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I first came across this product on an American forum, where this product has reached cult status- people order crates of the stuff and have it shipped at extortionate rates over to the States. With such a following, and for the rather small price of 1.49, I decided that I had to try a pot of the stuff. My decision was accelerated because I'd just found out that my previously favourite product, MOP curling creme, had been discontinued, and I was in desperate search of a replacement. MOP normally sets me back about 11 pounds a tube, so for 1.49 I felt I really couldn't lose.
Boots Essentials Curl Creme is baby pink in colour, matching the rest of the Essentials range, and comes in a 250g clear plastic pot with a screw lid. It used to contain silicones, but they have taken these out, making the product much easier to wash out of your hair with each shampoo.
I need to use about a pound coin size on my hair, so a pot lasts me around 4 months, making it rather fantastic value for money. I put the creme on wet but not dripping hair, comb it lightly through, and either let it dry naturally or diffuse it. I think that whether or not you like this product depends on the kind of hair you have- if you have essentially straight hair, and are trying to use this product to make it curly, I don't think this product will work for you. If, however, you have thick or abundant curls, and want to lose some frizz and add definition, as is the case with my hair, then I think you will be impressed. I found that this product performed equally as well as Tigi or MOP, and an advantage of this product is that it can be used wet or dry, so if I need a bit more definition when I've finished diffusing, I simply scrunch a little bit more in.
One drawback of this product is that because of the high alcohol content, it is slightly drying. I combat this by using an intensive conditioner, and having a break from the product every few days, and then I've found that my hair is fine with it. I've also mixed it with a silicone free serum to add a bit more definition.
Overall I would say give this product a go- in the worst case you lose 1.49 and in the best you've got a bargain product that still performs as well as the A-listers.
I am a big fan of the essentials range at Boots. They do loads of different beauty products which cost a fraction of the big brands and normally are just as good. Unfortunately I wasn't a fan of the curling crème as I just didn't think it was as good a quality as the rest of the essentials range.
It has the same low price as the other products in the essentials range and costs £1.49 for a tub. The crème is designed to smooth hair and help rid it of frizz while helping to hold curls in place.
I think this is more suitable for people with natural curls. I have wavy hair and I like to curl it myself with either my tongs or my straighteners and I had hoped that this would help to give my curls some definition and help stop them from falling out.
Failing that I hoped it might just make my natural waves more defined if I used this on my hair while wet and blow dried it more wild than I would normally have it.
Unfortunately when I tried doing it this way I was left with hair which resembled a shaggy dog as my hair just looked wild with no definition to the waves and no smoothness to it. I had to then use my hair straighteners to make it look presentable before I could even leave the house.
When I used it for trying to do curls with my tongs it felt like it was too heavy for my hair and weighed it down too much as the curls fell out much quicker than they normally would have even with the use of some hair spray.
I know that I am probably not the intended buyer of this crème but even when used on my wavy hair if was useless so I can't imagine using this if I had a mane of natural curls as it wasn't smoothing enough of the frizz and didn't make my hair glossy and bouncy.
Regular readers of my reviews will no doubt be aware by now that I have long, curly, unruly hair that is prone to dryness, coarseness and frizz. It takes a lot of time, energy and products to tame it in any way and I have tried dozens over the years in attempt to transform my locks from big ball of frizz to sleek, defined and smooth curls.
One product that I come back to time and time again is this Boots Curling Cream (now called Curl Creme). As part of the Essentials range, it is one of their 'value' products and I was first attracted to it by the price. Nowadays, with all the celebrity hair dressers it is all too easy to get tempted by their own products and to end up paying a fortune for something that doesn't give the results you hope for so it was quite refreshing to find something like this in a lower price bracket.
As it is a Boots own brand product it is obviously only available from Boots shops or their online store (although it is currently out of stock due to supply issues but Boots reassures me they're working to correct that and it should be available again soon). Priced at only £1.32 for a 250ml tub it is excellent value and definitely won't break the bank if you fancy giving it a try yourself.
The Curl Creme comes in a clear plastic tub with a screw top lid which I really like. Not only is it easy to see how much of the cream you have left but it is also really easy to control how much of the product you use at a time and to get every last bit out of the bottom. I generally prefer flip top lids on cosmetics and toiletries as you invariably have hands covered in some sort of gloop when you're trying to close it up again. With this curl cream however, I tend to use three or four smaller fingerfuls of it rather than one big blob so it is handy that it can be left standing open on the dressing table until you've applied enough to your hair. I then tend to wait until my hair styling process is finished before washing my hands and rescrewing the lid on.
The cream itself is a soft pink colour, reminding me somewhat of bubble gum. It has quite a thick consistency so it is definitely more of a cream than a mousse and is almost pearlescent in appearance - sort of shiny, almost like a blancmange...well, not that I've ever eaten blancmange but it's how I imagine a blancmange to look! The smell of it is quite nice too and whilst it's not a particular strong scent it's quite sweet and floral without being too overpowering which is good as it does tend to linger on my locks for quite a while afterwards.
To apply this curl creme I simply run it through my freshly washed and towel dried hair, making sure I coat all of my hair evenly from roots to the ends. This involves tipping my hair upside down to make sure I don't miss the underneath as well. Because I have such long hair (it comes to about halfway down my back) and it is quite thick I tend to use quite a lot of this cream so a tub usually lasts me about 2 months with using it 2 or 3 times a week. But, being the price it is, this is still really good value as far as I'm concerned!
Boots claim that this cream will "control and nourish to smooth away frizziness, enhance shine and hold your curl without weighing it down". Everything that a curly top like me wants from a curl cream really, but which very few actually deliver. But do you know what? By golly this one does deliver! It really does do exactly what it says on the tin...or tub if you're being pedantic!
When I've used this cream my curls are left looking defined and much smoother without any tell tale signs of frizz. other products I've used in the past have also achieved this but most of them either leave your hair so heavy that the curls get weighted down or leave my hair feeling really hard and crisp or really sticky. This one doesn't do any of that. It leaves my hair feeling soft, my curls feeling bouncy and just overall makes my hair feel and look really healthy.
I usually either leave my hair to dry naturally or, when I can be bothered, twirl each curl individually around my finger to make them more of a corkscrew curl and this cream works equally well with both styles; When left to dry naturally my curls are much softer whilst still being defined and when twirled into corkscrews they're unbelievably bouncy and frizz free. The fact that I can achieve both these looks without my hair feeling really sticky or hard is amazing to me!
I tend to wash my hair every three days as it is such a chore and this cream will last the full three days without needing reapplying. On the other two days I tend to give my hair a quick spritz with a spray of water as just the act of sleeping on it can make some parts of my hair slightly frizzy again. But once I've lightly coated my hair with a mist of water it is once again easy to smoothe my hands over and tame any stray hairs.
In case you hadn't noticed, I actually love this cream and would go so far as to call it a miracle product for curly hair. I have tried many over the years (and do still experiment if something catches my eye) but this is one that I keep coming back to time and again and writing this review has made me realise just how good it is and to wonder why I bother with anything else!
For me it's a winner on all counts - packaging, price, performance and effects on my hair. It does exactly what I want a product such as this to do and all for less than £1.50. I don't think you can argue with that!
Rave reviews
I read so many rave reviews of this curl creme, including on this website, that I felt I had to try it out for myself. I have naturally curly hair, and after washing it I always leave it to dry naturally. If I brush it or blowdry it, I end up with a big fluffy ball of frizz! To help keep it in line, I always apply a product (or sometimes even two!) to my hair while it is still wet, and I always use cream formula products, as these work best for me. Mousses, gels and so on just won't work on my hair.
This cream is designed for naturally curly or permed hair and, according to the Boots website, it "controls and nourishes to smooth away frizziness, enhance shine and hold your curl without weighing it down". And best of all, a 250ml tub of the cream costs a mere £1.32 (with which you will also get four Boots Advantage Card points).
Gloopy cream
Well, this all sounded too good to be true but at such a low price I was more than willing to give it a go. The cream itself is a pale pink colour and the packaging is very basic, as you would expect for this price. You can use it on either damp or dry hair, but I used it on my hair while it was still wet
The cream itself has a slightly gloopy texture, and has a nice fresh and clean fragrance. I applied a small amount to my hair, smoothing it through to the ends and also smoothing a little over the top of my hair to keep my frizzies in check. I then left my hair to dry naturally as normal.
Once my hair was dry, I have to say I was sadly quite disappointed with the results of this. Although it did define my curls nicely, it made them feel a bit sticky and unpleasant, and it felt as if this weighed my hair down quite a bit. It didn't feel at all soft and I was very aware that I had product in my hair which is a sensation I don't like!
One of the reasons I always use cream-based styling products in my hair is that I usually find these leave my hair feeling softer than with mousses or gels, but this really felt to me like a gel - a bit sticky and not soft to the touch. Despite trying the cream a few times I had this same feeling with it every time and I just didn't get on with it at all.
In summary...
All in all I am obviously very disappointed with this cream. It did help to define my curls but I just didn't like the way it felt. However, I would still suggest people with unruly curls give this a go as all hair is different so it may well work for others - as the positive reviews I have seen suggest! And as it is such a cheap product you haven't got much to lose if it doesn't work for you. But sadly for me, it wasn't to be.
Boots Essentials Curl Creme.
When wet, my hair naturally curls and every so often I did want to keep it styled that way, but I can only achieve this with the help of hairspray and mousse. Being that my hair is long, thin and blonde, it isn't the best look. In fact with any type of hair, too much product really isn't flattering. So in the end I gave up trying and stuck mostly to straightening. (This doesn't help the thin hair problem!)
During a recent visit from my sister we nipped into boots for some girly essentials and it was then that she mentioned this product and pointed it out.
I wasn't completely convinced to be honest. My sister has naturally curly hair too, but hers is beautifully thick and dark, I thought any product she would use would be far too rich for mine, not to mention useless. But I bought it anyway. At one pound thirty-two pence for two-hundred and fifty millilitres, I could hardly grumble, if it didn't work after experimenting I could easily give it to her.
First appearances and at such a cheap price, the curl cream hadn't encouraged my hope and I cast further judgement when I eventually got home and had a proper look.
The contents are visible through the translucent container, of which is fairly large and round enough to fit a good part of your hand in. The cream itself is a lovely pale pink and smells wonderful... but it appeared thick and that worried me.
Written on the front of the tub is the Boots Essentials logo with the simple 'Curl Creme' written on its side. Next to that, horizontal, it states 'Natural control and defines.'
On the back of the container this product promises to "make the most of your natural or permed curls with this high definition styling crème. It controls and nourishes to smooth away frizziness, enhance shine and hold your curl without weighing it down." Some lengthy promise. I still wasn't convinced -such the pessimist! But I had never used a curling cream before.
Even though it states in the directions you can use this product on dry -or- damp hair, I choose the latter due to my curls only really taking form once my hair is wet. I thought it had more of a chance this way. I scrunched my hair with a towel taking the majority of wetness out of it and set about working the cream through my strands. It advises you to apply the product evenly from root to tip, but having thin hair I thought it best to work from about an inch and a half down and onto my tips.
I cautiously covered my fingertips in a thin layer of the product then began to apply. It didn't have the extreme stickiness that I initially thought it may have had and surprisingly it wasn't that thick at all. Sometime later, after my hair had dried naturally I did notice my curls had remained and my hair did look fuller without the frizziness, but parts did look greasy. This really wasn't the look I was after; I wanted touchable curls.
I decided I would keep experimenting with the product leaving a couple of days in between attempts, to see what I could manage. This was after all my first experience with curling cream.
I applied the product to my dry hair - disastrous! It was laughable; I looked like I had soaked my hair in oil. The next time I tried working it into my damp hair from route to tip, as advised, but my roots, as I'd known would- looked too greasy. I used smaller amounts, I -stupidly- used larger amounts and then one day I blow dried my hair a little after applying it. It was then I noticed what effect it took with a little heat.
The final time I experimented, I used the same technique as the first time; applying the product evenly from about an inch and a half from my roots down to the tips of my damp hair and scrunched away. I left it to dry naturally then pulled out my cheap curling tongs. I rarely curl my hair with tongs apart from the odd occasion to go out on an evening, due to the simple fact it takes too long and I have a toddler to get ready as well as myself every morning. Not to mention the fact I'm clumsy and tend to burn myself; this experiment has left me with a straight line on my neck. No more day-dreaming whilst bored using hot items anywhere near my skin!
Anyway, my hair fully dry and the product in, I began to wrap half an inch worth of strands around my curlers. I waited the usual time I would with my hair around the tongs a few times -burn caused then- and noticed a great difference in my curls than my usual efforts. I then began to shorten the time I went through the procedure and It really only took a few seconds for me to produce lovely curls that didn't appear to have any product in them at all. In the end I had a head full of bouncy -non greasy looking- curls that had the shine, wasn't frizzy and took record time to produce. The product really was that effective that my curls lasted until the next day even whilst being slept on.
I think this curling cream is great; some it has worked on without the aid of heat, maybe my hair is simply too thin for any styling product to be applied on its own. I'm excited to have my hair curly the next time I go out on an evening knowing it won't take me the usual couple of hours to get ready when I use my curling tongs. I have already applied this style to my hair the other morning before taking my son to pre-school, with time left for a brew.
Overall I'm impressed, and will be stocking up should the product ever get discontinued. (Really hoping not!)
It is a curl-enhancing creme styling product for the hair from Boots' own economy range. Designed to 'make the most of your natural or permed curls".
It comes in a see through plastic pot with a screw lid and the basic writing describing the contents. It states "natural control and defines". It holds 250ml.
It is a pink pearlescent semi-liquid texture and smells really fresh and feminine. It glides through your hair well and you only need a small amount to spread out over your whole head. It doesn't have a sticky texture.
I have naturally wavy hair and was advised by my hairdresser to buy a lightweight product like this, to apply when damp and then scrunch dry my hair with a blowdrier.
It was a pleasure to apply to my hair and was not much effort. However, that is where my enjoyment of the creme ends. I combed through with a detangling comb and started scrunching my hair whilst using a low heat setting. My hair actually started getting straighter than it usually does and just ended up scruffy and no curls.
Comparing this to when I do not use a treatment - it is usually really curly after washing and drying.
My conclusion is that this creme weighs the hair down rather than giving it a lift like needed. Boots have obviously let themselves down on this one. After reading a few of the other reviews, maybe it is just my hairtype as others seem really pleased with it. But as it has been discontinued - perhaps I am not the only one to find it useless?
This product is undoubtedly one of my favourite products for the days I decide to go curly. It costs just £1.29 for a 250ml tub and is available exclusively in Boots.
The cream is light pink (as with all of the Boots Essentials range for curling your hair) and comes in a see-through tub so you can see exactly how much you have left. The cream has quite a light pleasant scent and I do love the fact that it's pink!
The cream promises to do away with frizzy curls and give you curls which are beautifully defined instead. I have to admit that I'm one of these people who think that if you pay more for something then it will be better, so the first time I used this product (about 3 or 4 years ago) I didn't expect much but from the very first time I used it I knew that this was a good quality and effective product.
I usually scrunch the cream through my hair, then depending on what I'm doing I will either blow dry with a diffuser or leave my hair to dry naturally, either way I find that my hair is frizz-free by the time it is dry and my curls look lovely and glossy. More importantly they still look that way at the end of the day!
The only negative thing I can say is that Boots have discontinued this at least once since I have started using it and then reintroduced it. I don't know why but hopefully it's here for good this time as it's a great product and one I would recommend to anybody with curly hair who wants to have a lovely frizz free look without having to pay the price of designer products.
Boots curl cream is the best styling product for curly hair ever! My top tip is to let your hair dry first (even though it will look like a frizzy mess at first!) If you have natural curls, the minute you apply the curl cream, the curls become defined and look in great condition! Not that awful wet look some girls choose to go for! Another top tip for curly hair - get a side parting as this makes your hair look like it has a purposeful style and avoid too many really short layers at the front.
My hair when I wash it goes into beautiful ringlets alot of people would be jealous of! However that's when it's wet and well before I dry it off with a towel! When I've done that I end up with waves covered in frizz and the limpest ends you have ever seen! I hate my hair when it's unstyled it's an awful mess and it really depresses me. hence why I buy so many hair products lol
I have no choice but to style my hair every day. I really can't let it dry natural with no products because even just tying it back looks a mess with flyaways and frizz everywhere. So even for a day dossing around my house I do, if nothing else try to sort my locks out but it really isn't low maintence and I haven't as yet found an easy regime to achieve gorgeous hair and believe me I do try really hard lol!
If I'm going out of an evening I do blow dry my hair and straighten and at the moment this is on an everyday basis since meeting a lovely new man! However to get my hair straight it takes alot of hair products, very hot straighteners on 220c, a lot of perseverance and a prayer simply because my hair wants to be curly but it's actually easier to straighten it though I do get curls sprouting out and a huge cows lick no matter what I do if I'm not careful.
I've never really worn my hair curly as no matter what I use I don't get amazing results though my curls are really there! I do experiment and own alot of products of this type but as yet am still looking for something that really does work for me!
This review is also posted on Ciao under this same username.
Hence why I bought this product. Feeling brave and this being really cheap I thought it was very worth a go and I do like alot of other 'Boots Essential' hair care products (I own loads lol). If it didn't work for me.... well so what I lost £1.29 and if it did work it struck me as a bargain and it could change my hair forever... ok I'm an optamist lol
The Packaging....
250ml clear plastic, recyclable tub pretty similar to the one on the review photograph at the top of this page. The tub is identical with the screw on/off matching see through lid and the only bit that is different is the front labelling. All the writing you can see on the review photographs front isn't the same now and it's obviously been updated a bit in the packaging stakes. On the front I'm told it's Boots Essentials, Curl Creme, 'natural control and defines'. On the back I'm told how it works, how to use it, ingredients are listed, contact details for Boots are there, sized is stated (as I've listed already), the recycle symbol is on there along with a bar code. I can see the light pink shimmery cream through the tub which I like because I can see how much I've used and all in all it's simple enough packaging without looking tacky and provides me with all the information I could possibly need to know whilst remaining an economy product!
About The Product....
Make the most of your natural or permed curls with this high definition styling creme. It controls and nourishes to smooth away frizziness, enhance shine and hold your curl without weighing it down.
Directions For Use....
Use on damp or dry hair, work through evenly, from root to tip.
My Experience Using The Product....
The first thing I noticed when I first opened the tub up was the lovely fresh smell. It's floral to my nasal passages and smells a bit soapy really but it is nice and not too strong and if for any reason a guy wanted to use this he could as it's no more feminine than a lot of family shampoos and conditioners on the market at the moment in my opinion so not too feminine.
The creme itself isn't a cream as such. Don't think it's like the texture and consistency of a face cream or a body cream type of thing as it isn't. Although the consistency is rather thick it is quite greasy in appearance and shiny and of course pink and reminds me a bit of blamange only greasier lol. If you tip the jar upside with no lid on it doesn't run out though if you tip it upside down with the lid on it does eventually move of course so it's moist and its wet when you tip it onto your hands.
Now I use this after I've thoroughly washed and dried my hair and I'm happy to use this without any other products i.e heat protection spray. It doesn't say I need to use heat protection spray but at same it doesn't say anywhere on my packaging that this will protect my hair from heat damage. Though I've used this a very long time now and I haven't noticed any bad side effects to my hair so I'm happy with that and prefer not to use too many styling products on my hair on one go!
Now because this is quite greasy looking in the pot I don't use much as I do suffer with greasy roots after a few hours of washing my hair and I use about the size of a 10p (if that). I rub it between my hands first so I can easily spread it and it goes white and soapy looking though without the bubbles of course lol. I then gently run it through combed or brushed hair evenly coating every strand I can and the colour vanishes in easily without me rubbing it hard at all. As I do this I coax my hair into curls by cupping it and scrunching as I go, paying attention to my straggly ends in particular. You can feel the product in the hair and you can feel where is has and hasn't coated. Curls appear more defined and controlled and frizz is banished completely to my eyes but you do have to be gentle when applying it and hair feels a little bit greasy and hydrated.
Now please be aware that you get the best out of the curls you already possess on your head. This won't give you them and is no good on say straight hair to use for styling (my friend tried rubbing this over her poker straight do and putting some heated rollers in and the results were disapointing at best lol. This doesn't give you better curls than what you have as such. It gives you as I said the best look of what you own on your bonce already and we need to be clear on that lol.
Drying time is the same as ever for me. I either blow dry and scrunch with my hands being really gentle as I go as to not mess up my curls or I dry with a scrunch attachment on my big shot hairdrier that I've owned for years!
The Results....
Well this for me is a really good start in achieving curls and this is the only product I can use and simply blow dry my hair and tie back in a pony tail without looking like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards. It still doesn't look amazing but it does give a nice shine, does give me more defined curls and defines and controls my hair slightly. I don't even need hairspray to hold my hair back and frizz is very almost completely gone from my life. The smell is lovely and fresh and stays like that for hours and it's a great solution for me to look tidy with minimal effort and having to really go to town on straightening my locks. It's not a perfect look but it is wearable and the curlier your hair is the better the results would be with this I presume.
However using it to say go out of an evening is very different as I want to wear my hair down and be all girly and this on it's own isn't enough though it is a good styling base to be fair. I find worn down that yes my hair is still shiny, feels smooth and not sticky but in warm atmospheres i.e clubs it starts to feel a bit greasy and it plays havoc with my tempermental roots. The frizz doesn't stay banished when I go outside in any weather and the curls drop out after a while and give way back to frizz I originally almost got rid of. This does give root lift if you want it and that drops out after a while along with the curls.
This though can almost be prevented with a little extra effort. I have a curling spray (not a Boots Essentials) and I can use that after this to 'lock' in my curls in and some hairspray to also help set it all. However it does take extra effort of course but again is that worth it to you is the question?
I think it is worth using it and I'm happy enough to go to the lengths required however as I previously stated it doesn't work so well in warm conditions on my hair so I wouldn't bother as even with loads of hairspray and the likes my curls won't hang about and they give way to waves and me not like that! But for a day time look..great.
It washes out easy as anything and when removed through conventional washing it comes out like a cream and hair feels soft before washing and conditioning it and I don't feel like any residue is left or that my hair is left limp and lifeless.
If your expecting miricles then this really isn't for you. This doesn't create dramatic curls and it does take time to get the hang of i.e how much you need etc. If you have curls then this is good stuff at not weighing hair down and if you have particulary dry hair I think this would be very good for you indeed. Me, well I shall use it for a day to day basis but if I want something to use for going clubbing or anything where I need to rely on my hair looking good then this isn't so good for me but this is a very nice day to day product and cheap as chips to boot!
Only available in Boot's at a price of about £1.29 per pot.
This review is also posted on Ciao under this same username.
I was living in London about a year ago and fell in love with boots curling creme. It was seriously like NO Other curl product on the market. It conditioned and eliminated frizz without making my hair greasy like other serums or hard like gel or mousse. Now I live in the states and am desperately seeking Boots Curling creme or a close equivalent product to no avail.
I was in Boots yesterday looking for frizz ease extra strength hair serum which was sold out so I was looking at alternatives when I found boots curl creme for less than £2 for a massive tub so decided to try it out!I've just washed my hair & used the creme before brushing, & it took me about 2 minutes to brush my hair compared to the usual 5, so let's see what it looks like when it's dry! Smells good too!
This product is extremely good. I don't understand why Boots have discontinued it. Huddersfield Boots haven't had it in for about a month now yet they have other products in that haircare range....
Come on we all need to write to Boots and tell them to continue selling it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The advantages of this product is that it doesn't leave your hair crispy (if that is a real hair word!!) and it holds your hair for the full day
Boots Essentials Curl Creme is the most amazing product for frizz free natural curls - Ive tried 100s of expensive salon developed products and nothing compares to this inexpensive wonder creme. Used as a leave in conditioner after washing it gives curls great definition and leaves hair shiny, not flakey or dull like so many other curl products out there. Only disadvantage is that its always out of stock and that Boots occasionally stop producing it...God knows why. Stock up on Boots Curl Creme!


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subset: commoncrawl


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Cheyenne Creek neighbors prepare for more flooding
Homes along Cheyenne Road, Scott Street, Stratton Avenue
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Cheyenne creek was still roaring Saturday night (9/14/13). A pre-evacuation forced Cheyenne Road to close Saturday and city workers were digging in the creek all day trying to mitigate.
Scoop after scoop neighbors and friends prepared for the worst by filling sandbags and laying them around houses along Cheyenne Creek.
"There's still a lot of damage happening, I mean as we speak," said Scott Street resident Mark Guthrie.
City workers were digging out sand from the creek and lining piles along the sides to guide the creek back to where it belongs. Workers also set up concrete barricades.
"I think I've slept about an hour in the last three days or whenever this started," said Stratton Avenue homeowner Andi Chermushin.
The creek poured out of its banks, runining yards, basements and part of Guthrie's home's foundation.
"I've had rock walls that have been there since 1919 that are gone," said Chermushin. "All of a sudden, within seven minutes our basement filled to the ceiling."
"Early this morning, the water was directly at the house," said Guthrie.
A house mark has called home since 1964. The creek he's known for so long is usually eight feet below the level that it was on Saturday afternoon.
Expecting more water to come down, Chermushin and her helpers cleared her first floor.
The neighborhood was filled with helping hands.
"Friends and family and my nieces and nephews are here to sandbag my house," she said.
Guthrie is hoping when Mother Nature decides to chill down a little bit, that he'll still have something as a home.
"I'm overwhelmed by the support from the community," said Chermushin.
We'll keep checking on the neighborhood and let you know when Cheyenne Road reopens.


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Originally founded as Prankplace.com, Big Mouth Toys was rebranded in 2004 and in the years since has become a popular choice for creative and humorous novelty items and accessories. With over 200 items in its catalog, Big Mouth Toys has a little something for everybody. The brand's products are ideal for adding a little personality to any gathering and also make the perfect gift. In addition, Big Mouth Toys is constantly coming up with new items unlike anything else on the market, so be sure to check back often to see what's in the latest collection.
No products match your selections. Try clearing your filters.


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Q I would like to take my daughter on a high school graduation celebratory trip to a warm, tropical location. We would love to snorkel, and I would be interested in visiting some ruins on the trip. What we are really looking for is an inexpensive, safe, relaxing, clear-water ocean, beach vacation. Four to six nights is probably what we could afford. We would travel in July. Could you help us with a recommendation on a destination?
A Tulum, Mexico! It's got everything on your list: Ruins, snorkeling, affordability. You'd fly to Cancún and go from there. It has everything from sleek all-inclusive resorts to rustic tent camps and bed-and-breakfasts. I realize that Mexico has received a lot of negative media attention due to drug wars and so on, but the Cancún area has not been affected. For general travel tips and hotel recommendations, look up TripAdivsor + Tulum on your favorite browser.
Q Many years ago, I read in the newspaper that if you check in online and then miss your flight, the airline considers your ticket as used and does not help out as much as if you had not checked in. Since then, I have almost always waited until I get to the airport before checking in. The only exception is when I have flown Southwest, because checking in online early gives me better chances at a seat I like. Also, airlines on occasion have offered extra miles or points for checking in online. Is there a downside to checking in online, or have times have changed?
A A ticket is only considered "used" if it's scanned to board the flight. Merely checking in does not mean a ticket is used.
However, I tweeted this question, and one person suggested a possible downside to checking in online. American Airlines, he says, once "unchecked-in" passengers on a flight because a smaller plane was substituted for a larger one. Seats were reassigned only at airport check-in, but those who checked in online and went straight to the gate were too late to get seats on the smaller plane.
If you think you'll miss your flight, be sure to call the airline to cancel, however, because there may be a penalty for being a no-show.
Southwest Airlines, for example, recently added this policy change: "If a customer has booked a nonrefundable fare anywhere in his/her itinerary and that portion of the flight is not used and not canceled or changed by the customer prior to scheduled departure, all unused funds on the full itinerary will be lost, and the remaining reservation will be canceled. The policy applies to reservations made or changed on or after Friday, May 10, 2013, for travel on or after Friday, Sept. 13, 2013. This policy does not apply to military fares, senior fares, or travel during certain irregular operations, including severe weather conditions."
Today's column comes from George Hobica of Airfarewatchdog.com.


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Out singer Jackie Hall is the best Dallas diva you don't know about … yet
RICH LOPEZ | Staff Writer
To label your band an "experience" is gutsy, but if it's true, why not? When the frontlady for The Jackie Hall Experience belts out a tune, people shut up and listen. Always.
So why are you just now hearing about her?
"The career is slower than I like, but I just see it as part of paying my dues," Hall sighs. "I welcome it all in God's time, but I know change is gonna come."
Making it in the music biz comes with frustration, and Hall has had her share. But breaking onto the Sue Ellen's stage has reinvigorated her two-fold: She's got a gig that pays and she's getting her name back out in the LGBT community, even though the response "Jackie Who?" remains a hurdle.
"I left the community because I couldn't get paid or pay my musicians," she says. "I had to branch out in different areas. If I could perform for free, I would, but my boys won't."
Hall reminisces about sweet gigs at Illusions and Joe's. With a 13-piece band (yes, really), she prided herself on big shows and an audience that embraced what she was throwing down. But as clubs closed or moved on, Hall was left to figure out a new plan. So she ventured away.
"I was able to book myself at the old Hollywood Casino in Shreveport and I sang at Tucker's Blues in Deep Ellum," she says. "I even performed at a biker bar in Fort Worth. I'm still figuring it all out. I'm working on expanding my gigness."
An old friend has helped her on just that. Some years back, Hall would sing karaoke at the Circle Spur in Irving, where she met a shy singer named Anton Shaw. The two became friends and nurtured each other's talents.
"Back then, we were the shit," Hall laughs, "singing En Vogue songs in the 'hottest place in Irving.' But we really were there for each other and we both wanted to be stars. We lost connection for about 10 years, but she's the reason I'm in the scene now."
After taking in a performance of Shaw at Alexandre's, the two reconnected; a run-in at an audition then led to Sue Ellen's. Shaw books talent for the club's live-music Vixin Lounge. Last November, Hall made her debut to a healthy crowd on Thanksgiving weekend.
"She hadn't seen me perform live since back in the karaoke days," Hall says. "That means she booked me on faith."
Along with her band bookings, Hall has released original music teaming up with local musician Taylor Hall. In a strange way, his indie grunge and her soulful lungs were a match made in heaven. Coming together through former Edge DJ Alan Ayo, the two created Robinson Hall, a dirty blues outfit that released three singles online last year.
In addition to original works, Hall isn't short on delivering her strong renditions of classic rock and soul covers. She kinda loves it.
"I discovered my purpose in life early on and it's music. It is the only thing that brings the world closer, brings out emotions, memories. Music has landed me homeless before, but it's important, man," she says. "So every time I walk onstage I expect to kill 'em. When I sing I want people to take that ride with me. I want them to hold hands during love songs, bang their heads during the rockers and cry at the sad songs. That's why I named it an experience."
And it is. When Hall takes on any song, she embodies it. Her body is fully engaged on a classic like Dylan's "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" and she turns delicate while singing Etta James, or her big hero, Gladys Knight. As she reflects on the highs and lows and the songs she embraces, Hall has an epiphany.
"Sitting here, this has been a revelation for me. I need to be more out in my own community," she says. "The gay community has a lot to offer and I have a gift that I'd like to share. I wish I knew more showtunes, though. The gays love those."
Good for her. Half the battle is knowing your audience already.
The Jackie Hall Experience performs every second Saturday at Sue Ellen's.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition February 3, 2012.


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By Attorney Marc Reiner
Special to THELAW.TV<http://thelaw.tv>
The U.S. needs to re-think how it classifies marijuana.
The Controlled Substances Act classifies drugs through a scheduling system based on a harms versus benefits spectrum. Schedule I drugs are considered the worst substances for human consumption. Officially, drugs must meet three criteria to become labeled as Schedule I:
* the drug has a high potential for abuse,
* the drug has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States,
* and there is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug under medical supervision.
Schedule II and other lower scheduled drugs are considered to have a less potential for abuse and have modern acceptable medical uses. Heroin, LSD, marijuana, MDMA, and GHB are the most popular Schedule I drugs while, oddly, Schedule 2 drugs include cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, morphine, and opium.
The legislators may deem marijuana the most harmful drug. But there has never been a recorded case of a human death from marijuana. Certainly people have consumed marijuana and then died from acts of human violence, car crashes, suicides, and other circumstances that lead to the twilight of one's existence. But the mere act of consuming marijuana cannot kill a human being.
Obviously, the Department of Justice is privy to this information. Those who create our country's drug policies do not live in a bubble. Law enforcement officers, medical doctors, legislators, judges, and other civil functionaries cannot all be oblivious to the pragmatic workings of substances, nor did they randomly assign marijuana to its Schedule I status. Then why does the legal and medical establishment, at least at the federal level, relegate marijuana to a worse status than cocaine, crystal meth, or oxycontin?
In states that regulate medical marijuana, such as California, a doctor can prescribe marijuana for a host of ailments, ranging from cancer and HIV to chronic pain to anxiety and insomnia. If you are taking marijuana for these medical diagnoses, then you are consuming the THC chemical compound naturally occurring within the marijuana plant. Also, if one takes marijuana to cure or alleviate their ailment, then they are substituting that drug for pharmaceutical drugs.
Last year the pharmaceutical industry had sales of over one trillion dollars. While some of that money goes to research and development, in the last decade the pharmaceutical industry has spent over a billion dollars on lobbying fees. Assuming those lobbyists did not break any campaign finance contribution laws, every single person running for public office in the last decade, from president to dogcatcher, could have had campaign contributions from the major pharmaceutical companies and their lobbyists.
Marijuana is not part of the pharmaceutical industry. A common street name for the drug is "weed," primarily gaining the nomenclature for how easy it is to grow in almost any geographical climate. The political climate is the only detriment to the natural growth of this drug.
Besides the pharmaceutical industry, marijuana opponents naturally include the private prison and probation complex. Companies that profit off the denial of human liberty, the incarceration and warehousing of human beings away from their families and society, need marijuana to stay illegal. Half of the country's 240,000 federal inmates are locked up because of drugs and another couple hundred thousand of the nation's state prisoners are likewise imprisoned for drug crimes. And yet these numbers pale in comparison to the tens of millions of Americans on probation, who pay a monthly fee to the government or private probation companies for the privilege of having their homes, bodies, and lives transparent to the whims of a probation officer at any hour of the day.
The legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes does save numerous Americans from the pain of illness and from financial ruin due to paying hefty medical office visit fees so that a doctor can prescribe some synthetic drug to mask their ailments' symptoms until that drug is then determined to have side effects worse than the ailment it's supposed to cure. Society needs to look at the motivations behind those who want to criminalize human conduct as a starting point to assess the law's value.
The author, Marc Reiner, is a criminal defense attorney in West Palm Beach, Florida<http://www.marcreinerlaw.com/>.
Copyright 2013 by ClickOrlando.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Summer Safety Tips
Office of Public Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
July 8, 2003
Summer Safety Tips
Summertime has begun and Fairfax County has numerous resources available for county residents to access to ensure that their summer is a safe one.
Fireworks Safety
The July 4 holiday means fireworks. Parents are encouraged to remind children that fireworks are explosive devices, not toys. Left to professionals, fireworks can be a spectacular addition to holidays and celebrations, but in the hands of amateurs, fireworks can turn the festivities into tragedy. Also remember that many fireworks are not available in Northern Virginia because they are illegal. The possession of unapproved fireworks is prohibited in Fairfax County and they will be confiscated; Persons possessing them may be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of $2,500 and/or one year in jail. Any firework which explodes, emits a flame, sparks or performs as a projectile higher than 12 feet is prohibited by the Fairfax County Fire Prevention Code. If you do plan to enjoy approved fireworks, you should have water available for extinguishing discarded fireworks or in case of an emergency, light them one at a time, keep bystanders at least 20 feet away, never throw fireworks, do not permit children to handle or light fireworks (sparklers can reach a temperature of 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit), and read the directions before usage. For more information on fireworks safety, contact Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Public Information and Life Safety Education, 703-246-3801, TTY 703-385-4419, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire.
Picnics and Food Safety
Warm weather also means the picnic season has arrived. To be safe, the Health Department reminds picnickers that raw meat and poultry need to stay in a cooler with ice until thoroughly cooked. You are encouraged to keep all perishable foods, especially those made with raw eggs or mayonnaise, in the cooler as much as possible. When transporting food, keep it cold by using an insulated cooler with sufficient ice or ice packs to keep the food at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Pack food right from the refrigerator into the cooler immediately before leaving home and keep the cooler in the coolest part of your car. Also, keep your cooler out of direct sun and keep it in the shade or under a shelter. Avoid opening the lid too often, which lets cold air out and warm air in. Pack beverages in one cooler and perishables in a separate cooler. For more information on summertime food safety, contact the Fairfax County Health Department, 703-246-2411, TTY 703-591-6435, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/service/hd.
Grilling Safety
When grilling, remember that in Fairfax County the only cooking devices permitted on apartment or condominium balconies are ones using either electricity or natural gas as a fuel source and listed by a recognized testing authority. When barbecuing, keep the grill in a level position at all times. Douse the coals thoroughly with water after grilling, and never leave children or pets unattended near a hot grill. With gas grills, check hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing. Always store the gas cylinder outside and away from the house. With charcoal grills, only use starter fluids designed for that purpose. Never use gasoline and never add more liquid fuel after the fire has started or you could have a flash fire. For more information on grill safety, contact Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Public Information and Life Safety Education, 703-246-3801, TTY 703-385-4419, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire.
The Health Department reminds outdoor grillers to always cook food to a safe internal temperature that will destroy harmful bacteria. Use a food thermometer to ensure that poultry reaches a minimum of 165 degrees Fahrenheit while hamburgers made from ground beef should reach a minimum of 155 degrees Fahrenheit. Beef, veal, and lamb steaks, roasts, pork and seafood should reach a minimum of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Never partially grill meats, seafood or poultry to finish cooking later. After the grilling is done and it's time to eat, remember to use a clean platter when taking food off the grill. Don't put cooked food on the same platter that held raw meat, seafood or poultry. In hot weather (above 90 degrees Fahrenheit), food should never sit out for more than 4 hours. Leftovers should be discarded.
Safe food preparation should include frequent hand washing with warm water, soap and paper towels. When preparing food, wash your hands before you begin, and again after using the restroom, blowing your nose, coughing or using the telephone. For more on food handling and grilling, contact the Fairfax County Health Department, 703-246-2411, TTY 703-591-6435, or visit the Health Department Web page at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/service/hd.
Don't Leave Children or Pets in the Car
Never leave children or pets in a parked car. It can be fatal. Even with the windows slightly open, the temperature in a car on an 85-degree day can reach 102 degrees in ten minutes. In 30 minutes, the temperature can reach 120 degrees. For more information, contact Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Public Information and Life Safety Education, 703-246-3801, TTY 703-385-4419, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire.
Pet Safety
If pets are kept outdoors, make sure that they have access to shade and fresh water at all times. While antifreeze is a year-round hazard for your pets (and children), cars often overheat in warmer months and may leak antifreeze, which is extremely toxic in small amounts. Call your veterinarian immediately if your pet ingests any antifreeze. For additional information, contact the Fairfax County Police Animal Control Division at 703-830-3310 (voice/TTY) or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ps/ac/CONTACT.HTM.
Window Safety
A summer breeze may feel nice but remember to keep children away from open windows, even if they have screens. Every year hospitals treat many children who fall from windows, most of whom are under the age of 4. When possible, open windows from the top, not the bottom. Also, keep furniture away from windows so that children are discouraged from climbing near windows. For more information, contact the Department of Family Services' Child Protective Services Helpline at 703-324-7400, TTY 703-222-9452, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/service/dfs/default.shtm.
Pool Safety
Swimming is a great way to beat the heat. Never leave children alone or out of eye contact while they are in or near the water. An adult should be within arm's length whenever an infant or toddler is in the pool. Remove toys from the area when you're not using them since toys can attract young children to the pool. All residential pools should be completely enclosed by a fence that stands at least 4 feet high and avoid fences with vertical bars spaced more than 4 inches apart and chain-link fences that are easy to climb. Fence gates should be self-closing and self-latching and the latch should be out of a child's reach. Prohibit diving in shallow water and in all above-ground pools. If you own a pool, require that all adults in your family learn CPR. Also, have a cordless phone and emergency equipment (such as life preservers and shepherd's crook) poolside in case of emergency. For more information, contact Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Public Information and Life Safety Education, 703-246-3801, TTY 703-385-4419, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire.
Boat Safety
Water safety includes boating and other recreational activities on ponds, lakes and streams. Children should wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets at all times when on boats or near bodies of water. Make sure the life jacket is the right size for your child and is not loose. Blow-up water toys or rafts should never be used as life jackets or life preservers. Adults should also wear life jackets for their own protection and to set a good example for children. Outfit the family pet with a life preserver as well since most dogs are not by nature excellent swimmers. Always watch the weather before and during a boating outing. Return to port as soon as you hear or see a storm. For more information, contact Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Public Information and Life Safety Education, 703-246-3801, TTY 703-385-4419, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire.
Sun Safety
Summer weather means sunshine, but children should be protected from excess exposure to the sun. Babies under 6 months should be dressed in lightweight long pants and long-sleeved shirts and brimmed hats. Parents can apply a minimal amount of sunscreen to small areas, such as the infant's face and the back of the hands. For young children, sunscreen should be applied at least 30 minutes before going outside. Sunscreen use is even encouraged on cloudy days. The SPF should be at least 15. Older children are encouraged to wear a hat with a 3-inch brim or a bill facing forward and sunglasses, remain in the shade whenever possible and avoid exposure during the peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater and apply about one ounce per sitting for a young adult. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or perspiring. For more information, contact the Fairfax County Health Department, 703-246-2411, TTY 703-591-6435, or visit the Health Department Web page at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/service/hd.
Child Supervision Guidelines
When school's not in session, it is sometimes necessary to leave children unattended for short periods of time, although children 7 or younger should never be left unattended. Lack of supervision is one of the most prevalent child neglect problems in Fairfax County. The following represent minimally acceptable standards for the supervision of children. These guidelines have been developed by social work professionals in collaboration with the community. There may be situations, even within these guidelines, when it is not safe to leave a child unsupervised. Parents are ultimately responsible for making decisions about their child's safety.
Whenever any child is unsupervised or unattended the following should apply:
There must be no emotional, medical or behavioral problems which affect
judgment or
decision-making skills.
Child must be comfortable being alone.
- Child must have a safety plan worked out with the parent/caretaker and must demonstrate the ability to follow the safety plan.
Age Guidelines
- 7 years and under: Should not be left alone for any period of time.
- 8 to 10 years: Should not be left alone for more than 1½ hours and only during daylight and early evening hours.
- 11 to 12 years: May be left alone for up to 3 hours but not late at night or in circumstances requiring inappropriate responsibility.
- 13 to 15 years: May be left unsupervised, but not overnight.
- 16 to 17 years: May be left unsupervised (in some cases, for up to two consecutive overnight periods).
This information is online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/service/dfs/ChildrenYouth/homealone.shtm or you may call the Department of Family Services' Child Protective Services Hotline at 703-324-7400, TTY 703-222-9452.
The most effective way to control mosquitoes is to tip and toss the standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Common problem areas and ways to correct them are:
Roof gutters - clean out leaves and debris blocking and holding
Discarded cans and containers - remove, store inside or turn upside
Old tires - store tires where they won't collect rainwater.
Bird baths - clean, and change the water every 5-7 days.
Wading pools - change water regularly and turn over when not in
Drainage ditches - keep open and free from debris holding water.
Canoes, boats - cover with a tight-fitting tarp or turn upside
Tarps on woodpiles or garden equipment - remove sagging areas.
Ornamental ponds - stock with small fish.
Puddles and wet or soggy areas - drain or back fill.
- Treat standing water on your property with a lavaracide - keep mosquitoes from breeding.
To avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, make sure that all window and door screens fit tightly and are free of holes that mosquitoes can use to enter the house. When outside, wear light colored clothing with long sleeves and long pants. Use insect repellent indicated for mosquitoes and follow the label instructions.
West Nile virus, a disease carried by infected mosquitoes and spread to birds, humans and other mammals through the bite of an infected mosquito, is on the rise. Taking action to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and protecting yourself when outdoors are two steps you can take to reduce your exposure to these annoying and sometimes dangerous insects. For more information on West Nile virus and how to protect yourself from mosquitoes, call the Health Department at 703-246-2300, TTY 711 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/service/hd/mosqresources.htm.
The long summer days also bring out other critters in addition to mosquitoes. Enjoy our natural wildlife from a distance. Wild animals can carry rabies, a virus that attacks the nervous system and can kill any mammal, including humans. Pet owners are also reminded to have pets vaccinated every year. It's the law. For additional information, contact the Fairfax County Police Animal Control Division at 703-830-3310 (voice/TTY), the county's wildlife biologist at 703-266-3523, TTY 711, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ps/ac/CONTACT.HTM.
Lawn Safety
Warm weather also means grass to cut and lawn work. If children or young adults use lawnmowers, try to use a mower with a control that stops the mower from moving forward if the handle is released. Children under 16 years should not use ride-on mowers; children younger than 12 years should not use walk-behind mowers. Make sure that sturdy shoes (not sandals or sneakers) are worn while mowing. Prevent injuries from flying objects, such as stones or sticks, by picking up objects from the lawn before mowing begins. Have anyone who uses a mower wear eye protection. Always turn off the mower and wait for the blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher or unclogging the discharge chute. Do not allow children to ride as passengers on ride-on mowers. For more information, contact Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Public Information and Life Safety Education, 703-246-3801, TTY 703-385-4419, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire.
Heat Related Illness
When exercising or taking part in outdoor activities, you should be well-hydrated. Regular water breaks should also be taken. Children and adults should wear light-colored and lightweight clothing to help reflect some of the sun's rays. If possible, move your outdoor exercise routine to early morning or early evening hours.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, heat-related illness usually comes in stages. The first stage is heat cramps in muscles. These cramps can be very painful. If you are caring for a person who has heat cramps, have him or her stop activity and rest. If the person is fully awake and alert, have him or her drink small amounts of cool water or a commercial sports drink. Gently stretch the cramped muscle and hold the stretch for about 20 seconds, then gently massage the muscle. Repeat these steps if necessary. If the victim has no other signals of heat-related illness, the person may resume activity after the cramps stop.
The signals of the next, more serious stages of a heat-related illness (heat exhaustion/heat stroke) include cool, moist, pale skin (the skin may be red right after physical activity), headache, dizziness and weakness or exhaustion, nausea, decreased alertness level or complete loss of consciousness, high body temperature (sometimes as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit), a rapid, weak pulse and rapid, shallow breathing. This late stage of a heat-related illness is life threatening. Call 911 and move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body by wrapping wet towels around the body and fan it. If you have ice packs or cold packs, wrap them in a cloth and place them on each of the victim's wrists and ankles, in the armpits and on the neck to cool the large blood vessels. (Do not use rubbing alcohol because it closes the skin's pores and prevents heat loss.) Watch for signals of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear. Make sure the person is lying down.
For more information, contact the Fairfax County Health Department, 703-246-2411, TTY 703-591-6435, or visit the Health Department Web page at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/service/hd.
For additional information about county programs and services, call the Fairfax County information desk at 703-324-3185, TTY 703-324-2935 or visit the Web site www.fairfaxcounty.gov. Residents can also call 703-324-INFO (4636) for 24 hour a day access to a menu of pre-recorded announcements on a variety of county services and programs.


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Arfield hitting the right notes at Turf
12:00pm Monday 19th May 2014
By Suzanne Geldard
12:00pm Monday 19th May 2014
By Suzanne Geldard
CHASING Dreams is the title of a song on the album of Scott Arfield's former band, The Begbies.
It was not written by their former front man, but after the season he has had – his first with Burnley – it could have been.
Wind the clock back to this time last year and Arfield was facing an uncertain future.
Released by Huddersfield Town at the end of his third year with the Yorkshire club he went on holiday not knowing what situation he would be returning to; where his next move would be.
On May 6, 2013 the Scot tweeted a photograph of himself stood outside the Terriers' training ground with the message: "Thanks very much for all the leaving messages, very much appreciated.
"I hope ma (sic) ppi comes in."
But Sean Dyche made sure Arfield was not reliant on a refund on Payment Protection Insurance. For when the Clarets returned for pre-season training the former Scotland Under 21 international was invited along.
He played in the first pre-season friendly at Morecambe, and although it ended in a 1-0 defeat for Burnley, Arfield stood out.
He had made an immediate impression on existing players – most baffled that he had been allowed to leave Huddersfield and was available on a free transfer. Arfield followed that up with a goal against Cork City at the end of Burnley's training camp in Ireland.
It led to the offer of a Clarets contract, with the Falkirk youth team product putting pen to paper on a two-year deal.
Little did he know at the time the remarkable season that Burnley were about to embark on.
But if he was to now write a song about his Turf Moor experience, he has the perfect title for it.
"I'd call it '12 months'," he said with a smile, reflecting on the dramatic shift his career has taken: unemployed to the Premier League.
"The last game of the 2012/13 season I wasn't even involved – against Barnsley at Huddersfield," he recalled.
"I was sat in the stand watching it, thinking about the big games that I wanted to play in, and I've managed to play in really every big game this season.
"It's been a quick 12 months and it just goes to show you what can change, not just in football but in life as well."
Had anyone sat next to Arfield in the stand that day as he watched an end of season tussle between two Yorkshire clubs pan out predicted what would become of him one year on, he would not have believed them.
So much so he would have labelled the suggestion: "Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.
"Last summer I was speaking to so many people. I went on my holiday and I never had a club. We were sitting by the pool and we were thinking where we were going to move to and what was going to happen and what life holds for you.
"What we've achieved this season, it's amazing," said Arfield, referring not only to his own transformation but that of team-mates who were also new to the club in the summer.
"People like Tom Heaton, who got relegated last year, and now he's playing in the Premier League.
"There are so many stories, so many brilliant stories. Roy of the Rovers you might call it. It's phenomenal what we've done."
Quite appropriately for Arfield, Burnley have been on song all season, leaving him with no regrets about choosing a career in football over music.
The band started out as a hobby, shared with his brother, Stuart, who played bass, and a couple of friends from their home town of Livingston.
But when their popularity and prospects grew, vocalist Arfield had to make a decision.
Football won, based on his belief that his feet were better than his vocal chords. Described as a mixture of bands The View, The Clash and The Sex Pistols, The Begbies prefer to perform their own work in the main but are known for one cover version – Iggy Pop's "The Passenger".
It was a go-to tune at gigs when Arfield was the front man.
He has been far from a passenger on Burnley's journey to the Premier League. As third leading scorer with nine – eight in the Championship – he played a significant role in firing them there.
Since promotion was confirmed with a win over Wigan on Easter Monday, the 25-year-old admitted he had watched 'Super Sunday' and other top flight fixtures through different eyes.
"You watch that and Match of the Day and you think 'I'm going to be there'. It's what dreams are made of.
"But it's all well and good getting there, it's maintaining that and performing to how we did this year. Hopefully it takes us one better."
And while Arfield cannot wait to sample all of what the Premier League has to offer, there is one fixture in particular that he will be keeping a close eye on. Liverpool away.
"Anfield – that's probably the one for me," he beamed.
"I watched Liverpool games as a youngster. "To go there next season, that will be the big one."
© Copyright 2001-2017 Newsquest Media Group


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The best man of a soldier blown up in Afghanistan has admitted secretly stealing thousands of pounds from him just weeks before his wedding.
Conor Aldous , 22, callously stole £2,500 of compensation cash from triple-amputee Private Alex Stringer just weeks before helping him walk down the aisle on artificial legs.
Private Stringer, from Canvey, lost both his legs and his left arm in a massive explosion after stepping on a Taliban improvised explosive devise while serving his country in Afghanistan in January 2011.
He had been attempting to rebuild his life by organising his dream wedding to childhood sweetheart Danielle Stringer, for July 2012 when the sickening thefts occurred.
Aldous, from Grays, had been trusted with access to bank accounts and PIN codes to help care for and assist his friend during his recovery from life-changing injuries.
But Aldous abused that trust in a cynical bid to steal £2,500 in June 2012 – just weeks before he was best man at Private Stringer's wedding.
The unemployed thief, from Grays, admitted one count of theft when he appeared at Southend Magistrates' Court today.
The court heard how Aldous was allowed to live at the family's home on Canvey whilst secretly stealing their money.
Lesley Chipps, prosecuting, said: "The complainant was serving as a soldier for the British Army.
"In 2011, he stepped on a land mine and later received a substantial settlement for his injuries, some of which came from Help for Heroes.
"The complainant needed care so the defendant lived at the address to help as carer."
A statement from Private Stringer, read out in court, said: "I've known the defendant since we were at school.
"He said he wanted to help and would sleep on the sofa. He used to help out around the house."
The thefts were only discovered after the wedding when a routine call from the bank revealed a £40 transaction had in fact been £100.
The couple, who have three young children, then reviewed their bank statements in horror only to find a number of unauthorised transactions by Aldous.
Naomi Pitt, mitigating, said her client had been struggling with the death of his mum and spiralling debts when the thefts occurred.
Magistrates granted Aldous unconditional bail ahead of sentencing at Basildon Crown Court next month.
Aldous refused to comment when approached outside of court.
Today full-time mum Danielle Stringer, 22, spoke of the devastating effect the theft has had on Alex, 23, and their young family Millie, five, Harlie, three, and one-year-old Jessica.
She said: "We feel really let down as Conor was a part of the family.
"We're happy he pleaded guilty but it still doesn't cover the credit card he drained.
"Alex will have to work to pay it off which hardly seems fair."
Alex recently unveiled a wheelchair-friendly picnic bench he designed for Help for Heroes at Chavasse VC House, a recovery centre for injured soldiers and veterans in Colchester.
He has since left the army and is planning on returning to college.


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Fleet Commander is the result of a 3 year long project at the Electronic Visualization Laboratory by computer science grad student Arthur Nishimoto. It turns an already impressive 20-foot multitouch screen into a gigantic strategy game.
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When you're sending out special announcements, holiday greetings or invitations, here's how to give your mailings a look that really stands out.
Just use Avery Easy Peel® Clear Address Labels with the Pop-up Edge™ and free Avery software such as the Avery Wizard Software for Microsoft® Office or Avery Design & Print Online to customize and print your labels. With the unique label sheet, there's no need to search for the label's edge—just bend the label sheet to expose the label edges for fast and easy peeling.
Avery Easy Peel Clear Address Labels virtually disappear onto the surface when applied, so your label information stands out. Use them on colored or textured envelopes to make your text and graphics really pop!


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nForce3-250 - Part 1: Taking Athlon 64 to the Next Levelby Wesley Fink on March 23, 2004 11:55 AM EST
- Posted in
- CPUs
At launch, there were really just two Athlon 64 chipsets - the nVidia nForce3 150 and VIA K8T800. As we have discussed in reviews of boards based on these chipsets, neither one really meets the specifications that we would like to see in Athlon 64 chipsets. Later, SiS introduced the promising 755 chipset, but no one has brought the kind of 755 boards that we hoped to see to market. In addition, our recent tests of the PCI locks on all 3 Athlon 64 chipsets found that none of them really worked. Given this background, we were more than ready for a new chipset for Athlon 64 that would fix many of the issues.
nVidia has stated all along that nForce3-150 was an interim chipset. The 150 chipset was criticized widely for using just 600 HyperTransport when the AMD specification was 800, and almost everyone found fault with the out-dated feature set with nF3-150. In fairness, we could find no performance differences at all between the VIA 800HT and the nVidia 600HT in tests of Socket 754 Athlon 64, but there was certainly no compelling reason to choose nF3-150 over the more feature-rich solutions from both VIA and SiS. With VIA and SiS, you also did not have to compromise on HyperTransport speed since both run at 800HT.
The non-working PCI lock that we later found on nF3-150 also came as a huge surprise. nVidia tells us, and we did confirm, that the PCI lock does work on the nVidia Reference Board for nF3-150, but they are also aware that it did not work in production nF3-150 motherboards. nVidia assures us that this BIOS programming issue is fixed in nF3-250.
Into this very confusing climate for Athlon 64 chipsets, nVidia is launching the completely revised nForce3-250. The market for Athlon 64 is now growing rapidly, and nVidia simply wants to be the only choice for the gamer and computer enthusiast when buying an Athlon 64. This time around, nVidia certainly looks like they have the goods to make nForce3-250 everything that the market is looking for.
Since there is so much that is new in the nForce3-250, the review will come to you in two parts. Part 1 takes a close look at the features of nForce3-250; Part 2 will concentrate on actual performance of the nForce3-250 Reference Board compared to other Athlon 64 boards that we have tested. Since nVidia claims that nForce3-250 performs best with nVidia's latest graphics cards, benchmarks will also compare performance of an nVidia 5950 Ultra, 9800 XT, and our standard ATI 9800 PRO on the nF3-250 chipset.
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Visual - Friday, March 26, 2004 - linkThis chipset looks promising, I like it. And a great article about it :)
I'm a bit curious about the raid - do you guys think it may be possible to implement a hot-swappable raid array with integrated raid controllers anytime soon?
Maybe you can make an article testing the performance boost from using a 4-drive raid 0 array with this baby?
Another thing that interests me - are there any mobos with IGP for Athlon64? I know it won't be a performer, I'm just curious if it even exists. Also is anything being heared about some new DX9 IGP anytime soon(hopefully with this chipset)? It'd also be cool if having an AGP card doesn't disable the IGP, like the ati-intel chipsets... Well I guess I'm dreaming now, but I'd like to see your comments or any info you have on nVidia's IGP plans. I guess you AT folks could ask nVidia about this :)
Visual Reply
Reflex - Thursday, March 25, 2004 - link#59: Try measuring your bandwidth with a 4 drive RAID 0 array using fast drives on that setup and then put the same array in an Intel or AMD chipset system. nVidia's PCI implementation is not very good at all. Reply
MichaelD - Thursday, March 25, 2004 - link[q] Actually, to date nVidia has had a *very* troublesome PCI implementation, anyone with a PCI RAID controller and a 4 disk RAID 0 array can tell you that. It is so bad, in fact, that prototype NF3-150 boards for Opteron used AMD PCI chips just to avoid using the nForce3 integrated PCI bus. I am not certain if these boards ever reached production status however.[/q]
Uh, no. Not in my experience. On my 8RDA+, I've used:
Highpoint ATA133 Contoller Card
3Ware7000-2 Two-channel IDE RAID card
LSI Megaraid 1600 SCSI RAID card
I've had zero problems. Wha'chu talkin' bout, Willis? Reply
Reflex - Thursday, March 25, 2004 - link#55: I did not say DDR2 was needed right now, its not and AMD is making the right decision. I was just pointing out that the latency penalty should not be a real issue since it moves more data. But time will tell.
#54: I have not checked out the Catalina yet, however if it does not have a coax output, it will not find a home in my setup. SPDIF is a consumer level technology, championed by Sony, but it is not as high quality as coax simply due to the fact that the signal must be converted twice(to and from optical) which is never a good thing. Furthermore, the cables are frail and expensive. Professional level equipment never has SPDIF, it uses coax exclusively.
Wesley: Glad they are dropping SoundStorm. Waste of time and effort in my opinion. Reply
BikeDude - Thursday, March 25, 2004 - linkThanks Wesley; a single chip implementation makes sense. Now show us the benchmarks! :) Reply
Wesley Fink - Thursday, March 25, 2004 - link#54 and others regarding Sound Storm -
1 - nVidia is committed to the one-chip chipset for Athlon 64. They are firmly convinced that the one-chip eliminates the potential bottlenecks of a north-south bridge communications bus. Even with the the memory controller on the chip there is only so much real estate practically available on a single-chip chipset.
2 - Customer surveys by nVidia found that most buyers did not use Sound Storm, and that Sound Storm did not enter heavily into the decision to buy nForce. So the decision was made to choose the on-chip LAN, firewall, and much-expanded RAID capabilities which benefit greatly from being moved off the bus.
3 - There are new sound solutions in the works for nVidia. You may see them in a future chipset or on a sound card. Final decisions have not been made. Reply
Pumpkinierre - Thursday, March 25, 2004 - link#53, I'll believe it when I see the tests. It sounds like RAMBUS- that was supposed to be better at latency but turned out the opposite at over twice the cost at the time. Read the last paragraph of Wesley's post(#50)- he's closer to the industry and there are others expressing similar concerns. All these are things that Intel with its resources should iron out and AMD come in when its sorted, If AMD get to a third of the market and in the black then it can show leadership in these areas. Meanwhile stick to what they are best at cpus.
BikeDude - Thursday, March 25, 2004 - link#48: Turtle Beach Catalina which I suspect is a newer card (it's more expensive :) ) than SC, seem to tout optical SPDIF output as a feature (doesn't mention coax at all) and it's merely pass-through SPDIF at that (no hardware Dolby encoding -- thus I'll end up with the additional three audio cables again). Are you sure you have all your facts straight?
If you're a professional musician -- I agree, the SS isn't for you, but I thought nForce was primarily a chipset targetted at gamers? Reply
Reflex - Thursday, March 25, 2004 - link#52: Latency ends up about the same due to the fact that twice the operations per clock are happening in the same span as regular DDR. It does not, however, give you any real benefit, just higher scalability. The lack of DDR2 support also really has nothing to do with the chipset, its a CPU feature on Athlon64/FX architecture's, not a chipset one, so people bemoaning the lack of DDR2 need to look at AMD, not nVidia.
Like I said before, the only feature needed from my point of view is PCI Express. I refuse to buy anymore PCI or AGP devices at this point knowing that in a year or two they will be useless. Unlike my CPU, I don't often change out my sound card, motherboard, SCSI card, or other such devices, so when it comes time to upgrade my system, PCI Express will be the order of the day for me. Reply
Pumpkinierre - Thursday, March 25, 2004 - linkGood to see your real opinions, wesley #50. I too am worried about this slow latency DDR2 particularly with the a64 where I see system memory latency as being the bottleneck for improved gaming speed. AMD have got themselves a winner with a64/newcastle but still have mainboard issues as well as heavy debt. In these conditions, good poker dictates that you play conservatively. So I'm quite happy to see only DDR1 and PCI on the nF3-250 for the moment.


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from Pressnitztal narrow gauge line - Springsteam by PBase member The Heritage man
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INDIANAPOLIS — It was, to say the least, bizarre.
On a day when flopping was the buzzword, with LeBron James garnering attention for saying that hitting the deck isn't so bad if it gives your team an advantage, and with the crowd here at Bankers Life Fieldhouse serenading the Heat star with chants of, "He's a flopper!", the referees were under the microscope. And not because of flopping calls.
Instead, there were three critical calls that loomed over the Pacers' 99-92 win here in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals, and those calls marred what was an otherwise entertaining and tightly contested game.
MORE: James fouls out for 2nd time in playoffs | James explains flopping benefits
The first went against the Pacers, with 8:26 to play in the fourth quarter and Indiana ahead, 81-72. On that play, Pacers big man Roy Hibbert missed two shots in the paint before another offensive rebound was grabbed. George Hill had the ball and fed it to Tyler Hansbrough for a layup. But despite the fact that Hibbert's second attempt clearly hit the rim, the shot clock never reset, and rather than counting the Pacers' basket, referee Joey Crawford waved it off, helping spark an 11-2 run that allowed Miami to tie the game.
But maybe the most shocking call of the game came with 56 seconds to play and the Heat clinging to the hope of a final push as they trailed by four points. Dwyane Wade had the ball and went to a screen set at the foul line by LeBron James. Pacers guard Lance Stephenson attempted to go around the screen, but James clipped his leg. James was whistled for an offensive foul, a moving screen, and a questionable one at that. It is rare to call a moving screen that late in a game, especially one that featured such little contact.
More than that: It was James' sixth foul, and disqualified him from the end of the game. James had not fouled out in nearly a year, dating back to last year's conference finals. It was just the fifth disqualification of his career, and only the second time he has fouled out in the postseason.
"It doesn't matter. We had several guys in foul trouble," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Last time LeBron fouled out of a playoff game was last year in Boston. So it doesn't happen very often. Dwyane was in foul trouble the whole game. (Chris Bosh) was in foul trouble. You have to overcome a lot in the playoffs. It's not easy to compete for a title. So we just went to other guys and at the end of the day we still had an opportunity."
A little less stunning than the call against James was a traveling call against Dwyane Wade with 26.9 seconds to play. That preceded a 3-point shot taken—and made—by Shane Battier, which would have brought Miami within one point. Replays showed that Wade did shuffle his feet, but how often is Wade called for traveling? And at that critical a juncture?
The day began with the futility of the league's flopping rules under scrutiny. By the time Game 4 was over, though, it was the crew of Crawford, Rodney Mott and Derrick Stafford who seized the spotlight.
GALLERY: Eastern Conference finals in pictures: Heat vs. Pacers


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Click here, or on the image above, to see a brief video on the Hollywood moguls.
I have a new Frame by Frame video out today, directed and edited by Curt Bright, on Hollywood's movie moguls of the 1930s through the 1960s, and how their era came to an end; it's part of the work of my book, Death of the Moguls: The End of Classical Hollywood, forthcoming from Rutgers University Press for Fall, 2012.
Death of the Moguls is a detailed assessment of the last days of the "rulers of film," which examines the careers of such moguls as Harry Cohn at Columbia, Louis B. Mayer at MGM, Jack L. Warner at Warner Brothers, Adolph Zukor at Paramount, and Herbert J. Yates at Republic in the dying days of their once-mighty empires. The sheer force of personality and business acumen displayed by these moguls made the studios successful; their deaths or departures hastened the studios' collapse. Almost none had a plan for leadership succession; they simply couldn't imagine a world in which they didn't reign supreme.
Covering 20th Century-Fox, Selznick International Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer, Paramount Pictures, RKO Radio Pictures, Warner Brothers, Universal Pictures, Republic Pictures, Monogram Pictures and Columbia Pictures, Death of the Moguls: The End of Classical Hollywood briefly introduces the studios and their respective bosses in the late 1940s, just before the collapse, then chronicles the last productions from the studios and their eventual demise in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
I discuss here, and in the book in much more detail, of course, such game-changing factors as the de Havilland decision, which made actors free agents; the Consent Decree, which forced the studios to get rid of their theaters; how the moguls dealt with their collapsing empires in the television era; and the end of the conventional studio assembly line, where producers had rosters of directors, writers, and actors under their command.
Barry Keith Grant read several drafts of the book during its production, and wrote that "in this accessible and engaging history of the moguls who made the studios successful [. . .] Dixon does a terrific job of getting inside the heads of the bosses who built their studios into major entertainment factories."
The book should be out in September, so you can read it for yourself then.


text: I hate the feeling of caked-on foundation so when I heard about Dior's AirFlash, I had to try it. It was a little scary applying foundation like hairspray to my face, but it was suprisingly airy and fresh! It didn't get on my clothes or hair and was easy to blend with a brush. The mother of pearl pigments felt light and soft on my face, and after about eight hours of dinner and dancing, it still felt like I had just applied–no running down my face, cracking or clumping. It's no wonder Emmy Rossum refuses to wear anything but AirFlash. It can be bought at sephora.com for $60 a bottle. Would you try this spray foundation? I promise, once you do you'll be hooked!- Andrea DeSimone


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Here is my bag. I ordered the categories from least stable to most stable. I throw RHFH and can get my nukes out to around 400 on a perfect throw, the pd's go about 375 but on a much tighter line. Do I have any overlaps or missing spots in my bag Or am I looking solid?
Chain Only Putters
- (175)Pro D Challengers White W/Red Stamp (2 Identical)**
Upshot Putters
- (168)Pro D Challenger
- (175)Omega Super Soft
- (172)ESP Zone
- (177)Pro D Buzzz
- (174)Z Buzzz
- (172)FLX Buzzz
- (174)Z Hornet
Fairway Drivers
- (172)S-line FD
- S-line FD2 (soon to be in the bag when its released)
- (175)S-line PD Test Configuration (3 Different stages of wear)
Distance Drivers
- (172)ESP Nuke
- (175)Z Nuke (1 flat and very stable, 1 domey and stable-understable)
- (172)Z Predator
- (172)FLX Predator
- (175)Z Flick
Thanks in advance to any advice given.
Any is appreciated.


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MBBuilder is a visual Rapid Application Development (RAD) tool for MapInfo MapBasic with the features, typical for this products category:
In two words: MBBuilder is a "VisualMapBasic"!
MapBasic application development environment contains text editor, compiler and linker. Unfortunately, creating dialogs, menus and toolbars requires much time and routine work when describing them in specific MapBasic commands. Even greater efforts demand changing, adding and removing individual components of the interface during development.
The Windows oriented development support systems (Borland Delphi, Microsoft Visual Basic and other Rapid Application Development tools) for a long time use visual methods of creating program interface with automatically generated program code. Using of RAD Tools in development process radically simplifies the development, deployment and management of applications.
microOLAP MBBuilder is the first RAD environment for MapBasic that fully supports all its features. With MBBuilder, corporate or individual developers can create MapInfo MapBasic applications quickly and easily.
The control center of the application development process is the main menu (see Figure 1). It controls the files, included into the application, and does all work at project maintenance, its compilation and run.
We'll name here the main window components only:
Figure 1 [Application Window]
Figure 2 [Component Editor]
Figure 3 [Project Manager]
Figure 4 [New Dialog]
Figure 5 [Object Inspector]
Programming of logical and calculating procedures, as well as the initialization and setting of the application and any other procedures, is executed the same way as in the usual MapBasic text editor.
Figure 6 [File Editor]
Menu Editor (see Figure 7) inserts the necessary program code into the application automatically.
Figure 7 [Menu Editor]
Figure 8 [Toolbar Editor]
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Savvy Girl's Guide to Beauty Etiquette
"Mr. Armani is very precise with what he wants," explains makeup artist Linda Cantello, who's been tasked with translating his latest vision (the desert heat of Morocco's Atlas Mountains) into a cool makeup look for the runway. "He sees everything—the lighting, the makeup, the clothes—and knows exactly how it'll come together."
In this case, the result is an arresting study of blues: virtually-makeup-free skin (just primer and a little concealer—"a younger way to get perfect, lovely skin") punctuated by brilliantly graphic eyes in a palette of midnight blues.
On the eyes, Cantello started with a base of deep marine and black pencils, then followed with a navy powder shadow for a dirty but "never messy" look. (The deliberate smudge of blue at the inner corners was a detail added by Armani, who picked up a makeup brush and swiped on the shadow himself.) Mascara topped the eyes, lips were dusted with a matte powder, and, finally, a sheer bronzer was brushed on in a crescent shape around the eyes and under the cheekbones. The effect: downtown cool in the desert.
Moody Blues: Giorgio Armani Maestro Eye Shadow Quad, $59.
8 New Ways to Detox