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Additional Information
|Country of Manufacture
Design whatever you like, or pick any artwork from our designers. Here are some tips and tricks to get you started.
- Less is more
Adding your art and texts is fun. Try not to put too much stuff on one side.
- Your company logo
Companies just love to add their company logo, which is absolutely doable. However, keep it modest and subtle. Some might mistake your artwork for an advertisement.
- Some colours don´t match
The background colour might prevent the text or artwork from showing clearly. For instance, red text on a fuchsia shirt is hardly visible. This is something to consider when designing. esigning.
- Matching colours
For the one-colour artworks, we deliberately selected a limited number of possible colors and combinations, making sure that they match. We offer some basic colours, like marine blue, red, pink et cetera in the first line of colours and some retro colours in the second line. We recommend sticking within a colour palate.
- Zippers and stitched parts
Printing on zippers or stitched areas is not a good idea. We simply can not print on top of these.
- Design size
The air passes less easily through printed areas. Please consider this when designing. Do not make the prints too big and consider what the garment will be used for.
Ordering a unique and personal product with us is easy. If you haven´t got the time to design yourself, just pick a ready-made product and add a bit of imagination and personalisation. Or design from scratch which is really fun and satisfying. Our goal at sorprentas is you to have fun in the process of designing and to offer the highest quality garments and prints. Here´s a step-by-step overview of how we process your order.
- Step 1
After ordering with us, you will receive a confirmation by e-mail. Any possible remarks on your behalf will be handled by one of our staff.
- Step 2
We check and print the address and make sure nothing is missing. We also check if you opted for gift-wrapping and a personal note which we will include hand written with the order.
- Step 3
Then the printing and cutting of your artwork starts. We have different machines and cutting techniques for an optimal result. Everything will be scaled to the sizes of your artwork.
- Step 4
We check and double check your printed artwork and seal it permanently to the garment using pressure and heat. We carefully position the components of your artwork making it match exactly the way you ordered it.
- Step 5
After sealing the artwork with heat and pressure, we make sure the quality of the process was impeccable.
- Step 6
The product is ready now to be wrapped and prepared for shipping. On shipping you will receive a confirmation by e-mail.
Every product you order with us is treated with personal attention and care. So you can be assured of receiving a personalised and unique hand crafted product.
In our store you will find loads of opportunities for personalised products for any imaginable occasion. Whether it be a sleeping bag for a newborn baby, funny t-shirts for a bachelor's party, sweet dresses for a wedding or a shirt for your 80-year-old grandfather´s birthday.


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Great divide in Silicon Valley's wealth grows even wider
A tale of two cities? How about a tale of two valleys?
On one side, "a sizzling, dynamic, extraordinary economy" in which software development, Web apps and social media are booming, job growth (45,000 new ones in 2013) outpaces the nation, and a bundle of IPOs, driverless cars and the Internet of things promise yet more riches.
"It's about to get hotter," said Russell Hancock, CEO of Joint Venture Silicon Valley, presenting the organization's report on the economic health of the region Tuesday.
That includes San Francisco, the front line of innovation, which is grabbing a growing share of venture capital, angel investing, and mergers and acquisitions. "The emergence of San Francisco continues to be a big story," Hancock said.
MBA BY THE BAY: See how an MBA could change your life with SFGATE's interactive directory of Bay Area programs.
And the good times aren't going away. Steady, incremental growth - "no bubble" - is the order of the day, according to the Silicon Valley Index, an annual, statistical-heavy report co-produced by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Except for clean tech, in which overall investment is declining, although solar, energy efficiency and hydrogen are holding their own. "This is also a story," Hancock said.
But then, apart from the occasional rough spot, it's always been sunnier in Silicon Valley, at least since Joint Venture started compiling the index in 2001.
The bigger story this year, as it is elsewhere, is the growing gap between the most and least fortunate in terms of income, opportunity, education, housing and other social factors.
"Silicon Valley has something to say about inequality," said foundation CEO Emmett Carson. "Rising tides do not lift all boats."
For example, according to the report, those making $100,000 and up, a group that constitutes 45 percent of the region's population, saw their incomes rise. Those making $35,000 to $99,000 (35 percent), or less than $35,000 (20 percent) saw their incomes fall.
African American and Latino residents earn 70 percent less than the region's top earners, the biggest gap ever recorded by the index. Oh, and female professionals make 40 percent less than their male counterparts, a data point Carson called "unacceptable."
"We're losing our middle class," Hancock said. "We're a bifurcated valley. This is not a hospitable place for the lower and middle, and even some of the upper class," he said, referring to the inadequacy of housing, transportation and education.
Of the third-graders in Silicon Valley schools, 20 percent of whites, 55 percent of African Americans and 56 percent of Latinos are reading below third-grade level. "This is unacceptable," Carson said.
What to do? According to Carson, who heads a foundation with $3 billion in assets, plus $1 billion in stock recently donated by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan, philanthropy is doing a bit, funding several programs. Also, "we have very committed companies," Hancock added, although, he acknowledged "cocooning is an issue."
You think?
Silicon Valley stakeholders have to be "intentional" in terms of addressing the problem, the report's presenters said, and insist on "deliberate policy actions" - increasing the housing supply, building infrastructure, addressing transportation "regionally" - most of which means taxpayer involvement.
Where does the private sector come in? Job training could be one focus. Community colleges and labor unions have tackled the issue. Business, however, has been "the critical missing partner," according to one of the report's contributors.
The 72-page report, replete with facts and figures, is at www.jointventure.org. It will be the focus of a State of the Valley conference Friday at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Speakers include Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Salman Khan, founder of the Khan Academy ($150 a head).
Changing of the guard: Maybe the sex gap in Silicon Valley will get more attention now that a Washington, D.C., tech industry group has two women at the head.
Linda Moore, a veteran of the former Clinton White House and numerous presidential campaigns, is the new CEO of TechNet.
Andrea Deveau, a senior policy and marketing director at Direct Energy, a Houston electricity provider, has been named executive director of TechNet's California office in Sacramento.
"California has a unique position as a leader in developing policy for the technology industry, and I'm thrilled to join the incredibly talented team of individuals committed to the vision of nurturing the next generation of innovation," Deveau said.
Moore's appointment was greeted favorably by Bay Area tech executives. "With her broad experience on the Hill and in the White House, Linda will help TechNet keep Silicon Valley's public policy priorities at the forefront of the innovation agenda," said Oracle President and Chief Financial Officer Safra Catz, a TechNet executive council member.
TechNet, headquartered in Washington, with six offices nationwide, including one in Los Gatos, is a leading go-to trade group for major Silicon Valley companies such as Oracle, Apple, Google and Cisco.
"I am honored to join TechNet and its members - visionary men and women who have changed the way people across the globe live, work and play," Moore said.
Andrew S. Ross is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. E-mail: email@example.com Blog: www.sfgate.com/blogs/bottomline Twitter: @andrewsross

subset: commoncrawl


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INDIANAPOLIS � As point guard Quinn Cook reiterated what will be required for Duke to successfully navigate Louisville�s defensive pressure, the qualities he mentioned Saturday became striking.
Poise and a positive frame of mind were foremost.
Comparing those necessary attributes to the shaken image of Cook from a night earlier, struggling on the court and visibly upset on the bench while Duke dispatched Michigan State, offered quite a contrast as the Blue Devils prepared for today�s Midwest Region final at Lucas Oil Stadium.
�I just think I faded away from being a leader,� Cook said of his scoreless, two-assist, three-turnover performance in Duke�s 71-61 victory Friday night in the Sweet 16, during which he played 21 minutes, his second-lowest total of the season, while being matched opposite Michigan State�s Keith Appling.
Another such unproductive outing would figure to create dire consequences today against Louisville in the Elite Eight.
Cook, who finished 0-for-5 from the field Friday night, played less than five minutes of the second half against Michigan State, as Duke increasingly turned to backup Tyler Thornton instead.
In the game�s final 16:47, Cook was on the court for only 95 seconds. And on the Duke bench, his discouraged posture and mannerisms prompted consoling from assistant coaches Jeff Capel and Nate James.
�Turning the ball over, missing shots, letting Appling score on me a couple times,� Cook said, �I was frustrated in myself. I had my moment. Coach Capel got me out of it, and I was consumed with winning.
�Duke stepped up (Friday night). We played a heck of a game. And as long as Duke is winning, I�m fine.�
Cook said he spent parts of Saturday morning studying videotape with Capel and indentifying personal improvements � assertiveness emerged as a key � that could return him to the form that ranked him second in the Atlantic Coast Conference in assists and fifth in steals at the end of the regular season.
�Quinn is one of those guys, he�s going to brush it off. He�s going to come back strong,� Duke guard Rasheed Sulaimon said. �We had to put our arm around him and tell him, �Come on, it�s going to be OK.�
�But (Saturday) he�s been a totally different person. He�s upbeat and that shows his character. Through adversity I think that�s where he shines the most. He�s going to bounce back from this and he�s going to be better.�
When Duke defeated Louisville in late November in the Bahamas, Cook�s 15 points, 6 assists and four rebounds in the tournament championship game helped him earn Battle 4 Atlantis MVP honors.
That�s certainly a constructive memory to carry into today�s Midwest Region final against the Cardinals.
Another supportive piece of advice is the next-play approach that Duke coaches have preached to Cook. Rather than allowing a missed shot or turnover to fester, respond with defense or leadership to move on from the mistake.
�Quinn knows we need him and Quinn�s going to be fine,� Sulaimon said.
Consider Cook more than aware of the circumstances in play.
�My confidence and my jumper and my ability too make plays for others hasn�t been there,� Cook said. �I don�t think I�ve been aggressive like I�ve been earlier in the year, in the middle of the ACC. But I know I�ve got to be at the top of my game (today).�


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We're down to the last ten games – four at home, six on the road.
If you're thinking "best case scenario," it might be helpful to look at the best ten-game stretch in the Caps' season to date. That would be the ten games starting with the 8-6 win in
What did the Caps do right in those ten games?
Well, they sure didn't lack for putting the puck in the net. 43 goals were scored in those ten games. Even accounting for the eight in
The hand in that glove was consistency…only twice in those ten games did the Caps fail to score at least four goals in a game. They scored goals in 21 of the thirty periods in regulation in those ten games.
The Caps were 12-for-46 on the power play (26.1 percent). And again…consistency. They scored power play goals in seven of the ten games.
12 players scored the 43 goals, 19 skaters had points. As one might expect, Alex Ovechkin led the goal scoring (12), but three other Capitals had at least five goals – Alexander Semin, Viktor Kozlov, and Mike Green. Similarly, Nicklas Backstrom leading the assist total with 12 is not a surprise, but five other Caps had at least five – Mike Green, Alex Ovechkin, Tomas Fleischmann, Jeff Schultz, and Boyd Gordon (keep the last three names in mind).
The Caps spread it around, but the big guns stepped up in a big way, too…
Ovechkin: 12-7-19
Green: 6-8-14
Backstrom: 3-12-15
It didn't seem to matter if the Caps scored first or not, either. Five times they scored first (4-1), five times they didn't (4-1).
So...what went wrong? Well, on the defensive side of the ledger, the 36 goals was problematic, although
Oddly enough, while the Caps were enjoying their most successful ten-game stretch on the scoreboard, Olaf Kolzig was enduring a stretch of less-than-Kolzig like play. He appeared in eight games in this ten-game stretch, going 6-1-0, 3.83, .852. Five times in eight appearances he gave up more than three goals, including four in 16 shots in 26 minutes of work in a 6-4 loss to
This stretch of games saw the last games played this year (so far) by Chris Clark and Michael Nylander. Clark, who has played only one game since November 28th, played in the
So…is there anything one can take from the best ten-game stretch of the season as the Caps head into their last ten regular season games? Probably not, at least not in ways that are obvious.
But there are some underlying things in these numbers to watch out for…
Balance and balance…there are two kinds reflected in the numbers that the Caps would hopefully emulate in the final stretch. The first is the ability to spread things around. Getting 12 players with goals and 19 with points is impressive. So is the fact that the Caps had nine players with at least five points. Balance among the players was – and probably will be – important. There was also the balance between the heavyweights and, for lack of a better term, the support players. The Caps, within the context of team wide support, still managed to get big numbers from their big guns. They – Ovechkin, Green, Backstrom – stepped up (please note, average age: 21). They'll probably have to step up in the last ten as well. And Viktor Kozlov – who is 3-4-7, +10 in his last seven games – might be added to that mix.
Resiliency…the Caps were 4-1 in games in which the opposition scored first. Three times they gave up the first two goals and came back to win. So, a little adversity might come their way, but they have the capacity to deal with it. That might be especially important on the six-game road trip that starts next week.
Good-enough goaltending…One definition of good goaltending is giving up one fewer goal than your team scores. That was the case in the play of Olaf Kolzig in the ten-game stretch. Now, he is back to the "Godzilla" fans are used to (6-2-2 in his last ten decisions, 2.17, .923). To this add Cristobal Huet – 2-2-0, 1.91, .925 in four games since coming over from
That stuff over on the right side of the scoresheet…the goals, assists, points, and plus-minus are things that folks pay attention to. But there is that stuff over on the right side of the NHL score sheet – the hits, takeaways, blocked shots, faceoffs – that will loom large in close games. The Caps have a tradition of being a lunch-pail, grind-it-out kind of team. While they have more skill now than in the days that reputation was forged, they still have to get that kind of effort…guys like Quintin Laing, Boyd Gordon, David Steckel, Matt Bradley, Shaoen Morrison…they're going to have to populate that "right side" of the score sheet.
The pleasant surprise…Brooks Laich has 10 goals in his last 12 games. If you'd bet that result in Vegas, you've probably quit your job by now. It wasn't the kind of thing one would have expected. In the last ten games, the Caps could certainly use another dose of unexpected pleasure. If you're looking for some of that late magic, it would be nice to get it from a Tomas Fleischmann, an Eric Fehr, or a Boyd Gordon.
The point of this is that the Caps have it within them for a strong finish. 16 points in ten games has been a part of this season; it can be again. But you can't get to 16 until you get to "2"…and that starts tomorrow.


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Since it sounded like a lot of fun, I took up the Library Day in the Life Project started by Librarian by Day. Here is what my Day in the Life looked like; I took notes throughout the day.
The alarm goes off. And the cold war via snooze button proxy begins.
I finally arose after a good long wakeup time period. My morning routine is rather simple: shower, dress, grab breakfast and my bag, and head out to work. Except, of course, that I'm out of my breakfast bars so I have to grab one of my wife's. And, based on how I am feeling, I grab a yogurt as well for snacking at the office. This day has the hallmarks of being "exceptional"; when I turned on the radio, I heard a lovely British voice on the BBC World Service slowly say the phrase, "actual rapes in prison". I quickly swap to the Preston & Steve Morning Show where they are discussing Penn State being named the #1 party school in the United States.
For the record, I am cursed never to arrive on work on time. Whether it is five seconds or five minutes, The Fates conspire to put time wasting obstacles in my path. Unless I leave at the crack of dawn, I will never be on time. Ever. This started long ago when I was flew past my birth due date by almost a month. My mother has not allowed me to forget this since then.
At any rate, I enter and bid everyone a good morning (including Socrates, pictured right). I check in with my boss Suzi and help pull patron holds. One of the books on hold eludes me till I call over others to double check me and realize I've read the number completely wrong. Exceptional day, indeed.
I'm on the reference desk this morning, so I log into my email and Twitter there. Mercifully, the inbox has not full of dire emergencies that need my attention RIGHT THIS MINUTE. Quickly I catch a few easy reference requests and questions and then things settle down. I put a reserve on the Job computer and the one next to it for my Job 1 on 1 later today.
No lie, it takes ten minutes to catch up on Twitter. Apparently, there are people who start working before 10AM and have access to the internet. I have to keep clicking till I reach my own last post. I click on links in order to open them in other tabs so as to read through them as the morning goes on.
As the morning turns into afternoon, I get a call from my coworker Joan about the text message pilot program. We are working on putting the final touches on publicity so we can start advertising as soon as possible. This is the final week of preparation before we start churning out publicity for the text message pilot program. A quick call up to Nancy Dowd at the State Library and we're back on track. Also, I remembered to share all my Google Documents with the rest of the team for this program while I was thinking of it. And finally, I got to polish off the wording on the staff instruction; now, it awaits some graphics (more on the later.)
During this time, I was have a steady stream of patron interruptions in the form of fielding questions, calls, program registrations, and meeting room signups. I did have a nice conversation with one of my previous Job 1 on 1 participants who has found a job. It's not in his field, but he's happy to be employed and the hours give him time to find something better. I felt pretty relieved since, out of all the participants I've had so far, he's been the most desperate to find work.
I was able to chat on IM with The Strange Librarian. We were able to arrange for our library based double date (my wife is a librarian, her boyfriend is an archivist), chat about customer service (summary: fines bad, but people gaming the fine system worse), and the lively chat on Twitter regarding librarians and the Martyr complex. And, oh yes, the lusty libido that the library lodges.
But the real question is figuring out what to get for lunch…
…which ended up being a tuna salad on sesame bagel from one of the local places. (They make a pretty stellar bagel.) "You Got Another Thing Coming" by Judas Priest was on the radio; it certainly felt like the theme for the morning.
I ate lunch with Suzi and Jackie (our circulation staff pit boss) and talked about library technology and swapping library system gossip (an always educational time). After lunch, I got to my desk and organized myself for my Job 1 on 1 and everything else that needed to happen later that day.
This was my Job 1 on 1 appointment. These can vary from people who need help with their resume and cover letters to people who are looking for search term help. At the very least, I introduce them to our Jobs & Career LibGuide, talk about social networks and its value in the job hunt, and try to coach where needed. For the patron this afternoon, it was some resume updating and helping with places to look online. We ran a couple of searches and got her some leads, so it was fruitful for her. Hopefully, I'll be seeing her at the library on a regular basis so I can check up.
Finally, I get a chance to sit at my own desk and sort through the heaving living mass that is my workspace. I'm a note person so there are scraps of paper all over my desk full of reminders, ideas, plans, messages, and stuff I don't remember writing. I get to check my emails, Twitter, and Google Reader as I relax into some serious desk time. (I can't help but smile as a couple of items relating to the Ben & Jerry's group come through the Reader and Twitter.)
I spent a good deal of time trying to take a photograph of my own phone for the staff instruction sheets for the text message program. Between the auto focus, the phone lights turning off, and trying to get the right angle, it was good lesson in micro-irritation. I got a couple of shots to come out which I will use on staff sheet.
I hope this little visual aid will help my colleagues with the rest of the instructions.
Most days, when the time chimes to 4pm, I am overwhelmed with the desire to nap. It doesn't matter whether I'm on a desk, a program, a meeting, wherever; I want to just curl up in a corner and take a rest. Today was no exception.
One of the Rivershark people I know sent me a request to post a flyer for Epilepsy Awareness night at Campbell's Park on the Camden Waterfront on August 21st. So I printed out enough copies for all our branches, wrote a note on each envelope, and sent it off to all of our branch managers and the coworker who handles publicity at our headquarters location. Hopefully, this will make it more likely for them to post it and get more people interested in the event.
From there, it was play time on Twitter and Google Reader as I checked out all of the links, posts, and whatnot that I had saved up through the day. The one that leaps to mind is TwitPaint which seems like a fun tool. From there, it was a matter of catching up with everything else and putting things into place for tomorrow's work day. But, soon enough, the clock hit five and I hit the bricks. It was a day that got better as it went along and I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
As always.
I thought this would be more of a rigid timeline of my day, but adding context felt like the right move to do. It's been fun to write, fun to dig up all the links, and fun to do overall. I've been enjoying the Library Day in the Life posts I've seen so far and look forward to seeing more!


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CINCINNATI, OH -- Paul Ryan, an ardent Green Bay Packers fan, blasted NFL replacement referees for their questionable call last night that cost the Packers the game against the Seattle Seahawks.
"I got to start off on something that was really troubling that occurred last night," said the Wisconsin congressman and Republican vice-presidential nominee at the top of his town hall here. "Did you guys watch that Packer game last night? I mean, give me a break. It is time to get the real refs."
But he didn't stop there. Ryan actually tried to draw a line between the replacement refs and President Obama.
"And you know what, it reminds me of President Obama and the economy," he contended. "If you can't get it right, it is time to get out. I half think these refs work part-time for the Obama administration in the Budget Office. They see the national debt clock staring them in the face. They see a debt crisis, and they just ignore and pretend it didn't even happen. They are trying to pick the winners and losers, and they don't even do that very well."
*** UPDATE *** President Obama tweeted with the personal "BO" signature, meaning it came from him: "NFL fans on both sides of the aisle hope the refs' lockout is settled soon. -bo"
The Obama campaign then also tweeted out that Obama already called for the real refs to come back on a radio show last week.
On WTAM-AM in Cleveland, Obama said, "But one thing I got to say, though, is it just me or do we have to get our regular refs back? ... I can't get involved with it, but I'm just expressing my point of view as a sports fan."


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I have always used what I considered the American pattern veneer hammer made of wood with perhaps a brass blade, but generally hardwood such as boxwood or lignum vitae. The one on the right is my first veneer hammer with a brass blade, I made this about 40 years ago. The one on the left is the American pattern.
A while back I taught a workshop on hammer veneering and the class made veneer hammers, it was a fun class at the Nevada WoodChucks. We built the American pattern with one fellow turning the head as well as the handle.
Recently a friend borrowed my veneer hammer for a big job he had designed and built. Then I found myself in need of a hammer for a restoration job. I borrowed an all metal German Veneer Hammer from a friend to do the job in a timely manner. I really liked the way it worked and was able to warm the head to aid in the hammering down of the veneer.
I did some research on old metal veneer hammers and came up with a traditional style in the size I wanted, and these are generally considered Continental patterns and this one is French or German in influence. And it was constructed from a wagon wheel out of wrought iron, forge welded together to make the proper thickness by master blacksmith Mark Schramm.
The handle is split hickory, wedged with beech and glued in place with Fish Glue after I etched the eye with garlic. Washed it off with alum and water to make the glue waterproof and I will finish with Moses T's Reviver [a lean oil] followed by Moses T's Gunstocker's Finish [a fat oil].
I have a big veneer job to do so this will fit the bill.
[I have also seen this type of hammer with the head mounted with the blade inside toward the handle, which is correct? I think this way with the maker's mark on the underside.]


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In the future, Fulton County Fair week will not result in automatic vacation time for Gorham Fayette students.
School board members voted 3-2 Monday against a resolution stating that each year Gorham Fayette Local Schools will not be in session during Fulton County Fair week.
Board members Terry Kovar and Fred Stockburger voted in favor of the resolution while David Brinegar, Paula Schaffner and Kelly Bentley were opposed.
For the past three years, the board chose to give students three additional days off following the Labor Day holiday on Monday of fair week and the county-wide Jr. Fair Day vacation on Tuesday.
Teacher Suzette Boesger stated her opposition to the resolution prior to the vote. She said she was representing a majority of staff members.
"We don't feel it's a sound academic decision," Boesger said.
She told board members that only about 10 percent of the student body is involved in 4-H and only about half of them need to miss school for 4-H fair duties.
She suggested that board members collect data about student involvement and make a decision about vacation time on a year-to-year basis rather than adopting a set policy as part of the regular school calendar.
Trustee Fred Stockburger said that if teachers are so concerned about missing school, they should be willing to lengthen the school day to match other districts in the area. Fayette's abbreviated schedule results in eight days less instructional time, he said.
Boesger said staff members would be willing to consider a longer day during contractual talks, but that wasn't part of the current discussion.
Audience member Kirk Keiser, recently elected as a board member, said he didn't think the days off were a great benefit for the district overall.
Elementary school principal Dr. LuAnn Boyer agreed.
"We need to make every decision based on what's best for the children," she said.
Kindergarten teachers, in particular, consider the vacation a distraction when it arrives so soon after the start of school. She's heard from parents, also, about the disruption to school routines that are just getting established.
In addition, she said, the break arrives when third grade students need to prepare for the annual achievement testing.


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Hello Readers, Katy Lee here.
Lots of good news to share with you all. First, I am holding a Goodreads Giveaway for my September romantic suspense release, SUNKEN TREASURE! You have until August 31, 2014 to enter and can go right to www.KatyLeeBooks.com to press enter. Simple as that.
Romantic Times Book Reviews announced its review of SUNKEN TREASURE yesterday. Here's what they had to say:
4 Stars! Compelling. A Page-Turner! "Shipwreck diver Gage Fontaine is trying to outrun the pirate after his treasures. He unwittingly places fisherwoman Rachelle Thibodaux in danger when he leads the pirate to her boat. Rachelle has been in hiding due to the shame she feels over her father's criminal past. Now she must work with Gage to survive. The use of a female pirate is a nice twist on the movie-fantasized life of pirates and treasure hunters. Bible verses are nicely tied to the storyline. The analogy of God seeing us as lost coins is encouraging." ~RT Book Reviews Magazine
And now it's time for my other news. This week I accepted and signed a contract with Harlequin for four more Love Inspired Suspense books. I'm super excited about this new series that involves fast cars and fast-paced suspense! Stay tuned for pictures of me driving a Ferrari! All in the name of research. I LOVE my job!
Thanks for stopping by to hear my news. Don't forget to enter to win a copy of my September release, SUNKEN TREASURE at www.KatyLeeBooks.com!


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Iv'e seen lack of a general economics thread in the Current Affairs section, and i also know we have a lot of good economic debaters in this forum(thats an invitation for opinions WeiWendi, Shik, Laojim, TMBJ etc). Seems like there could be some good discussions if the topic gets moving, so fire away people.
Here's something i think could get the thread moving:
The IMF scandal involving the head of the Organization.
republican economic theory vs Democratic economic theory.
why europe seems to be more economically resilient than the U.S, at least thats what most Americans tend to think.


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On the backside of my leading edge there is a seam which rubs on the kite panels. I now have a wear line which runs almost the whole length of my kite, but it's worse about 2 feet from the tips.
What should I do to fix this? Do i put tape on the backside of the leading edge so that seams are not so abrasive? Or do I just tape the inside of the panels because they are almost wearing through in spots?
Need Help.


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Information Technology
The IT Department supports, operates, maintains and improves the technology infrastructure of the Town, to enable all Town departments to efficiently and effectively carry out their missions.
The IT Department for the Town of Milford is an enabling and supporting department. By supporting, maintaining and implementing modern technology solutions, the IT Department enables efficient and reliable operations for all departments.
By increased standardization across departments, enhanced connectivity and improved interoperability across applications overall efficiency of Town operations can be optimized.
Technology based services, like computer-based applications, digital information exchange, modern communication systems (phone and E-mail) and Internet accessibility allowing for 24 x 7 access are essential parts of those services.


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Xanté Liqueur
Xanté, a premium liqueur that combines pears, vanilla and French limousine oak, launched in New York, Miami and Boston early in 2009 and is rolling out in major cities across the U.S. It has been on the market in Europe for more than 10 years and is the second-most popular liqueur in Scandanavia. Xanté is best enjoyed on the rocks or in a cocktail.
For more information, visit www.drinkxante.com.
Van Gogh Blue Vodka
After two years of development, Triple Wheat Van Gogh Blue Vodka is now available in select U.S. markets. It is the first ultra-premium vodka made from three international sources: from Central France, Southern Germany and Zeeland, Holland. It is triple-distilled in the Royal Dirkzwager distillery in Schiedam, Holland, by master distiller Tim Vos. The 80 proof vodka is best enjoyed straight up, chilled or garnished with blue cheese stuffed olives.
For more information, visit www.vangoghvodka.com.
Bakon Vodka
Bakon Vodka, the first commercially available bacon-flavored vodka, is created from Idaho potatoes and is column-distilled using a single heating process that doesn't "bruise" the alcohol. The delicate balance of flavors leaves drinkers with the essence of a crisp slice of peppered bacon. Bakon Vodka is available in limited quantities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.
For more information, visit www.bakonvodka.com.
Zero-Calorie Skinny Mixes
A new zero-calorie, zero-sugar line of cocktail mixes is now available. Skinny Mixes is a line comprised of The Skinny Margarita, The Skinny Cosmopolitan and The Skinny Appletini. Mixes for The Skinny Mojito, The Skinny Strawberry Daiquiri and The Skinny Piña Colada are in development. The alcohol-free cocktail mixes are sweetened with sucralose and allow consumers to save up to 300 calories per cocktail.
For more information, visit www.skinnymixes.com.
Herradura Blue Agave Nectar
Herradura Blue Agave Nectar, from the makers of Tequila Herradura, is a natural sweetener that can be used as a replacement for simple syrup. Its long shelf life and lower glycemic index make it a strong, safe alternative to sugar. The nectar is made by cooking and filtering the sap from the heart of the blue agave plant. Its taste is similar to honey but less viscous, so it can be used to sweeten cold drinks.
For more information, visit www.brown-forman.com.
James River Plantation Sweet Tea Vodka
A. Hardy USA Ltd. and Tom Maas, president of Agave Loco Imports, released James River Plantation Sweet Tea Vodka. Made from brewed tea and blended with five-time distilled American vodka, the beverage is 100 percent natural and is bottled by hand. James River Plantation Sweet Tea Vodka is available in a 750 ml and a 1.75 ml cork-finished bottle.
For more information, visit www.ahardyusa.com.


text:
Bernie Sanders on VoteMatch
|VoteMatch Responses
(Click here for VoteMatch quiz)
|VoteMatch Question & Answer
(Click on question for explanation and background)
|Based on these stances:
(Click on topic for excerpt & citation)
Strongly Favors
topic 1:Abortion is a woman's right
(+5 points on Social scale)
|Rated 100% by NARAL, indicating a pro-choice voting record: Strongly Favors topic 1
Emergency contraception for rape victims at all hospitals: Favors topic 1
Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance: Strongly Favors topic 1
Provide emergency contraception at military facilities: Favors topic 1
Protect the reproductive rights of women: Strongly Favors topic 1
Ensure access to and funding for contraception: Favors topic 1
Focus on preventing pregnancy, plus emergency contraception: Favors topic 1
NO on barring transporting minors to get an abortion: Strongly Favors topic 1
NO on banning partial-birth abortions: Favors topic 1
NO on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad: Favors topic 1
NO on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes: Favors topic 1
NO on funding for health providers who don't provide abortion info: Favors topic 1
NO on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother's life: Strongly Favors topic 1
NO on making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime: Favors topic 1
NO on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions: Strongly Favors topic 1
YES on allowing human embryonic stem cell research: Favors topic 1
NO on prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion: Strongly Favors topic 1
NO on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP: Favors topic 1
YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines: Favors topic 1
NO on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions: Favors topic 1
NO on restricting UN funding for population control policies: Favors topic 1
Strongly Favors
topic 2:Require hiring more women & minorities
(-5 points on Economic scale)
|Constitutional Amendment for equal rights by gender: Strongly Favors topic 2
Rated 97% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance: Strongly Favors topic 2
Recognize Juneteenth as historical end of slavery: Strongly Favors topic 2
Re-introduce the Equal Rights Amendment: Strongly Favors topic 2
Ban discriminatory compensation; allow 2 years to sue: Favors topic 2
Stronger enforcement against gender-based pay discrimination: Favors topic 2
NO on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions: Favors topic 2
YES on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges: Strongly Favors topic 2
Strongly Favors
topic 3:Same-sex domestic partnership benefits
(+5 points on Social scale)
|More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes: Strongly Favors topic 3
Rated 100% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance: Strongly Favors topic 3
ENDA: prohibit employment discrimination for gays: Favors topic 3
Repeal Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell, and reinstate discharged gays: Favors topic 3
NO on banning gay adoptions in DC.: Favors topic 3
NO on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage: Strongly Favors topic 3
NO on Constitutionally defining marriage as one-man-one-woman: Strongly Favors topic 3
Strongly Opposes
topic 4:Teacher-led prayer in public schools
(+5 points on Social scale)
|Rated 7% by the Christian Coalition: an anti-family voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 4
Rated 83% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation: Strongly Opposes topic 4
NO on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer: Strongly Opposes topic 4
NO on allowing school prayer during the War on Terror: Strongly Opposes topic 4
NO on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration: Opposes topic 4
NO on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance: Opposes topic 4
YES on allowing Courts to decide on "God" in Pledge of Allegiance: Opposes topic 4
Strongly Opposes
topic 8:Death Penalty
(+5 points on Social scale)
|Require DNA testing for all federal executions: Opposes topic 8
YES on replacing death penalty with life imprisonment: Strongly Opposes topic 8
NO on making federal death penalty appeals harder: Strongly Opposes topic 8
YES on maintaining right of habeas corpus in Death Penalty Appeals: Opposes topic 8
Strongly Opposes
topic 9:Mandatory Three Strikes sentencing laws
(+5 points on Social scale)
|Rated 78% by CURE, indicating pro-rehabilitation crime votes: Strongly Opposes topic 9
Increase funding for "COPS ON THE BEAT" program: Opposes topic 9
Reduce recidivism by giving offenders a Second Chance: Strongly Opposes topic 9
NO on more prosecution and sentencing for juvenile crime: Opposes topic 9
YES on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons.: Strongly Opposes topic 9
YES on reinstating $1.15 billion funding for the COPS Program: Opposes topic 9
topic 10:Absolute right to gun ownership
(+2 points on Economic scale)
|Rated F by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun control voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 10
NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1: Strongly Opposes topic 10
YES on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse: Strongly Favors topic 10
YES on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers: Strongly Favors topic 10
YES on prohibiting foreign & UN aid that restricts US gun ownership: Favors topic 10
YES on allowing firearms in checked baggage on Amtrak trains: Favors topic 10
Strongly Favors
topic 5:More federal funding for health coverage
(-5 points on Economic scale)
|MEDS Plan: Cover senior Rx under Medicare: Favors topic 5
Rated 100% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record: Strongly Favors topic 5
Preserve access to Medicaid & SCHIP during economic downturn: Strongly Favors topic 5
Provide for treatment of autism under TRICARE: Favors topic 5
Sponsored bill expanding the National Health Service Corps: Strongly Favors topic 5
Make health care a right, not a privilege: Strongly Favors topic 5
NO on establishing tax-exempt Medical Savings Accounts: Favors topic 5
NO on subsidizing private insurance for Medicare Rx drug coverage: Favors topic 5
YES on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs: Favors topic 5
NO on capping damages & setting time limits in medical lawsuits: Favors topic 5
NO on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients: Favors topic 5
NO on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay: Strongly Favors topic 5
NO on allowing tribal Indians to opt out of federal healthcare: Strongly Favors topic 5
NO on means-testing to determine Medicare Part D premium: Favors topic 5
YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D: Favors topic 5
YES on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility: Favors topic 5
YES on overriding veto on expansion of Medicare: Favors topic 5
YES on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program: Favors topic 5
YES on regulating tobacco as a drug: Favors topic 5
Strongly Opposes
topic 6:Privatize Social Security
(-5 points on Economic scale)
|Despite GOP rhetoric, Social Security is NOT going bankrupt: Opposes topic 6
Changing Social Security disproportionately affects women: Opposes topic 6
Reject proposals for private saving accounts: Strongly Opposes topic 6
Rated 100% by the ARA, indicating a pro-senior voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 6
Reject privatization; don't raise the retirement age: Strongly Opposes topic 6
YES on strengthening the Social Security Lockbox: Opposes topic 6
NO on reducing tax payments on Social Security benefits: Opposes topic 6
NO on raising 401(k) limits & making pension plans more portable: Opposes topic 6
NO on establishing reserve funds & pre-funding for Social Security: Opposes topic 6
Strongly Opposes
topic 7:Parents choose schools via vouchers
(-5 points on Economic scale)
|Reduce class size to 18 children in grades 1 to 3: Strongly Opposes topic 7
Rated 83% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes: Strongly Opposes topic 7
NO on vouchers for private & parochial schools: Strongly Opposes topic 7
NO on allowing vouchers in DC schools: Opposes topic 7
Strongly Favors
topic 18:Replace coal & oil with alternatives
(-5 points on Economic scale)
|Preserve Alaska's ANWR instead of drilling it: Favors topic 18
Rated 90% by the LCV, indicating pro-environment votes: Strongly Favors topic 18
Establish greenhouse gas tradeable allowances: Strongly Favors topic 18
Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence: Favors topic 18
Sign on to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change: Strongly Favors topic 18
Designate sensitive ANWR area as protected wilderness: Favors topic 18
Set goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025: Strongly Favors topic 18
Let states define stricter-than-federal emission standards: Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on starting implementation of Kyoto Protocol: Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on raising CAFE standards; incentives for alternative fuels: Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on prohibiting oil drilling & development in ANWR: Strongly Favors topic 18
NO on authorizing construction of new oil refineries: Strongly Favors topic 18
NO on scheduling permitting for new oil refinieries: Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on keeping moratorium on drilling for oil offshore: Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning: Favors topic 18
YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies: Strongly Favors topic 18
YES on addressing CO2 emissions without considering India & China: Favors topic 18
YES on tax incentives for energy production and conservation: Strongly Favors topic 18
NO on requiring full Senate debate and vote on cap-and-trade: Favors topic 18
NO on protecting middle-income taxpayers from a national energy tax: Favors topic 18
YES on $2 billion more for Cash for Clunkers program: Favors topic 18
Strongly Opposes
topic 19:Drug use is immoral: enforce laws against it
(+5 points on Social scale)
|Legalize medical marijuana: Strongly Opposes topic 19
NO on subjecting federal employees to random drug tests: Strongly Opposes topic 19
NO on military border patrols to battle drugs & terrorism: Strongly Opposes topic 19
Strongly Opposes
topic 20:Allow churches to provide welfare services
(-5 points on Economic scale)
|Increase the earned income tax credit: Opposes topic 20
Fully fund Head Start; Job Corps; and WIC food program: Opposes topic 20
NO on responsible fatherhood via faith-based organizations: Opposes topic 20
NO on treating religious organizations equally for tax breaks: Strongly Opposes topic 20
Strongly Favors
topic 11:Make taxes more progressive
(-5 points on Economic scale)
|Capital gains & dividend tax cuts are giveaways to the rich: Strongly Favors topic 11
American People's Dividend: Give $300 to every person: Favors topic 11
Rated 28% by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes: Strongly Favors topic 11
Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation: Strongly Favors topic 11
Make employee educational assistance tax-deductible: Favors topic 11
Reduce the concentration of wealth & wage inequality: Favors topic 11
NO on eliminating the "marriage penalty": Favors topic 11
NO on $46 billion in tax cuts for small business: Favors topic 11
NO on Tax cut package of $958 B over 10 years: Favors topic 11
NO on reducing Marriage Tax by $399B over 10 years: Favors topic 11
NO on eliminating the Estate Tax ("death tax"): Favors topic 11
NO on making the Bush tax cuts permanent: Strongly Favors topic 11
YES on providing tax relief and simplification: Strongly Opposes topic 11
NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends: Strongly Favors topic 11
NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M: Strongly Favors topic 11
YES on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million: Strongly Favors topic 11
NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset: Favors topic 11
NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million: Strongly Favors topic 11
NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax: Strongly Favors topic 11
topic 12:Illegal immigrants earn citizenship
(+2 points on Social scale)
|Rated 0% by FAIR, indicating a voting record loosening immigration: Strongly Favors topic 12
Rated 8% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance: Strongly Favors topic 12
NO on more immigrant visas for skilled workers: Opposes topic 12
NO on reporting illegal aliens who receive hospital treatment: Strongly Favors topic 12
YES on preventing tipping off Mexicans about Minuteman Project: Strongly Opposes topic 12
NO on building a fence along the Mexican border: Strongly Favors topic 12
YES on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities": Strongly Favors topic 12
YES on eliminating the "Y" nonimmigrant guestworker program: Neutral topic 12
NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government: Strongly Favors topic 12
NO on comprehensive immigration reform: Strongly Opposes topic 12
Strongly Opposes
topic 13:Support & expand free trade
(-5 points on Economic scale)
|Rated 33% by CATO, indicating a mixed record on trade issues: Neutral on topic 13
Review free trade agreements biennially for rights violation: Strongly Opposes topic 13
No MFN for China; condition trade on human rights: Neutral on topic 13
NO on 'Fast Track' authority for trade agreements: Strongly Opposes topic 13
NO on Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China: Strongly Opposes topic 13
YES on withdrawing from the WTO: Strongly Opposes topic 13
NO on implementing US-Singapore free trade agreement: Strongly Opposes topic 13
NO on implementing free trade agreement with Chile: Strongly Opposes topic 13
NO on implementing US-Australia Free Trade Agreement: Opposes topic 13
NO on end offshore tax havens and promote small business: Favors topic 13
NO on implementing CAFTA, Central America Free Trade: Strongly Opposes topic 13
NO on promoting free trade with Peru: Opposes topic 13
topic 15:Expand the armed forces
(+2 points on Social scale)
|Rated 100% by SANE, indicating a pro-peace voting record: Strongly Opposes topic 15
Extend reserve retirement pay parity back to 9/11: Favors topic 15
NO on $266 billion Defense Appropriations bill: Opposes topic 15
NO on deploying SDI: Opposes topic 15
NO on emergency $78B for war in Iraq & Afghanistan: Strongly Opposes topic 15
NO on continuing military recruitment on college campuses: Opposes topic 15
YES on limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months: Opposes topic 15
topic 16:Stricter limits on political campaign funds
(-3 points on Economic scale)
|YES on banning soft money and issue ads: Favors topic 16
NO on banning soft money donations to national political parties: Opposes topic 16
YES on campaign finance reform banning soft-money contributions: Favors topic 16
NO on restricting independent grassroots political committees: Favors topic 16
Strongly Favors
topic 14:The Patriot Act harms civil liberties
(+5 points on Social scale)
|Bush's tracking citizens' phone call patterns is illegal: Strongly Favors topic 14
Address abuses of electronic monitoring in the workplace: Strongly Favors topic 14
Restore habeas corpus for detainees in the War on Terror: Favors topic 14
NO on making the PATRIOT Act permanent: Strongly Favors topic 14
YES on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight: Strongly Opposes topic 14
NO on allowing electronic surveillance without a warrant: Strongly Favors topic 14
YES on requiring FISA court warrant to monitor US-to-foreign calls: Strongly Favors topic 14
NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad: Strongly Favors topic 14
Strongly Favors
topic 17:US out of Iraq & Afghanistan
(+5 points on Social scale)
|Multi-year commitment to Africa for food & medicine: Strongly Favors topic 17
Require Congress' approval before military action in Iran: Favors topic 17
NO on authorizing military force in Iraq: Strongly Favors topic 17
NO on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date: Strongly Favors topic 17
YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008: Strongly Favors topic 17
YES on redeploying non-essential US troops out of Iraq in 9 months: Favors topic 17
|Other candidates' VoteMatch:
|Bernie Sanders on the issues:
VT Gubernatorial:
Peter Shumlin
VT Senatorial:
Patrick Leahy
Dem. Freshmen
in 112th Congress:
AL-7:Terri Sewell
CA-33:Karen Bass
DE-0:John Carney
FL-17:Frederica Wilson
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa
LA-2:Cedric Richmond
MA-10:Bill Keating
MI-13:Hansen Clarke
RI-1:David Cicilline
GOP Freshmen
in 112th Congress:
AL-2:Martha Roby
AL-5:Mo Brooks
AZ-1:Paul Gosar
AZ-3:Ben Quayle
AZ-5:David Schweikert
AR-1:Rick Crawford
AR-2:Tim Griffin
AR-3:Steve Womack
CA-19:Jeff Denham
CO-3:Scott Tipton
CO-4:Cory Gardner
FL-12:Dennis Ross
FL-2:Steve Southerland
FL-21:Mario Diaz-Balart
FL-22:Allen West
FL-24:Sandy Adams
FL-25:David Rivera
FL-5:Rich Nugent
FL-8:Dan Webster
GA-2:Mike Keown
GA-7:Rob Woodall
GA-8:Austin Scott
ID-1:Raul Labrador
IL-8:Joe Walsh
IL-10:Bob Dold
IL-11:Adam Kinzinger
IL-14:Randy Hultgren
IL-17:Bobby Schilling
IL-8:Joe Walsh
IN-3:Marlin Stutzman
IN-4:Todd Rokita
IN-8:Larry Bucshon
IN-9:Todd Young
KS-1:Tim Huelskamp
KS-3:Kevin Yoder
KS-5:Mike Pompeo
LA-3:Jeff Landry
MD-1:Andy Harris
MI-1:Dan Benishek
MI-2:Bill Huizenga
MI-3:Justin Amash
MI-7:Tim Walberg
MN-8:Chip Cravaack
MO-4:Vicky Hartzler
MO-7:Billy Long
MS-1:Alan Nunnelee
MS-4:Steven Palazzo
GOP Freshmen
in 111th Congress:
NC-2:Renee Ellmers
ND-0:Rick Berg
NH-2:Charlie Bass
NH-1:Frank Guinta
NJ-3:Jon Runyan
NM-2:Steve Pearce
NV-3:Joe Heck
NY-13:Michael Grimm
NY-19:Nan Hayworth
NY-20:Chris Gibson
NY-24:Richard Hanna
NY-25:Ann Marie Buerkle
NY-29:Tom Reed
OH-1:Steve Chabot
OH-15:Steve Stivers
OH-16:Jim Renacci
OH-18:Bob Gibbs
OH-6:Bill Johnson
OK-5:James Lankford
PA-10:Tom Marino
PA-11:Lou Barletta
PA-3:Mike Kelly
PA-7:Patrick Meehan
PA-8:Mike Fitzpatrick
SC-1:Tim Scott
SC-3:Jeff Duncan
SC-4:Trey Gowdy
SC-5:Mick Mulvaney
SD-0:Kristi Noem
TN-3:Chuck Fleischmann
TN-4:Scott DesJarlais
TN-6:Diane Black
TN-8:Stephen Fincher
TX-17:Bill Flores
TX-23:Quico Canseco
TX-27:Blake Farenthold
VA-2:Scott Rigell
VA-5:Robert Hurt
VA-9:Morgan Griffith
WA-3:Jaime Herrera
WI-7:Sean Duffy
WI-8:Reid Ribble
WV-1:David McKinley
Civil Rights
Foreign Policy
Free Trade
Govt. Reform
Gun Control
Health Care
Homeland Security
Social Security
Tax Reform
Main Page
VT politicians
Contact info:
Email Contact Form:
Fax Number:
Mailing Address:
Senate Office SD-332, Washington, DC 20510
Phone number:
(202) 224-5141


text:
Lebanese rock music fans have another thing to look forward to this July, after it had been announced earlier that the legendary Scorpions will be performing two concerts in Byblos, as part of their farewell tour. Well, just last week, NRJ, one of the leading English-oriented radio stations in the country, announced that the widely successful American rock/post-grunge band 30 Seconds to Mars would take the very same stage 10 days later.
After initially being skeptical of this announcement-because let's face it, I was just a tad disappointed when the band played at Yas Island in early March and not here- I finally believed the news when the band took to their Twitter account and official page. And honestly, I could not be any happier although I have only been a fan of theirs since the release of Hurricane at the end of 2010.
So in preparation for this exciting event, I took to Youtube to watch the Closer to the Edge video, which was directed by Bartholomew Cubbins (J. Leto himself) and features clips from their Into the Wild tour, and make some predictions to what we can expect from Jared, Shannon, and Tomo in July.
- It is going to be LOUD: You're going to say this is a definite Duh! moment because they are after all, a rock band. But no one does loud the way this group does. J. Leto is known for his yelling, reminding this blogger of Steven Tyler at some instances, and his brother S. Leto uses some pretty heavy equipment to generate all those drum beats we hear on the album. Don't forget to factor in the audience singing, which brings me to the next point.
- The audience will sing A LOT: It's a trademark of any 30STM concerts to have the audience chant along with their tracks. On This is War, almost all the tracks have exterior vocals provided by your average fan, thanks to the many Summits the band held while making the album. This leaves a lot of room for you to go crazy and sing at the top of your lungs. Just a word of advice: come prepared by knowing the album by heart so you can contribute to making the biggest impression. I, for one, cannot wait to sing along to Hurricane and This is War.
- It's going to be BRIGHT: A fundamental element of any concert is the lighting and one of the many things 30STM happen to do in their concerts is shine bright lights on the audience. Bring your sunglasses because for once it's going to be okay to wear sunglasses at night. Another brightness factor: Glo-Sticks!
- You're going to be breathless: It's definitely one of those concerts where you don't want to be sitting down. Cheering, clapping, singing, and jumping around are all expected. So are stunts, if you're crazy enough to do them. Who knows, you might be featured in one of their videos (See 2:17 in the video to know what I'm taking about)
- They're Great Live: We've all heard the tale of shelving out all the money you had saved up for months to go to a concert only to end up completely disappointed because the music isn't up to par. Well, that's not the case with this group. J. Leto certainly has the vocal skills to be able to power through a concert, but even if he does fall short, he can definitely depend on Shannon and Tomo, who are known for their mastery of their instruments. For an example on that, just listen to the epic drumming on Night of the Hunter.
- Hurricane will probably be played acoustic: And it's 10 times more chilling than the original- oh and they play the 1.0 version, not the one with Kanye.
- It might be a theme night: On the same day the official announcement was made, there was a post on their site describing all the possible themes they could adopt. Which one would you want to see happening for the Byblos concert?
- Some lucky audience members might get a chance to go on-stage: This is a tradition of theirs for the Closer to the Edge performance, so if you're a huge fan, start wishing upon stars from today. You might just end up sharing a stage with three of the hottest men in the world of rock.
- Jared's hair color/style are definitely going to be out there! The guy had a pink Mohawk for the longest time and his fashion instincts only rival those of Lady Gaga, so he's definitely not going to come on stage in a regular t-shirt and jeans-although that would be great as well. Prepare yourselves for some crazy colors and the possibility of some shirtless-ness .
- Despite everything I said above, expect the unexpected Though they sort of have set-format, you really can't predict what they're going to do because they will end up shattering those into a tiny million pieces.
Whatever 30 Seconds to Mars have in store for the Lebanese audience, it's going to be a concert for the ages in a historic city.


text:
History, Politics and Law with Charles McCurdy - Conversations with History
Date: 6/18/2014; 56 minutes
Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Charles McCurdy, Professor of History and Law, University of Virginia, for a discussion of the interactions of law and politics in the United States. Case studies discussed include: Justice Stephen Field; The Anti- Rent Era in New York Law (1830-1865); Herbert Wechsler's article on "The Political Safeguards of Federalism;" and the Sedition Acts of the 1790's. Recorded on 04/03/2014. (#28136)
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text:
Bowtech Products Ltd, a global market leader in subsea vision systems, will be showcasing its new products at the SUBSEA 2013 Exhibition and Conference, on Stand B90, which is being held at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) from the 6th to the 7th of February 2013.
The new products being showcased will include: the EXPLORER LITE and PRO cameras, which are the latest in the company's low light camera range, exceeding the performance of the old industry standard SIT camera; the SURVEYOR-HD PRO, high definition, ultra wide angle camera; the OceanLASER-L underwater laser and the new high powered LED-V-SERIES 20,000 lumen LED flood light.
The new products range have never been seen before and if you would like further information, please visit our sales staff on Stand B90.
Mike Winstanley, Sales and Marketing Director at Bowtech Products said: "We have always been at the forefront of cutting edge professional vision technology, providing innovation within the industry. The new products show our strengths within the area of new product development, and our position as underwater vision specialists."
For further information, please contact:
Mike Winstanley
Sales and Marketing Director
Bowtech Products Ltd
Tel: ++44 (0) 1224 772345
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Web: http://www.bowtech.co.uk


text:
- Fine Arts (Adjunct Faculty )
- MFA Tyler School of Art, Temple University
- BFA Carnegie Mellon University
- Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop, NY
- Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, Philadelphia, PA
Recent ExhibitionsSolo Exhibitions:
- Drawing Strength, Bahdeebahdu Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, 2014.
- 115th Fleisher Faculty Exhibition, Fleisher Art Museum, July/August, 2013
- First annual Members Show, Ice Box at The Crane Building, 2013
- The Eye of the Beholder: The Art of the Found Object, Group Exhibition, Maryland Federation of Art, Annapolis, MD, 2013.
- Mr. Bunny Misses His Friends, Nexus Foundation for Today's Art, Philadelphia, PA, 2011
- Elaine M. Erne: Drawings and Prints, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, 2009
- Mr. Bunny and Friends, Nexus, Foundation for Today's Arts, Philadelphia PA, 2007
- The Lives and Traumas of Stuffed Animals, BahdeeBahdu Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, 2007
- Wind Challenge Exhibition, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA, 2007
- Community Gallery Solo Series Exhibition, Abington Art Center, Abington, PA, 2006
- Dene M. Louchheim Faculty Fellowship Solo Exhibition, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA, 2004
Group Exhibitions:
Alienation: The World As It Is Or Should Be. National Juried Exhibition. Loading Dock Gallery, Lowell, MA. August 31 - September 25, 2016. Reception: Saturday, September 10, 5-7pm
Selected Cheltenham Printers Guild, Legends Gallery, Philadelphia, PA (September)
Aberration, Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA (September)
11th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Axis Gallery,Sacramento, CA (August)
Printmakers Guild, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, Cheltenham, PA (June)
Five Printmakers, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, Cheltenham, PA May 9 - 20, 2016
10th Biennial International Miniature Print Exhibition Bendheim Gallery, Greenwich, Connecticut April 14, 2016 through May 19, 2016
Cheltenham Printmakers Guild East Wing of the Rotunda (PA State Capital Building) Harrisburg, PA March 1 - March 26, 2016
A Celebration of Color Dupree Gallery Philadelphia, PA March 5 - May 7 Opening reception March 5, 6-9pm
Currents 2016: Do You Hear What I Hear? A.I.R. Gallery Brooklyn, NY March 17 - April 18 Opening reception: March 17, 6-8pm http://airgallery.org/exhibitions/currents-2016/#0_1
- The Woodmere Annual: 74th Juried Exhibition, Woodmere Museum, Philadelphia, PA, June 27 - September 7, 2015
- 10th Biennial International Miniature Print Competition 2015, Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Norwalk, CT, June 7 – August 30, 2015
- The Mark On the Wall: A Juried Exhibition of Works On Paper, Bloomsburg University Greenly Art Gallery, Bloomsburg, PA, June 4 - 30, 2015
- DARK National Juried Exhibition, Arc Studio & Gallery, San Francisco, CA, 2014
- Let This Be A Sign, Print Exchange 2014, 7 Dunham Gallery, Brooklyn, NY, 2014
- 116 Annual Faculty Exhibition, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA, 2014
- EAS at the PMA, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA, 2014
- MAKING OUR MARK: PHILADELPHIA PRINTMAKERS, The Avenue Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, 2014.
- Branching Out, Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Norwalk, CT, February, 2014
- One Last Look, Second State Press, Philadelphia, January, 2014
- Holy Daze – A Group Exhibition, The Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, Philadelphia, PA, 2013
- Almost Three Years of Printmaking, Recitation Gallery, University of Delaware, DE, 2013
- Member's Show, Second State Press, Inliguid, PPC, Icebox Project, Philadelphia, PA, 2013
- Portraits in Print, Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Norwalk, CT, 2013
- Woman of All Colors, Liz Long Gallery, Chicago, IL, 2013
- Second State, Second Edition, Metropolitan Gallery 250, Philadelphia, PA, 2013
- TechKnowledge, Holy Family University Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, 2012
- First Amendment Show, Highwire Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, 2012
- Heart Prints, Roberts Gallery, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA, 2012
- Second State Portfolio Exchange Exhibition, Crane Building, Philadelphia, PA, 2012
- Ground Play, Nexus Foundation for Today's Art, Philadelphia, PA, 2010
- The One Fifty/One Fifty Show, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA, 2010
- The Extra-Dimensional Printmaking Invitational, Nexus, Foundation with Today's Art, Philadelphia, PA, 2010
- Impressions: Exploring Printmaking in the 21st Century, Penn Charter School, Philadelphia, PA, 2010
Recent Activities
Bookmaking residency at Chester A. Arthur School with the PCCY's Picasso Project.
Website of the printmakers collaborative that I co-founded: www.starwheelprinters.com
- In the Fall 2014 semester Elaine will be working with faculty members from the Fleisher Art Memorial and the Thomas Jefferson University in their new drawing program for medical students. T
- Co-founder of the newly formed Star Wheel Printers, a collective that aims to support, promote, and share printmaking with the artists and the communities of Philadelphia.
- Artist Residency: Community Partnerships in the Arts, Philadelphia, PA, January - March 2014
- Interviewed by InLiquid for a featured artist blog
- Juror: Annual Juried Student Show, Art & Art History Department, Franklin and Marshal College, Lancaster, PA, 2012
- Curator: Nexus Alumni Invitational, Celebrating 35 Years of Art, Nexus, Philadelphia, PA, 2010
Awards & Fellowships
Juror's Award in Loading Dock Gallery's Alienation: The World As It Is Or Should Be National Juried Exhibition.
- Juror's Choice Award, Eye of the Beholder, Maryland Federation of Art, Annapolis, MD, 2013
- Career Development Fellowship, The Center for Emerging Visual Artist, Philadelphia, PA, 2003-05
- Dene M. Louchheim Faculty Fellowship, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA, 2004
- Affiliations: NEXUS, Foundation for Today's Art, Philadelphia, PA 2005 - present


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Simplicity with an understated natural character.
Flint is a whimsical coffee table with a surprising combination of simplicity and an understated natural character.
Gert Batenburg
Gert Batenburg (1960) graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Rotterdam, specialising in Architectural design. He has pursued his career as an interior designer since 1983.
The Montis collection is characterised by the distinctive colour combinations in various special leathers and material properties, and the trademark Dutch design features with a personal, human character.


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Bob and Otto by Robert O. Bruel is a lovely story about 2 friends who must part ways , in this case because one is a caterpillar who needs to build a chrysalis and the other an earth worm who needs to dig deep into the ground. What I like about this book is that it goes on to explain that the earth worm"™s digging is vital for the trees to grow so that the caterpillar can eat the leaves and turn into a butterfly. I like the lesson about how we all play a part!
Best Friends (Owen And Mzee) by Isabella and Craig Hatkoff is a board book with real photographs of the friendship of orphaned baby hippo and his 130 year old adoptive tortoise named Mzee. The text is simple and perfect for toddlers, although older children will better understand how amazing the story is. There are so many learning opportunities between these pages from the Tsunami, to learning about hippos and tortoises. The real lesson though is about friendship and I like that it shows animals being affectionate , something rare to see and something that can help foster a true appreciation for animals in young kids.
Fish Is Fish by Leo Lionni is a cute book that not only talks about friendship but it also explains the transformation of a tadpole into a frog in an entertaining way . I have used this book in classrooms while doing animal life cycles and kids always love how the fish in the book imagines people as fish with legs! The story of friendship between the little tadpole and minnow can"™t be ignored either, it"™s a great message about change and the way friendships if true can withstand change.
Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson is such a heartwarming story about friendship. Bear is hibernating but his friends wake him up to celebrate Christmas. It"™s not easy at first , Bear is super sleepy and wants nothing more than to cuddle back up and fall back to sleep. They get a tree, decorate it, hang their stockings and sing carols. When all the other animals snuggle in and go to sleep Bear stays up. He is busily making gifts for all his friends, he is so busy he doesn"™t even notice Santa coming and filling the stockings. He delights in the friendship and when his friends present him with a lovely quilt, he snuggles under and goes back to sleep happy and filled with friendship. This is such a wonderful book , I love it"™s focus on friendship and the excitement of giving gifts!
The Boy Who Grew Flowers by Jennifer Wojtowicz is one of those books that stays with you. Rink is a little boy who"™s family is strange, Rink is no exception, with every full moon he sprouts flowers , from his head. At school he is an outsider and only when a new girl comes to school does he make a friend. He reaches out to her because she too is an outsider, not at school, in her own family. In the end the kindred spirits celebrate their uniqueness. This odd romantic story will warm your heart and serves as a great lesson about how we all feel different and like an outsider sometimes. The illustrations by Steve Adams will stun you, they were so vibrant and paired so perfectly with the story. Wonderful!


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Greater Manchester Police have confirmed nine people have been charged in connection with trouble at Sunday's Manchester derby.
Trouble flared after Manchester United's last-gasp winner in their 3-2 Barclays Premier League away victory when Rio Ferdinand was hit above the left eye by a two-pence coin thrown from the crowd as the team celebrated. With blood pouring down his face, there was more controversy when a Manchester City supporter ran on to the pitch to confront Ferdinand.
Among the charges faced by the nine people are racially aggravated public order and pitch encroachment. Police are still hunting for the person who threw the coin.
Football Association chairman David Bernstein called the crowd incidents "deplorable" and says they must be "dealt with severely". He told Sky Sports News: "It is deplorable to see those incidents and to see Rio Ferdinand with blood on his face is absolutely terrible.
"I think it's disturbing that we're seeing a recurrence of these types of incidents. We've had racial abuse issues, the odd pitch incursion, things being thrown at players - it's very unacceptable and has to be dealt with severely."
Bernstein promised tough action from the FA to try to stamp out the chances of further incidents occurring. He added: "It's very disappointing: so much of football is so good, great things are happening in football as a whole, but these odd incidents get the headlines - and understandably because they are serious matters, they are unforgivable things."
The City fan who ran on to the pitch and tried to confront Ferdinand has apologised through his solicitors Stephen Lickrish and Associates.
Matthew Stott, a 21-year-old landscape gardener from Knutsford, said in a statement: "I would like to apologise to all those affected by my actions, particularly Mr Ferdinand and the other players. I am extremely ashamed of my actions. I have let myself down, my family down, my fellow fans down and Manchester City Football Club.
"I intend to write personally to Mr Ferdinand to express my extreme regret and apologies and also apologise to Manchester United and their fans.
"I would like to thank Joe Hart for his actions when I came on the pitch. I have been a fan of Manchester City Football Club all my life and I have been a season ticket holder for three years and I attend the games with my father. I have had the same seat in the section next to the away fans for those three years."