"It's like using Amazon.com to buy your lab tests." ~Dr. Doug Lefton
Day after demoralizing day, Dr. Doug Lefton watched uninsured patients leave his office needing laboratory tests but unlikely to have them done because of the cost. So the Fairlawn, Ohio, family physician decided to do something about it. Working with other doctors and an online marketer, Lefton devised a way to slash the cost of lab tests not only for his patients but for almost anyone, anywhere.
Working with the Summit County Medical Society, Lefton struck a deal with INeedLabs.com, connected to LabCorp, one of the largest testing companies in the country. The arrangement allows patients to get lab tests done for a small fraction of the normal cost, simply by ordering them through their website. People who would ordinarily not be able to afford lab work are paying almost identical the amount the government pays for Medicaid.
"The prices are spectacularly low for something you can get on the market yourself," says Tom Patton, CEO of INeedLabs.com. For example, a lipid panel (cholesterol test) can cost as much as $148 for an uninsured person. The same test is available for less than $18 through the site."
Here's how it works: Patients needing lab work can go to the INeedLabs.com website. From there they choose the tests their doctor says they need, give the doctor's fax number, pay with a credit card and print out the order. They then take the order to any LabCorp location in 47 states and have the work done. Results are sent securely to the patient and the doctor, often within 24 hours.
Hi -- I'm working on a digital archive of all the Napa AP material, including our audio collection of example readings, which you will be able to listen to "on-demand" from your computer by just clicking on a link. CDs will also be orderable, but the online digital archive will come first.
Some audio will be "openly" available, meaning no password is required -- just click on the link and listen! I've put the nodal story reading Steven did for me up as a first example.
-------
Nodal Story: Vinessa .....
Chart: (pop-up window) -or- (PDF file)
-------
Other audio (most) will be protected under a password. If you have the password you will be able to freely listen to the bulk of the archive, streamed to you whenever you want. AP members will be the only people allowed to receive passwords.
EXAMPLE READINGS
I am putting up audio files of example readings first, with the charts in pop-up or PDF format. If anyone wants to contribute their audio readings to the digital archive, either on the open side or the protected side, please let me know! I don't need a digital file -- you can send me a copy of your cassette and I can turn it into an digital file. As a default, unless otherwise directed, all example readings in the Napa archive will go into the "AP protected" side. Click on the List of Napa AP Example readings to view what's available.
LECTURE SETS
The lecture sets are taking longer to digitize, but soon I will have available:
Next up will be the Moon Seminar, Mexico, the Chart Grab-Bag, and the original Laguna Beach sessions. I'll be working on developing all this through the summer -- stay tuned!
Happy Birthday, Steve!!
May 'Your Goatiness' reach ever ascending heights! Below are some clips on the significance of this day. Like the Magi we adore you.
The Adoration of the Magi
by He Qi, China (click on image to enlarge)
Love, Your Students & Admirers
leave a birthday comment below if you like!
Happy B-Day Steve! I attended your Moon session in Napa Sept a year ago. Or was it August? Anyhow, it was a very important time for me and the information made some things finally fall in place for me.
So, thank you for being - from the bottom of my heart - always.
comment by Mary Messner (now Lewis) at 09:52 PM on 01.05.06
Wow! I'm surrounded by goats!! My father, daughter and Steve. Obviously I need the level headed influence only such people can provide. Have a peaceful birthday that renews and inspires you, Steve! You and Jody are in my thoughts.
See you at the next AP!
Take care,
Brenda
comment by Brenda Disenhouse at 10:49 PM on 01.05.06
Gosh, I'm blushing!!!! (Capricorns are good at that!) Thanks!!!! And in the Miracle Department: I am TAKING THE DAY OFF!
Happy Birthday! I am grateful to know you--a real treasure to the community of astrological artisans. I think of you often, down here in St. Louis. Hope to see you soon in Napa.
Ellen Bartin
comment by Ellen Bartin at 06:45 AM on 01.06.06
Happy Birthday, dear Steve!
I never connected that your b-day was the Feast of the Magi --- the most famous astrologers of all time! Whoa... [Insert "Outer Limits" music here.] How perfect :)
Glad you're performing the Capricornian miracle of taking the day off. Enjoy! Many happy returns.
A poem by Kenneth Rexroth written for the Feast of the Magi:
Lute Music
The Earth will be going on a long time
Before it finally freezes;
Men will be on it; they will take names,
Give their deeds reasons.
We will be here only
As chemical constituents—
A small franchise indeed.
Right now we have lives,
Corpuscles, Ambitions, Caresses,
Like everybody had once—
Here ... at the feast
Of birth, let us bring to each other
The gifts brought once west through deserts—
The precious metal of our mingled hair,
The frankincense of enraptured arms and legs,
The myrrh of desperate, invincible kisses—
Let us celebrate the daily
Recurrent nativity of love,
The endless epiphany of our fluent selves,
While the earth rolls away under us
Into unknown snows and summers,
Into untraveled spaces of the stars.
May you look back at this new year and say without a doubt it was one of the best you've had. May you know unparrelleled happiness and MIND NUMBING contentment in your new year!
Namaste!
comment by Cheryl Hopkins at 07:48 AM on 01.06.06
May your day be filled with unalloyed bliss and your "new year" be filled to overflowing with all the "goodies" of love, light, peace, radiant health and prosperity, and revelatory revelations you can handle!
So super "reconnecting" with you this year at the Blue Sky Ranch astrology conference. You are a true sage, gentle, kind, and wise! Thank you for your beingness! Vast universe of precious, sweet and sacred divine blessings to you always, Hari Om, Parvati
comment by Parvati Premananda at 11:01 AM on 01.06.06
Happy BD to a true MASTER!!! My grandmother also shares your BD and would be 110 today. She enjoyed 96 years, so may you be blessed with a long, well lived life. No problem! I honor the wisdom and gifts you both brought into my life. With much love and gratitude, Betty O'Hara
(I miss the workshops with Maridell.)
comment by Betty O'Hara at 11:04 AM on 01.06.06
Steve,
Incidentally I've been asked to throw back a few brewskis with the music gang at the local pub tonight. I'll drink one to you, and maybe we'll go make some noise afterwards. I'll hit the feedback pedal for you a couple times....heehee
Prost, you marvellous goat!
Sven
comment by Sven at 03:09 PM on 01.06.06
Seems that Saturn/Jupiter Returns remind one how wonderful and valuable some people are. I count you among this group. May your heart continue to radiate goodness and may this birthday year bring you much joy.
comment by Diana at 03:49 PM on 01.06.06
Steve,
Happy birthday to you!
Wishing you peace, health, and happiness.
Love,
Patricia L.
comment by Patricia at 04:20 PM on 01.06.06
HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE PERHAPS THE ONE DAY OFF WILL STRETCH OUT TO SEVERAL DAYS
COME BACK TO NAPA
LOVE MARY ANN
comment by MARY ANN MCGUIRE at 04:43 PM on 01.06.06
I send you Heartfelt Gratitude for the wisdom you have passed on, and now I pass on.
May this year bring a cresendo of harmonic balance.
comment by Deborah Dooley at 08:18 PM on 01.06.06
Happy Birthday Steve! Good for you in taking the day off. Somebody's gotta do it.
Hugs,
Evelyn
comment by Evelyn at 08:48 PM on 01.06.06
HAPPY BIRTHDAY you ol' goat!!! {big playful wink} (Now that I have entered the hallowed halls of "elderdom" myself I guess I can say that. LOL)
I hope the year brings you mystery and passion in abundant measure... and the grace and humor to tweak the nose of fate when it gets too seroius.
Since you are a child of the Feast of the Epiphany (The Feast of the Magi) here is a poem I wrote awhile back about the wonders of epiphany... I thought it seemed especially appropriate for you Steve on your birthday. All the best my friend!
The Alaskan grizzly bear... Paul
EPIPHANY
I am the desire of the star
for the planet in its circular embrace
I am the desire of the wood
for the fire's sweet immolation
I am the desire of the song
for the ear of its beloved
I am the desire of the soul
for the soul of its desire
A goatly nicker to you, Steve. I am deeply touched by the poetic lyricism you express astrology by. Thank you for the light you bring to our mutually conjured Universe. Looking forward to meeting in person in Mexico!
From, another January goat : )-c
comment by Camila Aguilar at 09:11 PM on 01.07.06
Hey Gang,
Thanks so much for all these sweet birthday wishes! (And immediately my mind goes to Gollum hissing "sweet fishes!") (I'm not going to think too deeply about that). I had a terrific day, and yesterday was Jodie's and my 22nd anniversary, so that was a big celebration too -- we did a radio show about our latest musical project, then went out to dinner with my other family (other than ya'all, that is) -- our band.
Thank you for being in my life and so supportive. I can't even begin tot ell you how much that means to me.
Love,
Steve
Hi everybody -- this just in -- Jane Martin's current art show (see below) earned a full page review last Sunday in the New York Times (10/30/05). That's quite an accomplishment, BRAVO JANE!!
The ambiguities of the journey, ranging from seductive sensuality to menacing danger and possible disaster, are expressed in the show's title, Closer Far Away. It suggests that proximity to elemental forces distances one from the familiar and the predictable - the closer one gets, the farther one is from safety.
Congrats, Jane! I am really impressed with the evocative power and beauty of your images. I am also totally gratified and amazed at the number of gifted visual artists in the AP family. What a great tribe! And, Jane, you are the one wearing the flowers this week. We're all really proud of you. Love, Steve
comment by Steve Forrest at 02:21 PM on 11.04.05
Jane, nice job! Maybe things aren't quite as dreary as they seem in this country if you can get naked people into the newspaper. If anyone could pull it off, it would be you, of course :-). Great stuff, I hope to be in NYC soon, this time I promise I'll make it out to the Hamptons.
Cheers,
Sven
Congratulations Janie,
I was captivated by your beautiful images and left hungering for more!
You are so deserving of the attention from the NY times!
I think a West Coast show is in order!
I love and miss you,
Michelle S
comment by Michelle Silva at 12:03 PM on 11.05.05
Hi Beautiful Pluto Sister!
I am so proud of you; you've pulled so many threads of Light through unthinkable darkness and inspire us all to keep returning to the ultimate Truth of Peace within. Miss you, love you
Cheryl
comment by Cheryl Jones at 01:51 PM on 11.05.05
Congrats Jane! I'm so happy for you- I wish I could see your whole show! I love this one image. Very beautiful and haunting. I've tried to read the review on my computer but it's all garbled looking for some reason-- maybe you could forward it to me??
It's wonderful to see a fellow artist doing so well!
Love,
Michelle K
comment by Michelle K at 11:16 AM on 11.06.05
Thank you all so very much - I am so deeply touched by the posting of my article (Steve and Vinessa) and all your very beautiful and supportive responses. Your love enters as warmth spreading through my heart.
Far away but very close -
Love - Jane
MICHELLE KONDOS from New Orleans survived Hurricane Katrina by evacuating ahead of time. She and her boyfriend stayed at a friend's house in Mississippi during the storm. Her centrally located apartment was in an area that was mostly flooded, but the water stopped short a few doors down from her building. She wrote just the other day:
Yes, Michael and I are planning on staying in New Orleans. But things are still pretty rough here- garbage pick-up only JUST started about a week ago. I'm sure you can imagine (although you may not want to!) what 6 weeks of garbage roasting in 93 degree heat all over a city smells like. And many people still don't have electricity, phone or gas. Fortunately, we have all three. But the worst thing is the fact that so many people just aren't coming back- at least not for the foreseeable future. Mostly because they've lost their homes or jobs or both. At night when you drive around, whole neighborhoods are just dark. Pretty eerie. One thing that really brings it home is that there are so few musicians that have returned home. Quiet empty clubs in New Orleans??? Unthinkable, a few months ago. I think the city will come back but it's going to be a long and complicated haul. It's a good thing that the city has such a strong spirit beause it sure needs it now.
MARIA ZABOREK is fighting endometrial cancer and would appreciate all our prayers. Maria currently lives in Houston, Texas and is an active, dynamic woman who has travelled to 24 countries and loves dancing, which she hopes to do again soon. She is also hoping she can make it to Mexico! Please keep her close in your thoughts and send prayers for a complete remission.
JESSICA BOURQUE is pregnant with twins!! She's due at the end of December, hopefully delivering a pair of Capricorns won't be too difficult! Jessica's very excited, warm blessings and good thoughts are appreciated.
JANE MARTIN has completed a new body of work which opened at the Boltax Gallery, in Shelter Island, NY on October 7th. Pluto has been transiting her Ascendant. Bravo Jane!!
CARLIN DIAMOND is off for a 3-month journey with her husband Jed in Australia and New Zealand. Jed will be promoting his books and his work with Men Alive. Carlin no doubt will be connecting with other astrologers, healers, midwives, artists and shamans. They are looking forward to the trip of a lifetime. Best wishes to Carlin and Jed!!
CATHY LINDSAY's divorce is final (finally!). There was an announcement in her local paper (can you believe that? like weddings) Hubby has moved out, she has refinanced her house in her own name, is on her own now and much happier.
MICHELLE SILVA and her sister just returned from a fairy-tale trip to Paris and the south of France, where they stayed in castles, met with gourmets, and generally lived the good life. Vive la France!
PAM THIEL is a new grandmother, with the arrival of Amir (a merry soul!), son to her daughter Natalie.
-------------
Local AP members will also be gathering twice this month, once on Nov 5-6th in Mill Valley, CA for a chart practice/holiday social/slumber party, and once on Nov 19th in Sebastopol, CA for more chart practice. Contact me for info on the Nov 5-6th gathering, or Joyce Van Horn for info on the Nov 19th session.
-------------
AP audio materials from Napa are slowly getting put into digital format and will soon be available on CD or as MP3s -- yes! You will soon be able listen to Steve on your iPod! I am starting with the Moon Intensive session, which was never mastered on cassette. Stay tuned for more info! I'll let you know when the first set is available.
-------------
And for those who have asked about me personally, yes, my relationship with Dru, a triple Scorpio, is still really good. We've been together now for nearly a year. Pluto is currently squaring my 7th house Sun, with Neptune is also conjuncting my Moon/Asc. And I remember looking ahead with trepidation about those two planets hitting the three most important symbols in my chart at the same time, and worrying about what would happen!!
Despite my chart's 7th house focus, I've lived so long as an Aquarian (Moon, Asc, and Venus conj Uranus) that I honestly never expected a relationship. Still, after 6 years with the ups and downs of internet dating, including quitting in disgust several times, I remember deciding to follow an inner voice that said to simply keep my shingle out, otherwise someone looking for me might never find me! So no one was more surprised than me when he walked through the door -- it had been so long and the odds were so slim! But there you go, proof that it can happen. And if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone!
The Pluto square I've decided is about cleaning out and transforming my relationship attitudes and skills, which of course requires a partner (and a Scorpio doesn't hurt). And Neptune seems to be all about vulnerability and surrender. It's (really) hard to be open and genuinely vulnerable with an equal and partner -- there isn't much safety in being naked and revealed. But the truth is, as hard as it is, I'd have it no other way.
Because in aging, the exit door of life gets closer, the mystery of death looms closer, and everything seems to be preparation for that transition. Thus may I learn, with help, to open up in time so that when the inevitable comes I'm able to surrender more fully, open my arms wide and say "take me, I'm yours" with acceptance and gratitude. I dream and pray for that.
Thanks to everyone who asked.
-------------
So that's the news for this month! Please let me know if you have any news to share next month.
Astrological Apprenticeship Program (AP)
"It's like using Amazon.com to buy your lab tests." ~Dr. Doug Lefton
... (click on image to enlarge)
roaming around this wide world...
Happy B-Day Steve! I attended your Moon session in Napa Sept a year ago. Or was it August? Anyhow, it was a very important time for me and the information made some things finally fall in place for me.
So, thank you for being - from the bottom of my heart - always.