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By Amy Cheney on October 1, 2012 5 Comments
Regina Mason talks to our teens about her great-great-great-grandfather's self-published memoir, Life of William Grimes, the Runway Slave. Photographs by Michael Lucia
Ten teens, ages 16 to 17, dressed in tan pull-on pants and dark blue sweatshirts with "Alameda County Juvenile Hall" stamped across their chests, are in my library, crowding around me and talking all at once.
"He said he was hit with an electrical cord, but in the book he says it was a snakeskin belt," says one boy, pouncing on a disparity between what an author told us when he recently visited and what he wrote in his memoir.
"Yeah, and he said he was wearing a black cap, but in the book, he's wearing an A's cap," says another. "There's like a million things he said that aren't the same in the book."
"Liar!" explodes one teen. "Poser," adds another.
The teens are talking about Street Life, a self-published title by Victor Rios that charts his former life as a gang member in East Oakland, CA. I'm listening to what they're saying with a serious look on my face and a big grin inside. One of the kids practically listed the page numbers of all of the inconsistencies he found.
"I'm impressed," I tell them. "You guys are amazing readers. You could be editors! Let's call him up and see what he says." They're stunned as I pick up the phone and reach Rios's voice mail. "Victor, I have some young men here who have a lot to say." I share the boys' concerns and promise them that I'll let them know when I hear back from him.
The next day they're playing basketball, when I come in with my cell phone and Rios's enthusiastic response on my voice mail. About five of them immediately come over when they see me. It's not lost on me that this conversation is more interesting to them than being out of their cells and shooting hoops.
"What did he say?" asks one of the kids. "She here to tell us what Poser say," says another, and he calls over someone who's still playing basketball. Rios's message explains how difficult it is to remember life's specifics, especially after a significant amount of time has passed, and how sometimes details in a book may differ from those in an unscripted conversation. He also explains that as a self-published author, he didn't have the benefit of working with agents, publishers, and editors. I'm not sure if my kids completely buy the explanation, but we have a satisfying discussion about memoirs, memory, trauma, and writing.
I'm always looking for books that my reluctant—and picky—readers will want to read. Since the most common requests are for books about gangs, killings, violence, and sex—and since I work in partnership with both California's Alameda County Probation and Alameda County Office of Education—it's a challenge. When Rios's self-published memoir came across my desk, I ordered 30 copies and set a date for the author, who's now a sociologist and associate professor of sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, to speak to about half of my 250 African-American and Latino teens.
Frankly, I'm thrilled that they listened to his presentation so attentively and read his book so carefully. I'm also grateful that my teens, who on average read at a fourth-grade level, are engaged, reading, thinking critically, and discussing books. After Rios's visit, they even talked about tackling his latest book, Punished: Policing the Lives of Black and Latino Boys (New York University Press, 2011), a three-year study of youth, police and the streets.
It's no secret that street lit is hot, especially books by K'wan, JaQuaris, and Woods. But the vast majority of it is geared toward adults, and it's too explicit. The teens in Juvenile Hall are state wards, and those of us who work here serve in loco parentis, so I can't justify or defend those types of books in my library. There are a growing number of street-lit titles for teens, including series such as "Babygirl Daniels" and "Wahida Clark Presents YA," that I carry and that my teens devour. Because kids can sometimes be in and out of the system for much of their teenage years (due to the system's massive failures), they eventually start to read while they're here. And when they do, they read a lot! And then they complain that they've readeverything in the library. While that's not exactly true, they have read everything in their narrow, picky zone of what they like to read, as well as what I've been able to get them to "give a chance" or "read for me because I want your opinion."
I feel it's my responsibility to find more for them.
There's a huge market for autobiographies and biographies of African-American and Latino people who have experienced the streets and the criminal (in)justice system. My teens read biographies by Jimmy Santiago, Luis Rodriguez, Chef Jeff Henderson, Cupcake Brown, and Ishmael Beah, all of whom they've also met, and other adult authors. There's also definitely a demand for self-published memoirs among reluctant readers—teens as well as adults, incarcerated or not. (For some great suggestions, see "Recommended reading," on the opposite page.) People are reluctant to read for many reasons: some because they've never seen themselves reflected in a book and, therefore, don't connect with the characters; others because they only want to read a certain type of book, such as a "true story." The genre or type of book is more important to them than skillful editing, perfect pacing, positive reviews, correct spelling, and the rest.
More than 300,000 titles were self-published in 2011, according to R. R. Bowker, so finding self-published memoirs that work isn't a straightforward process, at least for me. It's a combination of researching leaders and speakers in the field, finding out if they have a book, searching on Amazon, asking someone who knows someone, authors sending me their books, getting a tip from someone who's sitting next to me on the bus or at a local bookstore—there are seemingly infinite ways.
My first priority is to find books for my marginalized and, frankly, ostracized community that they can relate to, that inspire them, that reflect their experience in our society. Most important is that the story gets told and heard. I do have standards that, in general, relate to the story and the ability of the author to have some form of reflection. I don't care as much about how a story is told, or—shocking to many—about grammar, spelling, or lack of editing. Those are details that are extremely important in our white, middle-class publishing community, which places a high value on the written word. Other cultures and communities have an oral tradition and care more about story and communication than precision.
One of the most heated debates on the Young Adult Library Services Association's Quick Picks Committee in 2009 was over the book Teenage Bluez III (Life Changing Books, 2009). While it contains fantastic stories not found elsewhere and was definitely a "Quick Pick" for my teens and other young people across the country, it didn't make the list. The primary reason? Misspellings and grammatical problems.
Having worked for many years with teens and adults who haven't learned the "proper" way to communicate, I've had to combat massive amounts of trauma from those who've given up and are afraid to write even a sentence for fear of having their poor grammar and spelling judged. Editing has its place after the story is told, I always tell my teens, in hopes that they won't censor themselves because of a lack of confidence in spelling. It's the same for books. The basic point of a book—and, indeed, of the written word—is to communicate. Yes, I personally loved reading Lynne Truss's Eats, Shoots & Leaves (Gotham, 2006), but in this case, the comma really doesn't matter because even without it almost all of my students would read the title as if the comma were there: that's their experience. People read books to garner meaning, not to have a grammatical experience. (OK, most people, you word phreaks!)
While the amount of time spent browsing and the payoff of coming across a perfect or even good book isn't high, you never know when you might find a gem. I came across Jerry McGill's Dear Marcus: Speaking to the Man Who Shot Me (iUniverse, 2009) and was intrigued before Lorrie Moore wrote about it in May 2011 in the New York Times Book Review, before Spiegel & Grau picked it up, and before I gave it a starred review in SLJ (http://ow.ly/dOlHd).
One of the main downsides to self-published books is that professional journals tend not to review them. Publishers Weekly has a column that reviews 25 such books each quarter (it began in August 2010), but charges a $149 fee for reviews. Other sources that review these books include Kirkus Indie, which charges $400 to $550 to review, and Blue Ink Review, which charges $395 to $495. None of them guarantees a positive review. David Streitfeld just wrote a terrific article about paid reviews in the New York Times: "The Best Books Money Can Buy". Don't miss the comments section.
Clearly, traditional publishers do sometimes pick up self-published titles. Dear Marcus is the most lovely example. And in what might be one of the first self-published memoirs, Life of William Grimes,the Runaway Slave, picked up by Oxford University Press and edited by William Andrews and Regina Mason, Mason's ancestor wrote about his experience as a fugitive slave in 1825—before Frederick Douglass.
Librarians are in a unique position, and it's up to us to encourage our administrators to purchase books through nontraditional distribution channels. Take a chance on an author whom your patrons might love to meet and who they feel inspired by. Librarians are the ultimate in terms of our capacity for unbiased professional reviews. I do believe it's up to us to research and provide books for the public—and not just the middle-class, mainstream public.
Recommended reading:
11 titles you may have missed
Bonelli, Patricia. Owning Patricia: A Story of Breaking Free. Book Publishers Network, 2011. In this part memoir, part inspiration, part workbook, Bonelli recounts her journey from teenage prostitution and joining a witness-protection program to her 20-year career as a probation officer.
Davis, Robert Leon. Running Scared.Monarch, 2010. Raised with eight siblings by Grandma on $300 a month in New Orleans, Davis turned to crime at a young age. He later joined the police force and continued his criminal ways while hiding behind a badge. Facing arrest, Davis fled and lived in the woods for 20 years, before eventually turning himself in after a religious experience.
De La Cruz, Jesse. Detoured: My Journey from Darkness to Light.Barking Rooster, 2011. This is a well-written account of people who have made it out of the prison system, and it's a must-have for libraries that serve audiences like mine. The book is available from the author at http://www.jsdconsultations.com.
Glodoski, Ron. How to Be a Successful Criminal: The Real Deal on Crime, Drugs, and Easy Money. Turn Around Publishing, 1998. A victim of childhood abuse, Glodoski turned to gangs, drugs, and violence and built a drug empire. In the book, the author shows how he—and just about anyone—can turn street skills, such as risk-taking, running a start-up, and managing people, into a legitimate business venture.
Hill, Mike "Chainsaw." The Courage to Change the Things I Can. Accent Digital, 2010. Born to teenage parents, Hill was given up for adoption. He ran away and became a drug addict and an alcoholic. Hill finally changed after he experienced Christ. This memoir features photos and lots of action.
Khamisa, Azim. From Murder to Forgiveness: A Father's Journey.Balboa Press, 1998. Khamisa's only son was shot and killed in a pizza delivery/robbery scam. How Khamisa comes to terms with the murder, befriends the shooter's grandfather, and forgives the boy who shot his son—becoming one of his only visitors in prison—makes for great reading.
Rios, Victor M. Street Life: Poverty, Gangs, and a Ph.D. Five Rivers, 2011. Rios writes about growing up poor and fatherless in East Oakland, CA. A high school dropout who was involved in gangs and drugs, he turned his life around after witnessing the death of a friend.
Rodriguez, Art. East Side Dreams. Dream House, 2010. Life appeared hopeless during Rodriguez's teen years, when he lived with his dictatorial father, so the boy joined a gang and ended up in prison. Without knowing how to read or write, Rodriguez later began his own business, and he painstakingly chronicles that experience. East Side Dreams won the Mariposa Award for best first book, and it's used today in schools. It's an example of a very successful self-published memoir.
Smith, Kemba with Monique W. Morris. Poster Child: The Kemba Smith Story. From a college student to a drug dealer's girlfriend and victim of domestic violence to being sentenced to serve more than 24 years in a federal prison, Smith's story has been featured in the national media. Available from the author at http://www.kembasmith.com.
Stein, Deborah Jiang. Even Tough Girls Wear Tutus: Inside the World of a Woman Born in Prison: What Loss, Grief, and Uncertainty Taught Me About Joy. Cell7 Media, 2011. When Stein was 12, she discovered a secret letter hidden in her adoptive mother's dresser drawer: Stein learned that she was born in prison addicted to heroin.
Tucker, Alfonzo. Noesis: Comprehension and Understanding: The Autobiography of Alfonzo Tucker. R.A.W. Advantage, 2003. Tucker, the son of a sexually exploited 18-year-old mother, was kidnapped at six months by his drug-addicted pimp/hustler father. When he turned 17, he was adopted by a white family and successfully made the transition from a troubled past to living in a white, middle-class environment.


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"Cosmopolis" is the type of film where theater owners might have to post warnings on doors stating there'll be no refunds. By the halfway mark, look for most of the audience to have bolted, wishing they had scheduled a root canal instead.
Expect two very different reactions to the film "Cosmopolis." Critics are sure to praise it, calling it a dystopian tour de force, a masterful ode to stream of consciousness, an acerbic commentary on the pitfalls of a capitalistic society.
The general public, on the other hand, is sure to lambaste it, calling it a pretentious, ponderous, self-indulgent, incomprehensible and devastatingly dull testament to twaddle.
I side with the general public on this one.
"Cosmopolis" is the type of film where theater owners might have to post warnings on doors stating there'll be no refunds. By the halfway mark, look for most of the audience to have bolted, wishing they had scheduled a root canal instead.
Only four types of people will remain: intellectuals who understand it, pseudo-intellectuals who think they understand it, people who believe the film is eventually going to make sense — it doesn't — and people who have fallen asleep.
How exciting and dramatically charged is this film? The majority of it takes places in a stretch limousine. And the scintillating plot? The protagonist, multibillionaire Eric Packer (Robert Pattinson) wants to get a haircut. But this proves problematic as the president of the United States is in town, jamming Manhattan traffic. Further congestion is created by the funeral procession for a Sufi rap artist. I've heard some people call this film comedic. I must have missed the joke.
More traffic woes are caused by irate protesters of the 99 percent demographic who throw rats around. Rats get plenty of play here. The film's opening quote speaks of rats becoming the unit of currency. Oh, and it seems someone wants to assassinate Packer. After about five minutes, you're pulling for the assassin.
Virtually everyone in "Cosmopolis" speaks in a monotone as if the something — the corrupting influence of the almighty dollar perhaps — has sucked the life out of them. Pattinson was more lively when he was undead in the "Twilight" movies.
During the ride to the barber, Packer talks to his associates and advisers about money, has sex with his art consultant (Juliette Binoche) while talking about money (he wants to buy the Rothko chapel) and has his prostate examined while talking about money. If you love films that talk about money in all its esoteric glory, this is your movie. In case your curious, Packer's prostate is asymmetrical.
For action, Packer watches the head of the International Monetary Fund get stabbed in the eye during a TV interview. Packer later is assaulted by the pie assassin (Mathieu Amalric) and meets up with a disgruntled former employee (Paul Giamatti) who wants to kill him. At least these two show some emotion. And they're insane. Giamatti gets to say my favorite line: "The fungus between my toes speaks to me." Now that's poetry.
For fiscal woes, Packer may lose a bundle in the yuan market.
For a little romance — very little — Packer has a few tete-a-tetes with his wealthy wife Elise (Sarah Gadon).
By the way, if you can figure out who any of these people are and what their names are, good luck to you. Packer first confronts Elise while riding in his limo. He sees a woman in a cab, gets out of the limo, gets into the cab and starts talking to her. Small place, New York City.
Scenes that will have you scratching your head involve two shootings. Others characters wax poetic about the best places to urinate if you're a cabbie.
The actors don't so much act here as recite. Lengthy abstract monologues abound.
So does any of this have a point? David Cronenberg, who directed and wrote this film — it's based on a novel by Don DeLillo — clearly has a jaundiced eye locked in on the 1 percenters whose wealth has removed them so far from reality that Never Neverland looks like South Central Los Angeles. Packer's soundproofed limo spares him from the noise on the street — and the plight of the less fortunate whose protestations, such as setting oneself on fire, are missed as "not original." He's so young, so wealthy, so brilliant, yet so clueless. An egomaniac, hypochondriac and paranoid master of a warped universe.
Cronenberg the director somehow manages to create a few haunting images once the camera exits the hermetically sealed limo. Cronenberg the writer, however, cannot create a coherent narrative. Sure, money can corrupt, dehumanize and desensitize you. Just like an overbearing bundle of speeches can bore you senseless.
"Cosmopolis" is rated R and opens Friday, Aug. 24.
"Cosmopolis" (D)

subset: commoncrawl


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A went to a friend's house to play today, so it was just T and me. We made Rice Krispie treats. As I was stirring the marshmallows, T found a Josh Groban CD sitting near the CD player in the kitchen. He asked me to turn it on. I put it in and we be-bopped and swayed to each song that came on. It got to be lunch time, so I warmed up some left over enchiladas, and we sat down to eat. We continued to sway to the music. Suddenly, T reaches his little two-year-old hand, palm up toward me across the table saying, "Let dance." I held his hand, and we swayed as we ate. Good times!!!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
T, Josh, and Me
Posted by Hesses Madhouse at 2:04 PM 5 people had something to say about all this Madness
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Further Corruption
We've watched this movie as a family, and the kids think these scenes are so funny.
The key for the new van is like a switchblade. You push the button, and the key pops out. T quickly learned to push the button and run the key through his hair as he says, "Two dollars....Cash."
Posted by Hesses Madhouse at 9:04 PM 4 people had something to say about all this Madness
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Now I KNOW I'm Living a Miracle
Posted by Hesses Madhouse at 7:56 AM 5 people had something to say about all this Madness
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Some Sweet Things
Just a couple quick stories for you....
Yesterday DJ was home with a bad cough. We even had her sleep on a mattress on the floor of our bedroom I was so worried about her. I swear it was bronchitis. She had this a few times as a small child but hasn't in the past few years. I decided that I'd give it a day and take her to the doctor on Tuesday if it continued to sound that bad.
At about 1pm, DJ came upstairs where I was doing laundry and said, "Dad's on his way home to give me a blessing. I just called him."
Wow! All on her own. Looks like my daughter knows where to turn when the going gets tough. I was just so touched by this.
Z arrived home about fifteen minutes later. He gave her the blessing she needed. A fever developed about three hours later, and that was pretty much the last of it. I heard no coughing at all last night and the coughing I heard today has been very mild.
This morning, I found T sleeping in my bed between Z and I. A few minutes later, I realized I was STARVING (doctor says it's because the baby's going through a growth spurt--so that must mean I'm going through one too--oh JOY!, so I ran downstairs as quietly as I could (it being 6am) and poured myself a bowl of Frosted Mini Wheats and ate it quickly. I returned to the bedroom to find T sitting up in bed. I climbed in with the hopes of getting just a few more minutes of rest, but before I knew it, there was T looking lovingly into my eyes saying, "My mom" with the sweetest inflection I've ever heard. It melted my heart. Am I a pregnant sap or what?
Last story...
Q got a new CD. We were listening to it in the car yesterday. She told me that there was a song coming up that she wanted me to hear because it was written to the singer's mom. This morning, on my way to the doctor's office, I turned on the CD and that song came on. Being the pregnant sap that I am, I started to cry. As I pull into the parking lot, I'm wiping tears off of my cheeks. I had two thoughts as I listened. First, of how blessed I was to be raised by such a great woman and second, the thought that someday I'd like my daughters to think the same of me. What huge shoes I have to fill.
Here's the song:
Posted by Hesses Madhouse at 3:50 PM 7 people had something to say about all this Madness
Monday, April 20, 2009
Out It All Goes
Posted by Hesses Madhouse at 7:46 PM 5 people had something to say about all this Madness
Friday, April 17, 2009
The Party Van
I mentioned it briefly in a previous post, but we got ourselves a new vehicle that would fit our current family plus one. I have honestly NEVER seen our kids so excited about a car. They can't wait to go someplace. The thing is a monster. I figure it is symbolic of my giving in to living in a giant's world (it's about time).
For so many years, it's been us who have had to call and ask for rides places. When people have called us asking for rides, we have frequently had to turn them down. Well...not any more. It's been so fun to have people call us and ask us for rides this past week.
One of my friends, who has a son G's age, called the other day and asked if I could pick her son up today when I pick up G. The kids announced to all of their mutual friends yesterday that he was going to get to ride in the Hesses "party van."
The amazing thing is that although the thing is HUGE, it drives like a van. It has sensors in the front and rear bumpers, so I don't hit anything.
I posted this youtube link before, but this is the one we purchased.
If you ever need a ride, or just feel like partying with us in the party van, give us a call.
Posted by Hesses Madhouse at 2:41 PM 6 people had something to say about all this Madness
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
A Major Lesson Learned
I just have to share this. It's still blowing me away. As I was putting groceries away tonight, I realized that another big thing I learned this past year was how to use coupons and save money. This has relieved so much financial stress in my life.
Because there were no new coupons in the Sunday paper this week, getting everything figured out for shopping was super fast (thanks to the Obsessive Shopper). We went to McDonald's for dinner because it was McTeacher night and the kids' school would get 20% of all that was purchased there tonight.
Afterward, we stopped at Albertson's because we had time before the oldest kids had to be at the church for Mutual.
We seemed to just zip through. I had #1, #2 and #3 with me--a much different story than having the youngest two with me. Must be why it went so fast.
Anyway, when we were in the cereal aisle, I asked the kids to get four boxes of Frosted Flakes and four boxes of Frosted Mini Wheats. I had coupons for these two kinds, but I totally forgot to to tell them to grab the sizes that were on sale.
When I got to the car, I was very disappointed because I was expecting to spend less than $100. It ended up that I had spent $123.37. Sigh.... I got to looking at my receipt. At the very top were listed the cereals. They were listed as $4.79 and $5.19 per box. Ugh! I mentioned this to the Warden, and he asked if I wanted to go back in. We dropped #s 1 and 2 at the church and headed back.
I left the wrong boxes with the guy working the self-check area and went and got the right sizes. They were $2.29/box and really only a few ounces less.
So, here's how it all played out without boring you with too many numbers. The guy refunded my money and the cereal coupons I had used. He returned $44.92 to me. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!!! He then scanned the right boxes. They came to $18.32--that's just for the sale price--no coupons. I had $5 worth of coupons I had printed online earlier in the day, so he put those in next. I had also received a $5 off your next purchase coupon when I had checked out with the original trip, so I used this.
My total ended up being $8.32.
It was just so astonishing to see all that cash left in my hands. I had saved $36.60. So, when it all came down to it, had I purchased the correct cereal on my first trip, I would have saved $204.90 and spent $86.77. Much more like what I was hoping for in the first place.
How did I EVER do it before coupons?
Posted by Hesses Madhouse at 8:48 PM 3 people had something to say about all this Madness
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Can Anyone Help Me Out?
I am a very random person (if you hadn't noticed). Not really sure why that is--genetics? personality? upbringing? Just not real sure, but I'd love to overcome it. I'd love to be so together that life is just easy and just a matter of upkeep; not always putting out the same fires over and over again. Am I being unrealistic? Is it just that on the other side of the fence everyone else looks so organized, orderly and together, but it's just how it looks? Or is it really that I've missed out on some of that somewhere? If that's the case, where do I get some of that?
Yesterday I spent quite a bit of time with the pamphlet "One for the Money." I have organized a budget, and I feel really good about it. I've said this before, and I'm sure I'll say it many more times in my life, but I love it when smart (and inspired) people share their brilliance with the rest of us.
One of the things it says is, "Accumulate your basic food storage and emergency supplies in a
systematic and orderly way." When I went to visit my dad yesterday, his wife asked me how our year's supply was doing. I told her we had food storage. She encouraged me to inventory it. But, to be honest, I know we don't have enough--not for nine people for a year. We're getting there, and coupons are helping a TON (thanks, Rebecca)! The thought of inventorying it is overwhelming to me right now. She asked if we had wheat. I said yes, but it was purchased years ago, and we don't have a grinder for it, so what's the use? I'm much more of the attitude of store what you eat, but I know that some long-term storage is also needed.
So, here's where I need your help. What do you do that is in alignment with the charge from "One for the Money?" How do you keep it all systematic and orderly? With a family of nine, it's a daunting task just to think about buying it, but accumulating it, storing it, and then inventorying it is a completely other thing. Ugh! I know I will be helped as I strive to be obedient, but part of being obedient is being smart. That's where I come to you, my smart (and inspired) friends. Can you help me out?
Posted by Hesses Madhouse at 8:30 AM 8 people had something to say about all this Madness
Monday, April 13, 2009
Wow! What a Year!
Here's what my birthday cake looked like tonight. It was Baskin-Robbins chocolate mint chip with white cake. Yes, some days (very few, I'm grateful to say at this point in my life), but yes, some days, I do think I feel this age. Possibly more frequently in the next three months. We'll see.
So, here's me last year at this time, and here I am this year. Who would have ever thought I'd be looking like this now? In this past year, I lost 25 pounds just to gain it right back plus some. I'm glad to know that I'll be able to do it again. I think I'm more determined than ever to keep it off.
This has been a great year for getting back in touch with so many people who have been influential in my life. I've been loving this whole blogging thing and facebook has been nearly miraculous for one such as I, who is so bad at keeping in touch with people.
From April 13th 2008 to April 13th 2009, here are some important events that have occurred.
- Had an amazing 40th birthday party.
- Another wonderful year at Girls' Camp.
- Had a great family reunion in Seaside in July.
- A started Kindergarten.
- Q started high school.
- Lost 25 pounds and gained "lifetime" with Weight Watchers.
- Got pregnant--expecting another girl (11 years since my last daughter was born).
- Got a new calling.
- Bought a new car.
- Finished two classes and started another.
- Z turned 40.
- New washer and dryer (and dryer duct work).
Here's what a year looks like:
Posted by Hesses Madhouse at 9:31 PM 3 people had something to say about all this Madness
Sunday, April 12, 2009
New Calling
After five years as 1st Counselor in Young Women, I was released today. I have been called as the new nursery leader. We have two nurserys in our ward, and I will be with the older group of kids. One of the other women whom I will work with is due with twins around the same time I am, so I'm going to have to find someone who'd be willing to sub for me during that time.
I'm very excited for this calling--comfy clothes, snacks, sit on the floor, take your shoes off, play, and more than anything else, hang out with little children who love you no matter how silly you act (actually, they love you for your goofiness). I am so up for this. Perfect with a little one on the way.
I will miss the young women terribly and hope they will still choose to have me in their lives.
Today was the joint lesson. Twenty four girls were there. I put symbols of the last few days of Christ's life in plastic eggs and scriptures that went with them in other eggs. There were twenty four eggs in all. I think it went pretty well. I felt the Spirit there, so I figure that in and of itself is a success.
Posted by Hesses Madhouse at 1:46 PM 7 people had something to say about all this Madness
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Done Deal
Well, we bit the bullet and bought the beast. It's HUGE! It was NOT fun. I hate car shopping, but it's ours now, and we all fit so nice and comfy in it. We are no longer owners of a Honda Odyssey. I will sincerely miss that van, but you do what you have to do. Just glad to have it done knowing that we will have room for all of our family plus three when little Lachlan comes along.
Posted by Hesses Madhouse at 11:29 PM 2 people had something to say about all this Madness
Friday, April 10, 2009
Doctors that Listen--a Rare Find
Okay, Alyson, I'll end your curiosity.
I really do believe that doctors that really listen to their patients are a rare breed, and so far, I've been fortunate to have met two. The first was my former doctor, who I wish I still was able to see. The other is my current doctor. Honestly, the jury is still out on her, but considering her great compassion, I have no reason to disbelieve that she really intends to do her best by me. As I shared this story with her at my most recent appointment, she said it gave her "goosebumps," and she would do all that she could to see that this wouldn't happen again. For now, I have to believe her.
In my most recent post, I commented about A's story and that I would share it. So, here it is.
When I was first pregnant with him, I contacted my doctor's office to make an appointment. The receptionist asked me what hospital I would be delivering at. He had delivered three of my other children all at a rather inconvenient hospital. When I replied to the receptionist's question with the name of that same hospital, she told me that I would have to find another doctor as he no longer would deliver at that location.
I was heart broken. How could this be? How was I EVER going to find another doctor of his caliber?
I reluctantly turned to an Ob that had performed surgery on me years prior--before I was even married. I had been referred to him by three co-workers back in the day.
I saw him for a number of months and felt some relief when I ran into my kids' pediatrician leaving her appointment at his office as I was entering for one of my appointments. I knew if she had enough trust in him, he had to be good.
I kept trying to convince myself of this as I went month after month, but finally at about seven months into the pregnancy, it all caught up to me.
At seven months, I had a nightmare. I dreamt that I was waking up in a dark room with only the light from the hallway through an open door. I was laying on a gurney and was just waking from anesthesia. The doctor and his assistant entered and very matter-of-factly told me, "The trouble started at about 1am. The baby died. I'm sorry." He then left the room.
For the rest of the dream, I wandered the hospital looking for a friendly face, a shoulder to cry one, but there was none to be found.
When I awoke, my pillow was really wet, and it was clear that I had been crying in real life.
Now, please understand that I'm not one of those people who has revelatory dreams, so I really give little credence to them, but after about two weeks of pondering on this, I realized that if something really did happen, and I didn't do something about it, I would blame myself forever. I decided that I'd better be a bit proactive.
I called my former doctor. This time I refused to just talk to the receptionist and asked to speak with his assistant. She was out of the office, but I was forwarded to her voice mail. I left a message expressing my understanding that he would no longer deliver at the hospital where I could deliver but would he please, if at all possible, make an exception in my case.
A few days later, I received a phone call. Amy, his assistant, said, "Oh, Julie, who told you he wouldn't deliver at that hospital any more? Of course he'll do that for you. Can you come in tomorrow?"
I cheerfully went to my appointment with him the next day. You have to understand that this doctor isn't perfect. You have to wait a long time in the waiting room to see him--formerly this really bugged me. He also misdiagnosed me with gestational diabetes when I was pregnant with DJ, and I went to a dietician and pricked my finger for an entire weekend before he called me on Monday to tell me he had given me the wrong woman's test results. But, on this particular day, none of that mattered at all. I would have waited an eternity for him.
When he came in the room, he asked me to describe the entire dream to him. He asked if I was full term when I delivered in the dream. I told him that I assumed I was. He assured me that if that were the case, he would deliver the baby as early as it would be possible for him--thirteen days. We set the induction date that day.
As the day of induction approached, I grew more nervous. I had never had a baby that early before, but I just had to trust that we were doing the right thing.
Everything went very well. After A was delivered, the doctor delivered the placenta. He examined it as he did each time, but this time his reaction caught my attention, "Hmm. That's interesting." He shared with me that for some reason, which cannot be explained, sometimes, even in healthy pregnancies, the placenta starts to deteriorate. It seems that in this case, it had started some time before. He told me that if we had waited until closer to the due date, this baby might not have made it.
As I have thought about it over the years, how else would I have listened to this warning? What other way could I have been made known of this? Of course, I didn't know, but I guess I knew enough to do something when it kept bugging me.
I was extremely grateful for a doctor who listened.
Posted by Hesses Madhouse at 10:32 PM 3 people had something to say about all this Madness
Getting the Blogging Feeling Again--YAY!!!
We're still looking for a van to fit our growing brood. There's actually one across town! Only problem...it's new. We were hoping for a used one just because new ones lose their value so quickly. But, to not have to have it shipped or take a trip across country would be a great bonus. Also, the trade in of our beloved Odyssey (I will miss that van) would be easily handled right here in our own city. We're going to look at it on Saturday afternoon.
Posted by Hesses Madhouse at 7:21 AM 5 people had something to say about all this Madness
Thursday, April 9, 2009
A Good Laugh for the Day
LOVE this one. Z and I decided that we both want to be #51.
Posted by Hesses Madhouse at 12:43 PM 2 people had something to say about all this Madness
This Sunday, I'm in charge of teaching the joint YW Easter lesson. I think this is the only joint lesson I teach all year. Somebody teaches all the YW (ages 12-18) once month. Just so happens that I get the Easter lesson this year. Tricky thing is, there is no Easter lesson outlined in the YW manuals, so I get to come up with it on my own.
Last night, when Z and I went out, I told him what I was doing (I've been working on this for the last three weeks), and I asked him if he had any input. He said it might be good if I mentioned the Atonment and the Resurrection. I said, "Hmm. What a good idea." He then said, "I might not do the Easter Bunny thing." I replied with, "That was just the angle I was going to take. You ruin all my fun." He's a great help. Oh, us, and our sarcasm.
I was originally going to show this video, but have since realized that I need to have an internet connection at the church to do so, so there goes that.
Posted by Hesses Madhouse at 8:19 AM 3 people had something to say about all this Madness


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PlayBook OS 2 Plugs Some Gaps
It has taken months longer than Research In Motion promised it would, but the company's BlackBerry PlayBook finally has native email.
This morning, RIM released PlayBook OS 2, the long-awaited update to its tablet operating system that adds a number of key features which were inexplicably absent from its first iteration. Top among them: Access to email and calendar programs without having to tether the PlayBook to a BlackBerry smartphone. RIM initially promised to add these features within three months of the tablet's launch, but multiple postponements delayed them for another five.
Also included: An Android app player that allows the PlayBook to run applications written for devices powered by Google's Android OS; integration with social networking services like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn; and a new version of BlackBerry Bridge, which transforms BlackBerry smartphones into remote controls for PlayBooks.
Overall, a nice update for the troubled tablet, one that shores up many of the weaknesses for which it has drawn criticism. Lack of native email and calendar apps earned the PlayBook some harsh reviews when it first debuted, hurting sales from the get-go. RIM sold just 850,000 PlayBooks through the end of November 2011 — poor enough sales that it was forced to take a $485 million writedown on the value of unsold PlayBook inventory following sharp discounts.


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Student Parking Permits - Registration Required
August 21All day
Online permit registration is available June 22 to August 12 at gustavus.edu/safety
2020-2021 Parking Permits are $290 for the academic year.
Students will need their email user name and password, along with the vehicle license plate, make, and color in order to complete the online form.
Permit's will be sent to your campus mailbox the week of August 17th.
In this time of uncertainty for what campus life will be like this fall due to COVID-19, we are asking that you all register your vehicles during this online registration. If you miss the online registration window, registration will be available in the Campus Safety office August 24 and continues throughout the academic year, 24 hours a day, however, these dates could change. Campus Safety will limit the number of people in our small lobby, and lines will likely be long. Please begin parking according to permit color starting Tuesday, August 25, 2020, and note that any vehicle not displaying a new valid parking permit will be cited beginning 7 a.m. on the first day of class, Wednesday, September 2.
Students are responsible for knowing the campus parking and traffic regulations at https://gustavus.edu/safety/policies/traffic.php.
Permits are non-transferable and must be affixed to the passenger side rear bumper of each vehicle. During the school year, temporary permits are available for short-term use of alternate vehicles at no charge if you have purchased a permit (limit of 2 weeks), as are replacement stickers ($10) for new vehicles (please remove the original sticker to return to the Campus Safety office before changing vehicles). Temporary parking permits are available for those students who may have a short term vehicle, and are not purchasing a parking permit for the academic year, at a cost of $5 per weekday the car will be on campus. Visitor parking is closed to students and employees at all times (24/7/365). During the academic year, always register your vehicle in the Campus Safety office and display a valid parking permit before parking.
Contact the Campus Safety office 24 hours a day at 507-933-8888 with any parking related questions, or email the Campus Safety Administrative Assistant Angie Hanson at email@example.com.


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Cake Supplies On Sale is a cake decorating, bakery, pastry and candy supply store. We carry a large selection of cake decorating tools; ready to use supplies such as fondant, gum paste, buttercream icing, and chocolate; baking supplies such as baking pans, fillings, baking cups, flavors, and extracts; and cupcake supplies as cupcake containers, liners, and decorating tools.
We pride ourselves on providing a wide variety of packaging supplies such as white coated cake boards, cake boxes, cake drums, Masonite boards, and cupcake packaging supplies for the lowest price on the market.
Our vendors are: Satin Ice, Renshaw, Fat Daddio's, Magic Line, CK Products, Wilton, Americolor, Chefmaster, TruColor, FMM Sugar Craft, First Impression Molds, DFI, Ateco, DecoPac, Crystal Candy, etc.
© 2014 . All Rights Reserved.
9022 Telegraph Road, Suite C, 22079, Lorton, VA


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Phil Davis isn't alone.
Louis Taylor has also suffered an injury late in training camp and has been forced to withdraw from a planned Strikeforce Challengers 17 contest with Ben Lagman (6-1 MMA, 0-0 SF).
In his place steps Anthony Smith (12-7 MMA, 0-0 SF), and the two will now meet on the evening's preliminary card.
Strikeforce Challengers 17 takes place July 22 at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The night's main card, including a trilogy headliner between Roger Bowling and Bobby Voelker, airs on Showtime.
Smith steps in with just a little more than one-week's notice. The 6-foot-4 "Lionheart" began his professional career in February 2008 and struggled to a 5-6 mark in his first 11 fights. Nevertheless, Smith has since bounced back with seven wins in his past eight fight. All seven wins in that stretch, including a June victory over Eric Schambari, have come via stoppage.
Lagman, who's fought exclusively for KOTC, is a Michigan-based fighter who turned pro three years ago. He recently rebounded from his first career loss, which came to Kenny McCorkell (10-5), with a TKO of Angelo Popofski (15-9). None of his fights has gone past the first round, and five of his six victories have come in two minutes or less.
With the latest change, the current Strikeforce Challengers 17 card includes:
- Roger Bowling vs. Bobby Voelker
- Lavar Johnson vs. Devin Cole
- Joe Cason vs. Ovince St-Preux
- Liz Carmouche vs. Sarah Kaufman
- Adlan Amagov vs. Ron Stallings
- Guto Inocente vs. Lionel Lanham
- Ben Lagman vs. Anthony Smith
- Bill Cooper vs. Maka Watson
- Sterling Ford vs. Brian McLaughlin*
* – Not officially announced
For the latest on Strikeforce Challengers 17, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.


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Mark Landsberger, apropos of his modest NBA career, makes only a barely noticed cameo in one of the most frequently replayed video highlights in NBA history.
That's Landsberger, in his No. 54 Lakers jersey, tracking Julius Erving at the baseline as the 76ers forward prepares to take flight in the 1980 NBA Finals.
As Dr. J palms the ball in his right hand and majestically soars toward the basket, lowering the ball below his waist from behind the backboard before lifting it again and kissing it off the glass on the left side, Landsberger all but fades from view.
"He hung up there so long," Landsberger says, "I was already down by the time he got to the other side."
Landsberger's time with the Lakers played out similarly.
Presaging the blue-collar sidekick role later made famous by Kurt Rambis, Landsberger mostly blended into the background as Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jamaal Wilkes took starring roles at the dawn of the Lakers' "Showtime" era.
A 6-foot-8 reserve forward, the former Arizona State star helped the Lakers win championships in 1980 and '82 while forging a reputation as a relentless rebounder.
"I was a guy with not a lot of athletic ability," Landsberger notes, "but I had a great nose for the ball."
That should have been enough to keep him on an NBA roster for years, he says, but he frittered away the opportunity.
"I could have done a lot more, but I was too wild," Landsberger, 55, said from his home in St. Cloud, Minn., where he lives with his elderly parents and works as an oven operator at the Pan-O-Gold Baking Co. "I partied too much. Those were wild times in the NBA. ... And, being honest, I was just too wild chasing girls."
Released by the Lakers in 1983 — after a third NBA Finals appearance — Landsberger was out of the NBA a year later and played his last nine professional seasons overseas: six in Italy and one each in Greece, Spain and Argentina.
"I was happier once I went to Italy and could play 40 minutes a game," he says. "It's not like the NBA, but I enjoyed playing. I was a starter. I wasn't the third or fourth wheel."
That, of course, was never the case with the Lakers.
Landsberger, who led Allan Hancock College of Santa Maria, Calif., to the state community college championship in 1974, was a second-round pick of the Bulls in 1977.
In February 1980, he was traded to the Lakers.
"That was a blessing,
Three months later, at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, he watched Erving fly past in Game 4 of the Finals.
"That was an unbelievable move," Landsberger says. "Magic said it was the best move he'd ever seen."
Landsberger has fonder memories of the last two games of the 1980 Finals, specifically Abdul-Jabbar's grit in playing through an ankle injury in Game 5 and, in Abdul-Jabbar's absence, Johnson's well-documented all-around brilliance in Game 6.
"His ankle was as big as a baseball," Landsberger says of Abdul-Jabbar. "But he played that fourth quarter — on one leg, really — and that showed me what kind of heart that guy had. I don't think any player would do that today."
Of Johnson, who had 42 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists in the title-clinching victory, he says, "He could have been the best power forward in the NBA. That's how versatile he was."
Landsberger's 10 rebounds in the clincher went virtually unnoticed, which was typical.
His blue-collar efforts were most appreciated by coaches.
"He was more or less a specialist," says Bill Bertka, a longtime Lakers scout and former assistant coach. "Mark wasn't a great offensive player, but for his role with us, he was perfect because any time he went in the game, he gave us energy.
"I don't like to use the term 'garbage player,' but he picked up all the trash — and then some. Probably per minute, he's one of the best offensive rebounders that ever played the game."
Landsberger later became expendable, however, after the Lakers added more well-rounded forwards such as Bob McAdoo, Mitch Kupchak, James Worthy and Rambis.
"When I wasn't playing as much, I started partying more," he says. "The L.A. scene was real tempting, but once I got to Italy, I stopped all that. That's why I was so successful over there. I realized it was my last chance."
Landsberger played 16 pro seasons in all, averaging about six points and six rebounds a game in seven NBA seasons.
Divorced before heading overseas — he has no children — he settled in Phoenix after he stopped playing, becoming co-owner of a restaurant and a jewelry store/pawn shop.
About six years ago, the North Dakota-born graduate of Mounds View High in Arden Hills, Minn., returned to his Midwestern roots to help care for his parents and resume working. Though he has never seen Staples Center, he still follows the Lakers and stays in shape playing pickup basketball.
He acknowledges that Erving could still leap over him.
"My vertical's about 1 inch now," he says.


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Upcoming... TROY -- "South Troy Against the World" co-ed reunion will be held 3-7 p.m. May 18 at the Polish American Club, 507 First St. Attendees are encouraged to bring old pictures. DJ Roger Skyczinski, a South Troy native, will provide music. The cost is $15 and includes hot and cold hors d'oeuvres. There will be a cash bar. Advance reservations are due by May 4. Cost at the door will be $20, but the committee cannot provide at-door admission if advance reservation attendees reach maximum club capacity. To make a reservation, send check payable to "South Troy Co-Ed reunion" to Mary Ann Glenkowski Tangorre, PO Box 643, Nassau, NY 12123. For information, call Leslie Davey at 272-1734. ALBANY -- The American Red Cross will hold blood drives during February. Call 1-800-RED CROSS for information and to make an appointment. Feb. 21, 1-6 p.m. Sand Lake Ambulance, 3643 Route 43, West Sand Lake. Feb. 27, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Maple Hill High School Multi-Use Facility, 1216 Maple Hill Road, Castleton; 1-6 p.m. East Schodack Fire Company Meeting Room, 3071 Route 150, East Schodack. WYNANTSKILL -- Gardner-Dickinson School announces phone registration for children attending kindergarten for the 2013-2014 school year is open. Children must be five years old on or before Dec. 1. Parents of eligible children must call Mrs. McKenna at 283-4600 ext. 10 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. An orientation meeting for parents only will be held at 7 p.m. March 21 in the school Media Center, East Avenue. EAST GREENBUSH -- A Spring Tutor Training Workshop will start in March at St. Mary's Church 163 Columbia Turnpike. The training will be held from 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays, March 13, 20, 27 and April 10, 17 and 24. A Volunteer Opportunity Information Session will be held at 7 p.m. March 6 at the church. Call 274-8526 to reserve a spot. EAST NASSAU -- The Fire District Commissioners of the Hoags Corners Fire District No. 1 will meet at 7 p.m. the third Monday of the month at the Hoags Corners Fire House, 7237 Route 66. WEST SAND LAKE -- The T.L.C. Group (Tender Loving Care) meets 1-3 p.m. the first Saturday of the month January through May and October through December at Trinity Lutheran Church, 4363 Route 150. The group meets to knit, crochet and sew items for the less fortunate. For information, call the church at 674-5501. NASSAU -- The Town of Nassau's Farm and Agriculture Preservation Committee announces a competition to identify the largest and oldest trees in the Town of Nassau. This friendly competition will foster the competitiveness of residents and recognize the value of the rural character and beauty of the Town of Nassau. Nassau is home to numerous massive trees from several species. Many of these historic trees are along farm properties and in wind breaks which help to prevent erosion and delineate fields located throughout the Town. They also protect fields from wind damage and encourage wildlife. These large trees and their forested areas surrounding Nassau's farms also encourage bird populations which eat field insect pests. This competition will help to recognize the value of these trees and to honor the preservation of our rural open space. The Farm and Ag Committee has also invited area school districts to participate in the competition. The fall and winter months provide an excellent opportunity for residents to get outdoors and appreciate all the beauty of Nassau. It also makes it easier to spot large trees. This tree competition will continue through May 6, 2013. A copy of the identification form for this effort may be found on the Town's website atwww.townofnassau.org
. The Town reminds residents to remember to ask permission of the property owner if a tree you are interested in is not located on your property. The Town of Nassau's Farm and Agriculture Preservation Committee was created to act as a liaison between the agriculture community and the Town. New members and program suggestions for the Committee are always welcome. The Committee may be contacted email@example.com
. CASTLETON -- Cafe Theo Spirit Circle at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 1583 Carney Road, is an interfaith circle for those who want to be part of a spiritual gathering, but don't necessarily feel comfortable ascribing to the religious options available. Also for those of a progressive interfaith nature in their current spiritual/religious practice. We value peace-loving freedom of conscience and questioning. Help grow this circle of peace with interfaith discussion, spiritual music, prayer and meditation, and time for fellowship. We meet every second, fourth and fifth Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Open to adults and older teens. RSVP and questions to 931-4072. EAST GREENBUSH -- Capital View Toastmasters can help enhance public speaking and leadership skills in a friendly, supportive environment. Everyone from complete beginners to advanced speakers can benefit from the program. The group meets noon-1 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month at the East Greenbush Library, 10 Community Way. Guests are always welcome; firstname.lastname@example.com
to arrange a visit. EAST GREENBUSH -- Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, a free 12 Step recovery program for anyone suffering from food obsession, overeating, under-eating and bulimia, meets at 9:15 a.m. Saturdays at the Church of St. Mary, 163 Columbia Turnpike. There are no dues or fees for members. For information, call 869-3927. EAST GREENBUSH -- The East Greenbush Kiwanis meet at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at in the Community Room at Spare Time Bowling, 570 Columbia Turnpike. Members and guests interested in serving the community are welcome to attend. VALATIE -- The Academy of Christian Leadership, Route 9, holds an open house, "Weekly Wednesdays," 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays. This is an invitation for parents and students to drop in with or without an appointment. For information, call 784-2222. FEB. 21 RENSSELAER -- The Rensselaer Public Library is planning a series of X-Box video game events in February for three different age groups. On Feb. 21, teens 13 and older are invited to play games like Just Dance 4 and Final Fantasy XIII. On Feb. 23, kids ages 6 and older can play from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The group will be playing games rated "E for Everyone." On Feb. 28, from 6-8 p.m., adults 18 and older are invited to Halo 4 night. Must have a valid library card to play. Sign up now. The Rensselaer Public Library is located at 676 East St. Call 462-1193 for information. FEB. 22 AVERILL PARK -- The Soul Rebel Performance Troupe performs "Camp Logan," 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 and 2 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Sand Lake Center for the Arts, 2880 Route 43. Tickets are $10. For information, call 674-2007. FEB. 23 AVERILL PARK -- Brian Melick, Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius and Mike Dimin will perform a concert to benefit the Sand Lake Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. Feb. 23 at the center, 2880 Route 43. Tickets are $20. For tickets and reservations, call 674-2007. ALBANY -- Albany Law School's Veterans' Rights Pro Bono Project will once again offer free legal advice and services to veterans 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 23 at Albany Law School, 80 New Scotland Ave. Attorneys will be on hand to advise veterans and provide free legal services in a wide variety of legal areas. In addition, representatives from a number of organizations that provide key services for veterans are scheduled to be present, including members of the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs, the Albany County Veterans' Services Bureau, and the New York State Division of Labor. Appointments are highly recommended for veterans seeking to meet with an attorney. To make an appointment, call 445-2365 and leave a message stating name, phone number, and the time of day when you would like to make an appointment. A member of the pro bono project will call back within the next day or two to confirm your appointment. Veterans interested in an appointment can also send an email firstname.lastname@example.com
. NASSAU -- The Nassau Community Food Compact will present the fourth in a series of free cooking classes 2-4 p.m. Feb. 23 at Grace United Methodist Church, 42 Church St. Nancy Estes of Kitchen Counter Intelligence will demonstrate how to make chicken and vegetable broth. Participants will taste samples of homemade soup and Italian bread. Anyone 10 years of age or older is welcome to attend, and reservations may be made by contacting Nancy at 851-9980 by Feb. 22. CASTLETON -- A banjo jamboree featuring banjo masters Rob Altschuler and Tom Thorpe, at the open house at 2 p.m. Feb. 23 at The Spinney at Pond View, Welcome Center, Suite 104, 2500 Pond View, Miller Road. For information, call 479-0800. FEB. 24 RENSSELAER -- The Sal Squadron 1683 will serve a corned beef and cabbage dinner 1-6 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Gerald O'Neil Post 1683, 836 Broadway. Eat in or take out. Cost is $9; seniors, $8. For information, call 465-3312. CHATHAM -- Daniel Marcus reads from his satirical novel and acts out the part of his protagonist, 5-7 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Chatham Bookstore, 27 Main St. "Selected Episodes Relating to the Life of Vladimir Daniilovich Myukis, Deceased" is a satirical/historical novel of the life of a fictional Soviet era artist. Refreshments. For information, call 392-3005. Admission is free. FEB. 25 NASSAU -- An organizational meeting for a Movie Discussion Club will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Nassau Library, 18 Church St. This group is for people who like to discuss movies and hear the perspectives of others. At the first meeting, a movie will be chosen. Participants will watch that film on their own during the following month, then meet again on a scheduled date. Call 766-2715 for more information. FEB. 28 NORTH CHATHAM -- The North Chatham Library continues its free Adult Learning Series with a "Memory Collage" class taught by Liz Curtin 10 a.m.-noon Feb. 28 at the library, 4287 Route 203. Liz is a mixed media artist who makes sculpture from found objects, does mixed media paintings and makes artist's books and journals. Her work is exhibited regularly in solo and group shows, with work in both private and corporate collections. Take home a very special collage of a favorite memory. Pre-registration is needed, call 766-3211. MARCH 2 SCHODACK -- The Kiwanis Club of East Greenbush third annual comedy night fundraiser will be held March 2 at the Comfort Inn, 99 Miller Road. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Event features national headliner Bill Campbell and local talent Dee Watson. Cost is $25 and includes a cash bar and light fare. Purchase tickets online atwww.egkiwanis.weebly.com
or visit Gettysburg Flag, Good Buy Books, NBT Bank or Rose Shea Associates. RENSSELAER -- The Rensselaer High School Class of 2015 is hosting a craft/vendor fair 9 a.m.-3 p.m. March 2 at the high school, 25 Van Rensselaer Drive. MARCH 4 OLD CHATHAM -- Old Chatham Quaker Meeting will screen "Genetic Roulette-The Gamble of our Lives" at 7 p.m. March 4 at Powell House Quaker Conference and Retreat Center, 524 Pitt Hall Road. Free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served and a moderated discussion will follow. For more information, call 766-2992. MARCH 5 RENSSELAER -- The Rensselaer City School Alumni Association will meet at 6:30 p.m. March 5 in the Rensselaer Middle High School LGI room, 25 Van Rensselaer Drive. All members and prospective members are encouraged to attend as the upcoming April Hall of Fame Instillation dinner at Moscatiello's will be discussed. MARCH 10 WYNANTSKILL -- The Kiwanis Club of North Greenbush will serve a corned beef and cabbage dinner 4-7 p.m. March 10 at the American Legion Hall, 111 Main Ave. Adults, $8; children under 12, $5. Dinners can be pre-ordered by calling 283-1215. MARCH 21 RENSSELAER -- The Friends of the Rensselaer Library will meet at 6:30 p.m. March 21 at the library, 676 East St. Election of officers will be held. The Friends are accepting donations of gently used books (no encyclopedias or text books please) for their upcoming book sale April 11, 12 and 13. Books can be dropped off at the library. The library is open noon-5 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday and Friday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. MARCH 23 EAST GREENBUSH -- The Upstate NY Charcot-Marie-Tooth group will meet 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. March 23 at the East Greenbush Community Library, 10 Community Way. Dr. Andrew Dubin, Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, will discuss neuropathic pain. To reserve a seat RSVP firstname.lastname@example.com
. Meetings are free and open to the public.


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I need to build a custom toolbar that can launch the following items:
- A Python script tool - shouldn't be a problem, as you can already attach these to a toolbar
- Out of the box functions such as the Editor Toolbar maybe or a standard GP tool - again, should be do-able as you can already attach these to a toolbar
- A Python script that launches a PyQT/wxPython/Tk GUI. This is the tricky one I think. Now, this GUI does not need to interact with ArcMap. My other custom tools will do all of that, this GUI is for the user to setup parameters that will get written to a XML config file. It will also do some arcpy calls in the background and slurp some data and values out of a geodatabase and push them to the same XML config file.
So the question is - how to do this as simply as possible? It appears I cannot attach a Python script (that is not encased in a tool) to a toolbar in ArcMap. I'm thinking I'm going to have to go the Add-In route and create a simple Toolbar with buttons to kick off each of the items listed above. VBA is not an option. Thoughts?


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- This event has passed.
Dance To Evolve: Pre-Star Shiners Tap & Ballet (4-5yrs)
January 17 @ 11:05 am - 12:00 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)
An event every week that begins at 11:05 am on Friday, repeating until June 12, 2020
Keep your Star Shiner moving in this tap and ballet combination class. This progressive class introduces curriculum goals through fun movement allowing your dancer to be challenged while expressing themselves. Classes start with tap and then transition into ballet each week. Dancers develop dance, listening, and coordination skills, including an emphasis on ballet terminology and technique as they work towards the annual spring recital. Once a month, class will get switched up with a jazz dance day!


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Browsing Human Interaction With Nature and Technological Systems Lab Papers by Subject "Creativity Tasks"
Now showing items 1-1 of 1
Creativity Tasks and Coding System -- Used in the Plasma Display Window Study (2005-04-05)Few would disagree about the importance of creativity in human life. At the same time, creativity has proved difficult to measure empirically. In this technical report, we describe three creativity tasks – the Droodle ...


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Well, this is really day 3 (no Expo, just recovering). We had about 300 people pick up flyers in the two days. I saw lots of FHSA members as well as talked with some researchers who would like to have chapters in their areas: Cave Creek, Apache Junction and Gilbert. I'll see what I can do to help them form chapters.
So many people found out that Lisa Louise Cooke is coming in March and picked up information. They either heard her talk at Expo or heard someone else talk about her presentations. I just know that our Seminar will be great. For those who would like to attend, the registration form is at http://www.fhsa.org/. We'd love to see you.
I met a couple of new bloggers; I saw a couple of researchers who were in my Tempe Parks and Rec classes; I saw a few more who had attended sessions at one of the libraries. It's nice to see these fairly new researchers enjoying the benefits of a wide variety of presentations. And, without traveling across the country. Arizona is a fairly large state and there were genealogists from Flagstaff, Prescott, Springerville, Benson, Yuma, Tucson, Green Valley, Parker and probably every place in between. (If you aren't familiar with Arizona geography, Benson is SE, Yuma is SW, Parker is sort of NW, Springerville is sort of NE, etc., etc. And, while many consider Flagstaff at the northern border, there are still miles of land north before you actually cross out of Arizona.)
So thank you to all who stopped by, visited with me, shared stories while sessions were going on, etc.


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First, and foremost, let's just get rid of any notion that your food needs to be fancy and gourmet. Back to the grass roots. The gals in my survey responded that when it comes to feeling refreshed and welcomed at someone's home, gourmet-type food only scored a 1.7 on the hospitality scale. Having simple, tasty food and plenty of it, on the other hand, received a rating of 9.1. Many women stressed that they felt uncomfortable if they had a large family or a few hungry teenage boys and a small casserole was placed on the table to feed so many mouths. Better to err on the side of too much. You can always utilize the leftovers for a few lunches that week.
Now, as you are going along, once you find a recipe that works wonderfully, a dish that is delicious, or an appetizer that is sure to please, write it down! This may seem elementary, but I know that if I use a recipe and add a few twists – less of this, more of that, a dash of something not called for – and then don't write down what I did, it is nearly impossible to repeat the same dish.
Once you find several main dishes, vegetables, sides, and desserts you and your kin take pleasure in, begin to group them into menu plans. Grab some large index cards or a notebook. Decide which main dish goes with what sides and what sweet fare can round out the whole menu. From there, make a list of needed ingredients and their quantities. Then when company is expected, simply choose one of your preplanned menus to serve. This is so much easier than beginning from scratch. And if the dishes are tried-and-true hits with your family, company is sure to delight in them too.
Before planning and cooking for guests, be sure to find out if there are any special needs. Does anyone have allergies or sensitivities to specific foods? Are their children overly picky eaters? While we normally do not allow our children to be picky, we do try to accommodate guests. At the very least I try to leave certain "yucky" foods – mostly onions, green peppers, and mushrooms – in larger chunks so that they can be easily picked out. I let the children (or finicky adults!) know that it is just fine with me if they do so. Or I practice what my friend and fellow author Nancy Slagle of "30 Day Gourmet" freezer cooking fame preaches. It is a little concept she calls "health by stealth" She simply cooks and purees any veggie deemed "yucky" by her kids – onions, carrots, red and green peppers, and mushrooms, to name a few. Then she adds them to her sauces. Red, orange, and green vegetables hide easily in tomato-based sauces. Mushrooms and onions slip in undetected in white and brown gravies. Ta-da! Health by stealth! When your kiddos ask, "Are there onions in this?" you can boldly retort, "Do you see any onions?"
Try to keep in mind the time of day when you plan. Will it be mid-afternoon when a light salad-based menu will work? Will it be an unusually late dinner and the brood will be rather ravenous? What about the time of year? Will it be chilly outside? Opt for a hearty and warm "comfort foods" meal. Will it be so scorching hot outside that a steamy main dish will seem inappropriate? Opt for a crisp vegetable or cool pasta-based entrée instead. Will you want to have a theme or ethnic dimension to the meal? Try out several of these dishes too until they become a regular part of your repertoire. You will gain confidence each time you meet with triumph. Remember, practice, practice, practice!
What about keeping on top of your regular planning, shopping, and cooking so that having company every so often doesn't throw you for a loop? A few ideas have worked well for me.
First and foremost, keep a pre-printed grocery list on your refrigerator at all times. You can make one on your computer or even I your sweet little ol' handwriting. List what items you commonly buy for your family and stock your pantry with. Then arrange them in the same order that you will find them in the grocery store, leaving some blank space at the end of each section. Most stores have similar layouts: produce is first, followed by bakery and breads, canned and boxed dry goods, frozen and refrigerated fare. Train the members of your family who are old enough to read to help you keep this list up-to-date. When they use the last squirt of mustard, they circle the word mustard on the list. Pour yourself the final bowl of cornflakes? Grab a pen and circle!
When readying yourself to hit the grocer's aisles, this preprinted list will have you already halfway home. Simply add any ingredients in the blank spaces for new dishes you will try that are not part of your regular inventory. If you hit more than one supermarket, accentuate the items that you will get at one store with a brightly colored highlighter. This way you can buy your meats and other ingredients where they are at the best price. Simply consult the store's circular before heading off on your shopping excursion.
If you like to post your menu on your fridge or write it down in your planner, when you eat a meal, cross it off, but circle any items you did not use. For example, let's say you planned a meal with steamed broccoli as a side, but you never got around to making it. Well, rather than letting it go bad, circle the word broccoli on your menu to remind you that you need to make soup out of that bunch or cut it up and serve it with dip for an afternoon snack. A great resource for using up these leftover and unused items is The Use it Up Cookbook by Catherine Kitcho. It lists recipes by grouping them according to single ingredients. Stuck with some leftover tomato? You'll find multiple recipes to make with it. Stumped with what to do with that surplus of garden veggies? You'll discover dozens of dishes here. This book is worth the price simply by virtue of the money you'll cease wasting by cooking from it!
Cooking for a Crowd
Let's face it, if you want to be well practiced in the area of offering hospitality to larger groups of people, you are just going to have to learn to cook for a crowd. Here's how:
First, make friends with your Crock-Pot or slow cooker. Go buy one if you don't have one. This is the single most important tool for making large and easy meals. I actually own three. I can make our main dish in one, peeled cooked potatoes in the second, and a dessert in the third.
Invest in some quality cookware: large roasters, cookie sheets, and jelly roll pans, a few good 9-by-13 pans, a couple large stock pots and soup kettles, etc. I prefer stainless steel or enamelware. Nonstick ones don't last very long. And as with most things, you get what you pay for.
Forget the fine china. Invest in a nice set of Corelle dishes instead. They are inexpensive and lightweight, take up much less space than traditional stoneware, and come in many pretty patterns. Or try plain white so you can decorate your table around them no matter the season. My friend Carmen actually bought some clear dinner plates from the local dollar store to use for company. For added fun, she can place fall leaves, photographs, and other items underneath them to show through, adding to the décor.
Learn to make simple food, but plenty of it. Many gals in my survey stressed that fancy food was not important. But having delicious, simple food and enough of it to go around was.
Get kid-friendly. Find some recipes that will be hits with kids. Or if you insist on some fun, fancy fare for the adults, make sure you supplement it with something children will enjoy.
Think in themes. Theme dinners are usually a hit. Hold a Mexican night or serve Chinese. Cook several shapes of pasta and serve them with an assortment of sauces, a tossed saladl and bread hot from the oven. Give guests small plates to pour on olive oil, fresh grated garlic, and a little basil or oregano for dipping. Or have a 1950s night with burgers, fries, and malts or soda pop. Get creative!
Next time: Family First
Excerpted from A Life That Says Welcome (Revell) by Karen Ehman. © 2006 by Karen Ehman. Used with permission from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
Karen Ehman is a speaker for Hearts at Home and the coathor of the popular Homespun Gifts from the Heart and Homespun Memories for the Heart.


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The face and the fist of the modern day truant officer
All youngsters served by Connecticut's Department of Children and Families "will grow up healthy, safe and learning."
So says the DCF's mission statement.
That's a mission, all right. Maybe it's a reality a good deal of the time. This is not one of those stories.
The $800 million-a-year state agency boasts six themes as part of its transformation under federal control after years of negligence in oversight of foster homes and other woes, including overworked and underfunded staff. As an aside, when $800 million is not nearly enough, you have to wonder about what kind of shape many kids are in throughout Connecticut - and how the situation will deteriorate with the next round of budget cuts.
One of those six themes is called, "Trauma-informed practice as related to children and families but also to the workforce that serves them."
The cold, wounding reality for a troubled 12-year-old East Hartford boy left him even more damaged after an encounter on Nov. 15 with a DCF caseworker and a violent police officer. DCF Commissioner Joette Katz, in a statement responding to questions from Journal Register Connecticut Group, said the agency is "appalled with what allegedly occurred in this instance."
"We are working with the family, its attorney, the police and the Hartford State's Attorney to resolve this matter in a fair and just way that is consistent with the child's best interests," Katz said.
Katz, the former state Supreme Court justice, probably has the juice to ensure caseworkers do not suffer retribution from police for telling the truth. The department's guidelines for involving police give the widest latitude and discretion to caseworkers. Yet, in light of this incident, DCF must develop additional guidance regarding the involvement of police - especially when safety is not an issue.
The boy had been under care for emotional and academic issues and was presented with an unsigned judicial order, apparently for psychological testing. Caseworker Lisa Freeman was unable to persuade the child to leave a couch in his residence where he was clad only in boxer shorts. Freeman called East Hartford police for help.
In a sworn statement, Freeman said officer Woodrow Tinsley asked the boy what was going on and told him "he had two seconds to get dressed or he would go as he was."
The 12-year-old boy responded, "Two seconds won't be enough," according to his lawyer.
Caseworker Freeman witnessed Tinsley pull the boy off the couch toward the door. The boy, still wearing only his underwear, held on to the door. Freeman said officer Tinsley then pushed the boy to the floor, punched him in the face and stomach and kneed him in the neck while handcuffing him. The boy's mother cried and screamed for help as this occurred. Notably, the statement has no case number. The signature of the officer who took the statement is illegible.
A reasonable person might wonder if compelling a child to get dressed is a police emergency.
"We rely on police almost every day when we face a potentially unsafe situation," said Gary Kleeblatt, the DCF spokesman.
Katz, in her statement, said, "Our workers should have discretion to determine when police assistance should be called upon. At the same time, we are appalled with what allegedly occurred in this instance."
In this case, it seems quite clear that DCF relied on police to generate a dangerous situation. This violent outcome was foreseeable by anyone with rudimentary knowledge of common police practices in the face of citizens disobeying orders, regardless of whether such orders are lawful.
I wonder how this case fits into the transformational theme, "Trauma-informed practice as related to children and families but also to the workforce that serves them." This is an issue for Katz, who left a safe harbor to enter the maelstrom known as DCF.
The boy's lawyer, James Brewer of Simsbury, filed a notice of intent to sue the town of East Hartford for civil rights violations including assault. Brewer also claimed Tinsley falsified police reports to charge the boy with criminal offenses of interfering and assault on a police officer. He said Tinsley continued to punch the boy repeatedly in the body and face after he was handcuffed.
Photos taken after the incident show bruises on the boy's face and neck. A hospital evaluation also showed internal bleeding in the stomach, Brewer said.
Brewer also claimed that other officers who arrived on the scene joked about Tinsley being a Mixed Martial Arts fighter. When the child told an officer that Tinsley punched him in the face, Brewer said the officer responded: "Good! You're a punk and you should be in school."
By way of disclosure, I wrote favorably about Brewer as a columnist for The Connecticut Law Tribune in 2004, before I met him. We also worked together in 2005 on several cases as fellow private investigators.
Officer Tinsley, now the subject of criminal and internal investigations by East Hartford police, is on paid administrative leave. Brewer had asked Hartford State's Attorney Gail Hardy to have an outside agency conduct an investigation of the incident with the 12-year-old boy.
The boy has been diagnosed with a severe developmental disorder and depression, Brewer said, while the mother has struggled for more than a year to get him proper care and academic placement. They now live in constant fear.
Andy Thibault is a contributing editor for Journal Register Co.'s Connecticut publications and the author of Law & Justice In Everyday Life. He formerly served as a commissioner for Connecticut's Freedom of Information Commission. Reach Thibault by email at firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @cooljustice.


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Shawne Merriman -- I Did NOT Overdose on Drugs
Shawne Merriman I Did Not OD on Drugs
Retired NFL star Shawne Merriman is adamant ... he did NOT overdose on drugs at an L.A. nightclub last night ... telling TMZ he was simply dehydrated.
The 29-year-old -- who was transported from Colony nightclub to an L.A. hospital around 9:30pm Sunday night -- tells us ... "I didn't feel well and they called the ambulance for me to make sure I was good."
Merriman says he doesn't know who called the ambulance.
We're told the person who called 911 reported that Shawne was "barely conscious."
After Merriman was admitted to the hospital, the ex-NFL star says, "They told me to drink some fluids and sent me on my way."
Shawne says he's been running himself ragged recently -- "I've been finishing my MBA, shooting a bunch of films, launching my LightsOut [company] and still training."
In fact, Shawne says he had just gotten off a plane from Canada ... and went straight to the clubs last night.
Shawne's rep tells us, "At the hospital, he got fluids and felt fine ... so he went right back to the club."
As for reports that Shawne was treated for a drug overdose, the rep tells TMZ ..."That's absurd ... if you had a drug overdose, you wouldn't be at a club right after."
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The strange appearance of a supposed Nexus 5 in the video presentation of Bugdroid "KitKat" for Android 4.4, gave ideas to S4Gru. The U.S. site had fun to go rummaging through the records of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC, roughly equivalent to french ARCEP) and found strange documents relating to an LG smartphone, the D820.
If the the authorities documents tell us that the phone will manage the 4G, they are especially interesting in view of the famous KitKat video. The images shown therein including the back of a phone with a particularly wide for the camera sensor port side. Just as the one who stole the show at the mascot KitKat.
The image above, taken from a section detailing the device's Qi wireless charging capabilities, shows the inside of the back cover. When comparing it to the phone revealed at the HQ slip-up, the two pictures line up incredibly well.
The D820 also features 7-band LTE, some of which are compatible with AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint (bands 2/4/5/17/25/26/41), CDMA / EVDO rev A, pentaband DC-HSPA+ and quadband GSM / EDGE, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and dual-band 802.11 b/g/n/ac. That's an amazingly healthy list of specs for your usual FCC submission, and the list of LTE bands is quite stunning as well.
If it's not the Nexus 5, it's certainly going to be one heckuva flagship. Question is, how much doubt do you have? As usual, we leave you with the docs for you in case you have a burning desire to do some digging yourself.
In other words, it would seem that Google has left – voluntarily or not – reveal the Nexus 5.
Update: In one of the docs there's: an admission that the phone is running firmware M8974A, and the software version listed is "aosp_hammerhead-userdebugKyeLimePieFACTORYeng.sangjoon84.lee.20130618.015154." The firmware seems to indicate a Snapdragon 800 SoC, which wouldn't surprise us in the least, and the software appears to suggest that it's running KitKat (Key Lime Pie), weird typo aside.
Update 2: In a good catch by Brian Klug from Anandtech, the docs also clearly indicate that this device will have a 5-inch display (4.96-inch, to be exact), and measure 131.9mm tall and 68.2mm wide. Check out the screenshot after the break, and let us know your thoughts of the device.
We'll keep you updated if we hear anything more concrete.
In the meantime be sure to check us out daily as we covering the event second by second.
For more, head to our Facebook page and throw us a like or follow us on Twitter or add us to your circle in Google + so that you won't miss out any breaking news.


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IOC laughs off fake wolf in village prank
SOCHI, Russia (AP) -- Olympic organizers laughed off the prank by a U.S. luger involving a wolf supposedly prowling the athletes' village, and they said Friday that no disciplinary action is being taken.
American talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel said Thursday he cooperated with luger Kate Hansen to post a fake video of a wolf wandering the hall outside the athlete's room in Sochi. Instead, Kimmel's staff rented a wolf and built a set in Los Angeles that was a replica of the dorm and filmed the animal walking around.
"It made me kind of laugh as an individual, not as an IOC spokesman," International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams said Friday. "I don't think there's any harm done," he said. "I don't think it's anything serious."
Sochi organizing committee spokeswoman Alexandra Kosterina said "we've seen lots of fake photos and fake videos."
"It's their business if they want to do that," Kosterina said. "It's OK. People are having fun."
The U.S. Olympic Committee declined comment.
The video was tweeted from Hansen's social-media accounts and went viral during the day Thursday. Many media outlets fell for the prank before Kimmel's show aired, and he poked fun at the news organizations who ran it without verification.
Kimmel revealed the elaborate lengths used to pull off the joke, including building a replica of the hallway outside Hansen's room at the ABC show's Los Angeles studio. He showed the video that Hansen allowed the show to post.
Hansen, in an interview on the show, said that "it kind of went a little crazy over here" when the wolf story started spreading. "There was a little more backlash than I thought there would be," she said. "But it was all worth it in the end."


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"Carol" also will star Rooney Mara, of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."
A movie starring Cate Blanchett is set to film in Cincinnati next year.
The Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky Film Commission says "Carol" also will star Rooney Mara, of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." Mara and Blanchett's characters form a romantic relationship in the film, which is based on a novel by Patricia Highsmith.
Blanchett's acclaimed performances include in "The Aviator," for which she won a best-supporting-actress Oscar.
The commission says director Todd Haynes and the producers were attracted to Cincinnati's period architecture for the story set in 1950s New York City.
Commission executive director Kristen Schlotman says filming should provide hundreds of jobs next spring.
Moviemaking in Ohio has increased with help from state tax incentives. Films shot in Cincinnati include George Clooney's 2011 "The Ides of March."


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Trzpuc, S. J., Wendt, K. A., Heitzman, S. C., Skemp, S., Thomas, D., & Dahl, R. (2016). Does space matter? An exploratory study for a child–adolescent mental health inpatient unit. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal, 10(1), 23-44.
The value of taking a patient-centered approach to providing healthcare seems obvious. After all, the patient is the one who ultimately reaps the benefits of good health, so shouldn't he or she also have the chance to take an active role in his treatment process, guiding his own outcomes? That's the premise of a Patient-Centered Medical Home. Yet for healthcare organizations that provide a safety need for low-income and high risk populations, getting some of the poorest and sickest patients involved in their own care can be quite challenging.
How far do you go to involve your patients as a valued part of your organization? The answer may become increasingly important over the next few years. In the current healthcare climate, accrediting bodies and insurers are expecting providers to step up their efforts to design their care models in such a way as to encourage patients to take an active role in their own medical care.
Have you earned the designation of a Patient-Centered Medical Home (or PCMH) yet? If not, now is a good time to explore this up-and-coming model of excellence, which can be of benefit to both your patients and your organization, especially when you support the concept with your facility design so it all comes together seamlessly.


text: |Judaica Enterprises is an independent online store and is not directly affiliated with Chabad.org. Purchasing items from our Store is solely a transaction between you and Judaica Enterprises, other than the honorarium we receive when you make your order through our website. Please contact Judaica Enterprises for any questions you may have with the content of the store or status of your orders.


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News from Africa
Gunmen kill Somali broadcast journalist in Puntland
Two unidentified gunmen killed TV reporter Liban Abdullahi on Sunday evening in Galkayo, a central town in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, according to local journalists and news reports.
Two unidentified gunmen killed TV reporter Liban Abdullahi on Sunday evening in Galkayo, a central town in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, according to local journalists and news reports.
Liban, who was also known as "Liban Qaran," had left his office and was headed to his home in Wadajir village in northern Galkayo when unidentified gunmen approached and shot him several times, according to Mohamed Gelle, an eyewitness to the attack, who spoke to Agence France-Presse. The assailants fled the scene before security officers arrived. Liban died from his injuries upon reaching a hospital, local journalists said.
Liban was covering the lead-up to the July 15 council elections as a correspondent for the newly launched, U.K.-based Kalsan satellite television station, according to news reports and local journalists. In Puntland's first democratic council elections, four registered political associations will be competing for district council seats. Parliamentary elections will follow later this year, news reports said.
"The fatal attack on a journalist covering landmark elections in Puntland is alarming," said CPJ East Africa Consultant Tom Rhodes. "Authorities must do their utmost to investigate and apprehend the perpetrators."
Liban had worked for a variety of broadcasters in the past 10 years, including Radio SBC (Somali Broadcasting Corporation), Radio Daljir, Codka Nabadda ("Voice of Peace"), and Royal Television, local journalists said. He is survived by a wife and five children.
At least two journalists were killed earlier in 2013 in direct relation to their work in Somalia, which CPJ has ranked the deadliest place in Africa to practice journalism. Twelve journalists were murdered for their work in the country in 2012, with none of the killings resolved, according to CPJ research. Somalia ranks second-worst on CPJ's 2012 Impunity Index, which spotlights countries where journalists are murdered regularly and killers go free.
NEW YORK, July 9, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)
View online : http://appablog.wordpress.com/2013/...


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The British Broadcasting Corporation has released its catch-up service on Windows Phone with the iPlayer now available for Windows Phone 8 consumers. The app enables users to check out shows they may have missed the past seven days across the BBC channels. As we've covered previously, the BBC hasn't developed a native client as such, but has opted to start with a mobile web wrapper of its website.
So why have we said it's a "strong start" if we're only looking at a wrapper? Consumers have to take a step back and be grateful we have such a solution in the first place. The ability to watch past BBC shows on a Windows Phone while on the move is something we've been demanding for (literally) years. Here's what is highlighted on the app listing:
- On demand content over Wi-Fi and 3G.
- Add shows to your favourites so new episodes are quick to find for you to enjoy later.
- Ability to listen to BBC Radio in the background.
- Browse programmes by category, schedule, featured and most popular.
Be sure to check your data plan limitations before watching to your heart's content when not on the home network. Favourites can be configured, which is a welcomed step by those who enjoy tuning into a programme series. Search capabilities include browsing programmes by category, schedule, featured and most popular. What's more is the support for BBC radio as an added bonus.
So where can the BBC take its iPlayer app from here? We'll expect to see further development towards a native app on Windows Phone. With enough interest displayed by the community and the rising marketshare in multiple markets (including the UK), the broadcaster can't ignore the platform and its users, especially since it's a public-funded corporation. We'll look forward to full use of panorama controls with a simpler layout.
You can download BBC iPlayer from the Windows Phone Store (region restrictions in place and is listed for Windows Phone 8 only). Thanks to everyone who tipped us!
Review: Razer's Hammerhead True Wireless Pro deliver THX and ANC for gamers
If you're looking for really good wireless earbuds and also happen to like mobile gaming, the new Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pro is what you need. Featuring THX audio, ANC, low-latency streaming, and excellent comfort, there's a lot to like. Here's what we think of them after a week of using them with iOS and Android.
The Razer Tomahawk is small in stature, but mighty in power
Razer has a new gaming PC on the scene, and this time it's a compact desktop. The Razer Tomahawk Gaming Desktop uses a variation of the Tomahawk case to bring a modular, powerful PC that's designed to take up very little of your desk space.
Found out when Cyberpunk 2077 releases in your area on PC and console
Cyberpunk 2077 is really almost here, and CD Projekt RED has revealed the exact release times for local areas on PC and console, as well as pre-load information.
Make the most of your Surface Pen and Slim Pen with these awesome apps
To really maximize the ability of the Surface Pen and Slim Pen, there are some essential apps you should check out. We've rounded up the best right here for a variety of purposes.


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All airport locations are linked to Google Maps.
West mission
14.05.2012: Transfer from Friedrichshafen (ZLT) to Mainz-Finthen airport, refuelling in Malmsheim or optionally in Speyer.
15.05.2012: Transfer from Mainz-Finthen airport to Rotterdam airport, refuelling in Bonn-Hangelar
16.-26.05.2012: Scientific missions in the region, including the KNMI-mast at Cabauw, about 30 flight hours
27.05.2012: Transfer from Rotterdam airport to Mainz-Finthen airport, refuelling in Bonn-Hangelar
28.05.2012: Transfer from Mainz-Finthen airport to Friedrichshafen, refuelling in Malmsheim or optionally Speyer
The flight plan for the west mission can be downloaded as a Google Earth path with markers from here.
South mission
Traveling south
08.06.2012: Transfer from Friedrichshafen to Wels
09.06.2012: Transfer from Wels to Graz, refuelling in Bad Vöslau
10.06.2012: Transfer from Graz to Ozzano, optional refuelling in Celje, refuelling in Gorizia
11.06.-09.07.2012: Scientific missions in the region, including San Pietro Capofiume and possibly Bosco Fontana, about 110 flight hours
A Google Earth path for the traveling south part can be downloaded from here.
10.07.2012: Transfer from Ozzano to Alessandria
11.07.2012: Transfer from Alessandria to Avignon, refuelling in Albenga, refuelling in Fayence or alternatively in Frejus.
12.07.2012: Transfer from Avignon to Lyon
13.07.2012: Scientific mission in and around Lyon
14.07.2012: Transfer from Lyon to Friedrichshafen, refuelling in Montbeliard or alternatively in Besançon
The traveling north part can be downloaded as Google Earth path from here.
|South mission flight plan, traveling north (Image copyright Cnes/Spot Image 2012, Google 2012, GeoBasis-DE/BKG 2009)
Click to show bigger, then right-click and "show graphics" for full resolution
All flight routes are available in one file for display in Google Earth, to be downloaded from here.


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I've just jumped off the phone from an interview with Ben Fordham on Sydney radio, 2UE. We discussed the future trend of transparency – how technologies are merging to enable people to make more informed choices.
Two examples were discussed –
Naming and shaming restaurants – I've blogged about that before. And –
Naming and shaming ex-partners – Ben mentioned a website that allows jilted lovers to ward future women away from men they feel weren't up to par.
Whilst a lot of useful information exists today, and can be found on search engines such as Google, you still have to "PULL" the information toward you by searching for it – you have to know to look for the list of cockroach-infested restaurants or bad ex-boyfriends…
In the near future, relevent information will be identified, filtered and PUSHED toward you at appropriate times… As you step into a restaurant, your phone might vibrate to warn you about eating from that kitchen… A new person in a bar may be cause for your phone to send you a warning text message!
In any case, we seem to be heading toward a future where information will be presented to us in context-relevent ways… But what are the useful applications for this? I'd be interested in your ideas.
And welcome to any 2UE listeners who may have heard me named (but not shamed) at the end of our interview!


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