Strong overseas sales put fizz in Coca-Cola's 4Q

Coca-Cola's strong overseas growth more than made up for a weak North American market in the fourth quarter, sending profit up 55 percent for the world's largest beverage maker.

The company, whose brands include Sprite and Diet Coke, sold 5 percent more beverages worldwide _ with unit case volume up sharply in emerging markets like China and India. It also posted solid growth in Latin America.

Shares rose $1.86, or 3.5 percent, to $54.51 in morning trading.

The only region to report a decline in case volume was North America, which makes up about one-fourth of the company's sales. The region reported a 1 percent drop-off in the figure _ a sign that …

Hidden peril of home jobs: added poundage

For people who work from their homes, everything can become anexcuse to eat, whether it's a slow day, a happy day, I-didn't-get-the-job day or I-did-get-the-job day.

"There isn't a reason in the world not to eat," said Donna Gould,head of Phoenix Media, a book publicity business she runs from herhome in Matawan, N.J. "When I got a book client on Oprah Winfrey, Icelebrated by having food delivered," she said. "Monday is pizza day(in her area), so I'd buy pizza for my staff and get two for theprice of one."

And, she could hide her indiscretions. "At home you can wearsweats and jeans that stretch. You don't have to look in the mirrorbecause you're not going out," Gould …

Olympic champ Lysacek back on Grand Prix schedule

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — After taking last season off, Olympic champion Evan Lysacek is back on the Grand Prix schedule.

Lysacek drew Skate America and Trophee Bompard on the list of Grand Prix assignments released Monday by the International Skating Union. He has not competed since Vancouver, where he became the first American man to win the Olympic gold medal since Brian Boitano in 1988.

Lysacek skipped last season because of a heavy schedule of promotions and appearances, including touring with the "Stars on Ice" 25th anniversary tour. But he did not rule out a return to competition, saying in January he was still doing run-throughs of his Olympic programs and working …

NASA's last space shuttle blasts into history

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) — Atlantis has blasted off on NASA's last space shuttle launch.

The historic liftoff occurred Friday morning, 30 years and three months after the very first shuttle flight.

Four astronauts are riding Atlantis to orbit. The shuttle is bound for the International Space Station, making one final supply …

Maple gets the axe to protect nearby house

A maple tree outside the Assembly Rooms has been cut down toavoid damage to a property.

The roots of the tree, aged 35 to 40 years old, were growing intothe basement of a nearby house.

Bath and North East Somerset Council felled the tree on Tuesday,and will replace it with a Turkish hazel, which will be planted in adifferent location close by.

A council spokesman said: "The roots of the tree were growinginto the basement of a nearby residential property.

"In this particular case, because it is …

Gonzales Rejects Calls for Resignation

WASHINGTON - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales rejected growing calls for his resignation Tuesday as scores of newly released documents detailed a two-year campaign by the Justice Department and White House to purge federal prosecutors.

Gonzales acknowledged his department mishandled the dismissals of eight U.S. attorneys and misled Congress about how they were fired. He said he was ultimately to blame for those "mistakes" but stood by the firings.

"I acknowledge that mistakes were made here," Gonzales told reporters at a news briefing after he canceled an out-of-town trip. "I accept that responsibility." He promised changes "so that the mistakes that occurred in this …

Senator says IRS to drop private debt collections

Sen. Charles Grassley says the Internal Revenue Service is eliminating a program that uses private debt collectors to go after tax delinquents.

The Iowa Republican says Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner told him the program would be eliminated.

The program is relatively small, bringing in a little more than $20 million a year …

What to see on London stages

LONDON If you can get out of your armchair and put those traveldreams in a suitcase, there are two plays here you would be a dolt toignore.

They are Alan Ayckbourn's just-opened "Henceforward. . ." atthe Vaudeville Theatre and David Hare's "The Secret Rapture" on theNational Theatre's Lyttelton stage.

Although opposite in style and substance, they are both, in aspooky way, about the same thing - human feelings. Ayckbournexamines what happens when you care too little. Hare explores thedilemma of caring too much.

As a pair of impeccably staged, indelibly cast productions, theyare of uncommon skill and impact.

"Henceforward. . ." pits high tech …

Gifts Bush Received From Foreign Leaders

Some of the gifts President Bush received from foreign leaders in 2005. Such gifts are U.S. public property and Bush can only keep them for personal use if they are valued under $305 or if he buys them from the government.

Most Expensive:

-Vermeil horse statue atop a malachite base with a gold, mother of pearl and malachite octagonal clock. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah, $8,000.

-Beige rug with maroon, black and brown diamond print. Afghan President Hamid Karzai, $8,000.

Least Expensive:

-8-by-11-inch photograph of former President George H.W. Bush and family on the rocks in Kennebunkport, Maine, and inscribed by the former president. …

Russia grounds cargo planes after accident

The Russian air force has grounded its mainstay heavylift cargo planes following an accident in which an engine broke off the wing of one of the aircraft just before take off, the Defense Ministry said Thursday.

The ministry said that the ban on all flights of Il-76 craft will be in place until experts determine the reason behind Wednesday's accident and check the fleet's condition.

It was the latest in a string of accidents that has dogged the Russian air force recently and raised questions about the condition of its Soviet-built fleet. It also means that the Russian airborne troops will be grounded until the ban is lifted.

The accident happened …

Chelios set for World Cup

Less than an hour after touching down at the airport inProvidence, R.I., Blackhawks defenseman Chris Chelios declaredhimself fit and ready to play in the World Cup of Hockey.

Team USA spokesman Rick Minch said Chelios tested his injuredgroin muscle by skating Sunday.

"He's raring to go," Minch said.

Chelios told U.S. coach Ron Wilson he felt he could play rightaway. That was good news for U.S. officials, who need only JeremyRoenick to come to a contract agreement with the Phoenix Coyotes tohave their roster complete.

The World Cup …

Alpha Natural Resources announces plans to buy coal miner Massey Energy

NEW YORK (AP) — Alpha Natural Resources …

White House monitoring crackdown in Iran

The White House on Wednesday expressed concern about a violent crackdown on anti-government protesters in Iran as President Barack Obama said he wanted U.S. and Iran to move beyond "suspicion, mistrust and confrontation."

Iranian security forces clubbed anti-government protesters with batons on the sidelines of state-sanctioned rallies to mark the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Embassy takeover. The counter-demonstrations were the opposition's first major show of force on Tehran's streets in nearly two months.

"We obviously have seen and are following the reports of this, and hope greatly that violence will not spread," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

Witnesses told The Associated Press that security forces swept through a gathering of hundreds of demonstrators by clubbing, kicking and slapping protesters.

The unrest came 30 years after Islamic militants stormed the embassy in Tehran. Fifty-two Americans were held hostage for 444 days.

The crisis "deeply affected the lives of courageous Americans who were unjustly held hostage, and we owe these Americans and their families our gratitude for their extraordinary service and sacrifice," Obama said in a statement issued late Tuesday.

"This event helped set the United States and Iran on a path of sustained suspicion, mistrust and confrontation," Obama added. "I have made it clear that the United States of America wants to move beyond this past, and seeks a relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran based upon mutual interests and mutual respect. ... We have made clear that if Iran lives up to the obligations that every nation has, it will have a path to a more prosperous and productive relationship with the international community."

The Iranian government backed events Wednesday to commemorate the anniversary of the takeover, including an annual anti-American rally outside the brick walls of the former embassy compound.

Thousands of people gathered outside the former embassy, waving anti-American banners and signs praising the Islamic Revolution.

Simultaneous anti-government marches were stormed by Iranian security forces using batons and tear gas, witnesses and state media reported.

Obama praised opposition protesters who have taken to the streets to speak up for change. "The American people have great respect for the people of Iran and their rich history," Obama said. "The world continues to bear witness to their powerful calls for justice and their courageous pursuit of universal rights."

___

Associated Press writer Ali Akbar Dareini in Tehran and Ben Feller in Washington contributed to this report.

Afghan police: Twin explosions rock Afghan capital; 3 dead

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghan police: Twin explosions rock Afghan capital; 3 dead.

Srock Prices Fall in Early Trading

NEW YORK - Stock prices are lower in early trading as Wall Street showed caution after results from Merrill Lynch & Co. revealed big credit-related losses. The Dow Jones industrial average is down 29.51 to 13,646.72 in the opening minutes. The Nasdaq Composite has fallen 25.52 to 2,773.74 and the Standard & Poor 500 index is off 4.82 at 1,514.77.

Merrill Lynch said it wrote down $7.9 billion in fixed-income instruments called collateralized debt obligations and from defaulting subprime mortgages - more than the $5 billion writedown it estimated earlier this month. The result was a net loss for the quarter of $2.3 billion, after total revenue plummeted 94 percent. Merrill shares dipped 1.8 percent in pre-market trading.

The worse-than-anticipated loss signaled to investors that the financial sector may be in a more dire situation than feared. Wall Street knows most banks and brokerages have had problems this year with the tight credit markets - as evidenced by U.S. banks' plan to create a fund to buy distressed securities to avoid a fire sale environment - but it's unclear how deep-seated and long-lasting those troubles are.

Meanwhile, the technology sector appeared to be losing momentum from earlier in the week. Amazon.Inc. said late Tuesday its quarterly profit more than quadrupled, but it only beat per-share estimates by a penny. Investors didn't see enough reason to bring the Internet retailer's shares, already at their highest level since 1999, even higher. Amazon shares plunged 9.3 percent in pre-market trading.

On Tuesday, stocks finished with a strong gain as the market, though still uncertain about the economy and the credit markets, found solace in better-than-expected earnings from companies including Apple Inc. and American Express Co.

In other earnings news Wednesday, Boeing Co. reported a sharp rise in third-quarter profit, but the aerospace company reduced its 2008 revenue forecast. Boeing, one of the 30 companies that make up the Dow, fell 1 percent in pre-market trading.

Corning Inc. also disappointed investors by posting fourth-quarter profit and revenue outlooks that fell below analyst estimates. Despite reporting a third-quarter profit rise, Corning tumbled 7 percent in pre-market trading.

GlaxoSmithKline PLC said third-quarter profit fell nearly 6 percent on strong competition from generics and declining U.S. sales of its blockbuster diabetes drug. The drugmaker's shares fell 2.5 percent in pre-market trading.

Crude oil futures for December delivery fell 21 cents to $85.06 a barrel in pre-opening trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The dollar rose against most other major currencies, except the yen. Gold slipped.

Stock markets overseas were mixed.

In Asian trading, Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 0.56 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 0.15 percent. In European trading, Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.01 percent, Germany's DAX index slid 0.23 percent, and France's CAC-40 rose 0.06 percent.

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On the Net:

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com

Cops seek missing S. Side girl

Chicago Police are looking for a 12-year-old South Side girl missing since Friday night.

Ravin Lawton, 12, was last seen at 8 p.m. Friday around 68th and Morgan in Englewood.

She is described as black, 5 feet 2 inches, 100 pounds, medium complexion and brown eyes. She may be wearing her hair in red and black braids.

Police said Ravin, a student at Wentworth Elementary School, may be with friends. She had threatened to run away after being punished.

Anyone with information can call Wentworth Area detectives at (312) 747-8385.

Photo: Ravin Lawton

Floyd Mayweather Jr. jailed in Vegas domestic case

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. was jailed briefly Friday on a felony charge after his ex-girlfriend alleged he beat her and stole her cell phone during an argument in front of their three children.

Mayweather, 33, said nothing as he was released from the Clark County jail on $3,000 bail after being booked on a grand larceny charge. He could face up to five years in state prison if he is convicted of taking items valued at less than $2,500.

He is scheduled for an initial appearance Nov. 9 in Las Vegas Justice Court.

Mayweather's lawyer, Richard Wright, denied Mayweather was guilty of the criminal charges based on allegations by Josie Harris.

"He did not commit any grand larceny," Wright told The Associated Press. "Josie can't find her iPhone. We're attempting to find it or replace it. We'll cooperate in the investigation. We expect to get the matter resolved." An iPhone typically costs less than $500.

In a request for a Clark Court Family Court protection order, Harris said Mayweather threatened to kill her in a confrontation about 5 a.m. Thursday at a home she says is listed in his name in southwest Las Vegas.

She said he was angry about her a relationship with another man.

The document says Harris and Mayweather lived together for seven years and separated in May after 15 "on and off" years.

It says Harris sought another protection order five years ago and alleges that Mayweather battered another former girlfriend. The document does not mention an iPhone.

Harris also filed a police complaint Thursday. It has not been made public.

The nine-page request for a protection order alleges Mayweather pulled Harris's hair, punched her in the head and twisted her arm while she screamed for their children, ranging in age from 7 to almost 11, to call 911.

"He yelled and screamed that he was going to kill me and my boyfriend," Harris wrote. "Floyd has threatened to have other people do harm to me as well and if (there) is a way I can be protected from that please help me."

Police said Thursday that Harris was treated at a Las Vegas hospital for minor injuries.

It was not clear if Mayweather was served with a copy of the document, and Clark County courts spokeswoman Jillian Prieto said there was no immediate record whether a judge granted, denied or scheduled a hearing on the protection order request.

Mayweather is considered one of the sport's top performers, with a record of 41-0 and 25 knockouts. He goes by the nickname "Money" and earned more than $20 million in May from his fight in Las Vegas against "Sugar" Shane Mosley.

Mayweather made headlines earlier this month with an online video laced with expletives and sometimes racial rants against boxing rival and Philippine sensation Manny Pacquiao, who faces Antonio Margarito on Nov. 13 at Cowboys Stadium near Dallas.

Fans have called for Mayweather to fight Pacquiao in what could be the richest fight in boxing history, but negotiations have stalled amid suggestions from Mayweather's camp that Pacquiao has used performance-enhancing drugs. Pacquiao responded with a defamation lawsuit that is still pending.

Mayweather said during the video that he's on vacation "for about a year" and would easily defeat Pacquiao after that.

Pacquiao dismissed Mayweather's video as an "uneducated message," and Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, labeled it "a really cheap low blow."

Mayweather has been arrested several times since 2002 in battery and violence cases in Las Vegas and in his hometown of Grand Rapids, Mich.

He was convicted in 2002 of misdemeanor battery stemming from a fight with two women at a Las Vegas nightclub. He received a suspended one-year jail sentence and was ordered to undergo impulse-control counseling.

He was fined in Grand Rapids in February 2005 and ordered to perform community service after pleading no contest to misdemeanor assault and battery for a bar fight.

He was acquitted by a Nevada jury in July 2005 after being accused of hitting and kicking Harris during an argument outside a Las Vegas nightclub.

Harris, then 25, recanted her allegations and testified that she lied to police because she was angry Mayweather left her for another woman.

Harris told jurors that Mayweather was a "teddy bear inside" and said she knew "no matter what I did, he would never put his hands on me."

Italy's court expected to rule Tuesday in case of slain British student

Italy's highest court is expected to rule Tuesday on whether three suspects, including an American, should continue to be held in the slaying of a British student in Italy.

Judges in Rome will hear arguments from defense lawyers requesting the release of University of Washington student Amanda Knox, her former Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito and Ivory Coast national Rudy Hermann Guede.

The three are being held in connection with the death of Meredith Kercher, a 21-year-old student from Leeds University in England who was enrolled for a year of study in Perugia, which is 180 kilometers (112 miles) north of Rome. . She was found dead on Nov. 2, half-naked in a pool of blood in the apartment she shared with Knox. She died from a stab wound to the neck.

Prosecutors have said she was killed resisting sexual assault, and they are investigating the three suspects on suspicion of murder and sexual violence.

Knox, 20, and Sollecito, 24, have been jailed since Nov. 6. Guede, 21, was arrested in Germany and later extradited to Italy. He is believed to have fled shortly after the slaying.

All three suspects deny wrongdoing.

Judges in Perugia have already rejected defense requests to release the three. Lawyers have said they expect the justices of Italy's highest court, the Court of Cassation in Rome, to issue a decision on their appeal after Tuesday's closed hearing.

The Perugia judges have ruled that the three could be held for up to a year while the case is investigated. The suspects have not been formally charged.

US: tighter rules will prevent risky swap trades

A U.S. official said Tuesday that American plans to set higher capital requirements for derivatives would have prevented Greece from using currency swaps to hide debt before it joined the euro in 2001.

Gary Gensler, the chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, told European Union lawmakers that rules requiring all swaps to be settled through a central clearing house would also have forced Greece to put up a billion dollars in collateral, instead of hiding the loan in a derivative.

He says the U.S. plans to "set capital standards so high to discourage such transactions."

U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs helped Greece exchange dollar and yen debt for euros in 2000, reducing Greece's reported public debt by euro2.37 billion or from 105.3 percent of gross domestic product to 103.7 percent _ still way above the EU's 60 percent limit.

The bank says their impact was minimal and within the rules. Greece also insists that the swaps were legal within EU rules when they were used.

Pakistan drops commandos into Taliban stronghold

Army helicopters dropped Pakistani commandos behind Taliban lines in the Swat Valley on Tuesday as part of a widening offensive against the militants, while U.S. missiles killed eight people in an attack on a suspected insurgent hide-out elsewhere in the northwest.

Choppers inserted troops into the remote Piochar area in the upper reaches of the valley, an army statement said. Officials identified it as the rear-base of an estimated 4,000 Taliban militants also entrenched in Swat's main towns. It is seen as possible hiding place of Swat Taliban chief Maulana Fazlullah.

A military spokesman declined to give details of the Piochar assault, but a senior government official expressed optimism that the battle for Swat might prove short.

"The way they (militants) are being beaten, the way their recruits are fleeing, and the way the Pakistan army is using its strategy, God willing the operation will be completed very soon," Interior Minister Rehman Malik said.

Pakistani authorities launched a full-scale assault on Swat and surrounding districts last week after the Taliban pushed out from the valley on the back of a now-defunct peace deal and extended their control to areas just 60 miles (100 kilometers) from the capital, Islamabad.

The military response has won praise from American officials, who insist Islamabad must eliminate safe havens used by militants to undermine the pro-Western governments in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The government claims that troops backed by artillery and airstrikes have killed some 700 militants in Swat and neighboring districts so far.

But the offensive has also unleashed a tide of at least 360,000 refugees. Their plight could sap public support for the kind of sustained action against an increasingly inter-linked array of Islamist extremists that the cash-strapped country's Western backers are desperate to see. Around 30,000 are staying camps set up by the government and international organizations.

Lawmakers have criticized the government for doing too little to help residents flee. Many had to walk to safety because they couldn't find space in overloaded private buses and cattle trucks.

On Tuesday, Syed Allahuddin, a parliamentarian from the ruling party, accused authorities of indifference to the plight of the thousands still in the war zone.

"The situation is very bad. The people are stranded over there. They do not have foodstuffs and other facilities" such as electricity that has been cut off for over a week, he said.

He said he doubted the army would be able to avoid significant civilian casualties.

But there was also outspoken support for the government from among the opposition _ including a call for the crackdown to go far beyond Swat.

"Wherever there are extremist sleeper cells, it needs to be a blitz action simultaneously to take them out," said Marvi Memon, an opposition lawmaker. "It's us versus the extremists and the entire country needs to galvanize support for the armed forces, for the government."

The missile strike destroyed a house in Sara Khora, a village in the South Waziristan tribal region, Pakistani security officials said. The identities of those killed were not immediately known.

Two security officials, citing initial intelligence reports, said eight people died. They said agents on the ground were still trying to discover the identities of the victims. The officials asked for anonymity because they are not authorized to speak openly to the media.

Yar Mohammad, a resident of the area, told The Associated Press by telephone that he had seen Taliban militants removing nine bodies from the building and taking them away in vehicles. The discrepancy over the number of deaths could not be reconciled immediately, but was not unusual in the aftermath of such attacks.

Over the past year, the U.S. has carried out dozens of missile strikes on al-Qaida and Taliban targets in the border area, where American officials say al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden is likely hiding.

Pakistani leaders publicly oppose the tactic, saying it fuels anti-American sentiment and makes it easier for extremists to recruit. U.S. officials say the strikes, apparently carried out by CIA drones, have killed a string of al-Qaida operatives and minimized civilian casualties.

___

Associated Press writers Ishtiaq Mahsud in Dera Ismail Khan and Munir Ahmad in Islamabad contributed to this report.

Fun for the fit and healthy ; In brief

Fun for the fit and healthy KELVEDON HATCH: Extreme obstacleracing is returning to the Secret Nuclear Bunker on Sunday, November6, up hill, down dale and through chesthigh water.

Following the success of the Lactic Rush earlier this year,Lactic Fallout is a slightly shorter - seven-mile - but no lesschallenging obstacle race that will test your fitness to the maximumwhile raising funds for St Clare Hospice, Hastingwood.

Snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan won the Lactic Rush and will betaking part again in the Fallout at Kelvedon Hall Lane, KelvedonHatch.

The entrance fee is Pounds 26. Contact Tracey Alexandrou on 07792011817 for details.

Verdi's first opera, 'Oberto,' gets rare airing

WILMINGTON, Delaware (AP) — The year was 1839, and a young, unknown Italian composer was having his first opera produced at La Scala.

Though only a modest success, "Oberto" launched the career of a man who over the next half-century would turn out nearly 30 operas, many of them now staples of the repertory, like "Rigoletto," ''La Traviata" and "Aida."

But Giuseppe Verdi's first work is rarely heard today. So it's a service that the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia is presenting it in concert with resident artists from its training program. On Saturday, AVA brought the production to The Grand in downtown Wilmington for a performance sponsored by Opera Delaware.

"Oberto" has a rudimentary plot, involving warring factions in 13th-century Italy, and offers little in the way of dramatic plausibility. But it contains in embryonic form many of the themes Verdi would later explore, including jealousy, betrayal and the love between father and daughter.

The score pulses with vitality, and there are moments that point ahead: a melody in the overture suggestive of "Traviata," a cabaletta that would show up in "Ernani," a passage for cello reminiscent of "Don Carlo."

Verdi wrote juicy parts for four soloists, one from each voice type, and these were handled extremely well by the talented cast, headlined by Michelle Johnson, who last year made her mark as a winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.

Johnson has a creamy, lustrous soprano that sounds appealing from its strong lower register up to high notes that she can float softly or attack with dramatic power as the occasion demands. She was especially imposing in her final, fiery show stopper, in which she mourns her slain father, renounces her faithless lover and vows to retire to a convent.

On Saturday there was some smudging in rapid passage work and occasional hint of strain on top, but these may have been due to the fact that she was singing the demanding role for a third day in a row.

As her remorseful lover Riccardo, tenor William Davenport took a while to warm up but soon revealed a large, open voice with plenty of "squillo," a trumpet-like resonance that gave it a heroic ring. As Cuniza, the "other woman," mezzo-soprano Margaret Mezzacappa matched her colleagues in dramatic power, while as Oberto, bass-baritone Musa Ngqungwana displayed a bright sound with impressive high notes.

The AVA orchestra and chorus, joined by Opera Delaware Chorus, were conducted lovingly by Christofer Macatsoris, who as faculty music director didn't hesitate to "shh" the soloists a couple of times when they sang too loud.

"Oberto" has one more performance Tuesday in Philadelphia's Centennial Hall.

Beijing allows Hong Kong to elect its leader by 2017

Beijing will allow Hong Kong to directly elect its leader by 2017 and all its lawmakers by 2020, the territory's chief executive said Saturday.

Donald Tsang said the move was a "most important step" in the former British colony's political future.

The government in Beijing has been debating Hong Kong's political development and had been expected to announce its decision later Saturday on a timetable for allowing direct elections.

Tsang, however, announced the decision during a televised press conference early Saturday.

"We are grateful and we welcome Beijing's decision. It sets a clear timetable for electing the chief executive and legislators," Tsang said.

The issue of electoral reform has polarized Hong Kong's political camps, with pro-democracy parties wanting greater political freedoms by 2012 and pro-Beijing parties camp pushing for 2017.

Tsang said parties should put aside their differences.

"We must treasure this hard-earned opportunity," he said.

When Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 it was granted a wide degree of autonomy and a pledge that it would ultimately be allowed to directly elect all of its legislators and its leader, although no date was ever given.

A decade on, still only half of the 60-seat legislature is elected, and the territory's top leader, or chief executive, is chosen by an 800-strong committee full of Beijing loyalists.

Democrats say the city _ a bustling international financial center_ is mature enough to choose its own government. Beijing and its allies want a more gradual approach.

Operation Noble Eagle: The nation's Sentinels

Task Force Sentinel is a small detachment fighting the war against terrorism--41 soldiers of the Vermont Army National Guard who are on active duty in the northwest corner of the state to protect their backyard and your front door. They are among approximately 1,100 Guard soldiers currently activated to help protect U.S. borders under Operation Noble Eagle, the domestic security operation launched in the wake of the September 11 attacks.

Supporting the U.S. Customs Service and Immigration and Naturalization Service, they help stop terrorists and weapons of mass destruction from entering the United States.

Vermont's Task Force Sentinel serves along a 40-mile or so stretch of the Canadian border. Its soldiers are stationed at eight land entry ports, only one of which can be considered major.

Highgate Springs border crossing on Interstate 89 services the main road connecting Montreal and the rest of Quebec to Boston. Up to 12,000 cargo trucks pass through there each month along with tens of thousands of automobiles.

The other entry ports are quaint outposts guarding back roads that cut across lush pasturelands and dairy farms from Canada. The busiest of them might see 40 or 50 cars roll up during a weekend eight-hour shift, and not long ago stations that were not open 24 hours a day posted a sign at closing time that politely asked crossers to turn around and go to another port that was open.

The honor system does not cut it now, however. The tranquil farmland is a dangerous frontier. Several cells with probable al Qaeda links are thought to be operating in or around Montreal, and for many years the area has been a major marijuana smuggling route from hydroponic farming operations in Canada.

From Morses Line station, one of the small entry ports where Task Force Sentinel soldiers work, you can see the tops of the silos on Sgt. Chad Bouchard's family farm. Sgt. Bouchard volunteered to be a part of the task force. You can see SFC Stephen Patterson's house from the small entry port in Richford, Vt. He is on the task force, too.

"If you live locally, you know the agents and you know the people," SFC Patterson explained. "That helps you see whether something is out of the ordinary."

Most of the Task Force Sentinel soldiers live within 20 miles of the stations they help guard, "Our first choices were local soldiers," said lst Sgt. Dennis Sheridan, the noncommissioned officer in charge of Task Force Sentinel. "Not only do they know the area and the people, but the people know them, and that makes them more comfortable with seeing a soldier at the port."

Inspectors have databases to help with the screening, but most of the time human instincts and experience are the tools. "It's a difficult task to know whom or what to search sometimes," said Inspector Scott Alderman of the Customs Service. "You must be able to pick up on body language and listen carefully to their story. You have to take in the totality of the situation, and you have about 15 seconds to make a decision."

"We're another set of eyes," SFC Patterson explained. Most Task Force Sentinel members are from the Vermont Army Guard's 1st Battalion, 172nd Armor, headquartered in Saint Albans, and they help secure entry ports along approximately half of the state's border with Canada. Another unit has responsibility for the other half.

Before Guard soldiers came on active duty to support the border services, inspectors had been working up to 16 hours a day for 30 or 40 days without a day off, causing fatigue that not only affected the officers personally but which could have led to decreased job performance. The military support also has allowed port directors to expand searches. For example, the Guard soldiers working cargo inspections at the Highgate Springs entry port allowed checks to increase to 7 percent of the truck traffic coming through that port, compared to 1 percent checked before the soldiers arrived. So far, soldiers at Highgate Springs have been responsible for several major drug finds, which they consider a bonus contribution while focusing on national security. As Craig Jehle, the U.S. Custom Service area port director, put it, "If we knew whether terrorists or drugs were inside, we wouldn't actually need to open up the truck."

The 179-day orders that put soldiers performing the border mission on Title 10 (federal) service began in March and will expire this month. (It is not known at this writing if the border mission will be authorized and funded for an additional 179-day period, the maximum period under the requisite authority.)

While Task Force Sentinel assists Customs inspectors and INS agents on the ground, another arm of Vermont's border support operation helps from the air.

The mission of the Vermont Reconnaissance and Aerial Interdiction Detachment (RAID) shifted from counterdrug operations (a state mission) on the border to a federal counter-terrorism mission in March under Department of Justice funding through the Department of Defense.

Vermont RAID has two OH-58D helicopters equipped with Wulfsberg radios, which not only allow the crew to communicate with civilian law enforcement agencies on the border but often act as relays and become the only means that allow different law enforcement agencies on the ground to talk to each other. The helicopters also have forward looking infrared systems and 30-million-candlepower Nightsun spotlights.

Based in Burlington, the Vermont detachment has five pilots, two technical inspectors, one mechanic and two operations/refueling NCOs currently on active duty. (Two pilots and one mechanic working in Vermont were attached from the Tennessee Army National Guard for the mission.)

The detachment will log about 800 hours flying time for the six months of its activation for the counter-terrorism mission, and that is about 200 more hours than a typical flying year on the counter-drug mission. Its area of responsibility extends from western Maine to eastern New York, which is more than 220 nautical miles of U.S. border.

"Our mission is to support the U.S. Border Patrol in all aspects of border operations, providing patrols and aircraft on an on-call status," said Capt. Roger W. Drury, the detachment commander. "We always took our business seriously," he said, "but the tone changed on September 11."

Vermont soldiers' reasons for volunteering for the border protection mission follow one central theme: patriotism. "I really felt obliged to do something after September 11," said Sgt. Michael Byers, a member of Task Force Sentinel. "After the September 11 bombings, I figured that I just had to do something to help my country," echoed Spc. Daniel Langlois.

"For a lot of soldiers, this is their first real-world mission, so they take it very seriously," 1st Sgt. Sheridan said. "It may not be a very glamorous job-climbing into trucks, checking car trunks and the like-but for the country right now it's a very necessary job."

[Sidebar]

A Legacy of Being on the Leading Edge

[Sidebar]

Another element of the Vermont National Guard is helping to protect another U.S. border-one you cannot see. It's the line of defense at the front end of military computer systems.

The Vermont National Guard is a leader in many aspects of information operations (10) training, including training to protect computer networks. Military personnel in the active and reserve components come to the Vermont Regional Training Center from around the country to be trained by the 3rd Battalion, 124th Training Regiment (Information Operations). The unit teaches several advanced general IO and computer system management courses that are available nowhere else in the military training system.

Among its courses is the incident response handling course for National Guard computer emergency response teams (CERTs). The National Guard has the lead for military computer defense, and each state is standing up a seven-soldier CERT to respond to both state and federal computer incidents that include hacking and other computer intrusions.

The Vermont National Guard in many ways created its own 10 niche by employing an "entrepreneurial spirit," according to the Vermont Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Martha T. Rainville.

Putting it simply, she said, "We took a risk." There was no funding or slots for 10 when the state's leadership evaluated the situation about four years ago. On the plus side, however, were "the people and skills in Vermont," according to Gen. Rainville. "We have Norwich University here, which is very interested in this developing mission area, and we have a technology base with our tech industry." (IBM has a major facility in Burlington, Vt.)

[Sidebar]

The 10 training mission was one that Vermont Guard leaders believed was suited to their assets and was geared toward its state culture, so the Vermont National Guard went after the IO mission with New England tenacity and vigor.

"We carved out this training mission as sort of a niche for Vermont because we thought we would be good at it," Gen. Rainville said, and it represents the kind of creative momentum she wants to build so the Vermont National Guard can reshape itself for the future in all areas.

"I see the Vermont National Guard continuing to evolve over the next 10 years, really looking hard at legacy missions and shifting slowly from legacy missions to new mission areas. 10 is one of them, but it is only one of them," she explained. "We must be willing to make some tough decisions and position ourselves for future missions, not just for our own benefit, but so we can continue to be relevant and be what the country needs."

"You hear stories about some cavalry units still having horses when World War II started," she said. "We don't want that to happen to us. We want to be relevant. We want the multiple-launch rocket system as opposed to the artillery system we have now; we want the nextgeneration tank.

"Then we must position ourselves for what we want beyond that. What kind of division do we want the Vermont Army Guard to be a part of ... one of the homeland security divisions that is being talked about, or something else ... perhaps a future type of division that would be smaller and more agile. It's exciting because we know that change is the only thing we can count on, and Vermont has always been on the forefront throughout its history."

No stemming red ink: Federal deficit to hit $1.5T

WASHINGTON (AP) — Far from slowing, the government's deficit spending will surge to a record $1.5 trillion flood of red ink this year, congressional budget experts estimated Wednesday, blaming the slow economic recovery and last month's tax-cut law.

The report was sobering new evidence that it will take more than President Barack Obama's proposed freeze on some agencies to stem the nation's extraordinary budget woes. Republicans say they want big budget cuts but so far are light on specifics.

Wednesday's Congressional Budget Office estimates indicate the government will have to borrow 40 cents for every dollar it spends this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. Tax revenues are projected to drop to their lowest levels since 1950, when measured against the size of the economy.

The report, full of nasty news, also says that after decades of Social Security surpluses, the vast program's costs are no longer covered by payroll taxes.

The budget estimates will add fuel to the already-raging debate over spending and looming legislation that would allow the government to borrow more money as the national debt nears the $14.3 trillion cap set by law. Republicans controlling the House say there's no way they'll raise the limit without significant budget cuts, starting with a government funding bill that will advance next month.

Democrats and Republicans agree that stern anti-deficit steps are needed, but neither Obama nor his resurgent GOP rivals on Capitol Hill are — so far — willing to put on the table cuts to popular benefit programs such as Medicare, farm subsidies and Social Security. The need to pass legislation to fund the government and prevent a first-ever default on U.S. debt obligations seems sure to drive the two sides into negotiations.

Though the analysis predicts the economy will grow by 3.1 percent this year, it foresees unemployment remaining above 9 percent.

Dauntingly for Obama, the nonpartisan agency estimates a nationwide jobless rate of 8.2 percent on Election Day in 2012. That's higher that the rates that contributed to losses by Presidents Jimmy Carter (7.5 percent) and George H.W. Bush (7.4 percent). The nation isn't projected to be at full employment — considered to be a jobless rate of about 5 percent — until 2016.

The latest deficit figures are up from previous estimates because of bipartisan legislation passed in December that extended George W. Bush-era tax cuts and unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless and provided a 2 percentage point Social Security payroll tax cut this year.

That measure added almost $400 billion to this year's deficit, CBO says.

The deficit is on track to beat the record of $1.4 trillion set in 2009. The budget experts predict the deficit will drop to $1.1 trillion next year, still very high by historical standards.

Republicans focus on Obama's contributions to the deficit: his $821 billion economic stimulus plan, boosts for domestic programs and his signature health care overhaul. Obama points out that he inherited deficits that would have exceeded $1 trillion a year anyway.

The chilling figures came the day after Obama called for a five-year freeze on optional spending in domestic agency budgets passed by Congress each year.

Republicans were quick to blame Obama for the rising red ink. Rep. Jeb Hensarllng of Texas, chairman of the House Republican Conference, said the report "paints a picture that is more dangerous than most Americans could anticipate."

"What is our leader in the White House doing about it? Asking Congress to raise the debt ceiling, proposing new spending and sticking future generations with a multi-trillion dollar tab," Hensarling said.

Democrat Kent Conrad, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, pointed to a problem lawmakers are sure to keep facing:

"When the American people are asked what they want done and to prioritize what they want, they want the deficits and debt dealt with. But when they are asked very specifically, will they support changes in Social Security, the polls say no. Changes in Medicare? The polls say no. Changes in defense spending? The polls say no."

"I would've liked very much if the president would have spent a bit more time helping the American people understand how really big this problem is," added Conrad, D-N.D.

Republicans are calling for deeper cuts for education, housing and the FBI — among many programs — to return them to the 2008 levels in place before Obama took office.

But those nondefense programs make up just 12 or so percent of the $3.7 trillion budget, which means any upcoming deficit reduction package — at least one that begins to significantly slow the gush of red ink — will require politically dangerous curbs to popular benefit programs. That includes Social Security, Medicare, the Medicaid health care program for the poor and disabled, and food stamps.

Neither Obama nor his GOP rivals on Capitol Hill have yet come forward with specific proposals for cutting such benefit programs. Successful efforts to curb the deficit always require active, engaged presidential leadership, but Obama's unwillingness to thus far take chances has deficit hawks discouraged. Obama will release his 2012 budget proposal next month.

"The proposals we've seen so far from the president and congressional Republicans amount to little more than tinkering around the edges," said Concord Coalition Executive Director Bob Bixby.

"Somebody is going to have to bite the bullet and get this process going," said Maya MacGuineas of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a bipartisan group that advocates fiscal responsibility. "And that somebody has to be the president."

Obama has steered clear of the recommendations of his deficit commission, which in December called for difficult moves such as increasing the Social Security retirement age and reducing future increases in benefits. It also proposed a 15-cents-a-gallon increase in the gasoline tax and eliminating or scaling back tax breaks — including the child tax credit, mortgage interest deduction and deduction claimed by employers who provide health insurance — in exchange for rate cuts on corporate and income taxes.

CBO predicts that the deficit will fall to $551 billion by 2015 — a sustainable 3 percent of the economy — but only if the Bush tax cuts are wiped off the books. Under its rules, CBO assumes the recently extended cuts in taxes on income, investment and people inheriting large estates will expire in two years. If those tax cuts, and numerous others, are extended, the deficit for that year would be almost three times as large.

Tax revenues, which dropped significantly in 2009 because of the recession, have stabilized. But revenue growth will continue to be constrained. CBO projects revenues to be 6 percent higher in 2011 than they were two years ago, which will not keep pace with the growth in spending.

Bush: Recovery will take years: Katrina victims skeptical of promises of help

BILOXI, Miss. -- President Bush said Monday the huge job ofrebuilding from Hurricane Katrina was just beginning a year after themassive storm but expressed hope that the $110 billion sent fromWashington would be enough.

Trying to erase the black mark left on his presidency by theadministration's sluggish response to Katrina, Bush returned to thefirst scene he saw a year ago of the storm's devastation.

Standing in a neighborhood where gutted buildings sit next tonewly built homes, Bush pledged the federal government would standwith the region as it rebuilds.

It's a promise viewed with skepticism by victims still reelingfrom the storm.

"A year ago, I committed our federal government to help you," Bushsaid. "I said, 'We have a duty to help the local people recover andrebuild,' and I meant what I said."

Of the $110 billion in hurricane aid approved by Congress, $44billion has been spent. Overall, the administration has released $77billion to the states, reserving the rest for future needs.

MUCH SLOWER RECOVERY IN LA.

Bush focused on the positive but acknowledged that much remains tobe done.

"It's an anniversary, but it's not an end," he said. "Frankly it'sjust the beginning."

Asked how long the rebuilding would take, Bush said: "I would sayyears, not months. On the other hand, the progress in one year's timehas been remarkable."

The welcome Bush received here was warmer than the one he isexpected to get today -- the actual anniversary of Katrina -- inLouisiana, where recovery efforts have moved much more slowly.

Nationwide polls give Bush low marks on Katrina. An AP-Ipsos pollearlier this month showed 67 percent disapproved of his handling ofthe disaster.

With Hurricane Ernesto bearing down on Florida, Democrats havebeen coordinating a political assault on the Bush administration'sKatrina response, hoping to sway voters in the upcoming congressionalelections.

House Democrats on Monday toured devastated areas of New Orleansand decried the slow pace of recovery. "I think the American publicis going to be very, very surprised to know this recovery is way, waybehind what their expectations would have been," Rep. James Clyburn(D-S.C.) said.

Boss pays employees to give elderly a hand

For the last four years, Thomas Hutchison has volunteered histime placing the homeless in church shelters throughout the northwestsuburbs.

Now, Hutchison also donates his company's time to those in need.

Since the beginning of June, Hutchison has allowed all 40 of hisemployees to volunteer with the elderly during two work hours eachweek.

"It's not a requirement, but it gives my employees somethingworthwhile to do when the workload is slow," said Hutchison, 44, whoowns H-O-H Chemical in Palatine, a small firm that makes watertreatment chemicals for commercial air conditioning and heating.

"I feel that as our company continues to grow, we should developa presence in the community and keep our employees busy," saidHutchison, adding that summer is slow for his business.

So far, five employees signed up at the nearby Palatine SeniorCenter, which places volunteers with dependent elderly people.

Irene Ohlrich, H-O-H Chemical's office manager who helped toorganize the volunteering program, said workers spend their time withthe elderly in a variety of ways.

"Some simply take their ladies grocery shopping, or just runerrands," Ohlrich said. "But many of us spend time with them outsideof our work hours, like taking walks with them on a night after workor stopping by on the weekends."

Jennifer Rozanski, who works in the company's customer servicedepartment, said she normally spends two to four hours a week withHelen Boyd, 74, who lives in Schaumburg.

"We get dinner, grab a movie, go shopping . . . cut and styleher hair," said Rozanski, 23, who also is a licensed beautician."Helen's a sweet, loving person."

Rozanski said Hutchison's idea of paying people to volunteer isa good deal for older people, who are often lonely and yearn forcompanionship.

"It gives them something to look forward to, even if it's justtaking them to the doctor," Rozanski said.

Boyd has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, forcing her todepend on a portable oxygen tank to breathe. Without Rozanski'sregular visits, she wouldn't be able to keep doctor's appointments,shop for groceries or have her hair trimmed, she said.

"Jennifer goes out of her way to take care of me, and she's agreat help," Boyd said. "She even calls me up at night just to talk.

"I think it's wonderful that this company will pay for workersto volunteer. Others should follow their example because there's alot of lonely, needy people out there who would just like to havesomeone to talk to."

DANBURY FOOD SERVICE INSPECTIONS WEEKLY REPORT, MARCH 13

The city of Danbury issued the following news release: 7-Eleven - 94 29 Mill Plain Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food contact surface in poor repair.

Amber Room Colonnade - 96 1 Stacy Road

Poor food handling practice.

Applebee's - 91 57 Federal Road

Poor food handling practice; poor hygienic practice; food contact surface not clean.

Barden Corporation/Walsh Catering - 90 200 Park Avenue

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; inadequate sanitizer concentration; food contact surface not clean.

Bertucci's - 91 98 Newtown Road

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; poor food handling practice; food contact surface not clean.

Boehringer Ingelheim - 96 175 Briar Ridge Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food contact surface in poor repair.

Bombay Restaurant - 91 54 Pembroke Road

Potentially hazardous food improperly thawed; food not protected; lack of designated alternate documentation.

Boston Billiard Club - 94 20 Backus Avenue

Reinspection due to prior failure. Poor hygienic practice; food contact surface in poor repair; single service items improperly stored.

Cold Stone Creamery - 98 28 Backus Avenue

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food contact surface not clean.

Denny's - 94 61 Newtown Road

Desert Moon Cafe - 96 113 Mill Plain Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food not protected.

Duchess - 86 276 White Street

Reinspection due to prior failure. *Potentially hazardous food did not meet temperature requirements; *Handwashing sink obstructed/not accessible; food not protected; poor food handling practice. CLOSURE WARNING ISSUED.

Dunkin Donuts - 92 16-18 Hayestown Road

Lack of refrigerator thermometer; poor hygienic practice.

Eagles II Cafe - 91 7 New Street

Food container stored on floor; single service items improperly stored; food contact surface not clean.

Germantown Diner - 83 30 Germantown Road

Food not protected; poor food handling practice; food contact surface in poor repair; dirty sink; inadequate sanitization procedures.

Gina's Italian Gourmet - 93 120 Clapboard Ridge Road

Food not protected.

Goulash Place - 90 42 Highland Avenue

Food not protected; food contact surface not clean.

Great Wall Restaurant - 88 30 Germantown Road

Inadequate product cooling procedures; food not protected; poor food handling practice; inadequate sanitizer concentration.

Greenery, The - 94 115 Main Street

Food contact surface in poor repair; food contact surface not clean.

Hilton Garden Inn - 88 119 Mill Plain Road

Food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; single service items improperly stored.

Home Goods - 100 67 Newtown Road

Jeffrey Chinese Kitchen - 88 7 Pembroke Road

Potentially hazardous food improperly thawed; food container stored on floor; poor food handling practice; food contact surface not clean.

Lake Avenue Coffee Shop - 90 78 Lake Avenue

Food not protected; poor food handling practice; no hot water at handsink.

Loews Theater - 89

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; single service items improperly stored.

MCCA - 91 38 Old Ridgebury Road

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; food contact surface in poor repair; food contact surface not clean.

Michael Angelo's Pizza - 89 75 Lake Avenue

Inadequate cold holding facilities; food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; improper sanitization procedures.

Milano's Gourmet Deli - 89 101 Mill Plain Road

Food not protected; poor food handling practice; food contact surface not clean.

New Deli Grocery - 90 53 Locust Avenue

Food container stored on floor; inadequate sanitization procedures; lack of written documentation of training program.

Nico's Pizza & Pasta - 85 175 Main Street

Food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; inadequate dishwashing procedures; food contact surface not clean.

Numero 1 Restaurant - 87 30 Germantown Road

Improper product cooling procedures; food container stored on floor; inadequate dishwashing procedure; lack of written documentation of training program.

Olive Garden - 94 36 Backus Avenue

Reinspection due to prior failure. Lack of refrigerator thermometer; food contact surface in poor repair.

Son Atlantic Market - 92 135 Main Street

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food not protected; inadequate dishwashing facilities.

Subway - 91 73 Mill Plain Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food not protected; food container stored on floor.

Tamales Mexican Cafe - 80 35A Lake Avenue

Lack of food thermometer; poor hygienic practice; food contact surface in poor repair; single service items improperly stored; improper dishwashing procedures.

Uncle Al's Cafe - 89 26 � Thorpe Street

Food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; food contact surface not clean.

Scott T. LeRoy, M.P.H., M.S. Director of Health

*4-point item(s) **One-point items not listed.

DANBURY FOOD SERVICE INSPECTIONS WEEKLY REPORT, MARCH 13

The city of Danbury issued the following news release: 7-Eleven - 94 29 Mill Plain Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food contact surface in poor repair.

Amber Room Colonnade - 96 1 Stacy Road

Poor food handling practice.

Applebee's - 91 57 Federal Road

Poor food handling practice; poor hygienic practice; food contact surface not clean.

Barden Corporation/Walsh Catering - 90 200 Park Avenue

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; inadequate sanitizer concentration; food contact surface not clean.

Bertucci's - 91 98 Newtown Road

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; poor food handling practice; food contact surface not clean.

Boehringer Ingelheim - 96 175 Briar Ridge Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food contact surface in poor repair.

Bombay Restaurant - 91 54 Pembroke Road

Potentially hazardous food improperly thawed; food not protected; lack of designated alternate documentation.

Boston Billiard Club - 94 20 Backus Avenue

Reinspection due to prior failure. Poor hygienic practice; food contact surface in poor repair; single service items improperly stored.

Cold Stone Creamery - 98 28 Backus Avenue

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food contact surface not clean.

Denny's - 94 61 Newtown Road

Desert Moon Cafe - 96 113 Mill Plain Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food not protected.

Duchess - 86 276 White Street

Reinspection due to prior failure. *Potentially hazardous food did not meet temperature requirements; *Handwashing sink obstructed/not accessible; food not protected; poor food handling practice. CLOSURE WARNING ISSUED.

Dunkin Donuts - 92 16-18 Hayestown Road

Lack of refrigerator thermometer; poor hygienic practice.

Eagles II Cafe - 91 7 New Street

Food container stored on floor; single service items improperly stored; food contact surface not clean.

Germantown Diner - 83 30 Germantown Road

Food not protected; poor food handling practice; food contact surface in poor repair; dirty sink; inadequate sanitization procedures.

Gina's Italian Gourmet - 93 120 Clapboard Ridge Road

Food not protected.

Goulash Place - 90 42 Highland Avenue

Food not protected; food contact surface not clean.

Great Wall Restaurant - 88 30 Germantown Road

Inadequate product cooling procedures; food not protected; poor food handling practice; inadequate sanitizer concentration.

Greenery, The - 94 115 Main Street

Food contact surface in poor repair; food contact surface not clean.

Hilton Garden Inn - 88 119 Mill Plain Road

Food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; single service items improperly stored.

Home Goods - 100 67 Newtown Road

Jeffrey Chinese Kitchen - 88 7 Pembroke Road

Potentially hazardous food improperly thawed; food container stored on floor; poor food handling practice; food contact surface not clean.

Lake Avenue Coffee Shop - 90 78 Lake Avenue

Food not protected; poor food handling practice; no hot water at handsink.

Loews Theater - 89

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; single service items improperly stored.

MCCA - 91 38 Old Ridgebury Road

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; food contact surface in poor repair; food contact surface not clean.

Michael Angelo's Pizza - 89 75 Lake Avenue

Inadequate cold holding facilities; food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; improper sanitization procedures.

Milano's Gourmet Deli - 89 101 Mill Plain Road

Food not protected; poor food handling practice; food contact surface not clean.

New Deli Grocery - 90 53 Locust Avenue

Food container stored on floor; inadequate sanitization procedures; lack of written documentation of training program.

Nico's Pizza & Pasta - 85 175 Main Street

Food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; inadequate dishwashing procedures; food contact surface not clean.

Numero 1 Restaurant - 87 30 Germantown Road

Improper product cooling procedures; food container stored on floor; inadequate dishwashing procedure; lack of written documentation of training program.

Olive Garden - 94 36 Backus Avenue

Reinspection due to prior failure. Lack of refrigerator thermometer; food contact surface in poor repair.

Son Atlantic Market - 92 135 Main Street

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food not protected; inadequate dishwashing facilities.

Subway - 91 73 Mill Plain Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food not protected; food container stored on floor.

Tamales Mexican Cafe - 80 35A Lake Avenue

Lack of food thermometer; poor hygienic practice; food contact surface in poor repair; single service items improperly stored; improper dishwashing procedures.

Uncle Al's Cafe - 89 26 � Thorpe Street

Food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; food contact surface not clean.

Scott T. LeRoy, M.P.H., M.S. Director of Health

*4-point item(s) **One-point items not listed.

DANBURY FOOD SERVICE INSPECTIONS WEEKLY REPORT, MARCH 13

The city of Danbury issued the following news release: 7-Eleven - 94 29 Mill Plain Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food contact surface in poor repair.

Amber Room Colonnade - 96 1 Stacy Road

Poor food handling practice.

Applebee's - 91 57 Federal Road

Poor food handling practice; poor hygienic practice; food contact surface not clean.

Barden Corporation/Walsh Catering - 90 200 Park Avenue

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; inadequate sanitizer concentration; food contact surface not clean.

Bertucci's - 91 98 Newtown Road

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; poor food handling practice; food contact surface not clean.

Boehringer Ingelheim - 96 175 Briar Ridge Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food contact surface in poor repair.

Bombay Restaurant - 91 54 Pembroke Road

Potentially hazardous food improperly thawed; food not protected; lack of designated alternate documentation.

Boston Billiard Club - 94 20 Backus Avenue

Reinspection due to prior failure. Poor hygienic practice; food contact surface in poor repair; single service items improperly stored.

Cold Stone Creamery - 98 28 Backus Avenue

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food contact surface not clean.

Denny's - 94 61 Newtown Road

Desert Moon Cafe - 96 113 Mill Plain Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food not protected.

Duchess - 86 276 White Street

Reinspection due to prior failure. *Potentially hazardous food did not meet temperature requirements; *Handwashing sink obstructed/not accessible; food not protected; poor food handling practice. CLOSURE WARNING ISSUED.

Dunkin Donuts - 92 16-18 Hayestown Road

Lack of refrigerator thermometer; poor hygienic practice.

Eagles II Cafe - 91 7 New Street

Food container stored on floor; single service items improperly stored; food contact surface not clean.

Germantown Diner - 83 30 Germantown Road

Food not protected; poor food handling practice; food contact surface in poor repair; dirty sink; inadequate sanitization procedures.

Gina's Italian Gourmet - 93 120 Clapboard Ridge Road

Food not protected.

Goulash Place - 90 42 Highland Avenue

Food not protected; food contact surface not clean.

Great Wall Restaurant - 88 30 Germantown Road

Inadequate product cooling procedures; food not protected; poor food handling practice; inadequate sanitizer concentration.

Greenery, The - 94 115 Main Street

Food contact surface in poor repair; food contact surface not clean.

Hilton Garden Inn - 88 119 Mill Plain Road

Food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; single service items improperly stored.

Home Goods - 100 67 Newtown Road

Jeffrey Chinese Kitchen - 88 7 Pembroke Road

Potentially hazardous food improperly thawed; food container stored on floor; poor food handling practice; food contact surface not clean.

Lake Avenue Coffee Shop - 90 78 Lake Avenue

Food not protected; poor food handling practice; no hot water at handsink.

Loews Theater - 89

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; single service items improperly stored.

MCCA - 91 38 Old Ridgebury Road

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; food contact surface in poor repair; food contact surface not clean.

Michael Angelo's Pizza - 89 75 Lake Avenue

Inadequate cold holding facilities; food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; improper sanitization procedures.

Milano's Gourmet Deli - 89 101 Mill Plain Road

Food not protected; poor food handling practice; food contact surface not clean.

New Deli Grocery - 90 53 Locust Avenue

Food container stored on floor; inadequate sanitization procedures; lack of written documentation of training program.

Nico's Pizza & Pasta - 85 175 Main Street

Food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; inadequate dishwashing procedures; food contact surface not clean.

Numero 1 Restaurant - 87 30 Germantown Road

Improper product cooling procedures; food container stored on floor; inadequate dishwashing procedure; lack of written documentation of training program.

Olive Garden - 94 36 Backus Avenue

Reinspection due to prior failure. Lack of refrigerator thermometer; food contact surface in poor repair.

Son Atlantic Market - 92 135 Main Street

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food not protected; inadequate dishwashing facilities.

Subway - 91 73 Mill Plain Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food not protected; food container stored on floor.

Tamales Mexican Cafe - 80 35A Lake Avenue

Lack of food thermometer; poor hygienic practice; food contact surface in poor repair; single service items improperly stored; improper dishwashing procedures.

Uncle Al's Cafe - 89 26 � Thorpe Street

Food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; food contact surface not clean.

Scott T. LeRoy, M.P.H., M.S. Director of Health

*4-point item(s) **One-point items not listed.

DANBURY FOOD SERVICE INSPECTIONS WEEKLY REPORT, MARCH 13

The city of Danbury issued the following news release: 7-Eleven - 94 29 Mill Plain Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food contact surface in poor repair.

Amber Room Colonnade - 96 1 Stacy Road

Poor food handling practice.

Applebee's - 91 57 Federal Road

Poor food handling practice; poor hygienic practice; food contact surface not clean.

Barden Corporation/Walsh Catering - 90 200 Park Avenue

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; inadequate sanitizer concentration; food contact surface not clean.

Bertucci's - 91 98 Newtown Road

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; poor food handling practice; food contact surface not clean.

Boehringer Ingelheim - 96 175 Briar Ridge Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food contact surface in poor repair.

Bombay Restaurant - 91 54 Pembroke Road

Potentially hazardous food improperly thawed; food not protected; lack of designated alternate documentation.

Boston Billiard Club - 94 20 Backus Avenue

Reinspection due to prior failure. Poor hygienic practice; food contact surface in poor repair; single service items improperly stored.

Cold Stone Creamery - 98 28 Backus Avenue

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food contact surface not clean.

Denny's - 94 61 Newtown Road

Desert Moon Cafe - 96 113 Mill Plain Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food not protected.

Duchess - 86 276 White Street

Reinspection due to prior failure. *Potentially hazardous food did not meet temperature requirements; *Handwashing sink obstructed/not accessible; food not protected; poor food handling practice. CLOSURE WARNING ISSUED.

Dunkin Donuts - 92 16-18 Hayestown Road

Lack of refrigerator thermometer; poor hygienic practice.

Eagles II Cafe - 91 7 New Street

Food container stored on floor; single service items improperly stored; food contact surface not clean.

Germantown Diner - 83 30 Germantown Road

Food not protected; poor food handling practice; food contact surface in poor repair; dirty sink; inadequate sanitization procedures.

Gina's Italian Gourmet - 93 120 Clapboard Ridge Road

Food not protected.

Goulash Place - 90 42 Highland Avenue

Food not protected; food contact surface not clean.

Great Wall Restaurant - 88 30 Germantown Road

Inadequate product cooling procedures; food not protected; poor food handling practice; inadequate sanitizer concentration.

Greenery, The - 94 115 Main Street

Food contact surface in poor repair; food contact surface not clean.

Hilton Garden Inn - 88 119 Mill Plain Road

Food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; single service items improperly stored.

Home Goods - 100 67 Newtown Road

Jeffrey Chinese Kitchen - 88 7 Pembroke Road

Potentially hazardous food improperly thawed; food container stored on floor; poor food handling practice; food contact surface not clean.

Lake Avenue Coffee Shop - 90 78 Lake Avenue

Food not protected; poor food handling practice; no hot water at handsink.

Loews Theater - 89

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; single service items improperly stored.

MCCA - 91 38 Old Ridgebury Road

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; food contact surface in poor repair; food contact surface not clean.

Michael Angelo's Pizza - 89 75 Lake Avenue

Inadequate cold holding facilities; food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; improper sanitization procedures.

Milano's Gourmet Deli - 89 101 Mill Plain Road

Food not protected; poor food handling practice; food contact surface not clean.

New Deli Grocery - 90 53 Locust Avenue

Food container stored on floor; inadequate sanitization procedures; lack of written documentation of training program.

Nico's Pizza & Pasta - 85 175 Main Street

Food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; inadequate dishwashing procedures; food contact surface not clean.

Numero 1 Restaurant - 87 30 Germantown Road

Improper product cooling procedures; food container stored on floor; inadequate dishwashing procedure; lack of written documentation of training program.

Olive Garden - 94 36 Backus Avenue

Reinspection due to prior failure. Lack of refrigerator thermometer; food contact surface in poor repair.

Son Atlantic Market - 92 135 Main Street

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food not protected; inadequate dishwashing facilities.

Subway - 91 73 Mill Plain Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food not protected; food container stored on floor.

Tamales Mexican Cafe - 80 35A Lake Avenue

Lack of food thermometer; poor hygienic practice; food contact surface in poor repair; single service items improperly stored; improper dishwashing procedures.

Uncle Al's Cafe - 89 26 � Thorpe Street

Food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; food contact surface not clean.

Scott T. LeRoy, M.P.H., M.S. Director of Health

*4-point item(s) **One-point items not listed.

DANBURY FOOD SERVICE INSPECTIONS WEEKLY REPORT, MARCH 13

The city of Danbury issued the following news release: 7-Eleven - 94 29 Mill Plain Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food contact surface in poor repair.

Amber Room Colonnade - 96 1 Stacy Road

Poor food handling practice.

Applebee's - 91 57 Federal Road

Poor food handling practice; poor hygienic practice; food contact surface not clean.

Barden Corporation/Walsh Catering - 90 200 Park Avenue

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; inadequate sanitizer concentration; food contact surface not clean.

Bertucci's - 91 98 Newtown Road

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; poor food handling practice; food contact surface not clean.

Boehringer Ingelheim - 96 175 Briar Ridge Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food contact surface in poor repair.

Bombay Restaurant - 91 54 Pembroke Road

Potentially hazardous food improperly thawed; food not protected; lack of designated alternate documentation.

Boston Billiard Club - 94 20 Backus Avenue

Reinspection due to prior failure. Poor hygienic practice; food contact surface in poor repair; single service items improperly stored.

Cold Stone Creamery - 98 28 Backus Avenue

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food contact surface not clean.

Denny's - 94 61 Newtown Road

Desert Moon Cafe - 96 113 Mill Plain Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food not protected.

Duchess - 86 276 White Street

Reinspection due to prior failure. *Potentially hazardous food did not meet temperature requirements; *Handwashing sink obstructed/not accessible; food not protected; poor food handling practice. CLOSURE WARNING ISSUED.

Dunkin Donuts - 92 16-18 Hayestown Road

Lack of refrigerator thermometer; poor hygienic practice.

Eagles II Cafe - 91 7 New Street

Food container stored on floor; single service items improperly stored; food contact surface not clean.

Germantown Diner - 83 30 Germantown Road

Food not protected; poor food handling practice; food contact surface in poor repair; dirty sink; inadequate sanitization procedures.

Gina's Italian Gourmet - 93 120 Clapboard Ridge Road

Food not protected.

Goulash Place - 90 42 Highland Avenue

Food not protected; food contact surface not clean.

Great Wall Restaurant - 88 30 Germantown Road

Inadequate product cooling procedures; food not protected; poor food handling practice; inadequate sanitizer concentration.

Greenery, The - 94 115 Main Street

Food contact surface in poor repair; food contact surface not clean.

Hilton Garden Inn - 88 119 Mill Plain Road

Food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; single service items improperly stored.

Home Goods - 100 67 Newtown Road

Jeffrey Chinese Kitchen - 88 7 Pembroke Road

Potentially hazardous food improperly thawed; food container stored on floor; poor food handling practice; food contact surface not clean.

Lake Avenue Coffee Shop - 90 78 Lake Avenue

Food not protected; poor food handling practice; no hot water at handsink.

Loews Theater - 89

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; single service items improperly stored.

MCCA - 91 38 Old Ridgebury Road

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; food contact surface in poor repair; food contact surface not clean.

Michael Angelo's Pizza - 89 75 Lake Avenue

Inadequate cold holding facilities; food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; improper sanitization procedures.

Milano's Gourmet Deli - 89 101 Mill Plain Road

Food not protected; poor food handling practice; food contact surface not clean.

New Deli Grocery - 90 53 Locust Avenue

Food container stored on floor; inadequate sanitization procedures; lack of written documentation of training program.

Nico's Pizza & Pasta - 85 175 Main Street

Food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; inadequate dishwashing procedures; food contact surface not clean.

Numero 1 Restaurant - 87 30 Germantown Road

Improper product cooling procedures; food container stored on floor; inadequate dishwashing procedure; lack of written documentation of training program.

Olive Garden - 94 36 Backus Avenue

Reinspection due to prior failure. Lack of refrigerator thermometer; food contact surface in poor repair.

Son Atlantic Market - 92 135 Main Street

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food not protected; inadequate dishwashing facilities.

Subway - 91 73 Mill Plain Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food not protected; food container stored on floor.

Tamales Mexican Cafe - 80 35A Lake Avenue

Lack of food thermometer; poor hygienic practice; food contact surface in poor repair; single service items improperly stored; improper dishwashing procedures.

Uncle Al's Cafe - 89 26 � Thorpe Street

Food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; food contact surface not clean.

Scott T. LeRoy, M.P.H., M.S. Director of Health

*4-point item(s) **One-point items not listed.

DANBURY FOOD SERVICE INSPECTIONS WEEKLY REPORT, MARCH 13

The city of Danbury issued the following news release: 7-Eleven - 94 29 Mill Plain Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food contact surface in poor repair.

Amber Room Colonnade - 96 1 Stacy Road

Poor food handling practice.

Applebee's - 91 57 Federal Road

Poor food handling practice; poor hygienic practice; food contact surface not clean.

Barden Corporation/Walsh Catering - 90 200 Park Avenue

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; inadequate sanitizer concentration; food contact surface not clean.

Bertucci's - 91 98 Newtown Road

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; poor food handling practice; food contact surface not clean.

Boehringer Ingelheim - 96 175 Briar Ridge Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food contact surface in poor repair.

Bombay Restaurant - 91 54 Pembroke Road

Potentially hazardous food improperly thawed; food not protected; lack of designated alternate documentation.

Boston Billiard Club - 94 20 Backus Avenue

Reinspection due to prior failure. Poor hygienic practice; food contact surface in poor repair; single service items improperly stored.

Cold Stone Creamery - 98 28 Backus Avenue

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food contact surface not clean.

Denny's - 94 61 Newtown Road

Desert Moon Cafe - 96 113 Mill Plain Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food not protected.

Duchess - 86 276 White Street

Reinspection due to prior failure. *Potentially hazardous food did not meet temperature requirements; *Handwashing sink obstructed/not accessible; food not protected; poor food handling practice. CLOSURE WARNING ISSUED.

Dunkin Donuts - 92 16-18 Hayestown Road

Lack of refrigerator thermometer; poor hygienic practice.

Eagles II Cafe - 91 7 New Street

Food container stored on floor; single service items improperly stored; food contact surface not clean.

Germantown Diner - 83 30 Germantown Road

Food not protected; poor food handling practice; food contact surface in poor repair; dirty sink; inadequate sanitization procedures.

Gina's Italian Gourmet - 93 120 Clapboard Ridge Road

Food not protected.

Goulash Place - 90 42 Highland Avenue

Food not protected; food contact surface not clean.

Great Wall Restaurant - 88 30 Germantown Road

Inadequate product cooling procedures; food not protected; poor food handling practice; inadequate sanitizer concentration.

Greenery, The - 94 115 Main Street

Food contact surface in poor repair; food contact surface not clean.

Hilton Garden Inn - 88 119 Mill Plain Road

Food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; single service items improperly stored.

Home Goods - 100 67 Newtown Road

Jeffrey Chinese Kitchen - 88 7 Pembroke Road

Potentially hazardous food improperly thawed; food container stored on floor; poor food handling practice; food contact surface not clean.

Lake Avenue Coffee Shop - 90 78 Lake Avenue

Food not protected; poor food handling practice; no hot water at handsink.

Loews Theater - 89

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; single service items improperly stored.

MCCA - 91 38 Old Ridgebury Road

Food not protected; food container stored on floor; food contact surface in poor repair; food contact surface not clean.

Michael Angelo's Pizza - 89 75 Lake Avenue

Inadequate cold holding facilities; food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; improper sanitization procedures.

Milano's Gourmet Deli - 89 101 Mill Plain Road

Food not protected; poor food handling practice; food contact surface not clean.

New Deli Grocery - 90 53 Locust Avenue

Food container stored on floor; inadequate sanitization procedures; lack of written documentation of training program.

Nico's Pizza & Pasta - 85 175 Main Street

Food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; inadequate dishwashing procedures; food contact surface not clean.

Numero 1 Restaurant - 87 30 Germantown Road

Improper product cooling procedures; food container stored on floor; inadequate dishwashing procedure; lack of written documentation of training program.

Olive Garden - 94 36 Backus Avenue

Reinspection due to prior failure. Lack of refrigerator thermometer; food contact surface in poor repair.

Son Atlantic Market - 92 135 Main Street

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food not protected; inadequate dishwashing facilities.

Subway - 91 73 Mill Plain Road

Reinspection due to prior failure. Food not protected; food container stored on floor.

Tamales Mexican Cafe - 80 35A Lake Avenue

Lack of food thermometer; poor hygienic practice; food contact surface in poor repair; single service items improperly stored; improper dishwashing procedures.

Uncle Al's Cafe - 89 26 � Thorpe Street

Food not protected; food contact surface in poor repair; food contact surface not clean.

Scott T. LeRoy, M.P.H., M.S. Director of Health

*4-point item(s) **One-point items not listed.