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Cathleen Lewis
November 5, 1996-January 15, 1997
by Susan Hoeltzel
The work of Cathleen Lewis is, at its core, conceptual. Her installations
explore the issues of race, gender and identity through formalist abstraction
and the framework of language. Lewis probes the exteriorthe
rituals of beauty, style, and fashionfor ethnic identity, history,
and personal memory. The body is an implied source in much of the work
and hair is a constant metaphor. Mirrors, reflections, and shadows function
visually and create the illusion of an additional corporal presencethey
also include the viewer in many of the works.
Lewis is also interested in exploring how words and images
are reworked, played back or interpreted by the outside worldranging
from the "found" language in Good Presence to the shocking Mexican
ad campaign for a white sale presented in Reflected Values. Good Presence
offers a series of mirrors with silk-screened text and
images of coiffures in silhouette. The work mixes out-takes of
conversations, childhood memories, and a chronology of hairstyle from
1955, the year of Lewis' birth, to the present. Much of the work evokes
complex and paradoxical associations. In Scarification Proudly Made
in the USA, a canvas marked with hot comb burns, recalling early memories
of the familymothers, sisters and auntsand the nurturing/grooming
exercises of childhood. At the same time the work acknowledges a connection
between pain and beauty and the intervention of culture over nature. Its
title is a reminder that in part this ritual finds its meanings through
commonly held values within a community. Hot combs, curling irons, and
braids of blond and black hairpresented in 19th century museum-style
vitrines in the work Boxesread as both archaic devices of
torture and trophies on display.
Lehman College Art Gallery is pleased to present the work of Cathleen Lewis in the gallery's ongoing series, The Bronx Celebrates. This series features the work of artists who have lived, worked, or grown-up in the Bronx and has included Vito Acconci, Lawrence Weiner, Ida Applebroog, Tim Rollins + KOS, and Rigoberto Torres, among others. Lewis was born and raised in the Bronx.
The Bronx Celebrates: Cathleen Lewis was made possible through a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts Visual Arts Program. The work of so many people has contributed to the success of this project. I would like to thank Cathleen Lewis for developing this installation with us and for the time she has spent discussing her work with staff, faculty, students and the public. I would like to acknowledge Carla Chammas, Richard Desroche, and Glenn McMillan of CRG for their assistance, and Ivan Vera for his help with the installation. I would also like to thank Maria Pagliarulo, Ron Cruz, and Jennifer Buckley, the student interns; Mary Ann Siano, the associate director; Phillip Kautz, education coordinator; and Denise Mediavilla, registrar, for their efforts on this projectas always, their advice and good humor has made this project possible.
Binary Oppositions, 1995
Fall, 1995
Black, 1993-95
Artist's Statement
The work begins with a specific idea, usually around issues of gender
and black identity. I then use an array of materials to actualize those
ideas. The present body of work uses text, hair, and rubber as material
as well as metaphor. I am addressing the ways in which visual images,
as well as language, past and present, have helped to shape the way "others"
see us, and ways in which we see ourselves. This "seeing" is predetermined
by prevailing ideas in the dominant culture, which is often masked and
subtly embedded into the subconscious. The site is black bodies as battleground
for this psycho-trauma, although the entire body is not often present.
It could be a specific portion of the body as in "hair," or a reference
to the body as in "savage beauty."
Cathleen Lewis
Exhibition Checklist


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Welcome to SmileyBomb Productions!
developer of BinderStuff and the Haunted Earth setting
Throw an extra dozen flashbangs into your table top gaming experience!
All of Smileybomb Productions's products are developed with support from the Cascadia Gaming Collective. Please check out the excellent work of our partners at Galahad Games and L.K. Whyte for more unique world content.

subset: commoncrawl


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The world market for 1,3 butadiene is largely driven by demand for elastomers due to their extensive use in manufacture of tires. The global market for 1,3 butadiene was estimated at USD 22 billion for the year 2011, and is estimated to rise by 45.6% in the next 5 years and reach a market size of approximately 32 billion by year 2018.
To Read The Complete Report with TOC: http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/analysis/152323
The demand for elastomers is expected to rise at a CAGR of 5.8% during 2012 – 2018, which in turn will drive the 1.3 butadiene market growth, growing at 6.5% during the same period. The market for butadiene, segmented on the basis of applications includes sub segments such as – synthetic elastomers, polymers and resins, and other chemicals and uses. Butadiene consumption is dominated by its use in production of SBR (styrene butadiene rubber), which alone accounts for approximately 50% of the global market share. Asia Pacific holds the largest market share in terms of 1,3 butadiene production capacity and is expected to retain its leading position in the coming years too.
The major consumers of butadiene are regions such as China, Europe and U.S. These regions have the highest demand for elastomers, which account for 68% of the global butadiene market demand. Apart from demand from elastomers in the tire industry, the other downstream applications of butadiene include elastomers demand from industries such as carpet backing, footwear, mechanical belts, nitrile rubber hoses, and so on.
For All Latest Reports Kindly Visit: http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/latest
Use of butadiene in manufacture of plastics as a copolymer is another significant sector, driving the global market demand. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) resins are the highest share holder under the plastics category. ABS accounts for 12% of the total market demand and are expected to grow at 5.4% CAGR from 2012 – 2017.
However, with development of alternate renewable materials, which is now used in tire manufacture, the demand for butadiene in the tire industry is expected to see a fall. The stringent environment regulations in Europe are further expected to dent the market growth in the developed regions. However, the rising demand due to growth of end downstream applications is set to drive and retain the market growth potential in the coming years. These emerging markets include Middle East and Asia Pacific regions such as China and India. Amidst robust economical growth, China is forecasted to become the largest producer and consumer of butadiene in the coming years. Asia Pacific accounts for the largest share of 45%, whereas North America accounts for 23% only.
The global butadiene market is dominated by key players such as Shell Chemicals, Dow Chemicals, Evonik Industries AG, BASF, and many more who are looking for opportunities in emerging markets.
For All Reports Kindly Visit: http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/
This research report analyzes this market depending on its market segments, major geographies, and current market trends. Geographies analyzed under this research report include
- North America
- Asia Pacific
- Europe
- Rest of the World
This report provides comprehensive analysis of
- Market growth drivers
- Factors limiting market growth
- Current market trends
- Market structure
- Market projections for upcoming years
This report is a complete study of current trends in the market, industry growth drivers, and restraints. It provides market projections for the coming years. It includes analysis of recent developments in technology, Porter's five force model analysis and detailed profiles of top industry players. The report also includes a review of micro and macro factors essential for the existing market players and new entrants along with detailed value chain analysis.
Reasons for Buying this Report
- This report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics
- It provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growth
- It provides a technological growth map over time to understand the industry growth rate
- It provides a seven-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to grow
- It helps in understanding the key product segments and their future
- It provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitors
- It helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segments
- It provides distinctive graphics and exemplified SWOT analysis of major market segments


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rya is a valid word in this word list. For a definition, see the external dictionary links below.
The word "rya" uses 3 letters: A R Y.
Direct anagrams of rya:
ray yar
Words formed by adding one letter before or after rya (in bold), or to ary in any order:
a - raya b - bray c - racy d - dray yard e - aery eyra yare year f - fray g - gray i - airy k - kyar l - aryl m - army n - nary yarn p - pray s - rays ryas t - arty tray v - vary w - awry wary
Shorter words found within rya:
ar ay ya
Words formed from any letters in rya, plus an optional blank or existing letter
Try a search for rya in these online resources (some words may not be found):
Wiktionary - OneLook Dictionaries - Merriam-Webster - Google Search
Each search will normally open in a new window.
List all words starting with rya, words containing rya or words ending with rya
All words formed from rya by changing one letter
Other words with the same letter pairs: ry ya
Browse words starting with rya by next letter
Previous word in list: rutty
Next word in list: ryas
Some random words: sforzandi cuke oecologies evict ape hex nyala
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Inspired by Sean Szeles' character sketches from Hector Babenco's underrated Brazilian film (a small gem if you ask me) I sketched some of my favorite "little" moments from the film. I've been planning on doing this for a lot of my favorite films (next up is Leone's Once Upon a Time in the West) and I finally started this life long exercise.
Thanks Sean!
Friday, August 8, 2008
6 comments:
- Sean said...
These are great! I've taught you well...
- August 8, 2008 at 10:38 AM
- *daisy said...
awesome! :) i love the only guy without a name, of course ("father of 18 kids") ha ha! i really like seeing all the rough versions too...
- August 8, 2008 at 10:59 AM
- Mukpuddy said...
I love this idea dude! Can't wait to see more, and thanks for the heads up, will have to check out the film now!!
- August 8, 2008 at 10:24 PM
- Fred Osmond said...
HHHOOOOLLEEEE CRAP the are awesome... and all this time I thought you hated caricatures. You sir are a "closet caricaturist"
- August 9, 2008 at 2:54 AM
- Alex said...
This movie was a great sucess here!!And Lázaro Ramos is a incredible actor!
Really amazing drawings!!
I hope you post more stuff like these.
- August 9, 2008 at 7:56 PM
- Iggy said...
Esta muito bom! Great likenesses... Ramos look funny as hell. Gostei!!!
- August 14, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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Patient Center
Select a department to call.
April 4, 20192:30 PM
Thank you for choosing Dr. Steven Melcher with Lone Star Medical Group, for your medical needs.
If you are unable to find a desired time, need to reschedule an appointment, have insurance & billing questions or would like to register for the Patient Portal in order to send messages straight to the medical staff and access your clinical data please contact the office at 817-489-7300 and we will be happy to assist you.
All Patients, Please bring the following items:
· A list of current medications · Insurance card(s) and a Photo ID to each visit · Your email appointment confirmation · Recent X-Ray or MRI CD with reports · Records related to your condition.
Established Patients whose last Appointment was prior to October 1st, 2017 will need to completed the paperwork below and bring to the scheduled appointment.
English Forms
· New Patient Packet · Patient HIPAA Acknowledgement and Consent · Patient Rights & Responsibilities · Notice of Privacy Practices (provided for you at your first visit)
Spanish Forms
· Nuevos Formas de Paciente · Formulario de Acuse de Recibo y Consentimento de HIPAA para el Paciente · Derechos y Responsabilidades del Paciente · Aviso Sobre Las Practicas De Privacidad
Please call our office if you have any questions.
New Patients: - Please contact our office to schedule an appointment.
Thank you again, and we look forward to seeing you!
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text:
2 killed, 1 hurt in I-94 crash in Moorhead
MOORHEAD, (AP) - Two people have died and a third was injured in a four-vehicle crash in bad weather on Interstate 94 in western Minnesota.
The State Patrol says visibility was at or near zero when it happened about 11:30 a.m. Monday in the westbound lanes near Barnesville, about 22 miles southeast of Moorhead. Sgt. Jesse Grabow says the poor visibility likely was a factor.
The Patrol closed the westbound lanes and diverted traffic so investigators could reconstruct the crash and move the vehicles.
Names of the dead have not been released.
A blizzard warning covers parts of the eastern Dakotas and of western Minnesota. Blowing snow and icy roads have created hazardous driving conditions and led to dozens of accidents. No travel is advised in parts of northwestern Minnesota.
(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved)


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Secretary of Finance and Revenue
OSF Director
April 22, 2011
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Public Information Officer
Oklahoma Office of State Finance
(405) 521-3267
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma has a lot going for it in 2011, despite some economic challenges, according to a new report released by the Office of State Finance.
The first annual "Report to Our Citizens," compiled under the direction of State Comptroller Brenda Bolander, outlines facts and figures about the Oklahoma economy and state government finances.
Accomplishments listed in the report for 2010 are voter approval of a constitutional amendment to bolster the state's Rainy Day Fund and the national recognition Oklahoma City and Tulsa received for improved infrastructure, livability and prospects for job growth.
The report makes mention of the drain on the Rainy Day Fund since 2009, when a period of economic expansion ended, and referred to prospects for disruption of state services if federal funds going to Oklahoma are reduced after a decade of increases.
The 4-page report is complete with several graphs and charts for easy access to economic, financial and demographic data.
"We wanted to give citizens concise information about the status of government finances, including concerns related to our pension fund liabilities and other challenges," Bolander said.
Goals of state policymakers are contained in the report, as well as references to Gov. Mary Fallin's budget initiatives and her "Roadmap to Prosperity" document.
Citizens can access the report on the OSF website at OSF.OK.gov.
The Office of State Finance is responsible for producing the Governor's Executive Budget and the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, partnering in the implementation of the State of Oklahoma's Integrated Central Financial System (CORE) and managing OK.gov, the state's Internet portal.
For decades, the OSF has also generated the official General Revenue Fund report, a broad-based report using Oklahoma Tax Commission figures and data from other sources. The GRF is the principal source of funding for most government agencies and programs.


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|Chilton Automotive Books
|Product Code:
|Chilton C8793
|Reward Points:
|In Stock
Chilton Ford V8 Engine Overhaul Manual covers theory and step-by-step instructions for backyard rebuilding of Ford V8 engines; including setting up shop, engine removal, engine disassembly, reconditioning and reassembly, as well as break-in. Chilton Total Service Series offers complete info on the repair, maintenance and service procedures of vehicles and automotive relaged systems. Each unique do-it-yourself title delivers the most current, concise instruction available.


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A week after baseball's night of miracles, my beloved Texas Rangers await the winner of tonight's decisive American League Division Series Game 5 between the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers.
I'm not sure which team presents the best matchup for the Rangers, but I never root for the Evil Empire. The end does not justify the means, don't you know. I am joking (mostly). As much as I prefer to hate everyone in pinstripes, a few Yankees — such as the late Bobby Murcer, whom I interviewed during his fatal bout with cancer — make that difficult to do.
Speaking of the Yankees, I was pleased to come across an in-depth ESPN.com feature (more than 3,000 words long) with this striking title:
Mariano Rivera: The believer
The equally compelling subhead:
Faith also makes him the greatest, least understood player of his generation
That headline made me optimistic — perhaps overly so — that this piece would not be inhabited by ghosts.
In fact, as the writer rounded first base and headed for second, I still held out great hope that the story would get religion by the time the piece touched home plate:
But the biggest reason Rivera seems to stand a layer apart is his faith. Religion, in general, makes for a squirrely conversation in the big leagues and it is central to understanding him. Faith also allows him to believe in the strength and efficacy of his signature pitch, the world famous cut fastball.
Two weeks after solidifying his reputation as the best closer in the game's history by recording his 602nd save, and with the Yankees in Florida for a season-ending three-game series with Tampa Bay, Rivera sits in front of his locker at Tropicana Field and suddenly is laughing, broadly and spontaneously, at the suggestion that the roots of his greatness are the standard athlete's fare: a combination of the gift of a powerful right arm, consistent work ethic, tremendous, historic control and a fighter's will.
"It's faith," he said. "Faith isn't something that you decide to have. You don't wake up and say, 'Today, I'm going to have faith.' It's a process. I would never, ever be here in the big leagues without my faith. Ability, you have to have ability and you have to have talent, but I'm telling you, my talent wasn't enough. God brought me here.
"One year in the minor leagues I was throwing 88-89, and then I was 95. Who can explain that? What happened? I don't know. No one knows."
Then readers learn about Rivera's (not-so) road-to-Damascus moment:
Rivera does not pinpoint the moment that changed his life. "I was born Catholic, but I wasn't raised Catholic because we never went to church," he says. Rivera says it was not one clean, singular event that brought him to his spirituality, but a feeling that is generally indescribable.
"I was unhappy with the direction of my life, of where it was going. I had to do something. I was in my 20s. I was 21, think," he says. "I gave my life to Him."
Keep reading, and the writer (the same one who wrote a similarly tremendous-yet-flawed religion story about Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker last year) allows Rivera an incredible amount of space to discuss his belief in God.
But the story never really goes below the surface on Rivera's faith. Based on the above passage, it would seem that he's a Catholic, but the story never says so. The story never describes how Rivera worships or practices his faith. Is his belief in God really as vague and ritual-free as this story would lead readers to believe?
The reader who shared this story link with GetReligion said of Rivera:
I've read for years about his deep, personally rooted faith.
So have I. And I was excited about what appeared to be an effort by ESPN to paint a fuller picture of that faith. Unfortunately, this story whiffs at a fastball down the middle and only adds to the vague portrait of Rivera's religion.
Dissenting viewpoints, as always, are welcomed and appreciated.
Your turn at the plate, gentle readers.
Image: Wikimedia Commons


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Ron Varasteh will pull an all-nighter to uphold his political beliefs, even with a tent over his head.
The Democratic candidate for the 48th Congressional District, who will face longtime incumbent Dana Rohrabacher in November, has already played a visible role in Orange County politics over the last year. To a passerby, though, it might have been hard to pinpoint his face among the crowd camping out in front of the Irvine Civic Center.
Varasteh, 47, helped organize the Occupy Orange County movement that started in Irvine and then moved on to Fullerton and Huntington Beach. Although the group has retired its tents, Varasteh has made its core belief — that regular citizens get lost in the shuffle when corporations back government — the central theme of his campaign.
To the Irvine resident, that message goes beyond any party affiliation. The official record will show that he is a Democrat and Rohrabacher a Republican, but Varasteh is likely to give a more nuanced answer when labeling himself to voters.
"I'm a moderate independent, and because we live in a duopoly and our elections are rigged for a two-party system, you have to be a Democrat or Republican," he said Monday outside the Mesa Verde Branch Library in Costa Mesa, where he set up a display by the front door and handed literature to visitors.
Up against history
Varasteh's platforms, articulated in a campaign flier with the slogan "Stop our race to the bottom," run the gamut from liberal (bringing the troops home from Afghanistan) to conservative (punishing employers who hire illegal immigrants). He opposes the Patriot Act and doesn't fully support the Obama administration's health-care reform, although, in the latter case, it's because the reform stopped short of providing universal health care.
Will he have what it takes to unseat Rohrabacher, the longtime Huntington Beach conservative who now lives in Costa Mesa?
History indicates it's an uphill battle; the incumbent has served since 1989 and handily beat Democratic challenger Debbie Cook in his last election. Still, the redistricting that California went through last year may have created a different playing field.
Rohrabacher's previous district, the 46th, stretched along the shoreline from Huntington Beach to the Palos Verdes Peninsula and included Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley and other Orange County cities as well as Catalina Island. The new 48th District begins in Seal Beach and extends south along the coast to Laguna Niguel.
The cities added to Rohrabacher's district, including Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, previously belonged to the old 48th District, which voted heavily for Republican John Campbell in 2008. Still, the fact that Rohrabacher is not the incumbent for approximately half the district's geographical area is an encouraging sign to Varasteh.
Often, he said, voters he meets express dissatisfaction with Rohrabacher's policies, even if they identify themselves as registered Republicans. Once, he said, a man even looked at his flier and declared, "If you had run as a Republican, I'd vote for you."
Rohrabacher, for his part, said Tuesday that he wasn't familiar with Varasteh's views but felt confident seeking reelection.
"I think the people in the new part of my district, like the old part of my district that I'm keeping, are very in tune with my basic philosophy," he said. "I think it's more than just party lines.
"I've been somewhat independent on a number of issues, and I think that, overall, my positive conservative philosophy or conservative-libertarian blend of a philosophy suits the people down here along the coast very well."
'Not a firebrand'
However strong his ties to the party, Varasteh has solid Democratic support. For the last two years, he's served as a delegate for the California Democratic Party, and the Democratic Party of Orange County has endorsed him.
With Occupy Orange County, Varasteh took the job of civic liaison, communicating with city officials to ensure peaceful protests. Greg Diamond, who succeeded him in the job and is now running for State Senate in the 29th District, praised Varasteh for his steadiness.
"He is not a firebrand," Diamond said. "He has strong opinions about things and presents them well, but those of us who were in that camp of Occupy were concerned about coming up with a message and a way to represent it that would be congenial to people in Orange County. This is just not a place where you poke people in the eye."
Varasteh said he also worked recently as a council organizer for MoveOn.org but abandoned that post before he launched his campaign. Since March, he has assembled a team of more than 300 volunteers, canvassed neighborhoods and held public meet-and-greets. Between campaign stops, he runs an Irvine-based telecommunications company, which he founded 25 years ago.
In terms of fundraising, Varasteh has an official creed: He will take donations from individuals and clubs, but not from corporations or unions. He hopes that grass-roots approach will help endear him to voters.
"When a politician needs money to get elected, he's going to pander to the people who give him the money he needs," Varasteh said.
Twitter: @MichaelMillerHB


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Columbia, SC (WLTX) - South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley says because of some changes in Hurricane Matthew's forecast, the coastal evacuation is going ahead for some counties but is being delayed until Thursday for others.
Haley said Wednesday morning that the greater Charleston County and Beaufort County area will begin evacuations at 3 p.m. However, Georgetown and Horry Counties won't begin until Thursday morning.
RELATED: South Carolina Evacuations: What You Need to Know
"Our goal is to make sure that no lives are lost, and that people are moved out safely and get back safely," she said.
The state has set up a hotline where people can send in their questions: 1-866-246-0133.
A day earlier, Haley ordered a massive coastal evacuation that affects about 1.1 million residents. The order includes a plan to reverse lanes of several major roadways near the coast, including Interstate 26. In fact, I-26 will be reversed all the way from Charleston to Columbia.
Already, traffic is heavy along I-26 as people seek to leave the area. But finding a place to stay could be a challenge; already, Gov. Haley says hotels in the Midlands are booked. She did say, however, that there are still options in other parts of the state. She suggested people could also research their options online with Expedia or AirBNB.
State officials say right now, the gas supply statewide is good, but there have been reports of some stations running out.
You can always get the latest conditions by downloading WLTX's apps or signing up for our text alerts.
Weather App Phone: on.wltx.com/WLTX_Weather_iPhone
Weather App Android: on.wltx.com/WLTX_Weather_Android
iPhone app: on.wltx.com/1NTHH98
Android app: on.wltx.com/1NTHvXq
Sign Up for WLTX Text Alerts: Text Alert Signup Page


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iGotWork needed a new web page design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 263 designs submitted by 48 freelance designers.
I represent Kjøkkensenteret, a store with its main focus on kitchen-solutions, but also bathroom, wardrobe and major appliances (fridge, refrigerator, dish-washer +, such as Miele, AEG, Husquarna, Zanussi..)
The company focuses on high quality kitchens, provided by solid and well knows manufactures. The range of products is wide, but the main focus is on traditional kitchen design. (a combo between mediterranean and scandinavian design)
Everybody building or upgrading their kitchen, bathroom or wardrobe. The full package, appliances or smaller details. The audience is typically focused on quality, unique style, custom details, and reliability.
- the typical package is a little above normal, but doesn't usually not high-end price level.
White is the main color,
keep it clean and calm,
let the main image/product banner be on center-stage.
The wireframe can give you a solid pointer towards the set-up,
and the number of menu-options. It is legal to change things up, but i need it to maintain the variation, and the different type of boxes/frames.
Main products, boxes for the categories, ads, info and a good navigation.
- text fonts should be web-friendly,
The designer of the chosen mockup will get the full company details and illustration graphics.
The designer of the chosen mockup must create the full web page-design, including:
- Final front-page design
- Product category level design
- Specific product design (last level)
- General page design for other pages, such as contact page, about us page and others.
- Remember: USABILITY - USABILITY - USABILITY
Ps. $995 not just for the mockup... It's for the REQs listed above.


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Lady Gaga Is Walking Again
Leather and gold-plated wheelchair be damned. Same for that Louis Vuitton logo'ed mode of transport. Lady Gaga is back on her feet! The singer was spotted walking around the East Village in NYC on April 2.
We'll know Gaga is back in 100 percent Gagafied form when she's prancing around on eight inch platforms again!
Gaga looked low-key -- dare we say "demure?" -- in a black fur shrug, black pants and kitten heels while walking in her hometown and surveying her former stomping grounds when she was an up and comer doing burlesque-type shows with Lady Starlight. That bag she carried looked like an Hermes, which is no joke when it comes to price tags. Those things are equal to the GNP of some small countries.
Ma Monster was rocking chocolate brown locks and looked incredibly young.
We're glad that she is able to walk again and isn't solely relying on a set of wheels to get around. Her hip injury was serious, but she appears to be making a terrific recovery.
We'll feel better when she is teetering on platforms and dancing her face off on a stage. All in due time, though.
Watch the Lady Gaga 'The Edge of Glory' Video


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Skip to comments.The Hybrid View of Benghazi
Posted on 11/18/2012 11:36:24 AM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
The Washington Post reports that the CIA and other intelligence analysts have settled on what amounts to a hybrid view of September 11, 2012, suggesting that the Cairo protest sparked militants in Libya, who quickly mobilized an assault on U.S. facilities in Benghazi.
What the Post doesnt say is that the Cairo protest was itself an al Qaeda-infused, if not outright orchestrated, event.
The hybrid explanation is a compromise, of sorts, between two competing narratives. The first suggested that a protest against an anti-Islam film in Benghazi led to a spontaneous assault on the US consulate there. We know that version isnt true because there never was any protest in Benghazi. The second narrative points to a terrorist attack. The weaponry involved in the assault, the sophistication of the operation and, most importantly, the involvement of al Qaeda-linked terrorists all buttress this second version.
While there was no film protest in Benghazi, however, there are reasons to suspect that the events in Egypt and Libya on Sept. 11 are linked. But that link isnt an anti-Islam film. They are linked by the fact that known al Qaeda-affiliated individuals were directly involved in both.
It is not a coincidence that an al Qaeda flag was raised in the place of the stars and stripes in Cairo, or that protesters chanted: Obama! Obama! We are all Osama!
Keep in mind, too, that al Qaeda emir Ayman al Zawahiri has cited the Cairo protest, along with the attack in Benghazi and a similar protest in Yemen, as defeats for the U.S.
Lets look at the key personalities involved in Cairo protest. The following four individuals attended the protest in front of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo and helped to incite protesters.
Mohammed al Zawahiri He is the younger brother of Ayman al Zawahiri. He admittedly helped organize the Cairo protest. While Mohammed al Zawahiri has been coy about his ties to the al Qaeda organization, he has openly professed his adherence to al Qaedas ideology. And U.S. intelligence officials contacted by THE WEEKLY STANDARD say there is strong evidence he remains operationally involved in the terror network.
Rifai Ahmed Taha Musa He was a leader of Gamaa Islamiyya (IG), a designated terrorist organization with numerous ties to al Qaeda. Taha Musa was a signatory on al Qaedas February 1998 fatwa justifying terrorist attacks against American civilians. Taha Musa later claimed that he did not sign the fatwa, but his al Qaeda ties are beyond dispute. He appeared in 2000 video sitting between Osama bin Laden and Ayman al Zawahiri. The three called for the spiritual head of the IG, Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman (also known as the Blind Sheikh), to be freed from prison. Rahman is imprisoned in the U.S. for his involvement in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and a follow-on plot against New York City landmarks. The Blind Sheikh is still revered by al Qaeda. Taha Musa is Rahmans longtime terrorist accomplice, and has compiled an extensive dossier of violence.
In a recent interview, Taha Musa openly praised Ayman al Zawahiri and says he should be allowed to return to Egypt.
heikh Adel Shehato Egyptian authorities arrested Shehato and accused him of founding the Nasr City terrorist cell. That cell hasnt received much attention in the American press, but Egyptian authorities have alleged that its members were involved in the Benghazi attack. Shehato is an official in Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ), a terrorist organization headed by Ayman al Zawahiri that long ago merged with al Qaeda. Mohammed al Zawahiri also belongs to the EIJ. Shehato has openly proclaimed his allegiance to al Qaedas ideology.
Sheikh Tawfiq Al Afani He is also an EIJ official. Along with the three jihadists listed above, he was released from prison following the fall of Hosni Mubaraks regime. Al Afani openly praises al Qaeda in his public lectures. During the Cairo protest, Al Afani repeated the widely heard refrain: O Obama, we are all Osama
All four of the individuals mentioned above attended the Cairo protest and helped incite protesters.
A fifth senior jihadist who helped incite protests in Cairo is Ahmed Ashoush, who is so liked by Ayman al Zawahiri that al Qaeda includes clips of Ashoush in its official productions regularly.
So what "protest" sparked the attacks agaist the embassy months before, and against the Red Cross before, and against the other foreigners such as the UK that caused them to pull their dplomats out?
The protests didn't spark anything, they were most likely orchestrated to provide a diversion for the real attack.
good article
Brian Lilley: The MSM is lying about the muslim riots video 12:01
check out the names.
WHO gave the order to NOT rescue our men in Benghazi?
Fact One:
1) Only the POTUS can authorize a CBA (cross border authority) command for a rescue mission in a foreign nation.
Plus Fact Two:
2) No rescue mission was attempted.
Equals Fact Three:
3) 0bama turned his back on 41 State Dept. and CIA employees refusing to issue a CBA command and went to bed so he could go to Las Vegas the next day.
Something to e-mail to every talking head, every Senator and every House rep.
During the Lewinsky scandal, the Clinton fixers called it "the limited hangout". Everyone knew he lied - the idea was to keep dribbling out versions that were a little bit closer to the truth, without actually admitting he lied.
The CIA has adopted a "CYA" view. A bureaucratic decision has been made to provide cover to 0bama and not expose his ineptitude and complete security failure. Why this decision has been made, I don't know. I think it comes down to a desire to keep the facts of the Benghazi operation silent. Exposing Barry would mean that the public would have to know what was going on there. The CIA would prefer you not know, and they're willing to cover for Barry to make sure you don't.
I want to know more about the Annex....that might explain some of what is going on.
Thank you very much. This will take some reading!
Thanks for posting this important article. I'm heartened to see that someone is reporting that al Qaeda and Gamaaa Islamiyya were behind the events of Sept. 11, 2012. Our side has made a mistake not focusing on the big picture beyond Benghazi.
SNIPPET from post no. 1:
"What the Post doesnt say is that the Cairo protest was itself an al Qaeda-infused, if not outright orchestrated, event."
Thanks again E.. I'll book mark this one as well in my Libyan folder. Most likely will start to read through some of it tonight.
So I don't mislead for those that cannot delve into the actual articles at LWJ. The guy in the picture is Hazem Salah Abu Ismail. Perhaps the way I formed my sentences in post #19 would mislead one to think I was referring to the guy in the center of the pick as Gamaa Islamiya. That would be misleading. He is head of this Salafist dominated organization.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


text:
- Nov 18:
- Deadline for flood victims to apply for relief in Superior extended to Dec. 9
- Nov 14:
- Sunshine Canyon Drive, Flagstaff Road to reopen to all users Saturday
- Nov 6:
- Superior Chamber establishes relief fund for residents affected by floods
- Oct 15:
- Boulder County homeowner haunted by mysterious concrete block
- Oct 5:
- Boulder area car buyers warned how to avoid flood-damaged autos
- Boulder Reservoir draws 300 volunteers for flood clean-up, repairs
- Oct 4:
- Vail Resorts to put 150 employees to work fixing flood-ravaged Coal Creek Trail
- Oct 3:
- Superior launches Flood Buster program to match volunteers with victims
- Oct 1:
- Superior to hold rescheduled flood repair volunteer project Saturday
- Superior to hold flood impact public meeting tonight
- Sep 25:
- Superior to host volunteer project day Saturday to repair flood damage
- Sep 22:
- Boulder County flood victims facing housing crunch
- Sep 21:
- Boulder ceremony honors memory of couple lost in flood
- Boulder begins inspections of flood-damaged properties Monday
- Sep 18:
- Collection for flood relief at final Art Night Out on Friday in Lafayette
- Sep 15:
- 'Camp Erie' to provide activities for kids during flood-related school closure next week
- Sep 14:
- 234 people remain unaccounted as rescuers gain ground
- Residents, officials: We will come back.
- Road closures in Boulder, east county and surrounding area
- Closings, cancellations and re-openings post flood
- Boulder area canyons remain isolated
- Boulder County's major reservoirs holding steady, despite week's deluge
- Fifth-graders stranded at Cal-Wood near Jamestown return to Louisville
- Officials: Extensive road damage still being assessed
- Boulder County to provide community dumpsters for flood cleanup
- 234 remain 'unaccounted for', rescuers slowly gain ground
- Boulder remains under flash flood watch through Sunday afternoon
- Sep 13:
- Rescue crews help Lefthand Canyon residents evacuate
- St. Vrain schools closed until Thursday, BVSD officials still deciding when to reopen
- Football: No make-up date yet as CU postpones game against Fresno State because of flood
- East Boulder County emerges from a tough night of evacs, road closures
- Boulder to see some relief, but more rain in forecast
- U.S. 36 reopened in both directions between Denver and Boulder
- 181 'unaccounted for,' at least 3 dead in Boulder County
- Flood-related closures in Boulder County for Friday, Sept. 13
- List of Boulder County road closures due to flooding
- Boulder police chief tours flood damage, says 'things are looking better'
- Eldorado Springs residents ordered to evacuate due to high waters, mudslide risk
- Sep 12:
- Surge of water carrying cars, other debris flattens in Boulder Canyon
- Evacuations ordered for 4,000 residents along Boulder Creek
- Flooding claims at least 2 lives in Boulder, Jamestown
- RTD suspends numerous bus routes in Boulder
- 2nd Boulder flooding fatality was recent Centaurus grad Wesley Quinlan, friends say
- 100-year-flood: Boulder rainfall records swamped in dueling weather systems
- Louisville, Lafayette open shelters as creeks swell; downtown Superior under evac order
- Homeless people turned away from Boulder flood shelter
- Flooding prompts evacuations near Erie; community center to serve as shelter
- BVSD: Students at Jamestown's CalWood Education Center are safe
- Closures: Host of area roads closed, as well as CU, Naropa, Boulder Valley, St. Vrain schools
- Firefighter trapped by 'wall of water' rescued, suffers severe injuries
- Boulder registers wettest 24-hour period, and month, on record
- Sheriff asks Boulder County residents to stay home today, keep roads clear
- 500-year flood nearly cuts Longmont in two, forces evacuations
- National Guard carries evacuees from Lyons, delivers supplies
- Boulder flood: Live social media coverage of flash-flood emergency
The mouth of Boulder Canyon -- just 12 hours earlier filled with roiling, churning floodwaters -- was a slightly calmer scene Friday, though it prominently bore the wounds of the historic assault by a waterway not quite done flexing its muscle.
Three-to-four feet of mud covered a once-passable road, ditches that rarely run a trickle spilled a frothy brown stew into Eben G. Fine Park and Boulder Creek beyond it, and part of an office park tucked away at the west end of Arapahoe Avenue collapsed to the ground.
Greg Naber, a Farmers Insurance agent whose building at 190 Arapahoe Ave. took on a wall of mud from an upslope slide that shattered his picture window and submerged his office, thought the worst already was behind him when he left for home Thursday night.
"I left here at 6 last night and everything was fine," he said Friday as a team of mud-splattered helpers shoveled muck from his corner office. "Then this morning, I turned the corner and I was in shock at how much debris there was in the road."
And at the amount of debris outside his office window. A massive boulder had been pushed downhill by a torrent of water, coming to a rest mere feet from the corner of Naber's building.
"Think of the power that moved that rock downhill," he said. "This is surreal. It's unimaginable the volume of water that came through here."
Naber fared better than his next door neighbor -- the Canyonside Office Park at 100 Arapahoe Ave. A mustard-orange building lay crumpled on the ground Friday while the bottom half of a twin structure was buckled out, partially torn from its foundations. Part of a computer case lay strewn among flattened vegetation while a self-help book on pre-parenting from conception made for an odd sight laying quietly on the battered hillside.
'Pretty remarkable'
Boulder Mayor Matt Appelbaum, who was touring the mouth of the canyon Friday afternoon with the city's transportation and utilities maintenance manager, Felix Gallo, looked at the collapsed building in disbelief.
"This is pretty remarkable," he said. "It's the only place in the city I've seen with this much non-road structural damage."
But he said the overall hit Boulder took from the multi-day storm was tremendous, with damage to city buildings, a "significant" number of flooded residential basements and millions of dollars of damage to roads and other infrastructure.
Appelbaum said he was on the phone with U.S. Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., Friday morning and with officials from the White House's office of intergovernmental affairs to talk about possible federal and state aid for Boulder and Boulder County. President Barack Obama signed an emergency order Thursday approving federal disaster aid for the county.
While specific aid amounts will be determined in the future, the mayor said Boulder has so far done a good job of putting in place flood mitigation measures on streets and underpasses throughout the city.
"There's no question it would have been worse if we hadn't taken these actions," Appelbaum said.
In the end, the rain came too fast and too hard -- nearly 15 inches since the storm's beginning on Monday -- for even the best designed municipal water works system to handle, he said.
"You can't design your entire sewer storm system for 100-year or greater events," Appelbaum said. "I don't think it's feasible or something you'd have the funding to do. This was so big and so widespread -- it was just going to overwhelm the infrastructure you have in place."
But once the damage assessment has been completed, he said, it will be instructive to see how accurately the city's flood maps reflect real damage on the ground and help determine whether they need to be redrawn or not.
Breaking down doors
A little further west along Arapahoe Avenue, the 68-year-old Silver Saddle Motel took on water and mud Thursday night and Friday morning.
Ameer Qalbani, a University of Colorado graduate student working on his MBA, ventured out to survey the damage with friends, and the motel's owner invited him to take a look inside. He took photos and videos of cabins with waterlines several feet high. There were gashes in some of the doors where management had created holes to let the water out.
"They had these cabins, which were totally full of water, up to halfway up and they had to break the doors in to get the water out," Qalbani said. "(There were) five or six inches of mud."
When a reporter asked the owners of Silver Saddle Motel if they wanted to talk about weathering the storm of the century, they declined to comment.
Camera Staff Writer Sarah Kuta contributed to this story.
Contact Camera Staff Writer John Aguilar at 303-473-1389, email@example.com or twitter.com/abuvthefold.


text:
Once dismissed as a fad, mechatronics has fulfilled its promise of smart autonomous electromechanical systems, used both in NASA's Rover, searching for signs of life on Mars, and in the modern car. The latter has been transformed into a vehicle of "robotic manipulators"--from antilock brakes to antiskid control to collision avoidance and, eventually, driverless cars.
"You can call us autobots, for short," said Optimus Prime, the "good guy" robot in Transformers. But autobots is also a fitting moniker for the ultimate goal of automotive mechatronics: driverless cars.
"Autonomous vehicle technology is the logical upgrade path for active safety electronics, in which the sensors and algorithms predict accidents and actively avoid them within the physical and dynamic limitations of the vehicle," said Michael Williams, research vice president for Semiconductors, Automotive & Telematics Technology at Gartner Dataquest. "In terms of early driverless passenger car applications, we expect to see convenience applications, such as self-parking cars and self-valet retrieval appli- cations, emerging first."
Even though many of today's most futuristic applications were enabled by mechatronics--like the Rover--most applications are more mundane. They include washing machines that don't ask how big the load is but, instead, measure it with a sensor.
Nevertheless, the pinnacle of mechatronics design is exemplified by the manipulators of industrial robots, such as those that build cars, and in the cars themselves. Indeed, on-board mechatronic servos eventually will allow cars to drive themselves.
"Several robotics companies have tried building transformer-like modules from which you can pick and choose to create your robotic manipulators," said professor William Hamel at the University of Tennessee. Mechatronics in robotic manipulators will be addressed in Hamel's keynote address to the IEEE International Conference on Mechatronics and Automation Aug. 5 to 9 in Harbin, Heilongjiang, China. "This very elegant tool kit approach is just one step behind what a transformer is."
Where it all started
Mechatronics originated in Japan, where the technology has inspired a generation of both real science and science fiction--from a burgeoning robotics industry using mechatronic manipulators to Transformers. The movie is a fitting tribute to modern mechatronics, because of its articulated robotic manipulators and self-driving cars, which reflect today's most compelling applications.
"Mechatronics advances in robotic manipulator design and control are particularly strong, since you are dealing with an articulated mechanism with very compact features, but with fairly high payload requirements, and, on the electronics side, you have active servos on every joint," said Hamel.
The robots that build cars use these mechatronic robotic manipulators, ironically, to build mechatronic vehicles. And mechatronics in cars is following the predictable path blazed by the airline industry--from flight assistance, such as auto-altitude adjustment, to autopilots, which can take off and land without the help of a human. The goal is the same as for aircraft: the ability to tell OnStar, "I'm getting drowsy; can you take over driving?"
Williams noted, "The autonomous vehicle will deploy several sensors and many electronic subsystems that will start, drive, steer, navigate, brake and stop the vehicle. In the mainstream passenger car markets, we expect to see this technology being exploited as a safety feature, for driver assistance and driver support, rather than completely taking over the driver function yet."
Dumb to smart
The secret of transforming dumb mechanical systems into smart mechatronic systems lies in the electrical engineering of closed-loop servos to replace conventional open-loop calibration. Such smart mechatronic servos enable electronic feedback to provide control signals that proponents claim are not only more accurate, by virtue of continuous self-calibration, but also cheaper to implement than precise mechanical parts.
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Score Breakdown based on
83 Reviews
3.8 on October 05, 2017
I would give this B&B a 5 star rating overall. If you are seeking a quiet place in the country to get away from it all, At Willow Pond is the perfect spot. We enjoyed the large, second-floor room with king-size bed, gas fireplace, Jacuzzi tub, etc. Conversation with the hosts flowed easily at breakfast time. And the meal that was prepared by Claire was awesome: breakfast started with coffee, tea & juice with a mango/melon sorbet topped with fresh raspberries, followed by a roasted root vegetable hash (served with an optional poached egg from their hens) and sourdough bread lightly toasted and laden with avocado slices and red, yellow & green tomatoes from the garden. The food just happened to be vegan - to meet my dietary preferences. It was full of color and flavor, and was healthy & delicious! It was outstanding. "At Willow Pond" is highly recommended!
5 on June 20, 2017
We had never stayed at a B and B and now I don't think I will ever stay anywhere else. Claire and Jerome made us feel like their home was our home. We enjoyed the peaceful and beautiful surroundings, fished in the pond and were just able to relax with no worries. Breakfast was amazing and the company even better!
5 on November 12, 2015
It's been a few weeks since our stay at At Willow Pond Bed and Breakfast and I'm excited to tell everyone how great this place is. We arrived about an hour early and were greeted by Claire who was in the process of preparing our room. We asked if we could explore the property in the meantime. The property is filled with different animals to go out and visit. One of the two horses in the pasture came to the edge of the driveway to say hello and look for treats from the new guests. We decided to relax on the front porch swing. When it was time to head in the house smelled of toasted marshmallows (which Claire admitted was an experiment gone wrong in the kitchen) We were escorted to our room. Claire pointed out all of our amenities and made sure we had everything we needed. We stayed in the Sunrise Suit which was a GREAT room. Electric fireplace, king size COMFORTABLE bed, Jacuzzi tub, and stand up shower with awesome water pressure. Now on to breakfast. AMAZING! The first day we had pumpkin pancakes with a side of meat and an apple dish to go along with it. Day two we were served eggs with a squash hash, meat, and a roasted pear. There is not a shortage of coffee in the Vandenburg home! Claire did retry her experiment in the kitchen later that day and made a delicious apple syrup which we had with our breakfast. It was SO good on the fresh sausage that they had got from their Son. Claire tries to by her produce locally when possible which is awesome. There were always cookies in the cookie jar which we enjoyed on our way in or out. Looking back at everything; the room was great, the breakfast amazing, but what I enjoyed the most was spending time getting to know Claire and Jerome! Two people who love people! Our conversations were full of stories of the past and lots of laughter. (And a good amount of BS) Jerome and Claire make At Willow Pond more than a bed and breakfast. For My wife and I, it felt like home. Thank you Claire and Jerome for everything!
5 on August 20, 2015
My husband and I were looking for a place to stay near our relatives. I would never have believed that we would locate such a nice place to stay in Fenwick, Michigan. Jerome and Claire are just super nice people. The guest rooms are also super wonderful. The breakfasts are excellent. The animals are interesting. And the pond is just such a super addition to the atmosphere of At Willow Pond.
5 on August 22, 2014
My husband and I had a wonderful time at this peaceful getaway. The hosts are very gracious, the room was beautiful, and the food delicious. It was only an hour away from home, yet it felt like we were a million miles away. We highly recommend At Willow Pond!
5 on July 25, 2014
We have stayed with Claire and Jerome several times now. Without question it's the best choice you could make. There great and take care for anything you need. Being Military we don't get to travel very often, when we are there it feels like were still home, but without all the hassle. My children love spending time helping out Claire and goofing around with Jerome. I couldn't imagine staying anywhere else.
5 on July 22, 2014
We spent three nights in June and loved the tranquil location, various animals, and delicious gourmet breakfasts. Claire and Jerome are the perfect innkeepers. Their recommendations for dining in the area were spot on.
5 on July 09, 2014
this was our 3ed year staying at Willow Pond, almost one week every time. as always Jerome and Claire where accommodating and wonderful. we consider them friends because they treat us like family. we have booked our 4th week for next year and look forward to seeing them and that wonderful breakfast each day we stay. we miss them already.
3.6 on January 21, 2014
A little hard to find but that adds to the privacy. It was nice to have a B&B that served gluten free items.
3.8 on January 12, 2014
Great hosts! We had a wonderful, relaxing time.
4.6 on December 09, 2013
Claire and Jerome were outstanding hosts and made the experience so enjoyable. Claire's cooking was the best. The setting was something out of a storybook. We will be back again.
5 on December 04, 2013
Claire and Jerome are wonderful hosts. We had a great time visiting with them at breakfast. Our room was nice and cozy. Their home is in a nice rural location and within reasonable driving distance from Greenville and Ionia for those looking to site see. This was a nice two day get away for us to relax and recharge. We highly recommend this B&B to anyone looking for time away to get some rest and relaxation.
4.0 on October 13, 2013
Fresh eggs each morning, as there are a variety of chickens on the premises, Also, a couple horses to feed apples and pet. Breakfasts are great! Rooms are reasonably priced, and definitely gives you that "down on the farm" feeling. The innkeepers are adding on their own separate living quarters, which is badly needed. We felt that we were sharing common space with the innkeepers which was a little awkward.
5 on October 13, 2013
Claire & Jerome are two of the nicest innkeeper/owners that we have encountered in stays at various B&B's. We spent well over an hour at breakfast carrying on the most pleasant conversation. Their multi colored breakfast eggs; cats, dog, chickens, ducks & horses were an added bonus. The rooms were immaculate and decorated with their personal touches. Absolutely nothing negative to our stay.
5 on October 13, 2013
A rural setting which was relaxing. A good place to discover middle of MI.
5 on September 22, 2013
This was our second time staying At Willow Pond. The first was so relaxing,we wanted to come back again.Both times we loved our stay! My husband and I loved our room.Seeing the horses from our window was a great sight. Both times we wanted to tie our bed to the top of our car and take it home!!!Our breakfasts were Award Winning!!! Claire's Pumpkin Pancakes were AMAZING!!! Claire and Jerome are very warm and welcoming innkeepers!!! Difinitely a Five Star Rating!!!
4.4 on September 18, 2013
My sister and I went to stay for some fun girl time. Jerome, Claire, and Liz made us feel like family. I never realized how therapeutic horseback riding was until now. The B & B is very quiet an cozy. We will definitely be back again!
4.4 on August 22, 2013
Our stay at Willow Pond felt like we were visiting home...if that makes sense. Jerome and Clare welcome you in and put at ease the moment they meet you. We really enjoyed our stay and hope to return soon. Thank you!
4.2 on August 21, 2013
Wonderful breakfast!!!
5 on August 07, 2013
It was awesome we took the whole family and they loved it. The kids would like to go back already.
4.8 on August 06, 2013
A wonderful feel right-at-home in the country kind of place! Claire and Jerome have such a loving, no airs put on, approach. I grew up in the country and love the quiet beauty and being in the midst of nature. Definitely a place to return too - spiritual refreshment just happens there!
5 on August 04, 2013
Stayed here in April (last part) 2013. Was lovely, quiet and the hosts Claire and Jerome delightful. It was a special girls night for a special ladies birthday who happens to live near by. Will hope to visit again but stay longer!
5 on August 02, 2013
We spontaneously traveled to MI from MN in search of meeting The Incredible Dr. Pol (Nat Geo Lg. Animal Vet). Visited the Isabella County Fair and Abott Magic before we departed for back home. Created great memories!
5 on August 01, 2013
We needed a place to stay at the last minute. Wow !!! What a find. This place is great! !!! The breakfast was over the top. The only way to get the eggs any more fresh. Is to let the chickens sleep in the kitchen. Keep up the great job. Greg
4.6 on July 23, 2013
My only regret was that my stay was only for one night. This is the perfect place to escape from the world for awhile. I look forward to returning with my husband. Or even better, a few girlfriends for the perfect girl-getaway. Thank you Claire and Jerome!
3.8 on July 17, 2013
Claire and Jerome are wonderful hosts! They make you feel right at home! They accommodated our small children by letting them help with the daily tasks such as gathering eggs from the chickens and feeding the ducks. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. They have horses on the property that boys were able to ride, they just loved that! The only negative thing I would say is to make sure you bring the strongest bug spray that money can buy, the mosquitos were very hungry!!! We put bug spray on and it didn't stop the biting one bit!
4.6 on July 16, 2013
We had a very relaxing time. The Inn keepers were great...Claire is an awesome cook! We felt very comfortable and welcomed. Jill was a great guide for our horse back riding adventure and the pond offered plenty of fish to catch. We definitely will make a return trip.
5 on July 15, 2013
For our 25th anniversary we stayed at Willow pond b&b. The innkeepers Clair and Jerome were very kind people. The accommodations were very warm, cozy and clean. We stayed in the lavander room and the bed was very comfortable. They have a lot of animals horses, chickens, cats and a dog that all flavor to the experience. Breakfast was a full and delicious meal made by Clair and farm fresh eggs. We would highly recommend this bed and breakfast. If we're ever in the area again we will be staying once again. Sincerely, Heidi Rich
5 on July 11, 2013
Claire and Jerome , I could not even think of staying somewhere else when in town. you both invite hospitality and friendship. the breakfast is amazing. this is our 2ed stay for a week and have already booked for next year. thank you for everything. Rock and Lisa
4.0 on July 10, 2013
Claire and Jerome were sensitive to what we were looking for during our stay. Thank you very much
5 on June 26, 2013
My husband and I stayed at At Willow Pond after bicycling on the Frederick Meijer Heartland Trail. The inn was the perfect respite after our ride. We were welcomed with a cold glass of ice tea and Claire's delicious lemon bars, then enjoyed a wonderful shower (that may seem like a little thing, but after hours of biking in 90-degree weather, it was heaven). Claire and Jerome were the perfect hosts, making us feel very much at home. At Willow Pond offers a nice country setting, away from the hustle and bustle. The room was nicely decorated and the bed was comfortable. Breakfast was delicious, and included much good conversation and laughs. We'll definitely be back!
5 on June 15, 2013
A nice gem in a beautiful country setting.
5 on June 13, 2013
Enjoy a beautiful stay with Claire and Jerome in their lovely country home. Very peaceful, very warm and very loving, at no extra charge. If you are an animal lover this is a wonderful place to stay.
5 on June 12, 2013
"At Willow Pond B&B" is a tranquil place with many native birds, a relaxed and relaxing setting. You don't go here for attractions nearby, though I'm told there are some. One being a great walking/riding trail alongside the Flat River in the town of Greenville (we did walk a bit of it). We went to get away, relax, be quiet and rest - and we did. (Being quiet while not sleeping is good for the brain - studies are showing). Wake up in the morning to bird songs and you can relax in your room or there are two bench swing chairs (one on the porch and one by the pond) and two two person hammocks to relax in; beautifully landscaped lawn and garden, plenty of well placed trees and a hot tub/jacuzzi outside. Our hosts were affable, cordial, interesting, humorous and genuine. They catered graciously and specifically to our dietary needs (gluten and dairy free) and the food was delicious - especially the cookies and muffins. Thank you for a wonderful stay! Kevin & Kim, June 2013
3.8 on June 11, 2013
The host and hostess were very kind and thoughtful. The atmosphere was very tranquil and lovely.
3.8 on June 05, 2013
The hospitality was exceptional. The facility is comfortable and relaxing. The farm animals added a lot of character. I would recommend Willow Pond to friends.
4.8 on May 29, 2013
Very relaxing, loved the animals! We felt welcomed from the time we arrived to the time we left.
5 on May 25, 2013
This was our first bed and breakfast experience ever so we were slightly nervous. The innkeepers were exceptionally hospitable and made us feel at home. The atmosphere is very relaxing. We enjoyed our stay very much and can't wait to go back again! All the animals - including horses and horseback rides - provided plenty of entertainment in their own way as well.
5 on May 14, 2013
From the minute we pulled in the driveway we knew that this would be a wonderful place to stay. Jerome and Claire are welcoming and wonderful to talk with. The food was fresh, tasty, and great! We will plan on making a return trip, definitely.
4.8 on May 10, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay here. From the horseback riding, petting Rascal the dog and the warm and inviting breakfast conversations with the owners, I definitely will keep it in mind for future visits.
5 on May 02, 2013
I'm gluten free and Claire went out of her way to make me food that I could eat. It's a cozy, nice place in the country and the owners are great. It was a wonderful place to spend our 40th Wedding Anniversary!!
5 on May 01, 2013
Had the opportunity to stay at Willow Pond bed and breakfast with two girlfriends this past weekend. The contact beforehand was professional and pleasant. Upon arriving we were met by Jerome, and then Claire. The was an instant peace and I knew God had sent us there. The home was beautful and comfortable. The outdoors were also spectacular and full of beauty. Did I mention the breakfast. Claire is an outstanding cook and to top it off, she accomodated my gluten free needs. Yum!!! Mostly, however, it was the warmth, comfort and care Jerome and Claire showed toward us. Just like being home. Needless to say, were had a wonderful stay and I personally hope it won't be long before I will revisit that experience.
5 on April 24, 2013
My oldest daughter surprised me with a weekend only an hour from our home at Willow Pond B&B. I had never before stayed at a B&B so had no idea what to expect. Well, first of all, the room was spacious, comfortable, clean and well-decorated. Jerome and Claire were magnficient hosts and the horseback ride that Jill took us on was especially enjoyable. Loved the cookies and breakfast. I would highly recommend Willow Pond for a relaxing getaway.
3.8 on April 23, 2013
Rooms were very nicely furnished. Hosts were pleasant and friendly. Setting is fabulous!
5 on March 19, 2013
This was our second stay at Willow Pond. We traveled with friends and enjoyed visiting with Claire and Jerome. They make you feel very comfortable, like very special and dear friends. We look forward to returning and visiting again.
5 on March 06, 2013
As always we were made to feel more like family than visitors. We love the casual atmosphere and warm hospitality. Our time with Jerome and Clare is filled with fun and interesting conversation and Clare's breakfast is second to none.
5 on February 26, 2013
We had a wonderful stay At Willow Pond. The inn keepers were great! I will be staying again soon. The breakfast was delicious and the rooms were super nice.
4.6 on February 20, 2013
Jerome and Claire made us feel welcome in their home.Lots of public areas, lots of good conversation if we wanted and quiet time if we wanted.Good food too. we did "Cooking with Claire"-lots of fun and more good healthy food. A much needed respite from our stressful life.
4.0 on December 02, 2012
We came here for a relaxing getaway. We enjoyed the country location, welcoming hosts, generous sized room, clean bathroom and pretty views. Highly recommeded.
5 on October 30, 2012
Claire and Jerome were fabulous hosts. The property was gorgeous, very quiet and secluded. We were able to relax in the hammock by the pond. We bought a package that included champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, dinner by the fire and breakfast in bed. It was all perfect. I can't wait to go back.
5 on October 15, 2012
We had the most wonderful stay from start to finish. Claire and Jerome were so hospitable. We couldn't have asked for more in a bed in breakfast. My boyfriend and I were looking the perfect place to have a quiet weekend away and we found it! We stayed in the lavander room and it was beautiful! The room was very spacious and comfortable. The house and property are breath takingly gorgeous!! Claire made the most wonderful pumpkin pancakes for breakfast in the morning and then we went out on the most amazing horseback ride. We had so much fun and our guide Jill was so sweet! I can't say enough about how wonderful our experiance was! We can't wait to go back!!
4.0 on October 10, 2012
Thanks for the break from the busyness of our lives! We had a wonderful time and enjoyed the food and fellowship!
5 on October 10, 2012
Brian and Summer
4.2 on August 27, 2012
My stay At Willow Pond was very nice. The place is really in the middle of nowhere and I found it to be a very pleasant experience. The hosts were very gracious with our requests.
4.8 on August 27, 2012
I had an excellent time at the Inn at Willow Pond. It can absolutely be described as a country get-away. It is not for someone who expects to be in a town, though, as the nearest "town" is about 9 miles away. However, this more remote location lends itself to beautiful scenery, a farm with chickens, horses, ducks, dogs, and cats, and an overall feeling of serenity. The breakfasts are also fabulous. Claire uses eggs fresh from the chickens outside, as well as fruits, vegetables, and herbs from her own garden. Breakfast each day was truly a treat and I dream of the homemade cheddar biscuits! Many, many thanks to Claire & Jerome for a wonderful stay.
4.6 on August 16, 2012
Claire and Jerome are outstanding hosts! We felt right at home. I cannot have Gluten and Claire met us at the "door" with wonderful gluten-free cookies and prepared a wonderful breakfast each morning that I enjoyed tremendously and I never felt deprived.
3.4 on August 01, 2012
Good attention to detail; worry-free stay; Claire & Jerome were friendly & accommodating...Bottom line: I'd consider a return visit.
5 on July 27, 2012
Everything was fantastic during our stay at Willow Pond. Our hosts Jerome and Clair gave us wonderful directions to great outings for the days we were there. They offered to let us cook hotdogs on an open fire by the pond one night and it turned out to be so much fun because additional children came by and our grandchildren and they swam in the pond then we cooked hotdogs and shared. We also made smoors and it was a magical time. We highly recommend this bed and breakfast to all.
5 on July 09, 2012
this was the best bed and breakfast i have ever stayed, i stayed for one week and felt like i was leaving friends. claire and jerome made me feel relaxed and at home. i have been having trouble sleeping but was able to sleep here 8 hours with out waking up. WOW I feel so relaxed. the food was outstanding, my room was perfect, my bed was wonderful. i was so sad when i departed. I had such a great time i all ready booked another week next year. if you want to stay with friends this is the place, please make sure you leave me some cookies, ask jerome to tell you some jokes.! and dont forget the huge on your way out Rock Hood
5 on July 05, 2012
My husband and I stayed here on a Saturday evening. The owners were very nice and friendly. The room was nice and very cozy! The breakfast was delicious!!!! Would definitely go back!!!
5 on June 11, 2012
Homemade breakfast, wonderful surroundings and great owners!
5 on June 08, 2012
If you want a place that is clean, relaxing, friendly, with a feeling that you belong there, this is the place for you. It has a feel that you are at a relatives house for a visit. Claire and Jerome has such a sweet spirit about them.
4.4 on June 02, 2012
The owners are very sweet! Location is nice and peaceful too.
5 on May 28, 2012
My new husband and I stayed here on our wedding night. Claire waited up for us to get there after our reception. We loved the Northwest Room! We both agree that the breakfast we were served in bed Sunday morning was a great way to start our honeymoon of Bed and Breakfast stays! We didn't think that the meal would be topped by the other B&Bs we would be visiting and we were correct! Loved the whole experience!
5 on April 25, 2012
this experience was more than i could have ever dreamed for. i cant wait to go back again and i definetly plan on going again. kelly zuckerman
4.8 on April 13, 2012
From the candlelight dinner to breakfast in bed, everything was amazing. The walk around the property and seeing all the animals, and such a quiet getaway. We will definately be back
4.8 on February 29, 2012
We loved being able to truly "get away" to such a nice atmosphere. There was plenty to do around the property (walking around, playing with animals, snowshoeing, etc.) and Claire and Jerome are so accommodating and pleasant to be around. They do a great job of making your stay whatever you want it to be--whether it's just relaxing or being active or planning specific activities. The food was amazing, and we highly recommend the Cooking with Claire option if you're looking for a fun activity to do while there!
4.0 on February 29, 2012
We were lucky enough to join Claire and Jerome for a weekend away. What a pleasant relaxing getaway!
4.8 on February 26, 2012
The weekend that my wife and I spent at Willow Pond, was paid for by our dear neighbor as a thank you. Our stay was wonderful...cozy fire, warm cozy bed, dual shower, exceptional cousine, scenery, kind attentive hosts and yes even the nosy playful cats all helped provide a wonderful time away from the city for my wife and I. My wife and I enjoyed out stay, we plan to return at a later time to celebrate one of our anniversaries. I would strongly recommend Willow Pond as a place to stay and visit.
4.8 on January 18, 2012
Have to travel up this way for business once a month and was looking for a comfortable place to stay on a regular basis. I avoid hotels and motels whenever I possibly can, and donn't mind putting in the extra $$$ to stay someplace cozy and relaxed without the claustrophia and sterility of just four walls. Loved that I could linger in the common area downstairs in front of the fireplace. Would have brought my suit had I known there was a hot tub! Next month while there I intend to take full advantage of the upstairs area for relaxing, if time allows. Claire and Jerome were such great hosts, it was hard to pull myself away from breakfast to get back on the road. The only reason the room didn't get 5 stars was because I couldn't keep the TV working. Because no one was in the room across the way, I did sneak in to relax in front of their TV before turning in for the night. I'm sure that issue will be resolved before my next visit. And am really looking forward to it!
Innkeeper Response
We're so glad you enjoyed your stay and that you are coming back so soon! The TV issue has indeed been fixed--it was only batteries in the remote--glad it was such an easy fix! I wish (I had known when you were here.) Do bring your suit next time--there's nothing like soaking in the hot tub when it's snowy outside!
- Claire Vandenburg (innkeeper)
4.4 on November 29, 2011
My partner and I had stayed at willow pond and what a wonderful stay. The room was so warm and inviting, We were met at the front door by our wonderful hostess Claire and she gave us a tour of the house, which by the way might I add was so wonderful and really made you feel at home. Her husband Jerome was great telling wonderful stories and getting us both to laugh so hard we cried. My partner and I sat down later in the evening to talk with them about our own ideas of starting up a bed and breakfast and what a wonderful wealth of knowledge they both were to us. I can't wait to go back and do it again, Thank you, Thank you Thank you….. -Daniel & Nathan Hillsdale, Mi
4.0 on October 28, 2011
Very restful stay,the hosts were so nice and warm and welcoming and interesting. Good conversation, wonderful stories, great bed, delicious breakfast, yummy,warm home-baked cookies. A very clean, inviting natural setting. We would stay again if we ever have the chance. We highly recommend the B&B at Willow Pond
5 on October 12, 2011
I couldn't have pictured a more relaxing weekend. Our stay was PERFECT! Very, very affordable and relaxing! This was just what I was looking for in a weekend getaway. We booked our 2nd reservation before we checked out :) Claire and Jerome are very warm and loving people who have opened their homes up to share with everyone. We cannot wait to go back!!!
4.6 on October 12, 2011
Willow Pond is a wonderfully beautiful quiet setting. Clare is a wonderfully warm hostess and Jerome is a man with a joyous heart that always has a story to spin. We felt more like family than guests. Highly recommend it!
5 on October 06, 2011
This B&B is out in the country so if you are looking for a quiet, relaxing stay this is the place for you. We spend the day a Meijer gardens and then headed here for the evening. The grounds are well maintained and the house and room were charming. The hosts are very friendly and provide a large and delicious country breakfast. After dinner in Ionia (a small town with great architecture) we hit the outdoor hot tub under the stars just steps outside our room. Can't wait to go back.
4.0 on August 28, 2011
Beautiful, tranquil setting -- loved the resident ducks, chickens, and horses. The room was charming, clean, and comfortable. Our delicious breakfast included fruit/yogurt parfaits and relaxed conversation with our hosts. Would recommend to anyone looking for a cozy country getaway. Kelly B
5 on August 16, 2011
Jerome and Claire are the most gracious hosts! They became instant friends. It felt like I was home, without all of the work! The food was incredible and it was so quiet and peaceful! The conversation was the best, so inspiring and encouraging. We pray that we can come back soon for a visit! God bless you both!
5 on August 10, 2011
Willow Pond B&B has become our favorite get-away. Claire and Jerome are the perfect hosts and make their guests feel truly at home and welcome. From the well-appointed rooms to the beautiful property and excellent food, I cannot think of one thing that could be improved. Great value too!
5 on August 06, 2011
My wife and I stayed there for our honeymoon. Claire made no mention of the fact that we were both women when she greeted us, which we appreciated. We were treated like any other couple. The breakfast was fancy and delicious, with excellent presentation. Both Claire and Jerome made conversation with us in the mornings. I was able to ride one of the horses on my own which was a wonderful treat. The house was impeccably clean. We enjoyed our stay so much.
4.8 on July 11, 2011
Even though it rained both days of our stay, we enjoyed a lovely stay with Claire and Jerome, plus the kitties. Who would have thought that a room in the house's lower level could be so comfortable and feature such a fabulous shower? Breakfasts were creative and delicious, and the genuine welcoming warmth has added At Willow Pond to our "keeper" list of B&Bs.
4.4 on June 17, 2011
Had a wonderful, relaxing getaway! Jerome & Claire both make you feel very much at ease and welcomed. Loved and appreciated the horseback riding. Would highly recommend this B&B.
5 on June 13, 2011
I took my wife for a long weekend getaway for our 12th anniversary. I went with their Sweetheart/Anniversary package. It was a great value and a very nice addition to our stay. I could not have picked a better place to stay. Claire and Jerome are wonderful hosts. Their home is beautiful and very comfy. Claire's cooking is dangerously good! I honestly don't have a non-positive thing to say about the B&B and our stay there.
5 on June 11, 2011
Claire and Jerome are such a sweet couple and very accomodating. Claire learned vegan recipes to accomodate our dietary needs and prepared a most beautiful and romantic candlight dinner by the pond to help us celebrate our anniversary. The atmosphere is so comfortable, relaxing, peaceful, and we enjoyed the animals and most of all the fellowship of visiting with the innkeepers.


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Olivia Reilly needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 39 designs submitted by 21 freelance designers.
PharmaForce - Tailor Made Contract Sales Solutions for Pharmaceutical Companies
Description of Company and Activities:
- PharmaForce is a newly established company specialising in the employment of contract sales representatives on behalf of pharmaceutical companies within Ireland. These sales teams remain employees of PharmaForce while assigned to clients projects for certain periods of time (short or long term).
- A key element of our service to clients is that we fulfil all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.
- PharmaForce also provide individual tailor made training programmes for their people to ensure established key performance indicators and high standards in all aspects of client representation are adhered to at all times.
- We operate a state of the art IT system allowing for a strict reporting structure for our clients to ensure they have access to sales and performance information at regular intervals (weekly, monthly, quarterly) or alternatively, as and when they need it.
- As this is a brand new company, we are looking for a freshly designed logo with no preference for colour or design. The chosen logo will be used for the website and company stationary in addition to sponsorship, advertising and branding opportunities from time to time.
- The logo needs to portray a corporate and professional image. Bearing in mind that this logo will be the basis of the company identity which will need to attract both individuals seeking to recruit and individuals seeking to be recruited.
- We would like to receive the logo Vector, JPEG and TIFF formats in addition to a Black and White (greyscale) version which will be used as the background for company presentations.
We are open to all suggestions!
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Paul Barney had his first seizure four days after his fourth birthday. By the time he was 10, his mom worried that if they didn't get the seizures under control soon, he might lose IQ points along with his ready smile.
When Brian Manning, 11, had a seizure on the school playground – instead of in his bed as usual – his parents knew it was time for drastic action. He'd already had brain surgery once, but doctors said he might need five or six more operations. Or he could have one, to completely remove the right half of his brain.
Both boys have epilepsy and recently underwent surgery at Boston Children's Hospital. And both represent the promise and frustration of epilepsy treatment today.
Patients have more options, and there is more awareness, less stigma, and a better understanding of epilepsy than there has ever been. But available medications can't control seizures in about one-third of patients, including Paul and Brian, and while surgery is safer, it still comes with high risks. It also remains unclear what causes the electrical disturbance in patients' brains that triggers seizures.
Roughly 1 in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy at some point in life – more than will have autism, AIDS, or Parkinson's disease.
Some patients do fine between seizures and can function normally. In others, their brains are constantly being disrupted, like a radio station filled with static, according to Dr. Blaise Bourgeois the director of the Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology at Boston Children's.
Improvements in treatments have come slowly, as scientists have learned more about the brain and the possible causes of epilepsy, which range from brain damage to inflammation.
New medications are beginning to arrive that address the brain's over-excitation in different ways, offering hope to patients who haven't had success with existing drugs. Some patients have done well with vagal nerve, deep brain, or transcranial magnetic stimulation, procedures that send pulses of energy, hoping to tamp down excessive brain wave activity.
And doctors are getting better at understanding seizure patterns. Some people are more likely to seize in the morning, some in the evening, some while they sleep.
"If you know when seizures are most likely to occur, you can strengthen the defense against them," said Tobias Loddenkemper, an assistant professor of neurology at Boston Children's who recently controlled one boy's seizures by increasing his medication dose in the evening, when his seizures were more frequent.
Doctors are now treating seizures more aggressively to minimize danger to the brain. "Every single seizure causes some kind of damage," Loddenkemper said. That's why the old bias against surgery — putting it off until there's nothing left to do — is slowly changing.
Only about 5 percent of epilepsy patients — the lucky ones, according to some — are even eligible for surgery, because their epileptic "hotspots" are small enough or well-located enough that they can be cut out.
In some cases, the spot where seizures begin is in a relatively harmless part of the brain, and that focal point can be easily removed. At other times, families like Brian's and Paul's have to choose between an unmanageable quality of life, and the prospect that their child might lose motor control, memories, or their sunny personality.
Brain imaging has improved dramatically in recent years, giving surgeons a better idea of what they're dealing with before they enter the brain. A MEG or magnetoencephalography scan, for instance, offers a three-dimensional look at electrical activity between seizures, and a better sense of whether surgery will be useful.
Only about 5 percent of epilepsy patients – the lucky ones, according to some – are even eligible for surgery, because their epileptic 'hotspots' are small enough or well-located enough that they can be cut out.
Still, surgical treatments at Boston Children's Hospital often start with an invasive procedure called "grids and strips," in which a flap is opened in the skull and left open for up to a week to measure electrical activity from within the brain.
In Paul's case, it was clear after just two days where his seizures originated and what activities were controlled just around that focal point. Dr. Joseph Madsen, an associate professor of neurosurgery at Boston Children's, used that information on July 20 to carefully sever the tissue in the boy's brain.
Surgery could have robbed Paul of his ability to control muscles needed to speak, eat, and smile. But without it, Paul's mother, Christi Barney, of Medfield, worried he would be deprived of a future.
So far, Madsen is pretty confident that Paul didn't lose any essential skills. Four days after the surgery, the boy was able to host a dance party in his hospital room, and crack jokes with visiting doctors.
"What's gray and wears red boots? A getwellephant!" he told them.
"He's his funny self again, which is really a blessing to see," Barney said later that night.
Brian's parents couldn't bear to put their 11-year-old through the grids and strips procedure a second time. A first round of surgery gave him more than two seizure-free years. The family could try doing a minimal procedure again, Madsen told them, and potentially face five or six more surgeries in the years to come. Or they could opt for a full hemispherectomy in hopes of putting a real end to the seizures, which is what they chose.
Brian has cerebral palsy along with epilepsy — both caused by a brain bleed that struck shortly after his premature delivery, 14 weeks early.
Luckily, Brian's brain had rewired itself since his injury at birth, and the left side of his brain had taken over control of both sides of his body. So far, Brian seems to be doing well. His mom is pretty sure he hasn't lost any motor control, but it will probably take a few physical therapy sessions to be sure. And his vibrant, empathetic personality is intact, his parents say.
"Will this take care of everything? They can't give you that answer," said his father, Eric Manning, of Watertown. "Right now, I want two months of [seizure-free] peace. If I get to two years, four years, I will still always be watching. You just don't want to get too comfortable."Karen Weintraub can be reached at email@example.com.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified the procedure that Brian Manning's parents chose to deal with his seizures.


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Showtime! Blackhawks top Wild after filthy Patrick Kane goal
When the Chicago Blackhawks needed something – anything – to regain momentum, Patrick Kane provided it in a manner that even Magic Johnson and the Los Angelers Lakers would applaud.
Michael Jordan would, too, in the house he built.
Kane's highlight-reel goal to break a deadlock midway though the third period and serve as the winner in Friday's 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild not only gave the Blackhawks first blood in their best-of-seven second-round NHL playoff series.
It dropped the jaws of darn near everyone in the United Center, had tongues wagging – and elicited Twitter responses – across the NHL and has now given him a new nickname.
Even Kane knew it was a thing of beauty, saying "Showtime" when he joined his teammates in the celebration.
"Sometimes I don't even know what I'm saying," #Showtime Kane said. "I was pretty pumped up after that that one. You kind of get in your own little world. I don't even know what I said."
You bet Showtime will become a big catchphrase in the Windy City while the Hawks look to defend their NHL crown.
It was a big-time play at the most important of moments.
Not long after the Wild erased a two-goal deficit in the final frame, Kane gained the puck in the neutral zone, zipped around the pair of defencemen trying to keep him in check and roofed a top-corner backhander past Ilya Bryzgalov.
"That was just something amazing," said Hawks winger Marian Hossa, who knows a thing or two about such things. "He beat his defender and not many guys can shoot a puck like that on a backhand and he's one of them."
If that's not enough, Kane even provided the insurance goal minutes later.
"If I tried it, it would hit off someone's skate and go the other way," said centre Ben Smith. "He's a special talent and a lot of fun to watch."
Game 2 will be Sunday afternoon.
Credit the Wild for forcing the Blackhawks to have one of their gamebreakers step forward.
Power-play goals by Bryan Bickell and Hossa had the Blackhawks up 2-0 after two periods and the sellout crowd of 22,116 thinking a win was all but in the cards.
To think, the Blackhawks netted only two man-advantage markers in the whole first-round series against the St. Louis Blues.
But the Wild kept plugging away – outshooting their hosts by a 17-3 count in the middle frame – and it finally paid off when Clayton Stoner and Kyle Brodziak equaled the count in the third period.
Kane, however, put Chicago ahead for good 86 seconds later.
"It was a very winnable game for us," Wild head coach Mike Yeo said.
"You've got to buckle down in those key moments, in those key situations.
"They don't need 30 opportunities to put five in the net. So we've got to make sure we're doing a better job limiting the opportunities."
Bickell iced the game with an empty netter.
"We always felt like we could win this game," Wild winger Zach Parise said. "The majority of the time we were in good position. They're a lot like Colorado in that they're very opportunistic. If you make mistakes, they've got players who will put them in the net.
"We feel good about what we did. At the same time we've got to improve our game. We have to expect that to be a much better team moving forward."
The lone disappointment for the Blackhawks is that third-line centre Andrew Shaw left the game midway through the first period. He was limping after being on the receiving end of a hard Stoner check.
Crawford finished with 31 saves it the win.
On Twitter: @SunRandySportak


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Looking For A Beginner Package!!
Post general kiteboarding discussion topics here!
Moderator: BayAreaKite
Looking For A Beginner Package!!
Hello,I am brand new to the sport,I just finished taking lessons and I'm ready to buy some gear. From talking to quite a few peopleit seems that I'm looking for a kite 12m or bigger since I'll be staying in Alameda for the remainder of this season. Any help or advice is more than appreciated. I'm can't afford brand new gear because income is little right now but I want buy gear and start having fun ASAP. Thanks for reading, Adam.
deals on the net
I would try to buy 2003 kites or newer.
There are a lot of deals out there on kites on the net.
For e.x., I just picked up a brand new 2003 18M kite complete (bar/lines/bag/pump) for $170 with shipping included.
If you are going to buy used, like an automobile, try to find one with little use and one that still looks new.
A lot of the 2003's were good kites, and you can find them for a bargain now...
good luck.
I just started this season, so take that into consideration. Hopefully someone else will respond to agree or point out that I'm a kook.
I tried to do my own research and 12m seemed to be the average size for the bay, so I went ahead and got one. What I wasn't really aware of is that Alameda has much ligher winds than many of the other bay spots. You didn't specify your weight, but unless you're really light you might want to consider a larger kite, especially if you are on a limited budget and will be spending a bunch of time at Alameda.
I had a 16 for awhile and it made light and day difference compared to trying to go out on a 12 on average summer Alameda days!
It might sound intimidating, and depending on where you took water lessons you may have been flying a much smaller kite due to location. I've read recommendations on buying your smaller kites first, and that makes sense if you plan on backing them up with more kites soon after.
Whatever you decide to do, try to make friends at the beach, as it will be invaluable. Make sure that the kite you're putting up isn't larger than what everyone else is rigging. Have people double check your lines at first, and maybe help with launching, especially if you go for a larger kite!
Cheers, and good luck!
- Josh
For Alameda, I would say to shoot for a 14M. My buddy got that size and has been using it as his one kite quiver for two seasons now. He only recently considered getting a smaller kite, for those days when it is nuking. As a beginner, NEVER put a big kite up when more experienced guys are on smaller kites.
On the other hand, you don't really need a big kite. Having the right board makes a night and day difference.
My buddy was out on a surfboard with his 12M kite (his 16M leading edge burst) and other guys were on 16Ms(I was on a 21M) He was screaming upwind on his surfboard, when other guys on twintips struggled to hold their ground.
That being said, for light winds, get a board ~150 cm with little or no rocker, and is >42 cm wide.
Then when the winds pick up, you may want to pick up a smaller board (122 - 135 cm) with more rocker (rocker is good for jumps, helps hold your edge up to the last second). Smaller boards are more fun for doing jumps, but they making going upwind more difficult.
But for Alameda, I'd get a good light wind board. You could use this good light wind board with a 12M, 14M, 16M. Believe me, I've been out on my 11M and cruised upwind in ultra-light winds on my killer floaty directional. Kite size doesn't matter much if you have the right size board for the conditions.
I would recommend planning on having two boards, and start off with only one kite. You can get a lot of range with one kite and two boards. Just my two cents...
And yes, 12M is statistically the average size kite flown in the bay area.
I got a 12 and its pretty useless in Alameda in the last couple of months. Maybe 5 days I could use it for short times. 14-15 at least and a light wind board (not a big board, a light wind board).
I agree with guest. In alameda a big kite and a big board is a must. You won't be able to even get a 11m kite to fly in light winds. For the rest of this season you'll want a 14-16m mid aspect kite. It's never fun to pump up a 12m and watch others have fun while your kite is on the beach getting a tan. Next year you could get a smaller kite to explore the rest of the bay.
Stick with a board about 147. Hana's board is a good one. To bad I just sold a 147 in good shape for $175. It would have been the perfect package.
I think if you really want to surf in Alameda you need dedicated light wind gear, like a contra or a flysurfer. The wind there is so light that even the 16s don't do much. Same with board, you need a Glide, Flydoor, Spleene, plyboard or something like that. I am working on this setup right now, Alameda is 10 minutes from my work and its just a waist to let it go.
BTW previous guest was me, I forgot to log in.
The folloing factors matter when chosing your equipment for Alameda:
- your weight
-your level of experience
- the season
- the board
I have not seen your weight in any of the posts but there is a major difference between a 90 pound person and a 220 pound person. As a very rough rule of thumb....every 10-20 pounds 1 kitesize difference.
Level of experience: Beginners should be on at least 2 sizes smaller than advanced kiters of the same wight. The latter ones want to be superpowered to get big air. Beginners usually prefer to stay on the water - also when a gust hits.
The season in Alameda:
mid March to mid June: I (160 pounds) got the most use out of my 11 and 7 m kite on a small board during that time. Lots of very windy days here. I can hold on to a lot of kite and often like it powered up.
July: wind become very light, if they go over the 10 mph mark that's a lucky day. I can rip on a 13 m on a lightwind board in such conditions (ebbing). A bigger kite for me makes the same difference like a larger/floaty board. I often chose the larger board.
August - September: winds get even lighter. The warm weather is killing the wind. Watch the weather reports for the days were a cool down of 10 deg is forecasted - that will bring in strong enough wind.
October through mid March: either zero wind or Winter storms (from December on). Not for beginners, only crazy locals go out in that and bliss out. 5m, 7m, 8m kites. Safety gear and really warm wetsuits, hoodies etc. required. happens only 5 times or so per winter, the wind lasts 2 hours, often only in the morning. Wind direction is different too, can change from onshore blasts to offshore, S, SE, E, NE.
Optimal time for a beginner of standard size on standard sized equipment in Alameda is probably around May/June.
The board: Can compensate for 1-4 kitesizes in either direction.
Cheers! -Sylvia
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My extruder jammed for some reason, and buggered up my nozzle and PTFE tube. Whats the best place to get some replacements? Will E3D nozzles work? I'm planning on buying an E3D anyway, so I might just order some extra nozzles to go with it.
As far as the PTFE tube goes, it's got some PLA sorta welded/stuck in there. I could probably drill it out but I'd be worried I'd mess up the interior smoothness. Any thoughts on that one?