text:
f* Voronoi
October 28th, 2010, essays
A symbolically critical pamphlet
For the hip architectural public, there surely isn't any need of introducing the (in)famous Voronoi diagram. If there is, then you probably shouldn't be reading this text and you're better off doing something else. Nevertheless, I find myself under increasing pressure to express my thoughts regarding what I find to be a shallow, often completely mis-interpreted and un-justified use of what started out to be a mathematical "toy". The practical applications of the Voronoi diagram are quite numerous highly fascinating. However, they are beyond the scope of this article – I want to focus mainly on the (mis)use of the aforementioned algorithm in architecture and urbanism.
I think it is quite safe to state that voronoi diagrams have now probably become the "golden mean" of computational architecture. However, I am quite surprised that it took this long for people to notice this – and, what's even more surprising, there seems to be a severe lack of constructive criticism regarding this quite common and recurrent space-partitioning algorithm. Before moving forward, I would like to clarify the fact that I am not against using voronoi in architecture or urbanism whatsoever – there are clearly numerous meaningful uses, both in generating actual geometry and, probably more, in analyzing and visualizing data on an urban scale. What I am trying to criticize and draw attention to is the mental lock that this catchy algorithm has imposed, and, even worse, the common and frequent misconceptions induced by its strong affiliation with natural phenomena.
There are many reasons for the constant abuse of Voronoi cells (be they two-dimensional or three-dimensional) in architectural and urbanistic projects (the majority of which, by a lucky turn of events, are yet to be built). Crucial to this point is the association of voronoi patterns with organic structures found throughout Nature (living and non-living as well). The unmistakable silhouette can be found in numerous instances: you can see it under a microscope in almost any compact tissue like skin, you can see it in the way cells are distributed in a tree trunk, you can see it in the wings of a dragonfly; the list can carry on for quite a bit more. Taking into account the respective system's constraints, voronoi cells can provide the most efficient structure or spatial routing paths for matter to organize itself into. This frequent recurrence in nature elevated the voronoi algorithm to the same status as that of the Fibonacci series and the golden mean was enjoying before. On top of this, its organic and apparently random appearance made it the perfect candidate for a wide range of good-looking geometric experiments. Furthermore, its close ties with nature somehow transcend the barriers of reason and magically attach organic, eco-friendly, pro-environment qualities to any product designed by using this technique.
For example, one common misconception is the fact that generating structure via a three dimensional voronoi diagram would automatically create a super-efficient, really optimized and, on top of this, organic looking structural system. This quite big confusion is probably caused by the numerous natural structures that resemble the output of a voronoi algorithm. There is however a quite obvious missing link in the association which should pop up instantly to any attentive observer. The structures generated by the voronoi algorithm are to be found at microscopic scales, starting off from somewhere near 1*10-5 m and continuing to decrease. Let's say, for the sake of argument, that architecture begins somewhere around 101 m. There's quite a big difference in scale, and due to symmetry breaking, physical laws (which, as any scientist worth his pay would tell you, are not universal truths, but the best approximations humankind has found for the way things work) rarely transcend through big scale jumps[1]. In the present case it's quite obvious – the predominant force in a living tissue at 10-5 m is a uniform pressure exerted on a cell by surrounding cells – and nature's elegant response is a complex three dimensional voronoi structure which can be said is roughly indifferent to the main constraint which has shaped structural systems in architecture – namely Gravity. If you do a simple FEA analysis on a voronoi cell grid, you will see you'll probably need more steel than a simple orthogonal grid to support the same loads, you will double production and building costs[2], besides getting less flexibility in terms of interior organization (spaces restricted to unique, bulky but flexible-looking cells). On the other hand, when used in straight-forward metaphorical approaches, and when this status is recognized and clearly expressed and not masked by a multitude of seemingly objective attributes, the approach can be considered to be "fair use"[3].
Another type of misuse of the Voronoi algorithm can be found throughout large scale urban projects – masterplans, local developments, etc. Cities are not composed of living "cells" in the literal sense – that's where voronoi works. Cities are living organisms, but the rules behind the dynamics of city growth and crystallization are something completely different from a two-dimensional petri dish[4]. You can use the voronoi diagram to compute the shortest possible paths around a set of point-like obstacles, but this argument is insufficient for justifying its direct transformation in a street network[5]. Actually, street networks never had anything to do with the forces found generating voronoi cells. What you can often see is actually the same dangerous attitude and way of thinking behind modern urbanism clothed and presented as the exact opposite – naturally grown, organic urban lattices etc. – while in the end, if you start to rationally question and compare both approaches you can find dangerous similarities: both are lacking the same links with reality and are somehow strictly imposing their vision. This discrepancy noted here is actually, I believe, part of a bigger and much more comprehensive issue relating to digital and computational architecture[6].
What I find most distressing is the fact that there is a lot of cover-up work being done – voronoi diagrams, be they in three dimensions or two, always stand for some deep underlying natural phenomena whose efficiency and environmental-friendly qualities are automatically transferred to the respective project through a few rhetorical loops empowered by sophisticated jargon. The Voronoi algorithm does generate beautiful patterns and structures – which, when carefully used in the right places, are completely justifiable, sometimes even by aesthetic principles only. To conclude, I strongly believe that a certain level of sincerity should be (self)enforced when employing voronoi diagrams in architecture. While the manner in which this article is written might seem to some to be a bit too vehement, I am deeply concerned about the ease and nonchalance with which the voronoi algorithm is used – in the manner of an architectural recipe which can be applied anytime and anywhere, regardless of any other considerations. That's why I have tried to raise awareness about the creative abuse taking place and its philosophical idiosyncrasies which, on a broader scale, do not restrict themselves to just this algorithm.
Dimitrie Stefanescu, 28 Oct 2010, Delft
[1] The most straightforward example of this is probably the duality of gravity and quantum forces. While at a large enough scale, space is dominated by gravitational fields. The smaller the space gets, gravity loses influence in the favor of electrostatic forces, in the end becoming a negligible factor. The analogy is quite relevant – voronoi-like patterns are found mainly at microscopic scales, whilst architecture operates on a completely different level which can be said to be under the strong influence of gravity.
[2] I am acutely aware of the advances in fabrication technologies and related sciences which might render this argument useless in the possible future. I am trying to argue that, given the sensible ecological context of our current world, we should look for more sensible uses and applications for the tools and techniques that science makes available.
[3] As any ego-centric person would do, I can't help not to throw in a reference to one of my early projects: http://dimitrie.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/77/
[4] For more in-depth knowledge of this, I strongly recommend both Manuel DeLanda's much praised A Thousand Years of Non-Linear History, as well as his interview with Neil Leach in the Digital Cities issue of AD (June 2009, p.50).
[5] I am not afraid to admit that I know this from personal, first-hand experience of the mentioned trap: http://improved.ro/blog/2010/01/urban-developement-proposal/
[6] To be more specific, an overall observed trend is that of employing computational geometry algorithms, often with spectacular visual results followed up by an active effort of fitting architectural qualities in the resultant shapes which usually ends in projects which are, for lack of a better word, fake.
[...] A symbolically critical pamphlet. [...]
Love the caps. And the irony.
Thank you for this. I tell a story at the beginning of the year explaining this very issue…its a personal story, full of deception, coming of age, etc. In due time, I will tell it to you too, but I very much appreciate you taking the time to express this in such an eloquent way…
Quite a nice reflection, and one which could easily be transferred to other patterns/structures as well. To some extent, it would be refreshing to see more architects have the courage to say "I do X because I like it" instead of clouding their design decisions into pseudo-scientific, and often misunderstood, theories, often justified by irrelevant or heavily biased data.
Hey Louis, I knew you would somehow like this. 'tis you who coined the "voronoi porn" idiom in the first place. Can't wait to hear the story – Delft is waiting. Thanks again for the kind words.
Hello _li, I can't agree with you more. The "symbolical" from the subtitle is quite relevant, and you're absolutely right – voronoi just got picked on because, well, it's probably the most common example. The problem goes much deeper, as you very well said it – there is a clear trend running speculatively wild with different theories/algorithms/pseudo-science which are blindly applied to architecture – and usually, if you go behind the nice renderings, you find a quite strained and unfunctional product.
Love this. Thanks.
I think you make some really good points and voronoi fatigue has definitely set in to the computational architecture crowd. My experience with it was a trial by fire, doing a voronoi project at the DRL after so many before me. But if you work at it and use it properly, it can be a useful tool. Our project ended up being successful, though in part by burying the voronoi under many other layers of computation. In my research I also found structural engineers can it as an actual tool of optimization (wish i could still find that article)
I like to think of the voronoi as the equivalent of the Nine Square Grid project that every student of Modernism in the middle of the 20th century had to do. Give some students a voronoi project, and you'll be able to tell who really understands computational architecture and who just wants to make some pretty shapes.
There are plenty of other systems that fall into this same category: L-systems, Cellular Automata, the Diagrid. But as a designer I don't think it is a bad idea to try each of these systems out, and learn from them. Even if the initial results may be superficial.
But I think the most important thing you point out is that voronoi is not architecture, it is a tool, and it can be used well or poorly. I think what we showed in our DRL project is that if you use the voronoi as just part of a larger concept which focuses on architectural issue not biomimicry the project can be successful despite the voronoi.
Fantastic! Love it. So sick of the fetishization of easy algorithms! So much work today looks like someone's homework for an intro grasshopper course.
Hello Matei,
You do make several very interesting points. First off, I'm not accusing every single aspect of voronoi-usage (or any other algorithm/geometrical system – the association is not fixed in regards with already proven items, rather I see it as freely encompassing variations, modifications and new "concoctions" of computational processes with a, more or less, geometrical output), and I freely admit that there are quite a few applications in architecture which are truly meaningful (the article you mention sounds quite enticing). For sure this is a weak point of the text and I should accord more space to this matter.
I have mixed feeling on the pedagogical aspect of a voronoi exercise, and an experiment like this can turn out good or bad, depending on many unquantifiable factors (tutor's skill, student's skill, student's motivation to research more, etc.). You might be able to discern who's in or who's out – but there's lot of room for error and I don't think fixed standards are a way to judge people's skills straight away. I've had some experience with tutoring at workshops, and usually people used to jump on an easy recipe (and voronoi for sure is one amongst many) not thinking much why, just because it was there and it was easy to reach only to end up with sensual, "shallow" geometries and a highly well-sustained discourse and rhetoric attached to them (i hesitate to call it theory). Depends on what your goal is, pushing parametric modelling and scripting skills via nice exercises or providing a rational and self-critical attitude towards all the wonders of computational architecture (like Neil Leach already argued for back in ~2000 in his essay Forget Heidegger – i think sometimes we ignore these aspects just because of the "flow").
For sure, experimentation with different algorithms and processes can't hurt anyone – the problem relies in the superficial results, which are not happening just "at the beginning". We've been experimenting for quite some time, and it's probably a right moment to stop and think about what we are doing exactly, lest we keep on experimenting for the experiment's sake – and, what's worse, impose our results as some sort of universal path architecture should follow (we should learn from history, not?).
Your final point is indeed most valid, and I couldn't agree more. Like Neil Leach said, computers can be seen as prosthetics of the human body – without our input they're inert. So the "responsibility" of how these tools are used falls on the user – how will this end for architects? I will end this over-long comment before i bore the shit out of everybody…
Thanks Andrew! "fetishization" of algorithms is so well said.
Voronoi structures occur at the very large end of the scale as well — equally far removed from architectural scale!
The Millenium Simulation Project:
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Alan Shaw, dimitrie stefanescu. dimitrie stefanescu said: http://improved.ro/blog/2010/10/f-voronoi/ some critique. [...]
Hi Dimitrie,
nice article (I understand the feeling that drove your tone), also the comments exchange here with Matei raises interesting points of view and issues.
I totally agree on many points, and if I might add something to the discussion is that too often I have noticed (as an educator and also in many Archistar declarations and/or writings) a huge misunderstanding between a process and the descriptive mathematical algorithm. Many processes can be described in terms of more than one mathematical algorithm, yet none of those is comprehensive in rendering the complexity of a phenomenon.
I think the literal interpretation of this necessary starting semplification (that is, when the cathegories you define as orienting point in a dynamic field become a trascendental "grid" of discrete states thus excluding the initial complexity) is one of the main cause of the production of such poor production.
I see no wrong in experimenting for the experiment's sake, and the attempt to universalize a trascendental taxonomy is the huge mistake behind many manifestos in architectural history. Truth is, in my opinion, that there is no recipe for "good" architecture. Despite the evolution of tools, theory and practice, talent counts. Wether it is an individual or a collective, diversified and articulated one.
Hey Allesio,
Thanks for your most insightful comment! Can't really add too much to it. To maybe explain better, I am a bit distressed that many architecture students/graduates/teachers/etc., just meeting up with computational techniques (…) are either instantly converted to it or are quickly dismissing it because of its too experimental nature. The reality isn't that black&white, of course, but I think that this sometimes is the case. So that's why I am a bit biased against experimenting for the experiment's sake – I do think an increased focus in applying these techniques to real-life, present-bound problems would represent a better investment of time. On the other hand, experimenting for sure is the best way to properly grasp and understand the philosophical and theoretical constructs behind a lot of contemporary architectural theory (emergence, self-organization, fractals, symmetry, flows, ecosystems, the non-linearity of it all, chaos, etc. etc.).
My main reason for writing this article, was, first of all, to provoke some discussion – which seems to happen, as well as to attract attention to the computational "traps" which might distance architecture from its goals, and, maybe better formulated by Andrew Humman in the comment above (or below), the "fetishization of algorithms".
Looking back, the comments on this article are worth as much as the article itself. Wonderful to see the internet working!
Hi Dimitrie,
Just wanted to add a couple of points that seem relevant from a discussion between Sanford Kwinter and Jason Payne at the end of the From Control to Design book that I just finished reading.
First Kwinter talks about the move from process based projects to product based projects. This is something that I think is very good and I think emphasizes your point about moving beyond experimenting for experiments sake. Until these tools are put to use in actual settings we will not be able to see there true value, and if they can stand up to the rigors that buildings demand, from gravity to bathrooms.
This leads into the second point that Jason Payne makes that computational techniques are not design tools but production tools. I think that he is right in the sense that we as architects have to put them to work in terms of architecture, whether to create space or affect or just dealing with very specific parameters of a projects. In the end we have to solve architectural problems which demand architectural solutions.
In any case this is a discussion that is part of the larger debate going on about computations place in architecture, and I'm glad that you were able to stimulate such a lively one here. And I look forward to more.
Hey Matei,
Thanks for your input! It surely makes me want to re-write the whole article, to take into consideration all the points made in the comments here. Indeed it is/was a lively and most welcome discussion, thanks a bunch for making it happen! I have to get back to some readings.
It definitively makes sense, the transition to process-based products to product-based projects – it surely enforces a more architectural way of thinking, which, of course, i welcome!
thanks again, d.
Octavian Gheorghiu • November 11th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
Hy Dimitrie,
It is really nice to see students mature. I never got to meet you in Bucharest though I wanted to.
A much deeper point to the voronoi topic is the usage of algorithms and other parametric processes to generate architecture. I would not blame any project that uses this kind of tools as a mean of exploration and as a way to learn and improve. To prove something true or wrong, with value or shallow you can theories, use past examples, axioms or you can just experiment and see the outcome. The true problem lies in the power people have or have not to be self-critics.
I think a bigger problem to the misuse of such approaches is the fact it gives a strong argument, and to be truth, a good argument, to the conservatives who do not understand or do not want to understand a new style or architecture, called in many ways, Patrik Schummacher called "Parametricism" , I for a long time called it "Digitalism" and so on. Some people used scripting as a "lazy" tool to get fast results. This is especially dangerous for students who can fell in a trap set by this tools, a trap where the tools become concepts and after graduation become just some form of shallow architects who have no ability to make real concepts.
MEL,Grasshopper and classes like Rhinoscript 101 made scripting available to majority and unleashed the power to create new tools when the software was not able to respond to the needs, which I think was a good turn around because you would not design using only the tools made available by the creators of software, but instead you could make your own tools, and use the maximum of your imagination. I hope that this trend of just making formalism design based on "cool" scripts, design that have no real concept to support them will not be encouraged. But I think as you, and honestly I, have discovered many others will see the potential bad and good of this.
I would not worry about shallow architecture that might appear as a effect of misusage of algorithms or parametric processes, mostly because the world of real buildings has a strong filter in witch if you can`t explain why, who, what for and other basic questions it will not go along with designs just for sake of design, though sometimes it does, but it is so rare (and there is an even bigger topic if this kind of architecture is as bad as the low quality architecture). I think the economic crisis brought with it the end of the "Bilbao Effect", and this is where the new tools have so much potential. This new potential to design smart, made in my opinion architectural practices like BIG so hip, not because they made "cool" designs, but because they had strong concepts put into use by tools made in house. Think that all major offices have, or will have research teams (SMG – Foster, We work for her – Zaha), who just make tools so that they can build smarter, faster and cheaper.
I hope I made a good argument to your topic and I believe that in the near future we will have a major shift in the way we design and build. It was nice to write some thoughts that I had for a long time on this topic.
All the best
Hello Octavian,
Thank you for your contribution! I agree with all what you are saying, except the part regarding the new "style" of architecture – Patrick Schumacher's parametricism or digitalism etc. I really don't think these approaches can mature into a style, or by artificially doing so they will limit themselves and the practice. More or less they are ways of looking or understanding the world and architecture, or approaches. This abrupt transformation into a style can prove to be a bit cumbersome or dangerous – in terms of promoting radical ways of doing architecture, and/or formal and theoretical limitations, etc.
But this an altogether different talk. Thanks again for your most insightful comment. I think the article has doubled in size and meaning by the discourse along it!
Hi Dimitrie.
I love this article. And agree with you.
Just one thing: You used to use the Voronoi diagram too, even in Urbanism, where it has very small sense of usage, not to say it is pointless to use it there.
But now your opinions about Voronoi`s digram changed?
Sorry for the delay with which I answer and publish your comment – it's just that for every human there's 100 spambots and i've hardly had the time to go into spam filtering mode until now…
It's just a simple evolution process – or that's how i like to see it as. I've been riding the computational wave quite a bit, but this doesn't stop me from critically reflecting upon what i do and why i do it. I actually used my projects as negative examples in a few lectures when i presented this article and the relinquishing control piece.
This piece is a bit harsh. For example, now – after reading a few more books – I can argue that authored architecture's relationship with nature has always been on a superficial metaphorical level, and therefore the voronoi diagram fits right in as a continuation of previous endeavors – not that i agree at all with this relationship in the first place, it's just the way it was pushed through by the obvious needs of "grounding" society into its surrounding world (or, to be more specific, its interpretation or understanding – scientific, societal, religious, etc. – of the surrounding world).


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What's hot in the wine world tends to focus the most attention. The newest superstar winemaker. The hot new vineyard. The latest cult wine brand. The stratospheric auction results in Hong Kong. But in so many ways, these bright lights are not at all representative of the real world of wine -- a world in which farmers and winemakers (sometimes the same person) work day after day to produce something that not only fires their passion, but also pays their bills.
For every winery that makes news, there are dozens or hundreds that never seem to get much of the limelight, and many of those don't want it. While they work hard at selling their wines, just like any business, they are focused on making great wine year after year with a minimum of fuss and fluff.
Perhaps more than most, Dutton-Goldfield Winery strikes me as just this sort of outfit. Though it has an incredible pedigree, and lots of talent behind it, the winery and its people are generally content to let their wines speak for themselves. Instead of managing a brand, they just put two names on the label, and focus on the important stuff: growing and making great wine.
Dutton-Goldfield is a partnership between farmer Steve Dutton, and winemaker Dan Goldfield. Since 1999, the two have been crafting wines that embody all the qualities I think of when I think of wines from the Russian River Valley.
Steve Dutton is a fifth generation Sonoma County farmer. Since about 1881, there has been someone with the last name Dutton farming in Sonoma County. The family's progenitor grew fruit trees and hops outside of Santa Rosa, but in 1964 Steve Dutton's father purchased land in the Russian River Valley and planted the first grapes that would become part of what is now known as Dutton Ranch. Now consisting of over 1150 acres, Dutton Ranch is one of the most well known names to be found on the side of a Sonoma County wine bottle. The family ranch is run by Steve Dutton and his brother Joe Dutton (who has his own winery, Dutton Estate), and their customers read like a who's who of Sonoma County wineries. Chardonnay, in particular, from Dutton Ranch has been turned into some of California's highest scoring and most celebrated white wines thanks to wineries like Kistler, Patz & Hall, and more.
Dan Goldfield was trained as a chemist (and a philosopher, a fact responsible for some of the interesting conversations I've had with him over the years). Despite falling in love with the wines of Burgundy, thanks to his brother, Goldfield never intended to get into winemaking. But as luck (or fate) would have it, his post-graduate research took him to U.C. Davis, and one thing led to another. Coming out of his enology degree, Goldfield worked for Mondavi, and then Schramsberg, before being recruited to be the winemaker at La Crema. It was at La Crema that Goldfield first encountered Dutton Ranch fruit, and soon became a fan and a friend of the Duttons.
In 1993 Jess Jackson purchased La Crema, and tapped Goldfield to start a new project focused entirely on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, to be named Hartford Court. After getting that project off the ground, Goldfield felt it was time to move on, and in 1999 he reached out to his friend Steve Dutton, and Dutton-Goldfield was born.
The winery has never aspired to be much more than what the label says. A guy who grows grapes, and a guy who makes wine. With a production of around 8000 cases, these two stick to what they know, and try to do it better every year. What they know happens to be lots of small vineyard plots spread over Sonoma's Russian River Valley and Green Valley AVAs (American Viticultural Areas), filled with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Zinfandel.
Winemaking at Dutton-Goldfield follows the fairly standard regimen you might encounter at any careful, small-production facility interested in making extremely high quality wines. Goldfield is more philosophical than religious in his winemaking, adapting his winemaking processes as dictated by the nature of the fruit from each site. Some wines are destemmed, some are made with portions of whole clusters. Most reds get a nice cold soak before being allowed to warm up for fermentation. Some wines undergo native yeast fermentations, others are inoculated, and whenever possible, after aging in various kinds of barrels, new and old, the wines are bottled without filtration.
I've had the pleasure of tasting Dutton-Goldfield wines consistently for perhaps the past 6 years, starting with the 2002 vintage. The wines have always struck me as solid, well made, no-nonsense, and high quality. They have also, undeniably, kept getting better and better. Goldfield has been making wine now for almost three decades, and Dutton has been farming his whole life, but somehow these two seem to be really hitting their stride with the most recent vintages, which include some truly fantastic wines. In particular, their Devil's Gulch Pinot Noir below may be the finest wine I've tasted from their winery to date, and one of the best Marin County Pinot Noirs being made today.
Goldfield has mastered several very different grape varieties, making wines that speak clearly of where they are from while celebrating the best attributes of their particular grapes. Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, however, seem to show his skills the best, with the former being wonderfully silky and balanced between earth and fruit, and the latter bursting with flavor.
The winery has sent me a number of samples over the past year, which I have tasted with great pleasure. Here's a compilation of the notes I have made.
Full disclosure: these wines were all sent to me as press samples.
2009 Dutton-Goldfield "Dutton Ranch - Green Valley Vineyard" Gewurztraminer, Green Valley
Pale greenish gold in color, this wine smells of rosewater and candied orange rind. In the mouth the wine has a bright, floral rosewater character, with hints of mango and orange blossom. Good acidity and nice silky texture linger as the orange peel aromas fade in the finish. 13.5% alcohol. Score: between 8 and 8.5. Cost: $26. click to buy.
2008 Dutton Goldfield "Dutton Ranch" Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
Light gold in the glass, this wine smells of baked apples and a hint of sweet oak. In the mouth, flavors of baked apples, vanilla, pastry cream and wet stones all mesh nicely in a silky-textured stream across the palate. Less acidity than I might like, but still fairly well balanced. 13.5% alcohol. Score: around 8.5. Cost: $30. click to buy.
2009 Dutton-Goldfield "Rued Vineyard" Chardonnay, Green Valley
Light gold in the glass, this wine smells of lemon curd and wet stones. In the mouth the wine offers flavors of cold cream, wet stones, and lemon zest, with a hint of vanilla from sweet oak. Nice acidity and a silky texture round out a nicely packaged Chardonnay. 13.5% alcohol. Score: around 8.5. Cost: $42. click to buy.
2008 Dutton-Goldfield "Dutton Ranch" Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
Medium garnet in the glass, this wine smells of black raspberry and cherry fruit with a darker cassis undertone. In the mouth the wine is silky, with faint powdery tannins that wrap around flavors of plum, black cherry, and raspberry fruit. The finish is moderately long with hints of cedar and orange peel emerging in the aftertaste. 13.5% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $35. click to buy.
2008 Dutton-Goldfield "Dutton Ranch - Sanchietti Vineyard" Pinot Noir, Green Valley
Medium to dark garnet in color, this wine smells of chocolate covered cherries and pomegranate liqueur. In the mouth it is silky smooth, with flavors of cherries, raspberries, and cedar with hints of cocoa powder. Bright juicy acidity makes it a pleasure to drink and hints of cinnamon linger with raspberry aromas in the finish. A young wine, with faint tannins, that will no doubt improve with time. 13.5% alcohol. Score: around 9. Cost: $50. click to buy.
2008 Dutton-Goldfield "Freestone Hill Vineyard" Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
Medium garnet in color, this wine smells of sweet cherry and plum. In the mouth the wine is quite floral and bright with flavors of raspberry, cherry, and hints of sweet oak. Plush, silky, and beautifully balanced, this is an incredibly feminine and beguiling wine. Faint tannins wrap around the mouth through a very long finish. One of the best I have had from Dutton Goldfield. 13.5% alcohol. Score: between 9 and 9.5. Cost: $60. click to buy.
2008 Dutton-Goldfield "Devil's Gulch Vineyard" Pinot Noir, Marin County
Light to medium garnet in color, this wine smells of cherry and plum and vanilla. In the mouth the wine is smooth and silky, with cherry and plum flavors that course over the tongue encased in delicate fine grained tannins. A wonderfully aromatic sweetness suffuses this wine and lingers with cherry and plum notes in the finish. Excellent. 13.5% alcohol. Score: between 9 and 9.5. Cost: $50. click to buy.
2009 Dutton Goldfield "Devil's Gulch Vineyard" Pinot Noir, Marin County
Light to medium garnet in color, this wine smells of bright cherry and cranberry fruit. In the mouth the wine has a boisterous spicy cherry character with wonderful raspberry and cranberry notes made juicy by excellent acidity. The oak is so restrained as to be barely noticeable, and the spicy character lingers in the finish. Fine tannins and fantastic balance. Outstanding. 13.5% alcohol. Score: between 9 and 9.5. Cost: $50. click to buy.
2009 Dutton-Goldfield "Fox Den Vineyard" Pinot Noir, Green Valley
Medium garnet in the glass, this wine smells of flowers with hints of blueberries and raspberries. In the mouth, wonderfully lithe flavors of black cherry and cedar mix with darker earthy notes and green wood flavors. Very nice acidity and balance, with a moderate finish. 13.5% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $50. click to buy.
2009 Dutton Goldfield "McDougall Vineyard" Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
Light to medium garnet in color, this wine smells of wet stones and sour cherries. In the mouth, flavors of wet stones, raspberries, and redwood bark have a bright quartz hardness to them that is quite appealing. The wet stone quality lingers in a long finish with faint tannins. Wonderful acidity and a nice light, silky presence on the tongue. 13.5% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $50. click to buy.
2007 Dutton-Goldfield "Dutton Ranch - Cherry Ridge Vineyard" Syrah, Russian River Valley
Dark garnet in color, this wine smells of cassis, blackberry, and the barest hint of white pepper and violets. In the mouth the wine has supple tannins and a smooth, satiny texture that carries flavors of cassis, blackberry and black cherry across the palate. Nicely balanced acidity and a floral note in the finish make it quite pretty. Score: around 9. Cost: $30. click to buy.
2008 Dutton-Goldfield "Cherry Ridge Vineyard" Syrah, Russian River Valley
Inky garnet in the glass with a hint of cloudiness, this wine smells of bright blackberry and cassis aromas. In the mouth the wine is wonderfully juicy, with flavors of blackberry, cassis, and black cherry. Faint, powdery tannins and a velvety texture make this wine full and round in the mouth. Nice acidity and a wonderfully long finish. 13.5% alcohol. Score: around 9. Cost: $32. click to buy.
2008 Dutton-Goldfield "Morelli Lane Vineyard" Zinfandel, Russian River Valley
Medium to dark garnet in the glass, this wine has a strong nose of sweet blackberry jam. In the mouth bright blackberry jam, black pepper, and black licorice flavors mix with bluer fruits that linger in a moderate finish. Nice acidity. 14.5% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $36.click to buy.
2009 Dutton-Goldfield "Morelli Lane Vineyard" Zinfandel, Russian River Valley
Medium garnet in color, this wine smells of blackberry jam and prunes. In the mouth flavors of roasted cocoa nibs, blackberries and blueberry jam mix with notes of black pepper. Faint tannins and decent acidity don't manage to overcome the very jammy nature of this wine. A bit much. 14.5% alcohol. Score: around 8. Cost: $36.
2009 Dutton-Goldfield "Stoetz Ridge Vineyard" Zinfandel, Russian River Valley
Dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of sweet blackberry jam and sour cherry fruit. In the mouth juicy sour cherry and blackberry fruit mix wonderfully with a dark underlying earthiness. Fantastic acidity and excellent balance with just a hint of tannins at the edge of the mouth. Outstanding. 14.5% alcohol. Score: between 9 and 9.5. Cost: $30.click to buy.
A wine book like no other. Photographs, essays, and wine recommendations. 2015 Roederer Award Winner.Learn more.
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Wine Will Never Smell the Same Again: Luca Turin and the Science of Scent Forlorn Hope: The Remarkable Wines of Matthew Rorick Debating Robert Parker At His Invitation Passopisciaro Winery, Etna, Sicily: Current Releases Should We Care What Winemakers Say? The Sweet Taste of Freedom: Austria's Ruster Ausbruch Wines 2009 Burgundy Vintage According to Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Charles Banks: The New Man Behind Mayacamas Wine from the Caldera: The Incredible Viticulture of Santorini Why Community Tasting Notes Sites Will Fail Chateau Rayas and the 2012 Vintage of Chateauneuf-du-Pape A Life Indomitable: The Wines of Casal Santa Maria, Portugal Bay Area Bordeaux: Tasting Santa Cruz Mountain Cabernets Forgotten Jewels: Reviving Chile's Old Vine Carignane The First-Timer's Guide to Les Trois Glorieuses of Hospices de Beaune


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PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Strong performance of renovated lifestyle stores and increased perishables sales helped Safeway here post sales of $12.5 billion, an increase of 3.8%, in the fourth quarter ending Dec. 31, the company said Thursday. Identical-store sales, excluding fuel, increased by 3.5%, the company added. Quarterly net earnings totaled $307.9 an increase of 77% from last year's fourth quarter, which had included charges for a labor buyout and for store closures in Texas. Gross ...
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Transition has been the key word at Liverpool the past couple of seasons, during which time 22 players have come into the squad (not counting loans). Many new faces, many of whom have been pilloried for their lack of performance on the pitch. Recent league performances, in particular, have tried the patience of supporters. It's never easy to reshape a side, and such has been the case at Anfield where, dare we use that en vogue word, the club is in the middle of at least a three-year "project." One, Liverpool fans hope, will work out better for Kenny Dalglish than Chelsea's ex, Andre Villas-Boas.
There have been signs of promise, including Liverpool winning the Carling Cup, its first trophy in six seasons, in February. The Reds are also scheduled to face archrival Everton on April 14 at Wembley, a cup tie that should (fingers crossed) offer a bit more fire and brimstone than the wet noodle of a league match between the two teams on March 13, which was really only notable for Steven Gerrard's hat trick and Everton's lackluster team selection. The Old Firm it wasn't. April's faceoff will be the first time the two sides compete at Wembley since the 1989 FA Cup final, so the tackles should be flying.
Building confidence on the back of a cup run will help boost morale, but equally, it won't be enough to gloss over Liverpool's shortcomings in the Premier League. After 30 games played, it trails No. 1 Manchester United by 31 points; at the same juncture in the season last year, the Reds were 18 points behind league leader United.
You can point to all sorts of issues. Dalglish & Co. have especially struggled at Anfield, where they've drawn eight (a killer in a points race), won five and lost two. There's been some profligacy in front of goal -- with 13.1 shots per goal this season, compared to 13.3 for Wigan, 12.1 with QPR and 11.9 with Everton. (United is tops at 6.3 shots per goal). And the woodwork has been as much an enemy to the Kop as anyone from the blue of Merseyside: Liverpool leads the league with most shots, 17, that have hit the woodwork and not gone in, ahead of 15 for Man City, 13 for QPR, 12 for both Chelsea and Fulham. Beyond analytics, you can analyze all sorts of issues with player performances (a story for another time).
Of course, it's all how you slice and dice the definition of success. Liverpool could end up with two trophies this season; and we know one of the two Manchester clubs will finish with nothing in their cabinet.
To discuss Liverpool's season, we chatted with one of its iconic players, central defender Jamie Carragher, who has been with the club since he joined the youth team in 1990 and played his first senior ball in 1996. While he has logged a ton of miles for the cause, Carragher, 34, still bleeds Liverpool red with the passion of any supporter.
Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC/Getty ImagesSteven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher celebrate Liverpool's Carling Cup victory, the club's first trophy in six years.
Hi, Jamie, it's a pleasure to chat with you. First question: What has Kenny Dalglish brought to Liverpool FC since taking over the reins as manager?
Jamie Carragher: Well, I think, obviously, he's been here now just over 12 months. He's increased the presence of the club, that's what he has about him because of who he is and what he's achieved in football as a player and as a manager. When Kenny arrived, with the club in a very difficult position, he gave everyone a lift, not just in terms of his presence but also with performances and results on the pitch at the end of last season. You know, this season there's been a lot of change in the playing staff, with a lot of new players coming in, you know, for the better. You could see that with us getting our first trophy in six years. That was a massive achievement for everyone at the club, and we're set up nicely in the FA Cup. We're probably a little bit short in the league where we'd like to be -- we'd like to be closer to the top four -- but hopefully we can close that gap between now and the end of the season.
You guys play Everton in the FA Cup on April 14. The last derby was a bit of a letdown, intensity-wise. Can we expect a right old cup tie this time around?
JC: Oh, of course, I'm sure it'll be a lot closer than the last league game was, since we normally don't get results like that in a derby, where it's normally very tight with one goal into them. It's a massive game, of course, we can't deny that. It's something [Everton versus Liverpool in the FA Cup] we've not really had much of in the past. The former players had cup finals against each other -- I think there were two cup finals [in 1989 and 1986] -- and big games in cup ties, but it hasn't really happened much for me self as a player in the last 10, 15 years. So it's something for the whole city to look forward to. I'm just hoping as a city we represent ourselves well, the supporters going down to the game together like it was in the past. Hopefully we'll get the result, but I'm sure that's what the Everton side will say as well.
It certainly feels like the magic of the FA Cup is back, at least for this tie. But the league has been a different story for Liverpool, as you're 31 points behind league leader Manchester United. Jose Enrique recently came out and said that fans shouldn't blame the manager but point the finger at the players. What's your take?
JC: There's been a lot of change, hasn't there, with players coming in and out, so we've got a lot of new players learning to play the Liverpool way and what it means to play for Liverpool. And I hope they progress again next season as well. The competition in the league has never been stronger, especially with Man City coming in with the title money they've got, and the job Harry Redknapp has done with Tottenham Whereas our manager has only just come in and tried to build a side up. But if you actually look [closely], we don't have as many players in our squad who've won a title, or certainly not a Premier League title, but you look at the manager, he's got four [titles], so I don't think [our struggles] have to do with our manager. As a group of players, we need to improve. Maybe we need a couple new players next season to push us on, and you're hoping the players we bought this season will then go on to another level after a year's experience playing for the club.
You talk a lot about the "Liverpool way" when discussing the new players on board. What do you mean by that?
JC: It's not just them, it's all of us, as I've said -- in the games we haven't done that well. You can see it by our home form, a lot of draws, that is what I'm saying, playing the Liverpool way. When you play home games you have the pressure of your own crowd -- it's a demanding, and great crowd -- but at Liverpool we expect results and to win every week that we play at home. So there's that aspect of it. And also the way the opposition play. Every team comes to Anfied to defend, really, so it's different in that sense. Also the media pressure of playing for Liverpool is always strong -- it's one of the biggest and best clubs around. Learning to be a Liverpool player comes with experience. You know, me self and Steven Gerrard have been here a long time and know how it works. I'm sure next season and toward the end of this season, with the first trophy in the bag, the new players will go on to another level.
Mark Thompson /Allsport Loyal servant: Carragher during his days for the England U-21 team in 1997.
What's your sense of the Premier League this season? City and United are battling for the top spot, there's a tussle for third and fourth, and English teams haven't fared well in Europe.
JC: I think it's fair to say that from the performances in Europe, that English teams, we're not at the level we probably were three or four years ago. I mean, you look at Real Madrid come and take Ronaldo away from the league, and we lost [Xabi] Alonso. I think invariably the best players always end up with them or Barcelona. I think La Liga is the top league now. Look at Athletic Bilbao's performance against Man United, everyone was talking about how well they played, and that's the fifth, sixth team in Spain, really, against the [Premier League defending] champions and maybe the best team in the country. It was a well-deserved defeat, if you like.
But I think football goes in cycles as well. Three or four years ago, I think it was right to say that we had the best league in Europe and some of the best teams. We always had two or three teams in the [Champions League] semifinals and a team in the final. But now I think it has change, you're getting the Spanish clubs playing well, the way AC Milan is doing in the Champions League, Napoli's performance as well against Man City. They all may be coming back, but football is all about cycles, and I'm sure we'll be back on top soon enough.
When you finally hang up your boots, what's next? You've talked about possibly coaching.
JC: To be honest, I think about a few things that I'd like to do, but you have to be offered a job you like to do. It's not set in stone that it'll be a coach or manager. If something comes up that I like to do, I'd do it. But there's no set plan, if you like, in place for me. I will just keep playing as long as I can and the club sees fit, and then whatever happens after that, I'll make a decision on what type of stuff I get offered. Obviously, a lot will have to do with me family as well. I'm open to anything at the moment. It's interesting -- it's something I've never had as a player, really, I've only always wanted to play for Liverpool and hadn't had to make decisions about different clubs, thankfully.
You are quite the throwback, playing your entire career with one club. What has that meant to you?
JC: It's been a privilege for me, really, to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, an iconic club, an institution. The club have been great to me, and I hope to finish my career here. That, for me, would be a great achievement.


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Check out TJ Dillashaw's comments from Wednesday night's UFC on Fuel TV 4 post-fight press conference…
No matter what you, Mark Hunt, or anyone else thinks about Brock Lesnar, he doesn't really care. "I'm a white boy and I'm jacked, deal with it."
A more mature Jon Jones has emerged from a
On Thursday, UFC 200's biggest hitters – Daniel Cormier,
Two men involved in the hit and run death
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|June 30, 2016 Edition
Welcome to Press Release 365!
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ICS Leads Business Opportunities Exploration to Expo JAMAICA 2012 April 25th-30
Apr 04, 2012
The participants will participate in a Half-Day Seminar on Doing Business in Jamaica and SMART Foresight for Small Businesses; as well as the two days Buyers Only Sessions at the National Arena. Optional tours to some of Kingston's famous sights as well as to the North Coast resort town of Ocho Rios will be included in the specially designed package.
The delegation led by Dr. Claire Nelson, ICS President, a former senior technical advisor at the Inter-American Development Bank, with over twenty-five years experience, will be joined by Dr. Nsombi Jaja, CEO, Quality Management Consultancy Inc., a leading consulting firm with A-List clients in both the private and public sector in Jamaica. Said Dr. Nelson, "for almost twenty years ICS has been organizing investment forums and speaking on Business Opportunities in the Caribbean. As ICS ramps up its Trade and Economic Development programs to create opportunities in spite of the economic challenges, EXPO JAMAICA 2012 provides an unmatched opportunity to bring our network at home and abroad together. Further, our aim is to help make a few matches for the USAID/IDB Caribbean Idea Marketplace Grants".
Discount Airfares and Hotel Rates to Jamaica have been arranged by JAMPRO making the trip exceedingly affordable. ICS will partner with small businesses in Jamaica to provide ground transfers, and optional tours to the North Coast; as well as to organize the Meet the People Dinners. "This is about optimizing the international B2B opportunities, by cultivating local networks", stated Dr. Nsombi Jaja, ICS Board Member.
Registration for the delegation begins at only US$525 and is limited to thirty attendees in order to ensure personalized attention.
Find out more about ICS BizOpps Exploration at www.icsdc.org. To register to attend, send email to email@example.com or go to www.icsbizopps.eventbrite.com.
The Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) is dedicated to education, advocacy and action on issues that impact the holistic well being of Caribbean Americans. The vision of ICS is to ensure a forum for the public and private sector, the non-government organization (NGO) community, scholars and others interested in promoting a dialogue; and to assist in the execution of actions that result from that dialogue.
Our goal is to provide our partners and stakeholders with solutions that will enable their survival, growth, and prosperity in the ever changing global marketplace, by providing education, advocacy and action that support their missions. ICS is dedicated to building bridges between Caribbean Americans and the US population at large.
Since its inception in 1993, ICS has been at the forefront of the challenge to bring attention to the issues of critical importance to the Caribbean American community, which numbers over 10 million. ICS represents an important role in history as the first Caribbean American non-governmental organization in the USA devoted to the successful inclusion of Caribbean Americans in US policy making, and the economic development of the Caribbean region. ICS location in Washington DC makes it an ideal interlocutor, advocate and intermediary between the US government, multilateral agencies, the private sector, Caribbean American communities, and Caribbean governments. ICS has established and will continue to develop partnerships and collaborative relationships with local and national organizations in the US and the Caribbean, such as the Black Leadership Forum, National Minority Suppliers Development Council, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Global Rights Law Group, World Bank/IMF Caribbean Staff Association, Caribbean Research Center, and the Caribbean Policy Development Center to meet its objectives.
In keeping with its holistic philosophy of development, ICS develops and supports programs which serve a multiplicity of interests-- the business person, the community leader, the policy-maker, and the scholar, across various sectors. ICS program areas are: Trade & Economic Development, Science & Technology, Education & Health, and Sociology & Culture. ICS programs are designed
Keywords: Dr. Claire Nelson, ics, b2b opportunities, business development Business » General
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Savannah's just a big ol' speakeasy, isn't it?
A guest of ours said the line above not too long ago when I was describing how one of my favourite locations used to be a...
Enjoy a Southern Homemade Breakfast!
Start your day with a homemade Southern breakfast. Every morning our cooks begin preparations to have your meal cooked hot and ready when you arrive. Enjoy our breakfast in the comfort of our Parlor at our family-style tables or enjoy your breakfast on our patio overlooking our charming Courtyard Gardens (weather permitting).
Guests can choose from a daily selection of Chef Special or a Healthy Living breakfast option, consisting of fruit, yogurt, and Charlotte's homemade granola.
Some of the current daily "Specials" for breakfast are as follows:
Southern Country Breakfast – farm fresh eggs cooked to order, smoked applewood bacon, homemade buttermilk biscuits and slow cooked stone-ground grits.
Eggs to order: fried, scrambled or omelette and a fruit cup on the side.
Eggs Benedict (offered on days with lower occupancy) comes with a slice of deli turkey over English muffins, topped off with hollandaise sauce.
Blueberry Pancakes (seasonally)
French toast stuffed with fresh berries served topped with a fresh blackberry syrup and a side of sausage
All of our sausage products are all locally processed right here in Savannah at Roger Wood Foods.
Additionally, continental menu items such as homemade granola, sweet breakfast breads and an assortment of cereals are also available. And if you'd prefer, our cooks can make you some eggs to order in case whatever we may have on the menu that day is not to your liking. We can also accommodate any of our guests that require sugar/lactose/gluten-free diets or any other special requests.
Afternoon Tea
Every day from 4 to 6 p.m. our guests are cordially invited to join us for afternoon tea. Delicious treats baked from scratch by our chefs are served along with freshly brewed tea – we also serve hot tea during the colder months. A refreshing time for you to relax, enjoy and maybe even get to know some of the other guests!
Bedtime Milk & Cookies
At the end of your long day step back into our parlor area and help yourself to some warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies and milk to take back to your room. Our front desk staff bakes them up every night around 8 p.m. just for you. And as the weather gets cooler, you can also enjoy a cup of hot tea or a frothy mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows on our patio area in the courtyard.


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The time is now to start thinking about Father's Day gifts. A month ago you were introduced to two spiffy lids from San Francisco-based Goorin Bros. Either of these hats would style up your Pops, and both would help make him the coolest Dad around.
Having never worn a porkpie hat before, I didn't know if I would be able to nail the look or not, but as soon as I popped it onto my head I knew this hat was right for me. The Guillermo inspires a bit of a swagger without venturing into the cocky territory of a fedora. It's as whimsical as it is stylish, and since it's a Goorin Bros. hat it is beautifully constructed. This hat, with its 1.5" stingy brim, 3.25" crown, with a 1.5" contrasting band with a Goorin pin for added style points, and a blue tie print sweatband is sure to become an instant favorite.
Soul Surfer
Though very familiar with ivy hats, I've never actually tried the duckbill version until now, and I have to say that I may have a new favorite. The curve of the 2" bill adds a bit of style and makes the overall shape of the hat much rounder than your regular ivy or flat cap. The light twill of the Soul Surfer makes this a perfect go-to hat for the summer, and this notion is reinforced by the 1950s inspired summer island getaway scene printed on the cotton liner.
For more information or to score one of these stylish hats for the Daddy in your life, click here.
**Full disclosure: These hats were provided at no cost for editorial consideration, to think otherwise would be silly.


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When the whole drama went down between Shannon Beador and Tamra Barney over Tamra telling Heather Dubrow about David Beador's email, in which he suggested a separation from Shannon, some viewers thought that it was a bit ridiculous of Shannon to get so mad at Tamra. After all, Shannon did decide to air her marital problems on "The Real Housewives of Orange County," so she shouldn't be so shocked when the e-mail was revealed to viewers.
In an interview with Wetpaint Entertainment, posted on Tuesday, August 19, Shannon explained why she was so shocked that Tamra told Heather the private information. She explained that the e-mail was never supposed to be brought up in front of the cameras. According to Shannon, when she received David's email, she called Tamra off-camera and asked for advice as a friend. That's when Tamra specifically told her to not bring up the e-mail during filming because doing so would hurt her kids.
Instead of following through with the plan to keep the e-mail private, Tamra told Heather about it on-camera, forcing Shannon to address the issue on the show and to do damage control with her husband when Heather spread the gossip to people not even on the show. "It was something I wasn't planning on talking about and my 'good friend' Tamra said she wouldn't either, but she decided to change the rules," said Shannon.
Considering how Tamra broke Shannon's trust by going back on her word, it would be easy to see how Shannon would say that one thing that she'll do differently if she does do another season of the show is to not be friends with Tamra ever again. Yet in a recent interview with OK! Magazine, Shannon said that she actually doesn't have any plans on doing things differently next season because she is who she is, a person who sometimes makes mistakes.
Shannon also speculated that all of the women from season nine will return for season ten of "The Real Housewives of Orange County." Clearly, Shannon Beador is not afraid to deal with whatever Tamra Barney may do to her next season!
Suggested Links
- Vicki Gunvalson actually leaving 'RHOC' after nine seasons?
- Brandi Glanville defends Heather Dubrow's husband Terry Dubrow
- Tamra Barney: ex's friend source of negative press; Vicki Gunvalson wants peace
- Heather Dubrow to quit 'RHOC' since Terry Dubrow says he doesn't want to return?
- 'RHOC' Tamra Barney apologizes to Alexis Bellino; says 'karma is a b***h!'


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Employee benefits in June 2003
August 27, 2003
In June 2003, private industry employer compensation costs for all workers averaged $22.61 per hour worked. Wages and salaries averaged $16.31 per hour, while benefits averaged $6.30.
The cost of insurance (health, life, and disability) averaged $1.57 per hour worked. Health insurance has risen from $1.31 per hour worked and 6.0 percent of total compensation in June 2002, to $1.45 per hour and 6.4 percent in June 2003.
Employer costs for paid leave averaged $1.46 per hour worked, supplemental pay averaged 64 cents, retirement and savings averaged 67 cents, and legally required benefits such as Social Security and workers' compensation averaged $1.93 per hour worked.
These data are from the BLS Compensation Cost Trends program. Find out more in Employer Costs for Employee Compensation-June 2003 (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 03-446. Paid leave includes vacations, holidays, sick leave, and other leave. Supplemental pay includes premium pay for work in addition to the regular work schedule (such as overtime, weekends, and holidays), shift differentials, and nonproduction bonuses. Retirement and savings benefits include defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Legally required benefits are Social Security, Medicare, Federal and State unemployment insurance, and workers' compensation. Other benefits include severance pay and supplemental unemployment plans.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, Employee benefits in June 2003 on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2003/aug/wk4/art03.htm (visited June 29, 2016).
Recent editions of Spotlight on Statistics
Employment and Wages in Healthcare Occupations
Healthcare occupations are a significant percentage of U.S. employment. Some of the largest and highest paying occupations are in healthcare. This Spotlight examines employment and wages for healthcare occupations.
Fifty years of looking at changes in peoples lives
Longitudinal surveys help us understand long-term changes, such as how events that happened when a person was in high school affect labor market success as an adult.
- A look at pay at the top, the bottom, and in between
The Spotlight examines how earnings and wages have changed over time and how they differ within a geographic area, industry, or occupation.


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Dream of the perfect holiday location, and experience the magic that is the
Bay of Islands - New Zealand
We offer ideal holiday rental accommodation in a picture perfect location with a selection of quality homes, apartments, villas, cottages and beach houses for holiday rental.
Whether you require –
· That special beach house or holiday home
· Holiday accommodation for the extended family gathering
· A romantic intimate sanctuary
· A unique business retreat or
· Simply a beach bach for the fishing trip……
…… you can click here and find that special place.
All holiday homes are fully equipped for self catering, some offer full servicing and provide breakfast as an optional extra. Gas barbecues for outdoor dining are also provided. All homes have full kitchen and laundry facilities with linen provided. Some homes cater for children; we can provide a travel cot and highchair.
Our houses are comfortable and modern, of an extremely high standard, and close to local amenities and tourist attractions. Almost all have wonderful views and are in quiet peaceful locations
For the holiday of a lifetime - visit the Bay of Islands and experience all that this unique area has to offer.
Marj Browning - firstname.lastname@example.com - Ph/Fax +64 9 402 7783
P.O. Box 176, Paihia, Bay Of Islands


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Inspired by Greg Jenner's St George's Day blog post, we asked you to vote for a new patron saint of England - and you did.
We realise, of course, that we limited the selection of people it was possible to vote for. And that we skewed it, Eurovision Song Contest-style, by putting possibly the most memorable inclusion last. But while we're not entirely sure that the winner is worthy of sainthood, we think you'll agree that it could have been worse. It could have been Dappy from N-Dubz.
See who made the top 10 below - and thank you for all the suggestions of people we left off the list. Though frankly, after the recent revelations about his sex life, we think that Simon Cowell might have been a wise omission...
Vote For New Patron Saint Of England: The Results!
Suggest a correction


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One year after George Zimmerman verdict, Sanford residents return to normal
SANFORD, Fla. - One year after a jury found George Zimmerman not guilty in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, the City of Sanford continues to heal.
The turbulent time that followed the tragedy, and the way in which it was handled, divided the small community north of Orlando. It caused deep tension and anger.
"The scar is there to remind us, but the wound itself is gone," said Yvette Comeau, owner of Maya Books and Music in downtown Sanford. "In the end, it would up bringing everyone together as a community because we were more aware of being kind to each other."
When the verdict came down one year ago at the Seminole County Criminal Justice Center, there were protests and rallies.
But for many in the community there was a sense of relief that the spotlight on them would begin to dim.
"Everyone is starting to move forward in their lives," said long time Sanford resident, Karen Kiley, who said she finally no longer hears the outrage directed towards her town.
For awhile, people in Sanford could not escape it.
"It's better to move forward than to live in the past," she said.
Chris Cranias, owner of Christo's Restaurant in downtown Sanford, said after the spotlight and headlines shifted, business finally picked up for him.
And Sanford got its sense of community back.
"The whole consensus is that we're going to stick together and get through this thing because it really had nothing to do with Sanford itself," he said.
It took a few months after the verdict, but Cranias said he rarely hears mention of the George Zimmerman case, or the fact that he's now a free man.
"That's definitely water under the bridge," he said.


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*picture is representative of product type, check specifications for details before ordering. Packaging also varies.
Semi-auto, gas operated. Lightweight & durable injection molded synthetic stock. All metalwork is matte black to reduce glare. Vent top rib dissipates heat, aids target acquisition. Unique dual valve system for wide range of load versatility. Brass front bead sight. CNC machined receiver. Chrome-lined barrel. Drop-out trigger system for easy cleaning. Magazine cut-off. IMC choke system. Wt.:6 to 6-1/2 lbs.


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Hearst Postpones Opening Night for its Designer Visions
Monday, October 29, 2012
Given that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and President Barack Obama have declared a state of emergency in New York (as well as several other eastern states), and that New York City is expected to be without public transit as a result of Hurricane Sandy, Hearst Magazines has postponed its Designer Visions Showcase, which was scheduled to take place Tuesday, October 30, until Monday, November 12. New invitations will be issued.
Hearst Magazines had planned to debut its sixth annual Designer Visions, a showcase of the best in interior design talent and trends, with a celebration on October 30th at 250 WestStreet, El Ad Group's residential property in Tribeca. Hearst Design Group publications Elle Decor, House Beautiful, and Veranda have partnered with top interior designers to create three exquisite apartments in the luxury building, each residence reflecting the magazines' unique style and point of view. The designers for this year's Designer Visions, which will now kick off on November 12, are: Matthew Patrick Smyth for Elle Decor David Rockwell for House Beautiful; and Antony Todd for Veranda.
The three residences are serving as movie sets for six short films (two in each apartment) that have been made as part of Designer Visions' collaboration with 48 Hour Film Project, an organization whose mission is to advance filmmaking and promote filmmakers. On November 12, the six films will be screened, followed by an exclusive party at the Designer Visions residences. A panel of members of the film and advertising communities will judge the entries and select, respectively, the best film and the film that best integrates participating sponsors including Jenn-Air and Benjamin Moore.
Following the gala opening, the Designer Visions residences will host a series of exclusive events through the end of the year. Each apartment will be featured editorially in its respective magazine: the November 2012 issue of House Beautiful, the December 2012 issue of Elle Decor and the January/February 2013 issue of Veranda. A virtual tour and behind-the-scenes video, as well as feature interviews with the editors and designers, sponsor information, and resources will be available online this fall at elledecor.com, housebeautiful.com and veranda.com.
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Tristen Durham: Shark bite won't stop Florida surfer from going back into the water
(WESH/NBC NewsChannel) A Florida teen says being bitten by a shark won't keep him out of the water.
Tristen Durham, 14, said he was bitten while surfing near the jetty at New Smyrna Beach.
Just hours after surgery, Tristen said he remembers the moment the shark sank its teeth into his leg.
"I was blown away. I didn't think I would be bit. I didn't even believe it at first," Tristen said.
Tristen was surfing with his friends Wednesday and had been in the water for about an hour when the shark bit his right foot.
"I started ripping my foot away from it, and it wouldn't let go, so I just had to rip it out of its mouth," Tristen said.
According to beach officials, it's the fifth shark bite in Volusia County in 2014. All of the bites happened in the same area at a beach dubbed the shark bite capital of the world.
Tristen has been surfing since he was 3-years-old. He said he can't wait to get out of his hospital bed and back on his surfboard.
Read more: http://bit.ly/1tuO7Dr


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Diet Coke--My Frenemy
Monday, July 15, 2013
I've been addicted to Diet Coke for more than 20 years. It started when I was in college. I didn't drink coffee so I used Diet Coke as my source of caffeine when I was studying. I figured it was okay to do because it has no calories. Soon, I was drinking Diet Coke in the mornings as well as evenings. Since then, with the exception of my pregnancy, I have averaged anywhere from two to five servings a day.
Yes, I've read all the articles about the evils of aspartame. I'm sure my family has emailed me every single story. But when you're addicted, you rationalize your behavior.
In the last couple of years, I've made tremendous changes to my eating habits and have really tried to focus on eating fresh, unprocessed food as often as possible. My addiction to Diet Coke is now inconsistent with my healthier lifestyle. Last month, when my mother came to visit, she told me I looked great but was dismayed to learn I was still drinking Diet Coke.
I've tried to quit before. Several times. But each time, I felt like it was too much work to sacrifice a calorie-free beverage I enjoy when I'm making so many other changes to my diet.
So what's changed?
Quite honestly, I don't know. I think there are several factors:
1. Sodas cost money. If I spend an average of 50 cents a day to support my habit, that's $182.50 a year. Chances are good that I'm spending more than that.
2. Sodas stain your teeth. My smile is dimming with age. I just spent lots of money on my teeth and I want them to be healthy.
3. My habit was escalating. Suddenly, two cans was not enough. One day, I drank 64 oz of soda. That's way too much.
4. The carbonation causes bloat. I want my stomach to look flatter.
5. I'm ready to change.
So far, it's been 11 days. Will I never take a Diet Coke again? I'm not there. What I do want to do is make it an occasional treat instead of a caffeine crutch. In the meantime, I've started drinking coffee.
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Congrast on giving it up. I know it's tough, I recently gave up my soda (but I'm a regular, full calorie drinker). I have noticed with the decrease in soda I feel better overall, and my skin looks way better!! Good Luck sticking to it!
1078 days ago
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I was a regular coke drinker, for years too, never thought I could give it up but I did and now it is just too sweet so I have no problem not having it anymore. I bet it would be the same with diet coke.
I know you can do this!!!
1079 days ago
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Hang in there, soror!
You'll kick the habit and the desire for the taste will diminish.
I pray this for you.
1079 days ago
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My sister used to be a big soda addict. She gave it up because it was bad for her bone density, which was a serious issue for a woman of her age. It didn't happen all at once; she cut back and eventually found she didn't want it.
She clued me in to the fact that carbonated beverages allow her to eat more (a bad thing) and stimulate her appetite (another bad thing). I started paying attention, and found that diet soda stimulates my appetite, too. So I cut back. I learned that I can deal with a Diet Pepsi at Taco Bell, but I can't afford to go back for the free refill. And some days, I have to deal with a soda enhanced appetite that wouldn't be there from the same quantity of soda on other days. Go figure.
You'll notice I haven't said anything about aspartame. I'm not worried about it. I'm more concerned about appetite stimulation than the unproven ill effects of artificial sweetener.
Meanwhile, I drink a lot of water at home and at work. I'm a tea drinker rather than a coffee drinker, and I cut back on tea after I found SP. The reason? It turns out that for me, tea is a drink that goes too well with something to eat. I can just have a glass of water; but it's very hard to just have a cup of tea. I doubt this is universally true, but it's a personal truth for me.
1079 days ago
Comment edited on: 7/15/2013 9:32:41 PM
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Used by the world's leading law firms and corporations.
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Our document and contract automation software (Contract Express) is trusted by the world's leading law firms and corporations to generate standard legal documents from automated templates, reducing or eliminating the delays, costs, bottlenecks, and risks inherent with manual drafting. With automated contract drafting, lawyers are freed to work on higher value negotiations, non-standard matters, and realizable matters. The result is a faster, more efficient, more consistent, more compliant legal service. Everyone wins.
Partners and GCs trust Contract Express contract automation because their lawyers are able to quickly and accurately automate and update their legal templates in Word without requiring IT specialists to convert their legal templates into computer programs.
Unlike all other document automation products, Contract Express document automation understands lawyers' "square bracket" legal markup notation. There's no programming notation, no XML markup, no hidden codes or fields, no questionnaire scripting, no use of proprietary editors, and no need to reapply styles to generated documents.
This capability is unique to Contract Express contract automation software and protected by thirteen granted US patents with more pending. It's the Contract Express difference, and the reason why Contract Express automated drafting is the solution of choice for leading law firms and corporations worldwide. Try it yourself for free for 28 days.
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Business and legal users generate documents by filling out dynamic, web-based forms – also called 'questionnaires' – created automatically from your templates.
Contract Express 5 contract automation is mobile-first. The questionnaire looks great on smartphones and tablets of all sizes. "Contract Express on a tablet is an excellent example of the productivity improvement that can be achieved with document automation software." – Andy Wishart, Global Head – Contract Express, Thomson Reuters
Contract Express changes the game, enabling us to automate documents easily and quickly, but above all with complete accuracy.
Sales can create a contract at one in the morning, one in the afternoon or on a weekend, whenever they want. You don't have to go through my department, and we'll never slow you down.Seth Weissman
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Our intuitive & patented template automation tool for MS Word, Contract Express Author, enables lawyers to quickly automate and update even the most complex legal documents without needing programmers. Document automation without programmers means automated legal processes you can trust. That's the Contract Express difference!
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Provide clients with user specific "dashboards" to enter new deal information, roundtrip answers into newer versions, and generate locked PDFs or automatically route to a lawyer for review depending on the client's answers.
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Associates and paralegals can rapidly and accurately create client draft documents for subsequent negotiation by the firm's lawyers, optionally aided by Contract Express Drafter. Easily generate repetitive "secondary" deal documents such as bondholders' memos.
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Preview enables senior lawyers to confirm that the automated template is behaving as expected. Preview enables junior lawyers to better understand how the options in the questionnaire relate to different clauses in the document. Test-drive Preview for yourself using our automated software license agreement.
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Business users complete an intuitive, business-oriented online questionnaire. The PDF-or-lawyer approval workflow enforces compliance by only allowing a business user to access a signature-ready and locked PDF version of the agreement when their answers are complete and compliant, as established by Legal. Incomplete or non-compliant requests are automatically routed to the appropriate lawyer for review.
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Sign up for a free trial of Contract Express to automate and run your own contracts, agreements and other legal documents.


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Historic NYC Stop and Frisk trial starts today
Today starts the historic Stop and Frisk trial, Floyd v. City of New York, which challenges the New York Police Department's practice of stopping, questioning, and frisking individuals in building hallways and on city streets. The trial has been elevated to class-action status because it represents hundreds of thousands of individuals — primarily Black, Latino, non-gender conforming, immigrant, and homeless — who have been illegally searched.
Stop and Frisk practices have escalated dramatically under the Bloomberg administration, which justifies such practices as a means to take illegal guns off of the street. However, there has not been an increase in gun retrievals even as NYPD officers have violated the constitutional rights of thousands of New Yorkers. Instead, residents of marginalized communities describe themselves as "under siege" and "under occupation." To learn more about this case, and the wider implications of it, see the website for Communities United for Police Reform (CPR), a coalition of grassroots and policy organizations.
You can also get involved in state-level advocacy to decriminalize marijuana, an issue that has garnered the support of Governor Cuomo. Currently, when the NYPD stops individuals and orders them to turn out their pockets, the NYPD will arrest them for possessing marijuana. It is not against the law to carry concealed marijuana, but it is currently against the law to expose it in public view. It is illegal for police officers to arrest people they have forced to expose marijuana, but it happens constantly. To ensure that police officers cannot continue this illegal practice, advocates have proposed to decriminalize possession of 25 grams or less of marijuana.
People who live in New York should e-mail your elected official and New York State leadership and tell them that the time has come to end unlawful marijuana arrests in New York.
More useful information on Stop and Frisk is available from the Center for Constitutional Rights, which has published an excellent new report titled "The Human Impact" (and interesting info-graphics) and ColorOfChange.org, part of the coalition helping mobilize support for today's rally in downtown Manhattan.
[Photos: Ethan Vesely-Flad, Fellowship of Reconciliation. Taken during the NYC Father's Day Silent March Against Stop-and-Frisk on June 17, 2012.]


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If you are looking for a devotional book that gives you a glimpse into a pastor's home in the South, this is it. Southern stories about the life of a mother, teacher, and pastor's wife may make you laugh or shed a tear. Get a latte or a glass of sweet tea and join Connie for a laugh or perhaps to shed a tear as Biblical truth is found in daily life.
Connie Bunch is the wife of Rev. Gary M. Bunch and the mother of Daniel Ellard Bunch, Andrew Michael Bunch and Jonathan William Bunch. She teaches in Mississippi and is certified in special education K-12, gifted education K-12, English 7-12, elementary education K-8, technology, and as a student services coordinator. She is also National Board Certified in English and has a Masters in Education and Technology. She is a former Missionary Journeyman for the Southern Baptist International Mission Board and she and her husband still are active in short term missions.
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Bless Your Heart Publicado 09 de enero de 2014


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Things to see and do - Freiburg im Breisgau
Leaving for Germany
Freiburg im Breisgau :
Unmissable tourist sites
Where to sleep?
Freiburg im Breisgau Hotel tips
Hotel Schwarzwälder Hof from75 €Book
Mercure Hotel Freiburg Am Muenster from72 €Book
City Hotel Freiburg from89 €Book
Freiburg im Breisgau Travel guide
Freiburg im Breisgau : Michelin's recommendations
Resembling a peaceful village with paved narrow streets in its old centre, the lively university town of Freiburg has a unique gentle pace of life, surrounded by the hills of the Black Forest. The fine cathedral has been spared by past wars, miraculously surviving the bombing of the Second World War, and the successful reconstruction of the town's historic buildings has given it a charming traditional feel. At the same time, Freiburg looks to the future – it is an important centre for ecology, and a pioneer of solar energy and low-energy architecture.
Tourist attractions Freiburg im Breisgau : Things to see and do
Hochschwarzwald D - Freiburg-im-Breisgau
This tour will appeal to nature lovers taking them to the three main summits of the Black Forest: Schauinsland (1 284m), Belchen (1 414m) and Feldberg (1 493m) as well as to the massif's two best-known lakes: Schluchsee and Titisee. Stunning panorama..
Freiburg Cathedral
Münsterplatz D - 79098 Freiburg-im-Breisgau
The primitive Romanesque building begun around 1200 underwent numerous changes up until the 16C. From the top of the tower there is a splendid view over Freiburg and the surrounding countryside. The porch and west door are decorated with numerous sta..
Augustinermuseum (Freiburg)
Augustinerplatz 1-3 D - 79098 Freiburg-im-Breisgau
The Augustinian Museum is housed in the church of the former Augustinian convent. Home to a fascinating collection of medieval art, the museum's exhibits include a section of an altarpiece by Grünewald representing the miracle of the Madonna of the S..
Hotels Freiburg im Breisgau
Hotel Schwarzwälder Hof
Herrenstr. 43 D - 79098 Freiburg im Breisgau
This hotel is a historic building which offers charming accommodation in the heart of Freiburg, close to all main sights including Freiburg Cathedral. The Hotel Schwarzwälder Hof offers rooms with all modern amenities, including free wireless intern..
Central Hotel
Wasserstrasse 6 D - 79098 Freiburg im Breisgau
Prix Prices from : 86 €
Situated in the heart of Freiburg, the family-run Central Hotel offers comfortable rooms with free breakfast, and a cosy bar. The Münster (cathedral) and university are a 3-minute walk away. Enjoy your stay in these cosy rooms with safe, minibar and..
Mercure Hotel Freiburg Am Muenster
Auf der Zinnen 1 D - 79098 FREIBURG
The charming and magnificent old town in the Baden metropolis is a stone's throw away from the hotel. All 115 rooms at the 3-star Mercure Hotel Freiburg am Münster are air conditioned. Our hotel is VDR-certified, with four meeting rooms suitable for ..
Restaurants Freiburg im Breisgau
Schwarzwälder Hof
Herrenstr. 43 D - 79098 FREIBURG IM BREISGAU
Oberkirchs Weinstuben
Münsterplatz 22 D - 79098 FREIBURG IM BREISGAU
The lovely painted façade makes this restaurant immediately appealing. Inside, the attractive dining rooms serve predominantly Baden cuisine including Black Forest trout and veal tongue.
Konviktstr. 8 D - 79098 FREIBURG IM BREISGAU
The service in this restaurant is friendly and informal, while the food is tasty, contemporary and with Mediterranean accents. Clean lines, elegant wood panelling and parquet floors feature in the high quality interior. Wine cellar for tastings.
Am Colombi Park D - 79098 FREIBURG IM BREISGAU
Alfred Klink's classic seasonal cuisine is a long-standing success story. This is evidenced by its undoubted popularity and the fact that it has held a Michelin star since 1983. The accomplished front-of-house team is excellent and owner Roland Burts..
Konviktstr. 31 D - 79098 FREIBURG IM BREISGAU
A friendly trio - the two Dutch Kruithof brothers and Cornelia Kocheise - have brought fresh blood to the Kreuzblume. The restaurant has been renovated and now offers contemporary, international cuisine, friendly service and attractive homely rooms. ..
Kühler Krug
Torplatz 1 D - 79100 Freiburg-Günterstal
Georg and Tanja Fehrenbach's warm and welcoming restaurant is located in the old inn building just outside the archway through the old town walls. It serves a good selection of fish, classic dishes and Baden specialities, as well as a reasonably pric..
Breisgauer Str. 47 D - 79110 Freiburg-Lehen
Hirschen boasts two restaurants. One is in the traditional Baden-style with lots of wood and small alcoves, and the other is light, bright and friendly with a small winter garden. The food is fresh and uncomplicated and includes dishes such as Wiener..
St. Erentrudis-Str. 12 D - 79112 Freiburg-Munzingen
A pretty estate house with a stylish, elegant interior. Oliver Rausch puts a contemporary slant on international food. An old tiled stove adorns one of the two rooms. Gorgeous inner courtyard terrace.


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It's my sister's 28th birthday!
Some thoughts for Ellen on her birthday:
- I love that we're only 20 months a part.
- I'm so proud of everything you've accomplished this year.
- I wish you were still living a mile away from our new townhouse (I honestly can't believe we would've been that close!)
- I can't wait to see you over Christmas time.
- Yesterday, John patched that area that Louie chewed. It looks as good as new.
- I hope your birthday present arrives today!
- Wanna run a race together?
- Baby H. loves his Aunt Ellie!
I love you big sissy!! I hope you have the happiest of birthdays!


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