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Fans have been anxiously anticipating Pixar's next film, Inside Out, which is due in theaters next summer. It was handed the baton to represent the studio's next film after Pixar decided to delay The Good Dinosaur, which had been scheduled to debut this May. This places extra pressure on Inside Out, but there is no better person up to beating high expectations than Pete Docter (Up, Monsters, Inc.). A screenings of a scene from the film played incredibly well at last summer's D23 Expo, and now we hear that it received raves from the CinemaCon audience on Wednesday!
D23 Expo: Review – 'Monsters University' Short 'Party Central'
You just never know what you'll see at Disney's D23 Expo. The gathering has become known for its early peeks and surprise screenings of the latest and greatest Disney has to offer. This year was no exception. Before unveiling early glimpses of next year's The Good Dinosaur and 2015's Inside Out, John Lasseter had a special surprise for attendees of the Art and Imagination: Animation at The Walt Disney Studios arena presentation. Expo-goers were treated to a full screening of the new Pixar short Party Central. Mike's New Car (2002), a short attached to the Monsters, Inc. DVD, was the first extension of a Pixar feature film. Party Central continues that tradition almost 11 years later, as this latest toon takes place in the world of Monsters University. Check out my review after the break!
D23 Expo: Pixar's Connection To Brad Bird's 'Tomorrowland'
Director Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Ratatouille) was on hand at the D23 Expo this past weekend as part of the Let The Adventures Begin: Live Action At The Walt Disney Studios presentation. Bird, along with co-writer Damon Lindelof (Lost), presented artifacts in their continued myth building for the 2014 Disney live-action film, Tomorrowland. The mysterious "1952" box, which has been utilized for the last several months to tease the film, was brought out on stage and explored in front of the audience. A few enigmatic items from the Disney studios past were unveiled, a doctored picture of Walt Disney with Amelia Earhart was shown and a vintage copy of Amazing Stories was used as a key for some cryptic message decoding. But by far the most interesting and entertaining portion of the presentation – and the bit that had me most intrigued about the project – was a clip of animation that has ties to Pixar.
D23 Expo: Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, Others Reflect On Pixar Films And Source Of Their Inspiration
John Lasseter kicked off Disney's massive D23 Expo with a look at what is coming next in the world of Disney and Pixar animation. The packed arena presentation was easily the highlight of Day 1 and offered fans a first look at the company's upcoming slate of animated offerings. Pixar's highly anticipated roster included next year's The Good Dinosaur and 2015's Inside Out. However, it wasn't all forward thinking taking place on Friday. Late in the afternoon, a handful of Pixar creatives took some time to look back.
D23 Expo: 'Finding Dory' Story Detailed, Diane Keaton, Eugene Levy, and Ty Burrell Join Cast
Finding Nemo was never one of the films that fans assumed would see a sequel (cue chants for The Incredibles 2). That is a point that Andrew Stanton and Produer Lindsey Collins underlined today at the D23 Expo, stating that he is usually averse to the thought of sequels. However, he also stated that if a good idea came along, he would be willing to entertain it. That happened two years ago for Finding Dory, the sequel to Nemo, as Stanton was able to develop an intriguing storyline. Learn what he cooked up after the break!
D23 Expo: 100+ Photos Hint At New Star Wars and Avatar Land, Preview Disney Store Products, And More
The D23 Expo officially kicks off on Friday, as fans will have their first opportunity to walk the halls of the Anaheim Convention Center. We had the chance, though, to get an early look at various sections of the show Thursday night as part of a media preview. The Disney Parks and Resorts pavilion teased new Star Wars and Avatar-themed lands at Walt Disney World and highlighted the cutting-edge technology that make the Disney theme parks run, while the Disney Store and Disney Consumer Products pavilion provided us with a look at some great Disney/Pixar merchandise. After the break, find over 100 photos that will take you through all three of these areas of the D23 Expo!
Exclusive: Limited Edition Disney∙Pixar Products To Debut At D23 Expo
The D23 Expo runs from Friday through Sunday, celebrating the worlds of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. As a result, there will be a host of exclusives offered at booths throughout the show floor and at the Dream Store and Disney Store. The exclusives often create an air of excitement due to their unavailability outside of the show. Their limited nature also means attendees have to make their way to their respective locations in order to ensure they do not sell out. We are excited to reveal a brand new line of Disney∙Pixar products that will make their debut at the show's Disney Store. Find details and images after the break!


text: Tuff Stuff alternators are great looking with plenty of power! Our stators and rotors feature extra copper and steel for better reliability. All are 100% new - not rebuilt! Each alternator is carefully hand polished and triple chrome plated to absolute perfection and is then assembled and tested in our factory by experts.

subset: commoncrawl


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Welcome. Everybody here like the handdrawn ones, and some of those can be touched up digitally to look even better.
Again, Welcome to the boards!
Hi, just a quick hello to everyone. To keep it short, I like hand drawn maps, rather than computer generated ones (although there seem to be some cracking examples of those on the forums!).
I also run a small website of my own if anyone feels like a look. Hope I can contribute a little here as well!
Welcome. Everybody here like the handdrawn ones, and some of those can be touched up digitally to look even better.
Again, Welcome to the boards!
Daniel the Neon Knight: Campaign Cartographer User
Never use a big word when a diminutive one will suffice!
Any questions on CC3? Post them with CC3 in the Subject Line!
MY 'FAMOUS' CC3 MAPS: Thunderspire; Pyramid of Shadows; King of the Trollhaunt Warrens; Demon Queen's Enclave
Hi Mr Darkness, and welcome to the Guild. I really like the layout of your site and your maps have a really nice feel.
Do give computer colouring a try...some of the best examples of mapping I've seen are ones that start as hand drawn and then completed on the computer.
Darkness, welcome! I really enjoyed your site--mostly because as I read I felt like we were long lost friends (albeit separated by the Pond)! Excellent fun looking over your work. I also really, really was impressed by Psyekl's work--if for no other reason than in the patience they must have taken (although that being said I really did enjoy the maps as well!)
Once again welcome & I look forward to seeing your contributions to our collective passion!
My gallery is here
__________________________________________________ _______
"Keep your mind in hell, but despair not." --Saint Silouan [1866-1938]
Welcome Mr Darkness... I'm new here myself, but I can still say "hi".
Your maps look great. Looking forward to seeing some more of your work.
Welcome aboard Mr.! Great to have you! And I too enjoyed your site...nice maps on there.
All Hail FlappyMap! Long Live MapFeed!
Robbie Powell - Site Admin
Nice site! I particularly like your line "I found the maps even more interesting than the plot and found myself constantly turning back to see just where the characters were during their adventures" which is something I find myself continually doing, as well (currently re-reading the Wheel of Time series).
-Rob A>
Welcome, Mr. Darkness!
JUST ADD HEROES An ICONS Superpowered Roleplaying Game Blog by Joe "jaerdaph" Bardales
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!
I'll have to tell psyekl how much everyone likes his work, he must have the patience of a saint!!!
Hope to be able to find time to be a regular.


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Alex Galchenyuk's season debut impresses scout
Thursday, 03.15.2012 / 8:00 AM | Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer
One of the top North American prospects eligible for the 2012 NHL Draft, Sarnia Sting center
Alex Galchenyuk
, returned to the lineup for the first time in 66 games on Wednesday to the delight of the hometown faithful at RBC Centre in Sarnia.
Galchenyuk, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a Sept. 16 preseason game and underwent surgery in October, said he felt no pain following the game. The only pain felt was the postgame sting that accompanied a 7-1 loss to the Saginaw Spirit.
He totaled approximately 10 minutes of ice time and played on a line with
Brett Thompson
and Charles Sarault.
Despite the long absence, there's a strong possibility Galchenyuk still could be drafted among the top 10 players in the first round of this year's draft. He's ranked as a "limited viewing" player on NHL Central Scouting's mid-term rankings, but was No. 2 among OHL skaters in Central Scouting's preliminary rankings.
Playing alongside top North American draft prospect, Sarnia's
Nail Yakupov
, Galchenyuk produced 31 goals and 83 points in 68 games last season. It was enough to make believers out of any scout who had the opportunity to watch him play. Yakupov is currently sidelined with an upper-body injury.
On Wednesday, NHL.com caught up with Central Scouting's Al Jensen, who provided immediate reaction to Galchenyuk's performance.
"Despite the loss, I could certainly see the high-end talent that Galchenyuk has," Jensen told NHL.com. "His shifts during the game were limited and very short as was to be expected. He's an excellent skater, very strong strides. He didn't get any chances but handled the puck well with confidence and made a couple of nice passes.
"He's got great hands overall for a player that has missed so much time this year with the injury. It looks very promising for him moving forward -- he's an excellent prospect."
Galchenyuk, who finished with a minus-3 rating in the game, filed an exclusive blog for NHL.com following his 2011-12 debut -- an experience he said was quite overwhelming.
"It was strange being on the ice for the anthems," Galchenyuk wrote. "Last year I played all 68 games and didn't even miss a single practice. Most of this season, I was in the press box listening to the anthem. Now I'm standing in skates on the ice. It was a pretty cool experience. Just thinking about trying to get here, waiting for this moment -- it was pretty special.
"I got a real nice reaction from the fans when my name was announced for the starting lineup. It was pretty loud and I really appreciated that."
Read Galchenyuk's blog here.
Sarnia general manager and coach Jacques Beaulieu, whose team has two regular-season games remaining before the start of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs, was happy to see Galchenyuk back on the ice.
"We knew it was going to be tough on him," Beaulieu told Sarnia's website. "The game is going 100 miles an hour and he's going about 50 miles per hour. He's got to get used to the pace of the game and the systems. But we know he's a good player and he will adjust."
Follow Mike Morreale on Twitter at: @mike_morreale
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text:
Thursday, 28 May 2009
News Bar »
Security: Navy foiled LTTE master plan ...
Political: Matale UNP candidate's F/R case dismissed ...
Business: Continental AG partners Eu-Retec ...
Sports: Sangakkara leads a confident hit squad ...
dailynews ONLINE
DIAS - MRS MARIE THERESE Beloved wife of late Erwin Dias, loving mother
of Naomal (Kelaniya University), Delano (Millers), Duleep (Petroleum - Kolonnawa)
and Winmar, mother-in-law of Sriyani (Kelaniya University), Tamara, Ruwanthi
(St John the Baptist Mv. Nagoda) and Hillard (Ceylon Tea Marketing), expired.
Cortege leaves residence, 272, Negombo Road, Wattala at 4.00 p.m. on
Saturday 30th May for interment at RC Cemetery, Wattala.
EMMANUEL - BENEDICT (BEN) Loving husband of Celine, darling father of
Ashan, Gehan, son of late Albert and Darcel Emmanuel, brother of Patrick, Paul,
Noel, Elaine, Eileen, Monica, brother-in-law of Asoka, Ranjani (UK), Lorna, late
Arifeen, Paul, Anthony, late Dolly, Iroma, Christine. Cortege leaves residence
on Saturday the 30th at 3.30 p.m. for Burial at General Cemetery, Kanatte,
Borella at 5.00 p.m. Residence No. 551/B, 1st Lane, Kurunduwatta, Averiwatte
Road, Wattala.
FERNANDO - MRS WIMALA Beloved wife of late Mr Owen Kumarage and mother
of Dayangani (Ministry of Nation Building), Jayanath, Dasal (Nestle) and Saroja
(Ruweka Garments), mother-in-law of Shirani, Gayangani and Badu Ruhunuge and
grandmother of Sanjeewa, Ruweka, Rebecca, Nathali and Kaumadi, laid to rest in
the arms of Jesus. Cortege leaves residence at 3.45 p.m. on 28th of May 2009 for
funeral service at 4.30 p.m. at St. Matthias' Church, Laxapathiya, Moratuwa.
No. 67/3, "Divyanatha", Sri Medananda Road, Laxapathiya, Moratuwa.
GUNASEKARA - EMELDA VALORIE (BUBSY) nee CODIPILLY wife of late
Freddy, loving mother of Victorine, step mother of Ranjith and Moreen, loving
mother-in-law of Jayantha De Silva, loving grandmother of Nipuna and Sadun,
sister of Rev. Sr. Innocentia (A.C), Terence, Francis, Bernedette and late Rev.
Sr. Cecilia, Crissy, Noel and Celine. Remains will lie at 14, Temple Lane,
Pepiliyana Road, Dehiwala from the 28th 5 p.m. Burial at Mt Lavinia Cemetery
Catholic Section on 29th. Cortege leaves 3.30 p.m.
HERATH - L.B. (Rtd. Deputy Principal Dharmaraja College, Kandy).
Beloved husband of Mrs S.M. Seneviratne, loving father of Janaka and Anusha,
father-in-law of Upendra and Ayesha, loving grandfather of Piyushan, Nethmini,
Sasanya and Vidumini, passed away. Cortege leaves residence 91, Ambilmeegama,
Pilimathalawa on Thursday 28 May 2009 at 3 p.m. Cremation at Arambegama,
Pilimathalawa. Tel. 081-2579255.
JAYAWEERA - LUCKY (LAKSHMAN) Dearly beloved husband of Sriyangani,
loving father of Rohan (Mark), Lalith (Michael), Michelle (Nelum), Asanka,
Sidath, Yasantha, Hashan, son of the late George and Lucy Jayaweera, brother of
Upali, Nelun, Tissa, Irangani (Ira), Shanthi, Asitha and Ruwan, brother-in-law
of Srimathi, the late Walter, Chandrika, Buddhi, Surini, Preethi and Nayoka,
Yoga, Mangalika, Sriyani and Eric, uncle of many. Remains lie at 593 A,
Havelock Road, Pamankade, Colombo 06 from 9.30 a.m. Thursday 28th May.
Cortege leaves residence at 3.30 p.m. for cremation at the General Cemetery,
Kanatte at 4.30 p.m.
PERERA - MRS D.J. (EKANAYAKE) - Beloved wife of late Mr S.P. Ekanayake,
mother of Rupa (Ministry of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion),
Padmini (Veyangoda Janadipathi Vidyalaya), mother-in-law of Upali Athukorala
(Ministry of Labour Relations and Manpower), expired. Cremation will take place
at Kohuwala Public Crematorium on 28th May 2009 at 4.00 p.m. Cortege will leave
residence at 3.00 p.m. 32/1, Pelawatte Rd, Nugegoda.
SOVIS - HECTOR SIRIL (Founder "Rangama Copra Stores" Rangama Wellawa).
Beloved husband of K.K. Kulathunga (retired Teacher), loving father of Dr
Chandrika (NSACP Colombo), Manjuka (Australia), Indika (Rangama Oil Mills),
Buddika (Australia), Thushara (KPMG Ford-Rhodes Thornton & Co.), father-in-alw
of Dr Jayakody (R.H. Uddappuwa), Uditha (Australia), Wathsala, Kanchana,
expired. Cortege leaves residence at 3.00 p.m. on Thursday 28th May, burial at
Roman Catholic Church Burial Ground Rangama Wellawa.
GUNAWARDENA - KAMALA Loving niece of Merle, Therese and the late
Doreen, Dagmar, Inez, Erica and Lynette, sister of Shona, Jack, Peter and Russel,
passed away peacefully. Cremation at Thalahena Cemetery at 4.00 p.m. on May 28,
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Produced by Lake House Copyright © 2009 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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You can access thousands of recipes by subscribing to WeightWatchers.com.Learn more
One of my go-to snacks. Thanks for putting servings sizes on here!
This is a great way to get a few of the things I crave, i.e. salt, crunch, spice without breaking the points bank. I like this for breakfast with fruit or as a snack with raw veggies.
I add a slice of jumbo olives stuffed with garlic (2 olives total) that i bought at Trader Joes. Yummy lunch


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Maybe the secret is in the sauce after all. Just a few months after the much-hyped release of its new pizza recipe, Domino's (DPZ) reported a startling 14.3% increase in domestic same-store sales. America's second-largest pizza chain was quick to credit its "New and Inspired pizza" for helping it to buck a downward trend that's hitting the rest of the industry, which has seen an estimated 3% decline in pizza deliveries. Competitor Papa John's (PZZA), for example, saw domestic same-store sales drop 0.4% during the same period.
President and CEO J. Patrick Doyle said Domino's' "remarkably better pizza," and the important role of "our honesty in how we told customers about it" were the two main catalysts for the impressive sales jump. The honesty he refers to came in the form of a risky marketing campaign launched in December in which Domino's acknowledged the pizza's negative brand perception and openly accepted criticism from test groups that described the pizza as having a "cardboard crust" and as a "boring, artificial imitation of what pizza can be."
All of the humility and breast-beating was merely a prelude to the unveiling of its improved pizza. Of course, the company was quick to extol the virtues of its new recipe, pointing out that its pies now beat Papa John's (long considered one of the best-tasting pizzas in the category) in independent taste tests. In a recent report, a JP Morgan analyst said the campaign appears to have worked, noting that the company's improvement "is a function of executing a well-advertised and interesting launch of the Domino's core pizza."
Even DailyFinance was swayed by the ads: shortly after Domino's unveiled its new recipe, our New York staff decided to conduct an informal test of the new pies. Living in America's pizza capital, the reviewers were a little tough on the famous chain; some noted that the thin crust pizza seemed little improved from the old version and the "New Robust Tomato Sauce" failed to deliver on its bold name. But, in the end, we almost universally agreed that the new hand-tossed crust was very good, the sauce was significantly improved, and the overall finished product was a tasty, reliable pizza.
The ultimate question will be if Domino's can transform this impressive bump into long-term, sustainable growth. Discussing the company's outstanding quarter, Doyle admitted that it is unsustainable: "If we did this every quarter for seven years, we'd be bigger than U.S gross domestic product." Much of the upturn is likely based on curiosity about the new recipe. Now that customers know what they're getting, it will be interesting to see if the company can continue to report such exciting sales numbers.
A Slice of Heaven: New Pizza Brings Domino's Huge Sales Gains
May 6th 2010 2:00PM
Updated May 6th 2010 4:03PM
Bruce came to personal finance writing the old fashioned way: he didn't have much money, but wanted to do cool things. Clearly, some creativity was in order. From traveling around Europe to paying for a wedding, moving to New York to raising a child, he's figured out how to have fun without spending much money. In the process, he's also learned a few things about how politics and economics can help (or hurt) middle class finances. As DailyFinance's senior features writer, Bruce gets to combine his two favorite things: learning how the world works and explaining what he's learned to his readers.Read More »


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How to get summer-ready skin
Get your body ready for the warmer months, with these easy-to-follow tips.
It struck me last week that it's almost spring. This means in no time it will be summer, which means shorter sleeves, higher hemlines and (gasp!) swimsuits.
By the time summer arrives, I'm usually caught short with ghostly-pale skin, dry elbows, knees and ankles, and a general lack of muscle tone all over. This year, though, I'm planning ahead to ensure I'm ready to bare.
Stop using soap
Swap harsh soaps for a skin-softening body wash that is free of chemicals and preferably organic.
Try: Kora Organics By Miranda Kerr Essential Body Wash, $37.50, (02) 9979 5672, www.koraorganics.com.au
Fix dry skin
They are hidden away all winter under woolly jumpers and thick socks, so it's easy to neglect the dry spots on your knees, elbows, ankles and feet.
Start exfoliating with an oil-based salt scrub daily before showering. After showering, massage in a rich, thick body butter.
Try: CND Spamanicure Citrus Moisture Scrub, $22.95, 1800 449 109, and The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter, $17.95, 1800 065 232.
DIY: Make a thick paste from a handful of sea salt, almond oil and the juice of half a small lemon. Massage into dry skin. Rinse away and slather on coconut oil.
Swap lotion for oil
Oils are similar to the sebum in our skin, so oils are more easily absorbed than lotions.
Try: Eminence Organics Apricot Body Oil, $51, 1800 142 182.
DIY: To 30ml of almond oil, add four drops each of juniper berry and rosemary essential oils, and three drops each of cypress and patchouli oils.
"It's hydrating and firming," says Jeannie Bourke from the Venustus beauty salon in Sydney.
Get active
Combine muscle-strengthening and stretching with cardiovascular training.
Try: Xtend Barre, available in most states, is a ballet-based workout that combines ballet barre work, Pilates, yoga and strength work to sculpt and lengthen muscles. If you're in Melbourne you can also try Barre Body.
Get fitted for a bra
A correctly fitted bra creates feminine curves.
Try: Myer and David Jones both offer a complimentary bra-fitting service in their lingerie departments, with no need to book appointments. Or try a Smart Bra, $24.95, www.smart-bra.com.au, which moulds breasts.
Set a hair-removal routine
Have you let your waxing slide over winter? Start a regular routine now.
Try: Parissa 2 in 1 Roll-On Body Sugar, $19.99, 1300 884 411. This at-home waxing kit has a washable roller-ball sugar-wax dispenser that conditions and exfoliates, too.
Get a golden glow
A subtle fake tan enhances muscle and skin tone. Use a natural formula that imparts a subtle colour.
Try: Sukin Sunless Bronzing Gel, $17.95, 1300 858 898.


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Screen Grabs: jerkface Verizon FiOS guy brandishes a Kindle
Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/384273099/
Filed under: HandheldsScreen grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dt com.
[Thanks, Don R.]
Continue reading Screen Grabs: jerkface Verizon FiOS guy brandishes a KindlePermalink | Email this | Comments


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I had to find something to keep my hands busy when I quit smoking several years ago. Once I started sewing and quilting I was hooked. Even the days where I spend more time with the seam ripper than the sewing machine are a blast.
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Craftsy Apps for iOS and Android. Read more »


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UH offense on the upswing
HONOLULU — When we got our first look at the 2013 University of Hawaii football team during a 30-13 loss to the University of Southern California, the common impression was this:
Defense is surprisingly solid; offense surprisingly bad.
Seven weeks and five more losses later, the impression is this:
Offense has made tremendous strides … but the defense? It has disappointingly gotten worse.
The numbers tell a disturbing story: Total yards allowed to USC was 364; at Oregon State, 504; at Nevada, 304; vs. Fresno State, 530; vs. San Jose State, 534; at University of Nevada-Las Vegas, 579.
Even worse is the points allowed: 30 vs. USC, 33 at Oregon State, 31 at Nevada, 42 vs. Fresno State, 37 vs. San Jose State, 39 vs. UNLV.
When a team allows an average of 475.8 yards and 35.3 points per game, that goes a long way toward explaining an 0-6 start.
What is difficult to explain, is why a defense that looked so promising against then-24th-ranked USC has become so porous and vulnerable to the big play.
Granted, USC proved to be over-rated and did even worse the following week in a 10-7 home loss to Washington State. But Hawaii's defensive front more than held its own against what was supposed to be a physically superior Trojans offensive line, and USC's All-America receiver, Marqise Lee, was pretty much held in check (8 catches, 104 yards, 0 touchdowns).
The Rainbow Warriors defense showed promise again at Oregon State, limiting the Beavers to 1.7 yards per rushing attempt. UH did OK at Nevada, holding the Wolf Pack to 10 first downs and 340 total yards, but the offense committed six turnovers and put the defense in bad positions.
The offense's inability to move the ball in the first 2 ½ quarters hurt against Fresno State, contributing to a 42-3 deficit, but the defense allowed 4.6 yards per rush. Three freshmen then helped San Jose State rush for a season-high 216 yards against the Rainbow Warriors.
Last Saturday, UNLV rushed for 194 yards, including 162 by Tim Cornett.
How is it that two Pac-12 teams, USC and Oregon State, rushed for fewer yards against UH than San Jose State and UNLV — two programs not known for physical superiority?
Hawaii's personnel has not changed much: 10 of the 11 defensive starters at UNLV also started vs. USC, including the entire front four.
The offense has improved by leaps and bounds since then, putting drives together and giving the defense more time to rest.
Yet the numbers are stunning: UNLV gained 38 first downs, and was 8-for-20 (40 percent) on third-down conversions.
USC had 23 first downs, and was 3-of-14 on third down.
To be fair, UH's defense did come up with a huge goal-line stand against UNLV, and a lost fumble resulted in a Rebels touchdown that really wasn't the defense's fault.
One of Fresno State's TDs was a pick-6, and the Rainbow Warriors did shut out the Bulldogs in the final 20 minutes by coming up with key turnovers.
But the staunch run defense, consistently tight pass coverage and clutch third-down stops that gave us so much hope in the USC game are somehow now fewer and farther in between.
The team's early identity of "strong defense, weak offense" has almost reversed itself seven weeks later.
Solving this mystery and fixing the problem — whatever it is — should be defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer's primary assignment during this bye week.
If the defense we saw vs. USC could be combined with the new and improved offense, a sorely-needed victory vs. Colorado State on Oct. 26 will be that much more likely.


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Magical Bright Urban Retreat
Size100 m²
Floor No.
- Internet/WiFi
- Family/child friendly
- Kitchen
- Washer/dryer
- Dishwasher
|Rosemont Road, NW3 6NE London, United Kingdom
|Property type
|Property ID
This beautiful, stylish, architect designed 3 bedroom duplex apartment has just been completed and will offer you a memorable stay in one of the nicest areas of London. The apartment has its own street level entrance and a lovely terrace on the upper floor and has a feel of a house. It is laid out on two floors with bedrooms being on the first and a stunning open plan kitchen/dining/living room opening full width on to a terrace on the second floor.
Master bedroom has a luxury en suite shower room and in addition there are 2 more bedrooms, a family bathroom and a guest toilet/utility room. Everything in the apartment is brand new including fixtures and fittings, wooden floors, appliances, light fittings, furniture, etc.
Ideal for families and friends up to 5 people, with 2 double and 1 single bed in 3 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms and a guest toilet. Cot and high chair available for infants. Unlimited wireless internet, plasma TV and DVD player. All essentials are supplied including bed linen and towels, crockery and cutlery.
A great area with a massive choice of shops on Finchley Road including O2 shopping centre around the corner with a large supermarket, massive bookshop, a cinema and an up market sports centre. Finchley Road itself has plenty of excellent pubs, restaurants/café/bars, delicatessens, greengrocers, etc
It is very well connected, only a few stops away from Bond Street on Jubilee line and with easy access to West End and within 15 minutes by underground to all major London attractions.
The flat is a great base from which to explore Camden Market, London Zoo, Madam Tussaud's, Oxford Street, British Museum, Trafalgar Square, Westminster (the Abbey, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament), Buckingham Palace, London Eye, Shard, Tower Of London, South Bank, Harrods,(concert halls, theatres, galleries and cinemas), the Imperial War Museum, etc There is also an overground railway from Finchley and Frognal station going to Hampstead, Richmond, Camden, and Stratford as well as numerous buses. The green spaces of Hampstead Heath, Regent's Park and Hyde Park are close by if you fancy a walk.
Famous Camden market is 20 minutes walk and West End is about half an hour on foot or 15 minutes by underground.
|Price for > 3 guests
|21 € per guest/night extra
|Maximum nights
|3 months
|Check-in after
|Check-in before
|On arrangement
|Check-out before
|Cancellation Policy
Exceptional apartment and a great, nice and accomodating host (organised the additional sofa bed within the hour!).
Our original apartment was cancelled one day before the trip and Wimdu organized us this apartment within two hours in the evening! Thanks Martha and Snezana!
Everything worked out for the best. Snezana welcomed us to her great apartment. Everything was brand new, extremly clean and beautifully done. We enjoyed our 10 days immensly.
Ciao eravamo in 7 amiche e ci siamo trovate benissimo. L'appartamento è comodo, funzionale e completo di tutto (stoviglie, lenzuola, asciugamani, saponi, detersivi, phon, ferro da stiro, zucchero, caffè, ecc). Il bagno pur essendo piccolo non è stato un problema. Abbiamo trovato tutto pulito ed in ordine. La fermata della metro Quenn's Park sulla linea Bakerloo è veramente a pochi passi, come anche piccoli negozi. La linea della metro passa per le principali stazioni per cui si può raggiungere agevolmente ogni destinazione.
Cordiale Snezana nell'accoglierci.
Si possono anche lasciare i bagagli in deposito l'ultimo giorno.
Sicuramente da consigliare!
Paola, Cristina, Rossella, Baby, Lara, Sara, Marilena
bellissima zona l'appartamento davvero bello e ospitale la proprietaria gentile e disponibile quartiere tranquillo in zona 2 ben servito 5 minuti dalla metro
Appartamento ben pulito e arioso lo consiglio sicuramente
The flat has a wonderful location, situated directly next a tube station and all the shops you need a well as a lot of good restaurants and cafés.
The flat is tidy and clean and very well equipped. We stayed there with our 3 children and we all found it perfect.
La estancia en la casa ha sido muy buena, cumplia todas las necesidades para 5 adultos y 2 niños. La zona tranquila con el metro muy cerca" importante ",para comer bastantes sitios y supermercado cerca eso tambien es importante.
Snezana muy agradable y disponible para todo lo que fuera necesario.
La casa recomendable y nuestra estancia tambien, para volver otra vez.
Disfrutamos de este confortable apartamento durante cuatro días. Es amplio, muy limpio y funcional. Dispone de una cocina perfectamente equipada.
Situado a escasos cien metros de la parada de metro de Queen´s park, que conecta con Baker Street, Picadilly etc.
El trato de Snezana es excelente y se encarga de darte información sobre la zona. Es muy amable.
El barrio es tranquilo, muy seguro, justo enfrente del apartamento hay una comisaría de policía. Hay pequeñas tiendas de comestibles (un poco caras), pero a unos 300 metros de casa hay un supermercado más grande, y aunque allí todo es caro, tiene precios más económicos.
Agradable apartamento, bien equipado, limpio y funcional. Zona autenticamente "british" con accessos ràpidos bus y metro al centro. Buena recepcion a la llegada.
Very nice, spacious flat. Bit show the age but still is nice to spend time in. Perfect ever for 8 people. Cozy and greatly located (not so for to Underground, really close to bus stops). All needed is in walking distance - supermarket, pubs, restaurants, bakery. Very friendly and completely helpful host Snezana.
The host cancelled the booking, this review is automated.
We had a great 4 night stay at Snezana.
The apartment is very spacious and particularly well located close to the subway and shopping. He found it very functional for our group of 7 people.
Nous avons passé un très agréable séjour de 4 nuits chez Snezana.
L'appartement est très spacieux et particulièrement bien situé à proximité du métro et des commerces. Il s'est trouvé très fonctionnel pour notre groupe de 7 personnes.
- Quality assured accommodation
- Every host is verified by telephone
- Secure payment via SSL encryption


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Best Android puzzle games of all time
Take your brain out for a spin with some of the best games the Google Play Store has to offer. We've compiled a list of 10 puzzle titles that will make you think and offer plenty of fun along the way.
The Room ($0.99)
Imagine being locked in a strange room filled with antiques and weird items, and all those items are really puzzles that hide keys, notes and switches. That's what The Room is like, and it's a puzzle game that packs both challenge and mystery. Each level has players carefully moving around a 3D space to investigate furniture, puzzle boxes and strange artifacts, in search of the solution to move on. You'll also uncover the game's strange, supernatural story along the way.
Cut The Rope 2 (Free)
Like the original title in the series, Cut the Rope 2 primarily challenges players to use slashing motions to cut ropes. The ropes hold up a piece of candy, and your job is to guide it into the mouth of a waiting monster. To do that, you'll need careful timing and planning to cut the right ropes at the right time, and Cut The Rope 2 introduces lots of other elements, like characters with different abilities that you'll have to manipulate to find the best solutions to each level.
TETRIS (Free)
One of the best-known puzzlers in video games is Tetris, and it's all about carefully stacking blocks in order to make complete lines from one side of the screen to be over. Blocks fall from the top of the screen, and you have a limited amount of time to move them into place and arrange them to fit together like puzzle pieces. As your score rises, the blocks fall faster, filling the screen with extras that you'll have to clear by creating lines before they take over the screen.
World of Goo ($4.99)
The goo balls of World of Goo are both characters and the building blocks players need to solve its many puzzles. In each, your job is to place goo balls together, forming a scaffold between them that lets you build structures like towers or bridges. The idea is to reach the other side of the level, where a pipe will vacuum up the goo you didn't use -- you're scored on how efficiently you can build your solution while keeping it structurally sound.
Layton Brothers Mystery Room (Free)
There are murders to solve in Layton Brothers Mystery Room, and in order to find out what happened to each of the victims and nail down who did it, you'll need to investigate crime scenes, examine clues and question witnesses. The game tasks players with carefully analyzing clues to find contradictions in characters' stories, so you can determine who the culprit is in each case.
Strata ($2.99)
Weaving doesn't sound like the most interesting of activities for a game, but in Strata, it requires lots of puzzle-solving logic. In each puzzle, you need to weave colored strands together in a specific order to get a desired picture, with the right colors in the right places. That means figuring out the order, which becomes more and more complex over time, and requires players to think carefully and plan to get the best score possible.
Tiny Thief (Free)
A stealth game as well as a puzzle title, Tiny Thief challenges players to make their way through various levels without being seen by guards and other enemies. The goal is to steal a number of items in each stage, but you'll need to figure out how to do that in order to succeed. You'll need to move to the right locations to stay hidden, figure out how to outsmart the game's enemies, and solve other small puzzles to navigate each stage and get the best score possible.
Dots: A Game About Connecting (Free)
Arcade puzzler Dots has similarities to games like Tetris -- you clear objects off the screen by connecting them in a certain way. In Dots, your job is to draw lines between various dots of the same color, which are adjacent to each other on a grid. Your score goes higher the more dots you clear at a time, so the goal is to clear dots strategically to make larger groups of a single color. All of this is timed, so it's a race against the clock to pull down the best score you can.
Where's My Water? 2 (Free)
Your job in the puzzles of Where's My Water 2 is to help guide water from one pipe to another by digging a path through the dirt between , using your finger. It sounds simple, but the game brings some challenge as you try to move the water carefully and even have to do things like change it to steam or ice in order to accomplish the goal. The game also adds more characters and game modes to the mix to change the way you'll take on its levels.
Triple Town (Free)
You've likely played games in the match 3 genre before, but Triple Town takes the usual matching gameplay and adds layers of strategy. Your goal is to create a town by matching elements together -- matching three bushes makes a tree, three trees makes a house, and so on. The higher up the line you get with more and more complex objects, the higher your score when you inevitably run out of room in your house. You'll also need to beware bears that will crowd up crucial spaces.


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Originally Posted by Flasteel
This has got to be the only reason we are dusting off the original look. I'm not sure that even celebrating 80 years justifies bringing back this atrocity of a uniform. Good God it is absolutely hideous.
As was the play back then
I guess that make it appropriate for the anniversary.
I only hope our PLAY does not deteriorate to a throwback level of ineptnesss.
Forum Rules


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Kawhi Leonard had a career-high 26 points, leading short-handed San Antonio to an impressive 103-89 victory against the host Chicago Bulls.
CHICAGO — Tim Duncan was dressed in street clothes, with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili joining him on the bench. San Antonio's three biggest stars got up occasionally to cheer on teammates, but that was the extent of their contribution Monday.
On this night, the league-leading Spurs did just fine without them.
Kawhi Leonard scored a career-high 26 points and Danny Green had 18, leading short-handed San Antonio to an impressive 103-89 victory over the Chicago Bulls.
"One would hope that you could play with anybody in your system, but it was a tough challenge for them tonight," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "And I couldn't be more proud of what they did."
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Parker, Duncan and Ginobili were all out with injuries, and swingman Stephen Jackson also missed the game because of "personal business," according to team officials. With Duncan on the sideline, the Spurs were outrebounded 49-26, including a whopping 17-2 deficit on the offensive glass.
San Antonio still managed to win, due in large part to 19 Chicago turnovers the Spurs turned into 29 points.
Nate Robinson, a former standout for the Washington Huskies and Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, scored 20 points for the Bulls.
"When you outrebound somebody like we did and to be in the position we were in, we beat ourselves," said Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, lamenting the turnovers.
knocks off Boston
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Byron Mullens had 25 points and 18 rebounds, and the Charlotte Bobcats defeated Boston 94-91 to snap the Celtics' seven-game winning streak.
Kevin Garnett had 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Celtics, but missed an 18-footer that would have put his team ahead late in the game.
Boston's Paul Pierce and Avery Bradley had chances to send the game into overtime in the final seconds, but missed open three-pointers.
• Luke Ridnour, a former Sonic who is from Blaine, scored a game-high 21 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves won 100-92 at Cleveland. Minnesota had lost its previous eight road games.
• Chris Paul had 21 points and 11 assists to help the visiting Los Angeles Clippers beat Philadelphia 107-90. Jamal Crawford, a Rainier Beach High graduate, and Blake Griffin each scored 20 for the Pacific Division-leading Clippers, who ended a 4-4 trip.
• The Golden State Warriors will wear what team officials are calling the "first modern short-sleeve NBA uniform system" for three home games, with the debut scheduled for Feb. 22.


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The Big Idea: The Rubbish Diet
Filed under: Fellowship
Imagine a world where we don't throw anything away. Everything is reused, composted or recycled and people living on the same street work together and share resources.
Katy Anderson FRSA from social enterprise Cwm Harry is working towards this vision of a zero waste world through The Rubbish Diet, the UK's slimming club for bins. She would like to invite Fellows across the UK to join the thousands of people who are helping bringing zero waste closer by committing to a completely new kind of New Year's Diet.
Across the UK, huge amounts of valuable recyclable materials are being lost to landfill and incineration. In West London, where the Rubbish Diet is working in six boroughs, 67% of the waste sent to landfill could have been recycled.
It goes to landfill by train, the waste train is one-third of a mile long, taking 1,000 tonnes of "rubbish", six days a week. 1,000,000 recyclable bottles a week go to landfill every week on the train, when they could have been made into new bottles and been back on the supermarket shelves in just 3 weeks.
How does it work?
Anyone can join The Rubbish Diet by taking an easy online challenge to slim their bins. The Diet will motivate you to set a goal and measure your progress by tackling two simple steps over just a few weeks.
You'll receive emails with great tips on how to recycle to the max, make the most of your food and avoid waste altogether. Dieters experience very quickly the positive difference their actions make to their waste and they are encouraged to share their ideas and questions, creating a whole new conversation about waste reduction and the positive impact it has on our lives.
Dieters then spread the word amongst their friends and family, and so the Diet grows…
Crucially, The Rubbish Diet tackles the issues that make it hard to avoid waste – this quarter we're focusing on packaging, culminating with a workshop at the Resource Event on Thursday 5 March 2015.
The Results
On average people slim their bins by 40% on the Diet, and the change is permanent. Slimming your bin will save you money as you'll reduce food waste and start reusing more, and it has obvious benefits for the environment – food waste alone in the UK is the equivalent of one in four cars on our roads in terms of carbon emissions.
Thousands of people have already taken the Rubbish Diet across UK, taking it online, in collaboration with their whole street or in a group. Jackie and Howard from Shrewsbury took the Diet with their street, meeting to talk rubbish with their neighbours over tea and cake. They now have slim bins, run clothes swaps and share trips to the recycling centre, and have gotten to know their neighbours! Since they started two years ago, they've saved 6 tonnes from landfill.
Simon who shrank his overflowing wheelie bin by two thirds said:
"I'm so proud of what we've achieved – you could heat the house on my smugness. The whole family is loving our weekly trip to the market where we can buy food with less packaging, and save money too".
Taking a close look at what we throw away has a real impact on our lifestyles. As Dieter Sarah from Harrow explains.
"I thought I was good at recycling, but The Rubbish Diet Challenge has really made a big impact on how I view, well, everything in fact. It's really changed my life. It made me think about the make do and mend culture that everyone had back in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. I am much more careful about what I buy, and I reuse and mend much more than I used to. "
The Rubbish Diet solution finally provides a structured, yet fun, community based way to recycle. Sign-up and let Katy know how you think it could be shared in your area.
Katy Anderson is Co-founder of The Rubbish Diet Challenge. To find out more visit http://www.therubbishdiet.org.uk/ or contact Katy on email@example.com
Developing Socially Productive Places
Filed under: Social Economy
Today we publish Developing Socially Productive Places, which explores the relationship between the physical and social aspects of community-building and place-making. We want to challenge and support local authorities, developers, communities and businesses to deepen their understanding of what makes places good for people in the long term. (Social productivity is defined as the additional social value that can be created through better relationships between citizens, society, business and public services.)
During a period when property values are rising in most parts of the UK and development activity is picking up, a key concern of local authorities and other accountable bodies is that economic growth must benefit residents while improving public finances. Many areas face population pressures and ageing infrastructure, and new development is a key driver of change.
Development is one of the most powerful drivers of local political engagement, and therefore the planning process represents a significant gateway to stronger community relations and dialogue on a range of issues.
In the report, the RSA draws on the keynote address made to April's conference by former housing minister Mark Prisk MP. Mark Prisk outlined the challenge to provide dense development while balancing the need for long-term flexibility and public and private interests. Several examples in the report illustrate how progressive approaches can support socially and economically valuable outcomes at different stages of the development process – from engaging communities in planning to evaluating impact on well-being.
The financial crisis of 2008 led to a stalling of many development projects across the UK and highlighted the fragility of relying on corporate financing to change the physical assets in a place. From a tumultuous period of recent economic history, new approaches to placemaking are beginning to emerge, often led or catalysed by community groups, and based on a clear expression of values and outcomes.
Creativity, appropriation, and a rediscovery of the ability of citizens to shape their everyday spaces are highlighting the benefits of emergent and adaptive approaches – with 'pop-up' and 'meanwhile' temporary uses becoming more common in the mainstream landscape.
We argue transition should be considered a structural feature of the way places will be built, with a new set of tools that deal with this uncertainty.
The report highlights that developing places involves initiatives big and small, temporary and long-lasting. Development does not always have to come from developers. A plurality of approaches is needed. While community-led development approaches can be nimble, large corporate developers can bring significant value, leveraging money, resources and expertise beyond that available locally, and having the ability to operate at speed and scale. This means all types of developers will require a wide range of new competencies: successful place-making requires an understanding of how people, households and community networks respond to and use the opportunities afforded by the built environment.
Socially productive places are neighbourhoods and districts where people are enabled individually and collectively to meet their own needs and achieve their aspirations for issues which matter to them.
Policymakers need to do more to develop frameworks in which communities, developers and councils can sustain long term partnerships. Long-term property value is driven by the long-term economic relevance of an asset. Remaining relevant in the long-term requires places to be adaptable. Managing the forces and harnessing the potential of development through planning requires resources, capacity and coordination. Local authorities therefore have a crucial role in using planning and development to reinforce wider social and economic objectives.
Ultimately the success of a development should be judged by its impact on those who use it, and its ability to contribute to a broader set of social and economic outcomes. Planning is a frontline public service, which doesn't exist in isolation from other public sector roles which influence how a place functions. Investing in planning can bring value to other public sector objectives, and pro-actively strengthen relationships between developers, incoming people and businesses and existing communities.
Progress will only be made if both public and private sectors, individuals and community groups, collaborate in new ways. We want today's report to stimulate conversations up and down the UK about how we can best develop socially productive places.
Jonathan Schifferes is a Senior Researcher and lead author for the report. He is working on the City Growth Commission and you can follow him on Twitter (@jschifferes)
RSA and Clore: investing in individuals to create long-lasting change
Filed under: Fellowship
As part of my role at the RSA, I frequently meet and speak to people who have a personal goal to start their own business or social enterprise…at some point.
Starting up on your own is certainly no easy feat – in fact we often discuss the potential obstacles that lie ahead at the RSA's monthly Social Entrepreneurs breakfast. However, one thing I have noticed is that the first barrier is not (as you might think) imagined lack of capital; it's simply getting started.
Seemingly, a number of skilled, imaginative people are just unsure how or where to begin.
It wasn't until I began working at the RSA that I fully appreciated the value of having a support structure. I thought breaking out on your own was something you should do…alone? I soon learnt that successful leaders do quite the opposite: they join a network, get training and tap into all the help that's available.
A couple of weeks ago, we hosted an evening event at RSA House for thirty individuals currently undertaking the Clore Leadership Programme which focuses on those with experience working in the Arts, and the Clore Social Leadership Programme which is primarily for people with careers in the social sectors. We were privileged to have a mixture of current Clore Fellows join us for some drinks, networking and an historical tour of the building.
For those who don't know, the Clore programmes are designed to develop strong leaders in the cultural and social sectors so that more individuals are better equipped to engender positive change in their communities, organisations and the world around them.
Given the electic mix of experience and knowledge in the room a number of interesting conversations were initiated – from discussing the trajectory of the Walt Disney corporation, to the role of art in school curriculums – Clore Leaders are inspiring and inspired company. For more information about the current cohort of Clore Cultural and Social Leaders you can view full profiles on the respective websites.
We were also joined by Asma Shah FRSA who spoke to the room about her social enterprise Ladies Who L-EARN. Asma demonstrates exactly how transformative the Clore programme can be. With a background in the Arts, Asma was a Clore Cultural Fellow though as she pointed out, you wouldn't know it now as her current work sits firmly within the social sector.
Upon finishing the programme she joined the RSA Fellowship and by applying to RSA Catalyst, Asma was able to get her project off the ground. Since then she has been able to access further funding, attract more volunteers and ultimately, help more women.
Asma was keen to point out the combination of the Clore Fellowship and RSA Fellowship is a powerful one. This cannot be overemphasised. Asma began working with women in her community who had limited access to the kind of training or social capital that she had gained from joining influential, supportive networks like Clore and the RSA.
The RSA has partnered with Clore Leadership for nine years now and we continue to work together because of our mutual belief that investing in individuals is one of the fundamental ways to improve society.
Part of investing in people is offering them a framework to carry their ideas, so that getting started is never an obstacle.
Alexandra Barker is a Fellowship Development Coordiantor at the RSA
If you would like more infromation about RSA Fellowship or any of people or projects mentioned above, then contact email@example.com
There's more to shops than shopping
Filed under: Enterprise, Social Economy
While several retailers sit reflecting on a disappointing Christmas trading period, 2014 promises to buzz with excitement about online, mobile and social network tools to get you to buy things. We've heard plenty about the 'death of the High Street'; its time to contemplate the future of the 'big box' out-of-town superstores in the online era. Shops are about more than shopping, their advantage remains face-to-face interaction. Retailers need to make physical stores community hubs to entice shoppers, appease a restless public, and help a stretched public sector.
New research we released today suggests that a future retail model must make the most of the physical assets of large stores and their network of human relationships. A big supermarket typically hosts 200 staff and 10,000 customers every day. Physical space offers the opportunity for services and experiences which can't be replicated online. Most important for shops, as people live more of their lives staring at screens, is human interaction. As well as sites of consumption stores are sites of social interaction and employment with a role in combating loneliness and isolation which are increasing. Our previous research found 40% of shoppers at one large DIY store talked with other customers.
With every self-service checkout there is a missed opportunity to build a relationship between staff and shoppers.
What's in store for the store of the future? We are already seeing shopping malls, retail parks and town centres add leisure and entertainment attractions, but participants in our research wanted to see a wider range of community services offered at large supermarkets. As well as existing cafes and pharmacies, large stores have the flexibility to use space in their car parks, staff rooms and back office. Two years ago Asda started letting community groups use space in store for free; since then they've been used 65,000 times. In this period of public sector austerity, we've seen libraries and youth services shut their doors and while need for support rises. Local residents suggested to us that they wanted to see their local Asda used for recruiting volunteers, expanded health services and hosting homework clubs, art shows and sports tournaments. Successful large stores will need to be fun destinations: there could be food markets by day and drive-in movies by night in the car park.
In coming to terms with the rise of online shopping, we are not rejecting the concept of physical shopping as is frequently claimed. Rather, we are using apps and websites as a new channel to browse and buy, adapting the way that we use stores. As digital platforms which make sharing product information, comparing prices and organising consumer campaigns easier, key attributes that brands desire, like trust, must be translated to new types of customer interactions.
In reconfiguring the shop floor for the mobile-connected consumer, stores will need to differentiate themselves from competition, build loyalty and secure a reputation for being a positive force in society. Realising this prize will mean creating social value for the locally-connected citizen. We call the exploration of these opportunities 'community venturing'. Early indications from Asda's Community Life programme – which the RSA evaluated for its report – suggest that the most socially valuable projects will be developed in partnership between charities, public sector agencies and business.
So why should a large national supermarket care about community venturing? It gives people a range of reasons to visit a big store and deepens relationships which can generate local insight: something commercially valuable to retailers. As Campbell's Soup is finding at their headquarters in New Jersey, engaging in community work is inspiring to employees. Perhaps most importantly, it's in the interests of a big store to grow the social economy and help local people lead fulfilling and rewarding lives.
You can't have a thriving store in a failing place.
In 2013 national retailers faced public and political scrutiny over supply chain practices, pay conditions and tax payments. In 2014, High Streets will continue to adapt, and new retail businesses will show us products and producers in new ways. Several recent research reviews have suggested that with coordination among stores, High Streets can harness the power and reach of online channels. Vacancy rates will stabilise in most places; independent businesses have often been first to respond to the opportunities of contemporary consumer demands whether its coffee, bike repairs, or ethical products. Internet companies, both startups and established heavyweights, will increasingly try to develop a localised retail offer. It's up to our big national chain stores to use their local presence to beat them to it and offer us something as citizens as well as consumers.
This blog was first published on Huffington Post.
Jonathan Schifferes (@jschifferes) is a Senior Researcher working with 2020 Public Services and Connected Communities
Connecting space, place and democracy at the Library of Birmingham
Filed under: Fellowship
This is a guest blog from RSA Catalyst supported West Midlands Fellow John Blewitt. He reflects on the impact of Catalyst and the new Library of Birmingham on his work to connect spaces and people with democratic actions.
Over the last couple of years I have been working closely with the library service in
Birmingham and Worcester and have been fortunate to have become a Library of Birmingham 'Face'. The Library of Birmingham is a prestigious public project at the heart of the city centre aiming to animate the city socially, economically and politically. Architecturally engaging and 'iconic' in the true sense of the word, it is most importantly a major investment and commitment to the public sphere and citizens' right to the city.
Libraries need to become event spaces for democracy, culture and learning
Public expenditure cuts have led to the closure of many libraries in the UK but these financial pressures have also coincided with a need to completely rethink the nature of public libraries as a public space and place. Mobile digital technologies, tablets and smart phones, the Internet, e-books, Twitter, Facebook and the like are shifting the way we socialize, communicate, access information and learn about the world around us. They offer us all sorts of amazing new opportunities unimaginable only a few years ago, but there are problems.
Some of those problems are well known – lack of skills or access and perhaps a growing passivity that comes with the ease of clicking here to buy, to vote or to think, or watch the aftermath of a hurricane or Strictly Come Dancing. The term 'clictivism' has now entered our language. In some ways, of course, it was ever thus and I'm sure there were analog equivalents.
What is really worrying is the sense that civil society needs reactivating. It needs to be given a life that is not completely composed of 0111001001111 and commodified entertainments. There has been a great deal of talk about the need for increased literacy and numeracy, social engagement in volunteering, and a more responsive political democracy and a less disaffected citizenry. The Big Society has come and gone as has the Occupy movement, the flurry of student protests over £9000 per annum fees and the urban riots that targeted mobile phone and fashionable shops.
Public libraries, a space for active debate?
We no longer seem to have spaces and places where we can come together physically, openly and freely to discuss issues and events that are in essence political. Democracy needs an informed citizenry. It needs public spaces and places that are connected to other spaces and to people as citizens who want to learn and discuss issues that are not filtered and framed by News Corporation, Google, or Jeremy Paxman. Public libraries are such places. In fact, they are one of very few public spaces and places left in our increasingly commodified and privatized world where this can occur.
Democracy needs an informed citizenry
I recently used the wonderful Library of Birmingham to run two public events supported by the RSA Fellowship and Aston University. The first was focused on the concept of resilience – a term used with increasing frequency in business, sustainable development, society, urban government and education. How the term resilience is being used was the topic of a book I recently wrote with Daniella Tilbury, which served as the basis of a genuinely interesting discussion on what we humans want to do with our future. People from business, education, charities and from the city came together on the evening of Halloween to deliberate, think and learn. It was a public event, in a public place and it was free. You can get an idea of what was discussed at the event here.
Two weeks later I ran and chaired a larger event held in the Studio Theatre at the Library of Birmingham. The topic was the future of our public services in an era of austerity and ecological limits to economic growth. The Green House Think Tank presented its views as expressed in Smaller but Better? Post Growth Public Services, and a panel consisting of Matthew Taylor (CEO, RSA), Heather Wakefield (Unison), Cllr Stewart Stacey (Birmingham City Council) and Josie Kelly (Aston University) responded energetically. However, it was the questions and comments coming from the audience that produced the most interesting and thoughtful contributions of the evening. The event lasted two hours but could have easily gone beyond. As I was preparing to leave the reasons became for this became obvious. Some departing audience members said to me, "why don't we have discussions like this more often?", "what are you putting on next?", "you don't get this on the TV" and, from one of the theatre's A/V technicians, "that was really interesting – most things are so boring".
My conclusion?
Given the opportunity, the experience, the place and space for democratic discussion many people do and will engage with enthusiasm, commitment and intelligence. Far from being disaffected I believe there is actually a hunger for public spaces where public democracy can be enacted. And, public libraries offer such spaces because they are trusted, respected, neutral and, most importantly, PUBLIC. But to prosper in our consumerist digital age they need to remain public, remain relevant and remain committed to public education and public democracy. They need to become event spaces for democracy, culture and learning
As an RSA Catalyst Award winner I am concerned to connect these trusted spaces and places to a range of activities that will help engage people as citizens rather than as consumers, as active learners and as creators and producers of a vibrant civic public sphere. Public libraries are an important but threatened element of our public sphere. My Catalyst project titled Connecting Spaces and Places, recognises the very important physical spaces libraries offer can be complemented by digital technologies but cannot be replaced by them. Thus, public libraries are becoming culturally open 'event spaces' and they need to be promoted and used as such if they are to survive as democratic spaces.
The Library of Birmingham has a space, 'Brainbox', on the first floor which could conceivably be used for any creative and innovative activity. What it will be used for will be determined by the people using it. No predetermined plan, no strategy, no prescriptions but genuine innovation and free exploration. The RSA funding I received has enabled me to practically encourage people to use and view library spaces in ways they would not previously have done. It has attempted to make real that global call to make real our right to the city.
OK, my two recent events involved talking but talking is doing too as we must all talk democracy to make democracy happen. I intend to initiate other library based events, activities and hopefully exhibitions in the near future. If you want to join me and continue this debate please get in touch via email.
Co-producing theory and practice: new Centre for Citizenship and Community launched
Filed under: Social Economy
The Centre for Citizenship and Community, a new collaboration between the RSA, the University of Central Lancashire and the Royal Society for Public Health, was formally launched at the RSA House yesterday. Grounding academic and social research in community practice, the Centre will bring together researchers and practitioners from universities, public bodies, voluntary organisations and business to implement community projects and guide social policy using a Connected Communities approach to social and community networks. The launch consisted of key-note speeches from the Centre's associates followed by a series of discussion groups held by delegates from numerous professional backgrounds to debate the policy implications of the Centre's early perspectives.
Co-production: a connected communities approach to social policy
In a plenary speech David Morris, Professor of mental health, inclusion and community at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and the Centre for Citizenship and Community, spoke about how the Centre will promote a vision of the 'social value of empowered communities' being integrated into public policy, with a culture of co-production emerging in public services. He stressed the need for policy makers to recognise the complexity and potential that lies within communities, to build innovations around shared community assets, and to use Connected Communities-inspired research to inform the production of community owned, networked social interventions.
Afterwards, RSA Connected Communities director of research Steve Broome criticised what he described as the standard 'deficit model' of viewing communities, which focuses exclusively on their problems rather than their assets and potential. In contrast he demonstrated how social networks approaches help us to understand communities using an 'attribute model' which reveals which assets in a community help people interact and support one another. He emphasised the prominent role that public services play in supplying or supporting these community assets, and went on to highlight the danger that ill-considered spending cuts present to social networks when community assets are not mapped or recognised. A forthcoming RSA report will develop these themes further, focusing on the viability of community assets and social networks in the context of government austerity.
Theory into co-produced practice: Murton 'mams' and ways to wellbeing
Examples of such projects were presented by Mandy Chivers of Mersey Care NHS Care Trust and Lyndsey Wood of the East Durham Trust. Both organisations are working in partnership with the RSA and UCLan to implement co-produced, network-based community projects based on findings from Connected Communities research. In Liverpool, Mersey Care is training volunteers from the BAME community in the principles of the New Economic Foundation's 'five ways to wellbeing', while in Murton, a former mining town, the East Durham Trust has helped set up a new social group for single mothers called 'Murton Mams', in which the activities and programme are led by the members of the group themselves to help combat the widespread isolation among this group that the Connected Communities findings revealed.
Challenges ahead: austerity, tolerated harshness, and championing social networks
Following the introductory talks, attendees split into discussion groups to debate the implications of the presentations for public policy and community practice, and to begin to think about what the Centre can contribute to such debates in the future. Some key points that emerged from these discussions included:
i) The need for the Centre to promote and build the status of social networks in a context in which the very existence of 'communities' often seems to be doubted. The evidence base for a networked approach to public and community policy must be vigorously argued.
ii) The need to be conscious of the risk of 'making a contrivance out of ordinary connection'. Co-production, in other words, must avoid the pitfalls of regularising informal, reciprocal relationships, or exposing what David Halpern has called the 'hidden wealth' of communities to overly harsh light where they would be better preserved by remaining hidden. An example given was the 'spontaneous expression of citizenship' of a train ticket saleswoman who enjoys smiling at her customers and once decided to give Easter eggs to her regulars; if a statutory system of formalised gift-giving on public transport was initiated, the spontaneity and charm of the exchange would doubtless be compromised.
Other challenges were also discussed. Morris and Broome both highlighted the dangers posed to sometimes fragile networks by austerity, growing inequality, and 'externally enforced fragmentation', while it was elsewhere noted that cultural norms are becoming less social, along the lines of what Hugo Young described as a growing 'tolerated harshness' in society. Other attendees urged that co-productive services must be genuinely co-produced with public services taking an active role, rather than simply deferring responsibility or 'outsourcing by another name'.
The mood was on the whole optimistic, however, with numerous attendees stating that they welcomed the opportunity to network and debate issues in this way, and praising the new Centre as a valuable line of communication between community-oriented actors from the academic, public, private, and third sectors.
Based in the School of Social Work at UCLan and the King's Fund offices in London, the Centre for Citizenship and Community will meet regularly over the coming months and offers organisations dedicated support for community engagement through:
- Strategies and integrated programmes for social and community- based commissioning
- Service development and redesign, based on economic modelling and cost-benefit analysis, organisational, leadership and workforce development
This is backed up by:
- Bespoke programmes of accredited learning and professional development
- Programme evaluation and research evidence.
Its associates will be posting regular updates from varied perspectives on the RSA's blogging platform; in the meantime, more information on the Centre including contact details can be found on the RSA website. If you would like to be notified when the forthcoming RSA report on the impact of austerity on communities is published, or to be kept informed of the work of the Centre for Citizenship and Community, email firstname.lastname@example.com and request to be added the the RSA Action and Research Centre mail list.
Could an underemployed MP manage Manchester United?
Filed under: Education Matters
As a committed Labour supporter, Alex Ferguson's announcement to retire could have been better timed. It took the heat and light out of a Queen's speech that was even duller than her annual Christmas message. If Ed Miliband did give the front bench the hairdryer treatment, it was lost in the photos, eulogies and trophy infographics of one of Britain's greatest post war leaders (or is that brand-builder?)
We shouldn't judge a government by the content of its Queen's speech. Halfway through an administration, the big policy changes have already been pushed through, and the inevitable suite of unintended outcomes have not yet revealed themselves. It may be that "we don't need much legislation". New laws don't grow economies, although like most of us I can't quite work out what might.
But a dearth of real parliamentary business offers a potential opportunity. Margaret Hodge pointed out recently that too many MPs don't have enough to do. This year's legislative programme may lead to even more slack time.
How might MPs fill this time? There probably isn't any room for more MPs at Number 10, whatever school they went to. As more policies become scrutiny-ready, Select Committee members should get even busier. The unlucky ones will be swallowed by the dull machinations of party business. Others may find more interests to register this time next year (one of the greatest ideas to come from Mark Thomas' People's Manifesto was that MPs, like F1 drivers, should be forced to wear the logo of any organisation which pays them). The natural and ethical way to fill your time will be to serve your real employers, your local constituents. A few MPs such as Stella Creasy and Robert Halfon are taking this beyond the standard reactive surgery and letter-passing approach to become genuine community entrepreneurs in their patch. Matthew Taylor once proposed that MPs should be given specific government projects to oversee, to improve their understanding of implementation, and feel the heat of accountability.
However, there could also be scope for under-occupied MPs to use some of the time to transcend the short term needs of their constituents, and the myopic demands of parliamentary non-business. They could do what politicians of all sides find most difficult, partly because we voters make it so difficult for them – to think about the longer term challenges we face, outside of traditional party or departmental divisions, and develop philosophies and policy ideas that will probably have too much depth to be manifesto-ready.
So for those MPs who are twiddling thumbs rather than fiddling expenses, here's an offer of work. RSA education is currently developing a new research programme to redefine adolescence. How can society relish rather than fear the teenage years, harnessing its 'hidden wealth'? How might attitudes, funding and policy towards adolescence make the same step change that we saw in the Early Years during the last 15 years? We are looking for a small number of MPs from all parties to help develop this programme. The salary is less than minimal, the coffee isn't great, and the chances of promotion and prizes are zero, let alone of winning cups with big ears.
Joe Hallgarten, Director of Education @joehallg
Feeding Connected Communities
Filed under: Social Economy, Uncategorized
One evening last summer, for reasons I can neither adequately remember nor explain, I found myself at the 'alternative' 300th birthday party for Jean-Jacques Rousseau, in the outdoor courtyard of a former squat in Geneva.
Being neither an expert on Rousseau nor a French speaker, I sat awkwardly through the lengthy speeches from local historians and activists, while an English-speaker patiently filled me in on the history of this cooperative-run apartment block; how it had been earmarked to be bulldozed to make way for a supermarket in the midst of the city's 1980s housing crisis before being squatted by a band of community activists who had, eventually, secured ownership rights to the building.
Finally the speeches ended, and the party switched to an activity I could understand: eating. Heaps of sausages and vegetable cous-cous appeared as if from nowhere, and people squeezed alongside each other on long picnic tables to tuck in and chat. Any divisions among the group were invisible as private tenants and former squatters alike talked and laughed and kept each other's glasses filled with cheap red wine. Nobody seemed to object to my presence as an uninvited stranger taking far more than my share of sausages, a greedy Anglo-Saxon unacquainted with their continental and collectivist ways. They explained to me that, while this was a special occasion, they often met as a group to share a meal, and that this ritual fostered the community spirit which enabled them to successfully organise and manage the once dilapidated but now thriving property. I remember feeling a distinct sense of warmth, a convivial and exciting atmosphere as people bonded over the breaking of bread.
This is the kind of scene that Tim Smit, the founder of Cornwall's Eden Project, has been creating all over this country through his latest brainchild, The Big Lunch. He was at the RSA last night, along with the broadcaster Fi Glover, Linda Quinn from the project's backer The Big Lottery Fund, and Jonathan Carr-West of the Local Government Information Unit, to discuss what can be learned from The Big Lunch project about community building.
The title for the evening's event was 'Where Does Responsibility For Community Lie?', and this is a question that greatly interests me as a project developer on the RSA's Connected Communities programme. Is it possible for a third party or an external campaign to help build social capital and encourage a community spirit, or can such feelings only be aroused by people acting independently and spontaneously? Does government have a role in creating the conditions in which communities can flourish? What is the role of business and the third sector? And what the heck do we mean by 'community' anyway?
Smit and his co-panelists had much to offer on these subjects and much besides. Smit talked about how food, and the British institution of the Sunday lunch, is a crucial element in encouraging people to gain the confidence to knock on each other's doors and turn strangers into neighbours. This, in short, is what Smit claims an external project like The Big Lunch can do; in his words it can 'give people permission' to overcome shyness and take responsibility to act in the community.
Smit said that he hopes that within ten years the pizzazz of 'The Big Lunch' branding and publicity won't be needed, and that a regular, grassroots 'neighbours day' will have outgrown the initial project. But he also sees the potential for something much bigger to emerge out of the initial small-talk that occurs over an outdoor dining table. Especially keen Lunch organisers are invited down to The Eden Project for training as social activists and organisers, and are encouraged to develop the confidence to help mobilise communities in new and potentially radical ways. In the modern context of the traditional, hierarchical modes of centralised politics being seen to be losing relevance and influence, Smit says that 'the potential for a really powerful social force' lies among horizontally-organised groups of citizens.
Back in the present, Carr-West was on hand to discuss the impact of The Big Lunch to date, following the publication of his report on the project. Headline figures of 8.5 million participants over four years, with 82% reporting that they felt closer to their neighbours as a result, are remarkable, but some of the more qualitative observations are just as significant. Conversations, he said, weave the fabric of communities and allow people to feel better about themselves while also building social capital. He pointed to evidence that an increase in social capital is good for people's health, it's good for the economy, and it helps to lower crime. Furthermore it cannot be monopolised – or cut – by governments as it is held collectively in society. And yet the public sector does have a role, he maintained, in helping to connect community activists with one another to run services, provide social support, and enact change, with local councils especially well-placed to facilitate a kind of 'connected localism'.
All of this may sound like a lot of lofty talk when placed alongside Big Lunch photographs of people wearing face-paint and cutting Victoria sponge cakes underneath lines of bunting. But the culturally ingrained custom, built up over millennia, of people coming together around food in an atmosphere of sharing, warmth and safety, allows for social connections to form. And as the RSA's Connected Communities programme helps to show, our social networks go a long way to determining our wellbeing, our employability, our health and our ability to get things done in society. And that is something that my erstwhile dining companions in that housing cooperative in Geneva are living testament to.
Bursting the Twitter bubble
Filed under: Social Brain, Social Economy
Yesterday I was interviewed by a researcher from the University of Manchester who is working on a collaborative research project examining the use of social media platforms such as Twitter. The project aims to explore how people use social media in their daily lives and the extent to which people's use of social media reflects local issues, events and concerns. It is part of the Manchester eResearch Centre which exists to explore how the recent explosion in social media and the interactive web opens up opportunities for understanding societal issues and concerns. So far so interesting…
Having already interviewed a community forum, the police, city council and local MPs, the researcher is in the process of recruiting and interviewing individuals who live in South Manchester and are 'well-networked users of Twitter.' She'd got in touch with me via someone she met at a networking event, who had given my name as someone who he thought would fit the bill. I was slightly surprised – I tend to think that I don't really know what I'm doing with Twitter, and I'm an extremely long way removed from the major league 'twitterati'. Aside from that, I don't use Twitter all that much to share information about or discuss local issues, so I wasn't convinced I was quite what she was looking for.
I tend to think that I don't really know what I'm doing with Twitter, and I'm an extremely long way removed from the major league 'twitterati'.
Nevertheless, I agreed to be interviewed, not least because I was keen to hear more about the research project, and mindful of potential connections or overlaps of interest that might emerge through having the conversation. I wasn't disappointed. Aside from anything else, it was interesting to be on the other side of the voice recorder for once – there's a lot to learn from being interviewed rather than doing the interviewing.
Answering questions on my use of Twitter, the role it plays in my professional life, my personal life, and the connections between my use of Twitter and the community in which I live made me think about all these things in a particularly reflective way.
I was asked questions relating to how I use Twitter to provide information to other people, to organise debate and discussion, to gather support and interest and to portray sentiment in relation to various local issues, concerns and events. Like I've said, I don't really think of myself as someone who really knows how to use Twitter to great effect, so it was curious for me to discover that I had at least something to say in relation to each of these lines of questioning.
On one level, Twitter has facilitated the democratisation of news creation, information sharing and agenda setting. On another, it does little to engage, empower or enable members of society who are, in various ways, isolated or marginalised.
In answering the questions, I began to give examples and the discussion turned to the inclusiveness or otherwise of the Twittersphere. On one level, Twitter has facilitated the democratisation of news creation, information sharing and agenda setting. On another, it does little to engage, empower or enable some members of society who are, in various ways, isolated or marginalised. Aside from those members of society who do not have access to an internet enabled device, there are those for whom Twitter simply doesn't appeal. It isn't everyone's cup of tea, and why should it be?
My interviewer mentioned one member of the community forum she'd interviewed who was deeply negative, resistant, and unable to see any potential benefits of using social media to engage with the local community. We talked about professionals such as teachers, nurses and social workers, whose day jobs are are structured in such a way as to make it very difficult to be tweeting all the time alongside doing the job.
They may also already be part of existing communication networks that they are used to and that work well for them, or they may feel that using Twitter is a quasi-work activity that they'd rather not get involved in after hours. There's the public bodies for whom it is very difficult to use Twitter in the organic, instantaneous way that it needs to be used because of the need to adhere to policies and have all public communication formally approved and signed off. And there are people for whom Twitter is confusing, off-putting, boring or simply not their medium of choice
I'm sure I'm not the first person to suggest that Twitter is a sort of bubble – a group of relatively similar people talking to each other about the things that matter to them. It is easy, when you're part of that bubble, to imagine that all the important voices are being heard, that anyone who wants to be included in the debate will be. It's also easy to feel – if you find yourself amidst a storm of retweets – as though you're really making a difference, that the important people are listening and that you're at the heart of the action.
But there's also a world out there that doesn't live itself out on Twitter. For all the unique opportunities and connections that Twitter may facilitate, there are plenty of people outside the Twitterverse who may be doing really important and valuable things without tweeting about it, or whose voices are easily overlooked. The research I took part in is due to be published this summer and it will be fascinating to find out more about the ways in which Twitter represents, enables or excludes people from participating in community life. In the meantime, I'm very happy to hear any thoughts. Use the comment function below, write me an email, post me a letter (wouldn't that be novel?) or, if you really want to, you can even send me a tweet.
Do miracles only happen in Finland?
Filed under: Education Matters
Like most people working in the area of Education, I find myself constantly reminded of the shining beacon of success that is the Finnish education model. So I was eager to attend a recent conference by the Finnish Institute and the Embassy of Finland which claimed to explain "the Finish Miracle".
An even mix of Finnish and English educationalists presented their views on the key features of the Finnish system compared to the English, exploring the measures that have led to success and why. It was an extremely enlightening day that I won't attempt to summarise in full. The key observation that I took is that when searching for the differences between the Finnish system and our own, we need to look beyond specific measures to an underlying cultural ethos towards education.
Whilst it has been widely noted that the Finns have seen positive results from measures such as children starting school at age seven and no national inspection of schools or league tables, the event's first speaker, Professor Auli Toom from the University of Helsinki, attributed Finland's success to their educational approach. She highlighted the fact that Finnish culture regards education as a source of hope for a better society and life. This requires the same educational opportunities for every child, hence a completely comprehensive system. At the forefront of this are excellent quality teachers, who are trained to at least Masters Level, with only ten per cent of those that apply being accepted onto the teacher training program. Although teachers are not paid especially highly, prestige and status attracts the best candidates into the profession, who are then given the freedom and trust they deserve.
Next Professor Andrew Pollard, from the Institute of Education, stood up to give a markedly different story from the English perspective. Whilst he acknowledged that there are good and even excellent aspects of our education system, he queried why it is that we settle for one that is, overall, mediocre. Like Professor Toom, his answer referred to an entrenched cultural approach to teaching and learning, one that he regarded as characterised by a history of reform followed by compromise. He cited instances, including the English Civil War, the 1870 Education Act and the 1944 Education Act, as key milestones in our history where we fought for equality. However, our gains were quickly followed by some form of retreat. According to Professor Pollard, this lack of commitment to equality has resulted in an inconsistent education system, where some schools improve at the expense of others that flounder. It remains to be seen whether the National Curriculum Review will be another instance to add to his list, as it allows more freedom for teachers and schools to define the curriculum on the one hand, but places greater emphasis on core knowledge on the other.
Although Professor Pollard's view is slightly pessimistic I do think we can learn a lot from Finland in terms of equality in education. What lies at the heart of their ethos is an understanding that schooling provides an opportunity for all children to gain not just knowledge but ways of thinking and the broader skills to contribute to an effective and inclusive society. Perhaps we are stuck in the past, with our traditional concepts of achievement that only allow a minority to succeed. But instead of looking back we need to join the Finns in looking forward and ensure that we prepare every child for life in an ever changing world and trust the people who know best, teachers, to get them there.


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Kelly M. Hackman has stepped into the role of executive director as the line-up for the nine-day March community festival is taking shape.
With some 17 years as a Chasco volunteer, Hackman believes she can provide some continuity.
"That's half my life," she noted during an interview this week.
Hackman, the sole paid Chasco Fiesta employee, will direct hundreds upon hundreds of volunteers for one of Pasco's largest community events.
At the helm, Hackman wants to generate more publicity about the large impact of Chasco Fiesta. The event pumped about $1.9 million into the local economy this year and helped a few dozen nonprofit community groups raise funds.
Hackman recalled growing up in a family that stressed giving back to the community.
A native of the New Port Richey area, some of her most vivid memories as a tyke involved attending the Chasco street parade with her folks.
"I even remember my dad flipping chicken in the park when I was little," Hackman commented in a press release. Her dad, Tom Maki, owner of Beacon Woods Florist, was president of the Lion's Club in the mid-1980s when the service club held a Chicken Bar-B-Q as a part of the second weekend of Chasco Fiesta.
As a teen, Hackman took part in the street parade as a band member, first with Bayonet Point Middle School, then with the Marchin' Rams from Ridgewood High.
By 1996, she segued into Chasco volunteer work. She followed in the footsteps of her stepfather, Don Zisa, who was a member of the Chasco steering committee in the late 1990s.
At the helm of Chasco Fiesta, one of Hackman's first tasks will be putting together an application for a grant to promote the festival. The event got about $21,000 through Pasco Tourist Development Council for the 2013 festival.
Then Hackman hopes to step up a publicity campaign this fall. She hopes to convey the passion she feels about the tradition of Chasco Fiesta.
"I want to get the word out more," Hackman said this week. "I want to work on more partnerships. I want people to feel about it the way I do."
The 2014 edition once again will begin and end in March, she said. Dates will be March 21-29. This year, Chasco leaders wanted to avoid conflicts with Easter weekend and other area events. Tides for the boat parade also play a role. So the 2013 show had been pushed into early April.
The timing in the change of leadership limited the search for job applicants as prep work began for 2014. Kristen King departed from the post to start a job as events and community outreach coordinator for the New Port Richey Parks and Recreation Department.
Several board members urged Hackman to assume the Chasco reins. She served the past five years on the Chasco steering committee. From late 2001 to late 2004, Hackman was marketing director of Greater New Port Richey Main Street.
Other volunteer work has included chairmanship of the New Port Richey Public Library advisory board and vice president of Friends of Library.
"We are very excited that Kelly has decided to take on this new role," Cami Austin, chairman of the Chasco Fiesta, said in a press release. "She has been a part of this event for many years and really understands the importance of Chasco Fiesta and all that it does for our community."
As her Chasco duties exponentially increase, Hackman especially appreciates the support from her husband, Bryan.
Planning for next year's event began not long after the 2013 edition wrapped up.
"The minute it ends, the next steering committee starts" pretty much, Hackman remarked with a chuckle.
"From January to March, you're not going to see me" a lot, Hackman kidded her husband, only half-jokingly.


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@Proceedings {export:220640, abstract = {
Load balancing is a foundational function of datacenter infrastructures and is critical to the performance of online services hosted in datacenters. As the demand for cloud services grows, expensive and hard-to-scale dedicated hardware load balancers are being replaced with software load balancers that scale using a distributed data plane that runs on commodity servers. Software load balancers offer low cost, high availability and high flexibility, but suffer high latency and low capacity per load balancer, making them less than ideal for applications that demand either high throughput, or low latency or both. In this paper, we present D UET, which offers all the benefits of software load balancer, along with low latency and high availability – at next to no cost. We do this by exploiting a hitherto overlooked resource in the data center networks – the switches themselves. We show how to embed the load balancing functionality into existing hardware switches, thereby achieving organic scalability at no extra cost. For flexibility and high availability, D UET seamlessly integrates the switch-based load balancer with a small deployment of software load balancer. We enumerate and solve several architectural and algorithmic challenges involved in building such a hybrid load balancer. We evaluate D UET using a prototype implementation, as well as extensive simulations driven by traces from our production data centers. Our evaluation shows that D UET provides 10x more capacity than a software load balancer, at a fraction of a cost, while reducing latency by a factor of 10 or more, and is able to quickly adapt to network dynamics including failures.}, author = {Rohan Gandhi and Hongqiang Harry Liu and Y. Charlie Hu and Guohan Lu and Jitendra Padhye and Lihua Yuan and Ming Zhang}, booktitle = {SIGCOMM 2014}, month = {August}, publisher = {ACM – Association for Computing Machinery}, title = {Duet: Cloud Scale Load Balancing with Hardware and Software}, url = {http://research.microsoft.com/apps/pubs/default.aspx?id=220640}, year = {2014}, }


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Jennifer Lopez and Iggy Azalea Unveil "Big Booty" Remix, Super-Sexy Cover Art
Have you ever thought that one luscious booty just doesn't cut it? If so, then brace yourselves for what may be the best news ever! Jennifer Lopez and Iggy Azalea just unveiled the only song that can currently compete with Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda" single that's climbing the charts. Let us introduce you to the "Booty" remix — it's amazing!
The duo released the hot track on Tuesday, August 26, on Audiomack — but you can hear the Iggy-less version on JLo's A.K.A. album where she performs the song with Pitbull. The "I Luh Ya Papi" and "Fancy" singers are a strong combination on the American Idol judge's third single from her new CD and it's clear that they are a match made in music heaven.
Iggy and Jennifer met over the weekend to film the music video together, so hopefully that'll be out in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you can keep rewatching Iggy's epic performance at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards this past Sunday night. She performed "Black Widow" with Rita Ora in matching black outfits and gave the audience quite the show — though it admittedly wasn't as much as Nicki gave during the "Bang Bang" opening number.
So much booty, so little time.