Opinions are like noses - everybody has one. But having worked for and against unions, I believe they are very valuable to society and every workplace.

However, just like any other organization or political party, unions can make mistakes and I have watched them make some doozies. Yet, in the end, I find those who complain the most do not realize their value or how things are supposed to work.

During my career, I have belonged to four different unions and have worked against 24 different unions, and there is nothing better than a strong management and a strong union.

The relationship between union and management is exactly like a teeter-totter or a marriage. One side should never have too much power over the other, and the relationship requires cooperation to make it work at maximum potential.

I know there are many folks on both sides who believe they should have all the marbles, but that is what really causes the demise of the entire operation.

Union membership has been on the decline for years, and the actions of the Wisconsin Governor and Republican-controlled Legislature have made it easy here in Wisconsin.

There are a number of folks who are just freeloaders. They enjoy getting all the benefits that others have worked hard to gain, and they are very happy to take the pay increases the union bargains.

Act 10 made them think they were going to save money, but what they thought they were saving in union dues resulted in them paying out a lot more for their retirement and health insurance benefits plus losing job security and representation.

A management that is too strong does not give their employees proper wages and benefits, while a union that is too strong either takes advantage during bargaining or forces management to waste money on high-priced attorneys to balance the scales.

Everyone knows right now managers are getting million dollar bonuses, double-digit percentage wage increases and golden handshakes at retirement, while the employees struggle to make ends meet with small or no wage increases.

This proves two things. First, this equation is totally wrong. Second, companies and school districts have enough money to give everyone a fair wage and benefit package but dont.

In a labor pool (community or area), when a union bargains higher wages, the non-union employers give higher wages because they have to be able to recruit and retain a quality workforce. Everyone wins, including local merchants!

People complain about the wages and benefits in union contracts, but fail to realize that both sides agreed to all of the terms and conditions during negotiations.

Unions are supposed to represent their members, but many times union leadership feels they know what is best and do not even get input before or during bargaining. This causes the membership to feel disenfranchised and allows them to feel the union only wants their money.

I will show how unions help our public schools in my next letter.

Read more from the original source:
Anatomy of unions - Ashland Daily Press

Restricting housing construction does not just hurt developersit makes housing less affordable for everyone. But to overcome neighborhood resistance, you need to understand what drives it.

Birds sit on a telephone line near Skid Row Housing Trust's 102 pre-fabricated modular apartments under construction in Los Angeles.

Next week, Los Angeles will vote on Measure S, a ballot initiative that proposes a two-year moratorium on developments that required changes to land use.

The law could potentially limit both new developments and affordable housing. Even with an exception for affordable housing developments written into the law, critics say it could still further restrict affordability in the region.

For a growing chorus of urbanists, NIMBYism and land use restrictions are the culprit behind everything from growing income inequality to shrinking affordable housing, productivity, and innovation. A 2015 study estimated that land use restrictions costs the United States upwards of $1.5 trillion in lost productivity. The 2016 Economic Report of the President called for sweeping reform of zoning and land use restrictions to overcome these costly economic rents, build more housing, and stimulate the U.S. economy.

A recent white paper by Paavo Monkkonen sheds interesting new light on the connection between NIMBYism and housing affordability. It takes a deep dive into, on the one hand, neighborhood opposition and land use restrictions, as well as housing supply and housing costs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Californias other expensive housing markets. (The research was partially supported by an unrestricted grant from the Center for California Real Estate to the University of California Center Sacramento Center Housing, Land Use, and Development Public Leadership and White Paper Award.)

California offers an ideal case study in the effects of NIMBYism on housing prices. Its major metrosLos Angeles, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, San Diego, Santa Barbaraare some of the most expensive in the nation. They combine high levels of productivity and high levels of amenitytwo factors which create the high demand which puts pressure on housing prices, and have fallen victim to harsh land use restrictions.

San Francisco Is So Expensive Even Renters Can Be NIMBYs

My own research finds that knowledge and professional workers are able to pay Californias higher housing costs. The burden falls largely on less advantaged blue-collar and service workers who have very little money left over after paying for housing. San Francisco has the highest housing costs in the country, while L.A. has the highest share of rent-burdened households. Across the state as a whole, renters need to make almost four times the state minimum wage to afford an average rent.

The crux of the California problem, the Monkkonen paper argues, is not the states restrictions on uber-high density building in and around urban centers, but the broader dependence on lower-density zoning across the board. Los Angeles may be a relatively dense city and metro (indeed, according to some basic measures, it is the densest metro in the country), but three-quarters of its residential land is devoted to relatively low-density single-family housing that only shelters half the citys population.

But adding new supply in the form of high-rise towers in and around the core will do little to solve the overall housing affordability problem. For one, those towers are usually built for the wealthy, and luxury buildings often boost the price of housing in neighborhoods in and around where theyre built (prompting calls like this one for a luxury housing tax to fund affordable units). They can also displace people from their neighborhoods and change the character of those neighborhoodsthings residents very much care about and will understandably seek to block.

Understanding NIMBYs

To get beyond NIMBYism, we first must understand it. Neighborhood resistance isnt just triggered by residents trying to prop up their home values or protect their neighborhoods from things they dont likeits the product of policies that provide incentives toward homeownership and a regulatory system that encourages and prompts opposition.

Even if the economic arguments about the costs and negative consequences of NIMBYism reflect sound economic logic, they amount to little if they fail to address the very real concerns of neighborhood groups. Most regular citizens and neighborhood residents dont think like dispassionate economists. According to a 2016 Building Industry Association poll, some two-thirds of San Franciscans surveyed do not think increasing housing supply improves affordability. Rather, they believe that land use regulations help to protect their neighborhoods.

Monkkonen goes on to parse four different strains of NIMBYism and their underlying motivations:

To fend off the four flavors of NIMBYism, the paper suggests several strategies:

There are other ways to combat NIMBYism. Yale Law School professor David Schleicher suggests using local tax policy to essentially co-opt NIMBY opposition to new development. The basic idea, referred to as tax increment local transfers, is to allow the residents of neighborhoods to share in the tax revenues that come from new developmentfor example, by rebating and reducing their own property taxes over a period of time. Others suggest that shifting from the current property tax to a land-value tax, which taxes property owners on the underlying value of the land itself, will create better incentives for more intensive land use.

But regardless of the precise mechanism employed, finding better ways to understand and counteract NIMBYism and create more vibrant and affordable cities is one of the most pressing policy issues facing urban America. The need to build more housing without removing community input is, as Monkkonen puts it, "a challenge we can no longer ignore."

Read the original here:
Anatomy of a NIMBY - CityLab

The longest running disagreement between me and some of the readers in this forum concerns my persistent warnings that investors are prone to sell low in panic and buy high in euphoria, and the ensuing resentful rebuttals I get from an army of disciplined DIYers. That this type of statement elicits indignation merely reinforces my view that there is an underlying emotion animating the response - that is, a deep-seated fear that panic-selling could happen to the one denying it.

(Some of these commenters dress up their rebuttals in the form of how dare you suggest investors need an advisor? but those reading my posts carefully enough understand that I am agnostic about the form of help people get and recognize that some people dont need any.)

It is with this background that I commend to your attention a must-read article by Erik Conley, who relays with uncommon honesty the story of how his panic on March 3, 2009, as the market plumbed new lows (after cascading downward for over a year) prompted him to call his broker to sell everything.

Most Seeking Alpha readers will recognize the date as being just days before the all-time market low during the last financial crisis. Whats important also to know is that Conley is not just your average working stiff. Hes a professional investor! And, as is evident from his writing, hes highly intelligent as well. This is no surprise to me, since I have repeatedly warned that the most intelligent people are precisely the most vulnerable because their fertile minds can quickly spin a compelling narrative that makes sense of why things are going down, and must continue to do so. Indeed, Conley alludes to this when he interprets a downward trending stock chart on CNBC as follows (with my emphasis added):

I began to imagine scenes of widespread panic like those old newsreels from the Great Depression of the 1930s. I imagined crowds of people lined up in front of banks desperately trying to get their money out before the bank collapsed. I saw bread lines and soup kitchens. And I saw myself, living in a van, down by the river. At that moment, I was in full panic mode."

Conley was fortunate that when he implored his broker to sell, saying I don't care what the price is, just get me out! his long-time associate tried hard to walk him off the ledge. He couldnt convince him not to sell everything but got Conley to agree to sell only half. When Conley came to his senses, he called back and re-bought everything. The cost of this investment roundtrip was 1.75% of his portfolio - not a bad price for such a valuable lesson. How costly it would have been had he missed out on the ensuing eight years of market price appreciation.

If Conley - a market veteran - can fall into the No. 1 investing trap, certainly anyone can. He chalks it up to the inescapability of being human:

I had acted irrationally, but I just couldn't see it at the time. I'm only human, after all, and humans panic sometimes. But I'm also an experienced, professional investor. I should have known better."

Thats true enough. Im less convinced, though, by another point he makes, suggesting that he got caught off guard while on vacation and away from his normal surroundings, computer and investment plan:

Had I taken the time to consult the part of my written plan that spells out how to deal with big market declines, I would have been more rational, and it's very unlikely that I would have made that panic sale.

The problem with this there is always a time of vulnerability. If it wasnt on March 3, it could have been on March 4. Elazar Advisors, LLC has commented that his trading advice service is premised on the knowledge that someone who is sitting alone making investment decisions is bound to crack up at some point from the psychological pressure that is most acute when by oneself. I think this applies to everyone to a greater or lesser extent - we all are prone to heeding inner messages emerging from the wellsprings of our sometimes irrational fears, hopes or desires.

That inner voice can convince you to shred that investment plan. That could have happened perhaps even more easily had Erik Conley seen the same screen on the same day back at home. Having his broker, partner and friend, on the other line kept the cost of his investment lesson to 1.75% of his portfolio rather than 3.50%. People need people - in all areas of life, not just investments. Whether you employ an advisor, enlist a knowledgeable friend or make sure you and your spouse are mutually committed to that investment plan, youre likely to lose less and gain more with a partner.

Postscript

It is with this perspective in mind that I want to notify readers of a new premium service on Seeking Alphas Marketplace called Wealth Watchers, designed for people who want something in between engaging a financial advisor and doing things completely on their own. The new forum will serve as a mutually supportive peer group with knowledge and perspective on the how-tos of earning, saving and investing with the aim of achieving financial independence.

Please share your thoughts in our comments section. Meanwhile, here are a few advisor-related links for today:

See the original post here:
Anatomy Of A Panicked Reaction: Financial Advisors' Daily Digest - Seeking Alpha

Greys Anatomy has tapped June Squibb and Hal Holbrook as guest stars,Variety has learned exclusively.

The duo will appear in the episode on Mar. 23, playingElsie Clatch and Lewis Clatch, a married couple who visit Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. No other details on their storyline have been revealed.

Additionally, the Mar. 23 episode will also welcome back guest starLaTanya Richardson Jackson, who will reprise her role as Maggies (Kelly McCreary) mother, Diane Pierce.

Squibb, who was nominated for the Academy Award for Nebraska, recently had an arc on Showtimes Shameless. She will be in the upcoming film Table 19. She is repped byBRS/Gage.

Holbrook, star of his iconic Tony-winning one-man show Mark Twain Tonight, has been keeping busy in recent years. The multiple-time Emmy-winner had a recurring role on Sons of Anarchy and guest starred in an episode of Bones this year. Heisrepped by JR Talent Group.

Greys Anatomy, which was recently renewed for a fourteenth season,airs Thursday nights at 8 p.m. on ABC.

More here:
'Grey's Anatomy': Hal Holbrook and June Squibb to Guest Star | Variety - Variety

An older woman hesitantly shares her experiences of sexuality after recovering from cervical cancer. A lawyer-turned-prostitute intimately tells of her passion for other women. A young homeless woman recounts a memory of a traumatizing childhood rape. These are just a few of the many emotional and powerful monologues presented within playwright and activist Eve Enslers award-winning The Vagina Monologues.

The Vagina Monologues discusses the stigma around womens sexuality and spurs dialogue about women, violence against women and the push for equality. Through monologues compiled by Ensler, such as My Revolution Begins in the Body, My Short Skirt and My Vagina Was My Village, the play shares personal accounts of womens experiences and emotions on this topic. All proceeds from the play, presented by IC Players at two show times Feb. 19 in the Emerson Suites, benefited V-day, a global activist movement dedicated to increase awareness of violence against women. The performances drew in about 150 people for both shows and IC Players raised about $815 for the advocacy center.

After three years of acting in The Vagina Monologues, senior Jessica Braham, a theater arts management major at Ithaca College, directed the play. Braham said the play is especially relevant now because of the current political climate and that she strived to use her power to address these political issues.

I felt like I could bring my vision to life, and I could finally be the one to inspire other women to voice these stories, Braham said. Theres a lot of criticism about the show because people are asking, Why are we still doing this? Women have rights. But I felt like this year was the time. This is when we need it now more than ever.

Braham said a key theme in the play was to stress the importance of women supporting and empowering other women. She said that while directing the play, she especially encouraged the cast members to empower one another.

Women empowering other women is something that is so important and something that we dont really have a lot of, Braham said. This isnt the time to segregate ourselves and separate from the issues. This is when we all need to come together and rally and fight for what is right for our rights and equality.

True to the message of women supporting other women, sophomore Hannah Paquette, assistant director of the play, said she aimed to create a sense of community among the women whose stories they were telling in the play.

These dialogues and conversations and sometimes these thoughts dont even happen unless theres a community of women where those things can come out, Paquette said.

Another important part of the play, Paquette said, is that it changes each year. This year, the spotlight monologue, a piece written by Ensler and selectively added to the performance, was I Call You Body, a monologue demanding safe and violence-free workplaces. The spotlight monologues each year highlight specific issues that are stressed in the yearly campaign for One Billion Rising and Vday.org, two organizations established by Ensler to combat violence against women. The additions help keep The Vagina Monologues relevant, Paquette said, allowing for the play to be a living body of work.

Its a really important point of activism for me being able to do this show, especially in this time period, Paquette said. It [shows] defiance and resistance.

Erin Lockett, a freshman acting major and the narrator of the play, said the show is an important feminist piece because it addresses the stigma face-first, without any shyness.

I think that if not everyone, a lot of people are very uncomfortable talking about vaginas because of the stigma that surrounds it, she said. I think The Vagina Monologues brings up the stigma. It names it, and it addresses it, and it analyzes it.

Lockett said the play commands attention and respect because of its direct style of addressing touchy subjects.

I think thats just a way more powerful way to address [the stigma], she said.

Without powerful, artful statements such as this play, Braham said, none of the universal problems referenced would be resolved. Braham recommends that people who fear the stigma see the performance.

Nothing will ever get solved by shying away and not addressing the situation or the problem at hand, Braham said. So to someone who is not going to come because of the title Why not give it a shot? Have an open mind. Maybe youre uncomfortable, but isnt that the theater that matters and provokes conversation? I want people to leave, go have dialogue and take action about what they just saw.

The rest is here:
'Vagina Monologues' fights stigma linked to female anatomy - The Ithacan

Screener

'Grey's Anatomy' tackles abusive relationships & Jo finally breaks Screener Grey's Anatomy has never shied away from tackling heavy topics and on Thursday night's (Feb. 23), episode entitled Back Where You Belong, a seemingly simple kidney transplant from a loving mother to her ailing son Chris, quickly turned into a ... Sandra Oh reveals whether she'd ever return to Grey's Anatomy as Dr Cristina YangDigital Spy Why 'Grey's Anatomy' remains compelling TV, and 'Scandal' isn'tUSA TODAY How Well Do Grey's Anatomy's Ellen Pompeo & Justin Chambers Really Know Each Other?E! Online Refinery29 -BuddyTV (blog) -E! Online -EW.com all 108 news articles »

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'Grey's Anatomy' tackles abusive relationships & Jo finally breaks - Screener

As Hippocrates, the founder of modern medicine, spoke, Let food be thy medicine. However, most medical schools in the United States do not adequately teach nutrition. Several programs, including at Tulane University, are addressing this shortcoming by including cooking classes in their curriculum. The hope is that by teaching future doctors how to cook delicious and healthy meals, they will pass that knowledge on to their patients, improving long-term health.

The rates of obesity and obesity-related diseases are increasing throughout the world according to Prediabetes: A Worldwide Epidemic. The Center for Disease Control reports that nearly half of all deaths in the United States are due to heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes. Entire scientific journals, such as Nutrition and Health, Diabetes, and the Journal of Nutrition, are devoted to examining the relationships between nutrition and health. Research has shown that nutrition is one of the leading causes of and significantly affects the management of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and aging-related diseases.

There is no clear correlation between policy recommendations and nutrition choices. For example, a study that provided nutrition information to adults at fast-food chains found that simply providing information did not alter consumer choices. Coaching has consistently proven effective at changing eating habits, especially when tailored to an individuals lifestyle and medical history. Many see using doctors as nutrition coaches as a natural extension of a physicians duties and a valuable opportunity for one-on-one intervention. However, a National Institute of Health survey revealed that a majority of primary care physicians do not give diet advice. According to polls reported by the Washington Post, less than 25 percent of doctors feel they are informed enough regarding nutrition to discuss it knowledgeably.

Tulanes program was developed in 2014 to better instruct medical students in nutrition. According to their website, Through hands-on cooking classes, medical students and physicians learn the practical aspects of lifestyle change necessary to help them guide their patients to healthier choices.

The National Academy of Sciences recommends 25 hours of nutrition instruction for medical students, whereas the Tulane course requires 53 hours of culinary classes, 53 hours clinical care teaching, and 53 hours learning nutritional counseling strategies in lifestyle modification. Researchers at Tulane examined the effectiveness of the program and found improvements to the lifestyle of medical participants and significant health benefits to diabetic patients, including improved HbA1c, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

To date, 28 other medical schools, two residency programs, and two nursing schools have adapted the Tulane curriculum. Dartmouth, the University of Chicago, the University of Massachusetts, and others have started similar programs within their medical schools. Harvard University partnered with the Culinary Institute of America to offer week-long workshops that have demonstrated improvements in attendees ability to advise patients as well as ameliorating their lifestyle, including cooking more at home, making healthier food choices like whole grains and nuts, and heightened awareness of calorie consumption.

Personally taking culinary classes can improve peoples diets without making a trip to the doctor. Programs in Chicago improve nutrition knowledge and vegetable consumption in children. Community kitchens in Peru taught adolescents and improved their diets. Similar kitchens in Canada have had a similar effect of improving lifestyles and education within several communities. In general, public health researchers find that cooking at home can significantly improve health when the knowledge of good nutrition is applied. For some of the Tulane programs recipes, click here.

Read this article:
The New ABCs of Medical School: Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Cooking - Food Tank (blog)

Good news for Shondaland, its three main series are all renewed and expected next fall. ABC is obviouslyvery confident in Shonda Rhimes work. Her fans will be able to continue to follow the difficult daily lives of three strong women: Meredith Grey, Olivia Pope and Annalise Keating.

(Photo: Konbini)

While How To Get Away With Murder has seen a drop in ratings since its debut, the two other series keep decent numbers. Greys Anatomy is particularly impressive when you consider the show is entering its 13th season. And yet, the medical drama always manages to renew itself with fresh storylines that are always great and perfectly melodramatic.

An adaptation of Romeo and Juliet entitled Still Star-Crossed is also expected but has yet an official release date. But, considering how little people are talking about the project, its unlikely it will last long on ABC.

Read More ->Watch Beyonc Shut Down Her Grammy Performance

See the rest here:
'Grey's Anatomy', 'How To Get Away With Murder' And 'Scandal' Are All Renewed - Konbini

John Oliver used the first episode of the new season of Last Week Tonight to dissect what he sees as Donald Trump's aversion to facts. Pointing out that the president "has made it clear that reality is not important to him" is nothing new; media outlets do it all the time. But Oliver wanted to delve a little deeper into the anatomy of Trump's grand pronouncementsthat are not supported by evidenceabout such things as the size of his inauguration crowd, voter fraud, the unemployment rate, the national GDP, the murder rate. Policy is being made based on such false information, and, as Oliver points out, people are getting hurt because of it.

Related: John Oliver says he is concerned about being able to stay in America

Politifact found that 25.2 percent of the statements made by President Barack Obama were false by some measure. For Trump, the number is 69.9 percent. Where do Trump's falsehoods come from?

Try Newsweek for only $1.25 per week

Oliver says Trump's worldview is reinforced primarily by cable newsor questionable websites like Breitbart or Infowars. The former routinely runs headlines like "Birth Control Makes Women Unattractive and Crazy," while the host of the latter, Alex Jones, believesthe Boston Marathon bombing and the Sandy Hook massacre were orchestrated by the government, among other conspiracy theories.Trump's reliance on cable news has been made clear through his tweets, which often reflect just-aired Fox News segments. As Oliver breaks it down, "Trump sees something that jibes with his worldview,doesnt check it, half-remembers it and then passes it on, at which point it takes on a life of its own and appears to validate itself.

Oliver uses as an example Trump's claims that millions of illegal votes were cast in the election, an idea for which there is no factual evidence.The claim originated from a Twitter user. Itwas then picked up by Infowars. It was debunked, but Trump tweeted about it. Then others talked about it on TV. This allowed theclaim to gainlegitimacy, at least for a certain section of the population.If you get your news from similar sources to him, which many people do, he doesnt look like a crank," Oliver says."He looks like the first president ever to tell you the real truth.

Trump's belief that "thousands" of New Jersey Muslims celebrated 9/11 terrorist attacks took on a similar life. When Bill O'Reilly pointed out that there was no evidence to support the claim, Trump doubled down,citing a Breitbart articlethat said he was "100% vindicated." O'Reilly said once again that there was still no real evidence and that this was never reported,but Trump said he was right because the article said people were swarming all over the place. "I don't know what that means," Trump said. "But it means a lot of people."

Oliver points out: Even if you take the kindest approach here and assume Trump made an honest, innocent mistake and passed on a news story without checking it, when he was presented with a lack of evidence, he disregarded that fact, at which point he is lying."

So how can frustrated Americans combat this problem? Oliver says it's up to the media to continue to check Trump's facts, even though the effectiveness of doing so has been diminishedas the Trump administration continuesto vilify the press. Beyond that, he says the people and organizations who oppose Trump need to stay vigilant with their protests, their lawsuitsand their diligence in double-checking the sourcing ofwhat they see on social media before they share it themselves.

Oliveralso has another solution. Because Trump loves cable news so much, Last Week Tonight bought ad space during some of the president'sfavorite morning programs. His show will use the space to airads that detailthe basics of issues about which Trump should probably be familiar, like the nuclear triad or the names of hischildren.Until we are shut down, we are prepared to educate Donald Trump one-by-one on topics were pretty sure he doesnt know about," says Oliver. Make sure you don't skip the commercials next time you tune in to Morning Joe.

Here is the original post:
John Oliver Details the Anatomy of Trump's Falsehoods - Newsweek

Well that didnt take long!

Beyonconly just revealedthat she was expecting twins with husbandJay Zon Wednesday, and already people are spoofing her record-shattering Instagram pregnancy announcement.

And its not just internet meme-makers or comedic talk show hosts either pregnantGreys AnatomyactressCamilla Luddingtongot in on the action, recreating the already iconic Awol Erizku-photographed shot with the help of her costarEllen Pompeo.

Luddington, who isexpecting a baby girl with boyfriendMatthew Alan, did her best Bey impression in a humorousInstagram videoon Friday posing like the Crazy in Love singer did in a red bra and blue panties against an overflowing wreath of flowers.

The shootwas directed by Pompeo, who encouraged Luddington to get into character.This is amazing, youre pregnant at the same time as Beyonc, Pompeo toldLuddington, as the mom-to-bekneeled and held on to her baby belly. When is that ever going to happen again, Camilla?

Shes in good hands withPompeo, who knows a thing or two about baby-related announcements. The 47-year-old actress broke the newsin December on Instagram that she and husbandChris Ivery welcomed a son, Eli Christopher. The couple areparents todaughters Sienna May, 2, and Stella Luna, 7.

I just feel a little bit weird, a reluctant Luddington told Pompeo. Dont you think youre taking this directing thing too far?

But Pompeo was insistent. No you look amazing. Youre glowing, she said before throwing a black vail over Luddingtons head. Amazing! Great! I love it!

The comedic video ofLuddington was alsoposted to Pompeos Instagram page,where she gave a shoutout to the videos filmmaker and true director Debbie Allen, as well as hairstylist Sha Page.

We cant help but act a fool, she said. #welovebeyonce.

Luddington posted a still photograph from behind-the-scenes ofthe video, too. Arguing over whether this is really necessary she captioned it.

RELATED VIDEO: 5 Times Beyonc Surprised the World

The actress, who plays Dr. Jo Wilson on the hit ABC series, shared the sex of her baby-to-be onInstagram Friday alongside a photo of herself holding up a baby onesie that read, TOMB RAIDER IN TRAINING.

I am so excited to announce today that I am having a girl! wrote the English actresswho is known for her voice work as protagonist Lara Croft in the wildly popularTomb Raidervideo games. I want her to grow up knowing how strong women are.

To be a little warrior who is not afraid to use her voice and stand up for what she believes is right, the33-year-old continued to say of her unborn daughter. To navigate through life with courage and kindness, and to be one of the girls who says You CAN sit with us.

Read more here:
Ellen Pompeo Helps Grey's Anatomy Costar Camilla Luddington Spoof Beyonc's Pregnancy Announcement - PEOPLE.com

Former Greys Anatomy star T.R. Knight is back in Shondaland!

The actor, 43, has joined the cast of The Catch, which is executive-produced by Greys creator Shonda Rhimes, for season 2 and PEOPLE has the First Look at the actor in action on the ABC drama.

The Catch centers on private investigator Alice Vaughan (Mireille Enos), whose fianc Benjamin Jones (Peter Krause) conned her out of her money before sacrificing himself to save Alice from wrongful imprisonment.

Knight, who spent five seasons on Greys as George OMalley, joins the show as Alices brother.

Youre boyfriend is a conman? Knights character asks in the clip.

Fianc, thank you very much, Benjamin corrects him.

Whatever the status of their relationship, it appears things will get very Mr. & Mrs. Smith between Alice and Benjamin, who point guns at each other at the end of the promo.

Were not going to shoot each other, Benjamin says before giving his statement a second thought. Are we?

Season 2 of The Catch premieres March 9 at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

Read this article:
By George! Grey's Anatomy's TR Knight Is Back in Shondaland Watch Him in Action on The Catch - PEOPLE.com

What will become of Alex Karev?

Last weeksGreys Anatomy brought thepediatric surgeon back after it was revealed hed taken a plea deal and jail time for a violent outburst against surgical intern Dr. Andrew DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti). And yet! when Karev showed up at Meredith Greys (Ellen Pompeo) door at the end of the episode, he was definitely in jail.

Justin Chambers, who plays Karev, is opening up about what exactly Thursdays episode of the hit ABC show will reveal about Alex, including some changes his character is set to undergo in weeks, and perhaps years to come.

Im happy hes not in jail! he told Entertainment Weekly, adding, Youre going tofind out in this next episode how he got off, but Im happy hes going back to the hospital, and hes gonna be back working in [pediatrics]where he belongs, and curing young people.

He toldVariety,I think having everything taken from him I think he learned a lot there, but I think he appreciates being in peace and hes very good at what he does and he thrives there.

Chambers,46, sympathizes with Karev:I just hope Alex finds some happiness. Crap. He just never seems to catch a break. Looking forward, though, he gives fans a little hope, saying, Im thinking soon there might be some stability.

Whether that stability happens in his fraught relationship with Camilla Luddingtons Dr. Jo Wilson remains to be seen.

This was a big deal for him to find out shes not who he thought she was, and how do you come back from that? he said to EW.And from what happened, this whole situation with him beating up DeLuca, the misunderstandings and why she lied, its gonna be interesting to see how they can fix this and well find out over the next few episodes.

Chambers added to Variety:He was going to take a plea deal to protect his girl. Theyre not together right now . [and] hes still angry with her, but if anyone knows anything about second chances, its Alex. So he has that to think about. She messed up, but there must be a piece of him that still feels for her. Love just doesnt die like that.

Greys Anatomyairs Thursdays (8 p.m. ET) on ABC.

Continued here:
Grey's Anatomy's Justin Chambers: Is Alex Karev Out of Jail for Good and How He Can Still 'Thrive' - PEOPLE.com

Holiday festivities can keep us merry for a while, but once the stockings are unstuffed, there's nothing left to stop us from pining for new episodes of our most treasured shows that have been away.

Mark your calendar with these return dates.

Almost Family Jan. 1, 9/8c, Fox

Last Man Standing Jan. 2, 8/7c, Fox

America's Funniest Home Videos Jan. 5, 7/6c, ABC

The Bachelor Jan. 6, 8/7c, ABC

Manifest Jan. 6, 10/9c, NBC

The Resident Jan. 7, 8/7c, Fox

mixed-ish Jan. 7, 9/8c, ABC

black-ish Jan. 7, 9:30/8:30c, ABC

Emergence Jan. 7, 10/9c, ABC

Chicago Med Jan. 8, 8/7c, NBC

Modern FamilyJan. 8, 9/8c, ABC

Criminal Minds Jan. 8, 9/8c, CBS

Chicago Fire Jan. 8, 9/8c, NBC

Single Parents Jan. 8, 9:30/8:30c, ABC

Chicago P.D. Jan. 8, 10/9c, NBC

Supernatural (Credit: Tina Thorpe/NBC)

Superstore Jan. 9, 8/7c, NBC

The Good Doctor Jan. 13, 10/9c, ABC

This Is Us Jan. 14, 9/8c, NBC

The Goldbergs Jan. 15, 8/7c, ABC

Schooled Jan. 15, 8:30/7:30c, ABC

American Housewife Jan 17, 8/7c, ABC

Fresh Off the Boat Jan. 17, 8:30/7:30c, ABC

Prodigal Son Jan. 20, 9/8c, Fox

The Conners Jan. 21, 8/7c, ABC

Bless This Mess Jan. 21, 8:30/7:30c, ABC

Arrow Jan. 21, 8/7c, The CW

Grey's Anatomy Jan. 23, 9/8c, ABC

A Million Little Things Jan. 23, 10/9c, ABC

Will & Grace Feb. 6, 9/8c, NBC

Brooklyn Nine-Nine Feb. 6, 8/7c, NBC

MacGyver Feb. 7, 8/7c, CBS

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American Idol Feb. 16, 8/7c, ABC

NCIS: New Orleans Feb. 16, 10/9c, CBS

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The Walking Dead Feb. 23, 9/8c, AMC

The Rookie Feb. 23, 10/9c, ABC

Supernatural March 16, 8/7c, The CW

Roswell, New Mexico March 16, 9/8c, The CW

How to Get Away With Murder April 2, 10/9c, ABC

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When 'This Is Us,' 'Grey's Anatomy' & More Favorites Are Coming Back! - Cadillac News

Male and female 3D gross human anatomy models

Each model includes 4,600+ structures. All body systems covered: nervous (brain, nerves, sensory organs), skeletal (ligaments and bursae), circulatory, muscular, digestive, urinary, lymphatic, endocrine, and reproductive. Additional microanatomy models detail structures of sensory organs (skin, ear, eye, tongue).

Each body system includes a series of quick-to-get-to preset views that showcase key organs and surrounding anatomy. Use them to study, teach, or learn. Rotate around a 2D model of the heart. Dissect away arteries that supply blood to the cerebrum. Zoom in and study the ducts of the liver, gall bladder, and pancreas. Edit any view and save to view again.

Read detailed definitions, Latin names, and descriptions of injuries, diseases, and pathologies. Listen to pronunciations. Test your knowledge with over 1,000 quiz questions.

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Human Anatomy Atlas by Visible Body

Perhaps there is no other body part more misunderstood than the vagina. Or, more accurately, the vulva.

That may be, in part, because of the language we use. According to the UK-based organization Eve Appeal, 65% of women surveyed said they had an issue using the words "vagina" or "vulva." For 40% of women aged 16-25, speaking about their reproductive organs happens only in code: "down there" or "lady bits" are popular allusions.

While it may be that an abundance of euphemisms makes it easier to avoid using anatomically accurate terminology, this inability to speak openly reflects an apprehensiveness that masquerades as discretion. And it brings along with it a dangerous lack of knowledge about the bodies of half the world's population.

Florence Schechter is the founder of the Vagina Museum

Just half of the women aged 26-35 could identify and label the vagina correctly in that same Eve Appeal survey. In an age of misinformation, when government officials are forwarding gynecologically inaccurate pseudoscience to write legislation regulating women's bodies, that lack of awareness and transparency can prove deadly.

The fight against anatomical misinformation

Yet a number of science and sex educators are becoming increasingly vocal and finding new ways to raise awareness about gynecological anatomy. They are pushing back on the culturally-driven reluctance to address women's bodies by providing direct, clear information in an educational and entertaining way.

Among these outspoken educators is the Canadian gynecologist Dr. Jen Gunter, whose book, "The Vagina Bible: The Vulva and Vagina Separating the Myth from the Medicine" was recently released in the US, UK and Canada (the German translation will be published in March 2020). Gunter made a name for herself on Twitter, where she frequently posts threads discrediting misinformation about women's bodies using both her knowledge as an MD and personal experiences with childbirth, including stillbirth.

Gunter's work provides a counter-balance to media reports that inaccurately portray women's bodies in a time when sex education for young people is inadequate, if it exists at all. Furthermore, reproductive rights are under threat globally due to the US global gag policy, which prohibits foreign NGOs who receive U.S. global health assistance from providing legal abortion services or referrals. Debunking myths like the necessity of steaming one's vagina or using a jade egg like those sold by celebrity Gwyneth Paltrow in her newsletter "Goop," Gunter's work centers on the notion that women cannot make choices about their bodies without accurate information.

The Vagina, or shall we say Vulva, Museum

A similar approach is taken inthe exhibitions at The Vagina Museum, a newly-opened brick-and-mortar shop in London's Camden Market. Hosting its opening exhibition "Muff Busters: Vagina Myths and How to Fight Them" on Saturday, November 16, the museum is dedicated to erasing the stigma around the body and giving people confidence to talk about issues surrounding anatomy.

The location is a shop in London's Camden Market

While the vagina and vulva have been the focus of numerous artworks since the beginning of time, the museum does not consist of art in the traditional sense. Gustav Courbet's study "The Origin of the World," for example, will likely never hang in the red brick shop.

Rather, the space, the first of its kind in the world, serves as a forum for addressing women's rights and contains a series of educational explanatory exhibits created specifically for the museum. The result of a crowd-funding campaign that saw more than 1,000 people worldwide donate to make the space a reality, the museum offers free admission to the public.

Examples of what's inside include a poster that was specially created by artist Charlotte Wilcox and shows up close the variety of appearances a vulva can take on. It's an artistic response to questions of what "normal" looks like when it comes to gynecological anatomy. The first exhibition also includes explainers that respond to misconceptions about hygiene.

Poster by Charlotte Wilcox

"There is an advertised myth that vaginas and vulva need to be cleaned through the use of bespoke feminine cleaning produce (sic). However the vagina is completely self-cleaning," Florence Schechter, Director of the Vagina Museum told Elle UK in an interview. "In fact, in certain people, the use of soaps and scented produce leads to vaginal bacteria imbalance and results in infection literally doing more harm than good."

Schechter started the museum as a series of pop-up shops in London. She puts her experiences as a science communicator to good use in the museum, including thorough explanations of the everyday experiences people with a vagina or vulva might have. She and her staff recognize that "The Vagina Museum" may not be the most accurate description of what one will find inside. On their homepage,they write that they intend to focus on the culture and history of both the internal and external reproductive organs, drawing attention not only to labia but also to ovaries, cervical cancer and pregnancy. Yet despite people's reluctance to use the term vagina, it is one of the most recognizable ways to speak about gynecological anatomy.

And it does, both in name and spirit, serve as a nice counter to the Penis Museum in Reykjavik, already in existence.

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Lady bits or labia? The Vagina Museum brings anatomy to light - DW (English)

Season 16 ofGreys Anatomydoes not involve a plane crash or a bomb in the hospital, but it still has viewers pretty worried about the fate of Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo).

At the end of season 15, Bailey (Chandra Wilson) fired her for committing insurance fraud to save a little girls life. Now, the medical board is pursuing action to take away her license. Its all about to come to a head this week, but fans are sure she will not lose her right to practice medicine. Read on to see what they have to say.

The promo for episode eight is set in a courtroom, so we know the decision is coming this week. Bailey chastisesRichard Webber(James Pickens Jr.) for flat out lying on the stand for Meredith.

Next, as the preview continues, we see Bailey say, Excuse me, I have something to say. Most viewers guess that her comments will be negative since she is the one who fired Meredith.

However, fans have another theory. They believe that Bailey is going to speak in favor of Meredith. She always has, and she will now, too, wrote one Instagram user.

She continued to say that she has always been Mers unofficial mom. Numerous other fans agreed that Bailey is going to stick up for Meredith and sway the judge to let her keep her license.

Greys Anatomys showrunner, Krista Vernoff, didconfirm to TV Guidethat it would be a long road, Meredith is, sort of, stunned in that moment and taken off guard. As the reality of the stakes escalate and become more real for her, for sure, this is not an easy journey for her.

However, when asked what the season looks like if Meredith cant practice medicine, Vernoff, skirted around the question.

Well, its a complicated question. Its hard to answer without giving away too much. For sure, theres a period of time, here, where Meredith cant practice medicine, and Shes got a lot of community service hours to work off.

It sounds like; she cannot tell us that Meredith will be back in the hospital soon. We think that eight episodes may be the period of time that Vernoff is referring to. A Greys Anatomy without Grey practicing medicine has been very odd. She cant keep her out of the hospital all season.

Also included in the promo was a clip of a large group of people who have come to speak on Merediths behalf. It looks like her past patients have come forward to say what a great doctor she is.

Throughout 15 seasons, Meredith has saved the lives of hundreds of people. Undoubtedly, the judge will take that into account when he decides her fate.

Meredith has had a pretty rough season so far. She couldnt practice medicine; she spent endless hours doing community service, and her daughter, Zola, had to have brain surgery.

Fans believe its time to cut her a break and let her get back to what she does bestsurgery. Find out Mers fate this Thursday at 8 p.m. on ABC.

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'Grey's Anatomy': Fans Have a Solid Reason Why Meredith Will Not Lose Her Medical License and It May Surprise You - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

LA Clippers star Paul George made his triumphant return Thursday night, putting up 33 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and a plus/minus of plus-7 in a mere 24 minutes of action. The Clippers ultimately lost to the New Orleans Pelicans 132-127, but seeing the 6-foot-8 sharpshooting defensive wizard not afraid to engage in contact with his shoulders or pull up for an open jumper was a sight for sore eyes for Clippers supporters and general NBA fans alike.

George had two surgical procedures late last spring to repair significant pathology in each of his shoulders: A repair of a partial supraspinatus tear in his right shoulder was completed in May, and a repair of a small labrum tear in his left followed a month later. Each of these procedures would be considered major surgery on their own, but completing both at the same time is almost unprecedented in the NBA.

Its worth taking a moment to discuss the anatomy involved in each of Georges procedures as well as the general rehabilitation process.

The Supraspinatus

The supraspinatus is one of the four muscles that comprise the rotator cuff and is the most frequently injured of the group. Its two main jobs are to assist with elevating the arm as well as keeping the head of the upper arm bone, known as the humerus, centered within the socket of the shoulder. Any tear to the tendon of the supraspinatus results in an impaired ability to complete its jobs.

Tears of the supraspinatus tendon are referred to as full-thickness, meaning that greater than 50 percent of the fibers that comprise the tendon are ruptured, or partial-thickness, meaning that less than 50 percent of the fibers were damaged. Partial-thickness tears are the less severe of the two, as full-thickness tears usually result in profound dysfunction and inability to properly use the shoulder, whereas the end result of partial-thickness tears is often pain with overhead activities, such as shooting a basketball, as well as generalized, but not complete, weakness of the shoulder.

Tears are characterized as being acute or chronic in nature; acute tears of the supraspinatus tendon frequently happen when the structure is exposed to brief, intense forces, such as during falls or when throwing a heavy object, while chronic tears occur due to the accumulative stress of repeated use over time.

The Glenoid Labrum

The labrum, more accurately referred to as the glenoid labrum, is a ring of cartilage located within the socket of the shoulder and acts as a stabilizing and cushioning device. Much like with supraspinatus tears, the glenoid labrum can be injured acutely when subjected to brief, intense forces or chronically over time.

The labrum usually tears in one of two locations: the superior rim or the anterior/inferior rim. Tears of the labrum that occur at the superior rim are called SLAP (superior labrum, anterior to posterior) lesions and are most associated with repetitive overhead activities. These injuries are frequently diagnosed in baseball pitchers and swimmers, and its common to have accompanying biceps pathology, as one of the biceps tendons attaches to the superior rim of the labrum. Tears that occur at the anterior/inferior labrum are known as Bankart lesions and frequently occur after shoulder dislocations.

The Rehabilitation Process

Regardless of whether either injury was acute or chronic in nature or where the glenoid labrum tear was located (we dont know exactly in either case in regards to Georges injuries), the recovery timeline is approximately the same for both injuries: 4-6 months.

The surgeries required to remediate the partially torn supraspinatus tendon as well as the labrum tear involves sewing the ruptures back together and immobilizing the shoulder for a period of 4-6 weeks (this explains, in part, why the surgeries were separated by a month). Neither the supraspinatus tendon nor the glenoid labrum has a great blood supply, so it can take some time for the surgery to take hold.

After the first 4-6 weeks have passed, the player is then guided through a return to play protocol that involves regaining full range of motion as well as an appropriate amount of baseline strength and coordination of the rotator cuff musculature. Basketball specific exercises usually begin around the three-month mark, with clearance for return to game action occurring anywhere between month four to six.

The Future Impact

If Thursday night was any indication, the long-term negative impact of Georges shoulder surgeries should be minimal, both for PG-13 as well as for the Clippers. The prognosis for both injuries is theoretically good for NBA players; however, to my knowledge, no long-term studies have been conducted.

George looked comfortable during his debut, if not a little out of shape. It will take time to redevelop the definition of his shoulder musculature as well as get his game legs back, but there is likely little need for concern moving forward. Both injuries are completely healed and all that is needed is some time in order for George to return to his All-NBA ways.

In the meantime, it would make sense for the Clippers to handle George much like how they have handled teammate Kawhi Leonard: limit the number of appearances during back-to-backs and gradually increase his number of minutes per game, but otherwise let him be Paul George when hes on the court.

The Clippers have an embarrassment of riches, particularly on the wing, so there should be little pressure to push George to his limits at this point. As they have indicated with their handling of Leonard, the Clippers focus is on peaking during the playoffs, so right now their goal should be, and likely is, returning George at a comfortable pace. Doing so would help ensure that George not only returns to his previous form and abilities but also that the Clippers are at their most dangerous when it matters most.

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Paul George returns: On the anatomy and impact of his shoulder surgeries - FanSided

Alex is walking a fine line in tonights episode, according to the latest Greys Anatomy Season 13 spoilers.

Hes so invested in the patient of the week that he even says hed go to jail for him. Thats saying somethin, considering he almost got a decades-long prison sentence earlier this season!

Keep reading for all the details on tonights drama!

Greys Anatomy Season 13, Episode 22 airs tonight, Thursday, May 4 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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FYI, thats a 2004 song by American pop rock star Toby Lightman.

This installment was written by supervising producer Elisabeth R. Finch her fourth time at the Greys keyboard and directed by Zetna Fuentes her third time behind the camera for this show.

April and Andrew consult with a fiery patient who has a giant, inoperable heart tumor. Meanwhile, Alex and Eliza are at odds over the treatment of a young patient, and Stephanie and Ben make decisions that could affect their careers.

Marika Domiczyk is back as Eliza Minnick, marking her ninth episode of the show.

Shell also guest-star in the next (and final) two episodes of the season, making us think shell be bumped up to series regular status for Season 14.

Young Liam has a brain tumor, as this preview reveals, and even made his way to the hospital alone. But Liams parents wont let him go under the scalpel, citing faith-based objections.

Matthew Alan, Camillas boyfriend and baby daddy, is playing Liams father.

You likely last saw him on 13 Reasons Why he played Seth, Jasons abusive stepfather figure.

After Liams parents have him discharged against medical advice, mind you Alex is hopping mad.

But in this scene, Eliza harshly reminds him the parents have the law on their side and hes the last person who should be breaking the rules right about now.

In this #TGIT promo, someone throws a phone at a wall nearly missing Liams father and were guessing its Alex.

The hot-tempered surgeon also tells his colleagues, Id go to jail for this one.

And Stephanies medical advice is to titrate off that love drug.

You wanna let that go, she tells him in this clip. OK? You made a grand gesture but she still hasnt said anything to you, has she?

Promo photos show Maggie and Amelia chatting at the OR board and Ben and Stephanie chatting in the residents lounge.

Were assuming the latter convo regards the aforementioned career-affecting decisions, which may relate to Stephanies exit from the show.

Alex is walking a fine line in tonights episode, according to the latest Greys Anatomy Season 13 spoilers.

Hes so invested in the patient of the week that he even says hed go to jail for him. Thats saying somethin, considering he almost got a decades-long prison sentence earlier this season!

Keep reading for all the details on tonights drama!

Greys Anatomy Season 13, Episode 22 airs tonight, Thursday, May 4 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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'Grey's Anatomy' Season 13 Spoilers: What to Expect in Episode 22 (PHOTOS) - Wetpaint

Fans are hoping to see Meredith and Nathan together again in the upcoming Season 14 of "#Grey's Anatomy." So, what should the fans expect in the new season of the hit ABC drama?

According to new reports, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Nathan (Martin Henderson) might be able to continue their relationship in "Grey's Anatomy" Season 14. Their relationship could finally get through the struggles that fans saw in the ending of GA Season 13.

There is no doubt that "Grey's Anatomy" Season 13 left a lot of cliffhangers in the story. Speculations are making the rounds that Meredith and Nathan might finally rekindle their romance in the upcoming GA Season 14.

Meredith and Nathan's relationship was affected by the return of Megan. In Season 13 of the show, Megan, Owen's sister, and Nathan's fiance were found to be alive after disappearing for several years. People thought she had already died, but the lives and relationship of Nathan and Meredith will change now that she is back. Although Meredith and Nathan's romance was just getting started, it seems like it has already ended now that Megan is back.

During the Season 13 finale of the show, Meredith was the one who broke the news to Nathan. She told hem that Megan is actually alive and urged him to visit her. Meredith even told Nathan that she would have rushed to Derek if she knew he was alive. It seems like Meredith is willing to give up Nathan just to see him happy. However, fans are worried about the future and happiness of Meredith.

It was clear that Meredith was actually ready to introduce Nathan to her kids as her boyfriend. She was even ready to let her friends know that he and she are already dating. However, Megan's return has affected their new relationship.

Rumors are now making the rounds that Megan's traumatic experience might cause her to refuse to go with Nathan. If this happens, then Nathan can finally move on with Meredith. Fans are hoping to see the two continue their relationship in GA Season 14.

Reports claimed that the fans are tired of seeing Meredith unhappy, which is why they are hoping to see her end up with Nathan in GA Season 14. Hopefully, the producers of the show can hear the fans out.

"Grey's Anatomy" Season 14 comes back on small screens in the fall and will air every Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC. #Grey's Anatomy Season 14 #Grey's Anatomy meredith

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'Grey's Anatomy' Season 14 spoilers: Meredith, Nathan together again? - Blasting News

DEAR ABBY: I recently had to spend a night in the hospital following minor surgery. One of the female techs taking care of me leaned over me to straighten out the bedding and I could see everything when the top of her scrubs fell open.

Im not sure if it was on purpose or by accident. I say this because after the first time, it happened several more times. I only looked the first time out of shock. The other times, I looked away.

Other than saying, Hey, lady, I can see your boobies when you bend over, whats the polite way to say, Oops wardrobe malfunction? GOT AN EYEFUL IN ILLINOIS

DEAR GOT AN EYEFUL: Since, with luck, you wont have to make another visit to the hospital, I think your question may be moot. However, the discreet way to deal with something like that would be to mention what happened to the head nurse or supervisor and say that it made you uncomfortable.

DEAR ABBY: Im in my early 30s and recently met a very attractive woman my age. We are planning to get married. She wants us to be married as soon as possible because she has been divorced for the last seven years.

My problem is, shes extremely secretive about her past, especially the period between her divorce and our meeting. I have been open with her about my past, but when I ask about hers, she refuses to discuss it and says it has nothing to do with our relationship.

I have a feeling there may be something nasty shes hiding. Im afraid Im heading into a trap, but my love for her makes it tough to consider breaking up. Am I being too demanding? CONCERNED GUY IN THE SOUTH

DEAR CONCERNED GUY: If your intuition is screaming that your girlfriends desire for a hasty marriage could spell trouble in the future, you should pay close attention to it. It is not too demanding to want to know what ones fiancee has been doing for the last seven years. Under no circumstances should you marry this woman without first talking to a lawyer, who I am sure will suggest doing a background check and/or drafting an ironclad prenuptial agreement.

DEAR ABBY: I recently attended a bridal shower for my nephews fiancee. My sister-in-law (the future mother-in-law of the bride) also attended the shower. She did not choose any gifts from the brides registry, but decided instead to give the bride lingerie, including thong underwear. Frankly, I was shocked. I didnt think it was appropriate for either the mother or the future mother-in-law to give such intimate gifts. Am I wrong? FLUMMOXED IN FLORIDA

DEAR FLUMMOXED: Shower guests are not restricted to items based solely upon the couples registry. They can give whatever gift they wish to the bride and groom. Your sister-in-law chose something she thought the bride and groom would enjoy. Please try to be less judgmental and hope she was right.

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Hospital patient receives a surprise anatomy lesson - Manhattan Mercury (subscription)