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April 18, 2011
Valhalla, NY and Falls Church, VA – April 18, 2011: ConEdison Solutions, one of the country's leading energy services companies, has named Ralph A. Moore to serve as the company's Manager of Sales in Virginia.
Mr. Moore, who has held various leadership positions within public school systems in Virginia, will serve the Virginia market in support of ConEdison Solutions' full array of energy services. These services help government and educational entities conserve energy, lower energy bills, upgrade facilities, and promote sustainability and environmental quality.
"Institutions nationwide seek smart and sustainable solutions when it comes to energy use and energy conservation," said James J. Dixon, Vice President of Energy Services, for ConEdison Solutions. "School systems and government entities in the region will benefit from Ralph Moore's wide experience as they work together to devise intelligent energy management strategies."
ConEdison Solutions' energy services clients nationwide include government facilities, universities, school districts and hospitals. The company delivers energy services to many institutional customers through Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC). These customized contracts allow energy users to replace inefficient and high-maintenance energy systems with state-of-the-art, energy-efficient upgrades, without investing capital or assuming budgetary risk.
With extensive experience in the Virginia public school system, Mr. Moore has a proven record of success in identifying, developing, and nurturing relationships with educational leaders, community organizations and trade associations.
He most recently served as Assistant Superintendent for Administration at the Louisa County (VA) Public Schools. He was a member of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents and active in the Virginia School Board Association.
Mr. Moore previously was the Director of Classified Personnel with the Louisa County schools. Prior to that, he was a principal in the Manassas Park (VA) City Schools. He has earned a Distinguished Educational Leadership Award from The Washington Post.
About ConEdison Solutions
ConEdison Solutions is a leading energy services company that provides competitive power supply, renewable energy, sustainability services, and cost-effective energy solutions for commercial, industrial, residential, and government customers. The company is based in Valhalla, New York, with offices in Burlington, Massachusetts; Cherry Hill, New Jersey; Falls Church, Virginia; Houston, Texas; Tampa, Florida; Durham, North Carolina; and Overland Park, Kansas. The firm's dedicated team of energy professionals delivers a broad range of commodity, consulting, demand-side management and performance contracting services. ConEdison Solutions offers programs and services designed to help customers achieve their individual energy objectives and is accredited as an Energy Services Provider (ESP) by NAESCO.
ConEdison Solutions is a subsidiary and registered trademark of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE: ED). More information can be obtained by calling 1-888-210-8899 or visiting the ConEdison Solutions website at www.conedsolutions.com. You can also visit the Consolidated Edison, Inc. website at www.conedison.com for information on all of the Consolidated Edison companies.
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Tom is our on-site Jartinez. Anytime the corporate management does something stupid, Tom analyzes the situation and explains it in a funny and easy to understand manner that makes everyone laugh and no one angry.
by Harry Lemming June 18, 2006
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Would You Please Also Talk About How You Hear God's Voice Clearer
Anonymous comments on the article 'Who Are You Listening To?'
Thank you. Would you please also talk about how you hear God's voice clearer, especially if you need to make a decision and you really need Him to direct you. Thank you
Heart of Worship replies…
Dear Anonymous,
Thank you for your question. That is an excellent question! I think that we must seek God and truly expect to hear from Him. He longs to speak to us and to guide us in our lives.
God does not always speak in loud, blaring ways. 1 Kings 19:112 says:
"Go out and stand before me on the mountain," the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper."
The Lord did not choose to speak to Elijah in loud, obvious ways such as the windstorm, earthquake, or the fire. God chose a "gentle whisper". This is also translated as "a still, small voice". To hear that voice, I would encourage you to be quiet and calm within your heart. Quiet the distractions around you. Give your cares and anxieties over to Jesus so that these things will not cause noise within your heart and drown out the "still, small voice".
We should always be sure to confess any sins in our lives in order to renew our sensitivity to God's voice. When God reveals His voice to you, I urge you to willingly and immediately obey His voice. He will continue to direct you as you live for Him.
I would also encourage you to read the answer for the posting below. Click on the title/link below for more information on hearing from God:
How Do You Know When God Is Speaking To You?
We are praying for you!
in His precious, unfailing love,
Trophy of Grace adds…
I love Heart of Worship's response. She is so right. We have to learn to listen to that still small voice that lives in us and will guide us in our daily lives. Make sure that you follow the link to the posting she suggested because she goes into even more detail that will answer your question. What I am about to say goes with what she says in her other response.
When I need to make decisions for my life I will pray and ask the Lord for wisdom and I trust Him with all of my heart to lead me to the answer. I believe that He will answer me. Listen to what James says about this..
"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask Him, BE SURE that your faith is in God ALONE. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided by God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do." James 1:5-8
We need to long to hear from God, not from the world. We don't need to seek counsel from worldy people. We must seek counsel from people of God who we know have the Spirit of God in them and are living for Him in their own lives. These are the people that have the mind of Christ and will speak the Truth of God's Word to us in love.
Most importantly we need to search God's Word about whatever it is that we are trying to make a decision on. Sometimes we may not be sure on where to begin because it may be a very specific issue that we need an answer on and it may not be in the bible..so we think. But all the answers we need are there. So we must run to it to seek the counsel and direction we need.
This is what happened to me just recently. My daughter was encountering some issues in school and my husband and I became very concerned about whether or not we should allow her to continue to attend school or if I should homeschool her instead. I surely didn't know where I could find a scripture verse that would give me the answer, but I knew that my heart was troubled and I needed to just hear from Him. So that night I sat down and just started reading as I felt lead. Before I know it the Holy Spirit was leading me through the Word bringing to my remembrane scriptures to look up. Then I came across Romans 15:13-14 and there it was. For me it was a clear as ever. The Holy Spirit was comforting me and giving me the answer to whether I was to homeschool her or not.
Here is the comfort part..
verse 13
"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."
He did not want me to fret over the situation. He was reminding me that He is the source of my hope and that I will be filled with joy and peace again because I am choosing to trust Him in this situation.Â
verse 14
"I am fully convinced, my dear brothers and sisters, that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well YOU CAN TEACH EACH OTHER ALL ABOUT THEM."
I received that word immediately. I felt like He was telling me right there that I did need to teach my daughter myself and that I was equipped to do it.
I sought the Lord and He answered me sister. He will answer us when we seek Him with all of our hearts. His Word has never ever failed me. Every time I need direct I seek His Word and I seek His true followers, those that know His Word because that is what we need to hear, GOD'S WORD.
Be blessed sister and stay on the narrow road!


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WORK on a mural to brighten up a new ward treating ill patients with dementia is taking shape ahead of the opening later this month.
Artist Anthony Turk, the creator of Warrington's Pink Eye and the man behind the nautical mural around the children's ward, has been working on the masterpiece behind an area made to look like a bus stop in the town.
It is hoped the area will encourage patients to get away from their bed and socialise with others.


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TULiPPS Solar B.V. in The Netherlands, is a start-up company developing rooftop solar panels based on PP long-fiber thermoplastic (LFT) composites. The composites must be lightweight, thin, and weatherable to last for 25 years or longer. They also need to be flame retardant (without halogenated additives) and colorable in gray, green, and blue. "We have seen from previous trials that using ordinary color masterbatches really kills the mechanical properties of LFT-PP," says Paul Stassen, TULiPPS founder and managing director, who has a background in compounding and polymer additives. "The negative effect of green/gray/blue standard colors in LFT can be 50% to 70% loss of impact performance compared with standard automotive black LFT. And using halogen-free FR additives will further decrease impact and strength properties."
With a consortium of Dutch companies, Stassen and his team developed colored FR formulations that matched or even exceeded the dart impact of standard automotive FR and non-FR black LFT-PP samples. Stiffness was also enhanced, a difficult balancing act. The LFT-PP formulations come in ready-to-use and masterbatch form from Resin (Products & Technology) B.V. They are made with color masterbatches from QolorTech B.V. The panels will be supplied by automotive LFT molder voestalpine Plastics Solutions. It found that the materials had good flow and were stable at a high molding temperature of 240 C/464 F, a challenge for non-halogen FR agents. Resin (Products & Technology) has a Detroit-area rep, Gary Johns (248-855-2005).


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Stone is one of nature's most enduring building materials, and recent technological advances have enabled designers to bring it inside.
When it comes to designing with natural stone, nothing is new. We're just seeing clever, creative projects that we think never existed in bygone days. But in reality, people have actually forgotten what has been accomplished with stone in the past.
Without question, stone is the most time-tested, enduring and endearing building material known to mankind. Just think of ancient Rome
or Egypt. Envision not just the massive stone buildings and bridges and religious structures, but also those amazing interiors with their shimmering stone pools, gleaming stone flooring, elegantly hand-carved stone pillars and so much more.
The difference today is that new and incredible technologies allow us to quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively bring the outdoors in—particularly with the specification of large format "building stone" material typically considered suitable only for exterior applications.
Stone consumption for commercial interiors has grown in great leaps and bounds in this country. In recent years, it has been characterized by applications featuring stone tile flooring in myriad finishes, from polished to thermal, and cut-to-size countertops for any number of different projects. We also see decorative vertical surfaces clad with exquisite natural stone tiles, marble mosaics or in some cases, larger cut-stone pieces functioning as interior façade cladding. Without question,
the A&D community has embraced the design and specification of stone tiles and cut-to-size slab material. But what about larger "building" stone pieces, those typically seen in outdoor landscape designs, most of the time in their natural states?
In my estimation, perhaps the most groundbreaking example of using larger stone pieces indoors took place in the early 1990s, when Peter Bohlin of Bohlin Cywinski Jackson designed "Ledge House," a visionary architectural project located not far from Camp David in Maryland. It was one of the first projects that incorporated great slabs of stone, eliciting a true feeling of experiencing nature indoors. Prior to
that time, whether the job was a commercial or residential interior, the only really large-scale pieces of stone specified would be for rustic fireplaces or large indoor fountains with decorative pools. Ledge House set a new standard in stone design.
In the last five years, there has been a huge spike in the usage of building stone in commercial interior designs. One example is that of fireplaces in hotels and office lobbies. This process has been accelerated with the advances in today's ventless gas units. Another example ties in with the aforementioned trend of bringing the outdoors indoors. The exact same stone used in an office lobby is being specified (sometimes with a different surface finish) as outdoor paving material in the area approaching the building's entrance. Because stone is as natural as any building product found on this planet, people tend to associate it instantly with the green movement; designers are specifying it more and more to highlight the environmentally friendly aspects of the buildings they are creating.
When using building stone indoors, there are some logistical challenges to consider. For example, advanced planning is recommended as larger stones (i.e. big boulders) may have to be installed earlier in the construction process—for example, some stone materials may not fit through finished doorways. Another challenge that is now being addressed (successfully) is how to make stone material lighter in weight so that it is suitable for indoor applications. This may be accomplished by sawing it to a thinner format, while still maintaining the look of full-sized stones used on the exterior.
Designers are bringing the outside in, and vice versa, specifically when there is an application in which the exterior is visible from the interior and the two environments can be visually tied together by using the same stone in both. Rustic applications are calling for weathered granites both on vertical
and horizontal surfaces. Sometimes, a rustic-look project will begin at the fireplace and spread throughout the building interior before continuing outdoors.
In a more refined environment, designers
may experiment with different surface finishes on the same type of stone, which unifies the overall space while also creating a subtle, yet noticeable contrast. A good example of this would be a hotel reception counter created with a base consisting of natural cleft South Bay Quartzite® and a countertop that is polished or honed using the very same material.
stone in design: hannaford
A prime example of a commercial interior that brought the outdoors in using natural building stone—and that did everything conceivable to be as environmentally-friendly as possible—can be seen at the Hannaford Supermarket in Augusta, Maine. This Hannaford store is the first supermarket in the country to be awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The project's unique stonework includes the usage of both full-bed and thin-veneer natural stone on both the exterior and interior of the new structure.
Contributing to Hannaford's LEED certification process was the procurement of building materials from producers no more than 500 miles away. Suitable natural stone was sourced from "local" quarrier Champlain Stone® Ltd., which is located in Warrensburg, N.Y., roughly 300 miles from the supermarket's jobsite.
Hannaford's design specification included more than 1,300 square feet of full-bed stone for the exterior and 1,500 square feet of a thin-sawn version of the same material for the interior. The inside corner matches the adjacent outside wall, spanning both sides of the storefront, and is divided by glass windows extending almost floor to ceiling. Going from the outside to the inside, only a bona fide building stone professional could tell that the interior wall consists of a thin stone veneer.
All in all, people prefer natural building products, especially when they are in their original state. Faux finishes, engineered products and chemically-enhanced materials can look good, can be made to be durable, and can even exude an upscale, urban image, but stone is a time-honored, durable, high-performance building material used by the ancient masters—and still insisted upon by today's preeminent designers. Natural stone is still considered one of the most desirable and upscale design materials. Today, it is just as easy to specify stone for the indoors as it is for the outdoors. It will bring a true balance of nature to your next design creation.
Michael B. Morey is president and founder of Champlain Stone® Ltd. He began his company as a one-man operation in 1982. Since that time, it has grown to become one of the major stone sources in this nation. The firm owns a number of quarries and supplies its distinct, trademarked stone products to clientele in the United States, Canada and Europe.


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found a new home!
Plenty of my friends are looking
for one too. Find a pet to adopt.
I am already spayed, up to date with shots, and not good with cats.
Mature lady cat looking for quiet human companion. Lived with a kitten and did not enjoy sharing the house. This long-haired beauty likes long naps under the bed and ear rubs. She will not scratch your sofa or jump on your counters.
Again, if you are interested in viewing or adopting this kitty, please go to www.orphankittenrescue.com
Fluffy-Butt, a Vancouver Domestic Longhair cat was adopted! Here's how you can benefit by looking at adoption as an option to buying a Domestic Longhair for sale in Vancouver, or seeking a Domestic Longhair cat from a breeder in Vancouver.


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Does a guy ever get over his first love?
am wondering if my ex will because I was his first love
Most Helpful Guy
They get over it yes, but never forget. Your first love is special.21|11|2
Does a guy ever get over his first love?
am wondering if my ex will because I was his first love
They get over it yes, but never forget. Your first love is special.
Have an opinion?
Yes he will. He will make sure to stay single for a while to make sure to find something better then what you were, so he can erase you from his memory. That's how it works for first true loves. For example, my ex left me, my first true love, my first wifey gf, I loved her with all my heart. Even though I didn't show it all the time, she was the best thing in the world. She left me for space, and then I find out she had some1 else. It killed me. I chased her for 7 months, begging and crying. And she complete down graded from me. So what do I do not, I talk to more mature girls that know what they want, so I don't get hurt again. When I talk to a girl and if I get that attraction or something interests me, I don't think of her for a single second. Plus you have to remeber, she left me and says I love you to this new guy, so she clearly didn't love me the way I loved her. Am I getting over her? Yes
If she was to come back would I take her back? I don't know cause another guy has been in her, So I don't think so. But I think the only way I would take her back is if the first thing that came out of her mouth is "im sorry, I still love you, I never meant to hurt you like that." if she said hi, or anything else like how are u? or somthing stupid like that I wouldn't even look her way. So I'm telling you if you wanna go back then make sure that's the first thing out of ur mouth.
wow, never come across this question before, but it depends on three different things, if he really cared, how long the relationship lasted, and how you two spent your time, he might not ever get over you, he might no even considered you his first love. I never got over mine, she was, and is perfect
I'm still with mine, I'm sure I will never forget her..
Well do woman? I don't thinks no a guy with unanswered questions will nvr truly get over his first love for someone too get over there first love they must first get closure even with closure it will take a lot of years and if a guy stops dating over it obviously in tht aspect he can never fill the void and won't eget get over her so its he's and no depending on circumstances.
Yes, you can get over your first love. It's healthy to do so if things didn't work out. And no, you won't forget, but that's not saying much. In time the memories will be associated with no positive emotions or emotions at all so they are merely husks. If things didn't work out, it's for the best.
Get over yes, with much time we can overcome it but we will never forget it.
yes they do!
i really wish I knew the answer to this becuase my boyfriend of a year still wasn't over his ex and we broke up over it and now he wants to get back together but I don't know if he's over her. this is a very confusing subject. I'm not sure.
You cannot undo this action. The opinion owner is going to be notified and earn 7 XPER points.


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Lucas Neill said he lashed out at a handful of hecklers in the dying stages of the Socceroos' victory over Costa Rica with an expletive because they'd turned the match – his record-breaking appearance as national captain – into a "pantomime".
A frustrated Neill, whose career was under the microscope in the lead-up to the friendly, was captured on television venting his spleen at the group. While criticised by some for allowing the agitators to get under his skin, Neill explained it reached the point where he could no longer cop being sledged by his countrymen.
"Towards the end of the game a few people had too much courage juice," he told Fairfax Media. "It was isolated, every time I got the ball I was getting booed by a very, very small section of the crowd and there was no place for it. I'm an Australian coming back to Australia to play for Australia and I'm getting booed by Australians! That's detrimental to the team, it doesn't help anybody. I can't understand that mentality and I won't tolerate it."
Neill, who played strongly, said the jibes also angered him because they threatened to take the gloss off a tremendous team performance under new coach Ange Postecoglou. "We were winning 1-0 in Sydney and we've performed fantastic all night," he said. "The intensity is there, the fight and spirit to want to wear the green and gold is there . . . I don't know how people can't comprehend that. I really can't. What's disappointing is 99 per cent of the people were brilliant but it's tarnished what should've been a fantastic night. It's not a pantomime . . . it's not about me, it's about the team. If you're Australian you should unconditionally support Australia."
Former Socceroos skipper Paul Wade described Australians jeering their skipper as a low point in the sport.
"That was probably one of the lowest points in supporting the Socceroos as far as I'm concerned," Wade said. "Not only booing a Socceroo but our national team captain . . . it was an absolute disgrace. I don't condone swearing but I back Lucas Neill to the hilt on this. What gets me is we lose two games 6-0, 6-0 and all of a sudden the heat comes onto the bloke at the back who is the captain and from then on he's been slaughtered - that's what I hate about this.
"If we played the Solomon Islands and Fiji [rather than France and Brazil] he wouldn't be in this position.
"Somebody has built this up bigger than it is and people have jumped on board. [The booing] shows the pen is mightier than the sword because his name is being scribbled all over and people are actually believing it; Lucas Neill adds so much to that football team and he did not deserve to be treated like that."
Neill described Australia's first outing under Postecoglou as "positive" and he thought it was easy for everyone to embrace the coach's philosophy.
"His philosophy is all about positivity in the way we play," he said. "Everybody has to want the ball, everybody has to be confident and courageous enough to get on the ball and pass it around. It's all about making good angles and trying to pass our way from goalkeeper all out to the other end.
"It's all about attitude and determination and the fight for the Australian jersey. We got a passionate performance against Costa Rica and what he also wants is for us to be very hard to beat.
Neill added the debate about the captaincy and his role in the team had no impact on his preparation.
"It was external noise," he said. "I went into the game with a lot of confidence and belief. I was really pleased to have a team that trained well all week and I knew if we took that into the game we'd be hard to beat. We grew with confidence and from a team point of view I was pleased with the way we went.
Neill had a message in the countdown to the World Cup for those people who heckled him.
"It isn't about the Socceroos anymore, it's about the whole of Australia – all 23 million of us," he said. "We're all in it together. We should be enjoying the lead-up to Brazil, we should all be excited about the draw on December 6 and from there we can – all 23 million of us – focus on how our World Cup is going to go. We can start planning our own destiny and when that time comes it'll be all about having our Australian flag in Brazil."


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How Money Are You: Savvy Weekly Recap
It's time to test how much Savvy knowledge you retained this week. Find out how closely you've been paying attention when you take this quiz. Not feeling confident? Just do a quick review — all of the answers can be found in this week's posts.
How Money Are You: Savvy Weekly Recap
Which organizations have started doling out career advice?


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Quote: I went to try the techniques on them, but they ran away crying. *something about going to get his Dad...*
Quote:Hitting LI10 and following up TW17 is a lovely application for Uchi Uke!
Quote: We're gonna play around with the LU5 and L10 strikes on tuesday night. We'll also experiment at see if we can activate both at the same time. James I'll let you whap, got an idea how we can test this out. I'll probably be typing one handed on tuesday though!
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Scoops original seat pad
Alexander Giraldo and Eames chunky マハラム genuine fabrics and at Herman Miller fabrics with extravagant
This is the original pad. Whole world sale price is a little high but the genuine children use fabric or dead stock fabrics
Products manufactured by scooping only concerted planning!
As the pad of Eames armshell or サイドシェル, also available as a seat of the chairs of the other pad.
Pangya excellent flexibility and cushioning to the inner, polyurethane material, etc, pursue the seat comfort!
Other good cushioning, dish of perfect design balance ♪ is also double-sided use possible.
* It is designed completely behind the scenes and used オリジナルデッド stock fabrics, traditional model than even more compelling
Product images are slightly different due to the actual color and PC environment.
Down arrow take a look at the other pad ↓
-Size: approx. 380 x 300 mm
-Surface fabric: Eames small dot white used
-Entire back: used Herman Miller original fabric grey
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[Free shipping]
(Okinawa and remote islands and some areas please contact separately )
* May be sold in such stores also sold for the.
* Fabric pattern is different from pictures due to cutting.
* Also take about 1 week before delivery.
If you are worried about, please check in advance, such as delivery times.
Eames Eames, チャールズイームズ Alexander Gerard small dot modern mid-century seat pad seat futon [free shipping] fashionable interiors popular toy design cute pop store Rakuten SCOOPS scooped Chiba shop Mr. Chiba gadgets Funabashi goods
This product cannot be shipped to United States from the store.
Please contact the store for further information.


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- Table View
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Aftershock (Sweet Valley High Super Edition #12)by Francine Pascal Kate William
Time to move forward. . . Olivia Davidson is dead. Friends and relatives lie in the hospital, homes have been reduced to rubble, and Elizabeth Wakefield and Ken Matthews must lay Olivia to rest. Will they have the strength to pull together and pay tribute to Olivia's memory? Enid Rollins is sure Devon Whitelaw saved her life, and will do anything to repay the debt. But Enid has the wrong guy. . . and only Devon knows who the real hero is. How far will Devon go to keep the shocking truth from coming out?
Against the Odds (Sweet Valley High #51)by Kate William Francine Pascal
To pay off a big gambling debt, Ronnie asks Elizabeth's boy friend Jeffrey, Sweet Valley High's star soccer player, to fix the state championship game.
Against the Rules (Sweet Valley Twins #9)by Francine Pascal Jamie Suzanne
Sophia Rizzo is a good writer on the school newspaper, she's nice, and Elizabeth likes her. But all the other kids at Sweet Valley Middle School -- including Elizabeth's twin sister, Jessica -- make fun of Sophia because her family is poor and her brother is always in trouble. Even Elizabeth's parents tell her to stay away from Sophia. To show Sophia that she's her friend no matter what anybody says, Elizabeth decides to go against strict orders from her parents and throw a secret birthday party for Sophia. But is Elizabeth willing to pay the price if she's caught?
Agent Outby Francine Pascal
Catherine is dead. At least that's what the FBI claims. They say there's no point investigating the strange disappearance any further. Instead they want Gaia to stay in Quantico to carry on the search for the Lollipop Murderer. Gaia is convinced her partner is still alive -- and that she needs help. Even if it means putting the murder case on hold, Gaia must go after her. But going AWOL means losing the support of the FBI. Gaia will be completely on her own and heading into danger. Because Catherine's abduction is far more complicated -- and more sinister -- than she realized. In fact, it's a whole new mystery.
Agent Outby Francine Pascal
Catherine is dead. At least that's what the FBI claims. They say there's no point investigating the strange disappearance any further. Instead they want Gaia to stay in Quantico to carry on the search for the Lollipop Murderer. Gaia is convinced her partner is still alive -- and that she needs help. Even if it means putting the murder case on hold, Gaia must go after her. But going AWOL means losing the support of the FBI. Gaia will be completely on her own and heading into danger. Because Cather...
All About Love (Sweet Valley High Senior Year #13)by Francine Pascal
Will and Jessica -- together at last! First Jessica really wanted Will. Then she really hated him. Then she kind of liked him. And then she fell in love with him. Wonder how long that'll last?
All Night Long (Sweet Valley High #5)by Francine Pascal
Welcome to Sweet Valley High--a world where good girls tell risky lies, bad girls make big mistakes, college boys are the biggest prize, and the party's still raging when the sun comes up. Jessica Wakefield has charmed many guys in her lifetime. But she's never met a challenge like Scott Daniels. He's gorgeous. He's experienced. He's in college. And when he invites her to a party at a secluded cabin on the lake, Jessica is determined to prove that she may be a junior in high school, but not when it comes to love. When Elizabeth discovers that Jessica never came home from the party, she panics. She can't get Jessica on her cell, and if their parents find out, both girls will be grounded until the end of time. There's only one way out--for Liz to pretend to be her twin. But she has no idea what she is getting herself into.
Aloneby Francine Pascal
They say that you only hurt the ones you love. So I guess that means I can't get hurt. Nobody's close enough to hurt me. And nobody ever will be again.
The Amazing Jessica (Sweet Valley Kids #60)by Francine Pascal
Jessica imagines herself in Jessamyn's place -- on a beautiful pony, wearing a fancy costume and showing off in the spotlight. Now Jessica knows for sure that performing is in her blood! Will she dare run away with the circus? The Amazing Jessica.
Amy Moves In (Sweet Valley Twins #44)by Francine Pascal Jamie Suzanne
Just like sisters... Elizabeth Wakefield is shocked and upset when she hears that her best friend, Amy Sutton's, house has burned down. But she's happy to learn that Amy will be staying with the Wakefields while Amy's parents look for a new home. It will be just like having another sister around. But living with Amy isn't as much fun as Elizabeth thought! Amy treats Elizabeth like her personal maid. And every time Amy talks about the fire, she stretches the truth a little more. Even worse, Amy is spending all her time with Elizabeth's twin sister, Jessica, and the snobby Unicorn Club. Elizabeth is puzzled and hurt. When Amy tells her new friends one of Elizabeth's biggest secrets, it's the last straw. Now the whole school is laughing at Elizabeth! Can she ever trust Amy again?
Amy's Pen Pal (Sweet Valley Twins #35)by Francine Pascal Jamie Suzanne
Amy Sutton gets an unexpected visit from her pen pal, Samantha Williams. Sam's life is too good to be true, and not at all as she describes it in her letters. Amy is Elizabeth Wakefield's best friend, and they have big plans for the holiday weekend, including a fabulous party, a family barbecue, and the chance to see a dreamy deejay broadcast live from the Sweet Valley Mall.
Amy's Secret Sister (Sweet Valley Twins #83)by Francine Pascal Jamie Suzanne
Amy Sutton finds out that her father had been married before and that she has a half-sister who is planning to come for Thanksgiving.
Amy's True Love (Sweet Valley High #75)by Francine Pascal Kate William
Boy-crazy Amy Sutton has finally found the guy of her dreams -- tennis star Tom McKay. But Tom's not at all interested in dating her. Amy just can't believe it and refuses to give up! Tom asks his friend Barry Rork to help him convince Amy that she's wasting her time. Barry's fallen for Amy himself, and he tries to make her see how much he cares about her. But Amy just gets furious with Barry for interfering. Will she ever set aside her pride and find true love?
And the Winner Is...Jessica Wakefield! (Sweet Valley Kids #66)by Francine Pascal
Winning a free trip to an amusement park by calling in to a radio station, seven-year-old Jessica brags to all of her friends but is stumped on how to claim the prize, which is restricted to kids aged thirteen and older.
Andy and the Alien (Sweet Valley Kids #29)by Francine Pascal Molly Mia Stewart
Andy Franklin has heard that UFOs have been seen at Secca Lake, and he thinks it might be true. His classmates don't believe in UFOs, and they won't stop teasing him. But when Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield follow Andy into the woods during a school trip to Secca Lake, they see some very mysterious things. Could Andy be right? Are there aliens at Secca Lake?
Anything for Love (Sweet Valley University #4)by Francine Pascal
Jessica realizes it might take more than just living with Mike McAllery to make sure he's all hers. Elizabeth is torn between the mysterious Tom Watts and the romantic William White. And there is a secret society wreaking havoc on campus.
April Fool! (Sweet Valley Twins #28)by Francine Pascal Jamie Suzanne
It is April Fools Day in Sweet Valley and Jessica has planned her biggest trick ever. Things go wrong for Elizabeth, but not Jessica. The Home Ec Class makes Suffles and Elizabeth gets a C ... then she gets a detention!
The Arrest (Sweet Valley High #96)by Francine Pascal Kate William
Will Elizabeth ever regain her self-respect? Elizabeth Wakefield has been arrested -- and her twin, Jessica, has finally stolen Elizabeth's boyfriend, Todd. The twins have drifted further apart than ever before -- is there any hope of reunion now? Nicholas Morrow agrees to appear on the host new dating show, Hunks. After two ridiculous dates, Nicholas is ready to give up on the idea of true love forever. But he still has one more date to go... Lila Fowler's mother has returned to Sweet Valley just when her daughter needs her the most. But how can she explain why she abandoned Lila? Can Lila learn to love the woman who left her all those years ago? ... and Margo continues toward Sweet Valley -- leaving a wake of destruction! Book Two in this explosive six-part miniseries... Sweet Valley will never be the same!
Bad (Fearless # 13)by Francine Pascal
I FINALLY HAVE SAM. I FINALLY HAVE A FAMILY. I FINALLY HAVE A WAY OUT. WHAT'S SO BAD ABOUT THAT? <P> Gaia Moore is genetically incapable of feeling fear. In this story, Gaia finally has Sam and he's everything she ever desired. But something - or someone - stands in the way of her true happiness. Loki has his sights set on her and he won't let anyone stop him from getting what he wants.
Bad (Fearless #13)by Francine Pascal
Gaia is genetically incapable of feeling fear. Gaia finally has Sam and he's everything she ever desired. But something or someone stands in the way of her true happiness.
Bad Girl (Sweet Valley High Senior Year #12)by Francine Pascal
Elizabeth is not going to be perfect anymore. She will not obey her parents' every word. She will not get all A's in school. She will not stay home on school nights. She will have a life. And she will make Conner want to share it.
Barnyard Battle (Sweet Valley Twins #59)by Francine Pascal Jamie Suzanne
The battle is on, and both sides are determined to win! When Jessica and Elizabeth's social studies class spends a weekend at a pioneer farm without benefit of modern conveniences, the boys say the girls can't live without hair dryers, and the girls insist the boys need their TV and junk food.
The Battle of the Cheerleaders (Sweet Valley Twins #95)by Francine Pascal Jamie Suzanne
The Boosters -- the girls' basketball team -- want the boys team to come and cheer for them. But the boys laugh at female athletics. So the Boosters boycott the boys' games.
The Beast is Watching You (Sweet Valley Twins #98)by Francine Pascal Jamie Suzanne
On a hill on the outskirts of Sweet Valley sits a beautiful old Victorian house. It stood empty until a few weeks ago, when a new family moved in ... the perfect clients for Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield's baby-sitting service. Identical twins Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield and their friends from Sweet Valley Middle School thought they'd landed their dream job when they started babysitting for the Riccoli kids. But little by little, their dream job is turning into a nightmare. Andrew Riccoli dreams that someone tried to set fire to his room-and wakes up in a cloud of smoke. Then Gretchen Riccoli dreams she's falling-and wakes up at the bottom of the mansion's dark, winding staircase. The babysitters are getting scared ... too scared to close their eyes in the Riccoli mansion.
The Beast Must Die (Sweet Valley Twins #99)by Jamie Suzanne Francine Pascal
Elizabeth stared at her twin sister, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't even know how they'd gotten into this horrible situation, but they were trapped in a secret bedroom on the third floor of the Riccoli mansion--there was no way out! And from the strong smell of smoke that was seeping through the floorboards, it was obvious that somewhere, somehow, the house had caught on fire!Downstairs the five Riccoli kids Elizabeth and Jessica were baby-sitting for were in serious danger. And we can't save them as long as we're trapped up here, Elizabeth thought, dread rising in her throat.
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Homemade Poutine: One Woman's Obsessive Culinary Quest
So this video went viral recently. All it shows is a closed bathroom door. Inside the bathroom is a kid about 3 years old, who is essentially narrating the process he's in and mourning the amount of food he ate that brought him to this place. The list is long. As it goes on, the camera starts to shake, and you can hear the muffled, commiserating laughter of the kid's mom.
If you're a mom, pee before you watch this, if only from the fact that he still says "toy-yet." If you're not, well — trust me, you'd find this funny if you were.
"Apple. Poutine. Cheesestring. Pickle chips. Peanut butter and raisins. Ugh! Everything! Chocolate things. Chocolate thingies. More chocolate thingies. Gummies. Ugh!"
Within the space of maybe 3 days, this video showed up in my Facebook feed approximately nine billion times, and each time, the accompanying update asked "What the heck is poutine?"
Rumors swirled that it was something involving French fries, gravy and cheese, and that it was a favorite staple of late-night Quebecois cuisine. I don't know why, but I became absolutely obsessed with discovering the wonders of poutine. As it happens, I had just made a new neighborhood friend named Sophie, and I knew, from the fact that she referred to her mom as "mum," that she was Canadian. When I asked her about poutine, she said, "Oh, we love poutine!" and the way she pronounced it — poo-TIN-nuh — was so adorable, I knew I had to unlock its secrets and add this dish to my ate-that list.
The first thing to do was find cheese curds. Yes, cheese curds. These are not the same as cottage cheese; they are the secret link between milk and the aged cheese, most typically cheddar, that you get at the store. They are common in Quebec and the American Midwest — and, apparently, extremely uncommon everywhere else. I looked into making them, but you need rennet, which proved just as difficult to find. I had just about decided to order a curd-making kit online (I told you, obsessed) when one of my online invisible pals said that he had spotted them, supplied by a local farmer, at my neighborhood Costco.
Kismet, right?
I pored over various online recipes, but this seemed to be one of those dishes, like mac and cheese with ground beef and ketchup, or cottage cheese mixed with applesauce and doused with cinnamon, that are so far from gourmet that you just have to talk to a native to get it right. So Sophie came over and our kids ate French fries as she directed me.
1. Fries. Remember that trend from the 1990s where restaurants created gourmet versions of junk food, like Twinkies and Ho-Hos and toast-them-at-the-table s'mores? So there are upscale versions of poutine, in which you make your own fries out of sliced new potatoes. Sophie forbade this. "You have to just go with it," she said. "Respect the purity of the poutine." So I got frozen fries, and I warmed them in the oven as directed.
2. Gravy. It's easy to make, but even easier to buy. Much as you must choose Foster's U-Bet chocolate syrup over Ghirardelli if you want a truly authentic egg cream, you need industrial gravy to make your poutine sing. I chose Heinz and heated it on the stovetop while the fries were baking.
3. Cheese curds. Ideally, you don't want yours from Costco — they are supposed to be fresh enough to squeak when you eat them. ("It's so weird," says Sophie. "But it's so good.") If you're going to substitute something easier to obtain, go with shredded cheddar or even Velveeta — something with a good melt.
4. Layers. Take a good-sized oven-proof bowl — soup-bowl-sized, not cereal bowl. First a pile of fries, then some gravy, then some curds, then more gravy. You want the gravy to permeate both the curds and the cheese — it's like how lasagna has sauce on every layer. Poutine is like French fry lasagna. You want that gravy everywhere.
5. Heat. Put the bowls under the broiler for 3 minutes. That's all. You're just making sure everything melts together and gets a little mushy.
Eat with a fork. Watch your Canadian friend melt into a puddle of joy before your very eyes. Feel yourself warmed from your very core with a taste sensation that I would have to call the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a chilly day (or late night).
And for God's sake, skip the third helping of chocolate thingies … or at least make sure nobody's outside your bathroom door.
Check out more of Amy Keyishian's posts on Recipe.com!
Dinner Tonight | Tags:
French Fried Potatoes, Gravy, Potatoes, Snacks
10 Comments | Post Your Comment
10 Responses to "Homemade Poutine: One Woman's Obsessive Culinary Quest"
David, you do not receive copies of the previous letters. As the letters go forward that variety could be in the hundreds. But if there's a particular letter send us an email and maybe we can figure something out.
Just wondering, before I consider subscribing… is this an actual, individually composed letter to each and every subscriber, or does each individual writer compose a single letter each individual week and send the same composition to all with the subscribers they're assigned to write to?
I am not sure if my subscription info came through to you nor am I clear how to pay the $5.00.Thanks this is really a fantastic idea if I'm able to connect! Judy
New poutine alert from the true north: Butter Chicken Poutine (an arranged marriage between Indian and Quebecois), Poutine home delivery (when it's -35 F), McDonalds now serves the dish of all dishes. Only in Canada.
Does the cheese get stringy?
What does the gravy and cheese do, does it turn creamy or does the cheese start to get stringy, as it cools?
Yes the cheese gets stringy and gooey. Combined with the hot gravy and fries, this makes you a comfort dish you won't soon forget!
Funny story! I, too, was intrigued when I kept hearing about Poutine on Food Network… One day, when I came across a variety of cheese curds at my local farmer's market (they even have cheddar garlic cheese curds which I just like to snack on!), I knew it was time to try it… I used the frozen crinkle cut fries as well, which I baked in the oven, and Heinz beef gravy. I sprinkled the curds on the fries fresh out of the oven and then poured the gravy right on top (right on the baking sheet). It was delicious! From what I've read though, I think you're supposed to use chicken gravy, but personally I think it would be great with either!
Hi there, I am happy to say that I have had the real stuff. I live right over the border from Cornwell, Canada and have had the pleasure of sampling Poutin from our friends to the north.
First, a true FRESH cheddar cheese curd will "squeak" on your teeth as you eat it. If you don't believe me, try it.
The recipe that is used in this area is just fries right out of the frier, covered in the fresh Cheddar cheese curds, then drowned in a beef based gravy. I have never seen the layering or the heating under the broiler, but it won't affect the taste any.
There are dozens of variations of the gravy recipe, but the beef based basic gravy seems to be the "classic".
By the way, one of the claimants to the invention of Poutin, Mr Jean-Paul Roy died from a heart attack a few years ago.
"it doesn't matter how you make it as long as they leave their plates clean."
We usually use the white cheddar cheese curds, brown gravy and regular frozen french fries. If you prefer not to deep fry, then use the frozen fries meant for oven baking. Just make sure they don't dry out!


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The questions in this week's Patriots mailbag seem to reflect what Bill Belichick might tell his players after a victory: happy with the result, but things can get better.
The general feeling was that Sunday's heart-stopping 31-28 victory over the Colts was crucial for keeping pace with the New York Jets, yet the nail-biting fourth quarter was troubling to many. That leads to the question: Why are the Patriots struggling to close out games?
When considering the questions facing other teams in the NFL, this one falls into the "high-class problem" category.
A lot of other clubs would like to be 8-2 and being asked the same question. Also, there are no teams in the NFL right now that are winning convincingly on a week-in and week-out basis.
Q: Hi Mike, at this point 8-2 is outstanding considering the schedule. Should we continue to worry about the defensive backs? I realize they made some plays on Colt mistakes but they seem to have real problems in finishing games. There might come a game (hopefully not in the playoffs) where the offense will match up against a defense that will limit their points. Can these backs continue to give up so much ground and still be successful? -- Jim C (Seminole, Fla.)
A: Jim, if they keep creating turnovers like they have -- especially in the critical situations -- I think they will be OK. I don't think it's realistic to think they will just change their ways at this point in the season. The identity is well-established -- this is a defense that will give up some yards, but comes up with the turnover or stop when needed. The cornerbacks are obviously a big part of that.
Q: Three times now we've let opponents back into it in the fourth quarter -- Chargers, Steelers and now the Colts. What do you think the team's problem is and how can they fix it? -- Jeffrey Henning (Rockland, Mass.)
A: Jeffrey, I think the Patriots have sometimes lost their edge, which is the sign of a young team still growing. In the Colts' game, I viewed the main struggles as related to: (1) bad tackling; (2) undisciplined penalty; (3) solid play by the opposition; (4) bad execution on offense; (5) questionable offensive play-calls on first-and-10 and second-and-8. Overall, it just seems like the Patriots allow themselves to get too comfortable before they've finished the job.
Q: I love the win but I don't love the fact that the Pats appear to change offensive and defensive philosophy in the third and fourth quarter -- the offense stalls when it goes into run out the clock mode and then the defense appears to give up yards when it goes into a softer prevent type defense. Do you have any thoughts on them not taking their foot off the throttle or playing defense more aggressively at the end of games (even by having a LB cover the checkdown TE or RB outlet)? I'm still thrilled with these results though. -- Steve Slocomb (Marlborough, Mass.)
A: Steve, I'd have to look closer at the defense, and talk to some more players, before having a good feel for what is going on there. I didn't necessarily see a real prevent defense live during the game but I'd feel more confident after running it by some of the guys on the field. Sometimes it comes down to one play and, along those lines, the Patriots were defending a third-and-4 on the Colts' first scoring drive in the fourth quarter and gave up a 36-yard run. That's where I'd start. That shouldn't happen in any defense and it's a result of bad assignment football and bad tackling. As for the offense, I think it's more execution than anything else. I can't imagine that on that first-and-10 play in the fourth quarter, when they went to an empty set, that it was part of the plan to let a rusher come in free. Sometimes all it takes is one mistake to disrupt a drive. In a game against the Colts when every possession is so important, those mistakes are magnified.
Q: Hey Mike, excited about watching the Pats on Thanksgiving. Do you know if they're planning on wearing an alternate uniform (like they did against Detroit back in 2002)? -- Greg (Tempe, Ariz.)
A: Greg, the Patriots will be in their red throwback uniforms for the second of two times this season.
Q: Hey Mike, how does preparation change when the Patriots are dealing with a game on Thursday? -- Jorge (Mexico)
A: Jorge, Bill Belichick explained this a bit on Monday, breaking down the next few days. It's a quick week, with two walkthrough practices and one regular session, and then they go play.
Q: Hey Mike, I'll be honest, in this spot, Detroit scares me. Pats just had two emotional games, and they have the mammoth Jets game coming up. Now they are traveling to Detroit which has a underrated offense with a serviceable backup QB. Do you think this young Patriots team will be able to rebound, both physically and mentally to be ready? -- Glenn (Boston)
A: Glenn, I believe this team will respond accordingly. I think the Pats should win the game as they are the more talented team, but as we saw in Cleveland a few weeks back, all that matters is which team plays better in those 60 minutes. I sense a rising tide within the locker room that won't allow a Browns-like repeat. I envision the Patriots and Lions playing a close first half before the Patriots pull away. They just have too many weapons.
Q: Hey Mike, at the end of the Patriots/Colts game, the Patriots were taking a knee and running out the clock. I noticed Brady screaming at the refs and getting into it with the Colts D. What happened? -- Sean (Los Angeles)
A: Sean, Brady explained during his regularly scheduled appearance on sports radio WEEI that the Colts were trying to simulate the snap count, which is illegal.
Q: Mike, I know that you keep saying that Bill O'Brien is a good coach, but what was he thinking in the fourth quarter? How do you explain the 5-wide shotgun offense with 7 minutes left and up by 10 points? -- Bill (New York, NY)
A: Bill, I think it's fair to look at that decision critically. My assumption is that O'Brien was thinking that he still had to attack the Colts, with the mindset of not taking the foot off the gas pedal. Before the ball was snapped, I thought it was too risky for my liking. But I'd also say it's one play. Overall, I thought O'Brien called a very good game. If we removed every playcaller for one or two bad play calls, I think we'd have a lot of job openings across the NFL.
Q: Hi Mike,what do you make of the Patriots' electing to kick after winning the coin toss both against Pittsburgh and against Indy? Is this a Belichick vote of confidence in the defense, wanting to start the second half with the ball, or something else entirely? -- Chris (Santa Paula, Calif.)
A: Chris, this has been Belichick's modus operandi since teams were given the choice of deferring. I think Belichick sees it as an advantage knowing his team will get the ball at the start of the second, so it affects some of the situational football at the end of the first half.
Q: Mike, with Brandon Tate getting limited reps, why didn't Julian Edelman see the field more? I think the Pats are really underutilizing Edelman and he may end up walking. Also, how many years does Edelman have left on his contract? -- Arjuna (Durham, N.H.)
A: Arjuna, Edelman is in his second year and the Patriots will control his rights at least for the next two years. As for why Edelman didn't play more with Tate out, it comes down to the Patriots playing more multiple tight end sets. Of 58 snaps, the Patriots had multiple tight ends on for 44 of them. With Deion Branch and Wes Welker the top receivers, it means fewer opportunities for a No. 3/4 target like Edelman.
Q: Mike, what do you think Devin McCourty's chances are for Defensive Rookie of the Year? The guy keeps improving every week and the interceptions are starting to add up. Plus, he is almost always matched up on the other team's top receiver. It seems like Thursday's game will feature his stiffest competition in Ndamakong Suh. -- Cory (Medford, Mass.)
A: Cory, I think it's going to be extremely tough to beat Suh, who has seven sacks. In studying up on the Lions and watching their game against the Cowboys last week, Suh looked to me like a powerful veteran. On one play, he drew a holding penalty on offensive lineman Leonard Davis in the end zone, which produced a safety. While I think McCourty is worthy of consideration, I'd say at this point, it's Suh in a runaway.
Q: Do you think the fact that Randy Moss is gone has helped the Patriots be more dominant? -- Ryan (Arizona)
A: Ryan, I don't think Moss' departure has contributed to the Patriots becoming more dominant. In fact, I still wonder if Moss' presence might have helped at times in which the offense has stalled in recent weeks, such as the fourth quarter against the Colts.
Q: Hi Mike, New England has now beaten Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis -- all winning teams heading to the playoffs. The Jets, on the other hand, have beaten one winning team: the Pats. The Patriots are tested and ready for that playoff run, whereas the Jets are struggling to beat losing teams. Will the experts out there start to realize the AFC East goes through Foxborough? -- Scott (Burtonsville, Md.)
A: Scott, I'd use the term "expert" lightly. I thought Bill Belichick put it best after the team's win in Pittsburgh when he said, "If you knew what was going to happen in this league, you could make a lot of money." I think the smart approach is to point to Dec. 6, when the Jets visit the Patriots, and see who wins that game. That will provide the greatest clarity of all.
Q: Mike, I wanted to know your thoughts on Shawn Crable's release. All the arrows in height, weight, and purposed athleticism projected Crable to be the ideal OLB. But I thought Crable was very slow off the line and his pursuit angles and speed weren't up to speed trying to contain a faster back crashing inside/outside of the tackle. I think Pierre Woods did an OK job as a linebacker, making solid contributions to the special teams unit, and frankly I think it's really beneficial they signed someone who knows the system. Thoughts on Woods? -- Joe (Northampton, Mass.)
A: Joe, I was surprised at Crable's release, especially since he played a career-high 42 snaps against the Steelers. Usually if a player is on the field for such an extended period of time, it means he's doing something right. As for Woods, I don't expect to see him much at linebacker. I think the Patriots brought him back with special teams in mind, as they have been having some problems with containment on coverage units. He adds depth at outside linebacker behind Jermaine Cunningham, Rob Ninkovich and Tully Banta-Cain, but as we saw Sunday against the Colts, his main value came on the kickoff coverage and punt return units.
Q: Hi Mike,did you ever in your wildest dreams foresee Kyle Arrington as the replacement to Shawn Crable? What do you think Bill Belichick saw in the Colts that would allow a 5-foot-10 196-pound cornerback to line up as DE and get pressure on Peyton? -- Billy (Dublin, Calif.)
A: Billy, that was a game-plan defense that the Patriots planned to spring on third down at some point in the game. The idea was to give Peyton Manning a new look to digest (3-2-6 dime, with the sixth defensive back rushing from a three-point stance) and see how he responded. When it looked like Manning had found his groove against the 4-2-5 nickel package at the end of the first half, the Patriots were proactive and made the switch, going to the Arrington rush package for an extended period of time.
Q: Hi Mike, I'd like to respectfully disagree with your take on whether or not the Pats will franchise Mankins at the end of the season. Belichick is cut-throat when it comes to his team. Much like the decision to franchise Matt Cassel a few years back, assuming they don't find middle ground on a contract, Mankins will be franchised. No one knows what the new labor agreement will entail when it comes to compensatory picks next year and because of that, Belichick will take the guarantee of receiving some sort of compensation via a trade as opposed to the risk involved in simply letting Mankins become a free agent. Thoughts? -- Rob C (Auburn, Mass.)
A: You're probably right, Rob, assuming the Patriots feel they can get something for him, even if it's "only" a late-round pick. The Patriots would be within their rights to do so and it would classify in the "what's best for the team" category. I can't say I agree with it, but I understand the line of thinking.
Q: It seems like Belichick made another great call in activating Logan Mankins into the starting line-up immediately upon his return. Mankins had a great block on Woodhead's 36 yard score (as did Alge Crumpler) and his physical style has been evident in watching the success of both the run game and giving Brady fantastic protection in the last two game. Your thoughts? -- Billy (Manchester, N.H.)
A: No arguments here, Billy. I view Mankins as the Patriots' best offensive lineman.
Q: Hi Mike, Jerod Mayo has a lot of tackles, but is that a good stat to evaluate a player? In Mayo's case he has very few sacks and QB hurries. Is Mayo really their best defensive player? Who are the Pats top 3 defensive players? -- Ashley McNamara (Worcester, Mass.)
A: Ashley, I'd say if all the tackles are 20 yards downfield, it could be a deceiving statistic. Specific to Mayo, I think he is the real deal, a rare three-down player in the Bill Belichick defensive scheme. If I had to pick the Patriots' top three defensive players, I'd go with: 1. Vince Wilfork; 2. Jerod Mayo; 3. Devin McCourty.
Q: Hey Mike, there have been a lot of comparisons between Brady and Manning. Statistically speaking, the career regular season numbers Manning has are slightly better (yds, TDs, passer rating, etc.). Because of this people claim Manning to be the better QB, but aren't his stats inflated a little because he plays at least eight games per year in a dome? What do you think the Manning-Brady comparison would look like if Manning played in a similar outdoor environment like Foxboro? -- Dave (Austin, Texas)
A: Dave, I'd start by saying that you can't go wrong with either Manning or Brady. Your point is well taken; Manning's numbers are aided by playing in a more controlled environment. In the end, it comes to wins and Super Bowl championships and both have a few notches in their belt with those.
Q: How do you leave Jerod Mayo off the list of top 5 players to impact the Colts/Pats rivalry in years to come? I'm biased as a Vols fan, but he has the most impressive closing speed of any middle/inside LB I've seen this year. I'm not imagining things -- he's a home-run player, right? -- JT (West Chester, Ohio)
A: JT, I should have been more clear in the piece as I was picking players in their first or second year as regular players. Mayo is in his third. Mayo is having a great season, and as we know, he was named Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2008. He will absolutely have a big impact on this rivalry in years to come, but he didn't qualify as a first- or second-year player. I personally wouldn't call him a home-run player until we see more plays behind the line of scrimmage, or more turnovers, but I can think of 31 other teams that would like to have him.
Q: The Patriots have been known the last few years as a mediocre running team, which one could say is the reason why the past years haven't produced championships. Even with Woodhead and Green-Ellis, do you see the Patriots drafting a guy like LaMichael James of Oregon, Mark Ingram of Alabama or Ryan Williams of Virgina Tech with Oakland's first-round pick? -- Michael (Irving, Texas)
A: Michael, I think the Patriots are going to have to add a running back in some form, and it wouldn't surprise me if it's in the first round of the draft with those two picks. They have BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead as players whose contracts will still be under the Patriots' control in 2011, and while they were powerful and dynamic Sunday against the Colts, I still think more help is needed there. The Patriots are light on numbers at running back in 2011 as Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris and Fred Taylor all have contracts expiring after this season.
Q: I'm getting tired of hearing about every other team's injury problems. "The Steelers were missing two of their starting offensive linemen. The Colts are all banged up." What of the Pats? They're missing their best CB (Bodden), 2nd best DL (Ty Warren), and are using a 3rd stringer on the offensive line (Connelly backs up Kaczur, who backs up Mankins and Neal), and a 4th stringer at RB (at the season's start, Green-Ellis was behind Taylor, Maroney, and Faulk). Why do you think the opponents injury problems get such big play in the media, but the Pats injury issues don't seem to get "equal time?" -- Walter (Shrewsbury, Mass.)
A: Walter, I think those who have followed the Patriots from the outset of the season acknowledge how this team has overcome injuries. They have placed double-digit players on season-ending injured reserve and their quality depth -- coupled with top coaching -- has helped them pull through. Injuries are seldom an acceptable excuse, unless perhaps you get into a situation like the Dolphins did when they lost their top two quarterbacks. That's a tough one to overcome. But otherwise, planning for injuries and building depth is a big part of the game as Tedy Bruschi pointed out in this week's "Bruschi on Tap."
Q: Mike, I keep hearing fans and pundit alike criticize Bill Belichick on the 2007 and 2008 drafts. Take a look at all teams and you will see what BB has said -- those drafts were not deep and the Pats were stacked in all phases of the game with very good, battle tested vets, so rookies were probably not going to make the team. The only draft of note I saw was the year the Vikes got Adrian Peterson and Sidney Rice, but most all teams had poor drafts. The last two drafts were deep, which is why BB moved into what you call the sweet spot, which is where they will be next year with a bunch of picks if needed or they can trade them to some poor team falling in love like the 49ers did with Staley which yielded Mayo. These deep drafts are the only reason the Jets have found some good players with limited picks. Do you agree/disagree? -- Tom (N.H.)
A: Tom, I think the truth is in the middle. While the 2007 and 2008 drafts were not particularly deep, I still think there were opportunities there that the Patriots did not capitalize on. At the same time, a lot of other teams fall into the same category. I also think it's giving Belichick a bit too much credit for trading into the 2009 and 2010 drafts with the idea that he knew they were deep. At the time he made those trades -- one full year away from the drafts -- he couldn't have possibly known that for sure without knowing which juniors would declare. But I do think it is fair to say he was smart to push assets into the following year with the hope that those drafts would be deeper. I'd sum up my thoughts by saying that the Patriots' draft record stacks up favorably with most every NFL team. They obviously know what they are doing.
Q: Hey Mike, you mention that Darius Butler is further down the depth chart and his limited contributions also have to do with his special teams value. But wouldn't rebuilding his confidence be a good thing? I seem to recall he was considered an option for punt return/kickoff return duties. Not trying to take away opportunities for Tate/Edelman/Welker, but has he been given a shot in return duties in practice? It seems like it couldn't hurt. -- Elie (New York)
A: Elie, Butler is an option on kickoff returns, but I think you hit it right -- you don't want to take the ball out of Tate's hands if he's healthy. Tate is more explosive. As a coach, you are also balancing what gives you the best chance to win versus a player's confidence. I think the smart thing is to lean toward what gives the team the best chance to win, while trying to find ways to build confidence within that. I do think we'll see Butler more at cornerback in the future, especially after he entered the game Sunday at the start of the second half and stayed on the field throughout the final 30 minutes.
Q: Hey Mike, do you think the substitution of Darius Butler for Kyle Arrington in the third quarter was more related to the minor injury Arrington suffered at the beginning of the game, performance related, or a combination of the two? Your thoughts on Butler's playing time? -- Bill (Manchester, N.H.)
A: Bill, I thought the switch was performance related. As for Butler's second half, it seemed like he hung in there. But I haven't had a chance to fully analyze his play, so that's going on the feel of what I saw live.
Q: Mike, after I read your "football journey" article on Gerald Warren, it comes to mind that the Patriots being a winning team for years could become a strong hand in negotiating with veteran free agents who have been hungry for winning. Do you think this is the case for free agents signing in recent years? How about rookie FAs, who might think they have less chance making the roster here? -- MarkJ (Japan)
A: Mark, in most cases I think it comes down to money. The exceptions are with cases like Warren and Junior Seau, players at the tail end of their careers chasing that ring; they know that with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady they have a real chance at that. As for rookie free agents, I actually see it the other way. As we've seen almost every year, the Patriots have a rookie free agent make the roster (this year it's Dane Fletcher and Kyle Love). That's an example of a team that doesn't make decisions based on draft status as much as performance.
Q: Mike, once again the Pats have stockpiled picks for the 2011 draft. However, due to all the picks in the previous two years, and the re-singing of last year's free agents, there are a lot of players signed through 2011. As for major contributors, I only see Matt Light, Logan Mankins and BenJarvis Green-Ellis as free agents after this year. How can the Patriots add another 10 players via the draft with so many quality players signed through 2011? -- Kartal (Denver)
A: Kartal, I think 10 players is doable, although based on the team's history, one figures they will push one of those picks into 2012. One thing to keep in mind here is that even though players return in 2011, some of them might regress, or have plateaued, so their spot on the roster might be tenuous.
Q: Hi Mike, question about the practice players of the week. Do they get any type of incentive for that? Or is it just an acknowledgment by the coaching staff? -- Tim (Boston)
A: Tim, mainly it is a tip of the cap from the coaching staff, with the players being recognized in a full team meeting and then wearing black jerseys during practice.
Q: Just a comment on a huge weekend for Dane Fletcher. On Friday, his high school completed an undefeated season and won the Montana state class AA high school football championship (for the first time in ages). On Saturday, his alma mater Montana State beat FCS powerhouse University of Montana in the annual brawl of the wild in Missoula to claim the Big Sky conference title. And then, of course, the Pats held on against the Colts today. -- Jay (Helena, Montana)
A: Jay, thanks for passing along this bit of information. Fletcher has become a key contributor on special teams for the Patriots playing on the kickoff return, kickoff coverage, punt return and punt coverage units.
Q: Mike, do you think Brandon Spikes will eventually be an every-down player? As I understand it, his speed isn't the greatest to be a great coverage linebacker, but could he work towards being an adequate one? -- Scott Krause (New York)
A: Scott, I think it's possible, but I don't see it happening this season. Spikes seems dedicated to his craft and willing to put in the time, so I view him as a player who will give himself every chance to get better and become more of an every-down player.
Mike Reiss covers the Patriots for ESPN Boston. You can follow him on Twitter or leave a question for his weekly mailbag.


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I got a good question On Twitter from @Carole_Fabre. She wrote:
@sebastmarsh Are you not afraid to fall infinitively in the mirror with all these mesures ?
@sebastmarsh and have you already mesure the time you spend mesuring ? :-)
She's half-joking, but it's a good point. Here's my thoughts -
1. Tracking should serve you, you shouldn't serve it. Your system should be lightweight and easy and fun to use. You should get much more results out of it than you put into it.
2. If you are getting much more out than you put in, it can make sense to keep putting in. I keep seeing more and more gains from my tracking. My health is improving, my energy is improving, I'm doing more enjoyable and more meaningful work, I'm more connected to people I like and respect, I write more, I spend more time on art... all very valuable.
3. But again, don't track for its own sake. If some category has become useless or isn't producing results, delete it or stop tracking or get rid of it. The tracking can be a rough map, your life is the territory. It can be very worthwhile to spend time looking at the map and planning, but don't forget that the end goal is to navigate the territory.
Abraham Lincoln: "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe."
That's how I feel about tracking, planning, and goal setting. It sharpens the axe. But really, it doesn't take so much time even. How much do I spend with it? About five minutes in the morning, a minute or two here and there throughout the day, and then a weekly review that takes between 20 minutes and an hour once a week. But I get much more back from knowing what I should be working on, never missing or being late for appointments, getting all my deliverables done, not missing opportunities, recognizing patterns, saving money, making money, etc.
How much time do I spend with it? Well, not so much compared to all the time I get back. Time I would spend worried or confused or not knowing where to go disappears, and I get good insights and learning from the numbers. Helps me stay disciplined, and keeps me from having to remember everything I need to do. I can trust my tracking and notes, and keep my head clear and focused on the current moment. I enjoy it and highly recommend it.
Thanks for the good questions, Carole. Her Twitter is @Carole_Fabre and her website is http://reglesdejeux.com/, which is written in French.
As always, good questions and comments are welcome.
This comment is not a direct response to this post, except that it does have to do with time-management.
When I read the quote by Lincoln, "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe", I thought, "Geez, that's a long time to spend sharpening an axe", which caused me to think perhaps "Honest Abe"'s quote could be used to demonstrate "Parkinson's law", which says that "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion." I wonder if he had been given three hours to chop down a tree, and if he spent the first two sharpening the axe, if he would have still done a good job, in half the time. I'm teasing a bit, here, but the Parkinson's law is nevertheless useful to know for time management.
Hi, welcome. The site's about victory here. Lots of articles and posts and viewpoints to help you do more, have more, be more, build more, serve, win more.
Starting off, I have a once/weekly newsletter called "Get Some Victory" - you can sign up at http://www.getsomevictory.com. It comes out every Sunday, with a mix of short, practical insights and some actions you can take that week to see some improvements. I've gotten a lot of positive feedback so far, so I think you'll like it - go check that out.
Or you could sign up right here -
I have a favorite type of hand in poker. I like it because it makes up a huge chunk of my winnings at poker, is good solid play, and looks idiotic to bad poker players. It's the kind of hand that pulls hundreds of dollars in your direction, and sometimes a couple angrily-thrown cards from your opponent when he's beaten, too.
Technically the hand would be called a plus-EV underdog draw, or something like that. In plain English, it's a long shot where you have the right odds to take it.
An example might be if I have four cards to a straight and I'm missing one from the middle. So maybe I have 4 5 6 8 of various suits. Let's say that there's still one more card to come. There are forty-six remaining cards (just trust me on this one), and only four of them, the sevens, will help me. I have less than a ten percent chance at winning the hand.
And yet, sometimes it's worth calling to see the next card. If it costs me thirty dollars to see it, but there's six hundred dollars in the pot, then mathematically I'm way ahead.


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Buddy and Earl
Written by Maureen Fergus
Illustrated by Carey Sookocheff
Series Title: Buddy and Earl
- 32 Pages
- 9781773061191
7.25" x
- JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Dogs
- JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Pets
- JUVENILE FICTION / Social Situations / Friendship
What's in the box that Meredith has carried into the living room? Buddy doesn't know, but when the small, prickly creature says he is a pirate — and that Buddy is a pirate too — the mismatched friends are off on a grand adventure.
In this first book in the best-selling Buddy and Earl series, a dog who likes to play by the rules meets a hedgehog who knows no limits. Their friendship is tender and loyal, and their adventures are funny and imaginative. Maureen Fergus's text is witty and understated, and Carey Sookocheff's art emphasizes both the humor and the warmth of this odd and loveable animal couple.
Selected for the 49th Shelf Favourite Picture Books of the Year 2015
Selected for the A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year 2016
Selected for the Boston Globe Best Books of 2015 for Kids 2015
Selected for the CCBC Best Books for Children and Teens 2016
Maureen Fergus
Maureen Fergus is an award-winning author of books for kids of all ages. Her novels include The Gypsy King trilogy and Ortega; her picture books include InvisiBill, The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten and the Buddy and Earl series. She lives in Winnipeg with her family and her dog, Buddy.
Carey Sookocheff
Carey Sookocheff is the author and illustrator of Solutions for Cold Feet and Other Little Problems and Wet. She is also the illustrator of the Buddy and Earl series. She lives in Toronto with her family and her dog, Rosie.
"Fergus' deadpan text and Sookocheff's simple, flowing artwork work in elemental harmony, working together to elevate the book to a subliminal sophistication that breathes something quite smart into the proceedings." Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW
"Their charmingly raucous game of make-believe is appealing enough, but the sneaky lesson in deductive reasoning makes this frolicsome, read-aloud-friendly picture book truly outstanding." Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
"An understated winner of a friendship story. . . . simultaneously of-the-moment and timeless." Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
"A simple story for animal loving readers and proponents of imaginative play." School Library Journal
"Enjoy the humor, and the depth of characterization, in both art and text, and hope for more Buddy and Earl adventures." Horn Book
"Readers will enjoy the antics of these two playful friends and will look forward to more of their adventures in the future. Highly Recommended." CM Magazine
"Fergus succeeds in engaging readers with this rollicking adventure in a way that never feels didactic or forced. . . Sookocheff marks a promising debut with her first picture book." Quill & Quire
"Deserves to be read aloud over and over again." Boston Globe


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I WAS one of the eight protesters at the Boxing Day Ledbury Hunt.
The government is threatening to repeal the hunting ban because, they say, it is unenforceable.
The police are certainly doing little to enforce it, leaving charities such as the RSPCA to prosecute illegal activity, often successfully.
There was a large crowd but several people came to say they agreed with us, and is it not possible, since 'support is getting bigger and bigger', that many were there because they believed there would be no dead animal at the end?
The vast majority of the British public are against hunting wild animals with dogs. It is only to be hoped that the Ledbury Hunt confined their activity to following the trails laid, although if the dogs found a real one they might follow that, the huntsmen might follow after, and who would ever know?
ROBERTA BALFOUR Malvern


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The Mould Making Salon: Plaster (June 7th 2014)
London Sculpture Workshop
Saturday, 7 June 2014 from 10:00 to 16:00 (BST)
Who's Going
San Francisco, California
London, United Kingdom
Florence, Italy
Event Details
"The Mould Making Salon: Plaster " covering the fundamental principles of plaster mould making.
The is an exciting two-day intensive course focusing on plaster casting from waste moulds to plaster piece moulds, to eventually casting a sculpture and looking at finishing options.
The course will cover the following:
You will learn mould making and how to cast in different materials, enabling you to create a finished piece from your casts.
Ideal for beginners or makers wishing to work in new ways.
Plaster versa Rubber
Plaster waste moulds
How to make a cast in plaster
How to make a cast in fast set concrete,
How to make a cast in wax
Plaster finishing colouring plaster
Open to all levels including beginners.
Old clothes essential and we recommend heavy-duty boots.
Basic material costs included.
Course cost: £90
Course date: Saturday 7th June and Sunday 8th June 2014
Course times: 10am - 4pm
Number of places available: 12
Tutor: Giles Corby MA (RCA)
Old clothes essential and we recommend heavy-duty boots.
Basic material costs included.
Course cost: £90
Course date: Saturday 7th June and Sunday 8th June 2014
Course times: 10am - 4pm
Number of places available: 12
Tutor: Giles Corby MA (RCA)
When & Where
London Sculpture Workshop
46 Willow Walk
#Unit 7
SE1 5SF London
United Kingdom
Saturday, 7 June 2014 from 10:00 to 16:00 (BST)
Add to my calendar
London Sculpture Workshop
London Sculpture Workshop is the first, London based, not-for-profit, community interest based company with exceptional facilities for artists and those interested in making work in 3D. London Sculpture Workshop offers a superbly equipped metal and wood workshop with additional mould making and flexible working areas. In addition to major equipment London Sculpture Workshop also provides a range of both electric and hand tools and access to Personal Protective Equipment for workshop users. London Sculpture Workshop is based on an open-access membership scheme. It was also set up as a Partner to CRISIS, offering their members access to a specially tailored educational programme.
London Sculpture Workshop was established in 2012 by two founding members Giles Corby, MA (RCA) and Jessica Mello, MFA (Slade) who work closely with our Studio Manager Melis van den Berg, MFA (Slade). We are all practicing artists' who have a combined arts education of 19 years and teaching experience of over 17 years. This year our work was recognised and we were awarded a Chelsea Arts Club Trust "Artist's Run Space Award".
London Sculpture Workshop is open Thursday - Friday 09:30- 13.00 & 14.00 - 17.30 operating on a pay-as-you-go open-access membership scheme, to those interested in making use of the facilities. Any first-time user's session will start with an induction, which includes an overview of equipment and health & safety. Open-access is for anyone who has enough experience to work independently in the studio. There will always be a Studio Manager on site to help guide you in safe and proper use of the equipment.
Courses in a wide variety of technical and skill based processes will also be available to book throughout the year.


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Just off the Sky, had a wonderful time!: Norwegian Sky Cruise Review by NCboatboy
Overall Member Rating
Just off the Sky, had a wonderful time!
Destination: Bahamas
Embarkation: Miami
The ship and stateroom were clean and in good condition, we had an Aft balcony and our steward was perfect, the room cleaned and replenished invisibly everyday, never any need to complain or wait for anything, just quiet professionalism at work, the way I like it. I might add here that we did get a lot of noise from the theatre until about 10pm, so if you turn in early you might want to consider that about these cabins.
The Food: The MDR was hit or miss I'm afraid, some of the entrees were excellent, some not so good. We had great luck with the appetizers and salads but all the warm soups were cold and not to my liking. I've had better luck with Campbell's for the onion for example. We did not try the chilled fruit soups. Some of the main courses were excellent, the Mahi Mahi was More great and tasted "clean", the Lobster good but the fillet was terrible, over cooked, dry and unpalatable to me and the lamb a little gamey. The sirloin I ordered came just the way I asked, Rare, which is usually not the case in a mass produced environment and was delicious.The lunch buffet was good, with a varied selection of cheeses and a fruit selection that was excellent and delicious, as was the roast beef. Breads were good and acceptable, some deserts were to die for.
I know from experience that ALL cruise lines can be hit or miss in the food department, some dishes I find delicious, others not to my liking, but I do think that we had a lot of "misses" on the Sky.
Breakfast buffet was good, with a good selection to choose from but I was puzzled by there only being a few egg cooking stations available, so I mostly skipped my omelet because of the lines. Breakfast is breakfast so what can you say.
We did not eat at any of the covercharge restaurants, nor did we partake of any breakfasts or lunches in the MDR. Service in the MDR was sketchy, it seemed to be understaffed and the available employees were working pretty hard. We have experienced "as you wish" dining on the HAL ship, which is the same as freestyle and I noticed a similar situation. We were seated in the dining room promptly every time, normally eating around 6 or 6.30pm.
We did not attend any of the shows or drink in any bars, the Internet service was slow as usual when cruising.
The ports were great, we had a great snorkel excursion with Stuarts cove in Nassau, but we had to run to get on the ship @5.30 (last call) and I understand from a fellow cruiser that the ship actually waited on them, I did notice we sailed a little after 6.00, our expected sail time. I can recommend Stuarts Cove, but I don't recommend the afternoon excursion if you have an early sail time as we did! We swam with sharks on the last stop, and I'm still talking about it!
Great Stirrup Cay was beautiful, we enjoyed snorkeling and walked to the lighthouse. The tip to use baby shampoo on the inside of your snorkel mask was great and we saw a barracuda and a cuttlefish among others. The food was what you would expect for a backyard barbecue, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely.
Our teenage son had a good time in the teen club, which gave me and Lisa some relaxing time together.
All in all, it was a great cruise, no service issues, the staff helpful and friendly enough, the ship was packed with a good demographic representation of travelers and we saw nor experienced any unruly or rude behavior. I have experienced "mass stampedes" on carnival around the buffets at times, but saw none of this on this cruise, which was a welcome change. We did see a customer service issue at the excursion desk, in which the passenger was clearly wrong,and it was handled with dignity and professionalism by NCL staff, which is more than the passenger displayed.
We felt that we got a good value for our dollar, and are looking forward to cruising with NCL again.
Doug, Lisa & Han __________________ Less
Published 04/23/09
Cabin review: BA80** Mid-Ship Balcony
Noisy until about 10:00pm, great view and spaciousRead All Mid-Ship Balcony (BA) Reviews >>
Read Cruise Critic's Norwegian Sky Review >>
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