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Though it doesn't open in Orlando until sometime in August (stay tuned for more coverage when the film comes out), the initial NY/LA release of Magnolia Pictures and CNN films' Blackfish is coming this Friday, and buzz is beginning to build about the film, directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, which seeks to shed light on the problems of long term orca captivity.
The film — and the promotion of the film — is highly critical of SeaWorld in particular, and of the practice of sea mammal captivity for the purpose of entertainment in general, featuring interviews with more than a half-dozen former trainers from SeaWorld's three parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio.
The film's main focus is on Tilikum, the largest orca currently in captivity, who has been responsible — at least in part — for three deaths since being captured in the wild in the early 1980s. The latest came in 2010 (shortly after another trainer's death in Loro Parque in Spain in 2009), when head trainer Dawn Brancheau was reportedly pulled underwater by her ponytail after a routine performance at Dine with Shamu in the Orlando park. (The real Shamu died in 1971, which is sort of like finding out that there is no Santa Claus.)
(This video cuts well before anything goes wrong.)
Due to the controversial nature of the film, SeaWorld Entertainment sent out an email to film critics over the weekend that alleges that the allegations made against them in the film are allegedly bogus. You can scroll to the bottom to read the email in its entirety, but in summary, the email warns to take the film as a "powerful, emotionally-moving" direct appeal in advocacy of orca rights but that the film shouldn't be taken as fact, calling the film "shamefully dishonest".
The email claims that claims in the film about SeaWorld's practices — removing orcas from the wild, removing them from their family structure, bullying amongst captive orcas and whether or not the lifespan of a wild orca is significantly longer than a captive orca — are "deliberately misleading" and that what the film "presents as unvarnished reality is anything but."
On Death at SeaWorld author David Kirby's blog, he refutes many of the claims SeaWorld has made to refute the claims that Kirby, Cowperthwaite and former trainers Samantha Berg and John Jett have made against them, most notably that SeaWorld had tried to spin the story of Brancheau's death as trainer error. Kirby writes:
It wasn't until guest eyewitnesses alerted the media that SeaWorld came out with the "ponytail" theory. But the assertion that Dawn's ponytail floated into Tilikum's mouth is neither supported by the video evidence that we have, nor by more than one eyewitness account. It would appear that Tilikum grabbed Dawn by the arm or shoulder. In fact, according to some witnesses, the trainer, Jay Topoleski, who reported the ponytail grab, was not even looking at Dawn when Tilikum took her down.
Of course Blackfish will invariably bring up comparison to The Cove, Louie Psihoyos's 2009 documentary about the capture and slaughter of dolphins in a secret cove in Japan, and there is good reason for that comparison. But the nature of the incidents in Blackfish make this a trickier, more nuanced subject than the direct approach that Psihoyos was able to make when he captured video of the fisherman in Taiji slaughtering dolphins for not being cute enough to be sold to marine parks.
Obviously SeaWorld is not going to just go away or volunteer to shut down their most famous attractions in exchange for a more tranquil and educational zoo-like park, especially since they became a publicly traded company earlier this year (SEAS).
And because of poor health and bad teeth, the societal structure of orca pods, or having been born in captivity and not having the skills to survive in the wild, many if not most of the captive orcas — including Tilikum — are simply not good candidates for a return to the wild.
There is also the dirty, shameful truth that SeaWorld is fun (when you don't know any better) and many people don't consider the feelings of the orcas after they leave the show. They appear to be so happy and playful during the shows and through the glass. There are tons of family photos in my mom's albums of us smiling in SeaWorld, me sitting in a little dolphin stroller. I've seen Tilikum perform, and teenage me didn't give as much a damn about movies as he did about being a marine biologist thanks to a swim with dolphins experience. But a positive experience for one isn't so positive for the other.
The thing is that the expressive eyes and the upcurve both the orca and dolphin have in their mouths make them appear to constantly be happy and smiling. They don't look lonely or miserable, like a bullied teenager or like a dominated spouse. They look pleased to have done a backflip for some fish. They look playfully mischievous for having splashed you in Shamu Stadium. Those bastards are grinning the whole time!
This, it seems to me, is the biggest problem that orca and dolphin advocates have to overcome. I don't know how they'll do it, or if they even can.
Blackfish is tentatively scheduled to open on Friday, August 2nd at the Enzian (but has already been pushed back once by holdovers at the theater) and will air on CNN later this year.
Dear Film Critic:
I'm writing to you on behalf of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. You may be aware of a documentary called "Blackfish" that purports to expose SeaWorld's treatment of killer whales (or orcas) and the "truth" behind the tragic death of trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010.
In the event you are planning to review this film, we thought you should be apprised of the following. Although "Blackfish" is by most accounts a powerful, emotionally-moving piece of advocacy, it is also shamefully dishonest, deliberately misleading, and scientifically inaccurate. As the late scholar and U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan famously noted: "You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts."
The film's most egregious and untrue allegations include:
· The insinuation that SeaWorld stocks its parks with killer whales captured from the wild. In fact, SeaWorld hasn't collected a killer whale from the wild in more than 35 years; more than 80% of the killer whales at SeaWorld were born there or in other zoological facilities.
· The assertion that killer whales in the wild live more than twice as long as those living at SeaWorld. While research suggests that some wild killer whales can live as long as 60 or 70 years, their average lifespan is nowhere near that. Nor is it true that killer whales in captivity live only 25 to 35 years. Because we've been studying killer whales at places like SeaWorld for only 40 years or so, we don't know what their lifespans might be—though we do know that SeaWorld currently has one killer whale in her late 40s and a number of others in their late 30s.
· The implication that unlike killer whales in the wild, killer whales in zoos or parks—and specifically Tilikum, the whale involved in Dawn Brancheau's death—are routinely bullied by other whales. The word "bullying" is meaningless when applied to the behavior of an animal like a killer whale. Whales live in a social setting with a dominance hierarchy, both at SeaWorld and in the wild. They express dominance in a variety of ways, including using their teeth to "rake" other whales, in the open ocean as well as in parks.
· The accusation that SeaWorld callously breaks up killer whale families. SeaWorld does everything possible to support the social structures of all marine mammals, including killer whales. It moves killer whales only when doing so is in the interest of their long-term health and welfare. And despite the misleading footage in the film, the only time it separates unweaned killer whale calves from their mothers is when the mothers have rejected them.
· The accusation that SeaWorld mistreats its killer whales with punishment-based training that's designed to force them to learn unnatural behaviors. SeaWorld has never used punishment-based training on any of its animals, including Tilikum, only positive reinforcement. And the behaviors it reinforces are always within the killer whale's natural range of behaviors.
· The accusation that SeaWorld trainers were not adequately informed about Tilikum. From the time Tilikum first arrived at SeaWorld, all trainers were warned—both as part of their training and in writing—that they were not allowed in the water with him. In fact, as was widely reported and covered at length in the OSHA proceedings, Tilikum has always had his own set of training protocols and only the most experienced trainers have been allowed to work with him.
· The accusation that SeaWorld tried to "spin" the story of Dawn Brancheau's death, changing its story several times and blaming her for the tragedy. As the movie itself shows, it was local law enforcement—not SeaWorld—that issued the initial report that Dawn had accidentally fallen into the water. SeaWorld's account of what happened—that Tilikum had grabbed Dawn's ponytail and pulled her in—never varied. And the company has never blamed Dawn for what happened. (The person in the film who did was not a SeaWorld spokesperson.)
· The assertion that Tilikum attacked and killed Dawn Brancheau because he was driven crazy by his years in captivity. Tilikum did not attack Dawn. All evidence indicates that Tilikum became interested in the novelty of Dawn's ponytail in his environment and, as a result, he grabbed it and pulled her into the water.
These are only the most egregious of the film's many misrepresentations. "Blackfish" is similarly misleading and inaccurate in its account of the other fatal incidents in which Tilikum was supposedly involved, what happened at Loro Parque, the training and qualifications of SeaWorld trainers, and the care and living conditions enjoyed by SeaWorld's orcas. And the list goes on…and on.
SeaWorld is proud of its legacy of supporting marine science and environmental awareness in general and the cause of killer whales in particular. Our point in sending you this note is to make you aware that what "Blackfish" presents as unvarnished reality is anything but. We don't expect this to settle the debate, but rather we hope it will begin one. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Fred Jacobs.


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Monday, October 12, 2009
Brookline Bird Club Walk
We returned to the lower gardens as a group. The sun was coming out and the birds started moving around. We saw song sparrows, a pine warbler, blue headed vireo, swamp sparrows, white-throated sparrows, a savannah sparrow, house finches, one yellow-rumped warbler and a tiny little ruby crowned kinglet! As we were headed up to the upper gardens Jane S. spotted an unusual sparrow in some brush near the lower gardens. Jane Z. identified it as a Lincoln sparrow which I was really excited to see because Haynes had seen them but never when I was around. He says it's as if they're dressed in a very fine tweed and they did look quite dapper! There seemed to be at least two of them.
In the upper gardens we didn't see much other than a few different kinds of sparrows however Dana saw a double-crested cormorant flying overhead! On the way down to the soccer field we saw several yellow-rumped warblers. It's so funny how one day can make such a difference. Yesterday, they were everywhere.
The group moved on to another park, but Haynes and I took a quick spin around the lower gardens. We saw an Eastern phoebe and a titmouse. We ran into some other birders who had seen a palm warbler in the upper gardens which was nice.
For anyone who's interested, there is going to be another walk with the Brookline Bird Club at Nahanton next Saturday (I'm assuming that's at 8:00 a.m. also?). It's always fun and you also get to hear what people have been seeing on their own.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Vous êtes ici
HP 2620-24 Switch
The HP 2620 Switch Series consists of five switches with 10/100 connectivity.
The HP 2620-24 Switch is a fanless switch with quiet operation, making it ideal for deployments in open spaces.
The HP 2620-24-PPoE+ Switch, HP 2620-24-PoE+ Switch, and HP 2620-48-PoE+ Switch are IEEE 802.3af- and IEEE 802.3at-compliant switches and provide up to 30 W per powered port. The HP 2620-48 Switch has variable speed fans for quiet operation.
All 2620 series switches include two 10/100/1000BASE-T ports and two SFP slots for Gigabit Ethernet uplink connectivity.
An optional redundant external power supply is also available to provide redundancy in the event of a power supply failure.
With IPv4/IPv6 static and RIP routing, robust security and management features, free lifetime warranty, and free software updates, the HP 2620 Switch Series is a cost-effective solution for customers who are building converged enterprise edge networks.
- Cost-effective access layer switches
- Lite Layer 3 IPv4/IPv6 static and RIP routing
- 30 W PoE+ support on PoE models
- Gigabit fiber uplinks
- Enterprise-class features
|24 autosensing 10/100 ports (IEEE 802.3 Type 10BASE-T, IEEE 802.3u Type 100BASE-TX)
|Media Type: Auto-MDIX
|Duplex: half or full
|1 RJ-45 serial console port
|2 autosensing 10/100/1000 ports (IEEE 802.3 Type 10BASE-T, IEEE 802.3u Type 100BASE-TX, IEEE 802.3ab Type 1000BASE-T)
|Duplex: 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX: half or full; 1000BASE-T: full only
|2 open mini-GBIC (SFP) slots
|Physical characteristics
|10(d) x 17.44(w) x 1.73(h) in. (25.4 x 44.3 x 4.39 cm) (1U height)
|5.7 lb. (2.59 kg), Fully loaded
|Memory and processor
|PowerPC FreeScale 8313 @ 400 MHz, 512 MB flash, 512 MB SDRAM, 4 MB flash ROM; packet buffer size: 1 MB
|Mounts in an EIA-standard 19 in. telco rack or equipment cabinet (hardware included); horizontal surface mounting only
|IPv6 Ready Certified
|100 Mb Latency
|< 8.3 µs (LIFO 64-byte packets)
|up to 9.5 million pps
|Routing/Switching capacity
|12.8 Gbps
|MAC address table size
|16000 entries
|Operating temperature
|32°F to 131°F (0°C to 55°C)
|Operating relative humidity
|15% to 95% @ 104°F (40°C), noncondensing
|Nonoperating/Storage temperature
|-40°F to 158°F (-40°C to 70°C)
|Nonoperating/Storage relative humidity
|15% to 90% @ 149°F (65°C), noncondensing
|up to 10,000 ft. (3 km)
|Power: 0 dB, Pressure: 0 dB No Fan
|Electrical characteristics
|Achieved Miercom Certified Green Award
|Idle power
|Maximum power rating
|PoE power
|50/60 Hz
|Idle power is the actual power consumption of the device with no ports connected. Maximum power rating and maximum heat dissipation are the worst-case theoretical maximum numbers provided for planning the infrastructure with fully loaded PoE (if equipped), 100% traffic, all ports plugged in, and all modules populated. PoE power is the power supplied by the internal power supply. It is dependent on the type and quantity of power supplies and may be supplemented with the use of an external power supply (EPS).
|EN 60950/IEC 60950CAN/CSA 22.2 No. 60950EN 60825UL 60950


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Regardless of who we are, we all want to look and feel good, and working with our particular hair type can be a big factor in accomplishing that. Each hair type has a different hair strategy and we've got the scoop on those below.
Curly Hair
Those beautiful curly locks of yours may give the bounce you're looking for but their uneven surface prevents light from reflecting your hair's natural sheen, which can give your hair type a dull look. You can get that shine by using moisturizing shampoos and conditioners, which seals and smoothes you hair surface. Also, don't wash your hair every day – unless your want your hair type to look frizzy. Use a wide-tooth comb when applying conditioner, and then rinse hair with cold water. Avoid using a hair dryer altogether and just pat it dry with an absorbent towel, then let it air dry. For a finishing touch style your curls with your fingers, and avoid oils and mousses too, which tend to lock your hair instead of giving it that free, natural look.
Dry Hair
No matter your hair type, frequent coloring or perms, and excessive exposure to heat from curling irons, dryers, rollers or other styling tools can damage hair. If you tend to have dry hair, your hair life and strength can be easily depleted by the sun and from chlorinated pool water. To restore the natural brilliance of your hair type choose moisturizing shampoos and conditioners especially designed for dry and damaged hair, and use a leave-in product to protect hair when taking a swim. Use a deep conditioner at least once a week too. Avoid dryers, curling irons and other hair styling tools as much as you can, and keep an eye on your appliances since their internal thermostats stop working after a while.
Oily Hair
While a small amount of oil or grease is normal excess oil can make hair limp and look dirty. If you have this hair type avoid heavy shampoos or conditioners. Don't shampoo every day either - your scalp's oil glands are stimulated by massaging, so the more you wash, the greasier your scalp becomes. When you do shampoo, use the flat of your fingers to gently rub your hair.
Fine Hair
Those with fine or thin hair make think they have a lifeless hair type, but just a little volume can make hair look thicker. The longer your hair, the thinner it looks. If you want that thicker, fuller look avoid growing your hair too long and even try a blunt haircut. Make sure to use conditioner too. It'll help avoid split ends and breakage that can make hair look thinner. Also, apply your conditioner on hair ends instead of the roots.
Thick Hair
If this is your hair type, you may experience an itchy and flaky scalp. Usually this occurs when conditioner seals in shampoo residue, which can cause dryness and irritation. You can prevent this by thoroughly rinsing your hair before applying conditioner. Those with this hair type may want to avoid mid-length hairstyles since they can make hair tips stand out. Shorter haircuts can keep your hair under control, but avoid cutting in short layers because they can create a bulky look. When coloring your hair try semi-permanent colors since they don't have a thickening effect that comes with permanent colors and bleach.
Straight Hair
Straight hair can go flat, accumulate grease and give a dull look, but there are some simple ways for this hair type to avoid all of that. Use a deep cleaning shampoo every day and a clarifying treatment once a week. Avoid sweeping your hair when it's wet, but do use your fingers and a wide-toothed comb to detangle it. Keep away from high heat styling tools too. If you do use heated tools, keep the heat low.
Wavy Hair
Wavy hair types may lack luster and shine because of its uneven surface. You can prevent this just by air and towel-drying your hair as much as possible. Get a good cleansing from your stylist once a month, and remember to use a wide-tooth comb to detangle your locks. Regardless of your hair type you've no doubt seen a running theme in the advice here or have heard it from our trUe stylists - for the best look, trim your hair regularly, keep it clean, avoid excessive heat, and only use natural oils and products.


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Skip to Content
MyChart Your Health Information
Home > Medical Services > Maternity Care
When you're expecting a baby, you have many decisions to make. One of the most important is where to deliver your child. At Palos Hospital, we can help you start -- or add to -- your family in a safe, comfortable and caring environment. We consider it a privilege to be a part of your baby's birth day.
Our philosophy of care is family-centered. From the moment of birth, we give parents the opportunity to bond with their infant and to form a close family connection. At Palos, we celebrate the Golden Hour starting from birth with skin-to-skin contact for the first hour of the newborn's life. This allows new parents get to know and bond with their baby. Other family members are welcome to visit following the Golden Hour after mom and baby have had time to rest from the big event.
Learn more about what makes delivering at Palos so special.
At Palos, you will experience single-room maternity care, a compassionate and experienced care team, state-of-the-art technology, one-to-one nursing care during labor and much more. Learn more about our Birth Center. We also offer family and maternity care education for before, during and after your stay. View our Events and Classes, or learn more about our Lactation Services.
You also have the ability to pre-register for Maternity Services. Register online and save time! You also can schedule a tour of our Birthing Center to familiarize yourself with our facilities. Call 708.226.2300.
Palos also features Baby's First Photo upon request. A professional photographer from Bella Baby will photograph your newborn, and you will have the option to order prints.
At Palos Medical Group, our team of board-certified OB/GYN physicians is dedicated to providing advanced and compassionate care to patients before, during and after pregnancy.
>> View Physicians
Save time and avoid delays upon admission by pre-registering online for maternity services.
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12251 South 80th Avenue Palos Heights, IL 60463 (708)923-4000
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In the United States, business professionals hold and attend 11 million meetings on average each day. Time is money, and in meetings, that money really adds up. Most meetings are 31 to 60 minutes long, and that can cost $338 or more in salaries. And if you're higher up on the ladder, you most likely spend even more time in meetings—up to 50 percent.
However, despite the sheer number of meetings happening, employees consider 33.4 percent of them unproductive. Meetings can be unproductive if no decisions are ultimately made, presenters are unprepared, or one or two speakers dominate the conversation.
However you feel about business meetings, they aren't going away anytime soon. Technological advances like video conferencing mean enable them to happen more often and with less hassle. With all the time and money spent in meetings, nothing can afford to be wasted. However, did you know that despite your company's best efforts, you may be losing money on unorganized meeting room management?
On average, office managers make about $40,000 per year, or $19.10 per hour. If your office manager spends just 90 minutes each day managing schedules and emailing meeting participants, your company will spend at least $630 each month to manage meeting rooms—and that doesn't even factor in the risk of human error, meetings running overtime, or cancellations.
Can your company afford to spend over $600 each month on meeting room scheduling? Effective meeting room scheduling software lets employees book conference rooms on their own, freeing up time for office managers to spend on other important aspects of their jobs. Scheduling solutions also eliminate double bookings, which can leave you and your clients awkwardly waiting in hallways until the other meeting ends.
Managing meeting rooms can be a tricky process, not just because of how many people need to use conference rooms, but because it's hard to know exactly how often or what percentage of them are utilized. It can get even more difficult when you have a large amount of meeting rooms or several hundred employees. How can you know what meeting room scheduling software is right for your business?
With Asure Software, it doesn't matter who or where you are—We can help your company effectively and efficiently manage all aspects of your meeting spaces. Asure's cloud-based SaaS resource scheduling software simplifies space management, no matter your company. Quickly and easily find, reserve, and use conference rooms, shared workspaces, parking spots, audio/visual equipment, conference lines, and more—all with one system that can be used across multiple locations.
Asure Software's Meeting Room Manager helps you learn how your space is being used—or if it's being used at all—so that you can make educated business decisions. Since real estate is one of the biggest business expenses, it pays to know where those dollars are going. Our cloud-based system helps you manage your workspace, whether you have ten conference rooms in one location or thousands across the world.
With Meeting Room Manager, you can
- Select space based on availability
- Discover attendee availability and invite participants
- Schedule space, send invitations, and view other reservations
Meeting Room Manager is part of Asure's People Success Platform, which streamlines day-to-day business operations to help you save money, increase employee productivity, and simplify everything across the board, no matter who you are.


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Dua Kelinci Indonesia Heads the Ball – Jakarta 2014
In the month which saw the opening whistle of the world's biggest football tournament, almost 20,000 Friends of Dua Kelinci from all over Indonesia flocked to Jakarta to join in this year's Dua Kelinci Indonesia Heads the Ball extravaganza at the national monument Monas.
As in Medan on May 04 and Bandung on May 18, the gathering kicked off with a 5 km fun run around the center of the capital, before the Friends of Dua Kelinci congregated at the Games Corner. There was also fierce competition to take "selfie" photographs with their favorite Real Madrid stars in front of the photo wall.
For young soccer fans, the highlight of Dua Kelinci Indonesia Heads the Ball was a personal appearance by the Real Madrid midfielder Gareth Bale, who took part in a meet and greet with fans before kicking a ball into the crowd from the stage as did Luis Figo and Xabi Alonso before him in 2011 and 2012. Bale told reporters he was impressed by the atmosphere and the enthusiasm of the Friends of Dua Kelinci, and said he hoped to meet some great Indonesian footballers in the not-too-distant future.
At the climax of the event one lucky fan won the door prize of a brand new motorbike, and the crowd was treated to a stunning performance from top local band NAIF. But this was not the end of Dua Kelinci Indonesia Heads the Ball, which will head to the Karebosi Square in Makassar for its final leg on June 15.


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Laughter Lifts the Heart
Several years into it, and this blog still refuses to be categorized. It's eclectic and includes everything from writing posts to snippets from my ordinary life.
Welcome to this crazy place. You're bound to find something you like.
"Now, may the Lord of peace give you peace always, in every way."
Good enough to share? Do it here~~~
Follow me on Social Media
Give the Lady a Ride
The Final Ride
Ride to the Altar
Circle Bar Ranch Coloring Book
The Cowboys
A Southern Season
Skydiving to Love: a Novella
The Cat Lady's Secret
Writing in Obedience
Especially for Writers
Posted on March 6, 2015 by Linda W. Yezak
About Linda W. YezakAuthor/Freelance Editor/Speaker (writing and editing topics).
This entry was posted in Writing and tagged author quotes, write quotes, writer, Writing. Bookmark the permalink.
2 Responses to Especially for Writers
K.M. Weiland says:
Hahahaha! Your shower quote! Love it! Pinning it.
Linda W. Yezak says:
That one came to mind when I had to dry off before writing down an idea. By the time I got to my notebook, I'd forgotten the idea. 😛
Talk to me--I love comments! Cancel reply
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Eagle River
Home Prices in Eagle River Alaska for June 2014
Featured Neighborhoods for Eagle River:
Eagle Crossing Neighborhood in Eagle River AK
Affordable modern homes on the edge of Chugach National Forest and Chugach State Park. You will enjoy panoramic views of the mountains and the Eagle River Valley. In a super convenient location with an easy commute to JBER, the Eagle Crossing Neighborhood in Eagle River AK is a great place to live! The average home is about 2300 square feet. Floorplans have 3 to 5 bedrooms, family rooms, open kitchens and living rooms with fireplaces. Each home has an attached and heated garage with space for 2 to 3 vehicles. Construction in the Eagle Crossing Neighborhood in Eagle River AK began in 1995. New homes are available today.
Eagle Pointe Subdivision
Luxury living in a friendly Eagle River neighborhood. Panoramic mountain views from these upscale and modern homes. Super convenient location, minutes to Downtown Eagle River AK, Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson JBER, and Anchorage AK. The average home in Eagle Pointe sells for about $550,000. Floorplans vary and pricing depends upon age, size, condition, and view. Prices range between $420,000 to $660,000.
Powder Ridge New Construction Homes
Homes in Powder Ridge range in size from 3-5 Bedrooms 2-3 Bathrooms. Floorplans are open and spacious. Homes range in size from 1800 to 3300 square feet. Construction of Homes in Powder Ridge began in 2011. Homes in Powder Ridge Subdivision range in value from $350,000 to $500,000. New homes are being built now. Homes in Powder Ridge are built by Troy Davis Homes, Nolan Homes, Woodbuilt Homes, The Thomas Company, Spinell Homes, Hall Quality Homes, and Foster's Fine Finishes.
Foreclosure Properties For Sale in Eagle River AK
Eagle River's distressed listings rate is currently 1.7% which is significantly below the national average. Sign up for listing alerts to get Foreclosure Properties emailed to you daily and never miss a good buy in Eagle River again!
Market Analysis for Eagle River
The data on this page is consolidated from multiple sources and includes current listings, recent sales, and more. Whether you're a buyer or seller, the knowledge you gain will help put you in control of your real estate transactions.
Community Information for Eagle River
Gain valuable insight into the Eagle River community by looking at household incomes, crime risk, education levels attained, and potential for extreme weather. Use the map to locate points of interest like shopping, restaurants, and healthcare services.
Local School Information for Eagle River
On this page you'll find detailed information on school districts, school ratings, test scores by grade, student-teacher ratio, and much more.
Schools serving the Eagle River Community Include: Chugiak High School, Eagle River High School, Mirror Lake Middle School, Gruening Middle School, Ravenwood Elementary School, Homestead Elementary School, Eagle River Elementary School, Alpenglow Elementary School, Birchwood ABC Elementary School, and Fire Lake Elementary School.
Compare other Areas to Eagle River
Compare Eagle River to multiple areas using current information on community summaries, market stability, schools, listing vs. sold price, buyer vs. seller market, and even smoking bans.
Explore a wealth of information that will help you better understand the factors that impact the Eagle River real estate market. Consider this page your reference library for resources, tips, and techniques.
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Listing information was last updated on: Nov 18, 2019 1:22:pm
Today's Market Trends for Eagle River *
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The Design Book
The Design Book, newly published by Phaidon, is the latest attempt to document the world's most important designs.
This time the concept is that the book showcases the 500 'most innovative, beautiful and influential' designs from the past 500 years that are still in production.
This is an interesting take and means, in theory, that the book could be used as an accessible buyer's guide to iconic design. The downside is that there is a heavy late-20th century focus, although the story of the earliest exhibit – the Zhang Xiaoquan scissors from China in 1663 – is an intriguing one: the company still produces 40 per cent of the scissors sold in China today.
Phaidon assembled a formidable panel of designers, writers and critics to make the 500 selections, including Daniel Charny, Daljit Singh, Ilse Crawford and Max Fraser, while the project was led by editor Joe Pickard.
Pickard says, 'We wanted to make the objects featured more attainable, so there are no yachts or planes in the book.'
Instead, the more everyday selection includes the Rolodex Rotary Card file from 1952, the Moulton bicycle (1962) and Philippe Starck's 1990 Alessi citrus squeezer, which is probably in far more homes than it justifiably ought to be…
Some more recent Apple-heavy selections – the iPod, iMac and iPhone are all represented – bring the book up to date.
With 500 products crammed into a reasonably small book, you might expect the treatment of the objects to be quite light, but there's a real depth to the descriptions, which are full of detail and often opinionated.
As with all these books, there will be disputes over items left out, or products given too much prominence, but Phaidon seems to have pulled off the rare trick of creating something accessible and wide-ranging, but genuinely interesting and informative too.
The Design Book is published by Phaidon priced at £12.95.
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Art as a Celebration of Life
April 30, 2015
Few things inspire more joy or stimulate the mind than a fine work of art. The way we feel when we appreciate a splendid water color, a surrealist painting or an abstract sculpture, and the mystery it often evokes in our soul, can heal, inspire and touch the human spirit.
No matter how you interpret an artist's gift—love it or dislike it—the visual art in our lives makes for good company.
The residents of Mary's Woods at Marylhurst, a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Lake Oswego, are in "good company," surrounded by art in nearly every historic room and hallway of their century-old campus; so much art that it's not uncommon to overhear someone refer to the community as an "art museum."
Established in 1997 as a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, Mary's Woods is a nonprofit with a mission of responding to the Gospel's vision of the full development for every individual at each life stage. The art adorning the walls and gardens of the community's Provincial House and Historic Laundry Building, and the weekly art classes offered to residents, play a vital role in this mission. And not just for the enrichment of the Sisters who live at Mary's Woods, but also for all the residents who share the campus with them and call the community home.
"For the Holy Names Sisters, art is an extension of life," said Mary George-Whittle, Director of Pastoral Services at Mary's Woods. "It's a connection with the divine; a joyful class in the human curriculum. So many residents have discovered untapped artistic talents in their later life which has brought them abundant joy."
For over 150 years in the Northwest, the Sisters have embraced their call to a variety of ministries, especially education, and art has always been an important component. The Sisters served as art educators at schools from elementary to college, instilling in their students a love and appreciation of art both created and enjoyed. A few gained wider recognition but most created for their families and the Holy Names community. Today many Sisters still enjoy artistic creation in a wide variety of mediums, including watercolor, ceramics, photography, textiles and collage.
And much of it is on display──at Mary's Woods.
"From the beginnings of our congregation art and music have always been considered part of the education of the whole person," said Marilyn Nunemaker, SNJM, curator of the Quetzal Bird gallery on the third floor of Provincial House. "Two of our founders were talented artists. Sister Mary of Mercy was an accomplished painter and Sister Francis Xavier did fine needlework and waxwork, like flower modeling. And other Sisters, of course, painted or explored different forms of expression. Their passion lives on today, through many of us as we age."
Today, for many Mary's Woods residents, and those who visit the campus, their art is a treasure. From the contemporary prints of Mary and Jesus created by Noreen O'Leary, SNJM, to the abstract paintings by Miriam Clare Murphy, SNJM, to the traditional oil and water color paintings by Mary Rosina Reis, SNJM, the portfolio of artistry spans the 20th century to today.
"I've been touched by their happy hearts," said Priscilla Favro, a resident of Mary's Woods. "Their blessing as both artists and curators of art has brought so much peace and joy to my life."
To the casual eye, all the art hanging at Mary's Woods might go unnoticed, simply part of the décor. But in fact it is a visual symbol of the Sisters' commitment to encouraging lifelong growth and personal development in each and every person. "The Sisters don't create art because they are women religious; they create because they are artists," said Sarah Cantor, Director of Archives for the Sisters. "Art is one way to bring beauty to the world and to share a way of looking at life. Both creating and viewing art can open the door to the Divine."


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Student Organizations
About Macon Campus Life:
The Office of Campus Life and Student Involvement strives to enhance student life by promoting involvement in the Mercer community as well as leadership development. This mission is accomplished by providing educational, social, and cultural campus-wide programming through Mercer's student activities board, QuadWorks, and by providing direct advisement for the governing bodies of Mercer's seventeen chapters of (inter)national Greek-letter organizations. Our office also advises the Mercer Maniacs student spirit group and coordinates the Center for Community Engagement.
The Office of Campus Life and Student Involvement also provides services, leadership development resources, and recognition programs for Mercer's nearly 140 student organizations. Developing relationships with many Macon community organizations, including the College Hill Alliance, the Office of Campus Life and Student Involvement encourages students to become engaged in the Macon community, especially within areas adjacent to Mercer's campus.
Please feel free to stop by our office anytime! We're located adjacent to Duncan Lounge on the top floor of the Connell Student Center. We can also be reached at (478) 301-2868 or at firstname.lastname@example.com.
To request alternative formats or accessible seating to any Campus Life Office event due to a disability, please contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com or 301-2868 at least 7 days prior to the event date.


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The Hope Portal is a free, continually-updated directory of curated childhood cancer family support organizations.
Newly updated in 2018, this robust patient support tool will allow childhood cancer families across the country to find support faster, with less effort, and in a more personalized way than ever before. Discover which nonprofits serve your diagnosis, need, & location.
Are You Interested in Having Your Resource Listed?
To be included as a resource on the HOPE Portal, organizations simply submit their contact email address and the Hope Portal team will follow up. Each application is carefully reviewed by a team composed of representatives from CAC2 and the HOPE Portal. Organizations can anticipate that it may take approximately a month for an application to be approved, depending on the number of applications under review at any time.
Visit the help page for further information on getting started.
Recommend another Organization
Click here to make a recommendation of an organization other than you own.
Locating trustworthy information and support resources on the Internet can be challenging and time-consuming for families, especially when they are in crisis. We are grateful to The Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Children's Hospital Los Angeles for being among the first to recognize and tackle this issue. With generous support from the Ronald McDonald Children's Charities, the first HOPE Web Portal was launched in 2005 with the goal of organizing vetted resources to help young patients with cancer and blood diseases. Today, the Hope Portal is offered to you through a generous partnership with CAC2, APOSW, APHON, and KBI BioPharma.


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|Dani Moncayo
|bug#9185: 24.0.50; "C-s M-p" does not bring the tip of the search ring
|Sun, 21 Aug 2011 19:56:07 +0200
Ping! The current counter-intuitive behavior (which IMO should not have been qualified as a feature, but as a bug) has been bugging me for some time, as I'm sure will bug anyone that tries to navigate through the search ring. Juri, I guess you also want to get this fixed in the trunk. Maybe if you chime in, Stefan will see the light ;). I still can't understand his reluctance to fix this, and I seem to lack the credit/ability to convince him. TIA. -- Dani Moncayo
|[Prev in Thread]
|Current Thread
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The 8.7" capacitive touchscreen is easy to use and navigate. With its customisable home screens, and voice control capabilities, you can control everything with ease.
*Standard on Intens.
With five colour display options to choose from, you can match the cabin interior to whatever mood you are in.
*Standard on Intens.
KOLEOS has set the new benchmark for total passenger comfort with interior cabin features including overstitiched full grain leather, multiple USB charging ports and a panoramic sunroof.
Experience fluid, responsive driving from the X-Tronic automatic transmission. It produces more powerful acceleration and excellent fuel economy.
*Standard on all models.
Get cosy with full leather, double stitched upholstery. With heating or cooling functions available on the front seats, you can personalise them for ultimate comfort. Available in classic black, chestnut brown or platinum grey.
*Standard on Intens.
New and improved artificial leather is the eco-friendly standard that is soft to touch, durable, and easy to clean.
*Standard on Zen.
The Renault KOLEOS has set a new standard in comfort for passengers with class leading rear leg room as well as dual USB ports and dual rear air vents. This may just be the first SUV where you would prefer to sit in the back seat.
*Standard on all models.
Be aware of more of the road in front of you with the increased visibility that comes from a Renault KOLEOS.
*Standard on all models.
Your Renault dealer will be in touch real soon toarrange a day and time with you.Return to homepage


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War Eagle Extra
Kevin Steele: Defense's performance against Clemson a 'good starting point'
Auburn's defense put itself on the map Saturday night containing Heisman candidate Deshaun Watson to keep the team on the doorstep of an upset over No. 2 Clemson.
Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele had a pretty good view of the performance from the booth at Jordan-Hare Stadium and the coach's initial assessment matched what he saw on film — Auburn's defense had a good night.
"We asked the guys to play with great effort," Steele said. "We demanded it in practice and they demanded it of each other. It became a habit. I think it showed up in the game."
From what Steele described as a one of a kind defensive line – that played an unheard of 11 players — back through the secondary, each group did what they were asked.
Steele rattled off a number of positives from holding a "prolific" run game to 3.4 yards per carry, preventing any throws getting behind the coverage and an instinctive group of linebackers being effective in all areas.
The only significant downside Steele could find in the performance was the result.
"Our job as a defense is to make sure we keep them to one less point than what is scored," Steele said. "That's what has to happen and we're not going to accept anything less than that, that's the thing we challenge them with."
Being the first team to hold Clemson to less than 20 points since the 2014 was a "good number," but Steele doesn't want to leave any room for excuses from his group.
"You need to make sure you've got one more than they've got. It's not something we're going to accept," Steele said. "We're going to work very, very hard to build on the positives of the game."
Steele's message this weekend resonated with Auburn defenders.
"We cannot be complacent, we cannot be happy with anything," Auburn linebacker Tre Williams said. "Even though we did play pretty well we still have a lot of stuff to build on. Every day at practice we are going to work harder and harder to get to that goal."
Michael Niziolek: 334-332-8572, firstname.lastname@example.com, @wareagleextra


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How to Balance Kids, Working Full-Time, and Marathon Training- Angie Spencer
If you are listening to this podcast, unless you are my mum or dad, you have probably been bitten by the running bug. It can be hard to describe, and maybe you did not see it coming, like my guest today, but running is addictive, and it will change your life in ways you never imagined.
Sure it gives you toned muscles and the ability to get out of the pouring rain quicker than you would have otherwise, but running gives you so much more than that.
My guest today went from running an injury plagued first marathon to running 32 marathons all healthy, and setting up an online training website.
There are many ways running changes our lives for the better, and today my guest and I talk about the process, how running always gives back more than it takes, and how perseverance can lead to your greatest accomplishments.
My guest today is Angie Spencer. Angie is the co-founder and host of Marathon Training Academy blog and podcast, which she set up with her husband Trevor. They have 3 children, and are experts at organizing their time to fit in everything they need to do.
- Angie graduated from Montana State with a Bachelors of Science, and is now a registered nurse
- She is a USATF and Road Runners Club of America certified coach, and has many clients whom she coaches from the marathon training academy website.
- Angie has a personal best marathon of 3:35:41, and ran this years boston marathon followed by the Lincoln marathon 2 weeks later.
- Angie specializes in beginners for the marathon and really believes in the importance of running being able to transform lives.
Today Angie and I are going to talk about:
- How angie's life changed forever when she took up running
- Why running 3 days a week is enough, and what you can do to stay healthy
- How to fit marathon training in with 3 kids and a full time work schedule
- What mistakes first time marathoners make, and how to overcome them
https://cdn-podcats.runnersconnect.net/Angie Spencer MTA.mp3
Or download the Full Audio MP3 to listen to on any device (Android and Windows) on your next run.
Want more awesome interviews and advice? Subscribe to our iTunes channel
You can also download directly to your Stitcher Radio app
May we Ask You For a Favor?
Thank you again for listening to the show. If it has helped you in any way or you know another runner who could benefit from what we talked about today, we would really appreciate if you would share it using the social media buttons on the side of the page.
We would love if you could leave a review for the podcast on iTunes for us. It would really help us grow. Here is a YouTube video demonstration of exactly how. Thank you!
And lastly, if you have any questions you can email firstname.lastname@example.com or leave us a voice message at (617) 356-7969 or click the voice message button on the right side of the page.
Links and Resources mentioned in this Interview:
Marathon Training Academy Podcast on iTunes
Please consider giving us a review on iTunes by clicking THIS link. You can follow this YouTube Video of a Demonstration of How to Leave a Review. Thank you in advance 🙂


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Exhibition the Munch Museum
What kind of connection could appear between Edvard Munch´s The scream and the fossil Ida? Or between his lithographic series Alpha and Omega and a tableau of stuffed animals? Such more or less probable links between Munch's art and natural history are the starting point for this exhibition, staged at the Munch Museum and the Natural History Museum. It will also have an offshoot at the Stenersen Museum where works by a group of contemporary artists will be exhibited at the end of August.
Through Nature places Edvard Munch's art in a context with natural history objects and artefacts from Munch's day and the present. The title of the exhibition is taken from Munch's poetic words in connection to his motif The Scream, where he spoke of hearing "…a huge, unending scream course through nature". The exhibition has come about through close cooperation with the Munch Museum's neighbour the Natural History Museum, which generously lent objects from its paleontological, geological, zoological and botanical collections. The exhibition also features a "Munch Path" in the Botanical Garden. This is the first time the Munch Museum and the Natural History Museum collaborate on an exhibition. Such cooperation between an art museum and a natural history museum is a unique event in Norway. The exhibition is a pioneering initiative providing surprising perspectives on the two museums' collections.
The essence of the exhibition can be found in many ways in the monumental painting The Researchers (1911/1925-27) in the Munch Museum's lecture hall. Seated in the centre of the picture is a buxom woman breastfeeding an infant. She is like life itself, surrounded by children who are actively studying the natural environment around them in a wide, open beach landscape. In a grand way, Munch manages here to say something about humanity's place in the universe, our curiosity and search for knowledge about the world – as an inherent element in a harmonic natural context. In his dramatic motif The Scream, however, humankind is thrust into the same overpowering nature, interpreted as something terrifying and abysmal.
"Metabolism" and "Crystallisation"
Another gateway picture in this exhibition is the painting Metabolism (1898-1899), which depicts a nude woman and man by a tree trunk – an Adam and Eve of sorts. The motif is framed in carved wood featuring a human and an animal skull, buried in the soil between tree roots – life and death interwoven. Metabolism is the chemical process by which cells take on nutrients and rid themselves of waste. This occurs in all living organisms. Edvard Munch saw the same process in the cycle of nature, where death and decay are continuously followed by, and nurture, new life forms.
A fallen tree trunk or a dead animal in the forest will gradually decompose in the soil and become fresh nutrients and living organisms. In a literary fragment Munch wrote: "Up from my rotting carcass flowers shall spring up – and I shall be in them – Eternity".
Crystallisation is another vital concept for Munch, borrowed from contemporary currents, some scientific, and some rather esoteric. He gave the notion a personal interpretation in several lithographs and drawings – and in certain literary notes.
In a crystallisation process a gas or liquid changes to a solid form. In this, Munch perceived an image of nature's uncontrollable readiness to take on new lives and forms. He also saw the body's decomposition after death and further transformation as the path to a bright "Land of Crystals" where nothing ever happens. In texts with more of an art philosophical leaning, he understands crystallisation as the seeking of form in an artistic process – something which infuses a picture with power, life and consolidated meaning.
Ida and The Scream
Through Nature consists of nine chapters. The first chapter is titled "Human Beings and Evolution", centred on the confrontation between Munch's The Scream and the fossil Ida. Both of these artefacts are world renowned icons. Ida was a scientific sensation when it was presented in 2009 as the world's most ancient, complete primate fossil, 47 million years old. Ida is an important transitional form in the evolutionary stage from early mammals to today's prosimians, monkeys and apes – primates, which include human beings. Her front molars are a little too small to make her fit into the direct lineage which leads to modern humans. This means Ida is thus more of an evolutionary primal aunt. But she should resemble the animal we descended from 47 million years ago. Charles Darwin's over 150-year-old theory of natural selection brought about a fundamental change in our understanding of humankind and our place in nature. Darwin reasoned that species change in the course of time as traits that are better adapted to the environment and producing offspring are more likely to be passed on to future generations and evolve. Humans, like all contemporary plants and animals, are thus the result of a long chain of evolution. The discovery of Ida has helped science in its perception of a part of this chain.
Munch's motif The Scream in its multiple versions has become an icon at a par with Leonardo's Mona Lisa. Headline-making thefts and the auction record set at Sotheby's in New York in 2012 have contributed to this overwhelming attention.
Such publicity can distract us from the gravity of the picture. Interpretations often highlight "the anxiety of modern man". But the question the work poses about humankind becomes even more acute when we ponder it in relation to Ida and the inconceivable dimension of time she opens up. Both The Scream and Ida provide a perspective to human existence and vulnerability and put each other in relief.
We also present fossils that are over 100 million years older in this room. Mounted on the wall are fish, crustaceans and the wing bone of a pterodactyl. They were excavated from 150-million-year-old limestone formations in Solnhofen, in Southern Germany. At the time this area was closer to the equator and consisted of shallow seas and lagoons. The lagoon became very salty and animals that washed in died quickly. They sank to the bottom and eventually were petrified in the chalky bottom sediments. This solidified into a type of limestone which easily splits into slabs and which has been quarried for centuries. For a long time Solnhofen was the only spot where quality stone could be acquired for lithography, a graphic technique invented in the late 1700s. Thus the type of rock that Munch utilised to make his lithographs link to fabulous natural history. Research on skulls that Munch's good friend Professor Kristian Schreiner was engaged in was also based on a Darwinian perspective and attempts to trace the ancestry of the Norwegian populace.
The Tree of Life – The Light – The Realm of Animals – The Plant Kingdom
In the chapter titled "The Tree of Life" we touch on Munch's ideas about "metabolism", together with his repeated use of the tree as a central motif. The natural history implications of the motifs Madonna and Jealousy are presented. The crux of the chapter "The Light" is Munch's intense Sun motif and radiation as basic natural phenomena. White sunlight contains the colour spectrum we see in rainbows. The exhibition also dwells on colour as a physical substance; the pigments that Munch used in his paintings also encompass natural history with their connections to various minerals.
Zoology is brought into the exhibition in relation to Munch's lithographic series Alpha and Omega, a satirical animal and human fable. This is displayed along with a tableau of stuffed animals and sea creatures preserved in jars. We are confronted in a way with the wildness and chaos of nature. The next chapter is called "The Plant Kingdom", which leans more in the direction of the cultivation of nature. In this room we find many of Munch's motifs from his home at Ekely – fruit trees in bloom, the ploughing of fields and motifs from the elm forest. A special room is dedicated to "The Seasons", where the selection of pictures will be changed with the seasons, from spring to summer, autumn and winter.
Nature - culture
Through Nature wishes to challenge the traditional division between nature and culture that has dominated Western thought in fundamental ways. This is partly incarnated in the way modern museums are organised, as natural history museums on the one hand and cultural history museums on the other. The schism is also expressed in the way the humanities and the natural sciences have established different academic traditions at universities. The relationship between these rather disassociated spheres of knowledge comprises the point of departure for current disputes within academic circles and in the political and public discourses of contemporary society. Nature and culture are ideologically charged concepts which crop up in debates about everything from gender roles and the climate crisis to biotechnology. Two or three years ago the Norwegian TV programme "Hjernevask" [Brainwash] triggered an extensive debate in which this antagonism, emanating from the issue of nature versus nurture in human psychology and sociology, with emphasis on the sexes and gender identity.
We touch on this contradiction here in this exhibition, with Munch's art as our point of origin. Art history and other disciplines within the humanities usually establish the framework for the museum's work with Munch's art. In this case we see his work in relation to sciences such as geology, palaeontology, zoology and botany. In our combination of museum artefacts from two totally different collections, we try to challenge interpretations of Munch's art while offering a fresh look at the natural history objects. Munch's perceptual cosmos was tainted by the biological attitudes and natural history breakthroughs of his day. He kept himself fairly well updated in these fields – ranging from August Strindberg's highly speculative theories to the German zoologist and philosopher Ernst Haeckel's "unity of nature", as well as the obvious: Darwin's theory of evolution. Munch tended to use these rather freely as sources for his personal philosophy of life, but they are infused in many of his motifs, for instance in his concepts of "metabolism" and "crystallisation".
Munch Path
A "Munch Path" can be followed at the Natural History Museum where specific plants, trees and facilities in the Botanical Garden – as well as objects in the collections indoors – are linked to Munch's art. The path is incorporated in the exhibition and introduces us to the living collection of the Natural History Museum.
Maybe one can also experience aesthetic and sculptural objects here? Some installations will comment on how an artist like Munch chooses to depict nature – as compared to how it is portrayed by natural history.
We hope this exhibition provides new perspectives on Munch's art, while clarifying how the things we perceive respectively as nature and culture are actually interlaced.


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Storeroom 2010 received a grant from the Solent Community Grants Programme of almost £30,000, to enable local people aged over 18 to learn a trade such as carpentry or plumbing, while obtaining support and practical help with their search for employment.
"We are aiming to provide an opportunity for people to learn a practical skill that will be theirs to use in their future working life". Nick Miller, CEO, Storeroom 2010


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New Moon Circle with Dana Damara | Feb 14 | 7:30-9:30PM | $25-$30
Sit in circle at a very powerful time. The New Moon represents a time for planting seeds. It's when the Moon is hiding behind the Sun, you can't see the Moon, but you can feel her Divine potency. She is the Divine Feminine, always listening to the beating of our hearts and the whispers from our soul. The New Moon is a time for going in and being quiet with your thoughts and wishes. It's time to surround yourself with the energy that feeds your soul and resonates with your dreams. Gather in an intimate circle or women and men and set powerful intentions for each New Moon Phase. Receive deep meditations that you can take with you and commit to your wishes. Find expansion in your heart and focus on your truth.


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Our Level 2 Training Days coach drivers who have kart driving experience and devlop them to a level of competency where they will be ready to take their ARKS driving test on Level 3 days. It is designed for kart drivers who are looking to improve and tune their driving technique whilst having an exhilarating day out.
Driving either Protrain's karts or using the the driver's own kart the training day comprises of an instructors' briefing, five driving sessions and debriefing/coaching sessions, and a talk on taking up the sport of kart racing and full notes on kart racing.
The instructor will be working with the driver to introduce more advanced pedal and steering control and perfecting the driver's racing lines.
For drivers looking to achieve almost a racing speed who have either previously driven outdoor corporate and leisure karts, compete in commercial driving championships or graduates of Protrain level 1 training days.
K2 Cadet (8-12 years)
R2 Rotax Junior Max (13-16 years)


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Calculating RRR with FF model;
Comparing FF model with CAPM
Marks = 4
A. The following assignment must be done in group of 3.
Select the same company which you had selected in the CAPM assignment. You may use the previous data that you used in the CAPM assignment.
For doing the assignment, follow these steps:
* This is the annual risk premium on market portfolio. Simply add up all the monthly Rm-Rf value and you will get the annual Rm-Rf
** This is the annual size premium which you can obtain by adding up all the SMB values in all of the 12 months
*** This is B/M ratio premium and cab be obtained by adding up the HML values of all of the twelve months
Data Sources:
Portfolio Management > Assignments >


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Where has this year gone…
I would like to wish all of my readers a Happy and Peaceful New Year.
I started my blog earlier this year and below I have included my 'top 10' posts in case you missed any of them. (more…)
Where has this year gone…
I would like to wish all of my readers a Happy and Peaceful New Year.
I started my blog earlier this year and below I have included my 'top 10' posts in case you missed any of them. (more…)
Firstly I want to wish each and every one of you a Happy and Peaceful Christmas.
I hope you are finding my posts useful and if there is any topic you would like me to cover in 2018 please do let me know.
I imagine you are now very busy with getting prepared for tomorrow but remember there is someone out there now delivering presents to all the good children (and children at heart) all over the world…Where is he now….
We all love Christmas but some of us still want to get out of the house on Boxing Day to pick up a bargain at the Sales (or at the very least escape from the family!)
Several stores have started having sales already but generally Boxing Day is the key day for the start of many sales.
Below are some tips to help you get the bargain you want – but remember a bargain is only a bargain if you really need it.
I received a free box of Whisker Lickin Chicken and Surf & Turf from Pure Pet Foods in exchange for a Review of Pure Pet Foods for Cats.
I am not affiliated with Pure Pet Food Ltd in any way.
Please see below what Ceaser and Rocket thought of the products they tried….
If you are a new subscriber please complete the subscribe form on my main page. You will receive an email asking you to opt in. Until you have agreed to opt in you will not be entered into the free prize draw.
Good luck to you all.
Please see below for all the terms and conditions and details of prize on offer
Prize (as pictured) includes
Terms and Conditions
This free prize draw is open to all UK residents over the age of 18.
By entering the free prize draw you will be required to subscribe to my blog. Current subscribers will also be entered into the free prize draw.
The closing date is Sunday 31 December, 2017 at 11pm and the draw will take place on Monday 1 January ,2018 at 2pm. The free prize draw will be conducted under the supervision of an independent person
The winner will be notified by email within 7 days
Should the winner not respond within 28 days (and I will try to contact the winner several times over the 28 days) then the prize will then be forfeited to another entrant.
The winner of the November free prize draw is….


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VOTED BEST PRESCHOOL In Monmouth County
Visit Seashore Preschool and you will be amazed at what you see. Receiving the 2019 Asbury Park Press BEST OF THE BEST PRESCHOOL Readers Choice Award the fourth year in a row and winning its eighth consecutive distinction in that category, Seashore picks up children at their door and takes them where they need to go academically, physically and socially. We start our youngest students on the right foot by offering the most well-rounded program you will find anywhere — with unique features that make learning fun and provide more for your money than any other school or day care center.
An Entire Campus For Three Year Olds – With An Indoor Pool, Gym & Playground
Seashore is the only preschool that provides an entire campus for three year olds. It offers bright classrooms, music room, computers, art studio, science lab, gym, indoor heated pool and playground. While the campus is large, our family atmosphere and small class size help preschoolers feel comfortable as they make the transition from home to school. And, while our "campus approach" may sound big for children so little, giving youngsters a chance to move from one type of educational activity to another during the day provides variety, keeps the schedule interesting and breaks up the routine so they don't get restless. It also allows them to release energy in a positive way no matter what the weather.
Our Curriculum Goes Beyond The Classroom And Way Beyond The Basics
Structured to develop cognitive, motor and socialization skills, the program incorporates a wide range of fun activities that help three year olds learn to listen, follow directions and begin to solve problems. The curriculum goes way beyond colors, shapes, numbers and letters. It includes hands-on experiments in science lab, where children discover why clouds move, why things sink or float, why seasons change, how plants grow, how to mix colors and how to make bath salts. They are introduced to Spanish, do art projects, take music to prepare for large-scale shows and go on field trips to places like orchards, where they use apples they pick to make applesauce and other treats. In addition, boys and girls participate in physical education – where they learn eye-hand coordination, dexterity and how to shoot baskets.
The Program Makes A Splash With Extras Like Year Round Swim Lessons
Preschoolers learn to swim in a three-foot indoor heated pool small enough and warm enough to help them get comfortable in the water. Starting with floats we manufacture and progressing to kick boards, lessons are so successful most swim by the end of the year.
Preschoolers Also Flip For Gymnastics
To complete the schedule, there is even gymnastics with a line of Action Mats, First Step Trainers and X-Rollers that literally roll beginners through the basics and tumbling routines. Parents and children are head over heels for this activity, because it improves posture, grace, balance and strength, and offers an early sense of self-discipline and confidence – qualities all boys and girls need to succeed.
Classes Are Offered In A Variety Of Schedules
For your convenience, classes are available in a variety of half and full-day sessions that accommodate your needs, schedule and budget.
To observe a class in session, schedule a tour or learn more about Seashore – voted Best of the Best in Preschool in Monmouth County in the 2019 Asbury Park Press Readers Choice Awards – please call 732.222.6464 or CLICK HERE.


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Just for fun.
Your favourite song
I have always loved this song, ever since I watched Juno. But I didn't realise how much better the Bowie version was compared to Mott the Hoople until a couple of years ago – it always cheers me up.
Your least favourite song Continue reading


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European Payments Council publishes the document, entitled: 'Clarification Paper - Credit Transfer and Direct Debit'
The Single Euro Payments Area ( ) payment schemes as defined in the Credit Transfer ( ) and Direct Debit ( ) Rulebooks contain sets of rules and technical standards for the execution of payment transactions that have to be followed by adhering payment service providers ( ). These rulebooks can be regarded as instruction manuals which provide a common understanding on how to move funds from account A to account B within . The schemes are based on technical standards defined by standards bodies such as the International Organization for Standardization. The Schemes have open access criteria in line with Article 28 of the Payment Services Directive (PSD). As of January 2013, 4,539 in the 32 countries have formally adhered to the Scheme; 3,886 have signed up to the Core Scheme; and 3,427 also currently adhere to Business to Business (B2B) Scheme.
In January 2013 the European Payments Council ( ) published the document 'Clarification Paper: Credit Transfer and Direct Debit' (see 'related links' below), which addresses operational aspects related to the schemes. The paper seeks to ensure consistent implementation of the and Rulebooks by payment service providers participating in the schemes. The document provides guidance and, where feasible, recommendations to scheme participants on how to handle situations that are not described in the rulebooks. It will be updated from time to time, as required.
Operational aspects addressed in the clarification paper
The clarification paper (the paper) covers the following aspects:
Character set: part of a payment instruction is information facilitating reconciliation of the payment on the side of the receiving party such as the name of the payer or the reason for payment. The and Schemes require such information to be provided using Latin characters. The paper clarifies that bilateral or multilateral agreements between may exist to support other characters as well (German 'Umlaute', for example).
Pre-notification: the Schemes require the biller to send a pre-notification, an invoice for example, to the payer at least 14 calendar days before collecting the payment, unless a different timeline has been agreed between the payer and the biller1. The pre-notification includes the due date2 and the amount of the collection. The pre-notification may be sent only once even for recurrent direct debit collections if the due dates and the amounts of future collections are stated. For example: a publisher (biller) may send a single pre-notification annually to a newspaper subscriber (payer) if this pre-notification states that the amount of the monthly subscription fee will be collected on the first day of each month. The paper clarifies that the pre-notification can take place via a paper-based document or by electronic or telecommunication means. The paper also reiterates, as mentioned above, that the biller may agree with the payer to send the pre-notification according to an alternative timeline than the default 14 days prior to the due date. It is further clarified that if the biller does not notify the payer in a correct manner of the upcoming collection, there is an increased risk of return or refund of the collection.
Sequence types for collections: the paper addresses several questions raised by concerning collection sequence types; i.e. the Core and B2B Scheme timelines. The standard time cycle of the Core Rulebook requires that the payer's bank must receive the request for a first direct debit collection or for a one-off direct debit collection at least five business days prior to the due date. For subsequent direct debit collections, the payer's bank must receive such a request at least two business days prior to the due date. The standard time cycle of the B2B Rulebook requires that the payer's bank must receive the request for a first, one-off or subsequent direct debit collection at the latest one inter-bank business day prior to the due date. Responding to the specific needs of the business community, the B2B Scheme offers a significantly shorter timeline for presenting direct debits and a reduced return period than the Core Scheme. The reason for the shorter timelines of the B2B Scheme, compared to the Core Scheme, is that business payments by direct debit require a timely certainty about the finality of the payments, so that goods or services can be delivered whilst minimising financial risks and costs for the payee. For business transactions, which do not require this certainty, the Core Scheme can also be a satisfactory solution for making payments. The paper reiterates that, as a matter of principle, the first collection must always be received before the recurrent one. The due date of the recurrent collection must not be a date prior to the due date of the first collection.
R-transactions: one of the main benefits of the Schemes is that the scheme rules streamline exception handling, both at the process level and the dataset level. This allows straight-through-processing and automated exception handling end-to-end. Possible exceptions to the normal execution of a direct debit collection include refunds, returns, rejects, reversals, revocations and requests for cancellation (commonly referenced as R-transactions). Factors which may trigger an R-transaction include technical reasons or may be related to the financial status of the account of the payer. An R-transaction may also be triggered when the payer exercises its right to a refund. The Core Scheme goes beyond the requirements of the Payment Services Directive (PSD), by granting consumers a 'no-questions-asked' refund right during the eight weeks following the debiting of a consumer's account. This means that during this time, any funds collected by will be credited back to the consumer's account upon request. In the event of unauthorised direct debit collections, the consumer's right to a refund extends to thirteen months as stipulated in the PSD. The paper clarifies the rules applicable when re-presenting a collection previously rejected, refunded or returned and includes a detailed table, which specifies the correct sequence type when re-presenting a collection after an R-transaction has occurred.
Currency conversion: payments can be made to or from any accounts that are held with a located in . It is not necessary that the payer and / or the recipient of the payment have an account in a country that has already adopted the euro as its national currency. The paper clarifies that the exchange of funds however always takes place in the euro currency; i.e. the payment is executed in euro throughout the entire process chain. Thecurrency conversion can only take place at the payee's or the payer's prior to, or subsequent to the transaction. In addition, it is clarified that in case of an recall, the payee's bank should not bear losses related to a currency conversion.
The Newsletter has published a host of articles with previous issues dedicated to supporting market participants in the process of implementing the and Schemes. For further information, please refer to 'related articles in previous issues' below.
Jean-Yves Jacquelin is the Chair of the Payment Schemes Working Group.
Related links:
EPC Website: Clarification Paper: SEPA Credit Transfer and SEPA Direct Debit
EPC Website: SEPA Credit Transfer
EPC Website: SEPA Direct Debit
Related article in this issue:
SCT and SDD: the Next Generation Rulebooks Will be Published in November 2014 to Take Effect in November 2015. The process leading to the publication of new rulebook versions will roll out at the start of 2014
Related articles in previous issues:
EPC Newsletter: Articles Published in the Section 'SEPA Credit Transfer (SCT) and SEPA Direct Debit (SDD)'
1The technical terms used in the Rulebooks refer to the payer as 'debtor' and to the biller as 'creditor'.
2The due date is assigned by the biller and should be agreed with the payer in the contract underlying a direct debit collection (a newsletter subscription, for example).
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Everett G. Burkhalter
Everett Glen[1] Burkhalter (January 19, 1897 – May 24, 1975), who went by Everett G. Burkhalter, was an American film studio electrician who turned to politics in 1941 and became a member of the California State Assembly, the Los Angeles City Council and the U.S. Congress in the middle part of the 20th century.
Everett Glen Burkhalter
|Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 27th district
|In office
January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1965
|Preceded by
|Harry R. Sheppard
|Succeeded by
|Edwin Reinecke
|Personal details
|January 19, 1897
Heber Springs, Arkansas
|May 24, 1975 (aged 78)
Duarte, California
|Political party
|Democratic Party
Burkhalter was born in Heber Springs, Arkansas, on January 19, 1897. He attended schools in Arkansas, Indiana, Colorado and California. He enlisted in the Navy in 1918, was honorably discharged in 1919 and was in the active reserve until 1921. He moved to Los Angeles around 1928 and married his wife, Velma, around 1929. Their home was at 11005 Morrison Street, North Hollywood.[1][2][3][4]
Burkhalter died at age 78 on May 24, 1975, in Duarte, California. Interment was in Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills).[1] He was survived by his wife of 46 years, Velma, and two brothers, William of Woodland Hills and Lawrence of Los Angeles.[4]
Public serviceEdit
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2011)
Burkhalter served in the State Assembly from 1942 to 1953.[4]
City CouncilEdit
See also List of Los Angeles municipal election returns, 1939 and following.
Burkhalter made his first bid for local office in 1939, when he finished third in a field of four candidates for the Los Angeles City Council District 1 seat held by Jim Wilson. At that time, the district covered the San Fernando Valley, the Los Feliz section east of Griffith Park Drive and north of Franklin Avenue, the section between Vermont and Talmadge avenues south to Santa Monica Boulevard, and the Riverside Drive area west of Glendale Boulevard.[5] But Burkhalter was elected in his second attempt, in 1953, replacing Leland S. Warburton in the district, which then covered only the San Fernando Valley, having given up the Los Feliz and Atwater areas. It was still the Valley's only councilmanic district.
Burkhalter was reelected in 1957 and 1961 to four-year terms, but he resigned from the council in 1962 when he won an election for Congress.
Burkhalter supported the plan to bring the Los Angeles Dodgers to Chavez Ravine in Los Angeles and voted for Bunker Hill development.[3] Some of his other positions:
Employment, 1958. He voted in favor of establishing a Fair Employment Practices Commission in Los Angeles. The plan lost on a 7-7 tie vote.[6]
Television, 1958. Burkhalter voted in opposition to pay television in Los Angeles.[7]
Smog, 1959. He engaged in a war of words with officials at Kaiser Steel in Fontana when he accused the steelmakers of loosing a "stream of smoke from the plant . . . into the general Los Angeles area. On some days the emissions . . . can be observed from the top of the City Hall."[8]
Movies, 1961. He submitted a resolution urging that a Congressional committee study the problem of American movies' being made overseas. He noted a report that "60% of this country's movies will be made in Europe this year" and that "Communists are being hired in at least one foreign country and that they are doing the work formerly done" in Los Angeles. The resolution was adopted after being amended to include the music industry at the suggestion of Councilman Ernani Bernardi.[9]
HUAC, 1962. Burkhalter announced he would start a fund to send "to Russia" protesters picketing a House Committee on Un-American Activities meeting in Los Angeles, "if they desired to go."[10]
Zoo, 1962. He fought vehemently—but unsuccessfully—to move the Los Angeles Zoo from its location in Griffith Park to Roger Jessup Park in Pacoima, a step that had been recommended by architect Charles Luckman.[11]
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2011)
Burkhalter served one term in the U.S. Congress from 1962 to 1964 as a Democrat.[4]
Access to the Los Angeles Times links may require the use of a library card.
- ^ a b c Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- ^ Location of the Burkhalter residence on "Mapping LA."
- ^ a b "City Council Candidates," Los Angeles Times, March 12, 1961. page SF-4
- ^ a b c d Jerry Cohen, "Ex-Rep. Burkhalter, Critic of Seniority System, Dies," Los Angeles Times, May 27, 1975, page C-4
- ^ "New Council Zones Defined," Los Angeles Times, January 7, 1937, page A-18
- ^ "City FEPC Again Loses in 7-to-7 Tie Vote," Los Angeles Times, January 8, 1958, page B-1
- ^ Carlton E. Williams, "Council Kills Ordinances for 2 Pay TV Franchises," Los Angeles Times, March 6, 1958, page B-1
- ^ "Attack on Kaiser Steel Evokes Angry Protests," Los Angeles Times, January 9, 1959, page 23
- ^ "Times Series Spurs Probe Into Movies," Los Angeles Times, November 28, 1961, page B-1
- ^ "Pickets at Red Hearings Denounced by Yorty," Los Angeles Times, April 26, 1962, page 29
- ^ "Two Supervisors Blasted on Zoo," Los Angeles Times, May 27, 1962, page Q-3
|U.S. House of Representatives
|Preceded by
Harry R. Sheppard
| U.S. House of Representatives
California's 27th district
|Succeeded by
Edwin Reinecke
|Political offices
|Preceded by
Leland S. Warburton
| Los Angeles City Council
1st District
|Succeeded by
Louis R. Nowell


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The San Francisco native has performed with many prestigious international companies & festivals including the San Francisco Opera (United States), Festival d'Aix-en-Provence (France), Michigan Opera Theater (United States), Teatro Comunale di Bologna (Italy), Opera Theater of St. Louis (United States), Theater Basel (Switzerland), and the Shanghai National Grand Theater (China) in repertoire that include's the title role's of Il barbiere di Siviglia, Don Giovanni and Eugene Onegin, Il Conte Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Danilo (The Merry Widow), Prince Yeletsky (The Queen of Spades), Dandini (La Cenerentola), Schaunard (La bohème), Albert (Werther), among others.
An avid recitalist, Mr. Villanueva made his Carnegie Hall debut in January 2008. He is a member of the Marilyn Horne Foundation, which has presented him in recital in New York and Pennsylvania. He has also presented concerts for San Francisco Opera's prestigious Schwabacher Debut Recital Series and the New York Festival of Song.
He garnered critical acclaim when he stepped in with less than 24 hours notice to sing Orff's Carmina Burana at the world-renowned Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Bramwell Tovey, in July 2008. He has been featured as soloist with orchestra's such as the San Francisco Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Toscanini Orchestra of Parma and the Orchestra de la Suisse Romande in repertoire that includes Orff's Carmina Burana, the Fauré Requiem, Copland's Old American Songs, the Brahms Requiem, Vaughan Williams' Songs of Travel, the Dvořák Te Deum, and Ligeti's Aventures & Nouvelle Aventures.


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Wednesday, 17 March 2010
The house that Dennis built.(Revised September 2011)
The closest I ever got to realising my dream of living in a Georgian house was when I thought I was relocating to County Durham. For the same price of a tiny flat in London I could have bought a substantial property in the North East. I had my pick of period properties ranging from a former shepherd's cottage, a picturesque house with original window seats and a mature cottage garden, a late Georgian townhouse in a village overlooked by a medieval castle, to a 3 storey 17th century town house complete with original flagged floors, oak beams and stone fireplaces. My dreams were dashed when company was taken over by another and all prospective corporate relocations were summarily halted.
I had neither the opportunity nor the resources to realise my ambitions of living in a Georgian house unlike the American Dennis Severs. He had been born in California in 1948. With money from the family petrol stations he came over to England, attracted by impressions of its 19th and 18th century past. For a while he offered visitors the chance to travel around the more salubrious parts of London in a horse and carriage. When that came to an end, he decided to buy an 18th century town house in Spitalfields, then a run down part of East London.
Like Hackney, Spitalfields had once been a very fashionable district, although it never boasted the grand Tudor mansions of Hackney. (Hackney's Tudor mansions ) Its own heyday had been in the 18th century when it had formed the centre of the silk trade. Forced to flee France by the punitive anti-Protestant laws imposed by the Catholic state, Huguenots weavers and merchants took up residence in the area. From the profits generated ny their trade, the merchants were able to built imposing residences for themselves. The decline of the silk trade brought a corresponding decline in the area. In the 19th century more refugees flooded in, this time Jews fleeing pogroms in eastern Europe.
Three years ago I was fortunate enough to have the rare opportunity to go inside 19 Princelet Street in Spitalfields. In the 18th century it was the home of Huguenot weavers. In the 1860s Jewish refugees turned it into a synagogue. Now it is a museum re-telling the story of the different waves of immigrants who lived in this area up until the present day. The house and the synagogue are in a fragile state and it is to be hoped that they can be saved. I also had the chance to explore the even more derelict rooms above the synagogue. One of these rooms became something of a cause célèbre in 1980 when a locked room was opened up for the first time since 1969. It has last been lived in by a certain David Rodinsky, a Jewish scholar. The room had suddenly and explicitly been abandoned to the extent of a pot of porridge was found on the stove and a half drunk mug of tea left on a table. What added to the mystery was that Rodinsky himself had seemingly vanished into thin air, there being no apparent trace of him after that date. The author Rachel Lichtenstein wrote a fascinating account of the event in her book "Rodinsky's Room," which also resolves the mystery of what really happened to David Rodinsky. 19 Princelet Street museum
It is possible that Dennis Severs might have heard of the mysterious locked room above the synagogue in nearby Princelet Street, when he set about re-creating his vision of how his own Huguenot house might have looked when the original owners were living there in the 18th century. He wanted to create a theatrical experience in which visitor would see the house it as if his fictional 18th century family had just vanished from sight. Thus, there would be the everyday sights and smells of an occupied house as opposed to the sterile atmosphere of a museum. When he bought his property the 18th century houses in the vicinity were all facing the genuine threat of demolition. It was claimed they were in too great a state of decay to be saved and should be demolished to make way for a complete redevelopment of the site. A determined campaign by local residents saved the area from the bulldozer. Now those once despised houses are worth an absolute fortune.
When Dennis Severs turned his house in Folgate Street into a living exploration of the changing fortunes of a Huguenot family, his efforts did not find favour with academics. They insisted on strict authenticity. Dennis took a far more inventive approach to furnishing and decorating his house. For example, unable to find or afford the decorative plaster carvings of fruit so admired in the 18th century, he bought some wax fruit and nuts from a local supermarket, covered them with plaster of Paris and fixed them to the ceiling. Likewise, the colour of the paint in part of the hall is pink. It is not authentic to the period but Dennis liked the effect even if purists might purse their lips.
The rooms are staged to follow the fortunes of the fictional Jervis family. They begin with the family enjoying an affluent lifestyle. Gradually, the family fortunes go into a decline reflecting the real life collapse of the silk trade. Finally, the fictional family have been forced to eke out their days in a single shabby room under the eaves, the roof leaking and all trace of the splendours of the lower floors vanished forever.
Dennis did not want his house to be an arid museum piece. To give the sense of a real family living there he slept in the beds, cooked in the kitchens and smoked his pipe in the dining room. To the consternation of visitors, Dennis would go so far as to urinate into a chamber pot whilst conducting them on tours. In that he was simply recreating the habits of 18th century gentlemen, who would think nothing of openly urinating into chamber pots whilst dining with friends in the same room. On another occasion, Dennis frog-marched a hapless visitor out of the house when he thought she was not taking his tour in the right spirit. His fearsome reputation meant that I never got around to visiting his house whilst he was still alive. I have been on a number of occasions since. I once took the Partridge when the house was lit by candlelight and the back parlour was decorated as if for a Victorian Christmas. In the kitchen in the basement, I surreptitiously used a small torch to light the darker recesses of the room. It was an act that might well have earned me a permanent ban if Dennis Severs had still been alive to witness it. Dennis Severs House
Let the train take the strain
The only time I have been on the Orient Express was years ago when the carriages were travelling on the same cross-Channel ferry as I was. I sneaked up the steps and stood in the corridor before beating a hasty retreat lest I be discovered and ignominiously thrown off. I once travelled by train from
to Cairo with my friend Lynda. It had a rather splendid dining-car although neither we, being but poor University students, nor the carriage could match the opulence of the Orient Express. Nonetheless, the journey did have a certain faded charm as we took our seats in the retro dining-car before retiring to our cabins for the night. Furthermore, opening the curtains in the morning and seeing the timeless Egyptian countryside and the blue waters of the Luxor Nile as we speed by was more than a match for any European vista to someone like me, who had developed a keen interest in all things Egyptian, preferably ancient. When I did the same journey a number of years later, the dining car had to my regret been replaced by a disco.
My only trip to
was by train. I went with a friend to visit her brother and his wife, wherein lay a convoluted tale of its own. My friend was keen to play matchmaker for her brother and only sibling and had even tried to pair the two of us off in his bachelor days. Our first date consisted of a works outing he had arranged to see the musical " Scotland 42nd Street" in the West End. Our seats were way up in the gods. Not only were they cramped they were dizzyingly steep. His fellow colleagues grumbled and indicated that he could not be trusted to organise anything properly. I later related the incident to another friend of mine and said what an idiot he was. At that stage she had never met him. She later went on to marry him, which in itself did not perturb me. Unfortunately her wedding fell only days after I had been struck down with salmonella poisoning.
My Malaysian friend May had been on one of her flying visits to
. We met up at my then place of work in order to go off to lunch in a local restaurant. I took a small teaspoon of the chocolate mousse. It was awful. So awful I had to take another spoonful to convince myself that it was really that bad. I started to suffer the repercussions a few hours later. Unfortunately the next day was my last at my then job before I started working for a new organisation on the Monday. As was customary my colleagues had arranged a farewell party at a restaurant. What was not quite so customary was the fact that the guest of honour could not eat a single thing thanks to her queasy stomach. England
The weekend did not provide any solace. It was my friend's wedding day. If I had failed to turn up it might have looked like sour grapes on my part, owing to the fact that I had previously dated her spouse, even though I had made it quite clear at the time I regarded him as something of a fool. The train journey was quite fraught but thankfully passed without incident. My woes started in the church itself. I had not been seated long before I felt I was going to retch. Luckily there were loos in what must have been the church hall around the back. After that I was going back and forth between the two buildings, hoping that I would not run into the bride. At one stage I came back into the church as my friend stood at the altar with her soon-to-be-husband. She briefly chanced to glance my way. I crept into the back row behind a pillar and sat with my head between my legs. It was the same row as the official photographer. I am sure he thought I was some crazy woman who was going to stand up and screech out a reason as to why the marriage could not go ahead when invited to by the vicar. My friend later said that when she had glimpsed me coming into the church, she had assumed I was a tramp seeking the warmth of the interior and perhaps the generousity of the congregation.
Every week for six months I would travel several hundred miles by train to
from Durham . I was able to travel first class, which enabled me to breakfast in the dining car on the outwards journey, a boon considering the train set out just after in the morning. It was an even greater benefit on the return journey when the rest of the train was packed with students travelling home for the weekend. Some were even forced to stand for the entire journey, which took around 3 hours. London
When I first went to
as a teenager I flew out. There was an extremely objectionable woman in my aisle who refused to move when I wanted to get up as we seemed to be unaccountably delayed. As I looked out of my window seat I could see a pool of dark liquid forming under the wing. Soon afterwards we were asked to disembark and board another aircraft where I met a friend of my mother's. She insisted I sit with her. Unfortunately she was a chain smoker in those barbarous days when people were either unaware or could not care less about the dangers of passive smoking, It hardly seems credibly now but I once spent a couple of years sharing a small office with four chain-smokers. Going to a cinema meant that even sitting in the non-smoking section; you would still have the fog from the smokers section waft over the screen. Likewise, when you went to restaurants you could be certain that the smoker on the adjoining table would light up just as you were beginning to eat. I was never ever tempted to smoke myself. My mother did and the sight of a heaped ashtray near food can still turn my stomach even today. She later quit and became quite evangelical about not smoking. When she died a decade or so later, her doctor said that her lung cancer was not smoking related. Finland
Although I had flown out to
on my first trip to the motherland, I travelled back by train. My grandfather was anxious that I should not miss my connection from his home in Viitasaari and had tried to help me board the train whilst I tried to explain that I had yet to get a ticket for that stage of my journey, a task not helped by the fact neither of us were fluent in one another's native tongue. It was only in the 21st century that I discovered how intrepid a train traveller my grandfather had once been. It seems he was determined to witness the birth of his first grandchild. So he set out for from a remote Finnish village armed only with a letter in English, written by a local school teacher, asking for directions on how to get to the hospital in Finland North London from the English sea-port. Somehow he successfully found his way to my mother's bedside.
At the time, I was struck by how much cleaner and smarter the Finnish carriages were compared to their shabby and often grimy English counterparts. But at least the English trains were fuelled by diesel and not by steam. Part of the longest train journey I ever undertook was by steam train: the journey from
to London . Having recovered, or so I thought from my debilitating bout of quinsy, I set out with my fellow schoolgirls on the exchange trip to Moscow . We had been told that there would be a restaurant car. This did not prove to be the case. My friend's parents had prudently ensured their daughters were more than adequately supplied with food and drink to last them the entire journey, provisions which they were more than happy to share with me. The most memorable part of the journey was when we crossed over into the former Soviet bloc and through the Iron Curtain. We later discovered that the exits to and from our carriage were sealed off from the rest of the train as we passed from Russia West Berlin to East.
Border guards came on to the train at both sides of the Iron Curtain. I thought the East Germans were extremely officious, barking orders at a bunch of schoolgirls, still dressed in our night attire and squealing for our teachers to rescue us from the armed soldiers. It might just have been a Germanic tendency. When I travelled through
on my own a few years later I was genuinely shocked at the impertinent attitude the West German border guards seem to adopt towards a young German traveller. At the time I would have given short shrift to a British Rail employee had he been so bold as to subject to me to such searching questions. West Germany
From our carriage window
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