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WEDDING- Behind the shots: Weird, wild, wonderful wedding moments
From sleepy ringbearers to monkey-like groomsmen, these pics show that weddings can be even more fun when spontaneity reigns.
Aaron Watson, Aaron Watson Photography
"The ring-bearer had completed his lone task (or so he thought) of walking the rings down the aisle and therefore decided it would be alright to reward himself with a little nap," says Watson, who discovered the sleeping boy on the alter steps about 15 minutes into the ceremony.
"Apparently, no one told him he was supposed to walk out with the bridal party as well," Watson recalls.
The impromptu nap prompted laughter from the wedding party and audience, and after an additional 30 minutes of snoozing, the ring-bearer was finally carried out behind the wedding party as apparently, says Watson, "nothing could wake him."
Jen Fariello, Jen Fariello Photography
The reception was already heating up when this groom, donning his tie as a headband, took to the stage for AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long." Not to be outdone, his bride joined in, and the two shook the reception all night long.
"Everyone was cheering," says Fariello.
Billy Hunt, Billy Hunt Photography
No bride wants to jinx her big day by allowing her groom to glimpse her before the anointed hour. This bride averted such a disaster, says Hunt, by wielding her bouquet as a face-blocking device when she spotted her husband-to-be peering through a window minutes before the ceremony, cracking her mother up in the process.
Jason Keefer, Jason Keefer Photography
A stately walk turned silly when this bride and groom got in the groove and started "struttin' their stuff," says Keefer.
Sarah Cramer, Sarah Cramer Photography
With the formal event behind them but pictures still to come, this bridal party couldn't wait for the reception to get the party started. Passing a 7-Eleven store en route to the reception, the bus made an emergency stop for some brews, and then kept on rollin'.
Will Walker, William Walker Photography
When a palm tree calls, says Will Walker, sometimes groomsmen answer... 'nuff said.


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Adult Female Northern Harrier, originally uploaded by djbartling.
nice one Don.
West County Hawkwatch 2019/2020 Event dates are listed below, More dates coming soon. We are a North Bay Area, (Ca.) group bringing attention to North American Birds of Prey and the threats they face. We provide Identification and Education Programs, Hikes, Tours and ID Workshops. We also monitor encroachment of wind turbines into the North Bay, we do Nest Site protection, Raptor Migration counts, Studies and Documentation. Donations received fund youth Educational and Book Programs.
nice one Don.

subset: commoncrawl


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Over the Line, Smokey! has never had anal oil leakage but sympathizes with those whose drawers may have suffered such an insult.
A whopping 84% of 'white tuna' was actually escolar, the snake mackerel fish that causes oily anal leakage and was banned by the FDA until 1992. It is still banned in Japan, Italy, and requires warning labels regarding the leaky discharge in Canada, Sweden, and Denmark.
I hope our horrified readers will vote to support and strengthen the important government agencies that should be protecting us from these sorts of things, but of course these are the agencies that the richest of the rich are trying to eliminate. You know, Mitt Romney et al doesn't eat white tuna from a can. Of course, he also doesn't give an oil about our libraries, fire protection, post office, roads, mass transit, gun control and other things that the commoners use. Republicans want to weaken all government agencies so they can sell more stuff that ruins our underwear, without interference from the law, the truth, accurate labeling or common sense. Over the Line, Smokey! simply asks Americans to WAKE THE FUCK UP!


text: The excercises in the new Internal Control DVD seem so profound it's almost hard to believe they can be so simple and straight forward. From all levels of stress great and small, we can learn to identify what's going on inside of us, work through it and then conciously recover. It just seems so impo..read more >>


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Any time Mark Ruffalo's name appears in the cast of any project, you know he will be giving an absolutely perfect performance. Hence, he is one of the most successful, sought after Hollywood actors
Award-winning filmmaker James Cameron's fascination with the sea began as a youngster when he was inspired by "The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau," popular television specials that aired in the 1960s and 1970s
Once in a while, someone decides to revive an old chestnut and sometimes it's a waste of time and sometimes it's fun to welcome an old theatrical friend
Neil LaBute is a playwright who doesn't shy away from theatrical blood letting and his play "In A Dark Dark House," which is a guest production on stage at The Matrix, is yet another of LaBute's fascinating
Produced by Michael Myers and written by Ron House, Diz White, Alan Shearman, and John Neville-Andrews, this revival, originally performed almost 40 years ago in London
Casey Affleck is the kid brother of Ben and like his brother has been racking up a string of films including "The Assassination of Jesse James" for which he garnered an Academy Award nomination
What more can you say about one of the world's most gifted actresses? We have watched Australian-born Cate Blanchett transform herself on the big screen creating a myriad of distinctly different characters
Gloria Steinem launched the pioneering, feminist Msmagazine, which tackled such subjects as domestic violence and other pertinent issues of the day as well as participating in the creation of New York magazine for which she wrote a political column
Derek Luke's life reads like a lovely and sometimes not so lovely fairy tale. Born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey, his early years were less than idyllic
The award-winning Rogue Machine scores again with John Pollono's world premiere production of "Lost Girls," a dramedy that explores the embers of a failed marriage as well as the emotional dynamics of a working class family
The documentary "Bridegroom" is a touching, tragic love story about a beautiful young gay couple - Shane Bitney Crone, originally from a small, conservative town in Montana, and his partner, Tom Bridegroom, from equally conservative Indiana
Belgium actor Johan Heldenbergh is an amazing multi-talented man. He is the writer of the original play "The Broken Circle Breakdown" and played the lead character of Didier
Ralph Fiennes exploded on screen in his mesmerizing performance as Amon Goeth, the psychotic Nazi commandant in Steven Spielberg's "Schindler's List
The Second City's "A Christmas Carol – Twist Your Dickens!" on stage at the Kirk Douglas Theatre is the perfect antidote to the holiday tradition condition
In a breathtaking display of percussive and movement virtuosity, this troop of young performers were mesmerizing with their astounding creativity
Hershey Felder has carved out a very successful career in the United States and Europe as a composer, musician, and actor, primarily known for his one-man shows that embody some of the greatest composers
In an electrifying tour-de-force, Barry McGovern, flooded the Kirk Douglas Theatre with a tidal wave of some of the famed author/playwright 's most savory, provocative, and obtuse prose in "I'll Go On"
Once again, a play, written and directed by Isabella Biffi, based on Herman Hesse's iconic novel, has emanated from an Italian prison, this one from Milan's Opera jail
Vera Farmigas'latest film,"At Middleton," in which she co-stars with Andy Garcia, garnered her the Best Actress award from the Boston Society of Film Critics
"The Whipping Man," written by award-winning playwright Matthew Lopez, is a fascinating, complex, unique play, and by far one of the most provocative pieces of material the West Coast Jewish Theatre has produced
Santa Monica High School students Jennifer Gsell and Quinn D'Andrea have been named winners of the 2014 National YoungArts Foundation in the discipline of popular voice
"Brief Encounter," in its Los Angles premiere at the Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts Center, miraculously blends the two genres, creating an evening of what I would like to call Theatrical Cinema
We all know that Jason Bateman is a wonderfully versatile actor with a special comedic gift that he brings full throttle to his first directorial effort in "Bad Words"
Violent family feuds are part and parcel of Americana, the most notorious one being between The Hatfields and The McCoys, which began in 1865 and resulted in around one dozen deaths
With the tragic death of Philip Seymour Hoffman from a cocktail of heroin, cocaine, and several other drugs, he became another number in the tens of thousands of people who succumb to deadly drug addiction annually
For those of you who might be wondering who is Ruth Draper and why is she being channeled by Annette Bening, in "Ruth Draper's Monologues," currently on stage at The Geffen Playhouse, the answer is simple
At the end of this play, a lot of the audience milled around the lobby asking each other if they could explain what just happened on the stage
For those of you who are purists and would prefer to not see this ground-breaking American folk opera fiddled with in any way, you may very well have problems with the American Repertory Theater's version of "The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess,"
Director, writer, and cinematographer Jeremy Saulnier and Macon Blair, who has the starring role in "Blue Ruin," are childhood friends who grew up in Alexandria,Virginia
Writers such as Chekov, Ibsen, John Steinbeck, or Arthur Miller, have used their art form to shine a light on the inequities, hypocrisies, and family struggles inherent in the socio/economic/political structures present at any given time in history
"Le Chef" is a delicious, starry-eyed food adventure that will keep you thoroughly entertained from the opening playful animated fruit and vegetables dancing to Nicola Piovani's whimsical musical score
Paul Haggis is one of Hollywood's most highly respected writer-producer- directors, having racked up two consecutive Best Film Oscars for "Million Dollar Baby," directed by Clint Eastwood, and "Crash,"
Most people of a certain age might remember that wonderful quote from "All About Eve" – "Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy night
A lovely invitation arrived from the folks at Visit Temecula Valley inviting a select group of travel writers to cover their annual Balloon and Wine Festival
Once in a while a trip comes along that is the quintessential luxurious experience and for me the tour of Swiss Deluxe Hotels gets the prize
Generally speaking, the "Breathe In" narrative is quite formulaic, as we've seen the story of older man falls in love with younger woman and the painful consequences of these illicit liaisons, vis-à-vis the suffering wife and shocked family
Under The Skin is a story that revolves around an alien who inhabits a human body
Rooney Mara was born into sports "royalty." She is the daughter of Timothy Christopher Mara, executive of the New York Giants football team, and Kathleen McNulty, granddaughter of Art Rooney, Sr., founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers
Many of us remember crowding around a black-and-white TV set every Saturday night to watch "The Lawrence Welk Show" featuring the adorable, squeaky-clean Lennon Sisters who entertained audiences on his show for thirteen years, beginning in 1965
The absurdity of global politics better than Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, tickled audiences with their long-running BBC series "Yes Minister" and "Yes, Prime Minister," which unmercifully skewed the British political system.
'One Night in Miami' Invoking poetic license, Powers takes us through a hypothetical gathering of Clay's closest three friends, all of whom are at pivotal points in their careers, and creates a powerful, entertaining evening of theatre.
The name Robert Davi might not be immediately recognizable until you see his face and then you'll remember that he one of the film industry's quintessential tough guys going as far back to 1996 when he played a villain in "Profiler"
Shannon is currently starring in Ariel Vromen's film "The Iceman" in which he plays contract hit man Richard Kuklinski. Among the film's co-stars are Ray Liotta, Winona Ryder, David Schwimmer, Chris Evans, Robert Davi, and a James Franco cameo
With the toe-tapping 1920s music of Richard Halpern & His Band filling the air of the Fairmont Miramar Hotel's luscious outdoor setting, smiling guests arrived attired in their finest vintage costumes
"The Irish Curse," a rip-roaring comedy/drama that ultimately delves deeply into the psychological effects on men who are anatomically challenged and how it impacts on their lives
Pickett has adapted his novel and turned it into a captivating World Premiere theatrical version currently on stage at the Ruskin Group Theatre
Director Hanauer's dynamite cast, coupled with a clever script, makes for a light-hearted evening of theatre and in the words of the Bard, "All's Well That End's Well" or a mutually assured evening of enjoyment
"By The Way, Meet Vera Stark," which takes us through the life and times of Stark, premiered at the Second Stage Theatre in New York and makes its West Coast debut at the Geffen Playhouse
Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith's "The Gift" recently premiered at the Geffen Playhouse and this is one gift you might want to return
Mark Webber is a talented, sensitive young filmmaker whose latest film, "The End of Love," which he wrote, directed, and starred in, is a semi-biographical, beautifully crafted story about the struggles of a widower father
Boyle's latest film, 'Trance," is an action-packed mystery crime thriller with fascinating twists and turns that begin with the heist of a valuable Goya painting that goes awry
Texas born and bred, Dennis Quaid is a consummate actor whose impressive acting career has been on-screen since 1977 when he played a baseball pitcher in "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden." Since then, he has appeared in over 70 films
Colin Firth does it again in his 360-degrees different character of Arthur Newman in the film of the same name. Co-starring Emily Blunt, the film explores the quest for life-changing decisions and takes the viewer through that odyssey
In a tribute to Herb Gardner's brilliant play which, through his comically sharp dialogue, explores a myriad of social issues, not only has this play survived the passage of time, but is as relevant and funny today as it was twenty-eight years ago
Benjamin Bratt is a familiar face both on television and on the big screen. His breakout role was that of detective Rey Curtis playing opposite the legendary Jerry Orbach in the long-running television series "Law & Order"
Morgan Freeman's vast body of consistently solid work, an actor who has graced the both the big and little screens with calm determination and a most distinctive voice. He is held in the highest esteem as one of Hollywood's most respected actors
The gastronomical experience you'll have in Belgium surely cannot begin to prepare you for the tasty days that lie before you in this tiny, pure white diamond of a country
Angelina Jolie,the most famous, most photographed woman in the world whose significant other, Brad Pitt, is equally as famous as both an actor and activist
Part 1 focused on Li Cwerneu, a restaurant located in the town of Huy, whose "Cuisine Intuitive" earned owner/chef Arabelle Meirlaen a Michelin star. Part 2 is a general overview of some of the most famous, mouth-watering taste experiences of Belgium
Ojai – a soothing retreat from the assaults of every day Los Angeles living and the Ojai Visitors Bureau wants you to experience it for yourselves
The playwright explores the life and times of a colorful cast of characters who struggle with friendships, betrayal, unemployment, financial challenges, desperation, single parenting, and a host of topics with which these folks are dealing
"Why We Have A Body," a Rainbow Theatre Company production currently being performed at the Edgemar Center for the Arts
Belgium surely cannot begin to prepare you for the tasty days that lie before you in this tiny, pure white diamond of a country
Born in the Bronx, New York, Danny Arroyo has always had a knack for acting. In between football and reading the art of acting unknowingly grew on him as a career. Till this day, Danny Arroyo has acted with some of Hollywood's most elite actors
Every once in a while a production comes along that is sheer perfection. Noel Coward's timeless "Private Lives," on stage at the International City Theatre, at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, is one of those rare theatrical experiences
Following sampling a delightful array of dishes from his L.A. Farm tasting menu, your reporter sat down with this most lively, spirited chef for an interview that has been edited for print purposes.
At a recent press conference, Wang sat down with a group of select journalists to talk about his latest film, "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
"The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity," hit the Geffen Playhouse with a thunderous body slam, dazzling the senses with a profusion of sights, sounds, and crisp dialogue that could be described as brilliant prose poetry
To use a medical metaphor, The Los Angeles premiere of James Sherman's comedy "The God of Isaac," presented by the West Coast Jewish Theatre, could be described as "the operation was successful but the patient died."
The Pier del Sol's annual fundraiser for Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC,) the world's largest sports organization offering year-round training programs, and competitions for individuals with intellectual disabilities
In an effort to set the record straight, writer-director Terry Jastrow researched that period and tried to interview people who were directly affected by her activities, including war veterans, most of whom refused to cooperate
Topher Grace's foray into show business began at the ripe old age of 20 at which time he was a student at USC. He was cast in "That 70s Show" and thus embarked on the road to a successful acting career.
Martin Sheen is one of America's most talented and revered treasures who moves seamlessly from film, to television, to stage
Estevez's latest film is "The Way," an inspirational, poignant film, beautifully written and directed, and stars Martin Sheen as Tom, an ophthalmologist who lives a very cushy, insulated California life
Anne Archer has been one of Hollywood's favorite on-screen wives.She currently plays Jane Fonda in "Jane Fonda in the Court of Public Opinion," a play written and directed by Terry Jastrow, on stage at the Edgemar Center for the Arts
In Part 2 of this deeply personal interview, Sheen candidly discusses his spiritual re-awakening and the responsibilities it created. The following conversation was conducted in the Tavis Smiley Green Room and has been edited for print purposes
West Coast Jewish Theatre's production of David Ives' brilliant, exquisitely written "New Jerusalem," on stage at the Pico Playhouse, is pure theatrical and intellectual magic
Born in Bunic (Korenica) in 1946, Šerbedžija graduated from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb and has gone on to become one of the greatest Croatian stage and screen actors
"Man On A Ledge," directed by Asger Leth, this is a caper movie with lots of plot twists and turns. The cast includes Ed Harris, Edward Burns, Jamie Bell, Anthony Mackie, Titus Welliver, Genesis Rodriguez, and Kyra Sedgwick
Die hard New Yorker Edward Burns recently sat down with a select group of journalists to discuss, among other topics, his latest film, "Man On A Ledge," a fun pop-corn caper film loaded with interesting twists and turns.
Santa Monica resident Joseph Culp grew up the son of Hollywood icon, Robert Culp. He has carved out a successful career as an actor, writer, and filmmaker
"Martha Marcy May Marlene," is a compelling psychological thriller that mines the depths of the cult experience of a young woman played by Elizabeth Olsen, who gives a break out, "Oscar buzz" performance as the troubled Martha.
In Part 2 of the interview, Jolie talks in depth about her humanitarian awakening and how it impacts on her family
Kicking off the awards season, under the leadership of President Mirjana Van Blaricom, the International Press Academy held its 16th Annual Satellite Awards™ on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011 at the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California
See recently sat down with a select group of journalists to discuss the film "Snow Flower and the Hidden Fan" which was adapted for the screen from her novel
"Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" is a visually stunning, epic film directed by Wayne Wang ("The Joy Luck Club")
For those of you who remember Robert Redford's stunning portrayal of the magical horse whisperer in "The Horse Whisperer," it will be a special treat to meet Buck Brannaman, the gentleman cowboy on whom Redford's character was based
"Superior Donuts," a superb script written by Tracy Letts, takes place in a family donut shop located in a run-down part of Chicago. The owner is the equally run-down Arthur Przybyszewski, brilliantly portrayed by Gary Cole
The world premiere of David Wiener's "Extraordinary Chambers," on stage at the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, is a stunning fictional drama, directed with great skill by Pam MacKinnon, about a couple who visit Cambodia
When the award-winning actor Ewan McGregor was a young boy of six, he watched wide-eyed with amazement the dazzling performance by Alec Guinness in the role of Ben 'Obi-Wan' Kenobi in "Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope"
Jodie Foster is one of Hollywood's most respected and highest paid actors whose compelling performances have brought her Academy Awards and multiple nominations
When award-winning chef Scott Conant opened his Scarpetta restaurant in New York's chic Meatpacking District in 2008, it received three-star reviews from The New York Times and New York magazines, both selected it as among the top ten new restaurants
Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been in show business since he was three and has managed to gracefully transition from child star to young leading man
Still smiling from the Renaissance dinner blast the night before, which you are encouraged to experience for yourself, we headed to Ponesice to visit the local distillery that produces plum, pear, apricot, carrot, honey, and black current spirits
The Czech Republic is a tiny jewel of a country that you could drive through in one day. Although Prague is the most popular destination, the rest of the country abounds in the most charming towns and villages that are packed with historic treasures
Orlando Bloom's chiseled face first became familiar when he starred as Legolas Greenleaf in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy
Mark Ruffalo is a compelling actor who rivets your eyes to the screen no matter what character he is playing
Being an accomplished, competitive gymnast, as well as an award-winning dancer, might very easily have prepared her a bit for her role as Bethany Hamilton in "Soul Surfer," the compelling true story of a teen surfer
For lovers of Frank Sinatra, Big Band music, as well as a nostalgic glimpse into the earlier challenges of shooting a television show, Hoboken to Hollywood, billed as "A Journey Through the Great American Songbook," is a veritable musical and visual treat
For a unique, exciting theatrical experience, Tim Robbins' Break The Whip, on stage at The Ivy Substation, is just the ticket
Dermot Mulroney started his film career making movies for television in 1986 moving on to the big screen in 1988 playing Michael Alperin in Sunset, starring Bruce Willis as Tom Mix and James Garner as Wyatt Earp
When Dame Helen Mirren walked into the pressroom, one was quite tempted to stand up and courtesy as she is undisputedly one of cinema's most gifted actors and is most outspoken
Andy Garcia is one of Hollywood's most respected and talented actors having starred in an array of successful films
The first time I saw Andy Garcia was in "The Untouchables" and I remember being mesmerized by the young actor who lit up the screen with his compelling presence
Ask anyone about Malibu, California and they will probably mention that it's the home of movie stars, beautiful beaches with golden haired surfers riding the Pacific Ocean waves, or the devastating mudslides or fires that endanger or destroy multi-million dollar homes
Jet Tila is the Executive Chef of the beautiful Wazuzu restaurant at the Encore, Las Vegas, the signature resort in the Wynn collection. He is a rising star and expert in Pan-Asian cuisine. Your reporter recently sat down with this young, successful chef for an exclusive interview
In what is clearly one of the most prominent social events of the season, The American Red Cross of Santa Monica held its annual, glittering Red Tie Affair on Saturday, April 9 at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel
Ed Harris is recognized as one of the most gifted actors of our time. His body of work includes some of Hollywood's most memorable films, three of which are on the American Film Institute's "100 Most Inspiring Movies of All Times:" "A Beautiful Mind,"
Jim Sturgess is a young British actor who has racked up credits on British television and cinema
Dennis Quaid has the 'right stuff' and has been an award-winning film star for decades
Liv Tyler is no stranger to the big screen having established herself as a talented actress as a half-elven maiden in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy that catapulted her into an international star
Actor and comedian Rainn Wilson is primarily known for his role as Dwight, the paper salesman on the American version of "The Office" for which he was an Emmy nominee twice
Born in Nova Scotia, Halifax, Ellen Page's breakout role was in "Hard Candy," a story about a young woman who entraps a pedophile and the physical and psychological damage she inflicts upon him
There was something extra special about this particular opening night at the Ahmanson. The excitement was palpable as Hollywood stars, including the indomitable Cher, showed up to support one of America's most accomplished actresses – Miss Jane Fonda
Opening on the heels of the recent massacre in Tucson, Arizona, Neil LaBute's "The Break of Noon" is especially timely as it shines a light on one man's coping mechanism in the aftermath of the mass murder in his office resulting in the loss of 37 lives
"Oklahoma where the wind comes sweeping down the plain…
…When the wind comes right behind the rain…"
Of course, these are lyrics from the wonderful musical "Oklahoma" and can easily be applied to the weather conditions greeting the 26th edition of Film Independent's Spirit Awards
In these times of two or three line Facebook postings, abbreviated Twitter tweets, fast foods, sitcoms that toss commercials in your face every fifteen minutes, and an expectation of instant gratification where we are instructed to "cut to the chase"
Katharine Ross is one of America's national treasures having acted in two of the most famous films ever made – "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," and "The Graduate," from which the Simon & Garfunkel song "Mrs. Robinson" hit #1 on Billboard
Tom Griffin's poignant "The Boys Next Door," a revival on stage at the Santa Monica Promenade Playhouse, is the story of four mentally challenged men who live together in a shared apartment and how they interact with the world around them
The 3rd Annual Los Angeles Irish Film Festival, compiled by Lisa McLaughlin-Strassman and Juli C. Laselle, took place last weekend
Steve Stajich's The Imp, presented by Bigfoot and the Fanatic Salon in Culver City, not only hits the mark, but goes well beyond any inherent limitations
Whatever your musical tastes were back in the late 50s and early 60s, there's no denying the extraordinary success of Pat Boone
This portion of the exclusive, deeply personal interview with the iconic Pat Boone focuses on his career and family challenges, as well as his future personal and professional plans
Arthur Miller's classic, All My Sons, at the Ruskin Group Theatre, is an intense story about a family caught up in living a big lie as a consequence of corporate greed
America Ferrera has finally left Ugly Betty behind her and one could consider her work in The Dry Land as her most adult, dramatic acting job to date
Vincent Cassel is a French actor who has appeared in over twenty-five films in France and the United States but he has not been a highly recognizable actor to American audiences
With soaring Cyprus trees framing the intimate Ford Amphitheatre stage, over 1,000 devoted fans gathered to hear the well-known Los Angeles Jewish Symphony
Ryan O'Nan is basically an unknown with mostly television credits in his relatively short career. But watch out
Taylor Hackford has directed some of Hollywood's most outstanding films including The Devil's Advocate, An Officer and a Gentleman, White Nights, Dolores Claiborne, and Proof of Life
Four Places by Joel Drake Johnson is a slice of life drama, best described in the Paddy Chayefsky tradition of "kitchen drama"
Opus is the story of the Lazara String Quartet, a fictional high-profile ensemble preparing for a White House performance
This powerful play, written by George Stevens, Jr., and directed with the utmost of delicate skill by Leonard Foglia, is a 95-minute monologue and was recently performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington D.C


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Snow days! Those joyful days when school is canceled because of the snow is the only redeeming quality of growing up in shitty weather. But some schools are stripping that joy away, they're experimenting with hosting classes online. NOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Well, to be honest, I've never had the honor to experience a snow day. So all I can go off by is that one crappy movie and what east coasters have told me, which is plenty: having school canceled by snow is a big reason why snow exists. Come on, no school because of weather? Awesome! Running outside to build snowmens and start snowball fights? Sign me up! Who cares if you have to have school tacked on at the end, I'd take free days now and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.
But the AP is reporting that there's a movement where schools from New York to Kansas City to Ohio are pushing for virtual school days when the snow is bad. The idea is to keep students on pace with the curriculum, which I guess is fine but there doesn't seem to be any sort of standardization in how to do this:
The first experiments with virtual snow days began a few years ago as individual teachers started logging on during poor weather to drill older students. Since then, entire schools and districts have joined in, using websites such as Skype and YouTube to keep students as young as kindergarten studying during storms.
An obvious concern is that some households don't have access to decent enough internet to actually partake in these virtual classes. The bigger concern is that taking away snow days would be stripping away childhood memories that shape people more than virtual school ever would. Don't ruin future generations, people! [AP]
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Aleksandar Todorovic


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Rapid Industry Changes No Concern to J&J IT Director, Stevens Alumna
Adjusting to the times is Tammy Rambaldi's specialty. Over the course of her career, the Stevens alumna has kept up with waves of change in information technology, always anchored by the computer science foundations she gained in her undergraduate work.
"Computing languages and tools change frequently, but the basics of business analysis, data analysis and coding don't," said Rambaldi, who earned her B.S. in Computer Science from Stevens in 1992. "Stevens provided the groundwork to be successful in an information technology career."
Rambaldi always had a good head on her shoulders. A Clifton, N.J. native, she was valedictorian of her high school with an aptitude for mathematics and an interest in problem-solving. Even as a teenager, she was already thinking long-term about what course of study would offer her the most opportunistic career path, especially in the sluggish economy of the late '80s and early '90s.
"I wanted to major in something that would give me job options, even as a new college graduate," she said. "At the time, Computer Science was a fairly new major at Stevens, and I had no programming experience going in. But it was a growing field and that was attractive to me."
It didn't take long for Rambaldi to realize she'd made the right choice. While commuting to Stevens and pursuing the five-year plan, she worked part-time for a computer reseller, which exposed her to practical applications of her undergraduate coursework and solidified her interest in the field. Then, through Stevens Career Services, Rambaldi was offered a full-time job at Johnson & Johnson (J&J) even before she graduated.
"It was a terrible economy and the job market was awful, but Stevens students all did just fine," she recalled. "It was clear employers saw the value of a Stevens education."
Upon graduation, Rambaldi began a six month trainee program at J&J in which she was exposed to all of the different IT functions with the company, from the data center to help desk support to programming. She ultimately took on a permanent position in programming while also pursuing her MBA in Management at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU), a degree she earned in1998.
Rambaldi's first chance to manage a team came when she left J&J for a position at Covance, a contract research organization which ran clinical trials. There, Rambaldi worked as a senior programmer and clinical systems team technical manager.
"This was leading into the dotcom era when IT was really hot," Rambaldi said. "There were lots of really fun things to do and it was a great environment for my first managerial job."
After three years at Covance, Rambaldi went to work for Pfizer, although that wasn't originally her intention. In 1999, she was hired to be an IT manager at Warner-Lambert, a major pharmaceutical company. But even before her first day of work, Pfizer and Warner-Lambert merged. She jokes that she might have been the last person the company ever hired.
Over the next seven years at Pfizer, Rambaldi managed larger and larger IT teams that supported a number of business functions, including R&D systems, supply chain and data warehousing.
In a coincidental twist, Pfizer was then acquired by J&J, and Rambaldi ended up back at the same company that launched her career.
Today, Rambaldi combines her background in technology, computer systems and the healthcare industry to manage one of the most important corporate functions at J&J – IT compliance. As director of security and privacy and IT risk management, she is responsible for IT security and information privacy across J&J Pharmaceuticals businesses, a heavily-regulated area.
Always at the edge of her field, this is the space where Rambaldi wants to concentrate her career in the near future.
"There is so much change in information security, particularly around mobile devices," Rambaldi said. "There is always something new to learn and do."
She's certain she can continue to keep up with the rapidly-evolving industry, even as she raises her seven-year-old daughter and learns Mandarin Chinese with her husband in her free time.
"The key to coming up with a good IT end product is knowing how to architect a solution, and Stevens gave me that knowledge," she said.


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Seared: Customer bolts after appliance snafu
"It appears that no one at Sears, including the general manager, cares about customer relations. I have a few more months to pay off the charge for the appliances, and when I do I will return my charge card. I will no longer be a Sears customer."
That's how Janet Rockafellow ended her letter to Charlottesville Sears manager Robert Cox, in which she described what had happened after she bought five appliances from his store.
Since Sears has refused to comment, we have only Rockafellow's version of events. Rockafellow contacted me after reading my column two weeks ago about the difficulties Robert Garland had when he bought a refrigerator from Sears ["Cold shoulder," November 3].
Garland's problems were entirely with the Lynchburg-based delivery service, which had promised and failed twice to deliver the refrigerator before finally getting it right.
Rockafellow's complaints were with both the delivery service and the store. At that point she was still living in New Jersey, but she and her husband were building a house at Lake Monticello. Although the builder "gives an allowance at Sears and orders for you," she explained in an email to me, "I found I could get better prices by shopping myself. Little did I know!"
Rockafellow bought the appliances during a May trip to check on the house's progress. "The delivery date the salespeople wrote down was incorrect," she claimed in her letter to Cox, "and the delivery service tried to deliver them a month early. When the appliances were delivered on the correct date, three were damaged and returned by the builder."
According to Rockafellow, it took "numerous" phone calls from New Jersey to the Charlottesville appliance department before one was finally returned. The next week the refrigerator, which was one of the three appliances that had been damaged, was replaced– but, she claims, the replacement was also damaged "and appeared to be a floor model."
When she finally reached the appliance manager by phone, she wrote Cox, "I was told she would call back within the hour, which needless to say did not happen."
When Rockafellow returned to close on her house, she "tried calling the appliance department again without success."
Eventually she reached Cox's assistant, after which "the appliance manager finally called me and asked me to wash off the marks on the refrigerator! I told her I would try, but the marks were not dirt but deep scratches, and when I called back to tell her so, she again was unavailable and did not return my call."
Rockafellow says she went to the store that evening and talked to both the appliance manager and the salesman who had sold her the refrigerator. "I was told that it was impossible to reorder that particular model, for whatever reason, but that I would be given a better one for the same price, and an additional 10 percent discount, which I accepted."
The refrigerator was delivered and the damaged one removed– but, Rockafellow wrote Cox, "after studying my numerous sales slips, I found that the refrigerator that I had just returned, and that had been delivered damaged and [was] possibly a floor model, was not even the model that I had bought in the first place!"
The last straw was the bill Rockafellow received, on which it appeared that she had been charged twice for the washer and dryer. More calls ensued. In their last conversation, Rockafellow wrote, "you agreed that my bill was wrong and would send me a corrected one and have it in my hands when I returned from vacation September 16. I never heard from you again."
Cox refused to discuss Rockafellow's situation, saying that he was "being told by the company" not to talk to me. Instead, he said he would call Rockafellow and declared, "We'll do whatever we can to make it right."
Do you have a consumer problem or question? Email the Fearless Consumer or write her at Box 4553, Charlottesville 22905.


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You are currently browsing the tag archive for the 'swings' tag.
Is there anything bleaker than waking up in the morning and realising that you literally have nothing planned with your three-year-old other than a trip to the local park? OK, I do realise lots of things are bleaker – war, drug addiction and child poverty being just three – but some days I actually think I'd rather go to a warzone than my local playground (there are those who might say on particularly grim low-lit February mornings it resembles one, with its expanse of pockmarked concrete, and drifts of flyblown litter).
I haven't quite plumbed the exact depths of exactly why it affects me this way (I need a few more years of therapy for that), but going to my local playpark makes me feel like a total misfit. My child is generally the only one having a full-blown, blue-in-the-face tantrum on the swings ('I SAID, push me FASTER mummy!). The other mothers always seem to be in tight little gaggles of twos and threes. Their children are always perfectly dressed. They are generally in the bland suburban uniform of jeans, some kind of padded jacket and Ugg boots. Unlike me, they look perfectly, happily at home there, amidst the three-wheel Bugaboos and Micro scooters, the Jojo Maman Bebe playsuits and Baby Bjorn carriers. I look at them, and think 'they'll never want to talk to me.'
I'm aware this makes me sound like I am the one who has the problem (and in a way it's true), and it's my fault for living somewhere where wearing a pair of Converse trainers or reading The Guardian marks you out as a wacky leftfield individualist who dares to have their own thoughts occasionally, not just ones they saw in the Daily Mail (OK, I exaggerate, but not that much). But it's true that there are few places where I feel more like an outsider than the park. Just the thought of going there instantly makes me feel inferior, stressed, weird and very, very bored indeed.
That isn't the only reason I dread the park, however. There are the constant tantrums, as described before. There is generally the threat of one of the much older, rather aggressive school children who permanently seem to inhabit the under-7s play areas viciously kicking my son in the head on the climbing frame. There is the vague threat that my own child might accidentally hit or punch a younger child, leading to a minor law suit. There is the fact that an evil ice-cream vendor permanently parks his van outside the gates, which means I will inevitably have to fork out £2 for an ice-cream for my son on the way home.
There is the general fear that, while I look away for a split second, my son will tumble off one of the climbing frames, and smash his head in. And there is the slightly tense air of competitiveness amongst parents to get on the damned equipment to begin with, whether it's claiming a turn on the swing or getting in line for the slides. I just can't bear the middle-class elbows-out-ness of it all.
Ok, I grudgingly admit it – it's nice to see my son's enjoyment on the slide and roundabout. I want him to learn how to climb, and get a few adrenalin-based thrills on the slide. But, generally, when I take him, it is one of those selfless moments that as a mother I must practice every day, as I do something I would rather not, as I eavesdrop on blood-pressure raising conversations about catchment areas (my son got our 6th choice of primary school, so please just shut up!) and feel the hours of my life slipping away, every rotation of the roundabout another second not spent doing something more edifying. But I love my son, so I take him to the park anyway.


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The story of Anne Frank serves as the way many Canadian schoolchildren are introduced to the history of the Holocaust.
To enhance Frank's story, told so vividly in The Diary of a Young Girl, Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre is hosting a travelling exhibit from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam.
Through Frank's words, photos and maps, visitors can learn about her family's experiences during the Second World War.
The display shows the yellow star that Jewish people were required to wear and explains how the family was forced into hiding in a secret annex in a building in Amsterdam when Frank's older sister was called to report for a work camp.
The family was eventually betrayed and caught by the Nazis. They were first sent to Auschwitz concentration camp and then Frank and her sister Margaret were sent to Bergen-Belsen, where they both died from typhus shortly before the camp was liberated in 1945.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS, or tap and swipe the image on your mobile device
Frank's father, Otto, survived the Holocaust and eventually had his daughter's diaries published.
The display includes two models of the secret annex.
It also includes one panel focused on Frank's dream of becoming a writer or a journalist after the war. Although she didn't live to see it, she did achieve that goal through her diary, which has been published in more than 60 languages.
Anne Frank — A History for Today opened Monday night after a ceremony at the Jewish Community Centre to recognize International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 69th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz on Jan. 27, 1945.
A companion exhibit — Out of the Archive — includes artifacts donated by Vancouver-area Holocaust survivors.
More than 20 local survivors were at the event Monday night, including Louise Sorensen, who told the audience about her experience in Amsterdam in the Second World War. Two copies of her mother's identity card are on display: the real one, with a large, black J stamped on it, and a forgery that is missing the J.
Both exhibits are open until May 30.
School visits must be pre-registered, cost $100 and include a docent-led tour and a workshop. The display is open to the public weekdays and occasional Sundays, by donation.
For more information, visit vhec.org.


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Israelĭz´rēəl [key], officially State of Israel, republic (2015 est. pop. 8,065,000, including Israelis in occupied Arab territories), 7,992 sq mi (20,700 sq km), SW Asia, on the Mediterranean Sea. (The area figure used above does not include the Golan Heights or the West Bank, which are occupied by Israel.) It is bordered by Lebanon in the north, Syria and Jordan in the east, the Mediterranean Sea on the west, Egypt on the southwest, and the Gulf of Aqaba (an arm of the Red Sea) on the south. The capital and largest city of Israel is Jerusalem. This article deals primarily with the events in Israel from 1948 to the present. For the earlier history of the region, see Palestine.
Sections in this article:
- Introduction
- Economy
- Government
- Land and People
- History
- Bibliography
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Israeli Political Geography


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This week felt like two weeks crammed into one because I had the pleasure of visiting my mom, crossed the border on a whim for a rock concert, launched a business with two friends and ended up in the best parking lot party I've ever been to. Whew!
Things started out innocently enough while my brother and I were out at breakfast with my mom on Sunday. As we were finishing up, he was like, "Mötley Crüe and KISS are playing tonight in Washington. Wanna go?" That's one invite I sure wasn't going to turn down! We didn't have tickets so we just showed up. Perfect timing: right as we entered, they were playing Shout At The Devil. Watching Tommy Lee play his drums upside down on a rollercoaster track was pretty awesome as well.
During the break between KISS taking the stage (hey, they need time to touch up their face paint and set up the motherlode of all pyrotechnics!) we ran into these dudes by the concession stands. Of course, the real KISS is orchestrated down to every last detail and never disappoint. Gotta admire them for still zipping into the spandex and moon boots all these decades later!
I've never been that keen on Coach but that is all starting to change. Their campaigns lately have been killer — loving this type. I found it in the 900+ page behemoth that is the September issue of Vogue. Carrying that issue around yesterday was a serious workout!
Over at The Blogcademy, we can't thank you enough for the enthusiasm and warm welcome we've received. I woke up waaaay early Monday for the launch after being out past my bedtime the night before (hey, I was at Mötley Crüe and KISS! Important stuff!) and was feeling incredibly nervous — I was ready to take the step, push myself outside of my comfort zone and do something completely new. With butterflies in my stomach, I put up the announcement on my blog. By the end of that first day, half the spots were already sold out. Doing a workshop on this level has been a dream of mine for the last five years and I broke a serious sweat getting the branding and site design completed in time. Definitely worth every ounce of energy.
When I recently received a party invite from my friends at Mutt, I laughed. After all, it listed booze, bull riding and swimming as featured activities. Booze? Sure. But I thought the rest was just a joke. Until I pulled up last night. Sure enough, a huge pool had been set up in the parking lot, along with a mechanical bull, which was spinning around at a dizzying pace. With food carts, a live band and old friends thrown into the mix, it was the best party in a parking lot I've ever been to!
Hanging out with my brother over the weekend, right as we were plotting our rock show getaway. He's much more spontaneous than I am and I love that. When we were growing up, we were always best pals. Then, we both became designers. And now, along with Joey & Rocky, we share a house together. I'm big on family and it's great to still have that bond as adults.
Thanks for reading! Any fun plans you're looking forward to this weekend?


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Is Glee's Dianna Agron headed for martial bliss? Depends on who you listen to.
The star of Fox's musical comedy has gotten engaged to her boyfriend, I Am Number Four co-star Alex Pettyfer, according to a report from US Magazine.
D.J. Caruso, the director of the forthcoming sci-fi flim, set the couple up on the set just over a year ago and reports of their engagement intensified when Agron appeared at the I Am Number Four press day with a diamond ring on her finger.
U.S. & World
News from around the country and around the globe
But in an Access Hollywood report, agents for both actors denied the rumors.
"Not true," wrote Pettyfer's rep in response to an Access Hollywood inquiry about the engagement. The agent for Agron simply added that they were "not engaged."
In I Am Number Four, Pettyfer, 20, plays a teenager who is actually one of the final members of alien race that begins to develop a series of super powers while being hunted down by a rival civilization. Agron, 24, plays Four's love interest, a fellow student at a high school in Ohio.
Selected Reading: US, People, Access Hollywood


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On the SAT, Sentence Completions are one of the easiest places to get back some of the points that the College Board has tricked you out of. To get those points back you just have to remember the one phrase:
Don't think of an elephant!
When you read that phrase what was the first thing you thought of?
If you are like most people, you probably thought about an elephant; that's no surprise. Despite the fact that you were asked to think of anything else besides an elephant (e.g. chair, waffles, toe lint), seeing the word "elephant" on the page was simply far too influential (like the Stroop Effect for all you neuroscience nerds out there!).
In order to avoid this trap, I tell my SAT students not to look at the answer choices for a Sentence Completion question before they have thought of their own word to fill in the blank. Let's examine this question for better understanding:
As one might expect, the reclusive writer ——- public appearances and or any event that might undermine his privacy.
(A) rewarded (B) enjoyed (C) neglected
(D) welcomed (E) detested
Little Jack – Obsessed with elephants
Jack reads the sentence and then looks at the answer choices. While glancing at the choices, he notices (consciously or not) how lovely and sophisticated answer choice (C) looks there on the far right, away from the muddle of (A), (B), (D), and (E). And "neglected" does seem to fit, doesn't it? If the writer is reclusive, he would definitely want to neglect public appearances! So Jack chooses (C) and therefore loses a quarter of a point.
Big Jack – Biased toward elephants
But perhaps Jack might act a bit more cautiously. This time, he reads the sentence and considers all the answer choices. He would eliminate (A), (B), and (D) because they all express positivity about a situation the writer clearly isn't a fan of. When choosing between (C) and (E), he ultimately decides upon (C). Why? It was the first word he thought worked, so he had a bias towards it. Unfortunately, he also heard from teachers in the past "always go with your first answer."
Jill – Never looks at elephants
Jill immediately covers her answer choices before she can even glance at them. Then she reads the entire sentence and studies the sentence for clues. She knows that reclusiveness has something to do with preferring to be alone, and she also knows that whatever the writer is doing perpetuates his reclusive behavior (and follows this one clue given by the sentence about the writer habits). Jill realizes that this writer is really not trying to have anything to do with the public. Feeling that she has a good grip on the sentence, Jill fills in the blank with her own words; she writes "doesn't like." She compares her predicted answer with the answer choices, eliminating answer choices that don't mean something similar to her predicted answer, and finds that the only choice which really means "doesn't like" is (E) detested.
Our Sentence Completion Action Plan
(1) Cover your answers
(2) Read the entire sentence
(3) Identify clues
(4) Write your own word(s) in the blank(s)
(5) Compare your word(s) to the answer choices and eliminate wrong answers
Covering the answer choices and writing your own words for the blank(s) is crucial to earning points on the Sentence Completion. In this manner, you are able to implement the piece of advice that applies to both test-taking and stampedes:
Avoid the Elephants!
Kara Segal
SAT Teacher – Brooklyn, NY
Kara Segal is a long time SAT superstar. Kara first demonstrated her masterful avoidance of elephants in high school when she used this talent to earn SAT scores high enough to gain her admission to Brown University. After graduating Brown, Kara brought her knowledge and passion for pachyderms and education to Bell Curves where she currently serves as the Assistant Director of K – 12 Programs. Kara also teaches classes and tutors students for SAT, SSAT, ISEE, ACT and ELA and Math statewide exams.


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ZZ Top Tickets
ZZ Top Tickets
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Ready or not, the drones are coming home: Nine law enforcement agencies in six states already use drones, and another nine have applied to the Federal Aviation Administration for permission to do the same. So far, police agencies have not used drones for general surveillance, but lawmakers in nearly half the states are looking to enhance privacy protections before drones become standard policing.
Most state legislators don't object to the military use of drones overseas, and they are largely at peace with university researchers or farmers using them here to spray crops or deliver animal feed. But they cringe at the possibility that domestic police forces will violate people's privacy by using them in regular policing.
At least 21 states are debating bills to limit drone use, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. The proposals range from requiring police to obtain a search warrant before using a drone, to placing a moratorium on any drone use by law enforcement. And last week, a bipartisan group of U.S. House members introduced a bill that would require a warrant for drone use in criminal investigations.
In Florida, where law enforcement agencies in Orlando and Miami already use drones, state lawmakers are eager to set limits before the fledgling domestic drone industry grows in economic and political clout.
"It's not a speculative thing," says Republican state Senator Joe Negron, whose bill would require law enforcement officers to obtain a search warrant before using a drone. "The whole industry is waiting to take off and (drone manufacturers) are looking at law enforcement agencies as customers." Without laws in place, says Negron, every police department in the state could be using the relatively low-cost drones, which run about $65,000 each, for surveillance.
North Dakota state Representative Rick Becker, a Republican, proposed legislation requiring a warrant for law enforcement use of drones after a conversation with a sheriff who wanted to be able to use drones to gather evidence to obtain a warrant.
"We're not technophobic and I think drones can be employed for our benefit," says Becker, "but we can't forget our privacy rights."
Concern over drones spans the political spectrum. In Virginia, where the General Assembly earlier this month overwhelmingly approved a two-year moratorium on any drone use by law enforcement, the ACLU of Virginia teamed up with one of the state's most conservative Republican lawmakers to craft the legislation. The moratorium also won support from the Virginia Tea Party Patriots Federation.
"Our founders had no conception of things that would fly over them at night and peer into their backyards and send signals back to a home base," said Virginia state Senator A. Donald McEachin, a Democrat, in an interview with the Associated Press.
So far, few law enforcement agencies are buying small and stealthy drones that could be used to secretly spy on civilians. Instead, most police drones are like Miami-Dade County's Honeywell T-Hawk drone, which is about the size of an office garbage can and is powered by a fan as loud as a leaf-blower. The police could use a drone like the T-Hawk to spy, but it is far more effective for tasks such as surveying damage after a powerful storm, or aiding in the search for a missing person.
After the earthquake that devastated central Japan in 2011, Japanese officials used T-Hawk drones to assess damage to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, since it was too dangerous for humans to be exposed to such high levels of radiation.
Public Fear
Surveys suggest citizens have serious worries about police drones. More than 60 percent said they would be concerned about their personal privacy if U.S. law enforcement officers began using unmanned drones with high tech cameras, according to a poll conducted last year by Monmouth University Polling Institute.
That concern is already having public policy consequences. Earlier this month, the city council in Charlottesville, Va., voted 3-2 to become the first city in the country to pass an anti-drone resolution. The resolution, which is non-binding, calls for "legislation prohibiting information obtained from the domestic use of drones from being introduced into a Federal or State court." Three days later, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn agreed to send the city's two police drones back to the manufacturer after months of opposition from citizens groups backed by the Occupy movement and the ACLU.
At a Florida committee hearing that same week, Orlando-area sheriff's Captain Mike Fewless asked for an allowance for police to use drones for crowd surveillance at large events, like bowl games or large political rallies. The answer was a resounding "no", and Negron, the sponsor of legislation requiring a warrant for drone use, said he would vote against his own bill if crowd surveillance were allowed.
"Can you imagine," asks Negron, "if King George had been able to use drones during the Boston Tea Party?"
Since 9/11, police have increasingly used military equipment, such as armored vehicles, M-16 rifles and military helicopters with little public objection. Some departments now routinely serve arrest warrants with SWAT teams. But no policing tactic has engendered as much controversy and fear as deploying domestic drones.
"We are seeing the controversy with weaponized drones at the international level," says David Cortright, professor of peace studies at Notre Dame University, "so these vehicles are seen in a more menacing context than a police helicopter. I don't think there's any chance that police would use these (drones) to fire on people, but that fear is in people's minds."
However, as the technology has expanded, the public has tacitly accepted some drone use. Last month, when five-year-old Ethan Gilman was kidnapped from a school bus in southeastern Alabama and held hostage in a bunker, the FBI used drones to keep watch on the scene. There was almost no public discomfort with drone use in that situation, says Amie Stepanovich, associate litigation counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center.
At least 80 percent of respondents to the Monmouth University poll said they support the use of drones to help with search and rescue missions.
On the other hand, when reports surfaced on February 10 that law enforcement agencies were hunting fugitive ex-Los Angeles police officer Christopher Dorner with armed drones, (the Los Angeles Police Department and the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol denied the reports), critics protested that it would set a dangerous precedent to use a weaponized drone to kill an American on U.S. soil.
Ryan Calo, a law professor at the University of Washington, argues that drone fears might be a catalyst for strengthening privacy laws that could help in other technological arenas, such as tracking people's Internet browsing. Drones "represent the cold, technological embodiment of observation," Calo says.
Drone Reality
Many in the law enforcement community argue that the privacy fears surrounding drones are unfounded. "There are a lot of misconceptions about the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)," says Andrew Cohen, a sergeant with the Miami-Dade County police department aviation unit. "We drive it to the scene, use it, then take it down," says Cohen, describing the department's use of the T-Hawk drone. "We're not allowed to fly it from the airport and no one is flying it from a remote location. We have to be able to see the drone in our line of sight."
Cohen compared the department's use of a drone in a hostage situation to peeking over a fence. "This is just another tool for us to use," says Cohen, "so that if we have someone locked in their house and we're worried about bringing in a helicopter with two guys because they might get shot down, we can bring in this thing instead."
But many state lawmakers aren't convinced.
"This is a proactive move that starts out with saying that we support privacy," says state Senator Paul Schumacher of Nebraska, a Republican who is sponsoring a bill that would require police to obtain a warrant before using a drone. "We are setting a standard so that we don't have police departments making large investments in the technology and then the public starts to get upset."
State News
States Seek Legal Limits on Domestic Drones
Ready or not, the drones are coming home: Nine law enforcement agencies in six states already use drones, and another nine have applied to the Federal Aviation Administration for permission to do the same.
Draganflyer X6 image courtesy of Draganfly Innovations.
Ready or not, the drones are coming home: Nine law enforcement agencies in six states already use drones, and another nine have applied to the Federal Aviation Administration for permission to do the same. So far, police agencies have not used drones for general surveillance, but lawmakers in nearly half the states are looking to enhance privacy protections before drones become standard policing.


text: Our Motto - feel comfortable! 80 % our rooms goes directly to our silent inner courtyard. /n At our Nemtoi restaurant we offer our guests 10 % food discount /n Meet in our 50m ² meeting room in a pleasant, quiet atmosphere. /n Enjoy our 400sqm inner courtyard or celebrate special events, weddings and celebrations of any kind in our oasis. /n


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A new cruise line is about to set sail, but don't plan on bringing the whole family.
Virgin Voyages is not allowing children on board.
People reports that Sir Richard Branson is launching his first cruise line, named 'Scarlet Lady' and will only be open to adults older than 18.
Some things you can do on board? Get a tattoo, go to a luxurious spa, or get a new hair style at a blow dry bar.
You'll also get complimentary meals from several restaurants that include steak and seafood, Mexican, and one with a 'nice' and 'naughty' menu list.
There's also a 24-hour diner, a pizza and food hall, and a test kitchen where you can basically design your own dish.
Like most cruise ships, there will be a nightclub and multiple pools.
The first trip will sail from Miami to the Caribbean in 2020 and in the future will include trips to Cuba.


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Empower mobile work forces and end-users of proprietary IT applications by leveraging the benefits of virtualization software to create mobile offices which run on cloud technology. Easily executable and affordable, virtualization technology applications... fit into single files that remain isolated from key operating systems. These advanced software programs allow business users to run multiple operating systems on single servers or systems, eliminating conflicts, reducing the costs of coding and testing, and enabling companies to run programs and share files without investing in expensive equipment. Benefits for businesses, nonprofit organizations, resource centers and healthcare companies include energy savings, expansions of storage and operating capacities, and the ability to authenticate staff, clients and vendors through remote virtual terminals.
Popular virtualization software includes innovative programs from software leaders Veeam, VMware, Microsoft, etc... Among other uses, virtual consoles can help to learn new operating systems and programming languages, to debug software before live implementations, to provide data backup solutions ensuring secure data storage, and to isolate programs and applications that develop memory leaks or create security risks. In addition to financial considerations, when making a purchase, it is also important to factor in compatibility issues with operating systems and chosen cloud services, security and encryption concerns, bandwidth requirements and limitations, and more.
Connection has extensive virtualization resources for businesses and organizations which include storage systems, compatible accessories, and a comprehensive technology library of advanced training and educational resources. These resources help to better understand software virtualization strategies, to optimize their licensing benefits and reduce fees, and to gain the greatest advantage from cloud-based networks. Virtual computers can test new software programs without the risk of damaging live systems and can run old applications that have compatibility issues with certain versions of operating systems. Virtualization reduces server sprawl, strengthens server infrastructure, expedites system administrator duties, and reduces the time needed for backup and recovery operations. If your company is interested in making the transition to a virtualized environment, our Server Assessment provides the tools to make sound consolidation decisions.
Featured Virtualization Software
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PERFORMANCE REVIEW- Fun, fun, fun: Mamet brings on the laughs
If a foul-mouthed Chicago tough can remake himself as a rapier wit, there's no reason why a wisecracking crayon can't hit the stage as a love-struck hysteric.
Let me explain.
Playwright David Mamet, who made his name with fierce, misanthropically dark plays like Glengarry Glen Ross (1983 Pulitzer Prize) and Oleanna (1992 nationwide controversy), has been on a mission to show his range in recent years. In 1999 he wrote and directed a G-rated film version of the Terence Rattigan play The Winslow Boy, about– brace yourself– a British lad who sticks to his principles. Mamet's most recent play is another period piece, Boston Marriage, currently in a sharp and roaringly funny production at Live Arts.
Whatever the reason for Mamet's move from machine-gun obscenities to filigree proprieties, it has produced entertaining results. Boston Marriage follows the squabbles of a clandestinely lesbian couple and their hapless Scottish maid in turn-of-the-century America. The play is essentially two hours of eloquent insults. This could easily become tedious, in the Live Arts production or any other. But here's where the crayon comes in.
Live Arts' general manager Ronda Hewitt, who brought down the house as a wisecracking, cigar-chomping crayon in Coffeehouse 13, plays Anna, one half of the dysfunctional couple. Hewitt's physical precision and antic comic energy could easily carry the show. All the better that she doesn't have to. Equally sharp are Kara McLane Burke as Anna's lover, Claire, and Kara Duncan as the aproned, tight-laced Catherine, who's full of wise advice from "me old grandmum" that she can never quite manage to get out.
There's something resembling a plot to this play, but it's really no more than a frame for Mamet to hang flowery one-liners on. Anna takes a male lover to pay the bills, Claire pursues a young female mark who winds up being the daughter of Anna's man, hilarity ensues. The old Mamet does emerge at times, when the ladies drop their thesaurus-driven eloquence to call each other "cow" and far worse. The cast, under the enlightened direction of Amanda McRaven, makes the best of this, varying the rhythm and tone of their conflict to match the register of the language.
Add to the fun the brilliant live musical accompaniment of a cellist hidden in the rafters. From classical composure to chittering silent-movie melodrama, the musical soundtrack is as flexible and energetic as Mamet's language and the performances themselves.
Among the best the new Live Arts– or any theater in town– has to offer.
Final performances of Boston Marriage are February 5 at 7:30pm and February 7 at 8pm. Live Arts, 123 E. Water St. $10-15. 977-4177.


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This is just a quick post featuring a few things I have enjoyed lately and a simple recipe!
Local Mint Mojito ( 😉 Gracie!)
Made with mint fresh from the garden, agave nectar, rum, soda and lime.
Grilled Veggie & Prosciutto Panini
Grilled onions, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, prosciutto, and herbed mayo (dill, basil, lemon, salt, pepper).
Mom's Blueberry Buckle
Butter, sugar, butter, flour, butter, butter, blueberries, sugar.
Whole Wheat Waffle with Almond Butter
PS! Its hug a fruit month!
This is me dangling a rambutan, the most delicious fruit on the planet. The photo was taken in Thailand, where rambutans are native (among other countries in SE Asia). Once you peel away the rubbery outer layer, a squishy ball of fruit is revealed. I can't really describe the flavor, but its sweet and delicious.


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Animation showing the evolution of Saturn's 'Great Springtime Storm' at infrared wavelengths with approximate timings given from January 2011 through to March 2012.
As clouds broke out in Saturn's stormy troposphere (true cloud pattern not represented here), waves of heat travelled hundreds of kilometres upwards, depositing their energy as two vast 'beacons' of hot air in the stratosphere. Both hotspots travelled in a westerly direction around the planet, but the larger of the two travelled much faster, lapping the smaller one before they merged to create an enormous vortex that for a brief period exceeded even the size of Jupiter's famous Great Red Spot. The giant vortex was visible only to infrared cameras, and persisted long after the clouds from the storm had faded away. The beacon laps the planet once every 120 days and is expected to have dissipated by the end of 2013.
The images comprise thermal data collected by NASA/ESA/ASI's Cassini spacecraft, ESO's Very Large Telescope and NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility.
Credits: ESA–C. Carreau


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City of Manhattan BeachHome Menu
City Calendar - List View
Teen Center School Year Program: Kickball
- Date: 12/09/2019 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
|Follow us on
Today's Activity: Kickball
Today the teens and Teen Center staff will divide up into teams and play kickball! The rules of kickball generally follow those of baseball or softball, with the exception that the ball is kicked rather than struck with a bat. The pitcher rolls the ball towards the catcher, the "batter" kicks it with his foot, then runs to first base.
School Year Program
The Teen Center School Year Program is a drop in, noncustodial program, open to all 6th through 8th graders (ages 11 to 14) living in Manhattan Beach, attending a Manhattan Beach school or whose parents work in Manhattan Beach. The Teen Center program schedule is concurrent with the Manhattan Beach Unified School District. We are open on most school holidays and in-service days. The teen center provides plenty of indoor and outdoor space to play and exercise and has a variety of exciting and engaging activities available each day. Daily options may include arts and crafts, basketball, volleyball, rock climbing wall, ping pong, billiards, foosball, Xbox Kinect, PlayStation 4, retro arcade games, Nintendo Wii U, movies and more! Resident fee includes fall, winter, ski week and spring breaks. Nonresidents must register separately for each vacation program.
|Phone Number
|August 21, 2019 through June 5, 2020
|Monday through Thursday
|3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
|Teen Center at Manhattan Heights Park Community Center
1600 Manhattan Beach Boulevard
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
|(310) 802-5426
|Manhattan Beach Residents
$199 for the entire 2019 to 2020 Teen Center School Year Program including Vacation Camps
|3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Teen Center Vacation Camps
|Winter 2020
|Spring 2020
|Summer 2020
|December 23, 2019 to December 27, 2019, December 30, 2019 to December 31, 2019 and January 2, 2020 to January 3, 2020
|February 17, 2020 to February 21, 2020
|April 6, 2020 to April 10, 2020
- Online Registration - Starting at 6:00 AM
- Mail-in
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Department
ATTN: Registration
1400 Highland Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
- Walk-in
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Department
1400 Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM; Friday 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Teen Center Program (310) 802-5426
- Parks and Recreation Department (310) 802-5448
- Jared Gordon, Site Supervisor, (310) 802-5426
- David Ibarra, Program Supervisor (310) 802-5419


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You are Here:
/ Resources for Small Farms
Loading Tree...
Watch a video on the five steps to conservation
Technical Assistance: NRCS conservationists provide technical expertise and conservation planning for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners wanting to make conservation improvements to their land.
Financial Assistance: Farmers, ranchers and forest landowners can receive financial assistance from NRCS to make improvements to their land.
2014 Farm Bill: The bill was enacted in February 2014. Some programs will be available immediately, while others will require limited time to be set up within the agency.
Get Started: This step-by-step guide helps farmers and ranchers know what to expect when seeking assistance from NRCS.
Small-Scale Solutions: These fact sheets provide information on common needs of small- and mid-size farms, including: cover crops, fencing, managing manure, low-cost irrigation systems and more.
Web Soil Survey: This tool provides soil data and information, including soil maps and data available online for more than 95 percent of the nation's counties.
Drought Calculator: This tool helps ranchers and other rangeland managers assess the impacts of drought on forage production, enabling them to make better informed decisions as to alternative drought strategies.
NRCS Home | USDA.gov | Site Map | Civil Rights | FOIA | Plain Writing | Accessibility Statement
Policy and Links| Non-Discrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | WhiteHouse.gov


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On Thursday, December 19, 2013, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled to allow same-sex marriage in the state and ordered county clerks to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
In the decision, Justice Edward L. Chavez wrote, "[w]e hold that the State of New Mexico is constitutionally required to allow same-gender couples to marry and must extend to them the rights, protections, and responsibilities that derive from civil marriage under New Mexico law."
To read the full opinion, see NM Supreme Court Decision on Marriage Equality.
Unlike other states, New Mexico never banned or allowed same-sex marriage, which left the issue of marriage equality unsettled across the state. Eight of the state's 33 counties started issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in August 2013. County officials asked the state supreme court to clarify the law.
New Mexico joins 16 states and the District of Columbia in legalizing same-sex marriage.
Check out Nolo's LGBT Law section to learn more about same-sex marriage and other LGBT issues.


text: amroberts8 10/19/2010 - 9:31 PM Permalink Report Abuse 9 out of 9 people found the following review helpful 5 out of 5 Great Case This is a high quality case that I recommend. Very well made and thought out, the case consists of quality leather, super soft interior and quality locks that function crisply and cleanly. Comment | Was this review helpful? Yes | No Name Leave a Comment Submit Comment


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Busted? Footage Of Matt Kemp (Rihanna's Boyfriend) Ignoring A Female As Soon As Paparrazzi Arive & Tries To Play It Off!
She walks up and asks him "Matt where's your friend"
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


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Demonstration projects using new-to market wind turbines sited in Scottish waters will receive 2.5 ROCs per megawatt hour of electricity generated. This is an increase of 0.5 on current offshore projects, including those planned for construction during the upcoming Round 3 phase of offshore build.
Projects using floating turbines, including tension line technology, will receive 3.5 ROCs.
"These new bands will help bring down the cost of developing offshore wind in our deeper waters," said Fergus Ewing, Scotland's energy minister.
Scotland has 4.7GW proposed for Round 3 offshore construction and has set an ambitious target of achieving 100% renewable electricity generation by 2020, and 30% of all energy demand.
The new incentive is aimed at attracting manufacturers and developers of innovative offshore technology. Manufacturers Gamesa and Mitsubishi have already outlined plans to build offshore manufacturing facilities in Scotland.
Scotland currently has only one project operating in its waters, Robin Rigg, under 200MW.
This announcement comes on the same day as the UK government announced the creation of a new body to support the offshore wind industry.


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You've heard the terms—data mart, dimensional database, star schema—but many people find that the how-to of data warehousing remains a mystery. If you haven't been involved in developing an enterprisewide data warehouse or a departmental data mart, you might have a hard time wrapping your mind around these concepts and how they translate into practical business solutions. So let's start the data warehousing discussion again by looking at a common business problem and walking through a simple data mart solution that uses the controlled environment of SQL Server's Northwind sample database.
The Scenario
Let's say I work for Northwind Traders Inc., as a DBA, developer, and overall get-it-done person. And let's say that one day, Dr. Andrew Fuller, vice president of sales, comes to me asking for some information about the products Northwind Traders sells. "I want to see how much of each product U.S. customers ordered, by quarter, in 1997," he demands. "And I need to know who our top three sales representatives and their managers are."
"Yes, sir," I reply. I know the company's order-processing system contains all this information—orders, customers, products, suppliers, shippers, and employees—in a database in third normal form, as Screen 1 shows. But I had just finished tuning the database so that it would process order entries as fast as possible, and now the boss wanted to run reports that would likely contend for resources with other functions and drag down order-entry processing again.
I decided I needed details about how Dr. Fuller and his sales team defined and planned to use this information. In talking with the sales manager and representatives, I discovered that "how much product U.S. customers ordered" boiled down to the number and price of ordered items—information in the Order Details table's line items. Dr. Fuller wanted to see this data "by quarter, in 1997," which meant he wanted to filter the information by time, and he wanted to see the "top three sales reps," which meant he wanted to see sales data relative to employee information. The sales manager also told me Dr. Fuller wanted to see this information at every Tuesday morning sales meeting, which meant he didn't need up-to-the-minute reporting from the operational system—good news for order-entry performance.
Designing a Solution
Because the solution involved looking at aggregations of specific data over time and in relationship to other entities, such as sales representative, I began thinking about building another data structure to meet this new reporting need. I spent some time reviewing my collection of data warehousing resources, including Ralph Kimball's classic, The Data Warehouse Toolkit: Practical Techniques for Building Dimensional Data Warehouses (John Wiley & Sons, 1996).
In the end, I decided to model a new data mart type of database. A data mart, which lets a business unit access and analyze department-specific data, was particularly suited to meeting the sales department's business needs. The data mart would include only sales data, and the sales department would be the only data mart consumer. In addition, with a data mart, I could load data from the operational system to eliminate contention between report queries and order-entry activity, and I could limit the number of joins the report queries would require and build indexes to deliver fast query performance.
Based on Dr. Fuller's and the sales staff's business needs, I had identified measures and dimensions for the data mart database. Measures are points of business data, such as dollar amount of sales, and dimensions are the entities the sales team uses to query the measures, such as time and sales representative. When I hear "I want to see something by something else," the "something" is typically a measure candidate and the "something else" is a possible dimension member. The operational system's dimension hierarchies were fairly straightforward. For example, the Product dimension contained product category and product name, and the Customer dimension contained country and city. But the data for suppliers' regions was sparsely populated, so I included only the supplier name and country in the new database. From these basic operational database relationships, I created the dimensional design you see in Screen 2.
To provide flexible reporting and reasonable query performance, I joined the fact table to the dimension tables and used queries to filter and group the dimension data. For even better performance, I indexed each foreign key in the Orders_Fact table, and for entity integrity, I built a primary key on the combination of all the foreign keys. These design decisions yielded a database that could serve as the foundation for a sales department data mart based on operational order information.
The dimensional database still had relational characteristics: foreign-key constraints between the fact and dimension tables and primary keys for each table. However, I denormalized the database by combining some tables from the operational system; this denormalization created a star schema database, which gets its name from its entity-relationship diagram's star-like appearance. For example, the schema for my dimensional database in Screen 2 looks like a five-point star. The star schema's primary benefit is the ease with which you can use dimensions to query measures.
To denormalize the database, I combined the Orders and Order Details tables into the Orders_Fact table, which holds information about each order line item. The Orders_Fact table contains the lowest level of order-data granularity to provide maximum reporting flexibility. Likewise, I combined the Products and Categories tables into the Product dimension table. Had I preserved the normalized relationship between these two tables for my Product dimension table, I would have produced a partial snowflake schema, which gets its name from the snowflake appearance of normalized dimension tables. However, I decided on the star schema instead of the snowflake schema because the snowflake would require more joins to query the fact table.
Another design consideration involved the keys for both the dimension and fact tables. The operational system's Customers table defined the CustomerID column as a character data type. In the dimensional model, I changed the CustomerID data type to integer for two reasons. First, for query performance, I prefer to index and join integer values. And second, the more independent my dimensional database is from the operational system, the less the possibility that changes to the operational system will force changes to the dimensional database structure. For demonstration purposes, I changed the data type value only for the CustomerID and TimeID dimensions. The other dimension keys are numeric, as they are in the operational system.
Loading the Data Mart
I now had to figure out how to load the operational data to my dimensional database. Getting data from one database structure to another is called data extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL). My database design—which combined data from more than one table to populate the fact and product tables and which turned the character CustomerID into an integer value—would drive part, but not all, of the ETL process.
To move the data, I created a seven-part Data Transformation Services (DTS) package, as Screen 3 shows. Because the operational system's source data was in good shape, I didn't have much data cleansing or transforming to do. But the sidebar "Data Transformation in the Real World" gives you a glimpse at the data quality you can expect in real-life data mart and data warehousing solutions. Note that the arrows you see in Screen 3 show the workflow between tasks, and the green-and-white striped arrows represent actions the package takes when the previous task succeeds. This DTS package contains two SQL Server data connections: one for the operational Northwind database and one for the dimensional Northwind_MD data mart database. Let's step through this package's seven tasks.
Step 1. To start, I created a T-SQL task that performed two functions: the removal of foreign-key constraints so that I could truncate all the tables in the dimensional database and the removal of fact table indexes to speed up loading later on. You could develop another package for ongoing incremental data mart updates based on order date, for example.
Step 2. I then created another T-SQL task, which loaded the Time dimension table by inserting date information for every day between two dates. This task, as Listing 1 shows, breaks the date into year, quarter, month, and day to represent the hierarchy Dr. Fuller and his sales team will use to look at sales information.
Step 3. Next, I created a T-SQL task that loaded a cross-reference table with the CustomerID character values. The cross-reference table has an integer column with the identity property set to generate the data mart's surrogate customer key values, as Listing 2 shows.
Step 4. This step includes four data-pump tasks, marked by gray lines in Screen 3, to load the other dimension tables from Northwind data. These tasks use the SQL Server connections to move data between the Northwind and Northwind_MD databases. You can view each data-pump task from the DTS package, which is part of the accompanying source code (available at the top of the page). I cover just the task for populating the Customer dimension and generating the surrogate customer key. Listing 3 shows the query that serves as the source for loading the Customer dimension. Remember that the Customer_XRef table has both the original CustomerID character value (SourceCustomerID) from the operational system and a system-generated integer value (DestCustomerID). So the source for the data-pump task is a query that joins the Northwind Customers table with the Northwind_MD Customer_XRef table, moving the integer DestCustomerID value to the Northwind_MD Customer table. Staging tables such as Customer_XRef can be very useful in transforming and integrating data during the ETL process. This is a simple example; I've built entire databases to hold staging tables for more complex integration.
The other data-pump tasks also use queries as their source, and for demonstration purposes, they use ActiveX scripts or Copy Column transformations to format the data for the dimensional database. Copy Column transformations are faster than ActiveX scripts, which require row-by-row processing. If you use an ActiveX transformation, using ordinal positions to identify columns is faster than using names, as you can see in the Employees data-pump task, which Listing 4 shows.
Step 5. After loading the relational data to the dimensional tables, I used a T-SQL task to rebuild the foreign-key constraints.
Step 6. I then used another data-pump task to load the fact table. Listing 5 shows the source for this task: a query that joins the Orders and Order Details tables from the Northwind database to Northwind_MD's dimension and cross-reference tables. As I noted earlier, I cheated a bit with the product, supplier, and employee keys by simply taking the values from the Northwind database and loading them directly to Northwind_MD. Notice the join between the Northwind Orders table and the Northwind_MD Time table to match the integer TimeID key values.
Step 7. The last step was to rebuild the foreign key indexes in the Orders_Fact table to support queries. My dimensional database was now complete.
Trying It Out
With the dimensional database loaded, I tried to answer one of Dr. Fuller's requests: "I want to see how much of each type of product U.S. customers ordered, by quarter, in 1997." Listing 6 shows the query I ran against the Northwind_MD data mart to answer this question; Listing 7 shows the query against the operational Northwind database to get the same results.
Although both queries returned the same answers, I performed one less table join to get the results from the data mart, and the T-SQL in the query against the dimensional database was a little cleaner because I designed the dimensional database to answer business questions. Another benefit of the data mart was that I didn't have to query the operational system that was already busy processing transactions. These advantages of a dimensional, or star, schema are even more pronounced in complex environments.
This simple data mart demonstrates an effective way to pull operational data together so that decision makers can quickly and easily access business information, but the solution doesn't have to stop here. For example, you could use Microsoft OLAP Services or other OLAP or reporting tools to access the data mart. An OLAP tool can improve query response time by preaggregating data, and many OLAP tools support full-featured user interfaces that let business decision makers analyze and report on data. You can also tap in to the real power of the star schema structure, which lets you easily build a cube that end users can interactively query. In an upcoming article, I'll show you how to use the OLAP Services Cube Wizard to build a cube out of the dimensional database, then use the DTS Processes Cube add-in to refresh the cube on a scheduled basis. You can then let end users answer their own questions by using OLAP tools or running queries from Excel's PivotTable Services.