Morning Tailgate Recipe: Overnight Blueberry Coffeecake by Tina

No matter if you have a third grader playing football on Saturday morning, if you are heading out to tailgate before the noon kickoff of the college game or if you have a brunch tailgate before the NFL game, this coffeecake recipe will get you off to a great start. Make it the night before, throw it in the fridge and bake it the next morning while you are in the shower. Goes fast at tailgate parties, you might want to make two!



1 egg
1/2 c sugar
1 1/2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/3 c milk
3 tbsp butter
1 c blueberries

Beat the egg and sugar. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl. Add with milk to sugar mixture and beat well, then stir in butter. Fold in blueberries. Pour into a greased 8x8 pan and sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on top. Cover and chill overnight. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

Heidi Montag's Boob Comes Out Of Bikini In Costa Rica

Also: Inez Sainz pictures and scandal.

Heidi Montag's Boob Comes Out (Pacific Coast News) 

Heidi Montag, who earlier was devastated to learn of the passing of the man who gave her new boobs in a now famous 10 surgery procedure, Dr. Frank Ryan, had one of those creations pop out of her bikini while she was in the water in Costa Rica.

And on top of that, the former Hills star had it happen in full view of photographers.

According to The Daily Mail, Heidi Montag complained that her breasts were too big and she was thinking of getting a reduction. Montag observed that life was difficult with them, and that was before the Costa Rica slip.

The money shot reveals a quite beautiful figure for the 25-year old who's going through an equally weird set of issues with her former husband Spencer Pratt.

But back to the boob issue: Heidi should take up women's bodybuilding to at least firm up her chest.

I seriously doubt she gets a reduction considering the attention she's getting. And in entertainment, attention equals money.

Inez Sainz, Christine O'Donnell and Sexual Hypocrisy in America

YouTube, Yahoo, DailyMotion, Blip.tv and Viddler

Inez Sainz and Christine O'Donnell may not have anything to do with each other at first glance, but both are at the epicenter of sexual hypocrisy in America.

Christine O'Donnell

Tea Party Member Christine O'Donnell, a marketing consultant, beat Delaware GOP Senator Mike Castle for the right to represent the Republican Party in that state's Senate Race. Now, according to Rachel Maddow, Christine O'Donnell has some weird issue with sex. In 1996, she campaigned against masterbation.

That's right. She had an anti-masterbation campaign.

Now, Christine O'Donnell is a marketing consultant? Marketers specialize in using sex to sell, right?

Well, let's correct ourselves here. I just ran across Christine O'Donnell's Linkedin profile.

She lists herself as a media consultant, not a marketing consultant.

But guess what? Everyone's calling her a marketing consultant! So, she's not using sex to sell anything. But her anti-masterbation campaign is accurate and still calls into this into question: if she was against masterbation, why even talk about it?

In other words, was it so on her mind and she was so cloistered that she was sexually frustrated, and so went on this crusade? See?

So, she's still a hypocrite! Heck, an even bigger one after all that. One has to think about sex all the time to have the major issues O'Donnell exhibits. Yowza!

Inez Sainz 

Yowza is what Inez Sainz is. As this blogger wrote before, she's the focus of a sexual harassment investigation against the New York Jets, that the hot TV reporter didn't start, but is milking for all of the attention she can get.

But explain these photos where she's measuring the muscles of these NFL players.

 You know, if a guy was measuring a woman's biceps someone would claim he was objectifying the women.

Well, isn't that what Inez is doing with the players?

Inez at Super Bowl Media Day 2009

So Inez can have her sexual fun, but no player can say that she's hot? Ok. Catcalls are not a good thing (that's what Jets players are accused of doing), but Inez brings a sexually-charged approach to her work. Take a look at what she said recently - a quote that's getting around the Internet:

I guess I never really give it any thought when I’m working in a locker room, the radio TV studio or anywhere in which my path crosses with an attractive female colleague…but I do have an opinion on it though and it is not PC. My feeling is that if you are a sexy, attractive female that can use you looks, figure, attire or sexy attitude to do your job better, do what you need to do.

I think the NFL needs to take that into account in its investigation.

I close with this question: why can't male reporters go into women's locker rooms?

More on this later.

Ines Sainz Is The Tila Tequila Of Sports

Inés Sainz, Tv Azteca broadcaster, originally uploaded by jrsnchzhrs.

Did you get an eyefull of those legs? Well, they belong to Ines Sainz and get they get her a lot of attention and access to, for example, Matt Leinart (who's biceps she's measured a while back) or Terrell Owens (who she gets access to when others don't).

At first this blogger wasn't going to weigh in on the Ines Sainz issue. If you don't know, Ines Sainz is the female broadcaster who accused the New York Jets players of sexual harassment, or more to the point, inappropriate looker room behavior.

My conclusion is Ines Sainz is the Tila Tequila of sports. She loves attention and will do almost anything to get it, but is also a competent player in her industry. She knows what she's doing. She didn't start this harassment issue, but she's going to keep it going for as long as she can. Look, Inez was on the Today show Tuesday!

Reportedly, Inez, who's known for wearing shorts skirts and low-cut blouses into male locker rooms, did it again. In waiting for the New York Jets' Mark Sanchez (think about that one), Inez was subjected to catcalls by Jets players. She ignored them. Inez doesn't care - she knows she gets a reaction. Plus, she's gets her to players that don't want to talk to the media.

Like Terrell Owens.

Two years ago, when T.O. didn't want to talk to the media, Inez had no problem getting access to Terrell. He called her over. See the video:



Now, here's the deal. Inez did not issue a complaint: another female reporter did. I'd like to know who did it. The reason is that my bet is the female reporter who made the complaint was jealous that Inez was getting the attention, and angry at the men who gave it to her.

Inez didn't launch the investigation.

Look, Inez has been in this situation for years. She's been called one of the sexiest women in sports. She is a one-person media show, and she knows it. It works for her and because of her looks, she gets access. For anyone to deny that is to admit a joke.

Now, a player should be used to seeing a woman in a man's locker room by now, so the Jets' players need some training. But what are you going to do in the process? Send a woman with a mini-skirt in and a camera in and test them? Just asking.

Also, what happens in a locker room in Mexico? I'd bet she's not allowed in a man's locker room. Which reminds me: why can't I go into a woman's locker room and get an interview?

Just asking.

There's a great deal of hypocrisy not too deep down in this story. But then, there's a great deal of hypocrisy in American culture.

Stay tuned.

99ers need a Tier 5 extension now

The 99ers need a Tier 5 unemployment extension now, but is Congress listening? Despite hopes that Debbie Stabenow's Americans Want to Work Act S3706 will make its way through Congress and to the President, currently this bill is not even on the Senate docket.

We are dealing with an election year and there could be many distractions along the way. One thing is certain, it cannot become law until it gets to the floor for a vote.

99 weeks are not enough for millions of unemployed Americans and so Stabenow's bill will add an additional 20 weeks. This, of course, is only a temporary measure. To combat the long-term problem, Stabenow suggests offering tax incentives to businesses who hire long-term unemployed workers.

This bill is vital for the basic survival of millions of Americans, so be sure you fight hard for S3706 if you need the Tier 5 unemployment extension.

August brought reports of a decreasing job market, increase in new claims for unemployment benefit and reports that the economy is slowing with the possibility that our country could be on the cusp of a double-dip recession. All this has left many economists asking can we afford to extend benefits to those whose benefits have run out, but can we afford not to?

Whether or not the extending unemployment benefits will help the economy is a hotly debated subject, arguments on both sides have merit, but what about the human cost of not extending their benefits, what are families to do, starve to death?
One side of the debate believe that 99 weeks of unemployment is already excessive and as it was only 26 weeks for many years and the nation survived, so why extended it now. Another argument is that extending the benefits will encourage people wait until they find that ‘perfect job’

That perfect job theory is ridiculous and flawed, when it comes to the 99er Nation. The 99ers have not had any benefits since March 2010, so it is not as though they are waiting around for the perfect job. The fact is, if jobs were available for the 99ers to take, they would not have to beg Congress for a Tier 5, a fight that so far has been ongoing 7 months.

The other side of the debate believes that extending the benefits will have a far greater impact on the economy than what is being publicized. As the unemployed are still consumers, they have bills to pay and groceries to buy, which ensures their money benefits local business thus helping to stimulate the economy.

With 5 million Americans in the 99er Nation, if you use an average UI weekly benefit of $300 dollars, that would put 1.5 Billion dollars into the American economy immediately! Anyone who cannot see the merit in implementing the Tier 5 extension now, just does not understand economics.

The debate needs to end soon and action needs to be taken, with a shrinking job market and employers seeing upwards of 8 applicants per new job offer, means the reality of a job for everyone is history and being on unemployment benefits for years has become the new reality in America. With millions of American 99ers going hungry and homeless every day, Tier 5 MUST be treated as the true humanitarian issue that it has become.

What can you do to help? Contact your Senator and every other Senator you can to demand we get this Tier 5 bill (S3706) voted on NOW. A complete list of legislators can be found at: http://joblessunite.yolasite.com/legislators-list.php

Call the White House comments line to demand the same. White House Comments Line 202-456-1111 Comment line is only open 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday thru Friday EST. ***REMIND the President that this is an emergency.

Do not forget the Jobs with Justice Rally in Chicago tomorrow, September 15th! Sound interesting? Give them a call at (312) 738-6161 or send an email to susanh@jwj.org! You can visit their contact page to get in touch! http://www.chicagojwj.org/contact

Or just show up! JWJ Rally Wednesday September 15th Meeting up for a press conference and rally at GOP HQ at Randolph and Wells at 4 pm. Be there!

Dinner Recipes: Stuffed Chicken by Tina

This is a quick and easy dinner recipe that your family will love!


4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
10 oz pkg frozen spinach, thawed and drained or enough fresh to make 1 c cooked
1/2 c Parmesan cheese
1/2 c mozzarella cheese
oregano
salt
pepper
1 bag baby carrots
1 c chicken broth

Blend the cheese, herbs and spinach in a bowl. Make a deep slit in each breast and pack it with stuffing.

Sauté the chicken breast on each side for 3 minutes. Put in a casserole dish with carrots scattered around.

Pour broth over top. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Fall Baking: Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe by Tina

This delicious cheesecake recipe can be used at gatherings, for Thanksgiving, Halloween or even as a dish to pass for a potluck.

Crust:
1 1/2 c graham cracker crumbs
1/4 c sugar
1/3 c melted butter

Combine and press into bottom of a spring form pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes.

Filling:
3 8 oz pkgs cream cheese, softened
1 c sugar
1/4 c brown sugar
1 1/3 c pumpkin
2 eggs
2/3 c evaporated milk
2 tbsp cornstarch
1 1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Beat cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add pumpkin, eggs and milk. Stir well and add starch and spices. Pour into
crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 55-65 minutes or until edge is set.

Topping:
2 c sour cream
1/3 c sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Combine and gently spread over cheesecake. Return to oven for 5 minutes.
Cool on wire rack. Remove sides gently and chill overnight before serving.

Fall Baking: Pumpkin Bread Recipe by Tina

Nothing beats the smell of pumpkin on a cool fall day. This pumpkin bread recipe will easily turn in to one of your favorites.

2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger

Mix ingredients and set aside.

In a large bowl, add:
2 eggs
1/3 c milk
1/3 c melted butter
1 tbsp molasses
1 tsp vanilla
1 c white sugar
1 c canned pumpkin
1/2 c chopped pecans

Mix well and add to the dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened. Pour in to greased bread loaf pans and bake at 350 degrees for 18-24 minutes.

City Of Oakland's Dan Lindheim and Walter Cohen Named In Lawsuit By Oakland Taxpayer

Oakland City Hall

Gwillym Martin's an Oakland Resident and taxpayer who first found this blogger on Facebook and sent via email a copy of a complaint filed against the City of Oakland. Now people file lawsuits all the time, and at times for silly reasons; not in this case. But any media person who seeks to pick up on this story should make sure they understand it first. Read on.

Martin filed a lawsuit in Alameda County Superior Court that specifically names City Administrator Dan Lindheim, CEDA (Community and Economic Development Agency) Director Walter Cohen, Building Services Director Ray Derania, and City Controller Osborne Solitei, and because "revenues generated from permit and code enforcement activities have been misappropriated for purposes other than those permitted by law and seeks an injunction to prevent further misuse of funds," as the email reads.

Looking beyond the email and at the documents, Gwillym Martin's simple and controverial point is that the City of Oakland's using revenue collected under California Heath and Safety Code Section 17951. Section 17951 is a long read; Martin's focus is what's called "subdivision (c)" which reads:

(c) The amount of the fees prescribed pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) shall not exceed the amount reasonably required to administer or process these permits, certificates, or other forms or documents, or to defray the costs of enforcement required by this part to be carried out by local enforcement agencies, and shall not be levied for general revenue purposes. The fees shall be imposed pursuant to Section 66016 of the Government Code.

Now, I took a cyber walk over to look at 66016 of the California Government Code, just in case, and came upon another long read - this one:

(a) Prior to levying a new fee or service charge, or prior to approving an increase in an existing fee or service charge, a local agency shall hold at least one open and public meeting, at which oral or written presentations can be made, as part of a regularly scheduled meeting.

So, Martin's in the clear so far; that only says the City of Oakland has to let you, the Oakland Taxpayer, know about these new fees. Marin's lawsuit does not call for an investigation of the City's compliance with that code, just 17951.

What Gwillym Martin found was the City of Oakland was allegedly using money from permits, like zoning permits, and putting it into the Oakland General Fund and giving some of it to The Oakland Unified School District.

There's the rub: part of it was used to help education in Oakland. A good cause. But Martin does not dispute the need for education money, he just doesn't want the City to violate state law in getting money for education or for general fund use.

He claims this video by Echa Schnider of A Better Oakland, has Economic Development Director Walter Cohen admitting such misuse of funds. Trouble is, the video's 25 minutes long and was not made for the purpose of "outing" Walter Cohen; Martin wants you to start at 20:00 then go to 25:00:


Oakland Budget: CEDA from V Smoothe on Vimeo.

A Complete Case

His case includes detailed spreadsheets to back his claim. My only question is if there's anything in the Oakland City Charter that may block this lawsuit. Article 1, Section 106 of the Oakland City Charter reads as follows:

Article 1, Section 106. General Powers. The City shall have the right and power to make and enforce all laws and regulations in respect to municipal affairs, subject only to the restrictions and limitations provided in this Charter; provided, that nothing herein shall be construed to prevent or restrict the City from exercising or consenting to, and the City is hereby authorized to exercise, any and all the rights, powers and privileges heretofore or hereafter granted or prescribed by the general laws of the State including those specifically applicable to general law cities; provided, also, that where the general laws of the State provide a procedure for the carrying out and the enforcement of any rights or powers belonging to the City, said procedure shall control and be followed unless a different procedure shall have been provided in the Charter or by ordinance.

It is the intention of the people in adopting this section to take advantage of the provisions of Section 6 of Article XI of the Constitution of the State of California giving cities Home Rule as to municipal affairs.

Note: "unless a different procedure shall have been provided in the Charter or by ordinance." The question is, does the City of Oakland have a provision in place that specifically allows money to be used from fees in a way that goes beyond the limits of Section 17951?

After looking at the Oakland City Charter, there's nothing that allows the City to, of Mr. Martin's findings are understood, do what it has been doing. In other words, the City's own Charter does not have language that allows the City to expressly go beyond Cal HS Code Section 17951.

What does Martin seek?  An injunction to stop the practice, and payment of lawyer's fees.  What the City has to do if it wants to maintain revenue flexibility, is alter the Charter to allow for it and take advantage of "home rule" status.  I know from having worked for the City of Oakland and in CEDA, that in the past such revenue transfers have been at least considered without consulting legal authority.

Stay tuned for more on this.

Lady Gaga's VMA winning streak By Nikky Raney

Lady Gaga VMA dress: real meat

Lady Gaga won the majority of the awards at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards last Sunday night. Twitter was filled with "little monsters" jubilant about every single win, and others who were getting a bit annoyed at the predictability of the outcome. It is debatable whether the right artists won - or if it just a popularity contest. The fans rule the votes, but it seems as though some of the Lady Gaga fans voted for her in every category regardless of whether or not another artist may have been more deserving. Lady Gaga is brilliant, and there is no doubt that she deserved to go home with awards; but was she really the BEST in each category that she did win. Did fans judge based on the videos or based on whose video it was?

The winner's list from the night includes:

Best Female Video: Lady Gaga - ‘Bad Romance’
Best Male Video: Eminem - ‘Not Afraid’
Best Hip Hop Video: Eminem - ‘Not Afraid’
Best New Artist: Justin Bieber featuring Ludacris - ‘Baby’
Best Collaboration: Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé - ‘Telephone’
Best Pop Video: Lady Gaga - ‘Bad Romance’
Best Rock Video: 30 Seconds to Mars - ‘Kings and Queens’
Best Dance Music Video: Lady Gaga - ‘Bad Romance’
Video Of The Year: Lady Gaga - ‘Bad Romance’
Best Art Direction: Florence + The Machine - ‘Dog Days Are Over’
Best Choreography: Lady Gaga - ‘Bad Romance’
Best Cinematography: Jay-Z and Alicia Keys - ‘Empire State of Mind’
Best Direction: Lady Gaga - ‘Bad Romance’
Best Editing: Lady Gaga - ‘Bad Romance’
Best Special Effects: Muse - ‘Uprising’

Click the links to watch the video that won.

Chelsea Lately did a wonderful job hosting the VMAs, a full review of the VMAs to be posted in an upcoming entry.



(All information was obtained through first hand account)

Deadspin's Racist: Attack On Blacks Is Insufferable

Deadspin's Black Row on 

There are times this blogger likes Deadspin, and others where the whole blog just sucks. Today, Deadspin sucks. Why? Because in short order, the September 13th edition of the sports blog managed to mar the image of black sports legends Joe Morgan, Tony Dungy, and John Salley, all right in a row on on blog issue.

And never mind that Salley's an invited contributor, Deadspin's asking him to basically make himself look like Tiger Woods before Thanksgiving 2009.

Even if he's willing, why take advantage of him?

Yeah. John Salley is married, big time. Moreover, Salley has a history of cheating on his wife. Have doubts? Look at this result for the Google Search for "John Salley Married."

What Deadspin editors did is very not funny, and shows how little regard they have for blacks in sports. The most fun this blogger would have would be either buying Deadspin and firing its staff or, just having my blog army bash it into the Internet ground.

What Deadspin did was institutionally racist. The editors might as well have showed the online version of Birth Of A Nation.

Will Deadspin apologize? No. Just do something stupid and snarky, if anything at all. That much is expected. I've lost all respect for Deadspin. And I don't care that they or their minions have none for me.

ESPN's Jay Mariotti Charged With 7 Misdemeanors, Stole Girlfriend's Purse?

Jay Mariotti and Girlfriend (?) (Deadspin.com)

ESPN Personality and former AOL Fanhouse Columnist Jay Mariotti, after being declared all but done at ESPN, panned on Twitter, and then canned from AOL Fanhouse, is not breathing a sign of relief, because after the LA County District Attorney announced it was dropping domestic abuse charges against him last Thursday, The LA City Attorney slapped 7 misdemeanors on him: 4 domestic violence charges, false imprisonment, vandalism and grand theft according to TMZ.com.

Yes, he's accused of taking his girlfriend's purse and keys!

If convicted of all of them, Mariotti faces a year in jail. According to Fox Sports, Jay's lawyer says the allegations are false.

What happened was that on August 22nd, Mariotti was arrested after he got into a heated argument with his girlfriend, or woman friend, and because she was flirting with another man at a Santa Monica night club. (Wonder if the guy was black?)

He was spotted allegedly tossing her around and pulling her hair, and throwing things around in her apartment on Venice Beach. A witness called 911, which led to Jay's arrest.

Ironically, Jay Mariotti's in the exact, same trouble of athlete's he's written about and harshly criticized for getting into.

Jay's due in court Friday.  Stay tuned.