S: IS FOR SAVING A LIFE... A DOGS LIFE

The recession is causing people to lose more than just their homes and it is causing families to break apart. Sometimes that family is a beloved pet. This column is dedicated to helping one of these heartaches out.

It breaks my heart to write this, but as many of you might already know, I need to find Oliver and Sophie a new home. Oliver is a 25lb, 6 year old American Eskimo with a bright and fun personality; Sophie is a 37lb, terrier/lab mix and just the sweetest, calmest girl you will ever know! I recently had to move to a small apartment and am not allowed to keep them there. The landlady is understanding of the fact that I am trying to find them a new family, but I’m not certain how much longer I have to find them a new home. This decision is completely breaking my heart but these two have so much love to give, I have to be fair to them and find them a new human to share their happiness with. They have been together since puppies and Sophie just could not exist without her big brother Oliver, nor him without her, so it is important that they find a new home where they can be together. Sophie and Oliver have been a HUGE part of my life for the last 6 years and I desperately need to find them a new human that will care and love them just as they have loved me. Of course I would love to find a local family that would allow me to keep in touch and see how they are doing, but as long as they find a loving home that will keep them together, I will be thankful. This is the hardest decision I have had to make, but they are such wonderful and loving dogs, I can’t imagine their new human not adoring them like I do. Both are up to date on shots (I can provide their records) and are registered; they are well trained and obedient. Their favorite activity is cuddling and napping with their human and although they play well together inside, a nice yard to run around in is high on their “wish” list. They also ADORE car rides and are great with kids. My family has other dogs and they all play wonderfully together. I appreciate you forwarding this message on and thank you in advance for your help in finding Oliver & Sophie a new family! Please contact me at (609) 847-5443 or AnaCarv7@comcast.net if you, or anyone you know is willing to love my two sweethearts.

Maybe we can help out and make this rescue a F.A.C.T.

T: Is for taking a stand against Palin

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is at it again...this time, she's the only governor in America to reject almost $29 million in federal stimulus money slated for energy efficiency programs in her state. Though I think spending this kind of money when there supposedly is none is insane, at the same time better to the environment than to the irresponsible CEO's of Wall Street. The money is there for states to strengthen building codes, prioritize energy efficiency and renewable energy, replace streetlights with LED bulbs and incentivize energy savings for customers, but Governor Palin is rejecting this environmentally sound plan simply because she believes it is not happening. She needs to pull her head out of the iceberg.
The future of this planet depends on everyone, including the residents of Alaska.
Even fellow Alaskan Republicans are urging Governor Palin to accept the funds, but she is stubbornly refusing to adopt energy efficiency standards critical for the future of our planet.

Here are some of the absurd statements she has made.

Produce more of our own oil & gas, for national security. (Sep 2008)
More pipelines; more nukes; more coal; more alternatives. (Sep 2008)
Resource rebate: suspend AK 8-cent fuel tax for one year. (Aug 2008)
Lift moratorium on offshore drilling. (Jul 2008)
Drill, baby, drill. (Oct 2008)
Gas pipeline:history’s largest private-sector infrastructure. (Sep 2008)
Unlock ANWR; we’re ready, willing and able to contribute. (Jun 2008)
Gas pipelines are approved if they meet Alaska’s needs. (Jan 2008)
Global warming affects Alaska, but is not man-made. (Aug 2008)
Opposed protections for salmon from mining contamination. (Aug 2008)
Sue US government to stop listing polar bear as endangered. (Aug 2008)
We must encourage timber, mining, drilling, & fishing. (Jan 2008)
Wolf predator control is important for subsistence hunters. (Sep 2007)
Feds shouldn’t list beluga whales as endangered. (Aug 2007)
Provide stability in regulations for developers. (Jan 2007)

I thought before the election and I still feel as strongly, this lady needs to be educated and that is a F.A.C.T

C: Is for cakes of a healthy sort

BabyCakes, is the new vegan, gluten-free, semi-sugar-free bakery on the LES. With a brand-new, secret-spilling cookbook, you can guiltlessly satisfy your sweet tooth at home. It’s just as adorable as the bakery, with lickable photos of every single recipe, anecdotes, testimonials from famous fans, and a section explaining allergen-free ingredients (so you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into). Here is one of those recipes to lure you back on your way to health.

Lemon-Raspberry Teacake

Ingredients
2/3 c. rice milk
1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
½ c. rice flour
¾ c. Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free all-purpose baking flour
1½ tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. xanthan gum
1 tsp. salt
½ c. coconut oil
¾ c. agave nectar
1/3 c. applesauce
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 tbsp. lemon zest
2 tbsp. pure lemon extract
½ c. raspberry preserves

1. Preheat oven to 325°. Lightly oil a 7-by-4-by-3-inch loaf pan.

2. Pour the rice milk and vinegar into a small bowl; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, xanthan gum, and salt.

3. Add oil, agave nectar, applesauce, vanilla, zest, and lemon extract to dry ingredients and stir until batter is smooth. Add milk/vinegar combo and combine just until blended.

4. Pour batter into prepared pan. Swirl raspberry preserves through batter and bake on the center rack for 35 minutes, rotating the pan 180° after 18 minutes. The teacake will be golden brown and springy, and a toothpick inserted in the center will come out clean.

5. Let the teacake stand in the pan for 20 minutes before inverting onto cake stand. Serve warm with preserves on top.

For more from Erin McKenna, get her cookbook, BabyCakes: Vegan, Gluten-Free, (Mostly) Sugar-Free Recipes from New York’s Most Talked About Bakery, go online at amazon.com.

Being healthy is no longer a chore, especially with these recipes and that is a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for The Amoralists

What does one do if you live an unconformable lifestyle and suddenly everything is put into turmoil? That is the subject matter of Derek Ahonen's The Pied Pipers of the Lower East Side, at PS 122. Set in present-day, Billy (James Kautz) is a journalist fighting for the rights of the oppressed. He is also a drug addict, and an alcoholic. Billy has 3 lovers: Wyatt (Matthew Pilieci) a manic depressive with anger issues, who is plagued with thoughts of death. He runs a Vegan café with Dear (Sarah Lemp), a former lawyer. Last but not least is Dawn (Mandy Nicole Moore) a teenage runaway who ran away from an abusive home life. Sex, free love, unconditional freedoms and substances are what make up this den of likable humans. Yes, they are flawed, but we care for them because they are honest about who they are. Enter Billy's brother Evan (Nick Lawson), a child of the establishment and just as hung up on their rules. In order to make him wake up Dawn gives herself to him and the dynamics are suddenly changed. Like the musical Rent, Donovan (Malcolm Madera)enters. He owns the building and has sold it for the big bucks leaving the entire group homeless, jobless and soon to be scattered. In a sense this story is the cliche of what happened and is still happening to the East Side and in a less dramatic way to New York. The play is funny at times if not a little long. The actors are full of energy and flesh out the characters so we know exactly who these people are. You see , we know them. They are our friends, the people we pass on the streets, the characters that at one time gave New York its depth and challenge the status quo. Presented by The Amoralists, it is fearlessness, intelligent, outrageous and real. Playing until June 28th this inventive show is a must see. Word of warning for those who are embarrassed by the naked form, three of them bare all for at least 10 minutes and that is a F.A.C.T.

F: Is for Food that caters to the men and draws the women

The official opening of Daniel Boulud's eagerly awaited DBGB Kitchen & Bar on the Bowery is tonight. Located at 299 Bowery, right off 1st Street. Here is the number you will need to make a reservation(212) 460-5777. e bar area and kitchen close at 11 p.m. If you'd like to sample DB's piggy burgers, sausages, and sundae trolley offerings try 6:45 and 8:45. With 22 beers on tap, over 50 in bottles, burgers, sausages and homemade ice cream this is sure to be a guys haven. I can bet as soon as the women figure this out it will also become a girls heaven. The cuisine is nestled some where between Europe and America, making this a true Brasserie. I personally look forward to trying "The Piggie," a burger topped with pulled BBQ pork and jalapeño on a cheddar corn-bread bun. Now that is a delicious F.A.C.T.