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Despite frequent disclaimers that Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave is "difficult to watch," the reverence that has greeted the film's theatrical release speaks to its essentially and calculatedly benign character. There can be few clearer indications of the film's eminent palatability than its garnering of the audience award at this year's Toronto International Film Festival, and given the fact that Toronto audiences have previously proved themselves capable canaries in the awards-season mines, it would be a very bold or foolhardy soul who would bet against a similarly enthusiastic reception from the Academy's voting body. Undeniably, 12 Years a Slave is dramatically compelling, impeccably crafted, and, generally, superbly performed. But much in the way that Solomon Northup's 1853 memoir was engineered to sway the sympathies of its Yankee readership to the abolitionist cause, one suspects the appeal of McQueen and producer-screenwriter John Ridley's adaptation is owed partly to the manner in which it has been custom-built to curry self-congratulatory favour with contemporary viewers.
For his part, McQueen has suggested in interviews that the film's rapturous reception is attributable in some measure to the propitious timing of its release. Citing the sesquicentennial of the Emancipation Proclamation, the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, the presidency of Barack Obama, and even the outcry at the killing of Trayvon Martin, McQueen posits that audiences are, at long last, ready to come to terms with the hideous reality of slavery and the still lingering vestiges of that peculiar institution. Yet rather than use Northup's remarkable testimony to explore the roots of the injustices that still characterize our present moment, McQueen and Ridley—as is often the case with filmmakers who endeavour to repackage historical atrocities as edificatory entertainment—have erred on the side of facile accessibility. However vividly realized, their account of Northup's kidnapping and bondage seldom threatens to collapse the comforting historical and ideological distances between those events and the film's spectators; on the contrary, they have actively worked to widen the gulf between right-thinking 21st-century cinemagoers and the assorted perpetrators of and aides to Northup's oppression.
So much is apparent in the deviations Ridley's script makes from the source text, which, though rarely dramatic, cumulatively serve to strip Northup's account of much of its nuance, most notably as concerns the characterization of his enslavers. The embellishments start early: shortly after being bamboozled by a pair of unscrupulous circus impresarios, middle-class New York musician Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) finds himself captive aboard a riverboat bound for the New Orleans slave market. As Northup dozes below deck, huddled amongst his fellow human cargo, a white crewman enters the hold and, wearing a lecherous sneer, seizes a female captive; when another attempts to intervene, the crewman casually stabs him in the gut and leaves him to die. (That McQueen casts Michael K. Williams, The Wire's almost-invincible Omar, as the would-be rescuer will, for many, make his character's abrupt demise all the more alarming.) Northup's memoir, which attributes the journey's only casualty to a case of smallpox, confirms this craven, murderous rapist to be wholly Ridley's invention.
Taken by itself, this distortion is perhaps not outrageous, even if it will ring manifestly false to viewers who recognize that offhanded shivvings of valuable human chattels was counterintuitive for enterprising slavers. Unfortunately, it is only the first of several instances in which Ridley's screenplay reduces Southern whites to hateful caricatures (in pointed contrast to the film's strangely idyllic, virtually post-racial rendering of the North). From the stinging slap that punctuates Northup's rechristening as "Platt," to a plantation mistress' blithe assurance to a grieving mother that her stolen children will "soon be forgotten," to a horrifically casual double lynching in a forest clearing (artfully taking place at the back of the frame as the terrified Northup quickly walks by), the film is filled with italicized moments of Southern white barbarism, ensuring that even the most fleetingly introduced Southerners register as outright fiends.
While Northup's memoir certainly does single out certain individuals for their cruelty, Ridley and McQueen can't resist the temptation to double down. Hence plantation foreman John Tibeats, described in the book as given to fits of violent abuse, becomes a cartoonish composite played by Paul Dano as a blustering yokel straight out of Blazing Saddles (1974). An altercation between Northup and Tibeats gives rise to one of the film's most wrenching spectacles: a bound and noose-suspended Northup tiptoeing on the brink of strangulation for what seems an eternity, his fellow slaves too inured or fearful to interfere, as McQueen's camera unblinkingly observes with ostentatious neutrality. But this episode, too, is a partial fabrication: by Northup's own account, the attempted lynching was nipped in the bud, and, while he does recall standing bound for hours in the punishing sun, he was never, in fact, strung up. Needless to say, to depict this incident as Northup actually recounts it would not only diminish the shock value of McQueen's show-stopping set piece, but would also deprive him of an opportunity to underscore the heartlessness of the nonchalant whites who hover like spectres at the periphery of the scene.
As for Northup's second master Edwin Epps—characterized in the book as a "hard, cruel, and unjust man" who took pride in his reputation as a "nigger breaker," as well as a being a belligerent, licentious drunk—the film's rendering eclipses the already frightening figure described in the memoir by transforming him, in the person of a wild-eyed, red-bearded Michael Fassbender, into a psychopathic antebellum archetype, nothing less than slavery's depravities personified. A better actor than Dano, Fassbender succeeds in lending the character an occasional flickering of pathos—Epps' viciousness is depicted as being partly an expression of his frustrated devotion, however warped, to his slave mistress Patsey (Lupita Nyong'o)—but ultimately his turn is the stuff of the coarsest melodrama. While this long-suffering McQueen stalwart can at least anticipate an Oscar nomination for his strenuous efforts—here, for once, Fassbender gets to turn the self-flagellation of his Hunger (2008) and Shame (2011) performances outwards (literally)—spare a thought for poor Sarah Paulson: as Mistress Epps, her thankless task is to embody an individual toward whom Northup expressed a fascinating ambivalence (aside from her jealous nature, he observes, "there was much in her character to admire"), and whom McQueen and Ridley have reduced to a portrait of purest villainy; in the film, even her solitary, ostensibly benevolent act—presenting her husband's slaves with a tray of pastries—is strictly a pretext to further humiliate the hapless object of her husband's fixation.
Of course, the blanket retort to the preceding observations is that, in heightening the horrors of Northup's ordeal, the filmmakers are doing justice to slavery's true nature, if not the more measured particulars of Northup's telling: if Northup did not himself experience the precise brutalities depicted in the film, one can reasonably assume that others were surely subjected to similar, and even worse besides. But by characterizing Northup's oppressors as semi-demonic sadists, McQueen and Ridley invite viewers to overlook the reality of American slavery as a system of economic exploitation that was practiced not by some intrinsically malevolent historical "other," but by individuals not fundamentally dissimilar to themselves, and which remains evident in contemporary systemic disparities of power and privilege. Like so many other well-meaning films about heinous historical episodes, 12 Years a Slave belabours brutality in order to allow viewers to take pride in their capacity to be dismayed by the horrors on show, and to applaud themselves for their undeniable moral superiority to Epps, Tibeats, and the rest of their malicious ilk.
Yet in the film's redneck rogue's gallery, Northup's first "master" William Ford (the omnipresent Benedict Cumberbatch) stands apart, as a white Southerner with whom audiences may actually have been able to identify—perhaps not least because his benevolence is bound up in his complicity with a monstrous system. Described by Northup as a superlatively "kind, noble, candid, Christian man," Ford is illustrative of the often powerful disinclination to question the iniquities from which one stands to benefit, and is one of the film's few intellectually discomfiting features precisely because he is difficult to reconcile with the distancing notion that slavery was practiced strictly by some wicked, Southern-bred subspecies of humanity. Disappointingly, one senses that Ford is employed by McQueen and Ridley largely to pay lip service to expectations of moral complexity, particularly as he is soon narratively dispatched in favour of the more graphic oppressions meted out by the hyperventilating Epps. Paradoxically, inasmuch as they conform to audience preconceptions concerning the savagery of slave-holding Southerners, the more visceral horrors that precede Northup's title-announced deliverance are considerably easier to countenance, and stomach.


text: I've seen way too many cities fall for the big box store. In fact, I worked on a couple of them back in my engineering days. The big box retailer would come to town and promise to pay all the up-front costs for running the sewer and water and putting in the frontage roads. Sometimes they ask for tax subsidies to pay them back – "but for" the subsidy, the development wouldn't happen, or so they say – but often they make this investment as part of doing business.

subset: commoncrawl


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No Time for Boys, Page 5
Eee, this scene still makes me blush! I'm such a sucker for these lame, romantic lines! "For you, anything." Pfft, please! So predictable! But so effective! I wish more guys had try to woo me thusly when I was single. My husband was the first one to really try to sweep me off my feet. It was a full-on romantic assault. And it worked so well! I still look back and say, wait, what?
This was originally commissioned by and posted on gURL.com. A lot of the teenage gurls commented that this helped them feel better about not being in a relationship yet. I wrote this one reply:
"Just wanted to say that if you haven't had a boyfriend yet, I didn't have one till I was 19, it lasted three months or so, and I waited three years before I met another I wanted to date.
It takes some time! Don't settle! Good things come to those who are in no hurry to buy."
That was 2008. Four years later, I still have this "heron in the pond" sit-and-wait attitude about things. I wonder if I still will in 40 years? It's serving me well so far.
- http://williamsbloodyhell.com
- http://williamsbloodyhell.com


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September 13, 2013
This month's celebration honoring Barry's birth continues with a story from a woman whose devotion to Barry began in childhood for a different kind of reason. It just goes to show how Barry touches people in all kinds of ways. The fans know a great man, as well as a great musician, when they see him.
I think my love for Barry Gibb started for a different reason than most people. When I was little, my Mom used to take me and my brother Jason to our church on Wednesday evenings to cook for the homeless on "soup night". I remember helping serve bowls of soup and helping in the church kitchen. We also worked in the food pantry some Saturdays. My Mom always did all kinds of volunteer work and taught us to "give back". It was just a part of our lives that we spent the day before Thanksgiving putting together food boxes, made gift baskets for Christmas, and helped organize Easter egg hunts for the kids in the community who didn't have much fun in their lives. Mom listened to the Bee Gees when they first started and said she'd never forget when "Massachusetts" became a huge hit. I was about 9 when "Too Much Heaven" was released and the Bee Gees organized the concert at the U.N. and donated the money to charity. I saw pictures of Barry and thought he looked like Jesus. I know that sounds funny, but he had a beard and long hair and was so handsome. He seemed strong and like a leader. Mom said that "Too Much Heaven" was going to make money for UNICEF and explained to me what UNICEF was. From that time on, I was in awe of him. I asked for a poster of the Bee Gees and Mom got me all sorts of pictures of them and Barry. "Spirits Having Flown" was my first album. I thought he had the most special voice, and we loved him because he was giving back to people who needed help when he didn't have to do it. As an adult, I still volunteer with my Mother, and Barry Gibb is still my favorite person in all of music. The UNICEF concert wasn't a fluke. Barry Gibb has been giving back ever since in so many ways, helping charities and staying right up on that pedestal, as far as I'm concerned. He is the perfect musician with a charitable heart, and I love him.


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Dean Somerset has had it up to here with fitness bull. "There's a lot of common advice in the industry that's just wrong," says Somerset, C.S.C.S., an exercise physiologist from Edmonton, Alberta Canada. "The biggest problem is that even a lot of trainers believe these misconceptions, or just go along with them." And that's really too bad, because following bunk advice means that you won't get the most out of your hard work in the gym. I asked Somerset to reveal three pervasive lies that he hears far too many trainers tell their clients. Nix this pseudo-science from your routine and you'll not only save time, you'll also see results faster.
Lie #1: Cardio Burns Muscle
Many lifters avoid the treadmill like a crazy ex-lover, thinking that a single cardio session has the ability to eat up much of their muscle gains. "Your body could absolutely start to use muscle as fuel when you're doing cardio," says Somerset. "But only during extremely long bouts of it, like at the very end of a marathon, and only after you've used up all of your stored energy sources." Indeed, rather than consume itself, your body prefers to use the food that you eat to fuel your long run or ride. It's a survival mechanism.
Your Move: Don't fear cardio—it can actually help you gain muscle. Cardio obviously has heart health benefits, but it can also translate to bigger muscles, says Somerset. "Let's say you've lifted on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday," he says. "Doing 30 to 60 minutes of cardio over the weekend improves both oxygen delivery to your muscles and waste removal out of them." That helps you recover. So you'll be ready for a harder workout come Monday, leading to better long-term gains.
Lie #2: Certain Exercises Build Long and Lean Muscles
A favorite claim of celebrity trainers is that their workouts build you a "long and lean" physique. "If you want to lengthen a muscle, you have to break a bone and increase the distance from where the muscle originates to where it inserts," says Somerset. "In other words, you can't 'lengthen' a muscle with an exercise." Long and lean muscles are actually just what people think of when they see people who have excellent muscle definition yet relatively small muscle size. (Think of a marathoner versus a bodybuilder.)
Your Move: If that "long and lean" look is what you're after, you need to get lean and also avoid building too much muscle. So lock down your diet and train like guys who have the "long and lean" look: runners and Adam Levine. Consider cardio, yoga, and Pilates. Or just resent your parents.
Lie #3: High Intensity Interval Training Is Best for Fat Loss
Intensity is key for burning calories quickly—which is why intervals are the darling of any trainer looking to help a busy client see results. "But some trainers claim that intervals are superior for fat loss compared to other types of exercise," says Somerset. "Studies show that interval training is great for increasing VO2 Max and calorie burn. That can translate into weight loss if a person isn't eating more than they're using. But they aren't any better for getting rid of fat than any other exercise."
Your Move: To lose fat, burn more calories than you take in, says Somerset. Lock down your diet and try to consume about 300-500 fewer calories a day than you need to maintain your current weight (an online calculator like MyFitnessPal can help you figure this out). Equally important: layer an activity on top of your new eating plan. "Whether it's a long stroll or lifting until your face falls off," says Somerset, "any exercise that you do often and enjoy is the best kind of exercise." Sure, intervals are more efficient. But if you hate them and therefore only do them once a week, you're better off pursuing a "less efficient" activity that you'll do consistently.
Michael Easter is a health and fitness writer, a visiting lecturer at UNLV, and the author of The Comfort Crisis.


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I understand that our culture still has residual messaging that favors boys in leadership roles. I don't worry about this so much in surface cultural productions, which overcompensate to the point that every action movie must have the requisite 110-pound female who destroys linebacker males in hand-to-hand combat. But it's still in the cultural unconscious, in the brainstem, in the fairy tales and playground games that persist for centuries below the radar of surface cultural changes.
Liberals do well to focus attention on cultural formations that should encourage girls and boys alike to leadership roles. The "Ban Bossy" campaign led by Sheryl Sandberg and others, however, seems the wrong way to go about it. My experience is that bossiness is evenly distributed, and equally undesirable, in both genders. An effort to provide more narrative and real-life models of female leadership (and I don't mean the female action roles cited above) would be a liberal agenda that makes sense. Banning the word "bossy" in application to girls, less so. It merely suggests that since women are underrepresented in positions of power, we should hereby allow girls (and not boys) to be bossy with impunity.
The tack of granting special linguistic privileges to a protected class of people, albeit well received by those listeners already in the choir, is not going to win new friends for liberalism. It's in a way similar (although I don't claim the analogy holds in every respect) to the common liberal position that one race (black), due to historical conditions, should be allowed to use elements of the language, or make fashion choices, that are off limits to other races (e.g., white). I understand the historical reasons that certain language is particularly offensive coming from certain races, but you always lose more than you gain when you put regulatory language walls between people based on race or gender (not to mention it's anathema to my anarchist tendencies, which push the margin of error toward freedom of expression rather than toward restricted expression). You're basically throwing in the towel, saying that our shared humanness is trumped by our demographic differences and so we may as well lock in those differences by linguistic fiat. In the case of black and white, you are probably reifying racial differences between two groups whereas in reality race is a continuum, if not entirely a social construct. A better case could be made for two genders (or at least two primary sexes), but still, banning the adjective "bossy" as a descriptor for women will appear to many potential allies as promotion of a double standard based on gender, and smacks a little too much of the "separate but equal" strategy used by segregationists in the Civil Rights era.
Again, I'm not saying that the problem doesn't exist. I think Sandberg rightly spotlights the dearth of women in leadership roles. From what I've heard of the Lean In movement she has championed, I support many of the same goals. I believe that our culture, at least deep down in its brainstem if not in its current best practices, does encourage leadership in boys more than in girls. But if we're going to come at the formations of leadership through the access point of "bossiness," I'd prefer that we teach both genders the difference between bossiness and real leadership. This might save the next generation – male and female alike – a lot of grief that my generation had to put up with from boorish faux leaders in hierarchical places.


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Acrylic paint is a fine art paint. Unlike oil-based paint, another medium for artists, you don't thin acrylic artist colors with paint thinner. The result is a hideous mess should you attempt to. There are other thinners to employ for acrylic artist paints. Each has different qualities. Evaluate what you're seeking as an end result for your painting or area of the painting, and choose the thinner that will work best.
Water is the easiest thinner. It's ubiquitous and usually free. You can thin your acrylic paint down to a watercolor thinness by adding a great deal of it to a small scoop of paint. This is good for staining. Small amount of water added to acrylic make it more workable. This means it's not as tacky and thick. Water will keep the paint matte. You don't need to worry about glossy glare coming from the surface of your painting. It does not have body, though. Since water isn't viscous, it's harder to build up thicker surfaces.
Video of the Day
Acrylic Matte Medium
Acrylic matte medium is a fine, thick consistency. It's thicker than water, but not as dense and viscous as the paint. This means you can achieve a nice, milkshake-like paint mixture, which is advantageous for heavier, richer applications on the surface of your painting. The matte qualities, imparted into the medium, mean the heavier texture won't come at the cost of a glossy finish.
Acrylic Gloss Medium
Gloss medium is extremely similar to its matte counterpart. The viscosity is almost identical. That means thicker paint mixtures in comparison to water. The gloss medium, though, imparts a fine sheen to the painting's finished surface. For a portrait, still life or other type of painting where you wish to achieve a look of shiny varnish, like an oil painting, at the end, use gloss medium in all your color mixtures.
Other Additives
Acrylic lends itself to lots of different types of additives, media or other kinds of thinners and media that have special qualities. Heavy gels can be used to blend with paint. They thin the paint in one sense, the acrylic colors will go further. These gels, though, are actually denser than the paint. Some can be scooped into peaks or even sculptural forms with the paint embedded. Other additives in liquid form, like fabric sealers, prepare the acrylic paint for durable wear when applied to a raw fabric like canvas or cotton.


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So you are building a doghouse for your dog?
There are various types of doghouses available.
You also can find double doghouses, duplex houses and portable ones.
Features to consider when building a dog house :
You can build your own doghouse by using doghouse plans or doghouse kits.
If you can follow directions and know how to use basic tools, you should be able to build your own doghouse.
Look for doghouse plans on the internet, which will provide detailed instructions.
Of course, if you have building experience you can build a doghouse without plans or a kit
The easiest way to build a doghouse is from a kit – it has everything you need. Most of them have:
If you have a hammer and screw driver you are set.
Basic kits start at $100.00
If you are going to use a blueprint consider these things :
Good Luck!


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Nature has an article up describing the problems with the BICEP2 results that are now being identified by various scientists. It's actually the second one I've seen them publish on this.
The astronomers who this spring announced that they had evidence of primordial gravitational waves jumped the gun because they did not take into proper account a confounding effect of galactic dust, two new analyses suggest. Although further observations may yet find the signal to emerge from the noise, independent experts now say they no longer believe that the original data constituted significant evidence.
Researchers said in March that they had found a faint twisting pattern in the polarization of the cosmic microwave background (CMB), the Big Bang's afterglow, using a South Pole-based radio telescope called BICEP2. This pattern, they said, was evidence for primordial gravitational waves, ripples in the fabric of space-time generated in the early Universe (see 'Telescope captures view of gravitational waves'). The announcement caused a sensation because it seemed to confirm the theory of cosmic inflation, which holds that the cosmos mushroomed in size during the first fraction of a second after the Big Bang.
However two independent analyses now suggest that those twisting patterns in the CMB polarization could just as easily be accounted for by dust in the Milky Way Galaxy1, 2.
The BICEP2 team has reportedly been sticking to their guns, and many theoretical physicists initially downplayed the issues, so I've been reluctant to put too much credence to these stories. But the doubts seem to be gaining more traction, and this caught my attention:
"I had thought that the result was very secure," Alan Guth, the cosmologist who first proposed the concept of cosmic inflation in 1980, and who is at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, told Nature after learning about Flauger's talk. "Now the situation has changed."
It's still possible that when the BICEP2 team actually publishes their results, all of the issues will be addressed and results still found to be compelling. But when the father of cosmic inflation loses confidence in the results, I'd say they're on the ropes. Inflation definitely may still be reality, but we might not have proof for it yet.


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A visit to Yellowstone Park was not on our main agenda this trip but we are so close we couldn't pass up a one-day drive-through. It was a lot of driving with the Jeep, but better that than drive the RV in. This is not the first visit for us. I think this might even be my 5th time here. It really takes a few days to see it all properly, we plan a return trip in a year or two for that proper experience.
Yellowstone National Park is home to Old Faithful and the majority of the world's geysers and hot springs. It's also a very beautiful mountain wildland and home to free-ranging herds of bison and elk.
This is only half of the semi-circle of people waiting for Old Faithful to erupt.
And Old Faithful was true to her reputation, erupting right on schedule.
The only wildlife we saw this time were a few bison and some swans. I remember seeing lots more on previous visits. Hopefully next time we will see more.
Then late afternoon we had to drive through a patch of road construction as we were driving some narrow winding mountain roads. As if that wasn't bad enough it began to rain, and then lightning and thunder. As we were driving out of Yellowstone the rain let up and we had the pleasure of seeing a complete rainbow.


text: Hello dear readers! Long time to a nice poetry, right? Here's an attempt. A tribute to the ageing parents round the world, wishing them a better life. ©2015lavanya99. All rights reserved. The Ageing Wrinkled, hands of yours, Shivering,shaking,trembling, All along, Oh how I pity you, But tell me, can I help you? With my busy… Continue reading The Ageing


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Updated shopping list August 2018 – £46.14 = £1.15pp per day
This weeks shopping list is for a 10 day vegan challenge. Although so called 'clean eating' is very trendy right now, it can be very expensive to follow. I think this menu plan I've devised goes some way to addressing the food issue of over processed food, but at a realistic price.
There are no Chia seeds or Gobi berries, but plenty of healthy fruit and vegetables, and I've even added FREE picked nettles to some recipes as they are full of vitamins and iron, but you could just use spinach instead.
Until I started looking in to vegetarian and vegan foods I was unaware of the restrictions allowed in this diet. I've used maple syrup instead of honey and Vegan cheese and Soya milks as replacements even though they cost a lot more than dairy products, I've still kept close to the £1 a day budget.
Again a few everyday stock cupboard ingredients have been used so I've listed them here as well as a few fresh herbs cut from my garden.
Salt and pepper
Tomato ketchup
Tomato purée
Olive oil
Ground cumin
Ground coriander
Chilli flakes (optional)
Patak Rogan Josh curry paste
(black) Mustard seeds
Cumin seeds
Wine or cider vinegar
Plain flour
Stock cubes
Hoisin sauce (optional)
Rice wine vinegar
Sweet chilli sauce
Soy sauce
Sesame seeds (optional)
Ground nut oil (optional)
Ground cinnamon
Any type of unsalted mixed nuts
If you have growing in pots
Fresh thyme
Fresh bay leaves


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Please note dear reader, and be just as excited as I am, please, that I now have a new page:
Greek/Cypriot A-Z, where you can find all my traditional family recipes grouped in one place, just click on the link and be taken to each recipe.
You can find it near the top of the page, next to the 'About me' and 'About my blog' pages.
Do take a look, these recipes mean a lot to me and my family…and if you try one let me know!


text: The ideal candidate will have In-depth knowledge of and experience with Requirements Engineering and the system development processes. Very good organisational skills to chair workshops and manage the expectation of a wide variety of stake holders. Good interviewing, communication and writing skills. Experience with Service Management and IT project management. Working knowledge of technical IT


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I was initially going to talk about current usage of quotation marks, also known as 'speech marks' or 'inverted commas', but I was curious about the origins of the marks themselves, so decided to do some research. However, rather than reinventing the wheel, so to speak, I found an excellent article which is an excerpt of author Keith Houston's Shady Characters: The Secret Life of Punctuation, Symbols, and Other Typographical Marks. If you want the details on quotation marks, then head to this link (click here) for a fascinating read. But I will endeavour to sum it up here.
Houston traces quotation marks back to the early Greeks at the Library of Alexandria in the second Century BC. Apparently, a librarian named Aristarchus was helping edit and clarify the library's holdings, which at that time comprised handwritten papyrus scrolls. He used an arrow-type character (>) called a diple (double) to mark in the margins of text of noteworthy interest, and a 'dotted diple' to mark passages where he differed with the reading of other critics. Then the early Christian church came along and applied the diple to clarify the words of Jesus Christ and his disciples in scripture. Latin took over from Greek and parchment books replaced papyrus scrolls.
However, the diple and the double diple were given various jobs and were not applied consistently, and the marks were altered into various forms, including a dot placed in the wedge of the diple and the mark rotated into a 'V' with a dot cradled in the upraised arms. Thus, the traditional diple mark had disappeared by the end of the eighth century.
Handwritten books then gave way to the advent of printed material with the invention of the first movable type, and this had its effect on quotations. Printers experimented with different ways to handle quoted text — alternative typefaces, parentheses and so on. Some books did not even bother with distinguishing quotes.
The diple returned as double commas at the start of the 16th century, derived from the slanted virgule (/), used to indicate a brief pause. However, the mark was still applied to the margin against lines with quoted text though not precisely indicating the start and finish of a quote. Bishop John Fisher, in a work published in 1525, was the first to orient the commas so that they 'opened' towards the text. Commas in the outer margin of right-hand pages were set as normal, while those on left-hand pages were rotated 180 degrees or 'inverted'.
But this was by no means the end of the story, as usage was haphazard and Latin quotations were often placed in italics which gave rise to the still current practice of using italics to highlight names and quoted or referenced material. Houston writes that it was around the end of the 16th century that quotation marks took two significant steps: inverted commas moved to the body of the text itself; and quotation marks were first used to indicate direct speech.
The arrival of the novel in the 18th century pushed the need for quotation marks further as novelists 'quoted' their characters' speech with all its accents and slang intact. Writers started to indicate changes in speakers with paragraph breaks and explicitly opening and closing quotations. There was no more tackling the tedious task of placing quotation marks against each line. Printers cast the double quotes in single blocks of lead, doing away with the need to apply separate pairs of commas, and both America and England agreed on the practice of enclosing quoted text with matching pairs of opening and closing marks.
One would surmise that now the consistent usage of quotation marks was set in stone (or lead!) but Britain diverged from America's use of double quote marks in the 20th century, opting for single marks for direct speech, while double quotes were relegated to reported speech.
And this is merely a brief summary of the article, which in itself has been condensed! I hope this helps you understand more about the quotation mark and what I am about to say about its current use.
Whether you decide to go with the American style of double quotation marks or the British style of singular ones, if the person you quote is in turn quoting someone else, then the internal quote will use the alternative mark, and that is singular used within speech that starts with double quote marks, and vice versa.


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Organizations that have had 501(c)(4) applications pending for more than four months have new options through an expedited process announced by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Applications that have been pending for more than 120 days as of May 28 – and the organization's activities involve possible political campaign intervention or issue advocacy – are eligible to pursue the expedited option, according to a memo issued last month by IRS Exempt Organizations (EO) Director Kenneth Corbin providing interim guidance on (c)(4) applications. The IRS expected to send about 80 organizations a Letter 5228, Application Notification of Expedited 501(c)(4) Option.
Organizations could self-certify if they represent, under penalty of perjury, that they devote 60 percent or more of both spending and time to activities that promote social welfare and less than 40 percent on political campaign intervention – for past, current and future activities. Organizations must respond to the letter within 45 days.
The IRS would issue favorable determination letters on these applications, without further review, within two weeks of receiving signed representations from groups.
The percentages are not an interpretation of the law, according to the IRS, but a "safe harbor for organizations that choose to participate in the optional process." The agency issued a preliminary report that conceded that "significant management and judgment failures occurred," contributing to inappropriate treatment of some entities that applied for tax-exempt status, as outlined in a report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) earlier this year.
Acting IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel presented the 83-page report, "Charting a Path Forward at the IRS: Initial Assessment and Plan of Action," to Congress last month. The TIGTA report has since become the subject of numerous Congressional hearings and led to the removal or resignation of multiple IRS officials.
If organizations did not receive a Letter 5228 but believe they are eligible, the IRS suggests they review the eligibility criteria and call 877-829-5500.
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I am going way back into the files for these next few blog posts but I have a little time to get some done and wanted to share this wonderful family with you!
Meet the Scherpenzeel family. They were all gathering to celebrate the anniversary of their parents, grand parents, and great grand parents. We managed to dodge the rain and get some really great photos. They spent the day at White Pine Ranch Bed and Breakfast, a great place for gatherings and meals I hear. Along the way I even had an impromptu maternity session as there was one expecting couple within the family. We had so many laughs along the way and it made the time go by so quickly. I hope you enjoy the pictures. Thanks again for letting me capture your family I had a great time and hope you did as well.
How cute are these two girls
I just LOVE this shot… He only has eyes for her.


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Baked Fish and Vegetables
This quick dish shows how easy it can be to get one of the two recommended servings of seafood each week. Baked Fish and Vegetables is easy to make and will be a tasty family meal. Check out the recipe below. Visit the "Cooking with Onions" video to learn about other ways to utilize a key ingredient in this recipe.
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Another year, another robot heavy military exercise. Eighteen months or so ago, it was Unmanned Warrior, a marine based large scale demonstration of unmanned and autonomous systems led by the Royal Navy (previously blogged as Drone War Exercises).
Next up is Autonomous Warrior, the 2018 Army Warfighting Experiment. Apparently:
Autonomous Warrior will test a range of prototype unmanned aerial and ground cargo vehicles which aim to reduce the danger to troops during combat.
The British Army is set to launch the four-week exercise on November 12, with a Battlegroup from 1 Armed Infantry brigade providing the exercising troops and taking responsibility of command and control.
I wonder if the exercise is building on early results from the autonomous last mile resupply that was launched by the Defence and Security Accelerator last year with the following timeline:
In passing, the testing / performance criteria for competition entries provides a handy checklist of key considerations:
- Non stop range
- System lift capacity (mass)
- Payload size and shape (volume)
- Speed
- Turn around time and effort
- Terrain types
- Operator control requirements / autonomy levels (eg Automatic route planning, obstacle avoidance, tasking)
- Contested environment (eg no GPS)
- Physical Environmental conditions (eg wind)
- Supportability and Interchangeability
Spend on military robots for deployment also seems to be increasing, in the US at least. For example, Bloomberg reported recently (The U.S. Army Is Turning to Robot Soldiers) that:
In April, the [US] Army awarded a $429.1 million contract to two Massachusetts companies, Endeavor Robotics of Chelmsford and Waltham-based QinetiQ North America, for small bots weighing fewer than 25 pounds. This spring, Endeavor also landed two contracts worth $34 million from the Marine Corps for small and midsized robots. … In October, the Army awarded Endeavor $158.5 million for a class of more than 1,200 medium robots, called the Man-Transportable Robotic System, Increment II, weighing less than 165 pounds.
In the air, UK use of aerial drones is in accordance with the the 84 page Joint Doctrine Publication Unmanned aircraft systems (JDP 0-30.2); for a full list of joint doctrine publications see the Joint Doctrine Publication (JDP) collection.
I'm not sure if there's a reserve force that specifically recruits volunteers with skills in robotics, but I notice there is one for techies interested in matters relating to cyber-warfare/cyber-defence: Joint Cyber Reserve Force (CRF). You should probably read the JDP Cyber Primer first, though…


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Alexandra Neve is a student at University College London whose world suddenly falls apart. When her best friend jumps from the university's rooftop, she can't stop herself from asking, 'Why?' The police rule her friend's death a suicide and for them the case is closed — so whom can she turn to for help?
Sometimes the person you need the most is the one you least expect to find, and in this case it's none other than Ashford Egan, a blind middle-aged history professor, who's more willing than most to listen to what she has to say.
Neve and Egan are as different as they come. She's restless, careless at times, and fearless when the need arises, while he's almost the complete opposite: a deep thinker with an analytical mind, a highly rational and collected individual.
As they enter the violent world of the Russian mafia, they must overcome their differences and learn to work together. It's their only chance if they want to survive.
Cristelle Comby was born and raised in the French-speaking area of Switzerland, somewhere between Geneva and Lausanne, where she still resides.Thanks to her insatiable thirst for American and British action films and television dramas, her English is fluent.She attributes to her origins her ever-peaceful nature and her undying love for chocolate. She has a passion for art, which also includes an interest in drawing and acting.Russian Dolls is her first new-adult novel, and she's hard at work on the next titles in the series.


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Until quite recently I worked weekends which meant I often missed interesting events as more often than not they were scheduled for Saturdays and Sundays when the majority of folk were off work.
Category Archives: Shops/Shopping
Arran St East Shop and Studio
Filed under Craft, Dublin, Shops/Shopping
In and Around Florence
In May I went on holiday to Italy where I stayed in a town, Montecatini Terme, that has a regular and reliable train service to Florence and best of all the journey time is less than an hour. Florence is a compact easy-to-walk-around city: here's some of what I did on the days I headed off from base to explore it.
Filed under Artists, Restaurants/Cafés, Shops/Shopping, Travel
Retail Therapy of the Spending Kind and Some Cake
Feeling in need of something to cheer me up I headed to the city centre for a spot of retail therapy. I say of the spending kind because as often as not I am as happy to browse as I am to buy.
Filed under Cake, Coffee, Dublin, Fashion, Restaurants/Cafés, Shops/Shopping
Monkstown: Howbert and Mays
There is no need to send for Sherlock Holmes to solve the mystery of Dublin's disappearing garden centres because even the zebras in the zoo know that those centres, many of which were on large sites, were hovered up during boom times for development.
Filed under Dublin, Shops/Shopping
Out and About in Somerset
On my recent trip to England I travelled outwards by ferry to Holyhead and returned via a different port, Fishguard. I did this so I could see more of the English countryside and specifically to spend some time in Somerset, a county I hardly know at all.
Filed under Shops/Shopping, Travel
Dublin: Scout
Wendy Crawford has had an insanely busy year. She opened her shop Scout, a new and most welcome addition to the Dublin's independent retail scene, in March just a scant few weeks after she got married. Incidentally and veering totally off topic there are some lovely images of Wendy's wedding on photographer Doreen Kilfeather's blog. They are gorgeous pictures but I did sigh while admiring them as I realized the vast depths of photographic knowledge I have yet to plumb.
Filed under Dublin, Shops/Shopping, Style
In Which I Buy a New Pair of Jeans
I have been on a mission since last November to track down and buy a new pair of jeans: it was until recently seemingly mission impossible.
Filed under Musings, Shops/Shopping
Paris: Merci
Towards the end of February I went on a short trip to Paris. A very short trip. Just, in fact, for the day. It's perfectly doable from Dublin as the flight time is just over one hour thirty; plus there is an early flight which leaves Dublin at around seven am and one that takes off from Charles De Gaulle airport after nine pm, so even taking into account the loss of an hour, this allows for a goodly amount of time in Paris without it costing an unruly amount of cash (ie: the cost of an overnight stay).
Filed under Interiors, Paris, Shops/Shopping, Travel
Eilis Boyle's Cashmere Scarves
Last Sunday I ventured into the centre of Dublin, filled with a certain amount of trepidation, because that winter festival is approaching faster than a runaway train, and I was afeared I would meet a total cacophonous crush. But thankfully no: the city was gently awash with people, traffic whistled by, and Christmas lights twinkled but all in a pleasantly busy and festive-y way.
Filed under Designers, Dublin, Shops/Shopping
Makers & Brothers & Others
I don't doubt that, half a century hence, when someone sits down to write the annals of design in Ireland in the early part of the twenty-first century that the names of Jonathan and Mark Legge will be writ large in that history.
Filed under Craft, Designers, Dublin, Food/Wine, Shops/Shopping


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10 things Susan Spann Didn't Know She Needed to Know Before Writing her Novel
I'm excited to begin a series of guests posts featuring authors who will be telling us THINGS I DIDN'T KNOW I'D NEED TO KNOW BEFORE WRITING MY NOVEL.
For me, the research aspect of writing a novel — especially a historical one — was the fun part. It's much easier to passively take in information than actively create a story.
This past year, I've been having the chance to connect with lots of historical authors, and I'm constantly amazed at how far they travel, both in time and geographically.A? Compared to the places many authors take their imaginations, my journey to 1907 Manhattan in ASTOR PLACE VINTAGE seems quite close to home!
My first guest is Susan Spann, and her novel took her to 16th century Japan.
This book is the first of a Shinobi Mystery series that follows a crime-solving duo of a ninja detective and his Portuguese Jesuit sidekick."
Ten Things I Didn't Know I Needed to Know Before Writing CLAWS OF THE CAT
Prior to writing Claws of the Cat, the first Shinobi Mystery, I'd written a couple of manuscripts, but never one set in medieval Japan. I studied Japanese history and culture in college, and loved the medieval (samurai) era, but I still had a lot of work to do to write a novel (and now, a series) set in medieval Japan.
(Click on the question to reveal the answer)
[expand title="2. When did Portuguese Jesuits arrive in Japan?"]1549. I wanted to set my novels a few decades after the Portuguese arrived, but before the sight of foreigners had become commonplace to Japanese people. Before the arrival of Portuguese merchants in 1543, Japan had no significant contact with the West, so even in 1565, the sight of a foreigner could still spark interesting reactions.[/expand]
[expand title="3. Did shinobi (ninjas) really act as bodyguards and spies, as well as assassins?"]Yes! And good thing, too. I needed Hiro to have a job that allowed him to become a detective as well as a spy. In medieval Japan, shinobi filled a variety of spy-related functions. Some worked as assassins, while others worked undercover as spies or bodyguards. Some even lived false lives for years, waiting the time when their secret skills would be needed.[/expand]
[expand title="4. Did shinobi act independently, or did they belong to larger organizations?"]Most shinobi belonged to clans. The clan leader accepted (or refused) job requests from Japanese warlords and others (usually samurai) and assigned them to individual shinobi under his control (much the way organized crime bosses have done in many places throughout history). During the 16th century, the most powerful shinobi clans had bases at Iga and Koga Provinces.
My detective, Hiro, is a shinobi from the Iga clan.[/expand]
[expand title="5. Did ninjas really use throwing stars (shuriken) and other special weapons like we see in Japanese movies?"]They did. Shinobi studied, and used, a variety of specialized weapons. Some, like the shuriken (also called a "throwing star" or "ninja star") weren't used exactly the way we often see them in movies, or had additional uses as well, but they did exist and shinobi really used them.
Researching the various weapons, and finding ways to include them in my novels, was really fun![/expand]
[expand title="6. Could women own businesses in medieval Japan?"]Again, yes! Women often owned and operated businesses within the entertainment sector. Women most commonly owned teahouses, "geisha houses" and brothels, but female sake brewers and artisans also existed.[/expand]
[expand title="7. Are geishas the same as prostitutes?"]No. In most cases, geishas' sexual favors were not for sale. Geishas were supposed to have sex with one special patron (who paid handsomely for the privilege) at the start of the geisha's career, but that relationship was not supposed to last for long, and was intended to give the geisha a "maturity" that the culture believed virgins lacked. As a general rule, geishas were entertainers whose services consisted of conversation, singing, dance, and other arts that did not include sex for hire.[/expand]
[expand title="8. Did 16th century Japanese houses have hallways?"]No. Although the early drafts of my novel did put hallways in some of the houses, when I double-checked my books about Japanese architecture, I realized that hallways didn't come into common use in Japan until almost 100 years after my novel is set. In the next draft, all of the hallways disappeared.[/expand]
[expand title="9. Were there really Portuguese arms dealers in 16th century Japan?"]Yes. Portuguese traders tried to sell a variety of Western goods to the Japanese, but the one that inspired the greatest interest was something the Japanese called the tanegashima (after the name of the island where the Portuguese first landed in Japan).
In the West, we call that item an "arquebus."
Medieval Japan was ruled by samurai, members of the warrior class, who not only understood weapons but appreciated their use. The samurai quickly integrated the arquebus into their battle strategies, and by the mid-16th century there was significant demand for Portuguese firearms in Japan.[/expand]
[expand title="10. Did medieval Kyoto have a police force?"]Yes, and a highly organized one, at that. Justice was handed down, and trials conducted, by a pair of magistrates appointed by the shogun. Beneath the magistrates, as many as two dozen "assistant magistrates" (called yoriki) performed the job of police supervisors and inspectors. Beneath the yoriki were the doshin, who fulfilled the functions we might expect from "beat cop" — patrolling streets, making arrests, and keeping the peace within the Japanese capital.[/expand]
I learned many more things, too, but those are ten of the most intriguing. Did any of them surprise you?
Susan Spann writes the Shinobi Mysteries, featuring ninja detective Hiro Hattori. Her debut novel, CLAWS OF THE CAT (Minotaur Books, 2013), was named a Library Journal Mystery Debut of the Month. The second Shinobi Mystery, BLADE OF THE SAMURAI, will release July 15, 2014. Susan is also a transactional attorney whose practice focuses on publishing law and business. When not writing or practicing law, she raises seahorses and rare corals in her marine aquarium. You can find her online at her website, http://www.SusanSpann.com, and on Twitter (@SusanSpann).


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Your Air Conditioning Installation Contractor for Toms River
Whether you're a homeowner looking to put air conditioning in a new addition or add it to a home that's simply never had AC, we have the skills, experience and manpower you're looking for. Our Toms River Plumber has extensive experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems, so no matter what brand or type of air conditioner you choose, you can rest assured that we'll have it installed in the right way as quickly as possible.
We firmly believe that no matter how high–quality the air conditioning system you purchase, it will only serve you well if its installation is carried out properly. That's why we make sure that all of our customers receive the same high level of attention to detail from start to finish. We'll check and recheck our work to ensure that everything is working exactly as it should be. When we handle your New Jersey AC installation project, you know you're getting the best possible installers in the business.
As your heating and cooling system ages, it can lose efficiency and even break. When it does need a repair, it's important that you choose a reliable air conditioning repair company so that the problem doesn't persist. Count on Rich's Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning to get the job done right. We are highly experienced, licensed contractors. We believe so strongly in our services that we provide a free estimate to help you decide on the right system to fit your needs and budget, with products ranging from 13 S.E.E.R to 18 S.E.E.R all with R-410A Refrigerant. Whatever your need, we can help you find the product that matches your need.
Interested in energy-efficient air conditioning systems that could help you save up to to 30% on energy costs? We're ready to answer all of your questions as you go through the selection process. Don't wait till the middle of summer to get your air conditioning system repaired or installed.
Selecting the right air conditioning contractor can be a big decision to make, especially if you need a big job done. While not always something you think about, the HVAC systems in your home are important to your family's comfort, safety, and health. Just like with any other important service, you'll want to hire a qualified, full-time professional. At Rich's Plumbing & Heating, we are dedicated to providing every client with the best in air conditioning services and products, to ensure that your cooling system is working correctly.
Air Conditioning Services We Provide in the North New Jersey Shore Area:
New Jersey air conditioners have become an essential part of many households and there are a variety of air conditioners available on the market for different prices, serving different purposes and under different brand names. Buying an AC is not at all difficult, owing to the many companies selling them these days. The tougher task is the installation once the unit has been purchased.
Correct ac installation in New Jersey is very important, as it has quite a bearing on the actual effect of the air conditioner. Incorrect installation can lead to high electricity bills, poor cooling air circulation, as well as maintenance problems. Many studies have proven that air conditioners that are improperly installed reduce its capacity and efficiency by more than twenty percent. Incorrect airflow problems are another common problem with improper AC installations.
Our HVAC contractors will work with the homeowner to ensure the homeowner is kept up-to-date throughout the project. We want to ensure that homeowner is completely satisfied with the finished project. At Rich's Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning, our New Jersey HVAC contractors strive to provide homeowners with a service experience that is unmatched.
We offer 24/7 emergency HVAC services to local homeowners in New Jersey. No matter your HVAC needs, our air conditioning installation contractors have the experience and knowledge to guarantee quality service. Call us today for a FREE air conditioning installation estimate and consultation!


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Have you noticed the left's tendency to politicize absolutely everything to fit their world view? Christmas is no exception. Just in time for one of the most sacred holidays for Christians around the world, the Huffington Post offers this:
Jesus Was A Socialist
As people around the world celebrate Christmas, it is worth remembering that Jesus was a socialist. Of course, he was born long before the rise of industrial capitalism in the 19th century, but his radical ideas have influenced many critics of capitalism, including many prominent socialists and even Pope Francis.
Pope Francis has consistently criticized the human and spiritual damage caused by global capitalism, widening inequality, and corporate sweatshops. Last week, he blamed the "god of money" for the extremist violence that is taking place around the world. A ruthless global economy, he argued, leads marginalized people to violence.
In 2013, he released a remarkable 84-page document in which he attacked unfettered capitalism as "a new tyranny," criticized the "idolatry of money," and urged politicians to guarantee all citizens "dignified work, education and healthcare."…
"No one can serve two masters," Jesus says in Matthew 6:24. "Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
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In Luke 12:15, Jesus says, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'"
Isn't it nice of the Godless left to explain the true meaning of Christ's message to the rest of us?
Now they can get back to calling Christians backwards and stupid like they usually do.


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Adapted from a Canticle Communications release
Church Divinity School of the Pacific will celebrate its new St. Margaret's Visiting Professorship on Women in Ministry with speakers, a book talk, Eucharist and a festive dinner on November 6.
The day of celebration begins at 2:30 p.m. and concludes at 9, and will be webcast at cdsp.edu.
The Rt. Rev. Mary Gray-Reeves, Bishop of El Camino Real, will preach at the Eucharist and Jenny Te Paa Daniel, an editor of Anglican Women on Church and Mission, will lead a discussion with co-editors Kwok Pui-lan and Judith Berling.
Te Paa Daniel, the New Zealand-born educator and advocate who was the first indigenous laywoman to be appointed to lead an Anglican theological college, is the inaugural St. Margaret's visiting professor.
"The church relies on women, at every level and in every role," said the Rev. Mark Richardson, CDSP's dean and president. "Yet we seldom stop to take a long, deep look at the particular challenges women face within the church. I am excited and grateful that so many of the leading women in our church and the wider Anglican Communion have agreed to share their experiences with us. This is exactly the kind of event we had in mind when the St. Margaret's professorship was created."
The professorship is being inaugurated on the 40th anniversary of the ordination service for the Philadelphia 11. It was made possible by support from a cadre of women who have taught or studied at CDSP. The chair is named in honor of St. Margaret's House, a Berkeley-based institution that trained deaconesses and laywomen for ministry in the Episcopal Church from 1909 to 1966.
"CDSP's desire is to welcome women leaders into our community each year through the visiting professorship, and to represent different generations of leaders and breadth of contributions through this endowed program," Richardson said.
Admission to the event is $50 and dinner is included.
Image: Jenny Te Paa Daniel at General Convention in 2009 • Episcopal Church Library
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A black bourgeoisie perspective on U.S. politics
Actually, I'm from Oakland, but the sentiment is there, and I miss the times when the people come together in protest of the Government. The Bay Area is the first part of the country to demand George Bush be impeached; they demanded an exit from Iraq as far back as 2002. In fact, the history of the San Francisco Bay Area is anti-war, and truly progressive in every sense of the word.
Which is why I'm watching the Nancy Pelosi-Cindy Sheehan contest very closely. Sheehan may lose, but I think she will send Madame Speaker back to DC considerably weakened, after taking Impeachment of GeeShrubya off the table and all, and basically ignoring and pissing off her constituents. But, that's not what I'm writing about.
I'm writing about the fact that the City By the Bay has finally found something to name after President George W. Bush, and it may well be appropriate:
The above picture is that of a sewage plant. And the citizens of San Francisco are taking steps to putting on the November ballot an initiative that, should it pass, officially name the sewage plant after the 43rd President of the United States.
And since he's worried about his "legacy" as POTUS, there's nothing better to honor that "legacy" than to name a shythole after him. Pretty representative of the eight years he's had to turn America into the biggest shythole on the face of the earth.
My hat tip to Crooks and Liars – who are San Francisco/Los Angeles-based.
Cheryl Contee aka "Jill Tubman", Baratunde Thurston aka "Jack Turner", rikyrah, Leutisha Stills aka "The Christian Progressive Liberal", B-Serious, Casey Gane-McCalla, Jonathan Pitts-Wiley aka "Marcus Toussaint," Fredric Mitchell
Special Contributors: James Rucker, Rinku Sen, Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, Adam Luna, Kamala Harris
Technical Contributor: Brandon Sheats


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With only a few days left before Cupertino voters decide the fate of The Hills at Vallco, residents on both sides of the debate over Measures C and D are scrambling to get the final say in what has been a highly contentious campaign.
Allegations of sign theft, assault and misappropriation of campaign money are being lobbed by both sides, and a 40-foot-tall sign that Cupertino officials say violates city codes appeared over the weekend.
The "No on C" banner was hoisted at the corner of Wolfe Road and Stevens Creek Boulevard by union-affiliated Santa Clara County Residents for Responsible Development. A press release sent by the group on Oct. 31 says the sign was affixed to a boom crane "to demonstrate what type of development that would be allowed in residential neighborhoods if Cupertino's Measure C is adopted."
Measure C's supporters, a group called Cupertino Residents for Sensible Zoning Action Committee, condemned the sign in a press release of its own as "illegal" and "arrogant."
According to city spokesman Brian Babcock, the banner violates two sign codes by not having a planning division permit and not being affixed to a building. After inspecting the sign, a code enforcement officer on Oct. 31 informed the owners they had 24 hours to take down the sign or be cited $500 a day per violation.
The banner was removed the next evening.
"These 45-foot signs demonstrate the height of homes that would be legal if Measure C is approved, and we have a Superior Court ruling that validates this," said Tom Saggau, a spokesman for Santa Clara County Residents for Responsible Development.
Alleged sign theft
The massive sign wasn't alone in creating election walkup tensions. According to Capt. Rich Urena of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's West Valley Patrol Division, claims are being made that signs for and against Measures C and D have been stolen and vandalized. One incident from mid-October has two parties alleging assault against the other.
Richard Lowenthal, a former Cupertino mayor and chairman of the "No on C" campaign, told the Courier he was assaulted the night of Oct. 18 by a person he saw taking lawn signs. That person alleges he instead was assaulted by Lowenthal in what the sheriff's office described as a "road rage incident."
Urena confirmed deputies responded to the incident and are investigating it. He said both parties are seeking to press charges against the other for assault and battery.
"Both parties have made allegations toward each other," Urena said. "We're trying to document all the facts. At this point we don't have an independent person who witnessed this incident. We're looking for a witness or surveillance footage for independent evidence."
Urena said once the investigation is complete, the information gathered will be sent to the district attorney, who will decide whether to proceed.
Urena said there has only been one crime report associated with political sign theft, but the sheriff's office has received many calls.
"We've received 11 calls for service related in one way or another to the removal or theft of political signs," he said last week. "The consequences of stealing these signs does constitute petty theft, which is a crime and is punishable by a $1,000 fine and up to six months in county jail."
According to the sheriff's office, 51 signs have been removed by code enforcement since Sept. 27 for being illegally placed.
Measure C supporter and city council candidate Steven Scharf said he believes the accusations against the Measure C campaign are unfounded.
"My suspicion is that this whole thing is just a campaign smear tactic to make the residents waste time and money," he said in an email to the Courier.
Scharf also claims his campaign signs have been removed from the lawns of private residences; others reported that several legally placed signs in favor of another candidate were destroyed and placed in garbage cans throughout a shopping center.
Measure C supporter Liana Crabtree said in a statement that supporters of the Better Cupertino group are tired of being painted in a negative light.
"Supporters of Better Cupertino disavow election and political shenanigans of any kind," she said in an email. "If criminal activity is alleged, provide the incident number, charges filed and names and badge numbers of the deputies involved in the case."
FPPC complaint
Meanwhile, a Cupertino resident who is also an attorney and "No on C" supporter has submitted a complaint to the California Fair Political Practices Commission alleging the "Yes on Measure C" committee has misreported campaign contributions.
Joseph Fruen filed the complaint Oct. 24 against the Cupertino Citizens' Sensible Growth Initiative Committee and the Cupertino Residents for Sensible Zoning Action Committee, which he says are funding the "Yes on Measure C, No on Measure D" campaign.
His complaint alleges the "committees are hiding donors from disclosure by failing to file pre-election reports and soliciting 'anonymous' contributions, among other things."
Fruen's complaint contends the Cupertino Citizens' Sensible Growth Initiative Committee asked for donations to fund legal battles over the summer and said any donations would be matched by an anonymous donor. Fruen cites a June 20 email from the group that states, "Two generous anonymous donors have stepped up to match any donation of over $150 for up to $4,000 within a 48-hour period to help reach the target of $50,000 legal fund. The recommended donation per household is $200."
According to Fruen's complaint, the Political Reform Act requires all contributions of $100 or more to be itemized with the contributor's legal name, occupation and employer, and address. Additionally, the Fair Political Practices Commission campaign disclosure manual states that "anonymous contributions of $100 or more are prohibited."
Fruen stated in his complaint that because the funds were used to fight the change of Measure C ballot language, there is "no doubt that these anonymous contributions are being used for a political purpose."
The complaint also provides exhibits implying that the campaign received contributions through an intermediary without specifying the source of the funding.
Fruen's complaint also alleges that the the groups' financial disclosure statements for the first period of the year, between Jan. 1 and March 31, show inconsistencies between donors' "cumulative to date: calendar year" contributions and "amount received this period," which he noted should be the same.
"Since this is the first filing of the year, the only explanation for this discrepancy is that CCSGI failed to itemize contributions; in some cases, amounts as high as $1,000 per donor appear to be unitemized," the complaint stated.
Although the misreporting may not be intentional, he said it still needs to be addressed.
At press time, the "Yes on Measure C" group told the Courier it had not yet received official word from the Fair Political Practices Commission of any complaint or wrongdoing. It is unclear when the state agency will review the complaint.


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Early detection is critical to managing bushfires before they cause widespread devastation. A CSIRO experiment showed that within two hours of ignition, fire area increased by 300 per cent. In even moderately dry summer conditions, every 10-minute delay in detecting a fire can see it grow up to 1500 m2 (or 0.15 ha).
As a first step to enhancing our bushfire detection capability, Minderoo Foundation is working with the ACT Rural Fire Service (ACT RFS), Optus and the Australian National University to trial the use of 'ground sensing' cameras to improve detection and monitoring of bushfires.
The cameras will be placed on fire towers across the ACT and operate 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Currently, the ACT RFS detect bushfires through visual monitoring from towers. The data from this trial will assess the viability of automated monitoring for early bushfire detection on a national scale.
"The pilot technology that we are trialling with Minderoo Foundation and Optus is vital and potentially lifesaving work. If we are able to improve the speed and accuracy of fire detection it ultimately means we can improve our response and better protect communities and landscapes."
Chief Officer Rohan Scott, ACT RFS
"We are pleased to support this project in partnership with the Minderoo Foundation, ACT RFS and ANU. Communities around Australia are still recovering from last season's devastating fires, and improvements in detecting and responding to dangerous bushfires can have a big impact in protecting landscapes and communities."
Chris Mitchell, Managing Director of Optus Business
"We are proud to be bringing our scientific expertise to this project in collaboration with Optus and the Minderoo Foundation. New research approaches to real-time detection, informed by on-the-ground evidence, will help to fast track improvements in fire detection speed and accuracy."
Professor Keith Nugent, Deputy Vice Chancellor Research & Innovation at the Australian National University


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Following a flurry of rumors, Sony has officially taken the wraps off its new mid-range Alpha A6400 APS-C mirrorless camera.
As the name suggests, the A6400 is not a direct replacement for the Alpha A6500, but instead replaces the Alpha A6300, with the aging Alpha A5100 and A6000 remaining in Sony's mirrorless lineup.
The Alpha A6400 features a 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor with a front-end LSI, which combined with the same BIONZ X image processor found the Alpha A9, A7R III and A7 III sees the A6400 deliver an ISO sensitivity up to 102,400 and processing speeds 1.8x faster than the A6300. Sony also believes color reproduction has been greatly improved.
Sony claims the Alpha A6400 features the world's fastest autofocus at just 0.02 sec, while for the first time in an Alpha camera Sony is introducing Real-Time Eye AF with AI-based subject recognition. This promises to be even more accurate than Sony's current Eye AF system, which now features a right or left eye priority setting in the menu.
Where pre-order the Sony Alpha A6400
- $898 at BH& Photo (opens in new tab)
- $899 at Best Buy (opens in new tab)
Not only that, but the A6400 also gets Real-Time AF Tracking with AI-based subject recognition, another first for an Alpha camera.
Focusing is based around a 425-point phase-detect system that's supplemented by a further 425 contrast-detect AF points, with 84% coverage of the frame. To partner this advanced AF system, the A6400 can shoot at up to 11fps with both AF and AE (the buffer is 116 JPEG shots). Should you want to shoot silently, you can do so at 8fps.
Made for vlogging
The body of the Alpha A6400 follows a similar form factor to other A6000-series cameras, with a relatively large hand grip and a reasonable amount of body-mounted controls. It does differ slightly though, with the addition of a flip-out 3.0-inch touchscreen display that rotates outwards 180 degrees.
This is likely to be a big draw for vloggers, especially when you factor in the A6400's ability to shoot 4K video (using 6K oversampling) at 100Mbps. There's also S-log3 and S-log2 support for post production, as well as 4K HDR (HLG) recording. The A6400 also has a microphone jack and is compatible with XLR adapters, while, if desired, 4K video can be transferred directly to your smartphone thanks to the new Imaging Edge Mobile app.
The Alpha A6400 also features a high-resolution XGA OLED electronic viewfinder, while the magnesium alloy body covers are sealed against dust and moisture.
The Sony Alpha A6400 will be available from early February priced at $900 /£950 / AU$1,499 for the body only, and, in the UK, £1,000 with a 16-50mm power-zoom kit lens or £1,300 with the 18-135mm lens. In Australia the 16-50mm f/3.5 kit will set you back $1,699. US pricing for the kits is still to be confirmed.


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"If you have but 5 minutes in your day to meditate, play Choshi."
This advice was given by Shimura Zempo during a shakuhachi class in Prague in 2010. That's when I started playing the Choshi pieces (or other short preludes) for meditation. I play one of them every day (every day I can practice), and I always begin a solo concert with one of them.
They are played to warm-up the flute, as a prelude to longer pieces. They are easy to remember because of their simple structure. I recommend to play them by heart, in order to fully focus on the breathing.
Make a ritual of it (zen rule # 6): play everyday the same meditation prelude for a week or more, before starting the studying part of your practice.
Here you can find information and recordings of Kyorei, Honte Choshi, Yamato Choshi, HiFuMi Cho.


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Verizon Continues Content Push With New NBA Deal
Verizon is expanding its partnership with the NBA via a new two-year agreement that will allow it to offer the league's out-of-market streaming product—NBA League Pass—through Yahoo Sports and other digital destinations under the Oath umbrella. The deal also includes the rights to highlights, which will be used to compile customized highlight packages tied into Yahoo Sports' popular fantasy basketball offering, as well as a new studio-style NBA show and additional original basketball and lifestyle programming.
The wireless giant is also touting plans for innovative collaborations with the league that will leverage Verizon technology, including augmented reality and 5G. Verizon plans to unveil some of these efforts at next month's NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles.
The deal represents the carrier's latest effort to bolster the content offerings in its Oath portfolio, following a mammoth five-year, $2.5bln streaming deal with the NFL last December and an original content agreement with A+E Networks earlier this month.
"With the addition of live NBA games, highlights, classic footage, originals and more to our mobile sports offering, Yahoo Sports and Verizon's family of media brands are becoming the first-screen for fans of live sports, and a superior alternative for partners and advertisers," said Verizon Global Chief Media and Content Officer Brian Angiolet.
Verizon took over for Sprint as the NBA's wireless service partner around the start of the 2015-16 season. Under that deal, Verizon was able to offer League Pass to its own wireless subscribers through its go90 video platform at 50% discount ($100 instead of $199 for the full season).
A Verizon spokesperson said the new deal will allow Verizon to offer League Pass to anyone, regardless of their wireless carrier, also at a discounted rate. The company could not provide specifics on the discount at press time, but said it will be able to offer registered Yahoo Sports users an eight-game trial of League Pass free of charge.
Unlike Verizon's recent pact with the NFL, the NBA deal doesn't allow the company to stream any live games in a free-to-consumer format. Financial terms of the new deal were not disclosed, but sports media execs say it's not even in the same ballpark as the massive NFL deal. Even so, the deal allows the NBA to further monetize its League Pass offering and provides a new customer acquisition avenue.
For Verizon, the ability to offer League Pass is unlikely to move the needle as a standalone offering. Fantasy players will enjoy the near-instant highlights and customized reels, but success in this space likely hinges on whether the company can aggregate enough additional content to make Yahoo Sports the prime online destination for fans. Expect the company to remain active in the live sports space and perhaps look to offer other sports SVOD services that it can bundle together or offer on an a la carte basis.


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My name is Larry Collins, returning from Vietnam in 1966, I was assigned to the Army Pictorial Center, where I spent the remaining two years of my Army career.
I was a combat photographer assigned to the Camera Branch. Joseph Lipkowitz was in charge of the Camera Branch. I remember that Joe gave my first-born son a stuffed tiger on his first birthday. Joe got the tiger from a stuffed toy warehouse that was located behind the Pictorial Center.
Being a still photographer (which there were plenty of at the center), I was assigned the property management department. There I worked with SSG Quinn and Rupert Lovell.
Others that I remember were SFC Shea, he worked for Joe also, SP/5 Chester Craig & SFC Parkhurst.
I also worker in the NCO Club as a bartender for a short period of time, The club was located in the basement of the enlisted men's quarters.
One person that I owe much to was Frank Argondizza. Frank I think was one of the best cameramen that I've ever known, He taught me more about film-making than anyone else. I had the pleasure of working with him on several training films. We traveled to Fort Greeley Alaska, Detroit Mich., Fort Knox, Kentucky and Fort Bragg, just to name a few.
I also remember Johnny Crawford being there, he was a very quite person, stayed to himself mostly.
Angela Lansbury's son was also stationed there. She was staring in Dolly on Broadway while he was there. His name was David but for the life of me, I cannot remember his last name. I remember him telling me that his Dad was a movie producer in Hollywood.
I have a few pictures of some of the personnel and I also have a set of orders of all the military personnel that was awarder their shooting medals, I'll be posting all these names and pictures at a later date.
I have so many memories of the Pictorial Center that maybe a book should be considered.
Thank you for allowing me this few minutes and I shall explore your site daily.
- SSG Larry Collins
Some pictures from Sergeant Collins collection:
Colonel Donald Bowman, Army Pictorial Center commander, presented Sergeant Larry Collins with an award for a suggestion on how to better protect camera equipment while traveling to different sites. Pictured are, from left, 1SG John Kintsler, Company Sergeant Major SGTM Alonzer Bailey, SSG Collins, Chief of Camera Branch Joseph Lipkowitz, COL Bowman, and the company commander, believed to be CPT James T. Van Orden, Jr.
On location at the Patton Museum at Fort Knox, Kentucky, this Army Pictorial Center crew included Larry Collins holding the clapper, camera operator Frank Argondizza, and the (unknown) director.
That's Colonel Bowman in the center in class A uniform and Sergeant Collins in khakis. Can anyone provide the names of the others in this picture?
Anthony "Tony" Gutillia, still photography lab circa 1968, is the person to the right on the end, according to SP4 Santoro.


text: There's been a breakthrough in the battle against plastic pollution in the world's oceans. A company based in the Netherlands called Ocean Clean Up has announced the successful trial of a new device designed to collect huge amounts of plastic by remote control. It's been trialled in the Great Pacific Garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean, an enormous body of plastic waste that drifts on natural currents between Hawaii and the West Coast of the US.


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Membership: None;
formerly: Stacy X, Bette (deceased), Madam Drache (deceased), unidentified mutant (deceased)
Purpose: Prostitution
Affiliations: Worthington Industries, X-Men (Angel/Warren Worthington III, Nightcrawler, Iceman, Chamber)
Enemies: Church of Humanity (Supreme Pontiff, others)
Base of Operations: Nevada, USA
First Appearance: (First mentioned) Uncanny X-Men I#396 (September, 2001); (first seen) Uncanny X-Men I#399 (November, 2001)
(Uncanny X-Men I#399 (fb) - BTS) - Unbeknownst to its chairman Warren "Angel" Worthington III, the board of Worthington Industries decided to diversify its investment portfolio and, for tax purposes, ended up taking a significant stake in something called the X-Ranch.
(Uncanny X-Men I#396 - BTS) - A London nightclub frequented by popstar Sugar Kane and the X-Man Chamber was abuzz with rumors about a mutant brothel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Apparently, the place was disease free because the customers never actually got to touch their mutant madams.
(Uncanny X-Men I#399) - Warren Worthington finally got around to checking up on the recent investments his company had made and was astonished to find the X-Ranch, among others, on the list. Dragging the true nature of the ranch out of his staff, Warren decided to investigate this place by sending fellow X-Man Bobby Drake undercover as potential customer Mister Friese. "Friese" was welcomed by house mother Madam Drache and led to his appointment with Stacy X, a reptilian mutant capable of controlling pheromones. Just as Bobby was experiencing Stacy's capabilities, Warren swooped in, ending their session. At the same time the Church of Humanity, a religious anti-mutant group, decided to attack the brothel, intending to kill both mutants and human clients as retribution for their sinful desires. Madame Drache and an obese empath called Bette were among their victims, but Angel and Iceman managed to fight off the church with the help of Stacy X.
(Uncanny X-Men I#400) - Stacy X was captured by the Church of Humanity. During her interrogation, she told the church's leader the Supreme Pontiff a wildy fantastical story about her association with the X-Men. Pretending she had been a member since the team's founding, she claimed to have been an undercover operative at the X-Ranch, running the place in secret. This made up story bought the other X-Men enough time to rescue her.
(Uncanny X-Men I#416) - After serving with the X-Men for some time, Stacy X returned to the burned down X-Ranch. Among the ashes, she uncovered an old picture of Madam Drache, Bette and herself during the Ranch's golden age. Wistfully, Stacy reminisced about the good old days of watching romantic movies with her deceased friends and colleagues, along with the obligatory pillow fights.
(Generation M#2) - In the wake of M-Day, most mutants struggled with losing their powers. Reporter Sally Floyd was tasked to talk to these "ex-mutants". She scored an interview with a depowered Stacy X, who revealed that a new X-Ranch was opened after the old one burned down. Unfortunately, with less than 200 active mutants worldwide, it was unable to recruit enough personnel, forcing the ranch to close down pretty soon afterwards.
Comments: Created by Joe Casey, Tom Raney, Scott Hanna.
Incidentally, in Uncanny X-Men I#399, X-Ranch employee Bette had a session with a Mr. Favreau, who happened to be one of Tony Stark's billionaire industrialist rivals.
Profile by MarvellousLuke
The X-Ranch has no known connections to
Madam Drache
Madam Drache was hostess and house mother of X-Ranch and didn't actually engage in prostitution. She was ever ready to use her fire breathing powers to defend her girls from danger. Her name suggest she is of German descent, Drache is German for dragon.
--Uncanny X-Men I#399 (Uncanny X-Men I#416 (fb), Uncanny X-Men I#399
Bette's real name was Nancy. Calling herself "Fat Nancy" although the other girls never referred to her in that way. Insecure about her looks, Nancy felt especially at home at the X-Ranch where she could use her pheromone based mental powers to give her customers the ultimate sense of satisfaction, without ever having to touch them. Bette was a favorite at the ranch, many return customers requested a repeat session with her.
--Uncanny X-Men I#399 (Uncanny X-Men I#416 (fb), Uncanny X-Men I#399
unidentified mutant
Another one of the brothel's employees used her control over flora to give her customers pleasure by exposing them to the most exquisite herbal stimuli.
--Uncanny X-Men I#399 (Uncanny X-Men I#416 (fb), Uncanny X-Men I#399
images: (without ads)
Uncanny X-Men I#399, p5, pan1 (main image)
Uncanny X-Men I#399, p15, pan2 (Madam Drache)
Uncanny X-Men I#399, p7, pan1 (Bette)
Uncanny X-Men I#399, p17, pan2 (unidentified plant mutant)
Uncanny X-Men I#399 (November, 2001) - Joe Casey (writer), Tom Raney, Scott Hanna, Mark Powers, Pete Franco
Uncanny X-Men I#400 (December, 2001) - Joe Casey (writer), Cully Hamner, Ashley Wood, Eddie Campbell, Javier Pulido, Sean Phillips, Mark Powers, Pete Franco
Uncanny X-Men I#416 (February, 2003) - Chuck Austen (writer), Kia Asamiya, Mike Marts, Mike Raicht, Nova Ren Suma
Generation M#2 (February, 2006) - Paul Jenkins (writer), Ramon Bachs, John Lucas, Nick Lowe
Last updated: 07/05/14.
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™ and © 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
If you like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com
Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!
Back to Groups


text:
Elephant Ivory – Not For Sale; a campaign in development for The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) addressing the dwindling number of elephants due to a recent surge in poaching and ivory trading. In addition to the final 2 logo directions, a 3rd concept is also shown.
Work included:
+ Creative Direction
+ Logo Design
+ Dinner Invitations
+ Posters
+ Fundraising presentation
Like this project? You may like these as well...
Workplace safety campaign
Campaign to get America walking.
Logo and Facebook app design
was able to work on this earlier in the week and decided to take it in a different direction (previous background below). there are a few more details i need […]
Got the rest of the info in, and this thing is ready to go!
© Copyright 2023 Benoit Design. All rights reserved.
Check out Scott Benoit's profile on Dribbble
or Linkedin


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Chocolate cake with dried fruit Italian country style
- Again a Saturday night dinner with friends, and again I cooked a cake.
- This simple and delicious cake not only makes hally every chocolate lover , but allows to successfully recycle the dry bread.
- It ' a very old recipe from northern Italy countryside, and my grandmother was used to prepare it for me for breaks.
- Here what you need: Stale bread 300 g, Fresh milk 1 lt, 2 eggs, Bitter cocoa powder 70 grams, Sugar 120 gr, Raisins 70 gr, Pine nuts 50 gr, Nuts 50g, Butter 50 gr, Cream 100 cl.
- First of all, cut into little chunks the stale bread , put it in a large bowl and then pour the milk, pine nuts, walnuts and raisins and mix well all the ingredients with a wooden spoon.Leave to soak the bread in milk for 3-4 hours or even a night . Occasionally stir so that all the bread absorbs the milk and well soften.After this time , turn on your oven to 180 degrees . Push the now soft bread with a spoon or a fork to break it even more , add the cocoa.
Stir well and add the sugar and eggs.
Stir again and finally add the butter softned in the oven. The final cream should be be quite liquid.
Stir and then pour into a round mold covered with parchment paper.
Bake in preheated oven at 180 degrees for one hour. Remove from oven and let cool completely. The day after the cake is even better.
Serve is with wipped cream, and enjoy it!


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Titusville Vacation Rentals
Titusville, FL
Titusville vacation rentals offer houses, townhouses, condos or villas that are economically priced and topically furnished. Spacious accommodations with room for the entire family on vacation or business will keep everyone relaxed and refreshed. Titusville vacation rentals are designed with you in mind and allow you to live like the natives and experience a Florida vacation you'll never forget. You can explore the Space Coast and Disney in easily drivable distances from centrally located Titusville vacation rentals.
Titusville sits inland just West of the Kennedy Space Center, across a section of the Intracoastal Waterway known as the Indian River, on the East Coast of Florida. Space launches, a most coveted attraction, can easily be seen from almost any vantage point during the day or night. In close proximity to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and the Canaveral National Seashore, you'll be within easy reach of pristine Atlantic beaches and Florida wildlife. A great location from which to tour many popular areas in Florida, you can see and do it all from Titusville vacation rentals.
Titusville accomodations - Titusville, Florida
Website use: Disclaimer and Privacy Policy
firstname.lastname@example.com Please report site problems or changes in listings to the WebMaster:
How to: Contact Us, staynplay.net
StayNPlay DOES NOT have info on vacation rentals. Please use the "Contact" info for each advertised listing.
Copyright � 1999-2012 staynplay.net
StayNPlay Vacation Rentals


text:
Decorative Metal Wire Mesh Practical Metal Drapery, Decorative Mesh Of Window Or Wall -, Product Ideas
Related photos in this diagram:
Other recommended diagram ideas:
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text:
Kansas Senate advances proposal for new foster care program
Couples would have to be legally married for at least 7 years
The Kansas Senate has given first-round approval to a conservative Republican's bill to create a new pilot program to encourage couples who have stable marriages and don't use tobacco or alcohol to serve as foster parents.
The measure from Republican Sen. Forrest Knox, of Altoona, advanced Monday night on a voice vote, with final action expected Tuesday.
The bill would create a new category of foster homes for abused and neglected children. Couples would have to have been legally married for at least seven years.
At least one spouse could not work outside the home. No one in the home could use tobacco, and no alcohol could be present.
The couples could make educational decisions for their foster children and could be reimbursed for expenses for home or private schooling.


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Acceso a las plataformas de formación para los alumnos de HECANSA.
In addition to training programmes, HECANSA offers other services enriching the educational experience in our schools.
This services are detailed below:
HECANSA Job Agency constituted in accordance with the Royal Decree 1796/2010, of 30 December, which regulates the job agencies. It provides a service born in Hoteles Escuela de Canarias, it aims at strengthening and extending the activity of job insertion that HECANSA has been carrying out since its origin in 1989 through their employment programme. It focuses its activity in the Canary Islands covering all sectors of economic activity, but especially in hospitality and tourism.
HECANSA Job Agency intermediates between employee and employer. Companies can apply for our services in the pursuit of workers that meet their needs. This service includes: guidance, selection and insertion.
In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
De 8.30 a 15.00 Monday to Friday.
Calle Albareda, 38. Edificio Woermann.
35008 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Telephone: 928 478 352/354.
In Santa Cruz de Tenerife
De 8.30 a 15.00, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Avenida de San Sebastian, 152 Teléfono: 922 847 522
Página Web realizada por Web Las Palmas


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A World of Endless Travel Possibilities
I created Charmed Compass Travel to provide personalized travel and tourism services for all budgets. I have the knowledge and experience necessary to find my clients the best deals based on their specific preferences. I'm committed to making travel as easy as possible for you. Whether you want a tour package or a special custom planned adventure, I can help make it happen. Let's talk about your dream vacation and make it a reality.
Contact Me
I've always had a passion for travel and now I can help you achieve your adventure goals. I believe that a good deal isn't good until it meets all your needs. I'll make your travel arrangements worry-free. Contact me today for a free consultation.
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