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Terms & Conditions
Terms & Conditions
Please take the time to review these terms and conditions before you place an order for any product.
Product Warranty
Please reference our Product Warranty page for warranty terms.
Our Business Name & Credit Card Charges
Charges to your credit card for products that you order from this website will show on your statement as SUNSCAPE LLC. Please note some credit card companies abbreviate the name.
Order Placement
You can order our products by browsing our catalog and adding the products you wish to purchase to your shopping cart.
Once you have added the products you want to order to your shopping cart, click on the shopping cart button. You will then be prompted to enter your shipping and payment information.
Upon submission of your order you will be sent a confirmation email detailing the products that you ordered and all invoicing / shipping information. You can also review your order details by logging into your account on our website. If there are any errors or problems with your order, please contact us immediately at firstname.lastname@example.com
Stock Availability
Due to the number of combinations available, we build every fixture to order on a FIFO basis (First In / First Out). The lead time projection for production is based on our previous experience with getting inventory from our suppliers, or our typical production lead times. The lead time projection is our best estimate, it is not guaranteed and subject to change dependent on stock levels.
Postal Shipping Times
Shipping times are estimated in the shopping cart. These times are provided by third-party shipping companies, are NOT guaranteed and can take longer on occasion. It has been our experience that while the shipping times provided by carriers are usually fairly accurate, there will be occasions where it will take longer. If you need your order by a specific date, we recommend that you use an expedited or express option instead.
LED Binning
SUNSCAPE uses industry best spectro-radiometric data for each LED type to estimate fixture performance. Actual photometric results may vary from advertised performance estimates. Actual production LEDs will vary both in spectral content and radiometric flux within the LED manufacturer's bin tolerance.
Pre-Payment Options
We offer the following pre-payment options:
· Visa
· MasterCard
· PayPal
· Bank or Cashier's Check
We build all fixtures to order and will debit your credit card for the full purchase amount upon order submission.
If you pay for your order with PayPal, PayPal will immediately debit your PayPal account for the full purchase amount.
If you pay by Bank or Cashier's Check, simply mail your check to our address. Once we receive the payment, we will start production on your order.
We are unable to accept COD orders.
Term Accounts
Term accounts are available to qualifying organizations. With some exceptions, we typically require a discretionary number of pre-paid orders to establish order volume and frequency before we are able to offer terms. Please contact us for more details. Our terms are Net30 and are strictly enforced. We will not be able to process any order if your account is not up to date.
Pricing Information
All pricing is based in U.S. dollars and subject to change without notice. All charges are invoiced in U.S. dollars and will be converted to your local currency by your credit card company or bank.
Currency Exchange
Charges will be invoiced in U.S. dollars and will be converted to your local currency by your credit card company. Pricing is only guaranteed to be accurate in U.S. dollars.
Shipping Information
All products are shipped FOB from our facility in Portland, Oregon, USA.
Discount/Free Shipping
From time-to-time we may offer discounted or free shipping based on the purchase value of your order. Our discounted/free shipping offer is only available for orders placed on our website.
Duties, import fees, customs brokerage fees, or taxes assessed by your country's customs service are the responsibility of the customer and are not covered by our discounted/free shipping offer.
Shipping & Handling Costs
Shipping costs are based on current rates as published by the specific shipping carrier. To determine the cost to ship your order, simply add items to the cart.
U.S. Orders
We can ship to you via FedEx, UPS, and USPS.
International Orders
We will accept international orders from most countries. We can ship to you via FedEx, DHL and USPS. Duties and brokerage charges may be assessed by your country's customs service and the shipping company. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
Order Processing Time
We will make every effort to ship your order within the lead time projection provided on our website. However we are unable to guarantee any specific lead/delivery time.
Since we build orders on a first come, first served basis, we are not able to expedite any orders. We want to be fair to all customers, and if we expedite one order, it means another order will get delayed.
Combining Orders
We are not able to combine multiple orders into one shipment. If you need to order additional items, you will need to enter a new order that will be processed and shipped separately. Multiple orders cannot be combined to qualify for free shipping.
Returns & Exchange Policy
Since all lighting systems depreciate with use (including the sun), SUNSCAPE LED does not accept returns on any lighting products. Replacements will be provided in accordance with our Warranty Policy if a unit is defective.
For warranty replacements, please send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com for complete instructions. If approved, our after sales support team will issue an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) and replacement product will be sent out upon receipt of the defective units. SUNSCAPE LED will either replace or repair the defective unit based upon our discretion. Items returned without an RMA number will be rejected and returned to sender. In situations where replacements are needed prior to the return of defective product, please call us direct at (503) 991-0461 to submit a request. Customers requesting an advance replacement will be required to provide payment information for a replacement unit which SUNSCAPE LED will keep as a pending charge for the original cost of the item. Once we receive the defective unit it will receive an accessory inventory and examination for physical damage. If after review all accessories are present and the unit is in "good" condition, then the pending charge will be voided. If SUNSCAPE LED does not receive the defective unit back within 25 days from the shipment of the replacement, we will formally charge your credit card and the replacement unit will be yours to keep. Exemptions apply.
Written quotes (mailed, emailed or faxed) may have modified return/exchange conditions that will supersede this return/exchange policy.
Order Cancellation
If we have not started production on your order, you can cancel without penalty. Once we start production, orders may not be cancelled. To cancel an order, please send an email message to firstname.lastname@example.com
Product Liability
SUNSCAPE LED's sole obligation for products that prove to be defective by SUNSCAPE LED's own evaluation tests will be to repair or replace the products. Outside of our published warranty, SUNSCAPE LED gives no warranty either expressed or implied and specifically disclaims all other warranties, including warranties for merchantability and fitness. In no event shall SUNSCAPE LED liability exceed the buyer's purchase price. Nor shall SUNSCAPE LED be liable for any indirect or consequential damage. Notice of possible defective products must be made within 30 days of delivery. This warranty does not apply to products that have been subject to misuse including, but not limited to; the application of a reverse voltage to LEDs, static discharge, overheating, water submersion, accident, modifications, or alteration which makes it impossible for SUNSCAPE LED technicians to test the product. All product warranties are void if the LED fixtures have been opened by the customer.
Further, products sold by SUNSCAPE LED are not authorized for use as critical components in life support devices, systems, nor in medical operating room or life rescue equipment. A critical component is any component of a life support device, system or medical/rescue equipment whose failure to perform can be reasonably expected to cause failure or malfunction of the life support device, system or medical operating room/life rescue equipment.
SUNSCAPE LED is not responsible for the indirect exchange or resale of products to territories that are recognized under federal or international trade embargos.
Our LED lighting products are extremely bright. Users should not stare directly into lights. Customer should only use Light Therapy LED fixtures under a licensed doctor's supervision. SUNSCAPE LED AND ITSEMPLOYEES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ASSOCIATED WITH USING SUNSCAPE LED LIGHTING PRODUCTS.
Use of our Website
By accessing our website (www.sunscapeled.com), you warrant and represent to us that you are legally entitled to do so and to make use of information made available via the website.
External Links
External links may be provided for your convenience, but they are beyond our control and no representation is made as to their content. Use of, or reliance on any external links and the content thereon provided is at your own risk.
Misprints & Errors
We make every effort to ensure that the information provided on our website is current and accurate. However, misprints, errors, inaccuracies, omissions (including incorrect specifications for products) or other errors may sometimes occur despite our best efforts. SUNSCAPE LED does not warrant that the content of our Website including, without limitation, product descriptions, availability or photographs, is accurate or complete.
SUNSCAPE LED reserves the right to: (a) correct any error, inaccuracy or omission at any time without prior notice or liability to you or any other person; (b) change at any time the products and services advertised or made available for sale on the Website, the prices, fees, charges and specifications of such products and services, any promotional offers and any other Website content without any notice or liability to you or any other person; (c) reject, correct, cancel or terminate any order, including accepted orders for any reason and (d) limit quantities available for sale or sold.
Technical Specifications & Product Information
Product information and specifications supplied on this website is based on information published by the respective product manufacturers and is provided for reference only. SUNSCAPE LED AND ITS EMPLOYEES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR OTHER LOSSES ARISING OUT OF ERRORS OR OMMISSIONS ON ITS WEBSITE OR ON ANY PRINTED DOCUMENTATION PUBLISHED BY SUNSCAPE LED BIOENGINEERING, INC.
Technical Advice Disclaimer
It is expressly understood that any technical advice furnished (via email, telephone, blog or any other form of communication) by SUNSCAPE LED or any of its employees with reference to the use of electronic products is given gratis and SUNSCAPE LED assumes no obligations or liability for the advice given or the results obtained. All such advice is given and accepted at the buyer's or reader's risk. If you are not experienced with the use of high powered LEDs and electronics, then we highly recommend that you engage an experienced electronics technician or engineer to provide you with assistance. SUNSCAPE LED AND ITS EMPLOYEES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR OTHER LOSSES ARISING OUT OF ANY ADVICE PROVIDED.
The entire content included in this site, including but not limited to text, graphics or code is copyrighted as a collective work under USA and other copyright laws, and is the property of SUNSCAPE LED. The collective work includes works that are licensed to SUNSCAPE LLC. Copyright (c) 2018, SUNSCAPE LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Permission is granted to electronically copy and print hard copy portions of this site for the sole purpose of placing an order with SUNSCAPE LED or purchasing SUNSCAPE LED products. You may display and, subject to any expressly stated restrictions or limitations relating to specific material, download or print portions of the material from the different areas of the site solely for your own non-commercial use, or to place an order with SUNSCAPE LED or to purchase SUNSCAPE LED products. Any other use, including but not limited to the reproduction, distribution, display or transmission of the content of this site is strictly prohibited, unless authorized by SUNSCAPE LED. You further agree not to change or delete any proprietary notices from materials downloaded from the site.
All trademarks, service marks and trade names of SUNSCAPE LED used in the site are trademarks or registered trademarks of SUNSCAPE LED Bioengineering.
Your use of this site shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the province of Oregon, USA without regard to choice of law provisions, and not by the 1980 U.N. Convention on contracts for the international sale of goods. You agree that jurisdiction over and venue in any legal proceeding directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to this site (including but not limited to the purchase of SUNSCAPE LED products) shall be in the provincial or federal courts located in Oregon, USA. Any cause of action or claim you may have with respect to the site (including but not limited to the purchase of SUNSCAPE LED products) must be commenced within one (1) year after the claim or cause of action arises. SUNSCAPE LED's failure to insist upon or enforce strict performance of any provision of these terms and conditions shall not be construed as a waiver of any provision or right. Neither the course of conduct between the parties nor trade practice shall act to modify any of these terms and conditions. SUNSCAPE LED may assign its rights and duties under this Agreement to any party at any time without notice to you.
Third-Party Links
In an attempt to provide increased value to our visitors, SUNSCAPE LED may link to sites operated by third parties. However, even if the third party is affiliated with SUNSCAPE LED, SUNSCAPE LED has no control over these linked sites, all of which have separate privacy and data collection practices, independent of SUNSCAPE LED. These linked sites are only for your convenience and therefore you access them at your own risk. Nonetheless, SUNSCAPE LED seeks to protect the integrity of its web site and the links placed upon it and therefore requests any feedback on not only its own site, but for sites it links to as well (including if a specific link does not work).
Terms Of Use
SUNSCAPE LED products are not designed or intended for use in connection with the illegal manufacturing, cultivation, or production of controlled substances. Our products are intended for commercial horticultural and research uses in accordance with applicable law. The lawful and proper use of our products is a condition of their sale.
Any improper use of SUNSCAPE LED products voids the warranty otherwise provided. Any illegal use of our products could subject the user to severe fines, penalties and/or imprisonment under the law of your jurisdiction. All comments and testimonials presented, in any form, by customers are not the representations of, nor do they represent the opinions of, the manufacturers.
You acknowledge that neither SUNSCAPE LED, nor any of its agents, affiliates, directors, employees and associates may be held liable, responsible or accountable for any type of damage, litigation or other legal action, which may arise either from your legal or illegal use of SUNSCAPE LED products, websites, or consultation, and under no circumstances will you be eligible for any form of compensation from the aforementioned.
We reserve the right to amend and update these Terms and Conditions at any time without notice. Terms & Conditions were last updated on November 20, 2018.


text: When I was in middle school, I had a particular fascination with updating my name on Facebook to something absolutely ridiculous once every couple of weeks. These spanned from "Sashuh Fyerce" (a title I oh-so-cleverly spelled incorrectly on purpose to spite Facebook for telling me that the moniker of Beyoncé's alter-ego was not a legitimate name) to the delightful "Ferocia Couturia" (because Season Four of Project Runway was an incredibly influential presence in my young adult life). Continue reading Retrospective Reviews: The Problem With Duckie Dale, the Original Fedora

subset: commoncrawl


text: Creating a YouTube or Vimeo account Lee Reichardt July 14, 2017 08:40 Updated Creating a Vimeo or YouTube account To sign up for a Vimeo account, click here To use YouTube, you need a Google Account. If you don't have a Google Account, click here to sign up. Otherwise, click here to login Related articles Australia Server DNS Settings Adding an autoplay video to your website How to undo - recover deleted content How to add a video to your website Rocketspark Pricing - what does Rocketspark cost


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Twist, Pull, Smoke, Run-Motherfucker-Run! is the story of Adam a returning war veteran who wants to talk but can't so he instead talks to his own PTSD to find the answers to his questions.
For this performance we will be doing a Talback with the cast 5 mins after the performance.
Click below to be redirected to the ticket sales


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Merry Christmas Stocking
Which child wouldn't want one of these stockings at the bottom of their bed on Christmas morning? This fun and decorative tin depicts two Christmas favourites – Santa Claus on one side and a snowman on the other. The festive images continue with snowflakes, reindeer, robin and Christmas presents, this will certainly put a smile on any child's face.
Filled with Jelly Babies – with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives our jelly babies still have the very cute nostalgic shape that we all love. Six flavoursome jelly sweets to choose from, blackcurrant, strawberry, raspberry, orange, lemon and lime, which one is your favourite?
Gluten free - may contain traces of nuts.


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Words of Wisdom from Ann Beha
After a tour of her office, Ann Beha shared with us her story and her advice to emerging professionals. Founder of Ann Beha Architects, Ann has been a Trustee and past President of Historic New England, served on Visiting Committees at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and is a member of Harvard University's Design Advisory Panel. She was Distinguished Visiting Professor of Architecture at the City College of New York, and has been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New England Chapter of the Victorian Society in America, the Alumnae Achievement Award from Wellesley College, and the Women in Design Award of Excellence from the Boston Society of Architects. Don't miss her words of wisdom!
How did you begin your career in preservation & revitalization of buildings?
I graduated in 1975 and the economy was poor. I started to navigate doing part-time work, advocacy work and a variety of volunteer projects. I was focused on things that had stimulated me at MIT - opportunities for existing buildings to cast a new light, serving their communities and various cities and institutions. My work was consulting for a while. I was on the administrative staff at MIT at the Department of Architecture for 3 years, doing research on building codes and their relationship to historic building. I was very active as a volunteer in the city on a number of issues like preservation and demolition of buildings. During that time, I also developed a number of clients, who were interested in me helping them work on revitalizing their historic buildings. I started to also do part-time work with Shepley Bulfinch and found there a wonderful mentor, who hired me to work with him on one of their large historical preservation projects. This was all over a period of 4-5 years and by year 5, I had a couple of people working with me on preservation issues. I wasn't practicing architecture per say but preservation. Through Shepley, I was qualified to take my exams and it became a larger initiative around a design practice that also included preservation.
How do you keep a dynamic practice?
I never worked for a firm in the United States, so I don't have any background in the corporate structure of firms here. Since we practice at various scales nationally and internationally, we have exposure to firms all over this country and abroad, who are structured in different ways and have different skill sets. That has taught me a great deal about practice, procedures, and project delivery methods. We have done 5 projects with Gensler with ABA as lead architect and we learned so much. We have a partner in Greece for the US Embassy project. Obviously, we learn a tremendous amount about how to work in a foreign country from them. You see other practices, sometimes indirectly because you are aligning with them, or considering aligning with them, and that is a great way to get to know how people do it differently - better or not so well. We continuously build the practice, expanding our national interest in working throughout the country, stating very clear that we are a design office and not just a historic preservation consultant.
Do you have a favorite project?
This is like asking if you have a favorite child! I do have some favorite projects in which we overcame extraordinary challenges and had extraordinary results. I won't go too far back. I think the work we did at University of Chicago - revitalizing historic buildings and building a new building - is staggering. It was such an unbelievable undertaking. It required so much team work with community, departments, and the university and an exceptional intellectual reach associated with the program. It was very exciting. The buildings themselves are fascinating buildings because they are not the iconic buildings of Chicago and they are buildings that were too easily ignored. They are on the edge of campus, but now that they are revitalized, they actually feel more central to the campus and to the history of Hyde Park.
Have you encountered any advantages or disadvantages of being a female practitioner in architecture?
It is an interesting question. It is always asked, and I still don't know quite how to sort through it. Does it exist, and where? How does it show up? We can't be in all the rooms where it happens. We can't be in the minds where it might be holding fort. Discrimination, if it exists, would be a subtle thing for me; I am really not aware of it as keenly as others, given my position and the peer positions of senior women in my client groups and leadership roles. They too have gained important voices.
I am on such a course trying to steer clarity, engagement and excitement about our work that the idea that if something is in the way, it would have to be a pretty big thing to keep us from doing what we believe in. If there is discrimination, I am still pushing along. Are there a million other challenges? Yes. If I start to put myself into the assumption that there is discrimination and it is holding me back, holding us back as a firm, I would spend all my day trying to deal with it. I think I try to navigate all of the obstacles.
When ABA's work is attributed to a woman, I find that uneasy. First, my belief is that the work speaks for itself. It is important for women to be aligned with important visible engaging work. There are numerous examples of leaders and extraordinary visionaries, who have had either discrimination or many of their own self-inflicted challenges, and ultimately all those things are set in a certain space because their contribution is so extraordinary. What I am saying to women is be known for your work. And I think the secondary thing is people recognize that the work is done by a very diverse office and a completely engaged team. Half of our practice is women. In our office, everyone sees a very broad mix of thinking and backgrounds and different age groups.. The work is the most important thing, and there is always a lot of background noise and problems and challenges. You just have got to keep going and be known for your work.
I am wondering whether a lot of feelings about gender issues start a lot earlier than when we start practice. If you arrive trained in a certain way or experiencing life in a certain way, can you reevaluate your baggage at a certain point? We arrive in practice, we are in our 20s and we have had a lot of years and built up many assumptions. One analogy I use is that in any big sport, there are people on the field playing and people in the stands observing. People on the field playing don't always see all the things that the people in the stands see. They are looking at the goal post or at the baseline or trying to serve an ace. It is important every so often to get up in the stands and look down. Those who are up in the stands can be saying, "Oh God, how could that guy miss that play?" But... Imagine what it is like to be down in the field, and whether or not what the stands saw is really what happened. What you are doing is trying to offer that intersection of what is real and what is observed to develop the most realistic mindset.
What do you think is key for a successful career?
I will give you a very personal observation. When all is said and done, you need to be reconciled and happy in your emotional life. I think that the choice of partner and the relationships in your life is a critical issue, and I think that many men would say the same. I have found that there are struggles that men have managing their time and family responsibilities often as much, even more, than women. Your relationship between your work place and your personal life - growing from your adolescence, your childhood or your current relationships, is going to have a lot of influence and power over what you are able to accomplish. It affects how you are able to manage the pressures of practice and must be true in other professions as well. You need to have someone, who is as interested in what you need as you are interested in what he or she needs. And if you cannot have that outside practice, I do not know how you have it in practice. I really hit the jackpot. I have been married to the same guy for forty-three years and have two children, I cannot remember a single time when Rob said, "No, you have to come home. You cannot do that." It has never been that way and I think that has been extraordinary. Perhaps even more so, my mother, to whom I was very close, never said I should stop or slow down or spend more time with my family. She and he accepted me as I am, (Ok maybe 80%) and their support always sustained me.
Have you had to make any sacrifices because of architecture?
Life is full of sacrifices. You make sacrifices because you have a child in need or because you have parents in need. I have faced both. There are all kinds of things in one's life by the time you reach my age. There are a lot of sacrifices you make to be helpful and be there for all those people. It is not architecture that has made me make sacrifices but because you want to be a good daughter or a good mom. There is really some truth to the global aspect of the fulfillment of a complete life, whether you are male or female, and that always requires sacrifices from you and from the people around you.
How does Ann beha architects evolve their office policies?
When people need to take time off for their family and personal life, they need to be heard. You can see the concern in their eyes and they may need more than the normal policies. Not everyone who has been here, male or female, can be satisfied with everything we offer. But we continue to evolve and we continue to hear them. We have made modifications in our policies to be more flexible, but we need people who are dedicated and can be here as we are so very collaborative. What we are trying to encourage above all is this open exchange between employees and the people they report to about their needs so that we can find out what the needs are and not guess at it.
What is one thing emerging professionals should focus on?
I think people should write and draw. I have spent the last three weeks writing and it is hard to do. Architects need to be able to write about their projects and they need to be able to speak easily about them. You are not just born with that. That is a tutored thing, a practiced thing. Being in front of your peers, taking a leadership role in your firm, speaking up, being aware that you have a voice, not just being articulate, but also speaking to people in a real down-to-earth way. There is a discipline in communication that strengthens architectural dialogue. I think we identify that too infrequently. We rarely plan how we are going to talk about the project. As to drawing, it is a muscle that has atrophied. It is a language, and a common ground, and a rooting for our work. I love it and admire those who use it so freely and effectively.
Do you have any other tips for young people who are starting their careers?
They should talk to people who are just a little older than they are, not so much to the upper generation! Whenever somebody says, "I have a young friend who's in the career discovery program or she is first year at the GSD and she really needs to talk to someone," I say, "Absolutely, have her come over, but I'm going to set her up with somebody who's been here for five years." There is a big gap otherwise. That is more of a common ground and less about the past and the scar tissue. A mentor can be someone who is much closer in age or just got registered.
You also have to have passion about what you are doing and you have to be pretty single minded about it. If you do have that passion and interest, it comes through in the work. It comes through in relationships with your clients because you will stand in their shoes and work with their needs—and do anything for them! And it is going to come through to your firm and colleagues. Creative passion makes me and my colleagues more dedicated and more thorough. You win people over with your leadership and voice. I think the real struggle is to be able to move within the firm with agility to the highest challenging position you can have. Passion as well as skill get you there. Initiative and thinking outside the box–those are a winning combo for me.


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If you've seen "The secret life of Walter Mitty" you'll remember the scene when Ben Stiller's character hast to bribe an Afghan warlord with some clementine cake and to his astonishment it actually works.
Inspired on that scene (not on the hopes to have to bribe a warlord) I decided to make my own polenta and clementine cake.
It is short in texture, moist and citrusy, you can make a single big cake or tiny individual ones baked in ramekins.
You will need:
- 4 medium clementines you will use the zest of 4 and the juice of 2
- 4 eggs
- 225g caster sugar
- 250g ground almonds
- 250g strong flour
- 1tsp baking powder
- 2/3 rapeseed oil
For the filling and decoration:
- 5 tbsp. of orange jam or marmalade
- 1 cup and 1/2 whipped cream
- 4 tbsp. sliced almonds to sprinkle
To moist the cake:
- 1/4 cup of brandy* optional
- Juice of 1 clementine
- 1 tbsp of sugar
This produces a rather moist mix, which ensures a nice rising, very soft texture, fragrant and spongy.
Preheat the oven to 190C.
In a large bowl mix the eggs and sugar first, then add the rest of the ingredients using a silicon spatula to mix. *Only add the juice of 1 orange.
Line or grease a baking mould and transfer. Bake for 40-50 minutes.
When the cake is cold, slice in two tiers. With a spoon, gently moist both tiers with the mix of brandy, sugar and orange juice, you don't have to use all of it, just as much as you wish.
Mix half the whipped cream and jam/marmalade and spread on the top of the lower tier, put the second tier on top and spread the rest.
Decorate with a white icing and caramelised Clementines.
Happy Warlord bribing!


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In episode 305 of the IKEA Home Tour, the Squad helps a single dad and his two kids transform their boring outdoor patio into an extended living space. With plenty of space but a lack of functional furniture, Phil Costas and his kids, Keriann, and Kyle, felt that they weren't taking full advantage of the California weather on their outdoor patio. To increase Phil's table space for grilling and serving his family and friends, a utility cart next to the grill and FALSTER outdoor table and chairs were positioned throughout the patio. Layering area rugs underneath the flexible ARHOLMA outdoor sectional makes the adjustable seating even cozier, creating the ideal outdoor living room. The Squad also combined LED solar-powered lighting with the shady BAGGÖN umbrella and SVARTÖ base, giving the new patio a comfortable ambiance day or night. In the end, the IKEA Home Tour Squad delivered with plenty of outdoor patio ideas to help this family create an outdoor oasis with form and function, including separate areas for cooking, eating and lounging.
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text: Effect of Lubricating Gel on Patient Comfort During Vaginal Speculum Examination: A Randomized Controlled TrialHill, D. Ashley MD; Lamvu, Georgine MD, MPHObstetrics & Gynecology: February 2012 - Volume 119 - Issue 2 - p 227–231 doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3182426275 Original Research Free Abstract In Brief Author InformationAuthors Article OutlineOutline Article MetricsMetrics OBJECTIVE: To estimate the efficacy of lubricating gel compared with using water for pain during vaginal speculum insertion. METHODS: This study was a randomized trial of nonpregnant women aged 18–50 years who required a vaginal speculum examination between February and July 2011. Patients blinded to study assignment underwent vaginal speculum examination using a standardized technique with a medium-sized plastic speculum prepared with either 0.3 mL lubricating gel or 3 mL of water used to cover both speculum blades. Patients recorded pain using a 10-cm visual analog scale immediately after speculum insertion. A pre hoc power analysis determined that 55 patients in each arm would be required to detect a difference of 0.9 cm on a 10-cm visual analog scale. RESULTS: A total of 299 consecutive women requiring vaginal speculum examination were screened for enrollment and 120 women were randomized with 60 per group. There were no marked differences in the demographic characteristics of the gel (n=59) and water (n=60) participants available for final analysis. The gel group showed significantly lower pain scores for speculum insertion (mean±standard deviation: 1.41±1.55 compared with water 2.15±1.93, P<.01). Of patients undergoing examination with gel, 20 of 59 (33.9%) marked zero on the pain scale compared with six of 60 (10%) patients receiving water (P=.002). All 73 patients who underwent Pap screening had adequate cytology. CONCLUSION: Applying a small amount of lubricating gel significantly decreases patient pain during vaginal speculum insertion. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01289665. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I Using a small amount of lubricating gel significantly decreases patient pain during vaginal speculum insertion compared with using water. From the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Florida Hospital Graduate Medical Education, and University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, Florida. The authors thank Yvonne Colon, ALNP, for preparing study samples. Corresponding author: D. Ashley Hill, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Florida Hospital Graduate Medical Education and University of Central Florida College of Medicine, 235 East Princeton Street, #200, Orlando, FL 32835; e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com. Financial Disclosure The authors did not report any potential conflicts of interest. Abstract MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULTS DISCUSSION REFERENCES Cited By Speculum examination is a common procedure for performing cervical cytology screening and evaluation of patients with conditions such as vaginitis, pelvic pain, and cervical or vaginal sexually transmitted infections. In the United States, there are approximately 55 million cervical cytology screening examinations performed annually.1 Fear of pain during the gynecologic examination is a barrier to patient compliance for cervical cytology screening.2,3 Unfortunately, the majority of women who die of cervical cancer have not had cytology screening in 5 or more years.4 Methods to reduce patient discomfort may lead to an increase in willingness to undergo speculum examination and an improvement in screening for cervical cancer and sexually transmitted infections. There have been recent efforts to encourage the use of lubricating gel for vaginal speculum examinations.5 One barrier to using lubricating gel is the belief by some that lubricating gel interferes with cervical cytology and sexually transmitted infection screening results.5 However, there is convincing evidence from clinical trials that using gel does not increase either unsatisfactory Pap testing rates6,7 or differences in detection rates of Chlamydia trachomatis.7 Despite this information, many clinicians still use water, rather than gel, as a lubricant for vaginal speculum insertion. The objective of this study is to estimate whether using lubricating gel decreases patient pain during speculum insertion compared with using water. Back to Top | Article Outline MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was conducted at the faculty practice of the Florida Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Department from February through July 2011. The Florida Hospital institutional review board approved the study protocol, which was designed as a randomized, single-blind trial conducted according to Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines.8 Consecutive patients aged 18–50 years who presented with conditions requiring vaginal speculum examination were screened for participation. All participants were informed of the risks and benefits of the study and written informed consent was obtained by the lead investigator. All participants volunteered participation and no incentives were offered. After consent, demographic data were collected as shown in Table 1. Table 1 To prevent inclusion of participants who had conditions that may alter pain perception with speculum insertion, the screening process excluded women who were menopausal (as determined by an elevated follicle-stimulating hormone level, use of hormone therapy, or amenorrhea for 12 months or more); were pregnant or within 6 weeks of delivery; had dyspareunia, vaginitis, vulvar pain, or vulvar lesions; or were undergoing a vulvar, vaginal, or uterine procedure. Additionally, patients not fluent in English and those who had never had vaginal intercourse were excluded from the study. After enrollment, participants were assigned to either the lubricating gel or water arms using a permuted-block, computer-generated schedule using blocks of four. Randomization results were sealed in opaque envelopes in sequential order unknown to the investigator or study participants. A single examiner (D.A.H.) performed a speculum examination for all participants using a standardized protocol that was identical for each participant to decrease interobserver variability. The investigator used a medium-sized plastic Graves (bivalved) speculum, which measures 3 cm across the tip and has a halogen light inserted into the base. Patients were placed in the dorsal lithotomy position with buttocks 3 cm past the edge of the examination table and feet in stirrups. Gel and water samples were previously loaded into identical sterile 3-mL syringes kept at room temperature. For participants randomized to gel, an assistant placed 0.3 mL sterile lubricating gel on the distal tip of the speculum. We chose this amount because it covers a 1-cm diameter circle embossed into the distal end of the top blade of the speculum by the manufacturer, which is a convenient method for clinicians to standardize the amount of lubricant used. Furthermore, smearing this amount of gel will cover the top and bottom speculum blades with a thin coating of lubricant. This product contains hypromellose, propylene oxide, propylene glycol, and water and does not contain "carbomers" or "carbopol polymers," which can adversely affect liquid-based cytology.9 For patients randomized to water, the speculum's top and bottom blades were moistened with 3 mL of tap water previously loaded into a syringe kept at room temperature. The investigator inserted the speculum the same way for every participant. To prevent participants from determining which study arm they were allocated to, the investigator prepared every speculum using the preloaded syringe below a privacy drape. For both the gel and water techniques, the participant was instructed to make a single, vertical mark on a 10-cm, nonhatched visual analog scale immediately after the speculum was opened to the third notch to indicate her level of pain during insertion. Participants were told that 0 represents "no pain" and 10 "the worst pain imaginable."10 No attempt to visualize the cervix was undertaken before asking the patient to mark the visual analog scale. After pausing to allow the patient to mark her score, any additional procedures such as cervical cytology screening or collection of samples for vaginitis were performed, but the patient did not record her pain level for any of these additional procedures. We used the visual analog scale because this is a validated, reliable instrument for assessing pain.10–12 Results from a smaller study of speculum insertion showed mean pain levels±standard deviation during "dry" speculum insertion (no water or lubricant) of 1.7±1.3 cm on a 10-cm visual analog scale.13 An unpublished pilot study at the investigators' practice of 40 patients found a mean pain score±standard deviation of 1.9±1.6 for speculum insertion using water on the 10-cm visual analog scale. Using data from the pilot study and assuming that a reduction in pain of 0.9 cm on the visual analog scale is clinically significant between the water and gel groups based on previous research,11,12 the study would need 55 patients in each arm assuming an α of .05 and a power of 90% and a 1:1 allocation ratio using a one-sided test. Assuming that approximately 10% of patients would be excluded as a result of unforeseen vulvar or vaginal conditions after randomization, 60 participants were recruited for each arm. All statistical analyses were performed using STATA 10.0 software. Variables first were inspected for accuracy and missing data. Univariable comparisons of demographic characteristics and potential differences between the gel and water groups were analyzed using t tests for continuous variables that did not violate the normal distribution assumption and Pearson's χ2 test for categorical variables. All reported P values are two-sided and statistical significance was set at P<.05. The outcomes for each participant were analyzed in the group to which they were assigned, regardless of whether or not that participant completed the study. Back to Top | Article Outline RESULTS A total of 299 women presented for indicated vaginal speculum examinations during the study period; 120 women were randomized (60 to each arm of the trial) with a total of 59 women in the gel arm and 60 women in the water arm available for final analysis (Fig. 1). There were no marked differences in demographic data between the two groups (Table 1). The study design excluded conditions that would alter pain perception, so the most common indication was a routine annual gynecologic examination (92.4% of all participants). Other indications for participation included intrauterine device assessment, follow-up Pap testing, and obtaining cervical cultures. Fig. 1 As shown in Table 2, statistically significant lower total mean pain scores were identified in the gel group (1.41) compared with the water group (2.15; P<.011). A total of 33.9% of gel participants and 10% of water participants reported a zero score on the visual analog scale (P=.002). Table 2 Although this study was not designed nor powered to determine whether gel or water use alters the rate of satisfactory Pap test results, we noted that none of the 35 patients in the gel arm or the 38 patients in the water arm who underwent screening using liquid cytology had unsatisfactory results. Back to Top | Article Outline DISCUSSION Our results indicate that using lubricating gel for vaginal speculum insertion significantly decreases pain compared with using water. Placing gel between the plastic blades of the speculum and the vaginal walls decreases friction, which we theorized would lead to less pain compared with using water alone as a lubricant. Despite the frequency of vaginal speculum examinations, there is limited information to assist clinicians with how to perform the gentlest examination. Previous research has focused on various methods to improve patient comfort or decrease anxiety during gynecologic examinations, including patient position,14,15 different types of specula,16 types of examination gowns,17 and assessing patient satisfaction with speculum self-insertion.18 This is the only study we are aware of comparing gel with water for pain during vaginal speculum insertion. Our study is unique because it includes strict exclusion criteria designed to prevent participation by patients with conditions that might alter pain perception and because it was conducted using a standardized insertion technique, by a single examiner, designed to limit examination variability. Because of the exclusion criteria, over 92% of study participants had speculum examinations as part of their annual gynecologic "well-woman" evaluation (Table 1), which represents a common reason women undergo speculum examination. We believe our results are generalizable to women undergoing speculum examinations elsewhere. A limitation of this investigation is the inability to perform a double-blinded study, because it was not possible to blind the examiner to how the speculum was prepared, which might introduce examiner bias. The standardized examination technique was designed to limit this. Although not a limitation of the study, we were unable to compare pain scores for different types or sizes of specula, other lubricant brands, different amounts of lubricant, lubricant temperature, or speed of speculum insertion or withdrawal. Furthermore, we are unable to determine if gel affects pain for other populations who may be more likely to have pain with speculum insertion, including postmenopausal or virginal patients. Assessing the influence of lubricants on these variables is worthy of future study. We chose a 0.9-cm mean difference in the visual analog scale results as clinically significant because of previous research suggesting that this is a minimally clinically significant difference in visual analog scale scores.11,12 Much of the research using visual analog scales comes from patients in acute pain cared for in emergency departments,11,12,19 which is a different type of patient population than we studied. Nevertheless, we recognize that our findings of a 0.74-cm mean difference in the visual analog scale score reached statistical significance but may not be clinically significant. Assessment of pain for patients involving relatively minor procedures such as speculum insertion deserves further study to determine the minimally clinically significant difference of visual analog scale scores. We believe that our findings of significantly reduced pain on the visual analog scale and that over one-third of patients in the gel group reported a zero score on the visual analog scale, compared with only 10% of patients in the water arm, suggest that lubricating gel is a valuable method of reducing patient discomfort. There are several randomized studies verifying that lubricant use does not affect Pap test adequacy.5–7 Although our study was not designed to estimate the effect of gel on Pap test adequacy, it is reassuring that there were no unsatisfactory results in any of the 73 patients who had Pap screening. Importantly, one manufacturer of liquid-based cytology recommends avoiding lubricants containing "carbomers" or "carbopol polymers," which may interfere with liquid-based Pap tests, and provides online information about which lubricant products do not contain these chemicals.9 Many clinicians are using water to lubricate the speculum, which is not as comfortable for patients as using lubricating gel. Some patients may be afraid to have speculum examinations as a result of concern about pain, which is a barrier to cervical cytology and sexually transmitted infection testing. Changing longstanding practice patterns can be difficult. However, over the course of our careers, we commonly alter how we practice based on new evidence. Part of our responsibility to our patients is to perform the gentlest examination possible. We encourage clinicians to adopt lubricating gel as the standard practice when performing speculum examinations.Back to Top | Article Outline REFERENCES 1. National Cancer Institute. The Pap test: questions and answers. Available at: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/pap-test. Retrieved October 27, 2011. Cited Here... 2. Kahn JA, Chiou V, Allen JD, Goodman E, Perlman SE, Emans SJ. Beliefs about Papanicolaou smears and compliance with Papanicolaou smear follow-up in adolescents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1999;153:1046–54. Cited Here... | View Full Text | PubMed | CrossRef 3. Hoyo C, Yarnall KSH, Skinner CS, Moorman PG, Sellers D, Reid L. Pain predicts non-adherence to pap smear screening among middle-aged African American women. Prev Med 2005;41:439–45. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 4. Janerich DT, Hadjimichael O, Schwartz PE, Lowell DM, Meigs JW, Merino MJ, et al.. The screening histories of women with invasive cervical cancer, Connecticut. Am J Public Health 1995;85:791–4. Cited Here... | View Full Text | PubMed | CrossRef 5. Harmanli O, Jones KA. Using lubricant for speculum insertion. Obstet Gynecol 2010;116:415–7. Cited Here... | View Full Text | PubMed | CrossRef 6. Amies AE, Miller L, Lee S, Koutsky L. The effect of vaginal speculum lubrication on the rate of unsatisfactory cervical cytology diagnosis. Obstet Gynecol 2002;100:889–92. Cited Here... | View Full Text | PubMed | CrossRef 7. Griffith WF, Stuart GS, Gluck KL, Heartwell SF. Vaginal speculum lubrication and its effects on cervical cytology and microbiology. Contraception 2005;72:60–4. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 8. Altman DG, Schulz KF, Moher D, Egger M, Davidoff F, Elbourne D, et al.; CONSORT Group (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials). The revised CONSORT statement for reporting randomized trials: explanation and elaboration. Ann Intern Med 2001;134:663–94. Cited Here... | View Full Text | PubMed 9. Evantash E. Lubricant use during Pap test collection. Bedford (MA): Hologic, Inc; 2009. Available at: www.thinprep.com/pdfs/Lubricant_Letter_Rev_3.doc Retrieved October 27, 2011. Cited Here... 10. Kelly AM. The minimum clinically significant difference in visual analogue scale pain score does not differ with severity of pain. Emerg Med J 2001;18:205–7. Cited Here... | View Full Text | PubMed | CrossRef 11. Bijur PE, Silver W, Gallagher EJ. Reliability of the visual analog scale for measurement of acute pain. Acad Emerg Med 2001;8:1153–7. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 12. Kelly AM. Does the clinically significant difference in visual analog scale pain scores vary with gender, age, or cause of pain? Acad Emerg Med 1998;5:1086–90. Cited Here... 13. Gilson M, Desai A, Cardoza-Favarato G, Vroman P, Thornton JA. Does gel affect cytology or comfort in the screening papanicolaou smear? J Am Board Fam Med 2006;19:340–4. Cited Here... 14. Seehusen DA, Johnson DR, Earwood JS, Sethuraman SN, Cornali J, Gillespie K, et al.. Improving women's experience during speculum examinations at routine gynaecological visits: randomised clinical trial. BMJ 2006;333:171. Cited Here... | View Full Text | PubMed | CrossRef 15. Seymore C, DuRant RH, Jay MS, Freeman D, Gomez L, Sharp C, et al.. Influence of position during examination, and sex of examiner on patient anxiety during pelvic examination. J Pediatr 1986;108:312–7. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 16. Thomas A, Weisberg E, Lieberman D, Fraser IS. A randomised controlled trial comparing a dilating vaginal speculum with a conventional bivalve speculum. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2001;41:379–86. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 17. Williams JG, Park LI, Kline J. Reducing distress associated with pelvic examinations: a stimulus control intervention. Women Health 1992;18:41–53. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 18. Wright D, Fenwick J, Stephenson P, Monterosso L. Speculum 'self-insertion': a pilot study. J Clin Nurs 2005;14:1098–111. Cited Here... | View Full Text | PubMed | CrossRef 19. Gallagher EJ, Liebman M, Bijur PE. Prospective validation of clinically important changes in pain severity measured on a visual analog scale. Ann Emerg Med 2001;38:633–8. Cited Here... | View Full Text | PubMed | CrossRef © 2012 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.


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Mauer Park
Mauer Park
from 20.00
This print is based on an original painting made in Mauer Park, Berlin: a famous park located on the former location of the Berlin Wall. The park is now well known for its vibrant market and many street performers.
A signed high quality inkjet print on cardstock, available in both US and International Standard paper sizes (a small white border will appear around the image). Each size is available in a limited edition of 100. Shipping not included.
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Revealed: With just days to go...everything we know ahead of Budget 2018
- Mix of USC cut and tweaks to tax bands set to net workers €20 per month
- Pension to rise but Christmas Bonuses to be paid at less than 100pc
- Sugar tax to be introduced
- Price of cigarettes expected to rise again
- Diesel prices look set to remain the same
With just days to go and negotiations on some aspects of the budget down to the wire here is everything we know so far about what to expect when Paschal Donohoe presents Budget 2018 on Tuesday.
Tax cuts
A cut to the much-hated USC and a tweaking of income tax bands will be included in next week's Budget following a compromise between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil in an effort to ensure that the budget will pass.
As part of a compromise deal being hammered out between Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and Fianna Fáil, it has been agreed that a double-edge approach to personal taxation will be taken.
The USC cut will help the 'squeezed middle' earning up to €70,000 a year, while the tax band changes will benefit people on salaries over €33,800.
However, the net increase in workers' pay packets is likely to be less than €20 a month.
Pension and social welfare payments
The Government looks set to make good on their commitment to introduce another €5 increase in the old age state pension. However, it is understood Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe is considering delaying the increase for a number of months due to concern over the €150m cost of the move. The reintroduction of a telephone allowance for elderly people is also expected.
The party, alongside Fianna Fáil and the Independent Alliance want to boost all social welfare payments.
Fianna Fáil are understood to be requesting an increase of up to €5 for all social welfare payments but have not tabled suggestions for how these should be funded.
The notion of prioritising one welfare payment over another has been dismissed with one Government source saying: "We can't leave anybody behind."
"Paschal has warned this will cost an awful lot of money and limit potential elsewhere," a source told the paper.
But despite the push for universal hikes, some sources cautioned that "tough decisions" would have to be made and "it simply mightn't be possible to do everything".
The Sunday Independent revealed that the entire cost of the social welfare package being discussed by the Government could come to €450m.
A hike in stamp duty on the sale of commercial property is being considered by the Government for Budget 2018.
It is also expected that the Help to Buy scheme is to be retained, with little or no amendments to the first-time buyers grant scheme.
Homeowners are expected to further benefit as mortgage relief, which was due to expire at the end of this year, may be extended.
Parents are not getting their hopes up ahead of Tuesday's Budget with no changes to child benefit expected and very slight increases in other social welfare payments.
It is expected that the bereavement grant will be brought back but will not match the previous once-off payment amount.
Under previous commitments to increase the threshold on inheritance tax from a parent to a child to €500,000 another increase in the threshold is expected this year. In last year's budget it was raised to €310,000 but it is unlikely that this year will see the ceiling raised to the full €500,000.
Christmas bonuses for social welfare recipients will be paid but not at the full 100pc rate.
The price of diesel is expected to remain unchanged in Budget 2018, despite speculation it could be equalised with petrol.
According to AA the average price of a litre of diesel is currently €1.22. This already includes taxes totalling almost 73c.
Petrol is around €1.35 at the average pump, including 86c in tax.
Meanwhile, the Budget will include a number of initiatives aimed at encouraging a greater uptake of electric vehicles.
A series of long-term measures are under consideration, with a focus on incentives to encourage a change in driver behaviour.
It is understood initiatives are being planned in particular to encourage the purchase of second-hand electric vehicles.
Cigarettes and alcohol
While diesel is likely to be left untouched, sources say excise duty on cigarettes and tobacco will rise.
It will be the sixth consecutive budget to see an increase in the price of cigarettes.
Last year, then finance minister Michael Noonan added 50c to a packet of 20 cigarettes, bringing the price to more than €11 for the first time. A 50c increase is also expected this week.
It is not yet clear whether Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has any plans to change the excise duty on alcohol.
Sugar Tax
A sugar tax is certain to feature in Mr Donohoe's Budget speech but will not be introduced before April 2018.
In an attempt to raise extra revenue the Government are exploring a number of tax initiatives with a charge on fizzy drinks top of the list.
It is expected the 'sugar tax' will come into force for April 2018, on the same day that a similar levy is being introduced in the UK.
Fianna Fáil have sought a number of measures to bring about improvement in education, among them an increase in guidance counsellors, investment in third level and a reduction of the pupil-teacher ratio by one point to 25:1.
The party wants to increase taxes for employers to fund investment in third-level education.
Micheál Martin's party has proposed increasing the National Training Funding levy on employers via PRSI by 0.1pc, which would raise an additional €66m.
In a Budget document seen by Independent.ie Fianna Fáil suggests increasing the employer tax from 0.7pc to 0.8pc.
This would be on top of another €44m the party believes should be taken from Exchequer funding to increase grants to third-level institutions.
In terms of public services, the figures of over 500 new teachers and at least 800 new gardai have been spoken about.
Mr Varadkar has indicated the budget for health will be increased next week (it is expected that all departments will see a budget increase).
Scoliosis services will likely receive extra funding and a reduction in prescription charge fees for 65 to 69-year-olds is also expected.
However, it is not fully clear what additional measures will be announced on Tuesday. The Taoiseach has been critical of the HSE's overspend in the run up to Budget day telling the Dáil:
"The word around the campfire in the HSE is always that the cupboard is bare yet the facts say otherwise. We have the biggest health budget in the history of the State," he said.
"We have the biggest health budget in the history of the State and it will rise again next year. It will not be long before we are in the top two or three in the world in terms of spending per capita."
Online Editors
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CBP issues video on the process of importing goods into the United States.
This video is for new and existing importers to learn the process of importing goods and merchandise from foreign countries into the United States, promoting the necessary steps to ensure compliance with U.S. laws and regulations.
Click here.


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Mountain sports week 2019 - Trail running & E-bike tour
Mountain sports week 2019 - Trail running & E-bike tour
Mo 07:30 Tu 07:30 We 07:30 Th 07:30 Fr 07:30 Sa 07:30 Su 07:30
For free
Registration for partners
Are you a local or an employee at Wilden Kaiser? Log in here.
Trailrunning with breakfast & E-Mountainbike Tour
Mountain sports week 2019 in Scheffau am Wilden Kaiser
In the morning: Trailrunning with mountain breakfast
Start the day actively with a trailrunning tour that does not involve altitude or kilometers! Our guide Andi from the "Cross the Alps Academy" wants to show you the right technique in uphill and downhill, and you will get an eye and sense for the terrain. Furthermore, Andi gives you helpful tips around the topic of equipment. After the trail run, the hunger is certainly big enough for a nice mountain breakfast on a cozy snack station or alpine hut around Scheffau.
The tour is inclusive a voucher for a breakfast in value of € 14,-
You need: Trail running shoes or sports shoes with good profile, sporty leisurewear, rain cover, sunscreen (headgear, glasses, cream), small backpack, drink
Duration: from 07:30 to aprox. 10:30
Meeting point: in front of the information office Scheffau
In the afternoon: E-Mountainbike Tour
Let our guides from Bike-Service Knaubert take you on an exciting mountain bike tour! On the mountain trails with slight gradients and slopes you can enjoy the magnificent and breathtaking panorama of the Wilder Kaiser and the surrounding mountains to the fullest. The guides will show you some easier trails where they teach you the right technique and give many tips about mountain biking.
The tour includes e-bike rental and helmet.
You need: sports shoes, sports wear, rain cover, sunscreen (glasses, cream), small backpack, drink, small snacks, bicycle gloves
Duration: 13:00 to aprox. 17:00
Meeting point: in front of the information office Scheffau
This offer is only bookable with a ticket for the mountain sports week; both program items can only be booked in combination and count as 1 mountain sports day.
All information about the mountain sports week: www.wilderkaiser.info/bergsportwoche
Here you can book the tickets for the mountain sports week: Wilder Kaiser Ticket Shop
The program is especially for guests with a Wilder Kaiser Guest Card, which you will receive upon arrival in your booked accommodation in the villages of Going, Ellmau, Scheffau and Söll. Program changes reserved!


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- 1 1/2 lb potatoes, sliced to 1/8 inches
- 4 clove garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 cup light cream + 1/4 cup milk
- sea salt and black pepper to taste
1. Heat oven to 300 degrees F. Generously butter a wide, shallow casserole dish.
2. In medium bowl, stir garlic into cream and add milk as well.
3. Cover the bottom of the dish with a layer of potatoes. Dot a little butter over the potato layer, season with salt and pepper and then pour some milk over potatoes. Repeat until all ingredients are used, ending with milk layer. Bake for 1 1/2 hours, until very soft and golden brown. If the dish browns too quickly, cover with foil and continue baking.
Click below for printer friendly PDF


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Our first three months as Full-Time RV'ers has flown by so fast I can't believe the amount of experiences we've had in such a small amount of time. While Reno wasn't initially on our hit list, especially for our first city of choice, it acted as an excellent hub with access to great RV destinations. Locations such as: Virginia City, Lake Tahoe, Pyramid Lake, and McArthur Burney Falls were all just a short drive away and all impressive in their own right. Reno itself wasn't so bad, a city built in the desert with minimal plant life, and lots of gambling. We found a few good restaurants, however we thought it fell short on great places to eat unless you're into casino buffets. We also had the pleasure of making a few great friends during our stay which made exploring Reno and its surroundings that much more enjoyable.
So where to now? Lisa and I had a good week to kill before we indulged into our much anticipated two week Yosemite and Sequoia National Park excursion. We had to be near San Fransisco International Airport in order to pick up some of our best friends that would be joining us during that trip. We decided to explore Point Reyes National Seashore, a low populated area located on the California coastline about an hour and a half drive north from San Fransisco.
If you're looking for populated city life Point Reyes has nothing for you. However, if you're looking for peaceful, non overrun beautiful landscapes this is your place! We stayed at Olema Campground, a clean, fairly priced, wooded campground that surprisingly had some of the best free wifi we've ran across.
First we decided to check out the Point Reyes Light House, along the way was an old abandoned shipwreck that had washed up onto shore. I loved it, and thinking of what I could do with it astrophotography wise made my mouth water. However, my two late night attempts of the shipwreck were consumed by overcast skies and no visible stars…bummer, I did happen to snag a few night shots near by though. Our second stop along the way was a cool "tree tunnel" and from my understanding this was the driveway to what housed the lighthouse operators (it too was abandoned). Finally we got to the lighthouse which boasts a 300 step flight of stairs. Unfortunately this flight of stairs happens to be closed Tues. Wed. and Thurs. so we just enjoyed it from the view point which is never closed.
Next we decided to eat lunch or should I say oysters at Hogs Island Oyster Co. located on the east side of Tomales Bay, not to be confused with the Hogs Island Oyster Co. located in San Fran. While these two restaurants maybe the same company they sport polar opposite atmospheres and experiences. The Tomales Bay location is the actual production facility, you can buy them by the dozen or by the bag (70 oysters) sit on the bay shucking your own oysters while watching the workers clean, bag, and ship their product away. It was a privilege to enjoy the freshest oysters in this setting, an eating experience I will never forget. With a Google rating of 4.7 out of 76 reviews, it kind of speaks for itself.
After getting our shuck on, we decided to do a sunset hike to the end of Tomales Point Trail. As of me writing this, I have hiked through Yosemite, Sequoia, Redwoods, and many other beautiful locations but the Tomales Point Trail has got to be one of my favorites thus far. A highly elevated peninsula with the most gorgeous endless view points was so stunning to me. During all of our hikes our only minor complaint is that we never really see any wildlife, well we got our wildlife fix on this trail. Elk, many Elk, Big Elk, small Elk, Elk were everywhere, we estimated that we saw a good 100+. Sometimes the trail would turn into almost a trench and you couldn't see so far ahead, all of a sudden we would be within very close range of enormous bucks (check out this video)! While we may have gotten closer than a safe distance away, none of the Elk showed us any aggression, just a quick stare down then back to eating vegetation. Amazing trail!
Lastly, Katie, a friend we made in Reno decided to join us for our last Hike to Alamere Falls. Alamere Falls is one of two rare "tidefalls" located on the California coastline and is a waterfall that flows directly onto the beach and into the ocean. McWay Falls is the other tidefall however, it is very touristy and not accessible from the bottom. It's about an 8.5 mile out and back intermediate hike to get to Alamere Falls when starting from the Palomarin Trailhead. What better reward could you ask for when getting to the end of a trail than walking upon a waterfall that's flowing into the ocean? Seeing a unicorn here wouldn't have surprised me, it was amazing.
With not entirely to much planning I think we explored this area pretty well, in fact we couldn't wipe the smiles off our faces during our entire week stay in Point Reyes. Now we are on our way to pick up some friends from San Fran Airport to start our Journey though Yosemite and Sequoia National Park.
Images from this trip will soon be available for purchase through my online store, they are high quality prints and fully customizable, from canvas to metal prints any size, as well as framing options be sure to check it out. Until next time, peace.


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In providing the Crisis Management Audit, our consultants examine how well prepared your business is in managing the contingencies that could arise from a disaster. Certis analyses the risks and threats that may disrupt your organisation's operation and provides effective contingent plans for business continuity
Information leak? Industrial espionage? Infringement on intellectual property rights? Let Certis' professional investigation services help you
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Check availability and book online
LEFRANCOIS Philippe et Brigitte
45, Rue de Greenock 76450 VEULETTES-SUR-MER / Côte d'Albâtre
Type of facilities : Rentals and gîtes
Type of house : House
The chalk cliffs coast is home to other resorts to discover: port St Valéry en Caux, artistic stroll to Veules les Roses, animated landscapes to Etretat, shopping Dieppe, parks and many gardens nearby. Onsite: tennis, mini-golf, the casino. The cottage is bright and furnished with care, in a quiet location 500 m from the beach and has a walled garden of 140 m² and terrace.
Ground floor: entrance, living room (flat-screen TV and DVD player), kitchen (dishwasher, oven and microwave), wc, 1 bedroom suitable for playroom (1 bed 90x190cm presented in sofa). Upstairs: 1 bedroom (1 bed 1 person 90 x 200 cm), 1 bedroom (1 double bed 140x190cm), 1 bedroom (2 beds 1 person 90x200cm), bathroom with wc. Cellar bungalow (washing machine, freezer) and space for your bikes, surfboards... Bed and high chair available. Internet connection. Bed linen included. Possible cleaning: 45€. Central heating: 10€/day if using.
Comfort : Dishwasher, Barbecue, Internet access, Wifi, Microwave, Own washing machine, DVD Player, Colour television, Garden, Own terrace, Self-contained accommodation, Patio set
Accommodates up to a maximum of : 6 people
Facilities : Crib
Services : Cleaning / housework, Linen provided, Baby equipment
|Week (appartment)- Du 09/02/2019 au 08/03/2019
|From 375.00€
|Week (appartment)Mid-season- Du 04/05/2019 au 28/06/2019
|From 480.00€
|Week (appartment)Peak-season- Du 06/07/2019 au 23/08/2019
|From 675.00€
|Week-end (appartment)- Du 04/05/2019 au 28/06/2019
|to 312.00€
Methods of payment : Carte bleue, Holiday vouchers


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RealFoundations' John D'Angelo, CRE, will be discussing Enterprise Data Solution - Why Don't We Have It Yet? at the NAREIM Asset & Portfolio Management conference on Wednesday at 10AM EDT.
The National Association of Real Estate Investment Managers (NAREIM) provides members the opportunity to refine strategy, improve operations, and provoke new thinking through meetings, surveys and thought leadership activities.
If you'll be attending and want to hear how we can make real estate run better for you, connect with Karen Gillen and John D'Angelo and team who will be representing RealFoundations.
Learn more about the event here.
About RealFoundations RealFoundations is a professional services firm focused on the real estate industry. With offices on four continents, 400+ client-serving professionals and off-shore delivery capabilities in China and India, RealFoundations provides Management Consulting, Managed Services and Energy Solutions to developers, owners/operators, service providers, institutional investors and corporate occupiers. From the building itself to the way it is used, operated and financed, no firm understands the inner workings of the entire real estate ecosystem as well as RealFoundations. We Make Real Estate Run Better.


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Swan Lake Ballet at Edinburgh Playhouse
From Friday, 8 March 2019 to Saturday, 9 March 2019 March 8, 2019 March 9, 2019 Apex Hotels
The classic Swan Lake ballet will be showing at the Edinburgh Playhouse. and performed by the Russian State Ballet of Siberia. Swan Lake is a beautiful and tragic love story set to the musical score of Tchaikovsky.
Tickets range from £15 - 40 and must be booked in advance.


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Jewels of the new World - Jun 24th, 2012
Wiener Staatsballet: 2012, June 24th Jewels of the new World
The season is over... Some thoughts in retrospect!
The last ballet season and the direction of Manuel Legris at the Vienna State Opera has brought us many delights…
Here some thoughts…
It may seem rather unusual for the readers that I'll not point out some of the Ballets and "popular" dancers that, during the last months have been quite present at the Austrian "media"
Unfortunately I don't seem to share the tastes of Vienna's broad audience – I still much prefer dancers that spend more time rehearsing than being at the jury of some strange TV program or the ones that chose to "give" more on stage and, and like this, winning the audience's affections than the ones that this year were trying at all cost to be interviewed during the Viennese Opera Ball and were snubbed (or in fact ignored?) by the interviewer. So embarrassing!
Some of the Highlights of the past season for me were definitely Serge Lifar's 1943 Masterpiece "Suite en Blanc" and Boris Eifman's "Anna Karenina". Unfortunately I missed Vladirmir Shishov as Basil in "Don Quixote" (Don Q.). But I saw him as Florismund in "The sleeping Beauty".
I have to point out Shane A.Wuerthner's beautiful Performance in "Suit
…and Dagmar Kronberger's valuable, delicate insight of the role and I am not referring just to technique. Dagmar Kronberger's Anna is a woman of flesh and blood. A beautiful vulnerable woman looking for happiness – even it means the pain of leaving back one's own child. Just a mother can understand that. A great, sensitive performance by a beautiful and very gifted artist.
Later in the season I had the chance and privilege to present Dagmar with a DVD of Vivien Leigh's "Anna" – the British film that was once called "a beautiful disaster"! Not at all like Dagmar's "Anna" here: a beautiful success!!!!
I was lucky enough to be able to attend to three performances of "Juwelen der neuen Welt II" (Jewels of the New World II, an allusion to Balanchine's Ballet "Jewels" which include "Rubies", "Emeralds" and "Diamonds") which included choreographies by William Forsythe, John Neumeier, Twyla Tharp and Balanchine.
As mentioned here, quite a while ago (precisely on March 20th) in a review called "Wiener Staatsoper: Balanchine and Robbins (and the Manuel Legris' adorable arrogance)" I do really admire Manuel Legri's arrogance in putting such ballets in the repertoire here, some of them that even the ABT wouldn't dare to use – as they do really require a certain understanding (I am thinking especially about Mr.B.) that is very difficult to attain in such a short time, especially if you were trained in the East! Bravo, Dancers of Wiener Staatsballet! Well done!
In the picture: Marie Claire D'Lyse, Shane A.Wuerthner, Flavia Soares, Vladimir Shishov, Ricardo Leitner, Dagmar Kronberger e Eno Peçi, here in my flat.
I would love tell you in particular about the last two performances of "Jewels" that I've seen this year: On April 16th and June 17th.
"The Vertiginous Thrill of exactitude" by William Forsythe is not one of my favourites but I must say that I enjoyed very much Irina Tsymbal's and Nina Polakova's performances on June 17th but sort of missed the presence of Denys Cherevychko… He had been brilliant on April 12's Performance… He was appointed a Principal yesterday! My Congratulations, Denys!
"Bach Suite III": a very special Ballet from John Neumeier.
I still remember Roman Lazik and Maria Yakovleva back in April. Pure poetry. A delight. Roman Lazik is blessed with a beautiful, sensitive stage presence that, combined with his clean technique and good-looks, turns him into a very special Dancer. One that irradiates intelligence. Miss Yakovleva is also very much of an actress-dancer and… I like that.
June's performance was a good and an extremely correct one. Olga Esina is always a very self-confident dancer with great technique. Kirill Kourlaev is a very good and gifted dancer – they are a beautiful couple onstage – and they"extend each other" very well!
Greig Matthews' presence in "Bach Suite" was not a very big one but I am sure that Ballet followers realize how hard this talented young man has been working. Every time that I see him again on stage he seems to be getting better and better – and he just turned 19! It is exciting to think about wha the future may bring us!
Mihail Sosnovschi, was the second lead in April's Performance – and a very, very gifted one. I love Sosnovschi's "aura" on stage and the audiences seem to be carrying ona "love affair" with him since a long time…
"Variations over a Haydn's Theme" (Twyla Tharp) turned to be the biggest disappointment for me in all three Performances. A bore really. I guess that it has been misunderstood by everyone who's been staging it – or rehearsing it, better said. The choreography itself is not one of Twyla's Masterpieces (and I DO love Twyla's work) but it has "humor", a certain "freshness" in it (Think of all never-ending "exits" and how exaggerated they are…) but no one here seemed to have remembered that while rehearsing it. Something tells me that Shane A.Wuerthner knows that… he knew the ballet before!). It is being danced "straight" and turns quite quickly into a big bore.
Such a shame to see such talent like Shane A. Wuerthner's, Eno Peçi's and Vladimir Shishov's wasted like that. I guess the audience would have expected to see more of these three gifted, brilliant dancers during both last performances of this program!
But even being a frequent Opera-goer it is quite difficult, after a whole year, to really evaluate all that one has seen during the past 10 months.
So many things are forgotten because they didn't really leave a lasting impression in one's mind. Sometimes not only because one hasn't liked them or because they were not good– it all has also a lot to do with our own well-being and how open and relaxed we are during a certain performance, to be able, at that particular moment, to really "absorb" what you were watching… Yes…
"Rubies": Davide Dato and Natalie Kusch simply "brought down the house". A delicious way to finish this function… Dato's jumps and exactitude, his stage presence, his classic features, his very good physique don't let the audience stop following him.
Davide is a promising, bright, young new Star of the State Opera and we'll surely hear a lot of him during the next years.
The Season came to an End – in a way, with a sad note for Vienna's audiences: two of the most gifted dancers of the company are leaving to San Francisco: Shane A.Wuerthner and the lovely Marie Claire D'Lyse. I may, also in name of your very many followers, wish you all the luck in the world for your future! God Bless and thanks for all the joy you've given us during the last years! And Thanks: it was really nice having you two over for dinner! The next prawns, please in San Francisco!
But to complete these thoughts about the Ballet and Vienna, here some news – and surely a very well-deserved one:
You remember the dancer I have been writing about, the Scottish dancer called Greig Matthews? Well, just after yesterday's performance (A Nureyev Gala) he was appointed demi-soloist!!!! Haven't I said so? He just called to tell me that! I am so glad for his promotion, really glad (and really very happy that he called me personally to tell me that! I felt like "part of the family". I well imagine how proud his Mom might be!)
Congratulations, my dear Greig!
These news surely finished the Season in grand style!
You deserved that!
Let's celebrate!!!!!
Ricardo Leitner / Attitude-devant


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Midwifery Care & Natural Birth
Birth Experience
Imagine a softly lit room with your music playing in the background. There are no strangers, no machines beeping, no wires from multiple devices wrapped around you. You have the freedom to move as you wish, eat and drink as desired, and labor however you would like. When you feel the urge to push, you are encouraged to trust your body…told you are powerful…told you are amazing. In whatever position that feels best, you bring forth your baby into the world and bring him/her up onto your chest to nuzzle and nurse without disruption. The umbilical cord is not cut until after the placenta has delivered, and you baby never moves from your chest for at least an hour, and then only so that we can do the newborn exam right next to you.
While this is just an example since no two births are alike, this gives you an idea of what a "typical" birth is like with us. You will have the freedom to choose what is important to you and how you want to experience your birth. Whether you desire a water birth, older children to be present, you or your partner to catch your baby, pictures/video, etc....all of that is possible! While our role as your midwives is to help ensure the safety of you and your baby, it is also very important to us that you enjoy your birthing experience. It is a once in a lifetime moment, and we want to make it as personalized and as special for you as possible.
Midwifery Care Experience
When you make the decision to have a Licensed Midwife as your care provider for your pregnancy and delivery, there are numerous benefits you and your baby will receive. Not only is a Licensed Midwife a SAFE alternative to a physician for low-risk women, but the individualized quality of care and the bond you develop with your Midwife is unmatched.
Since we plan each visit to take 30-60 minutes on average, there is always plenty of time for discussion regarding anything that may be going on in your life. Pregnancy is not just about your uterus and the baby inside of it; it encompasses your whole being in ways that are physical, emotional and spiritual. We want to get to know you and build a relationship with you so that when the time comes for your baby's arrival, it is truly a more intimate and joyous occasion for us all.
You are welcome to bring whomever you would like to your visits (including your other children). We love having partners and siblings involved in prenatal care since this is an event that will change the lives of everyone. We think it is a good opportunity for other family members to also ask questions, feel more at ease with the transition that is to come and to get involved with the pregnancy. We encourage children to help measure mom's belly and listen to the heartbeat during the visit since we feel that this small act can have a large impact on their relationship with you and the new baby. Since pregnancy does not only involve the mother, midwifery care seeks to incorporate all family members into the process.
You will be apprised of all tests, procedures, protocols, as well as the benefits/risks to each of them so that you will be able to make an informed decision that is right for you and your baby. I am not here to judge you, or tell you what to do with your body or baby. I will give you the information needed to be able to make an informed decision, and then honor whatever you decide. You know yourself and your baby better than anyone, and that should be appreciated and taken into consideration when it comes to choices you will need to make. I am here to help you navigate your path; not tell you which path to take.


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There are two options available to a debtor to file their bankruptcy case. One of them is to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and other one is a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a way to reorganize debt into a form of repayment procedure. Chapter 7 bankruptcy or "liquidation bankruptcy" removes all sorts of debt that can lead to expungement. This chapter determines who all qualifies for filing a bankruptcy case, method to file, and type of debt that is qualified for discharge.
Who can qualify for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
Every state has its set of income guidelines. According to chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney, a person who files for bankruptcy has to fall within the income criteria of the state to be considered for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Income criteria set by bankruptcy rule determine those debtors who are eligible to file for "Chapter 7 bankruptcy". To qualify under income rules, the income of the filer should be equal or below the average income in the state of the filer.
Who would not qualify for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
Under this bankruptcy rule, there are a few cases when the debtor does not qualify:
- Discharge of earlier debt within the last 8 years under "Chapter 7";
- Discharge of earlier debt within the last 6 years under Chapter 13;
- Income, debt and expenses would not qualify for a Chapter 13 filing;
- The debtor tried to defraud bankruptcy court or creditors;
- The debtor missed attending credit counseling
What is the best way to file your bankruptcy case under Chapter 7?
A debtor is needed to attend credit counseling before filing for bankruptcy under "Chapter 7". On completion of this counseling with a state approved agency can a debtor legally file for his case at a local bankruptcy court?
As a debtor, there are certain things that you would need to furnish. These are income information, debt, expenditures, and creditor holdings of unsecured and secured debt, property sale documents, and details of all those properties that are exempted.
What are the non-dischargeable debts under Chapter 7 bankruptcy?
Some of the key main non-dischargeable debts are:
- back child support
- alimony obligations
- student loans whose repayment leads to an undue hardship
- less than 3 years of pending income taxes
- debts for luxuries that you have purchased recently
- Debts incurred due to fraud. It can be telling a lie to credit agencies or putting wrong information on a check
- debts resulting from malicious or willful injury to another's property
- debts due to a violation of trust
Types of property that are exempted from Chapter 7
Certain types of property are completely exempted in most of the states. These are
- motor vehicles that cost a certain value
- necessary clothing
- needed household goods and furnishings
- household appliances
- jewelry till a certain price
- life insurance up to a certain price
- pensions
- Unpaid but earned salary
- Public benefits such as welfare, unemployment compensation, social security that is deposited in a bank account.
A better understanding of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy will help you decide which one would be the right option for your case.


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The vision of our founder Mr. Fred Wells is to provide seniors with affordable access to our tennis facility. Today, the Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center is a home to hundreds of seniors who embrace tennis as a lifelong sport for health and wellness.
In the spirit of our visionary founder, FWTEC is proud to honor deserving seniors with our annual Legends of the Fort award. This award is a distinction bestowed upon seniors who have demonstrated a lifelong passion for tennis and who have engaged the Fort community with their enthusiasm, volunteer service, and commitment to FWTEC.
These honorees have played an integral role in making FWTEC what it is today and they are helping shape what it will become in the future. It is because of their efforts that tennis will continue to thrive for decades to come.
Legends of the Fort
The late-Edward Backstrom III was a retired attorney for the City of Minneapolis. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed tennis, volleyball, biking, scuba diving, skiing, golf and photography. Two to three times a week, Ed participated in tennis drills at The Fort. He also was a frequent volunteer with the TennisWorks program, and since October of 2016, he had accumulated over 100 hours of service. Ed was an incredible friend of The Fort, with his family asking that all memorials support the TennisWorks program after he passed away.
Recently celebrating her 89th birthday, age does not stop Corrine McCarthy from doing the things she loves most, including playing tennis. Playing 3-4 times a week, there are days she plays up to 3 hours a day subbing for other players. Corrine started playing at The Fort in 2004 when the Lilydale Club closed and has been a fixture here ever since. Corrine shows that tennis is truly a lifetime sport and demonstrates the spirit of what makes up a Legend of the Fort.
Karen Hollaus has been a regular at The Fort since the closing of the Lilydale Club in 2004. She began taking tennis lessons from Ric Yates and Jim Dixon – both previous Legends of the Fort honorees - in the late 1970s and early 1980s at Lilydale, developing a friendship with these coaches that continues today. Karen has participated on Women's Daytime League teams in both singles and doubles at The Fort, plays doubles with friends regularly and has frequently been on the court herself perfecting her serve or strokes with the ball machine.
Charlie Boone, 2017
Charlie Boone was the long-time voice on WCCO radio. Paired up with the late Roger Erickson, their show was a mainstay in the Twin Cities for 37-years. Charlie was an early advocate for The Fort, using his radio show as a platform to get the word out about the center in its early days in the early 2000s. He played at The Fort Monday, Wednesday and Saturday with his devout group of friends, several of whom are still playing Monday and Wednesday mornings.
Bea Langford, 2017
Bea embodies the lifelong game of tennis! She's been playing since her mother took her and her younger brother out to a net strung-up in the driveway. That one game of tennis was the only one until high school when she was able to play tennis in high school (though it involved a great deal of running up and down hills in between classes). From there, Bea took lessons and joined a robust community of tennis players and their families. Bea played at Lilydale enjoying the company of mixed-doubles until The Fort opened in 2002 where she's played ever since. Bea credits tennis with allowing her to make lifelong friends, keeping fit, and helping keep a balance in life.
Skip Pederson, 2017
Skip is a long time supporter of The Fort. Skip runs 12 permanent court times weekly hosting roughly 20 senior participants and is always headed out to "lunch" with his friends. He is known for his big personality and great and friendly attitude. He brings a smile to everyone's face every time he enters the building. Anyone you talk to would agree that he is a true legend of The Fort!
Tony Stingley, 2017
For over 25 years, Stingley served as a tennis instructor, player, official, administrator and mentor helping thousands of people throughout the tennis community. Tony was instrumental in founding The Fort's weekend programs during the early days of The Fort's inception. His guidance was crucial in getting The Fort where it is today. Tony currently heads up USTA Northern's Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, including the Diverse Player Scholarship program which grants under-resourced junior players the opportunity to participate in the game of tennis.
Doug Benson, 2016
Doug has been a volunteer in our TennisWorks after-school program since January of 2005, eleven years of untiring commitment and time to the mission of FWTEC. Everyone here at The Fort and other volunteers describe him as a kind, caring and observant youth coach. He tries to learn students' names, no matter how difficult it might be. The first year, we had 10 Myanmar students with names difficult for a native English speaker. Doug took the attendance sheet home and memorized them all. Doug often thinks about the students after a session and will bring new ideas and observations about what might work better with the students.
Jim Nichols, 2016
In 2005, Jim brought two groups of his tennis friends to The Fort upon the closing of Lilydale Club. Today, Jim calls FWTEC his home. He reserves 22 plus courts per week with over 100 players on his roster. He makes sure that all his players stay competitive. Jim fills the morning courts with smiling faces and is always willing to take on new players and make them feel welcome at the Fort. Jim, at 87 years of age, remains a competitive player on the court. Over the years, Jim has provided many opportunities for seniors to continue and begin playing the life-long sport of tennis. Jim is truly an ambassador of the Fort and the game of tennis.
Jim Dixon, 2016
Jim and his devout players migrated to FWTEC in 2005 when the Lilydale Club closed its doors. Since then, Jim has been at the heart of our Women's Day League, coaching teams of all different skill levels. In addition, Jim has coached juniors at The Fort and is a boys high school coach. Jim is a widely respected racquet stringing expert and has been the architect behind players' racquets over the years. Jim continues his passion for tennis with his weekly doubles crew here at The Fort.
Ruby Rott, 2016
Ruby is an 83-year-old woman who can keep up with players who are half her age. Ruby loves her tennis. Even though her doctors have encouraged her to slow down a bit, Ruby is from the World War II generation. She has the Rosie the Riveter attitude of "we can do it" and she does. In addition to playing league tennis, Ruby regularly competes in tennis in the Annual Senior Games. Each year she competes against other players across the nation and regularly brings home a collection of gold and silver trophies and medals. This year, Ruby was inducted into the Minnesota Senior Sports Association Hall of Fame. Ruby is living proof that age is merely a "state of mind."
Ric Yates, 2016
Ric has been one of the most respected coaches in the Northern Section for over 40 years, dating back to the early 70s when he became the Tennis Director at the Lilydale Club. Ric is a highly respected premier coach for juniors and adults of all levels. Ric has coached at the collegiate level, leading the University of Thomas to a MIAC title and producing four NCAA Division III All Americans. In 2005 when Lilydale closed, Ric found a new home at FWTEC. In his 11 years at the Fort, he has worked with hundreds of Women's Day League players and remains a trusted voice in all areas of tennis development, coaching and management. One of the section's craftiest doubles players, Ric Yates has demonstrated a passion for the game of tennis throughout his life and has influenced many to embrace tennis as a life-long sport.