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Tuesday Aug 21, 2012
Monday Aug 20, 2012
SOA Adoption and Architecture Fundamentals course is now generally available!
By Lionel Dubreuil-Oracle on Aug 20, 2012
Numerous companies have begun a SOA initiative with the assumption that implementing web services is synonymous with employing a service-oriented architecture. They have gone on to discover various barriers to SOA success and have not seen the returns a successful SOA implementation can provide. These companies lacked an understanding of SOA adoption and architecture fundamentals. This course presents those fundamentals with an Enterprise Architect's view of Oracle's SOA Enterprise Technology strategy, to equip the student with skills for handling both business and IT concerns throughout the entire SOA life cycle, from both the program and the project perspectives.
This course takes the student far beyond the limited view of SOA as simply a collection of web services. Students learn how to assess an organization's SOA capabilities in eight separate business and technical domains, and how to analyze the gap between those capabilities and their SOA vision. From that maturity assessment, they learn steps to develop a multi-year SOA road map for an organization and a framework for SOA project selection. A deep-dive exploration of SOA Reference Architecture from the conceptual, logical, product mapping, and physical perspectives is presented before the course transitions its focus to the service engineering life cycle.
As the course introduces the service engineering life cycle, it stresses the importance of analysis, architecture, delivery and management. Lessons present criteria and techniques for service identification and discovery, and guidelines for consistent access to enterprise information. Requirements management is discussed, and the decomposition of functional requirements, business processes, applications and data requirements is presented. The identification, discovery, justification and validation of services is covered, and is followed by an exploration of service delivery. Additional course topics include a discussion of the principles of service-oriented integration, and the reasons and guidelines for establishing a SOA governance framework.
Learn to:
- Assess an organization's SOA maturity
- Identify and prioritize service candidates
- Define a high level conceptual and logical architecture
- Create an SOA road map for an organization
Friday Aug 17, 2012
OpenWorld Preconference Training - Oracle SOA Suite, ADF, etc.
By J Swaroop on Aug 17, 2012
Additional Learning Opportunity at OpenWorld with
Preconference Training
Finding time to squeeze training into your schedule is never easy so if you are headed to Oracle OpenWorld this year, you may want to consider attending Oracle University's Preconference training event. This is a one-day training event held on Sunday, September 30th from 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Hilton or Hotel Nikko. You can choose from several sessions that are delivered in an accelerated, seminar-style format. Here are a few of the sessions that we'd recommend:
· Oracle SOA Suite 11g Administration
· Developing Secure Java Web Services
· How The Latest Java EE and SOA Help in Architecting and Designing Robust Enterprise Applications
· Oracle Fusion Applications: Security Fundamentals
· Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g: Build Applications with ADF I
· Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Administer Forms Services
· WebLogic Server Administration Essentials
· Developing Portable Java EE Applications with the Enterprise JavaBeans 3.1 API and Java Persistence API 2.0
Get the details for each of these sessions here. To register for the training, just add it to your Oracle OpenWorld pass from the conference registration pages.
Latest news, updates, best practices and thoughts on Oracle SOA Governance products
Oracle SOA Governance includes Oracle Enterprise Repository, Oracle SOA Management Pack and our API Management Solution
Recent Posts
- Oracle Enterprise Repository Reports and International Number Formats
- Introducing Oracle Enterprise Repository Express Workflows - Simplified Lifecycle Management
- Announcing Oracle Enterprise Manager 12c Cloud Control Integration with Oracle Enterprise Repository 11g for Runtime Metrics
- Oracle Fusion Middleware: Meet This Year's Most Impressive Customer Projects 2013 Oracle Excellence Award Ceremony for Fusion Middleware Innovation
- SOA Governance Training, August 26th–30th 2013 - EMEA (Lisbon)
- Oracle Enterprise Repository 11gR1 (126.96.36.199.0) - Released
- Community Management: The Next Wave of SOA Governance and API Management
- Oracle SOA Governance EMEA Workshop for Partners & System Integrators: Nov 5-7th | Madrid, Spain
- Fast Data: Go Big. Go Fast.
- Tuesday at Oracle OpenWorld 2012 - Must See Session: "Oracle Fusion Applications: Best Practices in Integration Design Patterns"


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Home / Lifecycle / ObituariesRSS Feed
Sylvia Kramer
June 22nd, 2007
Sylvia Kramer (nee Cohen) died of natural causes on May 24. She was 91.
Born in Milwaukee, Kramer graduated from North Division High School in 1933 and from the University of Wisconsin Extension in 1936.
According to her family, she and her husband, the late Albert Kramer, were "avid travelers." They traveled to Mexico, Africa, and Israel before moving to Florida in 1979.
When she wasn't out exploring the world, Kramer enjoyed crossword puzzles and playing bridge. She was also a member of NA'AMAT USA- Milwaukee Council and Hadassah-Milwaukee Chapter.
Her husband preceded her in death in 1986. She is survived by brother Gerald Colburn and sisters Shirley Ollman and Ruth Peterman, all of Milwaukee.
She was buried in Florida on May 24.
The family appreciates memorial contributions to the Alice and Gerald S. Colburn Scholarship Fund, c/o The Jewish Community Foundation, 1360 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202.

subset: commoncrawl


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WWE News
– Albert Del Rio is suffering from concussion symptoms and was pulled from last night's Smackdown live event in Salisbury, Maryland. I have an exclusive update I will be posting shortly.
– R-Truth is indeed out with an injury believed to be to his foot which is why he has been replaced in tag team matches on the current overseas tour of the WWE Raw brand. For full house show results, click here.
– WWE has removed the profile of John Laurinaitis as Executive Vice President of Talent Relations from their corporate website. The last I heard he was still in a position of management but Triple H has been trying to push him out of his role, feeling he hasn't done a good job in the position. Hunter and Stephanie McMahon do not have a good relationship with Laurinaitis, however, Vince McMahon supports him and really likes his on-air character. I've heard for months it was likely that Laurinaitis could end up an on-air character only and it appears that his responsibilities have gone to Triple H.3:48 PM EDT Update – I can confirm that Hunter is now running talent relations in WWE which is a big step but one that was expected.
– John "Bradshaw" Layfield was on The Sam Roberts Show yesterday where he reveled he has a deal in place with WWE to appear on television. JBL noted neither he nor the company know exactly what he is going to do but it will be in-character. You can listen to the interview at this link.
– WWE has canceled the scheduled Raw live event on Friday, September 14, 2012 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
– WWE developmental worker Big E Langston was on the road with the Smackdown crew this weekend. You can view his developmental profile at this link.
Cody Rhodes wasn't impressed with dot com's article of "The 15 Greatest Families in WWE History" in which the Rhodes family is ranked #8. Rhodes had the following to say about the article that is online at this link:
The geniuses at WWE.com(the same geniuses that left Thunderbolt P off the greatest talkers list) have assembled a new list…
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodesWWE) June 10, 2012
the top 15 wrestling families. As the least bias of my name, if you were basing these off of the bottomline, I could see number 5, maybe 6..
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodesWWE) June 10, 2012
8 though?? You might be able to hear me laughing all the way from Turkey. I hope we're not paying these guys much.
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodesWWE) June 10, 2012
Rhodes is currently in Turkey doing promotional work for WWE.
– The schedule was released today for Rockstar Uproar 2012, a summer music festival, that will feature Chris Jericho and his band Fozzy. Fozzy isn't scheduled to play August 19th (the night of SummerSlam) and there are no tour dates on Monday's. Jericho is advertised by WWE to appear at SummerSlam but is also expected to take time off to tour with his band. You can view the schedule of dates for the music festival at this link.
– I'm told Vince McMahon has been "flipping out" over the injury to Alberto Del Rio. While it's not Del Rio's fault he got a concussion, Vince is in panic mode trying to find a replacement for the World Heavyweight Championship match at No Way Out. McMahon has been pushing the writing team to come up with a suitable replacement for a back-up plan. While a replacement for Del Rio has yet to be named, or even confirmed given the fact he's expected to be reevaluated today, there are three names currently being talked about. The three names are Dolph Ziggler, Kane and Ryback. Kane replaced Del Rio in recent live event matches and while creative would be forced to forget about his involvement in CM Punk/Daniel Bryan and drop him from the triple-threat match for the WWE Championship, he does provide them with a reliable option. Ziggler, who has been pushing for a big singles run, seems to be a likely candidate but some doubt Vince will go with it and make a decision to rush Ryback into the role. This of course would carry a huge risk as there are plans to ease Ryback into Smackdown's main event scene.
– WWE has announced that Alberto Del Rio will miss No Way Out this Sunday due to a concussion. A new number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship will be announced on tonight's three-hour episode of Raw Supershow.
– Dolph Ziggler won a Fatal 4-Way elimination match on tonight's Raw Supershow, beating Christian, Jack Swagger and The Great Khali to become the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship. Ziggler will replace Alberto Del Rio at No Way Out where he will face Sheamus for the World Heavyweight Championship. Del Rio was pulled from the match after suffering a concussion at last week's Smackdown taping.
– Brodus Clay will face David Otunga in the WWE No Way Out pre-show match that will be broadcast on WWE's YouTube channel and streamed live here on WrestlingNewsWorld.com. The pre-show begins at 7:30 PM EDT. Make sure you join us for exclusive live play-by-play coverage.
– For those that missed Vince McMahon's "go hire the one legged wrestler" joke to John Laurinaitis during the opening segment of tonight's Raw Supershow, here's the backstory. Several years ago, Vince told Laurinaitis to sign the popular one-legged wrestler Zach Gowen who was 19, working out of Livonia, Michigan. Somehow the signals were crossed and Laurinaitis offered a contract to a 37-year-old working out of Florida. When Gowen arrived in Stamford, Connecticut to meet with company officials, Laurinaitis asked him who he was. Tom Prichard had already sent Gowen his contract and airplane tickets so Zach introduced himself. John asked him why he was there when Vince interrupted and said that's the 19-year-old one legged wrestler I asked you to sign. Just as John was trying to explain his mistake, Vince let him know he was aware and called him an idiot for trying to ink a wrestler in their late 30s.
– WWE announced on tonight's Raw Supershow that Triple H will appear at No Way Out for the first time after being "served a lawsuit" by Brock Lesnar. It was promoted that he will address his future and Lesnar in the appearance.
– Leon "Vader" White worked a match against Heath Slater on tonight's Raw Supershow. Vader went over Slater in the match. White was brought in as a name from the past to celebrate the lead-in to the 1000th episode of Raw. Bringing in past names is going to be a reoccurring theme until the 1000th episode on July 23, 2012.
– The stipulation to Big Show vs. John Cena in a steel cage match at Sunday's WWE No Way Out pay-per-view is that if Show doesn't win, John Laurinaitis will be "fired" by Vince McMahon.
– The storyline "injury" update on Vince McMahon is that he is suffering from "concussion-like" symptoms after eating the Big Show knockout punch to conclude last night's Raw Supershow. Dot com is teasing McMahon won't be at WWE No Way Out. For those that have asked, the "X" signal thrown up by the referee was a work.
– The workers that put Ryback over on last night's Raw Supershow were Mikaze and Scotty Slade from Chaotic Wrestling out of Lowell, Massachusetts.
– John "Bradshaw" Layfield was at WWE headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut on Monday and chronicled the visit on Facebook. JBL wrote the following:
A trip back to WWE headquarters, was like going home! Michael Hayes I have worked with since I started in Texas in wrestling. He was one of the first 'over' guys I had ever seen, and 'over' doesn't do it justice-the Freebirds sold out whatever their name was on, unreal legends. Michael and I have been friends this whole time, so happy to see him. And, yes, that suit is his normal daily wear. Love him. Did hours of TV today for future shows, mainly stuff for Seven Sumits but also some specials/DVD type stuff. For those asking, if I am alive and make this mountain-yes, I would expect to be on WWE TV, but there are NO plans by me or them. It was all focused on this mountain and the tech I need to transmit pics and videos back for the social pages. I do expect to be on WWE TV in the future but no idea the role and they don't know either. Maybe it is just a cameo or a spot to promote the Seven Summits for Kids-who knows? I know I have a huge mountain waiting on me in Russia that 15-30 people a year die on according to Wikipedia, so my focus is on me getting my old self up and down this mountain and raising money for the kids I work with. Then we will see about WWE and they will have a chance to see what they want me to do.
You can also check out three photos he posted at this link.
– Raymond Rafool, who is representing Liz Cena in her divorce from John Cena, spoke to Lawyers.com about the preliminary issues surrounding the case. Below is an excerpt:
"In this case, it appears the preliminary issues will be the interpretation of the prenuptial agreement, the application to the parties' property, assets and income, whether the agreement itself is enforceable or not, which we always consider, and in the mean time addressing the temporary needs of our client in conjunction with and in spite of certain terms of the premarital agreement,"
It's noted the prenuptial agreement was signed 16 days before the couple wed. For more, click here.
– Eve Torres explained her absence from Raw Supershow in the following Twitter update:
I know you all have missed me on Raw, but rest assured I'm handling some very important business. That's what business women do.
— Eve Torres (@EveMarieTorres) June 12, 2012
– Leon "Vader" White, who was over like rover on Monday's Raw Supershow, wrote the following on Twitter following his match against Heath Slater:
Wow what a fantastic night. I want to thank the @WWE from the bottom of my heart. I also want to thank all the fans for the love & Support.
— Big Van Vader (@itsvadertime) June 12, 2012
– After this week's Smackdown taping ended, John Cena b. Big Show & David Otunga in a dark match main event. The finish saw Cena duck the WMD and send Show to the outside before pining Otunga for the win.
– It was announced at tonight's Smackdown taping that if John Cena loses to Big Show at No Way Out on Sunday, he'll be "fired" from WWE. Remember the stipulation announced on Raw Supershow was that if Big Show lost, John Laurinaitis would be "fired." Therefore, either Cena or Laurinaitis will be "fired" based on the outcome of Big Show vs. Cena at No Way Out on Sunday.
– Evan Bourne posted the following on Twitter about his injury foot:
More xrays taken today!My bones look good in the right light.Physical therapy starts next week….finally!
— airbourne(@findevan) June 12, 2012
Bourne, who was scheduled to come back from a 60-day suspension in March, was in a car accident on March 19, 2012 where he suffered a mid foot fracture. The injury is believed to be career-threatening.
– Benicio Salazar, Jiro and Sonny Elliot have been released from their WWE developmental contracts. Their official profiles have been removed from the Florida Championship Wrestling website.
– Add Eli Cottonwood's name to the recent WWE developmental releases. Cottonwood is known for his time on WWE NXT and requested his release from the company.
– WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt sent the following letter to TNA's attorney Erika Blonquist and was filed in court last week:
"First, and as I advised you orally on the phone during our recent conference call, WWE has not solicited Ric Flair to leave TNA and enter into a contract with WWE. WWE has made no offer to Flair and has no intention of doing so.
Second, as I also advised you, WWE has not solicited any other current TNA talent to repudiate their contracts and enter into a contract with WWE. WWE has no interest in current TNA talent."
While no formal offer has been extended, Flair has been trying to get out of his TNA deal to return to WWE.
– WWE is in overdrive right now with misdirection in trying to get over the idea that they and Brock Lesnar could legitimately be on the outs. WWE planted a story about Vince McMahon "being livid" about Brock meeting with Dana White at UFC 146 last month. As we've reported multiple times on WrestlingNewsWorld.com Premium, WWE officials were not only aware of the meeting but were believed to have orchestrated it in order to get the news of a possible Lesnar return to UFC out there. The current plan for SummerSlam is still to do Triple H (representing Vince McMahon) vs. Brock Lesnar (representing John Laurinaitis). Any stories about Brock not having permission from WWE to go to the UFC pay-per-view or that Vince was considering firing him over meeting with Dana White, are completely false. I'm told it's a classic case of the office working the dirt sheets.
– WWE Divas Champion Layla, who used to be a Miami Heat cheerleader, talks the NBA Finals over on dot com. ESPN also linked to the article. Below is an excerpt:
WWE.com: When you were with the Heat, who was your favorite player?
LAYLA: Shaq was my favorite because of his personality. He brought so much attention to Miami, and he promised a ring and a championship to the Miami Heat. And he did just that.
Click here to read the article in its entirety.
– Today's episode of WWE NXT: Redemption is the final episode after sixty-seven weeks. While Vince McMahon has maintained a domestic television deal is in place for NXT, it's unknown when/if the show will be broadcast on television in the United States. We posted the final episode earlier this evening at this link.
– WWE United States Champion Santino Marella vs. Ricardo Rodriguez in a non-title Tuxedo Match has been added to Sunday's WWE No Way Out pay-per-view. We'll have exclusive live play-by-play coverage here at WrestlingNewsWorld.com.
– WWE will tape another set of WWE NXT Season 6 tonight from the campus of Full Sail University. WWE stars advertised for the taping include World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus, Sin Cara, Hunico and Camacho. Jim Ross will be on commentary.
– WWE has announced a Supershow live event from the Entertainment Center at the Four States Fairgrounds in Texarkana, Arkansas on Sunday, August 12th, 2012.
– Triple H reached out to Batista last weekend as WWE is still trying to bring him back. I'm told one of the reasons Hunter made the phone call is Vince McMahon blew a gasket over the lack of top talent. As of this writing a deal has not been worked out but my source is optimistic a deal could get done given Hunter's real-life friendship with Batista and the fact the company needs more top names. These, of course, issues that could make for favorable conditions in a contract that could entice Batista to sign.
– I'm told WWE Champion CM Punk has been a very big critic of Randy Orton given his latest suspension for violating the WWE Wellness Policy. Punk is reportedly against the company bringing Orton back given his multiple drug test failures that make him undependable.
– Speaking of Randy Orton, his stock continues to plummet and his backstage heat has not died down at all.
– Members of the WWE creative team were upset about the stipulation that if John Cena loses to Big Show at No Way Out on Sunday he'll be "fired" because they "won't be able" to book Raw Supershow until Sunday as the finish will be under wraps. While it's common knowledge Cena won't be fired and the ultimate plan is for John Laurinaitis to have an on-air role, I'm told the stipulation just put more pressure on an already exhausted writing team.
– Wrestling News World reader Fernando sent word that WWE has added Road Dogg's profile to the Alumni section of dot com. Road Dogg currently works backstage as a producer for the company.
– WWEEuroShop.com is shutting down on August 1, 2012 and all order will be fulfilled by WWEShop.com.
– TMZ has a new update on original WWE Tough Enough winner Maven Huffman. The publication reports that after 50 days in a rehab facility, Maven has never felt better and credits WWE for saving his life.
"I owe the WWE my life for helping me through this situation." Maven told the publication
Maven was arrested in April for "doctor shopping" for trying to obtain painkillers. When WWE learned of the arrest, they offered to pay for him to go to rehab in which he accepted.
Click here for coverage by TMZ.
– WWE has announced that singer Cyndi Lauper will guest star on next week's episode of Raw Supershow. The Grammy Award-winning artist appeared as the manager of Wendi Richter at the inaugural Wrestlemania. Dot com posted classic moments of Lauper in WWE at this link.
– The infamous Trish Stratus/Mr. McMahon angle from back in the Attitude Era where McMahon "ordered" her to strip and get down on her hands and news and bark like a dog was brought up in Thursday night's Republican Senate debate. Linda McMahon's opponent Chris Shays, weighed in: "I think when you force a woman to take off all her clothes in an arena, and get down on the ground and bark like a dog, I think that's assault on women," said Shays. Click here for more.
– The Miz is currently filming "The Marine: Homefront" and Tweeted early this morning about the experience. Wrestling News World reader Logan Walker sent in the following from Miz's official Twitter account:
guns, fighting, explosives in the 1st week of filmin.Intensity is up, even @TheRealMorrison would be proud of my parkour #MarineHomefront
— The Miz (@mikethemiz) June 15, 2012


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Boehner: No progress in talksPublished: 12/8/12 @ 12:00
Associated Press
House Speaker John Boehner said Friday there has been no progress in negotiations to avert a "fiscal cliff" combination of automatic tax increases and spending cuts in January and called on President Barack Obama to produce a new offer.
Hours later, Vice President Joe Biden again laid out the White House's terms: raise the top two tax rates paid by upper-income earners and give the president authority to raise the government's borrowing cap without the approval of Congress.
"Top brackets have to go up. The top rate should go to 39.6 percent," Biden said, referring to the top Clinton- era tax rate. Obama campaigned on raising tax rates on individual income exceeding $200,000 and family income over $250,000, and he's claiming his re-election as a mandate to insist on it. Republicans are offering new tax revenues through closing loopholes and curbing deductions.
Biden allowed that the White House is willing to negotiate over rates — even as he pressed a new administration demand for authority for Obama to unilaterally raise the national debt and avoid a reprise of the debt crisis of a year and a half ago.
"We have to have a mechanism to stop the brinkmanship for dealing with the national debt," Biden said.
Boehner's frustration seems to be mounting. He said that the White House has wasted another week and has failed to respond to Monday's GOP offer to raise tax revenues and cut spending. Obama and Boehner spoke privately by phone Wednesday. Boehner described the conversation as pleasant "but just more of the same."
Posted by sewingnut (anonymous) on December 8, 2012 at 6:50 a.m.
"demand for authority for Obama to unilaterally raise the national debt".....You have got to be kidding me. What ever happened to living within your means. Are we going to borrow more money from CHINA?!?!?
Posted by redvert (anonymous) on December 8, 2012 at 10:57 a.m.
Living within your means is not the new way of life in America. Of course as long as someone else is paying the bills it seems to be fine with the obowser fans!
Posted by AnotherAverageCitizen (anonymous) on December 8, 2012 at 11:14 a.m.
America's presumably anti-tax party wants to raise your taxes. Come January, the Republicans plan to raise the taxes of anyone who earns $50,000 a year by $1,000, and anyone who makes $100,000 by $2,000.
Their tax hike doesn't apply to income from investments. It doesn't apply to any wage income in excess of $106,800 a year. It's the payroll tax that they want to raise — to 6.2 percent from 4.2 percent of your paycheck, a level established for one year in December's budget deal at Democrats' insistence. Unlike the capital gains tax, or the low tax rates for the rich included in the Bush tax cuts, or the carried interest tax for hedge fund operators (which is just 15 percent), the payroll tax chiefly hits the middle class and the working poor.
Posted by sewingnut (anonymous) on December 8, 2012 at 4:39 p.m.
The Democrats also want to let the payroll tax expire so don't blame it all on the Republicans. With Social Security in the state it's in, neither party should have agreed to the 2% cut 2 years ago.


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The former X Factor judge opens her heart to Sky News, saying she "lost all hope" after a newspaper expose led to drugs charges.
09:59, UK, Monday 28 July 2014
Tulisa Contostavlos has revealed she was suicidal after a sting by The Sun on Sunday led to her being charged over drugs allegations.
The former X Factor mentor saw her trial for brokering a drugs deal collapse last week when the judge said there were strong grounds to believe undercover reporter Mazher Mahmood - also known as the "fake sheikh" - had lied at an earlier hearing.
In an interview with Sky News ahead of a TV documentary, Tulisa - who had been told she could face four years in prison - explained it had been the worst year of her life.
"When I found out I was being charged I lost all hope," she said.
"I didn't have any fight left in me. I don't know who that person was but she was in a very dark place."
Tulisa was charged with helping to supply cocaine to The Sun on Sunday journalist after an expose was published in the paper last June.
The fake sheikh posed as a film producer and led Tulisa to believe she was in the running for a £3,500,000 film deal along with Keira Knightley and Kate Winslet.
She says she played up to the role of a bad girl and as well as being plied with alcohol, Tulisa says she believes her drinks were also spiked – an allegation Mr Mahmood strongly denied in court.
"I fully understand the media and the press. I don't see that that in any way justifies what they've done to me. You don't create something that didn't happen."
Tulisa will soon be back in court after she was found guilty of assaulting a celebrity blogger at a music festival last year - a ruling she is appealing.
By posting a comment you are agreeing to abide by our Terms & Conditions. See our House Rules and FAQs.


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William Shakespeare is a playwright that everyone has an opinion of whether it be good or bad. Stark Naked Theatre mixes just the right amount of classic theater and modern intrigue as they bring "The Winter's Tale" to the stage.
This production being "minimalist" allows the cast members to paint the picture for us through actions and staging. Director and Co-Executive Director of Stark Naked Theatre, Philip Lehl, has brilliantly stripped away all distractions to highlight and enhance the intensity and at times obscurity of this play. Lighting done by Lighting Designer David Gipson plays an important role as well in this production, more so than most due to the minimalist set. Throughout the production, the lighting serves as backdrops or intensifies emotions depending on how it's being used.
The play opens with lead actor and director Philip Lehl who plays Leontes, taking note of the varying roles between actors taking on not only multiple characters but varying between gender as well. One of the most impressive aspects of this assemble cast, is their seamless ability to transition between staging, setting and characters without missing a mark. The cast taking on various roles in the performance creates an added challenge on each performer to portray each of their parts in such a distinct way that the audience does not get lost in the story.
"The Winter's Tale" is a whimsical, fun yet tragic story of two kings who find themselves in the midst jealous accusations. Leontes, king of Sicilia, becomes enraged and obsessed with the idea that his loving, devoted wife Hermione (Tawny Stephens) has taken his boyhood friend Polixenes (Luis Galindo), king of Bohemia, as a lover. Defying all reason and a message from Apollo's Oracle at Delphi, Leontes condemns his wife, in doing so himself as well and Polixenes flees back to his country narrowly escaping a similiar fate.
Moving forward in time, audiences are brought to Bohemia where Polixenes's son, Florizel (Matt Lents) desires to Polixene's displeasure to marry beneath his station. His son is told to flee to Sicilia where he seeks refugee with his love from the wrath of his father and king. Despite the reasons behind the actions in this comedic yet dramatic play, each King must discover the consequences of their actions and realize that they can change before it is too late or risk losing everything to their own stubborn, egotistical natures.
Due to last minute cast changes, director Lehl takes center stage as Leontes. He delivers the performance with the perfect creative mix of emotions and power. Audiences will find themselves cursing him for his foolish choices and stubbornness, all the while still being drawn to him and hoping for his success and happiness. Lehl plays Leontes with just the right amount of finesse to have audiences both love and hate his character at the same time.
Standing beside her King, loving and loyal, Stephens portrays his wife Hermione, with pure emotion. Audiences will weep as she pleas for her life and vows to her wifely duties. Galindo as Polixene is another complicated character for audiences. Just as they can both love and hate Leontes, they will find themselves torn with Polixene as well. Galindo, like with the entire cast, uses his body and facial expressions to create both comedy and sorrow. Audiences will be drawn in to experience the humor and wit as well as reaching for a few tissues to mourn with the characters in tender and sorrow filled moments.
Lents as Florizel, son of Polixene and his love, Perdita (Shunté Lofton) both have a soft, tender nature about their characters. Audiences will cheer on their love as they attempt to combat the odds and be joined together in marriage. Smaller roles at times, highlight the major themes of the overall production such as these two's love or Camillo (Jeff McMorrough) who exhibits undying devotion and loyalty. Each of these characters and actors transform on stage and audiences are taken on their intimate journey with them.
"The Winter's Tale" has it all the intrigue, betrayal, humor, sorrow and finally repentance. This is a production not to be missed for fans of Shakespeare, top quality theater, and moving, powerful performances. Come discover a newfound appreciation for classical theatre with a modern twist. Audiences won't be disappointed.
Due to casting changes, "The Winter's Tale" only has three more shows Wednesday, May 14 and Thursday, May 15 at 7:30 pm and closing night on Friday, May 16 at 8 pm. Don't be discouraged and be sure to pick up your tickets for this one of a kind production while you can. For ticket information, visit their website at www.starknakedtheatre.com or pick them up at the door, STUDIO 101 is located at 1824 Spring Street, Houston, TX 77007. Although this closes the current Stark Naked season, the 2014-2015 season is right around the corner and production announcements are beginning to be made. Be sure to check back to see what is ahead.
Suggested Links
- 'Heartbreak House': Main Street Theater closes season with intellectual comedy
- Don't miss the beauty, power and intrigue of 'Evita'
- 'The Whipping Man': Gritty, powerful and a can't miss production
- Some of the best theaters in Houston
- The A.D. Players children's theater shows how super heroes get it done


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Footballer Dan Gosling has made a cash donation to the Newcastle United Foundation to boost the charity's grassroots coaching.
The Newcastle midfielder gave £5,000 as part of his personal commitment to aiding players of the future.
The money will help buy kit and training equipment including balls, bibs and cones for the foundation's dedicated coaching sessions, which reach 36,000 young people in the region every year.
Dan visited St Peter's Church of England Primary School in Wallsend to formally hand over equipment, and while there joined in a coaching session with the children.
"I'm very proud to support the Newcastle United Foundation and grassroots football in general," he said.
"It wasn't too long ago that I was an aspiring young player myself and I was grateful for every coaching opportunity that I had growing up.
"The work the Newcastle United Foundation does in the local community week in week out is inspiring, and while I'm happy that I'm able to make a difference financially, I'm really pleased to be at sessions like this to see that work for myself."
Visit www.nufc.co.uk/foundation for more details.


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Call us ThreeSixty, 360, Riverview 360 or, if your fondest memories still demand it, call us "The Revolving Restaurant". As one of the nation's few remaining revolving restaurants, ThreeSixty still offers the most amazing views of the Cincinnati skyline and the Ohio River as well as an outstanding menu and first-class service. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion with family or just enjoying a night out with friends, ThreeSixty is THE place to create and celebrate great memories.
360 - Great Food. Great Views. Great Memories.
|©2014 Copyright Threesixty, All Rights Reserved ::
Web Hosting by
DL Host
All menus, menu items and events are subject to change at any time without notice


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I need to post a friend's MP3 (he owns the copyright) and then link to it from Facebook. If it were a movie, I would use YouTube to get trustworthy click counts, etc.
What website would allow me to get click counts even for anonymous users for an MP3 that I own the rights to?
Edit: What I'm really looking for is the best way to get public click counts for an arbitrary link that I post to a webserver. If that's not possible, I'd could upload the thing to someone else's webserver, like 4shared, but 4shared has a 30-day-you-must-login policy.


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'hilarious, poignant..it will please viewers of all lens-prescriptions and none.' Irish Theatre Magazine
'delightfully whacky.. hilarious.. tight script and engaging performance.. terrific' Irish Times
Running time: 55 mins
Fishamble: The New Play Company is funded by the Arts Council and Dublin City Council. Its international touring is supported by Culture Ireland. www.fishamble.com
Developed as part of Show in a Bag, an artist development initiative of Dublin Fringe Festival, Fishamble: The New Play Company and Irish Theatre Institute to resource theatre makers and actors.


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Last week the Department of Labor, Bureau or Labor Statistics (BLS) released the November Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary (JOLTS). This BLS report provides information on the national business cycle each month reviewing large numbers of hires and separations to determine a net positive or negative change in national employment. In November job openings had a slight decline. There are 2.6 unemployed person for every one job opening. At the start of the great recession for every job there was 1.8 unemployed persons for every job opening.
Hiring and separations were unchanged from the previous month, overall hiring has managed over the last year to come in ahead of all separations and slowly chipping away at the national unemployment rate of 6.7%. The number of job openings across the US on the last business day for November was 4 million.
The number of Job Openings during November according to the JOLTS report was little changed from the previous month. While the number of people actually hired in November came in at 4.5 million. The overall rate of hiring rate has remained unremarkable over the last 12 months. Over the year there have been 53 million people hired and 51 million separations giving a net employment gain of 2 million.
During November 4.3 million workers separated from their employer. Of that number 2.4 million voluntarily separated from their employer. This number can be important because it reflects workers willingness to leave a job suggesting a improving choice of other employment or jobs. There were 1.46 million workers who were either laid off or involuntarily discharged from their jobs during the month. Another important category JOLTS measures are the number of workers who left their job due to retirement, disability or transfer during November and that number totaled 369,000 workers.
While this report provides a snapshot of job openings, hires and separations it provides no insight into the quality of the jobs created nor does it track the number of part time jobs. To view the full report go to Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary – November 2013. The next national Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary report will be released by the Labor Department on February 11, 2014 that will measure activity during December 2013.
View my profile and select "Subscribe" to receive instant updates on employment issues in your email.


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Last month, the Monoprice Portable Bluetooth NFC Brick Speaker (10949) made its way to the pages of this column. That article was an introduction to what has turned out to be a downright nifty little musical companion. Read on to find out how well the little brick fared while living in my big black bag.
The reason something like this ends up in a menswear column is simple. Despite the fact that it is something that isn't exactly worn, it has been carried about in my big Mission Workshop messenger bag known as "The Shed." Life in The Shed is not easy by any means. Its contents are constantly jostled, the bag is regularly tossed and/or dropped with little regard to what may be inside and yet the little speaker did not complain at all.
The 10949 isn't touted as tougher than the average NFC (near field communication) pairing, 3 watts per channel, Bluetooth 4.0 wireless speaker, but it is. After a month of bouncing around in my bag, nothing has shaken loose from this little black brick. The sound quality is as good as it was on day one, and thanks to its grippy, soft-touch exterior, it has yet to show any signs of wear.
Pairing a mobile phone to the Brick using the NFC feature is about as easy as anything could be. All you have to do is turn on the NFC feature on the phone, then turn the Brick on, then touch the two together. Once that is done, you can wander about blasting The Cure feeling good about yourself while looking a little morose.
The overall sound quality of the 10949 is really good. No weird buzzing, hissing, wow, or flutter emanates from its two speakers, and it can handle everything but the deepest of bass notes at maximum volume. Where the Brick has a bit of an issue is when it comes to call quality, which would be a bummer if the great majority of the Bluetooth speakers I've tested over the years didn't have the same issue. The called sounds far away and is always asking for you to repeat whatever it is you just said because the very small microphone that has to pick up sound through a tiny hole cannot do so with the kind of clarity of a mobile phone. To put this in perspective, the best performing Bluetooth speaker/speakerphone I've ever tested performs only moderately better than the Brick and it costs three times as much.
All in all, the Monoprice Portable Bluetooth NFC Brick Speaker (10949) is good all around performer with a tough exterior that sells at a price that no other manufacturer can touch. Not only that, it would make a great gift for your nearest grad or dad, if you happen to be in the market for that sort of thing. For more information or to make a purchase of the Monoprice Brick, click here.
**Full disclosure: This Bluetooth speaker was provided at no cost for editorial consideration. To think otherwise would be silly.


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Gabourey Sidibe is shutting down critics on her Twitter that were not a fan of her dress on the Golden Globe awards. On Jan. 13, Cosmopolitan shared about her tweet that made everyone think twice about talking bad about this actress again.
She honestly looked amazing, but people on Twitter were giving her a hard time and were not a fan of her outfit. Gabourey didn't let it get her down at all though. She is working hard as an actress on "American Horror Story: Coven" right now and doing great.
This is what she said on Twitter, "To people making mean comments about my GG pics, I mos def cried about it on that private jet on my way to my dream job last night. #JK." You know she is right and let this girl love her life. If she is happy and enjoying her life, there is no reason for her to let these critics get her down. Gabourey Sidibe handled this great and hopefully will continue to not let people get to her. Please like my Facebook to stay up to date on the latest in entertainment news.
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College Hockey:Mottau Wins Hobey Baker Award
PROVIDENCE — Boston College senior defenseman Mike Mottau was named today as the 20th winner of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, given annually to college hockey's most outstanding player.
A three-time All-American, Mottau has led the Eagles to three consecutive appearances in the Frozen Four and will be looking to cap that Saturday with BC's first national championship since 1949. He becomes the first defenseman since Tom Kurvers in 1984 to win the honor.
Mottau topped two teammates, senior Jeff Farkas and junior Brian Gionta, as well as seven other finalists in the balloting.
The Hobey Baker Award caps a string of individual awards bestowed on Mottau in recent weeks. In addition to the All-America honors, he took league awards as Hockey East's Co-Player of the Year, Best Defensive Defenseman and First Team All-Hockey East. He was also named the winner of the Walter Brown Award, given annually to New England's outstanding American-born college hockey player.
A stellar defender, Mottau also quarterbacks one of the nation's best power plays and is a mainstay on BC's penalty-kill unit, which set a Hockey East record this year for efficiency. He enters the national championship game with 43 points on the season and a 27-120–157 scoring line for his career.
Since 1981, the Decathlon Hotel & Athletic Club in Bloomington, Minn., has presented the Hobey Baker Award. This year marked the first time that a fan component was added to the selection process, as the 20-member committee included representation based on USCHO's Vote for Hobey, won by Laing with Reinprecht the runner-up.
Mottau becomes the second Boston College player to win, preceded by David Emma (1991), and only the third defenseman, following Mark Fusco (1983) and Kurvers (1984). He is to be honored at a banquet on Friday, April 14, in Bloomington.
The following is a self-policing forum for discussing views on this story. Comments that are derogatory, make personal attacks, are abusive, or contain profanity or racism will be removed at our discretion. USCHO.com is not responsible for comments posted by users. Please report any inappropriate or offensive comments by clicking the "Flag" link next to that comment in order to alert the moderator.
Please also keep "woofing," taunting, and otherwise unsportsmanlike behavior to a minimum. Your posts will more than likely be deleted, and worse yet, you reflect badly on yourself, your favorite team and your conference.


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Once a Brave, still a Brave.
Since last summer, George Laase has gone from playing with the Barton Braves of the Ohio Valley Baseball League to coaching in the highly regarded Valley Baseball League for the Staunton (Va.) Braves.
The Buckeye Local and Fairmont State graduate was a standout second baseman for Barton, earning OVBL Most Valuable Player honors three summers ago.
Article Photos
Photo Provided
GEORGE LAASE, left, is pictured with Ben Verlander, younger brother of Detroit Tigers' pitcher Justin Verlander. Laase is an assistant coach and director of field preparations for Staunton in the Valley Baseball League in Virginia. Verlander is a member of the team.
He continues his passion for the sport he grew up playing as a child, serving as an assistant coach and director of field preparations for Staunton, one of 12 teams that comprise the VBL.
"This league is a great chance for college freshmen and sophomores from across the nation to receive exposure," Laase said Friday morning in a telephone interview from the Shenandoah Valley, which is nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains on the east and the Allegheny Mountains on the west.
"It's also the last chance for some college juniors to make an impression," he added.
Laase, a former three-time first-team all-West Virginia Conference product at FSU, had the chance to play for Staunton in 2003.
"It was a fantastic opportunity," he said. "The OVBL will always have a place in my heart, but this is serious baseball down here," he noted. "There are no nights off in this league."
The VBL was formed in 1923 and became an NCAA-sanctioned league 38 years later. Although the NCAA no longer has direct involvement with summer leagues, the VBL continues to operate under collegiate rules.
Comprising the league, in addition to Staunton, are the Covington Lumberjacks, Front Royal Cardinals, Harrisonburg Turks, Haymarket Senators, Luray Wranglers, New Market Revels, Rockbridge Rapids, Strasburg Express, Waynesboro Generals, Winchester Royals and Woodstock River Bandits.
The VBL is funded, in part, by a grant from Major League Baseball and is a member of the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball, a national affiliation of summer leagues. The VBL has produced more than 1,000 professional baseball players, including a record 79 former players taken in the 2008 MLB first-year player draft.
"I played with guys like Matt Fox (Twins, Red Sox, Mariners)), Joe Koshansky (Rockies, Rangers) and Gabby Sanchez (Miami Marlins)," Laase recalled.
In 1993, the league went to wooden bats, much like the OVBL did a few years back.
"Guys like Mike (Kolvek), Cory (DelGuzzo), Tom (Pasco) and Laney (Simone) really saved the OVBL by going to wooden bats," Laase praised.
A current member of the Staunton Braves has some major league ties - that being Ben Verlander, the younger brother of Detroit Tigers' all-star righthander, Justin Verlander.
"Ben is an every day hitter for us," Laase said of the outfielder/first baseman/designated hitter, who recently completed his freshman season at Old Dominion. "He's been compared so much to his brother, but I think he's done an outstanding job of trying to find his own identity this season. He's starting to come into his own."
As far as work ethic, Laase said the 6-4, 185-pound Verlander is "the first one at the stadium and one of the last to leave. He's always asking how he can get better."
Laase also said that Verlander's parents make it to as many games as they can.
In 2011, the VBL began a process of transitioning to not-for-profit status. All 12 teams now in the league are not-for-profit.
The VBL is also more than just outstanding baseball on a nightly basis. Each community involves itself with the team by housing players, providing summer jobs, financially supporting their team and regularly attending games.
"Each town makes its team its team," he said. "The people are so supportive. It's great the way they treat the players."
The Braves lead the VBL in attendance with an average of 845 fans going through the turnstiles at John Moxie Memorial Stadium in Gypsy Hill Park nightly for home games. They've topped the 1,000-mark on seven occasions, with a crowd of 1,512 being the biggest.
"The atmosphere was unbelievable that night," Laase recalled.
On the road, they play in front of an average of 362.
"We probably have the best fan base," he noted. "But our owners do a great job. It's a year-round thing for them as far as getting sponsors and such."
The Braves are currently 22-25 overall and fourth in the South Division with a 3-7 mark.
"It's a great, great league," Cisar said of the Virginia-based league. "I had a great time."
He is listed as a utility player for Winchester. Locally, the Ohio State University has a trio of performers, as does Youngstown State. Bowling Green and Rio Grande each have one, along with WVIAC schools Alderson-Broaddus, Concord and Wheeling Jesuit (Lakewood's Jordan Krauss).
North can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com


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Container, Lindbergh, King Collection
On May 20-21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh literally flew into history when he crossed the Atlantic Ocean in his Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis, thus becoming the first pilot to fly solo and nonstop from New York to Paris. This flight made Lindbergh a household name and catapulted him into fame and celebrity. The objects of popular culture in the National Collection display everything from ashtrays to wristwatches reflect the public adulation for Lindbergh and the powerful commercial response to his celebrity. More than 75 years after the Spirit's historic flight, Lindbergh's name still has the power help sell manufactured goods.
Gift of the Stanley King Family.
Physical Description:
An orange glass jar that is shaped like a hexagon. A pattern of squares with diamonds, line and dots is repeated on every side. The lid is silver with a gold colored representation of the Spirit of St. Louis placed in the center. The lid does not screw onto the jar, instead it rests on the lip of the container.
- Location
- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
- Hangar
- Boeing Aviation Hangar
- Type
- MEMORABILIA-Popular Culture
- Materials
- Glass and metal
- Dimensions
- 3-D: 6.8 x 8.9cm (2 11/16 x 3 1/2 in.)


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- 2-day small-group biking adventure from Guilin to Yangshuo
- Explore the picturesque countryside by cycling on both dirt roads and paved streets
- Cruise along the Li River to enjoy the green countryside landscape
- Experience the simple lifestyle of local fishermen and residents
- Spend the night in the charming town of Xingping
- Small-group tour ensures a memorable and personalized experience
What You Can Expect
Customer Reviews
October 2014
This was a terrific trip. It can be difficult to get away from city life in China, and these guys are experts at taking you out into the Chinese countryside, to explore a more traditional way of life.
The whole trip was very thoughtfully planned, from which routes we took, to where we stopped and ate, to the hostel we stayed in.
If you're not a regular cyclist, make sure you wear cycling shorts, as the roads can be bumpy. But the guides are brilliant at judging the pace of the group and adjusting things accordingly.
Looking forward to booking another biking trip soon.
Mark E USA
March 2014
A great little trip through a rapidly disappearing countryside. We had a wonderful guide named Farmer Tang and he was great with history, culture and local customs. The food stops were really good and there was plenty of water for the ride. Tang was also very perceptive and saw that us sixty year olds were not as spry on the hills as a twenty some rider. We went on a little easier track but still saw plenty of what we came to see. One suggestion would be to request a gel seat if you have a habit of getting saddle sore!


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Spring has sprung in San Antonio. We have Fiesta Week in April, bluebonnets are blooming and many outdoor events to enjoy. For job seekers, there are a couple of important dates to keep you focused on your career calendar.
On Thursday, May 8, 2014 The San Antonio Veteran Career Fair will be held at the Norris Conference Center. It is located at 4522 Fredericksburg Road. This free event will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and it is presented by RecruitMilitary and sponsored by USAA. Currently USAA has 226 jobs on their job board.
There will be over 60 companies attending that include; USAA, Microsoft, Northrop Grumman, Amazon, General Dynamics and many others. It is a hiring event for U.S. Military veterans and includes those who are transitioning into civilian roles, members of the National Guard and reserves and spouses.
For more information contact: Kim Figgins, email@example.com
In addition to the job fair, USAA's Wealth Management team will be presenting an informational seminar at 10:00 am prior to the event on "Practical Advice for All Stages of Retirement Planning".
Other exhibitors will include colleges and universities.
For those near the Austin area, there are will be a Career Expo 2014 "The Journey to Success Starts Here" on May 20, 2014 from 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm at the Palmer Event Center. It is located at 900 Barton Springs Road. This is a free event with over 100 employers attending. The city of Austin is hosting the 4th annual career fair with openings in the industries of IT, healthcare, sales, retail and construction.
Good luck to all job seekers.
For the latest business news and local events, click on the subscribe button above, under my name, and you will receive an email alert when the next article is released.


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I am unable to turn on the labels with the python script. I am not sure why! Please do not direct me to another post as i have read them all.
This is the most recent one i've tried, with obvious failure.
import arcpy
mxd = arcpy.mapping.MapDocument(r"Mypathhere") #Map document reference
layer = arcpy.mapping.ListLayers(mxd, "Layername")[0] #Indexing list for 1st layer
if layer.supports("LABELCLASSES"):
for lblclass in layer.labelClasses:
lblclass.showClassLabels = True
del mxd
Do i need to enable labeling in the label manager first? Can that be done with arcpy? Thanks for your help!
The script does not break, i don't get any errors, the points just don't get labeled.


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Yuna lays her sweet vocals on two new tracks off her upcoming Sixth Street EP. "I Wanna Go" is a dreamy song about young love with a singing style a bit reminiscent of Ellie Goulding while "Let Love Come Through" is a little more upbeat and electronic.
Look out for Sixth Street on May 7.


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Here you will enjoy beautiful and unusual angel art, angel paintings, angel watercolors, angel watercolor paintings, angel prints, angel pictures, angel drawings, angel greeting cards, angel note cards, angel coloring pages, angel Christmas cards, and other spiritutal holy Christmas cards with and without angels featuring the Christ Child, Baby Jesus and the Mother and Child.
Besides angels, spiritual art, and Christian art, Mary Anne also specializes in several other areas such as make-believe fantasy art paintings of animals and children, make-believe and fantasy cards, and make-believe and fantasy note cards.
Mary Anne paints mostly on rice paper with watercolor and sometimes with powder eyeshadow cosmetics mixed with water. She paints the background first and then overdraws the figures on her work with various pens making intricate line work. Many of her paintings and backgrounds have been painted from life from her garden in Sharon, CT. She usually starts by painting large fine art watercolors. Large paintings that do not come out to her expectations are then viewed as backgrounds for an angel, or angels or other small fantasy figures which pop up in her imagination.
Mary Anne says she designed this website because many people like angels and would possibly like to purchase them for their homes or give them for gifts. She feels her work to be unusual, of the highest quality and unlike anything else seen on the Internet.
The Episcopal Church and Visual Arts (ECVA) offers Mary Anne the opportunity to express her spirituality through various calls to paint suggested themes. Mary Anne feels extremely honored to have her works accepted into these exhibits.
"Lily Angel"
Note Cards available!


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As we eagerly anticipate the Olympics and sit in the midst of a deep-freeze in the U.S., winter activities and escapes are plentiful. One such escape can be found at Resort at Squaw Creek. In honor of the upcoming games in Sochi, Russia, and as a tribute to Squaw Valley's Olympic heritage, they are offering the ultimate winter vacation package.
The "1960 Winter Games" offer includes one bedroom penthouse accommodations for two nights, two lift tickets per day (up to 2 people), $150 food and beverage credit per day, two spa treatments per stay, two adult "Sports Package" ski rentals per day, complimentary valet parking and resort fee.
A full-service, luxury resort in an idyllic mountain setting, Resort at Squaw Creek rests at the base of Squaw Valley, site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, and just minutes from California's North Lake Tahoe. This AAA Four-Diamond is ideally situated to offer access to Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. On 195 beautiful hillside acres beneath the mammoth peaks of Squaw Valley, California, Resort at Squaw CreekTM is conveniently located 42 miles west of the Reno/Tahoe International Airport, 200 miles east of San Francisco and 100 miles east of Sacramento.
This property features 405 luxurious resort rooms and suites, complete with resort-style kitchens, fireplaces and LCD flat-screen TVs, comfort guests in mountain home ambiance.
Recreation enthusiasts love the resort's true ski-in, ski-out lodging, 18-hole championship golf course, on-site cross-country ski center, fly fishing center, ice-skating rink, heated swimming pools, waterslide, and scenic hiking and biking trails.
Resort at Squaw Creek also has a shopping promenade, four distinct restaurants as well as other dining venues, extensive meeting and wedding facilities, a full-service spa, a complete health and fitness center, and Mountain BuddiesTM, a comprehensive children's program.
Enticed yet? The "1960 Winter Games" offer is available throughout the ski season for $1,960 for two people, for the two-night package. Call 530-583-6300 to book or use the promo code 1960. In addition to this package, Resort at Squaw Creek has a number of other special offers. (http://www.squawcreek.com/lake-tahoe-special-offers.php)
(To read about my visit to Resort at Squaw Creek: http://www.examiner.com/article/resort-at-squaw-creek-north-lake-tahoe-ca)
Resort at Squaw Creek
400 Squaw Creek Road
Olympic Valley, CA 96146
Phone (530) 583.6300
Toll-Free phone (800) 327.3353


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Preparations for the Division VII, Region 25 title game are winding down.
As Saturday's game between Shadyside and Glouster Trimble draws closer, a big question is starting to resonate.
What is going to give?
Article Photos
T-L?File Photo/SETH STASKEY
SHADYSIDE senior lineman Zach Meadows is congratulated as he returns to the sidelines after helping to lead a scoring drive during a game at Bellaire. Meadows was named Eastern District Defensive Player of the Year earlier this week.
It's the Tigers running game that averages better than 330 yards a game against a Tomcats defense, which has yielded more than 95 rushing yards in a game only once this season.
On the other side of the coin, it's Trimble's diversified, ball-control offense against Shadyside's stingy and hard-hitting defense.
It's kind of like the irresistible force against the immovable object as the top two seeds vie at Zanesville's Sulsberger Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m. with the survivor moving on to the Division VIII state tournament.
"We're excited and we realize what kind of challenge is ahead of us," said Shadyside head coach Mark Holenka, who has his Tigers in the regional final for the third time under his watch. "It's been a good season, but as we've said before, someone's going to be in tears Saturday night and of the eight teams left, seven are going to be crying before the year's over, so we're hoping it's not us this year."
For Shadyside, it's the 15th appearance in the tournament overall and the Tigers are seeking their fifth regional championship, but first since advancing to the state title game in 2010.
Trimble, meanwhile, is in its 10th appearance in the tournament and are in the regional final for the second straight season. The Tomcats, like the Tigers, are 12-0 for the first time in school history. Last season, their season came to an end at this level at the hands of eventual state runnerup Newark Catholic.
"We're excited and hoping to keep it going," said Trimble head coach Phil Faires. "We're well aware of Shadyside's tradition and past playoff success."
The Tigers and Tomcats have met twice in their history at Fleming Field with Shadyside winning both meetings. They squared off in the regular season in 2007 (58-27) and then again in the first round of the playoffs of 2010 (36-20).
"We wanted to see what football was like in that part of the state," Faires said. "We found out and they sent us home."
While Shadyside came into the season thinking it might be a season away from doing some really special things, Faires and Trimble had a feeling this could be one of the most memorable seasons in their school's history.
"Last year, we didn't really know what we had, but it was the first year, of my 20, that I'd ever had juniors as captains," Faires said. "And looking back, that leadership carried over to the offseason, the summer and into camp."
Holenka has been quietly aware and following Trimble's season from afar, realizing that this game could eventually come to fruition.
"I knew Trimble was legit because of how well they played Newark Catholic in the regional final last year and then Newark Catholic came up just short of knocking off Marion Local," Holenka said.
The Tigers have reached 12-0 by virtue of convincing tournament wins against Lancaster Fairfield Christian and Caldwell, 30-6, last week at New Philadelphia.
However, the challenge that lies ahead is bigger than any of the previous 12, according to Holenka.
"They're going to be the best team we will have faced all season, and at this point of the season, they should be," Holenka said. "They're actually the best team I've seen on film, including the opponents of the teams we've played."
Though last week's score was decisive, Holenka was none too pleased with how his team posted the result and thinks playing an unfamiliar opponent could be just what the Tigers need to re-focus.
"We're going to have to play intense, passionate football to climb the next rung on the ladder," Holenka said. "We can't be blase like we were last week. It's going to take a focused, complete team effort if we want to be successful this week."
For Trimble, this is its second straight week to be making the trip from suburban Athens to Zanesville. It knocked off Steubenville Central, 27-22, last week.
Shadyside hasn't played a tournament game at Sulsberger since 2009, which was Holenka's first season at the helm. The Tigers were eliminated by Grove City Christian that season.
Regardless if the game was played on the interstate, both teams are bringing a highly talented collection of players with them.
The numbers surrounding Trimble's defense are astonishing.
All told, the Tomcats have allowed just 55 points for the season. Last week's 22 was a season high and first time all season a team has scored more than one touchdown against the first-team defense.
They've pitched eight shutouts and trailed only twice this season. Of those shutouts, four in a row came week three to six.
"The shutout streak was a way we kept the kids focused on teams where we kind of knew we were better than the other team," Faires said. "We don't go into games looking for shutouts, but it really helped to keep our defensive mindset on the task at hand."
This week's task at hand is a ground-oriented attack that's accumulated 4,038 yards and scored 58 touchdowns on the ground.
"This is obviously a completely different approach than we saw with Steubenville Central," Faires said. "Shadyside is huge, which is a concern of mine. On top of that, they have three great runners and their quarterback (Austin Dorris) is as good as we've seen."
Saying the Tigers' three-headed backfield monster is balanced isn't doing Michael Kernik's offense enough justice.
Dorris leads the way with 1,248 yards and 19 touchdowns on 129 rushes. Fullback Chris Littell and junior tailback Eric Howell have gained 1,153 yards each. Howell holds the edge in touchdowns, 20-14.
Though it's different schematically, Faires compared Shadyside's use of different people to Trimble's week two opponent Wahama. The White Falcons, who are the defending small-school state champs in West Virginia and visit Madonna this weekend, employ a Wing-T.
"They had good runners, but not like this," Faires said. "I would say Shadyside's offense is more like ours because the quarterback is the primary runner."
Shadyside's backs gain much of the attention, and rightfully so, but its offensive line of Zach Meadows, Hunter Hammond, Colton Campbell, Jacob Spencer and Cory Banco make the system work as they've been up to the task each week.
"It helps they have good backs, but an ordinary runner would be able to gain yards behind that line," Faires said. "They're big, but they're also athletic and move well. It's certainly going to be a challenge for us. We won't be able to stay in one defense and let them get a read."
The Tigers haven't shown the ability to throw the ball with much consistency, but they've not needed to.
Dorris has completed 39-of-80 passes for 632 yards and seven touchdowns.
"Even if we throw incompletitions, we have to be able to throw the ball some," Holenka stressed. "We must do something to make them realize there's a potential of the pass. They're capable of shutting the run down, they've proven that week in and week out."
The Trimble defense is led by senior Jacob Koons (6-2, 200) at linebacker. He's been named Southeast District Player of the Year twice. Sophomore Jacob Stevens (5-10, 220) is a talented defensive lineman and Faires also pointed out junior Terry Simerly (5-4, 145) as a player with a "motor that never stops." The defense is expected to get an additional spark with senior safety Jacob Kish returning to the lineup after missing both playoff games with injury.
"They show a lot of different looks and they're really quick," Holenka said. "Their speed and quickness enables them to play a lot of different schemes because they can cover a lot of ground so quickly."
While the Tomcats defense draws much of the attention, Holenka is equally impressed with the offensive unit that his defense is enlisted at slowing down.
"They're similar to us in how they control the game with their offense," Holenka said. "Their defense is really good, mainly because they're not on it a lot. They probably average 70 offensive plays and it's not that always play with tempo, they just control the game."
The Trimble offense is highly balanced with senior quarterback Konner Standley (5-10, 180) leading the charge.
"The quarterback is the real deal," Holenka said. "He's really good player, who is capable of tucking and running. Plus, he's really accurate as a passer."
Standley has completed 130-of-196 passes for 2,049 yards and 28 touchdowns. As a runner, he's gained 754 yards and scored 12 touchdowns on 120 carries.
"We have our best runner at quarterback, so we're able to call a lot of things with run-pass option," Faires said. "We've got good receivers, too. They're not real big or even real fast, but they're good."
Junior Austin Downs (6-0, 170) is the Tomcats' leading receiver. He's hauled in 70 passes for 1,232 yards and 17 touchdowns. He owns the school record in all three categories.
Sophomore Justice Jenkins (6-1, 180) is the team's other top runner. He's carried 71 times for 735 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Koons is a weapon as a runner and receiver. He's gained 372 yards rushing and has 319 receiving with 14 total touchdowns.
"Their pass attack is quick hitting," Holenka said. "They get you to bite, bite, bite on the run and then it's play-action pass. They get what they can get, get back to the line and do it again. Plus, they run from a lot of different formations and they use trickery."
The Tigers defense is led by Meadows, who was named Eastern District Defensive Player of the Year earlier this week. He's joined inside by Banco.
Howell and Scott Hammond are forces at the defensive end positions.
Matt Krupa returned to the lineup last week after missing the first-round game with an injury. He's had an impressive campaign at linebacker and is one of the Tigers' leading tacklers. He's joined Littell and Jake Duvall, who is one of the Tigers' top receivers.
The secondary features Dorris, Luke Nardo, Robert Newhart and Logan Price.
"Like on offense, it starts with their defensive line," Faires said of the Tigers defense. "They play assignment football and their guys take up a lot of space, so their other guys can make plays. We have to be able to stop their defensive penetration, so we'll need to mix it up well."
Shadyside's kicking game rests with sophomore Mason Campbell. Frosh Shadow Gibson handles the punting duties.
At the state level, the winner will face the survivor of Region 23, which pits Berlin Center Western Reserve against Norwalk St. Paul. The site for the state semifinal won't be set until Sunday.


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3 comments
agree's with jackerz
April 29th
Don't blame the cloud; he didn't do a thing to you!!
April 29th
Yes,yes,yes. Blame the guy that can send you to hell to which you'll burn forever.
April 28th


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Deficits Projected, County Officials Worried
An independent feasibility study of a convention center project to be funded largely by taxpayers in Lancaster, Pennsylvania concluded the project "should be downsized or an alternate use for the site" should be found. The study projected an annual deficit of up to $4.8 million even after public subsidies.
Lancaster County officials ordered the study in 2006, nearly seven years after the project was proposed, and after seeing the project more than double in size to $175 million from $75 million--and go from largely private financing to mostly public financing.
Market Problems Nationally
A report published in 2005 by The Brookings Institution underscores the problems of the convention center market nationally.
"While the supply of exhibit space in the United States has expanded steadily, the demand for convention and tradeshow exhibit space has actually plummeted," wrote Heywood Sanders, author of "Space Available: The Realities of Convention Centers as Economic Development Strategy."
Treasurer Concerned
The man responsible for collecting a Lancaster-area hotel room tax, 80 percent of which would go to help fund the convention center, is Lancaster County Treasurer Craig Ebersole. Ebersole expressed concern about the bottom line.
"If there is a funding gap between revenues, debt service, and operating expenses," Ebersole said, "the first monies in play would be the portions of the lodging tax currently paid to the Pennsylvania Dutch Visitors Bureau for promoting the convention center.
"If this happens," Ebersole continued, "and marketing money is used to simply pay light and heating bills, a slippery slope could quickly become a downward spiral. Thus the County Government Tax Fund would be in play in this scenario."
Legality Questioned
Other project critics include former Lancaster City Controller Robert "RB" Campbell, who refused to sign convention center papers on behalf of the city because of questions about city financing.
"I am concerned that the taxpayers of the city are being unfairly burdened with the majority of the financial risk, with very little risk to the private partners," Campbell said.
"Frankly, it appears to be a scheme to shelter the owner of the proposed hotel from having to pay their fair share of property taxes and various fees to the city, and it may be illegal," Campbell concluded.
-- Christiaan A. Hart Nibbrig
For more information ...
"Space Available: The Realities of Convention Centers as Economic Development Strategy," by Heywood Sanders, http://www.brookings.edu/metro/pubs/20050117_conventioncenters.htm


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Loveland, Colorado (November 23, 2012) — Lightning Hybrids LLC (LH) will retrofit two shuttle buses for the City of Loveland with their new fuel-efficient hydraulic hybrid system in December and January. The vehicles, 2012 Ford E-450 passenger shuttle buses, will be put into public transit service and will be outfitted with special screens that will allow passengers to see how the hydraulic hybrid is working to save fuel.
These buses, the first hydraulic hybrid shuttle buses in fleets, get up to 40% better fuel economy than non-hybrids because they regenerate braking energy. The City expects to save $15,000 to $25,000 per vehicle in fuel and brake costs over the next five years, completely covering the incremental cost of the system.
Steve Kibler, Fleet Manager for Public Works for the City of Loveland said at the City Council meeting where Councilors unanimously approved the purchase of the systems, "I research a lot of new vehicle technologies and ideas and I am a skeptic. However, I believe in technology that captures inertia and turns into reusable energy. Hydraulic hybrids are sustainable."
"We're pleased to partner with our hometown and excited that the City of Loveland is one of the early adopters of our hydraulic hybrid system. This news, in addition to our recent announcement of a major investment from 9th Street Investors, a CoorsTek affiliate, and our new 30,000 square feet of manufacturing space in downtown Loveland, moves Lightning Hybrids into an acceleration phase," stated Tim Reeser, LHI's Co-Founder and President. "We've tested the system on-road as well as in the lab, and now we're looking forward to working closely with the City to gather data on how the system is working in real world use."
Lightning Hybrids has been working on the hydraulic hybrid system since September 2008. Other local entities, including Colorado State University and the City of Greeley are in final negotiations to install systems in their fleets in the next few months. The Lightning Hybrid hydraulic system is available for heavy duty vehicles – work trucks, shuttle buses, utility vehicles – both new as well as retrofit to vehicles currently in fleets.
LHI's systems are made and assembled in Loveland, Colorado. Orders are currently being taken with delivery 60 days from receipt of order.
About Lightning Hybrids LLC
Lightning Hybrids designs and manufactures hydraulic hybrid systems for fleet vehicles. The system delivers up to 40 percent improvement in fuel economy by regenerating braking energy, provides safer braking and more power for acceleration, and decreases greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent.
For more information about Lightning Hybrids, please visit www.LightningHybrids.com.
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This week in Disney history ...
Nov. 6, 2009: Tiana's Showboat Jubilee debuts in Disneyland's New Orleans Square to promote the movie "The Princess and the Frog," which opened that winter. The show starts with nearly two-dozen performers, including the characters of Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen, parading through the park. The show concluded in January 2010.
Nov. 9, 1994: The Skyway attraction closes at Disneyland because of the cost needed to retrofit the ride for earthquake safety.
Find more Disney news on the OC Disney page.


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A mumps outbreak at a NYC university is reported after one case in January has escalated to 13 cases so far with nine of those cases seen in the last three days. The cases are reported from two campuses of the Fordham University in New York City. The University has reported 13 cases combined from the Manhattan at the Lincoln Center campus and in the Bronx at the Rose Hill Campus, according to New York Post on Feb. 21.
Fordham officials have either isolated or sent home students with the mumps or suspected mumps. Mumps patients are contagious for a period of two days before their symptoms surface and for another five days after their symptoms are present.
Students were sent an email by the school informing them of the outbreak "So now everyone is going around being a little extra careful," said Jonathan Agostino, a student at Fordham. "The mumps vaccinations do not offer 100 percent protection," conveyed Fordham's officials in a statement.
They went on to say that all the students who have the mumps or who are showing symptoms of the mumps had previously been vaccinated for the mumps. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mumps can cause fever, headaches, muscle aches, swollen glands, loss of appetite and fatigue.
When someone contracts the infection, the incubation period is 16-18 days, that is how long it takes for the symptoms to pop up. While the mumps have not been confirmed through lab tests at Fordham, the school says "that is the most likely diagnosis."


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Florida Panthers: Kitchen hired by Blackhawks
Former Panthers assistant coach Mike Kitchen has been hired by the Blackhawks as an assistant coach.
Kitchen's addition to Coach Joel Quenneville's staff, first reported by Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune, is expected to be announced later today.
Kitchen, who replaced Quenneville as head coach of the Blues in 2004, was an assistant with the Panthers the past three seasons. He primarily worked with the team's defensemen and handled the penalty kill.
Panthers coach Pete DeBoer asked Kitchen, whose contract expired June 30, to return. But Kitchen wanted to pursue other opportunities, DeBoer said. The Blackhawks job opened up recently when former Panthers coach John Torchetti left last week to become associate coach of the Thrashers.


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Editing tomorrow in LA
Tomorrow I'm headed into the guts of the filthy empire of Los Angeles to do the editing on my upcoming Spike TV comedy special.
As I've gotten older and seen more and more evidence that very little of our society is well planned out, the less I've wanted to be in LA. I've talked about getting out of here on the blog, and I'm in the process of making that happen as we speak. My goal is to be gone by this summer.
There's some great things about LA; great restaurants, great comedy clubs, you can pretty much find anything you're looking for here, but the sheer volume of humans is absolutely suffocating.
It was bad when I moved here 15 years ago, but now it just seems ridiculous. 5 lanes on each side of the highway, stopped dead for miles in both directions at 3 in the afternoon.
There's no rush "hour," it's more like a block of time. It starts around 3 pm, and often lasts until after 7. In the morning it's jammed up like that from 6:30 am until 10 on a good day.
The big question, of course, is that if it's this bad now, what's it going to be like 15 years from now? Is there even going to be an LA 15 years from now? If you look at it realistically, all empires crumble. All civilizations fall apart. They always have in the past, so why should we believe that this one is going to be any different? It might be a natural disaster that fucks the whole scene up for us, or it might be some man made insanity that lays it to waste, but either way the odds are eventually that it's going to fall.
Maybe someday when the cycle of humanity has completed another course, and the newly industrialized survivors 25,000 years in the future have reinvented all of man's great current discoveries and are laying the framework for a new city, maybe they'll find the ruins of what was us.
Maybe by this time virtually all of our records will be in a digital form, and as soon as the shifting of the magnetic poles causes chaos and death all over the planet, and the solar storms cause all of our satellites to be useless, all we'll have left is memories.
Maybe someday they'll be digging the foundation for a building and they'll dig up a long abandoned dildo shop, and scholars from the future will debate the role of the rubber cock in this mystery society.
They'll probably see the stars on Hollywood boulevard and think those names are of Gods and Kings. Perhaps they'll study it in school, and entire classes will be taught on the legacy of King Ryan Seacrest.
Maybe whatever happens to us will be so fucked up that virtually nothing remains.
What's really incredible about LA, and all of the crowded cities in this country for that matter, is how relatively new everything is. Sometimes we forget that just 400 years ago there was nothing here. That's fucking incredible when you really think about it. The entire continent was basically wide open, and within 400 years we've got it stuffed full with 300,000,000 people and an endless supply of shitty congested cities.
Tomorrow I'm gonna wade through the bullshit and head on down to the editing studio of the director of my Spike special, my good friend Anthony Giordano. Anthony and I have worked together for the past 7 years for the UFC, so it was a perfect fit to have him direct the Spike special.
He's already come up with this really fucking cool animated opening segment of the special that I can't wait to show you guys. It's that alien head logo I have, but it's a space ship hurling through the universe. It's fucking completely bad ass. As soon as I can, I'll put a video of it up here.
I'm also going to be shooting some video of tomorrows sessions, so we'll have a little video blog going on this week too. I'm so fucking amped for this special to come out.
I really think it's the best thing I've ever done by far.
I'll be sending twitter updates throughout tomorrows session with photos, so if you're bored check out the twitter feed and follow me. I update that quite a bit lately.
If you're in the Southern California area this weekend I'm performing at the Improv in Brea, CA. All the information is available on this site by clicking on the dates section at the top of the page.


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Cuellar sizes up Saints test
by Stuart Vose
Defender previews trip to St Mary's.
Sunderland defender Carlos Cuellar is gearing up for a pre-Christmas crunch as the Black Cats travel to Southampton this weekend.
Just one point and one place seperates the two teams in the Barclays Premier League table ahead of Saturday's game at St Mary's.
The second half against Manchester United – we need to try and find that from the first minute
- Carlos Cuellar
The fixture kicks off a busy festive period and Cuellar can't wait to get stuck in.
"I am looking forward to playing there and this is one of the most important games so far this season," said the Spaniard, who is heading into his first Christmas at the Stadium of Light.
"Southampton are a direct rival for us and we need to win with some other good games coming up.
"I think the team are ready and mentally strong."
Sunderland head into the game following a 3-1 defeat at Manchester United last weekend.
Martin O'Neill's side found themselves three goals down early in the second half but rallied to give United some real moments of concern in the closing stages.
And Cuellar says that's something to build on against the Saints this weekend.
"The second half against Manchester United – we need to try and find that from the first minute," the defender added.
"If we can do that then not many teams will beat us. The other players know that and everyone is ready for this weekend."
The trip to Southampton is followed by quick-fire home clashes with Manchester City and Spurs, with both games taking place in a four-day period.
And Cuellar says a positive result this weekend would set the Black Cats up nicely going into the festive period.
"It's important to start Christmas well," he explained. "There is a lot of games.
"We have to be ready for every game and we are looking forward to it."


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"Apple Mortgage Cake," the inspiring true story of Angela Logan who when faced with foreclosure set a goal to bake 100 cakes in 10 days to save her home. The film starts four-time NAACP Image Award winner Kimberly Elise. Apple Mortgage Cake will premiere exclusively on UP on Easter Sunday, April 20 at 7 p.m. EST.
Angela Logan (Kimberly Elise) is a single, working mom with three teenage boys, Marcus (A.J. Saudin), William (Stephan James) and Nicolas (Lamar Johnson) in Teaneck, NJ. She juggles various jobs and helps with employment counseling at the local Mission. While thrilled to be in the family home where she learned to bake, the house is falling apart, with sections deemed uninhabitable by inspectors after storm and flood damage. She has always made due until now – when her lender calls in the mortgage loan and puts her into foreclosure. Angela has 10 days to come up with $4000 or she loses her home.
The movie is the true story of a woman who decides to bake 100 apple cakes and sell them at $40 each in order to save her home – and how this idea completely changes her and her family. As word of her "bake sale" ripples out through neighbors, friends, her church and even old flames, such as Melvin (Kevin Hanchard), the story soon spreads to the news, locally, nationally and internationally. Angela is taken off guard by the overwhelming support. But soon, this fiercely independent woman learns to depend on the kindness and love of others that comes her way.
Thecast also includes A.J. Saudin, Gemini Award winner Gabrielle Miller, Joanne Boland, Paul De La Rosa, Gemini Award winner Catherine Disher, Peter Williams, Siobhan Murphy, Barry Flatman, Darlene Cooke and Millie Davis. The real-life Angela Logan makes a cameo appearance.