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Minn Fire Chief Suspended Over Fire Truck Wedding Photos
WINDOM, Minn. -- A standing-room-only crowd inside the Windom City Council chambers Tuesday night broke into cheers and applause as Windom Fire Chief Dan Fossing and 27 members of the city's fire department walked single file into the room.
They were among nearly 150 people gathered for the meeting to show their support for the volunteer fire chief, whose position was threatened a week ago for disobeying a request not to take a fire truck off city property for personal use.
Fossing allowed a fire truck to leave the fire hall on July 11, so that a fellow firefighter could have a truck as part of his wedding photos. The truck was taken to a church within Windom's city limits.
A week ago, city officials raised the issue and discussed Fossing's possible termination. A 21-year member of the Windom Fire Department, Fossing has served as an assistant fire chief for 12 years before being named fire chief five years ago.
In recent days, Fossing had met with members of the city's personnel committee to work out an agreeable solution to the matter -- one that did not include his termination from the volunteer department.
After a nearly 30-minute closed session Tuesday night, during which time Fossing met privately with members of the City Council, the Windom City Council voted 3-2 to suspend Fossing from his position for 18 days, effective at 12:01 a.m. today.
Windom City Council member Bob Messer, who represented the city's personnel committee, read a statement when the meeting was reopened to the public.
Messer stated, "On September 14, 2009, the personnel committee unanimously recommended a suspension of Dan Fossing for six days for violating city policy, six days for insubordination and six days for non-permitted use of city equipment."
Fossing was granted permission to respond to the suspension. He said, "I was told by the City Administrator not to use a fire truck for personal use at a firefighters wedding. On July 11, 2009, I made the decision to allow the fire truck to be used for personal use. I take full responsibility for my actions and am truly sorry."
Fossing also thanked his supporters for attending the meeting. Afterwards, in an interview with the Daily Globe, he said that the situation was one in which neither side was a winner.
"I take full responsibility for what I did," he said. "Personally, I felt it was a little excessive -- the punishment for what the crime was."
On the other hand, Fossing said he will not be going against city wishes pertaining to personal use of city-owned property in the future.
"I truly feel like a worn-out lightning rod," he said. "It's been mostly positive stuff coming from the community and the surrounding area, but it's definitely been a long week."
Among those in the crowd for Tuesday night's meeting were eight men each from the Jackson and Mountain Lake fire departments, representatives from the Comfrey and Darfur departments, community members and Fossing's family.
Jackson Fire Chief Larry Olsen said he came to show his support for Fossing.
"I think the matter was so trivial that it really made me a little angry at first," Olsen said. He spoke of the role of a volunteer firefighter -- being on-call 24-7, 365 days a year; having to leave the supper table for a call or leave the wife and children to respond in a time of need.
"We stand behind each other," he said of firefighters. "I don't think I could find a better person to stand behind."
"(Dan) should be given an apology," Olsen added. "In fact, he should be given a service award."
Chuck Wolle, Mountain Lake fire chief, said he thought the threat of Fossing's termination was "absurd," adding that the dedication of a firefighter should be rewarded by allowing a fire truck to be in a photo on one of the most important days of his life.
"I think (Dan) is an excellent fire chief," Wolle said. "He's knowledgeable, he's safety conscious about his guys -- he's a novel firefighter as far as I'm concerned."
Windom Fire Department's second in command -- assistant fire chief Dan Ortmann -- waited with the crowd outside the Windom City Hall during the closed session. He, too, spoke of Fossing's dedication to the department.
"Dan is an excellent fire chief," Ortmann said. "He gives us great leadership. He's probably one of the nicest guys I've ever met."
Following Fossing's apology to the City Council, Mayor Kirby Kruse offered his appreciation not only to Fossing, but to the entire Windom Fire Department.
"I would like to express our gratitude to the fire department and to Dan for the terrific job and all the dedicated service that you do for the City of Windom," Kruse said. "Thank you."
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
Way to go Windam City Fathers! You'll show him, you won't lket him work for you for free.
More retarded politics. The rest of the volunteers should consider suspending themselves for the same term and see how much the same folks miss their free fire department.RK
cell #901-494-9437
Management is making sure things are done right. Leadership is doing the right thing. The fire service needs alot more leaders and a lot less managers.
"Everyone goes home" is the mantra for the pussification of the modern, American fire service.
Comments made are my own. They do not represent the official position or opinion of the Fire Department or the City for which I am employed. In fact, they are normally exactly the opposite.
Yup, cuz we're volunteers and we don't need to follow rules.
"This thread is being closed as it is off-topic and not related to the fire industry." - Isn't that what the Off Duty forum was for?
It sounds like the issue isn't "taking the truck to the wedding" but "taking the truck to the wedding after being told not to". The chief knew there would be ramifications for going against the order. He's taking his lumps. I bet he also earned some respect for his men for it.
I'm curious why the city council were involved in the day-to-day use of the truck in the first place. I would think this would be a local FD affair, especially since the truck stayed in town.
We've had two members ask for trucks to be at their wedding. One was out of town, which required the approval of Chief, and Commission. The other was in town and only required the chief's notification.
Some conveniently scheduled "driver training" could have avoided the problem.So you call this your free country
Tell me why it costs so much to live
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- Mar 2009
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Maybe he shouldn't have asked for permission prior to the event. Sometimes it might be better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission. Sure would have taken the insubordination out of the equation.
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I agree with Voyager on this one. Seems like he was willing to take his punishment, but I bet he didn't realize what the punishment would be. The issue does seem to be that he took the truck after being told not to. I also wonder why the city council was involved in that type of decision. Makes me think there was some history there or something that we're not hearing.
He definitely should have been punished for taking the pumper after being told not to, but I question the severity. I also question why the council got involved in the first place.
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- Jul 2009
- Posts
- 7
In most if not all states that use of government property/equipment is determined as official misuse of government monies when used for personal reasons. Some states it could get you a criminal charge of official misconduct.
Maybe people should just leave the fire department out of their wedding plans alltogether.
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Let me see if i have this right.
1) A volunteer firefighter wanted a fire truck for some pictures at his wedding at a church in town.
2) The Chief asked permission and was told no by the city council.
3) The Chief said go ahead anyways.
4) Chief is suspended for 18 days.
Okay, who is right? Um, legally I would say the city council is right since he was told not to do this. Realistically this kind of event happens all over the country thousands of times a year. Whether it is for a wedding, or the winning high school sports team, or some other PR event like block parties, or local festivals or whatever.
My opinion? The city council overreacted. The Chief never should have asked in the first place. These inconsequential types of events happen all the time. As long as the ladder remained in service, and available for calls, what's the big deal?
I question the reporters facts here.....
-If the City Council can control disciplinary actions of the Fire Chief, then he must not be %100 volunteer. I wonder if he is POC??? Or perhaps he is appointed? Our fire chief is elected by the members of the company, and if City Council tried to suspend him, they would promptly told to go pound sand.
Either way, if he committed the acts as described in the article, he was insubordinate, and deserves severe reprimand. Firing? Maybe not that far. I believe the 18 day vacation is just."Loyalty Above all Else. Except Honor."
I was wondering the same thing.
18 days off at $0.00 when he can then resume for the remaining 347 days of the year at $0.00 makes a nasty punishment.
18 days in a row of not dragging your sorry butt out at oh dark thirty for free???
THAT is a holiday not a punishment.Psychiatrists state 1 in 4 people has a mental illness.
Look at three of your friends, if they are ok, your it.
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I think the council had their heads up their collective butts. That being said, he was wrong. He knew it, admitted it and accepted the consequences.
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I agree, a bit dingerish. But if the guy is a volly this is part of those little nice things you can do for your volunteers that make them happy and keep them productive?
Definitely some kind of history here and/or some stupid city council.
Next time someone asks for the truck to be in their wedding photos, the chief should say, "nope we have scheduled driver training." BUT, if they happen to be at a stop light or stop to pre-plan a structure and some citizens would like to have a picture in front of the fire truck, they should be happy oblige their requests. After all whats a few minutes for some good PR while out driver training or pre-planning?
09-16-2009, 07:25 PM #16I am now a past chief and the views, opinions, and comments are mine and mine alone. I do not speak for any department or in any official capacity. Although, they would be smart to listen to me.
"The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list."
"When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water."
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My opinion - since they said no and it happened anyway, you have to take your lumps.
Now personally - I think its a bit of BS. They could have arranged it to keep the truck in service or any number of things. Since it a volunteer side, its PR and a show of appreciation. There are a lot of things to get worked up about this isn't one of them.
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hey guys, want to see a good grenade?? :P
how bout you make a tv show about a bunch of volunteers that go around setting houses on fires then jumping on then showing up and putting them out?
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"I was told by the City Administrator not to use a fire truck for personal use at a firefighters wedding.
A Fire Chief that reports to a City "Adminstrator"? Pretty much like reporting to the Town libararian. And were was the mayor in this?
Suppose the "Adminstrator" would "allow" use of a pumper to haul the FF's casket after a LOD?
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Tossing the grenade back at ya...
How about they make a TV show about a career house where they deal drugs, or have prostitutes in, or where they have guys drunk on duty, or get in fights serious enough that guys career are ruined? OH and don't forget those career fire firghter arsonists too!
Not so funny now is it?
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- Jul 2006
- Location
- Outside Philadelphia
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- 519
So, I'm guessing the 4 apparatus at my wedding was overdoing it????
A Fire Chief has ONLY 1 JOB and that's to take care of his fireman. EVERYTHING else falls under this.
09-16-2009, 09:28 PM #23I am now a past chief and the views, opinions, and comments are mine and mine alone. I do not speak for any department or in any official capacity. Although, they would be smart to listen to me.
"The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list."
"When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water."
Eh. I work for a municipal department and the city council lets the fire chief (and his subordinates) decide what happens with the fire engines... Just as they let the public works director and his folks make decisions on the garbage trucks.
The chief disobeyed an order. He's serving his punishment. That's how the system works. But like some of you guys... I'd like to know how this became an issue in the first place.
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Twin Cities activist Omar Jamal said Tuesday he has helped ensure that a suspected pirate is treated justly while in federal custody in New York.
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Hotel Club Puntarena
Historical Traveler Reviews Hotel Club Puntarena Varadero
Pretty Good for 3 Stars
Hotel: Rooms are clean, but far from soundproof. We could hear voices on both sides as well as TV's and every sound from the hallways. Our room came with a safe (no charge) and hair-dryer that worked well. Beds were comfy and extra blankets provided. The air conditioner worked well and wasn't noisy at all. Our room was on the 7th floor overlooking the canal, which wasn't a bad view at all.
Elevators: There are 3 elevators, of which one is permanently out of order. Due to lack of parts, it seems that the middle elevator has been stripped to keep the other two in somewhat working order, although one was often breaking down during our stay.
Food: Buffet is disappointing although you can usually count on the fish or pasta being one of the better options. There are open windows in the buffet that let in birds along with flies. There are no screens on any windows. The hamburgers at the lunch grill and outdoor snack bar were great, as well as the sandwiches offered. A la carte meals were so-so.
Pool: The pool is quite clean, but closes at 6:00 pm. In January, the water was very cold.
Beach: Lots of sand, but lots of broken shells too. No one cleans or combs this part of the beach and walking on broken shells can be hazardous to the bottom of your feet. Apparently the other end of the peninsula is better groomed. The water is great, although there were lots of blue jellyfish when we were there (end of January).
Entertainment: Very basic and unprofessional, unlike the 4 and 5 star hotels. But the animators and MC's have personality and you get to know them all during your stay. Animators arrange for the young people to visit different discos and outdoor "raves" during the week, charging 5 CP per person for the taxi and 5 CP to get in. Considering that the hotel has its own disco, these extra trips can get quite costly at 10 CP per night plus drinks. Daytime activities include exercises by the pool, beach volleyball, and salsa lessons, to name a few.
Staff: Everyone we encountered, including reception, was very pleasant and helpful. Don't forget to tip. One of the best things to bring the staff is panty hose, which is in short supply along with toothpaste and other person hygiene items.
Not to be missed is the day-trip to Havana (less than 70 CP per person). If you hire a taxi yourself, you night save money, but you won't get the colorful guided tour that comes with the full excursion arranged through the hotels.
Browsing and souvenir shopping in the town of Varadero is a must. Take either the double-decker bus or the green train (one ticket per day gets you on and off as often as you like). If you take a taxi, bargain for the fare or insist on the meter.
Had a great time
Hola! Myself and two of my girlfriends stayed at the Puntarena from Jan. 11 to Jan. 18. We had a great time.
The resort itself was beautiful, and clean. The staff was friendly, (except for the lady at the front desk). Some of them may have even been too friendly.. LOL.. watch Reuben at the bar. .he's a cutie and a flirt, and he also makes a great sangria.
The rooms were clean and quite spacious. We even got 3 beds instead of the the 2 double that we were expecting.
We overheard a few complaints about ants in the rooms,, we did a see a few in the washrooms, but big deal. It was just a few ants.
All you had to do was look out at the ocean and it was worth the couple of ants!
The food in the buffet room was not all that good. Bland I found, and they served raw cabbage with everything, breakfast lunch and supper. My two girlfriends are picky eaters and ate like birds. I did try abit more of the food as I am willing to try new things.
The beach restaurant was always good for lunch, they were open from 12-3 daily, serving a small buffet, and cooking pork, fish or hamburgers for you on request.
We tipped our maid Digna everyday with little gifts, and she was wonderful. Kept our rooms clean daily and left beautiful designs made with the extra blankets and towels on our beds.
Small tip for going into varadero: The cab is cheap, 5 pesos one way, but the horse and buggy is fun. Just be sure to ask all cab drivers and horse and buggy drivers how much BEFORE getting on. The first time we went to town we paid Pedro 10 pesos each for a tour of varadero, plus he stopped and waited for us to shop at one of the markets, then dropped us off at the doors of Puntarena. It was great. We the made the mistake of assuming that all rides would be the same and got soaked for 20 pesos each for a 10 minute ride.
The beach was amazing, although we couldn't swim for the first 2 days. The waves were high, and there were blue jelly fish, being washed to shore, but after that the ocean was fairly calm and warm.
We paid $785 canadian for this trip and we all believe it was well worth the money. You will love the atmosphere of this hotel and the people.
Cheap...Make your own fun !
Okay so past reviews on this place are good and bad and they're all true. If you stay at this resort you have to really look to make your own fun. Just got back yesterday from a week stay at this place with my best friend. I had read the reviews and I didn't have many high expectations hoping not to be disapointed. The check in process went very quickly which was good however when asking for information the receptionists were very rude and snobby . The Beach is full of broken sea shells that are a pain in the arse to get off your skin however the water and the beach itself was spacious beautiful and the water great. Lots of shade if you want and lots of beach chairs as well. First couple of days rough water and lots of wind however the rest of the week the water was spectacular with juts a light breeze which was pleasent cause it was soo damm hot ! . Warm weather which was unusual for Jan according to locals. The pool was always a great option as well. It was a good hang out spot for the late afternoon listening to spanish tunes and just to hang out and chat with people. Food was pretty much the same almost everyday with a couple of changes and variations. Lots of fresh fruit which we both feasted on. The 24hr bar was by far the best at making drinks! I would definatly recommend trying the hotels signature Drink the Puntarena and of course the other special cuban drinks like Sangria and Mojitos They were FABULOUS ! We went to the downtown clubs and had a blast. Take advantage of the bus that picks you up at 1115 for 5 pesos and picks you up at 3 am which gives you lots o time to have a great time with 1 dollar /pesos drinks. 5 pesos to get in pretty damm good compared to Toronto Clubs !! On the Negative side there wasn't much to do during the day other then lie around on the beach or by the pool. There was beach vollyball everyday in the morning however the entertainment staff disappeared until late afternoon. I noticed a lot of guests looking over to the neighbouring hotel when they started their activities (which can be seen easily from our pool area as they share the same pool with a small wall that divides the two hotels which staff hopped over to chat with staff friends from the other resort). Rooms were clean but need lots of work. The water preasure and the hot and cold water was a problem, figuring out the correct combinations was time consuming. The paper thin walls and the slamming of the doors was REALLY annoying. We had some insect problems but it wasn't a big deal. The elevators were a bit scary and dated and we got stuck in one for a few mins. Games room (lobby) consisted of some old pool tables and old pool cues with missing tops. A ping pong table that you could never use cuase some dorks kept hidding the ball so they could play when they wanted and a air hockey table. This was allright and filled in the gaps between waiting for dinner and winding down in the evening. The shows were "INTERESTING" the dancing shows were cool and there were the audience participation ones that were fun as well. We didn't try any of the excursions however we did take a horseback ridding trip along the canal and then on the beach with Vlad which was a great fun experience. Speaking about the canal some of the nights and early mornings you can smell a real strong egg like odour which isn't that bad and you get used to it. Its not all the time though so it wasn't a big deal. The worst thing i guess you can say about this place from our experience was the lack of activities and the remote location. It was the last of the resorts far away from any others in the downtown area. I don't think I'd go back to this place but definatly back to cuba.
Toronto Canada
Never mind value for money, it doesn't mean we must put up with very ordinary ! Which this Hotel certainly is. Maybe a one star in reality ! That includes food, decor, cleanliness, game facilities and noise.
However we were directly next to a beautiful sandy beach / lovely warm sea water and majority of the staff are very friendly, but then that is Cuban nature we feel.
Change as much money as you can or think you need in the airport upon arrival, for the peso. There's a room safe deposit box so it cartainly saves considerable messing during holiday. To do some trips and tip regularly we needed around �700, for two of us over a fortnight.
Quite often there can be a very pungent smell that lingers in the hotel, some say this comes ashore from the oil wells out in sea, whatever, it remains with you on your return !
Take fly spray and ant powder / spray.
Great Value, Great Vacation
There are two forums going for the Puntarena resort. I realize that it was once part of a larger resort now split into two. So I posted on the other forum as well.
There are many wide ranging reviews, and I read many if not all of them before we left. Take the bad ones with a grain of salt. This hotel is not fantastic, nor is it terrible. BUT, I just returned 4 days ago from the Club Puntarena Resort and my wife our 20 year old daughter and 19 year old son had a great time!!!!
We booked the Puntareana because it was a great price. We didn't expect a 4 or 5 star hotel. For 800 bucks a week it was an amazing deal and a fantastic vacation. I guess it all depends upon your attitude.
The bus from the airport was great, a modern air-conditioned coach. In Mexico we were picked up in a mini-van and too many people were crammed into the vehicle that was driven by a maniac.
The hotel's location at the end of the beach is closer to the main village than many of the newer hotels. It's quiet and only traffic for the hotel comes to the end of the road.
Yes making phone calls from the hotel is expensive. Have you ever found one where it isn't?
Yes the hotel is somewhat dated and in need of some investment. BUT it was clean, the staff very friendly the beach was great (do you really think having sea shells in the sand is un-natural? or a negative?) Duh! The food was fine and there was plenty of variety so you have lots to choose from.
The staff at the bars, the coffee bar, the restaurants, the outside grill, the pool, the activities, the housekeepers were all amazing.
Our housekeeper came up to my wife and daughter very apologetic asking our forgiveness for breaking my daughter's eye glasses. She had knocked them while cleaning around the items on the night table. Well the glasses were already broken before she had touched them! Talk about honesty and taking reasponsiblity. She also warned us that our kids had left the room safe unlocked.
Things are different! Remember you are in CUBA, not Canada. In tropical countries they don't use carpets in the hotels. I've stayed in Club Med resorts (for more than triple the price) and the rooms at the Puntarena are very comparable, acutally even larger. Club Med didn't have safes this size, or refrigerators in the rooms, like the Puntarena, and yes their rooms were also stucco walls and tiled floors.
In all of the places I've stayed in Mexico, Nicaragua, Cayman Islands, Honduras etc, the rooms were similar. I don't expect or want my hotel to look like the Sheraton in Toronto or Calgary. When I travel I want to experience the difference.
I will agree that the doors in the hotel are very loud and when slammed they make a very big noise. And we were woke several times by partying neighbours yelling. But I guess it would be easy to blame the hotel not the "guests" for slamming the doors and yelling. Probably were some unruly Canadians. Damn them.
We swam in the ocean, suntanned, relaxed by the pool, took scuba lessons in the pool, went on a catamaran trip, swam with the dolphins, scootered around the countryside, shopped in the market, snorkeled in a cave, took a taxi to wonderful historic Havana, helped change a flat tire on the highway, marvelled at the old cars, scuba dived in the Bay of Pigs, ate lobster and shrimp on the beach, travelled to nearby towns away from the tourism and felt safer than at home, danced in a packed night club, met many friendly locals, watched some funny shows, gave many presents to deserving people, watched the sunset with a father and son fishing by our hotel, ate well, drank too much, what more can I say.
We would go back in a minute.
-A happy Canadian and his family.
Puntarena was the best!!!
My girlfriend and I just got back from a week all inclusive vacation to Puntarena in Varadero and I got to say that it was the best vacation I ever taken. Like most people I had read the reviews before booking my trip and read some really nasty critisism about this resort, but I did not let it get to me. I have no clue what these people are talking about....Puntarena was the greatest.....the buffet was awsome...i mean i didn't get tired of the food. They had agreat variety of food and the best was the deserts...mmmmmmmmmm!!!
The staff was great and friendly. The grounds clean. The beach was gorgeous. The room comfortable and both views, the canal and ocean view, were amazing.
We took a guided tour to Havana, we went snorkeling, pedalboating, kayaking, which is free for the first 30 minutes. There's so much to do there.
Those who gave it a bad review are those who are spoiled and can't appreciate something good.
My girlfriend and myself on the other hand the time of our lives and we can't talking about it. We miss it and would recommended to all of our family and friends. And for the price...you can't lose!!!
AND...by the way...we spoke to other people on the plane who went to 5 star resorts and we had a better time than they did...so take my word for it!!!
Tip: The hesitate to get out of the resort to truly experience Cuba. Don't worry...crime rate in Varadero is 0.
Hotel needs a major renovation
We went with a group of 13 people, got the hotel for a good price and at the same time didn't expect too much. We left fairly satisfied.
Upon arrival and seeing the room i was pretty shocked to see the condition of our room and a few others. Not out of the ordinary to see a few holes in the wall, missing lights in the bathroom, poor water pressure and no hot water if the person in the adjacent room was using the shower at the same time. There was also a period of 4 hours where there was no running water in the hotel at all. Fortunately that was in the middle of the day while we were at the beach though.
The food itself is sub par. I'm not a picky eater and managed to get by, but i found myself eating the same thing for lunch and dinner throughout the week. There isn't much variation.
As for the positives I must say that the staff was real friendly (except for the lady at the front desk). The entertainment staff was real good too and did their best to keep everybody going. The pool, landscaping and beach was real nice too and nicely kept by the maintenance people. Although the hotel is alittle dated, it is kept very clean. Like I said, there were 13 of us, and finding some fun wasn't very hard.
All in all, I'll just say you get what you pay for.
Puntarena was the bomb!!
I read the numerous bad reviews posted by other travellers and must tell you all that they are unfounded and unjust! Myself and two friends visited Puntarena in early Jan 07 and had an extraordinary vacation!
We are all in our twenties and decided to jet down to Varadero for some fun in the sun. Not only did we get what we were looking for, but we made numerous friends from around the world and employees from the resort!
One point to remember is that you are responsible to make your a la carte and special night reservations! We overheard some people complaining but really, whatever! Its your responsibility.
The beach is absolutely gorgeous, although it does take a little while to get used to the shells that are mixed in with the sand... but hey, the shells make fabulous souveniers!
There are tons of things to do around the resort and many different excursions you can book with your travel reps. We booked two of these, one was the Discover Tour which is definately recommended. The second was a day tour to Havanna city, which is a must if you are already traveling half way across the world!
The Discover Tour involved jeeps driving through crazy country dirt roads(4 ppl per vehicle and there were 8 or 9 in our group) and then we went to a marina where we all got into boats and cruised up the river. We then stopped at a papaya ranch (out of season in January) and had lunch, road horses, played with an alligator, and then we all jeeped over to a cave full of crystal clear water in which we swam! Amazing experience!!
In addition to the two excurisons we booked, we also took the free pool scuba lessons from Jesus and signed up to actually scuba at a reef the next day. It cost us 70 CUC but was worth every penny in my book. Our divemaster Jesus was very fun but also very professional. We saw so many interesting fish and coral, I can't wait to go back and do it again.
As far as Puntarena goes, we loved it! The staff is amazingly friendly and just smiling and being cheerful goes a very long way. I believe we tipped everyone for the first three days and then after that we did it more sporadically. Our maid on the other hand received tips of money and knick-knacks every day and she was amazing and kind. Mayday (our maid) treated us like we were the specialist people she knew and it made us feel very welcome. We left everything from ponytails, barrets, pens, pencils, markers, crayons, candy, and soap for her, as well as a few peso each day.
There are numerous bars around the resort but only the Cascada is open 24 hrs. The live show is on at 9:30 every night and goes to approx 10:30pm. There were a few ones that we not that interesting to me but most were funny and involved some crazy dancing. There is a disco that opens at 11 until 2 which got pretty happening the nights we attended. If you are looking for a totally killer party, there is a bus that comes to the lobby at 11:15 pm every night and takes you to a club (varied every night). The bus costs 5 CUC but also picks you up at 3 am and brings you home! It also costs approx 5 CUC to get into the clubs but they are soooo fun! It is a great place to party with locals as well as tourists from other locations. A Crystal (cerveza) costs 2 CUC here.
I am not sure what else to write. Most of the food was good, some not the best but every thing was edible. I am a picky eater and I definately did not starve, there was always so much offered! One travel companion of mine is vegetarian and there was always loads of no carne dishes (meatless). One thing I must mention is that none of us went there for the food and you definately shouldn't be expecting a 5 star meal.
This whole trip was wonderful!!
I was really worried en route to Varadero because of the nasty reviews posted about Puntarena and was astounded by how far off they were! This place was amazing, the staff was great, pool was beautiful, grounds were immaculate, beach was gorgeous, and the view was breathtaking.
Please keep in mind that negative moods affect others. If you are expecting to be babied and pampered to the point of special dishes or what-not then I advise you book a 5 star resort. A bad attitude not only ruins your vacation but for those around you as well!!!!
We will definately be revisiting the Puntarena! Thanks to everyone who works there!!!
Fabulous trip...wonderful staff...can't wait to go back!
I was at this resort last year on January 21st for a two week stay. It was fabulous. I went to Cuba with absolutely no expectations other than to relax on the beach and take in the scenery. That is exactly what I got and more!!! I would really suggest that people go to this resort during high season where you are sure to get top notch service and good food as the hotel would be at full staff.
The Hotel is located at the beginning of the canal opening. It is away from the town but it is easily doable by bike or walking. There is a tourist double decker bus which for only 5 CUC you can get on and off at your leisure.
The beach is a feet from the hotel. There are paths leading to it. It is a jaw dropping view. I will never forget it. Nicer than any beaches in Florida. The pool is very nice but cold. The ocean was warmer than the pool. Games are available and run by the entertainment group...loads of fun. Volleyball and basketball and soccer was being played daily.
The food at the buffet is fine. The restaurants are very good. I loved the breakfast buffet....eggs, croissants and fresh fruits galore. IF there is no freshly squeezed orange juice - don't be shy...ask for it...they will gladly get some for you. The coffee at the 24hr bar is the best - as well as all the drinks.. My favorite place to eat and get great drinks was at the Ranchon Tropical - the beach bar hut. Fabulous drinks and excellent food - salads, fish, chicken and fruits, fruits and more fruits....
No preservatives anywhere made it for one the most healthy vacations i've ever had! (minus the booze lol)
The rooms are nice an roomy. Never had hot water issues or saw any bugs (thank goodness!) the housekeepers were wonderful..friendly, accomodating and took pride in their work. I tipped them well...nothing is better than coming into a nice clean room after a long day on a hot beach.
Just get use to "Cuba Time" it takes a bit longer to get things done or brought to you but hey i didn't care...i was on vacation!. I loved the water sports and toys....loads of fun. I bring loads of sunscreen as it costs a fortune in Cuba. Bring candy and tums and immodium. I chose this hotel because i wanted peace and serenity and i got it!!....as well as wonderful memories and great friends, local and tourists.
Can't wait to go back!! - March 1st!!
Not Impressed
My husband and I stayed at Club Puntarena on Nov.18th.
Let me say that we were not impressed at all. This was our second trip to Varadero and it will be the last.
I would suggest to pay a little more money and stay some where else. For an all inclusive resort they didn't have much to offer.
The bars only had rum and beer. And no diet Pop. It just got real
blah. The bar by the ocean did make a good pina colada.
Be careful on what information they give you. They tend to lie.
I had to see the doctor there. They told me they took Visa but in the end they didn't you had to pay cash. So they left me strapped for some money. I was not happy. The woman at the front desk
could be very rude. You felt like you were bothering them when you needed something. The entertainment was not good at all.
So I suggest you should stay somewhere else for your holidays.
TripAdvisor Reviews Hotel Club Puntarena Varadero
Travel Blogs from Varadero
5 star casa in Cardenas Cuba...Hay no problema!
... Angelo's has to offer.
Angelo was well ahead of his time and was one of the first Casa's to open in the area.
We do feel this is the only 5 star lodging in the area. Angelo built a little
bit of paradise downtown Cardenas. Parque Colon & Plaza Molocoff are the tourist attractions that draw thousands of visitors mainly
Canadians to the city of Cardenas each year. However, the unique casa known as
Angelo's located near ...
5 Fevrier - Matanza
... Dania always seemed happy to take my son whenever we ate so I could truly enjoy her delicious cooking (ask for the lobster!), and the whole family were great with my daughter. Cubans love kids, and they certainly were no exception!
Being the first guests to arrive, we got to choose our room from the three offered.We chose the "blue" room for its nice wide balcony with a view on the front street. It was less private, but so ...
Varadero II
... was a sign with Matzanas and Varadero… so I think it is possible to assume that when we are finally in the Matzanas province that there would be a turn-off sign coming for those 2 important cities???? But the last time we saw anything besides Havana was around Sancta Clara… every little far away little town had a turn off but not Matzanas or Varadero. So maybe we should have gone ...
Varadero I
... check out all the old cars. They are so cool, we had to sit for a while and watch them… before checking out what all tourists do – check out souvenirs.
Meeting" the Beatles"
And let's not forget that we visited the Beatles… with handshake, they play here every evening, but not as professional as the original.
Italian ...
Thanks for the memories
... maybe Cuba wasn't for us. We were a bit deflated, feeling like we were failing on the travel front. We had done some research and found they the boat trip from Columbia to Panama was extremely choppy and with lots of hurricanes at the time of year and we could get to the islands without that trip. So we made the decision to change our flights and head to Miami! It was like a huge weight off out minds and we were free to enjoy the rest of our time! We ...


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Michele Milligan remembers February 17 very well. She left her quilting studio off LBJFreeway in Mesquite headed out to run some errands.
She was stopped in her tracks.
'The entrance to the highway was shut down, and I noticed all the motorcycle cops,' Milligan said. 'And when I crossed over Northwest Highway, they had the firetrucks stopped over there with flags, and people were just standing.'
The funeral procession for Dallas firefighter Scott Tanksley passed right in front of her.
'I literally pulled over into the parking lot of the Jack in the Box and cried. I don't know him; never met his family; but it touched me that all these people would show up to honor this man in that way.'
She was moved to do something. And days later, a friend offered an outlet.
'She had seen on Facebook about a man who wanted to make a quilt,' Milligan explained, 'so I messaged him and said I'd be willing to head it all up.'
And the pan has quickly taken off.
'It's off to a good start so far,' she said, holding up T-shirts and patches from fire and police departments across Texas and the nation.
'We have Indianapolis, Andover,' she said. 'I got one today from New Orleans.'
Milligan put the word out online, and hopes the message keeps spreading. She's collecting patches and tshirts from emergency responders everywhere.
She and volunteer quilters will piece them all together and present Tanksley's family with memorial quilts.
'These are things people have said: 'We appreciate you. We appreciate the sacrifice your husband made, every day in his life since he became a firefighter.'' Milligan said.
Tanksley died February 10. He was working at an accident scene on an icy bridge in southwest Dallas. A car slid into him, sending him tumbling off the overpass.
'Ultimately we'd like to make one quilt for the mom and three smaller quilts for the kids, if we have the resources,' Milligan said. 'For them, it's something tangible to hold on to.'
One of the favorite T-shirts she's received so far came from Mississippi State University, where Tanksley played college baseball.
'Firefighters and police officers sacrifice their lives every day. I never noticed before how many fallen firefighters there are until I got involved in this project,' Milligan said.
She will continue to accept T-shirts and patches by mail from first responders through June. Her address is:
Pieced Together Studio
c/o Michele Milligan
15330 LBJ Freeway, Suite 421
Mesquite, TX 75150
E-mail firstname.lastname@example.com


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It's not easy being in the cellar of the NFC South division, even in the early part of the season. The New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers are hoping to erase the 0-1 records behind their names and get their first divisional wins. The Saints have defeated the Panthers four consecutive times and are itching to get No. 5 in the books. Last season, the Saints beat the Panthers 30-27 on Oct. 9, and 45-17 on Jan. 1.
signed wide receiver Greg Camarillo today. They'll need Joe Morgan to step up in the injury depleted group, as Carolina may present a new challenge for the Saints, writes columnist Peter Finney.
The Times-Picayune: With wide receiver Adrian Arrington going to injured reserve, and Devery Henderson sitting out of practice today (concussion), the SaintsThe Charlotte Observer: The Panthers haven't forgotten about last season's 45-17 loss to the Saints. But after losing 16-10 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, they'll have to make some improvements on offense to avoid seeing a repeat of Week 17 last season. Quarterback Cam Newton said he the offense is better than what they showed against the Bucs and with the rookies (five played on Sunday) getting more comfortable, the Panthers might have a better showing.
ESPN.com: Injuries aren't the only thing nagging the Saints' receiving corps right now. The receivers are ranked No. 31 in the league in yards after catch.


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Lavshuca Spring 2013 Collection
I'm starting to get excited about the Lavshuca Spring 2013 Collection! It launched earlier this month in Japan and I've been waiting for my shipment to come in after asking a friend to snag me a few pieces.
I'm hopeful it'll arrive this week as it kinda has a Valentine's Day vibe to it!
Take a peek!
Lavshuca has been a tad repetitive lately so I was quite delighted that Spring they released something quite different.
The Candy Pop Shadow look quite adorable and have a variety of finishes including, rare in Japanese drugstore brands, matte!
Here's the low down.
Lavshuca Candy Pop Shadow
Lavshuca Sweet Perfume Cheek
A loose blush powder with a sweet lollipop scent.
Lavshuca Flower Nectar Gloss
Moisturizing gloss that contains silk, scarlet sage extract and sweet almond oil.
Lavshuca Perfect Gloss N SPF21 PA+
An lip balm with hyaluronic acid, silk, jojoba oil and sweet almond oil.
Lavshuca Jelly Pot Essence
Deeply hydrating lip jelly that contains sunflower oil, silk, sweet almond oil and jojoba oil.
If you're interested I'd check up with Adambeauty.com to grab these goodies (they aren't available yet but will be soonish I'm sure).
I'm not affiliated with Adam but shopped with him before. His English is amazing but he gets by and he's super fast to ship, efficient, and affordable (his prices aren't as jacked up as some online stores).
2/12/13 13:39 Tammie:
I might have to get the last 3 items, especially the last 2 lip care ones. I really like the Nivea lip butters that came out recently but they aren't the greatest for overnight so I am still looking for something for that.
2/12/13 13:44 the Muse:
oh I haven't tried them yet, can't find them! they seemed like just the treat for PM wear too
2/12/13 13:55 Tammie:
Boo, I'll have to keep an eye open for them…hopefully they'll turn up online somewhere for a decent price.
2/12/13 14:12 the Muse:
that's absurd gosh! plus it is 30% at most drugstores so deduct 30% from the 787 yen! Seriously, highway robbery! if I didn't already order my stuff I'd have gotten my friend to get it for you!
2/12/13 14:33 Tammie:
Yeah it's totally crazy! And don't worry about it, hopefully once Adambeauty gets it in or it's more available on eBay (so the prices will be more competitive) I can find it for at least closer to retail.
2/14/13 15:34 the Muse:
It def will! I can't believe how awful the jack up is :-/
2/12/13 14:05 Tammie:
Do you know what the yen price is for the Jelly Pot Essence? I found it on eBay but it's like $17 >.>
2/12/13 14:10 the Muse:
787 DO NOT pay $17 USD for it. that's absurd. keep checking with betty (imomoko.com) or Adam OR facial-shop.com (she's SOMETIMES negotiable) but not $17 bucks that's rape.
2/12/13 14:11 the Muse:
http://www.kanebo-cosmetics.co.jp/products/2013209 (use translator plugin)
2/12/13 14:56 Kiss & Make-up:
The scented cheek powder looks interesting…
2/13/13 3:26 sai:
i want every one of them lol
can't wait them to be available in HK


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Term: Divine King
Divine King: An ancient tradition, going back to prehistoric times, linking kingship to the Divine, the land, and the people. Just as crops "die" to help make the land fertile for the next crops, the Divine or Sacred King would be sacrificed at the end of his reign or during a crisis. The concept was popularized by James Frazer in The Golden Bough and picked up by many other authors and Pagans. In some modern Pagan traditions, when a High Priest steps down from the role he is symbolically killed and replaced, indicating that the older HP's wisdom is maintained by the newer ritualist.
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A wonderful deck of 52 cards that have both images and meanings on the card. That makes this deck perfect for beginners looking to enhance both their intuition (expanding on the obvious meanings) and for pros ... Relevance: 58% Summary:A unique and masterful blending of three of the most important Tarot decks, with beautiful and symbolic art. Highly valuable and usable by new and experienced Tarot workers.
Name of deck: Lo Scarabeo Tarot
Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
ISBN: ... Relevance: 58% Summary:
Beautiful deck made in the Rider-Waite-Smith pattern, but with a unique Major Arcana and a focus on Celtic myth and legend. Perfect for Celtic Wiccans and all Pagans drawn to Celtic lore. Beside being good for doing divination (especially ... Relevance: 58% So far we have been considering visualization as a technique that works because it forces us to concentrate all our energies, psychological and psychic, on positive images. We have seen visualization as a method of transcending the many negative ... Relevance: 55% Summary:
A brilliantly drawn deck using images of contemporary Pagans in ritual and everyday situations. Although the meanings are the same as the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, the new images may be jarring to those not involved in Paganism. However, for ... Relevance: 50% Summary:
A delightful deck with medieval-style illustrations of 78 famous Saints. The Little White Book gives one or two of their major feats along with brief divinatory meanings. For divination you must use the LWB as the images do not have the ... Relevance: 50% Summary: A deck with magnificent art that will specifically appeal to both ceremonial magicians and Witches, Pagans, and Wiccans. It will introduce many people to Kabalistic concepts that are associated with the Tarot. While great for magickal and ... Relevance: 50% Element: Thought
Color: Violet
Verb: I know
Attributes: Information, understanding, awareness, consciousness, pattern, meditation
At last we come to the end of our journey, climbing to the nectar blossom of our flower—the thousand-petaled lotus ... Relevance: 50% Summary:
A spectacular deck combining the archetypal Renaissance art of Botticelli with magnificent, metallic-gold filigree. Will be used often by intermediate and advanced Tarot readers, but the LWB may not have enough for beginners. One of the ... Relevance: 50% Exactly what is hypnosis, or more accurately, self-hypnosis?
Self-hypnosis is a self-induced, altered state of mental consciousness that allows you to give constructive suggestions directly to your subconscious mind.
More simply put, you cause ... Relevance: 47% |


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Released: Oct 01st, 1989
Running Time: 80, 85
Directors: John T Bone, John T. Bone
Company: Parliament Video
Joey Silvera, Diedre Holland, Jon Dough, Randy West, Alice Springs, Sheila Kelly
Critical Rating: Not Yet Rated
Genre: Feature
True Blue and Phone Sex Girls: Australia contain both disappointments and delights. Good news first. The locations are genuine, picturesque in their own right, and downright stunning compared to the bland Los Angeles valleys and hot tubs that serve as background for most adult vids. Secondly, the women are equally stunning. More importantly, they shine with a healthy, natural glow. Gone are the California bimbos in hot pants and gloppy make-up.
The disappointments come during the phone sex. Just the usual five scenes – guy goes down on girl, she does him, then they hump for ten minutes. Add fluffy dialogue to break it up.
Come on, gentlemen! Here's the perfect opportunity, and you blew it. Australia… land of beauty, land of mystery, land of… phone sex? Jeez. True Blue fares better, as the action is opened up to a ranch in the outback. Randy West is an American farmer assisted by four gorgeous Aussie farmhands. When his brothers fly down to lend him a hand, sparks fly with the man-hungry women.
Marshall Dylan captures the settings perfectly with his handsome videography, but the real attractions are the earthy farmhands. Diedre Holland is a particular standout. Although she gets second billing in True Blue, she takes center stage in a three-way barnyard spree, and a tender sapphoistic melter. Keep your eye on this gal.
Both features are worth a look if you're tired of the same old female faces, but Phone Sex Girls would have been much more tolerable if the sex were better.


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All Rise...Judge Clark Douglas prefers raiding the pantry. Editor's NoteOur review of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, published November 13th, 2001, is also available. The ChargeBorn into wealth. Groomed by the elite. Trained for combat. Opening Statement"So, time to save the universe again, is it?" Facts of the CaseA planetary alignment has begun which will lead to a solar eclipse. This is a particularly significant eclipse; one which occurs only once every 5,000 years. The current members of the Illuminati are seeking the two halves of the ancient Triangle of Light, a device with the capability for great destruction. As such, it's up to wealthy adventurer Lara Croft (Angelina Jolie, Wanted) to find the Triangle of Light before the bad guys do. Meanwhile, Lara also attempts to figure out what happened to her long-lost father (Jon Voight, Midnight Cowboy). The EvidenceLara Croft: Tomb Raider is a noteworthy film for a variety of reasons. First, it's the movie which officially launched Angelina Jolie to superstardom; transforming her from promising young actress into the definitive female action star of the early 21st Century. It's also the film which paired up the father/daughter team of Jon Voight and Ms. Jolie (during one of their fleeting periods of reconciliation), one of the rare cinematic video game adaptations which doesn't completely suck, and one of the significant stepping stones in the career of future James Bond—Daniel Craig. Despite all this, I'm obliged to report this popular action flick isn't holding up so well, ten years after its initial release. Watching the film in 2011, it becomes immediately obvious how much Angelina Jolie grew as an action star in just a few years. Contrast her work in Philip Noyce's thrilling Salt to her much more simplistic turn in this film; the difference is remarkable. Jolie doesn't act in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider so much as pose, turning nearly every action scene into an opportunity for freeze-frame friendly, magazine ready kicks, punches, and pouts. The "strike a pose" acting style can work in certain circumstances (consider Clint Eastwood's performances in Sergio Leone's early westerns), but this picture isn't sturdy enough to support Jolie's work. One of the most significant problems is this undeniably silly blockbuster gets too caught up in the mechanics of its ridiculous plot. I don't mind the silliness of the planetary alignment idea, but the screenplay should have found a way to get the idea across in less time. In a nutshell: more of Angelina Jolie punching things, less explanations about why she needs to do so. The villains (one of the most amusing examples of the Old White Man Cabal hard at work) are thin, led by Iain Glen (Game of Thrones) doing bland work in what can best be described as "the Sean Bean role." At least the action scenes manage to entertain, particularly a thrilling sequence in which Croft attempts to penetrate a container of fluid with a giant, pointy pendulum (not sure whether I'm supposed to do some Freudian analysis there—probably best left alone). Jolie fares considerably better when she's in butt-kicking mode, rather than when she's required to deal with dialogue scenes. Director Simon West stages everything with the same flair he brought to the similarly "silly but entertaining film which has aged rather poorly" outing Con Air. Perhaps Tomb Raider's greatest attribute is its set design, which is actually quite inventive and provides a treat for the eyes even during weaker moments. I'm reviewing Lara Croft: Tomb Raider on Blu-ray several years after its release, and this 1080p/2.35:1 transfer serves as evidence of just how far the format has come. I sincerely doubt we'd get a ten-year-old catalogue release of a major blockbuster that looked this underwhelming today. The image looks quite standard-def, offering poor background detail and generally flat visuals. The whole thing just looks drab, which is a shame considering that some of the big action sequences ought to pop off the screen. Colors are a little more muted than they ought to be, while black crush is an issue during darker scenes. Audio is better, but not by much—again, the action scenes aren't nearly as overwhelming as they should be. Graeme Revell's oddball score hasn't aged particularly well and doesn't suit the film nearly as well as Alan Silvestri's effort on the sequel. Dialogue is mostly clear throughout. Sound design tends to be frustratingly front-heavy. Supplements are ported over from the DVD release: an audio commentary, five making-of featurettes ("Digging into Tomb Raider," "The Visual Effects of Tomb Raider," "The Stunts of Tomb Raider," "Crafting Lara Croft" and "Are You Game?"), some deleted scenes, an alternate title sequence, a music video, and some trailers. Closing StatementFans of the games may have a greater appreciation for Lara Croft: Tomb Raider than I do (middling by action movie standards, but quite good by video game movie standards), but I found revisiting this blockbuster a disappointing experience. The Blu-ray release certainly isn't worth an upgrade. The VerdictKind of guilty. Give us your feedback!Did we give Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (Blu-ray) a fair trial? yes / no Other Reviews You Might Enjoy
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Visitor Guide
Calendar of Events
Start Your Engines! The 2015 Daytona 500 is February 22nd
Get those engines started! The Daytona 500 is February 22, 2015. Nicknamed "The Great American Race," the Daytona 500 is the biggest, most expensive, and most prestigious race in America. With a long history of heart-wrenching defeats, come from behind victories, famous duels, photo finishes and top-of-the-line entertainment, the race is one of the most anticipated in American sports. No NASCAR race would be complete without tailgating, so grab some friends and get in the spirit before you head out to watch Jeff Gordon, Danica Patrick, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and other house-hold names compete for the title of NASCAR's most grueling race.
NASCAR novices and enthusiasts alike will delight in the week-long Daytona Speedweek leading up to the historical race. Events include the Lucas Oil 200, Spring Unlimited and the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Another event that can't be missed is the Sprint Fanzone where fans can view pre-race entertainment and have their picture taken on the famed start and finish line.
Get your engines revving with a stay at The Shores Resort & Spa, conveniently located amidst the action of Daytona Speedweek 2015. Book your room now and make sure you don't miss a moment of the fun!
Events for April 2015
Daytona Symphony Society presents: Beethoven Weekend
When: From 11/16/2012 to 11/18/2012
ShareExperience the musical works of one of the greatest composers during Beethoven Weekend presented by Daytona Symphony Society. The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and Adam Golka Piano Recital will play several of BeethovenтАЩs most notorious pieces such as тАЬEgmont OvertureтАЭ and тАЬSymphony No. 6.тАЭ Make reservations today in one our oceanfront Daytona Beach guestrooms!


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Baby Boy Dress Blues Cardigan and Hat
The hat also requires 2 buttons (for a total of 14 buttons)
Modeled after the Marine Dress Blues uniform in blue with red "piping" and gold "eagle" buttons. The hat is modeled after the Marine hat in white with a black bill and brim (and more buttons).
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Grateful Dead
Veterans Memorial Coliseum - October 25, 1979
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Veterans Memorial Coliseum
October 25, 1979
New Haven, CT US
(9 votes)
Set List:
Don't Ease Me InCassidy
El Paso
Brown Eyed Women
It's All Over Now
Tennessee Jed
Looks Like Rain
Shakedown Street
Friend of the Devil
Estimated Prophet
Eyes of the World
Stella Blue
Good Lovin'
U.S. Blues
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« Springfield Civic Center Arena - October 24, 1979Next Show
Cape Cod Coliseum - October 27, 1979 » Attendees of this show
Ras Kafka, dupree194, Patrick L, payingdues, the dude 58, eelbones, Warantz, Harrington, Blue Yodel France, LostInAlaska, ZephyrGirl, intrepid, vaughr, droppeddminer, BIGBOSSGUS, atomheart, Leggs4, Dallasxz, drc456, billj79, DeepSpace, Mr.Natural, empinto, poorPeter, deadredhead, cozchaz09, La Gloria, tommcgee1, Guardian, TUNAMANN, ppkgmsy, beenafansince78, nicklas59, the cooker, rocketdog, SNUMON, forever-dead, flach77, SCDeadhead, streamline, Subversity, raycharon, bonesguitar, teknosapien, aikox2, pdeady, markovitch, DeadPhotog, dylanman61, stellablew, Stephen Lawler, harryt, radioflyer, Carl Adams, Wharfrat1963, ChicoNYC, jgminerals, Cosmic.Wimpout, Russell Levine, Leggs2, ginsu710, skskck911, estimatedprofits, mjmontana, HONDO, jonb, avalondeadman, spaceck, Brownie, grapefuldave, Dice, Ted S, unyun, klaussmith, eddpao, HowardH, br1analb1n, KingLono, croc, Galvineyesed, bigdancingbear, ozsweet, mary-sunshine, JReve, hbob1995, mikekjoy, fishnow, TASS, boffo the chimp, gregp123, Terry Tolkin, softmonkey, gr8flsquid, Bob Minkin, WackaloonQ, kenco, kjackstraw, hesgone, twst0fate, Cosmic Chas, fotd313, joscar, paulspon, grtfullife, Hawilo, rmcclintock, dhhikerct, cryptical1, risingtide, jaycap, georgewweir, ikofun, EDupree, Shoe419, Far-L, BlackandWhite.Peter, kennyony, rodger allinson, kuu
June 15, 2007 - 8:42am
Killer second set. Love this
Killer second set. Love this show.
November 3, 2007 - 10:40am
Phil goes nuts after Eyes. Totally sick!
October 28, 2011 - 2:58pm
Grate 2nd set!!!! Awesome!!!! Whooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!!!!!!!!
April 8, 2012 - 8:01am
Rockin show, set 2 was a smoker
May 28, 2012 - 3:14pm
You only have one first time...
...and this was mine. What a great show to have been my first Dead Concert.
October 25, 2013 - 3:18am
this show gets overlooked
The next show gets well deserved attention but this one is really good too. Both sets have great tunes and inspiring play from the boys. Second set shakedown is long, bouncy and terrific. The space after eyes is one my favorites, I remember some phil notes moving the seats and beams in the ol coliseum. The stella blue is a masterpiece.


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Citin Loft Hua Hin
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Stephen Burns (www.chromeallusion.com) has discovered the same passion for the digital medium as he has for photography as an art form. His background began as a photographer 28 year ago and in time, progressed toward the digital medium. His influences include the great Abstractionists & the Surrealists including Jackson Pollock, Wassily Kandinsky, Pablo Picasso, Franz Kline, Mark Rothko, Mark Tobey, and Lenore Fini, to name a few.
About Stephen Burns


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Arizona Cardinals
Cardinals select Tyrann Mathieu with third round pick
At No. 7, the Arizona Cardinals looked to solidify their offensive line with the selection of guard Jonathan Cooper.
At No. 45, the team chose to add to their defense with the choice of LSU inside linebacker Kevin Minter.
And at No. 69, Arizona decided to look again to the defense, with the selection of Tyrann Mathieu.
An emotional Mathieu told ESPN, "I'm proud to be an Arizona Cardinal" shortly after being selected.
Known as "the Honey Badger," Mathieu is an electrifying defensive back who has had some off the field troubles.
As he told ESPN, that should not be a problem going forward.
Tyrann Mathieu just said on air that he has agreed to take a weekly drug test with the Cardinals
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) April 27, 2013
Mathieu, who stands in at 5-foot-9 and 186-pounds, won the 2011 Bednarik Award, which is given to the nation's best defender, and was a first-team All-SEC selection, too. However, he was dismissed from the LSU team in August 2012 after violating multiple team rules, and has been working to find his way into the NFL ever since.
Mathieu is a former LSU teammate of Cardinals second round pick Kevin Minter as well as current Cardinal defensive back Patrick Peterson, the latter of whom was working out with the player over the last few months.
Most Popular
Cardinals Audio
- John Clayton, ESPN NFL insider - Friday April 17Clayton sheds some light on the biggest NFL rumors. Are the Cardinals out of the Adrian Peterson mix
- Merril Hoge- ESPN NFL analyst - Thursday April 16Merril Hoge says Winston and Mariota wouldn't make an impact with the Bucs in the short or long ter
- Bickley Blast - Wednesday April 15Aaron Hernandez is the most stupidest athlete ever.
- Pete Prisco- Senior NFL Columnist for CBSSports.com - Tuesday April 14Pete Prisco says Todd Gurley is a "perfect fit" for the Arizona Cardinals.
- Glenn Parker, Pac-12 Networks football analyst - Friday April 10Glenn talks about the upcoming Pac-12 spring football games and shares his thought on the NFL draft.


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Goats At The Fair!
America's First Muscle Car Celebrated with 50th Anniversary Pontiac GTO Display
Andy Bolig - August 05, 2014 12:27 PM
Pontiac's GTO, the car that gave birth to the American muscle car phenomenon, will be celebrated through a special 50th anniversary exhibit during Charlotte Motor Speedway's Sept. 18-21 AutoFair. The display, housed in the Nationwide Insurance Pavilion, will feature a dozen of the rarest, most desirable examples available, including the earliest known 1964 GTO, a '66 Tri-Power model, a '69 Judge Ram Air IV and a '71 Judge convertible.
The earliest Baby Boomers were ready to buy new cars in the early 1960s, and they were willing to pay extra for speed and style. Pontiac electrified the youth market when it took a 389-cid V-8 from its big family car model, squeezed it into a mid-size Tempest, and sold it as a performance package. Pontiac "borrowed" the name GTO from Italian automaker Ferrari, whose own GTO race cars had dominated European road courses only a few years earlier. The '64 GTO came standard with a four-barrel carburetor and 325 horsepower; paying extra for a three-carburetor.
"Tri-Power" layout raised the bar to 348 horses, giving the car a power-to-weight ratio like nothing else on the road. The next 10 years set a blistering pace of style evolution and increasing power for the GTO, since Pontiac knew the competition was always trying to catch up. A styling change to the '65 Tempest gave the second-year GTO an aggressive look to match its power output, and three-carb option boosted horsepower to 360.The Tempest and GTO received a complete redesign for 1966, gaining a longer body with a "Coke bottle" profile, so called because Pontiac incorporated muscular haunches over the car's rear wheels that, coincidentally, mimic a bottle of the famous soft drink lying on its side. This iconic combination of looks and power sold 100,000 GTO coupes and convertibles that year. For '67, the GTO's V-8 engine increased its displacement to 400 cubic inches and gained a hot new performance option—a Ram Air package that fed more atmosphere to the hungry "Goat" through hood scoops.
A redesign for 1968 gave the GTO hidden headlights, an innovative "Endura" rubber nosepiece, a stockier body and twin hood scoops. The same body carried over into '69, when the GTO was given an optional performance package known as "The Judge," a rare factory supercar that could be ordered with a special Ram Air III or Ram Air IV intake system. A mild facelift for 1970 gave the GTO more of a family resemblance to Pontiac's Firebird, and it carried over into '71 with only minor changes. America's enthusiasm for big-block muscle cars was starting to cool, however. Sales of the gas-guzzling street machines were down throughout the industry due to increased insurance costs and strict new tailpipe emissions standards that were hurting power output.
GTO ceased being its own model in 1972; it reverted to option package status on the LeMans. In 1973, the GTO had its lowest annual sales ever—4,800 units. For 1974, the initials were attached to a lukewarm Ventura (Pontiac's version of the Chevy Nova) and dropped from the lineup entirely for 1975. During model years 2004 to 2006, Pontiac spectacularly revived the GTO as a two-door coupe built by General Motors' Holden factory in Australia. With a 350-horsepower V-8 and rear-wheel drive, it was seen as formidable competition for Ford's Mustang, but a retail price of $34,000-plus limited its appeal to hardcore Pontiac enthusiasts. Only 40,757 of the imported GTOs found homes in the U.S.
See one of these powerhouses from each year the GTO was made in its first decade of production, plus a model from one of the three years they went back into production in the mid-2000s, in the 50th anniversary display in the Nationwide Insurance Pavilion at the speedway.
The AutoFair features more than 50 car club displays and more than 10,000 vendor spaces offering an array of automotive parts and memorabilia. More than 1,500 collectible vehicles of all makes and models will be available for sale in the car corral that rings the 1.5-mile superspeedway. In addition, up to 200 cars will be auctioned by Dealer Auctions Inc., and kids can enjoy face-painting, bounce houses, and other games and entertainment in the Play Zone.
Hours for the Sept. 18-21 AutoFair are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday. Ticket prices are $10 per day for adults, and children 13 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Fans who buy three tickets get the fourth day free. Parking for the event is $5. For more information on the four-day event, contact the speedway events department at (704) 455-3205 or visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com. To purchase tickets, call the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267), or visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.


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Jamaica, NY—On the year's last day of significant racing in New York, Larry Jones had a winner that showed early Derby potential and Nick Zito lost a veteran horse in the waning sunlight on Saturday, November 29th. Old Fashioned (Unbridled's Song—Collect Call) got a rocking chair ride on the front end and lulled the field to sleep in the $200,000, 1 1/8-mile Remsen. Ramon Domingez was allowed to get away with a 24.2 first quarter on his way to a 1:38.1 mile as he drew off to a 7-length win. The running line in the chart read, "Good, under wraps final 1/8." The $600k purchase by sire Unbridled's Song didn't appear to turn a hair. Jones has many options with Old Fashioned. It is a long time and distance and it takes wheelbarrows full of luck and manure to get from a graded stakes win in Ozone Park, Queens in late November to the feature race on the first Saturday in May in Louisville. However, it appeared that Old Fashioned went to the lead on his own courage and could have repelled any serious threats that day. Dominguez barely moved a muscle and even sneaked a peek between his legs in deep stretch looking for competition. Plus, "Old Fashioned" is perhaps the most perfect Derby-sounding name of all time. "I 'member when Old Fashioned won by daylight back in '09. That horse closed like Rumbo!" is the kind of sentence that you might imagine hearing an old hardboot say around mid-century while kicking blades of Bluegrass in the Commonwealth. The race after the Remsen was the $300,000 Cigar Mile. Two familiar names from the Triple Crown trail, Tale of Ekati and Harlem Rocker, dueled down the stretch while racing forward and moving back and forth across the track. The result was a nose photo finish, with two added twists: 1) Zito's Wanderin Boy was pulled up in distress heroically by the jock at the top of the lane, avoiding a possible disaster; and 2) Harlem Rocker appeared to lug in during the stretch run. The "STEWARDS' INQUIRY" sign went up immediately after the race. It wasn't clear whether the subject of the inquiry was Wanderin Boy or Harlem Rocker. Possibly, both. Harlem Rocker was disqualified and placed second, with Tale of Ekati declared the winner. From the Cigar, Wanderin Boy was vanned off and later euthanized. Another Derby dream lives for Larry Jones while a 7-year-old gives his life to the track and Nick Zito. One new race that Jones and other trainers of promising three-year-olds have available this year is the first running of the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes from Kempton Park Racecourse in England. Churchill has partnered with Kempton to establish a showcase race early in the British racing season that will make the winner of the $150,000 race eligible for a spot in the starting gate in the Derby, plus a $100,000 bonus for simply running in Louisville. The Challenge will be contested over 1 1/8 miles, on Polytrack, under lights at night, run clockwise. If your English thoroughbred can run fast and far on plastic late one March day and turning right, then the Challenge might be perfectly suited. Doesn't sound as though the race was written with many American horses in mind. There must be a breeding cross that would produce that unusual European nick. The race could provide a springboard for a European-based horse to compete in the Triple Crown series. Historically, the English racing season has few graded stakes early in their year so European-based horses are at a disadvantage when trying to earn a berth in the Derby starting gate which is based on graded stakes earnings. The Challenge clears the path for more international interest in the American racing scene, particularly interest in the form of fans' attention and betting dollars. There is precedent for an English horse running well in the Derby. In 1986, Bold Arrangement shipped in from Great Britain, prepped in the Blue Grass and was one masterful ride by Bill Shoemaker aboard Ferdinand away from wearing the garland of roses. Trainer Clive Brittain ran Bold Arrangement in the Breeder's Cup at Aqueduct as a two-year-old and then in the Blue Grass at Keeneland so he was used to racing counter-clockwise on dirt. The winner of the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes wouldn't have the same sort of American experience that Bold Arrangement had in 1986. Still, it is a very positive development for international thoroughbred racing that Churchill and Kempton are willing to give it a go. Pints and crisps, mate?