text:
Haven't you always wanted a fire-breathing jet engine to power your car/motorcycle/Vespa/skateboard? Of course. Here's a handy, step-by-step guide. Have fun, and don't burn the house down! —Ed.
You don't have to be Jay Leno to own a jet powered motorcycle — we'll show you how to make your own jet engine to power your own wacky vehicles. This is an ongoing project, and plenty of additional info will be available on our website soon. The full build will be available at Bad Brothers Racing; additional info can also be found at Gary's Jet Journal.
Warning! Building your own jet engine can be dangerous. We suggest that you take all appropriate safety precautions when dealing with machinery and use extreme care while operating jet engines. Due to explosive fuels and dangerous moving parts, serious injury or death can occur while operating a jet turbine in close quarters. Extreme amounts of potential and kinetic energy are stored in operating engines. Always use caution and good judgment while operating engines and machinery and wear appropriate eye and hearing protection. Neither Bad Brothers Racing or Gary's Jet Journal accept any liability for your use or misuse of the information contained herein.
Step 1: Come Up With a Basic Design
I started the build process of my engine with a design in the CAD program Solid Works. I find it much easier to work this way, and creating parts using CNC machining processes turns out a much nicer end result. The main thing I like about using the 3D process is the ability to see how the parts will fit together before fabrication, so that I can make changes before spending hours on a part. This step is really not neccesary, as anyone with decent drawing skills can sketch out the design on the back of an envelope rather quickly. When trying to fit the entire engine into my final project — a jet bike — it will certainly help.
That said, not everyone has the experience or background necessary to use computer-aided design tools. If you are attempting to build a jet engine or turbine-based project and don't know where to start, user groups like Yahoo Groups are the best place to begin. The years of combined experience available there will prove invaluable, and the contributors to those groups can help you get what you need. (For reference, I'm a regular on the Yahoo Groups DIY Gas Turbines forum.)
Step 2: Get Yourself a Used Car Turbocharger and Hide Away in Your Garage
Use care when selecting your turbocharger! You need a large turbo with a single (non-divided) turbine inlet. The bigger the turbo, the more thrust your finished engine will produce. I like the turbos found on large diesel engines and earth-moving equipment. One of these units will yield enough thrust output to move most small vehicles — small motorcycles, go karts, etc. — pretty well. If possible, buy a rebuilt unit to maximize efficiency. Ebay is the way to go here.
Generally speaking, it's not so much the size of the turbo as it is the size of the inducer that matters. The inducer is the visible area of compressor blades that can be seen when looking at the turbo's compressor with its covers (housings) on. The turbo you see here, a Cummins ST-50 taken off an eighteen-wheel truck, is quite large — almost 5 inches in diameter — while the visible blades of the inducer are only 3 inches in diameter. This will easily create enough thrust to drive a small bike or kart.
Step 3: Determine the Size of Combustion Chamber You Need
It's time for the basics: Here's a quick summary of how jet engines work, and how to determine the size of combustion chamber — the power-producing bit — that your engine will need.
The combustion chamber allows compressed air coming from the turbo's compressor — the fan-shaped part inside the turbo — to be mixed with fuel and burned. The hot gases then escape through the rear of the combustion chamber and spin the turbine shaft which then powers the compressor attached to the other end to bring in more air and keep the process going. Additional energy left in the hot gases as they pass the turbine creates thrust. It sounds simple, but it's actually a bit complicated to build and get right.
The combustion chamber is made from a large piece of tubular steel with caps on both ends. Inside of this chamber is a flametube. This flametube is little more than a small piece of tubing, drilled full of holes, that runs the length of the combustion chamber. The holes allow the compressed air to pass through in predetermined ratios. This serves three purposes: 1) Mixing air and fuel for combustion, which also begins here; 2) Providing air for the completion of combustion; and 3) supplying cooling air to lower the charge temperature before the airstream comes into contact with the turbine blades.
To calculate the flametube dimensions, you double the diameter of the your turbocharger's inducer. This will give you the diameter of the flametube. Multiply the diameter of the inducer of the turbo by six to find the length of the flametube. (Again, the inducer is the compressor-blade area that can be seen from the front of the turbo with the housings on. While a compressor wheel in a turbo may be 5 or 6 inches in diameter, the inducer will be considerably smaller.)
The inducer of the turbos I like to use (ST-50 and VT-50 models) is 3 inches in diameter, so the flame tube dimensions would be 6 inches in diameter by eighteen inches in length. This is a recommended starting point; it can be fudged a little. I wanted a slightly smaller combustion chamber, so I decided to use a 5-inch diameter flametube with a 10-inch length. I chose the 5-inch diameter primarily because the tubing is easy to acquire — it's the same size as readily available diesel-truck exhaust pipe. The 10-inch length was chosen because my engine will eventually end up in the small frame of a motorcycle.
With the size of the flame tube calculated, you can find the size of the combustion chamber. Since the flametube will fit inside the combustion chamber, the chamber housing will have to be a larger diameter. A recomended starting point is to have a minimum 1 inch space around the flametube; the length should be the same as the flametube. I chose an 8-inch diameter chamber housing because it fits the need for the airspace and it is a commonly available size in steel tubing. With the 5-inch diameter flametube, I will have a 1.5 inch gap between the flametube and the combustion-chamber housing. Try to use steel tubing instead of pipe when possible.
Now that you have your engine's rough dimensions, you can put it together with the caps on the ends and the fuel injectors. All of these parts combine to form the complete combustion chamber.
Step 4: Assembling the Combustion Chamber: Preparing the End Rings
The combustion chamber is a simple bolt-together piece. I use a method of constructing rings that will not only provide a surface to which the end caps can be bolted, but that also centers the flametube in the chamber.
The rings are fabricated to an outside diameter of 8 inches with an inside diameter of 5 and 1/32 inches. The extra space provided by the 1/32 inch will make inserting the flametube easier when construction is complete, and will serve as a buffer to allow for some expansion of the flametube as it gets hot.
The rings are made from 1/4-inch plate steel. I had mine laser cut from 3-D drawings I created in solid works. I find going this route much easier that trying to machine the parts. You can use a milling machine, water jet, or hand tools to make the rings. Any method which gives acceptable results will work. The 1/4-inch thickness will allow for the rings to be welded on with less chance of warpage, and will provide a stable mounting base for the end caps. It will also allow for the flametube to be constructed 3/16ths of an inch shorter than the overall combustion chamber length and allow for heat expansion in the axial plane.
Twelve bolt holes should be drilled around the ring in a circular pattern for the mounting of the end caps. By welding nuts on the back of these holes, bolts can be threaded right in. This is a requirement since the back side of the rings will be inaccessible for holding nuts with a wrench once mounted on the combustor. You could still replace a nut inside of the combustor if one were to strip out, making this a better method than tapping the holes in the rings for threads. Three tack welds placed on every other flat of the each nut should hold them tight enough to keep them in place.
Step 5: Assembling the Combustion Chamber: Welding on the End Rings
Now that the end rings are ready, they can be welded onto the combustor housing. The housing must first be cut to the proper length and have the ends squared up so that everything will align properly.
Start by taking a large sheet of posterboard and wrapping it around the steel tube so that the ends are squared with each other and the posterboard is pulled tight. It should make a cylinder shape around the tube, and the ends of the posterboard will be nice and square. Slide the posterboard to one end of the tube so that the edge of the tube and posterboard cylinder ends are almost touching, making sure there is enough room to make a mark around the tube so you can grind down the metal flush with the mark. This will square one end of the tube. Most metal suppliers cut the tubing with a bandsaw, and the margin of error for their cuts is plus or minus 1/16th inch. If not corrected, this could make for a less-than-perfect cut and a wobbly end.
Next, measure from the squared-up end toward the other for the length you want the combustion chamber and flame tube to be. Since the end rings that will be welded on are 1/4 inch each, be sure to subtract 1/2 inch from your measurement first. (Since my combustor will be 10 inches in length, my measurement will be taken at 9.5 inches.) Scribe the tube using the posterboard to create a nice, even marking.
I find that using a cut-off wheel in an angle grinder does the job of cutting through the 1/8th-inch tubing very nicely. Make nice, even strokes with the wheel and rotate the tube as you go, cutting a little deeper with each pass. Don't worry about making the cut perfect — it's best to leave a little excess material and clean it up later. I like to use flap discs in the angle grinder for the final cleanup.
Once the cut is made and cleaned up, use the flap disc to bevel the outside edges of both ends of the tubing to get good weld penetration. The tube is then ready for welding.
Using magnetic welding clamps, center the end rings on the ends of the tubing and make sure they are flush with the tube. Tack weld the rings in place and allow to cool. Once the tacks are set, use stitch welds of roughly 1 inch in length to close the weld bead around the rings. Make a stich weld, then alternate to the other side and do the same. Use a fashion similar to tightening the lug nuts on a car. Go slowly so as not to overheat the metal and warp the rings.
Step 6: Making the End Caps
With the main combustor housing complete, you will need two end caps for the combustor assembly. One end cap will be for the fuel injector side, and the other will route the hot exhaust gases to the turbine.
Fabricate two plates with the same diameter of your combustion chamber, in our case, this measurement is 8 inches. Place 12 bolt holes around the perimeter to align with the bolt holes on the end rings so they can be attached later. (Twelve is just the number of bolts I use, you can use more or less on the rings and end caps.)
The injector cap need only have two holes in it. One will be for the fuel injector and the other will be for the spark plug. You can add more holes for more injectors if you like; this is a personal preference. I use five injectors, with one in the center and four in a circular pattern around it. The only requirement is that the injectors be placed so that they end up in the flametube when the parts are bolted together. For our design, this means that they must fit into the center of a 5-inch diameter circle in the middle of the end cap. I used 1/2-inch holes for mounting the injectors.
Next, and slightly offset from the center, you will add the hole for your spark plug. The hole should be drilled and tapped for a 14mm x 1.25mm thread. Again, the design in the pictures has two spark plugs — this is just a matter of preference for me in case one plug chooses to go out of service. Make sure that the plugs are also within the confines of the flametube.
In the photo of the injector cap, you can see the little tubes that stick out of the cap. These are for mounting the injectors. As I said, I will have five of them, but you can get by with one in the center for your first attempt. The tubes are made from 1/2-inch diameter tubing with a 3/8th-inch inside diameter. They get cut to 1.25 inches, after which a bevel is placed on the edges by chucking them in the drill press and rotating them while hitting them with an angle grinder. It is a neat little trick that turns out decent results. Both ends are threaded with a 1/8th inch NPT tapered pipe thread. I hold the tubes in a vise under the drill press and chuck up the pipe tap so that I can start the threads nice and straight in the tubes. After starting the threads, I finish them by hand turning the tap to the required depth. They are welded in place with 1/2 inch of the tube protruding from each side of the plate. The fuel supply lines will attach to one side and the injectors will screw into the other. I like to weld them to the inside of the plate to make the outside of the combustor have a clean appearance.
To make the exhaust cap, you will need to cut an opening for the hot gases to escape from. In my case, I sized it to the same dimensions as the entrance to the turbine scroll on the turbo. This is 2 inches by 3 inches on our turbo. A small plate, or turbine flange, is then made to bolt to the turbine housing. The turbine flange should have the same sized opening as the turbine inlet as well, plus four bolt holes to secure it to the turbo. The exhaust end cap and the turbine flange can be welded together by making a simple rectangular box section to go between the two. In the photo of the exhaust manifold below, you can see the turbine flange to the right and the exhaust cap face down on the ground. The transition bend had to be made for the application this engine will see in the jet bike, but it could have easily been made with just a simple straight-in rectangular section created from sheet steel. Weld the parts together, keeping your welds on the outside of the pieces only so that the air flow will not have any obstructions or turbulence created by inside beads.
Step 7: Assembling the Combustion Chamber: Bolting it Together
You are now getting closer to having a finshed jet engine. It is time to bolt the parts together to see if everything fits as it should.
Start by bolting the turbine flange and end cap assembly (the exhaust manifold) to your turbo. The combustor housing then bolts to the exhaust assembly, and finally the injector cap bolts to the main combustor housing. If you have done everything right so far, it should look similar to the second picture below. If it doesn't, back up and see where you made your mistake.
It is important to note that the turbine and compressor sections of the turbo can be rotated against each other by loosening the clamps in the middle. Different turbos use many kinds of clamps, but it should be easy to see which bolts must be loosened to make the parts rotate.
With the parts attached and the orientation of your turbo set, you will need to fabricate a pipe to connect the compressor outlet opening to the combustor housing. This pipe should be the same diameter as the compressor outlet, and will eventually be attached to the compressor with a rubber or silicon hose coupler. The other end will need to fit flush with the combustor and be welded into place once a hole has been cut into the side of the combustor housing. It does not matter where the hole is on the side of the combustor so long as the air has a nice smooth path to get in. This means no sharp corners, and keep the welds on the outside. For our combustor, I chose to use a piece of 3.5-inch diameter, mandrel-bent exhaust tubing. The image above shows a hand-fabricated pipe that enlarges and slows the air down before entering the combustor.
You should now have a nice clean path for the air to take all the way from the inlet of the compressor, down the pipe to the combustor, through the exhaust manifold, and past the turbine section. Everything should be pretty much airtight, and you should check all welding to make sure that it is solid. Blowing a leaf blower through the front of the engine should cause the air to flow through and turn the turbine blades.
Step 8: Making the Flametube
Many builders consider this to be the hardest part. The flame tube is what lets the air into the center of the combustion chamber and keeps the flame held in place so that it must exit to the turbine side only, not the compressor side.
The picture above shows my flametube. From left to right, the hole patterns have special names and functions. The small holes to the left are the primary holes, the middle larger holes are the secondaries, and the largest to the right are the tertiary or dilution holes. (Note that there are also some additional small holes in this design to help create a curtain of air to keep the flametube walls cooler)
The primary holes supply the air for fuel and air mixing; this is where the burn process begins.
The secondary holes supply the air to complete the combustion process.
The tertiary/dilution holes provide the air for cooling of the gases before they leave the combustor; this helps keep the turbo's turbine blades from overheating.
The size and placement of the holes is a mathematical equation at best and a logistical nightmare at worst. To make the process of calculating the holes easy, I have provided a program here that will do the work for you. It is a Windows program, so if you are on a Mac or Linux box you will have to do the equations longhand. The program, dubbed Jet Spec Designer, can also be used to determine the thrust output of a particular turbo.
Before making any holes in the flametube, you will need to size it to fit into the combustor. As our combustor is 10 inches long from the outside of the ring ends on one side to the other, you will need to cut the flametube to that length (make sure you cut to fit your combustor length). Use the posterboard wrapped around the flametube to square up one end, then measure and cut the other. I would suggest making the flametube almost 3/16ths of an inch shorter to allow for expansion for the metal as it gets hot. It will still be able to be captured inside of the end rings, and will "float" inside of them.
Once you've cut it to length, get going on those holes. There will be a lot of them, and a "unibit" or stepped drill bit is very handy to have here. The flametube can be made of stainless or regular mild steel. Stainless will of course last longer and hold up to the heat better than mild steel.
Step 9: Plumbing the Oil and Fuel Systems
Now that you have the flame tube drilled, open the combustor housing and insert it between the rings until it snugs down into the back against the exhaust cap. Replace the injector side cap and tighten the bolts. I like to use hex-head cap bolts just for the look, but the convenience is also nice as you dont have to fiddle with a regular wrench.
Fuel and Oil Pumps: Plumb It Right, Don't Die
Now you will need to get fuel to the system and oil to the bearings. This part is not as complicated as it may seem. For the fuel side, you will need a pump capable of high pressure and a flow of at least 20 gallons per hour. For the oil side, you will need a pump capable of at least 50 psi pressure with a flow of about 2-3 gallons per minute. Fortunately, the same type of pump can be used for both. My suggestion is the Shurflo pump, model number 8000-643-236. Other alternatives are power steering pumps, furnace pumps, and automotive fuel pumps. The best price I have found on the Shurflo is from here, currently $77 US. Do not skimp out and buy the other Shurflo pumps which look the same but are cheaper. The valves and seals in the pumps will not work with petroleum based products and I cannot guarantee that you will have much luck with them.
I have provided a diagram for the fuel system here; the oil system for the turbo will work the same way. If your pump does not have a bypass return directly on it (the Shurflo does not, but some furnace pumps do) then you can omit the pump bypass as it is only there to catch blowby from the pump itself.
The idea of the plumbing systems is to regulate pressure with a bypass valve setup. The pumps will always have a full flow with this method, and any unused fluid will be returned to its holding tank. By going this route, you will avoid back pressure on the pump and the pumps will last longer too. The system will work equally well for fuel and oil systems. For the oil system you will need to have a filter and an oil cooler, both of which would go in line after the pump, but before the bypass valve.
Oil Cooler: Plumb it Right, Still Don't Die
For an oil cooler, I suggest B&M transmission coolers. Oil filters can be the regular screw-on type by using a remote oil filter mount. Make sure that all lines running to the turbo are made of "hard line" such as copper tubing with compression fittings. Flexible line such as rubber can blow off and end in disaster. Oil or fuel hitting a hot turbine housing will burst into flame very quickly. Also of note is the pressure involved in these pump systems. Rubber hose will soften with heat, and the high pressures from the pumps will cause the lines to rupture and slip off of fittings. Be safe and use hard lines. It is just as inexpensive as flexible lines. You have been warned of the dangers; I accept no liability for your unwillingness to follow instructions!
When plumbing the oil lines to the turbo, make sure that your oil inlet is on the top of the turbo and that the drain is at the bottom. The inlet is usually the smaller of the two openings. If you are using a wate-cooled turbo, it is not neccessary to use the water jacket at all, and nothing need be hooked to these ports. It will only be useful if you would like to supply a flow of water for cooling the turbo upon shutdown.
Tanks, Injectors, and Oil
Tanks for fuel can be any size, and oil tanks should be capable of holding at least one gallon. Do not place the pick up lines near the return lines in tanks, or the aeration caused by the returning fluids will cause air bubbles to enter the pick up lines and the pumps will cavitate and lose pressure!
For fuel injectors, I recomend HAGO nozzles from McMaster Carr. Look on page 1939 of the online catalog for the stainless-steel water-misting nozzles. An engine of this size will need a flow of approximately 14 gallons per hour at full bore.
With regard to oil, I use Castrol fully synthetic 5W-20 right now. A fully synthetic oil with a low viscosity is a must. The synthetic will have a much higher flash point and be less likely to ignite, and the low viscosity will help the turbine to rotate easier on startup.
For more information about calculating fuel requirements and such, I suggest you join a user group such as the Yahoo Forums "DIYgasturbines" user group. There is a wealth of information there, and I am a regular member.
Sparking That Mother Up
Ahh, you will need a source of ignition! Since there are numerous ways to get a spark from a sparkplug, I won't go into this in-depth. I leave it to you to search the Internet for a nice high -oltage circuit to get a spark, or you can cheap out and wire an automotive flasher relay to a coil and get a rather slow, but usable, spark out of your plug.
For the power to all of the 12-volt systems, I like to use 12-volt, 7 or 12 amp-hour, sealed gel-cell batteries like the ones you find in burglar alarms. They are small, light, and well suited to the task, and they easily fit into a jet kart or other small vehicle.
Ok, so you've made it this far. All you need now is a stand on which to mount your engine. You can see the test stand I made in other pictures here and get an idea of how to make one for yourself. Do you have your leaf blower ready? Let's get it started!
Step 10: Make Noise, Shake the Ground, Scare the Neighbors
Note: The engine in the video is not the author's engine. Video of that engine can be found here.
This is the fun part! The parts you will need are...
1) The engine
2) Ear muffs
3) Lots of fuel (diesel, kerosene, or Jet-A)
4) A leaf blower
This is where things get interesting.
First, set up the jet in a place where you can actually start it without making anyone mad with the loud noise. Next, you'll need to fuel it. I like to use Jet-A — aviation jet fuel, available at any small airport — because it works well and offers the right smell. Switch on your oil system and set the oil pressure to a minimum of 30 psi. Put on your ear defenders and spool up the turbine by blowing air through the engine with the leaf blower. Yes, you can use electric or air starting on these engines, but it is not the norm, and it is much easier to just use the leaf blower.
Next, turn on the ignition circuit and slowly apply the fuel by closing the bypass needle valve on the fuel system until you hear a "pop" when the combustor lights. Keep increasing the fuel flow, and you will start to hear the roar of your new jet engine. Gradually pull the leaf blower away and see if the engine speeds up on its own. If it does not, reapply the leaf blower and give it more fuel until it does.
That's it! Congratulations — you've built a jet engine! Don't burn the house down!
Russ Moore is a contributor for Instructables.com, a "web-based documentation platform where passionate people share what they do and how they do it, and learn from and collaborate with others." This story originally appeared on Instructables on April 17, 2006.


text:
In case you missed my ramblings on First Coast Connect on WJCT this morning, here's what's coming up this weekend and beyond—Around Town!
Thursday, Nov. 21
"Bad Seed," through Nov. 24, Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine
The Kennedy Assassination at 50: The Enduring Mystery," 7 p.m., Mandarin Community Club
Interfaith Thanksgiving, 6 p.m., Congregation Ahavath Chesed Temple
Friday, Nov. 22
Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash, 8 p.m., Florida Theatre
Saturday, Nov. 23
Zoolympics Run/Walk 5K, 8:30 a.m., Jacksonville Zoo
Holiday Cookie Tour of Homes, noon–5 p.m., Amelia Island
Intuition Ale Works Third Anniversary Celebration, noon–9 p.m., Intuition Ale Works
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, 2 p.m., Microsoft Store, St. Johns Town Center (advance tickets required)
Riverside WineFest, 6–9 p.m., 5 Points
Cirque Dreams, 7:30 p.m., Florida Theatre
Be a good neighbor and donate your gently-used sweaters, jackets and blankets to the Mister Rogers Neighborhood Sweater Drive through Nov. 30.
Yours truly rocks the mic on WJCT's First Coast Connect every Thursday around 9:45 a.m. Tune in. Look out.
If you have an event you would like to be considered for inclusion, email pertinent information to firstname.lastname@example.com.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
I have received a lot of emails over the last couple weeks about Menu Planning. I really think that many of you are a lot like me… you don't want to start doing something if you can't do it absolutely perfect. Menu Planning is one of those things that I used to shy away from. I wanted to cook each night based on my mood, not on a strict schedule. That wasn't so difficult when there was just two of us. Now, with a family of five, I have no choice but to have a little structure to my menu.
I menu plan for a couple of different reasons. The main reason is this…I am a work at home mom. I work part time from home doing freelance work. Our food/entertainment budget since staying at home has dwindled considerably. We just don't have the funds to go out and eat on a whim like we used to. When I have a menu planned for the week and have shopped from my grocery list for those meals, I am much less likely to be tempted to eat out. Plus, if I can limit the number of times I go to the grocery store, that helps eliminate the impulse buys that inevitably happen when I go to the store unprepared.
I try to stick to our menu each week, but it doesn't always happen. Last week, we had the first really cold, fall day of the season and to me that screams chili. I didn't have chili on the menu plan, but I did have the ingredients on hand, so we switched out whatever was that day for chili. When you have at least five days worth of dinners planned out, you know that with at least those ingredients on hand, you have a meal to fall back on. If your mood calls for something different that night and you have the ingredients on hand, don't feel like you are stuck to what's on the menu. Let your menu be a flexible guide and start with baby steps. Once you get in the routine of planning, you will find it is an enjoyable event. (Think of it this way… what better excuse do you need to get to browse through your recipe collection? My husband knows that Sunday afternoons, I can usually be found pouring over magazines, cookbooks and food blogs, all in the name of "menu planning". Me time, with a purpose!)
Here is what the Dine & Dish household has on the menu this week. What do you have planned? Make sure to head over to Organizing Junkie to see what others are planning this week!
Let me know one thing that is on your menu this week or what you find to be the most challenging aspect of menu planning, and your comment will be entered into a giveaway for a great cookbook from Country Bob's. Winner will be chosen by the Random Number Generator. Deadline for commenting will be 10pm CST on Friday, September 12th.
- Monday – Maple Grilled Salmon from Cooking Light
- Tuesday – Grilled Bacon Cheeseburger Calzones – from Everyday with Rachael Ray
- Wednesday – Tacos
- Thursday – Chicken Baked in White Wine Marinade from Cooking Light
- Friday – Homemade Pizza
- Saturday – Onion Smothered Italian Burgers from Cooking Light
- Sunday – Pork and Bell Pepper Stir Fry from Everyday with Rachael Ray
Since you stuck with me through this whole post, let me share with you one of my favorite Tilapia recipes.
Mama's Supper Club Tilapia Parmesan (from Recipezaar)
35 min | 15 min prep
- 2 lbs tilapia fillets (orange roughy, cod or red snapper can be substituted)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
- 1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt (I like Old Bay seasoning here)
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- black pepper
- 1 dash hot pepper sauce
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In buttered 13-by-9-inch baking dish or jellyroll pan, lay fillets in single layer.
- Do not stack fillets.
- Brush top with juice.
- In bowl combine cheese, butter, mayonnaise, onions and seasonings.
- Mix well with fork.
- Bake fish in preheated oven 10 to 20 minutes or until fish just starts to flake.
- Spread with cheese mixture and bake until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
- Baking time will depend on the thickness of the fish you use.
- Watch fish closely so that it does not overcook.
- Makes 4 servings.


text:
Nightengale: Astros bringing confidence to the plate
HOUSTON -- Jeff Luhnow pulls his new blue Audi S5 into the Houston Astros employee parking lot, steps out of his car and peeks at his vanity license plate.
"Every day when I get into the car, and every day when I drive home,'' Luhnow tells USA TODAY Sports, "I look at that number on my plate, and it reminds me what's important.
"It's really what's driving everything we do here.''
Uh, 111?
You mean the franchise-record number of games the Astros lost last year? That hideous number?
"Yes, I want to be reminded every day what really matters is the win-loss record at the big-league level,'' Luhnow says, "and I want this club to go from 111 losses to 111 wins.
"I don't know exactly how many years it's going to take, but that is the goal.''
And until the Astros win 111 games -- nine more victories than any Astros season -- the license plate will remain on the car.
"That's confidence right there,'' says starter Scott Feldman, whose three-year, $30 million free agent contract signified Luhnow's biggest expenditure since his December 2011 hire. "He told us that license plate stays until we do it.
"Hopefully, that sends a good message, not just to the fans, but to everyone in this clubhouse.''
Considering the way the Astros have bolted out of the gate this week against the New York Yankees, slaying a team with a payroll five times its size in the first two games, maybe the wait won't be nearly as long as anticipated.
"My dream scenario is a (Chicago) Cubs-Astros World Series in 2017,'' Luhnow says. "I think it would be a fascinating story how these two organizations were able to turn things around.''
But those lovable Cubs, who have gone 106 years without a World Series title, haven't plumbed the depths of the Astros.
The Astros used to be a National League power and had the second-best record in baseball over a 10-year period, only to be the game's laughingstock the last three years. They've lost 324 games the last three seasons. They've finished a cumulative 127 games out of first place during the stretch.
"It's been tough, real tough,'' says Astros icon Craig Biggio, who finished two votes shy of Hall of Fame election in January. "We had taken a lot of pride in the fact that we changed the culture here, and fans expected us to be the New York Yankees, expecting us to get to the playoffs every year, and then go to this.
"Nobody wants to lose 100, let alone 100 for three in a row. The fans feel it, the organization feels it, but the players who take the field every day feel it the worst.''
Those days, Luhnow and manager Bo Porter proclaim, are coming to an abrupt halt.
'Worst team in major-league baseball'
They're not going to apologize for the method to their madness, stripping the franchise down to its skivvies. The major league team was in a steep decline, and the farm system was in disarray.
"You inherit a team that was the worst team in Major League Baseball,'' Luhnow says. "You inherit a team that has a bottom-tier system. It's impossible to work on everything at once. You have to figure out where you're going to invest and where you're going to get the best return. We had to aggregate as much young talent as we could, even if that came at the expense of some wins.''
And at the expense of plenty of critics.
"The Cubs and Houston are major markets not choosing to spend,'' high-powered agent Scott Boras says. "They might as well go around carrying a sign, 'Please, help me finish last.' Where's the integrity in that?''
Says Luhnow: "Would I have loved to have built the best farm system in baseball while also playing around .500? Absolutely. Was it possible? Probably not. But the strategy that we were employing doesn't mean that we were ever trying to lose any games or throw any games. That's not the case.''
Now, three years into this franchise makeover, they've got one of the pristine farm systems in baseball, with seven players widely considered among baseball's top 100 prospects, highlighted by 19-year-old shortstop Carlos Correa, who starts this season at high Class A Lancaster (Calif.).
And now, they've got no choice but to actually care about that win-loss record.
"We ain't going to lose 111 games again,'' veteran pitcher Jerome Williams says, "I'll tell you that. Those days are over.''
This isn't braggadocio after whipping the Yankees on back-to-back nights but a conscious decision by the organization that it no longer can sacrifice the major league brand for the sake of a glorious farm system.
"After three years of 100-plus losses,'' Luhnow says, "I think we're starting to risk alienating some fans that will make it hard to get them back. And I think that's real.''
The Astros can't wait 20 years like the Pittsburgh Pirates did to have a winning season. They can't go 29 years like the Kansas City Royals have done without a playoff berth. They don't have to win the pennant now, but they better be on their way soon.
"Even though we consider this the beginning of Year 3 of our strategy,'' Luhnow says, "our fans don't think about it that way. They think it started in 2006 after being in the World Series. They've been suffering through a long, steady decline before bottoming out.
"So from our perspective, we have to accelerate it somehow. We do feel a sense of urgency. We're going to be much more mindful of the impact on our fans to have a respectable season and be a lot more careful trading present value for future value.''
This means Dexter Fowler, who was acquired by the Astros from the Colorado Rockies in a salary dump, might actually be staying beyond the trade deadline. It means Feldman won't be shopped to every playoff contender who needs a starter. It even means their veteran bullpen core of Chad Qualls, Matt Albers, Jesse Crain and Williams could be around all year.
"If Dexter Fowler has a tremendous first half,'' Luhnow says, "and clubs come to us that are in it want to give us one of their top draft picks, we're going to have to be very cautious in making moves like that. Whereas in the past, we would have done it without hesitation.
"We feel like we owe it to our fans and to our market to demonstrate that progress is happening.''
Certainly, if the Astros need any references to get the word out, just give the Yankees a holler. They're still wondering what hit them the first two days of their Texas trip. They were shut out for 11 2/3 innings by starters Jarred Cosart and Feldman, collecting six hits.
"No one expected us to come in here and win a series against the Yankees,'' says Cosart, a centerpiece of their future, "and no one expected much from us period. But we know what we can do as a team. If we can keep playing like this, and keep finding ways to win games, who knows what could happen?
"I'm not predicting we're going to the playoffs, but ....''
Kids, they'll say the darnedest things.
"I love it,'' says Fowler. "The guys in here are young, but they're actually pretty mature. It's fun to see that energy around here.
"There's a sense of urgency to win.''
And not to simply avoid another humiliating 100-loss season.
"We're not not talking about how many games we're not going to lose,'' Astros second baseman Jose Altuve says. "We're talking about how many games we're going to win.
"It may mean the same thing, but there's a difference.''
Follow Nightengale on Twitter: @Bnightengale


text:
The Lebanon Rescue Department invites you and your family to its 8th annual Halloween Open House from 5 to 7 p.m. on both Sunday and Monday, Oct. 30 and 31.
The event will be held at the Lebanon Rescue Station at 1524 Carl Broggi Highway in South Lebanon. Lebanon Rescue offers this event each year to give children a safe and fun place to visit during trick-or-treating and to meet the local rescue personnel.
This year's event will include lots of free candy, a monster mud truck, fresh local apples and cider, children's crafts, tours of emergency vehicles, coloring books, helmets, safety handouts and free pumpkins while supplies last.
Please consider bringing a non-perishable food item to help local families who need a little assistance during the holiday season.
This is a free event sponsored by the Lebanon Rescue Corporation and area businesses, including K&M Towing of Sanford, Go Deep Mud, Just Chevy Trucks, Belgian Meadow Farms and Over Budget Racing.
From the state house
Representative Joan Nass, of Acton, who represents parts of Lebanon, has submitted the following information.
'Hunters for the Hungry' continues to be a success
Maine's Hunters for the Hungry program continues to be a unique, cost-effective way to feed those less fortunate statewide. The program's impact has steadily grown since its inception in 1999.
Donations of bear, deer, and moose are accepted from hunters and provide a valuable protein source for distribution to community kitchens, pantries, shelters, or households with a medical necessity. The contributions help support non-profit organizations' clients by offering meat rich in vitamins and minerals with a third of the fat of beef. One deer can provide approximately 110 meals.
The program, a cooperative effort between the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Department of Agriculture's Emergency Food Assistance Program, is a means to get hunters, wardens, processors, and hunger relief organizations working towards the common goal of helping our neighbors. Those wishing to participate or receive more information about the Hunters for the Hungry Program should call 888-4DEER-ME (888-433-3763).
Flu season on the horizon
As the leaves change colors and the temperature drops, flu season is soon to follow. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends an annual flu vaccine as the first and best way to protect against influenza.
Everyone six months of age and older should get a flu vaccine annually, even if they were vaccinated last year. Flu vaccine is widely available in the state.
There are two equally effective ways to get a flu vaccine, either by shot or through a nasal spray. It takes approximately two weeks after vaccination for protection to begin.
Many Maine public schools are offering the vaccine this year. To find the nearest flu shot clinic, you can contact your school, your medical provider, or dial 2-1-1 for information on local flu clinics.
Local pharmacies also have the vaccine, many of which offer the vaccine seven days a week.
For questions regarding the vaccine, please contact the Maine Immunization Program at 207-287-3746 or 1-800-867-4775 or by e-mail at immunememaine.gov.
For questions related to the disease, or to report cases or an outbreak, contact the Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program at 1-800-821-5821 or by e-mail at disease.reportingmaine.gov.
Vote in honor of a veteran
Maine's "Vote in Honor of a Veteran" program was created by former Secretary of State Dan A. Gwadosky in 2000. The program offers two unique ways for individuals to recognize the military service of a friend or relative — a book and a button.
The book, "Maine Remembers Those Who Served," is a collection of tributes to veterans. Covering more than 250 years, the book chronicles the contributions of servicemen and women in all branches of the military. It celebrates their selfless dedication and commitment to military service while honoring the legacy of their defense of democracy.
Also available is an online version of "Maine Remembers Those Who Served." The collection shows appreciation for all who helped preserve our freedoms — including our right to vote. New tributes can now be added to the book's online version at http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voter_info/veteran/tributeform.html.
The button reads "I'm voting in honor of a veteran" and is personalized with the name of a veteran the voter wishes to acknowledge. Since 2000, Maine voters have paid tribute to a grandfather or grandmother, father or mother, brother or sister, son or daughter, husband or wife, neighbor, friend, or fellow veteran.
If you would like to order a button, you can do so online by visiting http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voter_info/veteran/order.html. There is no charge for the button, but there is a limit of three buttons per household while supplies last.
Lebanon Elementary School's (LES) skiing program takes place at King Pine Resort in Madison, New Hampshire. The group will ski on Friday nights starting on Jan. 6, 2012, and will continues through Feb. 10. The bus will leave the school promptly at 3 p.m. and skiing will last until 9 p.m.
Ski Club registration is open now through Nov. 18. Registration forms can be picked up in either office of Lebanon's two schools.
For more information, please contact Gini Sardinha or Chris Lanoie at the Lebanon Elementary School at 457-1126.
In other news, the Lebanon Elementary School Ski Club is holding its annual calendar raffle. The raffle is for the month of November, and a winner will be drawn each day. Some of the calendar sponsors include Lebanon House of Pizza, Goulet's Auto, the Sanford-Springvale YMCA, Gateway Antique Auctions, Triple J Feeds, Bluegrass Landscaping, Aroma Joe's and others.
The calendars sell for $5 each and will be on sale until the end of this month. They can be purchased at either Lebanon Elementary or Hanson schools. All funds raised from calendar sales will go directly to transportation costs for busing students to the ski lodge.
Historical society members to tour museum
The Lebanon Historical Society's meeting on Monday, Nov. 7, will be held at the Sanford-Springvale Historical Museum at 505 Main Street in Springvale at 7 p.m.
Historian Harland Eastman has offered the society's members and friends a private tour of the museum. If you have any questions, please call Marilyn Bolduc at 324-8588.
The Lebanon Historical Society is always looking for new members and all of its meetings are open to the public.
Lebanon Elementary School's annual fifth-grade online auction is up and running. There are 40 items listed online that are up for bids.
Register to bid at http://www.les5th.org and help the fifth-grade students go to Ferry Beach Ecology School this coming spring.
As always, if you have something you'd like to donate, the fifth-graders would welcome it to add to their list of donors. Sponsorship banners are also available to purchase.
For more information about the auction, you can call or email teacher Mary Hammond at 457-1126 or mary.hammondmsad60.org.
Rabies clinic planned
There will be a rabies clinic at the East Lebanon Fire Station on Sunday, Nov. 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dog licenses will also be offered at the same time.
Noble's youth basketball program for boys and girls is designed for children ages 3 through grade 6. The camps are run by boys' and girls' varsity basketball coaches from Noble High School. The program will be held on Saturdays.
You can register your child on Tuesday, Nov. 1, and Thursday, Nov. 3, in Noble High School's lobby between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Preschoolers can be registered for $25; students in kindergarten through the second grade, $30; and students in grades through five, $40.
School calendar
The following is a list of upcoming Lebanon Schools events
-- Thursday, Oct. 27: Early Release Day and Parent-Teacher Conferences. Students will be dismissed at noon and conferences will begin at 1 p.m.
-- Thursday, Nov. 3: MSAD 60's board of directors will meet at the Noble High School Library at 7 p.m.
-- Thursday, Nov. 10: Early Release Day. All Lebanon students will be dismissed at noon.
-- Friday, Nov. 11: No school in observation of Veterans' Day
Karen Gerrish: Rescuers' annual Halloween party is this Sunday
The Lebanon Rescue Department invites you and your family to its 8th annual Halloween Open House from 5 to 7 p.m. on both Sunday and Monday, Oct. 30 and 31.


text:
PBR 2014 Steam Gala
The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway's steam gala was a "Big Barclay Birthday Bash", celebrating the 100th birthday of Rosyth No.1 , with a gathering of Andrew Barclay locomotives, with 4 in steam and 6 on display, including the new arrival Victory. A big thank you goes to Wing Cdr Lance Clark MBE, Padre at MOD St Athan who rededicated Rosyth on Saturday ... and then had a footplate ride of course. Guest engines were Sir Thomas Roydon and 1931 from Rocks by Rail, and Edmundsons from the Rushden Historical Society.Read More


text:
AMP Capital Global Property Securities Fund (ASX: RENT)
Fast Facts
Key Information
- Name: AMP Capital Global Property Securities Fund
- Ticker code: RENT
- Issuer: BetaShares
- Management Expense Ratio (MER): search our complete list
- Exposure: Global shares – property/real estate
- Potential allocation: Tactical
What Does RENT Do?
The AMP Capital Global Property Securities Fund (ASX: RENT) is a partnership between BetaShares and AMP Limited.
The ETF aims to combine AMP Capital's active management expertise and BetaShares' ETF expertise to provide exposure to an actively managed portfolio of property companies and real estate investment trusts (REITs) from around the world.
Why Invest In Property ETFs?
More generally, property ETFs have a few appealing features.
Firstly, an investment property can demand very high capital requirements and is simply unaffordable for many investors. Property ETFs allow investors to gain exposure to real estate without a large deposit and an even larger home loan.
Secondly, real estate provides some protection against inflation since property prices and rent are partly driven by inflation.
Thirdly, property ETFs or real estate investment trusts (REITs) often pay large dividends from the rental income received, so they can be attractive income investments.
Note: you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial adviser before doing anything. This information is factual information and should not be considered financial advice.
What RENT Invests In
The ETF attempts to outperform the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Index AUD Net TRI index.
The Fund's investment style combines a macroeconomic top-down approach to regional and country allocations, with a specific bottom-up selection process. The objective is to identify global listed property securities that show the potential for high returns over the long-term.
The RENT ETF provides exposure to the major real estate market of North America, as well as the markets of other regions including Asia and Europe.
You could buy all of these securities yourself using a share brokerage account but, chances are, it would cost a lot more in brokerage to buy each one — and it would take far longer than buying one ETF!
BetaShares is one of Australia's largest ETF issuers, by number of ETFs issued on the ASX. At the end of 2018, Betashares had $6.1 billion of money invested in its ETFs.
BetaShares was founded in Sydney by a group of finance professionals who have a venture capital (VC) business called Apex Capital Partners. BetaShares was an 'in house' investment for Apex but grew quickly as ETFs took off.
Betashares is part-owned by Mirae Asset Global Investment Group, a specialist ETF business which manages nearly $130 billion.
$6b+ invested in BetaShares ETFs
BetaShares launched its first ETF in 2010 but has grown its ETF count rapidly to have around 50 ETFs in the market today.
BetaShares has issued index fund ETFs, rules-based ETFs and actively managed funds in an ETF wrapper. To launch its active funds, BetaShares teamed up with Legg Mason and AMP.
The bestETFs global shares sector includes ETFs, managed funds and index funds which cover international equities/share markets. The most popular global shares markets for ETFs include:
- The USA
- Europe & the UK
- Emerging Markets (EM)
- Asia (including China)
With around 98% of shares listed on markets outside of Australia, we think it's vital for Australian investors to consider looking abroad for exposure to some of the world's best companies, including those from the technology, communications and health care sectors.
Performance Characteristics
Over the ultra-long-term, global shares have proven to be among the best-performing asset classes. However, it is also one of the riskier investments you can make, as measured by standard deviation or volatility.
Hedged or Unhedged?
When you're investing in global ETFs it's worth noting whether or not you're prepared to take on the risk that the currency moves in your favour or against you. Typically you'll have two options:
- Hedged ETFs will attempt to 'lock-in' the exchange rate at the time you make your investment
- Unhedged ETFs do not provide protection against movements in the currency
Which one is better? That's up to you.
Just keep an eye on the costs of the hedged versus unhedged versions of the strategy/ETF and consider your own risk profile.
Note: you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial adviser before doing anything. This information is factual information and should not be considered financial advice.
Finally, take note of where your international ETF is 'domiciled' by reading its PDS or the ETF Issuer's website because this — sometimes hidden — feature could meaningfully affect your tax.
- Australian domiciled ETFs – these are registered and regulated in Australia and are 'Australian residents' for tax purposes. These are just like an ordinary share or ETF you would buy on the ASX and the tax paperwork is filled out by the fund manager at the fund level.
- Foreign domiciled, 'cross-listed' or CDI ETFs – these ETFs are registered offshore and provide a beneficial interest to investors via a 'CDI' listing on the ASX. Sometimes these ETFs may require additional paperwork for taxes, such as filling in a US W8-BEN form to reduce withholding tax or expose ETF investors to foreign regulation or U.S. Estate Taxes.
Consult with your tax and/or financial adviser before investing.
bestETFs assesses the performance of global shares ETFs against their peer group, which commonly use indices prepared by companies such as Standard & Poor's, MSCI, FTSE and others.
When you're comparing global ETFs it's important to understand which index your fund is tracking because slight changes in the index's definition of sectors or geographies can impact the risk-return profile of the ETF.
Some of the common global shares benchmarks include:
All World
- MSCI All World ex-Australia (with dividends reinvested) (AUD)
- MSCI AWCI World Index
- CRSP US Total Market ETF
- Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI)
- FTSE Asia Pacific ex Japan, Australia and New Zealand
- FTSE China 50 Index
- MSCI Japan Index
Europe & UK
- S&P Europe 350
Note: you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial adviser before doing anything. This information is factual information and should not be considered financial advice.
According to academic study, when you invest globally, you may be lowering some of your risks. For example, you won't have all of your eggs in your 'Australia basket'.
However, there are extra risks added when you invest overseas. Some of these risks include:
- Sovereign/regulatory risks – Governments and regulators throughout the world can change their policies on investing, taxes and even the rights of people and investors. Australia has a very stable and robust financial, legal, political and societal system — many countries don't.
- FX/currency risks – A big reason many investors put their money overseas is to get exposure to another country's currency. For example, if you invest 1 AUD into US Dollars at a currency exchange rate of 1.00, you will get 1 USD in return. If the USD gets stronger (meaning the Aussie dollar exchange rate falls), your 1 USD is now worth more! However, it can go the opposite direction. For example, if the AUD-USD goes to 1.10, your 1 USD (bought at a lower exchange rate) is now worth less in AUD terms than before. This risk is the reason why some ETFs are currency 'hedged' — to avoid the impact of currency fluctuations.
- Counterparty risk & holding structure – Some ETF issuers use complicated holding structures to get you exposure to the underlying investment overseas. In Australia, ASX-listed shares and ETFs use the same system to 'settle' transactions and 'hold' your ETFs in your name, it's called the CHESS system. However, if the ETF invests in overseas shares it's likely those shares will be held using another system or holding structure governed by other rules. Rest assured there are some safeguards in place. But you should always do your research, read the ETF's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or consult a licensed financial adviser.
- Timezone – Often, global sharemarkets will be open when you're asleep. Conversely, Australian sharemarkets (where you buy into the ETFs) operate when the rest of the world is asleep. That makes tracking the latest ETF prices a little more difficult for you and for ETF issuers. This could lead to changes in the 'unit price' or the "net asset value" (NTA) of the ETF overnight.
Note: you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial adviser before doing anything. This information is factual information and should not be considered financial advice.
This ETF could be used as part of a 'tactical' or 'satellite' allocation in a diversified long-term portfolio because of its unique strategy, costs, risk-reward profile and the expectation of long-term returns.
What is The Core-Satellite Approach?
A core-satellite approach puts investments into two 'buckets' depending on the expected risk and returns.
Bucket 1: Core Investments
The 'core' is the larger part of an investment portfolio and could be reserved for more conservative investments. For example, this might include diversified, low-cost and easy to understand funds, bonds, shares or ETFs.
If you're new to investing, the core is a good place to start.
Core ETFs might include:
Bucket 2: Satellite/Tactical Investments
The 'satellite' or tactical bucket is the smaller part of a portfolio (e.g. 0% to 30% of your entire portfolio). In this section, investors might decide to take more risk, invest in unique or unproven strategies, buy fast-growth individual shares, etc.
Tactical strategies could be higher risk, higher cost and more complicated strategies that are used in the hope of outperforming the averages (e.g. ASX 200, S&P 500, etc.).
Tactical ETFs might include:
The bestETFs website currently provides free access to a database of Australian ETFs, index funds and (soon) selected managed funds. The website contains factual information only and should NOT be considered a source of financial advice (meaning you should NOT act on the information presented here).
If you are wondering whether this ETF is a good investment, you should speak to a licensed and qualified financial adviser. Alternatively (or in addition) you should always read the ETF's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), which should be available on the ETF provider's website. The PDS explains some of the risks, the fees and other important information.
You can also click here to take one of our free investing courses today!
Latest News
How The BetaShares Legg Mason Real Income Fund (ASX:RINC) Has Outperformed The ASX 200
Here's how the BetaShares Legg Mason Real Income Fund (ASX:RINC) has outperformed in a falling interest rate environment.
Is The BetaShares Healthcare ETF (ASX:DRUG) A Healthy Option For Growth?
Healthcare companies have ageing population tailwinds and IP competitive advantages pushing their growth. The BetaShares Global Healthcare ETF (ASX: DRUG) wants to capitalise on that.
Is The AMP Global Infrastructure Fund (ASX:GLIN) A Good Option For Income And Growth?
The AMP Capital Global Infrastructure Securities Fund (ASX:GLIN) has many appealing traits, but it doesn't come without risk. Could this active ETF work for your portfolio?
What Is An ETF?
Investing in an Exchange Traded Fund or ETF is typically a way to buy a tiny slice of many different shares, bonds or currencies with one investment. Technically, ETFs are 'funds' or legal 'trusts' which allow investors to pool their money together in one place and invest in the same strategy.
What Is An Index Fund?
An index fund is a type of 'managed fund' which pools money in one place and follows an index. For example, an ASX 200 index fund buys all 200 shares included in the S&P/ASX 200 index maintained by Standard & Poor's.
What's The Difference Between An 'Active' and 'Passive' Investment?
Traditionally, 'active' investors pick individual stocks they think will outperform the market (e.g. ASX 200 index). For example, an 'active' fund manager would pool investors' money together and invest that money in their best stock ideas.
'Passive' investors are investors who buy into standard index funds, like one that follows the ASX 200 or USA's S&P 500. These are also run by fund managers but they don't use their 'skills' or 'analysis' to pick individual stocks. Instead, they invest in the entire market and investors benefit from the growth of all companies, on average.
What Are Rules-Based Investments?
In recent times we've witnessed the emergence of 'rules-based' or 'smart beta' investment strategies, which are kind of in-between active and passive.
Typically, these strategies use automated rules to invest with strategies covering stocks/shares, bonds/fixed income, currencies, commodities (e.g. gold) and derivatives contracts (e.g. options). For example, a rule might be 'buy this share if XYZ happens' or 'sell that share if ABC is true', etc..
Investing Courses – Now Available!
Investing for the first time? Need to get your finances in shape and start saving for your future? We're here to help.
Create a free account on Rask Australia right now and you can take any of our free courses on budgeting, investing, insurance and more! It's free to learn from us and take control of your finances.


text:
Create an Account - Increase your productivity, customize your experience, and engage in information you care about.
We are delighted you are considering Garland Parks and Recreation as the site for your next meeting, event or practice. Recreation Center rooms, gymnasiums, pavilions, swimming pools and athletic fields are rented based on their availability. Advance reservation is required.
For more information, please contact the specific facility you wish to rent.


text:
Clemson dominates Furman
Clemson, SC – Tajh Boyd threw for two touchdowns and Andre Ellington added two more scores on the ground, as the 11th-ranked Clemson Tigers dispatched Furman, 41-7, at Memorial Stadium.
Boyd ended 20-of-29 for 310 yards, while Ellington totaled 59 yards on 15 rushes for the Tigers (3-0), who open up ACC action next Saturday against Florida State.
DeAndre Hopkins led all receivers with 95 yards on seven receptions and Sammy Watkins posted a 58-yard run for a touchdown.
Reese Hannon was 19-of-29 for 235 yards, one TD and an interception for the Paladins (0-3), who travel to Presbyterian seven days from now.
Jerodis Williams totaled 87 yards on 19 carries, and Jordan Snellings accounted Furman's lone score thanks to a 37-yard jaunt on his lone catch of the contest.
Furman took the ball inside the hosts' 10-yard line on its first drive, but Hannon was picked off by at the goal line on fourth down. Clemson then moved 80 yards and Ellington capped the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run that proved to be the lone score of the opening quarter.
"We responded and our defense made some great stops and forced some turnovers," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. "More players got some time on the field. We have been making improvements and can apply what we learned, but we are 3-0 and that's right where we want to be."
Watkins then broke loose for a 58-yard dash to the end zone on the first play of the second quarter.
A pair of field goals from Chandler Catanzaro -- from 46 and 22 yards, respectively -- bookended Furman's first score of the day, a 37-yard connection from Hannon to Snellings and the Tigers led 20-7 at the half.
Ellington punctuated Clemson's second drive of the third quarter with a one- yard plunge, and after holding the visitors to three-and-out, Boyd hit Brandon Ford for a 30-yard TD and 34-7 advantage.
Boyd found Martavis Bryant 39 yards away on the second play of the fourth to cap the scoring.
"They have a good scheme," Furman coach Bruce Fowler said. "They execute it well. They have a quarterback who seems to me to be really comfortable in what he's doing. They do a lot of stuff with motion. You're trying to find out where they are, and then they're moving. Those are all things, from a defensive standpoint, that create problems before the ball's ever snapped. Then the ball's snapped, and they're fast."
Game Notes
Clemson leads the all-time series 42-10-2, including 30 wins in a row and have gone undefeated in the last 31 meetings with Furman since its last loss in 1936 ... Furman was held to 110 yards rushing and converted 2-of-14 third downs ... Ryan Culbreath led the Paladins with 69 yards on six grabs.


text:
The screen will now show opponents' full squad, allowing players to both plan for the Battle and to study what unit combinations other players are using.
She did. It makes no sense. Even now I barely could justify using her because she usually dies to all the one-hitters before she even gets to move. And the nerf her.OlBillyRiley wrote: »I feel like Ventress got nerfed harder than Poe.
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!


text:
cranchhod necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 202 diseños de 33 diseñadores freelance.
My name is Chintan Ranchhod, 28 years old and live in Hampshire, England. I work for Virgin Media one of the largest isp's in UK in Internet Security. Before that used to work in the Network Management Centre, looking after network devices & links (Fibre optics, routers, switches, etc) which was across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Been in IT for over 10 years. But brought up on the internet most of my life, since the age of 13 when 9.6k modems where first out.
Was quite big into the gaming scene, played for a few clans and was in a few european competitions for deathmatches for various games in the early days of the internet. I have always had a deep passion for online gaming. I have seen it grow since the whole thing started. Also see other info case study written on me by Cisco Networking Academy. (http://www.netacadadvantage.com/aft…hintan.htm).
I am looking to branch out and create my own IT consultancy and start projects like this over the next few years, as online gaming is my speciality. The culture and personality trying to put across with "1337 LAB" is expert knowlege in online gaming, free/sell products to optimise and enhance online games for better performance. Giving the gamer/clans extra power/advantage to the reach the top of thier game.
Primary target consumers are any FPS (First Person Shooters) such as Call of Duty, Crysis, etc
Secondary target consumers are MMORPG(Massively multiplayer online role-playing game) such as World of Warcraft, Everquest, etc, etc
The software tools will be designed for PC (Personal Computers).
-The logo brand required is for the name : 1337 LAB
-MUST be black/black textured background. I will also accept other Darkish colours to an extent.
-You can try being clever by arranging numbers and letters or create a logo with brand underneath - (as an example - http://designshack.co.uk/articles/g…ever-logos, http://abduzeedo.com/amazing-one-element-logos).
-Can use as much colour or less colour as you see fit.
-Using Creative Imagination is Imperative.
-Logo must command confidence and market leader properties, shows strength if you purchase 1337 LAB products to defeat thier online enemies.
-Logo can be as complex or simple as you like. Can include illustration's or photoshop minipulations
FEEDBACK: This will be given to all entrants who have made the effort. Feedback will not be given to people who want to chuck something in with no thought. I am online almost everyday so feedback can be given constantly. As I see it if I dont give you feedback how can you help me? If you have any questions please PM me.
ELIMINATIONS: Please dont be discouraged or disheartened if I elminate you! I appreciate every entry!
SIDE NOTE: 1337 is internet slang for online gamers for Elite. Search l33t speak to get more insight if needed.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text:
All posts for the day February 15th, 2011
February 15, 2011: Obama Budget Press Conference
Posted by bonniekgoodman on February 15, 2011
February 15, 2011: President Obama Unveils Massive $3.7 Trillion 2012 Budget, Republicans Vow Cuts
By Bonnie K. Goodman
Ms. Goodman is the Editor of History Musings. She has a BA in History & Art History & a Masters in Library and Information Studies from McGill University, and has done graduate work in history at Concordia University.
Drew Angerer/The New York Times
President Obama spoke about the budget and education at Parkville Middle School and Center of Technology in Baltimore on Monday. He was flanked by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at left and Jack Lew, director of the Office of Management and Budget, at right.
- Obama's 2012 Budget Proposal: How $3.7 Trillion is Spent: Explore every nook and cranny of President Obama's budget proposal. – NYT
- The Budget: Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2012 contains the Budget Message of the President, information on the President's priorities, budget overviews organized by agency, and summary tables.
To download "Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2012" as a single PDF click here (216 pages, 4.1 MB)
- Breakdown of budget's big numbers: There are a lot of big numbers being tossed around in Washington these days: a $3.7 trillion budget proposal, $61 billion in cuts, a $14.3 trillion debt ceiling. Below is a breakdown of what they represent…. – WaPo, 2-15-11
- Office of Management and Budget: Budget 2012:
President's Message
The Budget
Terminations, Reductions, and Savings
Analytical Perspectives
Historical Tables
Supplemental Materials
- Obama's Budget Focuses on Path to Rein in Deficit: With President Obama's release on Monday of a budget for next year and House action this week on a Republican plan for immediate deep spending cuts, the nation is getting its clearest view since the president took office of the parties' competing visions of the role of government, the urgency of addressing the deficit and the best path to long-term economic success.
Mr. Obama used his budget for the fiscal year 2012 and beyond to make the case for selectively cutting spending while increasing resources in areas like education and clean energy initiatives that hold the potential for long-term payoffs in economic growth. With this year's deficit projected to hit a record, $1.6 trillion, he laid out a path for bringing down annual deficits to more sustainable levels over the rest of the decade…. – NYT, 2-15-11
- Obama budget: Some cuts, not the slashes GOP asks: Putting on the brakes after two years of big spending increases, President Barack Obama unveiled a $3.7 trillion budget plan Monday that would freeze or reduce some safety-net programs for the nation's poor but turn aside Republican demands for more drastic cuts to shrink the government to where it was before he took office….. – AP, 2-15-11
- Highlights of Obama's 2012 spending plan: Obama sends plan to Capitol Hill; goal is to get funding in place by start of 2012 fiscal year… Plan includes a significant increase in education funding… Plan decreases discretionary resources for the Department of Transportation…. It trims funding for African Development and Inter-American Foundations by nearly 20%
President Obama's spending plan is just the first step in a process that will involve no less than 40 congressional committees, 24 subcommittees, countless hearings and a number of floor votes in the House and Senate, with the aim of getting funding in place for the federal government by the beginning of the 2012 fiscal year October 1.
Congress never passed a budget for the current fiscal year, and the government has been running on a "continuing resolution," which expires March 4. House Republicans have thrown down the gauntlet over cuts to current programs and threaten to shut down the government if they don't get their way.
After Obama sends his 2012 plan to Capitol Hill, House and Senate budget committees each pass their own budget resolutions, which set caps on spending and establish revenue targets and generally serve as five- to 10-year blueprints for congressional priorities…. – CNN,
- Obama budget resurrects rejected tax increases: President Barack Obama's budget proposal resurrects a series of tax increases on certain corporations and the wealthy that were largely ignored by Congress when Democrats controlled both chambers. Republicans, who now control the House, are signaling they will be even less receptive.
The plan unveiled Monday includes tax increases for oil, gas and coal producers, investment managers and U.S.-based multinational corporations. The plan would allow Bush-era tax cuts to expire at the end of 2012 for individuals making more than $200,000 and married couples making more than $250,000. Wealthy taxpayers would have their itemized deductions limited starting in 2012, including deductions for mortgage interest, charitable contributions and state and local taxes…. – AP, 2-14-11
- Showtime for House Republican spending cuts: One day after President Barack Obama presented Congress with his $3.7 trillion budget, the focus shifts on Tuesday to Washington's more immediate spending needs and a controversial spending-cut bill that Republicans hope to pass in the House of Representatives.
The House legislation, cobbled together by Republicans after weeks of intraparty fighting, would cut about $61 billion from current spending in a bill to fund government activities through the rest of this fiscal year that ends on September 30.
The spending being proposed would be equal to a 14 percent cut from last year…. – Reuters, 2-15-10
- House Republicans counter Obama budget plan with much deeper cuts: On Monday, President Obama made his statement about how the government ought to change its spending habits: a gradual plan that minimizes immediate pain by phasing in cuts over a decade.
Starting Tuesday, House Republicans will move forward with a very different approach, one intended to be viewed as radical and painful. Their proposal deals not with theoretical deficit targets set far in the future but with the final seven months of this year's budget, a period left in flux by congressional inaction.
House Republicans want to cut $61 billion from the budget, which would amount to the most significant government contraction since the end of World War II. Decried as "dire" and "disturbing" by Democrats, the plan has become a test for how far Republicans are willing to go in order to deliver on the promise of fiscal austerity that GOP candidates pledged to voters last year.
"It's big, and it's real and it can impact people's lives," House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said Monday of the House legislation. "But we have a budget deficit right now of nearly $1.5 trillion. We have a lot of work to do."… – WaPo, 2-15-11
- Obama budget: $3.7 trillion FY '12 blueprint calls for key 'investments'; red ink surges: Trying to balance the need to rein in deficits with his belief that spending now on education and other priorities will pay off in the long term, President Obama on Monday sent Congress a $3.7 trillion budget blueprint for 2012 that makes some short-term fixes but puts off heavy lifting on Social Security and Medicare.
The budget acts as an update on the current fiscal year, as well as a plan for the future, and it shows the federal government will run a record $1.645 trillion deficit in 2011, slimming down to $1.101 trillion in 2012 and continuing the red ink for the foreseeable future, though at lower levels.
After massive spending during his first two years in office, Mr. Obama proposed some tax increases and strategic spending cuts for 2012, such as in low-income energy assistance and student aid. But he also called for boosting spending on transportation and education – needs the president said cannot be sacrificed even in the face of the deficit…. – Washington Times, 2-14-11
- Obama budget sets up spending fight Proposed cuts too small for GOP's fiscal hawks: President Barack Obama sent Congress a $3.73 trillion 2012 budget that would boost spending in Michigan on items like education and energy, while cutting things like heating assistance for the poor and Great Lakes cleanup in an effort to bring the federal deficit under control. White House officials said Obama's budget proposal for the fiscal year that begins in October would trim the federal deficit by $1.1 trillion over a decade, and produce about a $1.6 trillion budget hole for this year. The plan now goes to Congress, where it's likely to encounter stiff opposition from Republicans who have said they want deeper cuts and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who will fight for programs and tax breaks benefiting their districts… – The Detroit News, 2-15-11
- Editorial: The Obama Budget: On paper, President Obama's new $3.7 trillion budget is encouraging. It makes a number of tough choices to cut the deficit by a projected $1.1 trillion over 10 years, which is enough to prevent an uncontrolled explosion of debt in the next decade and, as a result, reduce the risk of a fiscal crisis.
The questions are whether its tough choices are also wise choices and whether it stands a chance in a Congress in which Republicans, who now dominate the House, are obsessed with making indiscriminate short-term cuts in programs they never liked anyway. The Republican cuts would eviscerate vital government functions while not having any lasting impact on the deficit.
What Mr. Obama's budget is most definitely not is a blueprint for dealing with the real long-term problems that feed the budget deficit: rising health care costs, an aging population and a refusal by lawmakers to face the inescapable need to raise taxes at some point. Rather, it defers those critical issues, in hopes, we assume, that both the economy and the political environment will improve in the future…. – NYT, 2-15-11
- President Obama's budget kicks the hard choices further down the road: THE PRESIDENT PUNTED. Having been given the chance, the cover and the push by the fiscal commission he created to take bold steps to raise revenue and curb entitlement spending, President Obama, in his fiscal 2012 budget proposal, chose instead to duck. To duck, and to mask some of the ducking with the sort of budgetary gimmicks he once derided. "The fiscal realities we face require hard choices," the president said in his budget message. "A decade of deficits, compounded by the effects of the recession and the steps we had to take to break it, as well as the chronic failure to confront difficult decisions, has put us on an unsustainable course." His budget would keep the country on that course…. – WaPo, 2-15-11
- The President Unveils a Budget to Win the Future for Our Kids: And I just came to Parkville on a day where we are unveiling our budget, and I'm doing so for a reason. But before I do that I just want to thank Principal Buddy Parker, who is showing us around, as well as Susan Yoder, the eighth grade science teacher who we just visited with in her classroom.
Over the last few weeks I've traveled the country, talking about what we need to do to win the future; talked about the need to invest in innovation, so that the next big idea is discovered here in the United States of America. I've talked about the need to invest in high-speed rail and high-speed Internet, so that companies can move goods and information faster than ever. And this week, I'll be talking about the need to invest in education -– in places like Parkville -– so that every American is equipped to compete with any worker, anywhere in the world.
These investments are an essential part of the budget my administration is sending to Congress. Because I'm convinced that if we out-build and out-innovate and out-educate, as well as out-hustle the rest of the world, the jobs and industries of our time will take root here in the United States. Our people will prosper and our country will succeed.
But I'm also convinced that the only way we can make these investments in our future is if our government starts living within its means, if we start taking responsibility for our deficits. That's why, when I was sworn in as President, I pledged to cut the deficit in half by the end of my first term. The budget I'm proposing today meets that pledge -– and puts us on a path to pay for what we spend by the middle of the decade. We do this in part by eliminating waste and cutting whatever spending we can do without.
As I start — as a start, I've called for a freeze on annual domestic spending over the next five years. This freeze would cut the deficit by more than $400 billion over the next decade, bringing this kind of spending — domestic discretionary spending — to its lowest share of our economy since Dwight Eisenhower was President. Let me repeat that. Because of our budget, this share of spending will be at its lowest level since Dwight Eisenhower was President. That level of spending is lower than it was under the last three administrations, and it will be lower than it was under Ronald Reagan.
Now, some of the savings will come through less waste and more efficiency. To take just one example, by getting rid of 14,000 office buildings, lots and government-owned properties we no longer need, we can save taxpayers billions of dollars. And when it comes to programs we do need, we're making them work better by demanding accountability. Instead of spending first, and asking questions later, we're rewarding folks inside and outside government who deliver results. And to make sure that special interests aren't larding up legislation with pet projects, I've pledged to veto any bill that contains earmarks.
Still, even as we cut waste and inefficiency, this budget freeze will require some tough choices. It will mean cutting things that I care deeply about — for example, community action programs in low-income neighborhoods and towns, and community development block grants that so many of our cities and states rely on. But if we're going to walk the walk when it comes to fiscal discipline, these kinds of cuts will be necessary…. – WH, 2-14-11 — Transcript — Mp4 — Mp3
- Jack Lew: The 2012 Budget: Today, the President sent to Congress his budget for the 2012 fiscal year. This document is built around the simple idea that we have to live within our means so we can invest in the future. Only by making tough choices to both cut spending and deficits and invest in what we need to win the future can we out-educate, out-build, and out-innovate the rest of the world.
This is the seventh Budget that I have worked on at OMB, and it may be the most difficult. It includes more than $1 trillion in deficit reduction – two-thirds from spending cuts — and puts the nation on a path toward fiscal sustainability so that by the middle of the decade, the government will no longer be adding to our national debt as a share of the economy and will be paying for what it spends – and will be able to sustain that for many years afterwards.
The President has called this budget a down payment because we will still have work to do to pay down the debt and address our long-term challenges. But it is a necessary and critical step for we cannot start to move toward balance and to cutting into the size of our debt until we first stop adding to it – and that is what this Budget does…. – WH, 2-14-11
- Barack Obama: "The fiscal realities we face require hard choices. A decade of deficits, compounded by the effects of the recession and the steps we had to take to break it, as well as the chronic failure to confront difficult decisions, has put us on an unsustainable course."
- Barack Obama: "As we move to rein in our deficits, we must do so in a way that does not cut back on those investments that have the biggest impact on our economic growth, because the best antidote to a growing deficit is a growing economy. So even as we pursue cuts and savings in the months ahead, we must fund those investments that will help America win the race for the jobs and industries of the future – investments in education, innovation, and infrastructure."
- Eric Cantor: This week, the House will consider H.R. 1 – historic legislation that will reduce spending by at least $100 billion over the next seven months. This is the largest spending cut in modern history. These are not easy cuts, but we are finally doing what every American has to do both at home and at work – begin a path towards living within our means.
- John Boehner: President Obama's latest budget will destroy jobs by spending too much, borrowing too much, & taxing too much. The American people have made it clear they want Washington's job-crushing spending binge to end. To help our economy get back to creating jobs, we need to liberate it from the shackles of Big Government and out-of-control spending. H.R. 1, on the House floor this week, will help do this.
- Mitch McConnell: Senator McConnell comments on the President's Budget: After two years of failed Stimulus programs and Democrats in Washington competing to outspend each other, we just can't afford to do all the things the administration wants to do. The President has said he wants us to 'Win the Future.' But this budget abdicates the future. It simply spends too much, taxes too much, and borrows too much.
- Sarah Palin: The Truth Behind the White House's Budget Spin: Today the White House finally produced its proposal for the 2012 budget. Beware of the left's attempt to sell this as "getting tough on the deficit," because as an analysis from Americans for Tax Reform shows, the White House's plans are more about raising taxes and growing more government than reducing budget shortfalls.
The fine print reveals a White House proposal to increase taxes by at least $1.5 trillion over the next decade. If you want to know how minuscule their proposed $775 million-a-year budget "cuts" really are, please look at this chart. The proposed cuts are so insignificant – less than 1/10 of 1% of this year's $1.65 trillion budget deficit – that they are essentially invisible on the pie chart. That speaks volumes about today's budget.
UPDATE: As J.D. Foster of the Heritage Foundation points out: "…the President proposes a budget that keeps the federal government on a thoroughly irresponsible and unsustainable course." Please read the Heritage Foundation article and understand the $775 million in proposed cuts noted above are what the White House's budget director Jacob Lew identified as reflecting what they perceive as some "tough calls." Yet, as noted, they are a drop in the bucket; and the White House's total proposed cuts for this year are still not at all enough to make us solvent.
- What the Budget Cuts Say About Obama: President Obama's proposed budget would cut the deficit by $1.1 trillion in 10 years, with about two-thirds coming from spending cuts and one-third from added revenue. The House Republicans have called for much broader cuts of $2.5 trillion in 10 years.
Both plans are primarily political statements, since neither is likely to be carried out without significant compromise. While the G.O.P. has long promoted itself as the party of fiscal conservatism, neither it nor the president makes cuts to costly entitlements like Medicare and Social Security.
How is Mr. Obama positioning himself in the battle to define his party as fiscally responsible? His plan cuts programs that liberals support, like Pell grants, home-heating aid and environmental spending. What do these cuts say about his political strategy or approach?… –
The Practiced Lunacy of Budget Debates – James K. Galbraith, economist, University of Texas
What Spending Freeze?: Andrew Moylan Andrew Moylan, National Taxpayers Union
A True Pragmatist: Michael Ettlinger, Center for American Progress
Neither Party Is Being Responsible: Maya MacGuineas, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
Credibility as a Deficit Cutter: Stan Collender, columnist, Roll Call
Tevi Troy Senior Fellow, the Hudson Institute; Former Deputy HHS secretary Obama's budget a deficit enabler?: It boggles the mind that the Obama administration would put forward a budget with a trillion dollar deficit that does not address the long-term fiscal morass facing our entitlement programs. Blaming the Republicans for not coming forward with more specific cuts first will not fly; in the strange Kabuki dance of the budget process, it is incumbent on the administration to release its own budget first. Republicans will have their own chance, in the form of the forthcoming battle over the annual Congressional Budget Resolution, to show where they stand on the issue. – Politico, 2-14-11
Posted by bonniekgoodman on February 15, 2011


text:
Chiquito - Chesterfield
Unit 6A, Alma Leisure Park, Chesterfield, S40 2EZ
- Booking
- 01246 231356
You must mention your Gourmet Society card when booking
- Cuisine
- Mexican
- Website
- Click here to visit restaurant website
- 25% off total bill.
- Available 7 days a week.
- Each Gourmet Society card is valid for up to 4 people, although multiple cards can be used per table, therefore 8 people dining would require 2 gourmet society cards.
- Offer available on a la carte menu only.
- Set/Fixed price, Lunch Menus, Kids Menus, takeaways and delivery are excluded.
- The Ultimate Fajita and Picanha steak are excluded.
- This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotions or discounts.
- You do not need to book in advance, although please mention when being seated that you intend to use your gourmet society card.
- To speed up payment please show your gourmet society card when asking for the bill.
- In Scotland the discount only applies to soft drinks only, alcoholic drinks are not included in the discount.
- Not valid on Bank Holidays or celebration days (Valentine's day, Mother's day, Father's day, Easter weekend, etc.).
- Offer not valid in airports, train station locations as well as Chiquito O2 Greenwich.
¡Hola amigos!
Being the UK's biggest and most loved Tex-Mex restaurant, Chiquito know a thing or two about good food and drink, and their range of Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes have been making mouths water for over 25 years.
From mild to wild, Chiquito have every flavour! Fancy some sizzling fajitas, bursting burritos, juicy cheese burgers or tender fall-off-the-bone ribs, you've certainly come to the right place.
See you soon, or as they say in Mexico, ¡hasta luego!
Offer and Availability
25% off the total food and drink bill.
Number of people:
- 4
- Multiple cards can be used.
- Offer not available on Celebration Days including, but not limited to, Christmas Day, Fathers Day, Valentines Day and Easter.
- Please mention the Gourmet Society
Please Note
Please ALWAYS check availability
You MUST book in advance unless otherwise stated.
No one has reviewed Chiquito - Chesterfield yet
You must be logged in to post reviews.


text:
Free Event: The Civil War in Words and Music
Wednesday, February 13, 2013, 6:30 - 8:30pm
Add to Calendar
Words and music of the Civil War era will fill The Cooper Union's Great Hall, site of Lincoln's 1860 "Right Makes Might" speech, in a celebration of the birthday of our 16th president starring Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Judy Collins and featuring Tony Award-nominated and film actor Stephen Lang (Avatar, The Speed of Darkness, Gettysburg, Gods and Generals), Tony and Obie Award-winning actor/singer André De Shields (The Wiz, The Full Monty), pop folk singer/songwriter Dar Williams, members of The Classical Theater Of Harlem and nationally renowned Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer.
Collins will perform popular songs of the era, including some of Lincoln's favorites: "Beautiful Dreamer," "Johnny I Hardly Knew You" and "The Last Rose of Summer," as well as composer Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait," featuring excerpts from Lincoln's great documents including the Gettysburg Address. Williams will sing, as well.
Lang (at right) and De Shields return to The Great Hall to reprise their roles as Lincoln and abolitionist Frederick Douglass, respectively, and engage in a riveting dialogue constructed from historical documents, personal letters and speeches.
Holzer, chairman of the national Lincoln Bicentennial Foundation and a consultant on Steven Spielberg's 2012 film, Lincoln, compiled the dialogue and will serve as master of ceremonies.
This free performance, the 2013 John Jay Iselin Memorial Lecture, was made possible with the support of The Iselin Fund for The Great Hall and the New York State Archives Partnership Trust.
Located in The Great Hall, in the Foundation Building, 7 East 7th Street, between Third and Fourth Avenues