"Calcium supplements (without coadministered vitamin D) are associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction. As calcium supplements are widely used these modest increases in risk of cardiovascular disease might translate into a large burden of disease in the population. A reassessment of the role of calcium supplements in the management of osteoporosis is warranted" ...

concludes this BMJ (originally called the British Medical Journal but was officially shortened to BMJ in 1988) research article.

Afghan cuisine for dinner...

...in Charm City, at The Helmand, ranked # 23 out of 50 Baltimore best restaurants (steakhouse chains excluded) according to Baltimore Magazine, March 2010 issue, based on 5 criteria: food, service, ambiance, price and creativity.

Small basket of freshly baked naan

Poached salmon, spinach and rice

Lamb Lawand

Special ice cream - vanilla with cardamon, dates, figs and mangoes

Feereny - Afghan pudding topped with seasonal fruits

Turkish coffee

The making of Turkish coffee

And a beautiful wall decoration

'Keepsake Azalea', Rozalea® Coral (USPPAF), known for its up to 6 weeks bloom life, still blooming - a summer treat

"Ohio-based Chrysanthemums/Poinsettas/Hibiscus grower Yoder Brothers Inc. rolled out its 'Keepsake Azaleas' collection a few years ago, targeting the premium Valentine-through-Mother's Day market for forcing at the florist.  Yoder found several varieties of these Azaleas had petals that looked like they were plucked off a Rosebush; the company named those Azalaeas its 'Rozalea' series..." according to Master Gardener Darlene K. Kittle.

My latest acquisition

Streptocarpus 'Laura' - a hybrid from Dibleys Nursery in Wales.

Psychopsis Mendenhall 'Hildos' update

After almost a month later, the lone flower (see here) fell off but, as expected, a new bud has developed --

Rosiglitazone (Avandia) update

Keep Rosiglitazone on the Market, FDA Panel Says

Read it here.

Will rosiglitazone (Avandia) be pulled from the market?

Check it out here and here.

Fish Oil Cuts Breast Cancer Risk?

Read it here.

Recess appointment - Don Berwick, MD installed as the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Healthcare rationing in the offing?

You be the judge. Read it here, here and here.

Low vitamin D increases risk of dementia in elderly - Reuters AlertNet

Read it here.

Mid-afternoon thunderstorm -- Mother Nature wreaking havoc at the Inner Harbor...

  

          ...and then she takes a breather. The water taxi (thirteen vessels total; 

          check here, then here) quickly departs!

          A short time later... what now?

Inner Harbor World Cup Viewing Party Today

From the Baltimore Sun ...

"Description: Watch the World Cup finals on a big screen at the Inner Harbor. Meet players from the Baltimore Blast, Crystal Palace, Chesapeake Charge, Washington Freedom, and DC United as well as local Baltimore college teams. Enjoy food, beverages, vendors, music and interactive activities for kids and adults.

When: July 11th : 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Final game scheduled for 2:30 p.m.)

Price: Free

Benefit For: The Waterfront Partnership

Recreation & Sports Activities: Soccer

Spectator Sport: Soccer"

This is early in the morning...

...and, wow, look at the crowd in the early afternoon.

Later in the day: The 2010 FIFA World Cup, the 19th FIFA World Cup, is history. “Champions of Europe and now champions of the world, Spain, captured football's Holy Grail for the first time with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands thanks to Andres Iniesta's 116th-minute strike at Soccer City" stadium in South Africa's largest city, Johannesburg.  Watch it here and read about it here.

         

          Now back to the status quo …

"Inflated Federal Pay: How Americans Are Overtaxed to Overpay the Civil Service"

Read it here.

Away from the windowsill...

...trying to keep my small collection of currently blooming Phalaenopsis from the scorching summer sun.

Dinner at the Charleston Restaurant, Charm City

                            

and, what's this?

Oh, just a wall lamp there!



Also ...

'Charleston

writes...

• "Tony Foreman & Cindy Wolf's Charleston is located on the waterfront in the burgeoning Harbor East neighborhood. Chef Cindy Wolf is a two-time nominee for Best-Chef, Mid-Atlantic by The James Beard Foundation (2006 & 2008). Her award-winning, contemporary cuisine is rooted in the regional cuisine of France and traditions of the "Low Country" area of South Carolina. Chef Wolf's commitment to fresh, local, seasonal products is reflected in the prix fixe tasting menu, which changes daily. The menu is complemented by an award winning wine list of more than 700 fine wines, which are displayed in the wine library and are chosen by co-owner and wine director, Tony Foreman. An elegant yet comfortable ambiance & luxurious service complete the extraordinary dining experience."'

The Planck telescope's "billion $" shot

Read about it here.  Don't forget to visit the chromoscope website here.

The aftermath and before...

Fireworks at the Inner Harbor, Charm City.