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Featured Article
Chinese authorities shut down the Shouwang Protestant church in Beijing (March 27, 2019, Asia News)
After years of repression, Chinese authorities last Saturday shut down the Shouwang Church, one of Beijing's largest Protestant congregations for failing to register as a "social organisation". Government officials also closed down all of the Church's subsidiary organisations, seized its assets and questioned more than 20 of its members.
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View from the Wall, by Huo Shui
The essays in this e-book, written by a Chinese scholar, were originally published in the ChinaSource Quarterly.Writing from a sociological perspective, Hou Shui offers a unique perspective on the church in China and its role in society, as well as its relationship to the Party-State. Written over a period of time from 1999 to 2011, they provide a fascinating look at the issues and challenges that society in general, and Christians in particular, faced.
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Government / Politics / Foreign Affairs
Italy and China in plan for new Silk Road-style trade network (March 23, 2019,The Guardian)
The prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, and the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) that could lead to Italy's participation in China's Belt and Road initiative (BRI), an ambitious project that envisages Chinese investment in a network of infrastructure projects connecting Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
Podcast: Xi's Visit to 'Rival' Europe (March 24, 2019, China File)
In this podcast, Paul Haenle speaks with Philippe Le Corre, Nonresident Senior Fellow in the Europe and Asia programs at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, on Xi Jinping's upcoming trip and shifting perceptions of China across Europe.
U.S. Navy, Coast Guard ships pass through strategic Taiwan Strait (March 24, 2019, Reuters)
The two ships were identified as the Navy destroyer Curtis Wilbur and the Coast Guard cutter Bertholf, a U.S. military statement said. "The ships' transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," the statement said. "The U.S. will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows," it added.
Who Rules China? Comparing Representation on the NPC and Central Committee (March 25, 2019, Marco Polo)
In short, the NPC serves as an information feedback mechanism that allows the CCP to better "serve the people," placate anti-government sentiment at the grassroots, and address grievances from various constituencies.
A Chinese Law Professor Criticized Xi. Now He's Been Suspended. (March 26, 2019, The New York Times)
One of China's most prestigious universities has suspended a law professor and placed him under investigation after he published a series of essays that warned of deepening repression under President Xi Jinping, he said on Tuesday.
Xinjiang crackdown must continue, top China leader says (March 26, 2019, The Guardian)
Xinjiang needs to "perfect" stability maintenance measures and crack down on religious extremism, the ruling Communist party's fourth-ranked leader has said on a tour of the region where China is running a controversial de-radicalisation programme.
China Will Prosecute Former Interpol Leader On Bribery Charges (March 27, 2019,NPR)
"According to Chinese authorities, Meng used his position to seek employment for his wife and connived to use his authority for personal gain," NPR's Rob Schmitz reports from Shanghai for our Newscast unit.
This Chinese Christian Was Charged With Trying to Subvert the State (March 25, 2019, The New York Times)
Last December, he and 100 church members were detained. Although most have been released, Mr. Wang, his wife and 11 others are still being held incommunicado without access to a lawyer. The charges against Mr. Wang and his wife — inciting to subvert state power — typically result in lengthy prison sentences.
Interview With A Ministry Leader – The Lord Is More Gracious To Me Than I Am To Myself (March 25, 2019, China Partnership Blog)
This interview is with a ministry leader who previously co-pastored her church with her husband and now leads a ministry developing theological reflection and writing among China's house church pastors. She discusses how the gospel has renewed her understanding of human existence, gender, and womanhood; the idols of her heart; and the importance and challenges of her current ministry.
Reconsidering Traditional Teachings in Difficult Times (March 25, 2019, ChinaSource Blog)
The gospel is a story of becoming new, of being born again. It is, at its core, a story of divine transformation. In the long history of Chinese religious thought, transformation is also a common motif. Whether grounded in Confucian ideas of moral self-cultivation, Daoist conceptions of immortality, or Buddhist principles of enlightenment, the Chinese are no strangers to being "born of the spirit."
Love Allah, Love China (March 25, 2019, Foreign Policy)
Chinese Muslims are struggling to follow their faith amid a growing crackdown.
Vatican negotiator says deal with China on nominating bishops was basis for 'more concrete dialogue' (March 26, 2019, South China Morning Post)
The Vatican official who negotiated a landmark agreement between the Holy See and China on bishop nominations said on Monday that the path to normalising Catholic life in the country was "still long" but that a new future was now possible.
Advice for Staffing Sunday School (March 26, 2019, Chinese Church Voices)
"Mrs. Yang" is a popular blogger who receives thousands of views on each of her articles. She recently posted articles about children's Sunday school. In this article she shares some common views in Chinese Christian circles about who should lead Sunday school. In some areas she also challenges prevailing opinion about singles serving as teachers and why parents should take more responsibility.
Society / Life
How Chinese Youth Are Finding Depth in the Two-Dimensional World (March 23, 2019, Sixth Tone)
Young Chinese may be dazzled by the color and lines of Japanese-influenced manga, anime, and games, but it's the three-dimensional relationships that draw them in.
Death toll rises to 78 in Chinese chemical plant explosion (March 26, 2019,UPI)
The death toll from a chemical plant that exploded in eastern China rose to 78 as rescuers continue to discover bodies among the rubble.
Worse than doing time': life on the wrong side of China's social credit system (March 26, 2019, Inkstone)
For them, daily life is a series of inflicted indignities – some big, some small – from not being able to rent a home in their own name, to being shunned by relatives and business associates.
Sounds of silence: 'dancing aunties' use earphones to reduce the noise and increase thepeace (March 27, 2019, South China Morning Post)
A clip of the women dancing in formation while wearing earphones was published on Weibo by Pear Video on Tuesday, where it attracted tens of thousands of likes and shares.
Why Urban Relocation Alone Can't Solve China's Poverty Problem (March 27, 2019, Sixth Tone)
In practice, however, the relocation of poor rural residents to urban areas is often more about what's best for the local government than what's best for the poor. And unless officials make adequate preparations for an influx of new, often poorly educated residents, it's simply resettlement without development.
Click-through: How Would You Do Under China's Social Credit System? (March 27, 2019,Radii China)
Ever wondered what it's like to live in a dystopian Black Mirror episode where you can't ride a train, are banned from leaving the country, and have every aspect of your financial status closely monitored? Well, now you can! Sort of.
Economics / Trade / Business
Video: Ben Harburg: A View of the U.S.-China Trade War from Beijing (March 14, 2019, National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, via YouTube)
Recent challenges in the U.S.-China economic relationship have been well-documented in the United States and debated from every point of view. But how is the trade war viewed by the U.S. business community in China?
Video: What is the human cost to China's economic miracle? (March 15, 2019, Al Jazeera, via YouTube)
In this episode of Head to Head, Mehdi Hasan challenges Charles Liu, Senior Fellow at Peking University, seasoned Chinese entrepreneur and informal adviser to the Chinese government, on Xi Jinping's record in power so far, the government's crackdown on the Uighur Muslim minority, and what role for China if it becomes the 21st century's military and economic superpower.
China, France sign US$45 billion of deals including Airbus order (March 26, 2019, South China Morning Post)
China and France called for increased cooperation and signed multibillion-dollar deals on Monday, despite French President Emmanuel Macron's recent swipe at Beijing's huge investments in Europe.
Great Wall, Ford hitch up to burgeoning Chinese demand for pickup trucks (March 27, 2019, Reuters)
Pickup demand – both work-related and the newer interest from mainstream consumers – has climbed on the back of an easing in government restrictions and last year China became the world's second-biggest pickup truck market.
China Now Has an Elite League of 'Red' Universities (March 22, 2019, Radio Free Asia)
Nine universities with impeccable links to the ruling Chinese Communist Party have formed a new league to nurture the next generation of elite 'red' talent, state media reported. Initiated by the Beijing Institute of Technology, the Yanhe Alliance has been joined by Renmin University, the Agricultural University of China and the Beijing Foreign Studies University, which trains people for careers in diplomacy.
Guideline Threatens Punishment Against Home-Schooling Parents (March 26, 2019,Sixth Tone)
Parents can be held legally responsible for sending their children to unlicensed, nontraditional schools, according to China's education ministry.
Camera Above the Classroom (March 26, 2019, Sixth Tone)
While advocates claim that using facial recognition to monitor students' in-class behavior can accurately assess attention levels and help them learn more efficiently, most students I spoke with had a different opinion. They showed concern that the school never asked for their consent before harvesting their facial data.
Health / Environment
From Online Doctors to Counting Steps: Top 5 Chinese Health & Fitness Apps (March 25, 2019, What's on Weibo)
tracking psychical activities and sharing them with friends on social media is something that has become more popular in China, with other types of apps in the health and fitness categories also gaining in popularity.
TCM 101: The Ins and Outs of the 5 Yin Organ Systems (March 26, 2019, Radii China)
TCM conceives the body differently from Western medicine, right down to our inner organs and their functions.
Between a rock and a hard place: China's health care reforms over the next ten years (March 27, 2019, Asia Dialogue)
Decades of robust economic growth averaging 10 per cent a year since Deng Xiaoping's reform and opening-up in 1978 notwithstanding, by the early 2000s hundreds of millions of Chinese found themselves without health insurance and unable to afford necessary health care, which was only available to those with the ability to pay.
History / Culture
The Biblical Annotations of Hong Xiuquan (March 19, 2109, Communities of Print)
Fortunately for historians of the Taiping Rebellion, Hong annotated the Taiping Bible and his notes, along with many official Taiping publications, were preserved following the suppression of the rebellion. By looking closely at Hong's biblical annotations, we can understand his theological priorities and his reasons for rejecting the prescribed doctrines of the missionaries.
How I'm Restoring One of China's Most Beautiful Villages (March 21, 2019,Sixth Tone)
For China to preserve its architectural heritage, the country must first reconsider its approach to conservation.
Travel / Food
Chinese Takeout: Who Makes China's Most Sought-After Dumplings? (March 21, 2019,Radii China)
The xiaolongbao dumpling dominates Shanghai eating, and one brand dominates xiaolongbao in Shanghai: Nanxiang Xiaolong.
The real Hong Kong is a vast and wild natural wonder (March 21, 2019,Matador Network)
A little farther away, just beyond the bowl of mainland and island mountains where the bulk of Hong Kongers congregate, you can hike for hours without bumping into another soul and spend days not seeing a single skyscraper.
The Best Hotels in Beijing, the Capital of China (March 26, 2019, Sapore di Cina)
Beijing is an enormous city with more hotels that you can count, which may make choosing where to stay extremely difficult. This guide is a selection of the best hotels in Beijing, whatever your budget may be.
The best things to do in Xi'an beyond the Terracotta Army (March 27, 2019, Matador Network)
With thousands of years of fascinating history and an energetic, contemporary vibe, Xi'an is worth spending a few days exploring before you check out the famous clay warriors.
The Temporary Ruins of Harbin's Melting Ice Sculptures (March 27, 2019,The Atlantic)
Well, when the festival is over and springtime rolls around, those giant ice castles are left to melt and crumble in place, eventually becoming slushy piles cluttered with steel support rods, cables, and electrical wires that once powered colorful night lighting.
Arts / Entertainment / Media
The Wandering Earth (March 27, 2019, The World of Chinese)
Set in a future where the Earth is facing an expanding Sun, the plot follows a scheme to use giant engines to motor the planet on a multi-generational, 2,500-year journey to a new home in a neighboring solar system. Unfortunately, Earth gets caught in Jupiter's gravity field en route, and a team of transporters must come up with another plan to save the human race from extinction.
China's Media Interference Is Going Global, Report Says (March 25, 2019, TIME)
The report, China's Pursuit of a New World Media Order says Beijing is using a variety of strategies including ramping up international broadcasting, undertaking extensive advertising campaigns, and infiltrating foreign media outlets to spread its world view.
Language / Language Learning
Training your Chinese teacher, part 2: Speaking ability (March 26, 2019, Hacking Chinese)
This article will discuss what to look for when finding a teacher, some common problems you may encounter and what to do about them, as well as some suggestions for more advanced learners.
Out of the Fog: A Review of ACTFL Language Proficiency Tests (March 27, 2019,ChinaSource Blog)
ACTFL proficiency testing is descriptive, not prescriptive. If you'd like to get medicine for what ails your language skills, look elsewhere. But if you need an accurate assessment of what you can do in a language, and every language learner does, then the ACTFL offers one of the best options.
Paul French's "Destination Shanghai" Captures China's Most Glamorous City in its 1920s and '30s Pomp (March 25, 2019, Radii China)
The British author, famous for Midnight in Peking, introduces a diverse collection of characters from Shanghai's foreign concessions era in his latest book.
Volume Two of the China Chronicles (March 27, 2019, Missions Catalyst)
Volume two details ministry, challenges, and church growth in Guizhou, today home to 35 million people, including some 2.7 million who identify as Christians. Particularly helpful are the author's explanations of the province's minority groups, including the Miao and Nosu, and how success on some fronts helped or hindered the spread of the gospel among others.
Links for Researchers
China's Pursuit of a New World Media Order (Reporters Without Borders)
China has been going to great lengths for the last decade to establish a "new world media order" under its control, with the aim of deterring and preventing any criticism of itself. Less well known than the Belt and Road Initiative but just as ambitious, this project poses a threat to press freedom throughout the world.
Worldview Seminar (ERR China)
This course is designed for those who will do ministry among the Chinese, whether in North America or in China. The course surveys the core teachings, history and development of Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Buddhism, folk religions and Christianity in China. Presenters will lecture about the impact of these traditions on Chinese thought and society today.
Image credit: Beijing Police, by Mathias Apitz, via Flickr
Joann Pittman
Joann Pittman is Vice President of Partnership and China Engagement and editor of ZGBriefs. Prior to joining ChinaSource, Joann spent 28 years working in China, as an English teacher, language student, program director, and cross-cultural trainer for organizations and businesses engaged in China. She has also taught Chinese at the University …View Full Bio


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Cedar smoked black tea, tart cranberry, comforting honey.
Use the recipe on the label, or experiment with your combinations. We love it with tequila, mezcal, whiskey, vodka, and rum.
By Nickel Dime Cocktail Syrups.
This item is not available for shipping.
Alma Semillera's mission is the preservation and revitalization of ancestral Mesoamerican foodways. Gluten-free, vegan, no...
Great for baking cornbread or muffins, breading for frying, or soft polenta. Alma Semillera's mission...
Sold Out
With a warm, nutty flavor, almond extract is great for baking cookies, frosting, cakes and...
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We are closed to the public until further notice due to COVID-19 related safety precautions.
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Please note, we are operating with a small crew and in an effort to get orders out in a timely manner, we are unable to take in-person orders at this time.
PICKUP ORDERS placed by 5pm are ready the next day.
SHIPPING ORDERS currently take about two weeks to ship out after they are received.
Thank you for supporting small business! We appreciate you. Reach out to us via email at email@example.com with any questions you may have.
Take care and stay safe.

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International Education Comes to S.E. Colorado
Russ Baldwin | Aug 09, 2017 | Comments 0
Nine students from Europe and Asia will be attending high school classes in southeast Colorado this year, part of the EF High School Exchange program which has offered these services for over 50 years.
Some of the students, accompanied by their host families, attended the events for Family Night this past Tuesday, August 8th, at the Sand and Sage Fairgrounds. One of the hosts, Kristen McIntyre explained that the students have been in the U.S. for over a week, taking part in a brief, educational process in New York for a final security check, before they were flown to Colorado to meet their host families.
The students and families are:
Jennifer Engstromm from Sweden, hosted by the Isley family from Holly; Shoki Kinoshita from Japan,, hosted by the Cruz family from McClave; Sophie Kupa from Germany, Lorenzo Rossi from Italy hosted by the McIntyre/Jenkins family from Lamar as well as Jorge Salazar of Spain hosted by the Rogers family.
Five students will attend Wiley High School. They are:
Richard Heilford from Germany, hosted by the Wollert family, Domique Filippo from the Netherlands and Fisela Larsson from Germany, hosted by the Weber family, Maria Malachowska from Norway and Marina Santini from Spain, hosted by the States family.
All of the students are conversant in English and many of them can be considered 'world' travelers, having lived and visited in other countries around the globe. More information about the program is available at www.efexchangeyear.org. The students provide their own spending money and health insurance. The regional coordinators for the program are Toni and Clint States.
By Russ Baldwin
Filed Under: City of Holly • City of Lamar • City of Wiley • County • Events • Featured • School • Youth
About the Author:


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This event is resting for 2020Sorry, but Edgefield Open Gardens isn't running this year. We'll keep you posted about next year's event details when they are known, but in the meantime we include below details from a previous year to remind you about the event
Edgefield, near Holt and Melton Constable, NorfolkSaturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June 201911.00am to 6.00pmWe have very varied gardens open, including one that is new to our event, and two beautiful wildflower meadows for you to explore and enjoy.
There will be bookstalls, and homemade refreshments at the Village Hall.
Sorry, no dogs please other than assistance dogs in the gardens or meadows.All proceeds to Edgefield Church.Plant salesThere will be a plant stall.CostAdults £5.00 which covers both days, accompanied children free.How to get event passportsTickets and map on sale at The Village Hall.Contact the organisersPhone: 01263 587 292Email: DirectionsTake the Norwich to Holt Road Bll49. We are 3 miles south of Holt. The Village Hall is on the Bll49, by the war memorial. A car or bike is needed in this spread-out village.LocationCounty: NorfolkPostcode for Sat Nav: NR24 2AL (please verify before travelling)Find approximate location on GoogleMaps (new window)
Thankyou! In 2019 the organisers of this event made a donation towards the upkeep of this website.
Gardens CounterHow many Open Gardens events are on this website?
Garden Plants QuizHow many cryptic plant clues can you solve?
Cursed StatisticsHow are open gardens events spread through the year?
website design by greenwave


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Deb provides exceptional service to our clients and is the glue that holds the Christchurch team together.
As Office Manager, Deb makes sure the Christchurch office is running smoothly by providing operational and administrative support to our team of Business Strategists.
In particular, she likes to 'Go The Extra Mile' by providing world class greeting services to clients and welcoming them with a professional, friendly smile the moment they step through our doors. She is the 'fun & calm' before the slaughter!
Deb assists in the delivery of services such as EDISC behavioural profile questionnaires; Customer and staff engagement surveys; RegOnline for event management; and the logistical components of recruitment services.
The Advisory.Works hosts a variety of events, including client workshops, CEO Forums, Networking meetings and Business events. Deb undertakes all the planning for these events, to ensure that all runs smoothly.
Advisory.Works operates very strongly in alignment with its Core Values, something Deb is passionate about.


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Since we could all use some good cheer and a bit of luck right now, I've moved my recipe for Guinness Stew over from the dead site. Even if you can't make it tonight, enjoy reading about how I accidentally got super drunk making it last year.
During one of many years I spent working in summer stock theatre, several of us technicians ganged up to buy groceries and cook together. We weren't making enough money to each feed ourselves, but if we all chipped in and bought in bulk, we could afford to eat a bit better, both taste & health wise. We jokingly called ourselves The Commune, much to the unhappiness of some of our housemates. We would get together to look over the grocery store ads, and plan meals based on what was on sale. Everyone in the group was responsible for something, planning the meals, doing dishes, setting table, cutting up veggies, and cooking the foods. Over the course of the summer everyone ended up calling parents to get favorite family recipes for us to share. Of course being theatre technicians, there was always alcohol around, and this led to our foray into the world of Guinness Stew.
Later that year, for Christmas, I made everyone in The Commune a binder full of all the recipes that we cooked together. I've been told by a few of them that they still have their binders and have kept adding to them over the years. This time I branched out even further than our settled recipe, by adding bacon, and serving it over mashed potatoes.
Mistress Jennie's Guinness Stew
2-3 lbs stewing beef
5-6 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
1 large sweet onion, diced
3 parsnips, peeled & diced
4-5 carrots, peeled & diced
3-4 cloves of garlic, smashed & rough chopped
2 cans Guinness
4 cups beef broth
1/2 cup flour
2-4 T tomato paste
1-2 tsp dried thyme
fresh chopped parsley
1.5 lbs gold potatoes
4 T butter
splash of milk
Start by rejoicing in the fact that St. Patrick's Day falls on a Sunday this year, meaning you have the time to cook a slow delicious stew. Invite friends over. Get turned down. Realize this just means more stew for you. Find a good apron. Not your cutesy-pie apron; we're not frosting cupcakes here. A real apron, that will get dirty, that you can wipe your hands on.
Assemble your ingredients. Chop the bacon.
Decide that a lovely afternoon cooking is a perfect excuse to put on some Irish folk music. Look through your phone or iPod and discover that none of your Irish folk is on it. Try Spotify, and realize that just like every other time you've tried it, it doesn't want to work for you. Remember that you still own CDs and dig through them to find something like the Chieftans, only to recollect that it's 2019, and you don't own a CD player anymore. Put the CD in the blu-ray player, and congratulate yourself on being bloody brilliant. Pour yourself a Guinness to celebrate your awesomeness.
Return to the kitchen, and place half of the chopped bacon in the bottom of a stock pot, over medium-low heat. Stir frequently to avoid burning. Dry the first batch on paper towels, while you cook the second batch. Dry the remainder of the cooked bacon on the paper towels.
Turn up the music. Enjoy how nicely that stout is going down.
Pour off most of the bacon grease into a bowl of measuring cup, leaving a bit in the bottom of the pan.
Dust your cubed stewing beef lightly in flour, shaking off the excess. Working in batches, brown the beef cubes in the bacon fat. You don't need it to be cooked through, just nicely browned. Keep an eye on it, so you don't scorch the flour to the bottom of the pot. For reference, my 2 lbs of beef was cooked in 6 batches. Take your time.
When the CD ends, dig out the Cranberries. They're Irish, it totally works. Notice that you've finished your beer. Before you can pour another, bump into the remainder of that bottle of red wine from Friday night, and work on finishing that off. Waste not, want not. I'm sure my Irish grandmother said that…
As each batch of beef finishes browning, move to a bowl, and add more of the bacon fat if necessary to keep the bottom of the pot from getting dry. Bits of browned fond on the bottom are great, but blackened carbon is not.
Once all the beef has finished browning, check the bottom of the pot, and add either more bacon grease or cooking oil if you're out of bacon. Add in the diced onions, and stir to coat. Cook for a few minutes until the onions soften a bit. Add in the carrots, parsnips, and garlic, and continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes.
Upon finishing the browning, recollect just how maudlin music was in the 90's. Your day is going too well to be maudlin. Find something more upbeat. Maybe something by the Irish Rovers. Or the Dropkick Murphys. Your call.
Once the veggies have cooked down, pour a little of the Guinness in the pot to deglaze, and use a spoon to scrape up any bits on fond from the bottom of the pan. Add the beef and cooked bacon back into the pot, along with the tomato paste, dried thyme, remaining Guinness and the beef stock.
Bring to a boil over high heat, then cover and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 2 hours, stirring every 5-10 minutes.
Sit down for a bit, while the pot simmers. Finish your wine while checking Facebook. Be saddened by Facebook, and decide you are going to close yours. …until you run into an uplifting and inspiring video about a dog who saved someone's life. Cry a little as you long to pet that dog. That dog is everything. Facebook must stay! Finish your last sip of wine. Realize you should have some water. Find water.
When you have about 10 minutes left on the clock, chop the potatoes, and place in another pot. Pour in enough water to cover, and bring to a boil. Boil 10-15 minutes, or until soft & tender when pierced with a fork. Drain the potatoes, and return to the pot. Add the butter, as well as salt & pepper to taste. Get some of your anger about the English out by using your potato masher to squash them good. Add milk (or preferred milk substitute) to achieve your desired consistency. Cover, and keep warm.
Once your two hours of simmering has elapsed, remove the cover and simmer another 30 minutes, to let the stew thicken.
Place a ring of mashed potatoes around the edges of your bowls. Ladle the stew into the center, and top with the fresh chopped parsley.
Make sure everyone has a beverage, and give a toast to those gathered round your table. Enjoy every moment with those good people.
May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and a smooth road all the way to your door. Slàinte!
Beannachtam na Feile Padraig!


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This week DLDD were out judging the Best Front Garden and Best Community Garden. DLDD sponsor Best Front Garden, Best Community Garden and Best Allotment the winners hold the DLDD shields for 1 year.
DLDD Trust News
Certificate of Appreciation
DLDD received a letter and Certificate of Appreciation in the post today from Lord Lieutenant Helen Nellis (HM The Queen's representative in Bedfordshire) and The High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Susan Lousada. Thank you!
DLDD Nominated for SME Luton & Bedfordshire Awards
Dunstable Charity Calendar 2021
We are working hard on our 2021 charity calendar, if you or your business would like to be involved email@example.com#charity #calendar #2021 #contact
Free Parking
Would you like to see the carparking charges relaxed in Dunstable carparks to help at this time? Other towns are helping with free parking – for residents, keyworkers, volunteers What do you think? Please share, thank you. Click on the Facebook Or Twitter link below to vote https://www.facebook.com/donotletdunstabledie/?eid=ARD72Ia3tvdM2UZU7QkwrraM-jSsIUwhVa_qbfYVA7yftb-CRakxSTRrhii9f-dVFBxI9vG4-OLgXxft Would you like to see the carparking…
Supporting DLDD
Supporting DLDD Trust doesn't have to cost you anything! Over 4,000 shops and sites will donate for FREE when you use #easyfundraising to shop with them. This means you can raise donations for us when you buy clothes and accessories, electrical's, homeware, groceries, book holidays, take out insurance, switch energy providers or anything else! Help…
DLDD Update
DLDD is a registered charity supporting the community we are working our socks off to bring as much information as we are given to you all. We are working with all services, Luton& Dunstable Hospital, Dunstable Food Bank and many more organisations and retailers Bargain Booze and others. We are looking into sourcing essential items,…
We hit the jackpot for #CelebrateNationalLottery25
DLDD Trust are proud to announce that we've hit the jackpot for #CelebrateNationalLottery25! The recipients of this award could receive up to £1,000 – whish DLDD were humbled to receive. Many thanks to them for this award money!
December in Review
On the 9th of Jan – DLDD attended the Dunstable joint committee. DLDD also participated in the Bedfordshire police Priority meeting for Dunstable. Sharon Warboys attended a shop watch meeting for the retail establishments in the Dunstable town. She also attended the Dunstable in Bloom meeting. In December, DLDD's very own Sharon Knott and Sharon…
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2020
Happy New Year to everyone! We received many wonderful cards including ones from the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire and past High Sheriff Vinod Taylor, and Dunstable Mayor, amongst others. Thank you to everyone! Here is to a great 2020 year in Dunstable.
DLDD Update – November 2019
DLDD has attended a number of events this month, including Dunstable in Bloom meeting, the monthly Shop Watch meeting and the High Sheriffs fundraiser for Crime Beat in Harpenden.
Lord John Bird
Thank you Lord Bird for your support. I love the spirit of Don't Let Dunstable Die – ten years into their journey, @DLDD2009 is still fighting for their town, and still spreading their #socialecho throughout the Chiltern Hills – long live Dunstable! longlivedunstable.com I love the spirit of Don't Let Dunstable Die – ten years…
Laying of Poppy Wreath.
DLDD laid a Remembrance Poppy Wreath to honour the fallen of Dunstable.
The Quadrant Dunstable
Meeting with Diana Quick, new Dunstable Quadrant manager.
Priory 2020 Project.
Meeting with Kathy Riley from Priory 2020Project.
Luton and Dunstable HeliPad Appeal Event.
DLDD were invited to attend a fund raiser for the Luton and Dunstable Hospital HeliPad Saturday. We were very happy to be part of an event which raised a large amount got such a needed cause. Helipad Appeal
Dunstable In Bloom.
DLDD attend the Dunstable in Bloom tea in Priory House.
A Thank You.
This week we posted about a paperboy who returned a wallet to it owner. The posted received alot of supportive comments and huge amounts of likes. This evening we dropped 2 bowling vouchers to this your lad. We would like to THANK Micheal the manager of Go Bowling 🎳 for this kind donation.
DLDD 10 Year Celebration Event.
Thank You DLDD Received from Helen Nellis HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire.
Thank You DLDD Received from Helen Nellis HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire. Dear Sharon and Sharon Thank you for inviting me to share your 10th Anniversary Celebrations. It was a delightful evening and I was pleased to meet so many of your supporters and to learn more about your superb achievements for Dunstable over the years….
HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Helen Nellis
HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Helen Nellis giving a speech at the DLDD 10year celebration in The Old Palace Lodge, Dunstable.
10 Year Celebration of DLDD.
Thank you Sid for your kind words and thank you for your support last night we really appreciate it 😊 Congratulations to both the Sharons on a spectacular night at The Old Palace Lodge celebrating 10years of DLDD. Despite in the beginning having negative behaviour from officials they led from their hearts and helped pump…
Dunstable In Bloom Awards Evening.
Dunstable in Bloom winners 2019, DLDD sponsor the Best Front Garden, Best Community Garden, Best Allotment.
Thank you Dunstable Cake House.
On Monday evening we attended the DLDD 10th Anniversary Celebrations and of course we need cupcakes to celebrate! Congratulations Sharon & Sharon for all of your hard work and for a lovely evening 😀😘 Dunstable Cake House.
DLDD were invited to an event in Luton Town Hall.
DLDD were invited to an event in Luton Town Hall.
Dunstable Priory 2020 Event.
DLDD attended Dunstable Priory 2020 vision event last night.
Ronan Busfield singing for DLDD.
Britain Got Talent 2018 semi finalist Ronan Busfield singing at DLDD 10 year celebrations. Thank you
Ten Year Celebrations of DLDD
From 'graveyard' to grandeur: Three cheers as Don't Let Dunstable Die celebrates ten years of campaigning for town https://www.dunstabletoday.co.uk/news/people/from-graveyard-to-grandeur-three-cheers-as-don-t-let-dunstable-die-celebrates-ten-years-of-campaigning-for-town-1-9103398
Dunstable Charity Calendar & Christmas Card
DLDD's 2020 charity calendar is available in the following businesses. The calendar are £5 each and full of wonderful old pictures of Dunstable area. Our charity Christmas cards are available now a pack of 6 cards 3 of each design £3.50. Please note the cards are not available in Celebrations they are selling the calendars…
Meeting With Chief Constable Garry Forsyth
Bedfordshire Police's newly appointed Chief Constable Garry Forsyth today. 23/9/2019
Bedfordshire Police Community Hub Awards
DLDD received an award from Bedfordshire Police when they attended Bedfordshire Police Community Hub Awards The Sculpture Gallery at Woburn Abbey, Woburn MK17 9WA, Woburn, England, GB, MK17 9WA
Dunstable in Bloom
DLDD attend Dunstable in Bloom meeting. 18/9/2019
Dunstable Priority Setting Meeting
DLDD attended Bedfordshire Police's Dunstable Priority Setting Meeting at Dunstable Police Station.
Kids in Action
Today DLDD were invited to a networking lunch at Kids in Action, a Dunstable based charity.
Joint Rotary Meeting
DLDD were invited a Dunstable Downs and Dunstable joint Rotary meeting where Local MP Andrew Selous gave a very interesting talk. Thursday 29th August 2019
DLDD Judging Dunstable in Bloom
This evening DLDD have been out judging the entries to Dunstable in Bloom Best Front Garden, Community Garden, Hanging Basket and Container. We sponsor these competitions with DLDD Shields being awarded.
DLDD Judges Dunstable in Bloom
DLDD Trust's Sharon Warboys was one of two judges for the Dunstable in Bloom contest this past Monday of July 9th. It was for surrounding schools & their gardens that they have been taking care of all year. Results are pending for the winner, but DLDD had so much fun supporting this organization and their…
DLDD Meets with The Big Issue for Social Echo Initiative
DLDD Trust's Sharon Warboys met with The Big Issue on Monday evening to discuss John Lord Bird's – the Social Echo Initiative, and the changes it can bring to Dunstable. Their slogan is "Local pound for the local community." An article can be found below discussing it's significance. The Big Issue will show organisations how…
Shop Watch Dunstable
DLDD attended the Shop Watch meeting held at Asda Dunstable this evening Wednesday 12th June 2019. We are very pleased to be part of the Shop Watch system in Dunstable.
DLDD Meet With The Big Issue
On Tuesday 11th June 2019 DLDD had a meeting with Peter Bird at The Old Palace Lodge and give Peter a tour around Dunstable meeting businesses. We are looking forward to our next meeting in the next few weeks.
DLDD Visits ZSL Whipsnade Zoo for networking
DLDD had a fabulous evening at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo May 13th for a special Sunset Pride of Dunstable event. We networked and raised money for the Gents Barbering for their trip to Africa with COM Church this summer! They raised about £220 to assist with their expenses. We saw lovely view of the Dunstable downs, had…
DLDD Invited To The Opening Evening Of Avenue Q
DLDD enjoy a the opening evening at the Grove Theatre watching Avenue Q which is on until Saturday 11th May. It is a good funny show, little naughty suitable for the over 14 's. are We also we're invite to attend the after show questions and answers session with the cast and Nigel Plaskitt puppeteer…
DLDD – BBC Interview w/ Sharon Warboys and Sharon Knott
DLDD – our BBC Interview with Sharon Warboys and Sharon Knott. It explains our ambition and our foundation.
DLDD Trust Becomes Amazon Charity
We are SO EXCITED to announce that we are registered as a charity on Amazon! A portion of your purchase goes towards us at no cost to you! All you have to do is select us a your charity of choice and always use smile.amazon.co.uk when you are shopping and it will help us out…
Dunstable Shop Watch Project.
DLDD were pleased to attend and become involved in the 'Shop Watch' scheme in Dunstable.
Barry Norman Bursary
This is something very close to our hearts Barry Norman's Bursary for the next superstar of the media industry. Good luck. After the enormous success of last year we're proud to announce that we're opening our Barry Norman Bursary applications today! Our previous winner, Emma Hockley, has gained so much from her bursary award and…
DLDD Trust – Invited to Grand opening of new Tudor Walled Garden at Old Palace Lodge
DLDD Trust and fellow townsmen and local businesses were invited to grand opening of new Tudor Walled Garden at Old Palace Lodge. It was a fantastic evening full of fun, fellowships, drinks, and beautiful garden scenes. HISTORY: The history of the Tudor Walled Gardens at the Old Place Lodge & Henry's Restaurant- from the original…
10 Year Celebration
DLDD were discussing the 10 years celebration in their trustee meeting 6/3/2019
Trustee Meeting
Wednesday 6th March. The trustees of DLDD Trust held a meeting to plan the next 12 months projects and review the sales of 2019 calendars and the new Christmas cards, which were both very successful.
DLDD Meet Charlie Brooks
DLDD cofounders meet actress Charlie Brooks who is appearing in Snow White pantomime in the Grove Theatre Dunstable.
Dunstable Pantomime 2018
DLDD founders Sharon Knott and Sharon Warboys were invited and attend the press night performance and after party of Snow White pantomime in the Grove Theatre Dunstable.
DLDD Remberence Sunday 2018
DLDD co-founders Sharon Knott and Sharon Warboys laid a Poppy Wreath in remberence of those would lived in Dunstable who lost their lives in WW1 and WW2.
Dunstable Christmas Cards.
We have new Christmas cards this year with beautiful pictures of Dunstable £3.50 for a pack of 6 which includes 3 of each design. We are happy to post to UK or International with postage price added. All funds raised go to our registered charity DLDD Trust 1157804, DLDD would like to THANK YOU all…
Dunstable Calendar 2019
Our Dunstable calendar is out in the shops full of old pictures of Dunstable £5 each. If you or a member of your family are in any of the pictures please contact us. All funds raised go to our registered charity DLDD Trust 1157804, DLDD would like to THANK YOU all for your continuous support….
Meeting Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police
Wednesday 29th August 2018 DLDD were invited to meet with Jon Boutcher Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police.
High Sheriff Of Bedfordshire Garden Party
Sharon Knott and Sharon Warboys founders of DLDD Trust attend The High Sheriff of Bedfordshire'S Summer Garden Party. 23/6/2018
DLDD Thank You Event.
DLDD Trust held a 'Thank You' in The Old Palace Lodge Dunstable. 13/6/2018
Annual Community Cohesion Thank You Award
Founders of DLDD Trust sharon Knott and Sharon Warboys were awarded 'Annual Community Cohesion Thank You Awards 2018' You Award, in reconciliation and dedication and commitment to supporting the communities and Bedfordshire Police.
DLDD were awarded The High Sheriff of Bedfordshire 'Citizenship Of Bedfordshire Award' by V B Taylor DL 21/2/2018


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Transform is a campaign to ensure that our physical campus can support the next 100 years of ministry at HP Pres. The scope of the estimated 24-30 month construction project includes substantial renovation of existing buildings, as well as the addition of new spaces, most significantly a reconstructed Hunt Building (Hunt 2.0) with two levels of underground parking for approximately 150 cars.
You can read the Transform brochure online here.
You can preview a copy of the Commitment Card that we will be using on Sunday, February 25, by clicking here.
You can always read the latest news about Transform on our news page, transform.hppres.org/news.
We are called to lead all generations to become transformed followers of Jesus for the flourishing of our church family, our city, and beyond. Our buildings were created to be a base camp and training ground for launching people out as God's rescue mission in the world. Updating our campus will create a more vibrant, welcoming environment that enables us to better equip people of every generation to transform lives in their families, the city, in communities, and across the world. As a result, the physical transformation of our campus as part of Transform is absolutely critical to fulfilling our mission and the goals outlined in our vision.
Recent, strong growth in our church has accelerated the need to modernize our physical space and eliminate current barriers to ministry, as well as to ensure that the campus can support our next century of ministry. In addition, several building systems are reaching the end of their expected lifespan. Acting now enables us to accomplish these goals and better support our mission of helping people of every generation find and follow Jesus.
The current estimate for the Transform initiative is in the range of $73 million. This number may change slightly as architectural plans are finalized, construction costs are determined with more accuracy, and the project moves through the city zoning process.
As this process has unfolded, we have sought the early support of some of our families. A number of these families have already made generous commitments to the Transform campaign, and we are very encouraged by their responses. But this is a campaign that will require the support of all of us who call Highland Park Pres home. We believe that with everyone in our church family participating in a sacrificial way, we will be able to achieve our fundraising goal.
The Transform initiative requires further refinement before architectural plans are finalized. Presented in this guide is the campus master plan, which represents broad goals set forth by our congregation, elders, and Campus Vision team.
The Transform initiative features major additions and updates to most of our campus, the most prominent of which will be a completely reconstructed Hunt Building with two levels of underground parking, all new structures and major renovations to the Alexander Building (our Next Generation ministry areas), and additional renovations intended to improve substantially the flow and use of our entire campus. Current plans call for the addition of approximately 68,200-square-feet of new above ground space, and an additional 70,000 square feet for two levels of underground parking. Approximately 70,000 square feet of the remaining facilities (including all of the Alexander Building) will receive some sort of renovation or update.
After careful study and consideration, multiple architects, consultants, and our planning committee determined that placing underground parking below a rebuilt Hunt Building resolves the greatest number of challenges, provides the most benefits, and does so in the only financially prudent and feasible location. Other proposed locations were determined to be untenable for a myriad of reasons, from cost, to complex utility and zoning issues, to neighborhood impact. Underground parking below the Hunt Building enables us to keep construction within our existing campus footprint. The planning committee also wanted to ensure that our investment would focus on facilities that truly transform the church and its ability to create followers of Jesus Christ for the next 100 years, and not on a cost-prohibitive, stand-alone parking structure. Finally, underground parking below the Hunt Building enables us to retain all the value and future flexibility in our west block between Shannon Lane and Westwick Road.
All of our worship services will benefit from the enhanced flow on campus, new common gathering spaces, and improved accessibility. The most transformational element of the plan is a completely new and purpose-built space for our contemporary worship service and other community gatherings, which are currently housed in Elliott Hall. The worship hall will be rotated 90° to allow direct access from the new welcome center and glass-walled atrium along the Rhodus Garden, while improving the seating arrangement and capacity. In addition, modern acoustics, lighting, staging, and sound will have a profound impact on our contemporary worship service. The Sanctuary, which was significantly refurbished in 2009 and recently received new audio and video equipment, will receive lighting updates.
We will replace outdated or poorly performing equipment in the outdoor playground and Schoellkopf Children's Garden courtyard and complete other renovations that encourage families to use the facilities year round, thus creating additional opportunities for ministry and outreach.
A new multi-purpose gym is planned for the rebuilt Hunt Building. Modern design and construction techniques will provide this space with flexibility and usage capabilities currently unavailable in the existing gym. As designed, this space will be approximately the size of a full size junior high basketball court.
Our libraries will be more visible, accessible, and welcoming to encourage more use and create small gathering areas. The updated master plan currently envisions a library and resource center on the second floor of the rebuilt Hunt building, at the heart of our adult discipleship environments. Our Meyercord Children's Library will also receive a face lift as part of the extensive updates to the Highland Kids Ministry Building.
Transform calls for classrooms to be updated with a fresh look, including new paint, floors, windows, and furniture. Redesigned spaces will further our mission and provide the best learning environment for our students. Both schools will remain active and open throughout construction. Some classes will be relocated within the church campus for a portion of the school year, but the temporary rooms will still provide the same safe, nurturing environment.
The Columbarium will not be modified or relocated as a part of the Transform initiative.
Construction will take place in phases and will be staggered strategically to minimize the impact on worship services and weekly ministry activities. We may have to temporarily relocate and reschedule some events and activities during construction, but we are committed to fulfilling our church's mission throughout the full construction schedule.
Details will be finalized as we move closer to construction, but we are committed to minimizing the impact on surrounding areas during construction. The City of University Park is experienced and skilled in shepherding projects like ours and will guide our efforts to substantially mitigate the impact on our neighbors. In addition, Echelon, a construction management firm engaged by HP Pres, will utilize many of the same strategies used to reconstruct HPUMC's Biggers Building.
On Sunday, February 25, our worship services will dedicate a moment to praying for and committing financially to Transform and the impact it will have on our church's ministry for the next century. In the interim, please pray for God's guidance on how he wants you to participate in Transform.
Your decision to give to the Transform campaign should be the result of a thoughtful, prayerful process to discover how God would have you respond. This is a true legacy project for our church, and our hope is that every person in our church family will fully commit to supporting Transform with a sacrificial commitment above and beyond their ongoing, faithful giving to the ministry of Highland Park Pres. Every gift matters; it is not so much about the amount as it is about partnering in the vision to which God has called us as a flourishing church.
Unforeseen circumstances may cause you to increase or decrease your giving commitment in the future. At any time you can review or change your commitment by notifying the finance office.
If more funds are raised than are needed for the project, the surplus will be placed into the Capital Asset Replacement Reserve and will be utilized only in connection with the physical facilities of HP Pres or used to establish an endowment to defray the cost of operations and maintenance of the new facilities.
We're grateful to everyone who has helped make the Transform initiative possible. Special thanks to:
Clay Sell, Moderator
Bryan Dunagan
Art Harding
Doug Hawthorne
Zack House
Lila Marshall
Leslie Melson
Monty Montgomery
Ashley Morriss
Nancy Seay
Mark Story
Steve Van Amburgh
Ellen and John McStay, Honorary Chairs
Laurie and Mark Connell, Chairs
Derek Crowe
Jason Harper
Velpeau Hawes
Dallas Cothrum
Beth D'Arcy
Aaron Farmer
Wes Garwood
Tip Housewright
Mark Holsinger
Meredith Quigley
Rogers-O'Brien Construction
Juliette Coulter
Ross Coulter
Jim Sheppard
Bill Merriman
Jim Powell
We'd love to hear from you! The Campus Vision team can be reached on the contact page.


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ホーム > アーティスト > 演奏家(クラシック) > トッド・ウィルソン (Todd Wilson)
Regarded as one of today's finest concert organists, Todd Wilson is head of the organ department at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and director of music at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio. In addition, he is curator of the E.M. Skinner pipe organ at Severance Hall, and house organist for the Aeolian organ at the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron, Ohio.
An active member of the American Guild of Organists, Todd Wilson holds the Fellow and Choirmaster certificates. He has been heard in concert as soloist and with orchestras in many major cities throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan. In October 2004 he performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic featuring the new organ at Disney Hall, and in January 2005 he performed his Japanese debut recital in Tokyo.
An active interest in improvisation has led to his popular improvised accompaniments to classic silent films.
© Naxos Japan, Inc. All rights reserved.


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Kim writes horror, science-fantasy stories and comics. Formerly an anime, manga, gaming reviewer for Planet Exile (defunct) and a staff writer for the Owl.
Businesses: Shattered Universe Media Group.
Affiliated Studios: Pink Panties Productions, Moonhawk Publishing, and TNU Project.
Member of: "Women Who Code", and the Horror Writers Association.
Communities: Ladies of Horror Fiction.
Studio HnH was originally created as a community college writer and artist group to create original stories and comics to be published. The group was not allowed to be established due to conflict of interest with the existing student newspaper, The Owl and the Bi-annual creative submission magazine, Reflections.
Hikari no Houshi, or Star Light, was meant to be a sister group of the Starlight Anime Society.
Instead, it was a label taken by 3 artists for use at anime conventions on the East coast of the United States so that they could sell their respective arts and crafts. It is presently only being used by Kim.
This site was formerly: Kirageshadow101.org, studio-hnh.com and the studio aliases are "Studio Peregrine" and "OTS Productions".
Linked to this site are various projects that Kim has created or collaborated on. Any suggested links may not have any affiliation to Kim or the studio.
All images and works presented are property of Kim and Studio HnH and are not to be reused without permission. Fan artwork does not establish ownership of the original property and only the artwork created by Kim is her creative property. Copyright belongs to the original series creators.
Photograph taken by Robert Aiken.


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We Are EMILY, an EMILY's List podcast, was launched to drive interest in EMILY's List and to highlight the importance of women in politics. We believe this podcast will give listeners a chance to hear from current and former candidates, so they can learn about the ins and outs of running a campaign, the challenges women face and the benefits to having more women in office. Each episode will also include an additional interview with members of our Creative Council.
Subscribe to get each new episode as it is released, on your favorite podcast app.
Latest Episode
S1E8: The Time is Now (03/02/20)
2018 Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star recipient and Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx discusses the lessons learned during her time in office and her vision for the future as she runs for reelection. Author, stand-up comedian and EMILY's List Creative Council member Sara Benincasa highlights the importance of elevating women at every rank of leadership. And both EMILY's List Vice President of Digital Ben Dotson and Chief Technology Officer Mike Sager share actionable advice for supporting your favorite candidate while staying secure on the internet.
Previous Episodes
S1E7: Defining Women (02/19/20)
EMILY's List Creative Council Member Amber Tamblyn, along with actresses Uzo Aduba, Eva Longoria, singer/songwriter Amanda Shires and congressional candidate Wendy Davis discuss sexism, racism, intersectionality, and their unique experiences navigating the worlds of music, film, and politics. This special episode was recorded at EMILY's List's annual Oscar luncheon in LA.
Bonus: EMILY's List President Stephanie Schriock (02/11/20)
In this special bonus episode of the Your Primary Playlist podcast, host Emily Tisch Sussman sits down with EMILY's List President Stephanie Schriock. Emily and Stephanie discuss the diverse viewpoints of women in leadership, the myth of "electability," and the fight for 2020.
S1E6: Primary Fights (02/03/20)
Congressional candidates Marie Newman and Jessica Cisneros join We Are EMILY for a candid conversation about going up against anti-choice Democrats and their future plans for the districts. Actress, author and EMILY's List Creative Council member Amber Tamblyn discusses her latest book Era of Ignition: Coming of Age in a Time of Rage and Revolution. And EMILY's List Vice President of Research Madhur Bansal shares why great research is essential to an effective campaign.
S1E5: First We Train, Then We Run (01/20/20)
Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) shares her story about her entry into politics, what it's been like serving in Congress, and her impactful work. Comedian and Creative Council member Leah Bonnema talks about how she uses her talent to address women's issues. And EMILY's List Vice President of Training and Community Engagement Stefanie Brown James discusses why building a diverse pipeline of candidates is so important.
S1E4: Trying It Again (01/06/20)
Gina Ortiz Jones, EMILY's List endorsed congressional candidate for Texas' 23rd district, discusses her candidacy, and why she's up for the challenge as she runs for the seat a second time. EMILY's List Vice President of Federal and Gubernatorial Campaigns Karen Defilippi talks about what it takes to run for office again. And EMILY's List Creative Council Member, CNN commentator and Sirius XM Signal Boost co-host Jess McIntosh chats about her experience working on the EMILY's List staff, the formation of the Creative Council, and how her time at the organization impacts her work now.
S1E3: All Politics is Local (12/23/19)
2018 Georgia Gubernatorial Democratic Candidate and voting rights activist Stacey Abrams and comedian, writer and EMILY's List Creative Council Co-chair Chelsea Handler join We Are EMILY to discuss the importance of state and local politics, what women need to consider before running for office and why being politically engaged is essential. We'll also be joined by Geri Prado, vice president of state and local campaigns at EMILY's List.
S1E2: Hopeful Warriors: Conversations with Sec. Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton and Yvette Nicole Brown (12/09/19)
Secretary Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton talk about their new book, The Book of Gutsy Women: Favorite Stories of Courage and Resilience, and Hillary Clinton gives her take on the treatment of women in the current presidential cycle. Also, actress, activist and EMILY's List Creative Council Member Yvette Nicole Brown shares her views on the country's political discourse.
S1E1: Who is EMILY? We Are EMILY Podcast Trailer with EMILY's List President Stephanie Schriock (11/13/19)
Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY's List, introduces the podcast to listeners and highlights some of this season's awesome guests!


text: VANCOUVER - Bizarre, strange and sloppy were just some of the words used to describe the Vancouver Canucks wild victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Sunday night. Curtis Granderson Jersey . Kevin Bieksa scored his second of the night at 2:15 of overtime as the Canucks fought back after blowing two separate two-goal leads to defeat the Coyotes 5-4. The defenceman collected his own rebound and chipped his fourth of the season over Phoenix goalie Mike Smith while falling to the ice, capping a game where Coyotes forward Antoine Vermette was credited with a hat trick — even though he only shot one puck into Vancouvers net himself. "It was a strange game on both sides. It was bizarre," said Canucks assistant coach Mike Sullivan. "I think there might have been one goal that was actually shot in the net. It seemed like everything was a deflection off a skate, off a stick, off something, so it was just one of those games for both sides." Chris Higgins had a goal and two assists for Vancouver (27-17-9), while Zac Dalpe added a goal and an assist. Jannik Hansen also scored for the Canucks, his first in 11 games. Vancouver, which came in having scored just eight times in its last seven games, holds down the first wild card position in the Western Conference and is just a point back of the Los Angeles Kings for third place in the Pacific Division. "It wasnt your typical game. Weve been struggling to score goals lately, so lets take some positive out of it. We put five in, some guys got on the scoresheet and we found a way to win when it came down to it," said Bieksa, who also had an assist. "We needed the two points. We were up a couple goals a few times and they came back and we stayed resilient and found a way to win." Added Higgins: "Kind of a sloppy game and with the weird goals it was kind of a strange game. Its nice to be on the winning side of those games and nice to score a bunch of goals — its been tough to come by recently." Roberto Luongo, who was shaky at times and even directed one of Vermettes goals over the line himself, made 29 saves for the Canucks. On the whole, it was a night to forget for both Luongo and Smith as two of the three goalies heading to next months Winter Olympics for Canada fought the puck and looked lost in the crease at times. "It was definitely a weird one," said Luongo. "It was one of those games where it felt like the puck was bouncing in from everywhere. The good thing is we got the win." Shane Doan chipped in with a goal and an assist for Phoenix (24-18-10), which got 20 stops from Smith as the Coyotes picked up a point but still sit four back of the Minnesota Wild for eighth in the West and five back of Vancouver. "Were going to have to be better than we are right now," said Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett. "We play stretches well but make critical errors at the wrong time and those have to be cleaned up if we are going to be a playoff team." After a wild finish to the second period, Doan tied the game 4-4 on a breakaway at 5:24 of the third. The Coyotes captain moved in on Luongo and lost control of his deke but still saw the puck squeak through the five-hole for his 15th of the season. Vancouver was handed a power play right at the end of regulation, but the leagues 28th-ranked unit failed to convert in overtime before Bieksa won it. The Canucks power play came into Sunday on a dreadful 2-for-30 run over the last eight games and rarely looked dangerous against the Coyotes in four failed attempts. "When a power play struggles it can take on a life of its own," said Sullivan, who is running the Canucks bench in place of the suspended John Tortorella. "Now not only are you trying to coach the Xs and Os of the strategy of the power play, but you are coaching the mindset and a fragile mindset." Down 2-1 in the second, the Coyotes tied it while shorthanded against that feeble power play. Canucks forward Ryan Kesler tried to slap the puck off Vermettes stick in front of Luongo, only to see it carom into the Vancouver net to tie the score at 9:07. The goal was Vermettes second of the night and 17th of the season. The Canucks had just 10 shots in total when Higgins restored Vancouvers lead at even strength by deflecting a shot from the point past Smith for his 14th of the season, and second in as many games, at 16:59. Dalpe then followed up his own rebound off the rush to score his third and stretch the Canucks lead to 4-2 just 42 seconds later. That two-goal lead would be short-lived as Vermette completed his second hat trick of the season — and third of his career — with 54.5 seconds remaining in the period with a shot from in close as the Coyotes broke through against the Canucks stingy penalty kill, which came in ranked second overall. Vermette now has six goals in his last six games, and three short-handed goals in his last four. "Free hat trick right there," Luongo said with a laugh. "At least he buried the last one to make it at least somewhat justifiable. It was just one of those nights where it felt like the puck was finding ways in." Vermette was unapologetic when it came to his good fortune. "You get good chances and the puck doesnt go in for you," he said. "I thought it was a good sign, weve been talking about those bounces lately. Its a sign that things are going to turn around." The Canucks — who were still without injured forwards Henrik Sedin and Mike Santorelli because of upper-body injuries — beat Smith twice in a 44-second span midway through first period as both Bieksa and Hansen ended lengthy droughts. Bieksa opened the scoring at 10:31 on a shot through traffic to pick up his first goal in nine games. The defencemans third of the season was also his first point in the last eight contests and came moments after a failed Vancouver power play. Jesse Barfield Jersey . made a diving catch in left field for the final out in a 1-0 victory over the Miami Marlins in a regular-season finale Sunday. Zimmermann (14-5) allowed only two baserunners, finishing with 10 strikeouts and one walk in the fifth no-hitter in the majors this year. Jaime Garcia Jersey . Siddikur, who led on all four days and took a four-stroke lead going into the final day, bogeyed four out of six holes starting at the sixth and continued a forgettable last round in which he returned a three-over 75 to finish with a 14-under 274. http://www.officialbluejaysgearshop.com/Blue-Jays-Yangervis-Solarte-Kids-Jersey/ . - Considering where Jeff Gordon was after Richmond, left out of the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship in part due to some late-race shenanigans, he couldnt have been happier on Sunday.The Atlantic Division champion Toronto Raptors are guaranteed home court advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs and can finish with the either the third or fourth seed. The Raptors finish with the third seed with: - A win (at the New York Knicks) OR a Chicago Bulls loss (at the Charlotte Bobcats) The Raptors finish with the fourth seed with: - A loss (at the Knicks) AND a Bulls win (at the Bobcats) The Raptors will face the Washington Wizards IF: - They finish in third AND the Wizards win (at the Boston Celtics) AND the Brooklyn Nets win (at the Cleveland Cavaliers) - They finish in third AND the Wizards lose (at the Celtics) AND the Bobcats lose (at home to the Bulls) - They finish in fourth AND the Wizards win (at the Celtics) AND the Nets lose (at the Cavaliers) The Raptors will face thee Brooklyn Nets IF: - They finish in fourth AND the Nets win (at the Cavaliers) - They finish in fourth AND the Wizards lose (at the Celtics) - They finish in third AND the Nets lose (at the Cavaliers) AND the Wizards win (at the Celtics) The Raptors face the Charlotte Bobcats IF: - They finish in third AND the Bobcats win (at home against the Bulls) AND the Wizards lose (at the Celtics) The Indiana Pacers have secured the top seed and will host the eighth-seeded Atlanta Hawks. Devon Travis Jersey. The Miami Heat have wrapped up the second /url] ' ' '


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THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO news and tidbits
Visit here to read and post all the latest Daniel Craig-related news, TV/VCR(DVD) alerts, etc.
Moderator: Germangirl
- Moderator
- Posts: 46405
- Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2007 5:05 pm
- Location: Germany
Re: THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO news and tidbits
Thanks Red. Its a shame..,
The top notch acting in the Weisz/Craig/Spall 'Betrayal' is emotionally true, often v funny and its beautifully staged with filmic qualities..


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Natural / Indigo Ikat Collar
- Sourced from Taleo Handmade a new company based out of NY who works with Phou Tai woman, ethnic minority group in the south of Laos. These woman are expert ikat weavers and indigo dyers.
- Ikat is a design technique in which the threads are tie-dyed before weaving, and the tied design emerges as the cloth is woven.
- Specs: Small: 11 - 14", 1/2" width


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061 The Leadership Excelerator- An Interview with Eddie Turner Jr. Part 2 of a 2 Part Series
In this episode, Christina Martini and Eddie Turner Jr discuss:
- Qualities that make a great leader.
- Eddie's current book, 140 Simple Messages to Guide Emerging Leaders, and new book, Facilitated Collaboration, coming out late this year.
- Personal habits and routines that are key to being effective and successful.
- Advice for aspiring and veteran leaders.
Key Takeaways:
- Leadership is about being adaptive.
- It's about how we wear and take ownership of what we have. We can improve, but we should show
- Through the power of facilitation, you can change everything.
- Never stop learning, have empathy for others, and be slow to judge.
"When a person is authentic, they are not manufactured, they're not a replica of someone else. They are unapologetically themselves and it's a beautiful thing." — Eddie Turner Jr
About Eddie Turner Jr.: Eddie is an executive & leadership coach, best-selling author, facilitator, keynote speaker, and podcast host. Organizations who want to accelerate the development of their leaders call Eddie, who is The Leadership Excelerator®. He is described as "The Consummate Friendly Professional" and has worked for several of the world's "most admired companies." Eddie works with leaders to Accelerate Performance and Drive Impact!®
Eddie is a C-Suite advisor and national media commentator with years of information technology expertise. He is a published writer and best-selling author of 140 Simple Messages to Guide Emerging Leaders and host of the Keep Leading podcast.
Eddie has earned international certifications as a trainer, facilitator and coach. Eddie is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP®)—a designation earned by only 15 percent of professional speakers in the world. He is an alumnus of Northwestern University where he studied Leadership and Organization Behavior and of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University where he completed the "Art and Practice of Leadership Development" executive education program. Eddie is member of the global network of Harvard educated Adaptive Leadership practitioners in the Adaptive Leadership Network and a leadership coach in the Leadership Circle.
Eddie actively promotes the power of coaching and develops new coaching leaders through his work as a facilitator for the global ATD coaching certificate program. He coaches and trains leaders of all levels to develop and apply successful coaching competencies to transform themselves and their organization's development. He is also an Emotional Intelligence practitioner certified to issue the EQ-i and EQ360 assessments in addition to delivering the Emotionally Intelligent Leader workshop.
Eddie partners with clients to deliver innovative solutions, eliminate business expenses and increase business value!
Connect with Eddie Turner Jr.:
Twitter: @eddieturnerjr
Facebook: Eddie Turner, LLC
Website: EddieTurnerLLC.com
Email: email@example.com
Book: 140 Simple Messages to Guide Emerging Leaders
Show: Keep Leading!
YouTube: Eddie Turner
LinkedIn: Eddie Turner, The Leadership Excelerator®
Instagram: @eddieturnerjr
Connect with Christina Martini:
Twitter: @TinaMartini10
Website: www.paradigmshiftshow.com
LinkedIn: Christina Martini
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Show notes by Podcastologist: Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.


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watch 02:38
The Loop (Games)
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|Journal Category
|The City of Qeynos (AA)
|Journal Level
|Scales with player level from level 20
|Journal Difficulty
|Starting Zone
|The Forest Ruins: A Clandestine Meeting more
|How to Start
|Speak to Queen Amree on the seashore of the Forest Ruins. ( 983, -26, -894 ) /waypoint 983, -26, -894
|NOTE: A discussion page exists which may contain more information
What does this information mean?
- Click the boat by Queen Amree to return to the Qeynos Province District.
- Speak to Jesenda near the dojo in the Elddar Grove ( 748, -20, -354 ) /waypoint 748, -20, -354 then lead/protect her to the gate from Elddar Grove that leads to The Willow Wood: Besieged Hamlet and zone in. ( 810, -21, -564 ) /waypoint 810, -21, -564
- Take Jesenda to the site of the gnoll ambush behind the target up the hill and don't lose sight of her. She will examine the ground for a few moments, then take off at a jog without saying anything to you. Your job is to protect her as she wanders through the zone. You will be ambushed by an assassin along the way. ( 811, -21, -649 ) /waypoint 811, -21, -649
- Jesenda continues tracking, often through aggro groups of gnolls, until she reaches the gate to the Forest Ruins. There the assassin who attacked you earlier will give an evil villain soliloquy before having a trio of gnolls attack you.
- Follow the assassin's trail into the Forest Ruins (click the door).
- Collect 8 piles of loam (each looks like a small pile of dirt). They are very spread out- it's safer to veer to the right and collect/click them.
- Return to Queen Amree.
- 28g 70s 68c
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.


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The number of care home beds available to elderly people in Oxfordshire hit a record low in March, new figures reveal.
Care home representatives and charities have warned vulnerable people could be put at risk without more funding to increase capacity in the sector across England, which has been strained by Covid-19.
Public Health England data shows there were 8.8 care homes beds per 100 people aged 75 and over in Oxfordshire at the end of March. This was the lowest rate since comparable records began in 2011.
The figure includes beds in residential homes, which provide accommodation and help with things such as washing and dressing, and nursing homes, which are staffed by nurses and offer support to people with more complex needs.
The trend in Oxfordshire was similar to that across England, where the rate also dropped to a record low of 9.6 per 100 in March, down slightly from 9.8 last year.
ALSO READ: Sex infections are on the rise in Oxfordshire
Martin Green, chief executive of charity Care England, said he feared the long-term capacity of the system could be 'severely depleted' without further funding, after years of austerity and lack of investment.
He added: "The unprecedented cost pressures leveraged by Covid-19 put the future of many care providers into question, especially when one considers the burdened nature of the care sector even prior to Covid-19."
The group is calling for support such as the Infection Control Fund – a £600m package announced in May to tackle the spread of the coronavirus in care homes – to be extended to help care providers get through the pandemic.
The chances of an elderly person getting a care home bed differ significantly depending on where they live – while there were 17.8 beds per 100 over-75s in Middlesbrough, there were just 2.5 per 100 in Westminster.
ALSO READ: Covid vaccine patient 'keen' for second dose after reports of side-effects
Caroline Abrahams, charity director of Age UK, said a lack of funding is forcing some care homes to close for good. The resulting decline in nursing home beds is a 'serious concern', she said, as few alternatives exist for people who need such care apart from hospital.
Ms Abrahams added: "No one wants to be in hospital unless it is strictly necessary and for older people it is particularly risky to their longer-term health and wellbeing. It is clearly important that we have enough residential home beds, appropriately spread around the country, so older people and families have a decent choice of nearby provision if they have decided this is the place for them."
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: "The number of care home beds remains stable and care given at home is growing, with innovation and technology allowing people to live at home for longer.We know there is a need for a long-term solution for social care and are looking at a range of proposals as part of our commitment to bringing forward a plan that puts the sector on a sustainable footing for the future."


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When Buying e-Liquids Do I Want a Singler or Doubler?
The latest trend in Australia's vaping circle is selling e-liquids as either singlers or doublers. If you have never purchased liquid like this before, you may have a lot of questions about what you're getting and how to use it. This guide walks you through the basics so you can make an informed decision about the e-liquid you're buying. Let's start by defining what exactly e-juice singlers and doublers are in reference to.
Do I Want Nicotine or No Nicotine?
When it comes to singlers and doublers, what we're really talking about is whether or not you want to vape with nicotine. The simplest explanation is that a singler is meant to be vaped alone, without the addition of nicotine to the e-liquid flavor. Thus, the e-liquid you are purchasing is a single, full bottle of whatever flavored liquid you choose. It is already diluted to the proper strength with a base liquid and requires no further modification.
Shop Nicotine-free E-liquids Now!
On the other hand, a doubler is a liquid that you intend to add nicotine to in the future. The benefit of this system is that you can add as much or as little nicotine as you like; giving you the flexibility to create your own perfect blend. When you opt for a doubler, you receive a bottle of highly concentrated flavor that is approximately half full. It is then up to you to add your nicotine to properly dilute the flavor to the appropriate strength.
Why This Helps You
If you are used to purchasing pre-mixed vape juices, it's easy to see that the system of choosing a singler or a doubler is quite effective for vapers. For those who choose not to use nicotine at all, it makes many vape flavors easily accessible. Meanwhile, for people who do use nicotine, it creates more opportunity for the user to customize their experience without giving up the selection of products available to them. With a doubler, you can create a nicotine strength that suits your needs, without having to round up or down to the closest pre-mixed variant. This may seem like a rather advanced concept, but it can also be helpful for those who are just experimenting with vaping for the first time and want to find the perfect nicotine level to make the transition from traditional cigarettes.
Essentially, the singler and doubler terminology is just another way that vapor brands are serving customers with more choices and better service. Now you know which one to order when you're at your local vape shop. Customize your vaping experience today with our 3,000-plus vape juice blends!
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When globally-acclaimed fashion brands decide to set up shop in Africa, it is typically Johannesburg's Sandton City mall they look to. The shopping center located in the city's affluent Sandton neighborhood has carved a niche for itself in the luxury retail space. Three years ago, Sandton City opened its "Diamond Walk" wing. The designated area houses mono-brand stores by luxury brands including Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Prada, and Patek Philippe. The opening of an additional dozen high-end flagship stores is scheduled for late 2019.
"We're seeing double-digit year-over-year growth for luxury brands. The wealthy consumer isn't affected by global economic recessions – they're resilient to that," says Sandton City General Manager Preston Gaddy. He further adds, "For the African tourist, this is the pinnacle of shopping on the continent. Our mall attracts a lot of spenders from oil-rich West African countries such as Nigeria and Ghana. They can buy their wife a Louis Vuitton handbag whilst getting the latest Nike sneakers – all under one roof."
According to Sandton City management, Louis Vuitton is amongst their most successful luxury tenants, closely followed by the likes of Versace Collection, Burberry, and Cartier. At present, 40% of stores on Diamond Walk are being directly managed by the luxury brands, versus 60% through licensees. Amongst the roughly 300 stores located inside the property owned by South African real estate investment trust Liberty Two Degrees, one will also find mono-brand stores by Hugo Boss, Michael Kors, Zara, and H&M.
"Luxury brands have been hesitant to come to South Africa. Louis Vuitton was amongst the first, and others are now trying to seize the opportunity," Darren Katz comments. Katz is the Managing Director of Excellerate Brand Management, the company which oversees Sandton City's branding and strategies. "Diamond Walk brands have managed to keep pricing consistent between global and local – they're very much similar in price. This allows the South African consumer to spend money in South Africa. The luxury consumer here is typically an under 40, aspirational, up and coming young professional. A brand like Gucci for example really speaks to that market. The same thing applies to a brand like Dolce & Gabbana, which set up a pop-up shop that allowed shoppers to customize their sneakers."
Currently the Sandton City customer base is largely female, though "the male market is strong when it comes to shoes," per Excellerate Brand Management's MD. A further testament to growing trust in Sandton City's male consumer is Louis Vuitton's decision to release its men's ready-to-wear collection in-store, instead of its womenswear range.
As far as data collection goes, the Johannesburg shopping center makes use of facial recognition- and foot counting equipment. This provides Sandton City executives with rich data with regards to the gender, race, and age profile of shoppers, which may subsequently be shared with retailers.
Sandton City management is looking to extend its Diamond Walk offerings due to growing demand. General Manager Preston Gaddy recently returned from a trip to Paris, where he sat around the table with potential stakeholders. "I was in Paris to have a bunch of meetings with French luxury brands. They jokingly told me 'You need more French amongst all those Italian brands.'" We've been in talks for about a year already, and if we are successful in securing them, they'll open by the end of 2019."


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After leaving behind the sad beaches in Parnu, it wasn't long before we were in Latvia, country #20! We though that we had finally encountered a border that was stopping to check passports and inspect vehicles, but it was just roadworks stopping traffic to a single lane.
The roads were somewhat terrible, with near constant lumps/bumps causing the sagging rear of our car to scrape bodywork on the tyres. Thankfully it's just a bit of fibreglass trim, and it's not going to do damage to the tyre or the bodywork.
The fuel was cheaper here than Estonia, too, which came as a surprise, since Estonia seemed cheaper than Andorra – which is meant to be tax-free.
And, if the bumpy roads weren't bad enough, we had to deal with drivers that had zero patience, and were willing to overtake around blind corners and let the other cars (us included) to sort it out to avoid an incident. A friend wrote a great piece about riding his motorbike through Siberia. I realise that we're not at those levels of crazy, which terrifies me that things can still get worse.
It felt like there were more farms here than what we saw in Estonia. The houses were built from raw timber, and their rooves were sagging and broken, like broken backs. Of course, there were still huge tracts of pine forest to drive through, it just didn't feel as long, or as dense as it had further north.
We tried to take a few detours to see more of Latvia than just Riga – just as we try to see more of other countries, rather than passing straight through. We made a detour to travel through Gauja National Park, and some of the towns inside.
Lonely Planet described Cēsis as the "Most Latvian town in Latvia", so with a title like that, how could we not visit? It took a while to see the charm, but we managed to find some of the cute wooden gingerbread styles houses – much like we'd seen in Russia. They had seen better days, with most of them covered in flakes of peeling paint.
The main street too had seen better days, or at least was in a state of metamorphosis. Temporary fencing was installed, and the street itself had been dug up. I guess summer is over, and it's time to get work done before winter hits.
The town is dominated by the tower of St. John's Church, which is also looking a little shabby. It's pretty, but nothing exceptional. Inside was much like the outside, quite simplistic – other than being an interesting shade of yellow.
However, the main attraction is the town's castle. But, we were too late to enter, and had to settle for the glimpses we could steal through gates and fences as we walked around the perimeter. It did look rather old and imposing – but just a shame we couldn't get closer.
We were both a little confused as to what the attraction was. It was pleasant enough, but I'm glad we didn't take too much of a detour to visit.
The main town in the national park, and also with a large castle. It was described as Latvia's Switzerland, which having already visited Switzerland and been amazed with the mountains, confused us no end. There were definitely hills here, and a river that cut down forming a shallow gorge, but Switzerland it wasn't.
There were all sorts of extreme sports on offer, from rafting and canoeing, to mountain biking, to bungee jumping from a suspended cable that crosses the Gauja River.
But, when we saw a ski resort, on a slope that was at best 5% gradient, we had to laugh to ourselves – and I thought that the small ski resort in the town I lived in in Japan (Yakumo) was tiny!
Rather than stopping to explore the sites, we opted to make an early stop for the evening in a secluded forest, near the river. We were surrounded by tall trees. I thought I could hear the river, but it was just the sound of the wind whooshing through the leaves above and around us. It was beautifully serene, until another camper arrived and started his generator. And then the rain came, and giant drops fell from the tall trees we were parked under. We drowned it all out by watching a movie – Café Society (not my favourite Woody Allen).
Day 143
It was still raining in the morning, and combined with a feeling of fatigue, I was tempted to just stay in the car and watch movies all day. It sounded like a great idea, but I realised that the battery would probably go flat, since we didn't have a generator like our lovely German neighbours.
We were lucky to receive a few tips from friends for Riga. We started by visiting a recommended coffee shop, Rocket Bean, just north of the old town. They were busy roasting coffee, and it smelt amazing. The coffee however, was little bitter – and crazy strong. Even after resting there for 1.5hr, making use of their free parking and wifi, I was still shaking, and not in a particularly healthy state.
Risa really wanted to visit an Art Nouveau museum in town, so I dropped her and drove just out of town to our campsite for the night. Fortunately that coffee was still working overdrive, and the 4.5km walk into town went by in no time at all. When we're not on holiday, I'd never consider a 4.5km walk unless it was really the only option, but now it's become so common. At least there was some interesting things to look at, like old wooden buildings, and a great view of the town from the large suspension bridge.
Art Nouveau
Risa had completed her visit to the rather tiny Art Nouveau museum, which turned out to be little more than a small apartment decorated with period furniture. I quickly popped my head in to see the beautiful internal staircase. It's gorgeous, but not my style.
While she was waiting for me, she'd already walked all around the area and admired the period facades. It seemed like Alberta iela was the epicentre in Riga. Every building on this street was beautiful – though some were more beautiful than others. The faces and the details, as well as the amazing windows were hard not to love.
Old Town
It was more walking to get to the old town. I set a path that would take us past the Freedom Monument, only it turns out that it's currently being renovated/repaired. It was completely covered, and I couldn't really see how it looked through the scaffolding, either.
It felt much, much larger than the old town in Tallinn, and also a lot more modern/polished. Though, there were still more than enough beautiful buildings to make a walk down any street enjoyable.
Renovation struck again when we went to see the House of Blackheads, as the two facades were also covered by scaffolding – but this time I was able to squint my way through and see some of the detail behind. I won't lie, it was disappointing not to be able to see what is described as the most beautiful buildings in Riga – a town filled with beautiful buildings.
Two friends had recommended we visit a small restaurant called Folkklubs, just a litte south of Blackheads. We didn't quite know what to expect when we walked down some dark stairs, and then through a long narrow hallway, but it eventually opened up into a beautiful cosy space. We grabbed one of the last available tables, and proceeded to make pigs of ourselves.
I ordered a starter plate, with cured meat, cheese and the most incredible fried garlic bread I've ever tasted – this bread was so good that I would visit again just to eat it. We also grabbed some mains each, with Risa getting a crazy rich beef/beer stew, and I grabbed some meatballs (grandma style). It was seriously incredible, and I couldn't believe the price – €25, including a pint of kvas. Deserts sounded incredible, but there was no way we were able to eat any more.
We were sat right by the stage, and I was hoping that we'd be able to finish our meal before the band started. And then the band started, and they were fantastic! Sure, we were seated a little too close to the speakers to be able to enjoy a meal, but we'd finished eating now, and sat and watched them for a couple of songs. They were a folk four-piece, with a double bass, a jazz flute, a guitar, and some weird flat/slide guitar. The music was completely new to me, and filled with fantastic energy and passion.
It was too early to return to the van. We needed an hour or two to walk off all the food in our extended stomachs. Luckily, the old town is a fantastic place to walk without purpose and just enjoy the views. We found new places, and repeated some familiar ones in new light. The streets were really quiet, too, which made it even more pleasant. However, it was quite dark once the sun had fully set, and there wasn't so much to see in the dark.
While I might have been happy to walk into town earlier, I wasn't really keen for a walk back to the campsite, especially since the last 2km was down a dark semi-paved road. We opted for a €7 taxi, and didn't regret a single cent of that purchase.
Day 144
There is a bus that runs from right outside of the caravan park into town. However, it doesn't run all day. It turned out the last bus was at 10AM – and we were ready to leave just after 10AM. Risa didn't want to walk in to town, and I was less keen than I was yesterday. We mentally prepared to pay for a taxi instead. Thankfully there was another Australian couple also waiting for a taxi, so we decided to cancel theirs and share ours into town – which ended up being cheaper than a bus! Winner!
The town was much prettier in the daylight. We found the Three Brothers, which were really standout buildings. It was possible to enter the rightmost building, which currently housed a city-planning style museum. Some exhibits were interesting, such as the proposed subway – which was cancelled/scaled back due to fears that it would make the city too populous (among other things).
We pretty much walked back past most of the same sights that we'd covered last night, however with the benefit of daylight now. Even though it was re-treading old ground, we weren't bored. There was always new details to find and enjoy – like the house with the cats on the roof, with their butts directed at the guildhalls.
We crossed over and out of the old town to the Central Market, which is housed in some enormous old buildings used for building/storing zeppelins! It was sprawling, and they seemed to sell just about anything you could think of. Still, Narantuul has set the benchmark for what a market can be – and this felt like a car boot sale in comparison. I really wanted a three-stripe tracksuit, but wasn't able to find anything for sale. We also really wanted shashlyk, but again it wasn't for sale – unlike central Asia.
Still, we grabbed a bite to eat from the super cheap canteen, picked up some fresh meats, fruit, honey and other snacks/treats.
The only other site left for me to visit was the Occupation Museum. We walked back to the House of the Blackheads, only to find that it had temporarily moved to near the Freedom Monument. We walked back across the old town again, and this time we learnt that it was shut for the afternoon for an official visit by Angela Merkel… We were deflated and exhausted. Luckily, we weren't far from the bus station, and there was a bus scheduled to leave shortly. We hopped on and were thankful to be inside when the rain finally started to hammer down.
We quickly filled up our van, and emptied the dirty waters and were on our way out of town, thoroughly satisfied with our short visit – other than the occupation museum…


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An Assessment by the United Nations Independent Commission of Inquiry
Please Click here to Download the Full Report
For the past year, the international community has been largely paralyzed in responding to Bashar al-Assad's violent repression of protests in Syria. Though the United Nations Security Council has failed to pass a condemnatory resolution, the UN Human Rights Council swiftly established an independent international Commission of Inquiry in September 2011 to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since the beginning of the uprising. After extensive interviews with victims and witnesses, the commission's report presented this month concluded that the Syrian military and security forces have been committing gross violations of human rights since the onset of the protests.
Firm Stand Aginst Military Force in Syria
Military Intervention in Syria Won't Work
Syrian Refugees Have Nothing to Return To
Full Event: The Human Rights Situation in Syria