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I have never been a lover of Valentine's Day. To me it was always such a Hallmark holiday where you can never get good reservations and if you don't get flowers delivered to your office, everyone else feels sorry for you. In fact, a girl at work got such a gorgeous arrangement of flowers and set them on the table, I was sure I was at a wedding reception. Seriously, they looked like a centerpiece!
No flowers at my desk this year, they just aren't in our budget. But that is seriously OK. Truth be told, we probably wouldn't even acknowledge the holiday if it wasn't the day we met… 7 years ago! We usually try to do something little on this day just to remember how lucky we are that we met and turned our conversation into a beautiful life together, but nothing to write home about!
This year was a little different since we had Lily. She was old enough to "celebrate" with us but not really old enough to understand what was going on. I had such high hopes of being mom-of-the-year and making a heart-shaped cake, decorating the house, cooking a big dinner and having a movie night, complete with sleeping bags on the floor and a nice bottle of wine for the adults.
Valentine's Day Fail for me! Turns out I'm not mom-of-the-year this year. We had a rotisserie chicken Kevin picked up at Giant Eagle and I threw together some side dishes, there was no cake or decorations, except for the wreath I had already made for the front door, and no wine because I didn't have time to stop and get some and didn't want to take Lily into the Liquor store with me. Oh and that awesome floor bed I was going to make so we could all snuggle together? Comet pooped on the floor when I got home, and although I cleaned it up, bleached the floor and then swiffered, I still didn't want to lay on the floor! Something about dog poop just really turns me off!
We did watch a movie together on the couch. We picked the Princess and the Frog, which is one of my favorite Disney movies! I love the message it sends that you have to work hard for what you get, and I like the music. It's just a good movie! It would have been perfect except that Kevin fell asleep about five minutes into it and just as Lily started to drift off (I thought she would pass out after about half an hour since we were letting her stay up late), Comet jumped on the couch and got her all wound up and she was awake for the whole movie.
When the movie was over, Kevin woke up and took Lily up to bed and I thought we could watch something else since it was early, but he ended up falling back to sleep right away so I went to bed. Good thing because Lily peed through her diaper, all of her clothes and the sheets at about 1 am and was then up until 4. We hung out and watched Cinderella on the couch before she finally passed out again and I got about 4 hours of sleep total that night.
Did I mention I am not a lover of Valentine's Day? This is precisely why!


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First, there was A Contre Sens in Caen. Then, there was Sans Cravate in Bruges. Now, there's Kokotxa in San Sebastián. This dinner in a Michelin-starred restaurant is definitely a culinary highlight of this trip.
San Sebastián is known for its tapas, locally known as pintxos. Of course, I had my fill of pintxos in the other meals I had during my stay, and they were fantastic. But this time, I just wanted an experience on a different level. So I booked myself a seat for 20:45 (Spaniards dine rather late). When I arrived, I was promptly seated, and given the menu.
Of course, I already knew what I wanted to take. I opted for the Tasting Menu, consisting of 9 courses.
They began with a snack. This consisted of long bread sticks dipped in aioli.
I took a glass of white wine, local. It was a good match for what was coming up, which was a menu heavy on fish and seafood.
The next thing that was served was a dish of tomato, watermelon, and brioche with baby prawns. It is meant to be eaten together, a soup served in a shot glass together with a small piece of bread with seafood.
Fish and seafood is the theme of the menu, after all, we are in San Sebastián. The next course was tuna and radish, together with tomato sorbet.
It was followed by a dish that was a surprise: it wasn't listed as part of the menu. This is a stew of white beans from Extremadura.
The next dish is fantastic: it was carabinero with rice, red beets, and seaweed. Carabinero are large red prawns. Eating with one's hands was encouraged, in fact, they gave you the correct implements for it, including an opportunity to wash your hands afterwards. Having grown up in the Philippines, I know how to eat shrimp by hand, so I dug in.
The next several plates consist of the "main dish" so to speak. Two fish dishes appeared: the first one was a kokotxa of a large fish I don't really know. The kokotxa (cococha) refers to the fleshy part of a fish's jaw. It is heart-shaped, and very tender. The next plate was also with fish, but it was grilled this time, served with daikon.
The last plate before the desserts was the pigeon. I had a choice between pigeon or ox filet, but I took the pigeon instead. Very impressive. In addition to this, I was impressed with the wine pairings they recommended. I discovered Albariño wine from Galicia. This is a white wine which has a taste I haven't encountered before. I definitely would like to search for this white wine later.
There were two desserts. The first one was a plate with tomato, raspberry, tonka bean, and curd ice cream. It was followed by licorice, mango, and chocolate crumble. It was all fantastic, a culinary tour-de-force I must say.
I ended the meal with coffee, which they served together with three little sweets.
I realised how much I enjoy these culinary experiences now. I would definitely do this again. If you want more than just your hunger being sated, if you want an experience not only for your tongue but also for your eyes, then by all means have a meal in such a restaurant.

subset: commoncrawl


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A Good Bath
It sucks when you work on a project and the whole time you feel it's a disaster. Such was my experience weaving my second project - an undulating twill blanket. The yarn choice, pattern choice and sett were not "in sympatico" so I had lots of slippage. It was a rookie mistake. I powered through with some coaching from the amazing Jane Stafford who gave me some advice. The best advice she gave was to reserve judgement until the finished cloth hit the water. "A good bath often turns an ugly duckling into a swan," she counselled. She was right.
Here is the finished blanket. It was designed to act like a runner on a leather chair in our living room. Colours were chartreuse and taupe. The pattern I chose was an undulating twill which has long floats. The yarn was a silk-superwash merino blend which I thought would wear well. However, it makes it more slippery and less forgiving when it comes to fluffing up during washing to stabilize it.
When I found big gaps in my sample weaving because the yarn slipped around I panicked and e mailed Jane. She recommended a pick of plain weave 100% wool (very fine) between the picks of twill to stabilize it. Here on the close up you can see the wool picks and it certainly did the trick! The final blanket was more than 5 feet long so I was very glad to finish it off.
I washed it in warm water with Soak soap and spun it dry This was my first time using a floating selvedge and I love the way it makes everything so neat and tidy.
It looks great on the chair and I'm still amazed at how a little bath saved the day.


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IK Multimedia iRig Acoustic
Get ready to perform and record live with your guitar in stunning high-definition sound with the IK Multimedia iRig Acoustic and your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. A professional sounding mobile system for musicians on-the-go, the iRig Acoustic and AmpliTube Acoustic app gives you the freedom to play and record from virtually anywhere.
True mobility
The iRig Acoustic delivers studio-quality sound whilst allowing you to freely move around on stage or in the studio - without feedback or sound alterations. It plugs into your device's headphone input jack with a standard 1/8-inch TRRS cable that allows you to monitor your performance.
AmpliTube Acoustic app
Get ready to rock out and download the free AmpliTube Acoustic app - designed for processing and recording acoustic guitars and ukuleles. Featuring a four-track looper, eight-track recorder/DAW, speed trainer and UltraTuner - AmpliTube has everything you need for a complete mobile music guitar studio.
Acoustic guitar mobile microphone/interface
Works with steel string guitars, classical guitars, ukuleles and more
Studio-quality sound and microphone
Easy installation in seconds - simply clip on and plug in
Mounts securely in the sound hole of your acoustic guitar or ukulele
1/8-inch TRRS output for use with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch
1/8-inch headphone or line output
Download the free AmpliTube app designed for processing and recording acoustic guitar and ukuleles
What's in the Box
iRig Acoustic microphone/interface
Carrying case
Quick Start guide
Tech Specs
Height: 1.8 cm/0.74 in.
Length: 3.2 cm/1.27 in.
Width: 3.17 cm/1.25 in.
Weight: 20 g
Manufacturer Information
Part Number
UPC or EAN No.: 8025813671034
Note: Apple's one-year limited warranty does not apply to products that are not Apple-branded, even if they are packaged or sold with Apple products. Non–Apple-branded products may have the benefit of a manufacturer's warranty provided by the product manufacturer. Please see the product box and literature for details. Rights under the product manufacturer's warranty are in addition to any rights you have under Australian consumer law.
iPhone Models
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
- iPhone SE (1st generation)
- iPhone 5s
iPad Models
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation)
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st generation)
- 10.5-inch iPad Pro
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad Air 2
- iPad Air (1st generation)
- iPad (6th generation)
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad (5th generation)
- iPad mini 4
- iPad mini 3
- iPad mini 2
iPod Models
- iPod touch (7th generation)
- iPod touch (6th generation)
- iPod touch (5th generation)
Answers from the community
Does the quick guide includes information about the usage of the app?
- Asked by emiliano R from mexicali
- on 23 May 2016
Compatibility: Requires iOS 11.0 or later.
Want the ultimate mobile guitar and bass tone studio?
AmpliTube gives you a massive collection of virtual gear that you can use to practice, play and record with world-class tone anytime and anywhere.
Build your own guitar or bass rig with up to 6 stompbox FX, an amplifier and cabinet with mics. Plug your instrument into your iPhone with one of IK's interfaces like iRig 2 or iR ig HD 2, and get ready to be blown away.
AmpliTube for iPhone gives you 17 stompbox effects, 8 amplifiers, 10 speaker cabinets and 2 mics, a free Loop Drummer Rock groove pack and a 2-track recorder.
You can expand this via a massive library of nearly 150 amps and stompboxes from top brands like Fender™, Ampeg®, Orange®, Mesa/Boogie®, and many more, or unlock the rigs of your heroes with gear from Slash, Dimebag Darrell, Jimi Hendrix, and now Brian May.
Ready to hit the stage? AmpliTube's Live Mode offers an optimized GUI for live use, with all the settings and controls you need in an easy-to-read format.
Control your virtual rig just like real gear: change presets, trigger FX, loops and more all right from your feet. AmpliTube pairs with iRig Stomp I/O for a powerful all-in-one stage rig, works wirelessly with iRig Blueboard, and supports other MIDI controllers as well.
AmpliTube also offers innovative ways to play, practice and record with an optional Looper, more drum track loops, a full 8-track recorder and DAW-style studio all available for in-app purchase.
Whether it's at home, in the studio or on stage, AmpliTube is the dream rig you've always wanted, in a device that's always with you!
AmpliTube features:
• Create guitar & bass rigs with up to 6 stomps, 1 amp and 1 cab with 2 mics
• Includes 17 stomps, 8 amps, 10 cabinets and 2 mics
• Expandable with nearly 150 gear models available from Fender™, Ampeg®, Orange®, Mesa/Boogie®, Slash, Dimebag Darrell, Jimi Hendrix and now Brian May
• Live Mode shows your entire rig at a glance, with all the parameters you need on stage easily accessible
• Included 2-track recorder (in-app purchase unlocks up to 8-tracks)
• Studio mode for intuitive DAW-style editing (unlocked via in-app purchase)
• Loop drummer module that plays in sync with the recorder
• Includes speed trainer, metronome and tuner
• Inter-App Audio and AudioBus support
• Project sharing between versions and devices
• Import and play songs as backing tracks from your Music Library or computer
• Export audio via E-mail, SoundCloud or File Sharing
• MIDI controllable and with built-in integration for iRig Stomp I/O, iRig Blueboard and other controllers
• Low-latency for real-time playing
More info:
Accessory info:
www.ikmultimedia.com/irig …


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- Tue, 13:04: It's good that I won't be going home for Thanksgiving. My rage level toward ignorant whites is at an all time high.
- Wed, 06:53: I'm giving up on 2014 a month early. There's no turning this year around at this point.
My tweets
- Post a new comment
- 0 comments
- Post a new comment
- 0 comments


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About Six Foot Tiger, Three Foot Cage:
Lisa says on The Weston A Price Foundation
After I heard Dr. Liao interviewed on the Wise Traditions podcast, way back in Episode #25, I was excited to read his book. I recently bought and read Six-Foot Tiger, Three-Foot Cage. I agree, thumbs up! We already know how important nutrient-dense nutrition is for the growing child, but what about those of us who grew up without ideal nutrition? Turns out there is hope for reshaping narrow faces. Not for cosmetic purposes (that is just a side effect), but to correct the structural defects that lead to mouth breathing, sleep apnea, and a whole host of other health conditions. Good information that I will definitely be sharing.
One thing that was of particular interest is Dr. Liao's use of the DNA appliance to actually restore and remodel adult airways without surgery. As I understand it, this is completely different than the typical mandibular advancement devices available at most dental offices. They simply hold your lower jaw forward during sleep (which does hold your airway open), but never address the fundamental cause, which is that the cage is too small for the Tiger (the tongue). By stimulating the body's own stem cells to activate and remodel the boney and soft tissues of the oral cavity and jaws, everything (the "cage") becomes larger and the airway opens up. It looks like Dr. Liao may be on to the first actual cure for sleep apnea and other breathing disorders. For those of us who have suffered for years with sleep apnea, that alone is worth the price of the book!
Overall, I thought this was an excellent introduction and an easy 2 hour read. Very informative and timely!
Eye-opening observations on mouth and overall health
5 of 5 stars What you don't know can hurt you…..by
Ingrid Manz, CRNA on January 9, 2018
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
pieces together and practices old school dentistry. 100% recommend to all without reservation!!!!!!!!!!!
About Early Sirens:
People or family members with Sleep Apnea, UARS, Snoring, Teeth Grinding, Excessive Sleepiness, ADHD, Poor Memory, Over weight, Fatigue, Anxiety, Aches and Pains and many other symptoms would benefits from reading this book.
First rule of anesthesia and life the AIRWAY RULES……….. Get this book and save your life!!!!
on January 9, 2018
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
CPAP. Read this book and save your life!!!!


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By Marty Denzer
Catholic Key Reporter
KANSAS CITY – Harvesters Community Food Network, was recently named the 2011 Food Bank of the Year by Feeding America, the nation's food bank network. The national award recognizes each year the outstanding food bank in the U.S. that exemplifies the highest standards in fulfilling its mission to feed the hungry. The network encompasses more than 200 food banks serving all 50 states.
Real hunger is not just the stomach rumbling, go grab a snack kind of hungry. Real hunger is knowing there is no food in the home – nothing to grab for a snack.
Usually when people think of the hungry, they imagine homeless men and women lined up at a soup kitchen. Harvesters helps feed 66,000 people every week and half of those are children or seniors. Many are working poor people – 40 percent of the households served have at least one person working. In this region, large numbers of families turn to Harvesters for help.
Harvesters is a regional food bank that serves a 26-county area in Northwest Missouri and Eastern Kansas The food bank collects, warehouses and distributes food through a network of more than 620 nonprofit emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, daycare centers and residences in the region.
"We have always known we live in the most generous community in the nation," said Karen Haren, President & Chief Executive Officer of Harvesters. "Now everyone knows it! The Food Bank of the Year award, given to Harvesters last month by Feeding America, belongs to our dedicated supporters who give food, time, money and voice to help us feed hungry families."
Harvesters was founded in 1979 by a group of concerned individuals who saw food going to waste at the same time people in Kansas City were going hungry. They were in the vanguard of the mushrooming food bank movement. Father Pat Tobin, senior priest in service at St. Therese Parish north, was one of the founders and still serves on the board of directors of the food bank. Harvesters is a certified member of Feeding America.
In giving the award, Feeding America recognized Harvesters for increasing access to nutritious food across the region it serves, for being only one of two food banks in this country to earn a superior rating for food safety from AIB International and for significantly increasing knowledge and awareness of hunger in the Kansas City community.
The population of Missouri is about 5,988,927, and approximately 13.7 percent of the population lives in poverty. A disturbing statistic is the food insecurity rate. About 16.8 percent of Missouri residents are never certain as to when and where their next meal will be, and of those, about 23.2 percent are children.
Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America, described Harvesters as "an amazing voice of hunger relief." The ongoing recession has driven up the number of people seeking emergency food assistance. This need prompted Harvesters to do several things to reach more families, including opening a second facility in Topeka. The BackSnack program, which provides a backpack full of child-friendly, nutritious food for school children to take home on weekends, has more than doubled in the past three years, from serving 650 students weekly to more than 13,500. Harvesters held 3,300 community food drives in 2010, and hosted almost 57,000 volunteer visits to raise awareness of the need for food in the region.
In the past year, Harvesters 102 employees distributed 36.5 million pounds of food and household supplies to 176 emergency food pantries, 17 soup kitchens, four shelters, 26 residences, 14 day care centers and eight senior centers. One hundred ninety three multi-service agencies, nine rehabilitation programs, 11 youth programs, and 135 other programs also received food assistance.
Harvesters has four key initiatives directed toward alleviating hunger in the community. Those initiatives include the Childhood Hunger Initiative; the Feeding Families Initiative; the Healthy Eating Initiative and the Senior Feeding Initiative. The Childhood Hunger Initiative provides food for children after school, on weekends and during the summers at Kids Café sites or through take home backpacks. Kids in the Kitchen teaches children about nutrition and how to prepare healthy snacks. Food pantries and on-site programs feed as many as 66,000 people weekly in the Feeding Families Initiative, and a mobile pantry delivers fresh produce and other foods regularly to designated agencies in the region. Holiday meals are provided to needy families and individuals during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. Low income and homebound seniors receive perishable, wholesome foods delivered by the Senior Mobile Food Pantry to senior housing sites through the Senior Feeding Initiative. Project Strength is an 8-week adult nutrition and meal preparation curriculum taught through the Healthy Eating Initiative. Recipients learn about wholesome choices and shopping for and creating healthy meals with limited resources. At the end of each class, participants receive a complimentary sack of groceries from Harvesters.
Plant a Row for the Hungry encourages local gardeners to plant an extra row of fruits or vegetables and donate the produce to Harvesters. Food Rescue links restaurants and cafeterias that donate nutritious, prepared foods with on-site feeding programs including homeless shelters, domestic violence and low-income day care centers.
Harvesters has partnered with Sprint for more than 20 years to feed the hungry, and Feeding America recognized the telecommunications giant by awarding it the 2011 Hunger's Hope Award for Group Volunteer Service. The company and staff have supported Harvesters with gifts of food, funds and time. Kansas City area Sprint employees have volunteered nearly 17,000 hours with Harvesters and employee food and fund drives provided 660,000 meals to needy families in the past two decades.
Both awards were presented in mid-April during Feeding America's annual conference in Nevada.
Visit the Web site www.harvesters.org for more information, to donate or to volunteer.


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Hi everyone, I'm up on the Sunny Studio Stamps blog today featuring the new City Streets stamp and die set. I love this set - it's so dainty and cute and great for scenes, which you guys know are my favourite!
Make sure you stop by the Sunny Studio Blog today to see how I made this card!
- Eloise


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Of all this season's runways trends, layering is the most dominant styling technique you should master. Assuming you did settle on your final shopping list for the fall, there are numerous pieces in which to invest for this particular tactic as well as several keys and tricks to layer artfully.
Denim is amongst the easiest playful extra layers that are close to mind. Loop a denim jacket around your waist when in need of an emergency layer. It's also a fresh piece of garment to a key street style look that has been around since last year and is still set to remain for 2018. Simply wear your summer dress over jeans. Leave the dress unbuttoned slightly at the front for a more relaxed feel.
Shop for a flowy floral red-backed dress with a pair of blue jeans for an unexpected styling combo as found over in Ganni Modesty dressing seems to prevail this season with silhouettes covered-up, extreme layers and low hemlines.
You can nail this runway look with layering a plaid midi dress with a cropped motto jacket that cuts off your waist at just the right point. A white shirt is a must for any wardrobe. It's your much-needed layering essential, as it goes with everything.
Whether that's under or over a dress, tucked into a pair of trousers, or just poking out of a jacket, you can mix and match it in so many ways. You can mimic such a look from Endless Rose layer a knee-length tank dress over a white blouse with some statement-making sleeves.
Cardigans with their versatile pretty styles, starting from long, loose-fit, short to bulky, slim, striped, printed and plain are the perfect way to usher you to the cooler seasons all through.
A gorgeous looking office-appropriate long buttoned cardigan in light grey can look awesome worn atop matching grey colored dress. You can style a slip dress with a long, cozy cardigan and ankle boots and strut along with elegance. Or, try on a bomber-like cardigan in patched vibrant prints with a cool mini denim skirt for a casual look. So, start heaping them up, trendy girls, with these fabulous ideas for you to try this fall.
About the writer
This article was written by guest author Reham selim.


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Imagination Technologies Group plc (LSE: IMG, "Imagination" or "the Group"), a leader in System-on-Chip Intellectual Property ("SoC IP"), has appointed Gilles Delfassy as an independent non-executive director with immediate effect.
Gilles is a highly experienced and respected international figure in the semiconductor and mobile/wireless industry with 35 years of highly relevant experience, including almost 30 years at Texas Instruments, Inc (TI). He was a key pioneer and driving force behind the mobile/wireless initiative within TI, which helped to shape the industry.
More recently he held the position of Chief Executive Officer of ST-Ericsson S A. Gilles has also served as a board director at several public and private companies in the United States and in Europe.
Geoff Shingles, Chairman of Imagination, said:
"I am delighted to welcome Gilles to the Board. His extensive experience and knowledge of the semiconductor and mobile/wireless industry will be a real asset to us. We look forward to working with him."
He will also join the Remuneration and Audit Committees.
The Group confirms that there is no information to disclose relating to Mr Delfassy under rules 9.6.13 (1) to (6) of the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority.
Imagination Technologies Group PLC
Geoff Shingles, Chairman
Tel: 01923 260511
College Hill
Adrian Duffield/Kay Larsen
Tel: 020 7457 2020


text:
Welcome to ThinqMagic
ThinqMagic Software provides "Next Generation" of IT and Consulting Services. ThinqMagic Software defines, designs, develop and delivers technology-enabled business solutions for Global clients. We also provide a complete range of services under a single roof by leveraging our domain and business expertise and strategic alliances with leading technology providers. Our offerings span custom software development, software maintenance, mobile application development, business and technology consulting, application services, re-engineering, independent testing and validation services. ThinqMagic Software takes pride in building strategic long-term client relationships. We have extensive experience in many sectors like Mobile Application Development, .net development, Java Development, Php Development, Linux Programming etc. Some of our focus industries include Financial, Healthcare/Pharma, Media, eCommerce, Entertainment, Travel etc.
What we do
Website Designing & Development
A website should act as the centrepiece for your digital strategy.
Mobile Application Designing and Development
We Build Android App For Every Business Unlock the potential of your business with our Android App development services.
Machine Learning
We can handle the most advanced problems in Data Science and Machine Intelligence. We make it easier for you to move data from insights.
Artificial Intelligence
Today's organizations are using Machine Learning based tools to automate decision processes, & experiment with advanced uses of Artificial.
Digital Marketing
Gain expert insights across a wide range of online marketing channels.
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We Design Experiencs, Across the industry we are known for our experts ability to simplify complex process and promote clarity.
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ThinqMagic Software has a mission to revolutionize and be recognized globally for exceptional and focused customer delivery with attention to detail, innovation, consistent execution and teamwork in everything we do.
Think Out of Box to create inspiring and innovative technology solutions.


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To commemorate National Sausage Month in October, the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council and the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) are pleased to present, "Guide to Beer and Sausage: Pairings and Recipes," which contains a detailed beer and sausage pairing guide and a collection of five delicious recipes featuring sausage cooked with beer in innovative ways.
The Germans may have perfected the art of beer and food pairing with their love of brew and sausage, but beer and sausage have long been a traditional, favorite combination both in Europe and the United States.
National Sausage Month is a celebration of everything Americans love about these links—from the folklore to the flavor. The new recipe collection presents the traditional sausage flavors paired and cooked with various beer styles. Not only are these recipes ideal for bringing something new to the table this fall plus they are economical.
Invite your friends over for:
Recipe: Grilled Knockwurst with Golden Onions
Yield: 8 entrée portions
8 knockwurst
2 garlic cloves
1 (12 ounce) bottle or can ale
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound yellow onions, sliced very thin
2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions: 1. Pierce each knockwurst 4 to 6 times with a fork. Mash garlic cloves with a knife. Combine knockwurst, garlic and ale in a glass dish. Cover and marinate, in the refrigerator, for one hour. 2. Heat oil in a large heavy nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onions. Place knockwurst atop onions and add 1/2 cup ale marinade. Bring ale to a simmer. Cover skillet and cook sausages about 5 minutes. 3. Remove knockwurst to a colander to drain. 4. Continue to cook onions, stirring often, until onions are soft and golden. Do not let burn. Stir in mustard and pepper. Keep warm. 5. Meanwhile, prepare grill for medium-heat direct cooking. Grill knockwurst, 4 to 5 inches from the heat. Grill, turning sausages as needed, until knockwurst are slightly brown and the internal temperature
reaches 165ºF. 6. Serve knockwurst atop onions.
Many beers work well with this sausage, but for a classic combination, try serving it with a strong, dark Bock Beer.


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David Taintor
January 8, 2012
Former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ) and her husband Mark Kelly on Tuesday announced Americans for Responsible Solutions, a gun control initiative aimed at offsetting the National Rifle Association's outsized influence in American politics.
"Until now, the gun lobby's political contributions, advertising and lobbying have dwarfed spending from anti-gun violence groups," they wrote in a USA Today op-ed published on the second anniversary of the Tucson, Ariz. shooting. "No longer. With Americans for Responsible Solutions engaging millions of people about ways to reduce gun violence and funding political activity nationwide, legislators will no longer have reason to fear the gun lobby. Other efforts such as improving mental health care and opposing illegal guns are essential, but as gun owners and survivors of gun violence, we have a unique message for Americans."
The Emergency Election Sale is now live! Get 30% to 60% off our most popular products today!


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Sign-up season for HealthCare.gov and state insurance marketplace begins this weekend.
Individuals or families can either sign up or renew their health insurance coverage for 2015 using the Health Insurance Marketplace. The program offers options for differing plans, as well as financial assistance for those who qualify.
The health insurance marketplaces are part of a two-pronged strategy for helping the uninsured. Together with Medicaid expansion for low-income people, about 10 million people gained coverage in 2014, the first year the insurance marketplace plans were available.
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell said that she is aiming to have 9.1 million people enroll in 2015 for the private coverage.
Financial help is available for a single person earning up to $47,000 or a family of four with income up to $95,000 a year.
Healthcare.gov and state marketplaces allow those who don't have health insurance on the job to buy private insurance, and most will qualify for the financial assistance. Under the Affordable Care Act, no insurance applicant can be denied coverage based on a pre-existing medical condition like heart disease and stroke.
Having more people insured is vital to the American Heart Association's mission to fight heart disease and stroke. Research has shown that people who have health insurance have greater access to primary care doctors, better preventative services and are more likely to take their prescribed medications properly or call 9-1-1 if they experience heart attack or stroke symptoms. Overall, they also have better health outcomes.
The more uninsured Americans who become covered, the more affordable premiums will be for everyone. Many people are required to purchase insurance to avoid fines specified under the law.
People interested in signing up can visit the Marketplace directly online to get a look at the plans and premiums. Or call 1-800-318-2596.
Open enrollment ends February 15, 2015.


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Spring rec league registration is closed
2020 K-3rd Spring Registration Information
The Kindergarten-3rd Grade online registration will run from February 1 through March 31, with the registration link posted on the SierraNevadaBasketball.com homepage.
Anyone interested in coaching, please visit the Coaches page for more information.
Divisions will tentatively be broken up as follows (divisions may vary based on enrollment for each grade level):
- Kindergarten/1st Grade Co-Ed
- 2nd/3rd Grade Co-Ed
- Each division must have a minimum of 32 players to have a minimum of 4 teams. If any division does not meet the required minimum, registrants will receive a refund for their registration fees
- Team practices will be held prior to games each week
Refund Policy
- Full refunds will be issued prior to April 1st.
- 50% refunds will be issued in April prior to April 10th.
- Refunds will not be issued after April 10th, barring health or injury exceptions.


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After remaining quiet about any HTC One launch plans in the months following the device's debut, Verizon recently confirmed that it will join AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile in offering the HTC One. Unfortunately for the big red carrier's aluminum-hungry customers, Verizon hasn't said much else about its version of the One except that it's coming sometime "later this summer." That hasn't changed today, but there is one juicy new tidbit of leaked information that's surfaced to keep Verizon subscribers going until more details are announced.
A purported image of Verizon's flavor of the silver HTC One has made its way online this morning thanks to @evleaks. The device looks fairly similar to the HTC One that's already available on AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, though Verizon model's does sport its own 4G LTE logo in the status bar. One other small change is with the Verizon One's clock and weather widget, which displays a date of "Thu, Sep 5" and as well as "Chicago, 85°F" rather than the "Tue, Feb 15" and "New York, 35°F" listings shown in the original One's widget.
There's been no indications that Verizon's version of the HTC One would be any different than the model that's being sold by other U.S. carriers, but I'm sure that there are some Verizon folk out there that are glad to see that the device won't sport a large "Verizon" logo on its face. Now that we've gotten a peek at the phone itself, hopefully it won't be long before Verizon comes out and shares some availability details so that we can stop staring at the phone on our screens and start staring at it in our hands.
Via @evleaks


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Matt Castrucci Honda Official Blog
Archive for the 'Fuel-Efficient Vehicles' Category
Find a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle in Dayton, OH at Castrucci HondaFriday, March 22nd, 2019
Where Can I Find a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Near Me in Dayton, OH?
When you are searching for a new car, truck, or SUV one of if not the most important thing that you want it to have is excellent fuel efficiency. Everyone's definition of excellent isn't exactly the same but I think we can all agree that finding a vehicle that can provide 30 MPG* or better on the highway is pretty satisfactory. Matt Castrucci Honda in Dayton, OH has a vast selection of attractive and accommodating cars and SUVs that have been rated by the EPA to attain 30 MPG* or more while driving on the highway. Keep reading to be able to browse our entire inventory rated at or above 30 MPG* HWY as well as find out how Castrucci Honda can have you driving home in your new Honda quickly and stress-free today. (more…)
Why should I drive a hybrid vehicle?Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018
Yeah, it can be great to know you are helping the environment, but what else is there to owning a hybrid car? Here are a few reasons as to why you might want to consider driving a hybrid vehicle. (more…)
Honda Serial One Restoration RevealedWednesday, October 19th, 2016
Restoration of the First Honda Vehicle in America
Since March, Honda has been taking viewers through the process of the restoration of the very first Honda automobile in America. The N600 was the first Honda model introduced to the States. But, not only is this vehicle the very first model, it is the very first automobile. It is the Honda with the Vehicle Identification Number 1000001, named "Serial One." We told you about the first Honda car in America back in March, but now the journey has continued and the "Serial One" has been fully restored and revealed.
Honda Celebrates 2016 National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell DayMonday, October 17th, 2016
2016 Honda Fuel Cell Vehicle Release Date
In honor of this year's 2016 National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, Honda has revealed a release date for their fuel cell sedan. The five-passenger 2016 Honda fuel cell vehicle release date has been a highly anticipated day and model for its advanced energy saving technology and its sleek, aerodynamic design. Fuel cell and hydrogen technologies, such as the ones used in the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, can significantly help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the nation's energy security.
2017 Honda CR-V Design RevealedFriday, October 14th, 2016
What is New for the 2017 Honda CR-V?
The newly released specifications for the new 2017 Honda CR-V have just been revealed and we're getting very excited for this compact SUV. So, what is new for the 2017 Honda CR-V? The completely redesigned and reengineered 2017 CR-V design and performance upgrades will boast new styling and a turbocharged engine for maximum power. Along with a host of new features and technology, this popular compact SUV raises the bar for sport utility vehicles.
How to Pick the Best Hatchback for YouFriday, October 7th, 2016
2017 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2017 Volkswagen Golf
This year saw the debut of the 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback. The first hatchback to enter the Civic family. It's completely adventurous and untamed. But how does it measure up to other hatchbacks already on the market? When picking your hatchback, comparisons can be dead useful. It can show you exactly how the vehicles measure up so you don't have to use guess work. We're comparing the 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2017 Volkswagen Golf to give you a side-by-side view of how the new Honda hatchback compares to the competition.
40th Anniversary of the Honda Accord 1976 to 2016Friday, September 9th, 2016
History of the Honda Accord Design and Performance
This year marked the 40th anniversary of the Honda Accord. In 1976, when the Honda Accord was first revealed, it was an innovative model. Honda has continued to revitalize the Accord with each successive year. At Matt Castrucci Honda, we love the Honda Accord as well as all of our Honda models. We're bringing you the history of the Honda Accord design and performance as we look ahead to the 2017 iteration of Honda Accord vehicles.
What Does The Honda Eco Button Do?Tuesday, June 7th, 2016
What happens when you press that big green button? No, we're not talking about push-button start. We're talking about that other button next to your steering wheel. Almost every new Honda model has it, except for high-performance vehicles like the Honda Civic Si. What does the Honda Eco button do, and how much gas money can you really save by using Eco mode regularly? Let's find out!
2017 Honda Ridgeline Leads Class in Gas MileageTuesday, May 3rd, 2016
2017 Honda Ridgeline MPG
Why buy a unibody truck? We can think of quite a few reasons. Lots of Honda Ridgeline fans love the way it handles – when you buy a Ridgeline, you're getting all the most convenient parts of owning a midsize truck, but it's a much smoother ride than any traditional truck. Another benefit? Better gas mileage than you'd get from a traditional truck. The 2017 Honda Ridgeline MPG was recently tested by the EPA. As we prepare for the new Ridgeline's arrival here at Matt Castrucci Honda, we can definitely say it lives up to our high expectations.
2017 Honda Accord Hybrid Release DateMonday, April 25th, 2016
Just in time for Earth Day, Honda has announced that the 2017 Honda Accord hybrid will be released later this spring. Now sporting a new and improved two-motor hybrid system, the next-generation Accord hybrid is more powerful and even more fuel-efficient than before. We're excited to learn more about the most technologically-advanced Honda Accord yet!


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Policy weakness in the US and Europe is prevailing over corporate strength to prevent a rally in the stock market, Pimco's Mohamed El-Erian said.
Speaking a day after the Dow industrials lost 500 points and fears intensified over another recession, the co-CEO of the world's largest bond manager said the tools are in place for a bounceback.
"If we lift this macro uncertainty there is potential for a significant market rally because of cash on the sidelines," El-Erian said in a CNBC interview. "Companies have the strongest balance sheets that I've seen for a very, very long time. And they have cash on that balance sheet. But...you need to lift the macro policy uncertainties in the US and in Europe."
Most recently Italy has replaced Greece as the primary focus of concern in the European periphery nations, which are beset by huge debts and a bailout plan that many believe will not be large enough to address bondholder concerns.
Closer to home in the US, a string of gloomy economic reports and a mediocre reading on jobsFriday rattled markets. That has been compounded by the debt battle in Washington which culminated in an agreement to raise the debt ceiling that left both sides unhappy.
"The key challenge is how to safely delever Western economies that became too dependent on credit and debt," El-Erian said. "You need growth. Unfortunately there are too many structural impediments to growth."
For investors, El-Erian recommended investors "not stampede into the bond market" because flight-to-safety buying has created "a lot of transient money."
He said the landscape will stay difficult until policy makers figure out a way to shed public debt and help fix the housing and jobs issues that are bedeviling the economy.
"We didn't solve the medium-term fiscal issues. In fact we made it worse," he said. "There are significant structural impediments. Until we see structural solutions out of Washington, (slow) growth will not allow us to delever fast enough."


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Philippine: A Model, A Paradox, A Prayer
Her Gift to Us Today!
On a saint's Feast Day we are asked, by the church,
to hold up a particular life as a model.
So, on this day,
we hold up our Sister,
While 'holding her up,'
we acknowledge
and, perhaps, struggle
with the truth that
Philippine is known for her failures.
She, herself, admits to her own imperfections.
In the midst of Philippine's self-acknowledged missteps and shortcomings,
let us consider her humility – her openness.
We see it in some of her images:
Kissing feet,
Begging permission,
Kissing mud,
Kneeling for hours (at times, open and broken) before God in emptiness,
waiting to be filled.
Recently, we have been reminded anew of Philippine's faults.
New blind spots.
New failings.
We see her failures with 21st Century eyes,
participating in the sinful situations of her day,
complicit in the buying and selling of human beings,
allowing the Society to benefit from the unfree lives of others.
Where do we need to open our eyes today?
What are the sinful situations of our day?
How are we complicit with injustices?
What do we allow with our silence?
Let us pray, through the intercession of our model of humility,
for the grace to be, like her,
Reflection: Maureen Glavin, RSCJ, and Claire Lorentzen, director of mission engagement for the Conference of Sacred Heart Education
Images: Catherine Blood, RSCJ


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Resource Information Center: Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo
|Response to Information Request Number:
|19 August 1999
|Democratic Republic of Congo: Information on whether there is ethnic cleansing of Kasai residents country-wide, whether former officers and/or family members of the Mobutu government would be at risk, and whether or not membership in a political opposition group outside the DRC would cause punishment by Kabila in the DRC.
|INS Resource Information Center
|Democratic Republic of Congo / Arbitrary arrest / Arrested persons / Armed conflicts / Conseil National des Organisations Non-Gouvernmentales de Developpment du Congo (CNONGD) / Detained persons / Discrimination based on family status / Discrimination based on ethnic origin / Ethnicity / Ethnic cleansing / Ethnic conflicts / Forced migration / Freedom of association / Freedom of political opinion / Genocide / Hostile working environment / Innovative Forces for Unity and Solidarity (FONUS) / Intellectuals / International security / Badouin Hamuli Kabarhuza / Laurent Kabila / Sylvain Kamany / Kasai / Adolphe Kishwe Maya / Placide Mukendi / Joseph Olenghakoy / Eugene Diomi Ndongala / Police investigation / Political participation / Political parties / Political persecution / Political representation / Political violence / Prison conditions / Public office / Public servants / Racial violence / Racist activities / Right to defend oneself / Right to security of persons / Mobutu Sese Seko / Working conditions
- Is there evidence of ethnic cleansing of Kasai residents country-wide?
- Are family members of former Mobutu government officials at risk?
- Is there evidence that membership in a political opposition group outside the DRC would cause punishment by Kabila in the DRC?
- Is there evidence of ethnic cleansing of Kasai residents country-wide?
A Congolese human rights lawyer states that there is no further evidence of an ethnic cleansing against Kasaians since the tragic cleansing in Katanga in 1992-1993 (Congolese human rights lawyer 4 May 1999). A representative from the Africa Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) also corroborates this view saying HRW is not aware of any ethnic cleansing currently taking place (HRW 15 April 1999).
A Columbian University research scholar states that there is a war going on today and if someone belongs to the wrong ethnic group, they better "watch out." Adding however, that currently there is no successful system of ethnic cleansing of Kasai residents taking place today (Weiss 15 Apr. 1999).
- Are family members of former Mobutu government officials at risk?
A representative from HRW states that family members being at risk would depend upon the official's profile, and how prominent they were in the opposition against Kabila. This would depend on individual cases focusing on how outspoken the official was (HRW 15 Apr. 1999).
After a visit to the DRC in July 1998, a Congolese human rights lawyers stated that family members of former Mobutu government officials were still being harassed by Kabila's security forces (Congolese human rights lawyer 4 May 1999).
A Columbian University research scholar states that former Mobutu officials are everywhere, including Kabila's government. Kabila has former Mobutu officials working for him as well. For example, Mobutu's generals are now working for Kabila. There are some former Mobutu officials who are part of opposition groups that engage in violent confrontations. Whether or not family members of former Mobutu officials would be in danger would depend on their ethnic group, their activities since the fall of Mobutu, and what role they are playing now (Weiss 15 Apr. 1999).
The 1998 Amnesty International world report on human rights states that from June 1997 onward, dozens of people associated with the Mobutu government were arrested. After being arrested, torture and ill-treatment of detainees was widespread (AI 1998, 140).
In February 1997, Congolese police arrested two opposition leaders outside the gates of the U.S. Embassy in the DRC. Eugene Diomi Ndongala and Adolphe Kishwe Maya, both former ministers under Mobutu were arrested after discussing opposition proposals to end Congo's war with U.S. officials. One day before this event took place, two opposition activists, Sylvain Kamany and Placide Mukendi, were released after five days of interrogation from the Congolese intelligence officers. Kabila has overseen dozens of arbitrary arrests of journalists, opposition leaders, and activists since he took power in May 1997 (AP 17 Feb. 1999).
The Department of State, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1998 reports that in on December 11, 1997, security forces arrested Eugene Diomi Ndongala, the head of the political party, Front for the Survival of Democracy (FSD) at his house and raped two of his female relatives. Diomi was held at a military camp and was severely beaten on a daily basis until his release on January 8, 1999 (DOS 1999).
- Is there evidence that membership in a political opposition group outside the DRC would cause -punishment by Kabila in the DRC?
Outside activity may lead to punishment by Kabila depending on what role and how prominent that person is internationally (HRW 15 Apr. 1999). A Columbian University research scholar agrees saying that punishment would depend on what position they hold and how outspoken they are. Kabila is getting nervous since there is a war going on, so he is throwing people in jail. A prime example of this is the arrest of Badouin Hamuli Kabarhuza, president of the Conseil National des organisations non-gouvernementales de developpement du Congo (CNONGD). Hamuli was thrown in jail in March 1999 for holding a conference in South Africa discussing the DRC conflict. He was released on March 14, 1999 (Africa News Service 14 Apr. 1999; 15 Apr. 1999). Joseph Olenghakoy, the leader of FONUS (Innovative Forces for Unity and Solidarity) who was active against Mobutu and now Kabila was also thrown into jail (Weiss 15 Apr. 1999).
Africa News Service. "IRIN Update for Central and Eastern Africa; UN Integrated Regional Information Network" (15 April 1999) ¿ as reported on WESTLAW.
Africa News Service. "IRIN Update for Central and Eastern Africa; UN Integrated Regional Information Network" (14 April 1999) ¿ as reported on WESTLAW.
Amnesty International (AI). "The Democratic Republic of the Congo," Amnesty International Report 1998 (New York: 1998), p. 137-141.
Associated Press. "Congo Police Arrest Politicians" (17 February 1999) ¿ as reported on WESTLAW.
Congolese human rights lawyer. 28 April 1999. [Internet] Information on the DRC. [Accessed on 3 May 1999].
"Democratic Republic of Congo," Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1998 ¿ Volume I (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, April 1999), p. 81-98.
Human Rights Watch (HRW). Telephone Interview with Senior Researcher, Africa Division (Washington, D.C.: 15 April 1999).
Weiss, Herbert. Professor Emeritus of Political Science at City University of New York (CUNY) and research scholar at the Institute of African Studies at Columbia University, New York. 16 April 1999. Telephone interview.


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Takes place each Sunday morning from 9:15-10:15 am. Children in preschool through 5th grade are encouraged to attend a morning group where God's truth is revealed through age-appropriate lessons, crafts, games, skits and more.
A worship and teaching time for children in kindergarten through 4th grade during the Sunday morning worship service. Currently, children worship with their families for the first few minutes of the service, then are dismissed to Community Kids Worship in the multi-purpose room.
Meets each Wednesday evening (September-May) from 6:30-8:00 pm. Kids from age three through fifth grade learn God's Word while having fun at the same time. Age-appropriate games, lessons, and workbook materials will challenge your child as they learn about God and interact with approved adult workers who care about your child's spiritual growth. There are also special events throughout the year like Fall Festival, Operation Christmas Child and the Awana stores. Awana Clubs International is one of the largest children's ministries in the world. For more information about Awana, go to their website, www.awana.org or contact Brenda Leibundgut at firstname.lastname@example.com. To register your children to participate in our Awana Club, go to communitycarlisle.org/awana/
Separate nurseries are provided during morning groups and the Sunday morning worship service for newborns through preschool. On Wednesday evening, nursery is provided for children of parents who serve in Awana and Community Youth ministries.
For your child's safety we ask parents/guardians to register and check-in their children at the Kid Check station located by the front entrance. When you register, you'll create a family profile that allows you to communicate important information to our children's workers. For more information or to pre-register go to www.kidcheck.com.
october, 2020
Sort By:
Event Type :
Event Location:
Event Organizer:
wed21oct6:30 pmwed7:30 pmAwanaReach Kids, Equip Leaders, Change the World6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Community Christian Fellowship, 360 York RdEvent Type :Children
|Sunday Morning
|Morning Worship (In-person)
|Morning Worship (In-person and live online)
|Tuesday Evening
|2nd Corinthians Study (In-person and live online)
|Wednesday Evening
|Community Youth Group
Please tell us what you think, any kind of feedback is highly appreciated.


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Over 900 riders took to Fitz Park in Keswick, Cumbria, for the second edition of the Lakeland Monster Miles Adventure Cross event on Sunday, which was blessed by glorious sunshine throughout the day.
The mixed terrain courses of either 45 or 62 miles took riders across the challenging terrain of the Lake District, offering spectacular views on courses designed for cyclocross or hardtail mountain bikes.
The Monster Miles was the last of five events in the 2014 Adventure Cross series, which saw riders take on tough multi-terrain courses all over the country including in Wales, Scotland and in North Yorkshire.
Lakeland Monster Miles rider times
The details for the 2015 Adventure Cross series will be released later this year, and you can find out all the latest information by keeping an eye on our Adventure Cross page.


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Pixies Celebrate Anniversary by Giving Away Live EP
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of their legendary album Doolittle, the Pixies are giving away a four-track live EP, now available for download.
The EP contains the tracks Dancing The Manta Ray, Gouge Away, Monkey Gone To Heaven and Crackity Jones, which were performed live during the Pixies' recent tour.
On the tour, the Pixies have performed the Doolittle album in its entirety, selling live CDs from every show, in the form of limited edition, double-disc CD sets for the price of $25. If you're not sure you want to buy one of these, you can always check out the free EP before you make up your mind.
Anyone who provides their e-mail address and agrees to subscribe to the Pixies' mailing list can download the EP freely from the Pixies' official site, www.pixiesmusic.com.


text: We've just released TransactionsEssentials 3.6.1, available from our website or from our maven repository.This is a bug fix release, repairing some OSGi-specific problems with class loading across bundles. Thanks a lot to Pascal Leclercq for the feedback while testing this! Also many thanks to Peter Kriens for the advice on class loading. http://www.atomikos.com/Main/TransactionsEssentials


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Chip giant Intel has developed a three-dimensional tri-gate transistor design it will use to push the capacity of Moore's Law beyond the 30-nanometer ceiling.
As transistors shrink to less than 30-nm, the increase in current leakage means that transistors require increasingly more power to function correctly, which generates unacceptable levels of heat.
This means that transistor design must move away from the traditional planar (flat) to non-planar 3D designs if the semiconductor industry is to maintain the pace of Moore's Law beyond this decade, according to Intel components research lab director Dr Gerald Marcyk.
"Our research shows that below 30-nm, the basic physics of the flat, single-gate planar transistor leaks too much power to meet our future performance goals," Marcyk said.
"The tri-gate transistor design will allow Intel to build ultra-small transistors that achieve high performance with low power and continue driving the pace of Moore's Law."
The tri-gate transistor employs a 3D structure similar to a raised plateau with vertical sides, which allows electronic signals to be sent along the top of the transistor and along both vertical sidewalls as well.
This effectively triples the area available for electrical signals to travel without taking up any more space, Dr Marcyk said.
The tr-gate itself is built on an ultra-thin layer of fully depleted silicon and incorporates a raised source and drain structure for low resistance – allowing the transistor to be driven with less power.
Marcyk said the design is also compatible with the future introduction of a high K gate dielectric for even lower leakage, and offers a promising approach for extending the TeraHertz transistor architecture, which Intel announced in December 2001.


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What we do
Peter's Well – Providing Clean Water and Improving Public Health in Ethiopia
Drought affects over 14 million people across Ethiopia and access to safe drinking water in Ethiopia is at critically low levels. Collecting water daily is a backbreaking and time-consuming task, one that often prevents children from attending school and women from going to work. Villagers must rely on traditional water supplies that are frequently unsanitary and expose villagers to parasites. Contaminated water supplies frequently lead to waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid that claim hundreds of thousands of lives each year.
Our project
The Montreal-based humanitarian initiative Kulam, together with Toronto-based Ve'ahavta, and their partner on the ground, JDC, have been working with local water bureaus in Ethiopia to improve sanitation, provide greater access to fresh, drinkable water and combat disease. Wells are dug close to villages – and close to schools, where possible – so that residents and students can readily obtain safe water throughout the day. Children in the schools and the village residents learn about the connection between their health and the quality of water, and the importance of hand washing and clean water in preventing disease, and the children receive regular doses of deworming medicine. The villagers are involved in the project from start to finish, ensuring that they know how to operate and maintain the pumping equipment so that the well continues to function for the benefit of students and local residents in the future.
Following the success of the past two water projects completed by Kulam in Shumargie and Tikil Dengay, Peter's Well will provide safe drinking water – a most basic human need – to the village of Fogerie Kura, located in the Chira Mentro neighborhood and 7 km west of the Maksegnit district (12° 22′ 49" N – 37° 33′ 18" E). The well will benefit the 40 households in the village. With your help, well construction will start in early 2014 during the dry season and will be completed by the spring of 2014.
Experience in Ethiopia has demonstrated that a small investment in this fundamental human need for clean water often serves as a trigger for further development of a village and surrounding communities: children are freed from the daily back-breaking labor of walking to distant water sources and can attend school; women can share the burden of water-collection with their husbands and are able to work; and the community's pride in its physical surroundings leads to environmental awareness and improved quality of life.
Throughout the Gondar region, thousands of children study in make-shift schools, including shade under a tree and mud huts with tin roofs. In Goradera, a village located in the Gondar Zuria district, there was a great need for a new school. The old school structure made from corrugated iron sheet and open walls was in dire repair and full of holes. Kulam, with its partners and in partnership with local authorities, volunteered its time and skills to spearhead the construction of a proper new school building and well in Goradera, raising funds and managing the logistics required in building a project overseas. The school consists of two classrooms and serves elementary school age children.
Value : $28,000 USD
Happy Well will provides safe drinking water – a most basic human need – to the village of Fogerie Kura, located in the Chira Mentro neighborhood and 7 km west of the Maksegnit district (12° 22′ 49" N – 37° 33′ 18" E). The well benefits the 40 households in the village. Happy well was made possible through the generosity of Peter who donated the funds required to build the well an inaugurated the well with the village elders in Ethiopia.
Drought affects over 14 million people across Ethiopia and access to safe drinking water in Ethiopia is at critically low levels. Collecting water daily is a backbreaking and time-consuming task, one that often prevents children from attending school and women from going to work. Villagers must rely on traditional water supplies that are frequently unsanitary and expose villagers to parasites. Contaminated water supplies frequently lead to waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid that claim hundreds of thousands of lives each year.
The Montreal-based humanitarian initiative Kulam, together with Toronto-based Ve'ahavta, and their partner on the ground, JDC, have been working with local water bureaus in Ethiopia to improve sanitation, provide greater access to fresh, drinkable water and combat disease. Wells are dug close to villages – and close to schools, where possible – so that residents and students can readily obtain safe water throughout the day. Children in the schools and the village residents learn about the connection between their health and the quality of water, and the importance of hand washing and clean water in preventing disease, and the children receive regular doses of deworming medicine. The villagers are involved in the project from start to finish, ensuring that they know how to operate and maintain the pumping equipment so that the well continues to function for the benefit of students and local residents in the future.
Following the success of the past three water projects completed by Kulam in Shumargie, Tikil Dengay, and Fogerie Kura The Friendship Well donated by the Masters School students will provide safe drinking water – a most basic human need – to the village of Goradera, located in the Gondar Zuria district (woreda). It will serve approximately 50 households in the village.
The village of Azezo Teklehaymot, located just 13 kilometers south of Gondar town (GPS coordinates: Elevation: 1999, North: 12 degrees 32' 40", East: 37 degrees 26' 39") has greatly benefited from its new well through the generosity of Carol Moynham . Serving just over 50 households, the residents and students who live and study in the village now have access to safe water throughout the day, and learn about the importance of clean water and sanitation in preventing waterborne diseases through a WASH (Water and Sanitation Health) education program.
Thanks to the generous donation of a Montreal doctor and his family who were able to achieve the following life-saving medical work.
Around seven years ago,
Berhanu started to notice sharp spurts of pain in different areas of his jaw, sometimes accompanied by a burning sensation. As the years went on, a growth on the side of his cheek expanded significantly. Often it was painful and tiring to eat, and he would have to rest after even a small meal. At school the students would tease him, and between the bullying, the pain and the exhausting schedule, Berhanu left school after grade 9. However, life at home on the farm was no easier. Physical labor would tire him quickly, and when he was more fatigued, the pain in his jaw would increase dramatically, causing him to work less and less.
Three years ago, a group of foreign doctors visited Berhanu's village. Seeing a young man so obviously in pain, they brought him on the day-and-a-half journey to Addis Ababa, where he met Dr. Rick Hodes. Already very familiar with jaw tumors from his decades of work in Ethiopia, Dr. Rick quickly diagnosed Berhanu with amoeloblastoma, a tumor of the jaw that is non-malignant, yet still deadly. If its growth continued unimpeded, the tumor would eventually make it impossible for Berhanu to eat, and would exert enough pressure on his skull to damage his brain.
Last year, Dr. Rick contacted a team of German facial surgeons coming to Addis Ababa and arranged for Berhanu to have minor corrective surgery. During this first operation, a part of the tumor was removed, enough to make his life a little more bearable. This past October, when the German team returned to Addis, they performed a state-of-the-art operation to save Berhanu's life. The surgeons removed a large chunk of Berhanu's jaw, replacing it with a piece of his fibula (the small bone in the lower leg) grafted onto a piece of titanium. This was a highly-specialized procedure which had previously been performed only 20 times in the world. Berhanu was able to benefit from a world-class team of doctors and surgeons – an opportunity many worlds away from the small village of Tambaru.
The cutting-edge surgery was a success, radically altering both Berhanu's face and his life trajectory. With a new smile and a new lease on life, Berhanu is excited to return to his village to see his sisters again. Next year he plans on starting his education again. His goal: to become a doctor.
Thanks to the charitable spirit of Arlene and David Sternthal and their family and friends, the rural community of Azeykew Chebchibit, Kebele Comfenta, Woreda Tikil Dengay now has safe drinking water from a new water system. The village comprises 50 households and is located 23 km from Gondar, Ethiopia, northwest from the Woreda town Tikeledingay, 13 km on the main road and then 10 minutes by foot off the main road. David's well water system was completed prior to winter. Originally Kulam set out to build a well, however thanks to favorable geological conditions it became possible to build a whole water reservoir system! Three 15 metre pipes were installed under the river bed. They feed into a sealed concrete collection chamber and the water then flows to a secondary chamber with dispensing taps. The water system is capable of providing 4,000 litres of fresh drinking water for the entire village. The pictures above show the village and surrounding areas along with the new water supply system. This was an engineering coup made possible by a talented field team!
Science Kits and Course Material for our Shumargie School
Kulam and Mad Science forged a partnership to deliver a science program, lesson materials, and science kits to our Shumargie school in December. Since then our we have obtained the necessary approval from the Head of the Gondar Educational Office in Ethiopia to introduce the course materials and science kits into our School in Shumargie. Mad Science is the world's leading fun science provider. Its science programs are designed for children ages 5-12 and focus on chemistry, physics, biology and the environment. Their programs spark the imagination of children by engaging them in hands-on activities which show that science is everywhere and accessible to all. Mad Science developed two courses: "Introduction to Aerodynamics" teaches about gravity, weight and airflow. Students will even get to build their own model "Skyhawk Plane" donated by Mad Science! In "Introduction to Friction and Energy" students will learn about friction and energy and how they are used to propel heavy objects.Students will build their very own model drag racer car, donated by Mad Science, where they explore how a car's wheels and axel help reduce friction and allow it to move easily. A rubber band attached to a propeller provides energy to move it. A huge thank you to Ariel Shlein, Sharon King and the whole Mad Science team for their amaizng support and for being role models in the business community!. Shumargie school will now have a better curriculum.
Provide Clean Water
We are currently raising funds in order to build two water wells in Ethiopia, one located next to our Shumargie school and the second to be located in the immediate region at a total cost of $10,000.
Drought in Ethiopia affects 14 million people. Only 11% of the rural population has access to clean water. Waterborne diseases such as cholera, yellow fever, hepatitis, diarrhea, and typhoid kill hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians each year, comprising the largest infant killers in a country that loses one in six children before their fifth birthday. Moreover, lack of understanding and education about hygiene promotes contagion.
In an effort to improve sanitation and combat disease, Kulam and partner JDC have been working with the Gondar Ethiopia Water Bureau to increase access to fresh, potable water and raise sanitation standards. By installing hand-pump wells, Kulam supplies acceptable water quality, saves women from grueling walks to distant water sources, girls are freed up to attend school, and diseases caused by intestinal parasites – one of the greatest health problems particularly affecting children – can be prevented.
In conjunction, through the project, children and community members will be educated about hygiene. By training the community, working with the local water authorities and appointing community members in charge of upkeep, the wells will be maintained self-sufficiently to provide an accessible, efficient and sustainable source of safe, clean water for years to come.
Kulam is asking for your help in providing a safe and adequate water supply with appropriate technology and reasonable cost in two locales in rural Ethiopia.
Kulam seeks $10,000 to cover construction of two wells ($5,000 each).
Shumargie School, Ethiopia
We recently completed the construction of a two room school building in Shumargie, Ethiopia. Daniel our contractor delivered the project on time and on budget-something we rarely see in North America. On opening day each student received a "kinderkit": (backpack filled with school supplies) donated by Ve'ahavta. The teachers' appreciation for the building, together with the enthusiasm of the students and the community is overwhelming. The school is allowing 60 students to study in a facility where they are no longer exposed to wind, dust, rain, nor distracted by animals roaming about. We are confident academic results will significantly improve and we are very proud that our Shumargie school is helping to change the reality, for the better, of the entire Shumargie community.
Purchase of Much–needed Medicines:
Working in conjunction with Dr. Rick Hodes, Medical Director for JDC Ethiopia, Kulam recently sponsored the supply of vital medicines for 11 young Ethiopian patients of Dr Hodes, who had major heart surgery in India. These treatments were instrumental in their successful recoveries.
Shumargie Community Well-Complete & Operating
Kulam, JDC and Ve-ahavta togther with the local water bureau completed digging the well for the Shumuargie School in late November 2011 ahead of schedule and on budget. The villagers were involved in the project from start to finish so as to ensure that they know how to operate and maintain the pumping equipment so that the well will continue to function for the benefit of local residents for years to come. The addition of a clean source of water is already having a great effect on the residents in the area and on students at our school. They can readily obtain clean water throughout the day. With the completion of the well , the school has begun teaching health education to the children in the schools and to the village residents, focusing on the importance of hand washing and clean water in preventing disease. One of the school teachers has said "Since the pump has been working, there has been an improvement in the health and beahviour of the students"The children will also receive regular doses of deworming medicine now that they have access to clean water and can be properly dewormed. Service Corp Volunteers have been visiting the school and community as part of our on going comittment to continuity in our projects.
Shumargie School Turns on the Lights
Thanks to a grant from Paul Newman's Foundation, our Shumargie school now is able to turn on the lights. Through the generous support of 'Newman's Own Foundation' we purchased a solar panel to place on top of the school. In a country that boasts 13 months of sunshine, the panels allow the entire community to use the building beyond daylight hours. The new solar panel, currently provides energy for the two classrooms at the school. The energy harnessed by the panel is currently being used to power light bulbs and cell phone chargers and the school's first laptop computer. The students are enjoying their new found understanding of electricity and power that is illustrated by the working of the solar panel. Also, the teachers appreciate the solar panels as it means that they will soon have access to greater technologies such as a computer,as well as a radio, which will allow them to broadcast the government's sponsored educational program. The teachers and students at Shumargie school are very grateful for the solar panel as it has created many new opportunities for teaching and learning about technology and its uses.
With electricity in our Shumargie school, Windows was able to fire up. Upon completion of our Solar project Kulam supplied Shumargie with a lap top computer. Orly Fruchter, a JDC's professional delivered the computer in January to our school. This computer will serve to educate youth into the millennium. It will be used for teaching English, math and science. The school will officially receive their laptop computer once they finish computer classes provided by JDC Fellows based in Gondar. They will also be receiving instructive CD-ROM's to enhance students' education. Hopefully one day we will be able to communicate through the Internet and skype with our school was completed in January.
Agahozo- Shalom Youth Village Project, Rwanda;
Through the generosity of an anonymous Montreal donor, we were able to fund the "Instrumental Enrichment Program" aimed at teacher training, curriculum development, and education at the Agahozo- Shalom Youth Village (ASYV) – an inspiring project in Rwanda for youth orphaned as a result of its 1994 genocide. Of Rwanda's total population of 10,000,000 over 2.8 million children are orphaned. Many are vulnerable and suffer today from the devastation left behind, with few opportunities to build a brighter future for themselves and their country. Agahozo-Shalom, which opened its doors to its first students and staff in December of 2008 and is currently home to 250 kids, is a unique residential community and high school that 'restores the rhythm of life' for orphaned Rwandan youth; helping them to study, grow and develop into adults who can make a real impact in a country which has been so completely devastated by war and genocide. Based on an Israeli model that originally served orphans from the Holocaust, Agahozo-Shalom is a comprehensive living, learning and healing community that seeks to enable these children to maximize their potential and live healthy and productive lives, while instilling in them the importance of contributing to their society and the world. At capacity, the Village will be a permanent home to 500 orphans and graduate 125 students each year.
Smiling Hearts Academy for Childre Solar Project;
Kulam is proud to announce its first project in Cambodia! Volunteer coordinator and project sponsor Carol Moynham, along with Kulam's Larry Markowitz and our partner's Ve'Ahavata have worked to provide a sustainable solar electricity system to a school for over 120 disadvantaged children near Siem Reap, Cambodia. The solar power system was installed in early August and is working well.
Solar Power Energizes Cambodian School
Smiling Hearts Academy for Children, (SHAC), is a small charity school built and run by one woman, San Somaly (Aly) who saw the need to educate children with limited opportunities. She initially set up a classroom in her back yard; from this humble beginning the school has grown to include three classrooms, an office, a play area, and enrolls over 120 children who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to attend school.
SHAC not only offers lessons, but also provides the children with uniforms, books, stationary – all the resources they need to attend school – at no cost to the family. Operated via donations and the efforts of volunteers, SHAC is a small organization, and is constantly seeking funding for resources, as well as admin costs that include electricity to power basic equipment such as ceiling fans and a computer.
Installing a solar energy system not only encourages sustainable practices, but also means SHAC isn't constantly at the mercy of power outages, either due to lack of funding or technical issues with their existing system. Without worrying about the electricity supply, Aly has more time to focus on what she does best – providing an education for the students at SHAC. Moreover, recognizing the importance of encouraging local business development, Cambodian company Solar Power Cambodia was engaged to install the solar power system. They did so efficiently, with quality work and great communication every step of the way.


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This post comes from our inventory manager Jan.
I am a expert list-maker. I can pack in a lot of information into a very short format. My secret: I cheat. You might think that there are six titles here for my favorite books of the year, but there are actually thirteen. That's because I just can't stop myself. If you like "x" then check out "y." And with such an amazing publishing year behind us, I don't think anyone can blame me. So here they are–in no particular order: my favorite books (with runners up) of the year.
1. Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee
Yes, the most controversial book of the year is one of my favorites. Given its dubious provenance, I was skeptical about reading this one. If my book club hadn't decided to make this our August pick, I might have sentenced it to eternal TBR (to-be-read) status. But I cannot stress how important this book is RIGHT NOW. The adult Jean Louise Finch is who we expected Scout to become. And while the prose definitely feels rougher, more aggressive, and less "complete," it is somehow appropriate–at least to me.
Literary fiction runner up: Speak by Louisa Hall
2. The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
A hauntingly beautiful book about the meaning of memory and the persistence of love. Axl and Beatrice, an elderly Briton couple, decide to leave their village in search of their lost son. Along the way they encounter a hateful Saxon warrior, a stricken child, and the elderly Sir Gawain. Evoking stunning images of post-Arthurian England, then enveloping those images inside a magical mist thicker than the blood-soaked killing fields. Put this one on the shelf next to T. H. White and Thomas Mallory. It will break your heart.
Fantasy fiction runner up: Uprooted by Naomi Novik
3. Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor
The first Night Vale novel expands the collective story of a small desert community where the sun is hot, the stars are bright, and your fears are real. Long prose is the ideal medium for continuing the Night Vale saga by finally getting out of Cecil's radio booth and by following two brand new characters: Jackie Fierro, pawn shop owner and perpetual nineteen-year-old, and Diane Crayton, PTA Treasurer and single mother of a shapeshifting teenager. Jackie and Diane are thrown together as they follow the mystery known to us as The Man in the Tan Jacket. While we're at it, I have this slip of paper in my hand that says only, "KING CITY." I thought I threw it away, but it's right here in my palm…making it difficult to type..
Science Fiction/Horror runner up: Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits by David Wong
4. The Secret Lives of Bats by Merlin Tuttle
Bats are awesome. If you live here in Austin, you already know this. Part memoir, part nature monograph, and part advocacy manual, in The Secret Lives of Bats Tuttle recounts his history not only photographing and researching bats, but also advocating for these misunderstood mammals. We only know about all the benefits that we enjoy by simply living near and protecting local bat colonies because Tuttle and Bat Conservation International are devoted to advocating for these creatures.
Nonfiction runner up: A Kim Jong-il Production by Paul Fischer
5. The Nest by Kenneth Oppel
I am an avid fan of atmospheric horror (see Welcome to Night Vale above), who also demands diverse representation in children's books. While I didn't think those two tastes would overlap, they do so stunningly in this chapter book. Something is wrong with the baby, and Steven only wants to save his brother. After he is stung by a large white wasp, he begins to communicate with "angels" in his dreams. Obsessive thoughts overwhelm Steven, but he eventually overcomes them in order to save someone weaker than himself.
BookKids runner up: Foulsham and Lungdon (The Iremonger Trilogy #2 and #3) by Edward Carey.
6. SuperMutant Magic Academy by Jillian Tamaki
Just as amazing as you'd expect from the title alone. Unrequited love, underage drinking, and lots of teen angst–just like you'd find in any high school story, but with mutants and magic added to the mix. I have a weakness for teenagers with superpowers. As if life isn't weird and hard enough during the transitional period called adolescence, try having a unique inhuman power that you only partially understand. Each page is packed with irreverent humor that draws you in until you find yourself caring about the fates of each character and of the world itself.
Graphic novel runner up: Nimona by Noelle Stevenson (because "I'm a shark!")


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The Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition is held each semester as the capstone project for students in that program. Students must develop cohesive concepts through in-depth research with the show as a formal presentation of the results of their intense study into art forms.
The Exhibition of the Academic Review is an annual art show held early in the spring semester that highlights the talent of sophomore art majors. It is required of every student wishing to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at USAO.
The Nesbitt Gallery is located on the first floor of Davis Hall and hosts frequent exhibitions by leading contemporary artists, students completing their BFA degree, as well as the university's permanent collection.


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Government agencies don't always have deep pockets, which can mean there isn't a whole lot of wiggle room for an innovation budget. But some policy leaders are finding ways to make that budget work.
Elise Sweeney-Anthony, director of the office of policy at the ONC, on Monday, said it is important for her organization to turn to stakeholders when looking to innovate.
"We recognize all we are doing we cannot do alone. We want to hear from our stakeholder," she said, speaking at the Innovation Symposium at HIMSS18.
She said that on the federal level, it is also important to make any regulation data accessible so stakeholders and innovators can understand the path towards that innovation.
Reaching out to community partners is important for Michael Wilkening California Health and Human Services undersecretary. He said that while his agency doesn't have an innovation budget, however, partnering with community members can give insight into an issue.
But even when agencies are doing the innovation themselves it is important to get buy-in. The state of California started its open data portal three and a half years ago. But getting buy-in from staff wasn't always easy, said Wilkening. In fact, even he was skeptical at first, so he started with the positive employees.
"[We] got all of the departments on it. We started with the ones that were going to be most excited about it and most able," Wilkening said.
Opening up the data also gave the organization's ability to leverage internal data and share across departments, which can give insights on individuals overall health and situation—not just their clinical data. For example, during the recession, Wilkening was asked how many families were impacted by multiple job reductions. At the time finding those numbers and individuals seemed impossible. It's not perfect now but they are one step closer to being able to do a search such as this.
In fact, Mandi Bishop, senior advisor at the National Health IT Collaborative for the Underserved, said that most patient data exists outside of a clinical setting.
"External influences matter so much more than we give them credit," Bishop said.
The use of data can also lead to some real-world initiatives. Bishop gave the example of a community resource group, which gave housing to "frequent flyer" patients who were homeless. The cost of housing the individuals was small in comparison to the medical costs but the data showed the cost paid off.
"What is really interesting from everything you have heard is when you talk about innovation at the edges, the edge becomes the core," Dr. Rasu Shrestha, moderate of the discussion and chief innovation officer at UPMC, said.


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As reported here first on Sunday night, Wasserman Media Group will represent potential number one NBA draft pick Derrick Rose.
The firm said in a statement Wednesday night that the Memphis guard will be represented by former NBA all-star B.J. Armstrong, vice president of basketball for WMG and WMG's principal Arn Tellem.
"It has been a lifelong dream of mine to play in the NBA and compete with the greatest basketball players in the world," said Rose, in the statement. "With B.J. Armstrong and Arn Tellem, I am confident that I have chosen the best representation to help guide me throughout my professional career both on and off the court."
Said Armstrong: "It is a privilege and honor for WMG to represent Derrick. We look forward to working alongside him throughout what we expect to be a lengthy and accomplished NBA career."
Wasserman Media Group beat out Creative Artists Agency for the representation of Rose. CAA was thought to be the frontrunner all along due to the fact that Rose was connected with William Wesley. Wesley was tied to Leon Rose (no relation), who represents players for CAA. Before Sunday night, it was all but assumed that Rose was a slam dunk on CAA's client roster.
If Wesley was indeed heavily steering Derrick Rose to Leon Rose (CAA) whatever guarantees, services, packages, experience WMG offered clearly must have trumped that.
Questions? Comments? firstname.lastname@example.com


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Like a lot of folks, I've spent thousands of dollars at Guitar Center, over the years. I've participated in the Drum-Off a number of times, (and won the Store Finals six times, in three different cities). I've made friends with employees at the GC closest to me, on a number of occasions, and even became life-long friends with a buddy who I originally met as a customer; in fact, I was in his wedding.
A few days ago, I went in to GC, looking to wheel and deal on a used 16" Zildjian K Custom Dark Crash that had been sitting on their wall for awhile. I asked the drum salesperson what his thoughts were on using K Customs as all-around cymbals, for jazz gigs, blues gigs, top-40 gigs, etc. And that's where this story begins.
The guy I dealt with proceeded to lead me -- or so he very obviously thought -- on a twenty-minute escapade through the cymbal room, giving me every opinion he had on which cymbals would work best for rock and metal, because that's what he plays. He proceeded to tell me which ride cymbals were his favorite ride cymbals, largely due to their abilities to double as crash cymbals. On several occasions, he mentioned a line of Paiste cymbals that GC doesn't even sell, because John Bonham used them, before switching to some other brand of cymbal. I nodded, smiled, and pretended that I was even remotely interested in anything he was telling me about his (and John Bonham's) tastes in cymbals, because his disconnect from anything I was interested in had become painfully obvious. In the end, without even registering what I'd come in for, he recommended that I buy an entire cymbal pack, because they're "such a great deal."
I wanted a used 16" crash cymbal.
To play jazz.
Figuring that I could get at least *some* use out of this guy, I asked him if he'd mind playing the crash I was interested in, while I listened from the other room. I mentioned that I wanted to hear how well a 16" Cymbal would cut through the chatter of a room full of customers and random guitar sounds. And as if any question remained about what type of playing I'd get, the guy proceeded to play a medium-tempo hard-rock beat in 4/4.
I play jazz.
And salsa.
Like I'd mentioned.
Several times.
And it's not that a nation-wide retail chain hiring a mediocre player with a fairly severe case of the Dunning-Kreuger effect is such a travesty. Every Home Depot and Chili's in America has that one guy who's just totally out to lunch. The problem is that EVERY DRUMMER at EVERY GUITAR CENTER is this same guy. The guy heard nothing that I said, connected with nothing that I do, and had no real expertise to offer, but topped off that trifecta of terribleness with a recommendation that I either buy a 22" Sweet Ride and a couple of 20" crash cymbals, or one of their $950 cymbal packs.
I play jazz.
And I told him that.
For real.
Today, I returned to GC, begrudgingly. I had $120 in my pocket and a 12" Zildjian A Custom splash cymbal to trade in. They were asking $150 for the crash I wanted, so I figured I'd get 40 or 50 bucks for my cymbal, because it's got zero cracks, zero keyholing, and despite having some smudged logos, is in excellent shape. I figured I'd make up the difference between my cymbal's trade-in value and the price of the K Custom with cash. What I didn't tell the kid working the counter is that I'm going through a phase of pure, literal obsession with watching eBay, Craigslist, OfferUp, and Facebook Marketplace, to keep tabs on the prices of cymbals. So when he told me that they would sell my splash for $60, I laughed. I happen to know that GC's policy is to give customers about half of their trade-in's value, so I didn't wait for the guy to say, "I'll give you $30," before I walked off. And it's not that the cymbal is worth *way* more than $30. I see the same cymbal on eBay, in about the same condition, selling for $80. So they could have given me $40. I would have preferred $50, assuming that they'd sell it for $80 or so and make $30 on the deal, but I suppose I could have settled for $40.
Either way, the money itself isn't the problem. The problem is these corporate chains moving in to American communities, driving off all of the mom-and-pop stores, and then giving us these second-rate shopping experiences. The kid behind the counter could have given me $50 for my cymbal and then sold me his used K Custom crash, which probably had 70% gross profit in it to begin with. On top of that, even given my hatred for the corporate takeover of our society, he still might have made a somewhat loyal customer out of me. I mean, I'll never take any of GC's salespeople seriously, but to the extent that they carry decent products at low prices, I suppose I could have looked past my philosophical qualms with them.
But this isn't what corporations like Guitar Center build their business on. The axiom that drives companies like Guitar Center is "profit at all costs." Sure, they'll offer some degree of customer service, and many of the employees at these stores mean well. But even employees with the best of intentions can't change the bedrock of Guitar Center's mission, which is to syphon money from American soccer moms, in return for entry-level rock-'n-roll gear that GC hopes they'll lose interest in, so that they can but it back and sell it again; corporate megaliths like Guitar Center function like a cancer, in this sense, growing relentlessly, whether it's healthy or not.
Anyway, if you're still reading this, just know that there are still hometown music stores in most major cities. We don't have to financially support the millionaire shareholders at GC Corporate with our paychecks, while they provide us with novice musicians whose primary concern is meeting sales goals.
I encourage everyone reading this to consider supporting their local music store, so long as that store provides you with actual care.


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Summer Break & Open Thread
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer break. I know I am which is the reason I haven't posted as regularly as in the past. The Board of Education doesn't have generally hold meetings during the month of July and everything slows down (for us, not staff). I personally have been enjoying the time with my children, vacationing, and catching up on some long overdue projects. Rest assured I am reading emails/comments and working on providing answers. As August begins and everyone is preparing for another school year, my regular postings will resume. Until then, please use this post to comment or ask questions. Thank you.