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More than 3,600 times last year alone, someone involved in a Second Judicial District Court proceeding needed spoken words or written text interpreted from English into their native language. Each time, Court Interpreter Supervisor Rosa Lopez-Gaston was responsible for making sure it happened.
Her near-perfect record of getting interpreters to the right places at the right time—while also handling interpreting duties of her own—helped Rosa win the Second Judicial District Court's 2018 Distinguished Performance Award.
Rosa is a perfect fit for her job. She is a native Spanish-speaker with a bachelor's degree in Latin American history and master's in International Relations. She was working at the University of New Mexico when she decided to take the exam to become a certified interpreter.
She started as a freelance interpreter in district court in 2001, and immediately took to the job.
"I loved having a job that helps people," she said. "I also found the court system to be extremely interesting."
Rosa became a part-time court employee in 2003. She was named full-time Supervisor of Court Interpreter Services in 2005. Over that time, the number of languages she has to find interpreters for has grown to more than 30—ranging from sign language to Navajo, Russian and Arabic.
It can be a challenge at times because the number of interpreters is limited, and there are other courts and agencies also vying for their services. Still, Rosa has never failed to meet the challenge. She modestly gives the credit to others. "I have a great team of freelancers who are extremely flexible and always willing to help," she said.
James Noel, the Second District Court's Executive Officer, recognizes the vital role Rosa has at the Second Judicial District Court. "Rosa's job is not easy, but it is essential," he said. "This court would be at a complete standstill without Rosa and her selfless dedication to serving the court and the community."
The Second Judicial District Court collaborated with the City of Albuquerque to secure funding for a specialty court in which the University of New Mexico's Psychiatric Center ("UPC") can request court-appointed outpatient treatment and support for individuals with a serious mental illness.
The funding for this new Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) court is a federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
A 2016 state law allows municipalities and counties to use the civil court system to supervise care for people with a serious mental illness who meet specific legal criteria, which include a history of hospitalization, incarceration or violence, and difficulty maintaining their treatment. The goal of AOT is to ensure participants maintain treatment, thereby reducing the incidence and duration of psychiatric hospitalization, homelessness, incarcerations, and interactions with law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
The specialty court embraces the principles of therapeutic jurisprudence as a means of best ensuring the dignity of the participants. "For now, the program will focus on patients who are leaving the hospital after an involuntary commitment," said District Judge Beatrice Brickhouse, who is the primary SJDC judge involved in AOT. "In addition to UPC, we plan to expand to other inpatient facilities, such as Lovelace and Kaseman Presbyterian hospitals, as well as community referrals, such as family members."
"The Second Judicial District Court and its partners will continue to work closely with providers, disability rights advocates, family members, and consumers to ensure AOT is effective, fair, and respectful to all involved," said Chief Judge Stan Whitaker.
Program participants will collaborate with service providers to develop individualized treatment plans and receive 24-hour access to services and support. Specialized assertive community treatment teams or intensive case management would then follow up to check on participants, link them with services, and monitor the court-ordered treatment. "We are going to add a level of intensity to try to reduce mental illness crises and repeated hospitalizations," said Denise Lin, M.D., Medical Director of Inpatient Services at UPC. Services may include mental health treatment, medication, substance abuse counseling, benefits assistance and other resources such as supportive housing, vocational rehabilitation, and family member support.
"The Court's AOT program will implement evidence-based practices that will focus on early intervention to improve outcomes for individuals with critical mental health issues," said Chief Judge Whitaker. "This specialty court is a resource to the community and is recognized as an evidence-based practice by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs; the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Its use is also endorsed by the American Psychiatric Association, American College of Emergency Physicians, International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Sheriffs' Association and National Alliance on Mental Illness."
Second Judicial District Launches Specialty Court for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness- .PDF Version
The Honorable Stan Whitaker is the New Chief Judge of the Second Judicial District Court
The Honorable Stan Whitaker is the new Chief Judge of the Second Judicial District Court, following a unanimous vote by his colleagues on the bench.
Judge Whitaker began his term as Chief Judge on January 1, 2019, succeeding the Honorable Nan Nash, retired from the bench on December 31, 2018.
"It was not easy for me to decide to leave a place where I have worked with exceptionally dedicated and hardworking people for more than 25 years," Judge Nash said. "I am tremendously proud of the Court's commitment to the rule of law and the initiatives this Court has undertaken during my tenure as Chief Judge. I know the Second Judicial District Court will be in good hands under Judge Whitaker's leadership."
Judge Whitaker serves in the Second Judicial District Court's Criminal Division. As Chief Judge, he has administrative authority over all court operations.
"The Court's staff has had an excellent relationship with Judge Whitaker over the years. He has demonstrated his commitment to making this court the best it can be, both as a place to work, and as an institution that serves the public," said Court Executive Officer James Noel. "We look forward to working with Judge Whitaker as our new Chief Judge."
A Distinguished Legal Career
Judge Whitaker is a graduate of Albuquerque's Sandia High School, where he met his wife of 39 years, Barbara. The Whitakers have two adult daughters.
A multisport athlete in high school, Judge Whitaker attended the University of Kansas on a track scholarship. After graduating from college, he taught for several years at Albuquerque public schools. However, his involvement, while in college, in a lawsuit against the NCAA over the amount and types of financial aid student athletes could receive had sparked his interest in the law. Ultimately, he left teaching in favor of law school.
Judge Whitaker earned his law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1989. He was a civil litigator with two different Albuquerque law firms before going to work in the Family Crimes Unit of the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office, where he prosecuted child abuse cases.
Judge Whitaker first came to the Second Judicial District Court as a Domestic Violence Commissioner in the Family Court Division. He left the court to work as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico.
He returned to District Court in 2006, accepting an appointment as a Family Court Judge. A year later, he moved to the Criminal Division.
"I am honored to be elected Chief Judge of a court with the quality of judges and staff we have in the Second Judicial District," Judge Whitaker said. "It is obvious to me every day that I walk into the courthouse that everyone here is truly dedicated to public service and maintaining the public's confidence in the judiciary."
"Judge Nash demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the independence of the judiciary, procedural fairness and access to justice. I hope to build upon her legacy by promoting the full and fair administration of justice and in preserving the integrity of the Court."
Click here to view PDF Version
Second Judicial District Court Chief Judge Nan Nash will retire on December 31, 2018. It marks the end of a 25-year career with the court that started when then-attorney Nan Nash was hired as part-time director of Court Alternatives. Judge Nash has held many positions with court, including Special Commissioner of Domestic Violence and Child Support Hearing Officer. Former Governor Bill Richardson appointed Nan Nash to the Family Court bench in 2003. She joined the Civil Division in 2007. Her colleagues elected her Chief Judge in April of 2014. Before officially stepping down, Judge Nash took some time to reflect on what has been a truly outstanding public service career.
Question: What initially sparked your interest in the legal profession and eventually the judiciary?
Judge Nash: I was not one of those people who always wanted to be a lawyer. In fact, growing up I do not even recall knowing any lawyers. I graduated from Indiana University with a degree in environmental biology. Then one day I found myself a divorced single mom in need of a way to support two kids who were 4 and 5 years old at the time. Given my strong communications and writing skills, law school seemed like a good idea. I was accepted to the Indiana University Law School. When I graduated, I went to work as a deputy city clerk. I also worked for the Bloomington City Council. However, I had lived out west a few years earlier, and knew I wanted to come back. I applied for jobs in Albuquerque and got an offer from a law firm here.
My then new husband, David, and I decided to make that move. I worked at that law firm for five years, doing primarily insurance defense work. I learned a lot, but I never really thought that was the right path for me. I started looking for other opportunities and saw an ad in the Bar Bulletin for a part time Director of Court Alternatives at the Second Judicial District Court. That was like an epiphany for me. I applied for the job and got it, and that started my 25-year career at this court. The part-time job as Director of Court Alternatives eventually became full time. I later became a Special Commissioner for Domestic Violence and a Hearing Officer in Family Court. After doing that a while, I thought it would be interesting to be a judge. I applied for an open seat on the Family Court bench and was appointed by Governor Bill Richardson in January of 2003.
Question: What is it like to be the Chief Judge of New Mexico's largest and busiest district court?
Judge Nash: When I first took my seat on the bench after being a court staff attorney and a hearing officer, I discovered that being a judge entailed so much more than I had ever imagined. I had a similar experience upon becoming Chief Judge. I was fortunate to have come up through the ranks. That gave me an understanding of court operations. I was thankful for the opportunity to help shape this court. However, I encountered some unexpected challenges as Chief Judge. I had been a judge in Family Court and in the Civil Division. I was somewhat surprised about the level of media interest in criminal cases, as well as the level of criticism there would be of the court.
Question: Reflecting on your twenty-five years of service with the Second Judicial District Court, can you tell us about the role of the judiciary in our democracy and trends you have seen in this area?
Judge Nash: I have been reading the biography of Alexander Hamilton, who was one of the Founding Fathers who fought for an independent judiciary. The judiciary has an important role in providing checks and balances for other branches of government as well as providing an orderly way of resolving disputes among citizens. Current trends related to the judiciary in today's society are concerning. The clamor for judges to respond to public opinion is a threat to the independence of the judiciary. It is a problem when the Chief Justice of United States Supreme Court feels compelled to step out of his role to respond to comments made by the President. Granted that is not the first time an elected official has tried to exert influence over the judiciary. That is a unique part of our democracy. Every citizen has First Amendment rights. However, if the judiciary does succumb to making rulings in response to public opinion, that would be a tragedy for our society and system of government.
Question: What are the proudest accomplishments of your career?
Judge Nash: There are a number of things I am proud to have been a part of over my 25 years with this court. Starting with my tenure as Director of Court Alternatives, where we built and strengthened many of the Court's Alternative Dispute Resolution programs. I also am proud to have been a part of this court's first Drug Court team, which was the first treatment court in New Mexico. In the Domestic Violence Division, Judge Whitaker and I—while serving as Special Masters—developed a pilot program for emergency orders of protection. We were appointed by the New Mexico Supreme Court to co-chair a judicial task force to standardize orders of protection. As presiding judge of Family Court, I helped develop and strengthen the Self Help Center, which has given citizens greater access to the justice system. As a judge in the Civil Division, I am proud of my decision in a case involving physician aid in dying. Even though the State Supreme Court ultimately reversed my decision, I believe I was right in recognizing a person's right to seek the end of their suffering by choosing to have a physician's aid in dying.
Question: What would you like the public to know about how courts work, and the responsibilities of being a judge?
Judge Nash: A judge's job is to give all parties equal consideration in every case before them, and to render unbiased decisions in a timely manner. The public sometimes does not understand that. They also sometimes have difficulty understanding how difficult it is for judges to make decisions. Many factors come into play in almost every case. Some citizens choose to represent themselves; some lawyers do a better job of arguing cases than others. Judges have to overlook those things and apply the law to the facts of the case. That takes a lot more strength and steadfastness than most people realize.
Question: What do you think you will miss the most about being a judge?
Judge Nash: Being a part of shaping the court and by extension having a positive impact on the community. I also have become extremely close to my colleagues in the court. I will miss the camaraderie with my fellow members of the bench, as well as the court staff.
Question: What parts of the job do you think you will miss the least?
Judge Nash: Waking up in the middle of the night worrying about a court policy or thinking about a case. I will not miss the resistance to reform that we have encountered. I realize there will always be resistance to change, especially in a system like the courts, which typically moves at a glacial pace. However, I think a lot of the resistance we encountered was based in fear, and lot of that fear was due to the intense public scrutiny the court is always under. I definitely will not miss that scrutiny.
Question: What words of wisdom would you impart to attorneys just joining the profession?
Judge Nash: I would tell them two things. The first was imparted to me when I was new attorney. That is once established, a poor reputation is very hard to overcome while a good reputation, once established is fairly easy to maintain. The second thing I would tell them is that the flexibility that this profession provides is an incredible gift. If you are not finding satisfaction in the area in which you are currently working, do something different until you find that satisfaction.
Question: What are you looking forward to doing the most in your retirement?
Judge Nash: Not having so much on my plate. While serving a Chief Judge the past four and a half years, many things I did regularly have gone away. I am looking forward to hiking, biking, traveling, playing and listening to music, and of course spending more time with my three grandchildren.
Question: Is there anything else you would like to say?
Judge Nash: Courts, in general, are progressive institutions that seek to increase every citizens' access to justice. That certainly is what this court is about, and I am extremely grateful to have worked here with so many wonderful people.
Second Judicial District Court employees and members of the public showed great generosity in donating to local community service groups through the Court's third annual Giving Tree Project.
Representatives from the four agencies accepted hundreds of gifts during a handoff ceremony at the District Court's main building on Thursday, December 20, 2018.
The four charitable organizations are:
The agency representatives thanked the court for sponsoring this project, which provides much needed support for these organizations during the holiday season.
"When I think about my own children, they have a lot of support and receive a lot of gifts at Christmas," said Eric Martinez with New Mexico Kids Matter. "The kids we serve don't have that level of support. Many of them are separated from their families, and they are told "no" a lot. To have a chance to receive gifts like this will be tremendous for them."
In addition to sending people to the gift exchange, Animal Welfare New Mexico also brought Mindy, a lab mix who is available for the adoption. The agency also set up a table with information on more of its adoptable pets.
If you would like to donate to, or just learn about these organizations, follow the links below to their websites.
Albuquerque Public Schools Title I Homeless Project
New Mexico Veterans Integration Center
New Mexico Kids Matter
Animal Humane New Mexico
For the third consecutive year, the Second Judicial District Court has organized a Giving Tree Project. The court has placed trees at three different locations:
These sites are collection points for items that will go to the four charitable organizations that are collaborating with the court for this year's Giving Tree Project. Those charitable organizations are:
Members of the public may drop off non-cash donations (no gift cards either) at any of the court locations through December 19, 2018. Court officials will host a brief ceremony to hand over donations to the charities at 10:00 AM Thursday, December 20, 2018.
It started as a pilot program in Sandoval County District Court with one paid staff member assisted by a group of interns. Five years later, the Family Advocacy Program is a joint initiative of the Second and Thirteenth Judicial Districts and the Administrative Office of the Courts. It also has full paid staff in Sandoval, Valencia and Bernalillo Counties.
Along with this growth, the program is garnering recognition for outstanding work. This past August, the State Bar of New Mexico named it Outstanding Program for 2018. A month later, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded the program a $7.7 million grant that will enable its expansion into San Juan and McKinley counties.
The Family Advocacy Program uses a multi-disciplinary team approach to representing parents in juvenile abuse/neglect proceedings.
The team—consisting of an attorney, social worker and peer mentor—works to help the parents make the necessary changes to reunite with their children and maintain a stable, healthy lifestyle going forward.
Since its July 2013 inception, the program has supported 101 cases, involving 47 parents and 205 children. So far, 82 of those cases have been closed, with only four resulting in new cases being opened against the same parents.
Program director Dominica Sisneros-Montano, a licensed master social worker, said the program works because "we take the time to engage with clients as humans and do in-depth case management."
That engagement includes social workers accompanying clients to court hearings and visits with their children. Program social workers also help clients fill out paperwork to get counseling or other services needed to make the lifestyle changes judges want to see before reuniting parents with their children.
"The quality of our work is intense," Sisneros-Montano said. "We are helping people navigate the legal system and mentoring them so they can become better parents. The result is happier, more stable families, which is good for the entire state."
The State Bar of New Mexico and the Department of Health and Human Services are not alone recognizing the program's positive impact. The American Bar Association asked the program to develop a training model that courts in other jurisdictions can use to establish similar programs. In addition, the program's social workers were invited to serve on the Steering Committee of the ABA's National Alliance for Parent Representation, the only national legal organization dedicated to improving legal representation for parents in child welfare cases.
"All of this recognition is a result of our evidence-based practices and performance data," Sisneros-Montano said. "We are showing fast time to family recovery, lower rates of termination of parental rights, and higher rates of guardianship."
Court officials are excited about the program's potential, especially in light of the federal grant. "In awarding this grant, the federal Department of Health and Human Services is recognizing the program's success and expressing confidence that we can do even more to improve the health and well-being of more New Mexico families," said Marie Ward, presiding judge of the Second Judicial District's Children's Court Division.
"AOC hopes to take the program statewide if it continues to show success," said AOC Director Artie Pepin. "The grant funding will permit courts to hire additional social workers and parent mentors to serve more clients, provide training and develop a database to help in evaluating how well the program is working."
Court's Family Advocacy Program Earns State Bar Award, New Federal Grant - .PDF Version
A person experiencing a mental health crisis is more likely to be arrested than referred to treatment, and time in jail often worsens the mental health condition, according to research by the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
New Mexico Courts are taking concrete steps to address their communities' mental health needs. The Third Judicial District Court launched an Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Program in partnership with Doña Ana County, with federal funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration.
Under the program, started in July 2017, a district court judge can order individuals involved in civil proceedings to participate in a structured treatment program developed by a local behavioral health provider. Court and county officials expect the program to reduce the number of people hospitalized or incarcerated due to mental health issues.
The Second Judicial District Court is teaming with the City of Albuquerque and UNM's Health Psychiatric Center to pilot an AOT court.
In anticipation of a fall launch, a delegation from the District Court and the city recently traveled to Ohio to observe two established court-ordered outpatient treatment programs. "With New Mexico's recent enactment of assisted outpatient treatment legislation, it is important that we have this opportunity to observe how other state courts have implemented court-ordered treatment programs," said Second Judicial District Judge Beatrice Brickhouse.
"It was extremely helpful to observe both the court's role in this process and the actual interactions between the judge and the participant," said Ellen Braden, who manages the City of Albuquerque's behavioral health and wellness division. "In Ohio, the judge's engagement with the participants clearly supports the individual's recovery."
Hospital-Based Hearing Room
The Twelfth Judicial District Court is taking an innovative approach to serving individuals with mental-health related issues.
In April of this year, judges in the Twelfth Judicial District began hearing cases in a hearing room housed inside the behavioral health wing of the Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center in Alamogordo.
The judges participate in an alternating monthly schedule that has a judge conducting hearings at the hospital each week. The district's four judges share in the rotation to help ensure the success of this model.
The Gerald Chapman Regional Medical Center opened the behavioral health unit in Alamogordo in 2016. It provides in-patient services to individuals from around the state. Community, justice partner stakeholders and advocacy groups have joined forces to share ideas and find solutions for people with mental health-related issues.
The hospital-based hearing room is the latest of these ideas.
"The outcome has meant more efficient and timelier case resolution practices, as well as a more constructive and less disruptive judicial process for individuals who may be in need of a treatment guardian, involuntary commitment or a guardian/conservator appointment," said Court Executive Officer Katina Watson.
District Courts Tackling Mental Health Issues - .PDF Version
On September 17, 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention met to sign the document they had spent the previous four months drafting.
That document, the U.S. Constitution, outlines the basic structure of our nation's government. The first three articles of the constitution identify three co-equal branches of government with separate and distinct powers and responsibilities.
The Constitution outlines the separation of powers: the Legislative branch makes law; the Executive branch executes the law; and the Judicial branch interprets and applies the law.
September 17th of each year is designated Constitution Day in acknowledgement of the day our current government was formed. This year, as we mark the 231st anniversary of the Constitution's signing, we should reflect on the true role of what is commonly referred as the third branch of government—the Judiciary.
The framers of the constitution sought to make the Judiciary an independent branch of government that could go about its work of interpreting laws and settling legal disputes without having to consult members of the other branches of government—or survey public opinion—before making decisions. The desire to keep the Judiciary free from such influences is why U.S. Supreme Court Justices—once appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate—serve life terms.
By contrast, State Court Judges do not serve life terms. They typically are elected to the bench and face retention elections every six years. Still, they are fair and impartial arbiters of the law, carrying out their duties without regard to political whim or popular opinion.
Members of the executive and legislative branches, at both the federal and state levels, regularly interact with lobbyists and members of special interest groups. They also are likely to review public opinion polls and news stories when deciding what position to take on a particular law or policy. The members of those branches of government are elected to represent the public; they require public input to do that properly.
The Judiciary plays a different—but very important—role in our Constitutional form of government.
The Judiciary is not a political or representative branch of government. Its duty is to uphold the law, and make decisions in accordance with the law, even when those decisions go against popular opinion. Judges resolve disputes based on the law and the facts presented in individual cases.
The Judiciary also is the branch of government that protects the civil rights and liberties granted to all citizens within the Constitution. Part of that job is ensuring that the other branches of government recognize the limits of their powers.
Sometimes, making an unpopular decision will cause members of the public to label a judge a liberal or a conservative. In extreme cases, as we have seen recently in New Mexico, judges have been threatened with bodily harm by people who disagree with their decisions.
Judges know they are bound to follow the laws of the land—the U.S. and State Constitutions, as well as state and federal laws. They also must adhere to rules of court procedure and a judicial code of conduct, which strictly forbids letting personal feelings enter into their decision making.
William H. Rehnquist, a former U.S. Supreme Court Justice stated: "A Judge is bound to decide each case fairly, in accord with the relevant facts and applicable law, even when the decision is not the one the home crowd wants."
That is exactly how the framers of the Constitution expected judges to behave when they laid out the structure of our current form of government 231 years ago. The framers, in essence, charged the Judiciary with protecting our constitutional rights. We should remember that not just on Constitution Day, but every day.
Constitutional Day 2018 - .PDF Version
One of the most recognizable faces at the Bernalillo County Juvenile Justice Center belongs to Cassie, a 6-year-old Labrador retriever.
Cassie interacts with families, especially those with children, who need her friendship. When a girl is called to testify about traumatic abuse or neglect, Cassie might sit at her feet to provide solace. Or Cassie might stay with a sobbing boy who has just been separated from his parents after being placed into protective custody.
"Cassie provides great comfort in the courtroom and gets smiles from everyone she meets when she is in the building," Children's Court Judge Marie Ward said. "She is a silent companion who has a way of removing the edge from very difficult situations."
Cassie has been a presence at the Juvenile Justice Center since late 2013. She is a specially-trained Courthouse CASA dog, a name that is derived from the acronym for Court Appointed Special Advocates.
Cassie was purchased using a grant by New Mexico Kids Matter, the CASA program in Albuquerque. CASA believes that every child who has been abused, neglected or is in foster care deserves to have a dedicated volunteer advocate speaking up for them in court.
"We are very fortunate to have Cassie, both as a resource and as a friend," Judge Ward said. "She brings a lift to everyone she meets and she is especially valuable to the children who need her most."
Cassie was trained by Assistance Dogs of the West, a Santa Fe-based accredited service dog organization that also provides service dogs for the Veterans Court program. Courthouse dogs have been used around the country since 2003.
For more information about CASA please visit www.nmkidsmatter.org.
District Judge Jacqueline Flores and Pre-Trial Services officer Anthony Rodolfo were recognized during the Albuquerque City Council's meeting on January 20 for their work with the Second Judicial District Court's Felony DWI program.
Councilors issued a proclamation honoring and thanking Judge Flores, Mr. Rodolfo and Dr. Lester Brasher of Albuquerque Behavioral Health as well as prosecutors, defense attorneys and local law enforcement for efforts to help program participants improve their lives and make Albuquerque streets safer by removing repeat drunken driving offenders.
"We are proud of the success we have seen in Felony DWI Court. We know the program is effective for participants who really want to turn their lives around," Judge Flores said.
The Second Judicial District Court would like to thank City Councilor Ken Sanchez, who recently attended a DWI Court graduation ceremony, for his support and recognition of the Felony DWI Court program.
The Felony DWI Court is a demanding 18-month program for offenders who have had at least five drunken driving convictions. The goal is to promote public safety and reduce recidivism among repeat DWI offenders while providing an alternative to incarceration.
Participants are referred by the District Attorney's Office and must take part in individual, group and family counseling, often several times each week, in addition to regular urinalysis and breath tests as well as weekly visits with Judge Flores and a sponsor.
Those who fail to comply with their responsibilities are sent back to jail.
Disclaimer: All efforts are made to ensure that information and links are accurate and current. However, users should not cite this information as an official or authoritative source and are advised to independently verify all information. Visitors to this site agree that the Second Judicial District Court of the State of New Mexico is not liable for errors or omissions of any of the information provided. Information contained on this web site should in no way be construed as legal advice. Users should contact an attorney if they require legal assistance or advice.


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Using the 5-E model, these lessons introduce planets, planetary systems, star types, exoplanets, transits, light curves, and the Planet Hunters citizen science project. Supplemental materials include data/image sheets. Next Generation Science... (View More) Standards (NGSS) are identified. (View Less)
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Re: REKT: Beyond The Edge (Main Thread)
He is indeed, Victor. He's still the #1 guy. CEO of Tartarus Inc. and REKT. How could I remove him? He's far too classy and enigmatic to be replaced.
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Files App is a new iPhone and iPad app by Sonico GmbH that lets you store all your files in one simple place. The interface features folders that are very similar to Apple's home screen, making Files App familiar and intuitive to use.
When you import documents into Files App, you can choose from Photos, Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, or a web URL. You can also choose to "Open In..." from the mail app or connect to your Mac or PC. To connect to your computer, you enter the IP address given by Files App then simply drag files into your browser window.
After you've imported your files, you can group them into folders similar to how you create app folders on your iPhone and iPad's home screen. Unlike Apple's folders, though, there is no limit to the number of items that can be in each one. If you're not a fan of the icon view, you can switch to a more traditional list view that is similar to Rene's concept for a built-in Files.app.
Files App will let you store any types of files, but not all file types can be opened. Files App supports PDF, MS Office, AVI, ZIP, and more more. You can also view photos and videos with the built in viewer and listen to music, complete with playlists, shuffle, artwork, and Airplay.
The good
- Read PDF and Office files
- Lightning fast viewer for Photos & Videos
- Listen to Music, complete with playlists, shuffle, artwork and Airplay
- Drag & drop files from your Mac or PC right into Files App using your default web browser
- Get files from Dropbox, Google Drive or Box
- From AVI to ZIP: Support for many popular file formats
- Organize your files using simple touch gestures
The bad
- Can't open RAW photo images
The bottom line
If you're looking for an easy-to-use app that keeps all your files organized and accessible in a single app, Files App is a fantastic choice.
- $0.99 - Download now
This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy for more details.


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What's your favorite color? You can tell a lot about a person by their favorite color - and you can also tell a lot about an online store by the colors they use. A lot of ecommerce entrepreneurs don't know that the various colors they use on their website can have a significant impact on the mood of their customers. Getting the right mix of colors can mean the difference between a repeat customer and a fleeting one-time visitor.
The Psychology of ColorAccording to a study conducted by the Seoul International Color Expo, over 92% of people said that color plays an integral part when purchasing merchandise. Believe it or not, only 6% said that their sense of touch played a major role, whereas smell and hearing amounted to a tiny 1% of people's votes - unless of course they were buying air freshener or music.
Further research carried out by the Institute for Color Research showed that shoppers subconsciously judge people, the environment, and the product within the first two minutes of the initial viewing. Crucially, 60% to 90% make an assessment that is solely based on color. Therefore, it goes without saying that catching the customer's eye with an intelligent layout of colors is integral to ecommerce success.
Here is a brief look at eleven widely used colors and the effect they have on online customers:
Brown is a strong and dependable color which is very reassuring to shoppers. It gives off an aura of confidence and, if used in the right amounts, can help convert a potential customer. Above is a free ecommerce template in the Shopify Theme Store - it's called Radiance and is extremely customizable.
OrangeContrast and is a part of our Square line.
Yellow is a cheerful and playful color that can really grab the customers' attention. However, it should be used in moderation because an excessive use of yellow can turn customers off. Above is a gorgeous ecommerce template called Flyer and is a part of our Cogify lineup. This premium theme is $150 and is designed by the all-star team at Jeffrey Zeldman's Happy Cog. Check out more yellow ecommerce templates here.
Even though pink is usually associated with femininity, it can appeal to males as well since it exudes kindheartedness, romance, and love. Pink has a soothing effect so it can be used to offset more aggressive colors like black, orange and red. Above is a premium ecommerce template called Broadway and is a part of our New York portfolio.
Red taps into the deepest, most primal, emotions of shoppers. Since red is usually associated with love, life, and confidence, it can convert potential buyers into lifelong customers if used correctly. But beware, too much red on a webpage can be visually overwhelming. Above is a popular template called Rustic, and it's apart of our Zenith portfolio. Check out some more red ecommerce templates right here.
White exudes purity, wholesomeness, and clarity, and it is essential to most web pages. Always include empty white space around your content so that customers don't feel boxed in. Above is a free ecommerce template that has all the social media functions you can handle. The template is called Social and can be found in the Shopify Theme Store. Check out all our white ecommerce templates here.
PurpleCarleton, and is designed by Pixel Union. Check out all our purple ecommerce templates here.
Blue conveys feelings of trust, peace, and productivity. Although blue is one of the most common colors on the web, it should be avoided if your webpage is involved with the hospitality industry, especially with restaurants as blue is said to decrease appetite. Above is another free template from the Shopify Theme Store - it's called Monochrome, and is a deeper greyish blue. We have more blue ecommerce templates here.
Grey is usually connected with seriousness and a conservative mindset. The right shades of grey can serve as a great backdrop for other more vibrant colors such as orange, red, and royal blue. Above is a theme called Corporate Edge and is a top-level theme with tons of functionality. Check out all our grey ecommerce templates here.
Black is associated with strength, power, and dominance. When used in ecommerce, it sends a confident message to potential customers. Excessive use can give off a bland and gloomy ambiance, so it should be used in moderation, along with other tranquil colors. Above is an awesome free ecommerce template called Faust - it's designed specifically for high-end fashion shops and features all the latest web technologies. Check out all our black ecommerce templates here.
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12 comments
December 12 2011, 11:18AM
Great post Mark! At Shopaholla we do our best to incorporate the ability to change our themes to unlimited color schemes giving every store it's own unique look. Good stuff!
December 12 2011, 02:58PM
Interesting info about color – I'll definitely keep this in mind for the future.
December 13 2011, 04:31AM
It would also be great to see some comparative A/B style objective testing of the effect of colour choices on key elements such as 'buy now'/'add to cart' buttons (everything else being equal)
December 22 2011, 04:39AM
I have to agree with Chris. I clicked on the link hoping to actually learn something, but basically just got an advertisement for your templates. It would be nice to see some more hard-core, useful information in the blog.
January 03 2012, 03:26AM
As I am planning a new theme, I found this info informative for me as I am not a web-designer and appreciate all the tips to use when planning my colours.
January 05 2012, 12:16AM
I love this information but I would agree with Chris as well. I would like to see more studies on the actual button colors and which color on buy now/ check out buttons work the best
September 03 2012, 09:38AM
+1 for some research-based results on effects colour has on call-to-action..
November 29 2013, 07:30PM
Thanks for this post! So can anyone argue for one or a combination that is the overall best to sell more to consumers buying under $1000? Would be nice to know, wouldn't it :)
February 16 2014, 08:00AM
Thanks for the great post! I really found if interesting. The only problem I found is that you had something good to say about every color. So I'm still not sure if I should be looking to make a change, they all seem so good!
November 29 2014, 10:45AM
Could you tell me what is that white theme name?
April 07 2016, 05:08PM
This article is factually misguided, and is certainly not based on any scientific fact. There are legitimate academic studies on the impact colors can have on consumer spending behavior, and none of the suggestions in here match scientific evidence!
"Buyer" be ware before adopting this article's advice.
November 10 2017, 09:00PM
Wow! This is a very interesting article. I like the fact that you mentioned that the color of an item or merchandise plays a big role or impact in someone's decision whether to purchase it or not. I personally like white which you mentioned exudes purity or cleanliness. Plus, I feel white shows your transparency, whether it be your personality or outlook in life. This article surely caught my attention, and I will surely be reading more about color psychology. Thanks. https://colourpsychologytoday.com/colour-psychology


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Jim Dupuis Managing Director and owner of specialist basement and civil excavation company Earthmoving Contractors Pty Ltd (EMC), made history this year when they became the first company in Queensland to take delivery of the new Atlas Copco HB10000 (10T) hydraulic breaker and the first company in Australia to use a breaker of this size for inner city bulk excavation work.
EMC have developed a strong reputation in the Queensland bulk excavation basement market over many years. They are experiencing strong demand for their services from a large number of high rise developers in the Brisbane area.
To meet this growing demand for EMC's services, BA Equipment Group's State Manager Rob Guerin and Atlas Copco Australia's Regional Sales Manager Alex Bennett worked with EMC in agreeing to key performance indicators for a trial of the Atlas Copco HB 10000 breaker to assess its power, production, noise levels and vibration levels. The breaker was delivered and commissioned in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane in June 2016 and put to work for the trial. It was operated by EMC's Managing Director Jim Dupuis. "The HB 10000 is breaking out more than double compared to our existing seven ton breaker HB 7000", EMC's Managing Director Jim Dupuis said. He also said how surprised he was with the low noise levels and how comfortable it was to operate for such a large and powerful breaker.
The vibration levels were measured using calibrated vibration monitoring equipment. Two types of monitors were used to ensure there were no incorrect or inconsistent readings. The vibration levels were found to be within the required parameters. Jim advised that this was critical as a heritage listed building is on the boundary of this excavation site.
Productivity was also tested. EMC marked out a 10 cubic metre section of Brisbane's hardest rock (Brisbane Tuff) and went at flat out with their 7 tons breaker, which completed the works in 10 minutes. The test was then repeated with the Atlas Copco HB10000 10 tons breaker. It completed the works in 5 minutes.
" If you work that out over an hour, day, week, month or a year - that is a massive production increase. "
All the trial criteria were met and Jim advised he will happily become Queensland's first Atlas Copco HB 10000 owner.
EMC employ a team of professionally trained and experienced operators and site personnel to complement the investment in their market leading high production Atlas Copco hydraulic breakers and attachments. Jim also spends time training the EMC team to ensure they are maximizing their investment in the world's most productive equipment. EMC was the first to pioneer large breakers for use in basement excavation in Queensland with their investment in the Atlas Copco HB7000 (7T) breaker back in 2011. Since that time EMC has seen demand for their business services grow substantially creating the need for completing more excavation jobs in less time.


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Undergraduate & Graduate Programs
From accounting to visual arts, Lipscomb undergraduates choose from more than 78 majors in 145 areas of study for a bachelor's degree. And those degrees count: consistently, more than 90 percent of Lipscomb alums begin jobs or graduate school within a year of graduating. Speaking of graduate school, we offer more than 32 degrees for those who are ready to take their education to the next level. And for those not looking for a full degree right now—we offer more than 20 certificates, licensures and endorsement programs at the graduate level.


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Hybrid Tea Roses
Hybrid Teas are one of the most recognized and popular cut flowers. They are known for their long-stemmed elegance and high centered blooms. Their upright canes are more open than bushy and carry large flowers. This rose has an extensive colorful palette that allows for it's vibrancy to be seen in the garden from a distance.
View as Grid List
Items 1-12 of 165


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A brand new track featuring piano, acoustic guitar, mandolin, bells, violins and happy clapping that will bring you a lot of freshness, very good vibes and a lot of joy ! Enjoy
Save 50% here !!! This track is part of 3 differents packs !
Just choose the one that suits you best :
. Confidence and Success Music Pack 2


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We're always looking ahead, a daily grind of figuring how the previous step will impact the next.
Then we get it all handed to us in one torturous weekend for one of the true good guys in college football. If Matt Barkley's freefall on NFL Draft boards wasn't shocking enough, consider this: It will impact college football for years to come.
"The days of players coming back for the love of the game or winning a national championship are over," said one NFL agent.
First up: the white-hot supernova that is Johnny Manziel.
Because he's a third-year sophomore and eligible for the NFL Draft after this coming season at Texas A&M; because the NFL suddenly has a fascination for all things zone-read and dual-threat quarterbacks, Manziel must strike now.
OPTIMUM SCOUTING: An early look at the 2014 draft
Or risk losing millions. If you don't think he's ready now—as in, right now, before this season if he were eligible—listen to what Oklahoma defensive coordinator Mike Stoops told me last month: "He's the most incredible athlete I've ever seen at the position."
Barkley was a surefire top five pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, a near perfect example of what the NFL looks for in quarterbacks: big, tall, strong, pocket passer, knowledgeable, good arm strength.
A year later, after Robert Griffin III and Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson reinvented the position overnight, Barkley became expendable and dropped to the fourth round—losing millions of dollars in the process.
Suddenly, an arm that could make "all the throws" became an arm that was weaker than expected. Suddenly, a strong, durable player became a guy who now has a history of injuries, including one to his throwing shoulder.
DRAFT: Barkley falls to Eagles in fourth round
Now imagine what Manziel is walking into this fall. The Aggies, the darlings of the SEC last fall, will no longer be a novelty. Defenses will have spent an entire offseason scheming against the TAMU offense in general and Manziel in particular.
They'll find ways to pressure him and force mistakes like only LSU and Florida could last season, and they'll slowly wear down his ability to improvise. The bar has been raised so high from his 2012 season, anything short of reaching it (much less eclipsing it) will be seen as a failure.
And any failure (see: USC's implosion last season) will plant seeds of doubt in the minds of NFL personnel. Time to go, Johnny.
Play one more season in College Station and move on. Or risk losing millions.
STEELE: Why it might be best to abolish the draft
Big words
SEC commissioner Mike Slive told the Associated Press Sports Editors in Alabama that if the NCAA can't adopt a cost of attendance scholarship increase for student-athletes, it "may be appropriate to talk about some alternative or division or something like that."
Despite posturing from Slive and Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany, there is currently next to zero support for the top moneymakers in football to break away from the pack and form their own division. Slive simply wants more for athletes, while still genuinely believing in the amateur sports model. The last thing he and his top lieutenant (and most trusted adviser), SEC executive associate commissioner Greg Sankey, want is to completely reinvent the amateur model.
But if it takes rattling a few cages with talk of breaking away to get what they want, so be it. Many of the sport's heavy hitters were part of the BCS meetings last week in Pasadena, Calif., and it became clear one of the biggest issues was NCAA president Mark Emmert's lack of leadership.
Emmert tried last year to push through a cost of attendance plan, but failed. One BCS official said last week: "He got those Penn State sanctions through, though, didn't he?"
PREVIOUSLY: Slive supports stipends
A step back
Pac-12 coaches are meeting in Phoenix this week, and among the items on the agenda is a desire to move back to an eight-game conference schedule.
Nine conference games are hard enough on a program, in terms of making money with guarantee games. There's also another factor that often gets overlooked.
"You're playing five road conference games every other year," says new Cal coach Sonny Dykes. "We played four in the SEC and four in the Big 12 and that's hard enough. But five? That's a big, big deal."
Don't expect the Pac-12 to move back to eight games. It's not just the history of playing nine league games, it's the quality inventory needed for the Pac-12 Network.
Three questions for Bob Bowlsby, Big 12 commissioner and former chair of the NCAA men's basketball committee:
SN: What's the biggest difference between the basketball selection committee and a potential football committee?
Bowlsby: "There's a lot right with the basketball process. First among them is the integrity of the process. But they're very different in significant ways. The number of moving parts in basketball is higher because the number of teams. The volume of research is higher. But the difference of arriving at who's in and who's out is obviously much higher in football."
SN: The skeleton is there for the system to go to eight teams. But does eight teams then impact the bowl system?
Bowlsby: "I think it does; that's why I think four (teams) is the right way. You dramatically change the schedule, for one thing. You're going to be at least one week deeper into December and maybe more. Four retains the best of the bowl environment and gives the public what it wants—some form of a playoff. Besides, I'll be retired by the time it gets to (the argument of expanding)."
SN: Is there a concern about biases within the committee?
Bowlsby: "Everybody has a background. The basketball committee starts and finishes with integrity. There are people out there with the integrity to do this job; to know when they have a dog in the fight and know when they should be in the room and when they shouldn't. I was always amazed when you brought new people into the basketball committee, nobody was strong enough to change the culture of high integrity. You quickly learn that's not how things operate."
SLIVE SPEAKS: SEC commissioner outlines what he wants in committee members


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Welcome to the Rumour mill, VideoGamer.com's run-down of the big rumours currently doing the rounds in the video game industry. Every week we'll hunt down the juiciest stories and give our opinion on how legit they are. So, whether you want the ridiculous or the plausible, read on.
GTA V PS3 Exclusive
The Rumour: Sony has signed a cheque to ensure that the next game in the GTA series (after GTA IV) will be a PS3 exclusive.
Verdict: This rumour has been doing the rounds for some time now, and it's cropped up once again, this time with the source reportedly being Official Xbox Magazine. We believe this is simply a misunderstanding of a story about a new franchise Rockstar is said to be developing for the PlayStation 3.
Plausibility rating: 1/5
FarCry 2 coming to next-gen consoles
The Rumour: FarCry is another game that's been doing the rumour mill rounds, but until recently we've been hearing that the next game due on consoles would be an exclusive for PS3 - or at least a port of Instincts. Well, now it seems Ubisoft is keen on bringing the impressive looking FarCry 2 to consoles as well as PC.
Verdict: This makes perfect sense. You only have to look at the relatively disappointing sales of Crytek's Crysis and Epic's Unreal Tournament 3 to see that PC game sales aren't what they ought to be. Could it be that most PC gamers don't have the required hardware to play these games? To recoup development costs these days it simply makes business sense to release games across PC and next-gen consoles.
Plausibility rating: 4/5
X-COM sequel in the works
The Rumour: 2K Boston, you'd imagine, would be a dead cert to be working on the follow-up to the hugely successful BioShock. We've heard that much of the BioShock team has left to form a new studio who will work on BioShock 2, leaving 2K Boston and Ken Levine to work on Project X - a new game in the X-COM series.
Verdict: X-COM, at least in its current form, isn't a franchise to set tills on fire, but re-launch the series as a stunning tactical RPG and 2K could have another BioShock level hit on its hands.
Plausibility rating: 2/5
Classic franchise being reborn on Wii
The Rumour: The Wii will see NiGHTS make its long awaited return early next year, but that's not the end of the classics coming to the Wii. A much loved franchise that has been dormant for a few generations is coming back.
Verdict: This is about as vague as rumours get, but we're lead to believe that it'll be a Nintendo franchise. Considering we've already seen true Mario and Zelda games on the Wii, Nintendo will surely need to look to other franchises soon.
Plausibility rating: 2/5
That's all until next week, but be sure to let us know if you've heard a juicy rumour.


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Haute Couture
Haute Couture 3004 Col 630 Vintage Sunglasses
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Model No: 3004 Col 630
Dimensions: 52 20
Lenses: UV400 Brown Graduated
Ed&Sarna are purveyors of the worlds' finest original vintage eyewear. We have a passion for quality frames and always maintain the Ed&Sarna philosophy - "If you are going to wear something on your face, make sure it's awesome".
These can also be made into a prescription lens pair if required, just message us for a personalised quote from one of our in house optometrists.
All our orders come with a sunglasses case and an Ed & Sarna branded lens cloth.


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Communal living is an important aspect of the residential college experience. A useful education includes the life skills around communication, living with others and resolving conflict—all common pieces of the residential experience for students.
Residence Life & Housing supports the advancement of the academic mission of the college through the residential model. Our philosophy of residential living is grounded in the history of Dickinson. As a residential college, Dickinson has a four-year residency requirement, meaning that all full-time enrolled first-year, sophomore, junior and senior students are required to live in college housing and participate in a college meal plan. As an integral part of the out-of-classroom experience, students living in college residences will increase their cognitive, interpersonal and intrapersonal development and complexity. Students need space for physical and intellectual activities to fully benefit from this experience. We work with students to meet their needs on campus by creating the environment in college residences that will be most conducive to their overall success, both academically and socially.
As a residential college, Dickinson models sustainable living practices in all residential spaces. In 2018, The Center for Sustainability Education and Residence Life & Housing created a Sustainable Living Commitment. For more information, please visit the sustainable living website.
First-Year Students
First-year students are assigned to live in one of two areas on campus: "Morgan Field" which includes Adams or Drayer or "The Quads" including Armstrong, Atwater, Baird-McClintock, Buchanan, Conway, Cooper, Davidson-Wilson or Longsdorff. As a member of the first-year community, students will have the opportunity to participate in social activities and community service with a local community partner, attend a faculty dinner, and serve in a leadership role through involvement in the Community Board.
Additionally, some students participate in a learning community. In the fall semester, learning community programs are shaped by the First-Year Seminar faculty member working with learning community coordinators. For more information about the learning communities, please visit the learning communities webpage.
Upperclass Students
Each upperclass area has either a resident advisor (in the residence halls) or a house & apartment manager, who is a student who works to develop a sense of community within each area. Upperclass students have the same opportunities to participate in social activities, attend faculty dinners and serve in leadership roles through involvement in a Community Board.


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Look, folks, you know I like to give the movies I watch the benefit of the doubt. No matter how ineptly made, how crudely plotted, how bargain-basement the effects, I always try my damnedest to work with the filmmakers and find those little nuggets of inspiration, those small successes that may not redeem the entire work, but at least keeps it from being a total waste of time.
This is particularly true in indie movies. I mean, God bless the Indie Filmmaker, right? Without the resources of a major studio at their disposal, with just an idea and a dream, these cinematic warriors get out there and do their best to realize their visions. They don't let the things they lack--money, time, equipment, often even basic movie-making talent--stand in their way. I respect that, I do. It's the Doctrine of the Glorious Failure the Duke and I lined out in or MMMMManifesto: to wit, it's better to aim for the stars and miss, than to aim for a pile of shit and hit it.
But if you go back and read the above-linked mission statement, you'll find another tenet of our philosophy that's just as important, the First Inviolable Commandment of the Church of Mad Movies, the one that must be upheld no matter what else goes wrong: THOU SHALT NOT BE BORING.
I think you can probably guess why I'm telling you this.
I recently received these two straight-to-DVD movies for review: A Nocturne: Night of the Vampire (2007) from Troma DVD, and Inbred Redneck Vampires (2010) from MVD Entertainment. The films share a few things in common. Both are indie films--so indie, in fact, that I was unable to find either of them on imdb.com. Both are about vampires. Both look like they were made on consumer video equipment, whether they actually were or not. Both break the Cardinal Rule of Mad Movie enjoyment. And neither should be watched by you.
Let's get through this as quickly as possible, shall we?
A Nocturne caught my attention because the back cover sported some glowing pull-quotes on the back cover, comparing the flick's visual tapestry to that of Vicar-fave director Jean Rollin and similarly vamp-obsessed reprobate Jess Franco. Near as I can figure, the only reason for the Rollin comparison is that the movie is about vampires, and at one point there's a woman in it who speaks French. Otherwise--not so much.
The movie is about a male/female vampire couple, "X" and "Y" (seriously), who have been alive for hundreds of years and are SO VERY BORED. They communicate this boredom to the viewer by staring off into space, not saying very much, and walking around in a blank-faced daze for fully 2/3 of the movie. There's an old man who I think is a priest but is certainly a cannibal, who indulges in long nonsensical wannabe "poetic" soliloquies about his dead wife, which you can barely hear over the pervasive microphone hiss. Every now and then the vamps kidnap someone we've never seen before, who obviously wanders in just to be bitten, and bite them. There are a couple of Nietzsche quotes, and the aforementoned French woman who comes in for an info-dump monologue that doesn't really explain much, and what it does explain is stupid. At the end, somebody else we've never seen before shows up out of nowhere and kills one of the vamps. Fin.
Really, that's IT. There's no character development, no plot to speak of, and nothing much happens. At least in Rollin, even when characters went for 40 minutes without a line of dialogue, SHIT WAS HAPPENING. Mad shit. Here--no.
But as I said up above, I really like to work with movies to see if I can find something good. So here are the good things about Nocturne:
Moving on...
Inbred Redneck Vampires is just what it sounds like, but worse. Here's the company synopsis, straight from MVD Entertainment's website:
Sexy vampire Catherine and her familiar Lendel are on the run from a ruthless vampire hunter. They hide out in the small redneck town of Backwash, where Catherine hatches a plan to turn the backwoods folk into an army of her vampire slaves. Cultures further clash when Ma Poissier wins a free room redecoration by fruity Frenchman Jean-Claude Les Eaux, who tries his best to fit in with crazy hillbillies like Lil' Junior and his buddy Cletus. Beer drinking, bean eating, tripe cooking, shower peeping, competitive farting, strip poker playing and all manner of insanity follow, all leading up to the town's annual Tripe Days Festival.Hoo, boy.
It's a maxim by now that of all the "bad movie" categories, the worst of the worst is "bad comedy." Think of it--with any other genre, be it Bad Horror, Bad Scifi, Bad Action, or Bad Drama--you can at least laugh at the ridiculousness of it, or chortle affectionately about the filmmaker's wrong-headed but right-hearted attempts. Bad Comedy, however, removes that possibility of enjoyment. If a comedy makes you laugh, it's not bad--it's GOOD. Therefore, a bad comedy is by definition one you CANNOT laugh at.
Inbred Redneck Vampires is a very, very bad comedy. The "shower peeping" (in which the peepers fail to notice when a sexy trailer park woman switches out with her hairy boyfriend--hilarious?) and "competitive farting" scenes (this latter goes on for a good 5-10 minutes, and is just three guys at a table eating beans and farting on each other--laffin' yet?) alone make Mama Dracula look like Lust for a Vampire. The "redneck" humor is sub-sub-Hee Haw! levels. (Think about that: it's LESS FUNNY than HEE HAW.) I only chuckled once in the whole movie, and that was when a nude, obese, one-eyed woman stumbled backward to crush a vampire's head with her gigantic ass. Sue me, I was desperate for mirth.
With both the redneck and the vampire portions of the plot, the filmmakers never reach beyond the broadest, most obvious joke. That Frenchy, he talks funny! Hey, Cletus is a midget, and he always calls Frenchy "Peckerwood"! Somebody put cat shit in the tripe! The Frenchman thinks it's delicious! That vampire ate some garlic by mistake! Stop it, my sides!
But again, there's enough negativity in the world. Good things about the flick:
We all love the Ideal of the indie filmmaker--someone outside the bounds of Hollywood, pursuing his or her unique vision and overcoming all obstacles to bring something personal and creative to life. And periodically that happens--but more often, it seems, we get uninspired, unsuccessful imitations of movies that weren't that good to begin with, made without a trace of the passion or drive required to make the results watchable.
Unfortunately, these two films are examples of this latter trend. While I can respect the work it must have taken for the filmmakers to get their work out there, and don't doubt they all had a good time seeing it through, I didn't enjoy watching them, not one little bit. I sincerely hope both find better projects in the future, and realize them more fully and entertainingly. But in these cases, I can only say this: no thumbs. AVOID.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
DVD Reviews: NOCTURNE (2007) and INBRED REDNECK VAMPIRES (2010)
Posted by The Vicar of VHS at 11:49 AM
Labels: '00s, '10s, 0-1 Thumbs, DVD Reviews, Vampires (Regular)
7 comments:
- Darius Whiteplume said...
That description for IRV sounded like every other crap Hillbilly Exploitation film I have ever heard of. Maybe they get high and watch a lot of Squidbillies?
True, being Indie is not a license to suck. More a license to try not to suck.
- July 20, 2010 at 1:39 PM
- Ryne said...
Good to know. I saw these were coming out on DVD, and though they didn't look promising, it's nice to know that sometimes judging a film by its cover works.
- July 20, 2010 at 2:39 PM
- JamiSings said...
Wow, I'm disappointed. I always liked to believe that even the worse movie could be, in the hands of a better writer and/or director, could be turned into something Oscar worthy. For instance, I firmly believe that if Dean Koontz was to rewrite Plan 9 From Outter Space and George Romero to direct, it could be a great movie. After all, the basic elements of the plot (aliens afraid of humanity's destructive tendencies will lead to everyone in the galaxy dying, so they turn our own fears upon us using zombies), are good. It was just handled badly.
However, reading your descriptions of these movies - it seems my faith that any bad movie can eventually be remade into something better has crumbled.
And it really sucks because I love vampires. (Not Twilight, VAMPIRES.)
- July 20, 2010 at 5:32 PM
- The Vicar of VHS said...
@Darius -- You're right; IRV just totally fails to distinguish itself. It just feels like a lack of ambition, to me--they weren't trying for anything beyond "every other Hillbilly exploitation" etc. But hey, I'm sure somebody out there will find it hits their sweet spot. *shudder*
@Ryne -- I find judging a film by its cover is usually much more effective than, say, books. ;) At least where DTV indie horror is concerned, sadly.
@Jami -- I might argue with you on the Plan 9 idea: Ed Wood, for all his ineptitude, imo always displayed the one thing that was extremely lacking in these films: PASSION. He really put his heart into it, and I think you can see that onscreen if you're receptive to it. Sure, he wasn't GOOD: but he was always reaching for the stars, no matter how often he ended up with a handful of poo. ;)
(Note: I don't doubt the filmmakers here would describe themselves as passionate about their work, and may in fact be so--still, it doesn't come through on the screen for me. YMMV.)
Also, I'm not the world's biggest Koontz fan, I'm afraid.
- July 21, 2010 at 8:16 AM
- The Duke of DVD said...
Wowee, Vicar. I'm shocked, I mean, from reading these descriptions, it at least sounds like these movies should be awesome. I mean, an obese, one-eyed woman crushing a vampire's head? The cover art for Nocturne looks like a thin Samuel L. Jackson leering at a distraught geisha. Wait, I just gave them the plot for their next movie!
It's unfortunate that these didn't live up to their obvious hype (I mean, with a title like Inbred Redneck Vampires, you would expect something of quality).
- July 21, 2010 at 2:05 PM
- JamiSings said...
Well, Vicar, I only say Koontz for the re-write because it seems ever since he got hit by that car, Stephen King has lost his touch. I just can't find a book of his post-accident that is engaging. Dreamcatcher left me cold. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon seem rushed. His short stories read too much like the pretentious feminist crap my creative writing teacher used to shove down my throat.
So Koontz, being the only other suspense/horror writer alive I know of and like got it by default.
Passion is one thing, but I still think Plan Nine needs a better execution. Something - worthy of Wood. The ideas, the basics are actually very good and even Oscar worthy. In the right hands, one could make a Wood's creation something that people will turn to for inspiration rather then laughter. Something that would make sure the mythos of Ed Wood lives in something other then a Tim Burton movie.
And I just realized how sexual "Worthy of Wood" sounds. I should edit that out, but I won't.
- July 21, 2010 at 4:42 PM
I'd like to give that male vampire in the bottom picture a better time! It has to be a really bad film if he can't improve it.
- November 23, 2014 at 3:43 AM


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I'm wandering if it is possible to activate a rss feed in the forums. I think that would provide a nice way for some people (me included) to keep up with it.
Pedro Kroger
schoppenhauer wrote:Is there yet some RSS-Feed with the new topics?
findinglisp wrote:schoppenhauer wrote:Is there yet some RSS-Feed with the new topics?
Nope, not yet. I just need to find the time and the energy to sit down and get it done. Apologies to everybody waiting for this. It's on my list.
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With my father's passing and several health issues, it has been a slow start to 2012. Trying to get it going again. It is hard to believe spring training is only a few weeks away.
There's more than a few things on my mind these days beginning with a couple of notes, beginning with a few things I read on metsblog.com this morning.
I believe Matt Cerrone does a very good job at what he does and his numbers support it success. But, something on his blog about Jose Reyes bugged me this morning. There was a graphic asking whether you would boo Reyes, and overwhelmingly the response was no.
Such an outcry tells me the majority of the Mets' fan base didn't like Reyes leaving or how the team handled the whole thing. But, with the offseason slow and unproductive for the Mets, the graphic was ill-timed. Matt should run it when the Marlins come into town.
Another thing that bugged me a little was the BBWAA voting Reyes the Good Guy Award. There's no disputing in one-on-ones with the media Reyes was always cordial and pleasant. I enjoyed him immensely.
But, a little perspective here.
Last summer, Reyes continually dodged questions about his pertaining free-agency. But, what bothered me most was pulling himself out of his last game as a Met to protect his batting title. That set so wrong with me and a lot of others. There's no good-guy there.
Once Reyes went back into that dugout, he moved on from the Mets – and you. It's about time you did the same.
Reyes was a good player here, but he's gone. He'll spend more years with the Marlins, and maybe other teams after that, then he did with the Mets. There were good years here, but also unproductive years sapped by injury.
Will his career be defined by his seasons with the Mets? I don't know. But, I do know it is time to get over him.


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New Delhi, Dec 27: Actress Kareena Kapoor calls actor Aamir Khan a living legend.
"Aamir is a living legend. He has a beautiful mind and he definitely is one of the finest actors of all time," Kareena said during India's Prime Icon programme aired on Big CBS Prime.
The actor is competing with the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar, A.R. Rahman and Narendra Modi for the title of "India's Prime Icon".
Kareena's elder sister Karisma Kapoor, who has worked with Aamir in "Raja Hindustani", also heaped praise at the actor.
"Aamir is most definitely an icon and a true legend. He is always up to something new and different. I've had the opportunity of working with him in iconic films like 'Raja Hindustani' and 'Andaaz Apna Apna'," Karisma said.
"I'm really happy that after 'Talaash' and '3 Idiots' even Kareena-Aamir jodi has become a hit pair," she added.


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While Thai food has a reputation for being spicy, Thai food is actually based on a balance between different flavors including spicy, sour, sweet, salty, and bitter. This goes beyond simply combining the flavors within an individual dish to incorporate the contrast in flavors between two or three different dishes, which is one reason Thai's share meals and eat family style. One distinctive aspect of Thai food is the use of fresh herbs and spices as well as the inclusion of fermented fish sauce in nearly every dish –a potential problem for vegetarians, though saying "jay" to indicate you are vegetarian goes a long way. However, there are certainly regional variations in what is typically considered Thai food; these are due to the influences of neighboring countries, such as China, Laos, Burma, and Malaysia. While some Thai restaurants specialize in specific dishes, most have a huge menu of Thai and western fare and prepare Thai food from throughout the kingdom.
Some of the Thai food items are as follows:


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Critics leery of choice school research
Gov. Scott Walker suggests he won't pursue expansion of the private school voucher program in future years unless it proves to be successful.
Count that as a political placebo. It seems aimed at muffling some of the political noise over the statewide expansion of the program. In the last school year the program sent state money to private schools in Racine and Milwaukee.
Walker's initial budget plan would have expanded it to nine more school districts. The Republican-controlled Legislature made it statewide but limited the number of additional students to be included in the next two years.
Waiting for results sounds like a fair way to move, but, as usual, the devil is in the details.
Walker and Republican legislators used research paid for by the same special-interests groups that supported Republican candidates as they pushed for expansion of the voucher program.
Critics contend the schoolchoice project at the University of Arkansas was paid by voucherexpansion advocates. A Wisconsin Democracy Campaign said individuals with ties to the foundation funding the Arkansas study had given more than $830,000 in campaign donations to legislators, most of them Republicans.
Mike McCabe, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a nonpartisan group that tracks campaign spending in Wisconsin elections, said the donations have made voucher proponents "major players" in state politics.
"It's no coincidence that they (the Arkansas study) were chosen to conduct the study," McCabe said.
Patrick Wolf, the lead researcher at Arkansas, said the funding had no impact on his study. He said he wouldn't work with any organization that tried to influence the results of the research.
Earlier this month an article by the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism raised questions about financing and the "success" issue of choice schools funded by the vouchers.
That report cited a kindergarten pupil who was first enrolled in a Catholic school in Milwaukee. But the six-year-old had anxiety, and her mother said she eventually was no longer welcome at the school. The child was sent back to a Milwaukee public school where she received special education help for the anxiety.
The Catholic school principal said "every decision was made in the very best interest of the children with mutual agreement of our school leadership and the parent." The child's mother said it wasn't her decision and she "didn't have an option."
The Investigative Journalism Center report noted the Catholic school had received a $6,442 state taxpayer-funded voucher for the child's enrollment, but Milwaukee public schools got no state help for taking her through the rest of the school year.
In the 2012-2013 school year nearly 25,000 Milwaukee students were in the program at a cost to the state of $155 million. The Racine program served about 500 students at a cost of $3.2 million.
The third Friday in September is the day that determines how much funding a private school will get from the voucher program. The journalism center's report said Milwaukee schools receive "cast off" pupils after that date.
The Investigative Journalism Center is housed on the University of Wisconsin campus. Republican legislators added a budget provision effectively kicking it off the Madison campus. But the resulting press furor led Walker to veto the move.


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DA seeking death penalty
BROOKVILLE — As the penalty phase for Steven P. Rebert began Thursday — two days after he was found guilty of killing Wayne and Victoria Shugar, both 61, in their Coal Tipple Road residence in April 2010 — District Attorney Jeffrey Burkett reminded the jury that it's not all about whether it sends Rebert to prison for the rest of his life, or it sentences him to death.The phase during which the jury explored Rebert's innocence or guilt is over: The jury found him guilty of killing the Shugars, Burkett said, "and now, it's not just about Steven Rebert anymore."You will hear testimony about the people Wayne and Vicky were: Loving, kind parents and grandparents," Burkett said. "You'll find out what has been lost as a result of Steven Rebert's crime; what has happened to the Shugar family."Steven Rebert stands before you as a convicted first-degree murderer," Burkett said, noting the jury would hear from the Shugars' family members, who will continue and forever wonder, "Why?""It's to aid you in the weighing process," weighing the aggravating circumstances against the mitigating circumstances, Burkett said. "Continue to be careful. Please know, at the conclusion, I will come to you, and I will ask you to impose the ultimate penalty, and I will argue that the circumstances are justified."• First testifying for the Commonwealth was Lori Shugar, wife of the Shugars' oldest son, Jeff.She described her husband of almost 13 years as having a very strong work ethic, yet the murders of his parents and the aftermath have changed him."I've seen him just crumble at the thought of this," she said.The aftermath for their family has been fear. Following the homicides, "We all slept in the same bedroom, to be together, to feel safe."• Jeff Shugar then testified that he would spend time with his parents every other weekend for "our little special time." He continues to stop by their shop, Flowers & More, "but it's hard to go in there.""It never made any sense," he said. "After all this, I still haven't found any understanding of why something like that would happen."The Shugars' sons Jeff and Jason continue to stop by their parents' now-empty house, but not all the sons have been there since April 2010."Brian just spent his first night there, and Chad still hasn't been there," Jeff said.• Brian Shugar, the couple's second oldest son, described seeing his family receiving many friends and family for seven hours at his parents' funeral."When I walked to the funeral home, there were two closed caskets, and all I had was a picture of my parents," he said.Brian works as a paramedic in Pittsburgh, and had the sorrowful duty of telling the youngest son, Chad, also of Pittsburgh, that their parents had been murdered.Despite his 20-year career as a paramedic and seeing blood and tragedy at calls, "When you're cleaning your parents' blood, you don't ... No one should go through that. Ever."Pick up a copy of the Friday, Jan. 27, 2012 edition of The Ridgway Record for more.


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Anthony Maiani, Jesse Martin & Joe Colborne also scored for DU.
Next Friday night should be a big party in Magness Arena. The MacNaughton Trophy will be presented to the boys in front of arch rivals Colorado College.
DU fans are encouraged to wear white clothing for the "White Out" against Colorado College.
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