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Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category
Save your biscuit wrappers!
Norfolk Hospice are collecting biscuit wrappers which can be recycled to raise extra income for the charity.
The wrappers can be any brand, shape or size, as long as they are just the wrapper – no boxes or tins and they must not be savoury, for example crackers.
You can drop off your wrappers at the Hospice in Hillington or take them into your local Hospice shop who can forward them on. The Hospice will collect any large amount that are are unable to be delivered.
Fundraisers gear up for 350 mile bike ride
A 10-strong team of intrepid cyclists are gearing up for a trip of a lifetime to raise much needed funds for a Kings Lynn children's hospital ward.
The team, many of who are work-mates at Lynn-based Foster Refrigerator, are embarking on the epic 'Tour de Foster' cycle race, traveling 350 miles, from Paris back to the Foster factory, all in just 4-days.
Organised by Foster's cycling group "Foster and Friends", the crew includes family and friends, who are aiming to raise more than £5,000 for the Rudham Ward at King's Lynn's Queen Elizabeth Hospital; responsible for acute paediatric care for children up to 16-years-old, from across the region.
Chris Playford, Market and Development Director at Foster, is one of the crew taking part, along with husband and wife team Paddy and Annie Thompson, Paddy's sister Emma (who works in the Rudham Ward) Chris and Roy Faull, Stuart Howlett, Ali Logan, Ian Bromley, Dean Rawnsley, Kevin Piggott and the only French speaker – and new cyclist – Gemma Benlarbi.
Emma Thompson who is a staff nurse at Rudham ward, said: "We all love cycling together as a group and thought that this would really challenge us. It's been hard work to train for but we've all stuck at it together and I know we'll all do it!
"That the group chose to raise money at the same time for the children's ward where I work is amazing, it's a great cause."
Whereas the route won't include the infamous "King of the Mountains" stages, it is the hills which are proving the most nerve-racking for the Fenland- based team.
The group plan to set off from Paris on Saturday 23 August, finishing at the Foster plant four days later with one-man support crew, Foster Plant 4 manager Paul Smith tagging alone by car, in charge of first aid, food provisions and to make sure the team get to their rest stops on time.
Laurence Morlaas, Fundraising Executive at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, said: "We are thrilled the Foster team decided to support the Hospital in this way – what a challenge! Emma and the team on the Rudham Ward work very hard to help very poorly children from across the region, so to go the extra mile – or 350 – in this way is fantastic.
We can't wait to hear how the team get on and will be waiting on the finish line to show our support
– good luck!"
To support the team visit:
Custom House lights up in remembrance
Last night King's Lynn's Custom House lit up with a spectacular display of candles and poppies in memory of the start of World War One.
The display replaced 'Night Sailors', the stunning projection show which has been lighting up the Custom House for the last few weeks between 10pm and 11pm every night.
The candles and poppies were displayed as part of the Lights Out initiative, which encouraged people to turn out their lights to commemorate the outbreak of WW1 a hundred years ago.
Cllr Nick Daubney, Leader of the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, said: "We felt this was a fitting way to show that we were acknowledging Lights Out. We are grateful to the artist Julia Dantonnet, for making the changes to her creation."
Win £600 of security monitoring
As part of it's 40 years in business celebrations, local security firm CTS Security is offering local home and business owners the opportunity to win the latest in security – monitoring to your smart phone worth £600, and all entries can receive a free security survey of their home or business.
To enter, simply email your name, address and telephone number (and the name of your business if appropriate) to: email@example.com quoting '40 year competition' in the subject line.
The closing date is June 30th. Winners will be notified by email.
CTS is well known locally for installing and maintaining intruder alarms in people's homes, but for the last 40 years the business has grown steadily in the commercial sector and now supplies a wide range of businesses with cutting edge security systems throughout East Anglia. Technological advancements have made it possible to install reliable wireless systems and High Definition CCTV so clear you can stream direct to a smartphone.
CTS has been serving companies and homes from offices at the South Gates roundabout for forty years. Managing Director Roy Fayers credits the company's staying power to two main factors; trust and technological expertise.
Roy said: 'CTS are the local security experts and have been for a long time. We see businesses come and go, but no one comes close to offering the expertise and the service that we can. We continue to develop and retain good staff, which in turn keeps our customers loyal and happy.'
New rowing club will build its own racing boats
A new club has just been launched in King's Lynn that will be building and racing boats known as St Ayles skiffs along the Great Ouse.
The King's Lynn Coastal Rowing Club (KLCRC) is a community project with lottery funding to build 2 St Ayles Skiffs with a view to offer boat building experience and then recreational rowing and racing on the river.
The club say that anyone is be welcome to join in the building and later take part in the racing. Experienced members will be present at all times to help and guide.
The 22ft boats will be built at T S Vancouver, near the new pontoons on the South Quay.
There are 80 St Ayles Skiffs in build in the UK and 50 more worldwide. In Norfolk the Blakeney club is about to launch its second skiff and the Wells club has two in build. The first world championships were held in Ullapool last July and opened by Princess Anne.
Cllr Alistair Beales said "The Borough Council is delighted to assist this Club which could do so much to help revitalise the waterfront and give a lot of fun to volunteer boat builders, rowers and spectators when practice and racing starts on the River Ouse in Kings Lynn"
Discovery Centre Manager Jimmy Yallop said "we look forward to taking part in this fantastic opportunity."
Associations, companies and groups will be invited to build competitive or recreational rowing teams with the KLCRC's help and support.
The project has been funded by donations from The Big Lottery fund, Co-operative Membership Community, King's Lynn Borough Council and individual donations. The Club will need to find further funds for equipment.
Launch evenings for any interested parties to meet the committee will at 7pm on Monday 7th and Thursday 10th April, at The Crown and Mitre, Ferry Street PE30 1LJ
College heads for new heights
The College of West Anglia has been enjoying a multi-million pound celebration as it welcomed its first year students into its state-of-the art refurbished tower block.
There was a sense of great pride amongst staff and students as using the new facilities on offer, making the college the envy of most others in the region with 9000sqm of accommodation.
Principal David Pomfret conducted a media briefing at the very top where the Skyline conference rooms enjoy stunning views over the town with its base 100ft above ground level.
It gave the principal the chance to talk about the fantastic achievements which have seen the college awarded the "good" status in every one of the 30 sections reviewed by Ofsted.
But probably the proudest person was Mark Reavell, executive director partnerships, who has masterminded every stage of the refurbishment over the past two years and four months, with students and staff being welcomed back from temporary locations.
The original building was opened by the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in the 1970s and has undergone complete modernization inside and out creating a building fit for the 21st century. The nine-storey centre offers state-of-the-art facilities, including science laboratories, Hi-tech IT suites, higher education centre, conference facilities for hire, learning resource centre as well as a new heating and cooling exchange system which maintains a set pleasant 21 C all year round.
One area which now sets it apart is the ground floor social area which has seating for 400 providing a bright and airy social space with Wi-Fi, restaurant and even a Costa Coffee.
"This is £13m well spent," said Mr. Reavell.
The new science floor won glowing praise from biology teacher Rebecca Holland, who has been at the college for ten years.
She said: "This will make a huge difference. It gives the best quality of everything."
"I am really impressed by the laboratories."
Bright decoration and modern furniture give the building real student appeal.
The IT area has some 40 computers and the floor featuring the learning resource centre has over 50,000 books, internet access, study pods and two study rooms.
Mr. Reavell said the ground floor social area was really exciting.
"It is a really stunning facility. Students who were here last year can't believe that they are sitting in it."
A huge amount of preparation had to be undertaken before any building work took place, with £1.2m being spent just clearing asbestos and other waste materials.
The finished building has already made a big impression on students in their first week.
Liam Hall, 16, from St Germans, who is studying engineering, said: "It looks pretty good. The social area is useful to study outside of lessons."
Principal David Pomfret reflected on all the college was continuing to achieve and its success with apprenticeships reaching 1,119, its Ofsted 'Good' rating and its 30 million development programme across all campuses. He said: "I am delighted with the high quality of teaching and learning at the college."
It now makes the building alone the same size of an average sixth form college and there are still opportunities for students to enrol on courses in 2013/14. Visit the college's website at www.cwa.ac.uk
£98,000 lottery grant for Hardwick Cemetery
The Friends of Hardwick Road Cemetery, King's Lynn have received a grant of £98,100 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for an exciting project 'Yesterday's People for Tomorrow's Society' in Lynn's old Victorian Cemetery.
The HLF money will allow the Friends to:
- Conserve a further 7 memorials over the next three years.
- Install interpretation boards giving visitors information on the conserved memorials and the persons commemorated.
- Produce pamphlets describing various aspects of the cemetery and its importance to the development of the town.
- Launch A new website where visitors from further afield can find information on the cemetery.
- Produce an educational pack, for local schools, linked to the national curriculum for history and art.
The Friends of Hardwick Road Cemetery was launched in 2006 and meet at the cemetery on the third weekend of each month to carry out clearing of overgrown graves and the recording of memorial inscriptions. They have already produced a digital database of all the burials that have taken place in the cemetery since 1855 and hold a series of guided walks in the cemetery throughout the summer months.
The Friends are looking for further volunteers to join them and assist in the preservation of this important but under valued local resource for future generations.
Dr Julian Litten, Chairman of the Friends of Hardwick Road Cemetery said "The cemetery was started as an extension of the burial ground of All Saints Church in 1849 and was at the forefront of the development and growth of municipal cemeteries in England. It is a treasure trove of artistic memorial work and, almost uniquely, still displays the original landscaping scheme of its inception.
"With today's growth in interest in family history it is important that as much of our heritage is preserved for Tomorrow's people. The cemetery is a gateway back to the past and Yesterday's People holding links to many important events and characters in the life of the town and its environs"
The Friends host a number of guided walks of the cemetery throughout the year as well as an Open Day in July.
Your 2013 Horoscope Video's With Michele
Astrologer Michele Knight has kindly agreed to let us publish her 2013 Horoscope Videos. Michele is a UK based astrologer, broadcaster, TV personality and Sunday Times best- selling author. Currently she is the astrologer for Channel 5's LIVE with Gabby, a popular daytime show.
There really is some astonishing astrology this year! I have never seen anything like what is happening on 29th July when we have a Star of David grand sextile and hexagon, grand cross and much more! This year is all about the reemergence of the feminine. It is a powerful astrological year for our intuition, emotions and understanding our power as the creators of our lives and the world as a whole. Wishing you a stunning 2013.
Much love
Please follow me on twitter @micheleknight
Visit Michele's website at micheleknight.co.uk
Get the jab, get flu safe
Pregnant women and patients with existing medical conditions are being urged to have this year's flu jab.
Flu is a highly contagious infection that anyone can catch, and it can be a really serious illness for some people. Those at greater risk from flu include people aged 65 or over, pregnant women, and those with health conditions such as severe asthma, chest or heart complaints and diabetes.
Dr Jenny Harries, Director of Public Health at NHS Norfolk and Waveney, said people don't realise quite how serious flu can be.
She added: "Flu is not like a cold – it can be a really serious illness for some people and it doesn't just affect older people. If you're pregnant, have lowered immunity or a long term health condition such as severe asthma, a chest or heart complaint, or diabetes, then you should also get a free flu jab from your GP and get flu safe.
"The flu jab is completely safe, and it can't give you flu."
NHS Norfolk and Waveney is encouraging everyone across the area who knows anyone who may be at risk from flu to tell them how important it is that they get protected. People who are carers and frontline health and social care staff are also encouraged to get a jab to protect themselves and those around them.
Dr Harries added: "Flu can increase the risk of developing more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia, and can make existing conditions much worse.
"Flu can knock you off your feet and make it hard to look after the kids or go to work. In the most serious cases, seasonal flu might land you in hospital – it can even be a killer."
The flu vaccine changes every year to fight the latest strains of flu, so even if you had a jab last winter you need another one this year to stay flu safe. The jab doesn't contain the virus that can give flu to those who are eligible for the vaccination.
If you're in any of the at-risk groups, the flu jab is completely free and is a safe way of protecting you and your family in a matter of minutes.
The best time to be vaccinated is at the start of the flu season from October to early November, so it's good to get in early and get flu safe in time for the winter.
Simply contact your GP to arrange a convenient appointment and get your jab. It's quick, safe and free for those most at risk from the virus.
For more information, speak to your GP, local pharmacist, or visit www.nhs.uk/flu.
George Vancouver's Birthday Party!
The Custom House has arranged a surprise birthday party for King's Lynn's most famous sailor, Captain George Vancouver.
The event takes place at the Custom House, King's Lynn on Friday 22nd June from 2.30 to 4pm.
Everyone is welcome to join in the celebrations, and it's suggested you bring a card or a little cake perhaps!
Captain George Vancouver was a naval officer who, at the age of 14, set sail with Captain James Cook on his ship the 'Resolution' on a four-year expedition which took in the South Pacific, the Antarctic and the South Atlantic.
He also led the longest mapping expedition in history. In four-and-a-half years, Vancouver and his crewmen sailed about 140,000 kilometres and mapped the North American west coast from northern Mexico to southern Alaska.
It was George Vancouver who proved that Vancouver Island, off British Columbia was truly an island. It was named in his honour. As was the City of Vancouver in British Columbia and Fort Vancouver in Washington state.
A bronze statue of George can be seen at the quay in King's Lynn as a tribute to the great explorer. The Vancouver Shopping Centre in the town is also named after him.
Dumping the bodies in King's Lynn … again
It's Halloween night, and the local museum in King's Lynn is preparing for an unusual event – the opening of a coffin containing the bones of a medieval bishop. But when forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway arrives, she finds the museum's curator lying dead beside the coffin.
Elly Griffiths' novels are steeped in Norfolk, Norse mythology, superstition, folklore and ruthless murder. She'll be signing copies of A Room Full of Bones, out for the first time in paperback, on Saturday 12 May at Waterstones King's Lynn.
Griffiths' heroine is forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway. We first met Ruth in The Crossing Places, set in the tumbling cliffs of the North Norfolk coast, the same venue she used for her highly successful last novel The House at Sea's End.
Considering that Elly has family in this neck of the woods, what is it she has about King's Lynn that it's turned into the Norfolk killing fields?
"I love King's Lynn and its surroundings," she says. "I love the layers of history which mean that I will never run out of plots."
So we haven't seen the last of the corpses then. How about the poor museum curator?
"I also love King's Lynn Museum which is a far more impressive place than the museum in my book, though just as fascinating."
"Soon the museum's wealthy owner lies dead in his stables too…" Let's call a halt there, shall we?
Elly Griffiths will be at Waterstones Norfolk Street shop at 11.00am on Saturday 12 May 2012.
New stores for Vancouver Quarter?
Like many shopping centres The King's Lynn Vancouver Quarter has been a victim of the recession, with a total of seven shopping units now vacant.
The good news is that the Vancouver Quarter have been holding talks with potential new tenants to fill four of their vacant units.
We asked them if they could reveal anything more …
They have promised to keep us informed of developments!
Youth Theatre goes from strength to strength
The King's Lynn Youth Theatre opened its doors for the first time, many years ago, under the Directorship of Jenny Duda. Jenny had an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of Dramatists, Theatre and performing arts, and she combined this with an incredible imagination and set about writing original pieces of theatre for young people. The subject matter for the plays was as varying and diverse as the members who attended.
I Joined the Youth Theatre at the tender age of 13, not really knowing what to expect, and I found myself amongst young people who were not afraid of sharing ideas and investing everything they had into their performances, without the fear of being mocked. The Drama I experienced at the Youth Theatre was an entire universe away from what I encountered at school, it was challenging and exciting and it inspired me for the rest of my life. It is safe to say I was hooked immediately.
The first play I was in was called "Polish Hospitality" and it was about the German occupation of Poland during the Second World War. I remember feeling so special, that we as a group were being trusted with such a powerful and complex theme. It was this trust and belief in the capabilities of the Youth Theatre that elevated the students from feeling like mere children and gave them the confidence to be powerful actors. The expectations of the actors in the Youth Theatre were such that you had to rise to the challenge and as a result, the quality of the work would increase with each and every performance.
I spent nine years as a member of the King's Lynn Youth Theatre and its partner adult company, 'The Sweet Mongrels', also directed by Jenny Duda. By the end of my time with both groups, drama was my life and so it was inevitable that I would go to University to study the craft further. I would still return to King's Lynn to perform with the groups during my semester breaks. While at university, the Youth Theatre closed as the director moved to St Ives in Cornwall, this saddened me because I knew that although there were other amateur dramatic societies in King's Lynn, none of them were quite like the Youth Theatre, with its eccentricities and originality.
Upon graduating from University, I spent my time teaching in Primary schools, writing, producing and directing original plays for their respective drama clubs and groups. I still missed the unrestricted and innovative nature of the Youth Theatre greatly and with kind permission form Jenny Duda, I took the reins and re-established the group as the new Creative Director. It was my firmest desire that the founding principals of empowering young people and developing their skills, through the medium of original theatre, remained paramount.
To date, the Youth Theatre is going from strength to strength, with an eclectic troop of actors from King's Lynn and the surrounding communities, which is growing in numbers weekly. The cast have produced pieces of work that range from the sublime to the down-right ridiculous, from street theatre to full-scale productions. The structure of the Youth Theatre consists of two parts, the first being a series of skills development workshops with a view to casting and establishing concepts that will appear in future productions, the second part is the commencement of rehearsals for the play.
What makes my approach to the development of the actors performing skills different to many other theatre companies is that I write for my actors. In the workshop sessions, I obtain a profile of the abilities of each individual, their strengths and areas where there needs to be further work. I will then write a part for each individual, which will support their abilities and yet challenge them, so the entire process becomes one of continual personal growth and learning.
The King's Lynn Youth Theatre meets every Saturday at the Red Cross building on Austin Fields, from 1.30pm to 4pm at a cost of £4.50 per session. The Next Youth Theatre Production of 'A Classic Experience' will be shown at King's Lynn Academy's North Hall on the 16th and 17th of March at 7pm. Tickets cost £5.00. View Poster
If you are interested in coming along to see the show or if you are interested in becoming a member of the King's Lynn Youth Theatre, please contact Luke Goold on 07760564061 or via email at firstname.lastname@example.com
Or you can also visit our Facebook page facebook.com/kingslynnyouththeatre
I am proud to say that the Youth Theatre is still a place where any young person can attend and be supported in their work by their peers and professionals alike.
Holocaust Memorial Day
The atrocities of the Holocaust and the courage of those who have spoken out against persecution will be remembered at a multi-faith service in the Tower Gardens at noon on Sunday 29 January.
The service will be attended by Borough Mayor Cllr. Colin Sampson, Leader of the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, Cllr. Nick Daubney, civic dignitaries, members of the Muslim, Jewish and Christian faiths, KLARS (King's Lynn Area Settlement Support), the Soroptomists and St Martha's Roman Catholic School.
Together these individuals and the communities they represent will make a united stand against violence and prejudice and mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
Janie Codona, whose work to promote understanding and raise awareness of issues affecting the traveller community earned her an MBE this year, will give a special reading. Further readings will follow, wreathes will be laid and all those attending will be invited to light a candle in honour of those who lost their lives in the Holocaust and other genocides and as a symbol of their commitment to work towards a democratic society.
St Martha's choir will perform and the service will end with a blessing in English and Hebrew. Anyone is welcome to attend.
Holocaust Memorial Day marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau on January 27 1945.
Each year the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust encourages people to take the opportunity to reflect upon the terrible consequences of the persecution that led to the Holocaust, remember the victims of this atrocity and more recent genocides and to learn the lessons that these tragedies have to teach us about the impact of intolerance and discrimination of any form.
The day helps to provide a platform to promote understanding of the fundamental human rights that were adopted as a response to the Holocaust and provides an opportunity to celebrate the strength and resilience of the human spirit.
The theme of this year's Holocaust Memorial Day is Speak Out Speak Up. It invites people to reflect upon the way that silence and complicity allows persecution to thrive and encourages people to have the courage to oppose actions that they know to be wrong.
Borough Mayor Cllr. Colin Sampson said, "I visited Belsen twice in the late 1970s, when my TA unit was on exercise in Germany, and was deeply moved by the atmosphere of the memorial. There really was no birdsong, or even birds, within the site.
"Unfortunately, dreadful events, similar to what we know as the Holocaust, are happening all over the world even now. Many of them barely make the headlines any more. However, that only makes our Holocaust Memorial Day all the more important, especially with this year's theme of Speak Out, Speak Up. Those that do must receive more support from our supposed civilised society across the world so that one day this is just a Memorial Day as a reminder of the past and not a commentary on current events.
I urge all of you to try to join us in Tower Gardens at noon on Sunday 29 January 2012."
For more information contact the Civics Officer on 01553 762124, or visit the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust website: www.hmd.org.uk.
About the Photo:
This photo was taken in March 1944. The women are members of the Greek-Jewish community of Ioaninna. There are no men in the picture because they had already become prisoners of the Nazis.
In March, 1944, these women were ordered to pack a bag and leave their homes. The Nazis made them gather together in an open space and here we see them waiting for the trucks that will take them away from Greece and across Europe to camps in Poland, where many of them will be murdered.
Of course, as this picture is being taken, they don't know that they will be murdered. They only know that they are leaving their homes and community and they have no idea when they will be allowed back home. That is why they are all looking cold and sad and why some of them are crying. They are facing a long journey into the unknown and there is no-one to help them.


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Leadership and Learning for the Next Generation
NAESP's 87th Annual Convention and Exposition is just four weeks away. Elementary and middle school principals from across the country (and abroad) will travel to Nashville's Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center (April 4-8) to network, learn, and lead.
This year's convention will feature dynamic keynote speakers: Daniel Pink, an expert on innovation and competition and author of A Whole New Mind (Sat., April 5 at 3:30 p.m.); political pundits James Carville & Mary Matalin (Sun., April 6 at 1:00 p.m.); and Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch, Lt. Col. and founder of Educational Achievement Services Inc. (Mon., April 7 at 3:30 p.m.). Former Nashville mayor Bill Purcell will also lead the Diversity Forum, a panel of leaders reflecting on the challenges of serving diverse learning communities (Sat., April 5 at 12:30 p.m.).
Other highlights include sessions covering issues important to principals, including No Child Left Behind, school leadership, and early childhood education; and the presentation of NAESP's second annual Principal's Read Aloud Award, which was created to recognize and support quality children's books and encourage principals to read to children.
For more information on this year's convention, visit www.naesp.org.
Educators Ought to Act Like Soldiers
The author of the March/April Speaking Out article believes the title of this entry is spot on. Christopher Myers, a distinguished veteran of both education and military service, writes that educators should try to be like soldiers by putting aside other issues to focus on preventing what he calls "academic death" of at-risk students. What do you think? Can a military mind-set overcome traditional obstacles to speedy action?
An Inside Look at PALS—Final Reflections
At the conclusion of the PALS training, participants Dwayne Young, Joyce Dunn, and Jan Conway, reflected on their experience and the impact of the training on their ability to mentor new principals and on their own careers.
Dwayne: The feeling of not knowing really what we are expected to do can be overwhelming and enormously heavy on the mind of a new principal. The PALS program seeks to ease the anxiety of the newly appointed by offering a vital resource, the voice of an experienced principal, as a guide during their first year. The training we received is a model of the work mentor principals will do with their protégés. The curriculum is focused, targeted, and a benefit to the needs of principals who want to give back in a substantial manner. The best recommendation I can possibly give is that I'd like to do it again.
Joyce: I've attended many conferences and trainings in my career, but this one was by far the best. The training took us through the mentoring process in an active, fun way. Having fun and active participation were the keys to the success of this training.
Jan: Through this tremendously valuable training, we have gained many insights on how to provide feedback, which can aid those entering this rewarding profession. Along the way, all participants have profited immensely themselves by learning how to improve professional interactions. Principals are in their roles because they care and want to have a positive impact on the future of others. But they need to know the strategies to best accomplish this. The training facilitators, Galen and Lillian, have left an impression for a lifetime.
The journey to certification for Dwayne, Joyce, and Jan, along with the rest of their PALS cohort, has just begun. Over the next nine months, the group will continue the mentoring certification process by corresponding with a coach and protégé, participating in monthly and weekly online discussions, and submitting a monthly portfolio and final presentation.
If you are interested in mentoring the next generation of principals, consider becoming a certified National Principal Mentor. Visit www.naesp.org/pals or e-mail email@example.com for more information about PALS and to register for training.
An Inside Look at PALS—Day Two
Have you ever wondered what goes on during the PALS training? Participants Jan Conway, Joyce Dunn, Kathy Woodley, and Dwayne Young reflect on the second day of the PALS training taking place now at the NAESP headquarters. On day two, one of the training exercises focused on the results of a strength-finder assessment.
Dwayne: Today we spent the majority of our time learning about our strengths, using a strength- finder tool, and understanding how important it is for us to use them to our greatest personal and professional benefit. By focusing on strengths, we create an opportunity to maximize our talents, knowledge, and skills to create the positive change we envision. Rather than fixing or repairing the things we don't do well, we instead pursue our greatest opportunity for growth—our strengths—and in so doing, we strive to reach consistent performance.
The best part of today was seeing how affirmed the group felt by describing their strengths and the discussion of how we can become more conscious about making our strengths work for us.
Jan and Joyce: The strengths-finder profile and group activity helped to make clear what each characteristic really represents. It became clear that no one combination of strengths was better than another. Surprisingly, the group has a diversity of strengths and experiences.
Kathy: We were reminded of the need to practice what we do well by using our talents and building on strengths. By understanding and celebrating our own strengths, we begin to practice using this knowledge in meaningful ways with our protégés.
The discussion and sharing with colleagues continues to be a highlight of this experience. The leaders of the training are outstanding presenters who share their experiences as mentors with the group and guide us in our understanding of the ways to use our talents and experiences in the mentoring process.
Check back next week for the final installment of the PALS blog series.
An Inside Look at PALS
For the next couple of days, The Principals' Office will feature reflections from participants in the Peer Assisted Leadership Services (PALS) training program taking place now at the NAESP headquarters. PALS trains mentors to play a vital role in the future of new principals, their leadership, and their schools by certifying them to become a National Principal Mentor. The first part of this process is a three-day Leadership Immersion Institute to sharpen and develop administrative and leadership skills to mentor aspiring or new principals. Here are the principals who will share their experiences:
From left, to right:Jan Conway, principal of Glen Avenue Elementary School in Salisbury, Maryland Joyce Dunn, principal of Pittsville Elementary and Middle School in Pittsville, MarylandKathy Woodley, principal of West Springfield Elementary School in Springfield, VirginiaDwayne Young, principal of Centreville Elementary School in Centreville, Virginia
PALS Training—Day One
Dwayne reflects on why he decided to become a mentor:
One of the influential leaders in my life, Dr. Loretta Webb, always challenged us to "lift others as we climb." Her challenge was to always consider the positive impact we can have on others through our learning and our work, just as others have had upon us. By participating in PALS, I hope to gain the skills to offer confidence and encouragement to a beginning principal to find his or her own way. I also hope that this will be a personal and professional growth opportunity for me.
Jan and Joyce give details about what they learned about mentoring:
We were actively engaged the entire day, learning that mentoring is more than a workplace process. The professional, personal, emotional, and physical needs of our protégés must be included in the process. So far, the PALS training has provided us an opportunity to get to know conference participants and to share fabulous ideas. We're working together to promote and strengthen the profession that we love.
Kathy explains one of the reflective exercises:
The first day of the PALS training was an awesome experience. After introductions, we were asked to make a timeline with the names of persons who have mentored us to become principals and then to use one word that described what they had done. I shared that one of my first principals had seen potential in me that I did not realize I possessed. Her vision, encouragement, and belief in me were the "evidence" of her impact on my life.
The interaction and dialogue with colleagues has been powerful, and I felt affirmation of my decision to participate in this training. I am excited about tomorrow and am eager to continue by journey to becoming a mentor.
Check back tomorrow to find out about day two of the PALS training.
NAESP's Statement on the President's Budget Request for FY09
Our nation's schools are faced with unprecedented challenges, and educators are working to create and maintain effective learning communities to help children reach their highest potential. However, the Fiscal Year 2009 budget proposal that President Bush delivered to Congress this week fails to adequately fund essential programs to prepare the nation's students for the bright futures that they deserve.
President Bush's final budget request calls for $59.2 billion for federal education programs—which represents a cut in total spending— and seeks to eliminate funding for 47 programs and to freeze funding for many others.
Read NAESP's reaction to the President's budget and full budget analysis.
NCLB and Students with Disabilities
The National Council on Disability recently issued a report gauging NCLB's impact on the academic progress of students with disabilities. Among the findings of The No Child Left Behind Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: A Progress Report are that students with disabilities are doing better in terms of placement in various academic categories, "positive change is greater at the fourth grade and dissipates by the eighth grade," and "since 2004 there has been a palpable and positive change in the overall attitude of educators toward educating students with disabilities." Check out the report and let us know how it compares with your experiences.
State of the Union Previews Bush's Education Budget
On Monday, President Bush gave his seventh and final State of the Union address to Congress and the nation, providing a sneak peek at some key initiatives from his budget request that will be released next week. Here are some of the issues that affect public school education. "Pell Grants for Kids"President Bush called on Congress to adopt another federal voucher program called "Pell Grants for Kids." The important distinction between traditional recipients of Pell Grants and K-12 students is that public schools are free and compulsory, while Pell Grants help students pay for college that is not free and is voluntary.
NAESP will strongly oppose the President's proposal and attempt to redirect the $300 million he's earmarked for the voucher program to a public education priority, like Title I.
ESEA ReauthorizationPresident Bush instructed Congress to reauthorize No Child Left Behind before he leaves office, stating "today, no one can deny [the] results" of the law. NAESP does not expect to see a final reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, currently known as NCLB, before 2009 but we will continue to share NAESP's recommendations for the ESEA reauthorization with Congress.
In the meantime, visit the newly designed Leading Educators' Advocacy Dashboard (LEAD) to find out updates on the progress toward ESEA's reauthorization.
The Principals Have Decided …
The winner of NAESP's second annual Principal's Read Aloud Award is Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type (written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Betsy Lewin). Over 900 principals from across the country voted for Click, Clack, Moo, a charming tale about Farmer Brown and his barn full of literate cows.
The Principal's Read Aloud Award program recognizes quality children's books and encourages principals to read aloud to their students. The presentation of the Read Aloud Award will be made during NAESP's Annual Convention and Exposition in Nashville on Monday, April 7 at 10 a.m.
To begin the selection process for the 2009 award, NAESP is asking members to nominate a favorite title. If you have a book that you have enjoyed reading to children, please submit the title, author/illustrator, and publisher along with your name to email@example.com. We are looking for books that are currently in print and therefore readily available to our members. We look forward to honoring great children's books and appreciat e your participation in the process.
Pittsburgh Superintendent Focuses on Instructional Leadership
Pittsburgh Superintendent Mark Roosevelt has a plan for his principals—to transform them from building managers to instructional leaders, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. During the past two school years, Roosevelt told principals about their new role, started the Pittsburgh Leadership Academy to help them adjust, and created a "School Plan for Excellence" for each school in the district.
NAESP believes that it is incumbent upon school principals to continue their professional growth in order to improve instructional leadership and model lifelong learning. What do you think about Roosevelt's plan?

subset: commoncrawl


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Time to rid your laptop of the radio rip and start blazing this in all its CDQ glory. According to Dre the version that appears on Thank Me Later may vary slightly to this one…
2 thoughts on "Drake (feat Young Jeezy) – Unforgettable (CDQ)"
Jeezy reps well… no one with that voice should sit nice on a track. Professional business yet again Mr Jeezy
Im Addicted to this song- althought i hope no more leak ive heard 5 off the 14 on there.
I dont need to hear more i decided i was buying as soon as i heard so far gone.


text:
Every app available in the iTunes or Google Play stores is marketed toward a specific demographic. Some find success, but many fail to reach their audience. The perfect formula for an app remains to be found, but new statistics reveal a few trends.
Each smartphone owner used an average of 41 apps in 2012, according to Nielsen's State of Mobile Apps 2012 report. As the number of available apps in each store nears one million, companies are trying harder than ever to convince people to download their app.
What attracts users to one app over another?
Unique apps gain the most attention, but many useful apps go unnoticed despite their prevalence. When fumbling around in the dark, I am likely to download a flashlight app. When I am golfing I download scorecards, when I am going to the movies I download the Cinemark app and when I am traveling I download a translator app. Useful apps add to the entertainment value of smartphones by allowing them to function as a tool as well.
Nielsen's studies have revealed that Facebook, Google Maps, Weather Channel and Pandora apps are the most used across all types of smartphones, but the majority of downloaded apps are games. With trends like Temple Run, Words with Friends and Angry Birds, this is hardly a surprising revelation.
Nielsen also studied how users first discover an app before downloading. Most users either found the app while browsing the store or heard about it from a friend or relative.
It is evident that most people choose to download apps based on the number of people they know that currently use the app. But the most successful apps combine entertainment with functionality to connect users through games, photos, music and many other unique new ways.


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I have been debating if I want to try selling on Lily Auction next year-just on a small scale. I usually take plants to a local sale once a year, but it's getting to the point that I have more that need divided than I know will sell. Plus at the club plant sale, many of the customers (except club members) are only looking for the really inexpensive plants (under 10). While the ones I will have trouble selling would be in the $10.00 to 30.00 range. I would appreciate any feed back from those who sell-as I know some of you do.
What are some of the pro's and con's? |
Follow-Up Postings:
- Posted by silverkelt Z5b/Southern Maine (My Page) on Fri, Sep 7, 12 at 6:26
Ive bought and sold stuff for a few years there. Here are some of my thoughts.. 1. Look at your competition, most people are looking at pricing, not sellers names, especially if they do not know you. Selling your items for more, will not help. 2. Be honest and truthful, this will build your clientale base. 3. If something goes wrong, communicate and be willing to send the money back. 4. Get a paypal account.. no one wants to drag out a dusty checkbook these days. Be willing to accept funds electronically helps. 5. Use your own pictures if you have them.. as long as they look ok. Its always helpful to the customer to know that this person isnt just taking a ditch lily , slapping on a hybridizers photo and sending them junk. 6. In the end, the customer is the customer. Moody, with high expectations, who want "high" value, for "low" money. Be prepared for it, with enough sells you may see some demanding customer, expect money back, EVEN after you sent a healthy item to them. Its just going to happen. Please understand, these are my thoughts, not directed at anyone in particular. Its unfortunate that there are so many scammers.. everwhere. Even on a daylily auction site, but there are. Silverkelt |
- Posted by dementieva Zone 9 - Houston (My Page) on Fri, Sep 7, 12 at 7:35
I think an important concept to reconcile with yourself before getting into selling is to decide whether you are selling plants to get them gone or whether you are selling plants to make money. If you are selling plants to get them gone (and it sounds like you are), you won't care if you don't make back what they "should" be worth, and you'll be happy just to get enough to cover shipping and the work you do. And I'm curious -- is it not possible to price your plants lower in the club sale so that people will actually buy them, or does the club sort of impose the prices based on market value? Anyway, if you sell your divisions on the auction with high expectations of income, it will feel more like an actual job and you might become frustrated dealing with customer service, as Silverkelt says. Nate |
Not really looking at this for an income-though my profit(we only get 50% of the proceeds as the rest goes to fund club projects-not complaining-I like the projects they do) at the garden club sale funds my purchases for that year. I am now to the point that if something comes, something goes so I need to do things with the going plants and the overgrown ones. They do recommend selling things at 'book value' but don't control the pricing. And I guess Nate that (thrifty person that I tend to be) something in me shudders at taking a $30 plant, selling it for $8 and getting $4. lol It wouldn't bother me as much if I took a $30 plant and got $15. I've also thought about selling out of the yard, but I live in a very small town and doubt I'd get many buyers. Plus with a full time and part time job, free time is limited. Silverkelt-that's kind of what I was wondering-how high the percentage of 'no matter what you do, you can't make them happy' customers you get. How often do people bid and then not pay? I've worked in customer service positions for many years and know how people can be. My Dad sells out of his yard, but the people who come are at least moderately serious gardeners. He rarely has had a problem in 10 or more years of doing it and has never had a check bounce. Sometimes I like to think that people who seriously like to garden and love animals (ever notice how often these two go together)are above small petty thievery-but I really do know better. |
Geez, apparently the LONG post I wrote on this subject was never "submitted," only "previewed." My bad! Here are just a couple of tips I've learned while selling on the LA: |
- Posted by dementieva Zone 9 - Houston (My Page) on Fri, Sep 7, 12 at 19:07
Ha, I do the preview thing sometimes too. Click preview, switch to a different tab, and forget about my post until I come back later. Good information there! Nate |
I think often, on the auction, 2 fans means 3 or more in buyers' minds esp. for older varieties. You will get a good rep. by surpassing the literal number. |
- Posted by northerndaylily z3b-4a (My Page) on Sat, Sep 8, 12 at 8:57
"something weird going with USPS in Texas" LOL. Definitely extends well beyond USPS operations. |
This has been discussed long before, but just in case, may I suggest that you please don't trim the roots? |
In this day and age of embezzelment type thefts I refuse to give another party (Pay Pal)access to my checking account, no matter how safe every body else says they are. I also will not send checks to unknown vendors. So please remember paranoid (or smart) people like myself and allow for money orders as another form of payment. Also, in your zone rust should not be a problem. But it doesn't hurt to advertise that you are a rust free garden if indeed you are......Maryl |
Thanks for the responses. I try not to clip roots unless it's done by accident because a plant won't come apart. I usually try what I refer to as the chiropractor method. Just try to work them loose with my hands. Works with most except the ones that tend to grow from underneath, they can be tricky. I have never seen rust, thank goodness neither in my garden nor in a new arrival. Floota-we mailed some flowers to a cousin out west and they came up missing for almost two weeks before they finally showed. Isn't it great they are such forgiving plants! |
- Posted by northerndaylily z3b-4a (My Page) on Wed, Sep 12, 12 at 15:25
"In this day and age of embezzelment type thefts I refuse to give another party (Pay Pal)access to my checking account, no matter how safe every body else says they are. I also will not send checks to unknown vendors. So please remember paranoid (or smart) people like myself and allow for money orders as another form of payment. Also, in your zone rust should not be a problem. But it doesn't hurt to advertise that you are a rust free garden if indeed you are......Maryl" Good pts. Most.. use a dummy checking account for paypal.. ie: all that account is for. NEVER give those thieves one you actually USE. Money Orders: should have a reference phone number on them to verify. Some do not.. RUST: funny how once it slowed sales of southern greenhouse operations it was made a 'nuisance' issue. Still affects daylilies differently.. kills some. Then the chem shock.. some arrive and do not flower the next season.. due either too much bleach used as a dip.. or the chems used for same. |
Northerndaylily: I'd never heard the rust theory you proposed, but it's very interesting. I do know that I don't consider rust a nuisance issue. I pitched brand new daylilies this year as soon as their leaves became covered in rust. On some I hadn't even seen the bloom yet. What would be the point in getting attached to a rust magnet? Since this thread is not about rust I won't go into that discussion, but believe me if you DO NOT have rust (and not because you are spraying heavily for it), it is a selling point to me and others I know......Maryl |
- Posted by organic_kitten 7 (My Page) on Wed, Sep 12, 12 at 23:59
Well, I am no expert on rust, but I had my first encounter with it on a plant that had been in my garden, (formerly:( rust free garden) for three years when rust made its first appearance. I figure that living where I do, it was inevitable. If you live where it is prevalent you either consider it a nuisance and deal with it, or you quit growing daylilies. Kind of like iris borers, I suppose. Shriners tells me they don't exist in my part of the country, but I suspect they will eventually. You deal with the problems when you have no choice, or you find another obsession. |
- Posted by northerndaylily z3b-4a (My Page) on Thu, Sep 13, 12 at 6:25
Maryl.. definitely no rust is the goal for me also. Definitely a selling point.. one of my main issues. And as Kay points out... the DL is NOT the pest free 'perennial' too often described net wise. Getting plants south means many other risks. The deep south bred daylily today.. is a cross now between 'greenhouse weeds' and phony internet flower faces. A continuous stream of very average to very poor daylilies sold via the internet. As long as a gullible consumer continues to value this JUNK.. this will not change. |
UGH-Iris borers those things I do have-will be starting to thin out iris -even though I love the colors just because I am tired of dealing with the things. |
- Posted by silverkelt Z5b/Southern Maine (My Page) on Fri, Sep 14, 12 at 11:22
I once had a few dozez tall bearded iris, they are just the best cut flowers I can think of, just huge , wonderful, blooms. (though I never really like iris fragrance, its reminds me of cat pee) but I just plant el cheapos now, sometimes put a small order ever few years for a handful, they will all eventually die out due to the borers. So I will not invest that much time or money in them. In regards to paypal, Ive never experienced any issues with online payments with them. BTW you can set up a online bank with a fdic insured bank (many of them are just branches of thier physical building) and transfer small amounts into it to cover what you want. Then also set up a paypal "only" email account as well. This will take about a couple hours, but it puts lots of walls in front of someone trying to get information from you. Truth be told, more poeple will be "scammed" into giving thier money away then anyone ever hacking into an account and finding information. Silverkelt |
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I bought a b. oldhamii from Home Depot about 6 weeks ago. It was a 15 gallon specimen, the price was right, and it seemed in decent shape.
When I got it home, I realized it need repotting. In the process, I noticed a fair number of old, dead, mushy, unhealthy roots. So I trimmed them off. Then stuck everything in a bigger pot with a fresh soil mix. Since then, the plant seems healthy, except for one thing: it has probably 20% of its leaves curled no matter how recently or well it has been watered. I can go 3 days with no water, or have it sit directly in the rain, and the result is the same: 20% leaf curl. Is this caused by having too much foliage relative to the root mass? Does it need correcting? The plant seems basically healthy except for this. Will it self-correct in time? Or is this just something that oldhamiis are prone to do? |
Follow-Up Postings:
It sounds like that was a plant that was not well taken care of before you got it. I have re-potted hundreds of bamboo and what you describe as the condition of the roots is something I have only seen in a couple of instances where I have had a plant die on me and noticed the roots were mushy when I emptied the pot months later. But, to me, mushy roots on an otherwise seemingly healthy plant is weird. I see you are in Zone 10, which is fine for B. oldhamii, but I'm wondering if it got shipped in from someplace else where the temperature dropped below freezing, or if it was sitting in a flooded area for several weeks. In any case, this is not a symptom particular to this species. I don't think your plant is going to die, but I do think it is in shock from abuse prior to your acquiring it, and being re-potted and having the rootball disturbed and trimmed since you got it. Not that what you did was a bad idea, but I think the best thing right now is to not mess with it anymore and to simply give it good light and regular water. It may take months for it to get better, and in the meantime could lose some foliage or culms. But don't give up on it. |
From what I can tell, the grower was located in Lodi, CA, which is zone 9 to my zone 10. It gets colder there in the winter, but hotter there in the summer. But I wouldn't expect that to be a big difference. Perhaps it got over-watering by the Home Depot staff. In any case, I cut off a few of the dessicated leaves that were mostly destroyed from winter wind burn, but other than that, I'm basically leaving it alone. |
watchnerd- Good luck...and report back when it gets better. |
I forgot to add: It's really tough to overwater bamboo in a pot. About the only way I can imagine damage from overwatering is if it was in standing water for a couple of weeks. So...regardless of what happened to it in the past, don't be afraid to keep it moist. |
Update: I trimmed off about 10-15% of the leaves. I picked the scraggly, burnt, and dessicated ones that got damaged during the winter. They were likely to fall off over the next month or two, anyway. Since doing so, the leaf-curl-while-raining issue has gone away. My theory: The hypothesis about too many leaves relative to the root mass causes transpiration issues appears to have been correct. |
Your hypothesis may be correct, but there are several other factors that can cause leaf loss in this situation. Anyway, there is nothing wrong with getting rid of stuff that is clearly dead or dying. Hopefully it is on the mend now. |
kudzu, it wasn't losing leaves (or at least not very quickly). Just inexplicable curling when it shouldn't have. |
Curling is typically a result of not enough water. If you were keeping it moist, then this was most likely a result of the plant being shocked from the transplantation process or a result of impaired function of the rhizome system due to damage. |
Yes, which is what I stated in the first post. |
watchnerd- The distinction I was trying to make is that, with an adequately watered bamboo, there are two main causes of the foliage not looking good: 1) a root/leaf-mass imbalance, or 2) transplant shock, which is a temporary thing and requires no trimming of drooping leaves...just patience while the plant recovers. Since it is hard to know which it is, I generally let the plant alone to self-correct, although I, too, would remove any tanned leaves that are ready to drop. What I was thinking, but didn't make clear, is that it would be premature to remove any branches. I've had bamboo that completely defoliated after being divided and transplanted...and came back with new leaves on all the branches in two months. |
Gotcha. Just to clarify, I didn't remove any branches, just leaves. And only the damaged ones. It seems to have worked. |
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text:
Sleeps | 6 |
Bedrooms | 4 |
Bathrooms | 3 |
Property type | house |
Minimum Stay | nights |
Enjoy a bit of 'Old Florida', relaxing on the seawall of Lake Butler, part of the pristine, Butler Chain of Lakes. Your view is unsurpassed, as it is on a 'point' of the lake, framed by two docks. The two story, wooden home is spacious, with a common living area and kitchen, ringed by windows, to showcase the Florida sunrise. Downstairs, there is a large master bedroom with a king-size bed and its own bath and a smaller room with a twin bed and bath. Upstairs, there is one bedroom with a king-size bed, which shares a bath with another bedroom that has a queen-size bed.
You can enjoy the lake or choose to spend your day at Disney World, Universal or Sea World. There is shopping in Orlando and local communities, such as the charming, historic town of Winter Garden. Daytona Beach and the space coast are just a short drive away.
Keywords: Lakefront, near Disney, Orlando, quiet, secluded
Within 10 miles of Orlando area attractions, Coastal beaches are an hour away


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LOS ANGELES, May 7, 2013 — The Los Angeles Dodgers are having a rough season, to say the least. After losing, 9-2, to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night, the Dodgers are 13-18 on the year and sit in last place in the National League West.
If you want to find some silver lining, they do have the best record among all last place teams. Perhaps that is more of an aluminum lining, but the Dodgers will take what they can get at this point.
SEE RELATED: Turn Back the Clock Tuesday: Starlin, Campanella, Manny, and more
The team went into the 2012 season with a slumlord owner in Frank McCourt dealing with bankruptcy and putting a for sale sign up in Chavez Ravine. While McCourt did a good job early on of making the Dodgers at least a perennial contender to make the playoffs, fans soured on him when he stopped putting money into the team and started pulling large sums of money out of the team.
McCourt's mismanagement of the Dodgers led to the team becoming bottom feeders on the free agent market. While other big market teams went after the best talent available, Ned Colletti was forced to dig through the bargain bins for washed up players looking to make a comeback.
The reclamation projects worked at times, but overall the Dodgers became just another afterthought in a division loaded with afterthoughts. When they were thought about, they were laughed at.
That all appeared to be in the past when the Guggenheim group purchased the team for over $2 billion, an unheard of amount of money for a baseball team. The new owners promised change and immediately started dumping money into the team.
SEE RELATED: Phillies' Roy Halladay Lands on the DL
By the end of the season, they had many new faces, including Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez and Carl Crawford. Despite a poor showing to end the year, Dodger fans were excited about this new team and the possibilities that 2013 could bring.
They made their biggest splash in the off-season when they signed top free agent pitcher Zack Greinke. The Dodgers were back and again a force to be reckoned with…or so it had appeared.
Zack Greinke started the year on the disabled list and then went back on the disabled list when big bad Carlos Quentin fought the little guy after being hit by a pitch and broke his collar bone. Hanley Ramirez also started the year on the disabled list after injuring his thumb playing in the World Baseball Classic. He came back for a few games before going back on the DL with a hamstring injury.
Yes, injuries have plagued the Dodgers this year, but that is not really the problem. Their problem lies in being able to score runs. They can get on base, but they cannot score. The Dodgers have the third lowest run total in all of baseball, while sporting the sixth highest on base percentage in baseball and second in the National League. The reason for this is that they are the third worst team in slugging percentage.
SEE RELATED: Baseball should bring back scheduled doubleheaders
Their big guns are either firing blanks, in the case of Matt Kemp, or beebies in the case of Adrian Gonzalez. In a recent LA Times article Adrian Gonzalez said that he tried to go back to his homerun swing last year, but got bad results. This year he is going with a swing that will produce more line drives than homeruns. As a result, Gonzalez expects to lose up to 10 homeruns over the course of the season.
Gonzalez is sixth in the majors with a .343 batting average. He is also nursing a sore neck. The real problem with the Dodgers offense is Matt Kemp. He said at the start of spring training that he dropped the extra weight that he had last year and returned to his 2011 weight, when he almost won the MVP award.
Unfortunately, Matt Kemp's play from 2011 has not returned. Kemp is batting .265 with just one homerun. Andre Ethier is batting .241 with three homeruns. The Dodgers big three hitters, Kemp, Ethier and Gonzalez have a combined seven homeruns.
The Dodgers are the third worst team in baseball leaving four runners per game in scoring position. Leaving runners on base and not being able to score are obviously huge problems for the Dodgers, but the offense is not alone when it comes to the blame game. The Dodgers, as a team, rank 21st in baseball for both ERA (4.25) and WHIP (1.36). This is where the injuries are really rearing their heads.
The Dodgers went into the season with a surplus of starting pitchers. They ended up trading Aaron Harang and holding on to Chris Capuano and Ted Lilly. Both have spent time on the DL already this year. Throw Zack Greinke, who is still a few weeks away, in the mix, as well as Chad Billingsley, who is out for the season, and you can see the plight of manager Don Mattingly. His pitchers are breaking down and giving up a lot of runs.
Things probably are not going to turn around anytime soon unless the big three get their act together and start knocking in runs. If they remain silent on the power front, perhaps it is time for Don Mattingly to learn the art of small ball and start manufacturing runs any way they can. Most of the Dodgers' stars are locked up for multiple years with expensive, hard to unload contracts.
Teams are increasingly locking up their young stars to multi-year contracts before they reach free agency. This means that teams that are flush with money like the Dodgers, are going to be more hard-pressed to find places to spend that money.
Unfortunately for Dodger fans, the solution to their problems is going to have to come from the players they are currently overpaying. It is a long season and we are just over a month in. Things can change. The players have all had success before, the question is whether they can find that success again.
Kevin J. Wells writes about Major League Baseball and punk rock music. Follow him on Twitter @WellsOnBaseball
This article is the copyrighted property of the writer and Communities @ WashingtonTimes.com. Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media. REPRINTING TWTC CONTENT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND/OR PAYMENT IS THEFT AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.


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Ever since I posted my double white datura in the exchange with a picture, I have been getting a number of emails from people who are confused about the difference between Brugmansia & Datura. Here is what I know. I would appreciate any corrections if the info is wong.
Both Brugmansia & Datura are in the same family of Solanaceae. Brugmansia grow into trees, produce brown wood and are perennial in warmer climates. 99% of their flowers point down and are usually called Angels Trumpet. They produce green bean like seed pods. Datura are annual bushes (except in climates with no frost) and do not produce brown wood. Their stems and trunks are almost always green. Their flowers point up and are mistakenly called Angels Trumpet but are acutally Devils Trumpet. They produce round, spikey or bumpy seed pods that can literally explode when ripe throwing seeds all over the place if the pod is not well hydrated. All parts of both are extremely toxic. The roots, stems, flowers, leaves and seeds contain the chemicals atropine, scopolamine and hyoscyamine in varying concentrations. If you have toddlers or pets that like to sample plants you must take special care to make sure they cannot come in contact in anyway with either plant. If ingested it could kill them. When handling either, make it a point not to touch your face, eat or handle food until you have washed your hands. There have been a few posts in the last few months describing the symptoms of Solanaceae poisoning. If you have ever experienced headaches, confusion or vision problems after working with your Brugs or Dats, you have inadvertantly poisoned yourself. Most of the time you will not connect the two. I have poisoned myself unknowingly harvesting Datura seeds when I had open cuts on my fingers or neglected to wash my hands right after harvesting the seeds. There will be a test tomorrow ;-) X |
Follow-Up Postings:
- Posted by the_pumpkin_queen z7 Arkansas (My Page) on Tue, Sep 6, 05 at 6:23
Hey X, What about the smell? :P ~Jessi |
- Posted by LaurelLily 9a Houston, TX (My Page) on Tue, Sep 6, 05 at 9:44
Great list! : ) I would like to add the following: Daturas are most easily propagated via seed and come true from seed. Brugmansias do not come true from seed and are very easily propagated via cutting. "Datura are annual bushes (except in climates with no frost) and do not produce brown wood. Their stems and trunks are almost always green." I've also noticed that my daturas have noticably darker green leaves than my brugmansias (and they get the same care, in the same beds). |
That is good information and will definitely help people who are confused about the two genuses. Datura as a genus has much more variation between species than Brugsmansia. Most Brugsmansia look very alike with the exception of Brugsmansia sanguinea and vulcanicola. Datura species on the other hand have several different growth habits and may be low lying, spreading, or upright with green to purple stems. Several species have hairy stems and leaves especially Datura ferox. The most interesting Datura species I grow is Datura ceratocaula, a semi-aquatic species from Mexico and South America that has an unbranched stem with small leaves only at the apical portion. |
- Posted by bruggirl100 z9 FL (My Page) on Wed, Sep 7, 05 at 19:14
Datura is a short lived perennial down here, and lives three to four years, and does produce some brown woody trunks and stems. However, they will never get more than about 4 feet tall, no matter how much you feed them. There are some varieties of dats that actually sprawl. Some brugs tend to grow into shrublike shapes, and others more treelike. Datura like sun, most brugs prefer semi-shade. Datura don't like a lot of water, prefer to be rather dry, whereas Brugmansia love lots and lots of water. Datura don't actually need a lot of fertilizer, will do fine without it, and Brugs need a lot of fertilizer. Some datura do have a scent. Datura wrightii and Datura inoxia, night bloomers both, have a scent, though not as strong as the brugs. Datura are very hard to propagate from cuttings, brugs are not. |
You can always just refer them to the FAQs for this forum...(*grin*) |
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Former U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton is apparently watching the Super Bowl.
And the possible 2016 presidential contender marked the occasion by Tweeting a not-so-subtle jab at the Fox TV network, which is broadcasting the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Bronocs:
Here's how some of her Twitter followers responded to Clinton's observation:
So what do you think of her tweet? Let us know in the comments section below.
Featured image: AP


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- 8 months ago by Alexis Rhiannon
- 14 Comments »
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In case you needed proof that this movie's gonna be a shit-show. More
In case you needed proof that this movie's gonna be a shit-show. More
I honestly think that this whole 50 Shades Of Grey movie is just to troll us at this point, you guys. That's the only explanation for why so much of it is being done in such a weird, backwards way, right? That or it's being run by actual kindergartners. More
You guys! Charlie Hunnam dropped out of Fifty Shades Of Grey. What what WHAT is going on here? Considering they have a release date of August 2014, they need to get a new actor in that role stat, and ideally I'd love it to be someone from this list I made of actors who have absolutely nothing to lose. More
How ever will all of the fans of terrible fan-fiction-turned-actual-literature go on? Charlie Hunnam has officially backed out of playing Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey movie. He took his whip, chains, and boner and peaced out before it could even get started. More
Remember that time when more people were outraged about the casting decisions of Fifty Shades of Grey than over the crisis in Syria? Crazy, right? Charlie Hunnam recently opened up about how he feels about the whole thing, including his chemistry with co-star Dakota Johnson. More
His name is Stephen Amell and I have literally never heard of him before this moment. More
It's not because she's Hermione Granger, or because I want her to be my best friend, or because Fifty Shades of Grey is undoubtedly a terrible book that I'm embarrassed to admit I've read. I couldn't handle Emma Watson playing Anastasia Steele because while I believe the screenplay has to be written better than the novel, I don't want to see her in that role because I think it's beneath her. More
I'm tired of a different actress being attached to the role every week, Mila Kunis flip-flopping about wanting the role more often than she flip-flops between sweatpants and evening gowns, and women sitting around big tables in front of an audience arguing about who's right for the role. It's making me 50 Shades of Exhausted. More
The 50 Shades of Grey movie, based on the E.L. James book, has finally been given a release date of Summer 2014. Sooo mayybe sometime before the middle of the decade? Possibly when we will have all moved on with our lives. More
Did the sun come up in the east this morning? Do bears shit in the woods? Did Mila Kunis draw breath? I think the answer is probably yes on all counts, because Mila is using that breath to talk about whether or not she'll star in the movie version of 50 Shades Of Grey. Again. Still. Always. More
Even if you're trying to hold out from reading the books or simply have no interest in any of the shades, these videos are way too funny not to watch. More
Before we even get into the fact that Fifty Shades of Grey did so well that everyone at the publishing company got a $5000 bonus, let's talk about how I'm feeling right now. More
Bret Easton Ellis says Academy Award winning director Kathryn Bigelow is only popular because she's hot, proving that he's only popular because he's a dick. More
The exciting news is in that Anastasia Steele from Fifty Shades of Grey helped the baby name "Anastasia" jump 10% in popularity this year. As someone actively trying not to have children right now, I think I speak for all mothers when I say that this news is totally understandable.


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Age :
29Bust :
36HBio :
Absolute beginner and complete first timer, Helen rises to the challenge admirably.
Nervous as hell, I think this just adds a little frisson to Helen's allure. I'm very fond of photographing "modelling virgins", I always find that their "rawness" is very exciting.... if their blood is up, so is mine !! It took a while to talk Helen into this shoot, hopefully (with your encouragement) we can get Helen in front of the camera again soon.
PHOTOS : 3 Sets with a total of 72 Images
VIDEOS : Mb, 0 Videos, Mins in Total


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Superheros Rock!!!
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I love the characters from THE BIG BANG THEORY!!!
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Perfect birthday gift
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Arrived on time for a birthday gift. Nephew gets told he looks like Sheldon, so got him the Bazinga T shirt and the Green Arrow from "Sheldon's Closet". He's excited to wear them to school.
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for the "goto" person - BAZINGA!
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Great gag gift
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Sun, May 19, 13 at 23:18
Does anyone know why AZ state regulations prohibit seed companies from shipping this seed to the state? |
Follow-Up Postings:
Hm, I don't know, but I recently planted seeds of the cypress vine (Ipomoea quamoclit) which has a similar type of flower. The foliage is more feathery though. It's doing really well in a pot with a trellis. I'll post a picture later. That might be a suitable substitute for you if you can't get the one you like. |
As I understand it, the Cardinal Climber and Morning Glories were outlawed in Arizona due to the fact that they would spread (via seed presumably) to the local cotton fields, sprout and take over. Thus diminishing the cotton crop and gumming up the cotton harvesting equipment. An outdated law for sure. Kevin |
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VeriSign Proposes Takedown Procedures and Malware Scanning for .Com
New registry service seeks to eliminate sites knowingly spreading malware.
VeriSign is asking ICANN to approve a new Verisign Anti-Abuse Domain Use Policy.
The policy (pdf) would allow VeriSign to run malware scanning of .com, .net, and .name domain names, as well as create a suspension system for domain names that knowingly host malware.
The malware scanning would occur quarterly. Domain name registrars would be able to opt out of the malware scans.
The suspension system is yet to be fully fleshed out, but VeriSign says:
Verisign's suspension system will contain the anti-abuse policy statement and a set of suspension procedures. The anti-abuse policy is comparable to other registry agreements, and Verisign will work with the registrars to develop a set of common suspension procedures to address non-legitimate abusive sites that effect the security and stability of the Internet.
The goal is to take down sites that knowingly host malware but not legitimate sites that have been infected, which is often the case. VeriSign understands this may create some concern:
Registrants may be concerned about an improper takedown of a legitimate website. Verisign will be offering a protest procedure to support restoring a domain name to the zone.
Given the potentially disastrous effects of a "false positive" takedown, I hope that the details of the procedures are fully established before VeriSign gets the green light.
4 Comments
As I noted in my comments at:
domain name registrants will be hurt by the lack of due process. Also the definition of "abuse" is vague and open-ended, giving VeriSign too much latitude to decide what is "abusive."
It's a very poor tool in many cases. For example, if a subdomain that hosts a company blog gets hacked and is serving malware, VeriSign could shut down the entire domain name, affecting not only the blog subdomain but all other subdomains (i.e. the one hosting the main website) and all other services (e.g. email). Collateral damage could far exceed the damage caused by the *alleged* "abuse".
Many European registrars have requested an option to opt-out when this new process was first introduced under the ccTLDs managed by Verisign. Verisign has since modified the original plans to allow registrars to opt-out of the scanning.
@ George Kirikos said, "if a subdomain that hosts a company blog gets hacked and is serving malware, VeriSign could shut down the entire domain name."
And you can bet there will be a fee required to unblock the domain.
ICANN, Verisign, Godaddy along with other large registrars are the mafia. The NTIA and the DOJ told them, no new fee increases on dot com with the new gTLD guidebooks, and they are just determined to profit from your portfolios.


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Westword Music Showcase initial acts revealed
P.O.S., the outspoken Rhymesayers MC otherwise known as Stefon Alexander, quietly released one of our favorite albums last fall, an incendiary little platter called We Don't Even Live Here. As you may recall, Alexander had to put the brakes on touring in support of the album due to health issues. Well, he's now on the mend, and he'll be making his return to Denver on the Westword Music Showcase main stage. You can pretty much count on him wreaking absolute havoc -- all good, as long as he doesn't really scuff our Nikes.
Keep reading for more headliners, and be sure to sign up to become a Westword Insider to get in on this weekend's special pre-sale and get your tix before they officially go on sale.
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Rich and Spicy Beef Stew
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This unusual rich and spicy slow cooker beef stew recipe earned an Honorable Mention in the 2012 Old Farmer's Almanac Coffee Recipe Contest.
Submitted by Denise Montgomery from Irondale, Alabama
Submitted by Denise Montgomery from Irondale, Alabama
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
- 1-1/2 pounds beef tips
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup peeled and chopped carrots
- 3 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 2 cups salsa
- 2 tablespoons garlic salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 cup green peas
Place all of the ingredients, except the peas, into a slow cooker and stir. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. About 15 minutes before serving, add the peas.Updated Monday, August 1st, 2011
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- By Category: Meat, Soups, Stews, Chowders
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Do you have a shoot in your state? 3D, Field, FITA, whatever venue it may be, post it up here for all to see..
Do you have a shoot in your state? 3D, Field, FITA, whatever venue it may be, post it up here for all to see..
Lancaster Archery Supply
G5 Outdoors/Prime - Rival/Havoc (a lethal combination)
All men die, some men never truly live!
Little Crow Archery club of HUtchinson is hosting a 30 target 3D April 30th and May 1st. See the link below for info:
Why shoot a small buck when you can shoot a dry doe?
2007 Bowtech Commander - camo
2007 Bowtech Commander - custom Red chaos
Carter Target 4 back tension
take a look at the mn shoot in aug big money food and prizes hope to se you there go to central mn shoot
hope to see you all at the central mn shoot things are realy comeing together it should be the best shoot you will see for info call 612 221 5220 are go to northern shoots to register
http://www.faribaultarchery.orgFaribault Archery Club is hosting several indoor 3-D's, a 300 and regionals this winter.
Technical Training: Replaces Cocksure ignorance with thoughtful uncertainty.
The only thing worse than packing meat is not packing meat. Dwight Schuh
Rochester Archery Club
www.rochesterarcheryclub.com/ July 21/22 3 D shoot
January 12th & 13th Saturday 8am-3pm
February 16th & 17th Sunday 8am-1pm
March 16th & 17th
Adults $15.00 NO Rangefinders
Family Max $35.00 NO Broadheads
Midgets (ages 7 and under): Free Cub (ages 8-11) & Youth (ages 12-14): $5.00
Northern Pacific Center, Brainerd, MN
Traveling on Highway 210 (Washington Street) in Brainerd go to the 13th Street SE stops lights (Mr. Tire Auto Service/Jimmy's Pizza) and turn south, go across the railroad tracks and turn left. If you get to Laurel Street you have gone too far. We are located in the first row of buildings. Look for signage. Facebook the Brainerd Archery Club to view a map.
Questions call Matt 218-838-8713 or email at email@example.com
'12 LH Insanity CPXL 30.5/70, Custom CBE Tek Hunter, Limbdriver
'09 LH GT500 30/70 Ripcord, Copper John
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity- Albert Einstein
4 Rivers 3d Archery in Floodwood, MN is holding 4 outdoor shoots this year. Feb 8, 9, & 10 (the ICEMAN outside)!!! April 20 & 21, July 13 & 14 @ Floodwood Catfish Days. and THE BIG ONE......THE MINNESOTA MASTERS at its new home!! July 26, 27, & 28 We have HUGE hunts to give away at this one!! A 6 day guided Whitetail & Mule Deer hunt in Alberta Canada!! Donated by Krazy Horn Outfitter LTD. Yes, you can shoot both animals!! AND..... a 5 day guided Whitetail hunt in Ontario, donated by Shenston Whitetails! www.shenstonwhitetails.com The hunts will be given away through a raffle for charity. All proceeds of the raffle will be given to VITAL SHOT KIDS MINISTRY in Coleraine MN. We will also have a bow or 2 and other great prizes for this shoot. Please see our website for more details!
MINNESOTA MASTERS @ 4 Rivers 3d Archery in Floodwood, MN. 50 target shoot! Very challenging! Food, trophies, games, prizes, camping, kids ministry fundraising raffles for guided Canadian hunts!!
Check out www.4rivers3darchery.com
Indoor tournament to be held at High Five Archery in Stillwater, MN
March 22nd 2014
See attached flier for details


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Dalton, Ga. - January 7, 2010 - Shaw Floors, the world's largest carpet manufacturer, is putting the stain repelling power of its Anso nylon carpet to the ultimate test by making a GUINESS WORLD RECORDS attempt for the Largest Pie Fight at the company's Dallas sales event.
We hope that you'll join us to witness all the cherry and chocolate-filled action on January 7 at 5:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites in Grapevine. Then on January 8, we'll reveal how Anso nylon cleaned up after being hit with hundreds of pies!
About ShawShaw Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., is the world's largest carpet manufacturer and a leading floor covering provider with more than $5 billion in annual sales and approximately 26,000 associates. Headquartered in Dalton, Ga., the company manufactures and distributes carpeting, rugs, hardwood, laminate and ceramic tile for residential and commercial applications worldwide. A recognized leader in environmental stewardship, Shaw has implemented hundreds of sustainability initiatives and cradle to cradle design solutions, collectively termed the Shaw Green Edge. For more information, visit shawfloors.com.


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Acne Scars
No one has to live with permanent scars and dark spots that can develop as acne clears. Thanks to advances in medicine and technology, dermatologists offer their patients many safe and effective treatment options. Treatment can diminish scars. It can even fade those stubborn dark spots on the skin. Acne Scars: Answers to Common Questions Depressed Acne Scars: Effective Treatment Available Raised Acne Scars: Treatment can Ease Pain, Diminish Scars Skin Color Changes: Spots may Fade with Right Treatment
All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology
Early and effective acne treatment can prevent severe acne and the scarring that often follows.
(Photos used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides)
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Banpresto Fruit Palette: Float Some LED Citrus in Your Bathtub
Apparently, the folks in Japan have some different ways of chilling out in the tub than what I'm familiar with. Banpresto Fruit Palette are light-up fake fruit that you float around your bathtub while you soak to help you let your mind drift. Ahhhhh… There's nothing like some oversize plastic citrus to help you relax.
But unlike conventional (or organic) fruit, these oversize citrus have an array of colorful LEDs that light up the segments of fruit, and project patterns onto the walls and ceiling of your bathroom.
Fruit Palette fruits are available in Lemon Yellow, Pink Grapefruit and Lime Green Lime varieties, but I bet if you try and take a bite out of any of these, they'd all taste the same – like plastic.
So if you're feeling particularly fruity today, the guys over at HimeyaShop have been kind enough to offer these outside of Japan for $32 (USD) a piece.
MORE:Gadgets | Strange + Wonderful | Technology | banpresto | bath | colorful | fruit | japan | led | light | relaxation | weird
Comments (1):
Those would be really cool floating around in my Whirlpool Tub. I'd feel like I'm bathing in a fruity cocktail, Aaahh!!!


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China City's far-reaching menu spans the delectable gamut of Mandarin, Szechuan, and Hunan cuisines, from piping-hot soups to sizzling platters. Sate seafood cravings with freshly cubed ahi tuna, which mingles with shrimp chips in wasabi mayo ($8.99), or flood belly canyons with cups of hot-and-sour soup ($2.99). Carnivores can sink incisors into the mongolian beef, a sliced flank steak with green and white onions, sautéed in a sweet-spicy sauce ($10.99), or lighty dusted and deep-fried shrimp coated with a creamy sweet mayo and bedecked with honey-sesame walnuts ($14.99). Herbivores can mash molars on mushu vegetables with sliced cabbage, bamboo shoots, and wood mushrooms, sautéed and slathered in a sweet-plum sauce, then hugged by a overly friendly pancake ($9.99).
Light pours in through Happy Thai's full-wall windows, casting a natural glow on polished wood tables and walls painted orange and avocado-green. Amid these warm accents, diners sample warm papaya chicken, fried duck, and prawn in spicy curry. But how spicy is spicy? To make ordering easy, the menu offers a spice rubric, ranging from one star for mild, to five stars for extremely hot. To help wash down the the heat, opt for a Guinness or Sapporo brew, or one of nine varieties of bubble tea such as honeydew, strawberry, and coconut.
In Thailand, a silver spoon can refer to a few different things: prosperity and well being, for instance. More specifically for the owner of Silver Spoon Thai Restaurant, it refers to a time when nobles were the only folks allowed to use silver as a method for feeding themselves. The bistro blends those ideas together, aiming to make every diner feel like a noble. The chefs play an integral role, creating decadent, carefully prepared Thai dishes, such as the Prik King filled with thick cuts of chicken, beef, pork, or tofu in a rich chili sauce infused with Thai basil. Whether guests are enjoying a curry or noodle dish while listening to live piano music on Fridays and Saturdays, or the chef's specialty?garlic pork ribs or sizzling beef?they can opt for their level of spiciness, ranging from mild to extra hot.
Recipes made popular by street food vendors in Bangkok populate the menu at Iyara Thai Cuisine. Kick off the culinary expedition with chicken satay—a grilled-meat popsicle marinated in a blend of herbs and spices ($7)—before letting your spoon mingle with a gaggle of chicken on the bone, shallots, and crispy egg noodles bathing in the spicy coconut milk of the khao soi kai ($10). Patrons may partake in a game of hide-and-seek with the pla yum, a deep-fried rainbow trout buried beneath shredded mango, cabbage, carrots, peanuts, ginger, lemongrass, lime juice, and cilantro ($12), or chase fried wide rice noodles around a plate of pad see-ewe, dodging patches of chinese broccoli and cooling off in a river of sweet sauce (chicken, pork, or tofu, $9; beef, $10; prawn, $12). Pair eats with a beer ($4), iced tea ($3), or wine served by the glass ($6–$8), bottle ($20–$25), or nanny's tablespoon.
The aromas of peanut sauce, lemongrass, and spicy chili pastes drifting throughout the dining room at Araya's Place may seem familiar at first, but the eatery isn't like most Thai restaurants. It eschews meats and dairy entirely, forging a distinctive menu that led The Stranger to hail Araya's University District location as "Thai vegan heaven."
Working exclusively with GMO-free tofu and produce sourced from local farmers whenever possible, the chefs cook classic Thai dishes as well as a handful of slightly more imaginative creations. "I do not want to be only Thai vegetarian food," owner Araya Pudpard explained to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer in 2008, "I want to be international vegan food."
The international twists are evident throughout the menu's otherwise familiar selection of stir-fried noodle dishes and aromatic curries. A m?lange of assorted garden vegetables, deep-fried and served with sweet-and-sour sauce, make up the veggie tempura, and the jasmine-tinged creme br?l?e conceals a vegan and gluten-free custard beneath a one-molecule-thin layer of crisp sugar.
But even with these occasional twists, Thai staples still dominate the menu's pages. One of the restaurant's more iconic dishes, the tom yum soup, is so spicy that it has appeared on the Food Network show Heat Seekers, which features two chefs who travel around the country looking for mouth-burning dishes and ice sculptures to lick afterward.
A two-story, 1930s Wallingford house with a pillared front porch and white clapboard siding isn?t the typical setting for pad thai and green curry, but Djan?s Thai Restaurant doesn?t have an interest in being ordinary. Inspired by the eclectic, global tastes of co-owners and brothers Tum and Lek, the restaurant prides itself on fusing East and West in both its menu and decor. Input from chefs in Bangkok and New York City helped create the menu, which tempts diners to sink chopsticks into contemporary versions of classic Thai dishes, such as wok-fried ginger beef or fried rice with pineapple and tofu. Foundational Thai ingredients?coconut milk, bamboo shoots, bell peppers, and basil leaves?still appear on plates, but they share the stage with Hawaiian-style prawns and Japanese shrimp tempura. Instead of washing down mouthfuls by drinking from a date's seltzer-filled boutonniere, diners can sip the vintages from Washington, California, and Chile that grace a hefty wine list.
Djan's decor reflects its cuisine?s multicultural influences with modern, geometric tables and backlit alcoves that give a nod to the past with lanterns and suspended silver bells. For those who would rather eat in the comfort of their own homes or need to feed a party, the restaurant also offers delivery and catering.