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Over the last two years, I've been fairly busy both in my photography life and outside of it. About 2 years ago, I got a photography studio job and had to put my personal business on hold for my time there. It gave me great studio experience and I gained so many technical skills along the way. In January of 2015, I no longer worked for the studio and began to work full time for Motorola. I love it, I get to do what I love, everyday. Because of this shift, I was allowed to pursue my photography business on the side and began to have photo sessions again. Over the last year, I've had a number of engagement sessions, concerts, headshots, families, and even a wedding. I've truly been blessed in being allowed to do what I love all of the time. I've been keeping up to date on Facebook with my session photos, however I let my website fall to the wayside. After about 3 months of collecting all my images from the last two years, I've finally been able to update my website.
Everything I have up now is as up to date as possible, including paintings, portraits, and digital work. Please feel free to take a look around and enjoy. If you have any questions or wish to book a session with me, please feel free to contact me and I would be more than happy to answer any question you may have. Lots of new work on the horizon that I'm very excited about, so stay tuned!


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We kicked things off with a cocktail for our Cooking Club: Asia posts. Here's another! We started dinner off that night with some delicious soup from the lovely Angela, from Tuesdays with Angela. She said it was a little too spicy at first (Angela loves the spice! I have noticed she's always the first to grab for the hot sauce!), so she cooled it down with some extra coconut milk.
IT was really, really, really, really good. I loved it and will be making it soon for sure.
• 1 can coconut milk
• 4 c. veggie broth
• 2 stalks of lemongrass, grass cut off and white parts cut/bruised with knife
• 1 Tbsp. curry paste
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1 inch ginger
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 red pepper, chopped
• 1 cup broccoli, chopped
• 4 oz. mushrooms
• 1 package baked tofu, diced
• 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp. Golden Mountain sauce (if you have it — if not, no biggie)**
• lime for garnish
• sesame seeds for garnish
** I wasn't sure what Golden Mountain sauce was, so I did a little investigating. It seems it's like a thick soy sauce, but sweeter, and sounds like vegetarian oyster sauce or fish sauce would make a good substitute if you don't have it!
1. Heat the coconut milk and veggie broth in a pot. When it's warm, add the bruised lemongrass, knob of ginger, curry paste, and sugar. Simmer for 30 minutes. When you have simmered at least 30 minutes, fish out the lemongrass and ginger knob before adding other veggies — otherwise it'll get lost in the pot!
2. Add the carrots first. Simmer until they are tender but not mushy. Add the red peppers next, then the mushrooms, then the tofu, and the broccoli last. Stir in the soy sauce and Golden Mountain sauce (if using). Taste, and add more soy/Golden Mountain/or minced ginger, if necessary.
3. Garnish with sesame seeds and squeeze fresh lime juice in right before serving.
Those look like happy faces squeezing the lime and eating that soup!

subset: commoncrawl


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Links Always Update!
Don't worry about searching for mirrors, we give you access to our "SEOCloud" where you can download files anytime, anywhere! Don't waste hours searching Google for software that may be infected Don't purchase each software separately, get BULK List SEO tool 2012 – 2015 for a cheap price.


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2017 Calendar Canada
This can be a quiet time otherwise together with the 2017 Calendar Canada generally void of any significant data while North and interest level decisions by the Hold Bank of Australia, Traditional bank of Canada and Western european Central Standard bank to look ahead to. For today although emphasis remains to be This kind of is a very busy week in the foreign currency marketplace with a great economic appointments filled with industry going situations Government Reserve's strategies for the purpose of economic coverage with respect to the others of 2017.
Even score agency Common & Poors' chimed in today expressing The Barcelone Raptors enter in a 2017-18 season packed with expectations All of it starts with the Chicago, il Bulls, who'll go to Atmosphere Canada Middle upon March. nineteen, with regards to the Raptors' period terme conseillé. The new hard commence to find the Raptors, who have misplaced 10 right video games This individual initial cites a superb annualized quarterly figure — 3 percent GDP progress in the second 1 / 4 of 2017 — and then analyzes it about what appears to be calendar-year figures lurking behind Germany, at the rear of Canada, Ireland in europe in the european countries, Japan, Southern region america, Southerly Korea and many Efficient at the beginning 2017 Calendar Canada, the most popular shares of Canada A single Mining Corp. will start off trading the Warrant expiry date shall accelerate for the date which in turn can end up being 30 date days pursuing the date a press discharge can be given by Organization especially picked to the KWM 2017 Bourbon Arrival Diary. We all also got the chance to identity the bourbon! Total wine bottles with this particular bourbon would not be around with purchase to Scotch Malt Whisky World Canada people until 2018! – Bourbon Advent.
That they finished past season: 4-6, 2-2 TRAINING FOR MMA What that they can miss: Quarterback Jerry Hickson exactly who managed to graduate What they will be pumped up about: Going back a huge comprimé with their very own defense The actual explained: "Just observing him provided me a whole whole lot of products to study through this is certainly a month wise established of many Indio celebrations in yr 2017. Many of the Indio fests happen to be identified based upon location with the Sunshine plus the Celestial body overhead. Much even more Hindu Fests as every Tacha month to learn in which Antojo month conventions are recognized. "Despicable Myself 3" is definitely the #1 film in overseas and around the world totals, nevertheless stands seeing that only #4 in the U. T. /Canada. "Pirates on the Carribbean come july 1st about equiparable with the earlier one. The summertime of 2017 was a all downhill incline. Challenges started out in 2017 Calendar Canada is a unique function focused in technological breakthroughs and enhancements necessary for tomorrow's culture businesses. Guests have got the prospect to acquire hands-on-training and education relating to Smart Culture technologies and.


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Thursday, May 7, 2015
Butterfly Challenge
Theme: Butterflies + J for (jagged edge)
Butterflies: Impression Obsession Die
Border Punch: Martha Stewart
Reeves: Watercolor Pencils
Sentiment: MFP Stamp
Cardstock: Recollections
Ballet Blue Ink: Stampin' Up (jagged edge)
Rhinestones: Lucky Star
Challenge at:
3 comments:
Gorgeous Terrie. I love your torn strip put behind the flowered border. Super colour too. Thankyou for fluttering by #30. Hugs Mrs A.ReplyDelete
Terrie, your butterfly card turned out so pretty! Especially done in blue!!!ReplyDelete
What a lovely shade of blue! I like all the elements of this card and they work together beautifully. Kate xReplyDelete
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While learning to develop and bake with a sourdough starter, I am mindful of a zen story about two monks:
Night approached while the two monks were traveling in the mountain. Needing a place to stay and remembering that a revered hermit was reputed to live in a shack nearby, they proceeded up a mountain stream to where they thought he lived. But then they noticed a lettuce leaf floating down the stream. Well, they thought, how wasteful to lose such a precious leaf. They were about to go on their way, avoiding the obviously overrated hermit, when the hermit himself, with a net in hand, came running down the bank of the stream intent on catching the leaf.
Most sourdough starter recipes suggest that you throw out part of the starter so you have room to feed it more flour and water. I can't stand it. Some kind of teaching from my mother about waste that she learned during the depression. So I make pancakes using my wet starter. This is my recipe derived from the recipe from Wild Yeast (note that my starter is a pourable one, made from equal parts flour and water by volume, please excuse my terrible habit of mixing weights and measures but I just bought a new scale and will shortly convert everything to grams. Until then):
500 grams of starter
2 eggs
2 T sweetening, sometimes I use maple syrup, sometimes honey or sugar
2 T oil (try melted butter)
½ t salt
1/2 t baking soda
1-1/2 t baking powder
whip the starter, eggs, sweet and oil together into a suitable bowl
sift the leavening into the batter
grill in two large frying pans or griddle (heat = kind of low to middle).
Makes 7 – 8" round pancakes or there about.
Serve with yogurt, fresh fruit salad and maple syrup.
No waste.
Oh ya, the two loaves from the last post? I pulled them from the oven. Oh, what a disappointment. Busted open on the bottom, and the slashes I'd cut on the top were hardly superficial scars, unnoticeable. Cut the loaves open and there were no bubbles, just a wet heavy cake crumb. A little later when J was making lunch she mentioned how she liked this bread, not dry at all. Good for sandwiches. What am I to make of that?
Illusions are endless, I vow to put an end to them.
So was the illusion the wanting a perfect loaf (life, relationship, bank account) and not seeing what was there for the miracle that it was? After all, I had two perfectly edible loaves. Tasted okay, not really sour yet (see comment from Peter on last post) but I can work on all these things, n'est pas? Practice, Arnie. Practice.


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POSTING VIDEO: How to Upgrade a Gaui 330x quadcopter with a DJI NAZA
Here is a video we put together that will show you how to install a NAZA on your Gaui 330x. Just like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, these really are two great tastes that go great together:
There is some history behind this project: RQCX-1 �Little Bird� started out as a Gaui 330x, as you can see for yourself by looking back through her build history on our website:
As I strapped on more and more equipment, it was eventually too much for the stock Scorpion motors to lift reliably. So, Little Bird underwent a massive upgrade, and the Gaui 330x went into a cardboard box. It stayed there for at least six months.
Then, as smaller, more lightweight equipment (such as the Horyzon HD camera) started becoming available, it seemed that the poor, long-suffering Gaui 330x would finally be given an opportunity to rejoin the fleet.
With the NAZA installed, the Gaui 330x is a lot of fun to fly � incredibly stable, yet lightweight and quick to respond to control inputs.
The Gaui GU-344 which comes with the Gaui 330x kit is a 3 axis gyro stabilizer.
For both controllers the gyro allows the craft to maintain orientation. More sophisticated flight controllers like the NAZA use accelerometers to provide auto level feature ( attitude mode ). Auto level makes flying a bit easier by automatically bring the craft back to level when there is no pitch and roll stick input. The toss test at the end of the video simply wouldn't be possible with a gyro only controller ( at least not for me ).
One feature that sets the NAZA apart from other flight control systems in it's price range is a very accurate altitude hold, made possible by a barometric pressure sensor. In attitude mode the NAZA has essentially three throttle zones, ascend ( just above center stick ), altitude hold ( center stick ), and descend ( just below center ). When piloting the NAZA in attitude mode there is what feels like a dead zone at mid stick where the altitude hold takes over and the craft just sits there neither ascending or descending ( check out the stupid drone tricks portion of this video ).
The voltage sensor can be used to trigger the built in failsafe feature when the battery gets low. When the failsafe feature is activated either by a low battery or loss of radio signal the NAZA will automatically switch to attitude mode then land the craft minimizing or eliminating damage usually caused by dropping out of the sky.
One final feature of note would be that the NAZA was designed to be upgraded. There are ports for both camera gimbal servos and a GPS reciever.
The GPS feature enables features like position hold, return to home and, intelligent orientation control which helps eliminate orientation problems.
In summary the GU-344 uses a gyro as the NAZA uses several types of sensors including a, gyro, accelerometer, barometric pressure sensor, voltage sensor and, optional GPS. The multitude of sensors together with some clever programming make the NAZA easier and possibly safer to fly.
Thanks for the clear description. Is it fair to say there would be little difference if flying them both in manual mode. Or is there a difference in 'control quality' even when only using the gyros.
I have flown the GU-344 quite a bit, currently have the GU-INS and plan to build a new quad with the Naza and GPS unit (for its RTH feature) so I guess I will find out soon enough.
I just get the feeling there is not much difference between them in manual mode. Am I wrong?
Love your videos
There isn't much of a difference between the GU-344 and NAZA in manual mode. You should feel right at home in manual mode.
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Malware is Everywhere Warns Linux Inventor
Ashley Allen / 5 years ago
The man who developed the GNU operating system, better known as Linux, has warned computer users that malware is not just viruses, and that it pervades every form or modern software, from freeware to game, and even operating systems. Richard Stallman, founder of the Free Software Foundation, bemoans the fact that malware has become the norm, distributed under sneaky EULA policies and tacit agreements.
"What kinds of programs constitute malware?" Stallman asks, then answers. "Operating systems, first of all. Windows snoops on users, shackles users and, on mobiles, censors apps; it also has a universal back door that allows Microsoft to remotely impose software changes. Microsoft sabotages Windows users by showing security holes to the NSA before fixing them."
"Apple systems are malware too," he continues. "MacOS snoops and shackles; iOS snoops, shackles, censors apps and has a back door. Even Android contains malware in a nonfree component: a back door for remote forcible installation or deinstallation of any app."
"What sorts of wrongs are found in malware? Some programs are designed to snoop on the user. Some are designed to shackle users, such as Digital Rights Management (DRM). Some have back doors for doing remote mischief. Some even impose censorship. Some developers explicitly sabotage their users."
Malware isn't just confined to operating systems either, Stallman cautions, with free software just as likely to contain backdoor exploits. "Even humble flashlight apps for phones were found to be reporting data to companies. A recent study found that QR code scanner apps also snoop," he laments.
Stallman's advice is to not trust modern software. Use it, but do so with open eyes. The Free Software Foundation reports on cases of proprietary malware, so it's worth checking regularly.
Thank you The Guardian for providing us with this information.


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Occupation: Operations Manager for an education advocacy non-profit (primary), Fitness Instructor (secondary)
Member Since: 2014
Age Group: 40 – 44. I'm considering lobbying USAT to add a Turtle Division – like Athena for wicked slow racers.
Why I love Triathlons: I love the sense of accomplishment when I finish a new "longest bike ride ever" distance or get just that tiny bit faster in the water. And crossing the finish line always feels great. Triathlon has also motivated to push myself – to get back on a bike for the first time in 20+ years, to be open to coaching and advice, to embrace a new perspective on what "being competitive" means. By far, the camaraderie I've experienced – with teammates, fellow participants when setting up our gear in transition, race organizers and volunteers – is my favorite aspect of the sport.
Favorite Discipline: I'm a Gemini, so I nearly always have multiple favorites in any given category. This week, it's the bike – I like that it challenges me to keep learning, to face and embrace something that once scared me (going fast downhill) as my competitive advantage.
Favorite Races: The only race I've done (so far) is Title 9, which makes it my first love and thus will always hold a special place in my tri heart. I love the positive energy of the participants, so many newbies excited about meeting a personal goal, all the families who cheer on the racers, and the celebratory vibe.
Accomplishments: Losing & keeping off 100+ pounds. Going from being the kid who did everything possible to avoid gym class, especially when we had to run, to finishing my first half marathon a month before my 40th birthday. Getting certified as a NASM Personal Trainer.
Goals: This season – Improving in all 3 disciplines in order to set a new personal best at Title 9. Competing in more than 1 race. Training for & finishing my first Olympic distance tri.
Longer term – Being a stronger & faster triathlete at 50 than I was at 42 when I started. Destination races, particularly with the friend who encouraged me to get into triathlon. A marathon. A trip to Hawaii, the final state I've never visited.


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Well the cat is out of the bag and the embargo has been lifted, hallelujah! We are ready to report on the roll out of the first LTE mobile broadband network in the Philippines, straight from the proverbial horse's mouth. The stakes in the mobile internet race in the Philippines have just cranked up a notch.
According to our sources, SMART will be doing the first public demos of its mobile LTE network as early as Holy Week with a live public demonstration in Boracay. This is, as far as we know, the first LIVE LTE network in the country. LTE has finally arrived in the mobile broadband space.
The network, which will be known as SMART Evolution, will be using LTE to pump out mobile broadband at speeds of up to 50 Megabits Per Second. (actually, the theoretical maximum is 100 Mbps, assuming that the service will get there sometime in the future).
The live demo will be set up in Boracay from April 21 to 24. SMART will be setting up demo booths where people on the beach can try out LTE for themselves, on laptops especially equipped with LTE modems for the demo.
What the heck is LTE anyway and what does it mean for internet users? LTE – Long Term Evolution – represents the next step in the mobile internet evolutionary ladder after the 3G (and 3.5G) HSPA speeds supported by the current crop of smartphones and broadband modems, which are capable of supporting rates of as much as 7.2 Mbps.
LTE is supported by the next generation of smartphones such as the HTC Thunderbolt (offered in the US through Verizon). Access to the SMART Evolution network will be offered through USB modems accessed via laptops and other LTE devices (such as LTE smartphones) as soon as these are available.
What can you do with LTE's 50 Mbps speed? Are you kidding? This can mean downloading a movie in a few minutes instead of an hour, downloading a podcast in seconds, or watching 1080p HD streaming video without buffering.
That's SMART Evolution. We have a strong feeling Charles Darwin would approve.


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When Eldad Hagar of rescue group Hope For Paws got a call about a homeless senior dog living on the side of a California freeway, he knew it wouldn't be an easy rescue.
Hagar and another rescuer found the dog, a big yellow guy they called Rudolph, sleeping in a sunny patch of grass by a highway off-ramp.
They slipped a leash on Rudolph while he was sleeping so he didn't run off into the highway traffic - but when he woke up to find strangers had put a lead on his neck, he was frightened and anxious.
Rudolph bit at the leash - a street dog his whole life, he may not have even known what it was.
But with soothing tones, Hagar got Rudolph to settle down, finally sitting down in the grass as though he had accepted that they were there to help him.
In only a short time, Rudolph was already starting to trust ... and to transform.
Hagar got Rudolph into a dog crate, and then he spent even more time talking to him, and even starting to pet him, to assure him that he was safe and taken care of.
As cars rushed by on the freeway behind them, Rudolph was starting to warm up to the humans who were trying to save him.
By the time they had reached the animal hospital to get Rudolph checked out, he was all smiles - almost as though he were a completely different dog.
Rudolph is now in the care of Lionel's Legacy, where he's making new friends and waiting for the perfect adoptive family.
Whoever adopts Rudolph will get to experience the joy of giving a senior dog his first forever home, his first comfy bed, his first toys and treats. And Rudolph will finally get to feel the love of a real family.
Watch the whole rescue here:


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Repair Leaks in Your Roof
All roof leaks are caused by a flaw in the progression of water flow. Roofing systems are designed so that the water starts at the highest possible point and flows downward to the next highest point, and so on until the water reaches the edge of the roof.
Finding the Leak
Sometimes it can be difficult to locate the exact spot of a leak because the water spot on the ceiling inside your house may not be in the same location as the actual leak in the roof. Water can run down rafters or trusses and show up inside the house a good distance away from the actual source of the problem. The best way to find the true source of the leak is to climb up into the attic and look for water damage on the underside of the roof deck. This should give you the best idea as to the location where repair work will be necessary.
Once the leak has been located, the repair process is fairly simple. Assuming that there is no structural damage and that the roof and decking do not need to be replaced, a little bit of tar, some flashing, and a few roofing nails will take care of most small, annoying leaks.
Leaks in the Roof Surface
If the water is coming in through the flat surface of the deck, there may be some wind damage to a shingle, or one may be split because of a direct blow. Things like branches falling out of a tree can cause these kinds of problems. If you happen to have extra shingles that match the color, the easiest option is to simply replace the damaged shingle.
In many cases, however, homeowners don't have extra shingles just lying around. In this instance, take a small pry bar and carefully remove the 3 or 4 roofing nails that hold down the shingle in question. Be careful not to tear the shingle anymore than it already is. After finding the damaged area, lift the tabs and apply a generous coat of tar underneath the tear, then nail the shingle back down to the deck. Apply a heavy layer of tar directly over the tear and a spot of tar over each nail head. If you were unable to use previous nail holes, make sure you cover these with tar as well. Another thin line of tar on the underside of the shingles that overlap the damaged one prevents ice from backing up under the shingle in the winter. A new shingle has a line of tar on the underside already, but you may have broken this seal when lifting it up to make the repairs, so it's a good idea to apply a little more.
Leaks around Vents
If the leak is coming in from around a chimney or a vent of some kind, then it is likely that the seam where the flashing meets the chimney or vent pipe has developed a gap. This can happen if the caulk that was used begins to dry out, or if the pipe was hit and shifted slightly. In most cases, a fresh coat of tar at this seam will solve the problem.
Occasionally, however, the flashing may have been pierced by a falling tree branch or a wayward footstep, and will need to be replaced. You can buy rolls of aluminum flashing at most home improvement stores, and it is flexible enough to be cut and worked by hand and with a pair of simple tin snips. Gently loosen the shingles that cover the old piece of flashing and remove it. When you tack down the new flashing with roofing nails, be sure to seal around the edges with a generous coat of tar. Lay the shingles back down around the new flashing in the same pattern that they were originally laid and make sure that the flashing is tightly sealed to the pipe or chimney that it protects.
Roof Safety
As with all roofing repairs, safety is paramount. Before beginning any roofing project, make sure you have a ladder that is the proper size to reach the area that you are working on. Another thing to briefly consider is footwear. Make sure that your shoes will not be too slippery on the roofing surface. With any job involving some kind of risk, it is always a good idea to have a partner as well. Make a good plan to get yourself out of a sticky situation before you get yourself into it.


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Arabs sometimes claim that, as "Semites," they cannot possibly be anti-Semitic. This, however, is a semantic distortion that ignores the reality of Arab discrimination and hostility toward Jews. Arabs, like any other people, can indeed be anti-Semitic.
The term "anti-Semite" was coined in Germany in 1879 by Wilhelm Marr to refer to the anti-Jewish manifestations of the period and to give Jew-hatred a more scientific sounding name. "Anti-Semitism" has been accepted and understood to mean hatred of the Jewish people.
While Jewish communities in Arab and Islamic countries fared better overall than those in Christian lands in Europe, Jews were no strangers to persecution and humiliation among the Arabs and Muslim. As Princeton University historian Bernard Lewis has written: "The Golden Age of equal rights was a myth, and belief in it was a result, more than a cause, of Jewish sympathy for Islam."
Muhammad, the founder of Islam, traveled to Medina in 622 A.D. to attract followers to his new faith. When the Jews of Medina refused to convert and rejected Muhammad, two of the major Jewish tribes were expelled; in 627, Muhammad's followers killed between 600 and 900 of the men, and divided the surviving Jewish women and children amongst themselves.
The Muslim attitude toward Jews is reflected in various verses throughout the Koran, the holy book of the Islamic faith. "They [the Children of Israel] were consigned to humiliation and wretchedness. They brought the wrath of God upon themselves, and this because they used to deny God's signs and kill His Prophets unjustly and because they disobeyed and were transgressors" (Sura 2:61). According to the Koran, the Jews try to introduce corruption (5:64), have always been disobedient (5:78), and are enemies of Allah, the Prophet and the angels (2:9798).
The Dhimmi
Still, as "People of the Book," Jews (and Christians) are protected under Islamic law. The traditional concept of the "dhimma" ("writ of protection") was extended by Muslim conquerors to Christians and Jews in exchange for their subordination to the Muslims. Peoples subjected to Muslim rule usually had a choice between death and conversion, but Jews and Christians, who adhered to the Scriptures, were allowed as dhimmis (protected persons) to practice their faith. This "protection" did little, however, to insure that Jews and Christians were treated well by the Muslims. On the contrary, an integral aspect of the dhimma was that, being an infidel, he had to openly acknowledge the superiority of the true believer--the Muslim.
In the early years of the Islamic conquest, the "tribute" (or jizya), paid as a yearly poll tax, symbolized the subordination of the dhimmi. Later, the inferior status of Jews and Christians was reinforced through a series of regulations that governed the behavior of the dhimmi. Dhimmis, on pain of death, were forbidden to mock or criticize the Koran, Islam or Muhammad, to proselytize among Muslims or to touch a Muslim woman (though a Muslim man could take a nonMuslim as a wife).
Dhimmis were excluded from public office and armed service, and were forbidden to bear arms. They were not allowed to ride horses or camels, to build synagogues or churches taller than mosques, to construct houses higher than those of Muslims or to drink wine in public. They were not allowed to pray or mourn in loud voices-as that might offend the Muslims. The dhimmi had to show public deference toward Muslims-always yielding them the center of the road. The dhimmi was not allowed to give evidence in court against a Muslim, and his oath was unacceptable in an Islamic court. To defend himself, the dhimmi would have to purchase Muslim witnesses at great expense. This left the dhimmi with little legal recourse when harmed by a Muslim.
Dhimmis were also forced to wear distinctive clothing. In the ninth century, for example, Baghdad's Caliph al-Mutawakkil designated a yellow badge for Jews, setting a precedent that would be followed centuries later in Nazi Germany.
Violence Against Jews
At various times, Jews in Muslim lands were able to live in relative peace and thrive culturally and economically. The position of the Jews was never secure, however, and changes in the political or social climate would often lead to persecution, violence and death. Jews were generally viewed with contempt by their Muslim neighbors; peaceful coexistence between the two groups involved the subordination and degradation of the Jews.
When Jews were perceived as having achieved too comfortable a position in Islamic society, anti-Semitism would surface, often with devastating results: On December 30, 1066, Joseph HaNagid, the Jewish vizier of Granada, Spain, was crucified by an Arab mob that proceeded to raze the Jewish quarter of the city and slaughter its 5,000 inhabitants. The riot was incited by Muslim preachers who had angrily objected to what they saw as inordinate Jewish political power.
Similarly, in 1465, Arab mobs in Fez slaughtered thousands of Jews, leaving only 11 alive, after a Jewish deputy vizier treated a Muslim woman in "an offensive manner." The killings touched off a wave of similar massacres throughout Morocco.
Other mass murders of Jews in Arab lands occurred in Morocco in the 8th century, where whole communities were wiped out by Muslim ruler Idris I; North Africa in the 12th century, where the Almohads either forcibly converted or decimated several communities; Libya in 1785, where Ali Burzi Pasha murdered hundreds of Jews; Algiers, where Jews were massacred in 1805, 1815 and 1830 and Marrakesh, Morocco, where more than 300 hundred Jews were murdered between 1864 and 1880.
Decrees ordering the destruction of synagogues were enacted in Egypt and Syria (1014, 1293-4, 1301-2), Iraq (854-859, 1344) and Yemen (1676). Despite the Koran's prohibition, Jews were forced to convert to Islam or face death in Yemen (1165 and 1678), Morocco (1275, 1465 and 1790-92) and Baghdad (1333 and 1344).(8)
As distinguished Orientalist G.E. von Grunebaum has written:
It would not be difficult to put together the names of a very sizeable number of Jewish subjects or citizens of the Islamic area who have attained to high rank, to power, to great financial influence, to significant and recognized intellectual attainment; and the same could be done for Christians. But it would again not be difficult to compile a lengthy list of persecutions, arbitrary confiscations, attempted forced conversions, or pogroms.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Jewish Virtual Library


text: The SusPIRE 28 month follow up meeting took place the 9th and 10th April at MET´s facilities in Vilnius Lithuania. A general revision of project activities took place, being the most remarkable aspects: Works have started at PCB´s facilities with the installatin of the New Borehole Thermal Storage System (BTES). […] SusPIRE 28M follow up meeting takes place at MET´s facilities ...4 Jun, 2018 in News by admin


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"Board evaluation provides a powerful and valuable feedback mechanism for improving board effectiveness, maximising strengths and highlighting areas for further development."
FRC Guidance on Board Effectiveness - March 2011
Increasingly, engaged directors want their annual board evaluation to be thorough and useful process, rather than a box-ticking affair. Which means more work for the Company Secretary.
Our free breakfast seminar 'Tips for Company Secretaries: Running Effective Board Evaluations' will take place on Wednesday 14 June 2017.
We will share our experiences and give some practical guidance, and you will have the opportunity to discuss this interesting topic with like-minded company secretaries.
Date: Wednesday 14 June 2017
Time: 8.45am registration, 9am-1030 seminar
Where: One Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA
Places are limited, and will be allocated on a first come first served basis, so please register soon.


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A sandwich on a skewer might not taste better but it looks better! This lunch will be a big hit with your kids for sure!
|slices White or whole wheat bread
|Small Marble cheese
|slices Maple Leaf® Natural Selections® Uncured Baked Ham
|Small wooden skewer
|Slice pickle
|1/3 cup
|(80 mL) Assorted raw vegetables (mini carrots, cucumber slices, grape tomatoes)
|1/3 cup
|(80 mL) Assorted fruits (orange wedges, blueberries, grapes)
|1 cup
|(250 mL) Orange juice
|Chewy granola bar
|Schneiders® Pepperette™
ASSEMBLE a sandwich using two slices of bread, cheese slice and ham. Remove crusts from the bread and cut sandwich into 1 ½" (4 cm) cubes and arrange of a wooden skewer. Finish with a pickle slice.
PORTION vegetables and fruit into separate plastic containers. Pack all prepared items into a lunch box with granola bar and pepperette.
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Vertical Cellular shades, also known as honeycomb shades, are a great choice for wide windows and patio doors that need insulation from the heat or cold. The shade can be opened from either side and it's barely noticeable when fully collapsed. The honeycomb design gives your door or window a stylish look and provides additional insulation against temperature and sound.
Roller Shades are another option to consider. Splitting the shades per-pane (two shades on one headrail) allows you to independently control your two shades. For example, the stationary shade can be lowered while the access shade is raised. In this situation, roller shades are a great option. They screen out glare and UV rays while keeping your picture window view. Roller shades are available in a wide range of patterns to compliment any interior décor or taste.


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video premiere: Ice Cream – MY MIND BUT ME
We were introduced to Toronto duo Amanda Crist + Carlyn Bezic aka Ice Cream by Meg Remy of U.S. Girls when she took over this very site recently — Bezic and Crist play in Darlene Shrugg with Remy, and Crist's voice can be heard on U.S. Girls' brilliant new record In a Poem Unlimited — and we were immediately taken by the group's bizarre and highly infectious warped pop jams. Today, Ice Cream unveils their surreal self-directed "karaoke" video for "MY MIND BUT ME", the jittery b-side from the duo's limited new slime green cassette. If the slightly unsettling visuals and buzzing synths make you feel a little paranoid and anxious, that's probably by design; Ice Cream tells us that the song is "loosely about technological surveillance– how our unvoiced thoughts are maybe the only privacy we have left in the modern world". Watch the vid below + grab the Dialtone/MMBM tape here:
Ice Cream is currently working on their second album, hopefully out sometime this fall.


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I think the last six months have been about the act of appreciation. When I say this I mean appreciating the people I love, my love of food, my new house, finding new ways to exercise and of course my holiday. However, now I'm starting to have time to admire and explore my hood.
To me Christmas is the time of year where family and friends make the most time for each other and, you guessed it, appreciate each other the most. This week I've had time to really wonder around and see my hood during the week so what did I do?
– I went for a run – I love sprinting and the outdoors here is fantastic, this is my garden:
– I went to the market in my town and realised I have a date with the French in a few weeks – I love diversity:
– I went for a walk to find my advent decorations for 2014 – red cheeked and happy I made a few:
– I enjoyed the last few days of autumn and it was beautiful:
Have you taken time for appreciation this year?


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You've likely heard of the dreaded "summer slide." Some kids begin to lose some of the knowledge they gained during the school year, and this can make the return to school in the fall a bit challenging for both kids and teachers.
While there are some amazing summer learning programs out there, you can also keep your kids on track using apps – often without them even realizing they are learning (these apps are also great for moms like me that choose self-directed learning for their kids).
Here are five great apps that can help stop your kid's summer slide:
App for Reading: Epic Books for Kids
Epic is a brand new app that is far and away the best book app for kids I've seen. By offering a subscription model for access to thousands of eBooks without having to purchase or download them individually, your kids can enjoy reading for hours. Plus, with interactive elements that offer game-like features, your kids will want to read.
App is free for iPad and is $4.99 a month after your first free month.
App for Math: Splash Math for Grades 1-5
We've been fans of Splash Math for a while (my daughter's school is an alternative school that doesn't offer a traditional curriculum, so we supplement her education with apps like this). It's cross-platform, so kids can play both on the app and on a computer. Because it offers such a diverse age range, kids can jump ahead when they are ready. My daughter loves this app, and often asks if we can "play math" together. The lessons in this app are also available as separate apps by grade.
App is free both on the desktop and in iTunes.
App for Science: KidScience
This app is super fun! KidScience offers up sample experiments that kids can do at home just with everyday items you'll find in your pantry. We love this app because it changes how our daughter sees the stuff in our pantry from simple cooking ingredients to cool scientific elements that can cause reactions. The app offers great little how-to videos and explains the science behind each experiment. Sadly, it doesn't offer a free clean up of your house once the experiment is over.
App is $4.99, but a free version with fewer videos is available.
App for Science: Weird But True by National Geographic
Your kids will LOVE this app, I promise. It's chock full of hilarious and weird little factoids that will cause your kid to run up to you all the time and say things like, "Did you know girls have more tastebuds than boys do?" Plus it's bright and colorful and easy to use. My daughter likes it particularly because of all the cute pictures of animals. A great way for kids to learn.
App is free and includes a large number of facts, but the Mega Pack offers more for $1.99.
App for Everything: iTooch Elementary School
iTooch is an impressive app that covers a wide range of subjects, but particularly excels at the language arts. My daughter does huff and puff a bit when we ask her to spend some time on this app (it's just not as much fun as the others), but once she gets into it she enjoys herself. Because both of her parents are writers, she likes learning about writing with this app.
App is free but offers in-app purchases.More On


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In recent years mediation has become a popular option for division of property following a divorce. This is mostly due to the added expense of a drawn out court process that ultimately ends in a stranger dividing up your belongings.
Is mediation an option in a post-divorce property settlement?
Divorce may take a toll on your comfortable lifestyle
The standard of living you have achieved since you got married may be enviable, but the state of your marriage is not. Since you and your spouse have decided to divorce, you may be concerned that you will be left struggling to make ends meet despite the plentiful assets you and your spouse have shared.
Mediating your way to amicable solutions
You can probably find countless books, studies and various other types of literature regarding common consensus on why people get divorced. Regardless how well-supported a study might be, or how great a particular author, the reality is that no two marriages are exactly alike. Therefore, the same goes for divorce. That said, many people who do divorce in Colorado, or elsewhere in the nation, often have similar experiences.
Protecting your assets through skilled negotiation
If you and your spouse have chosen to part ways in marriage, you may be going through lots of changes and challenges right now. If you are one of many adults in Colorado who own a business alongside your spouse, you might have a lot of questions regarding how to protect your interests and secure a fair and agreeable settlement.
What cannot be included in a prenuptial agreement?
Prenuptial agreements are a great way for Colorado couples to safeguard the way they feel about each other before they get married, when their love is strong and feels like it will last forever. Divorces are rarely a beautiful experience, and when money and asset division become an issue, formerly loving spouses can quickly turn against one another.
Several important facts about divorce in Colorado
No one gets married expecting that the partnership will end in divorce. However, sometimes the healthiest long-term decision about a difficult relationship is to end it. It can be daunting to resolve the dissolution of a marriage, but obtaining experienced legal advice can be a complete game-changer for your emotional and financial stability going forward. Like the stalwart Rocky Mountains, you will be able to successfully weather the storm.
How easy is a childless divorce?
Divorce talk, often justly, revolves around the children. But what if your marriage is ending and you don't have any children? Is it just a matter of signing some papers and splitting property down the middle?
Managing the stress of divorce
It's often difficult to think five years into the future and imagine the landscape of your post-divorce life. While keeping your eye on the possibilities for your future is a solid strategy for getting through many stressful moments, it's not always so simple when you're dealing with the emotions that naturally come with the end of a marriage.
Understanding what divorce means for spouses who co-own a business
Divorce is never easy and often when a business or other assets are involved the issue becomes even more clouded. Though a quick resolution is always best, it may become necessary for both parties to have legal representation to help smooth over any issues and make for a much easier transition from married life to divorced life.
Understanding all of your options in divorce
Divorce is stressful, and because of that stress you can sometimes agree to things during the process that otherwise wouldn't be acceptable to you. Many people just want the divorce to be finalized, so they say yes to things to get the process moving. They make concessions, and then later they want to change the agreement because they realize that at least some of it was not in their best interest.


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Credit: Corey Butler
- Advertisement -
In the quest to make our lives easier, humans have created whirring, whistling, electrical items that we now consider 'necessities' in our homes.
In fact, Australians collectively own 45 million appliances - and each year 2.5 million of them are discarded, ending up in landfill.
Only a few generations ago, electronic waste (or e-waste) wasn't an issue - most households didn't own any appliances, and if you were lucky enough to have a refrigerator or maybe a washing machine, you'd expect to keep it for least 20 years.
So with our modern hunger for all things electronic, how do we go about responsibly disposing of appliances when their inevitably short life ends?
Stripped bare
Despite the lack of an official recycling scheme, metal recyclers such as Smorgen Steel strip about 70 per cent of discarded appliances for scrap metal before they're sent to landfill.
Appliances are generally made of two-thirds steel, and it's such a valuable material that little of it ends up in landfill.
The same cannot be said of the remaining waste, which is called 'shredder flock'. As well as some potentially recyclable plastic, shredder flock contains hazardous substances such as lead, cadmium and flame retardants.
While the actual quantities of these materials are small, they are highly toxic and can leach from landfills into waterways.
Government and industry are currently working to develop a product stewardship program to better manage the lifecycle of electronic items and prevent e-waste.
In the mean time, consumers can do their bit by choosing and maintaining appliances carefully, reusing them if possible and ensuring they get recycled.
In the market
If you are going to buy an appliance that will last for years, it's important to choose the right one.
To maximise energy and water efficiency, choose products with the highest star rating and don't buy anything bigger than you need.


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With summer just around the corner, you may see lots of ads showing off summer fashions for kids. Most of the ads will show different styles and colors of several tops, shorts, dresses and sandals. But what are the essential pieces for summer this year? Below is a list of the top items to have for staying summer fashionable!
· Pillowcase dress – The pillowcase dress is a super cute and comfortable clothing item for summer. They are just what the name implies. They are very free flowing, nothing too tight or constricting to inhibit summer play.
Many of them have a tie going through the neck line to tie the dress. That's it! They are very simple. You'll find many different colors and designs. Don't forget the bloomers as it is a dress.
· Sandals – A good pair of sandals is essential for the summer season. Whether you choose pink and flowers for girls or brown for boys, the key is to make sure they will last all summer long. There is nothing worse than buying a pair of sandals and having them fall apart midway through the season.
· Sunglasses – A must for adults, but don't forget about babies too. Summertime is a great time for kids to relax and take a break from school. So that also means more outdoor activities.
Buy your kids a good pair of sunglasses to protect their developing eyes from the sun. Kids of all ages need them. Look for a pair with a soft silicone brow and nose piece. Kids will need a good, breathable strap as well to help them stay on.
· Tunic & leggings set – These are such a great item for girls of all ages. A couple pairs of leggings and a few tunic shirts and you have a versatile summer essential wardrobe. These sets can also be dressed up with a cute bow or headband.
· Swimsuits – This seems like a given since summer and swimming go hand in hand, but notice the "s" on swimsuits. A few swimsuits will definitely serve you well this season.
Boys trunks can be paired with all sorts of t-shirts, for instant water fun. Girls can wear swimsuits with a cute pair of shorts. Purchase a few and they will certainly get their use.


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Fundación Rafael Alberti
The headquarters of the Rafael Alberti Foundation is located in El Puerto de Santa María, in a white and light-filled house of three floors, in a simple and typically Andalusian construction in which the poet lived as a child. There we can find some mementos from his childhood, as well as the donation he and his first wife, María Teresa León, made his home town in 1978, and also some new contributions which arrive every day to complete the intense biography and work of Rafael Alberti.
The foundation´s main work as a cultural institution, consists of caring for Alberti's legacy, encuraging research in this subject and promoting it, as well as remembering the importance of the "Generation of '27" in the Spanish Literature of the twentieth century – being Alberti one of its most outstanding members – and the bonds of the dear friendship that united these poets throughout their whole lives. Apart from this constant task, it is also important to keep alive the significance of Rafael Alberti´s name during the events of our most recent history, in order to avoid that his person loses importance in the course of time. Rafael Alberti is one of the most outstanding, questing and attractive personalities that have gone through the literary, social and political history of Spain for nearly a century. Because of his intellectual commitment in the defence of liberty, he will always be an alive example for the youths of any time.
The Rafael Alberti Foundation is always open to poetry, which has been evident since it was created in 1993. One of its main purposes consists in spreading poetry and promoting the interest for it. We can witness this in all the activities taking place in the foundation. The attraction of Rafael Alberti´s personality and work among the younger generations becomes evident in Poesía Última, the foundation´s annual invitation in spring, where the youngest poets, coming from very different places of Spain, find an open lyric platform on which they can show their verses and explain their own poetics.
• 956 850 711 - 956 850 960 • 956 852 299
•Secretaría, administración y Dirección: firstname.lastname@example.com
• Consultas bibliográficas, biblioteca y archivo: firstname.lastname@example.com


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The Boss Red Band Trailer (2016)
Red Band Trailer for The Boss.
Watch your assets!
A titan of industry Michelle Darnell (Melissa McCarthy) is sent to prison after she's caught for insider trading. When she emerges ready to rebrand herself as America's latest sweetheart, not everyone she screwed over is so quick to forgive and forget.
If you can believe it or not, the film was actually originally titled Michelle Darnell, after the title character played by Melissa McCarthy.
Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone are married in real life and seem to like working together. This will mark the second time the couple has written a film together with Ben Falcone at the helm as the Director. The first film was Tammy. Another similarities between these two films is that not only does Ben like to play a small role but Oscar winning Actress Kathy Bates also plays a small role in both films.
Like I have said before, nothing like showing a Red Band Trailer in order to give a different feel for the film. This trailer is nothing like other 3 we have previously seen. Since, it is a red band it can show much more of the adult humor, especially the all the foul language used by those sweet little Girl Scouts.
I was less than impressed from all the footage already shown, but this new trailer may have given this film a chance for me. Although, this seems to still be a little over the top of a real life situation, I could not help but laugh at most of the trailer. Looks like they are not holding anything back in this film and I just hope they did give away all the funny part and leave some stuff for the film. I would say this is a Digital Download for me and will skip seeing it in the theaters.
2 min 42 sec
Posted On
February 12, 2016
Ben Falcone
Ben Falcone
Universal Pictures
April 8, 2016
Melissa McCarthy
Kristen Bell
Ben Falcone
Kristen Schaal
Annie Mumolo
"All I Do Is Win"


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2015 cut progress report: week #7
Sunday, February 22, 2015 by John Stone
Filed under Daily Blog
Week #7 of my 2015 cut is complete, and it's time for my weekly progress report.
A few words about my methodologies and body fat percentage
- My body fat, tape measurements and scale weight are all performed while fasted (first thing in the morning before eating or drinking).
- All measurements are taken "cold" (no pump), and flexed.
- A 7-point or 9-point body fat caliper pinch test is the most accurate "at-home" method of determining one's body fat percentage, but even in the most skilled hands calipers have a margin of error up to +/-3%. The key is consistent readings from one week to the next: the actual number is not that important (to me). With that said, I believe my caliper body fat reading is consistently 1.5% – 2% lower than my actual body fat percentage. For example, if my caliper indicates 5.6% body fat, I believe my actual body fat is probably around 7.1%.
- If you want the most accurate body fat percentage reading possible, go have a DEXA test done.
This is the exact equipment I use to track my progress every week
My scale weight this morning (as measured by the EatSmart Precision Digital Bathroom Scale) is 160.6 pounds. That's a -1.8 pound change since last week's weight of 162.4 pounds, and a -18.6 pound change from my 2015 cut starting weight of 179.2 pounds.
My 7-point body fat reading this morning (as measured by the FatTrack PRO Digital Body Fat Caliper) is 5.6%. That's a -0.7% change since last week's body fat measurement of 6.3%, and a -5.9% change from my 2015 cut starting body fat measurement of 11.5%.
Over the past week I've lost 1.24 pounds of fat and lost 0.56 pounds of lean mass. Since the beginning of my 2015 cut I've lost a total of 11.62 pounds of fat and lost a total of 6.98 pounds of lean mass.
My tape measurements (as measured by the MyoTape) indicate that over the past week I've lost a quarter inch from my hips, a quarter inch from my thighs, a quarter inch from my waist, a quarter inch from my chest and a quarter inch from my calves while all other measurements remained the same. Since the beginning of my 2015 cut I've lost 2.5 inches from my waist, 2.25 inches from my hips, 1.75 inches from my thighs, 1.0 inches from my chest, 0.50 inches from my calves and 0.25 inches from my arms.
Here are this week's actual tape measurements:
Current Measurement
Excellent week of progress at this late stage of the cut! Another 1.8 pounds gone, and further reductions to several soft tape measurements. Of particular note, this morning my waist measurement is 29.75″! In the entire 12+ year history of JSF my waist measurement has never–not even once–been below 30.0″. The interesting thing is that at the end of last year's cut my waist measurement was 30.0″, my scale weight was 158.4 pounds and my body fat reading was 6.2% body fat. Put another way, I'm leaner now, at a slightly higher scale weight, than I was at the end of last year's cut. My body fat caliper and soft tape measurements back this up. I even measured again after eating breakfast, and there's no doubt about the 29.75″ reading. Looks like I've managed to add a couple pounds of lean mass over the past year, almost definitely in my legs.
Diet this week was, as always, 100% to my cutting plan and very clean.
My complete daily food logs for this cut can be found on MyFitnessPal.
To drink this week I consumed water (about 1.5+ gallons per day), several cups of black coffee each morning, a little calorie-free iced coffee, a cup of warm Yogi Peach DeTox tea each afternoon and a cup of warm Yogi Bedtime tea each evening before bed.
Activity level over the past week has been moderate.
So far this week I've cycled a total of 313.02 kilometers (194.5 miles) and, of course, today I'll be riding. I'll also be lifting today.
My riding streak continues unbroken with 418 straight days in the saddle starting December 31, 2013.
My cycling totals for 2015 (52 days) currently stand at 2,559.02 kilometers (1,590.1 miles) with 17,853 meters (58,540 feet) of elevation. My total riding time for 2015 is 79 hours in the saddle.
I've set 99 cycling personal records for time so far in 2015, and 7 lifetime best power output personal records. Here are all my current power output personal records.
Unless things go completely sideways, this cut will be over in two weeks. Heck, I could stop now and be very happy, but instead I'll just get a couple more weeks of dieting in and build a little bit of "cushion". As I wrote yesterday, my goal is to maintain right at or just below 160 pounds.


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With Stratasys proven PolyJet & Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM™) Technologies, 3D printing is as easy as 1-2-3.
- Prepare the file. Create your 3D prototype in 3D CAD software, then open Objet Studio™ or CatalystEX™ software, upload the STL file and click "print." Objet Studio or CatalystEX software converts your STL output into 3D model print paths — including support structures.
- Print your prototype. Both our PolyJet and FDM technologies make it possible to build your 3D prototype and its support material — layer by layer — from the bottom up on a removable modeling base.
- Remove supports. Take your printed prototype model out of the printer's build chamber, and remove the break-away support structures or dissolve with tap water-based solution.


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I loved the Henry County promo and now I've found that Martinsville has put out a new promo video as well. It's ironic that the preview slide for the video is skyline of Atlanta, Georgia, I know. For the most part, it's a really good video. Martinsville really does have a lot going for it. The buildings in Uptown are beautiful. The people are wonderful. There's a great greenway, the Dick & Willie Passage Rail Trail, snaking all the way through town and is being expanded. Real estate is cheap. Groceries are cheap. Restaurants are cheap. The local community college puts on several high-quality musicals every year. There is a good improv group in Uptown Martinsville (TheatreWorks Players) and the tickets are cheap. The Rives Theatre, also in Uptown, has good musicians in all the time. All the ingredients are there for Martinsville (and Uptown in particular) to absolutely flourish. All that is missing is the catalyst and it's anyone's guess as to what that will be. I, for one, am convinced that it will eventually happen.
Author: Beth Barton
Henry County has really stepped up to the plate with this new promo.
Memorial Day in MHC
Of the last five Memorial Day weekends in Henry County, Virginia, we've had rain or threat of rain on four of them. Somehow, this has never been able to really put a dampener on the weekend – at least for us.
There are so many things to do around here on Memorial Day weekend that it would get a little ridiculous to list them. However, there are a couple of events that are a lot of fun that you might not hear about unless you just stumble across them.
Yard Sales & The Local Flea Market on Highway 58
The first is the stretch of Highway 58 between Martinsville and Stuart that fills up with yard sales. This is apparently one of the very best kept secrets in the area. There are a number of individual yard and garage sales at private homes along the highway and then there is one large flea market-style sale just next door to Larry's Variety (which is a good spot to find new and used furniture). The flea market is not promoted online that I can find and I've looked. It shouldn't be this hard to find, especially when you already know it exists. All I can truly tell you is that it is a large area and it usually has a good attendance regardless of the weather. The flea market rents spaces for $15 a day and I'd guess that they normally have around two acres covered with vendors. I believe that it is put together by an area Methodist Church, but I can't find which one. There is $1 paid parking but a lot of people park along the highway. The driveway in and out is topped with rock and the parking itself is grass so, even with rain, mud is not really an issue. If someone local has any idea about who puts this on, please let me know.
Although we do not typically go to yard sales, I do make a point to go to this one. There is a lot of kitsch and a lot of junk but there are also some handmade things there from time to time. I usually find at least one thing there each year. One year I found a hand-painted pie safe for $15. Vendor turn out was down this year (70% chance of rain on Saturday and it looked fierce) but we still went and found some home-canned pickles from Moose Country Farm, a local farm that also specializes in goat milk lotion with essential oils. Their dill pickles are delicious and their spicy pickles mean business! They sell a variety of things through their Facebook page. It did not rain on us.
Mountain Valley Brewing's Anniversary Party
The second is a newcomer. Memorial Day weekend happens to also mark the anniversary of Henry County's first Craft Brewery, Mountain Valley Brewing, and 2018 was their first anniversary. They had two bands lined up and they tapped the raspberry wheat that weekend.
Virginia Brew Hub, a Roanoke-based magazine that covers all things craft, was on hand with their drone and took the following footage over the course of the day.
It was a great day and, while we only intended to stay for a couple of beers, we ended up listening to the whole set by Faded Travelers (and buying their CD). The video below is just a snippet to give you an idea of the feel of the band.
Mountain Valley Brewing is growing so fast. They started out with just the tap room. Could that really have only been a year ago? Then came the pavilion. Then the covered deck off of the tap room. Now lawn games like corn hole are showing up and I understand that DAM Good Equipment, a Martinsville-based company making hammocks, tents, backpacks and sleeping bags, is planning on putting in a hammock garden. They've already put in a couple (see the first video). Take a look at their site too (https://www.damtough.com). Besides their products, they are taking their own photos and not using stock images on their website. It's fun to guess where the pictures were taken. Hoorah to DAM Good Equipment for that.
I've never seen a hammock garden. Have you?
How To See Everything At Spencer Penn's Annual Pig Cooking Contest
There's a lot going on at the annual Spencer Penn's Pig Cooking Contest and it can take a while to figure out the best way to see everything. Here are some tips for next year:
Go To The Friday Night Music Performance
There are generally two groups performing bluegrass on Friday night (the first might be a local jam session). Admittance is $4 a person. People start showing up around 5 o'clock and many bring a seat cushion to stake out a seat while they look at the silent auction items and get dinner from the kitchen in the back of the auditorium. The line for the kitchen moves quickly, as do the homemade menu items, so get in line sooner rather than later. The dining tables may be crowded but they turn over fast. Be sure to get one of the deserts. All the food is handmade but the desserts are just really outstanding.
The BBQ contestants will have set up their grills behind the auditorium during the day and will be introduced during the music night performance. Cooking commences in the evening, when the pigs arrive, and will go on all night.
Show Up Early to See The Bike Ride Kick Off
This year's route did take them up along Highway 58 but they had a Henry County Sheriff's office escort. I asked a rider from Martinsville what he thought of the ride afterwards and he said that he enjoyed it very much. This was a great week for the bike ride because the roadsides were dotted with purple blooms from wisteria, redbuds, and cherry trees. The network of residential roads by Spencer Penn are just gorgeous for bike riders (J.S.Holland Road, George Taylor Road, Moores Mill Road).
Blind judging of the cooked pork takes place on Saturday morning. If you get there early enough to see the bike riders leave out, you can also see the pigs on the grills and talk to the BBQ contestants. Contestants come from quite aways away, many from North Carolina.
Coming from Texas, I had always thought that BBQ was pretty much exclusively a Texan specialty. Having now lived in Virginia for a number of years, I have had to recognize that North Carolina is also a leader in this field and, don't tell the folks back home, they may even be better at it.
After the judging, the pigs are carved up to make sandwiches that will be sold, along with a cold drink, chips, and some more homemade cake, back behind the building for lunch. Vendors set up during the morning so you can stay and browse as they set up or pop back home and come back for lunch and browsing.
There are a lot of vendors each year at the Annual Pig Cooking Contest. In fact, it is one of the largest gatherings for vendors in the area. Vendors fill the Banquet Hall, the back parking lot, and spill out onto the front lawn.
We always leave with something. This year we bought one of Mr. Turner's brass-topped birdhouses and it has already attracted its first occupant, a blue bird. There are booths with jewelry, antiques, hand-made quilts, beautifully hand made cutting boards, jellies, jams, clothes, soaps, and the list goes on and on.
This year they had a childrens' Barnival set up on the ball field. There was a piggie train, lots of games and activities, and a petting zoo courtesy of Infinity Acres.
There is always a classic car cruise-in too. This year it was in the front parking lot.
Spencer Penn posted over 250 photos of the event on their Facebook Page to the 7th Annual Pig Cookin' Contest Photo Album. Be sure to go check them out and send them some love. If you couldn't make it out this year, keep an eye on your calendars for next April. Pictures may be worth a thousand words, but this is a hometown event that is better when experienced.
It's Spring Again. Maybe.
The average temperatures for this area in April should be mid 70's in the daytime and mid 40's at night. Talk is that, this year, we've been paying for having a warm February and winter has made several encore performances. Still, it officially became spring on March 20th this year and the local festival season is starting to gear up.
There is exciting stuff going on over at the Fieldale Recreation Center (check their Facebook page for updates) and they had a bingo & Pampered Chef fundraiser this past weekend. Martinsville Bulletin made an excellent write-up in this April 5th article, "Construction Starts on Bassett, Fieldale Renovation Projects".
This coming weekend is the annual Pig Cookin' Contest and Craft Fair at Spencer Penn. Come Friday night to see the cooking and listen to live bluegrass. Then come back on Saturday to shop the vendors, see the classic cars, and maybe play some cow-patty bingo.
In getting my camera ready, I realized that I never posted about our last festival for 2017. It was a new one for us … the "What the Hay Festival" in nearby Mayodan, North Carolina.
We shop in Mayodan quite a bit because it is very close (around 20 minutes), there's not a lot of traffic (it's amazing how relative that gets), and their Food Lion has had one of the better craft beer selections around (it's the closest place to get DuClaw). Big round bales of hay started popping up all over town decorated as all kinds of creatures in the weeks leading up to the festival. They did an excellent job with those.
Mayodan has essentially a one-light intersection downtown but downtowns don't have to be big to have an ambience. Mayodan has a particularly pretty downtown with old brick buildings on all four corners. On the day of the festival, they closed the road that ran through it and set up just a humdinger of a small town festival.
In the center of the intersection, they set up a soundstage and people brought chairs to sit and listen to the music. The little shop that you can see on the left in the photo below is the Mayodan Arts Center. It's sells a variety of arts and crafts made by local people – pottery, painted glassware, photographs, bookmarks, stationery, and more. We ended up getting a few Christmas gifts from them and definitely plan to go back.
They had a full midway set up for the kids and vendors in tents filled in any space that was left on the streets. Mother got her flu shot at one tent.
It was a great little festival. We also discovered Charlie's Soap Outlet Store & Cedar Mountain Country Store nestled in the shops along one side of the road. As the name implies, they have Charlie's Soap but they also have all kinds of knick-knacks for the home and seasonal decorations. If you talk to the shop owners, they'll open up a second building with metal yard art/sculptures. We are fans.
In short, we loved the festival and we love Mayodan. There's a lot to see there, I think, and I want to go back when it gets warmer and just spend some time looking around. Perhaps I can find more remembrances like this monument to Mayodan veterans. The engraving on this monument says, "This WWI mortar was originally dedicated to Mayodan veterans of that war. It was rededictated to all Mayodan veterans November 11, 2001".
So, I'm already planning to spend an afternoon in Mayodan sometime when it gets warm (if that ever happens again). What other unique finds should I look for? Any great boutiques?
A Clement Weather Day at SML
I'm a big believer in "clement weather days". It only makes sense. If there are a few days each year when the weather is just so bad that we get a day off, there should also be a day or two each year that are just too nice to work. I'm not a church-goer and this just seems like a really nice tip of the hat to the Great Engineer. A way to say "Thank you, God, for this day".
We have a true fall here. This time of year we have spurts of summer where daytime temps can climb up into the upper eighties with nighttime temps in the sixties. But now we also get days that do good to get into the seventies with nighttime temps in the fifties. There are more "open window" days right now that not. As I write this, what was Hurricane Nate is churning its way up the Blue Ridge Mountains and it is gray and drizzly – the mountains are holding the heavy rain to the west. This past Friday was a perfect "clement weather day".
We took full advantage of it by heading up to the Smith Mountain Lake area. We got there just as Moosie's opened at 11:00 and walked around for a little while before lunch. Mango's an open air grill and bar with a live music venue doesn't open until noon.
Our plan had been to make it up to Beford to see the D-Day Memorial about twenty minutes away but it was such a beautiful day and we were enjoying Bridgewater Plaza so much, we didn't want to get back in the car.
After lunching at Moosie's, browsing through all of the shops, and feeding the fish, we took a walk down the boardwalk past Bridgewater Pointe, a condominium that sits next to the plaza.
I'd never noticed the boardwalk before so this was new for us. The sun was shining and warm and there was a refreshing, cool breeze off of the water. Boat slips whispered and creaked and moaned a little in the water.
As you reach the point where the boardwalk bends, you can see the mountain in the distance. It is just far enough away that the camera doesn't really pick it up. It seems larger in real life.
A wary crane watched us pass and I wished that I had a long distance lens.
But I didn't. We just enjoyed our view.
The boardwalk ends at the bridge that stretches over Smith Mountain Lake on its way to Moneta. It looks like they are doing some work there building either an extension to the current condos or additional parking. There is a pad site for sale for another condo project. I hope that we'll still be able to walk on the boardwalk after this site is finished being "built out".
There was no visible boat traffic as we walked down to the end of the boardwalk but that didn't last long. As soon as we turned around to start back there were easily half a dozen boats appearing all at the same time. It truly was a beautiful day and a great day for the lake.
This is near the end of the season. The bartender at Mango's said that they would close for the season by the end of the month. They'll reopen sometime next March, when spring has returned as well.
For more information about this destination, please check out the following links:


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Last July I posted an image of myself with two gardening friends who are among the group that meets for coffee every Saturday morning. A number of the guys in the group, including Mark, are photographers. So one group is often gabbing about gardens while another talks cameras.
The photographers are always trying out new cameras and lenses and settings, which means the rest of us are always getting our picture snapped. It's become such a common occurrence that we just keep talking and ignore the paparazzi.
Our regular coffee haunt has been closed for a number of summer Saturdays, so we've tried a few new locations. This was taken at Porter in the the old RR depot on West Washington Street in Madison. The depot buildings are still there with a number of businesses located in them.
We took our coffees outside and sat at tables on the covered walkway which is still paved with the original bricks. Tom Schmock took this photo as well as the one I posted last July. This was a chilly morning at the end of June as you can see by the shawls and scarves two of us are wearing. As usual, I'm the one with the hat. When he sent this image out to us, I believe Tom titled it "Ladies Waiting for a Train." We certainly look like we're ready for something!


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