Super Bowl great Alan Veingrad to share his story of Judaism at

As he grew older, he found that there was something lacking — a spirituality and a relationship with God. He sorted it out through his heritage and found the fame wasn't sufficient to bring him true meaning in life."

Veingrad, 44, was raised in a Jewish home but said there was little sense of real Jewishness.

"We'd send Hanukkah cards and get together as a family for the holidays, but there was no real spirituality," Veingrad said. "It'd be like 'pass the chicken soup, pass the brisket, pass the noodle kugel — are we done yet?' "

Injuries are a way of life in the NFL, and Veingrad was no exception. Throughout his football career, he would get second opinions on his injuries from his cousin, a Miami radiologist.

When Veingrad retired from football and moved to Fort Lauderdale, his cousin, an observant Jew, invited him over for a Shabbat meal.


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Manisha on a spiritual trip

It's my love for spirituality. I've done this Oneness course. It's a 21-day programme that has taught me how to enjoy life and be happy even though things around you may be bad, she says.

And why did you take a sabbatical? I was overworked. I was also very disinterested in those projects. That reflected in the kind of films I chose and in my acting. I wanted to run away from what I was doing. I was not enjoying it. I took a long break. I saw places, travelled a lot and got the focus back.

So can we say that you are staging your comeback? Well I never retired in the first place. I took a break and I�m back with this film. I have good commercial and art house film offers. I want to work now. The hunger to perform and regain the position I had is back.

Were you so disinterested that you even ignored your fitness? Yes, I mean there is nothing left in life when you don't enjoy it.



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The secret of Obama's success

It is all about giving you the tools, the know?how and the motivation to empower you to go out and get things done. And it's been remarkably successful."

By the time Kansas held its caucuses on Super Tuesday, in early February, the Obama campaign had 18 staffers on the ground and offices across the state, vastly outnumbering the three full-time Clinton operatives. And Mr Obama cleaned up on the day, claiming 23 of the pledged 32 delegates up for grabs.

It was a similar story across America. While the Clinton camp focused on the high-profile big states, the Obama operation eked out delegates wherever it could, sweeping such political "backwaters" as Idaho and minimising its rival's winning margins in the likes of New Jersey and California. They ended with an insurmountable delegate lead based on better organisation, better fundraising, better motivation and better understanding of the rules.


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http://www.southidahopress.com/articles/2008/05/01/news/local/9477blessing.txt

Some positive news in the past month may have slightly boosted business confidence.

A National Bank survey shows a net 55% of businesses expect business conditions to deteriorate over the next year, but the result is a 3% improvement on last month.

Economist Khoon Goh says a drop in corporate tax rates and the free trade deal with China are positive.

However, he says New Zealand is still in negative territory. He says the data also shows firms are going on a hiring and investment strike, which in the current climate of capacity constraints does not bode well for the future.

Goh says despite the slight improvement, low business confidence remains a self-fulfilling prophecy.

He says the current situation needs to be put in context because New Zealand had five years of tremendous economic growth and a slowdown was inevitable.


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The South Pacific Provides Inspiration for New Jewelry Line from SiRA. O.

Tahitian Treats collection from SiRA. O designer Thandie Harris-Sapp features necklaces made of pearl strands on leather.

Amsterdam (PRWEB) May 1, 2008 -- While many are just beginning to plan their Summer getaway, jewelry designer Thandie Harris-Sapp of SiRA. O has just released a line of elegant necklaces that may help to provide some inspiration. The "Tahitian Treats" collection is an exotic, earthy combination of Tahitian pearls and leather cord, many with an added accent of precious metal.

This new line offers a refreshing approach to fine jewelry, focusing on a natural aesthetic while maintaining a luxurious look and feel. The rare black Tahitian pearls used in the necklaces provide a unique look with distinct contrast to traditional white pearls, allowing them to be worn in less formal settings or as eye-catching everyday pieces.


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A blessing for motorcyclists

A leather jacket, chaps and spirituality, some bikers never leave on a road trip without them.On Saturday, bikers from across southern Idaho gathered at Cycle City in Heyburn to take part in the area's first Blessing of the Bikes.The blessing was performed by Don Garner, president of the new Brothers in Christ motorcycle ministry.Garner said the blessing was a way to kick off the new, hopefully tragedy-free riding season.The blessing was also attended by the Banditos, Bikers Against Child Abuse and Bros motorcycle clubs as well as many independent riders.

Jon Cassey, vice president of Brothers in Christ, said the bikers hope to take part in a number of community-based events throughout the summer. This year all of the money they collect will be used to help fight autism.Besides officiating weddings and the blessing the Brothers in Christ are also starting a program where they will offer rides home to people who have had too much to drink."We make the thunder, God makes the lightning," Garner said.Rich Greene may be reached at 208-677-8762 or rgreene@southidahopress.com

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Discoverer of LSD takes final trip

It is a drug that has sparked debate like no other. LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) opened the doors of perception for some, influencing music, art and psychology. Others, the so called "acid casualties", were left with irrevocable psychological damage. It was announced today that Albert Hofmann, the Swiss chemist who discovered the substance by accident , died yesterday aged 102.

He had hoped his drug would prove to be a "medicine for the soul" - but after its widespread use as a recreational drug he ended up calling it his "problem child". This report from our social affairs correspondent Victoria Macdonald contains strobe lighting. Professor Albert Hofmann was the man who spawned a generation which turned on, tuned in and dropped out - whose discovery of lysergic acid diethylamide enhanced the summer of love, psychedelia and the counterculture.Prof Hofmann was known as the father of LSD but it was a drug that he also described as his problem child.



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