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Autumn Contest (Prose) Hidden
As the darkness creeps back into the world, and the days are dying, falling prey to Autumn's biting wind. This seasons contest theme is Hidden, what will you find when you look? Good luck to all who enter.
Members are allowed one entry in the Prose contest. (You are welcome to enter our poetry contest as well.) Prose entries should be submitted as posts to this thread. The competition is open to all members of Writer's Beat, including staff.
Members are requested to refrain from commenting on entries in this posting thread. Please use the Autumn Contest Comments thread instead. That thread will remain open throughout the posting period and afterwards, and members are encouraged to let entrants know what they thought of their entries.
Word Limits:
Prose: 2000 Words
Once an entry has been submitted, it
cannot be altered
. Any work that is edited after it has been entered will be
. If you feel you need to make a small alteration (a misplaced comma, a spelling error), contact a member of staff. If we feel your request is reasonable, we will make the correction on your behalf.
Closing Date:
15th September 2013, 12 midnight GMT
Winners will be selected by means of a public vote, so you, the members of Writer's Beat, will choose the winners.
After the closing date, a voting thread will be posted. Voting will commence on the 16th of September and close on the 30th of September 2013, 12 midnight GMT.
* * *
The winning entries will be considered for publication in Writer's Beat Quarterly, subject to the approval of the editors. To increase your chances of getting published (whether you win or not), make sure your document is as error-free as possible!
Also, the member (or tying members) with the most votes will get to suggest the next contest theme!
* * *
If you have any questions about the contest, contact a staff member and we will happily answer them for you. Now sharpen your pencils, fill up your inkwells and get writing. Good Luck!
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
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Last edited by Tau; 08-13-2013 at
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(Hallo-weird; Word Count 1906)
The Following is from the case files of Macmillan Investigations, which were turned over to the city after the events at the Ainigma estate. Names have been changed to protect the identities of the surviving family members.
I love this time of year. The weather is just starting to get reasonable. Its not too hot outside and the mosquitoes have quieted down. This is also the time of year that the people start making their preparations for Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Christmas. The kids are all back in school for another year of pretending to pay attention. And of course business starts picking up. Who am I, what do I do? I am Bryan Macmillan and I am a paranormal consultant, at least on paper. Autumn is the time of year when more people start seeing or even feeling things out of the ordinary. Most of the time its just their imaginations and I tell them that after an investigation. However there are times when what's going bump in the night needs to be bumped back to bed, and that's when I get serious. As a correlation to these sensations my business peaks during the Autumn months and I usually end up making enough to see me nicely through the year.
I'm reading a magazine at my desk with not much else to do until an appointment shows up. The article featuring some celebrity and their supposed relationship with a Faery noble. Most would think its just a bogus made up story in a grocery store tabloid. The truth is, I'm not at liberty to tell you that….I know, Mab its Court business not mortal. Sheesh! Do one job for them and they think they own you, granted I'm still working on that project, but it'd be nice if they didn't yell quite so loud with their telepathic communications.
A knock on the frosted window of my office door tells me my next client has arrived. I get up and let them in. As I open the door I see a decidedly feminine silhouette through the glass. With the door fully open I extend my hand in an effort to shake hands with her.
"Welcome to Macmillan Investigations, I'm Bryan how can I be of service?" I go into my basic shtick of introducing myself to a potential client.
"I'm Terrie Ainigma, I called yesterday to set up an appointment to hire you to put a stop to the noises going on at my family's estate." She says as she grips her handbag tighter. I observe the quality of her wardrobe from the expensive pant suit to the extremely expensive pumps and I hear in the back of my mind a cash register chiming. Knock that off. I tell myself.
"Okay, Ms. Terrie," I start as I pull out the chair on the client side of my desk for her. "How about you tell me about the situation that was too embarrassing to discuss over the phone." I finish with a friendly tone.
"Well, Mr. Macmillan, like I said last night these strange noises first started about two weeks ago. When me and my family moved in." She starts with her tale. " We had just finished unpacking and having dinner. And, uhm I was going to take a bath. I had taken a <redacted to protect the client's privacy> with me for uhm <redacted to protect the client's privacy>. The water had just gotten to the right temperature and I was getting in when I swear to god I saw a face staring back at me in the bubbles. It spoke to me with a bunch of nonsense words." She pauses to take a drink from the cup of coffee I had brought her while she was speaking.
"Can you describe the other incidents for me, you said there were five more that were upsetting for you." I prompt her as I resume my note taking of the first encounter and my various observations about her as a person.
She goes into detail about the events as I ask questions about details at points in her story. At the end of her story I look back through the four pages of notes I'd taken. Looking up I see the absolute fear in her eyes of going back to what should be a safe place, her home. Great, play on my conscience, damn it now I've got to help her. Still going to charge her for it, but I'll still help. Don't look at me like that, I've never claimed to be a saint.
"Well as I said over the phone, my services aren't cheap." I say as she finishes her coffee.
"And I've done my research on you, Mr. Macmillan, you have a track record of success in this field. And so success naturally costs more." she says with a tone of one who had already hired me.
"Well, You've got yourself a detective, I can come out to the house this evening and begin my investigation." I say as she hands over the envelope with my retainer fee inside it.
Later that night with my equipment loaded into the car I head out to the suburbs, I know it scared me too. As I pull up to the gated drive I stop to hand the guard the note that Terrie had given me for him to let me through. After calling the house for confirmation he opens the wrought iron gate and waves me through. I follow the winding driveway through a small wooded front lawn towards the front porch of the large, not quite a mansion, house. I love having rich clients.
I get out of my car and meet the Ainigma family and staff who were waiting for me at the front steps. With my professional demeanor held in place I introduce myself to everybody.
"I think our younger sister was just seeing things from being over tired." The eldest of the three sisters said.
"That is indeed, a possibility." I agree, "but without performing a thorough investigation of the grounds and property it can't be confirmed." I continue.
"Can you really claim that there are such things as ghosts and monsters?" She asks in a patronizing tone. I've gotten used to the skeptics over the years, and it gets bothersome having to save them from their stupidity. I know I shouldn't talk about paying clients like that, but still.
"After being in this field for as long as I have, ma'am, I have absolutely no doubt that they're still around." I tell her. "and they're just as dangerous now as they were back in the old days. Some are more dangerous than others now that this modern society isn't guarding against most of them anymore."
After our meeting and they leave for the evening I go about setting up my equipment around the house. I start with the infrared motion sensor cameras that feed back to a laptop positioned out in my car. After I get all the high tech equipment set up, I pull out some lower, but more reliable, tech equipment. A long slender cane carved out of solid bone. Don't worry its centuries old, its donor isn't missing it…I don't think so at any rate. This cane when used as a focus can be channel the energy of the user and allow me to see what I might not be able to see with my normal sight.
Walking through the house I let the, for lack of a better term, spiritual magnet of the cane guide me through the house. I'm feeling out what are known as hot spots of spectral activity through the house. I start in the bathroom where Terrie had said she first encountered something. Looking through the lens the cane provides I definitely see a trail of something having been in there. Following this aura I find over the course of an hour the four other spots of where activity had taken place.
The trail leads from the last room into a cellar of sorts. I hadn't placed any cameras in here because all the activity had been centered upstairs. But I did have a portable camera on a rig in my jacket pocket as I walked around recording my personal progress.
After descending the steps with a lot of caution I see what had been freaking the young woman out. Floating right next to the air ducts were several apparitions.
"Seriously these low-level spooks are what's causing all this trouble." I mutter. I had forgotten about one of the side-effects of the cane. All of the specters just snapped around facing me. The cane lets me see them clearly, but conversely it also lets them hear me when I speak.
They looked kind of annoyed at being called low-level. They swarm at me almost immediately gathering towards the cold light now radiating from the bone as it draws in the dearly not-so departed. I start backing away from them, for while I can handle exorcising these ghosts no problem, but while there are so many of them if I make another mistake like I had in forgetting about the cane's communicative property this night will have just gone from mildly entertaining to the Ghostly Gang having another member.
As I am backing up the stairs I hear the front door open and close as the family is returning from their night out. Oh great, I think, I've got to protect them now too. The phantasms closest to me seem to glow with their otherworldly energy as they shove their vaporous arms towards me. I get shoved up the stairs and into the wall on the opposite side of the hallway with a rather impressive amount of force.
"Okay that does it, Casper, I'm sending you and your intangible friends straight to-" I get blasted again as I start talking trash. Okay I've had enough playing around. Terrie comes running down the hall after they had heard me crash into the wall. "Get ba-!" I start as I see her but not in time to keep from being blasted straight towards her.
We end up in a heap on the floor a few yards from the end of the hallway. I reach into my pocket and pull out the cardboard container of Morton's and with an effort of will as I spread it along the doorway the next blast strikes the barrier that had just appeared to block the spectral energy.
As I drop into a meditative state focusing on my cane I use it to part the curtain of protective energy above the salt line. Stepping across the line full of annoyance at these ghosts who wouldn't leave my nice clients, who had paid in advance, alone. Using the cane like a sword I begin fighting my way through the shadows. Eventually the battle ended with the sisters and the house safe. Or so I had thought. There came a loud groan from beneath the floorboards as I finished the last specter……
---The report was incomplete as of September 15, 20XX locations of the Ainigma sisters and Paranormal Investigator are currently unknown. ---
Last edited by Tau; 09-15-2013 at
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Autumn Prose Contest Entry
(2000 words)
Claire was simply floating with joy. She had found her dream man. At twenty-eight years of age, and having sampled the shallow waters of the man pool since she was fourteen, she had begun to despair. But Gregory was the
. She walked through the days with a near constant smile; she was more cheerful and friendly than anyone that knew her could recall. She was in
. She wrote it in her mind as italicized and capitalized. He was handsome enough, although that was no longer her primary criterion. She had long since discovered that simply handsome men were not her type, too filled with themselves, too expecting of favors from life just because they existed.
But Gregory was not filled with himself. He worshiped her, was glad for any favors she granted. He was goodlooking enough, and apparently strong and and rich and funny and attentive and intelligent. She had bubbled over to her best friend, Katy, after the first night she spent in his arms.
Oh, Katy, I cannot tell you how it felt, I have not the eloquence, the words. He is a marvelous lover. He attended to my needs before his own. I cannot remember when another man has done that. Sure, they are all about,
Dont worry, babe, I will make sure you finish,
before they start but forget that as soon as they get into it. Gregory made it all come true. Oh, I am blithering like a schoolgirl, like a freshly deflowered maiden rather than an experienced woman.
Katy was of the same age, and perhaps a more levelheaded judge of both men and her friend.
What does he do? What do you know of him?
He has some kind of business doing importing and exporting, I do not know. Not do I care. I want him forever.
Has he any family? Any people had had taken you to meet? Have you seen his checkbook?
Katy, it sounds like you dont trust him, with all these questions. Of course I have not seen his checkbook, a gentleman would never show that to a lady. I believe he said his parents are dead, and he has no brothers or sisters. Besides, I dont care about his family, I only care about him.
I have seen you this way before, dear, and I only want you to be sure. Where does he live? Has he taken you home for some romping sex?
I dont know where he lives. He mentioned once that he has an apartment downtown. We have only had romping sex three times now, and that was always in an elegant hotel room he secured. Are you not happy for me?
Of course I am, it is only that I love you myself and dont want you hurt. When will I get to meet his wonderful man?
He is picking me up tonight to take me to the theater. You be here at my apartment and I will introduce you.
The theater
. I cannot recall the last time a man offered to take me there.
You are very happy. You are a lucky girl to have found him.
But Katy was suspicious. She was, she thought, far more practical and levelheaded than her friend. She was always skeptical if something looked too perfect. She would do something about it.
When Gregory arrived promptly for his date, and Katy first laid eyes on him, she formed an impression. Tall, slim, clean-shaven, clear eyes, strong jaw. But when he shook her hand, she felt a dampness that was unseemly in a man. His hand was dainty, almost feminine, and was smooth and damp. It felt icky to Kate. They quickly passed pleasantries and then Claire and her fellow left for their theater date.
Katy changed into working clothes, faded jeans and a sweatshirt, got a big floppy hat from her winter trunk, and slipped her revolver into her coat pocket. Then she waited until they were surely gone, got in her roadster and drove to the theater.
It was some kind of play about a man and a woman, some flighty piece of fluff. Katy knew nothing of plays. But it was popular and Claire had bragged about how hard it was to get tickets but Gregory had done it. Katy got bored and went into the stageside deli and had a few vodka Collins. When she saw the crowd starting to empty from the theater, she dashed back to her car and waited.
She followed their taxi to a local establishment that provided adult beverages and dancing. After a delay of perhaps an hour, they emerged, Claire clinging to Gregorys arm and dancing along beside him. They took a taxi back to Claires apartment. He went in and, presumably after some romping sex, came back down in two hours. He got on a cross-town bus and Katy followed it.
He debussed at the lower end of town. He looked around when he got off the bus, but he did not know Katys car and she had the slouch hat pulled low across her face. He was afoot now and she knew she had to get on foot to follow him. She was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable. This was not a part of town where decent young ladies went except on college pranks and in large groups. This was the waterfront, where the ships came in and the tough men and their companion women hung out.
There was fog and the sound of a distant foghorn. She stayed back a discrete distance, noting that she could sometimes see water and ships tied at moorings between buildings. The area was nearly deserted, no people walking.
Gregory went into a tavern called
The Young Mariner
; she assumed a play on the ancient mariner phrase. Following him would get tricky here, indeed. She knew there was a crowd inside, could hear many raucous and profane comments from well-lubricated throats. She pulled her hat even lower and entered.
It was as dark as the inside of a cow, even though the night outside was already near black. But she could not stand around the doorway, that would be too conspicuous. She turned left and found a small table that was empty, with two chairs. She sat and looked down, waiting for her eyes to adjust.
A blowsy waitress with too much breast showing came over and said, Whatll ya have, miss?
A quick glance had shown Katy that most of the drinks were in mugs. Beer, whatever you have on draft.
You expecting company?
No, I just dropped in for a quick drink. Take the other chair away if you need it.
Be right back. Ill bring you some bar nuts.
A few of the local tables, which were filled with rough looking men, had glanced and even stared at Katy. She ignored them. She saw Gregorys outline across the room, at the bar. He was scanning the room with more than a casual eye sweep, looking for something or someone. She hoped it was not her. He had given no indication that he knew he was being followed.
One of the louts at a nearby table slid his chair over.
Well, hello, honey. Whats a pretty girl like you doing in a dive like this?
Im waiting for my father. Hes a longshoreman, real big. You may have heard of him, stomped a man to death for kicking his dog. He wont like you messing with me.
Oooh, pretty and feisty. I aint afraid of any old man. If he doesnt show, Bill Williams will be glad to see you home. Hahahaha.
After ogling her a bit, he turned away with no further interaction. There were plenty of floozies in here, so they were not lacking for female company. Gregory seemed to have found who he was searching for. He walked through the tables to a small one in the corner.
Katy wondered that his dress did not expose him to some degree of scrutiny or disdain. He was dressed in a dark three-piece suit and had a bowler hat on. He was dressed differently from everyone else in the bar. But he got no particular notice. That was a real mystery.
The table he sat down at was occupied by a skinny man with a beard, and a plump woman. They clearly knew him, and he them, because they fell right into conversation, heads down, leaned in. The two already had a bottle and he shared that with them. Katy had no idea what they were saying and did not see any way to get closer without letting him see her.
She was gnawing with frustrated when the waitress came with her beer and a not too clean bowl partly filled with a mix of nuts and crackers and unidentifiable stuff. Katy wished now she had asked for a bottle of beer. The mug did not look like it had ever been washed. She paid so she could leave in a hurry if necessary.
She kept glancing over at the table where Gregory and his companions were in animated conversation, waving their arms about sometimes to make a point.
Katy thought,
Can I migrate over there, working my way, using people as shields, and get sat down at a closer table, where maybe I can hear what they are saying?
The bar had many standing individuals, in groups of varying sizes, so she could keep hidden from Gregory. She did not worry about the man and woman seeing her; they did not know her. Moving through the room would increase the chances that some oaf would accost her; try to feel her up, maybe worse. She could only hope that the proprietor would not allow a full on rape or assault without acting.
She had come this far out on the limb; she felt she had to try it. She took her mug and stood, moving away toward the nearest clear path through the crowd. There was a table right next to the one Gregory was at, at his back, so if he did not turn he would not see her. If she sat with her back to him, he would probably not recognize here from her hair and pulled down hat.
She worked her way through the crowd, only suffering a few indignities to her nethers. Ordinarily, she would have lashed out at anyone that rubbed her ass or felt low down on her belly. But she was restrained by not being able to make a scene for fear Gregory would turn to see what the fuss was. So she endured some familiarities that she normally saved for her luckier boyfriends.
Whatever on Earth is it that makes these men think that pawing a woman roughly and briefly through layers of cloth will excite her sexually to some degree where she will lose control and agree to have sex with them? How stupid are they?"
She sidled the last few feet with her face turned. If Gregory looked back he would not see her face, only her back. Gratefully, she sank into the chair facing away from him and perked her ears up.
Mumble, mumble, mumble, it sounded like the other man was saying.
As clear as anything, she heard from Gregory, She is falling for it, dont worry. You just be there and have the bag ready when I ask for it.
The woman said, You just make sure you dont start liking her. This wouldnt be the first time you screwed up and got soft on a female.
Shut up. I know what Im doing. Next week, we will be on a ship, rolling in money and laughing our way to Bermuda.
Almost as if fate had decreed it, Katy spilled her mug of beer. It splattered on Gregorys pants leg. He whipped around and pinned her with his direct gaze.
You ? How did you ...? Ill
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HIDDEN DEPTHS (1,300 words)
It'll soon be my sixteenth birthday and Tom's showing loads of interest, but he never says anything. He stands opposite me in the corridor and grins. He waits for me to return the smile, then walks away. My heart beats so loudly whenever he's around. There's something about him that makes my stomach churn, in a nice way, of course. Whenever he looks at me, I want to flutter my eyelashes, pout a little, and smile coyly. But that's a bit flirtatious, isn't it? Ever since I was young, I was told that nice girls should be demure and not revealing.
I don't want to do anything more, not like Sandy, who always pushes down one side of her t-shirt whenever there's a special guy around. She looks across her bare shoulder, with head lowered and eyes raised, trying to look seductive like one of those old-fashioned film stars. I've also seen her sit cross-legged and pull her skirt up high. I'd never do anything like that.
Now in the corridor, everyone's chatting about the prom.
'What are you wearing?' Sandy asks me.
'Mum said she'd get me something.'
'Kate! Why do you let her do that? Why don't you choose your own stuff? You know she'll get you something weird.'
'I want to, but she won't let me wear anything really good. What are you wearing?'
'I've asked mum to shorten my red dress. It's dead cool. Fits everywhere. Shows up absolutely everything. It'll be real hit with the guys.'
I wrinkle up my nose.
'Sounds slutty. Doesn't your mum mind?'
'No. She always says that clothes are a good way to express yourself. You shouldn't keep your personality hidden. You should be proud of who you are. That's what she says.'
I'm confused. No one ever said that to me. Now I feel miserable having to wear one of mum's specials. It's bound to have long sleeves and a buttoned up neck, and it won't be above the knee, I know.
As we disperse, I catch sight of Tom. He's staring at me again and grinning. His mop of ginger hair looks more wild than ever. Wonder if he's been playing football? I smile back. He's walking away again now. I wonder why he never says anything? Perhaps he's shy. Sandy says he'll be at the prom. She knows everything the boys are doing.
It's amazing. Sandy's given me one of her dresses to try on when I get home. Wow! Better not let mum see it. It's not like any of mine. It's candy striped, bright pink and yellow, low at the front and the way the top's cut, it shows nearly all my shoulders. It's a halter neck, I think. The full skirt is short and it's got lots of frilly petticoats underneath.
I'd love to wear it but mum would never let me. I'll give it back to Sandy tomorrow.
The last few days have gone quickly and I'm glad. The prom's this evening. Can't wait.
I'm wearing a pale blue dress. Mum found it in the high street. She thinks it suits my blue eyes and brown hair. It's not bad, I suppose, round neck with a big bow, and short sleeves. I love the big shiny belt but it's still not as cool as Sandy's halter neck. Maybe Tom thinks I look drab compared with the other girls. Perhaps he'd say something if I dressed sexier.
Gosh, everyone's here this evening. I can see Sandy and Marge, Florence, Millie and Roberta. They all look so glamorous with their slinky frocks, red lips and high heels. I feel so ordinary in this blue dress.
'Kate! Kate!' Sandy's calling me from across the room.
'What?' I shout, walking towards her
''Come with me. Quick!'
She grabs my hand and drags me down the corridor.
'Where we going?' I ask, practically falling over my feet trying to keep up with her.
We go into the toilets and she disappears into the end cubicle, then reappears with a carrier bag.
'I hid it here the other day. Go on...put it on!'
I peer into the cavity. My hand goes to my mouth to stifle a cry of excitement. It's the halter neck dress. Oh my God! Should I put it on?
'Go on! Hurry! Tom will be here soon.'
Yes... Tom...of course. Yes I will put it on. I really want to make an impression. I rush into a cubicle and, with difficulty, wriggle out of the blue monstrosity and into the fantastic candy striped dress.
I look in the mirror. Wow! Just need a bit more war paint: brighter pink lipstick, more blusher and thicker eyelashes.
'You look amazing, Kate. Put on more eye shadow!'
I smear more sparkly purple all over my eyelids and up to my eyebrows. I walk back into the ballroom feeling like a sexy rock chick. When I look across to the juice bar I can see Tom with his friends. They nudge him and he swivels round. He's staring at me now. I smile first this time. I keep smiling but he's not smiling back. I can't believe it. He's turning towards the bar and ignoring me. His friends are nudging him again, but he's not taking the slightest bit of notice.
I walk quickly across the room and sit on a bar stool.
'Mango cocktail please,' I ask Mr. Hayton who's serving the drinks.
I keep peeking down the bar to see if Tom's looking at me, but he's not. Why? I thought this would be a good time for us to get together. He looks good too. Love the quiff and those groovy black jeans. Wait, who's this coming up to me? It's his mate, Grant. What does he want?
'Hi Kate!'
'Hi Grant!'
'Tom wants to know why you're wearing that stupid dress and all that make-up. He says you look like a badly iced cake.'
Crumby, what a bombshell. I glance along the bar. Tom's still facing the other way.
'What shall I tell 'im?' asks Grant.
I'm in a mess now. What shall I say? There's only one thing for it.
'Just tell him to look at me again in ten minutes.'
I rush back to the cubicle, put my blue dress on again, and wipe off some make up. I stuff the halter neck back in the carrier and hide it behind the cistern. Sandy can collect it later.
'Kate! What've you done?' Sandy looks horrified when I return, but I don't care. I can see Tom standing at the bar. He's looking in my direction again. Thank goodness, this time he's smiling. Yes, he's really smiling, and he's walking over. Oh my God! My stomach's churning. My mouth's going dry too.
'You look nice,' he says
'Thanks Tom. So do you.'
'That other dress was awful. You looked like a half-dressed birthday cake. All your lovely personality was hidden under that pile of stripy icing.'
He's laughing, but I'm not sure if that's a compliment or not.
'And all that make up. Looked like camouflage. Don't know why you'd want to hide yourself away like that. Come on! Let's have dance.'
I'm finding it difficult to keep up my smile. Fancy Tom thinking I was hiding myself away. That dress was supposed to be revealing.
Still, iced cake or not...it's been a real ice-breaker. I'll have to thank Sandy for lending it to me. Tom's taken hold of my hand now. He's squeezing my fingers. His arm's going round my waist. My heart's really pounding.
So that's what they meant about being demure. Yes, I get it now. If I look too showy, the real me is hidden.
Last edited by Agatha Christie; 08-20-2013 at
.. Reason: change final two words.
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1,996 words. (No italics or bold formatting.)
A long, silver luxury car stopped at the steps of the McMillan Centre for the Arts. Freda stood just beyond the top step, holding her portfolio to her chest. Her eyes were wet from crying, and her purple hair blew chaotically in the warm August wind. She watched blankly as the driver walked around and opened the passenger-side door. Rachael Emmanuel, the famous performance artist emerged, spread a hand over her embroidered silk skirt, and then made her way up the stairs.
Freda thought that she walked like a robot; every step as cold and calculated as the previous. The woman wore dark glasses and looked straight ahead as though no one else existed. A woman made wealthy for wearing meat dresses and screaming at cats. Freda looked down at her shoes and waited as the very important Rachael Emmanuel walked by. Minutes passed. She wondered what she could have done differently, how people could be so cold, so completely without soul, and how they could regard rotting meat and bad behaviour so highly.
A woman's voice broke through her thoughts.
"Freda Mitchell!"
Freda turned her head, and saw the Director's secretary, Christina, approaching her with an envelope in her hand. She shook her head vigorously, and ran down the stairs as quickly as she could, clinging to her portfolio.
"Miss Mitchell," Christina shouted, waving the envelope in the air. "Please come back!"
Freda hurried around the corner of the Arts Centre and out of sight. She pressed her back hard against a granite wall, just behind a Japanese maple with bright red leaves.
"Leave me alone", she whimpered. Freda shuddered and breathed heavily. Finally, she took hold of her self. Suddenly cool, growing angry, she made her decision.
"One day. You'll see. I'll be in an exhibition," she said.
She threw the portfolio to the ground and ran toward the subway station, crying.
Summer, fall and winter passed, and no one noticed Freda's discarded portfolio.
"Akihiro! Lunch is over," Scott, the gardener's foreman, shouted.
"Yes, boss," Akihiro, shouted back from his truck. He replaced the lid on his bento box and shoved it into his backpack, then ran to the foreman.
"You're a Jap. Go clear the maples on the east side. Japanese maples. Shouldn't be a problem for you, am I right?" Scott said. Akihiro glared at him for an instant, then quickly painted a smile across his face.
Akihiro began work cleaning the grounds under the string of maples, pulling his frustrations out through the rake. It snagged on something, and he tugged harder. Then he saw the black corner of what looked like a leather case. Freda's portfolio, damp and cracked from exposure to the elements, had finally been found.
Akihiro had to have it. There was something about it that made him feel sad and protective. Looking from side to side, as though he had stolen goods in his hands, Akihiro held the portfolio to his chest and hurried to his truck. He hid the portfolio in his backpack before rushing back to his work.
After the day, back in his little apartment, Akihiro set the damp portfolio on his coffee table and opened it. One look inside nearly brought him to tears.
"Ruined", he whispered.
He began separating the stuck together sheets of water-colour canvasses. Reds and blues, oranges and greens, yellows and browns all smeared and running together, ruined by the rain and the melting snow. There wasn't enough room to dry them on his coffee table, so he set the remainder on his kitchen counters, the lamp table, on cleared shelves, and even on the floor. Thirty-six, 16x11 water-colour canvases lay around his apartment.
Akihiro sat on a stool beside his kitchen counter and stared at one of the paintings, gently fanning it with a piece of cardboard.
"Who are you," he said. "What happened?"
He hadn't expected the painting to answer, but he hoped that it would. Then he realized that the paintings wouldn't dry properly lying down, so he searched for twine to hang them. He found only a reel of green string, and nothing to hold the canvasses.
"I'll be back," he said, and rushed out the door.
The late March sun streamed through the high windows of the Art Centre main hall, illuminating red and orange banners hung on the back wall. The Centre Director, a trim man wearing a stylish, dark blue suit, approached the podium standing just in front of the banners. He reached into a side pocket and withdrew his glasses, looked at the audience, and put them on. He was addressing the employees and volunteers returning after the winter break.
"Another year begins, ladies and gentleman. We have an exhibition of the works of the Canadian painters, The Group of Seven, including additional works by their key members, Tom Thompson and Emily Carr. As you know, this is a real honour."
A round of applause lifted into the air and resounded throughout the hall. The Director smiled like a politician. After a short and prim speech on the importance of their work, the Director removed his glasses and returned them to his pocket.
"Welcome back, employees and volunteers alike. Enjoy the complementary cake and wine."
Another round of applause, and everyone began mingling and re-introducing themselves to each other.
"Christina," the Director said when he entered his upper floor office. "I'm surprised that you are not mingling with the others."
"Well," she said, smiling. "I prefer real cake and real wine."
"Oh, don't be so cynical, Christina," he said.
She had been examining a 16x11 canvas, and set it down on her desk.
"What is this," the Director asked, move to behind her to have a better look.
"It's a water-colour I've been keeping since last season. An artist left it last fall, after you rejected her work. I tried to give it back to her but she ran," she said. The Director took another look and harrumphed.
"No wonder she ran from it. It's hideous. Burn it."
"Of course, sir," Christina said. I will do no such thing, she thought.
Christina adored the water-colour. She didn't want to burn it and she didn't want to give it back, but she felt compelled to do something. However, fate may have already made the decision for her. She had not been able to find Freda Mitchell. Perhaps she is a vagrant, Christina thought.
Akihiro returned to his apartment with stronger twine and wooden clothespins. He stretched four lines of twine, and then hung the paintings to dry, resulting in four lines with nine paintings each.
He paced before each row of canvasses, looking for patterns in the smeared water-colour; only random patterns, only chaos. Finally, he sat on his sofa and sighed. Who had lost the paintings? How had they been left behind the maples? He felt drawn to them, and he felt deep sadness.
It was getting late, and Akihiro had an early start the next day. Exhausted both physically and emotionally, he crawled into his bed and fell asleep.
A sound awoke him in the night. He listened. It came again, like a wind through the trees.
"Hello?" he said. Wind again. "Who's there," he demanded. Nothing.
Startled, he bolted up in his bed. It sounded like something fell in the living room. He looked around for something to use as a weapon. He had his father's pistol, but he hated guns. He saw his guitar hanging on the wall, and grabbed it as quietly as he could. He took hold of the neck with both hands and crept slowly toward the living room.
"I have a weapon," he shouted. Akihiro approached the corner of the wall that led to the living room.
Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind swirled through the living room and down the hall. He held the guitar up and crouched down. Rustling of leaves. More wind through the trees.
Bang, bang, bang, bang, BANG reverberated from the living room.
Akihiro fell back to the floor. He fumbled to find his cell phone, but he'd left it on the kitchen counter.
"Damn," he whispered. What is going on!
All was quiet. He waited and heard nothing for several minutes. Maybe just the wind knocking over the lamp, he thought. Or a neighbour's cat came in from the balcony?
Still no sound. Gaining confidence, Akihiro crept back toward the living room. Slowly, he turned the corner into the living room.
There, between two lines of canvasses, was the outline of a person in shadow.
"Gah!" he shouted, and then slapped his hand up against the wall light switch. Light flooded the room. The shadow was gone. There were only the hanging water-colours, and his table lamp smashed in the middle of the floor.
Akihiro looked up at the painting closest to him. Was that an eye? He leaned forward to take a closer look. It was an eye, and it blinked.
"Hello, Officer Daniels? Finally. This is Christina Blake at the Arts Centre. Is it acceptable to file a missing persons report on someone not in the family? I see. Yes, her name is Freda Mitchell. Pardon me? Ok."
Christina fidgeted with her phone in one hand and the painting in the other, and waited while the officer put her on hold.
"Yes, I'm still here. What? Oh my god," she said. "No, officer. She came to the office to display her artwork. No. Ok, thank you, Officer Daniels," she said.
She slid her thumb across her phone and set it on her desk. Christina held the picture and shook her head.
"You poor girl," she said.
Christina replaced the painting in the envelope, and slipped it into her purse. It was well after closing time, and she needed a drink. Maybe three.
Christina was awakened in the middle of the night to her phone ringing. She reached for it through sleepiness and a slight hangover. Who could be calling at this time of night?
"Hello," she said. "What?" Christina swung her legs over the side of the bed and put on her slippers with one hand.
"Yes, officer, of course. I'll be there as soon as I can.
Someone had broken into the Arts Centre in the night, but the officer had not given details.
As quickly as she could, Christina got dressed and grabbed her purse. She regretted her decision to drink an entire bottle of wine. Within thirty minutes she was walking through police line and into the Arts Centre.
"Ah, Miss Blake," an officer said as he saw her. "Thank you for coming. Just follow me. This should only take a minute."
The officer ushered her into one of the main exhibition rooms, cordoned off with police tape. There, in the centre of the floor, was the body of a young man in a pool of smeared blood. The room was dark, and Christina could not see clearly.
"Hey, someone get these lights on," the officer shouted.
"Do you know this man," the officer asked, showing her a picture.
"I don't think so," she said.
"Well, he was calling your name. His name is Akihiro Kashumi. He allegedly went crazy, murdered the Director, and pasted those water-colours on the wall with the Director's blood."
Christina looked up at the wall behind Akihiro. It was a mosaic of 16x11 canvasses, unclear in the dark.
"Why would he do such a horrible thing," she asked.
Suddenly, the lights came on.
"I don't know Miss, perhaps you can tell me," the officer said.
Barely hidden in the colours of the mosaic was the image of Freda's angry face, her eyes wild, and her lips in a vicious snarl. Christina froze.
"Well?" the officer said.
"My god. It's Freda Mitchell," she said.
Christina numbly removed the painting from the envelope in her bag. It was a self-portrait.
An eye in the portrait winked.
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The Hiding Place - Autumn contest entry.
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Somewhere, Someone is having the best day of their life.
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The LA Times just posted its review of "Heart of a Soldier", the San Francisco Opera's newly commissioned opera about the life of Rick Rescorla which premiered last night.
You may not remember his name, but Rescorla was the head of Morgan Stanley's security at the World Trade Center on 9/11 who famously overruled the Port Authority's suggestion that everyone remain in the South Tower. Because of his decision — and previous planning, insistence on semi-annual evacuation drills, etc. — only a handfull of Morgan Stanley's thousands of workers in the South Tower were lost. Unfortunately, he was included in that handful.
Murdoc Online posted about Rescorla yesterday.
The LA Times review was kindly worded, but reading between the lines, the opera is only OK.
Let's give the SFO credit for trying, though. Opera companies have gotten good at pretending they are moving the art form forward by producing avante garde productions of the same old classics. All too few are taking chances with new material. Perhaps more importantly, too few have found interesting contemporary topics for new material.
"Heart of a Soldier", at least, has an epic story line — Vietnam Vet heroically saves thousands on 9/11. I, for one, have my fingers crossed that (i) the LA Times is being a little hard on the production or (ii) at the very least, SFO continues to look for ways to move the art form forward.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
I am still building my twink hunter for the 20-24 bracket, but yesterday I realized that I was doing it wrong. I shouldn't have rolled an orc. Or, more correctly, I shouldn't have started with an orc.
Not because I don't want to play an Orc hunter. Because I do. Seriously, look at her! She's a total badass at level 5. She has a boar named BustaSwines.
Not because I don't want a boar named BustaSwines. Because, BustaSwines. How fucking awesome is he? TOTALLY FUCKING AWESOME. It's almost as good as Scratchfever. It might even be better!
Not because I don't want to play Horde in the 20-24 bracket, where we'll be outnumbered by hordes of F2P twinks who rolled Alliance for two reasons – they have better F2P gear, and the general new player Alliance bias.
Not because I don't intend to provide an object lesson for the New Player Forum Crew about how much fun it will be to take out every single one of their frustrations on the F2P threads that keep popping up in their forum (because there's no other place F2P accounts can post) with well-placed arrows and bullets of vengeance.
Not because I don't need the Signet of Argas, because I do.
Not because I don't need Ello's Band, because I need that too.
Or, because I knew I was going to need those two rings (at least), that I probably shouldn't go roll Horde, faction change to Alliance, and then faction change to Horde again, because that's a waste of $25. Or $30, whatever.
No, it hit me that there was a much more compelling reason to reroll Alliance, get all the gear I could, and then faction change to Horde.
I could play an Orc in a top hat.
Hello, puppy!


text:
James Bullock
To print fund fact sheets, please use the print option in the Factsheet Tools section in the top right corner:
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A way for individual investors to pool their money together, allowing them to invest in assets that would otherwise be unobtainable
Fund manager
The person who decides where the fund's money should be invested. As such, finding a talented manager (such as those with a Citywire rating) is of paramount importance
Funds are grouped together into sectors, allowing fund managers to be judged against their benchmarks and peer group. Each sector has rules about what assets funds are allowed to invest in
A generic term meaning 'what you own'. If you can buy it, it's an asset. In the world of investments the most common assets are shares, bonds, property and cash.
Asset class
A group of assets with similar properties. For example, while shares will rise or fall in price individually, economic factors can affect all shares similarly. The same economic factors might affect bonds very differently – so shares and bonds are separate asset classes.
Asset allocation
The process of deciding which asset classes to invest in. Successful asset allocation is often more important than selecting individual assets (for example deciding whether to invest mainly in shares, rather than which shares to invest in). Since most fund managers are tied to their sector rules, you need to either do your own asset allocation or buy a managed fund.
A measure of how different areas of the markets are performing, against which funds can be compared. For example, a fund in the UK All Companies sector might be compared against the FTSE All-Share index of every company traded on the London Stock Exchange. A good fund manager will be able to beat the benchmark most of the time, but very few can.
A contract representing something of financial value. Shares and bonds are the most common types of securities.
Managed funds
Unlike most funds, which are restricted to investing in particular markets by the rules of their sector, managed funds can invest in just about anything. While they can have subtly different objectives, they are split into 'Active Managed', where the manager is given free reign; 'Balanced Managed', where the manager can invest a maximum of 85% in shares to reduce risk; and 'Cautious Managed' with a 60% maximum in shares.
A share in a company represents part ownership of its assets (e.g. its buildings, intellectual property and so on) and its future income (paid out as dividends). The value of a share depends largely on other investors' expectations of the company's future growth and income.
Companies can issue bonds as a way of raising money. When you buy a bond, the company is agreeing to pay you a fixed income (hence the alternative name 'fixed income securities') for a certain time period, after which your money is repaid. If investors suspect a company may be unable to repay, they will demand a higher income or 'yield' - hence 'high yield bonds'.
The possibility that your investment objectives won't be met. The most obvious variety is 'capital risk' – the possibility that you won't get your money back – but there are many other forms such as currency risk, income risk, inflation risk (that your investments won't keep pace with the cost of living) and so on. To get better returns, you must accept more risk – this is a law of physics in investing, no matter what the people who advertise funds like to claim. Understanding your own risk tolerance is crucial.
A measure of how your investments have performed, relative to your initial investment. For example if you invest £1,000 in a fund, and a year later your investment is worth £1,100, you've made a 10% return.
Maximum loss
Otherwise known as maximum 'drawdown', this is a measure of how much you would lose if you bought an investment at its most expensive and sold at its cheapest (which, owing to the frailties of human psychology, often happens). For example if a fund was worth £1 a unit at one point but then fell to 50p – regardless of what happened in the meantime – the fund's loss would be 50%. Comparing the maximum loss for different managers over a given period is a good way of seeing who's doing the best job of safeguarding investors' money.
Please see terms and conditions for restrictions on use of Citywire's Fund Manager database.
Total returns in each sector over
Equity - Global
Equity - Global
99.7%Average manager 59.4%
Equity - Global99.7%
Fund Manager's Citywire Ratings History
- Rated AAA in Apr 2018
- Rated AAA in May 2018
- Rated AAA in Jun 2018
- Rated AAA in Jul 2018
- Rated AA in Aug 2018
- Rated AA in Sep 2018
- Rated AA in Oct 2018
News about: James Bullock
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Fund Manager's Citywire Ratings History
- Rated AAA in Apr 2018
- Rated AAA in May 2018
- Rated AAA in Jun 2018
- Rated AAA in Jul 2018
- Rated AA in Aug 2018
- Rated AA in Sep 2018
- Rated AA in Oct 2018


text:
All Star Fishing
- Everett, Washington 98201
- Vendor Type: Guides
- Fishing Type: Freshwater
- Fishing Style: Spin / Bait Casting
Optimize This Listing: Is this your business? Click here to claim your listing.
Request Booking/Information
Call today (802) 347- 4550 or fill out the form below to plan your next fishing adventure:


text:
Today is the release day for the final book in Jennifer Probst's Marriage to a Billionaire series. The first book in the series, The Marriage Bargain, will always hold a special place in my heart because it got me reading series romance again. I really loved that book, and how the author was able to make Nicholas a worthy partner for spirited Alexa. He was such a pinhead in the beginning of the book! I did not like him at all, and was getting nervous that I never would. But enter one mangy dog, and Nick's attitude on life changed forever. Alexa was also like a freight train. Once she had a goal, nothing was going to stop her from achieving it. If you haven't read this series yet, please do consider giving it a go.
About the book:
Her sisters have found wedded bliss with their wealthy,wonderful dream men, but not Julietta Conte. She's stayed on terra firma as top executive of the family's corporation, La Dolce Famiglia bakery. Work is her passion, and her trendy Milan apartment her sanctuary . . . until Sawyer Wells, a masculine masterpiece in a suit, lures her out of hiding with an irresistible offer: an exclusive partnership with his international chain of boutique hotels.
Julietta's been burned before—and trusting her brother-in-law's friend, whose powerful gaze alone has her rethinking the best use of a conference room, is the riskiest proposition. But with a once-in-a-career chance to take the bakery global, will she mix stone-cold business with red-hot seduction?
Thanks to Gallery Books, I have a copy of The Marriage Merger to giveaway. Just fill out the widget for your chance to win. US addresses only, please.
Links to purchase the other books in the series:


text:
CAMPAIGNING gran Gwen Parr has launched a petition to keep respite services at a "flagship" Westhoughton care centre.
She has collected dozens of signatures in a bid to force Bolton Council to change its plan to close intermediate care and short-term respite beds at Winifred Kettle care home, in Leigh Road.
It is part of a scheme which will see also Firwood House in Crompton Way close, as the council reorganises the way people are cared for after they are discharged from hospital.
Health bosses say the changes will mean residents will be cared for in their own homes, if possible.
Under the plans, Winifred Kettle will still run its day care services as an older people's wellbeing centre — but retired business analyst Mrs Parr said the support it currently provides for elderly Westhoughton residents is vital.
The 73-year-old says she is concerned that should anything happen to her in the future, her husband James, who has Parkinsons disease, would have to travel to Breightmet to see her.
Mrs Parr, of Daisy Hill, said: "I've written to all the local councillors, Bolton Council's adult services department, the MP Julie Hilling and MEP Robert Atkins about this issue.
"Winifred Kettle gives such a wonderful service, 24 hours a day. It's a flagship. It's our security and it is desperately needed by the community. We have now to go to the other side of Bolton to Laburnum Lodge — it's awful.
"We are going to fight it as hard as we can."
A spokesman for Bolton Council said the plans, developed in partnership with NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, were aimed at giving people more opportunity to stay in their homes after they have been discharged from hospital.
He said: "If given the option, many people who fall ill would prefer to stay at home first before having to leave their familiar surroundings, and nationally this is the proven route to recovery.
"We are proposing a simpler way of providing intermediate care services, which will see the number of intermediate care beds reduced from 80 to 62 and concentrated on two sites.
"This will still leave us with more intermediate care beds than are available on average throughout England.
"However, recognising that most older people would prefer to remain at home, the care provided in people's own homes will be improved and increased to more than a third of what is currently available and will be provided 365 days a year."
Residents are invited to email their comments to email@example.com before the end of January.
A further report finalising the proposals will be produced in February, with the plans due to be implemented from April 2014.
Copies of the petition are available to sign in shops in Westhoughton, including The Salon in Marsden Street, and the newsagents and pottery studio in Market Street.


text:
The Society for Mathematical Psychology promotes the advancement and communication of research in mathematical psychology and related disciplines. Mathematical psychology is broadly defined to include work of a theoretical character that uses mathematical methods, formal logic, or computer simulation. The Society journal is the Journal of Mathematical Psychology.
|Tenure-Track Position at UC Irvine
|Tuesday, 10 September 2013 04:00
The Department of Cognitive Sciences (www.cogsci.uci.edu) at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor faculty position. Of particular interest are cognitive neuroscientists who combine experimental research with innovative quantitative analysis and modeling. The successful candidate will interact with a dynamic and growing community in cognitive, computational, and neural sciences within the department and in the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience.
Interested candidates should apply online at:


text:
Joe LombardiNew Orleans Saints
Assistant Coach
Ht: | Wt:
News | Stats | Stat vs. Team | Targets | Injury | Depth Chart | Roster
|Saints | Hire three coaches
Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:40:20 -0800
Former Miami Dolphins interim head coach Dan Campbell, former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and former Cleveland Browns assistant coach Aaron Glenn were hired by the New Orleans Saints Wednesday, Jan. 13. Lombardi will return to his former role with the Saints as quarterbacks coach, Glenn will be a secondary coach and Campbell will be an assistant head coach/tight ends coach.
|Comment (0)
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|| Source: ESPN.com - Mike Triplett
|Lions | Detroit offensive personnel fired
Mon, 26 Oct 2015 13:46:22 -0700
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn and assistant offensive line coach Terry Heffernan were let go Monday, Oct. 26, according to sources. Quarterbacks coach Jim Bob Cooter will take over as the new offensive coordinator. Look for Cooter, and assistant in Indianapolis with head coach Jim Caldwell, and an offensive assistant in Denver in 2013 when Peyton Manning posted huge numbers, to use short to intermediate routes to help QB Matthew Stafford get rid of the ball quicker. The Lions must also protect their quarterback better.
Fantasy Tip: The usually potent Detroit offense has been relatively stagnant so far this year, especially the running game. Whether these changes make a difference remains to be seen, but it couldn't have been much worse than it has been for the Lions. Things won't change overnight, especially if the protection isn't better and the running game doesn't vastly improve, but if they make the right adjustments for Stafford they could be slightly more efficient in the pass game. Just don't expect much downfield just yet.
|Comment (0)
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|| Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
|Lions | Play caller won't change for Lions
Tue, 29 Sep 2015 15:17:10 -0700
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi will remain the play caller on offense despite the Lions' recent struggles, according to head coach Jim Caldwell. "It's not an easy fix," Caldwell said. "It takes work and I think we're on the right track. I just think that we obviously, we're just kind of missing a little bit here or there which is kind of enough to slow us down." Caldwell also said that he believes the issue lies in execution.
Fantasy Tip: There have been big plays here and there for the Lions, as Caldwell indicated, but their ability to spread the field with deep plays has been lacking. Again, Detroit's offensive starters are risky plays on the road against the Seattle Seahawks.
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|| Source: ESPN.com - Michael Rothstein
|Lions | Detroit offense struggling
Fri, 25 Sep 2015 08:30:57 -0700
The Detroit Lions have scored only 23 points in their last 98 minutes of action and rank in the bottom third of the league in total offense (25th), rushing offense (31st) and turnovers. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said he's optimistic that they can turn it around, but they'll face a stingy defense in the Denver Broncos in Week 3. Detroit's offensive line has been at the root of their problems with shaky pass protection and inconsistent run blocking.
Fantasy Tip: To compound issues, Matthew Stafford ($7,300, 14.6% of cap) is dealing with bruised ribs and likely won't be 100% for the Sunday night game against a tough Denver defense. Temper your expectations for all of Detroit's offensive weapons this weekend on FantasyScore.
|Comment (0)
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|| Source: Detroit Free Press - Dave Birkett
|Lions | Yet to decide on coaching changes
Wed, 07 Jan 2015 04:21:49 -0800
Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell has yet to decide whether any changes will be made to his coaching staff for 2015. Caldwell defended offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, even as the Lions' offense dropped to 19th overall in the NFL after being in the top six from 2011-2013.
|Comment (0)
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|| Source: Mlive.com - Kyle Meinke
|Lions | Coach to limit playbook
Thu, 20 Nov 2014 11:05:15 -0800
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi plans to limit the team's playbook Thursday, Nov. 20. "I don't know if you would say the playbook, just the number of calls that we're going to put on the call sheet," Lombardi said. "You kind of overplan and have more offense than maybe what you need, being prepared for different situations. So it's just being a little bit more precise during the week. Maybe having a little less insecurity as a coach. Sometimes you'll go, hey, I want all these plays in case and we don't need them.
|Comment (0)
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|| Source: ESPN.com - Michael Rothstein
|Lions | OC does not think Matthew Stafford has INT problem
Fri, 07 Feb 2014 19:38:42 -0800
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said QB Matthew Stafford needs to improve but also does not believe all of the interceptions Stafford threw are his fault. "There are interceptions that happen because a receiver breaks his route off too early, or goes through a receivers hands. Get's tipped at the line of scrimmage. So, I was a little encouraged after watching that. This was not an interception machine," Lombardi said.
|Comment (0)
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|| Source: DetroitLions.com - Tim Twentyman
|Lions | Joe Lombardi to call plays
Fri, 07 Feb 2014 08:39:44 -0800
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said he thinks he'll be calling the offensive plays for the 2014 season, despite never having called a play in the NFL before. The Lions' playbook is expected to look similar to what the New Orleans Saints have done in recent seasons. "You're going to see some differences," Lombardi said. "But the playbook that we're starting from is the Saints playbook." It's unclear if Lombardi will be calling plays from the sideline or the press box, and it'll likely depend on who the team hires as a quarterbacks coach.
|Comment (0)
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|| Source: ESPN.com - Michael Rothstein
|Lions | Hire Joe Lombardi as OC
Tue, 21 Jan 2014 20:55:46 -0800
Updating a previous report, the Detroit Lions announced Tuesday, Jan. 21, that New Orleans Saints quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi has been hired as the offensive coordinator.
|Comment (0)
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|| Source: KFFL.com
|Lions | To hire Joe Lombardi
Tue, 21 Jan 2014 06:15:03 -0800
The Detroit Lions will hire New Orleans Saints quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi as their new offensive coordinator.
|Comment (0)
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|| Source: ESPN - Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter
Also see


text:
J.J. Abrams, who has made a name for himself writing, directing and producing such hits as "Lost" and "Star Trek," was tapped in January to direct "Star Wars: Episode VII." (Tracey Nearmy / European Pressphoto Agency)Link
Abrams made his first foray into television in 1998, co-creating the coming-of-age drama "Felicity," which starred Keri Russell as the title character. The show won a Golden Globe and an Emmy. (The WB)Link
Abrams created the Jennifer Garner-starring spy thriller series "Alias," which won four Emmys and a Golden Globe. (Norman Jean Roy / ABC)Link
J.J. Abrams on the set of "Mission: Impossible III," the first feature film he directed. The film earned nearly $400 million at the worldwide box office. (Paramount Pictures)Link
Director J.J. Abrams and star Tom Cruise on the set of "Mission: Impossible III." (Paramount Pictures)Link
Director J.J. Abrams and star Tom Cruise pose atop Shanghai's historic Bund 18 building after wrapping up filming in China for "Mission: Impossible III" on Nov. 30, 2005. (Associated Press)Link
Abrams co-created "Lost" with Jeffrey Lieber and Damon Lindelof. The suspense-filled show followed a group of people after their plane crashed on an island. The massively popular series became a cultural touchstone, with millions of viewers tuning in for twist after twist. (ABC)Link
J.J. Abrams is photographed in Los Angeles in April 2006. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles TimesLink
J.J. Abrams, second from left, poses with the cast members from "Fringe," a sci-fi television series he co-created with Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. (Rich Lam / Getty Images)Link
J.J. Abrams reveals his first casting for his 2009 reboot of "Star Trek" during a 2007 Comic-Con panel in San Diego. (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)Link
A scene from Abrams' 2009 film "Star Trek," which raked in more than $385 million worldwide. (Paramount Pictures)Link
Steven Spielberg, left, co-produced the 2011 film "Super 8," which J.J. Abrams wrote and directed. The pair are shown here at a 2009 dinner honoring Spielberg in Beverly Hills. (Michael Kovac / WireImage)Link
J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg on the set of "Super 8." (Paramount Pictures)Link
Director J.J. Abrams and actor Kyle Chandler on the set of "Super 8." (Paramount Pictures)Link
Young actors Joel Courtney and Riley Griffiths discuss a scene with director J.J. Abrams on the set of "Super 8." (Paramount Pictures)Link
J.J. Abrams, left, and Eric Kripke executive produce the post-apocalyptic adventure series "Revolution." The pair are photographed here at Abrams' company Bad Robot in Santa Monica on Aug. 20, 2012. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)Link
Abrams, second from left, shares the stage with "Star Trek Into Darkness" actor Benedict Cumberbatch, star Chris Pine and producer Bryan Burk during a December 2012 press conference for the sequel to their 2009 blockbuster. (Koji Sasahara / Associated Press)Link
J.J. Abrams and his wife Katie McGrath are co-chairs of the Children's Defense Fund of California. They're photographed here in December 2012. (Mark Davis / Getty Images)Link
J.J. Abrams is photographed in Beverly Hills in June 2011. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)Link
J.J. Abrams is photographed in Beverly Hills in June 2011. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)Link
Last month, news that J.J. Abrams would direct "Star Wars: Episode VII" took the entertainment world by storm.
Today, a new conversation begins — who'll direct the "Star Wars" spinoff movies that Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg are writing?
In an interview with CNBC Tuesday, Walt Disney Co. chairman and CEO Robert Iger confirmed that in addition to releasing "Star Wars: Episode VII," Disney will also distribute "a few" stand-alone films that are not part of the overall saga.
Kasdan, who co-wrote the screenplay for "Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back," and Kinberg are working on the scripts for two of those projects.
Online speculation has suggested Yoda would be the subject of one of the movies, but Iger did not specify which characters might receive stand-alone treatment.
It's big news that is sure to generate a lot of talk on the part of "Star Wars" fans, many of whom had a decidedly mixed reaction to word that Abrams had been handed the keys to the "Star Wars" franchise. Some suggested that no one man should creatively control both "Star Wars" and "Star Trek."
Abrams, of course, rebooted "Star Trek" for the big screen in 2009 to much acclaim and rousing box-office receipts, with the film collecting upward of $385 million.
His follow-up, "Star Trek Into Darkness," is due in theaters May 17.
– Gina McIntyre
Follow us on Twitter: @LATHeroComplex
J.J. Abrams set to direct 'Star Wars: Episode VII'
'Star Wars' director watch: Who's out, who's in?
Obama White House says no to Death Star petition
'Star Wars': Michael Arndt signed to pen Episode VII
New 'Star Wars': Lucas won't write or direct
'Trek": Meet the villain, Benedict Cumberbatch
"Sherlock" and "Star Trek": Benedict Cumberbatch lights it up
LeVar Burton engineers new career chapters
Zachary Quinto getting in Spock shape
Nimoy: "Live long and prosper, my friends"


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About eight or nine years ago, I got the scare of my life during deer season.
About eight or nine years ago, I got the scare of my life during deer season.
It was a freezing cold day, the kind of day where your nose freezes as soon as you step outside.
I had climbed a tree — which felt more like a concrete pillar — with my Summit treestand and was getting ready to hunt for the rest of the morning. It took forever to get my hanger screwed into the tree, which was hard as a rock.
It was rifle season and my gun was at the base of the tree, ready for me to pull it up with a rope I had attached.
I turned slowly on the platform to face away from the tree and sit down when my thigh bumped the seat and the teeth of the seat dislodged from the frozen tree. Immediately my seat fell to the platform at my feet.
For the first time ever, I panicked. My heart raced. I grabbed the tree which was behind me and caught my bearings.
From 17 feet up, I nearly did my first and last swan dive. I was able to grab my seat, get it where it belonged and sat down.
Breathe, I thought.
That was the last day I ever climbed a tree without a safety harness. Last. Day. Ever.
And now I think it should be a law — if you want to climb a tree to hunt, wear a harness.
Jay Delaney, the Pennsylvania Game Commission officer for District 7 in the Poconos said it's a common-sense issue, but he wouldn't personally mandate it.
Delaney and the PGC have manpower issues — big time. He's got one wildlife conservation officer in Wyoming County and that person fills in for Sullivan and Lackawanna counties as well.
I understand the argument, I just don't agree with it. The PGC shouldn't dismiss a safety issue over manpower, especially one so honestly put by Delaney as a "common sense safety thing."
The PGC mandates seasons, bag limits, fluorescent orange usage, antler restrictions, licenses and safety zones for hunters to name a few — safety harnesses should be on the list.
It's not cool to talk about safety, Hunter Safety System national sales manager, Michael Wydner, said.
"Models in the past were bulky," Wydner said. "Moving forward we're putting our finger on the next thing."
Safety harnesses are lighter, easier to use, comfortable and give hunters peace as they climb. They also save lives and broken limbs, but statistics are not kept by the PGC or Hunter Safety System.
"I'm glad, as an outdoor writer, you recognize this," Delaney said of publicizing the issue. "If you get a half dozen people to see that they could fall, you've done your job."
If the PGC would discuss the issue in the future, I'd feel even better.


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How to retrieve my phpList admin password
Written by Jacob Nicholson
Views: 4,690
Published: Feb 4, 2014
Comments: 0
In this article we'll discuss how you can retrieve your phpList admin password, in case you've forgotten it, and now can't login to your phpList admin dashboard.
Forgot phpList admin password?
Follow these steps to have your current phpList admin password e-mailed to you.
- Access your phpList admin dashboard from your web-browser, for our example this would be:
- In the text-box beside Forgot Password?: Enter your email:
Enter in your email account of your phpList admin user, then click Send Password
The phpList admin page should refresh with the message:
Your password has been sent by email
- Check your email that you entered in, you should simply receive a message that states:
Your password is h@rdP@$$w0rd
You should now have your current phpList admin password. Go ahead and attempt to login to your phpList admin dashboard again.
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Whether you volunteer, support our campaigns or fundraise for us, everything you can do will make a real difference to the lives of refugees.
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Here's one that could have used an editor.
The New York Post ran a cartoon today that has drawn some heat - not to mention phone calls, e-mails and threats to burn down the building.
I'm guessing its creator, Sean Delonas, thought he could lasso a few things in the news, the economic stimulus package and that wild chimp story.
Why? Why?
Romensko did a nice job of linking the chatter from the chattering MSMers, bloggers, Tweeters.
The Post's editor defended the drawing. "The cartoon is a clear parody of a current news event, to wit the shooting of a violent chimpanzee in Connecticut," Col Allan said in a statement. "It broadly mocks Washington's efforts to revive the economy."
Gawker collects some favorite cartoons that Delonas has drawn. He sure does spot-on work with gay people, too.


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Beauty · Health · Balance
The creation of a healthy, beautiful smile is a powerful experience. We never grow tired of sharing the joy of this transformation with our guests because each of us knows exactly how it feels. We know how it affects every aspect of your life. It changes the way the world sees you, the way you see yourself and how you see the world differently from the inside out. Every day we are reminded of the power of the smile. This is why we strive to provide a positive experience and the ideal smile for each one of our guests.
ADMIRA standing for "The Admiration we have for our guests' dedication to their health". Our focus no longer being on just aesthetics but instead on beauty, total health and finding balance in our lives between work, health, family and spirituality.
Implementation of this total health concept in our practice has had many rewards. We have been instrumental in identifying early signs of cardiac disease, diabetes, sleep apnea and cancer. We have also been instrumental in reversing tendencies toward obesity, high cholesterol, and temporomandibular disorders. We have assembled a network of professionals in all areas of medicine including, but not limited to, functional medical practitioners, nutritionists, wellness coordinators, acupuncturists, neuromuscular therapists and allergy elimination specialists.
We believe if our guests value overall health, then our job is that much easier. So we lead by example and share with our guests what it takes to be healthy. The mouth is the pathway to health and provides a window into their level of health. As dental and healthcare providers we can set the standard in our community in terms of our guests' healthcare management and total well-being. We have the unique opportunity and privilege to guide our guests through the process of obtaining Beauty-Health-Balance.
Contact us to schedule a consultation and to experience the wonder of Neuromuscular Cosmetic Dentistry with Dr. Joe Barton in Jacksonville, Florida.
Don't take it from us – listen to our smiling guests.
Visit our Smile Gallery and Testimonials to see what they have to say.


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Charlie Tangora has worked in the game industry since 2006. He currently works on animation, gameplay, and physics systems at Hello Games. Previously, he worked as a programmer at Naughty Dog and interned at Midway Games in Chicago. He studied computer science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Data Scientist
Christian is currently working at Creative Assembly on the upcoming Total War: Arena title. His main interest lies with highly scalable online systems, but he also enjoys all kinds of other challenges (which brings him to nucl.ai). Prior to joining Creative Assembly, Christian worked as a freelancer on a variety of game and non-game projects, co-founded a startup and worked at SAP.
Jason joined the Australian games industry in 2001. Starting as a generalist game programmer at Krome Studios, where he soon found his passion as an AI programmer. Jason was responsible for designing and developing AI solutions for several AAA titles over a number of years at Krome. He later joined the Hitman team at IO Interactive in 2011. Starting with Hitman: Absolution and continuing with this year's HITMAN. His primary role has been to develop AI systems and behaviors for both titles.
Software Developer
Jannes is a software engineer at the Opaque Media Group. He is currently working on procedural animation and AI for the upcoming VR game Earthlight. Before working at Opaque Jannes has studied cognitive science and worked as a freelancer in Germany for 9 years. Even though Jannes is a generalist he has special interests in parallel computing, AI and animation.
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James is a founder of Opaque Media Group, an award-winning Melbourne-based technology and design company specialising in finding novel uses for existing and emerging technologies and techniques to solve problems across a range of domains. At Opaque, James was once a coder but now draws flowcharts, write documents and arranges meetings. James oversees technical and research teams developing technologies in fields as wide ranging as computer vision systems and advanced physical modelling, and combining new developments with emerging technologies to serve unique purposes. James' team is happiest when they're running ahead of the pack. Scarcely a week can go by without someone coming across a problem that no one has ever encountered before, and the entire company looks forward to them. Sometimes there's no solution with current technology - and that's ok, we plant the ideas and look forward to when reality catches up with our dreams, giving it the occasional nudge along the way. James is currently doing his PhD on modelling strategic action for artificial agents.
Programmer / Artist / Musician
_.isInstanceOf(value:Any, constructor:Function)
Checks whether the value is an instance of the constructor.
Checks whether the value is a numeric integer. A numeric value can be a string containing a number, a
object, etc.
Checks whether the value is valid JSON. See the spec for more information on what constitutes valid JSON.
This function relies on
which is not available in IE7 and earlier.
Checks whether the value is a negative number.
A numeric is something that contains a numeric value, regardless of its type. It can be a string containing a numeric value, exponential notation, a
object, etc.
Checks whether the value is an odd number.
Checks whether the value is a "plain" object created as an object literal (
) or explicitly constructed with
new Object()
. Instances of other constructors are
plain objects.
Checks whether the value is a positive number.
Checks whether the value is a sequential composite type (i.e. arrays and
Checks whether the value is a valid date. That is, the value is both an instance of
and it represents an actual date.
This function does not verify whether the original input to
is a real date. For instance,
new Date("02/30/2014")
is considered a valid date because
coerces that into a representation of 03/02/2014. To validate strings representing a date, consider using a date/time library like
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Checks whether the value is
Functions to build objects.
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_.merge(obj1:Object[, obj:Object...])
Merges two or more objects starting with the left-most and applying the keys rightward.
_.renameKeys(obj:Object, keyMap:Object)
Need Help with Ketamine Drug Detox? Call 800-601-3889Call 800-601-3889
When you hear of the words 'animal tranquilizer' the first thing that comes to mind likely isn't 'I wonder if I would enjoy taking that?' Generally something that is good for animals and used for veterinary purposes should stay that way. However, in the case of Ketamine, this is not always the case.
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that was formerly used on humans as the induction agent for diagnostic and surgical procedures, according to the Drugs and Human Performance Fact Sheets. Though the drug still does have valid medicinal uses for anesthetic purposes, its potential for abuse is so high and its effects so dangerous that it must be tightly controlled. After being abused quite a lot, ketamine was reclassified as a Schedule III controlled substance in 1999.
Despite being made illegal and having its approved medical uses greatly tightened, ketamine abuse is still very common on the club scene and otherwise. It is baffling to many people why and how a drug that is primarily considered an animal tranquilizer is attractive to people for recreational purposes.
Ketamine's liquid form can be injected, though the powder form is more popular on the club scene.
Ketamine is usually injected or snorted, though in the club scene snorting seems to be the more popular method of use, according to the
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. The drug is not easy to manufacture, and so most of the ketamine found on the streets has been stolen from veterinary hospitals or pharmacies.
Though the addictive potential of ketamine is not considered to be extremely high, it has been known to produce tolerance and cravings. In addition, people who use ketamine are known to binge, taking many doses of it in a single event in a similar manner to cocaine.
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You'll also get the latest version of the Rock and Roll with Ember.js 2 book (running in 2.18), just in case.
As Ember releases a new minor version about every 6 weeks, so do I. Pay once for the book, get all the updates for free until Ember 4.0.Pay once for the book, get all the updates for free
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The Encore book will cover topics that take you from a well-grounded Ember developer to a rock star. Rock star? Gosh, did I really say rock star? It'd be really fitting here but it's such a non-sense. I meant someone who not only knows the basics but also masters deeper Ember subjects. Like what - you might ask?
The book will have the following 5 chapters : Data Loading Patterns , Contextual Components , Services , Advanced Ember Data (adapters serializers), and Progressive Web Applications . It is subject to some change, but not a lot. The expected publication date of the book is sometime in the summer of 2018.
If you want to go beyond the basics of Ember and learn about more complex Ember topics, this package is for you. It contains:
If you want to go beyond the basic riffs, that is the book you want. Learn more about it here, just above. , in the previous section
Copyright © 2017 by CADDAC. All Rights reserved.


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On October 19, stung by President Jimmy Carter's charges that he might involve the United States in a nuclear war if elected President, Ronald Reagan made a television address in which he defended his "peace through strength" doctrine and spoke of himself as a man who has a "deep and abiding hope for peace." But in his public statements over the years, Reagan has projected a consistent bellicosity that casts doubt on the authenticity of the "new Reagan" who emerged in the last days of the campaign.
The importance attached to the "moderate" Reagan is nowhere more evident than in the resistance the Reagan-Bush Committee offers to the reporter seeking the transcripts of the five-minute radio broadcasts Reagan has made since 1975, during the times he was not an active Presidential candidate. I have obtained a set of these transcripts covering the years 1975, 1978 and 1979, and they are a rich and revealing source of the candidate's views, for in these talks the real Reagan is speaking privately to "his people" rather than to the electorate. Other reporters have quoted from some transcripts, but I have sought here to assemble in one place the more pertinent views on foreign policy and national security issues contained in them, along with other public pronouncements Reagan has made. As Reagan has said, "I was on radio so many years with those five-day-a-week commentaries. I had a twice-a-week column in more than 100 newspapers throughout the country. How could I change my positions?" His question is his own to answer, in his own words. Revealed is a man who has reacted viscerally to a variety of foreign challenges. These reactions provide the best prognosis of how President Reagan would perform in the Oval Office.
Turning first to the Middle East, would Reagan send the United States to war for oil? He certainly advocates a U.S. military presence in the region. He has said he wants American aircraft and troops stationed in Pakistan, and the planes perhaps also in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere. Last January, he suggested that the planes be manned by U.S. pilots and serviced by U.S. ground personnel. "I think this might be a very, very good time for the United States to show a presence in the Middle East…with the consent of, say, Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia to have a presence there," he said.
Would Reagan meet Soviet aggression in the Middle East with military force? The truth, he replies, "is that we don't have the force…. Now, that is a shame because the Persian Gulf is valuable to us. We can survive without it, but it is absolutely essential to our allies in Western Europe and Japan." The paramount U.S. interest in the Middle East, Reagan says, is to prevent the region from falling under Soviet domination. He sees Saudi Arabia as menaced by the U.S.S.R. and advocates using military force to prevent the country's ruling sheiks from being overthrown by an uprising from within, as well as by aggression from the outside. As he told the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco last May, the United States should send the Russians a "signal": "We should let them know that we are not going to let Saudi Arabia fall, either from trouble within or from aggression without." In June, he expanded on this "doctrine": "We should follow a course of action that would lead [the Russians] to believe that if they…decided to go in there, they would be running into the possibility–the probability–of a confrontation with us. I question whether an uprising in Saudi Arabia would be totally free of Soviet influence. I think their hand would be in there stirring the pot and they would be ready to heed a call to bring order."


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Israel News - Stay Informed, Pray Informed
The newly elected 10th president of the modern State of Israel is most noted politically for his opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Reuven Rivlin is almost universally acknowledged in Israel as being a good and upstanding man and politician. But some would argue that point based on the fact that he is vocally opposed to the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
That's not to say Rivlin is racist (though many of Israel's antagonists will claim as much without reading any further). In fact, Rivlin has often made public his general concern for the local Arab population.
While serving as Speaker of the Knesset in 2011 (pictured), Rivlin, despite being a firm nationalist, strongly opposed a new bill that would give preference to Israeli army veterans in the hiring of government employees.
Rivlin argued that the bill would unfairly discriminate against Israel's Arab minority, most of whom do not serve in the military. He also later opposed a bill that would obligate Israel's Arabs to do national service alongside their Jewish countrymen.
So, what does he think should be done with the Palestinian Arab population?
Rivlin subscribes to the more popular of the one-state solutions, which proposes granting the Palestinians a form of extended autonomy. Under the proposal, the Palestinians would be granted Israeli citizenship, but would vote for their own parliament (as they already do) and largely govern their own affairs (as they already do).
Rivlin's position on the matter is seen as something of an obstacle to his effective execution of his new post. But, in the run-up to the presidential vote, Rivlin vowed that if elected he would set aside politics and be a "man of the people" focused entirely on internal issues.
That would mark a stark contrast to outgoing President Shimon Peres, who was active on the international stage in pushing a two-state solution to the conflict.
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Liquor Commission sued over warehouse contract, unlawful favoritism allegedBy DAVE SOLOMON
New Hampshire Union Leader
February 22. 2013 11:42AM
NASHUA - Attorneys for Law Warehouses of Nashua, as expected, filed suit against the N.H. Liquor Commission late Thursday afternoon, asking for a restraining order to prevent implementation of a 20-year, $200-million contract with Exel Inc., of Westerville, Ohio, claiming the commission "orchestrated a bidding process that was tainted by unlawful favoritism from the start."
In addition to voiding the Exel contract, Law, which is requesting a jury trial, wants the court to declare that all bids are rejected and the project must be re-bid. The Nashua-based warehouse company that has done the warehouse work for the Liquor Commission since the 1970s is also seeking compensation for lost profits, attorney fees and costs it incurred in responding to the liquor commission's request for proposals.
The 42-page complaint, filed in Hillsborough County Southern District, Nashua, outlines in detail allegations against the Liquor Commission that Law attorneys had hinted at as they pursued a Right-to-Know petition designed to acquire as many details of the Exel contract as possible. A Superior Court judge rejected their effort to obtain complete copies of the agreement and related materials, with no redactions.
Nonetheless, the Law attorneys maintain they were able to see enough to support their case. Among other things, they allege that the Liquor Commission and Exel colluded to consistently revise the request for proposals and to extend deadlines in ways that favored Exel to the detriment of other bidders.
Law cites several examples of what it says were biased and unlawful practices, including claims that:
-- Exel's proposal did not meet the most critical requirement of the RFP - a secure warehouse that met certain specifications; nor did it submit a proposal that generates maximum revenues for the state.
-- The Liquor Commission changed the bidding process and retroactively amended the RFP to the exclusive benefit of Exel.
-- Exel was allowed to make its proposal look more cost-competitive by simply ignoring expensive requirements of the RFP, such as committing to an eight-hour turnaround on orders and guaranteeing sufficient storage space.
-- Exel did not cap rate increases after the first 30 months to the consumer price index, as required by the RFP.
-- The Liquor Commission added a criteria that none of the other bidders knew about - automation.
Changes 'not uncommon'
The liquor commission has stated previously that modifications to an RFP while bidding is under way are allowed and not uncommon, and that all requirements of the state bidding statutes were followed.
Law's attorneys argue that the commission went too far, writing that, "Although an agency may, in an RFP, retain the discretion to waive some or all of the requirements, it may not waive a defect that materially deviates from the RFP, places other bidders at a competitive disadvantage or undermines the competitive bidding process."
Law argues that the RFP was amended seven times after the June 7 deadline, and that each extension was to benefit Exel, allowing it more time to find a warehouse in New Hampshire and to apply for a warehouse license, both of which were initially RFP requirements.
"The Liquor Commission allowed Exel to dictate RFP amendments that benefitted Exel alone and exposed the state to delays and cost increases," the lawsuit states.
Law's attorneys say the Liquor Commission was so determined to help Exel find a warehouse site, that the commission engaged the state Department of Resources and Economic Development as a "conduit with local and state agencies to expedite the transition to a facility (Exel) has proposed." That was on Aug. 14, well before the contract award was announced in November.
Contract defended
Attorney General Michael Delaney told the governor and Executive Council on Feb. 6 that he was confident in the Liquor Commission's bidding process, even as he anticipated the Law legal challenge.
"My office has been involved in that process from the beginning," he said. "Not only did we review the process, but we had compliance people and counsel at the table at all times. We feel very comfortable that the Liquor Commission has undertaken a fair process."
Law was the third-place bidder. The second-place bidder, XTL-NH, has also challenged the RFP and bidding process with a direct appeal to the commission but was denied. XTL attorney James Bianco was unavailable for comment as to whether XTL would also consider legal action.
Legislation has been filed in the State House that would ensure future review of all Liquor Commission contracts by the governor and Executive Council, and would strengthen the Right-to-Know law regarding future requests for contract details once they are signed and approved by the state.