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March 1, 1997
By Bruce Landsberg
Writer James Baldwin once said that becoming intimately knowledgeable about anything involves a requirement to know its seamy side. I believe this to be true about the fascinating world of aviation. If you don't learn from the mistakes of others, you may find yourself repeating them. The wear and tear of that approach is not to be underestimated.
I received a call a few months back from a member, "Mr. West," who lives in a sparsely populated mountainous area and flies a high-performance single-engine aircraft. He very politely took exception to a column that I wrote discussing the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's new seminar, The Most Dangerous Game (" Safety Pilot," November 1996 Pilot). The topic was maneuvering flight, high angle-of-attack stall/spin, and mishaps involving takeoffs and landings.
The conversation was memorable because he was an absolute gentleman about voicing his concerns, which is something of a rarity these days, and because it opened up an area that we seldom discuss. That is, how much ink or how many electrons should be devoted to discussing accidents and potential accident scenarios. He felt that there was a significant downside that would dissuade new pilots.
To provide some background without breaching his identity, Mr. West is a former military fighter pilot who was once shot down in Vietnam and who brought his aircraft back with battle damage many other times. His training and experiences place him in the top one percent of general aviation pilots. He admitted to having both confidence and some luck — a necessary prerequisite to fly fighters in combat.
The precipitating event for the phone call was a young family member who had just received her private pilot certificate and who had read my column. She decided that flying was too dangerous for her and was going to give it up. This distressed both of us, and we discussed it at length. Confidence in flying ability must be present in just exactly the right quantity. Too much and there is the possibility of someone's making headlines; too little and the pilot looks for excuses not to fly and eventually will give it up.
Having instructed and observed both types, I believe that it falls to the rest of the community to provide what guidance we can. Flight instructors are important because we want to send our graduates on their way with just the right confidence mix. Pilots with a good imagination can visualize both sides of a course of action and usually make the right decision if they are not ignorant of the potential outcomes. The ignorance factor is critical because not knowing, in certain facets of flying, is the cause of many accidents.
Lack of confidence, in my opinion, does not come from reading case studies about accident scenarios. It arises from a more deep-seated fear that stems from inadequate instruction, inadequate practice, and possibly some individual psychological traits. There are some people who decide to learn to fly and tough it out, either to prove to themselves or to someone else that they can do it. The joy of flight isn't there, self-doubt is rampant, and danger is perceived to be everywhere.
The cure is additional instruction from a crackerjack professional who can show the pilot how to explore the far corners of the performance envelope and demonstrate that one can indeed fly safely. This may well be a different CFI from the one who brought the pilot through primary training. An alternate look and new explanations can sometimes make a significant difference. This isn't to say that the first instructor was bad, but the chemistry may have been lacking.
Practice is essential, particularly for new pilots whose skills are still being developed. They may have passed that wonderfully artificial transformation from student to certificated pilot, known as the checkride, but they are far from mature and must be nurtured carefully. This is where learning from the mistakes of others becomes critical. The message is simply to avoid those situations that are beyond knowledge, skill, or common sense. Learn to operate the aircraft the way it was designed, and the odds shift so overwhelmingly in your favor that you will enjoy all the pleasures of flight. This is the time to ask lots of questions — not to make assumptions.
The psychology of men and women and the interaction between them is well above my pay grade and beyond my area of expertise. There are some people who are not able to overcome psychological or emotional baggage and probably will not be very successful as pilots. Identifying these individuals is sometimes difficult, and we recommend good instruction, close supervision, and prolific practice before deciding that someone might be happier with a boat.
Going back to the concept of case studies and safety seminars that recreate problem areas, look at some other professions. Where would the National Football League be without game films? Monday mornings spent analyzing the mishaps on Sunday may be some of the most productive time spent during the team's training week. In medicine there is the autopsy, which is a great source of knowledge. Medical schools use cadavers extensively to teach anatomy and pathology and to help new doctors to develop their surgical skills. Harvard Business School developed the case study method of looking at actual business successes and failures.
Every airline, the military, and most corporate flight departments use accident information to inform and teach their flight crews. Entire publications are devoted to minutely examining every mishap, major or minor, to glean whatever information there is. In this column and in some ASF programs, we focus — by design — on what went wrong. But keeping it in perspective is important. There are relatively few general aviation accidents, but with widespread media coverage, they appear to be rampant.
Some years ago the buzzword in real estate was to use OPM — other people's money — to leverage your own meager resources to make a bigger profit. Benefiting from OPE — other people's experiences — is some of the best knowledge leverage we can get. The only good that can possibly come out of an accident is the understanding that can prevent it from recurring.
Mr. West admitted that he got great enjoyment from low-level maneuvering and had done it for years in sparsely populated areas. Yet the Air Safety Foundation recommends 1,500 feet agl as the lowest en route altitude. Since we see all the accident reports and many of the bad ones involve a disproportionate amount of low-level maneuvering, we're going to stick with that recommendation.
However, under the proper circumstances, low-level flight can be performed safely. Here's how. As the salesman said in The Music Man, "Ya gotta know the territory." This means knowing where the wires and towers are and intimately understanding the wind currents, the terrain, and the performance of your aircraft. Stay well away from people and structures. Finally, a liberal dose of common sense is needed. Some pilots will learn and others will not. The process of natural selection works in aviation just as in other walks of life.
My hat is off to Mr. West for raising a question where we may have to disagree on certain aspects, and for letting me know his thoughts. Communication is important. And as for the new private pilot, I hope that she will get the instruction and encouragement she needs to increase her confidence. Learning from history is far better than repeating it; a phenomenal world of flight awaits those who learn.
See also the index of "Safety Pilot" articles, organized by subject. Bruce Landsberg is executive director of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation.
Safety and Education,
Learn to Fly,
Pilot Youth and Introductory,
AOPA Foundation,
Flight School,
Aviation Industry,
First Flight,
Pilot Training and Certification,
AOPA is urging members in Hawaii to help ensure general aviation is represented in a proposed state ...
It is far from the largest convention that the drone boom has spawned, but a four-year-old conferenc...
Procedures for the AOPA Fly-In event at Beaufort, NC. To download the Pilot Information Packet, go t...


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Keuka College will proudly sponsor all employers interested in, and not currently a member of, the New York State Cooperative and Experiential Education Association (NYSCEEA) for one year of free membership. NYSCEEA is an organization of colleges and employers with a focus on best practices in experiential education and recruiting.
For more information on NYSCEEA visit http://www.nysceea.org. If you are interested in this free membership, contact Anne Marie Guthrie.
Join the Keuka College Field Period Network on LinkedIn. Through this group, you can become connected with Keuka alumni, students, and other community members for professional networking, developing Field Period opportunities, and career mentoring.

subset: commoncrawl


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The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has issued an alert for motorists and recreational water users that work remains under way along a 2.9-mile segment of the Route 99, a six-lane widening project in both Fresno and Madera counties.
This $68 million project includes the addition of two new lanes within the median along SR 99 from just south of Grantland Avenue in Fresno to just north of Avenue 7 in Madera County.
The existing San Joaquin River (SJR) bridges will be replaced and shifted to the west.
This project is anticipated to be completed in summer 2016...


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- Dec 27:
- Cool Colorado ways to ring in the New Year: Jumping (and running and eating and partying) into 2013
- New Year's Eve fireworks: 2012 goes out with a bang, welcomes 2013 at downtown Denver party
- Dec 31:
- Cold weather for Denver expected for New Year's Eve
- Dec 27:
- 2013 New Year's Eve events in Colorado
- Comedy: Laugh your way into the new year with a comedy show
- Photos: A star-studded New Year's Rockin' Eve
Monday. The Children's Museum of Denver hosts a New Year's party for young revelers at "Noon Year's Eve" on Monday. The museum's plaza transforms into a miniature Times Square with hourly ball drops and bubble-wrap "fireworks." Jam to music from radio station KBCO and take a ride on Vern's Mini-Train. Inside the museum, there's art projects, stories and performances — and everyone will be ready for bed well before midnight. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday; ball drops on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Children's Museum of Denver, 2121 Children's Museum Drive; 303-433-7444. Most activities included with museum admission: $9 for guests ages 2 to 59; $7 for 1-year-olds and seniors age 60 and older. Parking is $5. mychildsmuseum.org
Kathleen St. John


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Just to keep things fair, Leon is about 15 years younger than Max or Carlos!
They won't always be fast, and they're at the point where they are, and will, decline.
Conversely Camier has youth on his side.
If Leon does beat Biaggi next year, lets not all say 'I told you so' but remember Max was literally racing in GP whilst Leon was running around the playground!
It'll be the same with Rossi- you're not fast forever.
My other sport is boxing and in that sport it's very clear when someones recovery time and reactions decline.


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We had all of the nets up by 2:30 and took some time to have a little look around and despite our location within a mature woodland, we got some good birds including Woodcock, Peregrine, Buzzard, Teal and two Raven. The woods were relatively quiet early on with very few birds about and this was reflected in the early net rounds with a single Goldcrest, a Wren and a handfull of Robins amongst the early Chaffinches.
As we approached dusk, the Chaffinches started to come into the shelter, and relative, security of the woodland in numbers. Amongst the main catch was a single female Brambling, the third of the year and a couple of Blackbirds.
I didn't take many pictures due to how busy we were, but here is a couple of the team in action:
Goldcrest - 1
Wren - 1
Coal Tit - 1
Great Tit - 2
Brambling - 1
Robin - 3
Chaffinch - 46 (1)
Blackbird - 1 (1)


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- Homepage >
- News Archives >
- Article
Student to compete in Skeet Tourney
May 6, 2010
FORT LEE, Va. (May 6, 2010) -- Maj. David Guida, a student of the Theater Logistics Studies program and Florida Institute of Technology at Fort Lee's Army Logistics University, is participating in the 50th annual Armed Forces Skeet Championships.
This year's event, held at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, Texas, from May 10-14, will pit the best active duty and retired military members, from all branches of service, against one another in a competition with a rich tradition.
Guida developed an interest in skeet shooting as a lieutenant while attending the Quartermaster Basic Officer Course at Fort Lee. On his first visit to Fort Lee's skeet range, Guida met Bob Levy, the range manager, and Pat Knutson, the range's primary volunteer. The two helped him learn the game and signed Guida up for the National Skeet Shooting Association.
"From then on, I was hooked and started shooting skeet as often as I could," Guida said. "The guys at Fort Lee's skeet range are extremely helpful and friendly.
"After a deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Guida's wife purchased him his first over-under shotgun and he began skeet shooting while stationed at Fort Stewart, Ga.
Guida's love of the sport and practice began to pay off after he returned.
"My scores were high enough to peak the interest of the Army Skeet Team captain and he wrote me an email inviting me to join the team," Guida said.
Since joining the Army Skeet Team, Guida has been able to compete in numerous sporting events including a Sporting Clays Invitational for the Boy Scouts of America, the Armed Forces Skeet Championships, and the World Skeet Shooting Championships.
Following his last 15-month deployment Guida found himself back at Fort Lee starting his Captain's Career Course.
"I started shooting again and happily, Bob Levy was still working at the range here at Fort Lee," Guida said.
Now with only one semester left at ALU and more than eight years under his belt subce he began shooting skeet at Fort Lee, Guida is back here "enjoying the sport that has brought [him] so much pleasure.
"Guida said finding the time to compete can be challenging. Between three deployments and making time for his Family, the major said he is excited to compete this year in Texas.
As Guida prepares himself for this year's competition, he said he is appreciative of his chain of command that have made it possible to compete while representing Fort Lee and the Army.
"I'm very happy that the Army Logistics University and the Office of the Quartermaster General are supporting me for this ev_ent," Guida said. "It is an awesome opportunity to interact with the other services and share some friendly competition."


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Pipelineistan Goes Af-Pak
An immense energy battlefield extends from Iran to the Pacific Ocean. It's there that the Liquid War for the control of Eurasia takes place.
A Clinton-Bush-Obama Great Game
TAPI's roller-coaster history actually begins in the mid-1990s, the Clinton era, when the Taliban were dined (but not wined) by the California-based energy company Unocal and the Clinton machine. In 1995, Unocal first came up with the pipeline idea, even then a product of Washington's fatal urge to bypass both Iran and Russia. Next, Unocal talked to the Turkmenbashi, then to the Taliban, and so launched a classic New Great Game gambit that has yet to end and without which you can't understand the Afghan war Obama has inherited.
A Taliban delegation, thanks to Unocal, enjoyed Houston's hospitality in early 1997 and then Washington's in December of that year. When it came to energy negotiations, the Taliban's leadership was anything but medieval. They were tough bargainers, also cannily courting the Argentinean private oil company Bridas, which had secured the right to explore and exploit oil reserves in eastern Turkmenistan.
In August 1997, financially unstable Bridas sold 60% of its stock to Amoco, which merged the next year with British Petroleum. A key Amoco consultant happened to be that ubiquitous Eurasian player, former national security advisor Zbig Brzezinski, while another such luminary, Henry Kissinger, just happened to be a consultant for Unocal. BP-Amoco, already developing the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, now became the major player in what had already been dubbed the Trans-Afghan Pipeline or TAP. Inevitably, Unocal and BP-Amoco went to war and let the lawyers settle things in a Texas court, where, in October 1998 as the Clinton years drew to an end, BP-Amoco seemed to emerge with the upper hand.
Under newly elected president George W. Bush, however, Unocal snuck back into the game and, as early as January 2001, was cozying up to the Taliban yet again, this time supported by a star-studded governmental cast of characters, including Undersecretary of State Richard Armitage, himself a former Unocal lobbyist. The Taliban were duly invited back to Washington in March 2001 via Rahmatullah Hashimi, a top aide to "The Shadow," the movement's leader Mullah Omar.
Negotiations eventually broke down because of those pesky transit fees the Taliban demanded. Beware the Empire's fury. At a Group of Eight summit meeting in Genoa in July 2001, Western diplomats indicated that the Bush administration had decided to take the Taliban down before year's end. (Pakistani diplomats in Islamabad would later confirm this to me.) The attacks of September 11, 2001 just slightly accelerated the schedule. Nicknamed "the kebab seller" in Kabul, Hamid Karzai, a former CIA asset and Unocal representative, who had entertained visiting Taliban members at barbecues in Houston, was soon forced down Afghan throats as the country's new leader.
Among the first fruits of Donald Rumsfeld's bombing and invasion of Afghanistan in the fall of 2001 was the signing by Karzai, Pakistani President Musharraf and Turkmenistan's Nyazov of an agreement committing themselves to build TAP, and so was formally launched a Pipelineistan extension from Central to South Asia with brand USA stamped all over it.
Russian President Vladimir Putin did nothing—until September 2006, that is, when he delivered his counterpunch with panache. That's when Russian energy behemoth Gazprom agreed to buy Nyazov's natural gas at the 40% mark-up the dictator demanded. In return, the Russians received priceless gifts (and the Bush administration a pricey kick in the face). Nyazov turned over control of Turkmenistan's entire gas surplus to the Russian company through 2009, indicated a preference for letting Russia explore the country's new gas fields, and stated that Turkmenistan was bowing out of any U.S.-backed Trans-Caspian pipeline project. (And while he was at it, Putin also cornered much of the gas exports of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as well.)
Thus, almost five years later, with occupied Afghanistan in increasingly deadly chaos, TAP seemed dead-on-arrival. The (invisible) star of what would later turn into Obama's "good" war was already a corpse.
But here's the beauty of Pipelineistan: like zombies, dead deals always seem to return and so the game goes on forever.
Just when Russia thought it had Turkmenistan locked in…
A Turkmen Bash
They don't call Turkmenistan a "gas republic" for nothing. I've crossed it from the Uzbek border to a Caspian Sea port named—what else—Turkmenbashi where you can purchase one kilo of fresh Beluga for $100 and a camel for $200. That's where the gigantic gas fields are, and it's obvious that most have not been fully explored. When, in October 2008, the British consultancy firm GCA confirmed that the Yolotan-Osman gas fields in southwest Turkmenistan were among the world's four largest, holding up to a staggering 14 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, Turkmenistan promptly grabbed second place in the global gas reserves sweepstakes, way ahead of Iran and only 20% below Russia. With that news, the earth shook seismically across Pipelineistan.
Just before he died in December 2006, the flamboyant Turkmenbashi boasted that his country held enough reserves to export 150 billion cubic meters of gas annually for the next 250 years. Given his notorious megalomania, nobody took him seriously. So in March 2008, our man Gurbanguly ordered a GCA audit to dispel any doubts. After all, in pure Asian Energy Security Grid mode, Turkmenistan had already signed contracts to supply Russia with about 50 billion cubic meters annually, China with 40 billion cubic meters, and Iran with 8 billion cubic meters.
And yet, none of this turns out to be quite as monumental or settled as it may look. In fact, Turkmenistan and Russia may be playing the energy equivalent of Russian roulette. After all, virtually all of Turkmenistani gas exports flow north through an old, crumbling Soviet system of pipelines, largely built in the 1960s. Add to this a Turkmeni knack for raising the stakes non-stop at a time when Gazprom has little choice but to put up with it: without Turkmen gas, it simply can't export all it needs to Europe, the source of 70% of Gazprom's profits.
Worse yet, according to a Gazprom source quoted in the Russian business daily Kommersant, the stark fact is that the company only thought it controlled all of Turkmenistan's gas exports; the newly discovered gas mega-fields turn out not to be part of the deal. As my Asia Times colleague, former ambassador M.K. Bhadrakumar put the matter, Gazprom's mistake "is proving to be a misconception of Himalayan proportions."
In fact, it's as if the New Great Gamesters had just discovered another Everest. This year, Obama's national security strategists lost no time unleashing a no-holds-barred diplomatic campaign to court Turkmenistan. The goal? To accelerate possible ways for all that new Turkmeni gas to flow through the right pipes, and create quite a different energy map and future. Apart from TAPI, another key objective is to make the prospective $5.8 billion Turkey-to-Austria Nabucco pipeline become viable and thus, of course, trump the Russians. In that way, a key long-term U.S. strategic objective would be fulfilled: Austria, Italy, and Greece, as well as the Balkan and various Central European countries, would be at least partially pulled from Gazprom's orbit. (Await my next "postcard" from Pipelineistan for more on this.)
IPI or TAPI?
Gurbanguly is proving an even more riotous player than the Turkmenbashi. A year ago he said he was going to hedge his bets, that he was willing to export the bulk of the eight trillion cubic meters of gas reserves he now claims for his country to virtually anyone. Washington was—and remains—ecstatic. At an international conference last month in Ashgabat ("the city of love"), the Las Vegas of Central Asia, Gurbanguly told a hall packed with Americans, Europeans, and Russians that "diversification of energy flows and inclusion of new countries into the geography of export routes can help the global economy gain stability."
Inevitably, behind closed doors, the TAPI maze came up and TAPI executives once again began discussing pricing and transit fees. Of course, hard as that may be to settle, it's the easy part of the deal. After all, there's that Everest of Afghan security to climb, and someone still has to confirm that Turkmenistan's gas reserves are really as fabulous as claimed.
Imperceptible jiggles in Pipelineistan's tectonic plates can shake half the world. Take, for example, an obscure March report in the Balochistan Times: a little noticed pipeline supplying gas to parts of Sindh province in Pakistan, including Karachi, was blown up. It got next to no media attention, but all across Eurasia and in Washington, those analyzing the comparative advantages of TAPI vs. IPI had to wonder just how risky it might be for India to buy future Iranian gas via increasingly volatile Balochistan.
And then in early April came another mysterious pipeline explosion, this one in Turkmenistan, compromising exports to Russia. The Turkmenis promptly blamed the Russians (and TAPI advocates cheered), but nothing in Afghanistan itself could have left them cheering very loudly. Right now, Dick Cheney's master plan to get those blue rivers of Turkmeni gas flowing southwards via a future TAPI as part of a U.S. grand strategy for a "Greater Central Asia" lies in tatters.
Still, Zbig Brzezinski might disagree, and as he commands Obama's attention, he may try to convince the new president that the world needs a $7.6-plus billion, 1,600-km steel serpent winding through a horribly dangerous war zone. That's certainly the gist of what Brzezinski said immediately after the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, stressing once again that "the construction of a pipeline from Central Asia via Afghanistan to the south... will maximally expand world society's access to the Central Asian energy market."
Washington or Beijing?
Still, give credit where it's due. For the time being, our man Gurbanguly may have snatched the leading role in the New Great Game in this part of Eurasia. He's already signed a groundbreaking gas agreement with RWE from Germany and sent the Russians scrambling.
If, one of these days, the Turkmenistani leader opts for TAPI as well, it will open Washington to an ultimate historical irony. After so much death and destruction, Washington would undoubtedly have to sit down once again with—yes—the Taliban! And we'd be back to July 2001 and those pesky pipeline transit fees.
As it stands at the moment, however, Russia still dominates Pipelineistan, ensuring Central Asian gas flows across Russia's network and not through the Trans-Caspian networks privileged by the U.S. and the European Union. This virtually guarantees Russia's crucial geopolitical status as the top gas supplier to Europe and a crucial supplier to Asia as well.
Meanwhile, in "transit corridor" Pakistan, where Predator drones soaring over Pashtun tribal villages monopolize the headlines, the shady New Great Game slouches in under-the-radar mode toward the immense, under-populated southern Pakistani province of Balochistan. The future of the epic IPI vs. TAPI battle may hinge on a single, magic word: Gwadar.
Essentially a fishing village, Gwadar is an Arabian Sea port in that province. The port was built by China. In Washington's dream scenario, Gwadar becomes the new Dubai of South Asia. This implies the success of TAPI. For its part, China badly needs Gwadar as a node for yet another long pipeline to be built to western China. And where would the gas flowing in that line come from? Iran, of course.
Whoever "wins," if Gwadar really becomes part of the Liquid War, Pakistan will finally become a key transit corridor for either Iranian gas from the monster South Pars field heading for China, or a great deal of the Caspian gas from Turkmenistan heading Europe-wards. To make the scenario even more locally mouth-watering, Pakistan would then be a pivotal place for both NATO and the SCO (in which it is already an official "observer").
Now that's as classic as the New Great Game in Eurasia can get. There's NATO vs. the SCO. With either IPI or TAPI, Turkmenistan wins. With either IPI or TAPI, Russia loses. With either IPI or TAPI, Pakistan wins. With TAPI, Iran loses. With IPI, Afghanistan loses. In the end, however, as in any game of high stakes Pipelineistan poker, it all comes down to the top two global players. Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets: will the winner be Washington or Beijing?
Pepe Escobar is the roving correspondent for Asia Times and an analyst for the Real News. Parts of this article draw on his new book, Obama does Globalistan. His first "postcard" from Pipelineistan, "Liquid War," was posted at TomDispatch.com in March. He may be reached at email@example.com.
Copyright 2009 Pepe Escobar
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By: Kris Carr
Excited to go back
This Saturday, I will be going back to Papa John's Cardinal Stadium to watch the Cardinals play football for the first time in three years. It doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to figure out my three year absence coincided with Steve Kragthorpe's horrific coaching tenure. Previous to Koach Kryptonite's arrival in Louisville, I did not miss a game. I watched Chris Redman throw passes to Ibn green, I watched Dewayne White bull rush offensive linemen, and I loved watching Michael Bush run right over UK for what seemed like his 46th touchdown of the game.
That all changed when Steve Kragthorpe arrived. Kragthorpe removed all excitement that our fan base once had. He was a coach who was completely asleep at the wheel. We did not produce on the field, academic standards slipped and off the field problems grew and grew. Game days came and went and we simply did not care.
But after three disappointing seasons, the excitement is back. Tom Jurich has seemingly corrected his one mistake. He has hired an exciting coach with a championship background in Charlie Strong. Coach Strong has brought back what was missing from this program. He is recruiting winners, he is getting academics back in line and he is holding his players accountable for their actions both on and off the field. He has also reinvigorated the fan base. Ticket sales have shot through the roof for the newly expanded stadium. This is much different from the last few years when you couldn't give tickets away.
While I think the outcome of the game this weekend is going to be close, I (and most UofL fans) will be happy and amazed to see the Cards line up properly and play all 60 minutes of the game. This was something the previous coaching staff could not accomplish. But most importantly, I am just excited to go back and watch a well coached Cardinal football team play!
Final prediction: We shock the Cats 24-17 with Doug Beumont taking home the Howard Schnellenberger trophy. Go Cards!


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FGCU Bower School of Music Presents "The 2009 Holiday Concert"
WHO Florida Gulf Coast University Bower School of Music, for the public
WHAT "The 2009 Holiday Concert," conducted by Bower School of Music faculty members Rod Chesnutt, Melinda S. Doyle and Troy Jones.
WHEN 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3
WHERE South Fort Myers High School, 14020 Plantation Road, Fort Myers
WHY Concert includes performances by the Wind Orchestra, Chamber Singers, String Orchestra, University Choir and Symphonic Band; featuring works by Anderson, Bach, Childs, Lauridsen, Rutter, Shaw and others.
COST Free and open to the public; for complimentary tickets call (239) 590-7292
CONTACT Rod Chesnutt at (239) 590-7188


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Converting a thread-on freewheel-equipped multispeed with 126 mm rear dropout to singlespeed for city riding. Could use existing hub (campy SR) but am just as happy to have a new wheel built.
Would still like to have quick release (fixing flats).
Don't really care whether the wheel is flip-flop or not.
I'm a moderately heavy (185#/84 kg) rider, and I'd like the wheel to be as strong as possible.
So, question is, what sort of hub is going to provide the max. distance between spoke flanges -- existing vintage road hub, with respacing/redishing for track chainline, NOS track hub, or something like Surly ("old" model) flip-flop?


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Vintage Stitchers met on Thursday at Barbara's. She was trying to get some advice about her new batik quilt.
The pattern is a "block of the month" (BOM) from Kreative Threads. The pattern name is "Bits and Pieces."
Barbara put the quilt on the piano so we could stand back and look at it to help her make decisions about borders. What it came down to is, what do you like? Rebecca and I liked the dark inner border with the medium batik for the outer border. Some of the others preferred a more complicated border, such as the one in the pattern.
I'll let you know what she does.
Barbara was also working on this tessellation quilt:
Rebecca was sewing the binding on her 1600 quilt.
This is an easy, easy quilt, but the fabric selections can make it spectacular!
Janet made some charity stockings. A local quilt shop owner let her have the panels from the sale section. She often does that for charity projects.
She's also binding a mostly batik quilt:
Saturday was the weavers' guild meeting (Mary Meigs Atwater Weavers Guild).
We met at the home of one of the members. The place was fantastic, even without the sheep, goats and dogs.
Sage is a boy sheep who has become a pet because of all the difficulties he had at birth and growing up. (I say, "boy sheep," because he's still pretty young. Also, he's been neutered.)
He wandered through the area where we were having our meeting. I think the dogs think he's just a different breed of dog.
One of the guild members taught us how to make wet-felted bowls, vases and purses from wool roving. She had some lovely examples of what you could do with the finished items. Some were embellished with needle-felted motifs or embroidered or crocheted flowers, leaves and in one case, ants.
Balloons were used to give the projects a hollow shape. The roving was smoothed over the balloons.
Then they put panty hose over everything and washed them in soap and water with lots of whacking on the cement. (I heard at least one balloon pop!)
The finished projects were very pretty, and no two were alike.
We shared a potluck lunch, and then had a tour of the log home, which our hostess and her husband had built mostly by themselves.
The antique furnishings gave it a museum-like feeling. It was also relaxed, though, if you can image a relaxed museum!
She had craft areas all over the house, including two floor looms, but here's where she does her sewing:
There were sheep, goats and dogs everywhere. They were very entertaining!
We had a great time! I found out that I'm all signed up for the guild's rug class with Jason Collingwood in November. I can hardly wait! The guild rents table looms for members' use, and I'm signed up for one, since I can't haul my lovely floor loom to class.
In the meantime, the Warm Colorway Placemats are coming along. The third one is finished:
The white stripe at the upper edge (the last part woven) is waste yarn. I'm putting 2" of waste yarn between the placemats instead of sticking in a lease stick. I think it will make it easier to finish off the fringe, because it will stay put until I get the last pick sewn down.
This is my second set of pretty much the same placemats with a change in colorway. I decided that, to make the work more interesting, I would rotate the color order, so each placemat would be different, but still with all the same colors.
The Waffle sweater is almost to the armholes. The second panel of the Delectable Pathways quilt is almost done; just finishing up the embroidery. Some spinning to do yet on the Caramel roving. It's getting chilly, so I think it's time to finish my Dogwood Blossoms Cardigan. And we're starting to practice for the Park City Singers' holiday concert.
Finally, happy 48th anniversary to my often-loveable DH, Charlie, since September 15, 1965. If we don't kill each other, we'll stay married a few more years. (If that isn't amazing, I don't know what is!) And happy birthday to him as well, on Thursday!
What's on my needles: Waffle sweater, Dogwood Blossoms
What's on my loom: Warm Colorway Placemats, one more to go.
What's on my Featherweight: Still the Delectable Pathways quilt.
What's on my wheel: Full Circle Roving "Caramel," second bobbin almost done.
What's on my iPad: Just finished Debbie Macomber's Starting Now. Now reading Pittacus Lore's I am Four. Both of these are audiobooks from the library by way of the OverDrive app. Also reading the eBook, Imperfect Pairings by Jackie Townsend from BookBub on the Kindle app.
What's my app of the week: Instagram. I haven't used it much yet, but it's pretty easy. I got it so I could participate in KnitPicks' Instagram contest, "Yarn With A View." I also downloaded The Recipe Box from the app store. It's an app that allows you to input your own recipes. I'll let you know in a future blog
What's in my wine glass: Big House Red 2011 vintage. Very nice!
Note: This blog post was produced entirely on the MacBook, using the iPad and iPhone for photos and photo processing. No other computer was used in any stage of composition or posting, and no Windows were opened, waited for or cleaned.
Views: 150
Love my little 13" MacBook "Amateur!" LOL!
Well first and foremost, Happy Anniversary to you both! And a very Happy Birthday to your DH as well!
As always, I'm amazed with all you do, and wonder where you find the time to talk with us mere mortals - lol! Your guild day sounds like it was delightful! The quilts are lovely, especially like the stockings.
Buffy - my DD recently bought a 15" MacBook Pro with retina display; expensive but she absolutely loves it. She is coming from a 15" Dell laptop that she's had since ' 07. She thought about this switch for almost a year, and is not at all sorry she made it.
Thanks, Beverly!
Wow! Looks like your meeting was wonderfully interesting! All the pretties. The quilts are always welcome eye candy and I lurve those Christmas Stockings.
Congrats to you and your DH...48 years!!!
A MacBook Air is very nice if you can afford it. I've been happy with my refurbished 13" MacBook, which was a lot less expensive. I talked with someone at Apple before I bought, listed what I needed to do, and he helped me configure my computer the way I needed it with no pressure. That was more than two years ago, and I've been very happy with it. I like the keyboard shortcuts, too, but for what I do, the Mac has more than enough. When the Dish installer came, we used my Mac to set up the modem. I had to show him how to get an address window in Safari, but then he caught on fast. One suggestion: ask if a new OS is coming out soon before you buy. I ended up buying Mountain Lion for my Mac, but computers that came out not too long after mine did came with it.
Buffy, there are some things on a PC that I really miss. I was really big on keyboard shortcuts and Mac does not have nearly as many as a PC. But over all, I don't regret ditching the PC and will never look back. I love my Mac.
Wow! Those quilts - amazing. The placemats look great, and the farm looks like a lot of fun.
BTW, I'm looking into getting a new laptop computer. My current is a Dell (Windows machine), but my son is trying to convince me to get a MacBook Air. Any thoughts?
Thanks, Elaine, on all counts!
Yes, Congrats on the 48 years together!!! And a Happy Birthday to Charlie.
Looks like a great way to spend a day. Love your placemats and the batik quilt of your friend's.
Some balloons did pop. I heard at least a couple. I think you have to be careful. I would happily dye for one of those pieces! I like them, but I wouldn't die for one.
Thanks for the good wishes, I'll share them with Charlie.
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Seniors in Services operates five distinct programs, each enrolling volunteers to assist elders in need or children at-risk. Volunteers of these programs daily impact more than 1,700 lives.
Seniors in Services operates five distinct programs, each enrolling volunteers to assist elders in need or children at-risk. Volunteers of these programs daily impact more than 1,700 lives.
|Foster Grandparents The bond between a child and a grandparent is special. The ideal grandparent takes time to listen, offers support and friendship, and shares knowledge gained through a lifetime of experience. A Foster Grandparent does all these things and much more for very special children. A Foster Grandparentis an older person with time, love and understanding to give. He or she is someone who enjoys being around children and wants to help them be their best. Foster Grandparents serve children who are:
Many children have no older adults in their lives. Through the Foster Grandparent Program, these young people enjoy the benefits of developing a warm, caring relationship with a senior citizen.
|Senior Companions Do you experience loneliness, isolation and inability to get to the store for groceries or medications. Struggles with meal preparation and housework. Thankfully, there is an army of volunteers assembled to come to the aid of those who are homebound and need help. These are Senior Companions. visit the homebound elderly in their homes. They help by:
Agency for Healthcare Administration License #5776
|Volunteer Caregivers Program matches relatively healthy adults to frail, homebound elderly or disabled adults. The purpose of the program is to help clients live more contentedly and avoid a sense of isolation, depression and loneliness. Volunteer Caregivers aid frail, homebound elderly or disabled adults by providing them with friendly visitors who offer companionship, compassion and, sometimes, a helping hand.Volunteer Caregivers visit the homebound elderly in their homes. They help by:
|The Bill Payer Program recruits, trains and bonds volunteers who provide direct, one-on-one help to the elderly or anyone who are experiencing difficulty keeping up with writing checks and reconciling their bank statements. Volunteers do not bring their own money to the table; instead they bring the experience to help their clients with their finances.Clients have an obstacle such as impaired vision, memory loss or severe arthritis. These challenges prohibit them from performing their financial tasks independently. All clients must have a checking account and enough money to pay their bills.Volunteers visit their clients in their homes once or twice a month. They work together to accomplish the financial tasks.
|Spic & Span for Seniors initiated in 2007, Spic and Span for Seniors is designed to help elders maintain a clean, healthy environment in their own homes. Volunteer groups from local colleges, civic organizations, faith based congregations and businesses roll up their sleeves to help elders remain independent by performing tasks such as dusting, vacuuming, cleaning ceiling fans, scrubbing floors, washing windows and doing other work that is difficult for them. They also spend time visiting with the elders, many of whom are lonely and isolated.
|Operation Connect recruits, trains, and places Veterans and other family members to help military children succeed and provide fellowship to other veterans in need.Operation Connect is a program that serves children from military families who need additional support and continuity in their elementary classrooms. It also serves disabled home bound military veterans in their homes by providing companionship and light housekeeping duties.


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Weekly Trumpets: Power of Positive Thinking & Cutting the Bullshit
There's something to be said for the power of positive thinking. True, it may not be a cure-all BUT it does often challenge you to be creative and focus on the "good" aspects of an otherwise crappy situation. The world of content marketing is no exception, as Gisele Navarro Mendez points out: "When building links, one is… Continue reading


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Game Description: You are Travis Touchdown, a normal guy (with an otaku geek streak) who wins a Beam Katana through an online auction and uses the weapon to start a new career as a professional killer. One day, an assassin named Helter Skelter appears before Travis and the two face off in a battle. Travis emerges victorious and finds himself in the presence of Silvia Christel, a mysterious French woman who claims to be an agent with the UAA. Silvia gives Travis official rank of 11 in the organization. Now, it's up to you to become #1. No More Heroes takes place in the city of Santa Destroy, and you are free to explore the town to your liking, taking on missions large and small to collect money and purchase new weapons as you work up towards the 10 main killing contracts. Gameplay is all about using your Beam Katana (via Wii remote) to defeat enemies.
An unconventional game warrants an unconventional review, and I can think of few experiences in recent memory more unconventional than No More Heroes.
Equal parts inspired genius and wretched inadequacy, the product of writer and director Suda 51 is a confused, clumsy attempt grasping for the next level in the evolution of videogames. Not just a simple "product," No More Heroes is a statement; one of the first games I've played where I can honestly say that the creator's voice is heard and felt in every aspect. No matter that the voice's message is contradictory, cracked and incoherently bizarre—the auteur is absolutely present. For this fact alone, No More Heroes is worthy of note and discussion.
Remorseless and nihilistic to the extreme, No More Heroes's tale of an otaku and his lightsaber on a quest to become the world's top-ranked assassin is more correctly defined as an avenue for the game's creator, Suda 51, to piece together bits of attitude and strings of meta-commentary; a screed in electronic format or a spleen-venting given structure. However, although the cockeyed genius and revolutionary approach are undeniable, No More Heroes's rudimentary, repetitive gameplay and sub-par production take away from what the end result could have been. The brilliance is still there, but will be found obscured and unappealing to all save those who are prepared to squint through the static to find a hint of videogames' potential as something other than simple entertainment.
Comprised of idiosyncratic scenes and flashes of insight from what might make up the mind of a 'hardcore gamer' and how it relates to vicarious pseudo-protagonism, the events unraveling over the course of the adventure are random and disparate when taken within the context of the game as an inclusive experience. Examine the references, asides, visual cues and sheer incongruousness of it all in the context of a larger setting—game culture—and it all starts to form a clearer picture. Note that I said clearer and not clear. I sense the message, but I don't quite think Suda 51 (or anyone else, for that matter) has quite yet figured out the technique.
Considered as a canvas from one rather than the usual committee creation aimed at mass consumption, Suda 51's awkward strokes and crude technique fail to communicate in an effective, cogent way. However, the fact remains that the attempt was made and in my view, it's one of the most compelling leaps I've ever seen to try and take the concept of what a game is or what a game can be and push it into territory that few have dared explore with threat of retail failure and a publisher's bottom-line guillotine constantly overhead. Regardless of whether this particular effort is seen as crafted with a steady hand and the finest oils, or with crayon scribbles from a 64-bit box, it is a real step towards progress and must be recognized.
However, though No More Heroes strives to make heard its author's voice through inchoate "deep" statements about the nature of videogames (and players) in general, any potential commentary is negated by the very fact that it forces players to partake of the qualities that it appears to ridicule.
The result is that the substance of No More Heroes communicates fear more than the hip, sardonic attitude initially implied; perhaps fear of leaving behind the conventions that it mocks. If it did leave those behind, perhaps it would fall short of its audience's expectations of length and content? Rather than being truly bold and abandoning the pointless artifice it seems to be pointing fingers at, the unnecessary elements like the empty free-roaming environment and simplistic mini-games fly in the face of the piss and superiority its intellectual side exudes. Rather than courage, it's hypocritical capitulation.
Making this bitter pill even harder to swallow is the fact that the energies behind the ideas completely outshine their lackluster tactile embodiment; No More Heroes's cumbersome controls, crude visuals, toothless level design and repetitive, shallow combat convey a sense of shoestring budgets and lack of technical skill more than defiance of conventions and intentional artistic choices.
It serves little purpose to revel in the mud while pretending to be above it, and the low quality of the gameplay is a concrete manifestation of the fact that the intelligence and criticism supporting the theoretical design are completely undercut by Suda 51's inclusion of their opposites as core elements. How much bolder would it have been to make the same statement and then relegate the subjects to the sidelines—or better yet, to have removed them altogether?
I'm sure the concept behind No More Heroes was a difficult one to bring to fruition, but unfortunately, videogames are a unique medium and artists choosing to work in it will have to accept the challenges and limitations inherent. Wide swaths of style can only cover so much—the emperor needs to have more than a dirty T-shirt and socks before he goes strutting out to survey his kingdom.
Although there are many, many complaints that can be fairly leveled against No More Heroes, the most important thing to take away from this madly inspired experiment is that regardless of the pathetic technical elements and unhinged cutscenes, the game is first and foremost an attempt to translate thoughts and images on an intimate, direct level from one person to another through a controller and a screen. If you squint past the explosions of blood, forget about being forced to earn money, and ignore the brainless enemies waiting their turn to be slaughtered, it's hard not to admire the cackle and curled lip of a creator who's got big ideas and isn't afraid to use them.
According to ESRB, this game contains: Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, and Strong Language
Parents—if there were ever a project that truly embodied the concept that "games are not always for kids," this is that game. Absolutely, under no circumstances whatsoever should this disc fall into the hands of children or the young teens for which it is completely, unequivocally inappropriate. Questionable material and offensive content of every stripe is included throughout the adventure; violence, language, sex... this game has it all, and then some more, and then even more. If I were to cite each potentially offensive element one by one, the list would go on for several pages. So, let me just say that this game is absolutely meant for adults, no two ways about it.
Wii owners, I find it fascinating that a game of this sort has been released on the console which has the smallest number of "hardcore" gamers, if the term may be used. This is an adult gamers' game, and will likely only be appreciated by those with more than passing interest and casual knowledge of the medium. Don't be fooled by the box into thinking this is the average action-adventure.
Hardcore devotees and people who think games can be art, although this game is severely flawed in many aspects, it's just as brilliant in equal amounts. I can envision this particular game being the subject of thesis papers for years to come, and it's rare that I've seen a work so open to interpretation and reinterpretation the way this one is. The experiment here was not entirely successful, but certain aspects of it amaze in terms of channeling the author's voice and redefining the messages that games can express.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing gamers, be sure to go into the options menu and turn on the subtitles. Although it doesn't appear that they are selectable before the game actually begins, they can be activated soon afterwards. By doing so, all voiceovers and cutscenes benefit from subtitles that provide full accessibility. Surprisingly, the game also places nearly every piece of relevant information onscreen, so there are no significant audio cues during gameplay.


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World Kitchen Garden Day 2013 / First time in Hungary
Hello Gardeners from all the world,
Last weekend we celebrated World Kitchen Garden Day in Hungary...
We invited to join our "green" partners for our programs.
It was a clear, sunny day (fortunatelly not so hot :) )
So we are very happy, hundreds of people visited to our programs...It was more then we expected.
You can see more pictures on the below link:
Best regards.
Zoltan from Elso Kis-Pesti Kert, Hungary
Looks like it was a fun day, thanks for sharing the photos. All the best in your garden for the next growing season.
About us:
KGI is a nonprofit community of over 30,000 people who are growing some of our own food and helping others to do the same.
Join our mailing list:
Connect with us:
Contact us:
Kitchen Gardeners International
3 Powderhorn Drive,
Scarborough, ME, 04074, USA
(207) 956-0606


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There appears to be hope for America, as a society, a democracy, and a nation. On Thursday, 6/28/2012, as everyone knows, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by a 5–4 vote. Much was at stake, not the least of which was the possibility of affordable health care for all Americans. But beyond this extremely important outcome, the very nature of our democracy was in play, as well as the potential success or failure of the American political enterprise.
The battle lines had long been desperately drawn, the president's policies pitted against the avowedly rigid opposition of the red-staters. Sadly for the American public, this to-the-political-death power struggle has played out for almost 4 years and caused the federal legislative process to be effectively frozen in time, glaciated on the day President Obama took office on January 20th, 2009. Remarkably Congress did manage to enact the ACA, but ever since the current House majority has been seeking to tear up the law. The Supreme Court was, as ever, the court of last resort.
The opposition has singularly failed to comprehend that lack of affordable health care causes serious problems for the entire society, not only those almost 50 million Americans on the short end. For example, uninsured patients use hospital emergency departments for primary care, as well as for actual emergencies caused in large part by failure to treat chronic diseases owing to lack of health insurance. The tens of billions of dollars in resultant unpaid fees are, on one hand, absorbed by hospitals which in turn raise their fees to health insurance companies and private patients, and on the other hand, are paid in part by federal and state taxes. In effect, every person who pays taxes and/or purchases health care services and insurance is subsidizing these unpaid emergency room fees. Other hidden costs to society include the loss of human capital, in terms of contributions to the workforce as well as participation in creative activities and innovative ventures. Unwell parents often raise unwell children. The cycle of poor health and low productivity continues from generation to generation. Our society suffers, reflected in the deterioration of our economic welfare, which cascades into degradation (to list but one effect) of our military preparedness and loss of our nation's ability to project global force to safeguard our interests and our shores.
Lack of affordable health care for every American diminishes our national enterprise in all sectors.
There are other important considerations involved in how the attack on the ACA played out, including the continuing degradation of our use of language. For example, the Supreme Court justices are consistently characterized as "conservative" or "liberal". This is an immediate problem, as their individual identities are subsumed in the right vs. left dichotomy. But the meanings of the epithets are also lost. To be conservative means to uphold tradition. To be liberal means to uphold progress. However when justices hold their ideologies closely, neither tradition nor progress receive a fair evaluation. As Hannah Arendt states in Between Past and Future, "the very quality of an opinion, as of a judgment, depends upon the degree of its impartiality". Ideology is not impartial, and Supreme Court opinions have long appeared to be based on politics rather than justice. Obviously, such a state of affairs is a major problem for a democratic society.
But against the odds, Chief Justice John Roberts chose to fulfill his office and uphold justice. The "individual mandate" of the ACA was determined not to have constitutional support as such, but the five-justice majority ruled that the federal government did have the constitutional power to enact the provision as a tax. Both aspects of this decision will have repercussions, but the main point is that the Supreme Court did ultimately rise above political concerns and personal ideologies. In interpreting the Constitution calmly, thoroughly, and appropriately, the Court reminded all Americans of the critical importance of separation of powers. The tripartite division of executive, legislative, and judicial branches of our government is a key linchpin of our democracy. When such separation is muddled, the tyranny of the majority is not far behind. In order for our free society to survive, we each need to broaden our concerns to encompass the welfare of our neighbors and fellow citizens. This may be a naive prescription, but if we fail to think and act beyond our personal prejudices and worldviews, the dream and vision of America will fade and be lost to history, as was the dream and vision of Rome.
The Alden March Bioethics Institute offers graduate online masters in bioethics programs. For more information on the AMBI master of bioethics online program, please visit the AMBI site.
|0 comments | Topics: Bioethics and Public Policy , Bioethics and the Law , Bioethics in the Media , Ethics and Morality , Health Care Policy , Health Insurance , Politics
BIOETHICS TODAY is the blog of the Alden March Bioethics Institute, presenting topical and timely commentary on issues, trends, and breaking news in the broad arena of bioethics. BIOETHICS TODAY presents interviews, opinion pieces, and ongoing articles on health care policy, end-of-life decision making, emerging issues in genetics and genomics, procreative liberty and reproductive health, ethics in clinical trials, medicine and the media, distributive justice and health care delivery in developing nations, and the intersection of environmental conservation and bioethics.


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1 CD / Centaur / 2008-09-01Works: Bedrich Smetana: Trio for Piano and Strings in G minor, JB 1; Josef Suk: Trio for Piano and Strings in C minor, Op. 2; Quartet for Piano and Strings in A minor, Op. 1
Performers: Stepniak, Michael
In 1997, a group of talented musicians formed a chamber music ensemble under the tutelage of renowned artists Earl Carlyss and Ann Schein. They named...continue...
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Well been back on the bike for a bit now and really enjoying it. A few weeks ago i did a 20km ride witch felt great. It was a great mini accomplishment for me and i really now want to work up to see 40kms. But a couple days after that 20km ride my left knee started hurting (thats the knee i smashed way back when i stoped ridding). So i took it easy for a bit keeping the rides short and trying to nurse it a bit.
Now its been like three weeks and i have not been on the bike now for a couple days cause my knees bothering me the more i ride (always feels fine on the bike though).
I WILL NOT give up riding again i enjoying it but i dont know if i should give it a break till my knee stops hurtin or suck it up and keep goin. I can deal with the pain its not supper bad but it is uncomfortable and sitting down and gettign back up causes pain (walking even running and cycling causes no pain).
I gotta doc visit to scedule surgery on my hand (old injury as well LOL) and probly ask for advice then but figured you guys might have some advice as well.
Unfortunetly keeping weight off and my leg elevated is NOT an option as i am a Diesel truck mechanic for a living and pretty much specalize in the grunt work (anything heavy is my job LOL). But i trying to be smarter at work and use the special lifting tools for know at least till i am healed up.
Anyways sorry for yet another long winded question but i will not give this biking thing up and figured ya guys been spot on all the other questions.


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How do you package and brand a legendary roadside stand? CO and writer Palmer Pettersen spent some quality time with the Edmunds family, owners of Barnacle Bill's Seafood Market, and makers of the best smoked salmon in the Northwest. Inspired by the writings of Ken Kesey - who lived down the road - and roadside documentary photos by Robert Frank, we set forth in the most immediate manner to capture the rugged preparation and secret smoking techniques of fresh fish caught on the Oregon coast. The result vaults the viewer right into an establishment that hasn't changed since 1949.
View website: barnaclebillsseafoodmarket.com 2014 Branding, Creative Direction, Packaging
ANN SACKS eblasts
Twice a month, Ann Sacks sends out an eblast announcing their latest tile innovation. And we at CO Projects have the privilege of creating visual stories inspired by some of the most beautiful materials on earth. The range of concepts includes inviting interiors, intriguing still-lifes and fantastical scenes.
The series has received an overwhelmingly positive response from Ann Sacks and Kohler, as well as from Ann Sacks' clients.
Photography: Michael Jones Studio
Retouching: Bruce Harris
Copywriting: Palmer Pettersen 2014 Advertising, Art Direction, Creative Direction
- BOYD'S COFFEE Boyd's Coffee, a Portland mainstay since 1900, came to us to help relaunch their brand, which hadn't been refreshed since the nascent days of the Northwest coffee movement. Working with the inimitable Austin Howe on concept and copy, we mounted a parallel campaign of advertising and rebranding, based upon Boyd's history as a good, dependable cup of coffee. Armed with market research provided by our partner Michael Connell at Commonwealth Seattle, we leveraged Boyd's extensive historical archives and numerous innovations to launch a comprehensive new identity as the Everyman's coffee brand that grew up with Portland. 2012 Advertising, Branding, Creative Direction
The PureProject line of minimal running shoes is a dramatic departure for Brooks Running. As such, it required an equally dramatic unveiling. Fashioned from bamboo, the kit embodies the sustainable ethos of the PureProject line. The laser-etched lid lifts off to reveal 2 brochures and 4 raindrop-shaped canisters with branded caps. The individual canisters may be removed and re-used in various ways. This kit is designed to be a keepsake, with no material going to waste.
Two brochures fit within: the product-centric booklet features exquisite photography from acclaimed fashion accessory photographer Kenji Toma. It's accompanied by a tongue-in-cheek instruction manual for creative upcycling of the kit. A quirky cast of illustrated characters demonstrates various ways to re-use the elements.
Agency: The Great Society
Kit Engineering & Fabrication: Dave Laubenthal Studio
2012 Art Direction, Graphic Design, Packaging
- ANN SACKS New Collections To unveil Ann Sacks' new collections for the annual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), CO Projects created this luxe set of brochures. Tonal specialty inks on the sleeve lend a tactility evocative of leather or snakeskin. Each of the 5 brochures features beautiful product photography and silver foil accents to communicate the sophistication of Ann Sacks' product and brand. 2013 Creative Direction, Graphic Design, Packaging
For luxury tile company Ann Sacks, CO Projects designed this high-end brochure for the 2012 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show. An embossed, foil stamped sleeve, inspired by a field of tiles, holds nine individual folios, each showcasing a unique collection of new products.
Agency: The Great Society
2012 Graphic Design, Packaging, Print Design
Sartori is an artisan Wisconsin cheese brand founded in 1939 by Italian immigrant Paolo Sartori. We collaborated with agency The Great Society to help this family–run business rediscover its roots. The premium brand is rooted in Italian-American culture, a culture which carries different visual cues than its European counterparts. CO created a visual language steeped in this history, bringing depth and context to the brand.
Agency: The Great Society 2012 Branding, Creative Direction, Packaging
- SNL: THE GAME This is what they call a "good problem"– naming, designing and packaging a game which draws on 40 years of SNL history. Our solution was to capture the raw immediacy of SNL's writing process and live performances, which we achieved through hand-drawn illustrations of legendary characters and catchphrases. The package also communicates the fun of playing the game itself, which combines trivia, improv, and quick-fire team play. Discoverable images are hidden throughout the whimsical NYC street scenes depicted on the inside of the box. The pure yellow package, punctuated by gloss black illustrations, jumps off the shelf in a crowded retail setting. 2012 Graphic Design, Illustration, Packaging
ANSR Acne Care
When this startup company came to us for branding an effective new technology that uses light therapy to diminish acne, they didn't even have a name. For anyone who suffers from acne, there never seems to be a real answer. So we named it ANSR: By using clean, identifiable colors and symbols, we communicated the positive feeling of the brand and the simplicity of its use.
The first phase of the project involved branding and packaging the product for online retail and direct mail, so we devised a self-mailing package with every element considered.
When it was time to expand the line and package it for department stores, we named the two products Beam and Halo. The package incorporates a drawer-like opening to house the skincare device, gloss inks and pop spot colors. CO art directed the photography to position the product within the luxury beauty industry. 2012 Branding, Creative Direction, Packaging
- MAYU When Mayu's Italian vintner approached CO to rebrand and redesign his Chilean wine labels for the American market, both our thirst and our wanderlust were sparked. Mayu, which means 'Milky Way' in Incan, produces wine in Chile's Atacama desert, home to numerous observatories viewing the clearest skies on earth. CO Projects once again teamed with illustrator Howell Golson to capture this unique landscape for a series of 10 varietals. 2014 Art Direction, Branding, Packaging
- ANN SACKS INFINITY To illustrate the myriad combinations possible with the 11 tile designs in the Ann Sacks Modern Collection, CO Projects devised this alluring set of flash cards. Enveloped in an origami-inspired enclosure, the 57 cards feature graphic black and white depictions of tile patterns, along with beautiful product photography and bold typography. 2013 Creative Direction, Graphic Design, Packaging
Branding the PureProject line required an identity that embodied the Branding the PureProject line required an identity that embodied the minimal philosophy behind the shoes. A simple logo is accompanied by a family of wordmarks which identifies each of the 5 shoe models in the debut collection. Usage and application of the system is laid out in an extensive style guide.
Agency: The Great Society. 2012 Art Direction, Branding, Graphic Design
- BOOK COVERS We love to read. We love books. We love designing book covers. Long live the printed page! 2012 Graphic Design, Packaging, Print Design
- SEEDS OF CHANGE Seeds of Change realized that their brand was in need of refreshment. We felt that they not only had to challenge the typical bland view of organic products, but that they also needed to be true to their background as experts in seeds and farming. We knew that no other brand, organic or mainstream, could own that story. 2012 Art Direction, Graphic Design, Packaging
- HOLLY YASHI Holly Yashi is a popular, romantic jewelry line designed and produced in Northern California, but their brand was in need of a refresh and re-introduction. What followed was an overhaul of their entire aesthetic, including a new catalog design, photography direction, packaging and identity. 2012 Art Direction, Branding, Creative Direction
- NEWMAN'S OWN WINE When Newman's Own entered the crowded wine market, their vintner wanted to elevate the brand with a specialty presence. Paul Newman's iconic face still needed to grace the label and marketing materials, but we chose to emphasize his Butch Cassidy outlaw personality in the brand voice. Two retail campaigns were designed, for the holidays and for summer. 2013 Creative Direction, Graphic Design, Packaging
- CRANIUM WOW Cranium Inc. wanted to re-package their flagship game as part of an effort to differentiate between adult and children's games. We crafted the quirky personality of the game by using wiseacre copy, double-entendres and a little touch of existentialism. Gary Baseman's original four characters were given detailed life stories. The outside of the box is wrapped in copy taunting the consumer to play. 2012 Art Direction, Creative Direction, Packaging
- NIKE Art direction and design of Nike projects ranging from retail initiatives to packaging to apparel graphics. 2012 Art Direction, Creative Direction, Graphic Design
- ELLINGTON CO partnered with 14 Hands agency to rebrand Ellington Leather, a local handbag company with a rich heritage and loyal following. A sophisticated new ID system was unveiled, including bespoke patterns which are used as an additional branding element in bag linings and packaging. The branding extended to updated retail signage and displays. To show how the new identity would come to life, we created a hand-stitched and bound 'look book.' The book acts as a style guide for the new branding, covering usage of logos and patterns, color palettes, photo direction and typography. 2012 Art Direction, Branding
- BLUE MOOSE When asked to re-imagine the labels for Blue Moose's line of hand crafted spreads and dips, we decided to embrace the quirk. Working with illustrator Howell Golson, and agency The Great Society, we created an endearing moose character who embodies Boulder through his love of the outdoors. What started out as a small tweak mushroomed into rebranding an entire line of 25+ varieties of hummus, salsa and spreads. 2013 Branding, Graphic Design, Packaging
When Coca-Cola asked us to create new visuals for their global brand to help them resonate with a younger and more international audience, our ideas were very well received. We soon found ourselves in the enviable position of influencing and directing Coke's ad agencies around the world, guiding the global presence of Coca Cola Light.
2012 Art Direction, Branding, Creative Direction
- NIKE WOMEN Art direction and design of retail initiatives, print campaigns and photoshoots for the NikeWomen brand and stores. 2012 Art Direction, Graphic Design
The XBox 360 Live Avatar Marketplace allows gamers to purchase apparel for the avatars which represent them in online play. CO designed virtual apparel collections such as "Steampunk" and "80's Modern," which sell alongside branded apparel from the likes of Adidas and Roxy.
CO was then asked to design a series of posters and banners for Microsoft's internal campus launch of the Avatar Marketplace. Armed with low-resolution assets, little content, and less than a week for design and production, we came up with a lively and arresting family of visuals. The quotes were taken directly from gamers, raving about the collections on online forums. 2012 Art Direction, Game Design, Graphic Design
- DUO Duo hardware and software convert the iPad into a digital gaming device for group play. The packaging and branding convey a sense of fun through a sophisticated aesthetic, allowing the product to partner naturally with Apple products in retail settings like the Apple Store. The box features the Duo logo hovering above the devices, casting a dimensional shadow on brightly colored backgrounds. Product names Plink and Pop were developed for simplicity and to mimic the sound of game-play. Conversational instructions join comical illustrations to communicate whimsy and tech savvy. 2013 Art Direction, Branding, Packaging
- PORTLAND CENTER STAGE Diverse styles of illustration from Portland artists distill the concepts of each play. Bold and metaphorical images fit within a common framework to form a graphic family. Some feature strong typography while others rely on humor to convey their farcical character. All are meant to celebrate the freshness of Portland's newest venue in its inaugural season. The self-mailing brochure celebrates the opening of the new Armory Theater in Portland's Pearl District. 2013 Creative Direction, Graphic Design, Illustration


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Perret's Discount Coupons...
Do you have a Discount Coupon Code? We don't know. Maybe you do...Maybe you don't..
How do you get a Discount Coupon Code? There are a few ways.
The simplest way is to sign up for our newsletter. After you sign up, we will send out periodic notices of new products, specials, and promotions. Usually we will include a Discount Coupon Code as part of these Newsletters.
Another way is if you are part of an organization or company that has negotiated a discount with us for your group. These are usually scout troops, police and fire departments, emergency medical units, military units, factories, etc.
If this is the case you will have to get the special code from them.
If you think your organization might qualify for something like this-please have your people contact our people. Maybe we can make it happen!
Or maybe we sent you one just because we like your name! We doubt it, but you never know! :-)
Anyway, if you have a code plug it in and get shopping!