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Allegro [14'36]
Andante [7'26]
Rondo: Allegro [7'28]
Allegro [14'41]
Larghetto [9'30]
Allegretto [9'03]
Mozart at his most fetching! Neither Beethoven in his maturity nor Haydn wrote for the piano quartet—piano with string trio—yet this oddly neglected instrumental combination inspired Mozart to pen these mature works that were to be the first masterpieces of the genre. Mozart delights in having richer textures than in the more common piano trio and the wider variety of sonorities than in the string quartet. Indeed, so much did he enjoy himself in the composition that he lost the commission to write the last two of the three works here after the publisher Hoffmeister found the first too intricate and difficult for the amateur market! (Hoffmeister did at least let the composer keep the advance he had received!) But his enthusiasm pushed him to write them anyway and what has come down to us makes a wonderful compendium of Mozart's genius, his resourceful technical felicity as well as that deft kaleidoscope of emotional narrative.
Following the Leopold Trio's acclaimed renderings of the great String Divertimento (CDA67246), this release will for many be a revelation and for all of us a source of deep gratification. Paul Lewis, a pupil of Alfred Brendel and here making his Hyperion debut, is by training and temperament steeped in the Viennese classics, bringing to these special works both the authority and youthfulness they merit.
Other recommended albums
The Emperor Joseph IIs famous comment on Mozarts first Viennese opera Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Too many notes, my dear Mozart, and too beautiful for our ears) is probably apocryphal. But the alleged royal critique does point to a recurrent problem in Mozarts music for eighteenth-century listeners. The richness, intricacy and emotional ambivalence, especially in the works from the mid-1780s onwards, that so delight us today were often simply bewildering to his contemporaries. Reviewing the six string quartets dedicated to Haydn, the writer in Cramers Magazin der Musik 9 complained that they were too highly seasonedand whose palette can endure that for long?. The composer Karl von Dittersdorf likewise criticised the overwhelming and unrelenting artfulness of the Haydn quartets and accused Mozart of being too prodigal with his ideas. But it was not only the quartets that caused consternation. Don Giovanni, for instance, was a triumph in Prague (where Mozart rightly claimed he was understood more than anywhere else) but only a mixed success in Vienna. Joseph II, more reliably documented this time, pronounced that Mozards (sic) music is certainly too difficult to be sung. And though he was later to be proved spectacularly wrong, one German critic summed up the reactions of many in the late 1780s when he wrote: The beauty, greatness and nobility of the music for Don Juan will never appeal anywhere to more than a handful of the elect. It is not music to everyones taste, merely tickling the ear and letting the heart starve.
If Don Giovanni was too difficult to be sung, the G minor Piano Quartet K478, completed on 16 October 1785, was apparently too difficult to be played. According to the biography of Mozart by Georg Nissen (second husband of Constanze Mozart), the work was to be the first of three piano quartets commissioned by the composer and publisher Franz Anton Hoffmeister. But, not surprisingly given its scale and technical and expressive complexity, the quartet proved unpopular with the amateur market; and, in Nissens words, Hoffmeister made Mozart a present of the advance payment he had already received, on condition that he should not write the other two quartets contracted for.
Mozart, though, evidently relished the challenge of what was then a novel medium, without significant precedents (though by a strange coincidence the fourteen-year-old Beethoven had composed three piano quartets earlier that same year, 1785). And during the first run of Figaro in May 1786 he composed a second piano quartet, in E flat, completed on 3 June and published the following year by the firm of Artaria. Like many of Mozarts initially difficult works, both quartets overcame early resistance and made their way in France, England and Germany. And on 30 November 1791, five days before Mozarts death, the critic of the Musikalische Korrespondenz der Teutschen Filarmonischen Gesellschaft noted that the E flat Quartet was written with that fire of the imagination and that correctness which has won for Herr M. the reputation of one of the best composers in Germany.
In the G minor Piano Quartet eighteenth-century players and listeners had to contend not only with an unfamiliar and technically demanding medium (both string and keyboard parts would have been beyond most amateurs), but also with one of Mozarts most complex and passionate first movements, permeated by its implacable unison opening gesture. Though Mozart sometimes treats the keyboard part in the virtuoso style of his great Viennese piano concertos, the dialogues and contrapuntal interplay between keyboard and stringsabove all in the strenuous developmentare in the spirit of true chamber music. After the first movements turbulent coda, the B flat Andante, with its sensuous chromaticism and delicately ornate passagework (shared between all four instruments), brings necessary balm. Unusually for a Mozart work in the minor key, the finale sets out immediately in a blithe, unclouded G major. Formally this is an expansive sonata rondo (a design found in many of Mozarts Viennese piano concertos) with one hummable tune after another, a couple of which could have come straight from the mouth of Papageno. But there is drama here as well as hedonistic delight. And the central development recalls the spirit of the first movement, firstly in exchanges between imperious piano and beseeching strings, and then in a passage of stormy dialogue based on a fragment of the main theme.
Typically of Mozart in E flat, the Quartet K493 is a far more mellow and genial work with, in the first movement, something of the relaxed grandeur of the recently composed E flat Piano Concerto, K482. As in the concerto, the first movement has an almost reckless profusion of lyrical themes, which expand and proliferate at leisure. Most pervasive and influential is the theme that establishes the dominant key, B flat, initiated by the piano and immediately echoed by the violin. This idea fertilises the whole of the widely modulating development (moving from B flat minor and D flat major as far afield as D minor), where strings engage in close imitative dialogue against a background of rapid keyboard scales and arpeggiosa common texture in Mozarts piano concertos. When this theme reappears in the recapitulation on violin and viola, with the cello following in imitation, it again starts in B flatall wrong for this point in the movementbefore the piano smoothly restores the home key of E flat. This wrong key entry in the recapitulation demands a resolution in the coda, where the strings reiterate the theme in three-part canon with the simplest tonic and dominant harmony.
The A flat Larghetto, in full sonata form, shares the warmth and chromatic richness of the G minor Quartets Andante. But it is a more intense, less decorative, movement, with an impassioned development that begins with a dramatic re-interpretation of the opening phrasea moment echoed, with another new twist, at the start of the coda. Mozarts sketches reveal that he discarded two drafts of the finales gavotte-like theme before arriving at a version that satisfied him. Again there is an abundance of graceful and piquant melody, though the movements chief protagonist is an idea that at first seems to be merely transitional: a brusque unison for the three strings answered by a pleading syncopated phrase on the piano. This idea is rarely absent for long, chromatically expanded just before the initial return of the main theme and, in an echo of the first movement, sounded in close canonic imitation in the coda.
Richard Wigmore © 2003


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Congresswoman Barbara Lee has joined with New Bridge Foundation to encourage family members of substance abusers to encourage their loved ones to seek drug treatment.
The slogan of the campaign is: "Save a life; Save a family; Save our community," in recognition of the well-known relationship between drug abuse and personal and family dysfunction, as well as community breakdown.
"There's a crisis going on," Lee said. "Children are dying in the streets because of the drug situation. We've had several toddlers shot and killed in the East Bay in the past few months."
Lee applauded New Bridge's efforts to be a part of the solution. The foundation, established in 1968, serves over 2,000 individuals annually in both residential and outpatient programs, offering adult detox, outpatient and residential services.
The program also serves students at secondary campuses in the East Bay.
New Bridge has services for homeless and disenfranchised individuals from Berkeley, Oakland and all of Alameda County. The program also serves clients who work for major public and private sector employers, unions and branches of the U.S. military.
Special training sessions are being scheduled to help professionals and others learn how to encourage drug abusers to commit to going into treatment. A free training session will take place 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 18, at Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8500 International Blvd., in Oakland. For information call: (510) 526-6200.
Lee Supports Anti-Drug Campaign
Congresswoman Barbara Lee has joined with New Bridge Foundation to encourage family members of substance abusers to encourage their loved ones to seek drug treatment.
Filed under: Articles

subset: commoncrawl


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Artisan Jewelers
Artisan Jewelers can repair just about any jewelry item, from sizing a ring to replacing a lost diamond or gemstone, restringing your favorite strand of pearls, or even restoring a piece to a completely new condition. Our on-premises, completely equipped studio facility includes a laser welding machine for the safest, most accurate repairs possible. We also provide insurance replacements for lost, stolen, or damaged jewelry.
Minor work such as replacing watch batteries and adding or removing links from a watch band are usually handled while you wait. Watch straps can generally be replaced in a day or two from an extensive selection. More demanding watch repairs on both quartz and mechanical models are done by skilled technicians. All repair costs are quoted before any work is done.
Written jewelry appraisals are available for insurance or estate purposes.
Contact Artisan Jewelers today at 337-988-8380 for jewelry or watch repair, or browse the website for more information about jewelry and watches or about us.


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All News & Blogs
E-mail Alerts
Prosecutor withdraws charges against nine people swept up in Caroline County drug probe
Nine people charged after a drug raid in Caroline County last summer had their charges dropped this month.
The charges were nolle prossed, or withdrawn, over the last three weeks against the following people:
Edward Eugene Cox Jr.; Teresa Newton; Mary Ridley Pike; David "Davie" Jones Jr.; Lynn Denise Rowan; Richard Shane Riggleman; Ross Julian Pollitt; Jeannie Ann Proctor and Jacqueline A. Mitchell.
Riggleman had two charges dropped but has one pending. An April hearing is set.
Two others, Heather Jean Larossa and Jason Michael Bisser, are still awaiting their court appearances.
All the defendants were among the people charged in an investigation of the illegal sale of prescription pills and marijuana in the Four Winds resort community in the Rappahannock Academy area of Caroline last July.
Cox, 48, said yesterday that the charges were based on false information from two confidential informants.
"We all want our names cleared because we have families and careers and some of us never even had a criminal record," he said. "My life was put on hold over this crazy incident and massive money had to be put out. I get a headache just thinking about it."
Commonwealth's Attorney Tony Spencer said the issues raised in the Four Winds cases are still under investigation.
When the Caroline Sheriff's Office announced the arrests in late July, 32 people faced 94 charges from Operation Impact.
"I can assure the people of Caroline County that the Sheriff's and Commonwealth's Attorney's Offices take every case very seriously and that we do our homework before indicting anyone," Spencer said. "We are very careful in our charging decisions."
He said he could not comment any further.
Charges against William Paschall of Fredericksburg were dismissed in December in a separate Caroline drug case in that area.
Portsia Smith: 540/374-5419
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Zachary Adams, center, is led into a courtroom in the Decatur Country Courthouse on Tuesday in Decaturville, Tenn. Adams, accused of abducting and killing nursing student Holly Bobo, was arraigned on charges of kidnapping and murder. He pleaded innocent. Bobo disappeared April 13, 2011, outside her home near Parsons, Tenn.
Photo by Associated Press /Chattanooga Times Free Press .
published Tuesday, March 11th, 2014
Stories this photo appears in:
DECATURVILLE, Tenn. — A grand jury indicted a second person Tuesday on murder and kidnapping charges in the disappearance of 20-year-old nursing student Holly Bobo three years ago.


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Friday, 08 November 2013 00:00
The crisp, clear morning of Oct. 27 saw Mary Jane Davies Green transformed into a sea of pink as the Manhasset Women's Coalition Against Breast Cancer's (MWCABC) held its annual 5K Family Walk/Run. Over 1,100 walkers and runners registered for the event and helped support MWCABC in its mission to further research and education about breast cancer and provide outreach for women and their families as they battle the disease.
Co-Chairs Karen Barnes and Lisa Healy want to thank all who helped make the event a success, especially their committee members Elizabeth Blaney, Becky Donahue, Missy Leder, Christine O'Connor, Penni Sodi and Karen Solon.
The 2013 overall male and female winners were: Samuel Fox, 29, Merrick-17:25.5; Steven Steiner, 37, Great Neck-18:14.7; Michael Mariotti, 40, Mineola-18:34.4; Serafin Caamano, 49, Manhasset-19:00.6. Top female runners were Diana Schmidt, 33,Bayside-21:58.5; Katie Belluci, 12, Plandome-22:50.3; Kathryn Hallett, 16, Plandome-22.58.9; Catherine Matteo, 15, Manhasset-23:48.5.
Complete race results are available at start2finish.com.


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Exposing young learners to basic math concepts helps lay the groundwork for a future understanding of mathematics. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics affirms that a high-quality, challenging, and accessible mathematics education provides early childhood learners with a vital foundation for the future.
While activities vary widely from preschool to preschool, it's commonly accepted that young learners must have a good grasp of some basic foundational skills that lay the groundwork for number sense and success in grade school.


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Posts Tagged 'naming your bird dog'
Naming Your New Bird Dog Puppy
Thursday, May 9th, 2013
Earlier this week, Anthony Hauck, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever's Online Editor, asked me to write a blog about my favorite bird dog names. Actually, what he said was, "you've sort of cornered the blog market on posts about names . . .
- Please Don't Name Your Bird Dog That
- Please Don't Name Your Bird Dog That Either
- Naming my Second Bird Dog, Part 1 of 2
- Naming my Second Bird Dog, Part 2 of 2
- What's the Nickname of your Favorite Pheasant Hunting Honey Hole?
Soooo, why don't you write a blog about some of your favorite bird dog names?"
Admittedly, I am a name snob. A dog name snob in particular. Ironic coming from a guy named "Bob," I know. I get it. We all have our "issues."
Well Anthony, challenge accepted. To start, here are a few of my five categories for coining a good bird dog name.
1) Be Original. I've said it before and I'll continue to beat this theme until I never meet another dog named "Remy." Ever hunted in a group with three dogs all named "Remy?" Think how confusing that is for you, let alone all three of those pups! IMMEDIATELY rule out names referencing your favorite shotgun (Remy, Reta, Benelli, etc.). Also eliminate "Drake" and "Hunter." A bird dog is a unique opportunity to be creative, personal and original. Embrace the opportunity.
2) Names Tell Stories. I believe you should have to tell a story to explain your pup's name to someone. The conversation ends when your pup is named "Phil."
3) Pay Homage. A dog's name is a terrific way to honor someone or something special in your life. However, let it be known naming your Brittany "Spears" is a jailable offense for man, woman or child.
4) Sense of Place. I really like dog names that reference a special place in a person's life.
5) Fit the Breed. When possible, it's cool to match the pup's name to the breed or your heritage with the dog's name. There are lots of fun ways to connect a dog's German, English, French, Spanish or Irish heritage through their name.
With those five bits of advice in mind, here are five dog names that stick out as favorites of the hundreds of pups I've encountered during the decade I've served with Pheasants Forever.
1) Sprig (Original). Anthony earns honors for coming up with a name for his Cocker as he references his favorite duck, the pintail.
2) Bleu (Stories). Truth be told, I didn't fall too far from the "weird tree." My dad named his Brittany pup using one of the weirdest decision trees ever conceived. At the time he received his new Brittany pup (it was a gift from me & my brother), my dad was addicted to blue PowerAde. He also happens to love bleu cheese. Consequently, it made sense in his mind to name his brand new pup "Bleu Skye St.Pierre" or "Bleu" for short. It's odd . . . but, it's original. I like original.
3) Kirby (Homage). It's not a secret I like baseball. My first bird dog is named in honor of my childhood hero, Detroit Tigers great Alan Trammell. Similarly, my co-worker Bill Fisher named his pup "Kirby" in honor of the Minnesota Twins great, Kirby Puckett. However, the best story of this name came from another Twins great, Kent Hrbek. Kent was fond of saying Minnesotans named their dogs "Kirby," but they named their cows "Herby."
4) Como (Sense of Place). Wayne Carlson, a friend of mine who is also a Ramsey County Pheasants Forever Chapter officer, named his spectacular Brittany after the St. Paul neighborhood where he and his wife, Emily, reside. I love bird dog names referencing places people cherish. Dakota, Kota, Montana, and Aspen are other good place-based names that come to mind.
5) Valborg (Ethnicity). Bob Larson, Pheasants Forever's Chairman of the Board, has deep Scandinavian roots. So deep that he named his bird hunting poodle "Valborg" to honor his heritage.
What method did you employ to generate an original name for your bird dog pup?
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever's Vice President of Marketing. Follow Bob on Twitter @BobStPierre and listen to Bob and Billy Hildebrand every Saturday morning on FAN Outdoors radio on KFAN FM100.3.
Naming my Second Bird Dog, Part 2 of 2
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012
As I reported in the first installment of this blog, my wife and I will pick up our second bird dog this weekend. The pup will be a 10-week old female German shorthaired pointer from the same bloodlines as my five-year old GSP, "Trammell." Trammell is named in honor of my childhood hero, Alan Trammell, who played baseball for the Detroit Tigers during my formative years growing up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Truth be told, my wife used her veto power to overrule my favored name for this new pup. Had I the sole vote in the matter, the new GSP would be named "Fidryich." You see, Fidrych references Mark "The Bird" Fidrych, the deceased Detroit Tigers pitcher, 1976 American League Rookie of the Year, Yankee killer, and pop culture transcending character. "The Bird" was known for his quirky personality, which included grooming the mound and talking to the baseball between pitches. To me, Fidrych's nickname – The Bird – made it a perfect fit for a bird dog's name.
My wife's veto was used because of the tragic nature of "The Bird's" life and untimely death. You see, Fidrych flamed out after a torn rotator cuff injury ended his career after only a few shortened seasons. Then in 2009, Fidrych died while working underneath his 10-wheeled dump truck. In the best interest of a happy marriage, her veto ultimately ended this name's contention. And in all honesty, I can see her point. It's probably bad karma for the new pup to name her after such a tragic character.
So, back to the drawing board I went. Finalists included:
- Whitaker (call name Whit) – referencing Trammell's double play partner with the Detroit Tigers, Lou Whitaker.
- Yooper (pronounced You Pur) – I grew up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and some would say I've never left either. Ultimately, this name didn't make the cut because it also happens to be my nickname with some circles of friends.
- Bine (pronounced BeNay) – The Ojibwa word for ruffed grouse was a contender for a moment, but ultimately it seems odd for a Pheasants Forever guy to have a dog name referencing a bird other than a pheasant.
So ultimately, I circled back to a name I'd penciled in years ago for bird dog number two:
Yzerman (pronounced I zer man / Call Name Izzy)
Steve Yzerman is my generation's Gordie Howe. The retired center and captain of the Detroit Red Wings, Yzerman was to hockey fans from Michigan what Alan Trammell was to Tigers fans during my childhood years of the '80s. Ultimately, the call name of Izzy will be an easy two syllable pronunciation in the field, I've never encountered another hunting dog with the name and it personalizes the pup to me while adding on to the story of my Michigan upbringing with Trammell as my bird dog tag team.
Did we make the same choice you would have made in selecting our second bird dog's name?
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever's Vice President of Marketing. Follow Bob on Twitter @BobStPierre.
Naming my Second Bird Dog, Part 1 of 2
Monday, May 14th, 2012
Bird dog names are a big deal to me. Admittedly, they're probably too big of a deal. However, as I've written about in previous posts about dog names, a bird dog's name says a lot about the owner as well as what you hope the bird dog will become. In naming a bird dog, there are two qualities I hold as important guidelines: creativity and personalization.
Although you may not realize it at first blush, a creatively named dog is an advantage in the field. I've often been in hunting groups with multiple dogs named the exact same way. Not only are the owner's commands confusing for the dogs, they're confusing for the other hunters too. Under this guideline, I personally throw out the nation's most popular dog names as well as a few names commonly popular to other bird hunters. The names "Drake" and "Hunter" fall in this second category, as does any name referencing your favorite brand of shotgun.
If you're struggling to find a creative name, consider a different language to fit the breed of dog you're getting. There are lots of fun ways to connect a dog's German, French, Spanish, English or Irish heritage through their name.
For me, a bird dog's name should tell a story about the owner. Read some of the comments at the bottom of my Please Don't Name Your Bird Dog That post and you'll find fantastic examples of dog names in honor of people's heroes, favorite book characters and idolized musicians, as well as fun stories of the circumstances surrounding the dog's personality.
Admittedly odd for some to understand, I named my now five-year old female shorthair "Trammell," in honor of a male Detroit Tigers baseball player, Alan Trammell, who retired two decades ago. However, naming my pup "Trammell" immediately personalized that pup to me. Her name has also always served as a conversation starter about my love of baseball and my roots as a grouse hunter from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Later this month, my wife and I will be adding our second bird dog to the family. The new pup comes from the same Top Gun Kennel bloodlines as Trammell. In the sequel to this post, I'll finally spill the beans on our new pup's name. Got any guesses?
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever's Vice President of Marketing. Follow Bob on Twitter @BobStPierre.
Please Don't Name Your Bird Dog "Bob"
Friday, November 18th, 2011
I am an admitted bird dog name snob. I realize that and also admit to having named my bird dog after a has-been baseball player from two decades ago – Trammell. All that said; I encountered a new dynamic with a bird dog on this year's Rooster Road Trip in South Dakota.
Have you ever been in a field with two hunters named Mike? Sure, it's a little confusing, but at least both Mikes can speak for themselves. However, I bet you haven't been hunting a field with a bird dog that responds to the same name to which you respond, have you? Humorously, that's exactly what happened with Matt Morlock's English setter, Bob, and I yesterday.
Matt and I are friends, but rarely have an opportunity to hunt together. Consequently, we walked the fields next to each other for an opportunity to chat. The name confusion arose in the middle of a cattail stand that towered over both our heads. A rooster flushed in front of Matt and he made a nice swinging shot to drop the bird in the middle of the cattails. That's when the instructions for "Bob" to do this and do that began. Add a howling wind to the tall cattails and you can imagine my confusion about what I was supposed to be doing and what "Bob" the dog was being ordered to do. It made for a fantastic rendition of "Who's on First."
Follow Pheasants Forever's Rooster Road Trip 2011 at www.RoosterRoadTrip.org, on Facebook , YouTube, and Twitter (#rrt11).
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever's Vice President of Marketing. Follow Bob on Twitter @BobStPierre.
Please Don't Name Your Bird Dog That Either
Thursday, January 6th, 2011
My Facebook news feed has been busy with pictures of new puppies delivered over Christmas. They are all adorable and have me envious. I've never seen an ugly bird dog puppy. There are bird dogs I like the look of better than others when they are fully grown, but I challenge anyone to send me a photo of one ugly as a puppy. Let me reiterate; BIRD DOG PUP. There is such a thing as an ugly puppy and it is called a pug. Go ahead, Google "Pug Puppy Pictures." What you'll find is proof of aliens visiting earth.
Anyway, it got me thinking about dog names again. Last year, I offered the blog post "Please Don't Name Your Bird Dog That" about names inappropriate for the self-respecting bird hunter. This year, I implore all the new bird dog puppy owners to employ a little creativity in their name selection process. And, it just so happens VPI Pet Insurance issued a press release on January 3rd ranking the most popular dog names during 2010. In other words, here is your definitive list of top 10 names to avoid in 2011.
1. Bella (holds the top spot for the second consecutive year)
2. Bailey
3. Max
4. Lucy
5. Molly
6. Buddy
7. Maggie
8. Daisy
9. Charlie
10. Sophie
There is no doubt thousands of bird dogs with these names will develop into some of the best hunting machines on the planet. I simply prefer a name that stands out equal to a pup's talents.
Got a creative bird dog name? Drop it in the comments below.
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever's Vice President of Marketing.
Please Don't Name Your Bird Dog That
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010
Got a new bird dog puppy at home? Having trouble picking out that perfect name? The name you choose says as much about the bird hunter as it does about the bird dog. Choose wisely and you'll be the envy of your hunting party. Choose poorly . . . well, your hunting buddies won't likely let you up for air.
I know that ragging on a hunter's bird dog can lead to a fist fight. If your dog is named one of the following below, then let me please apologize right now-
A) Yes, the performance of a dog is more important than its name.
B) Yes, you are probably more secure in your masculinity than I am and can indeed hold your head high as you call "Muffin" back to you with a rooster in her mouth.
C) Yes, having a popular name isn't a bad thing. You probably did think of it first.
D) Yes, my female dog has the name of retired male baseball player that last took the field almost 15 years ago (Trammell). I am indeed living in the past.
E) Yes, my bird dog has an affinity for skunks and is sprayed by them regularly. I should probably have named her "Stinky."
Without further adieu, here's a short list of hunting dog names I would personally avoid.
You'd think the problem for a pheasant hunter owning a dog named "Rooster" would be obvious, but I encounter a "Rooster" every year. The problem with the name surfaces any time you hunt pheasants in a group. The dog's owner shouts "Rooster" only to have his entire hunting party jerk their heads and gun barrels to the sky only to see blue. Meanwhile, the obedient "Rooster" returns to the oblivious owner as instructed.
Although naming your dog "Drake" doesn't cause the same problem as "Rooster," it is likely the most common dog name on the planet in today's bird dog world. I actually like the name, but "Drake" must represent 40 percent of the hunting dog world. Coming in a close second in "commonly good" names are bird dogs named after an owner's favorite brand of shotgun; "Remy," "Winchester," "Beretta," and "Benelli" for example.
Note: According to VPI Pet Insurance, the top 5 most common names for male dogs in 2009 were Max, Buddy, Rocky, Bailey, & Jake. The top 5 most common names for female dogs in 2009 were Bella, Molly, Lucy, Maggie, & Daisy.
Rascal, Trouble, Dizzy, Tank, or Rampage
Ever met a dog that lived up to its name? Well name your dog "Rascal" and I guarantee that bird dog will live up to all the negative connotations of being a rascal.
Buck, Huck, Luck, Puck, or Tuck
Yelling your dog's name should never sound like a swear word. Be careful about what rhymes with "Tuck."
Head-over-heels for the gal you are married to, engaged to, or dating? That's great; but, draw the line at fluffy names for the family hunting dog. Remember, you're the one that's gotta call the dog while afield with all your buddies around. If your gal is a bird hunter too, then she'll understand from the get-go.


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One of my all time favourite comics (and now television show by AMC) is The Walking Dead. The show depicts a post apocalyptic world filled with zombies (dead people) and the living fight for their own survival.
Fortuitously in the 'real world' we have no such interaction with the dead and they are placed firmly within the realms of fiction.
However, in Ancient Rome it was a completely different story. The living perceived a very real threat of the dead returning and sought measures to placate the restless spirits of those that had past.
The Restless Dead – Lemures, Larvae & di Manes
In The Walking Dead, the dead are said to have risen due to an airborne virus. Those people that die will rise again as one of the walking dead (providing their brain is intact).
In Ancient Rome, the return of the dead was tied to the belief concerning what happened after death.
For some, they believed the soul journeyed to another place. Others believed it was an end, a nothingness, an eternal sleep (more on Epicurus thoughts on death here).
The problem with the former was the prospect of the soul not reaching the final destination. Those spirits that failed to complete the journey were said to remain in our world and torment the living. For they were the unburied who lacked family or collegial connections to offer them an adequate burial. They were ethereal in state but oddly enough required feeding for appeasement (note the black beans mentioned later).
The labels given to these spirits can be quite confusing. They are sometimes referred to as lemures, larvae and di manes. The differences are that lemures or larvae are typically people that have been bad, while di manes are those with a nature that has not been determined.
Romulus & Remus – discord in death
Ovid provides us with an account of a lemur in the form of Remus, the murdered brother of the first king of Rome (Romulus):
The bloodstained ghost of Remus seemed to stand
By the bed, speaking these words in a faint murmur:
'Behold, I who was half, the other part of your care,
See what I am, and know what I was once!
If the birds had signalled the throne was mine,
I might have been highest, ruling over the people,
Now I'm an empty phantom, gliding from the fire:
That is what remains of Remus' form!
This is more then just an account of a lemur however, it is an etiological myth for the ritual used to placate the dead. It was the appeasement offered to the slain Remus for the crime of fratricide.
When the phantom fleeing dispelled their sleep,
They both told the king of his brother's words.
Romulus, complying, called that day the Remuria,
When reverence is paid our buried ancestors.
You can read more in Book V of the Fasti.
Lemuria – Appeasement in Practice
In The Walking Dead, severe trauma to the head is enough to appease the most fervent of walkers.
In Ancient Rome, the situation is really representative of the type of people they were, that is, a religious people.
According to the calendar provided by the poet Ovid, the days of May 9, 11 and 13 were dedicated to the placation of the dead collectively known as the Lemuria.
During this time, the head of the family (paterfamilias) would rise at midnight and walk the house making the 'mystic sign' with his hand. This involved extending the first and fourth finger while turning the other fingers inward holding it in place with the thumb.
It is particularly amusing that this 'sign' is now the gesture for 'rock on' in popular culture! It has been suggested elsewhere that this sign is still in use when evil is present (joking).
As the paterfamilias makes the sign and walks the house, he averts his gaze, throwing black beans (symbolic of the underworld) over his shoulder reciting:
'with these beans I throw I redeem me and mine'
While this is happening, it is thought that the dead gathers the beans and follows unseen. After repeating it nine times, he sounds for the spirit to depart.
The rest of the household would then clash bronze pots while repeating:
'Ghosts of my fathers and ancestors, be gone!'
And that is how you dealt with the Walking Dead of Ancient Rome!


text: Information Assurance and Security Academic Programs in Information Assurance Education in UAHuntsville M.S. in Cybersecurity (Inter-disciplinary Curriculum) Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Studies Ph.D. in Computer Engineering (Concentration in Information Assurance) Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (Concentration in Information Assurance) A National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education On June 2007, The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAHuntsville) was designated a National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Information Assurance Education (IAE) for the academic years 2007-2012 by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). UAHuntsville is re-designated for the academic years 2012-2017. UAHuntsville's information security curriculum meets the NSA Committee on National Security Systems standards 4011 and 4012. For further details on the curriculum contact the Center for Information Assurance Education at (256) 824-6002 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Kinzie Chophouse
- Address:
400 N. Wells St.
Chicago, IL 60610Neighborhood:
River North (Chicago)
- Cuisine:
AmericanPrice: $31 to $50
Kinzie Chophouse
- Dining Style: Casual Elegant
- Website: http://www.kinziechophouse.com/
- Phone: (312) 822-0191
- Hours of Operation:
Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:00am - 4:00pm
Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 4:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday - Saturday: 4:00pm - 11:00pm
Sunday: 4:00pm - 9:00pm
- Payment Options: AMEX,Carte Blanche,Diners Club,Discover,JCB,MasterCard,Visa
- Cuisine: Steak, Seafood, American
- Executive Chef: Alvaro Zamuido & Jose Ramierez
- Dress Code: Business Casual
- Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
- Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine, Wine Bar
- Catering: Private Dining Rooms Available! Contact: 312-329-9826
- Special Events: 3 course Seasonal menu for $29.95 - Available Now!
1/2 Priced bar menu appetizers with the purchase of a $3.50++ beverage Monday through Friday 4-6pm!!!! (Bar-Lounge and Patio only)
1/2 Priced Bottles of wine Sunday - Tuesday with every 2 entrees purchased. Does not include our special selections, reserve or Napa Premier lists.
Getting there
- Cross Street: Kinzie Street
- Public Transit: Brown line - Merchandise Mart
- Parking: Street Parking
- Parking Details: Self Parking in garage at MartParc Wells on the corner of Wells & Kinzie Streets. Validated down to $9 per car after 3pm for up to 5 hours. Must ask for voucher from server/manager/hostess for validation.
A word from Kinzie Chophouse
This River North restaurant is well known for outstanding steaks, seafood, pasta, an extensive wine list & an excellent lunch menu. Kinzie Chophouse is a very popular place for business lunches, pre-theater diners, conventioneers & neighborhood regulars.Continued
Four spacious rooms, including a bar, are outfitted with attractive & comfortable banquettes. Susan Frasca of Frasca Hospitality Group who purchased the restaurant in late 1998 has made some exciting changes to the menu, & received the Wine Spectator "Award Of Excellence" 10+ years in a row.
Private dining rooms are available - contact 312-329-9826 for more information.
Four spacious rooms, including a bar, are outfitted with attractive & comfortable banquettes. Susan Frasca of Frasca Hospitality Group who purchased the restaurant in late 1998 has made some exciting changes to the menu, & received the Wine Spectator "Award Of Excellence" 10+ years in a row.
Private dining rooms are available - contact 312-329-9826 for more information.
Foodspotting photosSee all photos
Awards voted by OpenTable diners
- Diners' Choice WinnerAmerican
Kinzie Chophouse - Best Restaurants in River North (Chicago) ›
Kinzie Chophouse reviews from OpenTable diners
188 reviews since August 1, 2014
- Food4.6Service4.4
- Ambiance4.4Noise LevelModerate
special occasion (116)romantic (82)neighborhood gem (79)fit for foodies (63)notable wine list (58)good for groups (46)hot spot (21)great for lunch (19)vibrant bar scene (11)late-night find (9)great for outdoor dining (7)kid-friendly (3)scenic view (3)great for brunch (1)Show More
- Great SteaksJennyMVIPDined on 11/22/2014Food was outstanding. The ribeye filet was one of the best steaks I have ever had. Highly recommended this steakhouse.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Nice dinnerRanelle9022VIPDined on 11/22/2014We enjoyed our meal with out of town guests! Thanks for a nice night out :)I would recommend this to a friend.
- Neighborhood PlaceSueandadamVIPDined on 11/21/2014Kinzie is a great steak place right in the neighborhood. Definitely try to eat in the bar area for a cozy, fun atmosphere.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Kinzie Chop HouseDisappointedDined on 11/21/2014We were from out of town and made reservations for 2. Ended up in the bar area. Tables were separated between two others and my wife shared a booth type seat with others. All we could hear was the other parties conversation. Service was slow. Had to ask for refills on drinks, our ticket, etc. Did not feel at all like we were taken care of. Food was good, but not overwhelming. We were there for almost 2 hours, just for dinner because we had to keep asking for the servers to come back to help us. Probably won't be back.Special Features:
- A real Chicago steakhousemattflammDined on 11/19/2014You can eat at a national chain steakhouse, but it's the same experience wherever you go. Kinzie Chop House is a longtime local restaurant. It feels like a Chicago place -- an old building, nicely updated. The dry rub Delmonico was delicious and unusual. A nice selection of wines by the glass -- many steakhouses push wine by the bottle, which would have been a waste since there were only two of us and one doesn't drink. Service was attentive but not fawning. I would definitely return.I would recommend this to a friend.
- Took my girlfriend out for a birthday dinnerBodieDined on 11/16/2014I took my girlfriend here for her birthday and we had a wonderful experience. The service was good and the food was excellent. My prime rib was some of the best I have ever had. Near the end of the meal we were in a hurry to catch a train and they brought her a complimentary dessert to go. I will definitely be back.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Expected better from a restaurant of this caliberNdh7Dined on 11/15/2014This past Saturday was our 1st time @ Kinzie Chop House. I made reservations for a party of 4 for a birthday celebration. The service was lacking. Our waiter's attitude was just off & thus made us feel uncomfortable. Everyone in our area was shown the steak presentation except our table. When he took the drink orders he only took 2 of 4 & began to walk away until my friend interjected..never apoligized..just took the other 2 drink orders & briskly walked away. Our food was delayed, there were 2 other tables that were seated well after us but received their food before we did. The waiter never came over to check on us or to explain what the hold up was. Eventually the manager advised that the delay was due to a printer issue in the kitchen. My crab cake appetizer came out cold. My friends ordered the pork chops & they were undercooked to the point of bleeding in the middle. At this point, we've waited quite sometime & everyone is beyond hungry so sending it back was not an option. In the end, the manager gave us a trio of desserts @ no charge & we were told it was due to the delay in the kitchen. That was appreciated but then we paid our bill we never saw the waiter again. I asked for a soda refill during dessert & it never came. The bus boy was more attentive & had a better disposition than our waiter. Our table was the only one w/people of color in that section so I hate to say that race was the issue but it honestly seemed like the waiter had an issue w/us in particular. He never cracked a smile, never looked us in the eye & was very curt....very rude all the way around. I expected a warm welcome, exceptional service & food that would force me to come back but we received the exact opposite.
- Nice evening at Kinzie Chop HouseAHipp1965Dined on 11/14/2014We had some friends visiting from out of town and wanted to take them somewhere with good food and a nice wine list. Our friend is a wine expert, and he was impressed with Kinzie Chop House's selection and felt they were fairly priced (for a restaurant). The carrot soup was delicious, as were both my wife and daughters pasta dishes. I was not thrilled with my special ribeye filet - however, that may have been more due to it wasn't what I was expecting more than anything else. It was grilled just fine - I wasn't expecting the edges to be crusty. The center was prepared a nice medium rare. Overall, the service, food, wine list, and ambiance were great. I probably wouldn't order that cut of steak if we go again.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- 11/13/2014DanoverVIPDined on 11/13/2014Lunch was terrific as usual....always a good choice.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- This is a great place!OHguywholuvsCHIDined on 11/10/2014I go to Chicago twice a year for work and usually my client and I go to a steakhouse one of the nights we are there. Our go to is Chicago Cut, which is top-notch in food and service, but this trip I wanted to try out a different place. Kinzie Chop House exceeded my expectations. The decor is like a nice home, our waited was prompt and friendly, and the food was out of the park! I do know good food, and I can't see anyone being disappointed by theirs. The creamed corn and sausage side was amazing - I highly recommend. The prices are on par with most other mid-high end steakhouses in the city, but sometimes you have to say, "If it's worth it, I'll pay for it..." Five stars, 5 thumbs up, 5 T-bones... whatever you want to use to rank!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Warm Venue and Friendly Staff But..McFergDined on 11/8/2014I found the front of the house to be very friendly and attentive and the lighting, tables and place settings to be very inviting. The food was Hit and Miss. I had the Double Cross Martini with blue cheese stuffed olives. The bartender has got to know (if it's a signature drink) that the blue cheese can't sit in brine (rubber cheese). Minor point. This is about steak. My Tomahawk and my wife's Cowgirl Ribeye were wistfuwonderful and my son enjoyed the filet of his surf and turf. His lobster was a bit cold and dry unfortunately. Creamed spinach was underwhelming. Double stuffed potato - Awesome. Dessert...Hot Butter Rum Cheesecake - Killer! Pick the right dishes and you hit a Jackpot. Pick the wrong ones and eh.
- Great ExperienceMamaJDined on 11/7/2014My husband and I enjoyed dinner at Kinzie just recently (11/7/2014) and were not disappointed. Having dined at some wonderful restaurants over the years, Kinzie definitely ranked "right-up-there!" I would definitely recommend this restaurant! Steaks were delicious, stuffed baked potato (enough for two) was wonderful, and the butter rum topped cheesecake was "to-die-for!" Overall it was a great experience! We'll definitely be back when in Chicago!!!Special Features:
- Perfect dinnerGreattimeatKinzieDined on 11/6/2014We were in town for a romantic few days and chose Kinzie for our romantic dinner out. The food was great, the service was great. When we are back in town, we will surely be back.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- ExcellentTasterVIPDined on 11/6/2014Food is very good, wine is excellent and the service outstanding.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Great tableMissKateDined on 11/4/2014We had the best table in the restaurant which I understand Open Table delivers. Great service but I can cook the same steak although maybe not fair to say since I live in a small town with no restaurants and had to learn to cook. We were able to book at a decent time with Chicago full of convention folks.Special Features:
- A Chicago Gem!nextgreatbiteDined on 11/4/2014Great dining experience! In the city for business and found this restaurant to be a great choice. The menu has a good range, is well priced for the quality of both ingredients and level of preparation we experienced. The Blue Cheese Gratin is a must. The meat cuts are beautiful and prepared to perfection. The service was top notch in every way. The noise level, while not offensive, was the only negative aspect to our dining experience.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Best Steaks EverHappyDinerDined on 11/4/2014We had a wonderful night at the Kinzie Chop House. The service was impeccable and the food was amazing. The Dry-Aged Delmonico is easily the best steak we've ever had. Hands down, best steak house in Chicago for us.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- stonewall56stonewall56Dined on 11/3/2014Had a group of six and the food was great and the service was even better.Special Features:
- DissapointedmtnationDined on 11/2/2014I have eaten here twice now and have been disappointed both times. This time I ordered the cowgirl as did several others at the table. To say they were cooked inconsistently would be an understatement. I ordered mine medium, it was medium-well to well done on the outside and medium-well most other spots save for near the bone where it was medium. Another gentlemen ordered his medium well and it was at best medium. I also felt for a peppercorn crusted steak with peppercorn wine sauce it was rather flavorless.
- One of Our Favorite RestaurantsNancyVIPDined on 11/2/2014Everything here is good ~ the food, the drinks, the service & the location. We come here often & we will return in the near future.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- A very nice night!OpenTable Diner Since 2014Dined on 11/1/2014We were celebrating a special birthday. The manager and staff went out of their way to make sure we had a special evening. The food was fantastic and the service outstanding. We traveled from Boston to Chicago for a special evening of wine and steaks. It was worth the trip. Thank you for a wonderful night in Chicago.Special Features:
- Excellent steak housegloryDined on 10/31/2014We always make this our final lunch when in Chicago. Something to look forward to and never disappointed -food, service and ambiance perfect. Have recommended to others and they agree.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Awkward Moment with OwnerbadnightoutDined on 10/30/2014My friend had a bad experience here five or six years ago. He was given a business card by the general manager that entitled him to a free entree on his next visit. Although it had no expiration date, the restaurant wouldn't honor it (they did offer a free round of drinks). My friend was irritated and got into it with the owner, Susan. It really ruined my meal as 40% of the conversation that night was dominated by this unpleasant experience.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Great food and place!OpenTable Diner Since 2014Dined on 10/25/2014Eat here this past weekend with a couple of friends for my 21st birthday and I don't have one negative thing to say. The food was great as well as the service and I even got a free cake for my birthday!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- All is fine, nothing spectacular.luckysixDined on 10/24/2014Everyone's meal seemed fine, nothing spectacular. The kind of meal where everyone asks each other "how is your food?" and everyone seems to politely respond "it's good." No raves. Nothing memorable. Side dishes claimed to feed two are undersized. There are far too many great (and very good) restaurants in Chicago (particularly at this higher price point) for this one to to be worth noting or revisiting.
- Great food, poor serviceAlex24Dined on 10/23/2014This was my first time here and the food was very delicious! I will have the say the service was not great. We were seated near the bar area which was fine but the bar tender was our server instead of a regular server. He was extremely busy so we were neglected often. Also we went for a special occasion and the restaurant knew as much but did nothing to help us celebrate. It was a minor disappointment but added to the service being very poor for an upscale restaurant.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- An absolute favorite!G3smomVIPDined on 10/18/2014This is one of my favorite all time restaurants. I've been coming here with friends and colleagues for over ten years. It's perfect to treat out of town guests to unique cute of quality Chicago steak. Everything is good but my favorite is the tuna. Will keep going back!Special Features:
- NSubFoodExpertDined on 10/18/2014The food is OUTSTANDING ...... Very consistent at being awesome food .....Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- kellDined on 10/17/2014Great food if you don't mind sharing personal space with every one else thereSpecial Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Business DinnerRedinkVIPDined on 10/16/2014I had dinner here with three business associates. The restaurant was exactly what was needed for dinner. The food was excellent and there are enough choices to make anyone happy. While being an excellent steakhouse, the other choice, pasta, seafood and salad will make anyone happy. The wine list is very good and there are some excellent wines at reasonable prices. Well worth the visit.Special Features:
- Second Visitsw821Dined on 10/12/2014We took out of town guests here again, and it was equally as good as the first time. The menu has a nice variety to meet the needs of various preferences. The food was once again outstanding as was the service. I highly recommend this restaurant!Special Features:
- Good Food, Average ServiceMateoVIPDined on 10/12/2014This restaurant had pretty decent food, mediocre service, and overall average execution. You can tell a striking difference between this steakhouse and a Mastro's or Benny's Chophouse. The bus boys wander aimless through the restaurant, with waters unfilled. When people leave their tables, their napkins go unfolded. This is your neighborhood steakhouse. The prices need to be adjusted down 10% to compensate for this difference. The food was solid. The steak seemed of a choice cut, rather than a prime cut.Special Features:
- Kinzie dinner October 12thOpenTable Diner Since 2011Dined on 10/12/2014My family and I chose to dine here after I read good reviews on Yelp. We were not disappointed. The food was excellent. We loved the wine selection and the desserts were amazing. We also found our server to be very attentive and very friendly. We would highly recommend this restaurant!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- 10/8/2014DanoverVIPDined on 10/8/2014Had a surprise guest for lunch and we both like the crab cake sandwiches....great overall choice for lunch.Special Features:
- We Love KinzieLuvgoodfoodDined on 10/5/2014My husband and I have been coming here for 14 years. The staff makes us feel like family. We bring our children with us too from time to time. We could not imagine celebrating our anniversary with anyone else except our friends at Kinzie! They are very responsive to feedback. The owner Susan is wonderful!Special Features:
- ExcellentTmcubbiesDined on 10/4/2014I've gone to Kinzie Chophouse many times now, especially when family comes to town. Many of them love a good steak and Kinzie never disappoints.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Wonderful experienceOpenTableBDFVIPDined on 10/2/2014We went in with a larger family group of nine who was in town for a family wedding and had a great experience. The food was great, the waitstaff dealt with people arriving late. Of course the bill was high, but reasonable for a downtown Chicago restaurant.Special Features:
- Great steaksFlyoverfoodieDined on 9/28/2014When a restaurant dubs itself a "chophouse" you expect great cuts of meat and the Kinzie Chophouse did not disappoint. Took a client here for dinner and we were all pleased. Highly recommend the Mac and Cheese as a side dish.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Always Par ExcellenceBoca54Dined on 9/28/2014We were a group of 7 and all the food was timely and Delicious. Everyone's meal was cooked right, great quality and we all went home full and happy!Special Features:
- Best kept secret in river northEnoclafDined on 9/28/2014I hate to write a review, because I Want to get in each time I am in the city! Always get the Lamb Chops, Brussels Sprouts, and some calamari. I love this spot. Noticed that five other tables were people I knew. I should STOP spreading the word! My Dates steak was the best she ever hadSpecial Features:


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Author Archive
Monday, January 13th, 2014
Anticipating More (and How to Find It)
It's starting: we're getting past the point of early season skiing in Utah and are starting to lust after some of our favorites lines. We hungrily eye the routes we haven't taken since last season as we pass overhead on the lift. People stack up next to closure lines to assess how long until their […]
No Comments » - Posted in Blog Entry by gina
Friday, March 30th, 2012
Just Add Chocolate
I just stumbled across one of the greatest things I've heard all season. No, it's not a miraculous powder dump on my favorite mountain. It's not that winter will be extended into next season. These are spectacular thoughts, I admit, but it's spring and closing day is just over two weeks away. With those facts […]
1 Comment » - Posted in Blog Entry by gina
Saturday, March 24th, 2012
Missing Home
Today I changed my Facebook background picture for the first time this ski year. Since November, it had been a photo I snapped in Honeycomb Canyon last season. I've been proud to sport that photo and rep my home resort all this time. However, for the past week, I've been heli-skiing in Alaska and thought […]
No Comments » - Posted in Blog Entry by gina
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
Skiing the Deepest "2 inches" of Powder
"I love it when Solitude under reports and over delivers on snow!" Photo: Brian Thurber The caption above explains just how I feel about skiing yesterday. The double punch of being both a snow day and President's day, I headed up to Solitude just after lunch hoping to miss at least a portion of the crowd. Nearing […]
No Comments » - Posted in Blog Entry by gina
Wednesday, February 15th, 2012
Fine Dining Worth The Hike
The moon was hidden behind the frosty mountains as we wound our way over the wooded snowshoe trail to Solitude Resort's yurt. Three or four of us carried lanterns to assist the group of diners- roughly 20 of us- to the structure located about a mile away from the base of the resort. Energy ran […]
No Comments » - Posted in Blog Entry by gina
Sunday, January 22nd, 2012
The Fat Flakes Fall
That's more like it… from the Solitude Facebook page It's hard to get more depressing than rain in January when you live in Utah. Adding insult to injury is that thousands are gathered here in Salt Lake City for the Outdoor Retailer (OR) show this week and the skies in the valley have been dumping […]
No Comments » - Posted in Blog Entry by gina
Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
Seek and Ye Shall Find
With so many neglected skis gathering dust in closets, there's bound to be treasure out there for the one who searches in the right places. To this minority, I applaud. While the snow snobs keep sighing over lack of snow, your skis, dripping from melted snow in the back of your truck, have just enjoyed […]
No Comments » - Posted in Blog Entry by gina
Wednesday, December 21st, 2011
Yes, Virginia, there is a sun!
Study the two pictures below. The one on the left is the view of the city. The one on the right is from Solitude Resort. Both are taken within an hour of each other. Let us begin our examination in comparisons. Both photos have clouds. The photo on the left features a pollution cloud filled […]


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The Art of the Apology
So I messed up. I messed up big.
I made a mistake with one of my referral partners. I was on the road and jet-lagged and accidentally quoted a wrong (exorbitant) price, delivered a good piece of work at that wrong price, and then was told by my partner that I was "taking advantage" of them.
Gulp. I was in danger of losing a friend and someone who also referred me a lot of business. I felt bad that I messed up. I felt bad that I made the other person feel bad. And I didn't want to lose this person.
What's a guy to do?
I apologized…well more like delivered a three layer apology sandwich.
First I had to order the sandwich by making sure we could talk things through over the phone and not through email. There's nothing worse than miscommunication because one person couldn't gauge the other's wit, tone, or inflection of their words.
Second. I had to actually apologize when I got on the phone. I can only take responsibility for my own actions and I can't hide from it or come up with a lame excuse. Tell the truth.
Third. I had to explain the truth and why what happened, happened. It's no excuse but it's not from a malicious or conniving place—it was a mistake. We all make mistakes.
Fourth. I had to offer some kind of remedial action. This is sort of your "I'm giving you roses, flowers, and candy after our fight" kind of thing. In my case, I offered my work for free. I had to. I wanted to keep this person and a friend and I wanted to keep them happy.
Some of the best relationships in the world endure because of open and honest communication, and that includes delivering sincere apologies when you mess up.
Apologies are a must for successful personal and professional relationships. If you take the position that you're always right or need to appear so, you'll be sorry you did.
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For the past few weeks we've been patiently anticipating the launch of Savannah Miller's latest fashion line, Savannah, onto Nelly.com and today the wait is over. In this 40 piece debut collection you'll find the designer's signature rock'n'roll bohemia – the look that so famously made her sister Sienna a unrivalled British style icon – and it's all at a bloomin' brilliant high street price. Nothing is over £175! That calls for a yay. "It felt really important for me to explore this price point," Savannah told us while exclusively showing us through the 40 piece range, "So many of my friends have lost their jobs over the past few years and a lot of people are hard up, but they all still want to be into fashion." Too true! What other words of wisdom could Savannah supply us with? We gave her a good ol' Grazia grilling…
Dree Hemingway modelling the Savannah collection
Grazia Daily: What's your signature? Jeans, knits and the tailored boyfriend blazer. I never did slouchy tailoring at Twenty8Twelve, but for the Savannah collection I'm really go into it.
Savannah Miller: What are you most proud of in your fashion career? THIS. Definitely. Because it was a real leap of faith and I feel 100 per cent responsible for it for the first time, to be honest. I've got here on my own merit. I'm a grown up, but I don't know if I feel like one! I have to remind myself that I have three kids!
How did you get into fashion?
I've been obsessed with it for as long as I can remember. My mum had a sewing machine and used to run up little Liberty print skirts for me. I must've been about nine and I can remember commenting on her stitching, telling her that I should do it. I hijacked the sewing machine and sewing box.
Ooh, you should do a liberty print collection...
I'd love to! So after that, I was at boarding school and used to knit with pencils. At school I did art, although my parents thought it wasn't academic enough. I Edinburgh Uni to do eastern religion, because I'd been in India for a while, but it was ridiculous, I realised I wasn't meant to be doing it. All the while I'd been making fancy dress costumes and outfits. Then Kelly Hoppen, my stepmother, who was really good friends with Joseph (the late designer Joseph Ettigui) and she said go to Central St Martins for a year and you can come and work for me! So I literally banged the door down. You had to pay for this foundation course to build your portfolio, I did that, then applied for the BA course and got in. I thought I'm a heaven! The hallowed halls of St Martins…
What advice would you give to people starting out in design?
Work your bloody arse off! I didn't stop. I was literally the first one in college and the last one out. I was doing work experience on the side, at Alexander McQueen, and in my year out I worked full time - all day all night. It's not a drag if you want to be there. You have to do the menial stuff and sometimes people don't understand that. I've made so much tea in my life you wouldn't believe! No job is too small.
What's been your biggest mistake in fashion?
I think you just have to in this industry is follow your instincts. I can remember at one point I was desperate to do flares, I HAD to do flares, but everyone in my team said I was bonkers and that the trend was so over and we can't do it. But that was the season J Brand then created the Lovestory flares and they went stratospheric. I should've stuck to my guns! It was so annoying.
Super stylish sisters: Savannah and Sienna Miller
What would we be surprised to know about you?
I'm a doula, a holistic birth nurse. Because I had my first baby at home in a water pool. I'm a big natural birth fan and I wanted to help my friends and other people to have that kind of empowering birth. I've been to two - my sister's and a friend. I can't do it full time 'cos I'm kind of busy. If you can give birth on a Saturday, I can't schedule it in!
What trend are you over?
Peter Pan collars. I still like them but they are everywhere. I don't get that heated about hating trends.
Your biggest fash faux pas?
Until I was 15 I wore plaid trousers with a matching plaid trim frilly neck blouse. I was a total dweeb. Now you see kids of eight looking hip in Topshop!
Best fashion moment?
I went to Met Ball with my sister once. It was epic. It was 2010 and I wore twent8twelve gold velvet dress. Pucci designer Peter Dundas was my date, he's so cool we had such a good time. Everywhere you turned there was someone fabulous. I did giggle constantly because I kept bumping into supermodels!
And finally, what do you think of Kate Middleton's look?
I'm really impressed with her. She's so professional with her wardrobe. I think she's really nailing it. It's a job when she goes out. She's true to her style and great to exposing Brit brands. Hmm, I don't think she'd suit my boyf blazer to be honest! She's the ultimate lady.


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LSE reconnects small-caps to its phone-broked market
The London Stock Exchange will today finish consulting with marketmakers on proposals to transfer nearly 200 stocks from its main electronic platform to its partly phone-broked market, Financial News has learnt.
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learn to make a f#*%ing coffee
Where can you get decent coffee in Boston? This morning I went to Cafenation and needed to have the macchiato remade due to their unfamiliarity with the drink. This is a constant annoyance in these psuedosophisticated cafes. I have had similar experiences at Treats across the street. Although the latter has decent pastries. Similarly, Athan's in Brookline has a magical selection of pastries and a great area to sit, but coffee that tastes like crap.
Not all is lost. The following places have been decent for the following individual drinks. please add more places to my list!
1) Cafe Fixe for Espresso and Machiatto
2) ERC in Back Bay for " and "
3) Refuge Cafe in Brighton for Iced coffee (steer clear of espresso drinks)
The only coffee that comes close to Abraco, Grumpy etc or other actually excellent NYC coffees are those at Fixe.
re: gourmaniac
Looks like its worth the trip! Thanks for the recommendation.
Berkeley Perk is always nice and I have had nothing but positive experiences at the new spot near the movie theater Thinking Cup
Jaho Coffee & Tea in the South End might meet your coffee-geek standards.
re: MC Slim JB
I tried Jaho and appreciated it. I should've put on the list. The iced Vietnamese coffee thingie was also quite good. Flour down the block is also decent for brewed coffee but iffy on espresso. But the buns are unbelievable.
Hard to counteract the combined effect of Dunkin' Donuts and Starbuck's.
I have been really enjoying the Gimme! coffee (both brewed and espresso-based) from Three Little Figs on Highland Avenue in Somerville. They make a right proper cappuccino.
Maybe you've been going to the wrong places? It's increasingly easy to get a good cup of coffee around here these days. I too love 3 Little Figs. Render in the South End was great when I visited and they keep winning the latte art competitions that have popped up around here. Barismo is an amazing place at the vanguard of the current coffee resurgence and they will soon open their new cafe, dwelltime. The new RJ Gourmet uses Barismo coffee and is a great neighborhood cafe that is pulling tasty espresso. Even Clover makes excellent coffee, brewed pourover style.
re: hckybg
Render sounds good. Will def visit this week!
re: liangpi
Just had a really good cappuccino at Render last weekend. They clearly take care with each drink.
I second or third the Cafe Fixe and Thinking Cup recommendations.
If you like Howell coffee, True Grounds in Somerville does a nice job, too. I'm guessing they would make a proper macchiato.
Be aware that the 1369 doesn't have whole milk. They will combine 1/2 and 1/2 with their 2% if you request, though.
To be fair, I'm sure there's way more mediocre and bad coffee places in NY than in Boston (90% of everything is crap).
I mostly agree with the following list for good espresso (and other types of coffee), namely Simon's, Barismo, Voltage, Diesel, and Hi-Rise.
re: nickls
Yes, Voltage and Simon's are both wonderful places, in very different ways. Good ideas.
re: hckybg
+1 to both Voltage and Simon's!
re: nickls
Just like NYC is the capital of craptastic pizza but also contains motorino and co. and veloce and Difaras!
Boston IS the capital of craptastic coffee due to the inexplicable love affair with dunkin donuts that the people here seem to have. Its also the capital of craptastic sushi, but unlike with the coffee, there are few excellent options.
re: nickls
And most of the places serving good coffee in New York are of pretty recent vintage; it was really a different scene ten years ago. Now NYC is pretty well blanketed in S-bucks. And some of you may be old enough to remember that we used to have the Coffee Connection, until George Howell sold out to Charbucks.
re: Moopheus
Indeed, despite drinking coffee since the age of five (seems it only stunted my intellectual growth), I had not had good coffee until I drank it at Cafe Fixe in Brookline, Simon's in Cambridge or indeed Intelligentsia in Chicago and Monmouth Coffee more recently in London. This was a lifelong journey but I'm so pleased to have found a decent cup finally!
re: nickls
For you Voltage fans there is a current Google Offers deal for them.
$10 for a five-drink punch card (up to $20 value)
Cafe Fixe is still my favorite in the area although I've been going less since I started home roasting. Well that and on a recent visit they couldn't make me a cup of coffee. No joke, clearly the barista was overwhelmed with a stack of orders (it probably doesn't help that every espresso they make is a triple-ristretto by default), but I asked for a two press pots and he said he couldn't do that. I told him to take his time and that I was happy to wait the 10 minutes or whatever, but he was so overwhelmed he just, "sorry." That aside I still love Cafe Fixe (and it's doppelganger Amherst Coffee, is anyone else weirded out by the fact that these are carbon copies of each other down to the font on the menu and yet have no correlation?)
They sell bags of fresh Blue Bottle coffee at Thinking Cup on the park, so it's worth checking out. The talent isn't quite as high as Fixe but given its location it's very good. Simon's and Diesel have always been good. I'll definitely check out 3 figs and Jaho.
re: Klunco
Boston common coffee has a few locations. I like the one on Salem street, north end.
The coffee bar at the seaport hotel does a good job.
re: libertywharf
All my go to spots have been mentioned, I would just add Area Four in Kendall and Barrington in Fort Point.
Klunco - The owner of Cafe Fixe used to work at Amherst and Northampton Coffee. I love Cafe Fixe!
re: drewames03
Flat Black at Lower Mills / Ashmont, mainly buy the beans beacuse it involves a bike ride across the Neponset. or Terroir beans from that "Not a Whole Foods" place in Milton. or Trung Nguyen / Vinacafe brewed in Fields Corner. the Quincy coffee scene is strange - not only the o'riginal Dunkins , but some chain on nearly ever corner called "Coffee Time" which is passable in black non-syrup'd form and http://www.marylous.com/ ..not as weird as some coffee places in San Jose..
have had decent coffee in Roslindale, Fornax maybe?
re: drewames03
Area four and barrington are great suggestions. Barrington was much needed in the area.
re: pollystyrene
Very good place, skilled baristas. They are owned by Espresso Royale. They mostly serve Counter Culture coffee now, which is definitely not a bad thing.
re: hckybg
Thanks, hckybg. Their late hours and free WIFI have been tempting me. Now that I know the coffee's good, I'll take the plunge. Aside from Diesel, they're the only good coffeehouse I know of that's open late.
re: pollystyrene
It's a bit of a Berklee hangout, but they seem like nice kids. I've only been in the daytime and it can be crowded, though I'm not sure if the same goes for the evening.
Only had one cappuccino recently, on my way out of Boston, at City Feed on Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, and thought it was excellent.
The Wired Puppy on Newbury Street near Fairfield is serious about coffee. This is an offshoot of the shop by the same name in the East End of Provincetown. The have an extensive training program and they take the time to do things right. It is a tiny place, with only a few seat inside, so lots of people buy the coffee to go. There are patio tables in season.
Sip Cafe in Post office square will also deliver a great cup of your favorite brew and they have great food plus the park in season.
I'll also +1 Thinking Cup for coffee and food with the Boston Common for back up seating in season. And, when Spring arrives so will the new tables and chairs around the Brewer Fountain on the Common.
re: BostonZest
Love wired pup. +1!
re: Beachowolfe
Sip Cafe in Post Office Square is in FiDi
re: BostonZest
missed that in your wired puppy post. Thanks!
Wanted to append my earlier recommendation for the coffee at 3 Little Figs in Somerville with a bit more information.
They use a Strada espresso machine - noticed there are various pressure gauges, etc. which seem to allow for very precise control. I am no expert, but the coffees are really rich in flavor, but not muddy or dark.
Would love to see some coffee gurus give their opinions.
re: Bob Dobalina
I'm not sure I'm a guru, but you pretty much got the gist of the machine. It has a variable pressure gauge which allows the barista to alter the pressure as the shot is pulled. Some say that for single origin beans especially, such control allows very careful manipulation to bring out the flavors without weird extremes. I have actually never seen a variable pressure machine manipulated extensively while a shot is being pulled, here or in New York, but the Strada is definitely the toy to have now and I am seeing them more and more. Render also has one, and Dwelltime will have one too (it should be opening very soon now, I have heard). The Slayer is a similar machine, but no one has one in Boston. Besides the fact that the Strada makes excellent shots, it is also a really beautiful design object, isn't it?
re: hckybg
Definitely, and it fits in nicely with the esthetic at 3LF. They have obviously put a lot of thought into the decor, sourcing of ingredients - but happiest that the coffee and the baking more than back it up.
re: Moopheus
Thanks. I already had a coffee so I didn't try it, but will next time I'm in the area. Sure beats Starbucks across the street.


text:
Home / High Definition / Game FX
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Prince George's County News
Do you know how to swim? Really?
Two towns in Maryland -- Upper Marlboro and Towson -- are among 50 nationwide that have the highest drowning rates.
Capital Wheel ready to soar over D.C. (Photos)
You can get a new perspective on Washington Friday morning as the Capital Wheel at National Harbor opens to the public.
Displaced Ft. Washington residents want answers; no easy ones forthcoming
Things got a little tense Thursday night as people with homes on and near the site of the Piscataway Drive slope failure met with Prince George's County officials to find out when they can go home.
Report: Clay, rain caused slow-moving Fort Washington slide
The heavy rain mixed with Marlboro clay is what a new report says is to blame for triggering a slow moving landslide in Fort Washington.
Prince George's police officer struck by minivan
A Prince George's County police officer sustained serious injuries after he was struck by a minivan in Forestville, Md., Thursday morning, police say.
Md. high school teacher charged with sex abuse of student
Police have charged a teacher and former coach at High Point High School, in Beltsville, with sexually abusing a 17-year-old student on school grounds.
Prince George's fire crew rescues scared dog with help of biscuits
A box of Milk-Bone biscuits came in handy for a fire crew in Hyattsville this week when they responded to a call involving a dog stuck in a small hole.
National Harbor aims to be 'fun' alternative to DC
National Harbor, across Potomac River from DC, aims to be 'fun' alternative
O'Malley to speak at Maryland college graduation
O'Malley to give commencement address at the University of Maryland
Immediate action urged with Piscataway Drive slope
The heavy rain, mixed with Marlboro clay is what a new report says is to blame for triggering a slow moving landslide in Fort Washington.
Ticketbuster: Prince George's County hopes to avoid mistaken ID
Prince George's County wants to make sure delinquent ticket citations are legit.
Vigil brings neighborhood together to fight violence on trail
A candlelight vigil on Monday night brought kids and adults alike to the community center at CASA of Maryland in Langley Park.
Vigil set for Northwest Branch Trail after stabbing death
The Northwest Branch Trail is supposed to be a pleasant hiker-biker trail, but after a brutal murder last week, two civic groups say gang violence has made it dangerous.
Park Police investigating fatal accident on Suitland Parkway
A man was struck as he tried to cross the parkway on Saturday.
Slope failure evacuees get monetary assistance
You can donate to the cause if you want.
Dad charged with manslaughter in death of son, 3
A Palmer Park man faces manslaughter and first-degree child abuse charges in the January death of his son.
Pedestrian killed by commuter train outside DC
Man struck, killed by commuter train outside DC; Amtrak, commuter rail service delayed
Md. man charged in 3-year-old son's death
A Prince George's County man is charged in his 3-year-old son's death after authorities say they don't believe drugs found in the boy's system got there by accident.
Officials to break ground on project at Metro stop
Maryland officials to break ground on access enhancement to Branch Avenue Metro station
Storms may worsen Fort Washington hillside problem
"The rain certainly should be a concern," says Maryland state geologist Richard Ortt. "Prince George's County is going to be monitoring the situation very tightly."
Hi: 47 °F | Lo: 36 °F


text: HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn August 10, 2005, at 1420 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N4512Q, operated by Culver Educational Foundation, received substantial damage on impact with Lake Maxinkuckee after takeoff from runway 26 (2,500 feet by 200 feet, grass) at Fleet Field Airport (IN73), Culver, Indiana. The airplane was reported to have experienced a loss of engine power. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was not operating on a flight plan. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were fatally injured. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.A witness, the pilot of N767PP stated that he was preparing to takeoff on runway 26 when saw N4512Q begin and perform a takeoff roll on runway 26. He then "looked again" and saw N4512Q pitch up and bank left. He then lost sight of the airplane when he positioned N767PP for takeoff.A second witness who was the fourth airplane in sequence to takeoff stated he watched N4512Q takeoff from runway 26 but from his viewpoint he was unable to see the climbout due to trees that were obstructing his view. He stated that he did not hear or see anything during the runup or takeoff roll of N4512Q that indicated "distress."A third witness stated that he observed the airplane flying very low over a bluff located on the east side of the lake. He stated that he heard the airplane sputtering and it landed belly first into the water and then barrel rolled over.A fourth witness stated that he heard the engine sputter as it came over the bluff. He stated the airplane "cut back" as it came over a tree line along the bluff and then began flying over water. He stated that the airplane was heading in a southerly direction when it came nose down into the water.A fifth witness stated she did not hear engine noise from the airplane and it glided in at "low level". According to the Marshall County Police Report, the witness stated that the airplane was heading towards what she believed was towards the south or a southerly direction when it crashed. The airplane was afloat for approximately 2 minutes before it sank nose first.A sixth witness stated the he heard a "loud" crash when he had just started a lawn mower to mow his front lawn, about 25 feet from the lake. He looked up and saw an airplane about 150-200 feet out in the lake directly in front of his pier. The airplane was nose down in the water and sank within 2-3 minutes. A fishing boat and a Culver Education Foundation boat were at the site within 5 minutes, but they could not get into the airplane.According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors, a seventh witness located on a golf course stated that he heard attempted restarts from the airplane. The airplane momentarily restarted when it was over the tree line heading south along the shore line.PERSONNEL INFORMATIONThe CFI accumulated a total flight time of 493 hours of which 127 hours were in the accident airplane make and model and 130 hours in the last 90 days. He held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land, airplane multiengine land, and instrument airplane ratings.The student pilot was issued a medical certificate on August 29, 2002.AIRCRAFT INFORMATIONThe 1979 Piper PA-28-161, serial number (S/N) 28-8016019, was registered to Culver Educational Foundation on June 14, 1999, and operated as an instructional airplane in Culver Educational Foundation's aviation program. A logbook entry dated August 10, 2005, states that an annual inspection of the airplane was competed on this date at a total time of 5,432 hours and a tachometer time of 1,061 hours.The airplane was powered by Lycoming O-320-D3G, S/N L-12152-39A, engine that received a major overhaul on March 13, 2001, and was installed in the airplane on March 20, 2001, at a tachometer time of 1,699.0 hours. On July 4, 2002, the tachometer was removed at 2,040 hours and replaced with a new tachometer indicating 0.0 hours.Engine logbook records for the airplane shows an entry dated August 9, 2004, that states, "changed left magneto with new magneto model number 4371." There was no annotation as to the serial number of the left magneto and no further entries within the engine logbook for overhaul of either magneto. There was no serviceable tag for the left magneto within maintenance records that were requested by and presented to FAA inspectors for the left magneto referenced in the August 9, 2004, entry. At the time of the annual inspection, the left magneto accumulated a total time of 406 hours and the right magneto accumulated a total time of 1,429 hours since last overhaul based on logbook entries.A CFI who had flown N4512Q the day before the accident and prior to closing the airport stated that the airplane was in "good" flying condition with "no problems or concerns."METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATIONThe Warsaw, Indiana, Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS), located approximately 25 nautical miles east of IN73, recorded at 1345: wind 290 degrees at 10 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky conditions broken 7,000 feet above ground level; temperature 31 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 19 degrees C.The witness that departed after N4512Q's departure, stated they were using runway 26 in "light" winds, temperature was in the mid 80s and the clouds were scattered "several" thousand feet AGL.The second witness stated that the wind was less the 10 knots down the runway, and the temperature was probably in the upper 80s.WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATIONThe airplane impacted Lake Maxinkuckee in 6.2 feet of water at Global Positioning System coordinates: 41 degrees 12.960 seconds North and 86 degrees 23.829 seconds West. The airplane was resting upside down with its landing gear wheels extending above the water surface. Both wings exhibited separation near the wing root in the vertical or upwards direction with both wings displaying leading edge crushing. The left wing exhibited greater relative damage than the right wing. The left fuel tank was broken open and the fuel cap was intact. The right wing displayed inward leading edge crushing about 6 feet from the wing root and its landing gear was folded into the wing. The right fuel tank was not broken open and did not contain fuel. The right fuel tank cap was intact.Examination of the flight control system revealed that all control surfaces were attached to their respective wings and stabilizers. Flight control continuity was confirmed from all control surfaces to their respective cockpit controls. The tabulator trim drum inner shaft exhibited 8 treads of upper extension, which equates to approximately 3 degrees of nose-up trim.The fuel selector control handle and valve were positioned to the right tank with no noted obstruction within the selector valve upon its disassembly. The master switch was in the on position. The auxiliary electric fuel pump switch was in the on position and a sound consistent with the pump's operation was heard when the wreckage was recovered. The magneto/starter switch was in the on position and no anomalies were noted with the switch. The carburetor heat control was in the off position. The throttle and mixture controls were in the full forward position. The elevator and rudder trim cockpit indicators were in the near neutral position. The gascolator displayed impact damage and contained vegetation consistent with aquatic vegetation. The filer element within the bowl did not contain blockage. The electric boost pump filter element contained a substance consistent with that of the lake bottom.The left magneto, Slick model 4371, S/N 03070194, timing was approximately 30-35 degrees before top dead center (the engine data tag indicated that the spark advance is 25 degrees). The left magneto impulse coupling could not be operated. The right magneto, Slick model 4370, S/N 01010500, was within ignition timing specifications.The propeller blades did not display damage resulting from the accident.The tachometer indicated 1,063.3 hours.The Hobbs meter indicated 3,400.9 hours.MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATIONFAA toxicological test results for the CFI and student pilot were negative for all substances tested. Autopsies of the CFI and student were conducted by the Marshal County Coroner on August 10, 2005. The cause of death for the student pilot and CFI was listed as "drowning, blunt force injuries; chemical burns."FIREThere was no evidence of smoke or fire.SURVIVAL ASPECTSThe water temperature was recorded by a Conservation officer as 85.5 degrees Farenheight. Upon recovery of the airplane, the cabin and baggage doors were in the latched closed position. The airplane was equipped with seat belts and shoulder harnesses and were attached to the airframe and were buckled. Both front seats were attached to the seat tracks and were not deformed. The student pilot and CFI were in the rear cabin area. TEST AND RESEARCHThe FAA had four of the airplanes used in Culver Educational Foundation's aviation program examined under Title 49 United States Code 44.709(a), Reinspection and Reexamination. Each airplane was inspected and discrepancies noted by a maintenance facility under the supervision of the FAA. The airplanes were: Piper PA-28-140, N673FL, S/N 28-7125601, Piper PA-28-140, N700FL, S/N 28-7225206, and PA-28-151, N767PP, S/N 76-15197.The discrepancies for N673FL listed 80 items which included a "non approved" air filter, "non-aircraft" alternator belt, two broken bolts for the right hand main landing gear with "some hardware non-airworthy," and the battery box drain tube "incorrect." Discrepancies for N700FL listed 67 discrepancies which included the right main landing gear brake, emergency locator transmitter (ELT) antenna not connected to the ELT, NAPA air intake filter installed "non-approved parts," shoulder harness has no tag and frayed, right wing aft outboard rib cracked, left wing top skin cracked aft of fuel filter two places at rib, throttle rod end at carburetor worn, throttle and mixture worn at quadrant, carburetor worn at control center fuselage stinger broken at crack in skin, center bottom of fuselage near registration number had a 2 inch ling crack, compass 30 degrees off - "non airworthy." Discrepancies for N767PP listed 52 discrepancies which included a missing alternator bracket, a cracked number 3 cylinder, carburetor heat box and control wire connector "beyond repair," and components relating to the right main landing gear needed to be replaced.The airplane's used in the aviation program were refueled from an underground fuel storage tank with a "Amoco Ultimate Lead Free Premium" fuel pump equipped with a Petro Clear 40830PA-DV fuel filter. The fuel filter was a 30 micron fuel filter that was not intended for use with aviation fuel.The fuel hose leading to the fuel pump nozzle was covered with tape. Fuel samples taken by the FAA from the fuel filter showed a brown liquid contaminant at the bottom of the sample jar and below a layer of a blue liquid consistent with 100 LL aviation fuel. The fuel filter did not possess a date indicating when it was last changed or when it should be changed. There were no records to indicate how much fuel was pumped during each refueling nor where there fuel facility records annotating when and what was inspected. The FAA inspector stated that testing for the presence of water was not being performed. Fuel distributor records from July 2, 2004, to July 7, 2005, showed that the only supplies purchased was "AVGAS 100LL." Inspection of the remaining airplanes and revealed no contamination consistent with water or debris in their fuel filters or carburetors.The engine, S/N L-12152-39A, was removed and shipped to Textron Lycoming were it underwent an engine run within test specifications. Both magnetos were removed and replaced for the engine run with "slave" magnetos due to internal corrosion consistent with rust. The magnetos were timed to that which was noted during the on-scene portion of the investigation for the test and the engine was then run.Following the engine run, the carburetor was removed and tested at Precision Airmotive LLC. The carburetor test results were within the test specifications.The left magneto, Slick model 4371, S/N 03070194, drive gear was removed in order to mount it into a test apparatus for functional testing. Removal of the magneto cap revealed corrosion consistent with rust. The plastic gears were intact. During rotation of the magneto it was noted that the points were not opening even after they were cleaned with emery cloth. The magneto produced a spark when a test cell cap and ignition lead were attached; however, the magneto was out of time. The magneto was removed from the test apparatus and the impulse coupling spring was noted to be unwound. The spring was rewound and the magneto was remounted in the test apparatus. The magneto then produced a spark and was in time.The right magneto, Slick model 4370, S/N 01010500, was mounted in a test apparatus. Removal of the magneto cap revealed corrosion consistent with rust. The plastic gears were intact. During rotation of the magneto it was noted that the points were not opening even after they were cleaned with emery cloth. The points were replaced and the magneto produced a spark at all leads in order and timing specifications.Lycoming Service Letter No. L173C, dated March 10, 2006, references Slick Aircraft Products Service Bulletin (SB) No. SB2-80C, which was revised on April 1, 1991, covers, in part, magneto maintenance and overhaul schedules for Slick 4300 series magnetos. The SB states, "These magnetos should be inspected externally every 100 hours and internally every 500 hours." The SB states in a later paragraph, "These magnetos should be completely overhauled as required by the inspection noted above."The PA-28-161 Emergency Procedures Check List for Power Off Landing states, in part:Touchdowns should normally be made at lowest possible airspeed with full flaps.When committed to landing:Ignition - OFFMaster switch - OFFFuel selector - OFFMixture - idle cut-offSeat belt and harness - tightThe Director of Aviation stated that the CFIs at Culver Educational Foundation were from Purdue University. He said that all the CFIs received a pamphlet discussing procedures to be followed in the conduct of providing flight instruction. The CFIs received a checkout when they were hired following the completion of flight training provided by other Culver Educational Foundation CFIs that included the performance of stalls, steep turns, and takeoffs and landings. The Director of Aviation stated that he was the one to "sign off" the CFIs following completion of training. He also said that they held safety meetings. A CFI who worked in Culver Educational Foundation's aviation program beginning in June 2005, stated that he heard about employment at the aviation program through a friend of his that previously worked there. The CFI then applied for a flight instructor position by submitting a resume and calling the Director of Aviation who later invited him for an interview. This CFI stated that he did not recall whether the Director of Aviation reviewed his pilot logbook that he brought with to the interview. Upon his hiring, he received approximately 15 hours of flight training that involved flying with CFIs who had taught in the aviation program. He said that there was no training syllabus used for the training and that the flight training could be described more like orientation flights. He stated that he did not receive any training relating to ditching procedures while at Culver Educational Foundation.A second CFI stated that he attended high school at Culver Educational Foundation and then attended Embry Riddle in Daytona, Florida. He was a certified flight instructor (CFI) at Culver Educational Foundation since 2002. He said that CFIs at Culver Educational Foundation would arrive a week before school began each season in order to receive training that was 5-10 hours of flight time in duration flying with the Director of Aviation, or the Assistant to Director of Aviation, and other CFIs. He said CFIs would receive their checkout from the Director of Aviation or the Assistant to Director of Aviation. He stated that money was never an issue in flight training for CFIs. He said that training consisted of an aircraft checkout as well as ground training. The training would be conducted every season even for returning instructors. The CFIs were provided with a 2-3 page pamphlet by the Director of Aviation and the student pilot solo checklist, which the instructors had to complete as a part of their training. The second CFI stated that the emphasis for emergency landings was "not to aim for the lake" since the highway leading to the campus and golf course were better options because the lake had trees surrounding it. He said nobody considered the lake as a landing option and that CFIs were aware of opening the door before ditching into the lake.The second CFI stated that from 1997 to when the current Director of Aviation was hired, the airplanes received maintenance from facilities outside of the Culver Educational Foundation. He stated that maintenance during this period was "poor." After current Director of Aviation was hired, the current mechanic was hired "shortly thereafter," in order to perform aircraft maintenance "in-house." He stated that he "trusted" the current mechanic's knowledge and skill in the maintenance of the airplanes.The second CFI said that there were weekly meetings lasting about an hour attended by the Director of Aviation, the mechanic, and the CFIs to discuss any issues pertaining to the airplanes, the program, or students. He said that if there was "anything going on" with the airplanes, "[the current mechanic] was always on it."The second CFI stated that the accident CFI was the most meticulous regarding procedures and he would check items three times to ensure they were correct. ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONThe FAA, The New Piper Aircraft Company, and Textron Lycoming were parties to the investigation.The wreckage and all parts were released and returned to Culver Educational Foundation.Following the accident, Culver Educational Foundation terminated their aviation program.