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Writing Techniques that Appeal to the Modern Reader
In the last post, we talked about the importance of creating saleable books. If we want publishing houses to take an interest in our books and if we want our words to reach the largest audience possible, then we have to pay attention to what readers want and that may require us to adjust our writing techniques.
Of course no one can predict what readers will want next. All we can do is study what they want now. And of course all writers should strive to have their unique voices, special flare, and push the limits of creativity. We should write with all of the passion inside of us. But we can't ingnore the modern reader because. . .
Ultimately the reader determines what sells, not publishing houses. We often wag our fingers at agents and editors and accuse them of being too picky, of being closed to so many kinds and styles of writing. But in my experience with my agent and in-house editors, they're constantly asking questions like "will the reader like this?" or "what will most readers buy?" They make the readers' desires top priority.
As much as we may resist the idea, maybe we too need to take a closer look at what appeals to readers, particularly modern readers.
If you're like me, when you read a classic book, you find yourself stopping and saying, "That technique would never work today." For example, in Chapter One of Little Women, Louisa May Alcott brings the story to a grinding halt when she says, "As young readers like to know `how people look', we will take this moment to give them a little sketch of the four sisters."
Alcott goes on to write a LONG paragraph about the appearance and personality of each of the March daughters. Alcott could have eliminated all of the description because later she brings each character to life so uniquely.
What worked for authors one hundred, fifty, or even ten years ago, won't necessarily appeal to readers today. We don't hang on to our outdated computers or cell phones, and we can't cling too tightly to our writing methods either. We have to be willing to change with the times and meet the needs of the modern reader.
So, what are some of the needs of today's readers? Well, I'm the first to admit, I'd much rather read a 21st century book than a classic. So I simply have to start by asking, what do I like in a book? Here are just a few considerations.
1. Fast pace. Most of us are living incredibly busy lives. We often go from one activity to the next with hardly a chance to breathe. We grow impatient easily, and because we don't have time to waste, we demand that our entertainment be equally fast-paced.
And how can we make our writing fast-paced? First we can make sure our plot doesn't drag. But in addition to that, we can stick to shorter sentences, break up our paragraphs, keep the scenes succinct, and ruthlessly eliminate unnecessary description and internal monologue.
2. Action-packed. Not only do we live with a fast-pace, but we're also a culture that thrives on action, danger, suspense, and high adrenaline rushes. We want adventures and entertainment that take us into the wild and thrilling 3-D.
No matter what genre we write, we have to ask ourselves how we can raise the stakes, increase the conflict, and add more tension. We need to eliminate the static and replace it with action that sweeps the reader into a new dimension.
3. Emotionally charged. In a culture obsessed with reality TV shows, we long to connect with the raw emotions of everyday problems. We have our own unique joys and pains, and somehow getting a glimpse of what others are going through helps us put our own issues into perspective.
In our writing, we need to pour our hearts and souls out onto the paper. We have to bring readers into the reality of our characters lives, give them real problems and vivid emotions to which readers can connect.
In summary, I can't help but quote James Scott Bell's The Art of War For Writers. In reference to writing a saleable book he says: "It's useless to be a creative original unless you can also sell what you create. . .Does this mean not writing what you love? No. But write what you love with eyes wide open." (p. 10)
Any other needs of modern readers that I missed? Do you think it's important to write for the modern reader or do you think it's more important to write the way you want? Is it possible to do both?
This article originally appeared in a guest post I wrote for Author Culture.
61 comments:
I think we NEED to do both. If we don't write the way we want, our writing is going to lack depth and emotion.ReplyDelete
We as writers need to be in love with our writing in order for our readers to fall in love with it too.
So we definitely need both. We somehow have to find a way of writing that we and our readers can be passionate about.
I never thought it could be done, until quite recently, actually. But I see now that it can work after giving up being stubborn and rewriting my book in a commercial style. Now I LOVE it even more than I did before.
It pays to let your guard down.
I think both are important, because you won't have the passion for what you write if you don't love it.ReplyDelete
BUT, I think Bell's right. You can write what you love, but that doesn't mean it is marketable. I wrote what I love (medieval) knowing full well it was not marketable. But, it was my first, so I knew it would never see the light of day anyway, so I figured it was good to write what I love FIRST. ;)
Now I just have to find another "love" that is more marketable. lol
I think authors need to pay attention to the gender of their characters. Especially female authors writing male POV. Sometimes the men in contemporary romances are well, girlie and the women are "Mary Sues"ReplyDelete
In regards to fast-pace. I'm not so sure I agree with "fast-pace" as much as "page-turning", but that just might be a matter of semantics.ReplyDelete
For example - I LOVE literary fiction (I don't write it, but I love it). And fast-paced it is not. Literary fiction has a slow pace to it, but the really GREAT literary novels still make me want to turn pages. The characters grip me.
I think the key to writing page-turning fiction is to write in scenes (I have a post scheduled for Monday which discusses scenes and what exactly they are and what they aren't).
Basically, I want the author to bring me into a scene. I want to WATCH the movie, I don't want somebody to tell me about it. Regardless of the movie's pace.
I don't want to read words on a page. I want an experience.
If that makes any sense.
LOL. It's funny, I was cheering when you talked about being fast pace because I am so very, very not a literary book reader. So I think that particular point, like Katie pointed out, differs depending on your reader base.ReplyDelete
For me, I am definately fast-paced, because that's what I like to read. But, when I write, I tend to overlook details in my hurry to get into the plot. SOmetimes that is good... I rarely use too MUCH description, but I also forget to describe a character as much as I should or a setting. I think there is a balance where there can be too little or too much. I tend toward the too little:-)
I think it makes a difference which genre we're writing in.ReplyDelete
Blog writing is a great example. There are things readers want in a blog post that they would not be looking for in a novel.
I think you can do both.ReplyDelete
I don't think I agree with the word useless in that sentence you quoted either.
~ Wendy
If we're writing for a career,then yes, I think we need to pay attention to what reader's want and then somehow blend that with what we like to write.ReplyDelete
Great post, as usual. :-)
I think it's very possible to write something I am passionate about but I that I also think is for today's reader and market. There are definite ideas that I've put aside because I know it's not strong enough. I don't mind slower novels but the character has to be incredibly 3d and believable with some tension built into the story.ReplyDelete
Good post. You're right - what sold 150 years ago wouldn't sell today. That may even be true about what sold ten years ago.ReplyDelete
When I first started writing seriously, I didn't understand about hook, fast pace, show - not tell, and voice. I had much to learn.
Now I'm a better writer, but creating a salable book is another story. Without feedback to tell me that my manuscript isn't unique, it's difficult to know. I write what interests me, while what will interest teenagers is in the back of my mind.
When I first wrote, I poured out the stories of my heart. It wasn't that I didn't care what others thought. I was simply uneducated. I hadn't taken time to study craft. I hadn't devoured countless books in order to see why those published stories worked. I hadn't found my Voice.ReplyDelete
I'm over four years into my journey, and I've come to believe that in order to write a marketable book I have to consider what readers want. They want the things you've listed. And, guess what I've learned? I want them too.
I recently read a book by an author whose earlier stories I'd thoroughly enjoyed, but her latest one didn't work for me. It was slow moving, and I didn't feel an emotional connection to the characters. I felt let down.
That said, I do think it's important for a writer to put his/her heart into a story because that's what makes it unique. I attempt to do that, but since I want to sell what I write, I keep the reader in mind.
All the things I've written so far have come from my heart. I can't imagine writing any other way. Having a marketing background, I understand the need to think about the target audience if we're to be successful, but I'm finding I can't think about that too much while I'm writing.ReplyDelete
You always have something brilliant and eye-opening to say about selling your book. I love the list you made that touches on what modern readers want. I'm gonna have to print that off and post it on my wall to read again when working on my WIP. Thanks so much.ReplyDelete
The thing that fascinates me, is that we are still reading the books that contain passages "that wouldn't work today." In some regard, these books are timeless--I suppose because they tell such wonderful stories. How do we make sure that what we write is timeless too?ReplyDelete
This is great, Jody. I've never been one to buy into the idea that as writers, we can creat whatever our inner artist feels passion to create, unless, like you said, we have no desire to see our books on shelves. At the end of the day, publication is a business, and if we want to succeed we must combine that artistic passion with a sound knowledge of the industry and what might sell.ReplyDelete
I agree with your assessment of what writers need - page turning, emotionally charged prose. I would add that readers also want a different world from their own to escape into, whether it's a far away setting or a different type of life circumstances to live for 300 or so pages.
- AnonymousMarch 31, 2010 9:44 AM
Jody, Great post! You've given writers a great list to ponder. I think a mix of passion, talent, marketability, and hardwork are essential ingredients for anyone traveling the path w/the goal being publication.ReplyDelete
For me, fast-paced, page turner is a must! But often a fast-paced read isn't necessarily a page-turning deep read. I just put down a best-selling author's book because it dragged! And for me as an unpublished author with an agent, it's all about finding the balance between writing what I want and what others want to read. I'm still searching...ReplyDelete
I agree people want page-turners, they want to be emotionally invested.ReplyDelete
Great thoughts! I love that quote at the end. It sums it up nicely.ReplyDelete
I write for myself first, then show it to my critique group and reevaluate the parts they unanimously loathe.ReplyDelete
I think I'm a pretty standard reader for the times, though. Like everybody else, I'm all about immediacy and lots of tension. I like action-packed in a literary sense (not the blockbuster sense). So, I'm crossing my fingers that my taste is current.
I can't wait to read The Art of War for Writers! Every snipet you provide shines a light of understanding.ReplyDelete
For me reading that is emotionally charged is the biggest key. I want to feel the lives through the pages!
You are SO right! Some of yesteryear's classics wouldn't stand a chance today because of the pace. I think part of what plays into keeping a story at a good clip is plenty of dialog. I love love love when there's lots of meaningful talk.ReplyDelete
The thing that really draws me into a story and makes it enjoyable is a character I can relate to. It doesn't matter if I'm reading genre or not, I want to connect with the story through the one who's living it.ReplyDelete
I think we, as writers, have to do both. We can't turn a blind eye to the people who will read our book, but we have to do what we love or it won't have meaning for us.
Great post, Jody!
I have just bought ART OF WAR FOR WRITERS, and look forward to reading every single page!ReplyDelete
Yes, it is important to keep in mind what readers want. A writer who writes the very best book possible, and with an "open eye" to what the market expects will find that many times, the needs of both can be met successfully.
I just bought The Art of War for Writers, too! I'm reading something else right now, but now I think I might just have to start reading it today.ReplyDelete
Love this post, Jody. Writing is such a solitary, self-involved job that it's easy to forget there are others out there. Writers must be true to themselves and to the story, but they also have to be willing to listen to what the readers want, too.
As life in general moves so fast with emerging technology and information overload, who knows, maybe in the future readers will want to savor the story and not have it end so quickly. Next year you might be blogging three different points about what readers want!
I don't need "fast paced" when I'm reading, but I understand that's something today's culture encourages.ReplyDelete
When I'm writing I dive into a story, oblivious to what the market might want. The time for me to consider saleability is before I start. When I get an idea for a story is when I plan how to best present it, what aspect of storytelling such as pace or characterization should be emphasized. I can imagine that consulting with one's agent would be a great help at that point. Without an agent's guidance, however, I'm likely to write the story in a way that reflects the personality of the main character and I realize that may limit its reader appeal. That's a privilege of being unpublished. Once I step into the next realm I expect a lot may change. :)
I think you can still ultimately write what you love and keep the modern reader in mind. If you don't write what you love, then is it truly worth writing?ReplyDelete
I'm a big believer in white space. I hate really long paragraphs. I also agree with everything else you said.ReplyDelete
I also think that CMOM has a point. As you know you're with a book for a long time so you really have to love it.
Excellent post... I so agree that we need to look at what today's readers want and try to supply it. That's the only way to have a successful, saleable book because after all, we are writing with an audience in mind and we should make sure that the audience would enjoy our work. You had a great point with Louisa May Alcott! Her books are also extremely preachy and moralistic - it's great to show good values and strong lessons in a book, but she was very in-your-face and lecturing about it sometimes.ReplyDelete
My huband and I were talking about this last night. Novels have to be written more like screenplays now than ever before. Attention spans seem to be shortening and it takes more and more conflict and tension to grab and hold a reader's interest. Authors are competing with ever-increasing options for readers' attention.ReplyDelete
I think it's very important for new or unpublished writers to follow these guidelines. I wonder, though, if a commercially successful writer might be able to break a few sometimes ... done thoughtfully and with intention and craft.ReplyDelete
This is one reason that all writers should be avid readers (particularly of current fiction) because I think then we tend to internalize those elements of modern fiction that make a book compelling and readable. I say this because sometimes I worry about overthinking when writing fiction.ReplyDelete
I agree: both factors are essential to selling books.ReplyDelete
I do the same thing with older movies, thinking "this is too slow" or "there's not enough dialogue here."
Trends and peoople change. Fast.
Excellent post, Jody.
Oh yes! Give the reader what he/she wants and hopefully they'll be back for more. If not, hope fades quickly.ReplyDelete
My agent Natasha hammers these into my skull at every opportunity.ReplyDelete
Right on for capturing the elements that have always made a compelling story. Surely we can each season and spice the "formula" to create delicacies that satisfy our own creative palates!
Usual wonderful post.
Great post, thanks! I think you can do both. However, if you want to get published, you'll have a better chance if you think about the reader. Love James Scott Bell's quote!ReplyDelete
I'd like to think that I can write the way I want AND appeal to the modern reader. I'd also like to think that the authors I'm reading wrote the way they wanted, which is part of their appeal. Does that make sense?ReplyDelete
Great post, Jody, and terrific reminders!ReplyDelete
I think Katie also has a point. Pace is crucial, but there's more to it than breakneck plot speed.
My editor hammered it into my head that conflict is what kept those pages turning: be clear on the problem, and keep the reader wondering, "How on EARTH will they ever resolve this?"
- AnonymousMarch 31, 2010 1:49 PM
I always put myself into the situation. "Wow, that could be me".... I think that's why, the Twilight series did so well, Bella was not "special" in any way just average like me. :O)ReplyDelete
I remember watching The Sixth Sense DVD commentary with M Night Shyamalan and one of the other producers. They talked a LOT about some of the decisions they made and every single question came back to what would work for the audience. They made the movie they wanted, and used their creativity and knowledge, etc. But when it came to what to leave in and what to take out, they ultimately thought about their audience and created a movie that their viewers would enjoy.ReplyDelete
Learning that balance is a developed skill and it's one that we can't do on our own.
I like your list, Jody. All of them are especially true in YA literature, where the readers don't seem to have the attention span of a gnat.ReplyDelete
I think something else that is worth mentioning is authenticity. To a gender (I've read so many male MC's who sound like girls), a race, or to the target audience.
Hi Jody -ReplyDelete
Like you and the commenters, I'm looking for that right balance.
It surprises me how many readers will abandon a book if the first paragraph doesn't grab them. I guess in a texting, twittering world, a book is a big commitment.
Susan :)
Another helpful and thought-provoking post, Jody. In addition to what you've listed here, I look for stories that leave me hopeful about being human - even if it's a curl-up mystery.ReplyDelete
This is a great post, and very true. It sticks in my throat to write mostly/completely happy endings, personally, but after nearly a year of American Literature I know readers are quite fond of them... and I am more than I thought ;). It's very true that people like the emotional, action-filled stories... good thing to keep in mind when you're plotting!ReplyDelete
This is very true. Sometimes we risk everything by being too stubborn. That is, we cling to what we want, rather than learning, evolving, and just being a tad more flexible.ReplyDelete
I do believe we can still write what we want..to a point. It kind of depends on what your natural style is.
Besides, we can always indulge for ourselves. I write heaps of stuff that will never see the light of day simply because I made that choice. I didn't want to be bound by any rules so I went ahead and experimented with my words, indulged with description, tried something whacky...and got it out of my system ;)
I want to write for the modern reader. Sometimes it's hard because my taste is a different. But I usually go through and "modernize" it all. After all, I want a saleable book!ReplyDelete
oh I really think you mostly need to write for the market -if you want to sell your work.ReplyDelete
Phew! So glad you mentioned at the bottom that this was originally on Author Culture, I thought the deja vu was all in my head for a moment there!ReplyDelete
It's a good post, worth reposting. Thanks!
You always need to consider your audience, so, yes, we need to write to the modern reader/audience. And, yes, we CAN do it by writing what's in our heart.ReplyDelete
And, I agree with your assessment of Little Women. I said the same thing when I picked it up again a couple years ago. I DID read it as a teen, though, and loved it.
Great post. To get into the skin of the reader is important, though we write with passion, with what is in our heart/s, the passion has to appeal and strike a chord with an audience.ReplyDelete
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
- AnonymousApril 01, 2010 7:54 AM
Hmmm...interesting post. It raises some random thoughts in my mind, both as a writer and as a reader.ReplyDelete
In my graduate school writing classes, we were challenged to find our voice, and write our story, and it will find its market. Meaning that there is a market for every kind of story. What you write may not be defined as a cultural, commercial success, but success can be defined in many ways.
Say what you will about the classics, but they are classics for a reason.:-) Something about those stories has staying power, and people still enjoy reading them. We're reading the "Little House" books at home right now, and they still have the power to captivate and enthrall. The same is true for books like the Chronicles of Narnia, in which C.S. Lewis does NOT write down to an audience of children who have little or no attention span. Yet today's children still love them.
Along those same lines, some modern authors have challenged the norm with great literary AND commercial success. We do not read the Harry Potter series, but I do find it interesting that J.K. Rowling offered today's high-tech, past-paced, short-attention-span children a series of books that numbered 700 pages or so each, and children gobbled them up and lined up for more.
Last random thought...perhaps the power and purpose of a writer is not so much to feed his current culture, but to shape it. Homeschooling leader Gregg Harris once said that he did not want his children to be merely counted among the Reformed...but to stand with the Reformers. I find this an admirable ambition for a writer, as well as a great responsibility.
~ Betsy O.
What a great post! Thanks for summarising all the things we need to remember if we want to write for an audience.ReplyDelete
Oh, I relate! I just attempted Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy. At 892 pages, it fit what readers of that time wanted--a long book to read through a long winter. I, however, want something I can finish in a few evenings.ReplyDelete
But I have to say, Mr. Dreiser gave fascinating (if extremely wordy!) character analysis, conflict and motivation for the actions.
I think I write pretty modern because I read a lot of modern. It's such a quick pace society now. Nobody wants to wait for anything, but I do still love an occasional slow-paced classic. :)ReplyDelete
I think both. Another thing the modern reader (or just me) loves in a story is when the protagonist changes from the beginning to end. If he/she is the same as she was during the first sentence, then it's just not interesting for the reader.ReplyDelete
I also think it's important to write what we want. For example, the whole vampire theme is very popular among young adults these days. Although that's what the "modern reader" enjoys, I'm not going to force myself to write a book about vampires when I have absolutely no interest whatsoever, and I cannot connect to my story personally. How will the readers connect to the story if the author himself can't?
Thanks for a great post! =)
That was very good advice for writing a modern book. I love the paragraph about shorter sentences and paragraphs. I do enjoy that type of reading and writing.ReplyDelete
Could I write a modern fiction and still love writing it? I don't think so. That is my problem. I know I am "old." I don't care to read the action focused books. I enjoy characters, setting, and dialog much more. I just feel stuck in this dilema.
I agreee with the person who said earlier that we need to do both.ReplyDelete
When I read your write-up, the first thing that came to mind was Moby Dick and all of the tips on whaling.
- AnonymousApril 02, 2010 5:04 PM
EASTER GREETINGS FROM THE OLD GEEZERReplyDelete
What a great list to ponder Jody! I always enjoy lurking on your blog! So much to know!ReplyDelete
I think it makes a difference which genre we're writing in.ReplyDelete
data entry india
Jody, your post and insights are excellent! Though some of us (me for sure) don't personally enjoy the frantic pace of today's society, our reader audiences should be the main focus of our writing.ReplyDelete
I write equestrian fiction, complete with the heartaches and joys that come with owning and loving horses. I make every effort to see that the reader can identify with that lifestyle, while still moving forward in the plot.
Thanks for your post, and I enjoyed reading everyone else's comments too.


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What matters most?
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Life is sometimes a little hectic, chaotic or crazy even… That's most likely the understatement of the millennium, to say the least. We say to ourselves that our loved ones are "the most important" in our lives but do we truly follow through on what we tell ourselves? All too often, at least in our…

subset: commoncrawl


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Instafamous CatsOctober 1, 2016
As a proud pet owner, you've likely posted super cute photos of your pet on social media. Dog or cat, Facebook or Instagram, we love it all! Your pet photos are sure to brighten someone's day. You can brighten up your social media feeds by following some famous pets yourself! Today's blog highlights some "Instafamous" cats that you should definitely start following. These kitties are extremely cute and extremely popular. One of them even has over 3 million followers on Instagram! That's one famous feline. These famous pet accounts are also a great place to get inspiration for your own pet photos!
Nala Cat: Nala Cat is currently the most famous cat on Instagram with over 3 million followers. Nala is a 6-year-old Siamese Tabby mix, adopted from a pet shelter in the LA area at 5 months old. Nala's owner initially created the Instagram account to share photos of Nala with friends and family. Her cuteness could not be ignored though, and soon thousands of people couldn't get enough of Nala's heart-warming photos.
Real Grumpy Cat: Grumpy Cat, real name Tardar Sauce, became an internet sensation a few years back with her perpetually grumpy looking face. Now with a verified Instagram account, she has 1.7 million followers, and the same hilariously grumpy expression on her face. Tardar isn't actually grumpy, the colouring of the fur on her face and her underbite are what give the impression of grumpiness. We never tire of her super funny, slightly annoyed face. In fact, so many people enjoy her grumpy expression that she has been immortalized at Madame Tussauds with her own wax figure.
Pudge the Cat: Pudge is a female feline with a moustache that is "better than yours." The colour of the fur on her face gives the impression of a large white moustache, which also droops downwards, giving the impression of a perpetual frown. With over 623,000 Instagram followers, the Internet seems to have a thing for grumpy looking cats. So do we, frankly. Pudge was adopted from a pet shelter in Chicago 6 years ago and has been happy ever since, despite what the moustache may tell you.
Snoopy Babe: Snoopy Babe is an extremely popular cat in China. She gained notoriety on Weibo, China's version of Twitter, and on Instagram now boasts over 341,000 followers. Snoopy Babe almost looks like a real life cartoon – her big round face has a look of constant concern due to her very large, round eyes. She also has a super cute tiny nose and mouth, which make Snoopy Babe look even more cartoonish. She is often photographed in adorable outfits, making this one of the cutest Instagram accounts we've ever seen.
Loki Ketteh: Loki gained popularity on Instagram, with over 167,000 followers to date, because she looks as though she could be part vampire. No really! Loki has extra large "fangs" that are perpetually visible, even when her mouth is closed. As a result, Loki often looks angry or upset, but her cute face makes up for it and people love her anyway. We wouldn't want to get on Loki's bad side though.
We hope these Instafamous cats put a smile on your face every time they pop up in your feed! Do you follow any famous cats on social media? Let us know who we missed in the comments section below!
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/pets/the-best-cat-instagram-accounts/


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Nikki Finke, the founder of Hollywood business website Deadline.com, which she parted from in 2013, has turned a new page. She's going to write, and publish, fiction about Hollywood on the new website HollywoodDementia.com.
Finke starts out by invoking the names of famed Hollywood fictioneers -- F. Scott Fitzgerald, John O'Hara, Michael Tolkin and Bruce Wagner -- and throwing herself into the mix. "Now add my name to the list," she writes, of "knowledgeable writers [who] tackled showbiz in short fiction."
Yet it sounds, from her further explanation of the site, that it may not have much in common with the emotional creations of Fitzgerald or Wagner's imaginative descents into depravation. Here's more of her explanation:
"My website will present short stories, novellas and novel excerpts written by Hollywood insiders like myself. After 30 years as a journalist, I'm now going to expose the hard truths and gritty reality of showbiz through creative writing."
There's a bit of a disconnect there. The job of journalists is to expose hard truths and gritty realities. The job of novelists is to tell good stories.
Finke continues: "In fiction, I can be more honest than just sticking to facts."
If that sounds like an oxymoron, perhaps there's a simple answer: In fiction, nobody can sue you for libel. As long as you make sure it's fictional enough. Think: A story about a famous actor who is secretly gay -- and abducted by aliens!
Finke plans to charge her online readers $1 per story and promises to pay contributors from the proceeds. She has issued a call for people who are interested in being contributors.
"If you would like to write fictional short stories about showbiz of 2,500 to 8,000 words each for my website, please send me an email as soon as possible with your credits and job history," she writes. "I will accept submissions by invitation only because I first need to ensure you know enough about Hollywood to write intelligently about it," she writes. An email form is provided at Nikkifinke.com.
Twitter: @paperhaus


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So a couple hours ago from this post I posted up some pretty pictures of some clouds I took while standing in my back yard waiting for some flesh to cook. Well, I've upped the ante and did some mild processing of them pics in Photoshoppe and they look pretty shopped about now.
I've tossed a few on Muzeem and DeviantArt, but all of them are here because I own them and stuff.
BEHOLD! The same cloud shot 4 DIFFERENT TIMES and has 4 DIFFERENT PROCESSES put to them.
*Quick Note: Weolcen is olde English for Cloud and makes for a much better title than 'Cloud 1'.


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There has been relatively little attention given a remarkable ruling by United States District Court Judge Reggie Walton. In ruling that the conservative watch dog group Judicial Watch was entitled to attorneys fees, Walton found that Obama political appointees not only influenced the decision in the controversial Black Panther case but withheld documents that should have been turned over under federal law.
The Justice Department originally charged The New Black Panther Party and two of its members, Minister King Samir Shabazz and Jerry Jackson in the case.
Some of us were critical of the decision of the Obama Administration to drop charges. I failed to see how the appearance of Black Panther members brandishing a weapon on Election Day in 2008 was not a violation.
Read the rest here
Jonathan Turley
Judy Morris,
Blogger, THL
Articles | Website


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It's common in this day and age for artists in the entertainment industry to be paid millions of dollars to sing and entertain an audience. That's not the case with us.
We sing simply because we love to sing! Our "pay" is the enjoyment we derive from studying, preparing and performing the beautiful choral music of the masters, and the wonderful experience of sharing that music with an appreciative audience.
We have a wide age range in our group, which helps to contribute to our unique sound. There are young men and women in their 30's singing along side a few slightly older "young people" in their 60's and 70's.
Dr. Wade Raridon was the founder and director of the Dana Chorale and the Dana Madrigal Singers before he retired from teaching at the Dana School of Music in 1999. Most members of The Wade Raridon Singers are former members of the Dana Chorale or the Dana Madrigal Singers.
From a small beginning in 2000, we have sung scores of concerts, primarily in churches around the Youngstown, Ohio area. Our personnel have changed slightly over the years as people have moved away and new singers have joined the group. However, one thing in this group will never change, and that is how much we enjoy singing good music under the direction of "Doc" Raridon. Doc directed our concerts from our founding in 2000 through our Spring 2016 concerts.
Due to health issues, Doctor Raridon has had to set down the baton. Doc has asked Victor Ellenberger to take over the directing chores for The Singers. Vic is a former student of Doc's and has sung with many of Doc's ensembles over the years. Vic and his wife Ladonna, who sings alto in The Singers, have worked hard to carry on the professional level of performance that Doc Raridon always strived to achieve.
Doc may not be holding the baton any longer, but his legacy lives on as we sing wonderful music for you…just the way he taught us.


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Family matters, which can be legally complex, are deeply personal and often emotionally charged. To make sound decisions about issues that can have life-long ramifications, you need support and understanding, in addition to expert counsel and aggressive representation.
Competent, Compassionate Representation
Mr. Kennedy offers his clients astute legal advice in a compassionate, caring and professional manner that enables them to resolve difficult issues and move on with their lives. He provides experienced representation in the following areas:
- Guardianship/Adoption
- Alimony and spousal support
- Divorce
- Paternity
- Child custody, visitation and support
- Parental kidnapping
- Legal separation
- Prenuptial agreements
- Domestic violence
- Child abuse and protection
- Restraining orders
- Temporary protection orders
- Post judgement modifications
- Judgement enforcement
- Property issues
Often a family legal situation does not end with an agreement or court order; as families grow and change, adjustments may need to be made to accommodate those changes. Therefore, your representation does not end at the negotiating table or in court. Mr. Kennedy will stand beside you throughout the legal process.


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"Bobby G. Can't Swim" reminds you what a great independent film can accomplish. Gutsy, unconventional, bursting with raw urban energy, this surprisingly suspenseful drama portrays New York Hell's Kitchen residents whose lives are governed by the immutable circumstances of their tawdry existence. Pic heralds the arrival of a bold new talent in actor-writer-director John-Luke Montias. While further festival appearances will generate attention and laurels, it's just a matter of time before the film is snatched up by a savvy distributor, ideally one who can give it the special handling it deserves.
Bobby Grace (Montias) is a small-time coke dealer with a good heart. His days consist of casual encounters with an array of lowlife neighborhood characters: his Puerto Rican prostitute girlfriend, Lucy (Susan Mitchell), a local blind man who supports himself selling found objects (Milton Norman) and Bobby's high-strung drug supplier (Vincent Vega). They're all dirt-poor and trapped in dead-end lives, but determined to make a buck any way they can. Despite the apparent misery of their Hell's Kitchen milieu, the characters remain stoically optimistic. Even Bobby, constantly trying to evade a pair of undercover cops determined to nail him, lives by his wits and maintains his sense of humor.
When a Gotham yuppie approaches Bobby to buy a kilo of cocaine, it looks as if his rough days may be over. Planning to skim some cash off the top, he'll make a tidy profit and perhaps leave the business. But the client is skittish and the plan goes awry, forcing Bobby to produce the merchandise before receiving the cash. Events snowball disastrously, and suddenly what Bobby had envisioned as the opportunity of a lifetime begins to look like the biggest mistake he has ever made. Still, Montias has some surprises in store that propel the second half of the film at a compelling pace.
Montias takes a consierably long time to set up things by introducing characters and locales and subtly inserting plants that will pay off later. That exposition, though never plodding, could stand to lose a few minutes. Still, the second half is well worth the wait. At the 46-minute mark, the pieces of the puzzle that Montias seems to have tossed out haphazardly begin to come together with remarkable precision, and the action accelerates as if infused with spontaneous energy.
Despite fate's forceful presence here, the film is more informed by a capricious vitality than by a noir nihilism. George Gibson's edgy, hand-held camerawork and unusual choices — like opening a scene with a detailed close-up rather than an establishing shot — reinforce the whimsical spirit of Montias' vision. In that way, and because of the vigor and charisma of his performance, this film recalls the early work of another Jean-Luc. It would be fruitless and premature to push comparisons to Godard's "Breathless," but if nothing else, "Bobby G." teems with a similar kind of urban vibrancy and an upbeat, impulsive energy despite the bleak circumstances imposed on its characters.
Paradoxically, "Bobby G. Can't Swim" invites superlatives precisely because it seems such an unlikely candidate for high praise. But this inconspicuous little indie is a remarkably accomplished first film. Full of contradictions, it's a picture whose apparent simplicity belies its intricate plotting and whose seeming ordinariness gives way to a work of striking originality.


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The EP7UIP00.DLL is a EPSON SIDM Printer UI Plug-in.
This file is part of EP7UIP00. EP7UIP00.DLL is developed by SEIKO EPSON CORP.. It's a system and hidden file. EP7UIP00.DLL is usually located in the %SYSTEM% sub-folder and its usual size is 122,368 bytes.
The EP7UIP00.DLL process is safe and disabling it can be dangerous, because programs on your computer need it to work correctly.
Author: SEIKO EPSON CORP.Process: EPSON SIDM Printer UI Plug-inPart Of: EP7UIP00Common path(s): subfolder in %SYSTEM%
subfolder in %WINDOWS%Keywords(s): systemFilesize(s): 122,368 bytes, 132,608 bytes
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Age: 35
Height: 6'
Weight: 225 lbs
Broad shoulders
Loner/slightly bitter
Forced to go into the service
Black feathered hair
Colt .45's-matching ivory handles
Full, pouty lips
Quote: "It's okay to be scared, but you have to think too."
-There are few problems he can't handle if given the time or materials.
-Once his loyalty is given, it is unshakable.
-Knows how to be a team player but his misery often makes him a loner.
-beyond at having another chance with Angie, he has no other goals, no vision for his future.
FBI notes
-DNA marker came back inconclusive. Subject shows no signs of mental abilities; however, termination has been recommended due to above average strategy skills. Considered Dangerous. Location: New Mexico-See case manager for map.
How does Marc feel about Angie becoming an Eagle? Here's a clip that should help explain it.
"Can I sit here?"
Angela looked up from her tray with an unguarded smile that made Marc's heart thump.
"You know it."
Her response, however, made his anger flare higher. She sounded more like these people every day. "I'd like to talk to you about something that's bothering me."
Angela answered distractedly, glad to feel the pill finally starting to calm the heat in her shoulder. "What's up?"
Marc sat across from her and braced himself, suddenly sure it would go badly. "I don't think you should be an Eagle."
A breathless sort of shock slid over her face and Marc dropped his head, but didn't stop. "I'd like you to resign, find something else. There has to be a safer way for you to help him."
"I see." There was only ice now. "And your reasons?"
Marc felt the ambush coming, tried to head it off. "There's a lot you're not seeing and it might get you hurt. These people don't want you to do it, not even the women here. Just you and Adrian."
There was a sneer in his tone that had her frowning. He still didn't trust or even like Adrian.
"That's not true," she argued, thinking of her shower visit from Hilda and Peggy. "There are a few."
Marc shook his head. "Trained lapdogs don't count." His voice gentled, became almost patronizing to her wounded ears. "And none of them really think you can either. When the first cage match comes and no one hits you, everyone will see the flaw in his plans."
Angela knew she should be furious with his lack of support, but she'd already noticed those things hadn't she? Marc's beef wasn't the Eagles at the moment, but Adrian. "You're jealous."
It was a fact being stated. Marc couldn't, wouldn't deny it.
Sadness hit Angela in waves. "Why can't I have both, Brady?"
"What?" Marc had been bracing for her anger, not a compromise.
"Both. You and the Eagles."
Marc didn't know what to say to that and she leaned forward. "I have the room and I've been working on it from the moment we got here. I want both."
Angela's voice lowered to a plea. "I need both. Please don't make me pick one or the other."
Marc hated it that he could feel himself turning into Kenn. "How does that work?"
"You have to let me do what I am meant to. If I get hurt in the process, that's life now. I've been held back for so long!"
She noticed the nearest perimeter guards changing, made contact with the shadows. "And there's so much I can do, so many ways I can help if I'm an Eagle."
Angela turned back to him with flecks of steel shimmering. "I will be one of them, in every way, Brady. I'm almost free of the past, but this can't hang between us. You'll have to decide if you can let me live my life the way I see fit. If you can, I'll share it with you, openly."
Her tone went back to ice. "But that means accepting me as an Eagle."
"And that's firm? No room to bend?"
Angela sighed at the stiffness in his voice. "What if I said okay, Marc? I'll move my stuff into your tent today and resign, go back to just being a doctor. Is that what you want?"
She had tried hard for casual, but the pain clear and Marc shook his head. "Yes."
Angela's face tightened. He wouldn't force her, would he? "I'll go pack. You tell Adrian."
Marc's eyes flashed and she gave him a hard stare, pushing away from the table. "I owe you, right? It's time to start paying off that debt."
Was she bluffing? Did it matter? He could never follow through. "I'm leaving soon. Get ready for it."
Angela stood up, voice scornful as she struck back. "I was ready for it when you found me in Indiana. Surprised you've stuck around this long."
As you can see, he's against it and things are getting ugly. What's his biggest issue with it?
Her getting hurt or killed? Her becoming important in Safe Haven's chain of command? All the time she'll spend with the Eagles and not him?
No. He's really afraid of not being needed. If she can stand on her own, he sees his own value to her as non-existent. Will he be able to adjust? I believe so.
Next week- Kenn-Why wasn't he banished?
"This is Safe Haven Refugee Camp. Can anyone hear me?
Hello? Is anyone out there?"
The Survivors
*Free on all retailers


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List building is a popular topic in marketing today. It's widely known as a critical strategy for converting traffic and increasing sales opportunities for marketing emails.
Rather than take a "one size fits all" approach to list building, the Justuno platform provides the framework to build branded email capture pop-ups that align with your business's goals.
The updated form integration now provides HubSpot users with the flexibility they deserve for traffic conversion and list building campaigns.
Build Your HubSpot Email Lists with Justuno!
Justuno has updated our HubSpot integration allowing users to add functional HubSpot forms to Justuno pop-ups, banners, and slide-ins without ever having to leave the Justuno design canvas!
The deeper integration provides HubSpot users with:
- Easy Login within the Justuno design canvas.
- A seamless form and list integration with Justuno's powerful pop-ups.
- Hidden fields to collect useful information for personalized marketing campaigns.
- Drag-and-drop form editing for optimal design and flexibility.
Below, we'll dive into each new feature of the Hubspot form integration and how you can build more effective marketing campaigns with these tools!
What's New?
Quick and Easy Integration
It's never been easier to connect your Hubspot lists with Justuno pop-ups and promotions. Simply enter your Hubspot username and password once, and your accounts will be integrated.
One-Click List Selection
You no longer have to go back and forth between Justuno and Hubspot to integrate your lists. Your HubSpot lists will populate within Justuno for you to pick from as shown below. Select a list that you'd like to send newly acquired contact information to and you're good to go!
Collect More Visitor and Customer Data
While HubSpot users have been able to add multi-field forms to their Justuno pop-ups, the process required a bit more steps and took more time. We've changed this with the improved form integration!
Collecting more information on your visitors and customers will only help you better understand your target market and will also provide future segmentation opportunities. The new integration allows you to add more form fields to collect relevant information like gender, shirt size, shoe size, age, birthday, interests, and so on.
With this additional information, you'll have helpful contact information that can be applied to provide relevant email content to each of your contacts. This is only going to improve the effectiveness of your marketing emails.
Note: Keep things simple with additional fields. You don't want to overwhelm visitors with too much work in filling out a form. Keep it short and only ask for information that is relevant to segmentation and personalization.
Auto-Populate Fields for Additional Data Collection
You can collect more visitor and customer data without having to ask them for it! This integration allows you to run hidden fields within your pop-ups that will auto-populate and then be sent into your Hubspot database. Here are a few hidden fields most that you can collect using the integration:
- Current url (the url a user is on when they submit the form)
- IP address (the visitor's IP address)
- Coupon code (the coupon code they receive in the post engagement)
- Referring url (the url the user clicked on to get to the new page in your website.)
- Previous Domain Referring URL (the url of the last page)
- First url visitor landed on (the url the user first landed on)
This additional data allows you to learn a bit more about visitor behavior, to identify specific visitors, and market with email messaging that is consistent with website content.
Integrate Hubspot and Justuno Today!
Add the much-needed functionality and flexibility of Justuno to your HubSpot marketing campaigns! The updated integration provides everything you need to run effective conversion marketing campaigns with Justuno and dovetail those conversions with your Hubspot Marketing suite! Integration instructions can be found here.
Currently using HubSpot but in need of an effective pop-up solution for your business? Get started with Justuno today and enjoy every tool you need to convert your traffic!


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Form 433-F
IRS Definition
Form 433-F, is a Collection Information Statement that is mailed to taxpayers for completion by Automated Collection System, Compliance Services Collection Operations, and Accounts Management.
More from H&R Block
If you have an unpaid tax balance and do not qualify for a streamlined installment agreement (owe $50,000 or less that can be paid in six years) or you think you can't pay anything at this time, the IRS may ask you to complete Form 433-F. In most cases you can file Form 433-F, but in certain circumstances, the IRS may request that you complete Form 433-A which asks for more detailed information than the 433-F.
The IRS will use the information you provide to determine your ability to pay. The information you provide will show if you can make a monthly payment or if your expenses exceed your income and you have no ability to make a payment at this time. The IRS may request that you provide proof of your income and expenses such as pay stubs, bank account statements, or credit card statements.
Learn about your options to address an unpaid tax bill.
Get help from an expert
Your local H&R Block tax pro can look into your issue and deal with the IRS for you.Schedule a Free Consultation
Related Information
Learn about the different options when you can't pay or still owe money from a past return from the tax experts at H&R Block.
Get the facts from H&R Block about the four types of IRS penalty relief, and which IRS penalty relief option may be best for your situation.
Learn the three main benefits of engaging a power of attorney to research your IRS account and resolve your tax problems. Get the facts from the experts at H&R Block.
Get the facts from H&R Block about IRS payment options when you can't pay your tax bill, including short-term extensions, monthly payment plans, and more.
Learn what to do when you can't pay your taxes – to avoid these 10 consequences of tax debt. Get the facts from the tax experts at H&R Block.


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Crowns, hideous dresses, and bad synth pop vocals, Selena Gomez has returned to being Daric Rawrs BFF.
King5 news confirms that the questionable lesbian princess, has reunited with best friend, after posting on his wall "I love you billions! And miss you bunches!"
Yahoo news reported about a month and a half ago, that the two had undergone their first fight as best friends, because Gomez had allegedly had intercourse with another teenage girl.
Definately, that is what ignited the fight with Daric. He believed in the friendship, he should be the only alleged gay one, because every teenage girls dream is too have a homosexual friend, as Chelsea Handler would say.


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The award winning film, "The House I Live In," which examines racial injustice perpetuated by United States policies, in particular the war on drugs, can be seen free on Monday, Feb. 2 at 5:30 p.m. in the Domenici Auditorium, adjacent to the medical/legal bookstore, on the UNM north campus. Light refreshments will be served.
Immediately prior to the film, Alfred Mathewson, professor of law and Africana Studies, gives a short talk providing local context for these issues. Rosie Garibaldi from the New Mexico Youth Alliance will brief the audience on the state legislative memorial on Institutional Racism which provides an opportunity for concerned parties to take action on these issues.
Following the film, Jamal Martin, Africana Studies and Family and Community Medicine, moderates a question and answer period.
Director Eugene Jarecki told Amy Goodman on Democracy Now!, "We need a very changed dialogue in this country that understands drugs as a public health concern and not a criminal justice concern." The film won the 2012 Grand Jury Prize for U.S. Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival.


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One local writer will have the opportunity to showcase his or her literary work and promote writing and literacy in the community by serving as the Library Foundation's next writer-in-residence.
Applications are being accepted through Aug. 4. Applicants must be active full- or part-time writers and live in Southwest Ohio to be considered.
The writer-in-residence will serve during calendar year 2018 and earn a $10,000 stipend. He or she will conduct workshops, speak at community events, host a podcast, write a blog and participate in library promotions.
The writer-in-residence also must complete a written work that can be shared with the public at the end of the residency.
The program is made possible through the support of Naomi Tucker Gerwin.
The winner will be announced during a Library Foundation donor event in the fall.


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Experts predict a tough 2017 for SA's property sector
Experts are predicting a difficult year for listed property. Many forecasters have said that the sector won't get near double digit total returns this year unlike many years in the past where double digit returns were commonplace. Economists are concerned that SA's economy will barely grow this year.
The International Monetary Fund recently forecast 0.7% growth for 2017 which will make operating environments highly difficult for property developers and even owners.
Some property stock investors are choosing to rely on offshore based property stocks listed on the JSE doing well. There are also South African property companies which have exposure to offshore property, which could enjoy a good 2017.This growth has been boosted by increased offshore exposure and a weaker rand. If one stripped out the offshore exposure the income growth would slow down to 6% to 7%. Offshore earnings now make up over a third of the SA Listed Property Index.
In terms of total returns, capital growth looks like a challenge to achieve this year given potentially higher interest rates and higher bond yields. Listed property is offering a one-year forward yield of just over 7.5%.
The South African Reserve Bank may well embark on an interest rate hiking cycle. This could lead to increasing bond yields and hence lower bond prices. Listed property tends to move closely in line with bonds as both are income generating investments.
Industrial property however, still remains underrated. Capital Property Fund bought a large chunk of it in 2015. It is now a part of Fortress Income Fund. Some new entrants to the industrial space such as Equites are also looking to develop areas such as the Western Cape.
Investors need to appreciate that listed property in SA is a long term game. While they may try to beat equities and bonds each year, it is not certain that they will do so successfully each year. This is why the investors need to invest in the listed property index for a few years at a time.
For more information on purchasing, renting or investing in commercial and industrial property in Cape Town, please contact Robert Ryll | Cell Number: 082 374 2662 | Landline: 021 552 4100 or Email: email@example.com
» Click Here to go back to Home Page


text:
I see many different places online advertising that they have the Elisa test strips, and some advertise that their pricing is, "best".
Most important to me is that I am purchasing a product that will do what it is supposed to, and not something that's old and out of date. I want to make sure I am purchasing a kit from a reliable company. Could somebody please recommend a worthy company to buy the Elisa test strips from? I want to order them ASAP, as I have Hostas in containers that need to get in the ground, but I don't want to plant a Hosta if it has Virus X.
Thank you!


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When it comes to Candida albicans, you should know that this is a type of yeast that we all have in our system in certain amounts. If you eat a healthy diet and don't take antibiotics, then you won't need to worry about getting a yeast infection, but if you do take antibiotics and eat an unhealthy diet, then it's only a matter of time until you get it. If you're currently struggling to treat your yeast infection, then have no worries, since in the paragraphs below we're going to tell you all you need to know about this.
Start taking special Candida supplements
Anyone who is serious about trying an effective Candida cure should certainly consider taking Candida supplements. These are not only rich in probiotics, contain caprylic acid, oregano and are made in the USA, but they also come with a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the results. So if you have taken these supplements for a few weeks and you've seen no improvements at all, then you can just contact the seller and he'll issue you a refund.
Raw garlic is the way to go
While not everyone is going to consider this advice for treating their Candida, you should know that it is actually very effective. That's because garlic has powerful anti inflammatory and antifungal properties and when you take it on an empty stomach, it really does help treat your infection very fast. As for how much of it you should take a day, one clove should suffice.
Mind what you eat
If your diet is rich in processed foods, such as fast foods, but also bread, refined sugar and so on, then you need to start eating a healthier diet right away. For instance, some of the foods you should eat include vegetables, certain nuts, but also seafood and lean meat. Basically, anything that contains gluten and is processed is only going to help make your candid worse and that's why you need to avoid these foods.
Probiotics supplements are great
Eating a lot of sugar free yogurt and also taking a probiotics supplement on a daily basis is one of the best ways of getting rid of your Candida. If you want, then you can keep taking the probiotics supplements even after your Candida has been treated, since this way you can prevent it from reoccurring in the future.


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Staff writer
After a firsthand examination of the weight room building and the weight room interior, the Centre school board approved an expenditure of up to $4,000 for improvements.
The building includes a storage area for outdoor equipment and a concession stand.
Board members conceded that a new building is needed, but the old one will have to do until the necessary funds are available to replace it.
Juniors Conner Montgomery and Dakota Stimpson accompanied the group and provided input on weight room deficiencies.
Improvements will include repainting the exterior of the entire building and purchase of new equipment for the weight room.
After 30 minutes in closed session with Superintendent Brian Smith to discuss personnel, the board accepted the resignations of head football coach Stan Wiles, ag teacher Jay O'Brien, and elementary aide Selena Diepenbrock. They hired Angela Basore as a seventh-through-12th-grade math instructor for 2014-15.
Mowrer scholarships
More than $26,000 in revenue from the district-owned Mowrer Farm was approved for senior scholarship awards. The money is for two years, divided among four semesters.
Selections were based on merit, scholastic achievement, and relative need.
Recipients are Grant Srajer and Amy Makovec, $4,200 each; Ty Simons, Timothy Vinduska, and Kyle Methvin, $3,000 each; and Makenzie Deines and Bryanna Svoboda, $2,000 each.
The remaining $8,000 will be placed in escrow.
Board member Terry Deines thanked Centre Perk for making its annual $500 payment on the $5,000 loan provided by the district to establish the business. Smith commended Ty Simons and Shelby Makovec for their successful management.
Sponsor Jennifer Montgomery and her debate team members sent a letter thanking the board for allowing the team to be established.
The board adopted a published resolution that sets the capital outlay fund at five mills, with no expiration date. The resolution allows the board to use the fund for additional items such as maintenance, as allowed by the Kansas State Department of Education.
The board also adopted a republished 2013-14 budget that will maximize the dollar amounts the district is entitled to receive. A brief hearing on the budget was held at the beginning of the meeting.
The increase of $41,835 in revenue is because of a larger than expected enrollment. No additional taxes will be assessed. The money will be received in July.
Technology request
Teachers Laura Klenda and Jennifer Montgomery, representing the technology committee, requested purchase of iPads for every student in grades seven through 12 instead of replacing aging Macbooks.
They said the iPads would be cheaper and would make it easier for students to capture information and interact with each other. Digital textbooks and reading material could be downloaded on the iPads. Smith said staff would receive training in helping students use the iPads.
The district will secure quotes and bids for board action at the June meeting.


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Free Baby Digital Stamp: Walking Baby and Big Sister
How cute is this children digital stamp of a big sister helping her baby sibling walk?! I think this is so adorable, and it would be so precious in a scrapbooking project celebrating a baby's first steps, don't you think?
7 comments:
Oh! I love, love, LOVE this image!!! It's so adorable...Thank You!!!!!!!!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousApril 2, 2013 at 9:22 PM
These baby images are ADORABLE!!!! Thank you for them.ReplyDelete
Have a wonderfully creative week, and an even better weekend!
With kind regards, Enjay
You're both very welcome! Thank you so much for your kind comments :-)ReplyDelete
This reminds me of my grandchildren, older ones wanting to teach the younger. Thank you. (It's been too long since my children were this little. I can't remember them! :D)ReplyDelete
So cute. Thank you.ReplyDelete
Just found these by googling for big sister images - so adorable! Thanks for keeping it available.ReplyDelete
Thanks, Jacq! You're so welcome :-) It is absolutely adorable.ReplyDelete
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text: I have had a boil growing for a least 3 weeks now. But it didn't have no head to it, so left it alone. Well Friday morning when I got home all I could do was cry. It hurt to move my whole right upper body.(boil under right armpit) I have always gotten small boils there. But anyway after a shower I applied a hot wash cloth for about 15 mins to maybe relieve some pain. It's the size of 2 golf balls and as deep as 1. Then I fell asleep, with the towel off. I woke up to find out it opened on its own and it was draining. I sat there for 20 mins pushing around the area and stuff was oozing out like crazy. Well after 24 hours its still draining and has barely went down in size. But I keep it bandage up with ointment. I change the pads every 2 hours cause its draining so much. but the pain relief this morning...it was awesome!!


text: So Im trying to get that armour with Atremis Arrows, but I don't know where to find a katana for this armour, anyone know how/where to get a decent katana? Also, when do you get to upgrade weapons, armour, equipment? And last, wheres the best place to get heavy slash?


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this is digital stamp
it was free but I can't remember from who
Aww, such a sweet kitty!
A fun card Kitty, such a super image.
Haha very cute!
That kitty is really cute - poor thing. lol Cute card.
Aww...another cute project!
Adorable!! What a sweet image!! The background is fabulous!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)
A Mermaid's Crafts
Adorable and fun card...love the whip cream on kitty's head, he really got into that latte. Great card.
That kitty isn't too sure about having the cream on top. So sweet!
so cute!
Sweet card!
How cute is that!? Love the whipped cream on his head.
Oh Kitty you are stuck in a cup! Enjoy the drink!
Love both of your kitty coffee cards! Fantastic!
Cute card, Bad Kitty, love those cat ears and the whipped cream! Have a Happy Friday and Happy Hopping!
Ha! Adorable!
This card is just too stinking adorable!!!
super cute, love the sentiment...right now my hands are freezing...sitting too long commenting but enjoying myself.
What a sweet and adorable card!
Ajme sve slađa od slađe, kak su zakon!!!
♥Pozdrav Valentina♥
Great card x
Very cute. TFS
Lovely colors! Adorable card
How fun! This card made me smile!
Sweet! I love that dollop of cream on his head!
Ha ha funny! Love the cream on his head. :)
FUN & FABULOUS card :)
LOVE your kitty in the cup, LOVE the whipped cream on top too!!!


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Marvin Windows and Doors has been named a winner in the 2014 Minnesota Business Ethics Award (MBEA). Marvin received this honor for exemplifying high standards of ethical conduct in the workplace, the marketplace and the community.
Now in its fifteenth year, the MBEA honors Minnesota businesses that act in an ethical manner in regards to their business practices. Eligible businesses must be nominated, and provide comprehensive information about their ethics plan, as well as specific examples of how they have put their ethics plan into action.
Marvin was nominated and won in the large company category (more than 500 employees), for its sustained commitment to the community, employees and stakeholders. One judge commented that at Marvin, "it is apparent that values are baked into the business model. They stand behind what they do and are a company that walks the talk."
A maker of premier window and door products, the company is in its fourth generation of family ownership, headquartered in Warroad, Minn., with factories across the U.S. Marvin received the MBEA at the May 14 Awards luncheon at the Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis.
Christine Marvin, director of marketing, accepted the award on behalf of Marvin and commented, "Doing the right thing no matter what is foundational to a business such as ours—it is at the core of everything we do—and it has helped guide our company through the good times and helped us navigate through some of the tougher times. It is the mantra that is lived out by each and every employee of Marvin at every level of the organization. It can be seen in every decision that we make as a company."
"Minnesota enjoys a national reputation for its high ethical business culture, which is one reason companies enjoy doing business here," says Dyanne Ross-Hanson, co-chair of MBEA. "Each year, MBEA judges review a number of worthy entries for the Minnesota Business Ethics Award. Marvin's entry this year proved a compelling example of a Minnesota based company committed to its employees, customers, shareholders and community in today's fast paced environment."
To learn more about the Minnesota Business Ethics Awards, visit www.mnethicsaward.org. PR


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Reverse Lookup 77.96.X.X - 77.127.X.X
Below is a list of all the valid IP Addresses in the range from 77.96.X.X to 77.127.X.X. If you would like to get more detailed information about a range, click on that range. Otherwise, you can type a specific IP Address in the box to the left to do a quick search.


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Q1. How many years will it take for
Answer: First of all India has been a part of Olympics basketball in 1980's when all the western countries boycotted the Moscow Olympics and thus India became a part of Olympics from Asia. However,
Q2. What are your views about RBCL? How does it contribute to the growth of fan following of basketball?
INTERVIEW No. 2. [
Q1. What will be your strategy for the next game?
Answer: We will improve on defense and we will see to it that we don't commit fouls.
Q2. How are you feeling after winning such a tough game?
Answer: Proud.
All the games were good enough and had tough competition. Today was a bad day for
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The Canadian Southern Gulf Islands (including Salt Spring Island) represent an excellent opportunity for the International & U.S. Real Estate investor to gain some international exposure in their Real Estate portfolios.
Many U.K., European, Asian, and U.S. investors already own property on Salt Spring Island & on the Southern Gulf Islands.
I have helped many international buyers, both from the United States and from around the world, during my 28 years successfully connecting buyers and sellers, in a purchase of Salt Spring Island and Southern Gulf Islands real estate.
With an extensive list of professional contacts, I can put you in touch with true experts on: immigration to Canada, tax issues, legal advice, mortgages, & insurance. All to ensure that the international buyer can have a smooth experience in purchasing their Salt Spring Island or Gulf Islands property.
Please contact me. Li Read, at Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring), for details/contact names & numbers.
email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Ask for Li first, and be sure!
Li Read,
Managing Broker,
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring)
# 4 - 105 Rainbow Road, Salt Spring Island, B.C., V8K 2V5
(across from Ganges Marina)
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Cell: 250-537-7647


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The effort to standardise, simplify and increase efficiency across Statoil enters the next phase. The potential workforce reduction is estimated at 1,100 – 1,500 permanent employees by end 2016.
In addition Statoil will further reduce the number of consultants by around 525. The estimate for workforce reductions reflects the STEP efficiency potential and further corporate improvements over the coming 18 months.
"We regret the need for further reductions, but the improvements are necessary to strengthen Statoil's competitiveness and secure our future value creation," says Anders Opedal, executive vice president and chief operating officer in Statoil.
Simplification of work processes, clear accountability and enabling future growth opportunities guide Statoil's continued improvement effort. Further changes and adjustments to the organisational set-up in the business areas to realise the full potential of the improvement program will be presented by the end of the month.
"Decisions on workforce reductions as a consequence of increased efficiency will be made in each Business Area, based on assessments involving leaders and employee representatives, and local consultation. When this is completed, we will know the accuracy of the current estimated range. This work will take place in the Business areas in the period from August to November," says Magne Hovden, senior vice president for People and organisation in Statoil.
The improvement programme and strict capital expenditure prioritization was initiated in 2013, addressing the industry wide cost and competitiveness challenge, well ahead of the current downturn.
Since end 2013 the workforce has been reduced by 1340 permanent employees and 995 external consultants. The reductions are achieved through more limited use of consultants, attrition, internal deployment into new positions, severance packages and early retirement. Recruitment has been very limited, but the company has upheld its focus on recruiting apprentices and graduates.
"We have so far solved the workforce surplus through voluntary measures, and maintain the ambition to conduct the people process over the next 18 months without forced measures," says Magne Hovden.
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My father liked jazz. Despite the fact that I saw very little of him, I do recall the times when we lived as a family in Singapore, and more particularly, when I visited at Christmas holidays, that he loved the big bands - and Fats Waller, and.... that's about all I can recall. Oh yes, and Piano Red and Gene Vincent. I can remember that my favourite tune was The Harry Lime Theme, played by Anton Karras on the zither.
As a teenager, I was fortunate enough to be in the midst of a revolution in popular music. Johnnie Ray and Perry Como were on the way out - and coming in was Bill Haley and - Elvis. The days of rock n roll had commenced. The beat was heavy, steady, repetitive, perhaps monotonous - you could dance to the music - or at least jump around to the beat. Was Bill Haley the first to record so-called rock n roll? The press thought so - still do. But hang on - what was that I used to listen to and bop around in the sweltering humidity in Singapore - someone called Piano Red playing - Rockin' With Red. Now if that wasn't the first' rock n' roll recording I dont know what is! Of course there was no first', no spontaneous invention of a new form of music. It grew from other preceeding forms - of jazz, and blues, and gospel, and bland ballads - a pot pourri of sounds that more suddently than gradually became identified as rock n' roll. Invented by a white man of course, for the white man held the key to the recording studio. Bill Haley came on the scene - or was ushered into it - with Rock Around the Clock and See You Later Alligator.
Thank God for Elvis. He broke all the rules. His hair - look at those sideburns! Disgraceful said everyone over twenty. My Dad was over twenty! On one of the very few occassions that he returned to Melbourne on holiday, I returned from the barbers with just the smidgen of a sideburn - a quarter of an inch of fluff next to my ear. The standard style for little boys who should be seen and not heard was the basin cut - it was as if the barber put an enamel basin on your head and destroyed anything that could be seen. This was not going to happen to my father's son. He marched me back to the barbers - a different one thank God otherwise I would have been soooo embarrassed - and had the lot, the sideburns that is, neatly clippered off. That must have been the quickest shilling that barber ever earned. What particularly pissed me off was that here was my Dad, whom I loved dearly, but whom I rarely saw, and who was so out of touch with me as a fourteen year old teenager, telling me how I should look. How on earth would he have reacted to seeing me in a purple jumper with silver thread lining around the v-neck and cuffs, a tangerine shirt, normal slacks, and brown and white calf-leather shoes. What a scream! But thats the way it was.
I must say that Nan was much more understanding. It was she who bought me the jumper. It was she who dyed one of my white shirts a bright tangerine, and a green one. I asked her once what she thought of Elvis, and Paul Anka and Little Richard and others, to which she replied, "I don't really like the music but I can understand that you would". She was with it, my Nan. What a beautiful person she was.
Twelve months after the Elvis Sideburn Affair, I was in Singapore - my turn to visit. I took along a friend of mine Peter Hocking. We went to Princes Hill Central before we spilt after Form 2, he going to Scotch College and I to University High. Peter was learning the drums and later put me on to some excellent jazz - The Three Out Trio for example with Mike Nock, and the great pianist Bobby Timmons. We had not been in Singapore long when Dad said that he was taking us to see Jack Teagarden at the Memorial Hall. He was quite excited about it and looked to me for endorsement of his enthusiasm. I said, "who ?". Dad never put me down - he didn't encourage me much either but thats another matter - but he just looked at me with incredulity - perhaps a sadness in his eyes! "Jack Teagarden, the great jazz trombonist", he repeated, thinking no doubt, but fortunately not adding you blithering idiot'. I had not, of course heard of the man - and how could I have possibly done so. My only exposure to the likes and dislikes of parents, my only opportunity for parental guidance such as it was, was six weeks each Christmas. How on earth was I expected to memorise Leonard Feather's Who's Who of jazz?
We went to the show. I loved it. Yet I was not really aware of the enormity of what I was seeing and hearing.This guy wasn't Buddy Holly and the Crickets. A jazz trombonist, with a drummer, a clarinet player, a pianist and a trumpeter. There must have been a bass player there also. It was the Jack Teagarden Sextet. I didn't know that Jack Teagaren was a living legend - in the world of jazz at least - one of the finest trombonists of the jazz era - and not a bad singer also.
I wish Dad were alive today. It is a wish I have every day. I would ask him, okay Dad, name the musicians on the sextet'. I wonder if he could. Well damn it, I could, to this very day - well, two of them anyway - Max Kaminsky on trumpet, and Ronnie Greb on drums. I have never forgotten them. Of course, Kaminsky was as near to a legend as Teagarden, but I didn't know that at the time. I have often wondered who the other musicians were - and by a remarkable coincidence, this very day I received a copy of My Life in Jazz by Max Kaminsky. I went immediately to the index and looked up singapore'. Did he meet my Dad? Did he have a great time in Singapore? Did he notice a curious kid (two kids in fact), in the first row to his left in the balcony? Damn, no mention of Singapore. So I looked up greb'. Sure enough, it led me straight to the chapter on the Asian tour of December 1958 by the Jack Teagarden Sextet. And what did he have to say about Singapore, the concert that I was at; it must have been memorable to him. "And on to Singapore for three days, where we felt the audience had some idea of what we were playing, and then on to the Malay Peninsula for ten days". That's it? Well, at least he appreciated that we were jazz lovers. And now I know the names of the other musicians - Don Ewell on piano, Jerry Fuller on clarinet, and Stan Puls on bass.
The concert was not a turning point in my life. It would be dramatic to say so, but no. We played quite a bit of jazz during the weeks I was with my family, but like most teenagers, Peter and I were much too interested in other things - the sights and sounds and smells of Singapore, and a seven day genuine army patrol into the jungle of southern Malaya with the British Army, a relatively safe mission to collect arms from the villages after the communist scare had passed. There would be other times, and in a perfect world, I can imagine myself right now sitting down and listening, really listening quietly to some really good jazz with my father. It was not to be.
At the end of January 1959, I left Singapore, to return to Melbourne, to live with my wonderful grandparents and to be educated'. In my suitcase was a parting gift from my father - a Capitol LP titled simply Benny Goodman'. I passed through the mesh gates at Paya Lebar airport and walked toward the aircraft, turned, and waved to Dad at the gate. Next time I see you Dad, I thought, we'll listen to some good jazz. I was never to see him again. Two weeks later he was dead.
The shock didn't strike me so much at the time as I was used to not being with my father. It was only in later years when I needed advise, the sort of advice that only a father can give, did I miss him so much. And now, a half century since he died, I type this with tears in my eyes. I still miss him terribly. I look up from my computer and see Benny Goodman on the wall - the very album that Dad gave me, now nicely framed. Nearby is a portrait of my father as a Flight Lieutenant in the RAAF during the war.
Did my father encourage me to take an interest in jazz? Not consciously. I wish he had encouraged me to learn an instrument. He could play good boogie woogie piano, and his mother was a piano teacher. If only he had been there to encourage me to take up clarinet. I did, several years later, and can do a pretty good job of anything in Tune a Day for Clarinet Book One. Thats after more than forty-five years!
But I did take a greater interest in jazz, over and above rock n roll, and the love is still there - not a passion mind you, but a great interest. Needless to say, my favourite' is Benny Goodman - I have a large collection of his 78s and LPs. Of all the instruments, I enjoy clarinet and piano the most, and soon became familiar with the works of other great clarinetists of the bid band era and later: Artie Shaw, Edmund Hall, Woody Herman, Buddy de Franco - and on to Dave Jones of the Kenny Ball band, the brilliant Bob Kaper and Peter Schilperoot of the Dutch Swing College Band, and more recently Bob Wilber.
I did not frequent the local Melbourne jazz scene. But I did go to quite a few great concerts. I just wish I had kept the programs so I could remember who all the musicians were. The highlight of course was seeing Benny Goodman at the old tin shed we called Festival Hall, in Melbourne. I can't remember the year but I was married to Carole at the time so must have been in the early 1970s. It was a bit disappointing. I guess the passion was not in the band. I can recall BG having harsh words with the drummer for some reason, confirming the well-known fact that he was hard task master. I thought it was uncalled for. Hey, here was my hero making an ass of himself. I knew from something that I had read that BG was into gardening; I bought an excellent book on Australia's best gardens and left it at his hotel, the Old Melbourne. I didn't leave my address, just a thankyou note.
One of the most memorable concerts, again at Festival Hall, was the Dutch Swing College Band. Again, I have no idea of the year. It was marvellous. I have over the years seen Thelonious Monk, Stephane Grapelli, Blossom Dearie, Oscar Peterson, Woody Herman, Milt Jackson, the reconstituted Glenn Miller Band under Warren Covington, and many others whose names will come to me suddently and then disappear just as fast.
I must mention my enthusiasm of many decades ago. My daughter Catherine was born in 1969, and within a few months we were in our brand new home in Gladstone Park, near what was then the new Tullamarine Airport for Melbourne. I soon became aware of how toddlers have a poor sense of navigation and mobility and tend to knock into, and over, furniture, including cabinets with turntables delicately mounted. I was not going to have my treasured LPs scratched by a needle and arm flying acrosss the groove, so, when my wife was out one weekend afternoon, I cut a rather large hole in our brand new lounge room floor - and sunk four galvanised iron poles into the ground, concreted them solid, and balanced the turntable on top of the poles. My wife went haywire when she saw what I had done, but my project was not completed. I then built a cabinet around the lot so that you could not see the poles, and whenever the cabinet was bumped by said wandering child, or enebriated adult as the case may have been, the turntable was completely isolated. The house is still there - I wonder if they have a turntable!
As the years pass by I have less of an opportunity to listen to jazz. Sure, I have it on in my study when I am writing or working on some project on the computer, but it is more or less background music. To really listen you have to have no interuptions and a silent household. You can't do that with kids. And in all my latter years I have only had one friend who was really into' jazz. He was a dear, close friend whom I lost just recently, in 2007. I met Peter Diplock when I was working at Caterpillar back in 1965. He was some ten years older than me, and it was when I moved to Mount Macedon where he lived that I really got to know him. Peter loved good jazz, especially piano (a Bill Evans fan), and was very knowledgeable. We had many excellent evenings - just listening. We parted ways for a decade or so and then came back together for the occasional listening session, but that is now over. I find it hard to listen now, and I certainly have no one to talk jazz. I have another great friend, John Higginson, who played piano, vibes and drums, but we rarely see each other and when we do there is so much to catch up on that there is so little time to sit and listen. Wendy is extremely knowledgeable about music and the arts but jazz is not her field. Sam is too young to appreciate it. I try, sometimes not so subtly, to have him listen to some great piano or clarinet or drums - as he is learning all three, but the attention span of a nine-year old is somewhat short. Still, he can do a pretty reasonable job of Krupa's first few bars of Sing, Sing, Sing. Now if only I could join him on the clarinet solo. Unfortunately I sound like the last gasps of rooster being run over by a truck.
So, what to do with 500 LPs, maybe 50 EPs, and over 2200 78s? Does Sam need to be burdened with the collection. I hope he goes and gets a life for himself. But what if I sell the lot and he later takes a great interest in jazz? Will he regret my doing so? My collection was started when I inherited Dad's small record collection (he mainly had tape). Perhaps Sam would like to add to the collection in later life. But he is too young to decide such matters, and I dont want to burden Wendy with disposing of the collection when I go, so perhaps it is best to part with them. Hence this catalog. The trouble is, during the six months it has taken to catalog the records and books, I have had a surge of interest, and damn it, I don't want to part with them. Well, we said the same thing about dear Leanne when she had to go - I miss her but one must be realistic - and not too emotional. Leanne was our red Mercedes 450 SLC. I hate getting old.


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Not Your Typical Consulting Firm
Progressive Management Associates (PMA) differs from other consulting firms. Our communication style is honest, direct, and straightforward. We believe communication is the key behavior that drives organizational success and achievement, so we tell it like it is — not necessarily what you want to hear.
Founded in 2000 by Stuart Friedman, PMA has worked with hundreds of satisfied clients in a variety of industries ranging from professional service firms, manufacturers, and distributors; to publishers, software companies, and insurers and health care providers.
PMA guides you through the unknown so you can move forward with certainty as you create a common framework from which your team can communicate effectively and achieve. We seek to boost The Relevance Factor™ in your active communication behavior so that staff at all levels hear 100% of your message. (Learn more about The Relevance Factor™).
PMA's mission is to maximize performance by quantifying and factually measuring your company's "human dynamic" (the skill sets, communication styles, and leadership qualities of people at all levels of your organization). As a result, you gain insight around the specific traits and behaviors of your leaders and teams—critical knowledge and understanding that others may not perceive.
What clients are saying about Stuart Friedman
Thank you for the exceptional job you did leading our off-site leadership retreat. These events usually have a lot of 'consultant speak' and concepts difficult to put into practice. You focused us on real-life challenges and demanded that we use the new skills you shared to move forward. There was no 'fluff'– just real substance.Dave Pottruck, Former CEO, Charles Schwab and current Chairman of the Board High Tower Advisors
…all of us had some experience with "off-sites," "team-building," and programs designed to help us "communicate better," yet our experience with Stuart surpassed all expectations. A consummate professional with a vigorous attention to detail and keen sense of humor, Stuart elegantly balanced teaching theoretical materials with facilitating tactical and detailed discussions about our business.Elliot Weissbluth, CEO, HighTower Advisors
As an Executive Coach, Stuart Friedman tailors his approach to the needs of clients, drawing upon his vast experience working with strategic leaders to push individual thought engines in pursuit of personal and career aspirations.Mary Ellen Frese, Sr. Director Customer Care, Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co. LLC
Stuart Friedman's blend of humor, irreverence, intensity, and real-world expertise were just what we needed to help guide, the organization to improved profitability, a $1.6 million increase in operating earnings, and a 14% reduction in costs in just six months. Stuart Friedman's ability to help our organization clarify goals, commit to outcomes, and hire the right people was pivotal to our results.Mary Sheehan, CEO, Midwest Palliative and Hospice CareCenter, MBA, MSN, RN
The audience genuinely identified with his message, which was simultaneously practical, inspiring and absolutely on point. His approach is remarkably effective and his content insightful and timely. Everyone seemed re-energized by having been entertained, informed and given useful tools to take back home. I would highly recommend Stuart Friedman… With both substance and style, he delivers.Mark Murray, CEO/President, Healthcare, Chairman of the Board of NHPCO
Stuart Friedman is…
… a Business Visionary who, as a top executive for a Fortune 500 company, embarked on a three-year journey to build a $750 million services division employing 5,500 and far exceeding corporate financial and customer service expectations.
… an Experienced Consultant who is not your typical consultant or coach. He doesn't just tell you what you want to hear. He creates environments that inspire interaction, self-awareness, and results. With a communication style that is honest and direct, Stuart uses humor, the power of the analogy, and insight to balance teaching conceptual ideas with facilitating tactical discussions aligned with the behaviors of clients. His powerful insights into the challenges facing leaders every day make him a vital part of any results-oriented strategy.
… a top-rated International Speaker who has conducted more than 500 presentations and 175 speaking engagements around the world. He draws on his coaching and consulting experiences in various industries—ranging from dental instrumentation and cast-iron manufacturing, to hospices and financial advisory services, and ranging in size from start-ups and individual entrepreneurs to 5,000 employees and $500 million in annual revenue—to share his insight as to what drives organizational success and achievement.
… Results Driven and committed to helping his clients achieve their strategic outcomes and heart-felt desires. He guided an organization from a projected $1.7 million loss to realizing a $20,000 profit in a four-month period; and guided a Vice President to promotion as partner in one year versus a projected three-year time frame.
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Client List
(Not All Inclusive)
PMA works with CEOs, senior executives, and their teams from a variety of industries ranging from professional service firms to manufacturing and distributors, to publishing and software companies, to insurers and health care providers and many others.


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Laser Technology
How To Choose A Laser ClinicEverything you need to know about choosing a reputable laser clinic, from the quality and quantity of laser equipment to evaluating the credentials of the staff.
Why The Laser Industry Needs More Regulation
Thermal vs. Cold Laser
The History of Laser TherapyThe therapeutic benefits of light on the body have been documented since the earliest times. The ancient Egyptians practiced light therapy by building special rooms in which to take light baths. The earliest physician known to practice light therapy was Hippocrates around 440 BC.


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This is really slick. No doubt it will lead to all sorts of never seen before images and sequences. Imagine some of the things we will be able to see are just too fast for the human eye and heretofore uncapturable by video--like the little gremlins that, in broad daylight, steal one sock from each of my pairs.
Seriously though, this is pretty cool.


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Peter Pads outer shell is super soft faux suede that is water resistant, inside is plush absorbent cotton that can be used with or without a liner...perfect for dribblers or markers. Machine washable.
*Please Note: Peter Pads come in a set of three. Each set includes 1 Peter Pad with a design and 2 plain Peter Pads.


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BATH — Two teaching positions supported by several Regional School Unit 1 residents are being included in the proposed school budget without increasing the bottom line, RSU 1 Business Manager Ruth Moore said this week.
The proposed spending plan of $27.7 million for fiscal 2014 could increase 6.6 percent from this year. After offsetting revenues are subtracted, the remaining $18.56 million, an increase of 7.09 percent, would have to be raised through taxes.
Under a new cost-sharing formula that will assess the RSU 1 communities on a per-pupil basis, Bath, West Bath and Woolwich could see significant school tax increases: 6.2 percent in Bath, to $9.1 million; 24 percent in West Bath, to 2.7 million, and 16.4 percent in Woolwich, to $3.6 million.
Arrowsic could see a tax reduction of 2.7 percent, to about $480,000, and Phippsburg school taxes could decline 10.6 percent, to $2.7 million.
Despite the increases, several people at a public budget hearing at Woolwich Central School last month also advocated for adding a certified health teacher at the middle school level. They expressed concerns about issues students face – such as substance abuse, depression and sexual activity – and their desire for adolescents to be educated to make better decisions.
Moore said Tuesday that the health position would be in the budget. Superintendent Patrick Moore was still figuring out the details to make it happen, but he had informed the School Board it would be included, with no addition to the budget, she noted.
Parents also expressed concern about the size of the current fifth-grade class at Woolwich Central School, which has one teacher for 28 students. They asked that a new teaching position be created for next year.
That position is to be added to the budget as well, also at no extra cost. Moore explained that low incoming enrollment in the kindergarten class at Phippsburg Elementary School has allowed a teaching position to be shifted from that school – creating a combined kindergarten-first-grade class there – and added at Woolwich.
The budget will go to two public votes: a district budget meeting on May 28, and a budget validation referendum on June 4.


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How do I spot dirt/dust on the sensor?
With system cameras with interchangeable lenses, it is unavoidable that the sensor will get dirty—whether that is dust from the environment, oil from moving parts (like the mirror in an SLR camera), fibers from a cleaning brush/cloth or an unintentional fingerprint. It happens to us all, although you do not see it on every picture. Even if you never change lenses, there is a chance of the sensor getting dirty. A small number of the—generally more expensive—cameras and lenses are extra-well sealed against dust. Even that is no guarantee that no dust will reach the sensor. Dust is everywhere. If you use a zoom lens that changes length when zooming in and out, then you also suck new air—and thus dust—into the camera. The question is thus not whether your sensor will get dirty, but when your sensor will get so dirty that you will start to see it.
How do you recognize dust and other dirt on a camera sensor? Someone who wants to buy a second-hand camera should certainly know the answer to this question. How do you clean a sensor, and how do you prevent it from getting dirty again?