Small Clock

This clock holds a secret—and its construction involves a few secrets, too. The case is made from 1/2" thick mahogany plywood, which you won't find at most lumberyards. The secret is to make your own by gluing together two layers of 1/4" plywood. Another secret is to glue the moldings to the plywood case material first, so you can miter everything at the same time. It simplifies the building and sure beats mitering all the molding parts individually. Gold painted trim adds sparkle to the finished clock.

Tool and Materials

To build this clock, you'll need a tablesaw, a planer, a router in a router table and a drill press. You'll also need a couple of special router bits: a classic bit and a 1/8-in. round-over bit. An adjustable circle cutter is used to cut the round clock opening (see Sources). The clock is made from Honduras mahogany plywood and lumber, as well as wenge (pronounced Wen-gay or wenj). Wenge is a dark-brown tropical hardwood that nicely complements the mahogany's reddish-brown. For the clock case, you'll need 1/4-in.-thick mahogany plywood. It doesn't take much, so buy a partial sheet unless you plan to make several clocks. You'll also need a 3/4-in. x 6-in. x 48-in. piece of mahogany lumber and a chunk of wenge. Buy a piece of wenge that's at least 3 in. wide by 32 in. long. It's more than you actually need, but it's easier and safer to cut the parts from a piece this size, rather than one that's smaller. The battery-powered clock mechanism is a one-piece insert, which is simply friction-fit into a hole in the clock front. This makes it easy to change the batteries or the time. The total cost to make this clock is about $65 (see Sources).

PHOTO 1:Make your own 1/2-in. mahogany plywood for the clock case, because finding it at a lumberyard can be difficult. Use several bricks as clamps and a piece of cardboard to protect the plywood from getting scratched.		PHOTO 2: Cut two 1/8-in. dadoes in the face of the plywood panel. A thin molding that goes all the way around the clock will later be fit into the dadoes. Use a push block for safety and to maintain even pressure while sawing

Laminate Plywood First

Cut two 32-in. x 8-in. pieces of 1/4-in. mahogany plywood (Fig. B). Notice that the grain runs the short dimension on these parts. Glue these together to form the 1/2-in. mahogany plywood needed for the clock case (Photo 1). After the glue has dried, rip the 1/2-in. plywood to 7-1/2 in. wide on the tablesaw. Take about 1/4 in. off both edges so they are straight and parallel. Next, cut the two 1/8-in. dadoes in the face of the plywood (Photo 2, Fig. A).

PHOTO 3:Glue and clamp the flat trim pieces onto the plywood panel. Put a 1/8-in. x 1/4-in. spacer strip into the dadoes (without glue) and push the flat trim up against it. Remove the spacer strip after you've attached the clamps.		PHOTO 4: Rout the top and bottom moldings with a classic router bit. Use feather boards to hold the molding against the fence and table for the smoothest cut.

Attach the Molding and Trim

Make the upper and lower flat trim pieces (C, D, E and F). Place spacer strips in the small dadoes in the panel to provide a stop for the flat trim to push up against, and glue the flat trim to the 1/2-in. plywood panel (Photo 3). Remove the spacer sticks before the glue dries to prevent them from getting stuck. Next cut a strip of mahogany for the top and bottom moldings (G, H, J and K). Use a classic router bit to shape them (Photo 4). Note that the top molding is 1/8 in. thinner than the bottom molding and they are attached to the plywood so they mirror each other (Fig. A). Glue and clamp them to the plywood (Photo 5). The edge of the molding and the plywood should be flush. If they're not, wait until the glue has dried and trim the parts flush on your tablesaw. Complete the 1/2-in. plywood panel by cutting a rabbet at the top and bottom on the back side (Photo 6, Fig. A).

PHOTO 5:Glue and clamp the classic molding tight against the edge of the flat trim. The molding's outer side should be flush with the plywood edge. Trim off any molding or plywood overhang with your tablesaw.		PHOTO 6: Cut two rabbets in the plywood panel for the lid and bottom. Put a temporary wooden fence on your saw so you can push the fence right up to the dado blade.

Miter the Sides

Set your tablesaw blade to 45 degrees and miter some test boards. Then use a tablesaw sled to miter the clock's four sides. Start by cutting the sides about 1/4 in. oversize (Photo 7). It's OK to leave the extra material on one edge. It will be cut off when you cut the parts to final width (Photo 8). Cut slowly to avoid chip-out on the moldings. Wenge is particularly prone to chip-out, but cutting at a slower rate helps avoid that problem. If you do get a chip, save it and glue it back on. Use a toothpick to apply the glue and masking tape to hold the chip in place. Drill the opening for the clock insert into the clock case front (A, Photo 9). The clock insert is centered vertically on the case front between the two gold half-bead trim pieces (L).

PHOTO 7:Cut one miter on all four case sides with a shop-made saw sled. Cut the sides a little extra wide at this step. Pushing more slowly than normal helps reduce chip-out on the moldings.		PHOTO 8: Miter the sides to final width. Hold each piece in place with a toggle clamp. This ensures a straight cut and keeps your hands out of harm's way.

PHOTO 9:Drill the hole for the clock with a circle cutter. Set the drill press to its slowest speed and hold the part with two toggle clamps. Secure the backer board to the drill table with a couple of clamps.		PHOTO 10: Assemble the sides with glue and masking tape. Pull the masking tape tight and check that the miters align tightly.

Assemble the Case

Apply glue to two sides first and hold them together with masking tape. Add the other two sides one at a time. Stretch the tape, so it pulls the parts tightly together (Photo 10). Then glue in the bottom and add the four feet (S, Photo 11). Next make the lid (N). Cut the rabbets on the bottom of the lid (Detail 1). Check that the lid fits easily into the rabbet in the top of the clock case. Now make the half-bead trim (L, M, P, Q) that goes around the case and the lid. This trim is very small, but is easy to make using our step-by-step cutting sequence (Fig. C). Miter the half-bead trim that goes around the lid and attach it to the underside of the lid (Photos 12 and 13). You'll need some small spring clamps to hold these trim pieces in place while the glue dries (see Sources). Set aside the strips of half-bead trim (L, M) that go around the case. They will be used later.

PHOTO 11:Glue the bottom into the rabbet that runs around the sides. Then attach the feet. Set the feet 1/8 in. in from the edge of the molding.		PHOTO 12: Miter the half-bead trim using a small handsaw and mitering jig. The jig is simply two mitered boards glued to a piece of plywood.

PHOTO 13:Glue the half-bead trim into the small rabbet on the bottom side of the lid. Remove one of the jaw covers from the spring clamp to provided more pressure on the small trim. Leave the other jaw cover on to protect the lid's top from getting dented.		PHOTO 14: Stain the clock case to even out any differences in wood color between the solid lumber and plywood parts. When the stain is dry, apply a clear finish.

PHOTO 15:Apply three coats of gold paint to the half-bead trim that goes around the clock case. Sand between coats to remove any roughness. Install the trim after the paint is dry.		PHOTO 16: Install the clock mechanism. It's simply a pressure fit, requiring no fasteners.

Finishing Touches

Sand the entire clock case and lid with 180-grit paper and stain it (Photo 14). A red mahogany stain gives the mahogany a deep rich tone and helps even out any color difference between the plywood and the lumber (see Sources). After the stain dries thoroughly (24 to 48 hours), brush on a satin polyurethane varnish (see Sources). While the stain and finish dry, paint the half-bead trim gold (L, M, Photo 15). Miter it to final length and glue it into the dadoes on the clock case. All that's left now is to install the battery in the clock mechanism, set the time and insert it into the clock case (Photo 16). Oh, yeah, don't forget to add the candy.

Getting Cutting List
Sources
Woodworker's Supply, (800) 645-9292, www.woodworker.com, Circle cutter, #829-757, $18 each
1-in. spring clamps, #125-033, $2 each.

MLCS, (800) 533-9298, www.mlcswoodworking.com, 1/4-in. classic router bit, #6491,
$26 each, 1/8-in. round-over router bit, #6350, $11 each. Rockler Companies, Inc. (800) 279-4441
www.rockler.com, Clock insert, #23995, $11 each.
Jo-Ann Stores, (800) 525-4951, www.joann.com, Liquid Leaf Classic Gold, $5 per 2 oz.

Woodworkers Source, (800) 423-2450, www.woodworkerssource.com, 3/4-in.-thick wenge, $15 per bd. ft.
Wood & Shop Inc. (314) 731-2761, www.woodnshop.com, 1/4-in. mahogany plywood, 48-in. x 24-in., $20 per piece.

Minwax Co. (800) 523-9299 (for dealer locations), www.minwax.com, Satin Polyurethane Varnish, $12 per quart, Red Mahogany Stain, #225, $8 per quart.

Breakfast Bar

Breakfast Bar

By Keith Antolik
Breakfast bars and side shelves are usually rather bland and basic; essentially they are little more than a plank of wood. However, Keith Antolik saw the opportunity to build a far more interesting project that looks far nicer than a typical bar shelf. The project was built out of white oak and all of the dimensions can be easily changed to fit your specific needs.

Construction

Tools required: Router, sander, belt sander

Wood list: (white oak)

Description	Qty	Thickness	Width	Length
Top	4	1 1/16" (27 mm)	4" (102 mm)	72" (1829 mm)
Top Decorative molding	1	1 1/16" (27 mm)	1 1/2" (38 mm)	71 1/2" (1816 mm)
Side of Skirt	2	3/4" (19 mm)	3 1/2" (89 mm)	6 3/8" (162 mm)
Side of skirt 2	2	3/4" (19 mm)	3 1/2" (89 mm)	11 1/2" (292 mm)
Front of skirt	1	3/4" (19 mm)	3 1/2" (89 mm)	52 3/4" (1340 mm)
Drawer fronts	3	3/4" (19 mm)	2" (51 mm)	12" (305 mm)
Back of Skirt	1	3/4" (19 mm)	2" (51 mm)	67 1/2" (1715 mm)
Mounting blocks	1	3/4" (19 mm)	3/4" (19 mm)	78 3/4" (2000 mm)
Bracing (plywood)	1	3/4" (19 mm)	4" (102 mm)	40" (102 mm)

The first thing that I had to do was to decide on the overall length and width of the side shelf. My friend Dan and I decided on a shelf that was 72" long and 16" deep. I elected to use 5/4" stock for the top (which is actually 1 1/16" thick) in order to get both the strength and the look that I wanted. To get this width, it is necessary to join several planks together. I chose to join four boards that were 4 1/8 x 1 x 72" and once these were joined, I cut it down to the required width of 16". To connect the boards together, it is best to use dowel joints, or biscuits joints as these will give additional strength over basic gluing and clamping.

Once you have glued the planks together, cut the 45 degree angle on each end. Once this is done, give the panel a rough sanding with a belt sander to roughly smooth off the plank. Once this is done, rout the edges of the panel (not the back though) to get the edging profile that you desire. It is best to experiment on some scrap wood before beginning the rout, just to make sure that you are happy with the depth and profile of the chosen cut.

The skirt

Miter one end of each of the five skirt pieces (the four side skirt pieces and the front skirt piece) to a 22 1/2 degree angle. Then, set up the stop block to the exact length of each board and cut the boards to the proper length. Join the skirt pieces (at a 22 1/2 degree angle) using either a biscuit joiner, or dowel joints. Then, cut the back piece of the skirt. the main reason for this piece is to aid in the gluing process of the skirt. I drilled pocket holes on the end of the back piece to join it and secured this piece to the 3 1/2" x 6 3/8" side of the skirt prior to gluing. The easiest way to clamp the skirt while it is gluing is using band clamps.

Drawer Fronts

The drawer fronts are relatively basic. Just cut to the correct dimensions and use the router to add a neat edging. You should always rout the end grain first to eliminate any possible tear out.

Once you have cut the drawer fronts, rout the top decorative molding to match the drawers.

Assembly

Cut the 3/4" x 3/4" stock and pre-drill clearance holes for mounting the top panel. Next mount the 3/4" x 3/4" blocks to the top inside of the skirt with glue and small nails. Then, drill clearance holes into the drawer fronts for the hardware (the drawer knobs) and into the front of the skirt. The holes in the skirt are to install and tighten up any hardware that may work loose over time and to possible change the style of the hardware to match or fit a different need. Attach the top decorative molding with glue and small nails. Cut the angle braces to the proper dimensions and attach with glue and nails. Make sure you don't cover the access holes that you drilled into the front of the skirt.

The project was finished using a golden oak color, followed by three coats of varnish.

Now You just need two stools.

Halloween Treats for the Kids

LITTLE MONSTERS

Your little monsters will love these tasty treats. So fun and easy to make, just drop the mixture off a spoon and decorate by using small circle candy decorations as eyes. Make them all look different so each monster has its own personality!

Prep Time: 10 minutes, plus chilling time
Freezing: excellent
Serving: about 28

Ingredients:

2 cups (500mL) chow mein noodles
1 cup (250mL) crispy rice cereal
1 cup (250mL) miniature marshmallows
2 cups (500mL) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can (300mL) Eagle Brand® Regular or Low Fat Sweetened Condensed Milk

Preparation:

1. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Combine chow mein noodles, cereal and marshmallows in a large bowl.
3. Place chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a heat-proof bowl. Bring a small amount of water (about 2 in/5cm) high to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat. Place bowl over water, ensuring the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl. Stir occasionally until chocolate is melted and combined with the sweetened condensed milk.
4. Pour chocolate mixture over ingredients in bowl. Stir to coat with chocolate.
5. Drop by heaping tablespoon (15mL) on prepared baking sheets. Let each one have its own shape and personality. Using small circle candy decorations, place 2 on each one for eyes. This will bring your little monsters to life! Refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. Serve cold.

Tips:

You can find the chow mein noodles in the produce or rice section of the grocery store. They are crispy cooked noodles that have the texture of a pretzel. If you cannot find them just replace with stick pretzels

 SPOOKY PIE

 Whip up this delicious dessert to serve at your party. Sprinkle the top of the tart with orange and black-coloured sprinkles. Cut out a wax paper ghost shape and drop sprinkles around it. Then finish off with a spider web design made from small pieces of black licorice. Boo!

Prep Time: 15 minutes plus chilling & decorating time
Serving: 12 servings

Ingredients:

1 can (300 mL) Eagle Brand® Regular or low Fat Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 cup (250 mL) cold water
1 pkg (102g) 4 serving size instant vanilla flavour pudding mix
2 cups (500 mL) frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
1 9” (23cm) prepared graham cracker crust
Assorted candies, coloured sprinkles or halloween candy cutouts

Preparation:

1. In a large bowl, blend sweetened condensed milk and water with hand held wire whisk or electric mixer.
2. Beat in pudding mix until blended.
3. Chill at least 10 minutes.
4. Fold in whipped topping.
5. Spoon into pie crust, chill and decorate.

Tips:
To make “Scary Tart” in a great Halloween Theme…try our decorating tips:
Sprinkle top of tart with orange/black coloured sprinkles,
Place Halloween shaped sugar candies on top of centre of tart,
Cut out a wax paper ghost shape.
Place wax paper ghost on tart; drop sprinkles around the wax paper and then carefully lift paper away,
Create a spider web design on top of the tart by cutting small pieces of licorice and placing them on top of the tart making your own web design.

Ask Maxy

Dear Maxy,
My eldest brother has a secret. Before he met his wife , he was married and had two children in a country that does not have divorce . This was 25 years ago . The first marriage was very rocky , and my brother left his wife  while she was pregnant  with their second child . He then met his current wife and moved to the U.S. His current wife doesn't know anything about his previos marriage .
The eldest son from his first wife , who was six when my brother abandoned him , has contacted me . He wants to meet his father . He is an emotional wreck  because of my brother's behavior . He says he want to  know his father and have closure . I don't know what to do .
Worried Sister
Dear Sister,
tell your brother immediately about the contact with his son , and encourage him to make this right . While it is not your place to inform his current wife ( and possibly destroy his marriage  ), your brother must realize that his son could easily contact another person in the family . He should come clean before someone else does it for him .
Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
My husband insists on lounging on our corduroy sofa after he exercises . He is literally dripping with sweat , and every inch of his clothing is soaked . I have asked him nicely to please shower first , but he gets angry and says he doesn't need to . He insists I'm overreacting . I hate to be a nag , but I am tired of damp , smelly furniture . How do I deal with this ?
Stinky's Wife
Dear Wife ,
The simplest solution is covering the corduroy sofa  with sheets or towels or a washable sofa cover . But you may consider giving him a gym membership so he can  work out (and hopefully shower) elsewhere . If he works out at home , place the treadmill or other equipment in another area of the house so he's likely to lounge on something that won't obsorb so much moisture .
Maxy

Dear Maxy,
We live in a small rural area . We love the community, school , church , etc. , but I am sad for my daughter . "Tess" is a junior i  high school . About six months ago , one friend became angry with her for some reason  and manage to get the rest of their group to ostracize her as well . It breaks my heart that Tess no longer has friends . She sits home night after after night . It also makes me angry that one girl can have so much control over other people. This is just like bullying . And those who allow this to happen  are just as guilty as she is . Shame on them.
As a parent , I want to jump in and let them know how harmful they are being to my daughter , but I realize it will only make things worse. What can I do ?
Hurting for My Daughter
Dear Hurting ,
This is not  "just like" bullying . It absolutely is bullying . Some of these things resolve themselves over time , although six months is a long wait. Did Tess do something for which an apology would help ? Could Tess meet with the ringleader privately and come to an understanding ?
If no reconciliation is possible , please encourge Tess to find new friends  both in and out of school ... perhaps at church or through sport groups . She can also check kidshealth.org to find better ways to cope. She should not be moping around at home . And if these "mean girls" are verbally or physically nasty to Tess , you should report it to the principal and make sure they are held accountable for their behavior .
Maxy

Food For Thought ----- Drunk Pumpkins

If you are carving a jack-o'lanterm this year , don't discard the seeds . Roast them instead . Here's how according to lsuagcenter.com

*** Rinse seeds in a colander and pick out the pulp and strings . Dry.

***  Coat 1 cup of seeds with 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon seasoning  of your choice.

*** Place seeds in a single layor on a baking sheet coated with non-stick cooking spray .

***  Bake at 250 degres F until toasted , about  1 hour  and stirring every 15 minutes.

*** Let cool and store in an airtight container.

The kids will love them  ... the growups too.

Italian-Style Meat Loaf

I               can (6 ounces) no-salt-salt-added tomato paste

1/2          cup dry red wine plus 1/2 cup water  ( or 1 cup of water)

I               tablespoon minced garlic 

1/2          teaspoon dried basil leaves 

1/2          teaspoon dried oregano leaves 

1/4          teaspoon salt

12            ounces lean ground round

12            ounces ground turkey breast

1              cup fresh whole wheat bread crumbs  (2 slices whole wheat bread )

1/2          cup shedded zucchini 

1/4          cup cholesterol-free egg substitute or 2 egg whites.

1)           Preheat oven to 350*F . Combine tomato paste , wine , water , garlic , basil , oregano and salt in small sausepan . Bring to a boil ; reduce heat to low .

Simmer , uncovered , 15 minutes . Set aside.

2)          Combine beef , turkey , bread crumbs , zucchini , eggs substitute and 1/2 cup reserved tomato mixture in large bowl . Mix well . Shape into a loaf ; place into ungreased 9X5X3-inch loaf pan . Bake 45 minutes . Discard any dripping . Pour 1/2 cup remaining tomato mixture over top of loaf . Bake an additional 15 minutes . Place on serving platter . Cool 10 minutes before slicing . Garnish as desired .

Makes 8 serving ...heart healthy. 

Interview With a One Year Old

Ear Infections Myths

Every child is bound to suffer least one infection , and some experience several , says our  children expert  Dr.  Michel Cohen . Rare before six months of age , ear infections primarily afflict toddlers , and  the frequency tapers off as children get older .

They frequently follow a cold or flu , because such ailments create a germ-friendly environment. The degree of pain varies . Some ear infections may go un-noticed , while others can be excruciating for your child . The pain peaks in the first 24 hours and rarely last for more than a couple of days , but  a sensation of fullness or ringing in the ear may linger for up to a week after the infection has gone . For children over six months  , soothe the pain with acetaminophen  or ibupofen and observe for signs of a persisting infection.

If the infection does not subside on it's own within a couple of days , an oral antibiotic prescribed by your doctor is warranted . Infants younger than  six months  of age should always use antibotics when treating ear infections for fear of complication. But as a parent you should know that it's not your fault if your child gets sore ears . Some myths say that certain diets are harmful to your child's ear , or letting them  swim will increase their chances .

Here are some myths that our doctor would like to clear up .

*** Swimming with an ear infection is not a problem unless the ear drum is perforated .

*** Allergies neither cause nor increasse the chances of getting ear infections .

*** Eliminating milk , wheat , or anything else from your child's diet won't minimize the chance of an ear infection .

*** Your can't treat or prevent simple ear  infections with ear drops of any kind , drops don't past through the ear drum , which seals the middle ear  from the outside .

Ask Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
More than forty years ago , I was the target of cruel bullying . A girl who hated me started a vicious rumor that ruined my reputation . She said I slept with the entire football team. If that wasn 't enough , she and a carful of girls drove by my house one night while I was sitting with my parents and blurted out this terrible lie . My father went to her house and told her parents what she did , but it didn't help . My own mother questioned me about the truth of it .
This lie has trailed me my whole life . It had haunted me for years  , and I have had moments of self-loathing to the point of wanting to die.
This "girl" now is the pillar of the community and a do-gooder , but I've been told she is hateful. My question is ; How do I get over this ? I went to therapy and asked about confronting this person . I was told it was pointless , that she doesn't remember . This rumor destroyed my life . What should I do ?
Broken
Dear Broken,
If confronting this woman would make you feel better , go right ahead. However , she seems the type who would derive great satisfaction from knowing how much power she has had over your life for the past 40 years.  And you have given her that power by clinging to your hurt . The best revenge is to live a terrific , rewarding life  in which this woman is insignificant . You need to heal from this grievious wound , and it requires forgiveness and acceptance  so you can move forward  without anger . Please return for counseling . One session is not enough to work through this .
Maxy

Dear Maxy .
My husband is a retired supervisor  from a local government job . As a result , we often go to functions where all employees are invited  , both the retired and those still working .
One of the people my husband hired before he left singles me out and makes embarrassing remarks about me in front of the group , but only when my husband is out of the room . I have tried to politely ignore him  and have also asked for some support from my husband . He thinks I should just suck it up . As a result of this unkind behavior , I no longer wish to attend these functions .
Now my husbands is angry with me . What am I suppose to do ?
Sad
Dear Sad ,
When adolescent boys had a crush on a girl , they would pull their pigtails . When this man makes inappropriate comments about you , put on your sultriest look , smile and say loudly for everone to hear , "My , my . You are really desperate for my attention , especially when my husband isn't around ." No matter what he says after that , you should respond as if he is trying to hide an infatuation . That should do it .
Maxy

Dear Maxy,
I got together with this guy I have been dating a few months , and things got a little frisky . It was a lot of fun until we were slightly undressed and he stopped and told me that he didn't realize I was fat and immediately put his clothes back on  and said he couldn't go there with me  because he didn't like my body.
I was so upset . I'm kind of a chubby girl, but how could he not know that ? I have never pretended to be a different size . It was horrible.
He has subsequently called me to apologize , but it doesn't change how he feels . Should I walk away ? I don't knoe what to do .
Marjorie
Dear Marjorie ,
I'm so glad you didn't go any further in this frisky department with this man . He does not deserve you if he doesn't respect you as you are . Leave now and forever hold your peace.
Maxy

Baby Polar Bear

Natural Treatments For Hair loss in Women

Finding clumps of hair in your brush can be traumatic, whatever your age, but it's not unusual - statistics show that hair loss affects about 30 million women in the U.S. alone.

There are a variety of possible causes behind hair loss. Pattern baldness or permanent hair loss is simply the result of genetics. Increased hair shedding or temporary hair loss can result from poor nutrition, genetics, imbalanced hormones, medications such as chemotherapy, radiation treatment, infections, chronic stress, and rapid weight loss, to name a few. Certain illnesses and diseases - like anemia, low thyroid hormone levels, lupus, and some cancers - can also cause hair loss or hair shedding. In most of these cases, hair loss is not permanent.

As well, sometimes dropping weight too quickly, or fad or extremely low-carbohydrate diets, can cause imbalances in the body that result in increased hair shedding. Following a healthy weight-loss program can prevent this from happening. The Hormone Diet, which is balanced in protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats, may help to prevent such nutritional deficiencies.

The first step to determining the treatment for hair loss is to identify the cause behind it. Even the pattern of hair loss can help to establish the root source. For example, women may lose hair from the crown of the head - similar to male pattern baldness - with an elevation of testosterone levels, whereas nutritional deficiencies may cause generalized hair loss over the whole head.

Recommend blood testsIn all cases of hair loss, it's also important to ensure that the following blood tests are completed by your doctor:

1. TSH, free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies: These are tested to assess thyroid gland function. All of them should be completed to properly diagnose a thyroid condition that may result in excessive hair loss. (Note: Optimally, your TSH should be less than 2.5.)
2. Ferritin: This is the storage form of iron. Low iron (<70) is a very common cause of hair loss.
3. Vitamin B12 and folic acid: Low levels of ether of these nutrients may cause hair loss.
4. Copper and zinc: Excess copper relative to zinc could result in hair loss.
5. Dihydrotestosterone: High levels of this hormone are related to hair loss in both men and women.
6. Progesterone and estradiol: Low levels of estrogen can cause an increase in hair loss.
7. DHEAs and cortisol: High levels of cortisol or low DHEAs may contribute to hair loss.
8. Free and total testosterone: High levels of testosterone in women could accelerate hair loss.
9. Biotin: A deficiency of biotin can cause progressive hair loss.

Helpful supplements to prevent hair loss
A balanced diet can help prevent or reverse hair loss when it's cause by nutritional deficiencies, but supplements can also be useful. The principal nutrients involved in healthy hair growth are vitamin A, certain B vitamins, biotin, vitamin C, copper, iron and zinc. Sufficient protein and water intake are also important.
1. Iron: This mineral's main job is to carry oxygen in the hemoglobin of red blood cells. Iron deficiency can lead to a condition called anemia and to possible hair loss or increased hair shedding. Anemia can be easily diagnosed with a blood test and is characterized by fatigue, weakness and general poor health. Anemia can be caused by more than just iron deficiency. The reference daily intake for iron is 18mg. The recommended daily allowance of iron increases during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
2. Zinc: Dandruff and hair loss are both conditions associated with zinc deficiency. Zinc is a mineral that promotes cell reproduction and tissue growth and repair. Zinc also functions in the maintenance of the oil-secreting glands attached to hair follicles. The reference daily intake of zinc is 15mg for the average adult.
3. Vitamin B6, B12, folic acid and biotin: All of these B vitamins are essential to the creation of red blood cells or the hemoglobin (iron-containing) portion of red blood cells. Hemoglobin's main function is to carry oxygen from the lungs to tissues in the body, including the hair. Healthy and strong hair requires a constant supply of blood and oxygen. A deficiency of these B vitamins can cause reduced blood and oxygen supply to the hair, leading to increased hair shedding, damaged hair, and slow regrowth. Although uncommon, sometimes a biotin deficiency can also contribute to hair loss. The reference daily intake for biotin is 300mcg for the average adult.
4. Vitamin C: A vitamin-C deficiency can make hair more likely to split and break. This usually only occurs with severe deficiency and can be reversed when vitamin C intake is increased. Vitamin C is essential to producing collagen, a connective tissue that gives structure by holding tissues in the body together, including the tissue in hair. The reference daily intake for vitamin C is 60mg for the average adult. People who smoke need double that amount. You should take 1000mg of vitamin C two to four times daily.

Wedding Reception video - Best Men do Thriller Dance

50 Cent Donating 2 Million Meals For Million Facebook "Likes"

50 Cent wants to feed the world .

The rapper and entrepreneur's engery drink line Street King , previously announced it's goal of providing a billion meals for hungry children over the next five years by donating a meal for every purchase .

Today 50 Cent declared that he would jump start the initiative by donating a meal for every  Facebook "like" Street King gets over the next week .

Even better ... if the campaign meets its goal of 1 million "likes" in 1 week , Fiddy has vowed to double the donation , meaning he'd pay for an additional million meals.

If you want to help out with the "hustle to 1 MM," check out Street King's Facebook page .

           50 Cent launches Street King .

Luscious Four-Layer Pumpkin Cake

        Prep : 20 minutes ----Total : 40 minutes

1          package (2-layer size) yellow cake mix
1          can (15 ounce) pumpkin , divided
1/2       cup milk
1/3       cup  olive oil ( vegetable oil)
4          large eggs
1 1/2    tsp. pumpkin spice , divided
1          package (8 ounce) Philadelphia Cream Cheese , softened
1          cup powdered sugar 
1          tub (8 ounce) Cool Whipped Topping , thawed
1/4       cup caramel topping 
1/2       cup Planters Pecans

Preheat oven to 350*F . Grease and flour 2 (9-in) round cake pans . Beat cake mix , 1 cup pumpkin , milk , oil ,eggs and 1 tespoon of the pumpkin spice in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended . Pour evenly into prepared pans .

Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean . Cool completely on wire racks . Meanwhile , beat cream cheese in small bowl  with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy . Add powdered sugar , remaining pumpkin  and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice  and mix well . Stir in whipped topping .

Remove cake layers from pans ; cut each layer horizonally in half with a serrated knife . Stack the layers on a serving plate , spreading the cream cheese mixture between the layers . Do not frost the top layer . Drizzle with caramel topping and pecans . Store in refrigerator .

Makes 16 servings.----- yummy good  .

Sliding Bookrack

This bookrack works on a very simple principle: friction. The bookends are adjustable, sliding on two rails to hold any set of books. But when you push the ends up to the books, they tilt slightly and bind against the rails. They’re locked in place. When you pull a book out, the ends are released and free to slide again. Make the Parts 1. Mill the bookends (A), endcaps (B) and bases (C) to final size. Mill the rails (D) an extra 1/8 in. thick. 2. Cut the bookends, endcaps and bases on the bandsaw (Photo 1; Fig. A, page 46). Sand the sawn edges. Use 100-, 120- and 150-grit sandpaper. 3. Rout the bookend profile with a 3/8-in. rabbeting bit (Photo 2; Fig. A, Detail 1). Raise the bit in 1/16-in. increments to avoid tear-out. Use a chisel to square the rabbet’s inside corners. 4. Cut shallow mortises into the bookends (Fig. A, Detail 1). Cut through mortises in the endcaps and rails (Photo 3; Fig. A, Details 2 and 3). 5. Plane the rails to final thickness (Photo 4). 6. Cut tenons on the rails using a dado set (Fig. A, Detail 3). 7. Make pegs (E) from 3/8-in.-thick square blank. Cut the pegs to length with a Japanese pull saw, dovetail saw or bandsaw. Assemble the Bookrack 8. Glue and clamp the rails and endcaps. Work on a flat surface. Check the assembly for wobble before you set it aside to dry. 9. Glue pegs (E) into the bookends and endcaps (Photo 5). Leave the pegs proud by at least 1/16 in. Scrape excess glue from around the pegs before the glue dries. 10. Use 180-grit sandpaper in a random-orbit sander to round the edges of the pegs. 11. Mark the positions of the bookend slots directly from the rail and endcap assembly. Cut the slots using your miter gauge and a tall auxiliary fence (Photo 6). Make multiple passes, raising the blade 1/4 in. with each cut. 12. Predrill the bases and bookends. Screw these parts together on the rail and endcap assembly and test their fit. There should be a little play so the bookends will slide. Disassemble the bases and bookends for finishing. 13. Sand with 180- and 220-grit sandpaper to gently round the edges of the bookends, endcaps, rails and bases. Don’t sand the bookends’ bottom edges. 14. Apply the finish. I used a mixture of cherry and medium-walnut Danish oil to achieve a beautiful warm tone, and wiped on two coats. 15. After the finish is dry, apply a coat of paste wax over every surface and rub out with #0000 steel wool to an even sheen. This is an essential step. The wax lubricates the rails, allowing the bookends to slide smoothly. 16. Screw the bases to the bookends and load the rack with books.

Photo 1: Begin by sawing the sliding bookends and other curved pieces. You can cut two at the same time. Hold the pieces together with double-stick tape. Photo 2: Rout a stepped profile on the bookends using a rabbeting bit. To safely begin the cut, pivot the workpiece against a starting pin. Once started, you can ride on the bit’s bearing. Photo 3: Cut square holes through the rails using a mortising machine. Some tear-out on the back is inevitable, even with a sacrificial board under the rail, but you’ll remove it in the next step. Photo 4: Plane the rails to final thickness. Place the torn-out sides facing up. They’ll come out perfectly smooth. Photo 5: Glue walnut pegs into the square holes. The heads of the pegs should be slightly proud of the surface. Round over their sharp corners with sandpaper after the glue is dry. Photo 6: Cut slots in the bookends. Their spacing is critical for the bookends to slide smoothly on the rails. Assemble the base first; then mark each slot’s position directly from the rails.

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DNA Sequenced of Woman Who Lived to 115

The entire DNA sequence of a woman who lived to 115 has been pieced together by scientists.

The woman, who was the oldest in the world at the time of her death, had the mind of someone decades younger and no signs of dementia, say Dutch experts. The study, reported at a scientific conference in Canada, suggests she had genes that protected against dementia. Further work could give clues to why some people are born with genes for a long life, says a UK scientist. "It is more than 10 years since the first draft of the human genetic code was revealed. Sequencing the genome of the world's oldest woman is an important starting point ”

ince then, perhaps a few hundred individuals have had their genes mapped in full, as the technology to "read" DNA gets better and cheaper. The woman, whose identity is being kept secret, and is known only as W115, is the oldest person to have her genes mapped.

She donated her body to medical science, allowing doctors to study her brain and other organs, as well as her entire genetic code. Dr Henne Holstege, of the Department of Clinical Genetics at the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, says she appeared to have some rare genetic changes in her DNA. It is not yet clear what role they carry out, but it appears there is something in her genes that protects against dementia and other diseases of later life. Dr Holstege said "We know that she's special, we know that her brain had absolutely no signs of Alzheimer's. There must be something in her body that is protective against dementia. We think that there are genes that may ensure a long life and be protective against Alzheimer's."

W115 was born prematurely and was not expected to survive. But she lived a long and healthy life, and entered a care home at the age of 105. She eventually died from a stomach tumour, having been treated for breast cancer at the age of 100. A test of her mental skills at the age of 113 showed she had the performance of a woman aged 60-75 years.

At post-mortem examination, doctors found no evidence of dementia or the furring of the arteries seen in heart disease. They are making her gene sequence available to other researchers, to further the cause of science. The work, which has yet to be published, was presented at the American Society of Human Genetics annual meeting in Montreal, Canada.
Commenting on the study, Dr Jeffrey Barrett, of the Sanger Centre in Cambridge, UK, said it was an important proof of principle. He said at the meeting, "Sequencing the genome of the world's oldest woman is an important starting point to understand how DNA variation relates to the process of having a long, healthy life.

"But in order to really understand the underlying biology of living a long, healthy life, we will need to look at the DNA sequence of hundreds or thousands of people."

Chuckles for the Ladies

A man meets a gorgeous woman in a bar. They talk, they connect, and they end up leaving together. They get back to her place, and as she shows him around, he notices that her bedroom is completely packed with teddy bears. Hundreds of small bears are on a shelf all the way along the floor, medium sized ones are on a shelf a little higher, and huge bears are on the top shelf along the wall. The man is kind of surprised by the collection, especially because it’s so extensive, but he decides not to mention this to her. She turns to him…they kiss…then they rip each other’s clothes off and romp around the room all night. After an intense night of passion, as they are lying there together in the afterglow, the man rolls over and asks, smiling, “Well, how’d I do?” The woman says, “You can have any prize from the bottom shelf.”

---

A woman's husband had been slipping in and out of a coma for several months, yet she had stayed by his bedside every single day. One day, when he came to, he motioned for her to come nearer. As she sat by him, he whispered, eyes full of tears, "You know what? You have been with me all through the bad times. When I got fired, you were there to support me. When my business failed, you were there. When I got shot, you were by my side. When we lost the house, you stayed right here. When my health started failing, you were still by my side. You know what?" "What dear?" she asked gently, smiling as her heart began to fill with warmth. ”I think you're bad luck."

---

A woman went to her doctor's office. She was seen by one of the new doctors, but after about 4 minutes in the examination room, she burst out screaming and ran down the hall. An older doctor stopped her and asked what the problem was, and she explained. He had her sit down and relax in another room. The older doctor marched back to the first and demanded, "What's the matter with you? Mrs. Terry is 63 years old, she has four grown children and seven grandchildren, and you told her she was pregnant?" The new doctor smiled smugly as he continued to write on his clipboard. "Cured her hiccups though, didn't it?"

Pumpkin Double Take : Double Layer Pumpkin Pie

          Prep time : 30 minutes   /   Total time 30 minutes  (incl . refrigerating)

4    oz. (half of an 8-oz pkg) Philadephia Cream Cheese , softened

1    cup plus 1 tablespoon milk , divided

1     tablespoon  sugar

1     tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip Whipped Topping , thawed , divided

1     Honey Maid Graham Pie Crust (6 oz)

1     can (15 oz ) pumpkin

2     pkg. (4 oz size each) Jell-o Vanilla Flavor instant Pudding & Pie Filling

!      teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2  teaspoon ground ginger

1/4   teaspoon ground cloves

Mix cream cheese , 1 Tbsp . milk and sugsr in large bowl  with wire whisk until blended . Gently stir in half of the whipped topping . Spread into crust .

Pour 1 cup milk into large bowl . Add pumpkin , pudding mixes and spices . Beat with wire whisk 2 minutes  or until well blended . (Mixture will be thick ). Spread over cream cheese layer .

Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight . Garnish remaining whipped topping . Store leftover pie in refrigerator.

Makes 10 serving.