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SILVERTON - Thousands of photographers gather each year at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn.
"This is heaven," said one woman looking at the beautiful flowers.
One group here is about more than snapping pictures. They are students and mentors with a non-profit called Focus on Youth.
"I think that beauty is something that really enriches all of our lives," said Donna Lee Holmes, the organization's founder.
Holmes started the group nine years ago, teaching photography to the low-income and underprivileged.
"There's really something about taking them out in nature and giving them a chance to experience beauty," she said.
The program matches students with photographers, who coach them on the finer points.
"You're going to focus on this area right now," said professional photographer Shawn Weishaar. "And I want you to find something uniquely different in here to shoot," he said to one of the students.
Weishaar is also a representative for the Canon company. He arraigned to have the focus on youth team borrow state of the art cameras.
Rayann Gere is here and flourishing.
"I just focus on something that shouldn't be there and take it," she said, pointing to a picture of a purple tulip sprouting amid a row of pink flowers.
She knows what it feels like to be out of place.
"I was put in foster care when I was seven," she said. It would color anyone's view of life. "I was in 30 different foster homes," she said.
But now photography is helping raise her self image.
"I used to be one of those low self esteem people, don't find myself too attractive so I focus on things I find beautiful," said Gere.
Photography skills she's slowly nurtured spring to life, surrounded in this place full of color and possibilities.
"I want to get some of these pink ones over here. I haven't gotten those yet," she says rushing past.
The intensity allows her to forget for a moment that she's still homeless and has a baby being raised by one of her former foster moms.
And when the pro walks over to check her work, he's astonished.
"I think your, your eye, your conception is really good. I mean ... it's a great shot," said Weishaar.
Praise from a pro and a lesson for us all: If we look for the beauty in the world, we will find it.
Find out more about Focus on Youth.


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Welcome to my mucktastic page for MuckFest MS.
Welcome to my muck-tacular page for MuckFest™ MS. On May 31 | June 1, 2014, I will be mucking it at MuckFest MS Philadelphia. It's going to be a blast!
MuckFest MS is a mucky romp through mud and obstacles in support of a world free of multiple sclerosis. The run is pure athletic hilarity on a 5K course full of mud, and featuring 20+ outrageous obstacles that will spin, swing and fling you up, down and sideways. MuckFest MS is something that must be seen to be believed. So by all means, come out to watch or better yet, join us!
While there will be a lot of laughs and mucking about, we are also supporting the important work of the National MS Society in our community.
Support Me and the
National MS Society with a Donation
Click on the "Donate" button to make a donation. Every dollar makes a difference.
Thank you.

subset: commoncrawl


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A group of Danville District 118 nurses became phone-wielding advocates last week in an effort to shoot down a proposed state law allowing non-medical school staff to monitor and assist in the treatment of students with diabetes.
SB 3822, the Care of Students with Diabetes Act, is set for an Illinois Senate vote Tuesday after receiving nearly unanimous support in the House last month.
If passed, the law would:
-- Require parents to submit care plans if students with diabetes needed in-school assistance, and allow students who don't need assistance to self-administer treatment.
-- Allow students to choose a "delegated care aide" to assist in carrying out their care plan, including the administration of insulin medication.
-- Prohibits districts assigning students with diabetes to an attendance center based upon whether it has a school nurse.
-- Requires anyone transporting those students to be given an "information sheet" outlining specific difficulties and allows the volunteer aide to "stand in" at inclusive school events.
-- Calls for the training of all school personnel in how to recognize a diabetes emergency and indemnifies them from liability if they assist.
District 118's nursing staff, supporting state nursing associations' rally against the measure, made phone calls last week to state senators they had identified as possible swing voters.
"With this bill, they can just assign a school secretary to be responsible for a student with Type 1 diabetes," said Sherri Smoot, a certified school nurse who serves three buildings within District 118.
The nurses argue, not only are non-medical staff not qualified to monitor a student facing serious diabetic issues, they are already being overwhelmed with requests to take on added duties.
Right now seven certified nurses monitor and administer insulin to 15 District 118 students, in addition to duties for other medically challenged students. Due to cuts, that number will be trimmed to five next school year.
"Asking others to do more, especially when you're talking about a life-threatening condition, is a risky thing," said Judy Pendleton, DHS certified nurse and nurse manager for the district. "We're advocating for these kids."
But sponsors of SB 3822 say the bill's intention has been mischaracterized by the nurses' associations, and pointedly say they have allowed politics and the protection of their profession to be put ahead of the students' well-being in keeping it from becoming law for the past six years.
"We started out with tons of opposition," said Suzanne Elder, director of advocacy for a coalition of groups behind the proposed law. "The nurses are now the only dissenting voice here."
Elder, who started the self-proclaimed "grassroots" organization after her diabetic daughter was not allowed to attend school because of her condition, said the Diabetes Care Act has a long list of supporters, including the American Diabetes Association, and that 28 other states had adopted similar measures.
She said the law would not affect districts "doing it right," which she said includes well-trained nurses implementing required in-school treatment plans.
"We have no desire to upset the apple cart where it's working," she said.
The problem is, she explained, some schools haven't done so well and students have suffered. She shared several stories where students became sick or died because of untrained school medical staff or none at all.
Elder said, under the new law nurses would continue to administer treatment in districts that have the resources to do so. But school staff would voluntarily team up with students who may need help if medical staff isn't around. All school staff would undergo In-Service training to recognize diabetic symptoms and how to react in an emergency if the law passes.
"I have teachers who are dying to help their kids and they are prohibited by law," she said.
"It's a very straight-forward bill," said state Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, its sponsor.
She said the law would lead to better overall school knowledge of how to help a diabetic student and is not designed to replace school nurses.
"It would be great to have a full-time nurse in every school, but it's not a realistic circumstance at this point because of the funding situation," she said. "If a nurse is there, a nurse is going to do it (treatment plan). We're building in as many protections as we can."
She said the law would not require teachers or staff to treat diabetic students.
"You can only do it if they want to do it," she said.
Corey Pullin, an official for the Danville Education Association, said the union backs the district's nurses. He said he's not sure how many staff volunteers, even if there were indemnity protections, would be willing to step forward with the time needed to effectively monitor a diabetic student out of consideration for their health.
"We think it's a major safety issue for the students," he said. "I don't think the teachers or the administration want any more responsibility on anything they don't feel qualified for."
He said the job should be performed by those with medical training and the teachers should concentrate on teaching.
"This could set a precedent of other things being done by laypeople," he said.
Suzanne Voss, government relations chairman of the Illinois Association of School Nurses, bristled at the supposition the opposition to the Diabetes Care Act is politically driven.
"What we are concerned about is children's safety," she said. "That is our utmost belief and why we're fighting this. Nurses are trained to assess if a child is reacting poorly, teachers and school staff are not."
She said language in the proposed law is plagued with unwritten consequences, such as the amount of class time teachers will spend monitoring and reacting to diabetic students, and the fact the most-affected students are likely younger or special needs status.
"We want our teachers to teach," she said. "If they want to be a nurse, then they should have been a nurse. This will only fragment health care."
On top of that, she said not even Illinois paramedics are allowed to administer insulin "because it's dangerous." She said that's why the state's Fire Chief's Association is opposed to the bill.
"It's a dangerous bill for a lot of reasons," she said. "There's a lot of open holes."
"The thing they need to do is follow current Illinois School Code," said District 118's Pendleton. "The nurses are trained to do these things."
District 118 Superintendent Mark Denman said Friday the issue was new to him and that he was researching the bill. He said he also had asked for guidance from the regional superintendent's office, who was also trying to find more details.
"He's looking into it, but until this morning I hadn't heard about it," he said.
State Sen. Mike Frerichs, D-Gifford, whose district includes Vermilion County, did not return telephone calls Friday requesting an interview.
An office worker in Frerich's Champaign office said she had been fielding calls about the legislation all last week, with callers expressing support of and opposition to it.


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If a meeting must be moved or cancelled you will be notified in a timely manner.
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In January the American Library Association announced the 2011 Youth Media Award winners. The awards recognize original and creative works in children's and young adult literature and media. Check out these outstanding titles at the Milwaukee Public Library today!
- John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature, Moon over Manifest written by Clare Vanderpool.
- Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children, A Sick Day for Amos McGee illustrated by Erin E. Stead.
- Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults, Ship Breaker written by Paolo Bacigalupi.
- Coretta Scott King Book Award recognizing an African American author of outstanding books for children and young adults, One Crazy Summer written by Rita Williams-Garcia.
- Coretta Scott King Book Award recognizing an African American illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults, Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave illustrated by Bryan Collier.
- Pura Belpré Award honoring a Latino writer whose children's books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience, The Dreamer written by Pam Muñoz Ryan.


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Group Fitness Descriptions
Bootcamp Fitness
A non-stop high intensity class featuring athletic training, toning and strengthening moves for a total body workout, where you are guaranteed to sweat and have a blast!
Cardio Kickboxing
A high-intensity class that is a great full body workout, incorporating a wide variety of punches and athletic drills. Complete with arms, core, and leg circuits, kickboxing is an effective way to punch out the stress of college.
Circuit Weights
This high intensity class combines aeoribs and resistance-weight training. Circuit training works different sections of the body individually and rapidly moves from one exercise to the next in a circuit.
Faculty/Staff Pilates
This fitness class provides faculty in staff a diverse way to get in shape.
Hardcore Abs
The ultimate class for strong backs and sculpted abdominal muscles. This class will make you feel strong from the inside out by using your deep core muscles effectively and efficiently.
Is a safe, low-impact workout in the pool, excellent for conditioning and toning all muscles. The low-impact environment makes it ideal for participants of all fitness levels and those with joint problems.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga involves mind, body, and spirit and begins by centering the mind. A series of physical postures increases strength, flexibility, and balance. The spine is moved six ways. All movements are synchronized with the breath. Sessions end with a relaxing, reclined cool down.
Power Yoga
Rise early and salute the sun as it rises! Through strengthening and focusing your core, discover your inner balance, peace and mind in this engaging class. Create your intention of the day and discover how a Power Yoga class can shift your perspective and lead to a more productive and happier you for the rest of the week.
Step it Up
Tired of running up and down the stairs to burn off extra calories? This class uses a fitness step to blast off excess calories while working on focused muscle groups. The variety in this class targets abs, glutes, quads, calves, back and shoulders while keeping an upbeat energy. Can you step it up?
Step up your fitness routine with this challenging interval workout that alternates cardio, core, and stretching. The blend of strength and flexibility training improves posture, reduces stress and creates long, lean muscles without bulking up
Hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves create a one-of-a-kind fitness program. The routines feature fast and slow beats and resistance training to tone and sculpt your body while burning fat. Join the Zumba party!


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Photo pro
Take your photography up a notch with the Sony DSC-HX200V/B digital camera. The 18.2 megapixel Exmor R CMOS image sensor has rapid focusing speeds even in low light, delivering ultra-high definition images and stunning prints. With 30x optical zoom plus powerful Clear Image zoom, you'll be able to get in close on the action. The DSCHX200V/B is equipped with Optical SteadyShot image stabilization to minimize the effects of camera shake, so you can get your best shot. At a shooting rate of 10 frames per second, you'll never miss another photo op again. Shooting scenery? Try Sweep Panorama mode, which lets you take wide-angle panoramic photos in 3D. Shoot Full HD 1080p movies too, ready for playback on your HDTV. And here's one more great feature for the road: there's a built-in GPS and compass, which lets you record location data as you shoot movies and photos, available to view later on a map. Commemorate your road trip in a whole new way.
Be the first person to write a review for this item.
Comparison Specifications
- Pixels: 18.2
- Recording Media: SD / SDHC / SDXC / Memory Stick Duo
- Zoom Power: 30x optical / 60x Clear Image
- Shooting Modes: Video/ Steady Shot / 16 scene modes
- Flash Modes: Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Rear Slow Synchro / Flash Off
- Movie Mode: AVCHD 60i28M / Full HD 1080p videos
- Image Sensor: 1/2.3 Exmor R COMOS
- Viewscreen: 3.0" LCD display
- Aperture: f 2.8-5.6
- Self Timer: 2 sec / 10 sec
Additional Specifications
- In-Camera Editing: Trimming / Red Eye Correction / Unsharp Masking
- Advanced Features: Intelligent Sweep Panorama / Smile Shutter Technology / Face Detection / Image Stabilization / Tracking Focus / Blink Detection
- Built-in GPS and compass record location data
- 10 frames per second
Sony DSC-HX200V/B Warranty Details
1-year limited parts and labor warranty


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Trademarx Wallcovering Wallpaper
Give your room a total makeover using wallpaper. Available in a nearly endless selection of colors and patterns, the decorative vinyl-coated paper is easy to install and maintain. Buy prepasted wallpaper for the easiest application, and choose single or double rolls depending on the amount of space you'll be covering.


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Nrg4, Foundry Lane, Halebank Road, Widnes, Cheshire WA8 8TZ
Telephone: 0151 424 8900
Email: email@example.com
Website design and build by thiscreative.com
© 2011 nrg4. All rights reserved.
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@speedsleev send us a DM.. always happy to have a look
We have some exciting developments coming with out Tumble & Fall brand. New lights range, new pumps range and new range made from rubber :-)
RT @Alanlewis01: You can now protect your phone with @loksakinc in the Shropshire hills from @PlushHillCycles #nowinstore @Nrg4Cycling


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This is the worst liner that I have ever used. I got this in a gift set. The color doesn't even stay. It just went away. Don't waste you $ on this. Use fluidline instead.
I switch between this and Sephora's technakhol liner in the same shade. I got this reluctantly, because I used to always use fluidliner. But I realized that it pretty has the same staying power and it is 100x easier to apply. Even with the fluidliner, I still need Mac liquidlast to have the eyeliner stay on. So I don't know how much longer this lasts than fluidliner, but when it is under liquidlast it lasts pretty well.
Although, I find the price a little much. I can buy Sephora's technakhol for around 2-3 dollars cheaper and it has a smudge end and sharpener at the end of it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes No
Love this product! I bought this in the Dubai airport DFS, and ever since then I have been using this 2 out of 7 days, sometimes more. First, I apply a primer, go on top with my eyeshadows. I then apply the first line of Technakohl, go over it with a setting powder (I use Laura Mercier Pressed Setting Powder in Translucent), then top another line of Technakohl for staying power. I have really oily eyelids, and this method works best for me. Before I used this method of using the setting powder, Technakohl was smeared all over my eyelids by mid-noon.
Colour - Intense black, and easily built up.
Application - Loves the screw applicator - no need for sharpening. Glides on easily and not harsh at all.
Staying Power - Very good if used with a setting powder, not good if used alone on oily lids.
Price - average. Get it in the airport for tax-free.
A pencil lasts me for about 6 months. Moving on to Christian Dior after seeing the fantastic reviews!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes No
I previously was a devotee of the Lancome Kohl pencil. On a particularly spend-happy trip to the mall one day, I let the Mac lady talk me into this, since it's technically the only Mac eyeliner approved for application to the waterline. I am so glad she did. As far as staying power, it blows Lancome out of the water (even through the most rigorous workouts --- if I happen to go straight from work and don't have the opportunity to remove my makeup -- this eyeliner does not give me "Alice Cooper" eyes!) Admittedly, when I saw it was a twist up, I cringed. Generally, the tips of those break within a few weeks. Not this one -- though I will say, the design of the pencil case is dumb. Recently I put the cap on the end to apply -- and when I pulled off the cap, it pulled off the end cap -- so now the regular cap doesn't fit on quite right because the end cap is stuck in it. Dumb. But not so dumb that I was dumb enough to deduct a star for it because, honestly, this is the best eyeliner I've found to date. It's highly pigmented and you can apply it from two angles to get the precision line you want. Totally smudgeable for a sultry smokey eye. Priced well. Buy it without hesitation.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes No
This is a normal eye kohl, just one that happens to be a little more high-tech because it's retractable and doesn't require sharpening. However, despite its "kohl" properties (meaning easy to smudge and blend and smoke out), this is the least smudgable eye pencil I've ever used; I find its staying power is insane. I've worn it at a photoshoot which later proved to be semi-underwater but I didn't know that beforehand, so I didn't do waterproof makeup. Well this proved capable of surviving 3 hours in and out of a pool without moving one single inch. I can't think of any environmental condition that could cause this to transfer or smear in the least. It's a tiny bit harsh to apply, but nothing intolerable, and personally I think it's worth the minor discomfort since the results are so long-lasting. Will repurchase.
I bought this mainly to use on my waterline, but it only lasts a few hours. I have to go over my waterline a few times to get it really black, which doesn't really help it last long. The only good thing about it is that you don't need to sharpen it. But it's not as soft as I'd like it to be. Definitely won't be repurchasing.
I use this is my upper and lower waterline and it smudges in a few hrs. It applies easily and I love automatic liners. Still looking for a liner that will last for more that 12 hrs.
people keep sayin this smudhes but thats what KOHL pencils are supposed to do.People just dont know how to use this pencil lmao Its the best eyeliner I have and it does have great staying power.I love it cuz it gives a slight smokey effect without having to use a smudger brush. I luv it =)
This is the best eyeliner I've ever used.I do not buy high-end brands so I can only compare it with L'oreal,Max Factor and Avon eyeliners.
This one is the best because it is soft so it's easily used,but it does not flake or smudge during the day.
It has a really dark and beautiful black colour.
The only thing that I do not like about this product is its price.
I got it for about 25$,and that is the most I spend for an eyeliner so far.I wish it was cheaper.
I like this eye liner. It lasts quite a long time on my lid. I like the packaging because I dont need to get my sharpener ready every time I use it.
The tip maybe gets too round from time to time, but I give it some sharp point with the tips of my fingers or my hand to have a more precise application.
When I want to smudge it though, I have to work fast because it sets in a very short time, so for smudging, I prefer my MAC Smolder. It lasts quite long, but maybe not throuout the entire day, so I have to reapply it.
I read some reviews that said it was not good for your waterline, but I have used it there and I have had no problem with it (or at least, not yet).
Will repurchase it again for sure!!


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Rick Steves Travel Blog: Blog Gone Europe
I'm sharing my travel experiences, candid opinions and what's on my mind. If you think it's inappropriate for a travel writer to stir up discussion on his blog with political observations and insights gained from traveling abroad, you may not want to read any further. — Rick
- We are monitoring this blog carefully for inappropriate posts. Before you post, read our Community Guidelines.
Escaping Amsterdam with an Idyllic Countryside Canal Canoe Trip
I've recommended Majel Tromp's Wetlands Safari tours in my guidebook for over a decade. And I filmed a segment with Majel years ago, when 60 Minutes did a feature on my work. It was so beautiful, I wanted to get the experience into one of our travel shows. And on this trip, it worked out perfectly.
For a little break from the Amsterdam scene, we headed into the polderland just half an hour north of the city for a canoe ride. Gliding along the canals, where the homes face the water and everyone has their own little boat, was a delight.
When we finished filming the canoe ride, Majel surprised us with a grand picnic dinner on a remote island. After putting away the dishes, we turned her tablecloth tarp into a big bedspread and took a scenic nap. I truly savored the moment, knowing that we had two great shows — one on the Netherlands and one on the great city of Amsterdam — in the can. They'll be seen all over the USA this fall.
Dutch Dikes: Keeping the Netherlands Dry for 700 Years
While dikes are a Dutch cliché (right up there with tulips and wooden shoes), they're also an essential part of the Netherlands' history and contemporary life. Roughly half of the land and half of the people here in the Netherlands are below sea level. And our new television show about the Netherlands includes a segment on these marvels of Dutch engineering.
The Netherlands is bounded by the North Sea. Where there are no natural dunes to keep the sea out, the Dutch have built mighty barriers, or dikes, to protect their farms and communities. For 700 years, the Dutch have been developing their skills at keeping this country dry. It's a constant battle. And with climate change and rising sea levels now a reality, the work is that much harder and more expensive.
Each of our shows begins with a goofy little bit (called a "tease") where I say a something about the destination, then reveal the location in a fun way. For our Netherlands show tease, I stood on a chair and said, "Hi, I'm Rick Steves, back with more of the best of Europe. The people here claim if you stand on a chair, you can see all across their country. We're exploring the best of the Netherlands. Thanks for joining us."
I was so happy with what we shot. Then, as we were driving away, I realized it would have been stronger if I added "this country is so small and so flat, they say if you stand on a chair…" But it was still a fun bit.
When it came time to stand on the chair and say my line, Rolinka drove into the neighboring farm hamlet and had no trouble finding us the perfect chair for our needs. In fact, the friendly farmer brought two chairs so that we'd have a choice.
My line about standing on a chair to see all the way across the Netherlands is a joke. But from way up here, you really can see for miles.
Modern dikes work hard — as they have for centuries — to preserve drained and reclaimed Dutch land.
Even with an impressive dike already in place, the Dutch are moving mountains of sand and mud to fortify their dikes and protect the next generation. Famous for both their frugality and their foresight, the Dutch are investing billions of euros as climate change makes its costly impact felt on sea-level communities here and around the globe.
Sailing the IJsselmeer
We're sailing to the fishing village of Marken in a hundred-year-old fishing boat. A few of these venerable boats survive. This one earns its keep by hiring out to visitors…and, in the case of this motley crew, putting them to work.
The Netherlands Big and Small: Rotterdam and Marken
For our new Netherlands TV show, we're going big and we're going small — from minuscule Marken to muscular Rotterdam. In this country of contrasts, century-old boats, glassy skyscrapers, and public urinals all have their place.
Two of the cutest and most touristy towns in the Netherlands are Volendam and Marken (both about half an hour north of Amsterdam, and popular day-trip destinations for bus tours). While I can't handle the big-bus mass tourism of Volendam, I love cute little Marken.
During my scouting trip this spring, I met a club of men who love to sail their hundred-year-old fishing boats on the inland sea — so we arranged for them to sail us from Volendam to Marken. It was great filming and great fun. Our boat, from 1905, was filled with heritage. Our friends explained how their vessel has no built-in keel (as you'd expect on a typical sailboat) because the waters here are too shallow. Instead, it has a side keel, which can be dropped and hoisted by rope and lashed into place as needed. Originally, the boat was run by a skeleton crew of two: a captain and a boy. They'd go out for five days of fishing…then come home on Sunday to go to church.
There was what looked like a historic old saying painting on to the boat's galley door (which I'm sure countless tourists had photographed because it looks salty and rustic). But it actually says, "If you want to be poor, use this boat for fishing. If you want to be wealthy, use it for tourism." Classic Dutch humor and candor.
When doing a TV show on the Netherlands, it's a temptation to make everything seem all cute and sweet — like Marken. After all, I finish the script by saying, "Traveling here, sooner or later, you'll find yourself exclaiming, 'Everything's just so… Dutch!'" But the country has long been a mighty trading power, and no show on the Netherlands would be complete without the huge, no-nonsense port of Rotterdam.
Mighty Rotterdam has a gleaming skyline and Europe's largest port. It's a reminder of the Dutch knack for international trade. Locals say that while the money is spent in Amsterdam…it's made here in Rotterdam. They boast that shirts in Rotterdam are sold with the sleeves already rolled up.
Rotterdam's harbor is the third-largest in the world. The port handles 35,000 ocean-going vessels each year — that's almost a hundred ships a day. While most of these ships sail the open seas, this is where the Rhine River meets the ocean. And from here, riverboats — filled with either tourists or cargo — can go all the way through Europe to the Black Sea.
Speaking of big cities, in my 3,200-word Amsterdam script, I wanted to bring up the theme of toleration. My challenge: to artfully weave together marijuana, prostitutes, pilgrims stopping by on their way to Plymouth Rock, hidden Catholic churches, the Holocaust, Anne Frank, and the Dutch Resistance. I wanted to be challenging, but without abusing my bully pulpit. It was a fun writing challenge, and I think it worked. I started the section of the show with this "on-camera," zoomed in close to my face: "Every corner of Europe comes with a unique flavor and cultural surprises. Small-is-beautiful Holland feels quintessentially European. It's charming. It's progressive…" — then, stepping out from behind a public urinal on the street as the camera zoomed out — "…and, with the local passion for tolerance, it's occasionally shocking. Prepare for some differences: curbside urinals. Prostitutes who are unionized, taxed, and regulated. And coffeeshops that sell marijuana."
Rotterdam was bombed flat in World War II. But rather than rebuilt quaint (as most Dutch towns did), Rotterdammers embraced the chance to go in another direction: bold modernity.
You can appreciate the immensity of Rotterdam's mighty port with a harbor tour, which we filmed for our show. While it was OK, the similar harbor tour in Hamburg is far more impressive. What are your favorite harbor experiences in Europe?
We hitched a ride on this traditional Waterland sailboat from Volendam to Marken.
Amsterdam's public urinals are kept very clean — and ready for American film crews to incorporate into their scripts.
Filming Great Art in Amsterdam
One of the great joys of producing our TV series is the chance to be all alone in Europe's greatest museums when they're closed (usually early in the morning). In Amsterdam, we were in both the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum from around 8 a.m. until 10 a.m., when they open to the public.
While we have the place to ourselves, the clock is ticking — we generally have about 90 minutes before the public pours in. An escort from the museum sticks with us every minute, making sure we stay within our permitted bounds. The cameraman shoots the art every which way to cover the script. It's wonderful to have the privacy with the art to get the fine work done, and then have a few minutes with the public to get wide shots that show these temples of art filled with the faithful.
Invariably, I don't know exactly what I'll be saying on camera until I'm there and we survey what we're about to shoot. Then I scramble to write and memorize my lines. Writing all alone in front of Rembrandt's fabled Night Watch was a treat. Here's the bit I just wrote — first off camera (because it's easy to "cover" the content by showing details from the painting), then on camera (for material that's harder to illustrate, so it makes more sense for me to say it directly to the camera):
[28] In Rembrandt's Night Watch, we see another group portrait. But rather than the standard stiff pose, this one bursts with energy. It's the local militia, which was also a fraternity of business bigwigs — a kind of Rotary Club of the 17th century. They tumble out of their hall, weapons drawn, ready to defend the city. While it's creative and groundbreaking in its composition, some of those who paid the artist — like this guy — were probably none too pleased.
[27, on camera] This art is really all about money. The Dutch worked hard and were brilliant traders, and the wealthy had plenty of money…to match their egos. Here, artists earned their living not working for the Church or a king, but by painting portraits for local big shots.
Sitting all alone in front of a great work — like Rembrandt's Night Watch — the words come easy to this travel writer.
This is the typical scene when filming in a great art museum. Our lighting floods old paintings with brightness, making colors and details pop like even local guides and museum art historians have never seen. But I'm always on pins and needles that someone will come and say "no lights." When necessary, Simon holds a big piece of black cloth up to stop any glare — especially important when glass covers a canvas.
In Wheat Field with Crows, one of Vincent van Gogh's last works, the canvas is a wall of thick paint, with roads leading nowhere and ominous black crows taking flight. Overwhelmed with life, Vincent walked into a field like this one… and shot himself.
Most guides and guidebooks love to perpetuate the idea that Wheat Field with Crows was Van Gogh's final work. It just fits with the story of his suicide. But art historians now believe that this painting, Roots, was Vincent's last work.
Aalsmeer Flower Auction
One of the joys of our TV production is that I get to actually visit the places and do the things that I recommend in my guidebooks. For instance, on the second morning of filming our Netherlands TV show, we got up at 6 a.m. to catch the Aalsmeer Flower Auction at its busiest.
A hundred buyers click their computers as trainloads of flowers roll through the auction hall. Just outside, a keystone-cops commotion of delivery cars makes sure all the flowers get to their locations that same day — anywhere in Europe. Our cameraman, Peter, got to take a ride on one of these carts to film the point-of-view of a load of flowers.
Filming Rick Steves' Europe in the Netherlands
I'm excited that we are embarking on a 12-day shoot to produce two shows in the Netherlands.
Ten years ago, we made one episode combining Amsterdam with side trips into the Dutch countryside. In this shoot, we'll retire the old show and replace it with two episodes: one just for Amsterdam and the other just for the Dutch countryside. This will let us share double fun in Holland.
For example, doing two shows instead of one makes room for Haarlem, a charming small town a quick train ride from Amsterdam. We enjoyed filming an organ concert in Haarlem's church. I only get 3,200 words per script, so each word needs to earn its place. Here's that part of the script—5 sequences out of 70 in this half-hour episode (OC means "on camera" — a part I say to the camera):
[38] Haarlem's Grote Kerk, or Great Church, towers over the market square as if to bless all the business that takes place below.
[39] Inside, you find a towering Gothic nave, which was whitewashed and purged of its Catholic ornamentation when the Reformation arrived in 1566. Small frescoed sections, revealed when the whitewash was cleaned off, show how the entire church was originally decorated. Ships hanging in the nave remind parishioners to pray for all the men at sea. If you know where to look, carvings can be whimsical: crazy little characters supporting the roof…and what were called "pillar biters" mocking people who were overly devout.
[40 OC] And as was the case in many Protestant countries, rather than huge preachy works of visual art — like frescos and statues promoting the message of the Church — the artistic emphasis was put on music.
[41] Protestant churches invested in mighty pipe organs. Haarlem's towering organ has been giving worship an inspirational soundtrack since 1738.
[42 beauty sequence of Jos van der Kooy playing Cornelis J. Bute Gavotte I & II] And visitors can enjoy free concerts weekly. [Fade to black]
Our core filming crew, as always, is three of us: me, the producer (Simon), and our cameraman (either Peter — pictured here — or Karel). Lately, I've enjoyed adding a local expert to be sure we're communicating clearly and to smooth the way behind the scenes. My friend Rolinka Bloeming, who has led tours for us for nearly 20 years, had to be rescheduled from one of her Rick Steves tours so she could be our "fixer." Rolinka speaks Dutch, knows her country expertly, has a way of opening doors, and is a delight to work with. She'll be on her iPad and on her phone making sure we know where the windmills are turning and where herring's in the smoker.
In Haarlem's Great Church, we climbed up into the organ loft and filmed the organist playing the most spectacular pipe organ I've ever seen. I got to simply sit with the audience and enjoy the concert while my crew filmed a beautiful segment.
When filming, we have to be super-organized to get what we need in the time we have. When the crew was in the loft with the organist, I was surveying the church like a little mouse, making a list of things to shoot to "cover the script." Then I took Simon on a quick walk to show him my shot list. With the crew organized and at work, I got to sit down and enjoy the rest of the concert.
We settled down for four nights in the cute-as-a-bunny town of Edam. Our home base, Hotel Fortuna, is nestled on a canal in a garden kind of world. (It made me nostalgic for a family visit here 25 years ago, when toddler Andy was enthralled by the box turtles in the hotel garden.) My room opened up onto a quiet perch over the canal, where I would go out after filming in the 11 p.m. twilight and just be still with the water and the birds. Across the way was in industrial dry dock…yet even that was cute. Here, I snuck a photo of producer Simon reviewing our latest script immersed in Dutch beauty.
My Freshest Tips for Smooth Rail Travel
So far on this trip, I've really enjoyed using trains to get around Germany and the Netherlands — they make travel fast, smooth, and efficient. Here are a few photos to illustrate strategies for smart rail travel anywhere in Europe.
The new generation of bullet trains in Europe are sleek. In fact, they're so sleek that when a city has an old-fashioned, dead-end train station, the new trains often don't even bother to stop in the city itself, but at a pass-through suburban station instead. New stations are designed — at the insistence of the train companies — to be pass-through stations. Everything's going very fast these days, and there's just no time to pull in, then back out.
No smoking, no talking, no cellphones. You have your choice of train cars — all clearly marked (although none allows smoking anymore). Among Europeans, American tourists are notorious for talking like they're the only people on the planet, making everyone else on the car listen to their conversation. And you know how annoying it is to listen to someone else's drawn-out cellphone conversation. Enjoy making a point to take advantage of signs as you travel: If you want peace and quiet, you'll get it in this car.
Trains are long, it's hot over here, and luggage can be exhausting to schlepp around needlessly — especially if the train platform is mobbed with travelers. Notice and understand signs to save time and stress. Few Americans realize that on big-city train platforms, there's a chart listing major trains, with a diagram of how each train is arranged: first class (yellow), second class (green), and dining car (red). It even shows specific car numbers — handy if you have a seat reservation. Overheard on the platform are big A, B, C, and other lettered signs to help you find just which zone to stand in to have your train car stop right in front of you. Very often, a long train has ten second-class cars, but just one first-class car. If you have a first-class Eurail pass (as nearly any railpass holder over 26 does) and you don't notice signs like these, you could wander all the way to the far end of the platform, then realize that you could have just waited at the opposite end. The conductor just blew the whistle, and you need to jump on the train or be left behind. So you spend the next 15 minutes struggling through the crowds to get to your first-class compartment…not very first-class.
First-Class Train to the Netherlands
I've been riding Europe's rails since I was a kid. And to this day, a long, fast train trip gives me a youthful thrill. I marvel at how Europe's trains just keep getting better, faster, and more comfortable.
Having completed the Germany guidebook research stretch of my trip, I'm heading for Amsterdam to meet the film crew. I'm spending seven hours on one of Germany's superfast ICE (InterCity Express) trains, writing and enjoying every moment — because for me, there's very little that's better than stretching out in a first-class quiet car, blitzing through Germany, while massaging my gangly notes into smooth and tight new writing for the upcoming 2015 edition of Rick Steves' Germany guidebook.
Wrapping Up My Time in Germany
Finishing up my latest trip to Germany, I'm excited to share a few final thoughts…and pictures.
My two-month-long summer trip is made up of five modules: Germany guidebook research, TV production in the Netherlands, Scandinavia guidebook research, TV production in Prague and Berlin, and Poland guidebook research. Now that I'm done with "module one," I'm off to meet the film crew in Amsterdam. But first, here are a few German scraps I found at the bottom of my rucksack.
Each day so far on this trip, I've enjoyed the help of local guides. Nearly every city in Europe has great local guides who are independent businesspeople scrambling to fill their calendars and earn a living. I list my favorites in my guidebooks, and while many get lots of customers from these listings, I'm amazed (considering how many people are using my books) how few enlist the services of a professional local guide. Sure, it's a splurge. But so is a nice dinner.
So far on this trip, I've committed myself to using local public transportation. European cities do a marvelous job of making life easy for people with no cars. And tourists are people, too. Give public transit a chance in your travels. Buy an all-day pass and use the trams for everything. I find it changes your American understanding of what public transportation can provide.
One of the biggest bits of transportation news in Germany is the advent of cheap intercity bus fares. Germans are all abuzz about new deregulation that opens things up. In front of each train station, I noticed buses loading and unloading budget travelers. These companies use the autobahns rather than the rails to get from A to B… for half the money. While I still take the train and love the speed and smoothness of rail travel, if you're on a tight budget, consider this new option.


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Terry Ann Lawson Bodine
Terry Ann Lawson Bodine, age 62 of Alcoa, passed away Tuesday, October 4, 2011, at her home. She was a Christian and attended Alcoa High School, graduating in 1966. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mayford and Edith Potter Lawson and brother, Nick Lawson.
The family wishes to give thanks to special lifetime friend, Linda Fields Puckett and close relatives, Janice Valentine, Norma Hollingsworth and Cynthia Lawson Smith.
Survivors include her husband, Ed Bodine; daughter and son-in-law, Laura Ann and Ted Keim; grandchildren, Suzanne, Douglas, Sam and Cole Keim.
Family and friends will meet at 11:00 a.m. Friday at Mattox Cemetery for a graveside service with Robert Lawson officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Second Harvest Food Bank of East TN, 136 Harvest Lane, Maryville, TN 37801.
McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home in charge 982-6812


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Click the "add event" button to create a listing for your event
Mainstreaming Alternative Therapies to Assist with Smoking Cessation and Corporate Wellness
Date:February 6, 2013 at 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET
Angela Yasulitis, Wellness Programming Director(Quantum Health and Wellness)
As companies continue to search for affordable and alternative methods to enhance wellness programs, tools like aromatherapy are entering the workplace wellness market. Having a base understanding of these concepts can empower HR professionals to make correct decisions and avoid some obvious pitfalls. Including the use of evidence based research when implementing these types of tools is essential.
Basic evidence exists and is currently showing some results or being studied further for the use of tools like aromatherapy (essential oils), Reiki, Music and massage in wellness Care Plans to include:
- Relaxation
- Fatigue
- Sleep Issues
- Depression
- Pain
- Smoking Cessation Assistance (Black Pepper)
- Stress management
Because essential oils and other methods listed above are an affordable alternative and can be easily administered without adverse effects, group programs, and individual care plans can be designed within a corporate environment.
Smoking Cessation programs are the subject of debate for many professionals. While almost all companies agree that smoking impacts healthcare costs, productivity and time, finding the right way to provide smoking cessation programs can be difficult and worrisome. Alternative therapies – when supported by evidence are often an appreciated alternative to RX programs and "stick" approach procedures.
Employees often recognize and understand that their own behaviors do impact their health and productivity in the workplace, however providing new choices and solutions must be done in a way that employees want to embrace the solutions and implement the changes. Education provided in a threatening "either change or…" manner almost always backfires.
What you will learn:
- Evidence Regarding the Use of alternative therapies for key corporate issues: stress and productivity
- how to implement these programs in a corporate setting
- how to avoid pitfalls
- using these programs to ramp up and renew existing wellness initiatives.
Who Should Participate
Anyone responsible for Employee Wellness or benefits
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Chris Collins faced facts Tuesday and withdrew from his exploratory campaign for governor.
He cited the difficulty in raising money, which is true enough, and said his antiChrist and lap dance comments had nothing to do with his decision, which I find hard to swallow. The reality is that those gaffes cost him the support of potential backers and killed Collins' candidacy before he left the starter's block.
With the race over before it began, Collins will instead focus on the job he was elected to do just two years ago.Reports Bob McCarthy:
Collins said he still faces a "big job" in Erie County and anticipates significant financial problems in the years ahead. Although he had been exploring a run for governor, he said, he now believes he needs to serve the remainder of his term and run for re-election in 2011.
To that end, he said he would keep in his campaign account the $600,000 in personal funds he recently loaned it, pointing to the re-election effort he plans to launch next year.
"The county has some speed bumps ahead, and I think I am the right one to guide the process ahead," he said. "I have no regrets."
Just a hunch, but I think Collins has at least two regrets - his antiChrist and lap dance comments.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Benjamin of the New York Daily News offers this take on Collins' decision to not run.
Elsewhere on the campaign trail, Gov. David Paterson has landed the best zinger so far, calling out Andrew Cuomo with a quip about the coy attorney general being enrolled in a "candidate protection plan."
"I don't think anyone should be floating that they're going to be a candidate and then go into the candidate protection program where you can't ask them any questions," the governor said.
"This, to me, is not commensurate with anyone that thinks they're going to bring reform and transparency and openness to government in Albany," he said.
As Howard Cosell used to say, the guv is "telling it like it is."
Oh, what I wouldn't do for a video clip of Humble Howard repeating that line. Help me here, people.
Update: Robert Harding, online producer with the Auburn Citizen, came through with this clip. Howard delivers the line about 4:15 in. Thanks.
(Follow this blog and my reporting on Facebook and Twitter. Have a story tip or something you want to share? e-mail me.)
taggedPolitics | State government


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Wooden poles shattered the windshield of a Deming woman's car Tuesday, nearly impaling her as she drove along the Mount Baker Highway.
The 36-year-old woman was taken to St. Joe's Hospital in Bellingham when she was hit in the head by a bundle of 27-foot long poles that smashed right through the headrest of her car.
The poles traveled all the way through the rear windshield with the rear-view mirror still attached to them.
Troopers said the woman doesn't remember anything from the crash.
Before the crash, the poles were fastened to the top of a 60-year-old Canadian man's 1994 Buick station wagon as he drove along SR 542 with his wife.
He told Washington State Patrol troopers he slowed down for a dump truck ahead of him when the woman's Toyota Camry ran into the poles.
He said he was going about 25 mph when the car hit from behind near near Everson Goshen Road.
The poles were described as those used for tipis.


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Some Vt. utilities try to put brakes on solar boomBy DAVE GRAM
The Associated Press | August 19,2013MONTPELIER When the tiny Washington Electric Cooperative Inc. announced last week it was moving to slow the growth of customers installing solar power systems and putting their extra electricity on the power grid, it brought to the fore a battle that had been brewing for years.
The Shumlin administration, lawmakers and Vermonts largest utility have been cheering the arrival of solar energy and net metering on Vermonts electrical generation scene, while smaller municipal and cooperative utilities have been pushing back.
Net metering allows owners of solar and other renewable power generators to put their excess power on the grid and run their meter backward, reducing their monthly power bills, sometimes to zero.
Thats the rub for Washington and some other smaller utilities. They say that when net-metered customers stop paying, others are left to cover the costs of maintaining poles, wires and other operational costs. Its a warning some made during legislative debates at least as far back as 2008.
Supporters of net metering say its paying for itself in ways not always obvious to ratepayers.
Kerrick Johnson, vice president of the Vermont Electric Power Co., the company that runs the statewide large-scale transmission backbone for Vermonts utilities, said his company is legally required to be neutral about power sources.
But Johnson said power production by homeowners and businesses known as distributed generation was a big part of the reason his company had been able recently to drop plans for about $250 million in system upgrades.
These projects, in the right areas, with the right generating characteristics, enable us to not have to build transmission in certain instances, he said.
The announcement from Washington that as of Oct. 1 it would no longer take energy from residential solar systems larger than 5 kilowatts stunned renewable energy advocates who have long admired the East Montpelier-based co-ops pursuit of renewable sources for its power.
For a utility that uses methane gas from the landfill in Coventry as its main power source, and which already exceeds the state requirement for the amount of net-metered power it takes from its customers by about 50 percent, it looked a bit like an organic farmer coming out against labeling genetically modified food.
Washington officials, like those at the Johnson-based Vermont Electric Cooperative and the municipal electric department in Hardwick, say they worry that allowing some customers to roll their meter back to zero will leave others picking up the utilitys fixed costs sending crews out to fixed downed power lines in storms, running a billing department and the like.
Not collecting those costs from all members results in a cost shift to those members without net metered installations, Washingtons general manager, Patricia Richards, said in an email. As a not-for-profit electric utility, which is owned by our members, our only recourse for recovering insufficient revenue is to increase rates.
We really love renewables here, she added in an interview. This is what WEC is all about. But we need to step back and make sure were not being irresponsible financially.
Vermonts largest power company, Colchester-based Green Mountain Power Corp., is a big fan of net-metered power, the vast majority of which comes from solar installations, said spokeswoman Dorothy Schnure. She called it a great fit with the way we peak.
Demand spikes on hot summer days for Green Mountain, whose load is about a third commercial, a third residential and a third industrial. On those summer afternoons, when office workers are turning up the air conditioning, are also precisely when rooftop solar panels are producing at their maximum.
Green Mountains solar-owning net-metered customers are shipping power to the grid, and the company saves in two ways, Schnure said. It doesnt have to buy as much power off the New England grid when prices there are at their highest, and it doesnt have to run its backup diesel- and jet-fuel-fired generators as hard or as long, saving both in money and carbon emissions.
Wayne Young, board chairman with the Hardwick utility, said solar is a lot less useful to a rural utility that sees its peak loads on dark winter evenings.
Our peak is on a Sunday night at 6 p.m. in January when its 10 or 15 below, he said.
Rep. Tony Klein, D-East Montpelier, chairman of the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee and a key architect of Vermonts policy of promoting renewable energy, said he did not see a need to change course.
Vermont has gradually expanded its net metering program over the past 15 years and likely will continue to do so, he said. Its where weve wanted to head.MORE IN This Just InSACRAMENTO, Calif. Full StoryWASHINGTON Congress ran full-tilt into election-year gridlock over immigration Thursday and... Full Story
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Most beautiful line in a Nickelback song
Do you know the moment when you are listening to a song for the first time and you try to listen to the lyrics very carefully and there is this one line you immediately like so much?
Which line from a Nickelback song do you like since the first time you heard them?
Replies to This Posting
RE: Most beautiful line in a Nickelback song
If Today Was Your Last Day
If today was your last day
tomorrow was to late
could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Gotta Be Somebody
Cause nobody wants to be the last one there
Cause everyone wants to feel like someone cares
Someone to love with my life in their hands
There's gotta be somebody for me like that
Cause nobody wants to do it on their own
And everyone wants to know they're not alone
There's somebody else that feels the same somewhere
There's gotta be somebody for me out there
I love Gotta Be Somebody
Re: Most beautiful line in a Nickelback song
I love 'Each days a gift and not a given right' and 'It's not the human walk, it's the human race'.
Re: Most beautiful line in a Nickelback song
Mine would have to be from either "Too Bad" or "Lullaby"
The first time I heard "Too Bad" I was in that state of mind where you're so mad that you're about to burst into tears, and was mad as hell at my father, because he wasn't around to teach me what I wanted to learn: how to work on cars. And I was mad at my step father because he never participated in my life. and I heard:
Father's hands are lined with guilt, for tearing us apart,
Guess it turned out in the end, Just look at where we are,
We made it out, we still got clothing on our backs,
and now I scream about it,
and how its SO bad, its so bad, its so bad,
its too bad, its too bad, too late
The first time I heard "Lullaby" I was suicidal. I was about to kill myself, I was planning my demise, when I heard the piano playing through my laptop speakers, I paused and listened to the song. I broke down into tears at this:
I know the feeling,
of finding yourself stuck out on the ledge,
and there ain't no healing,
in cutting yourself with the jagged edge,
I'm telling you that, its never that bad,
Take it from someone who's been way around,
Lay down on the floor, and you're not sure,
you can take this anymore.
So Just give it one more try, to a Lullaby,
Turn this up on the radio,
If you can hear me now, I'm reaching out, to let you know that you're not alone.
And if you can't tell, I'm scared as hell, cause I can't get you on the telephone,
So just close your eyes, honey here comes your Lullaby...
You're very own Lullaby.
Meaning of my name: NB-Nickelback OTTB- Off The Track Thoroughbreds They're both also my two passions!
Re: Most beautiful line in a Nickelback song
Re: Most beautiful line in a Nickelback song
passionate is a good thing man. you've got to admire a man willing to show his emotions to the world.
Re: Most beautiful line in a Nickelback song
I know exactly how it's is this feeling.
For me, one of the most beautiful line in a nickelback song is
We can laugh as we both pretend that we're not in love- Don't Ever Let It End
And that we're just good friends
Re: Most beautiful line in a Nickelback song
I got bored of writing rape songs
Then I remembered the holocaust
I couldn't write because it was so funny
I'm glad lots of people died
Ha ha holocaust [x3]
I'm glad lots of people died
People are too fucking PC
To admit Hitler was funny
How can you not laugh your ass off
Watching people bulldozed into a ditch?
No Hate Please
Re: Most beautiful line in a Nickelback song
Thats Right Bitches
Re: Most beautiful line in a Nickelback song
Well, I would say all the lines that had already been said here, and those:
"...You've gone too far
Who do you think you are
Is this what you came for
Well, this means war"
If you wonder why I like these lines: My art teacher: She gave us a task. I made a draft and asked her whether it is okay like that. She said: "Yeah, really good, great idea"
I started drawing, finished, handed it in to get a mark. And she gave me the mark for "failed"
I mean, that is not fair, she could have said earlier that it is bullshit!
I managed to keep cool, but you can't imagine how I felt inside. I could have damn near killed her!
And that is the day when I first listened to "This means war" =)
Re: Most beautiful line in a Nickelback song
"He said each day's a gift and not a given right " and "Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you'll never live it twice. Don't take the free ride in your own life" with "If Today Was Your Last Day" and yet of "Lullaby", "Just give it one more try It's a lullaby, And turn this up on the radio ,If you can hear me now I'm reaching out ,To let you know that you're not alone "
Re: Most beautiful line in a Nickelback song
So what more can we say? All such beautiful lyrics. Sometimes when I listen to some of their interviews, I don't think they even give themselves enough credit for all these beautiful ones. So I ask this: Why do we get idiots like the following writing such insulting crap. Maybe I should take this sorry excuse of an author out in a boxing ring! I mean, I did once have to take on an abusive ex! I bet I'd give him a run for his money! Oops! Did I say that? I'm sorry. I guess that wasn't very Christian of me. LOL! Check this crap out. Everybody oughtta spam him. Oh, wait! That would be sinking to these haters' level. http://blogs.sfweekly.com/shookdown/2011/11/chad_kroeger_less_of_an_ass-ho.php
Jane Brackrog
2 Cor. 4:7-10
Re: Most beautiful line in a Nickelback song
Agree with Zezza
Nickelback FTW
Re: Most beautiful line in a Nickelback song
but i'll tell you what i line i really love, from this afternoon on the last track of dark horse."it's not the human walk it's the human race be we livin' on the edge takin' to much space"
Nickelback FTW
Re: Most beautiful line in a Nickelback song
Could this be the end?
Is it that moment when
I find the one that I'll spend forever with?
Gotta Be Somebody
I was blindfolded, but now I'm seeing
My mind was closing, now I'm believing
I finally know just what it means to let someone in
To see the side of me that no one does or ever will
So if you're ever lost and find yourself all alone
I'd search forever just to bring you home,
Here and now this I vow.
I'd Come for You


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|Culinary Arts
|| Print |
Instruction stresses quality food preparation techniques and creative food presentation styles. The skills learned in this class, if not utilized as a career choice, will be beneficial throughout life when planning family meals or hosting a group of friends.
Benefits of the program:
Is the Culinary Arts Program at the ATS right for you?
If so, see your High School Counselor as soon as possible to obtain an application to join us!
Year One of the Culinary Arts Program
Year Two of the Culinary Arts Program
Year Three of the Culinary Arts Program
After the successful completion of the three year Culinary Arts curriculum, Area Technical School students may earn 16 hours of college level credit.
Recommended High School Courses:
These classes are not established as pre-requisites. Students that have been successful in any of these courses have historically demonstrated a higher degree of success in this vocational program.
Tools and Supplies Required:
A list of supplies will be given to the student the first week of classes.
Salary data for occupations within Culinary Arts:
Average: $22.55
Range: $11.06 - $41.07
Salary information provided by careeronestop.com
Where do our graduates go to work?
For more information…
|Last Updated ( Tuesday, 08 January 2013 )
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Just a short Segway ride from Microsoft's Redmond campus, you'll enjoy the best of both worlds: a convenient location and a peaceful place to call home. more
You'll find Avalon Bellevue Park only a few blocks from Bellevue Square and Bellevue's central business district. Enjoy a beautiful landscaped courtyard, the spa, .. more
The Lynnwood apartments at Avalon Brandemoor have a great set of features and amenities. Find great one bedroom, two bedroom, and three bedroom apartment rentals i.. more
Perched on a Kirkland hillside, Avalon Kirkland at Carillon Point Apartments gives way to views unobstructed lake views and downtown Seattle on the horizon. more
If you find yourself in one of Avalon's apartments in Bellevue, you'll soon discover a new standard of living. Our Bellevue apartments are situated in excellent locations, so you'll have access to everything you need to be comfortable no matter which one you choose. Just across Lake Washington from Seattle, you'll be close enough to the big city, while far enough away that you can relax in your Bellevue neighborhood.
Discover the Washington apartments you've been looking for in the charming city of Bothell. Here you'll find the best of the Northwest Washington, with beautiful natural wetlands, a booming wine country, and a historic downtown area. Avalon's Bothell apartments put you in the heart of the city, and if that weren't enough, you'll enjoy all of the world-class amenities and features that you've come to expect from an Avalon Community.
Lynnwood, Washington is the perfect mix of urban, suburban and small city. If you love Seattle but don't want to live in the city, you will love the quiet Washington neighborhood where Avalon's Lynnwood apartments are nestled. Tasty restaurants and exciting entertainment venues are only a short distance away, and the features and amenities of the apartment community are world-class. Everything you could want in Washington can be found in our apartments for rent in Lynnwood.
Redmond, Washington is a prosperous, high-tech neighborhood that a variety of people call home. Two of its most well-known residents are the Redmond Town Center and Microsoft, the latter of which has earned it the nickname Microsoft Town. Residents of our Redmond apartments have access to a wide variety of shopping, entertainment and dining options, as well as the necessities of day to day life such as schools and banks. No matter your needs, our apartments for rent in Redmond are a place you'll be proud to call home.
Our Seattle apartments put you near lovely museums, restaurants, cultural attractions, shopping, and more. Even with all of these features, the area manages to maintain a cosmopolitan charm that can't be beat. When you live in our apartments in Seattle, you'll be able to explore local parks, neighborhood hangouts, and find hidden shopping districts. Basically, everything you need to be comfortable in Washington is always just a step away when you decide to make an Avalon Community your home.


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I had the pleasure of spending a week on the set of Rainforest Films' production of Steve Harvey's new movie Think Like a Man and hanging out with the film's star, Kevin Hart. Kevin is hilarious and full of energy, making everybody laugh as they were trying to act. He was excited about the hundreds of thousands of advance tickets that were sold to his movie based on his sold-out comedy tour Laugh at My Pain, which is in theaters Sept. 9. I got a chance to see a sneak preview of it at the American Black Film Festival in Miami, and it is the funniest comedy
movie since Eddie Murphy's Raw. We have to be proud of the work Kevin is doing. Our editors were also on set interviewing Mr. Hart for an upcoming issue, where he will share the secrets of his success, which we hope will empower our readers to achieve the same. You can get an
early glimpse of what Kevin had to say by ordering a digital copy of our August issue; just visit www.upscalemagazine.com to find out how.
It's been 22 years since the first issue of upscale, and much has changed. I remember upscale being known as the successful black magazine. I eventually banned the word black from upscale because it had such a bad connotation—a black cat was unlucky, Black Monday was terrible for Wall Street, a black sheep was the worst person in the family, buying goods on the black market was illegal, black diamond was the most dangerous trail on the ski slope, the black hole no one escapes, and the list goes on. In 2011, things are different, and I am black and I am
proud. Black means power now. One of the most powerful political leaders in the world is black. Some of the top corporate leaders are black. Blacks have always dominated basketball, football and boxing, and now tennis and golf can be added to that list. Black Friday is the best shopping day of the year. Some of the most powerful people in entertainment are black and star in movies like Men in Black. Black is cool. Black has swag. Black is hot.


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Narrow your search
These new models seem designed to compete with Samsung's similar fridges -- do they set themselves apart?
Light Sentry by Sonne Industries uses real-time data to help you program your lights.
With tons of customization options and a unique magazine-style interface, anyone looking for a better way to browse the latest news and social info should definitely download this app immediately.
Pricing not available
If you want something far superior to the bundled neck strap that came with your camera, the Custom SLR Glide Strap is a very comfortable alternative.
Sprint's core wireless brand and prepaid service continued to lose customers, though not as rapidly, amid a long network upgrade.
The deal is available for the 2014-15 season and includes premium access to live streaming games and the NFL Network.
New program gives points to Verizon customers that can be used to buy merchandise, gift cards, and other products. Is there a catch?
The terms of service for Amazon's new e-book subscription offering mean uncertainty for self-published Kindle authors, whose work is automatically rolled into the program.
After a difficult week for its customer service, Comcast might take comfort. On the other hand, number 1 in this Ranker survey is Comcast's new best friend, Time Warner Cable.
For decades, Darryl Starbird was one of the most famous builders of hot rods in the world. Now, CNET Road Trip 2014 drives through Starbird's Oklahoma custom car museum


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Although fat got a lot of flak in the carb-crazy '90s, it is actually very important to a healthy diet. Fat comes in two main forms: unsaturated and saturated. Unsaturated fats are oils – the kind that are fluid at room temperature, such as olive and canola oils. Saturated fats are solid at room temperature – think a stick of butter or glob of coconut oil.
You need both kinds in your diet, but the majority should come from unsaturated fats. The current recommendation is that you get about 25 percent to 35 percent of your daily calories from fat (that's 56-78 grams of fat on a 2,000-calorie diet), with no more than 10 percent (22 grams) coming from saturated fat.
So what does fat actually do for you?
• It's a major fuel source for your body, meaning it provides a lot of calories, and also the main way you store energy.
• You need fat to help you absorb certain nutrients, such as fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and antioxidants – lycopene and beta-carotene.
• Fat is important in giving your cells structure.
• Omega-3 fats, a type of unsaturated fat, are important for optimum nerve, brain and heart function. One type of fat you don't need? Trans fats, an artificial kind of fat found in partially hydrogenated oils.
• And by the way, eating fat won't necessarily make you fat. Although it does have more calories per gram than carbohydrates and proteins, fat makes food more flavorful and satiating, which may mean that you don't need as much to feel satisfied.


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The Lead
House authorizes death of CableCardJuly 23, 2014 4:52 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
The U.S. House of Representatives has reauthorized STELA. The cable industry had hoped to tack on provisions to reform retransmission consent rules, but the House declined. But the House did include language to end separable security requirements. In other words, the House has agreed to let the loathed CableCard die.
Aereo loss is a very big dealJune 26, 2014 1:34 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
Another thing the average viewer doesn't get is that Aereo and its approach was a hedge against...
Google Fiber's greatest success -- In PerspectiveJune 25, 2014 9:20 pm | by Brian Santo | Articles | Comments
Google's biggest success was getting customers to redline themselves, while inducing cities that...
TV Everywhere apps: "Market the damn things"June 16, 2014 1:49 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
MSOs are getting crushed by their over the top rivals when it comes to TV Everywhere – an area...
Oliver's ArmyJune 6, 2014 6:04 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
John Oliver's rant about network neutrality early this week was impassioned, entertaining, and, in the end, completely wrong about what network neutrality is and how it works. But that may well end up being irrelevant for a couple of reasons.
AT&T's pursuit of DirecTV thrills no oneMay 13, 2014 1:39 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
AT&T is on the verge of buying DirecTV, according to reports. The deal could be worth $50 billion, but no one thinks this is about synergy, or subscribers, or scale. Most think it's about AT&T's dividend. Whoo. Hoo. AT&T can buy DirecTV, but it won't be able to buy an exclamation point.
Review: Tablo a nifty little over-the-air HDTV systemApril 19, 2014 2:24 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
The Tablo is a nifty little item that lets you play over-the-air signals on your tablet. You can watch live, or record in advance and watch later. You can choose to record specific episodes, new episodes of a series, or an entire series. You can take your device anywhere, connect to the Internet, and you have access to your Tablo, including everything you've got stored on your disk drive.
From NAB: A reckoning is coming. Not now, but soon enoughApril 10, 2014 2:42 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
Ultra high definition TV. Workflow management. End-to-end multi-screen (or "over the top") delivery. For anyone even remotely involved in content preparation and distribution, those were the three big themes at the NAB Show that concludes today. And there's a glut of vendors aiming to provide each of those technologies.
Sense and CopyrightabilityMarch 24, 2014 6:42 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
The fact that OTA broadcast stations are also carried on cable systems is thoroughly and absolutely irrelevant to Aereo – Cablevision is absolutely irrelevant to Aereo, and even if five Supreme Court Justices disagree I still won't buy the argument.
Apple-Comcast! Hurry! Everybody Over-React!March 24, 2014 1:20 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
This ends up being less than The WSJ makes it out to be… at first. After paragraphs and paragraphs of speculation, the paper reports that Apple is asking for an arrangement Comcast has no doubt already laughed off, assuming the report has all the details.
Comcast-TWC: It's personalFebruary 13, 2014 1:44 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
Malone is a tremendously astute executive, who knows full well that Wall Street loves a deal. Furthermore, TWC had been turning in some disappointing quarterly results, and Wall Streeters fervently despise disappointment. All that combined with the retirement of Glenn Britt, and TWC looked like a pretty good opportunity.
FCC's IP dreams: Lifeline? Meh.January 31, 2014 1:24 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
The FCC is encouraging experiments in moving from POTS to VoIP. As a practical matter, the FCC is talking to phone companies, but the results might have some ramifications for cable operators that got into the voice market with VoIP, as well as those cable operators who also operate POTS networks.
Comcast enters Charter-TWC sagaJanuary 27, 2014 4:07 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
The likelihood that Comcast will participate in the takeover of Time Warner Cable seems to be increasing, with word leaking out that if Charter Communications were to buy TWC, Comcast would be interested in buying TWC's New York City, North Carolina, and New England systems from Charter.
Gun shyJanuary 14, 2014 1:24 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
If there's anybody who knows how to get screwed in a merger, it's Time Warner Cable. TWC was a pawn in AOL's acquisition of Time Warner, among the most disastrous mergers in history. Time Warner subsequently used TWC as a piggy bank it could bust open, emptying TWC of cash when it spun off the MSO.
Beans & Cornbread, and optical LANDecember 24, 2013 1:18 pm | by Editor | Blogs | Comments
Optical local area networking has some clear advantages. It is roughly comparable in price, and can last for 50 years or more. Fiber requires vastly less infrastructure to support, and significantly less maintenance. It is far more difficult to tap, and is impervious to EMP (electro-magnetic pulse) disruption.
Born freeDecember 13, 2013 12:17 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
Two bills were introduced to fix the video market, one from Rep. Steve Scalise, one from Rep. Anna Eshoo. You have to wonder if Scalise was even trying. Just look at that acronym: NGTMA. What are we supposed to do with that? Pronouncing it is a nightmare: N-n-ngitma? Ingateema? Nagtama?
Does anyone have a real reason to buy TWC?November 25, 2013 2:08 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
Late Friday, those agitating for consolidation in the cable industry floated the notion of Charter Communications and Comcast bidding on Time Warner Cable together, then breaking it up into pieces, with each claiming chunks. The news was well received by Wall Street merger-and-acquisition (M&A) experts and investors, who bid up the values of the stock of any MSO rumored to be party to any such deal.
Live From the Show: SeaChange InternationalOctober 31, 2013 8:56 pm | by CED | Videos | Comments
SeaChange VP of Strategic Marketing Alan Hoff explains how the new Cloud Adrenalin product is particularly appropriate for smaller companies looking to fend off over-the-top competition with a multi-screen product they can deploy quickly and economically.
Technology is the impetus for a Comcast-Netflix dealOctober 30, 2013 12:04 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
There is no shortage of speculation about whether Comcast doing a deal with Netflix makes business sense – some say yes, some say no – but there are few evaluations of whether a Comcast-Netflix deal makes technological sense, which is key to why a Comcast-Netflix agreement is far more likely than not.
The politics of Cox's FlareWatchOctober 3, 2013 12:50 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
The margins on the low-cost, IP-based TV package might have been half what they were on Cox's comparable standard video package, but was that why the MSO pulled the plug on the service after only three months? Even after announcing FlareWatch was only an experiment?
Divergent paths to TV everywhereSeptember 19, 2013 12:15 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
That service providers will have to deliver TV everywhere is a foregone conclusion, but a couple of recent announcements – one from Sling and another from TiVo – provided an interesting juxtaposition of alternatives of how to accomplish the feat.
Transparent caching catching onAugust 29, 2013 4:18 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
Transparent caching is essentially edge caching, ultimately on behalf of OTT providers. Several companies have solutions in which they cut deals with either the MVPDs or with the CDNs to do transparent caching. The amount of equipment that needs to be added can be minimized, and the improvement in quality of service (QoS) ultimately benefits everyone all up and down the value chain.
Wait a sec...August 20, 2013 1:31 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
The cloud is being sold as the greatest innovation since the food industry started building zip-lock technology into the packages of everything from hot dogs to shredded cheese, but there have been concerns: can cloud computing scale to cover hundreds of thousands of subscribers, and aren't you just courting trouble by automatically building in too much delay? But the world is safe for the cloud, according to ActiveVideo.
OTT: an entree with a side of IPDRJuly 31, 2013 1:26 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
Incognito Software just released data that pretty much settles the "over-the-top: friend or foe?" debate, at least in North America. OTT is has widely come to be seen as an opportunity, and MVPDs are actively preparing for it. Part of that preparation is learning how to deliberately collect, store, and analyze IPDR data.
Charter ♥s Time Warner Cable!June 28, 2013 12:32 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
The merger & acquisition boys are bored and frustrated, and that can spell trouble. The way these guys work is that stuff has to happen and it doesn't much matter what it is. So now the rumor mill is churning that Charter Communications, prompted by new investor Liberty Media, might buy Time Warner Cable. Or Cablevision. Or both!
Live From the Show: Cable Show 2013 introJune 10, 2013 1:06 pm | by Brian Santo | Videos | Comments
We're in Washington D.C., for the 2013 NCTA Cable Show. Eight of 10 buildings surrounding the convention center are being constructed, reconstructed, or deconstructed -- even the Washington monument is wreathed in scaffolding. There's a metaphor in there somewhere...
An itch for telecom reformMarch 15, 2013 2:46 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
More than two decades after the Cable Act of 1992, and almost that long since the Telecommunications Act of 1996, it appears that the sentiment that it's time for wide-ranging, substantive telecom reform is beginning to coalesce among legislators.
BundlebumsFebruary 27, 2013 2:07 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
Cablevision's antitrust suit against Viacom is long overdue, but it might also be too late. Trends are leading the industry is heading toward an a la carte model, which promises to undermine programmers' ability to bundle. The question is: how long will the suit drag out?
Milius and milestonesFebruary 8, 2013 5:02 pm | by Brian Santo | Blogs | Comments
Ray Milius and his team are responsible for engineering matters at Starz. Starz is not among the largest programmers, but it frequently is among the first programmers to adopt new technologies. Recently, Ray and his team got Starz into TV Everywhere with its Encore and MoviePlex On Demand And Play services.
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Thank you for making the 2014 ABA Bar Leadership Institute a success.
Please join us at the 2015 BLI on March 11-13.
Has your bar completed the 2014 Membership, Administration, and Finance survey? Your data is vital. The survey deadline is Thursday, July 31.
Would you like to save some time? Ask for a personalized survey with your answers from last year filled in -- all you have to do is update them.
Check out the program for the upcoming NABE/NCBP/NCBF meeting in Boston!
Where does your bar stand? Find out with the 2013 Membership, Administration, and Finance Survey (MAF). You'll learn the membership structure of almost 200 individual bar associations -- dues levels, member retention rates, member benefits, and much more.
BoardLink is the quarterly newsletter from DBS for bar association board members that shares good practices and addresses governance issues that may be preventing boards from providing necessary leadership.


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Monday, June 27, 2011
Italian Avocado Fries Recipe
2 large avocados, cut into 6-8 slices lengthwise (for each avocado)
canola oil for frying
2 cups of panko Italian flavored breadcrumbs
1 egg, beaten
1 cup of flour seasoned with 1/4 teaspoon each, cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, oregano, basil, parsley, salt and grated parmesan cheese.
Separate flour, egg and panko Italian breadcrumbs into three bowls.Using a fryer or deep wok style pan, pour in enough oil for frying and turn the range to medium heat.
Take one slice of avocado, and coat it in the egg mixture. Then coat it in the flour mixture and then the breadcrumb mixture. it again in the egg, flour and then breadcrumb mixture. Put the avocado piece in once the oil is hot.
Cook avocado until the breadcrumb turns golden brown. These will not take long to cook around 30 seconds on each side, make sure you turn them for even cooking.
Repeat with remaining avocado slices. Serve with fresh salsa to dip in.
Note: I have baked these as well for healthier version. Place on parchment paper and only drizzle with olive oil lightly. Bake at 400 degrees until browned turning once with a spatula.
+claudia lamascolo Author
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Brian Boyce
The Tribune-Star
Special dogs were treated to some kindness Sunday afternoon by people wanting to help.
Volunteers from Special People Performing Random Acts of Kindness (SPPRAK) had food, games and cameras going in the parking lot of Riddell National Bank by Walmart on Indiana 46.
Meanwhile, officers of the Terre Haute Police Department, men and canines alike, were on the scene to introduce themselves to the community.
SPPRAK member Susan Short said the group's "Hot Dogs for Top Dogs" program was meant to raise funds for the THPD K-9 unit.
"We take suggestions from the community about what kind of fundraising activities they'd like to see," she said amid a chilly 50-degree afternoon. When they learned the local K-9 unit had to borrow a bite suit from the Clay County department for lack of funds, they decided to get involved.
Hot dogs, popcorn and face-painting were all available for kids and their parents that afternoon as donations were accepted on behalf of the department and its dogs. Bite suits, which protect officers while teaching the dogs to serve various law enforcement roles, are a must, she said.
"The dogs are pretty rough on the bite suits, so we want to make sure these guys are taken care of," she said.
K-9 Officer Ryan Adamson and his partner, Caron, showed off some tricks for children who got to pet the black-and-tan German Shepherd.
At about 95 pounds, the 4-year-old dog patiently chewed tennis balls while Adamson explained the ongoing expenses of maintaining the program. In addition to food and veterinary bills, the protective sleeves and bite suits cost upwards of $400 each and regularly get torn to shreds.
"We're close to being self-sufficient, but every bit of community support helps," he said.
SPPRAK began in late 2009 with Short, Robin Heng and Kim Grubb decided to organize fundraisers for random community groups. Since then, their initiatives have benefited hurricane victims and the hungry alike, as they accept ideas on their website, www.spprak.blogspot.com.
"We don't really have a fundraising goal," Short said Sunday. "We've found that people are really good about supporting these events."
Officer Devon Huebner, in his fourth year with the department, said he's been on the K-9 unit about four months. His partner, an 80-pound German Shepherd named Axle, turns 3 years old in December and is more than a co-worker, he said.
"My son is 2 and you can tell they're at the exact same emotional level," he said, noting the officers take their partners home and care for them 365 days a year, just like any other member of the family. "They play together really well."
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or email@example.com.


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Unitarian Universalism
There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:
Starr King School for the Ministry is one of two theological
schools in North America with an explicit Unitarian
Universalist identity and mission. SKSM has a 100-year
tradition of educating Unitarian Universalist ministers
and progressive religious leaders for society.
The Unitarian
Universalist Association Web site gives news and
information about our contemporary movement and its
more than 1,000 congregations. The site also offers
a history
of Unitarian Universalism's origins, from the 16th century
Protestant Reformation to the 1961 merger of American
Unitarians and Universalists.
The Unitarian
Universalist Service Committee is a nonsectarian
organization that promotes human rights and social
justice worldwide. The Service Committee maintains
partnerships in the United States, South and Southeast
Asia, Central Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean
that help empower women, defend the rights of children
and support the struggles of indigenous people as
well as oppressed racial and ethnic groups.
Starr King's commitment to educating to counter oppressions
and create just communities links the school to the
Service Committee's mission and activities.
Press, Unitarian Universalism's voice for liberal
religious values, publishes an array of books on current
religious and social issues.
The UUA
Bookstore makes resources available for those
interested in learning more about Unitarian Universalism.


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From Mortcia and Uncle Fester to Pugsley and Wednesday, one of the most quirky and beloved set of characters are The Addams family. Embraced by multiple generations, and bearing many incarnations on television and film, the show also became a Broadway hit in 2010. The show's first national tour is now in Seattle for the very first time and here to perform the song "Pulled", we welcomed Lizzie Klemperer as Wednesday!
The Addams Family, will make its Seattle premiere October 24-November 11, 2012 at The 5th Avenue Theatre.
For more information, click HERE.


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Niagara Gazette
Florence May Reid, age 103, died Wednesday, August 14, 2013, after a brief illness. She was born in Tonawanda, NY on July 7, 1910, the daughter of the late John L. and Martha A. (Solomon) May.
She was predeceased by her husband, James A. Reid; brothers, Howard May and Raymond May and sisters, Edna (May) Elworthy and Mildred May. She is survived by five nieces and nephews, John A. May, Marilyn (May) Updegraff, Donna (May) Burolla, Kenneth J. May, Carolyn (Elworthy) Waterman; 16 great and 26 great-great- nieces and nephews.
Florence became a legal secretary and worked in Tonawanda after graduation from Tonawanda High School. The May family moved to a farm on Lockport Rd. in Sanborn, NY in 1926. She married James Reid on Sept. 4,1943, and was married for 51 years and resided in Sanborn. Florence was very community and family oriented. She was an active member of Sanborn Methodist and Hope United Methodist in Pekin, NY. She served as a Treasurer for the church for many years and helped coordinate many "rummage sales", bake sales and funeral receptions. She loved her family dearly and enjoyed seeing the family grow and hearing stories of what was going on in their lives. Although never experiencing the gift of having her own children, she managed to acquire mother-nurturing skills that will be missed. Even at age 103, she had grace, dignity, integrity and never complained.
The family thanks the staff at Alterra Sterling Home, 6741 Nash Rd., Tonawanda, for all the loving care given Florence.
The family will be present at the RHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 5893 Hoover Rd., SANBORN, NY, on Monday from 11:00-2:00PM, followed by a funeral service at 2:00PM, with the Rev. Matthew Kofahl officiating. Interment following at Mt. View Cemetery, Pekin, NY.
Visit www.rhoneyfuneralhome.com for guest register.


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This is a guest post by my colleague, Bob Minter. Bob is one of 7 Regional Managers at AOPA and oversees localized issues in the southeastern region. You can read more about each of the Regions and each of the Regional Managers, here.
In 2012 AOPA upgraded its former program of 12 Regional Representatives to 7 Regional Managers. All of the association's former Representatives had been operating under individual contracts. The new Regional Managers were all hired as full-time employees.
The Regional Representatives program was begun under former Association President John Baker in the early 80's and most of those who comprised the "Rep. Corps" had formerly served at state government aeronautics departments. All lived in and worked from their respective regions and the Rep. Program then came under the Communications Division at AOPA headquarters. It was later moved into the Government & Technical Affairs Division. The core mission was to serve as AOPA's eyes and ears, to become the face of AOPA in their respective regions, to work closely with members and pilot groups, to identify and resolve issues before they became larger problems and to take AOPA's governmental affairs advocacy and expertise to the state and local level. During those days, the Reps worked lots of airport related issues until AOPA's 3rd President, Phil Boyer, established the AOPA Airport Support Network (ASN) and began utilizing volunteers(ASNVs), at what is now more than 2,500 local airports nation wide. Boyer then refocused the Reps mission to working primarily with state legislatures and local governments.
When the full-time Regional Managers program was established in January, 2012 under AOPA President Craig Fuller, the Managers' responsibilities were expanded to include membership development and territories were redefined to conform with the FAA regions .AOPA Regional Managers continue to live and work in their assigned territories.
The legacy of AOPA's regional outreach over the past 30 years is truly extraordinary – hundreds of legislative and regulatory victories at the state and local levels have saved members money in the form of sales & property taxes, airports charges & fees and more helping to fulfill our promise to keep the cost of flying down and protect our freedom to fly. General aviation airports and funding have been saved… the successes of AOPA's Regional Reps and now Managers as well as those of the Airports Support Network Volunteers are far too numerous to mention; all made possible because of close and collaborative support from AOPA headquarters staff who frequently are the real experts on a given technical issue.
Members often wonder how Regional Managers handle their various responsibilities in regions with a large number of states. The key is a team effort connecting members, alliances in each state, and headquarters staff. Managers must be skilled strategists. Networking and establishing relationships with state and local governments, federal agencies, airports, pilot/user groups, and a variety of centers of influence that impact aviation and air transportation policy are vitally important. AOPA utilizes a broad spectrum of the latest in technology in its work for our membership. For example, Regional Managers utilize legislative and regulatory monitoring software and services to stay abreast of lawmaking and regulation that may impact our members. It is common to see an AOPA Regional Manager in the halls of state legislatures initiating a measure that will benefit general aviation or opposing those that threaten to increase the cost of flying, our airports, or our freedom to fly.
At the end of the day, our work is all about connecting with AOPA members. Members consistently provide our most valuable advanced link to issues and opportunities. Our new President, Mark Baker, understands the importance of connecting with our members and is re-focusing and re-dedicating AOPA toward more one-on-one service. In 2014, we expect AOPA Regional Managers to be even more involved in helping fulfill President Baker's mission.