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Book Rick For Your Next Event
By sharing Rick's experiences you and your leaders can create your own!
Rick has been a public speaker for most of his life. Employing an engaging and educational speaking style, he is the consummate leadership and business storyteller. He is passionate about leveraging his 30+ years of leadership experience in Fortune 100, Entrepreneurial and Not-For-Profit organizations as well as the Military and Academia to help you make leadership a way of life.
He is a member of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Speakers Bureau as well as the co-facilitator of the Chamber's annual Leadership Institute.
Most Popular Presentation Topics
Leading Through Change
How can organizations, regardless of industry, cope with the fast pace of change in today's dynamic global economy? Why do people resist change and what can leaders do to engage their organizations around the changes affecting them?
How to Think Like a CEO
What we Believe, we Think and what we Think, we Do. What we Do drives the Desired Results we want to achieve. To achieve lasting desired results we must change the way we think to influence what we do long term. Learn the impact of Attitude on making this happen.
Leading Yourself Though Effective Goal Planning
Goal setting and achievement doesn't just happen. Learn the 10 Steps to effective goal setting and how it can literally and positively change the way you live, both personally and professionally.
Leveraging Business Alignment for Sustainable Sucess
Alignment is the crucial element in all we do whether executing a business plan, launching a new product or finding a new job. Hear how this process of business alignment has helped businesses, not-for-profit boards and leadership teams achieve more than they thought possible using the business alignment process.
Generational Diversity
With four generations in the workplace, successful leaders today must have the flexibility and adaptability to effectively communication and help motivate across all four generations. this presentation is as popular to the Generation X and Generation Y audiences as it is to Baby Boomer audiences.
Your Topic
Have a specific idea or theme you would like your organization to hear around Leadership and Business? We will customize the presentation to meet your needs, focusing on the most critical topics for your audience.
Who Has Heard Rick Speak?
Professional Associations
- Financial Executives International – "Is the company you want to work for, really the company you want to work for?"
- American Payroll Association – "Change Management"
- American Business Women's Association – "Leading Yourself to Success"
- The Center for Women Business Owners
- "How to Think Like a CEO"
- "Why Don't They Understand"
- International Association of Administrative Professionals – "Everyone has Leadership Potential"
- Northern Illinois Commercial Association of Realtors
- "Leading You and Your Business"
- "Managing Multiple Generations in the Workplace"
- NIBA The belting Association
- "Aligning Your Business for Sustainable Success"
- "Managing Multiple Generations in the Workplace"
Community Organizations
Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce (a Five-Star Certified Chamber):
- Women in Business – "Lead Yourself to Extraordinary Success"
- General Membership meeting – "The Total Leadership Process"
- Young Professionals Network:
- "Leadership During Times of Change"
- "Managing Relationships"
- Business Advisory Council (Small Business/Home Office):
- "Leading You and Your Business"
- "Leadership During Times of Change" or Click here to view the video
- "So the Recession is over – Now What?"
- Business Resource Network (Formerly Business Advisory Council)
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- "Why Don't They Understand?"
- Not-For-Profit Network – Click here to view video clips from "Leading You and Your Organization"
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- "Keeping Your Business Aligned with Your Purpose"
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Lemont, Illinois Chamber of Commerce
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Downers Grove, Illinois Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- "Effective Communications"
Glendale Heights, Illinois Chamber of Commerce
- "Attitude is Everything"
Career Transition Groups
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- TrainZitions for Military Veterans (Keynote Address) – November 2010
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WASHINGTON — Barack Obama's new Afghanistan war plan is facing its first major test, and it is not on the battlefield.
The president has called next Thursday's election the most important event all year in Afghanistan. The first phase of the reordered counterinsurgency strategy Obama announced in March is hinged to it. The United States is taking no chances, pressing a new military offensive this week to make sure the voting comes off well.
The Taliban have threatened to disrupt the election, including threats of suicide bombings of polling places. A wide turnout would amount to symbolic rejection of the insurgency, and the United States is hoping for more than token participation in districts recently under the Taliban thumb.
It is not about who wins the election, the White House says. Rather the voting is a test of the ability of U.S. forces to protect civilians, the new top military priority, and the willingness of voters to accept that help. The success of the revised strategy depends on winning the trust of civilians.
U.S. officials stress that the elections are being run by Afghans, hoping the country will embrace the results as homegrown rather than the result of foreign fixers. However, that could leave the Afghan government holding the bag if voters see the results as illegitimate.
Duplicate registrations, suspiciously high registration figures and other problems ahead of the election suggest possible fraud.
'Adverse circumstances'
Incumbent President Hamid Karzai is expected to win re-election, although he is seen as weak by many Afghans and international backers alike, and too tolerant of corruption and cronyism. The Obama administration has distanced itself somewhat from Karzai but has tried not to appear too close to any of his competitors, either.
Obama has sent 17,000 additional combat troops to Afghanistan this year to help blunt a resurgent Taliban ahead of the voting, and his administration is spending millions to help an underperforming Afghan government run a relatively safe and open election.
About 400 U.S. Marines opened a large offensive in southern Afghanistan just this week to uproot Taliban fighters, disrupt intimidation campaigns ahead of the voting and help provide protected passage to the polls.
Before the Marines arrived, insurgents had papered one dust-blown town with notes warning that voting would mean a slit throat.
"It looks like more Afghans will be able to vote than had been the case before the recent deployment of additional U.S. forces," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday.
"They're obviously holding an election in adverse circumstances," Gates said, but thousands more polling places are slated to be open than during the last national voting five years ago. Millions more Afghans are registered to vote.
Fears of violence
Afghan election officials have not yet determined how many of the nation's 7,000 polling places can be secured. Hundreds are likely to remain shut because of fears of violence.
More than 100,000 U.S. and NATO troops are in the country as well as 175,000 Afghan soldiers and police, spread over a country of 33 million people, most living in scattered pockets with rugged terrain and few roads.
"While we encourage every Afghan to exercise his right to vote, who he or she votes for is none of our business," said Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, the Marine commander overseeing the sweep.
Legitimacy sought
Obama aides say the election is a crucial measure of Afghan confidence in the U.S.-backed government. Key elements of the U.S. plan such as attacking official corruption and improving local government cannot begin in earnest until voters pick new provincial leaders and a president.
"A government needs legitimacy," said White House special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke, especially since the election has been delayed for four months, well past a date mandated in the constitution that U.S. advisers helped the Afghans write.
"The decision to ignore the constitution and delay the election has caused a reorientation of our priorities for the first 6 1/2 months of this administration," Holbrooke said during a discussion Wednesday at the Center For American Progress.
Holbrooke will be in Afghanistan for the election, along with scores of U.S. civilian election specialists and monitors.
"Most people think President Karzai is going to win the election. Not a lot of people think the election is going to be fair," said David Kilcullen, a counterinsurgency expert and incoming adviser to the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan.
"One of the things I think we're going to see after the 20th of August is President Karzai returning to power but with substantially reduced legitimacy. You may actually see a spike of violence after the election as people react to that."
'I fear popular unrest'
Insurgent attacks are already rising in Afghanistan, which U.S. commanders attribute partly to efforts to derail the election and partly to the fact that U.S. and NATO forces are pressing farther into former Taliban sanctuaries.
Deaths among U.S. and other NATO troops have soared. With 74 foreign troops killed — including 43 Americans — July was the deadliest month for international forces since the start of the war in 2001.
Andrew Exum, a counterinsurgency specialist who helped prepare a forthcoming assessment of the war by the commander, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, added another caution.
"I fear popular unrest following a perceived illegitimate election more than I fear external violence," he said.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

subset: commoncrawl


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Prof Stephen Liddle
Professor & Head of Inorganic Chemistry
Research interests
The Liddle group's research interests span a wide range of coordination and organometallic chemistry across the periodic table, with a particular emphasis on the chemistry of lanthanide (we include group 3 elements in this definition) and actinide (principally uranium and thorium but also neptunium and plutonium) complexes that challenge preconceived ideas. Specific topics which are currently under investigation include:
URANIUM-LIGAND MULTIPLE BONDING - Developing synthetic routes and approaches to constructing novel uranium-ligand multiple bonding interactions.
SINGLE MOLECULE MAGNETS - Probing the dynamic magnetism properties of designed complexes.
SMALL MOLECULE ACTIVATION - Harnessing the extraordinary polarising and electron transfer chemistry of f-block elements to convert small molecules into value-added compounds.
URANIUM-METAL(LOIDAL) BONDS - Developing routes to novel uranium-metal bonding interactions.
The over-arching aim of these projects is to develop a thorough and complete understanding of the electronic structure of f-block complexes and to establish and understand structure-bonding-reactivity/-magnetism relationships. To do this we make, measure, and calculate using a broad range of synthetic, spectroscopic, magnetic, and computational approaches.
Research and projects
No past projects are available for public display


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I don't think that example 2.16 is correct. It seems to me that any dataset with a consistent default graph is consistent. Any interpretation of the default graph can be extended to an interpretation of the dataset by mapping every resource to inconsistent graphs. This trivially satisfies "IGEXT(/I_d /(/n/)) is defined and /E/-entails g" as an inconsistent graph entails every graph. I don't think that this means that 2.16 is not tricky. There is some interaction. However, this means that named graphs are not independent from each other. In fact, there is a much easier situation showing that named graphs are not independent, namely 2.13 T11.2 Similarly, it means that named graphs are not independent from the default graph. It is also the case that an inconsistent default graph makes the named graphs irrelevant. This last is, I think, a particularly strong point against providing this sort of semantics at all. peterReceived on Thursday, 13 September 2012 01:09:00 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.1 : Tuesday, 6 January 2015 22:02:07 UTC


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Octagon Building is a prime A Grade building in the centre of Parramatta's financial and legal precinct.
Enjoying a prominent location on the northern side of George Street with additional frontage to Phillip Street, this 6 level building dominates the area with its truly unique octagonal structures.
Octagon Building's environmentally sustainable design has achieved a 4.5 star NABERS Energy rating. Recent upgrades to the building included improvements in energy efficiency, glass façade refurbishments, courtyard beautification, paving and landscaping and a lobby upgrade.
The building features two high quality onsite cafes and food court area with outdoor seating. In-house amenities include bicycle racks, shower facilities, two basement levels of security car parking for approximately 362 cars.
Octagon building looks out onto George Street; many of Parramatta's key landmarks and attractions are just a stroll away, including Church Street mall, Westfield shopping centre, and Old Government House.
Building occupants include Michael Page, Emergency Patient Transport, Police Bank, eHealth and the NSW Departments of Justice, and Roads and Maritime Services.
Offering both an enviable and practical address in one of Sydney's major business and commercial centres, the Octagon Building offers excellent transport connections for both vehicle and public transport commuters.
Moments away from Parramatta Local Court, Family Court of Australia, Parramatta District and Children's Courts, tenants also amongst other prominent corporations such as The Commonwealth Bank of Australia, IAG, St.George Bank, HSBC, Telstra, Westpac and Suncorp – as well as retail outlets, entertainment venues, and banking facilities.
50-minute drive from Sydney Airport and 45-minute train service from Sydney Airport.
45-minute train service to Sydney CBD.
5-minute walk to Parramatta Rivercat.
7-minute walk to Parramatta Railway Station and bus interchange.
Octagon Building is located in the Parramatta CBD. Parramatta is a major business district located 35 minutes west of the Sydney CBD.
Parramatta is easily accessible by car, serviced by the main arterial links of Victoria and Parramatta Roads. The M2 and M4 motorways are also each within a five minute drive.
Ask if they have unique-password, rocket-fast WiFi – For your security.
Ask to be connected to the internet – How long does it take?
Ask if the provider is Tier-1.
Ask to be allowed to check download speeds.
Ask to speak to IT support: Are they in-house or a third party? Are they even in the country?
Ask to be given a phone number so you can try the service before you buy.
Ask for a phone rate card.
Ask to meet your dedicated receptionist. The receptionist is the front line of your business.
Ask about disaster transfer.
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Ask if the wireless internet is secure.
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Ask to see the transparency code of the provider.
Ask if incoming callers can dial '1' for voicemail to mobile.
Ask if you can get free calls equal to your connection amount.
Ask if your phone bill is 20% lower than telco rate.


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Full Text of the Excerpt
It was as if
there was always a certain level of decorum that had to be maintained.
And of course, we had a Dean of Women who was responsible for your social
well-being, so to speak, who would check on you if you did not attend
chapel. We had chapel, I think it was five mornings a week, and maybe it
was cut back. But it was chapel—I think we called it
chapel—but it was not just a religious service. It was not
held in the chapel. It was held in an auditorium. I think
there's another word for it, and suddenly I can't
think of what it is. We went to chapel at nine o'clock, and
we marched in. The seniors marched in in their caps and gowns all senior
year, which was a very nice tradition. And they marched in, and we had
taken our seats. I'm sure they marched in singing a hymn. And the chapel was used for announcements and
sometimes—I don't really remember any sermons or
preachings of any kind. But we had to have done something in chapel. You
can see what a wonderful impression it made on us. But you had to
- You did this every morning before you began the day.
- Yes, you could go to breakfast, and then it seems to me that chapel was either at 8:30 or 9:00. It didn't last very long but classes were scheduled around it, you see. And the Dean of Women had to check on whether or not you were skipping chapel and occasionally would check on how your room was kept, important things like that. And she would have to work with those students who came in late, because we were on a very strict regimen of checking in and checking out for dates, or just for going into town for a movie. You always had to sign in and sign out.
- You had to say where you were going, with whom you were going?
- Yes. So the Dean of Women was the one that sort of supervised what was sort of your social life and personal concerns that you might have, or personal needs. She was a single woman, Miss Grace Lawrence, who was thought of very warmly. She was kind and there were—I guess there were always ways to get around what one is expected to do. But anyway…
- Did you?
- Some. I think I really was a very good girl, a very good child. Sometimes I've regretted being so good. I think I was very good.


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Sophie Claire's
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Note: Installation, Staging & Delivery Services also available for an additional fee.


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By Taps
October 8 2004
The recent decline in the fortunes of Indian cricket showed no signs of reversing, as the second day's play confirmed what many fans feared: that the batting failure is no myth, and not restricted to the ODI arena alone. The second day started with the scales slightly tipped towards the Aussies, but the Indians in with a good chance to get back into the match provided they achieved a quick breakthrough.
But Michael Clarke and Adam Gilchrist had other ideas. On a flat track, they took full toll of the listless bowlers and rammed home their advantage. Gilchrist was especially severe against the spinners, and the ease with which he dispatched them to the fence demoralized the Indian team and painted the spinners in poor light. Both Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh lacked the zip and guile to beat these two.
Clarke, on the other hand, continued on his merry way and apart from the "nervous nineties" stage, looked in no trouble at all. It was a poignant scene when he reached his century, and the flashy 23-year old with quick hands and great footwork will be around for a long time. He was immensely lucky at 92 on an LBW appeal from Kumble, when the ball appeared to be heading towards the stumps, but umpire Billy Bowden thought differently.
Gilchrist showed no such nerves as he blasted his way to another typically aggressive and swashbuckling ton. The effect of his batting is truly demoralizing to the opposition, and his batting is a large reason for the Aussie success.
Finally, Bhajji pulled off a brilliant catch to get rid of Gilchrist which seemed to give a new burst of energy to the Indian bowlers. It is moments like these which raise the fielding team even though, unfortunately for India, it was a case of too little too late. Clarke fell to a tired stroke against Zaheer for a mammoth 151 and the tail was mopped up by Bhajji. The figures will show a 5-wicket haul for him, but he was less than impressive, and the same goes for Kumble.
The score of 475 was almost a relief after the way Clarke and Gilchrist were firing on all cylinders. But the pitch didnt look that threatening, and Indian batting is usually awesome at home.
However Glenn "Pigeon" McGrath had other ideas. Eager to finish his career on a high, and prove all the doubters wrong, he responded in the best possible way, resulting in the worst possible start for India. Chopra was gone LBW shouldering arms. The ball may have hit him a bit high, but he had no business shouldering arms to a ball in line with the stumps. Umpires everywhere are more inclined to give those out compared to the ball hitting the batsman while trying to play a shot. No quibbles about that one, it was poor judgment by Chopra.
Rahul Dravid came in, saw, and was conquered. Perhaps he was just stunned at having to come in so soon. It was a superb delivery and Dravid was late on the shot. A normally confident Dravid would have handled that much better.
Then came the best period of the day for India: skipper Sourav Ganguly, boldly promoting himself to face the music with the team tottering at 4/2, played some spanking off drives and looked good doing it. He was not unduly troubled by the inevitable short deliveries. Virender Sehwag, on the other end, was playing like only he can, thrashing the living daylights of anything in the slot. Spin or pace, nothing mattered to him.
And just when India looked to be getting back on track, Michael Kasprowicz bowled an ordinary ball and Sehwag promptly flicked it to Justin Langer. It was a shot which needn't have been played, and indeed he had avoided any shots across the line until then. But then again, thats Sehwag. Cant blame him -- he looked to be in good nick and may yet play a big role in this series. Ganguly followed soon after to Kasper: it was a good delivery and he nicked one moving away from his body. McGrath and Kasper were bowling superbly on this wicket with the ball reverse-swinging a bit.
VVS Laxman walked in and played one of his non-Aussie type knocks. He looked very attractive making 30 runs, then got out to a leg-break which he failed to cover. It wasnt an especially great delivery by Shane Warne, and Laxman was guilty of playing a nothing shot to that ball. Speaking of Warne, he bowled well but didnt look unduly threatening until then. Yuvraj Singh came and struggled for his 5 runs looking distinctly uncomfortable against pace and spin (the way he plays spin, even Boycott's legendary Mum would seem like a Murali if she bowls spin to Yuvraj.) Finally he was put of his misery by that man again -- McGrath -- wafting at a delivery outside off-stump and moving away. Parthiv Patel and Irfan Pathan hung on gravely until stumps.
The game plan for India from now on is very simple. They will have to bat for 2 full days, or lose. Pathan, Patel and the tail must somehow bat on into the second session and take the score to 275 or so. The Aussies will have to decide whether they enforce a follow-on if required. Mindful of Kolkata, they will be wary of batting on the last day even if India somehow manages them to set a target of 125-150 or so.
But so far, the Aussies hold all the cards. India will need a miracle to save this one. A miracle like Eden Gardens. Hope springs eternal, but lightning rarely strikes twice at the same place (in this case the same teams). Or does it?


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Holistic Chiropractic
We emphasize the use of noninvasive and holistic approach to aid and accelerate the body's own natural healing system to more rapidly and completely repair injured tissue with spinal manipulation and a FDA cleared Class IV Deep-Tissue Therapy Laser.
Spinal Decompression
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Our hyperbaric chamber provides up to 99% pressurized pure oxygen. Increased pressure allows oxygen to saturate more effectively in the blood system. Patients have experienced positive results in post-surgical recovery, sports recovery, anti-aging, reducing inflammation, autism, and insomnia.
A good massage not only relaxes your body and clears your mind but also helps anxiety, digestive disorders, fibromyalgia, headaches, insomnia related stress, myofascial pain syndrome, soft tissue strains or injuries, sports injuries and many more. We provide sports massage, deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, and prenatal massage.


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Summit Express has one of the best No Money Down lease plans in the industry! Imagine leasing a 2016 or newer tractor and having all maintenance included – all the way down to your windshield washer fluid. Talk to our hiring team about your options; you won't be disappointed.
Long Haul/OTR
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Driver Requirements
- Class A CDL with two years verifiable OTR experience
- Must be 23 years
- Current DOT physical
- Good safe driving record


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Would you like to share the joy of reading with a young child?
Char-Em United Way is the proud sponsor of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for Charlevoix & Emmet Counties. The program provides a free, age-appropriate book each month to children from birth to age 5.
- The program is free to all kids birth to age 5 who live in Charlevoix or Emmet Counties or who participate in a pre-school program but live in an adjacent county.
- The books are mailed each month directly to the child at his or her home.
- There is no income eligibility. The program is free to all children regardless of ability to pay.
Imagine the magic when kids run to kindergarten bookshelves, pick up a familiar book and say "I have this book!" and then every other kid in the room says, "me too!" Teachers tell us this level of shared experience and vocabulary makes a world of difference in the success of our schools by eliminating the current three-year discrepancy seen in pre-literacy skills. And the research shows teachers' instinct are correct: with as little as four months of Imagination Library home delivery, a 28.9% increase in kindergarten preparedness was measured in Onondaga County, NY! Our local schools are partnering with us to show measure the impact locally.
How to enroll a child:
Families can enroll their child online or ask us for a brochure.
Why is reading so important at this age?
- Reading books help essential brain development, with 90% of eventual adult brain growth is achieved the first three years of a child's life
- A child develops language skills long before being able to speak, literacy skills long before they are able to read, and reading books help develop healthy physical and emotional responses
- Helps ensure children enter kindergarten with a strong ability to read and an eagerness to learn
- Strengthens the literacy level in our community
- Promotes parent-child interaction and bonding
- DPIL communities report families read more to their children, reading scores have mproved, children are excited and better prepared to go to school
- CEUW has decided that investment in early childhood literacy will provide one of the best 'return on investment' we can get.
Beyond the Books -- We know it's not enough to just mail the books to kids
The project also includes:
- Family literacy activities
- Partnerships with Head Starts, other pre-schools
- Library programs
- "Graduation" activities
- Mailings with tips and invitations for parents
Want to help?
Registration for the program has greatly outpaced our projections and budget. Please conisder making a donation to support books for one or more kids or just make a general donation.
It costs $30/year to enroll a child - $150 over the five year period.
Donate to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Click Here to donate in memory of a loved one.
We thank the Petoskey Harbor Springs Community Foundation for their support of this program with a 2016-17 grant, approved by their Youth Advisory Council


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Should I Become a Pastry Baker?
Pastry bakers work in restaurants, bakeries, manufacturing facilities, and grocery stores. They're responsible for mixing and baking ingredients to create pastries and other types of desserts. Specific duties often depend on the type of dessert a baker is making, but general duties include measuring and weighing ingredients, kneading dough, and icing cakes. This occupation may be physically demanding, with standing for long periods, moving heavy objects, and working around hot ovens and tools. Precautions must be taken to protect from injuries and hazards.
Career Requirements
|Education Required
|Apprenticeship, training program, and/or associate's degree
|Field of Study
|Culinary arts, baking, and pastry arts
|Though not required, one can become a certified journey baker, certified baker, and certified master baker; some states require a food handler card
|Work as an assistant may be necessary to become a baker
|Key Skills
|Organizational and communication skills, understanding of sanitation and safety requirements, knowledge of weights and measurements, the ability to handle cooking utensils and equipment
|Salary (2015)
|$24,170 median annual salary
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2015), Monster.com Job Postings (June 2012).
Steps to Becoming a Pastry Baker
Step 1: Earn a Degree or Complete an Apprenticeship
A pastry arts associate's degree can teach students the various techniques used to bake pies, cakes, tarts, and other pastries. In addition to academic courses, students will generally have the opportunity to work in kitchens and learn about preparation procedures, baking methods, and presentation techniques. Courses may cover topics involving culinary techniques, production baking, nutrition, wedding cakes, chocolate desserts, artisan breads, and food safety. Students may also learn how to make centerpieces and plated desserts.
If enrolling in a pastry arts program isn't ideal, a prospective baker could always consider participating in an apprenticeship. While apprentices are usually required to take courses, they may receive more hands-on experience in professional kitchens than individuals who enroll in degree programs. Apprenticeships don't require students to complete any general education courses; however, the option to transfer credits to a bachelor's degree program is not available. Lasting 1-3 years, apprenticeships could require individuals to complete anywhere from 1,000-6,000 hours of training.
Success Tip:
- Obtain experience while in school. To begin developing real work experience, you may want to find a job on campus making baked goods. Not only will you gain valuable experience, but you may be able to earn some additional income.
Step 2: Obtain a Food Handler Card
Some states legally require any individual who prepares or handles food, such as a pastry baker, to obtain a food handler card. The National Restaurant Association offers the ServSafe designation, which is one of many available certifications that can qualify an individual for a food handler card. To obtain certification, an applicant is generally required to take a course and pass an examination.
Step 3: Get Experience
Before working as a professional baker, individuals may need to first find an assistant position. While the duties largely will be the same, work will be performed under the supervision of a professional baker. This is an opportunity for aspiring pastry bakers to develop their skills and improve their baking abilities.
Step 4: Earn Certification
The Retail Bakers of America offers several certifications, and although earning a designation isn't required, obtaining one does demonstrate a baker's skill level. All levels of certification require that individuals pass an exam, and the type of designation pastry bakers are eligible for depends on their education and experience. For example, a certified journey baker designation requires no formal training and only one year of work experience, while a certified baker must have four years of experience. In addition to eight years of experience, a certified master baker must complete a sanitation course and 30 hours of developmental training.
Hopefully, pastry bakers should first earn a degree or train as an apprentice; then they should obtain necessary permits before getting experience as an assistant and obtaining optional certification to advance.


text:
Cheat Sheets
Market Days Supply for Auction Buying
In today's competitive market, it's not enough to guess which wholesale vehicles are right for your market. You have to know for sure. And you can — by using Market Days Supply to make better auction-buying decisions.
Download this cheat sheet to learn:
- What Market Days Supply is
- One simple calculation to measure it
- Three ways Market Days Supply makes auction buying better
To learn more, fill out the form and download your cheat sheet.


text:
Tagged: Wing Dam
My 30 Favorite Sets of 2015, part 3
The end is near… Of 2015! And my top 30 favorite sets of 2015. Here are the last 10.
This show is on the list for a few reasons. This was probably my 14th or 15th time seeing this Baltimore group since their formation several years ago, and this was to be my (and everyone's) last time to see them. Their UN Fest (an excellent festival in Baltimore) set was advertised as their last, and I was able to experience the loudness and wild crowd, one last time.
The second set on this list was Pleasure Leftists opening for Chameleons VOX, at Metro Gallery. I have been a fan of this Midwest post-punk group for a while, and it was nice to finally see them live. I loved the singer's dance moves.
The next one was something random for me, Sun Ra Arkestra at the Ottobar. I was hooked on their weirdo jazz, and loved every minute. The pissed off looking dude was my favorite performer of their raucous set.
This was one of the Wildhoney sets I saw. This noisy group gets better and better. This was their first set with a new guitar player.
Expert Alterations are some nice dudes and local indie pop heroes. This was their debut album release show. I made it there just in time to see them (performing with a member of Wildhoney as a quartet) give an inspired and impassioned performance.
I saw the Polyphonic Spree for a third time. This time I had a front table seat at a sit down venue. The Spree tore it up for two sets; one being their first album in it's entirety, the second a greatest hits and covers and rarities set. I love the Spree and this performance further cemented my love.
I have seen Wolf Eyes a few times now. This was the weirdest of all of the sets. Which is saying a lot for the mavens of Trip Metal. This was almost a jazz set, and I think it was mostly improv. I could be wrong, but it didn't sound like their new LP.
Wing Dam is one of my favorite bands. They always rock. They played Cocoon which is my favorite song by them and one I think they had not played the last couple times I saw them. They also had the best shirts (Miley Cyrus ones that can be seen in the picture below) and I added one to my collection.
At number 9 is DC band Paint Branch. This show was in a library basement. They are another band I have been into for a few years and finally saw. I think they are the new America (the band) with their harmonies and interplay (guitar and vocals).
The last of my favorite sets was actually tonight. And no I am not just throwing them on here. I felt like i might really dig it so I saved a slot, just in case. Good thing I did because the unseasonable heat and a packed basement in DC with one of my favorite singers belting out her old and new songs was too excellent. I had heard they were gonna break up, now it seems like they wont. Good, I want to see them again…
Until 2016 (and the one last show I have this year, or maybe two) my friends!
All images in all show pictures by me
Dragged to Hell 22: Friends Records Mix
Friends Records is a label that features releases from Baltimore artists (plus one release from Meth Dad, a non-Baltimore musician). They just celebrated their fifth anniversary (which is where the picture of label head Jimmy was taken jamming to Microkingdom on night 1 of the festivities). Friends Records is just that, people who are friends (and also make great music). Over the last five years, they have put out rock and hip hop and jazz and anything you can think of.
I am not going to link to all of the artists pages, just to Friends Records Bandcamp, where you can find these and other tunes. I will talk about each of the songs/artists in the tracklist.
Edit: I am adding in label head Jimmy's comments on each release.
Tracklist (quotes are Jimmy MacMillan):
- Chester Endersby Gwazda – Globes: I have seen Chester a few times, and he is always a blast. Shroud is a great album and I find my self revisiting it quite often.
Chester has been such a big part of the label as far as production goes. He recorded more than a handful of our releases and has always been an excellent friend, resource and all around man of inspiration. He has new material coming out with Outer Spaces in 2015!
- INEVERYROOM – EM E GEE: I am not sure what happened to them. I believe this is one of the oldest releases on this mix.
INEVERYROOM is Chase O'Hara and Amy Reid … became Chase N' Amy for a minute and eventually they started Chiffon together. Our most limited release is a INEVERYROOM/Lands And Peoples split cassette which was our 2nd cassette release. We only ever made 23 copies for a tour that they did. I've completely worn out my only copy and it doesn't exist digitally. FRCS002 RIP. Long live Chiffon!
- Celebration – I Will Not Fall: I love Celebration, and singer Katrina Ford. Their music is beautiful and is almost transcendent live.
For me, there is no almost about it. In 2009 Celebration started releasing songs and videos for Hello Paradise – Electric Tarot in a digital format only. For the first year that the label existed, Brett Yale, the other half of Friends Records, had been emailing the band, offering up our services, on a regular basis. One night he got an email asking if we could all sit down. We went over together and before we went in we sat in the car and talked about how weird it was that we were meeting people that we didn't know really and seeing if we could work together. Up until that point we had only ever worked with people that either one or the other of us had known already. So we went into Katrina and Sean's house. We spent about 3 hours sitting around a kitchen table making 6 great new friends. 4 years later I still find myself sitting at that kitchen table listening to and telling stories and jokes and talking shop. You really couldn't ask for a more complimentary band to associate ourselves with. They brought a lot of attention to a lot of other bands just by working with us and for that I am forever grateful. They ruled the second half of 2014 and I don't see 2015 being any different.
- Blacksage – Sexsomnia: Pure sex in music form. One of the best things I have heard in a while. Electronic jams for days.
Josie and Drew don't sound like Baltimore to me. They don't sound like anywhere. Their music is all encompassing and blocks out any light from the outside world when you play it. I know that they already have some new Blacksage material in the works but Drew Scott just dropped The Drewcifer Tape last month and Josie is hard at work on both Softeyes and her solo work. They're both fountains of awesome shit right now. Get a cup and try to catch some while its flowing!
- Moss of Aura – Slick: Future Islands synth man rides the solo jams.
Looking to reissue Wading in LP (it's sold out currently) and we have been talking about a cassette boxset rather than individual reissues of his 6 (!) albums again. I don't think there is any movement in the Moss Of Aura department at the moment but he is out setting the world on fire with his friends.
- Ke$ha – Die Young (Meth Dad Remix): Meth Dad dropped an awesome cassette of remixes for Friends Records and earned the distinction of being the first person not from Baltimore to be released by the label.
I've talked about Meth Dad aka Tyler Walker recently. Dude changed the way that I listen to pop music in a huge way. He just put out a remix of Taylor Swifts "shake it off" on his soundcloud. While I would never advocate for Swift, Meth Dads remix is outstanding and should be played in every coke commercial and New Year's Eve party ever.
- Flock of Dimes – Prison Bride: Jenn From Wye Oak's excellent side project. I hope for an album all the time.
You and me both. Jenn always surprises me: This year I saw her take part in the Gene Clark tribute at Floristree and 9:30 Club. They were 2 of the best live performances that I've ever seen. I don't expect it to be topped ever for me. Then I drove up to Lancaster and watched her and Andy move a whole room of people as Wye Oak. I think that they're on top of their game with their latest album and doing the most interesting music since the Monarch days. Then there was her Flock Of Dimes performances at Fields Fest and at the Horse Lords release show at the Crown. She had really secured her sound as Flock of Dimes and much like Microkingdom, every time I see her play its my new favorite time that she has played. Total pro with a heart of gold.
- Raindeer – Monster: Raindeer and the chill jam masters. Go see them.
Look for a new Raindeer release very very soon! The set that they played at the recent anniversary show floored me. They've come so far as a band since the lineup change.
- Vadya – Out to sea: I saw Vadya in a very intimate setting (at a Mobtown Microshow) recently, and was impressed with her song writing, and slow synth jams.
Brett always had a space reserved for Liz on our roster. It has been 3-4 years now of waiting for "take me out to see" but it was well worth it.
- Height with Friends – Mustard Seed: Height is pretty much king of hip hop.
This song is particular is my jam. Height is the most prolific artist that we work with. He has put out 5 full length albums since we started the label 5 years ago and he has another one in the chamber about to drop real soon. We have been trying our hardest to keep up with him. Look out for his tour later this month.
- Future Islands – The Ink Well: Future Islands just had one hell of a year. I got this vinyl at the release show for it.
This record was the reason that the label was started in the first place. In October 2009, Brett was interviewing Future Islands, drinking beers on a roof, when they started talking about how much they wanted to put out a split with their friends from college, Lonnie Walker. Brett said he would do it and the first light of the label went on. Over the next 2 months we ended up making plans and laying groundwork. In late December 2009 we had our 3rd of 3 Sunday brunches at Morning Edition on Patterson Park (RIP) and decided to go ahead with the idea. We had decided that if we were going to do it that it wouldn't just be the one release but we would do 3 releases to start (weekends and Sri aurobindo and the f.i/lonnie walker split). Almost immediately the f.i. split got postponed and by early January we decided to release Height With Friends "Bed Of Seeds" in the meantime. We have gone on to work with them every chance that we get. The success that they've found came from the hardest hustling and grinding that I've ever seen in this business and it couldn't have happened to a group of kinder and more deserving dudes. I love that they still rep and support us whenever they can and I love continuing to support them. I got to see them live in New York for the Letterman taping this year and you knew right away that they had just changed everything. I also got to see them turn The Avenue in Hampden into a sea of people this summer. Monday I fly out to Boston to follow them for a short run of dates with Wing Dam.
- Wing Dam – Back Float: I probably go on too much about Wing Dam, but I cant help it; they rock. I think they are making the timeless jams.
Speak of the devils. One night ,3 or more years ago, Austin And Sara came into my store and wanted to put their cassettes up for consignment. Austin was Wing Dam and Sara was Which Magic. It was and still is so much fun to watch them grow as artists. They joined forces with eachother and then with former Lower Dens and sometime Snails drummer Abe Sanders. Abe is a hell of a dude. I first met him when he directed a Moss Of Aura video for us and then really got to know eachother a bit better on the Snails tour in early 2013. They've kept the candle lit in the Friends Records house a lot this past year, getting all kinds of attention, press and year end list mentions for their most excellent "Shifter Bliss" record.
- Weekends – Basement Fuzz: Too bad they are not a band anymore, but at least I saw them twice last year. I hope this two piece reforms, but geography is making that impossible at the moment.
Look out for Adam Lempel releases this year but no more Weekends for a while. Was glad to see them end it properly at the Ottobar a few weekends ago.
- Sri Aurobindo – Eyes: Old school psychedelic, fuzzed out madness. I am not sure what is going on with them, but I did enjoy their music and seeing them live a few times.
Sri Aurobindo RIP. The band called it quits this past year when one of the members moved away. Mike Romano who played bass/guitar in Sri as well as on the first Vincent Black Shadow record has a new band named Cryptid. They played their first show at the Anniversary shows. The band features Mike, Elijah Forrest, Aaron Estes and Spencer Adams. Expect to hear something sometime.
- the Snails – Coconut Boat: Side project. Members of Future Islands. Saxes. Snail suits.
This is the most fun thing that I've done ever. We put out their debut double 7″ and then proceeded to go on tour with them for 8 dates. Most fun. Ever.
- Secret Mountains – Dead Sea: This one saddens me. They release their excellent Rainer LP and then go away due to members moving. Oh well, I at least saw them once in DC. They could have been one of my all time favorites… So good.
- Jacober – New Soda: Dope Body drummer solo shenanigans. This album is fun from start to finish.
Dave Jacober for President! The dude can do no wrong. So chill and so right on with everything he does. He has 2 new solo albums prepped. Both radically different from eachother, both amazing. Keep an eye out for those.
- Microkingdom – God's Total Woman: Are they jazz? I love them. So I guess I love jazz. They always put on a hell of a show.
I don't think it's any secret that I'm a diehard Microkingdom fanatic. I know that I say that every time that I see them is my favorite time but their set on the first night of the anniversary shows was the best thing that I've ever seen them do. Look out for the new LP officially getting a release on Valentine's Day 2015.
(photo by me at Friends Records Fifth Anniversary show Day 1)
My 25 Favorite Sets of 2014
As 2014 winds down, it is the time of the year to reflect on some of the music I saw live this year. These were my favorite 25 sets out of ones that I saw this year (I will be finishing this year at around 50 shows/festivals attended, almost one per week, and I am not sure how many total sets I saw (and I am not going back to count that). Anyways, here are my 25 favorite sets of 2014 with a short reason why I dug them so much and a picture taken from my Instagram account for each. They are more or less in chronological order. Most were in Baltimore or DC, unless otherwise noted. All pictures are by me.
Pixies, Electric Factory in Philly, January 2014
This was a cold night. We braved the cold and drove the two hours to the show, barely making it in time to catch all of Pixies set. It was crowded, a heater was blasting me while a draft on the wall was also freezing me, but it was a great time. I finally saw Pixies live, and with someone who was also a huge fan (my fiance). Plus it counted as a celebration for my birthday for this year. Even leaving the city heading the wrong way and having an hour added to our commute home cant tarnish the memory of their set, seeing all of these classics live with an enthusiastic crowd of fans.
Weekends, Ottobar in Baltimore, January 2014
I am a big fan of Weekends. Too bad they are going on a break, with one member moving away. The music these two can make sounds as big as a four piece band. Plus I love it when people switch instruments during a set. I am glad I get to see them at least one more time, at the upcoming Friends Records Anniversary party at the Ottobar.
Multicult, Stem Graphics in HarCo, February 2014
This whole night was pretty memorable. From the fist fight during Roomrunner's set, to excellent offerings from One Watt Sun and Two Inch Astronaut, it was an all around good night of music. Multicult were no different, ripping through a set of precise and chugging riffs. This was also only one of a few times I saw them this year. Each was great. They do not disappoint. RIYL Shellac.
Priests, Barclay House in Baltimore, April 2014
I am a casual fan of Priests. I saw them a long time ago at the Black Cat in DC (with at least one less member I think). And then I saw them at a house show. And they were pretty rocking. Singer Katie is one hell of a front person, yelping and singing her way through politically charged ditties. The band played their surf punk rock and we had a blast in a basement. One day they will be huge and I will be able to think back on seeing them in a basement. With a pentagram on the wall.
Wolf Eyes, Current Space lot in Baltimore, April 2014
April. An outside show. What could go wrong? How about the coldest show that I ever experienced? It was freezing but the jams these trip metal masters brought were warm. This was my second live Wolf Eyes experience, and it was just as brutal as the first.
Cloud Cult, Sixth and I in DC, April 2014
Cloud Cult are one of my favorite bands. Their music helped me get through some tough times. Sixth and I is usually one of my least favorite places to see a show. But for some reason, this time it was just right. Cloud Cult did two sets, one acoustic and one electric. The reworkings of the tracks into acoustic songs was a nice touch to old favorites, and they brought their normal energy. I almost had to skip it because I was sick, but I sucked it up and ventured out and am glad I did.
Swans, Black Cat in DC, May 2014
Swans are one of the best bands I have ever seen live. This set was similar to the first one that I saw. Crushing riffs, 30 minute songs… Two hours long… But at least this time the no Air Conditioning rule was not in effect, as it was the first time I saw them. I am looking forward to seeing them next year at a different venue, in Baltimore.
The Skull Defekts, the Gold Bar in Baltimore, May 2o14
Sadly, this set was sans Daniel Higgs. But, they still rocked. They played what they call Street Metal, and I rocked to the percussive big muffed tunes.
Matmos, Fifth Dimension in Baltimore, May 2014
This was at a fundraiser for High Zero. There were not that many people there at the warehouse space. Matmos were very friendly and Drew let me and my friend sit on the stage during their set. It was a mix of video and electronics, and was but one part of an incredible night that also featured a synth piece by Dan Deacon and a killer set by Horse Lords.
Microkingdom, the Crown, May 2014
What happens in Baltimore? Not only will you get a great set by jazz weirdos Microkingdom, but you will also get Sam from Future Islands to join them for a cover. Which they set up on the spot.
Wildhoney, the Crown in Baltimore May 2014
Wildhoney get better and better. Their shoegaze really sounds great live. I have been a fan for a long time, and am really enjoying experiencing their evolution.
Wing Dam, Ottobar in Baltimore, June 2014
Wing Dam are one of my favorites. They are super nice people who play some chilled out fuzzed out rock and roll. I have seen them a few times, and this one was as rad as never.
Guerilla Toss, Metro Gallery in Baltimore, June 2014
I did not know what to expect from Guerilla Toss. What I did experience was a short, intense set of rock and roll with a memorable jumping around like a wild person, front woman.
Dark Blue, Metro Gallery, July 2014
I finally saw a Sharkey band. I was actually at a show for another of his projects, Puerto Rico Flowers, but sadly I left early. This band, while way different, still allowed me a chance to see Mr Sharkey and company rock out. This Philly band should be seen by all rock fans.
Kowloon Walled City, Metro Gallery, July 2014
These guys rock. They are heavy, heavy, heavy. This whole bill was stacked, but this set was really special since I don't have the ability to see Kowloon Walled City that often.
Neutral Milk Hotel, Merriweather Post Pavilion, July 2014
This was my third experience seeing NMH live. I saw them at 2640 Space for their return show in 2o13. I also saw them at DAR in DC earlier this year. But this set was my favorite. The set was about the same, but it was the night before I went on vacation with my fiance and her family, and the day before I proposed to her. It was us and her sister and her sister's boyfriend, and we had a great time listening to great music on a summer night, while I was still on a high from telling her parents my intentions to marry her, immediately before the show. (also, another no picture NMH show so I snapped this crap one just because).
Charanjit Singh, Tropicalia in DC, August 2014
I heard of Charanjit Singh from a friend, and went to a Kennedy Center show that was cut way short due to a transportation issue. But he was also playing that night at a nightclub, so all was not lost. He rocked his 1980s seminal album and had the DC crowd dancing.
Joanna Gruesome, the Rock and Roll Hotel in DC, August 2o14
I saw these Welsh musicians with a stacked bill – which included Potty Mouth and Perfect Pussy. They did not let me down. They had an infectious energy that did not let up their whole set.
Horse Lords, Fields Festival, August 2014
I have seen Horse Lords hypnotic krautrock several times, but this set was my favorite. Usually they play two long songs, for about 20 to 30 minutes. This night under the stars in the woods with a lot of the Baltimore arts community for 45 minutes, it was true bliss.
clipping, Metro Gallery, September 2014
Clipping make noise. Clipping make raps that make you think. Both are delivered with a technical precession, both live and on album. I cant stress enough how noise and hip hop heads need to check them out.
Placebo, Fillmore Silver Spring, October 2014
This was a dream come true. I first heard Placebo in 1998, and really got into them in 2001 while living in South Korea and have been a huge fan ever since. The only chance I had to see them was about five years ago in Baltimore, but that show was cancelled due to illness. This was worth the wait. The Fillmore's sound system rocked that night, and they played a set of old and new tunes.
Roomrunner, Metro Gallery, October 2014.
Roomrunner is one my favorite bands. Favorite locals bands. Favorite live bands. Just the best. Their 90s grunge throwback sound has been updated a bit, and their more melodic side was shining through this night. It was a release show for their excellent J Robbins produced Separate EP, and the hometown crowd of friends and fans went nuts.
Slowdive, 930 Club in DC, October 2014
I was never a huge Slowdive fan, but went to the show with a friend who had an extra to spare. And I am glad I did. I love shoegaze and they did not disappoint. They were loud, but not overbearingly loud. The sound was perfect. So clean, with every element of the music, every guitar texture and vocal, clear and beautiful as can be. I do not go to the 930 Club that often now, but used to go quite a bit; and I think this set stacks up with almost anything I had seen there.
Riff Raff, Baltimore Soundstage, October 2014
This was my second time seeing Riff Raff. It almost could have been the worst thing of the year. Riff Raff's plane was late, causing the openers to have to stay on for three hours (the crowd was booing, they were restless). He played a short set (30 or so minutes) but he put a lot of energy into it, and it seemed like he was actually rapping more of his lyrics than he did the first time I saw him. It was a party for sure, but his set was almost a warm up for the party that was Waka Flocka. Whatever it was, I had a lot of fun; possibly due to the fact that his album has been out for a while and I am a fan of all of the songs that he rapped.
Yusuf, Tiny Desk Concert, October 2014
I finally got to see Cat Stevens aka Yusuf live. He played four songs, two old and two new. I was able to say hi to him afterwards, shake his hand, and get my CD signed by him. It was a day of pure elation.
My Favorite Baltimore releases of 2014
December – snow, playoffs, fireplaces, Christmas… And end of the year lists. This is the first of three that I will be posting. Each will be 10 releases, LPs or EPs, grouped together in a particular way. The first list is my favorite (not best of, I hate that term) releases from Baltimore artists in 2014. In addition, I made a mix that can be heard on Mixcloud, featuring one track from each release:
WIldhoney – Seventeen Forever: First up is the newest EP from shoegazers Wildhoney. Three slabs of walls of sound, mastered by Jake Reid of Screen Vinyl Image fame.
Wye Oak – Shriek: Wye Oak changed it all up. No longer did guitars rule this duo. The old formula was vocals plus guitar plus drummer who is also playing bass parts as he drums. The new formula was singer playing bass with a drummer who is also playing lead parts on synth. This new synthpop sound really works for them, and I spent an excellent evening at the 930 Club this year watching them do their new thing.
Mt Royal – Mt Royal EP: Anything Katrina Ford is on is excellent. Mt Royal's debut is not any different. I had patiently waited for this for a long time after seeing them perform a few times.
Future Islands – Singles: This could almost be called the year of Future Islands. They went from local darlings to one of the biggest indie bands in the planet. Their Letterman appearance shouldn't need to be mentioned – their music does the speaking for them. This release followed their trajectory of pushing their envelopes with lyrical composition, vocal styling, soundscapes and other synth goodness, and their ever steady bass anchoring it all together.
Silk Rhodes – Silk Rhodes: This release is pure funk. Disco, funk, soul… It all exists in the same realm for these two Baltimore artists. This is extremely danceable. I have not had the pleasure of catching them live (versus every other artist on this list, at least once, if not several times) but hope to remedy that in 2015.
Wing Dam – Shifter: Wing Dam followed up their last classic with another classic. I had already heard a lot of these songs live, and instantly dug it. I was fortunate to be allowed to sit in the producer booth while they recorded a couple of these, and for that I am eternally grateful. It was quite the experience and it was a lot of fun to hear the finished product, and see some of the recording process first-hand. They are one of the funnest bands to catch live, and some of the nicest people around.
Hive Bent – dyatlov: Two piece that crush. Heavy heavy heavy. I don't have much more to say other than I love Hive Bent. Go grab their newest EP, you wont regret it.
Multicult – Variable Impulse: Multicult are another great band on record and live. The on one hand look to Shellac for inspiration and on the other surpass them in terms of energy.
Roomrunner – Seperate: Roomrunner's newest EP is a bit of a departure for them sonically. This time around they recorded with J Robbins, who helped the record catch a slightly different groove than their previous (and excellent) releases. They still look towards the 1990s, but this time you can feel a variety of influences creep in.
Horse Lords – Hidden Cities: One of the most intriguing bands to see live. Their rythum cant be beat. I have been mesmerized in a trance every time I have seen them. This record does a good job of captuing their vibe, but if you haven't seen them live, do yourself a favor and check them out.
Weekends/Small Apartments/Wing Dam/Goblin Mold at the Ottobar
If only I was usually this prolific! Three posts within a day? Unheard of around these parts. I told myself I was going to write more, and then I only post once in January. Once. Oh well, I now have to play catch up, as I went to a few concerts since then, and definitely have been enjoying new music.
I wont go into too many details, but I promised someone a ride to Baltimore and I had to deliver. I was beat. I was starting to feel sick. But I sucked it up and got my ass to the Ottobar. Because, what can only be labeled a "chill rager" was about to happen.
I got there early and had a bit of time to kill. I grabbed a beer and a spot near the stage. The venue was extremely empty, and after a slight delay, it was showtime. Goblin Mold was up first. They had been on my radar for a little while (after touring with Wing Dam) but this was my first time experiencing them live. The band featured two guitarists (one that sang and one that looked barely old enough to buy smokes) and a drummer. They played mellow tracks, masterfully sewn together with quick guitar phrases and a steady beat.
Next up was Wing Dam. This was my third time seeing them, but the first time at a proper rock club (both other times on outdoor stages at music fests; ScapeScape and Hopscotch). They played a set of (almost) all new material (the exception being one of my personal favorites, Cocoon) that should be getting recorded for their next release over the next few months.
Small Apartments played third. This spinoff band (of Free Electric State) played a fun set. I do not know their music all that well, but enjoyed what I heard. By this point the crowd was getting packed, and they seemed to also enjoy the rocking tunes.
Last up was Weekends. I was ready. I hadn't seen this fun two-piece since a show at former DIY spot in DC back in 2011. They were just what I remembered. Fuzzed out rock, played by two guys taking turns swapping singing, guitar playing, and drumming. The crowd loved it and sang along to their signature delayed vocals. I was in bliss. I left the venue glad I made a promise to give someone a ride, or I might have skipped out on an awesome music experience with some of Baltimore's finest.
(pictures by me)
Favorite Sets of 2013
In chronological order, one image for each of my 20 favorite live music sets of 2013. All images are from my Instagram account.
1/29 – Quicksand at Black Cat
2/9 – the Evens at 2640 Space
4/18 – Dead Mellotron at Club K
4/25 – GOAT at Black Cat Backstage
5/22 – Future Islands (mainly unreleased songs 90 minute set) at Metro Gallery
5/29 – Roomrunner (record release show) at Metro Gallery
6/7 – Celebration at Metro Gallery
6/30 – Locrian at Metro Gallery
7/27 – Potty Mouth at La Casa
9/1 – the Art Department (surprise set) at ScapeScape
9/5 – Pharmakon at Hopscotch
9/5 – Merzbow and Wolf Eyes (surprise collab set) at Hopscotch
9/6 – Magik Markers (improv set) Three Lobed Records Day Party at Hopscotch
9/7 – Wing Dam SPAZZSCOTCH Day Party at Hopscotch
9/7 – BAMBARA DAY-DREAM Day Party at Hopscotch
9/7 – Matmos at Hopscotch
10/2 – Dan Deacon (brand new songs set) at the Crown
10/11 – Neutral Milk Hotel at 2640 Space
11/13 – Chelsea Light Moving at the Ottobar
12/1 – Animal Collective at 930 Club
Favorite Baltimore Releases of 2013
I love Baltimore's music scene over all others, so it gets its own top ten list. In no particular order, my ten favorite Charm City releases for 2014. I also made a mixcloud mix with a track from each.
1. Roomrunner – Ideal Cities: I have been a Roomrunner fan since the first EP. Finally they released a full length. This is throwback noise rock, at times reminiscent of the grunge days, but yet still its own sonic beast. My favorite parts tend to be the squeals between the chords, when experienced live is almost a religious experience. I am glad I can call Baltimore Dragged to Hell's home base, as I was able to see Roomrunner a total of five times in 2013, and each time was great. For some reason I haven't seen much love for this album on "Best Of" lists, which is just sad. Maybe this is their Bleach, and everyone else catches on later (yes a Nirvana reference, NO I don't think they sound like them). Bonus points for being released by one of my favorite labels, Fan Death Records. And double bonus points for Jake Reid of Screen Vinyl Image (another one of my favorite bands) for his excellent mastering work.
2. Wing Dam – Thick Phase / No Splash: The first Friends Records release on this list, and far from the last. Wing Dam used to be a solo act. I never caught Austin Tally live back then, and the music was a bit chill (ie not fuzzed out). Fast forward to 2013, and Wing Dam is a threesome (also featuring Sara Autry aka Which Magic on bass and Abram Sanders on drums). Some of the old tracks are in new form. Some are new. All show a sophisticated sense of songwriting, with the tracks featuring interesting riffs and lyrics that never bore; while at the same time retaining a youthful exuberance. This is a summer record. You put it on while skinny dipping. You put it on around the bonfire. Its joy, but under the surface there is also sadness (like in Stars, "Man, you can months without seeing stars… Start to think things are more important than they are", a lyric that is very personal as I grew up in a place where you do see stars, and have lived in this area for pretty much my whole adult life). Also Austin has one of those unique singing voices that I instantly fell in love with.
3. Weekends – New Humans: Weekends are a two piece. Drums and guitars. Switched between certain songs. Weekends third full length is more of the same of what I love, reverbed out garage rock with that Baltimore sheen on it (not a literally one, this is dirty fuzzy music). I would also put it in the summer jams section. Sadly I haven't been able to catch them live since this came out, and look forward to remedying that in 2014. Also courtesy of Friends Records.
4. Secret Mountains – Rainer: Just for tracking purposes, this is Friends Records release three from this list. This one makes me the saddest. After this was released, the band semi-dissolved, with some members including their singer, leaving the band. But they soldier on, and said they have new tunes for the next year. I hope so, as this flawless, female vocal driven psychedelic gem is an absolute masterpiece from start to finish.
5. Double Dagger – 333: This was my big score for Record Store Day (along with the A Place to Bury Strangers release), the first I ever participated in. I saw Double Dagger back in 2010, and they lasted a little while longer. They do the post-punk thing with their vocal , bass, and drums attack. This final release shows that they still had plenty of tricks up their sleeve, and the members are all still making music in the Baltimore scene (Roomrunner, Pure Junk, Peals).
6. Raindeer – Tattoo: Friends Records number four for this list. Tattoo is full of synth and guitar based jams. This band was really fun watching live, and I was able to see them a couple of time in 2013.
7. Scott Russell – A Guide to Rational Living Volume One: Noise rock from Friend Collector drummer Scott Russell. This release features riffs for days, and shows Scott as being as comfortable being a frontman as he is behind the skins.
8. ABDU ALI – Push+Slay: I am not sure if this is considered a mixtape, or an album; either way this release slays. Abdu Ali has a very confrontational style of lyricism and the earnestness of his music shines in his vocal performances. The beat selection is impeccable, with fellow Baltimore resident Schwarz (among others) dropping some real bangers.
9. Dungeonesse – Dungeonesse: Jon from the Art Department/White Life and Jenn from Wye Oak/Flock of Dimes team up for this pop/R&B release. Sing along choruses, memorable hooks, Jon's production sheen, and Jenn's vocals made this one I was revisiting several time this year.
10. The Snails – Worth The Wait: The final release on this list is also the fifth Friends Records one (man I love that label). This Baltimore super group dons snail outfits and features members of Future Islands and other groups, listed on Bandcamp as "the current cast of snails: Snail Braham, Snailburne, Sammy Snail, Snailliam, and Sandy Snailbelow". They also made one hell of an EP, one that reminds me of beaches, waves rolling in, while sipping a piña colada.
cover image of Rommrunner taken by me at Hampdenfest 2013


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water snake
water snake, a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr.
Anne spotted this 5 foot long water snake along the edge of the marsh.
Usually they get very dark as they get to this size and appear to be black.
On this one you can still see the bands.
Nerodia sipedon insularum


text: Thank you for visiting my blog! Here you will find resources and events for the special needs community under my Community Resources category. Fun activities and projects are posted under the Mommy Corner category. Some of my favorite things to cook and eat are under Recipes. Beauty, fashion, and other fun things are under Lifestyle. Enjoy!


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Once you or your friend makes the announcement that there is a baby on the way, the gender-guessing games immediately begin. There are countless wives' tales and traditions used to predict a baby's gender. Whether or not these tests are accurate is highly debatable, but still fun. The ring and string trick is one wives' tale that claims to determine the sex of an unborn baby.
Find a piece of thread or yarn. The type of string is not important for this test. You will need roughly 10 to 12 inches.
Tie the string around a ring. Knot the string to secure it in place.
Have the expectant mother lie down on her back. Choose a comfortable place like a couch or bed - not a hard floor.
Hold the end of the string over the expectant mother's stomach. Let the ring hang an inch or two directly over her belly.
Move the string gently to create momentum for the ring. Once the ring begins moving, keep your end of the string still.
Observe the movement of the ring as it sways. If it moves in a circular motion, the baby is believed to be a boy. If it swings in a straight, back and forth motion like a pendulum, this suggests that the mom-to-be is having a girl.
Things You Will Need
- Ring
- String
If a ring is not available for this test, you might also use a pencil, paperclip or any other small and lightweigh object.
This test should be performed only for entertainment. It should not be considered a reliable source for determining the gender of a baby.


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Lapland University Press (LUP) is a university publisher established in 2005. Our mission is to increase awareness of Northern and Arctic issues and culture in the scientific community.
Anyone writing a work of high academic standard is welcome to submit a proposal for its publication.
All academic manuscripts go through a peer-review process before publication. LUP has been listed as a level 1 publication channel in Finland by the Publication Forum and in Denmark by the Danish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education.
Our publications are sold in the main library of the University (address: Yliopistonkatu 8) and through the Juvenes Virtual Bookstore; most of the titles can also be found at the Booky.fi webstore.
Most of the online publications can be freely accessed via the Internet.
Lapland University Press ISBN prefix: ISBN 978-952-310
LUP has the right to use the national peer-review label to indicate that the peer-review of articles and books has been performed in line
with the quality and ethical criteria imposed by the academic community. The peer-review label is a trademark registered by the Federation of Finnish Learned Societies (TSV). (Source TSV.)


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Our new Property Report is a one-click report that delivers a detailed property overview including automated valuation and comparable property data!
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The report combines detailed property data and history, comparable sales, listings and rentals, as well as a suburb snapshot. The Suburb Insights section gives a snapshot of current and historical trends in the area to help inform your customers.
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Generating a Report
Running a Property Report is just a single click or tap from a Property Detail page:
- On the desktop (in RP Data Professional), click on the 'Property Report' icon on the task bar of any property detail page
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In less than a minute, you've generated a report and shared it with a customer or prospect – providing great customer service and showing your local expertise, all while on the go (using your iPhone/iPad).
Sharing the Report
- From the desktop, the PDF will be saved or opened via your browser. You can then simply attach it to an email, print it etc.
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Report Cover Page
The Property Report cover page allows some customisation, including who the report is prepared for, and whether to include your own details.
In addition, you can choose whether to include the AutoVal Estimate section, giving you an extra level of personalisation for your clients.
The report is CoreLogic branded and the cover page image cannot be changed, but for franchises we do offer the ability to use your own Cover Page image/logo/colours; so any user from your franchise will have your cover image and logo on the report to maintain brand consistency and message. Charges may apply.
The Property Report is available for free as part of your RP Data subscription.
The RP Data Pro iPhone and iPad app is available for free as part of your RP Data subscription. Simply download from the Apple App Store and login with your RP Data username and password to get started.


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It'd be great to see some of the revenue be allocated toward the deployment of more renewables! (for both selfish and environmental reasons). Regardless, I'm looking forward to seeing a bi-partisan revenue neutral carbon tax emerge in WA one of these days, keep up the good fight.
I was really looking forward to getting those 1000 signatures! Everyone I spoke with says that a carbon tax is the fundamental change that is needed to help slow climate change. Standing by for the next act.
I am really sad to hear this. Could you tell us why?
We must not lose this momentum that Yoram and his colleagues have created. 2014 would be a bad year for this, in my opinion, but the time will come, and all the work that's gone into drafting an initiative and polling will not be wasted.
I am glad you are doing a rethink.
The proposed tax had several flaws the chief one being I do not believe most voters would buy into the idea of a permanent reduction in the general sales tax. I also think the proposed tax is too complex which is another reason it would rejected. I suggest the tax could achieve the revenue neutral goal by simply returning all the tax revenues in equal shares to all the adult citizens and let them determine how to spend it.
I suggest you further simply the tax by deleting the tax breaks for business. The purpose of a carbon tax is to force us to stop using hydrocarbon fuels and replace them with carbon-free renewable energy. Businesses will have to adjust to renewable energy like everyone else. There is going to be a lot of resistance to making such a radical change. But change we must if we are going to help preserve a livable future.
Please forgive my ignorance but does the proposed tax apply to hydrocarbon fuels transported through the state? Perhaps that can only be addressed with national legislation.
Greg's comments provide a template for drafting carbon tax legislation that could be approved by the voters. Greg's vision of ruthless simplicity is the key.
I am really saddened by this decision. For anyone who believes we have time to lose, I recommend James Hansen's summary of his recent paper "Assessing Dangerous Climate Change: Required Reduction of Carbon Emissions to Protect Young People, Future Generations and Nature" here: http://www.columbia.edu/~jeh1/mailings/2013/20131202_PopularSciencePlosOneE.pdf or better the full paper here: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0081648.
For anyone eager to advance the cause of a revenue-neutral carbon tax in the mean while, check out Citizen's Climate Lobby (http://citizensclimatelobby.org/), a dynamic, young rapidly-growing organization with goals similar to CarbonWA's.
It feel VERY sad to see this effort again come to such an abrupt halt. Perhaps this proposal was too complicated to seem coherent to voters and/or doable to volunteers at this time but I hope CarbonWA finds a new life again at the appropriate time.
Somehow we all have to get the message that unconstrained carbon burning is both morally insane and and technically unnecessary. Putting this proposal OUT THERE to be considered would have been at least a start in raising voter awareness to this end even if it was not to be approved in Nov '14. It also displayed public moral courage that other bureaucratic incentives efforts do not.
I hope more reasons for this initiative's failure will be forthcoming soon… regardless, thanks for trying Yoram. May the next steering committee find a real workable decarbonized Washington State highway.
The "getting the message out" was one of my reasons for supporting the petition. I gave little hope that it would have become law but a larger hope it would be rewritten and pass the second time around. The 're-evaluation" may actually shorten the process by skipping the first step.
While we may comprehend the urgency, only a small percentage of voters (about 9%) in Washington State will currently vote to mitigate climate change. See "Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change Co-Chairs Release First Comprehensive State-Level Polling Data on Climate Change".
I think this is all the more reason to provide a simple approach.
As someone on the more conservative side of things, we were considering NOT supporting this. The biggest reason was the amounts of missing complexity and details on the revenue generation side, and the excessive social goals on the spending side.
I'd suggest purely going from carbon tax to sales tax percentage reduction, and reducing impact by means of a graduated phase in period vice complicating the code by targeted breaks.
Additionally, to avoid interstate commerce complications and building opponents, on the revenue generation side, it might be best to start off with just electricity generation vice motor vehicle fuels. Washington states does refine some fuel for export, and there are several projects in the pipeline that I am aware of that will be processing shale derived crude for such purposes. Affecting those may very well cause much more in the way of opponents for a proposed measure.
When I first saw this message my instant reaction was "Oh no!", because as Bill McKibben writes in his book Eaarth, we really don't have time to spare on this issue. On reflection, however, I realize that politics does take time — time for building the organization, time for getting the word out, time to collect the small miracles that ultimately become essential to a campaign's success. Shoring up the campaign as much as possible before a final push for signatures and then for achieving a "yes" vote on the ballot will pay off in the long run. Whether I will be in Washington after I graduate this spring or outside the state, I will be rooting on the campaign and helping in the ways that I can. Thanks for all of your hard work so far, and keep it up! A shout-out to my good friend Claire Meints for her awesome dedication to this campaign and her persistence in getting the word out about it on the Whitman campus and in Walla Walla.
Citizens Climate Lobby has excellent materials to support volunteers in working toward a carbon fee and dividend. Our focus is on a national tax, but the talking points and procedures apply to a state tax as well. It uses group empowerment to support a successful change in awareness and political will.
Chapters meet monthly, hear expert info in conference calls, and plan educational efforts. Carbon Washington volunteers, please check out the website, citizensclimatelobby.org Listen to an intro call, hear past conference calls, and consider joining or forming a chapter. Let's keep the momentum going.
My suggestions for carbonWA now:
First, keep collecting names and contact info for people supporting a carbon tax and willing to get a monthly update. Use those updates to pass out talking points. Announce the number of names as the master list grows, and use it for telephone town halls and rallies.
Collect organizational endorsements for a carbon tax, from the many non-profit organizations in Washington that work to combat climate change, and with
businesses and business alliances focused on efficiency and clean energy, and
religious, social, and professional organizations with civic interest,
academic institutions
and governments.
Establish citizen groups across the state that meet regularly and present speakers and other educational events (coordinate w. CCL)
Help local media access and present accurate and more information on climate science and solutions.
Support other efforts: divestment, expansion of investment in efficiency and clean energy, and resistance to transport of fossil fuels.
Of course we also will be monitoring action from Olympia.
Louise Stonington
I'm sorry to see this, too, but I'm sure there're good reasons for it.
I'm going to go ahead with my plan to table at the WA Democrats' state-wide meeting in Vancouver on Feb 1. The meeting will be mostly involved with electing a new chair, but I'm still considering bringing a resolution by which the party can endorse both carbon tax and cap-and-trade, and urge urgency.
If anyone is in the Vancouver area or planning to go to the meeting, let me know if you'd like to help/meet.
Well, like others I am disappointed but also a little relieved. Tax initiatives in WA state have a long and painful history, and I wasn't looking forward to putting this on a ballot in an-off year election.
There seemed to be the possibility of a serious side effect of galvanizing low-attention voters, to come to the polls to vote against anything that has "tax" in the title and then vote for some seriously awful candidates at the same time.
I don't have any magic bullets to make the next step easier but I agree with Jim and Louise above that there's lots to do to preserve what momentum we have.
Looking forward to learning more when the time's right.
I'm also saddened by this turn of events, but recognize the challenges we're facing. I hope we can keep our momentum and look forward to developing a winning strategy.
May I suggest two changes in strategy.
1. Drop the "revenue neutral" strategy. Use revenue from a carbon tax to invest in and develop zero (or near zero) carbon emitting energy sources.
Voters do have a record of supporting taxes if the revenue is used to support popular causes. Promote the tax as a "sin" tax.
2. Drop the idea of applying the tax to electricity imported from carbon emitting generating stations. Other methods can be used to deal with that (carbon divestment campaigns and encouraging initiative or legislative action in states that have those generating stations.)
This would simplify the initiative and remove some of the legal issues.
Thank you Yoram, the steering committee and all those who are working hard on this issue!
I really think the campaign needs to remain carbon-neutral, with most, of not all, of the money going back to the people. Aiming higher than that (ie using carbon tax revenue to fund alternative energy research or carbon sequestration) would be good but it a step too far for now.
Delaying the initiative drive and the vote is a well-considered decision. Progressive voters tend to vote in presidential elections more than in off-year elections. This delay gives us more time to " plough the ground "– identify supporters and build a voting machine — which will focus on turning out the voters.
We can win on this issue but it takes grass roots work. Good job so far, my friends. Onward!
I believe you will get more support if you become more pragmatic and less "pure" in your approach — do what can actually [perhaps] be accomplished. I do not believe you can get a tax high-enough to seriously change car-driving behavior, but yet another tax on gas will kill your voter support. However most voters can understand that much of our CO2 pollution comes from a small subset of electricity utilities in Washington State — most utilities are [somewhat] doing their part, but a small subset of utilities are "free riding." So I agree, I would at this point simply put a fee on the CO2 emissions from electricity, and rebate that fee via the sales tax. KISS. I believe a minority of citizens in the high-emitter utility regions would oppose — but everyone else would support. When Puget Sound Energy surveyed their own customers some years ago 80% of customers put clean electricity as a priority. In fact most WA citizens still believe our electricity is all coming from hydro. Point out, for example, on how high PSE's emissions are — and how quickly those emissions are rising — to almost 50% above 1990 levels — and I think most citizens of WA will be outraged.
The concentration of carbon emissions among a few utilities is NOT because the others are "doing their part" to reduce carbon emissions. It is because federal law allocates the federal hydropower to a select group of (public body and cooperative) utilities.
Lewis PUD is not a "champion" of clean energy; it is the beneficiary of a specific federal law. Seattle City Light is, perhaps, a little more intentional in its energy portfolio, but most of the public power and cooperative utilities simply suck on the BPA tit, and then claim their are using clean hydropower. When it's really fish-killing hydropower.
I disagree with Jim: we need to address all electricity, and assume that if it's birthplace cannot be documented, that it's coal in origin. There is too much power trading throughout the West to assume otherwise. BC Hydro buys (coal) from Alberta, and sells (hydro) to California. BPA buys from Centralia at night, and shuts down hydro, saving it for higher-value hours during the day (when it exports to California).
But, I agree we should drop the revenue neutral game. My personal preference is to devote 100% of the proceeds to higher education, split between the state universities, state colleges, and community colleges in a manner to provide a tangible reduction in tuition and a tangible increase in overall funding. We have enough employees and students in higher education to put an initiative on the ballot, and run a great campaign. Give them a self-interest, that happens to be a well-documented public interest.
James Adcock et al, I agree that we need to keep it simple and educate. Here are some facts to consider:
1. Emission sources. In 2012 just shy of 1/3 of US CO2 emissions came from Coal to produce electricity. This is a little less than emissions from petroleum based non-industrial transportation (see a great educational graphic at https://flowcharts.llnl.gov/content/carbon/carbon_emissions_2012/2012_US_Carbon.png). The story is worse in WA because we use so much hydro to produce electricity. In 2008 (latest data I could find) over HALF of our emissions came from petroleum based transportation (https://flowcharts.llnl.gov/content/carbon/carbon_emissions_2008/2008StateCarbon.pdf). We need to address BOTH transportation and electricity generation.
2. Gas taxes. For some reason in this country people only view taxes as a liability so we are not able to levy some taxes as percentages. The earliest data I could find for the gas tax is in 1949 when it was 6.5 cents on 26.8 c/gal gas. That's 24%. It peaked in 1967 at 27%, declined to 10% in the Reagan years, peaked again at 20% around Gulf War 1, and has generally declined to ~11% today (http://dor.wa.gov/docs/reports/2010/Tax_Reference_2010/06taxhistory.pdf and http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/annual/showtext.cfm?t=ptb0524).
All the energy we could possibly need shines down on us every day, even in Seattle during the winter solstice. We need to STOP extracting stored carbon from the earth to redistribute as air, soil, and water pollution and START harnessing all the energy we could ever need from the sun. The way to do that is to internalize ALL the costs of carbon with a tax to even the playing field for renewables. The fossil fuel industry is one of just a few that gets to externalize the majority of its costs. We need to figure out the politics for the sake of our futures and those of our children.
So many people have been energized by Carbon Washington! Thank you to Yoram Bauman and other people working on it.
2014 is the year of the horse, and in particular the wood horse, strong and stable, energetic, friendly and successful.
As we end the year of the snake, we see that we do not have to suffer random failures; if can count our resources, and use them thoughtfully, we can plan for long lasting happiness. The cleanliness of the air and water are essential to life. Pollution wastes our efforts and our assets.
In this year of the horse, we should celebrate our good fortune and turn it into long-term benefits for all. This is a time to face our selfish desires and wasteful practices. We can use energy more efficiently. We can invest in clean energy to reduce economic losses from pollution, and find greater profits.
We can change old habits that are risking the stability of our natural systems and our economy.
This is a time for people to call on their strength and stamina, the energy and vitality of the horse, to help them influence others. This is a year to be cheerful, friendly and vocal, and to call on other people to work with us toward a vibrant, new green energy economy.
To All: I am not disagreeing about what you, or for that matter I, would like to get done. I am merely suggesting that if you reach for the unobtainable, then you *will* fail — by definition. I am suggesting instead the following question: "What can CarbonWA have a reasonable hope of actually getting passed?" I suggest that which can be passed in today's post-crash fearful voter environment is a pretty low bar: 1) Rebate 100% back directly to voters to that no one can make the argument that this is a "tax" and not a penalty on the worst polluters. 2) Penalize those who most *Washingtonians* would agree are the worst offenders, namely the highest emitting electrical utilities. If you can get a carbon tax on something, and that carbon tax is high-enough to be meaningful — meaning more that $25 / ton CO2, and hopefully closer to the $45-50 / ton CO2 EPA is already estimating (and real climate scientists are saying we are currently at $100 / ton CO2) — then maybe you have something we can build on in the future. I don't disagree with Lazar that utilities are playing a shell game pushing the CO2 emissions assignments around to always the least-regulated state or province. Its just that when enough states and provinces see that that shell game is getting shut down, then they too will want to impose CO2 fees or taxes lest they get stuck with the CO2 clawback risks. And to do as Lazar does and lump a Seattle City Light or a Snopud in with PSE and say "well really all utilities are the same" is grossly unfair. Not true, on many levels some utilities are truly horrific compared to the other utilities. While not perfect Seattle had support from 100% of its IRP participants, whereas PSE had 100% *lack* of support from its IRP participants.
I applaud the effort to establish a carbon tax but increasing the cost of carbon is no panacea. We know from decades of experience that most consumers will pay more for energy while ignoring the opportunity to invest in more efficient energy use. For a carbon tax to be effective it will need to be accompanied by a major effort to remove other barriers to efficiency and renewable energy.