I realize many of you read these newsletters hoping to receive an update on a MEG MOVIE. Good things are happening behind the scenes, but until a deal is done, I am being told to keep quiet. In fact, because I have a habit of sneaking info to my fans, I am often the last to know. It seems MEG & THE LOCH are following parallel tracks to be movies. Whichever one (fingers crossed) is scheduled for release first will determine which book is written first: MEG 5: Night Stalkers or LOCH II. Meanwhile, Manolo Cordovas movie, Contracorriente won best foreign film at Sundance. Manolo optioned DOMAIN and will be starring in the film as Michael Gabriel (English release) so that is great news. And we are working on something special for Goliath. Stay tuned

The MJF Parkinsons Foundation link at SteveAlten.com has been updated. The new total is zeroed out every January 1st. To everyone who donated money to my site  thank you. Like 2 million other Americans, I have been diagnosed with PD. I know funds are tight, which is why I am only asking for the donation of the cost of a movie ticket ($10) to help the foundation fund a cure. If you wish to donate $10, please go to SteveAlten.com and click on Parkinsons link. Many thanks!

Dinosaur-sized shark eats tourist in S. Africa (reported by MSN UK 1/14/10) A Zimbabwean holidaymaker has been eaten by a gigantic shark off the coast of Cape Town. Witnesses on the beach watched Lloyd Skinner, 37, pulled under the water and dragged out to sea. One onlooker, Gregg Coppen, described the shark as being as "huge" as a "dinosaur", and "longer than a minibus".

Please pass this on to everyone in your email address book. It is spreading fast so be prepared should you get this call. Most of us take those summonses for jury duty seriously, but enough people skip out on their civic duty that a new and ominous kind of fraud has surfaced.

The caller claims to be a jury coordinator. If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks you for your Social Security number and date of birth so he or she can verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant. Give out any of this information and bingo, your identity was just stolen.

The fraud has been reported so far in 11 states, including Oklahoma , Illinois , and Colorado . This (swindle) is particularly insidious because they use intimidation over the phone to try to bully people into giving information by pretending they are with the court system.

The FBI and the federal court system have issued nationwide alerts on their web sites , warning consumers about the fraud.

Please make sure and pass this on!

A revealing short video, (see link below) sent in by David Snieckus, a macrobiotics specialist worth contacting. Macrobiotics is the art and science of health and longevity. It helps answer the two philosophical questions most people ask: Who am I and what am I doing here?, with the pactical application of: What to select, prepare and eat everyday. For more information on Macrobiotics call David Snieckus at 617-964-2951 or check out his classes at www.macrobioticclasses.com

*IF YOU HAVE A LIVING TIP YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE, please e-mail to me at MEG82159@aol.com Put LIVING TIP in the subject line.

Have you ever heard the one about the wife who was pissed-off at her husband for not buying her a gift on her birthday? The husband says, Why should I waste more money on you? Last year I bought you a grave site, and you still havent used it.

*IF YOU HAVE A JOKE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE, please e-mail to me at MEG82159@aol.com Put JOKE in the subject line.

Apple Fritters

6 large apples, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, 2 tablespoons sugar, fresh lemon juice, egg -- separated, 1/2 cup milk, powdered sugar -- sifted Peel and core apples. Slice crosswise into 1/2" rings, dropping slices into water acidulated with lemon juice as they are sliced. Sift flour with cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar. Beat egg yolk with milk. Add egg mixture to dry ingredients and beat until smooth. Beat egg white until stiff peaks form. Fold egg white into batter. Drain apple rings and pat dry on tea towel. Heat oil or shortening to 375 degrees. Dip apple rings in batter, coating both sides. Drop rings onto hot oil, five or six at a time (one layer, not overcrowded). Fry until golden brown, turning once, about five minutes. Remove to paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Thanks Linda!

*IF YOU HAVE A RECIPE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE, please e-mail to me at MEG82159@aol.com Put RECIPE in the subject line.