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Sunday, September 24, 2017
Help in understanding MRI explanation
My father, who is diabetic, hypertensive and also has elevated triglyceride levels, had been experiencing slurred speech for approx. 2mos, so his family dr. scheduled him for an MRI. The results of his MRI are as follows: "There are multiple small foci abnormality distributed throughout the paraventricular white matter - corona radiata consistent with perivascular chronic ischemic changes of aging, but in addition, there are a couple of more prominent ones in the deep frontoparietal white matter on the left, consistent with small infarcts extending into the superior insula of the left temporal lobe. Conclusion: slight to moderate bilateral perivascular chronic ischemic white matter disease of aging, in additon to small infarcts on the left as described. There are a couple of lacunar brainstem infarcts." Does this mean my father suffered a stroke and that`s why his speech is slurred and he`s having difficulty swallowing? Can you please explain this to me in layman`s terms? He is on Glucotrol for his diabetes, Lopid for his cholesterol, and I don`t think anything for his BP. Shouldn`t he be taking a diuretic or SOMETHING to treat and control his BP? Wasn`t it his uncontrolled BP that most likely caused the lacunes? Instead, his dr. prescribed him only Plavix after the MRI. To what kind of specialist should I now take him, since I am beginning not to trust his family doctor?
Re: the MRI report in layman's terms
As the brain ages, we tend to see a change in appearance around the fluid filled spaces (the ventricles). These changes are thought to be the long-term effects of atherosclerosis which cause less blood flow in these brain regions. Less blood flow means that the brain tissue can be irreversibly injured, which is what they are referring to as "ischemic injury".
We do know that we see increasing amount of these changes with age, and see greater amounts of change in patients who have high blood pressure and diabetes. In a sense, this is the "end effect" on the brain of having risk factors such as hypertension or diabetes, although not all patients with either condition have such changes. I hope this explains the "perivascular chronic ischemic white matter disease of aging". Importantly, patients with these changes do not necessarily have any neurologic problems as a result, unless the changes are very severe. These changes accumulate slowly over time and the brain is able to compensate so that no function is lost.
When blood flow to the brain is suddenly stopped, this is a stroke. A stroke is accompanied by clinical symptoms such as weakness on one side, slurred speech, visual problems, or problems with thinking or language. Given his slurred speech, it is possible that your father has had a stroke, although I cannot make definite comment without examining him myself.
The report mentions left sided brain changes that suggest the appearance of a stroke. If this is the cause of his symptoms, you might expect to see a drooping of his right face, or perhaps slower/less movement on that side.
High blood pressure is the single most important risk factor for stroke, and in a patient with diabetes it is crucial to control the blood pressure for optimal prevention of future strokes. Since I have not seen your father, I cannot comment--realize that some people cannot take medicine for high blood pressure for various reasons.
If you want to seek an opinion from a specialist, it would be best to see a neurologist. Some neurologists have had special training in stroke, although stroke is a common problem and certainly any neurologist could provide an opinion.
I hope I have answered all of your questions. Feel free to respond if I have not.
Brett Kissela, MD
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Director, Neurology Residency Program
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati


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Debbie has worked enthusiastically over the last 5 years to develop the Hopwood Ladies Cycling Club. Numbers have risen steadily along with improvement in the members' abilities. The group's ethos is fantastic: rides are inclusive of all levels, and less fit or able cyclists don't have to ride the whole way until their fitness levels improve.
Debbie has raised the profile of female cycling and has been featured with the group in the local village magazine, on local radio and on the website.
During the last 12 months, she has continued with regular rides (approximately 3 per week), arranged a 2 week cycle camping holiday in Northern Ireland, 50 in 4 and 100 in 8 challenge rides, as well as networking with other women's cycling groups (the Sandwich ladies from Kent and the Fabulous ladies from Cheshire). Debbie has teamed with other ongoing cycling projects and 4 women are now also with the Skyride project and 2 women (plus a male family member) are working with the bike-ability schemes.

subset: commoncrawl


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Wednesday's optimistic action has carried over to this morning, but there are signs of nervousness, and many traders are ready to hit the eject button at the first sign of negative news. We already had one jiggle on comments from a congressman that they are "far from a deal." Speaker John Boehner is scheduled to hold a press conference at 11:30 a.m. EST and the market is losing momentum in front of that event.
Overall, we have good breadth again at about 3-to-1 positive. Most sectors are green but there is a little weakness in homebuilders and retailers. Apple (AAPL), Priceline (PCLN), Google (GOOG) and a number of big-caps are leading the action, which is probably a function of traders looking for liquid names that they can exit quickly should they need to.
I've been playing some technical buys like PolyOne (POL), Parexel (PRXL) and YY Inc. (YY), but I'm being very aggressive at protecting gains when I have them. The market action is decent, but the headline risk is extremely high and I can't imagine that we are going to have a fiscal-cliff deal without tough negotiations first.


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Pence ranked among best on basepaths
SAN FRANCISCO -- Though no traditional statistics exist for measuring all-around baserunning proficiency, a contemporary formula recently rated Giants right fielder Hunter Pence as the Major Leagues' fifth-best baserunner.
Through last Wednesday, Pence trailed only San Diego's Everth Cabrera, the New York Mets' David Wright, Miami's Juan Pierre and Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen in Baserunning Net Gain. It's a metric devised by the famed Bill James that evaluates players based on opportunities to advance on hits and avoid outs on the basepaths. Stolen bases and bases taken on hits or outs are prominent factors measured.
Pence attributed much of his baserunning success to third-base coach Tim Flannery and first-base coach Roberto Kelly.
"They do a really good job of getting me prepared for every spontaneous situation," Pence said Saturday. "They definitely cover every angle."
Pence was 8-for-8 in stolen bases entering Saturday, reflecting his improved speed. That's a difficult physical attribute to upgrade, but it's generally agreed that Pence gained a step or two last offseason.
"I think you can say that I definitely have more confidence in going," Pence said.
Just as importantly, Pence believed that he's getting better breaks from the batter's box or from each base.
"I've never been quick. I've always been fast," Pence said. "But I feel quicker."
This information was used with permission from John Dewan's Stat of the Week.
Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Topic: Time for a scan
My husband completed his fourth round of Folfirinox today so it's now time for a scan to see whether it is having any effect. He has never had any pain or other symptoms, his liver function tests have always been fairly good, and his tumors don't result in elevated tumor markers so we really have no idea how he is doing. His last scan was such a disappointment when it showed recurrence of intrahepatic CC ten months after what we thought was a successful resection. I'm very worried about this one but am trying not to let it ruin the holidays as we won't learn the results until January 2. As usual, my husband is being very reasonable, saying he hopes the results will be good but, if not, we'll figure out another course of action. By the way, he has done remarkably well in tolerating Folfirinox. It's a tough regimen but his side effects have been very manageable and he's still working full-time and enjoying his life.


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Blake_T wrote:Thanks for the heads up. I know 2 struggling local stores that have carried brian moore guitars, one of which still has a bunch of nos ones. I may go check those out
Now don't get me wrong, plenty of used Brian Moores go for $300-$500. I'm talking about the ones that slip by on No Reserve for $150 on Ebay because nobody goes looking for Brian Moore guitars.


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The recent merger of T-Mobile and Orange could bring a few perks to their customers, especially T-Mobile customers outside the South-East of England, where we hear reception can be a bit patchy.
From 5 October, users who sign up for free to the roaming service will be able to automatically switch between networks when one loses signal, working in the same way that your phone does when on holiday abroad.
At the moment it's just for 2G services – so that's calls and texts only, but there are plans to roll out the feature to 3G services next year. This could be great news if you consistently find your net connection dropping off.
More on Stuff.tv:
IFA 2010 – LG Windows Phone 7 handset spotted
Samsung Wave 723 rolling towards shore


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Yanks hope change of scenery benefits Rogers
BOSTON -- The Yankees have had good reports on Esmil Rogers for some time, and manager Joe Girardi is curious to see if his club can straighten the right-hander out after a rough season with the Blue Jays.
"We've always liked his arm," Girardi said. "Our goal is to see if we can get this kid on a roll and he can help us."
Rogers, who can be used as either a short or long reliever, said that he was working out in Toronto when he learned that the Yankees had claimed him. Rogers said that fastball command was responsible for his 6.97 ERA in 16 games for Toronto.
"When you're bad, you're bad," Rogers said. "This year, I got a couple of bad outings. I just tried to fix that and come in pounding the zone, use more of my fastball and my fastball command. ... I think my fastball is my power pitch. My slider is nasty. When my fastball and my slider command is good, it's all right."
Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Give your throttle-hand a break with the CrampBuster!
An ingenious plastic gizmo.
Easily clips to your right handgrip and allows you to rest your palm, while keeping an open throttle setting, that won't stress out your hand.
A must-have product-makes all the difference between a painful or an enjoyable cross-country ride!
Color: Black
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I'll be staying in downtown Chattanooga this weekend. Probably only have time to play one course. Which one should it be? Coming in on I-75 from Knoxville direction if that makes any difference.
I've read a few reviews:
Is The Sinks as crowded as people say it is?
Is Cloudland overgrown right now?


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(language) An algorithm or program to determine the syntactic structure of ("parse") a sentence or string of symbols in some language. A parser normally takes as input a sequence of tokens output by a lexical analyser. It may produce some kind of abstract syntax tree as output. A parser may be produced automatically from a grammar by a parser generators such as yacc.A parser is normally part of some larger program, like a compiler, which takes the output of the parser and attempts to extract meaning from it in some way, e.g. translating it into another language.
Last updated: 2009-06-26


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A 20-year-old Norwalk man died Saturday after being struck by a hit-and-run driver while riding his skateboard, officials said.
Daniel Michael Ortiz died at the scene of the collision, which was first reported about 4:20 a.m. at Studebaker and Foster roads, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.
No witnesses to the fatal-hit-and run had been located Sunday, Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Greg Arnold said.
"We responded to the area on a rescue call - a person down in the street," Arnold said. "Once we were there, we determined it was a person who had apparently been struck by a vehicle, and he was deceased at the location."
It appeared the vehicle was northbound on Studebaker when it struck the skateboarder, who was crossing the road within a marked crosswalk, Arnold said.
"Debris indicated it's a metallic blue vehicle," he said. It was believed to have front-end damage.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the sheriff's Norwalk Station at 562-863-8711.
- Brian Day


text: Politics 11 February 2013 The taxpayer faces a £4bn bill if a "big six" energy company goes under 5 questions answered. Sign up for our weekly email * Print HTML Under newly proposed plans by Ed Davey the tax payer could foot the bill if one of the big six energy companies goes bust. We answer five questions on the proposed contingency plans. What is Ed Davey proposing? Energy Secretary Ed Davey is proposing to intervene quickly should one of the big six companies - EDF of France, E.ON and npower of Germany and Scottish Power, owned by Iberdrola of Spain, Centrica and Scottish & Southern Electric – go bust. The "worst case scenario" plans, outlined in an Energy Department consultation paper open for comments until March 15, could result in household bills rising by between £7 and £32 a year on average over the period, equivalent to a maximum contribution of £4bn on the basis of 25.5m households in the UK, according to The Telegraph. The provisions would enable the Government to intervene and continue to fund any company about to go bust and control the cost passed onto the consumer and maintain market sustainability. The rest of the industry would be expected to maintain supplies should this happen. What is the likely-hood one of the big six companies could going bust? It is not thought to be very likely that one of these companies would go bust any time soon and their commitment to the UK is not being questioned. It is thought the government is brining in these extra precautions because it does not want to have a repeat of the banking fiasco in the energy sector. Does the government not already have provisions in place? It does in the form of the 2011 2011 Energy Act which has already introduced a special administration regime to provide protection for the National Grid and the electricity and gas distribution networks it operates, as well as for the rail and water industries. However, Davey feels these provisions are not robust enough to cope with the mayhem that would ensue in the market if one of the big energy providers went bust. What has the Department of Energy said? An Energy Department official told The Telegraph: "It is extremely unlikely that any of the large energy suppliers in the UK would become insolvent. None the less, the Government believes that it is prudent to have in place a framework that will ensure the continued operation of a major supplier until its customers can be transferred to other partners." What do the energy companies think about these new provisions? EDF has said it is broadly supportive of the proposals, while others are yet to comment › Laurie Penny on a career move: Dear Vatican, I would like to be Pope, love Laurie Penny Photograph: Getty Images Heidi Vella is a features writer for Nridigital.com Subscribe from just £1 per issue More Related articles "I'm frightened, genuinely frightened": how London terror attacks affect the rest of the country Inspiring to empower: how to solve the UK's STEM skills gap Laying the foundations for conflict-free construction Subscription offer 12 issues for £12 + FREE book LEARN MORE Close This week's magazine


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Since 2003, Urban Harvest has provided Youth Education garden and nutrition classes to explore healthy nutrition, food systems, native habitats and ecosystems at Houston-area schools. Some programs are funded by after school grants while others are supported by parent groups, community groups and even local business partners.
Youth Education Partner Sites, 2016 - 2017
Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan Middle School
Blackshear Elementary
Durham Elementary
Gabriela Mistral CEC
Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet
Gregory-Lincoln Education Center
James Hogg Middle School
Oak Forest Elementary
Peck Elementary
Port Houston Elementary
Pugh Elementary
North Houston and Spring, TX, Early Childhood Day Care Centers: Alexander's Academy (Spring), Alexander's Academy (Klien), and Kids K'nnect
Our Supporting Partners
21st Century Community Learning Centers
CASE, Center for After-School, Summer, and Extended Learning and The Harris County Department of Education
City of Houston, City Connections
Durham ES PTA
Garden Oaks Montessori PTO
Houston Independent School District
Oak Forest Elementary PTA
Rummel Creek Elementary PTA
Spring Branch Independent School District
Volunteer times for the Urban Harvest Teaching Garden
Thursdays, 9:00 - 11:00am at Gregory-Lincoln Education Center 1101 Taft St, Houston, TX 77019
This is a great volunteer activity for parents and their school-age children, teens looking for community service hours & neighbors who want to improve their "hands on" gardening skill! Activities include cultivating, planting & harvesting. Individual volunteers are welcome to show up during hours listed.
Please wear closed toe shoes, long pants, hat and bring a reusable water bottle.
To volunteer with groups of five or more, please email our volunteer coordinator or call 713.880.5540.
See tips in how to Rescue Your Garden From Water Logged Soils.


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226 Foxtree Drive
Glen Burnie, Maryland, 21061
Commute to Downtown Glen Burnie
Most errands require a car.
About your score
226 Foxtree Drive has a Walk Score of 38 out of 100. This location is a Car-Dependent neighborhood so most errands require a car.
This location is in Glen Burnie. The closest park is Southgate Old Mill Park.
Explore how far you can travel by car, bus, bike and foot from 226 Foxtree Drive.
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Search for homes in Glen Burnie or find a Glen Burnie real estate agent who knows walkable neighborhoods. Links will open on our partner site Redfin.com.
This location is in the city of Glen Burnie, MD. Glen Burnie has an average Walk Score of 34 and has 67,639 residents.Learn More About Glen Burnie


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GoodGuide: Green Product Information at Your Fingertips
From environment to human health to ethics, every product we decide to buy is an alliance between us and the values and practices of the companies that produce them. How can we be sure that we're making the right decisions before we get to the checkout line?
GoodGuide is a helpful resource that puts all the dimensions of a product at your fingertips. On the market for the best toys, sunscreen, or fresh meat? Browse their site or download the iPhone app to get access to information that will help you decide what "best" means for you.
With GoodGuide, you can:
- Find better products that are healthy, green and socially responsible
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- Get mobile advice while shopping in a store by downloading their iPhone app
- Create and share personalized favorites lists of products that are right for you and your family
On the Web: http://www.goodguide.com/
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Emma Watson in October 2012 Glamour | Pictures
Emma Watson Reveals Her Girl Crush in Glamour
Emma Watson Reveals Her Girl Crush in Glamour
Emma Watson is on the cover of Glamour's October issue, and inside the pages of the glossy, she tackles topics including dating in the spotlight and her love for Girls creator Lena Dunham. Emma, now 22, is looking to move past the Harry Potter series she's best known for by adding more grown-up roles to her repertoire. Following a part in last year's critically acclaimed My Week With Marilyn, Emma will star in the upcoming The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival later this week. Her issue of Glamour hits newsstands on Sept. 11, but in the meantime, here are some highlights:
- On her love for Lena Dunham: "I am literally obsessed with Lena Dunham. She's, like, my favorite person in the world. I follow her on Twitter; I read her every day. And, yes, Girls is an example of something so refreshing because it feels real."
- On why short hair suits her: ". . .If I had it my way, I would have just kept it short forever. Of course, men like long hair. There's no two ways about it. The majority of the boys around me were like, 'Why did you do that? That's such an error.' And I was like, 'Well, honestly, I don't really care what you think!'"
- On The Perks of Being a Wallflower: "Making this movie was so pivotal for me because I realized I do really want to be an actress, which wasn't something I fully knew, since Harry Potter was such a singular experience. Obviously I'm nervous to see what other people think, but it kind of doesn't matter to me. It's so cheesy to say this, but it's the journey, not the end goal, that's important."
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'Buckwild' cast member, two others found dead
Gandee promised more 'mudding' in next season SISSONVILLE, W.Va. -- Shain Gandee, star of MTV's show "Buckwild," was one of three people found dead in Sissonville on Monday in an apparent off-road driving accident.The bodies were found in Gandee's Ford Bronco, which was stuck in the mud more than a mile off Wolf Pen Drive on a trail used for off-road four-wheeling.Gandee's uncle, David Gandee, 48, was also found in the truck, Kanawha County sheriff's deputies said. The third man, Donald Robert Myers, 27, was identified by the sheriff's department Monday evening.Shain and David Gandee were last seen at Larry's Bar in Sissonville at about 3 a.m. Sunday, and said they were planning to go four-wheeling in the younger Gandee's Ford Bronco, according to the sheriff's department.Family members spent most of Sunday searching for the men before calling 911 to report them missing. Kanawha County Sheriff's Cpl. Brian Humphreys said Monday evening that one of Shain Gandee's friends found the truck and the bodies."The vehicle sat unevenly, but upright, and was partially submerged in deep mud," Humphreys said in a news release. The driver's side door was free of the mud, he said, but the passenger side door was partially submerged, and the truck's muffler was completely below the surface of the mud.That might seem to indicate the men were overcome by carbon monoxide poisoning, but a cause of death was not released. Humphreys said the bodies would be taken to the state medical examiner's office. Shain Gandee was in the driver's seat of the truck, Humphreys said.The truck was in a mud pit next to a trail that four-wheel-drive vehicles would be able to use, Humphreys said. Rescuers had to use a bulldozer to remove the truck.State Police were ready to send up a helicopter to search the area minutes before Metro 911 dispatchers reported that the bodies had been found.Neighbor Swanna Frampton, a longtime friend of the Gandee family, said Monday afternoon that Shain Gandee was a "great kid" who loved to make people laugh. Frampton also said that, while Gandee was outgoing and adventurous, some of his recklessness may have been fueled by the MTV show itself."'Buckwild' made him famous," Frampton said, "and he took risks that I didn't think he would normally take."Rescue workers in ATVs and trucks drove back and forth down a gravel road that led to Gandee's home and the nearby four-wheeling trail Monday afternoon. At one point, a bulldozer clanked down the road toward the presumed accident site.Frampton said that her husband, who worked with Shain Gandee's father, was helping with the rescue effort."Today's a senseless tragedy," she said.Humphreys would not talk about the specifics of the rescue effort.Gandee was the breakout star of "Buckwild" and the core of the show was in many ways built around him and what MTV portrayed as his wild, country-boy ways.Referred to by some of the other cast members as a "redneck MacGyver," Gandee was the architect of many of the show's stunts and hijinks, including converting a dump truck into a swimming pool.Gandee, an avid outdoorsman, eschewed modern technology such as cellphones and computers, had nothing to do with social media and loved taking his truck "mudding," hunting and going four-wheeling.In the first episode of the show, he took most of the cast out in his pickup truck to go mudding. He blew out his truck's motor, and the group had to be rescued by a friend with a tractor."We are shocked and saddened by the terrible news about Shain Gandee, and those involved in this tragic incident," MTV said in a press release Monday. "We are waiting for more information but at this time, our main concern is for the Gandee family and their friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. Shain had a magnetic personality, with a passion for life that touched everyone he met and we will miss him dearly."Staff writer Bill Lynch contributed to this report. Reach Zac Taylor at firstname.lastname@example.com or 304-348-5189.


text: Hey everyone, I just finished my last play at my school. It was called Voices from Washington high. Anyways, I wrote some music to it, and then I played some music from my favorite band: Dream Theater. I just logged on here and did a search for posts that had dream theater in them. I was shocked to see that some of you are fans! And I didn't know that Duncan likes them too. Wow! that totally made my night! ROCK ON!!!


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Cashner to make first rehab start Friday
SAN DIEGO -- Pitcher Andrew Cashner, on the disabled list since June 21 with right shoulder soreness, is scheduled to make his first Minor League rehabilitation start on Friday for the team's Class A Advanced affiliate in Lake Elsinore, Calif.
Cashner threw an extended bullpen session prior to Saturday's game against the Braves at Petco Park. He's scheduled to travel with the team on Monday to Minnesota, where he will throw another bullpen session before flying back to California.
Cashner has actually been free and clear of any residual shoulder soreness for quite some time, but he had soreness in his neck that bothered him leading up to the All-Star break. He took five days off from any time of throwing before throwing a bullpen last weekend in Atlanta.
Cashner is 2-6 with a 2.36 ERA in 12 starts. He also missed time in May with soreness in his right elbow.
San Diego manager Bud Black said he anticipates that Cashner will throw between 30-40 pitches in his first rehabilitation start. Black didn't say how many appearances he will need, though he'll first need to rebuild his stamina and endurance before he's able to rejoin the big league team.
Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. Keep track of @FollowThePadres on Twitter. Will Laws is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Click here, or on the image above, to see the trailer from The Birds.
"We seem to have a compulsion these days to bury time capsules in order to give those people living in the next century or so some idea of what we are like. I have prepared one of my own. I have placed some rather large samples of dynamite, gunpowder, and nitroglycerin. My time capsule is set to go off in the year 3000. It will show them what we are really like." ― Alfred Hitchcock
For a more satisfying vision of a future in which things don't work out as planned, with nature in revolt and the horror left unresolved at fadeout, one could do worse than to rent Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 classic The Birds, in which the director's mastery to both form and content is evident in every frame. Famously devoid of any musical score at all, other than an electronic pastiche of bird cries on the soundtrack to punctuate the action, The Birds is a master class in camera placement, editing, and the slow accumulation of suspense — scene by scene.
Tippi Hedren is self-assured and resolute in the leading role as Melanie Daniels, while Rod Taylor, Jessica Tandy and Suzanne Pleshette lend credible support, and the film itself is handsomely designed, with a sense of solidity and precision in its construction that holds up under repeated viewings. Based on Daphne du Maurier's short story, with superb special effects by the great Ub Iwerks, The Birds stands as Hitchcock's last really successful film, after the full-fledged triumph of Psycho.
Those who would like to know more about the film should read Hitchcock /Truffaut, perhaps the best interview book ever done on any director, in which François Truffaut spent weeks with Hitchcock going over his entire career in minute detail — first released in the late 1960s, it has never been out of print, and Truffaut was able to create a revised, expanded second edition just before his tragic death in 1984 — there's really no better introduction to Hitchcock's work.


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Differentiated instruction (DI) is becoming a mainstay in classrooms across the country as educators are starting to see the ways that the traditional classroom setting limits their ability to reach diverse learners. Join us on this journey through 10 practical DI integration strategies! Count on at least three sample integration lessons on each strategy, and just think of all the ways that you can apply them to improve learning outcomes for your students.
Over the next six weeks, we'll talk about DI strategies ranging from multiple intelligences (MI) to flexible grouping, cubing, WebQuests, I-Searches, tiering, anchoring activities, and interest centers. Every lesson is packed with real-world examples that will help you put these strategies to use in your own classroom. We'll take a look at integration across different subjects, grade levels, and learning profiles as you gain helpful tips on bringing DI to your classroom.
This course is a must for today's teachers who often have to differentiate quickly, and with a minimum of resources. DI is an excellent launch pad for ramping up your creative classroom, and with the tips in these lessons, you'll be reaching your diverse learners in no time flat.
Note: To receive 25 hours of instruction in the State of Oregon, please ensure your school is eligible to issue professional development units, and that the course is approved by your professional learning coordinator.
A new session of each course opens each month, allowing you to enroll whenever your busy schedule permits!
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This game was classified by the community with the following category scores - Violence=0/3, Sex=0/3, Mature Content=0/3. Let your child learn their ABC's and 123's while having fun watching things come to life on the screen, with the clouds bringing rain, flowers attracting butterflies and the sun, the airplane and the windmill in motion. Finish off each session with fireworks. Catchy background music and some random sounds should keep your kid entertained for a long time. Learning something was never so much fun!
Buy Xbox content on Xbox.com. Your Xbox 360 console will automatically download the content next time you turn it on and connect to Xbox Live.Learn More


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Richland County Antique Show and Flea Market
Sunday, October 28, 2012
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
750 N. Home Rd.
Mansfield , OH 44906
The last weekend of the month from February-November, come on out to the Richland County Fairgrounds for the Flea Market and Antique Show. Admission is just $1.00 per person and kids under 11 are free. Over 200+ dealer spaces available and cash give-aways!
Click Here For Directions
« Back to Calendar


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NEWS has reached the town of the death of former mayor, Philip Sharpe-Neal.
Mr Sharpe-Neal, who retired from the council in 2003, was mayor of the town three times, - in 1976, 1983 and 1998.
He was also chairman of the Ledbury and District Civic Society, from 1978 to 1980.
A former head boy at Ledbury Grammar School, he was praised by present day town councillors for his independent mind, in the public arena.
Ledbury's present mayor, Cllr Bob Barnes spoke of his "very good spread of service, to the town and the community."
Former town mayor, Cllr Keith Francis said: "I only knew him from the year 2000 to when he retired, in 2003.
"He was a man who did so much for the town in a very quiet, unassuming way. Philip was a true independent; not someone masquerading as an independent, and to him politics played no part in local Government.
"He was like a mentor to me, and he was a committed member our our community."
Mr Sharpe-Neal moved away from Ledbury, in recent years, to Westbury on Trym, to be close to his son.
He died earlier this month.
There was a minute's silence in his memory at last week's full town council meeting, in the Market House.


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I just ordered some books collecting the sketches of Kim Jong Gi, a phenomenally talented draftsman. Below is a 75 minute demo of the artist at work. I may be mistaken, but I think this is all stream of consciousness drawing!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
BIG Bucks
by Arnie Fenner
A new record price for an original piece of American comic art was set last week when Todd McFarlane's cover to The Amazing Spider-Man #328 sold at the Heritage auction for $657, 250. Still shy of matching the amount paid last year for a piece of comic art, period (see below), it is nevertheless a staggering sum.
If you've watched pen & ink pages by John Romita, Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby & Co. sell for prices ranging from a few hundred bucks to well north of a Hundred Grand in recent years, you might wonder what the hefty amounts being plunked down for comic book art really means (if anything). Why the huge leap in prices for pop-culture originals? Do the movies have anything to do with it or are wealthy fans simply indulging in nostalgia? Are these legitimate investments that will increase in value or will they turn out to be a future generation's garage sale inventory? And why these particular pieces and not others? I haven't a clue myself. But Heidi MacDonald has an interesting post on the subject at The Beat (read the comments section, too), while Jim Gurney has an equally fascinating post about value and what will (or maybe will not) last in his post "Measures of Greatness."
All of these artworks—with the exception of one—were sold by collectors (the artists had parted company the originals years ago for significantly less than these hammer prices). The exception is the Frazetta. Originally intended as a cover for Famous Funnies in 1955, it was rejected by the editors as being too violent; Frank took it to Bill Gaines at EC who gave Frazetta an option of selling the rights and original for $60 or just the rights for $30. Frank took the $30 and kept the art—the only piece of art Gaines said he ever published without owning the original. The Frazetta family sold the cover after Frank died in 2010.
Anyway, below are the 5 most expensive works of comic book original art. As of today.
#5 Spider-Man #1 cover by Todd McFarlane: $358,500.
#4 Weird Science-Fantasy #29 cover by Frank Frazetta: $380,000.
#3 Batman: The Dark Knight #3 splash page by Frank Miller: $448,125.
#2 The Amazing Spider-Man #328 cover by Todd McFarlane: $657,250.
And #1 Tintin In America cover by Hergé: $1,600,000.
Posted by Arnie Fenner 10 comments:
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Eric Fortune Mentorship
A while back we mentioned that Rebecca Guay, the brains behind the Illustration Master Class, was starting a new online mentorship program called smART School. The roster of instructors is very impressive, and includes Muddy Color's very own Eric Fortune.
Apparently, the program has been received quite well, as just there are literally just a few seats left. So if you were debating whether or not to sign up for the mentorship with Eric Fortune... now is the time!
Aside from being one of the most talented artists I've ever met, Eric is also well versed in both the illustration and fine arts markets, making Eric's class the perfect choice for those students whose work teeters between genres.
In addition to Eric's mentorship, students will also receive input from special guest David Saylor. David is the Senior Art Director for Scholastic Books Children's and Y.A. divisions, and is probably best known as being the A.D. for the Harry Potter series.
As most of you have probably experienced, getting substantial one-on-one time with any A.D., let alone one of David's caliber, is pretty difficult. Quite honestly, it's an opportunity that doesn't come around too often.
As a special Muddy Colors incentive, any student who signs up prior to August 1st will receive $250 off their tuition!
For more information, check out the smART School website at: http://www.smarterartschool.com/
Saturday, July 28, 2012
It Ain't Easy Being 3D
-Tim Bruckner
Let's say you're a 2D artist. Well, you my friend are the Supreme Master of Your Universe. You decree the time of day. Location is yours to decide, be it under the sea, on a distant planet, an endless desert or a Starbucks. The light bends at your desire; blinding sun, dappled shadows, the brooding gloom of a cloud sliced moon or the humming neon of an office cubicle. Time? Your call. Pick a century. Make up a century! In your Universe, people fly, men with super powers lift city blocks with the flex of a finger. Jugglers juggle. Pumas pounce. Robots emit lasers through their eyes with devastating effect. In short, your only constraint is the limits of your imagination.
Now, pity the plight of the poor sculptor. We share some of your powers; creation of character, size, shape, mass. We determine finesse of finish, level of detail. Action. Intent of action. Same as you. But that's it. The context in which our work is viewed is out of our control. The conditions under which our sculptures are seen is left to the whim and whimsy of an art director who will decide which lighting setup to use. (For some inexplicable reason, they sometimes choose to light a sculpture from beneath. Will ya look at those nostrils!)
Or, the consumer who may place his sculpture in a cabinet, on a mantle, in a bookshelf or next to the toaster on the kitchen counter. And then there's the gallery with its pin point overheads that makes everything under them look like a Judy Garland revival.
And it gets worse. In your world, you compose proximity. The dragon battles the valiant knight. A group of bug-eyed aliens abducts a leggy blonde.
Unless the sculptor's statue contains two or more figures, it's just as likely that Superman will be sharing shelf space with Under Dog or Wolverine paling around with Uncle Creepy.
So, what's a sculptor to do? Well, there ain't a lot of options, but there are a few. A base is a good contexter. (I made that up, but you get the idea) A well designed base can help set the location. It can even infer distance like a mountain top or a valley.
Then there's weather. In the sculptor's world, there's often a lot of wind. Usually it blows in against the character, sending hair and wardrobe alike, undulating in elegant inverted "S" curves. Flying is a tough one. It's that damn pesky gravity that gets in the way of a convincing airborne composition. But a sculptor is like a magician. Its all about misdirection. Look here! Don't look there. A character who's supposed to be flying needs to be supported somehow. It's the sculptor's job to help you suspend logic and physics in support of make believe.
Most problematic is the concession to the material. Its often going to be resin or silicone, and in some case, bronze. They each carry their own liabilities. Resin, as with all thermal cure plastics, is subject to heat warp. In winter, that flying super hero defies gravity at ninety degrees. During the summer swelter of late July, he's kissing the ground. There's a one word cure for that. Buttress! As long as you can't see what it is, it's a damn dandy solution. So, knowing what a material can do, or more importantly, what it can't do, and knowing how to make it look like it can… that there is golden.
But, the sculptor has one special power all our own. And it's a doozey! The element of surprise. All you 2D guys, you can make anything happen anywhere, anytime. You can make the impossible, possible. But the sculptor, we can give the audience something you can't. A back view. And don't you know, we play it for all their worth. Why, look here. It's a statue of Wonder Woman. Just standing there, minding her own Amazonian business. But turn her around and she's standing on a pile of skulls of her vanquished foes. Try that in 2D! A good sculptor will stack the visual deck. We'll leave visual bread crumbs for you to follow and take you where we want you to go and back again.
And then there's presence. As compelling and as a brilliant as 2D work can be, and man, a lot of it is just jaw dropping, they don't share the presence that occupies the same physical space as we all do. Might not seem like a big deal, but it kind of is. You can get up all in that, with a piece of sculpture. You can get up all in that with a wonderful work in 2D art, but it takes more work.
I've said this before, sculptors are like the drummers of the art world. If you've ever been in a band or are a sculptor, you'll know what I mean. We sculptors are not prone to great conceptual leaps. We're often too busy trying to figure out how make a squint look intense as opposed to myopic.
She: This is something I've been rolling around for a couple of years. How could I contextualize a sculpture the same way a 2D guy can? Well, you'd have to start with creating an environment that, by and large, accepts traditional lighting methods as overhead and be willing to embrace the variables of that. This is the rough clay. When she's done, the leaves will be cast in translucent resin allowing a little more light and increasing the play between light and shadow. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Guest Blogger – Vanja Todoric
Fairy Tales With a Twist
Hey everybody my name is Vanja Todoric, and I will be your guest bloger for today.
First of all I would like to thank Petar Meseldzija, the man who most certainly was one of my biggest role models while growing up, for giving me a chance to share some of my thoughts with you.
When Petar asked me to be a guest on Muddy Colors, the first idea that came to my mind was to write about the technique, and technical process I go through while doing an illustration. But I realized that it's kind of absurd to even consider doing that, knowing all the great and much more experienced artists that Muddy Colors have in their ranks.
So, instead I decided to write about the things that motivate me, stuff I love to illustrate and my favorite theme of all - fairy tales.
|Serbian Mythology - Rebels, "Witch Flying on a Walnut"
For the last three years, the theme that was most present in all of my illustrations was either closely or entirely related to fairy tales. Whether I was working on my personal stuff, or the "Serbian Mythology" books, or the project I'm currently working on, I just couldn't escape from them, and what was even more interesting, I couldn't get enough of them!
Usually any kind of overusing a certain theme will eventually lead you up to the point where you will get fed up with it, and won't stand to look, listen, or speak of it any more.
|Banished Creatures, "Midwife", "Nightmare" and "Talason"
So during these three years I was expecting the same thing would happen to the affection I have for fairy tales. But strangely it didn't, and I was starting to wonder why.
I'm sure that there are many reasons that can explain this, but here is the one that I think is probably the most accurate one. Fairy tales were, are and always will be popular among us because long time ago we chose to keep that beautiful tradition of reading and telling them to our kids.
|Serbian Fairy Tales, "The Groom Snake", "PepperCorn" and "The Golden Fleece Ram"
Even today, you can stop a kid on a street, with all the Iphone/pod/pad gadgets dangling of him, and he will still know to tell you about the Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, or Pinocchio. And it does not matter what century we live in, there will always be a new way to tell the old stories we've heard so many times before.
That is so awesome because, these days, most of the people in the world will be able to recognize and relate to your reinterpretation of a certain story, because most of us remember how it felt when you were a kid snuggled up in your bed, waiting for your mom or dad to read you about the three little Piglets battling the Big Bad Wolf, or how Peter Pan kicked Captain Hook's butt over and over again.
|"Lela and the Fox"
One of the things that also drove me to this conclusion was when I remembered the first long animated movie that Walt Disney made in 1937. I really think he had in mind all the things I mentioned before when he choose "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" as the theme for his cartoon. And Nearly 80 years later, in 2012, two movies were made using the same theme, "Mirror Mirror" and "Snow White and the Huntsman", and as I know each one of them was considered to be a great success.
I think that's the true example of the beautiful effect that fairy tales have on people, the fact that after all the different versions of fairy tales that were presented to us for years and years, we still get excited when we hear about the new book, movie, animation, or a theatre play that is based on one of them.
That is why I love them so much, and why I will continue to illustrate them for many years to come.
|"Trivun Kalaba riding his Black Steed"
Here are some of the fairy tales I did, which I'm sure most of you know.
Little Red Riding Hood
In this version there is no hunter who comes and rescues granny and the little girl in the end, ... wolf eats them, story over. This is the main reason why the girl has a scull instead of a face ( a "walking dead" metaphor).
This was the first Fairy Tale reinterpretation I did, I know it's not much different from the original, but I see now that this was just a warm up illustration that pretty much defined the style and mood of the ones that were about to come.
|Charles Perrault "Little Red Riding Hood" 2009.
Goldie Locks And The Three Bears
This is the illustration I did for the CGsociety ''Secret Agent'' challenge. The illustration won the "Best Character Award".
The World famous POTATO PORRIDGE factory gets anonymous tip of a "Mama Bears Home Made Potato Porridge" that tastes so good, the sources say it may endanger the existence of their factory and brand.
After losing trace of six of their finest agents, the board of directors sends agent "G" (AKA Goldie Locks) to try infiltrate and steal the recipe for "MBHMPP". While The Bears are away, agent "G" sneaks into their home, finds the recipe but the problem suddenly appears ... the SECRET INGREDIENT part is missing
In order to find out what the secret ingredient is, she starts tasting the porridges served on the table. They taste so good but she is unable to make out the secret ingredient part. All of a sudden her eyes feel very heavy, she tries to fight it as long as she can, but eventually she drops on the bed near by. In that moment the missing pieces of the puzzle reveal the horror, that is her soon to be future ...
The bears are the ones responsible for the anonymous tip, bears are the ones who tricked agent "G" into tasting the porridge with the sleeping potion in it, and the secret ingredient, ... well, the secret ingredients are secret agent body parts.
|The Grimm Brothers "The Goldie Locks and the Three Bears" 2010.
The Little Match Girl
This is the illustration I did for the CGsociety ''DreamScape'' challenge. The illustration won the "Best Character Award".
I'm sure most of you know the fairy tale ''The Little Match Girl'' by Hans Christian Andersen.
Well, my story begins when this one ends.
When the last match is out, and there is nothing else to keep her warm in this cold winter night. When she finally closes her eyes and drifts away into her last ice cold dream ...
Here, in this dream, she will take her last stand fighting off cold, but unfortunately we all know how this dream is going to end.
I wanted to show the girl's struggle in a different way than in the original story, so as a metaphor for cold I used polar animals, and the matches she used to keep her warm became the sword of fire.
|Hans Christian Andersen "The Little Match Girl" 2011.
"The Execution of Lady Jane Grey in the Tower of London in the Year 1554."
Paul Delaroche, 1833. (Oil on Canvas, 97 x 117 inches)
Click HERE for the high-resolution image.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
By Donato
|Comic-Con opening night when it wasn't that crowded!
Well, another year has past and another crazy five days spent at the San Diego Comic-Con!
I have been attending the event for over 12 years now and while each year gets easier to pack and mentally prepare for the convention, the professional atmosphere on the main floor seems to diminish. While I am making as many business dealings as ever, the shear mass of humanity that fills the floor (and the mind numbing music rant from the FOX booth nearby at a high decibel range) makes it difficult to have a conversation on the subject of business or art. You barely begin a discussion when another passerby, fan or professional, joins in. This is not a bad situation per se, but makes for in depth discussions on one train of thought exceedingly rare. A few times I found myself stepping out of the booth, into the aisles to extend the conversation so others would not know I was there to meet and talk to!
|Capt Haddock strolling by!
The ritual (and necessity after 10 hours on the floor!) of relaxing business dinners and late night socializing with other professionals provided the much needed release from the 2 minute short talk which dominates the day.
It is these after hours gatherings which keep me coming back year after year to events like the Comic-Con and other major conventions. While, yes, I am there on the main floor exhibiting art and selling drawing, paintings, books, DVDs and prints, but more importantly I am there to stay in touch with the industry. I am very much interested and care about what is happening in our field and want to be in on the pulse of anything that transpires. Talking with other professionals as well as fans provides insights which cannot be cultivated from other sources - people are much more candid in person. These events keep me on the edge, never complacent and fully inspired.
I hope you get the chance to experience the same for yourselves!
A wonderful evening with Acme Archives.
Back: Donato, Madelynn and Stephan Martinere.
Front: Brian Rood, Lisa and Sean McLain, Chris Jackson.
|Todd Lockwood staring down the three trolls from the Hobbit.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
10 Things I Remember...About Tracing
Gregory Manchess
Last week, I taught a class on painting at the Norman Rockwell Museum. It was the third time I've held a workshop there and it was a full class at eighteen painters. It was a bit difficult for everyone to see the model, but we adjusted well enough.
We loosened up the first day working quickly from the live model, and then, in order to give the entire class the full advantage of working from the same angle, I photographed her in a new pose, and projected it. Everyone worked from this new angle so that we could all talk about the same points of concern.
That may just be the first time anyone's ever done that. The students needed to get beyond the stigma associated with using photographs. I wanted them to compare working from life and working with an edited photo. The model returned the second day and we worked from both. The Rockwell even provided color and b/w prints of the pose. This way, we worked with whatever it took to learn and get a good painting on the surface.
When I was hired for my first studio job, I refused to use any kind of projection, any kind of tracing whatsoever. Then as I watched the hours tick away while my other better, faster colleagues were covering far richer ground, I decided to use it. But I promised myself to learn from it. I would master it and use it to inform my skills.
I found it a fascinating teacher.
1. Memorize
First off, I used tracing to learn anatomy. By tracing, I could actually feel how an arm foreshortened. I could see what length the line was that was needed to foreshorten it. I could understand how eyes, noses, hands looked at difficult angles.
I used it to train my drawing skills and improve them. No, it didn't happen right away. Like anything else, it took time. Yet I sped up, my drawings improved, and I began to keep up with the guys around me who chuckled to themselves at my naivete.
In life drawing classes we work from the model, sitting before us. But what happens when they're not there? What most art schools fail to tell you is that you're supposed to be memorizing. Memorize anatomy? What kind of alchemy is this? Most instructors think you learn anatomy by simply drawing the model. Uh huh.
2. Draw, don't trace.
When I draw, I remember that using the point of the pencil is boring if all the line weight is the same. Same for tracing. I use the side of the lead, roll it, angle it, vary it for shadow lines, hair, folds, trees, etc. I get different line weight by varying the pressure on the pencil. Ultimately, you're doing a drawing. SO DRAW.
3. Edit detail.
Forget about tracing every little subtle light shift, or shadow, every tree branch or eyelash. Forget about drawing every strand of hair. Draw for shape, draw for tone. Generalize the reference for the most part. It's a guide.
4. It's a guide.
When you trace under something like an Artograph, drive yourself to get good enough to draw with it. It's not about tracing the image exactly. It's about using the image as a guide to correct proportions and delineate shadows, depth, line, and contrast. Give it your own technique, otherwise your work looks lifeless, pedestrian, lame. It'll look like you traced it. Exaggerate. Use fluid lines. Any ol' goof can follow lines. Draw with it.
5. Use your own photography.
Shoot what you need. Best that way. The internet is full of pictures you need for reference, but I use them only as reference to draw from. I still need to make the sketch my own. Whenever you can, buy the reference you need. Better for everyone that way.
6. Distortion Happens.
No photograph records life exactly. Photos adjust the image from three dimensions to two. It's already distorted. But you have to know when it's telling you a lie about reality. Do not believe that photographs are real or telling you about reality. They do not. You must learn to recognize when they do and don't and be able to compensate. Besides, it's a GUIDE.
7. Perfect the composition.
First, I design the composition with thumbnails. Then I use reference to draw separate elements of a complex composition on separate slips of tracing paper. I move the sheets around until the composition is refined, perfected. It's a composition guide. Artists have been using this since the Dawn of Illustration. Today, you'll likely do this by cutting and pasting the reference together on the computer. It's the same thing.
8. Use it sparingly.
As I trained with tracing, I used it less and less. It instantly improved my drawing skills, especially drawing from my head. It improved my memorization skills, but I had to focus on it. The next time you draw from life, you'll understand what you learned from tracing. The next time you trace, you'll understand more from your life drawing. Back and forth, back and forth. --What? Did you think there was a straight line to skill? C'mon.
9. Nothing is cheating.
If I hear another artist talk about being a purist and only drawing from the model, I'm gonna burst. That's just part of the training. Honestly, get over it. Now, today. If your grandma's hurt because you trace photos, tell her to get over it, too. I do whatever it takes to get the idea to the canvas because it all changes from there. If Leonardo could've used today's technology, you bet your sweet maxilla he would've. Sorry, but there's no "cheating" in the art field. Anybody who says you're cheating, you have my permission to, umm, enlighten them. At this point in mankind's search for Art, all is fair game.
Let's see where you, where we all, can go from here.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
New Work for DragonCon 2012
By Justin Gerard
So I have been busy working on some new imagery for DragonCon 2012. I will have a booth there (as will fellow Muddy, Dan Dos Santos.) If you will be attending, stop by and say hello.
It will be my first year at the convention, and I want to make a good impression.
So I canned my original idea of Ninjas vs. Bears, it seeming out of place for this event, and went with something more traditional. (I am not ruling out Ninjas vs. Bears for next year's Spectrum Live though.)
These are my studies for a more DragonCon-themed image. This one continues the thread of; if I was a player in some fantasy story, I'd probably be the guy who made the really dumb mistake and got us in all this trouble.
In this case, our hero is thinking, "maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all," as he tries to quietly draw his sword. The dragon has its head up, suddenly alert.
Next week: Watercolor and Final.
'White Trash Zombie' Prints
For years, I've only offered prints for sale at conventions, or through third-party vendors, making it pretty difficult for the average person to their hands get one. This is mostly because the notion of fulfilling online orders all day in a cramped studio just never appealed to me.
But I've gotten a bit more organized recently, and have a really fantastic assistant now, so I finally set up my website to take orders.
The first, of what will hopefully be many to come, is the Spectrum award-winning 'White Trash Zombie'. I am REALLY happy with these prints! The printed image is the exact same size as the original, and the colors could not be more accurate. In all honesty, it's as close to the original as you can get. Each one is hand signed, and mailed in a tube to ensure it arrives in perfect condition. Plus, it's free shipping anywhere in the USA. (Sorry, but I am currently only accepting USA orders)
To purchase one, just click here: http://www.dandossantos.com/store.htm
The first 10 orders get an extra copy free!
It's likely I will print a few other images as well. If there is a piece in particular you'd like to see offered, please let me know in the comments section.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Painting the X-Men
By Paolo Rivera
Mythos: X-Men, Page 8. 2005. Oil on board, 16 × 24″.
I've been a Muddy reader since the blog's inception, so it's a great honor to be a contributing artist. My favorite posts have always been about process, so I thought an appropriate introduction to my work should involve just that. Specifically, my first few posts will explore the series of styles and media I've employed over the years, as well as the reasons for shifting gears.
I began my professional career as an oil painter, and have slowly evolved into a traditional comic book style over the last 10 years. Mythos: X-Men, featured here, was the first book where I felt comfortable with my style—prior to that, every page was a true struggle. This book was still challenging, but I at least knew what my goal was and how to get there. The only drawback was the amount of time needed, and this 23-page comic (plus cover) took me roughly 10 months to complete. I was also painting other covers at the time, but my output was not adequate by any measure.
|1. Pencil Layout, 4 × 6″ 2. Digital Color Study
While my media have changed since this issue, my mental process is nearly identical. I begin each page with a small layout to work out compositions and ensure legibility (although now I sketch digitally). This rough is then scanned into Photoshop for a digital color study.
|3. Pencils, 8 × 12″ 4. Finalized Color Study
Once approved by my editor, it's just a case of refining the draftsmanship and color scheme. It may seem like a superfluous step, but it removes any doubt when it comes time to paint. Doubt can be an inspiring opponent, of course, but not when I'm trying to meet a deadline.
|5. Transfer to Board 6. Final Painting.
Using a projector, I would transfer the page to custom-cut, primed masonite with burnt umber, a fast-drying oil pigment, often using odorless mineral spirits to draw by wiping back to the surface. I wouldn't do a full-fledged grisaille underpainting, but important areas—faces, hands, etc.—were fully rendered. Borders were painted in acrylic and taped off. I ended up adding the borders digitally for print, but the extra effort allowed me to sell the original paintings.
The palette pictured above is a cookie sheet that locked into place with 2 rubber door stops on the underside of the easel. It was easily removed for more detailed work. At one point, I used a glass palette so I could mix colors on top of my digital color study. It was a nice trick, but I got tired of cleaning the surface.
|Panel 4
After that, it was just a case of mixing the right color and putting it in the right place. I would often paint directly on my digital print to ensure the right color mix. While I was happy with the results, this took far too much time and ended up being my last issue in oil.
Scanning was a challenge in itself, and I ended up spending a month just removing dust and glare from the pages in Photoshop. That alone was enough to send me searching for another way to paint. In my next post, I'll show how I made the switch to acrylic and gouache with Mythos: Hulk.
|Panel 5
If you'd like to see more of my work, I've been keeping a personal blog, The Self-Absorbing Man since 2007. You'll find the most information about my technique under the Theory and Step-by-Step labels. If you'd like to know how to make Cyclops' optic blast "glow," this post on lightsabers may be of interest. And finally, a good deal of my work can be viewed at my art dealer's site, Splash Page Comic Art.


text: Han shot first: KCPL celebrate Star Wars By Bill Lynch October 23, 2013 Story Share Courtesy photo The Kanawha County Public Library is celebrating all things "Star Wars" with its Jedi Jamboree, which concludes with a day of events at the main branch in downtown Charleston on Saturday. WANT TO GO?Jedi JamboreeWHEN: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. SaturdayWHERE: Kanawha County Public Library, 123 Capitol St. COST: FreeINFO: 304-343-4646 or www.kanawhalibrary.org.__________CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- While dark forces are gathering in the form of ghouls and zombies for much of the East End's HallowEast this weekend, Kanawha County's libraries are celebrating another kind of force -- The Force -- with all things "Star Wars" this week.Now through Saturday afternoon, the Kanawha County Public Library and many of its branches are hosting a variety of "Star Wars"-related activities and events with their Jedi Jamboree.Mostly, it's for the Padawans (younger Jedi types), but Toni Blessing, Adult Services Manager, said, "We tried to make our event appeal to just about everybody who likes 'Star Wars.'"Blessing said the library has talked about doing some sort of "Star Wars"-themed event for quite a while. The sci-fi series has an enduring appeal. "It's still so popular with so many people," she said. "Adults, teens and kids love the books and films. We think this will be a good family event."While events are scattered at different branches during the week, the Jedi Jamboree reaches its explosive conclusion Saturday with a full day of activities at the main library downtown."We have Jedi Knight training for little kids," she said. "They'll be making a lightsaber, making their way through a wormhole and doing other things to earn their Jedi Knight badge."Blessing also said a "Star Wars"-themed costume contest is planned with separate categories for children 12 and under, teens and adults. The library will host a book signing and talk by "Star Wars" author John Jackson Miller as well. Miller has written a number of "Star Wars" comic books, short stories and several novels, including his latest, "Kenobi," which tells of Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi's life on the desert world of Tatooine during the time between "Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" and "Episode IV: A New Hope." Released in August, "Kenobi" made the top five on the New York Times Bestseller list. There will also be "Star Wars" games, cardboard cutouts of "Star Wars" characters for photo opportunities and more.Blessing said most of the Jedi Jamboree events Saturday take place on the third floor, with Jedi Training beginning at 10 a.m. She added that the Sissonville branch is also doing Jedi training Saturday from noon to 3 p.m."I guess you could say The Force is very strong with us," Blessing added.Reach Bill Lynch at firstname.lastname@example.com or 304-348-5195.***** Other KCPL Jedi Jamboree events this week: THURSDAY* St. Albans Public Library: Make-and-take "Star Wars"-themed crafts, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; family night out featuring "Star Wars" crafts and games and a character costume contest, 6 to 7 p.m. Call 304-722-4244.* Dunbar Public Library: Jedi training (defend yourself against the Dark Side, build your own lightsaber and smash the Death Star), 4 to 4:45 p.m. Call 304-766-7161.* Elk Valley Public Library: "Star Wars" show-and-tell, 6 to 7 p.m. Show off your "Star Wars" collectibles and memorabilia. Call 304-965-3636.* Nitro Public Library: Jedi Jamboree party for children (includes lightsaber craft), 6 p.m. Call 304-755-4432.* Riverside Public Library: "Star Wars" Celebration with crafts, activities and games, 6 to 7 p.m. "Star Wars" costumes encouraged. Call 304-949-2400.FRIDAY* St. Albans Public Library: Make-and-take "Star Wars"-themed crafts, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 304-722-4244.SATURDAY* St. Albans Public Library: Make-and-take "Star Wars"-themed crafts, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 304-722-4244. * Sissonville Public Library: Jedi Knight training, noon to 3 p.m. Call 304-984-2244. Story Share Story Share Trending Now 1 Facebook founder visits Charleston restaurant 2 Gazette editorial: Capito has second chance to do the right thing 3 Doug Smock: AAC not ready for Power 6 quite yet 4 WVU seeking improvements during off week 5 Rod Run and Doo Wop brings classic cars, music to Boulevard for 12th year In Short: Oct. 24-30, 2013 Previous Story HallowEast turns 5 Next Story


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Violence against women has remained at declined rate in recent years
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Justice Department says the rate of sexual violence against women and girls age 12 or older fell 64 percent in a decade and has remained stable for five years.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics survey concludes that in 2010, women and girls nationwide experienced about 270,000 rapes or sexual assaults, compared with 556,000 in 1995.
Rates declined from a peak of 5 per 1,000 females in 1995 to 1.8 per 1,000 females in 2005. The figure remained unchanged from 2005 to 2010.
Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority, has been working for decades to curb violence against women. She says the new study is proof that the newly reauthorized Violence Against Act and awareness of the problem by police is having a positive impact.


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Admission Notice, Eligibility criteria & FAQ March 2018
Office order of accept joining for FCPS sub speciality under Obs. & Gynae. for July 2017
Acknowledgement of Thesis Title
Notice for Submission Application Form for Thesis Guaranter
Notice for Submission Research Proposal
Office Order of Joining Letter for Diploma Students, July 2017
Online Application for Residency Program Phase-B Final Thesis Exam. Jan 2018.
FCPS Admission July 2017
Schedule of MD/MS Basic Science Residency Program Phase-A (Year-I & II) & Phase-B Oral & Practical E
Revised Schedule of Written Examinations of Residency Program to be held July-2017
Joining notice for MD,MS Phase-B March 2017
Joining order for MD,MS Residency Program Phase-B, March 2017
Admission Test of Residency Program For foreign Candidates for March 2018
Schedule of Diploma OSPE, Practical & Clinical Exam. July-2017
Schedule of MD/MS/SCA & Clinical Exam. Phase-A & B for Faculty of Medicine, Surgery & Dentistry July
শারদীয় দুর্গাপূজা ও পবিত্র মহররম এর ছুটির ঘোষণা
Eid Reunion 2017
Holiday Notice for Eid Ul Adha 2017
Office Notice
Holiday Notice for Shuvo Janmoastomi and National Mournday
Advertisement for Recruitment (Internal) and Application Form
Notice Regarding University Teachers Association Election
Recruitment Notice for Teachers
ঈদ পূর্নমিলনী ২০১৭
পবিত্র ঈদ-উল ফিতর ২০১৭
Office Order for FCPS July, 2017
Notice for Ramadan Office Time
Holiday Notice for Buddha Purnima 2017
Notice for Govt. Holiday 1st May 2017
Notice for FCPS Sub-Speciality Reproductive Endocrinology and Inferility, Gynaecological Oncology an
Procurement of Medical Eqipments
Establishment of a Multi-disciplinary and Super-specialized Hospital at BSMMU Project
Procurement of 16 Seated Microbus
e-Tender Notice for Supplying, Installation & Commissioning Medical Gas Line System for Obs. & Gynae
Selection of a Firm for Telephone-based healthcare and counselling for incurably ill patients
e-Tender Notice
Corrigendum Notice for 1000 mA Digital flat panel Fluoroscopy cum Radiography system
Invitation for Procurement of Medical Equipment (BSMMU/2017/4464)
Notice for University Day
Procurement of Medical Equipment
Refill of Fire Extinguishers at BSMMU, Dhaka.
Procurement of Office Equipment
Procurement of Medical Equipment
Notice for Procurement of 1000 mA Digital flat panel Fluoroscopy cum Radiography system.
Supply and Installation of Office Equipment for Institutional Quality Assurance Cell, BSMMU, Dhaka.
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Joe Zazzera, Plant Solutions, Inc.
Joe Zazzera is president and CEO of Scottsdale-based Plant Solutions Incorporated. He is a national board member of Green Plants for Green Buildings and chair of their LEED Advocacy Committee. Joe is an investor at the Bronze level of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council an Agave Partner at USGBCAZ, ASID Industry Partner, BOMA member and local Phoenix Boy.
Joe is Secretary of the USGBCAZ Central Branch. His company, Plant Solutions, has been providing Vertical Living Greenwalls, Interior Plantscape Design, installation and maintenance services since 1981. Joe helped develop the Vertical Greenwall educational training manual for Green Roofs For Health Cities.
One of Joe's goals is to see indoor plants adopted into the Indoor Environmental Quality, IEQ section of the LEED rating system. He is a registered AIA, ASID CEU provider and USGBC educational provider for the program "Authentically Green Interiors." Joe is a LEED accredited professional through the U.S. Green Building Council. Joe is currently enrolled in the Biomimicry Groups inaugural specialty program and will graduate this November.
Hoping to one day bring native style green roofs tot the valley, he is an accredited Green Roof Professional, GRP, through Green Roofs for Health Cities.
Joe is also a little bit of a social networking geek and can be followed on twitter @joezazzera.


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Featured Videos
5 things you need to know before tonight's SmackDown LIVE: Sept. 26, 2017
From Natalya's reaction to her new challenger to the fallout from Randy Orton's shockingly quick defeat, here is a preview of tonight's SmackDown LIVE.09/25/2017 - 17:45
Top 10 SmackDown LIVE moments: WWE Top 10, September 19, 2017 WWE Top 10 takes you back to this week's SmackDown LIVE to revisit the show's most thrilling, physical and controversial moments. 09/20/2017 - 11:31
Is Charlotte ready for Natalya at WWE Hell in a Cell?: WWE.com Exclusive, Sept. 19, 2017 After earning the right to challenge SmackDown Women's Champion Natalya at WWE Hell in a Cell, The Queen says she's prepared to follow up on her return to Team Blue with a championship victory. 09/20/2017 - 00:23
Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch vs. Naomi vs. Tamina - Winner faces Natalya for the SmackDown Women's Title at WWE Hell in a Cell: SmackDown LIVE, Sept. 19, 2017 With a title opportunity against SmackDown Women's Champion Natalya on the line, four of Team Blue's top women square off in this week's main event. 09/19/2017 - 23:53
Dolph Ziggler mocks Shawn Michaels' entrance and other Legends: SmackDown LIVE, Sept. 19, 2017 The Showoff mocks even more current and former Superstars before belittling WWE's fans. 09/19/2017 - 23:47
Kevin Owens issues a statement about his attack on Mr. McMahon: SmackDown LIVE, Sept. 19, 2017 KO gives a speech just one week after his vicious attack on WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon. 09/19/2017 - 23:34
Natalya crashes Charlotte's thank you to the WWE Universe: SmackDown LIVE, Sept. 19, 2017 Charlotte attempts to thank the WWE Universe for their support, but Natalya interrupts The Queen's heartfelt address, only to find out that her next challenger will be determined tonight. 09/19/2017 - 23:30
The Hype Bros vow to make a change: SmackDown LIVE, Sept. 19, 2017 After coming up short against The New Day, Zack Ryder & Mojo Rawley believe they need to do something drastic to make an impact. 09/19/2017 - 22:35
The New Day vs. The Hype Bros: SmackDown LIVE, Sept. 19, 2017 After last week's loss, The Hype Bros look to get back on track against SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day. 09/19/2017 - 22:30
Tye Dillinger interrupts Baron Corbin's United States Title Match with AJ Styles: SmackDown LIVE, Sept. 19, 2017 The Perfect 10 attacks Baron Corbin, apparently injuring him and preventing The Lone Wolf from challenging AJ Styles for the United States Championship. 09/19/2017 - 22:14
Carmella has James Ellsworth show off some new tricks: WWE.com Exclusive, Sept. 19, 2017 Ms. Money in the Bank forces James Ellsworth to sit, speak and play dead. 09/19/2017 - 22:00
Randy Orton vs. Aiden English: SmackDown LIVE: Sept. 19, 2017 The Viper takes on WWE's Drama King in this week's opening match, but he soon finds out that his rivalry with Rusev is far from over. 09/19/2017 - 21:48
Randy Orton vs. Rusev: SmackDown LIVE, Sept. 19, 2017 WWE's Apex Predator looks to vanquish The Bulgarian Brute once and for all in this SummerSlam rematch. 09/19/2017 - 21:30
Shane McMahon promises to take Kevin Owens to Hell: SmackDown LIVE, Sept. 19, 2017 Reinstated SmackDown LIVE Commissioner Shane McMahon returns with words of warning for Kevin Owens ahead of their Hell in a Cell Match. 09/19/2017 - 21:26
The Usos to invoke SmackDown Tag Team Titles rematch at WWE Hell in a Cell: WWE.com Exclusive, Sept. 19, 2017 Jimmy and Jey Uso are done with the fun and games and are poised to reclaim the SmackDown Tag Team Championship from The New Day at WWE Hell in a Cell. 09/19/2017 - 18:49
Rey Mysterio vs. Batista - Street Fight: SmackDown, Dec. 11, 2009 Former best friends collide in this no rules battle on SmackDown. 09/15/2017 - 13:24
Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes - Street Fight: SmackDown, Nov. 4, 2011 The Viper is out for vengeance when he takes on Cody Rhodes in a Street Fight. 09/15/2017 - 13:23
Mark Henry destroys the SmackDown roster: SmackDown, Sept. 16, 2011
An edition of "The Cutting Edge" gets out of hand as the SmackDown locker room cannot contain Mark Henry.09/06/2017 - 19:45
SmackDown: July 26, 2013


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Van Solkema Produce has acquired a packinghouse in Glenville, Ga., and plans to use it to expand its offerings of Vidalia onions, carrots, cabbage and other commodities.
The Byron Center, Mich.-based company acquired the packinghouse of Four Corners Produce in November, said Todd Van Solkema, salesman for the company. He did not disclose the purchase price.
"Our plan is that we will be a packer of Vidalia onions there," he said Dec. 27.
The firm plans to pack up to 450 acres of onions at the facility. Starting Jan. 25, the firm will pack 600 acres of carrots through the facility. Roughly about 300 acres of cabbage also will be packed there in 2013. Van Solkema said that mixed vegetables will be added to the mix later.
Van Solkema said the Four Corners is still in business but is no longer in the onion business.
Bob Rushing, owner of Four Corners Farms, could not be reached for comment.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's website and information hotline revealed that the PACA license for Four Corners Farms in Glenville was suspended Dec. 21 for failure to pay reparations. No other information about the company was available from the USDA.
Van Solkema said his company plans to offer about 700,000 bags of carrots, about 320,000 bags of onions and perhaps 150 truckloads of cabbage from the Glenville facility.
The company has contracted with area growers for product, with the opportunity to add volume with other growers in the future.
"We're excited to partner with growers of Vidalia onions and help diversify them so they have other vegetable programs that will give them the opportunity, if it is a bad onion year, to have something else to fall back on," he said.
The former Four Corners facility has controlled atmosphere storage of 144,000 bushels, he said. Van Solkema Produce will also import Peruvian onions and repack them in the Glenville facility.
Packing of carrots at the Glenville facility will run from January through the month of June.
"That will make us year-round in the carrot program because we will follow that up with Michigan through December," he said.
Georgia produce industry veteran Danny Bowen and his son Brandon Bowen have been hired to run the packing shed, Van Solkema said. Van Solkema will eventually have salesmen rotate in and out of the Glenville facility, Van Solkema said.
Van Solkema Produce has sold Vidalia onions for more than 35 years in Georgia and operates an office in Moultrie, representing J&R Baker Farms, Ellenton, Ga.
David Gaul remains sales manager in the Moultrie office for Van Solkema. The Moultrie office of Van Solkema Produce handles up to 600 acres of cabbage, about 300 acres of sweet corn, 100 to 150 acres of cucumbers, 75 acres of pepper and 75 acres of squash.
The company this year has started a program with cukes, peppers, squash and eggplant in Immokalee, Fla. For that deal, the company added salesman John Shriver this year, Van Solkema said.


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Kershaw won't talk contract during season
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Clayton Kershaw just shook his head no when asked if there was anything imminent in contract talks with the Dodgers.
He wouldn't even confirm rumors that talks are ongoing.
"I don't want to talk about it," he said.
But he repeated his position that negotiations won't be held during the season once it starts on Monday.
Before Spring Training started, general manager Ned Colletti said preliminary contacts established "mutual interest" in extending Kershaw's current contract, which paid him $8 million last year and $11 million this year.
He also remains under arbitration control by the club for 2014, before he can become a free agent.
Kershaw spoke after tuning up for Monday's Opening Day start against the Giants. He made 56 pitches over three innings against Seattle and was charged with three runs, two on a home run down the left-field line by Michael Morse, who has hit eight this spring.
"I feel fine. I feel great," said Kershaw. "It's not always fun giving up runs the last start. I'd like that one pitch back to Morse. But I feel good and I'm excited for the season to start. Now it's time to go."
The home run came on a slider down the middle.
"Just a bad pitch," Kershaw said.
The Dodgers brought no regulars to the getaway game, perhaps because of the matchup with Mariners ace Felix Hernandez, a benchmark for Kershaw in that his seven-year, $175 million contract is tops for a pitcher. Zack Greinke's six-year, $147 million deal is a Dodgers record. Kershaw said he was impressed by Hernandez, as well as the Mariners.
"From last year to this year, I wouldn't step on them," said Kershaw. "The guys in the lineup can do some damage. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they're right in it."
Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text: Obama again proposes more focused mine cleanups By Ken Ward Jr. February 14, 2012 Story Share CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- President Obama is, for the fourth time, asking Congress to stop diverting money intended for cleaning up abandoned coal mines to states that have already reclaimed all of their old mine sites.The Obama proposal is again included in the Interior Department's proposed budget for the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.Under the proposal, OSM would save $137 million in the 2013 financial year and about $1.1 billion over the next decade, by not distributing federal Abandoned Mine Lands funds to states that have previously "certified" they cleaned up all coal sites that were abandoned prior to 1977.OSM's proposed legislation, sent to Congress along with the agency budget recommendation, would also create a new program "competitively allocate" future AML reclamation funding to states with the most need for it.But the OSM proposal hasn't drawn much support on Capitol Hill, and agency officials indicated on Tuesday they didn't really have any clear plans to try to promote the idea."The administration makes its proposal to Congress," OSM Director Joe Pizarchik said in a conference call with industry, environmental groups and state regulatory officials. "It's ultimately Congress that passes the budget."The reforms for the AML program were part of an Obama administration budget and legislative package that slashed OSM's budget for regulatory matters by more than 6 percent, to $140.7 million.Obama proposed to increase OSM's own funding for implementation of existing environmental standards by $4.1 million, but would cut grants that support state regulatory agencies by nearly $11 million.As has been done under previous Obama budget proposals, OSM encouraged states to make up lost federal dollars for their regulatory agencies by increasing permit fees paid by coal operators."This year's budget reflects a need for fiscal austerity while maintaining OSM's commitment to work with our state and tribal partners to protect communities and the economy nationwide," Pizarchik said in a prepared statement. The Obama budget proposal does not assume final action to merger certain functions of OSM into Interior's Bureau of Land Management, but says work would continue on that potential consolidation.On the AML proposal, Obama's recommendation has been dead on arrival at Congress, in large part because of opposition from Wyoming, the nation's top coal producing state. It goes against a compromise forged in 2006 that extended the coal production tax that funds AML cleanups. That legislation instituted some program reforms, but also allowed states that have completed their coal cleanups to continue using the money for other things.In 2004, a Gazette series revealed that more than $1.3 billion of AML money had been funneled to other purposes, including reclamation of non-coal mines, road construction and even college campus expansions.The largest diversion was to fund the troubled United Mine Workers retiree health-care plan. Continued use of AML money for UMW benefits would not be affected by the Obama proposal.Under the AML program, coal operators nationwide pay a per-ton tax that funds the reclamation of mine sites that were abandoned before the federal strip-mine law was passed in 1977. Also under the law, states that cleaned up all of their abandoned mines were to be "certified." Theoretically, they would then receive less money, and be able to use it for broader purposes. But some states that finished all of their cleanups were never formally certified. And others that were certified -- such as Wyoming -- continued to receive huge sums of AML money that they spent on projects that had nothing to do with coal.Through the 2006 legislation, states like Wyoming lost an automatic 50 percent of future AML taxes paid by their coal industries. But, they continued to receive payments from their past AML taxes, and were given more leeway to spend the money however they wanted.Under the Obama proposal, OSM would establish an advisory council to review and rank reclamation projects proposed by states and other parties, and recommend distribution of the funds to the highest priority sites. The Obama proposal would likely benefits states like West Virginia and Pennsylvania, which continue to have large inventories of abandoned mines that need cleaned up, but don't produce nearly as much coal as Wyoming.The changes were recommended in December 2010 by the President's National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, which was co-chaired by Alan Simpson, a former GOP senator from Wyoming.Reach Ken Ward Jr. at email@example.com or 304-348-1702. Story Share Story Share Trending Now 1 Philanthropist Betty Schoenbaum of Shoney's fortune turns 100 2 DHHR report: No neglect, criminal charges in death of ResCare client 3 Deer in 8 WV counties found dead from EHD 4 Derek Redd: Marshall thinks outside the cable box for broadcasts 5 Former State Police captain now chief in Winfield Feds seek 25 years in jail for Upper Big Branch security chief Previous Story Violence in Syria strikes close to home for Charleston woman Next Story


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A's recall Chavez, option Scribner to Triple-A
SEATTLE -- On the same day Evan Scribner's second stint with the A's this season came to an end, Jesse Chavez's began.
It's a trend that will likely continue for the two right-handed long relievers, who have bounced between Triple-A Sacramento and Oakland.
Scribner tied a career high with three innings pitched in Thursday's loss in Cleveland, so the A's, in need of a fresh bullpen arm for this weekend's three-game series in Seattle, called up Chavez on Friday to take his roster spot. Oakland also recalled Chavez and optioned Scribner back in April.
"It would be at least two or three days before [Scribner] would be able to pitch again, and unfortunately that's just part of that long role," manager Bob Melvin said. "That's the way it goes. We've flipped these two a couple times now, and Jesse gives us that starter-type of length, where you're not afraid to run him out there for four or five innings if something were to happen."
Chavez was initially recalled from Sacramento on April 20 and gave up four runs in 4 1/3 innings over three appearances before he was optioned on April 29. He was 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA in two starts with the River Cats following his demotion, and is 2-2 with a 2.70 ERA in five starts overall for them.
Jane Lee is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, Major Lee-ague, and follow her on Twitter @JaneMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.