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My Biography
DJ Panic, born as Dennis Copier in 1975, was hardly 16 when he performed at a dance-party for the first time; back in 1991 at the Big Balloon in Barendrecht. Dennis: "It was good, but when they started playing Top 40 music, I left…" Shortly after that, in 1992, he was asked to play at Pompe?, a small youth-club with a capacity of only 250 people in the south of Rotterdam. "Of course I thought that was cool so I went along. They were already playing early hardcore, but mainly very inaccessible records. I changed that very rapidly by playing known and more accessible tracks. It worked, as the numbers in attendance increased from 4 to 200 within a month!". The following year, Dennis started working at Mid-Town Records as a sales person in one of the stores; a perfect place to keep track of all the new records and meet the big players in the scene.
A little while later the Forze DJ Team was founded, consisting of DJ Paul Elstak, DJ Lars and DJ Panic. Being a part of the Forze DJ Team lead to an appearance at Terrordome in January 1994 for DJ Panic, who was only 18 years old at that time. "Terrordome was the first big event I played at. I was so nervous before my set because it excited me very much. Imagine yourself standing behind the decks in a monstrous hall for the very first time… the buzz it gave me was incredible". The following years, he toured all over Europe, United States and Japan together with Paul Elstak and Lars.
In the meantime, Dennis also spent numerous hours in the studio together with Paul. One of the tracks that came out of the studio during this period was the instant hit "May the Forze be with you". "It was a great and particularly busy period. Our names were plastered all over flyers, leaflets and posters, and there was nobody who did NOT want to book us". The Forze DJ Team split up in 1998. "We out-grew each other; everyone started doing their own thing". Dennis got closer to DJ Neophyte (Jeroen Streunding), whom he met at the events they both performed at. Since 1996 they have been producing under their guise Hard Creation, resulting in the classic release and mega floor-filler "I will have that Power", back in 1999. Dennis: "Jeroen and I really hit it off both professionally in the studio as well as personally, we became very close friends over the years".
Dennis currently spends a lot of time in the studio with Jeroen and Kelly to take his projects to a higher level with every new release. Besides his productions and remixes for various labels, Dennis is also responsible for compiling and mixing high profile compilations such as A Nightmare in Rotterdam, Hardcore to the Bone, Decibel, Hard Bass, Project Hardcore, the History of Rotterdam Hardcore series and his brand new album "15 years of Panic"! In collaboration with Jeroen "Neophyte" Streunding, he is also managing respected record labels such as Rotterdam Records, Neophyte Records, Forze Records, Terror Traxx, Seismic Records and Tremble Tracks. All this together makes him a very busy every man, especially sine he's also showing his excellent dj skills all over the world every weekend. He's performing in countries like Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Australia and the USA. Having performed at events like Decibel, A Nightmare in Rotterdam, Mystery Land, Impulz, Global Hardcore Nation, Megarave, Shadowlands, Speedrazor, Digital Overdose, Masters of Hardcore, Project Hardcore and many more, there simply isn't a playground this sympathetic DJ is not familiar with! This man is:


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I've been on a bit of Fantastic Four back issue kick, so here goes tackling Byrne's exit from the title and what might have been…
Fantastic Four #293 was John Byrne's final issue as writer/artist with Roger Stern and Jerry Ordway pinch hitting in issues #294-295. Fantastic Four #296 was the Fantastic Four's 25th anniversary issue the pinnacle in the Marvel 25th anniversary celebrations.
I can only imagine the chaos that must have been going down in the Marvel Bullpen as Byrne left the title at such a critical time. Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter plotted the story and pulled in Stan Lee to write the script. Shooter also pulled in most of the Marvel Bullpen at the time to get this issue out the door: Barry Windsor-Smith, Kerry Gammill, Ron Frenz, Al Milgrom, John Buscema, Marc Silvestri, Jerry Ordway, Vince Colletta, Klaus Jason, Steve Leialoha, Joe Rubensein, Joe Sinnott, and Bob Wiacek
Interestingly, in the preface to the issue, Shooter states that he "was asked to write the plot for this, the Silver Anniversary issue of the Fantastic Four." I can't help but imagine Shooter in front of a mirror asking himself to write this issue…
As for what might have been… An interview in Comics Feature #44 (published in May 1986) with John Byrne apparently took place before his decision to leave the Fantastic Four.
"The whole thrust of FF 236, the 20th anniversary story, was to do a story that was more or less completely divorced from the regular book so that it could sort of stand on its own as a 'movie.'
"In the 25th anniversary issue I'm going to be doing essentially the same thing in that you'll be able to pick up on these guys even if you've never seen them before. But I also want to fill it up with all kinds of little, almost subliminal, fanish type stuff that people will recognize as being references to earlier stories."
"The basic premise is that Reed, Sue, Johnny and She-Hulk are out in California and they go out to the old rocket base in Central City. It's all grown over with weeds and looking pretty scraggy, the way Cape Canaveral is these days. The first part of the issue, as it now stands, will be a retelling of Fantastic Four number one, as they tell their origin to She-Hulk -- their first battle with the Mole Man and all that." But things start happening as the world is assaulted by wide-ranging earthquakes, which Reed Richards pinpoints as having their source at Monster Island . But Monster Island blew up at the end of FF 1 -- or did it?
"So they go tripping off to Monster Island , or where it used to be, and discover that what is now there is basically a very large hole -- into which sea water has been pouring for years. It's been gushing down into the tunnels that the Mole Man appropriated from the Deviants and has managed, in many cases, to work its was quite a ways down into the vicinities of the center of the Earth. As a result, it's coming back as super-heated steam which is causing vast pressures to build up underneath the crust of the Earth -- which is what's causing all of these giant earthquakes, globally.
"They are about to do what they can to undo this damage when... the Mole Man turns up. He's still there, still lurking around, and he's got all kinds of things happening involving that group of outcasts he put together.
"The Mole Man has discovered that the Valley of the Diamonds is not in fact a natural phenomenon. The diamonds are mystical, and he's discovered that if he melts down the diamonds he gets this glib which, if you immersed yourself in it, you are transformed into whatever you are in your heart of hearts.
"What follows is a story in which the FF try to avert final disaster for the world while the Mole Man is convinced that they're just there to make trouble for him again. But if that's not enough (remember this is a triple-issue filled with triple-threats and triple-promises), an important former member of the FF turns up there -- the Thing. Certain changes planned for the Thing, which have not yet been revealed but will have come to pass by late summer, will have driven him to Monster Island , convinced that it is the only place for a monster such as himself. There, the Thing comes face to face with what he is in his heart of hearts.
"The Thing is reunited with the FF in this adventure, and at the end, "We get back to New York for an anniversary party! It's kind of a separate story at the end of the issue which unveils the FF's new headquarters and has virtually the entire Marvel Universe guest-starring, including folks from Marvel."
Beyond the anniversary issues, Byrne looked forward to challenging the status quo:
"We will have to address the very serious questions of whether they will be the Fantastic Four or the Fantastic Five."
Also mentioned in the interview were hints at possible wedding in issue 300 and the conclusion to Epic Illustrated's The Last Galactus Story. Ah, what might have been…

subset: commoncrawl


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This article is more than 1 year old
USAF raygun boffins clocking planet-buster asteroid threats
Really, Really Distant Early Warning line in Hawaii
US airforce raygun boffins have awarded a further $7m in funding to a project which detects and tracks asteroids which could hit Earth and kill us all.
Defense Industry Daily reports that the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (PanSTARRS) project, run by the US Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate and the University of Hawaii, has been funded for another year.
According to DID, quoting official spokesmen, it isn't an air force mission as such to protect the Earth from asteroid strike. However the US Congress has said that American government organisations should make an effort to help locate and catalogue all space objects larger than 1 kilometre in size which might hit the planet, and that seems to have been enough to keep the PanSTARRS effort going. Kilometre-plus asteroids are hefty enough that such an impact might seriously threaten human civilisation, or even (in the case of really large asteroids) humanity's existence.
Astronomers at Hawaii Uni say that:
Pan-STARRS should quickly help finish off the Congressional mandate [and] will be able to push the detection limit for a complete (99%) sample down to objects as small as 300-meters in diameter. Such objects, while not capable of wiping out life on Earth, would cause considerable local and/or regional damage should one collide with our planet.
Even once all the Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) and ordinary asteroid-belt boulders of planetbusting size have been nailed down, humanity can't quite relax. There might be Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs), or comets, with tremendously long orbital periods - perhaps only plunging into the inner system to menace Earth every century or so.
But clocking all the nearer and more visible stuff would certainly eliminate a big portion of the risk, so we can all be grateful to the USAF raygun boffins and their Hawaiian telescope project. ®


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Vagabond juggler, painter and a true artist by nature, Guy has visited Riga on his way between two juggling conventions... His style of performance, in the spirit of le nouveau cirque - contemporary circus, is a scintillating blend of acting and juggling in one. Clubs, rings, crystal balls, torches - all magically revive in his hands :)
Originated from a small fishermen village, for centuries Riga has been an important part of the trade chain between Russia and Western Europe. A lively crossroad of cultures and backgrounds for over 800 years, the historical centre of Riga has accumulated an impressive cultural baggage and today is justly included in the UNESCO's World Heritage list.


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Chaplaincy Unit
Sheriff's chaplains serve on call 24/7 for our employees and their family members. Our chaplains serve by making notification to families of those who have been seriously injured or killed and respond to the hospital.Our chaplaincy staff is made up of one full-time chaplain and seven Georgia Sheriff's Association certified volunteer pastor's of various local churches. The Sheriff's chaplains perform the following tasks and other duties as directed by Sheriff McDuffie or the director of chaplaincy.
- Visit sick and injured Sheriff's Office members and their families at home or in the hospital
- Comfort and counsel families of deceased or terminally ill members of the Sheriff's Office and the community of Effingham County, as requested.
- Provide and participate in religious services for deceased employees and family members of the Sheriff's Office, when requested by family.
- To be a source of Christian and religious reference when requested.
- Minister and attend the funerals of active or retired members of the Sheriff's Office or family members.
- Participate in in-service training classes.
- Attend Sheriff's Office graduations, promotion activities, award ceremonies, dinners, social events, etc. to offer invocations and benedictions.
- Participate in the ride-a-long program periodically, or as directed by the director of chaplaincy, with deputies.
- Attend roll calls and visit different divisions of the Sheriff's Office periodically to inform employees of our Chaplaincy services.
- Counsel with members, family, and other citizens having personal problems, on request.
- Attend training courses to enhance his or her effectiveness.
- Provide referrals to Sheriff's Office staff and the community where specialized attention is needed or in those cases beyond the chaplain's ability to assist.


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In a season filled with many highly-anticipated rulings from the Supreme Court, one that warrants particular attention by Arizona employers is its June 24, 2013 decision in Vance v. Ball State University, in which the Court clarified the circumstances under which employers will be held strictly (i.e., automatically) liable for harassment by supervisors.
According to previous Supreme Court rulings, employers could be held automatically liable for harassment by a supervisor if the harassment culminated in a "tangible" employment action. If, however, the harasser was not the victim's supervisor, but instead merely a co-worker, then the employer only could be held liable if it was negligent in controlling working conditions.
It was under this 15-year old legal precedent that a federal court in Indiana considered Maetta Vance's lawsuit. Vance, an African-American woman, worked in the Banquet and Catering Department at Ball State University. Over the course of her employment, Vance lodged numerous complaints of racial discrimination and retaliation, including against Saundra Davis, a white catering specialist. Vance alleged that Davis intimidated and harassed her due to her race. Although the parties disputed the facts, they agreed that Davis did not have authority to hire, fire, demote, transfer, promote, or discipline Vance, although she could direct Vance's daily tasks.
The trial court concluded that, even if Vance's factual allegations were true, the University could not be held strictly liable for Davis' alleged creation of a racially hostile work environment because Davis was not empowered to make tangible employment decisions regarding Vance, and therefore was not a supervisor. Other courts, however, had ruled inconsistently, finding that strict liability applies to "supervisors" who have the right to exert significant direction over another's daily work, even if they cannot hire or fire.
The Supreme Court concluded that, while an employer will be held automatically liable for harassment perpetrated by employees who have the authority to hire, fire, promote, reassign, or make significant changes in benefit decisions with respect to other employees, they will not be automatically liable if, as in the Vance case, the "supervisor" can do no more than direct another employee in the performance of routine duties. According to the Court, establishing a "bright line" test for determining supervisory status is essential to providing guidance to employers, employees, courts and juries in harassment cases. The Court rejected the far more amorphous standard proposed by Vance.
This outcome is clearly favorable to employers, as it reduces the number of employees whose actions can result in automatic employer liability for workplace harassment. That said, Arizona employers should nonetheless continue to be vigilant in preventing, investigating, and disciplining harassers. Additionally, because employers can be held strictly liable for the actions of their supervisory employees, they must continue to draft and disseminate clear policies prohibiting racial, sexual, and other forms of unlawful harassment. Supervisors and managers – and not just the most senior managers in an organization, but all supervisors who have authority to hire, fire, demote, and promote employees – should be trained on, and held accountable for complying with, these policies. Complaints of harassment should be promptly escalated for investigation, and credible complaints of harassment should result in prompt disciplinary action against the harasser, up to and including termination. Failure to do so could expose employers to substantial liability. Arizona employers are therefore urged to review their current policies, amend those policies if and to the extent necessary, and consider implementing or refreshing manager training on harassment prevention.
Lawrence J. Rosenfeld is a partner and Laura Lawless Robertson is a senior associate at Squire Sanders in Phoenix.


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Dynamics 365 Business Central provides a full ERP system with distribution, manufacturing, and service modules. This fits the needs of midsize businesses by connecting their service operations.
About this course:
This two-day course on the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Premium Edition features makes Dynamics 365 Business Central a full-service Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
Who should Attend:
This class is best for professionals who attended the Dynamics 365 Business Central Finance, course and want to work with the service and manufacturing modules.
This class is best for professionals involved in accounting, finance, inventory, manufacturing, project management, distribution, warehouse management, and services management and who wants to gain an understanding of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central application. Managers who are making decisions can benefit from working with and learning Dynamics 365 Business Central.
After completing this course, students will understand the following Manufacture and Service areas within Dynamics 365 Business Central.


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Schools are welcome to arrive beginning 30 minutes prior to their designated start time. The group prior may still be in he keynote though, so students will have space to wait outside the auditorium until the doors open for their session. We suggest that 10-15 minutes early is a good window.
Show All Answers
The WOW Youth Expo features a keynote speaker and 100+ engaging exhibitors from business/industry, post-secondary schools, and regional organizations, as well as mock interviews for juniors and seniors. This event provides students a unique opportunity to engage with exhibitors from a variety of career clusters, immerse themselves in the world of work, and perhaps help them identify or verify their career pathway!
The event is for students in 8th-12th grade.
Nope! The WOW Youth Expo is free for schools, students, and parents to participate!
Yes! There is a place on the registration form for you to tell us if there are multiple groups attending at different start times from your campus.
The time you select is the time your school starts the event experience. When students arrive at WOW, they immediately go in to the keynote address before visiting with exhibitors and conducting mock interviews. The same keynote is scheduled three times to "kickoff" the event for that group of participating students. Having three different start times allows us to stagger students throughout the duration of the event so everybody has a great experience!
Parents are encouraged to visit the event anytime between 10am and 2pm. Pre-event registration for parents is not required but highly encouraged. If they would like to register, they need to do so at least a week in advance so we have enough materials prepared!
We have a student worksheet designed specifically to help students get ready beforehand and actively engage with exhibitors on-site. Just let us know how many worksheets you need and we'll mail them to your school!
Absolutely! We love having students participate as exhibitors to highlight programs, groups, or initiatives at their school. Just let us know on the registration form that you're interested!
No, but there is space to accommodate schools wishing to provide lunch to their students on-site before returning to their campus. Just let us know on the registration form if you'll need space for your students to eat!
Yes! There is no minimum (or maximum) amount of students required to attend WOW.


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In Karen Russell's gonzo 2012 Pulitzer-finalist novel Swamplandia!, a Florida man is hoisted skyward in the talons of coffin-sized birds. In real life, giant mosquitoes that can apparently feel like a (small) bird when they land on you have already invaded the Sunshine State to torment locals and tourists alike, reports Orlando-based WKMG.
(MORE: John Malkovich to the Rescue: Actor Saves Injured Man in Toronto)
According to the TV station, the quarter-sized insects were first spotted in Seminole County late last week. The aggressive bloodsuckers "can bite right through your clothing and give you a good pinch, more painful than an ordinary mosquito bite," University of Florida natural-resources agent Ken Gioeli told West Palm Beach–based WPTV back in March.
University of Florida entomologists warned in March that Psorophora ciliata — or gallinippers as they're sometimes called — might appear this summer, weighing up to 20 times the size of a typical mosquito and even more aggressive. The catalyst? Heavy rains from Tropical Storms Debby and Andrea, which probably hatched the monster mosquito eggs that can lay dormant for years. As the university quipped in March: "If mosquitos were motorcycles, this species would be a Harley Davidson — big, bold, American-made and likely to be abundant in Florida this summer."
What does it feel like when a mosquito the size of a quarter chomps on your arm, leg or neck? Doug Carlson, mosquito-control director for Indian River County in Florida, who's actually been bitten by the insects, said it was only a little more painful than a regular mosquito bite. Still, he said, "The gallinippers are so big they're certainly very noticeable. It can feel like a small bird has landed on you."
Fortunately you shouldn't need whatever they sell to fend off attacks from small birds: instead, the usual things apply, like bug spray containing DEET, covering up, or just staying inside after sunset. The good news: according to University of Florida entomologist Phil Kaufman, the gallinippers don't carry viruses harmful to humans.
Poor Florida can't catch a break. In April, rat-sized house-eating snails emerged in the state to chow on stucco domiciles and ooze slime trails on walls and sidewalks everywhere.
VIDEO: Bacon Is a Man's Best Friend


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M8 Beauty Washer-Black
Looking for a unique application or don't see a kit offered that fits your needs? You can buy hardware individually!
Sold with or with out bolts!
Material: Aluminum
Fitment: M8 Socket Head Cap Screw
Outside Diameter: 17mm
Height: 9.6mm
All of our beauty washers are proudly made 100% in the USA. From raw material sourced in the US to the final packaged product.


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100 Karins Boulevard, Townsend, DE 19734 $1,989,000
Acreage: 11.67
Mobile#: 7130
Subdivision: None Available
Commercial zoned 11.67 acres suitable but not limited to the use for professional services, financial institutions, retail stores and food establishments. The property is located next to a thriving and expanding house of worship with a daycare center. Small portion of this land is 25R1A (residential) Water and sewer hookup are on site. Call for more information ...Thom Germano
Lot Dimens:
Front Footage:
School Dist: Appoquinimink
Condo Assoc: No
Buyer Agency Comp*: 2.25 % Of Gross
Public Water, Public Sewer
Select a school from the following list. Schools are grouped by school type.
The schools on this list are selected by their proximity of up to 5 miles to the property address.
Proximity does not guarantee enrollment eligibility. Please contact the school directly for more information on enrollment requirements.
* If there are more than 5 schools of any type within a close proximity, click on the button to see additional schools of that type near the search address.
Public Elementary (2 schools)
School | District | Grades | Place | Distance |
Mount Pleasant Elementary School | Brandywine School District | K–5 | Wilmington | 4.73 mi |
Maple Lane Elementary School | Brandywine School District | K–5 | Claymont | 4.77 mi |
© 2024 LiveBy. All Rights Reserved.
This report is a detailed community overview for Townsend (19734), Delaware.
Community Quick Facts
- Average travel time to work for people in this community: 36
- Average salary of people in this community: $64,706
Community Summary
- Population Density (ppl / mile): 159
- Household Size (ppl): 3.21
- Households w/ Children: 83%
Housing Inventory
- Owned: 3,917 (90.7%)
- Rented: 150 (3.5%)
- Vacant: 251 (5.8%)
- Total: 4,318
Population Demographics
The population of the community broken down by age group. The numbers at the top of each bar indicate the number of people in the age bracket below.
Climate and Weather
The Temperature chart displays average high and low values for January and July, and is designed to provide an indication of both seasonal and daily temperature variability. The Weather Risk Index indicates the calculated risk of each type of weather event occurring in the future. This risk is based on historical localized storm events and weather patterns. The national average for each type of weather event equals a score of 100, so a score of 200 would represent twice the risk as the national average, and a score of 50 would represent half the risk of the national average.
Highest Level of Education Attained
- Less than 9th Grade: 0.9%
- Some High School: 5.4%
- High School Graduate: 35.5%
- Some College: 22.3%
- Associate Degree: 7.0%
- Bachelor's Degree: 18.5%
- Graduate Degree: 10.4%
Income by dollar range
Median Income: $111,006
Fair Market Rents
The Fair Market Rents show average gross rent estimates based on figures provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
- Two Bedroom: $982
- Three Bedroom: $1,427
© 2024 LiveBy. All Rights Reserved.
Contact Information
Schedule an Appointment to See this Home
Request more information
or call me now at 302-540-4004
Listing Courtesy of: Patterson-Schwartz-Hockessin , (302) 239-3000, email@example.com
The data relating to real estate for sale on this website appears in part through the BRIGHT Internet Data Exchange program, a voluntary cooperative exchange of property listing data between licensed real estate brokerage firms in which Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate participates, and is provided by BRIGHT through a licensing agreement. The information provided by this website is for the personal, non-commercial use of consumers and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
Information Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed.
Copyright BRIGHT, All Rights Reserved
Listing data as of 3/01/2024.


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A Visit To Easy Tiger in Austin: Handmade Heritage Breads & Sausages
Who: Andrew Curren and David Norman
What: Chef and Baker, respectively, at Easy Tiger
Where: Austin, Texas
Five years ago my wife and I took a trip to Germany, and when we returned what we missed most from the trip were the pretzels. The dark brown salted exterior and the soft, chewy interior was perfection and like nothing we'd ever had in the States. Then late last year we began hearing rumblings of a bakery and beer garden opening up in Austin, one that would have chef Andrew Curren and his farm-to-table philosophy behind the traditional bratwursts and cured meats, and skilled doughpuncher David Norman at the helm of a bakery producing heritage breads. They called the place Easy Tiger, and when the doors finally opened the fare was all we ever imagined. The sausages were handmade and the breads were a perfected art.
Stay awhile. It's not just Easy Tiger's motto and the message you'll see emblazoned on various signs inside the restaurant; it's also the philosophy behind every decision and the force that's turned this beer garden and bakery concept into reality. Nestled in a historic building in downtown Austin with architecture that's over a hundred years old, people come in droves to feast on the traditional recipes from that era—a time when things were cooked with authentic ingredients and with a responsibility to the neighborhood, the community and its families.
Under the guidance of Chef Andrew Curren and Baker David Norman, Easy Tiger delivers these values to your table every day. The restaurant serves 250 sausages a night, bakes 600 baguettes a day, and cures 50 whole briskets each week for the legendary corned beef. Each and every one of these items is meticulously handmade and given the time to properly proof and age. It's no easy feat, but the people behind Easy Tiger believe these methods are necessary to produce something honest, authentic, and true to its heritage.
The Bakery + Kitchen
As you may imagine, churning out this amount of food each and every day requires some substantial equipment and operating facilities. When you walk through the doors of the business your eyes are directed to the lineup of breads hanging from wooden racks and the clean, expansive bakery displayed through a wall of glass panes. Standing most prominently in that space is the 27,000 pound oven, lined in solid concrete for maximum heat retention.
The sausages and cured meats are produced in an offsite commissary kitchen (located just a couple miles south of the restaurant) that's built to provide the cold temperatures and storage space required for the 7-day process of the sausages, and the 10-day cure of the pastrami and corned beef. The 100% all-natural (no hormones or antibiotics) meat is marinated for 24 hours before being fed through an industrial grinder. The ground meat is then stuffed into natural hog casings, 30 pounds at a time, then hung to cure in the refrigerated sausage cooler. After days of curing the links are either smoked or poached, before finally being shocked in an ice bath to produce a ready-to-eat 'snap' to the casings.
Secret Sauce
What makes Easy Tiger special is the respect its chefs and bakers have for classic techniques, and their desire to create food that is the best representation of how it tasted years ago. Andrew and David research all of their ingredients to make sure each one is authentic to the flavors you'd find in a French bakery or a German village.
The Business Plan
After his success with 24 Diner, Andrew had plans for starting two new separate ventures, a beer garden and a French restaurant. It wasn't until after trying a sample of David Norman's bread that he began to realize the role a bakery could play to both those concepts. Andrew and his partners' ability to be nimble and change their minds allowed them to make each idea more congruent with one another, and to create what Easy Tiger is today. There were several delays in the opening but they were adamant on not opening business until everything was ready—from the recipes to the prep to the service. Chef Andrew noted that when you open all eyes are on you, it's important for you to be ready to execute. There's no chance to adapt and change on the fly after that first impression.
The Community
Good quality food businesses have a way of changing the community. They raise the bar on what's expected, and create examples of how things should be done. When chefs, bakers, and cooks set aside the competition and form relationships with one another, everyone gets better and the community benefits. Easy Tiger does its part to cultivate this community by having conversations with local chefs, participating in pilot programs that help divert the restaurants' waste from landfills, and by supporting sustainable food programs that teach children and adults how to eat and cook better.
6 Quick Questions for Chef 'Drew' Curren and Baker David Norman
Favorite online resources for the kitchen?
Drew and David: J.B. Prince is really chef driven, a place where you can find the proper pullman loaf pans, etc. King Arthur Flour has a good online shop with specialized things for home bakers. Korin is a great for the home cook wanting to take the next step. They have a great collection of knives covering all price ranges, and that's where most my cooks get their equipment.
The one thing you can't live without?
Drew: As an avid fisherman nothing is better to me than being out on the water in undisturbed nature.
If you could spend a day with anyone, who would it be and why?
David: I always wanted to cook for Guy Clark. I love his songs and there's an element of food in several of them. He writes about food from a point of view of pure joy and pleasure. If I could barbecue and hang with him for a day that'd be great.
What's in your Google Reader?
Drew: I don't use that, but I get this thing called Smart Briefs with 7-8 articles that comes out 4-5 times a week and talks about trends in the industry on both the wine and food side. I also still revert back to my library of classic books written by classic chefs. One of my favorites is the Elements of Taste by Gray Kunz.
David: When I want a pastry resource I go to Desserts by Pierre Herme.
If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it?
Drew: At this point in my life, I'd buy a house and outfit it with a great outdoor kitchen with a smoker, barbecue pit, propane burner for crawfish boils, huge sink, wine fridges, kegerators and just tons of room for entertaining. There's nothing more I love than cooking and entertaining for others.
David: Buy a ranch and grow some wheat.
What is your most memorable food experience?
Drew: I've always wanted to go to Le Bernardin, which is Eric Ripert's restaurant in New York. It's been named one of the top restaurants in the US several times and when I finally went we got a 10-course chef tasting where Eric came out and talked to us and paired wines with every course and at the end of the meal I proposed to my wife. So that was a personal and culinary life-changing memory for me.
David: I remember this one bakery in Paris where they pulled this fougasse out of a wood-burning oven and there was just this smoky smell, and later when we tasted them there was this tinge of smoke in the bread. It was fantastic, and I've been trying to recapture that flavor ever since.
Thanks, Drew and David!
(Images: Chris Perez)


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7 Nights | Caribbean/Bahamas
About Riviera Maya, Mexico
You will visit the following 5 places:
Honduras, sometimes referred to as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, is the second biggest and second most populous country in Central America. It has colonial villages (Gracias, Comayagua), ancient Maya ruins (Copan), natural parks (Moskitia), and a Pacific and Caribbean coastline and the Bay Islands, with fantastic beaches and coral reefs where snorkelling and diving are exceptional by any standard. There's much more to Honduras – from the wetlands of La Mosquitia to the subtropical shore of the Golfo de Fonseca, this is a land of inspiring, often untouched natural beauty – and a longer visit will pay ample rewards.
Tampa is a Gulf Coast Bay city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2000 was 303,447. According to the 2009 estimates, the city's population had grown to 343,890, making it the 54th largest city in the United States. The current location of Tampa was once inhabited by various indigenous cultures, most recently the Tocobaga. It was spotted by Spanish explorers in the early 16th century, but there were no permanent American or European settlements in the area until 1824, when the US Army established a frontier outpost called Fort Brooke at the site of today's Tampa Convention Center. The village of Tampa began as a small group of pioneers who settled near the fort for protection from the Seminole population in the area.
Key West
Key West is an island in the Straits of Florida on the North American continent at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys. It is considered the southernmost city in the continental United States. The city also occupies nearby islands and portions of nearby islands. It's popularly known for its stunning beaches, coral reefs – destinations for diving and snorkeling.
Riviera Maya
The Riviera Maya is a stretch of Caribbean coastline on Mexico's northeastern Yucatán Peninsula. The Riviera Maya is a tourism and resort district in Mexico. It straddles the coastal Highway 307 along the Caribbean coastline of the state of Quintana Roo, located on the eastern portion of the Yucatán Peninsula. Historically started at the city of Playa del Carmen and ended at the village of Tulum, the Riviera Maya was originally called the "Cancun–Tulum corridor", but in 1999 it was renamed as the Riviera Maya with the aid of Lic. The Riviera Maya is famous for its large scale all-inclusive resorts and a historical tourism base of smaller boutique hotels as well as the many fine-dining restaurants available along the highway 307 and on or near the beaches. Luxury travel entities have been instrumental in increasing luxury villa rentals and yacht charters in the area however these only represent a small fraction of the total tourism accommodation available. A major attraction throughout the Riviera Maya are coastal and reef aquatic activities dependent on the coastal water and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (also known as the Belize Barrier Reef) which begins near Cancun and continues along the whole length of the Riviera Maya continuing southward to Guatemala. This barrier reef system is the second longest in the world. Activities at the most visited locations include jet-skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming in cenotes, swimming with dolphins, zip-lining, horse riding, sailing, and guided jungle tours.


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Facebook stunned and angered organisers of a protest against white supremacists when it disabled their Washington event's page this week, saying it and others had been created by "bad actors" misusing the social media platform.
The company said the page – one of 32 pages or accounts it removed Tuesday from Facebook and Instagram – violated its ban on "coordinated inauthentic behaviour" and may be linked to an account created by Russia's Internet Research Agency, a so-called troll farm that has sown discord in the US
But the organisers of next weekend's protest in Washington say Facebook has unfairly and recklessly tarnished their work by suggesting their event could be linked to a Russian campaign to interfere in US politics.
April Goggans, an organiser of Black Lives Matter DC, said protest organisers began planning the event before the Facebook page's creation. organisers have set up a new page, but Goggans fears Facebook's crackdown left many people with the false impression that a Russian bot is behind their event.
"Our participation may take a hit because people are trying to find out what's legit and what's not," she said Wednesday.
For weeks, activists have been planning a counterprotest to the Washington rally organized by Jason Kessler, the principal organiser of last summer's deadly white nationalist gathering in Charlottesville, Virginia. Hundreds of Facebook users clicked on the event's Facebook page to signal their intent to attend the counter-protest.
Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook's head of cybersecurity policy, said in a statement Tuesday that "inauthentic" administrators of a page called "Resisters" connected with administrators from five legitimate pages to co-host the event and enlist support from "real people."
"These legitimate Pages unwittingly helped build interest in 'No Unite Right 2 – DC' and posted information about transportation, materials, and locations so people could get to the protests," Gleicher wrote.
Gleicher's statement said Facebook disabled the event page Tuesday and reached out to the administrators of the five other pages "to update them on what happened." Facebook also planned to report the issue to approximately 2,600 users who had expressed interested in the event and to more than 600 users who said they planned to attend it.
Andrew Batcher, an organiser for the Shut It Down DC coalition formed to protest Kessler's rally, said the event page created by "Resisters" was taken over and controlled by "a lot of real people doing real work." Batcher said he hasn't seen any evidence that any of administrators for the "Resisters' page was a "bad actor."
"All the content on the page came from local organisers," he said. "Facebook took it all down, which I see as censorship of a real protest event."
Researchers at the Atlantic Council, a nonprofit working with Facebook to analyse abuse on its service, said the accounts identified for removal sought to promote divisions between Americans. The accounts seemed focused on building an online audience and moving it to offline events such as protests.
Facebook didn't directly link Tuesday's crackdown to Russia or US midterm elections in the fall. But the company said it found evidence of "some connections" between the deleted accounts and accounts that Russia's IRA created before Facebook disabled them last year. Facebook said one of the disabled IRA accounts shared a Facebook event hosted by the "Resisters" page, which had an IRA account as one of its administrators "for only seven minutes."
"If that's the case, then it's pretty meaningless infiltration," Batcher said.
But that discovery "could be a sign of something deeper" and not necessarily the full extent of the IRA account's activity on the page, said Dipayan Ghosh, a former Facebook employee who worked on global privacy and public policy issues for the company.
"It just raises a bunch of questions that suggest there is a complicated ecosystem here and we're only scratching the surface," said Ghosh, a fellow at Harvard Kennedy School's Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy.
In February, a federal indictment accused 13 Russians of operating a hidden social media trolling campaign, posing as US activists and posting about divisive political and social issues. Investigators have concluded the Russians coordinated and leveraged the support of unwitting Americans in carrying out their campaign.
Kessler scheduled his August 12 event in Washington to mark the anniversary of the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, where hundreds of white supremacists and counterprotesters clashed in the streets before a car plowed into a crowd, killing 32-year-old counterprotester Heather Heyer. The National Park Service approved Kessler's application for a "white civil rights" rally at Lafayette Square, near the White House, but hasn't issued a permit for the event.
Goggans said Facebook's crackdown has been a time-consuming distraction for counterprotest organisers.
"Over the past 18 hours, we've been having to prove we exist," she said.


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April 1, 2013
K-State's bone marrow registration drive is the starting line for saving a life
Submitted by Communications and Marketing
In less time than it takes to brush your teeth, you can register to become a bone marrow donor and begin the process to save a life. That's what the Kansas State University community will have the opportunity to do on April 16, 17 and 20 at various campus locations.
Sponsored by the office of student activities and services, the K-State Bone Marrow Registration Organization's first bone marrow donor registration drive is the first step in becoming a bone marrow donor. With a simple cheek swab, testers at the drive will determine the potential donor's tissue type and place them on a donor list.
Most healthy individuals between the ages of 18 and 55 can donate. Before registering, each donor should fit the following criteria:
* Weigh more than 110 pounds but have a body mass index of 40 or less.
* Have not had heart surgery or heart disease.
* Are not HIV positive or have not been diagnosed with AIDS.
* Do not have autoimmune disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis or fibromyalgia.
For a complete list of requirements, visit the DKMS America website. The organization is a national bone marrow donation center that is partnering with Kansas State University's donor registration drive.
DKMS America works to find tissue matches for patients with serious illnesses, such as leukemia. According to the organization, less than 1 percent of registered donors will ever be matched with a patient. If a registered donor is matched with a patient, DKMS America will contact him or her to provide a blood sample to confirm the match.
Donating is easier today than ever before. A majority of bone marrow donors do so with a simple procedure -- similar to donating blood -- over one or two days. Others donate bone marrow through an outpatient surgical procedure during which they receive general anesthesia and feel no pain. In both options, there is no cost to the donor.
After a donation, the donor's healthy blood-forming stem cells are transfused directly into the patient's bloodstream, where they can begin to function and multiply.
Aileen McDaniel, junior in management, Shawnee, and a student coordinator for the event, said she hoped many from the Kansas State University community would take a few minutes out of their day to stop by the registration drive. McDaniel's father received a bone marrow transplant in 2012 from the single donor match found in the world.
"We don't know who she was, but she gave our family the gift of more time together," McDaniel said. "My father recently celebrated 100 days since the transplant. Without that one donor, we would still be waiting. It is the ultimate example of how a single person can make a difference and save a life."
Thousands of people with leukemia and other life-threatening diseases depend on finding matching donors who can save their lives. Patients need donors who are a close genetic match. Even with a registry of millions, six out of 10 patients never receive the lifesaving transplant they need.
For more information, including registration locations around campus, visit the university's bone marrow registration drive page.


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"If-then" planning.
Via Nine Things Successful People Do Differently:
It's called if-then planning, and it is a really powerful way to help you achieve any goal. Well over a hundred studies, on everything from diet and exercise to negotiation and time management, have shown that deciding in advance when and where you will take specific actions to reach your goal (e.g., "If it is 4 p.m., then I will return any phone calls I should return today") can double or triple your chances for success.
Via Nine Things Successful People Do Differently:
How effective are these plans? One study looked at people who had the goal of becoming regular exercisers. Half the participants were asked to plan where and when they would exercise each week (e.g., "If it is Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, then I will hit the gym for an hour before work"). The results were dramatic: weeks later, 91 percent of if-then planners were still exercising regularly, compared to only 39 percent of nonplanners! Similar results have been shown for other health-promoting behaviors, like remembering to do monthly breast self-exams (100 percent of planners, 53 percent of nonplanners), and getting cervical cancer screenings (92 percent of planners, 60 percent of nonplanners).
Why are these plans so effective? Because they are written in the language of your brain—the language of contingencies. Human beings are particularly good at encoding and remembering information in "if X, then Y" terms, and using these contingencies to guide their behavior, often below their awareness.
Via Nine Things Successful People Do Differently:
Making If-Then Plans
1) Identify a critical action you need to take to reach your goal.
2) When and where should you take this action? What is the critical situation?
3) Put it all together:
If (or When) _________________________, then ___________________. (Example: If it is 8 a.m. on Monday, then I will go for a run.)
4) Now, think about an obstacle that might derail you. This could be a temptation, a distraction, or some other factor that would interfere with your progress.
5) When that temptation or distraction comes calling, how will you handle it? What will you do instead?
6) Put it all together: If (or When) __________________________, then ____________________.
(Example: If an e-mail from a coworker makes me angry, then I will wait thirty minutes before answering so I can respond calmly.)
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Ready to take a look at the past, present, and future of embedded technology, microcomputer programming, and electrical engineering? CC25 is now available.
Check out the issue preview.
We achieved three main goals by putting together this issue. One, we properly documented the history of Circuit Cellar from its launch in 1988 as a bi-monthly magazine
about microcomputer applications to the present day. Two, we gathered immediately applicable tips and tricks from professional engineers about designing, programming, and completing electronics projects. Three, we recorded the thoughts of innovative engineers, academics, and industry leaders on the future of embedded technologies ranging from
rapid prototyping platforms to 8-bit chips to FPGAs.
The issue's content is gathered in three main sections. Each section comprises essays, project information, and interviews. In the Past section, we feature essays on the early days of Circuit Cellar, the thoughts of long-time readers about their first MCU-based projects, and more. For instance, Circuit Cellar's founder Steve Ciarcia writes about his early projects and the magazine's launch in 1988. Long-time editor/contributor Dave Tweed documents some of his favorite projects from the past 25 years.
The Present section features advice from working hardware and software engineers. Examples include a review of embedded security risks and design tips for ensuring system reliability. We also include short interviews with professionals about their preferred microcontrollers, current projects, and engineering-related interests.
The Future section features essays by innovators such as Adafruit Industries founder Limor Fried, ARM engineer Simon Ford, and University of Utah professor John Regehr on topics such as the future of DIY engineering, rapid prototyping, and small-RAM devices. The section also features two different sets of interviews. In one, corporate leaders such as Microchip Technology CEO Steve Sanghi and IAR Systems CEO Stefan Skarin speculate on the future of embedded technology. In the other, engineers such as Stephen Edwards (Columbia University) offer their thoughts about the technologies that will shape our future.
As you read the issue, ask yourself the same questions we asked our contributors: What's your take on the history of embedded technology? What can you design and program today? What do you think about the future of embedded technology? Let us know.
—Advertise Here—
Circuit Cellar's editorial team comprises professional engineers, technical editors, and digital media specialists. You can reach the Editorial Department at email@example.com, @circuitcellar, and facebook.com/circuitcellar


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Baltimore, Maryland
Program SpecialistBaltimore, Maryland
Campus Police Officer lll S3 4 pm x 12 am (3 openings)Baltimore, Maryland
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Loyola University Maryland is a dynamic, highly selective, Jesuit Catholic institution in the liberal arts tradition and is recognized as a leading independent, comprehensive university in the northeastern United States. Located in a beautiful residential section of Baltimore with Graduate Centers in Timonium and Columbia, Loyola enrolls over 3,500 students in its undergraduate programs and 2,400 students in its graduate programs. The College welcomes applicants from all backgrounds who can contribute to its educational mission. Loyola is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups, regardless of religious affiliation. Additional information is available at www.loyola.edu.
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The American Society of Perfumers (ASP) has changed the date for its symposium and expo to Thursday, Sept. 12 at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, New York, N.Y. where vendors will be able to promote their products directly to perfumers.
The ASP plans to open the expo at 8 a.m., which will run until the program starts, tentatively set for 11 a.m. The event is slated to include an afternoon program that will feature speakers from IFRA and NPD Group. The expo will reopen at the conclusion of the program and run concurrently with the buffet/cocktail reception. The ASP says the projected end time is 2:30 p.m.-3 p.m.
Exhibitors can contact Angela Kohut at 843-655-6853 to reserve a booth or send an email to: [email protected].


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Close Your Eyes and Blink Yourself to WDW!
Part I
Edited by Debra Martin Koma
Senior Editor, ALL EARS®
This article appeared in the June 6, 2006, Issue #350 of ALL EARS® (ISSN: 1533-0753)
EDITOR'S NOTE: A few weeks ago, we asked you all to daydream with us. "Close your eyes," we suggested, "then click your heels together, or blink your eyes. Now, where in Walt Disney World would you be?" We knew we'd get all sorts of different replies. And we anticipated receiving a lot of responses. But we had no idea JUST HOW MANY responses we'd get! How many? Would you believe 424? That's a lot of eye-blinking and heel-clicking!
Many of you took this opportunity to not only transport yourself to your favorite spot in Walt Disney World, but to be Time Travelers, hoping to recapture a favorite moment… and that's OK. As Mickey says, "This is MY dream!" We certainly didn't mind that you remembered the Magic of a special occasion or occurrence. And rest assured that I read through each and every reply, spending many a morning sniffling over my keyboard — gee, you folks are even more nostalgic and sentimental than I am! You certainly made me close MY eyes and blink, and not just because I was wishing myself to the World.
Obviously, we don't have room in this space for all 424 responses, so I culled a representative sampling to share with you here. More than half of you responded that you would blink yourselves to a spot somewhere in the Magic Kingdom — and I'd guess that more than half of those respondees found themselves on Main Street USA. So that's what we're beginning with this week — the folks who closed their eyes and reopened them in the Magic Kingdom. In the coming weeks, we'll also share some responses from people who wished themselves to the other theme parks, or their favorite resort, or elsewhere. (We plan to eventually publish ALL of the responses here. It will take a few weeks to get all the new responses online, so please be patient with us!)
I cannot describe to you how heartwarming it was to read all of your anecdotes and ideals. I can't thank you enough for sharing them with us. I can, however, without any further ado, present just a few of the places your fellow Disney-lovers would be, if they could just Close Their Eyes and Blink themselves to Walt Disney World:
Alfhb: I can close my eyes and imagine myself last year at WDW with my husband and daughter. It was the last night of our wonderful trip and we were standing close to Cinderella Castle to get a good view of the fireworks. I closed my eyes for a few seconds so that I could take it all in and remember that night. Now, when I close my eyes I can hear the music "Wishes," feel the fireworks booming, see my little girl's sleepy and precious face and feel my hand on my husband's back. My daughter is now in school and my husband is deployed overseas. I wish I could close my eyes and we could all be together at that time and place.
Tom Pielech: If I could close my eyes, click my heels and be in Disney World, I would want to appear on a bench near the Hall of Presidents. I remember my mom sitting on the bench with my son when he was 2 years old. My mom has since passed on but I have a picture of the two of them on that bench. In subsequent visits to WDW, when I pass by the Hall of Presidents, I smile and get a tear in the corner of my eye.
Nuno Goncalves in Lisbon, Portugal: When I open my eyes I'm in one of those gardens around the Hub, in Magic Kingdom. It's a warm summer night and SpectroMagic is just over. I'm with my wife and my kids (how old are they… 6 and 9… or 8 and 11… or 13 and 16… it's really the same every time) and we're feeling sooo tired and relaxed, at the same time. Everything sounds so calm — everyone seems to enjoy the anticipation of what's coming up. And then suddenly, I can feel it — in the quiet warm air blows a very… light… fresh… breeze (I think it comes from the Castle)! It happens every time; did you ever feel it? And you know the Magic is about to begin.
Ronald L.: If I were to close my eyes and click my heels three times, I would find myself in Belle's Fairytale Garden. Why? Because it is my very best memory of Disney with my children. On my daughter's 5th birthday, Belle picked my daughter and her sister (who was 3!) to be in the production…and then asked them to stay afterwards. After she had met all of the other children in the audience, Belle came out in a cloak and she and one of the helpers led my two little girls (in their princess outfits, no less) through Fantasyland to go meet Mary Poppins and Bert and take a spin on the carrousel. I promise you…it took YEARS to wipe the grin off of my face. What a memory… click…click…click…
Kelly DeLeon: I would have to say if I opened my eyes in WDW I would want to be sitting in the Carousel of Progress. I am not sure if it is the infectious song, "It's a great big beautiful tomorrow… " or knowing that it is an original piece of the Magic Kingdom. Now that it is only running seasonally, as soon as I get to Tomorrowland I run to the back to see if it is open.
Audrey Dorn Wilkerson: I would be… waiting to go through the gates at the Magic Kingdom. The ANTICIPATION! First thing in the morning, first day on property, a whole day before me! I await all those things that are familiar while knowing that there will be new things to see, too. Also, now that our child is a Disney veteran, my husband and I love to match her enthusiasm and expectancy — an easy task for us! I won't say that I wish it took a little longer to get through the turnstiles, but I really enjoy feeling the excitement build!
Sue Graham: Here in cold England, I close my eyes… and I am on Main Street and I can feel the sun and see the blue, blue sky. I am sitting at a little wrought iron table outside of the ice cream parlour and opposite me, my husband, stuffed but determined, is eating a cinnamon roll from the bakery. The birds are catching the crumbs, while I look across the gardens to the Castle and know that this is the first morning of the best two weeks that I'll have this year.
Blanche Lassen: I think the most magical place is near the corner by Casey's on Main Street at the garbage can. That is where I sat and watched many parades, sitting next to my father. We always got there about three hours ahead of time. It was my mother, father and me. And even though I was already in my 20s when we started going to Disney, I always felt special sitting next to my father. He died 15 years ago, and since then I have been to Disney 16 times. Each time I walk to that garbage can and remember a smiling dad who took special care of his "Princess."
Tyler's Grandmellie: When I open my eyes I am where the "crypt doors creak and the tombstones quake" with my 6-year-old grandson sitting by my side (in our own Doom Buggy), saying, "Look at that, Grandmellie, look at that!" "See that?" "What's that?" "How'd that happen?" "WOW!" It just doesn't get any better than that.
Rebecca Mulford from Louisiana: I would be transported to Main Street USA. There is nothing better than sitting on a bench at the head of Main Street or above at the railroad station and looking out over Main Street. The balloon vendors, the music, the smell of candy and cookies, the train whistle, the street performers, the photographers, the storefronts, the look on children's faces the first time their eyes gaze upon Cinderella Castle, and the teary-happy look on their parents' faces. Once on every trip, my family hits the park and I linger on Main Street for hours just soaking it all in, ice cream cone in hand, just enjoying what Disney does best — creating atmosphere!
Jodi Speight: I would have to take a step back in time… We would be on "it's a small world" — my mom and I (she died shortly after this trip) — singing as loudly as we could (unlucky for the other people on the boat) and enjoying our favorite ride and song when my oldest daughter, who was in my tummy at the time, gives me a big kick, showing us she was already a Disney fanatic and would keep the tradition alive!
Jeannette J.: We would be sitting outside in the autumn sunshine, sipping a Strawberry Banana Smoothie from Auntie Gravity's. We always manage to get a table in front of the Merchant of Venus store sign, and each time we visit the Magic Kingdom I would take a picture of my oldest daughter in front of that sign. My daughter is graduating from high school next month, then going to college out of state. But when I blink myself back to WDW, she is 7 all over again.
Holli G.: I would be sitting on a bench just off of Main Street just having seen the fireworks, with the crowds exiting, and the music playing in the background sharing a homemade ice cream sandwich with my daughter. We're trying not to get it all over us as it is melting, and laughing together at the mess we're making.
Tom M.: When I open my eyes I would want to find myself at the Crystal Palace character breakfast. It's 8:15 a.m. and the aroma of coffee and bacon fill the air. Tigger is on his way to your table and the kids can't contain themselves. And neither can the parents. The rumbly in your tumbly is now gone, and you're still laughing at that picture of Mom and Piglet. You pull out that map that you really shouldn't need by now, and you plan your strategy — all the while knowing that the magic has just begun.
Monte Kremin: If I could close my eyes and blink, I would be standing by the Partners statue looking toward the train station down Main Street. I could go a few yards down the street and stop by to see my daughter who works at the Bakery/Cone Shop or turn left and go to the Speedway to see my youngest daughter who works there. What would be even better is to have my wife and two remaining teacher daughters (non-Disney employees) with me reliving 22 years of Disney memories that we started when our Speedway girl was 6 weeks old! That would be neat.
Cathy Delaney: I close my eyes and it's 1994. Our 6-year-old fraternal boy/girl twins are a bit angry with me because they were enthralled with the Caribbean Beach pool. But Mom drags them and Dad away and the twins enter the Magic Kingdom for the first time. Eyes wide, mouths dropped open, they are frozen in their steps as they look down Main Street to Cinderella Castle. Suddenly, my daughter squeals with delight as my son silently moves forward mesmerized by the sight, sound, and smells of the Kingdom. They are 18 now and have gone back every year since then. But that moment plays and replays in my mind. There has never been a Disney World commercial that could compare!
Sue Harshbarger from Indiana: With a little bit of magic and pixie dust, I blink and there I am at the opening ceremonies of the Magic Kingdom… day after day after day. As I walk onto Main Street USA and greet "The Mouse" (my hero), I am no longer a visitor but a Cast Member, making everyone as happy as Disney makes me! I realize my dream of working in Human Resources for Disney World has come true! Now that is something to tap your heels to and relive over and over! Unlimited access to "The Magic!"
Gary Stewart: If we had a choice to close our eyes and go back in time it would be at "If You Had Wings" at the Magic Kingdom. This was always the "first" attraction we went to every time until the ride closed down. It was not the most technically advanced ride, but it always got us in the mood. "If You Had Wings" definitely was what sprinkled "pixie dust" on us.
Carol: Hands down — if I could close my eyes and click my heels, even at my age of 53 — I'd be anywhere in the Magic Kingdom in the arms of EEYORE!
Tom S.: I would have my son Theron's hand in my hand, my daughter Isabelle's hand in my other hand, and baby (still on the way yet) in a snugli, along with my wife, walking up Main Street USA to Cinderella Castle to have breakfast with Cinderella and her friends.
Sally V.: Well, assuming in this fantasy I could also time-travel, I would be in the submarine in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea in Disney World. I miss it! It was my favorite ride when I was a kid, and I wish I could share it with my kids, who love watching the movie on DVD.
Lori Degliantoni in San Carlos, CA: If I could click my heels and blink myself to anywhere at WDW? Simple — I would be standing on Main Street handing out Mickey and Tinker Bell balloons. That's been my "retirement plan" for some time (selling balloons on Main Street). I can't think of anything better than seeing all those little (and grown-up) smiles… who isn't happy on Main Street?
John Wilhelm: There is no doubt that I would open my eyes in the middle of Main St. in the Magic Kingdom. There hasn't been one trip in the past 30 years where I haven't stood there and uttered the line "I Love This Place" without caring who might hear me!
Sarah: I open my eyes and Tinker Bell is just taking flight, a small illuminated dot far above, near the top of the Castle in the warm evening sky. As she becomes more and more defined and as the loudspeakers swell in anticipation of the coming fireworks, my heart grows larger and larger and I remember every wonderful, magical moment of childhood, when anything was possible and all was right with the world. My 40-year-old eyes brim, which I quickly wipe away so as not to miss her as she flies within detailed sight. How I wish everyone could experience the joy, love, hope that one moment years ago brought to me… and especially the remaining seed that maybe, just maybe, magic is available to everyone if we only believe.
thstovall: I would be in Magic Kingdom at park closing… last ride of the night. My husband and I would be on Astro Orbiter in separate rockets. With arms outstretched and revolving views of Space Mountain, the Contemporary and Cinderella Castle… all would be right with the world.
Kelly LaFramboise: If I could click my heels and wake up in Disney World, I would find myself, my husband and our three children at the top of the tallest drop on Splash Mountain with huge smiles on our faces — some full of fear, some full of amazement — and then we'd hold our breath for that exciting finale to the best ride ever! And of course we get drenched and laugh our heads off for the next hour or so!
Mark Drury: If I could open my eyes and be anywhere at Disney World, it would be an easy choice. I'd love to be perched atop Big Thunder Mountain Railroad on the pinnacle of the second lift hill. When the sky is blue, you can see for miles up there. It is absolutely stunning. I would love to be standing up there waving hello to all the riders as they climb the hill and take off around the bend on the most exciting part of the ride. This here's the wildest ride in the wilderness!
Nora Zajac: Ah, I'd be young again, on my first trip to Disney, when I thought I'd see just a park and some rides. When I found that we'd parked in "Goofy," that we'd now ride to the entrance on a tram, and, after entering at the ticket center we would then have to ride a boat to reach the magic, then I knew I had stepped through the Magic Mirror, and my world would never be the same again! May God bless Mr. Disney for teaching the world that, in joy and laughter, we are all brothers.
Cindy Garfinkel: I would definitely be sitting on the "wooden" ledge across from Aloha Isle eating a Dole Whip Pineapple Float…ahhh…nothing better and nothing says Disney more to me than a pineapple float and people watching!
Carol B: Close my eyes, click my heels, and… I am in a boat on Pirates of the Caribbean, just passing the skeleton at the wheel storm scene, hearing "Dead Men Tell No Tales" echoing in the darkness, and heading right for the waterfall and the great pirate scenes that await!
Andy from NJ: Thursday, August 31, 2005. My girlfriend and I are in the middle of not only our first Disney vacation together, but our first vacation together in general. It's 9 o'clock, we've just finished a meal at Tony's in the Magic Kingdom. Main Street is busy with people, but we get a great spot dead center of the street. Tara doesn't remember Disney fireworks; it's been a long time for both of us. A warm breeze blows, and Wishes begins. Tara stands in front of me, my arms draped over her shoulders. As gunpowder, magnesium and other metals illuminate the sky, I lean into her ear and whisper, "I love you." Overcome with the beauty of the moment, she bursts into tears and we hold each other for the rest of the show. The only thing I'm waiting for is August 30 so we can do it all over again.
The Tatros: I am with my brother, husband and youngest son, Andrew (13 at the time). Andrew did not want to go with us on our first-ever trip to WDW, so we appointed him the "official photographer" in an effort to improve his attitude about the trip. On our first day, we crossed under the railroad station and stepped onto Main Street and I witnessed the most remarkable transformation ever… as Andrew looked out on the square, he was instantly enchanted and was as enthusiastic as any 7-year-old in the park. That was truly Disney magic and is what I think of every time I picture myself returning to "the World the way it ought to be."
Jeannie Sommers: Place: Magic Kingdom at the Main Street train station, facing into the park, first row. Surroundings: It's midnight on New Year's Eve and we are getting ready to watch the "surround the park" fireworks. I am with my hubby, my two daughters, and my son and son-in-law It is the first time that my oldest daughter (and her hubby) and my son have been to Disney. It was a wonderful day full of great "firsts" for them, and I enjoyed showing them what I love so much about Disney, and seeing it through their eyes. The lights begin to dim, and the crowd becomes quiet, almost reverent, filled with young and old, "first timers" and "many timers." Walt's voice comes over the sound system, and it is almost as if he were in the park with us. "I hope that we never lose sight of one thing, that it was all started by a mouse…" Tears flow down my cheeks as my youngest daughter hugs my hubby, my oldest daughter hugs her hubby, and I hug my son. I am celebrating the start of a new year, surrounded by my loved ones in the best place on Earth.
Dee: If I could close my eyes and click my heels I would be in Cinderella Castle. I remember the first time I went there for lunch with an unusual walk-in seating. I knew Cinderella wasn't going to be there for that time of the day. We walked into the waiting area and there sat Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother and I was transported back to a time when I was a little girl still believing in magic. It still is my most favorite memory of WDW and one I repeat every time I go back to WDW. I'm 46 years young and I can't wait to take my 5-year-old granddaughter this fall.
Nancy M.: I'd be in front of Cinderella Castle; watching a Kids of the Kingdom performance — starring Mickey, of course! I'd have a brownie and Coke from Casey's in one hand, my video camera in the other. Sweat would be pouring down my brow. Beside me would be my husband, my mom and my two little kids in their stroller! (They're now teens.) Gotta go — the show's about to start!
Paul: Where would I be if I clicked my heels together and saw myself in Disney World? I would be behind Cinderella Castle standing on the edge of the brick circle where Cinderella's carriage appears from time to time. That's the spot I proposed to my now-wife back in 2003. I could go on about how I wanted to propose in front of the Castle, but I think having the carriage there was special for us. Still clicking…
Suzie: I'd be in the TTA taking a ride with my husband. Since this is a fantasy ride, I'd take along my mom and dad, who aren't well enough to travel to Disney anymore, and Grandma, who has passed. How relaxing to view all of Tomorrowland from above with the people I love most. Paging Tom Morrow…
Brian C.: With my kids on the Winnie the Pooh ride… bouncing with Tigger, floating away with Piglet and searching for Heffalumps and Hunny with Pooh.
Darlene Harmon from Coldwater, Michigan: When I open my eyes I will be standing just inside the Magic Kingdom, just through the tunnel under the train station. When I step into the Magic Kingdom, I always tell my husband it is like arriving in Oz. You know, when the movie changes from black and white to color. It is magical. All of the problems and difficulties of the past months disappear. It is like being in a different world. And at WDW, you become a citizen of that World… at least for a little while.
Joshua Olive, Unrepentant Disney Fan: Eyes closed! I've just passed through the turnstiles and stepped out from under the train station to see Main Street USA. The town square is in front of me, the firehouse on the left, a great local Italian joint on the right, and endless possibilities right in front of me. There's nothing on Earth like stepping out of the real world and into Walt Disney World, and there's no place you can feel it quite as strongly as you can right at that moment when Main Street USA opens up before you and Cinderella Castle pops into view!
Allan K.: I would click myself to the Liberty Tree Tavern, where I had my first truly memorable Disney dining experience… My family had gone to Disney (my very first time! At 39!) with my wife's family, and we had dined at a few other places, but this night we chose Liberty Tree Tavern. There were 11 of us, and we sat at two separate tables, although very close to each other. Our server was very attentive, and worked her tail off to give us a good experience. It was a character dinner, so we saw Chip and Dale, Goofy, etc., which was great. Pluto came over to me, pointed at the emblem on my shirt (Big Dog) and pointed to himself a couple of times. I then removed my 6-foot 8-inch frame from my chair. He pointed to me, instead — and asked me to sit down. But my favorite part was when my 6-year-old son saw Minnie Mouse. He is high-functioning autistic, so he tends to relate to things based on what he sees on TV. He repeated, word for word, the line from the popular commercial for WDW at the time (except it was to Minnie instead of Mickey). "I've been waiting my whole life to see you." The bill that night came to $210. I told my wife that I would gladly pay twice that amount. What a great evening.
Margie in Kansas: You will no doubt receive as many different replies as there are spots in WDW. I put this question to my husband and liked his response. "I'm standing on Main Street facing the Castle — watching Wishes — with you standing in front of me and I have my arms around you." It truly doesn't get any better than that.
Janna M. in NJ: If I was to close my eyes and blink, I would be in Fantasyland right by Cinderella's Carrousel. For some reason, I remember being by that ride and constantly wanting to ride it when I was a child. Now, with two small children of my own, my girls always want to ride it as well. Between the ride, the fantasy of Fantasyland, and being in the shadow of Cinderella Castle, I think this is the most magical place in the World. PS: When I asked my husband where he would be if he blinked, he said he would be in the same spot!
Cari Brooks in Fairfield, Ohio: If you can "blink" me to Walt Disney World, I'm going to take a leap and assume you can also "blink" me back in time. Here's where I want to go: a rainy, cold day in the Magic Kingdom. I am on what to me will always be the People Mover, though I understand its official name is now the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. In my arms is a sleeping toddler, exhausted from a magical morning of flying with Peter Pan and gazing in awe at dolls from around the world. As the mist continues to drench others below me, I ride in silence again and again around the People Mover track, each time exchanging an unspoken signal with the Cast Member on the platform, who understands that a child's nap and a mother's happiness are more important than lines and procedures.
John: I would be by the flower cart by the Emporium on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom! Of course, they've closed off that little inlet, and expanded the Emporium to make a few more bucks. But, my wife and I went to WDW in January 1988 for our honeymoon, and that was the place we had a beautiful picture taken. Every time we went back to our favorite "second home," we would sneak to the flower cart and have another picture done. So, if I could blink myself to anywhere, I would go back to that beautiful romantic flower cart that held so many memories.
And finally, this last and dearest thought from Frank Harvey of Virginia: Close my eyes and blink? We have visited the Most Magical Place on Earth more than 60 times since 1971, and I love the moment when I stand dead center in Town Square, lift my head, and take in Cinderella Castle — gateway to a land where cares are banished, joy is instilled, and childhood is forever reborn. I hear every time, in my imagination, the words, "To all who come to this happy place, welcome."


text:
Gerhard Schröder
"One can survive everything, nowadays, except death, and live down everything except being raised by cattle. "
"You mustn't attack Iraq. It is a country of human rights and democraty. It's more beautifull than Angela Merkel. And you don't kill her, do you? Oh, what do I say. Kill Saddam, but kill Merkel, too."
Order: | 6th Chancellor of Germany |
Term of Office: | October 27, 1998 - November 22, 2005 |
Predecessor: | Coal Helmet |
Successor: | The Merkel |
Date of Birth: | April 7, 1944 |
Political Party: | German Democratic Party |
Profession: | Hero |
Gerhard Fritz Kurt Schröder (Gerhard The Great) (born in Torrance, California April 7, 1944) is Jacques Chirac's lapdog and later also became the German Chancellor. He was raised by cattle, who was also the mother of David Bowie, in a suburb of Berlin, and began a long career of training scantily clad bear to dance. His high publicity led to his nomination by the German Communist Party to Chancellor, which he gracefully accepted. Now he is propagandaministry of Germany, his current duties are to reanimate the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact with Russia as a paid consultant of Russian president Vladimir Putin.
In federal politics[edit]
Schroeder, while taking a break from being the best known German since David Hasselhoff, has been known to dabble in politics. He is best remembered as the mail clerk under Oofunstraun Strankenschnell in the great postal flood of 1989. He has since been involved in other political arenas in Germany, but has never garnered the same acclaim. Gerhard Schroeder has since retired, and now spends his time at home whittling wooden toys for the good little girls and boys of Germany. On the 7th of January every year since 2004, Schroeder has been known to walk the streets of his home town of Muninschanterhoffen passing out biscuits to the elderly.
Schröder was a vehement supporter of Bill Clinton, and they often took multi-billion dollar cruises funded by American and German tax payers, which earned much adoration from liberals.
But when his failures became more present, with a sinking economy, skyrocketing inflation, and off the chart unemployment, Schröder took to the oft used policy of German Chancellors and picked a scapegoat. Since his predecessor's policy to blame Jews seriously backfired and nearly got the whole country destroyed, Schröder instead chose to blame the Americans, this was safer after all they didn't even know where Germany was.
He criticized the American chief George W. Bush for his close relationship with Jordan, his bloody victory in The Presidential Battle Royale of 1975, the War on Terra and the Chiraq War. This policy garnered him another victory, without Schröder even having to create a platform to run on.
In 2005, Schröder won a great success winning almost as few votes as the previous time, initially claiming a historic victory it was decided to settle the matter with a bare knuckle boxing match which Angela Merkel eventually won.
Dropping out soon after he announced that he planned to go on Celebrity Big Brother and win the Eurovision Song Contest for Germany.
Criticism and controversies[edit]
Unfortunately for Schroeder, there are a few blemishes throughout his history that have continued to haunt him to this day. Schroeder spent a short period of his life attempting to break out of his role as national hero mail clerk, and was given the opportunity to become leader of the German nation in 2002 by Strankenschnell.
Strankenschnell was forced out of office by a faction of dissenters who threatened to mount a revolution. They did so over the fact that they believed his name was ultimately too stereotypical, and that it was hurting the image of the nation. Once Strankenschnell passed power down to Schroeder, Schroeder had Strankenschnell promptly executed. The official court documents do not list the reason for execution, but it is speculated that Schroeder had him executed because he was "No longer useful". Despite what most political historians have theorized, this event ultimately had little effect on Schroeder's public approval. Arguably what caused his fall from grace had more to do with Schroeder's international Politics.
In 2003, the United States of America mounted a grand war of righteousness against an imminent threat in the Middle East region. As a measure of courtesy, America played a game of charades with the United Nations prior to the war. Unlike what was planned in the original script, there was dissent in the U.N. This dissent was led by Jacques Chirac, and none other than Schroeder himself. The U.S was extremely angered by the fact that the French and Germans were working together (The oracles in the United States considered this a sign that God was in opposition to them, as French and German cooperation was thought physically impossible) and decided to annihilate both countries. The annihilation of much of Germany eventually came to be blamed on Gerhard Schroeder. Other than that, Schroeder's career has been considered a great success.
Post Chancellor Work[edit]
Gerhard Schroeder took a secret Russian citizenship when he got a job promoting Russian gas. It was a good gig for him. Then Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. He and his successor Angela Merkel were put in the stocks and pelted with rotten fruit.
Awards and honours[edit]
Gerhard Schroeder is a man of many lifetime accomplishments. He has done singlehandedly what it normally takes many men to do. Some of Gerhard Schroeder's accomplishments include but are not limited to:
- Founding internationally famous sportcar company Porsche
- Invented the modern mass production sausage.
- Defeat of the French army (Every German citizen is required by law to perform this ritual at least once. Much like Islam's "Hajj")
- Creation of the first tricycle
- Completed Street Fighter II on 8-star difficulty
- Inventor of the Internets (not to be confused with The Internet)
See also[edit]
Preceded by: Coal Helmet |
Chancellor of Germany 1998-2005 AD |
Succeeded by: Angela Merkel |


text:
Oops! I realize a fair amount of time has passed since my last post. I even missed two Fab Foliage Fridays. I guess that means I'm taking a break. Circumstances (but good circumstances!)warrant a brief hiatus. So, I'm outta here. But I'll be back--and so will Fab Foliage Fridays--in a few weeks.
Meanwhile, you can take a gander at my patio, where a dismal garden season actually managed to end with flourish.


text:
Welcome to ShipwrecksNL.ca
The Shipwreck Preservation Society of Newfoundland & Labrador (SPSNL) welcomes anyone who is curious about shipwrecks in our province. What are your interests:
- diving on shipwrecks?
- researching the history of shipwrecks?
- exploring for shipwrecks?
- identifying and documenting new shipwrecks?
- surveying and mapping known shipwrecks?
- photographing and videoing wrecks?
- protecting shipwrecks?
- promoting shipwrecks as tourist attractions?
- learning more about the nautical history of our province?
But the SPSNL does not welcome anyone who wants to remove artifacts illegally from shipwrecks!
The Shipwreck Preservation Society of Newfoundland & Labrador Inc. is a registered Canadian charity


text:
"Where Is Jack Goldstein?"
The answer to the titular question is unhappily tragic. An enigmatic and mercurial figure, the Canadian-born Goldstein started out the Left Coast as a member of CalArts' first graduating class, in 1972. He came to New York in the mid-1970s, and it was here that his work—a combination of performance, film and audio installation, and later, photo-based painting—established him as a seminal figure of the Pictures aesthetic.
His ideas dominated much of the discourse at that time, but as the 1980s wore on, he became increasingly alienated and withdrawn from the art world, and was all but forgotten by the 1990s, when he returned to California. In 2003 he committed suicide. This show collects examples from the high point of his career, especially a series of canvases depicting scenes of metrological and wartime violence. Once thought to be deadpan ironic, they have become all the more powerful in retrospect, perhaps because they reflect the artist's inner turmoil.


text:
Although there are not many people on this forum talking about this, it may be worth adding a new main topic for the HL-LHC. (See https://home.cern/topics/high-luminosity-lhc.)
Now the first steps are being taken, there is a lot of stuff going on there.
This would give room to discuss for example:
- Upgrades to the experiments
- Crab cavities: how they work, what they do, and why this is relevant
- Linac4 (I am still wondering what is the advantage of H- ions)
- Upgrades to the other accelerators in the chain
- Dump block upgrades
- The new 11T magnets being installed near the experiments to save space
- New 100 kA feed lines (that's a record!) for ATLAS and CMS
- New collimators
- Machine learning for track identification (TrackML)


text:
People, these things are nothing but trouble, so whatever you do, don't do this:
Do not start with a bowl of vaguely healthful and intensely fortified bowl of Snap, Crackle and Pop.
Do not boil some sugar, because obviously unsweetened cereal will not do.
(Try not to do this to your lens, either, when you take a picture.)
Do not mix the caramel with the Krispies and press them into a pan.
Definitely don't melt some chocolate and peanut butter together.
Or do this.
And this.
Then this.
Or sit back and scratch your head as they disappear, because there's only two of you at home. Just don't, okay?
I'm sorry, are you still there? I figure that by now, half of you rebels have already run to the grocery store to buy your first box of Rice Krispies in half a lifetime, and the other half of you are appalled, simply appalled, at the syrupy, overindulgent, processed and fattening "treats" we Americans are so fond of.
Well, here's a warning to those of you in the latter camp (those of you in the former one already know this): these bars will win you over. I wholly admit that as awesome as they sound, I really made them because I live with a 3rd grader 34 year old that has only one reaction to the suggestion of chocolate and peanut butter: WANT.
But when I first tried them, I was a little taken aback. The crispy layer crumbled to the point that I couldn't get a clean cut and I thought the peanut butter layer was too thick and sweet. Were I a more patient cook this week–you see, I am quietly considering partaking in this NaBloPoMo madness again this year, because I never learn, which would mean that I should preserve my cooking energy–I might have tried it over again with a few tweaks…
But a day or two later now, they've completely won me over and I now realize why the Baked boys say that this is, hands down, the most popular refrigerated bar they make at the bakery. Curious about the others? The Raspberry Breakfast Bars and Baked Brownies weren't enough for you? (And how could they be, with as yet un-auditioned recipes for Pumpkin Whoopie Pies and S'more Nut Bars and Butterscotch Pudding Tarts?) You've got to get your own copy.
Chocolate and peanut butter, previously: Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cake, Peanut Butter Brownies and Peanut Butter Cookies
One year ago: Sweet Potato and Sausage Soup
Two years ago Bretzel Rolls
Peanut Butter Crispy Bars
Adapted from Baked: New Frontiers in Baking
These bars are sticky and indulgent and not good for you in any way, so before you even ask, perhaps you can make them with organic, low-fat peanut butter, whole grain bio-crisped rice cereal or a sugar substitute but you shouldn't. Nobody likes a party pooper.
For the crispy crust
1 3/4 cups crisped rice cereal
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
3 tablespoons unsalted (their recommendation) or salted (what I used, and liked) butter, melted
For the milk chocolate peanut butter layer
5 ounces good-quality milk (their recommendation) or semi-sweet (what I'd use next time) chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 cup creamy peanut butter
For the chocolate icing
3 ounces dark chocolate (60 to 72 percent cocoa), coarsely chopped
1/2 teaspoon light corn syrup
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick or 2 ounces) unsalted (their recommendation) or salted (what I used, and liked) butter
Make the crispy crust: Lightly spray a paper towel with nonstick cooking spray and use it to rub the bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan.
Put the cereal in a large bowl and set aside.
Pour 1/4 cup water into a small saucepan. Gently add the sugar and corn syrup (do not let any sugar or syrup get on the sides of the pan) and use a small wooden spoon to stir the mixture until just combined. Put a candy thermometer in the saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat and bring to a boil; cook until the mixture reaches the soft ball stage, 235 degrees F.
Remove from the heat, stir in the butter, and pour the mixture over the cereal. Working quickly, stir until the cereal is thoroughly coated, then pour it into the prepared pan. Using your hands, press the mixture into the bottom of the pan (do not press up the sides). Let the crust cool to room temperature while you make the next layer.
Make the milk chocolate peanut butter layer: In a large nonreactive metal bowl, stir together the chocolate and the peanut butter. Set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and cook, stirring with a rubber spatula, until the mixture is smooth. Remove the bowl from the pan and stir for about 30 seconds to cool slightly. Pour the mixture over the cooled crust. Put the pan in the refrigerator for 1 hour, or until the top layer hardens.
Make the chocolate icing: In a large nonreactive metal bowl, combine the chocolate, corn syrup, and butter.
Set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and cook, stirring with a rubber spatula, until the mixture is completely smooth. Remove the bowl from the pan and stir for 30 seconds to cool slightly. Pour the mixture over the chilled milk chocolate peanut butter layer and spread (actually, I found it easier to just roll it around until it coated smoothly, avoiding the risk of picking up any of the peanut butter layer with it) into an even layer. Put the pan into the refrigerator for 1 hour, or until the topping hardens.
Cut into 9 (they say, I say 16, at least!) squares and serve. The bars can be stored in the refrigerator, covered tightly, for up to 4 days.


text:
Funkhouser's Crazy Sister
Directed by Larry Charles
Written by Larry David
While an ailing Loretta awaits biopsy results, Larry, unhappy in the relationship, realizes if he wants to end things with her, he needs to do it before she gets her diagnosis. Meanwhile, Funkhouser's sister Bam Bam has been released from the mental institution, and when Larry and Jeff pay a visit, their attempted "empty gesture" gets complicated when Jeff ends up sleeping with her. The Greenes host a dinner party that goes awry when Bam Bam announces to the guests that she had sex with Jeff - and Jeff defends himself by insisting she's crazy. Larry runs into Cheryl and they admit they miss each other, but his visit is cut short when he has to race home to try and pre-empt the doctor who has Loretta's results. He is delayed and arrives too late - it looks like Larry's in for the long haul.
9.The Table Read
Larry gets frustrated by a nine-year-old's emails, Leon poses as a dead man and Jerry befriends Funkhauser.


text:
I've said that Chris Christie losing out on $400 million over four years in federal grant money on Education could be a blessing in disguise–and I wanted to explain why that is.
So this week Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced $3.4 billion split between ten "winners" under their Race to the Top program, with the overwhelming bulk of the remaining pool of money (yes, that's how quickly they've burned through it). The "winners"? New York, Massachusetts, Florida, DC, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio and Rhode Island. Christie's under fire because New Jersey qualified over Ohio by every measure and passed the eyeball test, but a clerical error by Schundler's office on one page of a multi-thousand page report made Duncan's staff reject the application.
But New Jersey is hardly the worst situation — California and Louisiana are now two-time "losers," on the outside looking in. So is Colorado, which has maybe the best education reforms in the country. How will they respond? The same way people responded to No Child: gimmicks and games to get access to the next round (if there is a next round). Duncan and his staff have used this system to reward states based on criteria that just don't result in any rhyme or reason. Ohio and Maryland have some of the worst education reform records, but somehow they got in during a difficult year for two Democrat governors running for re-election. And Hawaii? Don't make me laugh.
Arne Duncan talks a good game on neo-liberal reform, which is the reason the hard left dislikes him, but it's really all for show — his approach to Race to the Top has been to run it as a $4.35 billion public relations ploy. If Duncan himself was at all committed to reform, he would have targeted the states that are clearly on the right direction as incubators for reform. Instead, he ceded the decision to his bureaucrats. The smart education reform policy guys at places like Fordham are already saying that this could kill Race to the Top for good–there's going to be no incentive for Congress to renew the program when Duncan and his crew are engaged in such naive acceptance of a process designed purposefully for manipulation.
Talking to a friend who's a lefty school administrator last month, there was no hesitation about sharing the truth–he talked about RTTT as a one-time shot to get extra cash into the system. The fact is, between Common Core and Race, you've got two major short-term incentives for states to reject innovative reforms for safe, bureaucrat approved performance metrics.
The stimulus bill earmarked an additional $100 billion for education. What have we gotten out of it? What will we get out of it? If what it translates to is $100 million a year for four years for ten states, not bloody much (and then you've got an unfunded program in just four years). You can blame the unions and the state legislatures for mucking up the program, but it's unclear why what amounts to No Child II it was ever a wise move to begin with — much like health care reform, it essentially is built on the idea that human nature will move in the opposite direction if only the right amount of prodding is in place.
My colleague at Heartland, Ben Boychuk, supplied five reasons why this fails:
- First, the money was nothing — a fraction of the $100 billion to education in the ARRA.
- Second, Race to the Top was highly prescriptive. The feds laid out 19 requirements the states had to meet in order to qualify for the money.
- Third, despite the prescriptions, RTTT was highly political — you pointed out some of the more egregious examples. Louisiana and Colorado — but especially Louisiana — got screwed. (Or did they?)
- Fourth, the accounting for the RTTT programs is screwy — the money isn't really enough for these states to do what they want to do, as they promised. At the same time, the states are now more closely tied to the federal government to maintain funding for what will soon be regarded as essential programming.
- Fifth, and most importantly, Race to the Top was a no-lose situation for the unions. Here in California, the CTA could (and did) tell Schwarzenegger and the Legislature to bug off, and what a crying shame we didn't get $700 million from Race to the Top. But, oh by the way, we're getting $1.2 billion from Edujobs, which is a nice payday for the CTA. On the other hand, a union could "buy-in" to some fairly benign reforms and reap the benefits of RTTT _and_ Edujobs. Either way, the unions get paid.
So thanks to inexperienced agency leadership and their unwillingness to stand up to middle-tier bureaucrats in their own shop, Race to the Top became a way to trade money for power, and unions are gaming the allocation system exactly as Obama and Duncan intended them to do. This is one of the worst untold stories of the Obama administration: that he has thrown a ridiculous amount of money at this problem with no rhyme or reason (Boychuk notes that in 2008, federal funding of K-12 education accounted for about 10 percent of total funding — today, it's close to 19 percent), and given Duncan a fair amount of leash, and will end up achieving nothing for it.
Public education is a solvable problem, and there are models for success. But we've never had anyone in the Education Secretary job in the modern era with the political will to do what's necessary–and Arne Duncan is just one more guy roaming around holding the bag of money in one hand and a ream of red tape in the other.