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Course Descriptions
600 Torah (3)
An historical-critical study of the Pentateuch in the light of literary, historical, theological, and archeological research on the Old Testament and its environment.
601 Synoptic Gospels and Acts (3)
A study of the influences to the crystallization of the primitive Christian catechesis; development of the gospel literature in the different Christian communities; overview of the characteristic theologies of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Formerly THE 534.
605 Johannine Literature (3)
An analysis of the last gospel with special concern for its unique theology. The role of the Beloved Disciple as founder of the community with its emphasis on the faith commitment to the Lord and the love of the brethren.
608 Dominican Spirituality: Medieval and Modern
An introduction and overview of the sources and development of Dominican spirituality, this course analyzes the fundamental structures of the spirituality, and surveys its evolution over its 800 year history. Locating the foundations of Dominican spirituality in the life and milieu of St. Dominic and the evangelical and ecclesial movement that he began in the 13th century, this course traces his legacy through the representative persons and events that shape its history. Through the hermeneutical analysis of the primary sources and the study of diverse patterns of historical praxis, dominant themes emerge as characteristic of the whole tradition. Special attention will be given to the contemporary situation of Dominican spirituality.
609 Introduction to Systematic Theology (formerly 511) (3)
An overview of the history of the study of theology, an introduction to the major concerns and authors in the main areas of contemporary theology, and an introduction to the methods of theological research is provided by this course. It is required of all students in the M.A. in Practical Theology.
610 Prophetic Literature (3)
A study of the origin and development of the prophetic movement in Israel and its relationship to other prophetic movements in the ancient Near East; analysis of the prophetical books of the Old Testament and the role of the prophets. Major emphasis will be on the prophets from the eighth to the sixth centuries. Formerly THE 535.
611 Pauline Literature (3)
An analysis of the genius of Paul as seen in his letters. Paul the founder of Churches, the missionary, his Jewishness, and his anthropology which gave birth to the Christian Church of the Gentiles.
612 Wisdom Literature (3)
A study of the Wisdom Books of the Old Testament with emphasis on an examination of the position and limits of Wisdom within the message of the Bible; also, an investigation of the wisdom tradition as it extends into the New Testament.
615 Dominican Theologians of the 20th Century (3)
This course examines the renewal of the Dominican tradition and charisms in the areas of philosophy and theology responding to modernity and the needs of the contemporary church. Beginning with the renewed interest in Thomism in the latter part of the 19th and the early part of the 20th centuries, special attention is given to the contribution of LaGrange in biblical studies, the ressourcement of the French Dominicans to the influences of the Dominicans at Vatican II.
616 Prudential Reasoning in the Dominican Moral Tradition (3)
The Dominican tradition of growth and development in the spiritual life figures prominently in the development of a moral theology of prudential reasoning and the virtues. This moral theology follows a Thomistic approach of the immanent nature of human action and its subsequent influence on the formation of a rightly ordered life. Acquired and theological virtues and grace become the source of the transformation from sin to new life. This course will explore the Dominican influence in the contemporary retrieval of virtue theory and its implications for the moral and spiritual growth of the person in community.
620 Supervised Ministry I (3)
One of the two required courses in ministry for the M.A. in Practical Theology. Field placement in a semester-long ministerial setting, ministerial learning contract, and theological reflection will be provided.
621 Supervised Ministry II (3)
One of the two required courses in ministry for the M.A. in Practical Theology. Field placement in a semester-long ministerial setting, ministerial learning contract, and theological reflection will be provided.
623 Leadership in the Old Testament (3)
Survey of the Old Testament with particular attention to the theme of political and religious leadership. Introduction to the history of biblical interpretation in the Jewish and Christian traditions and how the theme of biblical leadership continues to influence contemporary politics and religion.
625 The Origins and End of the City of God (3)
A study of the biblical traditions of creation and apocalypse and how they are related to each other and other aspects of Scripture. Particular attention to how these biblical traditions have been interpreted in ancient and modern times. Includes study of the intersection of religion, science, and politics.
626 Historical Books (3)
An analysis of the historical books to explore the influence these writings had on Israel's self-understanding and the role that this biblical material has had in Christian belief. The theological importance of these books for messianic expectations and the promise to David will be related to the understanding of who Jesus was as the Son of David.
628 Deutero-Pauline and Early Catholic Letters (3)
A study of "letters" attributed to Paul but regarded by many today as having different authors, namely; 2 Thessalonians, Colossians, Ephesians, 1 & 2 Timo-thy, Titus and Hebrews, and of later literature 1 & 2 Peter, James, and Jude. The concept of pseudepigraphy in the ancient world. The relation between a) 1 and 2 Thessalonians, b) Colossians and Ephesians, and c) Jude and 2 Peter.
630 US Hispanic/Latino(a) Theology (3)
This course examines US Hispanic/Latino theology from the perspective of practical theology. Special attention will be given to US Hispanic/Latino contribution to theological method, inculturation, systematic theology, ecclesiology, theology of ministry, social ethics, biblical interpretation, and feminist thought.
632 Hispanic/Latino(a) Ministry and Practical Theology (3)
The course exposes graduate students to the historical perspective of Hispanic/Latinos in the United States. It will survey the National plan for Hispanic ministry and documents of the USCCB and other pertinent pastoral criteria for Hispanic ministry.
635 Ecclesiology: The Mystery of the Church (3)
An examination of the foundations for ecclesiology in the New Testament and its development in different Christian traditions with a view of the kerygmatic, sacramental, and charismatic dimensions of the Church. Church life, structure, and mission will also receive attention.
636 Christology (3)
An examination of the New Testament foundations for Christology and of doctrinal developments in the tradition of the Church. Attention will also focus on contemporary issues in Christology including methodology and the meaning of incarnation.
637 The Christian God and the Human Response (3)
A study of the Christian God as Trinity and the human response to this revelation. Foundations and developments in trinitarian theology will receive considerable attention. The course will also consider the nature and destiny of humankind in relation to the Triune God; special references to secularization and faith in God. Formerly THE 536.
638 Theology of Ministry (3)
This course will examine the evolution of Christian ministry spanning from biblical times through the present. Attention will be given to the characteristics and foundations of ministry, the theology of priestly ministry, the theology of lay ministry, and the ecclesiologies and theologies of revelation and grace that undergird different theologies of ministry. Consideration will also be given to the model and method for reflection in ministry.
639 Foundations of Liturgy (3)
This course introduces graduate students to the fundamental structures, history, and theology of Christian worship with an emphasis on the Roman Catholic liturgical tradition. Particular attention is given to the ritual nature of human experience, the Christian interpretation of ritual, and liturgy as primary source and expression of Christian faith and identity. Students are introduced to multiple approaches and methods essential to the academic study of Christian worship today.
641 Liturgical Time and Prayer (3)
The nature of liturgy as source and summit of the Church's life. Special attention will be given to: general forms of Christian prayer; the development of structured daily prayer (especially Liturgy of the Hours); and the history and meaning of the liturgical year. Some discussion of the relationship between liturgical time and liturgical environment (especially art and architecture).
642 Sacramental Theology (3)
A look at Christian sacraments from the perspective of religious experience and symbol; Christ, the primordial sacrament, the Church as sacrament, and a theological-liturgical-historical examination of each sacrament.
643 Rites of Christian Initiation (3)
An in-depth study of Baptism-Confirmation and Eucharist as sacraments of full initiation into Christian life. Evolution and current thought on these sacraments.Discussion of the rite of Christian initiation of adults.
644 Issues in Ecumenism (3)
An examination of the ecumenical movement and its importance for Christian unity. Ecclesiological models as well as classical doctrinal conflicts will be the subject of investigation as various ecumenical dialogues (both multilateral and bilateral) are considered.
645 Salvation, Eschatology and Hope (3)
An examination of the traditional place of eschatology in dogmatics (death, judgment, heaven, hell) and its relationship to soteriology, atonement and parousia. Attention will be given to the role of eschatology and hope in contemporary theologies and its significance for preaching.
646 Pneumatology, Grace and the ChristianLife (3)
An examination of the theology of the Holy Spirit with reference to the order of salvation, theologies of grace, charisms and gifts. Attention will be given to the differences in Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox approaches with an emphasis on changing models of understanding the work of the Holy Spirit and its relationship to theological anthropology.
647 New Trends in Moral Theology (3)
This course will examine new theories and applications of moral theology and Christian ethics to contemporary concerns. Attention will be given to the return to virtue ethics, the ongoing debate between proportionalism and deontology, and the use of Scripture as the primary guide of moral theory.
648 War and Violence in the Old Testament (3)
An examination of biblical passages involving war and other violence, with a focus on the Old Testament. Includes study of the tension between the Testaments on the issues of war and violence, the moral critique of Scripture, and how interpreters through the ages have responded to this tension and this critique. Biclical roots of just war theory and pacifism.
651 History of Christian Thought (3)
An examination of the significant moments in the development of Christian intellectual life with an emphasis on paradigm shifts in the theological and philosophical discourse. Five periods will be subject of inquiry: Patristic, Medieval, Reformation, Renaissance, Modern. For each period students will be introduced to the predominant mode of theological reflection, its perceived foundations, its doctrinal focus, and the diversity and debates which were engendered.
652 Critical Issues in Bioethics (3)
This course will examine some of the major debates in contemporary bioethics. The focus will be on theoretical as well as practical issues.
653 Classics in Bioethics (3)
This course will examine the historical development of the discipline of bioethics from its roots in the pilgrim hospices of the medieval period through the rise of 'modern' hospitals to high tech medical practices. This history shows that systematic reflection on the ethical value of medical intervention depended on deontological and casuist reasoning. Attention will be given especially to the key authors of the Roman Catholic and Protestant denominations: John Ford and Gerald Kelley, Richard McCormick, Kevin O'Rourke, Joseph Fletcher, James Gustafson, and Paul Ramsey.
655 Principles of Christian Morality (3)
Fundamental questions regarding the person from a moral theological viewpoint; meaning of freedom, knowledge, and conscience with the totality of person and the basic sources of morality.
656 Catholic Social Thought (3)
An examination and evaluation of the teachings on major social issues in the papal encyclicals, conciliar documents, and episcopal pronouncements from Leo XIII to the present day. Formerly THE 538.
658 Death and Dying: Theology andMinistry (3)
This course will examine recent theology of death and dying, and relate to the ministry of chaplains, pastors, and educators.
659 Pastoral Care and Human Sexuality (3)
An inter-disciplinary, inter-personal and cross-cultural exploration of goals, dynamics, and skills as they affect ministries relating to issues of human sexuality, i.e., goals-ethics-moral foundations; definitional-developmental perspectives; sexual issues within congregations; male-female relationships, etc.
660 Pastoral Care and Cross-Cultural Counseling (3)
An exploration of the literature and practices in pastoral theology of counseling cross-culturally. Issues of mission and globalization will be explored, as well as a definition of culture that prepares participants to offer care within and between cultures of a congregation.
661 The Gospel and Conflict in the Church (3)
A study of conflict in biblical and theological traditions and implications for a contemporary parish or congregation. Attention will be given to the theological, pastoral, and social origins of conflict within the church.
662 Liberating Theologies (3)
A study of the major writings of contemporary Latin American, African, feminist, and African-American liberation theologians to explore implications for the social ministry within the contemporary church.
663 Pastoral Care Ethics (3)
This course presents issues related to professional functioning in a pastoral context. Issues of power abuse, sexual abuse, financial mismanagement, etc., will be explored in the context of moral theology and professional ethics.
664 Theology of Evangelization (3)
An exploration of models of evangelization and mission activity from an historical and theological perspective to discover effective models of ministry at home and abroad.
665 Historical Resolutions in Moral Theology (3)
This course will examine the historical development of the discipline of moral theology through the causes of debates and the vigorous exploration of resolutions. Attention will be given to the influence of the great thinkers, how their influence is still prevalent, and whether their influence is still valid.
668 The Psalms in Worship and Tradition (3)
Detailed study of the book of Psalms, including its interpretation through history, and its use in worship and liturgy. The Psalms as a summary of the Bible.
699 Thesis Research (3)
This is a research in-residence or continuous registration for all departments/schools offering graduate programs.
701 Independent Studies (3)
A faculty member will direct a student in individual research with the approval of the Chair.
705 Old Testament Exegesis (3)
A course including specialized topics in Old Testament, designed for students who have completed courses in the areas of Prophetic literature, Torah, Wisdom literature, and historical books
706 New Testament Exegesis (3)
A course including specialized topics in New Testament, designed for students who have completed courses in the areas of Synoptic Gospels, Johannine literature, Pauline theology, and Deutero-Pauline and Early Catholic letters.
707 New Testament Christology (3)
An examination of the manner in which a modern systematic theologian develops a Christology based on the New Testament, with detailed attention to key New Testament passages cited by the author.
708 Advanced Liturgical Preaching (3)
An advanced study of the theology of preaching within the context of the tradition of the church and its place in contemporary worship. Methods, content, and various contexts will be examined to enrich the student's preaching ability.
709 Topics in Liturgy and Sacraments (3)
Selected topics of contemporary interest in liturgical and sacramental theology.
710 Topics in Systematic Theology (3)
Specialized topics of interest to Faculty/Students.
711 Topics in Moral Theology (3)
This course will examine issues of contemporary import and their presumable resolutions.
712 Topics in Moral Bio-Medical Ethics (3)
Selected topics in contemporary health care that challenge persons in ministry to search for ethical behaviors.
713 Topics in Pastoral Ministry (3)
Topics of interest to faculty and students.
715 Life, Times and Thought of Thomas Aquinas (3)
An introduction to the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas, this course presents the major themes of Thomistic thought in the historical and intellectual milieu in which they emerged. In particular, through the study of various primary sources, the contribution of this medieval Dominican to the Catholic understanding of God, Christian anthropology, the moral life, the person of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit will be examined; and his significance of the contemporary theology and pastoral practice will be explored.
716 Latino(a) Popular Religiosity and its Ethics of Solidarity (3)
This course examines US Hispanic/Latino theology from the perspective of popular religiosity. Special attention will be given to the divers popular religious expressions of the US Hispanic/Latino community and their origins in Latin America and the Medieval Iberian piety.
717 Feminista/Mujerista Theology (3)
This course will critically reflect on the voices of Hispanic/Latino women engaged in theology in the United States, surveying the works of Feminista/Mujerista theologians in their attempt to understand and articulate the struggle of women in the US Hispanic/Latino context.
718 Liturgy and Preaching in Latino Congregations (3)
A comprehensive examination of how both liturgical praxis and preaching in US Hispanic/Latino contexts mediates a particular ecclesial expression and therefore both challenges and accentuates contemporary liturgical theology and theologies of proclamation. This course will emphasize how a practical liturgical theology can advance both the practice and evaluation of contemporary preaching in Latino congregations.
727 Dominican Women Through the Ages (3)
This course examines the change and expansion of Dominican Life through the various movements of women beginning in the 13th century through the present day. It will sketch out the primary patterns of development of these movements and investigate the cultural, sociological and ecclesiological impact of these women in their milieu. It will examine the changes in the Counter-Reformation and Baroque period and the unique historical development of Dominican women in the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries. These contexts will be analyzed and contemporary questions, problems and possibilities concerning Dominican women's life will be explored.
729 Continuing Registration (1)
800 D.Min Integrative Seminar (3)
This course is the capstone course for the D. Min program. It is designed for D. Min students who have completed at least the distribution requirement of the program and preferably those who are enrolled in the last course(s) of their program. The Integrative Seminar allows the D. Min student to bridge his/her course work to the thesis/project by focusing on an aspect of their ministry for theological reflection and clarifying the theological methods which will best inform that task.
800A Fundamentals of Practical Theology Seminar (3)
This course is for the beginning D. Min student. It will explore the pastoral and the theoretical foundations of practical theology in its intentionality of enhancing the Church's praxis. It will enable the students to use critical methods of theological reflection on specialized ministerial or pastoral practices.
801 D.Min. Thesis in Ministry (8)
Eight credit hours
THE 801A: DMin Thesis in Ministry I (4)
The thesis-project represents the candidate's ability to integrate both the theoretical and practical dimensions of theological research and to demonstrate competent application of appropriate theological research methods and ethical guidelines in the investigation of the ministerial praxis. Pre-requisite: Approved Thesis Proposal and IRB protocol.
THE 801B: DMin Thesis in Ministry II (4)
The thesis-project represents the candidate's ability to integrate both the theoretical and practical dimensions of theological research. The thesis-project should demonstrate competent application of appropriate theological research methods and ethical guidelines in the investigation of the ministerial praxis. Students must have completed their empirical research and two reviewed and approved chapters of the thesis before registering for this course. Pre-requisite: THE 801A.
802 D.Min. Supervised In-Service Project (6)
Six credit hours
THE 802A: Doctoral Ministerial Formation and Pastoral Skills (3)
One of two required courses in ministerial formation for the Doctor of Ministry student, this course provides theologically discerning accompaniment of students with a focus on the development of pastoral skills and methods of theological reflection required for ministers. Through course readings, class activities, an integrative paper, and one-on-one meetings with the Director of Ministerial Formation, students engage the human, spiritual, intellectual and ministerial components of theological formation for ministry necessary for ministerial effectiveness. Pre-requisite: Master of Divinity degree/equivalence.
THE 802B: Doctoral Ministerial Formation and Professional Ethics (3)
One of two required courses in ministerial formation for the Doctor of Ministry student, this course provides theologically discerning accompaniment of students with a focus on the development of professional behavior in accord with ethical standards for pastoral practice. Through course readings, class activities, an integrative paper, and one-on-one meetings with the Director of Ministerial Formation, students engage the components of professional functioning in a pastoral position in the context of moral theology and ethics for ministry and mission. Pre-requisite: Master of Divinity degree/equivalence.

subset: commoncrawl


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Indicative Rate * AU$14 to AU$30
Get Fit, Get Green, Get On Your Bike during your stay on the Gold Coast. Get On Your Bike provides the ultimate fun experience for visitors wanting to explore the Gold Coast in the best way possible - on a bicycle. They have a range of bikes available to cater for everyone. Their specialty is the modern single geared Beach Cruisers for fun, easy, comfortable riding along their beautiful beaches. They also have an extensive range of other bikes including seven geared mountain bikes, children's bikes (16 inch, 20 inch and 24 inch), tag a long bikes and trailers, baby seats and tandem bikes.
They have hire venues throughout the Gold Coast where you can pick up your bike or for multiple bikes/days - they can deliver to your accommodation from Paradise Point to Tweed.
Corporate Challenge and Groups Bookings are welcome, they can cater for groups of 50 plus.
They have a range of bikes to suit the whole family or the single bicycle enthusiast:
Beach cruiser bicycles in adult and kid sizes, for great fun and comfort; Tandem bikes for fun and a bit different; Mountain bikes with seven gears for those looking for a more "sporty" experience. All bikes can have add-ons to suit the little ones like baby seat, tag-along bike and tag-along trailer.
Note: Information on listed products and services are provided by the operator and were correct at the time of publishing. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator's website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD).


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Ann Stratton
- Yield
- Makes 4 servings
- 3 poblano chiles
- 1 pound medium shrimp, shelled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 red bell peppers, cored, seeded and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoon chopped (or thinly sliced) sun-dried tomatoes (about 3 halves)
- 1 tablespoon limezest
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 4 cups farfalle, preferably whole- wheat, cooked
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Place chiles directly over the burners of a gas stove. Roast over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until skin is charred and chiles soften, 10 to 15 minutes. (To roast in oven, cover a large cookie sheet with foil. Place chiles on sheet and broil, turning occasionally, until skin is charred and chiles soften, 12 to 17 minutes.) Remove from heat and cool. Remove peel and seeds. Slice thinly; set aside. Sprinkle shrimp with half the salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large pan over high heat. Cook shrimp, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in chiles, red peppers, tomatoes, zest and lime juice. Cook until liquid reduces by half and shrimp are no longer translucent, 1 to 2 minutes. Add wine and reduce until slightly syrupy. Stir in pasta. Reduce heat to low and cover 1 minute. Top with cilantro and serve.
Nutritional analysis per serving: 341 calories, 10 g fat (1.5 g saturated), 30.9 g carbs, 2.9 g fiber, 28.4 g protein


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Why switch to LED lamps?
LED lamps are energy efficient and have a cost saving in the long term, plus, LED equivalents have a much lower wattage but the same amount of lumens distributed which means theyre a lot brighter for a lot less energy. LED light bulbs are no longer just LED spotlights, they now come as regular shaped bulbs with a screw or bayonet fitting. Our lamps can cover all of your lighting needs. You can get dimmable and non-dimmable LEDs, and we also carry a range of colours such as cool white, cool daylight and warm white.
LEDs are used frequently in domestic, commercial and industrial contexts as theyre much more reliable than halogen, filament or incandescent lamps.
We stock an assortment of LED lamps including:
- LED Indicator lights which are used in circuits to see which components are working, among other purposes
- LED reflector lamps like MR16 or GU10 LED bulbs, which are equivalent to other light sources including halogen, incandescent and CFL bulbs. These reflective lamps use key bases such as B22, E27, G9 and E14 and fit in with most key fixtures
- GLS LED lamps which are modelled on traditional light bulbs with a round or candle shape
- LED light tube lamps are normally used for discrete lighting, often in commercial settings, as the tubes give off a lot of light but take up very little room and give off little heat
- Cluster lights which are used for many different purposes in industry, domestically or commercially; these are a cluster of mini LEDs which give off a significant amount of lumens for very little power output.
... Read more


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Thank you to all our customers who have shown such care for our community and team as we have rolled out new measures to comply with physical distancing guidelines. We are doing everything we can to protect the safety of our customers and our team.
Tools & D.I.Y. Skills
How to use laser and digital measuring tools
Digital measuring tools are ideal for D.I.Y.ers who want to transform their house into a home. These tools are a great alternative to tape measures, spirit levels, and pure guesswork.
D.I.Y. Basics
The D.I.Y. beginner's toolkit
Keen to start on the D.I.Y. path? Here's our pick of the essentials you need for your first toolbox.
How to build a pegboard tool holder
Make a handy pegboard to neatly display your tools. We'll show you how to attach a timber frame to a brick wall and secure the pegboard.
Garden Tools
How to sharpen chisels
You'll need a sharp chisel to get the job done properly. Sharpening a chisel is a great thing to know and it's easy too—we'll show you how.
D.I.Y. grout cleaning tips and tools
Cleaning the grout between tiles can really brighten up a bathroom. We'll show you how to do it in no time with a few simple techniques.
Living Room
How to wall mount a TV
Mounting your TV on the wall saves on space and keeps your screen out of reach of sticky little fingers.
Timber Floorboards
How to remove floorboards
Learn a simple way to preserve your old floorboards when you remove them
How to remove a silicone sealant
A quick and simple way to remove old and unsightly silicone.


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Author Notes: This recipe is the result of a happy accident born out of living in a country where I don't speak the language. Ok, I speak a little Hebrew but sorrel isn't in my vocabulary yet. In an attempt to make my husband a steakhouse-style dinner for his birthday, I purchased what I thought might possibly be spinach to make creamed spinach.
I had a feeling it wasn't spinach, but the tightly sealed package was the closest looking leafy green in the market. As soon as I tried it at home the citrusy bite gave it away. A quick Google translate check of the label confirmed that it was indeed sorrel.
I wasn't disappointed; it was in fact a happy accident. Even in New York you can't find sorrel in any old supermarket. I prepared it exactly as I would creamed spinach, and the bright acidity played nicely with the cream and butter. I would take this over traditional creamed spinach any day. – kmartinelli —kmartinelli
Food52 Review: If you can get your hands on 2 pounds of sorrel at a reasonable price, buy it fast! Relish it! We certainly couldn't. The only sorrel I was able to find came sold in 2 oz. bundles at a rather steep cost, so I wound up making this dish with mostly baby spinach and a couple of bunches of sorrel thrown in. However, even a bit of sorrel did bring some distinct freshness and tang that you don't normally find in creamed spinach. Overall, I liked the simplicity of this dish. No frills, just cream and greens with some garlic and shallot added for a mellow punch of flavor. Two pounds of sorrel (or spinach) is a lot, so I wound up erring on the larger quantity of cream side of the spectrum. Even so, because this dish doesn't use any flour, the cream just lightly clings to the leaves making it feel lighter than it might otherwise. And it leaves tasty little puddles of cream on your plate for mopping up with a dinner roll. – fiveandspice —fiveandspice
Serves: 4 as a side
pounds sorrel, stems removed
tablespoons unsalted butter
cups finely chopped shallots
teaspoon minced garlic
½ to 1
cups heavy cream
Salt and freshly ground pepper
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Working in batches, quickly add the sorrel and remove after 30 seconds or so. Transfer to a colander and shock with cold water. Squeeze to remove as much liquid as possible. Roughly chop and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a pan and add the shallots and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until soft. Add the sorrel and cook for 1 minute.
- Add ½ cup of the cream and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine, adding more cream as necessary.
- Cook until the cream has reduced by half and remove from the heat.


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Shabby Chic Decorating Ideas for Porches and Gardens
Do you love the shabby chic look? Keep the style going in your garden or porch by embracing the same design principles beloved in the cottage home: distressed furniture, soft pastels and feminine accessories.
By: Karli Sanders
Photo By: HGTV fan SpackleMuddPalin
Embrace the Imperfection
Distressed and timeworn furniture is the epitome of shabby chic decorating. RMS user robinelise embraces the original paint and patina of her small porch by leaving the window and door frames unpainted, as well as bringing in old, antique furniture to display her potted plant collection. Metallics are normally seen as cold and modern, but this entrance's galvanized steel siding was popular in home designs from the 1930s. It only adds to the antique ambiance of the porch.
Inside Meets Outside
Shabby chic gardens are a continuation of the style inside the home. Shabby interiors are full of floral prints and soft pastels, echoed on this fence row by roses, salvia and catmint.
Functionally Feminine
RMS user shellshabbygirl shares a passion for gardening with her father. Together they converted an unused screened-in porch into a cottage-style gardening shed. Shabby chic elements like a chandelier, distressed door frame and the use of white give this utilitarian space a decidedly feminine feel while remaining comfortable and lived-in.
If It Ain't Broke
This wraparound porch has great bones. Rather than painting over the woodwork, RMS user antiqueshopper left it alone and brought in white wicker furniture to capitalize on the space's existing vintage vibe.
Look to Your Own Region
There are many interpretations of shabby chic decorating, but distressed furniture and the use of wrought iron are seen throughout the various sub-styles. RMS user shellshabbygirl created a prairie chic look in her screened-in porch with an antique iron daybed, dried wheat bouquets(popular in her area of the country) and vintage accessories like the rusty lantern and crystal chandelier.
Use It or Lose It
There are no fancy showpieces in the shabby chic home. Everything is recycled, upcycled and lived-in. This relaxed rule carries into outdoor rooms too. RMS user cobbcottage's porch is used all year long, so it was paramount that the space be comfy and inviting. A thick, antique quilt and printed pillows ensure that the porch swing is used for more than just curb appeal.
Storybook Style
Shabby chic decorating has always played up the whimsy and wonder of everyday life. What's more whimsical than a pink cottage playhouse? Surrounded by pink roses, it's a page right out of a fairy tale.
Expect the Unexpected
A variety of flea market finds were given new life in this shabby chic porch by RMS user vanillacandle. The overall affect is an inviting and comfortable porch, perfect for a cup of tea and a good book. Giving new uses to old things is the most exciting part of shabby chic decorating. An old fireplace on a porch? There are no rules with shabby chic! It's all about doing what fits your lifestyle and makes you happy.
High-Style Hardware
It's not just furniture and accessories that get repurposed in shabby chic design. An old pedestal sink gets a new lease on life as a birdbath in this cottage garden. A sink would also work as a container just fill with potting soil instead of water.
Informal Elegance
When it comes to the cottage or shabby chic garden, manicured borders are out and full, freeform planting is in. To capture the cottage style, plant hardy perennials like hydrangea and tea roses forget symmetry. Demure pastels like pink and lavender are the must-have color palette in a shabby chic garden.
Layers of Style
Signs of wear and tear are integral to shabby chic design. Layer upon layer of paint has been peeled back on this gardening shed door to create a rustic chic look Rachel Ashwell herself would be proud of.
The Shabby Modern Home
This hanging daybed is a contemporary take on shabby chic. Bolder colors and bigger prints are seen in the pillows, but the use of a functional bed on a porch is a reminder of shabby chic's comfortable and relaxed sensibilities.
Cottage Comfort
Simple comfort is the basis of the shabby chic lifestyle and there's nothing more comfortable than a sleeping porch. RMS user niarainivysky built this old-fashioned sleeping porch onto her old farmhouse. The room is totally functional she sleeps in this rustic retreat in the spring, summer and fall. The porch features many shabby chic elements, like a chandelier and breezy fabrics, but the use of darker colors and Old World art create a more masculine space any man would feel right at home in.


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Just six pages long, it is stoking a new moral urgency for climate action and forcing the financial world to reconsider the value of fossil fuel reserves.
It is probably the most influential paper on climate science today. But few outside scientific circles even know it exists.
Though just six pages long, its dense, technical writing makes it largely incomprehensible to non-experts. And yet this paper is transforming the climate change debate—prompting the financial world to rethink the value of the world's fossil fuel reserves and giving environmental activists a moral argument for action.
That's because behind its complicated terminology is a simple question that affects every aspect of society and business: How much time do we have before the burning of fossil fuels pushes the climate system past tipping points? In a worst-case scenario, about 11 years at current rates of fossil fuel use, according to the paper.
"Once you hear the numbers, at least for me, there is no more room for wishful thinking, for speculation or for doubt," said Bill McKibben, founder of the activist group 350.org. Last year, McKibben plucked the science from popular obscurity and used it in a Rolling Stone article and speaking tour to stoke the moral case for carbon controls.
The paper, "Greenhouse-Gas Emission Targets for Limiting Global Warming to 2C," was published in April 2009 in Nature, the prestigious science journal. It was the work of researchers from Germany, the UK and Switzerland, led by Malte Meinshausen, a climatologist at Germany's Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact.
The study filled a factual void in a simmering debate over climate change. By 2006, the year the scientists began their research, many world governments had endorsed the scientific consensus that global temperature rise should be kept below 2 degrees Celsius in this century. But governments didn't know how far down the path of global warming they had already gone—and how much further they could safely go.
Meinshausen and his team, which included his brother Nicolai, a statistician at the University of Oxford, took up the puzzle. "It seemed the obvious thing to do with so many governments asking the question," Meinshausen said.
The scientists created what is called a global "carbon budget," which details how much carbon countries have emitted in the atmosphere from burning coal, oil and natural gas—and how much more they can "spend" before crossing 2 degrees. They didn't invent the concept—many others had crunched carbon budgets. But none were as rigorous.
The paper's methodology was groundbreaking. It was the first to incorporate hundreds of uncertainties in the climate system into a single climate model—factors that had never been modeled together or that hadn't been given proper weight in previous studies, such as radiative forcing or unknowns in the carbon cycle like how much carbon is stored in the deep ocean. In total, 400 environmental parameters were run under 1,000 different emissions scenarios.
What they found was stark: To have a 50-50 chance of keeping temperature rise below 2 degrees, humans would have to stick to a carbon budget that allowed the release of no more than 1,437 gigatons of carbon dioxide from 2000 to 2050.
To have an 80 percent chance of avoiding that threshold, they would have to follow a stricter budget and emit just 886 gigatons.
The paper found that by 2006, nations had already spent a quarter of that amount, or 234 gigatons. Meaning, the planet's carbon budget would be exhausted by 2024—11 years from now— if emissions levels stayed the same, or even earlier if they continue their upward trend.
From a scientific point of view, burning all of the world's proven fossil fuel reserves isn't an option, the paper suggested. The reserves "vastly exceed the allowable CO2 emission budget for staying below 2C" of warming, it said.
In 2009, the findings were used by the International Energy Agency (IEA), a policy group that advises 28 countries about their energy policies, to make the case for steep reductions in climate-changing gases. "We are currently eating into these CO2 budgets at a disproportionate rate," the authors wrote in its World Energy Outlook that year.
Less than four years later, the paper is one the most cited environmental science studies ever. To date, it has garnered 262 citations in scientific articles, according to Web of Science, an online citation index run by media conglomerate Thomson Reuters, putting it in the top 0.1 percent cited environmental papers in recent years, and just missing being among the top 0.01 percent. The paper has racked up more than 600 citations in Google Scholar, a more inclusive citation index that includes mentions in books, professional societies and on university websites.
Christopher King, editorial content manager of Thomson Reuters' ScienceWatch, a site that tracks trends in research, said it "unquestionably ranks among the elite."
In science, that many citations reflects a rare consensus, according to Gavin Schmidt, deputy chief of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies and a climate modeler. He said that while a few minor details in the paper have raised discussion, the overall results are widely accepted.
After impressing scientists, it wasn't long before the findings rippled through the global financial world.
For years, investors had been hearing of carbon budgets and the 2-degree threshold—and they were growing concerned. As much as 30 percent of the value of some of the world's stock exchanges is in proven coal, oil and gas reserves, which energy companies are banking on mining and selling one day.
But what if governments buckled to activist pressure and decided to require firms to keep some of those reserves in the ground? What would that do to the market values of powerful energy companies? What would that do to the world's financial systems?
A newly formed group, made up of green-minded investors in London and called the Carbon Tracker Initiative, sought to assess those risks in a scientific way. They used Meinshausen's paper as the basis of their own report, "Unburnable Carbon," published in 2011.
The report tackled a question that Meinshausen had answered, but not in any depth: How much CO2 is in the world's fossil fuel reserves?
Using official records from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, among other documents, Carbon Tracker discovered that the world's top 200 fossil fuel companies have 2,795 gigatons of CO2 trapped in their fossil fuel reserves. And that figure didn't include unconventional sources like tar sands, oil shale and methane hydrates.
They also found that in the first 10 years of this century, humans had burned through one-third of Meinhausen's 886 gigaton budget, leaving just 565 gigatons left to use over the next 40 years. In sum, 80 percent of all fossil fuel reserves would have to remain untouched to prevent uncontrollable warming, the report warned.
"Investors need to be wary that stocks may not hold the same value they once did—and companies need to stop putting more capital into finding more reserves," James Leaton, research director for the Carbon Tracker Initiative, said. "The future won't resemble the past for these industries."
"Unburnable Carbon" was the first, but not the last, study to consider whether energy companies' values were based on assumptions that might never pan out. Last month, global banking giant HSBC released a similar report using Meinshausen's 50-50 carbon budget scenario. It found that the largest oil and gas companies, including BP, Shell and Statoil, could lose 60 percent of their market values if governments proceed with tough carbon reduction targets and force companies to leave reserves untapped.
McKibben Popularizes the Science
Bill McKibben, a mild-mannered college professor and one of the nation's original climate activists, heard about Meinshausen's findings in 2009. But it wasn't until he read "Unburnable Carbon," and saw just how much coal, oil and gas energy companies have in their reserves, that he decided to make the numbers the cornerstone of a campaign to break Washington's silence on climate change.
First, he repackaged Meinhausen's science and the investors' math into a Rolling Stone article called "Global Warming's Terrifying New Math." In November, he launched a Do the Math tour to introduce the public to the numbers.
In a month, McKibben and members of his grassroots organization, 350.org, traveled to 21 cities by biodiesel bus and held rock concert-like events before sold-out audiences to try to make decarbonization of the economy a moral issue.
"It made people understand they are going to have to intervene in a more powerful way," McKibben said of the math.
The Do the Math campaign spurred a resurgence of climate advocacy in America that includes a divestment movement, sponsored by 350.org. Students at 252 universities in North America have asked their schools to divest their endowments of fossil fuel companies, and a few have agreed. Several faith-based organizations are also considering divestment, as are some municipal governments, including the City of Seattle.
The group says its #ForwardOnClimate rally on February 17 at the White House against the Keystone XL oil pipeline could be the biggest climate change rally ever in the United States.
President Obama vowed in his State of the Union speech Tuesday night "to reduce pollution" and "prepare our communities for the consequences of climate change." But it's unclear what action he might take.
He faces difficult decisions in his second term that could change the national energy landscape for decades and increase global temperatures, including on Keystone XL, Arctic oil drilling and natural gas fracking. McKibben said he is using the science and the math to urge supporters to force Obama to draw a line in the sand on those mega-projects and plans.
What's been surprising, McKibben said, is "the fossil fuel industry and skeptics haven't done the slightest thing to say the math isn't true."
Roger Pielke Jr., an environmental studies professor at the Center for Science and Technology Policy Research at the University of Colorado Boulder, said any criticism about the campaign "has nothing really to do with the science," but more "about the campaign as an incomplete set of policy arguments."
John Felmy, the chief economist for the American Petroleum Institute, the oil industry's main trade group, agreed.
"Oil, gas and coal are going to be used for the foreseeable future. It's inevitable. Instead of talking about an improbable fossil fuel scenario, we need to have a rational discussion about energy policy ... focusing on things like improving efficiency."
Meinshausen said it's common for non-scientists to misuse or exaggerate scientific results, so there's always concern among researchers when their findings are used for advocacy. But, he said, he and his colleagues have been pleased with how McKibben and 350.org have used the numbers to incite action.
"I wouldn't agree necessarily with every wording [the campaign uses]," Meinshausen said. "But the basic message—that we have a finite carbon budget, that we have much more in the ground than we can afford to burn if we want to avoid dangerous climate change—I think all this is uncontroversial."
Leaton of the Carbon Tracker Initiative said he isn't surprised by the popularity of McKibben's efforts.
"The way the campaign has framed these issues makes it easy for anyone who has ever balanced a budget to understand the problem ... When you run out of money, that's it, you're out. When we've burned through the carbon budget, that's it, we can't afford for the sake of our planet to use more."
Correction: An earlier version of this article said that Meinshausen's paper didn't account for short-lived gases like methane, and that the omission had raised discussion among scientists. The model does account for short-lived gases, and the discussion has been about whether the emission levels of such gases and their impact on the climate system will change over time.


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The nerd echo chamber is reverberating this week with the furious debate over Charlie Stross' doubts about the possibility of an artificial "human-level intelligence" explosion – also known as the Singularity.
As currently defined, the Singularity will be an event in the future in which artificial intelligence reaches human level intelligence. At that point, the AI (i.e. AI n) will reflexively begin to improve itself and build AI's more intelligent than itself (i.e. AI n+1) which will result in an exponential explosion of intelligence towards near deity levels of super-intelligent AI.
After reading over the debates, I've come to a conclusion that both sides miss a critical element of the Singularity discussion: the human beings. Putting people back into the picture allows for a vision of the Singularity that simultaneously addresses several philosophical quandaries. To get there, however, we must first re-trace the steps of the current debate.
I've already made my case for why I'm not too concerned, but it's always fun to see what fantastic fulminations are being exchanged over our future AI overlords. Sparking the flames this time around is Charlie Stross, who knows a thing or two about the Singularity and futuristic speculation. It's the kind of thing I love to report on: a science fiction author tackling the rational scientific possibility of something about which he has written.
Stross argues in a post entitled "Three arguments against the singularity" that "In short: Santa Clause doesn't exist."
This is my take on the singularity: we're not going to see a hard take-off, or a slow take-off, or any kind of AI-mediated exponential outburst. What we're going to see is increasingly solicitous machines defining our environment — machines that sense and respond to our needs "intelligently." But it will be the intelligence of the serving hand rather than the commanding brain, and we're only at risk of disaster if we harbour self-destructive impulses.
We may eventually see mind uploading, but there'll be a holy war to end holy wars before it becomes widespread: it will literally overturn religions. That would be a singular event, but beyond giving us an opportunity to run [Robert] Nozick's experience machine thought experiment for real, I'm not sure we'd be able to make effective use of it — our hard-wired biophilia will keep dragging us back to the real world, or to simulations indistinguishable from it.
I am thankful that many readers of my articles are avowed skeptics and raise a wary eyebrow to discussions of the Singularity. Given his stature in the science fiction and speculative science community, Stross' comments elicited quite an uproar. Those who are believers (and it is a kind of faith, regardless of how much Bayesian analysis one does) in the Rapture of the Nerds have two holy grails which Stross unceremoniously dismissed: the rise of super-intelligent AI and mind uploading. As a result, a few commentators on emerging technologies squared off for another round of speculative slap fights.
In one corner, we have Singularitarians Michael Anissimov of the Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence and AI researcher Ben Goertzel. In the other, we have the excellent Alex Knapp of Forbes' Robot Overlords and the brutally rational George Mason University (my alma mater) economist and Oxford Future of Humanity Institute contributor Robin Hanson. I'll spare you all the back and forth and cut to the point being debated.
To paraphrase and summarize, the argument is as follows:
1. Stross' point: Human intelligence has three characteristics: embodiment, self-interest, and evolutionary emergence. AI will not/cannot/should not mirror human intelligence.
2. Singularitarian response: Anissimov and Goertzel argue that human-level general intelligence need not function or arise the way human intelligence has. With sufficient research and devotion to Saint Bayes, super-intelligent friendly AI is probable.
3. Skeptic rebuttal: Hanson argues A) "Intelligence" is a nebulous catch-all like "betterness" that is ill-defined. The ambiguity of the word renders the claims of Singularitarians difficult/impossible to disprove (i.e. special pleading); Knapp argues B) Computers and AI are excellent at specific types of thinking and augmenting human thought (i.e. Kasparov's Advanced Chess). Even if one grants that AI could reach human or beyond human level, the nature of that intelligence would be neither independent nor self-motivated nor sufficiently well-rounded and, as a result, "bootstrapping" intelligence explosions would not happen as the Singularitarians foresee.
In essence, the debate is that "human intelligence is like this, AI is like that, never the twain shall meet. But can they parallel one another?" The premise is false, resulting in a useless question. So what we need is a new premise. Here is what I propose instead: the Singularity will be the result of a convergence and connection of human intelligence and artificial intelligence.


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Teresa A. Rutledge
Director for International Banking Supervision
Teresa A. Rutledge is the Director for International Banking Supervision (IBS) at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).
Ms. Rutledge is responsible for overseeing key international supervisory activities of the OCC. IBS serves as the primary point of contact for international banking supervisors, including for bilateral meetings, information sharing requests, OCC's foreign technical assistance program, and OCC's participation in the Joint Forum. Also, IBS is responsible for analyzing major international supervisory changes that impact domestic financial institutions and OCC supervisory policies.
Before her appointment as Director for IBS, Ms. Rutledge served for 10 years as Senior International Advisor. Other previous positions at the OCC include examining both large and community banks, as well as working with troubled banks.
Ms. Rutledge has earned the OCC's accreditation of National Bank Examiner, along with the accreditation of National Trust Examiner. Also, Ms. Rutledge has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. She has been with the OCC since 1980 and is a graduate of the University of Missouri.


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Several times, I've heard the song He is Yahweh by Vineyard. The chorus goes as follows:
Creator God, He is Yahweh
The Great I Am, He is Yahweh
The Lord of All, He is Yahweh
Rose of Sharon, He is Yahweh
The Righteous Son, He is Yahweh
The Three-in-one, He is Yahweh
Of course, the emphasis is mine. I didn't get the reference the first several times, so I eventually remembered to go look it up. Apparently, it derives from:
Song of Songs 2:1 (NIV)
I am a rose of Sharon,
A lily of the valleys.
And...well, that seems to be it. Why is this so significant that it would be included in that song?


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Most stolen cars: Is yours on the list?
(MoneyWatch) Thieves steal Hondas and Toyotas from the 1990s more than other models because they can chop them up and sell them for parts that are worth more than the car. But thefts of newer cars are also rising, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Pictures: Top 10 rides in America's richest zip codes
"We are seeing a trend toward increases in the thefts of late model vehicles -- ones that are theoretically harder to steal because of sophisticated key code technology," says NICB president and CEO Joe Wehrle in a report released today.
Criminals are learning to defeat this technology, which is designed to keep the engine from starting if the proper key is not used. How? By getting the key codes for specific vehicles and making replacement keys, says the NICB, a non-profit group supported by insurance companies.
new cars to avoid: Consumer Reports
Made in USA: 5 of the best cars built here
New cars a better deal than used ones
The most stolen cars in 2011 were the 1994 Honda Accord and 1998 Honda Civic, while the 1991 Toyota Camry was No. 4 (see full list below; NICB also has a "most-stolen" breakdown by state -- to check your state, click here.) But the 2006 Ford pickup is third, the latest model to make the top 10 in recent years. Other favorite targets for thieves are Chevrolet and Dodge pickups.
There isn't much you can do to protect your car if thieves have a replacement key. But such crimes represent only a small percentage of total car thefts. Here are steps NICB recommends to make your car harder to steal:
Lock it up. Many car boosters -- professional and amateur -- are looking for the easiest target. So they pass by vehicles that seem to defeat a quick grab. For around $50, you can buy "The Club" or other steering wheel locks. They add to the difficulty and time it takes to steal your car or truck. For about $80, you can get a "tire claw" lock that will keep one wheel from moving.
Sound the alarm. For $200 to $300, an auto electronics shop will install an alarm on your vehicle that will go off if the door is opened without a key. Be sure to get a decal for you windows that calls attention to the alarm. The ear-splitting alarm won't stop all car thieves. But, as with The Club, it might make them pass over your car and choose another target.
Track it down. Especially if you have a newer car, it may be worth the $700 or so it costs to get a tracking device installed, like Lo-Jack. Once it's activated, it tells police the car's exact location. Even if the thief had a key to your car, a tracker may locate it before it can be resold or chopped up.
According to the NICB, here are the top 10 stolen cars in 2011:
1. 1994 Honda Accord
2. 1998 Honda Civic
3. 2006 Ford pickup (full size)
4. 1991 Toyota Camry
5. 2000 Dodge Caravan
6. 1994 Acura Integra
7. 1999 Chevrolet pickup (full size)
8. 2004 Dodge pickup (full size)
9. 2002 Ford Explorer
10. 1994 Nissan Sentra
Photo courtesy of Flickr user VMPastore


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The California mouse and the deer mouse are very similar, except California mice find one partner and mate with them for life, while deer mice take on as many mates as possible. That lifestyle difference has a major biological impact.
Despite living in similar environments and facing comparable external threats to their health, the immune system of the deer mouse is much, much stronger than that of the California mouse. According to UC Berkeley researchers, this disparity can be traced to the promiscuous lifestyle of the deer mice. Because they have sex with a wide variety of partners, they are exposed to more diverse bacteria than their California cousins are.
For proof, look no further than the deer mouse vagina. (OK, there was probably a better way of phrasing that.) There's twice as much bacterial diversity in the reproductive systems of deer mice, and that means they need the stronger immune systems to ward off the potentially infectious bacteria. What's more, there's similar genetic diversity in the DNA of the deer mouse immune system. The deer mice are much more likely to possess multiple forms of the gene MHC-DQa, which gives their immune systems much greater ability to recognize and neutralize unusual infections. In a statement, researcher member Matthew McManes commented on the findings:
"The promiscuous mice, by virtue of their sexual system, are in contact with more individuals and are exposed to a lot more bacteria. They need a more robust immune system to fend off all of the bugs that they're exposed to. The things an animal does, the way it behaves, and who it interacts with, are important to natural selection. These factors can cause immunogenes to evolve at a much faster rate, or slower in the case of monogamous mice. That connection is important and probably under-recognized."
While the actual change in the underlying genetics is intriguing, the fundamental finding — that promiscuity exposes an individual to more sexually transmitted bacteria than monogamy would — might seem a little obvious. However, it's the kind of intuitive result that is a huge pain in the ass to verify. That's because so few species are monogamous in the first place — only about 5% of all animal species go in for that whole monogamy thing — and there are very, very few instances where two similar species, one promiscuous and the other monogamous, live in close proximity to each other.
That's why these mice are so useful to the researchers. As a followup, McManes is hoping to examine tuco tucos, a gopher-like species found in South America, which sometimes lives in large social groups and sometimes lives alone. That's a different kind of variation in social structure, but it goes back to how differences in sociability can impact genetics — or, perhaps, be shaped by a species's underlying genetics. As McManes explains, we're likely to start seeing much closer links between behaviors and genetics, thanks to recent technological breakthroughs:
"Now that we have these new sequencing technologies, people are going to be really interested in looking at the mechanisms that underlie these behaviors. How might genes control what we do, and how we behave? We're going to see an explosion in these studies where people start to understand the very basic genetic mechanism for all sorts of behaviors that we know are out there."
For more, check out the entire original paper at PLoS ONE. More at TACC via Medical Daily. Image by USFSW Mountain Prairie on Flickr.


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2016 Long Shadows Pirouette - 750ML
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March 26, 1920 ~ November 23, 2012
Newham, Edith Caroline of Beacon, formerly of Liberty, entered into rest Friday, November 23, 2012, at St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital, Newburgh. She was 92.
Born March 26, 1920 in Liberty, NY, she was the daughter of the late Benson
E. and Josephine Engel Hobart.
Edith was the widow of the late Howard Newham Sr.
Survivors include her daughter Phyllis A. Newham, and three nieces and ten nephews.
She was predeceased by her son Howard Newham Jr., and her
sisters: Mary Burroughs, Sarah Helms, Bertha Browne, Lida
Hobart and Clara Ward, and one brother Harrison Hobart.
Services and inurnment will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Beacon
Sloop Club, PO Box 527 Beacon, NY 12508, or to your favorite charity.
To leave an online condolence please visit www.libbyfuneralhome.com Arrangements are under the directions of Jarett D. Quick at
Libby Funeral Home Inc. 55 Teller Ave. Beacon, NY 12508 (845)
Date Of Service
Location Of Service


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MMAjunkie.com Radio today welcomes to the show UFC 155's Joe Lauzon, UFC on FUEL TV 7 co-headliner Cub Swanson and guest co-host Chris Irwin, who will be in the studio for the two-hour show.
We're also streaming today's UFC 155 media call with headliners Junior Dos Santos and Cain Velasquez.
MMAjunkie.com Radio airs from noon to 2 p.m. ET (9-11 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Listen to and watch a video stream of the two-hour show at www.mmajunkie.com/radio, or watch it live on select television markets as part of Fight Now TV.
As a reminder, the show will be on a holiday break starting Thursday this week, but will return Dec. 26 for some big shows as part of UFC 155 fight week in Las Vegas.
MMAjunkie.com Radio listener guide:
- HOW TO LISTEN: Go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio and choose a streaming option (such as Windows Media Player or Quicktime) to listen to the show live. A countdown clock appears when the show is offline.
- HOW TO WATCH (ON WEB): Check out a live webcam of the studio while there. You can also listen to a live audio stream of the show when you activate the video feed.
- HOW TO WATCH (ON TV): MMAjunkie.com Radio is simulcast live on the upstart Fight Now TV cable station. Watch "MMAjunkie.com Radio Live" in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut as part of Cablevision's iO Sports & Entertainment Pak on channel 464. (More cable partners will be added in the coming months.)
- HOW TO CALL: MMAjunkie.com Radio takes phone calls from listeners throughout the show. Call into the MMAjunkie.com Radio hotline at (702) 736-9461 or (702) 736-9463.
- HOW TO CHAT: To chat with the show's hosts, guests and other MMAjunkie.com Radio listeners, launch the "Combat Chat" feature, which is available on the main radio page. You can discuss the show and even submit a question for the day's guests while there.
- HOW TO DISCUSS: The MMAjunkie.com MMA Forums has a new section devoted solely to MMAjunkie.com Radio. Stop by the MMAjunkie.com Radio forum to discuss the show, interact with the hosts, suggest future guests and catch up on the latest MMAjunkie.com Radio news.
- HOW TO VISIT THE SHOW: You can watch MMAjunkie.com Radio live and in person at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip. The booth is located in the resort's Race & Sports Book next to the Mandalay Bay poker room. To plan a trip to Sin City and MMAjunkie.com Radio, go to www.mandalaybay.com.


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Due to a critical shortage of doctors, the emergency ward at Stuart Lake Hospital in Fort St. James will be closed on all remaining weekdays in March.
Unless a locum can be found to relieve the burden on the lone doctor on duty, the hospital anticipates the emergency ward will be open only on the weekends of March 17 and March 24. The closure won't affect the hospital's X-ray and laboratory departments and the facility will be available to provide acute and longer-term care for patients.
"It's pretty much impacting emergency; there clearly is a challenge getting into the clinic until we have more physicians," said Michael MacMillan, chief operating officer for Northern Health.
"It is a difficult situation if you're living in Fort St. James, and that's why people are working so hard to try to come up with solutions that will be sustainable in the long run."
The Fort St. James Medical Clinic is also feeling the pinch after the husband and wife doctor team of Augustus and Shani van der Spuy moved their family practice to Vanderhoof at the end of February. That left just one full-time doctor - Paul Stent - to serve the community of 4,757 residents.
The health authority has known about the van der Spuys' plan to move to Vanderhoof for about two months.
"We kind of hoped we'd have more resources in place in terms of locum coverage, but it's turned out more of a challenge than we at first anticipated," said MacMillan.
"We're working closely with medical staff in the region to try and mobilize locums, and locums from other parts of the province to provide as much coverage as possible.
The physicians, the municipality, First Nations in the area, as well as industry and the health authority are looking at what we can do to make it more sustainable in the future."
Fort St. James is located 152 kilometres northwest of Prince George, about 54 kilometres from the next closest hospital in Vanderhoof. Kathy Marchal, office manager of the Fort St. James clinic, said in the case of "life and limb" emergency, patients can be brought to Stuart Lake Hospital, where a nurse will arrange for transport by ambulance to Vanderhoof.
The van der Spuys, on average, saw 70 patients per week at the Fort St. James clinic. They are now there only one day per week. Doctors in Vanderhoof are seeing patents from Fort St. James temporarily, until a new doctor is hired.
"There's a large demand for the services. We're filled up by five minutes after 9 each morning," Marchal said.
"It's just regular appointments here, so if they have an emergency they should be going to Vanderhoof.
"It's always a problem, because for years we've only had South African physicians and now we're no longer able to recruit out of South Africa. The [B.C.] College of Physicians and Surgeons aren't accepting the physicians out of South Africa unless they are fully qualified."
Doctor shortages in Mackenzie, Burns Lake, Fraser Lake and the Robson Valley have been ongoing concerns for Northern Health.


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01 March 2012
By Kari Williamson
Yingli Americas' 2012 agreement with GRID Alternatives builds on a 1 MW partnership launched in 2011 that brought solar power to over 400 low-income homeowners across California, saving them an estimated US$11 million over the systems' lifetimes.
"Listening to the stories of these families and job seekers that we've helped and participated alongside has been remarkable, and we are excited to be expanding the programme even further this year," says Helena Kimball, Head of Marketing, Yingli Americas.
"Renewable energy is inherently about helping people who need energy most, and with more than 800 disadvantaged families powered by the end of this year, we've gone beyond what we imagined possible at the onset of this programme."
As an official solar module provider for GRID Alternatives, Yingli Americas will be supplying another 1 MW of solar energy this year through a combination of donated and fair-market priced solar modules.
This article is featured in:
Green building
Photovoltaics (PV)
Solar electricity


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Terracotta Medium Shallow Bowl (Grey)
Silvia K Ceramics
Silvia K terracotta medium shallow bowl with one leather handle, each bowl is individually decorated in various tones of grey, green, navy, teal and yellow in a tin glaze.
Silvia K terracotta medium shallow bowl with one leather handle, each bowl is individually decorated in various tones of grey, green, navy, teal and yellow in a tin glaze.
Height: 6cm / 2.36 inches Width: 38cm / 14.96 inches
Only 2 items left
Product Story
Silvia K's uplifting tableware tableware is a contemporary take on the dining artefacts of old. Taking inspiration from Slovak tin ware to Iraqi dinner plates, Silvia has channeled these references into her earthy glazed terracotta pieces, decorated with complementary tones of greys, blues and greens.
Each piece has been individually made from mid fired terracotta and coated in a light grey glaze. The iron present in the clay comes through the glaze creating a subtle speckled finish. The base is then polished with natural beeswax, which prevents water from soaking in during washing as well as bringing out the beautiful rich colour of terracotta.
Making Process
The Maker Silvia K Ceramics Ceramicist - South East England
Silvia K Ceramics make ceramic tableware and terracotta vessels inspired by folk traditions and artefacts. Silvia's work reflects a simple beauty - her surfaces are often left bare, apart from marks of gestural, vibrant slip. Coming from Slovakia, a country of rich cultural heritage, Silvia taps into the idea of social history to create modern interpretations of traditional designs. Silvia has won numerous awards including the Creazioni Giovani in Milan and One Year On New Designers Award 2013.


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RME Fireface UFX
The Fireface UFX is the new flagship of RME's audio interfaces and offers 60 channels of audio with digitally controlled high-end preamps, reference class converters, and full 192kHz operation. Fireface UFX is a highly integrated pro audio solutio... read more
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The Fireface UFX can be spotted just underneath Richie's MacBook Pro in this photo. Another photo from the same event, in which the Firef... more
In the YouTube video, Richard Devine says while pointing to the computer screens displaying the RME Fireface UFX interface: "…run thes... more
In this interview she is saying "In the studio, there is a lot of gear I'm using. The main staples would be my RME UFx audio interface [.... more
Best drivers, totalFX is great. DUREC can be a lifesaver.
Rock solid, pro quality interface. Drivers matter. www.dawbench.net for more information.
Amazing clean sounding audio interface!
I am a fan of RME, as they don't seem to colour the sound and they give a very workable clean signal at a reasonable realistic price point. The drivers are rock solid, I never had an issue with restarting it or any other strange noises coming through.
My main audio interface.
I used Apogee Ensemble Firewire. but It's not support New OSX. So I bought RME UFX. It's very clean sound.
The Fireface UFX is the new flagship of RME's audio interfaces and offers 60 channels of audio with digitally controlled high-end preamps, reference class converters, and full 192kHz operation. Fireface UFX is a highly integrated pro audio solution, a full-blown studio packed in a 19" enclosure. It's an interface designed for users who don't want to make compromises in sound, stability and ultra-low latency operation, and who long for a professional feature set.
The Fireface UFX offers ultra-low latency operation with USB and FireWire, combined with legendary RME driver stability and maintenance. Other features include active jitter suppression, professional reference level support, advanced standalone functionality, RME's unique DIGICheck metering and analysis toolbox, and, of course, nearly identical operation and features on Windows PC and Mac. On top of it all of that you get TotalMix FX, the new digital high-end mixer and signal router, driven by two powerful DSP, with integrated EQ, Dynamics, and Reverb/Echo effects up to 192 kHz, plus built-in monitoring control. The full-blown feature set is backed up by extraordinary usability. At its heart is a bright multifunctional color display with full front-panel metering for all 60 channels plus effect bus, and complete control of all key features - directly from the front of the UFX.
Sound QualityThe Fireface UFX, like any other RME product, combines excellent analog circuit design with high-grade AD/DA converter chips. Therefore, all balanced TRS & XLR I/Os and both Phones (TRS - Stereo) outputs guarantee outstanding low noise and distortion values. In RME's typical tradition and product philosophy, converters and preamps don't produce sound. They do not add or remove anything from the source signal - just capture it as it is.
Equipped with the latest A/D and D/A converter chips, all I/Os on the Fireface UFX operate up to 192kHz and reach 118 dBA dynamic range on playback - even both headphone outputs. Their high-power technology delivers high volume no matter if high- or low-impedance phones are used. The balanced analog inputs are based on RME's low-latency converter design from the high-end converter ADI-8 QS. The DA section is based on RME's M-series. Both designs guarantee excellent S/N and THD specs across a wide analog level range.
Due to its efficient jitter reduction, RME's superior SteadyClock finalizes the state-of-the-art AD/DA conversion, even when clocking to an external digital source.
Every input and output is individually switchable to common professional studio levels: -10 dBV, +4 dBu, HiGain (equivalent to +2 dBV, +13 dBu, and +19 dBu for digital full scale) - directly on the device or via TotalMix. The balanced XLR outputs even provide a level of up to +24 dBu. All outputs can be used for ASIO Direct Monitoring purposes.
The UFX has four high-transparency preamps backed up by four stereo converters with RME's new parallel converter technology.
The microphone and instrument preamps of the UFX use the core technology from RME's Micstasy - a high-end preamp for supreme sonic demands and critical applications, like the professional recording of classical concerts. The fully symmetrical preamp design impresses with extremely low distortion, excellent signal-to-noise ratio and a perfect linear frequency response. A premium solution for transmitting and amplifying any audio input truly unchanged, be it high-level stage or typical studio signals, lower level and high-impedance instruments, or dynamic, condenser, and ribbon microphones.
The digitally controlled gain of up to 65 dB, adjustable in steps of 1 dB over a range of 55 dB, is individually set for every preamp by the display-supported controls on the front of the UFX. All level settings are 100% reproducible and can also be adjusted comfortably within the TotalMix software on the host computer or by a MIDI remote controller.
The four inputs on the front use balanced XLR/TRS combo sockets and operate alternatively as Hi-Z inputs. Directly plug in up to four guitars or other instruments with no other hardware required. Each channel can be individually switched to 48V phantom power or instrument level. LEDs for signal, clip, TRS operation, and activated phantom power give a complete overview on the unit's status.
Advanced Parallel ConversionThe four UFX preamps are feeding not only four, but eight AD converters. Every microphone channel uses a double, parallel AD conversion on two AD converters at the same time to reach exceptional signal-to-noise values and a performance not available with a classic converter design.
The UFX follows RME's tradition of providing flexible and expandable audio systems. Adding additional preamplifiers or more analog inputs is easily done via the dual ADAT optical I/Os on the rear.
TotalMix FXThe DSP-based TotalMix mixer allows fully independent routing and mixing of all 30 input and playback channels to all 30 physical outputs. Up to 15 totally independent stereo submixes plus a comprehensive Control Room section offer incredible monitoring capabilities and routing flexibility.
Theis next generation of TotalMix delivers hardware mixing/routing with lots of new features and a highly improved usability. For a seamless integration of the new features TotalMix FX, has been rewritten from the ground up.
Every input and output channel comes with a luxury feature set, comparable to a full-scale digital console. The effects per channel include 3-band parametric EQ, adjustable Low Cut, Auto Level, Compressor, Expander, MS Processing, and phase reversal. The Reverb and Echo effects unit is available for all channels by a stereo send and return bus. All these effects are available even at 192 kHz operation. Two DSPs ensure an impressive performance even in extreme applications. As usual with RME, TotalMix is available with all channels (90) at all sample rates, completely unlimited. The second DSP calculates the effects only so it has sufficient resources. For example, at 48 kHz, 60 EQs, 34 Low Cuts, and Echo can all be activated. With activated Reverb and Echo, you can still use 46 EQs and 32 Low Cuts.
The FX-DSP uses automatic overload surveillance. As soon as no effect can be added anymore, the TotalMix surface will clearly let you know. When changing to higher sample rates, the UFX automatically deactivates all effects that exceed the DSP's performance - the DSP will never be overloaded. This also prevents the user from destroyed loudspeakers.
The complete effects section not only adds a lot of flexibility to the recording chain, but makes latency-burdened software dispensable. TotalMix can easily replace any external mixer, e.g. to create different latency-free monitoring mixes with EQ and Reverb for the main studio monitors and the headphone of the vocalist(s) in the recording room. Furthermore, the DSP hardware calculates RMS and Peak levels for all 90 level meters, so there is zero CPU load on the host.
The main functions of TotalMix can be remote controlled via MIDI with any Mackie Control compatible controller (sold separately).
Monitor ControllerThe UFX is not only a perfect desktop level controller, but a monitor switcher and source selector with integrated talkback function for modern Mix-In-the-Box studios. As the UFX includes the usually externally added monitoring controller, it also preserves the original sound, as its hardware output stays directly connected to the studio monitors.
Level Control
The big rotary encoder on the front of the UFX maintains precisely controls the three dedicated stereo monitor outputs: Main Out, Phones 1, and Phones 2. Start turning the volume encoder and the display shows the current gain value in big numbers. The small encoder buttons provide direct access to pan and reverb for the selected output. Pushing the volume knob switches between the outputs.
Monitor Management
The above gain (volume) settings at the unit work hand in hand with the Control Room section of TotalMix FX. Any physical output can be assigned to the three, directly knob-controlled monitor outputs. For example, just assign the AES/EBU output as Main Out, or as Phones Out - any output can be used. The functions Talkback, Listenback, Mono, and Dim will work automatically for the assigned outputs in the expected way.
USB & FireWire
With the release of the Fireface 800 in 2004, RME stirred up the FireWire audio market, setting benchmarks and providing a superior solution with a unique feature set. It is no surprise many customers and testers respect RME as one of the references and technology leaders for FireWire audio interfaces. In 2009, RME released the Fireface UC, a USB solution which again provided an exceptional performance, previously not available from USB audio interfaces.
The secret of success: RME is the only manufacturer not to use a third-party USB or FireWire audio technology, but a self-developed Hammerfall Audio Core with an outstanding performance and pro audio features.
The Fireface UFX now combines USB and FireWire, both made by RME, within one interface.
USB 2.0The Fireface UFX has been uncompromisingly optimized for highest performance under Windows and Mac OS. It uses a special customized firmware for every operating system. Like other RME USB 2.0* interfaces, the UFX provides revolutionary ultra-low latencies even with multiple channels.
The Fireface UFX is compatible to USB 3 chipsets.
FireWireThe completely redesigned FireWire core provides the UFX with the same exceptional compatibility and performance as RME's USB solution. For the first time, the UFX does not have any FireWire chip inside at all - it's completely programmed into the FPGA, under direct control of the RME masterminds, and updated by a simple firmware update - if ever necessary. This new technology is even compatible to Agere's infamous rev. 6 chip.
In search of an exceptional usability experience for the huge feature set, RME integrates a high-resolution color display into the front panel. In combination with three rotary encoders, all important features of the UFX can be manually controlled directly on the UFX itself. TotalMix, connected PC or Mac, is synced to the interface controls and follows all changes automatically.
Smart controlThe four keys, the two encoders 1 and 2, the high-resolution, and clear color display, and a well thought-out menu structure, enable you to quickly change and configure all the device's settings even without a computer. Help notes and clear markers in the display guide you through all functions.


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Valor Cap
Product Description
- 6-panel unstructured dad hat.
- Embroidered logo on front.
- Slightly curved bill.
- Adjustable strapback sizing piece for a custom fit.
- Men's specific sizing, one size fits most.
- 100% cotton.
- Hand wash cold separately, line dry in shade.
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Product Details
- Variant: Default Title
- In Stock: 0
- Weight: 0.2 lb
- Product Type: Unknown Type
- Brand: SeasonCaps
- Collection: DROP


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The Brunch Dish: Pilsen Gets Progressive at Pl-zen
Reviews of brunch dishes.
For a while, there have been murmurs that Pilsen could be the new (insert hip neighborhood here), which is about as annoying as when people predict what will be the "new doughnut." Pl-zen is the strongest push for gentrification I've seen in Pilsen since Nightwood, and not just because Pl-zen's name is the phonetic spelling of the neighborhood, beating customers over the head with neighborhood love. The food is very thoughtful, highly unique, and ultimately, memorable. This is particularly true of the brunch menu, chock full of interesting options rarely found elsewhere in Chicago.
The seemingly simple items at Pl-zen are actually quite complex, like the pancakes ($7) with Cabin Fever whiskey-glazed bananas and the "apple pie" oatmeal ($6) with apple jelly and dark honey. Then there's the breakfast doughnuts ($5). Dusted in cinnamon-sugar, I'm pretty sure they're deep-fried in my childhood dreams, because they taste like the fried dough I grew up eating at state fairs in New England. What I did not grow up eating was strawberry-Pinot Grigio sauce, served alongside the munchkin-sized doughnut holes. Unlike the amorphous blobs that doughnut holes can sometimes be, these are crackly and golden brown, with a tender and puffy interior.
Now let's talk about the brunch hot dog ($10) . This thing looks like a Fear Factor challenge designed by Guy Fieri. It's a jalapeño smoked beef sausage wrapped in duck bacon, stuffed inside a pretzel roll, and topped with crispy poblano rings and a poached egg. Oh and it's served with giardiniera and polenta-crusted potatoes.
I'm assuming that in some drunken stupor, someone in the kitchen created this dish on a dare, and despite sounding like Michelle Obama's worst nightmare, it's actually a fantastic dish. It's an aggressive, unruly hodgepodge, but it's a harmonious hodgepodge nonetheless. I really enjoyed the onion ring-esque poblano rings, and the crispy, slightly sweet duck bacon was a nice touch on the smoky sausage. Forget about eating this with your hands, unless of course you're Guy Fieri.
The signature Pl-zen skillet ($13) tastes like something a cowboy would cook while traversing the Sonoran Desert. Skirt steak, grilled cactus, serrano peppers, pickled red onions, radishes, tomatillo sauce, and hash browns are all sizzled together and topped with two eggs and slivers of avocado. This is the type of burly grub I'd expect from a diner near the Grand Canyon, but Pl-zen does cowboy cookery proud, serving up a sunny plate of breakfast fare with ingredients not commonly found on brunch plates (looking at you, nopales). This is savory brunch fare at its most supreme. I only wished I had a lasso handy to go hogtie a vagabond afterwards.
I'm not sure when or if Pilsen will become the "new Logan Square," but I do know that with more places opening like Pl-zen, I will be visiting the neighborhood more often. Maybe next time I'll eat something that doesn't make me feel like Takeru Kobayashi.
1519 West 18th Street, Chicago IL 60608 (map)
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text: Hello, I have a "Series 2" standalone Tivo brand box, model TCD540040. I've read a number of posts explaining that this model needs to have a new socketed PROM in order to be hacked. That is something that is out of my reach. My question is, since these posts are more than a decade old, has any method been developed since then for a software hack of this model?


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First and foremost, please check out the brand new HARDCORE ZEN PODCAST. This was put together by John Graves of Dogen Sangha Los Angeles. Be sure and listen all the way to the end, or better yet, skip directly to the very end of the Podcast (after the closing theme & thank yous and all that) to hear the best part.
The featured talk is from my tour of Finland last year. John decided it was best to go with a very basic theme for the first episode. So he chose a talk in which I pretty much give a live version of Hardcore Zen, the book whose Finnish translation I was promoting on that tour. So, yeah, you've probably already read most of these stories. But I'm surprised sometimes at how they change in front of an audience.
OK. So yesterday I arrived back from my European tour in Durham, North Carolina, where I'm now at a subterranean location known locally as "The Lady Cave" in which I hide from the heat whenever I'm here. As you may recall from previous episodes, I am currently homeless. My great friend Catie Braly has been allowing me to use her couch to sleep on and her floor to throw my suitcases all over whenever I stop moving around the world for more than 20 or 30 minutes. That's where I am until such time as I figure out where to go next.
I spent much of my long flight back to the US and many extended layovers yesterday writing a long, long description of my recent trip to Israel. But it was so overwhelming and badly written I'm not even looking at it right now, let alone posting it. Instead, here's what highlights I can recall...
In the photo above I am standing in a tourist trap known as the Garden Tomb overlooking what the owners of said tomb very weakly claim may be the site of Christ's crucifixion. But even they admit the evidence is pretty weak. Still, the rock formations do look kinda sorta like a skull and Jesus was said to have been nailed up at "the Place of the Skull," which no one is quite sure the location of. Plus there's a tomb nearby with a groove in front of it in which a rock could have rolled to seal it up, as was said to be the case of Christ's tomb. So maybe this is the spot.
More people accept the Church of the Holy Sepulcher as being a more likely location. But the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is dark and depressing and clogged with tourists, whereas the Garden Tomb is quiet and bright and has much cleaner toilets. Therefore I vote for the Garden Tomb as being more authentic.
Outside the tomb a small group of Filipino guys (I think they were Filipino) were trying to make some kind of movie, probably for their church back home. The subject of the film appeared to be a bright red robe that they were alternately holding up and shouting about or else kneeling with and making big overwrought gestures while scowling a lot. The very proper British woman who took tickets at the entrance kept telling them to knock it off. They would comply, then wait for her to leave, then start all over again. Quite entertaining.
Hint: Do not go here looking for a fun time. It is not fun.
But it's one of those places you have to see and I did. It's impossible not to be moved by such a place. But it also has a numbing effect. At least it did on me. After a while you've seen more Nazi war atrocities than you can possibly process.
I'm trying hard not to come off as cynical. I know the thing Zen people are supposed to do when they go visit places like this is write a very dry essay that details what they saw in a matter of fact way and concludes with some kind of profound thoughts. But I just don't have that in me right now.
Me, I kept looking at the little displays of famous Nazis. All along the walls you have these black boxes with a photo of a Nazi on the front. If you open them up you get to see what that Nazi did and where he ended up -- whether he was tried at Nuremburg and hanged, caught in South America in the Seventies, never found or whatever became of him.
I kept thinking, I want to hear from these people. I know you probably couldn't do that. It would be too much like allowing them to justify their actions. Still, I do not think the Holocaust was just a case of bad Germans killing innocent Jews. That's what happened, superficially. But there's also something far deeper going on.
For example, at the beginning of the museum you're led through the history of how the Jews in Europe were ghetto-ized and stripped of their basic rights. Yet I visited the museum while I was staying in East Jerusalem, where the survivors of that horror have ghetto-ized and stripped the Palestinians of their basic rights.
Which is not to say the way the Palestinians are treated comes anywhere close to how the Germans, and many others treated the Jews during and prior to WWII. Yet I think it shows that what happened in the 1930s and 1940s is not something that can be attributed to one particular race or culture. It is a human problem.
I think hearing what the Nazis had to say for themselves would be very instructive. I once saw a documentary in which a very old Japanese man who had been a soldier during the Rape of Nanking told his story of what happened. It was chilling. He was so matter-of-fact about the whole thing. It's important to understand these atrocities are committed by human beings like ourselves, not by monsters, and not even by what most of us would recognize as insane people.
I understand you could probably never allow such a thing in the Holocaust Museum. But without it visitors are left with the impression these horrible acts were performed by creatures from another world. They were not.
Most of my time in Israel was spent on the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem. This is not part of the Palestinian Territories. But it is an area of Israel in which the population is almost entirely Palestinian. You rarely see any Jews up there unless they're on some kind of a tour, in which case they want to get in and get the Hell out as quickly as possible. There appear to be a few Jewish... I don't know if they're exactly settlements... but they seem to be exclusively Jewish buildings up on the mountain with gigundous Israeli flags on top. I never did figure out what these were.
My host while I was on the Mount of Olives was Ibrahim Ahmad Abu El-Hawa, a 60-something year old Palestinian who travels the world talking about peace. He opens his home to visitors to whom he preaches his message of unity and understanding. He's a truly amazing guy. The article I've linked to tells his story better than I can. It's too bad the photo of Richard Gere visiting his house doesn't seem to be there anymore. I wonder how Richard Gere felt about the lack of hot water in the showers, though. Or about being woken up every morning at 4 by the prayer call from the nearby mosque. "Prayer is better than sleep," the call said in Arabic. Says you! Even at Zen monasteries they let you have another half hour in the sack!
The last place I visited in Israel was Tel Aviv. The contrast between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is so sharp you can hardly believe they're part of the same country. Where Jerusalem is a hotbed of religious tension, Tel Aviv seems to be as secular a city as Los Angeles. In fact, I'll bet there were more observant Jews in the area I lived in, in West Hollywood than there are in Tel Aviv.
Just about the only evidence of anything religious I saw during my two days in Tel Aviv was this crazy Hassidic guy who drove around in a van blasting loud rave type music. Every time he got to a stoplight, he'd open his door, jump out, and dance around the street. When the light changed, he'd jump back in his van and drive to the next light to dance some more. My host, Yuval Ido Tal, told me this was part of a new movement that's gaining some popularity in the city.
It was Yuval who set up a talk for me at the Psycho Dharma institute. In spite of its name, which conjures up images of Tony Perkins slashing meditators with a kitchen knife, it is, in fact, a really interesting organization set up to teach Buddhism in an academic setting but incorporating real practice into the curriculum. I recorded the talk and hopefully one of these days we'll get the Q&A segment up on the podcast.
OK. That's all I got to say about Israel for now.
But I have to get a couple more plugs in before I go. One is for this article by one of this blog's regular readers W. Blake Wilson of Kansas City. It's pretty funny.
Also, the 2010 Great Sky Zen Sesshin is still short of full capacity. This is one of the best Zen sesshins offered in this country. You really should check it out if you want to do a very simple, but extremely powerful week of practice. I'm there, but it's not a Brad Warner sesshin. I'm one of five Zen teachers, the others of whom are far more traditional and orthodox in their ways. It's an amazing sesshin that I would go to myself even if I were not teaching it. It's not too easy but it's not too hard.
Be there! Sign up today!
Here is a video I found about Ibrahim Abu El-Hawa. I don't know anything about Enlightening Entertainment or Supreme Master TV, who put this video up. Their graphics and their name make me feel a tad bit icky. But the video really gives you a good look at Ibrahim and where and how he lives.