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The Plank Papers
Un-Grubbing & De-Planking the Wilhelmina Enigma
Introduction to The Plank Papers
C a l c u l a t i n g W i l h e l m i n a
Accurate Arithmancy Applied and Applauded
By: Kabouter Guilderoy Kolder 1
1. Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank: Hyphenated Hype-to-Be
Unexpected, Unplottable, Unreadable
'Everyone here?' barked Professor Grubbly-Plank, once all the Slytherins and Gryffindors had arrived. 'Let's crack on then.'2
I can almost hear you think:
"Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank?"
"The Plank Papers?"
"Er – did we miss something?"
None other, definitely and … er – yes, you just might have.
Professor Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank, Hagrid's substitute as Care of Magical Creatures teacher in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, requires all the attention we can muster. Indeed, Grubbly-Plank is no hype – not yet. The proof I present, however, will hopefully urge the reader to move Grubbly-Plank in his or her thoughts from the ranks of the walk-ons to the forefront of the pivotal characters. Unless I'm very much mistaken, our Sturdy Substitute is going to play an extremely significant part in Book 7. This Introduction to The Plank Papers explains why.
The Plank Papers are, of course, only intended for Madurodam's Professors and students. Just as Madurodam University is Unplottable, The Plank Papers are utterly Unreadable – at least, I have made every possible effort to make them so. So, if you don't believe or understand what is explained in this Introduction or any other part of The Plank Papers, by all means do continue to concentrate on such seemingly crucial issues as Dumbledore being dead, alive or just a picture, and Snape being good, bad and/or ugly.
The Plank Papers are a work in progress. I expect my fellow Professors at Madurodam's to further analyse, from their own particular area of expertise, Wilhelmina's suspected or unsuspected traits.
Finally, a word of thanks to Madurodam University: The Plank Papers could never have been initiated if my Alma Mater hadn't graciously decided to temporarily exempt me from all my teaching duties, a decision which was highly applauded by colleagues and students alike.
Let's crack on then, shall we? And don't skip the notes!
2. What's in a Name?
Oh, Nothing Much, Really … Only the Triumphant Trio
'This isn't a coincidence,' he [Harry] said, his hands forming fists. 'She knows.'
'She can't,' said Ron at once.' 3
It was her name that caught my attention in the first place. Sure, Nymphadora Tonks, Bathilda Bagshot and Pomona Sprout are peculiar names. But Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank is different.
We were introduced to "Professor Grubbly-Plank" in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,4 but only in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix do we learn her first name, "Wilhelmina". In what would prove to be her very last appearance to date, still first-nameless Professor Grubbly-Plank turns to walk away with Hedwig to cure her of an ailing wing. But professor McGonagall then calls Grubbly-Plank to let Harry take a letter from Hedwig's talon:
'Just a moment, Wilhelmina!' said Professor McGonagall. 'Potter's letter!' 5
Harry takes the letter from Hedwig and Wilhelmina disappears into the Teachers' room. And that's it.
So Grubbly-Plank, a mere substitute teacher, suddenly gets to have a first name (at the last possible moment), while a host of full-time teachers haven't received such honour.6 And what's more, this first name is revealed to us precisely in the conspicuously inconspicuous manner we have come to suspect. Apparently, "Grubbly-Plank" wasn't enough; somehow, J.K. Rowling needed "Wilhelmina". She could have easily written the above-mentioned scene with similar actions but without giving Grubbly-Plank a first name. It got me wondering … could Wilhelmina perhaps be one of the "things" J.K. Rowling "had to put" in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, of which she spoke in the interview at the Royal Albert Hall on June 26, 2003?
I had to put in some things because of what's coming in 6 and 7 and I didn't want anyone to say to me: 'What a cheat, you never gave us clues'. Because if I didn't mention certain things that happen in Order of the Phoenix I think you could have said to me: 'Well, you sprang that on us', whereas I want you to be able to get them if you've got your wits about you. There are a few surprises coming.7
Did J.K. Rowling require Grubbly-Plank to be "Wilhelmina" just so that she (Rowling) would be able to say: "I didn't spring it on you. You could've detected it, if you had your wits about you,"?
If so, what's so special about this first name?
For J.K. Rowling there must have been hundreds of names from which to choose but there was no place for a Xantippe, a Yolonda or a Zillah. No, it had to be Wilhelmina.
And for some very good reasons.
Because closer inspection yields that the good Professor's initials, WGP, coincide with the first letter of each of the Trio's surnames: Weasley, Granger, Potter.
But there's more.
The number of letters in the Trio's last names is 20, and 20 is also exactly the number of letters in Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank (oh yes it is, if you read the hyphen as a "minus" sign so that you can deduct the two connected letters "y" and "P").8
Personally I find it difficult to attribute all this to sheer coincidence. It was enough for me to take up what I have come to regard as J.K. Rowling's special WG-P challenge to us and went looking for more evidence.
For even harder facts.9
There are no harder facts than Numbers.
3. Planck's Constant
The Groundwork for Something Great
Hermione recited at top speed: 'Golpalott's-Third-Law-states-that-the-antidote-for-a- blended-poison-will-be-equal-to-more-than-the-sum- of-the-antidotes-for-each-of-the-separate-components.'
'Precisely!' beamed Slughorn.10
The German Muggle physicist Max Planck (1858-1947; Nobel Prize for Physics, 1918) discovered what later became known as Planck's Constant, a formula describing the sizes of quanta, which is widely regarded as one of the corner-stones of Quantum Physics.
Hmm …
Oh, all right then, here it is, Planck's Constant:
E=h.f or put in words: energy is frequency times h; h being 6,626075×10-34 Js.
Although this bears all the signs of needlessly complicated Muggle science,11 not all of Mr Planck's work has been in vain. I succeeded in Transfiguring Planck's Constant into solid Arithmancy (and I attribute this to a daring combination of creativity, perseverance and single malt whisky).
I have dubbed my method Plank's Constant for, instead of describing the size of a quantum, Plank's Constant can be used to describe the size of the part Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank will play in Book 7.
4. Plank's Constant
Grubbly-Plank in Book 7
'Only!' said Hermione snappishly. 'I've got Arithmancy and it's probably the toughest subject there is!' 12
Yes, Hermione is quite right, as usual.
But the Arithmancy supporting my Plank's Constant is, I think, clear and simple.
And let me say forthwith that, personally, I believe neither in the Blibbering Humdinger nor in the Crumple-Horned Snorkack.
But, my dear friends, I know a clue when I see one. And the numbers below are clues we simply cannot ignore:
– Words spoken by WG-P in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: 5213
– Words spoken14 by WG-P in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: 375 (note the increase: factor 7.2)
– Number of chapters in which WG-P appears in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: 115
– Number of chapters in which WG-P appears in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: 416 (note the increase: factor 4)
– No words, no appearance for WG-P in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. We shall reward this with a neutral factor 1.
In order to establish the extent of Grubbly-Plank's role in Book 7, we must use an Arithmancical comparison of Books 4 and 5, and extrapolate from there on. We first need to multiply 375 (WG-P's part in words in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) with 4 (number of chapters in which WG-P appears in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix). That's exactly 1500.17 As we have seen, the increase in words and chapters (Book 5 compared to Book 4) was a factor 7.2 and 4, respectively. We must multiply those factors, obviously. 7.2 times 4 is an impressive factor 28.8. To establish the extent of Wilhelmina's part in Book 7, we again multiply this factor 28.8, this time with the said 1500, which makes 43,200 words (!), whether you're a Wizard, a Being, a Beast or a Muggle. With some 375 words to a page,18 that's more than 115 pages purely devoted to Wilhelmina in Book 7.
It is, I think, now up to my fellow Professors at Madurodam University to work out the finer details, including the question what it is, precisely, that WG-P will be doing all these 115 pages. Obviously she must be of stupendous importance to the overall plot. I would be very much disappointed if The Plank Papers develop into anything less than, say, thirty chapters.
Now, it is far from me to interfere with their research, but at the same time it would be utterly heartless not to thrust my colleagues in the right direction.
Therefore, as a bonus, let's examine one final introductory aspect of WG-P, shall we?
5. Of "giant grubs", an "overstuffed armchair" and "a submarine or something"
Wanderings with Inanimagi?
'What are they, Hagrid?' asked Harry, trying to sound interested rather than revolted, but putting down his rock cake all the same.
'Jus' giant grubs,' said Hagrid.
'And they grow into…?' said Ron, looking apprehensive.
'They won' grow inter nuthin',' said Hagrid. 'I got 'em ter feed ter Aragog.' 19
As is the case with so many other names of Harry Potter characters, Grubbly-Plank is quite likely to be indicative of her character or part, isn't it? Now, the whole raison d'être of a grub is to grow into something else. Therefore, unlike Hagrid's above-cited giant grubs, our Wilhelmina is likely to be a grub that does change into … well, the hyphen leads us to believe: into a "Plank", apparently. What else can a Plank, in the Wizarding World, reasonably possibly mean than the ultimate Magical Thing made of wood?
A Wand. Indeed.
I don't think this is such an odd idea, Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank Transfiguring into a Wand in Book 7. She may just be what I would call an Inanimagus. While an Animagus can change into an animal, an Inanimagus can change into something inanimate. It is not that uncommon. We know that Horace Slughorn can change into an "overstuffed armchair." 20 Some of our own teachers are known to virtually disappear by blending into the blackboard. And apparently Hogwarts students can learn to change into "a submarine or something," 21 no less, so for a Professor to change into a wand would be a piece of rock cake.22
In my personal opinion, however, being a Wand as a leading character only brings you so far, so I'm as curious as the next person to read the coming instalments of The Plank Papers.
Thanks much for reading this Introduction and be sure to contact our Publications Department for a subscription to The Plank Papers.
Note on (and by) the Author
Prof. Dr. Kabouter Guilderoy "The Count" Kolder is Professor of Applied Arithmancy and a Whole Lot More at Madurodam University. His prolific academic activities cover a spectacularly wide range of topics, as is reflected in his publications, of which we only mention:
- An Arithmancical Comparison of Were-Oranges Distribution in Northern Europe and China, Medlar & Windfall, 2001;
- Water in Potter: Some Notes on Sub-Normal Frequency of Personal Hygiene Related Activities among Wizards, Mephitic Monthly, August 2003;
- Sleep and Lack Thereof in Harry Potter – The Hurting of the Scar is No Mystery, Journal for Interdisciplinary Insomniacs, 2004, Vol. 4.
Dr. Kolder is also Editor-in-Chief of the highly popular almanac The Netherlands' day-to-day Weather Forecasts 2006-2011.23
1. I would like to thank my research assistant, Dr. Lena Thek, Jr. for her invaluable work. Naturally this Introduction remains my sole responsibility (except for any and all mistakes Dr. Thek might have made).
2. Rowling, JK. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. London: Bloomsbury, 2003. p. 233.
3. Ibid. p. 314.
4. Rowling, JK. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. London: Bloomsbury, 2000. p. 379.
5. Rowling, JK. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. London: Bloomsbury, 2003. p. 319.
6. E.g., Binns, Kettleburn, Sinistra, Vector.
7. Rowling, J.K. "Harry Potter and the Magic of the Internet." Interview with Stephen Fry. Quick Quotes Quill. 26 June 2003. Quick Quotes Quill. 20 June 2006. <http://www.quick-quote-quill.org/articles/2003/0626-alberthall-fry.htm>
8. These clues were "lost in translation": as an example, four foreign languages in which Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank received a different name: Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank is Wilhelmina Makkeret (number of letters: 18-2=16) in Danish; Wilhelmina Varicosus (19-2=17) in Dutch; Wilhelmina Raue-Pritsche (22-2=20) in German and Wilhelmina Gobe-Planche (21-2=19) in French, none of which have the required combination of WG-P as initials and 22-2=20 letters (although the French Wilhelmina comes frighteningly close). Nor do the clues add up in the local language: the Trio's initials (both first and last names) are the same in these languages as in English and the number of letters of the Trio's last names in these languages are, respectively: 20 in Danish, German and French (same (last) names as in English) and 18 in Dutch (Weasley=Wemel; Granger=Griffel; Potter=Potter).
9. Frankly, I don't attach any significance at all to the fact that Wilhelmina is also the first name of Muggle Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (1880-1962), who was the symbol of Dutch resistance during World War II (1939-1945). Is this an indication that our Wilhelmina will combat Voldemort in the Second War? Hardly. If we pursue this so-called lead, why don't we look beyond, then? It just so happens that Queen Wilhelmina's mother was Queen Emma (1858-1934), and Emma by Jane Austen is, as we all know, J.K. Rowling's all-time favourite book because of its superb plotting (see Boquet, Tim. "J.K. Rowling: The Wizard Behind Harry Potter." Reader's Digest, December 2000, in which J.K. Rowling is quoted as saying: "The best twist ever in literature is in Jane Austen's Emma. To me she is the target of perfection at which we shoot in vain." <http://www.quick-quote-quill.org/articles/2000/1200-readersdigest-boquet.htm>). And here's my own twist: Jane Austen's Emma just happens to be the basis for the 1995 blockbuster film "Clueless" (directed by Amy Heckerling; see <http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0112697/>). Clueless, that's right, and that's where this Wilhelmina "lead" leaves us.
10. Rowling, JK. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. London: Bloomsbury, 2005. p. 351.
11. They've done so much better: what about H2SO3F+ ? Indeed, that's Magic Acid, one of the inorganic superacids. It can easily protonate saturated alkanes to form carbonium ions, so don't hold your wands too close! For your information Magic Acid is made by mixing antimony pentafluoride (SbF55) and fluorosulphonic acid (HSO3F).
12. Rowling, JK. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. London: Bloomsbury, 2003. p. 632.
13. For clarity's sake: 'let's', 'you'd', 'can't,' 'that's', 'don't', Dumbledore's', 'I'm', 'I'll', 'they've', 'we'd', 'something'', 'can't', 'Hagrid's', and 'shouldn't' (and that's in order of appearance) count as one word each. The four hyphenated combinations: 'Grubbly-Plank' (when she introduces herself), 'first-years', 'body-parts' and 'well-trained' (also in order of appearance) count as two words, thank you very much.
14. Same methodology as described in note 13.
15. The chapter is nr. 24.
16. The chapters are nrs. 10, 13, 15 and 17.
17. Obviously Half Blood Prince's factor 1 doesn't make a difference: 1×1500 is still 1500.
18. This may vary between editions (UK/US; paperback/hard cover; English/other language).
19. Rowling, JK. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. London: Bloomsbury, 2005. p. 217.
20. Ibid. p. 65.
21. Rowling, JK. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. London: Bloomsbury, 2000. p. 418: the Trio try to find a way for Harry to stay underwater for an hour, for the Second Task. They consider a number of options, and then Hermione suggests:
'The ideal solution would be for you to Transfigure yourself into a submarine or something,' she said. 'If only we'd done human Transfiguration already! But I don't think we start that until sixth year, and it can go badly wrong if you don't know what you're doing…'
22. Come to think of it, we are in desperate need of a Wizarding equivalent of the Ehrenfest classification of phase transition as used in the Muggle world. Although later proved to be somewhat inaccurate, the Ehrenfest model provides for a simple and useful scheme, based as it is on the degree of non-analyticity involved. Phase transitions are labelled by the lowest derivative of the free energy that is discontinuous at the transition and are classified in first- and second-order phase transitions, with theoretical room for third, fourth and even higher-order phase transitions. For further reading I highly recommend Goldenfeld N. Lectures on Phase Transitions and the Renormalization Group, Perseus Publishing, 1992. I wonder what is stopping anyone from divining the Wizarding equivalent? Once we have the Wizarding Transfiguration Classification, we will go from there and no doubt learned scholars will in time fine-tune it and come up with refinements analogous to the Muggle discovery of the Bose-Einstein condensation and, of course, the revelation of the Berezinsky-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition in the two-dimensional XY-model.
23. Just so that you know, according to the Almanac, Saturday, July 7, 2007, promises to be a bright and shiny day.


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Hi all,
Apparently, the expressions of gratitude and appreciation are not very frequent in this forum, huh? Anyway, I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to OVI Store support team (especially to Ovi.Andrew, Ovi.Kevin and Ovi.Stewey), as well as Forum Nokia team and members (especially symbianyucca) for the best publisher support experience I ever had (and this is not the first publishing experience for me, believe me).
Keep it up, guys!

subset: commoncrawl


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Waste trucks put charity in the pink (From Essex County Standard)
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Waste trucks put charity in the pink
12:00pm Tuesday 7th January 2014 in News By Will Lodge, Senior reporter
A BRIGHTLINGSEA waste company has painted two of its trucks a fetching shade of pink to raise cash for charity.
Eastern Waste Disposal is doing it to highlight the fact it is fundraising this year for Cancer Research UK. One skip lorry and one tipper truck are now bright pink and emblazoned with the charity's name.
The company, based on the Morse's Lane industrial estate, will also make a donation to the charity for each job the lorries do. It chose Cancer Research UK because several staff and their relatives have survived or are battling cancer.
Over the past two years, the firm has sponsored a guide dog, Edward, who is now helping his owner to get around.
- Details of the company's fundraising progress will be regularly posted on its website, and you can support the company's efforts with a donation by calling it on 01206 307070
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Photos and Description of this 1 bedroom holiday apartment in San Marco - Atmosphere Aparts
Refined aparts just behind Saint-Mark square - Hidden&quiet charming corner
Ask the Owner for a full brochure of every apart.
Part of a XVI Cent. finely restored building, in the heart of the most central and elegant part of Venice, we propose a sophisticated and comfortable group of aparts, Atmosphere Aparts.
The building access is from a wellknown XV Cent. private courtyard (Corte Zorzi, unique) sheltering the aparts from every possible noise and letting an agreable (and unusual, in Venice) brightness to every ambience.
Finely furnished and perfectly maintained these three aparts, named Aurora, Hydra and Lyra, are on the same floor, can be combined and offer the best getaway for sight-seeing, as they are in the best position, few steps behind San Marco Square (less than 1 minute) but absolutely quiet as first, they are
not on a massive touristic direction, they are sheltered by the private courtyard then.
In this way guests can profit of their whole stay without wasting precious time with transports, everything is around them, and equally when they stop to visit they have a comfortable, quiet and charming accommodation to easily come back rest and self-catering.
Aurora and Hydra are twin 1 bedroom aparts, I would say 2 hotel Deluxe suites, perfectly equipped
for self-catering. They also have a quality sofa-bed for additional guests.
Lyra is a unique 2 double bedrooms and 2 bathrooms apart (bath with shower on suite). It can accommodate up to 5 people (single sofa-bed in the living).
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Coleman considers Shawcross call (From Western Telegraph)
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Coleman considers Shawcross call
11:14am Wednesday 11th July 2012 in National Sport © Press Association 2014
Chris Coleman would consult captain Aaron Ramsey before approaching Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross to play for Wales.
Arsenal midfielder Ramsey broke his leg in six places in 2010 after a tackle by Shawcross, and ignored the centre-half's initial attempts to apologise. Shawcross qualifies for Wales because he spent five years of compulsory education in the principality.
Quoted in The Sun, Coleman said: "Ryan is a good player who could strengthen us. I will have a conversation with Aaron because he's somebody I respect a great deal, he's our captain and an important player. I won't shy away from it because there are issues."
The 24-year-old previously stated he only had ambitions to represent England, having been approached by former Wales boss Gary Speed. But after he missed out on Roy Hodgson's Euro 2012 squad, current manager Coleman is prepared to ask Shawcross to make himself available for Wales.
Shawcross had said in July 2011: "I have not considered Wales.
"Obviously he (Speed) wants me to play for Wales, but I made a decision and I am going to stick with it.
"Hopefully I can prove I am good enough to get into the England team."
Coleman is also hoping Cardiff defender Ben Turner and Swansea full-back Angel Rangel will choose to represent Wales as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign.


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Guitar God Richard Thompson Plays 'Electric,' Acoustic
by David Dye
Apr 1, 2013 (WXPN-FM)
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David Dye
Richard Thompson started playing in "The British Byrds," Fairport Convention, when he was only 17. Here, he talks about the band's youthful ambition and his subsequent work as a guitarist-for-hire for the likes of Nick Drake — all before the remarkable solo career that leads us to his new album, Electric, recorded in Nashville with guitarist Buddy Miller producing.
We hear the story behind "The Snow Goose," a ballad made more stark played on acoustic guitar. We and our World Cafe studio audience never tire of Thompson's playing, as his World Cafe visits hit double digits.
This World Cafe segment originally aired on Feb. 26, 2013.
Copyright 2014 WXPN-FM. To see more, visit http://www.xpn.org/.
Set List
- "Good Things Happen To Bad People"
- "Salford Sunday"
- "Stuck On The Treadmill"
- "The Snow Goose"
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East Lancs boroughs rank in top ten of food safety league (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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East Lancs boroughs rank in top ten of food safety league
1:09pm Wednesday 15th January 2014 in News
RIBBLE Valley, Pendle and Rossendale councils have been named in the top 10 local authorities to ensure businesses complied with food safety regulations after last year's horse meat scandal.
The figures – released by Which? – followed an investigation into 395 local authorities across the country using data from the Food Standards Agency.
The figures show that 96.5 per cent of the 791 establishments in Pendle were found to be 'broadly compliant' with the regulations.
They also show that out of the 717 establishments in Rossendale, 98.6 per cent were found to be broadly compliant, and of 736 establishments in the Ribble Valley, 94.5 per cent were broadly compliant.
The figures come a year on from the scandal which exposed companies for introducing horse meat into the food chain. The FSA data also shows that overall food testing fell by 6.8 per cent on the previous year and testing for labelling and presentation fell by 16.2 per cent.
Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: "No-one wants another horsemeat fiasco, so it is very worrying that local authority food checks are in decline." He called for a "more strategic approach to food law enforcement that makes the best use of limited resources."
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text: Notice: Undefined offset: 8192 in /home1/thetexa2/public_html/gallery/include/debugger.inc.php on line 223 The Texas Sppur Gallery Home :: Login Album list :: Last uploads :: Last comments :: Most viewed :: Top rated :: My Favorites :: Search Home > Sports > Other > Track Track TITLE + - FILE NAME + - DATE + - POSITION + - Jayton senior John Stanaland takes the handoff from Jonathan Stiles in one of the Jaybirds' three relays that advanced to the Regional meet after placing in the top four of the Area 5 meet, Tuesday, April 8, at Bronte.180 views Jayton's Stephanie Jones sailed 31'11" to place second in the triple jump at the District 10A meet, Friday, April 4, at Roby155 views Spurette Katelin Reed competes in the girls high jump event at the Rolling Plains Relays Track Meet held Friday, March 14, at Jayton ISD.165 views State Champion Class 1A Long Jump 154 viewsJayton Senior Tyler Speed wins State Champion Class 1A Long Jump. Speed goes for gold at State Track Meet162 viewsTyler Speed wins gold in State 1A Long Jump. State Champion Class 1A Long Jump 155 viewsTyler Speed wins State Championship with 22'11.5 Long Jump. 18 files on 2 page(s) 1 2 Powered by Coppermine Photo Gallery


text: Optionals On every itinerary, we offer a range of optional excursions that allow you to further enhance your experience should you so choose. These are purchased when you are on your trip, via your Trafalgar Travel Director. Depending on the region visited these can be paid with cash or credit card. A reduction of 25% of the cost of the Optional Excursions is offered to all children under the age of 16 years at the time of travel. Please Note: This discount to does not apply to North America optionals, as they are already discounted. VIENNA + Dinner And Viennese Concert We will enjoy a delicious meal of Viennese specialities with drinks, followed by a wonderful concert of Viennese classical music including some of the most famous works of Johann Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, performed by some of the most highly acclaimed soloists and dancers in Austria. We provide you with 'A Class' tickets and a complimentary glass of local champagne during the interval. Code: VIE0001 Adult Price: 99 (EUR) + Dinner With Traditional Musical Entertainment In A Local Restaurant Enjoy dinner in an atmospheric Viennese restaurant. Drinks and traditional musical entertainment included. Code: VIE0002 Adult Price: 59 (EUR) + Schonbrunn Palace And Gardens We enjoy a guided visit to the Palace of Schönbrunn, with its magnificently preserved state rooms and exquisite gardens. You will have time for a walk through the park, perhaps as far as the Gloriette pavilion with its magnificent views.N.B.: This optional experience begins at an early hour, to ensure VIP access to the Palace. Code: VIE0005 Adult Price: 37 (EUR) + Viennese Concert A wonderful concert of Viennese classical music including some of the most famous works of Johann Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, performed by some of the most highly acclaimed soloists and dancers in Austria. We provide you with 'A Class' tickets and a complimentary glass of local champagne during the interval. Code: VIE0008 Adult Price: 52 (EUR) VENICE + Lagoon Cruise With Lunch or Dinner Take some time off the beaten track! We are taken by private boat to the nearby islands in the lagoon of Venice. See the island of Murano where the glass blowers live. Lunch or dinner is taken at the picturesque 'Island of the fishermen', Burano, famous for its multi-coloured houses and a photographer's paradise. Drinks are also included. Code: VEN0014 Adult Price: 69 (EUR) + Venetian Magic An unforgettable introduction to this unique and magical city! We cruise along the Grand Canal by private water taxi, admiring the magnificent and elegant palazzos. We see the Rialto Bridge and then reach 'the most beautiful outdoor drawing room in the world', St Mark's Square. Later during your Gondola Ride, you will glide along the picturesque smaller canals while a duo of musicians entertains. Code: VEN0010 Adult Price: 69 (EUR) + Venice Past And Present Accompanied by a local expert we are taken into the magnificent Doges' Palace – home to the rulers of the Venetian republic for hundreds of years. We are shown the main highlights of the palace and its elegant courtyards, witnesses to the Serene Republic's glorious past. This will be followed by a guided tour through the winding streets and across medieval bridges, so that you can experience and appreciate what life is like for citizens of Venice in the present. Code: VEN0013 Adult Price: 35 (EUR) PARIS + Moulin Rouge Cabaret And Dinner Dinner and cabaret, including wine and champagne, at the world famous Moulin Rouge – the original Paris cabaret – immortalized by the homonymous award-winning film and featuring 60 dancers and entertainers and over 1000 costumes! Code: PAR0018 Adult Price: 157 (EUR) + Notre Dame And Latin Quarter We begin by visiting the cornerstone of Gothic architecture in France built in 1163, the magnificent cathedral that lies at the heart of Paris, Notre Dame. Then with our Local Guide explore the Latin Quarter. Enjoy some free time to have a bite to eat in the Latin Quarter, or perhaps try the famous Berthillon ice-cream - the best in France! Code: PAR0021 Adult Price: 30 (EUR) + Nouvelle Eve Cabaret And Dinner Dinner with wine included at one of the most prestigious cabaret shows in town! Enjoy an evening of exciting acts, stunning tableaux and wonderful entertainment - including, of course, the world famous Can-Can. A Parisian night that you will never forget! Code: PAR0023 Adult Price: 133 (EUR) + Seine Cruise And Paris By Night Paris at night is a city transformed. Enjoy this superb 'city of light' as we take a leisurely cruise on the popular river boats under the bridges of Paris, admiring the wonderful buildings which adorn the banks of the River Seine. Afterwards, as we drive through this amazing city, we stop at some vantage points for you to capture these fascinating sights on camera. (In summer, this trip may take place before sunset). Code: PAR0028 Adult Price: 34 (EUR) LUCERNE + Mount Stanserhorn And Lake Cruise We begin with a scenic cruise across Lake Lucerne to the village of Stans, terminal of one of Switzerland's oldest mountain railways. We climb to the top by old-timer railway and exciting new CabriO® cable car to reach 1900 m (6300 feet), an excellent vantage from which to view the breathtaking scenery of Alpine Switzerland. Free time to take in the air and perhaps some refreshments before we descend to rejoin our coach. (On certain departures this optional may be operated in reverse, ending with the cruise.) Code: LUC0010 Adult Price: 112 (CHF) MILAN + Treasures Of Milan With a local city guide we visit some of this bustling city's most famous sights. First we enter the impressive Castello Sforza – today one of the country's most important museums, where we see the 'Pieta of Rondanini' by Michelangelo among other great works. Then we continue to the world renowned 'La Scala' opera house and museum. (N.B.: Should either La Scala or the Castello be unavailable, there will be a visit to the remarkable Museum of Milan.) Code: MIL0002 Adult Price: 44 (EUR) INNSBRUCK + Tyrolean Evening Enjoy a lively evening of traditional entertainment. Singers, dancers, and musicians dressed in national costume provide a colourful show of folklore and fun. (N.B.:includes two drinks.) Code: INN0005 Adult Price: 42 (EUR)


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The 411 Movies Top 5 12.28.12: Week 354 - Top 5 Movies of 2012
Posted by
Shawn S. Lealos
on 12.28.2012
The Avengers
Django Unchained
The Hunger Games
and more, the 411 staff count down their favorite movies of 2012!
Welcome to Week 354 of the Movie Zone Top 5. My name is Shawn S. Lealos and you have entered my world.
This week's Top 5 is the "Most Recommended Movies of 2012." The 411mania writers were given only one rule: "Forget about critically acclaimed movies. Forget about which movies are Oscar favorites. If you could only choose five movies from 2012 to watch again and could never watch the rest, what would those be? If you could recommend a movie for your closest friend to watch from 2012, what would it be? Basically, this isn't the best movies of the year; it is your Top 5 favorite movies of 2012."
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This week's writers:
Bryan Kristopowitz, author of
The Gratuitous B-Movie Column
Michael Weyer, author of
Shining a Spotlight
John "D-Rock" Dotson, author of
"D-Rock's Corner" in Alternate Takes
Shawn S. Lealos, check out my review of
Django Unchained
Bryan Kristopowitz
Honorable Mentions:
Act of Valor
Cabin in the Woods
The Dictator
Out of all the new movies that came out this year,
is the one that I hope spawns more movies. I know it won't since it didn't make all that much at the box office, but with it now out on home video, there's a small chance that it will find a big enough audience to warrant another go around. Starring Guy Pearce as Snow, a railroaded badass CIA agent sent to an orbiting space prison to rescue the recently captured daughter of the U.S. President. Pearce is brilliant as Snow, a sort of wiseass Snake Plissken, and Maggie Grace is great as the President's daughter Emilie. And, of course, the great Lennie "Hawkins" James shows up as Harry Shaw, Snow's pal (sort of. You have to watch the movie to find out how it all works out). Some of the action scenes don't play out as well as they probably should, but even the fast cuts and the desperate need for a PG-13 rating don't dampen the movie's overall excitement.
is a bunch of fun, and, like I said, I'd love to see another one. I bet it would rock.
is easily the best comedy of 2012. Directed and co-written by Seth MacFarlane, the movie stars Mark Wahlberg as a grown man with a pot smoking, foul mouthed teddy bear, Ted (voiced by MacFarlane), as his best friend. The whole thing is ridiculous, of course, but it's a laugh riot from start to finish. Wahlberg is excellent as John, Mila Kunis is great as John's long suffering girlfriend Lori, and
Sam Jones shows up playing a coked up version of himself. Would it have been better if Jones had the same altered voice he had in
Flash Gordon
? Yes. But even that "issue" isn't bad enough to ruin the movie.
made oodles of money worldwide, so there's going to be a sequel eventually. I'm curious to know what the heck John and Ted are going to get into next. Will Giovanni Ribisi show up again?
Man, that guy creeped me out.
The Expendables 2
This bigger, more badass sequel to 2010's
The Expendables
features an even bigger cast of movie tough guys (Ahnold and Bruce Willis get bigger roles, the immortal Chuck Norris shows up to kick some ass, and just about everyone from the first movie shows up again) and some expert villainy in the form of Jean- Claude Van Damme as a sort of Satan worshipping gang leader hell bent on selling nuclear weapons to the highest bidder (with Scott Adkins as his main henchman). I loved every second of this action movie, and can't wait for the eventual part 3, which is set to add Jackie Chan and Nicolas Cage. Maybe with Chan in the movie Jet Li will be able to stick around for longer than five minutes and we'll get a big, gigantic, awe inspiring kung fu fight.
The Collection
The Collection
, the sequel to the torture-slasher flick
The Collector
, is freaking amazing. Instead of doing a straight up slasher sequel,
The Collection
is more of a search and destroy action thriller chock full of nasty gore. It starts out with one of the nastiest movie opening massacre scenes of all time (an indoor wheat thresher and a room outfitted to act like a cardboard baler wipes out close to, at least, one hundred people) and never lets up. Josh Stewart returns as Arkin, the man the Collector (this time expertly played by Randall Archer) collected at the end of
The Collector
, and Emma Fitzpatrick does a great job as the Collector's latest victim. But the standout performance of the movie belongs to the great Lee Tergesen as Lucello, a rich man's bodyguard who desperately needs Arkin's help. Hopefully, Tergesen's performance here leads to more movie work because the guy deserves the chance. You probably didn't see
The Collection
when it came out. You really missed something. When it hits home video be sure to see it as soon as you can. You won't be disappointed.
The Avengers
The ultimate culmination of years of hard work over several different superhero movies,
The Avengers
is a big, honking action adventure movie with loads of great performances and special effects. It figured out how to make the Hulk a viable movie character, it showed us, just in case we weren't paying attention, just how great Robert Downey, Jr. is as Iron Man, and how, in the right hands, a comic book team-up movie can be achieved. There isn't a real lame moment through its long running time. I can't wait to see it again. And again.
Michael Weyer
When you have a franchise that's hitting its 50th anniversary, you need to spice it up. The James Bond films have done that numerous times but for the long-awaited 23rd movie, it achieved a feat most thought impossible: Nostalgia for the past combined with a bold look for the future. The idea of Daniel Craig's Bond shaken after a near-death experience and forced to rebuild himself was wonderfully done but what got you was that for the first time, a Craig movie felt like a real classic Bond film. Javier Bardem was brilliant as the twisted villain with a complex plot, the introduction of the new Q was fun with nods to how ridiculous the gadgets could get in the past and the part where Bond breaks out the old Aston Martin brought cheers in my theater. With a brutal finale that brought things full circle in so many ways,
was not only the best Bond movie in years but made fans, old and new, more than eager to see 007 return and why he is still the greatest cinema spy hero of all time. And like the wines he often favors, he just gets better with age while appreciating its tone.
Wreck-It Ralph
It's a line repeated at various places: In 2012, Pixar made a Disney movie and Disney made a Pixar movie. While
was a disapointment,
was a true animated gem thanks to its amazing ability to provide nostalgia for video game fans. The "bad guy" of a 1980's arcade game trying to prove his worth by invading other games? How has this concept never been touched on before? The in-jokes for game fans of the '80's were lovely, from cameos of past characters to commentary on how games have become more violent and complex over the years. The animation is glorious from the dark words of a first-person shooter to a bright racing game ruled by an Ed Gwynne like king. But you feel for the main character, a goofball trying to break free of his appearance which can speak to so many video game fans. Throw in a great cast of Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer and Jane Lynch and you have one of the best original animated films in some time, one that used its medium to the fullest and reminded gamers of all ages how a blast from the past can be a joy for the present.
A little-known story of an event most filmgoers today weren't alive for. A thrilling spy drama. A satire of Hollywood influencing world events. It's not three different movies but rather one that combines all three and somehow it works. With
, Ben Affleck escapes years of poor projects and emerges as one of the best filmmakers of his time. The acting is great, led by Affleck with fantastic turns by Alan Arkin, Bryan Crantson and others and his screenplay mixes a story so fantastic, it has to be true (using a fake sci-fi film to free Americans from Iran?). But Affleck's direction is amazing, going from the hustle-and-bustle of the CIA to the more open and lavish Hollywood to sequences in Iran that make you sweat in your seat watching. It's an absolute gem in so many ways, proving the worth of Affleck at long last and how Hollywood can deliever a truly unique picture to match anything the indies could muster.
The Hunger Games
On the making-of documentary on the film's Blu-Ray, someone makes the perfect comment as to why the adaptation of the best-selling novel worked: "It wasn't what anyone expected but it was better than they expected." Rather than be hidebound to the text, Gary Ross expanded on the themes of the story but still kept its brutal spirit alive to let you feel the horror of children forced to kill for the entertainment of others. Jennifer Lawrence was nothing short of mesmerizing as this young woman thrust into a nightmare, fighting for her life and unaware of the example she sets for others. Yes, there's action and some good set pieces in the forest. But what gets you are the bits in the Capitol, these people who honestly don't understand the death toll waged before them, it's just entertainment to them. Compare that to the obsession with reality shows this past year that make you gawk at the horrid actions of others. It's rare to have a blockbuster that makes you think as well as entertain but this did it as you understood, with a chill, how the world of this dark future really isn't that far off from our own society today...and how little of a push we need to get there.
The Avengers
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Anyone who claims "it would have worked no matter who made it" is full of crap. There's a hundred ways this could have gone wrong but Joss Whedon managed to link together the characters of five different super-hero movies and bring them together into one amazing package. It was the perfect weight of humor, adventure, action and drama, satisfying for both Marvel geeks and newcomers and more than deserved to be the biggest hit of the year and how comic book movies can be just as powerful as any medium in cinema.
John "D-Rock" Dotson
Movies I have yet to see: Silver Linings, Playbook, Seven Psychopaths, Django Unchained, Lincoln, Zero Dark Thirty, and Les Miserables
Honorable Mentions: 10) The Expendables 2, 9)The Dark Knight Rises, 8) The Avengers, 7) Skyfall, 6) 21 Jump Street
The Cabin in the Woods
It's hard to talk about
The Cabin in the Woods
without actually giving away the huge surprise the film delivers. What I will say is that this film is the most fun I've had with the horror genre since the original release of
. If you haven't already done so, then I highly recommend that you check this one out. Did I also mention that the great and powerful Joss Whedon (
The Avengers
) also had a hand in the creation of this?
Ever heard the old saying "what goes around, comes around?" Most science fiction time travel movies usually deal with aspects of the past only affecting the future.
handles such elements very differently thanks to the strong writing and direction of Rian Jonson. What we get from him is a time travel universe that creates a never ending loop of chaos once it has begun. Johnson is proving himself to be a directing force of nature in the years to come and I cannot wait to see what clever project he pops up with next. If
is not on your radar, then change the station right now.
The Raid
The Raid
is one of the best action films of 2012 by far. Gareth Evans directs this tour de force with extreme precision. Each set piece is carefully orchestrated to make sure that the action progresses the story. Even the cinematography is utilized to deliver suspense and emotion in several areas of the action. The score, which was composed by Mike Shinoda and Joe Trapanese is actually quite impressive. Shinoda and Trapanese don't overdo their sound and know how to back off when the characters must be the focus. Overall, the best way to describe
The Raid
is that it's a war film about survival all set in the confines of a building. I know that when you think "war" you think
Saving Private Ryan
and such, but this is very much a war film, beginning with amazing gun fights and then slowly evolving to hand-to-hand combat battles.
The Grey
It's very rare that we receive such a first-class "Man versus Nature" film from franchise driven Hollywood. I can't think of many film-makers to handle such a genre than the guy who gave us
The Grey
at times can come across as a film conveying a message of hopelessness, but it's very much the opposite. Joe Carnahan's story is about having the strength to fight back even when all the odds are against your favor. It all comes down to the poem Liam Neeson reads at the start of the film and at the final minutes of the finale. His character in the beginning utilizes the words when he has lost faith in himself and mankind, by the end it's a whole different beast.
"Once more into the fray.
Into the last good fight I'll ever know.
Live and die on this day.
Live and die on this day."
Gives me chills every time I hear it.
Can the motion picture industry save lives? Ben Afleck's
argues the possibility. This is hands down my favorite film of the year by far. Even though most people know the events of what really happened, the mature film-making by Afleck made this a compelling watch from start to finish.
is a film in the same league as
Apollo 13
because of how it keeps you guessing at every turn, while making the viewer part of the experience. If this movie doesn't make Afleck a strong contender for Best Director at the Oscars this year, I'm not sure what will.
Shawn S. Lealos
Honorable Mention: Argo, Amazing Spider-Man, Dark Knight Rises, Skyfall, Wreck it Ralph, Seven Psychopaths
I have been a Rian Johnson fan since I saw
, a great neo-Noir starting Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Now, Johnson is back with his third movie and re-teams with JGL for a sci-fi thriller about time travel. In the movie, JGL stars as a Looper, a man who kills people sent back in time from the future, so he can eliminate all traces of their body, and no one in the future will ever know what happened to them. One day, his bosses in the future send back his future self (Bruce Willis), but he fails in the kill and the two have to figure out where to go from there. It is smart, exciting and one of the best smaller releases of 2012.
Django Unchained
Django Unchained is a fun, intense thrill ride. Tarantino remains one of the best, and most unique, directors working today. He has mastered the ability to balance his violence, humor and drama in a way that makes the very long film enjoyable from start to finish. There might have been a way to trim about 30 minutes from the running time, and the final portion of the movie, with Jamie Foxx as the main focus of attention, feels a big overlong, but at the end of the day this is what fans of Tarantino have come to expect. Django Unchained is another masterpiece from one of the best directors working in Hollywood.
Cabin in the Woods
I absolutely loved this movie. I am a decent fan of horror movies, but I am a HUGE fan of horror comedies. With
Cabin in the Woods
, Joss Whedon directed a smart, funny script and Drew Goddard directed a nicely paced and very funny tongue-in-cheek horror film. One complaint I have heard is that the characters are all stereotypes and you don't care about them, but that was the entire point.
Cabin in the Woods
was a love letter to horror movies, specifically the slasher genre, and this movie was all about using the contrivances of the genre and flipping them on their head. This movie had me smiling from start to finish and was one of my favorites of the year, hands down.
Zero Dark Thirty
While Argo looked like the front runner heading into Oscar season, Kathryn Bigelow raced to the front of the line with her amazing look at the hunt for Osama Bin Laden. There will be controversy surrounding the movie, and some people won't enjoy it because of political convictions. However, as a movie, this is the best film of 2012, with the best director of the year and the best performance by an actress by Jessica Chastain. You are looking at the new front runner for the Oscars.
The Avengers
I grew up as a fan of
The Avengers
. Next to Spider-Man, it was my favorite comic book so the movie this year had a lot to live up to. It succeeded on every level, and in my eyes, it is exactly what a comic movie should look like. Yeah,
Dark Knight Rises
was a great film in general, but
The Avengers
was a fun, thrill rise with exciting characters and some fantastic action. It had great comic timing, with the Hulk as a standout. I mean, come on, it made The Hulk an interesting character. Everything about this movie was great. If I went back and asked my ten-year old self what I wanted to see in a comic book movie about The Avengers, this is exactly what it would look like. Bravo Marvel for actually getting it right.
Top 8 Worst Series Finales
Snipes Rumored for
Blade 4
Upton Responds To Leaked Nude Pics
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text:
The holidays are upon us. The malls swell with traffic, all the cars cramming into their asphalt slots, as shoppers file into the stores, armed and ready for battle with their credit cards.
I don't like getting mauled at a mall, so I usually shop online if I can. I'd rather click and pay and wait for that arrival day when the gifts come home. It saves me a lot of time and aggravation.
When we were young, there was no online shopping. Our parents had to shop at May Company, JC Penney, Sears and a few other places to buy us toys, clothes, and sometimes a few items we usually hated. Sometimes they'd frequent some of the stores along Ventura Blvd. I seem to recall a toy store in Studio City, but I don't recall the name.
Most of the gifts we received were wonderful. Our family didn't have much money, so anything new was a real treat. Items that were shiny made our pupils pop.
My favorite Christmas gift was my first two-wheel bicycle, which I got when I was about eight. It was Kelly green, which was fitting since I'm Irish. Teresa's was the same color. Training wheels dangled from the sides of the bike until we were coordinated enough to finally get them removed.
I'm sure we pedaled all over town, down to places like Kit Kraft on Ventura Place, Thrifty's on the corner of Ventura and Laurel Canyon, and sometimes up to Carpenter. These Schwinn bikes were heavy and indestructible –perfect for wild kids like us.
I also loved my skateboard, which I rode religiously when we were around ten. Back and forth we'd go along our potted driveway, sometimes hitting a crack and being hurled into the bushes. That never mattered. We'd just dust ourselves off and continue.
One year, someone bought us a metal robot that lumbered across the living room. That was cool too, with Teresa and I emulating the robot when we'd be outside playing. No doubt, we were watching the Jetsons on TV during that time.
My least favorite gift was the Barbie Doll my mom got us when we were around eight. Why my mother thought we'd like this gift is beyond me. We soon turned Barbie into a grenade, hurling her head and limbs across the gully, and using her torso to dig up dirt clods in the back yard.
At least she didn't make the mistake of buying us an Easy-Bake Oven. We probably would have blown up the house.
What holiday gifts do you remember? Feel free to share your memories here on the Patch.


text:
The Plantain: Starchy, Sweet, Oily Goodness
Plantain can be starchy, sweet, oily and just plain ol' delicious!
Plantain can be starchy, sweet, oily and just plain ol' delicious!
Create delicious and healthy vegan lunches that your kids will enjoy eating.
Don't miss out on buying seasonal veggies for these great recipes.
Pizza can be just as delicious without using real cheese. Just substitute the cheese with soy cheese, add your favorite veggies, and voila!
The art of building a delicious burger is one that many think they understand but so few have truly mastered.
Find out creative ideas and ways to use your blender while you're on the road.
Guacamole is seemingly simple. Just mashed avocado and a few other ingredients, right?
Recipe for vegan French toast that's perfect for brunch.
This is made by layering mashed potatoes, gravy, veggie burger crumbles, and a vegetable of your choice in a sundae glass.
Check out these crazy beets from the dirty south, it's a must-try!


text:
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Wilderness advocates and snowmobile enthusiasts are
working together in Montana to find enough room in the landscape to
accommodate both their passions
As soon as the National Park Service announced its new
snowmobile rules – which slightly reduce the number of
vehicles allowed in Yellowstone and Grand Teton – lawsuits
began flying from both sides of the political divide
The West in your Inbox


text:
Bunny HoodComments165
3,904pages on
this wiki
this wiki
|v243Bunny Hood
|Vanity Item
|Body Slot
|Helmet Slot
|Tier 0 (White)
|Dropped By
|Corrupt Bunny
|Drop Rate
|1.33% or 1/75
|Sell Value
|This item cannot be crafted.
Utilizing the Bunny Statue and a 1 Second Timer you can build a simple multi-tier bunny trap for corrupting and killing the Bunnies safely.
- The name is possibly a reference to the bunny hood from The Legend of Zelda: Majoras Mask, (also in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time) though this is very uncertain.
- The design is somewhat similar to the mask Frank wears in the movie Donnie Darko or certain Splicers' Masks in the video game Bioshock.
- It is possible that the bunny hood attracts multiple bunnies to the person wearing it, however this is uncertain.
- This may also be an obscure reference to Monty Python and the Holy Grail, where in the Killer Bunny scene one of the knights says he's going to make a bunny suit out of the bunny. Again, a very obscure and unlikely reference, as this is only a hood, but still.
Update Info
- (Mobile only) Can be dropped by Lepus
- Added to the game.


text:
Want to shake up your workout routine and see major results? Who doesn't?!
Fitness expert Cathy Piatt is a big supporter of tabata training. It is an amped up form of interval training. She says it's perfect for the person who doesn't have a lot of time to spend in the gym.
A Tabata workout is an interval training cycle of 20 seconds of maximum intensity exercise, followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated without pause 8 times for a total of four minutes.Watch the video clip to see an example of a tabata and how you can easily incorporate it into your routine.


text:
Australian universities are characterized by the high quality of their instructional programs and their desire to prepare students for the professional challenges of the coming century. The Australian system of higher education is mostly public and highly accessible, and it is characterized by self-motivated, independent study. It recognizes excellence and often places emphasis on research that is linked to the country's development. Australia takes advantage of its unique geographical location by pursuing educational and professional ties with the nations of East Asia. As a result, Australian university campuses reflect these links in their diverse student populations.
In order to understand the Australian academic system, you must first take into account the size of its institutions. There are 37 Australian universities, with a total student population of 630,000. This number has climbed significantly since 1987, when there was a total student population of 385,000. All but two of these universities are publicly supported. Most Australian students attend large universities in their home states. The size of a typical urban Australian university is similar to that of many American state institutions. To qualify for university entrance, Australian high school students must take a tertiary entrance examination in twelfth grade. Application to university for Australian students is via a centralized state admissions center. Entrance exam scores are reviewed along with grades, and students are offered places in various departments on the basis of their achievement.
One higher education option in Australia is Training and Further Education (TAFE), which serves over a million students. These are the rough equivalent of community colleges found in the US. These institutions largely provide courses of up to two years in skills development. TAFE institutions grant certificates, associate diplomas and diplomas.
Most Australian universities offer three-year degree programs for arts, science and economics majors, with an optional fourth "honors" year. Engineering students can expect to spend four years at university, while future veterinarians and dentists complete five years of coursework. Medical degrees are five to six years in length. Grades tend to be based upon essays and final examinations rather than on the "continuous assessment" model which characterizes the American university system.
Graduate education in Australia consists of taught or research-based master's degrees of between one and two years' duration, and PhD programs which are thesis-based.
The Australian academic year reflects the order of the seasons in the southern hemisphere. The year begins in early autumn (February) and runs until the beginning of summer (in early December). There are two semesters; February to June, and July through November. For our purposes, the "spring" semester (which the Australians call Semester I) is February to June, and the "fall" semester (which is called Semester II) is July through November. Each semester usually includes a week or ten days' break at about its mid-point. Bond University, a private institution which operates three full semesters during the year, follows the North American university calendar, with semesters beginning in January, May and September.
In Australia, American students can expect to experience life in a culture that, although English-speaking, is vastly different from the one to which we are accustomed in this country. Australian universities offer you a truly international community with a range of subject areas to study. Students from throughout Asia and the Middle East are recruited to degree programs at many Australian institutions. International (non-Australian) students comprise a significant percentage of undergraduate enrollments in this country.
Arcadia program students frequently find themselves enrolled in second year courses. This does not mean that an American junior is being demoted to sophomore level; it means, rather, that the course which is appropriate for you is the one which is taught the year before graduation. In a three-year degree program, this means a second-year course. In the past, Arcadia program students have been successful in some third year courses, and many have been permitted to enroll in first year courses in which they've had no previous background.
Probably the key difference between higher education in Australia and that with which you are familiar in the United States comes in the approach which the host institution will have to you as a student. They will assume that you are a serious, independent learner. It is your responsibility as a student enrolled in a course or a cluster of courses at a given institution to take full advantage of everything available to you there. Nobody who teaches at the host institution will feel an obligation to reach out to you. You will find instructors who are glad to lecture, happy to discuss, pleased to read and to criticize what you have written and who are interested in responding to what you have to say. You will find those same instructors equally willing to leave you alone, to let you attend class or not, to permit you to choose to turn in assignments or not, to allow you to behave independently and set your own pace.
It would be highly unusual for lecturers to go out of their way to ensure that you are doing your work. Chances are that you will not be closely monitored, you will not have your hand held. If you don't ask, you will not be told how or when to do everything that you should be doing. The expectation is that you will behave as a mature learner who is able to decide for him/herself what you need to learn and how to go about learning it.
There are, however, expectations. You will be expected to turn in assigned papers and to register for and perform successfully on examinations. In order to do these things, you will need to have done a fair amount of reading on, thinking about and perhaps even discussing of the topics covered in the course. You will find academic work presented in a variety of ways: large lectures (you are probably familiar with these in the United States), smaller classes (these are usually conducted by the lecturer or by an assistant to the lecturer and frequently focus on topics that are dealt with in the lectures), seminars (here an instructor and six to ten students gather to discuss readings that might have been done or papers which might have been written by members of the seminar group), and tutorials (these can range in size from a student and an instructor together to a group of three or four students with an instructor presenting papers, discussing topics and reviewing thoughts that all of them have had about material they have studied).
Most courses rely heavily on your doing a good deal of reading during your non-scheduled time. The list of readings which is distributed by the instructor on (or near) the first day of class can be quite intimidating. Frequently, as many as 50 or 100 books and articles relevant to the topic of the course will appear on the reading list. The lecturer responsible for the course will expect you to "look into" several of these works. He or she will likely not tell you which ones. As the learner responsible for his/her own intellectual development, you will decide which materials to read. You will be encouraged to find themes among them that are of interest to you and to do more reading on those themes. You may then be asked to write a paper setting forth your analysis of one or more of these themes. When this happens, be sure to find out what's meant by the term "paper" and, if you can, ascertain the instructor's expectations concerning length, citation of sources, etc.
Almost invariably you will be expected to "sit" an examination at the end of each of your courses. In some courses, this examination may be the only evaluation of your work. It is thus possible, in a full-year course, to come to a three-hour time slot at the end of the year during which you must demonstrate, by answering a set of questions, that you have read widely, thought deeply and have learned something of significance during the preceding nine months. It is more likely that you will be examined in each course at the end of a semester (a twelve to fifteen week teaching period). Generally there will be fewer assessed papers and tests in Australian classes than you are used to. The emphasis is on producing comprehensive work that shows both the breadth of your reading and the originality of your approach to a subject. American students find it particularly challenging to be expected to summarize the work of an entire semester or year in a single three-hour examination period. Nearly every university provides special tutorial sessions on exam-taking for their own students, which you are encouraged to attend.
All (or some) of this may sound rather strange. It may even be intimidating. Don't let it put you off. Yes, it will be different overseas. But you wouldn't want it to be exactly like home, would you? It's a challenge. It can even be fun. It's an opportunity to show what you can do pretty much on your own. You have already demonstrated an ability to handle the academic work – if you couldn't, you wouldn't have been accepted. Now what you will need to discover is how to continue being a successful student in quite different surroundings.
The role of the Arcadia University College of Global Studies will be to help and support you throughout the academic process. At the beginning of your overseas experience our staff will help to orient and advise you. We will identify and put you in touch with those individuals on your host campus who will be responsible for helping you to register in the classes you elect to take. We will provide you with guidance concerning the academic calendar and credits, insisting that you register for a full academic load and that you do not overload or underload without special permission. (Such permission must come not only from the host institution but also from your home institution and from the Arcadia University College of Global Studies.)
We will facilitate communication between you and your home school in an attempt to resolve any course or credit conflicts that may arise during the registration process. Arcadia staff members will visit you on campus from time to time not only to check on your academic enrollment but to ask how you're doing in general. If there are difficulties, we encourage you to reach out to us, bring them to our attention and let us help you resolve them.
We acknowledge responsibility to several parties in the study abroad process. We have a responsibility to you, our student, to be certain that you are given the educational opportunity which you expect to find overseas and to provide you with the opportunity to succeed academically. We have an obligation to your family to do everything within reason to assure your safety and well-being. We have an obligation to your home school to receive your grades from the host institution and to report them honestly along with an indication of how we believe credits and grades should be assigned for the work you undertake overseas.
We must also notify your home school of situations of which we become aware which may affect the credit that you will be likely to transfer back from a study abroad experience. That way, we try to avoid surprises at the end of a program. Finally, we have an obligation to get out of your way and give you an opportunity to gain everything possible from your study abroad experience. At orientation, you will be required to sign a Arcadia University academic contract stating your responsibilities as a Arcadia program student. Click here to see a copy of the contract. Arcadia University and its overseas staff serve as a safety net, a point of contact. We will provide a good deal of advice and guidance. We are there for you to call on when you need us. It is you, however, having the experience. We hope it will be all you expect.
Note: You are strongly encouraged to retain all course syllabi and coursework until you receive your final transcript from Arcadia University. Course assessment methods can vary from course to course. Tutorial participation often factors into assessment.


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Decrease taxes
This is for the comprehensive land-use board: We need to make our green-space line out of Bear Swamp going east out of the city, as we need to develop the commercial land by Wiebel Avenue and Gilbert Road to keep the taxes low.
Cars and bars
Saratoga Springs' new slogan should be: "Got cars? Got bars."
Buy the beach
If GlobalFoundries wants to be part of our community, why don't they buy Brown's Beach on the south end of Saratoga Lake and restore it to its original use as a public beach and recreation area? Everyone would benefit.
Music teachers had a full plate
If you're wondering why there was no marching band at the Flag Day parade, maybe it's because all the music teachers from Saratoga Springs High School were at Niskayuna High School during the NYSSMA Solo Festival from after school Friday until 10 p.m., and from 9 a.m. Saturday until 10:30 p.m. That's probably why. They might want a Sunday off now and then.
Ask around
Maybe the Round Lake Library manager should get in touch with an Oklahoma library to ask what it does when there's a tornado alert there.
Sound off is an opportunity for readers to voice opinions anonymously. Callers have 30 seconds to sound off. Call 583-8713.


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Fall Review: 2012 Volleyball Team
November 13, 2012
Winston-Salem, NC-The 2012 edition of the Salem College volleyball team had a season of many firsts. The team went to the NCAA Tournament and won the Great South Athletic Conference Tournament for the 1st time in school history. They also reached the .500 mark for winning percentage for the first time both overall (14-14) and in the conference (5-5).
The Spirits had 4 players on the Great South All-Conference team, 1 player on the GSAC All-Freshmen team, and 2 players on the GSAC All-Academic Team. Roslyn Nixon (Wilson, NC), Michelle Morgan (Chattanooga, TN), Brittany Miller (Hays, NC) and Zy Henderson (Spartanburg, SC) were all on the all-conference team, and Kelsey Defosse (Wichita Falls, TX) made the all-freshmen team.
The Spirits defeated Agnes Scott 3-2 in the conference semifinals after coming back from a 2-0 deficit. The Spirits easily defeated Huntingdon 3-1 in the championships, after losing to them twice in the regular season. Chelsea Jones (Glade Valley, NC) became the first Salem College athlete to win a GSAC Tournament Most Valuable Player award.
Salem played against Emory University, who at the time was ranked 4th in the nation, in the 1st round of the NCAA Tournament. The Spirits fell to Emory 3-0 at Christopher Newport University.
Salem loses 2 seniors that will graduate. Both Miller and Katie O'Leary were 4-year players for Salem.
Nixon led the team with 2.55 kills per set this season. Jones led the team with 7.32 sets assists per set. Henderson had 2.71 digs per set and Miller added 2.48 digs per set.


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By ROGER SCHNEIDER
Members of the public will get a chance to contribute their ideas and voice their concerns about a proposed rerouting of U.S. 33 through Goshen.
City engineer Mary Cripe made the announcement about the meeting at Mondays' Goshen Board of Public Works meeting. Cripe said the U.S. 33 meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Rieth Interpretive Center along Plymouth Avenue
Cripe recently announced the Indiana Department of Transportation is considering a north connector route, which would be a two-lane road from Madison (U.S. 33) and Monroe streets to Fifth and Pike streets. Property acquisition could begin as early as late this year or in early 2014.
Another highway issue was addressed by the board Monday.
The board decided to adopt a policy that will limit memorials to people who have been killed or who died. Such memorials in public right of ways that are owned by the city will be limited to 90 days or less. The rule also applies to city-owned trails.
Mayor Allan Kauffman, who is a member of the BPWS, said the city was approached by a city neighborhood association, which wanted the time limit imposed.
In other business the board:
• Gave Greg Faubion permission to run water and sewer lines from existing lines on his property at 713 E. Lincoln Ave. Faubion intends to construct an indoor shooting range on the property that was formerly used for his plumbing business.
• Approved road and alley closures for First Fridays events in downtown Goshen as well as the traditional parade route for the 4-H Fair in July.
• Agreed to keep interest rates for loans to property owners the same. Loans are available for 3 percent, with a 12 percent default rate for those wanting to repair or install sidewalks.
• Entered into a contract with Government Fixed Asset Services Inc. for no more than $5,000 to help city officials report the city government's assets to government agencies.
• Will send its annual payment of $2,000 to the St. Joseph River Basin Commission. The funds will come from the utility departmet.


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Expired Property Listing
This property is disabled.
Silver Shells St. Maarten 808 in Destin
- bedrooms 3
- baths 3
- sleeps 8
- pool yes
- hot tub yes
- pets allowed no
- type Condo
- community
rates (USD)
/ night
$ 1,595 - $ 3,195 / week
$ 1,800 - $ 5,000 / month
vacation rental description
HERE'S THE SCOOP ON YOUR CONDO When you walk in you'll see plenty of room to park your clubs, flip-flops and beach toys. And, the décor says I'm at the beach, but it's a really nice beach. And, it's just the right backdrop for the breathtaking views of the Gulf you'll see through the sliding glass doors that open to an expansive balcony. The afternoon sun and breathtaking sunsets are the perfect end to an exciting day - - - or the beginning of an enchanting evening. Every room in this resort condominium has special touches that will make you say WOW! One special feature is that most of the bedrooms have balcony access to enjoy the sea breezes that make Destin special. The LIVING ROOM features a comfortable sofa that opens into a queen sleeper. The entertainment armorer contains an oversize television, 32" I think, that is equipped with a cable television package that allows you to access a dozens of channels, as well as a DVD and that allows you to play your favorite movies. Or if you like, surf the web on the high speed Internet that's available. If you want to truly enjoy the beach experience wonder out to the balcony through your floor to ceiling sliding doors enjoy the sugar white sand beaches and emerald green Gulf waters. Man, this is the life. The MASTER BEDROOM features luxurious king sized bed and private bath. With a jetted tub. What a way to end a day on the beach. Nice hot bath, water swirling. The Ritz. And the bedroom is beautifully decorated for your
condo rental amenities
If you haven't been to SILVER SHELLS then you haven't been to Destin. This is the nicest, most UPSCALE Condominium Rental Resort in Destin PERIOD! Come see for yourself! You'll never go anywhere else in Destin once you have stayed with us! Silver Shells has more to do than you can get around to in a week. In the Club at Silver Shells there is a fitness center, heated indoor pool, and sauna! There is a 7500 square foot lagoon pool, large kiddie pool, hot tubs, water sport rentals and organized beach activities for the kids. There is basketball, tennis, billiards and an arcade. You can even rent your own private poolside cabana fully equipped with refrigerator, A/C, TV without having to go back to the condo! Relax on the most beautiful sugar white beach in the world with beach service and a tiki hut that serves lunch and drinks by the beach. Hey, Mom! The Spa at Silver Shells is an escape for the senses and promotes the health and well being of the body, mind, and soul. This Destin spa specializes in Swedish and European techniques that focus on muscle relaxation and body/skin rejuvenation. Facials, Skin Care, Massage, Body Treatments, Nail Care, and Waxing are all done in a relaxed and peaceful environment. And as Heather Locklear says, "you're worth it." Silver Shells Beach Resort and Spa offers all of the stuff you'd expect to find at a first class resort, because it is a first class resort. Check this out:
- 24/7 Security and Gated Entrance
- Direct Beach Frontage
- Full service Spa
- Cardio Center
- Weight Room
- Indoor / Outdoor Pool
- Ruth Chris Steak House
- Sand Bar Beach Services and Snacks
- 7,500 Sq. Ft. Waterfall Pool
- Kiddie Pool
- Poolside Air Conditioned Cabanas
- Tennis Courts
- Basketball Court
activities and attractions in Destin Gulf Coast North
There is also a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse on the property! And, there's tons of other fabulous restaurants within walking distance. When you're beached out, you're only minutes from shopping at Destin's Outlet Mall, Destin Commons Mall or scads of quaint little boutiques. There are beautiful golf courses nearby, amusement parks and "The Big Kahuna" water park just down the street. Wind surfing, Jet skiis and other beach activities are available during season right on our beach!
vacation rental rates
Starts Daily Weekly
4/8/2012 $279.00 $ 1,595.00
5/19/2012 $409.00 $ 2,395.00
6/16/2012 $549.00 $ 3,195.00
7/28/2012 $409.00 $ 2,395.00
8/12/2012 $349.00 $ 1,995.00
9/5/2012 $259.00 $ 1,595.00


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Missouri nearly failed to get a timeout in at the end of the first half. It would have cost the Tigers three points.
An effective drive got Missouri into field goal range, but the Tigers stalled just before the Oklahoma red zone, then called a run to get a better shot for Grant Ressel. That was almost a big mistake: Missouri only got its final timeout called with one second remaining.
Ressel drilled the 31-yarder after that, but the Tigers are living on the razor's edge against Oklahoma, and should the Sooners clean up their turnover issues and convert all of their red zone trips to points, the Tigers might have trouble keeping up.
And they may be losing the lead shortly, in any case: Oklahoma will receive the ball to begin the second half.


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I just want to share some business ideas. We a Software house based in Singapore recently switched some of our work force to work on Mobile computing while choosing Symbian OS and development tools like CodeWarrier development studio etc we are developing application for Sony-Ericsson and Nokia (Series 60). We have started on two applications (one is Calendar where we are enhancing P-800 current calendar with some remaindering, SMS, Recurring events, event reports and lot more features) and second is personal money management to keep track personal finances as well as daily expenses and alert reports etc.
I just want you guys fare opinion on our current direction or do we need to follow or switch another business line while working on Symbian development environment.
Best Regards,
Sohail Hanif
The Petrosin Corporation Pte Ltd (IT Div.)


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HCN is nominated for an Utne Independent Media award; some of the magazine's contributors are nominated for other honors; corrections
Editor Michelle Nijhuis wins an award; three brave Westerners pass away.
HCN welcomes Andy Cullen, our new associate designer; more late-summer visitors come to Paonia.
As humans rely on our ingenuity to cope with climate change, wild plants and animals take refuge in the mountains' microclimates.
An undergrown Australian shepherd mix named Pika offers
advice on living in the moment despite frightening and challenging
Wolves may be returning to Colorado on their own 70 years after their deliberate extirpation from the state.
This essays and book reviews in this special issue of High Country News revolve around the question: What does it mean to be at home in the West?
An exhausted young mother, her lively new baby, and a compassionate drunkard have a brief but lovely encounter on the plaza in Taos, N.M.
High Country News skips an issue; Western water books; kudos for HCN's writers; clarification and correction.
A panel of experts will debate whether gas development and
recreation can coexist in western Colorado; Michelle Nijhuis wins
awards; visitors; poem by Cam Scott.
The West in your Inbox


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Montez Caples, the Waterloo man who was convicted of the murder of Robert Shannon of Parkersburg, has been sentenced to life in prison.
Caples was convicted of shooting Shannon in the back of the head while they were in a car parked on a Waterloo street.
Shannon's body was found several hours later when neighbors told police the car had been idling for a while.
In a Black Hawk County courtroom Friday morning, a judge sentenced Caples to life in prison without parole.
Family members of Caples and Shannon were in court. Shannon's family gave an impact statement.
Caples spoke as well, reciting scriptures from the Bible.
"I don't understand why he took my son's life," said Salli Jo Shannon, Robert Shannon's mother. "I don't understand what Bobby did to him to take his life, but I don't hate him. Angry, but don't hate him."