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Books by John Boyko, Robert McGill, and Dr. Virginia Winters
Back in his high school years, John Boyko, Ed'80, disliked history classes, and so it's fair to say that he made an unusual – and odd – career choice.
Boyko, who earned degrees at Trent and McMaster before graduating from the Queen's Faculty of Education, is a history teacher and administrator at Lakefield College School, near Peterborough, ON. What's more, because he's someone with passion and a flair for making a subject come to life, he's also the author of five critically acclaimed books. His latest is Blood and Daring: How Canada Fought the American Civil War and Forged a Nation (Knopf Canada, $35). This fast-paced, deftly written work of popular history has earned glowing reviews both in Canada and the U.S. It's also selling briskly on both sides of the border, 2013 being the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.
So how did Boyko's conversion from history-class hater to history lover come about? A good question, he says.
"I found high school history classes boring beyond measure," Boyko recalls. "They were mostly about memorizing names and dates for exams, and I hated that."
But, he hastens to add, where history as a subject is concerned … that was "a different matter altogether."
Hamilton-born, Peterborough-raised, Boyko is the eldest of four boys. His mother was an avid reader who enjoyed history as a subject. There were always piles of books around the house, and talk of history and current events was regular fare at the family dinner table. In the Boyko household, history wasn't the stuff of rote learning and dusty tomes, but of rousing good stories filled with larger-than-life heroes and villains who were involved in battles, mayhem, mystery, and romance.
"All historians worth their salt are storytellers," says Boyko.
That's true in spades where he's concerned, and Blood and Daring is a prime example. In the hands of a less inventive and passionate writer Canada's involvement in and response to the Civil war probably would have been a dry recitation of names and dates. But the "War Between the States" was an intense, traumatic conflict that in four years of fighting, 1861-65, left more than 600,000 dead and many more wounded and shook the U. S. of A. to its very core. Boyko makes it the stuff of high drama. The fact that some 40,000 Canadians fought in the war – most of them in Union blue, against slavery – provided an added element of interest for Boyko, who has been intrigued by the Civil War all his life.
He's visited the Gettysburg battlefield "about 20 times," and he can recite Lincoln's Gettysburg Address with emotion – something he does dressed up as Honest Abe and orating before the students of his history class. "That really gets their attention," he says with a laugh.
Boyko adopted a similarly unorthodox approach to the writing of Blood and Daring. He has framed his narrative around the stories of six "guides" who were involved in the war or were deeply affected by it. Three of them are well known: John A. Macdonald, George Brown, and U.S. Secretary of State William Seward. The other three guides are obscure figures: John Anderson, a runaway slave from Missouri who found refuge in Canada; Sara Emma Edmonds, a woman who pretended to be a man in order to serve in the Union army; and, Jacob Thompson, a slave-owning Mississippi politician who set about establishing a spy network and stirring up mischief in Canada.
In telling the stories of these individuals, Boyko also explains how the momentous events that reshaped America also played a vital role in fostering the conditions that in 1867 led to Confederation, with Macdonald and Brown playing key roles.
Boyko notes that American readers are as surprised as Canadians are to learn how involved Canada was in the Civil War and the impact that conflict had on this country's push for nationhood. When Boyko sent a draft of his manuscript to Princeton professor emeritus James McPherson, a leading Civil War historian who has won a Pulitzer Prize for his own writing, McPherson was enthusiastic in his praise.
"He told me there'd been a gap in the history of the Civil War that needed to be filled," says Boyko, "and that my book fills it. I'm really proud of that." - KEN CUTHBERTSON, Artsci'74, Law'83, QAR Editor
Robert McGill, ArtSci'99, knows that writing, like long-distance running, requires persistence. The winner of the 1998-99 Jenkins Trophy, one of Queen's oldest student athletic awards, logged thousands of kilometers running along Kingston's scenic waterfront. But the recent release of his second novel, Once We Had a Country (Knopf Canada, $24.95), marks the end of different kind of marathon: six years of writing, rewriting, and immersing himself in the history of the tense waning days of the Vietnam War.
The novel begins in the summer of 1972 as Maggie Dunne, an American schoolteacher, follows her draft-dodger boyfriend Fletcher to a farm near Niagara Falls with the ambition of starting a commune and living off the land. But the young lovers' idealism begins to falter amidst the tensions of life in a new country and the disappearance of Maggie's estranged father, a missionary in Laos. It's a coming-of-age story not only about Maggie, but of Canada as "a peacekeeping nation, a progressive alternative to the United States," McGill says.
However, the novel doesn't gloss over Canada's periphery role in the conflict. "When I wrote this novel, I wanted to honour people's memories of the time, but also challenge the various stereotypes that have become dominant," McGill says.
Growing up, McGill was no stranger to Queen's; his parents, Bruce and Marcy (Cook) McGill, both PhysEd'72 and Ed'73, met on campus and were married before fourth year. Growing up, the family made the trip from Wiarton, ON – to Kingston every few years to celebrate Homecoming. "Even before I came to Queen's, I had affection for the place," McGill recalls.
Introverted and soft-spoken, McGill majored in English and was very much invested in his identity as an athlete. It was a third-year creative writing course with Carolyn Smart, who became a good friend, that cemented his future; "I knew that writing fiction was what I really wanted to do."
Awarded a Rhodes scholarship in his graduating year, McGill earned a Master's degree in philosophy from Oxford and a Master's of Creative Writing degree from the University of East Anglia.
McGill, who completed his PhD in English at the U of T in 2006, wrote most of Once We Had a Country, while he was a junior fellow with the Harvard Society of Fellows between 2006 and 2009, where his outsider's perspective probed him to think about "what really distinguishes Canadians from Americans."
Now a professor of creative writing at the U of T, McGill recalls, "At Queen's, I studied with several professors whose teaching has stayed with me. Not just what they taught me, but how they taught me," says McGill. "They've influenced my own teaching to a great extent." – JANE SWITZER, ARTSCI'10
Ottawa Valley native Virginia (Wurm) Winters, Meds'70, grew up in a family and a community obsessed with books, reading and storytelling.
Her high school English teacher, Pat Bolger, encouraged Winters to read beyond the curriculum, and to write. So the good teacher may have been disappointed when her charge went off to Queen's to study medicine, not literature. Little did either of them know that a career in pediatric medicine would prove to be pretty fair preparation for writing fiction.
"Getting beyond the 'what' to the 'why' – the essence of medicine – helped me to be a better writer," says Winters, who has authored a series of mystery novels. "Medicine also gave me a perspective on the lives of others at times of stress and worry and pain. That's invaluable to any writer. I don't mean lifting the details of patients' lives to include in works of fiction, but using the insight they give into the human condition to create characters who are not just cardboard cutouts, but who step off the page into reality. At least I hope they do."
After Queen's, marriage, and residency in Toronto (pediatrics for Winters, internal medicine for her husband George Winters, Meds'71), the couple moved to Lindsay, ON, where they set up their medical practices and started a family. When there was time – aside from her family responsibilities, busy practice, medical administrative duties, a stint as chief of medical staff at Lindsay's Ross Memorial Hospital, recording texts and literature for the blind, promoting local French immersion, and fund raising for a new arena – Winters wrote some poetry and a mystery novel called Murderous Roots (1998). However, at the time, she couldn't find a publisher. Short stories followed. Various writing contests, circles, retreats, and workshops later, a much-revised version of Murderous Roots finally made its way into print with an American publisher (Write Words/Cambridge Books, 2010). Winters followed up with another mystery novel, The Facepainter Murders, which was also published in the U.S..
When she retired in 2010, Winters set to work on the third book in what she's now calling her "Dangerous Journeys" series. No Motive for Murder appeared in the summer of 2012.
Encouraged by her 2012 win in the Sentinel Literary Quarterly (London, England) short story competition, for a story called "The Decision", Winter is now working on more short stories and another novel. "I hope to find a Canadian publisher for this novel," she says. – BRIAN MCFADZEN, ARTS'68, MA'71
The Dangerous Journeys series is available at amazon.com and writewordsinc.com.
SARA BANNERMAN, MUS'98, has written The Struggle for Canadian Copyright: Imperialism to Internationalism, 1842-1971 (UBC Press, $95), The Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, first signed in 1886, is still the cornerstone of international copyright law, but the Bannerman book reveals the deep roots of conflict in the international copyright system over the years. Sara argues that Canada's signing of the 1886 convention can be viewed in the context of a former British colony's efforts to find a place on the world stage. The author is an assistant professor in the Department of Communications and Multimedia Studies at McMaster U.
ANDREW BINKS, ARTSCI'82, has published his second novel, Strip (Nightwood Editions, $21.95), an unsettling yet inspiring story of a male stripper and his floundering dance career.
FRASER BROWNLEE, LAW'73, is the author of Twenty Eighty-Four (Baico Publishing Inc.), a twist on Orwell's classic 1984. Fraser imagines the world a century after Orwell's tale, in the age of terrorism.
ERIC CROUSE, PHD'97, has written his fourth book. The Cross and Reaganomics: Conservative Christians Defending Ronald Reagan (Lexington Books, $65) discusses conservative Christians in the United States as champions of free-market economics.
CYRIL DABYDEEN, MA'74, MPA'75, has a new collection of short stories in bookstores: My Multi-Ethnic Friends & Other Stories (Guernica Editions, $20). From the jungles of Guyana to the urban jungle of Ottawa, the stories highlight the struggles of immigrants living in a society that talks multiculturalism but doesn't always walk it. His characters straddle many worlds, but tend to feel comfortable in none.
BILL GLOVER, SC'72, has published his second book, Friends of a Mad Miner (Cranberry Tree Press, $19.95), a collection of 15 non-fiction stories about mining characters past and present in the Krkland Lake area of Northern Ontario. Bill writes: "Some of these 'rock stars' have had their 15 minutes of fame, while others still cry out from the grave for justice." This book is available from the Museum of Northern History in Kirkland Lake or directly from the author through firstname.lastname@example.com.
GERALD IRWIN, MEDS'55, has chronicled both sad and funny stories from his early medical career in It's Full of Sandwiches (AuthorHouse). The author is a retired Professor of Radiology at SUNY Stony Brook, NY.
TUDOR ROBINS, ARTSCI'94, has published her first young adult novel, Objects in Mirror (Red Deer Press, $12.95). The story follows a teen-aged competitive horseback rider as she struggles with her intensifying eating disorder, while trying to win back the chance to jump, and show, the horse she loves. Tudor is an Ottawa-based author, a writing workshop leader, and a blogger on writing themes at www.tudorrobins.ca.
CATHERINE HIGGS, ARTSCI'84, is the author of Chocolate Islands: Cocoa, Slavery, and Colonial Africa (Ohio University Press, $22.95). She traces the early-20th-century journey of Englishman Joseph Burtt to the Portuguese colony of São Tomé and Príncipe (the "chocolate islands"), through Angola and Mozambique, and finally to British Southern Africa. Cadbury Brothers chocolatiers hired Burtt to determine whether the cocoa it was buying from the islands had been harvested by slave labourers forcibly recruited from Angola, an allegation that became one of the huge scandals of the early colonial era. The author is Associate Professor of History and Vice-Chair of Africana Studies at the University of Tennessee.
JIM WADDINGTON, SC'63, and his wife Sue have created a coffee table book called In the Footsteps of the Group of Seven, published this fall (Goose Lane Editions, $55) and called "splendid" by reviewers. For the past 36 years, the pair have been locating and photographing the scenes that inspired the Group of Seven painters almost a century ago, often hiking or canoeing to reach their vantage points. Their book compares the paintings with photos of their real-life locations.
Long-time friends MARYANNE WAINMAN, ARTSCI'10, and JESS KOEHN, ARTSCI'11, have collaborated on their first children's book, Lawrence, The Story of a Hedgehog Who Wanted to Fly (Epic Press, $15.99). The story, written by Maryanne and illustrated by Jess, explores two themes: the importance of children believing in themselves and the power of kindness


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TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language - Exam Help
Online Course Review: TestDEN
Thinking of taking the TOEFL? Make sure to take a look at this in-depth review of TestDEN's 60 day TOEFL Online Trainer course. This course is reasonable and very worth your while.
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Buying guide to TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) study and preparation materials
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Tense Review and conjugation exercise to help advanced level English ESL EFL TESL or TOEFL classes and students review all major tenses
Student Visas to the USA
An overview of getting a student visa to the USA in order to study English at a language school, college or university.
FREE TOEFL practice examination provided by 4Tests.com, besides offering this free practice test, 4tests.com offers suggestions and purchase opportunities for literature useful for studying for the TEOFL.
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By Testwise.com, this site concentrates on helping students understand the philosophy and tricks and traps of the TOEFL test. This is an excellent resource to help you improve your test taking strategy.
Peterson's TOEFL Test Preparation
A TOEFL overview, tips and a few practice questions as well as links to Peterson's TOEFL preparation guides. Includes a nice chart explaining the structure of the TOEFL exam.
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Link page concerning all aspects of the TOEFL test.
Test Magic TOEFL
Excellent site with lots of free materials helping you prepare for the TOEFL. The site also offers extensive help for preparing for the written essay.
English Test
If you've been told to take the TOEFL you may want to take other English tests into consideration. This guide to which English test to take will help you in your decision making process, as well as provide study resources for these exams.
IELTS or TOEFL?
Choosing which English test to take can be confusing, especially if you need to choose between the IELTS or TOEFL. This guide takes a close look at the key differences between the IELTS and TOEFL so that you can make the best choice for your situation.
Membean - Remember your words on exam day
Membean provides an engaging way to improve your vocabulary skills quickly through context. Its unique learning engine makes sure that you'll review new vocabulary often in order to prepare for the TOEFL or other important English examinations. Currently, the company offers SAT and GRE vocabulary help, but preparing for these exams will certainly prepare for you the TOEFL as well.

subset: commoncrawl


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SHELBYVILLE, IL. — Shelbyville Horseshoe Club pitchers were among the champs at the Annual Shelby Autumn tournament.
Shelby pitchers won three of the six singles classes, won Class A doubles and were involved on both sides of a playoff in Class B doubles.
Class A singles (30 feet) was won by SHC pitcher George Huntington, the champion of his class at the World Tourney. Class D singles was won by SHC pitcher Rich Galvin, followed by SHC's George Mose in 2nd.
Class E was also won by an SHC pitcher, charter member Pete Rankin. SHC's Brad Phegley took 4th.
Class A Doubles was won by Huntington and Dale Westendorf, both SHC pitchers. In Class B doubles, Geroge Mose was half of the winning team, that won a playoff against SHC pitcher Dorothy Hack and her partner. Even in Class C doubles, two SHC pitchers, Nick Galvin and Jon Galvin, claimed 2nd.
The Annual Autumn successes followed a Thursday night weekly free-for-all at SHC, won by George Huntington (Class A) and Roy Franklin (Class B).
Class A: 1. George Huntingon 7-0, 2. Dale Westendorf 5-2, 52 points; 3. Lloyd Ruff 5-2, 19 points; 4. Brandon Stephens 3-4, 59 points; 5. Carroll Rhodes 2-5, 75 points; 6. Rich Galvin 2-5, 63 points; 7. Lloyd Allen 0-7, 59 points
Class B: 1. Roy Franklin 5-2, 16 points; 2. Dorothy Hack 4-3, 65 points; 3. Patty Doty 4-3, 46 points; 4. Shelly Weber 3-4, 67 points; 5. John Galvin 3-4, 39 points


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Find and book great restaurantsFind a Restaurant
It's hard not to be dazzled by this World Heritage city with its hot springs and spa water, Roman history and fine Georgian architecture. As a major tourist destination, a lot of cafés, restaurants and bars (especially around the Abbey and Roman Baths) target sightseers, but Bath can claim to have hosted the very first farmers' market in the county and a number of modern British restaurants in Bath are keen to champion prime West-Country produce. The Olive Tree at the Queensbury Hotel, The River Canteen and The Circus Café and Restaurant are worth a visit, as are gastropubs such as the King William and the Marlborough Tavern. There's even a Michelin-starred restaurant, awarded to Michael Caines and Sam Moody at The Bath Priory, and the city has great hopes of another with the arrival of Michelin-starred chef Chris Staines at Allium Brasserie in the magnificently renovated Abbey Hotel.
Showing 1 - 15 of 58 results
Named after its circular bar, Circo has quickly established itself as one of Bath's coolest new openings. An elegant space kitted out with sumptuous… more »
Garfunkel`s is proud to be the original British Restaurant serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner all day, every day since 1979. Situated on Orange… more » This review is not by Square Meal
Chef Chris Staines has an impressive CV, having worked at Marco Pierre White's three-Michelin-starred Oak Room before moving to Foliage at London's… more »
The Green Park Brasserie occupies the old booking hall of Green Park Station, built by the Midland Railway in 1870 and used jointly with the Somerset… more » This review is not by Square Meal
Be transported to North Africa on entering Bath's Café du Globe, a restaurant known as the city's most relaxed. Although set within a building… more » This review is not by Square Meal
Designed to complement their restaurant in Bath's touristy Pump Room, Searcy's are putting the final touches to a second eatery initiated in… more »
Brown's, a university town fixture, has now extended its reach from Brighton in the south to Glasgow in the north – with further openings on… more »
Situated at the heart of the World Heritage Site since 1795. One of the most elegant and stylish buildings in the country. Spa water still flows… more » This review is not by Square Meal
A bit of a Bath institution, Demuths is a real hidden gem (just off Abbey Green) with the feel of a place that's frequented only by those in… more »
Tucked away in old arches close to the river Avon that runs through Bath, Opa enjoys something of a dual identity – a contemporary Greek restaurant… more »
Follow the yeti footprints on the wall down to this modest little basement restaurant & you'll find yourself a world away from touristy Pulteney… more »
Greengrocer turned evangelical foodie Bill Collison set up his first 'real food' emporium in Lewes, before branching out and spreading his… more »
Built in 1795 and now part of the city's World Heritage Site, the Pump Room is a marvel of Georgian splendour and a magnet for tourists – with… more »
From bohemian beginnings in 1920s Soho, Patisserie Valerie's unstoppable rise has seen the group grow to some 49 outlets & counting. The original… more »
A stunningly different restaurant close to the centre of Bath, The River Canteen is located, of course, on the very banks of the River Avon. A… more » This review is not by Square Meal
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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma House of Representatives passed a bill intended to strengthen the state drug enforcement bureau's powers in its investigations of human trafficking and money laundering.
The bill by Republican Rep. Pam Peterson would allow the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs to serve subpoenas on witnesses and evidence in its investigation of those crimes. The Housed passed the bill Tuesday.
Peterson was not available for comment after the day's session.
The bill's passage comes as legislators and law enforcement officers across the country increasingly focus on battling labor and sex trafficking. Oklahoma's Legislature is currently considering at least five other human trafficking-related proposals.
The bill now moves to the state Senate.


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4-Gallon Double Ratchet Fruit and Wine Press
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Make healthy, fresh fruit juices or wine at home! Built for professionals or the serious amateur, this easy-to-use press is ideal for grapes, apples and other fruits. It features a cast iron double ratcheting head to press with greater pressure and ease. 4-gallon cage capacity. Easy-pour bottom spout for collecting juice. Enameled steel base and oak hardwood construction. 14 1/2in. dia. x 27in.H.
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Karl Strauss Oktoberfest Beer - Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Displayed for educational use only; do not reuse.
Ratings: 76 | Reviews: 45 | Display Reviews Only:
4/5 rDev +17%
SERVING TYPE: Bottel
A: Clear, light amber color. Nice white head
S: A little sweet, caramel
T: Very mild, earthy, and crisp. Served too cold, but no flavor came out in the end. Very traditional common beer.
M: Medium bodied.
D: Had this years ago during Oktober fest. Went down okay.
O: Good summer brew.
06-27-2011 23:06:28 | More by Armand
2.28/5 rDev -33.3%
Poured a light amber, with foam that disapated in a very short time and no lace. The smell was really nothing but swill (just another word for nothing interesting.) The taste was of weak malts and hops and the flavor of dish water. What a dissapointment. I'm surprised that they bottled this ? Also very bitter with a dry finish.
12-24-2010 22:34:36 | More by BeerManDan
3.3/5 rDev -3.5%
Served from a growler into a shaker pint.
A: Clear, light amber with a continuous film of off-white foam head. No lacing remains on the glass.
S: Biscuit and weak caramel, with a distinct charcoal snap in the background.
T: Dry, husky pale malt begins with an acidic accent. Flavors sweeten as biscuit and caramel emerge in the middle. The finish is slightly soapy with weak, grassy hops emerging late and providing minimal bitterness.
M: Medium viscosity with light carbonation holds up well on the palate, lending a certain comfort.
D: This beer drinks easily and is very food-friendly, but it loses any allure quickly. In fact, it hardly differs from Karl Strauss amber lager at all. It is probably a very useful cooking beer.
09-24-2010 05:18:11 | More by beagle75
3.5/5 rDev +2.3%
Good beer, honestly more impressed with how it looked than the overall taste. but still a good beer
From bottle to glass
the head was decently moist and held up well,
smell was faintly fuity with toasty malts
taste was there but not attention grabing, malts really came out fairly creamy and soft due to not overcarbonating, which makes this very easy to drink, probably could have sat and consumed a whole grip of theses but taste didnt exactly put me on my knees begging for more,
if you havent tried this beer yet and are tempted to do so, i would have to recomend.
09-14-2010 05:42:04 | More by OhSoHoppy
3.85/5 rDev +12.6%
12oz brown bottle.
Bubbly brassy brew, decent sized crown of head. Bready caramel aroma with some grassy hops. Crispness pops under the moderate sized body to bring on a refreshing smoothness. Grassy, biscuity, bready, animal feed, faint caramel ... Dry maltiness. Hopping is there with a slightly sharp edge and herbal flavor. Clean malty finish.
A good run at the style, very drinkable.
09-09-2010 02:32:03 | More by Jason
3.58/5 rDev +4.7%
I tried this at the brewpub in downtown San Diego.
Pours a translucent amber with a 1-finger light yellow head. Minimal lacing.
The smell is very subtle--just toasty malts and caramel. The taste is bready with caramel, roasted malts, yeast, and a slight sourness. Mouthfeel is smooth, medium-bodied.
This is a drinkable Oktoberfest--malty and bread-like.
08-25-2010 03:45:07 | More by theghost3
4.72/5 rDev +38%
Appearance: amber/orange hue, clear with a nice head
Smell: toasty, dried fruit
Taste: bready, malty, caramel
Mouthfeel: medium and nicely carbonated
Drinkability: Awesome. This was a great beer. I will be having more. Very nice representation.
Serving type: 12 oz bottle
08-20-2010 18:32:36 | More by DennisD
3.78/5 rDev +10.5%
Figured this would be a good beer to review being that it's the 200th anniversary.
Appearance: Beer has a nice golden amber hue with decent moderate head retention an moderate lacing
Smell: pretty standard. Nice toasted malt taste, subtle hints of spice, little to no hop aroma
Taste: toasted malt flavors with spicy notes
Drink ability: very drinkable. Moderate abv and smooth taste make for a great session beer
Overall: a solid mock up of a truly traditional style. I'd much rather drink this than spaten out of a green bottle.
08-17-2010 15:13:38 | More by crvcac
4.28/5 rDev +25.1%
Appearance: I tasted this from a 12oz bottle - bright in appearance and really nice carbonation.
Smell: I got some toasted malts in the aroma.
Taste: I initially got a good amount of malts on my first sip, but then got a fair share of crispness in the finish. Exactly what I'd expect from an Oktoberfest beer.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, nothing out of the norm here.
Drinkability: A very drinkable, clean Oktoberfest beer. I love that this is a locally brewed Oktoberfest that tastes really true to the actual style, not like a dated import from Germany. I'm a fan of this and would totally recommend it to a friend.
Odds and Ends: Cool bottle label. Not your father's Oktoberfest design.
08-01-2010 06:08:05 | More by jjh19
3.43/5 rDev +0.3%
A - Pours a clear medium orange color with a 1 inch head that fades to nothing. No lacing.
S - Smells of sweet malts and dark fruits.
T - Tastes of sweet and slightly sour roasted grains and dark fruits. Very slight bitterness towards the end.
M - A little bit flat but pretty smooth drinking.
D - This is a pretty good beer. I got this one in a Fall sampler pack that I got on clearance. One of the best ones out of the pack so far. I would look for this one again in the Oktoberfest season.
04-28-2010 04:40:45 | More by UCLABrewN84
3.63/5 rDev +6.1%
12 oz. bottle served into a pint glass. Karl's Oktoberfest pours clear and somewhat light in color, a deep straw with a bit of an orange/caramel hue. A thin head dissipates quickly and not much is offered as for carbonation.
Smell is bready and slightly toasted with a bit of over roasted malts. Malt notes are light and biscuity. Hop notes are thin as well. Notably dry for the style.
Taste follows the nose with a light bready texture and a moderate sweetness. Light caramel in nature along with a return of the roasted biscuit flavor. Not bad but a bit too one dimensional in nature.
03-19-2010 05:23:27 | More by HalfFull
3.48/5 rDev +1.8%
I've always wanted to like these guys and think they are one of the pioneers in the business, but the beer never really does it for me. Big caramel malty notes on this beer add to it's smooth finish. This is very drinhkabe, and a well-crafted beer, like most of there's, but they just seem run of the mill, nothing stands out, almost entry level, maybe that's why they are at every Ralphs for soccer mom's to pickup for the old man.
02-11-2010 06:29:47 | More by chickencoop
3.33/5 rDev -2.6%
Fairly standard festbier.
A- poured out a golden amber with very little head and no lacing.
S- not a lot of aroma, what I did catch was, as I said, pretty standard.
T- taste was good, all the notes were hit, just nothing exceptional.
M- average, perhaps lacking a bit but good enough to rate a 3.
D- the beer's low carbonation and easy-going flavour did make it quite drinkable. The bottle didn't last long. On the flip side, I did not want another, and opted for a SN instead.
Overall, not a bad beer but it didn't impress me.
02-03-2010 05:19:41 | More by ocmpoma
3.8/5 rDev +11.1%
This is a simple but good oktoberfest.
Amber, bubly it has a medium, off-white head soon thinning to a foamy ring and wisps, with only a tiny bit of weak lace.
The aroma is toasty, fruity grain, dry bread crust, light mineral wisp of caramel.
Taste is light, crisp, mineral and toasty, faintly caramelly grain, light lemon, grass, hint of spiciness. The finish briefly leans faintly to the bitter side, with spiciness, and is mostly crips before a light toasty-caramelly aftertaste heavily dominated by the taste of cooked barley.
11-29-2009 00:50:29 | More by Offa
3.68/5 rDev +7.6%
Appearance: Poured a crystal clear, deep amber. Two fingers of thick, faintly tan head developed and dissipated slowly to a thin lacing and a thick ring around the edge.
Smell: Chocolate and toffee up front. Very surprising for a märzen, but also very pleasing. There's also a deep, rich caramel aroma. It's like fresh baked chocolate bread let to cool in a kitchen where a pot of coffee is brewing.
Taste: Not so much chocolate, but the sweet caramel dominates. The toffee comes through, too. There is also a fig-like presence, though it's not prominent. It's malty all the way through, without a hint of hop bitterness at the end.
Drinkability: Superb. It's not true to style, at least the traditional style, but it'll do. Oktoberfest is a very tasty brew, and a good variation of the märzen style.
10-31-2009 06:58:17 | More by TheQuietMan22
2.93/5 rDev -14.3%
From Gordon to Karl, we start off the third leg of this, the American Oktoberfest Invitational, which will determine the king of four of the more well-known monikors of Americanized marzen. On to the beer:
Surprise! It's amber orange in color, lots of sparkling carboonation in the body. The head is on the fuzzier side in look and small in size. It has a rough smell. Husky chocolate malt, more husky malt, a light twang of "liquid bread". This is how I would expect an import to smell like.
The ABV lists this beer at 5%, but I would have guessed a little higher given the heavier malty feel. There's a snap of apple to the beer's taste, and there's a dry cocoa powder note coming from those malts. Otherwise, it's a straightforward mild malt beer that tastes like....well, liquid bread...crust. Fizzy carbonation initially doesn't help the cause either.
It sure has a lot in common with it's sister amber lager, but the amber lager is smoother overall. Not a bad beer overall, just one that's off the target. This will end the third leg of the American Oktoberfest Invitational, with the final segment tomorrow night.
10-14-2009 02:33:19 | More by DoubleJ
3.6/5 rDev +5.3%
Clear copper colored beer with a small white head that doesn't last.
Smells bready and malty with a strong floral hop scent. Little bit of tea and fig in the smell also. Very slight bread dough smell too.
Starts out malty with a strong tea soaked in toast flavor. Slight lemon flavor here, but mostly this is neural in flavor.
Mouthfeel is light.
Super easy to drink beer. Just like an Oktoberfest should be, easy to drink first then flavorful.
09-20-2009 22:31:54 | More by Zorro
3.7/5 rDev +8.2%
Pours a medium Amber, with little effervescence and small amount of head retention and lacing. lacing very spotty.
Caramel and malt permeate the nasal presence.
Tastes a little like it smells but the aftertaste isn't very lasting, and actually has a little bit of an aftertaste of soap suds!!!
Medium bodied, minimal effervescence, but it's not all bad. Drinks fine, but very much a medium effort
02-05-2009 04:13:18 | More by Chelsea1905
4.05/5 rDev +18.4%
Cheers to my buddy Eric for hauling this from Cali to here!
Pours an effervescent amber with 2 fingers of cream colored head. Average head retention & lacing
S: Caramel, leafy hops & breadyness
T: Breadyness, some crackery notes, & a bit of toffee up front. More of the same, plus dryness as this warms. Finishes dry with some caramel & crackery notes, almost pulled a 4.5
MF: Medium bodied with low carbonation & good balance
Drinks very easy, pretty nice take on the style
12-16-2008 03:55:15 | More by russpowell
2.78/5 rDev -18.7%
On tap downtown. Pours clear amber with a smallish white head. Crisp malt and oat aroma is promising. Sweet maltiness in the front, but very thin. Metallic as well, but the bread and spice take over. Taste doesn't follow through. Watery and plain. I'm beginning to dislike Oktoberfest as they rarely come through
12-09-2008 23:04:32 | More by magictrokini
2.58/5 rDev -24.6%
On tap inside Disneyland.
Poured a medium to deeper amber color with a small sized off white head. Aromas of caramel and some toasted malts. Tastes of the same caramel and toasty. Both flavors and aromas on the subtle side and you really had to try to get anything outside of a 'generi' sense.
12-03-2008 03:31:29 | More by hopdog
2.28/5 rDev -33.3%
12 oz. bottle poured into a mug.
Appearance: Pours a clear amber color with a bit of visible carbonation. Thin, off-white, film-like head with decent retention.
Smell: Minimal aroma... a bit of malts, maybe slightly toasted?
Taste: It really tastes like something got burned while they were brewing this: not smoky, but burned caramel and malts. It doesn't obliterate the taste, but makes it less than enjoyable.
Mouthfeel: Light- to medium-bodied. A lot of carbonation feel, but not too intense.
Drinkability: Burned flavor = not so great to drink.
I'm hoping that I just got a bad batch of this, but no beer should have that in the flavor. Otherwise, this had the right elements to make it a decent (but my no means great) Oktoberfest beer.
11-25-2008 04:43:33 | More by mithrascruor
2.88/5 rDev -15.8%
12 oz. bottle,
A: Pours amber with a nice off-white head, good retention, clarity is not good.
S: Solid brewpub fest, Munich malt, a bit of strawberry.
T: Light malt flavour mixed with an interesting berry note. Not as full-flavoured as I like in this style, but not bad.
M: Solid mouthfeel, carbonation is pretty much spot on. Light/medium bodied.
D: An OK fest from the local San Diego producer. Worth a try, but not something I plan on buying next October.
11-13-2008 03:40:09 | More by Halcyondays
3.55/5 rDev +3.8%
Now listening to: Calexico - Victor Jara's Hands
A- dark gold/copper color, white head
S- nice malty nose, but not much beyond that
T- Solid as a common US Oktoberfest beer. Toasty malt, some light toffee.
M- Very nice mouthfeel I am sure that this will vary by location and/or serving type, but carbonation and medium/light body were perfect in the glass that I had.
D- Easy drinking. A good brewpub pour.
09-05-2008 09:35:13 | More by opwog
3/5 rDev -12.3%
Picked this up on Vandenberg AFB today..
Poured a dark golden color with a quickly disappearing white head. There isn't much nose here, but I could detect a slightly malty smell
It was smooth and a bit malty. This beer is subtle, with no strong flavors. Its an average beer.
02-20-2008 21:52:13 | More by barleywinefiend
Karl Strauss Oktoberfest Beer from Karl Strauss Brewing Company
79 out of 100 based on 76 ratings.


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Awesome I love it Great Job
* Note from Mindy: This whole month of November, a month in which we recognize how thankful and truly blessed we are, we here at CGH are focused on giving back. Our collaborative focus with many amazing mommy bloggers is on scholarships for single moms, and we are well on our way to earning a second full-ride scholarship for deserving moms! {Can you beleive it??? We have already raised enough money to fully fund one single mom's education!} You can donate too, if you can, by clicking the "Give" button on the pink banner titled "Megan's Story" in my right sidebar, or by clicking the link above. If you unable to give, please at least "Share" the link. From all of us at CGH, here is a special thanks to you all for helping make a difference!
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
We have so many variations of braids on this site, but we really have not done a simple Fishtail French Braid hairstyle tutorial. {This can also be called the Herringbone French Braid.}
By popular request, we filmed one for you!
Now, Fishtail Braids are perhaps the most difficult hairstyles to complete, not because the stranding is hard {because it really isn't}, but because it can take a long time to do it. The smaller the strands you use, the absolute better the braid looks… but it can take you forever!
This braid is a beautiful hairstyle, and although many people may know how to fishtail braid a ponytail… not many know how to incorporate the French braiding aspect of it to the head itself.
Here I show you how to do this entire hairstyle in roughly 7 minutes, but you may choose to use larger and looser strands, which is hugely popular today with teens and models, or use smaller strands which makes the braid look so crisp and clean.
Items Needed: Brush, 1 hair band, spray bottle and hairspray {if desired}.
Time Requirement: 7-10 minutes
Skill Level: Medium
* Note from Mindy: Don't forget to follow us on BlogLovin, a new easy-to-use blog reader!
Awesome I love it Great Job
I love it Awesome
Thanks for that hair vid!!!! I am in memphis and tried that but didn't work………… Keep up the good work….. I need braided bun ideas!! Think you could make one? Send it to me on my email.
That looks so cute
It's so cute
I tried them on my younger sister and they turned out okay (the hair was too wet, grr) She ended up putting it up which disappointed me since they weren't that bad! Well, a few months later, I finally decided to do it on myself. I did it all right, like you guys did (except without the enhance curler stuff) and in the morning they looked AMAZING! I absolutely adored them and got a lot of compliments! By the middle of the school day, they relaxed a bit (and made it through the mile (;) and they looked even better! I only used a little bit of hairspray to help keep them in and they are currently still staying in strong! Sadly I will have to say bye-bye after my workout. Oh well, thanks for the awesome tutorial! Love your hair styles and hope to see more great ones soon! (sorry for long post)
I have short hair and i was able to do it! i did it on my moms curly hair and she loved it!!
Pingback: Cute Girl Hairstyles | Babyglitter
I love doing the French fishtail braid on my hair. Whenever I'm done doing the braid, I just absolutley love how it looks!!!
I love this hairstyle, i do it all the time!!!
Omg I love this hairstyle…I do it to my daughter all the time!!
I just saw a double fishtail French updo and would live for you to show me how to do it.. I love your tutorials… Thanks
Hi Mindy I live in the UK and my family comes from Colombia so I have curly Colombian and Carrabian hair can you do a video of a hairstyle for curly hair please and do you live in Utah?
Hey Bella,
Yes. Mindy does live in Utah. She has lived there all her life.
Thanks for asking!!!
Love you Mindy
This is great… I love it!! trying it soon…. oh, and b.t.w… your eyes are gorgeous!! and I love your daughter's outfit, very stylish & cute!!
I asoloutly love your website it's so fun!!!
Erin S try taking smaller pieces of hair from the section it should help.
This hair styles is simple but cute. I'm going to try it on my daughter's hair.
This Is Super Cute!
This is awesome hairstyle , But publish more regualr hairstyle plz :):D:P
love it could u show how to do like other fun things with it like with another regular fish tale weaved through it or something
wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww its my favourite!!!!!!!!!!
thanks so much Mindy!:D The hairstyles you do are absolutely totally amazing!!!!! Please do some more I can't get enough of these videos!
love it!!!!!!!!!!!! SUPER CUTE!!!
wow this is very fun ill try it and im sure that it is going to be funn aaand goooooooood we love you monie
love all of your hairstyles can do almost every one of them on my hair
I have a question for you. When i get about halfway down my fishtail braids they start to look like regular braids. Any tips?
PS I love your website it is so awesome!!!!
Can u try the French braid bun cause I don't know how to do that please
That is really cool I tryed it for school and I loved it it is very is todo um and cute and pretty and then I did my sisters and she said thank you to you because she had been trying every vedio and so have I but she thanked me and I thank u so much it was very fun and how u explained it was so easy thank you. I love your vedios.
How did you do the curls on your hair in this video.
i love your hair styles its really amazing
Guys, you gotta perfect the braid on someone else, then you'll be able to do it yourself. Trust me. I've been doing a fishtail forever, but I absolutely fell in love with the French Fishtail, it's amazing! So, summing up, perfect it on a friend or family member so you are comfortable with the stranding and using your hands, then tackle D.I.Y. ok? Lol. :)) Good luck guys!
Can You show all fishtail styles?
I am 11 and love your blog. I just did Lady Gaga Bow to my best friend!
oh wow my mom can barely do a double french braid ooooo yes i did it all alone and im only 10 years old!!!!!! thanks mindy
I love the french fishtail
its so cute!
i love your ring
thats really cute, actually is one of my favorites! but why cant i do it on myself!??
and mindy, i LOVE,LOVE,LOVE your shirt its sort of a mexican style!
Can you show some hairstyles for VERY layerd hair and PRETTY SHORT bangs like show how to do a waterfall braid with bands and lots of layers??????
I love your hairstyle i agree i would LOVE it if you had your own D.I.Y section!!
Also I agree with Rebecca you NEED a DIY section!!!
I love this one! It's SO easy too! I can almostdo it on myself.
Love the fishtail can u upload how to do a hippie braid like a braid across the fore head:)
heyyyy… i have short and heavy hairs(not too short, shoulder length)…. i always face too many problems while trying such hairstyles… will u plz hlp me sggsting some easy n cool hairstyles dat wud perfectly suit mah thick n heavy hairs….????
Hello, I was wondering whether hair spray damages hair?
Also what is the difference between the French twist back and the double French twist back?
Thank you so much for all the lovely tutorials and ideas.
Just like everyone else, I LOVE this! I just wish I could do it on myself without making it look like my french braids. And my best french braids look nothing like french braids.
I love that you play volleyball, I do too! Beautiful fishtail
This is soooo cool. But it would be nice to have a D.I.Y. section but I'm just like ?.
I like this:)
Dear Mindy,
I love your website! I agree with Rebecca, ?, Justine, and Candy. I would love to do these lovely styles my self. Thanks!
Your #1 fan,
p.s. you are soooooooooooooo pretty!
Hey Mindy I agree with Rebecca and ? please make a do-it-yourself.
I LOVE THIS HAIRSTYLE, but I would love to know how to do it on myself. Could you post a video on how to do it on your own hair?
I agree with Rebecca because i love your hairstyles but there is very few I can do on myself and my mom dosent have alot of time in the morning before school
You should do a do-it-yourself section. I've loved all your hairdos so far and only a few I can do on my own hair!
Super cute! Thanks for sharing all these fabulous hairstyles!
great I love it know I know how to do a FRENCH FISHTALE YOUR THE BEST
Thank you!! I have always loved this style and have never been able to figure it out. Just sad now that my daugther cut her hair off. Will have to check it out when her hair grows back out. Love you site!!!!
Thanks for showing this, Mindy! I am the ONLY person in my barber school that knows how to fishtail braid (how odd, right?), but I've never done it with the whole hair – only from a ponytail. Now I have something new to practice tomorrow!!
This is absolutely one of my favourites! you really should start a new topic, fishtails! i have super layered hair and it worked still just fine (i did side-swept version). it always makes my day when you post a new do, never stop!


text:
A Baton Rouge woman claims a well known company that sells storage buildings
is giving her the run around.
She said she paid Morgan Buildings Spas and Pools six months ago, but they
never delivered her shed.
Mildred Brown has a large yard. She said when the temperatures climb she
enjoys entertaining her family and friends by the swimming pool. She stores her
seasonal items in a shed. She said when it got full she looked for similar one
at Morgan on Airline Highway.
"I went to the place because I had bought one before and we were very
happy with it and I wanted to get one just like that, same size, same
color," Brown said.
Brown signed a purchase agreement in August and put down just over $1,800.
That's half the cost of the shed. Brown said a salesman told her the shed would
be delivered in six to eight weeks. When October came and the storage unit
never arrived Brown said she called the company.
"It was just one excuse after the other one. Come Christmas, November,
you still have not delivered my storage house and I'm having to pay and I have
stuff out in the weather and it's winter time," said Brown.
Brown covered a lot of her yard furniture with tarp. But some of her chairs,
propane tanks and other items rusted. When Brown called to complain she said
Morgan knocked $300 off of her bill but the shed still wasn't delivered.
"In January they finally said, okay we finally got our steel and it's
going to come out of Texas and they are averaging ten buildings a day. Ok, if
you are averaging ten buildings per day, Do the math? I am talking about one
building. It does not take that long."
When 9News went to Morgan Buildings on Airline Highway we found an empty
office and a sign posted outside of a storage unit telling customers they have
moved to Metairie. The former manager of the Baton Rouge office told 9News both
locations went out of business. But more than a dozen sheds still sit on the
Brown said she is running out of patience.
"If I can't get the building now, I want my money back."
The director of purchasing for Morgan, Michael Morgan, said the Baton Rouge
location was closed because it was "under-performing."
He also said the property owner is keeping all of the sheds on the property
as back pay for the rent Morgan owes.
Morgan said he is looking into Brown's purchase, and that the company plans
to make good on their promise to deliver.
Copyright 2013 WAFB.
All rights reserved.
844 Government
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 383-9999
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Wooden Hearts Sculpture Home Ornament with Distressed Finish
With a distressed finish, this wooden hearts sculpture brings Nordic-inspired rustic appeal to your home.
This wooden hearts sculpture is fitted on a base so it sits comfortably on your mantel piece or tabletop. The intertwined hearts have a contemporary look to provide an artsy accent in a room.
Useful info:
- Wooden hearts sculpture
- Home ornament
- Distressed finish
- Size: 33 x 20 x 9 cm
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen Courtesan 3-arm candelabra - Lacquer Black
- In Stock
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Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen Courtesan 3-arm Candelabra - Lacquer Black
This beautifully decorative candelabra perfectly shows off Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's love for dramatic, opulent style. The leaf swirl-effect 3-arm candelabra is finished in eye-catching lacquer black for a look that will always stand out in the centre of your dining table, sideboard or mantelpiece.
Height: 40 cm.
Also available in a rock-star silver finish (see item number 3KQJA).
Useful info:
- Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen Courtesan 3-arm candelabra
- Leaf swirl effect
- Lacquer black colour
Wicker Hurricane Lamp Tealight Holder
This hurricane lamp-style tealight holder is an ideal addition to a room with a fresh, rustic décor.
The bronze coloured wicker frame tapers up to handle, while inside a glass column offers a place to safely hold a tealight - beautiful on romantic summer evenings in your home or garden.
Useful info:
- Wicker Hurricane Lamp Tealight Holder
- Bronze wicker
- Glass tealight holder
- Handle
Graham & Brown Floral Home Decorative Letters
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Graham & Brown Wooden Floral 'Home' Decorative Letters
Show everyone how much you love your home with these decorative letters by Graham and Brown - a great way to add colour and character to a shelf, sideboard or mantelpiece.
Made from wood, the decorative 'Home' letters are printed in a pretty floral design that flaunts a multitude of colours.
Useful info:
- Graham and Brown floral Home decorative letters
- Size: 20 x 62 x 3 cm
- 'Home' letters in printed floral design
- Made from wood
- More Graham and Brown homewares available separately
Vintage-style Glass and Metal Jar – 15.5 x 24 cm
Perfect for capturing that quirky, on-trend vintage style, this antique-effect jar will look beautiful on your shelf or mantelpiece, whether you leave it empty or fill it with decorative gems.
The fluted glass jar has a Victorian style, accentuated by the distressed metal lid, which is highly ornate – fitting in beautifully with this season's shabby chic trend.
Useful info:
- Vintage-style Glass and Metal Jar
- Shabby chic
- Dimensions: 15.5 x 24 cm
Mercury Glass Acorn Ornament - 30 x 16 cm
Ideal for rooms with a sumptuously ornate, shabby chic feel, this acorn ornament made from silvered mercury glass.
The dazzling acorn sits on a curved stand and has a distressed, vintage look for an antiquarian style just perfect for this season's rustic, romantic trends.
Useful info:
- Mercury Glass Acorn Ornament
- Silver
- Distressed look
- Dimensions: 30 x 16 cm
HOME COLLECTION Wooden Heart Sculpture Home Ornament
- In Stock
7 reviews
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Wooden Heart Sculpture Home Ornament with Nordic-Inspired Design
Charmingly rustic, this wooden heart sculpture is the perfect home ornament to bring natural hues and Nordic-inspired design to any room.
With a contemporary smooth shape featuring a heart on its side, this wooden heart ornament will sit comfortably on your mantle piece or table top. The decorative design is sweet and sophisticated - perfect for providing a stylish accent in your home.
Useful info:
- Wooden heart sculpture
- Home ornaments
- Rustic style
- Nordic-inspired design
- Size: 26 x 19 x 8 cm
A Z Wooden Bookends
- In Stock
3 reviews
- Delivery
From Angela's Ashes to Zorro, keep your precious literature collection in perfect order with the Home Collection A-Z Wooden Bookends.
This set of 2 solid wooden bookends are as stylish as they are practical and will keep your favourite novels nice and straight while looking great sat on either end of your shelf.
These high quality bookends each measure 20 x 14 x 9 cm and are light enough to move easily, while still being solid enough to keep your precious books from falling over. The left bookend is in the shape of an 'a' and the right is a 'z', while their wooden design will add a touch of classic style to your home.
Put all your books into alphabetical order and know exactly where to look when you fancy reading your favourite novel, whether it's Animal Farm, Bridget Jones's Diary or Catch-22 - it's as easy as A,B,C.
Useful info:
- Home Collection A-Z Wooden Bookends
- Stylish and functional
- Keep your books in perfect order
- Size: 20 x 14 x 9 cm
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen Gloriental Printed Harem Screen
- In Stock
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Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen Gloriental Printed Harem Screen - 175 cm height
A moment of eastern-inspired style compelled Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen to create this printed Harem screen - a stunning decoration for your home. Standing 175 cm tall, the screen is printed in an oriental-style gold pattern that looks eye-catching against the black background.
Place this Harem screen in a key area of your room to create a bold and striking fashion focal point.
Useful info:
- Gloriental printed Harem screen
- From Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen
- Black base with gold pattern
Graham & Brown Floral Love Letters
- In Stock
1 review
- Delivery
Graham & Brown Floral Pink Butterflies Love Letters - 20 x 62 x 3 cm
Add a touch of romance to your living room or bedroom with this word ornament from Graham & Brown.
Spelling out "Love", the wooden letters are printed with a pretty floral butterfly design to give a hint of summer romance, and would look beautiful either hung on the wall, or standing on a shelf, table or mantelpiece.
Useful info:
- Graham & Brown Floral Pink Butterflies Love Letters
- Wooden letters spelling "Love"
- Floral butterfly print
- Can stand or be hung on a wall
- Dimensions: 20 x 62 x 3 cm
Graham & Brown Beach Decorative Letters
- In Stock
4 reviews
- Delivery
Graham & Brown 'Beach' Decorative Letters
The seaside theme is all the rage in home trends this season, and these 'Beach' letters from Graham and Brown will help give any room in your home the spirit of the summer holidays... even on the rainiest of days!
The wooden letters are printed with a sea view image and will look fabulous on a shelf, sideboard or window ledge.
Useful info:
- Graham and Brown 'Beach' decorative letters
- Size: 50 x 18 x 3 cm
- Made from wood
- Printed sea view design
- More Graham and Brown homewares available separately
Yankee Candle Triple Holder and 12 Votive Candles
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Yankee Candle Triple Votive Holder with 12 Votives
A fantastic gift for fans of Yankee Candle's mouthwatering fragrances, or perhaps a treat for yourself, this pretty votive set features an array of complementing scents plus an elegant holder.
The cream holder can contain up to 3 votives at a time and you can select from amongst the 12 included. Use 3 of a kind or mix and match!
The votives include 3 each of the seductive notes of Midnight Jasmine, the fresh fragrance of Loves Me Loves Me Not, the delicate aroma of Honey Blossom and the tranquil scent of French Lavender.
Useful info:
- Yankee Candle Triple Votive Holder with 12 Votives
- Cream votive holder
- 3 each Midnight Jasmine, Loves Me Loves Me Not, Honey Blossom and French Lavender votives


text:
MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) - Police in suburban Atlanta say three people have been fatally shot at an apartment complex.
Cobb County police spokesman Dana Pierce told the Marietta Daily Journal authorities responded to the Ivy Ridge Apartments in Marietta Sunday afternoon.
Pierce told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the three people who were killed appear to be the only ones who were involved in the shooting and authorities aren't searching for a suspect.
The identities of the victims have not been released and information on what led up to the shooting was not immediately available.
The relationship between the three people who were killed was not immediately clear.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Hall County students organized another prayer circle on Thursday after an organization announced they plan to sue the school system if it doesn't stop the Chestatee football coaches from incorporating prayer into games and practices
4739 NW 53rd Avenue, Sutie BGainesville, FL 32653
Phone: (352) 371-0051


text:
7 U.S. Code § 6902 - Definitions
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Except where the context requires otherwise, for purposes of this chapter:
(2) National Appeals Division
The term "National Appeals Division" means the National Appeals Division of the Department established under section 6992 of this title.
Source(Pub. L. 103–354, title II, § 203,Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3209.)
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this title", meaning title II of Pub. L. 103–354, Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3209, known as the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994. For complete classification of title II to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 6901 of this title and Tables.
The table below lists the classification updates, since Jan. 3, 2012, for this section. Updates to a broader range of sections may be found at the update page for containing chapter, title, etc.
The most recent Classification Table update that we have noticed was Tuesday, August 13, 2013
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text:
The engineering quad: where classes and hands-on design intersect
Why Choose an Engineering Major?
First-rate Faculty: Open-door access to superior faculty including those who have received the National Science Foundation's most prestigious award for young academics.
High-achieving Students: Engineering students have the highest average GPAs and SAT scores on campus and over 30% participate in the Commonwealth Honors College.
A Highly Ranked College: The College of Engineering is the highest-ranked public program for engineering in New England. Recent rankings from U.S. News & World Report list three of our graduate programs in the top 30.
National Research Opportunities: The College operates several national research centers. Through our national research centers and laboratories, students have the opportunity to participate in a thriving research environment.
Excellent Education at the Right Price: The College of Engineering provides an opportunity to attend a nationally competitive research and teaching institution at affordable prices. Plus, engineering undergraduate students received a total of $425,000 in scholarship money in 2012-13 from the College's endowments and contributions.
Angela Berthaume
Civil + Environmental Engineering
Hampden, Massachusetts
Lucas Blauch
Chemical Engineering
Harvard, Massachusetts
Steven So
Electrical + Computer Engineering
Billerica, Massachusetts
Charlene Nalubega
Mechanical + Industrial Engineering
Ashland, Massachusetts


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That total includes 11 who earned All-America honors during their Crimson Tide career and three that earned one of the NCAA's highest academic honors
It will be Senior Day in the Alabama Aquatic Center as well as the Tide's annual Power of Pink meet
The senior scored 293.75 points over the course of six dives to earn his best finish of the weekend
Seniors Paige McCleary and Luke Zippi both finished third off the platform
Leah Bird is now ranked second in the 200 butterfly and Anton Mckee is third in the 200 breaststroke all-time at Alabama
Alabama Highlights: 2013 - Junior: Scored off the 3-meter board and platform at the SEC Championships, taking 22nd and 15th respectively ... finished 13th off the platform and eighth off the 3-meter platform at the NCAA Zone B Diving Championships
2012 - Sophomore: Scored off the platform at the SEC Championships, taking 16th place ... also competed off the 1-meter and 3-meter boards at the SEC Championships ... competed off the 1-meter, 3-meter and platform at the NCAA Zone B Championships ... named to SEC Academic Honor Roll.
2011 - Freshman: Competed off the 1-meter, 3-meter and platform at the NCAA Zone B Championships ... named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Prep Highlights: Dove for Michelle Sirounis at Viera High School and Gregg Servaites at Treasure Coast Dive Team ... 2009 Florida 2A State Champion ... earned a silver medal off the 3-meter board at the 2009 AAU National Championships ... also competed on Viera's track and field team.
Personal Information: Full name: Luke Carl Zippi ... son of Mary and Carl Zippi ... brothers, Zack and Blake ... biology major ... born April 14, 1992.


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Town Square
Some thoughts on James Kim
Original post made by Andrea Gemmet on Dec 7, 2006
Yet, seeing the picture of the missing Kim family last week really struck a chord with me. I anxiously scanned the newspaper each morning, checked the Web for updates, even turned on the evening news -- and I hate TV news. I alternated between hope and fear when Kati Kim and the two children were rescued, and the search for James dragged on.
I guess it's easiest to empathize with people you identify with. People with young children, people who go on car trips, people who rely on cell phones and downloaded directions to navigate unfamiliar places --it was hard not to see ourselves in the plight of this young family on a vacation gone horribly awry.
Particularly for my family. I've got a handsome Asian-American husband and a spunky hapa-haole (half-white) daughter. We live in a time and place where mixed race marriages are not remarkable, but we don't often see families like ours, where Daddy is Asian and Mommy is white.
We've got our own short-hand for the phenomenom -- "some" couples and "lots" couples, because there are lots of Asian women with white men, and while there aren't many Asian men with white women, there are some.
Seeing the faces of that "some' couple, and knowing that their beautiful kids will grow up without their father really did a number on my heartstrings.
Comments (1)
on Dec 8, 2006 at 8:38 am
Um... this comment has just as much to do with Mr. Kim as your post does.
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Interview: Moira Crone on "The Lion Wedding"
- Tell us a bit about "The Lion Wedding."
I am fond of modern writers who reimagine fairy tales. I wanted to try it. Angela Carter and Isak Dinesen are heroines of mine.
- What was the inspiration for this story, or what prompted you to write it?
I had a vivid dream about a woman and a lion. I saw her running after him through the woods, finding dead leaves in the bed, dealing with carcasses in the kitchen. A friend told me of a zoo that bought retired circus animals. The chimpanzees scrounged for cigarette butts; the elephants had anger, guile, attitude. They were jaded. I liked that sense of how human company had given them a certain personality.
- Was "The Lion Wedding" personal for you in any way? If so, how?
I have a therapist who uses dreams to explore deep feelings, to show you the myths inside your life. At first, the ending of the story was a mish-mash, a battle. I didn't believe the wife could change, and then, one day, it was as if I saw the real potential in the tale, the way she had to emerge. I have been writing from my dreams more and more. My novel, THE NOT YET, also started with one.
- What would you want a reader to take away from this story?
I want readers to wonder if individuals ever know their true nature.
- What are you working on now?
THE ICE GARDEN, a novel, is coming out in September 2014, from Carolina Wren Press— I'm editing at the moment. It's about an eleven-year-old girl struggling with her mother's madness. I have stories I'm finishing in order to send out. I am writing notes for two other novels, one set on an island after a plague, one during the Civil Rights era.
- Anything else you'd like to add?
At a writer's retreat this summer in Krakow, Poland. I'll teach World-building, Secrets of the Short Story, and Writing from Dreams. There's a Vampires, and Medieval Lore Tour. A magical place to work and to share. F&SF readers welcome. http://burlesquepressllc.com/poland
"The Lion Wedding" appears in the Jan./Feb. 2014 issue of F&SF.
Interview: Seth Chambers on "In Her Eyes"
- Tell us a bit about "In Her Eyes."
I think this story had been brewing inside me a long time, but when it was ready to be born, it rushed out in a manic burst of creativity. Immediately after finishing it I wrote a novelette, "We Happy Few," with the same white-hot fury. I must confess, I love these creative blasts. They seem to be the occasional reward of diligent writing whether the Muse strikes or not.
- What was the inspiration for this story, or what prompted you to write it?
The most immediate incentive to write "Eyes" was Song's voice in my head, clear and strong and insistent.
In looking back, I can sort of trace the genesis of the story here and there. For instance, I've long been fascinated with the fact that we're literally different people at different times in our lives. The logical extension here is, "What if the speed of this process were multiplied?"
Another concept that sends my mind spinning is that humans are able to reconfigure their own brains. When you learn a new skill, neural pathways are forged. We are self-programming computers, able to change the hardware as well as the software. From where does this volition arise? Song just happens to be somebody who learns to take it to the next step and do it directly.
And yet another thing I wanted to play with is the idea that people have varying experiences depending on their looks. Is the world a friendlier and more accommodating place for a physically beautiful person than for a plain one? Song is in a position to have a unique viewpoint on this matter.
Also, one scene was inspired by a spirited discussion I had with a Detroit rap artist concerning sizable derrieres (we were both very much pro big butts).
- Was "In Her Eyes" personal to you in any way, and if so, how?
Yes, it is personal. Not to give any spoilers, but in one scene Song tells her priest that her inner saboteur is trying to break out and ruin everything. The Inner Saboteur is something that has cropped up in my own life repeatedly. Things start to go well and suddenly it plots to bring everything crashing down. What is the motive of the Saboteur? Maybe it's a part of me that doesn't believe I'm worthy of success and so plans my downfall to keep me where I belong. Or maybe he sees that I'm becoming too comfortable and therefore decides to shake things up to spur me onto the next stage of my personal evolution. I'd like to think that. But I suspect that my Inner Saboteur is actually a trickster that delights in seeing me fall flat on my face.
- What kind of research, if any, did you do for this story?
Research, yeah. <tugs collar uncomfortably> Sometimes research gets swept aside when I'm caught up in the whirlwind of getting a story down. I'm endeavoring to improve in that department. Fortunately, I live with someone who excels at research.
- What might you want a reader to take away from "In Her Eyes?"
For this particular story, an emotional experience. Song is at once supremely confident and oh-so-vulnerable. I'd like people to empathize with her.
- What are you working on now?
I have a slew of incomplete stories. One is a time-travel murder mystery set in the Edwardian England of Wooster and Jeeves, and starring those two wonderful P.G. Wodehouse creations. I have no idea where it's going but that's half the fun.
I've also begun a novel-length version of "In Her Eyes." Actually, I've written a lot but then trashed it all. I kid myself it's because the text wasn't up to par, but in truth suspect it's my Inner Saboteur, scheming against me. Fortunately, my wife frequently reminds me that my Inner Saboteur is full of shit.
- Anything else you'd like to add?
I'm grateful to F&SF for giving my story an audience. Nothing is more disheartening for a writer than to have his work go unnoticed. Conversely, nothing is more uplifting than to have readers. Speaking of which, my story collection, What Rough Beasts, is available from Amazon. My Inner Saboteur didn't want me to mention that. "It's blatant, shameless self-promotion!" screams my Saboteur. But you know what? Fuck him.
I can be found on Facebook: Seth Chambers Notorious Author.
"In Her Eyes" appears in the Jan/Feb. 2014 issue of F&SF.
Interview: Claudio Chillemi and Paul Di Filippo on "The Via Panisperna Boys in "Operation Harmony""
- Tell us a bit about "The Via Panisperna Boys in "Operation Harmony"."
CLAUDIO: The Panisperna Boys were a group of brilliant physicists who lived in Rome, in the Via Panisperna. A sort of The Big Bang Theory TV show but in other times. Among these scientists were Enrico Fermi and his student Ettore Majorana. Fermi considered Majorana a genius. He said many times that Hector (Ettore) had taught him many things, and the student had surpassed the master. At some point in his life, Majorana disappears into thin air, while traveling on a ship that takes him from Palermo to Naples (Majorana taught at the University of Naples). His disappearance has been the subject of much speculation. The story told by me and Paul Di Filippo is a uchronia, which tries to give an answer to this mysterious disappearance. The tone of the story is deliberately brilliant, sometimes playful. The same title OPERATION HARMONY, want to give this indication. A sort of soft SF, more than hard SF, which, however, has moments of deep reflection on the role of science in times of war and the role of science in general in the relations between nations and peoples .
PAUL: I had previously done a very small piece on Majorana as a humor column in F&SF without plumbing his depths, so he was always in the background of my thinking as an enticing figure about whom I could write more. The notion of transplanting a group of Italian geniuses to the soil of the USA and subjecting them to a bit of culture shock was also appealing. Fish out of water tropes and all that. And then of course there is the matter of WWII, perhaps the most potent and much-used subject of all uchronias. All of us yearn to magically shorten that horrible conflict somehow in hindsight (except for those of us writers who yearn to lengthen or worsen it for storytelling power!). And so Claudio and I posited a life-saving invention with, admittedly, certain side-effects.
- What was the inspiration for this story, or what prompted you to write it?
CLAUDIO: Ettore Majorana was born in Catania, Sicily. I was born in Catania. The Majorana family has a great importance in my city, where there is a building named Majorana and streets named after the Majoranas. When Paul came to Catania and we became friends, we realized that we could work together because there was a great feeling between us. Thus, the Majorana Mystery on the one hand, his friendship with Paul from the other side, the story was born. Paul had already written something on Majorana. I had lived thirty years of my life close to the descendants of Majorana. A real game of coincidences. Maybe Paul was right when he told me "we are brothers separated at birth!"
PAUL: I love collaborating, and have done so with such figures as Don Webb, Marc Laidlaw, Michael Bishop, Bruce Sterling and Rudy Rucker. But of course two writers working together have to be simpatico. And when Claudio and I met we hit it off right away, a true bond. You should see us at the dinner table together, and then you would have no doubts about our common heritage and appetites! Also, Claudio was to be my first collaborator whose native language was something other than English, and I anticipated learning some neat idioms and perspectives inherent in the Italian language from him.
- What kind of research, if any, did you do for this story?
CLAUDIO: As I said, I have lived 30 years of my life next to the descendants of Majorana. I have read and studied many books during my tenure at the university (I have a degree in Italian Literature and Modern History). Of all the books, the most important is Leonardo Sciascia: The Majorana Case. So I did some research on the scientific part of the story. Although the scientific plausibility was not the first concern in writing the story, since it was founded almost like a fairy tale full of symbolism. Then, I wanted to include in the story some "Italian things." Quotes of Italian poets and writers. Typical landscapes of Sicily, such as Mount Etna and the Mediterranean Sea. And Arancini, the typical Sicilian fast food.
PAUL: My trip to mainland Italy and to Sicily in 2012 brought home the tangible vitality of the landscapes and allowed me to share Claudio's vision and verbal depictions. It put me in the spirit. I relied heavily on his superior knowledge of Majorana and his milieu, just boning up from internet sources for the bare outlines of history. That's a good thing about collaborating: you can rely on the superior knowledge of your partner for some things, and vice versa. I added details of the alternate technology, especially weird music, and also some of the historical twists in the course of the war.
- What are you working on now?
CLAUDIO: I'm working on several projects. First on my third SF novel, which will be released in Italy later this year. I am translating into English all of my short stories. I'm writing some stories for a number of anthologies of SF for school use. I direct a prozine dedicated to science fiction and called Foundation SF Magazine. And finally, I'm working on the Italian version of the story Via Panisperna Boys, along with the editorial staff of the publishing house Elara which publishes the Italian edition of F&SF.
PAUL: I just finished a story for Ian Whates's anthology on the Fermi Paradox. My piece is titled "The Trail of Creation, the Trial of the Creator." Now I'm heavily into review mode. Just did a piece on the debut novel Shovel Ready, and next get to enjoy Darwyn Cooke's graphic novel Slayground. I have a novel titled Up Around the Bend which needs to be resumed after a hiatus. In short, always more projects than time and stamina!
-Anything else you'd like to add?
CLAUDIO: I could add 1000 other things. The thrill and the honor of working with Paul Di Filippo. The honor of being one of the only Italians to have been published by your prestigious magazine. The cultural enrichment that I have had in working in English. But, also, I have talked about Majorana, telling of my land, Sicily, so full of mystery and magic. All things that are priceless.
PAUL: Let me just say that without the heroic and creative work by Gordon van Gelder, none of this would have been possible. In maintaining the almost-seventy-year-old tradition of one of the field's cornerstone publications, and even extending its reach to such places as Italy, he has provided a welcoming home for writers of every type, and created so much pleasure for hundreds of thousands of lucky readers, as well as extending the artistry of the fantastical genre. Long may he reign!
The Via Panisperna Boys in "Operation Harmony" appears in the Jan./Feb. 2014 issue of F&SF.
Interview: Michael Blumlein on "Success"
- What was the inspiration for "Success", or what prompted you to write it?
I've had a lifelong interest in the field of genetics. The real exciting work these days is happening on three main fronts: genetic engineering, which has been the subject of countless pieces of fiction (including my own); nanobiotechnology, which is just getting rolling but promises to have a huge impact on our lives; and epigenetics, a field that is crucial to understanding how we interact with our environment and evolve. For nearly 200 hundred years the idea that there could be such a thing as epigenetics was derided and scorned. Now, every day we get a new study showing the importance of our environment, not only in how our own genes are expressed, but in how our offspring's genes – and their offspring's genes – can be affected. Obviously, this has profound implications for our future, and I wanted to talk about that.
I also wanted to extend what we know about genetics and epigenetics into the future and what we don't yet know. What might come to pass. What could. This, of course, is the prime directive of science fiction. My speculation about "perigenetics", a word I coin to describe the ultimate unifying principle of Life on Earth, is my attempt to do this.
It's a real attempt, but it's also somewhat tongue-in-cheek. It flows from the character (and comes from the very mouth) of the story's male protagonist, Dr. Jim, a highly original, if eccentric, thinker of exceptional intelligence. He's a brilliant scientist, but his brilliance is matched by a tendency to float above reality, rather than be grounded in it.
His soul-mate and wife Carol is the opposite, which makes the two of them a perfect complementary pair. I wanted to write about this, too: what's the recipe for a successful relationship? Why do people fall in love, and how do they stay in love? How can love continue to thrive through the ups and downs we all experience?
One of the ways I believe this happens is when we're honest with ourselves, when we don't shy away from who we are. And who we are is a composite: what we think of as ourself is, in fact, many selves. We have public selves and private selves, selves we present to the world and selves we present to our loved ones, which may differ. We also contain selves we're less comfortable with, selves we may be embarrassed by, selves we may prefer to hide.
Some of these selves are quite primitive, so keeping them buried is understandable. But under certain circumstances they can rear their heads. Stress can trigger their appearance. Hunger can do it. Competitiveness. Passion. Heightened desire of any kind.
This is interesting to me, and it, too, is part of the story.
Not all of the triggers for these hidden selves to emerge are internal. Many come from outside. Other people, for example, have a profound effect on us. So does the food we eat and the air we breathe. Basically any situation we find ourselves in alters us. Broadly speaking, these situations fall into the category of external forces and pressures. In a word, our environment.
This brings us back to epigenetics, which is the system that governs how we interface and interact with our environment. It functions on a sub-cellular level, but in a metaphorical sense it functions on all levels. Emotionally, behaviorally, cognitively, spiritually, we're in constant flux and constant communication with friends, acquaintances, loved ones, strangers, animals, minerals, plants, molecules, particles of air, and who knows what else. It's a big world, and each of us is at the center of it. Simultaneously, we're orbiting everything else. This, I'd say, is the guiding principle and rule number one from the as-yet-to-be-written Perigenetics Handbook.
"Success" appears in the Nov./Dec. 2013 issue of F&SF.
Interview: Tim Sullivan on "Through Mud One Picks A Way"
Q: Please tell us a bit about "Through Mud One Picks a Way."
A: It's the second story set in the same future. The first was "The Nambu Egg," published in F&SF a couple of issues earlier than "Through Mud One Picks a Way." In both stories a planet has been found with a breathable nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere and gravity that can be tolerated by humans, but just barely. Only hardy specimens can survive for long on the slightly heavier-than-Earth gravity. A woman returns after sixteen years on the colony world. The means of travel is complex. The body is disassembled, information shot from one world to the other on tachyon jets, and reassembled with slight improvements when it arrives at its destination. Uxanna is back after sixteen years have passed subjectively, but four generations have gone by on Earth. She knows no one, is unfamiliar with the massive changes in the culture and rapid advances in technology, and is forced to do work for a man of questionable character to survive. Cobb, her employer, surprises her one day by revealing three Cetians in a muddy pit in the basement of the ramshackle building that he operates from. Uxanna's job on Cet Four involved communicating with these creatures, so she gets down in the mud with them and does her best to see what's on their minds.
Q: What was the inspiration for this story, or what prompted you to write it?
A: "The Nambu Egg" was a science fiction mystery, and it involved a mathematical construct posed by the Cetians to provide the solution. I felt that there was a lot more to be worked out in this particular universe, and one way to explicate it was through a character who had lived on both worlds in two different eras. Uxanna is not glamorous. She's a big, powerful woman (necessary for survival on the colony world) who abandoned her own child and fled our planet. "Lighting out for the territory," as Mark Twain put it. The story explores my ambivalence about politics, economics, and the uses of science, not to mention the entanglement of these disciplines.
Q: What kind of research did you do for "Through Mud One Picks a Way?"
A: I read books by Sean Carroll and Brian Greene in an attempt to keep up with physics, and seized on the recent discovery of planets orbiting Tau Ceti, a much closer star than we'd seen with planets before. Even so, I tried to maintain a sense of alienation, due to the vast distances in space and time involved even to the nearer solar systems, but my research among our own species was probably most important. I'm sort of an eccentric character collector. I get a kick out of meeting people who are out of the mainstream, and may even be difficult or cranky. Uxanna and Cobb are both eccentric characters, and would be in any time period, I suspect.
Q: Was this story personal to you in any way, and if so how?
A: That's a tough question. All stories are personal to the people who write them, but in this particular case I think it's my concern for where we are going as a society, both in the West and globally, and where the cascading revelations of science are taking us. There was a time when one could keep up with the new discoveries, more or less, but now they're coming so fast and furious that most people don't even bother to try. What will this mean for ordinary people, especially for those who are on the margins of society? I'm not interested in superheroes or masters of martial arts, but in people who might actually exist a few generations from now. They'll make mistakes, fall on their faces, be confused by developments beyond their comprehension, but most of them will keep going regardless of setbacks. To my way of thinking, they're the true heroes of our beleaguered species.
Q: Neat title. How did you come up with it?
A: It's a line from a long narrative poem, "Red Cotton Night-Cap Country or Turf and Towers," by Robert Browning. Gordon first saw the novelette under the title "Uxanna's Friends," but I didn't care much for that and cast about until I found the Browning quote. It fits the action and flavor of the story.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I've got several in the works, including a sequel to "Through Mud One Picks a Way," and a story about a mysterious crossword puzzle. I've been thinking about selecting stories for a collection, if I can find a publisher!
Q: Anything else to add?
A: Just that seeing my stories in F&SF is always a pleasure. I've been reading the magazine since I was a kid, and we're almost the same age. I won't tell you which one of us is a year older.
"Through Mud One Picks A Way" appears in the Nov./Dec. 2013 issue of F&SF.


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Maintaining good day-to-day asthma control is the key to keeping symptoms at bay and preventing asthma attacks. Having a written asthma action plan makes it easier for you to measure whether your asthma is under control — and it lets you know exactly what steps to take when it isn't. Using an asthma action plan is especially important if you have moderate to severe asthma or you've had a serious asthma attack in the past. Here's how to get started.
Because asthma varies from person to person, you'll need to work with your doctor to develop a plan that's customized for you. Your action plan can help you:
Print out this plan and take it to your next appointment. Ask the doctor to help you personalize the plan. Or your doctor may already have a plan for you to use.
Adult Asthma Action Plan (PDF file requiring Adobe Reader)
Once you and your doctor have developed your asthma action plan, keep it handy in case you have an asthma flare-up. Share your plan with a family member or friend who can help you in case of an emergency. Keep a copy in your wallet or purse in case an asthma attack occurs away from home. List your doctor's phone number, emergency phone numbers and the location of the nearest emergency room on your asthma plan. Always carry a rescue inhaler with you as well. Keep a second one at home as backup.
Work with your doctor to keep your asthma action plan current. Asthma changes over time, so your plan may need periodic adjustments.
Having asthma shouldn't limit activities, interrupt sleep or leave you constantly worrying about having an asthma attack. By carefully following a written plan, you can keep your asthma well controlled — and minimize the disruptions it causes.


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Inquest rules cluster of contributory factors led to pensioner's death (From Hampshire Chronicle)
When news happens, text CHRON and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email & phone.
Inquest rules cluster of contributory factors led to pensioner's death
7:00pm Tuesday 17th June 2014 in News
A WINCHESTER man died following an operation to replace a broken hip.
Michael Webley suffered a fall at the Sunrise care home in Stockbridge Road on the evening of April 18.
He was rushed to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, and went into theatre to have an operation to fit a metal replacement the following afternoon.
An inquest in Southampton heard that operating on the 82-year-old was a "risk", but that he would almost certainly have died had the operation not taken place.
The inquest was told that during the operation he inhaled gastric contents onto his lungs, and once his family had arrived a decision was made to turn off the ventilator.
Central Hampshire Coroner Grahame Short delivered a narrative verdict at the inquest, ruling that aspiration pneumonitis, the hip fracture and heart disease were all contributory factors in Mr Webley's death.
He said: "The actual operation was successfully completed, but it's clear that he was in a very poor state and never recovered."
Comments are closed on this article.


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The victims of Thursday night's shocking mass shooting on 51st Street were nearly all African-American. So were the suspected offenders. That's often the case, with most of Chicago's murderous violence taking place in a relatively small number of neighborhoods: led by Englewood, South Shore, Austin, Garfield Park and West Pullman.
Chicago is roughly one-third African-American, one-third Hispanic and one-third white. The actual body count looks nothing like that.
When the victim is an infant like Jonylah Watkins shot in her father's arms, or, as Thursday night, a 3-year old shot with members of his family, public outrage rises to a peak. But Chicago seems to have grown numb at the night-in, night-out spectacle of gang members shooting and killing each other in the most-impoverished parts of the West Side and South Side.
It was funeral home owner Spencer Leak's duty last year to bury more than 100 murder victims, mostly young men, many with previous criminal convictions.
"The young people who were murdered were black. The perpetrators were black. They had also one other thing in common. They all were a product of Chicago Public Schools," Leak said.
While murder in Chicago is down from last year, the racial disparity is virtually the same. More than 80% of the victims were African-American: 257; Hispanic: 59; white: 5.
By putting Ku Klux Klan-style hoods on the heads of gangbangers shooting other gangbangers, artist James Pate dramatized the phenomenon. His work, called "KKK: Kin Killin' Kin," is currently on display at the South Side's DuSable Museum.
Police insisted Friday that they do not dismiss such killings.
"And I want to be clear. Even if it's gang-related, even if we have the most hardened criminal who becomes the victim of violence, that individual is the father, brother, sister, sometimes parent of somebody else," McCarthy said at a press conference.
The longtime pastor of a parish in hard-hit Auburn-Gresham told FOX 32 why he thinks the violence is centered in just a few neighborhoods.
As long as we have young people out here who are angry and who are hopeless, don't have jobs, aren't in school..you're going to continue to see this violence rage up," Rev. Pfleger said.
There is one more set of numbers generated by a University of Chicago researcher that are worth noting. Citywide since 1990, murder has fallen by more than half and by an astounding 78% in neighborhoods around downtown and on the North Side. In a few communities on the West Side and South Side, though, it's up about 10%.
Follow @fox32news
Police are investigating the murder of a homeless man who was beaten to death in an alley in Logan Square.


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A Colorado woman was impaled by a light pole after she crashed because she was texting and driving.
The man who sued the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for "police brutality" is now going away for a long time.
22-year-old Malcolm Springs was sentenced in U.S. District Court Tuesday. The judge ordered him to serve 355 months in prison, followed by five years of court supervision. He was also ordered to pay $21, 434 in restitution. All federal sentences are served without possibility of parole.
Springs' sentence was enhanced because he has four prior violent felony convictions, which makes him an Armed Career Criminal under the United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The conviction stems from a violent drug deal in March 2011. Investigators say Springs met up with 28-year-old Santonio Cassell in the parking lot of a gas station for a drug deal. Springs stole the drugs and showed his gun to Cassell. The two men struggled over the gun and Cassell was shot in the arm and abdomen.
Springs fled the scene in his car.
Officers responded to a call about a shooting at about 1 a.m. They found Cassell suffering from gunshot wounds. They said he had been shot at close range. He was taken to Carolinas Medical Center.
A description of the shooter's vehicle was given to all officers working the early Sunday morning shift.
Just before 3 a.m. an officer spotted the suspect vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop near the intersection of Highland Street and Marlowe Avenue.
The driver - later identified as Springs - refused to stop until reaching a dead-end. At that time, he jumped out of the car and ran. Officers chased him and a K9 unit was brought to the scene to help locate the driver. The police chopper was also used in the search.
A short time later, officers spotted Springs between houses on Garibaldi Avenue. He shot at Officer Brent Harrison, hitting him in the leg. Harrison returned fire and hit Springs in the lower torso, allowing officers to move in and arrest Springs.
A neighbor described the scene to WBTV at the time, saying her family dropped to the floor until the gunfire stopped. She said, "it sounded like we were in an Army fight".
Officer Harrison was taken to Presbyterian Hospital, and recovered. Springs was taken to Carolinas Medical Center and also recovered.
The 9mm Ruger pistol used by Springs was recovered and confiscated.
During the trial, Springs' mother talked to WBTV. She said justice should be served.
"If he's responsible for any of these things, he's gonna go through the system and he's gonna have to be held accountable for that," said Debra Walls.
But Walls also said, if police crossed the line, they needed to be held accountable as well.
After the shooting between Springs and Officer Harrison in the Camp Greene neighborhood of west Charlotte, several neighbors told WBTV they witnessed officers stomping and hitting Springs after he was already handcuffed.
CMPD was cleared of any wrongdoing in the case. Officials said Springs was resisting arrest and officers did not use excessive force.
Springs has been in local federal custody since June 2011.
In December 2011, Springs pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
At the sentencing hearing, prosecutors described the shootings committed by Springs as "reckless and wanton" and noted he "could have killed two people". Prosecutors also said Springs' shooting a police officer reflected a "complete lack of respect for the law."
In announcing the sentencing, United States Attorney Anne Tompkins stated, "The Springs case demonstrates the U.S. Attorney's Office's commitment to vigorously prosecuting violent criminals and to enforcing existing federal firearms laws. Let it also be known, that we will not tolerate any acts or attempted acts of violence against police officers."
"Malcolm Springs' ruthless actions put many lives at risk. The FBI and our law enforcement partners stand united in our commitment to hold violent offenders accountable for their negative impact on our communities," said Roger Coe, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte Division of the FBI.
"It is unfortunate that the incident escalated to where the suspect fired a gun and placed two lives in danger," said Chief Rodney Monroe, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. "Oftentimes those who are intent on breaking the law and who knowingly engage in criminal activities also lack a regard for human life."
The investigation was handled by the FBI and CMPD, assisted by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Robert Gleason of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Charlotte.
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