text:
The last battle for freedom is underway....
By the end of Glenn Beck's number-one best-selling political thriller The Overton Window, a young rebel named Molly Ross had torn aside the curtain to reveal a shadow war being waged for the future of America. In the six months since then, her fight for freedom hasn't gone well. Marked as traitors and hunted by ruthless government-sanctioned mercenaries using the most advanced surveillance technologies ever created, Ross and her "Founders' Keepers" find themselves cornered and standing alone. but the fight is far from over.
The battle lines in this bitter rivalry are as old as civilization itself: On one side, an unlikely band of ordinary Americans, ready to make their last stand in defense of self-rule, freedom, and liberty - and on the other, an elite cabal of self-styled tyrants who believe that unlimited power should be wielded only by the chosen few. That group, led by an aging, trillionaire puppet-master named Aaron Doyle, will stop at nothing to destroy the myth that man is capable of ruling himself.
As Doyle prepares to make his final move toward a dark, global vision for humanity's future, new allies join the fight and old enemies change sides. In the midst of it all, Molly draws together a small but devoted group willing to risk their lives to infiltrate one of the most secure locations on earth - a place holding long-standing secrets that, if revealed, would forever change the way Americans view their rare, extraordinary place in history. Exposing these truths, and the real-life game of chess being played for mankind's freedom, is their last chance to save the country they love.
©2013 Glenn Beck (P)2013 Simon & Schuster
"Didn't want it to end"
Makes you wonder, if this could really happen. A riveting story, very well written and researched.
I read, or listen to books to help me do better professionally. But I also like to read books on politics and US History!
"I love this stuff!"
The story was interesting and kept me engaged. I love the way real world is mixed with speculation...speculation that I can see as possible!
It makes you think!
Is this where America is headed?
"Couldn't follow"
This was rough. Even read the first one of this series but it just went way out there. Too many giant leaps without telling us how you got there. Don't usually start and not finish but that was the case with this one.
As I listened to this book, I was amazed at how it mirrored today's news. Uncanny. I remember listening to Glenn Beck last summer stating that he was not going to release the book until the time was right. Well the time was definitely right. Took me a little time to get oriented back into the characters from the Overton Window, but once I was in sync, it was fast paced and, as always, an eye opener.
"Great Story - Confusingly told"
I would recommend this book to all.
Left me wanting more.
The entire beginning chapter and how they escaped capture. Chilling executed.
Yes I would.
A solid, complex, chilling, political thriller that spins a confusing web of story styles into an all encompassing over view of modern day progressive liberalism and the truly evil agenda that it encapsulates.
I bought the audio book version of the book today from Audible and listened to all afternoon. I have to say that over all the book is pretty entertaining, chilling, and somewhat interesting. However it had a rather blatant disjointed, haphazard, mufti-authored, disconnect to it that made it very confusing to listen too, let along, I assume, to read. While I found the story to be chilling I also found that the way in which it was assembled had me wondering if I had missed a few chapters of the previous book, The Overton Window.
To me the book seemed filled with chapters that were well written, enjoyably suspenseful, insightful, yet seemingly written by many different authors. This effect brought a sincere sense of confusion to the over all flow of the story and to the book as a whole.
While much of the book was filled with political insight into the minds and ideology of hard core progressive liberalists, a significant portion delved into what I thought to be the heart and soul of those involved in the events encapsulated by the story. The book can be summed up as; A truly chilling mosaic of current political events spun out of control by agents of willful chaos and those who are caught up within the struggle and those who choose to just "ignore" the reality that surrounds them. Freedom is nothing more than what we are given by those who know there is no freedom but what freedom they grant to us.
All in all this is a good political thriller written in the multiple story telling styles of Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, and Glenn Beck. A truly chilling tale of the evil that is modern day progressive liberalism and how it is progressing through the body of liberty and killing it from within. Apart from the disjointed feel of the story, the over all story is outstanding and relevant to the issue we are facing in today's world. A solid book worthy of a place on any ones book shelf.
"Not a bad listen at all"
I enjoyed it - if you lisen closely Mr Beck threads in real life events into the fiction.
Might get his other, older fiction book
"Second book I have heard in my life"
the book had flow through very well it kept me entertained each of the chapters although not at a consistence time all of a sudden you knew you you were done with the chapter and then you move on to the next yet next thing you know you were done with the book great book
"A profound work of faction at its best"
Clearly a great follow-up was needed to the Overton Window and this delivered. More of the plan laid bare and a little more realization of the Liberties that are ours to protect.
"A Real Bummer"
I was so ready to love it. I wanted to love it. I tried. The first 30 seconds I could not even focus on the text. All I could think about was the voice. Could he breath alright? Why so low? Too many cigarettes? It was brutalizing work to continue to chapter 1. Surely it would get better.
BUT IT DIDN'T! The first chapter sounded like an automated voice, not even human. By chapter 2 I had given up hope. The various voices? I could never slip into the illusion that anyone other than the reader was speaking.
SIGH... I can't listen any farther. And not because its a poor text. Beck should never have allowed a switch in readers on this second book. I am convinced this reader has ruined the series.
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I honestly can't figure out the market's response to the China data... it all seems pretty encouraging and the market's reaction is to trend sideways and lose a little ground...
Sometimes I wonder if short sellers are dumping stock right after good news hits the markets to kill off a rally...
"Westpac economist Justin Smirk said: ''2013 looks set to be yet another year of lacklustre jobs growth. 'On current trends, unemployment will hit 5.75 per cent.''
Yikes! What will that do to house prices?
How does one hire Subways ruler (just once)
I honestly can't figure out the market's response to the China data... it all seems pretty encouraging and the market's reaction is to trend sideways and lose a little ground...
Sometimes I wonder if short sellers are dumping stock right after good news hits the markets to kill off a rally...
When are they going to create an ETF indexed against the average weather temperatures in Australia. Sure it'll only go up by a few % each 5 years or so, but the way things are going it would be good defensive asset for all portfolios.
When the herd is feeling bullish, there is so much liquidity in the markets and its an excellent time to off load and take profits.
Not only is the foot long Subway only 11 inches, but the first inch either end is nothing more than a bit of tapered bread roll, devoid of meaningful filling.
The Subway roll..........a prime example of what's wrong with most business models these days.
Maybe subway is subtly doing something about the fatties who eat at their establishment, better than a fattie tax . JMO
C;mon fellas who amongst us has not told similar lie ?.
""For the first half of this year the economy will continue to be fairly solid, but China's trend growth is still set to slow down."
Uh oh... what will that do to house prices?
Short FMG again.
it'd be better if you have these retrospectives each quarter and try to reduce it to the most outrageous and funniest remarks. Perhaps you should also include ourtrageously optimistic remarks, like iron ore and FMG returning to $170 and $7 respectively. And I'll try harder to supply an outrageous one liner - I don't think I got even one into your list.
Sorry Catch I tried to be fair.
I'm with Peter Esho, confused, Sirtex says, yep things are good, (announced 34 quarter of growth) price goes down the toilet, whattttttttt...........
I do not trust the Chinese, 'truth' is a variable directly related to their self interest. How believable are their data. Most of the experts and high position holders within China are government appointees and owe their job and future well being to the oligarchy. Is the data capable of being independently analysed or audited outside China.
Another grump, doesn't this happen already! they may produce the goods (rubbish) that the West uses but the raw material comes from outside China. When their data comes out don't Western nation that supply the raw materials know if their numbers are doctored or not?
And the "West" is transparent ? Sometimes what you really know relates to who you know. Perhaps we get the highs and lows because everyone is always fully informed.
After the GFC the US is the country you shouldn't trust, not China.
"GDP figures are "man-made" and therefore unreliable, Li said. When evaluating Liaoning's economy, he focuses on three figures: 1) electricity consumption, which was up 10 percent in Liaoning last year; 2) volume of rail cargo, which is fairly accurate because fees are charged for each unit of weight; and 3) amount of loans disbursed, which also tends to be accurate given the interest fees charged. By looking at these three figures, Li said he can measure with relative accuracy the speed of economic growth. All other figures, especially GDP statistics, are "for reference only," he said smiling. "
Interesting that in 2012 electricity demand in China rose 5.5%, al ot less than the "official" GDP figure.
When will the other 500M Chinese be able to see a doctor?
I echo your sentiments about reliability of data Grump, however I think it is very important to distinguish the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from the Chinese people in these comments.
I'm not sure I would be comfortable with foreigners tarring all Australians with the same brush as Gillard's Federal Government.
Did George, Tony and John show you all of the material and documentation before they entered into bilateral military action against a sovereign state?
Have you ever written any report based on a wealth of information and manipulated it to support your view?
Chinas economic reports are no different.
Wasn't it Tom Albanese who said that Australia is becoming a sovereign risk? The same block who mines for diamonds in Zimbabwe? It now looks as if sovereign risk wasn't a risk at all, the risk was the Tom was in charge of the cheque book.
He was handed boom prices for iron ore by the Chinese and he's suddenly a genius.
Oh, dear, it's past pumkin time! Sir Hugh Mungus, is it still possible to slip in a late entry, pleeeease sir ? China fantasy hour hasn't hit yet COB 4790 ?
You really should buy a watch, Major. Cant see how a few minutes will hurt this time.
The bored of directors will accept...
Would the bored directors care to make a resolution that the deadline will be enforced more strictly in future weeks?
A very 'dubious' (but surprisingly engaged) character politely enquires
OK then, cap'n, how's this?
Dear Major Major,
Should you transgress the strict policies of the World Famous ASX tipping, you shall be keel-hauled and slapped with a fish of your choosing.
Can't get much fairer than that.
And... despite your claim in the alternative, you are very Serious about winning this, despite my attempts at loopholing.
Like it, Seriously..., like it. A bit of competition never hurt anyone (excepting Lance Armstrong, etc.). All reps.
you've got to learn the art of grovelling - it's the foundation to success in any hierarchy, military or professional
I'm ready for my herring....
Had a chuckle at the news this morning - Big fella at Rio misplaces some miniscule amount (Read: $ 14 billion) and gets the push.
News insisted on adding, "he didna get the usual pay-out or golden handshake..."
Here's me thinking, "How noble of him."
Then they added, "but he will get options valued at $ 16 million...."
Oh dear someone has a bee in their bonnet. The AORD is back at 2005 levels ie it's gone nowhere for 7 years.
Pollyannas look at 6 months and crow even thought they were long well before that. What about the lost 7 years?
Short banks.
Dividends Allan dividends! 7 years of dividends that you conveniently and constantly omit for all of the better stocks!
Opto, have to agree with you. We retired several years ago and have seen dividend after dividend fund our retirement. Sometimes difficult when coy's drop their divedend levels (eg Leightons) and deposit rates go down however by keeping an eye on our investments we could not be happier.
Aaaahh The climate change skeptics argument: you take the high of the previous cycle and the low of the next cycle for "proof". LOL! Any reason you arbitrarily chose 2005? BTW, since Dec 2002 (10 years), it has risen 4.6%pa. Add divs and franking and that's about 9%pa. But that's boring I know .....
Someone I know an (a very talented, consistent and contrarian, but above all wealthy) investor who has CBA as one of the best shorts in a long time. Prior to me learning this a few people had told me they'd piled in to CBA. How can CBA be at all time highs when loans are declining, defaults are increasing unemployment's sky rocketing, debt are at max possible, housing's on it's way to halving and wages are declining...Boral sack 700 and the market sees this as good news?....Mad, mad, mad market.
Nope. Most companies suspended dividends to pay down some of their enormous debts.
Allan - Some companies not most. suspended dividends. Dividend returns were still there from a lot of companies.
JohnB CBA's price (like the other banks)has been driven by a hunt for a decent dividend yield in a maket that hasn't moved all that much in recent years.
This has been exagerated by the recent interest rate cuts and the likelihood of further cuts later this year... essentially retail investors have piled into the banks for yield not worrying about the possibility of a loss of capital or whether they are getting value for money (many retail investors have bought on the back of little more than the media focus on bank div yields in recent months).
Profits aren't likely to crash despite weakness in employment in the south- eastern Australian states though a modest increase provisions for non performing loans is probable.
The reality is our banks haven't gotten carried away with their lending as much as US and European banks due to funding contraints. That said, I'd prefer to be buying the banks shortly before their next dividend goes ex in mid Feb (check the dates) rather than now due to likely falls on the back of US buget negotiations.
Nope, check the indexes I posted earlier. You think companies paid dividends while they were losing money?
The bonanza returns the led to the GFC were built on debt. Those days are gone. The debt is still there.
"The reality is our banks haven't gotten carried away with their lending as much as US and European banks"
With 53% of their loan books in residential property they are highly exposed to the falling property market. You know the market that's in the biggest bubble Australia has ever seen.
Look out below!
In Australia a company can ONLY pay dividends out of profits.
Yes that's what I guessed, chasing dividends. It looks great at the moment. I think there's a massive correction coming though and all those retail investors aren't known for knowing when to sell. There will be tears when the drops more than wipe out their dividends. I don't see that there's been responsible lending. LVR means little when the "V" is hyper inflated. Wages are also under pressure from all angles as is employment. This was always going to happen and is starting now.
"In Australia a company can ONLY pay dividends out of profits."
What are profits? REITs boosted their share prices and their executive remuneration on profits from mark to market valuations that were more than double what they should have been.
That's why REIT share prices have gone backwards 20 years.
The new test for paying dividends introduced in 2010 doesn't fix that.
Allan kindly note a REIT is a trust not a company...
In some cases REITs are stapled securities and in loss making situations they simply issue the distributions (which can include capital) from the trust component(s)...
Ditto for companies. They still can and do pay dividends from borrowing. The Corporations Act doesn't prohibit it.
Pollyannas bidding up the market. Get ready with your shorts again.
No mention of FMG today? Oh and btw it was at the same price on 4/6 ie it's gone nowhere. The following idexes have gone nowhere since
XDJ Cons. disc. (back at 1990 levels)
XIJ Info tech (back at 1990 levels)
XJD Energy (back at 2005 levels)
XNJ Industrials (back at 2003 levels)
XMJ Material (back at 2005 levels)
XPJ REITs (back at 1990 levels)
XUJ Utilities (back at 2005 levels)
XSO Small ords (back at 1999 levels)
Short banks.
The analysts have a problem for every solution. The so called logic given on why RIO went up is just so much guessing. The only thing it shows is that the market does not follow any sort of logic that can be expressed sensibly. Have look at the history of the fiscal cliff announcements the forecast effect and the actual effect (ASX not US) - virtually no correlation and as a result the correlation coefficient at the lower end of the scale. Analyst = expert in 20:20 hindsight.
LOLOLOL 0.1%. Down tomorrow. Spain, Italy, UK credit crises to come. Oh and the Australian residential property crash to look forward to. Enjoy! 20/6 The Americans introduced QE 1 QE 2 and Twist and we introduced a Flood levy a mining tax and a carbon tax and now our market is 43% behind the Dow. What's going on ?? 21/6 Glenn Stevens has told you, Australians have faux wealth generated by debt and bidding up house prices. A classic house of cards. Look out below! 21/6 I saw Bulls, many Bulls. Red bulls, brown bulls, big bulls and small bulls. Last seen in a large truck headind to the local abbatoir. 25/6 Stocks are still to expensive to buy at this moment. I am personally waiting for around a 30% drop from today's values before even considering investing any money in the stock market; whereas for the real estate I'm waiting for the 60% drop (correction) before purchasing even one brick 25/6 Another 700 points down and I MIGHT consider buying something. But like all current markets the ASX is well over valued. Not quite as bad as the housing market however. At least bank stocks pay a dividend! 25/6 Gee BHP down 34% this year. I thought there was a resources boom. Must've been cancelled. 25/6 Where is good news going to come from though? The only way I can see Europe resolved is if Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugul leave the Euro... 26/6 Can't see us finishing positively today with further downgrades luming large and any positive outcome of the euro summit very weak. 27/6 The last race is scratched. There is too much monopoly money on the track. Several prominent jockeys have already been injured including three men and one woman. 27/6 Cheers
You have made your point optimist, now move on please.
Will do !
Who the hell would want to be holding stocks come 4 pm tomorrow afternoon ? Good luck, you'll need it.14/6
We seem to be ONE DAY from disaster, each and every week. We are not out the woods yet and now the wolf pack is coming.18/6
The dreamers deserve to own stock at this point in time. Investors who believe in fairy tales will buy your shares in a falling market. 18/6
So when the market drops 2% in a day they call it Panic Selling. What do they call it when it jumps 2% in a day? 18/6
Panic buying ? 18/6
A dead cat bounce. 18/6
Your story headed "Investor doubts ----" 8.33 AM contains the interesting words "investors in Europe and the US fled on fears the crisis----". Considering they were "fleeing' it must have been a very orderly affair as the DOW ended down 0.2%, Nasdaq up 0.78%, S and P up 0.14%, FTSE up 0.22%, DAC up 0.3% Crickey! Truly the most orderly fleeing in history 19/6
This market is just pathetic. 19/6
I see BULLS, many many many Bulls...Big bulls, small bulls, red bulls and brown bulls. 19/6
That sounds like a lot of bull to me. 19/6
I smell And see Bulls Hit. 19/6
Optimist I don't always agree with your analysis but I have to say your posts are refreshing amongst all the doom and gloom. 20/6-Thanks!
Yes, I think Plato summed it up pretty well: "Democracy is a charming form of government, full of variety and disorder, and dispensing a sort of equality to equals and unequal alike." 20/6
Economy grinding to a halt: Dead cat bounce. 20/6
Nice work Opto ;-D
Tip of the day. Get out now, while the getting is good.7/6
A "rally" anticipating a big news will end up in tears. The bulls who entered the market late yesterday were trapped. Today 8/6
Forget those retirement plans folks - in a few years time there will be nothing left in your superannuation 'nest egg'. 8/6
You are dead right. The "Buy & Hold" investment strategy nowadays is gone for good. 8/6
I will once again , for the fiftieth time, remind viewers, that the cause of the global stress is MASSIVE DEBT, 8/6
The Sky Is Falling! Enjoy the long weekend, peeps. 8/6
I warned the Bulls yesterday. 8/6
Can the sharemarket be closed for a couple of weeks to give everybody a break from the constant barrage of gloom and doom? 11/
Or !!! A change in Government !! 11/6
Yep, the next big correction will be down to the 3000-3500 range as the property bubble bursts. 11/6
2 great reasons for "shares to rise". The power of dreams. 13/6
The whole house of cards called the world economy is about to come down, and what does our index do? It moves up and down like an ECG, as if the patient is going to walk out of intensive care sometime soon. I'm going to post the biggest "I told you so" in a few weeks.14/6
I smell the blood of les tricoteuses 14/6
Optimist, I love a trip down memory lane as much as the next optimist however last year was a year that many investors wish they could forget... how about we leave the mountains of quotes in the past and look forward to a more lucrative 2013
Seriously...I think we should let Optimist enjoy his "I told you so" moment.
1 out of 1. That means he has a 100% success rate. Sounds like a trend :)
I love... the next optimist... many investors... forget... the mountains... and look forward to... more... 2013. 18/1
My paraphrasing still needs work.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it't the ASX ! 6/6
Ha you think you stocked up at the bottom? Hilarious. 6/6
Yep. The Bulls are on the track. Some "late comers" are being herded into the corral. Once they are in there, they get trapped. Then they get slaughtered. 7/6
I love your sarcasm 7/6
Coming soon..BULLS HIT! 7/6
What's happened? I went to hospital on Monday and got back this morning and everyone is smiling. Has Greece and Italy and Spain paid their account? 7/6
Stop asking questions. The world economy has been fixed, and you just have to learn to trust our leaders. Now get back online and start buying stock. 7/6
No you must just have had an Abbottectomy. The World always looks better when you get rid of one of them! 7/6
Just amazing what a shot of hopium will do. Unfortunately like most addicts after multiple injections the end result is usually death.7/6
What's the point? The World's ending on July 1. Mister Abbott told me so. 7/6
I'd prefer less sarcasm towards Tony Abbott.7/6 Tony Abbott
Nor with you. "This way boys" said Major Optimist, leading his men over the edge of a cliff. 7/6
Guys, you have a few minutes left to dump your stock. Overnight, investors from other time zones will drive the Dow and other indices down into the ground, and tomorrow you'll wake up to a new dawn. 4/6
I'm buying, I'm buying...a latte; forget the stocks. With a rate cut later today around 25 points, that really tells me...panic is in the air. By end of July...real bargains, crash is inevitable. 5/6
ASX is still 30% overpriced. 5/6
On what basis is the ASX 30% over priced? Please explain. It is currently slightly below trend.5/6
Start @ 1985 and see what you get. I'd say @ 2800 is the right level. 5/6
The good days are back. The only way from here is up! Joy to the world. 5/6
Meow !!! Bounce. Meow !!! Bounce. 5/6
So the cat is alive? 5/6
I think it's just air being squeezed from itis lungs on impact, like an accordion. The cat is not alive. 5/6
SELL! SELL! SELL!That's all I can hear in this building. My clients are all hiding like frightened rabbits in their burrows 5/6
We should be quite safe from the ire of the short-sellers until 2:30 pm 5/6
Funny it started climbing at 2.30 short sellers must be at lunch. Ouch buying later on! 5/6
Kissing the trend Goodbye...... A chance to liquidate all longs.5/6
Those who think they buy "bargains" caught their falling swords - now people in their right mind using selling opportunity. 5/6
Do Not Worry about those tiny icebergs !! Full steam ahead..5/6
The downbeat & funny :-
Reinvest the money you lost last week and buy some more! 4/6/12
If you lost it, how can you re invest it ? Talk about gluttons for punishment. 4/6
Nice buying quality stocks today. Optimist where are you? 4/6
Without a blanket shortselling ban there will be carnage 4/6
My gut feeling tells me the market will recover most of its loss today and will resume its march down towards fair value tomorrow. 4/6
No wonder Casino's aren't doing so well nowadays. 4/6
Capitalism teetering on the brink of destruction. How about that Karl Marx was right after all. 4/6
My prediction is that the dollar will be below 95 cents by the end of the month and the all ords down to around 3500 points.
My best advice is to buy drugs and handguns. But she'll be right, unless all of your super is in shares, then, basically, you're stuffed and will only be able to retire when you are older than Prince Phillip. 4/6
UH OH! Here it comes. A few of us here been calling this and its down down down. 4/6
I feel so secure knowing we have the World's Best Treasurer and an Economy which is the envy of the world. 4/6
Q: Cannot figure where all of the money has gone? A: Short selling 4/6
These are some remarks from back there in June around the low of 4th June. My point is that folk unfortunately quickly loose rational and follow the herd mentality when distressed. There were present at that time buy signals on many good stocks and most especially the better dividend paying ones. It would have been better guys not to go through the pain yesterday, again! I can understand though your anxiety at the rate at which problems are observed and dealt with. 5/6 More good news will surely give stocks a boost 6/6 Lucky I stocked up the other day 6/6 Yeah me too... the timing was perfect, good to see the rebound with more good news added by the hour.6/6 Collective panic leads to collective distress and is simply not rational. A rush for the exits simply destroys shareholder value for you all. 8/6 Amazing how depressed prices can get in the dearth of buyers. Just a little negative news constantly flowing pushing downwards. 11/6 Nice to see a few rational heads prevailing today. 12/6 THE BULLS ARE ON THE TRACK ! 7/6 BUY AT DISCOUNT, will not last, buy now to clean up next month, AN OPPORTUNITY NOT TO BE MISSED. 4/6 Last chance to stock up at these great rates before the rally starts. 14/6 Marvellous headlines today let's see retail sales tumble, $ can't hold parity, slashed Spanish debt rating, general disinterest in market, Italy's borrowing costs poised to jump, a tale of woe from Bernie. Hard to see at times isn't it where a green shoot is going to come from, but from somewhere it will. 14/6 You can never see through the fog when the markets bottom, or to quote Warren Buffett "you pay a high price for cheery consensus
"loose rational"
No as you know Allan but unfortunately for them a lot of other people did back there around May and June last
"My point is that folk unfortunately quickly loose rational and follow the herd mentality when distressed."
Yep optomists are distressed by the thought of missing out and are piling into a market that has gone nowhere for 5 years.
Do you know nothing else but tram-lining.
Can I join the comp at 4780 please
Taken and welcome. 4 weeks to go for round 1 - so you still have a chance to topple Seriously.
Cheers Snidery...
10.10am and down we go
Just the coffee shop dip. Wait till the bistros open !
today marks applications close for TEN's retail rights offer... will be interesting to see if the stock tanks next week as expected without the underwriters in the market propping up the share price to limit their take up of the retail offer...
Morning all, ready for another day on fantasy island.
China data at 1:00 pm - big deal, the market has a mind of its own and like the indians in the film The Searchers seem to be contrarian.
Anyway enjoy the ride.
Now Mr Snidery, I am determined to top the list on the prestigious tipping contest so here goes -- ASX200 @ 4765 CoB.
snide I'll have 4785 for the comp
I'll slot in between you two with a 4775, for no other reason than to be irritating. (Must keep up appearances, y'know).

subset: commoncrawl


text:
A mini site update--
Those of you who come to the website, as opposed to those who get this through a feed reader, will have noticed the site has a new look. It was time for a dusting off and a change, and I hope you like it.
As part of the update, I've installed some new "reactions" and "share" buttons at the bottom of each post. They provide an opportunity for you to agree or disagree with my take on a wine (if you've tasted it, too) and to indicate that the review sparked your interest in a wine ("wish list"). There are also handy buttons to share a post with your friends on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media sites.
Thanks for your continued readership. GWU$20 has more than 8000 daily subscribers and nearly 500,000 people have stopped by since the site went live in October 2006.
Sparkling wine is one of life's greatest pleasures. Regular readers know how fond I am of wine with bubbles in it, and I'm always on the lookout for new ways to bring some into the house without breaking the bank.
So when Jill at domaineLA mentioned she had a new sparkling Riesling on the shelves, I decided to give it a try.
The 2008 Reichsrat Von Buhl Riesling Brut [Sekt] is a dry wine with piercing apple aromas and hints of petroleum around the edges which is characteristic of Rieslings from this part of the world. Abundant yet fine bead gives the wine a nice texture that is lively without being harsh or raspy. You will find flavors of yeast, bread dough, and apple as you sip and the aftertaste left in your mouth will draw you back for more. A fun sparkler for $25, with lots of class and very good QPR.
I think you could easily open this bottle when you are tempted to splurge on a French champagne, given its classic flavor profile.
I know that there is no such thing as a "correct" wine pairing, and that the only thing that really matters is what works for your tastebuds. Nevertheless, I do enjoy the alchemy of good wine and food pairings--that semi-mystical thing that happens when the two hit it off perfectly.
Many of us have figured out over time what favorite foods work with our favorite wines: oysters with Champagne, Gewurztraminer with Thai food, Merlot and hamburgers. But what do you serve with Arneis? How about Xinomavro? If you are into grape adventures, and often pick up wines made with unfamiliar, unpronounceable grapes then you are left in the kitchen contemplating a wine you've never tasted before and wondering what to eat with it.
Enter Evan Goldstein and Daring Pairings (University of California Press, $34.95; available on Amazon.com and at other retailers for $23 and up). The subtitle reads "a Master Sommelier matches distinctive wines with recipes from his favorite chefs" and this book delivers on that promise.
I'm a member of the Wine Century Club, so I'm always on the hunt for new grapes. Many of my favorites are profiled in this book from the increasingly common (Albarino, Malbec, Tempranillo) to the still rare (Trebbiano, Tannat, Aglianico). The book is arranged in two sections (white grapes, red grapes) and then alphabetically by grape. Each grape gets an excellent, readable description, cheese pairing advice, and a tasty recipe.
In some pairing books that include recipes from chefs, the recipes are so complicated you never get around to making them. Not so this book. I immediately made a terrific pasta dish dreamed up by the Union Square Cafe's Michael Romano with asparagus, prosciutto, and roasted peppers to accompany that wonderfully weird Bordeaux I had last week. A few days later, I made Charlie Trotter's salad of Cornish game hens with Shitake Mushroom Vinaigrette. Both were delicious, neither was too complicated--and were wonderful with the recommended wines.
I highly recommend this book. It's fun to read, and Goldstein wears his obvious expertise lightly. There is nothing intimidating about this book, but it still offers new wisdom to wine enthusiasts who know a little bit about wine. It's fun to go to the wine store with a list of funky grapes you now want to try. And it's fun to head into the kitchen to whip up a sophisticated dish to go with your first sip of Txakoli, confident that the two will taste great together.
Full disclosure: I received a review copy of this book.
So, how are your purchases of 2009 Bordeaux futures coming along? If, like me, you decided to sit out the hysteria this year (the prices are epic and the hysteria just as epic), you may be feeling a little blue. For me, its budgetary. I just don't eat enough of the kind of food that goes with a fantastic bottle of aged Bordeaux to warrant the splurge. Riesling or Champagne? That's another matter.
It's not that I don't like the taste of Bordeaux wines--I do. But I think I've got enough 2003 bottles in my cellar (none of which will be ready to drink for another few years) to keep me going.
Meanwhile, if you are watching/listening/participating in the 2009 Futures Follies, you may want a nice bottle of Bordeaux to go with it. Here are two bottles--one unusual bottle from Bordeaux and one Bordeaux-like bottle from California--that will help see you through the process.
The first bottle I'm recommending is the 2007 Château Tire Pé DieM ($7.99, Garagiste; available currently for $10-$14) This is not your father's Bordeaux, but it's just fantastic. Imagine, if you will, the vinous love child of a wine from Bordeaux and one from the Beaujolais and you've pretty much got this wine. It's a classic blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon that oozes personality and old world charm but is much lighter in weight than most bottlings from this part of France, which tend to be heavy, complex, and age-worthy. The first impression of the wine is crushed raspberries, some soil, and some rocks--very Beaujolais, in my book. The feeling of the wine is silky in the mouth. Then the funkier notes kick in, along with some vegetal greenness, some spice, and a hint of pencil lead--all very Bordeaux. And it's a terrific excellent QPR buy that certainly constitutes a great candidate for a house red (and when was the last time you said THAT about 2007 Bordeaux??) For food pairings, think of any foods you would pair with Gamay or Cabernet Franc, such as roasted chicken, sausages, or pork.
If you are looking for a heavier, more complicated wine made with true Bordeaux style, reach for the 2007 Trefethen Double T (available for $16-28) from the Napa Valley. I was extremely pleased with this blend that includes all five classic Bordeaux varieties. The wine was unusually complex for an excellent QPR bottling, with cassis, plum, and tobacco leaf aromas. Layered cassis, graphite, and herbal notes are present in the flavors, with a juicy aftertaste that lingers long enough to invite you back for another taste. Excellent with heartier fare, like this molasses/mustard marinated pork tenderloin.
Full Disclosure: I received the Trefethen Double-T as a sample.
Sorry for the silence on Monday and Tuesday, but here's the excuse: first, I'm writing (though obviously not this blog...) and there really is a point at which I feel that my brain may run out of words if I spread too many of them around. (My friend and wine guru Jeff Stai from Twisted Oak Winery says this will not happen--at least not to me--but I remain unconvinced). Second, I'm drinking rosés--lots of rosés. I had this notion I'd wait and post reviews of all of them at once.
Then I thought: who am I kidding? It's summer. People need their rosé reviews NOW because no matter how many times I (or another wine writer) say rosés are good all year around, how many people pay attention to us?
This summer's rosé reviews are all going to be local wines--and by local I mean wines made in Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino counties where I am currently writing to you from deep within a belt of fog that refuses to leave and has given us temps in the fifties (that's the high...). Which is proof that rosés are good whatever the weather!
Without further delay, here is the first of the summer rosé reviews:
2009 A Donkey and Goat Grenache Rosé Isabel's Cuvée ($17.00, domaineLA) This was a lovely, weighty rosé--though not in the color or in the fruit profile, so I am left grasping for a way to describe why it feels so substantial in the mouth. There were juicy aromas of watermelon and strawberry, which (though faint) were very alluring. Warming the wine slightly from fridge temperature helps to draw these aromas out. There were more dry strawberry and melon notes in the flavors, with lots of minerality. Excellent QPR for a dry, flavorful pink wine that will please both red and white wine lovers.
This mouthfilling wine will stand up well to spicier foods, like buffalo chicken wings or these delicious spicy chipotle shrimp tostadas.
People have different ways of locating good wine values. Some shop the sales, while others haunt the box stores. A few turn their backs on their favorites--Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, sparkling wine--and settle for something they're less fond of hoping it will suit their tastebuds.
My number one budget strategy (other than finding yourself a good wine retailer who will get to know your taste in wine and can steer you away from costly errors) is quite simple, can be done in any store, and is neither a strategy based on abstinence or rock-bottom clearances. Here it is:
Look for grapes in all the wrong places.
Certain regions become justifiably famous for producing a single grape--like Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa, or Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley--and this means that growers can command the highest prices for their wines. But Cabernet Sauvignon is not the only grape grown in Napa Valley. Trust me on this. Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling (rare, but it's there!) are excellent and represent excellent value, too, because really, when is the last time you heard anybody ask "Do you have any Napa Riesling??"
Here are a few of my recent finds that fit the "great grape in a surprising place" mantra for wine value.
Verdelho, Albariño and Grüner Veltliner--From Clarksburg: Dancing Coyote may just be the greatest value wine producer you aren't drinking--yet. But if you see a cavorting coyote on a wine label, buy it and try it. You are going to be amazed at the taste and quality inside the bottle. Dancing Coyote is in Clarksburg, CA along the Sacramento River delta. I tasted a number of their wines (and reviewed their Petite Sirah a little while ago) and all of them were impressive. The whites were especially excellent QPR, however, and made with grapes that are normally associated with the Iberian Peninsula or Austria. The 2009 Dancing Coyote Verdelho (suggested retail, $10.99; available for $8-$14) was fresh and clean, and had well-balanced flavors of apple and lemonade with a bit of spritz. Try it with some spicy shrimp and chorizo kebabs for a fast weeknight supper. The 2009 Dancing Coyote Albariño (suggested retail $10.99; available for $8 -$10) had loads of green apple flavors and aromas, with citrus threaded through. And the 2009 Dancing Coyote Grüner Veltliner (suggested retail $10.99, and available through the winery) is a terrific example of domestic Grüner Veltliner, with typical grapefruit, lentil, and dust aromas and flavors. A bit more full and round than an Austrian example, this went well with pasta with ham and asparagus.
Pinot Gris from Australia: When you think Pinot Gris you may think Alsace or even Italy--but not Australia. The 2009 Innocent Bystander Pinot Gris from Australia's Yarra Valley (suggested retail $15; available between $13 and $23) demands you reconsider this notion. It had a distinctive aroma profile of muted mandarin orange and nectarine. The flavors included notes notes of white nectarine, white peach, and Meyer lemon. Nicely balanced between fruit and acidity, this was an excellent QPR winner from Innocent Bystander.
Chardonnay from Italy: When I think Chardonnay I think California or France--not Italy. But Italy makes some beautiful Chardonnay, including the excellent QPR 2008 Tormaresca Chardonnay from Puglia (available for between $9 and $13). Straightforward, clean pear and apple aromas and flavors, with slight citrus inflections and no discernible oak, which was a nice change of pace. It was terrific with Ina Garten's Szechuan peanut noodles.
Malbec from California: Americans have finally discovered Malbec, which is a good thing since it's a terrific red grape with roots that extend back into French viticultural history. Now, Malbec is most often associated with Argentina, but it's grown in California, too.The 2008 Red Rock Winery Malbec Reserve is an exceptional Malbec for the price (suggested retail $10.99; available for $8-$14), with a "blue" flavor profile of blueberries and huckleberries. The aromas are accented at first with white flowers, and a nice note of baking chocolate enters into the aftertaste. For $11? Excellent QPR.
Full Disclosure: I received these wines as samples.
If the tomatoes aren't yet bursting on the vines where you are, it's only a matter of time. Tomatoes are an interesting wine pairing challenge. The acidity and sweet edge of fresh tomatoes can fight with some wines, and be overwhelmed by others.
Enter Grechetto. Grechetto has been grown in Umbria for centuries (I was corrected on this point when I drank an earlier vintage of this wine!). And it goes great with fresh tomato dishes, like caprese salad or this fantastic roasted cherry tomato pasta dish which uses barely blistered tomatoes to make a delicious sauce for spaghetti.
The 2008 Arnaldo-Caprai Grechetto Grecante (available for $16-$20) tasted quite different to me than the one that I drank in October 2008. That might be because that one had been in the bottle a bit longer, and was deeper in color and richer in taste as a result. This bottling--at least at this time--was much paler in color. The aromas reminded me of preserved lemons--the Moroccan kind, with salt. This aroma is echoed in the flavors, which take on savory herbal notes as well which will draw out the flavor of any herbs you use with your fresh tomatoes. Deliciously complex, dry, and not your ordinary summer white. Excellent QPR.
Full disclosure: I received this wine as a sample.
Summertime. And the living is hot. (image from DKC Service)
Sauvignon Blanc always has the effect of a liquid air conditioner on me. One cool glass and I can feel my core temperature drop and imagine a fresh breeze on my skin.
It would be an understatement to say that there is a lot of Sauvignon Blanc in the market. Let's face it: there's tons of the stuff. It comes from nearly every region of the globe, and finding your way among the options can be a bit daunting. Happily, most bottles are eminently affordable, which makes it possible to experiment without facing bankruptcy.
I must confess that I have a predilection (especially when the temperature rises) for Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand, which are the epitome of refreshment. But don't forget that regions closer to home, like the Napa Valley, make excellent Sauvignon Blanc, too. Check out some of my favorites below.
2009 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc (available for $12-$20) This classic Marlborough Sauvignon blank shouts "citrus!" with abundant grapefruit and lime notes, accented with grassy nuances. In some vintages, this wine can be a bit assertive for me, but the 2009 was delightfully balanced and has very good QPR.
2009 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc Icon (suggested retail $22; available for $14-$25) Another New Zealand bottling, the very good QPR Nobilo has piercing aromas and flavors of lime zest, herbs, and green tea. If Crawford shouts "Citrus!" this wine shouts "Green!" even though its not grassy. The wine is quite complex, and it would be interesting to see how this would pair with Thanksgiving dinner come November, so pick up a few bottles while you're in the store.
2008 Franciscan Oakville Estate Sauvignon Blanc (suggested retail $17; available for $12-20). This lovely domestic example of Sauvignon Blanc is rounder, with nicely-balanced notes of Crenshaw melon, hay, and lemon pith. Fresh but robust enough to stand up to lemon-grilled chicken or a rich fish like Halibut. Not assertive, this wine shows the Napa sunshine in its warmer fruit profile. Very good QPR.
2009 Cupcake Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc (suggested retail $14; available for $7-13). My final recommendation is another affordable New Zealand example with excellent QPR. In this bottle you will find focused Meyer lemon, pink grapefruit, and lime aromas and flavors. Very refreshing, and excellent with fish, salads, and other summer fare. Don't be surprised if this becomes your leading contender for a summer house wine.
Full Disclosure: I received these wines as samples.
Malbec just tastes right this time of year. In the summer, I always try to keep a few bottles on hand for cookouts, and whenever I go shopping there always are new bottles I want to try.
This wine, though, counts as a familiar favorite--one of those wine friends that we know we'll enjoy spending time with. The 2008 Clos de los Siete Clos de Los Siete is made by Michael Rolland from grapes grown in the Mendoza region of Argentina. This rich, smooth blend traditional Bordeaux grapes (suggested retail, $19; available for $15-$20) including not only Malbec but Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, has excellent QPR with its plum, herb, and espresso notes. There is some smokiness in the aftertaste, making it a wonderful partner for grilled food such as steak, chicken, pork, and sausages.
Malbec goes very well with Mexican cuisine, and we had it with Chile-Spiced Skirt Steak Tacos. The Ancho and Chipotle chile powders in the marinade add a rich, flavorful dimension to the meat that is perfect with a rich, smoky wine like the Clos Los Siete.
Full Disclosure: I received this wine as a sample.
Good value, high quality, authentic-tasting Chardonnay may be America's most wanted wine. Sometimes, you might think it's as difficult to find as it would be to track down a known fugitive. Why is there so much terrible cheap Chardonnay? Every year there seems to be more of it. But finding a good bottle that is also affordable--that's the trick.
In the summer, the high temperatures and our tendency to serve foods like grilled chicken, corn, crab, and fish make even those of us who are not huge Chardonnay fans head for the store in search of that elusive bottle. When I made some fantastic Tandori-style grilled chicken and slapped it between some grilled naan for a fast weeknight supper, I was definitely on the hunt for a Chardonnay that would be rich but not overly oaky, and luscious without tasting fake and plastic.
Here are some recommendations for Chardonnays that fit the bill--both in terms of cost and taste.
2008 Trefethen Chardonnay Double T (available for $15-$19) This nicely-balanced Napa Valley Chardonnay had authentic, creamy oak and baked apple aromas and flavors. Though it was rich, there was plenty of acidity to keep it from getting to flabby. Very good QPR.
2008 Hayman & Hill Chardonnay Reserve Selection Russian River Valley (SRP $15; available for $14 to $17) Another California Chardonnay, this one from the cooler climate of the Russian River Valley, delivered creme fraiche, apple, and citrus aromas and flavors. The citrus notes kept the wine quite lively, although this was still a full-bodied wine. Layered, complex, and very good QPR.
2008 Concannon Vineyard Chardonnay Conservancy Livermore Valley (SRP $15; available for $9 to $13) From the Livermore Valley, the Concannon Vinyeard bottling struck a perfect balance between richness and freshness with its abundant apple, citrus, pear, and sour cream aromas and flavors. This well-made wine will appeal to those who like their Chardonnays rich, without turning off those who prefer a wine with a lighter flavor profile. Very good QPR--and excellent QPR if you can pick it up for around $10.
Full Disclosure: I received these wines as samples.
As I've said before, there is nothing "petite" about Petite Sirah. This is a grape that produces big, blowsy wines with intense fruit flavors and a lushness that stands up to almost anything you throw at it--grilled steaks, hamburgers, chili, stew, and summer's favorite BBQ.
Finding a Petite Sirah for under $20 that doesn't tend towards the cough syrup side of the spectrum, however, can be a bit of a challenge. Lush is good, but syrupy is not.
If you like big, bold reds give one of these beauties a try.
2007 Concannon Vineyard Petite Sirah Conservancy Livermore Valley (suggested retail $15; available from $13) This is a dark and brooding Petite Sirah with plum and black cherry notes in the aromas. Your first sips will confirm that impression, but in the aftertaste the flavors linger and turn darker with a tarry edge that keeps the wine interesting. Very good QPR.
2008 Dancing Coyote Petite Sirah ($10.99) This steal from Clarksburg has terrific varietal characteristics and is a bit lighter on its feet than many Petite Sirah. I loved the black cherry, mocha, and roast coffee aromas and flavors and the balance between fruit and acidity in the wine. The aftertaste was nicely spicy, as well. Excellent QPR.
Full Disclosure: I received these wines as samples.
No matter how much wine you drink, nobody knows everything.
Recently, I've been sampling some wine from Ca'Momi Wines. Located in the pricey Napa Valley, this is a winery that makes some extraordinarily affordable and delicious wines. Put it on your list of small producers to watch for and ask your favorite retailer to get some of their wine in stock.
A wine that I was particularly taken with was the NV Ca' Momi Ca' Secco ($16.99) This was summer in a bottle, with aromas and flavors of Meyer lemon and tangerine. The overall impression was round and fruity, but it was also quite refreshing with a medium-sized bubble to keep everything lively and light. The aftertaste was dry, as you might expect from a blended sparkler made with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Muscat. Very good QPR.
Because of all the citrusy elements in the wine, it would be an ideal choice for summer brunch, or for a lazy afternoon watching the sun go down.
Full Disclosure: I received this wine as a sample.
As a historian I may be prejudiced, but in my opinion there's nothing wrong with traditional--especially not when it comes to wine. I like big New World fruit bombs, too, but find myself gravitating more and more these days to wines that may emphasize secondary flavor elements like minerals, herbs--even dirt!--over juicy fruit.
The Languedoc region seems to be full of such bottlings, and one of the treasures I've come across recently is the 2006 Mas Bruguiere Coteaux du Languedoc Pic St. Loup La Grenadière (suggested retail $16; I can't find availability online) The wine is decidedly traditional in style, putting its spicy, peppery foot forward before the fruit. Once the fruit shows up, it has dry plum and berry fruit flavors and some spiciness, and a lick of pepper in the aftertaste. This very enjoyable wine delivered very good QPR.
If the flavor profile of this wine intrigues you (and makes you think of barbecued ribs...) check out the current offerings of Languedoc wines in your local wine store or online at vendors like K&L. (That link delivers you to a Pic St. Loup wine that is available, or you can enter "Pic Saint Loup" in the search box for more options.)
This region delivers exceptional value, and it's worth getting to know it.
Full Disclosure: I received this wine as a sample.
Is there a summer white that goes with nearly everything? With the exception of steak and hamburgers (and maybe even with these, if it's your fancy), the answer is yes.
The 2008 d'Arenberg The Stump Jump is summer's equivalent (in wine terms) of the little black dress. Made from a blend of Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Roussanne, and Marsanne the wine has a clean, slightly off-dry flavor profile of apples, pink grapefruit, melon, and hay. I found it surprisingly complex for a wine that retails for a little over $10 (and which you may find at a store near you for between $8 and $11). Excellent QPR.
Soft and appealing, The Stump Jump is an ideal candidate for most summer foods including spicy dishes that you stir fry in a flash, appetizers passed on the back deck or by the pool, light bites when it's too hot to eat, and grilled fish and chicken.
Full Disclosure: I received this wine as a sample.
Buyer Warning: There is a red version of The Stump Jump, so if you're looking for the white wine, be sure you specify.
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Taproom Closed July 29 & 30
Our taproom will be closed ALL DAY on July 29 and 30 for our first-ever employee getaway. The deli and company store will be closed, as well, and there will be no Discfunktional Sunday. We'll also be using this opportunity to re-surface the taproom floors and make some other improvements so that your Founders experience…Read More »


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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - Two Virginia colleges are being recognized as some of the best values in public higher education.
The University of Virginia came in as the second-best value in rankings released Thursday by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. The Daily Progress reports (http://bit.ly/12TcjyJ ) U.Va. moved up one spot from last year.
The College of William and Mary came in fourth.
The University of North Caroline at Chapel Hill topped the list, as it has since the rankings first started in 1998.
The ranking highlights four-year schools that judges determined have excellent education-to-cost ratio, as measured by factors including graduation rate, admission rate and student-faculty ratio.
James Madison University came in at 20th, Virginia Tech was 28th, the University of Mary Washington was 53rd, George Mason University was 56th and Christopher Newport University was 87th.


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WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- Fifty years ago Saturday, Robert F Kennedy set off on a remarkable walk.
50 miles from DC to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia -- in dress shoes.
On Saturday at 4 am, starting at Great Falls Tavern, a group of hikers plan to do it again -- in better shoes.
The memory of Bobby Kennedy's unquenchable spirit still brings tears to a man who walked with him. "We lost a lot," says James Symington, who was Kennedy's chief of staff, and later a congressman from Missouri.
It started as a dare from President Kennedy, who thought the troops ought to be fit enough to march 50 miles in three days. "Bobby said, 'Why not in one day?'" says Symington. "And Jack said, 'Ok, go do it!'"
So RFK called his chief of staff and a few friends, and at 4 am on February 9th, 1963, they set off walking down the C and O Canal Tow Path for Harpers Ferry, 50 miles away.
"It was an icy day, very cold. And all the mud was kicked up in icy pinnacles, so you slipped and skidded," says Symington."
They made it about 26 miles on sheer dedication and loyalty. And near Point of Rocks, they sat down, pretty sure they couldn't go any farther.
"A helicopter came, bap, bap, bap, right over our head. And it came down and disgorged three or four reporters and cameramen....Bobby got up and he painfully put on his loafers again.... and trudged off on his own."
About 11 pm, RFK turned up at Camp David, having trudged the entire 50 miles. Ethel Kennedy rubbed his blistered feet. "He would give it the best he had," says Symington. "He would never quit for anything."
The walk inspired a craze... everybody started trying to walk 50 miles in a day. 9 months later, JFK was murdered. 5 years later, RFK was assasinated. And James Symington still weeps over what might have been. "History doesn't review it's alternatives. All we know is that he was a remarkable guy."
If you want to take the hike -- in dress shoes or hiking shoes -- you can meet the group tomorrow at 4 AM at the Great Falls Tavern Visitors Center. It's near Potomac, at the very end of MacArthur Boulevard in the C & O Canal National Historic Park.


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Music @ The Speed Of Life (Mint Condition)
January 9, 2013 in News
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The group Mint Condition has always had a unique and identifiable sound. As a band, they gel together so well that you can instantly identify their music, which is a pleasure because it's that authentic and original. Their recent release, "Music At The Speed Of Life" follows in the footsteps of their past productions, which have all been a hit in this reviewer's eyes.
There's some serious crooning from these cats as soon as the needle drops, which is exactly what fans have come to expect. Trust me, they do not disappoint. This new album has a slightly different sound, one that seems to be even more seasoned, as they continuously get better with each release. Listeners can expert solid lyrics and amazing music with a great delivery, clever rhythms, and great beats. One listen to this CD (or any of their CDs) will convince you that I'm not overselling them. They're just that good. With "Music @ The Speed Of Life", Mint Condition is at the top of their game, bringing R&B to fans with sheer perfection.
I loved the very inspirational track "Completely", which should easily be a hit. This band, which hails from St. Paul, Minnesota has been around since the 1980's, and though they don't produce a lot of music (at least not as much as I'd like to see/hear), what they do release is always fabulous and this CD is not the exception to the rule. "Believe In Us" is a slow to mid tempo ballad that is absolutely off the chain!! "Blessed", "Never Hurt Again", "Nothing'", and SixFortyNine/Changes" (featuring Nathan Miller, Eric Leeds, and Brother Ali) all deserve mentions as some of the best on the CD, but there's not a bad cut, and I'm sure listeners will find others to be just as much to their liking. This is a must have CD for any serious R&B fan, or music lovers in general. I highly recommend it!!


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The local chapter of the Coffee Party political movement will hold a rally Saturday to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the Iraq War, and call for reallocating war funds to a more useful domestic purpose.
The event, entitled the Patriotic American Peace Rally, will be held from 1-3 p.m. at downtown's Fountain Square. It will feature various speakers including an Iraq war veteran, along with live music.


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The injuries on the WTA Tour continue to worsen with the Olympics and US Open right around the corner.
Top seed Ana Ivanovic, who's been dealing with a sore thumb she hurt in practice 10 days ago, struggled in her first match since losing in Wimbledon's third round. The sexy Serb needed three sets to defeat Petra Kvitova 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 but refused to blame the injury for her scratchy play:
I went on the court and that means that I felt 100 percent ready to play. Obviously it takes some time to get in a rhythm. But I went through this match. It would probably be the same even if I was feeling 100 percent.
Maria Sharapova survived her opening round match then quickly withdrew from the Rogers Cup citing her lingering right shoulder injury and seriously jeopardizing her chances to compete in Beijing. The 21-year old was made to fight throughout her tight 7-5, 5-7, 6-2 win against Marta Domachowska, even calling the trainer in the second set.
During the presser announcing her withdrawal Shrieka told the media,
It's obviously unfortunate. You try to do every little possible thing you can. But at the end of the day when you go on court and you're thinking about aggravating things, you're thinking about an injury, it's not really the way to play.
It's tough to go on court and not be close to even 50 per cent. I'm too good of a player to go out there and try to fight through something that can eventually become something serious.
After yesterday's post concerning the WTA's new Roadmap 2010, I give full credit to both lady ballers for flying to Montreal and playing through injuries.
But you have to think the Russian's chances of salvaging the rest of her season are in doubt. No serve, no wins. Ana, well, she's still sitting pretty at the top...for now.
(images via Forty Deuce + Getty)


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Bristol and Beyond - Pastel Paintings by Linda Alvis
With panoramic views over the City of Bristol from my studio, I am continually inspired by its landscape and the hot air balloons which frequently pass through. Over the years I have travelled the world extensively. Countries I visited and the people I have met have provided me with rich material.


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Welcome to the College of Engineering
Engineers are responsible for designing the majority of things we use every day in our modern world, from the energy systems that brighten our homes at night, warm us in winter, and cool us in summer, to the internal combustion engines that got us to and from school and work today and the renewable energy sources that will get us there tomorrow. Engineers create life-saving medical technologies, sophisticated communication devices, gargantuan mass transit systems, and mesmerizing entertainment gadgets. They find ways to clean the environment, do more with less, help those in need, and defend our nation. They are builders, planners, healers, designers, and optimizers. Many are Western New England University alumni.
Western New England University has been educating engineers for nearly 50 years. Our professors know how to teach you to be successful in your career and our small class size gives you the personal attention often missing from other institutions. The College of Engineering prides itself on hands-on instruction that puts you in real-world situations; we educate you to think like an engineer and prepare you to face the challenges and responsibilities that await you in your highly rewarding career.
From the First Year Program to your Senior Design Project—and with the guidance of our strong alumni community—you will grow into an engineer equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to accomplish any challenge placed before of you. So explore our site, read more about our exciting programs, and take the first step on the adventure of a lifetime.
Biomedical, Electrical, Industrial and Mechanical Engineering undergraduate programs are accredited by the EAC Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.
The Civil Engineering and Computer Engineering undergraduate degree programs are following the application process for accreditation as outlined by ABET, Inc.
Dean's Welcome
"The Western New England University College of Engineering is dedicated to giving you a premier education that will stimulate your ingenuity, inspire your imagination, and make you a productive contributor to the field of engineering. No matter which major you choose to study, our dedicated faculty and hands-on design projects will prepare you to improve people's lives through the power of engineering."
Dr. S. Hossein Cheraghi
Dean, College of Engineering
Read about three-degree engineering student Ashley Skeete.
Read about the Sleith Hall Renovation
and expansion in The Communicator.
Learn more about the College of Engineering on our news site!
Learn more about our new Six-year Engineering/Law Program.


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Keep your nest bassinet clean & fresh!
Not currently available in this region.
nest sheet set is HOT! because:
- 100% cotton flannelette material
- breathable for temperature control all year round
- form-fitted - pillowcase style
- three sheets included in each set
- machine washable for a hygienic snooze every time!


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Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Ryan Bustin buried a 28-yard field goal as time
expired, lifting Texas Tech to a 34-31 triumph over Minnesota on Friday in the
Meineke Car Care Bowl at Reliant Stadium.
Seth Doege finished 31-of-45 for 271 yards with one touchdown and two
interceptions, while also rushing for 20 yards and a score on five carries for
the Red Raiders (8-5), who were coached by offensive line coach Chris
Thomsen after former head coach Tommy Tuberville decided to leave the school
earlier this month to become the new head coach at Cincinnati.
Darrin Moore caught 11 passes for 84 yards, while Eric Ward added seven
catches for 79 yards and a score in the victory.
Donnell Kirkwood rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries and Rodrick
Williams Jr. added 60 yards and a score on 12 carries for the Golden Gophers
(6-7), who wrapped up their season with three straight losses.
Minnesota quarterback Philip Nelson finished 7-of-18 passing for 138 yards and
a pair of touchdowns, but threw a game-changing interception with less than a
minute left to set up Bustin's game-winning kick.
The Sports Network


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|START Conference Manager
(Submission #76)
This paper presents the results of an original research project. The study uses a population of 80 faculty members from two library and information science (LIS) schools to examine the differences between Scopus and WoS in mapping the faculties' intellectual impact, focusing on authors, universities, journals, disciplines, and countries that cite them. Given that WoS has been and continues to be the standard data source for a major portion of citation-based information visualization and mapping knowledge domains research, the study also examines the effects and/or necessity and value of using Scopus as an additional citation data source in such research areas.
|START Conference Manager (V2.54.4)
|Maintainer: firstname.lastname@example.com


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In 2006 it was Danny Ledonne's thoughtful, yet highly controversial Super Columbine Massacre RPG which sparked outrage among politicians and pundits.
Last year it was the appalling V-Tech Rampage.
Will The Torture Game 2 be this year's controversial amateur game?
MSNBC's Winda Benedetti writes about The Torture Game 2 this week. The online-only affair is available for free on Newgrounds and other sites:
…it's a computer game in which you, the player, are asked to do horrible, unspeakable, and totally sick, sick, sick things to a defenseless man-like person tied up in some dark room from which he has absolutely no hope of escape.
…this dangling ragdoll offers you a canvas to do with what you will — stab him with spikes, flay the skin from his body with a razor, pull his limbs off with your bare hands, paint him every color of the rainbow.
Benedetti admits to being troubled by the game, and sought out its creator, 19-year-old Carl Havemann of South Africa, who told her:
I never thought of it as a stress reliever. The only thing I meant it to be was something simple and pointless meant only for entertainment… You're supposed to make anything you want out of it… I don't mind people disliking my game, but some of them are too serious about something so simple and basically meaningless.
Likely to add to any eventual controversy is a feature which allows players to customize the face of the torture victim.
GP: Just as they have with SCMRPG and V-Tech Rampage, it seems inevitable that political figures will point to The Torture Game 2 as a justification for legislating games. However, non-commercial products like these are beyond typical legislative attempts, which focus on ratings and point-of-sale.
UPDATE: Fox News did a piece on the Torture Game…


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Worked With:
Anthony Hopkins
Birth Name: Anthony Hopkins
Born: 12/31/1937
Birth Place: United Kingdom
Born: 12/31/1937
Birth Place: United Kingdom
Born on Dec. 31, 1937 in the steel mining town of Port Talbot, South Wales, Hopkins grew up convinced he would amount to nothing. But at 17, he discovered acting at the YMCA and quickly found himself with a scholarship to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, a stint that was briefly interrupted by service with the Royal Artillery. After studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and making his London debut as Metellus Cimber in "Julius Caesar," he joined the National Theatre in 1965 when Laurence Olivier served as artistic director. When Olivier fell prey to appendicitis, Hopkins took over in "Dance of Death" (1966), then went on to play Lear, Antony and others at the famed Old Vic... Continue Bio >>
Popular Movies:
More Credits >>


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Dance Chief notches his third victory this season after winning Friday's feature race
DANCE CHIEF AND KUBINOVA GET THE WININ M R W ADVISORY GROUP, LLC MARATHONAUBURN, Wash. (September 7, 2012) – Dance Chief out-finished Stellar Blue in a furious stretch battle and notched a head victory Friday in the $10,375 MRW Advisory Group, LLC Marathon for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs.
Ridden by apprentice Eliska Kubinova, Dance Chief ran 1-¼ miles in 2:03.96 and paid $6.60, $4.20 and $2.80. It was the third win in four starts at Emerald Downs and 10th in 58 career starts for the 7-year-old gelding.
With the victory Kubinova tied the single-season apprentice record of 70 wins set by Cassie Papineau in 2009. Kubinova ranks third overall with 70 wins, and the 23-year-old Czech has eight days to establish a new record. It could happen Saturday when she is scheduled to eight races including Apple of Sam's Eye, the 7-to-5 morning line favorite in race one.
Tim McCanna, meanwhile, is making a bid for his 11th training title at Emerald Downs. Dance Chief's victory pulled McCanna within two wins of Frank Lucarelli, 40-38, as the two winningest trainers in track history battle for the 2012 training championship.
If McCanna captures the title, Dance Chief will have played a key role in the outcome. Claimed in June for $4,000 at Golden Gate Fields, the Kentucky-bred has thrived on the local oval with three wins—all by a head with Kubinova riding—in four starts.
Friday's feature was the first 1-¼ mile race of the season and the public hammered Dance Chief down to the favorite's role over Sarganis. In fourth most of the race, Dance Chief attacked on the last turn, gained a short lead into the stretch and had to fend off a resilient Stellar Blue for the victory.
"I like everything about (Dance Chief), he always gives me everything he has," Kubinova said. "But he'll never win by much because he waits for other horses."
Stellar Blue, a 45-to-1 long shot ridden by Javier Matias, set the early pace, running one-mile in 1:37.89, and held on well to the finish. Stellar Blue paid $21.80 and $10.80.
It was another head back to Armed Service, who edged Sarganis for third and paid $5.40.Owned by Hern/LePley Racing, Dance Chief earned $5,500 to increase his career bankroll to $239,499.NOTES: Juan Gutierrez rode two winners and set a personal career-high with 102 wins, two more than his previous mark last year. He leads second-place Leslie Mawing by 17 wins and appears a lock to win his first Emerald Downs' riding title. No. 2 all-time with 980 wins at Emerald Downs, Gutierrez also has an outside chance to hit 1,000 wins before the meet ends September 23…Gutierrez has 30 days with at least two wins, including a five-win day on Labor Day…Live racing continues Saturday with first post 2 p.m. on a nine-race card.


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Perrin Exterior Accessories
Featured Exterior Accessories Products
Perrin Exterior accessories can include a wide range of aftermarket Perrin upgrades, including extensive overhaul pieces such as Perrin body kits, and less invasive ones such as putting on a new Perrin rear spoiler. For more minor improvements, items such as emblems and grilles can be replaced, and even the casings for car's headlights and tail lights can be altered at your convenience (especially if they're suffering from yellowing over the years). When you want your car to look its best, all it takes is some creativity and a few exterior accessories for your car to make it happen.


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Christmas comes early in Germantown
Parade, tree lighting and fun run all planned Sfor Saturday
Germantown - It will soon begin to look a lot like Christmas in Germantown as the annual parade and tree lighting are slated for Saturday.
The Germantown Chamber of Commerce is once again hosting a daylong Christmas celebration for the community, starting with the 5K Candy Cane Run/Walk at 10 a.m. The run/walk begins at the Germantown Library, W16957 Mequon Road, and winds through neighborhoods south of Mequon Road, according to Lynn Grgich, executive director of the Chamber.
People can register for the run the day of the event; however, preregistration will secure an event T-shirt. Register at gtownrec.com.
The afternoon events kick off with the Christmas parade at 2 p.m., with the center of the route being along Main Street. From 2:30 to 5 p.m., the Christmas tree lighting activities will be held at the Germantown Library before the village tree is officially lighted for the holiday season. The tree is located outside of the library, where Village Hall and the police department are also located.
It may seem early for the event, but the chamber wanted to ensure local hunters were able to enjoy it before heading out of town on the weekends. Deer hunting starts the following weekend. The weather also tends to be more agreeable earlier in the holiday season, adding to the turnout of the event.
"We did want to pull more residents out to gather together for the event that day especially," Grgich said. "We get more spectators for the parade and more people in the parade."
There are about 50 entrants in the parade, ranging from local Scout groups to the Germantown High School marching band. A few local businesses are also decorating floats and Bernie Brewer and the racing sausages will be in attendance. Music groups will also play during the parade route.
Showalter is marshal
Germantown High School boys basketball coach Steve Showalter was named grand marshal of the parade for his leadership in helping the team win the state tournament last year.
Grgich said each year the parade also honors different dignitaries. This year John Gehl from Gehl Foods will be honored.
"He's retiring from the company, so we thought it was a great way to show some appreciation for all that he has done for the community," she said.
The parade is sponsored by Columbia St. Mary's Germantown Clinic and the Deutschstadt Heritage Foundation. The run/walk is sponsored by financial adviser Sherry Plevak at Edward Jones.
During the tree lighting celebration at the library, there will be free hot chocolate and cookies, as well as free horse drawn carriage rides. Kiwanis will have food available for purchase.
The chamber's goal is to keep the event free for residents in the community each year, which they are able to do through sponsorships.
"It's more for the quality of life you think of for a community. A Christmas parade may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it really is a community draw and pulls the community together," Grgich said. "We are always grateful for our sponsors so we can keep the cost at nothing for residents."
For questions on the event, contact the Germantown Chamber office at (262) 255-1812.
- Danielle Switalski
WHAT: 5K Candy Cane Run Walk; Christmas parade; tree lighting activities
WHEN: 10 a.m.; 2 p.m.; and 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Germantown library, W16957 Mequon Road; Main Street; Germantown library
More from News and Features
- Germantown kid qualifies for national robotics competition
- Germantown High School students honored on scholarship night
- County Line Elementary evacuated due to bomb threat (1)
- Germantown School Board defers decision on human resources directors
- Germantown Police Reports: May 26, 2016
- Threat 'not credible'; Kennedy Middle School in Germantown is open today
- Video: Summer fun in suburban Milwaukee
- Germantown Police Reports: May 19, 2016
- Germantown Superintendent Jeff Holmes announces candidacy for Wisconsin State Superintendent (8)
- Leadership Germantown class looks to form police honor guard


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Ultra Web Ground Cover Roll
This lightweight, tightly woven ultra web ground cover roll is ideal for greenhouses, nurseries and other growers. The unique circular weave of the ultra web ground cover roll will allow water to pass through but will not pull apart, keeping your walking area dry, clean and free of weeds. Polypropylene material is UV treated for long life and has color stripes every 12" for aligning your containers. 12'x300' ultra web ground cover roll. Weighs 2 oz. per sq. yd. Imported.
View all Landscape Fabric - Field-tested & Guaranteed
2016 Master Catalog: Page 338


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Care & Cleaning Guides
We now have two versions of our Care and Cleaning Guide. Which one you need depends on when you received your cabinets.
Our Most Recent Guide
If you received your cabinets AFTER March 1, 2014,
please use this guide.
Our Previous Guide
If you received your cabinets PRIOR to March 1, 2014,
please use this guide.
Track Your Order
Track Your Order
If you are a consumer, you can track your order's status by either entering the retailer purchase order number or a KraftMaid Invoice number below.
Questions about Your Order?
We'd like to hear from you! Get in touch with our customer care department if you have any questions or problems with your order. We're ready to help.
Contact Us


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May 24, 2016
Grey skies are gonna clear up... put on a happy face!
This stubborn cloud cover will give way this afternoon, and when we get a little sunshine the temperatures will move a little more today than the past few. It's likely going to take until late this morning before we start seeing any clearing, hopefully it wont take all day. If we can get some sunshine early, we can see high temps in the 60s. If the clouds last, it'll stay in the 50s.
This weekend should be a little warmer in the afternoons. Winds shifting to the south will help the afternoons climb - maybe to or over 70 tomorrow and Sunday. More clouds come back Sunday and more showers are expected by Monday.
There's always more info on Facebook and Twitter... Connect with us!!!
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Theologian Greg Boyd to Address Campus Community Jan. 19
Greg Boyd, author of The Myth of the Christian Nation and other works, will speak at a community event Tuesday, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m. at Park View Mennonite Church. Admission to the Tuesday night event is free and open to the public. SLT keynote ...More


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Holocaust lesson - Sophomores host humanitarian organization symposium
The event tied into the students' current World Literature unit which covers the Holocaust and genocide. The symposium was geared specifically for the sophomore class.
'With freshmen getting so much attention starting high school and the juniors and seniors getting prepared for college, we just felt that the sophomores sometimes get left out,' said Paquette.
'The idea for this event started when I realized the Lantos Organization was located in Concord. Then the event turned into having speakers, inviting nonprofit groups, having the students take workshops, and also making a donation to a charitable cause,' she said.
Students were encouraged to research a specific humanitarian organization and decide whether they thought the group should be invited; final approval was sent to Headmaster Michael Reardon.
Sophomores signed up for workshops and were asked to bring in $1 each to donate as a class. Student Danny Vargas said former California Congressmen Tom Lantos was the first and only Holocaust survivor to serve in Congress and was an advocate for human rights.
'The Lantos Foundation donates to many other human rights programs, so we decided to donate our money to them,' he said.
'There is a lot of planning involved! I didnt realize that putting on an event like this would require so much organizing,' said student Lyla Boyajian.
Three keynote speakers attended: Stephen Lewy of Manchester, Holocaust survivor; Katrina Swett, chairman of International Committee on Religious Freedom; and Subash Acharya, a Nepali refugee who resides in Concord.
After presentations to the students, there was time set aside for a Q&A session. Then students broke into small groups and attended workshops put on by various humanitarian organizations. The workshop topics centered around problems that each group focuses on and how their group combats those problems. Other subject matter focused on why there is a need for rights, the importance of volunteerism, games, and involvement in the area and around the globe.
Class President Drew Dustin mentioned that his honors English class read a true story called 'Night',' about a young boy's account of his life in a concentration camp.
'We learned the process of bearing witness,' he said. 'It feels like you survived it, so you become a witness. And therefore you need to tell the story and carry it on, so that others know of its importance to you and how important it should be to them as well.'
'By bringing these humanitarian and human right organizations together and for those that bear witness to the events of the Holocaust, we are trying to promote awareness,' said Boyajian. 'We can get people in our class aware of things going on around the world. Some people may know that bad things are going on and now they are given access to organizations if they want to help. They can learn what to do if they want to try and change that.'
'We also discovered African cultures and learned different aspects on life. It was cool to see the contrast of the different tribes,' said Meghan Smith.
Booths and workshops were set up by Invisible Children, Friends of Rachel Club, Red Cross, Lutheran Social Services, UNICEF and the Lantos Foundation.
Vargas described his passion for the UNICEF's video called 'Not My Life,' which is about human trafficking.
'I think that is the worst thing in the world and I'm interested in helping to stop that,' he said.
'One workshop that excited me is a video that shows people going down to South America and teaching kids how to play baseball instead of soccer,' said Sophomore Senate member Erica Doucet. 'Because during the cholera epidemic, many kids are malnourished and baseball requires less energy. I love donating my time and helping kids, so that's why that workshop interests me.'


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I didn't see squat but water when I went through
Originally Posted by ivorytip
ikeepitcold... the hunting near pallisades sucks.... stay away from there
Hahahahha I'm on to you! Well it sucked the last time was there but did kill many bulls in those hills. I hoped it would come back.
Originally Posted by T.S. Allen
Randy was the original owner or Husky's and now owns it again. In my opinion he is the best contact to have in Swan Valley. The Idaho Fish And Game Warden is for the area is a high school friend of mine. If you want to know more or if you want his number PM me he is a great source of info for the area.
Yes. I have met him once years ago. Ya I agree a great resource for sure. My friend that bought if from him remodeled the whole place then ran it into the ground. To bad cause it was a great place for him to raise his kids.
Fabulous pics. My favorite is the sheep. They are not that easy to find!
Forum Rules


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A recent study by IBM and the National Institute of Economic and Industrial Research "Reinventing Australian enterprises for the digital economy" https://www-07.ibm.com/au/eraofsmart/ predicts that a new generation of managers will drive a step change in business models, making much more use of digital technology for improving visibility and agility of their operations. IBM has identified the key digital technologies driving this step change as Analytics, Mobile, Cloud and Social Media.
But experience would suggest that companies will struggle to deliver on the promises of these technologies without the discipline of Enterprise Architecture. Enterprise Architecture is a proven catalyst for achieving stronger alignment between IT strategy and business goals – this alignment is becoming increasingly important as Cloud services transform the function of IT departments from service provider to service brokerage and advisory. Architectural Governance will be imperative to manage and maintain IT capabilities across various Cloud service providers. As the dynamics of the IT environment accelerate, more and more care will be needed to rationalise services, leverage reusable assets and drive time to market – all core functions of a solid Enterprise Architecture approach (http://www-01.ibm.com/software/info/itsolutions/enterprisearchitecture/).
Those companies with a robust Enterprise Architecture function will need to bolster their capabilities to embrace the challenges of the Digital Economy. Others who lack maturity in Enterprise Architecture will swiftly need to improve in order to maximise the benefits of Analytics, Mobile, Cloud and Social Media.


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I got back into map making tonight and have been looking at all your work and styles to learn. Inspirational.
I have been absense so long that I will resume my mapmaker training. Basicly its simple: Making a map within 1h, what I finish in taining I will post here.
Ok, first training map starts now.
I got back into map making tonight and have been looking at all your work and styles to learn. Inspirational.
Ok I will post the Results of 1h now (all files 50% Com,pression but full Resolution [18x24 inch])
- Frame 15min,
- Coast 15min,
- Textures 10min
- New Hillset and setup 20min
- Next 1h : Mountainset from scratch, trees/forest and Icons
What's the point of this? Doing fast maps or see how much time you spend on the different elements?
The later. I wat to see how fast my workflow is, and see where I struggle. I am doing this kind of exercise with drawing and painting too.
It helps me reflect on my skills, and to see more clear what comes naturally in a good flow and what not.
That makes sense. If it's not for doing fast maps, I'd say, besides the repetitive look, that the outlines of the hills doesn't look very clean.
Indeed, spend most of hour no. 2 for the mountains, which are much cleaner. This was a direct result of the first hour to see how I can sketchup the elements clean.
Well here are the mountains for the Map, involving a masking for clone-stamp style.
Took me nearly an hour. Whats taking the longest time here is the Masking.
Here are the Clusters of the Mountains
Looks fantastic for such a fast job – I just spent two hours on nothing but coastlines. Really nice mountains.
Your maps have been very inspirational to me too, by the way.


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Marketing Management Diploma - Retail Management Specialization
Offered at the Following Campuses
Program Overview
The Marketing Management program has 3 specializations (Marketing Management, Retail Management, and Entrepreneurship) that prepare students for a variety of exciting jobs. The goal of Marketing Management is to create profitable customer relationships by delivering superior value, services, satisfaction, and ideas to customers in a competitive marketplace. The Internet, globalization, diversity, technological advances, social and ethical responsibilities, and changing customer values are major challenges facing companies today that are studied, researched, and discussed in class. Students are challenged to learn, think, and apply marketing concepts in their journey to success that will be used in realistic work situations. Real situations facing real companies are explored with a balance of discussion, creativity and knowledge.
The standard curriculum for the Marketing Management diploma program is designed for the semester system. Students may enter the program each semester. The program generally takes 4 semesters to complete. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 46 credit hours depending upon specialization.
Entrance Requirements
- Submit a completed application;
- Be at least 16 years of age;
- Submit official high school/high school equivalent transcripts;
- Submit official college transcripts, if applicable;
- Satisfy Placement Testing requirements.
Course Overview
(Prerequisite: None) This course is designed to provide tools to assist students to acquire skills necessary to achieve academic and professional success in their chosen occupational/technical program of study. Topics include: Computer Applications/Technology Skills, Getting off to a Good Start, Learning and Personality Styles, Time and Money Management, Study and Test Taking Skills, Stress Management and Wellness, Communication Skills, and Career Exploration.
(Prerequisites: MATH 0097 OR Appropriate arithmetic placement test score.) Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, geometric concepts, technical applications, and basic statistics.
(Prerequisite: COMP 1000 or Guided Elective) Provides an overview of digital technology used for conducting business. Students will learn the application of business activities using various digital platforms.


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As we age, our skin goes through a variety of changes, not just on our faces, but also on our hands. The natural decrease in the production of collagen reduces skin elasticity, making it susceptible to wrinkling. Moisture levels also naturally decrease over the years, which can have you suddenly facing raw, red and irritated hands for the first time ever. In addition, the cumulative effects of years of sun exposure can lead to the appearance of age spots and exacerbate the problem of wrinkling on the hands. The products in the Thalgo Hand Creams collection are designed to renew and refresh the skin of your hands to give them a more youthful appearance.
Through formulations enriched by nutrients obtained from the sea, the products in the Thalgo Hand Creams range soften dry tissue and soothe inflammation in skin of all ages. For those with mature skin, the items in the Thalgo Hand Creams lineup offer additional toning, firming and strengthening benefits. The safe formulas in the Thalgo Hand Cream collection are ideal for reapplication as frequently as needed.
Whether you're dealing with the fine lines, wrinkles and age spots common in aging skin or dryness, chapping and cracking that can plague you at any age, the products in the Thalgo Hand Creams collection were designed to give you a hand with your skin care woes. Each of the hand creams made by Thalgo offer a dose of skin-nourishing vitamins and minerals sourced from the sea and enhanced with blends of natural extracts and oils. The products in the range help turn back the hands of time for younger-looking skin and heal, soothe and soften irritated tissue, making them the perfect hand cream choice for everyone.
The moment you feel the velvety, luxurious texture of Thalgo Youthful Hand Cream you'll know that its formulation is unique among all other hand creams on the market. Its thick, rich formula is imparted with nourishing algae extract that forms an invisible barrier to protect your skin tissue even after you've massaged the cream deeply into the parched tissue on your hands. This barrier helps seal in vital moisture, while limiting the effects of the harmful particles in the air that cause your skin to age.
Peach tree extract found in the Thalgo Youthful Hand Cream helps reduce the appearance of age spots and other splotches of discoloration without the need for any abrasive skin bleaches. The shea butter oil included in the formula provides the ultimate in moisturizing effects as you massage the cream into your hands and enjoy its lemon-lime fragrance.


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|School sets mill levy at 31.253
|Written by Brenda Johnson Brandt
A total 2008 mill levy of 31.253 mills was approved for certification at the Dec. 10 meeting of Holyoke School District Re-1J Board of Education.
This includes 27 mills with an abatement levy at .003 in the general fund and bond redemption fund at 4.250 mills.
These mill levies for property tax year 2008 were based on a total assessed valuation of $45,603,921, which is an increase of $1.94 million from the previous year's assessed value.
Total mill levy certified at this time in 2007 was 31.955, noting a drop of .702 mills this year.
Reporting at last week's board meeting, director of budget and finance Sharon Thompson noted this year's state funding is up about $100,000 from a year ago. She indicated the five-year student-count average certainly helped Holyoke.
The student count used for budgeting was 589.2, up from 587 which was projected in June.
Self-evaluation workshop
facilitated at board meeting
Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) representative Randy Black facilitated a workshop at the Dec. 10 board meeting. His visit followed up on a self-evaluation completed by board members and included close to a four-hour session with the board Wednesday night.
Black led board members to share areas they wanted to work on at the session. From the suggestions, the board concentrated on a vision for the board as a team, and later, discussion on decision-making.
In the process, the board committed to follow through with Black. He will send a proposal, incorporating the ideas shared last week. He then asked the board to commit to responding, in the form of assessment.
"From Me to We" was the emphasis repeated by Black as he led the board to discuss ideas for improving their effectiveness.