text:
Ricardo and Friends - Episode Guide
Season 3
Apple Blossom Picnic
Season 3 - April 22, 2015Every spring when the apple trees are in full blossom, Ricardo's family and close friends enjoy a country style lunch at an orchard. This year, Ricardo has thought of everybody. A refreshing orange lemonade for the children, some savoury herb muffins for Brigitte and Juliette, a pork and fig terrine for his friend Hélène, a California-style salad with apples for his daughters and a frangipane tart with pears and crunchy almonds for everyone. A delightful picnic menu fit for the whole family.
Housewarming Fare to Go
Season 3 - April 22, 2015Some of Ricardo's friends just moved into their first apartment. Remembering this great part of his life, Ricardo has cooked basic and essential freezer meals for a limited budget. On the menu: chicken noodle soup, chicken pot pie, Italian tomato sauce with leek and lemon meatballs and three tasty fruit pies. And to top this all off, Ricardo makes a home-delivery.
Season 3 - April 21, 2015Today, Ricardo is turning his house into a Deli! He visits a well know Delicatessen Schwartz's and brings home some of his favourite smoked meat... along with Frank, Schwartz's manager! While he tries to discover the secret mixture of herbs and spices of this Montreal specialty, Ricardo also prepares dill pickles, coleslaw and a creamy potato and cheddar salad. The final hit: a spectacular New York-style cheesecake topped with a delicious strawberry glaze.
In Season Cooking
Season 3 - April 21, 2015Back from the market, Ricardo is truly inspired by all the nice seasonal produce he found. With all this good food on hand, he decides to prepare a French classic soup with a special easy twist: squash and shrimp bisque. For the main course, a mustard-roasted chicken served with caramelized carrots and pears followed by a mouth-watering rustic pear spice cake. Fantastic!
A Fool Proof Family Menu
Season 3 -Ricardo is babysitting! A good friend needs a babysitter for his four children... and Ricardo is the lucky winner! He prepares a family friendly menu: cream of carrot soup and hot chicken sandwiches made with easy sandwich bread and homemade hot chicken sauce. For dessert, a Quebec classic, a warm 'pouding chômeur' which will definitely convince the children to come back. Mission accomplished!
A Pretty Simple Meal
Season 3 -Keep it simple! That's what today's meal is all about! With this easy-going menu, Ricardo's friends won't believe their eyes. Watch him prepare a 'Chèvre chaud' with nuts followed by a pasta with cherry tomatoes and 'fleur d'ail' (garlic flower) pistou. For dessert, Ricardo revives an old family favourite: a caramel and salted butter pudding with vanilla cookies – just like his mom used to make for him! So if you're a caramel lover like Ricardo, you'll remember this dessert for a long, long time!
A Touch of Japan
Season 3 -Today, Ricardo has a casual, outdoor, Japanese-style menu for his friends. Seated at a small coffee table on big cushions, the group slowly enjoys a warm mushroom miso soup, a classic salmon teriyaki and crispy green vegetable tempura. For dessert, an original and simple look-alike: dessert maki rolls stuffed with fruit. Don't forget your chopsticks!
Backyard Movie Drive-In
Season 3 -Today, Ricardo has gone back in time with childhood memories and has organised a backyard movie drive-in for his daughters and most of their friends. For the occasion, Ricardo has prepared loads to snack on. Strawberry Slush, a sweet and salty party mix, a huge Mexican dip, caramel and barbecue popcorn cakes, spicy tamari nuts for adults and of course some candy apples. In 3, 2, 1… enjoy!
Barbecue with the Boys
Season 3 -To thank the town workers for all of their good work, Ricardo has invited four of them to share a barbecue lunch. To test their appetite, Ricardo has prepared the biggest starter ever, some American-style double cheeseburgers followed by tender pomegranate-glazed ribs and all-dressed stuffed potatoes. The dessert is a huge summer classic: strawberry shortcake. A real all-boy barbecue!
Cocktail Celebration
Season 3 -To celebrate his niece's graduation from University, Ricardo organizes a finger food cocktail party. On the menu, there's a lot to savour: bacon-wrapped olives, potato chips with smoked salmon and avocado salsa, onion and parmesan rillette, spicy lamb meatballs and brownie lollipops. Trust Ricardo – nobody can resist these.
Cool Menu for a Hot Day
Season 3 -To cope with hot and humid summer days, Ricardo has a menu that's cold from A to Z. A creative frozen cocktail, bloody Caesar-sicles start this delightful menu, followed by an Asian-style beef Carpaccio, a colourful Asian shrimp salad and a light fruit salad with lemon yogurt jelly. The perfect summer meal, with or without rain!
Easy Twist
Season 3 -It can be quite stressful to cook for friends who arrive without any warning...but here is Ricardo's secret: just keep it simple! Discover two soups in one: a vichyssoise (served cold) or a parmentier (served warm). Impress your guests with colourful tomato napoleons and watch Ricardo prepare a quick molasses and mustard glazed pork tenderloin. Finally, his caramel-ripple ice cream pie is so easy to make; it's always a winner! No one will ever know how really surprised you were!
Family Reunion in Gaspesia
Season 3 -For his annual summer family reunion, Ricardo, his wife and his three daughters have invited us to discover the lovely Gaspésie, one of Quebec's many regions. By the sea, Ricardo cooks a special banana-chocolate French toast for a camper's breakfast and a traditional Gaspésie lunch: crab cake sandwiches. As for the family reunion dinner…with the precious help of more than 40 people, Ricardo prepares chicken breast marinated with 'herbes salées', plenty of salad with a frothy cream dressing and loads of potatoes baked in the coals. This is a reunion to remember.
Feel Good Food
Season 3 -Ricardo shares some great recipes for weekend cooking. Let him inspire you with cock-a-leekie, a traditional Scottish soup with homemade dumplings and watch him prepare the perfect comfort food: 'choucroute' (Sauerkraut) and tender pork served with savoury baked apples. And for dessert: warm oatmeal cookies topped with vanilla ice cream. Take your time and enjoy!
For the Love of Peaches
Season 3 -In season, nothing's better than delicious, juicy and refreshing peaches. Because we normally buy way too many, Ricardo shares ideas on how to cook them. Try a nice peach gazpacho, a barbecue grilled chicken with peaches and fennel, and two different desserts: poached peaches and a fabulous peach-almond crumble tart. These recipes are sure to quickly empty your peach basket.
French West Indies Inspiration
Season 3 -With our long Canadian winters, everybody dreams about the sun, the sea and white sand beaches. To counter the cold, Ricardo has decided to cook a typical French West Indies menu. His first rule is to keep his guests warm with a local cocktail called ti-punch! After this delicious drink, crispy acras (cod fritter beignets) are served follow by a richly flavoured chicken and coconut Colombo and a squash gratin. His friend Martine's sugary banana dessert will add sunshine to the plates.
Hockey Meal in Canada
Season 3 -What's better than a friendly hockey game followed by a nice meal? Today, Ricardo prepares a menu to keep his friends warm: cheese fondue, tender filets mignons on crispy leek puffs and roasted root vegetables. For dessert: a tasty lemon pudding cake. Delicious!
Indian Vegetarian Delight
Season 3 -Some of Ricardo's friends are vegetarians so he has prepared an exotic Indian vegetarian dinner. He serves his guests some crispy vegetables samosas made with fresh phyllo dough followed by two different curries: a cauliflower and raisin one and a potato and spinach one. Delicious with warm naan bread, it's a perfect, colourful and tasty meal.
Italy on a Platter
Season 3 -Inspired by fond memories Ricardo cooks up some of his favourite recipes from the Italian side of his family; a hearty passatelli soup, a beautiful sausage and arugula penne, and a lamb leaf salad topped with Niagara vinegar dressing. For dessert, his godfather's favourite: homemade cannoli. Bravo! Deliziosi!
Jewish Jewels
Season 3 -Ricardo can't stop thinking about the wonderful Jewish dinners that his friend Mona has prepared for him so today, he returns the favour. He invites Mona, her husband and their two children over to his house where he tries his hand at some of her recipes: a classic matzo ball soup, a slow cooked beef brisket and a traditional side dish, kasha. To add a bit of colour to this meal, Ricardo prepares a beautiful beet salad with honey-horseradish dressing. The pressure is officially on.
Mediterranean Medley
Season 3 -Dreaming of fresh and healthy Mediterranean Greek cuisine, Ricardo cooks up a lentil-vegetable soup, traditional stuffed vine leaves, creamy moussaka and an easy on the budget but yummy dessert: yogurt with honey. Delicious and good for you!
My Sugar Shack Menu
Season 3 -Every spring, Ricardo needs at least one traditional sugar shack menu. This year, he has decided to stay home and share this very French Canadian tradition with his family and friends. All of his old family recipes are on the menu: slow cooked bourbon baked beans, a tender maple ham with caramelized onion and a country-style omelette served with crispy pork rinds. And for dessert: sweet maple syrup dumplings that will definitely call for a glass of milk. Of course, nothing is complete without maple taffy on snow.
Remembering When
Season 3 -Inspired by his parents' parties, Ricardo prepares a 'retro' menu based on his childhood memories. Don't miss egg mimosas, cheese spread on celery ribs, and surf n' turf kebabs served with lemon- barley pilaf. And of course, the stars of the evening: butterscotch cupcakes!
Simply Sumptuous
Season 3 -Today, Ricardo really wants to impress his friends, but without any stress and fuss. How easy can it get? Cook a simple menu in advance and reheat it at the last minute. Start with roasted figs on herb scones with Roquefort whip cream; enjoy a succulent Osso Bucco with Ricardo's special touch and taste a sumptuous molten heart chocolate cake. Let's take it nice and easy.
Tasty Tart and Tangy
Season 3 -While Canada is in the midst of winter, citrus fruits are at their peak and Ricardo's got a 100 % citrus fruit menu in mind. Enjoy his grilled fennel salad with Clementine's and his delicious citrus stuffed chicken legs with lemon rice. Learn to prepare a 'very chic' pink grapefruit granita and exotic citrus tartlets with a Brazilian nut crust. Talk about a boost of sunshine.
The Mamas and the Tapas
Season 3 -Inspired by his recent summer holiday in Barcelona, Ricardo is cooking a traditional Spanish meal: tapas! Around the barbecue, Ricardo prepares homemade sangria served with crispy chorizo chips, grilled endives with melon and prosciutto, tomato toast, a Spanish version of tortillas, garlicky paprika shrimp and mini chicken skewers with smoked paprika. A perfect Barcelona four o'clock stop.
Season 2
"Tea Time" Baby Shower
Season 2 -Ricardo is the host of a good friend's baby shower! He decides on a tea time party for this group of special women. He shows us a very unique way of serving piña coladas, in bottles! He prepares a variety of tea sandwiches; cream cheese, raisins and alfalfa sprouts, chicken with curried mayonnaise and shrimp with cucumber. To complete this lovely array of sandwiches, Ricardo serves mini ham scones and for dessert, strawberry scones, decorative meringues and tea. Ricardo wishes his friend only the best in her new and exciting adventure called Motherhood!
A Guys Weekend
Season 2 -Join Ricardo on his annual weekend with the boys. This year will be hard to top, as a helicopter is involved! To feed this hungry bunch Ricardo has prepared a manly meal, which consists of an onion tarte tatin, roasted duck breasts with spiced whiskey sauce, roasted miniature vegetables and a vanilla Bavarian cream with caramelized apples and almond crumble. After this weekend Ricardo will need a vacation to recuperate
Allergies and Asian Food
Season 2 -The son of a couple of Ricardo's close friends is celebrating his birthday and Ricardo prepares a special meal for the event. The only obstacle, the young birthday boy suffers from certain food allergies but is a great fan of Asian food. When one suffers from nut allergies it can get pretty tricky to dine out Asian-style! Ricardo has created a complete allergy friendly menu to surprise and please his young friend! A special bubble tea to start of the evening, followed by the ever so traditional wonton soup, very creative Asian-style chicken lollipops with stir-fried vegetables and a delicious allergy-free chocolate cake!
Bagels Galore
Season 2 -Béatrice and Clémence, Ricardo's eldest daughters are coming home from school for lunch. Ricardo whips up a simple and fun menu using bagels, bagels and bagels!!! To feed his hungry bunch he serves a healthy yellow bell pepper soup with bagel chips accompanied by spicy chicken salad bagelwiches. Can't send them off without a sweet ending, cranberry lime bars!
Cook Right with Leftovers
Season 2 -Ricardo shares some great recipes that are all cooked up from leftovers! Leftover roast beef is deliciously transformed into crispy orange-glazed beef. Leftover vegetables become carrot and cheese soufflés and vermicelli with julienned vegetables and believe it or not leftover mashed potatoes are used to make a unconventional dessert, mashed potato biscuits.
Dessert Club
Season 2 -Today it's dessert time! For the event, Ricardo invites his family friends over to taste the Caramelized Asian Pears, Chocolate Genoise with ganache, Crème Caramel, Custard Sauce and Floating Islands.
Family Picnic
Season 2 -Join Ricardo and his family for a family picnic with a very original twist, a donkey! He has packed a great lunch for their special journey. He has made a warm potato salad with snails, a vegetable salad with grapes, a great antipasti loaf, a strawberry lemonade and an orange cake with a strawberry coulis. A terrific menu fit for a fun family outing.
Four Women, a Man and a Meal
Season 2 -Ricardo decides on a meal to thank his close neighbors! They are gardening fanatics and are always bringing over some flowers or plants from their respective gardens. Watch as Ricardo prepares a fresh and modern menu which starts of with pink grapefruit-flavoured wine and cheese in puff party with fig sauce. The main course is spectacular; skate wing with watercress sauce which is accompanied by a pink vegetable julienne. For this great group of ladies, a delicious dessert, white chocolate pots de crème with passion fruit jelly.
French Menu with La Difference
Season 2 -For a classic French dinner, Ricardo invites his friends who like La France. On the menu: Oysters with Pink Grapefruit, Tomatoes à la Provençal, Flank steaks with shallot sauce,Scalloped Jerusalem Artichokes and a very nice Vacherin.
From the Garden
Season 2 -If you don't know by now, Ricardo is a gardening fan! Inspired by this passion he has created a menu using vegetables from his garden. To share this menu he invites some of his gardening friends. To start off, beet cakes with mascarpone, followed by a fish stracciatella with fresh herbs, spinach polpetti with tomato sauce and a lemon balm tisane.
Holiday Cocktail Party
Season 2 -
For the Holidays this year, Ricardo isn't hosting a traditional turkey dinner. Instead, he's opted for a classy cocktail party with elegant finger foods sure to please all of his guests. He starts the night by pouring some delicious Lychee Martinis, then brings on the food: Scallops Tartare, Satay Pork Skewers with Peanut Sauce, fabulous Coconut Shrimp, and Stuffed Turkey Bites. To cap off a great party, there's Crème Brûlée by the Spoonful.
Hot Menu to Go
Season 2 -In the middle of the winter, Ricardo and his friends are going to a fishing village for a traditional activity just as he used to do as a young child with his parents. For this event, he will use his mom's recipe of petits poissons des chenaux. But in case the fishing trip doesn't work, Ricardo will prepare at home an easy menu that can be easily reheated. Let's start the dinner with a hot Onion Soup with Beer, then a Slow-Cooked Beef with Red Wine and for a great ending a Chocolate Pouding Chômeur.
Lebanese Feast
Season 2 -Ricardo shares his passion for Lebanese cooking by showing us how to prepare a delicious meal filled with new and different flavours. His menu holds grilled vegetables, grilled helium cheese, baba ganouj, raw kibbeh,tabbouleh, falafels almond-pistachio rice and fattoush. After this colorful and flavorful meal, you will be a fan for life!
Lobster Boil
Season 2 -Ricardo hosts a dinner for some friends, who are native of les Îles de la Madeleine, a small fisherman's town known for wonderful beaches and great lobster. Watch as he prepares traditional lobster with different flavoured butters, lemon orange rice, oiled Boston lettuce and a spectacular Framboisier for dessert.
Moroccan Meal
Season 2 -Ricardo gives us a taste of Morocco! He has made a flavour filled lamb and vegetable pastries, an exceptional chicken tajine with apricots and stare anise, a special couscous cake and to top it all off a cup of mint tea.
Pool Party 2040
Season 2 -To celebrate summer, Ricardo throws a casual pool party for his friends, who are more than happy to join him by the pool on this hot and sunny summer day! ON the menu, green gazpacho, shrimp rolls, French fried sweet potatoes, peach melba and to cool his thirsty friends, a great rum punch
Say Cheese
Season 2 -Let's do a Canadian wine and cheese to discover local products. For this event, Ricardo surprises 4 of his friends with a cream of brie soup served with mushroom duxelles on top, accompanied by asparagus toasts au gratin And to go with that great cheese, a fig and pear or a cherry and pear jam.Let's finish the menu with a grape and muscat cake.
Ski Trip
Season 2 -
Ricardo and his wife decide to get away for a weekend and go skiing with their good friends Hélène and Jean-Pierre. Their destination is a picturesque log cabin in the woods near Mont-Tremblant. To warm up his cold skiing party, Ricardo has brought along a soothing almond milk. Back at the cabin he whips up a terrific feast. To start off the après-ski party he prepares a traditional raclette, followed by braised duck with mashed potatoes and cheese, honey-glazed carrots and green beans with almonds. To finish a perfect day 'the perfect cabin dessert' is served; a rustic apple, pear and date pie accompanied by a glass of ice cider.
Something For Everyone
Season 2 -This menu was chosen by my family because it's easy and kids love it, and adults too. Try this at home. Your family will enjoy the Macaroni and Cheese, the Beer-Battered Onion Rings, the Stuffed Chicken Legs and my Chocolate Carrot Cake!
Southern Comfort Food
Season 2 -Why not please Ricardo's friends with a Latin-American inspired menu like Coriander and Lime Potato Purée, Pork Roast with Lime Juice (Puerco Asado), Salsa Verde, Exotic Fruit Sangria and a good Brazo de Reina.
Supper for 2
Season 2 -Ricardo plans a romantic poolside supper for his wife while the children are away at their grandparents! To open this wondeful evening , artichokes with almond sauce. The main course consists of Lamb chops with mint Gremolata and Porcini and sun-dried tomato polenta .Followed by a delicate dessert, mixed berries with muscat sabayon.
Sweet Sixteen
Season 2 -This menu was created by Ricardo to please all fussy teenagers and young adults, but everyone will love it! Try these General Tao Chicken Wings, the Potato-Chip Pork Fingers with Yogurt Dip accompanied by a Cheddar Salad Chicken. Then, you'll want to finish with a spectacular Poutine Dessert!
To Drive the Cold Winter Away
Season 2 -Let's forget about the winter with menu inspired by slaves. We will start with a Cabbage and Beet Soup and follow with Perogies and Chicken with Morels, and for dessert, succulent Profiteroles served with a chocolate sauce.
Tomato Sauce
Season 2 -Ricardo whips up a tasty Puttanesca sauce and a special yellow tomato sauce.
Welcome to the Magdalen Islands
Season 2 -Come and share Ricardo's getaway to the lovely Magdalen Islands , Québec. He prepares a casual feast for some friends, who happen to be a very popular local music group, Le Suroît. The menu is made up of steamer clams with beer and chorizo, grilled halibut with herbes salées salsa, chicken legs with honey and rosemary, vegetables cooked in the coals, ceasar salad with smolked herring and a country apple and berry tart for dessert.
Would You Care for a Coffee?
Season 2 -A whole meal created with coffee in mind, can't be done you say? Well Ricardo will prove you wrong! To begin, a beef "cappuccino" with parsnip foam, followed by veal medallions with coffee-cognac sauce, roasted root vegetables and a squash purée. A cool banana split with cranberry compote and coffee caramel for dessert.
Season 1
A Taste of Honey
Season 1 -A fall outing to a local honey farm was all the inspiration Ricardo needed to cook up this sweet meal. Giving traditional recipes a new twist, Ricardo serves up Carrot Panna Cotta and Lamb Shanks Glazed with Buckwheat Honey. Cheese Nougat completes a perfect dinner.
Autumn Menu
Season 1 -Ricardo and his friends spend a beautiful fall day in his garden raking up leaves, one of Ricardo's favourite activities. He serves his guests a sparkling pink cider with delicious apple chips. This is followed by several of Ricardo's favourite comfort foods: seafood chowder, lentil cassoulet and baked apples.
Baby on Board
Season 1 -Ricardo entertains his sister and his 8 month old godson. William is his sister's first child and Ricardo wants to show her that cooking for baby is as simple as one, two, three! On the menu, a simple minestrone soup, whole wheat spaghetti with vegetables and a red pepper spread. To top it all off for dessert a fresh mango lime pie. All healthy choices for little William and the whole family!
Corn Roast
Season 1 -Nothing says outdoor dining like a corn roast. All you need is a lot of friends and a lot of corn! Ricardo adds his special touch by creating three flavoured butters. He also serves chicken tamales, cornbread and strawberry marshmallows. Only three words describe this party: fun, fun and FUN!
Fish'n Tips
Season 1 -Ricardo's friends are coming over for supper with their kids. Fish is on the menu. Ricardo prepares Smoked Trout Rillettes, Whitefish in a Light Batter with a choice of two sauces (to please both young and old), and a Caramel and Pear Trifle. This fish-friendly menu will delight everyone.
Foie Gras Made Easy
Season 1 -To celebrate the upcoming nuptials of close friends Sonia and Robert, Ricardo prepares a feast fit for royalty. Quebec has become a producer of some of the world's finest duck foie gras; Ricardo is a fan and bases the entire meal on this regional delicacy. Torchon-style foie gras and chicken with foie gras are followed by a simple, light dessert: flambéed sour cherries. A memorable meal if ever there was one!
I've Got the Blues
Season 1 -Is blue cheese a mystery to you? Fear not, Ricardo has some terrific recipes using this tasty cheese. First up is two-colour Beet and Celery Soup, followed by Spinach and Blue Cheese Lasagna. A Brown Sugar Chiffon Cake with Vanilla Mango Salad provides a sweet ending. The perfect meal for blue-cheese beginners.
Kids Rule!
Season 1 -It's all fun and games when Ricardo hosts a child's birthday party. To get things rolling, he serves up a funny cocktail and a very different dip. Then come mini chicken wraps and a really sweet caterpillar cake. With a menu like this, we'll all want to be kids again.
Last Minute Friends? Don't Panic
Season 1 -Ricardo' aunt drops in unexpectedly with family. Using only ingredients in his fridge and pantry, Ricardo whips up a quick starter, a main course Asparagus Risotto with fresh parmesan bought in Little Italy, and a scrumptious Apple Tarte Tatin for dessert. His guests will never suspect this delicious meal was put together at the last minute.
Let's Celebrate Chicken
Season 1 -Chicken and potatoes remains Canada's favorite dinner. Ricardo prepares three mouth-watering versions: classic, Asian-style and Italian-style. Also on the menu are mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes and potatoes roasted in salt for a new take on this comfort-food classic. Bon appétit, Canada!
Look-Alike Dining
Season 1 -To surprise three of his guests, all nutritionists, Ricardo takes on the challenge of transforming three rich classics into low-fat dishes whose texture and flavour match the originals in every way: imperial rolls that are baked, not fried; penne Romanoff made without cream; and tiramisu minus the mascarpone. Mission accomplished!
Louisiana Style
Season 1 -It is a freezing cold winter day; Ricardo decides that it is a perfect day for a Louisiana style meal accompanied by his barbecue and some friends! To warm things up he prepares po boy sandwiches. His barbecue sizzles with a delicious blackened fish! This accompanied by a warm Okras and tomato salad and black beans and rice. What better than a beautiful pecan pie to top things off!
Mexican Fiesta
Season 1 -Ricardo decides to bring a little sunshine into a dark and gloomy day by having friends over for a Mexican fiesta. He and his guests savour homemade sangria, scallop ceviche, poached turkey breast with mole sauce and yet another show-stopping dessert, fried ice cream. ¡Gracias, Ricardo!
Moving Day Pizza
Season 1 -This is Ricardo and his family's big day—they're moving into their dream home! Ricardo has enlisted the help of a few old friends. Their good deed will not go unrewarded. Watch as Ricardo prepares a traditional moving-day menu with his special flair. On the menu: Caesar salad, Mozzarella di Bufala Pizza, Sausage and Cheese Pizza and a spectacular Rocky Road Pizza for dessert. While their muscles may ache, the movers are happy!
Portuguese Menu
Season 1 -After a breathtaking trip to Portugal, Ricardo decides to have a Portuguese theme supper for a few friends that have also been to Portugal. They can share pictures and memories from their wonderful trips. After sipping a delicious portonic, they enjoy traditional Portuguese dishes with a fresh twist: a Cantaloupe and Prosciutto Appetizer, a Portuguese Cod Casserole and, to cap a perfect evening, Caramel Flan.
Provence PQ
Season 1 -One of Ricardo's friends owns a farm where he grows sunflowers. Ricardo builds an entire meal around this colourful flower. As an appetizer he prepares a mixture of nuts and spices (dukka), country bread and sunflower oil; followed by Watermelon Salad and Fish with a Sun Dried Tomato and Sunflower Seed Pesto. Finally, he shares a fantastic dessert idea using edible flowers. A great menu choice to put a bit of sunshine into your day.
Season 1 -Ricardo takes us over to his friend Vie's to prepare a meal full of autumn flavours. His mission? To get us to appreciate squash. Watch as he prepares a Cabbage and Cheddar Soup, Pumpkin Seed Dip, Meat and Squash Ravioli, and a Squash and Sugar Pie that's a big hit with everyone. All we can say is "mission accomplished," and even the kids will agree.
Strawberry Meal Forever
Season 1 -Entertaining friends from a popular dance show, Ricardo pulls out all the stops. Strawberries are centre stage. A special snow crab salad kicks off the evening, followed by a traditional Rib Roast with Béarnaise Sauce and a classy variation on a simple Strawberry Sundae—a colourful and tasty meal.
Sugar Shack Inspired
Season 1 -This episode is all about Quebec's pride and joy, maple syrup! He has invited his friend, who just happens to also be his English coach, Stephanie and her whole family of being for a meal full of flavour and history! He has put very contemporary twist on a traditional menu! As an entrée he has prepared a cream of shallot soup, a delicious main course of pork tenderloins with maple-beet sauce, a cauliflower purée and roasted celery. Not to forget a spectacular dessert, a pecan-maple crumble. Relax and enjoy!
Sunday Brunch
Season 1 -
Ricardo prepares a special brunch for his friend Kareen and her family. Ricardo adds his special touch to this great menu and makes it 100% kid friendly! A savoury quilt pie, followed by buckwheat crepe burritos and pink apple sauce. Ricardo will also provide you with a few great tips for a delicious and simple brunch!
Sweet and Simple
Season 1 -Friends are over for a casual outdoor dinner, and a little known and underused vegetable is the centre of attention: fiddleheads. Ricardo begins with a real showstopper, Cream of Tomato Soup with Tarragon Floating Island, followed by a very simple Fiddlehead Omelette and an elegant Raspberry and White Chocolate Pie—a meal full of new flavours.
The Breakfast Club
Season 1 -Friends from out of town arrive for a much-anticipated visit. Ricardo is up bright and early to prepare an extraordinary breakfast. A cool Mango and Strawberry Smoothie is followed by Pancakes with Fresh Blueberries hand-picked by Ricardo. But that's not all! Ricardo reinvents a lunch classic, serving a Breakfast Club Sandwich accompanied by an Orange and Grapefruit Salad with a twist. It's a breakfast to remember.
The Day After
Season 1 -When the party's over and your friends have gone home, what's left to do besides washing the dishes? Why, cook the leftovers, of course! Watch as Ricardo prepares an inventive salad soup, stuffed cabbage and comforting bread pudding. It's a perfect meal for taking it easy the day after a party.
The Ultimate Comfort Food
Season 1 -Ricardo does a bit of casual entertaining for friends and their children. Watch as he prepares Leek and Celery Salad, four-hour Pork Roast with Milk, Sweet Potato and Snow Pea Purée, and gorgeous brownies for kids, but with a special twist for grown-ups. With a meal like this, you really hope there will be leftovers!
TV Dinner for the Boys
Season 1 -Ricardo invites a group of his childhood friends over for an impromptu supper after a football game. He serves up Chicken Wings, Fried Mozzarella, Spare Ribs in Beer Sauce, and Ice Cream Sandwiches. The spread is set up in front of the TV, just in time to watch the hockey game. Boys will be boys!
Vegetarian Menu
Season 1 -Ricardo charms his friends – including a committed carnivore – with an entirely vegetarian menu. His lettuce-based vegetarian lasagna, with neither meat nor pasta, is a revelation, as are his vegetable tempura and quick raspberry mousse. Give it a try!


text:
Futures Commission Merchant(redirected from Commodity Brokerage Firms)
Futures commission merchant (FCM)
A firm or person engaged in soliciting or accepting and handling orders for the purchase or sale of futures contracts, subject to the rules of a futures exchange and, who, in connection with such solicitation or acceptance of orders, accepts any money or securities to provide margin for any resulting trades or contracts. The FCM must be licensed by the CFTC. Related: Commission house, omnibus account.
Futures Commission Merchant
A broker or brokerage on a futures exchange. A futures commission merchant receives and executes orders on behalf of clients and extends credit for margin transactions. It is also called a commodity broker.
futures commission merchant (FCM)
A firm that carries out futures transactions for another party. Essentially, futures commission merchants are to futures trading what ordinary brokerage firms are to stock and bond trading. Some futures commission merchants are full-line brokerage firms in which futures trades make up only a small part of their business. Also called commodity brokerage firm, futures commission firm.
Futures Commission Merchant (FCM).
A futures commission merchant (FCM) is a person or a firm that acts as an agent to execute buy or sell orders for futures contracts or commodity options.
You may open an account directly with an FCM or place your orders through an introducing broker or commodity trading adviser.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
B.S., Nursing
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Bachelor of Science, Nursing (RN to BSN)
If you're already working as a Registered Nurse, but you would like to advance in your career by furthering your education, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing could be a great choice for you. You will enhance your professional skills in communication, critical thinking, leadership, management, evidence based practice, teaching, and learning. This program is not designed for the individual who is not a nurse. Coursework does not include basic skills or beginning level nursing education.
What can I do with this degree?
Here are some common professional paths for graduates:
- Physician's Office Nurse
- Hospital or Surgical Nurse
- School Nurse
- Medical and Health Services Manager
- Health Educator
- And more!
What's in it for you:
- A personal coach to guide you through the enrollment process and along the path to graduation.
- 100% fully online classes.
- Credit for college credits previously earned from accredited institutions.
- Scholarships, financial aid and grants for eligible students.
Admission Requirements
General Admissions Eligibility Criteria
1. Individuals under the age of 18 with a significant disciplinary criminal record may be excluded from admission at the discretion of College Administration.
2. Pursuant to §1001.64(8)(a), F.S., the College may consider the past actions of any individual applying for admission or enrollment. The College may deny admission or enrollment to an individual because of misconduct if determined to be in the best interest of the College. An individual designated as a sexual predator by any court will not be admitted to or enrolled with the College. An individual identified as a sexual offender by any court may be considered for admission or enrollment using procedures established by the administration.
3. Students who have been declared a sexual predator or sexual offender admitted prior to the adoption of this Rule and are in continuous enrollment may continue their education. Those admitted will be allowed on a College campus only as may be required to complete a program of study at the College.
4. A student designated as a sexual predator or sexual offender admitted and continuously enrolled prior to the adoption of this Rule will be subject to procedures established by the administration, including, but not limited to, responsibilities and any conditions or restraints to continue his/her enrollment.
5. Selective Admissions: Some associate degree, baccalaureate degree and technical certificate programs have additional admissions requirements as established by the College administration, State Statute or State Board of Education rule. Admission requirements for all selective admission programs will be published on the program curriculum pages of the College's catalog.
1. Must have earned an Associate in Science (A.S.), Associate in Arts (A.A.) or 60 hours of transferable college credit or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a GPA of 2.0 or above. The Institution must have been regionally accredited at the time the degree or credits were awarded.
2. Must have met all requirements for college preparatory work.
3. Selective Admissions: All upper division programs have additional admissions requirements as established by the College administration, Florida Statutes or State Board of Education rule.
a. Additional requirements may include a higher grade-point-average requirement.
b. Admissions requirements are published on the program curriculum pages.
c. In compliance with state law, graduates from a public Florida state college or community college receive priority for admission to upper division programs.
4. Provisional Upper Division Admission: Students who do not meet all the requirements for an upper division baccalaureate program may be provisionally admitted to the baccalaureate program with approval of the appropriate dean or dean's designee.
a. When provisionally admitted, students will be informed of the specific conditions required for full admission.
b. Students must meet conditions for full admission within one semester from the date of provisional admission.
c. Students who are admitted provisionally to baccalaureate programs must as a priority enroll in coursework that will fulfill conditions for full admissions status to their intended program of study during the term of provisional admission.
d. Requests for enrollment in upper division courses by provisionally admitted students must be considered and approved by special exception by the appropriate dean or the dean's designee.
e. When the conditions for full admission have been satisfied the hold on enrollment in upper division courses may be lifted by the appropriate dean or dean's designee.
f.Students participating in college preparatory (remedial) course work are ineligible for provisional admission.
5. Non-Degree Seeking Upper Division Students: Non-degree seeking students may be admitted to enroll in courses for which the student meets all program requirements and course pre-requisites on a space available basis. Enrollment in upper division courses requires submission of all postsecondary transcripts prior to registration as well as the approval of the appropriate dean or dean's designee.
1. Must have earned a standard or college-ready high school diploma or the equivalency of a high school diploma. In compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 668.16 (p), validation of the high school transcript may be required." Should the quality of the educational program of the institution attended appear unsatisfactory, the College has the authority not to accept all, or any part, of the previously earned credit or diploma. An official high school transcript with graduation date is required for admission.
2. Provisional Lower Division Admission: Individuals who have not graduated from high school may be provisionally admitted to the lower division in any of the following cases.
a. Dual Enrollment: Individuals enrolled at a public or private high school or home school may be provisionally admitted if they meet the dual enrollment requirements in accordance with state statute and rules, and as detailed in dual enrollment agreements with local school districts, private schools, or with home-school families.
3. Limited Special Admission (LSA): In order to accelerate postsecondary access for high school students who are precluded from Dual Enrollment by state statute and rules, the College offers Limited Special Admission (LSA) to individuals who meet specified criteria.
a. Individuals (typically seniors) who are enrolled at a public or private high school or are home-schooled, who have not yet officially graduated, but can provide an affidavit/documentation verifying the completion of all Florida secondary graduation requirements by the end of the current academic year, may be eligible for LSA to the College. Individuals who can present verification of having completed a GED® exam, during the semester just prior to the college term for which they are seeking admission, but who have not yet received scores from that exam at the time of registration, may also be eligible for LSA to the College pending receipt of the official scores.
b. Limited Special Admission (LSA), may not exceed one term of enrollment and a maximum of 12 credit hours. LSA will require the consent of the student's parent or guardian, if a minor.
c. Students enrolling under the LSA provision must be qualified for college level coursework per passing scores on an approved college placement assessment and are responsible for all tuition, fees and course materials.
d. Students in this category must complete placement assessments and advising prior to registration.
e.Continued enrollment beyond one semester for LSA students is contingent upon:
f. The College's receipt of an official high school transcript verifying graduation prior to the second term of postsecondary enrollment, or;
g. The receipt of an official score report indicating passing scores on all sections of the GED® test, or;
h. In the case of a home-schooled student, a parent affidavit verifying completion of all Florida secondary graduation requirements.
4. Bright Futures Florida Academic Scholars: Lower division students who qualify for the Florida Department of Education Bright Futures Florida Academic Scholars award may be guaranteed admission to a baccalaureate degree program.
a. The student must meet all entry requirements for the specified baccalaureate degree while completing the relevant associate degree.
b. Upon completion of the relevant associate's degree, Bright Futures Academic Scholars will be admitted to the upper division program of study with no additional application process.


text:
Here you will find the passwords for poker tournaments that require a password. You need to be logged in to read this.
Use this control to limit the display of threads to those newer than the specified time frame.
Allows you to choose the data by which the thread list will be sorted.
Order threads in...
Note: when sorting by date, 'descending order' will show the newest results first.
Forum Rules


text:
Steering clear of alleyways was a norm growing up in New York City. But one legitimate reason to venture into those restricted areas was to allow an echoed soundstage for a cappella delights.
In SJC, I've discovered a more important rationale. Namely, if one fails to step forward onto what may be misperceived as a risky hidden pathway, you're apt to miss precious community gems. I guess that's the veiled beauty of living where the swallows seek peace and refuge.
So be adventurous and walk with me on my latest exploration.
Serendipity pointed the way to Mission Fine Art Gallery. Across from the old mission and nestled not far from Mission Promenade's gallant archway is an active center of artistic creativity. Though SJC's sole art gallery has an 18-year history, the new year brought a fresh triumvirate of celebrated artists recruiting others, forming 12 international disciples. The rejuvenated showcase stands as both a physical and conceptual face lift – a new model for art galleries.
And what a treat for the senses awaits lucky visitors.
This city wanderer spoke with the three energetic owners, Susan, Antje and Steve. While taking a personalized tour, I couldn't help wonder about this artist workplace concept. I could sense an inventive spirit in motion as I looked at the different pieces and listened to artist biographies. Oddly, some contributors live in two worlds – professional artist and another vocation. Seeing an award-winning artist create in real time is mystical.
If you're game, enhance your appreciation of exhibited works by taking time to browse the multiple collections. Every direction in this open-designed suite brings to light a new ingredient to create visual beauty. The treasures spanning the gallery demonstrate a delicate melting pot of cultures. Drink in the panorama of original art and attempt to match the artist's personal history and unique perceptions fueling each piece.
A new mission statement closely intertwines the gallery, artists and community. Flexibility is the key. Planned monthly showings by local guest artists, potential book signings, art lessons onsite and artwork contributions to neighborhood fundraisers add versatility to the gallery's vision. Art teaching throughout Capistrano Valley continues.
A Patron of the Arts program seeks business and individual sponsors to become part of the Mission Fine Art team. There are monthly lectures and demonstrations by new artists seeking to show their work. Another vision is providing a "gallery to go" concept for local fundraisers and business establishments to enrich event ambience.
Viewing times at this little jewel of SJC are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
The buzz about the dynamic gallery has contributing artists on a waiting list for showings. So join with me in welcoming the apostles of the arts and watch for a grand-opening celebration.
Robert Manniello is a medical doctor who is a longtime contributor to the Capistrano Valley News. You can contact him at email@example.com.


text: Illinois extended one Big Ten Conference title run and ended a streak to claim another championship Sunday. Behind Luke Guthrie's second straight individual title, the Illini won the Big Ten men's golf championship for the fourth consecutive season after holding off Indiana in French Lick, Ind. Meanwhile, the Illinois men's tennis team knocked off top-seeded Ohio State in the title match of the Big Ten Tournament in Evanston to end the Buckeyes' run of six straight league tournament titles. A senior from Quincy, Guthrie shot 5 under par to win the individual title by four strokes and become the Illini's first back-to-back Big Ten champ since Steve Stricker in 1989. "When I came in here, it was a dream to have four rings,'' Guthrie said. "We practice for the championship season. This is just the first leg.'' The Illini advance to the NCAA regionals and seek their fifth straight appearance in the NCAA finals. Illinois headed into the day with a seven-shot lead but trailed Indiana by three strokes with three holes to go. Illinois' Mason Jacobs eagled the par-5 18th by holing a chip, and Thomas Pieters birdied before Guthrie finished with a par on 18. The Illini won by three shots ahead of Indiana. Third-place Northwestern was 11 strokes back. Seeded third in men's tennis, the Illini rallied from a 3-1 deficit for their first conference tournament title since 2005 with victories at Nos. 5, 6 and 2 singles. Illinois' Roy Kalmanovich knocked off Ohio State's Blaz Rola, ranked sixth nationally, to secure the victory. Illinois (17-7) snapped the Buckeyes' 92-match winning streak against Big Ten teams and earned the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. "It's been a long time coming,'' said Illinois coach Brad Dancer. "It's humbling to beat that team.'' John Supinie can be reached at email@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @JohnSupinie.


text:
The nationally recognized "Bra Whisperer" says most women are probably wearing the wrong bra and/or wearing it wrong. From the little As to the big Ks, she says your bra can "uplift" your life and she wants to help you.
Susan "Bra Whisperer" Nethero serves as the exclusive bra-fit expert on Lifetime's "How to Look Good Naked" with Carson Kressley and has also made guest appearances on "The Today Show", "Oprah", "The Tyra Banks Show" and "What Not to Wear." Not to mention she was trained under the Queen of England's Royal Bra Fitter.
Nethero is founder and owner of "Intimacy," a lingerie boutique that specializes in properly fitting women's bras and right now, she's in San Diego helping women at her newly opened store in Fashion Valley.
Impressed? So were we. So were asked her to share some pearls of wisdom to help cheer up our sad San Diego breasts.
"65 percent of women come to us for comfort, never realizing that we can also help with style and fashion to help them look and feel beautiful, sometimes for the first time in their lives. That self-confidence is just as important as fit," Nethero said.
Where to Wear Your Bra
According to Susan, the perfect position for your breasts is midway between your shoulders and your elbows and your bra should be level front to back.
Susan says most women wear their bra bands too high on their torsos and throw their measurements off.
"Most women keep going up in the back, increasing their band size, instead of getting a deeper cup," Susan said. "We want to keep the back lean and small so we can lift the bust. The bra band is like a bridge, if it's properly planted at the base, it can lift."
Clues Your Bra is the Wrong Size.
- If your cups runneth over, it's time to go up a cup size.
- If your cups dimple, it's time to go down a cup size.
- If you have the dreaded back fat, you probably think your bra is too tight, but you're wrong -- your bra is too big. Wearing the bra lower on your back with a smaller band size will completely eliminate the back fat.
How to Properly Put on a Bra:
- It's all about shaking it out! Bend deeply at the waist before fastening your bra—this automatically centers it and distributes the volume evenly.
- Straps should neither fall down nor dig into your shoulders (they ought to provide only 10 percent of your support—the rest comes from the band).
- Buy a size that fits you very closely—it may even feel a bit tight at first—when fastened on the first (loosest) hook. This will enable you to tighten the bra over time as the material stretches out.
- Make sure that the band is perfectly horizontal on your body.
- Fix minor puckering in the cups by smoothing down and "tucking in" your breasts.
- Fit check: If there's a major gap between bra and body, the cup's too big; if you're overflowing the top or sides, it's too shallow.
How to Prevent Back Fat: (And who doesn't want to do that?)
- Most women buy bras with too-loose back bands. They mistakenly believe that a loose band equals a comfortable bra.
- The back band provides 90% of a bra's support...so if your bra band is too loose, your band will ride up and your girls will head south.
- A loose band can cause unsightly back fat! Yikes!
- If your strap falls down, that means your bra band is riding up and you probably need to go down a band size.
The new store is located in the Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom wing next to Pottery Barn. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
U.S. & World
Stories that affect your life across the U.S. and around the world.
You can visit their Web site, myintimacy.com or call 619-894-8835 for more information or to schedule a consultation.


text:
I owe the Steelers and Broncos a drink (iced tea with Splenda for Tim Tebow) for salvaging what had been, up until last night, an awful Wild Card weekend. The first three games all had potential, only to go haywire at the end. Only DEN/PIT came down to the finish, and thank goodness for that. That was pretty much everything I ask for in a Wild Card game: an upset in the making, followed by a furious comeback by the favorite, followed by the first overtime in the playoffs since the new playoff overtime rules were instituted, followed by a walkoff touchdown in front of a raucous home crowd.
That pretty much checks off every box on my chart.
But was yesterday's game the GREATEST Wild Card game of all time? In my estimation, the answer is no. And I'm not saying that just because I'm a licensed Tebow hater (get your certificate today!). I say that because there have been some downright nutty Wild Card games over the years. Here are the five best:
1. Bills 41, Oilers 38 (1993)
Yesterday, Big Ben brought the Steelers back from 14 points down using only one leg. And I had a hard time deciding if that was more impressive than Frank Reich leading the Bills back from 32 points down with two perfectly functional legs. I figure if you cut off one of Reich's legs, you get a 16-point comeback, which still edges out The Ben. Two fun facts about Oilers/Bills. ONE: They played this game back when there were three divisions per conference and the Wild Card game was between two wild card qualifiers. I kinda miss that. TWO: The game was blacked out in Buffalo because it wasn't a sellout. And this was a year before the advent of Sunday Ticket, so imagine being a Bills fan unable to watch this game. GAHHHHHH!!! You're never topping this game. Never. Not when Bob Costas was on at the half to interview Bill Cowher to do a pregame assessment of the Oilers because everyone assumed they would win.
2. Titans 22, Bills 16 (2000)
For the ending alone, which was decidedly more insane than what happened last night. The rest of the game was fairly forgettable, especially since Mike Patrick and Joe Theismann were the announcers.
3. Broncos 29, Steelers 23 (2012)
I think this is the correct spot for this. It had everything you ever could have wanted. The only two games to trump it featured some sort of historic comeback or last-second play that will live on until we all die and the robots have taken over. This is the highest ranked normal game of the bunch.
4. 49ers 30, Packers 27 (1999)
5. 49ers 39, Giants 38 (2002)
I was thinking of including last year's Seahawks/Saints game here, or even the Packers/Cards shootout from a few years back. But no. Not when the Giants blew a 38-14 lead with five minutes to go in the third quarter, then somehow DERPed the snap on the final field goal attempt to preserve the 49er victory.
These are my five favorite Wild Card games of all time. It's always nice when there are new candidates to add to the mix.


text:
The Ohio State University
Creating the Extraordinary Student Experience
Time: Wednesday, February 20, 2019 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Location: RPAC B134
Tired of the treadmill? This class is a high-energy, dance-inspired workout that fuses traditional Latin rhythms such as Salsa and Merengue with hip hop. Each class features simple, yet incredibly fun routines that help tone your body and get your heart rate up! Dance experience is not required; our instructor will work with participants to ensure the best results. You will have so much fun that you'll forget you're working out!
Add to your calendar
© 2020 The Ohio State University – Multicultural Center
Ohio Union, Suite 1000, 1739 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: 614-688-8449 | Fax: 614-292-4462 | firstname.lastname@example.com
If you have trouble accessing this page, request an alternate format.


text:
Washington, DC — Fitness facility operators who have pools in their facilities must now be in compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act, or risk up to a $1.825 million fine and possible jail time, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the federal agency in charge of enforcing the act.
The act applies to all public pools and spas, including those at health clubs, YMCAs, community parks, hotels, universities, schools, apartments and condominiums.
The federal act, which went into effect last month, requires pools to be equipped with drain covers that are certified to comply with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers/American National Standards Institute 2007 standard. To be compliant, a pool's drain must have been inspected by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, Underwriters Laboratories or the National Sanitation Foundation, according to the CPSC.
The United States has about 300,000 public pools and spas, according to the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF). The NSPF says that most of those pools are not in compliance and, therefore, must close until they change their drains.
The Pool and Spa Safety Act was enacted by Congress and signed by President Bush on Dec. 19, 2007. It is designed to prevent the hazard of drain entrapments and eviscerations in pools and spas. Congress gave all affected pool and spa operators one year to comply with this law. The Pool & Spa Safety Act was named in honor of the granddaughter of former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker. Baker's granddaughter died in 2002 when she was entrapped on a drain in a private in-ground spa.
"Our mission at the CPSC is to keep American families safe," Nancy Nord, CPSC acting chairperson, said in a release from the organization. "CPSC will enforce the requirements of this pool and spa safety law with a focus on where the greatest risk of drain entrapment to children exists, such as wading pools, pools designed specifically for toddlers and young children, and in-ground spas, particularly where these types of pools and spas have flat drain grates and single main drain systems."
Nord added: "State health and enforcement agencies share the responsibility to ensure this law is properly enforced. I recommend these agencies take the same approach as CPSC concerning enforcement priorities."
Dozens of organizations — including the NSPF, the National Recreation and Parks Association, and the YMCA of the USA — requested a 12- to 18-month delay in implementation of the act, but the delay was not granted before the deadline.
The groups argued that a delay in implementation of the Pool & Spa Safety Act would have allowed activities that benefit people (swim lessons, aquatic therapy and rehabilitation, lifeguard training, physical exercise, and family-together activities) to continue while the local pool and spa facility works to reduce the risk of suction entrapment.
The CPSC says it encourages pool and spa operators to continue working as diligently as possible to come into compliance, as the agency and state attorneys general are empowered to close any pool or spa that fails to meet the act's requirements.
Thomas M. Lachocki, Ph.D., and CEO of NSPF, says that swimming pool operators support preventing entrapment, but forcing public pools and spas to close because they are not in compliance with the act has unexpected and undesirable consequences.
"Despite good faith efforts, organizations nationwide will not comply with this law by the deadline for reasons that are outside of their control," Lachocki said last month before the deadline.
Lachocki says that the act budgets $5 million per year for an educational program requiring CPSC to establish and carry out education to the public pool service companies, pool facility owners, operators and others, but no such programs exist. As a result, facilities are either unaware or confused about the requirements of the act.
Lachocki says that some compliant covers became available only recently and that large and uniquely shaped (unblockable) compliant drain covers were not available by the deadline. The act requires existing large, unblockable drains to be replaced with no evidence that the change would reduce the risk of entrapment, he says. In addition to the drain cover, the area below the cover (the sump) must sometimes be excavated and replaced to be compliant. Confusion over this exists and can increase compliance costs, which can reach $200,000 per pool, he says.
Also, Lachocki says that there are conflicts between engineering requirements in the act and local laws already in place to prevent entrapment.
State laws require local health departments to review and approve changes to pools before work begins. The Pool & Spa Safety Act is an unfunded mandate for health departments that did not have the capacity to review changes on all public pools in their jurisdiction prior to the deadline, says Lachocki, who adds that operators had to choose to either break a state law by making changes before the deadline or break a federal law by seeking state approval and missing the federal deadline.
View a list of manufacturers who make compliant drain covers.


text:
Why bfinance
Asset Owner Survey
Our Services
Implementation matters
What our clients say
More about bfinance
Award-winning investment consultancy firm with a global reach
What we do
bfinance works for asset owners around the globe on the implementation of investment strategy, from fund manager research and selection to portfolio design and monitoring.
Who we help
Established in 1999, bfinance has worked for more than 350 institutional clients across 35 countries, operating out of eight international offices. The firm has been recognised with numerous industry awards for innovation and investment consultancy.
Who we are
bfinance is committed to promoting the interests of investors in an industry that all too often sees the 'balance of power' tilted in favour of the firms that exist to serve them.
Meet the team
Dedicated investment researchers covering the full spectrum of traditional and alternative asset classes. Regional client consultants in eight global offices.
What's new
Publications, events and company news.
Latest Case Studies
Implementation in focus
A Canadian foundation with signficant infrastructure experience sought an unlisted infrastructure fund to complement its existing holdings, but faced challenges in today's heated marketplace.
Hedge Funds + Risk Premia
A Canadian corporate pension fund was looking to invest C$200m in a blended, customised portfolio of hedge funds and alternative risk premia.
Emerging Market Debt
The UK LGPS client sought an EMD manager that successfully blended emerging market hard currency (sovereign and corporates) and local currency within a standalone portfolio.
Smart Beta
This German industry pension fund sought to invest EUR 120 million in a multi-factor smart beta strategy.
Sign up to our newsletter and receive the latest bfinance insights by email.
Get in touch with the team.


text:
Special Sale Price!
Jane Austen and Ghosts.
Not only do I write Regency and Romance, but this can take a humorous turn. Some years back, I am sure readers of this blog will be aware that some writers began to take great liberty with Jane Austen and her works. Pride and Prejudice being liberally rewritten with the inclusion of zombies.
Then other books appeared with sea monsters, and werewolves and vampires. President Lincoln has even made it to the big screen where he is intent on sending foul creatures to hell. It occurred to me, even before I read any of this literature, that Jane would probably not appreciate what had been done to her classic piece.
That the tales and her life have become visual spectacles that we enjoy she might not like either, but is perhaps resigned to. That zombies, ghosts and vampires are now used to follow her own plot lines would I think, have her turning over in her grave. Jane Austen and Ghosts is my take on that.
It is now available in a variety of formats. For a limited time it has been reduced to $2.99 for your eReaders and $8.99 for paperback you can get this Jane Austen adventure.
Barnes and Noble for your Nook
and in Paperback
In the world of moviemaking, nothing is as golden as rebooting a classic tale that has made fortunes every time before when it has been adapted for the silver screen.
Certainly any work by Jane Austen made into a movie will not only be bankable, but also considered a work of art. That is of course until the current wave of adaptations that unite her classic stories with all the elements of the afterlife is attempted to be created.
That these have found success in the marketplace amongst booklovers may not be quite understood by those who make movies. But that they are a success is understood and a reason to make them into movies.
All that being said, perhaps it would also be fair to say that the very proper Jane, were she present to have anything to say about it, would not be pleased. Of course she has been away from this Earth for nearly 200 hundred years.
But does that mean were she upset enough, she wouldn't come back?
If you have any commentary, thoughts, ideas about the book (especially if you buy it, read it and like it 😉 then we would love to hear from you.


text:
BMW X2 | xDrive 20d M Sport X 5dr Step Auto
BMW X2 Overview
I would like all maintenance and service costs included
Initial Rental (Personal)
£3,479.76 inc VAT
Initial Rental (Business)
£2,899.80 ex VAT
Contract Length
48 Months
Processing fee
£199.99 ex VAT
Standard Options
- Fingertip control / anti-trap function on electric window
- Front and rear electric windows
- Green tinted heat protection glazing
- Heated windscreen washer jets
- Rain sensor with automatic headlight activation
- Rear window wiper with wash/wipe function
- Anti lock braking system (ABS) with brake assist
- ASC - Active stability control
- Brake drying
- Brake energy regeneration
- Braking readiness
- DSC - Dynamic Stability Control
- Dynamic Traction Control - DTC
- Electrically operated parking brake with automatic drive release
- Electronic parking brake
- Front ventilated brake disc
- Hill descent control
- Hill start assist
- Multi collision braking system
- Rear brake discs
- Floor mats with black surround and M flag detail on front mats
- Anti roll bar front and rear
- Drive performance control with ECO PRO comfort sport mode
- M sport suspension
- Twin tube gas filled shock absorbers with degressive characteristic curve
- Bluetooth hands free facility with USB audio interface
- Active Guard incl speed limiting and lane departure functions with auto steering, and front collision warning with brake intervention
- BMW remote services
- Cruise control with braking function
- Electric Power Steering (EPS) with Servotronic
- Rear park distance control
- Speed limiter
- Automatic powered tailgate
- Eco pro mode
- BMW emergency call
- BMW Navigation system with 8.8" monitor
- BMW Online services
- BMW Teleservices
- Brake pad wear indicator in front and rear
- Check Control warning system for monitoring of lights and door/luggage compartment open warning
- Instrument cluster with black optic and 5.7" colour display speedometer tachometer fuel gauge instant fuel economy
- Lights on warning by audio warning signal when ignition is switched off
- On board computer - average speed fuel consumption, service interval, clock/date, odometer/trip meter, outside temperature display and ice warning
- Optimum shift indicator
- Personal Profile
- Real time traffic information
- TMC for lifetime of vehicle
- Automatically dimming rear view mirror
- Body colour mirror caps
- Door mirror integrated indicators
- Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors glass aspheric on driver's side and convex on passenger side
- Aluminium hexagon anthracite interior trim
- Dash top finished in black with decorative stitching line on upper section
- High gloss black centre console
- 12V compressor with integrated sealant injection bottle and hose
- Balancer shaft
- Diesel particulate filter
- Lightweight engineering
- 2 x USB sockets in front
- 6 Speaker Loudspeaker system
- Bluetooth audio streaming
- BMW professional radio with CD player
- DAB Digital radio
- Steering wheel mounted audio/telephone controls
- BMW badge on bonnet, tailgate with integrated tailgate release and C pillars
- Body colour door handles
- Body colour roof trims
- Chrome kidney grille with black vertical slats
- Front and rear bumper system
- Frozen grey front air intakes
- High gloss black front side air intake with matt black insert
- High gloss shadowline in mirror frame and B-Pillar trim
- M logo designation in side chrome
- M Sport X aerodynamic bodystyling
- Matt aluminium roof rails
- Model designation in left tailgate
- Model designation in right tailgate
- Rear window aerial
- Satin aluminium exterior trim
- Satin aluminium in window frame, recess covers, mirror frame and C-Pillar trim
- Shark fin antenna
- Solid paint
- Twin chrome exhaust tailpipes
- Visible VIN plate
- Adjustable headlights
- Clear lenses direction indicator lights
- Direction indicator side lights integrated in exterior mirrors using LED technology
- Dynamic brake lights
- Halogen headlights
- High level third brake light
- LED front fog lights
- LED headlights with extended contents - cornering, high beam assist, LED day running lights with dynamic beams-through for urban and motorway
- Rear fog lights
- Rear tail lights with LED technology and 3D design
- Reversing light in rear light cluster
- Automatic two zone climate control air conditioning
- Anthracite headlining
- Armrest in centre section of rear seat backrest and folding
- Conditioned Based Service
- Dakota leather upholstery sport seats
- Drivers folding storage compartment
- Front and rear door armrests
- Front armrest
- Front door sill finishers with M designation
- Gearshift paddles on steering wheel
- Luggage compartment loading edge with stainless steel insert
- Luggage compartment with underfloor storage and four lashing eyes
- M Sport multifunction leather steering wheel
- Rake/reach adjustable steering wheel
- Retaining strap on the left side of the luggage compartment
- Two cupholders in front and rear centre console
- Ambient light in front centre console/cup holder area
- Interior light in front centre interior mirrors and rear centre auto interior light activation when door is opened when ignition switched off
- LED ambient lighting in upper door trim and dashboard trim
- Luggage compartment lighting
- Welcome lighting
- Extended storage pack - X2
- M Sport X exterior styling pack - X2
- 3 point seatbelts on all seats, front pyrotechnic belt tensioners and belt force limiters, rear coded belt buckles
- Airbags - Front driver and passenger, front and rear head, front side, curtain head protection
- Child proof locking system in rear door
- Crash sensor activating central locking release with hazard warning lights and interior lighting battery safety cut-off
- Driver and front passenger seat belt security check
- Front passenger airbag deactivation
- Side impact protection
- Twin horns
- Tyre pressure monitor
- Warning triangle and first aid kit
- 40:20:40 manually split folding rear seat with two tilt positions for backrest
- Child seat ISOFIX attachment for two outer rear seats and front passenger seat with anchorage points
- Driver and front passenger seat heating
- Front head restraints
- Front sports seats
- Manual height adjustable for driver and front passenger seat
- Three rear headrests
- Auto door lock when driving
- Central locking switch for all doors, fuel filler cap and luggage compartment
- Engine immobiliser
- Incorrect fuel protection system
- Locking wheel bolts
- Remote control including integrated key with M specific highlight
- Remote control Thatcham category 1 alarm
- Start/stop button with comfort go keyless engine start and auto start stop deactivation button
- Electronic differential lock
- Performance Control
- Sport automatic transmission
- Driver/passenger sunvisors with ticket holders
- Reduced rolling resistance tyres
- 19" Burnished M Y-spoke light alloy wheels finished in orbit grey - Style 722M with run flat tyres
Technical Options
- HC+NOx: 0.07
- Noise Level dB(A): 67
- NOx: 0.032
- Particles: 0.0002
- Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6
- Bore: 84
- Catalytic Convertor: True
- Compression Ratio: 16.5:1
- Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE
- Cylinders: 4
- Engine Codes: B47C20O1
- Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH
- Fuel Type: COMMON RAIL
- Gears: 8 SPEED
- Number of Valves: 16
- Stroke: 90
- Valve gear: DOHC
- EC: True
- EC Combined: 60.1
- EC Extra Urban: 64.2
- EC Urban: 52.3
- WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - Max: 7.1
- WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - Min: 5.8
- WLTP - MPG - Comb: 5.1
- WLTP - MPG - Comb - Max: 5.7
- WLTP - MPG - Comb - Min: 5.7
- WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 7.1
- WLTP - MPG - Extra High - Max: 7.5
- WLTP - MPG - Extra High - Min: 5.8
- WLTP - MPG - High: 6.3
- WLTP - MPG - High - Max: 5.1
- WLTP - MPG - High - Min: 5.5
- WLTP - MPG - Low: 5.7
- WLTP - MPG - Low - Max: 6.1
- WLTP - MPG - Low - Min: 5.7
- WLTP - MPG - Medium: 6.1
- Any aspect of the vehicles safety cause concern?: Data Not Available
- Based On ID: N
- Coin Description: xDrive d
- Coin Series: M Sport X
- Ghost model for valuation purposes: N
- NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N
- NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N
- NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 190
- NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 2.0
- NCAP Safety Assist %: M1
- Service Interval Frequency - Months: N
- Service Interval Mileage: N
- Special Edition: Data Not Available
- Special Order: Data Not Available
- Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N
- Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N
- 0 to 60: Data Not Available
- 0 to 62: 7.7
- Engine Power KW: 140
- Engine Power RPM: 4000
- Engine Torque LBS.FT: 295
- Engine Torque MKG: 40.8
- Engine Torque NM: 400
- Engine Torque RPM: 1750
- PS: True
- Top Speed: 137
- Alloys?: True
- Space Saver?: Data Not Available
- Tyre Size Front: 225/45 R19
- Tyre Size Rear: 225/45 R19
- Tyre Size Spare: RUN FLAT TYRES
- Wheel Style: Y SPOKE
- Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY
- Height: 1526
- Height (including roof rails): N
- Length: 4360
- Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.3
- Wheelbase: 2670
- Width (excluding mirrors): 1824
- Width (including mirrors): 2098
- Boot Capacity Saloons: 470
- Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 51
- Gross Vehicle Weight: 2190
- Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 1355
- Max. Roof Load: 75
- Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2000
- Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750
- Minimum Kerbweight: 1600
- No. of Seats: 5
- Payload: 590
Does BMW really need yet another X-series model in its SUV line-up? Jonathan Crouch looks at the sporty little X2 and decides....
Ten Second Review
Following a programme already established with its larger SUVs, BMW has produced a sporty version of its X1 model, christened the X2. Like the X4 (a coupe version of the X3) and the X6 (a coupe version of the X5), this crossover brings a more dynamic look to the Munich maker's offering in its chosen segment. Like its rivals, its dynamically targeted almost exclusively towards on-road use.
We're now pretty used to the idea of 'coupe'-style versions of mid-sized and large-segment SUVs. Witness the success of models like the BMW X6 and the Mercedes GLE Coupe in the large segment. And the BMW X4 and the Mercedes GLC Coupe in the mid-sized category. BMW's X2 is the first model though, that could really be called a 'coupe' in the smaller SUV 'C'-segment popularised in the volume end by crossovers like Nissan's Qashqai and at the premium end by models like BMW's own X1. Predictably, it's the X1 that provides almost everything for the X2 under the skin. But this sleeker design packages those mechanicals up more dynamically in a way that's sure to appeal to folk attracted to slinkier models like Jaguar's E-PACE in this segment.
Driving Experience
Being based on the X1's MINI-derived 'UKL2' platform, the X2 primarily uses BMW's efficient generation of four-cylinder engines. The most affordable sDrive variant is front driven, while the other xDrive derivatives use the brand's intelligent all-wheel-drive system, which distributes the engine's power between the front and rear axles as the situation requires. There's also a wide track, short overhangs and the usual 50:50 weight distribution. Obviously, the X2 is not inended for off road use, but it does have an integral Hill Descent Control feature that enables you to automatically maintain a desired speed on steep descents by taking care of brake control. Engine-wise, the mainstream range offers one petrol option and two diesel units, all of which are 2.0-litres in size. The sole xDrive20i petrol variant is powered by a 192bhp four cylinder unit. Most X2 sales though, will be made with the diesel variants. There's the choice of a 190bhp 4WD xDrive20d model. Or, if you can't stretch to that, a 150bhp 2WD 18d diesel option with sDrive or xDrive alternatives. The car's driving responses can be adapted by using the Driving Experience Control switch, allowing the driver to choose between default COMFORT mode, efficiency-enhancing ECO PRO mode and a SPORT mode which gives the car even dynamic steering and powertrain responses. The optional Dynamic Damper Control system works via these same settings.
Design and Build
Even next to its bigger coupe-SUV BMW range stablemates, the X4 and X6, the X2 makes a distinctive impression. It's 2cm shorter and more than 7cm lower than the MINI-derived X1 crossover model it's based upon, yet has the same wheelbase. Featuring short overhangs, it also has a stretched, coupe-style roofline and slim window graphic. The kidney grille has always been an identifying feature of the Munich marque but on this car, it's wider at its base than at the top, which gives the nose a broader, more distinctive and sportier appearance. At the rear, horizontal design lines emphasise the car's width, with these creases continuing into high-set LED rear lights that feature an 'L' shape familiar from BMW coupes. Lower down, the car hints at the power of its BMW TwinPower Turbo engines through the design of the tailpipes, all X2 models coming with a twin exhaust arrangement that's 90mm diameter. A spoiler provides a flourish to round off the roofline and contributes to a drag co-efficient of just 0.28Cd. Inside, there's a driver-focused cabin and a soft-finish instrument panel with contrast decorative stitching. As for practicality, well the cabin has plenty of storage, including a door design featuring large storage pockets. There's also a generous 470-litre boot.
Market and Model
Prices are pitched at around £34,000 for the volume X2 xDrive20d SE variant. That's about £2,000 more than you'd pay for an equivalent X1 model. Across the range, standard specification includes a 6.5-inch Touch Control Display with navigation system. And there's the option of a full-colour Head-Up Display. Many X2 buyers will be tempted by top-spec 'M Sport' trim, which gives you the usual more dynamic outward styling cues, plus 'Micro Hexagon' fabric Anthracite/Alcantara combination upholstery with M piping in blue or yellow with contrast stitching on the instrument panel and the centre console as standard. Full-LED headlights are standard on Sport, M Sport and M Sport X models. As standard, both models are fitted with 19-inch wheels. The standard rims for the SE model are 17-inch V-Spoke style light alloy wheels, but ten other rim designs can be specified as an option. Media Connectivity has been prioritised, to suit the prevailing trend, the 'BMW Connected+' package providing a digital bridge between smartphones and the car. You can specify WiFi hotspot preparation, which equips the X2 to host a built-in WiFi hotspot with LTE speeds, and the optional telephony with wireless charging for compatible smartphones. Surprisingly, 'Apple CarPlay' smartphone-mirroring connectivity costs extra too.
Cost of Ownership
As you'd expect from a current BMW, emissions are low and fuel economy is excellent. The 190bhp xDrive20d model will get 61.4mpg from a gallon of fuel and 121g/km of CO2, which is impressive for a 4WD diesel SUV. If you want to do better, there are lesser-powered '18d' variants, one of which offers the option of sDrive 2WD. Of course the driver must also play his or her part. So there's an Optimum Gear Shift Indicator on the dash and an ECO PRO mode you can select in the Drive Performance Control system that'll focus all the car's systems on ultimate frugality. The extra economy created in that ECO PRO setting (BMW reckon it could be up to 20%) is fed back to the driver, with in-car displays showing the additional number of miles achieved. What else? Well as usual with a BMW, there's a condition-based service indicator on the dash to advise you when your car needs a garage visit, but new to me was the clever 'TeleServices' feature that comes as part of the BMW 'ConnectedDrive' services you can access through the iDrive infotainment system. Via this, before each service appointment is due, your X2 can put in a 'TeleServices' call to your nominated BMW service centre, complete with detailed information on vehicle condition. You'll then get a call to arrange a service appointment.
The X2 represents another box ticked in BMW's X-model product development plan. Its MINI-derived underpinnings serve it well in terms of delivering the sporty feel promised by the sharper looks this design enjoys over its X1 donor model. And the four cylinder engine range is pleasantly frugal and efficient. So there's lots to like if you can afford the premium asking prices. But there's also lots of more affordable competition in this segment. Still, one thing's not in doubt. This X2 certainly seems to have the X Factor.
Why use All Car Leasing?
Browse alternate BMW X2 models
See other trim levels:


text:
As far as Jim Morrison's indecent exposure conviction in Miami goes, this is the end.
Gov. Charlie Crist's crusade to let the late Doors rocker off the hook for the 1969 incident at a Miami concert will finally be won Thursday, after Crist got a commitment for enough votes from the other members of the state's Board of Executive Clemency to approve a pardon for Morrison.
An announcement is expected sometime Thursday after Crist and the other three members of the Clemency Board meet to finalize the pardon in Tallahassee.
U.S. & World
The Morrison pardon comes nearly 40 years after the rebel rocker was found dead in Paris in 1971 and a day after he would have turned 67. Morrison, who was facing six months behind bars, was in the process of appealing the conviction when he died.
Morrison was allegedly drunk when he supposedly displayed his penis and began yelling at the crowd during the wild March 1, 1969 show at the Dinner Key Auditorium in Coconut Grove.
Band members say Morrison never exposed himself but was drunk and only teased the audience.
"It never actually happened. It was mass hypnosis," said Ray Manzarek, The Doors' keyboard player.
Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger said Morrison's behavior was influenced by an acting troupe that disrobed during plays.
"He was just doing a mind trip -- as they would say -- a mind trip on the audience and they totally fell for it," Manzarek said.
Some fans say the bandmates are telling the truth.
"We were watching and waiting because it was obvious that's where he was going with it," said Helene Davis, who was 18 when she attended the concert. "I just remembered thinking, 'Yes, it's going to happen! It's going happen! It's going to happen!' And it never did."
Some fans who were at the show feel otherwise.
"He actually unzipped and pulled his pants down a little bit, enough where you can see everything. I do remember being shocked when that happened, and definitely it happened," said Lee Winer, 56, who now lives north of San Francisco. "I can still picture it like it was yesterday."
Crist, who leaves office in January but had been considering the pardon since 2007, said he'd reviewed the evidence against Morrison and wasn't convinced he was guilty.
Morrison's widow, Patricia Kennealy Morrison, said Thursday that the pardon is a political ploy and that the conviction should be expunged or the verdict overturned. She said Morrison didn't expose himself and wouldn't be pleased with just a pardon.
Some, like Manzarek, say regardless of what happened at the concert or the outcome of the pardon, the Lizard King's legacy remains intact.
"Jim's legacy is one of Dionysian madness and frenzy and of a chaotic American poet," said Manzarek. "I don't think that the Miami episode has altered his image one iota."


text:
In 1954, Alfred Hitchcock released a movie about a man laid up after an injury, who may or may not have witnessed one of his neighbors disposing of a dead body. Starring Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly, two of the biggest stars he would ever work with, it would become one of the biggest hits of his career and go down in history as one the finest movies he ever made. It's a film that's not merely a murder mystery, but one absolutely rife with subtext.
"Rear Window".
"Rear Window" was shot shortly after director Alfred Hitchcock's previous film, "Dial M for Murder". Shooting on "Dial M" ending September 25 1953 and production began on "Rear Window" November 27 1953. In fact, the two films would be released a mere four months apart, with "Dial M" opening on May 29, 1954 and "Rear Window" opening August 1st that same year.
He would show no signs of lag, however.
The film is based on the 1942 short story "It Had To Be Murder", by Cornell Woolrich. Hitchcock hired John Michael Hayes to adapt the story into a screenplay. Hayes was a screenwriter and former writer for radio who had impressed Hitchcock with his appreciation of "Shadow of a Doubt". They would collaborate on four projects together ("Rear Window", "To Catch a Thief", "The Trouble With Harry", and the remake of "The Man Who Knew Too Much").
In adapting the story, Hitchcock and Hayes realized that it had a very narrow scope. The protagonist of the story only looks into one apartment, and there was no romance. The story was just a man suspecting he'd witnessed a murder. Hitchcock suggested adding a romance (reportedly inspired by the love affair between war photographer Robert Capa and actress Ingrid Bergman). He also suggested that prior to writing the female lead, Hayes spend time with the star who would play her, Grace Kelly.
"Rear Window" would be the second of three successive Hitchcock films starring Grace Kelly ("Dial M for Murder" and "To Catch a Thief" being the others). She was elegant and beautiful, and Hitchcock admired her greatly. She and Hitchcock had discussed "Rear Window" at length while she was still working with him on "Dial M for Murder", in spite of the fact that she hadn't been offered the role. The discussions would prove fortuitous, however. Kelly turned down the role of Edie Doyle in "On the Waterfront" (a part that would win Eva Marie Saint and Oscar) in order to work with Hitchcock again on "Rear Window".
For the film's hero, Hitchcock cast another of his frequent collaborators, Jimmy Stewart. "Rear Window" would be the second of four projects they would work on together, the previous being "Rope", with "The Man Who Knew Too Much" and "Vertigo" still ahead.
Stewart was Hollywood's "everyman", and Hitchcock knew he could capitalize on that relatability in the movie. In order to work out the deal with him, Stewart became one of the first actors to defer his salary for a percentage of this films profit, a practice which is commonplace today.
The entire film was shot on one enormous stage, which required months of planning and over a month of construction. At the time the set was the largest indoor set ever built at Paramount Studios. It measured 98 feet wide, 185 feet long and 40 feet high, and held 31 apartments, eight of which were completely furnished. Its final cost was 25% of the budget of the entire production, roughly $250,000.
Some of the buildings were the equivalent of five or six stories high. To accommodate, a higher ceiling on the studio building would have been required. When that proved unfeasible, Hitchcock instead had the production company tear out the floor of the studio, revealing the basement below. What the audience sees as the ground of the apartment courtyard was set 20 to 30 feet below stage level, and was originally the cellar level of the studio.
In order to simulate daylight, 1,000 giant arc lights were needed to light the set from overhead. More than 2,000 other miscellaneous lamps were necessary for supplemental lighting. So many lights were needed that the production had to borrow lights from Columbia and MGM. The bill for lighting alone came to nearly $100,000 ($95,584). Four different set ups were used, one for dawn, afternoon, dusk and night. Changing from one to the next took approximately 45 minutes. At one point the heat from the lighting system became so intense it caused the set's sprinkler system to go off. Fortunately, a drainage system had been installed to film the scenes in which it rains, and no damage was incurred.
While shooting, Hitchcock worked exclusively out of Stewart's character's apartment. The actors in other apartments wore flesh-colored earpieces so that he could radio his directions to them over short wave radio. With few exceptions, filming was done from that apartment, as well, shooting across out over the complex. The actors had to be very precise on their marks, because the cameras being used utilized long lenses which had very shallow depth of field. Focus would be lost if a movement varied just a few inches in either direction.
The film, notably, isn't scored. Unless music is actually playing from one of the other apartments during the story, no music is playing. The sound in the film was recorded on set, also from Stewart's point of view.
Hitchcock used these stratagems to create immersion… to put the audience in Stewart's shoes. Or should I say wheelchair?
Photographer H.B. Jeffries (Stewart) has broken his leg while on assignment, and is temporarily confined to a wheelchair with his leg in an enormous plaster cast. He passes the time by sitting near his apartment window, looking out across the courtyard, watching the activity in the windows across the way.
One rainy night he witnesses a man named Thorwald (Raymond Burr) make several trips out of his apartment carrying a large suitcase. It's the middle of the night, in the pouring rain. This strikes Jeffries as suspicious, and he begins to watch the man closely afterwards. He notices a pattern of odd events, such as the man wrapping a saw and a large knife in newspaper, and emptying his wife's purse to go through her jewelry (including her wedding ring). Jeffries no longer sees the man's wife in the apartment, either, even though she was bed ridden previously.
All of this leads him to conclude that the mysterious man across the way has committed a heinous act.
Hitchcock shows us something Jeffries doesn't know, however; a hole card if you will. While Jeffries sleeps, Thorwald and a woman are shown leaving his apartment, causing us to wonder for the rest of the film if the wife is actually alive and safe and Jeffries was wrong.
In spite of evidence to the contrary, (provided by a friend in the Police department), Jeffries refuses to give up on Thorwald as a suspect. When his girlfriend Lisa (Kelly) gets caught breaking into the man's apartment looking for evidence, things spin out of control.
"Rear Window" isn't just a murder mystery, however, it's a film with subtextual commentary on a number things.
Plainly, it's a movie about voyeurism and invasion of privacy. Jeffries looks in on the lives of a number of people, with no right or permission whatsoever. The characters openly question the ethics involved, but Jeffries is undeterred.
Other stories aside from the murder unfold in the other apartments as the movie goes on. A sculptor sculpts, a composer composes a song, "Miss Torso" fights off suitors awaiting the return of her lover from the military, while "Miss Lonely Heart" contemplates suicide over the fact that she can't find a mate.
The separation of the stories that unfold around the complex can be seen as a comment on the isolation of people in modern society. Though they have stories of their own, the neighbors rarely interact with each other. This sentiment is given voice during the film when the owner of the dead dog chastises the neighbors for not caring for each other. "You don't know the meaning of the word neighbors. Neighbors like each other, speak to each other, care if anybody lives or dies. But none of you do…"
"Rear Window" has a number of interesting things to say about relationships, also. Though love and relationships abound in the film, marriage is not portrayed well. Jeff and Lisa aren't married, and throughout the film, he resists her proposals to settle down. The newlywed couple are shown to lose their bliss rapidly, with the husband tiring of the wife's demands quickly. Of course, Thorwald kills his wife. Can the film be construed as an indictment of the institution?
The movie also has an interesting feminist angle to it. Jeffries' primary argument against marrying Lisa is that she wouldn't be able to cut it during travel and adventure on assignment with him. Yet he's an invalid in the film, incapable of leaving the apartment. So it's Lisa that does the investigative work requiring leaving the house and taking physical risks. She's the adventurer. Jeffries only really begins to fall for her once she becomes involved in the investigation. His eyes brighten for her and his enthusiasm for her picks up noticeably.
She acquits herself admirably during her forays and proves she's every bit as capable as he is. At the end of the film, she's seen reading "Beyond the High Himalayas"… before switching to Harper's Bazaar.
Finally, the film can also be seen as a metaphor for movies and movie audiences in particular.
"Rear Window" heavily utilizes the technique of "subjective cinema". It will show Stewart looking at something, show a shot of what he sees, then cut back to his reaction in order to illustrate his thoughts and feelings on what he's seen. The emphasis is on him, watching.
The windows and lives across the way are Jeffries' movie screen. The display provides sexual situations, romance, music, and murder. Sometimes, nothing interesting at all, yet he still watches. At times, Jeffries identifies with the people across the way, at other times, he judges them. He sees their problems thinks about his. He's powerless to actually enter the picture, yet he can't stop watching. During this time, he himself does little aside from commenting on the activities. It's a commentary on "watching", from a filmmaker, during the advent of the television era.
His involvement in the murder represents the audience's desire to live out the fantasies they experience onscreen, to immerse themselves in the fantasy and to take part in it. Thorwald's frightening intrusion into Jeffries' apartment, meanwhile, could be seen to represent Hitchcock's desire to bring terror to life for people. To bring the fear right off of the screen and to them.
Principal photography was completed by January 1954, having taken approximately eight weeks. It was completed on schedule and on budget, with hardly any notable difficulties reported. The overall budget barely exceeded $1,000,000. It was a critical and commercial success upon release, drawing rave contemporary reviews and earning over ten times its budget in its initial run (its lifetime domestic tally, including re-releases is $36,764,31).
"Rear Window" was nominated for four Academy Awards: Best Director for Hitchcock, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Sound. It came home empty-handed, however (the big movie that year was Elia Kazan's "On the Waterfront"). Hitchcock, famously, never won an Oscar for Best Director, though he was nominated five separate times. He was awarded the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 1968. The Thalberg award is an honorary Oscar, awarded to "creative producers, whose bodies of work reflect a consistently high quality of motion picture production."
When AFI's 100 Years…100 Movies was released, "Rear Window" ranked #42. It held steady on the 10th Anniversary edition at #48. When they released their "10 Top 10" series, they ranked the film as the third greatest American mystery movie of all time. It's also an extremely popular film to this day, ranking #28 on the IMDB Top 250 list.
In 1997, Rear Window was added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
It's a movie that's a great murder mystery on its face, but one that has so much deeper meaning to explore, without sacrificing any of its entertainment value whatsoever. It's easily one of Alfred Hitchock's best films, and one of the greatest movies of all time.
It's definitely a "Movie That Everyone Should See".


text:
Laser Cut Gallery 002
This collection comprises of a stunning selection of intricate laser-cut designs. The outer laser-cut card is available in several colours. With the right choice of insert, you can achieve the desired look to fit in your wedding theme. The wide choice of embellishments will also help create a complete look to 'wow' your guests.


text:
Online Dating in Corona for Free
|Meet thousands of local Corona singles, as the worlds largest dating site we make dating in Corona easy! Plentyoffish is 100% Free, unlike paid dating sites. You will get more interest and responses here than all paid dating sites combined! Over 1,500,000 Daters login every day to Plentyoffish.com, we are the market leader in Canada, UK, Australia, US, Ireland and New Zealand, so come meet and chat with other Corona singles Register HERE