coke," said Beverly M. Harms of Wyckoff. "The
hot dogs were deep-fried and delicious, and topped with kraut and
mustard. I have a special place in my heart for Hiram's."

Although Johnny & Hanges in Fair Lawn didn't rack up the high
numbers in our unscientific survey, coming in 10th out of 51 hot dog
places nominated by readers, it did garner the most impassioned voters --
and from the farthest reaches.

Maureen McGrogan Heck faxed us from her home in Rancho Cucamonga,
Calif. Born in North Jersey in 1938, Heck says she grew up on Johnny &
Hanges hot dogs.

"Relatives who know how much I miss those dogs send me letters and
news about the place," Heck said. "Over the years, I've sent money for
T-shirts, and even got some sauce, keeping it in my freezer for years
along with a piece of Sicilian pizza, Drake's coffeecakes, and
Kinchley's [Ramsey] pizza, just to keep my N.J. memories alive.

"Occasionally, I receive pictures from my relatives," she said.
"There they are standing outside Johnny & Hanges -- just to rub it in."

Bill Schubert of Wyckoff, 70, says that he can write his
autobiography around hot dogs. His first hot dog came from Libby's, a
popular hot dog place on McBride Avenue, Paterson, in 1938. During the
1940s, all the kids in the neighborhood headed for Rutt's Hut after
basketball games.

Schubert has sampled every hot dog there is to sample, he says, and
his conclusion is that the best to be had is at Johnny & Hanges.

Clixes in Wyckoff, our ninth-place hot dog palace, has a similar
following of faithful hot dog lovers who make pilgrimages to this Goffle
Road classic.

John Golden of Wyckoff, a self-proclaimed hot dog maven, proclaims
Clixes the best.

"It's been family-run for 50 years, and makes the best sauce of any
place, anywhere," he said.

The formula for such long-running success is simple, say Nick and
Pat Sasso of Hawthorne: "Good sauce plus quality hot dogs plus great
service plus great owners."

One would think that this combination would catapult a hot dog
house to the top. Ironically, what mattered more to readers were
toppings, not the dogs, according to the votes tallied for our
first-place winner Jack's Back, a cheerful little cubbyhole of a
restaurant in Lodi, wallpapered with pictures of happy customers.

The top-selling dog there is the potato dog, said owner Joyce
Foster, who runs the place with husband Jack. The Sabrett hot dog is
topped with chopped potatoes that have been oven roasted with a little
oil and seasonings.

"You put mustard on the dog, then the potatoes on the mustard --
it's delicious," said Foster, who opened Jack's Back in 1996.

In addition to the potato dog, Jack's Back offers an array of
toppings.

"I love the hot pepper- and onion-topped hot dog," said Alan
Cirecco of Saddle Brook. "They're so hot they make my ears ache! That's
the way I like it."

For Tom McCarroll of Lodi, the biggest draw at Jack's Back is the
freshness of hot dogs and toppings. "And the chili sauce is delicious --
it's not something out of a can," he said.

Freshness is also key at readers' third-place hot dog eatery,
Cubby's BBQ Restaurant in Hackensack, says owner Robert Egan -- and it's
hot dog chef Roberto Rivera's job to cook the hot dogs just so.

"It takes a caring hand to make a good hot dog," said Egan. "People
who love hot dogs want them done right and that means you have to have
top ingredients and have to give it care and attention."

In the words of one e-mailer: "Normally I'm not a fan of hot dogs
until now. My sister told me that I absolutely had to try one, and so I
did (she was treating). To my amazement, I actually enjoyed it. I got
the dog with fried onions. So, after I had one bite, I decided that I
would treat her to another and so I did. I have been there every day
since."

Cubby's Texas wiener is the top-seller at $2.40. It's a Thumann's
natural-sheath beef and pork six-to-a-pound dog, fried and topped with
fresh chopped onions and homemade chili sauce prepared with ground chuck
and the rendered trimmings from Cubby's steaks.

While Cubby's chili sauce takes a Southwestern bent with chili and
garlic flavors, the No. 4 hot dog spot, Midtown Grill in Clifton, has a
"hot dog all the way" that features a secret sauce redolent of spices.
If olfactory nerves serve, cinnamon is key.

"It's a special recipe from 1959," said owner Jerry Dimitratos,
who has run Midtown Grill with partner Jimmy Doris since 1998. "People
love it and I wouldn't change a thing about it."

For $1.60, customers get a Thumann's eight-to-a-pound hot dog
topped with mustard, onions, and the secret recipe chili sauce.

The formula for success is simple for customer Frank Karpack of
Clifton: "The buns are steamed, and the dog is thick."

Most of The Record readers who voted did so by U.S. mail, but a
newcomer to the area received all of its votes via e-mail. Grill Street
in Teaneck earned praise from fans for its "Long Dog."

"This is a foot-long dog within a foot-long bun topped with
mustard, sauerkraut, pastrami, chili, or whatever meets your fancy -- but
not cheese, because this dog is strictly kosher," one e-mailer said.

Fifth and sixth places were tied. Goffle Grill in Hawthorne and Hot
Grill in Clifton tied for fifth, and Hot Dog House in Carlstadt and
Jolly Nick's in Dumont tied for sixth.

The Hot Dog House could have no fan more staunch than Pat
Chichizola of Lyndhurst. He grew up in Hoboken where, he says, there was
a hot dog wagon on every corner.

"I know hot dogs, and for the past seven to 10 years there has been
only one hot dog oasis -- Hot Dog House," Chichizola said. "You can have
hot dogs boiled or broiled. And they have only hot dogs. No hamburgers.
No sausages. No steak sandwiches. Just hot dogs. They get my vote."

Jolly Nick's can match Hot Dog House fan for fan. The No. 1 fan,
however, has to be David MacFarlane. Twenty-five years ago, when Jolly
Nick's was a small roadside eatery in Cresskill, he said, he adored
Jolly Nick's "Red Hot," a deep-fried hot dog with mustard and chopped
onions, topped with spicy hot relish sauce.

He mourned the loss of Jolly Nick's when it was torn down there
around 1985. And he was disappointed when Jolly Nick's reopened in a
small diner in Westwood serving hot dogs sans the original sauce.

"Then, about a year ago, Jolly Nick's appeared as a storefront
eatery-takeout on Madison Avenue in Dumont," he said. "Thank the
culinary gods, the `Red Hots' are back and just as good as ever."

Long-distance Goffle Grill lover Dorothy Donohue cast her vote from
San Diego, Calif.

"When we visit our beloved Garden State, we head for the Goffle
Grill for two dogs `all the way.' The best," she wrote. "Won't someone
open a branch in San Diego? Please?"

Equally enthusiastic about their favorite hot dog spot are Hot
Grill fans. Hot Grill has a hot dog so fresh and cooked so well that
"it snaps when you bite into it," said Judy Fomen of Wayne. "Then that
great sauce tackles your taste buds."

Food Editor Patricia Mack's e-mail address is mack(at)bergen.com

(SIDEBAR)

BEST OF THE WURSTS

Here's how Record readers scored hot dog hangouts.

1. Jack's Back (77)

216 Harrison Ave., Lodi

2. Rutt's Hut (47)

417 River Road, Clifton

3. Cubby's BBQ Restaurant (34)

249 S. River St., Hackensack

4. Midtown Grill (33)

1218 Main Ave., Clifton

5. Goffle Grill (32)

1140 Goffle Road, Hawthorne

and

Hot Grill, (32)

669 Lexington Ave., Clifton

6. Hot Dog House, (31)

510 Route 17 south, Carlstadt

and

Jolly Nicks (31)

31-C E. Madison Ave., Dumont

7. Grill Street (27)

184 W. Englewood Ave., Teaneck

8. Hiram's Roadstand (21)

1345 Palisade Ave., Fort Lee

9. Clixes (19)

529 Goffle Road, Wyckoff

10. Johnny and Hanges (17)

2320 Maple Ave., Fair Lawn

Illustrations/Photos: 5 PHOTOS 1 - COLOR PHOTO BY PETER MONSEES / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
- Toppings helped put Jack's Back in Lodi on top in the poll of The Record's
readers. 2 - COLOR PHOTO BY ED HILL / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER - Gus Chrisanfinis,
co-owner of Rutt's Hut in Clifton, with one of his winning franks. 3 - COLOR
PHOTO BY PETER MONSEES / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER - Terry Hughey of Cubby's in Hackensack,
where freshness is key to customers' hearts. 4 - COLOR PHOTO BY JIRO OSE / STAFF
PHOTOGRAPHER - Voters for fourth-place Midtown Grill in Clifton cite its steamed
buns and thick dogs. 5 - PHOTO BY KLAUS-PETER STEITZ / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER -
The potato dog is the top-seller at Jack's Back in Lodi, says owner Joyce Foster.

Keywords: FOOD. RESTAURANT. RANKING. NEW JERSEY. THE RECORD. POLL

Copyright 2000 Bergen Record Corp. All rights reserved.

Where shall we meet?

((PHOTO …

CROSSOVER SUMMARIES.(Sports)

CLASS AA

COLUMBIA 28, ALBANY 7

Columbia 0 6 0 22--28

Albany 0 0 0 7--7

First quarter

None

Second quarter

C--Alex Tesoriero 35 run (kick failed)

Third quarter

None

Fourth quarter

C--Tesoriero 6 run (Tesoriero run)

A--Kirk Scartlett 20 pass from Kawan Nunnally (Scott Moran kick)

C--Tesoriero 67 run (Tesoriero run)

C--Amani Wynne 2 run (run failed)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING--Columbia, Tesoriero 22-302, Wynne 10-55, Talar 2-5.Albany, Perry 6-40, Ford 5-30, Nunnally 2-8.

PASSING--Columbia, Talar 2-10-0-20.Albany, Nunnally 6-14-1-80.

RECEIVING--Columbia, Balzano 1-10, Tesoriero …

DESPITE YOUTH, WOMEN'S SOCCER KEEPS KICKING.(SPORTS)

Byline: ALAN HART Staff writer

Even after watching his young Skidmore College women's soccer team absorb a 3-0 beating at the hands of a more experienced and talented Union College team on Sept. 25, Thoroughbreds coach Terry Corcoran still had good things to say about his team.

Many good things.

``It's a very young group, and I'm pleased with the way they played so hard today,'' Corcoran said after the Thoroughbreds fell behind 3-0 in the first half but then regrouped to play the Dutchmen even through a scoreless second half.

``This (Union) is a top-ranked program with a lot of solid players. We wanted to come in here and not be …

INVESTOR PUSHES FOR MAJOR BOARD CHANGE AT MBNA.(Brief Article)

A major MBNA Corp. investor is urging fellow shareholders to vote for its resolution that two-thirds of the issuer's directors be independent of the Wilmington, DE-based issuer. The Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund, known as TIAA-CREF, submitted the resolution to be voted on at MBNA's May 3 shareholder meeting. TIAA-CREF has assets of $307 billion and holds 17.9 million MBNA shares. TIAA-CREF filed a letter with the Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday that will be sent to shareholders April 12. The letter contends that a majority of the current MBNA board have personal or business ties to the issuer and that the board has …