text:
community web site
|talking points
|november 2007
|December Folly - 30/11/07
To inform readers of Talking Points that the December edition of the Faringdon Folly came out on Friday 30 November.
In case anyone isn't aware it generally comes out on the Friday closest to the first of the month.
In this edition there are close to 100 local stories and identifiable photos of almost 300 local people - and a few French visitors from Le Mele.
Top story is the Operation Christmas Child and a chance for the local organisers to respond to the criticisms of the charity, there's news of the 'Ban the Bag' campaign coming soon and a plea for help from 18 year old Philippa Hunt for help with her trip to India to teach in an orphan school in her gap year.
Otherwise there's a feature on the Swindon and Cricklade Heritage Railway and descriptions of Faringdon's Christmas shop windows written in 1926, as well as news from nearby villages and two pages of local sports reports and much more besides,
The Folly is available in newsagents and selected shops in the area, price 60p.
Al Cane
|Faringdons Carbon Footprint -
Just a quick response to Citizen Smiths ignorant rant.
Firstly, nobody actually said Faringdons Carbon footprint is too high. Although you have to be a complete idiot if you actually believe that it is not a good thing to reduce it, whatever the science.
Secondly, if you got rid of those 150w lightbulbs you love so much, you would be able to save up enough money to buy something you want.
I dont usually enter into person insults, but someone here is doing something worthwhile and benefical, and indeed saving the old folk some much needed cash.
I personally applaud the gesture.
Devils Advocate
|Carol Singing in the Square -
Some of the Singing for Pleasure group will be singing carols from about 10.30, this Saturday(1st)
We'll be collecting for Riding for the Disabled and Helen House Hospice.
Do walk by!
Gene Webb
|Re: Reducing Faringdon's carbon footprint - 29/11/07
We are ever so grateful for the lightbulb gifts to the people of Faringdon, and I am not going to be rude and tell you where I think you should put them, but does anybody actually have any statistics that says that Faringdon's Carbon footprint is too high??
Secondly, more and more people around the world (including top scientists) are now beginning to realise that climate change is a natural phenomena and is being used by governments to tax them more by stealth means and use it to dictate and control the masses. I am not making this up, do your own research.
On dark nights like these, you just can't beat a 150 watt traditional lightbulb.
Citizen Smith
|Congratulations Fernham -
Congratulations to Fernham's Project Inspire for winning the People's Millions - I was so delighted to hear the news today!
All credit to those volunteers involved for their strength, determination, dedication and incredibly hard work!!
Good luck with the rest of the project - I can't wait to see the end result!
Anna Marlow
|Fernham's Project Inspire have won
£90000 - 29/11/07
Many, many thanks for your votes for Fernham/Project Inspire!
We were told this lunchtime that we've won Wednesday's Central East competition for The People's Millions, so we will now receive £90,000 in funding.
A group of us gathered at the church in Fernham at 3pm today for the Central cameras to cheer and thank TV viewers and supporters.
It was all down to your support, so again, thank you so very, very much!
In case you haven't seen the ITV Central East film that was broadcast yesterday evening, you can view it here: http://www.itvlocal.com/central/news/?player=CEN_News_26&void=123932
Jayne Rice
Project Inspire Fernham, Oxfordshire
A local person who cares much about the environment has generously donated money for the purchase of a large number of low energy light bulbs.
These bulbs will reduce the carbon footprint of the town, and will also reduce the recipients electricity bills. The Light bulbs are to be given to local OAP's, especially the house-bound, as Christmas gifts. .
For more information , please telephone Ian on 10367 240405
A full working demonstration of the different kinds of bulbs and the savings each bulb can make will be at the Faringdon Area Project Evening at the Corn Exchange 14th December 6.00pm onwards.
|Use Everyclick and raise money -
Have you seen our websites?
www.africanchildrensfund.org help raise some money for us to
Use Everyclick.com as your search engine.
Every time you click on you can raise money for the African Children's Fund and it doesn't cost you a penny, but it can help give a child an education.
Alison Moore
|Parking at Budgens - 29/11/07
In response to MGH 'urgent shopping items'. Perhaps under such circumstances car owners could simple put a note in the car stating 'I'm only getting a single urgent shopping item so don't give me a ticket'.
Of course if it transpired after investigation they lied and they purchased two items or they took a little longer than a minute then they should be dealt with.
Perhaps there should be a graded payment scheme 1 item free parking, 2 items pay a little, 3 - 5 pay a bit more etc.
Of course we have to account for variables. If at the time of parking the intention was only to buy one item then no fee should be made and if a bargain was identified and a second item purchased this should not result in a fine aganist the individual. It must be bourn in mind of course that it will be for the driver to prove that
1. The second item concerned was never intended to be purchased at the time of parking the car and;
2. It was a bargain and not a regularly priced item.
The other factor to consider is that shoplifters park for free as they don't buy anything - this defence will only be available for bona fide shoplifters (3 convictions in the last 12 months will have to be shown)and not those that shoplift simply to avoid carparking payments.
There it's all so easy when you think about it.
Seamus O'Hodge
Ministry of Prattle
|Coloured Pigeons - 28/11/07
Colouring pigeons/doves may make them easier to spot as targets for people with shot guns but I think may work as camoflage too as far as local cats are concerned.
The logic behind this argument is that back in the mid 1980's when the coloured birds were around, my cat never caught one. But as soon as the dove's dye died out and they returned to white - whammo - he snared two in a week.
Re the statistics about parking behind Budgen's, surely these show that people are becoming increasingly hacked off my the ridiculous procedure of having to enter your registration no to get a ticket, even staying just for a minute or so to pick up a single urgent shopping item or a prescription, for instance.
signed MGH
|VOTE TODAY FOR FERNHAM/PROJECT INSPIRE in THE PEOPLE'S
MILLIONS: phone 08702 433 202 - 28/11/07
All you need to do is:
Phone from somewhere in the UK
Phone any time between 9am and midnight
Phone 10 times from every phone you have: work, mobile, home
Pass the word on to friends, family, work colleagues - everyone!!
Your votes could make all the difference!
Want to see us in action? We're on You Tube!
Just click on this link:
Many, many thanks!
Calls cost 10p and you can phone up tO 10 times from one phone.
Until midnight on WEDNESDAY 28th NOVEMBER
Jayne Rice
Project Inspire
Fernham, Oxfordshire
|Measure your carbon footprint. - 26/11/07
Most interesting. It seems as though I must give up my job because I drive too far, move from a listed building so I can have a windmill, double glazing etc. But best of all -- I must change my digital radio for an analogue one, now this will definitely save energy as they will soon be turning off the analogue signal!
Mike Perks
|Christmas Variety Show - 25/11/07
Wantage Stage Musical Company is bringing its christmas variety show and panto to Faringdon at the Junior School Hall on Friday 30 November at 7.30pm.
Tickets £8 and £5 and available in Faringdon from The Nut Tree.
Hamish Millar
|350th Anniversary of the Baptist Church -
December 8th - 9th
Faringdon Baptist Church are beginning a year of celebrations to commemorate their 350th Anniversary.
Our activities begin on Saturday 8th . Bromsgrove Chapel will be open to visitors to view an exhibition of the history of the Baptist church from 10.30am - 12 noon . After this, there will be a walk from Buckland Baptist Chapel to Faringdon Baptist Chapel, starting at 2pm in Buckland, retracing the footsteps of those that established the first Baptist fellowship in Faringdon in 1657.
This will be followed by a Dinner and Barn dance in Corn Exchange from 6pm.
Sunday 9th - Thanksgiving and celebration service 10:30am at Faringdon Junior School. Everyone is welcome to join us.
Bromsgrove Chapel will again be open to visitors to view the exhibition of the history of the Baptist church in Faringdon from 12-1.30pm and 2.30 - 4.30pm that day.
Tim Gerry
|Faringdon's Kind of Hush - Update -
359 tickets have now been reserved.
I'll announce the first few acts soon, but as the announcement will go further afield, demand for tickets is likely to jump significantly, so I'm just waiting to give Faringdonians the chance to reserve the first 500 tickets cheap before the first announcement and price rise.
To answer a FAQ, you can reserve as many tickets as you'd like for you and your friends, but once the tickets are available you'll have to pay for them within 2 weeks. If at that point you find that you want fewer than you have reserved, that's fine but any reserved tickets that are not paid for within 2 weeks will be offered to the next people on the list.
The next ticket release will be more expensive.
At this rate the first 500 will have gone very soon, so put your reservations in quick, and let all you friends know!
Your money is fully refundable if the event does not go ahead.
Emails please to email@example.com, stating how many tickets you'd like to reserve, and whether or not camping.
There are now only 141 tickets available at £20 (£30 if camping).
Martin Phillips
|Books of Poetry by Local poets, for sale-
There are 60 poems in it, all written by local people who entered the Faringdon Online Poetry Competition
You can buy them from either the the White Horse Bookshop or the Library.
They are really nicely presented - good enough to give as a present
Gene Webb
|Car Parking in Faringdon - 24/11/07
Did you know that:-
In the twelve months commencing April 2004, a total of 166,163 vehicles paid to park in the car park behind Budgens.
In 2005/6 the figure reduced to 146,549.
By 2006/7 the number had dropped to 135559
And the downward trend continues this year and is estimated to be about 120,000.
There could be a number of explanations for this, but if you have any theories I would be interested to hear them.
Jane Haynes
|Measure your carbon footprint -
You can calculate your carbon footprint on the directgov website
At the end it will also give you some suggestions how to reduce it
Gene Webb
|Faringdon Online Poetry Competition - Prize
giving - 23/11/07
The Crown, 7pm, Friday 23rd November
Hear the winning poems
Buy a book of poems by local poets who entered the competition. Only £4
Anyone can come.
Hilary Taylor
|Festive Faringdon @ the Crown. -
A stunning line-up of Blues/Rock music for the Jam Club @Christmas.
Rockin the Blues with "Storm Warning" with guest the sensational singer guitarist, "Lewis Cohen"
There will also be a blues cd store with some fantastic bargains . 22Dec from 7pm. Entance a mere snip @£5.
Join a Free blues Jam session on Sat 29th Dec from 4pm-8pm,Players get in touch with Sam either via www.maddfaringdon.co.uk or 01367-243806.
Following the jam session is the wonderful Pete Boss and the Bluehearts. Entrance for the Bluehearts is £5.
Sam Prince
|Faringdon's Kind of Hush! - 21/11/07
I'm organising a live music event in Faringdon over the weekend of 26th July 2008. The venue is some fields on the edge of town, with camping facilities from Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th.
The ultimate aim is to have live music on a full stage on Friday 25th from 5.30pm to 11.00pm, and Saturday 26th from 10.00am to 11.00pm, with some big (household) names headlining, supported by a showcase of our own Faringdon talent. We have rich talent in this town, so let's show it off and sing about it.
I'm (rather ambitiously!) hoping to attract a crowd of a few thousand, with significant media coverage.
Depending upon the big names, yet to be announced, tickets for the weekend could be as much as £100 each. However, I want to give local people priority opportunity, and so will be releasing tickets in limited numbers at reduced rates available to local people only.
The first 500 tickets only will be available at the absolute bargain price of £20 each (£30 with camping) within the next couple of weeks.
As with all "too good to be true" offers, there is a catch, but in this case only a very small one. Initially I can only offer a whole day's live music on the Saturday. The acts will all be from in and around Faringdon and have already been booked, with the exception of one "surprise" act headlining. If ticket sales are insufficient, and the event has to be cancelled, full refunds will be given.
However, if this first batch of tickets is all taken up quickly then I'll book more big names for the stage and extend the music to include Friday night as well. I'll even take a poll from the first batch ticket holders to see if I can get some of the big name acts you'd like to see. I'll then release more tickets at a higher price to a wider audience.
The best thing is you won't have to pay a penny more for your tickets, and you'll still get to see all the big name acts.
Can you let me know as soon as possible (by email to email@example.com) if you'd like to reserve tickets, and if so, how many and whether or not camping. Reservations are strictly on a first come first served basis. Once the tickets are available you will need to pay within 2 weeks, otherwise I'll have to offer them to the next people on the list.
I'll post regular updates on here as progress develops.
So, whisper the word to your friends and see how many would like to come. The first 500 will only have to part with £20 (£30 if camping) each for the whole weekend, which is fully refundable if it's cancelled, and stand an excellent chance of seeing a few big names live here in Faringdon at a bargain price.
Trade stands/stalls/pitches etc. will also be available to local traders first at reduced rates, before being offered further afield at higher rates. Please therefore email me stating your product/service if you are a local trader and would be interested in a pitch at the event.
After all, this is Faringdon so we really should keep quiet about this! ;-)
Martin Philli[ps
|Operation Christmas Child - 20/11/07
As a volunteer "box-checker", I wish to reassure people that the intention of the shoeboxes is simply that of goodwill. That in itself may be a Christian value, but I should like to think it is one of humanity too. All boxes are carefully checked and sealed before they leave us and contain nothing forcing religion onto anyone.
I defy anyone to see footage of the distribution of these boxes and not be moved by the genuine gratitude shown by these poor children.
Surely everyone wants to see happiness brought into their desperate lives?
Name and address supplied.
|People's Millions update: - 20/11/07
A film crew visited Fernham yesterday morning!
The Central TV film crew spent 2 hours with us on Monday, 19 November, filming our case for People's Millions funding of £90,000. The footage will be edited down to a 2-minute film which will be televised on Central East on Wednesday, 28 November, at 6pm.
We think the filming went very well, and we certainly had a great turnout of villagers of all ages - including our very youngest resident (all of 10 days old!). Please remember to vote for us 10 times from each of your telephones, any time from 9am to midnight, on 28 November.
We are the underdogs in our 'head to head' competition for 2 reasons:
1. We're up against a charity in Stamford, Lincs., which has a population of 18,000. We're a village of about 200 people.
2. Central have placed us in the Central East competition, which means many of our supporters (including Fernham villagers!) won't see the 2-minute film. Central have admitted that this was a mistake, but it's too late to change it now. So it's even more important to pass on the word - and this email! - to anyone you know who could be willing to vote for us on the day.
You don't have to have seen the film to vote. Anyone in the UK is eligible to vote.
I will email you the phone number on 28 November, when it's released.
Many thanks in advance for your support!
|View from a touring musician. 17th Nov 2007 -
'The Jam Blues Club,Old Crown Inn, Faringdon.
This was always going to be an interesting one.Faringdon nr Oxford. Google said it was a historic market town that retains all of its "charm and ways of life". The Old Crown Inn was said to be "an old coach house that has preserved all of its olde English appeal". So with all this tranquility on offer, why then is the venue website called maddfaringdon.co.uk??there was only one way to find out....
The Blues Factory brand is not exactly celebrated with English sporting success!! So - as true English football fans - it was somewhat unnerving for the band to learn that the crucial Israel-v-Russia fixture was due to start a couple of hours before the gig with us kicking off just as the final whistle blew. Shades of the Rugby World Cup dawned...Well our jinx was finally lifted by an Omar Golan injury time winner for Israel and,as the band wiped their brow, the local mood heightened and the cheers could be heard all around as Faringdon went...ahem...Madd...
Now Faringdon may be a small town,but don't ever underestimate its musical passion. Amongst others, there were no fewer than three "grown up" paid entry gigs listed on the local website and the quality was right up there. As we kicked off, a handful of local blues enthusiasts looking for a proper American Blues experience were in and ready. Cover charges,hat passing,general humor and intimacy is the name of the game and that is exactly how the gig began. By the end of the night however, it was heaving and the Madd ones had probably, seen the best performance the Blues Factory has ever put on.
Thanks to Faringdon and thanks to Sam prince for booking us. You are both Gems at the heart of Oxfordshire and we had a truly Madd night!!
looking foward to doing it all again next year.
the blues Factory. '
Sam Prince
|Vocalist Required. - 19/11/07
Acoustic Witney/Faringdon based band (3 members) Guitars/Banjo's/Bass doing Covers - Alt.country, Bluegrass, Bluesy folk, Skiffle/Rockabilly. Think (or See YouTube) Old Crow Medicine Show, Steve Earle, Bob Dylan, Springsteen (Seeger sessions). Members are sound musicians with varying experience of other Bands but need singer to move forward, must be able to sing but enthusiasm and commitment are just as important.
Nothing too serious as we all have family commitments/jobs etc. but looking to gig every 6 weeks or so.
If you fancy a go ring Howard (Witney)07970 863316, or Sean (Faringdon) 07712 530405
Sean Hodgson
|Operation Christmas Child - 18/11/07
I have been involved with Operation Christmas Child in collecting shoeboxes for the past 6 years.
After the fall of the Romanian dictator Ceausescu, you may remember the tv coverage of what life was like for some of the unfortunate people who lived there. Dave Cooke who lives in Wrexham hit on the idea of using a shoebox to pack with gifts for Christmas that could be given to children in Romania and he managed to deliver about 500 boxes.
Like most good ideas it grew and several years later it went under the Samaritan's Purse umbrella. Last year 1.24 million boxes went from the UK alone.
As I have been involved for so long, I can state that no leaflets of any kind are added to the boxes and any religious material included in boxes is removed. This year I am fortunate to be chosen to help distribute some of the boxes in Belarus.
I will then be in the best position to clarify what happens as the boxes are given out and I will be very happy to talk to anyone who would like to hear more
Ann Jerome
|Plans for New Business Park- exhibition 8/12/07 -
Do visit the exhibition of the proposed plans and designs for the new business park on Saturday 8th December from 9:30 - 2:30 at The Old Town Hall.
Sarah Allen Stevens
|Phone 4 Fernham in the People's Millions -
Fernham wants to create a community hall to benefit the village and surrounding communities, and has made it to the National Finals of the People's Millions.
A film about the community hall project will be televised on Central TV at 6pm on Wednesday, 28 November, when Fernham will go 'head to head' against another charity in a competition to win the most telephone votes.
The other charity is based in Stamford, Lincs., which has a population of 18,000 and, as Fernham is a village of only 200 people, your help is urgently needed!! The village stands to win funding of £90,000.
Please phone for Fernham by ringing a national call rate number 10 times from each of your phones from 9am to midnight on 28 November.
Calls cost less than 10p if calling from a BT line.
The phone number will be released on 28 November and will be posted on the Fernham website: http://www.fernham.info.
Thank you!!
|Singing Carols for pleasure - 16/11/07
The Tuesday singing group will be singing carols for the next 2 weeks. (20th, 27th)
Come and join us at - we're a group of over 40, so we make a good sound!
United Church Hall, 7pm - 8pm , £2
Suitable for anyone who enjoys singing - whether you think you can or not
Gene Webb
|Winter Market in Faringdon-
Thanks to all of you who braved the cold weather last night to support the Chamber of Commerce and the new evening market.
For those of you who were not aware that this was happening you will have 2 more chances on Thursday 20th December and Thursday 17th January.
The market runs from 3pm - 7pm.
The market has locally grown, pork and beef, baked goods, fruit and veg and some beautiful pottery by Ken Mills.
I am hoping to find even more stalls for the next market and if anyone can help with this please let me know.
Jayne Haynes
|Thomas the Tank Engine - 15/11/07
Look out for Faringdon & District Rotary with Thomas the Tank Engine & Father Christmas
Monday/Tuesday 3/4 December - Watchfield
Wednesday 5 December - Faringdon: Orchard Hill, Westland Road, The Pines
Thursday 6 December - Stanford-in-the-Vale
Friday 7 December - Southmoor
Saturday 8 December - Lechlade: Loders Field, Moorgate, Gassons areas
Monday 10 December - Uffington
Tuesday 11 December - Shrivenham
Thursday 13 December - Lechlade: The Park, Venymore etc.
Friday 14 December - Clanfield
Saturday 15 December - Faringdon: Goodlake Avenue, Ferndale Street, Berners Way, Tuckers Road, Nursery View
Monday 17 December - Faringdon & Great Coxwell: Coleshill Drive, Fernham Road
Tuesday 18 December - Shrivenham Wednesday 19 December - Faringdon: Volunteer Way, Sandshill Estate, Marlborough Gardens
Faringdon on 19 December: Volunteer Way, Townend Road, Marines Drive, Marlborough Gardens.
Name Supplied
|Nice Try HGM - 14/11/07
I'm not going to rise to that one.
All I can say is that I have personally driven a lorry full of the boxes to Romania and helped distribute the boxes. I am not the least interested in religious matters. And yes the childrens faces do light up, and yes I'm sure that you would shed a tear or two like I did, if you gave up your Christmas to do the same thing one year.
Personally I would suggest you look beyond the published rantings of an idiot and religious biggot and actually go and see what happens.
I have.
Devil's Advocate
|Window Cleaner recommended - 15/11/07
A question was asked at the beginning of the month about a reliable window cleaner.
I would like to recommend my window cleaner who has cleaned my windows (and many of my neighbours) for the last 18 months. He arrives every 4 weeks without fail. He provides a friendly and efficient service.
His contact details are as follows (I have obtained his permission to provide these):
Matthew Treadwell 16 St Mary's Court Bampton Oxon OX18 2HX Mobile tel no: 07906 266058 Home tel no: 01993 851463
You can call him for a quote.
I hope this information is helpful to the person who asked the original question and also to anyone else who needs a very reliable window cleaner.
Jill Dean
|Operation Christmas Child - 14/11/07
From what I can gather from that 'ooh, conspiracy, watch out!' website, the terrible thing that Operation Christmas Child are doing is: putting a leaflet inside every shoebox of goodies. Obviously, said leaflet must have terrible powers, if it scares the writers of the website that much. So much, in fact, that they'd rather children starve than be exposed to organised religion.
The really terrible thing is, there's nothing people like more than something clever-sounding and negative about something good, so this website may well have the desired effect, and stop quite a few children from having a nicer Christmas.
Well done!
Name Supplied
|Devil's Advocate from HGM - 14/11/07
Here we go again ! Devil's Advocate's picture of deprived children's faces lighting up when they get their shoebox would grace the front of any Christmas Card. But it is about as realistic as one showing Mr Pickwick on a Stage Coach passing through the centre of a snow covered Faringdon.
About one third of the world's children are 'Christian' and therefore according to Franklin Graham , who is the driving force behind Operation Christmas Child, they are 'Good'. The other two thirds are Non-Christian but they will get a Goodie-Box if they become 'Good' Christians. It's a bit like the saving schemes which give bonuses to new members but ignore the old loyal members. I'm sure that, like most of us, DA donated to the Tsunami appeals but I'm equally sure that he won't have endorsed his cheque with 'Christians Only'
I know that my view will be violently criticised because for once DA has supported the politically correct attitude to any Charity that mentions children. I'm tempted now to avoid this website for the next few days as I anticipate a fair bit of well deserved abuse.but please read the comments about Franklin Graham before you write in.
I believe that he really did say "Islam is a very evil and wicked religion" and yet 20% of the World's Population believe in it.
|Merry Christmas. - 14/11/07
The Christmas Lights in London Street looked very nice last night. Presumably this was a test drive.
Let's hope they are just as good in 6 weeks time.
Does anyone have any news about Faringdon's main claim to Christmas Fame the light on the Tower ?
Name Supplied
- 13/11/07
Just to say it was nice to see half the towns Christmas lights switched on all night on Tuesday evening the 13th November 2007 or am I just getting Deja vu.?
Peter White
|Re Land around the Folly - 13/11/07
One additional item regarding the land around the folly tower.
If you have been up to folly tower in the last few days you may have noticed that the brambles have been cut back on perimeter path around the woods of Folly tower.
The farmer has done this upon request of Friends of the Folly.
This will give us (Friends of the Folly) the opportunity to collect the rubbish dropped in the brambles.
Raoul van Eijndhoven
|Pigeons - 13/11/07
The odd thing about the thread on pink pigeons and dyed doves is that I had been wondering recently why the doves were not bright colours.
I'm glad they're back.
Does anyone know how long they have been missing?
Stephen Oliver
Ed(GW): Or indeed, why they're back
|Operation Christmas Child - 13/11/07
Well I've read the pursestrings website, and am left completely cold. Personally, whatever motivation, even if there was some undercurrent, is irrelevant in my view. If there are poor Kiddies in the world that have just one day on which their eyes light up with pleasure then its worth it.
Also the important lesson taught to my kids, that giving is good, and that there are really poor kiddies elsewhere in the world is invaluable.
Well thats my view for what its worth.
Devil's Advocate
|Operation Christmas Child - 13/11/07
I am shocked that people support the organisation samaritianpurse. I am not religious myself but I think to make people convert to Christianity to receive help after they have been in an earthquake is not very Christian!
I think too that its typical of a religious body to ask people to go to the church to find out what 'really goes on behind the scenes'. I get the impression that they'll brush over the bad points and only show what they want you to see.
Operation Christmas child may sound lovely, perhaps because a lot of people have forgotten what Christmas is about, now days it's a holiday and nice presents and not about a religious event, so if you dig around and learn about the organisation behind OCC, who do you really think your helping, the children or a global organisation that takes advantage of dire events around the world for their own good?
Name Supplied
|M.A.D.D. Mayfest dates - 13/11/07
The same as the previous 7 years, will run over the first bank holliday in May.(3rd,4th, 5th)
Thank you John I shall be pleased to attend your meeting on the 21st.
|Operation Christmas Child -
Regarding the motives of Operation Christmas Child, readers of Talking Points might want to have a look at www.pursestrings.ca to get a different perspective on the operation.
Not everyone thinks it's just a giving thing, that there's also an evangelical crusade behind it.
Read for yourselves and then decide....
Jean Paul
|Remembrance Sunday - 12/11/07
My Dog George has a few bad habits one is to refuse to move I call it the lay down protest until I go in the direction he wants to go.
This is normally to pet shop, Crown where he can get treats, the vets, the Bacon Van, the pet market stall, you get the general picture.
Last Sunday I got real surprise he pull me all way to church gates, maybe tyring to tell me something or wanted to pay his respects for remembance day?
Name Supplied
|The Folly - 12/11/07
I am very worried to learn that the fields around the folly is not common land with the building of new houses the folly Millenium Park will become more of an estate pond
It seems that there is very little open spaces left for residents of Faringdon.
Kirsty Phillips
In reply to Sam Prince's posting,
The 15th July is not a weekend, but I understand the following events are planned for next summer (please advise if any of these dates are wrong):
28th June - Party in the Park.
5th July - Peace Festival.
5th July - "Big Faringdon Gig" (see What's On on this site).
11th - 13th July - Faringdon Arts Festival.
19th July - Sealed Knot.
25th - 26th July - "Music weekend" as referred below (it will be big, watch this space.).
Perhaps we should all post all events on .org's What's On, then everyone including music organisers can have more information and avoid conflicting events.
When is the mad event next year?
More info on 25th-26th July to follow very soon .. does anyone sense a kind of hush?
Martin Phillips
ED(GW) Good idea Martin . Anyone, please do send us information about your events - we are more than happy to keep a Town Diary of sorts. The events in this post are now in our Whats On - but more detail is needed
|Sealed Knot event - 11/11/07
Dear Sam
The dates for the Sealed Knot battle are 19/20 July 2008.
The campsite organised for the battle will then be used for a music event 25, 26 and 27 July using the same camp infrastructure.
If you are interested in helping organise the musical event, which aims to raise money for the Faringdon Area Project, then please join me and the Sealed Knot participants on a site recce, meeting at the Coffee Shop in the Market Place at 1130 a.m. on Wednesday 21st November.
John Gillman
|Music event and the Folly - 10/11/07
I see in the land around Faringdon Folly there is mentioned a music and dance weekend proposed for the weekend of July 15th 2008.
As an organizer of music I would like to have more information.
This would help against organizing any conflicting events.
Sam Prince
Thank you for your interest.
I know that there are some articles available on the internet that do not present an accurate account of the work done by the charity Samaritans Purse, of which OCC is a part.
May I suggest that you log on to www.samaritanspurse.uk.com to find out more, and if your queires are still not satisfied, come to Faringdon United Church 9-1 Mon - Fri next week, or 7.30 - 9pm on Weds and ask to discuss with Ann or Kate, and actually see what goes on behind the scenes.
Thank you
Kate Butcher
|Folly Paths - Thankyou - 10/11/07
How refreshing that the farming tenant of Folly Hill has posted such an interesting and informative message re. the Folly public footpaths and the land surrounding them.
I would be fascinated to attend a farm walk - who should I contact?
HT(other Ed)
|Land around Faringdon Folly - information from the
tenant - 10/11/07
Your correspondents are not well informed.
They may not know that all agricultural land is mapped by satellite by Defra, and inspected as to its use, and recorded its planting each and every year. Defra have inspected the Faringdon estate this year, checked the number of trees recorded, its ditch and stream lengths, its management of soils, hedge trimming schedules, its organic status
Defra requires all arable and pasture land to be kept in good agricultural husbandry. Defra have laid down the rules. Four years ago, after the poppies spectacle, when the rabbits ate all the planted wheat, leaving the bitter tasting poppies to flourish, the land was returned to nitrogen fixing deep rooting plants, a mixture of legumes, Alfa-Alfa, vetches, red and white clovers.
During the July floods this year, did anyone appreciate the reason why the town did not have the deluge of sand running off the Folly as has happened before. The deeper roots held the sand.
Before five years have gone by, Defra insists that this land must be returned to arable if it is to retain its status. For one year, the nitrogen in the soil will feed a crop of organic porridge oats ( we hope) which will be harvested July 08. The rotation is planned in advance to balance the grazing and winter feed needs. The Folly lands will then return to a legume/clover mixture as before. Set aside has been disbanded recently by the EU because of the high cereal prices and lack of cereal production. The 20 m circle round the Folly was in set a side.
The Folly Trust is planning to tidy up fallen trees, plant new ones and to make the Folly a nice place to walk. The tenants will help. Hopefully, so will others. If anyone would like to have a farm walk where the tenants will explain why rotations are so necessary to keep the land in good heart, please get in touch.
The land around the Faringdon Folly is part of an agricultural estate. The owners of Faringdon House estate have, over the years generously donated land, such as the Folly, to the townsfolk of Faringdon, and recently, land for an extension to the cemetery. (the tenants purchased and erected the fencing.)
The tenants, who are paying a rent for the farmland have happily allowed Faringdon people to have a big bonfire and fireworks on grazing land on the Lechlade Road each year. There was the Pony Club Championships off the Lechlade Road in July. Next July, 08, the very large gathering of the Sealed Knot will be using the London road fields, and land both down the Radcot and Lechlade roads, so that large crowds can appreciate the spectacle of the Civil war battle renactment. They would like to think this will give Faringdon shops and businesses more trade as the long weekend, and the following weekend of music and dance is enjoyed. Parking and tenting will also be accommodated and as always, cattle will be moved to safer places.
Faringdon residents have enjoyed the well made footpath from the Stanford Road, with vehicle access for the disabled, completed last year. It took five years to get the legal status of the path agreed and the work done. They also use the Church Path Farm paths regularly.
Name Supplied
Ed:(GW) The tenant has said that Hedge cutter has been at the Folly taking brambles back, leaving the path and seating more exposed.
The land will be rolled once oats are planted and it will look a lot better."
|SSSI News - 10/11/07
The solicitors to the Town Council are at work on a necessary document which will enable the Faringdon Fossil Trust to apply for charitable status so that we can finally take over the pit in Fernham Rd.
Setting up the trust is taking an inordinate amount of time but it looks as if we are getting near the end at last.
I was hoping to arrange a visit to see the Faringdon Sponge Gravels (in the pit behind Rogers Gardenstones) but the pit will be closed to visitors until early in the New Year . Hopefully we be able to arrange a visit next Spring
Name Supplied
See hygeology.htm for more information about Faringdon Fossils
|Faringdon Photo Calendars - 10/11/07
We have Faringdon Photo calendars in the Tourist Information Centre at £5.75 each.
Our winter hours are 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Monday to Saturday, so please feel free to come in for one!
Faringdon TIC
|Pink Pigeons - 10/11/07
I believe the dying of pigeons and doves in Faringdon dates back to the time of Sir Gerald Hugh Tyrwhitt Wilson or the 14th Lord Berners as he was better known. He was an eccentric artist and composer who shared Farringdon house with Robert Herber-Percy, who had the Folly Tower built for him by Berners to celebrate his twenty first birthday
in 1935. They used to entertain a variety of well known celebrities of the time including Cecil Beaton, John Betjeman and of course, Evelyn Waugh who I think mentions Faringdon House and some 'interesting evenings' in one of his books.
The dying of doves had something to do with Berners surrealist art movement, to enhance and contrast with something he indulged in called monochromatic lunches.
Cynics may naturally assume that apart form being an enormous hoot, dying birds pink or purple gave them higher visibility, making them an easier target for a shot gun after the excessive consumption of Laudanum.
The Mad Hatter
|Operation Christmas Child 2007 -
Sounds like, and may well be, a worthwhile cause but articles found by Googling indicate that it may not be all that it seems.
Before I go out and buy some toothpaste I'd like to know more.
Any comments any one ?
Name Supplied
|Pigeons - 9/11/07
The rainbow pigeons are probably from Faringdon House.
I know when it was trying to be let a few years ago it mentioned that it had pigeons/ doves and the owners were responsible for dyeing them
Hamish Miller
Once again we are collecting filled shoeboxes to send to eastern European children (leaflets in shops and churches for more info).
Today the first 588 boxes were collected to travel to Ukraine. we will continue to process boxes until Friday 16th to go to Bosnia, Serbia or Romania.
As the boxes are processed for travel, we add any 'missing' items, and we have totally run out of toothpaste and face cloths!
Please, if anyone has any they would be happy to donate, bring to United Church any morning next week, where you will be greeted with a huge smile!
For further info please contact Ann on 241566 or Kate on 241201.
Thank you
Kate Butcher
|Desperately Seeking Window Cleaner - 9/11/07
If anyone knows where (a reliable) one may be found, please contact me.
|How do you get a pigeon pink? -
Thanks to everyone for their eagle-eyes spotting the pigeons.
What I want to know is how do you get a pigeon to go rainbow colours? and why would you do it?
Is it going to affect their health/ are birds of prey more or less lkely to catch them?
I've tried googling it and all I get is someone suggesting the use of vegetable based hair dye or food colouring.
Sharon Clough
|Pigeons - 06/11/07
And.....here they are, courtesy of Adrian Meredith,
thankyou, Adrian
Sharon, I have also seen the pink pigeon (or dove). I saw it sitting at the entrance road towards the church path farm. But this pigeon was not alone, next to it was a purple pigeon. I saw them on Saturday.
As I was in the car, I was not able to take a picture
Raoul van Eijndhoven
|Paths around the Folly -
The area around the Folly tower is not common land. The only public rights of way are those on the map marked in green
Below are the rules about ploughing up footpaths
"A right of way which runs across an arable field can legally be ploughed up, but it must be reinstated within 14 days. Arable crops should not be allowed to grow on a right of way or overhang it from the sides.
The minimum width of a cross-field path on arable land should be 1 metre for a footpath and 2 metres for a bridleway.
Paths along the edges of fields should never be ploughed. The minimum widths for field-edge paths are 1.5 metres for a footpath and 3 metres for a bridleway. This should be the usable width of the path, and not include hedgerows, banks or ditches".
For information about public rights of way in Oxfordshire, click here
The person to contact re. problems in Vale of White Horse area (and west of South Oxon) is Mark Sumner. Phone 01865 810218 or email: firstname.lastname@example.com
|Re Common Land at Folly Hill -
Common Land is registered with a Registering Authority.
In this case that is Oxfordshire County Council. I therefore e-mailed them to find out if any Common Land was registered at Folly Hill. Their reply was that there is no Common Land registered at Folly Hill. This means thathe only statutory rights of public access are the footpaths.
As I said in a previous post I have contacted the County Council to ask for clarification in relation to those and I am still awaiting a reply.
Name Supplied
I think you will find that this is one of the famous dyed doves from Faringdon House, I recollect seeing as a child
Sally Clarke
|Pink and purple pigeons - 5/11/2007
I spotted the pink pigeon and a purple one near the folly on Sunday afternoon.
Name Supplied
|Re The Folly and ploughing - 5/11/07
I have contacted the County Council about this and I will post any reply.
If anyone else wants to to contact the County Council the contact for the Vale of White Horse area is Mark Sumner on 01865 810218 or e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com
|On Freeview - 5/11/07
I moved to faringdon recently and plugged in my digibox and got nothing.
My house had a sky dish though so I bought a sky digibox and subscribed to sky's Freesat service for a one off fee of £30 and can now get most of the free to air channels and all the radio channels.
They won't get the signal past Folly Hill so this may be the only route to cheap digital for some.
Name Supplied
|Noisy barn dance (not) - 5/11/07
We all remember that when we held the meeting in the Corn Exchange to discuss the "noise" problems, the limiter warning light went on every time the audience applauded!
Steve Wright
|SPACE - and any other events/campaigns in the
area - 5/11/07
I am the editor of Community Times magazine and if I can ever help out by promoting local events or campagins such as SPACE I'd love to do so.
I ran a feature in the November magazine which looked at music in the Vale including the 15 Minute Club and The Jam Blues Club, and I'd be happy to promote anything in the future. please call me on 01367 888229 or email email@example.com
Alison Neale
|Folly ploughed - 4/11/07
The Folly I see it has been ploughed up again.
Yes, I appreciate the farmer wants to have as big a crop as possible but is it too much to ask that a smooth grass area, say about 15-20 foot wide is left at the top ?. Again there is nowhere for people to walk (unless in the mud). The path around the top is barely wide enough for a childs buggy and tricky for two people to pass.
One of the main (if not the main) attractions in our town which we encourage tourists to visit is again pretty much a no-go area.
Surely the Folly Tower was given to the people of Faringdon to enjoy - and that should include part of the land around it which gives it its beauty.
I imagine our local farmers expect local support at markets etc............can something be given back please ?.
Name Supplied
Early saturday morning whilst out for a stroll round town I spotted a bright pink pigeon on church street. It was not painted, and was a flamingo shade of pink.
After deciding that I was not seeing things (was completely sober), I looked it up on the internet and found that they do exist and come from Mauritis!
So what was it doing in Faringdon? Has anyone else seen it? I saw it fly off into Faringdon house direction.
I emailed Bristol Zoo who have a collection of them, to see if any were missing, but they said not.
However they would be very interested to see a photo.
Sharon Clough
Ed: Have a look at http://www.faringdon.org/hyberners.htm - likely to be from Faringdon House
|What has happened to the Folly?
- 3/11/07
Its been turned into a ploughed field with not even a footpath left to walk around the perimeter, and no sign of the clearly marked public footpath!
I dread to think of what it will be like when it rains.
A real attraction has been spoilt.
Name Supplied
|Anniversary - 3/11/07
Not quite the anniversary of the last gig at the corn exchange that was Sat 18 November 2006
Hamish Millar
|Window Cleaner wanted - 3/11/07
Can anyone recommend a window cleaner please?
Name Supplied
|Why is the Folly fields being ploughed up? -
I was under the impression the fields were part of the common land and as such a public area, why is it being ploughed up and where do we now have to go for our walks etc?
Rudi DuPlessis
|Pre By-Pass Faringdon - 03/11/07
My recollection is that there were appalling traffic problems. Because of the heavy goods vehicles using the main road (e.g. London St.) the traffic was frequently gridlocked at the Market Place.
Traffic was often stationary, stretching back towards Oxford every Friday afternoon way past the Stanford Road, and on, beyond what is now Sudbury House Hotel.
London Street and the Market Place stank of car exhaust fumes. Car transporters regularly thundered down the A420 during the night, rattling the houses.
Parking, however was much easier in the main streets because many of the older properties were occupied by older people, who as you say, did not own cars. The area around the Town Hall was reserved for buses, but these were infrequent so cars were often parked there while their owners had business in the town.
The other feature which many people forget is that many of the shops in (the south side of) London Street had rear access and, where necessary, parking and loading bays; now gone as the spaces have all been developed into dwellings.
|Not very noisy Barn Dance - 3/11/07
The music at the Barn Dance (Corn Exchange) was loud enough to trigger the sound limiter 3 times last evening. It was a 3 piece band, caller with a mike - and at times lots of laughter.
Didn't seem loud to me at all- you could easily talk with people and be heard
Seems as if the limiter is set quite low
Gene Webb
|Faringdon pre-bypass - 2/11/07
Can anyone confirm or correct my memory of the Faringdon road layout before we had the bypass.
The Fernham Rd. led to Fernham and the Stanford Rd. led to Stanford each journey being about 2 miles less than now.
The A420 involved Coxwell Road, Marlborough St. and London St. so Marlborough St. must have been 2 way
Coxwell St. to the Lechlade Rd was via Gravel Walk which was one way
Lechlade Rd. to Coxwell St. must have been via Gloucester St. and Marlborough St.
There were Traffic Lights in the Market Square.
The Market Square prioritised traffic not pedestrians and the space outside the Town Hall was a bus only area.
There were few serious traffic problems for 3 reasons:
1 Most houses with no parking spaces had no cars.
2 Most children, accompanied or not by parents, were not taken to and from school in cars. (And yes they often did get wet but you rarely saw a rusty child )
3 Any traffic problem was quickly sorted by a locally based walking policeman.
I know there will be many quick to tell me where I have got it wrong but is anyone prepared to confirm or add to my version where I have got it right ?
Ed(GW): In my childhood and youth, Gravel Walk, Marlborough St and Gloucester St were 2 way- but that was a long time ago!
|Plastic Bag Free Faringdon? - 1/11/07
What about it? We were the first Fair Trade Town in the South East, we have an active environmental group, half the population now seem to have Faringdon's own Bag for Life, if we can get Budgens on board surely the rest of our traders will support it?
Visit http://www.plasticbagfree.com and you'll find a town that looks uncannily like Faringdon (OK, it doesn't have a Folly). Follow the "Why & How To" link before deciding it's unrealistic.
Anyway we're not going to let Thame and Wantage get there before us are we?
Dave Headey
|Singing for Fun -
The first session was such fun - and 50 people were there- yes 50!
So if you've been a bit reluctant in case there were only a few people - don't be- come along and join in
United Church Hall, 7pm, Tuesday.
We sounded amazing!
Gene Webb


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Today in music history:
There were several significant events on this day between the years 1943 and 1983.
On this day in 1943 Christine McVie, future singer-songwriter and keyboardist for Fleetwood Mac, is born in Bouth, England.
On this day in 1952 Liz Mitchell, future lead singer for Boney M, is born in Clarendon, Jamaica.
On this day in 1962 The Rolling Stones make their live debut at the Marquee Club in London subbing for Long John Baldry's Blues Incorporated. The band at this point features Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Dick Taylor, Ian Stewart and future Kink Mick Avory.
On this day in 1964 George Harrison crashes his Jaguar on New Kings Road in London heading to a Beatles concert in Brighton, suffering minor injuries. A few fans gather wreckage as souvenirs. Also on this day In London, the Observer publishes a praiseful review of the film A Hard Day's Night being especially flattering of Ringo Starr's work.
On this day in 1965 The Beach Boys release the song "Sloop John B."
On this day in 1969 Zager and Evans' "In The Year 2525" hits number one in the US. Also on this day the supergroup Blind Faith begin their first (and only) U.S. tour with a sellout performance at Madison Square Garden. Finally, on this day Ringo Starr expresses his opinion about the banning of "The Ballad Of John And Yoko" by some US radio stations.
On this day in 1970 Janis Joplin performs her first live gig with her new backing group, Full Tilt Boogie Band.
On this day in 1975 KC and the Sunshine Band's "Get Down Tonight" enters the charts.
On this day in 1976 future singer-songwriter and actress Tracie Spencer is born in Waterloo, Iowa.
On this day in 1983 folk singer/songwriter Jimmy Driftwood dies at the age of 91.

subset: commoncrawl


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Preachers of LA completed their first season on November 27 and soon to start second season as they are recording now. The goal of the six pastors on Oxygen is to let everyone see what Pastors do behind the scenes - the flip side of the ministry, not just what happens when they are in the pulpit.
The cameras follow the following pastors and their wives all over Los Angeles:
- Bishop Clarence McClendon
- Pastor Deitrick Haddon
- Pastor Jay Haizlip
- Bishop Noel Jones
- Bishop Ron Gibson
- Pastor Wayne Chaney
Oxygen has announced the second season is to premiere this summer. Meanwhile catch up with season one on the Oxygen's website or on-demand features on your tv. You maybe surprised to see how these pastors handle some of the same issues we do day to day:
- unexpected pregnancy
- getting tatoos
- working with your spouse
- managing your kids
- building relationships and learning about new people
- family issues
- getting married
There is even a talk of potential spin-off shows for pastors in New York, Atlanta, Dallas, and Detroit. Don't miss it. Deitrick Haddon has allot happening.
Suggested Links
- Deitrick and Damita Haddon Divorce
- Deitrick Haddon's latest CD debuts at #7 on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart
- Deitrick Haddon, Michelle Williams to star in new Oxygen series 'Fix My Choir'
- Deitrick Haddon, Jones cast for reality series 'Pastors of LA'
- Deitrick Haddon's mother apologizes to Dominique on 'Preachers of L.A.'


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The following is a list of Medina County Park District programs and activities for the fourth week in June. All events are free unless otherwise noted. For more information or to register, visit www.medinacountyparks.com or call (330) 722-9364.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
• Passport to Fishing, Carolyn Ludwig Mugrage Park, 4985 Windfall Road, Granger Township, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., ages 7 to 12. Register by Tuesday.
• Friends of Medina County Parks Annual Meeting, Chippewa Yacht Club, 5878 Longacre Lane, Chippewa Lake, 6 to 9 p.m., sponsored by Sea Scout Ship 5510.
• Tales for Tots, Carolyn Ludwig Mugrage Park, 4985 Windfall Road, Granger Township, 10 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 2 p.m. Ages 3 to 6, with an adult. Register by the day of the event.
• K-9 Search and Rescue Demonstration, Buckeye Woods Park, 6335 Wedgewood Road, Lafayette Township, 2 to 3 p.m., all ages welcome.


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After beating up on some of the lesser NBA teams en route to amassing a six-game winning streak, the New York Knicks were supposed to get a rude awakening by the Indiana Pacers Wednesday night. However, there was a mix-up on the exact timing of the wake-up call, perhaps because the staff confused A.M. and P.M., but the Knicks have yet to wake up from their dream run this season. On Wednesday, instead of seeing their winning streak come to an end, the Knicks prolonged it by knocking off the Pacers 92-86.
In winning the game, the Knicks not only went head-to-head with a top NBA team and came out on top, but they also reversed another season-long trend: making a series of fourth quarter mistakes to seal their own defeat. From the moment the tip-off had begun the game, the Knicks were ready for action and used the first half of the contest to build up a double-digit lead; in constructing that advantage, the Knicks were led by Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire, who chipped in with 28 of the Knicks' 47 first-half point total.
The Knicks were not all offense all the time in the first half, though. Although the offensive exploits of Anthony and Stoudemire definitely propelled the team to their 12-point first half lead, it was a lead that would never have gotten out of the starting gates without some exceptional defense played by the usually defensive-deficient club. In the first half, the Knicks held the Pacers to a lowly 14 of 34 from the field; exacerbating the Pacers' offensive woes in the first half were their 10 turnovers.
Of course, the Pacers are not exactly such an abysmal offensive unit and the Knicks are not actually of the Chicago Bulls caliber when it comes to defending opponents so it was really a matter of time before the Pacers were able to score with the ease that other Knicks opponents have, thus providing the Pacers with the impetus to close the deficit between the two clubs.
And with 10:53 remaining in the fourth quarter, a Paul George shot made it a one-point game, the closest the Pacers had been to the Knicks since 5:55 left in the first quarter. Normally, with an opponent having walked down the Knicks and there being so much time remaining in the game, the Knicks would have imploded and let the Pacers walk away with another win.
On Wednesday, though, a more resilient Knicks was on the court and they beat back the Pacers' advances by hitting clutch baskets and getting timely defensive stops. After George's make, the Knicks scored eight straight points to strengthen their lead while the Pacers went on to miss their next four field goal attempts. When the Knicks were at their most vulnerable, the Pacers were unable to finish them off and the Knicks took advantage by going on enough mini-runs for the rest of the quarter to seal the victory.
With a victory like that, the Knicks are right on the cusp of making NBA followers believers in the idea that they are actually turning their season around enough to make a push for the Eastern Conference's last playoff seed. Right now, the Knicks are four games back of the Atlanta Hawks with 14 games to play. It will be an uphill climb to knock off the Hawks for the eighth seed, but if the Knicks can continue to play as they have of late, then it is becoming more and more of a possibility.


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A lot of people were upset when "Real Housewives of New Jersey" started without Caroline Manzo, one of the show's most popular housewives. So if you're needing your Manzo fix about now, set your alarms for Sunday, Oct. 5, 9 p.m. eastern time on Bravo, for the premier of "Manzo'd With Children."
This show will feature Caroline Manzo and hubby Al Sr. but promises a lot more. All hell literally breaks loose when sons Albie and Chris move back home to taunt Sister Lauren. Well, that's not the only reason but, if you have similar age kids or sibs, you know there's going to be a lot of that.
Now it's Caroline's job to keep the peace among three opinionated and so-called adult kids. In a classic case of be careful what you wish for, Caroline says, "I always secretly wished that my boys would come back home."
Along with the return of the boys, daughter Lauren is going to be planning her wedding to boyfriend Vito Scalia. Albie already has an opinion on that. "You really gotta calm it down with the Bridezilla nonsense." And that's one of the nicer comments.
Watch the preview clip HERE if you want to see the fur truly fly in the Manzo household. If language bothers you, maybe you shouldn't watch the clip. Yes, the censors have bleeped and blurred, but you'll figure it out. "The same kids I gave birth to are trying to kill me," Caroline jokes.
You will get all the Caroline Manzo you loved in "Real Housewives of New Jersey," plus now you get the spawn in every single episode. And if you've seen her kids when they appeared on "RHONJ," you know that subtlety is not their strong suit. It's not Caroline's either. Talking about Albie's new girlfriend, Caroline describes her as "a living beer commercial."
All the craziness of "Manzo'd With Children" begins on Sunday night, Oct. 5, at 9 p.m. on Bravo TV.
QUOTE SOURCE: US Magazine
Suggested Links
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- Joe Manganiello of 'True Blood' named People magazine's hottest bachelor
- New Seth Rogen film called an 'act of war' by North Korea
- Friendship split: Maks Chmerkovskiy and Kirstie Alley part ways over Scientology
- Bruno Mars' music helps girl recover from brain injury; honors her at concert


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Tenacious D are headlining a benefit concert in conjunction with Stand With Haiti, and they aren't showing up alone. Jack Black has also recruited some of his other Hollywood friends. New guest appearances seem to be added by the day, with Russell Brand and Ben Stiller some of the latest additions. At $40 a ticket, the event is meant to provide a start-studded good time for Los Angeles locals while raising more money for Haiti relief through Partners in Health.
Here's full list of famous faces scheduled to support Tenacious:
Frank Black
Russell Brand
Aimee Mann
James Mercer
Bob Odenkirk
Patton Oswalt
Maya Rudolph
Jason Segel
Ben Stiller
Tickets are still available for anyone looking for a productive and enjoyable way to spend a night out in Hollywood. The Wiltern is definitely going to be where the excitement's at on February 2nd.


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VLOG: Some hoops predictions
Cyclone Fanatic
Cyclone Fanatic
March Madness is upon us! How will the Cyclones do the rest of the way starting with today's game against West Virginia? That's the hot topic of conversation in this week's VLOG presented by Mr. B Clothing located at 1995 NW 86th St. in Clive, Iowa.


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You may have heard of the popular computer game World of Warcraft (WoW), which recently released its fifth expansion, which adds more quests, dungeons, and other content, in November. WoW has over 10 million players and there are few signs of this slowing down, which is impressive for a game originally released in 2004. What you might not have known is that there are complex economic and social structures in place everywhere in the game. But do these systems mirror real life in any meaningful way? I'd argue that making profit in WoW's auction house reflects on one's understanding of a free market since it employs similar principles. One Manhattan College professor recently likened playing WoW to a religious experience since it "tests a person's' ethics and values, and also gets them to think about things like environmentalism and moral issues." I'm not sure if I'd attend a WoW church service, but the game is a great example of a virtual economy and being kind (or unkind) to your neighbor. (more…)
In the video below, Ralph Baer, the "father of video games," explains why he still invents at 90 years old. "What do you expect me to do?" he asks. He likens invention to the work of a painter. Would someone ask why a painter doesn't retire? It's what they love to do! Indeed, it is a calling.
In The Entrepreneurial Vocation, Fr. Robert Sirico writes,
Entrepreneurs, as agents of change, encourage the economy to adjust to population increases, resource shifts, and changes in consumer needs and desires. Without entrepreneurs, we would face a static economic world not unlike the stagnant economic swamps that socialism brought about in central Europe.
The same can be said about inventors like Baer as well. Like them or not, video games have been a huge source of wealth creation in our country over the last 40 years. Not only are whole teams of programmers required to create a single game, but modern games even employ actors, composers, writers, artists, and so on. In many ways they are (or at least could be) the culmination of culture up to our present time, and it all started because Baer invented a fun little gadget and managed to market it some 40 years ago.
I remember as a child of the '80s, we actually had a Magnavox Odyssey 2 growing up. A child today would likely find it bizarre that I could find any enjoyment from such primitive sound, graphics, and interface, but it will always hold a special place in my heart. Yes, looking at it now, I can vividly remember the feel of the controller in my hand, the excitement of a child in wonder at what, at the time, was such amazing technology and a source of fun and competition with my brothers. It may not be impressive to many today, but inventions like this and the people who invent them ought to bring us to awe before the God who created heaven and earth and such fascinating and creative creatures as the human race, capable of wondrous invention after the image of the God who created them so fearfully and wonderfully unique.
Danny O'Dwyer of Gamespot has created an interesting video on religion in video games. As a self-described atheist, he examines the reasons why video games "haven't reached the point where Islam can be portrayed without a suicide bomb." The video also looks at various instances of religion in existing games and includes an interview with his Muslim friend Tamoor who works in the game journalism industry. You can watch his 15 minute video below.
Danny's article over at Gamespot has an interesting quote that touches on truth: "I believe ignoring an entire culture out of some fear of offending their faith is a fantastic way of promoting intolerance."
Author and editor Jonny Walls has announced his latest work published by Gray Matter Books entitled The Legend of Zelda and Theology.
Zelda is a series of video games celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, originating in 1986 with The Legend of the Zelda for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It revolutionized video games with its adventure elements and exploration. Each new installment of the series has advanced its complexity and story line. The Zelda world maintains its own unique mythology consisting of spiritual elements that don't match any existing religion. In fact, the story often mentions multiple Gods and Goddesses. The Triforce object in the game was created by divine beings and grants the owner supernatural powers depending on whether they have good or evil in their heart. The pieces of the Triforce symbolize wisdom, courage and power.
The Legend of Zelda and Theology examines elements of Zelda's mythology from a Christian perspective. Having not read the book yet, I am skeptical as to how it interprets this exotic mythology and back story as a Christian tale.
Christian Post has an article about the book with comments from Jonny Walls. In the end, the hope "is that readers will understand that [Zelda]'s themes all point to one source – God, the Creator."
The book is a compilation of essays from various theologians and scholars examining the connection between Zelda and Christian theology. One of the contributing authors is Rev. Jeremy Smith of Hacking Christianity. He posted an excerpt of his contributed essay, included below:
As a child, one of my first lessons in ethics came from a chicken in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. In the game, there are chickens called cuccos running around and I would laugh at their cries of fear while swatting them with my sword. One day I was showing my brother this hilarity when, unexpectedly, a hundred cuccos stormed on screen pecking mercilessly at me as they flew by. In an unfortunate coincidence, I was down to one or two hearts of life energy at the time and, to my childhood horror, actually died as a result of my cucco torment. It was a harsh lesson: don't mess with the cucco…or at least don't mess with them too much.
It's also a lesson on ethics because the scenario with the cucco is a question of how to use one's power. The Zelda universe is primarily a story about good v. evil, of course; but more specifically, it is a story about the use of power. One of the iconic artifacts in the Zelda universe is the Triforce: three interlocked triangles who grant the bearer significant power. The protagonist Link thus embarks on the hero's journey from powerless to merely underpowered compared to the antagonist Ganon.
The ethical considerations of the use of power are a persistent theme in the Zelda series, in general, and Link to the Past, in particular. In engaging this topic, LttP contains numerous references to the Christian journey and the role of power in our everyday lives. Much of Christian theology is about good and evil, certainly, but also the use of power: the power of Christ to break the chains of sin, the power of Christians to overcome injustice and oppression, the restrictions placed on Christians in authority, etc.
Through examining the hero's journey in this story, the role of power comes to the forefront: what does power do to corrupt or purify one's desires? We will outline three problems of this particular world that serve as lenses to our own ethical behavior in the analog world.
Interestingly, the theme of power that Jeremy mentions here relates directly to Lord Acton's famous quote:
Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupt absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority; still more when you superadd the tendency of the certainty of corruption by authority.
Zelda is a work of fiction. Fiction is self referencing, according to Marilynne Robinson's article in the New York Times article about what literature owes the Bible:
Every fiction is a leap in the dark, and a failed grasp at seriousness is to be respected for what it attempts. In any case, these references demonstrate that in the culture there is a well of special meaning to be drawn upon that can make an obscure death a martyrdom and a gesture of forgiveness an act of grace. Whatever the state of belief of a writer or reader, such resonances have meaning that is more than ornamental, since they acknowledge complexity of experience of a kind that is the substance of fiction.
I'll definitely be checking out this book, being an avid Zelda fan and a Christian. As of this writing the book is on Amazon, but it's not available for order right now. What do you think? Is this book something that can help young people who might not know much about Christianity, or is it too much of a stretch?
I made a mental note of it awhile back when I heard that there was a "Christian" version of the immensely popular Guitar Hero video game franchise in the works. Wired recently reviewed Guitar Praise – Solid Rock here.
Reviewer Eliot Van Buskirk notes that Guitar Praise "inhabits a gentler world where a bad performance gets you mild clapping and gentle suggestions instead of the raucous boos and catcalls that accompany failure in Guitar Hero."
There are two conditions that would have to be met before I would consider purchase of this game.
First, this song from Sonseed would have to be included:
Zap! (For some reason hearing that song always reminds me of this SNL skit [video here]…and since we're closing in on Christmas, even better.)
And second, I'd have to receive a standing offer to play Guitar Praise on stage as part of my church's praise and worship team.
On a more serious note, this is a great example of how "evangelical" culture is so often derivative of popular culture (in a bad way) and dated (also in a bad way). Somehow I don't think "Christian" Guitar Hero is what Andy Crouch has in mind for fulfillment of the call for Christians to be "culture makers."
It took awhile, but after its release in 2005, the latest installment of the popular computer game Civilization IV was received warmly by many cultural commentators. Civilization IV, or CivIV for short, was hailed alternatively as "a video game for the ages," and "a kind of social-sciences chessboard that blends history and logic into a game that demands a long, long attention span." The basis for much of this regard among even conservatives as "crunchy" as Rod Dreher was a piece in the Weekly Standard, highlighting the background of the game's founder, Sid Meier.
For the first time, religion plays an important part in the strategic gameplay. Victorino Matus sums it up this way,
Religion plays a major role in Civilization and can be more vital to victory than military prowess. Competing civilizations can send out missionaries, found a religion, create temples, cathedrals, and even launch crusades. Meier is quick to point out, however, that the role of religion is just another dimension to gameplay.
Indeed, while CivIV deserves praise for integrating non-material elements like religion and culture into the gameplay, in the end these pieces suffer the same fate as the rest of the game's components. CivIV, ultimately, is less about the development of civilization than it is about the expansion of imperial tyranny.
The game begins by the player being vested with "absolute power" over all aspects of the lives of the citizenry. Religion quickly becomes a means of social control. When your civilization founds a religion, you are able to build structures that have other important benefits attached to them. You can spread your religion to neighboring civilizations, expanding your influence. But it doesn't matter which religion you prefer, as long as it keeps your people happy.
And happiness, by the way, is something that can be bought in this game. If your citizenry is a little restless, simply up the percentage of money spent each turn on "culture," and watch the happy faces multiply. That's the CivIV equivalent of Caesar holding gladiatorial games at the Colosseum to appease the populace.
There are consequences to which sort of economy, government, technology, and religion you choose. But in the end all these choices are yours, and you are free to use whichever combination you find to be most expedient. The variety of game-ending scenarios, including world domination, UN diplomacy, and space-race technology races (which may indeed teach us something we need to know), mean that you don't have to simply hack and slash your way to victory. But make no mistake about it, you are out to conquer your opponents, by any means necessary.
The popularity of the game, which has won numerous awards and spawned successful expansions, is well-deserved. It taps in to a fundamental human drive for dominance in a way that promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
The revisionist history that is possible to reenact with the game is one of its greatest attractions. While it may cause some cognitive dissonance to see Mohandas Ghandi order an nuclear ICBM attack on an opponent's city, it is also reassuring to know that Genghis Khan can expand his empire by means of free trade and cultural suasion rather than force of arms (although in some cases "revisionist" history ends up corresponding better to reality than accepted theories).
The game's interface is straightforward and intuitive. One drawback of the game's emphasis on strategy over action is that the conflict sequences are repetitive and buggy. The graphics when units are in battle leave much to be desired.
These tactical criticisms aside, however, CivIV is a superb game. But the adeptness with which it meets the deepest human desires for power and control teaches us as much about ourselves as it does about the progressive unfolding of history.
During a recent family trip to visit relatives, we settled down for a night of wholesome family entertainment to watch "Inside Man" (well, maybe not all that wholesome; it is a film about a bank robbery, after all). This post has almost nothing to do with the plot of the movie, so if you haven't seen it, don't fret. It is a film worth queuing on your Netflix, however, and I recommend it despite the fact that I don't much care for Spike Lee films.
In any case, at one point in the film a young black kid is playing a video game on a portable game unit. We get a closeup of the game, wherein Matthew (played by Amir Ali Said), is controlling a car full of gang members about to do a drive-by shooting. As the car approaches the target, instructions flash prominently on the game screen, "Kill 'dat [N-word]!!!" Matthew, good at following directions, manipulates a few buttons, thereby moving one of the gang members to shoot the mark in the head, thereby pasting "cherry pie" all over the outside of the building.
There's an interesting conversation between Matthew and one of the bank robbers at this point in the movie, but I want to pass along what happened in the real world later. After the film ended, I asked our relatives if they knew what real video game Spike Lee was parodying. They answered negatively, and I said, "It's the one the kids are playing in the next room." Sure enough, some of our family's kids, as well as some neighbors, were huddled around a console playing Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
This game was originally released with an ESRB rating of "M" for "Mature," then was readjusted to "Adults Only," after the political brouhaha, and then re-released as "M". In any case, there is a great deal of violence in the game, and at least some of the children playing it in my family's house were well under even the "M" age rating (17 years and older). The parents had no real knowledge about the content or the themes of the game.
This situation is no doubt repeated innumerable times all over the country on a daily basis. That's why it's nice to see some recognition in the debate about censorship of video games of the necessary role parents play. NPR's Future Tense has noted the release of the 11th annual video game report card by the National Institute on Media and the Family.
According to the report card, the latest installment reflects a change in focus, in which the institute "acknowledge[s] the strides" taken by retailers and the video game industry. This year, the challenge is put forth to parents: "Simply put, parents need to step up to the plate and the experts need to conduct more and better research."
Indeed, the report card grades "Parental Involvement," as an "INCOMPLETE," saying, "Parents could be, and should be, doing a lot better, but at least part of their failure can be attributed to the confusion created by the game makers." The cacophony of voices clamoring for the authority to be passed on to some other institution makes the institute regard lack of parental involvement in the context of such extenuating circumstances. That's why parents don't get a failing grade this year.
All this finally reflects the truth of the matter, I think, that parents bear the primary and ultimate responsibility for the education and moral formation of their children. In this day and age, that education and formation is conducted within a world pervaded by use of technology. It's our calling and challenge as parents to make sure that we use computers, video games, and other technologies prudently.


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A business needs access to available capital to grow and be competitive. When your firm needs financing for new equipment, working capital or to purchase a commercial building, consider an SBA Loan with 1st Capital Bank. We are deeply committed to providing an exceptional level of service through fast, in-house decision making.
The Small Business Administration does not make direct loans to small businesses. Rather, SBA sets the guidelines for loans, which are then made by partners like 1st Capital Bank. So when a business applies for an SBA loan, it is actually applying for a commercial loan, structured according to SBA requirements with an SBA guaranty.
1st Capital offers both 7(a) and 504 loan options.
7(a) Loans
If you are approved for a 7(a) loan, the loan proceeds may be used to establish a new business or to assist in the acquisition, operation, or expansion of an existing business. Some eligible uses of a 7(a) loan include: commercial real estate acquisition, new construction or facility expansion, equipment purchase, long or short term working capital, and purchase of an existing business.
504 Loans
The 504 Loan Program provides approved small businesses with long-term, fixed-rate financing used to acquire fixed assets for expansion or modernization. These loans are typically structured so that the borrower's obligation is only 10% of the project costs, though under certain circumstances a borrower may be obligated to up to 20%.
What you need to get started:
The USDA Business and Industry Loan Guarantee (USDA B&I) program guarantees loans made by 1st Capital Bank to businesses to benefit rural communities. The programs primary purpose is to create and maintain employment while helping improve the economic climate of the rural communities 1st Capital Bank serves. Please note: A company's inability to obtain other credit is NOT a requirement.
To be eligible, a business must meet the following basic criteria:
B&I Loan Proceeds can be used for:
Loan guarantees are limited to a maximum of $10 million per borrower, although the Rural Business-Cooperative Programs Administrator can grant up to $25 million.
California Coastal Rural Development Corporation (Cal Coastal) is a California chartered nonprofit public-benefit corporation servicing the financial needs of small businesses and farmers. The corporation provides loan guarantees to businesses located on the Central Coast. Cal Coastal currently operates six (6) loan programs. The typical loan range is from $5,000 to $5,000,000, and can be utilized for building purchase, machinery and equipment, inventory, or working capital.
This is the time to take advantage of record low interest rates with a lender who has money to lend. We can offer you a no-cost, no obligation loan evaluation. Contact a Relationship Manager at your branch of account to schedule an appointment that fits your schedule.


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More New and Used
from Private Sellers
Note: Supplemental materials are not guaranteed with Rental or Used book purchases.
Crazy Lace: An Artistic Approach to Creative Lace Knitting
ISBN13:by Wood, Myra
Crazy Lace is a radical departure from the usual pre-designed patterns. Learn how to have fun and be creative while knitting lace.Discover the wonderful world of improvisational knitting and find your own style emerge, whether symmetrically or completely randomly. Using "Lace Logic", you'll quickly learn how different types of lace patterns are created. Explore unlimited approaches to create lace treasures from your own designs.Detailed instructions include adapting existing lace patterns, charting entirely new patterns on the fly or just winging it freestyle without any charts at all. Also included are ten complete directions for basic shapes that can be used with any Crazy Lace approach for gorgeous shawls, scarves and stoles.Filled with luscious photography and detailed illustrations, this book will become a treasured tool for beginning lace knitters as well as seasoned heirloom knitters who want to break out of the box and try something different. Filled with inspiration, this is the perfect book for discovering the artistic approach to Creative Lace Knitting.
Author Biography
Myra Wood is an internationally known fiber & bead artist and designer. She teaches a wide range of classes in beading, embroidery, crochet and knitting, specializing in all things freeform. She's been a guest instructor on eight episodes of Knitty Gritty and Uncommon Threads for the DIY & HGTV networks along with publishing a number of jewelry and wearables patterns in a wide range of books and magazines. Myra has been crocheting, sewing and crafting since she was young and enjoys any opportunity to inspire others creatively. She is also the moderator for the International Freeform Guild with over 1500 members worldwide and coordinator for their annual national shows. Galleries of her work can be seen at myrawood.com


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Unable to plant seed after unignoring them
Hi guys
During my Mandarin Reading Survival course I ignored a couple of words. Recently I've unignored them but I'm unable to plant them. They show up as seeds and I'm able to press the button to plant them, but after doing the exercise they are still under the "Seed" tab (and not in the Greenhouse). Could somebody please help me with my issue?
can you report this on the main forum listing under "Bugs". Others (people who may not be learning Mandarin) may have the same problem or know how to solve it. Even if the Memrise users can't help, Ben or one of the Memrise admins should be able to see it far quicker there than on this forum.
I'm really sorry that you are having this problem - could you possibly past in a link to the words that you are having trouble with? (If you click on the words in the "seeds" view then that will open up the wiki page for them, that is the link I need). I will look into this and get it fixed for you ASAP,
Best wishes
Hello @jenniferhunter Thanks for the notice! :) @benwhately The course is http://www.memrise.com/set/524/mandarin-reading-survival/, in particular the words meat (http://www.memrise.com/item/201243/meat-17/) and beef (http://www.memrise.com/item/14790/beef/). Many thanks for your help as well!
@stupidSpeep, I think that we have got this fixed now, could you try it again, and let me know if you are still having problems,
Best wishes
@benwhately Thank you for your effort, but unfortunately the problem still persists :S Exactly the same situation as described before.. Regards
Thank you for that - we will look at it again right away!
Best wishes
Hi Ben I don't know if you've changed something over night, but it worked (a couple of minutes ago). I was able to plant the seeds. But I've to add that I did not have to practice them - they went straight (after the initial exercise) to the garden. Anyway many thanks for your help!
Kind regards


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As well as Jared Leto and Thirty Seconds to Mars have been doing over the last several years, I think we lose sight that he is also an actor. He was on Ellen and Conan this week talking about his new movie "Dallas Buyer's Club" staring Matthew McConaughey. The movie comes out November 1st.
Here's the trailer for the movie:
Return to: Kinard's Blog Blog


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VOICES: David Diesslin, On Investing In Human Capital
David Diesslin is the founder and owner of Fort Worth, Texas-based Diesslin & Associates. He received an MBA from the University of Dallas and is a licensed real estate broker and certified financial planner. He talked to WSJ Financial Adviser about why financial service firms should take advantage of the growing crop of highly qualified job-seekers.
Right now we have a tremendous opportunity: We've got high unemployment, particularly in the financial service sector, and highly qualified job applicants who are available at very reasonable compensation structures. People just want to work, and they'll work hard. I think this could be the best time in 20 years to acquire talented employees.
We have 15 employees at our firm – soon to be 17. We're currently in the process of hiring, and we're finding absolutely, incredibly qualified applicants to hire, which is fascinating. The last time we went looking for employees, in 2001 and 2002, there weren't many people in this business who wanted to work for a small firm. It seemed like the larger firms offered much higher salaries, and had more ambitious goals for bringing in new people. There was probably a 1% employment in our field at that time, and the people that were looking for work weren't necessarily the people you wanted to find.
We brought on one employee last year, hired another who will start in January, and now we're looking for one more. Once we finish the hiring process, we'll have a net gain of one employee during the economic downturn.
Our firm is getting to the size where real management is necessary, rather than just guidance, so that's a concern as we consider new employees. Three of our four principal partners are in the 58 to 65 age range and the other is in his 40s. So we've been pleased to find young applicants who could be capable someday as managing partners.
There's always that choice of whether to bring in somebody that you need to vet and train or somebody who's got lots of experience. Because we have very low turnover, we think it's better to bring in new people who will extend what our existing people are doing, and then train them over the following years.
If you're of the mind to continue growing your business and you're looking for a smart investment, I think human capital looks to be the most promising investment that we can make today.


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We are currently in the process of upgrading our office server. Our current setup is a Snap Server 410 but we are looking to take a massive step forward in terms of speed.
We are a design studio and all our computers are Macs (about 20 of them) which brings me to my question, what advantages would we get switching to an OS X server, SNAP offer a high grade server 'Snap Server 650' http://www.overlandstorage.com/US/products/ss650.html which is a far cheaper option but would it compare to the OS X server?
Thanks Tom


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The Localist: Tribal Cold-Pressed Juices
The onset of a new year often leaves me feeling resolute. I reflect on the prior twelve months and often scour up resolutions to follow in hopes of improved wellness. One focus this year is to be more health conscious and develop an awareness of the foods I put into my body. One change I vowed to make was to moderate my taco, cheeseburger, and barbeque intake and replace it with vegetable juices and vegan fare.Read More


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Office: Kimbrough 447
Dr. Julie Anne Wieck
Associate Professor of Music
Dr. Julie Anne Wieck is an Associate Professor of Music at Washington State University. She teaches studio voice and directs the opera and musical theatre productions. Before coming to WSU in the fall of 1996, she taught at the University of Evansville in Evansville, Indiana.
Dr. Wieck received her Bachelors in Music Education at University of South Dakota-Vermillion. After teaching public school for two years, she attended University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she received a Master of Music degree and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance. She has studied voice with Sylvia Plyler at University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Donna Harler-Smith at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Sharon Papian at University of South Dakota-Vermillion.
On the stage, Dr. Wieck has performed leading roles in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, Verdi's Falstaff, Menotti's The Telephone and Amahl and the Night Visitors,Weill's Street Scene, Herbert's Naughty Marietta, Floyd's Susannah, Strauss's Die Fledermaus and Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel. She has also appeared as a soloist with several orchestras, in Bach's B Minor Mass, Mendelssohn's Midsummer Night's Dream, Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, Poulenc's Gloria, Verdi's Requiem, Bizet's Carmen, Tchaikovsky's "Letter Scene" from Eugene Onegin and various operatic arias. She has traveled internationally, performing in Canada, Russia, Ukraine,Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary. Dr. Wieck has recently been researching and performing music by Ukrainian composers after spending her professional leave in Kyiv, Ukraine, collaborating with faculty and students at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory or National Music Academy of Ukraine.
Dr. Wieck is an active recitalist, adjudicator and clinician throughout the region and President of the Inland Empire Regional Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. She is also a frequent presenter as a member at National Association for Music Educators Conferences.


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Vol 8 No. 13 - December 19, 2007
By Louise Bolger
sun staff writer
Christmas is less than a week away, but there are thousands of families that may be getting a visit from the Grinch rather than Santa. The deflating housing bubble is not only wrecking a lot of homeowners'Christmases, it's also creating a housing Grinch for renters.
All across the country there are renters that are losing their homes, not because they didn't meet their monthly obligations, but because their landlords didn't meet theirs.
Through no fault of their own, these renters are the casualties of the foreclosure war we're fighting. Unaware that the property was going into foreclosure, a renter promptly paid his monthly rent to the owner. Frequently, the first indication he has is when he receives a letter or knock on the door from a representative of the owner's mortgage lender, who has now taken over the property.
Typically lenders evict tenants, even those with valid leases, in order sell the property. This is especially true if the property has not been maintained by the owner and requires repairs before getting it on the market.
Unfortunately, many renters do not have the means to quickly find a new house or apartment to rent, which generally requires them to remit first and last month's rent up front.
I handled hundreds of foreclosed properties for lenders in the early 1990s in New York, and it was not uncommon for the lender to offer some compensation to the tenant in order to encourage him to voluntarily vacate before an eviction. Last month the House of Representatives proposed a bill as part of a larger mortgage act that included protections for renters. The lending industry naturally opposes this bill, which would allow tenants up to six months after forecloseure to remain in the property.
The mortgage crisis is still unfolding, but the Mortgage Bankers Association found that one in eight foreclosures were non-owner occupied. This is probably an underestimated number, since not all owners disclose that their properties are rentals.
In addition, the run up of the real estate market included many small investors who have not been able to keep up with their mortgage payments and have let their rental properties go into foreclosure, usually without advising their tenants.
Renters may not have a lot of rights if they're caught up in a foreclosure process, but they can keep their eyes and ears open for potential signs. Maintaining an open line of communication with the landlord could give you some insight into his financial position. Not responding to requested repairs or terminating weekly and monthly landscapers could indicate a problem, as well as phone calls to your number for the landlord.
If you as a renter have a suspicion that the property you're leasing may be going into foreclosure, you can check online for lis pendens actions and actual foreclosure sales. Manatee County's Web site can be searched by property address for any lawsuits and liens filed against an individual or property.
Every economic shift affects people who don't necessarily deserve it, and renters are the collateral damage of the fiscal crisis we're currently living through. Don't let the Grinch steal your Christmas. Stay alert to a potential problem. Happy holidays to all.


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Josh Nelson (featuring Sara Gazarek): Leaving Here
Leaving Here
Josh Nelson (featuring Sara Gazarek)
Let it Go (Native Language NLM 0969)
Josh Nelson (piano), Sara Gazarek (vocals), Anthony Wilson (guitar), Darek 'Oles' Oleszkiewicz (bass), Matt Wilson (drums),
and the Supernova String Quartet (Robert Anderson – violin; Reiko Nakano – violin, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson – viola, Jacob Szekely – cello).
Composed by Josh Nelson.
Recorded: San Clemente, CA, January-March 2007
Rating: 90/100 (learn more)
Josh Nelson is one of the most talented of the new generation of Los Angeles pianists. But on this track he steps into the background and casts the limelight on singer Sara Gazarek and guitarist Anthony Wilson -- guest artists who do a superb job interpreting Nelson's poignant composition "Leaving Here." I have remarked elsewhere on Gazarek's skillful jazz hermeneutics, her ability to inhabit a lyric, which she demonstrates again on this track. The words to this song are mostly a string of threadbare poetic images, but Gazarek makes them into something special. And Wilson once again shows why singers from Diana Krall to Al Jarreau seek him out as an accompanist. I am not sure the string quartet adds much to the proceedings, but they merely tiptoe around the borders of the performance without distracting from the magic of the masters at work.
Reviewer: Ted Gioia
If you liked this track, also check out
- Sara Gazarek: And So It Goes
- Sara Jones (with The Young Brothers): Skylark
- Melissa Stylianou: Them There Eyes
Related Links
The State of Jazz Vocals Today by Ted Gioia
Jazz Vocals in the New Millennium: Selected Listening by Ted Gioia
// Jan 25, 2008 at 03:40 AM


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FREE T-Shirt at the Gap on 5/26/12Written by Freebie Finder on May 24, 2012 – 2:00 pm
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Get FREE T-Shirt be one of the first 50 people in select Gap and GapBody stores in the U.S. on Saturday, May 26th. (Gap Outlet are not participating).
Participating stores are located in the New York, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami and Philadelphia metro areas. Be sure to call your local Gap store, to see if they are participating. Gap Locator
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The Suitcase Party is an aviation themed fundraiser. The public is welcome to buy tickets to the Valley's premier plane party. The sixth annual Phoenix Suitcase party will take place on the 4th of April this year.
If you have never been to this event before, be sure to make it this year. With the purchase of your ticket, you will be entered into a drawing. Be sure to pack your suitcase, because the winner of the drawing will be whisked away on a private plane for the weekend! Where will you be taken? Well, that is part of the excitement.
With the proceeds earned from the event, the Phoenix Suitcase parties continually support the Phoenix Children's Hospital. There will be a Silent Auction at this years party, in previous years, items for auction included signed sports memorabilia.
The Phoenix Suitcase party offers your ticket to a luxurious weekend! Even if you do not win the drawing, attending the party is a unique experience, as the whole evening takes place inside an airport hanger.