text: Creating a New Breed of Vine with Randall Grahm W. Blake Gray May 11, 2010 FCG, Food & Conversation, W. Blake Gray 18 Comments Can you imagine using a jeweler's eyepiece and tweezers to pull the male organs off a grapevine? Randall Grahm can. It's a patient task, but he's doing it because he's impatient. The idea is to create entirely new, random types of grapes. The reason is that Grahm, 57, doesn't want to wait decades to create a terroir-driven wine—the kind of soulful, balanced, site-specific wine made by French vignerons whose families have owned their vineyards for generations. "I think this is how you come up with a wine of terroir in a single lifetime," Grahm says. "Alternatively, you could start a monastic order and wait 300 years." Despite his fame and success in the wine industry, Grahm has not had control of his grapes for most of his career, since the loss of his vineyard to Pierce's Disease in 1994. A recent 25-year retrospective tasting of his flagship Le Cigare Volant brought that point home. His very first wines in the 1980s, made mainly from grapes from some old grenache vines he found near Gilroy, were the best. As he expanded production to meet demand in the mid '90s, he lost access to some good vineyards, had to buy from others that weren't up to snuff, and the quality went downhill for a few years. It has rebounded, but still hasn't reached the heights of the first few vintages. "I seemed to forget, at least for a while, the most important winemaking lesson: one must begin with exemplary grapes," Grahm says. Grahm finally bought a new vineyard in San Juan Bautista last year. But a new vineyard takes at least four years to produce any crop at all, and could take decades before it produces the kind of complex, site-specific wine Grahm wants to make. Hence the vine neutering, which Grahm wouldn't actually do himself. "This is why God created interns," he said. The theory is this: Grahm will plant a special castrati-to-be group of Rhône varieties, including grenache, mourvedre, cinsaut, syrah, and possibly others that he believes are suited to his new vineyard. "The vines already have an affinity for each other," Grahm said, because they are frequently grown together in the Rhône valley, and their fruit is often blended. Then vineyard workers will rip their stamens off and enclose the vines in plastic bags. They will also collect pollen from other, non-emasculated vines and throw it in the bags. These vines will thus be pollinated by other vine types and produce seeds. Grahm (or his God-sent interns) will plant the seeds. Just as with humans, every grapevine grown from seeds is unique, with half the DNA from each parent. If a syrah vine fertilizes another syrah vine, you get syrah—a new clone perhaps, but syrah just the same. But if a pinot noir vine fertilizes a cinsaut vine, then you might get pinotage, which is exactly what happened in South Africa in the 1920s. And that's a mixed blessing: pinotage grows well in South Africa, but the wine made from it often smells like burnt rubber. This is completely unlike the way wine grapevines are normally grown, because few grape growers want to leave their future to chance. Instead, they physically graft a desirable clone onto an existing root, cutting into it and tying the small bud and the larger root together. In this way, most vineyards have acres of the same clone of the same grape. It's monoculture, but it's predictable, which is a virtue if you have loans to pay off. Grahm is not the only Californian trying to grow unique grapevines from seeds: Sashi Moorman is growing 8,000 pinot noir vines from seeds in Santa Barbara County. But unlike Moorman's experiment, Grahm will have all sorts of new grapes. Some may make great wines; others may not be drinkable. He has set his workers up for years of vigilance, because the new vines under the soil will sprout growth every year that he may not want. "I plan to spend a lifetime on this," Grahm said. "One of the things that keeps me up at night is thinking, you've got a vineyard and a human being. What can a human being add?" It's also important to note that Grahm's new vines will grow their own roots into the soil, rather than being grafted onto roots chosen for resistance to the worst scourge of the wine industry, the vine-killing root louse phylloxera. This pest nearly wiped out every vineyard in France in the 1800s, and is still a threat that must be considered by almost every grape grower in the world. For a guy who lost his beloved vineyard to one plague, it's surprising to see him going unprotected against another. "This is not safe winemaking," Grahm said. "I have no idea what's going to happen." On the positive side, Grahm could create the next cabernet sauvignon, which was a love child that naturally occurred in French vineyards between cabernet franc and sauvignon blanc. The problem is, he might not know it. Under his plan, he'll plant all the seeds that result from his project—remember, they're all different. He plans to combine the fruit from them into one field blend, which could be one of the world's most interesting wines, undrinkable swill, or anything in between. "The assumption is that every individual vine would be less than the original syrah, but between the whole of it, we'll have a synergy," Grahm said. "Somewhere in your vineyard is a genius grape, but you won't know where it is. This is enriching the genetic repository." I asked Grahm if it felt like playing God, and it was the only question he fielded over the course of a 6-course, 7-hour, 30-wine dinner that he seemed taken aback by. "It's to create evolution," he said. "You are playing God, I suppose. But when you grow grapes, or grow anything, you are playing God. You are choosing this plant over that plant." In fact, Grahm is letting randomness choose. If you want a stark visual image, it's what vineyards in the Rhône Valley might become a few hundred years after mankind is gone. But in that case, we would never be able to taste the wine. Grahm hopes to have some samples to drink within this decade, God and interns willing. Wine writer W. Blake Gray is Chairman of the Electoral College of the Vintners Hall of Fame. Previously wine writer/editor for the San Francisco Chronicle, he has contributed articles on wine and sake to the Los Angeles Times, Food & Wine, Wine & Spirits, Wine Review Online, and a variety of other publications. He travels frequently to wine regions and enjoys coming home to San Francisco. Pingback: Tweets that mention Creating a New Breed of Vine with Randall Grahm : PALATE PRESS -- Topsy.com() http://norcalwingman.com Brian Very Cool! I've always thought that winemakers might be limiting themselves by using clonal varieties, but I guess that grants consistency and predictability. Here's to hoping for the next great clonal variety to sweep the world…gremourvesautrah. Cheers Brian http://reignofterroir.com Ken Payton Interesting experiment. A few thoughts. Mr. Grahm must have done research into the clones he's initially selected. There is no 'Syrah' as such; there are Syrah clones, etc. And DNA expression is not a 50/50 proposition. Additionally, there are thousands and thousands of red and white Vitis vinifera varieties in the world. Only a pitiful handful are known to consumers or even grown on significant commercial acreage. It is not clear to me why this already existing diversity is somehow an insufficiently deep pool of agricultural and natural history. To begin with well-known grape varieties, as Mr. Grahm seems to have settled upon, will not necessarily result in innovative grapes and flavors, and certainly will not necessarily result in terroir/vine 'synchronicity'. Indeed, in light of the sheer number of varieties world-wide, many threatened with extinction, it surprises me that Mr. Grahm has not instead begun a kind of rescue mission of this genetic heritage itself, his vineyard becoming a kind of Noah's Ark, rather than what appears to be the pursuit of diversity for its own sake. Why not a field blend of endangered varieties? Though I generally like his idea, I cannot help but think that Mr. Grahm's experiment is a little like hunting squirrels with a shotgun. You'll get the critter, but that does not make the hunter a good shot. http://www.vtwinemedia.com Todd Trzaskos – VT Wine Media Given the fact that so much of what we enjoy consuming today, both in the wine world and our foods, are the products of selection and hybridization, what Randall is doing is really a continuation of that process. In this case however, the goal is not a product that will provide some simple commerce enhancing feature like better shipping or shelf life, it's trying to provide the opportunity for something absolutely new to flourish, and sublimely reflect its environment. With so many wine drinkers (in this country) cognizant of only a handful of varietals, one would think he might be moving against the tide. He may seem to be tilting at windmills, but my own brief encounter with him makes me think that his fascination with the many lesser known but fabulous Italian varietals, also gives him hope that something genuine will sprout at home. This kind of trial is not without precedent. I am personally grateful for the life-work of Elmer Swenson and his time at the University of Minnesota that has yielded hybrid varietals which allow me to make some wine at home from locally grown grapes here in VT. Wine in VT???!! What abberation is this, you might ask? Our 2009 Vignoles/NY 76 blend has a nose of bosc pear skin and white flowers that envelops your nose hairs at about 6 inches from the glass…and even though I feared the acidity from a tough growing year, I believe the spontaneous ML was fortuitous (the hybrids are a lot higher in malic than tartaric acid), and the remaining tartness is mouth watering and fresh, and the wine itself is more complex and mineral than I could have hoped for. Only four bottles of the 2008 La Crescent left and professional people still asking to taste it again. It's a long term project that will be interesting, and it will certainly be fun to see what the DEWN list is sending in about six or seven years. Good luck to the interns. http://www.newyorkcorkreport.com Evan Dawson Fascinating stuff. Not sure I understand why some refer to this as FrankenWine; seems sensationalistic, when Grahm's goals are rational and easily understood, if unconventional. It is a shame that great thinkers like Randall can't live an extra hundred years to see the evolution of their ideas – to see those ideas bear fruit, if you'll pardon the pun. I understand his urgency and I hope he has several wonderful decades to go, or perhaps even more. http://beendoonsolong.com Randall Grahm Thanks to Blake for this good accounting of future vineyard plans. The only slight cavil I might have is that I'm not sure he really represented the depth of true existential angst that I experience (pretty much on a daily basis) as far as ever creating a wine that is truly original and somehow deeply enriches our world – aesthetically and ecologically. In the New World, it is a very great long-shot to create something truly original for so many reasons – lack of genetic diversity in one's planting material for one, but more importantly insufficient time to iterate and observe. I think that it may be somewhat presumptuous on my part to claim (or even imagine) that the methodology that I plan to pursue might be appropriate to create something like a vin de terroir in a single generation, but I think that at a minimum it creates some very fertile conditions for something interesting to occur. You are allowing small and great differences to appear in the vinescape and if you happen to have your wits about you, you might be able to land upon some useful algorithm for inclusion/exclusion that would create a truly complex and coherent blend. I don't recall whether I had mentioned this at the dinner that Blake attended, but simply by growing a grape vine from seed, you create or can create a radically (nice pun, Randall) different rooting system, as compared to a grape vine grown from a vegetative cutting, exhibiting a much higher degree of geotropism than the one grown conventionally. If for no other reason that this, one might (and this is all theoretical) produce vines that are much more deeply rooting than conventional ones (maybe more drought tolerant?), and perhaps even exhibiting some characteristics of older vines at a relatively tender age. This fact alone might end up being the most interesting aspect of the experiment. Of course, for reasons of practicality the seedling experiment will have to remain a relatively small part of the overall project of vines planted at San Juan. But if things go well, there will be an opportunity to see a real comparison between wines blended in the cellar and those made from vines blended on the genetic level in the field. Whether this is interesting to anyone else in the world beside myself I could not say, but it keeps me up at night in wanting to know the outcome. Whether the blend of this very heterogeneous assemblage will amount to anything startlingly beautiful and distinctive will also have to be seen (or more accurately, tasted), but at a minimum, it will bring the expression of more genetic diversity into the world and in an environmentally challenged planet, this cannot be such a bad thing. Bruce Gutlove An interesting project. I wish Randall success on this. Re: the following snippet… "If a syrah vine fertilizes another syrah vine, you get syrah—a new clone perhaps, but syrah just the same." Technically speaking I believe this is incorrect. The cross pollination progeny of Syrah x Syrah is not Syrah, but a new grape variety. Syrah is only that which is asexually propagated from a pre-existing Syrah vine. Eric Sothern "If a syrah vine fertilizes another syrah vine, you get syrah—a new clone perhaps, but syrah just the same." I'm no scientist, but this goes against everything I've ever encountered on the subject. Vines do not grow from seed. Varietal persistence can only be achieved by taking a cutting from an existing vine. Even if you cross Syrah with Syrah, you will not get Syrah if you grow the resulting seed. As I understand it, each seed will be different as well. What's more, scientists attempting to create new suitable varieties can spend entire careers without creating something anyone wants to grow, so good luck winning the genetic lottery Randall. From the Oxford Companion: Grapevines are highly heterozygous outcrossers and do not breed true from seed, which is the reason for their universal vegetative propagation. Rick Roese Blake — just a thank you for your reporting. This article, and the recent sustainability pieces, and even reaching back to your Coro Mendocino articles for the Chron, bring something positive to this "industry" — they bring a little magic back to wine. There are people out there trying hard, playing hard and thinking about what wine can be. You're out their digging and finding the folks that keep California wine honest and artful. Keep it up! Go Randall! http://reignofterroir.com Ken Payton Interested in Mr. Grahm's experiment, I asked Dr. Ron Jackson about a limited number of its aspects. He wrote back a few minutes ago. About Mr. Grahm's remark 'the lack of genetic diversity in one's planting material', Dr. Jackson wrote: "It depends on what one means by that. From the literal sense, grape vines possess a great deal of genetic diversity (allelic diversity in the terminology of the geneticist). The problem is that it is retrained within the confines of the combinations found in individual grape cultivars. Genes do not work in isolation. They work like a symphony. Multiple instruments each playing, or not, in a particular pattern laid out by the composer. Each cultivar has a slightly different version of the instruments (alleles) and performers (environmental conditions) that influence on how they follow instructions. However, what I suspect the winemaker is referring to is the limited range of cultivars available and their variants, termed clones. Part of that limitation is imposed by the need to be assured that what is imported is free of pests (animal, fungal, bacteria, viral, etc.). It can take years to be "sure" that a clone is infection free. However, most of the "limitation" is not imposed by any lack of variation among the thousands of cultivars known. The limitation is primarily imposed by the conservative nature of most consumers. From my experience, and what I have read, consumers are timid. If a wine is not made from a cultivar they already know, or from an unknown region, they avoid it. In addition, the majority of consumer are not critical tasters (despite their protestation to the contrariwise). Thus, they do not remember from one occasion to another what they have tried. With this type of commercial climate, it is not surprising (though disappointing) that most wine producers stick to the "tried and true." And concerning 'rooting and geotropism', Dr. Jackson wrote: "Rooting and geotropism. There is a good question! Definitively, different varieties then to differ as much in rooting tendencies as in any other physiological property. That being said, the greatest differences in rooting tendencies exist between grapevine species, not within Vitis vinifera cultivars or clones. The differences between wine grape varieties is comparatively limited. Most of the variation is due to environmental conditions—soil structure, texture, drainage, nutrient content in the various soil horizons, presence or absence of irrigation, salinity problems, etc. Certainly, root tips do have a positive geotropism—growing downward. But, even the most cursory look at any grapevine root systems indicates that geotropism is not terribly obvious—most roots grow more or less horizontally, not vertically. The sixty-four thousand dollar question is why. We do not really know the explanation. Nonetheless, from studies on irrigation, it is evident there is either (or both) signals that direct growth towards adequate water supplies, or signals limiting growth into dry (higher osmotic potential) regions. There may also be influences controlled by nutrient supply. Physical limitations (stones, hard pans) are self evident. Thus, since environmental conditions have a predominant influence of root growth potentials, there seems little rationale in getting all "hot and bothered" about the genetic limitation in the geotrophic tendencies of current cultivars. It is far easier to modify the rooting potentials of a cultivar by selective grafting to rootstock with known attributes." And about out-crossing: "It is general knowledge that, in cultivars descended from out-crossing plants, selfed progeny do not possess the desirable qualities of the parent. Thus, grape cultivars are propagated vegetatively (via cutting), not sexually (by seed). The same applies to apples, peaches, etc. Consequently, the majority of grapevine crosses do not yield enologically or viticulturally valuable offspring. It can also take up to twenty or more years for the qualities (and failings) of a seedling to begin to be assessed. What can one really tell about the wine-making qualities of the limited number of grapes derived from a single vine (seed)? Should all this discourage a winemaker? If he is looking for valuable results in his lifetime, yes! If for future generations, he might be lucky (a one in a thousand to 10 thousand chance)." I have requested clarification from Dr. Jackson on a one point in particular. I'll post it here should he reply. http://reignofterroir.com Ken Payton Just delivered, here are the balanced of Dr. Jackson's comments concerning out-crossing: "There is a phenomenon in plant breeding termed compatibility. It is a term to describe (cover) our ignorance. From experience, some individuals consistently produce better offspring than others, for reasons regrettably unknown. A viticultural example might be the extensive involvement of Gouais blanc in the presumptive parentage of many French and several German cultivars. By itself, Gouais blanc is a variety of almost no enological importance. Thus, just because one crosses two apparently wonderful cultivars, there is no guarantee that any of the offspring will express the desirable traits of either, let alone both. The typical result is a "hodge podge" of attributes, typically of negative value. At best, one can only expect half of the traits of both parents to express in the offspring. Because some traits (gene allelic forms) do not seem to mesh well together, the results are typically disappointing. It is almost like gambling. Most of the time you lose, occasionally you draw equal, only rarely do you win (unless you are a professional gambler, know the odds, have a fantastic memory for what has occurred, are "cool" and never express visually any signs of what you have in hand, are lucky (what ever that means), and have a bankroll that permits one to lose extensively on occasion without panicking). Certainly, if the winemaker emasculates the flowers it will help. Nonetheless, he had better do it fairly early (before the pollen matures), and carefully (to avoid physically damaging the ovary). The flower self-pollinates very easily. A good example of the difficulty is shown by the breeder Muller in Switzerland. He thought he had crossed Riesling and Silvaner to produce Muller-Thurgau. Despite all his good intentions, it apparently was a Riesling x Madeleine Royale cross. Thus, like Robert Burns "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley."" http://reignofterroir.com Ken Payton The sole purpose of my intervention here was to highlight not only the inaccuracy of the initial article, but of Mr. Graham's indulgent response. Sadly, by virtue of our surrender to the simple-minded brevity appropriate to fetishized social media, wine bloggers routinely give a pass to 'experts' and winemakers, allowing them to celebrate a wisdom they do not, in fact, possess. As bloggers, our only defense is knowledge. Get some. Pingback: Good Reads Wednesday « Artisan Family of Wines() Pingback: winesooth.com » Blog Archive » Deep roots() Pingback: winesooth.com » Blog Archive » Things I've learned after 11 months of growing grape vines() George Gale I am reasonably familiar with the theory and processes of grapebreeding (I've done some inter-specific hybridizing, as opposed to Mr. Grahm's intra-specific crossing), and his prospects are reasonable, even if extremely long-term. However, I am intimately (and professionally) familiar with the history of vinifera and phylloxera, and I can state without the slightest doubt that exactly zero of his crosses will have any resistance to phylloxera. That particular genetic test has been done at least a billion times before, and all its results were failures. While some areas of California are not as hospitible to the bug as others, none is without suitability. Hence it is only a question of time before all his vines will die. Perhaps it will take long enough to kill them for him to evaluate their wine. But more likely not. Only American genes or American roots can protect against the bug, and neither of these seem to figure in Mr. Grahm's plans. Too bad. Ron Clayman It's amazing! So many other people have spent their lives breeding grapes, and there is hoopla over this guy. Ignoring science is a bad idea. He is about to get a hard lesson in phylloxera. Another hard lesson, 99% of plant breeding, whether it is old bag and tag or GE, is failure! Most seedings do not live long enough to bear grapes. Some are staminate and will never bear. It is unusual to to get grapes that are superior to the parents. When you cross Syrah with Syrah, you do not neccessarily get another syrah!keep in mind that Syrah is a hybrid also. My advice is to make crosses with the local wild grapes. Pingback: Grapevine DNA – The genetics of wine | North East Wino()


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By Terri Moon CronkAmerican Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, May 27, 2014 A changing Arctic region with emerging challenges and opportunities demands greater attention from government and stakeholders, a Joint Staff official told a Senate panel here last week.
Air Force Brig. Gen. Kenneth Lewis Jr., director of trans-regional policy and partnership strategy for the Joint Staff, told members of the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee that while "significant uncertainty" remains about the rate extent and pace of such changes, human activity in the Arctic is increasing.
"With more activity comes the potential of increased security challenges, but it also presents new opportunities," he said. "We see the opening of the region as an opportunity to work collaboratively with allies and partners to keep the Arctic a secure and stable region where U.S. national interests are safeguarded, the U.S. homeland is protected, and nations work together to address challenges."
For the near- to mid-term future, the armed forces' existing infrastructure and capabilities are sufficient to carry out required missions in the region, Lewis said. But years from now, more activity is likely to lead to greater security and safety challenges, and while activity rates are uncertain, a "difficult situation" could result for DOD, he added.
Lewis described such a difficult scenario as one in which the Defense Department must balance the risk of having inadequate capabilities and insufficient capacity with the cost of making premature and unnecessary investments.
"The view that competition for resources and boundary disputes will lead to regional conflict overlooks the fact that the Arctic is a region bounded by nation-states that are not only publicly committed to approaching Arctic issues with a common framework of international law, but these nations have demonstrated the ability and commitment to doing so for the last 50 years," he pointed out.
Such a "low-level threat" in the region is reflected in DOD strategy, he said.
"Our strategic approach to the Arctic seeks to link goals with resources and activities in a manner that's consistent with the low-level threat and the uncertainties regarding the rate of increase in human activity, all the while taking practical physical realities into consideration," Lewis added.
DOD seeks to preserve the freedom of the seas in the Arctic, he said, which is strategically consistent with the nation's global interests preserving the rights, freedoms and uses of the sea and airspace based on international law.
Likewise, he added, "Promoting navigational and overflight freedoms whether in an increasing, accessible Arctic or in other maritime spaces, such as South China Sea, is vital to preserving the global mobility of our armed forces and communicates to all the world that the United States is committed to upholding international norms and the rule of law."
Lewis pointed out that U.S. troops are manned, trained and equipped to be the "away team," operating forward-deployed for long periods of time in austere environments of the world.
"The U.S. military supports and collaborates with domestic civil authorities, allies and international partners in search and rescue, humanitarian assistance [and] disaster relief. Establishing a foundation of cooperation in these areas, both internal and external to the U.S. government, is vital to the success," Lewis said.
And while the defense infrastructure and capabilities in the Arctic region are adequate in today's security environment, Lewis emphasized the status could change.
"As with any region, capabilities will have to be re-evaluated as conditions and regional activities change and any gaps will need to be addressed," he said.
(Follow Terri Moon Cronk on Twitter: @MoonCronkAFPS)


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I've been meaning to try this trading thing out for a while now, would anybody be interested in trading? Would love Terraria or something, nothing too expensive obviously!
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2005-05-08 - 13:36:00
The Sixth Sense Review
By Joe Lozito
Scare and Scare a Tyke
It's bad enough being a small, quiet eleven-year-old - the only child of an overworked single mother - without having visions of dead people. This is the problem facing young Cole Sear in the psychological thriller "The Sixth Sense". The film is being billed as though it were a horror film which, in actuality, is very misleading. Though it does contain some genuine scares, the film itself builds as slowly and methodically as the relationship between child psychologist Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) and Cole, his patient.
Mr. Willis gives a surprisingly quiet performance. There are moments when he actually breaks through his trademark smirk to emote some genuine laughter and, to a lesser extent, tears. The real break-through performance in the film is given by the 11-year-old Haley Joel Osment as Cole. Never falling into the standard "precious little boy" role, Mr. Osment's tiny face manages to register the fear of a young child confronted with some very frightening visions, as well the understanding of someone five times his age. In real life, children are never given enough credit - they always seems to know more than they let on. In "Sense", Mr. Osment not only seems to know more than an 11-year-old should, he seems to know more than anyone else in the film as well.
Many nagging questions come up throughout the film, the specifics of which are better left unsaid. In fact, writer-director M. Night Shyamalan is baiting the viewer. Mr. Shyamalan has an explanation planned for the end of the film which is at once startling and perfectly in keeping with the tone of the film. It's as if there were only one possible option for an ending, and Mr. Shyamalan came up with a third. One that rewards the viewer for rapt attention. In his subversive way, Mr. Shyamalan forces the viewer to re-watch all the major events in the film and re-interpret the moments and the characters. And there are some memorable characters thanks to fine performances by Olivia Williams (beautiful and charming again after "Rushmore") as Dr. Crowe's estranged wife and Ms. Collette, turning 180 degrees since her debut in "Muriel's Wedding".
It takes some time to get past the "who the heck cast Bruce Willis as a child psychologist?" question. However, once the movie gets going, and certainly once it starts unraveling towards the end, that question becomes a distant memory. At that point, there are many more things to worry about.
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It's bad enough being a small, quiet eleven-year-old - the only child of an overworked single mother - without having visions of dead people.
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Angels are among the most classic of decor. Hundreds of beautiful angel statues have graced cemeteries, churches, and stately backyards for hundreds of years, and they can lend a sense of awe and peace to any garden. Angel sculptures are by no means limited to religious themes or styles that are typically found in cathedrals. In addition to the classic, awe-inspiring beautiful angel, there are also angel statues that demonstrate various emotions, the joy of being a child, and even pay homage to your dearly departed pet.
Those who prefer angel statues that act as an expression of religious faith will love the Divine Guidance Praying Angel. This beautiful angel shows her obedience and faith by looking to heaven as she clasps her hands in prayer. We also have many classic angel statues, including the large, breathtaking Grand Cathedral Angel Sculpture. At more than six and a half feet tall, this impressive angel will take center stage in just about any backyard.
The Angel of Grief Monument Statue is a dramatic expression of mourning while also acting as a reminder to enjoy life, while the In God's Grace Angel Statue captures the innocent, angelic beauty of a child.
Find these and dozens of other high quality angel statues at Design Toscano.
Get 20% off all Garden Fairies and Angel Statues until March 13th.
This sale cannot be combined with other offers.


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Greece heads to crucial referendum
Stephen Beard
Jul 3, 2015 Greeks' vote Sunday may determine whether they stay in the eurozone.
Greece's car dealers prosper amid widespread hardship
Stephen Beard
Jul 2, 2015 Greeks are betting that a car is a safer option for their money than a bank.
Strong dollar lures Americans to Europe
Lauren Silverman
Apr 14, 2015 With the dollar creeping up on the euro, Americans are finding bargains in Europe.
European eclipse sheds light on solar power challenges
Dan Weissmann
Mar 20, 2015 Power grids have to be re-engineered to keep up with new sources of electricity.
Ukraine raises interest rate to 30 percent
Tracey Samuelson
Mar 4, 2015 The hike comes as Ukraine's central bank seeks to tackle rampant inflation.
The euro is dropping, but airfares aren't
Noel King
Jan 22, 2015 Planning an inexpensive trip to Europe? Better research airfares first.
EU votes to push Google break-up
Stephen Beard
Nov 27, 2014 Lawmakers say Google shouldn't promote its own services in search results.
The numbers for November 6, 2014
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Nov 6, 2014 A plan is coming together to resuscitate the eurozone. Let's do the numbers.
Europe v China: Whose economic woes pain America more?
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Oct 21, 2014 China's growth is declining. Europe is struggling. Which pains the U.S. most?
A future we haven't imagined, but might forget
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Aug 7, 2014 Europe's search engine policy repercussions might surprise us in a bad way.


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The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors unanimously authorized the sheriff's department to purchase new patrol cars at its meeting Monday.
The department will receive 15 2013 Dodge Chargers as part of a lease-purchase contract with Jackson-based Joe Usry Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.
Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Department will make four annual payments of $102,097.18 for the cars, which cost $26,347 each.
Gladney said he also plans to sell the 17 pre-2009 cars the department has now to offset purchasing costs once the new cars are delivered and ready for use.
District 4 Supervisor Daniel Jackson commended Chief Deputy Chadd Garnett for generating a majority of the revenue in the increased amount budgeted for the department in the county's recently passed fiscal year budget.
Sheriff Steve Gladney said the board's approval will allow for the department to reduce maintenance costs on cars that have wear and tear and high mileage.
"We appreciate the board's support for this," he said. "It's going to give us a chance to replenish our fleet and replace some old cars."
The board also heard from Slaughter and Associates urban planning firm founder Mike Slaughter about the advantages of developing a capital improvement plan.
"This is a specific plan that is developed by (the board) as well as the citizens of this county that specify in a general way how you want the community to develop over the next 20 to 25 years as opposed to it just being at the whims of developers and where they might want to put something," Slaughter said. "When you have a piece of property you'd like for it to develop it at its highest and best use, not what some developer out of town or out of state can make the most money at."
He emphasized the need for implementation tools, such as land-use laws, in ensuring that such a plan is most effective.
"If you develop a comprehensive plan and implementation tools but you don't enforce them, then it's really wasting the money (to develop the plan)," he said. "A county that is as progressive and growing like Oktibbeha County could benefit from those."
District 2 Supervisor Orlando Trainer mentioned the county previously started a comprehensive planning process with Golden Triangle Planning and Development District, which began with 911 mapping.
"The 911 process took us several years to complete because it was a great undertaking. We have completed it, but we're still in the implementation process," Trainer said. "We kind of got stuck with the next step, which would be the comprehensive plan. (GTPDD) was doing that project for us, and they did a good job on the map … but for whatever reason we have not moved forward with the next and most important phase, and that would be actually getting a plan of what we want to do and where we want to go."
Slaughter said he would be willing to work with GTPDD on drafting a comprehensive plan, an idea Trainer said the board should consider supporting.
"I always have a plan. You all know me. I have plenty of plans, but my problem has been conveying my plans and packaging them in a way where people can support them," Trainer said. "I think bringing somebody in like Mr. Slaughter or somebody who has expertise in putting these things together can help us to sit down and craft a plan I think the people of this county can embrace, and we can move forward."
Board President and District 3 Supervisor Marvell Howard advised before entering into a contract with Slaughter to discuss the issue with GTPDD since the county is already in a contract with the group for the same reason.
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Salsa Labs Renews Carbonfree® Operations for Fifth Consecutive Year
Salsa Labs helps nonprofits ignite action and fuel change by growing and engaging a base of support through its all-in-one online engagement platform. But for their own annual business activities, Salsa has chosen to mitigate the impact of their fuel consumption by supporting Carbonfund.org's carbon emissions reduction, clean air technology and forest preservation projects.
Since joining the Carbonfree® Business Partnership program in 2010, Salsa has neutralized almost a million pounds of greenhouse gases, equivalent to the emissions created by driving a passenger car over a million miles.
"Carbonfund.org shares our core values of making the world a better place," comments Tammy Sproule, Director of Marketing at Salsa. "Their commitment to the environment and fighting climate change is inspiring and we look forward to this partnership."
With Salsa, organizations can easily organize their supporters and chapters, fundraise, advocate, communicate through email and social media, host events and measure results. The company currently empowers more than 3,000 organizations and their more than 92 million donors, members, activists and fans.
Earlier this year, Salsa announced the release of its newest software, Solis. Designed to help growing nonprofit organizations – including many environmental organizations -- take full advantage of online communications, outreach and fundraising, Solis guides its users step-by-step through developing email, donation, social sharing and online CRM tools, all in one application.
"By integrating all the tools nonprofits need as well as proven best practice guides and tips within the application, we save organizations more than just time. We can lead even the smallest nonprofit to success," said Charles Parsons, Director of Product Development.
Carbonfund.org commends Salsa Labs for creating scalable solutions for nonprofit and advocacy groups of all sizes, and for maintaining an ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility for its own operations.
Dolphin Blue Celebrates Fifth Year Carbonfree® and Encourages Other B Corps to Do the Same
This year will mark Dolphin Blue's 5th anniversary as a Carbonfree® Business Partner. The staff at Dolphin Blue is proud and honored to continue offsetting operational emissions with Carbonfund.org and has decided to take it a step further by purchasing an additional 36 metric tonnes of carbon offsets to neutralize projected annual operating emissions. Including these latest offsets purchased, Dolphin Blue has neutralized almost 718,000 pounds of greenhouse gases, equivalent to the carbon dioxide sequestered by planting 8350 tree seedlings and growing them for ten years.
Dolphin Blue has come a long way these past 5 years, by expanding their business offerings to include all-green, no harm products for household cleaning, lawn and garden care, pet care, children's toys and body care that are produced with a minimal carbon emissions. Every product that Dolphin Blue carries is made from post-consumer recycled content, requiring less energy to produce, and is made in the USA, which means fewer emissions, compared to products made from virgin materials and imported from other countries.
Dolphin Blue supports initiatives that foster education and awareness in issues of sustainability, energy alternatives, organic agriculture and reducing waste. Dolphin Blue wants everyone who visits their website to be educated on why they are purchasing these items and the difference buying one eco-friendly product can make.
Dolphin Blue also is honored to be associated with organizations such as B Corporation, Green Chamber of Commerce, EPA Green Power Partner, Chlorine Free Products Association, North Texas Clean Air Coalition, Green Source DFW, and the Voluntary Renewable Energy Coalition.
For over 20 years, Dolphin Blue has continued to conduct business always respecting the natural world in which we live, and they ask their customers and other businesses to do the same. That's why Dolphin Blue is encouraging other B Corps to go above and beyond by offsetting their companies' annual operational emissions and educating their customers on the importance of reducing their individual carbon footprint.
Earthbound Expeditions Continues Environmental Commitment Fifth Year Carbonfree
Earthbound Expeditions believes that travel is more than a race to check off sites and monuments; that when done right – and responsibly - travel is perhaps the very best way to learn about different cultures and people without damaging their lands or the environment.
Through Earthbound's proud partnership with Carbonfund.org, Earthbounders are actively reducing their carbon footprint and helping to ensure that the planet's many wonders are preserved for future generations. The Carbonfund.org motto, "reduce what you can; offset what you can't," fits perfectly with Earthbound Expeditions' long established philosophy of supporting locally-owned businesses, promoting education and embracing the concept of "slow" travel.
By using Carbonfund.org's easy-to-use carbon calculator, Earthbound Expeditions is able to determine the size of your carbon footprint for any specific trip. Earthbound then sets aside a portion of the trip proceeds and purchases carbon credits that support renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects.
Over its five years as a Carbonfree® Business Partner, Earthbound Expeditions has neutralized over 7 million pounds of greenhouse gases, the same quantity of emissions as sequestered by planting 82,500 tree seedlings and growing them for ten years.
Earthbound is committed to supporting environmental education, community businesses and providing travelers with a one-of-a-kind, authentic travel experience while offsetting guests' carbon footprint. Earthbounders stay in locally owned hotels, utilize the talents of locally trained lecturers, dine in small, family-owned establishments and support projects like the Alamar Organopónico Co-op farm in Cuba and the Greening Project in South Africa. In addition to regularly scheduled trips, Earthbound Expeditions also offers custom, hand-crafted overseas adventures for schools, universities, garden clubs, families and public radio stations.
Travel is often a life-changing experience. When you join Earthbound Expeditions, you can be confident that you are supporting local businesses, workers, schools and communities, while knowing that the carbon emissions generated by your travel are responsibly neutralized through the partnership between Earthbound Expeditions and Carbonfund.org.
Green Your Holiday Gift-Giving – Power with Certified Carbonfree® Eco Alkalines™ Batteries
Holiday gift-giving means toys and appliances powered by batteries. Keep your gifts as green as they can be by purchasing Certified Carbonfree® Eco Alkalines™ Batteries to power up those gifts for Hanukkah and on Christmas morning.
Today, more and more people are mindful of the products they use every day and how those products affect our environment. Certified Carbonfree® Eco Alkalines™ Batteries have completed a rigorous evaluation of their carbon footprint, reducing emissions where possible, then neutralize the remaining greenhouse gases associated with the entire life cycle of each battery. By purchasing Certified Carbonfree® Eco Alkalines™ Batteries, you're doing your part to reduce the CO2 and climate change impact from the production, distribution, and disposal of alkaline batteries.
"Eco Alkalines™ Batteries continue to lead the market in environmental conservation and sustainability initiatives," says Eric M. Carlson, president of Carbonfund.org Foundation. "By measuring, reducing and neutralizing their products' carbon footprint, Eco Alkalines™ Batteries become the most environmentally responsible batteries available on the market today."
Eco Alkalines™ Batteries packaging is manufactured with 80% of recycled materials and the batteries are derived from earth elements which have no trace amounts of harmful metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead. Eco Alkalines™ perform equal to or better than the leading national brands in usage and longevity tests, and despite these eco accolades, Eco Alkalines™ batteries are competitively priced compared to the leading national brands. Eco Alkalines™ have a guaranteed 5-year shelf life and a unique patented leak resistant seal.
Eco Alkalines™ Batteries are available online, at Amazon Smile (please support Carbonfund.org when you shop here!), and in retail stores in the US, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand. For more information on ECO Alkalines™ watch their YouTube video. Keep the holidays green – power up with Certified Carbonfree® Eco Alkalines™ Batteries this season.
Edward & Sons Offers Organic Vegetarian Food Online with Carbonfree® Operations
Edward & Sons Trading Company, Inc. supplies innovative natural and organic vegetarian foods to stores and consumers throughout the world. Since the introduction of Miso-Cup® natural instant soup mix in 1978, they've been guided by their motto, "Convenience without Compromise"®. It is a principle that runs throughout the whole family of food offerings.
Edward & Sons' Trading Company, Inc. was born out of a commitment to create delicious natural foods featuring convenient preparation in step with busy, health-aware lifestyles. Their team travels the world to taste and evaluate regional foods, to source the finest ingredients, and to partner with the most reliable farmers, packers and food artisans to create their unique range of natural and organic specialties.
The company also believes in minimizing the environmental impact of its operations. Since 2009, Edward & Sons' Trading Company has partnered with Carbonfund.org to neutralize the carbon emissions associated with its annual operations. Over the past six years, Edward & Sons has mitigated the impact of almost 4 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, the same quantity of greenhouse gas emissions that would be absorbed by 45,500 tree seedlings planted and grown for ten years!
Edward & Sons' Trading Company believes in convenient foods with simple, wholesome ingredients and its products will never contain artificial flavors or colors, chemical preservatives, or hydrogenated fats. All items are vegetarian and most are suitable for vegans. Edward & Sons™ products are available online and in natural food stores and supermarkets throughout North America and many international locations. With its Carbonfree® business operations and product shipping, Edward & Sons' Trading Company is a great choice for the eco-conscious and health-minded shopper.
Land Escapes Design Creates Sustainable Landscaping into Everyday Getaways
Spring is here – weekend warriors are out in droves, trying to create a special oasis in their back yards. Homeowners in the greater Boston area with a yen for natural and easy-care landscaping have an advantage – they can have their own "everyday getaway" with the help of Land Escapes Design Inc.
Land Escapes brings a passion for the natural world to environmentally friendly, low-maintenance landscape designs and custom cutting edge floral inspirations. They'll help create an "everyday getaway" in your outdoor living space, a sanctuary where you can unwind, relax, entertain and enjoy your natural surroundings.
Land Escapes is serious about its commitment to the environment, for client landscaping designs and for its own business operations. A Carbonfree® Business Partner for the past five years, Land Escapes makes an annual donation to Carbonfund.org each year to neutralize the carbon footprint from its operations. Over those five years, Land Escapes has mitigated the impact of almost 350,000 pounds of carbon emissions, the amount of greenhouse gases sequestered by 4000 tree seedlings planted and grown over a ten-year period.
"Carbonfund.org has helped us achieve our sustainability goals in two ways. The first is by ensuring that our donation goes toward worthy necessary causes to heal our planet and help offset our portion of the damage done," explains Trevor Smith, Principal of Land Escapes Design. "The other is by helping us assure our clients that we mean what we say and practice what we preach. By having the Carbonfund.org logo on our site and literature clients and potential clients alike can be sure they are making a wise choice and choosing a company with a conscience, concerned with the role they play in the world. Having the Carbonfund.org logo also helps us set the bar for our peers and competition as well causing them to rethink their roles."
Land Escapes specializes in landscape design, water features, rain harvesting systems and rain gardens, living wall and living roof systems, as well as complete event design for all occasions and seasonal decorating.
Land Escapes Design partners with its landscaping clients to design unique "everyday getaways" and partners with Carbonfund.org to ensure that its own operations do no harm to the natural environment it seeks to enhance.
Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson Leads in Construction Defect Resolution and Operational Sustainability
For Colorado residential and commercial property owners faced with construction defect issues, there's a leading law firm that specializes in effective case verdicts and settlements, and that's also a leader in managing its own environmental responsibilities.
Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, P.C. is one of the leading construction defect litigation law firms in Colorado, representing property owners with construction defect claims against builders, subcontractors, and their insurance companies. The firm takes a unique approach to construction defect cases, developing and implementing several alternative approaches to construction defect claims that often resolve claims without their clients ever stepping foot in a courthouse.
This leadership in creative and effective construction defect case settlement parallels the firm's leadership in its ongoing commitment to maintaining environmentally sustainable business operations.
Six years ago, Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, P.C. committed to offset 100% of its carbon footprint created by office activities, including electric usage and business car travel, in partnership with Carbonfund.org. Each year, the firm makes a donation to Carbonfund.org to neutralize its annual estimated operational emissions by supporting third-party verified renewable energy, energy efficiency, and reforestation projects.
To date, the firm's carbon footprint offsets have neutralized almost 1.4 million pounds of greenhouse gases, the same quantity as is sequestered in a year by five acres of US forest lands preserved from conversion to cropland.
"We are excited to continue our partnership with Carbonfund.org," states Doug Benson, Founding Partner. "We hope that our commitment to offset our carbon footprint will serve as an example to other law firms, community associations and their vendors."
Carbonfund.org is proud to partner with Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson in their ongoing efforts to maintain environmentally responsible business operations.
HDX Fit Focuses on the Health of the Human Body and Our Environment
What's one way to reduce your carbon footprint? Reduce your waistline and stay fit.
For some, this is easier said than done, but for those in Southern California, there's a Carbonfree® Business Partner that can help. Southern California-based fitness and nutrition center HDX Fit offers an integrative approach to optimal health through fitness, nutrition and lifestyle guidance with multiple HDX Fit locations around the Orange County and Los Angeles area.
Through their Carbonfree® Business Partnership, HDX Fit neutralizes its annual operational emissions each year by supporting Carbonfund.org's reforestation projects around the world. Over the past five years, HDX Fit has mitigated the negative impact of almost 380,000 pounds of greenhouse gases, equivalent to growing almost 4500 trees over a ten-year period.
"We chose to partner with Cabonfund.org because we believed that as a company, if we were to lead by example and help offset our carbon footprint, we could encourage our clients and business partners to do the same," explains Huw Lloyd Davies, owner of HDX Fit. "We believe that we all need to do our part to bring about sustainable change."
HDX Fit also donates 1% of its profits back to the planet through support of various environmental organizations. They recommend environmentally friendly household cleaning products, nutrition supplements and food that are grown organically, and environmentally renewable clothing suppliers. HDX Fit hosts seminars to help clients maintain more energy efficient and environmentally friendly homes and arrange local energy efficiency contractors for clients at a reduced rate. Many HDX Fit events take clients "outdoors" so they can develop and deepen a keen interest in both a more active lifestyle and in protecting the resources they enjoy.
HDX Fit operates on the belief that a healthy body coupled with a nourished, focused mind can achieve anything, and part of what they strive to achieve is a meaningful contribution to protecting our environment. Carbonfund.org is glad to continue our partnership with HDX Fit in these efforts.
Automobile Industry Moving in the Right Direction to Meet Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) jointly created a National Program of standards for light-duty vehicles that lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve fuel economy. Cars and light trucks' GHG emissions standards in the 2012 model year, the first year of the 14-year program, were 296 grams of GHG/mile. The EPA reports automakers' overall GHG performance was, on average, 286 grams of GHG/mile, which is 9.8 grams of GHG/mile below what the 2012 standards required. The EPA says, the automobile industry is "off to a good start".
GHG emission standards are projected by the EPA to cut 6 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases over the lifetimes of vehicles sold in model years 2012-2025. The agency released a Manufacturers Performance Report last week that evaluates how the automobile industry is doing in meeting GHG emissions standards. The report shows that the industry lowered tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions in 2012 and also used optional flexibilities included in the standards.
Some of the flexibilities include emissions credits transfer among manufacturers on a yearly basis and for improvements in air conditioning systems. The EPA's reasoning in allowing these flexibilities is that they will result in higher emissions reductions, lower compliance costs and more options for consumers.
Speaking of which, the report indicates consumer preference is playing an increasing role. Americans bought lower emission vehicles in the first year of the program than required by the 2012 GHG standard.
The EPA will wait to issue formal compliance determinations for the 2012 model year until 2015 because of the program's multi-year structure. However, the agency plans to continue tracking compliance and expects to produce annual manufacturers' performance reports for the program.
In more good news from the EPA, their most recent Fuel Economy Trends Report shows fuel economy improved by 1.2 mpg in 2012 compared to 2011, which is the second biggest improvement in the last 30 years.
Documentary Angel Azul Highlights Coral Reefs' Plight from Global Warming
Scientists predict that in 50 years we'll have lost almost 70% of our natural reefs. "Which is quite a heavy statistic," says environmentally inspired artist, Jason deCaires Taylor. He is the focus of a documentary named, Angel Azul, exploring the weaving of art with an important environmental solution; the creation of artificial coral reefs.
You may be asking yourself why coral reefs are important to humans. The fact is that they're important for several reasons. The first is that they provide us with resources and services worth many billions of dollars each year; namely through food, protection and jobs. Coral reef ecosystems support commercial and recreational fisheries and are tourism-related destinations that inject billions of dollars to local economies. Furthermore, healthy coral reefs are a natural shoreline buffer helping to protect us from waves, storms and floods. Lastly, coral reef plants and animals are important sources of new medicines being developed to treat cancer, arthritis, human bacterial infections, heart disease, viruses and other diseases.
"As humans continue to pump greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, the climate is … on the threshold of a new regime, with dire consequences for reef ecosystems unless we get control of climate change," said Richard Aronson, a biology professor at Florida Institute of Technology. He continues to add, "Local issues like pollution and overfishing are major destructive forces and they need to be stopped, but they are trumped by climate change, which right now is the greatest threat to coral reefs."
Taylor founded the Museo Subacuatico de Arte (MUSA) in Cancun, Mexico, installing 400 life-like cement statues made from plaster molds of a diverse selection of human models. The documentary is named for a sculpture of an angel with outstretched arms and Gorgonian coral wings that gently flutter with the tide. The hope is that the Angel Azul will symbolize a guardian of the reef, protecting and nourishing the aquatic life around her. This kinetic sculpture is the first to be installed underwater.
Angel Azul the movie also features Paul Sánchez-Navarro, Director of The Ecological Center in Akumal, Mexico explaining the fragile state of the Yucatán's coral reefs and proposing solutions for their survival. The documentary's narration is provided by actor, writer and social activist, Peter Coyote.
"Obviously this type of work is quite different from normal art projects. Because the main objective of it is about conservation; making an artificial reef, increasing the biomass underwater, creating habitat areas, aggregating fish" says Taylor.
Coral reefs are resilient. They can recover and re-grow, but only if climate change can be mitigated or reversed. We need to examine our lifestyles and find ways to reduce energy use. It will help our wallets and the environment.


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Glee Cast Tweet Treats: Chord Overstreet Shrinks Himself
Just like the rest of us, our fave Glee clubbers can't resist sending out blasts from their iPhones and CrackBerries. Sometime between filming and being famous, the cast manages to squeeze in primo Twitter time.
druidDUDE Finally, chordoverstreet and I r the same height http://yfrog.com/0ha4sgj Well, now we know what Chord would look like as an Oz munchkin.
msleamichele: Look at the picture I just took of frankenteen :) http://yfrog.com/epg5omj We are digging Cory's new look! Très chic ;).IJennaUsh this sums up my life... :) http://twitpic.com/367zks Mmm deliciously spicy goodness! Wonder if she puts that on her ice cream?
frankenteen: My mind was blown when I realized that the word 'bed' looks like a bed...This is by far the best and most useful fact we've heard all day!


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President Obama just wrapped up his press conference with Vice President Joe Biden announcing a new gun control task force. Obama said although "no law will prevent every senseless act," the country cannot sit back and do nothing in the wake of the tragedy in Sandy Hook last week. The President said he will be taking gun control proposals collected by Biden until January. In the new Congress, he vowed to use all the powers of his office to put chosen proposals into place. Obama said he needed the help of Congress on this issue, but rumors in Washington point to the use of executive orders and the Department of Justice to ram through new gun control measures.
"I will use all the powers of this office aimed at preventing tragedies like this," Obama said.
So far, Obama is suggesting a ban on semi-automatic weapons or what he calls "assault" weapons, background checks for all gun purchases and the ban of high capacity magazines. During his remarks, Obama admitted the vast majority of gun owners are safe and responsible yet pushed for more regulation and legislation on those people anyway.
ABC News reporter Jake Tapper questioned the timing of Obama's push for more gun control, pointing out many tragedies have occurred in the past four years and that political calculations were made by Obama and his staff not to discuss gun control.
"Where have you been?" Tapper asked.
Obama responded by saying he has been busy dealing with "the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression" and that he "hasn't been on vacation."
The President is expected to push for gun control measures in his inaugural address and State of the Union address early next year.
|Katie Pavlich is the Editor at Townhall.com. Follow her on Twitter @katiepavlich. She is a New York Times Best Selling author. Her new book Assault and Flattery: The Truth About the Left and Their War on Women, will be published on July 8, 2014.
"Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be brainwashed government dependents. Buy this book!" says Michelle Malkin.
"This is a thorough and gutsy book that should help set history straight." - Mark Levin
Buy Katie's book today and help us keep the pressure on the Left.
Author Photo credit: Jensen Sutta Photography
California Governor Signs New Law Effectively Mandating Vaccines in Schoolchildren | Christine Rousselle


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I'm a 25 year old pre-school teacher. i love reading fan-fic and wish that I had the talent to write my own.
When Bella found Edward in the arms of another woman four years ago, she felt confused, betrayed, but most of all, she was heartbroken. She couldn't believe he would do such a thing, but the proof was right there, she saw it with her own eyes, heard it with her own ears, and she refused to listen to reason, so she ran. But what happens when Bella runs into Edward at a club nearly four years later? Will she finally give him the chance to explain what she saw all those years ago, but most importantly, will she believe him? How will Edward react to the secret Bella's been hiding all these years? And what about the secrets lurking in his closet? Will these two be able to overcome all that's happened and move forward together? Or is history going to repeat itself? Lemons. HEA.
Bella has the gift of second sight. After a tragic accident her world collides with Edward's. She is expecting him, but he is not ready for her.
An exploration of Edward's growing feelings for the woman he is, at first, salivating to consume.
*** A/U Mostly Canon pairings. Vampire/Human/Wolfpack *Will contain Lemons in later chapters*
**Indie Twific Nominee**
"Bella, I'm going to give you some privacy. I won't go far, but I won't listen either. I know you don't want an audience, no matter which way you decide to go."
Three years after his mysterious disappearance, Edward's final words to Bella still haunt her every waking moment. For her parents, Bella tries to put the past behind her and start a new life but one phone call shatters her fragile new world. Bella must then choose between her new life and the potential heartache of her past.
All canon pairings. NO CHARACTER DEATH. This is an Edward and Bella story.
I'd like to thank ms_ambrosia for the awesome banner!
When Edward takes Bella into the forest after her disastrous birthday party in New Moon, Bella's reaction is nothing like he expected. Will this be the end of their love or will they find a new path to forever? A canon-based but very different AU approach to New Moon. Some OOC and OC.
Banner by the awesome Frozen Soldier! She is amazing!
We had survived the Volturi and were finally able to enjoy life without fear...until new threats arose. These were more sinister than any before...because the most terrifying one came from within me...
The lead figure took a few long steps toward us, and I felt Bella stiffen beside me and heard her gasp of pain. Hands moved toward the cowl of the robe, pushing it backwards. The moonlight made a valiant attempt to shine through the clouds highlighting him as the angel he'd always seemed. Bright red eyes scanned the group as a sneer claimed his face, twisting it. He looked toward the assassins beside him, after one last cold look toward us, he gave his order. "Destroy them."
The family tensed at the callousness in his voice.
"Edward…" Bella breathed out from beside me. Pain laced through her voice.
The figure hesitated only slightly as the weak light framed his bronze hair and the scar along his cheek. Then as he turned away, the robed figures dashed past him toward us.
"Henry!" my family screamed around me as we braced for impact. "Remember our training," I shouted. "And if possible bring Edward back alive…"
Sequel to Harvest Moon, my Shimmer Award, Vampie, and Twilighted OC Character award winning story.
After unexpectedly being given an antique desk and finding a letter written by Edward to his cousin over nine decades earlier in a hidden compartment, Bella, on a whim, decides to respond and starts them on a journey neither could have ever imagined.
Perhaps there are some things we aren't meant to understand, just accept....
This story will eventually contain character death - NOT Edward or Bella.
"Until the murders, it was difficult to enjoy anything in this dull town. Now CSI has nothing on my life, and I have my very own killer to catch. I just wish I didn't have another mystery to solve. Bella. Just as puzzling, only infinitely more annoying."
This story contains mature themes; including strong language, graphic violence and sexual situtations. It is not intended for younger readers.
AU Post-New Moon. NOTE- AU Hybrid Vamps:
Banner by Mehek18
Set in 2010, the supernatural world is in a crisis unprecedented, its' very structure challenged by a force yet to be seen. As this new threat sends ripples of discord and panic throughout the ranks, a young vampire and her two children, twin beings as different as light and dark, struggle to remain hidden in the shadows; away from the world they belong to.
But not for long: Embittered by the desperate state his father left him, his mother, and his sister in five years prior, Tony Swan yearns for purpose; an opportunity to let out who he truly is. No more lies. No more veils. He won't have to wait long-as his sister grows normally, he inches closer and closer to adulthood, mind and body rapidly maturing despite the few years he has walked this Earth. And yet, throughout all this, one key fact remains forgotten by the young hybrid: fate's plan is never simple.
And in a world where monsters of human and marble flesh exist, how can it be?
Pulling to re-write:
Well, technically not pulling, but definitely re-writing.
I've given it a lot of thought. I was actually going to do this once I got the 13th chapter of my main WIP out (So it wouldn't that bad of a shock, after all I already warned of a hiatus on its way), but so far I haven't been able to churn out anything that could pass as a chapter that's "in- character" in regards to the present version of my fic. It's just…not working. No matter how hard I try to write ch.13, I keep going back to my old copies of chapters one, two, and three and re-writing them. Hell, I'm already on ch.4.
I've looked at my early chapters, compared them to the most recent ones, and realized that the flow, the tone of the writing itself, doesn't match. I had a completely different mindset when I began, still figuring things out, still not setting things in stone, and throughout the experience I learned a lot. More so if I hadn't posted in the first place. A huge learning experience, I guess you could say.
It made me remember why I wanted to write this story in the first place, and that because I was under the impression I had to conform to a framework because it was fan fiction, I put what I really wanted on the back burner in order to write/focus on what I thought was supposed to be written/focused on.
And then I finally had an epiphany: I don't have to follow any sort of guideline. I can write what I want to write. I don't have to have the story closely tailored around Edward and Bella, or any of the other canon characters, I don't have to write from certain POV's in the first place because the truth is, my story, as someone commented after looking over a past chapter I'd written, is "not really about Twilight." And that' s the truth. Resent isn't about Twilight, at least, not completely.
To the person who commented, thank you, by the way. You know who you are.
Now, you may ask, "why post a wip in the first place?" well, the truth was, I didn't think the fandom would still be around once I completed Resent. It was 2010, the twi-craze was already dying down somewhat, and I thought it would be risky to take my time and finish the story first before posting. I thought I was working on borrowed time. Plus, I wasn't sure if the twist I had going with my main oc's. would be received well.
The reviews and the fact that a good number of us are still here kind of blows those pre-conceived notions out of the ballpark, to my sweet relief. What I said in past thread posts still stands: as long as the story is posted, it is not abandoned. Hiatus maybe, but not abandoned. The fact that it is still there means that I'm still a part of the fandom. If I ever decide to flounce, there is no way in hell that I would ever leave any of my writing's unmonitored on the internet. If I ever decide to discontinue, you readers will be the first to know.
I'm leaving the current copy of Resent on ff.net, twilighted, and twcs for these reasons, and also because I know there are some who still enjoy re-reading the posted chapters. I'm sorry if this is upsetting. I know the update schedule for this fic has been somewhat tumultuous and nail-biting, especially with how things were left the last chapter, but I feel like if I don't say something now, I'm going to end up posting something bland and soulless. Once I've written enough of the new version (or completed it) I'll pull the old version and start re-posting.
I won't hold it against you if you flounce, just don't tell me that you are.
Again, I'm sorry about this guy's, but my gut is telling me this is something I have to do.
The story begins six months after Edward left Bella in the forest, but unfortunately things have taken a darker turn than our beloved SM wrote. This is the tale of how Edward and Bella eventually find their way back to each other, although it is a difficult road traveled. There will not be any reference to the events in Eclipse or BD.
The story begins six months after Edward left Bella in the forest, but unfortunately things have taken a darker turn than our beloved SM wrote. This is the tale of how Edward and Bella eventually find their way back to each other, although it is a difficult road traveled. There will not be any reference to the events in Eclipse or BD.
The Cullens are the picture of the perfect family, but behind the wealth and charm, they are hiding something -- something that will be discovered by Isabella Swan when she meets a broken, troubled boy and learns that even perfection can be imperfect.
Spiffy banner made by falconcranelove!
AU Human; rated for sensuality, mild profanity, and violence. Canon pairings.
Scarred by events in her past, Bella relies heavily on her best friend and roommate, Jasper. When Jasper falls in love with a girl named Alice, Bella is excited for him but can't help but wonder – where will she fit in? Her answer partially arrives in the form of Alice's older brother, Edward, but as their friendship grows, Bella comes to realize that she may be too broken to give Edward everything he needs. Canon pairings, AH/AU
This contains explicit content, elements which may be offensive to some, and dark themes. It is intended for a mature audience.
Edward reveals a secret from his human time which leaves Bella shocked and wondering just how well she knows the man she is about to marry.
This is very much an Edward and Bella love story.
Thank you angel-gidget for the banner!
Bella Swan spent the first two years of her life in Forks developing a friendship with Jacob Black that finally turned into something more. As she begins her senior year of high school, a new family moves to town and Bella slowly begins to question the path she thought her life would follow. Sometimes there is a difference between what you think you need and what you never knew you wanted. Takes place during the timeframe of New Moon and Eclipse. J/B at first, but eventually E/B.
All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the intellectual property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.


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Top Definition
Someone who licks a scrotum.
His nose is up the boss's nut sack so much, what a nut licker.
by MrFreeman88 March 02, 2004
1 more definition
Extremely lazy person. One who lies around all day doing nothing; similar to a lazy dog licking his nuts.
Stop licking your nuts you worthless fucker.
by Long Gil Silver February 13, 2010


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Black and Camel Deluxe Weighted Combination Set
Tournament Chess Sets are a staple for clubs, schools, and professional and casual players alike combining durable chess pieces and chess board for an affordable price. Our tournament chess sets all include a roll-up vinyl chess board and pieces. The chess carry bags pictured are available as extras (see below).


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Dancing With The Stars
Shrinking With the Stars: Melissa Gilbert Down to a Size 2 After DWTS
Half Pint? More like Quarter Pint.
Melissa Gilbert started Dancing With the Stars Season 14 with a pretty rockin' body and she's leaving it on Week 8 having slimmed down even further.
"I don't know pounds [lost] but I went from a size 6 to a 2," Melissa told Us Weekly. "I have a 26 inch waist now."
Melissa turned 48 on May 8, the day she and Maksim Chmerkovskiy were eliminated. But there's a silver lining to not being around for the Week 9 Semifinals: "There was a revealing outfit coming up," Melissa said, "so I wasn't going to get to eat this week and now I can!"
Chow down, girl!
In other Season 14 weight loss news, Gladys Knight said she left DWTS having lost 60 pounds and Kym Johnson said Jaleel White lost 13 pounds. Sounds like good health is getting its own Mirror Ball trophy!
Watch the next new episode of DWTS on Monday, May 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
Source: UsMagazine.com
Gina Carbone is a contributing writer at Wetpaint Entertainment. Follow her on Twitter @ginacarbone.
For more news about Dancing With the Stars, Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter.


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I told him that I would help him with his letter sounds if he really wants to learn, but his memory seemed sooooooooo bad. He could do the same letter on Starfall over and over and still not recognise it. We did the "letter a day approach" and just tried playing fun games and using the letter as much as we could, but he still wouldn't even recognise it by the end of the day (and we didn't even TRY learning the sounds since we never even learned what one letter looked like). I know kids learn at different ages, but when we'd try backing off he'd get upset and want to "read" like his brother, so it was a lose-lose situation.
Well, I bought Letter Factory and the first day he seemed to love it. On day 2 he saw it starting up and yelled "Oh no! I need to go get my homework!" and ran to get a pencil and paper, which he sat with in front of the TV and copied EVERY SINGLE LETTER as they did it on screen (mind you, we had never really attempted writing because I wanted him to be able to identify the letters before he stresses over writing them). A couple of the days he just watched, but most days he ran and got paper to write as he watched.
It's now been a week since we first watched and he's asked for it every day. After the video today, he brought me his brother's capital letter flashcard set and asked to play. I was kind of dreading it because just trying to recognise the "A" card a week before had reduced him to tears. I told him that there were a LOT of letter cards, and we were just going to count how many he knew so we could try to beat that number NEXT week. He told me OK and said he was ready.
He not only knew EVERY SINGLE LETTER, but he knew EVERY SINGLE LETTER SOUND. And this isn't even the type of set that has picture clues...it's just black letters on white cards. He even asked to mix them up and go through a second time! And this is the kid who didn't know ANY letters or sounds just 8 days ago!
Then, he wanted to get paper so he could write his letters. I told him to pick 5 and write those ones, and he did, but then handed me the cards and said "you hold these or it's cheating". He then wrote the letters...well...he wrote 5 letters, 2 of which were not from the cards he handed me, but when I asked him what they were he told me the correct letters and sound for what he wrote
Anyway, I almost feel like it's magic. And he's so happy about it that he's not getting as angry at his brother for knowing how to read
I love letter factory!
Mark Twain
Mom to three very active girls Anna (14), Kayla (12), Maya (8).
The element of writing probably helped a whole lot too--esp. since it was self initiated. But it is likely that writing the letters gave him a kinestetic (sp?) element that helped him out.
Kreeblim, as a follow on activity, I'd do stuff like having him write letters in a sand tray, you trace the letter on his back and he guesses what you're writing, ask if he wants to write a story and you help him know which letter to write next.
homeschooling mama to DD 10 & DS 7
Midwife (CPM, LDM) and homeschooling mama to:
14yo ds 11yo dd 9yo ds and 7yo ds and 2yo ds
and DS2 (just 3 now) is finding the correct written letter when asked and making the phonics sounds attached to them.
DS1 is going to read any day now the change is amazing
There are two math DVDs, as well as a Kindergarten/Get Ready for School DVD, as well which both of my kids have liked but not as much as the letter ones.
Mom to DS(8), DS(6), DD(4), and DS(1). "Kids do as well as they can."
Umsami - there's another math DVD? We have The Math Circus, but I didn't know there was another one.
and dd born 11/21/10 - our T21 SuperBaby
We love them too! Ds#2 knew all his letters/sounds before he could talk (he was language delayed as he was dx with Verbal Apraxia at 27 months). Ds#3 is now watching them and has picked up all his letters and sounds, and is starting to put sounds together.
Umsami - there's another math DVD? We have The Math Circus, but I didn't know there was another one.
and dd born 11/21/10 - our T21 SuperBaby
I finally would tell her before even starting it that she could watch, but we weren't having a lollipop at L. She still loved it.
I haven't heard of word factory. I'll have to look that one up.
Mama to 10 so far:Mother of Joey (23), Dominick (15), Abigail (13), Angelo (10), Mylee (8), Delainey (6), Colton (4), ID girls Dahniella and Nicolette (2 in July), and Baby 10 coming sometime in July 2015. If evolution were true, mothers would have three arms!
The only one we really don't like that much is "Storybook Factory." My kids love "Word Factory" and "Code Word Caper".
I highly recommend buying all of them at Costco (or other warehouse stores). Big-time savings.
Mom to DS(8), DS(6), DD(4), and DS(1). "Kids do as well as they can."
I would never have gotten them if I hadn't seen them recommended here, but they are awesome. She's 2.5 and already knew the letters, and a few sounds from Starfall, but now she knows all the rest after watching it maybe 3 times.
He knows his letters, but he doesn't know the sounds for ALL of them (though Letter Factory is helping with that). He is also VERY interested in writing - he is always writing, copying things from soup cans and boxes, etc.!
Would love suggestions for him.
Thanks for the reminder. I've started playing this and Word Factory for my 4.5 year old. He's VERY into it and wanting to learn. What ELSE would be good for him at this stage?
He knows his letters, but he doesn't know the sounds for ALL of them (though Letter Factory is helping with that). He is also VERY interested in writing - he is always writing, copying things from soup cans and boxes, etc.!
Would love suggestions for him.
My 3 year old son loves this show! He watched it 3 times in a row and knew all the letter sounds and names! I couldn't believe it!
Yes, both of these were great for DS. He was pretty much reading after Talking Words Factory, there was no stopping him. That was a couple years ago. Now he's reading everything, even the paper.
We're actually TV-free here (or were, rather, until we bought Letter Factory) but I recently heard about how great Letter Factory was so we bought it. DD learned her letter sounds after watching it twice! No need for preschool now . I also purchased Talking Words Factory but haven't watched it yet. I wonder if that will help her learn that reading is just putting the sounds together.
Kim mama to DS 12/2005, Pepper kitty , and 10/03, 1/05;
Not to be a downer, but to all those getting ready to buy it, don't be disappointed if it doesn't work magic for your kids. Everyone I hear says how they're children learned their letters after watching just 2 times or some other equally fantastic claim, but it never worked for my children. It probably will work for most of you, but...anyway...just sayin'.
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when i was a younger and my family would take road trips, i would spend most of the time staring out the green tinted car window and dreaming up life scenarios that may or may not have included chris o'donnell, high powered business suits and a working girl life a la melanie griffith.
my name is ellen parker and i've always been a romantic. i'm married to a man i met when i was a sophomore in college. we spent four years simultaneously being friends and fighting like a grumpy married couple until we finally surrendered to a life together and got married up.
in eleven and one half years, we have moved five times and grown three small people. a boy, ten. a girl, seven. a boy, four. these small ones provide a good bit of sharpening and a healthy dose of laughter.
we live in a sweltery southeastern town where my husband directs activities and other like things at a residential children's home. before that he was the director of an inner city golf ministry. yes, an inner city golf ministry. he has a heart for children in difficult places and i follow after.
i love early mornings, iced chai lattes, a bag full of library books, a full movie theater, rainy evenings, nubbin fingers on small people and reimagining stuffs and things around my house. building our story and a strong sense of home into our children is fascinating to me. mining my everyday for bright treasures is my heart.
mostly i am interested in how Jesus saves, redeems, rescues and heals every rough and raw place in us. it's the story of how He takes bitter and makes sweet.


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Technical & Editorial
The Inner World of LCD TVs - Part II
- Written by Scott Wilkinson
- Published on 05 May 2014
As you probably know well by now, LCD TVs are far and away the most popular type of flat-panel television available today. But exactly how they work is a mystery to most, even technically inclined folks within the industry. So I decided to provide a clear and comprehensive explanation of the inner workings of LCD TVs—no easy task...
AVR – Audio Video Receiver – Build Quality: Part III – Component Choices for a High Performance Design
- Written by David A. Rich
- Published on 03 March 2014
In Part III of this article series, I discuss jitter, digital filtering, and Large Scale Integrated Circuits (LSI) in relation to AVRs.
Daedalus Speaker Upgrade
- Written by Rick Schmidt
- Published on 03 September 2013
I've been enjoying my Daedalus 2.1 speakers in my stereo setup ever since I reviewed and bought them in 2008.
AVR - Audio Video Receiver - Build Quality: Part II - Design of High-Performance AVRs and Pre/Pros
- Written by Dr. David A. Rich
- Published on 29 January 2014
Following on my technical article"AVR - Audio Video Receiver - Build Quality: Part I", here, in Part II, I dig a bit deeper into the performance of a single-chip Large Scale Integrated (LSI) analog AVR chip and introduce better solutions employing Small Scale Integrated (SSI) analog chips. Herein, I refer only to Pre/Pros, but everything discussed applies equally to AVRs. Pre/Pros tend to use analog SSI chips, while most AVRs use the LSI solution (see the chart in Part I of this article for the make and model numbers of the AVRs and Pre/Pros using the LSI chip). I carryover the term, AVR LSI, from the first part of this article and refer to AVR when I comment on products with power amplifiers.
Thiel's New SCS4T Floor Standing Speakers
- Written by Piero Gabucci
- Published on 03 September 2013
Back around 2007 Thiel Audio introduced a monitor sized two-way speaker in the SCS4 that proved to be more than an audiophile quality stand speaker. Five of them make a great surround sound package.
Dirac Research Room Correction Technology
- Written by Piero Gabucci
- Published on 21 December 2013
Digital audio room correction is nothing new of course yet researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden have developed their own. Dirac Research was founded in 2001 and has not only applied their technology in the automotive...
Editorial: High Frame Rate (HFR) Movies and the Choice of Frames per Second
- Written by John E. Johnson, Jr.
- Published on 29 July 2013
High Frame Rate (HFR) seems to be the new buzzword in movie production, these days, at least to some directors who are experimenting with it. For example, The Hobbit was shot at 48 FPS (Frames per Second), with a 4K digital video camera. The idea is that HFR makes motion much smoother. And it works. But, do we, as viewers, then feel that we are actually in the scene, as opposed to being in the audience? One industry professional who is working with 4K and 3D said he hated the 48 FPS. It takes away the "film look" that so many people like, and turns the motion picture into something that has the "Soap Opera Effect", namely, live TV. But, notwithstanding the visual effect, let's focus on the choice of 48 FPS and why this is a potential disaster.
AVR - Audio Video Receiver - Build Quality: Part I
- Written by Dr. David A. Rich
- Published on 23 September 2013
What does your money purchase inside the chassis of an AVR or Pre-Pro in an audio / video system? In this article, one in a three-part series, I attempt to answer this question: I will open the top and look at the parts inside and show how each of the individual parts can affect the audio quality.
Editorial: The Industry Learns a Lesson: The Death of 3D vs. Industry Predictions. Will this Change their Plans for Introducing 4K to the Public?
- Written by John E. Johnson, Jr.
- Published on 22 July 2013
The recent announcement that ESPN is eliminating its 3D channel on cable and satellite tells a sad story of overestimating the impact of 3D on selling more HDTVs. Although 3D movies continue to be released - for the time being - it appears that consumers are not interested in watching 3D at home. The "glasses" are claimed to be the scapegoat, but I think there is more to it than that.
Bjorn's Music Matters Seminars
- Written by Jim Clements
- Published on 04 September 2013
Bjorn's is a major A/V Retailer and Custom Installation shop in San Antonio, Texas. The store was founded in 1975 by Bjorn Dybdahl. He started out in a modest 1,000 square foot lease space under the banner...
Anthem Room Correction (ARC) System - Part 2 - Including a Subwoofer
- Written by Dr. David A. Rich
- Published on 01 July 2013
In Part 1 of this series, we discussed the Anthem ARC (Anthem Room Correction) firmware that is present in their SSPs as well as the AVRs which have a reduced filter bank size. By far, the most significant sonic issue for acoustic music when a subwoofer is deployed occurs around the crossover from the subwoofer to the main speaker. In Part 2 of this series, we take a look at Anthem's ARC (Anthem Room Correction) when adding a subwoofer to the system.


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UNC Charlotte is on YouTube
Architecture Alumnus Named AIA Fellow
School of Architecture alumnus Chuck Travis was inducted into the College of Fellows by the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Election to the College of Fellows is the highest honor bestowed by AIA upon an architect in the United States. Travis joins only three other members in the North Carolina AIA as well as 147 AIA members nationwide to be awarded this prestigious designation this year.
Travis graduated from UNC Charlotte in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture; he subsequently received a Bachelor of Architecture from N.C. State University. A principal at Housing Studio in Charlotte, Travis also is mayor of Cornelius. In 2010, he received the AIA Charlotte Service Award for his "extraordinary service to the community and profession."
Two Voice Students in National Competition
Two UNC Charlotte music students will compete in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) National Student Auditions on July 7. The students, Hunter Aldridge and Tyrez Dabbs, are both tenors and both study with Dr. Brian Arreola, assistant professor of voice and director of the Department of Music opera workshop program.
To qualify for the National Student Auditions, the two students advanced through three rounds of competition over the past five months.
The National Student Auditions will be held at UNC Greensboro at the NATS National Conference on July 7. More than 150 students will compete in 12 categories. After two rounds of competition, 24 students will receive cash prizes – two from each category.