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Atlanta Showhouse: Having it All
Natural fabrics, a soothing color palette, and kid-scaled furniture are features of the Traditional Home Built for Women III Showhouse
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After hectic days of running from music lessons to soccer practices, home is a precious haven for families with children. And while furnishings that stand up to the rumble-tumble of kids' activities are a given, it is equally important to create calming and comforting surroundings, says Atlanta interior designer Barbara Westbrook. "A home should be a retreat from our very, very busy lives," she says, "a place where a family can relax together, hang out, and play."
Natural fabrics, a soothing color palette, and kid-scaled furniture are some of the features Westbrook incorporated into a townhouse she designed for the Traditional Home Built for Women III Showhouse in Woodstock, Georgia. Westbrook is one of three Atlanta interior designers who joined with award-winning Atlanta builder Pam Sessions of Hedgewood Properties and Traditional Home to build and decorate three adjacent townhouses in the community 20 miles north of Atlanta.
A neutral cream-and-white palette runs through the main level, with subtle gradations accented by pops of color that enliven the different areas. In the living room, cream-colored walls and draperies are accented by a pair of deep plum-colored upholstered chairs. Pillows made from antique wool quilts "bring the whole scheme together," Westbrook says. "I like a neutral palette, but I do like to introduce splashes of color, whether in art, accessories, or throw pillows."
Linen draperies in cream are hemmed with a wide band of brown and accented by buttons. Flirty skirt-like lampshades are also fashion-inspired. "They bring softness and dressmaker details into the room," the designer says.
Interior design: Barbara Westbrook, Westbrook Interiors, 425 Peachtree Hills Ave., Suite 9, Atlanta, GA 30305; 404/355-9430; westbrookinteriors.com.
Builder: Hedgewood Properties, Inc., 5920 Odell St., Cumming, GA 30040; 770/889-3667, hedgewoodhomes.com.
Photography: Bruce Buck
Produced by Robert Young
Art above fireplace (Rail mixed media by Dennis Campay): Mason Murer, 404/879-1500.
Fossilized shell (on bench): Love Train Antiques, 404/271-8630, lovetrainantiques.com, trade only.
Mill basket (antique): Macrae, 404/816-4448, trade only.
Orchid: Lush Life Flowers, 404/271-8630.
Rug under sofa (sisal in chocolate): Designer Carpets, 404/262-1720, trade only.
Fireplace screen, tapestry, patchwork pillows, books, shells, bowl, throw: Westbrook Interiors, 404/355-9430; westbrookinteriors.com.
Gas fireplace with remote (Liberty Series #L900, direct vent): Regency Fireplace Products, 866/867-4328, regency-fire.com.
Armless chairs (#4800-01, finish: Black Walnut, nailhead trim in Jumbo Antique): Lee Industries Inc., 800/892-7150, leeindustries.com.
Fabric on chairs ("Lennick" in Plum #9650): Pindler & Pindler Inc., 805/531-9090, pindler.com, trade only.
Sofa (95" sofa); sofa fabric ("Charlotte" linen in Oyster): Verellen Home Collection, 336/889-7379, verellenhc.com, trade only, through South of Market, southofmarket.biz.
Bench, crisscross coffee table: Westbrook Interiors.
Stone (on coffee table): Holloway Tile & Stone.
Floor lamps (French wrought iron): Robuck & Company.
Shades (bone paper with linen overlays): Edgar-Reeves, 404/237-1137, edgar-reeves.com.
Hanging light: Westbrook Interiors.
Wall and trim paint ("Grant Beige'' #HC-83); ceiling paint ("Gray Mist'' #OC-30): Aura by Benjamin Moore & Co., 877/262-8721, myaurapaint.com.
Drapery fabric (white linen #23684-101): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com, trade only.
Contrasting drapery linen: Pindler & Pindler.
Buttons ("Horn" on draperies and Roman Shades): As Cute as a Button, ascuteasabutton.com.
Wall and trim paint ("Grant Beige'' #HC-83): Aura by Benjamin Moore & Co.
In the living room, the neutral color scheme is warmed by an antique Italian chair upholstered in aubergine cashmere.
Trestle table (17th-century Italian Baroque in walnut, iron), armchair (Spanish Louis XIII, in walnut): Robuck & Company, 404/ 351-7173.
Fabric on Spanish armchair ("Plum Cashmere'' #3100/03): Great Plains Textiles through Jerry Pair & Associates, 800/367-7247, jerrypair.com, trade only.
Sculpture on trestle table (Flossy by Larry Calkins): Mason Murer, 404/879-1500.
Rug under trestle table (antique Oushack): Rugs by Robinson, 404/364-9042, trade only.
French doors in the living room open to a second-floor balcony.
Chairs covered in a weather-resistant Sunbrella fabric provide comfortable balcony seating year-round.
Italian steel armchairs (#23-00683-27-32-S04), settee (#27-A0683-51-320S04), ottoman (#28-00683-2727-S04): Niermann Weeks, 212/319-7979, niermannweeks.com, trade only, through Grizzel & Mann Inc., 404/261-5932, trade only.
Fabric on cushions ("Bird's Eye Canvas'' #5472): Sunbrella Brand Fabrics, 336/221-2211, sunbrella.com.
Square tables (black concrete), bench (faux bois): Kolo Collection, 404/355-1717, kolocollection.com.
Plants, planters: Lush Life Flowers, 404/271-8630.
The house is entered on the lower terrace level. The garage is at the back on the same level.
Garage concrete surface (Epoxy Shield/Gray): Rust-Oleum Inc., 800/553-8444, rustoleum.com.
Stucco paint ("New Chestnut'' #AC-6), trim paint ("Midsummer Night'' #2134-20): Aura by Benjamin Moore & Co., 877/262-8721, myaurapaint.com.
Each of the three-level homes in the Built for Women III showhouse was designed to meet the needs of different homeowners. Westbrook's project was for a family with two school-age children, a father, and a mother who works at home.
When Westbrook designed the 3,000-square-foot family-friendly townhouse, she built in plenty of room for play. "It's important to create spaces where kids are allowed to be kids, where everything is not precious," she says.
Westbrook designated a 15x14-foot room on the terrace (and main entry) level of the house as a sunny playroom. Chalkboard paint on the walls allows little artists to create freely. (And easy to paint over when the children outgrow the playroom.) A table and chairs are scaled so they can sit comfortably, and a floor cushion encourages soft landings. "It's designed so kids can be comfortable in their own space," Westbrook says.
Large wicker baskets, shelves, and ample closet space make for easy toy pickup. "We made sure there was plenty of storage so everything can be put up at the end of the day," she says. French doors open the playroom to a covered patio, where youngsters can toss a ball or just be rowdy.
Wall art (created by artists Cooper Sanchez, Alex Brewer, Brad Winkler): through Westbrook Interiors, 404/355-9430; westbrookinteriors.com.
Floor cushions ("Colber'' ticking stripe in black #8951): Pindler & Pindler, 805/531-9090, pindler.com, trade only.
Easel, toys, rug, art supplies, striped fabric (chair pillows): IKEA, 800/434-4532, ikea.com.
Television (42" LCD Flat Panel HDTV Model #42LB9D): LG Electronics, 800/243-0000, lgusa.com.
Upholstered chairs (#007) and stool (#316; Black Walnut finish); fabric ("Patton" in Pumpkin): Lee Industries, 800/892-7150, leeindustries.com.
Wood table ("Carolina'' table in white), chairs (in green): Pottery Barn, 800/922-5507, potterybarn.com.
Entertainment unit ("Rolling Media Cart''): West Elm, 888/922-4119, westelm.com.
Side table; floor lamp: IKEA, 800/434-4532, ikea.com.
Ceiling light (Edwardian open-bottom fixture in Antique Nickel): Circa Lighting, circalighting.com.
Wall paint ("Black Chalkboard''), trim and ceiling paint ("Brilliant White''): Aura by Benjamin Moore & Co. 877/262-8721, myaurapaint.com.
Roman shades ("Colber'' ticking stripe in black #8951): Pindler & Pindler, 805/531-9090, pindler.com, trade only.
From the foyer, stairs lead up to the main living area, with a living/family room, dining room, and kitchen. "The main space is all open, so we needed to make sure the color palette flowed while allowing each area to have its own identity," notes the designer. "We used the same colors but in different ways."
In the dining area, Westbrook painted walls a rich aubergine, dramatically echoing the plum color of the living-room chairs. An antique Belgian dining table with a timeworn honey-hued finish is surrounded by linen-covered chairs. Here an antique Italian walnut credenza stands against a wall. "I like mixing the dark rich finishes with the lighter so it looks like pieces were collected over time rather than someone buying everything at once," Westbrook says. "What unifies the spaces is color."
Art above credenza (Deep Breath, mixed media by Pam Moxley, 48"x48"): Mason Murer, 404/879-1500.
Books (antique vellum): Regalo Antiques, 404/237-4899, trade only.
Candlesticks (iron, on credenza): Formations through Jerry Pair & Assoc., 404/261-6337, trade only.
Table settings (white dinnerware, napkins, wine glasses): Crate & Barrel, 800/996-9960, crateandbarrel.com.
Small metal dishes: Lush Life Flowers, 404/271-8630.
Salt & pepper shakers: Jonathan Adler 800/963-0891, jonathanadler.com, through Erika Reade, 404/233-3857, erikareadeltd.com.
Glass decanter: IKEA, 800/434-4532, ikea.com.
Slipcovered dining chairs (#5204); chair fabric ("Patton" in Flax): Lee Industries, 800/892-7150, leeindustries.com.
Oval-back armchairs ("Adam" #20-01095-25-27-W28 in Adam White): Niermann Weeks, 212/319-7979, niermannweeks.com, trade only, through Grizzel & Mann Inc., 404/261-5932, trade only.
Fabric on armchairs ("Natural Linen'' in Flax): Pindler & Pindler, 805/531-9090, pindler.com, trade only.
Table (antique Belgian in oak): Love Train Antiques, 404/271-8630, lovetrainantiques.com, trade only.
Credenza (17th-century Italian Baroque in walnut): Robuck & Company.
Rug (antique 9'x12' Oushack): Rugs by Robinson, 404/364-9042, trade only.
Hanging lantern (antique): Westbrook Interiors, 404/355-9430; westbrookinteriors.com
Walls and trim paint ("Caponata'' #AF-650): Aura by Benjamin Moore & Co., 877/262-8721, myaurapaint.com.
The dining room flows into the kitchen, where two-tone ceramic tiles on the range wall introduce subtle color shifts. The organic Arts and Crafts-inspired pattern, created by inlaying a darker clay into a pale bisque base, forms a textured backdrop for cream-colored maple cabinets with glass fronts.
Quartz-surface countertops in soothing mocha are easy to wipe clean and won't stain—a must-have feature in a household with children. A center island divides the kitchen, with a cooking and prep zone on one side and countertop seating where children can do homework on the other. A stainless-steel refrigerator with twin narrow doors won't block traffic when open, and it takes less muscle for little ones to open. A microwave under the island keeps countertops clear—and is within reach of youngsters able to prepare their own snacks.
Kitchen design: Traci Kloos
Range (36" gas #LRG3035ST in Stainless Steel), dishwasher (fully integrated #LDF8812ST in Stainless Steel), French door refrigerator (36" #LFC21760S in Stainless Steel), microwave with convection oven (#LMB0960ST in Stainless Steel): LG Electronics, 800/243-0000, lgusa.com.
Cabinetry (door style: "Chamberlain Maple'' in Canvas): KraftMaid Cabinetry, 800/571-1990, kraftmaid.com.
Cabinetry hardware (Knobs: European Classic Collection #2003 in #310 Old Bronze): LB Brass, 718/786-8090, lbbrass.com.
Countertops throughout (Mocha 2370, polished finish): CaesarStone Quartz Surfaces, 718/777-9780, caesarstoneus.com.
Counter stools (slipcovered stools #5203-51 with Black Walnut finish); slipcover fabric ("Patton" in Flax): Lee Industries, 800/892-7150, leeindustries.com.
Industrial stools (rotating): Macrae, 404/816-4448, trade only.
Table (rustic antique), bench, green glass jar: Westbrook Interiors.
Amber glass bottles: Ainsworth-Noah, 404/231-8787, ainsworth-noah.com.
Cake stands, white pitchers: Pottery Barn, 800/922-5507, potterybarn.com.
White dinnerware (in cabinet over refrigerator); white platter: Crate & Barrel, 800/996-9960, crateandbarrel.com.
White dishes, utensils: IKEA, 800/434-4532, ikea.com.
Canister, olive oils, condiments: Williams-Sonoma, 800/541-2233, williams-sonoma.com.
Wooden bowl on island; woven jugs to left of stove: Smith & Hawken, 800/981-9888, smithandhawken.com.
Walls and trim paint ("Grant Beige'' #HC-83): Aura by Benjamin Moore & Co., 877/262-8721, myaurapaint.com.
Sink ("Cape Dory'' #5864-5U-FD in Cane Sugar), faucet ("Torq'' #K-6126-VS in Vibrant Stainless): Kohler, 800/456-4537, kohler.com.
Chandelier ("Turin" antiqued iron, above island): Dessin Fournier 785/434-2777, dessinfournir.com, trade only through Grizzel & Mann, 404/261-5932, trade only.
Encaustic tile on range wall ("Voysey B'' #20B in Stoker Gray Bisque with Creamware overlay): Country Floors, 800/311-9995, countryfloors.com.
Roman shades (#23684-101): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com, trade only.
To cater to a work-at-home mom's needs, Westbrook fashioned an office next to the kitchen. A wall of built-in cabinets provides space to store books, files, and other papers, and a stretch of quartz surfacing offers ample work space. Corkboards and cubbies line the backsplash area to keep schedules and notes in view. "Every client needs a space like this, whether she works inside or outside the home," Westbrook says. "It's a way to keep a household organized. It really is the hub of the home."
Solid wood floors throughout the main living area clean up easily and provide a warm backdrop to the cream-colored cabinets in the kitchen. Westbrook had the floors site-finished with a soft gray stain.
Artwork (mixed media): Mason Murer, 404/879-1500.
Chair ("Aeron"), cookbooks: Westbrook Interiors.
Hanging desk system, desk accessories: Pottery Barn, 800/922-5507, potterybarn.com.
Lidded cream jars: Interiors Market, 404/352-0055.
Fern and container: Lush Life Flowers, 404/271-8630.
Antique ceramic pots: Ainsworth-Noah, 404/231-8787, ainsworth-noah.com.
Cabinetry (door style: "Chamberlain Maple'' in Canvas): KraftMaid Cabinetry, 800/571-1990, kraftmaid.com.
Cabinetry hardware (Knobs: European Classic Collection #2003, finish: #355 Old Silver): LB Brass, 718/786-8090, lbbrass.com.
Desk top (Mocha 2370, polished finish): CaesarStone Quartz Surfaces, 718/777-9780, caesarstoneus.com.
Wall and trim paint ("Grant Beige'' #HC-83): Aura by Benjamin Moore & Co., 877/262-8721, myaurapaint.com.
Refrigrator and cupboard supplies (South Beach diet products): Kraft Foods.
While family life swirls in the kitchen area, the third-level bedrooms are designed to soothe. Soft gray walls, draperies, and a chaise longue set a restful mood in the master bedroom. A white duvet and monogrammed pillow shams are classically simple, while an antique rug in warm pumpkin and turquoise hues adds a rich dose of color. "The rug just glows," Westbrook says. "I think there is a serenity to the space, and part of that comes from using neutrals. You feel enveloped in this really pretty warm gray color, and the pop comes in the area rug with its palette of oranges and touches of turquoise."
Convex mirrors (antique, seven sizes): Legendes, legendes.us.
Lamps ("Crystal Balustrade''): Circa Lighting, circalighting.com.
Art (Snow Day by Patrick Johnson): Mason Murer, 404/879-1500.
Footed bowl (cream color): Formations through Jerry Pair & Assoc., 404/261-6337, trade only.
Scented candle (in glass): L'Occitane, 888/623-2880, loccitane.com.
Candles (gold and porcelain with lids), dishes (on bedside chest), framed photographs (by Masao Yamamoto), books: Westbrook Interiors.
Lavender balls (with ribbon): Erika Reade, 404/233-3857, erikareadeltd.com.
Closet storage (custom organization units/finish: Antique White): ClosetMaid, closetmaid.com through Lowes, 800/445-6937, lowes.com.
Bed (custom iron bed with padded headboard insert, queen size): Westbrook Interiors.
Decorative metalwork (on bed): Calhoun Metalworks, 404/755-6155. .
Linens (custom monogrammed): Susan Shepherd, 904/241-5900.
Silk pillows ("Thomasina Blue''): The Silk Trading Co., 888/745-5302, silktrading.com, trade only.
Accent pillow (turquoise tapestry detail): B.D. Jeffries, 800/954-3004, bdjeffries.com.
Accent pillows (antique bobble trim): Westbrook Interiors.
Mattress (queen size): Perfect Day by Serta, 888/557-3782, sertaperfectday.com.
Antique rug (12'x12' Oushack): Rugs by Robinson, 404/364-9042, trade only.
Armoire (Swedish blue painted), piglet basket (on top of armoire): Love Train Antiques, 404/271-8630, lovetrainantiques.com, trade only.
Deco chaise longue: Westbrook Interiors.
Fabric on chaise (gray wool #LA1000-1): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com, trade only.
Antique chest (18th-century French Oak Mule Chest): Dearing Antiques, 404/233-6333.
Antique side table (18th-century Provincial Rococo style, in walnut): Robuck & Company, 404/ 351-7173.
Ceiling paint throughout ("Glacier White" #AC-40); wall and trim paint ("Ozark Shadows'' #AC-26): Aura by Benjamin Moore & Co., 877/262-8721, myaurapaint.com.
Drapery fabric ("Smart'' cotton taffeta in Polvere #2122-11): Dedar USA, 404/325-2726, dedar-usa.com, trade only, through Jerry Pair & Associates, 800/367-7247, jerrypair.com, trade only.
Scrim fabric ("St. Malo" linen in Bleach #1151-01): Classic Cloth from Dessin Fournier 785/434-2777, dessinfournir.com, trade only, through Grizzel & Mann, 404/261-5932, trade only.
Tiles from Country Floors add pattern to the master bath. Kohler's brushed nickel faucet and biscuit sink keep the look classic and understated.
Soap dishes (with white fig soaps), cut glass cannisters, paradigm towels (white): Restoration Hardware, 800/910-9836, restorationhardware.com.
Bath gels, lotions, candles: L'Occitane, 888/623-2880, loccitane.com.
Small iron hooks: White Chapel Ltd., 800/468-5534, whitechapel-ltd.com.
Clear glasses (for toothbrushes): Erika Reade, 404/233-3857, erikareadeltd.com.
Oil paintings: Westbrook Interiors.
Cabinetry (door style: "Chamberlain Maple'' in Canvas): KraftMaid Cabinetry, 800/571-1990, kraftmaid.com.
Cabinetry hardware (Knobs: European Classic Collection #2003 in #310 Old Bronze): LB Brass, 718/786-8090, lbbrass.com.
Vanity countertop (Eggshell, polished finish): CaesarStone Quartz Surfaces, 718/777-9780, caesarstoneus.com.
Chair (antique Swedish blue chair): Love Train Antiques, 404/271-8630, lovetrainantiques.com, trade only.
Sconces (Antique Nickel with Antique Nickel shades), flush mount (Antique Nickel): Circa Lighting, circalighting.com.
Wall and trim paint ("Ballet White" #OC-9): Aura by Benjamin Moore & Co., 877/262-8721, myaurapaint.com.
Lavatory, tub, and shower ("Bancroft'' in Biscuit), faucets ("Pinstripe Pure'' in Vibrant Brushed Nickel), toilet accessories (Vibrant Brushed Nickel): Kohler, 800/456-4537, kohler.com.
Encaustic tile floor ("Sutherland A'' #4A in Stoker Gray Bisque with Creamware overlay), shower floor, trim, walls (color: Bone): Country Floors, 800/311-9995, countryfloors.com.
Shades ("Silhouette'' in "Bon Soir'' fabric in Counting Sheep #A3-152 with UltraGlide retractable cord lifting system): Hunter Douglas, 800/274-2985, hunterdouglas.com.
Even the children's bedrooms exude a calming aura. Walls painted chocolate warm the boy's room, and pale pastels soften the girl's space. "Bedrooms really are one place that should be calming. They are a place to retire and relax," Westbrook says.
Toys (monkey and frog): Erika Reade, 404/233-3857, erikareadeltd.com.
Toys, stuffed animals (in basket): IKEA, 800/434-4532, ikea.com.
Pillows (#28429-68, brown flannel): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com, trade only.
Coverlet, shams (canvas in natural): South of Market, southofmarket.biz.
Striped window treatment, large pillows on daybed ("Florida Prairie'' #4589-05): Manuel Canovas through Cowtan and Tout, 212/647-6900, cowtan.com, trade only.
Globe mobile: Restoration Hardware, 800/910-9836, restorationhardware.com.
Antique map: Love Train Antiques, 404/271-8630, lovetrainantiques.com, trade only.
Toy basket, watercolor, mirror: Westbrook Interiors.
Bound area carpets ("Orchard Walk" #HG993-00100, color: Beach Pebble, 8'x9'): Shaw, 800/441-7429, shawfloors.com.
Daybed (#34-30 in Black Walnut); daybed fabric ("Club" in Taupe); nailhead trim (in Jumbo Antique finish): Lee Industries, 800/892-7150, leeindustries.com.
Mattress (twin size): Perfect Day by Serta, 888/557-3782, sertaperfectday.com.
Side table (green metal), chest (painted), small table (white): Westbrook Interiors.
Chair ("Eliza Chair'' #2205-22 from Thomas O'Brien Collection); nailhead trim (finish: Jumbo Antique): Hickory Chair, 800/349-4579, hickorychair.com, trade only.
Chair fabric ("Keegan Basketweave'' in Cream #LFY20750): Ralph Lauren, 888/475-7674, rlhome.polo.com.
Lamp (on chest): Pollen, 404/262-2296.
Lamp (black base/white shade), overhead pendant: IKEA, 800/434-4532, ikea.com.
Wall and trim paint ("Rustic Taupe,'' Classic #999), ceiling ("Glacier White'' #AC-40): Aura by Benjamin Moore & Co., 877/262-8721, myaurapaint.com.
Shades ("Provenance Woven Woods'' in "Rustica'' fabric #WWMA393 in Weathered Timber, Classic style with edge banding in Twill/Nutmeg): Hunter Douglas, 800/274-2985, hunterdouglas.com.
Tucking little ones to bed at night after a busy day always feels good. Westbrook proves it can look good, too. In the girl's bedroom, an upholstered bed by Lee Industries is plumped with elegant and child-friendly checkered and floral linens. Fabric Roman shades dotted with rosebuds are layered over the wood blinds. A simple table beside the bed doubles as a desk.
Pocket watch clock: Pottery Barn, 800/922-5507, potterybarn.com.
Toys (assorted Hello Kitty toys, purses, makeup & animals): Toys R Us, toysrus.com.
Additional toys (piggy bank, striped elephants, rabbit, wooden pig, stuffed lamb): Erika Reade, 404/233-3857, erikareadeltd.com.
Upholstered bed (#8605-50 with slubby natural fabric): Lee Industries, 800/892-7150, leeindustries.com.
Duvet, shams: ("Small Check''/Chartreuse #1005/15): Chelsea Editions, 212/758-0005, chelseaeditions.com, trade only through Jerry Pair, 800/367-7247, jerrypair.com, trade only.
Accent pillows, Roman Shades ("Rosebud Linen'' fabric in Ecru #1076-01): Cowtan & Tout, 212/ 647-6900, cowtan.com, trade only, through Travis & Co., 404/237-5079, trade only.
Chairs; side table: Westbrook Interiors.
Mattress (queen size): Perfect Day by Serta, 888/557-3782, sertaperfectday.com.
Rug (American Hook): Rugs by Robinson, 404/364-9042, trade only.
Wall paint ("Odessa Pink'' #HC-59), trim and ceiling paint ("Glacier White'' #AC-40): Aura by Benjamin Moore & Co., 877/262-8721, myaurapaint.com.
Shades ("Alustra Woods'' #808, wood blinds in Eggshell): Hunter Douglas, 800/274-2985, hunterdouglas.com.
Roman shades ("Rosebud Linen'' fabric in Ecru): Cowtan & Tout, 212/ 647-6900, cowtan.com, trade only, through Travis & Co., 404/237-5079, trade only.
Inspired by Belgian, French, and Northern European designs, Barbara Westbrook favors clean, simple shapes and natural materials. "Our look is always clean," Westbrook says. "I don't like it when you walk into a space and you feel confused, when there is so much going on you don't know where to look." Westbrook begins most design projects with color, preferring neutral backdrops with brighter accents in artwork, pillows, or accessories. After studying interior design at the Art Institute of Atlanta and working with some of the design world's best—Gandy-Peace and Nancy Braithwaite—the Lynchburg, Virginia, native started her own business, Westbrook Interiors. She and her staff typically are involved in every aspect of a home's design, from detailing cabinetry to choosing plumbing fixtures. Westbrook designs furniture, too, and is currently working on a French Modern collection for Beacon Hill.


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subset: commoncrawl


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UMBC (5-6, 3-1 America East) takes on host Binghamton (3-9, 0-4) in the regular season finale at the Bearcats Sports Complex on Saturday, April 28. The Retrievers are seeking a victory to post their first back-to-back wins of the season and clinch at least one home game in next week's America East Conference Championships. The opening face-off is scheduled to take place at 7:00 p.m. Game coverage includes the broadcast on the UMBC flagship, V1370 (www.v1370.com) with Steve Levy handling the broadcast, beginning with the pregame at 6:55 p.m.
JR A Scott Jones capped a miraculous rally with a goal at the 1:43 mark of overtime and the Retrievers edged Albany, 17-16, at UMBC Stadium on Senior Day. With the victory, UMBC clinched a spot in the America East four-team playoffs for the ninth time in nine conference seasons.
The Retrievers (3-1 AEC) also will have a winning league record in America East for the ninth consecutive year.
UMBC will be the No. 1 seed if…
The Retrievers defeat Binghamton and Albany defeats Stony Brook
UMBC will be the No. 2 seed if…
Stony Brook defeats Albany
UMBC will be the No. 3 seed if…
UMBC loses to Binghamton and Albany defeats Stony Brook
SO M Phil Poe was been named America East Conference Player of the Week. Poe tied a school record by winning 22 face-offs in the 17-16 overtime victory over Albany. Poe is ranked 14th in the country in ground balls per game (5.91) and 21st in face-off winning pct. (55.5).
Jones has scored 17 goals in his last five outings and became the first Retrievers since Alex Hopmann (36) in 2009 to reach the 30-goal plateau with 31 scores. he is tenth in the nation with 2.82 goals per game.
SO A Joe Lustgarten is 7th in the country with 2.0 assists per game.
The 17 goals scored by UMBC was its most since a 17-10 win over Rutgers in 2009... The 33 goals combined by the two squads was the most in a Retriever contest since an 18-15 loss at Towson early in the 1998 campaign.
BEASTS OF AMERICA EAST: UMBC is now 36-10 in nine years of America East competition and 20-4 at UMBC Stadium. UMBC has never lost back-to-back regular season contests in league play.
WINNING THE TIGHT ONES: UMBC is now 26-16 in games decided by three goals or less since the beginning of the 2007 season. UMBC had won eight straight overtime decisions from 2007-09 until dropping a Feb. 20, 2010 triple overtime decision to Delaware. UMBC's previous overtime loss was an 11-10 setback at Penn early in the 2006 season.
In 2012, UMBC is 2-4 in games decided by one or two goals. The Retrievers have won 17 of its last 23 one-goal decisions.
UMBC is now 16-6 in Don Zimmerman's 19 seasons in overtime and in his career, Coach Zimmerman is 18-8 in extra time in 26 seasons.
Binghamton dropped its third straight game last Saturday with a 11-5 defeat at Vermont, eliminating the Bearcats from playoff contention.
SO M Michael Antinozzi registered a goal and two assists, while fellow midfielder Tyler Perrelle chipped in with a goal and an assist in the losing effort.
Antinozzi improved his point per game total to 3.25 (28 goals, 11 assists, 4th in AE) and is just one goal shy of tying the BU season scoring record with 29 goals. Perrell has 23 goals in 2012.
The game will feature the Bearcats seven seniors which include Ryan Button, Ben Waldron, John Clark, Jeff Donigan, Jordan Marra, Chris Cook and Nick Marshall. The Bearcats are 3-2 at home in 2012.
The Bearcats lead America East with 36.3 shots per game, but are last in shooting accuracy at 25.0 percent.
Binghamton also leads America East with 8.25 caused turnovers per contest.
Binghamton won the first match-up between the two teams in 2004 (5-4), but UMBC has won the last 11 straight.
The last two AEC tournament games between
the two teams have gone to overtime in 2008 and 2009.
Due to playoff games at UMBC, four of the last five meetings have occurred at UMBC Stadium. Six of the 12 meetings have been decided by three goals or fewer. Dave Brownscored three goals and added an assist as the host Retrievers edged Binghamton, 8-6, in the last meeting on April 9, 2011. UMBC used a 6-0 run in the second quarter to take control of the contest. Rob Grimm had three goals and two assists and Nick Doub had a career-best 3-point game (2g, 1a) in UMBC's 12-6 win at Binghamton in 2010. Adam Cohen recorded that win in goal.


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By Ed Harris
The Southington YMCA has decided to leave the Olney house on North Main Street alone for now and will revisit possible preservation possibilities once it completes its other development projects.
"The house is safe," YMCA Executive Director John Myers said. "It's weather proof."
The New Britain Superior Court issued a temporary injunction barring the Southington YMCA from demolishing houset as part of a plan to add additional parking at the facility last year.
The injunction, secured by the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, protected the house through January 30. During this time the Trust will work on possible solutions to preserving the home.
The home was built in the early 1800s by Samuel Andrews, a Revolutionary War veteran. Jesse Olney, a world traveler, geographical textbook author and politician, moved in around the mid-1800s and lived in the house for 21 years. His son lived in the house after Olney left.
In his lifetime, Olney also worked for education reform, served in the state legislature and worked as the state controller.
The brick federal building has undergone a few renovations over the years, but it is still structurally sound and is the only brick home remaining in town.
Helen Higgins, Executive Director of the Connecticut Trust, spoke highly of the YMCA's commitment to the community and the cooperative spirit of the discussions about the Andrews-Olney House.
"Members of the Southington Historical Society brought the proposed demolition of the Andrews-Olney House to our attention," Higgins said in a release. "Through the Connecticut Trust's field service program, one of our Circuit Riders was available to offer guidance and technical assistance to the YMCA on this issue. The result is a clear win for all involved."
The Southington YMCA purchased the property on Sept. 2 2011 for $290,000. The home was listed as for sale as of June 2011.
"It's still an asset for us," Myers said of the Olney house, noting that the YMCA would look at obtaining possible grants for renovations once the organization's other projects are completed.


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Book: How to Apply for Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits for Veterans and Their Survivors (2019)
This book is a welcome and needed resource for veterans and their families. There is no other book available that incorporate VA's newest claims procedures along with instructions on how to submit claims for over 25 different types of claims including Pension, Death Pension, DIC, Disability Compensation, Burial Benefits, and more...
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For agents and attorneys already accredited with VA, we offer two approved 3 hour video courses to meet your initial first year CLE requirements or any additional three hours on veterans benefits law and procedures required every two years.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are 22.7 million veterans in the United States. Fully 55% of these people are age 60 and older. Many of the veterans benefits now available are not relevant to these older veterans or are no longer available to them; but, there are still benefits to assist older veterans that are not being utilized to the fullest extent. In addition, we have found that many of our nation's seniors, whether veterans or not, are struggling with a myriad of financial and emotional challenges in their final years of life.
Our mission is twofold. First, we are dedicated to helping elderly seniors who served their country receive cash support or other services available from VA. Second, we provide a national website listing of dedicated professionals to help senior veterans better prepare for their final years of life. This national network of providers and advisers includes financial advice, legal help, preparation for eldercare, education on government support programs, care provider services and much more. Although we concentrate on helping senior veterans, we will not turn away any veteran who comes to us for help.
This twofold approach to supporting our valiant elderly veterans, who served our country in a time of need, will improve the dignity, financial staying power and well-being of these valued American seniors.
Detailed Information about the Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit
Under the right circumstances, a VA Program called Special Monthly Pension can provide up to $2,230 per month for a married veteran or up to $1,881 a month for a single veteran in additional income. Generally, to qualify for these benefit levels, these veterans must be paying for expensive long term care at home, in assisted living or in a nursing home. Survivor's (Death) Pension for surviving spouses can provide up to $1,209 a month in additional income under the same circumstances.
A remarkable World War II experience recounted by Colonel Jack Leroy Tueller.
Historical War Photos
The following gallery endeavors to offer a small assortment of historical photos in order to offer a brief glimpse into the lives of our valiant senior veterans during war. As far as we are aware, the images can be found in the public domain. Continue to the Historical War Photos Gallery...
Services & the Veterans Pension Benefit (Aid & Attendance)
The SVSA lists appeals agents, advocates and eldercare services in many areas of the country. These individuals and providers help senior veterans and their survivors understand veterans benefits available to them.
One underutilized benefit available to many senior (wartime) veterans/widows is pension -- commonly called aid and attendance. Because aid and attendance is such an important benefit, we provide an entire section below describing it.
Aid and Attendance · Find Help in Your Area · Veterans Benefits · Resources
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These individuals may or may not be accredited through VA. Non-accredited advocates understand veterans benefits but are not allowed to help in the filing of a claim. All advocates can answer questions relating to specific benefits and can direct a potential claimant to an individual or organization capable of filing a claim. Advocates do not charge a fee related to filing a claim.
The Senior Veterans Service Alliance maintains on this website a list of individuals -- primarily attorneys -- who are willing to represent veterans in appealing adverse decisions on claims. Although no fee may be charged in connection with filing an initial claim, a fee is allowed in regard to representing a veteran with a claims appeal. The fee that is charged must be reasonable and VA must see the arrangement.
SVSA takes pride in being an organization that can help you locate a full spectrum of care by connecting you to services for older adults, veterans, and their families.
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Information about Veterans Benefits Available to Veterans and Their Surviving Spouses
Pension (Aid and Attendance)
Roughly 1 out of 4 seniors in the U.S. could qualify for the aid and attendance benefit under the right conditions. That's how many war veterans or their surviving spouses there are. Only about 5% of U.S. seniors are actually receiving this benefit. It can pay up to $2,230/month for a couple, $1,881/month for a single veteran and $1,209 for a single surviving spouse.
State Veterans Nursing Homes
State veterans homes are a joint venture between state veterans departments and VA. Subsidies come from the state, VA and other sources. The majority of state homes are nursing homes for veterans but some homes may also provide assisted living and other care. Most states have anywhere from 2 to 5 or more homes. Typically there is a waiting list to get in.
Health Care Benefits
The VA healthcare system is the largest single provider of healthcare in the United States. It has also been noted by numerous surveys as being one of the best providers of health care as well. Not all veterans can receive care in the system. Eligibility requires either service-connected disability, special service recognition or low income and less than $80,000 in assets.
Dependents Indemnity Compensation is payable to eligible survivors of a military service member who died on active duty or whose death after service resulted from a service-connected injury or disease. DIC currently pays $1,319 a month to a surviving spouse and additional amounts if there are dependent children or if the spouse needs aid and attendance.
Burial Benefits
Money is available for burial costs for veterans who were service disabled, receiving pension or died under VA care. If the death was a result of service-connected disability, $2,000 is available. If the death was non-service related, up to $600 is available for plot allowance and burial and funeral expenses. Veterans also receive free burial in state VA cemeteries.
Compensation & Special Benefits
Disability compensation is a tax-free benefit paid to a veteran for service-connected disability that happened as a result of active duty, active duty for training, inactive duty training or injury from VA healthcare. Special benefits like car allowances, housing allowances, clothing and so on are payable for severe service connected disabilities.
Long Term Care Benefits
Besides the additional income available from VA aid and attendance pension to cover long term care benefits, the VA healthcare system also offers a variety of long term care services. This could include nursing homes, assisted living, home care and so on. Eligibility requires enrollment in VA health care and preference is given to a priority list of conditions.
Appealing an Adverse Decision
A veteran or eligible dependent has up to 1 year from an adverse VA decision on any benefit to appeal that decision. VA decisions regarding health care are not appealable. After filing a Notice of Disagreement with the Regional Office, a person making an appeal can pay a fee to an accredited agent or attorney for representation before the Board of Veterans Appeals.
Accreditation and Fees
No person may help a veteran with an initial claim for benefits unless that person is accredited through VA. Additionally, no fee may be charged that is directly related to the filing of an initial claim. Doing so is illegal. Many members of the SVSA are accredited and no member of the SVSA charges a fee that is directly related to the filing of an initial claim. Continue reading...
"Intent to File" & Effective Dates
Before applying for benefits a veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran (in either case, the claimant) may wish to establish an Effective Date by means of an "Intent to File" (formerly known as an Informal Claim) even though they are not yet prepared to apply. This is done to 'lock-in a date' (for purposes of receiving back-pay) while the claimants are gathering supporting evidence to include in their application. Continue reading...
- About Accreditation & Fees
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- Correcting Your Military Discharge
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text: Just when we thought Dubai couldn't make more absurd architectural decisions, they go and commission a Dutch dude to make floating islands in the shape of Arabic letters that spell out a part of a poem. This floater of an idea has been tried before, albeit on a smaller scale with cruise ship terminals, mosques and a beach. What's the point of this other than to push the insanity envelope even further? The ability to rise up or down depending on how sea levels are going in the next few decades (they're going up). [NPR]


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Competition & EU
Competition and regulatory authorities now possess far-reaching powers to investigate companies and commercial arrangements, prohibit M&A deals, force divestment of merged businesses, review markets and impose penalties. There is the additional risk of private enforcement such as substantial (follow-on) antitrust damages claims. Being compliant and implementing effective risk mitigation strategies is key.
We focus not only on problem solving but also on how you can avoid problems in the first place. Our large team of competition lawyers has extensive experience in helping navigate these difficult paths so that you can focus on your business. We have in-depth knowledge of competition rules across different countries and markets.
The CMS Competition Group is one of the largest competition teams in Europe and at the same time one of the most widespread. We offer a one-stop-shop solution to clients for all their competition law needs across Europe and beyond. The lawyers spread across the CMS offices are supported by the CMS EU Law Office in Brussels. The CMS Competition Group has hands-on experience in dealing with the European Commission and all national competition authorities as well as European and national courts.
We act for clients in all areas of competition law: cartels, distribution agreements and other agreements comprising horizontal and vertical restraints, abuse of dominance, merger control, private enforcement, state aid, investigations and compliance. Our sector approach helps us understand your business environment and get to grips with your issues.
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State Aid
State aid is a highly technical area of EU law and has generated a wide range of evolving case law. Compliance with State aid rules is therefore an issue in any public intervention that involves State resources. State aid issues are usually quite complex, requiring a high level of expertise, in-depth knowledge and pragmatism.


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Theodore Roosevelt National Park - South Unit, Medora, ND
Cottonwood Campground
76 first-come, first-served sites. Pull-through sites are available. Group site available and reservations are accepted beginning March 1. No hook-ups for water, sewer or electrical. No showers. A picnic table and grill are at each site. Flush toilets with running cold water and water faucets spaced throughout the campground are available from May through September. Each site, except the group site, is limited to a maximum of six people.
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After the letdown of the previous year, the Red Sox rode a strong offense to an 80-72 record in 1937. Although the Red Sox record wasn't good enough to qualify for the postseason, Fenway Park was busy in other ways during the fall. The Boston Redskins had left town but Boston College, Boston University, Holy Cross and the AFL's Boston Shamrocks all played home football games at Fenway Park in 1937.
Record: 80-72, 5th in American League
Manager: Joseph E. Cronin
Attendance: 559,659
The 1937 Red Sox finished fifth in the American League and though they improved in a few offensive categories, they once again suffered from lackluster pitching. Lefty Grove won 17 games (17-9) with a 3.02 ERA and Jack Wilson, who had also come over from Philadelphia, went 16-10. Bobo Newsom and Johnny Marcum each won 13 but the team ERA rose to 4.48.
Jimmie Foxx drove in 127 runs and hit 36 home runs, while Joe Cronin and third baseman Pinky Higgins amassed 110 and 106 RBIs, respectively. The aforementioned Bobo Newsom joined the team in mid-June, along with right fielder Ben Chapman, in a trade from Washington. The Red Sox sent Mel Almada and the two Ferrell brothers, Rick and Wes, to the Senators in the deal. When asked for his feelings on Wes specifically, Cronin summed up his feelings, "I sure hated to lose Rick - good ball player, hard worker, easy to get along with."
There were some interesting personalities on the 1937 Red Sox, including Moe Berg, who worked for the U.S. Government as a World War II-era spy and had his best year as a backup in Boston. The "Pulverizing Pole," Fabian Gaffke, was a backup outfielder and the team's starting left fielder had the given name of Colonel Buster Mills.
Future Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr made his Fenway Park debut on April 18 in the annual City Series game against the Boston Braves. He played second base behind Boob McNair in 1937, hitting .224 in 55 games as a teenager. The team faded in the second half but showed potential that boded well for the future.
Though 1937 was a quiet year on the construction front, owner Tom Yawkey did make one important decision that altered the look of Fenway Park's playing field. While there had previously been a roped-off, on-field standing area in deep right and center field where fans had been able to watch the team play, Yawkey did away with this section and stopped permitting fans on the field during games.
Once again, Fenway Park hosted high school tournament baseball in 1937 with Lynn English beating Lowell High on June 11. In early August, a team of Fenway Park employees defeated a group of Boston baseball writers.
|1937 Non-Red Sox Baseball At Fenway Park
|June 9
|Watertown High 8, Belmont High 0
|June 9
|Lynn English 3, Medford High 1
|June 10
|Lynn English 4, Watertown High 3 (14 Innings)
|June 10
|Lowell High 12, Braintree High 2
|June 11
|Lynn English 12, Lowell High 3
|August 6
|Fenway Park Clubhouse Boys 3, Earache Alley Unit of the Boston Baseball Writers 2
Dan O'Mahoney returned to Fenway Park in 1937 to fight for the Celtic Wrestling Championship. However O'Mahoney lost to Steve "Crusher" Casey, who also won a match at Fenway the previous month. Later in the year, the Boston Shamrocks filled the professional football void left by the Boston Redskins' departure. The Shamrocks' home opener at Fenway Park on October 13 was played at night under temporary lighting, almost 10 years before the Red Sox played their first night game at home. In addition, Boston College and Boston University each played numerous games at Fenway in 1937, including a scoreless tie on Columbus Day between BC and Temple which marked Coach Pop Warner's 400th game.
|1937 Non-Baseball Events At Fenway Park
|June 6
|Mayo F.C. 17, Massachusetts All-Stars 8 (Gaelic Football)
|June 17
|Al McCoy Defeats Natie Brown (Boxing)
|June 29
|Steve Casey Tosses Ed Don George (Wrestling)
|July 13
|Natie Brown Beats Tony Shucco (Boxing)
|July 20
|Steve Casey Downs Dan O'Mahoney (Wrestling)
|October 12
|Boston College 0, Temple 0 (Football)
|October 13
|Los Angeles Bulldogs 14, Boston Shamrocks 0 (Football)
|October 16
|Holy Cross 7, University of Georgia 6 (Football)
|October 17
|Rochester Tigers 6, Boston Shamrocks 0 (Football)
|October 23
|Western Reserve 7, Boston University 0 (Football)
|October 24
|Boston Shamrocks 27, Pittsburgh Americans 7 (Football)
|November 7
|Boston Shamrocks 50, Collegiate All-Stars 0 (Football)
|November 11
|Villanova 12, Boston University 0 (Football)
|November 13
|Boston College 13, Kentucky 0 (Football)
|November 20
|Boston University 13, Boston College 13 (Football)
|November 27
|Holy Cross 20, Boston College 0 (Football)
In a rare night game at Fenway Park (temporary lighting had to be brought to the park) the American Professional League's Boston Shamrocks finally played their season home opener on an evening they were assured was free of competition from the World Series or college football. Members of the media speculated the Shamrocks' night game was nothing less than a referendum on whether Boston could support pro football in the wake of the Redskins' recent departure.


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A noted economist disputes that generalization.
Presented by D. David Tomlin
True or false? You may have heard this claim before (or something like it): "Many Americans are being forced to retire later because their savings and investments took a hit in the Great Recession."
Recently, a big-name economist disputed that belief. In a commentary for Bloomberg, former White House budget director Peter Orszag wrote that some of the statistics don't seem to back up this conventional wisdom, but perhaps it all depends on which statistics you cite.
A fact that can't be ignored. In mid-January, a widely reprinted Washington Post article mentioned that since the start of the recession, the population of U.S. workers older than 55 has increased by 12% to 3.1million.1
Examining this Labor Department finding, the Post feature referenced longevity and the loss of traditional pension plans as contributing factors. It presented stories of older workers who didn't think they could easily retire, and quoted respected commentators such as Alicia Munell, director of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, who remarked that "some of these people are just clinging by their fingernails to jobs."1
But is there more to the story? It turns out that Americans were trending toward staying in the workforce longer even before the recession. In 1994, Orszag notes, 43% of Americans aged 60-64 were working; in 2006, it was 51%. Nearly half of 62-year-olds went and claimed Social Security benefits in 1994, but 12 years later, less than 40% of 62-year-olds followed suit.2
Orszag mentions another factor that may have kept older employees working during the recession: declining home equity. Put that alongside diminished IRA and 401(k) balances, and there was every reason to stay on the job these last few years.
However, just because older Americans wanted to keep working didn't mean that they could.
In the 2011 edition of its respected Retirement Confidence Survey, the Employee Benefit Research Institute found that 45% of retirees ended their careers earlier than they wanted to, in many cases due to layoffs and health issues.3
The Post article noted that the jobless rate for workers older than 55 was just 3.2% in December 2007 when the downturn began. In December 2011, it was up to 6.2%.1
The percentage of employed Americans aged 60-64, which had steadily risen during the 1990s and early 2000s, has remained at roughly 51% for the past five years.2
That brings us to Orszag's central point: "The bottom line is that people's retirement decisions aren't always entirely voluntary."2
How about your retirement decision? Do you think you will retire when you want to retire? Are you prepared for retirement financially? A new year is a good time for a new look at the state of your finances and your retirement readiness. With astute planning, you might be able to retire sooner than you think.
D. David Tomlin is a representative with RCB Financial Services and may be reached at (706) 236-3536 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
NO BANK GUARANTEE | NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE All Securities and Advisory Services offered through Investment Professionals, Inc. (IPI), a Registered Broker/Dealer & Registered Investment Advisor and member FINRA & SIPC. The investment services offered by IPI under the name RCB Financial Services are in no way affiliated with or offered by River City Bank, nor is River City Bank a registered broker/dealer. Customers working with RCB Financial Services will be dealing solely through IPI with respect to their investment, brokerage and securities transactions. IPI does not offer or provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your attorney and/or tax advisor for such services. The products offered by Investment Professionals, Inc. are not insured by the FDIC, the NCUA or any other agency of the government, are not deposits or other obligations for the bank or guaranteed by the bank and involve investment risks, including possible loss of principal amount invested.This material was prepared by MarketingLibrary.Net Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. Marketing Library.Net Inc. is not affiliated with any broker or brokerage firm that may be providing this information to you. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Please note – investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is not a solicitation or a recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment.
1 – www.usatoday.com/USCP/PNI/NEWS/2012-01-17-PNI0117biz-older-workersART_ST_U.htm [1/11/12]
2 – mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-18/look-at-jobs-before-leap-on-older-retirement-commentary-by-peter-orszag [1/18/12]
3 – www.ebri.org/pdf/briefspdf/EBRI_03-2011_No355_RCS-2011.pdf [3/15/11]


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Push Your Own Damn Button
Posted by TheShot on 30 Mar 2006 | Tagged as: Barista, Consumer Trends
Everyone's favorite bathroom read, Automatic Merchandiser online, today reported on the growing trend of point-of-sale kiosks in coffee shops: Caribou Coffee Installs Point Of Sale Kiosks In Stores To Service Customers Faster @ Vending Market Watch News at AMonline.com. (Also here.)
Yes, Caribou Coffee, that Minneapolis, MN-based chain that's taking over the Midwestern U.S. by following a path paved by Starbucks, has been experimenting with more automated ways to collect and process customer coffee orders more quickly. Can the return of the Automat be far behind?
Or let's even take things a step further. We already have the likes of Starbucks resorting to a global strategy of idiot-proof push button Verismo machines to maintain their store growth with an ever larger, ever less-skilled workforce. Is it hard to envision a world where the customer bypasses the barista entirely — pushing their own button on a touch-screen kiosk to order their double-tall, four-pump vanilla caramel macchiato?
As milk frothing also becomes more automated, some major chains could eliminate the barista entirely — directing customers towards a self-service model. Like the soda fountains at some fast food chains and movie theaters, it's not just gas stations anymore. "Here's your cup… have at it."
Of course, what's motivating this is the drive to streamline sales and customer turnover. Undoubtedly, there will always be a market for better service and higher quality, but volume-based businesses are largely going to compete through their optimization of product delivery.
A related article in today's Salt Lake Tribune documented the case of what happens when Starbucks expats, tired of the obsessive focus on sales, start their own coffee shop with an emphasis on the customer in mind … and then a Starbucks moves within 30 feet of their new shop: Coffee & Cram.
2 Comments »
2 Responses to "Push Your Own Damn Button"
[…] The Detroit News: Caribou Coffee aims to be No. 1 in experience. (This is consistent with their point-of-sale kiosks announcement we reported on last […]
[…] only push the quality formula so far before expansion and the corresponding dilution of quality capped them off. But standards were so low in some places for so long, Starbucks can be viewed as the nectar of the […]


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Our global team report live from shows and press events in both the UK and USA so we have the best coverage on all Syco shows and artists.
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Simon Cowell returns to both the UK and US panels of the popular Got Talent franchise. Look out for airdates in April (UK) and May (USA).
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Welcome to the majestic and truly tourist-friendly city – Saint Petersburg! Touch its history, taste the spicy mixture of cultures, breathe in the Northern crispy air, listen to the music of Neva river waves, contemplate white sleepless nights! Both headlong entertainment and total cultural exposure await you here! Day in and day out brand-new developments in infrastructure and event venues keep changing the city's image due to cutting-edge technologies and innovations. Come here by yourself and discover your own Saint Petersburg!
Russian ruble (RBL) 1 ruble = 100 kopeks
General 01
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Resque Service +7 812 380 91 19
Tourist Contact Centre +7 800 234 12 58, +7 812 456 03 03
St Petersburg Times
Neva News
Spb Dnevnik
Shops are usually open from 10 am until 10 pm. Most shops are open on Sundays. Many shops and supermarkets are open for 24 hours a day. The opening hours of most banks are 10 am to 6 pm, Monday-Friday.
5 million
City Tourist Information Bureau
14/52, Sadovaya ul.
Tel: +7 812 242 39 09
Gostiny Dvor Metro Station
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10 am - 7 pm
37, Sadovaya ul..
Tel: +7 812 242 39 04
Sennaya Metro Station
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10 am - 7 pm
25, Milionnaya ul.
Tel: +7 812 417 22 16
Nevsky Prospect Metro Station
Opening hours: Mon-Fr 10 am - 7 pm
Information pavilions:
- Pulkovo Airport (daily 9 am - 8 pm)
- Palace Square (daily 10 am - 7 pm)
- St.Isaac's Square (daily 10 am - 7 pm)
- Aleksandrovsky Park (daily 10 am - 7 pm)
- Vosstaniya Square (daily 10 am - 7 pm)
- Rastrelli Square (weekdays 8.30 am - 4 pm, May-September)
- Marine Facade Seaport (daily 10 am - 7 pm, May-September)
Dreaming about visiting a paradise-like place on Earth? Come to Saint Petersburg – the so-called museum in the open air. There is no need in visiting any places at all: you can just admire its lavish baroque or reserved classicism architecture and picturesque ribbons of canals by taking leisurely strolls or boat trips. Most daring tourists are welcome to discover city's diversity by taking helicopter or segway rides. Have never been here before? Professional guides will make your trip as comfortable and enlightening as possible. Have been here for numerous times before? Try to go around the city using our new official mobile application Visit Petersburg.
Saint Petersburg is a caring city which thinks of all types of tourists. It is a real kingdom of heaven for kids. Let them enjoy interactive science museums, puppet theatres and contact zoos here. Young people will be amazed by the number of music events and social venues where they can make new friends. Gourmands are free to reveal tastes of Russian and all international cuisines. Several business areas and complexes are at the disposal of businessmen to participate in plenty of congresses and conferences. Bohemia has a great opportunity to fulfill its potential via taking part in various creative workshops, festivals and experimental projects. Travel and enjoy in winter or summer, rain or shine, young or old!
We have picked 10 most popular places, the so-called brands of the city for you to see and explore in Saint Petersburg. These are genuine treasures of the city which you have definitely seen many times on photos, souvenirs and heard of from your friends. Travelers who have visited them at least once will return here more and more times in future to attend current exhibitions and festivals.
The Russian Museum of Ethnography
Peter and Paul Fortress
Erarta Museum and Galleries of Contemporary Art
Nevsky Prospect
Military-Historical Museum of Artillery, Engineer and Signal Corps
St. Isaac's Square
The Monument to the Heroic Defenders of Leningrad
The State Hermitage Museum
Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood
Do and see things you've never done or seen before in your life! Visit a soviet-time apartment with sovietic relics and learn about lives of plain soviet factory workers, pioneers and farm workers. Walk along the pages of Dostoevsky somber novels and meet its heroes on the dusky embankments or shaded parks. Dress up for masquerades and ballrooms, get ready to waltz in the same magnificent dancing halls as Pushkin in the 18 century. Not only learn but also take an active part and interact!
Palace Square
Yusupov Palace
The State Museum of the History of Religion
St.Petersburg State Museum of Theatre and Music Art
The Dostoevsky Museum
The Pushkin Apartment Museum
The Summer Garden
Saint Petersburg Metro
Yelagin Island
Smolny Cathedral
The Bronze Horseman
Pavlovsk Park
Peter the Great Aquatoria
The Saint Petersburg Chamber Opera
The State Museum of Political History of Russia
Rimsky-Korsakov Museum
Chaliapin Memorial Apartment
Sheremetev Palace — Museum of Music
Alexandrinsky Theater
ROSPHOTO Exhibition Hall
The Tin Soldier museum
Gatchina Palace and Park
Oranienbaum Palaces and Park
Mikhailovsky Theater
Tourist tram
St Isaac's Cathedral
Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin)
Boat Trips and River Cruises
Mariinsky Theatre
Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan
Don't miss out on special days and nights when the sky gets brightly colored in all possible hues of fireworks and parade floats as well as crowds of disguised people march along the festively adorned streets and squares. More than 300 events are annually held in the open air or on the best Russian theatre stages: musical, poetic, theatre, patriotic, religious events, etc. Watch the burning of Maslenitsa effigy, crack painted eggs in the course of Easter Fair, greet a ship with spectacular scarlet sails, ride a legendary Harley Davidson bike at the August festival, be the first to watch recently shot movies at the cinema festivals. Saint Petersburg offers events to suit all tastes!
30 December 2019 - 8 January 2020: The New Year's Fair in Gatchina
Time to skate - Skating rinks in St. Petersburg
All year round: Russian Music Seasons
Till 28 December 2019: Japanese autumn in St. Petersburg
Saturdays: JazzLike evenings of live jazz
25 November 2019: The Nutcracker
Till 9 March 2020: Ilya Repin. To the 175th Anniversary of the Artist's Birth
6, 7 January 2020: Don Quixote
Foutain show "Prince of the Сircus"
Till 16 February 2020: Zulkarnain Ismail. Augmented Reality
All year round: Roof Music Fest
7-9 February 2020: Nevsky Casket
21 February 2020: Kurt Cobain Birthday Fest
9-12 November 2019: Digital Opera 2.0
What can be more inspiring than observing marvelous architecture masterpieces through floor-to-ceiling windows and tasting something delicious at the same time? Panoramic views, exquisite menus, mouth-watering desserts, considerate personnel will undoubtedly spice your trip up! Restaurants offering Russian traditional cuisine will not only treat you with well-known borscht, shchi, solyanka, vareniki, Russian salad, and blini but also entertain you with vibrant folk shows! However sophisticated you can be, an abundance of international cuisine restaurants will not fail to surprise you!
Imperial Restaurant
The Idiot Restaurant
Tandoor Indian Restaurant
Literary Сafe Restaurant
Gogol Restaurant
Ivanoff House
Shaliapin Restaurant
Sadko Restaurant
Russian Fishing Restaurant
Restaurant COCOCO
Restaurant F. Dostoevsky
Gzhel Restaurant
Russian Vodka Room №1
Arcobaleno Restaurant
L'EUROPE Restaurant
Percorso Restaurant
Taleon restaurant
Russian Ampir Restaurant
Meat Head
Golden Café
Il Lago dei Cigni
Dans le Noir
Old Customs House
Ukrop Restaurant
O! Cuba Restaurant
Las Torres
Del Mar Nevsky
Khochu Kharcho
The Repa
Jamie's Italian
Edim Rukami
Begemot is Back
Gelsomino Cafe
"BRUNO" Maison de la Truffe
Ivan da Marya
Skoro Vesna!
Saint Petersburg offers a great variety of cafes for all tastes. Some of them maintain historic city traditions while others concentrate on the latest tendencies in culinary art. Enjoy majestic views of the city from windows of cosy, elegant, rattling, designer and other types of cafes.
Stray Dog
Café Singer
Rasputin Cafe
Polet Cafe
Tryn Trava
Troitsky Most Vegetarian Cafe
Zoom Cafe
Sunduk Art Cafe
Del Mar
C1tizen cafe
Caffe Italia
Frida vegetarian cafe
LaCelletta Caffé
Korjov bakery
Na parakh (Cooked on steam)
Du Nord 1834
Pirogoviy Dvorik
Check Point Cafe
Smoke BBQ Texas Restaurant
Hard Rock Cafe
Grand Cafe Frida
Art Buffet
St Petersburg's bars tend to have themes - sports, Irish, British-style pub, hip Soviet nostalgia - they serve food, usually have DJs or live music and 02.00 is considered early closing. The scene is constantly changing, so check weekly listings and posters around town. Most clubs serve food and are open until 06.00 or later.
Metro Club
Lomonosov Club and Bar
Coyote Ugly
Daiquiri Bar
Dead Poets Bar
Money Honey
PMI Bar
Raskolnikov Bar
Red Fox Jazz Club
Estrada Club
Skazka Club
Kosmonavt Сlub
Santa Barbara Club
Barslona Tapas Bar
Liverpool Bar
All the top international brands and designer fashion names are here, lining up on Nevsky Prospeсt, and the shops are as glitzy and glam as in any European capital.
Gostiny Dvor
Eliseev Store
Dom Knigi Book Store
Nevsky Сenter
Bukvoed Bookstore
Sennaya Shopping Mall
Grand Palace Boutiques Gallery
Admiral Shopping Center
Vladimirsky Passage
Outlet Pulkovo Village
Souvenir Boutique
Alongside internationally acclaimed sights such as the Hermitage, Peterhof and Tsarskoye Selo, Saint Petersburg has a number of lesser known but equally interesting attractions, Among them are modern art galleries, contact zoos for kids, interactive museums equipped with cutting-edge technologies, audiovisual effects and optical illusions.
Fabergé Museum
Military Medical Museum
Russian Railway Museum
Planetarium 1
Loft Project ETAGI
Russian Levsha, museum of microminiature art
Museum Complex 'The Universe of Water'
The Necropolis of the of Art Masters
The Freud Museum of Dreams
The Museum of Live Butterflies "Tropical Paradise"
Art of Fan Museum
Museum of the Soviet Slot Machines
Petersburg Museum of Dolls
The Petrodvorets Watch Factory «Raketa»
The Botanical Garden
Pushkinskaya-10 Art Center
Cat Republic Museum
The Mosaic Courtyard
Piskaryovsky Memorial
Arts Square
Lenfilm Motion Picture Studio
The National Congress Palace
Museum of Emotions
The topsy-turvy house
Five corners
Divo Ostrov
Maza Park
Creative cluster "ArtMuza"
Museum of Soviet Life Style
The Museum of St. Petersburg Art (20th–21st centuries)
My History Park
Creative cluster "Golitsyn Hall"
Perfume Museum
Untruth Museum
World War I Museum (The Martial Chamber)
Museum of the Petersburg Avant-garde
Anna Akhmatova Museum
Malaya Sadovaya Pedestrian Street
Central Naval Museum
St. Petersburg is one of the most popular tourist destinations of Europe.
The city's hotel infrastructure never stops its development.
The largest international hotel brands operate in St. Petersburg, such as Best Western, Marriott, Kempinski, Radisson SAS, Accor, Rocco Forte Hotels, Corinthia and Sokos.
Today Petersburg is the leading Russian city due to the availability of on-line booking.
Angleterre *****
Grand Hotel Europe *****
Sokos Hotel Palace Bridge *****
Sokos Hotel Olympia Garden ****
Herzen House ***
Ibis ***
Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg *****
W St.Petersburg *****
5th Corner Business Hotel St. Petersburg
Holiday Inn St. Petersburg Moskovskye Vorota
Grand Hotel Emerald *****
Petro Palace Hotel
Friends hostel
Hostel Life
Location Hostel
Saint Petersburg Hotel ***
Comfort Hotel
AZIMUT Hotel ***
Bristol Hotel ***
Galerea Hotel ***
GoodNight Hotel
Cronwell Inn Stremyannaya ***
Central Street Hostel
Sky Hotel
Nevsky Hotel Aster ***
Palantin Hotel
Lotte Hotel St. Petersburg *****
Domina St. Petersburg *****
Author Boutique Hotel *****
SO Sofitel St. Petersburg *****
Trezzini Palace *****
Majestic Boutique Hotel Deluxe ****
1852 Boutique Hotel ****
Akyan Hotel ****
Solo panorama ****
Hampton by Hilton
Vedensky Hotel
Courtyard St. Petersburg Center West/Pushkin Hotel ****
Rossi Hotel and Spa ****
Demetra Art Hotel ****
Courtyard® by Marriott® St. Petersburg Vasilievsky
The Brothers Karamazov
Martin Hotel
NasHotel ****
Tchaikovsky Grand Hotel ****
The Brullov Mansion
Helvetia *****
Dostoevsky ****
Kempinski Hotel Moika 22 *****
The Official State Hermitage Hotel *****
Airport Pulkovo Saint Petersburg is the third busiest airport in Russia after Moscow's Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo airports.
It is located 23 kilometers away from the central Palace Square of the city. City bus number 39 and 39A run between the nearest Moskovskaya metro station and the airport. You can also take advantage of taxi or your personal car.
Airport code of LED1 derives from the city's previous name under USSR — Leningrad.
Address: 41 lit. ZA, Pulkovskoye Shosse, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Phone: +7 812 337 38 22
Website: www.pulkovoairport.ru/en/
More Information:
Public Transport
The St.Petersburg metro has fives lines. Buy a token (45 RBL) or card for multiple journeys. No matter how far you ride you will always be paying the same fare. Time and distance covered will be unlimited.
Buses and trolleybuses are slow (40 RBL, tickets on board), while marshrutkas (mini buses) dash around, stop at passengers' request, and cover countless routes. Fares 40 RBL.
The Metro and buses operate from 05.45 to 24.00 marshrutkas from 07.00 to 22.00.
Long distance and suburban trains depart from five major railway stations. A summer hydrofoil service to Petrodvorets (Peterhof) leaves from the Hermitage jetty.
There are also 5 night bus routes that duplicate metro lines and work from 0:00 till 6:00 on weekends.
More Information:
If you want to take a taxi, you will need to call a reputable taxy company. You will need to give the operator a phone number that you can be contacted on.
Although it is possible to take a car in the street, but it is not advisable unless you have good Russian and a reasonable knowledge of the city. Apart from the obvious safety risks of getting into a stranger's car, the majority of "gypsy cab" drivers are now recent immigrants from Central Asia and the Caucasus who do not necessarily know the topography of St. Petersburg and rarely have GPS. A yellow sign or light on the roof of a car does not mean that it is an official taxi, whatever the driver may tell you.
Taxi companies:
- Taxovichkof
+7 812 333 00 00
- Petersburg taxi
8 800 550 0 068
- 6 million taxi
+7 812 6-000-000
- Semerochka
+7 812 777 77 70
More Information:
The Central Post Office is located in a historic yellow building one block away from St Isaac's Cathedral. It enables visitors to transfer money; buy stamps, cards and envelopes; wrap and pack packages and parcels; send telegrams; make phone calls, and use photocopier. There are additional post offices in the city centre:
18 Sadovaya Street
13 Sennaya Square
70 Fontanki Embankment
9 Kazanskaya Street
14 Stremyannaya Street
Address: 9 Pochtamtskaya ul., Saint Petersburg, Russia
Phone: +7 812 315 80 22
Website: www.spbpost.ru/index.php?page_id=112
More Information:
Saint Petersburg pfarmacy chain stores can be easily found near metro stations as wel as inside huge shopping malls and hypermarkets. They offer a diverse assortment of high-quality medicines, biological additives, beauty remedies, oral care products, items for kids (nutrition, cosmetic goods, diapers), medical equipment. Regular business hours for pharmacies are 09.00-18.00.
But many of them are open 24 h.
Pfarmacy chains:
Pervaya Pomosch
Peterburgskie Apteki
Address: 22 Nevsky Prospekt, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Phone: +7 812 314 54 01
Website: www.petropharm6.webapteka.ru/
More Information:
International dialing code of Saint Petersburg is +7 812
To save your money it is better to buy a local sim-card for economic mobile connection.
Sim-card outlets:
Megafon - 32-34 Nevsky prospekt; 18 Nab. Kanala Griboedova, 10 Karavannaya ulitsa
MTS - 32 Nevsky prospekt; 76 Nevsky prospekt, 8 Italyanskaya ulitsa
Beeline - 2 Malaya Morskaya ulitsa, 18 Nab. Kanala Griboedova
More Information:
Round two-pin plugs are used
More Information:


text:
Message Board
H.L. Drake Message Board
Talk about the novels, new and used books that Drake has written!
Author Drake's Book Reviews
A. E. van Vogt: Science Fantasy's Icon
This book presents a three-decades long project that includes research, interviewing, writing and convention presentations about the late "golden age of sf" author, A. E. van Vogt. This book emphasizes an interest that van Vogt and Drake shared in the subject of general semantics. Additional perspectives are presented which shed light on how and why van Vogt wrote some of his fiction and nonfiction....


text:
Assessing and Exploiting Control Systems
Tue, September 23 - Sat, September 27, 2014
Very practical information from an industry expert facilitator. With a lot of ideas in a 5-day course. Excellent!
You won't find this kind of material in other training options. Also the labs look great.
This is not your traditional SCADA security course! This course teaches hands-on penetration testing techniques used to test embedded electronic field devices, network protocols, RF communications, and controlling servers of ICS and Smart Grid systems like PLCs, RTUs, smart meters, Home Area Networks (HAN), smart appliances, SCADA, substation automation, and synchrophasors. This course is structured around the formal penetration testing methodology created by the National Energy Sector Cybersecurity Organization Resource (NESCOR), a United States Department of Energy project. Using this methodology and SamuraiSTFU (Security Testing Framework for Utilities), an open source Linux distribution for pentesting energy sector systems and other critical infrastructure, we'll perform hands-on penetration testing tasks on embedded electronic field devices, their RF communications, and the myriad of user interfaces used throughout smart grid systems. We will tie these techniques and exercises back to the smart grid devices that can be tested using these techniques. We will also do exercises on dissecting and fuzzing smart grid protocols like modbus, DNP3, IEC 61850, ICCP, ZigBee, C37.118, and C12.22. The course exercises will be performed on a mixture of real world and simulated devices to give students the most realistic experience as possible in a portable classroom setting.
SANS Hosted are a series of classes presented by other educational providers to complement your needs for training outside of our current course offerings.
Course Syllabus
HST.1: ICS Architectures and Network Pentesting
Don Weber
Tue Sep 23rd, 2014
CPE/CMU Credits: 6
Introduction to the NESCOR methodology for penetration testing
- Preparing for a penetration test
- Architecture reviews
- Pentesting the master servers
- Pentesting the user interfaces
- Pentesting the network communications
- Pentesting the embedded field devices
- End-to-end assessment
- Reporting
Architecture Reviews of major ICS and smart grid systems and protocols
- Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)
- Distribution Grid Management (DGM) and Substation Automation (SA)
- Wide Area Management, Protection, and Control (WAMPAC)
- Demand Response (DR)
- Distributed Energy Resources (DER)
- Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
- Electric Vehicles (EV)
Introduction to SamuraiSTFU (Security Testing Framework for Utilities)
- Setting up the virtual machine
- Walk through the tools and functionality
- Introduction to the student hardware kits
Performing traditional network pentests on control systems
- Overview of a traditional network penetration test methodology
- Dangers of port and vulnerability scanning
- Strategies to perform port and vulnerability scanning
- Hands-on network pentesting of master servers
HST.2: Pentesting Master Server User Interfaces
Don Weber
Wed Sep 24th, 2014
CPE/CMU Credits: 6
Type of ICS user interfaces
- Traditional applications
- Web applications
- Terminal interfaces
User interface mapping
- Hands-on request/response mapping and baselines
- Hands-on technology fingerprinting
- Hands-on functional analysis
- Hands-on process flow modeling
Vulnerability discovery
- Hands-on default configuration testing
- Hands-on authentication testing
- Hands-on session management testing
- Hands-on authorization testing
- Hands-on business logic testing
- Hands-on input injection testing
Application exploitation
- Identifying attack avenues
- Vulnerability exploitation
- Exploitation cleanup
HST.3: Pentesting ICS Network Protocols
Don Weber
Thu Sep 25th, 2014
CPE/CMU Credits: 6
Different levels of network communication penetration testing
- Testing of network mediums vs network protocols
- Where security defenses should be place...and tested
Serial communications
- RS-485 and RS-232
- Modbus RTU
- 16-bit unsigned registers and single bit coils
Pentesting RF communications between master servers and field devices
- Hands-on RF spectrum analysis and signal capture
- Spread Spectrum types and strategies
- Hands-on signal demodulation with GNU Radio
- Hands-on network traffic extraction
- Traffic transmission and exploitation
Pentesting TCP/IP based ICS protocols
- Protocol capture and analysis
- modbus, DNP3, IEC 61850, ICCP, ZigBee, C37.118, and C12.22
- Dealing with unknown protocols
- Hands-on entropy analysis of network payloads
- Reverse engineering unknown protocols
- Hands-on ICS protocol fuzzing
HST.4: Pentesting ICS Field and Floor Devices
Don Weber
Fri Sep 26th, 2014
CPE/CMU Credits: 6
Pentesting technician interfaces on ICS field and floor devices
- Functional analysis of field technician interfaces
- Hands-on exercise capturing USB communications to tech interfaces
- Hands-on exercise analyzing captured USB communications
- Impersonating endpoints in field tech interface communications
- Hands-on exercises fuzzing AMI Smart Meter c12.18 optical interfaces
- Exploiting vulnerabilities found during analysis
Analyzing field and floor device firmware
- Obtaining field and floor device firmware
- Hands-on exercise disassembling firmware
- Hands-on exercise analyzing disassembled firmware
- Exploiting firmware flaws
Overview of pentesting field and floor device embedded circuits
- Local attack through physically exposed devices
- Expanding physical attacks to remote attacks
- Cryptographic keys and firmware
Analysis of embedded electronics in ICS field and floor devices
- Discussion of device disassembly
- Component analysis on embedded circuits
- Datasheet acquisition and analysis for target components
HST.5: Pentesting ICS Field and Floor Devices Continued
Don Weber
Sat Sep 27th, 2014
CPE/CMU Credits: 6
Dumping data at rest on embedded circuits
- Using the Bus Pirate and other similar tools
- Overview of I2C or two-wire serial protocol
- Hands-on exercise dumping I2C EEPROMs
- Overview of SPI serial protocol
- Hands-on exercise dumping SPI EEPROMs
- Overview of JTAG
- Hands-on exercise interfacing with JTAG
Bus Snooping on embedded circuits
- Overview of bus snooping
- Hands-on exercise snooping busses
Analyzing data obtained from data dumping and bus snooping
- Hands-on exercise doing string analysis of datasets
- Hands-on exercise doing entropy analysis of datasets
- Hands-on exercise doing systematic key searches through datasets
- Hands-on exercise doing file carving from datasets
End-to-end analysis and reporting
- Strategies for end-to-end analysis after targeted pentesting
- Strategies for reporting and remediation recommendations
Additional Information
Laptop Required
- Laptop with at least two USB ports (three ports preferred). If you only have two USB ports and they are right next to each other, you will need to bring a USB extension cable.
- Latest VMware Player, VMware Workstation, VWware Fusion installed. Other virtualization software such as Parallels or VirtualBox will probably work if the attendee is familiar with its functionality, however VMware Player should be prepared as a backup just in case.
- Ability to disable all security software on their laptop such as Antivirus and/or firewalls
- At least twenty (20) GB of hard drive space
- At least four (4) GB of RAM
If you have additional questions about the laptop specifications, please contact email@example.com.
Basic penetration testing experience is desirable, but not required. It is assumed that attendees will have no knowledge of ICS, Smart Grid, SCADA, or critical infrastructure. This course is designed for intermediate level security professionals, be they developers, managers, or penetration testers.
Recommended Reading before the Course
http://nostarch.com/xboxfree - Great introduction to pentesting embedded electronic hardware
Why Take This Course?
Course Objectives
- Attendees will be able to explain the steps and methodology used in performing penetration tests on Industrial Control and Smart Grid systems.
- Attendees will be able to use the free and open source tools in SamuraiSTFU to discover and identify vulnerabilities in web applications.
- Attendees will be able to exploit several hardware, network, user interface, and server-side vulnerabilities.
What You Will Receive
- Power for your laptop
- Internet connectivity may or may not be available depending on the facility hosting the course
- Latest version of SamuraiSTFU (Security Testing Framework for Utilities)
- PDF version of the course slide deck
- Student hardware kits to use in class that must be returned at the end of class
- List of hardware items in the student kits and links to where students can purchase their own kits


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After getting attacked by a gang of kids, director Ciaran Foy used images and inspirations from his own experience and turned it into a horror movie about a pack of feral mutant teens. Titled Citadel, the movie follows an agoraphobic main character, who's still trying to get over his first encounter with the "hoods" as Foy calls them. The violent group of kids, who can sense your fear, are based on meth addicts and images of feral children.
Check out an exclusive look inside the making of these monsters from Citadel.
We kind of love that this all stemmed from Foy's original terror and his efforts to cope with the trauma of assault, and then he twisted it into something even more gruesome.
Citadel will be opening in select theaters beginning November 9th.


text:
2004 02 26, February 26th, 2004
2004 02 26, February 26th, 2004
Sep 29 2004, 10:06 PM
Post #1
Group: Members
Posts: 708
Joined: 28-September 04
Member No.: 99
Hello, this is the flightdirector update for Thursday February 26th. My name is Jessica Collisson and today I am the flight director for Opportunity.
This morning on Opportunity our plan is to pick up with the Mossbauer integration activity where we will read out that data from the Mossbauer and then position the Instrument Deployment Device so that we take 3 micro-images of the area that we had placed the Mossbauer instrument down and we are hoping to capture the imprint of that area.
After that is complete we will stow the arm and get ready to do what we call a bump activity, for we will drive the rover forward .15 meters today. And this is to target a interesting point which is just a little ahead of us, but not close enough that we could apply the appropriate amount of preload on the Instrument Deployment Device for the RAT activities that we are looking forward to doing. So when we do this bump today, we are actually going to overcommand it, because are sitting at about 13 degrees of overall tilt, pitched up and so we expect to see some slip on the rover, so we are going to command it .18 meters, but only expect to see .15 meters.
So once we are in position, we will take a new set of images, focussing on our new Rock Abrasion Tool target for tomorrows activities. And we will also complete a 360 dregree NavCam panorama as well as focus our NavCams in the area of the crater that we are targetting to drive out of pretty soon here. We are starting to look at our exit strategy of this crater and get on to the open plains and start driving to our next target, which is further away.
Today, Spirit completed a similar sort of bump activity, where it drove forward .85 meters and when it was complete it actually unstowed its Instrument Deployment Device and brought it back kind of a little on the forehead to look at the magnets that we have up there. And so the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer instument was used and we also took some micro-images of those magnets to see how much dust we have been accumulating. So, exciting day on Spirit and we are looking forward to an exciting day at Opportunity today.
|Lo-Fi Version
|Time is now: 27th January 2020 - 11:05 AM
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text:
Czech Republic Book Covers: Fight Club, Survivor, Invisible Monsters, Choke, Lullaby, Diary, Haunted, Pygmy & Snuff
Dayuuuuuuum, Brazil ain't got NOTHING on the Czech Republic. These are some of the coolest international Palahniuk covers I've seen in a while.
Props to 'Petra' for these ones. Check out more of these in our Book Covers Gallery, and if you have some that you don't see represented on our site, send them to us at submissions @ chuckpalahniuk. net.


text:
We invite you to explore the genealogy of U.S. and Canadian life Science companies
through one-of-a-kind images that illustrate the founding technology origins of a
state's or province's life science industry. Specifically, the origin of the companies' founding
technology with universities, non-profit research organizations, and U.S. federal laboratories --
longstanding centers of innovation, technology transfer and job creation.
Please note our new Life Science Genealogy posters includes additions, deletions, corrections and suggestions
received from numerous companies and technology transfer offices over the last year.
We thank all for taking the time to provide their valuable feedback, insights and suggestions.
Importantly, the North Dakota and other posters are now maintained in a rapidly
growing database that allow easy updating. Changes to company and organization listings on the
posters can be sent to: email@example.com.
We hope our genealogy posters are informative, and helpful to life science leaders, and
others in communicating with their Legislature, local government officials, educators and the
public about the industry and its human and economic impact on healthcare, agriculture, and the environment.
The updated posters will be available in a printed format and high-resolution digital formats for
distribution to companies and organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada in 2019. Information about sponsorship
opportunities will soon be available. If you have questions, suggestions, are interested in partnering with us
to produce a genealogy poster for your state/province or are interested in sponsoring
or licensing a state or province genealogy poster, please email:
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