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Backstory: Sophie-Once upon a time there was a beautiful little kitten named Sophie. Sophie lived in Phoenix, AZ, but even though she was beautiful and very loveable, this poor little kitten did not have a home to call her own. The angels at Mayvn Rescue took wonderful care of her, but still she longed for that most special of treasures: a forever home and human of her own.
Then, from all the way across the country, miracles started to happen. Taylor saw Sophie and fell in love; a wonderful person offered to help her on behalf of the rescue; the rescue approved its second out of state adoption; a foster stepped up at just the right time; and then Sophie got a ticket to ride the Love Train!
Now there were only two obstacles left: Sophie was too young to spay and, although she had her ticket to ride the rails, Phoenix to New Jersey was going to mean over 50 hours in the car for this bitty kitty. But Sophie grew and had that all important surgery and then another angel flew over! Sophie now has a non-stop ticket to fly from Phoenix to New York where she will be met at the airport by her new Forever Meowmy. And don't worry friends; this kitty will be flying all the way home in the cabin with her very own and very special URRKN conductor accompanying her all the way.
When Sophie's transport went "live", I was so excited to be the first conductor to sign up, not knowing at the time that I was going to end up being the sole conductor. Sophie's transport was very special to me for several reasons. One, it was my first transport. Second, it was happening the week of my birthday, and most importantly, there was a whole in my heart that needed to be filled. In addition to volunteering with URRKN, I also manage a feline care center for a rescue group in Phoenix. The previous year, shortly before my birthday, we rescued a group of kitties from the kill list at the Humane Society. One of those cats was a beautiful Lynx Point Siamese that we named Sinatra because of his big blue eyes. Sinatra developed a bad URI, which turned into pneumonia despite all the care he was given. The night before my birthday we admitted him to the hospital, the vet said he needed some breathing treatments, but would be okay. The morning of my birthday, Sinatra had a cardiac arrest as we were walking into the vet's office to visit him. Sadly, despite all the efforts of the vet and his staff, they were not able to save him. I was devastated, and his crossing left a huge in my heart. I knew helping to get Sophie, another beautiful Siamese kitten to her forever home was meant to be, and was a way to honor Sinatra's memory.
I picked up Sophie at her foster home the night before our flight. She was as cute as the pictures I had seen and was even sweeter then you could imagine.
Several of my friends that are also URRKN members, of course wanted to meet her, including our very own Tina and Chris LaBlanc! We had a party for Sophie at my house, so she got tons of extra attention before settling in for the night. We even created a drink in her honor.
She was the best little traveler right up until I put her carrier under the seat in front of me. At that point, everyone knew she was on board!!!
Here are Sophie and Debi at the airport. So cute!
Our flight was to be a non-stop to JFK, where Taylor and husband would meet me. I was to have a 4 hour layover and then get back on a plane and home to Phoenix. Things didn't go quite as planned. The plane had some bathroom problems(non flushing toilets) and we ended up in St Paul, Minneapolis for what was suppose to be a quick landing to fix things. Two and half hours later we were on another plane and finally heading to JFK, but it was questionable if I would make my return flight. It didn't matter much to me, as long as I got Sophie to her anxiously awaiting mom and dad. Taylor and Ron were lucky enough to find someone from Delta that gave them a pass to meet me at the gate. I was in NY just long enough to hand them their precious cargo, get a few hugs, kisses and pictures, and walk from Gate11 to Gate 7 and get back on a plane to Phoenix. I jokingly tell everyone, my trip gives the statement, "A New York Minute" a whole new meaning.
Taylor and I stay in touch, and Sophie is doing great in her new home. She has grown quite a bit the past 3 months, her mask is really filling in, and her markings have gotten quite a bit darker too.
I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to get this precious kitty to her forever home, and looking forward to the next adventure with URRKN.


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Steer towards perks at our AAA hotel
Having an AAA membership means more than travel maps, flat tire repair and towing. Flash that card to the front desk and we'll give you a sweet AAA hotel discount. Then, why not put your savings toward something fun. Perhaps a pair of Penguins tickets, theatre seats or a visit to the Andy Warhol Museum. We won't judge how you play your cards. Except the AAA one. Always play that one. Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh is one of many the AAA-approved Kimpton hotels.
Check Availability
Book Direct on our website.
Our Best Rates + Perks. Always.

subset: commoncrawl


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Spotlight on...The Persian Cat
Matchmaker, Matchmaker
Breed Overview
Size: Medium
Grooming: High
Exercise: Low
Environment: Adaptable, indoors is best
Temperament: Placid but affectionate
Life Expectancy: Up to 18 years
Interesting facts: Persian cats were once traded for goods, due to their regal looks and good nature.
Appearance: The Persian is a beautiful cat with a long, fluffy and soft coat in colors including black, red, white, and calico-like combinations. Their eyes are round and noses high, giving the appearance of a smushed face. They have a thick, stocky body.
Personality: The Persian is well known both for its beautiful appearance and its wonderful temperament. The breed is loving, affectionate and calm. Better still, they tend to play into adulthood. This writer has cared for several show-cat Persians, and I enjoyed their beauty and easygoing nature. They allowed me to clean their eyes and brush their coats having only just met me. This winning personality makes them good family cats. They bond closely with their people and are often described as dignified.
Health: Persians are generally healthy, but potential conditions include kidney and heart disease (the latter is usually easily detectible during a routine exam and treatable), eye irritations/infections and respiratory problems.
Best Match: The Persian needs someone willing to keep their coats brushed and their eyes clean. Someone who appreciates an independent kitty who does isn't "needy" for attention will enjoy this breed. While they don't always seek interaction, they do seem to prefer being in the company of others. They are also fairly quiet. Some owners note that they are territorial, so multi-cat homes may be a challenge.
Featured Adoptable: A Special Needs Kitty - Gypsy is a teeny-tiny Persian-Himalayan mix, fully grown and just 3-4 lbs. She loves affection and is a sweetie with lots of personality and confidence, but has had a hard time finding a family willing to care for her needs. A home with experience or knowledge of the Persian breed is preferred, and regular grooming is necessary. Gypsy needs regular trims and occasional baths. She is great with other non-threatening cats and must be strictly indoors. Gypsy is a tiny gem, in search of a special home. To learn more or to meet this tiny gem in search of a special home, contact the Humane Society of Redmond at 541-923-0882, or visit RedmondHumane.org.


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Rainer KrenstetterPrincipal
Hometown: Vienna, Austria
Rainer Krenstetter was born into a dance family in Vienna where he began his ballet training at the Ballet School of the Vienna State Opera. In 1999, he was accepted into the Royal Ballet School in London and continued his training there until 2000 when he became a corps de ballet member with the Vienna State Opera Ballet. In 2002, he joined the Berlin State Ballet under the direction of Vladimir Malakhov and went through the ranks up to principal dancer in 2013. He joined Miami City Ballet as a principal dancer in November 2014.
Throughout his training, Krenstetter participated and won medals in various international ballet competitions including in Vienna, Brasilia and Luxembourg, culminating in his first place win at the Prix de Lausanne in 1999.
Throughout his prolific career, Krenstetter has danced principal and leading roles in most ballets in the classical repertoire including Swan Lake, Giselle, Don Quixote, Le Corsaire, The Nutcracker, Coppélia, Onegin, Firebird, The Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, La Sylphide and Cinderella. Additionally, he has danced in ballets by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Vladimir Malakhov, Kenneth MacMillan, Auguste Bournonville, Michel Fokine, Alexei Ratmansky, Roland Petit, Maurice Béjart, Hans van Manen, Uwe Scholz, Clarke Tippet and Jirí Kylián, among others.
Krenstetter has also performed as a guest artist in various companies and galas internationally in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia; been a member of the jury at the International Ballet Competition in Rome and Riga; and guest taught at several dance workshops in many countries.
Roles since joining MCB
George Balanchine
Allegro Brillante
A Midsummer Night's Dream (Divertissement Pas de Deux)
Bourrée Fantasque
Divertimento No. 15
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker™ (Cavalier)
Swan Lake (Prince Siegfried)
Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux
Peter Martins
Barber Violin Concerto
Jerome Robbins
Fancy Free
Glass Pieces (Second Movement)
The Concert
Alexei Ratmansky
The Fairy's Kiss
Classical Repertoire
Giselle, Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot (Albrecht)


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Resources that have influenced me
Recent Favorites
Rise Sister Rise: A Guide to Unleashing the Wise, Wild Woman Within
Rebecca Campbell
Pussy: A Reclamation
Regena Thomashauer
It's Not Your Money: How to Live Fully From Divine Abundance
Tosha Silver
Habits: Why We Do What We Do and How to Change
Charles Duhigg
Braving the Wilderness: the Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone
Brene Brown
The Empath's Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People
Judith Orloff, MD
Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within
Natalie Goldberg
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
Elizabeth Gilbert
Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead
Tara Mohr
Infinite Possibilities: The Art of Living Your Dreams
Mike Dooley
The Desire Map: A Guide to Creating Goals with Soul
Danielle La Porte
The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are Your Guide to a Wholehearted Life
Brene Brown, PhD., L.M.S.W.
The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun
Gretchen Rubin
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead
Brene Brown, PhD., L.M.S.W.
The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Your Life to the Next Level
Gay Hendricks
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Susan Cain
The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You
Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D
Time and Efficiency
168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think
Laura Vanderkam
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
David Allen
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
Stephen R. Covey
The Procrastinator's Handbook: Mastering the Art of Doing It Now
Rita Emmett
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do and How to Change
Charles Duhigg
ADHD Resources
ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life
Judith Kolberg and Kathleen Nadeau, PhD
Women with Attention Deficit Disorder: Embracing Disorganization at Home and in the Workplace
Sari Solden
Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.?: Stopping the Roller Coaster When Someone You Love Has Attention Deficit Disorder
Gina Pera
Organizing Solutions for People with Attention Deficit Disorder: Tips and Tools to Help You Take Charge of Your Life and Get Organized
Susan C Pinsky
The Disorganized Mind: Coaching your ADHD Brain to Take Control of Your Time, Tasks & Talents
Nancy Ratey
You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!: The Classic Self-Help Book for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder
Kate Kelly & Peggy Ramundo
Purpose and Calling
The Purpose of your Life: Finding your Place in the World Using Synchronicity, Intuition and Uncommon Sense
Carol Adrienne
Take Time for Your Life: A 7-Step Program for Creating the Life you Want
Cheryl Richardson
Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life
Gregg Levoy
I Will Not Die an Unlived Life: Reclaiming Purpose and Passion
Dawna Markova, PhD
Find Your Purpose, Change Your Life: Getting to the Heart of Your Life's Mission
Carol Adrienne
The Power of Now
Eckhart Tolle
Celestine Prophecy Books and Guides
James Redfield and Carole Adrienne
Other Resources
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
Marie Kondo
The Open Mind: Exploring the Six Patterns of Natural Intelligence
Dawna Markova, PhD
The Artist's Way: A Course in Discovering and Recovering Your Creative Self
Julia Cameron
Taming Your Gremlin: A Surprisingly Simple Method for Getting Out of Your Own Way
Rick Carson


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Red Sport Wheels
Wheel Plus USA purchase Red Sport Rims / Wheels in mass quantities, allowing us to provide you with some of the lowest prices available. When you are buying Red Sport wheels from us, you are pretty much buying at wholesale prices and All wheels are supplied with accessories to fit your vehicle and every wheel carries a lifetime structural warranty.Wheel Plus USA also sell Red Sport wheels and tires packages with free shipping!
Showing 1 - 7 of 7


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Go Back
Go To Articles Directory Home Page
To get the current article, - See Below (at the bottom of the page) -.
For top news titles, see below.
Web sites and videos listed in this page are frequently updated.
If you find that this page is useful (quality of web sites, images and videos, ...), you can add it to your favorites.
Bookmark Page !
Write in Chunks to Write Effectively
Professional writers are often admired or envied for the end products they create. Yet, few look at the process of writing as an exciting career choice. And, for good reason. It can be difficult to sit for hour after hour, putting words onto pages.
About the Author: Robert F. Abbott offers three free chapters from his book, A Manager's Guide to Newsletters: Communicating for Results. He also offers free subscriptions to Abbott�s Communication Letter, a free newsletter that helps you enhance your career through improved business communication.


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IBM, along with Expero, Google, GRAKN.AI, and HortonWorks, is thrilled to be a founding member of the JanusGraph project. JanusGraph is a new community project under the Linux Foundation with the goal to build and maintain a distributed graph computation system. Forked from the latest TitanDB code, it will continue the legacy of Titan by providing a community-supported open source, scalable graph database with a variety of storage backends. JanusGraph incorporates support for the property graph model with Apache TinkerPop (the open source graph computing framework) and its Gremlin graph traversal language. Over time, we anticipate that JanusGraph will become the de facto reference provider implementation for TinkerPop.
A number of IBM products and solutions rely on graph technology to provide insights into highly connected data. These include metadata and big data solutions, systems administration and development tools. The IBM developers engaged in these solution areas are eager to collaborate with the JanusGraph community to drive graph computing forward to support these and other graph use cases.
Call for participation in JanusGraph:
Several JanusGraph members, including developers from Expero, GRAKN.AI and IBM, will participate in Graph Day Texas in Austin on January 14, 2017. They plan to run a JanusGraph birds-of-a-feather session after the event. Please connect with Jason Plurad via Twitter if you would like an invitation.
JanusGraph is looking forward to building a strong and open community for graph developers. Please see the Linux Foundation blog entry and visit the project homepage at http://janusgraph.org to find out more about how to join and collaborate with the community. You can also follow @JanusGraph on Twitter
Blog entry short-link: https://wp.me/p6tTze-27F


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iMac G5: Loose power cord could cause power loss
To avoid a sudden loss of power, be sure that the power cord is fully inserted into the power cord receptacle on the back of your iMac G5. Loss of power occurs most often when you reposition the iMac, or if the power cord gets tugged. The ring on the power cord should sit flush with the back of the iMac case. Also be sure that the power cord isn't tangled with other cables or objects.
The pictures below show a correctly installed power cord and an incorrectly installed power cord.
|Correctly-seated power cord
|Improperly-seated power cord
If your iMac continues to experience a sudden loss of power and shuts down unexpectedly, try removing the cosmetic trim ring attached to the end of the power cord. The trim ring is circular and can be removed easily by holding the power cord as shown below, while gently pulling the trim ring away from the power connector. Once the trim ring works free, slide it down the power cord where it will be out of the way. The power cord trim ring is not necessary for iMac operation.


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These Are the Funders Who Helped Discover the Origins of the Universe/
Cosmologists are calling it one of the greatest discoveries in the history of science—the detection of ripples in space-time that support our theory of how the universe began. If confirmed, the discovery would shed new light on the early moments of our universe, and our understanding of space, time and the cosmos. The announcement is the culmination of a multi-university team effort, backed in part by some prominent foundations.
Scientists tend to choose their words carefully when it comes to big discoveries, but the announcement today that the BICEP2 research collaboration detected direct evidence of the so-called "cosmic inflation" theory of the Big Bang has the community downright giddy.
"The implications for this detection stagger the mind. We are measuring a signal that comes from the dawn of time," said CalTech physics professor Jamie Bock, co-leader of the study.
In short, the scientists announced that they discovered ripples in the fabric of space-time that back up an otherwise speculative theory that the universe expanded very rapidly, faster than the speed of light, at the very beginning of the Big Bang nearly 14 billion years ago. The evidence fills in crucial gaps in the theory of general relativity, quantum mechanics, and our understanding of the origins of the universe.
And while onlookers are waiting for confirmation before jumping up and down, the team is highly respected, and their work already being hailed as a breakthrough. The project has been a true collaboration, of researchers, universities, nations, public and private funds.
Based at the South Pole—where the cold, thin air makes it the ideal spot to gaze out at the universe—the team has been using high-powered radio telescopes to scan the sky for faint cosmic radiation left over from the Big Bang. The study is part of a series of experiments called the BICEP and Keck Array, using increasingly powerful telescopes that started operating at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in 2006.
While a series of National Science Foundation and Jet Propulsion Laboratory grants funded the collaboration, foundations did play some key roles in making the BICEP and Keck Array experiments possible.
If part of that name looks familiar, yes, the Keck Array is named for the W.M. Keck Foundation, which ponied up funds for a key part of the equipment. Back in 2008, the funder awarded $2.3 million to Caltech, one of the main schools in the collaboration, to build a suite of telescopes that ran in coordination with the BICEP2 telescope, which yielded the cosmic inflation discovery.
The W.M. Keck Foundation is one of the largest science funders in the country, with a $1 billion endowment stemming from the fortunes of the Superior Oil Company, and annual giving at around $50 million. Its two main science programs are Science and Engineering and Medical Research. The funder puts a big emphasis on optics, including support for the Keck Observatory in Hawaii. Grants are very large and aim for transformative, high-risk research. The risk paid off this time. (Read our profile on Keck here.)
The other big private funder involved is another major player in telescopes—Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. One of Moore's biggest initiatives is the massive Thirty Meter Telescope, a project of University of California and Caltech. But back in 2005, the foundation gave $2.25 million to develop ultra-sensitive detector arrays used in the South Pole project. (Read our profile of the Moore Foundation here.)
Finally, how could a big discovery come to light without the name Fred Kavli appearing in the mix? We've written at length about the impact of the Kavli Foundation's science centers. In this case, a number of researchers on the team are affiliated with the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, including principal investigator Chao-Lin Kuo based at Stanford. (Read more about Kavli here.)
More amazing stories will no doubt come to light as we learn about this team's amazing work. But one clear theme behind the breakthrough is that of collaboration—between many brilliant scientists and students, academia, the public sector, and private philanthropy.


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Great Website for the Systematics and ID of Moonworts, Botrychium subgenus Botrychium
Dr. Donald Farrar from Iowa State University has a website with detailed information and factsheets on the moonworts. This is a valuable resource for anyone that comes across these botanical gems in the field. For the website CLICK HERE.


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White people will not stop being weird.. 😕😕
China News has it that during the wedding, the couple each hung the snake over the other necks while the snakes hissing and crawling all over them.
However, it's said that the newlyweds were volunteers of animal protection. They have raised at home various pets including spiders, lizards, pythons, and birds.


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One of the many bands of the indie movement to be plagued with ridiculous amounts of hype (before the release of their debut, no less), Vampire Weekend was able to meet the impossibly high expectations better than many of their contemporaries with their 2008 self titled record. While it was fairly derivative in spots, it was very well written, and had a unique worldbeat fusion that gave its indie pop sound a very interesting flavor. Two years later, they have released their long-awaited sophomore effort, and not only does it live up to its predecessor, the band has taken a bold step forward and run with the worldbeat aspect that made their debut so special, while maintaining not only their basic sound, but keeping their pop sensibility as well.
Lead single Cousins serves as a great sample of Contra; it's got a standard rock format but loaded with so many different ideas it can't help but charm. The frenzied guitars are outstanding, but what really steals the proverbial show is the rhythm section. The drums and bass simply DO NOT QUIT on this song. Its instrumentation could well be the least broad out of any track on the album, but it still sounds every bit as exotic, and the energy is downright captivating.
On a number of tracks, they sound a lot like Paul Simon and Peter Gabriel jamming with an indie band, particularly on the trio of White Sky, Holiday, and California English (HAH! I used an oxford comma, Vampire Weekend! SUCK ON THAT). Ezra Koenig's higher sounding vocals are more controlled than flailing, the unwaveringly upbeat tempos rest upon laid back sounding yet somewhat complicated beats, there's a slightly tropical sound which comes across as strangely authentic (with English's random autotune, no less), and overall the afro-meets-synth sound is very well implemented. Clever percussion and keyboards are implemented throughout as well, which is immediately noticeable on opener Horchata as well as the gentle, piano driven Taxi Cab.
Even at Contra's most aggressive, the songs sound smooth and controlled. Run's alternating gallop and offbeat, stuttering drums seem to take the lead over the synths and guitars, and the complex relationships therein are fascinating. There's also the fast, surprisingly danceable Giving Up the Gun (which will no doubt spawn some awesome dance remixes), which retains all the creativity, and even the very core sound, of Contra's other nine tracks, but with a pleasantly unexpected kick that shows off a bit more of the diversity they've grown into.
Vampire Weekend's debut had some great ideas, but they weren't given the imagination that they've received here. Contra is a very lively affair, as well as brisk; the ten songs breeze by in just over half an hour. It's not only a flat-out triumph musically, but lyrically compelling as well, a big theme challenging that perhaps problems that seem more trivial when compared to the world's more pressing issues are still just those - problems. All in all, a fantastic record from a band proving to be growing into themselves far faster and more gracefully than expected.


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Wells Fargo CEO says bank is 'turning over every rock' after sales scandal
Wells Fargo CEO Tim Sloan said his company continues to review its practices a year after a major sales scandal blew up, as the firm seeks out "every area in need of improvement."
Sloan, speaking Tuesday at an industry conference in New York, touted progress Wells has made since agreeing last September to $185 million in fines over unauthorized customer accounts. But he also said the bank is not through trying to find additional instances where customers may have experienced financial harm by Wells' practices.
"We've been very focused on opening every drawer and turning over every rock in the company," Sloan said, adding that the company is relying on third parties to help with such reviews.
"As we move forward and either begin or continue the remediation in those efforts, there'll be some headlines," he said. "We're far along in our review. I can't promise you that it's exactly over with, and I certainly can't promise perfection in the future. But what I can promise you is that the fundamental changes that we've made within the company so far and we're in the process of executing will limit the likelihood of potential issues like we've experienced over the last year from occurring again."
Wells Fargo has struggled to move past the Sept. 8, 2017, scandal, an effort made more challenging by revelations last month that the number of potentially fraudulent accounts could total 3.5 million, a nearly 70 percent increase over initial estimates. Wells has also come under scrutiny this summer for its auto-insurance practices, as well as other issues.
The sales scandal has cost the bank business and added to its legal costs.
In a slide presentation accompanying Tuesday's presentation, the bank said it expects third-party expenses, including those related to sales practices, will remain elevated in the third quarter and not decline until the fourth quarter.
Deon Roberts: 704-358-5248, @DeonERoberts


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Fierce Blogs is attending Philippine Fashion Week today featuring creations by Bench, Human and Kashieca.
|Philippine Fashion Week at SMX Mall of Asia
|Philippine Fashion Week at SMX Mall of Asia
Here are additional pictures of The First Belo Bloggers Night . Dr. Hayden Kho Jr, Eric (Fierce Blogs), Mike Lim (Fashion Pulis), Shen E...
Fierce Blogs Copyright © 2008 Black Brown Art Template by Ipiet's Blogger Template--


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A Letter Concerning CTECs From Professor Maxwell Schroeder
Dear Northwestern Students and Faculty,
From Yik Yak to Collegiate ACB, I am absolutely sickened by the recent surge in anonymous gossip technology that has infiltrated the Northwestern community. Although the administration quickly and efficiently took down the horrific Morty's Angel's, the fact is that an even more malicious site remains, one that is even endorsed by the University. I am, of course, talking about CTECs.
For all the geeds unaware, CTECs is a site used to anonymously "rate" and "comment" on professors from behind the cowardice of a computer screen[i]. While some argue that CTECs is all in good fun, I would say tell that to the professors' whose feelings you've deeply hurt.
How disgusting is it to boil another human being down to a set of numbers falling on a scale of 1-6? Such a practice is horrifically objectifying, and doing so creates a false hierarchy among professors[ii]. Sure, many of the 5's and 6's may not see the harm in a site like CTECs, as they go home and make love to their supple spouses while shouting their section scores, but for us 2's and 3's? I can hardly look in the mirror of my studio apartment without seeing an ugly black number stamped right below the receding hairline on my forehead[iii].
Oh, and as if the comments section remedies this dilemma. Words are so much crueler than numbers. We professors are not infallible. If you prick us, do we not bleed?[iv] If you tickle us, do we not laugh?[v] If you poison us, do we not die?[vi] And if you wrong us, do we not revenge?
Well, now we shall revenge. You thought giving a midterm the Monday after Dillo was bad? You little fucks don't even know what's coming.
Professor Maxwell Schroeder
Department of English
2.3 CTECs Rating[vii]
[i] Oh it's "lame" that I don't let you use your computer in class? You need it to take notes? Well guess what? I never used a computer in class while I was an undergrad, and guess what it got me? A B.A. from Columbia University and a PhD from Harvard. Yeah, that's TWO Ivy League schools, you Big 10 Neanderthals. You can go 50 minutes without your precious Facebook.
[ii] We can't all teach rocks for jocks and have movie days, can we, Professor Ralph Davis? Spend a quarter teaching a bunch of hung-over 18 year olds Milton's Paradise Lost at 9 a.m. and THEN let's see you get a 5.2 average, turd.
[iii] Is that what you wanted, Diane?? A man with a full head of hair and the self-esteem of a young Charlton Heston? Tell me. Was it the sex? Is that why you ran off with that minor league baseball player? I still love you.
[iv] This is Shylock's infamous "Hath Not a Jew Eyes?" speech from The Merchant of Venice, which yes, was completely fair game to ask on a pop quiz, and if you had even SPARKNOTED the play, you would have gotten right, so no, I don't think my quizzes were "unreasonable."
[v] SORRY my class wasn't "fun" enough; I didn't realize I was supposed to incorporate a stand-up comedy routine and a few rounds of Crazy 8's into my discussion of parallax within James Joyce's Ulysses, which is only one of THE GREATEST NOVELS IN THE ENTIRE CANON, YOU SHIT EATING MONKEYS.
[vii] Please, I'd even settle for a 3.0. I have nothing else.


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Parker Island ----- Toledo's Only Up-River Summer Resort
The Ross C. Parker Company of Waterville was advertising home sites 50 x 170 feet priced between $1000 and $2500 with a few special sites up to 185 feet in width at a higher price. There were to be at least 200 lots laid out. Every summer home site would face on the water and extend back in a generous depth to a scenic motorway. The Island had more than 150 acres with the entire inland of the island for recreation with a golf club and nine-hole course to be installed, tennis, playground and athletic fields, etc. It was to be a summer playground in the middle of Maumee River.
Chauncey (Ross) Parker's father, Chauncey L. Parker (1838-1901) came to Wood County in 1883 and had owned the Island at least since 1901. It was originally patented to Collister Haskins in 1840 and part to Horton Howard totaling 300 acres. After Chauncey died and his will was probated in 1903 Ross inherited a ¼ interest in the Island and his two sisters received one-half. The island had long been used for agriculture.
The Parker Island was earlier known as Missionary Station Island as the Presbyterian Missionary Society bought it and established a school, or mission for the Ottawa Indians in 1822. The society also bought a tract of land on the Wood County side of the river opposite the island. This is how the island received it name. It has also been called Mission and Station Island and later became known as Indianola Island. It was about two miles long containing 246 acres. This is the largest of the Maumee Islands. The Mission was closed in 1839 when all Indian tribes were removed to western lands.
Parker Island was a popular summer place, owned and promoted by Ross C. Parker in the early 1920s. The problem with his plan was the stock market crash of 1929 and followed by the Great Depression and many including Ross lost money. A few lots were sold, summer homes built, the bathing beach, nine-hole golf course built. There was a small midway at the western end and an outdoor terrazzo dance floor which was claimed be the best in the area and had an acoustically correct band shell. They provided riding horses for adults and ponies for children, boats for all. Some renowned big bands played here. The Waterville annual town picnics were held there. For several years the Boy and Girl Scouts had weekend campouts on the Island. The Waterville Methodist Church held their annual Sunday school picnic there.
The island was located in the Maumee River almost at the end of Neowash Road. It is possible the bridge was about where the boat launch is now at Farnsworth Park. Some crossed over in scows or boats and some took the "Parker Ferry." A cable ferry was used by the farmers when the island was farmed taking their tractors and equipment over to the Island. To reach the Island by car a pontoon bridge was mounted on oil drums connected to cable. This bridge would be taken up after the farm crops were harvested and before freezing of the river. At some point in the 1930s it froze before it could be removed and by spring the bridge was washed down river and destroyed. There may have been a bridge from Legion Island to reach the Parker Island as told to us by Joe Becker as the bridge shown in our photo doesn't seem to be large enough to reach across the river at the point of the boat launch.
A few of the local families that lived or visited the Island were the Farnsworths, Grays, Baldwins, Squires, Detweilers. Ross Parker's family lived there until the Depression when they lost everything and moved into Waterville to live. Since 1969 the island had been owned by the State of Ohio.


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Friday, July 26, 2019Rome Floyd Chamber Board of Directors unanimously vote to hire Jeanne Krueger as President/CEO, effective immediately. Krueger has spent the past seven months serving as Interim Director, providing continuity and leadership for both members and staff, while working diligently with the community at large to broaden the Chamber's role in the future success of Rome and Floyd County. "The Board ...read moreCategories: Chamber, Press ReleaseTuesday, April 16, 2019The most recent meeting of the Greater Rome Existing Industries Association (GREIA), an association of the Rome Floyd Chamber, celebrated numerous recent investments, expansions, new companies and new jobs in Rome and Floyd County. Congratulations to our community! The announcements represent an unprecedented period of economic development in Floyd County. The diversity of these announcements ...read moreCategories: Community, Press Release, Chamber, EconomicWednesday, March 20, 2019The Rome Floyd Chamber delegation arrived in Washington D.C. last Wednesday, March 6, 2019, for its annual Issues and Opportunities Trip. The group returned on Friday, March 8, 2019. Rome and Floyd County issues were discussed at scheduled meetings as the group advocated for our community. These meetings included Senator Johnny Isakson, Congressman Tom Graves, the Appalachian Regional Commission, ...read moreThe Rome Floyd Chamber Executive Boardroom Named In honor of W. Frank Barron, Jr. & J. Paul Ferguson, M.D.Tuesday, December 11, 2018Rome, Georgia – December 11 – The Rome Floyd Chamber is pleased to announce the dedication of the renovated Rome Floyd Chamber Executive Boardroom, 1 Riverside Parkway. The Barron – Ferguson Executive Boardroom was dedicated Monday evening, December 10, in honor of W. Frank Barron, Jr. and J. Paul Ferguson, M.D. "It was an honor and a privilege for the Board of Directors of the Rome Floyd ...read moreCategories: Chamber, Community, Economic, Press ReleaseMonday, March 19, 2018Rome, Ga. — A delegation of Rome and Floyd County business leaders representing small business, technology, healthcare, aviation, manufacturing, primary and secondary education attended the Rome Floyd Chamber's annual Issues and Opportunities Conference. During this year's trip, community officials met with the Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration, Department ...read moreCategories: Chamber, Community, Economic, General News Article, Press Release, PoliticalThursday, October 19, 2017Company headquarters location to invest $39 million in Floyd CountyRome, Georgia – October 19 – The Rome Floyd Chamber, the City of Rome and Floyd County today announced that Candor USA will invest $39 million in Rome and Floyd County and create 25 jobs over the next five years. Candor has developed a smartphone app and chatbot to help Millennial consumers find appropriate health care coverage ...read moreCategories: Chamber, Community, Economic, General News Article, Press ReleaseMonday, August 28, 2017The Rome Floyd Chamber, the City of Rome and Floyd County are pleased to announce that Advanced Tax Solutions LLC is concentrating their operations center in Rome, GA at 316 E 7th Street SW. Advanced Tax Solutions LLC is a growing software development company with a focus on the income tax industry. Their mission is to "Deliver a superior, cloud-based professional tax product at affordable price ...read moreThursday, August 24, 2017ROME, GA - The Rome Floyd Chamber is pleased to announce the ALL THINGS DIGITAL Economic Leadership Initiative for Rome and Floyd County. With this initiative, we bring several entities together and broaden our scope in identifying specific business sectors under a collaborative brand. Meeting consumer demand in an industry that travels at warp speed requires us to have people and a plan in ...read moreCategories: Chamber, Press ReleaseGovernor Nathan Deal Reappoints Al Hodge, President and CEO, Rome Floyd Chamber to the Board of DireMonday, August 14, 2017ROME, GA – Governor Nathan Deal has reappointed Albert M. Hodge, Jr., President and CEO, Rome Floyd Chamber, to the Department of Community Affairs Board of Directors. Mr. Hodge was previously elected and served as Chairman of the Department of Community Affairs."What an honor and what a compliment to Al's leadership," said 2017 Rome Floyd Chamber Chairman, John Quinlivan, CEO of Redmond ...read moreCategories: Community, General News Article, Chamber, Economic, Press ReleaseThursday, July 13, 2017STEMCO Rome Friction Factory cuts the ribbon celebrating their Grand Opening for the new brake friction production plant. The 43,000 square foot facility manufactures brake shoes and friction components for heavy duty road vehicles such as buses and trucks. "STEMCO has expanded and invested $16 million adding 50 jobs in Rome and Floyd County," said Rome Mayor Jamie Doss. "Using this innovation ...read moreTuesday, April 18, 2017ROME, GA - The Rome Floyd Chamber is pleased to announce that the 172 acre site previously occupied by Florida Tile has been purchased by an investment partnership. Phillip Hight of Hight Property Group and Hardman Knox of Knox Properties recently acquired the site from Caterpillar. The partnership between Hight Property Group and Knox Properties will result in a combined $10 million ...read moreCategories: Chamber, Community, Economic, General News Article, Press Release
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The Business Plan | $245
Course Overview:
Whether starting a business or growing the one you have, a business plan serves as a roadmap and can help secure needed funding. In this course, you evaluate the many aspects and potential hurdles of the business and build the Business Plan, one step at a time.
This practical, hands-on approach encourages you to immerse yourself in the vision and planning aspects of your business. Focusing on the most critical components of the Business Plan enables you to uncover hidden risks and assess the business from a marketing, management, and financial vantage point.
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The Police Unity Tour:
Our Team proudly participates in the annual Police Unity Tour bicycle ride from New Jersey to Washington, DC. This incredible event honors our fallen Law Enforcement brothers and sisters who have been killed in the line of duty. This event is an approximate 300 mile bicycle ride with starting locations in and around the New Jersey area. As the Tour progresses, all of the different Chapters unite and join forces as we all pedal into Washington, DC together.
Each Team Member participating must raise a significant minimum amount which is then donated to the Police Unity Tour in order to be able to participate each May. There are several Chapters consisting of participants from all across the country of various ranks and agencies. We participate with Chapter 10 and begin in Hamilton, New Jersey. We ride through New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, DC. Our Chapter's required amount is $1,850.00 per participant!! The majority of our fundraising efforts support our Team's participation. In 2015 we had two participants. In 2016 we had three participants. In 2017, we plan to have six participants.
The Purpose of the Police Unity Tour:
The Tour began in 1997 and has grown tremendously over the years. The primary purpose of the Police Unity Tour is to raise awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have been killed in the line of duty. The secondary purpose is to raise funds and support for the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial and Museum in Washington, DC. Additional information about the Police Unity Tour can be found on their main page located at: www.policeunitytour.com


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Our History
Get in touch
It all started when...
Dr. Daniel Hartley opened the practice in 1975 on Jacobs Highway after two years of service at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. Dr. Hartley has several connections to the Clinton area including that he attended Presbyterian College for his undergraduate degree and that his wife's parents lived here for a short period of time.
Dr. Hartley's new dental practice included himself and one dental hygienist who also served as his assistant until the practice grew enough to support additional team members. In 1987 the original office building was renovated and expanded to include three additional patient rooms and a larger sterilization and lab area. The practice continued to thrive and grow, and in 2006, Dr. Kristin Derrick, a Clinton native, joined Dr. Hartley.
With the addition of Dr. Derrick, a graduate of MUSC, the dental practice was officially named Clinton Dental Care. In 2007, Dr. Derrick purchased the practice from Dr. Hartley who then began to work a reduced schedule. Dr. Hartley retired completely in December of 2013.
Clinton Dental Care continued to grow and expand in patient size and services provided and plans were made to relocate into a new state of the art but family friendly dental facility. In April of 2015 construction of the new facility to be located at 1208 Springdale Drive began. A year later, in April 2016, the new facility was move-in ready! The office was relocated over a weekend and open to see patients the following Monday. The new facility is larger and has the technology and equipment to service patients effectively and efficiently. Two new staff members were also hired to support the needs of the growing practice.
Clinton Dental Care is committed to serving the Clinton community and surrounding areas - because your smile matters!


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Recent trends in the U.S. economy are "deeply worrisome" at a time damage from the credit crunch has outpaced the Federal Reserve's huge interest rate cuts, a top Fed policy-maker said Thursday.
Janet Yellen, president of the San Francisco Fed, was the first Fed official to speak after Thursday's news that the U.S. economy contracted in the third quarter, and she suggested the worst was yet to come.
"For the fourth quarter, it appears likely that the economy is contracting significantly," Yellen told a University of California housing symposium in Berkeley, California.
"The mortgage meltdown is far from over (and) the economy and financial markets are still reeling from it." Most private-sector borrowing rates are higher now than at the start of the financial crisis in August 2007, despite "some of the most momentous steps in decades" from the Fed, she noted.
"I don't mean to imply that the rate cuts did no good; borrowing rates in my view would be substantially higher absent the reduction in our base lending rate," said Yellen, who is not a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee in 2008 but will vote in 2009.
The FOMC on Wednesday voted to cut the benchmark federal funds rate by a half percentage point to 1.00 percent.
The Fed has cut rates 4.25 percentage points since September 2007.
Yellen did not specifically address the need for additional Fed rate cuts.
Financial markets point to another cut at the December FOMC meeting, to 0.75 percent.
Vicious Cycle in Full Swing
Yellen has warned for months about a vicious cycle between reduced credit availability, weakened financial institutions and the broader economy, and said that "adverse feedback loop" is now in full swing.
"A greatly reduced flow of credit in the economy ... is the major factor responsible for the economic downturn that now is under way," she said.
(Fed's Yellen says the economy is likely "contracting significantly" in Q4. Watch the accompanying video for more...)
For consumers, though, the credit problem is just one of "several negative factors" now at work, including a 9-month streak of lower monthly payroll employment, flat personal incomes and lower stock markets and housing values.
The Fed's steps to support credit markets are "extremely constructive" and will thaw credit flows over time, she said, citing "very tentative signs of an easing of stress in money markets." But with a long way to go before the credit crunch is totally alleviated, other types of policies, including programs that give direct assistance to homeowners to stem the flow of foreclosures, are worth pursuing, Yellen said.
"The bottom is not yet in sight" for falling house prices or housing starts, she said.
"By mitigating foreclosure sales at fire-sale prices, these programs may also support housing prices more generally and serve to limit the credit losses that have done so much damage to the financial system," she said.


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Unite - Remembering A Thief in the the Night
This past week a legendary Christian filmmaker, Russell S. Doughten Jr. passed away. He is most famous for his Thief in the Night series which portrayed the Rapture and subsequent events in the biblical chronology of the end times.
I personally only remember seeing bits and pieces of the films but several scenes (like the guillotine ones) stuck with me growing up.
While the films used more of a "scare people to Jesus" tactic they were effective in getting the message out and have been viewed by millions of people.
I recently sat down at re-watched the first film with a couple friends. While we had a good time poking fun at the dated references and identifying local landmarks (including a few in Carlisle where I'm moving) we appreciated what the film was trying to do. The editing and cinematography was well done for the genre and helped to pave the way for the modern Christian film.
In memory of the film series I created a propaganda poster for the evil organization UNITE portrayed in the films as the vehicle the Anti-Christ uses to dominate the world.


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3 Seater Fabric Sofa Bed – Light Grey
Our 3-seater sofa bed is constructed of a solid wooden frame and upholstered in faux linen fabric. The seat and backrest are tufted and the backrest can be adjusted to three different settings. The entire ensemble has a white piping surround.
* 3-seater sofa bed
* Practical and space saving
* Scandinavian design
* Solid wooden frame
* Tufted seat and backrest
* Durable and breathable faux linen fabric
* White piping details
* Anti-collapsible high density foam
* Three adjustable backrest positions
* Solid wooden legs
* Easy assembly
* Fabric material: Faux linen
* Upright dimensions: 180cm x 80cm x 74cm
* Flat dimensions: 180cm x 95cm x 37cm
* Seat thickness: 14cm
* Clearance under seat: 20cm
* Weight capacity: 200kg
* Colour: Light Grey
Package Content:
1 x 3-seater Sofa Bed
1 x User Manual


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Ask the Organizer
If you crave order and can't seem to create it in your home, a professional organizer can help you achieve and maintain that order and the peace of mind that comes with it.
We will use this space for occasional virtual meet-n-greet sessions with Calm Order's Founder, Karen. Questions and answers will be posted so here's your chance to get more information on what a Professional Organizer can do for you.
Check back often for new posts and answers to your organizing questions.
Probably the most common reason people keep things they're not using is because they "have value"— meaning they once cost money. But the real value in things is the experience they create for us.
HI Maria, thanks for writing in. There are two components to the question that may help solve your problem. First of all look at what is in the drawers- can some of it be purged? Or can some be hung up?I like to use a vertical fold in drawers. It uses the height of the drawer and everything is easier to see.
A vertical fold was made popular by a Japanese organizer named Marie kondo. If you google Marie Kondo folding or Kon Mari folds there are a multitude of videos on u tube that can illustrate it for you.
I hope this helps.
Hi Jennifer, yes of course. When you are unpacking think of your space as prime real-estate versus storage spaces. Placing things you use often in main key areas of the home with easy access. For example, you may have a large turkey roaster that you place in your kitchen cabinet, taking up a huge amount of real- estate. Look at alternate solutions for things like this such as shelving in a storage room.
Thanks for your unpacking question! Karen
Moving can be a real challenge and a very stressful time. We suggest focusing on the bedrooms, and kitchen to get yourself up and running to some normalcy as quick as possible. When we do an unpack to Organized service we can have you set up in a day. One of the biggest things is to create zones. Know where you want things to go so as you unpack and the items make it to the new home and the new zone. "Don't try to organize everything at once, moving is allot of work and it can be overwhelming trying to find new and different storage spaces and solutions for your belongings. On the pre move end, try and pack or have your movers pack and label to the "new" home location where your belongings will end up. Label clearly, it will help you to identify those key boxes you will need right away. Good luck! We are cheering you on!


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And it doesn't have to take long. Just five minutes of your time to follow these quick tips, and sticking to your uni budget should be a whole lot easier.
Getting the right broadband deal
Heading to student halls? You'll be offered the option to pay for broadband there. But if you're renting your own private digs, you'll need to find your own student broadband package.
- Make sure you shop around for the best deals. POP Telecom's Unlimited Broadband costs £13.50 a month including line rental. This will give you 16Mbps speed and unlimited usage. Split that between four of you sharing bills and it'll only set you back £3.38 per month.
- Consider a bundled deal which includes calls. Virgin Media Student Broadband with Take Weekends costs £31.49 per month, or £7.87 if split between four, and includes weekend calls. The connection is speedier at 50Mpbs, plus you get a nine-month contract so you don't have pay for broadband out of term time when you're not there.
Student bank accounts
You don't HAVE to get a student account but you'd be mad not to as they are tailored to your days at uni. But know what you are getting into first.
|"You don't HAVE to get a student account but you'd be mad not to..."
- Don't be swayed by freebies. If you think you'll go overdrawn, get an account with a generous overdraft instead. This year, HSBC and Halifax offer interest-free overdrafts of up to £3,000 for the duration of your course. Check out the best student accounts for 2014.
- Set a budget so you'll know how much of your overdraft you'll need. MoneySuperMarket's three work experience candidates of summer 2014 – all of whom are about to head into their second year of university – have pulled together their tried and tested tips for getting the best current account deal.
- Stick within your overdraft limit else you could be hit with steep charges. You'll have to pay a hefty 24.2% EAR for any unauthorised borrowing if you bank with Halifax for example, while Santander charges £5 per day, capped at 5 days per month. Not what you need.
Getting covered
You'll probably be heading off to uni with a whole load of your favourite gadgets such as your laptop, tablet and smart phone. But if they get stolen, can you afford to replace them? If not, you're going to need insurance.
- Ask your parents if they can add your belongings onto their home contents policy – just remember if you have to make a claim, it will result in steeper premiums for them in future.
- Going for a student policy? Some companies, such as Endsleigh, specialise insurance just for students. But always compare lots of different quotes before buying it as – due to the higher risk students pose – premiums can be pricey.
Please note: any rates or deals mentioned in this article were available at the time of writing. Click on a highlighted product and apply direct.
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Finding Ourselves at Home: My Journey Back to Forest Park — and What You Will See This Spring
I remember as a child looking forward to going to the Muny each summer in Forest Park. Children like routine, and each seven-show season with Grandma Dorothy, my mother and my sister was just that: dependable. Whether we were strolling through the gardens of the newly renovated Pagoda Circle, eating dinner beside the Cascades, driving past the lit-up Emerson Grand Basin fountains or walking beneath towering cottonwood trees, Forest Park was always a place where I felt at home; it was a place where people and nature met together in harmony. But as time goes by, we become adults — we experience the death of loved ones, birth and new life, and we travel away from where we grew up. We begin to realize how unpredictable life truly is, and how special familiar places like Forest Park are to us.
In search of work in the field of horticulture, which I love, I found myself fresh out of college at age 22 on a journey out of St. Louis, to Rolla, Missouri, working as a horticulturalist for the University of Missouri Extension, and from there to a land of towering loblolly pines, Raleigh, North Carolina. Last year, Pender Nursery in Garner, North Carolina, welcomed me into their family as I worked during the spring as a salesman selling a diversity of trees, shrubs and perennials to local landscape companies from their 60+-acre container plant nursery.
Pender Nursery is noted for its diversity of plant material, and I soon developed a good knowledge of hundreds of plants. I practically dreamed every night of Gardenia japonica 'August Beauty'; Ilex 'Golden Helleri'; Loropetalum Purple Pixie™ Rosa x Double Red Knockout™, Lagerstroemia; and, last but certainly not least, the ever-beautiful Southern favorite Encore® Azaleas. After a vigorous order season, I gained the North Carolina Certified Plant Professional certification from the North Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association. I thought for sure that I had been called to the East Coast for good, to begin my career in the field of horticulture.
But fate would not have me stay. I still longed to work in public horticulture, so that once again I could use my knowledge of perennials and annuals to create colorful dynamic gardens for all of the public to enjoy.
That July I applied for the position of horticulturalist with Forest Park Forever. After three excursions to a parking lot of the local supermarket for lunch-hour phone interviews, and a weekend flight home to St. Louis the first week of August for an in-person interview, I landed the job. This was an unexpected twist of fate — it was Forest Park, and the memories I shared within its bounds, that brought me home to a city, family and friends that I love.
The Land Management team of Forest Park Forever manages 500+ acres of Park grounds in a 'zone' system, with our staff dedicated to seven specific areas throughout the Park. There are many benefits to this system, including that the horticulturists and gardeners are able to make and see through long-term plans for areas they really take horticultural ownership of.
When I joined the staff in August 2014 and was told that I would manage the Grand Basin Zone, I was ecstatic. Beyond the marquee destination in the zone's name, this area contains one of my favorite sections of the Park: the pedestrian path that runs from Lagoon Drive to the Boathouse. This path meanders past riffles, a rock-strewn runoff from the Grand Basin and Post-Dispatch Lake into the flowing stream. In the fall this area is particularly breathtaking, with the sounds of the cascading water, the brilliant red of the black gum (Nyssa slyvatica) trees, the violet hues of the beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma) fruit and the warm golden tan-brown of switch grass (Panicum virgatum) swaying in the late autumn's setting sun.
As the horticulturalist for the Grand Basin Zone, I have been so eager for spring to finally arrive. Spring is a time for planting, and there are surprises in store for visitors to the annual flower beds located in front of the Boathouse restaurant. This April, the tulip display of over 11,000 red- and yellow-cubed tulips, and a scattering of the show-stopping Crown Imperial (Fritalaria imperialis 'Luetea') will light up the annual beds. More than 45,000 bulbs were planted throughout Forest Park last fall. We St. Louisans are fortunate to have, right here in our 'backyard,' a glimpse of the displays of the Netherlands (historically, home to extensive fields of tulips and display gardens).
Next up this spring, keep an eye out for the summer annual display this year in front of the Boathouse, to be installed the third week in May. Full with tropical shrubs and annual flowers, everything from giant Alocasias and yellow and orange crotons to violet Pentas, 'Super Fireball' bromeliads and Curcumas Siam Scarlet, this display is designed to thrill with colorful foliage texture and vibrant blooms of plants that thrive in the heat so common during summers in St. Louis. For those interested, when the garden is at peak in July, I will be giving a tour and offering some horticultural tips concerning this garden project. (Keep an eye on our calendar for full details.)
One of my fondest memories so far working in Forest Park has been planting our tulip and pansy display garden near the Boathouse. It was a team effort to plant 11,000 tulips and 2,400+ pansies this past fall. But through the help of volunteers, we got it accomplished. The harsh fluctuating temperatures, steady wind and bright sunny days this winter were a bit too harsh for our Panola XP Rose Picotee pansies, I am afraid, and we were able to enjoy their maroon-colored blooms for only a few weeks in November. This is all part of gardening in the Missouri climate. On the positive, one of our volunteers graciously provided us with 2,000 Spanish bluebell bulbs, which we planted around the trees along Government Drive. The river of blue blossoms should look wonderful in spring seasons to come.
Besides ornamental and natural plantings, our zone is particularly vibrant with wildlife. Eric Hazley, Gardener for the Grand Basin Zone, will tell you that a pair of bald eagles, which he has named, has been visiting the Grand Basin and Post-Dispatch Lake for quite some time now. This December and January, we saw eagles in the Park nearly every day. Undisturbed by the people in the Park, massive birds often stare down at us as we make rounds pruning trees and shrubs within the zone.
With all Forest Park has to offer, you too can enjoy its many natural wonders. Whether you are strolling by the Deer Lake Riffles and happen to see a great blue heron stealthily waiting along the banks, or a flock of egrets perched in a snag tree along Picnic Island's shore, nature is alive and well in here. With more than 1,300 areas of natural habitats, recreation opportunities and cultural attractions, it is not hard to find yourself, as I do, at home in one of the largest and best urban parks in the country. It is truly a place where memories are made and where they last a lifetime.
I am fortunate to work in a park everyday that holds so many great memories for me. Forest Park is reliable in the best sense of the word, for it is not stagnant at all, but ever-changing and improving with the restoration of the waterways and hardscapes, and the rehabilitation of natural areas, allowing more diverse plant species and wildlife to call the Park home.
With the hard work of Forest Park Forever and the City's Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, all of us can depend on the Park to be here for us to enjoy for generations to come, complete with sites and institutions that have stood the test of time in St. Louis.
As I have learned firsthand, there is always something new here to see or rediscover. And as we all live unpredictable lives, we can go away and still come home and play in this special place, St. Louis' most beautiful and spacious 'backyard.'


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Top Gifts for the Jetsetter/
Do you have a Traveler/ Jet-Setter on your holiday gift list? Looking for the best Travel Gifts? Here are some ideas that are sure to impress!
*This post includes affiliate links!
Every traveler needs a good Travel Charger! Something light and potable to be able to charge their phones, tablets, and/or laptops at the airport, on a train, or in a cab. Wherever they are, they won't have to worry about a dead battery and being stranded without their devices. There are many out there to choose from, lipstick style, to a credit card type. Basically, if there's a USB port, they are likely to be able to use it for all of their devices! Check out the different types HERE!
What's a traveler to do without recording their adventures? Thanks to GoPro, they make it super easy to carry around this very portable and small camera that records in great quality video. Capture videos, a time lapse, or even snap shots. GoPro has made it so you only need one device to carry around to do it all. And they just keep getting better and better. They're also waterproof, so you can take it on all of you water and snow adventures. This product is definitely for the adventurous, adrenaline loving travelers. You can check out all the different GoPro camaras and products HERE.
For those on a budget, THIS CAMERA is also available and looks like it has some of the same qualities. We have not personally tested this one out, however, so we can not speak to how good the quality is.
A passport holder/wallet/ organizer all-in-one, THIS Passport Holder is a great addition to help lighten the load of a trveler worried about too much luggage, or trying to keep all of their important information together. This stylish holder can hold your passport, cash, and credit cards with additional pockets. And it comes in 6 different colors.
This is a perfect gift for those travelers who go to big cities or countries and want a little extra security with their important belongings. This Anti-Theft Shoulder Bag is made with "slash-proof construction" and features an adjustable cut proof shoulder strap. It also has a lockable main compartment, and comes in 13 different colors.
Luggage restrictions are becoming stricter and stricter these days. The weight and size of the bag you can carry on the plane are getting smaller and smaller. But your traveler doesn't have to worry about any extra weight or room with this Foldable Hiking Backpack. It is lightweight, folds really small, and is "made from highly rip and water resistant nylon fabric". It also comes in 9 differnet colors.
Since we're on the topic of foldable and lightweight items that won't take up much room, check out this Foldable and Collapsible Water Bottle . It is leak-proof, holds 17 ounces of liquid and comes with a lifetime guarantee. Can't go wrong with this one. It comes in pink, blue or clear. This gift can even be used as a stocking stuffer.
Travelling can be super exhausting on anybody. This Travel Hoodie helps make the trip a little more comfortable for a quick little nap anywhere...on planes, trains, and automobiles! ;) This sweatshirt is made with padded head and ear cushions, and has pillows on the strings, to tuck up to your neck, and take a nice little nap. Made of 100% Fleece, and looks super cozy! They also have a money back guarantee for an entire year! And it comes in Navy, Grey, and Black.
Want to help your traveler stay entertained on their adventures and business trips? Check out Amazon Fire Tablets. It's crazy how affordable these are. I have one myself, and don't travel without it anymore. At first I didn't think I would use it much, but I was wrong for sure. The awesome thing about the Amazon Fire Tablet, is that you can add a micro SD card for more space. Download Movies or TV shows to watch, books to read, games to play. It's really like your own personal computer. The Amazon Tablets come in an 8, 16, and 32 GB storage. But again, you can add an SD card for larger storage. They also come in different sizes and colors. Check THIS ONE out for a bit of an upgraded one.
8. FitBit
And last up on our list is the FitBit Activity and Sleep wristband. If you have an adventurous traveler who may be walking a lot or doing a lot of activities, this tracker "tracks steps, distance, calories burned and active minutes." It will monitor the time you sleep and can tell you how well you slept. It is water resisitant, and it has a silent alarm that will only wake you up and not your partner. This is a great gift for that on the go loved one.
Need some more ideas on what to get the JetSetter in your life? Check these out!


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By: Richard La China I often get asked how to go faster on your mountain bike, so I took a few minutes to write up this quick list of my favorite 10 tips to get your smokin' down the trail. With practice, these tips will help you ride with more confidence, momentum, efficiency and control.
1. Keep your weight centered on the bike. If the bicycle were removed from you while riding, you should fall flat on your feet (not your rear or face). Too far forward and you'll be inclined to launch over the handle bars. Too far back and your front brake won't be as effective as it should be.
2. Keep your body loose on the bike. Arms and legs should be slightly bent and never fully extended. If you can't wiggle your fingers, you're holding on too tight - relax. I recommend one finger braking - with today's hydraulic disc brakes that's really all you need. This allows you to keep a good handle on the grips.
3. Let your bike do the work, trust your bike. Fighting your bike will make riding long, tiring and usually more bumpy that it needs to be. Let your bike flow, down the trail, into and around turns.
4. Speed and momentum are your friends. If you come to a technical section, having some speed helps tremendously. If you are picking your way over and around every rock you are going to loose you momentum which will require more power to get your speed back up when the trail improves.
5. When in doubt, go straight. Don't waste a bunch of time and momentum trying to pick that perfect line every time. Focus on flow and keeping the bike moving.
6. Lower your tire pressure. Keep your tire pressure around 24 to 25lbs (rear), 27lbs (front) on your 29er. If you are riding a 26er, I would suggest 25 to 26lbs (rear), 28lbs (front). Too much tire pressure is going to cause you to bounce all over the trail. Modern tires can handle the lower pressure (tubeless setup is recommend to eliminate the possibility of pinch flats).
7. Ride like a butterfly - float down the trail. Push down into areas where you need traction (bermmed corners, etc.) and lift up in areas that are rough.
8. Keep your head up. Always be looking 40' down the trail. Pick lines around turns that the most efficient. You should be seeking a good balance between terrain and the shortest route around the turns.
9. Lean into the turns. As you turn, centrifugal force want to throw you off your bike into the bushes (or cactus's / poison oak) on the outside of the corner. So when you whip around a corner fast, you'll want lean into it. But because your speed and the radius of the turn are rarely in sync, you need to lean your bike and your body at different angles. Generally, this means leaning your bike into the turn and keeping your body slightly more upright.
10. Brake before the turns. Keep your momentum - brake BEFORE the turn, not in the turn. Already have your speed set prior to entering the turn and flow out the other side of it. If you brake in the turn, you'll have to power up again coming out of the turn (unnecessary waste of energy).
Ride on!


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Why work at Nestlé Malaysia?
Experience new breakthroughs
You've the experience and expertise. We've the platform and resources to help you advance your future. It's time you took your career to the world's leading Nutrition, Health and Wellness Company.
Do meaningful work
Our mission is to bring Good Food, Good Life to all. Your work—regardless of your area of expertise—will play an important role in getting a trusted portfolio of 8,500 brands and 10,000 products into the lives of people everywhere.
Be great for us
You'll continue to build on the skills and knowledge that you've already acquired over the years. You'll do this through excellent on-the-job training, mentoring programmes that let you tap into deep-rooted expertise in our business, as well as our local and international Training Programmes.
Go as far as you like
Our place in the global business arena ensures you of excellent learning and advancement opportunities in every way, including overseas postings. You'll decide on your progress with us through your initiative to take on challenges and the perseverance to build a strong base over time.


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Louisville Organizations & Volunteering
Below is a comprehensive list of Louisville Organizations. Here you will find a variety of opportunities for community involvement and volunteering.
Louisville Organizations:
Crescent Hill Community Council
Frankfort Avenue Business Association
Home Builders Association of Louisville
Jewish Community of Louisville
Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana
Leadership Louisville Foundation
River City Fraternal Order of Police
Volunteering in Louisville Kentucky:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana
Boy Scouts of America Lincoln Heritage Council
Catholic Charities of Louisville
Habitat for Humanity of Metro Louisville


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She was an English war bride, named Joan. Losing her first love shortly after throwing her bouquet, she left her homeland and all that she knew to live in America with her second husband while still grieving her first. It wasn't long after the war, and she had dreams of the new world awaiting her.
Joan was a kind and gentle soul who had a soft lilting voice, the tone of which reminded me of a string of tinkling brass bells moved by mellow winds during the warmth of a late spring day. While I worked outside the home, Joan sat for my eldest son who was just a baby at the time. It didn't take long before our family more or less adopted her, calling her, "Grandma Joan." She touched my baby as though he was her own, rocked him gently and bundled him close. Joan took him for rides in a stroller where he dangled a pudgy fist, hoping her black poodle, Pepper, would tickle it with his pink tongue. She taught him to feed fuzzy, quacking ducks in the lime green pond of the park and read him fairy tales before tucking him in for naps before toppling A.B.C. blocks. And, when my second son was born she joyously added him to the fold, kissing him from head to toe.
Before long, "Grandma Joan," spent almost every holiday with us including Christmas and birthdays. I remember whipping up her favorite German chocolate cake for a milestone birthday one year, while my toddlers surprised her with presents she didn't need but loved to receive. One Christmas day, she delighted me with the gift of an angel soft afghan colored in cream. Surely it took many hours of love and toil to make such a dream. Today, nearly thirty years later, I still wrap up in the warmth of it while dozing in her scent. Joan taught my children manners and messages that can never be replaced while giving me memories of proper grace.
Occasionally, I sensed a chasm of pain behind Joan's golden rims of wire. Reflecting pools of blue never to surface. A life of youth and love sunken by war and loss. As close as we were, some things were better left unspoken. People come in and out of each other's lives at just the right time as part of fate or from a plan high above in Heaven. During the time we spent with Joan, her husband was dying in a nursing home from Alzheimer's disease. And, before meeting Joan, my own little family had just moved from out-of-state. We craved the love and touch of maternal wisdom. Suddenly, out of nowhere hearts and homes collided providing both with an extension of a family. Kindness, trust, and love.
This morning a chill is in the air. Doodle dog is by my side as I sit by the fire wrapped in an afghan of cream where I am forever thankful for "Grandma Joan."


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A MAGNITUDE 6 earthquake has shaken Australia's Norfolk Island, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has said - the second to rock the South Pacific Ocean over the past 24 hours.
This latest quake hit at a depth of 10km (six miles) about 681km (423 miles) northeast of Norfolk Island. There was no immediate tsunami warning after and no reports of damage or casualties. The small island, which is home to around 1.750 people, lies 1,412 kilometres east of the Australian mainland.
Only yesterday, a tsunami warning was issued after a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck near the French territory of New Caledonia.
The shallow quake, which had a depth of six miles, struck southeast of the Loyalty Islands,
Two aftershocks were later recorded at 5.9 magnitude and 5.7 magnitude north of the island.
A tsunami alert was later issued, but officials expected to see fluctuations to affected coastal areas.
Both islands are in Pacific's "Ring of Fire" where many earthquakes occur.
The Ring of Fire is a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where several earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
It is a large horseshoe shape and is associated with a nearly continuous series of plate movements.
Around 90 percent of the world's earthquakes and 81 percent of the world's largest earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire.
Source: express.co.uk


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After the wonderful project in the US, 'All There Is', documenting conversations between loved ones, The British Library and Radio 4 have put together The Listening Project. I hope they end up doing a couple of animations like this one - showing a conversation between mother and daughter.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMQq4hRKkxA]
Imagine taking the Time To Change campaign - and adding the cartoon-style animation. Might even be more powerful.
h/t Gavin Thomson


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I love waking up too early. After a late night, I was allowing for a lazy 8:30 wake-up call this morning, but at 7:30, my mind was racing with the day behind me and the day ahead of me. So I curled up with my book and enjoyed a leisurely chapter before breakfast :-) Now that course-reading will become a large part of my day-to-day routine, I fear that reading for pleasure will become something I no longer want to do. Hopefully there will be more opportunities like this morning, when I don't want to get up but I do want to occupy my mind.
Already my life is turning back to the way it has been for the past 4 years: the tasks ahead constantly in mind, my never-ending to-do list, making use of every empty minute with necessary daily tasks, and biscuits! I never feel the need for biscuits or chocolate unless I have a lot of reading to do - at times involving a heavy reading lists, a pack of M&S cookies and a large mug of tea is the only thing to help me through.
I'm so excited to be doing more linguistics, and the theme of my reading in phonology is pointing directly to where my interests lie. I'll be spending the year studying the cross-linguistic similarities and differences of the phonological development in infants. This means lots of languages, lots of transcribing, lots of interesting linguisticky ideas to get my teeth into. I just wish I'd done more preliminary reading, but I suppose that was inevitable ;-)


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After reading several blogs this evening, I became moved by the new linky party set up by Kreative in Kinder . She has a wonderful idea...to become involved with the teachers who survived the recent tornado outbreak and damage many towns across the US. When you think about it, we always support and help others, especially where children are involved. Firefighters support other firefighters, police departments and churches do the same. Why can't we teachers take care of ours? Teachers are known for being creative and for supporting those who struggle...let's do this!
Go to Kreative in Kinder to find out what you can do!
[Glitterfy.com - *Glitter Words*]


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Following on from the last post, the people around us express our disowned selves. This includes passersby and distant friends, acquaintances and relatives.
Our inner conflicts are expressed as polarities. If we have an internal division it is like pushing down on one side of a seesaw – the opposite polarity is bound by law to pop up nearby.
If someone comes into your life who is involved with drugs, violence, crime then it is a reflection of your interior condition. And changing them comes by changing yourself. That is to say: stop pushing down on the seesaw.
Without even knowing it, energetically we are always pushing people around – silently demanding our own way. So if we learn to stop this demanding and pushing then other people's behaviour will change automatically. It is like dropping the rope in a tug of war.
But most of us don't take this path. Instead we either push harder and demand more which just aggravates the situation, or we do enough to maintain our uncomfortable comfort zones.
Disowned selves also show us that we are responsible for the behaviour of other people. We should ask ourselves – how I am pushing this person? What demands do I have on them?
It may be that you are a perfectionist and thereby draw out imperfection from others. You may be demanding that spontaneity be suppressed, thereby inviting someone around you to express spontaneity in the proportion that you are suppressing it.
In a real-life example of self-harm by someone at the periphery of my life, I wonder why it came into my experience. I ask myself how I was subconsciously pushing this person? What expectations do I hold in my subconscious mind that I silently pressure her with? What in me wants to have this experience, even if it is distant? How do I benefit from this experience? How do I grow from this experience? What lessons are there for me?
As much as people rush to reject this way of looking at the world, we are all interconnected and play a part in creating other people's behaviour.
From Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy
"He hated his mother. He married a woman totally different from his mother but through neglect, coldness and betrayal turned her into the exact image of his mother."


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It's safe to say every fashion fanatic dreams of gracing the cover of a magazine. Who knew that dream would come true for me?
Yes, my friends, I am a cover girl.
Thanks to my friend and extremely talented artist, Chad Edwards, the cover for Ran Magazine features his mind-blowing work and yours truly. Ran can be found in Nagoya, Japan.
Chad asked me to style an outfit worthy of Japan's own eclectic street fashion and then hopped over to photograph me for inspiration. The result? This stunner of a cover!
Does Chad's style look familiar? You may recognize him from this piece. If you need more badass Chad-ery in your life, check out his blog.
Appear on a cover of a magazine? Yup, I can check that off of my bucket list.
Thanks to you, Chad!
November 30, 2011
November 25, 2011
Webcam Green Machine
Apologies for the webcam shots. It's dark by 3:30 p.m. here, and I can't help but hibernate like the rest of the Midwest.
Rocking lipstick by Covergirl Lip Perfection in Fervor. I can't believe how good this line is. There are a few misses, but I can attest to the staying power of the majority of the colors.
Posted by Beth at 11:57 PM
Labels: green hair, lipstick
November 14, 2011
American Apparel Groupon
If you missed out last time, jump on this!
American Apparel's Groupon today for 50% either online or in-store. Lord knows I picked one up for myself.
Get yours here.
American Apparel's Groupon today for 50% either online or in-store. Lord knows I picked one up for myself.
Get yours here.
Posted by Beth at 9:46 AM
Labels: american apparel, groupon
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Much Ado About Puffin
press quotes
"...a story of beauty, laughter and love that transcends language and age barriers."
Jesse Holliland, Made in Plymouth (Full review here)
"...gentle and thoughtful piece with a lot of integrity, which didn't patronise its audience or play to the gallery. I particularly liked the design and the music, both real strengths, and the puppets were charming."
Jude Merrill MBE, Travelling Light
"Open Attic Company have created something quite wonderful. Much Ado About Puffin is a highly visual, non-language show which allows its audience of all sizes to fully engage their own imaginations. Stormy seas and crashing waves are suggested by a carefully crafted soundtrack by Sarah Moody and clear physical choreography directed by Adam Fuller. Seconds later, the same space can be transformed into the interior of a small cabin perched on a rocky island. Two able and talented performers, Adam Blake and Debbie Hard use puppetry and mime with clarity and infectious joy to tell a straightforward story of a man whose job seems to be to take readings from weather instruments on a neighbouring island, necessitating a perilous boat journey there and back.
The success of this show lies in its simplicity. Not one of the elements - Dean Sudron's lighting or design, the aforementioned performances or Moody's evocative music - is trying too hard to find its place. The form of the piece acknowledges its audience and the gentle clowning presence of Blake alongside Hard's calm and confident puppetry allows the watcher to enter into the spirit and joy of the storytelling as it unfolds."
Chris Pirie, Green Ginger


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Shakespeare Retro Reviews - TV: John Barton's "Playing Shakespeare", episode 1 – "The Two Traditions"/
Jon Ciccarelli
Investigating past Shakespeare related movies, books, TV specials and theater productions that are still handy for the modern actor and theater company
As actors we are always looking to hone our craft but finding the right acting class or even being able to afford them is quite a task. Master classes, those immersive and intensive sessions with theater professionals who have years of experience, are hard to find and can be extremely expensive. However, what if I told you that you can have decades worth of Shakespeare instruction in the comfort of your own living room? Such is the case with the BBC series, "Playing Shakespeare" produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and hosted by one of their founders and legendary directors John Barton along with a panel of 21 equally legendary actors.
The series includes 9 episodes (50 minutes each) that run the gamut from high overviews of merging Elizabethan and modern theatrical traditions to laying out all of the acting tools needed to break down and act Shakespeare's text in an easy to understand fashion. The series was produced in 1982 for Britain's ITV's "London Weekend" segment and includes appearances by Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Judi Dench, Peggy Ashcroft, David Suchet, Ben Kingsley, Roger Rees, and a whole host of other stage luminaries. The series became the basis for the series of books "Players of Shakespeare" which featured a single actor giving their take on particular Shakespeare character. Once you can get past the rather cheesy intro and seeing some much older actors 30 years younger (Patrick Stewart still looks the same but with Ian McKellen its pretty weird seeing him in his younger years) and some interesting early 80s fashions, the material in the series is pretty timeless and condenses years of Shakespeare training into a 9 hour volume.
In this Retro Shakespeare Review, I'm going to review and recap the first episode "The Two Traditions" and follow up each episode with its own review as there is so much useful information and great theater moments that you just couldn't do it justice in one review.
The series was filmed in the RSC's rehearsal studio and never veers off into a detached sort of documentary perspective that many similar series can have. Barton and the other actors always speak directly into the camera and offer questions, explore points and get insights always with the viewer present with them, keeping the intimate rehearsal feel. John Barton comes across as congenial professor type complete with a sweater and tie combination. This comes naturally as he taught college for several years before directing for the theater full time.
Being that this is the first episode he and his fellow actors take some time setting up the structure that they'll work in. Barton mentions thousands of academic books and articles come out each year on Shakespeare but very little in way of how to play the material. Although he was asked many times to write a 'How to act' book Barton states that nothing can replace working directly with actors to break down and analyze scenes and each actor's experience is worth many books. The best guide and indeed director or instructor for learning how to act Shakespeare's works comes from William Shakespeare himself. Here several of the actors begin the program by reciting Hamlet's advice to the players as some of the best advice for acting Shakespeare or even acting in general:
"Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to
you, trippingly on the tongue: but if you mouth it,
as many of your players do, I had as lief the
town-crier spoke my lines. Nor do not saw the air
too much with your hand, thus, but use all gently;
for in the very torrent, tempest, and, as I may say,
the whirlwind of passion, you must acquire and beget
a temperance that may give it smoothness…
Be not too tame neither, but let your own discretion
be your tutor: suit the action to the word, the
word to the action; with this special o'erstep not
the modesty of nature: for any thing so overdone is
from the purpose of playing, whose end, both at the
first and now, was and is, to hold, as 'twere, the
mirror up to nature"
John Barton notes that the speech goes to the heart of the matter that overall your best instructor for acting Shakespeare is the direction that Shakespeare peppers in the language and scenes. The language can give clues about a character's state of mind and what they say about other characters and what other characters say about them is equally instructive. He acknowledges that for the novice actor the language can seem daunting and foreign but once you break it down it can become very easy and some of the more juicy stuff that an actor can play. Barton is emphatic that he isn't acting as a director or lone voice of authority and challenges his fellows to keep him honest as they go through the program.
As opposed to doing in-depth character studies or looking at a single play, Barton and the group bounce from one play to another to showcase techniques and give the general gist and set up for each scene so the viewer can easily follow. He concludes the introductory segment by stating that the actor's job is to reach the audience and make them listen. If the actor doesn't do this they've failed in their job. Barton believes that many audiences don't necessarily listen to actors doing Shakespeare unless the actor makes them and this important point will come up again and again in the series.
The Two Traditions
Barton starts the class portion of the episode by stating the two items to dive into Shakespeare are the text and a group of actors to explore them. However, Shakespeare's text can be dense and to illustrate this Alan Howard performs a speech from a battle scene from one of Shakespeare's most densely wordy plays "Coriolanus". It sounds great and poetical but all of it can also sound the same and can put audiences to sleep. On the other hand there is the modern acting tradition and to demonstrate this Mike Gwilym and Jane Lapotaire act out a scene from an unnamed modern British play. The point of the exercise is to establish a starting point between what actors will be more familiar with and Shakespeare at his most dense and look to marry the two approaches.
The group notes that "modern acting" with its approach to naturalism is an offshoot of a technique started by Stanislavsky where anything you do on stage must be done from a place of complete truth and never just playing an emotion. Ben Kingsley simply puts it "What's your motivation". However in this very "natural" way of acting there are pitfalls. The group notes that there is the danger of being both overly analytical and inward. Mike Gwilym interjects that an actor can be brooding and amazing but all his pauses can bore an audience to death. David Suchet gives a comical rendition of a theater teacher who OVER analyzes the motivations in "King Lear" using flowery sounding words that have the air of being "scientific". Barton warns to "beware of jargon, it can lead to talking about it (acting Shakespeare), replacing it, than actually doing it".
Barton brings the conversation around to how this is different from what Elizabethan actors would have known or done and while the rehearsal practices aren't known in any great detail, it is known that their practices differ in several key respects. Firstly, actors in Elizabethan theater wouldn't have had the full text of the play they were rehearsing. They would only have had their cues and lines written out on rolls of paper or cue sheets so they couldn't read the full text to know what was going on with other characters. Secondly, they put on plays with only a few days rehearsal and sometimes producing 40 plays a year, a different one for each day of a 6-7 day work week. In comparison, some of the actors in the panel note that they could have up to 10 weeks of rehearsal for some productions that they have worked on. An actor in Shakespeare's time wouldn't have a director, they would direct themselves in how to work a scene. The play's author, in this case Shakespeare, would be the closest thing to a modern director in that he would describe the play's action and characters and what the story was about. Those actors didn't have the same distractions that modern ones do and treated the spoken word differently, using a different accent and spoke their lines much faster.
Barton begins to bring the modern and the Elizabethan methods together in the group's next exercise, having Ian Mckellen examine the opening line of "The Merchant of Venice" – Antonio's 'In Sooth I know not why I am so sad'. Mckellen tries the line in several ways each bringing something different such as reading it such as comic, avoiding, or self-deprecating.
Barton then asks 'what is Antonio's motivation?' and Mckellen feels that its confusion but cannot pin down the character's motivation. Mckellen then states its tough to know the true motivation without putting the scene into a content and asking questions like: Why are you saying it? How long have characters known each other? A complex array of questions that any actor would ask in first tackling a character. So Barton's point is that in first approaching Shakespeare's text, an actor does the same thing that he does when approaching a modern play, ask "What is my motivation?"
Barton deliberately chooses this opening line to demonstrate that Shakespeare is the inventor of naturalistic speech that modern actors are accustomed to and simple lines like this and those filled with flowery metaphors are not so far apart as one might think. Alan Howard demonstrates a passage from Christopher Marlowe's "Tamburlaine" to show the type of verse lines (lines set down in a poetical rhythm) that actors were used to speaking before Shakespeare came along. Its very poetical and not very natural sounding and Howard notes its very hard on the voice. Sheila Hancock then does a piece of prose (lines without poetical rhythm) to demonstrate a more casual speaking style but this is equally as unwieldy. Barton's point is that the naturalistic way of speaking was actually started by Shakespeare and that once you understand how Shakespeare's text works, the modern and the Elizabethan tradition actually gel quite nicely.
Sheila Hancock, who was newbie at the time of filming, said that she initially felt inhibited by the language but she found that once she was in front of audience and just gave into it that it was very easy. She notes that the language is so potent that she didn't have to make as much effort to hit the high beats of the scene, as an actor she had to embellish less.
Each episode of the series has an intermission where after the main premise set up and discussion have been done, the group gets down to work on a scene or bit of dialogue in a more detailed fashion. Here, Ian McKellen and David Suchet continue the work the opening to "The Merchant of Venice" with Mckellen as Antonio and Suchet as Salerio. Barton points out the differences between the two characters where Antonio is much more straight forward and easy for a modern actor to pick up but Salerio instead uses these rich metaphors or what Barton calls heightened language. Barton defines heightened language as any language that isn't naturalistic and contains similes and metaphors. So he has Suchet go through it the scene playing it dry to see how it the language sounds much like a modern actor would speak and it sucks. Barton stresses that the words aren't just window dressing and that the actor needs those words and images to get to their objective. The words are not obstacles but integral to achieving the objective. Suchet completes the instruction by balancing the poetical flourishes and natural sounding dialogue and that balance is what Barton is trying to get out. However, just like modern acting, Elizabethan acting also has its traps.
The trap that Barton points out is "hamming it up" or "any thing so overdone is from the purpose of playing" as Shakespeare would say. Its easy to fall in love with your own voice and let that be your acting. Suchet tries the poetical speech by overemphasizing words and gestures and comes across as very comical and completely unrealistic. Barton comes back to that the actor has to find the balance just as Hamlet's advice to the plays prescribes. The actor has to marry the heightened language and the natural acting.
Barton does confess that he may be over simplifying the point of naturalism and heightened language, however, even though it's a simplified take Barton continues its important for new comers to the text to label them as such. Once they become comfortable with identifying and working with the two traditions an actor can use them to work toward a more nuanced approach. The scene exercise is capped off with Ben Kingsley joining in as Solanio and the three actors continue trying to figure out why Antonio is so sad. The result is a spirited exchange and tour de force of a very small scene with three great actors.
Barton finishes off the episode with again stressing a balanced approach to performing Shakespeare and examining the text. Don't be too natural but also don't be too flowery or in love with your own voice to where it becomes one note. This balance is what the actor should strive for to make playing Shakespeare truthful and real.
In the next review of the series, I'll look at Barton and company tackling how "Use the Verse".
To check out this amazing episode you can visit Amazon.com and get the individual episode here
or get the full series here


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Situated in Worcestor historical Church Street. Walking distance to town centre.
Aan De Doorns offers friendly hospitality in the refurbished historic farmhouse. Rest your eyes on the majestic mountains with the knowledge that you are on the doorstep from which to explore the Breed river valley on Route 62
High above the Breede Valley, a beautiful indigenous flora and fauna mountain reserve is your natural grand stand, a vista of stunning mountain ranges embracing the valley, towns and farms, far below.
Die Eike is a lovely Cape Dutch Homestead originally built in the early 1800's. Surrounded by vineyards and orchards with views of majestic mountains, the guest house offers warm hospitality in tranquil settings.
The 19th Hole Golf Villa is located in the Breederiver Valley surrounded with majestic mountains, awesome views and beautiful nature surroundings. As part of the Western Cape Winelands we are proud to be part of some of the biggest vineyard farms.