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My daughter and I have our political differences, but we found remarkable harmony among our (myriad) answers to this question:

“The Rudy & Judy Show makes me want to ____________________.”

Bread and water.

Hygiene kits. Coffee and a Bible.

We also distribute freshly-made sandwiches and salads; hot meals; blankets; socks, shirts, coats; and more. (Photos of those coming soon…)

I heart NightWatch.

Read more on NightWatch: Tools of the Trade…

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Ed Cone has a dedicated fan (or frenemy, I’m not quite sure which. )

Check out this parody of Ed’s blog. I don’t know who’s writing it, but it’s funny. Hint: You must read the (fake so far) comments!

Read more on A Fan of Ed?…

A just-published, large-scale, multi-site clinical trial, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health reveals that “for depressed people with bipolar disorder who are taking a mood stabilizer, adding an antidepressant medication is no more effective than a placebo (sugar pill.)” The study also found that anti-depressants were no more likely to trigger mania than a placebo.

Read more on Anti-Depressants Ineffective Against Bipolar Disorder…

In the comments to this post, Joe Guarino mentions the N.C. Health Choice (NCHC) program, which provides health coverage for children in families whose incomes are too high to receive Medicaid, but who lack health insurance coverage. Eligibility is determined by income and family size. Families below 150% of the federal poverty level pay co-pays for prescription meds. Families below 200% of the poverty level also pay prescription co-pays, as well as co-payments for ER, physician and dental visits, and an enrollment fee.

Read more on North Carolina Health Choice & Minimum Wage…

The Guilford County Task Force to End Homelessness met this morning and approved by consensus the final draft of the “Guilford County / High Point / Greensboro Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness And Reduce Other Homelessness.” (The plan will most likely receive a more succinct and memorable name before it’s published and released to the public. )

Read more on Task Force Approves Final Draft of Plan to End Homelessness…

The Greensboro Minimum Wage Campaign is “working to increase the Greensboro minimum wage to $9.36/hour.” As a self-avowed “poverty warrior,” I agree with the mission of helping the poor. But the critical thinker in me is still a little skeptical that a 35% hike in the minimum wage is the best way to go. It sounds good, but I’m concerned that there will be unintended consequences.

Read more on Government Assistance & Minimum Wage…

Ed’s “full disclosure” prompted me to make this one: I wish I could blog everything I know about what homelessness in Greensboro. But I’m wise enough to know that sometimes when you tell all you know, you hurt the people you’re trying to help. Speaking truth to power sounds good, but if you’re not the one taking the risk…

Read more on My Disclosure…

If we could turn the population of the earth into a small community of 100 people, keeping all the same proportions, there would be:

• 61 Asians
• 12 Europeans
• 8 North Americans

Read more on The Miniature Earth…

How many times have you read the Bible and seen names of places — towns and villages — and wondered, “Where is that?” I know Israel and Egypt, but the Bible mentions many place-names that I’m not familiar with, and sometimes it can make it hard to read in context.

Read more on But Where Is That?…

A friend had a stroke. We’re praying for him as he recovers.

A stroke or “brain attack” occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery (a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body) or a blood vessel (a tube through which the blood moves through the body) breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. When either of these things happen, brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs.

Read more on Stroke…