Saint Mark Announces Cure for Mosquito Bites!

Saint Mark, who works with http://www.SaintsforSinners.com and is often invoked and asked for help when flies and mosquitos are biting, has announced that he is helping to develop a pill that humans can take to ward off those pesky bites.

This will probably be very good news for athletes playing sports in the summer, like the "Geaux Cups," an accomplished team of softball players in New Orleans, Louisiana and pictured above. There are still a "few kinks in the line, however," Saint Mark said, adding "I'm trying to get the pill approved and used in Africa, because mosquito bites are sometimes lethal over there."

The medicine is called "ivermectin," or Mectizan, depending on who is talking about it. According to New York Times reporter Donald McNeil, Jr., scientists are "turning people into human time bombs for mosquitos." He writes that "when mosquitos bite people who have recently swallowed the drug, ... they die."   

Unfortunately, though, some people are dubious as to whether the medicine can really work effectively. A worm guy ( also known as a "parasitologist" ) is somewhat dubious: Dr. Frank O. Richards, from the Carter Center in Georgia, commented that "it's very difficult to say 'Let's treat a million people' - and then have to test each one." Apparently, for the medicine to be effective, all the people in the mosquito-ridden area have to take the pill at the same time." Saint Mark acknowledged that fact is troublesome, but he has asked Saint Matthew, the patron Saint of Accountants, to figure out a way to get millions of people to do something all at the same time and in the same area. Saint Matthew acknowledged the difficulty presented, but said he may be able to work the numbers, adding, "I've got a stellar abacus!"

Saint Catherine of Siena Promotes Palliative Medical Trend

There's a new trend taking place in America's Medical Schools and it aims to discourage superlatively high-achieving book smart students from getting into Medical School based solely on their excellent grades. Saint Catherine of Siena who was a highly communicative and expressive person, is working with Saints Luke and Cosmos and Damien, the 3 patron saints of Doctors, to make sure that future Medical School students learn the art of empathetic listening, before being allowed the privilege of entering Medical School.

Saint Catherine, the author of the classic, "The Dialog," has created the "Multiple Mini Interview,"  ("MMI") to be used in screening Medical School applicants. By using her Heavenly Powers, Catherine has been able to persuade 8 Medical Schools to have applicants go through several interviews before being accepted. Medical School applicants hoping to attend UCLA, Stanford, and Virginia Tech Carilon, along with other Medical Schools, will go through a procedure where they read a story about a fictional patient for 2 minutes. Then the applicant will walk through a door and be greeted by a team of people to discuss how to "treat" the patient. The interview lasts 8 minutes, and then is repeated approximately 10 times in a row.

The goal of the MMI, according to Saint Catherine and human beings, such as Dr. Stephen Workman, a Dean of Admissions at Virginia Tech, is to help usher in a new era of Health Care in America. The prospective Medical School students are not necessarily graded on whether they answer the questions correctly, which seems fair since these people have not even gone to Medical School yet! Instead, the interviews help weed out the arrogantly opinionated who, like most "know-it-alls," often fail to listen and also jump to conclusions, clinging to their notion of what is "right" and what is "wrong."  Gardiner Harris, a writer at The New York Times recently noted there are a lot of Doctors who are "insufferable know-it-alls who bully nurses and do not listen."

If Saint Catherine of Siena is successful with implementing the Multiple Mini Interview at more Medical Schools, it is estimated that the number of needless deaths and injuries in Hospitals will decline considerably. And it will be because channels of communication will be widened, not narrowed.  

SaintsforSinners Blog Gets a Facelift!

Hi everyone! Here's a short note to let you know we just updated and revised the SaintsforSinners Blog and eliminated all the SPAM posts. Here are our two commercials. Please share them with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, StumbedUpon, Diggit, and any other social network. We hope to be making posts regularly and soon we will be going to Europe to find more saint medals. We also added new retail stores in the Carolinas and Santa Barbara, California! Let us know about great retail shops in your area (or let them know about us!) and if you are looking for a particular saint medal we will try our best to find it during our medal hunting trip. Cheers! rob clemenz@ SaintsforSinners

P.S. Special thanks to Dimitrina, who helped make the Blog look much nicer! Soon we will be adding more saint stories and updating the http://SaintsforSinners.com web site too! :o)

Joanie on the Pony - Joan of Arc Twelfth Night Parade, French Quarter, New Orleans

January 6, 2010, Joan of Arc parades with the Krewe of Jeanne d'Arc, in the French Quarter of New Orleans, to celebrate Twelfth Night, or "King's Day," the preamble to the Mardi Gras Carnival Season!

Hmmmm.... Wonder where she got that hand-painted Joan of Arc medal she is happily wearing?

More photos by Victoria Pisarello to follow....

http://saintsforsinners.com/saint-stephen-medal-story.html

Happy Saint Stephen's Day!

December 26, 2009 is Saint Stephen's Day, and celebrates the life of Saint Stephen the Martyr, who was stoned to death because he refused to disavow his own personal convictions.

His story can be found at www.SaintsforSinners.com, which is linked above.

The sterling silver toggle clasp bracelet, featured left, can also be purchased from SaintsforSinners, but for the time being, orders are best completed over the phone, because we are trying to coordinate and individually customize the bracelet and medals to suit your specific, individual requests.

Click on the image to enlarge the photo.

The bracelet pictured here is one of our "There's Something About Marys" designs, featuring, yes, you guessed it, a series of Blessed Virgin Mary imported Italian Saint Medallions, all hand-painted in New Orleans, Louisiana.

From left to right, the Virgins listed are: 1. Our Lady of Fatima, 2. The Immaculate Heart of Mary, 3. Our Lady of Guadalupe, 4. Our Lady of Perpetual Help and 5. The Miraculous Medal.

Contact us if you would like to help us create your very own specially made "There's Something About Marys" Sterling Silver Toggle Clasp Charm Bracelet, including all of your favorite imported Italian Saint Medallions, hand-painted in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Our sister web site www.TheresSomethingAboutMarys.com is "coming soon," to a computer near you, 1n 2010!

Our Fund Raiser for the Volunteers of America's Elderly Servives Program

This nice article by the New Orleans Times-Picayune's Fashion Writer, Susan Langenhennig, appeared in the "LIVING" section yesterday, December, 14, 2009.

You can click the image to get an enlarged view.

SaintsforSinners is proud to be working with the Volunteers of America of Greater New Orleans in an effort to raise funds for their Elderly Protective Services Departments.

Buy a hand-painted Saint Anthony or Saint Vincent de Paul medal package and all proceeds will go to the Volunteers of America, a Charity committed to "touching lives and building community."

Thanks to Susan Langenhennig, the Volunteers of America's Director of Marketing, Sheryl LeBlanc, and Egghead Designs Erica Normand for working with us on this project.

Saint Robert Meachem, A Modern Day Saint Dismas, the Good Thief

New Orleans Saint Robert Meachem (# 17) is a Modern Day "Saint Dismas," the Saint who is known as the "Good Thief."

Saint Dismas' story can be found at http://www.saintsforsinners.com/

If he were alive today, he would be New Orleans Saint Robert Meachem, a saint who recovers fumbles for touchdowns, makes interceptions, and is fantastic thieving NFL athlete! His 53 yard touchdown catch with less than 2 minutes left to play in the game against the Washington Redskins had all of the New Orleans Saints fans in the world joyous!

The image of our Saint Dismas the Good Thief medallion is featured at left, (click the image to enlarge) and includes a fleur-de-lis tattoo on his chest, all available through SaintsforSinners.

We're trying to present an image of Saint Dismas as a token image of New Orleans Saint Robert Meachem.

Robert's play today, December 6, 2009, where he stole the ball from the Washington Redskins, and scored a touchdown was one of the most excellent plays in the history of the National Football League (NFL).

Congratulations, New Orleans Saint Robert Meachem; you are, like Saint Dismas, truly a "Good Thief!"

Make that "Great Thief!" And a great Saint!

WHODAT!?

Saint Nicholas of Myra's Feast Day, December 6th

Today is the Feast Day of Saint Nicholas of Myra, the patron of merchants. Saint Nicholas' image is featured to the left, as is his story. Click the image to enlarge.

His medal depicts Saint

Nicholas holding 3 gold balls and there are also 3 boys, cooking in a barrel of oil.

Don't fret; Saint Nicholas saved the 3 boys and went on to become a beloved saint.

Happy Saint Nicholas of Myra (that's where he is from) Day from all of us at www.SaintsforSinners.com, the home of imported Italain Saint Medallions hand-painted in New Orleans!

"A Divine Gift!"

IN HONOR OF SAINT NICHOLAS: STORES SELLING HAND-PAINTED ITALIAN SAINTSFORSINNERS SAINT MEDALLIONS

Saint Nicholas of Myra, Patron Saint of Merchants is our Guest Blogger today.... Today, December 6th, is Saint Nicholas' Feast Day. His story can be found at www.SaintsforSinners.com.

Hello, my name is saint Nicholas of Myra, not to be confused with the fat guy, "Jolly Saint Nick."

I asked the folks at www.SaintsforSinners.com to let me offer a big thank you to all of our retailers, past and present.

As the patron of Merchants, I am the saint who cajoles you into ordering the hand-painted medals from SaintsforSinners.

Our very first store that carried the Original SaintsforSinners cards and medals was located in the French Quarter on Royal Street and was called:

1. The Living Room

It later became known as Pamela's Living Room and we are sorry to report that the store went out of business a few months ago, due to the slow economy. Our medals sold briskly and they were the store's best seller, but the revenue gained from the sale of our medals was not enough to sustain their boutique. We were sorry to see the store close, and we were also very disappointed to learn that:

2. Shine Spa, another French Quarter shop on Conti Street that was carrying our medals, also closed down.

Fortunately other French Quarter shops are currently and actively selling our medals. They are:

3. Feet First, located on Royal Street;

4. Yesteryears, in the heart of Bourbon Street;

5. Ragin' Daisy's, located in the lower Quarter on a corner near the lively French Market;

6. Feet First has another location, located in Uptown New Orleans on Magazine Street, and it also offers our medals.

Another great store in the French Quarter, 7. "Plum," carried our medals for many years. Plum's owner, Dannal Perry, has a good eye for unique items and her store is fun to visit.

Other Uptown Boutiques actively selling our medals are:

8. Jean Therapy on Magazine Street, near the Jefferson Street intersection.

Jean Therapy also offers our medals at their store (9.) in One Canal Place and also 0n Canal Street, 10. Jean Therapy for Kids

Jean Therapy is also located in (11.) Lakeside Mall and (12.) Baton Rouge

Another Baton Rouge Boutique offering our medals is 13. Ted & Daisy's, located in the LSU area.

The 14. Cyprus Medetarian Prayer Center in Baton Rouge also sells our saint medals. In the University area near Tulane and Loyola, 15. Sweet Pea sells SaintsforSinners medals, as does

16. SaveNola, on the first floor of JAX Brewery on Decatur Street.

Crowley's 17. Louisiana Church Interiors also sells our designs, as does the

18. Immaculate Heart Book Store in Alexandria and

19. T Fig in Lake Charles.

20. Blink in the Riverwalk in New Orleans, sells our medals too.

In New York City, the trendy 21. 22. 23. Selima Optique Boutique sells our medals in all 3 of their locations.

In Croton on the Hudson, visit 24. Sherwood Forest Designs to find our medals and if you're out in the Hamptons on Long Island, try

25. The Pharmacy in East Hampton, to see some of our medals.

Over on another continent, if you are in Tokyo, Japan,

26. The Espresso Bar briskly sells our medallions.

Back in America, and on the other side of the country,

27. The Holy Family Book Store in Pasadena, California, is selling SaintsforSinners designs,

as does 28. Zimmer's in in the Valley near Tolouca Lake.

Back on the Bayou, 29. The Jefferson House

and 30. Blue Roof Denim are selling our medals on the Northshore near Covington and Mandeville.

If you go to the beach in Asbury Park, New Jersey, check out our medals on 31. Pavillion One

Another beachy locale selling our medals is

32. Bella Beach in Destin Florida.

Up in Oklahoma, try 33. The Clover Leaf, and when in Little Rock, try

34. Liza's Skin Care and

35. Box Turtle

36. Duque & Duque Spa & Boutique offered our medals in their store in Seattle, Washington.

37. Light Years Jewelry in Memphis

38. Maggie's Pharm

39. Pursue Good STUFF, like our medals, in Kansas City sells our medals.

40. InBetweenz in Lafayette, Louisiana sold our medals but we are sorry to report that they have closed down their shop.

41. Art and Soul

42. Small Town Music

43. Little Miss Muffin in Lakeview and

44. Little Miss Muffin in Old Metairie sell lots of our medals!

We also sell on 45. The Internet at www.saintsforsinners.com

Once a month we sell our medallions at

46. The Harrison Avenue Market in Lakeview

47. The Gretna Festival invites us to sell our medals during their annual music extravaganza.

Athens Ohio's 48. Artifacts sells the medallions 49. Happy Hands in Baton Rouge 50. Eaton's Church Supply in Moussouri sells the medals and the

51. Paradise Cafe, in Metairie, near Barnes & Noble, sells our medals. The owner, Linda is a great cook and she feeds us when we visit!

CELESTIAL SAINTS AND ANGELS BEGIN FOLLOWING NFL FOOTBALL

Arch Angel Gabriel, the "Saint" invoked when praying for "Good News," held an Omniscience ( Known on Earth as a "Press Conference" ) in Heaven today, confirming an ongoing rumor that several Saints and Angels have formed an Ad Hoc Club, "The Celestials," a group in Heaven that follows and celebrates the National Football League's New Orleans Saints and their Perfect 2009-2010 Season.

Asked whether the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit were involved, Gabriel replied, "The Holy Spirit and Our Lady were both deciding forces in establishing the new club and are very active members."

Other members of The Celestials are, in no particular order:

* Our Lady of Perpetual Succor, who is providing "Constant Help" to the New Orleans Saints, according to the Omniscience. She said "Our Lady of Prompt Succor is another dedicated member, which was not too surprising since she is the Patroness of New Orleans.

* Saint Dismas, also affectionately known as the "Good Thief," who has been aiding "Special Teams" as they recover fumbles and make interceptions. Saint Dismas said "It's wonderful to be stealing out in the open again, without having to worry about that dang cross! The appreciation for the Saintly football thievery has been unheralded." "I can't wait to rip off Tom Brady's helmet a few times."

* Saint Jude Thaddaeus, who signed up to assist New Orleans Saints Football Coach Sean Payton with "Difficult Situations" and "Impossible Plays." Jude said he has had light duty thus far, but expects things to get busy when "Some Patriots visit the Saints in the Superdome."

* Saint Joan of Arc, who is leading a crusade in Heaven much like her battles in her home town "back-in-the-day," the country now known as "France." Joan said, "It's thrilling to get people all riled up again. I'm not saying Heaven's not fun, because it definitely is, but it's kinda cool to be out and about with the people again, too."

* Saint Christopher, the saint "banished by the Vatican in 1969," who is guiding the New Orleans Saints as they travel near and far, and from goal post to goal post. When asked about whether he is even truly a Saint, Chris replied, "I'm a Saint alright and I do go down to Purgatory to visit with the bonehead Pope who tried to kick me out of Heaven." He quickly added, "But, I'm not bitter!"

Numerous other Saints and Angels are members of The Celestials, but did not reply in time to be included in this Omniscience.

To honor and wear your favorite member of The Celestials, visit http://www.saintsforsinners.com/ and collect them all, and remember that "the saints are the sinners who keep on trying."

( The Infant of Prague and Saint Expedite contributed to this Omniscience )

WHO DAT!

THIS ONE'S FOR RUSTY ... A LOOK AT SAINT CECILIA

Rusty took the www.SaintsforSinners.com "Who's Your Saint Quiz" today and I thought Saint Cecilia, patron of Musicians and Music Lovers, was the perfect fit.

He asked for a photo so here she is, Rusty, featured at left. Thanks for taking the quiz and visiting www.SaintsforSinners.com

Extreme Changes in USA's Organ Donation Policies Urged by Saints Cosmos & Damien

"America MUST re-mix, re-make, and re-model its antiquated organ donation protocols," according to http://www.saintsforsinners.com/ representatives, Saints Cosmos & Damien ( C & D ) ."

C & D were twin Doctors who were born in the 3rd Century. The Doctor Duo are typically represented by medical emblems, which is why the insightful drawings, at right, feature sutures, staples and a scalpel, all of which can be used in organ donation operations.

Cosmos wryly stated, "those tools can be used for organ donation work but the truth is, America is still back in the 2nd Century when it comes to the amount of progress made with organ donation promotion and awareness." Damien agreed, saying "The whole American organ donation procedure is so atrociously bollixed up, galley-west, higgledy-piggledy, and, not to mention, skimble-skamble, it is downright shameful."

We asked what they meant and C & D chimed, "The 'Opt-In' to Organ Donation Procedure should be an 'Opt-Out' Procedure. That way people will have to basically say they are against organ donation, which very few will, and you will have many more organs to use, and thus, less people, dying, while waiting, to get an organ they need transplanted. This is not Rocket Science, Gee Whiz!"

Cosmos said that "the good people of Belgium, Norway, and Spain, all have switched to Opt-Out, and this has saved countless live."

SaintsforSinners contacted a few of the patron saints of lawyers, Saint Thomas More, Saint Genesius, and Saint Ives, and all 3 agreed that the procedure could be changed in one day at Capital Hill and save thousands of lives with a simple stroke of a pen."

Saint Catherine of Siena, our patroness of "Girl Power," and a saint invoked against bodily ills stopped by and said, "It truly is shameful that simple steps could be taken to bring organ donation programs to the 21st Century, but they have not been taken, apparently because many American lawmakers are too busy philandering and moralizing, all in the same heated, horrendous, hypocritical breath. It's shameful that stories about Organ Donation in America are less likely to be in the news than stories about the two-timing trysts of Senators and Governors. "

Testimonials - Saint Raphael, a Patron of Healing, Invoked for Happy News!

http://www.saintsforsinners.com/ 's Saint Raphael, a Patron of Healing, a Saint Invoked for "Happy News!"

NOTE: Totally True Story!

SaintsforSinners Saint Raphael, featured twice, left, has "The Power."

The actual Testimonial has been scanned and also appears at left, along with some beautifully elaborate decoration.

A lady in New Jersey, Michele Logan, had been ordering medals and in one of her packages, I decided to include a "FLOOD MEDAL," one of the saint medals dug up out of the muck of my home office that got flooded from floor to ceiling. For some reason I could not let the bulldozer obliterate my Saints medals, so, I spent a day digging for them and "recovered" them. There are photos of my day in the muck on the site. I am happy I dug them up and have kept them.

I grabbed a medal from the bucket of flood medals, enclosed it in a bag, and noted it was Saint Raphael, who is known as the patron of healing and the saint invoked for happy news. I wrote on the bag and sent it off to New Jeresy

I did not know that Michele was a Registered Nurse. I did not know she had come down to New Orleans to volunteer after the flood. It turned out that the rusty, ruined, saint Raphael medal, a flood medal, meant more to her than the nicely painted one she received from SaintsforSinners. She wrote to say how much she appreciated getting the medal and that she found it to be very significant, since I had so many Saint medals to choose from (thousands). Michele took it as a "sign" and that was great. Receving heart-felt notes from strangers is probably the gas that has kept SaintsforSinners running, through the many obstacles, over the years. I don't go to our Testimonials pages very often, because, to be honest, I can't seem to prevent myself from getting too emotional, but itis clear that many, many people have been helped by our hand-painted saint medallions (and, it turns out, the "flood medals" too).

Yesterday, I sent out a bunch of e mails to people who have visited the web site and who I sort of "knew," even though we have never actually met, face-to-face. The responses were nice. I got an order from a guy who I went to school with but never had the chance to get to know, and that was fun for me somehow. I guess I took it as a sign he was saying "Hello" and "I wish we had gotten to know each other" or "How are you doing?" or some other pleasantry. It is quite possible I read too much into things these days!

This morning I went to check my e mails and was pleased to see another order had come in and that some folks had responded to my e mail. One lady was from New Orleans and she had a "Rush Order" of sorts. She was going out of town on Monday and really needed, coincidentally (?), a Saint Raphael medal to take to someone. So, we made special plans to meet up early tomorrow, Saturday morning, for her to get the Saint Raphael medal package. When you run your own business, which SaintsforSinners is, after all, you work pretty much every day. To quote the performer Bruce Hornsby, "That's Just the Way It Is. Somethings Never Change." ( I'm not complaining! )

After making the plans to get Saint Raphael to the lady, I then went back to check on my e mails and found the 2nd note from Michele Logan, part of the illustration above, a note about the power of her Saint Raphael medal, along with a lovely story of her friend who is living well with cancer, and whom she has given the medal to, who wears it "right next to her Tiffany bracelet." Michele wrote about how she started to understand the SaintsforSinners concept, which was, initially, that folks would "wear the medal and then share it with someone you love." The Basic Rule being this: If someone comments that they like your medal, you ought to pass it on. All of the Saint Raphael issues coming in one-after-the-other, the cynic in me says "coincidence." Thankfully the bigger part of me says, "Not!"

It's nice to be re-affirmed every now and then. Michele's notes let me know that it is not me, Rob, running this SaintsforSinners Show, it is, and I will quote Michele, "I have to believe a higher power with a plan." Funny how another friend, named Michele, has been saying the same thing to me for a very long time.

Thank you, Michele Logan. You made my day! rob clemenz @ SaintsforSinners

Guardian Angel Weighs In On Morbidity, Mortality, Obesity on Lifetime Television Show Drop Dead Diva

The Guardian Angel, featured left, will have a starring role on the Lifetime Television Show, "Drop Dead Diva," it was reported today. The program will air at either at 8:00 or 9:00 on Sunday nights, depending on where you live.

The Guardian Angel will be in the body of a young boy named Fred, played by the actor Ben Feldman. He will be a pivotal character in the show, which will try to reinforce the age old theme about how at the end of the day, kindness, love, generosity, and virtue far outweigh good looks, lots of money, and/or a perfectly fit, gorgeous body.

Since the role of Fred is a bit of a stretch for the Guardian, two Saintly Coaches from SaintsforSinners will be guiding him in his performance, Saint Rosalie and Saint Lucy. Saint Rosalie, who is a saint invoked against vanity, was born with great grace and beauty that soon became a curse. She was able to see shallowness in horrible ways and her exquisite beauty only led her to become estranged from society (kind of like Michael Jackson was but in a different way). Rosalie opted to go and hide her pretty face from the world. She went to live in a dark cave, never to be tormented by people who only wanted to be around her because she was "da Bomb." Rosalie is able to give the Guardian keen insight.

Saint Lucy will help give the Guardian better vision. Lucy is a Saint invoked for better vision or eyesight. When she gouges her own eyes out and carries them around on a plate, the Guardian gets to learn that "beauty is only skin deep." Lucy said, "My eyes without my head are less than attractive."

At http://www.newyorktimes.com/ , the writer Alessandra Stanley, is plugging "Drop Dead Diva" as "a light-hearted romantic comedy" that is grounded in reality. Although this tale has been told before and in myriad ways, there always remain people who need a dose of "reality" every now and then.

Italian Immigrant Gisella Civale Goes Back to Roots with Family Recipe

www.DolceNonnas.com 's

Delicious Marinated Vegetables Praised by

www.SaintsforSinners.com 's

Saint Rosa of Lima and Saint Phocas the Gardener.

There may not be an official patron saint of vegetables or even vegetarians, but those of us at SaintsforSinners think that Gisella Civale's mother, Maria DiGiorgio, may one day be fit for the job. Raising 7 children with humble grit and determination, she may be considered as a patron Saint of Traditions and Family as well.

We're holding off on contacting the Papacy though, because 97 year-old Maria DiGiorgio's is among the living in Beechurst, New York, and thus not yet quite qualified for Sainthood.

We spoke with Maria's daughter, Gisella Civale, today and she told us about the delicious, delectable vegetable dishes her mother and her family has made for decades, both in New York, and abroad, in the Region of Campagna, Italy.

The recipes were so good, Gisella said she decided, at age 59, to try and prepare them and offer the healthy foods to the world.

She has succeeded with her plan. Her jars of Dolce Nonna tangy eggplant, sweet-tart peppers and tender green beans are available on the Web and in numerous stores, with more placement to undoubtedly come. They're also very prominently featured today in the http://www.nytimes.com/ "FOOD STUFF" section, written by Florence Fabricant (ASIDE: How is that for an awesome name, "Florence Fabricant"?!)

In 1958, Gisella came to America with her parents from Italy, and she says she is "carrying a tradition" and offering "thanks to her Heritage and her family, including her Mom's side, the DiGiorgio's, and her husband's the Civale's." Her daughter, Wendy Civale, is also very active in the Dolce Nonna family enterprise.

In these difficult financial times, Gisella noted that "the tough get going' and find ways to "stretch the dollar." One jar of her marinated vegetables can offer a complete, healthy, inexpensive meal for a family in many ways, and by creating a delicious salad or adding pasta.

SaintsforSinners 's Saint Rose of Lima and Saint Phocas the Gardener are "down with her plan."

Phocas said that Gisella's simple, kind-hearted way reminded him of his childhood in the 3rd Century, when he would grow extra crops to feed the people.

Sadly, Phocas wound up digging his own grave, in the end, by feeding the very soldiers sent to behead him, which they did in 303. "It was not very nice, how those soldiers treated me," Phocas said, but "Dolce Nonna's pursuit of doing good work, providing healthy sustenance in times of need, by using vegetables grown from the ground, and nurturing crops of food like I did back-in-day, only serves to remind me that, with all its sham and drudgery, it is still a beautiful world."

Miniature Pinscher Cherry Ann Hershberger Declared Worthy of First Class Seats on Flights

www.SaintsforSinners.com has learned that the Miniature Pinscher "Cherry Ann" Hershberger, will be approved for flying in First or Business Class when seats are available.

Cherry's image is, for security reasons, secreted in a shadow and located to the right.

Cherry's Human is known as Sally Hershberger, a famous Stylist, who travels throughout the world, working diligently to help folks look their best.

Her web site is found at http://www.sallyhershberger.com/ and it provides fascinating glimpses into the world of fashion. We will have to contact our friends, Jill Spitznass, and Miguel Sirgrado, the Style Editors for Portland Monthly and People EN ESPANOL, and the folks at OK!, three of the magazines who have placed our imported Italian hand-painted saint medallions on the Style Pages of their magazines, and let them know about Sally Hershberger's web site (and her wonderfully rascally dog, Cherry).

The Official Announcement came from Our Lady of Loreto, one of the well-known images of the Virgin Mary. Our Lady of Loreto is known as the patron saint of Aviators and is invoked for safe flights.

Our Lady said that she consulted with the patron saint of animals and "birders," Saint Francis of Assisi, (featured 3 times, far right) and the patron of dogs, Saint Rocco, (also featured) who is invoked against dog bites and rabies.

Both Francis and Rocco agreed that "having Cherry Ann sit in her own seat in Business or First Class, does not harm anyone."

Even Saint Gertrude of Nevilles, the patron of cats and cat lovers, approved of letting Cherry sit in her own seat, "it's purrfectly fine, as long as she pays for it," Gertrude hissed.

Some may think letting a dog like Cherry Ann have a Business Class seat upgrade is indulgent, but Joan Raymond, writing today in the New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/ and Cherry's Human noted today that "[a]pparently Cherry wanted an upgrade.

Perhaps it is time for the airlines to follow the lead of our bank, Fidelity Homestead Savings Bank, and begin offering "Milk Bones" to its patrons like Cherry Ann, and the dogs who will undoubtedly follow along in her footsteps.

Saint Bernardino of Siena Practices Crisis Management

SaintsforSinners Display Boxes Face Giant Scandal on BravoTV's NYC Prep!

The www.SaintsforSinners.com Display Boxes, the trays that store the hand-painted Saint Medallions, (and featured in our careful drawing at left) are embroiled in a giant controversy, it has been reported.

The boxes are going to be appearing in a future episode of the BravoTV Show, "NYC Prep," a show that seems universally maligned by New York City Preparatory School Administrators and Prep School Kids' Parents!

Saint Bernardine of Siena, the saint who handles "damage control" and "crisis management" for SaintsforSinners, has come over from, you guessed it, Siena, Italy, to help squelch the bad publicity about the new show and the SaintsforSinners boxes.

"I'll handle the scandal," Bernie promised. "It's not the Display Boxes that are being criticized, it's the content of the show, and those are two entirely different matters."

The Patroness of Television, Saint Clare of Assisi, is also monitoring the show and said "the people who are against the airing of the show really need to chill."

Sandy Bass, an arguably ditzy editor with "The Private School Insider" was asked about the show and she quipped (like a San Fernando Valley teenager from yesteryear), "Horrified is totally the word." (Emphasis Added).

The show airs on Tuesday nights and SaintsforSinners publicist, Saint Bernardine of Siena, said "We will be standing behind the show, and our display boxes at the famous Selima Optiques in New York City, despite all the negativity presented in the recent article by Julie Bosman in the New York Times."

Saint Genesius, the patron of actors and comedians chimed in that "The Show Must Go On. Long Live BravoTV & NYC Prep. Bring it on!"

Saint Francis of Assisi Endorses Birchwood Cutlery from Mxyplyzyk.com

BREAKING NEWS! Say "YES" to Wood!

Saint Francis Urges Use of Birchwood Cutlery for July 4th Weekend, thanks to Marianne Rohrlich from the New York Times.

www.SaintsforSinners.com received a telepathy from Saint Francis of Assisi (pictured and quoted, far left) earlier today and he asked us to "Say Yes to Wood!"Initially, we had no idea what he was talking about. He finally got his point across and said "Plastic is Spastic and not biodegradable!"

Frank then said that everyone should consider patronizing www.Mxyplyzyk.com, a company he heard about through Currents writer Marianne Rohlich, the columnist for the New York Times. Francis said that "it is just plain silly to use plastic forks and knives and spoons at picnics, especially since you can get nice birch wood utensils for a great price, while helping the environment. Mother Earth and Sister Sun would really appreciate it if you would help the environment."

The utensils from MXYPLYZYK are compostable and priced nice.

So, we are doing our due diligence and reminding everyone to say "YES" to wood and order some nice utensils from www.MXYPLYZYK.com, a company in New York City with a store at 125 Greenwich Avenue (13th Street), Telephone 1 800.243.9810

Each package includes a knife, fork, spoon, and napkin and six come in a pack!

"Billboard Charts a Sham," declare Saints Cecilia and Saint Matthew, Questioning Veracity in Minimizing Michael Jackson's Record Sales Tenacity

"Billboard Charting Shameful," declare Saints Cecilia and Matthew

"Michael Jackson deserves the # 1 Spot over Vegetables, Black Eyed Peas

The Patron Saint of Accountants, Saint Matthew, has joined with the Patroness of Music Lovers, Saint Cecilia, from http://www.saintsforsinners.com/ decrying "Faulty Billboard Magazine Addition and Categorizing." Both Saint Cecilia and Saint Matthew are pictured above, as hand-painted saint medals enjoying a game of "Where's Waldo."

Today, The New York Times, in an article by Ben Sisaro reported that Michael Jackson's Records, "Number Ones," "The Essential Michael Jackson" and "Thriller," all sold over 100,00 records each, according to Nielson Soundscan. The total number of records sold was over 420,000.

Yet, in what Saint Matthew said is "pitifully ludicrous ridiculosity," some Black Eyed Peas are listed as having the number one record for the week, for their record, appropriately titled "The E.N.D." Matthew added "The Peas only sold 88,000 records and as the first Certified Public Accountant ever awarded the title, I can tell you with some certainty, that 100,000 is more than 88,000."

The Director of Charts for Billboard, Silvio Pietroluongo, even acknowledged that the "level of dominance by Michael Jackson on the top .... is unlike anything we've ever seen." Replied Saint Cecilia, "Sheesh, then give him the Number Ones he deserves," and all the other Saints pictured above agreed.

Reports of David Faustino's Suicide Grossly Exaggerated on www.Crackle.com "StarVing" Webisodes!

Former "Married With Children" star David Faustino and Corin Nemec, the once forgotten star of "Parker Lewis Can't Lose," have been busy filming short episodic pieces, or "webisodes," of a little ditty called "StarVing" on www.Crackle.com the New York Times reported today in a great article by the writer Jon Caramanica.

Filled with sophomoric cliches, crude humor, and lots of nudity, the program is sure to be a hit, says www.SaintsforSinners.com representative, Saint Genesius, the patron of actors, comedians and of course, lawyers. Saint Genesius then lamented,"neither of those kids are wearing my hand-painted SaintsforSinners medallion and that's just wrong!"

Nemec, Faustino's sidekick on the StarVing episodes is yet another former child star who has successfuly invigorated his thespian career with this new acting gig on the world wide web. The same can be said for Faustino, with both also being credited as the Executive Producers of the show segments, available for free at http://www.crackle.com/. "It's silly but it's clever in a childish way," Saint Genesius added

We were only able to sit through a few of the shows, but we predict this StarVing program will be a hit with people like Hamptonians Brendon Henry and Paul Fallo, two jokesters-at-large in Hampton Bays, New York, the town they poetically nicknamed "Harlem Bays" and the home of the popular rock/punk/rap musical group "Haunted Hacienda." New Orleans actor, film-maker, and brand new University of New Orleans graduate Brooks "Heyena" Webb, is rumored to have a part in one of the future shows, according to a local source who goes by the moniker, "Dusty." Whether Webb will quit his part time job with SaintsforSinners to work full-time with Faustino and Nemec in Hollywood remains "a mystery," according to Dusty.