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I made this about a week ago, but didn't think to post it on Flickr till last night after I posted it as my Facebook picture. I was surprised to see such a huge response, both on Facebook and Flickr. Brothers Brick even posted it this morning. 🙂
What's really getting a lot of people's attention are the curls and the bow. Pixar's Merida is known for her wild frizzy hair and I wanted to capture it as close as I could in a 4 inch figure.
I have to admit though, this technique isn't new — at least in Miniland building — this has been a technique for creating curly hair for as long as I can remember at the LEGOLAND parks and I have used variations of it many times on several of my Superhero figures like Wonder Woman and for my Wedding Cake Topper Brides.
And of course what is Merida without her bow? I thought about using the new elf long bow from the Hobbit sets, but I realized it would still be too short. So I did the next best thing, I made one out of pearl cotton thread and a bit of copper flex tubing. The quiver might be a tad too short, but it was just to perfect not to use verses trying to design my own. 😉
If you would like your own Miniland Merida either as a figurine or a Christmas ornament, I have them for sale on my Folded Fancy Creations Etsy Shop.


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Ted Ligety one gold medal away from matching skiing record
SCHLADMING, Austria (AP) -- Ted Ligety is one win away from matching skiing royalty.
He's already grabbed gold in the super-G and super-combined at the world championships in Austria. So if Ligety wins Friday's giant slalom - the event he's dominated all season - the American will become the first man to win three or more gold medals at a world championships since French great Jean-Claude Killy took home four golds in 1968.
"I did not expect to have two gold medals," Ligety said. "I was hoping to get medals in the super-G and the combined, but I didn't think they would be gold. So that's definitely a pleasant surprise. But maybe that puts a little added pressure for the GS. We'll see."
Killy's feat came on home snow in Grenoble in a year when the Winter Olympics doubled as the world championships. He swept gold in all three Olympic events - giant slalom, slalom and downhill - and was awarded another worlds gold for combined.
The only other three men to accomplish the feat were Emile Allais, the first great French skier, who won three events at the 1937 worlds in Chamonix, France; Norwegian pioneer Stein Eriksen, who took home three golds from the 1954 worlds in Are, Sweden; and Toni Sailer, one of the first great Austrian skiers who won four golds at the 1956 Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, which also doubled as worlds, and three at the 1958 worlds in Bad Gastein, Austria.
Ligety has won four of the five World Cup giant slaloms this season and is also the defending world champion in GS.
"Ligety is the perfect GS skier," said Marcel Hirscher, the Austrian who leads the overall World Cup standings and the only skier to win a GS this season. "He has been everyone's benchmark for five years now. I have tried to copy a lot from his style to get as close as possible to him."
A victory by Ligety would also restore the U.S. to first place in the medals table. France moved ahead of the Americans when Tessa Worley won the women's GS Thursday for her country's second gold and fourth medal overall.
But it was a memorable day for the Americans, too, as teenager Mikaela Shiffrin finished sixth in her worlds' debut. Shiffrin charged to fifth in the opening run with the No. 16 bib, then had another error-free trip down in the second leg. The only time she looked like a rookie came when she stopped to take a photo of the 30,000 fans in the finish area with her iPhone.
Besides the crowd, it felt like any other race for the 17-year-old Shiffrin.
"In the end it was just me and my skis and red and blue gates," she said.
Shiffrin has won three slaloms this season to lead the discipline standings but she had never finished higher than eighth in a GS. Next up for the high school senior is her main event, Saturday's slalom, and Shiffrin indicated she wouldn't be happy with sixth.
"Every race, whether I do poorly or I do well, I always want more," she said. "So I'm going to be looking for a lot."
Sponsored by Italian pasta maker Barilla, Shiffrin's diet lately has consisted of mainly pizza and pasta. She eats pasta two days before races and pizza the night before.
"A couple weeks ago I was training three days in a row and I had pizza each lunch the day before the training and I had a lot of energy for the training, so I was like, `Pizza!,"' Shiffrin said with a laugh. "I've heard that carb-loading the night before the race doesn't really work, but (the pasta) was more like two nights before, so it was perfect timing. I planned that out."
While the super-G course suited him, Hirscher kept with his plan to skip the opening week of the championships. His first event was Monday's team event, when he led Austria to gold.
"I have got my medal," Hirscher said. "That doesn't mean that I can go home now, but I am a little bit more relaxed. The pressure is lower."
Still, skiing is the top sport in Austria, Hirscher is currently the sport's biggest local star and he's competing on some of the slopes he grew up skiing on. Fans are hoping that he'll sweep the technical events and that he - not Ligety - ends up with three golds.
"I could do it and I hope for it, but there is no master plan," said Hirscher, who missed the 2011 worlds with a broken ankle. "I'm not a machine and I'm not a Swiss watch."

subset: commoncrawl


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Patagonia Men's Micro Puff® Hoody
The best warmth for weight of any jacket we've ever built, the Micro Puff® Hoody delivers ultralightweight, water-resistant, down-like warmth with PlumaFill synthetic insulation—a revolutionary featherlight down alternative. Fair Trade Certified™ sewn.
- Ultralight nylon ripstop Pertex Quantum® shell is water-resistant, windproof and treated with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish
- Revolutionary lightweight PlumaFill insulation replicates the structure of down in a continuous synthetic insulation material, offering the warmth and packability of down but with the warm-when-wet performance of synthetic insulation
- Innovative quilting construction complements the insulation by stabilizing and maximizing the loft of the PlumaFill strands with minimal stitching
- Center-front zipper has storm flap and zipper garage at chin for next-to-skin comfort
- Two welted, zippered handwarmer pockets and two internal drop-in pockets; left pocket doubles as a stuffsack with a reinforced carabiner clip-in loop
- Under-the-helmet hood construction is light and simple
- Elasticized cuffs and hem seal in warmth; Fair Trade Certified™ sewn
- 264 g (9.3 oz)
Shell and lining: 0.7-oz 10-denier 100% nylon ripstop Pertex Quantum® with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish.
Insulation: 65-g PlumaFill 100% polyester.
Fabric is certified as bluesign®® approved.
Fair Trade Certified™ sewn
Fair Trade Certified™
We pay a premium for every Fair Trade Certified item that carries our label. That extra money goes directly to the workers at the factory, and they decide how to spend it. The program also promotes worker health and safety and social and environmental compliance, and encourages dialog between workers and management.
bluesign™ Approved Fabric
Patagonia has worked with bluesign® technologies since 2000 to evaluate and reduce resource consumption in our materials supply chain, and to assist us with managing the chemicals, dyes and finishes used in the process. bluesign technologies, based in Switzerland, works at each step in the textile supply chain to approve chemicals, processes, materials, and products that are safe for the environment, safe for workers, and safe for the end customers.
In 2007, Patagonia became the first brand to officially join the network of bluesign® system partners.
Any fabric you see that's bluesign® approved offers the highest level of consumer safety by employing methods and materials in their manufacture that conserve resources and minimize impacts on people and the environment.
Do you own this product? Let us know what you think. Read Privacy Notice


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February Brushaholic Challenge.
A Moment to Remember by Bekah E Designs
Brushes from Photoshop Brushes #3. (brush used on tile, as bg on mat behind photo, and altered to make heart element for date.
Quote: Even though we appear to be sewn in a different pattern, we have a common thread that won't be broken-by people or years or distance.


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Fair Dinkum uses a budget-priced system that makes booking a service easy and transparent with no hidden extras. Our work is guaranteed to be professional every time.
End of lease carpet pricing includes all stain treatment and deodorising, with service guarantee. No hidden extras.
Upholstery cleaning from $30 per seat e.g. 3 seater $90. Dining room chairs $15. Free quotes are available for all other steam cleaning on 1300 727 852. End of lease pest control pricing includes service warranty. No hidden extras.
To enquire about carpet cleaning or pest control services, use the information below.
Do you need the finest carpet cleaning Palmwoods has to offer? Get in touch with Fair Dinkum. We offer fast professional cleaning of all types of carpets and rugs. We also offer real estate approved, rental move out carpet cleaning solutions. Our prices are fair and our service second to none.
Regular Cleaning
You've invested a lot in your carpets and you want them to grace your home for a long time. Regular sweeping and vacuuming goes a long way towards keeping them in good shape. But dust and grit can get deep in your pile and damage the fibres. Dust mites and mould are other dangers that can ruin your carpets if not properly eradicated.
That's why you need regular professional cleaning to keep your carpets looking good. Having Fair Dinkum give your carpets a power cleaning once or twice a year is the ideal way to keep them in great shape. Clean carpets also last longer, so regular cleaning is a fine investment in their future.
Get Rid of the Toughest Stains
If you're carpets have been badly stained don't despair. Here at Fair Dinkum, we have the skills and the tools to restore them so they look like new again. Whether your precious carpets or rugs have been stained with wine, pet urine, ink, blood, or any kind of foods, we can help.
Not only will we thoroughly remove any stains, but we'll deodorise your carpets and give them that fresh fragrance they had when they were new. The same goes for water damage. We can remove those vile wet carpet smells quickly and thoroughly. When you're in need of fast, high quality carpet cleaning, Palmwoods residents can get in touch with Fair Dinkum for a complete, professional service.
No matter how tough the job, Fair Dinkum's qualified technicians can handle it. We're equipped with the latest accessories to handle any kind of carpet cleaning task including high power truck mounted machines to make short work of the biggest cleaning job.
For the best carpet cleaning and rental move out carpet cleaning services Palmwoods has to offer, call in Fair Dinkum. We also deal with all kinds of pests and can take care of your upholstery cleaning needs including sofas, armchairs and couches throughout the Sunshine Coast.


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Dr. Craig's Inner Witness of the Holy Spirit.
Does Dr. Craig mean to say that he cannot be wrong? I think so. He knows Christianity is true. With this understanding he has insulated himself from any and all objections to the contrary. Dr. Craig knows he's right because he knows he's right, and that's the end of the matter. Since he knows he's right, Christianity is true.
But consider first the content to this inner self-authenticating witness. Does his inner witness of the Holy Spirit lead him to believe that all of the traditional Christian doctrines are true, as he understands them? Does this entail he has the correct understanding of things like God's foreknowledge, predestination, eschatology, and Calvinism? Are his specific views on the Deity of Christ, baptism, the atonement, the bodily resurrection of Jesus from the grave, and his second coming all the correct ones? What is the particular content of this self-authentication from the Spirit? There must be some content to the witness of the Spirit that gives him assurance he's right, and where does he learn this content? At what point does it stop and he's left on his own to work things out from reading the Bible? Furthermore, does this inner witness tell him that his views on the self-authenticating testimony of the Holy Spirit are true?
So what is the actual content of this God experience? Where did this content come from, and how coherent is this content? That's what I want to know, and I believe Craig will have no real satisfying answer to these questions, at least not to third person outsiders like myself.
And what about the coherence of the inner witness of the Holy Spirit of the things he has led Bill Craig to believe? An eternally uncreated Triune being (3 in 1?) who has always existed as he is (with no growth, for he was always perfect), with all power (but doesn't use it like we would if we saw a burning child), all knowledge (since he never learned anything), and who is present everywhere (a non-embodied being?) is just is too complex of an entity to believe in. And in the New Testament (which surely forms the content of this witness, and not the witness of the Spirit itself) we find an Incarnate Son of God who atoned for our sins (even though no one has yet made any reasonable sense of either an incarnate God or how his death atoned for our sins). Those who disbelieve go to hell (however conceived), making the problem of evil for a good omnipotent God impossible to solve (even though without a belief in hell it's insoluble anyway).


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Columbia River 5185 Klecker NIRK 3.125" Black Combo Blade, Stainless Steel Handles
Take two pieces of stainless steel, cut, grind and bend them just right, and you have Glenn Klecker's "irreducible complexity" NIRK folder from CRKT.
Intelligent design advocate Michael Behe coined the term "irreducible complexity," which means "a single system composed of several well-matched, interacting parts that contribute to the basic function of the system, wherein the removal of any one of the parts causes the system to effectively cease functioning."
It certainly describes this Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) folder by Glenn Klecker, award-winning knife and tool designer from Silverton, Oregon. He has named it after his son: Nathan's IRreducible complexity Knife, or NIRK. There are just two well-thought out pieces, plus a blade pivot screw.
The innovation is Glenn's use of a single sheet of stamped and folded stainless steel to serve as the folder frame, back spacer, spring and lock, resulting in a solid lockback folder. The geometry of the cutout areas is critical, carefully calculated to provide just the right spring action when the rear of the spine is pressed.
At the front of the frame, the lock tab mates with a notch in the blade to provide safe lockup. The tighter the grip on the handle, the tighter the lockup, making this an exceptionally safe design. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to accidentally release the lock, and it is very, very strong.
When the blade is closed, the same lock tab ramps over a rounded detent to hold the blade in the closed position.
The high-carbon stainless steel blade is a utilitarian drop point shape with a deep belly, high hollow ground for easy cutting, and with a swedged top edge to aid penetration. It is a hefty 0.131" thick. The blade can be opened with either hand using the oval thumb hole.
Two NIRK models are available. The 5180 sport and work model has a high satin blade finish, brushed frame and Razor-Sharp cutting edge. The 5185 tactical model receives a black oxide non-reflective coating, and has a Combined Razor-Sharp & Triple-Point Serrated edge. Both models have a stainless steel pocket/gear clip.
There you have it: a simple, flat, almost indestructible folder. All you need to do is oil and sharpen it occasionally and you have a friend for life. It is priced so you can afford several: one for the toolbox, one for the backpack, one for the truck, one for the boat, one for the survival kit.
In the knife world, it is a fine example of intelligent design.
- This lock tab mates with the notch in the blade, resulting in a very strong and safe steelon-steel lockup.
- Press at the base of the spine to release the lock. A camgrind in the blade safely stops the blade at mid-point.
- 5180: Satin Blade, Brushed Frame,Razor-Sharp Cutting Edge
- Blade:
- Length: 3.125" (79 mm)
- Thickness: 0.131" (3.3 mm)
- Steel: 3Cr13, 51-53 HRC
- Closed: Handle length: 4.50" (114 mm)
- Open: Overall length: 7.63" (194 mm)
- Weight: 3.5 oz. (99 g)
- Made in China
Glenn Klecker is an award-winning knife and tool designer who lives in Silverton,Oregon. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Glenn was a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps during Operation Desert Storm where he led a detachment of 100Marines, for which he received the Navy Achievement medal for Superior Service.He is also an expert marksman in both rifle and pistol. He has extensive experience in designing and engineering products and manufacturing technology for the automotive industry and knife and tool industry. His knife and tool designs for leading manufacturer shave resulted in over 22 patents, and have received numerous awards, including the prestigious IWA, International Multi tool of the Year for 2006 and 2004; "iF", Product Design Award for 2006; Blade Magazine, Best American Design of 2008; as well as receiving recognition from National Geographic, Best Gear of 2008; Men's Journal, Best Gear for 2008. He is the designer of the CRKT NIRK.


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Penny Orchard necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 85 diseños de 14 diseñadores freelance.
I am an occupational health and safety specialist providing online training in OHS for small business owners, managers and staff. This is a serious topic, but I need a logo that will grab people's attention about the importance of training for themselves/ their staff.
OHS Consultation side of the business is secondary, but a logo that can reflect either or both aspects would be good
Small businesses up to 20 employees currently lack access to face to face training. My plan is to make training available on line to make the most of slack times or option to have staff do the training at home.
The logo needs to somehow represent safety at work, in any workplace.
Some training representation is OK or some other aspect of workplace assessment.
Flexible with colours - green for safety may be good. I have a passion for purple but can live without it. Yellow good too.
The files I will require are:
Print file format - .ai (CMYK)
Web file format - .jpg and layered .psd (RGB)
Vector format for maximum resizing capacity
Please do not use any stock images or clip art in the logo
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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TALLAHASSEE — Is the tide turning for education funding?
Taking a cue from Gov. Rick Scott, House Speaker Dean Cannon put forth a budget proposal last week that pumps $1 billion into statewide schools spending.
The following day, Senate education leaders seem determined to top that figure.
"I hope that we can meet him and actually raise him," said Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, who chairs the Senate subcommittee on PreK-12 education appropriations. "I hope that we will be able to add $300 million to that."
The conversation, albeit early in the legislative session, stands in sharp contrast to last session, when the education budget was cut by $1.35 billion. School spending has dropped off dramatically since the economy started to tumble in 2007, forcing districts to cut back on programs and teaching positions. The state's total education funding tumbled from 2007's almost $19 billion to about $16.6 billion in 2011.
But school district officials and union leaders aren't ready to celebrate. Some question whether the $1 billion in education funding will make it into the final budget. Others say the $1 billion doesn't go far enough for Florida's schoolchildren.
"Like Gov. Rick Scott's earlier plan, this proposal puts a small bandage on the gashes inflicted with last year's budget," Florida Education Association president Andy Ford said. "We need to do better."
While the economy is showing some signs of recovery, the budget numbers are still bleak. The state is anticipating a budget shortfall of up to $2 billion.
Scott's plan is more complicated than taking $1 billion and dividing it evenly by the number of schoolchildren in Florida.
About $224 million would replace one-time revenue used to plug a hole in this year's budget. Another $220 million would offset the losses school districts are expected to face due to declining property tax collections.
What's more, about $190 million would fund the 30,500 new students expected to enroll in Florida's schools next year.
Scott's plan does double the amount each student in Florida gets for reading programs. It also increases the bonus given to schools that improve by at least one letter grade from $70 to $100 per student.
Some lawmakers see the investment as significant, especially in light of the economy.
"One billion dollars is a lot of money, considering where we've been," said Rep. Janet Adkins, R-Fernandina Beach, vice chairwoman of the House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee.
Critics, however, say Scott's proposal doesn't really represent much of an increase over last year. Per-pupil spending would rise $141.64 to $6,372.04, according to figures from the governor's office.
"This is not a billion dollars of new money," said Colleen Wood, a parent activist and founder of the education advocacy group 50th No More. "Even our kindergarteners' math is better than that."
Rep. Martin Kiar, D-Davie, took issue with the provision to boost the award money for high-performing or improving schools.
"The schools that really need those dollars are the failing schools," Kiar said.
Rep. Michael Bileca, R-Miami, said he had concerns with part of the governor's budget that would replace $16 million in funding for some mentoring, school-improvement and college-readiness programs with $12.2 million in competitive grants. If the provision is adopted, programs that previously received funding would have to compete for dollars based on their outcomes.
"There's some merit to the idea," Bileca said. "But not every program can be evaluated based on the same metrics."
Whether the House or Senate will craft similar proposals remains to be seen.
Rep. Marti Coley, R-Marianna, who chairs the House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee, said the House's priorities and the governor's "aren't far off."
"Our main focus will be the classroom," Coley said.
Getting to that point, however, may require a high-wire act.
Boosting the education allocation means cuts must be made elsewhere. Scott has suggested Medicaid reductions to the tune of $2 billion. And lawmakers have their own funding priorities.
Miami Herald staff writer Laura Figueroa contributed to this report.


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The surprising landscapes of the Cinco Villas region
Sos del Rey Católico
Culture and countryside are the main attractions in this region of Aragon, in inland Spain. Its towns and villages with their cobbled streets comprise one of the most impressive ensembles of monuments in this part of the country. The same could be said of its stunning landscapes.
Viewing points, marshland, rivers and lakes, pine groves and meadows are some of the natural attractions you will find in Cinco Villas, a region in the north of Saragossa province, very close to the Pyrenean mountains. To get an idea of the region as a whole, you can head up to the Nuestra Señora de Sancho Abarca Sanctuary, right on the border with Navarre. From here there are excellent views of part of the Ebro River plain, as well as the Bardenas Reales Nature Reserve, a UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve, and you can even see the peak of the Moncayo. There are more good views to be had in the Sierra de Santo Domingo mountains. At 1,523 metres above sea level, this is the highest point in the region. The Pyrenees and the Aragon River are a stone's throw away. The unusual outlines of the Mallos de Riglos mountains –popular with climbers and birdwatchers– are also close by. In fact this area is this site of the ARCAZ birds of prey visitor centre, in which the bearded vulture takes pride of place. There are also outstanding views from the Mallos de Riglos. We recommend the viewing points of Murillo and Los Buitres.
Farmland and low-mountain vegetation are the prevailing landscapes on a large part of the route. Two kilometres from the village of Valpalmas, this landscape abruptly changes, and clay figures in mysterious shapes appear from the depths of the canyons: this is Los Aguarales. Enjoy one of the Cinco Villas region's weirdest and most wonderful landscapes. Water erosion is responsible for this unusual setting. Don't forget your camera –this visit is well worthwhile.
In this area you'll find rivers, streams and reservoirs. Special mention should be made of the flora and fauna in Moncayuelo, very close to Ejea de los Caballeros. This lake covers 39 hectares and is one of the most important ecological locations in Aragon. Here you can see hundreds of water birds and many different species of duck. And don't forget that fishing, water sports and even bathing is permitted in other reservoirs such as San Bartolomé, where there are small beaches for this purpose.
These are some of the options on offer in the Cinco Villas region, but not the only ones. Any time is good for excursions in the mountains of Luesia, San Miguel de Liso, Val d'Onsella, Bagües, Fragal de Orés… In the Cinco Villas region there is loads to see.
You can also combine your enjoyment of the countryside with cultural visits. Strolling through the towns and villages of the region you'll see an extraordinary artistic heritage, with numerous examples of Romanesque art. Their churches, palaces, towers, castles and stately houses call to mind the importance this region had in the Middle Ages. There are many different routes that run across the region. Special mention should be made of those leading to Ejea de los Caballeros, Sádaba, Uncastillo, Sos del Rey Católico and Tauste, its main towns and villages. Remember that the tourist offices will help you plan your trip, and can give you more information on the various itineraries, many of which are ideal for hiking and mountain biking.
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NEW YORK, N.M., Aug. 16 (UPI) -- New York mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner's sexting scandal has inspired a new hot dog called the Carlos Danger Weiner, promoters revealed Friday.
Carlos Danger was the pseudonym Weiner, a former U.S. congressman who is running for mayor, employed at times while engaging in sexually oriented online communications.
Randall Richards, chief executive officer of Web Dominators LLC in Orlando, Fla., established a new company, Carlos Danger LLC, and is producing the hot dogs in partnership with Thrushwood Farms Quality Meats in Illinois.
The new enterprise is taking orders on its website where the weiners are described as "the World's Most Delicious Dogs With Mocking Salacious Fun," ABC News reported.
Richards says he's trying to line up some chains to carry them as well.
"This is something that's too good of an opportunity to pass up," Richards said. "It's a great American dream to make money off a stupid political gaffe."
The network said Weiner's campaign office did not respond to its requests for comment.


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Keep warm this winter with our premium leather gloves, available with Deerskin or Cashmere linings.
Dark Brown
What are you looking for?
PLEASE NOTE – The effects of the COVID-19 Coronavirus have changed the retail landscape and with the need to prioritise the wellbeing of our team and our customers, we have decided to temporarily close all of our stores. Dismiss
These shoes are unique in the way they are finished, with colour added in layers over a natural base to create a deep rich and truly individual patina.
Only our water-based creams should be used to moisturise the leather and retain depth of colour. Any solvent-based wax or cream will strip painted leather finishes and should be avoided.
Due to the nature of belt production, you will need to add two inches to your trouser waist size when selecting your belt. If you have any doubt to which size to purchase, please click on our 'Size Guide' button further down the page.


text: Your next step is an important one. So take the right one and come to Woodward L'Orange! We believe in dealing with each other in an open and fair way. Our more than 1,000 employees in all company areas contribute to transforming ideas into innovation in a constructive and creative environment. For companies that rank among the most well known manufacturers of large diesel aggregates worldwide.


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There's so much to like about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 that the few, unfortunately serious, flaws with the camera seem to loom as even larger detractions. On the upside, it preserves much of the really nice design characteristics of the GF1, incorporating a very well designed touch-screen interface, and improves on that camera's already zippy performance. And if you shoot raw, the camera can produce some very nice images. But it also suffers from two serious flaws: the same poor JPEG processing engine that plagues the LX5 and the same tantrum-inducing inability to lock the focus area on the touch screen as on the G2 and GH2.
If you shoot raw, you can get extremely good images as high as ISO 800 and usable ones at ISO 1,600--the dynamic range is such that you end up with some clipping in the shadows, but nothing unacceptable in a camera in this price range. However, I wouldn't recommend shooting JPEGs higher than ISO 100 unless in bright sunlight, and even then get ready for artifacts. The GF2 uses the same Venus FHD processing engine as the LX5, and though the images look better (likely because of the better sensor), the JPEGs suffer from similar yellow splotches and oversharpening crunchiness. Interestingly, the GF1 posts better noise results than the GF2 up to ISO 800. You definitely get better JPEG results on macro shots and zoomed-in closeups than you do in broad wide-angle or landscape shots.
Aside from that, it does well on all the other measures of quality, such as color, exposure, general consistency, and sharpness across lenses. But that's a pretty big aside.
It also delivers solid video quality: moderately sharp with some typical edge aliasing, surprisingly good exposures even when backlit, and very little moiré or rolling-shutter wobble. The bigger issue with video is the dearth of adjustment controls. With the exception of Defocus, it's all automatic.
The GF2 performs roughly the same as the GF1, and beats the rest of its class in many respects. It takes about 0.9 second to power on, focus, and shoot. Focusing and shooting in good light runs an excellent 0.4 second, while in dim light it's a not-too-shabby 0.7 second. You typically can shoot two sequential JPEG shots in only 0.7 second, though that increases to 0.9 second for raw, and adding flash recycling time into the JPEG mix bumps it to 1.6 seconds. The burst rate of 2.8fps is just OK, but you really don't want to use any of these cameras for continuous shooting. This isn't dSLR-like speed, but the focus is fast enough to shoot predictably moving subjects; shooting fast or unpredictably moving ones still requires a dSLR with an optical viewfinder. And the dynamic tracking autofocus system is pretty good--better at locking and holding focus than Olympus' for shooting video.
Though not as small as Sony's NEX-5, the GF2 is a comfortable "compact" size for those of us who like a little more heft to our cameras. It also feels a little more balanced when equipped with a longer lens.
Among the sparse features atop the camera are a decent stereo microphone, albeit one that lacks separation, a dedicated video record button, and quick-access button for intelligent auto mode. Though I'm a big fan of the dedicated video record buttons, I don't like the feel of this one; it's flush with the top surface and a bit hard to find just by feel.
As with the GH2, I really like the way Panasonic has integrated a set of direct-access controls with the touch screen. Most of the most-important settings can be accessed directly via buttons: ISO sensitivity, focus area mode, white balance, and drive mode. Panasonic doesn't make you scroll through the menus via the touch screen, a smart move, since that usually requires a level of precision for which these small displays are unsuited. It helps that the LCD feels quite responsive, bright, and relatively easy to view in direct sunlight.


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One Man's Quest to Bowl Over the World With Porridge
Lasse Andersen's mission in life is to change the way people look at porridge.
Bowls full of sticky, slimy, gray and thick mush have often been associated most with the "very healthy" oatmeal portions doled out during childhood. Sugar, jam or honey can spice the stuff up, but porridge is not something that's usually associated with the word gourmet.
In 2011, in a tiny cellar in Copenhagen's most trendy neighborhood, Andersen, a proud oatmeal lover, decided to do whatever he could to give porridge its renaissance.
"Usually, porridge is associated with something you eat when you are sick or poor," he said in an interview. "I wanted to make it into something delicate."
And so he opened what he believes to be the world's first porridge bar for refined tastes, called Grodbar. Contrasting the shack-like places he'd seen in other countries, Andersen wanted his porridge bar to attract the young and dandy, not only the poor and hungry. Wooden tables and brick walls, matched with Scandinavian graphic design, were supposed to give people passing by the impression that it was a place that could satisfy picky palates. This place serves gourmet food.


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Anthony Kirlew, with AKA Old School SEO
Anthony is getting the vibe that videos are heating up… http://www.oldschoolseo.com/2012/01/06/take-the-video-marketing-challenge/
YouTube, Vimeo, and the likes are already big. YouTube actually qualifies for the 2nd largest search engine. Yes, it out ranks Bing. And while YouTube is a vertical search engine dealing only with videos, it's still a force to be reckoned with. My predictions are videos and views will grow exponentially in 2012.
My Comment:
I think video marketing is going to be huge in 2012. I mean it's already big… but it will be even bigger.
Related articles
- How to upload a video to YouTube (marketing.yell.com)
- How-To: Create a Branded YouTube Experience (fashionablymarketing.me)


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U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission
Brown Bag Training
Watch our recent brown bag session on Putting Together a Pilot Proposal: A Nuts & Bolts look at drafting a Pilot Project Variance to 29 C.F.R Part 1614.
Rehab Act Anniversary
Watch our recent commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of
Preventing employment discrimination from occurring in the federal workplace is preferable to trying to deal with the consequences of discrimination. EEOC is committed to providing training and technical assistance, outreach and educational programs to assist employers, employees and stakeholder groups understand and prevent discrimination. We believe that discrimination can be averted if federal agencies and their employees know their legal rights and responsibilities. EEOC can help you meet the goal of making your federal agency a Model Agency.
EEOC representatives are available, on a limited basis, to make presentations and participate in meetings with federal employees and employers, and their representative groups. For information on No-Cost Federal Outreach, please send an email to email@example.com. You may also contact one of the EEOC Outreach Program Coordinators in an EEOC field office.
EEOC provides a variety of training programs geared specifically for the federal sector. We provide an extensive training curriculum, through the EEOC Training
Institute, as well as customized training, to meet particular needs. Our EEOC Training Institute classes address issues important in the federal workplace, and are offered throughout the year in varying locations. Additionally, all of our
standardized courses can be delivered on-site at your work place.
If our catalog of courses does not exactly meet your needs, we can custom design a course to meet your specific needs. For further information on this option, or for any questions generally, please send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com. Please include in your email information on the topics you wish to have covered in your training, as well as your time frame, location for the training, and a point of contact. A member of the Federal Training & Outreach Division will be in touch with you after receipt.
EXCEL is the premier Federal training conference for EEO managers, supervisors, practitioners, HR professionals, attorneys and ADR specialists. Sponsored by EEOC, this conference brings you training in topics from ADR to MD-715, and much, much more! Information about this year's EXCEL Conference will be made available on the EEOC Training Institute website.
The ELC is designed to meet the professional development needs of senior leaders in the EEO field. The ELC was developed by the EEOC to help ensure EEO leaders have the leadership skills necessary to meet the challenges of their profession. Training offered at the ELC addresses leadership competencies, personal development, and other topics vital to the success of current and future executives.
This conference is designed for senior EEO officials from federal, state and local governments, EEO executives from the private sector, and those who seek to move into senior positions. HR executives who have significant responsibilities in managing and implementing an EEO program are also encouraged to attend. Conference registration is limited to the GS-14 and above population, and equivalents.
You may also be interested in training or outreach for the private sector, state government, or local government.


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BRUSSELS — The Latest on President Donald Trump's trip to Europe (all times local):
2:55 a.m.
The White House press secretary is offering reassurance that President Donald Trump "likes and respects" British Prime Minister Theresa May "very much" following an interview in which he said she was ruining what her country stands to gain from Brexit.
Trump also told The Sun newspaper that May's "soft" blueprint for the U.K.'s future dealings with the European Union would probably "kill" any future trade deals with the United States. The interview was published Thursday as Trump was leaving a black-tie gala hosted by May.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders reiterated that Trump told The Sun that May was "a very good person" and that he "never said anything bad about her."
Trump is set to have tea with Queen Elizabeth II on Friday.
12:55 a.m.
President Donald Trump says he's not nervous about meeting Queen Elizabeth II on Friday.
Trump tells The Sun newspaper that the queen is "a tremendous woman. I really look forward to meeting her. I think she represents her country so well."
The president says one reason he admires the queen is that through all the years she has represented her country, "she has really never made a mistake."
He adds: "You don't see, like, anything embarrassing."
The queen, the president and first lady Melania Trump are expected to have tea at Windsor Castle on Friday.
12:40 a.m.
President Donald Trump says he doesn't feel welcome in London, and he blames that in part on Mayor Sadiq Khan.
The American president reveals in an interview with The Sun newspaper that he has been told about a 20-foot "Trump baby" balloon that will be flown above Parliament Square on Friday as protesters march.
He told the tabloid that's part of why he's spending so little time in the city, saying, "I guess when they put out blimps to make me feel unwelcome, no reason for me to go to London."
Trump blames the atmosphere and recent terrorist attacks there on Khan, who is a Muslim. Khan has been outspoken against Trump's Muslim policy in the United States. Trump says Khan has done a "terrible job" standing up to terrorists.
Khan gave protesters permission to fly the 20-foot-tall balloon depicting Trump as an angry baby in a diaper.
12:30 a.m.
President Donald Trump says Europe is "losing its culture" because of immigration from the Middle East and Africa.
Trump tells The Sun newspaper in an interview published Thursday that he is the descendant of immigrants from Germany and Scotland. But, he says, "Allowing the immigration to take place in Europe is a shame."
"I think it changed the fabric of Europe and, unless you act very quickly, it's never going to be what it was and I don't mean that in a positive way."
He added: "I think you are losing your culture. Look around. You go through certain areas that didn't exist ten or 15 years ago."
It wasn't clear what areas he meant. The explosive interview was published during Trump's visit to Europe.
12:25 a.m.
President Donald Trump says he thinks Britain's ex-foreign Secretary Boris Johnson would make an "excellent" prime minister.
The comment was published in The Sun newspaper just as Trump was leaving a black-tie gala hosted by current British Prime Minister Theresa May during Trump's maiden visit to the U.K. as president.
Trump tells the paper just days after Johnson resigned his post in May's government that Johnson is "a very talented guy" and that he likes him "a lot." He adds: "I think he would be a great Prime Minister. I think he's got what it takes."
Trump also says that he was "very saddened" to see Johnson was leaving government and said he hoped "he goes back in at some point.
Trump adds: "I think he is a great representative for your country."
But asked directly whether he thinks Johnson might someday replace May, he declined to comment, saying he wasn't interested in "pitting one against the other."
12:20 a.m.
President Donald Trump has accused British Prime Minister Theresa May of ruining what her country stands to gain from Brexit and says her "soft" blueprint for the U.K.'s future dealings with the European Union would probably "kill" any future trade deals with the United States.
Trump tells The Sun newspaper during his first visit to the U.K. as president on Thursday that, "If they do a deal like that, we would be dealing with the European Union instead of dealing with the U.K., so it will probably kill the deal."
Trump, who has compared the June 2016 referendum in which a majority of British voters supported leaving the EU to his own election that year, said: "The deal she is striking is a much different deal than the one the people voted on."
He also told the tabloid that he had shared advice with May during Britain's negotiations with the EU, but says May ignored his advice.
Details from Trump's interview with the paper became public as he was attending a black tie dinner with May to welcome him to Britain.
9:15 p.m.
President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, are being greeted with pomp and circumstance, along with protesters, as he arrives at spectacular Blenheim Palace for a gala dinner.
Anti-Trump protesters with critical signs are lining the roadway leading to the palace near Oxford.
But it's unlikely the Trumps even saw them.
Instead, the couple arrived via helicopter and was driven by presidential limousine onto the property, where they were welcomed by British Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip.
The couples then enjoyed a performance by a large British military marching band wearing traditional bearskin hats.
The performance included a bagpiper playing "Amazing Grace."
9:10 p.m.
First lady Melania Trump is wearing a yellow silk pleated chiffon dress by New York-based J. Mendel to a gala at Blenheim Palace.
She paired the off-the-shoulder gown with floor-length pleated sleeves with matching silk pumps by Manolo Blahnik.
President and Mrs. Trump are having dinner at the palace with British Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip. Blenheim Palace is Winston Churchill's birthplace.
A similar dress in emerald, originally priced at $6,990, can be found online for $4,194.
J. Mendel's website says the design house is a fifth-generation French atelier now based in New York.
8:15 p.m.
President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, are on their way to a black-tie gala at Blenheim Palace near Oxford, England, where they'll be joined by British Prime Minister Theresa May.
The dinner is Trumps' official welcome to the U.K. during their first visit since Trump's election. The president wore a tuxedo and Mrs. Trump wore a pale yellow gown as they boarded a helicopter to the gala.
Audible jeers could be heard from protesters as Marine One lifted off from London.
Blenheim Palace is the birthplace of Winston Churchill, for whom Trump has expressed admiration.
He reinstalled a bust of Churchill in the Oval Office shortly after his inauguration and screened the 2017 film "Darkest Hour" at the White House last winter in a sign of his affinity for the British leader.
6:15 p.m.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says that despite President Donald Trump's fire-and-brimstone approach to this week's summit, the U.S. president has had an impact on the commitment by alliance members to boost their individual military spending.
Stoltenberg says Thursday that "the clear message from President Trump is having an impact."
Since taking office, Trump has been criticizing most alliance members for not spending more on their militaries and pressing them to do more.
Stoltenberg says Trump's approach is paying off. The NATO secretary-general says allies have added $41 billion extra for defense spending — a figure he cited on Wednesday.
2:50 p.m.
President Donald Trump has arrived in Great Britain for his first visit as president amid NATO tensions, protests and Brexit turmoil.
Air Force One has landed at London Stansted Airport, where Trump is beginning a four-day visit to the country.
Trump will attend a gala dinner Thursday with British and American officials at Blenheim Palace, the ancestral home of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
On Friday, Trump will meet with Prime Minister Theresa May and Queen Elizabeth II and then spend the weekend at one of his private golf courses in Scotland.
Widespread protests of Trump are expected during his visit to the U.K., which comes during a tumultuous week for May's government as it seeks to navigate the Brexit process. Trump is arriving following a chaotic NATO summit.
1:20 p.m.
U.S. President Donald Trump is forecasting an unspecified "escalation" between the U.S. and Iran.
Trump also says Iran is treating the U.S. with more respect, though there is no evidence to support Trump's claim.
Trump withdrew the U.S from the Iran nuclear deal earlier this year, reinstating economic sanctions that had been lifted under a deal among Iran, the U.S. and other world powers in exchange for curbs on Iran's nuclear program.
Trump was asked about Iran at a news conference in Brussels, where he wrapped up his participation in a NATO summit.
He says Iran is feeling a lot of pain as a result and that at some point Iran will "call me and they're going to say let's make a deal, and we'll make a deal."
1:20 p.m.
French President Emmanuel Macron has rejected President Donald Trump's claim that NATO allies have agreed to boost defense spending beyond 2 percent of Gross Domestic Product.
Macron said: There is a communique that was published yesterday. It's very detailed."
He added: "It confirms the goal of 2 percent by 2024. That's all."
The summit statement affirms a commitment made in 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea that NATO allies would halt defense spending cuts and start spending more as their economies grow, with the aim of moving toward 2 percent of GDP within a decade.
1:15 p.m.
U.S. President Donald Trump is offering assurances that the United States will "ultimately" work out a "pretty nasty trade battle" with China.
Trump says along the sidelines of the NATO summit that the U.S. will "negotiate a fair deal, if that's possible" with China. He's predicting in a news conference that the U.S. will "end up doing something very good with China."
The Trump administration has threatened to impose 10 percent tariffs on another $200 billion worth of Chinese imports, and Beijing has vowed to retaliate.
It follows the U.S. imposing 25 percent duties on $34 billion of Chinese goods, which China responded to by increasing its own taxes on the same amount of American imports.
1:10 p.m.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Russian President Vladimir Putin is neither friend nor foe. Instead, the U.S. leader calls Putin a "competitor" and says he is representing the best interests of the Russian people as he represents those of Americans.
Speaking during an unscheduled press conference at the NATO summit in Brussels, Trump says his sit-down with Putin will be "just a loose meeting," but said significant progress could be made in the relationship. The U.S. and Russia leaders are to meet Monday in Helsinki.
Trump's meeting with Putin has been met by skepticism from NATO allies concerned that he will not be sufficiently tough with the leader. Trump says he will raise Russian election meddling in Western elections with Putin.
1 p.m.
Thousands are gearing up in London to protest U.S. President Donald Trump's first official visit to the U.K. because of anger over his policies on issues ranging from immigration and race relations to Russia and the Middle East.
Demonstrations are planned Thursday outside the U.S. ambassador's residence in London, where Trump will stay, and Winston Churchill's birthplace at Blenheim Palace, where he'll attend a black-tie dinner.
The biggest protests are set for Friday, when demonstrators plan to march through central London and float a huge balloon depicting Trump as a baby in diapers over the Houses of Parliament.
The National Police Chiefs Council says rest days for officers have been cancelled and many will be working 12-hour shifts during Trump's visit.
1 p.m.
U.S. President Donald Trump says he'll raise election meddling and arms control when he and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet next week.
Trump also says he is "not happy about Crimea." Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. Trump continues to blame his predecessor, President Barack Obama, for allowing that to happen.
Speaking at a news conference during a NATO summit in Brussels, Trump says Thursday that alliance members "actually thanked me" for meeting with Putin.
Trump has been criticized for seeking the one-on-one meeting with Putin, scheduled for Monday in Helsinki, in part because of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
Trump describes it as a "loose meeting" and says "we'll see where it leads."
Says Trump: "I think meeting with people is great."
12:55 p.m.
U.S. President Donald Trump says after an emergency session of NATO members, the military alliance is "very unified, very strong, no problem."
The president is speaking at a news conference in Brussels along the sidelines of the annual NATO summit. He says he successfully pushed for NATO members to spend more of their budgets on defense and at a faster pace than previously expected.
Trump says NATO is "more coordinated" and there's a "better spirit for NATO" even amid reports that he threated to pull the United States out of the alliance in a dispute over defense spending.
12:45 p.m.
U.S. President Donald Trump says he probably can withdraw the U.S. from NATO but that such a step is "unnecessary."
Published reports Thursday said Trump had threatened during the NATO summit in Brussels to pull the U.S. out of the military alliance in a dispute over defense spending.
Trump says at a news conference that he was "extremely unhappy" with the situation, but that alliance members have upped their commitment in response to his complaints.
Asked whether he's still threatening to pull out of NATO and whether he can do so without buy-in from Congress, Trump said: "I think I probably can but that's unnecessary."
12:30 p.m.
U.S. President Donald Trump says he told NATO allies that he was "extremely unhappy" with the level of defense spending but received a commitment from the member nations for them to spend more.
Trump says during a news conference in Brussels that NATO members have agreed to pursue defense spending of at least 2 percent of their GDP at a faster rate than the current 2024 timeline.
12:30 p.m.
U.S. President Donald Trump says the U.S. commitment to NATO "remains very strong" despite reports that he threated to pull out in a dispute over defense spending.
Trump says at a news conference Thursday in Brussels that he told "people" that he would be "very unhappy" if they didn't increase their commitments.
Trump says the U.S. has been paying "probably 90 percent of the costs of NATO."
Trump adds that he was "extremely unhappy with what was happening and they have substantially upped their commitment."
NATO had no immediate comment.
Trump once declared NATO "obsolete." He says Thursday: "I believe in NATO."
12:05 p.m.
President Donald Trump plans to make a statement at the NATO summit in Brussels.
The White House says the president will address reporters before he departs for the United Kingdom, the next stop on his weeklong visit to Europe.
The statement follows tense discussions at the summit over Trump's criticism of most NATO allies for not spending 2 percent of their GDP on defense as well as his demand that they immediately double such spending. Trump also criticized Germany over a natural gas pipeline deal with Russia.
Two officials at the summit say the alliance is currently meeting in an emergency session amid Trump's demands.
9:30 a.m.
President Donald Trump has arrived at NATO headquarters, where he's attending a second day of meetings with leaders of the military alliance.
Trump was running behind schedule Thursday morning and arrived at the Brussels site a good half an hour later than expected.
A meeting of the North Atlantic Council with Georgia and Ukraine that Trump was scheduled to attend was called into order around 8:50 a.m. Trump arrived around 9:15 a.m.
Other leaders have also been trickling in, and continue to arrive after Trump.
The president is expected to meet with the leaders of Azerbaijan, Romania, Ukraine and Georgia before he travels to London Thursday.


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What a Tool!
After moving back to Michigan nearly eleven years ago, my father-in-law introduced me to the fun of going to auctions. In particular, we like to go to auctions that have lots of tools and machinery, which, in Southeast Michigan, are plentiful. As a result, we've bought our share of what are known as box lots, which are literally boxes full of things that really aren't worth trying to sell individually–miscellaneous fasteners, hand tools, fishing reel parts, lead weights, and left-threaded bipolar frobulators. My father-in-law is so devoted to auctions, he'll sometimes bid on these things just to keep the sale moving. Most of the time, the items are fairly mundane, but occasionally we get something that is either beautiful, mysterious, or sometimes both! Rather than keep them secreted away until someone buys them at my estate auction, I'm going to share them (virtually) here in what I hope will be an irregular series. In each installment, I (or others–guest tools are welcome!) will share a couple of tools that are either aesthetically pleasing examples of bygone industrial design or non-obvious in their purpose and/or use. The goals are to share the beauty of these tools, have some fun, and maybe learn something too.
To kick it off, I'm sharing a couple of recent finds. First off: goggles. The goggles shown here are fairly uncomfortable (and they could use a good cleaning), but I love them because they're just so wonderfully archaic! The aluminum frames and glass lenses suggest a manufacture date in the 1940's, but that's just a guess. The levers on the sides appear to allow the lenses to be removed for replacement (or cleaning), though I haven't been able to get them to move; there is a bit of corrosion on them and I'm afraid I'll break them if I push them too hard. The leather strap on the bridge allows for a bit of adjustment; the buckle is thoughtfully placed so that it is facing outward, rather than pressing against the bridge of the nose. The padding around the eyes is some kind of plastic or rubber which may have been pliable at some point but is now rather brittle. The cheap staples that hold the pads on is a little incongruous with the overall quality of the goggles, making me wonder if perhaps they're an after-market mod. Given that the lenses are glass (and seemingly not impact-resistant), I'm guessing that these were probably meant to be used for welding. What do you think?
My other recent find is less showy, but it makes up for it with a bit of mystery. The "5 Minute Vulcanizer" clearly has something to do with rubber, but I don't know how it might have been used. Perhaps it was used for patching the sidewalls of tires that appeared on cars like the Model T? Or, perhaps its rustiness is fooling me into thinking it's older than it really is. Please register your educated opinions, observations and wild guesses in the comments! And, if you want a larger picture, click on either photo to see it in its full 4000 x 3000 resolution.
Until next time….


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The beach is the place to be! The sun, sand and cool, clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico make beach home rentals a popular choice for Clearwater holidayers. Directly on the beach, condo dwellers watch spectacular sunsets from the comfort of their terraces. Dockside townhomes combine proximity to the beach with the convenience of boat launching from your own "back yard." And every home rental allows budget-conscious families the ability to ease holiday costs with meals prepared in their own well-furnished kitchen.
Clearwater Beach is an ideal family holiday destination, a barrier island with the Gulf of Mexico on the west and the Intracoastal Waterway on the east. Like to just kick back, relax and absorb seaside serenity? The white sandy beaches of Clearwater gladly accommodate! High-energy visitors can race about on jet skis, try sail boarding or parasailing. Anglers take to the Gulf for exceptional sport fishing. Nightly "Sunsets at Pier 60" mix a festival atmosphere of music and magic to celebrate the end of another great day at the beach.
Sidewalk cafes and restaurants literally line the beach area with plenty of casual sun and souvenir shops. Families can take in a round of miniature golf or board the popular Pirates Ransom for a cruise filled with music, beverages and dolphin spotting. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is another interesting attraction that offers an up-close look at otters, sea turtles, stingrays and lively dolphins. The convenient Jolley Trolley whisks you all along Clearwater Beach, Sand Key and Downtown Clearwater for a mere $1.00 fare.You'll enjoy absolutely fresh fish at Frenchy's Restaurant, where the signature Grouper Sandwich is a melt-in-your-mouth favorite. Frenchy's largest restaurant is Rockaway Grill on the beach, where tropical music and "Floribbean" fare make a memorable night.
Traditional hotel stays simply can't compare with the added space, amenities and privacy of your own beachfront house or condo. Relax over breakfast on your own terrace, pack a picnic for lunch and save dining out for those special holiday evenings.


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Horseneck Wines owner marks 25 years of educating Greenwich customers
GREENWICH -- Theresa Rogers long ago overcame the growing pains of being a fledgling retailer, and now, as she marks her 25 years as owner of Horseneck Wines & Liquors on East Putnam Avenue, she is focusing on refining her business as a destination for wine aficionados and customers new to the world of wine.
She recalls days when she stayed open until the last legal minute, hoping that a customer would rush through the doors to buy a last-minute gift or take home a bottle of wine for that special supper.
"The business in general has changed all over the country in the past 25 years," said Rogers, a former cellar master for the Chaine des Rotisseurs food and wine society. "Greenwich was made up of the Vanderbilts and the Rockefellers. The town closed up by 6 p.m.
"I had to stay open until 8 p.m. for many years due to the fact that we really needed as much business as we could get. For three years it was only myself and one employee. When I hired my manager I could not afford him, but I had no choice since I was growing the business so rapidly."
She said she built up as much as $4.5 million in sales per year until the recession hit, and with it came a big dent in earnings from wine collectors and private parties.
"Many of the customers got hurt financially, as did we. I lost a million dollars in sales immediately. So since 2009 I have been crawling to get back to where I was," Rogers said. "Fortunately having loyal customers, and being in the town for as long as I have been helped to keep me in business. It was the hardest part of my career that I can ever remember."
But as the economy improves, Rogers' business is bouncing back. The job is still demanding, but she has established her store as a place for people who want expert advice on how a certain wine will go with a filet mignon, or a delicate fish.
Rogers, who grew up in Piseco, N.Y., in the Adirondacks, took a circuitous route to being owner of a successful wine and liquor store in upscale Greenwich. She turned her interest in wine from a hobby into a career, starting in 1978 as a commissioned sales person in New York City for the United Vintners division of Heublein.
Calling on restaurants and retailers in Westchester County and Manhattan, and selling a portfolio of wines from California and countries like France, Italy and Spain, it provided Rogers with lessons that helped her deal with the trials of running a store.
"In 1986, I had the opportunity to purchase my first store in Greenwich called Connecticut Wines and Liquors," said Rogers, who is married and the mother of two children. "My feeling was that if you could educate the consumer and knew how to buy and where to buy, the best place was to be in retail."
She sold the King Street business in 2005, but retained ownership of Horseneck, which she bought in 1989, continuing a tradition started by the Odisious family, who started a package store there in 1934 -- only a year after the end of Prohibition.
"The first people to get a license were pharmacies, but in 1934 they created the package store permit. Most package store permits were issued before 1950," said Carroll Hughes, executive director of the 700-member Connecticut Package Store Association in Middletown. "For many, it was a family affair."
Many package stores have grown by expanding their wine selections and expertise, he said, adding that the price range for wines provide an opportunity for growth, particularly in an upscale environment.
"It's the economy of the community. A lot more spending goes on in Greenwich," he said.
Rogers, 59, has taken advantage of her expansive knowledge of the wine sector to build her business.
Working with a limited budget, she judiciously spent her money improving her inventory and at the same time gave a facelift to the store, which measures 1,650 square feet upstairs and 1,500 square feet in the basement.
"It was becoming a buyer's market, and there were many wines from all over the world. I knew that I had the right consumer palate and knew that I could educate," said Rogers, a licensed pilot and former ski instructor. "I wanted to make sure that I kept the character with all of the wood but make the store look inviting.
"Therefore, since I didn't have any money to buy racking, I remember seeing a store in California that had many wooden boxes. So we opened the store up and made it all with case displays.
"There used to be a large counter in the middle of the store. There were metal desks and a large safe in the back -- all that had to go. Over the course of a few years, I was able to afford to build the wooden slats along the wall for wine displays."
Understanding that wine buyers can shop on the Internet or join wine clubs and have selection shipped from the vineyard to their home, Rogers said her philosophy is to retain and lure customers by offering quality wines at good prices.
"You also must treat the consumer like they are kings and queens and service them perfectly. Give them perfect advice for wine pairing and delivery for their parties and for home events," said Rogers, who faces the same challenges as other independent retailers. "Since I do not own the building, there are the costs of rent, property taxes, increased insurance costs for medical and liability and increased gas costs for running my van for deliveries. Therefore, it is very important to keep an eye on every single product that comes into the store to make sure our profit margin can meet these expenses."
Rogers, who garnered the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce's outstanding small business leader award in 2002 and 2012, understands the need to give back to the community by supporting various local organizations and events, said Marcia O'Kane, executive director of the chamber.
"Practically everyone in Greenwich knows and loves Terri Rogers, who has an incredibly big heart," O'Kane said, recalling her acceptance speech to the chamber two years ago. "Her speech at that lunch addressed how important it was to give back to the community and how her business mantra is simply to love. She practices what she preaches, and so it is no surprise that her store has enjoyed such longevity."


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We cut a bunch of 1 inch by 36 inch strips of colored paper for the stripes of the hat.
We glued the stripes using tiny dots of white glue across the colored papers.
I helped to pick the long stripe of paper up and turn it over onto the large white paper. Too hard for a preschooler! You could create a pattern or multi-colors.
Next, to make the hat "extra fancy" we painted between the stripes with shape and line details!
My daughter decided to paint on the stripes too and I think that looks great too! BEAUTIFUL WORK!
Now, to let it dry for a few hours!
Before fitting it to wear----fringe one longer side about three inches in or so! Fold up the fringe for the brim of the hat.
I carefully shaped the fringed end around my daughter's head, took it off then stapled it! (kinda tricky to get the right fit at first!) Then, I stapled the top and then it was ready to wear or display!
|One Happy Girl!!!!
Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!
|Our Dr. Seuss books!
This post is linked to:


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Any incoming student who has taken more than one year of ancient Greek, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and/or Spanish at the high school level is required to take a placement exam in that language. This is true whether you plan to continue your study of these languages at Gettysburg or not. Language departments use data from these placement exams to help decide how many, and what levels of each language to offer. Each cohort of students will bring varied levels of interest in different languages, and you will have the opportunity to shape your degree based on these interests. While you are required to take placement exams in languages you have studied for more than a year, you are also welcome to take a placement exam in other languages that you have studied for less time to see how well you can do!
If you have taken one year or less of these foreign languages you are not obliged to take a placement exam. In this case, if you choose to register for one of these languages, you will automatically be placed at the 100 (beginning) level.
Students of Latin who have completed three or more years of Latin at the high school level — and wish to continue language study in Latin — are required to take the Latin placement exam. Students of Latin who have taken less than three years of Latin at the high school level, and wish to take Latin, are not obliged to take the placement exam; instead, such students should contact the Chair of the Classics Department to inquire about placement.
Students who grew up bilingual in a language that Gettysburg College offers, and completed high school studies taught in English, will need to take the language placement exam for that foreign language if they plan to study their heritage language here.
Students who have earned a 4 or 5 on an AP language test will still need to take the language placement exam for that language.
Students who have never studied a foreign language do not need to take a placement exam. These students will automatically be placed in a true-beginner's level when they start language study at Gettysburg.
Students who have studied a particular language for one year or less do not have to take a placement exam for that language; however, they may wish to take the exam to see how well they do.
Students who have had any number of years of Latin at the high school level and who do not wish to study Latin at Gettysburg College, do not have to take the placement exam.
Students who have studied languages in high school that Gettysburg College does not offer for credit (e.g., Urdu, Polish, and Swahili), cannot take a placement exam in these languages because we do not offer one.
Some students have had extensive experience with a non-English language outside of the classroom. These students are known as native-heritage speakers. Native-heritage speakers typically have had one or more of the following experiences:
- As children, a non-English language was spoken in their home
- Have lived in a country for two or more years where a language other than English is the majority language
- Have a first spoken language other than English
- Speak a non-English language, or English and another language, with family and friends
- Their parents and/or grandparents speak to them in another language
Native-heritage speakers do not need to take the language placement exam for that foreign language if they do not plan to study their native-heritage language here.
Students who have studied French, German, Italian, Latin, and Spanish will take their exam online.
Students who have studied ancient Greek, Arabic, Chinese, and Japanese will take the placement test during the on-campus orientation period in August.
Online placement exams will be available during a three-week period between the end of May and early June.
Once the online exam time has passed, students may find online placement results through the Student Center website. For those students who take the placement exam on campus in August, results will be made available within twenty-four hours.
If you do not take the required placement exam during your examination time frame, you will be unable to continue with your registration. Furthermore, you will severely limit your chance to enroll in language study since the availability of particular language courses and sections that the college offers is based on the number of eligible students as determined by these placement exams. If students do not follow the time frame guidelines, they will hinder what the College offers and jeopardize what they might need to take.
If students do not take a particular language their first year, they may unfortunately curtail their chances of taking that language in following years.
You should take a required placement exam for any of the languages that you studied for more than one year in high school that the College offers, and then enroll in a first-level course for the new language that you desire to study. For some languages, such as Italian Studies, if you do not enroll in a section of a beginning level your first semester, your chances to enroll as a sophomore are drastically reduced. If you only studied Latin in high school, and you do not wish to continue to study it here, enroll in another first-year language course.
Several factors may contribute to language learning difficulties:
- Some students struggle because they have never learned how to study a foreign language. Foreign-language study requires a distinct set of skills, some of which students may not have previously cultivated. There are several resources on campus to help you cultivate these skills, such as your instructor, language tutors, Peer Learning Associates (PLAs), and the Language Resource Center (a technologically based gathering place that all language students on campus may utilize).
- Some students simply are not interested in foreign language study. These students should invest time in discovering for themselves how learning a language can be beneficial. Until students find some positive meaning linked to the study of language, most of them simply flounder. Once they commit to learning, for whatever payoff, these students usually do better in language courses.
- Finally, some students struggle with foreign language study because they simply do not have an aptitude for language, even though these same students may be brilliant in other disciplines, such as Math, History, or Chemistry. If you feel that this might be you, and because language difficulties are so particular to each person, the College invites students who have worries about their potential performance to contact the individual language department for the language that interests them in order to discuss their situation. We also urge you to contact Academic Advising. Issues to discuss will be whether to start a new language or continue in a previously studied one. Additionally, once enrolled in a language class, and if students have utilized all the various resources available to them and perform poorly, they may seek testing for learning disability related to language. These test results coupled with their language professor's assessment may result in these students being exempted from one or two semesters of the same-language requirement. 201


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John Cena has sensationally revealed he once "pooped" himself during a fight.
Cena was chatting to his lady love, fellow wrestler Nikki Bella, for an upcoming episode of U.S. reality show Total Divas, when he opened up about his most embarrassing moment in the ring.
The current World Heavyweight Champion came clean after Bella poked fun at another female fighter, who accidentally wet herself during a wrestling match, stating, "I pooped myself once... It was in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, I had food poisoning and I still went out to wrestle. Everybody knew - I was embarrassed".
His stunned girlfriend was initially left speechless by his confession.
She then added, "I don't know what to think right now... That would be so embarrassing!"
tagged in John Cena


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Favianna Rodriguez is my new kickass feminist homegirl. Check out her terrific poster art, fighting back in the war on women:
And can you say, "Does not mince words"? See more of her art/imperatives here.
Another favorite: "I'm a slut. I vote. So does everyone I sleep with. And you're about to be more fucked than I am. Keep ur government off my pussy."
Or, for the less in-your-face, there's:
Thanks again to JE for turning me on to this great artist. (JE is positively en fuego with the great recommendations right now.)
Olympia's choice
4 March 2012
So this is the rock/ hard place scenario the Republican Party has gotten itself into: it demands such lockstep partisan behavior from its elected senators and congresspeople that it has created an impossible situation for at least one of its stalwarts.
Here's my question: could the Party's stand on birth control be so extreme that it becomes the tipping point for its own elected women?
I hasten to note that although Olympia Snowe was the sole Republican to vote against the Blunt Amendment (which would have given employers veto power over their employees' health care), she has not blamed her party's view of birth control, or its new embrace of personhood for driving her out of office. In a She says she's retiring because of excessive partisanship:
"…our leaders must understand that there is not only strength in compromise, courage in conciliation and honor in consensus-building — but also a political reward for following these tenets. That reward will be real only if the people demonstrate their desire for politicians to come together after the planks in their respective party platforms do not prevail."
But Snowe was not the only Republican woman to waver when it came to this ridiculous amendment. Susan Collins (Snowe's joint senator from Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) ultimately voted with their party, but Collins remained undecided all week and Murkowski's vote demanded that she refute her own longstanding support for women's access to birth control.
Now, if Collins and Murkowski had gone against their party leadership to oppose the amendment, they likely would have been punished — by having their committee leadership taken away or whatever means by which Republicans so successfully get their members in order. (I hasten to note that the Democrats, ever the un-herd-able cats, have never managed such uniformity. Three of their own senators voted with the Republicans on the Blunt Amendment.) Snowe could vote with her conscience because she's retiring.
Olympia Snowe has been a representative from Maine since 1979, first as a member of the House of Representatives and as a US Senator since 1999. If she had run for re-election, there's no doubt she would have won. Her announcement about retiring has removed a sure-thing seat from the Republican Party and left it open to possible Democratic control. I want to know: will the Party's radical anti-women policies ultimately paint such a picture of stark gender essentialism that it alienates its own women members and even drives some out of office?


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Product Info :
Dimensions : 22mm x 45mm
All the pieces are made out of New Zealand Jade (Pounamu) and carved by Nick or Mady at their workshop.
They are all unique, handcarved, matte polished and waxed to give you the best aspect of the stone .
The prices are in New Zealand Dollars.
It includes a waxed and adjustable plaited cord and an eco stamped gift box.
If you want more information about one particular piece, feel free to send us your question via our Form .


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July 9, 2014
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida State men's tennis program have several current and former players competing around the world this summer. This past weekend former Seminoles Jean-Yves Aubone and Anderson Reed both won titles.
Aubone, an All-American who played at Florida State from 2007-2010, returned to tennis in October of 2012 after taking time off to work in the financial industry. At the USA F19 Futures in Pittsburgh, Penn., Aubone won his first singles title since his comeback as he topped Toby Martin (GBR) in a tight 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (6) match. In the semifinals, he topped No. 392 Liam Broady (GBR) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Reed, who graduated in 2013, won his first doubles title as he teamed up with Carl Eguez (USA) at the Canada F4 Futures. He and Eguez topped Philip Bester (CAN) and Matt Seeberger (USA) in the finals 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4). It was also the first doubles title for Eguez.
In Tallahassee, Florida State hosted an ITA Summer Circuit tournament presented by the USTA. Five current Seminoles competed against other players from different colleges. All five of the Seminoles, Grayson Goldin, Michael Rinaldi, Marco Nunez, Jake Albo and Parker Evertsen, all reached the round of 16. Rinaldi and Nunez both played in the quarterfinals while Goldin reached the finals. He lost to Georgia Tech's Cole Fiegel 6-4, 3-6, 10-6.
Lock continues his summer in Turkey at the Turkey F23 Futures by reaching the quarterfinals of singles action. After winning two matches in qualifying, he topped Dominik Kellovsky (CZE) 6-4, 7-6 (3) in the round of 32 and then topped Franjo Raspudic (CRO) 6-2, 5-7, 6-1. In the quarterfinals, he lost to No. 306 Aldin Setkic (BIH) 6-3, 6-1. In the Turkey F24 Futures, Lock lost his first round match of the main draw.
In Spain, Cristian Gonzalez Mendez played at the Open La Calleja in Ferrol where he reached the semifinals. He lost to No. 812 Jordi Muñoz.
Check back to Seminoles.com for all your information on the men's tennis team and follow the team at @FSU_MTennis.


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| 9°C Belfast
A soldier with an exemplary Army record who was refused British citizenship because of a speeding conviction has won a legal battle to have his case reconsidered.
Sapper Poloko Hiri, 33, who was born and brought up in Botswana, joined the Army in August 2008 and served as a military draughtsman and combat engineer until 2012, when he decided to leave 73 Armoured Engineer Squadron for a university degree in architectural technology.
In February 2012, Sapper Hiri - a member of the British Army Reserve - applied for naturalisation as he feared lengthy imprisonment if he returned to Botswana, whose penal code provides that a person in possession of the uniform of the armed forces of any foreign country shall be deemed a security threat.
His application was refused in May 2012 on the basis that the Home Secretary was not satisfied that he met the "good character" requirement for naturalisation because of a November 2011 speeding conviction which would not be spent until November 2016.
Sapper Hiri was given a £100 fine and five points on his licence after pleading guilty to exceeding a temporary 50mph speed limit on the M1 after leaving Ripon Barracks for his Easter leave.
He applied for the decision to be reconsidered, supported by a very favourable reference from his commanding officer, Major Plimmer, but the refusal was confirmed.
In the High Court in London today, Mrs Justice Lang said that the decision-making process was legally flawed and the Home Secretary should reconsider in accordance with the law.
The judge said that Sapper Hiri's application was supported by unusually strong evidence of his good character from Maj Plimmer to the effect that he was an "intelligent, motivated and hard working soldier" with an "exemplary" record of conduct in his four years in the British Army.
Maj Plimmer said: "His character has been put to the test on various military training exercises where his peers have had to depend on him in austere and challenging environments.
"To see that Sapper Hiri has been denied British citizenship for what is deemed as 'bad character' directly contradicts his performance as a serving soldier.
"I have spoken to him about his speeding fine and he regrets his actions and has paid his fine. However, it appears that one moment's act of misjudgment has defined and tarnished his otherwise good character.
"The offence was a foolish mistake but it is not a reflection of his character from my experience as his officer commanding."
Wing Commander Dr Hugh Milroy, chief executive officer of Veterans Aid, which campaigned on Sapper Hiri's behalf, told the court: "I cannot emphasise how unique it is for a veteran to have left service without receiving a single charge.
"Soldiers frequently get into trouble and are disciplined; it is what they do. However, Poloko served without any blemish whatsoever.
"If Poloko were good enough to carry a weapon for this country, then surely he is good enough to be a citizen."
The judge said that in deciding whether an applicant for naturalisation met the good character requirement, the Home Secretary must consider all aspects of the applicant's character.
"Plainly, criminal convictions are relevant to the assessment of character, but they are likely to vary greatly in significance, depending upon the nature of the offence and the length of time which has elapsed since its commission, as well as any pattern of repeat offending."
She added: "The defendant is entitled to adopt a policy on the way in which criminal convictions will normally be considered by her caseworkers, but it should not be applied mechanistically and inflexibly.
"There has to be a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's character, as an individual, which involves an exercise of judgment, not just ticking boxes on a form."
The judge said that the May 2012 decision by an official in the UKBA (UK Border Agency) indicated that the assessment of Sapper Hiri's character was based entirely upon the fact that he had an unspent conviction - there was no reference to any other aspect of his character and background.
"This was not an adequate assessment of the claimant's character, as required by law. No references were sought from his employer, or his personal referees, and there was no interview with the claimant."
And, it was apparent that the UKBA official who then reviewed the case did not properly weigh in the balance the strong countervailing evidence of good character against the fact of the conviction.


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What exactly is The Blackstar Chronicles? Blackstar is a futuristic massively-multiplayer game that features both ground -based character combat as well as space-based ship combat on a massive scale. The developers at Spacetime Studios say it's based on the single-player traditions of "Wing Commander" and the multiplayer feel of "Descent." Lofty goals, but when your team is packed with Wing Commander and Privateer veterans you've got a good shot at getting it right. The IP fell into a bit of trouble after a 2006 publishing agreement with NCsoft fell through earlier this year, but the team at Spacetime has just announced that they've acquired the rights from NCsoft to soldier on, and that's a damn good thing. I would have hated to discover that the amazing character designs seen above and at their official website were never going to come to fruition. This is exactly the type of game I've been craving since the disappointment that was EA's Earth and Beyond.
Spacetime Studios Acquires Blackstar IP from NCsoft®
Blackstar is a highly stylized science-fantasy universe from developers of Wing Commander, Privateer, and Star Wars: Galaxies
AUSTIN, Texas - May 8, 2008 - Spacetime Studios, LLC announced today it has acquired the rights to the Blackstar IP from its previous publisher NCsoft. Spacetime Studios, an independent game development studio made up of industry veterans, now fully owns all the tools, technology and intellectual property from their previous publishing deal.
Set in the far future, Blackstar is a fresh universe full of wildly original space fighters, horrifying demonic enemies and epic drama. "The IP lends itself to almost any kind of gameplay that one could ask for, and was specifically designed to be a long-term franchise," said Cinco Barnes, creative director and co-founder of Spacetime Studios. "It's a nice sweet spot when you own all the puzzle pieces and we now have extraordinary flexibility in where to take the game universe next."
"After two years of development, the Blackstar universe is quite near and dear to our hearts" said Gary Gattis, executive producer and co-founder of Spacetime Studios. "Owning the IP as well as the engine and tool set puts a tremendous amount of potential in our hands. With all the developed components under the Spacetime team's control, the options for the IP are diversified."
The new "Blackstar Chronicles" development underway is a space fantasy combat game based on the single-player traditions of "Wing Commander" and the multiplayer feel of "Descent." "The Blackstar Chronicles is a very powerful product," said Jake Rodgers, art director and co-founder of Spacetime Studios. "The Blackstar universe has the potential to be something special and it's great that we are able to bring the IP to fruition."
Download a PDF about the IP at http://www.spacetimestudios.com/downloads/brochure_LoRes.pdf
More information about the studio can be found at http://www.spacetimestudios.com.


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Andy Spyra
I first came to Kashmir in the early spring of 2007 at the end of a motorcycle trip across India. I simply fell in love with the region, the people, the light and the atmosphere of this remote place of the world. But as much as I love it, that much I dislike the political situation of the valley.
Squeezed in between the two atomic powers and arch-enemies India and Pakistan, the people of Kashmir are the ones who suffer from the conflict. Their wives and sisters get raped and murdered, and sons and husbands disappear, or they simply get shot, during one of the countless demonstrations against the Indian military presence in the region. Kashmir is the most militarized zone in the world, with over one million soldiers facing each other at the line of control, the de facto border between India and Pakistan. Srinagar, the capital of Indian administered Kashmir, is therefore also called the "City of Bunkers" as you can hardly walk any street without facing heavily fortified bunkers of police, military and paramilitary troops.
Most of the young men deployed in Kashmir come from poor and rural areas of India, and many are from Bihar in the mid-east of India. In Kashmir they are alienated: they don't speak the Kashmiri or Urdu, they belong to a different culture and religion and they aren't allowed to leave their camps for security reasons. Under these circumstances, it's easy for political and religious persons to feed the distrust and hate between the people of Kashmir and the ones who should be there to protect them.
At times I was invited into private homes, where family members would mourn over the death of a beloved one. Seeing what the death of just one person does to a family, the death of more than 60.000 persons during the Kashmir-conflict is simply beyond my comprehension. Psychologically the whole valley is traumatized, and I hope that through my photography people are able not only to see Kashmir as I see it, but also to feel it, just as I do.
But despite all this, Kashmir, known as the "Paradise on earth", is still one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Andy Spyra, born 1984 in Hagen, Germany, is a freelance photographer currently based in Germany. He worked for one year as a freelance photographer with a local newspaper in his hometown Hagen before he started to study photography at the Fachhochschule Hannover. In the beginning of 2009, he quit his studies due to both personal and photographic reasons. Since then he has worked as a freelance photographer, focusing on long term in-depth projects of social and political issues worldwide.
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