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France has more moustaches than Norway!
I just made that up.
But the great thing about numbers is that you don't even need to make them up to make them say anything you want them to say.
A recent meme is the revelation that India has more cell phones than toilets. For some reason, this was met with consternation. This op-ed by the New York Times' Roger Cohen (h/t the wonderful Dayo Olopade) uses this figure as a hook for a broad rumination of the comparative merits of markets and governments in providing utilities and a ringing endorsement of a rebalancing of our resources away from markets and toward government. Which makes sense: if markets are better at providing infrastructure than government, then we should rely on government for more of our infrastructure. Or something.
I'm being uncharitably sarcastic; Cohen's op-ed is a strong and intelligent argument for what might be termed social democracy in European terms, one I disagree with but which is nonetheless highly legitimate and worth paying attention to, and even learning from. Anyone who says the US can't learn a thing or two from Sweden (and conversely) is either misinformed or dishonest.
This op-ed was nevertheless deeply unsettling to me because it reveals two pet peeves of mine, particularly prevalent among establishment journalists: an incomprehension of figures, and technophobia.
Let's start with the figures.
India has more cell phones than toilets! So? I'm serious: so? In all the discussions I've seen of this fact, I haven't seen anyone point out that, normally, toilets are shared and cell phones are not. My wife and I each have one cell phone (1 + 1 = 2), and yet we only have one (1) toilet. That's almost twice as many! What is wrong with us? In my workplace, there are maybe around 30 people, maybe 40 cell phones (it's a high tech sort of place), and two toilets. Perhaps we're at the dawn of a great idiomatic innovation where the expression "comparing apples to oranges" will transform into "comparing cell phones to toilets".
As far as I'm aware, the only places where cell phones are commonly shared are the places where most people can't afford cell phones. Therefore it stands to logic that any country where people can afford cell phones would have more cell phones than toilets. The fact that India has more cell phones than toilets would therefore, at first glance, signify not an imbalance between public and private sector funding, or whatever, but simply that India has reached a state of development where a lot of people can afford cell phones. (India also happens to have disastrous infrastructure but the cell phones > toilets figure by itself doesn't tell you that.)
Perhaps comparing India's cell phone per 100 person ratio and its toilets per 100 person ratios to the same ratios in other countries with similar per capita GDP (at purchasing power parity?) might yield useful insights, but even that is highly doubtful given the incredible multiplicity and disparity of living conditions in what is probably the most complex, awesomely multifaceted country on Earth. What is certain is that, by itself, the toilets > cell phones figure tells us absolutely nothing about anything.
Maybe I'm missing something here but it seems fantastic to me that none of these forehead-slappingly common-sensical observations seem to have even occurred to any commentator I've seen.
"China has more TVs than high-rise buildings! Therefore! We must, uh… pass financial reform! Yeah!"
But of course, such figures are not to be used as the starting point of a serious, rigorous and open-ended examination of, uh, facts, but as a hook — nay, a proof — that my overarching Weltanschauung really is truthier than yours. Thus Mr Cohen segues from the toilets/cell phones observation to (somehow) the observation that the financial sector really is too big to the contention that we need government to run more things. It's a glib summary but really not all that much. I could go the other way and use that same fact as proof, proof, dammit that markets really are better at providing stuff to the masses and that if India would just privatize all its utilities every Indian village would have a gold-plated TOTO loo within 5 years. And never you mind the poor historical record of such privatizations and the game-theoretical calculations that seem to indicate that things are slightly more complex than that.
The second reason why I'm dismayed by the dismay that greeted the cell phones > toilets figure is that I'm pretty much convinced that cell phones are the best thing that happened to developing countries since the Green Revolution 50 years ago. No doubt to most people in rich countries, Mr Cohen included, cell phones are a frivolous luxury item chiefly used by teenagers to while the days away texting (and sexting) with prodigious abandon. I don't think that's true but even if it were, this narrow, ethnocentric observation bears no relation to how cell phones are actually used in the developing world.
In the developing world, cell phones are not just communication devices — though even that would be crucial in regions where none other exist. They are used by farmers, fishermen and traders to get the best market prices for their goods, significantly improving their standards of living. Cell phone minutes have emerged as something close to an alternate currency system that helps people store and move money safely in an environment where personal security is not a given. Telecoms operators in developing countries are at the forefront of mobile banking, and anyone who follows development has some idea of how important and transformational getting the "unbanked" into the formal financial system, and cell phones seem to be the best hope of that.
Even if India were a strange zero-sum bizarro universe where more cell phones meant less toilets and vice versa, the cell phones > toilets figure would still make sense. While hygiene and sanitation are obviously terribly important, cell phones are also an incredibly powerful force for development. I would wager that for the average family living in your average subsistence-farming Indian village, buying a cell phone would be stunningly more useful than buying a toilet.
I may be wrong about this, but again, I see no commentator even grappling with, or even showing glimpsing awareness, of these issues. Much better to pontificate about how this means that consumerism has run amok, or something.
I don't mean to pick on Mr Cohen, whose op-ed is otherwise intelligent and well thought-out, but the cell phones > toilets meme and the way it's been interpreted has just so many hallmarks of intellectual laziness and ignorance that I just had to write about it.
EDIT: My wife has asked me, rightfully, to credit her with the thought that toilets are normally shared, while cell phones are not.


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Openreach consumer fibre services pass ten million homes
Openreach is rightly proud of its achievement rolling out its fibre based services to cover an area comprising some ten million premises across the UK. This is some months ahead of the original deadline for this figure that was the end of 2012.
With the figures for fibre services sold by BT Retail, and TalkTalk adding a mere 5,000, Sky figures are probably in the 100's as they have just launched their service, we can estimate a total number of sales around the 570,000 mark, giving a take-up of 5.8%. There are around 60 providers selling the services, other names include AAISP, ADSL24, aquiss, claranet, Eclipse, fast.co.uk, IDNet, plusnet, Timico, Vispa, Vivaciti, Web Tapestry and Zen Internet.
Ten million premises means a coverage figure of 37%, the majority of this will be fibre to the cabinet, with the FTTP full fibre service available in just 6 to 10 areas at present. Northern Ireland is ahead of the curve in terms of coverage, as fibre services are available 89% of homes and businesses due to the partnership between BT and the Department of Trade, Enterprise and Investment.
The original 40 Mbps FTTC service, saw speed upgrades start in November 2011 to offer a maximum of 80 Mbps, as extra frequencies were allocated over the copper segment, then in April 2012 the speed cap was removed, and providers have been selling the new faster service. We should highlight the fact that for those whose VDSL2 modem connects at under 40 Mbps, regrading to an 80 Mbps service is unlikely to boost speeds, since the faster profile runs on all FTTC lines already. For those keen to get an idea of what their speed is, you can always play the guess my home to cabinet line length and drool over the potential speeds using the speed table in our Fibre Guide.
The rush to meet the targets may explain why so many people know of work to install a fibre cabinet in their area, but it is not yet live. The pressure is on teams to keep working at full tilt, rather than pause and wait for things like duct blockages to be cleared, or permission for ducting to be installed to get power to the cabinet. The end result is a growing number of partially installed fibre cabinets, and people seeing fibre tubing installed in FTTP areas, but no fibre going live.
The question many want to know now, is will their area be enabled by the time Openreach completes its two thirds roll-out, and as Openreach keep the roll-out information closely guarded it is any ones guess. The next phase after the commercial roll-out, will depend on what happens with the various BDUK projects, BT has Lancashire in the bag, in Rutland they are the preferred supplier and has bids under consideration in other parts of the UK. BT has undertook to invest more of its own money, something the LSE failed to take into account when scaring people with the £1.1bn shortfall announcement.
Update 1:30pm: We asked Openreach about the issue of Exchange Only lines back in April 2012, and received a response regarding those lines or groups of lines run directly from the exchange, which is usually those closest to the exchange or new estates located further from the exchange. Openreach has said that where technically and economically feasible they will provide either a FTTC (via new cabinet) or FTTP service, this is done on a case-by-case basis as the roll-outs progress. We believe pressure to hit the 66% figure as soon as possible, means these areas will mainly be waiting until 2014, or for the various BDUK projects to start producing results.
Whilst BDUK will hopefully bring solutions to those areas missed in BT's commercial roll-out BT still needs to work out what it is going to do with those on EO lines. Not all EO lines are short, for example my line is just under 3 Km in length and there are 75+ such lines on the development where I live in central London.
@MCM999 I have an answer to the EO issue, will add a footnote to the article, as am sure plenty would like to know.
Thanks for the update. I hope that BT will consider 75 units viable for a new PCP and associated FTTC cabinet or even better FTTP. Hyperoptic surveyed our site and quoted £15K+VAT to install fibre. That we were prepared to accept however the killer was an annual service charge of over £7k+VAT, all in addition to individual connection and monthly packages.
mcM999 can you drop you requirements into www.openreach,co.uk -- think there is a email adddess you can ask such things -
@fastman. I filled in the OR "superfast fibre" web page some time ago and naturally have heard nothing since, however at that time I was unaware that my line was EO. Thanks for the prompt and I will now make an new submission.
how can you know if your line is EO?
So the growth stats for BT Retail, Sky and Virgin this quarter are:
All Broadband Fast BB
Sky 6% NA
Virgin 1% 25%
With 6% of cable customers now on the 50Mbps+ services and 9% of BT customers on Infinity.
I have an Exchange Only line, and my area is in the process of getting FTTC, any idea how I would go about getting my line connected to the FTTC cab, or how I would go about getting FTTP-On-Demand?
I would be looking to go for BT Infinity's top package, 80/20
Anyone got any ideas would be great! Thanks
There is a FTTC cab right next to my front door, I can see the bloody thing! But when these houses were built they were done EO for one reason or another. Don't know if that makes a difference or not.
I wouldn't mind paying for a second "Fibre-Only" line, or paying the install fee's for FTTP-on-Demand
If someone emails me in the morning about the EO I will ask if there is a contact I can pass people onto.
Thanks very much Andrew, If you need to get in touch, I'm sure you'll have my email address linked to my username, or send me a PM in the forum.
No chance of anybody making a business case for cutting a new cabinet in for 75 connections = best hope of 20 of who would take the service.
Roughly how much would a cabinet cut in cost RJ ?
Anyone asked OFCOM / NICC / Openreach / BT Wholesale about exchange based VDSL ?
Email sent Andrew.
I live in a terraced house in London-Clerkenwell (EC1V), exchange only lines for the group of 14 houses in the mews, 3-4 Km length to the London Kings Cross (CLKXX) exchange, get 5-6 Mb.
I hope Openreach comes up with some solution.
The thing that bugs me is that I am on a EO line, yet I can see the FTTC cab, I can follow the ducts from my front door and they go right past the cab, connecting my line to it would be so trivial, but it probably won't get done
where is the link / page to request an EOL ( exchange only Line ) as im stuck on a crap 16 meg conection with 1mb uplaod from sky, yet my exchange is only 100 foot or less away ???
There is also no sign of FTTC or FTTP on any bt's schedules as of yet :(

subset: commoncrawl


text:
I embarked on this apple tart with a guarded level of both confidence and trepidation. Confidence, because I generally know my way around the kitchen, none of the techniques presented in this recipe were foreign (except getting my apples to do that cool spiral-thingy) and I had instructions for that.
My trepidation came from the fact that I was working with pastry — and I suck at pastry. Maybe it's genetic. Some "Dorie Greenspan gene" that ended up in the compost pile of my DNA instead of being tucked assuredly into the correct sequence allowing me to roll and crimp like a pro.
Regardless – I was born with the "git-'er-done" gene, and after a few deep breaths I decided to save my sanity and use a ready-made pie crust. Trust me, it's just better that way. I laid the crust in the pan and pressed it into the sides and bottom with my fingertips. Then I took my rolling pin and rolled it over the edges of the tart pan, to trim off the excess. Easy.
The frangipane filling was a snap and it came together in seconds in the food processor. The apples took a little more time, but weren't difficult. After peeling and slicing them, they were lightly saut?ed until tender and pliable. I let them cool before arranging them in the crust.
It was easy to do, just by overlapping the apple slices and continuing in concentric circles. I used two different types of apples and you can see the inner petals are lighter than the outer ones as a result. I brushed the tart with melted butter, sprinkled on the sugar and almonds and baked it. The wonders of tart pans mean that the tarts come right out of the pan with no effort — and it looks like it came from a French Patisserie.
Apple Frangipane Tart
- 1 9 inch pie crust
for the filling
- 4 ounces almond paste
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons butter at room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 5 apples or a combination of them, such as granny smith, honey crisp or golden delicious
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 3 tablespoons butter divided
- 2 tablespoons sugar divided
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Fit the pie dough into a tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough into the bottom and sides and trim any excess. Set aside.
- Add the almond paste and sugar to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until you have the consistency of sand. Add the flour and room temperature butter and process to a thick paste. Add the eggs, almond extract and applesauce and pulse until smooth. Spread filling in crust and chill while you prepare the apples.
- Working with one apple at a time, peel the apple, cut it into quarters, lengthwise and use a paring knife to remove the core and seeds. Then slice the apple into 1/2" slices. Transfer the sliced apple to a large bowl, squeeze the lemon juice over the apples and toss to coat. Continue with the remaining apple slices, tossing to coat with the lemon juice after each addition to prevent browning.
- In a large skillet melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Add the apples and 1 tablespoon of the sugar and saute until the apples just begin to soften and become pliable. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.
- Meanwhile melt the remaining tablespoon of butter and set aside.
- When apples are cool enough to handle, arrange them in concentric circles, starting with the rim of the tart, working toward the center. As you get closer to the center, use thinner slices of apple to curl into tighter rosettes.
- Very lightly brush the apples with the remaining melted butter, sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon of sugar and scatter the sliced almonds over the tart.
- Carefully place the tart pan onto a baking sheet (remember the bottom is removable, so use both hands) Bake for 45-50 minutes until apples and crust are browned. Remove from oven and cool at least 30 minutes. Tart can be prepared up to 8 hours ahead. Serve at room temperature.
More Tasty Tarts:


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I've been wanting to sew new pillow covers for a while. But the absence of my sewing machine made me keep putting off the project, and the though of doing it by hand was daunting. I finally bit the bullet, sewed two sides of one pillow by hand…and drove to get my sewing machine the next day. And after a cool 30 minutes, wa-la! Good as new.
I really love these pillows. I purposefully picked four different but compatible fabrics because I felt it would better compliment the eclectic vibe we have going at Bungalow. And I loved them all so much choosing one would have been hard! Thanks to the machine, the only part I had to sew by hand was the openings I stuffed the pillows in. Because I was simply recovering these and not making all new pillows, I didn't have to deal with stuffing the pillows, just shoving the old ones in their new cases! There you have, successful pillow-recover! I love the combo of bold solid colors with the flowers. Each of these fabrics are so fun, it makes me want to play with different fabrics more and more.
What have you sewn recently?
xo. Brie


text:
2019 Scholarships
Instrumental Summer Camps
The value of each scholarship is up to $800
At least 4 Scholarships Available Yearly
Scholarship Applications due by Friday, February 1, 2019
The Symphony Guild of Decatur will offer at least four (4) summer music camp scholarships. The value of each scholarship is up to $800 made payable to the camper upon receipt of an acceptance letter in Spring. Additional camp fees must be paid by camper.
Audition spots are limited and will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
Band and string applicants may win both a private lesson scholarship and a summer music camp scholarship. Audition spots for previous scholarship winners may be limited, and preference will be given to those who have not previously won a scholarship.
Audition spots will be filled on first come, first served basis. Those applications arriving after auditions have been filled will be added to a waiting list in the order received.
Auditions are open to any 6th-11th grade student who meets any of the following criteria:
- resident of Macon County who plays in the school orchestra or band, if available or
- member of the Decatur Youth Symphony or
- home-schooled Macon County, Illinois student
Perform 1 solo piece, not to exceed 7 minutes, highlighting technical ability and musicality. Provide two copies of music for the judges with the measures numbered. Using an accompanist is required. Millikin student pianists will be available at no cost if desired. Please mark your application if you want to use a Millikin piano student accompanist.
The judges require a photo and some information about you as they make the final decisions. Feel free to use the back of your form for biographical information and additional musical activities. The photo may also be used for publicity purposes when winners are announced, so send a picture you would want to see in a newspaper or program.
The student is responsible for submitting the camp acceptance letter to Dee Keller, as representative of the SGOD by May 3. Failure to do so will result in the loss of the scholarship. An alternate winner will then be contacted to receive the scholarship.
Download these guildelines here.


text:
Recruitment Policy
Recruitment Agencies/Recruiters
Lance Mason has a dedicated in-house Recruitment function, as we meet the majority of our recruitment needs via our in-house service.
This therefore means that we will not under any circumstances consider any speculative or unsolicited CV's from any external recruitment agency/recruiter.
Should a need arise where we need assistance in recruiting for a specific role, we have a Preferred Supplier List (PSL) with set agreements in place. As a result, any agreed fees will only be applicable when we have specifically instructed a third party to recruit for a specific role.
If the above is not observed, for example if any speculative or unsolicited CV's are received, Lance Mason reserves the right to contact any candidates directly and discuss any roles available without any payment being applicable for any agency fee. This includes occasions where terms/conditions are submitted with the candidate's details, because we expressly have no intention of engaging with any external recruiter unless we have sought this assistance ourselves. Lance Mason will not be bound by any terms which they have not expressly agreed in writing to be bound by.
Should any speculative or unsolicited CV's/candidate details be submitted then the above applies, with this being Lance Mason's none negotiable stance on recruitment.


text:
Give a child the chance of a new life
"A letter to my 13-year-old self"
"Hey Allie,
I know you're hurting right now. You're feeling lost and lonely. But I want you to know that things will get better — very soon.
It's been tough for you. You think that no one cares, that you have no future. You think you're a burden that no one wants to carry. But you are so wrong. You'll see.
You're a good kid, with a big heart, and pretty soon you'll meet some people who will see that in you.
They're called yourtown — so look out for them.
— Allie"
A tough start in life
Without parents to care for her, Allie had been through countless foster homes and schools. In between placements, she stayed with relatives and family friends; anywhere she could have a roof over her head.
By 13 years old, she was homeless.
"Not having a bedroom and trying to get a wash were the most difficult. I may have been homeless, but I was always a very clean kid," she said.
Then, she met someone who brought her to yourtown, which is when her life began to change.
A real turning point
After spending a weekend with us, Allie was offered work experience in the kitchen at our centre. In her co-worker, Lily, she found someone who cared.
"Lily had so much time for me; she started talking to me about nutrition and stuff. I felt like maybe I was worth a second look as a person. I'd never felt like that before," she said.
Allie began to think about her future in a different way — as though she actually had one.
Allie decided to learn a trade while working part-time with us, but despite everything she'd achieved, she couldn't escape the nagging thought that there was something missing in her life.
She realised that she had a lot to offer to young people who faced the same challenges as she had.
From feeling worthless to helping others feel valued
Allie completed her Business Traineeship and a Certificate IV in Youth Work, and is now a Youth Worker with yourtown.
Allie now helps students stay in school and then get into further education or work.
"I'm lucky because I'm able to relate to not just one thing with a client but nearly every single thing that anyone's ever brought up. I've usually experienced something very similar," she said.
Allie grew up to be an inspirational young woman at the heart of an organisation that changes the lives of thousands of children and young people every year.
Please donate to support homeless children and families.
* Name changed for privacy reasons


text:
by Michael L. Quintos
Unquestionably one of musical theater's most beloved, iconic classics, WEST SIDE STORY---the stirring Broadway musical that features a book by theater titan Arthur Laurents, music by the incomparable Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by living legend Stephen Sondheim---remains a still-resonant masterpiece of song, dance and story that explores themes still quite relevant even in modern times. Loosely inspired by William Shakespeare's tragic drama about star-crossed lovers, "Romeo and Juliet," the musical is cleverly reset in the tough mean streets of early 20th Century New York City, where two warring teenage street gangs---the Jets, a Caucasian gang, and their rivals, the Sharks, comprised of Puerto Rican immigrants---clash for dominion over their working-class neighborhood.
This monumental piece of stage craft---originally directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins---is buoyed by its gorgeous, enchanting score, believably vivid characters, important socio-political motifs, and timeless, inescapable songs like "I Feel Pretty," "Maria," "America," "Tonight," "Somewhere," (and many more) that all contribute to the show's enduring brilliance, and continues to stir the emotions of repeat audiences decades later and create new fans with each incoming generation that newly discovers it.
This is perhaps why it is no surprise, then, to learn that Musical Theatre West's brand new local revival of this beautiful stage classic is also, reportedly, the 63-year-old theater company's fastest-selling title to date. Now finishing up its nearly sold-out run at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach through this Sunday, February 28, MTW's admirable, epic production will surely endear itself to every single audience member fortunate enough to experience it. And... if you turn into someone like how I reacted to the show on opening night, you too will still be utterly moved to tears... even with this umpteenth viewing.
Right off the bat---in what would end up being a smart albeit safe move---MTW chose to present a rather nostalgic iteration that closely harkens back to the mood and feel of the original 1957 stage production (plus hints of its Academy Award-winning 1961 film adaptation), rather than offer its local regional audience a production that mimics the grittier 2009 bilingual Broadway reboot (whose national tour extension visited Southern California around five years ago to much-deserved fanfare).
While that latter revival was indeed fresh and spectacular, nothing beats going to back to the power and intentions of the Robbins-helmed original, which this production---directed with grand gestures by Joe Langworth---successfully honors and emulates. In essence, this WEST SIDE STORY is a satisfying trip down memory lane, reaching back far enough to allow the original material to shine and reverberate.
While sometimes this approach may come off as an easy cop-out and a quicker solution to produce an existing, familiar show, in this case, MTW does so in spectacular, nostalgia-baiting fashion, hitting every quintessential touchstone of the show with great results. The actors even occasionally manage to give fresh reads to their lines---with more impact, in some instances.
And, of course, as soon as that infamous opening prologue begins---still to this day, one of the coolest opening numbers in musical theater history---I always get goosebumps.
Here, Bernstein's iconic, sweeping score comes alive even more vividly thanks to this production's use of the original Broadway orchestrations performed by a phenomenal 30-piece orchestra under the expert direction of David Lamoureux. Full, huge pit orchestras are now a rarity (if there at all) in these budget-conscious times, so to hear the full, glorious range of what Bernstein intended right here in a regional, Broadway-comparable theater in Long Beach is such a wonderful treat.
Visually, the production utilizes serviceable if unremarkably spare sets that satisfy in conveying locales and spaces. Much of the action is mostly concentrated on a spinning structure that houses Doc's store, the dress shop, Maria's bedroom, as well as the infamous balcony/fire escape where the two young impulsive lovers declare their love for each other in heartfelt song. In all honesty, though, this structure merely exists as a muted canvas for Jean Yves Tessier's lighting design and Karen St. Pierre's colorfully diverse costumes that drape this impressive cast.
Yes, center stage of MTW's WEST SIDE STORY is an excellent assemblage of talented young actors, all of whom have an authentic resemblance to the ages of the characters they are portraying. Oh, and um... they're pretty amazing singers and dancers to boot.
And much like Shakespeare's tale of two opposing households embroiled in a bitter tug-of-war, WEST SIDE STORY, too, finds two factions on opposing sides.
As Riff, the leader of the paler-hued Jets, Tyler Matthew Burk is effectively charismatic and exudes cool and confidence with every appearance. His ardent apostles, a crew of charming, delightfully rambunctious delinquents played by Adam Trent (hothead Action), Daniel Kermidas (volatile A-Rab), Dylan Hoffinger (adorkable Baby John), Jeffrey Scott Parsons (Snowboy), Colby Hamann (Big Deal), Tyler Scherer (Diesel), and Andrew Koslow (Gee-Tar) all create a convincing make-shift family of tight-knit brothers, and are all absolutely terrific in their energetic ensemble numbers together ("Cool" and "Officer Krupke" are show highlights).
Extra kudos to Kristin M. Morris who plays eager, gender-bending Anybodys, who ably goes toe-to-toe with his cooler, testosterone-heavy idols, even if they don't necessarily want her around.
Across town is the territory ruled by the Puerto Rican Sharks, with Cooper Howell's strong-willed Bernardo seated at the head of the (war council) table. His loyal squad with killer dance moves includes Julian Marcus De Guzman (who plays Bernardo's right-hand-man Chino), Jonathon Grant (Pepe), Julio Catano-Yee (Indio), Benjamin Roeling (Luis), Steven Rad (Anxious), and Eddie Gutierrez (Nibbles). Because author Laurents did not really allow for further character exploration of Bernardo's minions like he affords each individual Jet, we do get to spend a bit more time with the women in this side of town, particularly Bernardo's sassy, self-assured girlfriend Anita---played with palpable ferocity by the outstanding Lauren Boyd.
While the two gangs continue their on-going feud, bubbling just underneath the surface is the story's central tragedy.
We soon meet Riff's best friend (and former Jets co-leader) Tony, played by the very likable Michael Spaziani, who has decided to abandon the street gang and get a---gasp---job! Spaziani seemed slightly tentative in his first song, the optimistic "Something's Coming," but soon becomes more confident vocal-wise as the show moves forward (a nice, if coincidental parallel to his own character's mandatory maturation). Tony later has an instant meet-cute across the gymnasium dance floor with sweet ingénue Maria (Bernardo's newly-immigrated kid sister!), played by the lovely-voiced Ashley Marie. This romantic "incident" triggers a chain reaction of increased violence between the Jets and the Sharks, just as Tony and Maria fall madly, sky-high in love with each other in secret (well, okay, probably the worst kept secret ever).
Sprinkled amongst the angst and hormones are the few adult characters, each presented as an outsider incapable of truly understanding the volatile, highly-emotional nature of being a young person---which, apparently, never really changes no matter what era you grow up in. As the authority-abusing (and creepily racist) Lt. Schrank, Gregory North gives his role a convincingly towering, eerie presence that easily justifies why both the Jets and the Sharks hates him. Beside him is Kevin F. Story who does a great job playing Schrank's lackey, the plump, bumbling Officer Krupke. On the less threatening side is Stephen Weston, who plays super-square, out-of-touch school official Glad Hand, who tries in vain to curb the conflict at the school dance by forcing a co-mingling of the two factions. Poor guy just gets insulted for this efforts. And finally, there's Doc, owner of the local drug store where Tony works and the one true ray of reason and compassion in the narrative. Played with heart and endearing empathy by Paul E. Zegler, Doc watches helplessly as the teens implode all around him.
In keeping with the smart mounting of a very "traditional" version of WEST SIDE STORY, MTW has also put in place the recognizable choreography that is instantly reminiscent of Robbins' signature work in the original stage production as well as the motion picture. Recreated by choreographer Hector Guerrero, the cast tackles these iconic, picture-perfect dance moves with bold tenacity and great aplomb. Seeing it come alive on stage once again reminds us all not only how beautiful Robbins' work is even by today's highly-acrobatic standards, but also the fact that it takes a certain kind of "triple-threat" performer to pull off such an undertaking. WEST SIDE STORY is a performance-demanding show that requires strength in all three musical theater disciplines, and this company appears to be blessed with a lot of them. Besides the rousing "Dance at the Gym" and the memorable "America," the show also presents a lovingly ethereal "Somewhere" ballet that will touch your heart.
Simply put, MTW has once again produced another genuine must-see winner. Their WEST SIDE STORY is a top-notch, classically-reverent, emotionally-satisfying revival that will remind us all about how wonderful this show was... and continues to be.
Final remaining performances of Musical Theatre West's production of WEST SIDE STORY continue through Sunday, February 28, 2016 and are scheduled Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. MTW has also added an extra performance on its final day at 7pm. WEST SIDE STORY is performed at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center located at 6200 E. Atherton Street in Long Beach, CA. For tickets or for more information, please call 562-856-1999 x4 or visit online at www.musical.org.


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Update: Rob Redmond died doing something he loved.
As we've reported, Redmond died early yesterday morning from injuries sustained while skiing at Breckenridge on Sunday, becoming the fifth official casualty at a Colorado resort this season; see our previous coverage below. Now, we've learned more about a man who loved to hit the slopes.
Redmond, 45, lived in Reston, Virginia, and worked as a real estate agent. But he had a lot more in his life than work. His Twitter account, which he never got around to using, describes him like so: "Realtor extraordinaire with Century 21 New Millennium, DC sports fan, ski fanatic, and music lover."
Skiing is also emphasized on Redmond's Facebook page. Indeed, the handful of photos featured on his page include one from Breckenridge, posted a year ago Sunday. Here it is: Also shared on the page are messages of affection shared after people began learning of his health crisis. Here's a sampling:
Huge prayers going to you Rob!
Prayers ascending often!
hugs and positive energy sprinkled with HUGE prayers......
The thing about it is you could not see him for years, bump into him at Costco or wherever and fall right into a conversation like it was nothing. I hope to bump into him real soon.
Redmond died after crashing into a tree; he was wearing a helmet. Our sincere condolences to his loved ones.
Marijuana Deals Near You
Update two: Shortly after posting the information above, we received a note from Dr. Erin Redmond Webb, Rob's sister, who is obviously still reeling from the unexpected loss of her brother. She writes the following:
Rob has left behind myself (younger sister, age 32), Jackie Overton (older sister, age 47), Mary Rose (mother), Patricia Redmond (step mother), and seven nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.
He has gone to join our dad, Robert A. Redmond, who died in 2007 from cancer due to Agent Orange Exposure in Vietnam, and our other sister, Susan Redmond Kilby, who died tragically in 2004.
We know Rob is in good company and better off now then we are....
Continue to see our previous coverage. Original post, 11:45 a.m. February 13: Less than a week after U.S. Air Force member Arthur Glaz died at Keystone, another person has lost his life at a Colorado ski area. Robert Redmond, a 45 year old from Virginia, passed away as a result of injuries sustained at Breckenridge on Sunday. He's officially the fifth person to die skiing at a Colorado resort so far this season.
The news comes to us from the Summit County coroner's office, which was contacted about the accident at around 8 a.m. today by officials in Jefferson County during what's called a "transfer of jurisdiction." Redmond was skiing on the Columbia trail at Breck this past Sunday when he crashed into a tree.
Here's a look at Columbia via a screen capture from one of the videos below.
Redmond was wearing a helmet at the time, but he was so badly injured that he was taken to St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood for treatment. Nonetheless, he died at just past 4 a.m. this morning. According to the coroner's office, his manner of death has been determined to have been accidental.
It appears that Redmond's crash was in-bounds at Breckenridge, which means his death should fall under the criteria established by Colorado Ski Country USA. As we've reported, the organization only includes an individual in overall death statistics if he or she perished in public portions of a state ski area. That's why the deaths of ski patrol member Patsy Hileman and outdoor enthusiast James Lindenblatt aren't part of the current roster. Hileman died while skiing out of bounds, while Lindenblatt wasn't at a ski area at all; rather, he was skiing in the backcountry and was swept under by an avalanche.
Similarly, Kansas' Stuart Brownlee has also been excluded from the list because even though he was in-bounds at Copper Mountain when he died earlier this year, he appears to have succumbed to a medical condition (perhaps a heart attack), and not a crash. And while Caleb Moore died at an Aspen resort, he perished as a result of injuries sustained while taking part in the ESPN X-Games snowmobile competition.
Including Moore, at least nine people have died on Colorado slopes thus far in the 2012-2013 ski season, but only five will be registered on the official count: Glaz, Natalie Egleston, a Philadelphia executive who died on February 4 after a collision at Aspen Mountain (she was standing still when another skier struck her), plus Tristan Bartlett, thirteen, who died at Copper Mountain on January 4, and Doae Oh, twenty, killed in a January 9 accident, also at Keystone. The latter pair hit trees. Neither Bartlett nor Oh were wearing helmets, but Egleston, Glaz and Redmond were.
Our hearts go out to Redmond's friends, family and loved ones. Look below to see videos of Breckenridge's Columbia trail.
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More from our News archive: "Arthur Glaz, Air Force lieutenant, killed at Keystone; fourth resort death this season."


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Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus.
— Alexander Graham Bell
The difference in men does not lie in the size of their hands, nor in the perfection of their bodies, but in this one sublime ability of concentration: to throw the weight with the blow, to live an eternity in an hour.
— Elbert Hubbard
Concentration is a fine antidote to anxiety.
— Jack Nicklaus
It is those who concentrate on but one thing at a time who advance in this world.
— Og Mandino
If there is any one "secret" of effectiveness, it is concentration. Effective executives do first things first and they do one thing at a time. Concentration – that is, the courage to impose on time and events one's own decision as to what really matters and comes first – is the executive's only hope of becoming the master of time and events.
— Peter Drucker


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Located approximately three hours from the Grand Canyon, Phoenix offers an urban sophistication combined with a glimpse into America's Old West, including working cowboys, rugged mountains and acres of prickly cactus. In addition to upscale restaurants, professional sports arenas, luxury spas and championship golf, the Phoenix area is home to numerous family-friendly accommodations. Several resorts feature elaborate water parks with lazy rivers, wave pools and towering water slides, providing plenty of fun activities for the entire family.
Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort
This Spanish-style resort offers panoramic views of the adjoining mountain preserve but is only 10 miles from downtown Phoenix. The resort's large water park, the Hole-in-the-Wall River Ranch, includes several pools, waterfalls, a giant water slide and a lazy river for tubing. The property also offers a putting course, four lighted tennis courts and a children's adventure program. The two-room suites feature separate living areas with queen-sized sofabeds and deluxe bath products. Bi-level casitas offer one- or two-bedroom accommodations in a residential setting with fully equipped kitchenettes, queen-sized sofabeds, carports with direct access to the casitas and upper-level sun decks with tables and chairs. After a day in the Arizona sun, pamper yourself with a rejuvenating treatment or a challenging workout in the Tocasierra Spa, Salon and Fitness Centre. When you are ready for a bite to eat, enjoy scenic patio or indoor dining room seating along with the western-style menu of the Hole-in-the-Wall restaurant or the poolside service of Slim Picken's at the River Ranch.
Arizona Grand Resort
This AAA four-diamond resort offers 640 guest suites, an 18-hole championship golf course, a luxury spa, seven restaurants, 117,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space as well as a seven-acre water park. The exclusive Oasis Water Park is only open to resort guests and features an eight-story-high tower with three water slides, a giant wave pool, a 25-person hot tub and lazy river tubing. Drinks and snacks at the water park are available from the Oasis Bar & Grill. Inspired by the adjacent 17,000-acre South Mountain Preserve, the renovated guest suites are decorated with warm Arizona desert colors, bamboo and rattan furnishings and pillow-top mattresses. Each suite provides a separate living room with a queen-size sofa bed, a laptop safe, high-speed Internet access, a work area and private balcony or patio. Additional resort amenities include a 20,000-square-foot fitness club with more than 45 weekly fitness classes, including yoga, spinning and water aerobics.
The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa
This luxury resort displays artwork inspired by Arizona's culture and history throughout the property. The property also offers 732 guest rooms, eight restaurants, tennis courts, jogging trails, 27 holes of golf on Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program courses and the Agave luxury spa. All of the guest rooms and casitas feature pillow-top mattresses, Brazilian-combed cotton towels and upscale bath amenities. The 8,000-square-foot Adventure Water Park includes a zero-entry pool, a 110-foot water slide and a lazy river for tubing. A quiet, adults-only pool is located near the spa. Children between 4 and 12 years old are welcome to enroll in the Tumbleweed Kids Club. Kids club program activities may include a computer, Spanish and music classes as well as desert walks and pool parties.
Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.
Photo Credits
- desert orange image by Sandra Henderson from Fotolia.com


text: Mercedes-Benz has launched a new commercial based on the simple insight that some people like to crash cars (kids) whereas others (drivers) do not. Anyone who has watched kids play with toy cars knows that the number-one thing they do is crash them into each other, usually repeatedly with screeching sound effects. What would happen if they were given cars that were impossible to crash? A whole lot of frustration, that's what.


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This handy espresso gun concept with unique shape designed by Stefan Riegebauer, Christina Carli, Florian Kainz and Niko Schwarz, which is inspired by the revolver pistol and named il Tiro Espresso Gun. The gun's handle is the water container and pistol's chambers inside which is the coffee. User can press the trigger to release one shot of flavorous Espresso.
Funny concept design – il Tiro Espresso Gun
July 9th, 2011 admin
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This post has nothing to do with basketball. I don't even know enough about the game to draw any parallels. Yet, madness describes my month so far. At least I would be going mad if I didn't believe there was a purpose beyond myself in it all. As much as I find solace in the … Continue reading March Madness Minus Basketball {flashback}
Tag: historical fiction research


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Janssen Announces Phase 1 Results for Bispecific Antibody Amivantamab in the Treatment of Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Harbouring Exon 20 Insertion Mutations
BEERSE, BELGIUM, May 18, 2020 The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson today announced results from the Phase 1 CHRYSALIS study evaluating amivantamab (JNJ-6372) in the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) Exon 20 insertion mutations.[i] Amivantamab is an EGFR and MET-targeted bispecific antibody, which targets activating and resistance EGFR mutations, and MET pathway activation.[ii],[iii] Investigators assessed efficacy using overall response rate (ORR) per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1), duration of response, as well as the safety profile of amivantamab,1 which were the basis of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Breakthrough Therapy Designation granted earlier this year.[iv]
More info >>
World Vaccine Congress Europe
18-21 October 2020, Barcelona, Spain
The World Vaccine Congress is an award-winning series of conferences and exhibitions that have grown to become the largest and most established vaccine meeting of its kind across the globe. Our credibility is show through the prestigious scientific advisory board that spend months of hard work creating a new and topical agenda, year on year.
More info >>


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Dwight Hardy put his professional career on hold for one last chance at New York City glory.
The former St. John's standout and Bronx native was supposed to leave for Italy Wednesday night to join his new Pistoia Basket team. Instead, he asked the club if he could change his flight and was granted permission.
He set a new destination for Monsignor Kett Park in Inwood for the Dyckman title game to play for Ooh-Way Records opposite bitter rival Team Nike.
"It was the rematch of the year," Hardy said. "They are a great team. I knew my team needed me out there."
A funny thing happened on his way there. The crowd at Dyckman was so large that it took Hardy nearly 20 minutes to get into the park and he was unable to properly warmup. Ooh-Way was forced to stall the game's start time waiting for Hardy and coach Tony Rosa to finally make it through the overflowing crowd and onto the court.
"I actually was here," Hardy said. "They weren't letting anyone in."
The Bronx native wasn't provided the happy sendoff he was hoping for as Team Nike earned a 71-70 overtime win in front of a packed house. Hardy got off to a slow start after not getting a chance to warmup, but finished with 16 points and nearly had the game-winning bucket.
He connected on a short jumper along the left side to give Ooh-Way a 70-69 lead with 13.5 seconds left to play. Team Nike's Anthony Glover, however, would make two free throws with three ticks left to secure the win in a game Ooh-Way led 49-40 with 5:15 remaining in regulation.
"We were up with 10 seconds left," said Hardy, who led St. John's to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2002. "Then Glover made some great free throws and we didn't come up with a great shot at the end and we lost."
It was his contested 3-pointer that fell short at the final buzzer and he also committed a key turnover late in regulation that aided Team Nike's comeback. Hardy was the hero in a, 66-61 win over Team Nike during the regular season with two back-breaking 3-point plays late in the tight contest. He took on the all-and-important role of point guard this season on a team filled with stars.
"Dwight Hardy is the heart and soul of our team," Ooh-Way coach Tony Rosa said. "He is the Ooh-Way guy. He is the one from the block. All year long it's been about winning a chip for Ooh-Way."
Hardy will leave for Italy Thursday night now with summer ball behind him and a professional career about to begin. Even in defeat he was happy to be a part of a memorable Dyckman final.
"Of course," Hardy said. "Two great teams, crowd was amazing. It's Dyckman basketball. It was worth it even though we lost."


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Winter is the Season to Slow Down
By Lindsay Wilson
From April and through to May, June and July, things just slow down in our hives; the queen is not laying so many eggs.
We have our hives going from 60,000 bees, with some 15,000 developing in their cells down to just 8 – 10 thousand bees. With some of us that live in the colder areas of Australia, our queen may stop laying eggs all together, just for a week or so. You'll have closed down your hives, moving the hive mat down. Unlike people in the northern hemisphere, our weather is much kinder to us and to our bees over winter. They still go to work each day; it all comes down to what flowering plants are in your area and of course the temperature.
There are some good things in life which you don't have to pay for, that can give us peace of mind, one is lying in bed, nice and warm and listening to the rain on the tin roof singing me to sleep or looking at a log fire, warming in its glow and so it is with bees, sitting in the garden just looking at them, hard at work and giving me some peace of mind.
Beekeeping is enjoyable for me, even in the off season, but it does mean some jobs still have to be done! What is needed in the months to come? Boxes, frames, roofs and floors to be made up; don't put them off till spring as you will need the; the good thing is that the weather will slowly cure them for you, no bad smells to turn off your bees in spring.
Your friends and family will know you have taken up beekeeping as an interest and you will get calls from them and it could go something like this – Amy calls and her son's best mate John's next door friend has a swarm of bees, we need your help; their problem is somehow yours and you don't even know that friend. You need to have a bait hive anyway as a fall back for yourself.
This is a good time to make all the hive parts you will need for the upcoming Season.


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Angel group or VC
Aventura, Florida, United States
- Overview
- Team
Flourishing company's success ascribed to hands-on approach and ability to spot potential
The Miami real estate development company Sky Development takes a modernistic approach to property investment, sales and development. CEO Yizhak Toledano incorporated Sky Development seven (7) years ago and has since staked an impressive claim in the real estate market in Miami. Sky Development is a far-sighted company with a knack for spotting a likely prospect for future fiscal gain. From the luxurious Royal Palm Apartments to Las Vegas style condominium complexes such as The Residence at Canyon Gate; variety and style remains the common ground between all projects undertaken by Sky Development. In a somewhat unusual yet interesting approach, Sky Development oversees all areas of transformation of the property. From the initial acquisition through careful consideration and expert investigation to the refurbishment, development and eventual marketing of the superior property before selling it, Sky Development is there every step of the way. This hands-on approach of providing a full complement of services, coupled with the ability to gauge potential, is part of what makes Sky Development a flourishing enterprise.
Ultramodern and innovative developments give the public a glimpse of the future
Reminiscent of futuristic villages in science fiction movies, Sky Development brings developments of varied purpose to the market. These community driven areas combine style and practicality in attractive surroundings. One such development received the Visionary Development Award in 2007 in recognition of the outstanding far-sighted design and execution of the development. By bringing shopping, living and working areas together in a single location, occupants are able to spend the time they would ordinarily spend commuting, doing things they prefer doing. Entertainment venues and shopping facilities are within walking distance, making these novel developments the ultimate lifestyle convenience. By addressing the very real problem of work and life balance in modern times, these developments brought to the public by Sky Development is making a daily impact on occupant's lives.
Careful selection of employees and investments
Sky Development is working concertedly towards the common objective of real estate development excellence. Known in the industry as a great place to work at, the dynamic atmosphere at Sky Development is an ideal place for the carefully selected and award-winning employees to realize their full potential. The meticulous selection process that is facilitated before employees are hired ensures that Sky Development has only top staff members that work towards the high standards maintained by the company. Employee contentment is also considered of utmost importance and Sky Development has a reputation for looking after staff members. The same care taken in staff selection is also taken at Sky Development before commencing a project. Detailed feasibility studies that are considerate of market impact are undertaken while the project is in its' infancy. This process includes housing analysis, evaluation of demographics and demand assessment. Extensive research is also conducted to determine rental yield or potential for profit from sales. This is gained by doing market research to determine housing needs in the area. The conscientiousness in which Sky Development conducts all activities is a large part of what leads to their ultimate success in the industry.
More about Sky Development CEO:
Yizhak Toledano profile on Crunchbase


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A Closer Look on the Pinzon Signature Pyrenees Hypoallergenic Goose Down Comforter
The Pinzon Signature Pyrenees Hypoallergenic Goose Down Comforter is a symbol of comfort, luxury, and warmth.
You definitely haven't experienced high-quality down comforters yet if you haven't slept under this comforter. So what made this specific product worth buying?
Read Customer Reviews And Buy it Now on Amazon
It has features that other brands don't
It features a patented shiftless construction known as PermaBaffle. I guess it's short for permanent baffle box.
Comforters have baffle boxes that typically shift, making the distribution of filling unbalanced. This is why most manufacturers will tell you not to machine wash the down comforter. Doing so will reduce its fluffiness and insulating efficiency.
For this product, however, you no longer have to worry because each 14-inch baffle box prevents any shifting. They will remain soft, balanced, and fluffy whether you opted to machine wash it or dry clean it.
It's a best-selling product on Amazon
Did I mention that it's one of the best-selling products on Amazon?
Built for both warm and cold sleepers, the Pinzon Signature Pyrenees Hypoallergenic Goose Down Comforter is a perfect choice for the entire year.
Its fill power is 600 making it efficient in providing warmth while allowing your body heat to pass through the filling too. You won't get sweaty nor cold under this comforter.
Compared to other down comforters on Amazon, this product doesn't shed too much. The filling remains inside and you will seldom see any down outside the cover. Hence, I'm not surprised if it's an in-demand product online.
Check out Top 10 best down comforters
It's the best choice for the summer
Read Customer Reviews And Buy it Now on Amazon
I would personally recommend this product for warm sleepers for an all-year-round use. The fabric feels cool on your skin which makes it comfortable to snuggle into even on summer nights.
When winter comes, it gives you the perfect warmth you need. You don't have to use an extra blanket anymore!
For cold sleepers, I won't recommend this for winter but you will definitely enjoy sleeping under it for most of the year. You will simply find its warmth insufficient during winter. This is a medium warmth down comforter and cold sleepers need to have the highest warmth level on coldest temperature.
The Verdict
First, it features the most efficient leak-proof cover I failed to enjoy from other products. Most products shred too fast and the filling leaks out of the cover each day. Mind you that when I say leaking filling, what I mean is a lot of down and feathers.
But for Pinzon, the number of leaked downs will not exceed the number of your fingers even after 3 weeks of usage.
Second, the comfort and fluffiness are amazing. I know it's hard to believe, but a friend of mine still have the Pinzon Pyrenees comforter she bought 5 years ago. Guess what, it's still as fluffy as it was the first time she got it.
It's only a shame that cold sleepers will have to pass this one up during cold winter nights.
You may also like:


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*Unfortunately, not all tour hosts post their winners on the Rafflecopter forms. If you don't see the giveaway you entered here, you will need to contact the touring company directly to find out the winner. Most likely, if you didn't receive an email from them, you didn't win.
Amnesty Book Blast: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal Cash
Congratulations to the winner: Alex B.!
Winner's Choice of Print Book in Outer Banks Series by Diann Ducharme
Congratulations to the winner: Janet L.!
The Cinderella Moment Book Tour: 2 eBooks from Swoon Romance
Congratulations to the winners: Stephanie L.!
Call Me Grim by Elizabeth Holloway and Into the Fire by Ashelyn Drake (eBooks)
Congratulations to the winners: Meredith M. and Reilly H.!
Serpentine, by Cindy Pon (eBook)
Congratulations to the winner: Staci W.!
Finding Mr. Darcy: High School Edition Book Blitz: 2 eBooks from Swoon Romance
Congratulations to the winner: CassandraG!
To Bear an Iron Key by Jackie Morse Kessler and Crown of Fire by Vicki Weavil (eBooks)
Congratulations to the winners: Christina L. and Lisa M.!
Strange Country Day, by Charles Curtis (eBook)
Congratulations to the winner: Sherry F.!
Jumping Genres in June Giveaway Hop: Called to Be Amish, by Marlene C. Miller and Hutterite Diaries, by Linda Maendel (print)
Congratulations to the winner: Michelle F.!
Secret of the Corpse Eater by Ty Drago and Shadows Fall Away by Kit Forbes (eBooks)
Congratulations to the winners: Tammy H. and Shelley S.!
Dead Jed, Books 1 & 2, by Scott Craven and Joshua and the Lightning Road by Donna Galanti (eBooks)
Congratulations to the winners: Brandi D.!
The Artisans by Julie Reece and Nobody's Goddess by Amy McNulty (eBooks)
Congratulations to the winners: Angelita and Jen B.!
Nameless, by Jennifer Jenkins and Serpentine, by Cindy Pon (eBooks)
Congratulations to the winner: Mai T.!


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by Ann Campanella
Brian Kursonis, who has early-onset Alzheimer's, and I met for the first time back in April. He showed up at the memory care facility where I was doing a reading from Motherhood: Lost and Found, a memoir about my mother's descent into Alzheimer's. He had reached out to me a few months earlier after seeing some posts on social media about my mother's illness.
Brian had attempted to meet me at two earlier book signing events. The first one came and went because, well, he forgot about it. The second one, there was some confusion about which Barnes & Noble I would be at, so we ended up missing each other.
The third time was the charm. When Brian walked into the dining room of the memory care facility, I recognized him immediately from photos I'd seen on Facebook and Twitter. I asked him to join our group that had gathered around a long table. I was struck by Brian's kind smile, his intelligence and wisdom and the fact that he and I were almost the same age.
At the time, Brian was 55 and I was 56. We connected instantly, perhaps because I had experienced 14 years of my mother's Alzheimer's, and he was at the beginning of his journey. According to research studies, he may only live 8 to 12 more years, and his cognitive function will likely decline within 2 to 4 years.
During the reading, I asked Brian tentatively if he was comfortable talking about his condition. He cleared his throat and said, "Sure. I'd be happy to."
Brian told the story of being diagnosed after "blanking out" repeatedly at his job where he was a process analyst of retirement accounts. The work load was heavy, with lots of number crunching, and he was used to being good at it. But suddenly he was on the verge of being fired.
He went to the doctor for Vertigo, expecting an easy fix. Brian's fiancé, who accompanied him, mentioned in passing to the doctor that his memory was terrible. This led Brian to a seeing a neurologist. The diagnosis came in stages, and his doctor used the word, "dementia."
"I was stunned beyond stunned," said Brian. "I didn't even know that was a possibility.
Brian's life changed dramatically. Suddenly, he was no longer working and, instead, spent his days in an easy chair, caring for the dogs. Gradually, Brian realized he could waste the rest of his life feeling depressed with nothing to live for, or he could move forward. He began reaching out and connecting with others in the Alzheimer's world.
By the end of the evening, I felt as if I'd met a sibling, someone who knew what it was like to stand on the precipice of Alzheimer's and still have hope.
Recently, I set up an interview with Brian, and he shared more of what happened after his diagnosis.
After the Diagnosis
After his period of grief and adjustment, Brian realized that helping others made him happy. So he set about finding ways within the Alzheimer's world to do just that. He drew from his experience in a former line of work as a counselor and created a website called withALZmyHEART. The website walks people through an early-onset diagnosis and offers hope.
"I stumbled into being an advocate for Alzheimer's," Brian said. He met people online and at conferences. With the awareness that he was running out of time, he reached out to more people through social media. Because of his unique ability to articulate about a disease that is a mystery to many, he has been offered speaking engagements and interviews with national publications.
Brian has become the face of Alzheimer's in PhRMA's National GoBoldly Campaign, a public service announcement that runs on many television channels. Men's Health Magazine and The L.A. Times ran stories on him, and he's been interviewed by CBS Evening News and for a PBS documentary coming out in 2018.
However, the project dearest to Brian's heart is Faith2Care, an innovative plan to connect caregivers, people of faith and those in need. The idea came to him after spending time on several Facebook caregiver groups. "The posts broke my heart," he said. "I had to find a way to help."
Brian wants to find all the caregivers that need help – anything from mowing a lawn to giving someone a ride or providing respite care – and match them up with those in the faith community who want to help.
"Caregivers are a hidden group," said Brian. "They don't have time to have a voice. The faith community wants to help, but they don't know how to find the caregivers."
"I want to do this on a grassroots level," said Brian, "bringing people together." His Faith2Care website would be the hub, and he has hired a company to help him manage all the data.
Brian has not allowed his disease to define him. "I don't care how people see me," he said. "I just want to help."
The future does not concern Brian. He's focused on the present and doing everything he can to make the world a more compassionate place for caregivers and those who are living with Alzheimer's.
Ann Campanella recently joined the management team of AlzAuthors. She is the author of Motherhood: Lost and Found, a memoir that tells the story of her mother's descent into Alzheimer's at the same time Ann was trying to become a parent and experiencing infertility.
Connect with Brian on his social media:
Websites: withALZmyHEART and Faith2Care
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kursonis
Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/kursonis
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WithAlzMyHeart


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Social media has been a thing for over a decade, so why are we still bullshitting ourselves (and our clients) about engagement metrics?
The simple answer is that we're either using metrics to justify the time/effort/budget we're throwing at social or we're being lazy. Look how great we're doing; we got 100 views on our latest Instagram video. Go us. That's money well spent. News flash: that's bullshit.
All engagements are not equal
Many agencies like to bundle views, likes and comments to give an overall engagement metric. Sometimes this is because the software we're using for our analysis does this for us and that's a great timesaver. Other times, it's just to puff up the numbers and make it look like it's all been worthwhile. The truth of the matter is that it's actually quite meaningless. Let's take a look at some of the factors that make up these engagement scores:
Video views
If you're throwing lots of budget at video and relishing those lovely views, I'm about to piss on your bonfire. Did you know that a video on Instagram or Facebook only needs to be watched for three seconds to count as a "view"? Congratulations, someone watched three seconds of your video. This metric is even more sketchy than viewing figures for traditional TV advertising. YouTube is a bit better at 30 seconds but it still ain't great. It's also worth bearing in mind that someone viewing your content does little to nothing for reach.
Surely we're way past counting these as meaningful by now. Oh, you're not. That's a shame. Think about how you use that like button. How many things have you liked this week on Facebook or Instagram (or whatever platform)? More to the point, how many of those things can you remember? People don't always Like things because they like them. Some folk will Like just about anything on their feed. Sometimes it's purely tribal; my friend likes this so I must be seen to like it too. Likes will give you a bit of extra reach on some platforms (most notably Facebook) but not as much as a comment or a share.
Comments are useful for many reasons. If you're getting plenty of comments, you're doing something right (or wrong). If someone has taken the time to comment, you're actually engaging them for real. Not only that but you can also get a lot of qualitative data from comments. Comments also increase reach because they can be seen in friends' newsfeeds.
Shares are up there with comments. They can be a real indicator that someone wants to align themselves with your brand. Okay, so we know people sometimes share content without even looking at it, but it's not all bad, they are still increasing your reach by doing so.
What you should be measuring
Going back to a point I made at the top of this post, if you're measuring these things to justify your existence, you probably need to get out of the marketing business.
What you should be measuring should tie in with the wider business goals. If you're selling something (you probably are), you should be measuring your impact on sales or at the very least, measuring leads generated by your content. Those are really meaningful engagements with a real value.
If you're not selling anything or the thing you are selling can't be linked (like real world stuff), ask questions in your posts or ask people to share. That'll give you something meaningful to measure.
If you read this and found it useful, please give me something to measure by sharing it or letting me know in the comments. It's only fair. ?


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How Tempe's Lake Dam Regulates Flow
Eight-gate design allows flow control during flooding events
Source: PCL Construction, Inc.
Arizona is home to the largest hydraulically controlled crest-gate dam in the country. Comprising eight fabricated steel gates, each weighing more than 130 tons and standing 17 feet high, Tempe Town Lake Dam regulates water from the Salt River, which forms Tempe Town Lake.
The dam's eight gates are mounted onto a 21-foot-thick concrete foundation and supported by seven concrete piers and two abutment walls. Hydraulic cylinders support the gates at a 70° angle, which helps maintain the water level of the lake.
Unlike the original rubber-bladder dam structure, which does not allow for incremental adjustment of flow, hydraulically operated gates provide the city with the opportunity to lower or raise the gates in response to water flow. Each of the eight steel gates can be opened independently to control the flow from the Salt River into Tempe Town Lake, meaning the lake can transition to a river during major flow events.
In August 2014, approximately four months into constructing the new dam, record flooding hit the city of Tempe, erasing two months' worth of construction progress. PCL worked feverishly to make up these two months of work and ultimately completed the project on schedule, but the challenges weren't over. One of the team's first priorities was to construct a scour wall to protect the dam's foundation from water during release.
The groundwater conditions in the drained lake and riverbed were less than ideal, so the team decided upon a diaphragm wall construction. This method enabled crews to build the 1,000-foot scour wall in wet conditions, without the need for a mass excavation. Crews combated the sheer size of the scour wall, which contributed to the more than 47,000 cubic yards of concrete used on the project, by installing the wall in 40-foot sections.
Upon completion of the dam in April, more than 900 million gallons of water began flowing back into the Lake.


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M1693 Estalacta wall lamp 1 light silver/opal white outdoor IP44 - Free UK delivery
Height: 680mm
Width: 140mm
Length: 140mm
Projection: 110mm
Bulb: 1 x LED
M1693 Estalacta wall lamp 1 light silver/opal white outdoor IP44. An innovative and exceptional collection...inspired by smooth organic curves and especially alluring natural shapes. In this case, based on the geological forms of statactites and stalagmites. Jose Ignacio Ballester presented this collection comprising of lighting elements which are combined to form unique settings, beacons or simple original lighting. The easily replaceable GU10 system aids the LED to perfectly light up the silhouette of all its forms from top to bottom, where the client has the option to select warm or cold light. Manufactured in white polyethylene by a rotary moulding procedure, the lamps' watertight assembly system and unchangeable aluminium bases make them suitable for indoor and outdoor installations. Ideal for direct ambient lighting inside the house, decorative lighting elements in hotel-restaurant projects, and why not, unique lighting options for chill-out terraces or outdoor garden layouts.Another collection of quality products from Mantra.A global design by Jose Ignacio Ballester
Lights2go strive to make your online ordering as easy as possible, including delivery. All items in stock are usually dispatched within 2-7 working days and usually have a 1-3 working day lead time once dispatched. Very occasionally items can be out of stock and we will always inform you via email of this, with the choice of waiting for the goods, exchanging for other goods or cancelling the order.
We would always advise to book a qualified electrician once the goods have been received and not before, as we are unable to cover any electricians charges if goods arrive later than expected.
We require any claim based on defect in quality or condition of the products or any shortages on delivery to be notified via email within 3 days of receipt of the item - if any damages or shortages are reported later than this, replacements will be chargeable.
Courier service UK Mainland
Other Courier Service
UK Non mainland included the Scottish Highlands, Norther Ireland, Islands off Shore, Jersey, Guernsey and Republic Of Ireland. Carriage for delivery to these areas starts from £9.95 and will be quoted at time of check out. Please note, delivery to these areas may take longer than the usual 1-3 working days.
Returns Policy for unwanted goods
Lights2go have a 14 day, no quibble, money back guarantee for unwanted goods. Please log onto your account on our website (https://www.lights2go.co.uk/register) and log your return through your order history. You will then receive a returns form via email, if you could please fill this out and enclose this in the outer box of the item and await an email from ourselves to authorise the return before posting this back.
The fittings must be returned by yourself (at customers expense), unused and unwired and in their original, unmarked packaging. All parts must be included with your return, including instructions, fixing brackets, connector blocks, fixing screws, etc. We would always recommend to return your parcel recorded delivery.
Please send all fittings back in an outer box and in additional packaging – if the original packing of the fitting is defaced in any way, a refund cannot be given.
Please note, any returns reported after the 14 day period (after dispatch) will be an exchange or a credit note only.
Lights2go are proud to use Secure Trading and PayPal for our payment and security software, to allow a safe and easy online shopping experience. We take most major credit and debit cards. Please note, for security reasons, we do not take telephone orders.
Credit and Debit Card Payments
We use Secure Trading, a secure online interface to process our credit and debit card payments and is a popular payment gateway on online websites. This option allows our customers to complete transactions with Visa and Mastercard online. Please note, all payments must go through Secure Tradings security checks; if there are any problems with this, payment will automatically be cancelled and we will contact you via email to advise.
PayPal Payments
Paypal is a really quick and safe way to pay for your online orders - you can pay through many different means and do not have to share any account information.


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I love everything on the menu :D
Jump to navigation
Do the preparation exercise first. Then read the menu and do the other exercises.
Do this exercise before you read.
What food do you like on this menu?
I love everything on the menu :D
I like strawberry ice cream.
I love the doble cheese burger
I like double chees burger.
I like cheese burger best in main course, and ice cream is my d favorite dessert.
I like chicken curry with rice ice cream
I like curry, pizza and ice cream.
My brother likes all the deserts.
I Like Seafood salad and Meat Pizza :)
I like seafood salad on this menu.
I like all desserts and fruits. And seafood is also my favourite food.
i like seafood.
ı'm on dieting so ı eat just salad :(
i like all the desserts :D
I like fish and mushroom pie, fruit pie, orange and apple juice and mixed fruit.
i would like cheese burger, mushroom pizza and orange juice :)
i like seafood salad. I'm sure that it's quite delicious and healthy for all of us.
I like pizza and tea
I like seafood! It is very good to my health and taste good too!
i like black
I like pizza and ice cream
i like pizza
I like chocolate ice cream.
very nice game
Actually I like all the food on the menu except the coffee and tea.
Hi.İ like cheese burger,egg salad,all kinds of pizza,orange juice,cofee and tea.Also İ like banana,orange.My favorite desserts is ice cream.
I like cheese burger and chocolate ice cream . mmmmmmm.They are very delicios.
i would like to have a seafood salad for the main dish and a chocolate ice cream for the dessert, they are not expensive and they are delicious i think :)
I like seafood pizza and all of the ice-creams.
On a side note, this article makes me hungry. :D
l like banana cake
© British Council The United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland).


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Enneagram Foundation
Six Weekly Sessions
Check the Calendar for Upcoming Workshops
During six interactive sessions with Enneagram master coach Wendy Appel, you'll engage in breakouts, facilitated discussions and telling exercises, augmented by readings and reflection in-between sessions. The richness of our work together will be enhanced by your opportunity to build a network of colleagues from around the globe. This virtual workshop is designed for a small group to enhance everyone's experience and to provide for maximum interaction.
Your journey is guided by Wendy's Enneagram Typing Cards and her newly released book, InsideOut Enneagram: The Game-Changing Guide for Leaders 100% Fresh These are powerful and practical tools crafted with today's changing world in mind to support your work with clients and/or for your own self-leadership.
Who Should Attend? Leaders, managers or anyone who works with them: Coaches, Consultants, OD, HR, Counselors. For anyone who wants to live a more awake, joyful life.
This workshop is designed for those who have limited familiarity with the Enneagram, or perhaps know their Type, but want to learn more.
Here's what one leading CEO said about InsideOut:
As a practicing Chief Executive working with the complexities and fast pace of today's organisational life this is one of the best leadership guides I have found to enable me to improve my leadership and organisational effectiveness. I highly recommend it to every CEO who wishes to maximise their potential and practice.
Lynne Sedgmore CBE, CEO of the 157 Group of FE Colleges, UK
What others say about Enneagram Foundation Plus!
I recently was involved in one of Wendy's Enneagram workshops. I found Wendy to be both energising and humble as a presenter – not an easy combination, but certainly a compelling one! Her knowledge and mastery of the Enneagram was superb, and her approach worked well for beginners and those who know the profiling tool well. I enjoyed the session, and would recommend her as a facilitator.
Dr. Graeme Codrington, Expert Speaker, Author, Researcher, Futurist, Consultant. tomorrowtoday
For questions or more information, contact Wendy.
What You Will Learn?
- How the Enneagram System works
- You'll discover your Enneagram Type
- The internal dynamics, defense structures, desires and gifts of all nine Types
- How to distinguish one Type from another
- How the Types relate to one another (dynamics & synergies)
- Coaching tips, exercises and practices to drop the defense structures for all 9 Types
Key Takeaways
- Self Insight
- Become a more effective leader, manager, consultant, coach
- Insight into the motivations of your clients, colleagues, friends and family
- Cutting edge tool for your work
- Practices and tips to increase effectiveness


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What you need to know about IFFEd, a big idea that will help millions of children into school
The International Finance Facility for Education is a groundbreaking way to help millions of children go to school and prepare millions more young people for the future of work.
The International Finance Facility for Education (IFFEd) is a groundbreaking way to finance education in countries around the world.
This week, calls from more than 1.5 million people who have signed petitions for IFFEd to become a reality will be taken to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
Theirworld and three of our Global Youth Ambassadors from Kenya, Nepal and Sierra Leone will meet him on May 11 and deliver the message that this is a big idea with the power to help tens of millions of children go to school and prepare millions more young people for the future of work. Read the full story.
You can join the campaign too
Here's a guide to the International Finance Facility for Education, how it works, why it's needed and what it will mean for the future of children around the world.
Why is education so important?
A good education gives children and young people the skills they need to succeed in life. Without it, they will be unable to read, write or count. It also gives children in low-income countries a better chance of moving out of poverty and into a good job.
Education increases a child's chance of having a healthy life, reduces maternal deaths and combats diseases such as AIDS and malaria. It can promote gender equality and peace.
Children who are out of school are also exposed to dangerous environments such as child labour, forced marriage, child trafficking, sexual exploitation and recruitment by armed forces and extremists.
What are the main challenges in global education?
Around the world, children are missing out on a quality education. Over 260 million children and youth are currently out of school. Many millions drop out of education before they even reach secondary school.
If this injustice doesn't change, by 2030 over half the world's children and young people – 825 million of them – will not have the basic skills or qualifications needed for the modern workforce. Worldwide, 103 million youth cannot read - 60% of them female.
The education crisis is creating a wide and persistent divide between children who have access to skills and opportunity – and those who do not. Without a large increase in money for education, the current crisis will only get worse.
On current trends, it will take until after 2100 to get every child into school.
So what's being done about those challenges?
In 2015 the world's countries agreed a set of global targets - the Sustainable Development Goals - to be achieved by 2030. Sustainable Development Goal 4 is to "ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all".
But this won't be fully met until after 2100 until things change drastically.
There is a plan in place to help all children get into school - the Learning Generation, produced by the influential Education Commission. It needs countries to increase their funding to education but also for donors and other organisations to increase their support.
The commission says there are three building blocks that need to be in place in order to get every child a quality education.
- Education's share of national budgets in low-income countries must rise from 3% to 5% and in middle-income countries from just over 4% to at least 6%. This can be achieved by better use of domestic resources and greater tax revenues for education. However, even if poorer countries do this, a financial shortfall will persist. They will not be able to close the funding gap without help from the international community.
- Increase education's share of international aid from below 10% to 15%. Yet, under the most optimistic scenarios of domestic resource mobilisation and increased aid, universal education would still remain a broken promise unless another $10 billion per year was found by 2020 and $20 billion by 2030.
- Create a new international funding mechanism to multiply donor resources and create new funding for education by harnessing the untapped potential of the multilateral development banks. This is the International Finance Facility for Education (IFFEd)
What is IFFEd?
It is a bold solution to the education crisis which aims to provide money to increase funding for education across developing countries, to fill the persistent funding gap.
IFFEd is a partnership between developing countries, international financial institutions and public and private donors. It will work with others in the field such as the Global Partnership for Education, the Education Cannot Wait fund for schooling in emergencies, United Nations agencies and thousands of charities worldwide. The money will go to governments worldwide who need the funding to get children back into school.
How will IFFEd be launched?
In March 2017, a group of major organisations - including Theirworld - called on the G20 summit of the world's most powerful countries in Germany to help launch a new way of funding education.
The Education Commission created a plan with the premise that it is the responsibility of governments to finance pre-primary, primary and secondary education. IFFEd was proposed as a way to help developing countries to make this happen.
If you want to know even more about IFFEd, the Education Commission has produced a detailed prospectus. Read it here.
What will the money from IFFEd do?
It will help to build schools, train and employ teachers; put in curriculums; help children travel to school, provide supplies children need to learn at home and in the classroom - and much more.
IFFEd will support, not replace, initiatives already in place for education financing. It will enhance World Bank and Regional Development Bank financing for low-income and lower-middle income countries, and work alongside organisations such as GPE and ECW.
The facility aims to create over 20 million school places and help girls complete both primary and secondary school. It will support programmes to get at-risk children into school and stop child labour, child marriage or exploitation.
It will provide longer-term finance of refugees or displaced children, allow for creative ideas in the delivery of education, help countries build quality early childhood development programmes or provide support for programmes on inclusive education which bring children with disabilities into education.
In short, it will contribute to developing all the talents of all children.
Where will the money come from?
It will bring together public and private donors, alongside international financial institutions such as the World Bank and regional development banks.
The facility will create attractive financing packages for lower-middle-income countries that would be low-interest. These financing streams will be linked to developing countries increasing their own education investments and making education reforms
Who will benefit from IFFEd?
IFFEd targets the education financing needs of lower-middle-income countries (LMICs). These countries often face a structural problem – a "missing middle" dilemma – that prevents them from getting adequate education funding.
They include Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cote D'Ivoire, Bolivia, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Yemen and many others. The reason they would benefit most is because, as they go from low-income to middle-income status, international loans become much more expensive, leaving them in a huge amount of debt.
Grants become unavailable and internal tax revenue would not be enough to sustain the country. These countries have worked hard to improve but as soon as they do they're faced with so many obstacles. IFFEd's new stream of money would help to solve this issue.
Low-income countries (LICs) would also benefit from the overall increase in aid and because IFFEd would help make financing go further for LMICs, freeing up more grant aid to supports LICs . These include Afghanistan, Benin, Burundi, Congo, Somalia and Nepal and many more.
Why do we need such a big idea?
Historically, huge ideas have worked successfully. Over a decade ago, world leaders worked together globally to helped create the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, both of which have channeled billions of dollars into the health sector and saved millions of lives.
The International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm) was successful in creating money for vaccinating 500 million children and saving five million lives.
In the past few years, climate change agreements from Copenhagen to Paris, and the Climate Investment Funds and Green Climate Fund, have transformed funding for climate mitigation and adaptation.
Now it's time for education to move into the spotlight.
What will success look like?
Extreme poverty rates would be reduced by one-third due to education alone. The mortality reductions from education improvements by 2050, measured in life gained, will be almost the same as if the world eradicated HIV and malaria deaths today.
Most importantly, young people will be prepared for the job market of the future, ready to become the next generation of innovators, teachers, and leaders – able to realise and contribute all of their talents.


text:
2009. 9. 24. 02:02 Social Network Services
Google News Alert for: online social network
OfficialWire - New York,NY,USA
... people you meet online nicely. Do not take anything personally especially if you are using the social networks for marketing your products and business. ...
See all stories on this topic
Examiner.com - USA
The same rules of networking and community building apply online as they do offline; meaning you have to interact and not just push your content. Social ...
See all stories on this topic
How Moms Feel About Social Media
Wall Street Journal - USA
Social networking was often to connect with fellow moms, said Tina Sharkey, chairman of BabyCenter, with 68% connecting with another parent online at least ...
See all stories on this topic
This as-it-happens Google Alert is brought to you by Google.
Google Books Search for: OfficialWire
Authors: Lavinia Riker Davis
Book id: unknown
Published year: 1945
Page count: 266
Google Video Search for: OfficialWire
Description: New Video :Razorlight! ... Razorlight Hostage of love Slipway Fires Video Clip Official Wire to wire ...
Published: Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:46:06 PDT
Publisher: www.youtube.com
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text:
Jameson Gold Reserve is a triple distilled blend of rich pot still and grain whiskeys. Gold Reserve is matured in a combination of the finest Grade A casks that have been hand-picked by our Master Blender, Billy Leighton. Unlike the rest of our range, Reserve also introduces virgin oak barrels into the mix, which contribute hints of spicy new wood.
John Jameson established his distillery in Dublin in 1780, determined to create the finest whiskey in the world. Over 230 years later, Jameson continues to be acclaimed all over the world for its exceptionally smooth taste.
The hallmark smoothness comes down to three factors; triple distillation, controlled maturation and masterly blending of the various whiskey components. These were the key stipulations laid down by John Jameson, and to this day they are passionately adhered to at Midleton Distillery, thus making Jameson the world's No. 1 Irish Whiskey. It can be enjoyed neat, with ice, or mixed in a long drink or cocktail.
Jameson Irish Whiskey is triple distilled to deliver twice the smoothness. But there is a little more to this precise craft: it is also about obtaining the perfect balance. First, the balance between the amount of malted and un-malted barley, in order to give a natural barley flavour. But it is also about mastering the proportions of triple distilled Pot Still Whiskeys and triple distilled Grain Whiskeys, in order to deliver exceptional smoothness. And lastly, it is about harmonizing the sweet, nutty flavour from Sherry casks with the toasted wood and vanilla notes from Bourbon casks.
The vanilla toasted oak aroma comes from the Virginia oak barrels and the fruity notes from the sherry casks.
Complex and rewarding. Layers of succulent fruits from the sherry butts interlaced with vanilla from the virgin oak, balanced with the pot still spice to deliver a silky mouth-feel.
Mellow, with complexity delivered through pot still spices, balanced with a pleasant peppery finish.


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our parade
Each year, Santa Claus kicks off the Canal Winchester Christmas in the Village Festival with a parade ride around Canal Winchester to say hi to all of his friends and the children of Canal Winchester. For the fifth year, Santa will be brought in by his electric light vehicle parade on Friday night.
past year participants
If you can drive it or ride it, you can
decorate it with holiday lights.
Christmas music? Sure!
Let your imagination "LIGHT UP" our night. The only rule is No Fake Santas!
We have the real deal in our parade!
electric light parade?
the important details
Date: Friday, December 6th, 2019
Parade Line Up Location:
Winchester Trail Parking Lot
6865 Gender Road
Parade Line-Up: 4:30 P.M.
Best Float Voting Time: 5:00 P.M.
Parade Kickoff Time: 5:30 P.M.
the parade route
Contact the Parade Organizers:
Jill Amos & Beth and Rick Deeds
Westchester Rep: Jim Bowline
Brockstrong Rep: Victor Paini
Goddard School Rep: Heather Kamer
Volunteers: Carla McKean


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Publications - current and forthcoming
Listed below are our publications to date and papers pending. Clicking on a link will open the summary abstract. Choose your download option from there.
Code for many of our models is available.
Publications List By Year
- Humphries, M. D. & Gurney, K. (1999), A computational model of action selection in the basal ganglia: Thalamic and cortical interactions, Technical Report AIVRU132, The University of Sheffield.
- Hartley, S.J., Prescott, T.J. & Nicolson, R. (1999), Feature Distributions and Experimental Evaluation in a Connectionist Model of Semantic Memory, Connectionist models in Cognitive Neuroscience, G. Humphreys, D, Heinke, A.Olsen (Eds). London: Springer-Verlag. p. 158-167.
- Groome, D., H. Dewart, A. Esgate, K.N. Gurney, and N. Towell (1999), Computational Models of Cognition, An Introduction to Cognitive Psychology: Processes and Disorders, 261-291. Psychology Press, 1st Ed..
- Prescott, T.J., Redgrave, P., & Gurney, K. (1999), Layered control architectures in robots and vertebrates, Adaptive Behavior, 7:99-127.
- Redgrave, P., Prescott, T.J. & Gurney, K. (1999), The basal ganglia: a vertebrate solution to the selection problem?, Neuroscience, 89:1009-1023.
- Wright, M.J., and K.N. Gurney (1999), Visual discrimination of direction changes based upon two types of angular motion, Vision Research, 39, 1927-1941.
- Redgrave, P., Prescott, T.J. & Gurney, K. (1999), Is the short latency dopamine burst too short to signal reinforcement error?, Trends in Neurosciences, 22:146-151.


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Higgs boson subject of free talk in Waterford college
The Higgs boson is the biggest discovery in physics for years, but although most people have heard of it, many have no idea what it is or why it is so important, said Dr Cormac O'Raifeartaigh.
The physics lecturer at Waterford Institute of Technology hopes to help people understand the Higgs when he delivers a talk there this evening entitled The God Particle at Last?
He likened its discovery to that of the atom back in 1908. "The theorists were pretty sure it was there but no one had ever spotted it."
This all changed last July when Cern, Europe's centre for nuclear research, announced it had found something very like a Higgs boson. Cern scientists await the accumulation of more data before they can confirm whether it is the Higgs.
Dr O'Raifeartaigh will explain what the Higgs is and how it fits into our understanding of the universe. "It is key to our understanding of the fundamental structure of matter," he said.
He will also describe how the Higgs particle was created and detected using the 27km long Large Hadron Collider at Cern, which sends particles spinning around at close to the speed of light.
The free talk is at 7pm tonight in the auditorium on the institute's main campus on the Cork Road.