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In Your Community Q&A
Consumers Energy, Michigan State University Prepare Students for Future Careers in Michigan
Consumers Energy is proud to support Michigan engineering and technical talent.
On Friday, Michigan State University celebrated a recent contribution of $200,000 from the Consumers Energy Foundation, which includes a redesigned lobby in MSU's East Wilson Hall and support to students in the College of Engineering's Cornerstone and Residential Experience Program (CoRe).
CoRe is a first-year academic program that prepares students for a future career in engineering with activities including mock interviews.
Students like James McCormick, senior electrical engineering major at Michigan State University, are sought after by Consumers Energy to keep Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) talent in the Great Lakes State. McCormick has worked as a Consumers Energy Cooperative Assistant for two years, experiencing real, in-the-field work he's been able to take back to the classroom.
McCormick has accepted a full-time position with Consumers Energy, officially joining our company when he graduates December 2015.
We are pleased to work with Michigan State University to provide exciting career-building opportunities to Michigan students. Last summer, Consumers Energy hired more than 50 MSU students as interns, and we currently employ over 400 MSU graduates.
"Consumers Energy is committed to attracting Michigan's next generation of talented college graduates to work with us," said John Butler, senior vice president of Human Resources and Shared Services at Consumers Energy.
We also support the "Get into Energy" campaign, inspiring and educating college students and future employees about the energy industry.
Interested in an exciting career with Consumers Energy? Learn more!Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )
Shining the Spotlight on Michigan Theaters; Consumers Energy Supports the Arts
there's buzz about the best movies and top actors in Hollywood. Lucky for us, we can experience the best entertainment has to offer by visiting the many theaters right here in Michigan. From motion picture theaters to live performance venues, there are many opportunities to enjoy the arts with friends and family.
In the last two decades, Consumers Energy and the Consumers Energy Foundation contributed $725,000 to theaters and theatre organizations
across Michigan. The support comes from a large mix of company donations and grants.
The renovation of The Vogue Theatre in Manistee is a heartwarming example of how Consumers Energy has made a cultural and economic
impact to many Michigan cities. With help from the Consumers Energy Foundation, the theater was renovated in 2012 after the community rallied together to restore the vacant building. The Vogue Theatre's restoration has become a catalyst for downtown redevelopment in Manistee.
Consumers Energy Employees Support the Arts
Consumers Energy employees have dedicated years of volunteer service to the arts and many theaters across Michigan.
Chuck Sartorius, Consumers Energy Lead Business Architect, has had many roles at the Mid-Michigan Family Theatre and Riverwalk Theatre in the Lansing area. After years of work in the arts, Sartorius believes the theater allows creative thinking for many Michiganders — especially youth.
"Getting youth involved and exposed to theater yields not only an appreciation for the arts, but exposes them to ways to express creativity and become more confident," said Sartorius.
Doug Meyers, Consumers Energy Senior Engineer Lead, agrees it's essential to introduce our youth to the arts. For more than 24 years, he has held many community theater roles, including Chairman of Youth Theater for Center Stage Jackson.
"In a lot of cases, the arts are being pulled from schools' budgets, and theater is a great opportunity for kids to participate," said Meyers. "We're filling a niche that used to be provided to kids for no cost."Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( Comments Off )
Guest Blog: Carrie Schneider, Consumers Energy Community Programs Manager, Urges Michiganders to Participate in Walks for Warmth
Anne Frank once said, "No one has ever become poor by giving." The history of Community Action Agencies is embedded in this philosophy and the humanitarian principles that say we all have a responsibility for helping people overcome the obstacles that would prevent them from sharing in the benefits of living in the United States of America.
In 1964, the U.S. Congress passed the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA). This Act was meant to guarantee equal opportunity for everyone and for all practical purposes; this Act commenced the "War on Poverty". More than 1,000 community-based organizations called Community Action Agencies (CAAs) were created across the country to:
- Coordinate federal funds and other resources
- Engage citizens to educate and train impoverished residents
- Help residents achieve economic stability and prosperity
The 29 Community Action Agencies that serve 83 Michigan counties have been successful at what they were originally charged to do. They have:
- Brought diverse resources and talents together
- Leveraged public and private supporters like Consumers Energy
- Enlisted volunteers
- Involved clients and non-service users alike in problem solving initiatives
The Bitter Truth in Michigan
One of the many challenges that CAA offices confront is the face of poverty in this country, and likewise Michigan, has changed quite a bit from the "Appalachian poor" to the "working poor". And the face of poverty in each community is unique, which compounds the issue. Today:
- Nearly one out of every three families in the United States is considered to be "low income"
- Almost half of U.S. households live one crisis away from the breadline
- Of the 17 percent of Michigan residents who experience poverty in Michigan, over 23 percent of them are children.
I had an opportunity last year to spend some time at the Jackson CAA office. While I didn't know what to expect, it didn't take me long to realize that my understanding of those in need was skewed. The line was clear out the door and nearly every person standing in line had at least one child with him or her.
This was not an atypical day for the staff. The hours ticked by but the line remained steadfast. I witnessed middle class families having to ask for help for the first time. The fear and embarrassment that they relayed brought me to tears. One could never imagine having to literally scrape change together, walk many blocks to a bus stop (children in tow), wait for hours in line at the CAA office, only to be told that their services for the day have concluded before you ever get to the front of the line. And, sadly they had to get back on a bus with the realization that they had to do it all over again the next day. The despair these households face day in and day out is heart wrenching, but their courage and fortitude is inspiring.
Make a Difference with Consumers Energy
What the CAA staff members do on a daily basis is nothing short of heroic. It is through similar compassion and the guilt of having to turn people away due to lack of funds that an annual fundraiser was born. The CAAs developed the Walk for Warmth more than 25 years ago. It was organized to promote public awareness concerning low-income individuals and families experiencing home heat-related utility emergencies.
This is Consumers Energy's fourth year participating in Walks for Warmth. Our employees will be supporting 34 Walks covering 35 counties. Last year, we collectively raised over $300,000 to support the cause.
The need for help this year is just as high as it was last year, even without the polar vortex. The needs of Michigan residents have become far greater than service agencies and churches can handle without additional financial resources such as the Walks for Warmth.
At Consumers Energy we continue to work towards leaving it better than we found it and caring for the Michigan communities we serve. I can't think of a more impactful, or gratifying way than to move our feet to give others heat. I hope that you and your family and friends will decide to participate in at least one of the Walks throughout the state. I promise that you will instantly understand the "why" we do the Walks and you will leave feeling blessed for what you have.
I am thankful to work for a company that believes the same as Edward Everett Hale, "I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do."
Find a Walk for Warmth near you!
Carrie Schneider is the Community Programs Manager at Consumers Energy in Jackson, Mich. She has worked for Consumers Energy for almost 18 years. She volunteers for many organizations in her community including Women's Leadership Council, Junior Achievement, United Way and Big Brothers Big Sisters. She is a graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. Both she and her husband Steve are proud Jacksonians and are raising their three children (ages 17, 14 and 11) there. Carrie is passionate about servant leadership and is grateful to work for a company that supports her volunteerism.
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Guest Blog: Rosanna Kallio, Consumers Energy Senior Engineer, Mentors Michigan Students at 2015 Robotics Fair
Consumers Energy sponsored the 2015 CE Robotics Fair in support of the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics program. The fair attracted about 200 attendees to cheer on teams and support the initiative including:
- 9 Schools
- 14 teams
- 140 students
- Consumers Energy employees, vice presidents and volunteers
- Michigan media
- FIRST employees
- Michigan government leaders
Every year, the robotics fair is organized by Consumers Energy's WEN (Women in Engineering Network) to bring in new mentors from Consumers Energy to help FIRST FTC student teams compete. Mentoring robotics teams is very rewarding for the mentor—you get a real sense of satisfaction in helping a team learn and grow.
The event demonstrates the importance of robotics programs for the future of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers. It's also a great opportunity for the teams to show off what they have accomplished during the past year.
The 14 teams who attended the 2015 Robotics Fair consisted of:
- 11 FIRST FTC (First Tech Challenge) teams that compete at the Middle School level
- 1 FIRST FRC (First Robotics Competition) team that competes at the High School level
- 1 FIRST FLL (First Lego League) team that competes at the Elementary School level
- 1 Robofest team that competes at both Middle and High School levels
Bringing Michigan Students of STEM Together
During the robotics fair, the FTC teams rotated through four activities:
1. Presenting to a small panel of judges as they competed for three awards including:
- Best Presentation
- Most Creative
- Most Complete Design
2. Showing off their robots on the FTC practice field
3. Collaborating with Consumers Energy employees and other teams
4. Enjoying a networking lunch
The practice field was a new addition this year and the robotics teams really enjoyed it. Each year our teams get more and more innovative, and the progress they have made is just amazing.
I believe kids need to see that they can make a difference in the world. Our children are our future, and any help we can offer to make that future better is important.
Check out how Consumers Energy supports robotics in Michigan
Rosanna Kallio is a Senior Engineer II at Consumers Energy. She is a co-lead for the First Tech Challenge (FTC) program sponsored by Consumers Energy and Women's Engineering Network. Kallio assists in the mentoring process for all of the local FTC teams. She also supports Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education with the Society of Women Engineers, Michigan Technological University and by teaching a local STEM class to Jackson area homeschoolers. She is a graduate of Michigan Technological University and enjoys working with children.Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( Comments Off )
Consumers Energy Crews Travel East, Ready to Help as Blizzard Approaches
When a storm is coming, American energy providers stick together. We're currently mobilizing equipment and more than 50 employees to assist New York and New England as severe winter storm, Juno, hits the East Coast.
Consumers Energy employees left Dundee, Mich. this morning to work east including:
- Utility crews
- Technicians
- Mechanics
- Supervisors
Another 100 contractors are being released from work on our electric system to help restore power. With fair weather in Michigan, this is a perfect opportunity to help out-of-state crews manage storm damage.
Blizzard conditions are forecasted for parts of New York and New England, beginning at noon today, with the potential for hurricane-force winds and up to two feet of snow. Depending on the storm damage, our crews could work on the East Coast for a week or more.
We know the importance of supporting other energy providers, as they have traveled to help our own restoration efforts during Michigan severe weather. Consumers Energy not only cares for the communities where we live and serve, but we also care for surrounding communities in times of need.
VIDEO: Consumers Energy Crews Leave Michigan to Help East Coast
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Michigan Nonprofits and Communities Receive $10 Million from Consumers Energy in 2014
Michigan's nonprofit organizations made a significant impact on communities around the state in 2014, helped by $10 million in contributions from Consumers Energy, its employees, retirees, Foundation and parent company CMS Energy.
Of the contributions, $4 million helped organizations that provide direct energy assistance to those in need, including The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), TrueNorth Community Services, The Salvation Army and Michigan Community Action Agencies. These organizations will match $2 for every $1 that we contribute.
The Michigan Association of United Ways received $1.7 million. Of that, $1.1 million was made up of employee and retiree contributions to 57 United Ways.
More than 450 nonprofit organizations received $230,000 on behalf of 556 employees and retirees through the Volunteer Investment Program (VIP).
Another $105,000 went to 115 higher education institutions, community foundations, food banks, food pantries and homeless shelters through the Foundation's Matching Gifts program, which matches employee and retiree donations.
The Caring for Our Community grant program provided $32,000 to 129 nonprofit organizations on behalf of 1,010 employees. The program recognizes the efforts of teams of employees volunteering for a nonprofit organization or event.
VIDEO: 2014 In Review With Consumers Energy
Highlights of 2014
Additional contributions from last year include:
- $800,000 to support Detroit's "grand bargain," helping protect pensions for Detroit's retirees and preserving public art at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
- Nearly $800,000 for early childhood initiatives and basic needs programs from a CMS Energy donor-advised fund.
- More than $300,000 to provide energy assistance to Michigan residents through Walks for Warmth. 2015 Walk Schedule
- $250,000 to the Detroit Zoo, for its new Polk Penguin Conservation Center.
- $200,000 to support FIRST Robotics, including funding to help start new middle school and high school teams across the state.
- $200,000 for Grand Valley State University's Student Academic Success Center and the Oliver Wilson Freshman Academy.
- $100,000 to the Cranbrook Institute of Science, for its Water on the Go! program, providing watershed education to upper elementary and middle school students in Midland, Bay City, Saginaw and Genesee counties.
- $100,000 to Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties, for its "Center of Hope" campaign, to create a one-stop service center for human services organizations.
For more information on Consumers Energy's volunteer efforts, follow #CEVolunteers on Twitter.Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( Comments Off )
Technology Grants to be Awarded to Michigan Schools in Mid-January
Consumers Energy will award technology grants to six classrooms around the state in mid January.
"We realize that schools have tight budgets," said Tara Ragauss, Education Programs Manager. "We felt it was important to provide classrooms with up-to-date technology that will benefit the learning experience of students."
Second through sixth grade teachers, in schools served by Consumers Energy, will automatically be entered in the drawing by signing up for the new EmPOWERed Kids program if their presentation took place before December 31, 2014.
The free interactive program is endorsed by the Michigan Department of Education and is designed to educate students about energy topics such as:
- The dangerous consequences of touching electric power lines or acting carelessly with electrical appliances.
- Learning the three Rs: recognize, react and report natural gas leaks.
- The role of utility flags and why safe digging is important.
Download the emPOWERed Kids App
Since launching in September we've done 55 EmPOWERed Kids presentations reaching about 2,500 students. In total, we have reached more than 40,000 students this school year through our educational programs.
An additional six technology grant recipients will be selected at random on May 20, 2015. Teachers who have an EmPOWERed Kids presentation in their second through sixth grade classroom between January 2015 and May 15, 2015 will also be automatically entered into that drawing.
To sign up for the program, email us at firstname.lastname@example.com or visit us at ConsumersEnergy.com/teachers.
ConsumersEnergy.com/teachers also has lessons plans, educational games and other resources for teachers.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY: A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Current Michigan teachers, who are legal residents of Michigan, who are Consumers Energy customers as of 9/1/14 and at least 18 years old are eligible. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes ends 5/15/15. For Official Rules, alternate method of energy, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, contact firstname.lastname@example.com. Sponsor: Consumers Energy Company.Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( Comments Off )
You're Invited: New Year's Eve Ball Drop in Grand Rapids Powered by Consumers Energy
New Year's Eve is a time to celebrate another chance at reaching goals and ringing in 2015 with the ones we love. Cities around the world commemorate with fireworks and bright lights, but dropping a ball on New Year's Eve is exclusively an American tradition to count down to the next year.
The creation of "time balls" originated in 1829 so sailors could tell time at sea. Using a telescope, sailors would find a harbor and watch for a "time ball" to drop at a certain time of day—usually noon or 1 p.m. This invention was the inspiration for the American tradition to celebrate the new year.
Ring in New Year's Eve With Consumers Energy
We're powering the ball drop in Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids on New Year's Eve from 6-11 p.m. We plan to turn back the clock to the 1970s with HOT FM 105.3 and a lineup of musical acts at this free event.
Visit our warming tent for free hot chocolate and photo booth fun. In celebration of recycling 100,000 refrigerators and freezers, you also can win prizes for taking pictures with our retro fridge.
In 2013, Consumers Energy replaced 450 halogen light bulbs with 450 more efficient LED bulbs to dazzle attendees in an environmentally friendly way. The Grand Rapids New Year's Eve ball:
- Is 450 pounds, about as heavy as an upright piano
- Will stay lit for about 6 hours
- Uses a little over 24 kilowatt-hours of electricity compared to 117 kilowatt-hours in past years
- Could power 115 active video game consoles or light about 18 Michigan homes for a day with the amount of energy saved with LEDs
- Will descend 100 feet at 11:59 p.m.
Visit www.ConsumersEnergy.com/2015promise for more informationRead Full Post | Make a Comment ( Comments Off )
VIDEO: 2014 In Review with Consumers Energy
As we say goodbye to 2014 and hello to 2015, Consumers Energy is proud to share a number of accomplishments from the past year.
We worked hard to serve our customers and improve our communities. In 2014, Consumers Energy:
- Created a severe weather assistance team that made more than 125,000 calls to help customers manage their bills during the Polar Vortex
- Launched the Slow Down and Go Around campaign to ensure a safe work environment for our crews
- Accelerated the plan to bring smart meters to homes and businesses two years early
- Raised more than $300,000 to help customers with their heating bills by participating in Walks for Warmth
- Gave $9 million in contributions to Michigan nonprofit organizations
- Recycled 100,000 refrigerators
- Increased in-state spending to $150 million to help grow Michigan's economy
- Built a 24-mile long pipeline to transport affordable and reliable natural gas to customers
- Implemented a nationally recognized Incident Command System to improve emergency response
- Opened new LEED Certified Service Centers to better assist customers
- Completed and opened the Cross Winds Energy Park to meet the 10 percent renewable energy goal one year ahead of schedule
Thank you to all Consumers Energy employees, retirees and volunteers, and to our residential and business customers, for helping make 2014 such a successful year.Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( Comments Off )
Michigan Nonprofits to Save $350,000 in 2015
Michigan's nonprofit organizations are the backbone of our communities. By giving more than 115,000 hours of community service each year, Consumers Energy understands the importance of supporting organizations providing assistance to families across the state.
Free Energy Efficiency Upgrades from Consumers Energy
Through our energy efficiency efforts, Consumers Energy conducted free upgrades and energy assessments to more than 190 nonprofits in 2014. Upgrades include:
- Free LED lights
- Programmable thermostats
- Low-flow water faucets
Businesses, households and nonprofit organizations also lowered their energy bills with over 200 energy efficiency rebates and incentives.
100+ ways to save on your energy bill
Because of the energy efficient upgrades, groups like the Boys and Girls Clubs, homeless shelters and food pantries will pay $350,000 less for energy in 2015. Below are among a few of the cities where Consumers Energy made upgrades:
- Adrian
- Allegan
- Au Gres
- Battle Creek
- Bay City
- Birch Run
- Climax
- East Lansing
- Fenton
- Flint
- Grand Rapids
- Haslett
- Jackson
- Kalamazoo
- Kentwood
- Midland
- Mount Pleasant
- Muskegon
- Owosso
- Pinconning
- Saginaw
- Standish
See how energy efficient programs can make a difference to your home or business
Manage Your Energy Bills with Assistance Programs:Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( Comments Off )
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Apple's hardware cycle not only covers the iPhone 6 but also its existing products like iMacs and MacBooks. According to a recent patent sighting, Apple may be looking into incorporating new liquid sensors to its upcoming line of computers. The technology will introduce a failsafe mechanism that will allow the device to avoid electrical shorts despite liquid contact. Can Apple work on incorporating the technology in time for the October release?
Ming Chi Kuo of KGI Securities noted previously that Apple may be planning on introducing several variants of the MacBook. Aside from the usual MacBook Pro and MacBook Air lines, the market has been buzzing about a 12-inch computer. The 12-inch version will combine the functionalities and conveniences of the 11 and 13-inch models giving consumers a fresh option.
According to the patent released by the US Patent & Trademark Office, Apple has been working on a technology that will minimize or avoid damages to its devices despite contact with liquid. The patent is entitled "Liquid Activated Failsafe for Portable Computing Devices." When people use portable computing devices, the unit is most likely at risk of damage especially with spilled liquid. It is easy for spilled liquid to access the device's interior thus the new fail-safe mechanism. Patently Apple noted some of the parts at risk such as processors, circuit boards, drives and other electronic units.
A good way to prevent short circuits is to block openings leading to internal parts. Nonetheless, sealing off I/O ports or building structures to direct spilled liquid elsewhere can be ineffective when in contact with much more considerable amount of liquid. To address this, Apple came up with a new Liquid Sensor System. This allows the device to respond to liquid risks in time. The sensor system is connected to a controller which can signal the device to electronically decouple specific components from the power supply. The sensor will have a particular moisture threshold to gauge the amount of liquid and threat.
Another embodiment shows the device automatically saving data and controlling shutdown depending on the moisture threshold. Similar to other patents, this may or may not find its way to the upcoming cycle. Apple is expected to release its new Mac line this October along with the OS X Yosemite.

subset: commoncrawl


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Galicia, Spain: Santiago de Compostela
By Rick Steves' Europe | November 1, 2012
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Santiago, the final destination of an ancient pilgrimage route, has long had a powerful and mysterious draw on travelers. But, apart from all the pilgrim action and its venerable architecture, Santiago is a work-a-day town.
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Ignited Minds is an online platform which fuels young people's burning ideas. Our system automatically filters all of the available funding, events, people, real-life missions and inspiration that is suitable, uniquely to you.
Ignited Minds cuts down the time that it takes to go from your idea and turning that into a reality. Partnering with organisations across the world we provide one of the most complete ecosystems that is purpose designed to suit startups and people with great ideas.
Ignited Minds has been two years in the making, and we're almost finished! You can sign up to our newsletter or to become a BETA tester in the following weeks.
Keep it kindled,
Lewis and Jamie, Ignited Minds
Ignited Minds is filled with engaging and inpirational content that is intended to help provoke thoughts, inspire and inform our users. Tapping into a wealth of resources such as our mentors and entrepreneurs past experiences, the poblems that they've faced, their highs, their lows as well as interviews with some of the most inspiring people in the world. Ignited Minds also partners with a number of Scottish creative organisations to provide films of events, beautiful articles written by a large variety of authors and imagery to kick your brain into gear.
Connecting and collaborating is what Ignited Minds was built for, we want you to be able to help you connect with the people you need to most. You will be able to find Technical Co-founders, Mentors, people who are facing similar issues accross the world and more. We are creating a platform that is open for people to share their ideas, a place where we can all learn from one another, somewhere that allows your burning idea to turn into a reality.
Our articles are written by a selection of hand-picked authors from across the globe, we also partner with organisations to help provide you with founder stories, stories of success, failure, inspiration, sleep deprivation and ultimately the pursuit of dreams. Our articles are designed to be distraction free to help you make the most out of your time whilst using Ignited Minds.
Getting out and learning from others is what Ignited Minds is about, we have partnered with some of the greatest events organisations in the country to help bring you an up to date feed on all of the brilliant events that are happening near you. Our system automatically detects what events would suit you best and that are in your area so that you don't have to.


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Alessandro Speciale
News Articles
Articles by Alessandro Speciale
Director of Vatican Bank resigns under pressureMay. 25, 2012 Vatican
Pope praises American nunsMay. 18, 2012 Sisters' Stories
Vatican newspaper says Nazi eugenics 'still alive'May. 7, 2012 People
Pope tells Cubans to look beyond MarxismMar. 23, 2012 Vatican
Vatican ends probe of clergy abuse in IrelandMar. 22, 2012
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In This Issue
March 27-April 9, 2015
- Editorial: What kind of reformer is Francis?
- Vatican event tackles women's equality, inclusion, ordination
- Stopping the Islamic State without making matters worse
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A drum by Oregon Scientific is a cute way to teach your child about rhythm. The musical toy encourages creative thinking with rhythms and beats. Your child's memory, motor and music skills can be increased through play. The travel-sized toy is great for trips in the car or visits to friends or family members. Simply pack it and bring it along.
Manufacturer's Suggested Age: 6 Years and Up
Features: Travel Size
Material: Plastic
Dimensions: 12.2 " L x 2.87 " W x 8.46 " T
Product Weight: 2.5 Lb.
Care and Cleaning: Wipe Clean With a Dry Cloth
Battery: no battery used
other Info.
- Online Item #: 14132530
- Store Item Number (DPCI): 204-04-0183
- Imported


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FAR prohibitions on human trafficking take effect Mar. 2, 2015
February 11, 2015 by cs
The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council has published the a final rule implementing Executive Order 13627 and title XVII of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013, requiring contractors on federal contracts to certify, both prior to award and annually, their human trafficking compliance and monitoring. The Final Rule prohibits contractors from:
- engaging in severe forms of human trafficking during the period of performance of the contract,
- procuring commercial sex acts during the period of performance of the contract,
- using forced labor in the performance of the contract,
- destroying, concealing, confiscating or otherwise denying employees' access to identity or immigration documents,
- engaging in fraudulent or misleading recruitment practices,
- employing recruiters that violate the labor laws of the country where the recruitment takes place,
- charging recruiting fees,
- failing to provide return transportation to an employee who is not a national of the country where the work is to take place, subject to limited exceptions,
- providing housing, if required, that fails to meet host country safety or housing laws, and
- failing to provide a written work document, if required.
The Final Rule is broadly applicable to all Federal contractors and subcontractors, regardless of contract type or dollar amount, including contractors providing commercial items, commercially-available off-the-shelf items, or goods on General Service Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedules (FSS). In addition, certain contractors providing goods and services abroad will be required to make new certifications and implement compliance plans. Failure to comply may result in financial penalties, termination for default, suspension or debarment, and potential litigation, including false claims suits.
This Final Rule will be effective on March 2, 2015. The FAR Council has recommended that Contracting Officers to include the Final Rule in Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts with task orders remaining after March 2 through bilateral modification, so both new and existing contracts will be subject to the Final Rule after that date.
To supplement and implement the new FAR provisions in Department of Defense (DoD) contracts, DoD is issuing a final rule in the form of its Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) at Subpart 252.235-7004. In addition, DoD Procedures, Guidance and Information (PGI) can be found at PGI 222.17. Included is a sample checklist for auditing compliance: CTIPs_Audit_Checklist_10_May_2011.
IG reports continued weaknesses in small business reporting and 8(a) program
November 13, 2014 by cs
The Office of the Inspector General (IG) of the U.S. Small Business Administration reports on 11 weaknesses in a range of SBA programs. Two of the "challenges" identified in the Oct. 17, 2014 report pertain directly to small business participation in federal contracting:
- Procurement flaws allow large firms to obtain small business awards, and allow agencies to count contracts performed by large firms towards their small business goals.
- The SBA needs to modify the Section 8(a) Business Development Program so more firms receive business development assistance, standards for determining economic disadvantage are justifiable, and the SBA ensures that firms follow 8(a) regulations when completing contracts.
The IG's full document, entitled "Report on the Most Serious Management and Performance Challenges Facing the Small Business Administration In Fiscal Year 2015″ can be downloaded here, but the text of the IG's finding on the two point just cited appears below.
Procurement Reporting
The Small Business Act established a Government-wide goal that 23 percent of the total value of all prime contracts be awarded to small businesses each fiscal year. As the advocate for small business, the SBA should strive to ensure that only small firms obtain and perform small business awards. Further, the SBA should ensure that procuring agencies accurately report contracts awarded to small businesses when representing their progress in meeting small business contracting goals.
In September 2014, we issued a report that identified over $400 million in FY 2013 contract actions that may
have been awarded to ineligible firms. We also identified over $1.5 billion dollars in contract actions for
which the firms were in the 8(a) or HUBZone programs at the time of contract award, but were no longer in
these programs in FY 2013. Previous OIG audits and other Government studies have shown widespread
misreporting by procuring agencies, since many contract awards that were reported as having gone to small
firms have actually been performed by larger companies. While some contractors may misrepresent or
erroneously calculate their size, most of the incorrect reporting results from errors made by Government
contracting personnel, including misapplication of small business contracting rules. In addition, contracting
officers do not always review the on-line certifications that contractors enter into Government databases
prior to awarding contracts. The SBA should ensure that procuring agencies accurately report contracts
awarded to small businesses when representing their progress in meeting small business contracting goals,
and that contracting personnel are reviewing on-line certifications prior to awarding contracts.
The SBA revised its regulations to require firms to meet the size standard for each specific order to address a
loophole within General Services Administration Multiple Awards Schedule (MAS) contracts, which contain
multiple industrial codes that determine the size of the company. Previously, a company awarded an MAS
contract could identify itself as a small business on individual task orders awarded under that contract, even
though it did not meet the size criteria for the applicable task. Thus, agencies received small business credit
for using a firm classified as small, when the firm was not small for specific orders under the MAS contract. In
addition, the SBA submitted a final rule to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Council to implement the
changes made to its regulations in the FAR. The SBA also updated its standard operating procedure (SOP) to
ensure consistency in conducting its surveillance reviews to assess Federal agencies' management of their
small business programs and compliance with regulations and applicable procedures.
While the SBA has made substantial progress on this challenge, we are working with the Agency to verify that
the surveillance reviews were conducted in a thorough and consistent manner.
8(a) Program
The SBA's 8(a) Business Development (BD) Program was created to assist eligible small disadvantaged
business concerns to compete in the American economy through business development. Previously, the
SBA did not place adequate emphasis on business development to enhance the ability of 8(a) firms to
compete, and did not adequately ensure that only 8(a) firms with economically disadvantaged owners in
need of business development remained in the program. Companies that were "business successes"
were allowed to remain in the program and continue to receive 8(a) contracts, causing fewer companies
to receive most of the 8(a) contract dollars and many to receive none.
The SBA has made progress towards addressing issues that hinder its ability to deliver an effective 8(a)
BD Program. For example, the SBA expanded its ability to provide assistance to program participants
through its resource partners—small business development centers, service corps of retired executives,
and procurement technical assistance centers. In addition, the SBA has taken steps to ensure business
opportunity specialists assess program participants' business development needs during site visits. The
SBA also revised its regulations, effective March 2011, to ensure that companies deemed "business
successes" graduate from the program. These regulations also establish additional standards to address
the definition of "economic disadvantage." Agency officials stated that the rule-making process served
as an adequate proxy to objectively and reasonably determine effective measures for economic
disadvantage, and were not aware of any reliable sources of data to determine economic disadvantage.
However, for the second consecutive year, the SBA has not completed updating its SOP for the 8(a) BD
Program to reflect the March 2011 regulatory changes. In addition, we continue to maintain that the
SBA's standards for determining economic disadvantage are not justified or objective based on the
absence of economic analysis. In December 2011, the SBA awarded a contract to develop and deploy a
new IT system by December 2012 to assist the SBA in monitoring 8(a) program participants. However,
the new system has not been deployed, and its delivery date and capabilities are undetermined at this
8(a) subcontracting limitations: Compliance oversight lacking
October 15, 2014 by cs
Compliance with the limitations on subcontracting are not adequately being monitored by the contracting officers responsible for 8(a) contracts, according to a recent GAO report.
After reviewing a representative sample of ten 8(a) contracts, the GAO determined that contracting officers effectively monitored subcontracting limit compliance on two of those contracts. In other cases, agency contracting officers failed to effectively monitor compliance, even in situations presenting a heightened risk of potential violations–such as where ineligible incumbents were serving as subcontractors.
The GAO report documents "confusion" among contracting officers regarding their obligations to ensure compliance with subcontracting limits. Some contracting officers were confused about what the FAR, Small Business Act, and SBA partnership agreements require. Other contracting officers seemed to assume that their CORs were primarily responsible for ensuring compliance with the subcontracting limits – although all 10 of the CORs in question "stated that contracting officers have not delegated this responsibility to them and they do not take steps to monitor the amount of subcontracted work."
Keep reading this article at: http://smallgovcon.com/statutes-and-regulations/8a-subcontracting-limitations-compliance-oversight-lacking/
A faster way for contractors to recover on claims
September 4, 2014 by cs
Filing claims against the government is not contractors' preferred method of resolving problems on a federal project, but often contractors are left with little choice with federal procurement officials spread thin. For example, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has not moved on a significant number of pending changes and refused to pay the contract balance because the Corps has assessed an equal amount in liquidated damages for delay. The delay was caused by a differing site condition, for which the contractor submitted a claim for time and money. After waiting 60 days, the Corps responded by stating that it will issue the contracting officer's final decision in seven months. Meanwhile, the contractor continues to spend money trying to close out the project.
How can contractors speed up the claims process, recover on favorable terms, and avoid throwing good money after bad on a multiyear dispute resolution process? The answer: Unbundle your claims and file as many under $50,000 or $100,000 as possible to take advantage of the various board of contract appeals' expedited or accelerated procedures. Then consolidate all expedited appeals and push aggressively toward a fast and cost-effective global resolution.
Keep reading this article at: http://www.foxrothschild.com/newspubs/newspubsArticle.aspx?id=15032395091
Get a contracting plan in place early
August 19, 2014 by cs
When contracting fails, there are several common reasons offered: the source selection and bid protest requirements; onerous acquisition regulations; an understaffed, poorly trained workforce. However, many contracting officers can relate to significant delays during the planning phase, particularly to difficulties obtaining an acquisition plan (AP).
Often it's developed well after the contracting request for action. When this occurs, it places contract managers in the unenviable position of delaying RFP release, thus risking agency funding, but more importantly, jeopardizing mission success. The alternative is to jump into a contracting process with ambiguous goals or results. Thus, for all the debate about the effectiveness of government contracting, the success or failure of programs involving government contracting is actually determined very early, often unfortunately before the contracting officer's involvement—that is, during acquisition planning.
Eyes glaze over when someone references the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and many are on record as wanting to modify, reduce, or even abolish it. However, the FAR's Part 7 acquisition planning guidance provides a great roadmap to all the many considerations necessary before satisfying a government need via contract. The program office must take non-delegable responsibility to figure out what, why, when, where, and how they will obtain acquired resources to support their goals. This shouldn't be another paperwork drill, completed by support contractors or the contracting officer and subsequently filed away. However, that sometimes is the case.
Keep reading this article at: http://www.federaltimes.com/article/20140814/BLG06/308140006/Get-contracting-plan-place-early
Defense acquisition rule requiring contractors to report counterfeit parts set to be included in the FAR
June 30, 2014 by cs
In May, the Department of Defense amended the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to require certain contractors to detect and report counterfeit electronic parts. (See DFARS rule on "Detection and Avoidance of Counterfeit Electronic Parts" by clicking here.)
Now, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council has published a proposed rule to greatly expand counterfeit reporting obligations. The newly proposed rule sets forth sweeping requirements for contractors and subcontractors to report nonconforming items.
Unlike the DFARS rule, which limits application to particular electronic parts and a certain category of contractors, the proposed FAR rule extends beyond electronic parts and specific contractors. In fact, the proposed rule is designed to effect all contracts for acquisition of supplies or services that include supplies.
Under the proposed rule, contractors and subcontractors at all tiers must screen the Government-Industry Exchange Program (GIDEP) as part of their quality control processes. Further, the proposed rule requires reporting in GIDEP of any "common" items purchased that are counterfeit, suspected to be counterfeit, or contain "major nonconformance" or "critical nonconformance." In addition, contractors must notify Contracting Officers, in writing, when they become aware that "any end item, component, subassembly, part or material contracted in supplies purchased by the government" is counterfeit or suspected to be counterfeit.
Written comments on the proposed rule are due by August 11, 2014. Comments are to be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking portal by searching for ''FAR Case 2013–002''. Select the link ''Comment Now'' that corresponds with ''FAR Case 2013–002.'' Follow the instructions provided at the ''Comment Now'' screen. Please include your name, company name (if any), and ''FAR Case 2013-002'' on your attached document. Comments may be faxed to 202–501–4067 or mailed to: General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat (MVCB), ATTN: Hada Flowers, 1800 F Street NW., 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20405.
Contractor pay cap will apply to all employees under new rule
June 16, 2014 by cs
A new rule would limit the amount contractors could charge the government for any of their employees' salaries under cost-reimbursement contracts.
Currently contractors can charge back $487,000 for employee salaries, but the ceiling only applies to top senior executives. With the new Federal Acquisition Regulation rule, that limit would be expanded to all employees including scientists and engineers.
The final rule, issued May 30, would only affect the Defense Department, NASA and the Coast Guard, and applies retroactively to compensation costs on government contracts signed after Dec. 31, 2011.
Keep reading this article at: http://www.fiercegovernment.com/story/contractor-pay-cap-will-apply-all-employees-under-new-rule/2014-06-03
Limitations on subcontracting: 1099 contractor's work didn't count
June 11, 2014 by cs
Under the FAR's limitations on subcontracting clause, the work to be performed by a 1099 independent contractor did not count toward the prime contractor's performance.
In a recent bid protest decision, the GAO held that a procuring agency properly rejected an offeror's proposal because the offeror was relying, in part, on an independent contractor to meet its obligations under the limitations on subcontracting clause.
The GAO's decision in MindPoint Group, LLC, B-409562 (May 8, 2014) involved a Department of Justice solicitation for information technology infrastructure support. The proposal was issued as a set-aside for Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSBs), and incorporated FAR 52.219-14, the standard limitation on subcontracting clause. For a services contract, FAR 52.219-14 requires the EDWOSB to perform at least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel with its own employees.
MindPoint Group, LLC submitted a proposal. MindPoint's proposal stated that MindPoint would self-perform 53.3 percent of the contract effort using seven individuals, including an individual designated as the "Systems Administrator MS." However, MindPoint's proposal included a letter of commitment stating that the Systems Administrator MS would be an "independent consultant," and MindPoint's price proposal referred to the individual as a "1099 Consultant."
Keep reading this article at: http://smallgovcon.com/gaobidprotests/limitations-on-subcontracting-1099-contractors-work-didnt-count/
Learn how the government conducts cost and price analysis, starting June 16
June 6, 2014 by cs
The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech is offering a course focusing on the Fundamentals of Cost & Price Analysis in government contracting. The course begins June 16, 2014, and will be held at the Global Learning Center located on the midtown Atlanta campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology.
To see details or to register, click here.
The Academy's comprehensive, two-week course begins with an in-depth review of the market research process, and provides instruction to help students understand and analyze contractor pricing strategies.
Attendees will learn to accomplish cost-volume-profit analysis, calculate contribution margin estimates, and develop cost estimating relationships in order to accomplish an effective price analysis pursuant to FAR Subpart 15.4.
After learning the basic elements of price and cost analysis, students will build and defend a pre-negotiation objective, including a minimum and maximum pricing objective with a weighted guidelines assessment.
This course is ideal for new hires in the contracting career field. In addition, for government contractors, this course provides invaluable insights into the government contracting decision-making process.
Student performance will be assessed by graded exams on math fundamentals and applied course material as well as an exercise for student participation and completion of negotiations.
CON 170 – Fundamentals of Cost & Price Analysis is Defense Acquisition University-equivalent training that satisfies the FAC-C and DAWIA certification programs. Students successfully completing the course earn 7.35 continuing education units.
For more information or to register, please visit: http://www.pe.gatech.edu/courses/con-170-fundamentals-cost-and-price-analysis
How one small word change could mean many more contracting dollars for small businesses
June 3, 2014 by cs
Sometimes, it's the most subtle nuances in a phrase that matter most — and for small government contractors, that appears to be the case in the federal procurement rulebook.
The Federal Acquisition Regulation, a long list of government-wide contracting rules established by the heads of several federal agencies, requires all large companies bidding on prime contracts to specify what percentage of the money awarded would flow through to small-business subcontractors.
The rule is meant to ensure that small firms "have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in performing contracts," according to the FAR, and to help the government meet its annual goal of awarding 35.9 percent of all subcontracting dollars to small companies. Collectively, federal agencies have missed that mark each of the last five years.
Bob Justis says one odd word on page 1,343 in the rulebook isn't helping.
"Out of all your planned subcontracting dollars, you're required to set aside some percentage of that for small businesses," Justis, head of Justis Consulting, a contracting proposal development firm based in Washington, said in a recent interview. "However, it's required to be stated as a percentage of your total subcontract dollars — not as a percentage of the total contract dollars."
It's a subtle but important distinction, Justis explained, because a large prime contractor can, based on that rule, pledge to commit 40 percent of its subcontracting dollars to small businesses. If the company then handles all the work itself, resulting in a total subcontracting spend of zero, it still met its small-business subcontracting goal.
After all, 40 percent of nothing is nothing.
Keep reading this article at: http://m.washingtonpost.com/business/on-small-business/how-one-small-word-change-could-mean-many-more-contracting-dollars-for-small-businesses/2014/05/22/30b4c0d8-e106-11e3-9743-bb9b59cde7b9_story.html


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Grants and Awards for Keeping Maryland Beautiful
The Keep Maryland Beautiful (KMB) program was established in 1967 as the first program administered by the Maryland Environmental Trust (MET). This program is partially funded by the Maryland State Highway Administration and provides grants to nonprofit organizations and schools to support environmental education and demonstration projects that enhance and maintain the environment. Certainly there are horse organizations in Maryland that might also qualify for this.
There are two categories:
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This week in Annapolis…
The Maryland Horse Council and the Maryland Farm Bureau will either be monitoring or testifying on the following bills this week, which may be of interest to our readers.
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Repealing Ag Tax Exemptions, Later School Start Date, plus more
The Maryland Farm Bureau is active on the following bills, which may be of interest to Equiery readers.
Including Manure Equipment for Tax Adjustments
With SB 345, livestock manure loading or hauling equipment used to transport animal manure from a farm would be added to the list of "enhanced agricultural management equipment". The purchase value of this type of equipment is eligible for subtraction from the federal adjusted gross income of a resident to determine Maryland adjusted gross income.
As more and more regulations are created that require the removal and hauling of manure from farms, having the ability to treat this removal equipment as essential farm equipment will help in lowering the cost of complying with these regulation.
MFB supports SB 345.
Delaying Start of School Year
HB 389 would prohibit public schools and publicly funded prekindergarten programs from opening for pupil attendance prior to the day after Labor Day.
Starting school after Labor Day will benefit the number one industry in the state, Agriculture. Maryland's State Fair, 4-H and FFA programs and a decrease of available labor during the last two weeks of August are the primary areas negatively affected by starting school earlier than Labor Day. It is projected that small family owned farm businesses lose up to 1/3 of their local student workforce because of the current school calendar.
MFB supports SB 389
Small Business Personal Property Tax Relief Act of 2015
HB 480 would exempt a person with personal property that has a total assessed value of $10,000 or less from paying personal property tax. There is a provision in the bill that would have the state pay the county and municipality their portion on the exempted personal property tax. This would be paid at a rate of 100% in year one, 75% year two, 50% year three, 25% year four and 0% year five and on. MFB supports the lowering and eliminating of taxes.
MFB support HB 480
Repeal of Ag Tax Exemptions
Maryland Farm Bureau members, agricultural seed and equipment suppliers and others who seek to preserve our rural economy are urged to contact the Maryland General Assembly in opposition to HB 928, legislation that could put farms on the brink of disaster.
HB 928, entitled Sales & Use Tax – Agricultural Products and Equipment – Repeal of Exemption, was introduced by Delegate Jay Walker of Prince George's County. The bill would repeal the tax exemption that exists in current law for the purchase of inputs for farm operations. If passed, this bill would require farmers to pay sales tax on the purchase of:
- livestock,
- feed or bedding for livestock,
- seed, fertilizer, fungicide, herbicide, insecticide,
- baler twine or wire,
- fuel for farm equipment and tractors,
- containers to transport products to market,
- farm vehicles,
- milking equipment, and
- all other farm equipment used to raise livestock, prepare, irrigate or tend the soil, or plant, service, harvest, store, clean, dry or transport seeds or crops.
- The bill also applies the sales tax to services performed on the farm such as fabrication, processing, or sawmill services for wood that remains on the farm.
The current exemption is in place because farmers, like other businesses that build or manufacture a product for consumer consumption, have always been exempt from taxation during the input and production process. Just like we would not expect an automobile manufacturer to pay sales tax on every piece of metal, fastener or fabric used to produce a car or on the assembly line parts to move those products, we should not expect farmers to pay retail sales tax for the items they purchase to grow food, fiber, and fuel.
The Hearing on HB 928 is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3 at 1:00pm in the House Ways and Means Committee.
For more information, visit Maryland General Assembly.
EHV-1 found in VA Horses; no trace-back to any Maryland horses as of today
The Maryland Department of Agriculture is carefully monitoring several recent cases of EHV-1 in Virginia.
Loudon County
According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), on Thursday, February 12, 2015,
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Tax Incentive Legislation For Land Conservation
From the Land Trust Alliance in Washington, D.C.
On Feb. 2, 2015, a federal bill was introduced by Sens. Dean Heller (R-NV) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA), that would make permanent a tax incentive that encourages landowners to place a conservation easement on their land to protect important natural, scenic and historic resources for public benefit.
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It is "Game On" for the Maryland General Assembly
The 435th session of the Maryland General Assembly is in full swing! Also known as the "Legislative Session," these 90 days are an intense roller coaster of parliamentary drama. Most Maryland senators and delegates leave their "real jobs" and "real lives" for 3 months, relocating to Annapolis to craft the laws and regulations that govern our state. It is not uncommon for approximately 2,000 bills to be filed each session, and every single one of them receives at least one hearing before session adjourns on April 13.
This past Friday, Feb. 6, was the last day that a senator could introduce a bill through standard procedures, and this Friday, February 13 will be the final day in which a bill can be introduced via the House. Bills can still be introduced going forward, but the process is more cumbersome and a hearing is no longer guaranteed.
So what do we know so far?
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14 Arabber Horses Seized
On January 13, 2015, the Baltimore City Health Department oversaw the seizure of 14 horses from the South Carlton Street stables. The horses are owned by Baltimore City residents and are used to pull carts of fresh fruits and vegetables through urban neighborhoods in Baltimore that are underserved by grocery stores. In many cases, this is the only access to fresh fruit and vegetables for these residents. These vendor cart ponies and horses have colloquially been known for over a century as "Arabbers."
The Baltimore City Health Department contracted with Days End Farm Horse Rescue to remove and provide care, custody and control of the horses until the legal situation can be resolved.
When Days End Farm Horse Rescue issued its press release about the seizure and requested immediate donations, the digital and television media lit up and the story instantly began to "trend" on social media.
Why were the horses seized? Not only does The Equiery want to know, many of our readers would like to know as well.
Baltimore City Health Department spokesman Michael Schwartzberg would only repeat the official statement:
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Peter Hitchen, MFH 1938 – 2015
Maryland will miss…
…Potomac Hunt Club joint Master Peter Hitchen, who died January 12 from complications related to injuries sustained in a fall foxhunting on December 11. He was 76.
Peter was born in New Moston, a suburb of Manchester, England, on October 23, 1938, to Marion Platt Hitchen and John Hitchen. The family persisted through the relentless German bombing of the industrial city during World War II and was forced to temporarily evacuate Manchester to live in Cheshire until the closing of the war. He attended the Moston Primary School and went to work early in life on the three family farms located around Cheshire and instantly fell in love with farming and the outdoors. This fortuitous introduction to land stewardship and farming inadvertently introduced Peter to riding workhorses while making hay and riding to and from the hay fields. Farming and the outdoors quickly overshadowed school and his thirst for world travel and adventure.
The British requirement of two years National Service in the armed forces led him to join the Army in 1956. He immediately signed on for an additional three years so that he was guaranteed overseas deployment. He spent six years in the Royal Artillery and served in Malaysia during the communist insurrection and later served in Hong Kong fighting the Chinese communists. He achieved the rank of Full Bombardier and was charged with managing the Signal Corp of the Royal Artillery. One of his commanding officers, Lt. Col. H. A. Hardy, MBE, MC, RA, described Peter as: "a conscientious and intelligent young NCO. He is completely trustworthy and accepts responsibility willingly. He has the initiative and drive to get things done." He lived his entire life in accordance with this self-imposed doctrine.
After leaving the Army in early 1962 Peter briefly worked in a candy factory to save enough so that he could achieve the lifelong dream of traveling to America and made the passage later that year. He settled in the Washington, D.C. area and put himself through Ben Franklin University, working nights at the original Clyde's in Georgetown and culminating in earning his CPA Degree. During this time, he was introduced to the sport of foxhunting by a friend and also met his future bride, Nancy Tilton Orme of Leesburg. She encouraged his involvement with hunting to hounds at The Loudoun Hunt and the sport became his lifelong passion.
He married Nancy in 1965 and together they had three children, Hilary in 1967, Peter in 1970, and Brad in 1971. The couple later divorced. His second marriage to Janet Goldberg Holloway also ended in divorce.
In 1971, Peter was recruited by Buster Day to come work at his Francis O. Day Company, a paving and excavating company located in Rockville, Maryland where he spent 35 years assisting the Day family in running the prestigious and successful paving and development business. He achieved the title of Vice President and Chief Comptroller of the F.O. Day Company, Inc. and retired in 2007.
Peter never let anything interfere with his maturing love and passion for fox hunting and after many seasons of whipping in at the New Market/Middletown Hounds and later at The Potomac Hunt Club, Peter joined Irvin L. (Skip) Crawford as Joint Master of the Potomac Hunt in 1987. With Huntsman, Larry Pitts, they oversaw the development of what is arguably one of the premier pack of American foxhounds in the United States, giving good sport to their members year after year. Peter was also heavily involved in the organizing and running The Potomac Hunt Races every May, one of the most respected and popular meets among steeplechase horsemen. He was also a successful steeplechase owner whose good luck brought him many winners, most notably Daily Desire, who won him the title of Maryland Steeplechase Owner of the Year in 1991. R. B. Billy, co-owned with Skip Crawford, won the Maryland Steeplechase Timber title several years later. And since 1996, he has served as the treasurer of the Maryland Steeplechase Association.
Peter had a legendary, compelling, and commanding presence, which naturally attracted people of all walks of life. He was an intuitive and cunning businessman, a natural horseman, a devoted father and friend, and faced his last challenge as bravely as he had faced every other challenge in his life.
He is survived by his loving family, daughter Hilary Luttrell Hitchen Bateman and her husband, Chuck; son Peter Orme Hitchen, his wife Melanie and daughter Madilyn Nancy; son John Bradford Hitchen; and his devoted companion of 15 years, Anne Ragland Finney.
Per the wishes of Master Hitchen, services will be held Saturday, January 24 at the Potomac Hunt Club at 2:45 p.m., commencing with a stirrup cup and followed by the memorial service. The Hunt Club is located at 21315 Peach Tree Road, Dickerson, MD 20842.
Memorial donations in Peter Hitchen's memory may be made to The Potomac Hunt Club, 21315 Peach Tree Road, Dickerson, MD 20842.
Please share your memories of and stories about Peter in the comment field below, or email them to firstname.lastname@example.com for a future edition of The Equiery.
Hogan appoints Horsemen
Not surprisingly, Governor-elect Larry Hogan has been doing quite a bit of reorganizing, appointing all new cabinet secretaries. The appointments include two longtime horsemen: David Brinkley and Ken Holt.
Hogan selected soon-to-be-former Senator David Brinkley (R – District 4) to serve as his Secretary of the Department Budget and Management. Equiery readers know David as a former B Pony Clubber who competed in 1973 and 1974 on the first and second Prince Philip Cup Games Teams representing the United States – winning the Cup the second time. In addition to being a member of the Frederick Pony Club, David grew up whipping-in for New Market Hounds Hunt Club, which was founded by his parents.
In his adult life, in addition to maintaining a small horse farm, Brinkley has spent the last 20+ years in the General Assembly and was most recently the senate minority leader. He has served on both the budget and tax committee and the finance committee. According to the Washington Post, the Secretary of Budget and Management has been "one of Hogan's most anticipated appointments, setting the budget and addressing a $750 million shortage will be among the most challenging hurdles of his first few months in office. Hogan has warned that cuts are coming and that he hopes to quickly offer Maryland residents some tax relief."
Meanwhile, Thoroughbred owner and breeder Ken Holt has been appointed Secretary of Department of Housing and Community Development. Holt is a Republican and a former delegate for Baltimore and Harford Counties. Holt's Mount Peru Farm is in Kingsville
Of course, the departments that are of the most interest to the majority of horse people are Agriculture and Natural Resources. For Secretary of Ag, Hogan, a Republican, has appointed lifetime farmer Joe Bartenfelder, a Democrat and a former Baltimore County delegate. Hogan has appointed Charlie Evans to head DNR; Evans is a former assistant secretary for that department, under the Ehrlich administration.
All appointments must be approved by the Senate.
Horse people who attended the November meeting of the Maryland Horse Council got to meet Adam Dubitsky, who at that time was Hogan's campaign spokesman. He has been named as the Governor-elects Director of Policy.
In the meantime, Hogan took time from his frenetic schedule to meet last week with a delegation from the Maryland Horse Council. It was supposed to be for a quick photo op, but then Hogan surprised the MHC delegation by being so very VERY generous with his time, and the delegation was able to provide Mr. Hogan with a better business sense of the horse industry, which has an annual economic impact of $1.6 billion. In return, Mr. Hogan shared stories with the group about his father and his father's horses, and how passionate his father had been about the Marlboro Race Track, now the Prince George's Equestrian Center. Mr. Hogan's father, Lawrence Hogan Sr. served as Prince George's County Executive from 1978 – 1982.
With Governor-elect Larry Hogan are Equiery publisher Crystal Kimball, Larking Hill Farm owner, manager and trainer Christy Clagett, and the Crofton Dover acting manager, Chris Briggs.
$30,000 awarded in grants to Maryland horse programs and projects
The Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) is awarding $30,000 in grants to 26 organizations that represent a cross section of equine groups and disciplines from various geographic areas of the state. The committee of five MHIB members selected projects from a pool of 47 applications.
Funding for these grants and MHIB is provided by the Maryland Feed Fund, which collects $6 on every ton of horse feed sold in Maryland (or about 15¢ per bag). Since the fund was established in 2002, MHIB has awarded more than $350,000 in grants to more than 275 projects.
The following organizations will be receiving grants:
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|Reviews for Change
| McLeronR chapter 12 . 9/7/2014
It has been quite some time since I laughed that much while reading a semi-short fic. Loved it!
| eliade chapter 7 . 8/29/2013
Wow. that was really cruel to poor Miriam. She's done nothing wrong. I'm all for Jack and Ianto being together, but Ianto needn't be malicious to a stranger who's a guest in his house.
| EmperialGem21 chapter 12 . 6/28/2013
this was great. loved it!
| IamthePhantomoftheOpera chapter 12 . 12/15/2012
Love. This. Story.
| black59 chapter 12 . 9/16/2012
superb and funny storie!
Mrs Fisher : brrrrrrrrr!
| black59 chapter 7 . 9/16/2012
I like
| Tyler chapter 12 . 2/2/2012
Love this FanFic. Read it 3 times all ready my favorite so far.
| dragoness simplicity chapter 12 . 2/1/2012
Story: 'Change'
I love the banter between these two guys. You have written Jack's humourous personality.. and I LOVE it. XD
Found a few things. I is adorable human though... to forgive? )
*There are two or three words that are connected together without a space in between. Can't remember what chapters sorry.
*Chapter 7: 'He never me any indication whether he likes anyone' - gives me
*Chapter 10: 'A low chuckled vibrated against his back' - chuckle
*Chapter 10: 'a dripping toe emerged form the bath to prod Ianto's thigh' - from
*Chapter 11: 'A slender hair wound absently through his head' - ? I didn't understand this line.
You have written so many amusing lines. XD
'I know your mother,' Mrs Fisher pointed a finger at him.
'And suddenly it all makes sense,' Jack muttered.
LMAO Brilliant!
In conclusion: Two thumbs up!
| lilsammywinchester chapter 12 . 12/9/2011
perfect 3
| DarkwingDuckie chapter 12 . 10/5/2011
Amazing story! I love how they fall in love slowly... it was so sweet and funny! The flow was awesome and the worst part was being done because the little fluffy bubble around me burst when I realized I had to leave their world. Really amazing job!
| Ginger chapter 12 . 9/22/2011
This entire thing was amazing. It made me laugh so hard, you're a fantastic writer.
| TheImmortalNemesis chapter 12 . 6/4/2011
This was so awesome! loved all the janto and nermal is awesome :) this whole story was epic!
| ShimuraKyoko chapter 12 . 4/20/2011
Absolutely brilliant XD I just love childish Ianto XD And the whole thing with his neighbour, Mrs Fisher? Fantastic :) So funny I really enjoying reading this :) Good work :)
(Sorry for my english )
| Not much of a cheese shop chapter 12 . 12/12/2010
Yes, you can sling a cat over your shoulder, and it is very unpleasant when they dribble. I have two gorgeous cats, Rainbow and Gandalf, and Gandalf is an Olympic Dribbler. Have you ever done the Lion King Circle of Life thing with your cat where you lift them up and yell it out? It's quite amusing.
On another note, HILARIOUS fic, died laughing multiple times, especially Jack in the wheel chair and the team taping the bins to the fence. You are actually one of my favourite fic authors. DFTBA!
| Lady Emma Wentworth chapter 12 . 11/7/2010
This has been a wonderful story! I love the way Ianto just slowly sank into love with Jack, like quicksand - you're fate's quite clear to you, but you still struggle a little and then just give in to the inevitable! And Ianto's right to be afraid of his Mam - she's a force of nature!
Question: Nermal - from Killface or Garfield?
Oh do I remember the dribbling! Had a beautiful Maine Coon named Belle who loved to lay on the back of the sofa with her head on my shoulder, and we'd watch telly - the more she purred, the more hot, wet, yucky drool would drip and dribble on my neck - oh dear God in heaven, I can still feel it, and she's been gone for about six years. How could such a sweet loving animal produce such disgusting yuck - I'll never know - you would think that at least once, just one evening, she'd run dry, but oh, NO! Not Belle!
Love to Nermal for me, and you can keep the resulting drool!


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'SNL' and Sarah Silverman Make a Horrifying Sequel to 'The Fault in Our Stars'
'The Fault in Our Stars' was one of the big surprise hits of the summer, telling a heartbreaking love story between two young cancer patients. Despite that Very Serious Material, 'SNL' and guest host Sarah Silverman found a way to make fun of the movie and tie into current events. Thus was born the fake trailer for 'The Fault in Our Stars 2: The Ebola in Our Everything.'
Weekend Box Office Report: 'Gone Girl' and 'Annabelle' Battle It Out
Weekend Box Office Report: 'The Equalizer' Triumphs While 'The Boxtrolls' Underperforms
When you put Denzel Washington in an action movie, you've written your meal ticket for the foreseeable future. Few actors are as consistent as Washington with their opening weekends, even when the project looks like something everyone has seen countless times before
'SNL' Creates a Very Special Episode of Your Favorite '90s Sitcom
As is often the case, the weirdest sketch from last night's 'SNL' season premiere was easily the funniest in the entire show. The latest in Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney's series of truly strange sketches and shorts, the scene is an exacting parody of lousy '90s television that sidesteps all obvious jokes in favor of making fun of a very specific kind of TV show.
'SNL' and Chris Pratt Tackle the NFL's Recent Problems and Scores a Comedy Touchdown
You don't have to be a sports fan to know that the NFL has come under fire in recent weeks for how it has handled (or failed to handle) its players committing all kinds of heinous crimes. Although this is a very serious matter that has football fans deeply troubled and concerned about the future of their favorite sport, it's certainly not above satire, which is where 'SNL' comes in.
Weekend Box Office Report: 'The Maze Runner' Outpaces Liam Neeson's 'A Walk Among the Tombstones'
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Weekend Box Office Report: 'No Good Deed' Dethrones 'Guardians of the Galaxy'
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'Ted 2′ Adds Morgan Freeman to Its Star-Studded Cast
'Ted' was one of the biggest hits of 2012, so it's not surprising that 'Ted 2' was given the green light instantly. Now, with the sequel already deep into filming, a major actor has joined Mark Wahlberg and co-writer/director Seth MacFarlane's living teddy bear: the one and only Morgan Freeman.
Weekend Box Office Report: 'Guardians of the Galaxy' Reigns Over a Very Slow Weekend
There actually was a new film released this week. It's called 'The Identical' and it's a Christian-themed fable about what would have happened if Elvis Presley's stillborn twin brother had survived. Well, for reasons that should be obvious after reading that sentence, 'Guardians of the Galaxy' held onto the number one spot this weekend while 'The Identical' opened outside of the top 10, never to be heard from again.
The Rock Officially Confirms His 'Shazam' Role on Twitter
Dwayne Johnson has been teasing his involvement in a 'Shazam' movie for years now, constantly asking fans on social media if they'd rather see him play the title superhero or his nemesis, Black Adam. Today, it looks like that decision has finally been made. Johnson took to Twitter and revealed that he'll be playing Black Adam.
Weekend Box Office Report: 'Guardians of the Galaxy' Trounces All Newcomers
A few weeks ago, this column was skeptical that Marvel's 'Guardians of the Galaxy' could reach $300 million. Now, it seems impossible that it won't. Thanks to ecstatic word of mouth, killer marketing and only one genuinely successful box office challenger (that would be 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'), Marvel's oddball space opera has managed to spend three of the past four weekends at the number one spot at the box office, giving it enough momentum to officially become the highest grossing film of 2014.
'Star Wars: Episode 7′ Has Officially Resumed Filming
For awhile there, it looked like 'Star Wars: Episode 7' was in trouble. Harrison Ford had broken his leg in a freak Millennium Falcon accident and there were rumors that the production was going to be shut down for weeks! Months! Forever!!! And then Harrison Ford got better and the only real damage to the schedule was a two-week break where everyone made ice bucket challenge videos and refused to answer questions to prying reporters on red carpets.
And now, 'Star Wars: Episode 7' has officially resumed filming.


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Erskine man dies in loading accident Tuesday
ERSKINE, MINN. - A 67-year-old Erskine man died Tuesday when a four-wheeler he was loading onto the bed of a pickup fell on him, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Department.
Gary Faldet died at the scene, according to the report.
The incident happened about 10:12 a.m. in rural Erskine.
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text:
Best Moments of 2014
- 21st Birthday - My birthday cake!!!!
- Media, Film and Journalism formal - doing an Oscar selfie
- I got a job!! A real job!!
- Two concerts in a week: Panic at the Discoo and Rend Collective with Emma
- End of Year Show
- Comic Con in Belfast
- Dublin
- Graduation :) - practically perfect in every way...and James Nesbit was there!
- NEW YORK and the glorious Caribbean cruise
- Noelle and David's Wedding - first school friend's wedding, potentially the first of many!
- My home-made office shed, it's great!
- Starting my Masters degree Queens
- Gregor and Sharon's Wedding - the first family wedding like...ever.
- Making a gingerbread house on Christmas Eve :D
Biggest Achievements:
First Class Honours with Dean's List!! Ahhhhh (I'm still geeking out about it)
Biggest Failures:
Thankfully nothing really, except I discovered I'm definitely allergic to pure orange juice :( Fail.
Happiest Moments:
Finding out my results (I cried) and of course...my graduation day
Taking photos in Times Square, New York
Jared singing in the school musical 'Les Miserables' as Javert
Saddest Moment:
My Mum's best friend passed away at the start of the year :( It was really tough.
Biggest Shock:
Lots of different shocks throughout the year...
- Joan Rivers death! No more Fashion Police.
- How I Met Your Mother finale! There are no words...
- They cancelled Perception T_T
- Josh Groban and Kat Dennings - YAASSS
iPad Mini and a poncho!!
Greatest Musical Discoveries:
Prince, Il Divo and The Avett Brothers
Best Film of the Year:
Best MV of the Year:
Greatest Discoveries of the Year:
- My graphics tablet
- I joined the Netflix bandwagon!
- MBTI types (I'm an ISFJ)
Biggest Addiction:
FAR too much television...
Gossip Girl, Gogglebox, Pointless and Keeping Up With The Kardashians were the worst offenders..
Gossip Girl, Gogglebox, Pointless and Keeping Up With The Kardashians were the worst offenders..
Favourite Person Award:
Sebastian Stan - I'm sorry but really could there be anyone else worthy of this spot in 2014?
Sebastian Stan - I'm sorry but really could there be anyone else worthy of this spot in 2014?


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Space where guests can cook their own meals
Central heating or a heater in the listing
Space where guests can cook their own meals
Towels, bed sheets, soap, and toilet paper
Central heating or a heater in the listing
In the building, free or for a fee
In the building, free or for a fee
Continuous access in the listing
Breakfast is provided.
The listing can accommodate a gathering of 25 or more attendees
Easy access to the building and listing for guests in wheelchairs
Private or Shared
Free, in the building or nearby
Posted emergency information and resources
The Space
LA CORTE - Apartment
Up to 6 people
The apartment overlooks Villa de' Ricci and is composed of a large living room with double sofa bed, dining room table and open kitchen, two large double bedrooms and a bathroom with shower.
Each apartment has air conditioning and heating. The apartments are equipped with sheets and towels. The kitchenette has plates, glasses, pots and silverware. The bathrooms are large and have been recently remodeled, with a bathtub or shower and hair dryer. The price includes the use of the pool (from May to September).
Borgo de' Ricci lies in the hills of Impruneta, just 5 minutes by car from Florence and a short distance from the Chianti area. Surrounded by gentle vineyard and olive grove covered hills, this splendid Florence relais represents the ideal starting place for exploring this part of Tuscany to discover all its artistic and natural wonders. The most interesting places located a short distance from this prestigious Lanciola winery include: Florence, a full-fledged open air museum, the wonderful Charterhouse Monastery near Florence, Greve in Chianti, the "gateway to Chianti" famous for its excellent gourmet product and San Gimignano, a town on the Unesco World Heritage List. All around the fourteenth century Borgo de' Ricci complex are many pretty medieval towns where traditional country fairs and festivals are held where guests can taste the very fresh seasonal products grown in the area.
Directions By car
From the Firenze Impruneta freeway exit head towards Florence (Firenze). After 2 km, in Galluzzo, turn right at the traffic light and head towards Impruneta - Pozzolatico: the winery is around 3 km away, in Via Impruneta per Pozzolatico at numbers 216/218.
A stay characterized by art and nature but also wine and food, thanks to the winery's proven track record in wine making guests can taste the most famous wines of Tuscany.
The complex includes the large Ricci villa, built around 1600 by the Riccis, a noble Florentine family, and the vast garden where flourishing fruit trees grow and where a lovely swimming pool is situated, ideal for cooling off on hot summer days.
check-in is before 6.30PM
We kindly ask you to inform us of your check in time at least 2 days before your arrival by telephone or email.
If you need to arrive at a different time, please inform us by phone
In case of arrival on Saturday, Sunday or during closing time, guests are asked to inform us about your check in time no less than 3 days before the arrival. If there is a change of the arrival time indicated, please contact us by phone (not by e mail or sms)
CHECK IN: we are available to provide the chek in at different hours if made in agreement with us in order to guarantee that we will be there at your arrival to give you the keys and all the proper information.
Late check in : for check in after 19.00, we may require a supplement of € 30,00
CHECK OUT: is done by 10.00, at the reception after providing the keys and get back the deposit. Check out time has to be observed in order to allow the cleaning staff to prepare the apartments for the following guests. Perhaps, we can agree to a late check out, according to our schedule of arrivals for that date.
Refundable deposit
A refundable deposit of € 100,00 for weekly stays and € 500,00 for longer stays will be required at the check in - cash - and it will be given back at the check out - unless damages to the apartment and common areas occur.
We arrived later than planned and Elisa was kind and arrange someone that waited for us. The apartment was really comfortable and bigger than I thought. We were able to accommodate 7 people, 2 in 1 bedroom, 3 in the other (double and single bed Elisa had arranged) and another couple in the sofa-bed. Everything was perfectly clean and functional. The place is very close to Florence by car, I guess public transportation makes it hard but as we had our own cars, it worked great!
This is a beautiful apartment in a villa in the family's vineyard. The apartment was clean, comfortable, and quiet in a glorious setting. We really enjoyed sitting on the balcony watching the birds and listening to them sing. The host gave us a bottle of wine from her family's vineyard and told us about the availability of a wine tasting at their vineyard, but we didn't have time to attend. The apartment is a short distance from the beautiful city of Florence.
Ce séjour a été plus qu'agréable! Appartement situé à 20 minutes de Florence, en pleine campagne. Cadre idéale lorsque l'on veut se reposer avec vue sur les collines toscanes, grand jardin et immense piscine à débordement. L'appartement est idéalement situé pour une virée dans le Chianti. Seul petit bémol, la climatisation faisait beaucoup de bruit et l'appartement était un peu poussiéreux mais cela n'a gâché en rien notre séjour!
We had a fantastic time in Italy. The apartment was perfect, spacious and clean. We loved the balcony, the views were amazing. The apartment was well located, so easy to visit florence and other attraction in Florence. The local restaurant was delicious. best Italian food ever. The pool was clean and quiet and had wonderful views of the Tuscan hills. A particular highlight was the wine tasting with Elisa. She was great. we sample wines and olive oil and spent the rest of the holiday drinking the tasty wines made on the vine yards. We would throughly recommend this property!!!
Ci siamo trovati tutti molto bene! un ambiente tranquillo e intimo immerso nel verde e a due passi da Firenze!
E' un posto strategico per chi vuole soggiornare in un ambiente tranquillo e familiare!
La signora Elisa è stata da subito disponibilissima e gentilissima!
Grazie ancora! a presto!
The apartment has a good-sized bathtub, which is perfect for a soak after a day of trekking around Florence on foot. You can easily drive to the north side of Florence, where you can park your car for free at Piazzale Michelangelo. This apartment is ideal for 4 people, since any additional people would have to sleep on a pull out couch in the dining room.
This was a wonderful place my family of five stayed at. Spacious, clean, tastefully decorated. In the hills on the outskirts of Florence, countryside charm and beautiful views. Was very hard to find and locate though, and the narrow roads made the meetup in the beginning stressful.
This host has 9 reviews for other properties.View Other Reviews
Ciao a tutti, sono Elisa ed abito a Firenze. Sono una personale solare che adora stare in compagnia e viaggiare, per conoscere persone e culture diverse.


text: Arts Arts and culture Festival Notes - August 6th, 2013 By Matt Erikson • Aug 6, 2013 Among today's offerings: "Baby Got Bach," master classes, Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade" and pianist Inon Barnatan in recital. First Draft - Robert Boswell By Mitzi Rapkin • Aug 5, 2013 Bill Faulkner Robert Boswell has published seven novels, three story collections, and two books of nonfiction. He has had one play produced. His work has earned him two National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships, a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Iowa School of Letters Award for Fiction, a Lila Wallace/Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, the PEN West Award for Fiction, the John Gassner Prize for Playwriting, and the Evil Companions Award. The Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards was a finalist for the 2010 PEN USA Award in Fiction. What Men Call Treasure was a finalist for the Western Writers of America Nonfiction Spur Award. Both the Chicago Tribune and Publisher's Weekly named Mystery Ride as one of the best books of the year. The London Independent picked The Geography of Desire as one of the best books of the year. Virtual Death was a finalist for the Philip K. Dick Award and was named by the Science Fiction Chronicle as one of the best novels of the year. Boswell has published more than 70 stories and essays. They have appeared in the New Yorker, Best American Short Stories, O. Henry Prize Stories, Pushcart Prize Stories, Esquire, Colorado Review, Epoch, Ploughshares, and many other magazines and anthologies. He shares the Cullen Endowed Chair in Creative Writing with his wife, Antonya Nelson. They live in Houston, Texas; Las Cruces, New Mexico; and Telluride, Colorado. They also spend time in a ghost town high in the Rockies.More at robert-boswell.squarespace.com/ Festival Notes - August 5th, 2013 By Matt Erikson • Aug 5, 2013 Normally a quiet day, this particular Monday features a variety of performances: Rachmaninoff's soulful Cello Sonata in G Minor, the Puccini double bill "Suor Angelica" and "Gianni Schicchi" and veteran soprano Sylvia McNair singing cabaret. Festival Notes - August 2nd, 2013 By Matt Erikson • Aug 2, 2013 It's another packed weekend. Friday at 6 p.m., pianist Garrick Ohlsson performs the poetic Schumann Piano Concerto with the Aspen Chamber Symphony, and soprano Susanna Phillips sings Britten's song cycle "Les Illuminations." Sunday's Aspen Festival Orchestra program features pianist Yefim Bronfman in Bartok's Third Piano Concerto. Festival Notes - August 1st, 2013 By Matt Erikson • Aug 1, 2013 Tonight is the premiere of Aspen Opera Theater Center's Puccini double bill of "Suor Angelica" and "Gianni Schicchi": tragedy and comedy all in one evening. Also tonight, pianist Garrick Ohlsson performs a recital at Harris Hall. Works by Beethoven, Chopin, Schubert and American composer Charles Griffes are on his program. Festival Notes - July 31st, 2013 By Matt Erikson • Jul 31, 2013 Tonight at 8:30, the American String Quartet performs their annual concert at Harris Concert Hall. On the program are works by Haydn and Brahms, as well as the dramatic First String Quartet by 20th-century Czech composer Leos Janacek. Festival Showcase - July 30th, 2013 By Matt Erikson • Jul 30, 2013 In a live broadcast, host Matt Erikson interviews the members of the Omer String Quartet who are in residence at the Aspen Music Festival and School. The ensemble performs music by Mozart, Britten and more. Festival Notes - July 30th, 2013 By Matt Erikson • Jul 30, 2013 Gilmore Prize-winning pianist Kirill Gerstein returns to Aspen for a 7:30 p.m. recital of Haydn, Schumann and Berg at Harris Hall. And a special invitation to the public: hear a live broadcast of "Festival Showcase" from the Red Brick Center for the Arts, beginning at 3 p.m. Festival Quartet-in-Residence the Omer String Quartet will play musical selections and answer questions from the audience. Wine and cheese will be served. First Draft - Elizabeth Strout By Mitzi Rapkin • Jul 29, 2013 Leonardo Cendamo Elizabeth Strout was born in Portland, Maine, and grew up in small towns in Maine and New Hampshire. From a young age she was drawn to writing things down, keeping notebooks that recorded the quotidian details of her days. She was also drawn to books, and spent hours of her youth in the local library lingering among the stacks of fiction. She is the author of Amy and Isabelle, Abide with Me, Olive Kitteridge, for which she won a Pulitzer Prize, and The Burgess Boys. She lives in New York City. Festival Notes - July 29th, 2013 By Matt Erikson • Jul 29, 2013 "Fratres" by contemporary Estonian composer Arvo Pärt is part of an eclectic 6 p.m. program, presented by the Percussion Ensemble at Harris Concert Hall. Pages« first ‹ previous … 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 … next › last »


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Tamil Singer Suchitra Hot Photos Stills at Dhada Movie Audio Launch Event in Hyderabad. RJ Suchitra did a stage performance with Devi Sri Prasad & Andrea Jeremiah.
Singer Suchitra Hot Photos @ Dhada Audio Launch
Posted on July 26, 2011 in Hot Stills, Latest Telugu, Tamil Actress, Telugu Events
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Tags: actress andrea jeremiah new stills, andrea jeremiah latest hot pics, andrea jeremiah new pics, dhada audio release, dhada audio release photos, dhada audio release stills, mirchi suchitra, mirchi suchitra hot pics, rj suchitra hot gallery, singer suchitra hot photos, suchitra hot pictures, suchitra singer photos


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