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Here are 12 perfect party venues to take the chill off winter.
Winter is the perfect time for your annual party, whether it's a social gathering or employee appreciation event. The holiday season has passed and there's a social lull this time of year, so you're sure to have a great turnout. These are some of our favorite venues in which to host a winter wonderland affair.
Bridgeport Art Center
The big draw in this historic 1911 structure is the unique Skyline Loft, offering spectacular views of the Chicago skyline. Featuring ample windows, hardwood floors and timber beams, the 18,000 square foot space can accommodate up to 600 guests for a sit down dinner and up to 900 for a cocktail party. Another plus is that the loft is easily transformed depending on the type of event.
1200 West 35th Street, 773.247.3000
Café Brauer
Overlooking Lincoln Park and its zoo, the Great Hall of Café Brauer is a beautiful space no matter the season. Two loggias flank either side of the hall and are heated and tented during the winter season. The space fits 500 guests reception-style.
2021 North Stockton Drive, 312.742.2400
Chicago Cultural Center
With a location that can't be beat, the Chicago Cultural Center has multiple rooms, but the stunning Tiffany ceilings in Preston Bradley Hall would be a great accent for your celebration. Room capacities vary, but Preston Bradley can hold 700 reception-style.
78 East Washington Street, 312.744.6630
Chicago Illuminating Company
The Chicago Illuminating Company is an ideal venue, with incredibly high ceilings and built-in bars – perfect for corporate and social occasions looking for that "cool" factor. About 750 guests fit comfortably in the space for a cocktail reception.
19 East 21st Street, 312.326.9500
Garfield Park Conservatory
Summer in winter? Nothing would be more gorgeous than hosting your party against the greenery of the Garfield Park Conservatory. There's ample parking and it's conveniently located for suburban guests. The space allows for 300 guests.
300 North Central Park Avenue. 312.746.5100
Joffrey Tower
This venue is ideal for fans of the iconic ballet and of stunning views of State Street. Events can take place by utilizing one or all of the tower's studios. With floor to ceiling mirrors, these rooms are lovely in the evening with just the right amount of dramatic lighting. Entire floor rentals allow for up to 400 guests.
8 East Randolph Street, 312.739.0120
Murphy Auditorium
Murphy Auditorium is a wonderful winter event venue. While it's largely booked for weddings, this space is also ideal for social gatherings and corporate dinners. Featuring a large ornate room in blues and golds, it doesn't take much to dress up this venue. Up to 300 guests fit reception-style.
50 East Erie Street, 312.280.8447
Prairie Prodcutions
For a more unique space, Prairie Productions in the West Loop is a great loft spot. With white walls and minimal embellishments, Prairie is a blank canvas on which you can design the event of your dreams. Guest capacity of 200.
1314 West Randolph Street, 312.933.7599
Pritzker Pavilion
If it's a winter wonderland you're looking for, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park is the way to go. The stage is glassed in with floor to ceiling windows in the wintertime. Guests can look out onto Millennium Park while enjoying winter cocktails. Reception capacity is up to 250 guests.
201 East Randolph Street, 312.742.1168
River East Art Center
Originally an historical warehouse on the north bank of the Chicago River, the River East Art Center is a collaborative building comprised of art galleries, restaurants and a contemporary event space. With a white landscape, rustic timber and white columns, plus waterfront views, it's a great space for a party. Up to 1,000 guests fit comfortably for a reception-style event.
435 East Illinois Street, 312.321.1001
Union Station
If you're throwing an extra large party, the magnificent Great Hall at Union Station is the way to go. Originally designed by Daniel Burnham, not only is it one of Chicago's most famous landmarks, the 20,000 foot Beaux Arts style space with its atrium ceiling can host a dinner for 1,000 or a cocktail reception for 2,500. Transportation is an obvious upside of this venue, especially in the chilly winter weather when it may – or may not – snow.
210 South Canal Street, 312.655.2465
Venue One
Larger events are a great fit for the West Loop's eye-catching Venue One. Featuring an all-white grand room, Venue One can be anything you want it to be. The venue package comes with a limited number of unique tables, bars and seating. 500 guests and under fit well in the first floor space.
1044 West Randolph Street, 312.327.0111 x116


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Love Ocho Rios / Runaway Bay?
Book a vacationOther Jamaica destinations:
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Our knowledgeable agents love talking travel.
Call us at 1-855-735-6323.
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Year-round service
Balmy air perfumed by tropical allspice trees greets you upon arrival on Jamaica's lushly forested north coast. The woodsy aroma is a small whiff of the paradise to come from the nearby beachfront resorts at Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay.
Runaway Bay is in St. Ann, known as Garden Parish. It is a Caribbean cornucopia of history, culture and eco-adventure. And it offers as much relaxing seclusion or interactive recreation as you want. The captivating rhythms, spices and natural beauty unique to Jamaica are wonderfully concentrated in this region.
If you want to get wet (and a little wild), this is the right place. The quaint but vibrant seaport of Ocho Rios, known locally as Ochi, is named after the swift-moving rivers and countless tributaries. Aside from beach and pool diversions, the aquatic fun also includes tubing down the great White River, horseback riding in the ocean and scuba diving and snorkelling with sharks and rays.
The most popular activity – and for good reason – is climbing the cascading tiers at Dunn's River Falls, a national treasure.
Ocho Rios' naturally filtered water flows through dense jungle on temperate inland slopes. From breathtaking panoramas at the foot of the Dry Harbour Mountains, you can marvel at the sea's blue waters that stretch more than 145 km clear to Cuba.
From these heights, you'll also see the massive cruise ships docked at Ocho Rios. You can survey sandy bays, rocky coves and the peaks and valleys that form "cockpit country." Feel how the tropical heat is moderated by the windswept sea and cool mountain breeze. Find shade under towering palms, bamboo and fruit-bearing trees such as almond, ackee and lychee.
Peppered with botanical gardens, there's no shortage of natural attractions in the Garden Parish. But if you're looking for some zesty local culture, there's plenty of that too. After all, this is the island's spiritual heart – the birthplace of reggae superstar Bob Marley and patriotic leader Marcus Garvey.
With such a rich medley of sights, sounds and flavours, Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay are destinations well-suited to families, couples and outdoor enthusiasts who want to soak up – and soak in – the local charms.
Ocho Rios - Runaway Bay is a fantastic destination for:
- beaches
- outdoor adventure
- snorkeling and diving
Things to do in Ocho Rios - Runaway Bay
More Things to do:
See all our Things to do in Ocho Rios - Runaway Bay
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subset: commoncrawl


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June is National Adopt a Cat Month, according to the American Humane Association. So maybe you have a new cat in your home? If you are pregnant you need to be aware that your kitty's litter can be very dangerous. The cat poop (and soil or sand where cats have been) can carry a parasitic infection called toxoplasmosis. If you get toxoplasmosis while you're pregnant, or even a few months before you conceive, it can cause serious birth defects such as eye and brain damage.
So now you have a good excuse for having someone else take on the task of changing kitty's litter!
- Keep your cat happy and using the box by keeping it nice and tidy. Think of the box as your cat's outhouse experience: No one likes a gross, stinky outhouse! Scoop once a day and clean the box entirely once a week.- If you have multiple cats, use the N +1 rule to determine the ideal number of boxes in your house. A two cat house should have three boxes. This reduces competition and inappropriate elimination (going outside the box, in your shoe, etc.).- Stick to unscented or lightly scented litters such as Swheat Scoop, plus this litter does not use harsh chemicals and since it's made from wheat, it's all-natural.- Cats are very individual and each cat has different preferences for litter box types. Some like covered, others like uncovered. Setting two up side by side can help you determine your cat's preference.- Involve the kids! As soon as your toddler is old enough to show interest in the cat, teach him or her proper interaction such as gentle pets on the chest. Teaching from the get-go to avoid pulling tails and "when kitty walks away, that means he needs a break!" will help ensure a lifelong positive relationship. As the kids get older, you can involve them in daily feeding, grooming, and (if you're lucky!) litter box scooping. All of these activities should be monitored, especially in the beginning, to make sure your child is washing his or her hands afterwards.- Strong smells can act as a litter box deterrent for some cats. Stick to unscented or lightly scented litters instead of filling the room with air freshener smell.
Dr. V has many more tips, you can click here to read her blog about animals and raising children!
If for some reason you're the one and only, doctors say you should clean the litter box daily rather than putting it off — the parasite doesn't become infectious for one to five days. Use gloves when you change the litter, and wash your hands well with soap and water afterward.
You can just as easily be exposed to toxoplasmosis if cats have been in your garden or sandbox. Take the same precautions of using gloves and washing your hands if you're gardening or touching sand in a sandbox.
To allay your fears, you might want to have a blood test to find out whether you're immune to the disease. If you've been around cats for a while, you may have already had toxoplasmosis, in which case you have nothing to worry about: You won't get it again and your unborn baby won't be at risk.
If you took advantage of National Adopt a Cat Month, congratulations on welcoming new addition in your family!


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First, Id like to thank all of those that joined the PHX Knolly crew. We had members from Boston to Seattle, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and California join us for an incredible weekend, consisting of 75 degree weather, and lots of sun.
Honestly, when I began to plan this, my goal was to be able to ride with Noel. Leading up to the event, I had a suspicious feeling that Noel would make a surprise entrance with Dusty Friday afternoon. Later in the day Thursday, just before I headed out to pick up Woodyak, Muttonchops, and RDH at the airport. I received a note from Noel. He mentioned he would be unable to attend, and thanked me for arranging Knollfest PHX. Very cool, thanks to Noel and Dusty for the support. The swag was certainly a big hit.
Now lets get to the goods. We had what I believe to be 21 different Knolly riders over a 3 day, 4 ride weekend.
Friday morning started out with a few faces that I wasnt expecting. Calhoun, Woodyak, RDH, Rock Dude, Muttonchops and I pulled in to the trailhead, and you could feel the excitement building. We unloaded, geared up, took the first group shot and started climbing 24th Street.
(some duplicate photos, thanks to Skins for many great photos)
As the 10 Chilcotins and 1 DT rode and hiked our way up 24th Street, we paced over to Buena Vista where we expected to meet with Dusty for the descent down Geronimo to Cochise. I received a text from Dusty, they would not be able to make the descent and would hook up with us for the afternoon ride.
We geared up and the first real descent was about to begin. This is the time everyone was waiting for, what did PHX really have to offer? Was it really that good? I can only interpret the smiles I saw on Geronimo, which is a chunky, yet somewhat speedy run with little to no flow, as an overwhelming YES.
We turned down the hit Cochise, a trail rarely ridden by anyone, simply due to the technical nature of the trail, and the risks which come with it. The heart of the trail is 3 techy left hand switchbacks, followed by a mad scramble of chunk to the bottom.
Unfortunately, we did have a casualty on the second switchback. Calhoun took a hard header and looked to have broken a finger, and damaged a few joins. His hand quickly began to swell and it was obvious he was in a lot of pain. RDH, MD. stepped in and assessed the situation, provided some medical attention, and Calhoun decided to sit out the afternoon ride in an attempt to be prepared for the Saturday Goat Camp ride.
We stopped into Los Dos Molinos for a quick bite to eat, and headed up to the next trailhead for some nice tech climbing. We moved quickly up Kiwanis, and spun to road over to Holbert were we once again geared up and began the second descent of the day.
The Holbert descent was a thing of beauty. Everyone seemed to fall right into place, were perfectly spaced and we mashed it out at pace I never expected was possible with 16 riders. Once we finished the descent, we hung out in the lot for a while, had a few beers, receive some killer swag, then headed to dinner.
Saturday started out with breakfast at my place for the whole group. We had 8lbs of bacon, 4lbs of sausage, 54 eggs, 24 bagels, 3 gallons of OJ, 3 gallons of milk, 2 coffee pots running continuously, and countless amount of fruit. As we fueled up for what would surely be THE ride of the weekend, we did some quick bike preparations, loaded up, and hit the road for a short drive to the trailhead.
We began the 8 mile ascent up Mesquite trail, with little time for breaks. We quickly approached the Goat Camp descent, where we took a nice break, rested and refueled.
As we began to gear up for the descent, a strange silence overcame the group FOCUS. We moved through the drop-in, guys were hootn and hollern as they worked their way through the chunkiest segment of trail they had seen yet. We regrouped and moved on to the first session spot the Spiral Staircase. dirtbag, Ronnie, and myself show the group the man line, through a tight rock squeeze which eats bikes and riders alike. I decided I would take the first shot at it to show the group the line. Amazng the pressure that comes with an audience. We spent nearly an hour sessioning the Staircase.
We then continued down to Jackhammer, where sessioning was minimal as the feature has been heavily sanitized, and many riders were flowing and just kept on going.
After a nice relaxing gathering at the cars, we headed back to my place for dinner. As we ate, we watched the Red Bull Rampage, and later decided to run the photos from Skins on the big screen. This may have been one of the best features of the weekend as it seemed we were captioning every photo, and laughing to the point my gut hurt.
Sunday was a bit more of a mellow ride. We did an out and back on National. This was a great last day ride choice as it is fast, flowy, and the effort required was less than that of the previous days ride.
Sadly, this reports comes at the expense of the end of the inaugural Knollfest. Plans are already in the works for Knollfest 2013. Thanks to all who attended, I hope you take some time to share your experiences .
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text: I know it's a little bit too soon to ask for a second season since we're just at the beginning of the first one but do you think telltale will go for a second season at the end of this one just like TWD ? I think it would depend on the success of this season (which I think will do great).But for some reason I think that it would be more difficult for TWAU.With TWD,we are surviving and we constantly meet new people and new story possibilities.And we keep following Cementine's story also.But for TWAU it's a detective story and we have a series of murders to solve.I assume it will take the entire season to discover the identity of the killer.But then what ? There won't be any other story possible after we discover what we were looking for.Unless episode 5 ends up with a cliffhanger and we let escape the killer or something like that,then it would take a second season to catch him.Or they could come up with a new mystery to solve but it would be a little too repetitive (every new season a new murder to solve).Knowing how telltale always comes up with amazing ideas and storytelling I think they could totally pull this off and find a good scenario. What do you think about it ? Would you like to have a second season ? And what do you think it could be about ?


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Country music fans looking for sheet music are well aware how difficult it can be to find music from favorite artists or for favorite songs. Digital sheet music downloads are the easy answer to this very common problem. One of the major issues for musicians who want to play new or classic country songs is that, unlike mainstream music, sheet music isn't always readily available through traditional sources. More often than not, music stores have a very limited selection. Digital sheet music allows you to find whatever music you want very quickly and easily.
Musicnotes.com offers a very wide range of country music including popular artists like Carrie Underwood, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton and many more. Additionally, Musicnotes carries hard-to-find pieces and even song arrangements that are no longer in print production. It's easy to find the pieces you want with a simple search by song title or artist. You'll also get additional search options within the search menu to refine your results even further. If you're a true fan, you can also search artists for a full selection of their music, complete with piano sheet music, guitar tabs, lyrics and more. You can even search by choice of instrument. If you want to play flute or violin country sheet music, for example, all you need to do is choose your preferred instrument.
Musicnotes.com sheet music also is professionally arranged to be easier to read. Each bar includes all necessary notations like chord changes and playing dynamics. Most of our digital sheet music can even be automatically transposed, if you like, allowing you to play/sing in your key of choice. Digital sheet music is comparatively cheap and budget-friendly, as well as easier to buy. You only need to buy the songs you want to play, instead of entire books you may only play a few songs from.
Musicnotes.com accepts major credit cards and PayPal. Simply select the songs you want, pay, and download. If you'd like some help finding a particular song or sheet music for an artist just ask, we'll be happy to assist.


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I've had these ornate candlesticks for a while now. I originally found them at one of my local antique malls for only $12.00 for the pair. I not only loved their style but I also adore anything with crystals so I just had to get them! I find that since it is so dark here in the winter, crystals add a wonderful sparkle and light to my home, which is a necessity for me.
When I purchased these candlesticks they were actually a dull silver in color and I found them a little too plain for me. Last summer I decided to pretty them up with a couple of coats of Krylon Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint. As you can see, they actually looked quite nice in that color but I still thought they needed something more to help show off their details. It was Rub n' Buff to the rescue!
If you are a regular visitor to my blog you may have seen my previous tutorial on how to use Rub n' Buff to give brass an aged patina. I had used Spanish Copper Rub n' Buff to tone down the brightly-colored brass on my vintage globe and give it a time-worn looking finish.
Rub n' Buff is actually one of my favorite products for transforming something from boring to fabulous in less than 10 minutes with only a cloth or a fingertip. No other supplies needed! Another reason why I love it so much is because it can applied to many different surfaces such as metal, wood or even plastic without having to prime or sand. Check out all of the gorgeous colors to choose from too!
Although Spanish Copper is my favorite color to use so far, I had been dying to try out my recently purchased tube of Patina Rub n' Buff on my candlesticks.
Here's a close-up of one of my candlesticks after using the Patina Rub n' Buff. I love how all of the details just "pop" now!
This photo shows the 'before' and the 'after' so you can really see the difference. Depending on the lighting, 'Patina' rub n' buff can read as a lighter turquoise blue like the photo below or more of a deeper blue as shown above.
In these photos, I also had to include my vintage picture that you can see in behind my candlesticks. Its frame was also updated with Rub n' Buff and you can read more about it further down in my post.
It only took me about 10 minutes to apply the Rub n' Buff on to the raised areas on my candlesticks and then buff them to a beautiful shine. What a quick and easy transformation!
As you can see I used very little of my tube on this project. This $6.00 tube of Rub n' Buff goes a very long way. There's enough there for many more projects in the future!
Here are my candlesticks with their jewelry added back on. Just the way I like them!
It's strange that in this photo it looks like each candlestick is a different color. I can tell you that in real life they are exactly the same color. They received the same finish so they have to be. I'm blaming this one on the weird lighting in my living room.
This is my favorite photo because it shows the aged finish close up. Where I have applied the Rub n' Buff a little heavier in spots; lighter, highlighted areas were created. This helps to add more depth to the finish and bring out the details even more.
Of course I had to also show you a close-up of the "bling" too!
While I had my Rub n' Buff out, I found this picture (below) that I wanted to makeover. It always seems to happen that way. I end up walking around my house looking for other potential "victims". This stuff is so addicting once you start using it. You'll want to Rub n' Buff everything too!
This vintage picture was one of my finds from the The Elizabeth's Antique Collectible Show & Sale this past spring. There was just something about the image that drew me in. The handwriting below the drawing says "Munich" as in Munich, Germany. I'm really not sure how old it is but I thought it would be a nice one-of-a-kind piece of art to add to my collection.
I didn't really care for the color of the original gold frame though so I applied one coat of Spanish Copper Rub n' Buff to darken it. I wanted my frame to look like brass that had gone through years of oxidation.
After applying the Spanish Copper, I left my frame to dry for a few minutes and then I used a soft cloth to buff off any of the excess. Next I added a tiny amount of the Patina color on to my cloth and used it to apply highlights to the raised edges of the frame here and there. In person it looks a lot like the finish on an old tarnished penny. So pretty!
Have you used Rub n' Buff before? If you have what are your favorite colors to use?
What do you have around your home that could use some Rub n' Buff ?
I'd love to hear from you!
Until next time,
Parties I've Linked Up To:
~ Domestically Speaking – Power of the Paint Party ~ The Trendy Treehouse – Create and Share ~ The Thrifty Home – Penny Pinching Party ~ Saavy Southern Style – Wow Us Wednesdays ~ Embracing Change – Creative Inspirations Linky Party ~ House of Hepworths – Hookin' Up With HoH ~ The Shabby Creek Cottage – Transformation Thursday ~ I Gotta Create – Wildly Original Linky Party ~ The Brambleberry Cottage – Time Travel Thursday ~
Don't miss a post on thrifty transformations, crafts, DIY projects and more!
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Copper Hand Strainer
No longer available
Rinse, wash, repeat. Our Copper Hand Strainer comes in handy for rinsing off garden vegetables, homegrown herbs and pasta noodles. Made from copper-plated stainless steel, it only gets better with age.
Copper-plated stainless steel.
10.5"w x 8"d x 6"h.
Hand wash.
Made in India.


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The Tennessee Aquarium's Serve & Protect sustainable seafood event is Sept. 4th supporting conservation and education programs.... Read Full Post
Nearly 1,000 scientists will be coming to Chattanooga for the 2014 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists.... Read Full Post
The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga has announced the first baby penguin of 2014. ... Read Full Post
NASCAR driver Brendan Gaughan is also a certified SCUBA divemaster. He will visit the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga ... Read Full Post
A special D-Day 70th Anniversary event at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater helped raise for the National Medal of Honor Mu... Read Full Post
The Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater will offer special screenings of D-Day 3D: Normandy 1944 ... Read Full Post
Wildlife conservationist and Emmy Award-winning TV host Jeff Corwin will host a premiere screening of Galapagos 3D... Read Full Post
River Otter Falls, an exciting new home for North American River Otters, is now open at the Tennessee Aquarium. ... Read Full Post
The results of the Tennessee Aquarium's North American River Otter naming contest have been released.... Read Full Post


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Since there's now a product page up for Edge of the Empire, it's worth noting that two additional items will be for sale when the core rulebook hits shelves in 2nd Quarter/Spring 2013.
First up is the expected dice pack, which looks to have the same dice assortment as the Beginner Box, and with a $15 price point, which is about what I figured.
But also due to be released at the same time is the GM Kit, which has not only a GM screen and a new adventure, but also advice on building your campaign and possibly even rules/guidelines for designing your own NPCs. It's got a $20 price point.
And we've got a confirmation on the price point of the core book. At $60, it might be a bit steep for some folks' taste, but it's about on par with their WH40K core books, and I'm sure the production values will be just as high.


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Understanding Natural Sound
Jan 13, 2012 2:32 PM, By Bob McCarthy
Tips for achieving the best acoustics.
One of the most enduring goals in sound system performance is to create a "natural" sound. In the case of sound reinforcement systems, this can be achieved with one simple step: mute the speakers. Within milliseconds we will be reminded that we don't actually want natural sound. The voice coming from the stage sounds distant and hard to understand. We are suddenly aware that everyone around us is coughing. Without the support of a sound system, the human speakers must talk in an unnatural way in hopes of projecting to the rear. There is nothing natural about actors whispering loudly, but it beats not hearing the lines.
The goal of a sound reinforcement or cinema video playback system is very rarely to sound natural. It is, instead, to sound bigger, closer, and easier to understand than natural. In short, our business is creating magic sound, not natural sound. Our challenge is to maintain the illusion of natural sound so people are not distracted by our manipulations. To succeed, we must not let anything slip that alerts the listener to the man behind the curtain. The ear's ability to detect even very slight changes in the audio stream is wired into our brains and those of every motile species on Earth. Ask a deer hunter about how quickly your prey can locate you when you make a sound.
This article will discuss some of the key issues involved in the creation of magic "natural" sound and how to avoid having our tricks discovered.
Transmitting Natural Sound
Let's first spend a moment examining the behavior of natural sound to better know what we are working toward. Natural sound emanates from a source whose placement is definable, such as a voice or a musical instrument. The sound then propagates from this source in a very predictable way that affects its loudness, frequency response, and timing. The point of origin is important because our visual link to the source provides the listener with expectations of what is natural for the given distance. When we see someone speaking at 30 meters, we don't expect it to sound as if they are right next to us. We know this difference intuitively, but we may not have thought through the acoustical physics in play here.
The inverse-square law, which states that the sound level will drop 6dB for every doubling of distance, governs the level component. This law is broken more often than a highway speed limit. In fact, unless you spend a lot of time skydiving or in anechoic chambers, you have probably never heard this law fully adhered to. Why? Because any reflected energy is added to the direct sound like a sonic recycling program and reused. This causes the level reduction to be less than the 6dB called for by law but not evenly over frequency. The reflections favor the low-frequency range over the highs because at low frequencies the sources are more omnidirectional and the surfaces are more reflective. The opposite is true for the HF range. Even the direct sound has reductions greater than the inverse square law because air is a lossy medium in the VHF range. As direct and/or reflected path lengths get longer, there is more and more VHF range loss compared to all other ranges.
The low-end rise will even occur outdoors, where at the very least we have a reflecting ground plane. The tilt becomes more dramatic for indoor spaces. The longer the distance and the bigger and more reverberant the space, the more we can expect to hear the frequency response tilt lows up and the highs down compared to the midrange. Does this mean a large-volume room such as an opera house will make a voice on stage sound as if the highs are rolled off and the bass boosted in the back row? Absolutely yes, when compared with standing a few feet in front of the singer. They are both natural sound.
Receiving Natural Sound
Our aural localization system can identify the origin of a sound source in both the horizontal and vertical planes. The mechanisms, however, are totally different. The horizontal system is a dual-channel comparator that monitors relative level and arrival time between our two ears (hence the term binaural hearing). For example, a single sound source ahead and to our left will be both louder and arrive earlier at our left ear. The two horizontal systems validate each other in the brain, and the source is conclusively localized. With a single natural source, it is difficult to conjure up a scenario where our brain's two horizontal systems are in conflict. At the very least this would require a reflection, which is, in effect, a second source. As we will see shortly, we can create localization conflicts with multiple speakers. Our vertical plane localization is two independent single channels. Each ear maps out the vertical plane separately by the learned reflection signature of our outer ear structure, the pinna. Sound coming from above us is reflected differently into the ear canal than sound below and so on. This mechanism is far less sensitive than the horizontal system. When multiple arrivals occur, such as direct sound and a reflection, the conflict is resolved primarily by loudness, with arrival time being a much smaller factor than in the horizontal plane.
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I am not a big fan of regular idli's, but I love to have rawa idli and different type of idli's..This idli is a special one with lots of healthy ingrediants..So I can assure you that this is healthy one..Hope you like it and let me know what you think..Here you go to the step by step recipe with pictures.
Recipe Source: Rak's Kitchen
Instant Oats -1 cup /1 part
Sooji / Rawa / Bombay Rawa / Semolina – ½ cup / ½ part
Curd / Yoghurt – 1 cup
Beans – 10 chopped finely
Carrot – 1 grated finely
Urad Dal / Ulundam Paruppu – 1 tsp
Mustard Seeds / Kaduku -1 tsp
Green Chilli – 1 chopped finely
Ginger -1 tblspn grated
Oil -1 tblspn + for greasing idli plates
Baking Soda -1 tsp
Salt to taste
In a dry pan and oats and roast it till nice aroma comes , it will take around 3-5 mins..Allow this to cool down and powder it finely.
Now take this in a mixing bowl and add in rawa and mix well. Pour in curd and mix well..
Add in enough water and mix well till it gets smooth consistency.
Now heat oil in a pan and add in mustard and urad dal..Add in green chilli and ginger and mix well.Add in beans and carrot and cook for 5 mins.
Now add this to the batter and mix well..Add in salt, baking soda and mix well.
Take the idli stand and grease the plate with oil.Take a ladleful of batter and fill those plates.
Now stack it together and steam it for 15 mins.Remove this and allow it to cool down.
Now remove the idli with a spoon and store in a hot case.
Serve this with chutney or as it is..
Take all your ingrediants |
heat oil in a kadai |
add in mustard and urad dal |
add in chillies and ginger |
add in carrot and beans |
saute this for few minutes |
now roast oats till nice aroma comes.. |
can you the oats have turned a few shades darker |
take it in a blender |
and powder it |
now empty this in a bowl |
add in rawa |
add in curd |
and water |
mix well |
now add the sauted vegetables |
and mix well |
add in salt and baking soda |
now grease idli plate with oil |
take a ladleful of batter |
and fill these plates |
stack it |
and steam it |
till idli is done.. |
Serve |
Looks yummy right |
I served it with Tomato Chutney |


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Intuition 101 with Sean Michael Morris
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Do you ever hear a quiet voice in your head that helps you make the right choice, take the right chance, and stay out of harm's way? That voice is your intuition, and it acts in almost the same way as your intellect in guiding you through your life. Come to this informative, fun seminar and learn how your intuition--and your imagination--are as accurate as your intellect. Sean Micheal Morris is a Denver psychic, medium, and spirit channel with over 25 years of experience. As an instructor in the intuitive arts, he encourages students to play, discover, and most of all, believe in their own psychic abilities.


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Updated: March 11, 2013 6:13AM
I stumbled upon a theory last week called the Myth of Quality Time. The theory states that the concept of quality time as it pertains to childrearing is contrived.
It's the quantity of time that's truly important, according to the online commenter presenting the theory. For example, five hours spent with children folding laundry and pulling weeds trumps a two-hour family outing to the local bowling alley.
The theory struck a nerve. In my own experience, many of my most heartfelt parenting moments have come at the most mundane times. My 5-year-old son, Peter, tends to share his intimate thoughts while eating lunch. My 6-year-old boy, Bubba, opens up on long car rides alone.
Rarely do these candid moments come at our long-awaited waterpark weekend or while sitting in the stands at our annual trip to U.S. Cellular Field.
Shannon Cassidy said the definition of "quality time" is a big part of the problem. The executive coach and author said the term "quality time" is often designated for big events like a father-son fishing trip or a museum visit. In fact, quality time can be had during a 30-minute game of Wii with your children.
"I think the myth is that quality time has to be long," Cassidy said.
The Myth of Quality Time is likely just another weapon in the Mommy Wars. This online war of words pits stay-at-home moms against working mothers. Rather than support each other, participants argue over who is the better mother.
Cassidy interviewed both working moms and stay-at-home moms for her new book, "The 5 Degree Principle, How Small Changes Lead to Big Results." She found good and bad parents in both camps.
"I don't think it's about whether you work or not, it's about what you do with the time you have," Cassidy said.
She said being physically and mentally available to your children is the most important factor. A stay-at-home parent talking on his or her cell phone at noon while the children run around the park isn't actively parenting. Nor is the working parent who rushes home to attend a child's basketball game only to spend the entire game checking email on a BlackBerry.
Dr. Margret Nickels, of the Chicago-based Erikson Institute, agreed, citing studies that find typical working parents don't harm their children by going to work. Parents who are rarely home have a negative impact on their children, but moms and dads with fairly traditional hours shouldn't feel guilty.
"Really, what is most important to the child is having their parents' attention," said Nickels, a clinical psychologist and director of Erikson's Center for Children and Families.
Yet, working parents often feel a sense of guilt. They sometimes try to make up for lost time by planning elaborate trips, getting involved in travel sports teams or taking on other grand activities. Ironically, this can be counterproductive. Research finds that the main thing children of working parents want is to feel less rushed, she said.
The importance of downtime is also something stay-at-home parents need to keep in mind. Such parents can feel obligated to justify leaving a paid career by filling up their day with volunteer and extracurricular activities. Downtime can even become quality time by asking children to help out or engaging them in conversation while doing chores.
As for the Myth of Quality Time, I'll say it's been debunked. Quality time isn't a myth. It's real. And it can be had with children almost anytime and anywhere.
Howard A. Ludwig is a former SouthtownStar business reporter who traded his reporter's notebook for a diaper bag, becoming a stay-at-home dad.
He can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com


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I tend to think that it is best to leave solar electricity to the pros right now. The panels are still expensive, changing every month, and the layout and installation, hookup, etc very tricky. But this also might be a time for DIY-ers to leap ahead. Looking around I've not seen any reliable guide to offer practical advice about what exactly to buy today (2012), and how to install it on your house or yard. A lot of this info for sale is 5 to 10 years old. Is there a source that you have used yourself that you'd recommend? asked Mar 01 '12 at 10:04 Kevin Kelly |
P.S> I know about Backwoods Solar website and Home Power magazine (previously reviewed), but I was looking more for a step-by-step systematic tutorial or manual for setting up a system. linkanswered Mar 01 '12 at 11:23 Kevin Kelly I was actually thinking of doing a small-scale project myself, just to learn the ins-and-outs. I have a need to exhaust my attic during the summer; I typically use a pair of box fans on a timer. I was thinking of a solar panel charging a deep-cell battery, and driving the fans off that system. My problem, at a smaller scale than you imply, is how to assemble a minimal system.
2 years, 10 months ago
For an attic, have you already looked at non-motorized rooftop turbine vents? They made a HUGE difference on my house, and I already had very good soffit venting. A cheap, simple solution might be possible. I've also seen a few solar-driven roof vents as all-in-one packages. But most of the time they seem not to really be necessary, and contribute more parts to potentially break.
2 years, 10 months ago
Build It Solar is a wonderful resource. http://www.builditsolar.com/ Since each site/system is fairly unique, you're probably not going to find many step-by-step sites. Your best bet is to learn the basic system components and go from there. linkanswered Mar 11 '12 at 11:56 Derek Murawsky |
The grid-tied PV systems that use micro-inverters make good DIY systems -- they are straight forward to put together. The first one is my system and the how-to build it is VERY detailed -- it was also in Mother Earth News a couple months back. Gary linkanswered Mar 12 '12 at 06:48 GaryGary |


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Emerge Pendant
Emerge pendant features a conical shaped glass shade, richly layered in brilliant color, with machined top detail suspended from a round canopy. Shade color available in blue-violet, ferrari red, frost white, lime green, tahoe pine amber and white frit. Canopy available in black, antique bronze, satin nickel and white. Black, satin nickel and white canopy options includes satin nickel top detail and clear cable. Antique bronze finish option includes antique bronze detail and brown cable. Includes one 75 Watt 120 Volt incandescent A19 lamp or one 18 watt GX24Q-2 triple tube compact fluorescent. 6 inch diameter x 12 inches high with six feet of field cuttable cable. ETL listed.
Product Name Order Code | Finish Color | Width | Lamp | Stock | List Price | Our Price |
Emerge Pendant 700TDEMPFZ | 6" | INC Incandescent | 2 | $420.00 | $336.00 |
Dimensions: 12"H x 6"W |
Lamp Source: Incandescent |
Bulb: 1 x A19/Medium (E26)/75W/120V Incandescent Bulb included |
Dimmer: Incandescent |
About Tech Lighting
Tech Lighting originally established its name as a leading designer of architectural lighting with its contemporary decorative fixtures and innovative low-voltage track lighting systems, including MonoRail, Kable Lite, TwinRail and, later, T-trak. The Tech brand has since evolved, with a portfolio offering an expansive selection of lighting solutions for both residential and commercial applications.
Tech Lighting products span a wide variety of lighting categories, including low- and line-voltage decorative pendants, wall sconces, chandeliers, bath bars and bath lighting, picture lights, directional track heads and ceiling fixtures (both flush mount and suspension) all featuring timeless, original design.
You'll find Tech Lighting in homes with the most beautiful and innovative kitchens, bathrooms, foyers, dining rooms, family rooms and bedrooms, as well as in well-appointed restaurants, hotels, boutiques, offices and retail stores domestically and abroad.
Lightology is proud to offer the best pricing anywhere on Tech products, with fast and free shipping for our well-stocked Tech Lighting inventory. With our seasoned and knowledgeable staff possessing extensive experience and training in all Tech products, it naturally follows that we at Lightology are the Tech Lighting experts.


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I know we'll be getting the rules soon, but does anybody want to speculate whether or not 2E will include leveled treasure cards like 1E did? (Copper / silver / Gold)
There are two ways they could do it that I can think of:
1) Just like the vanilla 1E game, each dungeon map could specify the type of treasure available to be found.
2) Just like the advanced campaign in 1E, the treasure level could correspond to campaign level. So in 2E, the type of treasure card you get corresponds to what stage in the story you're at.
Also… Relics? I reeeeally hope so.


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The Barnacle Historic State Park
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Guided Tours of The Barnacle House, Grounds, and Boathouse
In order to participate in this program, one:
Must have the ability to follow visual and/or verbal instructions independently or with assistance of companion.
Must have the ability to ambulate through the historic house and grounds independently or with the assistance of a companion or device.
Must have the ability to withstand exposure to the outdoors and non-climate controlled indoors for a period of 1 hour.
Must have the ability to ascend fourteen stairs to the second floor.
Must have the ability to, If desired, ambulate to the boathouse on the Bay by way of the path of 1392 feet (696 feet each direction) that has a maximum slope of 7.6%.


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Join our network and stay up to date on our campaigns, get important consumer updates and take action on critical issues.


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Therapeutic Back Brace
Gain extra support for joints and back pain.
Boost your range of motion and get extra support for joints affected by sprains, arthritis and tendonitis. The patented organic germanium bamboo charcoal blend in the inner weave produces negative ions that prove almost instant pain relief and support healthy circulation for natural healing. Braces are antimicrobial, odor absorbing and moisture wicking for comfortable all-day wear.
Therapeutic Back Brace Features:
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Sizeing: Available in waist sizes:
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Materials: Inner weave: 50% bamboo charcoal, 50% germanium; Outer: 53% polyester, 37% spandex, 10% nylon.


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I love finding healthy alternatives to my childhood favorites. In this case, the sugary staple cereal Cinnamon Toast Crunch now has competition with Fiber One Caramel Delight Cereal - and what delight it was! The little ribbed squares are lightly toasted and coated with something sweet and powdery that creates a little bit of a mess - but it is more than worth it. The taste is phenomenal; a combination of perfect sweetness and caramel goodness. The caramel flavor is just right and not overpowering. Furthermore, each mouthful possesses a crunchy bite mixed with a bit of airiness. Milk only adds to the delight factor and the squares remain nice and crunchy for the most part.
The nutrition facts of Fiber One Caramel Delight Cereal has some positives and some areas that could stand some improvement. One serving is 1 cup (none of this 3/4 cup business), in which there is 180 calories, only 3 grams of total fat (4% of the RDA), no saturated fat, 260 mg of sodium (11% of the RDA), 3 grams of protein and 41 grams of total carbohydrates which includes 35% of the RDA for fiber (9 grams) and 10 grams of sugar. In addition each cup is chockfull of 8-25% of 12 essential vitamins and minerals.
The ingredient list is fairly short for such a complex cereal, beginning with whole grain wheat, but followed by the inevitable, sugar. This cereal can be a bit pricey, but many grocery stores are holding special deals periodically. I paid $2.67 for a 15.6oz box with a $1.00 off in-store coupon at HEB. The regular price is usually closer to $4, so I simply cannot afford to put it on my regular grocery list. However, I would buy this again whenever it's on sale (there's currently a $0.50 off coupon at the FiberOne website).
Fiber One also has other cereals which have more fiber - Fiber One Original has 57%, Honey Clusters (which we reviewed here) has 51%, and Raisin Bran Clusters has 43% of the RDA for fiber.
I haven't tried all the varieties yet and Caramel Delight may not have the most fiber and may not be the best everyday addition to a dieter's eating routine, but as an occasional breakfast or a superb dessert, this cereal rocks!


text: Load and unload everything from trailers and cargo containers to vans and delivery vehicles, quickly, efficient, safely-with loading ramps from C&H. Whether you need on-site loading ramps or loading ramps to hit the road with your trucks, we've got a full range of styles, dimensions, and capacities to do the job. Curb ramps. Walk ramps, with and without side rails. Yard ramps. Ramps designed for motorized and forklift traffic. At C&H you'll find loading ramps with capacities from 750 lbs. to 20 tons, in lengths from 36" to 36', and widths from 84" to 35'. They're all strong and durable, in materials from aluminum and steel & aluminum to lightweight polyethylene. They're all made by trusted brand names including Bluff, Vestil, Eagle and Relius Solutions. And they're covered by our 3-Year Warranty.


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Funeral service was at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 13, 2012, at Riles Funeral Home with Rev. Terry White, pastor of Bowmar Baptist Church officiating. Burial followed in Greenlwan Gardens Cemetery.
Visitation began at 9 a.m.
Born in Black Hawk, she was the daughter of the late Jack Mims and Katye Tindall Mims Miles. She was a longtime resident of Vicksburg and a graduate of Hinds Community College where she graduated with honors. Mrs. Rucker was a past member of the Vicksburg Jaycettes and was a hostess for the Miss Mississippi Pageant for a number of years. She was active in the Optimist Club of Vicksburg and the Vicksburg Little Theater Guild. Mrs. Rucker was a real estate bookkeeper and an agent with the Ernest Thomas Real Estate Agency and Danny Rice until her retirement. She was a member of the Bowmar Baptist Church where she served as a director of the Children's Sunday School Department for over 30 years and was a member of the church choir.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, James Riley Rucker Sr.; son Mark Carl Rucker; and a brother, Robert Miles.
She is survived by two sons, James "Jim" Rucker Jr. of Vicksburg and Tommy "Tom" Rucker of Tampa, Fla.; four granddaughters and two great-grandsons; and two sisters, Johnnie Miles of Chicago, Ill., and Roslyn Miles McNeer of Cleveland.
Pallbearers were Ron Goldman, Jerry Rushing, Rusty Henne Wayne Swilley, Jerry Lynch, Danny Skipper, Pete Hall and Mike McGee.
Memorials may be made to the charity of choice.


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International Studies Department would like to welcome all New Students, Returning Students and Faculty. We hope you enjoyed the holiday. Have a great Spring Semester!
Contact Information
CUB 221-B (717-477-1907) CUB 221-C (717-477-1123 extension 3879) Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Director of International Studies
Tel: (717) 477 - 1255
Fax: (717) 477 – 4062
0ffice hours: M, W 3:15pm – 4:00pm (DHC215)
T, TH 1:00pm – 3:15pm (CUB221B) (4th Tues. of month, 1:00pm – 1:50pm and by appointment)
Secretary Dean's Office (DHC 225) M-F 8am-4:30pm 717-477-1151 x3210
Graduate Assistant CUB 221-C (T,Th 9am - 3pm) DHC (M 9am-2pm)
Graduate Office Worker
CUB 221-C (T,Th 9.15am-2:15pm, W 8:45am-2:45pm)
Study abroad is a fun and exciting way to enhance your education. International Studies comes alive when students visit a cloud forest in Costa Rica, a bazaar in Amman, the Great Wall in Beijing, or the European Parliament in Brussels. International Studies majors and minors are encouraged to study abroad, preferably for a full semester, because the experience is likely to lead to greater academic and professional success. Exposure to a new environment, unexpected situations, and people of a different culture enhances adaptability and deepens transferrable skills including critical thinking, problem solving and foreign language fluency. In the age of globalization, resumes mentioning study abroad are attractive to employers because employees with overseas experience can be trusted to interact with foreign clients, speak foreign languages more fluently, and take assignments requiring travel or living abroad.
Various Scholarships for study abroad could be found here


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Camping in Maine
Camping in Maine allows you to experience the wonders of our uncommon state firsthand. Wake to the sunrise warming your tent or RV, relax around the campfire listening to loons call in the evening, and spot a moose drinking from one of Maine's 32,000 miles of rivers and streams. From the mysterious and wild North Woods to the serene coastline, Maine campgrounds cater to every level of experience and comfort. Maine...Read more
Camping in Maine allows you to experience the wonders of our uncommon state firsthand. Wake to the sunrise warming your tent or RV, relax around the campfire listening to loons call in the evening, and spot a moose drinking from one of Maine's 32,000 miles of rivers and streams.
From the mysterious and wild North Woods to the serene coastline, Maine campgrounds cater to every level of experience and comfort. Maine boasts 542,629 acres of pristine national and state parks, including the venerable peaks of Mt. Katahdin located at the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. World-renowned for its hiking, Mt. Katahdin rises 5,271 feet above sea level and offers breathtaking views and trails for hikers of every experience level. Take on Katahdin's Knife Edge in Baxter State Park for a thrilling challenge, or fish one of Maine's 6,000 lakes and ponds or 3,500 miles of coastline for New England's best fresh and saltwater catches.
Camping on the coast is a unique Maine experience that will delight even the most seasoned of campers. Let the wave's lullaby soothe you into sleep, and enjoy the convenience of camping next to your favorite water activities. With an abundance of beach and oceanfront campgrounds to choose from, your hardest decision will be which shore you'd like to wake up next to.
Motorhome and RV travelers are always welcome in Maine. Maine's RV Parks and Campgrounds provide hookups, Wi-Fi, campfire sites, recreational grounds, and authentic Maine hospitality. Find ocean and beachside resorts exclusively for RV camping and mingle with likeminded travelers searching for a little slice of Maine heaven.
Reserve the perfect wilderness, island or oceanfront campsite. Privately owned Maine campgrounds and National and State Parks have individual methods of reserving campsites, so be sure and call or check individual websites ahead of time.
So grab your bedroll, flashlight, and tent, or load up your camper with all the essentials of home: an authentic Maine camping adventure awaits you.
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Camping at Sabao Lake & ATV Riding on the Sunrise Trail System
Easily described as one of the most serene campgrounds in the state, Lower Sabao Lake campground (Delorme's The Maine Atlas and Gazetteer...
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Staying at a campground or camping resort in Maine is a fun and affordable way to...
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Whether you're a first-time camper or you have been pitching a tent for years, you may want to consider a guided Maine camping trip. Camping with...
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Your alarm clock could be a loon or a lighthouse foghorn when camping at a Maine state park. A dozen parks throughout the state offer camping...
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Escape to a leisurely vacation on one of our quiet, clean, restful campsites nestled amidst forest splendor. Historical Pemaquid Beach only 800'...
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At Northern Outdoors, Maine's premier adventure resort, we make camping as rustic or deluxe as you like at our Kennebec River Campground....
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Enjoy fishing and hunting while camping in the Katahdin region! Housekeeping cabins and 50 sites, new dumping station. Hot showers. Camp store....
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Wooded lakeside campground with water activities, game room,store,laundry, free hot showers and Wi-Fi. Relax by your campfire or explore Bar...
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Three modern cottages (fully furnished) and campground on the shore of Moose River. Rooms and meals are available in the lodge. Some seasonal...


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A revealing look at dyslexia, its impact on children and their parents, and what schools should do to help.
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A revealing look at dyslexia, its impact on children and their parents, and what schools should do to help.
Embracing Dyslexia, a documentary film currently in production, takes a hard look at dyslexia and the role educators and parents need to take to make sure that children with dyslexia are identified early, given appropriate intervention, and not allowed to fall through the cracks which is so often the case with our current educational system.
The film features parents who speak about the anxiety and frustration they had when they didn't know why their children were having such great difficulties learning to read, write, and spell. They also speak of the positive impact getting a diagnosis of dyslexia had on their lives and of the struggles they still face when dealing with their child's school.
Dyslexic children and adults courageously open up and speak honestly about their struggles in the classroom and beyond. Experts and advocates speak to why it is essential that educators screen these struggling learners for dyslexia as early as possible and how support at home, accommodations in the classroom, and the right types of intervention can take a child from feeling stupid, dumb, or broken to believing in themselves and knowing they can be successful.
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"... the Lawrence School in Cleveland, Ohio, impressed me with its academic rigor and its mainstream social environment — a place where students who learn differently could prepare to flourish in a world where such differences are seldom accommodated."
Lou Salza's insight:
Proud to be mentioned in a blog acknowledging the challenges faced by so many students with learning differences in all kinds of schools. Many thanks to all those who work on their behalf at home and at school!--Lou
Instead, the smartest teams were distinguished by three characteristics.
Lou Salza's insight:
Take turns, play nice! , pay attention to team members, employ more women!--Why does this not surprise?--Lou
President Obama hopes to make two years of free community college accessible for up to nine million Americans. I'm guessing the new Congress will squawk at the $60 billion price tag, but I hope the idea sticks, because more veterans, from Iraq and Afghanistan this time, as well as another generation of mothers, single parents and workers who have been out of the job market, need lower obstacles between now and the next chapter of their lives. High school graduates without the finances for a higher education can postpone taking on big loans and maybe luck into the class that will redefine their life's work. Many lives will be changed.
Lou Salza's insight:
Remarkable story made even more remarkable because Tom Hanks looks back to his community college days as the change that made a difference for him....--Lou Excerpt: "...IN 1974, I graduated from Skyline High School in Oakland, Calif., an underachieving student with lousy SAT scores. Allowed to send my results to three colleges, I chose M.I.T. and Villanova, knowing such fine schools would never accept a student like me but hoping they'd toss some car stickers my way for taking a shot. I couldn't afford tuition for college anyway. I sent my final set of stats toChabot, a community college in nearby Hayward, Calif., which, because it accepted everyone and was free, would be my alma mater. For thousands of commuting students, Chabot was our Columbia, Annapolis, even our Sorbonne, offering courses in physics, stenography, auto mechanics, certified public accounting, foreign languages, journalism — name the art or science, the subject or trade, and it was probably in the catalog. The college had a nursing program that churned out graduates, sports teams that funneled athletes to big-time programs, and parking for a few thousand cars — all free but for the effort and the cost of used textbooks. Classmates included veterans back from Vietnam, women of every marital and maternal status returning to school, middle-aged men wanting to improve their employment prospects and paychecks..."
The right app can improve your child's learning, help her manage specific challenges—and provide hours of fun! Here are 10 new or recently updated options as of December, 2014. For more ideas, check out Tech Finder.
Lou Salza's insight:
Peter Drucker once noted that leadership is all about strengths: "The task of leadership," he wrote,"is to create an alignment of strengths in ways that make a system's weaknesses irrelevant". I suggest this is our task in schools: teaching and learning in ways that make a childs challenges as unimportant as possible. THese tools do exactly that!--Lou
But here is the thing. Many schools in the UK are now rigorously teaching children to read by phonically decoding unknown words, here generally referred to as SSP, Systematic Synthetic Phonics', elsewhere sometimes called the Alphabetic Principle. These schools are achieving results where almost all children can decode effectively by age 6, as demonstrated by the statutory phonics screening check. The children then go on to read confidently and fluently by the time they are 7. That is to say, there are no children at all emerging as dyslexic from some of these classes. From many of the others only somewhere between 1% and 3% of children look like they might have some ongoing difficulty with reading, nowhere close to the 10%+ incidence of dyslexia found more generally. Sadly these schools remain a minority; most UK schools are instead committed to teaching a mixed approach to reading, encouraging the guessing of unknown words, purportedly so that children learn to make sense of a text. (I have explained elsewhere on this blog why this is so counter-productive.) However there are more than enough committed SSP schools to demonstrate clearly that their outcomes are no fluke and that they can be achieved in areas of social deprivation just as well as those in more affluent locations.
Lou Salza's insight:
Fascinating British blogger's account of the very same situation we suffer from here in the USA: What Barbara Bateman called 'dysteachia' many years ago! The fault is not in the children, their homes or their stars--the fault is in the curriculum! Simply substitute "illiterate" and "illiteracy" for "dyslexic" and Dyslexia" when you read School Inspector Askew's Blog. --Lou My favorite passage: ".....But why do the schools so persistently look to the child rather than to their own teaching when that child fails to make expected progress in reading? The most obvious explanation is that it deflects blame from themselves, and we have to admit that this desire is all too common a trait in many of us. Yet, as I have said often on this blog, teachers are overwhelmingly decent and concerned people. There must be more to it than this. I am convinced that the answer lies in the deep-seated culture of so called 'progressivism' that pervades our school system (although it is in fact not progressive at all, but has for a good while now been the orthodoxy). In terms of the teaching of reading this involves the belief - and I use the word deliberately - that children will become 'real readers' only if they learn to read by mixed, multi-cueing methods, and by guessing at words to try to reach meaning. This way of thinking has become so embedded that it has taken on many of the features of a religion. It has its fanatics, who continually repeat its mantras, whatever alternative arguments or evidence are presented. Even for the majority this 'credo' has become mutually reinforcing and perpetuating. Teachers are very threatened, deeply offended even, when it is gainsaid. It follows, of course, that when a child fails to learn to read by the methods currently being used, it must necessarily be the child's fault. To admit the teaching is wrong would be to admit that their own deeply held beliefs are wrong, and that is one of the most difficult things in life to do. Despite years of trying to challenge these beliefs with reason and evidence, I feel, sadly, that I, and others of like mind, have not got very far, or at least not nearly far enough. It is enormously frustrating and my heart bleeds for the children of our countries when I see how many 'dyslexics' we have when we need have hardly any..."
Parenting Coach tool from Understood: Parenting tips and advice for child behavioral disorders and other behavior issues in children. See other help tools.
Lou Salza's insight:
This site is so well done! Thank you to
When I was in sixth grade, master girl-grower Ann Klotz made a brave voyage from New York City to Shaker Heights, Ohio so she could run our school. I met her simultaneously as my new classmate Miranda's mom and as my school's new Headmistress. Ms. Klotz is a spark who has lit Laurel ablaze with energy and ingenuity. We were "her girls" and she set out to inspire us, to know us deeply, to love us. She taught us we were there to "Dream, Dare, Do."
Lou Salza's insight:
Emma Miller got this right! Insightful commentary from one who knows! Dell and I are proud grandparents of a Laurel 1st grader! Thank you to the Faculty and Staff--and to Ann Klotz, "master girl grower" and mentor to school leaders far and near. --Lou
Football has a concussion problem, from the National Football League down to Pee-Wee teams. And there are lots of efforts out there to fix it.
Lou Salza's insight:
I was alerted to this article while reading on the NAIS.org web site where Debra Wilson has initiated a discussion around wellness.--Lou
According to the Center for American Progress, women still only make up 14.6 percent of executive officers, 8.1 percent of top earners and a mere 4.6 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs. In Massachusetts, The Boston Club released a report showing that nearly 14 percent of the 100 largest public companies have women as directors, which is below the national average of 17 percent.
Lou Salza's insight:
My favorite passage: ".... To create female leaders, we need to raise them as leaders. We need to integrate courses into our curricula that go beyond basic English, math and science classes, such as ones geared towards the principles of engineering, or classes that explore the central role of science and technology in shaping human life, civilization and thought. We need to incorporate into our program business-oriented courses that teach our students at a young age how to succeed in the work force. Otherwise women are disadvantaged when they leave school and enter the employment market. We need to continue to foster all-girls programs that provide an atmosphere where girls excel as leaders without a male presence, because research shows that girls are more engaged, and exude more confidence and competitiveness in single-sex environments..."
Children with dyslexia do not have the same brain network for reading as children with ocular motility disorders, according to new research. This suggests that ocular motility disorders do not cause dyslexia.
Lou Salza's insight:
It does not matter whether it is old research, new research, done in Europe or here in the US: Dyslexia can not be treated with colored lenses, overlays, or visual training exercises. If these work for you--then what you are treating is not dyslexia. --Lou
The Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the state of Michigan and against the ACLU in its lawsuit on behalf of Highland Park Schools students, alleging they receive an inadequate education.
Lou Salza's insight:
Disappointing, confusing ruling by the courts. I am easily confused but impossible to discourage. Stay tuned because this will move up to the higher courts. There is an implied requirement in our founding documents that the provision for free public education is the means through which the benefits of citizenship in a democratic society are acquired and maintained. It was the basis of the 1954 Brown V. Board of Ed decision which made school segregation illegal. There is something un American about not supporting excellent, effective schools for all kids. -Lou
the carrot-and-stick method of classroom discipline is outmoded, and that behavior apps themselves are too subjective, enabling teachers to reward or penalize students for amorphous acts like "disrespect." They contend that behavior databases could potentially harm students' reputations by unfairly saddling some with "a problem child" label that could stick with them for years.
Lou Salza's insight:
I agree with the privacy concerns, and I add indignation and outrage that our schools continue to be a place where compliance is valued over competence, creativity, collaboration and compassion. We have a letter grading system that is just as subjective, just as punitive as the ClassDOJO app, and is used to reward, bribe, punish and humiliate students. Our old grading systems and these new apps teach kids an important lesson about school: Learn what they say, when they say and how they say--or they will find a way to hurt you. --just sayin' Lou
Hi, everyone! The Mountain Room is gearing up for its Day of the Dead celebration on Friday. Please send in photos of loved ones for our altar. All parents are welcome to come by on Wednesday afternoon to help us make candles and decorate skulls. Thanks! Emily".......
Lou Salza's insight:
We who live in schools know this story! Take a break and laugh out loud! Wonderful piece of fiction that tells an abiding truth!! --Lou |
Linguistics is a science, and orthography should be taught that way. Our students should be taught to seek evidence for particular spellings and pronunciations. Let's investigate the word two. The first thing a student should do is come up with a scientific hypothesis about why this word contains the letter w and then go in search of the evidence. Sooner or later, they come up with this evidence: the w is there to mark the relationship of the word two with twice, twin, between, twenty, twilight, and so many more. Here is a graphic of the investigative process:
Lou Salza's insight:
our system of writing and spelling in English preserves the meanings of words despite changes and migrations of our pronunciation. Encouraging our dyslexic student to become "linguistic Detectives does two things: 1. it engages students' intellect and curiosity; 2. reveals patterns in so called 'sight' words.--Lou
Our story starts in Virginia where Tommy was born but quickly moves to Georgia and South Carolina where he was raised with his two older sisters and younger brother. His father was a Presbyterian minister who also occasionally taught at university, and his loving mother was herself the daughter of a Presbyterian minister. Tommy's father was demanding, and scholarship and piety defined his household. Unfortunately for Tommy, he was a poor student who did not learn the alphabet until age 9 and wasn't able to read until almost age 12. These struggles led his teachers to think of him as slow and his parents to describe him as a "dolt" and "lost cause." Tommy enjoyed learning though and from a young age, aspired to greatness. His parents offered him academic support and his father, being the prominent pastor that he was, would instruct Tommy for hours, each night, in the art of oratory and debate.
Lou Salza's insight:
Ryan Masa, K-8 Principal of the Assets School in Honolulu, weaves together a cautionary tale for all educators: First he takes the dangerous conclusions parents and teachers often draw regarding children who struggle to learn to read in school. Next he weaves gives us a lesson in US History relevant to the State of the Union address this week. Finally he brings us to Assets School where 2e students have been well cared for and brilliantly educated for 3 decades. This is a must read!--Lou
Four kinds of behavior account for 89 percent of leadership effectiveness. January 2015 | byClaudio Feser, Fernanda Mayol, and Ramesh Srinivasan
Lou Salza's insight:
The crux of the research: "Four kinds of behavior account for 89 percent of leadership effectiveness: 1. Solving problems effectively. The process that precedes decision making is problem solving, when information is gathered, analyzed, and considered. This is deceptively difficult to get right, yet it is a key input into decision making for major issues (such as M&A) as well as daily ones (such as how to handle a team dispute). 2. Operating with a strong results orientation. Leadership is about not only developing and communicating a vision and setting objectives but also following through to achieve results. Leaders with a strong results orientation tend to emphasize the importance of efficiency and productivity and to prioritize the highest-value work. 3. Seeking different perspectives. This trait is conspicuous in managers who monitor trends affecting organizations, grasp changes in the environment, encourage employees to contribute ideas that could improve performance, accurately differentiate between important and unimportant issues, and give the appropriate weight to stakeholder concerns. Leaders who do well on this dimension typically base their decisions on sound analysis and avoid the many biases to which decisions are prone. 4. Supporting others. Leaders who are supportive understand and sense how other people feel. By showing authenticity and a sincere interest in those around them, they build trust and inspire and help colleagues to overcome challenges. They intervene in group work to promote organizational efficiency, allaying unwarranted fears about external threats and preventing the energy of employees from dissipating into internal conflict. We're not saying that the centuries-old debate about what distinguishes great leaders is over or that context is unimportant. Experience shows that different business situations often require different styles of leadership. We do believe, however, that our research points to a kind of core leadership behavior that will be relevant to most companies today, notably on the front line. For organizations investing in the development of their future leaders, prioritizing these four areas is a good place to start...."
The future of learning in society is virtually unlimited, at least for the foreseeable future. Learning is the conversion of information into knowledge; information, in the digital age has become a vast sea of ones and zeros; information becomes knowledge by passing through some medium that transforms the ones and zeros into a conceptually organized form.
Lou Salza's insight:
Elmore hits this out of the park! He calmly and completely eviscerates the rigidity of school building design, the one size fits all practice of instruction and assessment in our schools, and anachronistic teacher preparation programs in our colleges.--Lou My favorite passages: "...Schools, as we currently know them, will continue to exist, if only because the byzantine collection of political interests that underlie them will keep them afloat regardless of their contribution to learning. The Postal Service continues to exist, as the function of moving information fluidly and efficiently in society has migrated out into other organizational forms. To engage the next generation of young leaders in the important task of building society's capacity to learn in the service of innovation and creativity, we will need to provide them with a broader array of opportunities to lead in settings where they can exercise meaningful judgment and control, without having to wait in line for a career path that may take decades to acknowledge their energy and creativity.... ....The definition of learning for society at large as been given over to political professionals, who are educational amateurs of the worst kind. The broader society, thankfully, is smarter than the institutionalized schooling sector. Learning, as an individual and social activity, has never been so alive as the present, and it will continue to grow in scope and breadth indefinitely. The experiences I had as a learner in the world, challenged by serious intellectuals and by involvement in life-altering, personally wrenching experiences, are now available to a much broader swath of society...."
A growing number of American students, shattered by the grueling marathon of high school and the coldblooded "college process," are opting to take a year to regroup before tackling higher education — a practice long common in Britain and Australia. Attendance at "gap fairs" more than doubled in the United States between 2010 and 2013, and enrollment in gap-year programs grew 27 percent from 2012 to 2013 alone, according to Ethan Knight, executive director of the American Gap Association. Many college websites, including Harvard's and Yale's, now encourage prospective freshman to consider a gap year; Middlebury even provides links to specific programs.
Lou Salza's insight:
My favorite Passage: ".....Taking a gap year turned out to be one of the smartest decisions my daughter has ever made. She had a spectacular experience in Salzburg, bonding with her host family, perfecting her German, traveling through Europe with assorted new friends, and otherwise developing the confidence and skills necessary to navigate unfamiliar terrain. In the wish-I-didn't-know department: She couch-surfed, accepted autobahn rides from strangers and once had to decide whether to spend her last three euros on food or bus fare home. By the time she started college this fall, she couldn't have been better prepared — or more excited...."
Check out Eye To Eye's billboards up NOW in Times Square!
Lou Salza's insight:
Eye to Eye! Shoulder to Shoulder! Heart to Heart! David Flink at Eye To Eye gets it done!! A great friend to our students and to our families!---Lou
Even the best-intended comments can make a child with dyslexia feel discouraged or inadequate. We talked to dyslexia advocate Ben Foss, author of The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan. He shared tips about what words can hurt—and what to say instead.
Lou Salza's insight:
Pithy advice! --Lou
our analyses show that most parental behavior has no benefit on academic performance. While there are some forms of parental involvement that do appear to have a positive impact on children academically, we find at least as many instances in which more frequent involvement is related to lower academic performance.
Lou Salza's insight:
My favorite passage: "Conventional wisdom holds that since there is no harm in having an involved parent, why shouldn't we suggest as many ways as possible for parents to participate in school? This conventional wisdom is flawed. Schools should move away from giving the blanket message to parents that they need to be more involved and begin to focus instead on helping parents find specific, creative ways to communicate the value of schooling, tailored to a child's age. Future research should investigate how parental involvement can be made more effective, but until then, parents who have been less involved or who feel uncertain about how they should be involved should not be stigmatized. What should parents do? They should set the stage and then leave it."
The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading and the 150+ communities working with the Campaign are dedicated to narrowing the gap between children from low-income families and their more affluent peers. This video shows why that gap occurs and how we can close it. Please embed on your website and share on your social media platforms.
Lou Salza's insight:
I watched this video and was stunned to learn that NOWHERE in the statistics or the recommendations do they underscore the need for scientific reading approaches! Once again, we seem to be willing to blame what the film calls the "zipcode lottery" for success or failure to achieve reading milestones. The fact is that we are failing lots of kids in all kinds of zip codes because we refuse to implement evidence based reading education approaches. While the hunt to identify a 'neural signature' for dyslexia takes place in labs across the country by running children through fMRI machines; I suggest test policy makers and school administrators and professors of education to identify a neural signature for refusal to read, understand and apply relevant research in reading education when designing curriculum for our public school children. --Lou
When the Due Process Hearing was held in November 2005, J.D. was 18 years old and in the 11th grade. He was represented by his aunt, Denice Morgan.
Lou Salza's insight:
J.D. finally won four years of compensatory education at a private school at the age of twenty--more than ten years after his parents alerted the district to the problems JD was having in the third grade learning to read. I learned about this case from Candace Head-Dylla on the spell-talk list serve: <email@example.com> It is remarkable case. It teaches important lessons for parents seeking redress and/or appropriate programs for their dyslexic kids in recalcitrant public districts --and offers a legal toe-hold for advocates on a rock face we have been scaling for years.--Lou
The College was one of eight postsecondary schools in a 2014 cohort accredited by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). Notre Dame is among only 17 colleges in the country to receive the distinction.
Lou Salza's insight:
Yet another great reason to move to the Cleveland area!!-Lou
Parents, students and school officials have joined a national protest of the consequences of Common Core testing.
Lou Salza's insight:
While the Common Core is a reasonable attempt to raise curriculum standards in the schools; the PARCC assessment piece is a throwback to the worst assessment practices--'common core' without 'common sense'. The citizens are raising up on behalf of their kids! Where is Ohio!? --just sayin'--Lou Excerpt: ".....Florida embraced the school accountability movement early and enthusiastically, but that was hard to remember at a parent meeting in a high school auditorium here not long ago. Parents railed at a system that they said was overrun by new tests coming from all levels — district, state and federal. Some wept as they described teenagers who take Xanax to cope with test stress, children who refuse to go to school and teachers who retire rather than promote a culture that seems to value testing over learning...." |


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Smeg 24-Inch Linea Design Electric Multifunction Wall Oven - Silver Model:SCP111SU2
Interior Dimensions:
Cutout Dimensions:
Overall Dimensions:
Smeg 24-Inch Linea Design Electric Multifunction Wall Oven - Silver
Jam-packed with all the cooking features you need and the stylish aesthetics you want, the Smeg 24-Inch Linea Design Electric Multifunction Wall Oven (SCP111SU2) offers everything you'd expect in a top-of-the-line, European-designed appliance at a great value. The door is quadruple glazed featuring Cool Door technology for maximum safety, and the interior cavity features double insulation for exceptional heat retention and a generous capacity of 2.23 cu. ft. The oven front comes in a refined silver finish with Stopsol® "Supersilver" reflective glass and has an understated control interface that uses two (2) ergonomically-designed knobs centered around a highly unique digital backlit transparent display. The oven is capable of reaching temperatures in an incredibly wide range from 104 °F to keep foods perfectly warm or an amazing 536°F for high heat and quick cooking.
With the same cooking capabilities as professional level ovens, there are 11 different cooking modes, including: ECO (fast preheat), top and bottom heat, intensive broil, rotisserie with broil, convection with top and bottom heat, convection broil, convection with intensive broil, convection with bottom heat, European convection, European convection with top and bottom heat, defrost, and bread proofing. Additionally, the oven has a self-cleaning mode that uses a high-temperature pyrolitic cycle to remove burned on fat, grease, and grime from the interior of the oven. Even more, the oven uses a ceramic catalytic converter to filter out fumes created by the self-cleaning system, and expels them as cool water vapor from the front of the oven. The automatic door-activated oven shut-off is a very useful feature and the four (4) oven rack guide positions maximize cooking versatility. Included with the oven are one (1) baking tray, one (1) baking/broiler tray, one (1) broiler rack, two (2) wire racks, and one (1) rotisserie kit for deliciously healthy cooking.
Backlit Transparent Display:
The modern backlit digital display matches perfectly with the Stopsol® "Supersilver" glass to provide an unrivaled appearanceQuadruple Glazed Door:
The door on this oven is quadruple glazed for better insulation, energy efficiency, increased safety, and significantly lower amounts of heat transferSelf-Cleaning System:
Uses a pyrolitic cleaning cycle to reach temperatures of about 932°F to powerfully clean the oven's interior
- Model: SCP111SU2
- Brand: Smeg
- Capacity: 2.23 cu. ft.
- Exclusive Linea Design
- Silver and Stopsol® "Supersilver" glass
- True European convection
- Temperature Range: 104°F - 536°F
- 11 cooking modes
- Self-cleaning system
- Electronic backlit transparent controls
- Dual digital display for time & temperature
- Ergonomic control knobs
- Fast pre-heating for all temperature settings
- 1300-watt max bake element
- 2000-watt max broil element
- 2200-watt max convection element
- Warranty: 1 year
- Smeg 24-Inch Linea Design Electric Multifunction Wall Oven
- Automatic door-activated oven switch-off
- Quadruple glazed door with heat reflective inner layer
- Quickly removable, easy-to-clean inner door glass
- Safe cooler door
- Double-insulated interior cavity
- Ceramic catalyst controls fumes
- One (1) baking tray
- One (1) baking/broiler tray
- One (1) broiler rack
- Two (2) wire racks
- One (1) rotisserie kit
- Input Voltage: 240/208 V/60 Hz
- Power: 2200 W/14.6 - 12.5 A
- Interior Dimensions: 12" H x 17.5" W x 15.81" D
- Cutout Dimensions: 23" H x 21.75 - 22.25" W x 22" D
- Overall Dimensions: 23.5" H x 23.5" W x 22.5" D
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