text:
Travel slowly, staying in vacation rentals (villas, farms, cottages, apartments)
Trip Reports Home | My Trip Reports | Create Trip Report | Recent Reports | Search Trip Reports
> SlowTrav > Trip Reports
Report 1542: POSTCARD - Cooking in Cortona
By Bugalu from AL, Spring 2008
Trip Description: My sister and I were headed to Montisi, in Tuscany, for a week with Gails Great Escapes. We were staying in an eight room villa with several other Slow Travel friends, and a few other travelers. The trip offers a chance for a cooking class with Alessandra Federici in Cortona, as well as a hot air balloon ride, and art lessons more postcards to follow!
Destinations: Countries - Italy; Regions/Cities - Tuscany
Categories: Vacation Rentals; Cooking Classes; Independent Travel; 2 People
Page 1 of 1: Cooking in Cortona
Cooking in Cortona
My sister and I were headed to Montisi, in Tuscany, for a week with Gails Great Escapes. We were staying in an eight room villa with several other Slow Travel friends, and a few other travelers. The trip offers a chance for a cooking class with Alessandra Federici in Cortona, as well as a hot air balloon ride, and art lessons more postcards to follow!
Cortona has gained fame most recently from the book by Frances Mayes, Under the Tuscan Sun, and of course the movie that we all have seen. It is also an ancient Etruscan town, dating back thousands of years. This is a beautiful Tuscan walled city, easily explored on foot. Cooking class or not Cortona is a must!
Our cooking class was scheduled for Wednesday, bright and early. We woke early and fortified ourselves with a cup of coffee before heading out. We had programmed Tomas-Tomas our Italian Tom-Tom to get us to Cortona, about a 40 minute drive from Montisi. The drive itself was not bad but I would never have made it without Tomas-Tomas. The back roads in Tuscany are not exactly well marked with signs. The drive was beautiful in the springtime of the year; red poppies and yellow blossoms everywhere you look. The rolling hills and short trip on the autostrada made for a fun trip.
The one problem with Tomas-Tomas is that he is very literal. If you program the city of Cortona, you will arrive at the city center! Remember to begin looking for parking, well before you wind up on the narrow streets intended for residents only. We parked just outside the city walls and made the short climb up the hill to Alessandras shop il Girasole.
We met Alessandra in her shop, which is just on the corner of the Theater in the center of the city. We were ready for our busy day! The first stop was the café on the corner for a cappuccino and a bite of breakfast. Alessandra had prepared a cookbook for each of us with our recipes for the day.
Off we went to the fresh market for our vegetables. Alessandra chatted with the girl about which tomatoes she wanted, the perfect size artichokes, some tender baby garlic, celery, onions and carrots. Next, we were off to the wine store around the corner, a special white wine from their extensive selections. Across the square to the grocery store; again she handed the recipe book to the owner and there was a discussion about our menu. This all reminded me of any small town, friendly and chatty. Here we bought some cheeses, eggs, risotto, cookies for the tiramisu, some spices, and milk. At every store they agreed to deliver her groceries to her car, nothing for us to carry. Next we made a quick stop into the Bakery for some day old bread. The last stop was the meat market. Here, she asked about the butchers sons, very good looking apparently! Allora, they werent there, so we settled for some fresh chicken, a beef tenderloin, some sausage and a few bones for the marrow. Everyone approved our menu, although the butcher did have some comments about the boneless, skinless chicken breast Alessandra wanted. We followed along, loving the music of Italian chatter, and feeling very much a part of the whole experience.
There was a slight encounter with the parking attendant, which left us all laughing. Alessandra explained one of the worst things to say to someone is, Ma hai mai mangiato a casa mia?? Translated to have your ever eaten at my house? meaning, You are not a friend of mine. We all piled into her car, with the groceries in the back, and headed, lickety split, down the hill to her home. We felt so lucky to be invited into her cucina, not the least bit intimidating. She is such a warm and friendly person, that we felt like friends and neighbors right away.
Alessandras kitchen is truly the center, the heart, of her home. In this small space she has every cooking utensil she needs, so efficiently organized I am in envy!
We gathered around the big island ready to watch her make her magic. But NO WAY! She pulled out an apron for each of us, beautiful aprons from her shop. We rolled up our sleeves and tied up our aprons. We were all cooking today.
Each of us had a job, from slicing and dicing the garlic, cleaning the artichokes, and chopping vegetables. The Tuscan bread was broken into pieces for the bread salad. The olive oil we used was from her brothers olive trees, the wine from her neighbor. We made a quick trip out to the neighborhood garden for some fresh herbs. It was a little farm, with chickens and eggs, bunnies in pens, and a great garden. Might I just say I am glad rabbit wasnt on the menu!
One of the highlights for all of us was taking a turn at the pasta machine. No fancy Cuisinart or mixer, she showed us how to nest our semolina flour and fill the center with eggs. She whisked the eggs and kneaded the dough without any mess. We rolled out the dough, cut the ribbons of noodles, and Ta-Da! We were not quite as skilled as her years of practice; but we sure had fun! The long strands of tagliatelle were perfetto.
We spent the entire day preparing each dish. We had several pots going at the same time. She kept it all straight. There was always a little wine for the pot and a little wine for the cooks. We laughed and talked and enjoyed the chance to be in a real Italian kitchen.
When everything was ready, we sat at her familys table and shared in the wonderful meal. We tasted a bit of this and a bit of that. Everything was just great one of the best meals during my entire trip. She told us stories and kept us laughing. When we were too stuffed to even move, she proved that a sip of Grappa can be a digestive.
Alessandra shared more than just her familys recipes. She showed us how to stir the ragu like her Mama does, how to let the risotto cook without getting gummy, how to plate each serving with care. She also showed us the love and pride that goes into every Italian dish. This is the memory I treasure the most.
I have already tried some of the recipes out on my family and friends and just as with Alessandra and her mother, no matter how closely I emulate what she has taught me, it just isnt the same! It must be the Italian air.
If you ever have a chance to spend a day cooking with Alessandra in Cortona, do it! I will carry this memory forever, which is why I just had to send yall this little postcard.
Sandi (aka Bugalu) is an experienced southern cook. Her family owned the WhistleStop Cafe, and they are still involved with the food product business.
She has written two cookbooks, and runs the WhistleStop Cooking Blog.
|Car Rental
|Hotel Booking
|Flight Booking
|Train Tickets
|Books, Maps, Events
|Europe Cell Phones
|Long Distance Cards
|Luggage, etc.
|Travel Insurance
* Advertise on Slow Travel | Post your travel questions on the Slow Travel Forums
Copyright © 2000 - 2014 SlowTrav.com, unless noted otherwise. Slow Travel® is a registered trademark. Contact Slow Travel
RSS Feeds - Link to Us - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy - IB Cookie Policy - Currency Converter - Colophon - Sponsors - Become a Member
Vacation Rentals - Italy - UK & Ireland - Switzerland - France - Spain - North America - Rest of the World


text:
A salesman at a Chevy Dealership in suburban Chicago was fired Monday for refusing to take off his Green Bay Packers tie, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
John Stone wore the tie to work at Webb Chevrolet in Oak Lawn, Ill., to celebrate the Packers NFC Championship Game win over the Bears.
General Manager Jerry Roberts asked Stone to remove the tie five times, saying it might aggravate Bears fans and make it more difficult to sell cars. When Stone refused, he was fired.
He said, You have two options, a furious Stone said later Monday to the Chicago Sun-Times. Remove the tie, or youre fired.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
AT&T Reports Record-Breaking iPad Activations
March 19, 2012 -- 10:05 am
Jump to navigation
AT&T Reports Record-Breaking iPad Activations
Following the release of the new Apple iPad on March 16, AT&T has reported a record number of single-day sales and activations for the device, according to a Yahoo News report. While both companies have yet to release official reports on how many iPads were sold, Apple CEO Tim Cook says the company had a "record weekend." According to analysts, approximately 1 million iPad 2s were sold during opening weekend in 2011, meaning this year's sales have at least eclipsed that number. (3/19)


text:
Log In now to add this Gigapan to a group gallery.
Log In now to add this Gigapan to a gallery.
About This GigapanToggle
- Taken by
- Paul Heckbert
- Explore score
- 1
- Print Pricing
- $6.00 to $1,017.00
- Size
- 2.47 Gigapixels
- Views
- 4447
- Date added
- Jul 03, 2012
- Date taken
- Jul 01, 2012
- Categories
- Galleries
- Print Gallery | All
- Competitions
- Tags
- clearcut, railroad, pinkerton, great_allegheny_passage, rail_trail, daylighting, casselman
- Description
A huge cut is being dug in the ridge of Pinkerton Horn to "daylight" the CSX railroad tunnel, to allow taller rail cars to use the line. Huge piles of rock and dirt from the cut at bottom are being dumped on the top of the clearcut ridge, visible beyond the trees at the center of this image. Down near the Casselman River are the Pinkerton low bridge (at left) and Pinkerton high bridge (at right), which were built for the Western Maryland Railway and are today used by the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail. In the summer, people swim in the river near the low bridge.
Click on "View in Google Earth" for the best view.
See also
view from hilltop, the same day: gigapan.com/gigapans/108787
view from downstream side of the horn, November 2011, earlier in the dig: gigapan.org/gigapans/92117/
view from upstream side of the horn, November 2011: gigapan.org/gigapans/92098/
Gigapan Comments (0)Toggle Minimize gigapan_comment
Where in the World is this GigaPan?Toggle
Stitcher NotesToggleMinimize
GigaPan Stitch.Efx version 2.0.0500 (Macintosh)
Panorama size: 2474 megapixels (85184 x 29048 pixels)
Input images: 276 (23 columns by 12 rows)
Field of view: 270.9 degrees wide by 92.4 degrees high (top=19.4, bottom=-73.0)
Vignette correction on: c1=-0.0168 c2=0.00125
All default settings
Original image properties:
Camera make: Canon
Camera model: Canon EOS REBEL T2i
Image size: 5184x3456 (17.9 megapixels)
Capture time: 2012-07-01 13:03:06 - 2012-07-01 13:16:11
Aperture: f/11
Exposure time: 0.00625
Focal length (35mm equiv.): 118.0 mm
White balance: Fixed
Exposure mode: Manual
Horizontal overlap: 31.3 to 74.5 percent
Vertical overlap: 30.9 to 33.8 percent
Computer stats: 12288 MB RAM, 8 CPUs
Total time 52:33 (11 seconds per picture)
Alignment: 4:42, Projection: 6:45, Blending: 41:06
(Preview finished in 17:50)
Color Adjustments:
black: 4.0
gamma: 1.20


text:
Tom you can have your pick of houses in Cape Coral or LeHigh for less than 90K. Most are less than 6 years old, some never lived in. A few years ago they were selling for 260-320K.
3 or 4 years ago I went with my nephew to look at new houses from a BIG national company. I sat in the sales office with him as they explained that there was a year long waiting list to get into a house, BUT if you lock in today for 260K, your house will be worth 350K by the time you move in. That is exactly what they told him. You will make almost 100K before you even move in. I was trying to keep a straight face and didnt want to mess up his home buying experience, but even he was smart enough to know that it was a bogus claim and ended up passing on buying one. They were selling lots for 80K that had sold 2 years earlier for 5K! The beauty in this case is the home builder is bankrupt and in trouble for its business practices.
Now if you want to talk the condo market down here .they will almost pay to to move in to one.
Views and opinions expressed herein by Badbullgator do not necessarily represent the policies or position of RTF. RTF and all of it's subsidiaries can not be held liable for the off centered humor and politically incorrect comments of the author.
Corey Burke


text:
Serve chicken and pasta casserole for your family's Southwest cuisine night - a cheesy meal.
To make ahead, omit the milk and mix uncooked pasta, 1 1/4 cups water and the remaining ingredients (except cheese) in the sprayed dish. Cover tightly and refrigerate at least 8 hours but no longer than 24 hours. Increase the first bake time to 1 hour, then add cheese and bake 5 to 10 minutes longer.
Mafalda looks like mini-lasagna noodles and can come in long ribbons or short pieces. Use the short variety for this recipe. If you don't have mafalda on hand, you can use another pasta of a similar size, such as gemelli, rotini or mostaccioli.
© 2017 ®/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved


text:
By Michaela Gibson Morris/NEMS Daily Journal
North Mississippi Medical Center has earned an honor that could pay dividends for joint replacement and spine surgery patients with Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance.
NMMC is one of four hospitals to be named Blue Centers of Distinction for joint replacement and spine surgery by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi. The other three hospitals receiving the distinction are Mississippi Baptist Medical Center and St. Dominic Hospital, both in Jackson, and one Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg..
"These places are demonstrating really high standards in quality and care," said John Sewell, director of corporate communication for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi.
Blue Cross subscribers will see a benefit if they chose these hospitals for joint replacement and spine surgery, Sewell said.
For example, if a patient had a insurance plan that typically paid 80 percent of the cost, the coverage would increase to 90 percent. Surgeons who practice at these hospitals also will see preferential reimbursement rates, too.
"This is really about incentivizing quality of care," Sewell said.
Being chosen for the program is a significant achievement for NMMC, said Dr. Mark Williams, chief medical officer. "(It) represents an ongoing commitment to serve the needs of an expanding regional population, and to work closely with partners such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield in assuring truly excellent care," Williams said.
The complex application process gathered not only information on NMMC's spine and joint replacement programs including patient outcomes, surgeon's qualifications and costs. The application also included quality measures for the entire hospital like infection rates, patient satisfaction scores, Williams said.
NMMC will have to continue the good work to retain the distinction.
"We're continuously evaluated," Williams said.
Williams expect more insurers and large employers will use a centers of excellence model especially for elective procedures like joint replacements, non-emergency heart procedures, transplants and bariatric surgery. Quality care reduces costs because patients have fewer complications, like infections, and they are more likely to achieve the best possible outcomes.
"They're focusing on high-volume, high-cost elective procedures," Williams said.


text:
Specifically, I'm using OpenGL ES 2.0 to draw lots of 2D boxes. I can draw each one individually just fine, but seeing as I'm targeting mobile platforms, I'm looking to try to squeeze as much performance out of this as I can. The boxes aren't textured; mostly I'm interested in minimizing draw calls to save CPU time. The more CPU time I save, the larger my physics simulation can be.
- If I draw a lot of boxes and want to batch the draw calls together into one call, does that require that I apply the transformation matrices of each object to its vertices before copying all the objects into a single buffer for drawing?
- When batches are drawn, how does one differentiate between each object being drawn (if it's possible)? Perhaps my understanding of batching is wrong, but the way I currently understand it is that you cannot differentiate between each object (because you just take the vertices of all the objects to draw and copy them all into one buffer, so it just looks like a whole bunch of vertices; also this would require using GL_TRIANGLES instead of GL_TRIANGLE_STRIP (unless degenerate triangles were inserted) so as to not connect two different objects with a stray triangle)
- If you had a bunch of 2D boxes to draw, each with its own position, rotation, and scaling, but all of the same color (and no textures), how would you (personally) draw them? As a follow up, what if each had its own color; does that change things?
I don't know a lot about drawing optimization techniques. I'm comfortable drawing things to the screen, but I'm not a fancy graphics programmer.


text:
Nostalgia Electrics PCM-805 $62.49
Hard & Sugar-Free Cotton Candy Maker
+ FREE Shipping
Description & Highlights
Nostalgia Electrics Hard & Sugar-Free Cotton Candy Maker
The Nostalgia Electrics Hard & Sugar-Free Cotton Candy Maker (PCM-805) transforms your favorite hard candies into fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth cotton candy. This fun cotton candy machine is safe and easy to use. Just pour hard candies into the top, turn the machine on, and instantly make fresh carnival style cotton candy in your own home. For a low-calorie treat, sugar free candies can be used.
As the unit heats up, cotton candy flows quickly and the translucent plastic bowl lets you watch the batch being made. The unit breaks down for easy cleaning. This cotton candy machine comes with two plastic cones.
Easy Cleaning:This unit disassembles for easy cleaning between uses, as well as two easy-to-clean plastic cones
Fun for the Family:The Hard & Sugar Free Cotton Candy Machine is easy to use and safe for the whole family
Uses Hard Candy:Use any hard candy for a variety of delicious cotton candy flavors - you can even make low-sugar and sugar-free treats
- Model: PCM-805Nostalgia Electrics Hard & Sugar-Free Cotton Candy Maker
- Brand: Nostalgia ElectricsUses hard candy to make cotton candy
- Countertop cotton candy makerColor: Pink
- Unit breaks down for easy cleaningInput voltage: 120V / 60Hz
- Cotton candy flows quickly as unit heats upWeight: 5.5 lbs
- Height: 12"
- Width: 11"
- Depth: 11"


text:
Binghamton University recognizes 22 for excellence in teaching, research, professional and classified service
Binghamton University recently recognized 22 members of the campus community for excellence in teaching, research, professional and classified service. The awards were presented to recipients at a dinner on October 21.
The Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching was presented to: A. Serdar Atav, associate professor of nursing; Jane Marantz Connor, associate professor of psychology; Surinder S. Kahai; associate professor of management; Joshua M. Price; assistant professor of human development; Deanne L. Westerman, assistant professor of psychology; and Melissa Zinkin, assistant professor of philosophy.
The Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities was presented to: Christopher Fynsk, professor of comparative literature and of philosophy; Steven Jay Lynn, professor of psychology; and David Sloan Wilson, professor of biological sciences and of anthropology.
The Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service was presented to: Anita Knopp Doll, director of communications in the Office of University Communications and Marketing; and Mary D. Woolson, assistant vice president for development, Binghamton University Foundation.
The University Award for Excellence in International Education was presented to Marilyn Gaddis Rose, distinguished service professor of comparative literature.
The University Award for Excellence in Classified Service was presented to Roberta L. Brundege, secretary in the Decker School of Nursing; and Thomas McCabe, electrician in the Physical Facilities Department.
The Binghamton University Council/Foundation Awards were presented to Thomas F. Kowalik, director of the Office of Continuing Education & Outreach; Kelly M. Wemette, assistant for University planning and budget; and Stanley Masters, professor of economics.
The Edward Weisband Distinguished Alumni Award for Public Service or Contributions to Public Affairs was presented to Clyde J. Ikeda, MD.
The Glenn G. Bartle Distinguished Alumnus Award was presented to Martin F. Triano Esq.
The Alumni Association Special Recognition Award was presented to Paula A. Brightwell and Gary C. Meltzer.
The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Burton I. "Bud" Koffman.


text:
A Look at Tany's Labo
- Written by Dave Walsh
Sadaharu Tanikawa is probably a name that you know pretty well if you've followed the fighting world in the past ten years. If not famous, he is infamous, which is both deserved and undeserved. Tanikawa has worn a lot of hats over the past few years, a guy who started out as a journalist and made some friends in high places, which somehow brought him to become one of the Producers of K-1. Tany was dealt a raw hand and anyone that acts otherwise is simply in denial. His Fighting and Entertainment Group (FEG) that took over K-1 took over a mess left by Kazuyoshi Ishii while still having to make Ishii happy. The fact that K-1 kept going after the shift to FEG was a miracle in its own right and a testament to how much Tanikawa worked to make fighting sports what they were in Japan. From there, working with former DSE members to produce DREAM events helped keep MMA alive in Japan.
I'm pretty sure that I don't have to explain what happened in 2010 onward, as the fall of K-1 and DREAM are well-documented and the ill-feelings towards the man known as "Tany" was everywhere. He has released a book, a part biography, a part explanation and a part apology to the combat sports world, but that isn't the end of his story. He has founded a project called "Tany's Labo" which has just recently launched. What exactly is Tany's Labo? It is part online community (subscription-based), part insider look into the fighting world and part crowdsourcing for his upcoming combat sports projects.
Watch the video below (there are English subtitles!) and take a look.


text:
The soldiers of the 20th Maine Regiment marched quickly into the night, moving west from Hanover toward Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on July 1, 1863. They'd received word that it had begun, the fight that could determine the outcome of the Civil War. Rumors flew as they hurried toward the fighting. Had George McClellan replaced George Gordon Meade as leader of the Army of the Potomac? Had he replaced the commander of all Union forces, Henry Halleck? Was the ghost of George Washington (who'd been dead more than 60 years) in Gettysburg? These were the realistic and outlandish questions in the men's minds as they prepared for their part in what was to be the most significant military engagement ever to take place in the Western Hemisphere. And these psychological details are what make Thomas Desjardin's Stand Firm Ye Boys from Maine (being reissued this month on its 15th anniversary), a definitive account of the battle about which countless reports, books, and visual depictions have been rendered.
Desjardin, himself a Mainer, presents a historian's passionate narrative of the drama and routine of the ordinary soldier's life. Using first-hand accounts, popular and scholarly history, and references to historical fiction, he recounts what is known to have occurred in the crucial fighting on Vincent's Spur of Little Round Top, what is thought to have occurred, and what will never be known with certainty. Sympathetically (the odds against them were great), he portrays William C. Oates and Michael J. Bulger, commanders of the 15th and 47th Alabama regiments, and their courageous men who assaulted the 20th Maine's positions. And he treats in great detail the thoughts and actions of Maine native and Civil War legend Joshua L. Chamberlain, his captains (most notably Ellis Spear), and the 500 officers and enlisted.
Through the story of one military engagement, Desjardin illustrates overarching themes such as how the poignancy of war lies in the juxtaposition of bravery and tragedy, and how legends evolve over time.
Many things lined up to create the mythology of both Little Round Top and Chamberlain, and Desjardin outlines them carefully. Among them, if generals Buford and Reynolds had not blocked the rebels from taking the high ground south of Gettysburg on the first day of fighting, Little Round Top would not have happened. And if Pickett's Charge had succeeded on the third day, Little Round Top would have become a footnote.
Meanwhile, if Chamberlain had not been such an unlikely commander — fluent in several languages, highly literate, and a philosopher — he may not have achieved such a heroic status. His contradictions made him relatable, as a fighter then, and as a historical figure later on. Desjardin paints a nuanced picture of Chamberlain, who went on to serve as governor of Maine, Bowdoin College president, and then surveyor of the port of Portland. He writes of a human hero who was insecure in his relationship with his wife. And he points out that Chamberlain's tactical maneuver at Little Round Top — the legendary bayonet charge, which saved the day, and the Union's left flank — was reckless. Reckless, successful ventures have a way of staying with us.
Table of Contents
Cover Archive
Masthead | Authors | Contact us
All Slideshows


text:
THEA 299C - Experimental Topics
Topics relevant to the discipline. Course titles to be announced before each semester. A total of 12 hours of credit may be earned.
College: Fine Arts
Hours: 0-12
Permission: Y
Co-requisite: none
Prerequisite: none
Copyright ©
2000 W. University Ave. Muncie, IN 47306
800-382-8540 and 765-289-1241
Legal Information
TTY Numbers
"Education Redefined" is a registered trademark of Ball State University.


text:
Find a research guideUse our A-Z index or select a subject below
Visit us
Visit Kew to see original documents or records. Entrance is free and there is no need to book.The National Archives
Kew, Richmond
Surrey TW9 4DU
Pay for research
Use our paid search service or find an independent researcher.
Order copies
We can either copy our records onto paper or deliver them to you digitally.
Online exhibitions
Explore different historic periods and themes through images and extracts from our collections.
Other research tools
For some types of records there are additional search tools. Use these online resources and our on site library to search for records and find out more about them.
Read our latest blog posts
'Expo 67 has opened and is a wow!'
Expo 67 is considered to be the most successful world's fair of the 20th century. Its overarching theme was 'Man and his World'…
Play podcasts
For king and another country: Indian soldiers on the Western Front
Over a million Indian soldiers fought in the First World War, many travelling from remote villages in India…
View webinars
Tracing your ancestors - women in the military services during the First World War
A new webinar introducing women's service and other records from 1914 to 1918 and beyond…
Reading old documents
Our range of online tutorials on Latin and palaeography will help you to read documents from the medieval period and beyond, through practical activities and useful examples.
Start here
If you are new to The National Archives and want some help getting started with your family history or any other kind of research, you're in the right place.
Quick video guides about our records, your research and the documents you'll find at The National Archives. View all video guides
Citing documents
Read our guidance on how to cite records and catalogues held by The National Archives in notes, publications and theses.


text:
Family: Phrynosomatidae, Earless and Horned Lizards view all from this family
Description Brown to black in color - Brown can range fro sandy to greenish - with wavy crossbars or blotches down the back with some striping. Scales are the same size all over body. Recognizable by the blue patches on the side of the stomach. Legs are yellow-orange underneath. Adult males have blue patches on their throats.
Dimensions Length: 6-9 1/4".
Subspecies The Northwestern Fence Lizard has 2 blue throat patches often with light-blue connecting band and a light belly found inc. Washington to c. California. Island Fence Lizard has a black throat patch and is only on Channel Islands off coast of s. California. San Joaquin Fence Lizard has 1 blue throat patch, a gray or black belly with blue patches and is only found in the lower San Joaquin Valley, California. Coast Range Fence Lizard has throat patches which are small in males & absent in females, from San Mateo to Santa Barbara County, California. Great Basin Fence Lizard has 1 large blue throat patch in males, a gray to black belly with blue patches and is found in c. Oregon and extreme se. Washington to c. Idaho south through e. California, Nevada, and w. Utah. Also c. California south along coast into n. Baja California. The Sierra Fence Lizards entire belly and throat is blue in adult males and is found in Sierra Nevada of California, usually above 7,000' (2,100 m).
Breeding Occurs in spring and do not breed until the spring of their second year. 1-3 cluthes of around 8 eggs are laid between April and July with the eggs hatching in August.
Habitat Grassland, woodland, forests and even farmland. Lives in areas up to the altitude of 10,000' above sea level. Generally avoids harsh desert landscape.
Range California is the heart of where this lizard is found. It can also be found in parts of Oregon through to Nevada northwestern Baja California.
Discussion California is the heart of where this lizard is found. It can also be found in parts of Oregon through to Nevada northwestern Baja California.


text:
I've only recently begun to rebuild my vintage figure collection (which I sold the summer before I got married - money was talking pretty loud at that point). The VOTC relreases made up my mind - I wanted at least those 12 vintage figures (loose) to display with those versions and the retro look cards.
My first deal wasn't bad - 3 loose figures (all of which were c9 or better) for $50 CDN shipped: Darth Vader (saber tip intact), C3PO, and Chewie.
My second deal was a good one - 9 loose figures (all of which arrived c9 except for Lando) for $92 including shipping:
ANH Leia
Han Solo (small head)
Obi Wan Kenobi (saber tip intact)
Boba Fett
Power Droid
Lando Calrissean
Yoda (orange snake)
R2D2 (no scope, very white sticker)
My latest deal (I haven't received the figures yet, but the same seller as deal #2) isn't too bad either:
B-Wing Pilot (which I'm going to repackage on a POTF card I have complete with bubble and coin)
Lando Calrissean (again, in better shape than last time)
Tusken Raider
Luke X-Wing Pilot
Star Destroyer Commander
all for $100 shipped. In my opinion I've done alright so far!
My old collection was 72 figures, most of which were in near-mint shape (the first 20 were a little more worn due to the age I was when I got them). The B-Wing Pilot will be the one of the figures I didn't have, so that's exciting for me.
My hope is to finish my first 21 in c9 or better, then take a break while the EpIII rush is on. After that, I'll go back and work on the rest of the figures from ESB. Not sure what my final goal is - completism or just getting back to what I had as a kid.


text:
Covering war for the first time--in Syria
The small room in the back of the Monsours' house was set up for two people: two desks, two nightstands, and two beds. The beds had matching sheets and pillowcases adorned with Superman cartoon characters.
The small room in the back of the Monsours' house was set up for two people: two desks, two nightstands, and two beds. The beds had matching sheets and pillowcases adorned with Superman cartoon characters.
New York, March 11, 2013--A Ukrainian journalist reportedly held by rebel forces in Syria since October is free, according to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and news reports citing the journalist's relatives. Most news reports characterized Anhar Kochneva as having fled her captors, but few details were reported about the circumstances.
A hard slog with low-life smugglers is a small price for avoiding Syrian forces. By Paul Wood
In a country filled with paranoia and fear, citizens learn to be reporters. By Oliver Holmes
A small number of journalists reporting from Syria have recently interviewed prisoners of war under highly coercive circumstances. In doing so, they have ignored the protections that are due to prisoners under international humanitarian law, or IHL.
New York, November 14, 2012--A Ukrainian journalist who was kidnapped in Syria in mid-October appeared in a short video last week pleading for her embassy to meet the demands of her captors, according to news reports. At least two other international journalists are believed to be held captive in Syria and the whereabouts of a third are unknown, according to CPJ research.
New York, October 29, 2012--A rebel group abducted a Lebanese journalist in the northern city of Aleppo on Saturday, bringing to at least five the number of international journalists being held captive by various sides of the conflict. The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the journalists' captors to immediately release them and stop targeting members of the press who are covering the unrest in the region.
New York, September 26, 2012--Iran's Press TV has reported that one of its correspondents, Maya Naser, was killed today while reporting on twin explosions and ensuing clashes in Damascus. The state-run station also said that its Damascus bureau chief, Hussein Mortada, was wounded in the same sniper fire and attributed both shootings to insurgents.
My colleagues and I were saddened to learn of the death of Mika Yamamoto, a Japan Press video and photo journalist who was killed while covering clashes in Aleppo, Syria, on Monday. The moment was all the more poignant because of the similarities with two other Japanese journalist fatalities: Kenji Nagai of APF News in Burma in 2007 and Hiro Muramoto of Reuters in Thailand in 2010. As with Yamamoto, Nagai and Muramoto were photojournalists covering conflict between anti-government elements and government troops in foreign countries.
Do you believe the free flow of information must be protected? Sign the #RightToReport petition and demand that President Obama immediately:
1. Issue a presidential policy directive prohibiting the hacking and surveillance of journalists and media organizations.
2. Limit aggressive prosecutions that ensnare journalists and intimidate whistleblowers.
3. Prevent the harassment of journalists at the U.S. border.
Or click here to see the full petition, and join leading journalists like Christiane Amanpour, The Guardian's Alan Rusbridger, Editor of the AP Kathleen Carroll, and Arianna Huffington in signing on.


text:
By hailstate.com
West Point, Miss.,– Paced by four Bulldog scorecards in the Top 20, Mississippi State overtook UAB on the final hole to claim first place after the opening day of the Old Waverly Collegiate Championship.
The No. 28 Bulldogs shot a 1-under-par, 575 to edge out the Blazers on Monday, giving State another opportunity to pick up a win. If MSU holds on in the final round, it would be the fourth win of the season, the most since 1974-1975.
"We got off to a great start to start the day," Coach Clay Homan said. "After that we started making some mental mistakes, which were uncharacteristic of us. So we will need to play much better tomorrow if we want to win."
State closed out round one in fourth place, behind South Alabama's 5-under-par pace. Homan's squad golfed one of the best scores of the second round (288) however, to overtake the field for the top spot.
MSU finished day one with four Bulldogs in the Top 20. Juniors Axel Boasson and Chad Ramey are in the Top 10 range after 36 holes. Boasson is currently tied for fourth-place with his 2-under-par day. Ramey finished Monday at 1-under-par to leave the Fulton, Miss., native with a seventh-place tie. If Ramey finished in the Top 10 it will be his seventh Top 10 of the season.
Senior Robi Calvesbert and junior Joe Sakulpolphaisan finished round two tied for 13th and 16th respectively. Calvesbert finished the first 36 holes at 1-over par and Sakulpolphaisan finished at 2-over-par.
Rounding out the Bulldog scorecard was junior Barrett Edens, who finished with a tie for 29th on Monday. The Okolona, Miss., native shot a 5-over-par for the first two holes.
Playing as individuals from Old Waverly was freshman Ben Wood and sophomore Fletcher Johnson. Wood finished tied for 46th with a 9-over-par and Johnson finished the opening rounds at 26-over-par, for a 77th place card.
Tomorrow's 18-hole day will see MSU tee off at 10 a.m. alongside UAB and South Alabama.
Admission to all rounds is free. Fans can enter Old Waverly Golf Club through the Main Gate on Old Waverly Road and can access the designated parking areas for spectators by following signs.


text:
Best Traditional Haiku:
—Philip Askenazy, 1994
• NuCity goes weekly on Jan. 11. The paper reprints a column from young Seattle writer Dan Savage on the CDC's new AIDS-prevention marketing campaign. Eventual Web Monkey-in-Chief Kyle Silfer pens a column with the opening line, "There is this thing called the Internet, and it is swallowing up the universe." Staffer Alma García goes to Ciudad Juárez to write about the Mexican presidential elections. Best of Burque is born. From the introduction: "51 weeks a year we snivel, revile, quibble and criticize this city that we live in, all under our very own directive of cynicism, humor, sarcasm and hope. But the simple facts remain: Many of us came here (on purpose!) to experience life in this town ... ."
Best Place to Feel Like You're Living in the '70s: Señor Buckets
• Mayor Chavez issues a teen curfew ordinance for anyone under age 17.
• A self-made millionaire and exercise fiend with no political experience, Republican Gary Johnson beats out Gov. Bruce King for the state's highest executive office.
• Sheryl Williams Stapleton, a Democrat from Albuquerque, becomes the first African-American woman elected to the state Legislature.
• Grunge rock poster child Kurt Cobain commits suicide on April 5. (Bandmate Dave Grohl goes on to form the Foo Fighters. Wife Courtney Love gets a Golden Globe nomination for her work in 1996's The People vs. Larry Flynt. Daughter Francis Bean turns 20 in 2012.)
• Mazzy Star plays El Rey. Hope Sandoval is depressing to watch in person.
• NAFTA is enacted.
• Genocidal slaughter on a massive scale sweeps Rwanda; the world does little to nothing in response.
• Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as president of South Africa.
• Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction starts to hit theaters in October, courtesy of Miramax films. Shortly thereafter, Kevin Smith's Clerks is released by Miramax. The Weinstein brothers are suddenly the coolest kids in Hollywood.
The Don's First Letter
Nov. 15-21, 1994
Dear NuCity,
Responding to your focus on cars and Sun Tran in NuCity, Nov. 8-14.
I would not own a car if you gave me one free—as long as I can walk well and take the city bus.
By not having a car, I save money, I save resources, I reduce pollution. I avoid all parking and traffic tickets. I do not have to hassle with repairs, flat tires, insurance, depreciation, monthly payments, vandalism and finding a parking space.
I hate air pollution. I hate seeing the good soil swallowed up with concrete highways, parking lots and garages. I hate accidents paralyzing and killing multitudes. I hate the stupid waste of natural resources. I hate how people are isolated from each other—caged in their boxes on wheels. I hate wars over oil—robbing, torturing and murdering millions.
Less than 10 percent of the world's people can afford cars. Imagine how much sicker our planet would be if all people drove cars like most Americans.
Albuquerque motorists travel 10.3 million miles around town every day (according to the Albuquerque Journal—that is 21 round trips from Earth to moon daily).
For over 6 years I have had no car in Albuquerque, and in most ways I enjoy this freedom. I meet people on the street and on the bus. I get more exercise. On the bus I can read, write, rest converse or meditate.
We each can wise up and change our stupid ways. What good is wisdom unless we decide to live it?
A former car owner,
Don Schrader
Related Stories
NEWSLETTERS Great Alibi stories, events and deals delivered to your inbox each week. No fooling!
Today's Events
Sallie Ford • rockabilly • Molly Burch at Low Spirits
Germination at Open Space Visitor Center
All Hands on Deck: Plan and Have Great Group Sex at Self ServeMore Recommended Events ››
home | feature | news | film | music | art | food | classifieds | personals | staff | lo-fi | search
© 1996-2017 Weekly Alibi | firstname.lastname@example.com | Privacy Policy
View mobile version


text:
Benefit planned Sept. 28 in Jenkins for Berry family
A benefit picnic lunch for Sara and Merle Berry will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Jenkins VFW.
Sara, the daughter of Roger and Debbie Martin, is on dialysis again awaiting a second kidney transplant. She has extended stays at the University of Minnesota for treatment and takes trips to St. Cloud with overnight stays as well.
Proceeds from the benefit will help with medical costs and other expenses.
To offer help, visit www.gofundme.com/3v28u4.
Jr's No. 19 BBQ Co. will provide food for the benefit. Who Knows Music will provide music. There also will be raffles, bake sale, silent auction and craft sales.
A freewill offering will be taken for the picnic lunch.
For more information, contact Debbie Martin at 218-838-4480, Dee Berry at 218-838-1080, Merle Berry at 218-838-3615 or April Swanson at 218-821-2394.


text:
11.21: Cenozoic Plate Tectonics
What defines the beginning of the Quaternary and the Holocene?
The most recent period of the Cenozoic is the Quaternary, which began about 2.6 million years ago. The most recent epoch is the Holocene, which began around 12,000 years ago. Go back to the lesson on human evolution in Concept Life History to figure out what events mark the beginning of these time periods.
The Cenozoic began around 65.5 million years ago and continues today. Although it accounts for only about 1.5% of the Earth's total history, as the most recent era it is the one scientists know the most about. Much of what has been discussed elsewhere in Concepts Earth Science describes the geological situation of the Cenozoic. A few highlights are mentioned here.
Plate Tectonics
The paleogeography of the era was very much like it is today. Early in the Cenozoic, blocks of crust uplifted to form the Rocky Mountains, which were later eroded away and then uplifted again. Subduction off of the Pacific Northwest formed the Cascades volcanic arc. The Basin and Range province that centers on Nevada is where crust is being pulled apart.
Evolution of the San Andreas Fault
The San Andreas Fault has grown where the Pacific and North American plates meet. The plate tectonic evolution of that plate boundary is complex and interesting (Figure below). The Farallon Plate was subducting beneath the North American Plate 30 Ma. By 20 Ma the Pacific Plate and East Pacific Rise spreading center had started to subduct, splitting the Farallon Plate into two smaller plates. Transform motion where the Pacific and North American plates meet formed the San Andreas Fault. The fault moved inland and at present small sea floor spreading basins along with the transform motion of the San Andreas are splitting Baja California from mainland Mexico.
This figure shows the evolution of the San Andreas Fault zone from 30 million years ago (bottom) to present (top).
Although most plate tectonic activity involves continents moving apart, smaller regions are coming together. Africa collided with Eurasia to create the Alps. India crashed into Asia to form the Himalayas.
Ice Ages
As the continents moved apart, climate began to cool. When Australia and Antarctica separated, the Circumpolar Current could then move the frigid water around Antarctica and spread it more widely around the planet.
Antarctica drifted over the south polar region and the continent began to grow a permanent ice cap in the Oligocene. The climate warmed in the early Miocene but then began to cool again in the late Miocene and Pliocene when glaciers began to form. During the Pleistocene ice ages, which began 2.6 million years ago, glaciers advanced and retreated four times (Figure below). During the retreats, the climate was often warmer than it is today.
Glacial ice at its maximum during the Pleistocene.
These continental ice sheets were extremely thick, like the Antarctic ice cap is today (Figure below) .
This continental glacier over Antarctica is up to 4,000 meters (12,000 feet) thick.
The Pleistocene ice ages guided the evolution of life in the Cenozoic, including the evolution of humans.
- During the Cenozoic, the crust that had once been joined as Pangaea has mostly been moving apart.
- Subduction of the Farallon plate has resulted in the formation of the Rocky Mountains and the San Andreas Fault.
- The Pleistocene was marked by four advances of ice, the remnants of which are found today.
Use this resource to answer the questions that follow.
1. What are the two divisions of the Cenozoic era?
2. What mountains formed during this time?
3. What was carved out of the Colorado Basin?
4. How much of the land was covered in ice?
5. How did animal populations change?
1. Why did the plate boundary that runs up California change from convergent to transform?
2. How is subduction responsible for the Rocky Mountains, the Cascades and the Basin and Range?
3. What is the history of the advance and retreat of ice during the Pleistocene?
Notes/Highlights Having trouble? Report an issue.
|Highlighted Text
|Show More


text:
Focus On Toys in the Sun RunHoliday HoursFind Family FunHoliday Fantasy of Lights in Full SwingGo FishStar Light, Star BrightFind Stocking StuffersBack in the Saddle AgainA Greener Today, a Brighter TomorrowSeven Signs Your Holiday Tree Has Been Up Too LongAdvisory Board MeetingQuote of the MonthSpecial AttractionsMission StatementYour Opinion Counts!SWIM CentralBroward County Board of County Commissioners
Focus On Toys in the Sun Run
For more than a quarter of a century a lot of enterprising motorcycle enthusiasts – as in more than 30,000, from all over the country – have assembled and staged a 20-plus-mile cross-Broward journey to raise money and toys for underprivileged kids. The fundraiser has grown from about 700 participating motorcycles netting under a thousand dollars in cash and around 500 toys, to an event typically raising more than half a million dollars and collecting more than 50,000 toys.
This year's Toys in the Sun Run – the 26th annual one – will be held on Sunday, December 8, when the bighearted bikers will travel from the starting point, the Mardi Gras Casino in Hallandale Beach (831 N. Federal Hwy.), to Markham Park. Proceeds benefit Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital.
At the end of their trek will be live entertainment, more than a hundred vendors selling all kinds of merchandise, and an international food court, as well as classic car and bike shows. (No pets, coolers, or outside food and drinks permitted.)
The cyclists line up at 7 a.m. at the casino and set out at 9:45 a.m. The park opens at 8 a.m., and an early arrival (no later than 10 a.m.) is recommended, as the cyclists' route will be closed to traffic once their excursion is under way. The live music gets going at 11 a.m. and includes Bret Michaels on the main stage.
Admission is $10/person, plus an unwrapped toy (no stuffed animals, please); if you show up without a toy, you'll pay $20/person. The park's regular weekend gate entrance fee of $1.50/person (children 5 and under free) will also be in effect for those not participating in the parade.
For more information, call 954-343-8782, or visit toysinthesunrun.com. For park information, call Markham at 954-357-8868.
Holiday Hours
All Broward County regional parks (except Deerfield Island Park) and nature centers, neighborhood parks, and natural areas will be open their regular hours on Tuesdays, December 24 and 31, and Wednesday, January 1 (New Year's Day). All parks, nature centers, and natural areas will be closed on Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25. The parks' regular holiday gate entrance fee of $1.50/person (children 5 and under free) will be in effect on New Year's Day.
Find Family Fun
Imagine sitting around a campfire, roasting marshmallows to make s'mores after a hayride through a park on a winter evening. You can do just that this month when the Family Hayride & Campfire Series continues at three parks. There will be events on Fridays at Plantation Heritage Park (December 6), at Quiet Waters Park (December 13), and at T.Y. (Topeekeegee Yugnee) Park (December 20). The programs run from 7 to 9:30 p.m., and tickets are $3.50 per person (ages 3 and up), which gets you one hayride and one bag of fixings for s'mores. Preregistration and prepayment are required by visiting or calling the park office of your choice: Plantation Heritage (accessible via Broward County Transit Route #30) at 954-357-5135; Quiet Waters (Routes #14 and #48) at 954-357-5100, (Route #34), or T.Y.(Routes #3, #12, and #17) at 954-357-8811; or reserving online at Broward.org/Parks.
Holiday Fantasy of Lights in Full Swing
When the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division launched the first Holiday Fantasy of Lights (HFOL) during the 1993-94 season, it was anticipated that the event would be an annual one – which it was until 2005. That's when the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma forced cancellation of the 13th HFOL, which by then had become an eagerly anticipated holiday tradition for both resident families and individuals and out-of-town visitors.
That first HFOL consisted of 33 displays and ran for 39 days, drawing approximately 142,000 people in 28,000 vehicles. HFOL both staged a comeback in 2006 and grew to 65 displays and a time frame of 46 days, only to fall victim the next year to budget cuts due to the beginnings of the economic downturn. The Parks and Recreation Division reluctantly called off the event, which at its peak had nearly doubled in size and attracted almost a quarter of a million people.
Then, in 2008, Brandano Displays, the vendor that had supplied the actual displays for the event, took over producing the drive-through light extravaganza and has run it ever since. This season the show started on November 22 and runs through Saturday, January 4 at Tradewinds Park & Stables.
As always, HFOL is open from 6 to 10 p.m. nightly, including holidays. Tickets are $10 per vehicle Mondays and Tuesdays (through December 17 only), $14 per vehicle Wednesdays through Sundays. Buses (15+ capacity) pay $35 for entry. You can also enhance the drive-through experience with 3-D glasses, available for $3 for three pairs.
For more information, email firstname.lastname@example.com, or visit holidaylightsdrivethru.com.
Go Fish
Registration opened back in November for the latest installment – the 16th annual one – of the Junior Bass Tournament Trail, a series of four tournaments that culminate with a young fishing enthusiast being named Junior Bass Angler of the Year. This year, however, you can register all the way up through December 20.
The tournaments are on Sunday mornings, January 19 (Quiet Waters Park), February 23 (Tradewinds Park), March 23 (Tradewinds), and April 27 (Quiet Waters), with fishing starting at "first light" and going till 1 p.m. Trophies and prizes will be awarded at the end of each tournament, and the angler compiling the most points over the four events wins the title as well as a special prize package. Participants must be aged 12 to 17 and accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age. The $80 (plus sales tax) fee covers both participants and all four tournaments. Registration is required by mail (T.Y. Park, 3300 N. Park Rd., Hollywood, FL 33021, Attn: Bob Newland) or in person at the park. For more information, contact Newland at 954-357-8816 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Star Light, Star Bright
Just because there's an overabundance of ambient nighttime light in Broward County doesn't mean you can't go stargazing. It just means that exploring the heavens is best done with the aid of telescopes. That's where the South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association (SFAAA) comes in. On a quarterly basis, the nonprofit group hosts An Evening With the Stars at Fern Forest Nature Center. The next such program will be offered starting at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 13, and it's free. Participants will get a glimpse of what's going on in the South Florida sky this season, and speakers will cover basic telescope techniques and general astronomy information.
The SFAAA also opens the Fox Observatory at Markham Park every Saturday evening, weather permitting, from dusk to midnight.
For more information, call Fern Forest at 954-357-5198 or the SFAAA at 954-384-0442, or email email@example.com. The nature center is accessible via Broward County Transit Routes #31 and #42.
Find Stocking Stuffers
Looking for that perfect gift this holiday season? Purchase our Parks Passports for fun, affordable gifts.
· Family Parks Passport (good for up to six people) – $60 + sales tax = $63.60
· Individual Parks Passport – $25 + sales tax = $26.50
· Family Parks Passport (good for up to six people) – $60 + sales tax = $63.60
· Individual Parks Passport – $25 + sales tax = $26.50
With a Parks Passport, you never have to worry about paying the $1.50/person gate entrance fee (children 5 and under free) that's in effect on weekends and county holidays at most of our regional parks; the credit card-style passports are good for one year from the date of purchase.
Parks Passports are also now available online. And while it's the off-season for our water parks (until the middle of March 2014), Seasonal Aquatics Passes are also available online.
Back in the Saddle Again
If you have a horse-obsessed youngster aged 9 to 16 who's looking for something to do this winter break, sign him or her up for Winter Break Horse Camp at Tradewinds Park & Stables in Coconut Creek. The camp is offered from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, Thursday, and Friday, December 23, 26, and 27 and December 30 and January 2 and 3. Students will receive instruction in such areas as horse grooming, routine horse care and maintenance, appropriate use and care of tack and equipment, nutrition and feeding, and anatomy of the horse. Riding instruction is also included, weather permitting.
The fee is $75/day. Registration is ongoing at the park office daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., or reserve online at Broward.org/Parks. For more information, call the park at 954-357-8870. Tradewinds is accessible via Broward County Transit Route #34.
A Greener Today, a Brighter Tomorrow
Learn more about environmentally friendly living from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, when Quiet Waters Park introduces the Everyday Green Expo. The first-time event will feature exhibitors, educational demonstrations, raffles and giveaways, a recycling drop-off, trash-to-treasure demos, and Florida-friendly planting demos. Food trucks will be on site.
The event is open free, although the park's regular weekend gate entrance fee of $1.50/person (children 5 and under free) will be in effect. For more information, call the park at 954-357-5100. Quiet Waters is accessible via Broward County Transit Routes #14 and #48.
Seven Signs Your Holiday Tree Has Been Up Too Long
1. You've taken to using it as a coat rack.
2. The bird that got into your house stayed – and nested.
3. Visitors ask how you'll be decorating it for the spring holiday.
4. It's sprouted roots and started growing again.
5. Squirrels gather at your window and look in longingly at it.
6. You can no longer see the carpet through the layers of dried needles.
7. You've decided just to go ahead and leave it up for next year.
Few things are as sad as a holiday tree that's still standing around in someone's living room well into the new year. If the holidays are long gone but your tree isn't, it's time to chip in and donate your used evergreen to our annual Chip-a-Tree initiative. Last year Broward County Parks recycled more than 9,000 trees, representing more than a hundred tons of material that would otherwise have gone to landfills, and this year your tree can join those recyclable thousands.
The free program encourages Broward County residents to remove all decorations from their holiday trees (no decorated trees will be accepted), then bring the trees to a participating park, where they are chipped and used for landscaping throughout the county park system. There is a limit of two trees per vehicle, artificial trees are not accepted, and no commercial vehicles or garbage trucks are allowed.
This season's program runs from Thursday, December 26, 2013, through Monday, January 20, 2014, giving you plenty of time to take advantage of those after-the-holidays sales before hauling your tree to a park. And remember, the regular weekend and holiday gate entrance fee will not be in effect for recyclers, so there's no excuse not to do the right thing. Hours vary; call the park of your choice for details.
· Brian Piccolo Park & Velodrome, 9501 Sheridan St., Cooper City 33024; 954-357-5150
· C. B. Smith Park, 900 N. Flamingo Rd., Pembroke Pines 33028; 954-357-5170
· Easterlin Park, 1000 N.W. 38th St., Oakland Park 33309; 954-357-5190
· Fern Forest Nature Center, 201 Lyons Rd. South, Coconut Creek 33063; 954-357-5198
· Markham Park & Target Range, 16001 W. State Rd. 84, Sunrise 33326; 954-357-8868
· Plantation Heritage Park, 1100 S. Fig Tree Lane, Plantation 33317; 954-357-5135
· Quiet Waters Park, 401 S. Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach 33441; 954-357-5100
· Reverend Samuel Delevoe Park, 2520 N.W. Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale 33311; 954-357-8801
· Snake Warrior's Island Natural Area, 3600 S.W. 62nd Ave., Miramar, FL 33023; 954-357-8776
· Tradewinds Park & Stables, 3600 W. Sample Rd., Coconut Creek 33073; 954-357-8870
· Tree Tops Park, 3900 S.W. 100th Ave., Davie 33328; 954-357-5130
· T.Y. (Topeekeegee Yugnee) Park, 3300 N. Park Rd., Hollywood 33021; 954-357-8811
· Vista View Park, 4001 S.W. 142nd Ave., Davie 33330; 954-357-8898
· West Lake Park, 751 Sheridan St., Hollywood 33019; 954-357-5161
· Brian Piccolo Park & Velodrome, 9501 Sheridan St., Cooper City 33024; 954-357-5150
· C. B. Smith Park, 900 N. Flamingo Rd., Pembroke Pines 33028; 954-357-5170
· Easterlin Park, 1000 N.W. 38th St., Oakland Park 33309; 954-357-5190
· Fern Forest Nature Center, 201 Lyons Rd. South, Coconut Creek 33063; 954-357-5198
· Markham Park & Target Range, 16001 W. State Rd. 84, Sunrise 33326; 954-357-8868
· Plantation Heritage Park, 1100 S. Fig Tree Lane, Plantation 33317; 954-357-5135
· Quiet Waters Park, 401 S. Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach 33441; 954-357-5100
· Reverend Samuel Delevoe Park, 2520 N.W. Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale 33311; 954-357-8801
· Snake Warrior's Island Natural Area, 3600 S.W. 62nd Ave., Miramar, FL 33023; 954-357-8776
· Tradewinds Park & Stables, 3600 W. Sample Rd., Coconut Creek 33073; 954-357-8870
· Tree Tops Park, 3900 S.W. 100th Ave., Davie 33328; 954-357-5130
· T.Y. (Topeekeegee Yugnee) Park, 3300 N. Park Rd., Hollywood 33021; 954-357-8811
· Vista View Park, 4001 S.W. 142nd Ave., Davie 33330; 954-357-8898
· West Lake Park, 751 Sheridan St., Hollywood 33019; 954-357-5161
Advisory Board Meeting
The next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. on Friday, December 6. The meeting will take place at Franklin Park, 2501 Franklin Dr., Fort Lauderdale 33311; 954-357-7080. While the public is invited to attend, participation in the meeting is limited to the advisory board and staff.
Quote of the Month
"Good manners are just a way of showing other people that we have respect for them." – American screenwriter Bill Kelly
Special Attractions
Airboat Rides (Everglades Holiday Park) – Batting Cages (AllGolf at C.B. Smith Park) – Bike America (Quiet Waters Park) – Butterfly World (Tradewinds Park & Stables) – Cable Water-Skiing (Ski Rixen USA at Quiet Waters Park) – Campgrounds (C.B. Smith Park, Easterlin Park, Markham Park & Target Range, Quiet Waters Park, T.Y. Park) – Dog Park (Barkham at Markham Park & Target Range) – Educational Farm (Tradewinds Park & Stables) – Exhibit Halls (Anne Kolb Nature Center, Fern Forest Nature Center, Long Key Natural Area & Nature Center, Secret Woods Nature Center) – Golf Facilities (AllGolf at C.B. Smith Park) – Multipurpose Athletic Fields (Brian Piccolo Park & Velodrome, Central Broward Regional Park & Stadium, Tradewinds Park & Stables) – Observatory (Markham Park & Target Range) – Riding Stables (Tradewinds Park & Stables, Tree Tops Park) – Skate Park/Track (Brian Piccolo Park & Velodrome) – Target Range (Markham Park & Target Range) – Tennis Centers (Brian Piccolo Park & Velodrome, C.B. Smith Park) – Velodrome (Brian Piccolo Park & Velodrome) – Water Playgrounds/ Waterslides/Swimming (C.B. Smith Park, Central Broward Regional Park & Stadium, Quiet Waters Park, T.Y. Park)
Mission Statement
The Parks and Recreation Division is dedicated to providing a countywide park system with diverse facilities and recreation opportunities, along with natural area conservation and research-based educational outreach, to enhance the well-being of residents, businesses, and visitors.
Your Opinion Counts!
We'd like to know what you think about our programs and facilities. Please take a moment to tell us how we're doing by filling out this survey.
SWIM Central
Broward County Commission's primary resource and referral service for available swim programs in cooperation with various cities and nonprofit organizations. Call 954-357-SWIM (7946).
Founded in February 1956 and accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies, Broward County Parks and Recreation Division manages almost 6,500 acres, encompassing nearly 50 regional parks and nature centers, neighborhood parks, and natural areas at various stages of development. Facilities include water parks, campgrounds, a target range, a stadium, a skate park, an observatory, mountain bike trails, an educational farm with stables, and a velodrome and other sports facilities. Hours and fees vary by location. For more information, visit broward.org/parks.
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations in order to participate in programs, services, and activities must contact the Special Populations Section at 954-357-8170 or TTY 954-537-2844 at least five (5) business days prior to the scheduled meeting or event.
Broward County Board of County Commissioners
Sue GunzburgerDale V.C. HolnessKristin JacobsMartin David KiarChip LaMarcaStacy RitterTim RyanBarbara ShariefLois Wexler
Subscribe/Unsubscribe to the Highlights NewsletterParks and Recreation is a service of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners.


text:
Article Archives: Iowa
HFFI Serves Up Community Development Opportunities in the Midwest
IFF, a nonprofit lender and real estate consultant in Chicago, Ill., was among the recipients of funding from the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) in September 2011. IFF received a $3 million grant and is using the award to leverage more than $25 million in additional capital. The lender will invest the combined funds in food-related projects in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin. The initial emphasis will be on full-service, for-profit grocery stores in "food deserts" in the metropolitan areas of Chicago; Milwaukee, Wis.; Dubuque and Des Moines, Iowa; St. Louis, Mo.; and East St. Louis, Ill., where IFF has developed a pipeline of potential projects. Over time, IFF will finance and, where appropriate, directly develop a range of both for-profit and nonprofit retail food outlets as well as other types of food-related businesses, including rural business models.
IFF intends to work with one or more national community development financial institution (CDFI) partners to establish a fund for grocery-store lending across the Midwest. To share risk and stretch its capital further, IFF will seek the participation of other CDFIs, community banks, its regional and national bank partners, and foundations. Banks and foundations will be able to invest in the fund, and local or regional investors will be able to target funds geographically.
If you are interested in learning more about the fund, please contact Trinita Logue at (312) 596-5117 or email@example.com.
Expanding Day Care and Early-Childhood Education
First Children's Finance (FCF) is a nonprofit community development financial institution working to increase the availability of quality early-childhood education and day care for low-income families in Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
The nonprofit provides expertise and capital to other service organization and businesses. FCF offers services, including training and support for people interested in starting child-care businesses; strategic planning support for nonprofits; and consulting.
The FCF Loan Fund has made 281 loans totaling $8.1 million to small child-care businesses and nonprofit organizations. To date, nearly 50 banks, foundations, and businesses have invested in the FCF Loan Fund. Bankers can help FCF by investing capital in its loan fund; volunteering to serve as board and loan committee members; serving as advisors to the FCF Growth Fund; and making financial contributions to FCF.
For more information, contact Jerry Cutts, FCF President and CEO, at (612) 338-3023, or e-mail email@example.com, or visit www.firstchildrensfinance.org.
Developing High Growth Small Businesses in Iowa
The Midwest Assistance Program Loan Fund
Established in 2003, MAPLF has closed seven loans totaling $105,000, has $250,000 more in process, and has sustained no losses. Loans have been made in four of the nine states in MAPLF's service region. MAPLF is an affiliate of the Midwest Assistance Program, which provides engineering, training, and other consulting services to help small rural communities plan and implement water and wastewater improvement projects. MAPLF typically funds projects that have multiple layers of funding, including grants and loans from a variety of sources. Originally capitalized with $100,000 from the Midwest Assistance Program, MAPLF also funds its loans with the proceeds of a federal grant, and is actively seeking new investors. Banks can participate by investing directly into MAPLF, by referring prospective borrowers that do not meet conventional credit criteria, and by structuring MAPLF into financing packages in which the banks would like to participate.
For more information, visit www.map-inc.org or contact Tom Kopp at (952) 758-4334 or email@example.com.
Iowa Equity Fund Investing in Low Income Housing Tax Credits
For additional information, please contact Iowa Equity Fund at (515) 280-6000.
Cooperative Financing in the Upper Midwest
For more information, contact Margaret Lund at (612) 331-9103 or at firstname.lastname@example.com. NCDF's web site is www.ncdf.org.
[Published in News from the Districts, Community Developments, Summer 2004]


text:
ACHICA > Chic & Cosy Throws
Sale closed
Chic & Cosy Throws
A throw is the simple solution to transform a bland sofa or add warmth to a bedroom. These cuddly, high quality lifestyle blankets and throws are available in tones that will both team with a neutral theme or make a statement. There is a throw in this collection to suit your home whatever its character; there are even cushions to match and complete your scheme.


text:
So I ask why is there no training material available for common problems for the begining retriever trainer? Have all the Pros out there always been enlightened so much that they never encountered problems? After awhile anyone who does training for a living or a better portion of their life I imagine the problems become easy to deal with. But for those just starting out, those same problems can cause great harm to the dog and someone leaving the sport all together. To me neither is desirable. I ask this because as usual I get to reading something that strikes a chord with no resolution to the problem and I quote "A proper introduction to the gun should last a lifetime. If, however, a dog gets gun shy subsequent to the proper gun introduction, then it is probably because he had his ears "rung" by muzzle blast. If pup gets
out in front the muzzle blast from your shotgun, it will hurt him and will certainly contribute to early deafness." R. Milner. That phrase ended the discussion. So how does that help someone dealing with a gun dog who had proper introduction to the gun get through with a dog that devolps a case of being gun-shy? And let it be known im not picking on the author just simply asking the question? If material is out there that covers common problems someone please let it be known, as I have not come across it as of yet.


text:
Construction sector could be getting its groove backComments Email Print
After a shaky start in the first quarter of this year, the residential construction sector is now poised to regain upward momentum and get back on a track of steady growth.
The severe weather this past winter curtailed residential construction activity throughout most of the country, but we still expect that in 2014 the total number of new houses started will exceed 1 million units for the first time since 2007.
Not only is this good news for processors who manufacture plastic building materials, but expanding construction activity will benefit all types of manufacturing and the United States economy as well.
There are a couple of reasons for this. First, the residential construction sector is a major source of jobs in America. We all know by now that job growth has been sluggish in the U.S., and this trend must accelerate if the economy is ever going to get back to full recovery. Trends in the employment and construction data are dependent on each other.
Second, it was the bursting of the housing bubble that plunged the U.S. economy into the Great Recession six years ago. This caused a lot of structural damage to the economy from which we have not yet fully recovered.
A healthy construction sector is a prerequisite to a healthy economy in the long run. Once America is reliably and predictably building things once again, the confidence levels for both consumers and businesses will rise and the economy will be on much better footing.
We are all well aware that the construction sector has languished through a subpar performance thus far in the recovery, but there is increasing evidence to suggest that things are finally getting better. If this is accurate, then it will push demand for many types of plastics products higher.
This is true not only for suppliers of plastics building materials and parts for household appliances, but the automotive, lawn and garden, sporting-goods and packaging sectors also do better when the residential construction data are steadily improving.
There are a couple of indicators of activity levels in residential construction about which plastics processors should stay regularly apprised. Here we offer a quick overview of these indicators that are compiled and reported by the U.S. Census Bureau and our outlook for the coming year.
Housing starts
After a robust increase of 18 percent in the number of new houses started in 2013, there was a modest decline in housing starts in the first quarter of 2014 when compared with a year ago. Our research indicates that demand for many types of vinyl building products (siding, pipe, profiles and decking) is also down a bit in the first quarter when compared with last year.
We are blaming most of this on bad weather, but there were some other issues in some regions such as: a shortage of building lots; shortages of skilled labor; and difficulty getting some banks to lend money for mortgages to anyone without a pristine credit history and a big down payment.
The good news is that these issues are steadily being resolved, and we fully expect growth in the new residential construction data to resume in the second quarter of this year and beyond.
The data on the number of building permits issued for new houses, which is reported along with the data on new housing starts, is up a solid 7 percent in the first quarter from year-ago levels. Our latest forecast calls for an annual total of just over 1 million units in 2014 which represents an increase over last year of about 8 percent. And even at this level of housing starts there will still be pent-up demand.
In order to accommodate all of the new household formations and also replace the aging housing stock that is becoming obsolete or damaged beyond repair, we need to average a rate of more than 1.2 million new units started every year. So there is still upside for processors who manufacture building products and other goods for this market.
Residential construction spending
While the number of new units started slipped a bit in first quarter, the amount of money spent on residential construction products spiked upward by more than 10 percent in the first three months of 2014. The difference is due to the fact that the spending data includes not only spending on new houses, but also spending on renovations, alterations and repairs to existing houses.
There are several factors at work here, some of them long-term and some of them more short-term in nature. On the long-term side, the memories of the burst in the housing bubble seven years ago changed the spending patterns for many Americans with regards to housing. Americans who had purchased new homes during the bubble found themselves underwater and under stress once it burst. Those Americans who had not purchased new homes during the bubble years were rewarded for standing pat. So now all Americans are thinking twice about buying a new home and many are choosing to upgrade the homes they already have. This is driving spending on additions and alterations.
This shift in long-term spending behaviors notwithstanding, there are some pressing short-term reasons that are also pushing residential construction spending upward. The severe winter weather combined with a rash of other natural disasters in recent months (floods, mudslides, tornadoes, brushfires, etc.) created the need for a lot of home repair.
Energy prices are also quite high, and the cold winter prompted many homeowners to invest in products that enhance the energy efficiency of their homes. All of this bodes well for suppliers of replacement windows and doors, pipe, siding, roofing materials, decking and barrier films.
Interest rates remain quite low, the employment and income data are rising, and credit conditions are starting to ease. With the exception of the past few years, the residential construction sector has been an engine for economic growth out of recession in every business cycle since World War II.
It has taken five long years, but it looks like this may finally be the year that the construction sector finds its groove, and the economic recovery starts to behave the way it should. But either way, the data on housing starts, permits and construction spending in the next quarter or two will tell the tale. Stay tuned.
Bill Wood is the economics editor for Plastics News, and is the founder and president of Mountaintop Economics & Research Inc.


text:
forum: Food & Drink
Pages: 1 2 3 | Home » Food & Drink » Any tips for cooking steak?
#1 Sun 28 Aug 11 7:56am
Any tips for cooking steak?
I just cooked some a few days ago. No sauce or seasoning. Cooked them till they were brown on the outside, but the inside was still pretty red when i cut it open. Not sure if i undercooked them or something...
I ended up buying a bottle of steak sauce yesterday. Not sure whats the best way to use it though...do i fry the steak with the sauce, or put the sauce on only after i finish cooking it?
P.S. Any idea what beef schnitzel is? I bought a packet too and it just seems like boneless beef.
#2 Sun 28 Aug 11 10:25am
- Forum champ Occupation Project Manager
- From Limassol, Cyprus
- Member since Tue 19 Dec 06
Re: Any tips for cooking steak?
Steak Sauce is just a condiment, not dissimilar to Brown Sauce. Personally I would not let it anywhere near a decent steak, give me a homemade Pepper Sauce any day.
The usual way I cook a steak is either on the gas bbq or on a griddle pan. This gives the criss-cross charred lines and an excellent visual effect.
Heat the BBQ or grill pan to a medium-high heat. Lightly season the steaks with sea salt and drizzle with olive oil. For medium rare, grill each steak for 4 minutes each side, 8 minutes each side for medium and 16 minutes each side for well-done. Split the time each side in half and put the steaks on diagonally and turn to the opposite diagonal for the second half of the time before flipping.
To test if your steak is cooked to your liking, press the centre with the back of the tongs. The steak will feel soft if it's rare, slightly firmer and springy when it's medium and very firm when it's well-done.
Remove the steaks and place on a plate to rest for half of its cooking time. I usually put the steak on its edge as this avoids it sitting in a pool of juices.
With timings like this, it is easy to manage people wanting different levels of doneness, just put the ones on that need the most cooking first and use a timer to keep track of where you are. Always rest the steaks.
Schnitzels are easy enough to make and if what you got was in a packet then it is likely as far from a proper schnitzel as you're likely to get. Making them is simple.
Get a piece of (Veal or Beef Escalope/Chicken Breast/Pork Fillet) then put it in between 2 pieces of cling wrap and use a meat mallet to make it thin all over, some butchers can do this for you. Set up a breading station, I use milk, seasoned flour, egg and breadcrumbs. Dip in the milk, then coat with seasoned flour, then dip in the egg and coat with the breadcrumbs (panko crumbs work too)
Heat some oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry till golden brown.
#3 Sun 28 Aug 11 11:05am
- Forum super champ Occupation avoiding housework
- From The land of song.
- Member since Tue 04 Oct 05
Re: Any tips for cooking steak?
Smple tips ....
get steak to room temperature
Get the pan hot
oil the steak not the pan
the differnce between getting the steak well done , medium rare or rare ...
this might sound odd I know !
with middle finger , feel and press down on your forehead , your cheek and your chin . You will feel the difference in the 3 areas you have just pressed .
If you want he steak well when you press on it in the pan it will feel much like your forehead
,for medium rare it will feel much like your your chin
and for rare it will feel much like your cheek !!
Remember once you remove our steak from the pan ..always rest it for a couple of mnutes so that it starts to relax and absorb some of the juices. By doing this the steak will be more tender and less blooded ( in the case of a rare steak )
#4 Sun 28 Aug 11 9:09pm
- Forum super champ Occupation Just being me
- Member since Fri 28 Mar 08
Re: Any tips for cooking steak?
I cut a small piece of the fat from the steak and let it render on the hot pan before adding the steaks. I would make a homemade pan sauce, even deglazing with a little water or wine and then a piece of butter is nice. Steak sauce is delicious on any type of burger, I really like it on vegetarian burgers, don't know why.
#5 Mon 29 Aug 11 7:46am
- Forum champ Occupation Opiskelija
- From Finland
- Member since Thu 26 Aug 10
Re: Any tips for cooking steak?
I think the main trick is definitely to let the steak come to room temperature before you cook it, then you're much less likely to end up with it under cooked. Otherwise, the tips given here pretty much cover it. But otherwise it is really a bit of trial and error. Good luck
#6 Mon 05 Sep 11 11:32am
Re: Any tips for cooking steak?
So what is beef schnitzel exactly? It just looks like boneless beef to me...
And whats the point of resting the steak after cooking? Wont that just make it cold when i eat it?
#7 Mon 05 Sep 11 12:19pm
- Forum champ Occupation Project Manager
- From Limassol, Cyprus
- Member since Tue 19 Dec 06
Re: Any tips for cooking steak?
On resting, see here:
http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/12/how- … lling.html
On Schnitzels see here:
#8 Sun 11 Sep 11 11:41am
Re: Any tips for cooking steak?
Wouldnt the steak get cold while resting?
#9 Sun 11 Sep 11 12:21pm
- Forum champ Occupation Walking the Old Ways
- From Living in the Wild Woods
- Member since Wed 16 Jan 08
Re: Any tips for cooking steak?
Cover it with foil
#10 Sun 11 Sep 11 1:51pm
- Member Occupation keeping dogs happy
- Member since Sun 06 Feb 11
Re: Any tips for cooking steak?
Love your tip Mummza! May I qoute you in the future? :-)
I agree with Falcony a home made sauce is so much better. This is really quick and easy pepper sauce I use often...
1 table spoon of Pepper corns... in brine or pre-soaked (any colour but I like a mix of pink & green for a bit of colour)
Small glass of white wine
150g of Gorgonzola, cut into cubes
Good nob of butter & table spoon of olive oil (I use a home made garlic oil here for a bit more flavour)
Couple of nice big sirloin steaks (for me its got to be rare!)
Melt the butter & oil in a pan on a high heat. Add the steaks & pepper corns cooking the steak to your liking (i will be trying mummzas tip here)
Remove the steaks to stand.... Covering with foil will keep them warm.
Keeping the pepper corns in the pan, add the white wine & sizzle on a high heat for a minute, stirring up the tasty brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
Turning down the heat to a medium, add the gorgonzola stirring continuously for a few minutes letting the cheese melt into a smooth sauce.
Now slap your steak on yer plate and pour over your lovely sauce.... Simples!
Pages: 1 2 3 | Home » Food & Drink » Any tips for cooking steak?


text:
Main Content
- Comes packaged in a Rip Curl premium accessory case
- Imported
- Depth tested to 100m
- Polyurethane strap repels water, withstands dramatic temperature changes & is highly tear-resistant
- Heat bezel
- 46mm Case width
- Jeweled movements - synthetic rubies serve as bearings for gears, reducing torque & friction, allowing your watch to run more accurately for longer
- Date & time
- Brand: Rip Curl
Other Customers also liked:
Special event items are produced by manufacturers only after the outcome of a game or event. These are advanced sale items and will ship immediately after they are received in our warehouse.
Manufacturer direct items are shipped directly from the manufacturer. These items are not available for international or expedited shipping.
Customized items can be personalized with options such as your name, your favorite number, and/or designs. Some options may be limited by league rules.


text:
Return to SwingLifeStyle.com The Swingers Home Page
There are a total of 971 Corinna Center swingers, within 100 miles.
The list below is a subset of the swingers in the Corinna Center area.
Create a free swingers account so you can see and write to them all.
Good looking couple looking for likeminded people.
Looking for adventure
Looking for some fun
Not Looking to Meet New People Right Now
l like showing off my un cut smooth cock..
sexy ladies to the front
Looking to join willing couples
Attractive sexy fun active outgoing
You've been looking at the menu, are you ready to place you'd order now?
eager to please
looking for new friends
Southern Hospitality at it's best!!
We only live once
Who wants to SWING with a PlayBoy hottie and her Jiffy Bear?
Hoping to meet some real people
lookin for fun anyone interested?
anything worth doing is worth overdoing
Out of control fun!!!!
Looking for Friends and more
Active Swingers as of 01-May-17.
This site does not contain sexually explicit images as defined in 18 U.S.C. 2256.
Accordingly, neither this site nor the contents contained herein are covered by the record-keeping provisions of 18 USC 2257(a)-(c).
Disclaimer: This website contains adult material. You must be over 18 to enter or 21 were applicable by law.
All Members are over 18 years of age.
Terms of Use Privacy Policy


text:
Credit: People
She may have played Ugly Betty on TV, but America Ferrera glowed as a gorgeous bride when she tied the knot with longtime boyfriend Ryan Piers Williams.
The Emmy-winning actress, 27, and Williams were married Monday night in "an intimate setting amongst close friends and family," her rep tells PEOPLE. "The bride wore a dress by Amsale's Christos label and Fred Leighton earrings."
Guests at the ceremony included the actress's former Ugly Betty costars Vanessa Williams, Rebecca Romijn, her husband Jerry O'Connell and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants's Blake Lively.
The couple, who became engaged in June 2010, first met when Williams cast Ferrera in his student film at the University of Southern California.
"They aren't one of those flashy couples," a friend of the pair told PEOPLE in 2007 when they began looking for a home together.
"We kind of connected from the get-go on that professional level and that was something that really drew us to each other," Ferrera told PEOPLE after her engagement, "a shared passion for what we do and our work."