The more I studied, in the very kind of linear, fundamentalist way, the more I felt reverence leaking away from me.

I never ever would have gone public with this, ever. A person who had been driving me at that time (because Ted and I shared a car) went on a website and said he had brought me to Christ. And it just spread like wildfire and became front page news. I was outed, and it was just a tremendous betrayal. I never would have [gone public with this] because it was too new. And then I discovered that it wasn't what I was-I thought, this is wrong for me.

Did you stop going to Bible study?

.

Beech Hill stone hut restored in Rockport

Coastal Mountains Land Trust of Camden, which owns and manages the Beech Hill Preserve, recently completed restoration of the building from its foundations to its sod roof.Land Trust staff and board members will be on hand to talk about the history of Beech Hill, now on the National Register of Historic Places, and the process of bringing Beech Nut back from the brink of total deterioration. A shuttle will be available for those unable to make the climb up the road to the hut.The Land Trust engaged Scholz & Barclay Architecture of Camden to design the restoration, based on a previous historic evaluation of Beech Nut conducted by the preservation architecture firm Barba & Wheelock. The general contract for construction was awarded to Landmark Construction of Warren, whose workmen and subcontractors have worked with great care to bring Beech Nut back to its original glory.During the process all of the wood structure in the floor and roof was removed due to rot, and the building was reduced to its stone walls.

Chinese Auto Maker SAIC vows to produce 10,000 hybrids by 2010

Shanghai. November 19 (Gasgoo.com) CShanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) plans to produce more than 10,000 hybrid vehicles by 2010, a company official said.

"SAIC aims to start volume production of hybrids by 2008 and that capacity will be increased to 10,000 units two years later, said Wang Dazong, SAIC's new vice president.

AIC chairman Hu Maoyuan said earlier that SAIC had already produced two dozen EV and hybrid concept vehicles ready for the Olympics next year.

Last week, Shanghai Automobile displayed four new energy or alternative energy vehicle model on the 9th Bibendum new energy vehicle race in Shanghai. The models include a fuel battery-powered sedan and a hybrid sedan both brand-named Shanghai, a fuel battery-powered Passat sedan and a hybrid bus. More than 80 models of new energy sedans, buses, trucks and bicycles joined the race.

US elections 2004

For supporters of John Kerry, who have seen allegations about the Democratic candidate's military record sap his campaign, it must have seemed like a case of just deserts.

The president, George Bush, was last week looking vulnerable on the same grounds after CBS's flagship current affairs show, 60 Minutes, broadcast a report claiming he had been suspended from pilot duties for failing to meet the required standards. It was also claimed that a commanding officer had been put under pressure to "sugar coat" Mr Bush's performance reviews.

But while CBS stands by its story, allegations have now surfaced that 60 Minutes based a large part of the report on forged documents.

Although what one man - even a presidential candidate - did more than 30 years ago can seem rather trivial, the US election is being fought between a self-declared "war president" and a man who, in stump speeches, claims he would defend his country as president in the way he had defended it as a young man.

To an unlikely group, Everett feels like home

The volunteers attended 16 hours of training for teaching English as a second language.

Muhina's wife, Isha Mbanda, 33, attends each week. English is her fourth language, after Swahili, Af Maay and another Somali dialect.

"I-live-in-Ev-er-ett," she said in a recent class, pausing between each syllable.

Katherine Ittner, one of the volunteers, smiled warmly and nodded at Mbanda. There were six volunteers who smiled non-stop, eager to lean in and gently correct grammar gone awry from just four students.

"We wanted to share God's love, and we knew the best way to demonstrate God's love was to help them learn English," Gatata said. "We are disappointed that there are only a few students, but we hope that will grow."

Many Bantu families follow strict patriarchal traditions, Gatata said.

Public provides input on planning future

They expect to see more traffic with an improved Highway 191 and fear their taxes will rise as development comes. Most want to see commercial development held to the Highway 191 corridor.Harvey Allen, Sue Makin and Sandy Dietering discussed the impact the new port would have and the possible impact of mining if it resumes in Courtland. They see housing demands and water as big issues. They also want to keep agriculture alive and flourishing in the Mid-Sulphur Springs Valley. They do not want noise and light pollution, overpopulation, nor do they want to see Elfrida incorporate and become its own city providing services that would increase taxes.At another table, James Guzz and Robyn Gibbons were talking in their group about encouraging economic development of environmentally-friendly industries to bring jobs to the area and even county support of work-at-home computer jobs.

Jondi Gumz Reporter at Large: When morale slides and productivity ...

Fagan-Smith will join the other winners at a tribute Feb. 28 through March 1 at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

The outcomes: Managers gain useful information from employees on emerging trends and can quickly address issues to improve productivity. Employees understand the company .

Chaffee is a small (complicated) town

The ice storm and a weeks' worth of second thoughts seem to have neutralized some bitter feelings among elected officials.

The storm clearly brought out the best in the town. Everyone involved in responding --from the mayor and police chief to firefighters and street crew -- was uniformly praised by those present at Monday's meeting.

No one talked about the failed impeachment vote at the Feb. 6 closed meeting. No one complained about the police department's investigative stops.

On Friday, while Councilman Tom Cunningham was selling tickets for the Elks' fish fry, Richie Seyer was at the other end of the room, making sure folks had enough ice water or tea.

Seyer shrugged off talk about the police stops -- it happened to a friend, but, whatever -- and wasn't sure what to think of the attempted impeachment.