text:
The Maplewood Mall office is closed for the season. Thank you we had a great year!
We are available by phone:
(651) 631-0571
The Maplewood Mall office is closed for the season. Thank you we had a great year!
We are available by phone:
(651) 631-0571
REMEMBER: bring in Form 1095-A if you purchased health insurance through the State market exchange. You will need to know the Adjusted Gross Income of anyone you claim as a dependent to figure the credit. It is best to arrange an appointment to complete your families tax returns at the same setting. If you received a credit toward the payment of Healthcare Premiums last year you will need to bring your Form 1095-A and reconcile the credit you obtained for your estimated income with the credit you should have received for your actual income. Failure to do so will result in a delay of the processing of your tax return.
The tax penalty no longer applies for tax years 2019 and beyond.
The IRS has increased penalties on tax preparers to as much as $2,080 per return for failure of due diligence in claiming Head of Household, Earned Income Credit, Child Tax Credit and American Opportunity (Education) Credit.
Please bring any documentation that shows your children live with you and can be properly claimed. This can include school, medical or childcare records that show the child's address. Medical insurance forms 1095-A from MNsure, and 1095-B and 1095-C obtained from your employer can be very helpful. This is the
that specifies what could be needed to show your eligibility.
REMEMBER: bring Form 1098-T to claim any Education Credits. This is provided by the school or college and is required to claim credits.
We ask for your patience since we will probably need to ask you more questions this year to satisfy the new IRS requirements.
The date for Filing 2018 W-2's and 1099's for non- employee compensation (box 7) and has been changed to January 31st 2019.
There are stiff penalties for missing this due date.
Penalties are assessed based on the date when a correct W-2 is filed or furnished to employees:
If a business submits Form 1099 within 30 days from the due date, the penalty is $30 per form. If you file the form more than 30 days late but before Aug. 1, the penalty is $60 per form. The penalty increases to $100 for any form filed after Aug. 1 or not filed at all.
Extensions: Taxpaying businesses may apply for a 30-day extension on filing a 1099 form by completing Form 8809, an Application for Extension of Time to File Information Returns. You may submit Form 8809 either electronically or on paper, and need not sign the form. However, the extension only takes effect if the business applies for it before the due date.
Contrary to much of the politicized rhetoric we have all heard about this, the new tax laws do not simplify the tax code or make tax preparation easier for everyone. A few forms have been eliminated since you will no longer qualify for those adjustments and deductions. Yet it looks as though additional forms will be needed to calculate the rather complex subtractions and credits that are part of the new code. Ideas of fairness have been sacrificed to make a one size fits all standard deduction while eliminating the personal exemptions that relate to family size. Fortunately an increased Child Tax Credit can more than make up for that, for those with children under 17 years old.
Just where you will end up with the new tax laws is uncertain. The IRS is undergoing a change to withholding instructions that will not be out until at least February. Even with this, the instructions for Federal tax withholding form W-4 is already confusing and beyond normal human comprehension. With the increased standard deduction reflected on each job you have, it is highly likely that you will not have enough withholding if you and your spouse work two or more jobs combined. If you notice a big increase in your regular paycheck in 2018 it may be because your withholding is too low. If it is, and you do not get it fixed; you could owe big money by April of 2019 when your 2018 tax return is due. After we complete your tax return this year we will work out an analysis and recommendation for your 2018 withholding so that you can prevent a big disappointment in 2019.
If you have any foreign financial accounts with total value of $10,000 US or more, at any time in the last year, you MUST E-FILE FinCEN Form 114 with the US Treasury by April 15th of this year. You must file at: http://bsaefiling1.fincen.treas.gov/AddIndividual/User.
This is not part of your tax return; but you are expected to file it. There are huge penaties for not filing, up to the greater of $100,000 or half the value of the accounts!
If you have foreign financial accounts, including foreign stocks and ownership interest, which exceeded $50,000 in value at the end of the year, or exceeded $75,000 in value at any time last year ($100,000 and $150,000 if married filing jointly) you must file form 8938 with your tax return. Your return will need to be paper filed.
Please notify us immediately if this is the case. Penaties may be up to $50,000 for willful neglect of filing. To prevent delay in preparing your return please download and complete one form 8938 for each foreign account at www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/8938.pdf per instructions at www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i8938.pdf
Beginning in 2017 for 2016 reporting FinCEN Form 114 is now due April 15th rather than the later June 30th due date of the past.
Beware of scam phone calls demanding money. These are not IRS agents. The IRS will always send a written notice of anything you owe. If you receive an IRS notice in the mail call me immediately.
-Mark Deziel, 651 631-0571
IRS.gov: Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts
An aggressive and sophisticated phone scam targeting taxpayers, including recent immigrants, has been making the rounds throughout the country. Callers claim to be employees of the IRS, but are not. These con artists can sound convincing when they call. They use fake names and bogus IRS identification. Never give your personal information, especially your Social Security Number, to someone contacting you and claiming to be the IRS.
A new development in 2017, the IRS has authorized private collection agencies to act on behalf of the IRS. HOWEVER while these may email or phone you they are only used in the event of very delinquent accounts. And payments are made ONLY to the IRS. Please call me before making any payments. For more information: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/private-debt-collection


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VIEW THE MOBILE VERSION of www.fictionstories.ca
Science Fiction Stories
Western Stories
Other Chapters or Short Stories
Two Men And A Woman
The Freebooter
One To One
Tort Salvation
Enter Simon Harley
0n The Snow-trail
Back From Arcadia
The Honorable Thomas B Pelton
An Evening Call
Harley Makes A Proposition
Virginia Intervenes
Aline Makes A Discovery
First Blood
A Conspiracy
Laska Opens A Door
An Explosion In The Taurus
The Election
Further Developments
One Million Dollars
A Little Lunch At Aphonse's
Harley Scores
Not Guilty Guilty
Aline Turns A Corner
A Good Samaritan
Friendly Enemies
Breaks One And Makes Another Engagement
A Little Lunch At Aphonse's
Ridgway Of Montana
It chanced that Ridgway, through the swinging door of a department store,
caught a glimpse of Miss Balfour as he was striding along the street. He
bethought him that it was the hour of luncheon, and that she was no end
better company than the revamped noon edition of the morning paper.
Wherefore he wheeled into the store and interrupted her inspection of
"I know the bulliest little French restaurant tucked away in a side street
just three blocks from here. The happiness disseminated in this world by
that chef's salads will some day carry him past St. Peter with no questions
"You believe in salvation by works?" she parried, while she considered his
"So will you after a trial of Alphonse's salad."
"Am I to understand that I am being invited to a theological discussion of
a heavenly salad concocted by Father Alphonse?"
"That is about the specifications."
"Then I accept. For a week my conscience has condemned me for excess of
frivolity. You offer me a chance to expiate without discomfort. That is my
idea of heaven. I have always believed it a place where one pastures in
rich meadows of pleasure, with penalties and consciences all excluded from
its domains."
"You should start a church," he laughed. "It would have a great
following--especially if you could operate your heaven this side of the
She found his restaurant all he had claimed, and more. The little corner of
old Paris set her eyes shining. The fittings were Parisian to the least
detail. Even the waiter spoke no English.
"But I don't see how they make it pay. How did he happen to come here? Are
there enough people that appreciate this kind of thing in Mesa to support
He smiled at her enthusiasm. "Hardly. The place has a scarce dozen of
regular patrons. Hobart comes here a good deal. So does Eaton. But it
doesn't pay financially. You see, I know because I happen to own it. I used
to eat at Alphonse's restaurant in Paris. So I sent for him. It doesn't
follow that one has to be less a slave to the artificial comforts of a
supercivilized world because one lives at Mesa."
"I see it doesn't. You are certainly a wonderful man."
"Name anything you like. I'll warrant Alphonse can make good if it is not
outside of his national cuisine," he boasted.
She did not try his capacity to the limit, but the oysters, the salad, the
chicken soup were delicious, with the ultimate perfection that comes only
out of Gaul.
They made a delightfully gay and intimate hour of it, and were still
lingering over their demi-tasse when Yesler's name was mentioned.
"Isn't it splendid that he's doing so well?" cried the girl with
enthusiasm. "The doctor says that if the bullet had gone a fraction of an
inch lower, he would have died. Most men would have died anyhow, they say.
It was his clean outdoor life and magnificent constitution that saved him."
"That's what pulled him through," he nodded. "It would have done his heart
good to see how many friends he had. His recovery was a continuous
performance ovation. It would have been a poorer world for a lot of people
if Sam Yesler had crossed the divide."
"Yes. It would have been a very much poorer one for several I know."
He glanced shrewdly at her. "I've learned to look for a particular
application when you wear that particularly sapient air of mystery."
Her laugh admitted his hit. "Well, I was thinking of Laska. I begin to
think HER fair prince has come."
"Meaning Yesler?"
"Yes. She hasn't found it out herself yet. She only knows she is
tremendously interested."
"He's a prince all right, though he isn't quite a fairy. The woman that
gets him will be lucky.
"The man that gets Laska will be more that lucky," she protested loyally.
"I dare say," he agreed carelessly. "But, then, good women are not so rare
as good men. There. are still enough of them left to save the world. But
when it comes to men like Sam--well, it would take a Diogenes to find
"I don't see how even Mr. Pelton, angry as he was, dared shoot him."
"He had been drinking hard for a week. That will explain anything when you
add it to his, temperament. I never liked the fellow."
"I suppose that is why you saved his life when the miners took him and were
going to lynch him?"
"I would not have lifted a hand for him. That's the bald truth. But I
couldn't let the boys spoil the moral effect of their victory by so gross a
mistake. It would have been playing right into Harley's hands."
"Can a man get over being drunk in five minutes? I never saw anybody more
sober than Mr. Pelton when the mob were crying for vengeance and you were
fighting them back."
"A great shock will sober a man. Pelton is an errant coward, and he had
pretty good reason to think he had come to the end of the passage. The boys
weren't playing. They meant business."
"They would not have listened to another man in the world except you," she
told him proudly.
"It was really Sam they listened to--when he sent out the message asking
them to let the law have its way."
"No, I think it was the way you handled the message. You're a wizard at a
speech, you know."
He glanced up, for Alphonse was waiting at his elbow.
"You're wanted on the telephone, monsieur."
"You can't get away from business even for an hour, can you?" she rallied.
"My heaven ,wouldn't suit you at all, unless I smuggled in a trust for you
to fight."
"I expect it is Eaton," he explained. "Steve phoned down to the office that
he isn't feeling well to-day. I asked him to have me called up here. If he
isn't better, I'm going to drop round and see him."
But when she caught sight of his face as he returned she knew it was serious.
"What's the matter? Is it Mr. Eaton? Is he very ill?" she cried.
His face was set like broken ice refrozen. "Yes, it's Eaton. They say--but
it can't be true!"
She had never seen him so moved. "What is it, Waring?"
"The boy has sold me out. He is at the courthouse now, undoing my work--the
The angry blood swept imperiously into her cheeks. "Don't waste any more
time with me, Waring. Go--go and save yourself from the traitor. Perhaps it
is not too late yet."
He flung her a grateful look. "You're true blue, Virginia. Come! I'll leave
you at the store as we pass."
The defection of Eaton bit his chief to the quick. The force of the blow
itself was heavy--how heavy he could not tell till he could take stock of
the situation. He could see that he would be thrown out of court in the
matter of the Consolidated Supply Company receivership, since Eaton's stock
would now be in the hands of the enemy. But what was of more importance was
the fact that Eaton's interest in the Mesa Ore-producing Company now
belonged to Harley, who could work any amount of mischief with it as a
lever for litigation.
The effect, too, of the man's desertion upon the morale of the M. O. P.
forces must be considered and counteracted, if possible. He fancied he
could see his subordinates looking shiftyeyed at each other and wondering
who would slip away next.
If it had been anybody but Steve! He would as soon have distrusted his
right hand as Steve Eaton. Why, he had made the man, had picked him out
when he was a mere clerk, and tied him to himself by a hundred favors. Up
on the Snake River he had saved Steve's life once when he was drowning. The
boy had always been as close to him as a brother. That Steve should turn
traitor was not conceivable. He knew all his intimate plans, stood second
to himself in the company. Oh, it was a numbing blow! Ridgway's sense of
personal loss and outrage almost obliterated for the moment his
appreciation of the business loss.
The motion to revoke the receivership of the Supply Company was being
argued when Ridgway entered the court-room. Within a few minutes the news
had spread like wild-fire that Eaton was lined up with the Consolidated,
and already the paltry dozen of loafers in the court-room had swelled into
hundreds, all of them eager for any sensation that might develop.
Ridgway's broad shoulders flung aside the crowd and opened a way to the
vacant chair waiting for him. One of his lawyers had the floor and was
flaying Eaton with a vitriolic tongue, the while men craned forward all
over the room to get a glimpse of the traitor's face.
Eaton sat beside Mott, dry-lipped and pallid, his set eyes staring vacantly
into space. Once or twice he flung a furtive glance about him. His stripped
and naked soul was enduring a foretaste of the Judgment Day. The whip of
scorn with which the lawyer lashed him cut into his shrinking
sensibilities, and left him a welter of raw and livid wales. Good God! why
had he not known it would be like this? He was paying for his treachery and
usury, and it was being burnt into him that as the years passed he must
continue to pay in self-contempt and the distrust of his fellows.
The case had come to a hearing before Judge Hughes, who was not one of
Ridgway's creatures. That on its merits it would be decided in favor of the
Consolidated was a foregone conclusion. It was after the judge had rendered
the expected decision that the dramatic moment of the day came to gratify
the seasoned court frequenters.
Eaton, trying to slip as quietly as possible from the room, came face to
face with his former chief. For an interminable instant the man he had
betrayed, blocking the way squarely, held the trembling wretch in the blaze
of his scorn. Ridgway's contemptuous eyes sifted to the ingrate's soul
until it shriveled. Then he stood disdainfully to one side so that the man
might not touch him as he passed.
Some one in the back of the room broke the tense silence and hissed: "The
damned Judas!" Instantly echoes of "Judas! Judas!" filled the room, and
pursued Eaton to his cab. It would be many years before he could recall
without scalding shame that moment when the finger of public scorn was
pointed at him in execration.
Harley Scores
One Million Dollars
Viewed 460

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Hush Wedding Soirée Highlights
By Carly Anderson | April 1, 2016
Another beautiful Hush Wedding Soirée has come and gone! We are so thrilled to have had the opportunity to meet and host all of the lovely couples and vendors at the fourth annual #hushsoiree! Guests were greeted by Justyna Events amazing floral design – HUSH – along with a delicious cocktail created by Terminal City Read More


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Waterproof Housing Unit for The Easy Shot Clip™ Ultra Mini Digital Video Camera
HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Concord Keystone Trading, LLC announced today the debut of the Watersports Accessories Kit, a waterproof housing unit specifically designed for use with the Easy Shot Clip™ Ultra Mini Digital Video Camera. The products will be offered through the company's website, www.concordkeystone.com.
The Watersports Accessories kit is designed for use with the Easy Shot Clip Ultra Mini Digital Video Camera (sold separately). The device makes it easy to capture the action of water and snow sports, all hands-free.
"After we introduced the Easy Shot Clip, we observed that users were often capturing video in outdoor sporting situations," said Urs Stampfli, CEO of Concord Keystone. "We saw a need for a waterproof housing that expands and enhances the hands-free capability of the Easy Shot Clip."
The Watersports Accessories Kit works like this: the camera is inserted into the specially fitted waterproof housing and clipped to the 360-degree rotating mounting bracket. The bracket can then be attached to the head strap of diving goggles or ski masks. The camera housing is waterproof to 100 feet/30 meters and protects the camera from challenging environmental conditions. The underwater housing unit weighs just 1 ounce and measures 2.95-inches (H) X 1.4" (D).
The kit includes the waterproof housing made of clear plastic with optical portal/UV filter, 360˚ Rotating Mounting Clip for diving or ski mask and adjustable wrist strap. Note: Easy Shot Clip Ultra Mini Digital Video Camera or Diving Mask is not included with this kit.
Price: $39.99
Available for purchase at www.concordkeystone.com
ABOUT THE EASY SHOT CLIP™ ULTRA MINI DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA The Easy Shot Clip is one of the smallest digital video recording devices in its class and is comparable in size to a tube of lipstick. Weighing less than 3/4 of an ounce, the camera measures just over 2-inches long and less than 1-inch wide and debuts at a new category price point below $70. The Easy Shot Clip comes complete with editing and sharing software and a number of accessories, which increase its usefulness making hands-free video recording easy and fun. The Easy Shot Clip 2GB video recorder captures up to two hours of video and sound at (VGA) 30 fps, and features one-button operation. Videos can be uploaded seamlessly to four social networking sharing sites using ArcSoft Media Impression® Software, which is included in the package and is compatible with Windows XP, Vista 32 & 64, Windows 7 and Mac OS X (10.4.7 or newer). The Easy Shot Clip was released in January at the CES Show and retails for $69.99


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Prattville – One of the nation's largest sporting good retailers, Academy Sports + Outdoors, launches its Prattville store with a soft opening on October 9.
The 75,000 square foot building is located adjacent to Hobby Lobby, and both stores are part of The Exchange at the intersection of U.S. 82 and Cobbs Ford Road.
The retailer has 118 stores (including Prattville) in 11 states and this one will be the 8th to open this year. John Hay, vice-president of real estate at Academy Sports, feels that there is a definite need for the store in the city.
"Prattville has been on the Academy Sports + Outdoors radar for quite some time," Hay said. "We look for areas that show signs of a sustainable customer base, and we can tell that the people of Prattville will love what we have to offer."
"Our large selection of quality outdoor, sports, and lifestyle products at everyday low prices will resonate well with people of all ages here in Prattville."
Academy Sports offers sports, outdoors, and lifestyle enthusiasts of all ages a diverse selection of equipment, apparel, footwear, and lifestyle products at everyday low prices.
The grand opening celebration at the Prattville store will be held on Saturday, October 24 from 10 AM-4 PM.
Article by Melissa Parker
© 2009 Our Prattville. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the express written consent of the publisher.


text:
Polls closed today at 9 AM Pacific Time for voting on the Merger Tentative Agreement reached by the Joint Negotiating Committee in February 2018. The results of the vote are as follows:
|Voting FOR the agreement
|Voting AGAINST the agreement
|Total Votes
|Participation Rate of Eligible Voters
As indicated above, the TA has passed.
Click here for a copy of the certified results.
What's Next?
Several provisions of the Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA), including new pay rates for both L-AS and L-VX Flight Attendants, take effect immediately. Additional communications regarding JCBA implementation will be coming out over the next several days.
In Solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de'Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee; and
Your JNC – MEC President Jeffrey Peterson, Jennifer Wise MacColl, Jamie Cogen, Lindsey Steele and AFA Senior Staff Negotiator Paula Mastrangelo


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Beech Mount Hotel
- Free WiFi and free parking
- Collect nights
Beech Mount Hotelfrom €43
- Double Room
- Twin Room, 2 Twin Beds
- Single Room
- Standard Suite
- Superior Suite
- Triple Room
- Executive Suite
More great choices
What's around Beech Mount Hotel
- St. George's Hall - 31 min walk
- World Museum Liverpool - 31 min walk
- Walker Art Gallery - 31 min walk
- Anfield Road Stadium - 36 min walk
- Cavern Club - 40 min walk
- Liverpool ONE - 42 min walk
- Royal Liverpool University Hospital - 23 min walk
- University of Liverpool - 28 min walk
Getting around
- Liverpool (LPL-John Lennon) - 15 min drive
- Manchester (MAN) - 36 min drive
- Edge Hill Station - 18 min walk
- Wavertree Technology Park Station - 26 min walk
- Liverpool Lime Street Station - 4 min drive
At a glance
Key facts
Hotel size
- This hotel has 52 rooms
- This hotel is arranged over 3 floors
- Check-in time 3 PM-midnight
- Check-out time is 11 AM
Required at check-in
- Credit card or cash deposit required
- Government-issued photo ID required
- Minimum check-in age is 21
Travelling with others
- Up to 10 children stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding
- Pets not allowed
- Free WiFi in rooms
- Free self parking
Payment types at the property
Other information
- Smoke-free property
In the hotel
- English breakfast daily (surcharge)
- Restaurant
- Bar/lounge
- Room service (during limited hours)
- Microwave in a common area
- Refrigerator in a common area
- Billiards or pool table
- 24-hour front desk
- Luggage storage
- Multilingual staff
- Year Built - 1861
- Elevator
- Garden
- Terrace
- Accessible bathroom
- In-room accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
- English
- French
- Portuguese
- Spanish
In the room
- Iron/ironing board (on request)
- Private bathroom
- Bathtub or shower
- Hair dryer (on request)
- Digital TV channels
- Desk
- Free WiFi
Recommended hotels
Special features
DiningArthurs Restaurant - This restaurant serves breakfast and dinner.
Beech Mount Hotel's small print
Also known as
- Beech Mount Hotel
- Beech Mount Hotel Hotel Liverpool
- Beech Mount Hotel Liverpool
- Beech Mount Liverpool
- Beech Mount Executive Accommodation Liverpool
- Beech Mount Hotel Hotel
- Beech Mount Hotel Liverpool
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed.Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve cribs/infant beds. Air conditioning is not provided. Guests can rest easy knowing there's a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, and a smoke detector on site. Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property. The policies listed are provided by the property.
Optional extras
Late check-out can be arranged for an extra charge of GBP 25 (subject to availability)
English breakfast is offered for an extra charge of GBP 7 per person (approximately)
We have included all charges provided to us by this property. However, charges can vary, for example, based on length of stay or the unit you book.
Is the description of this hotel not correct? Tell us


text:
Phoenix had just stepped out of the lift when a loud crash sounded, startling her. Peering down the hall, she saw that the doors to one of the storage rooms were wide open and the lights were on. That wasn't right, she thought, walking over and peeking into the room.
She rolled her eyes when she spotted a blonde girl wandering around the room. "Rose, would you stop making so much racket? You startled me."
"It wasn't me." The blonde protested, turning to look at her with a glare. "Have you seen Wilson?"
Phoenix forced herself not to show how much Rose's reaction hurt. The blonde's dislike towards her didn't make any sense. They'd practically grown up together and had been best friends in elementary and middle school, but they'd grown apart when they reached their high school years. She'd never gotten an explanation, just anger, but she guessed that the year of difference where she'd still been in middle school while Rose was in her freshmen year hadn't helped any. There was more to it than that, but everytime she brought it up with the girl, she was shut down. Eventually, she'd stopped asking and just accepted it for what it was. They weren't friends anymore.
She shook her head and brushed her brunette hair out of her eyes. "No. Why?"
"I have to bring him the lottery money and the shop's closing." She responded, her tone making it obvious how annoyed she was with the brunette. "So, if you don't mind, I'm just gonna--"
The blonde broke off as the door slammed shut behind them, causing Phoenix to whirl around. What was going on? She followed Rose over to the door and watched as she tried to pull it open. No matter how much she pulled the door wouldn't budge. "You're kidding me."
"Hey! There's still someone in here!" Phoenix yelled, her voice echoing through the room and sending an eerie feeling through her. It was already creepy enough down here, she though as they waited for someone to come let them out, but no one did. Rose turned and looked like she was about to say something when another clatter echoed through the room.
They both glanced at each other before heading further into the room. Phoenix knew that there was another exit, they just needed to get there, but it appeared that there was someone between them and the exit. It made her insides knot up just thinking about it.
"Is that someone mucking about?" Rose called, walking past Phoenix and moving further down the hall. "Who is it?"
"Rose, maybe we should leave it be." Phoenix whispered softly, glancing around and reaching behind herself to tug on her hair. The blonde continued forward, completely ignoring her and Phoenix sighed before hurrying over to her. "Rose--"
"Look, if you're scared why don't you go cry home to mummy!" Rose snapped, whirling on the girl with irritation and Phoenix found that she couldn't stop herself from physically flinching back at Rose's words. How could she say that with what had happened to her mother? Then again, maybe she didn't know. They hadn't spoken for years now, outside of work and the blonde never spoke to her unless it was necessary. "What? Did I upset you? You gonna cry now?"
Phoenix turned away from the blonde, quickly wiping the tears from her eyes and trying to shove the hurt down. Something was going on and she needed to stay focused, otherwise she might meet the same fate as her mother. She was hoping that it was just a prank and not someone who would hurt them. A slow creaking started a few feet in front of her and she slowly looked up, her eyes widening when the plastic dummy started towards her. How...? No, it couldn't be.
Both girls began to stagger back as the dummy advanced on them, creaking the whole while.
"Yeah, you got me. Very funny." Rose said, her voice wavering as she spoke. "Derek, is this you?"
Out of the corner of her eye, Phoenix spotted a flash of movement and she turned to see another dummy coming towards them. Everywhere she turned there was another animating and coming towards them.
Phoenix turned, frantically searching for somewhere without mannequins, now properly frightened. "Look, whoever's doing this, it isn't funny!"
One thing Phoenix had always liked about Rose, she wouldn't leave someone to die no matter how much she might dislike them. So it didn't completely surprise her when the blonde pulled her back away from the mannequins, pushing her behind herself.
Phoenix yelped in surprise as her foot caught on a fallen clothes rack and she suddenly found herself falling backwards. Her head smacked into the concrete floor, hard and she gasped at the pain while trying to reorient herself. She didn't get much of a chance as she was suddenly being hauled off of the ground. Fearing that it was one of the dummies, she started struggling, twisting and turning in the grasp.
"Oi, it's just me!" Rose's voice made her instantly freeze and look at the girl. "We have to get out of here!"
Phoenix nodded and followed the blonde's lead as they started moving away from the dummies again. "You helped me."
Rose glanced at the brunette with surprise. She was angry with the girl, yes, but it didn't mean she would let her die. They'd been friends and no matter what had happened between them, she knew that a part of her would always care about the girl. Did she really think otherwise?
Soon, Phoenix and Rose were pushed up against a door that wouldn't open and the wall next to it. Even though she knew it probably wouldn't work, Phoenix yanked at the door before giving up and pounding on it, hoping that someone might hear as the mannequins closed in on them. No one came and Phoenix's hope of rescue faded as she turned to look at the dummies.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she pressed herself back against the door and turned her head into Rose's shoulder. To say she was surprised when the blonde didn't shove her away, but instead grabbed her hand and squeezed it tightly would be an understatement. Waiting for the cold touch of plastic, Phoenix squeezed Rose's hand back, ignoring the strange buzzing noise she was hearing.
A gasp escaped her lips as the cool metal of the door against her back disappeared and she found herself falling backwards for the second time that night, her eyes shooting open and Rose's hand falling from her own. She was immediately dizzy and expecting to hit the floor again, so she screwed her eyes shut again. She waited for impact but only seconds after her support had been removed, she found herself colliding with something much softer than the concrete had been. She would know. It definitely wasn't one of the dummies, seeing as it was soft and warm, so she carefully cracked her eyes open.
Once she had seen what had ahold of her, her eyes shot open and she sighed with relief. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and he was wearing a loose leather jacket over a dark maroon jumper. He had short hair, a pointed nose, and large ears that somehow complimented his appearance. The most startling thing about him though were his eyes.
They were an intense, clear, blue and though one might expect them to be as cold as their color would suggest, his were filled with warmth and kindness. In fact his entire face should give one a certain impression but instead gave the exact opposite impression.
He straightened her by pulling her out into the hall before grabbing her hand, his warm fingers wrapping around her own and squeezing gently. Phoenix figured they would be moving in a moment and she called out to her former friend. "Rose!"
She held her hand out, not looking away from the man's smiling eyes. Relief filled her when the blond accepted her hand.
Phoenix was right as she was suddenly being pulled down the hallway and away from the plastic dummies with Rose attached to her hand. The man was keeping a firm grip on her hand so he was easily able to tell when she stumbled and both him and Rose helped to keep her more or less moving until she regained her footing. The three ran straight down the hallway towards another lift at the end of the corridor, the mannequins still after them and moving faster than Phoenix would have thought possible for something made of plastic.
The lift doors opened in a rush and Phoenix caught a glimpse of the man's blue eyes as he pushed the two girls into the car. Once they were all in, he repeatedly pressed the button to close the doors, but the mannequins were getting closer. The doors started to close and it looked like they were home free when a plastic arm suddenly shot through the gap in the closing doors, preventing the car from going up to the desired floor. The man struggled with it as he opened and closed it's fingers, grasping around for them. Adrenaline and fear were the only things keeping Phoenix on her feet as the struggle continued, until finally after some forceful tugs the arm disconnected from the body with a pop, allowing the doors to close and the lift to ascend upwards.
Phoenix let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding before turning to Rose. "You okay?"
Rose ignored her as she stared at the man with horror. "You pulled his arm off."
"Yep." The man said in a Northern accent, turning and tossing the arm at Phoenix. She caught it and looked up as the man spoke again. "Plastic."
"Very clever. Nice trick." Rose said, obviously not happy as she glanced at the arm and the brunette holding it. "Who were they then, students? Is this a student thing or what?"
"Why would they be students?" The Doctor wondered, glancing between Phoenix and Rose. Phoenix herself was wondering about Rose's thought processes.
"I don't know." Rose responded, her tone conveying that she didn't think she should have to explain herself. As if it were obvious.
"Well, you said it. Why students?" He repeated, turning away from her. Why was he so intent on her answer? Why was he helping them at all? Not that she wasn't grateful to him for helping, if he hadn't Rose and her would most certainly be dead, but most people didn't do anything without a motive.
"Cos to get that many people dressed up and being silly, they got to be students." Rose reasoned, her tone matter of fact.
"That makes sense. Well done." The man complimented, glancing back at her and beaming.
"Thanks." Rose said, her tone unsure as she stared at the man.
"How does that make sense?" Phoenix wondered, staring at the man with raised eyebrows. "What kind of school would have students dress up as mannequins and try to prank people by breaking the law and trespassing in a shop after closing?" Rose looked like she was about to protest so Phoenix quickly cut her off. "And if you're going to go the route that some students just got together, do you know how hard it is to get people together like that? Especially students? Yes, it's possible but not very likey.Not to mention, their faces were plastic as well and it wasn't clear plastic so there's no way they could see through it." She paused, brushing her hair behind her ear as she looked between Rose and the man who were both listening to what she was saying. The man looked curious while Rose looked irritated, but that seemed to be the norm for Rose when it came to Phoenix so she just ignored it and continued explaining. "They didn't have eyeholes and even if they had tiny ones that we couldn't see, they still wouldn't be able to see through it well enough to come after us through a basement with a bunch of random stuff all over the place."
"That makes even more sense." The man said, looking to her with an expression that could be impressed. "Fantastic." He paused, glancing at Rose. "They're not students."
"Whoever they are, when Wilson finds them, he's going to call the police." Rose said, glancing at Phoenix with a glare as the lift's gears started to grind, indicating that they were stopping.
"Who's Wilson?" The man wondered, looking to Rose with a curious and confused expression.
"Chief electrician." Rose responded simply as the doors started to open.
"Wilson's dead." The man said, his tone darker as he walked out of the lift.
Phoenix's lips parted with a soft gasp and she quickly followed Rose out of the lift. The blonde was almost yelling at the man at this point. "That's just not funny. That's sick!"
"Mind your eyes." The man warned, the doors to the shaft closing as he pulled a slender object from his coat pocket and pointed it at the lift's controls. The object in his hand buzzed and the panel sparked, causing Phoenix to jump a bit while Rose flinched.
"Do you really think they'd follow us up here?" Phoenix wondered, staring curiously at the man as he looked around.
"Yes. Why wouldn't they?" The Doctor asked her, focusing on her and seeming to actually be interested in her answer.
"Theoretically if they knew how to use the lift they could have come up whenever, so why didn't they? Why only attack when we were down there? If they were simply trying to stay undetected they could have just continued pretending to be mannequins while we were down there, but they decided to attack us." Phoenix explained as she reached her hand behind her to tug on her hair, nervous with all of his attention focused on her. "It wasn't exactly a smart thing to do, unless they were protecting something. And if they were protecting something down there, we didn't find it so why would they follow us? They were watching us the entire time we were down there, they'd know if we'd found anything they didn't want us to. And if they wanted to just kill people then they would have used the lift ages ago and attacked while people were shopping."
"That makes sense too. Well done." He responded before turning away, tucking the slender object into his pocket.
"Who are you, then?" Rose asked as the man pushed past her, pushing a nearby clothes rack to the side. "Who's that lot down there?" Phoenix hurried after the man, listening to Rose yell from behind them."I said, who are they?"
"Are they some kind of living plastic?" Phoenix wondered, jogging a bit to keep up with him. He looked at her with surprise and maybe a bit of suspicion, but she couldn't be sure if that's what she was seeing.
"Yes, exactly and they're being controlled by a relay device on the roof, which would be a great big problem if I didn't have this." The man said, turning around quickly and showing her a small beeping device that appeared to be a bomb. The two girls followed him up a set of short stairs and stopped as they reached a set of double doors at the top.
"So, I'm going to go up there and blow them up," He pushed a door open and pushed them out. " -and I might well die in the process, but don't worry about me."
Phoenix struggled against the push, turning to look at him. "You can't just--"
He quickly cut her off, looking completely serious. "Don't tell anyone about this, because if you do, you'll get them killed."
The man stepped back inside and pulled the door shut as Phoenix tried to step inside. She frowned and shouted at the closed door. "Don't be such a stupid ape!"
The door opened again and Phoenix had to step back to avoid being hit by it. The mystery man was appeared again and Phoenix glared at him. "I'm the Doctor, by the way. What's your name?"
"Phoenix." She murmured quietly, glancing at Rose. "And that's Rose. How are you going to get out?"
"Nice to meet you, Phoenix. Rose. Now, run for your life!" The Doctor waved the bomb with a wide smile and completely ignored her question, pulling the door closed again and disappearing.
Phoenix shook her head, tucked the plastic arm under her nonplastic arm and ran forward to grasp the door handles, pulling on them, but they didn't open. She shook the doors fiercely and bits of her hair fell into her hazel eyes until she finally gave up. She couldn't try forever since the building was about to go up.
"Rose, we need to.." She trailed off when she turned and saw that the blonde had already taken off across the street. Brushing her hair out of her face, she shoved the hurt down, glanced at the closed doors one more time, and ran across the street, not stopping until she was a good distance away from the building. She instinctively covered her face and flinched away as the building exploded, the shock wave knocking the windows out. Phoenix swallowed thickly as she straightened before she leaned back against what appeared to be a Police box from the 1950's. What was that doing there? She glanced up at the building before grabbing the door handles on the box and pulling. The door didn't budge. Well, she didn't really think it would, honestly.
She turned and started walking in a random direction, letting the plastic arm hang by her side as she pulled her phone out of the pocket of her dark blue hoody. Quickly dialing the familiar number, she held the phone to her ear and fought the exhaustion that was starting to set in. Now that the adrenaline was wearing off the pain in her head was letting itself be known and all she wanted to do was curl up and sleep.
Her phone only rang once before someone answered. "Hello. Owen Harper speaking."
"Owen." She said with relief, a smile spreading across her face. "What are you doing right now? Are you busy?"
"Well, that's one way to put it. Why?" Owen asked and Phoenix frowned. She didn't want to pull him away from work. She knew it was important and that it took up most of his time. Ever since he'd gotten that promotion, he'd been way busier.
"Um, nothing. Never mind."
"That's not your nothing voice, that's your I'm worried and don't want to bother you voice. What's going on, love?" He asked, his tone concerned. She could just see him stopping everything just so that he could focus on her completely. It was what he always did when she needed him.
"Turn on the tele."
She needed to get home or at least to a friend's place. She would have gone to Owen's if he hadn't been busy, but she had known it was a long shot. She almost expected it these days, but this time she just really needed some comfort and she knew that he would do just that, even if he had to do it over the phone.
As she approached her favorite cafe, she found herself debating whether or not to stop and get something warm to drink. She could always get that chai tea she loved, she mused absently, nearly forgetting that she was on the phone.
"Henrick's? That's where you work, ain't it?" Owen asked, causing her to startle and roll her eyes at herself. She needed to stay focused. "Hold on, I'm coming to get you."
"No, Owen. You don't have to--"
"I'm coming and that's final. Now, where are you, love?" He cut her off and she could hear the sound of a car engine starting up in the background.
She sighed and sat down at one of the tables at the cafe, setting the arm down on the table. "I'm at Alina's cafe. Few blocks away from Henrick's."
"Right, be there in five."
She nodded and put on her best scolding tone. "Are you driving right now?"
"Yeah. Got a problem with that?" She couldn't stop herself from smiling at his playful tone. "Cause if you do, you'll just have to deal. I'm not hanging up until you're in my beautiful blue sports car."
She chuckled, not minding how commanding he was being. She knew he was just worried and wanted to be sure that nothing happened to her in the time it took for him to pick her up. He was like a big brother to her and so he was allowed to worry.
"Do I no...?" She trailed off and brought her hand up to rub her throbbing temple. It was only getting worse the more she calmed down. "Sorry, I didn't..." She trailed off again and rested her head down on the cool tabletop. Maybe that would help.
"You okay, love?" He asked, concern lacing his voice.
She was about to answer that she was fine, but was she? She honestly didn't know. Her head was killing her and with the adrenaline wearing off, she was becoming exhausted and the pain wasn't helping. Her muscles ached and she was definitely ready to pass out, not to mention without anything keeping her occupied she couldn't stop herself from thinking about Rose's words. That just made the situation even worse because on top of everything she was trying to stop herself from breaking down, which was a lot more difficult when she was exhausted as opposed to being mostly awake.
She didn't realize how long she'd been silent until she felt a hand on her head. Surprised by the action, she quickly sat up and turned quickly to see that it was just a very worried Owen. "Usually when someone asks if you're okay, you answer."
"Sorry." She murmured, rubbing her temples again. "I was thinking on how to answer."
"Right, come on, then." He pulled her to her feet and towards his car, glancing back at her. She quickly grabbed the plastic arm as she was dragged off though she wasn't sure why. Maybe she was just worried about what would happen if someone stumbled across it and it came back to life?
Owen made sure that Phoenix was situated in the car before he climbed into the driver's seat, glancing at her with worry before starting the car and pulling back out onto the road. She didn't look like she was doing too well. She kept rubbing her head and she looked like she would pass out at any moment. There was something else bothering her, but now probably wouldn't be the best time to ask what it was.
"How're you feeling?" He asked, hoping to keep her awake until he could check her over. She didn't look like she had any injuries, but still. When it came to the girl who was practically his little sister, he wanted to cover all of his bases.
"I hurt everywhere." She murmured, glancing over at him and leaning her head against the closed window. It felt good. "Mostly my head."
The rest of the drive was spent with Owen drilling her with questions. She tried to answer them as best she could, but after a while she was just too tired to even try. When Owen pulled her out of his car and led her into his apartment, sitting her on his couch, she barely noticed. She snapped back to awareness when he started prying the arm out of her hands, looking at it with confusion.
She didn't try to stop him, but she did keep a close eye on it as he tossed it onto a nearby chair. It wouldn't be great if it jumped to life and tried to kill them, after all.
"Right, stay here. I'll be back." Owen said, patting her hand before standing and going into his bedroom. He wasn't gone for more than a few seconds, but by the time he got back she'd curled up and was struggling to keep her eyes open. "Hey, none of that now. Need you awake. Look here."
She sighed and forced her eyes open, straightening and looking at him as he held his finger up, shining a light into her eyes. It made her head throb, but she knew he was good at his job so she didn't protest.
"You've got a minor concussion." He told her once he was done. "The rest is from the adrenaline. You hit your head, love?"
"Yeah, I fell." She told him, leaning forward to rest her head on his shoulder. "Probably would've been worse if Rose hadn't been there."
"Is she still causing you trouble?" Owen asked, moving to sit beside her on the couch and letting her curl up into his side. "Did she say something? You seemed really bothered in the car and that friend of yours is the only one who can get you in that kind of mood."
Phoenix didn't answer for a moment, tears welling up in her eyes. Owen knew how Rose had been acting towards her and she knew that she could tell him anything because he was always there for her or he tried to be. She knew he was busy with work and couldn't always be focused on her, but now that he was here, she was hesitant to tell him. She didn't want him to know just how bad things with Rose had gotten because she knew he would feel guilty. He really hadn't been able to see her that often, not for the last six months anyways.
"Love?" Owen pressed, his fingers gently massaging her temples. "What happened?"
"She..." Phoenix hesitated again before sighing and relaxing against Owen. He hadn't been able to be there for her, but he was there now. He was trying to help and it would make him even more guilty later on if she didn't just tell him now because it would just be another time he wasn't able to help her. "She told me to go home and cry to my mother."
Her voice was barely more than a whisper but Owen heard it easily and her words made his blood boil. How could someone who'd been her best friend once say that to her? The words were so simple and would probably seem stupid to get upset over to anyone else, but considering Phoenix's mother had died the last christmas, he couldn't believe someone would be so insensitive. Was the blonde really that distant to her? Owen wanted to hunt the girl down and yell at her for her harsh words, but as Phoenix started to shake he knew he couldn't.
"Now, don't cry, love. It's alright." Owen wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. "Just go to sleep. You'll feel better in the morning."
Phoenix smiled at Owen's words and let her eyes close. She could trust him to be there for her.
Like you could trust Rose? The voice in the back of her head whispered to her. She had been like a sister to Rose once and now...the blonde could barely even look at her. She didn't even know what she'd done wrong, but it must have been horrible.


text: Jaime Moyer has guest star credits on Modern Family, Parks and Recreation, 2 Broke Girls, and a recurring role as neighbor Mrs. Goldfeder on Disney's K.C Undercover. She is an alum of The Second City-Detroit and a current member of the acting unions SAG-AFTRA and AEA. Jaime is the creator of the viral hit "Fancy Catz" which can be seen on YouTube at the Second City Network, and has appeared in several short and feature length films. She performs weekly at The Second City Hollywood and iO WEST in Los Angeles, California. Check out jaimemoyer.com. Her website is a little boring, but hey she got the domain name! Woo!


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Dairy on Peacock Island
Pastoral Pleasures
At the end of the 18th century, Jean Jacques Rousseau's call to "return to nature" inspired European nobility to construct mock farms where they could enact their notions of the "simple country life" in staged surroundings. In Prussia it was King Frederick William II and his mistress, the Countess Lichtenau, who dreamt up a pastoral hideaway on Peacock Island, far removed from courtly etiquette, with its very own dairy where they could milk and savor the sweet milk of their well-kept cows.
Built from 1794–95, the same time as the Palace on Peacock Island, the Dairy's exterior was designed to resemble a monastery gone to ruin. The ground floor accommodated the cows that the royal highnesses milked themselves. Thereafter they proceeded to the whey room, where today's visitors can view the churn used by Countess Lichtenau to beat the cream to butter. Wooden butter molds with the peacock motif also still survive.
The double door on the upper floor opens onto the Gothic Hall. Its magnificent décor has an even more overwhelming effect when visited after having enjoyed the pastoral simplicity of the surrounding areas before reaching this room. Created by renowned artists, it is a masterpiece of early neo-Gothic interior design that is unparalleled in the Berlin-Potsdam region.
Other showpieces from the original interior decoration are the Bohemian crystal chandelier and a table made of oriental agate with carved snake feet.
The exhibition in the dairy farmer's former living quarters on the ground floor documents Peacock Island's various phases of redesign. A game of skittles and Russian slide, which was a favorite pastime of the royals during the 19th century, are also on display.
Please note: Restoration works
The Palace on Peacock Island is closed due to restoration work performed as part of the "Prussian Palaces and Gardens Master Plan". Peacock Island and the Dairy are open! Thank you for your understanding.


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These days you gotta be pretty creative when it comes to promoting your music. Scissor Sisters recently set up a Rentboy Profile to promote their upcoming album Nightwork. I think lead singer Jake Shears looks pretty hot in those shots. Nightwork will be released Jun 28th.
Sunday, 27 June 2010
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Valerie Biener & Federico Arocena - Founders
Valerie Biener and Federico Arocena founded Global Trends, LLC in 2007, a unique showroom in Miami that represents up-and-coming and established accessory and fashion designers from around the world. Valerie's fashion career began in 1995 as an intern for Fashion Spectrum Magazine, a Miami Regional Fashion publication. She was later hired by the magazine as a fashion writer, and then moved on to become Channels Magazine's Fashion editor. She then worked at Condé Nast for five years, first as fashion editor and later as fashion director for Vogue Latinoamérica.
During her years at all three magazines, she styled international advertising campaigns such as Volvo, Neiman Marcus, Perry Ellis Swim, Ritz Carlton and many others, with photographers such as Blasius Erlinger, Enrique Covarrubias, Juan Manuel Garcia, Anatol Kotte, Andrew Eccles, Tony Notarbernadino and Daniela Federicci. She styled covers and worked with countless celebrities including Brooke Shields, Rafael Nadal, Carolina Herrera, Kristin Davies, and Christian Bale.
It was in 2006 that Valerie noticed, during her trips to Latin America, that there were many talented designers that were very well-known in their countries, but were still undiscovered in the United States. She thought of Global Trends as a way of bringing their talent together and offering fashion-savvy retailers and media a fresh approach to global merchandising. The Global Trends endeavor became a full-time distribution company by 2007 and has evolved into a major contributor to the fashion industry.
Valerie's ten-year career in the high-end fashion publishing industry has given her experience in trend forecasting, fashion styling, product placement, public relations, event production, and fashion marketing. These are all concepts that she applies on a daily basis at Global Trends as Managing Director of the company. Valerie has proven to be a valuable asset to the fashion and accessory industry and the go-to individual in Miami for comprehensive and trend-savvy direction.
Copyright 2007 Global Trends, LLC. All rights reserved.


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The AspireCare Support Site
As a client, you have full access 24/7 to get help when you need it. You can talk to your Account Manager, and we encourage you to work with our expert Support Team in St. Louis.
Simply type in a topic to navigate the Knowledge Base. You can also start a conversation with other Aspire users in the Support Forum or submit a question via the Support Ticket area. There's no more begging for help or long waits from your IT vendor.
All this support is included in the price of the software. There are no additional fees for support calls.
Fast, easy way to search AspireCare. Simply type in your question and you'll see a list of articles, Forum topics, videos and other documentation.
The Knowledge Base is your self-education center and reference resource.
Here, you will find videos of every training webinar. We conduct webinars usually twice monthly. You use the Knowledge Base to the get answers to questions like, "How do I…?"
The Knowledge Base has every new release bulletin posted with critical information providing details on new features and enhancements to the system, which usually come out every month.
This is also where you will access written documentation (User Guide) with helpful articles, diagrams and step-by-step procedures on how to use Aspire.
Connect and learn from a dynamic community of Aspire customers. Post a question, see how others are using Aspire, and start a dialog with other customers.
Our goal is to help you make more money by providing you with a productivity tool. Believe or not, not every landscape company does things the same way. Shocking, I know.
We are forming user and peer groups regularly during the year to address "best practices" associated with running a landscape business and using Aspire to do it. The Support Forum is a way to meet and learn from other Aspire users like yourself. We encourage interaction with other landscape company owners as well as with Aspire management to make the system work better for you.
Any new software comes with a steep learning curve. Our aim is to lessen that steep slope.
We help you through our ticketing center. You can submit a ticket, which is a simple request for help with a description of your problem or need. You can include screen-shots or other documents with your ticket.
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Are you a federally recognized nonprofit?
Yes, you can take a look at our 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS here.
Who do you serve?
INN serves over 100 nonprofit public-interest focused newsrooms and data providers across the U.S. Among other things, our members produce independent, investigative journalism that serves the public interest. Learn more about what it takes to be a member in our membership standards.
Do you accept international members?
Unfortunately no, not at this time. Members who are based in the U.S. and have global networks are still eligible, as are members based in U.S. commonwealths.
How much does membership cost?
We adjust membership dues based on what organizations can afford to pay. Currently dues range from $50 to $350. See our membership dues structure.
How do I become a member?
Read the membership standards and make sure you are eligible. Then see the step-by-step process.
I'm don't have a 501(c)(3) letter yet, but I'd like to become a member. What can I do?
Organizations that are not yet 501(c)3 federally recognized nonprofits can secure the services of a 501(c)3 organization in order to ensure that they are operating within the accepted guidelines for nonprofits and in order to accept grants on behalf of a project. INN offers fiscal sponsorship to a select number of applicants that do not yet have either their own nonprofit determination letter from the IRS or a fiscal sponsor but which otherwise meet the criteria for membership.
How are you funded?
INN is primarily supported by a number of national foundations and has received the support of philanthropists that understand the need for a vibrant and growing nonprofit news sector in service to the public interest. See a complete list of our funders.
INN holds all member organizations and itself to high standards of transparency. You can view a list of all donors who've given over $1,000 to our organization, our 990s and our financial audits for previous years here.
Who's on INN's board, and how do I become a board member?
INN's bylaws provide for a board of up to 11 directors, including four from member organizations that are elected by the membership to represent the interests of the community. Individuals that are interested in volunteering for board service or to serve on committees should contact CEO Sue Cross. See our current board.
Regarding INN's name and mission change:
What, when and why did the decision to change the organization's name and mission take place?
In November, 2014—five years after the founding of the Investigative News Network—the board of directors met in New York City to revisit and refine the organization's strategic mission.
While investigative journalism remains at the core of our organizational DNA and is considered the highest form of nonprofit journalism, the board recognizes that not all of the news and information produced by our nonprofit member organizations is purely investigative in nature.
The board decided not only to adopt a new mission but also to change the name to better reflect the work of all our members.
What is the new mission statement of INN?
Based on the response of the membership to the initial announcement, the INN board on January 5, 2015 voted to amend the new mission to read: "To provide education and business support services to our nonprofit member organizations and promote the value and benefits of public service and investigative journalism."
We will accomplish this by:
- Identifying operational and revenue-generating best practices and training our members on them.
- Establishing partnerships, collaborations and strategic alliances to advance our mission.
- Promoting public-service journalism as a philanthropic investment.
- Leveraging funding to maximize impact.
- Developing business leadership among nonprofit news organizations.
- Offering affordable back-office services to individual organizations.
Why change the name now?
In our organization's founding document, the Pocantico Declaration, the founders wrote: "Resolved, that we, representatives of nonprofit news organizations, gather at a time when investigative reporting, so crucial to a functioning democracy, is under threat. There is an urgent need to nourish and sustain the emerging investigative journalism ecosystem to better serve the public."
That statement remains true today, except we now recognize that while all our members are committed to producing public service, mission-driven journalism, their work is not 100% investigative in nature.
Therefore the board made the decision to reposition our organization to recognize that fact and refocus our organization to "nourish and sustain the growing nonprofit journalism ecosystem to better serve the public."
Why an "Institute?"
An Institute is "an organization for the promotion of a cause." It also carries an educational connotation including "instruction on selected topics related to a particular field."
As our new mission goes on to say, INN will accomplish our goals by "Promoting public service journalism as a philanthropic investment" as well as "identifying operational and revenue-generating best practices and training our members on them" and "developing business leadership among nonprofit news organizations."
It is with these ideals in mind that we are repositioning the organization to focus its mission.
Will INN continue to have member organizations?
As our new mission clearly states, INN will remain primarily focused on delivering tangible and valuable services to our member organizations, including "offering affordable back-office services to individual organizations" and "establishing partnerships, collaborations and strategic alliances to advance our mission."
The new name and mission not only clarifies what we do, but clearly states that we are here to provide value and services to those nonprofit journalism organizations.
Will INN be changing its standards and requirements for membership?
No. INN will maintain its high and clear standards for membership. As a result, while we are here to promote nonprofit "public service journalism as a philanthropic investment," not all nonprofit journalism organizations can or will meet the threshold for achieving and maintaining membership in the organization. Transparency on funding will remain paramount.
I work for a for-profit (e.g. C corp, S corp, B corp or LLC) company that produces investigative and public-interest content, can we join?
No, not at this time. That said, INN may look at adding associate non-voting membership to non-qualifying organizations that are interested in leveraging our work and/or the work of our member organizations in the future.
Does this mean that INN will no longer focus on leveraging the size and network effect of its member organizations?
While we have dropped the word Network from the name, we have not abandoned the principle of looking for collective opportunities to "leverage funding dollars to maximize impact" and "establishing partnerships, collaborations and strategic alliances to advance our mission."
This means that we will continue to look for business, distribution and revenue opportunities that no one member organization can fulfill or secure by itself.
However, while before INN programs were only focused on collective opportunities, the refined mission now also recognizes INN's ability to help individual organizations meet specific needs as well.
As a part of its refined focus, INN offering consulting services in the areas of business, strategic, technology and data on a fee basis at a highly preferred rate for member nonprofit organizations, and at market rates for non-member nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
Can we expect further changes from INN?
Yes. As with all healthy and growing young organizations, INN has undertaken a review of its current programs and determined that as we increase our focus on training, best-practice sharing and business development, we will need to divest and/or eliminate those programs that are no longer within our focus.
Specifically, as part of INN's focus on business and education rather than content production (which falls more under the purview of organizations like IRE and Poynter), INN will no longer be programmatically focusing on facilitating editorial collaboration. Instead we are working to create tools and systems by which our community of member organizations can grow collaboration organically without the need for centralized coordination.
Did the INN board conclude that the organization's original mission and focus were not sustainable?
Not necessarily. However, the board did conclude that revisiting the mission and focus after five years was an appropriate and important step in order to ensure that INN was representative and meeting the needs of all its member organizations.
Will the IRS need to review or approve INN's changing name, mission or focus? That is, do the changes raise any potential issues regarding INN's tax status?
INN will file all necessary paperwork with the IRS regarding the name change. We do not anticipate that this will have any impact on our hard-won tax status.
What are you thinking about in terms of being able to meet the needs of organizations with different budgets, from start-ups through more established?
As the results from the recently conducted membership survey show, INN is already providing services to organizations across the spectrum of size, funding and focus. We will continue to develop and measure adoption of programs moving forward to ensure that this continues.
Will INN continue to hold meetings around existing conferences that are already attended by many members, or will it pursue a separate annual membership meeting/conference?
There are no plans at this time to hold a separate meeting just for INN members, and we will continue to leverage existing conferences for the foreseeable future in order to reduce travel costs and time away from the office for our membership.
How will this shift affect INN's commitment to the Largo Project CMS, which many members are now using?
The Largo Project is one of INN's most successful projects to date and will remain at the core of our technology services for the foreseeable future.
If I have further questions or concerns about INN, who can I talk to?
Both INN's board and management team are here to answer your questions and hear what you have to say as we go through this process. Contact CEO Sue Cross or Board Chair Emeritus Brant Houston.


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My mom's recipe from back in the day. She is the master. #oldschool
Everything in one baked delicious dish.
Feel free to make it leaner with ground turkey.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 15 minutes
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1lb ground beef
- 1 (18 oz) jar diced tomatoes
- 1 tbs coconut sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- a pinch of ground cloves
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/3 cup grated Pecorino cheese
Preheat oven 350 F.
Cook your pasta as per instructions on package (al dente).
In a large pot, heat the oil on medium high. Add the onion and saute for 2-3 minutes, until translucent. Add the ground meat and use a wooden spoon to break up the meat until no longer pink – about 5-7 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes, 1/4 cup water, sugar, nutmeg, cloves, salt and pepper to taste. Cook the meat sauce until slightly thickens – stirring occasionally – about 15 minutes. Make sure you taste the sauce and adjust any seasoning to your own preference. When you shut off the heat, stir in the fresh basil.
In a large bowl, mix the pasta and sauce, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella and the 1/3 cup Pecorino cheese. Transfer to a baking dish, top with remaining 1 cup mozzarella and bake for 15 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and golden.
Yields 4-6 servings.
…delicious happens


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Léa Seydoux's 10 Best Hair and Makeup Looks
There's a new Bond Girl in town! And it's 29-year-old French actress Léa Seydoux. Word is, she's signed on to star alongside Daniel Craig in the next 007 movie, scheduled for release in November 2015.
While her new role will no doubt make her a household name in North America, Léa is actually no stranger to the red carpet—nor is she a beauty wallflower. Over the last few years, the 'Saint Laurent' star has showcased a vast array of beauty looks in Cannes, Paris, London and Berlin. Let's take a look at her 10 best.
1. Bedhead Brunette Hair with Fresh, Matte Skin
And this is why French girls have that reputation for effortless, je ne sais quoi beauty. I'm pretty sure that if I showed up somewhere with my hair like this, somebody would hand me a brush. On Léa, it's perfect, though. I love how the mussed-up hair counters the dressy dress. And while her makeup is pretty bare, the matte skin texture keeps things refined.
2. Textured Braid and Cherry Lips
Léa went a little blonder here, and pulled her hair into a well-executed chunky braid, tossed over one shoulder. It's got just the right amount of texture, with a few pieces casually pulled out around her face. Love the hair-wrapped elastic at the end, too. Eyes are subtly shaded, and then there's that semi-sheer lip colour—it totally reminds me of the finish of Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Cherry.
3. Glam Blonde Waves and Smoky Eyes
God, the French really know how to do it on the red carpet, no? Léa almost puts the Hollywood set to shame; she's always tasteful, never overdone. I love these soft, brushed-out waves in a deep side part and pinned back on one side. (Note to self: copy them ASAP.) She also wears a smoky eye SO well. Everything here looks touchable and effortless.
4. Short Crop with Flushed Cheeks and Stained Lips
And then, she cut all her hair off. But it looks just as good on her as the long. How is that possible, or fair?! The gamine crop draws even more attention to Léa's blue eyes, full lips and flawless skin. (And I do mean flawless... just look at it.) I'm obsessing over the blush, which is utterly seamless, and the stained lips.
5. Tousled Blonde Bob and Peach Makeup
See what I mean about being a beauty chameleon? As her hair grew out to chin-length, Léa went blonder and wore it in this tousled, wavy style. Super seksi. As usual with her, it looks so natural—not at all like she curled it with an iron. The subtle peach blush and lip colour compliment her skin tone perfectly.
6. Textured Red Lob and Long Lashes
Now begins Léa's red hair phase. She reminds me of Emma Stone a lot in this photo, with it styled in a long bob and with loads of texture. Notice how it's not actually curled, just bended and twisted for piecey separation. (I might have to reconsider my stance on that, this looks so good!) I think this might be the only time we've seen Léa wearing false lashes, too. As expected, they're very tasteful, and there's a tiny bit of blue shadow near the lash line to echo the colour of her blazer.
7. Red Side Bun with Vampy Lips
Léa brought out the drama here, with a chic, wavy side bun and dark burgundy lips. The lips are vampy, literally—they were filled in with Chanel's now-discontinued Le Crayon Lèvres Precision Lip Definer in Vamp. (Try Amarante instead.) It almost looks like her hair is a darker red than before, although it might just be the lighting.
8. Red Vintage Waves and Navy Smoky Eyes
Another dramatic look, this time involving the most artful smoky eyes I think I've ever seen. (This Lancôme palette is what she's wearing, and you can get the full makeup breakdown here.) I love how the shadow extends up to the brows (which are kept natural), and varies in dimension from silvery at the inner corners to dark navy at the outer edges. The highly stylized vintage waves feel just right with this intense makeup.
9. Low Blonde Pony and Matte Makeup
Back to blonde, and what a lovely return. Léa clearly has one of those skin tones that can handle almost ANY colour. Here, she's all delicate and understated beauty, with a sleek low ponytail and barely-there makeup. Again, notice how it's all matte: matte skin, matte lips, matte eyes. Even the brows aren't filled in to the extreme, nor is she wearing much mascara. Hmm... maybe we tend to overdo it here in North America?
10. Loose Blonde Waves and Bold Red Lips
Our last look might be my favourite: a newly bold blonde hair colour, with lipstick to match. I love how the lighter hair colour makes Léa's skin look more porcelain, and really brings out the blue of her eyes. Then there's the matter of her crazy-full lips. They look amazing in this full-on, cool-toned red!
Have Your Say
Do you think Léa Seydoux is a good choice for a Bond Girl? Which of these looks is your favourite?


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Are you the one? by the Rev. Don Hamer
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Trinity Episcopal Church – Hartford, CT
Year A – Advent 3
December 15, 2013
Matthew 11:2-11
The Season of Advent is in many ways a season of contrasts, a time when the tension between what is and what might be is almost palpable. Theologically, this season reminds us that we live in an "in-between" time – after the first coming of Jesus Christ at Bethlehem and the second coming of Christ in glory at the end of the world. Practically speaking, that brings us to reflect on all the ways that God's human stewards of the world God created have caused it to fall so far short of the Dream of God. That is part of the "work" of Advent: We take stock of those aspects of our corporate and individual lives that tend to separate us from the Dream of God, resolve how to minimize those, and reflect on ways that we can make more space for God – more space for the work of this Child whose birth we are awaiting.
But what are we waiting for? What does that look like? That's the question John poses today.
John is the really the last in the long line of Hebrew prophets. Remember that earlier in the Gospel of Matthew (ch. 3) John has already told his disciples that Jesus is the Messiah. Like them, he identified the characteristics of the Messiah without meeting him. Unlike them, he actually did finally get to meet the one whose coming he foretold, and, against his own wishes, gave in to Jesus' request and baptized him. The prophecies to the people of Israel were fulfilled before John's very eyes.
And yet here John is asking the question, "Are you really the guy?" What's happened in the interim?
Well, for one thing, prison has happened. He has been arrested and jailed as a political enemy of King Herod. It's funny, isn't it, how easy faith can be when the sun is out and all is right between us and the world. But let the heavy doors of prison, family problems, poverty or other adversity slam shut, and doubt and despair can quickly fill the darkness. It's then that we ask, "Jesus, are you for real? Are you really the one?" And so John asks, "Are you the one?"
As Jesus so often does, he answers not directly, but with a challenge: You go and tell John what YOU see: the blind receive sight; the lame walk; lepers are cleansed; the deaf hear; the dead arise; the poor have good news proclaimed to them. Then let John come to his own conclusions.
Jesus' answer is the same when we ask the question, in whatever way we ask it.
What are some of the ways that we ask the question, "Are you the one?"
How does Jesus answer us today?
What evidence do we see in the New Testament or in Christian history that Jesus is the one?
What evidence do we see in modern history that Jesus is the one?
What evidence have we had in our own lives that Jesus is the one? Said another way, what personal experiences have we ourselves had that showed Christ is present and active in us?
What do all of these experiences tell us about the role of the prophet in pointing us to the Kingdom? The role of the disciple?


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Isabel Caudillo of El Buen Comer. Photo by Kassie Borreson/Haus Fotografie.
Plates of Caudillo's food at a recent test dinner. Photo by Kassie Borreson/Haus Fotografie.
It's always thrilling to hear when one of La Cocina's alums is opening their own place, and the latest is Isabel Caudillo, who will be opening her own brick-and-mortar restaurant. It's called ~EL BUEN COMER~, just like her catering business and Noe Valley farmers' market stall. It will be located on Mission Street in Bernal.
Caudillo has been a permanent fixture at the Noe Valley farmers' market for years, serving cuisine inspired by her upbringing in Mexico City. She's been offering guisados del día, or daily specials, alongside her street food-style snacks and breakfast items. Her tostadas de tinga are a particular favorite, and her chilaquiles are very popular. She is also currently producing all the breadsticks for the Delfina Restaurant Group and runs a catering business with her husband, Juan Carlos Caudillo.
The backstory is very much "all in the family": Isabel discovered La Cocina through Verónica Salazar, chef-owner of El Huarache Loco in Larkspur. It ends up Isabel babysat Verónica's kids while she was running an informal restaurant out of her Mission living room—when she saw Verónica appear on Univision to talk about her business, she was inspired to join La Cocina as well.
As for the new restaurant, it will be open for lunch and dinner and should be up and running in October. The space was previously an office, so it will take some work to convert it to a functional cooking space. Debra Resnik, who previously worked on developing the 331 Cortland marketplace, is helping with the buildout. Caudillo has been trying out new dishes at the farmers' market to feature on the menu, including a mole verde de pato over beans and rice, and enchiladas verdes, hand-rolled using her housemade tortillas. Her tamales, braised meats in housemade sauces, and tostadas with seasonal toppings are also a highlight.
If you just can't wait until October (we understand) to get your fill of Isabel Caudillo's wonderful food, consider booking one of her EatWith dinners. There are a few spots left for one tonight, and the next one is on Tuesday July 7th, with more planned in the coming months. She'll also be running some crowdfunding campaigns on Indiegogo and Credibles, which we'll be sure to update you on. Congratulations, Isabel, and we can't wait to see your new place! 3435 Mission St. at Kingston (near 30th St.).


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LOST: 6 Season's Worth Of Hurley's Dudes
June 10th, 2010 by David Erickson
A compilation, nearly four minutes long, of six seasons' worth of Hurley, from Lost, saying "dude." Yeah, someone took the time to compile these and yeah, the video has gotten nearly 150,000 views so far. Found at YouTube from JezebelDotCom.
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- Rajneesh, infamous for his advocation of "free sex" among his thousands of Western disciples, writes:
- The word "brahmacharya" means that you have come to attain, you have come to know that you are the Brahman, the ultimate, the divine, that you are God Himself.1
- You have not heard Me fully; I say I am God; I say also that you are God. The difference is that I know it and you do not know it.²
Satya Sai Baba, India's most famous contemporary mystic and "holy" man, says:
The idea of the "I am God"ists is that each of us is actually the Supreme Spirit, but that somehow we forgot our true identity as God and came under the spell of ignorance. So you are supposedly God, the Supreme Being, but you are now caught under the laws of material nature. You are supposedly the Supreme Lord, but you are now bound on the wheel of birth and death. It is an absurd proposition.
~Jagad Guru Chris Butler – Science of Identity Foundation
1Rajneesh, Yoga: The Alpha and the Omega, vol. 3, p. 36.
2Andrew Shaw, Words of Truth: A Second Compilation of Sayings by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba (New Delhi: Sterling Publishers Private Ltd., 1998), p. 7.
Although both Buddhist and modern no-self philosophers contend that there is no self, Buddhist followers do not tend toward hedonism.
Jagad Guru Chris Butler – Science of Identity Foundation
Filed under: Science of Identity | Tagged: Jagad Guru, Jagad Guru Chris Butler, Science of Identity Foundation | Leave a comment »


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Design Miami 2012: the Wallpaper* edit
It has to be said: there is nothing like visiting Miami in December. Good weather and sandy beaches aside, our annual trip to the Floridian coast was all in the name of design and art, of course. In the last few years, the moneyed town has used its natural assets to attract the art, design, fashion and nightlife world's most illustrious characters, thus helping to secure Design Miami's place on the fair circuit.
Under the direction of Marianne Goebel for the second time, this year's fair was no slouch. As well as hosting an impressive selection of design galleries, both from home and abroad, Design Miami also presented three impressive projects from luxury industry bigwigs, Fendi, Perrier-Jouët and Swarovski.
All long-time advocates of cross-industry collaboration, the brands' efforts were particularly engaging due to the design talent they enlisted. With Design Miami taking on the role of instigator, Fendi added the next chapter to its ongoing Design Performances series by teaming up with Belgian designer Maarten de Ceulaer. Best known for his whimsical cabinets which at first look like a pile of colourful suitcases, de Ceulaer chose to reinterpret the fashion house's iconic Pequin motif in a three-dimensional way, creating an eye-catching landscape out of leather pieces in classic Fendi colours.
Perrier-Jouët, the new tipple of choice at Design Miami and Art Basel, also took advice from Goebel and her team before selecting the London-based Studio Glithero to create their mesmerising 'Lost Time' installation.
Swarovski Crystal Palace, the experimental design arm of the Austrian crystal makers, chose to back another Brit, Asif Khan, who's dexterity at architecture, furniture and industrial design had him perfectly placed to produce 'Parhelia', an interactive 20 ft structure encrusted with 1.3 million glittering crystals, which emulated an ice halo right on the tropical shores of Miami. Using a single LED as a light source, as well as harnessing the changing light conditions in the gallery space throughout the day, Khan created an inspired exploration of light and design.
Elsewhere within the fair, we were seduced by the combination of new and iconic collectible design on display. The French galleries did particularly well; Demisch Danant staged a wonderful tribute to Pierre Guariche, while Galerie Patrick Seguin's collection of Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret was well-matched with an equally beautiful stand.
Cleverly positioned adjacent to Art Basel in the heart of South Beach, Design Miami was just the springboard for our week of perusing the emerging talent at NADA (New Art Dealers Alliance), enjoying the stellar program of talks by the likes of artist James Rosenquist (creator of the iconic Illy logo, which, 'along with the Mona Lisa, is one of the most reproduced paintings in the world', said Illy art director Carlo Bach), wandering the graffiti-lined streets of Wynwood, and exploring the Miami Design District - where Dior Homme and Louis Vuitton both got in on the art action. Not to mention heading out on festivity-filled nights that often led us to Andre Saraiva's pop-up club, Silencio, at The Delano. Once again, all in the name of art and design.


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Jawbone Jambox will not charge or enumerate on USB?
Listened to my jambox on the way home. Turned it off when I got home. Went in the house and tried to turn it on again and it would not come on. I was not getting voice message from the box that battery was low. But I still tried Charging it. It would not show charging indicator. Tried to soft reset it to the PC but would not enumerate on USB.
Is this a good question?


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Welcome to our hostel
Skjolden Vandrerhjem is a seasonal hostel, which is opened from the 1st May to the 30th September. The hostel is located between Skjolden and Fortun, close to the Rv 55. The hostel is part of a resort with a small restaurant, camping ground with suitable sanitary facilities and a playground for the kids. There are 24 newly renovated rooms with private bathroom facilities.
The small town of Skjolden is set in a fertile valley of steep mountainsides, Skjolden is a beautiful place which boarders to Jotunheimen in the north with Hurrungane. In short distance to the hostel it is possible to see the magnificent view of the Vassbakkfossen waterfall cascading down the mountainside.
Climbing is particularly popular in the area. Turtagrø, about 15 km away, is one of Norway's most known climbing areas. There are also several cultural heritage sites in the area. For instance Urnes Stave Church, which has been a part of Unesco's list since 2001. In the centre of Skjolden there is a shop with post office services and a cultural centre, which contains a swimming pool and a climbing wall.
Skjolden Vandrerhjem is a perfect choice for a nice activity holiday with trips to Jotunheimen, Sognefjorden and Jostedalsbreen., Breakfast is included.


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Current challenges:
- Unconsolidated sands are common among deepwater reservoirs in West Africa. Unconsolidated sands require sand control for completion and flow assurance
- Tight pore-pressure fracture gradient windows can create well stability problems
- Reservoirs in West Africa are naturally heterogeneous. Channel fill sequences are also existing in some areas
- Geography and infrastructure limitations can be challenging. Onshore infrastructure is limited and requires development, and limited pre-existing pipeline system.
Solutions Options:
- CGC offers ADP, FDP & FFR
- Field appraisal
- Well Test Analysis
- Production Solutions
- Integrated Asset Modeling
- Asset debottlenecking
- Prospect Evaluation
- Flow Assurance


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at Food Connect
Saturday, 29 April 2017 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM + Add to calendar29/04/2017 19:0029/04/2017 22:00Australia/BrisbaneMusic for a Warming WorldMusic for a Warming World Saturday, 29 April 2017 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM (E. Australia Standard Time) Organiser Emma-Kate Rose XXXXXXXXXXXXXX Address Food Connect Australia Event web page: https://www.stickytickets.com.au/50501/music_for_a_warming_world.aspxFood Connect
AustraliaEmma-Kate RosefalseDD/MM/YYYY2880
Tickets for this event are currently unavailable
Can beautiful music, high definition widescreen images and climate change work???
It sure can!
A unique, highly entertaining musical journey telling the story of our changing climate, 'Music for a Warming World' is a wonderfully refreshing mix of original folk, reggae and world music. Combine this with high quality video and images makes it a truly memorable and inspiring event. Sing with the band, laugh, disappear into the lush world of the projected images, and leave with hope for a better world.
7pm - Eco-Set
But wait! You also get the incomparable Mal Webb! with Kylie Morrigan.
Around the world and into your brain, vocal adventurer, multi-instrumentalist and looping beatboxing songwriter Mal Webb sings his songs about all manner of stuff, using all sorts of vocal techniques, guitar, mbira, slide trumpet, trombone, chromatic harmonica and a loop recording pedal called Derek. It's a lip to lung journey through the physics, physiology and phrivolity of all the sounds a face can make. Sideways yodelling, beatbox, harmonics, throat singing, uvular fluttering, advanced clapping.
He's like Bobby McFerrin, Aphex Twin and Cole Porter playing scrabble. Ebulliently eclectic. Nefariously varied. Family fun free from facile frippery. "You're a freak!"- Ani DiFranco.
Simon Kerr, already a prolific song writer with three studio albums, dreamt up this show in 2015 from a desire to use art, music and science to tell stories. Along with Christine Parker, an academic at the University of Melbourne, and now VJ, they have taken this show to dozens of audiences around Australia. Joined by Violinist Kylie Morrigan, Keys player Scott Lewis, Beat-box/Trombonist/all-round-musical-legend Mal Webb, and Brisbane Bass Player Rob Wheelers, their energy and combined musicality will leave you pleading for more.
This event is a benefit for Green Music Australia, to help them build a musicians' movement to protect the planet. As well as performing on the night, Green Music Australia's Tim Hollo will talk briefly about what the organisation is doing, how people can take part, and ask for contributions to support their work.
So join us for a visually immersive eco-music experience of the climate 'storm', social change and a compelling vision of hope for a better future.
The music, the big screen, the beats, the friends … the best way to spend a Saturday night!
*plus booking fee
Emma-Kate Rose
Food Connect Foundation
See more events from this organiserAsk the organiser


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The Most Common Dreams – Leon Nacson
Until someone proves otherwise, we have the most creative mind in the known universe. If our mind chooses to spend one third of our life sleeping and most of the sleeping time dreaming, then dreams must serve a very valuable purpose. We could have not possibly gone to so much trouble, generation by generation developing such a complex organ merely so that it is of use when our eyes are open. Therefore it must have a mired of functions, some of which are beyond our wildest imaginations.
Being Prosperous and The Law of Attraction
It is interesting to observe that even though one of the greatest desires most people have is to be prosperous and to retire early, there are only a small percentage of people who even attempt this seemingly rigorous quest. The question that then begs to be asked is what differentiates those who succeed in their dreams and aspirations, from those who are still struggling on this road to abundance?
According to Esther and Jerry Hicks, authors of the international bestsellers The Law of Attraction and Ask and it is Given there are fundamental principles that can help you live a rich and fulfilling life. It is these concepts that successful people are regularly applying to their life whether they are doing it consciously or unconsciously.
Be a Dog with a Bone – Peggy McColl
If life was like a dog we would probably need to wear a bib for the occasional drool problem, but life would be a lot simpler with the only stress of the day being when am I going to get my next juicy bone? According to Peggy McColl, there are a lot more things we can learn from dogs then what think.
The Art of Extreme Self Care – Cheryl Richardson
Every book I write presents me with a challenging and unexpected opportunity to practice what I teach. By now I've learned that I should always count on something happening that will force me to engage in an intensive study on the subject of each chapter. The Art of Extreme Self Care is no exception.
Green Made Easy: The Everyday Guide for Transitioning to a Green Lifestyle
Green Made Easy is a simple-to-use guidebook offering tips on how to make the transition toward a healthy green lifestyle one step at a time. Chris Prelitz has been passionately committed to green living and sustainability for more than 25 years. He and his wife, Becky, share a green solar-powered home in Laguna Beach, California, which Chris designed and built. Most months they produce more energy than they use and receive a credit from their power company instead of a bill. Below (and in the book) Chris enlightens us about what it means to live green.


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Carolina Herrera Bridal Spring 2016 Collection
The brides of the world often begin planning their weddings from a year beforehand, at the least! This means that the release of the Carolina Herrera bridal spring 2016 collection is just in time to get the ladies thinking about and ready to take on their nuptial celebrations in the upcoming year, with the warm weather, the pretty flowers, the sprouting trees and cool breeze taken into consideration and foremost in their minds. A bride looks forward to her wedding day since the time she understands the idea of romance as a child, planning her dress, her party, her guests and everything in between for years on end before a poor chap takes the bait and is reeled in, preparing to dish out the dough to give her the fairy tale event of the century, at least in her world. She puts her needs first, and one of the most important needs, if not the most important of all, is that incredible wedding dress that she can be made to feel like a princess at her first ball in.
"These brides are romantic'Äö√Ñ√∂'àö√묨'àÇbut I want them to be seductive,' stated Carolina Herrera to WWD, as the models milled about wearing gowns from her spring bridal collection. "That's what they want to be, and that's what they are, with their beautiful figures.' She really brought the beauty to the brides with ease, using sheer illusion detailing and adding bustiers to pull in the waist and define the sensual nature of the woman walking down the aisle, while still keeping her demure and fresh in the spring breeze.
The slender mermaid silhouettes had their own mesmerizing effect as the models sashayed onto the catwalk in silk Mikado, Chantilly lace and a whole lot of organza. With flower appliques and motifs embroidered by hand in cascading patterns and silk faille gowns setting a rather romantic tone, Herrera's collection whispered the chic sophistication of a romantic wedding come spring. We saw cinched waists and tulle sleeves, sweetheart necklines and thicker straps over the shoulders. We even spotted a few strapless designs and halter looks, while we found the quality wedding suits to be especially pleasing on the eyes, even if they scream civil partnerships more than the traditional round of celebrations we so love to attend. Perhaps the embroidery at the ends of so many of the veils was what really got us though as we could imagine such beauty and grace felt from within after seeing this piece draped over the head from without. Furthermore, we saw a few lower necklines for the brides daring to bare more skin and tantalize husband, priest an guests alike as she dances throughout the night with abandon.
The flowers used within the Carolina Herrera spring 2016 bridal collection were jasmine and we can well imagine the flower shops having to stock up on these gorgeous buds. Why jasmine though? "When I was growing up, my bedroom was near the garden next to a jasmine plant,' Herrera explained. "It used to open in the evening, and the smell, I loved it.' And what is not to love about the purple blooms with their sweet scent and the wilderness embodied in their delicate stems. Forget about perfectly positioned pieces in a bouquet; the natural creations from jasmine are all you need come spring 2016.
Photos courtesy of WWD