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For travellers willing to step outside their comfort zone, who don't mind being thrown in at the deep end. Just the ticket for those aged between 18-35 or anyone young at heart with an open mind, an eye on the budget & a nose for adventure.
Explore the world on two feet - or two wheels! Our active trips range from classic treks & trips where walking forms an integral part of the itinerary to cycling tours offering a totally new perspective on a destination. All our active trips are fully supported.
Our Basic tours offer superb value and are ideal for those who are happy to forgo some creature comforts in favour of an authentic and fun experience. Under the leadership of a fully trained tour leader, you will enjoy all the highlights and freedom of independent travel with the convenience, security and companionship of a small group.
This document contains essential information that you need to prepare for, as well as information you will need during your holiday with Geckos.
We ask that you read it carefully and that you take the document with you on your holiday. It contains information on visas, vaccinations, spending money, etc, as well as a detailed, day by day itinerary of your trip.
International flights, arrival and departure transfers, departure and airport taxes, visas, all other meals, all optional tours or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.
We ask all our travellers to obtain their Laos visas at the border, and NOT in their home country. Your tour leader will assist you in obtaining a Laos visa, generally at the border, depending on the current state of affairs, as it can vary.
Please ensure that you have at least 1 passport photos and up to US$60 cash (this may vary too) to fulfil the requirements. There will also be an Immigration Fee of USD1. To assist us in processing your Laos visas, please provide your agent with accurate passport details prior to the departure of your trip as these details will be passed on to our leader.
When crossing the border you will most likely see a lesser entry fee than what you have paid. This is due to the leader having to use a local agent to process the visa which allows the group to cross the border as quickly as possible.
The above information has been put together as a guide. We do endeavor to update this information as much as possible but it's also important that you check for yourself as visas are the responsibility of the traveller.
If you are flying into Thailand you will be issued with a 30 day stay on arrival.
If you are crossing into Thailand via a land border you will be granted a 15 day stay only. However, you can obtain an extension at an immigration office for approx 2000THB, alternatively you can apply for a Thauland visa in advance from your embassy or consulate – this will allow a 30 day stay. Exception– as of 28 Oct 2013 citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Italy, Germany and Japan are eligible for 30 day visa at land borders.
If you are not from one of the following countries please contact your consulate or embassy for more information on visa conditions for Thailand Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, United Kingdom and USA.
The above information has been put together as a guide. We do endeavor to update this information as much as possible but it's also important that you check for yourself as visas are the responsibility of the traveller.
Many governments publish up-to-date travel advice for countries around the world. Information is gleaned from both local and international sources as well as 'friendly' governments, and the notices are often on the cautious side. Sometimes there will be conflicting information. For example, the Australian, UK and Canadian governments may agree on the nature of the advice; however, frequently they do not. And sometimes the views expressed by a particular government can be coloured by political considerations. We will monitor these travel advisories closely and may alter itineraries or cancel trips as a result. However, it is also your responsibility to stay informed and form a balanced view. We recommend that you visit the websites or contact the departments listed below. Unless otherwise stated, it is not normally the intention of the relevant government travel advice to dissuade you from travelling. Rather, it is to inform you of where and when you should exercise caution to avoid problems. Please also note that, as a responsible tour operator, we maintain constant links with our ground operators and your safety - at all times - is our paramount concern. You can check your government's latest travel advice at one of the links below:
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
U.S. Department of State New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Your visa application form may require you to state the dates on which you enter and exit that country. Please note we suggest you list your date of entry a few days before, and date of exit a few days after, your intended dates in case you encounter any delays or problems en route. The following are the international/administrative border crossings for this trip:
Day 4 Thailand to Laos
The Thailand border is Chiangkhong
The Laos border is Houy Xai
To help calculate the exact dates of these crossings we have found the following website useful: http://www.timeanddate.com
We strongly recommend you visit your doctor to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you regarding the appropriate inoculations. In some places anti-malaria medication may also be required. Some vaccines need to be administered a few weeks before departure so allow yourself plenty of time. Obtain a certificate of vaccination and carry this with you on this trip. A dental check up is also highly recommended
Vaccinations may be required for this trip. Please consult your doctor or a travel health specialist. The choice of vaccinations can depend on a range of issues including the specific destination, the duration of the trip, your personal health and of course what vaccines you have had before.
Routine Background Vaccines: We strongly endorse current public health recommendations that all travellers should be up-to-date with their routine vaccines such as tetanus, diphtheria, measles/mumps/rubella, polio and influenza, and paediatric vaccinations for children.
Travel Vaccinations: While the food and water-borne diseases such as hepatitis A and typhoid will apply to most of our travellers, other travel vaccines such as hepatitis B, rabies, meningitis, Japanese encephalitis and cholera may apply to select travellers, especially long-term travel. Travel health experts can advise on what is required and also what is not required!
It is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain any vaccinations or preventative medicines for the countries you are visiting – or any which may be required by your home country upon your return. To find out which, if any, vaccinations are mandatory or recommended for your destination contact your local doctor, immunisation centre or medical centre for up-to-date information. If you need to arrange vaccinations or a supply of preventative medicine (e.g. malaria tablets), you should contact your doctor at least two months before you depart. Some inoculations require more than one visit and can take several weeks to administer the full course.
For travellers from Australia and New Zealand, we recommend the Travel Doctor-TMVC clinics (see www.traveldoctor.com.au or phone 1300 658 844 for an appointment in Australia). Travellers from countries other than Australia and New Zealand should contact similar organisations or their travel doctor for advice. General health and vaccination information is available to all travellers at www.traveldoctor.com.au/travelreport. Some vaccines require more than one dose, so arrange for your visit at least 4-6 weeks before you travel.
Carry Your Certificate
You should be issued with an International Certificate of Vaccination booklet that records each vaccination. Always carry this with you on your travels; it could provide essential information for doctors in the event that you fall ill whilst travelling.
Malaria: There is no vaccination against malaria, which is transmitted by mosquito bites and is a risk in the tropical areas. Protection against mosquito bites is essential and where the risk is considered high, anti-malarial medications are recommended. Anti-malarial medications should be discussed with experts as there are different medications available and not all medications suit all people or all destinations. We prefer that trekkers to altitude try to avoid the use of mefloquine (Lariam) if possible.
We recommend that you photocopy the main pages of your passport, your airline ticket, itinerary, insurance policy, traveller's cheques and credit card. Keep one set of photocopies with you, separate from the originals. Leave one set of copies at home with family or friends. It is also worth taking some extra passport photos with you in case of additional visas, permits or other unforeseen paperwork.
Remember - the lighter you travel the better! You may be buying things as you go, so you should not bring too much from home. Many people find a backpack the most suitable type of luggage for our holidays. Medium-sized suitcases can also be used; however, you should avoid the large, bulky cases that are difficult to carry. The lockable suitcases on wheels are the best types to use. Be aware that some hotels in Asia are not over-endowed with lifts (elevators) and there may be occasions when you need to carry your luggage up stairs or along railway platforms, etc.
When packing, consider cultural differences which may mean that some attire that we wear at home is not appropriate in Asia and may be offensive to the local people. Beachwear in towns is not appropriate, nor is 'short' shorts, particularly for women. Light cotton pants are a better option. When visiting sites of religious significance, modest clothing should be worn. Sandals, thongs, flip-flops or jandals are appropriate footwear in the tropics.
Please refer to the specific country section for climate details. When you pack your clothing, consider the climate at the time of year you are travelling and any specific requirements for your trip as at certain times of the year some of the items suggested in the list that follow may not be necessary. Bear in mind that the weather will vary significantly from place to place. The majority of time the weather is warm in South East Asia; however, it may be distinctly cold up in the highlands. If there are specific requirements for a trip, these will be noted in the separate country section, or in the Trip Notes relating to that trip. Please note that in the last few years, the world's weather pattern has gone somewhat awry. The effects of 'El Nino' and 'La Nina' are very real and this has resulted in unseasonable droughts followed by unseasonable deluges. Be prepared for the unexpected! Laundry facilities are available in some destinations.
Below is a list of equipment and documentation that we suggest you take with you. Please use this checklist as a guide when packing for your holiday.
It is a good idea to take a small medical kit with you, and you should consider packing the following items:
Antibiotics, Lip-balm, moisturiser, sunscreen, headache tablets, antiseptic (e.g. Betadine), anti-diarrhoea tablets (for changes in diet and water), laxatives, band-aids/moleskin/dressing strips for blisters, small scissors/tweezers. Note that moleskin is particularly good for blisters and can be obtained from any pharmacy.
It is also recommended to carry a letter from your doctor explaining any less common prescribed medications that you may be carrying.
Diarrhoea Stomach upsets are not uncommon when travelling through new destinations (usually a 24 - 48 hour 'bug') and this may cause diarrhoea, leading to dehydration. Should you develop a stomach upset you should eat only in moderation and drink plenty of fluids. It is a good idea to carry a couple of sachets of rehydrants with you (such as Gastrolite). We also suggest that you carry one of the common anti-diarrhoea tablets such as Imodium.
Sunstroke It can be quite easy to get sun burnt when you are not accustomed to the sun in new climates. You should take sensible precautions such as wearing a hat and using a good UV sunscreen. Finally, drink plenty of fluids - preferably water.
Water In general, water is not safe to drink in the areas through which we travel. Bottled Water is widely available and most travellers prefer to drink this. Your guide can assist you in regards to the relative safety of tap water and the availability of bottled water on each tour. When walking, or in hot conditions, you must make a conscious effort to maintain your hydration, drinking as much water/tea as possible to offset fluid loss.
The unit of currency is the kip. Notes come in denominations of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 , 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 kip. Coins are no longer in use. Thai baht and US dollars are also frequently used in commerce. Please note that kips are useless outside of Laos and almost impossible to change into other currencies.
The unit of currency is the Thai baht. There are 1, 2, 5 and 10 baht coins. There is a new copper and silver 10 baht coin. Notes are in the denominations of 10 (quite scarce), 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 baht (with the last very hard to change!).
Check out www.xe.com for current exchange rates.
Money is safest when carried in the form of traveller's cheques. However, in Laos, you should carry a fair amount of your money in cash, for a lot of places (especially outside Vientiane and Luang Prabang) do not change traveller's cheques. Most major foreign currencies, such as Australian, U.S. and Canadian dollars, English pounds and Swiss francs, are easily changed. If you are taking cash (US dollars suggested), all notes must be new and not marked or torn. If notes are torn, crumpled, nicked or old it may be difficult to change them. If you are taking traveller's cheques, American Express and Thomas Cook are the most widely accepted. In capital cities or major regional centres some (not all) credit cards can be used on occasions, although these tend to be up-market places. Generally, do not rely on using your credit cards outside Vientiane.
There are plenty of money changing facilities in Thailand's cities and towns. Authorised money changers generally offer the best exchange rates but it's worth it to shop around. Thailand also has a plethora of ATMs, which can also be used to get cash advances on credit cards. Look for ATMs displaying Maestro, Cirrus, MasterCard or Visa symbols. Traveller's cheques can be changed at most hotels, banks and currency exchange booths. In large cities there is no problem cashing cheques. You should consider where you are heading to, taking into account any public holidays, and cash enough money to see you to your next major town. Your tour leader will brief you at your pre-departure meeting on the specifics relevant to your particular trip. Credit cards are accepted in many shops, restaurants and hotels, but should not be relied on as your only form of funds. There are currency exchange booths in the arrival hall of Bangkok International Airport which offer the standard rate.
You will need to take money with you to cover sightseeing, entrance fees, meals and drinks. Other costs to consider are drinking water, tips, laundry, souvenirs, additional activities during free time and possible delays. It is much better to come with more than you would expect to spend and to end the trip with a surplus, rather than being caught short! It is always useful to carry an additional amount for emergencies that could happen en route. If there is a medical emergency you are sometimes required to pay at the source and be reimbursed later by your insurance company. How Much Money? In our trip notes we have suggested an appropriate allowance for additional meals. This does not include alcoholic drinks, e.g. beer. In addition to this you should carry sufficient funds for optional activities, additional sightseeing, shopping and tips. As a guideline we suggest that you allow $US15-20 per day (or maybe less!) in Asia would allow you to eat and drink reasonably well. Emergency Funds In the unlikely event of an emergency of a personal nature or unforseen changes to the Gecko's schedule, we recommend you have access to an additional US$300 to cover any costs that may arise as a result of these events.
In our brochure we have suggested an appropriate allowance for additional meals (US$170). As a result of customer feedback we recommend you allow a figure of between US$100- $140 for your DRINK and SNACK requirements, additional to the amount suggested in the brochure for meals.. Use a higher figure particularly if you are travelling during the hot season when you will require more fluids.
In addition you should carry sufficient funds for extra sightseeing and optional activities. Shopping is a personal thing that, again, varies enormously. On average, people spend anywhere between US$50 and US$200 on souvenirs, art, etc.
You will be required to pay airport and departure taxes in most countries. Most of these are added to the ticket price on purchase and you will not need to bother further about them. Others must be paid physically at the airport on departure. All airport taxes in Laos should now be included in the price of your flight ticket and so there should be no need to pay additional tax at the airport. However we recommend that you check with your travel agent for the latest information.
You will be required to pay airport and departure taxes in most countries. Most of these are added to the ticket price on purchase and you will not need to bother further about them. Others must be paid physically at the airport on departure. All airport taxes in Thailand should now be included in the price of your flight ticket and so there should be no need to pay additional tax at the airport. However we recommend that you check with your travel agent for the latest information.
If you're happy with the services provided a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many of our destinations. Although can be difficult to source we advise you to carry small notes of local currency each day to make tipping easier.
The following amounts are per person suggestions based on local considerations and feedback from our past travellers: Restaurants: Local markets and basic restaurants - round your bill up to the nearest US$1. More up-market restaurants we suggest 10% to 15% of your bill.
Local guides: Throughout your trip you may at times have a local guide in addition to your tour leader. We suggest US$2-US$3 per day for local guides.
Drivers: You may have a range of drivers on your trip. Some may be with you for a short journey while others may be with you for several days. We would suggest a higher tip for those more involved with the group, however we suggest US$1-US$2 per day for drivers.
Your Tour Leader: You may also consider tipping your tour leader for outstanding service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline US$2-US$4 per person, per day can be used. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
In total, we recommend you budget approx US$5-US$10 per day of your trip to cover tipping. At your group meeting on Day 1 your tour leader will discuss with you the idea of running a group tipping kitty, whereby everybody contributes an equal amount and then your tour leader pays the tips while keeping a running record of all monies spent (except restaurant tips). The record can be checked at any time and any money remaining at the end of the tour returned to group members. This is often the easiest way to avoid the hassles of needing small change and knowing when and what is an appropriate amount to tip.
Please don't tip with coins, very small denomination notes, or dirty and ripped notes. This is regarded culturally as an insult.
If you have booked an arrival transfer with us:
On arrival, after collecting luggage and clearing customs, a representative will be waiting at EXIT 6 with a Geckos welcome board
If you have any problems or cannot find our staff, please call the following number: Miss Lyn 081 658 2727 or Klang 081 566 9324 and wait at the Association of Thai Travel Agents. Alternatively ask reception to contact World Travel Idea for assistance.
Bangkok new Suvarnabhumi (pronounced 'Suwannaphoom') International Airport is located in the Samut Prakan District, 30 kilometres east of the city. It is serviced by taxis and buses into downtown Bangkok. If travelling by taxi to your hotel use only authorised taxis and not the touts who frequent the arrivals hall. The meters in metered taxis into town should read no more than 350 Baht, but there is an additional 50 Baht for airport surcharge and 75 Baht for tolls. Allow for a total of just under 500 Baht (approximately US$14). From the arrivals hall in Level 2, passengers should head down to Level 1, where the taxi rank is located. All airport buses, no matter where you get off, cost 150 Baht (approximately US$4) per person. The airport bus is not a recommended option for first-time travellers to Bangkok. Another alternative is the Airport Rail Link that has just been completed. It offers a fast alternative for those wishing to use it. It travels regularly offering a 15 minute express train or a 30 minute journey stopping all stations. It travels (return) from Suvarnabhumi Airport to downtown Bangkok ( Makkasan Station) and offers full check in facilities. It cost 150 Baht per person.
If you have NOT pre-booked an arrival transfer, you must find your own way to the joining hotel.
On arrival at your hotel please check the notice board in the lobby for a note from your tour leader, which will advise you of the actual time of the Welcome Meeting. Please bring your passport and travel insurance documents to the briefing.
Generally, your room will be available from around midday as Check In and Out times are midday according to hotel policy. Sometimes it may be available mid-morning but this is in no way guaranteed. If your flight is scheduled to arrive in the early morning you may have to wait until a room becomes available. Alternatively you can book one night's 'pre-tour accommodation' which will ensure that your room is ready whenever you arrive. Please refer to the 'Additional Services' panel in the pricing page of our brochure. When arriving early after an overnight rail journey, it is not always possible to check into your hotel immediately. Please be patient and wait for your tour guide's instructions. Normally the leader will arrange a day room for guests to share if it is not possible for all rooms to be ready at once. Rooms must generally be vacated by 12.00 noon unless you have made prior arrangements with the hotel reception. If you want to keep your room for longer you may have to pay an additional charge. Please ensure that you settle all bills (eg mini-bar, phone calls) when you check out. If you are sharing a room with someone who is checking out before you make sure they pay their bills at reception or you collect some money to cover their bills as you will be asked to pay upon check out.
Please ask first if you want to take someone's photograph. This is just a normal courtesy and if you are refused permission please abide by that person's wishes. At certain ancient sites, and in most museums, photography (video or still) may be forbidden, or may incur an extra charge for camera-use. Do not take photos of buildings, structures and personnel of potential military significance (including airports, bridges, and police stations).
Travelling with us can provide you with some really rewarding travel experiences. Our tours visit countries where travel modes and lifestyles are often not as sophisticated as our own. There is also a laid-back attitude amongst workers and there will often seem to be huge amounts of red tape and bureaucracy when doing the simplest things. You will enjoy your trip much more if you slip into the rhythm of local life and are prepared to take things as they come.
In most countries even the smallest quantity of an illegal substance is considered a very serious offence and can carry lengthy jail terms. Avoid any contact with illegal drugs. Don't put yourself and others at risk and never carry bags or luggage for other people. Any person found to be carrying or using illegal drugs will be asked to leave the trip immediately without the right to any refund.
Laos is a very inexpensive country to visit by Western standards. For example, the average cost of a meal in Laos would be around US$2-US$3. A bottle of Beerlao is around US$0.80-US$1.20 and one litre of bottled water is US$0.50.
Thailand is wonderfully inexpensive. A meal in a restaurant will cost around THB100-THB300, whereas a street snack is only THB30-THB50. A large bottle of Singha beer is about THB80-THB120 and a litre of water will set you back THB10-THB20.
Please note that, on your tour, you may link up with passengers booked on other tours in our Gecko's Asia program.
By employing and training local site guides to lead our group holidays, there is a two-fold benefit. Firstly, we provide employment opportunities for the local community. Just as importantly is the benefit to you, the traveller. Your tour guide's friendship, humour, passion and intimate knowledge of the region will be key factors in making your holiday a success.
Tipping has become an accepted part of tourism in South East Asia. Your tour guide will be able to advise you in this area; however, as a guideline we would recommend tipping 10% of the total bill in restaurants and a small tip to hotel bellboys for carrying your bags.
At you pre-tour briefing your tour guide will discuss with you the idea of running a tipping kitty, whereby everybody contributes an equal amount and then the tour guide pays the tips and keeps a record of all monies spent (except restaurant tips). The record can be checked at any time and any money remaining at the end of the tour is returned to group members. This is often the easiest way to avoid the hassles of needing small change and knowing what is an appropriate amount to tip.
It is customary to tip your tour guide, at the end of the trip, if you are happy with the service. A minimum tip of US$2 per day, from each member of the group, is the usual amount expected.
A single supplement is available on this trip. On the following nights a single room is not available:
Day 2 Overnight train Day 5 Pakbeng
In the case of a genuine crisis or emergency, the Gecko's Thailand office can be reached on Tel: +66 898 103 722.
Please remember that our tours are of an adventurous nature. Our style of travelling means that it is more desirable to carry a backpack and a day pack on our tours.
Please note that the accommodation facilities here are basic, but provide you with an authentic experience of how these people live. You may wish to bring an inner sleeping sheet for the train journeys and the village stay, but please note that this is not a necessity. For light sleepers, we recommend that you bring ear-plugs and eye-patches for the overnight rail journey and the village stay.
Occasionally it may be necessary to amend this itinerary for reasons beyond our control such as weather and road conditions. Changes to domestic train schedules occur frequently and with little notice: any such changes may necessitate some alterations to this itinerary.
Please note that Thailand and Laos are developing countries whose infrastructure may differ from what you expect in your homeland. Expect poor road conditions and be prepared for some inconveniences due to such things as restaurants or tourist sites being closed (especially during festival periods). Some of the accommodation is of a basic nature, as our aim is to enable you to experience how the local people people live.
This is an 'adventure' trip and we hope to expose you to all aspects of the Thai and Lao cultures. Please be open minded while travelling, as this will allow you to truly experience everything that the region has to offer.
On this trip you may link up with passengers on other Gecko's tours.
At some of the tourist sites and in the cities it is possible you will come across beggars. This can prove an uncomfortable encounter especially for inexperienced travellers. There are many genuine beggars, however there are also those who find the lifestyle easier than working and these people often see tourists as easy prey. As a general rule, if you feel the impulse to give, you should be discreet in the giving. Never make a show of it, as you will attract a crowd, which brings with it its own set of problems. There are often charities that take care of the needy and it may be wise to give to them rather than to individuals begging.
Dress standards:-
In places you should dress conservatively to avoid attracting unwanted attention and so as not to offend the local population. This is especially applicable to women travellers. Dress rules also apply at many of the religious sites.
Trip Length
Trip Code
12 days
Countries Visited
Laos, Thailand
Start City
End City
The hunt for your favourite Thai street food begins. It'll be a toss-up between phad thai and som tam. Walk it off on a city tour before the sleeper train to Chiang Mai.
Day 1
Day 2
See how many activities you can pack into 24 hours, starting with a cooking class, the 300 steps at Doi Suthep and a tour of the Night Bazaar.
Our first stop in Laos is this peaceful little town where you'll have loads of free time. Are you a book or a Kindle person? Either way, this is a good place to get stuck into your holiday reading.
Cruise the mighty Mekong and say sabai dee to locals along the way. You'll feel right at home tonight in your little guesthouse in Pakbeng.
After a busy day seeing Buddhist temples, hiking to Kuang Si Falls and exploring Pak Ou Caves, we think you deserve a rest. Find an herbal steamroom or play some pentanque with the locals (a bit like boules). Don't expect them to go easy on your.
Vang Vieng is surrounded by mountains, rivers and big limestone cliffs. Spend a couple of days checking out the caves, lagoons and forests.
It's all over red rover.
The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please ensure that you have the most up-to-date information for your trip. We recommend that you check the trip notes for your tour around one month before departure. If you have any queries, please contact us. We are here to help you!
7th April 2014
Our tailor made adventure holidays will truly inspire and delight the senses and will live in your memory for ever.
Join us on one of our worldwide adventures coming up over the next few months – all guaranteed to depart, all at up to 20% off.


text:
Authorities arrest woman on suspicion of OWI after hit-and-run
Published On: Dec 02 2012 07:41:19 PM CST
Updated On: Dec 02 2012 11:35:11 PM CST
Updated On: Dec 02 2012 11:35:11 PM CST
Officials said they have made an arrest in a hit-and-run crash that injured a teenager in Waterford.
Authorities with the Racine County Sheriff's Office said 13-year-old boy was hit by a vehicle on Main Street Saturday night.
Deputies said they later took a 28-year-old woman into custody on suspicion of OWI.
The teen is in stable condition at Children's Hospital and is expected to survive.
Copyright 2012 by WISN.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The views expressed are not those of this site, this station or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to accept our terms of use.blog comments powered by Disqus

subset: commoncrawl


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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - New unemployment numbers are coming out that could show whether or not Florida's economic recovery is picking up momentum.
Florida on Friday will release the state's unemployment figures for the month of November. The state's jobless rate in October was 6.7 percent.
Florida in October led the nation in job growth, adding nearly 45,000 jobs.
Payroll provider ADP reported earlier this month that the state added 19,450 private sector jobs during the month of November. ADP's survey is separate from the one that is conducted by government agencies.
Gov. Rick Scott has contended the state's unemployment rate is dropping due to his policies.
But state economists have said another reason for the decline is that people were leaving the labor force or had delayed their job search.


text:
We were terrified of the ball gag, too.A chef, a pastry chef and a food critic walk into Erotic Cabaret. It's not the beginning of a joke; it's how I spent my Saturday afternoon. I took chef Jonathan Jones of Beaver's and pastry chef Jody Stevens of Jodycakes to the "marital aid" store this ... More >>
So Denise Richards is getting her own reality show on E! titled "It's Complicated." Why is this so? Why is Denise Richards getting her own show? Because she slept with her friend Heather Locklear's ex-husband Richie Sambora? Because she was married to Charlie Sheen? Because she had gues ... More >>
We're not making up these beauty and fitness treatments
Juke joints and the decay of time: Project Row Houses has a contagious case of the blues


text:
Instagram updates its Android and iOS apps
The new Instagram Android app, version 5.1, comes with an improved design that makes it faster and more responsive. Users should be able to notice that profile screens now load twice as fast. Instagram also reduced the overall app size in half. Thanks to new, simplified visuals, the app now makes "use of valuable screen space for small devices." Buttons have been rearranged for a smoother navigation on larger Android devices, too.
Unlike the Android app, Instagram for iOS received only a minor update. This enhances lux control, letting you "strengthen or soften your photos with a custom slider."
Instagram for both Android and iOS are free to download in their respective app stores.
Instagram 5.1 for Android
Popular galleries
Samsung Galaxy S6 (Project Zero) rumor round-up: specs, features, price, release date and all we know so far
Three pro photographers get armed with Xperia Z3 and show how it's done: tilt shift, night and contrast shots
Instagram 5.1 for Android
sources: Google Play, iTunes via Instagram, PhoneScoop
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6 Comments
1. Sauce (unregistered)
Now I can use the IG on my Note without envying my iPhones IG
2. rodneyej1 (Posts: 3561; Member since: 06 Jul 2013)
Good.. Now iDroids Instagram app is almost caught up with WP's Instagram app 6tag... Why doesn't Rudy just make 6tag available for all platforms??
5. The13thKing (banned) (Posts: 849; Member since: 26 Feb 2014)
The hell is that?
6. Ishmeet (Posts: 111; Member since: 16 Sep 2013)
Agree, Rudy's apps are quite awesome.
My friend owns a windows phone, and these apps are the reason I sometimes get jealous. He knows what and how to make and execute perfectly.
3. doejon (Posts: 360; Member since: 31 Jul 2012)
the should fix the videoupload for galaxy s3/galaxy note 2 first!!!
from nov till now no fix..:(
4. twens (Posts: 697; Member since: 25 Feb 2012)
Here goes another proof that IOS apps are so much well designed and worked on than Android apps. I believe it's the reason iPhone seems to even open apps faster sometimes. The developers are to blame for all these. They work any how on android apps yet spend so much time on IOS apps. I just updated and the speed and lunch time of the app is totally dfrnt.


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Facebook aims to get more people onlineBy BARBARA ORTUTAY
The Associated Press | August 22,2013AP Photo
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg wants to get more of the worlds more than 7 billion people online through a partnership with some of the worlds largest mobile technology companies.NEW YORK Facebook wants to get more of the worlds more than 7 billion people all of them, actually online through a partnership with some of the worlds largest mobile technology companies.
Facebook Inc. announced a partnership called Internet.org on Wednesday. In addition to the worlds biggest online social network, the group also includes Korean electronics giant Samsung, Finnish handset maker Nokia and wireless chip maker Qualcomm Inc.
Facebook said the groups goal is to make Internet access available to the two-thirds of the world who are not yet connected about 5 billion people.
The groups plans include developing cheaper smartphones and tools that would reduce the amount of data required to run apps. For Facebook, the move would certainly add more users to its current 1.15 billion, but CEO Mark Zuckerberg paints it as something bigger.
For nine years, weve been on a mission to connect the world. We now connect more than 1 billion people, but to connect the next 5 billion we must solve a much bigger problem: the vast majority of people dont have access to the Internet, Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook page along with a paper titled Is Connectivity A Human Right?
He points out that the people who already use Facebook have way more money than the rest of the world combined. That means it may not actually be pro?table for us to serve the next few billion people for a very long time, if ever. But we believe everyone deserves to be connected.
Javier Olivan, vice president of growth and analytics at Facebook, said the move continues what the company has already been doing to get more people online. This includes Facebook For Every Phone, an app that launched in 2011 to let people with simple, nonsmartphones use Facebook.
Wireless equipment company Ericsson, Web browser developer Opera Software and MediaTek, another wireless semiconductor company, are also founding members of Internet.org.
Google Inc., which is not a part of the Internet.org effort, launched a similar undertaking earlier this year with the goal of getting everyone on Earth online. Called Project Loon, the project launched Internet-beaming antennas abroad giant helium balloons into the stratosphere.MORE IN National / World BusinessNEW YORK The stock market stayed at record levels on Monday as investors remained confident... Full StoryLOS ANGELES Against the team of hackers, the poor car stood no chance. Full StoryNEW YORK A procrastinators holiday wish come true: Presents ordered at the last minute can now... Full Story
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- RICHARD'S POOR ALMANACK: In 1944, U.S. begins B-29 bombing raids on Japanese main islands; in 1950, Great Appalachian Storm begins to form; 1963, Lee Oswald killed by Jack Ruby; 1974, D.B. Cooper hijacks Seattle-bound airliner; 1974, 'Lucy' found.
- RICHARD'S POOR ALMANACK: On this day in 1927, striking Colo. miners attacked with machine guns by state police; 1877, Thomas Edison announces invention of the phonograph, 1959, Alan Freed fired by WABC 770 AM for accepting payola to promote records.
- RICHARD'S POOR ALMANACK: On this day in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivers short speech in Gettysburg, Pa.; in 1984, a Pemex LNG facility destroyed by series of gas explosions, 600 people are killed; in 1998, Senate builds fire under Bill Clinton.
- RICHARD'S POOR ALMANACK: On this day in 1831 – Independent South American super-state, Gran Colombia, dissolved; 1856 - Fort Buchanan built to control Apache warriors; 1970 - William Calley Jr. goes on trial after 1968 massacre at My Lai, Vietnam.
- RICHARD'S POOR ALMANACK: Wisconsin Sen. Joe McCarthy takes advantage of Cold War jitters and builds a tidy little fiefdom for himself on Capitol Hill. It's all good, but pride goes before you know darn well what. The junior senator is damaged going down.
- RICHARD'S POOR ALMANACK: On this day in 1927, Leon Trotsky is expelled from the Soviet Communist Party, leaving Joseph Stalin in control of the Soviet Union; in 1970, Oregon DOT tries to dynamite a dead whale off a beach with a rather shocking result.


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Make a Woven Wonder Gift Topper in 5 Easy Steps!
November 7th, 2014
This article series was featured previously in our Weekly Stitch newsletter, which features new products, tips, and more. If you enjoy it and would like to subscribe, click here.
Turn any package into a mini loom! If you teach the recipient how to tie off the edges, they'll have a little coaster or place mat in addition to the gift inside.
For this gift topper, you'll need two types of yarn (the example below uses Wool-Ease® Thick & Quick® in Citron and Lion Wool® in Dark Teal*.), tape, and a tapestry needle, in addition to your wrapped gift.
*Editors' Note: Lion Wool® has been discontinued since this article was originally published. Try a color-changing yarn like Amazing® and Landscapes® or use the leftover yarn from the handmade gift inside.
Step 1
Tape the end of the first yarn to the back of your package. Wrap yarn around package lengthwise, keeping strands close together (aprox ¼" apart). Wrap about 20 times for a coaster, 50 for a placemat OR any even number of times. Once wrapped, cut yarn, remove the tape holding the other end of yarn and tie the two strands together, being careful not to distort the front lineup. Trim tails.
Read the rest of this entry »
Crochet a "Quick and Comfy" Cowl in Wool-Ease Thick & Quick with Kara from Petals to Picots!
November 6th, 2014
#Scarfie = A selfie with a scarf!
Get your crochet hooks out − because today, we've got another wonderful pattern from a blogger who participated in the #scarfie challenge! Kara, from the blog Petals to Picots, has created a beautifully textured cowl in the ever-popular Oatmeal colorway of Wool-Ease Thick & Quick. She even adorned her cowl (which only requires two balls) with a few metal buttons for a more rustic look, and we love it!
Check out Kara's pattern here: Quick and Comfy Crochet Scarf Pattern
For all the knitters, Kara has also created a lovely knit version of her cowl with the Barley color of Wool-Ease Thick & Quick: Quick and Comfy Knit Scarf Pattern
P.S − We thank you for continuing to share your #scarfie projects with us on Twitter and Facebook, it's so fun to see everyone getting in on the action. Read more about our #scarfie campaign here.
7 Creatively Crocheted Halloween Wreaths from the Crochet Crowd Challenge!
November 5th, 2014
November is here and it's time to switch modes … out of spooky, Halloween decor and back into fall and Thanksgiving mode!
BUT just before we do, we want to share some news! The Crochet Crowd's Grim Wreath Challenge has just ended and the randomly-chosen, lucky winner of the $150 yarn prize goes to Crissi C. from New Hampshire! Congratulations and thank you for your entry Crissi!
There were so many great entries, we just have to share a few other great wreaths from the Grim Wreath Challenge submissions, so please take a look below!
Beat the Chill with 10 Popular Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Patterns
November 4th, 2014
Winter is coming and Wool-Ease® Thick & Quick® is the perfect yarn for colder weather. It's a super bulky version of Wool-Ease® and it has the feel, warmth and softness of wool, with the easy care of acrylic – it's also perfect for those who are normally allergic to real wool!
This is a great yarn to use when you're learning how to knit: it works up quickly and easily for projects like sweaters, jackets, vests, slippers, hats, and, of course, scarves.
Two of our most popular projects use this yarn: our Hunger Games-inspired cowl, the District 12 Cowl Wrap, and one of our most popular sweaters, the Striped Boyfriend Cardigan!
AND For the entire month of November, Wool-Ease® Thick & Quick® is 20% off the original price!
Find some inspiration in the collection below and for more free patterns, search Patternfinder – it's time to get knitting and crocheting!
|Knit District 12 Cowl Wrap
|Crochet Slouchy Stripe Hat
|Knit Simple Hat
Make a Zodiac Scarf for Sagittarius Birthdays!
November 3rd, 2014
If you were born between November 23rd and December 21st, you are a Sagittarius. Sagittarians are known for being open, friendly, and outgoing, but their most outstanding trait is their love of freedom. They tend to be innovators in whatever they do, with imaginations that run free. They are often artists, writers, actors or entrepreneurs.
The ruling color of Sagittarius is purple. Purple is the color that represents creativity. The combination of blues and purples is perfect for those born under this sign because with such an outgoing personality, you need to balance it with colors that are not too bright and don't draw attention to yourself.
Famous Sagittarians include Willa Cather, Jane Austen, Woody Allen, Brad Pitt and John Kennedy, Jr.
If someone you care about is a Sagittarius, this scarf will be the perfect gift. It's not just any scarf, but one that reflects their unique personality and mindset.
Looking to make a customized scarf for other birthdays? Check out our entire collection of Zodiac scarves.
FLASH SALE – Save 25% on Thick & Quick Yarns!
November 1st, 2014
Save 25% on Thick & Quick® yarns on orders $35 or more, now through to November 4th, 12noon EST!
Coupon code 'FLASH25TQ' will be automatically filled into the coupon box at checkout on qualified orders. Only one coupon per person; cannot be combined with other coupons. ** Does not apply to Clearance Section yarns. **
Lola Finds Unexpected Friends … Somewhere Over The Rainbow
October 31st, 2014
Here is the latest installment of Lola, from its creator Todd Clark.
|Crochet Over The Rainbow Scarf
|Crochet Over The Rainbow Hat
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Stormy Weather Cowl: A #Scarfie Pattern by Tamara from Moogly!
October 30th, 2014
#Scarfie = A selfie with a scarf!
As you may have seen already, our #scarfie program is underway and plenty of you have been tweeting your #scarfies and sharing them with us on Facebook, so thank you!
Today, we've got a pattern from the amazingly talented Tamara over at Moogly. Tamara's Stormy Weather Cowl has been a big hit on her blog, and we're excited to share her pattern with you. Only 2 balls of Wool-Ease Thick & Quick are required for this project, so get your hooks and yarn ready!
Find Tamara's pattern here: Stormy Weather Cowl
Learn to Finger Knit with the Knitting Runner, David Babcock
October 29th, 2014
Featured in the New York Times and around the world, David Babcock is the Guinness World Record holder for knitting the longest scarf (12 feet!) while running a marathon, which he did in Kansas City last October. Coupled with a great deal of skill and endurance, David credits his choice in using Lion Brand's Hometown USA as a factor in his amazing accomplishment! Lion Brand is sponsoring David in the New York City Marathon on November 2nd, 2014 and lucky for us, he's agreed to write for us leading up to race day! Plus, you can meet David while he's in New York City!
This Sunday, I'll be running the New York City Marathon while knitting a scarf. I'm doing it to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer's. While training for the New York City Marathon, I was faced with a problem. Due to security concerns I was told that I would not be allowed to bring knitting needles or a crochet hook with me on the run. I respect the great service that the New York Police Department provides and want to support their efforts. So I had to come up with a way to knit on the run without needles.
I tried arm knitting, but a 15 minute scarf doesn't fill my target 4 hour finish time and the giant loose gauge would not hold up well on the run. I was aware of what is commonly called finger knitting but I didn't feel that a 4 stitch stockinette would work well either. So I did a little experimentation of my own and in the process I learned more about knitting.
Knitting at its simplest level is just a series of loops inside of loops. Knitting needles are a very helpful tool for holding stitches and picking up and pulling loops through, but learning where to insert them and how to twist them was quite a challenge for me as a beginner.
Go To The Fair – Michelle Edwards Visits Rhinebeck
October 29th, 2014
"… Go to the Fair, Templeton. You will find that the conditions at a fair will surpass
your wildest dreams. Buckets with sour mash sticking to them, tin cans
containing particles of tuna fish, greasy paper bags stuffed with rotten …"
"That's enough!" cried Templeton. "Don't tell me anymore. I'm going."
E.B. White, Charlotte's Web
Convincing my cousin Janet to go to The New York State Sheep and Wool Festival wasn't hard. Unlike Templeton the rat in Charlotte's Web, she didn't need the lure of sour mash, stray particles of tuna fish, or even greasy paper bags. The mere mention of sheep and wool and she was on board.
I had been to Rhinebeck, as the event is known in the fiber world, when I was promoting my knitting book, A Knitter's Home Companion. My fair days back then were spent almost entirely signing books. This summer, after attending a small Iowa sheep and wool festival, I got the itch to go back to the big one, to Rhinebeck, to see what I had missed.
Rhinebeck is not only about wool. Among the offerings there were a bred ewe auction, an angora goat show, and an exotic breeds parade. In addition, there were demos of "blue ribbon hearth" cooking, canine Frisbee, sheepdog herding and more. Not to mention classes like Weave a Williamsburg Basket, Art and Science of Natural Dyeing, Needle Felting in 2-D and 3-D, Made in the Moment Jewelry, Double Knitting, Beginning Rug Hooking and Spinning for Socks.
Of course, Janet and I went straight for the wool. We cruised booth after booth, discussed the merits of projects and yarns on display. Often our eyes were drawn to the handwork worn by other fair attendees. We admired lacy shawls, cabled sweaters and the stunning green baby blankets covering a pair of adorable twins in their side-by-side stroller.
Read the rest of this entry »


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November 27, 2014
August 10, 2006
Tomorrow morning starting at 9 a.m. check out the 5th Annual Car Show, it's on Route 20 North at Orange County Booster Park.
The event runs until 3 p.m., rain or shine. You can register your ride for $15, or just watch the show for $2 and kids under 12 are free.
The show is sponsored by Emmanuel Christian Center and will benefit the Building Fund and the work of the ministry.
For more information you can call Garcia Madison (540) 832-9846 or Paul Jones (434) 974-5545.
Have fun!
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Deniece Cornejo, legally known Deniece Milinette Cornejo , is one of the accused accomplice of mauling and beating Fernando "Vhong" Navarro on January 22. In several exclusive interviews today, Ms. Cornejo aired her own side of the story together with Cedric Lee and Bernice Cua Lee. In her version of the story, she was the victim of an attempted rape by Mr. Navarro.
The common question is who is Deniece Cornejo ?
Here are some of the facts that we have collected so far
1. Deniece is a Lasallian
In a personal description posted via Facebook page, she is described as:
" advertising model,fashion stylist,speaker, green blooded lasallian her interest includes arts,classical music,EDUCATION and inspirational word of GOD"
2. Grand Grand daughter of Pedro Gatmaitan Santos
Pedro Gatmaitan Santos composed music for the poem "Sa Magandang Silangan" written by Dr. Jose Rizal. Here is an interpretation done by Grace Nono for the movie Amigo.
3. She is not related to GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe Gozon.
In the official statement of GMA Network:
This is to clarify that the complainant involved in the Vhong Navarro incident is not related to GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon. From the moment GMA News learned of the story, it sought the side of Vhong Navarro. Roño, his manager, gave GMA News a written statement, which was aired yesterday. Today, GMA News aired an interview with Navarro's lawyer Atty Alma Mallonga. The report about the alleged attempted rape was based on the blotter filed at the Investigative Section of the Southern Police District where Vhong Navarro was taken after the incident. Other news organizations also reported it.
The real Deniece Cornejo shared previously in her instagram an image with some texts, as follows:
"With lolo felipe gozon ceo of GMA 7 it was nice to hear that they want me to be one of their princess #letmethinkitover #23rdtourismawardsnight"
4. She is a former "Kapamilya".
In the same public Facebook page, Deniece appeared on Kapamilya teleserye such as 'Lovers in Paris' with KC Concepcion and Piolo Pascual. Another appearance was MMK with Erich Gonzales.
5. Deniece is now a victim of several online identity thefts and cyberbullying.
Here is how Cyberbullying is defined by Wikipedia:
Cyber-bullying could be limited to posting rumors or gossips about a person in the internet bringing about hatred in other's minds; or it may go to the extent of personally identifying victims and publishing materials severely defaming and humiliating them.
Several social media and microblogging sites are now growing like mushrooms, like this and the one below, are now floating around sharing unreliable information about the lady and even sharing messages to plant hatred to "bisaya". Just a reminder: "Think before you click."
So far these are the information we have gathered. Do you know more about this lady? Feel free to share it with us.


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Corporate & business law; formation; contract development; business disputes; employment; real & intellectual property.
Marriage, domestic rights; divorce; custody; wills; trusts; estates; successions & end-of-life legal issues.
Arts & entertainment; copyright; production support; employment; contract negotiation, drafting & review.
@amanda_shaw I took style as an elective in law school. Creepy/stalkerish? Not exactly what I was going for...
Happy birthday to a special lady!!!
The House just cleared the way for a lawsuit against Obama http://t.co/OI0vOpsQ02


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The heiress gets cracking as a domestic fräulein in Berlin. Plus: The Spice Girls, Britney, Brad and more
Credit: Fame Pictures
Published: Thursday Dec 13, 2007 | 06:15 PM EST
More from PEOPLE
See More News
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She missed her court-ordered deposition earlier in the day due to "high anxiety" – but that doesn't slow down Britney Spears, who returns to the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills (where she has been staying) on Wednesday night.
Copyright © 2014 Time Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.


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November 27, 2014
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Three people were shot outside bars near the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, but their injuries are not life threatening.
According to Madison police, a gunman fired into a crowd of approximately 100 people and then ran away at about 1:15 a.m. Saturday.
The victims were a 26-year-old woman, an 18-year-old man and a 23-year-old man, all from Madison. None were UW-Madison students. All were expected to be treated and released from a hospital.
Police say they do not yet know a motive for the shooting.
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text: 5 Guitar for beginnersSprinteeee | 27/12/2013 | See all Sprinteeee's reviews (1)Great starter book for young children and adults to learn guitar. Easy steps and gentle progression. The CD is a top accompaniment for the book. You have catchy fun tunes to play. I would defo' recommend to any beginner.


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Insights & Ideas for Online Teaching
Show your understanding of this concept by correctly answering 3 questions.
Source: Video created by Madeleine
lol and no its not wow! :)
why is this so hard for people
Sophia's online courses not only save you money, but credits are also eligible for transfer to over 2,000 colleges and universities.*


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Tour recluse Huguette Clark's art collection; viewing days set at Christie's New YorkFri Jan 31, 2014
'Duck Dynasty' star coming to State of the UnionTue Jan 28, 2014
Naval Academy rape case could prompt changes to military hearingsThu Dec 12, 2013
Hezbollah commander gunned down outside home; Israel denies role in killingWed Dec 4, 2013
Notre Dame sues over birth control mandateTue Dec 3, 2013
Hate your job? You probably live in the USWed Nov 20, 2013
High unemployment? Blame high home ownership, study saysFri Nov 1, 2013
Families brace as billions in food stamp cuts set inFri Nov 1, 2013
Eleven-year-old who allegedly brought gun to school erupts after being ordered to remain in custodyWed Oct 30, 2013
Angry protest at Nazi's funeral leaves the body in diplomatic limboWed Oct 16, 2013


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Since I have lots of hand-me-down vintage linens and doilies, I've been collecting ideas for using them in new ways. One idea I've seen several times is to use the piece as a-la-mode on a pillow. When I saw this pink polka-dot brown flannel next to this pastel pink table scarf, it was love at first sight! I simply centered the scarf on the cut out fabric, stitched it on, and completed the pillow as usual. Mmmm . . . brown and pink! ♥
Category Archives: Pillows
Red, White, and Blue
In the U.S.A., Memorial Day is today, June 14 is Flag Day, and July 4 is Independence Day, so you can't go wrong with a bit of patriotic decor this time of year. Here is my restyled Shantilly frame, a free art print on a hand-quilted table runner my daughter-in-law Tiffany gave me for my birthday, the 1776 pillow I made last summer, and a pinwheel bouquet (also a free printable!). Happy summer! ♥
Crazy Quilt Pillow
Our lovely daughter-in-law Mary Ann is a registered dietician turned physician's assistant and sports a fun "Periodic Table of the Vegetables" poster in her kitchen. On a trip to Jo-Ann to buy a foam cushion for the toy box bench, I spotted this "Farmer's Market" fabric—perfect for a decorative cushion for the kitchen window seat. The cat promptly nestled beside it for a nap . . . and Mary Ann loves it, too! ♥
New Home Pillows
Our Georgia family recently moved and needed some new pillow décor. First, we made a bench seat cushion for baby Josh's toy box (handmade by his Uncle Jeff!). Josh's room is morphing into a travel theme—don't you just LOVE this map fabric his mommy picked out? We had enough for a square pillow to pose on the rocking chair, too. Then we made some floral and solid-with-button-a-la-mode pillows for the purple sofa in the living room. Mary Ann purchased the fabrics at Curtain Call in Augusta, Georgia. ♥ P.S. Now I want a purple sofa!
Tyler's Tooth Fairy Pillow
I love to make tooth fairy pillows from well-loved baby or toddler clothes! To transform the Disney World hoodie that Tyler chose, I simply cut it into a square, embroidered a tooth on one pocket and a dollar sign on the other, and stitched and stuffed. So easy! Now he's eagerly waiting for that first loose tooth! ♥ P.S. Click here for another hoodie tooth fairy pillow and here and here for two more designs.
What Can You Make With a (comfybutunflattering) Dress?
It's been a LONG time since I've posted a What Can You Make With A . . .? project, but I have one today! The inspiration was this blue dress. It was soft, swingy, and SO comfortable, with pockets in the side skirt seams, perfect with a black cardigan for chilly days . . . and what's not to love about polka dots? But my mirror (and an "honest" family member) told me that this was not my best look and added more than a few pounds to my curves. So, out came the scissors.
- The skirt is PERFECT as . . . a skirt! And I still get to enjoy the lovely color, fabric, and pockets. I simply cut it off a little above the empire waist, nipped and tucked here and there, and used the top of the cut-off piece to make a waistband. I love wearing it with my black pullover sweater, tights, and boots.
- You've already seen the laptop case I made with the sleeves and neck elastic. I LOVE it and use it every day. It's especially fun when someone asks where I got it!
- That left just some bits and pieces, so I cut them into strips, twisted and stitched them into a flower, and used it for a-la-mode on a fun spring pillow I stitched up with some bird fabric from my stash. (Spring WILL come, right???)
Ahhhhh . . . much better! ♥


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Highlights The Beauty of Black: Charcoal, Ink, Scratchboard, Oil How to Draw Hands Portraits Today: Paint With Planes Learn the Technique of Wax Resist Pros & Cons of Copyright Registration
In the Bag Jaye Schlesinger finds an evocative subject in packaging that reveals and conceals. By Lisa Wurster-Dolan
Blending Different Strokes Influenced by the art schools of Boston and Cincinnati, Carl Samson wends his own way. By Holly Davis
Art Among the Ruins Wax resist is a method for creating a range of expressive effects in the hands of Ephraim Rubenstein. By Judith Fairly
Naked Truth A fellow figurative artist examines the searingly corporeal works of Lucian Freud. By Jerry N. Weiss*purchase the exhibition catalog for Lucian Freud Portraits as featured in this article.
On the Trail of a Master An artist discovers a kindred spirit in Scotland: Arthur Melville, who inspired the Glasgow Boys. By Stephen Quiller
Scratching for Detail Working with close values on scratchboard, John N. Agnew depicts exotic reptiles in their habitats. By Meredith E. Lewis
Dynamics of Design The principle of juxtaposition underlies Crystal Michaelson's acrylic and mixed media collages. By Ruth K.Meyer
Columns and Departments
The Artist's Life An artist wakes from a dream and paints it, and more. Edited by Cherie Haas
Color Corner Paint it black: the many beauties and uses of these rich pigments. By Koo Schadler
Drawing Board Observing and understanding their function is the key to drawing convincing hands. By Robert T. Barrett
Business The basics of e-mail marketing: how to compile a list and put together a newsletter that gets results. By Linda Fisler
Brushing Up Monitor the shifts in color and value from light to shadow when painting landscapes. By Ian Roberts
Supply Cabinet New products for your studio and backpack. Edited by Cherie Haas
Ask the Experts Under what circumstances is it a good idea to register copyrights? By Leonard D. DuBoff
Competition Spotlight A tomato against a backdrop of patterns in the sun is the subject. By Joyce K. Jensen
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This is a shameless plug for my new companion blog, Good Enough Life Coach. Like Good Enough Gourmet, it will provide hacks for getting through life the easy way. However, while I'm actually pretty good at cooking, I'm not all that great at the things I plan to write about on Good Enough Life Coach. But that just makes it more fun, right?
Pizza with Tomato, Prosciutto, and Greens
This pizza was amazing. I got the recipe from my CSA (Farm Box LA) newsletter.
- pizza dough (homemade or store bought – I used Trader Joe's brand for this)
- cornmeal
- olive oil
- garlic (1-2 cloves)
- salt (optional)
- 2-3 medium tomatoes
- fresh oregano (optional)
- fresh mozzarella cheese
- 4 slices prosciutto
- greens of your choice (e.g. chard, kale)
First a note on quantity. A tub of fresh mozzarella balls (get the medium or large sized, not the tiny ones), a 4 oz package of prosciutto, and a bunch of greens will be enough for two pizzas. So make two pizzas! Double the very approximate quantities listed above.
1) Preheat oven to 450 (preferably with a pizza stone in the oven but ok if you don't have one).
2) Cut or tear the greens and add them to a baking sheet, tossed with olive oil and salt. Put in oven for 10 minutes, until they're a little brown and dried out, but not completely dry (i.e. not as dry as kale chips). Remove from oven and set aside.
3) Roll out pizza dough and stretch it to a roundish shape. Sprinkle cornmeal on a pizza peel or a baking pan. Transfer the dough to the peel or pan and adjust shape. Brush some olive oil on the dough. Add chopped garlic and brush it around to make sure all the garlic's not in one place. Then – my secret pizza technique – sprinkle a little kosher salt on the dough, especially the outer edges that won't be covered with toppings. Slide the dough onto your pizza stone or put the pan into the oven and bake for 4 minutes.
4) Slice your tomatoes. After the dough has baked for 4 minutes, add the tomatoes. The tomatoes don't have to cover the whole pizza – just make sure there's tomato in each bite. Bake for 10 minutes.
5) Slice the mozzarella balls. After the pizza has baked for 10 minutes, add the mozzarella balls and bake for 5 more minutes until the crust is nicely brown. Remove from oven.
6) Slice prosciutto into thin strips. Scatter the prosciutto strips over the pizza and then scatter the greens over the top.
Cookbook Review – VB6
Ah Mark Bittman, why don't I like your recipes more?
I like Mark Bittman. I like his approach to cooking and eating and I like what he has to say about food. I have his "How to Cook Everything" and "Minimalist Cooks Dinner" cookbooks. "How to Cook Everything" has pages falling out of it because I refer to it alot – it really does have recipes for pretty much anything you want to make, with lots of variations. None of the recipes are the best one you're going to find for that particular dish but they're passable. I only cooked from "Minimalist Cooks Dinner" a few times because the recipes were, meh.
I first heard about Bittman's VB6 diet at a lecture he gave in 2012. I arrived early, hoping to stalk him – I mean make chit chat with him, and get a good seat. He was sequestered away in a private room so stalking was not possible but I did get an excellent seat. His talk was about the type of food Americans eat (bad) and where it comes from (also bad). I kept forgetting that I wasn't listening to Michael Pollan — their messages are similar. During the Q&A, he talked about his diet which he calls VB6, or Vegan Before 6:00. (The VB6 cookbook hadn't come out yet.) He needed to lose some weight and had some health problems so his doctor recommended that he become a vegan. His compromise was VB6. He eats vegan for breakfast, lunch, and any midday snacks and eats what he wants for dinner. The diet was successful for him and over time, his dinners became less meat heavy and healthier. He still has the flexibility to eat what he wants or splurge from time to time, but his overall diet is good.
I found the VB6 cookbook to be a bit overwhelming. To follow the suggested diet, you'd have to cook breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Bittman gives alternatives, for example when you're eating in a restaurant, but I get the impression that this should be an exception. I generally eat toast (no cooking involved) and coffee with frothed milk (one of my reasons for living – coffee with frothed Clover whole milk – no way am I giving that up) for breakfast, I go out for lunch when I can (my opportunity to take advantage of the wonders that is Los Angeles) and dinner is the meal that I cook every day. I went on a three-week cleanse once and had to cook all three meals and snacks and although the food was delicious and healthy, it was alot of work. I was so happy to go back to my morning toast and coffee.
However, I did cook some recipes from VB6. I liked that the recipes, even the ones with meat, were veggie-centric. I make a vegetable-laden pasta sauce that yielded enough for two meals — I froze half (sauce was ok, nothing spectacular), baked falafel (bad idea or maybe it was just my execution), a vegetable-laden frittata (very good), muesli (excellent and simple, a worthy replacement for my morning toast), and baked ziti with greens (by this time, I had returned the book to the library and had to remember the recipe along with some improvisation).
Bottom line, I did not love any of the recipes. However, I do like the VB6 approach if you're the type that needs rules to guide your diet yet also don't want to be denied the foods you love.
How to Build….Risotto
Risotto is easy if you follow the basic formula. Read the formula all the way through before starting to cook — when you add the vegetables depends on which you choose, and you have to heat your broth at the beginning of the process.
1) the onion: all risotto starts with onion. You can use a shallot or onion. Melt 1 T of butter and 1 T of olive oil in a dutch oven and add chopped onion and cook until softened.
2) the rice: Arborio. No choice there. Add 1 c rice to the onion and cook for a minute, stirring to coat.
3) the liquid: white wine and broth of your choice. Add about 1/2 c. of white wine and cook for about 2 minutes. Heat 4 c. broth so it's warm when you add. Set timer for 35 minutes. Over the course of the 35 minutes, add warm broth 1-2 ladlefuls at a time, stirring frequently.
4) the vegetables: use any vegetables you want. When you add the veggies depends on which you choose. If I'm using asparagus or peas, I add them near the very end because they need minimal cooking. Mushrooms or butternut squash might be added at the beginning, after sauteeing the onions. Alternatively, you could cook the vegetables separately and add them at the end.
5) the extras: After the 35 minutes, add 1/4 c. Parmesan or a similar (e.g. asiago) cheese, 1 T. of butter, fresh herbs (e.g. thyme or parsley), salt and pepper.
Recap of ingredients (for your shopping list):
olive oil
onion or shallot
1 c. Arborio rice
1/2 c. white wine
4 c. broth
vegetable of your choice
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
fresh herbs (optional)
salt and pepper
Good Enough Gourmet Goes "Down Home" – Lukshen and Cabbage
I grew up eating this so I feel sort of silly blogging about it. But it was easy and delicious, and if you get cabbage in your farm box for three weeks in a row, this recipe might come in handy.
butter (and a little olive oil)
2 red onions
cabbage (I used 2/3 of a cabbage)
salt and pepper
1 16 oz. package of egg noodles (lukshen, if you grew up a a Jewish household)
1) Cook the noodles according to package instructions. FYI, I bought Whole Foods' 365 brand extra wide egg noodles. Who knew Whole Foods made lukshen?! My Bubbie would be amazed.
2) Melt butter (around 2 T.) in a large skillet and add a little olive oil so the butter doesn't burn. Slice the onions thinly and add them to the skillet. Cook on medium low heat for at least 10 minutes, until the onions get brown. Stir frequently.
3) Slice the cabbage thinly. Add cabbage to the skillet. You may have to add half the cabbage, let it wilt a little to make room in the pan, and add the rest. Add salt and pepper. Cook until onions and cabbage are soft.
4) Drain the noodles and add to the skillet. Add a little more butter if too dry, and toss until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Add salt if needed.
Good Enough Gourmet, keepin' it real.
CSA – Yes or No?
I've said in earlier posts that I joined a CSA (Community Sponsored Agriculture). I get a farm box with fresh fruits and vegetables delivered to my doorstep every Sunday. Now that I've been a member for a while, I can talk about the pros and cons. Some of the novelty has worn off. So in case you're considering it, here's my list:
- The produce is all in-season, locally sourced and sustainably grown.
- Grocery shopping is fast and easy, since I'm building meals around my farm box produce.
- I try fruits and vegetables that I wouldn't otherwise try. Mulberries, cherimoyas, guavas, fava beans are recent examples.
- I eat more produce than I ordinarily would.
- It gets delivered to me every week, so even I don't have the chance to go grocery shopping I can generally make a meal out of my produce and staples around the house (e.g. eggs).
- It's fun to see what surprise I'm going to get.
- It forces me to be a more creative cook.
- Since the produce is all in-season, you get the same thing for weeks in a row. Enough with the beets – really! And I don't care if it's cone cabbage, Napa cabbage, or regular cabbage — there just not that many things to do with cabbage! They try to change it up by giving me a different variety of kale every week but it's still kale every week.
- It's more work to plan meals around the produce I've received rather than picking my go-to recipes and shopping accordingly.
- It's a little pricey, although for me it's worth it not to have to make an extra stop at the farmers' market.
- Sometimes we don't eat the produce fast enough and it goes to waste.
- Although the produce is very good, it's not amazing. I used to buy my produce at Whole Foods or the farmers' market and my farm box produce is equivalent. Once I added eggs to my farm box and they tasted just like the brown eggs that I buy at Trader Joe's.
- Some of the produce is weird or too fussy. What's the point of a baby artichoke? Too much work for too little yield. And once I got flowering rapini which I thought was going to be like broccoli rabe but it wasn't. Watermelon radishes are gorgeous but kind of bitter. And I'm just not into guavas – way too many seeds.
- Sometimes this happens:
Turnips? Beets? Watermelon radishes? You tell me what these things are!
So stay with the CSA or quit? I think I'll stay for now, at least through summer fruit season. Then the jury's out.
Vegetarian Chili
This is a simple chili recipe. Feel free to make substitutions — regular chili powder for the chipotle (but use a little more of it), add other vegetables such as red peppers or corn, or different types of beans.
olive oil
4 cloves garlic
1 1/2 t. cumin
1 t. chipotle chili powder
1 t. oregano
salt and pepper
2-3 zucchini
tomato paste (about 1/2 can, or a couple large squirts if you use a tube)
1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 can black beans
1 can kidney beans
2 c. water
cheese for serving (optional)
1) Chop the onion and garlic. Add a little olive oil to a hot pan (I use my beloved dutch oven) and cook the onion and garlic until softened.
2) Add the cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt and pepper and cook for about a minute.
3) Add the zucchini and tomato paste and cook for a few minutes.
4) Drain and rinse the beans. Add the beans, diced tomatoes, and water.
5) Bring to boil, lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
6) Top with shredded cheese (sharp cheddar or pepper-jack would be good) if desired.


text:
Meri shaadi ko ek saal paanch mahine huye. Humari arranged marriage thi. Suru suru me hum dono ke bichh mere in-laws ko le kar ke bahut problems hote the. Itna zyada problems hote the ki mere pati ne kayi bar mujhe ghar chhodhke jane ke liye kaha par khud hi nahin jane diye. Bichh me problems khatam ho gaye the par abhi phir se mere in-laws and mere mom dad milke problems create kar rahe hei. abhi situation aisi hai ke mere pati ke liye ya toh mujhe ya phir uske mom-dad ko chun na hai. same is here also. plz help
Asked by Mau Bhatt, 07 May '10 03:23 pm
Earn 10 points for answering
Answers (4)
I think for some time you should stay separate so that you both will not have misunderstanding amongst yourself. Things will improve gradually and your in laws will realize their mistake. Wish you happy marital life.Answered by uv dabholkar, 07 May '10 03:28 pm
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Have faith in God - Things will improve gradually .Answered by anantharaman, 31 Jan '11 07:17 pm
Time will solve these problemsAnswered by anil garg, 29 Jan '11 12:07 am
love your husband
help your in laws if they allow you to do so
love your husband
help your in laws if they allow you to do so
Better tame loko separate rehvaa vaya jao ane alag raho....if u both r strong n support each other than tamne koij alag nahin kari sakey..........Answered by krunal modi, 07 May '10 03:24 pm


text:
Just seven solar cars reach Adelaide alive
The provisional* results of the World Solar Challenge show that just seven of the 37 solar cars competing drove the entire 2,998 kilometres from Darwin to Adelaide under their own steam and by Saturday's deadline. Michigan celebrate in Adelaide. Pic: World Solar Challenge The top three finishers Tokai University, Nuon Solar …
"under their own steam"
I thought they were supposed to be solar powered?
Sorry :-(
Re: "under their own steam"
I had a bet with myself that this would be the first comment. I'm awarding myself beer, here on Queensland's Gold Coast, as a reward for my insight into the Reg commenter mind. Cheers!
Solar-furnace powered steampunk racing car
I think el Reg might be on to something there.
Re: Solar-furnace powered steampunk racing car
I like it. Got a CAD file of that design?
But, as a Queenslander, welcome to the state. I hope you see some of it that isn't the Gold Coast. Cavill Avenue on any given night isn't exactly representative <shudder>.
Pfft--a knowledge of Reg readers mindset so obvious....
That your little test practically constitutes entrapment!!
I bet you leave cases of beer out at the Reg's HQ, and congratulate yourself when they are not there at the end of the day!! :)
No test track
Darwin to Adelaide is one of the furtherest things from a test track! Which is why the race has been going for so long.
I am not some of the entrances know what they are signing up too.
I too am not some of the entrances know what they are signing up too :)
@ AC 0723h
Common sense would creatively place 'sure' between 'not' and 'some' and make sense as well as prevent smirky comments.
common sense el reg style will allow the fact that mistakes in posting will result in mucho trampling.
Do you really need a joke icon to spot the joke?
@ peter 45
Do I need to make bigger smirky smilies?
;-) <====================
Actually, steam was (is?) allowed at WSC
Not sure about 2011, but in the early WSC races there was no rule about using solar electric (photovoltaic) power - any solar power could be used, including Stirling engine or steam engine/turbine (with steam generated by solar power, of course).
In fact, I am pretty sure at least one team used a Stirling engine in the early 90s. It's efficiency was obviously no match for the then emerging GaAs PV cells...
Need to find my "Speed of Light: The 1996 World Solar Challenge" book and check this.
Yes, yes, I know I'm a (WSC) geek, no need to remind me :-)
2998 kilometres
Couldn't they move the start and finish lines so it's a nice round 3000km?
it probably is 3000k
but that sounded too rounded. So they knocked off 2k to make it seem 'accurate'.
Hey Lester
Can you tell us how many non-finishers actually broke down and how many were still moving, but didn't make the deadline?
Beer icon as you will probably prefer to drink it than dig out answers to trivial queries...
@ Tim
It's on the WSC website.
Y'Know, ...
That's still a higher success rate than you'd get with Hyundais ....
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~A Happy Parent


text:
Earlier this week, we spent some time examining why Preston Center, the aging shopping center floating on a sea of Park Cities/Preston Hollow riches, sucks so hard. Little did we know that Crow Holdings already had a plan to fix it. With a skybridge. Last December, Crow purchased the old Sanger-Har ... More >>
Last year, UT Southwestern announced plans to build the Dallas Proton Treatment Center, a $225 million, state-of-the-art clinic and laboratory offering cutting-edge cancer treatment. The "proton" is a reference to the accelerator that fires positively charged particles at 112,000 miles per second. W ... More >>
Rich, white, North Dallas businessmen are plotting to take over Dallas' schools. Maybe this time it'll work.
Flickr user: Diorama SkySpent the latter half of the afternoon tracking down a mystery for a Friend of Unfair Park, who wondered whatever became of Man and Pegasus, Carl Milles's 1949 sculpture -- one of six, actually. For a long while it's been perched at Harwood and Bryan, in front of Bryan Tow ... More >>
Well, here it is -- at least HKS's conceptual rendering of the "approximately 170,000 square feet, the six-story Jeffersonian-style building" that'll be built on Crow Holdings' Maple Ave. property across from Unfair Park HQ. And, no, the accompanying press release doesn't mention, as many of you ... More >>
Photo by Patrick MichelsDallas Opera General Director Keith Cerny when he was introduced at the Winspear in April 2010Back in April 2010, the Dallas Opera finally announced it had found someone to run the show: Keith Cerny, who was tasked with, among other things, finding contributors to the oper ... More >>
Twice this week Friends of Unfair Park have written in to complain about the Crow family's decision to move their collection of sculptures formerly on display at the Trammell Crow Center behind the gates of Old Parkland, now Crow Holdings' HQ. A few weeks back, you'll recall, the Crows announced ... More >>
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Actually, it's the "Stemmons Corridor-Southwest Medical District Plan," which has been simmering since 2008 as officials from UT Southwestern, Love Field, Crow Holdings, Parkland and so forth worked with area residents to hash out the (transit-oriented) development details. Nothing's final yet -- ... More >>
Spike JohnsonJose Esobedo can't have artificial turf in his front yard. But Harlan Crow's apparently free to plant the synethetic stuff in the heretofore barren median between the Crow Holdings campus and Unfair Park HQ on Maple Avenue. Forever Lawn of North Texas is installing the stuff this ver ... More >>
Patrick MichelsCrow Holdings HQ's latest building -- the third on the campus, and the first built from scratch -- received a new helmet over the weekend. The Kaiser would be proud.We'll leave behind the conceptual constructs for a moment and focus instead on Dallas's old buildings, always a favorite ... More >>
The ad above began airing on local television stations this morning and represents the third installment from the anti-hotel group in what has become an extremely pricey effort funded largely by Harlan Crow to thwart the city's plans to build a publicly owned convention center hotel. It features t ... More >>
Citing Wednesday's editorial in The Dallas Morning News, Citizens Against the Taxpayer-Owned Hotel in a press release blasted Mayor Tom Leppert for misleading Dallas voters during the Trinity River toll road campaign by withholding information regarding the cost of the project and risk to the levees ... More >>
Sam MertenThere's this "one individual" Leppert tossed under the bus. Then he threw it in reverse and ran him over a few times for good measure. Mayor Tom Leppert and Anne Raymond of Crow Holdings and Citizens Against the Taxpayer-Owned Hotel made another campaign stop at the Bachman Recreation Cen ... More >>
Only yesterday, Merten mentioned that Crow Holdings' Anne Raymond and Mayor Tom Leppert would, finally, have theyselves a showdown concerning the convention center hotel -- and, for those needing a recap, the mayor's fer it, while Raymond's agin it, ahem. Dave Levinthal was there for the debate this ... More >>
Ten days ago, we extended Tennell Atkins an invitation to provide us with an explanation regarding the office space he's spent nearly $9,000 in campaign dough to rent that he claims doesn't exist, but not a peep so far from the freshman council member. In the meantime, we've continued to dig through ... More >>
We've been hearing for some time that the Citizens Against the Taxpayer-Owned Hotel would be seeking a temporary restraining order sooner than later to keep the city from proceeding with the convention center hotel without a proper vote. Turns out, sooner was yesterday: Citizens Against the Taxpayer ... More >>
Anne Raymond at Crow Holdings tells Unfair Park this morning that Trammell Crow died last night in his sleep at the age of 94. She says the real estate developer -- a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School who wound up owning and developing much of his native Dallas -- had not been ill and that he " ... More >>
As we mentioned a while back, District 13 city council candidate Ann Margolin appeared to be the heir apparent to Mitchell Rasansky with a long list of notable supporters and a strong résumé. And as the 5 p.m. deadline approaches for candidates and committees to file their finance reports, Margoli ... More >>
After the jump, the official Trammell Crow obituary sent to local media today. But first, this information concerning services scheduled for Monday:A public service will be held on Monday, January 19, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Highland Park United Methodist Church, located at 3300 Mockingbird Lane, Dall ... More >>
The council won't be voting today on final arrangements for the convention center hotel project, which includes approval of the development agreement and Guaranteed Maximum Price with Matthews Southwest and the operator agreement with Omni Hotels, leading us to believe the final vote on this boondog ... More >>
Courtesy the Alexander Architectural Archive, University of Texas Libraries Herbert Miller Greene Directly across from Unfair Park HQ sits the original Parkland Hospital, now home to Crow Holdings after an extensive redo that modernized the building without desecrating it; Herbert Miller Greene, th ... More >>
Patrick Michels Harlan Crow plans on having an open-door policy with employees at his new office at Old Parkland Hospital since, well, there is no door leading into his office, which is really in a hallway. Much to our delight, Harlan Crow this morning invited local media over to the renovated Old ... More >>
Just how safe are taxpayers in the convention center hotel deal? Good question.
Scattered among the minutia related to the convention center hotel project lies the distinction between the political action committees started by the anti-hotel folks and the pro-hotel peeps. On August 27, hotel opponents backed by Crow Holdings started a specific-purpose committee called Citizens ... More >>
Petitions to kill the public project are gaining momentum
Over the weekend, Don -- didn't catch his last name -- was at Dallas Farmers Market collecting petitions for the no-hotel folks. Amazing how many farmers market shoppers claim they are not registered to vote in Dallas County ... Citizens Against the Taxpayer-Owned Hotel, which has already changed it ... More >>
Anne Raymond As we mentioned yesterday, Crow Holdings and its political action committee, Citizens Against a Taxpayer Owned Hotel, are announcing this morning plans to call for a referendum that would prevent the city from becoming hoteliers. Anne Raymond, who handles Crow Holdings' hotel investme ... More >>
Anne Raymond at the CATOH press conference today The mayor and city council have used secret meetings to devise a plan to fund a convention center hotel with millions in taxpayers' dough, and its time to give voters a say, since they're the ones assuming the risk. At least, that's what Crow Ho ... More >>
In the May 15 paper version of Unfair Park, we danced around the notion of Crow Holdings spearheading an effort that would allow taxpayers to have a say in their financing, to the tune of $550 million, a convention center hotel. Since then, the creation of a political action committee by Crow Holdin ... More >>
Hey, there's John Wiley Price! Wonder if he recalls when the old Parkland building was a black hole. Seemed impolite not to cross Maple Avenue this a.m. for the big Parkland Hospital announcement: $50 million from Annette and Harold Simmons; $25 million from Jan and Trevor Rees-Jones; millions more ... More >>
Anne Raymond Harlan Crow, owner of the Hilton Anatole and longtime critic of a publicly owned convention center hotel, upped the ante Wednesday afternoon in his quest to kill the project. Turns out, he's spearheading a political action committee called Citizens Against a Taxpayer Owned Hotel, which ... More >>
A debate over the city's convention center hotel gets quietly canned
By now, you know you're the proud future owners of a convention center hotel; the only question left to ask is, would you like a happy ending with that in-room massage? Too soon? Then how about a recap of the day's events, which concluded with 11 council members agreeing to spend your hard-earned wi ... More >>
Brian Harkin Anne Raymond and Harlan Crow of Crow Holdings In response to yesterday's big announcement that the city will be getting into the hotel business, Harlan Crow fired off his third missive to Mayor Tom -- which we've gotten our hands on to share with the Friends of Unfair Park. This time ... More >>
View Larger Map After last week's big non-vote by the city council on the land acquisition for the convention center hotel, the topic was revisited briefly during the afternoon open microphone session. It turns out that as I was writing my wrap-up of the discussion here at Unfair Park HQ, Elizabe ... More >>
Two blocks behind Unfair Park HQ, at the intersections of Brown and Reagan streets, sits an empty lot worth $613,200. For more than a year, there's been a billboard planted in the ground promising the Homes of Audubon Place -- which, when completed, will feature 10 town homes, running between $430,0 ... More >>
TomLeppert.com Apropos of nothing, here's our newest favorite photo of the mayor, with his newest lil' buddy, Andy Hardy. As Schutze mentioned earlier, the non-vote on the Dallas Area Rapid Transit board appointment highlighted the craziness at today's city council meeting. The other big item of ... More >>
As Mayor Tom Leppert pushes for a convention center hotel, critics demand more details and less tax money. At least, those who haven't been silenced do.
It's been a week since Mitchell Rasansky was fitted for a muzzle. Turns out, though, he's not the only one unhappy with his being shut out from the discussions surrounding the proposed convention center hotel. Enter Anne Raymond, who has worked for the Crow family (owners of the Hilton Anatole Hotel ... More >>
It's been more than a year since Crow Holdings bought the old Parkland Hospital on Maple Avenue, which will be the company's new home -- and happens to be across the street from Unfair Park headquarters. I was at the current offices of Crow Holdings on McKinney Avenue yesterday, where CEO Harlan ... More >>
On Tuesday, as expected, the Toy Industry Association decided whether or not to keep its mammoth Fall Toy Preview show in Dallas. And the answer is: Yes, absolutely. At least, the TIA will keep its annual shindig at Dallas Market Center through 2010, after which time it will again decide whether the ... More >>
Pardon, but what's the big deal here? So Ed Oakley and a majority of his fellow council members voted on Wednesday to give $583,360 in tax abatements to Crow Holdings so Harlan Crow and his team could renovate the former Parkland Hospital on the corner of Maple and Oak Lawn avenues. And the problem ... More >>
I just got back from the big annual luncheon put on by Trinity Commons Foundation, the private lobby group pushing for the toll road along the river, where the featured speaker was our mayor, Laura Miller. And...wow! She's upset. Miller devoted her whole speech to a finger-wagging attack on city cou ... More >>


text:
MGN Online
ESTERO, Fla.- A new development project may soon pop up near the Florida Gulf Coast University campus.
Our partners at the News-Press say a local developer is moving forward to build an 886-acre "University Village," on land north and east of the university.
The private equity group says the "centerplace" area would have about 2,000 homes, a hotel, and areas for parks, shops and offices.
Zoning hearings are expected to start this fall and if approved, construction would begin next year.


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