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Parker (US - BD RA)
Gabe can't wait for the eventual Crisis on Parker Earth crossover movie event...
Parker (Jason Statham) is a professional thief who lives by a personal code of ethics: don't steal from people who can't afford it and don't hurt people who don't deserve it. But, on his latest heist, his crew double-crosses him, steals his stash, and leaves him for dead. Determined to make sure they regret it, Parker tracks them to Palm Beach, playground of the rich and famous, where the crew is planning their biggest heist ever. Donning the disguise of a rich Texan, Parker takes on an unlikely partner, Leslie (Jennifer Lopez), a savvy insider, who's short on cash, but big on looks, smarts and ambition. Together, they devise a plan to hijack the score, take everyone down and get away clean. (From Sony's official Synopsis)
Donald E. Westlake's series of 24 novels (written under the pseudonym Richard Stark) staring a character simply named Parker have been officially adapted to film seven times. Unofficially, the books and character have inspired dozens of movies. Among the official adaptations (where Parker's name is changed – Westlake's one stipulation every time he sold the rights) are Jean-Luc Godard's Made in the USA (1966, not released until 2009), based on The Jugger, Alain Cavalier's Mise à sac (aka: Midnight Raid, 1967), based on The Score, Gordon Flemyng's The Split (1968), based on The Seventh (starring Jim Brown as the Parker character), John Flynn's The Outfit (1973), and Terry Bedford's Slayground (1983). The two most popular adaptations are John Boorman's Point Blank (1967) and Brian Helgeland's Payback (1999), both of which are based on the first book in the series, The Hunter (which was also beautifully adapted as a graphic novel by Darwyn Cooke). Point Blank, starring Lee Marvin as 'Walker,' sets an incredibly high bar for all other adaptations and is arguably the best Hollywood crime film of the 1960s. Payback, starring Mel Gibson as 'Porter,' was initially popular and gained more fame when it was re-released in a darker, director's cut form in 2006.
24 novels is a lot of source material to leave on the table, so it's not surprising that someone else has picked up the Parker baton. Stock trader and Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander is the first investor to secure the rights to the Parker name (now that Westlake is dead) and reportedly saw franchise potential in his acquisition. For this first film, Alexander chose Flashfire, the 19th novel in the series and one that hasn't already been adapted to film. Taylor Hackford, the guy behind perfectly adequate films, like An Officer and a Gentleman and Ray, was hired to direct and Carnivàle and Black Swan scribe John J. McLaughlin was hired to write, but the tone of the film was more clearly set when Jason Statham, a brand name onto himself, was hired to portray the title character.
I haven't read Flashfire, so I have no idea if Hackford and McLaughlin were true to the source material, but, based on the Parker character I know from The Hunter, Statham's version is a sizable departure. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but bereft of the foundation of the gruff, likeably unpleasant character from Westlake's novels, Flashfire becomes another generic crime story. More importantly, Parker (the movie) becomes a relatively generic Jason Statham vehicle and Parker (the character) becomes interchangeable with the likes of Frank Martin, the Transporter (arguably, Martin has more in common with Westlake's Parker than McLaughlin's Parker). This isn't to say Statham is bad in the role; he's actually doing his Statham thing pretty well, alternating between seething anger and cocky charm without missing a beat – but why bother with the property if you're going to turn it into something defined by its lead actor rather than its source material? There are nice, weird touches throughout that set the film apart, like the terminal cancer patient with a talk box Parker uses to get out of the hospital, but, generally speaking, the storyline grows less unique and interesting as it progresses.
Again, I haven't read the book version of Flashfire, so I don't know if the story matches, but either this movie was tailored to be more like The Hunter or Westlake had run out of ideas after 19 books. The first act ticks along at a pleasantly brisk pace that made me second guess every negative thing I had heard, but the whole thing grinds to a sudden halt almost the second Jennifer Lopez's character is introduced and the second act goes underway. It's not Lopez's fault (she's actually pretty good and even charming, given the terrible constraints of the character), but the air is let out of the script and her character represents an unnecessary and unsatisfying waylay on the trip to the climax. All time spent with her and her (also charming) mother represents the wasted potential of an entire crew of bad guys portrayed by enjoyable actors (Michael Chiklis, Wendell Pierce, Clifton Collins Jr.) with a cool firefighter gimmick. Without the proper character distinctions during the elongated second act, the baddies are turned into a texture-free wall of angry shouting (most of it empty threats, since we know Parker is basically invincible).
Parker mostly marks Hackford's first foray into traditional action, though he hasn't entirely avoided the subject throughout films, like Blood In Blood Out and White Nights. The film's opening heist sets a good precedent with its unique state fair atmosphere and a solid montage blend of unfolding events. The editing is pristine and the physicality of the scene makes geographical sense. The tension is also appropriately tight and the scene does a lot to set up Statham's character without unnecessary exposition. As soon as Hackford is handed a car-confined knock-up he starts arbitrarily shaking the camera and over-cutting between angles. Thankfully, the handheld look doesn't bleed over into the non-action sequences too much, but that high bar set during that first heist is never met again, even during an otherwise well-choreographed fist fight. I had missed that Parker was rated R, instead of the more audience-friendly PG-13, so I was pleasantly surprised by the film's casual bloody violence. I guess that's something.
Parker was shot using Red Epic digital HD cameras and looks good and sharp here in 1080p, 2.35:1 video. Hackford and cinematographer Andrew Weisblum take advantage of the format's dynamic ranges and colour abilities while still maintaining a mostly conventional overall look. What's interesting about this image is that, despite being a pretty traditional noir, the filmmakers push an eclectic, warm, and bright palette. This is partially inherent in the story's locations, but Hackford didn't have to adopt the locations' natural décor. The colours are quite rich with relative consistency between primary and secondary hues (the greens and reds are mostly synonymous throughout the film), but there hasn't been any major tinkering with skin tones to make them all look the same (you know, orange). These hues are usually well-separated, without the over-processed blends other Red movies tend to exhibit – though when the story finally hits Florida and pink starts blending into everything. The defining digital-isms are the blooming white levels that include just about every blue sky and sun-baked background. Even the darker settings feature the same harsh highlights, though not often at the risk of some thick blacks (some night-set scenes are flecked with digital noise). The details are very sharp with nice, hard edges and contrasting values over the complex textures. Wide shots aren't quite as impressive as medium shots and extreme-close-ups, thanks largely to those blown-out whites. In contrast to the relatively consistent daylight imagery, flashbacks are much more stylized with softened edges, even harsher highlights, and more overt colour saturation. These also feature a lot less sharp detail, but don't have sizable issues with banding effects. I did notice some minor jittering effects as well as low level blocking during fades and the dark shots do feature minor edge haloes.
This DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack is not the most traditionally bombastic thing I've ever heard, but it's quite strong in a slightly understated fashion. The film opens with an effective 'montage' credit sequences that sets up the singular aural universe of a state fair. The sounds of carnival games, whirring rides, circus themes, farm animals, and general human crowd noise are interwoven with David Buckley's musical score to create a familiar yet vaguely threatening aura, all without punching things up too loudly to lose the dynamic range. This is important as the situation turns volatile and a big, loud fire breaks out, rumbling the LFE and running through the rear channels. The climactic heist begins with a more overt bang and features more directional enhancement, while the fist fights and shoot-outs are plenty busy with whizzing bullets and swishing limbs. The film's occasionally brisk pacing is supported by a lot of consistent ambient noise that keeps the stereo and surround sounds buzzing, even during the driest dialogue-heavy sequence. Buckley's music spans different styles and genres, from traditional symphonic stuff to rock and country-inspired guitar and drum stuff. The constant stream of music is relentless, but there's enough range of volume to keep things from growing too stale or obnoxious. The music mostly sits in the stereo channels and has a punchy LFE presence.
The extras begin with Hackford's solo commentary track. Hackford is well-prepared and mostly treats the track like a lecture on the entire production. He's occasionally screen-specific (in fact, the way he brings a sentence to an end at the perfect moment to point something out is almost uncanny), but this is more of a storytelling exercise that more or less revolves around the film's timeline. There's a lot of focus on Parker as a character, so even if I'm unsure about the authenticity of his version of the character, it's clear that Hackford had a crystal clear image of the character in mind. There's surprisingly little technical jargon, but the production lessons are pretty solid and there's really no blank space (sometimes, Hackford is left clearly out of breath). All that's missing is a sense of humility. Hackford isn't a humourless guy, though. He's actually pretty jovial and funny – though some of his comedy is a little inadvertent. I particularly enjoyed the bits where he tries to pretend his Louisiana locations look anything like rural Ohio.
Up next is Bringing the Hunter to Life: The Making of Parker (7:30, HD), an EPK featurette that you might have seen if you showed up early to the movie theater last year. It quickly covers the Westlake books, Leslie Alexander's acquisition, location shooting, and casting. The Origin of Parker (4:20, HD), Broken Necks and Bloody Knuckles (3:40, HD), Who is Parker? (2:30, HD) are more of the same, often literally repeating the same interview and film footage. Interview subjects throughout the EPKs include Hackford, producer Alexander, Westlake's widow Abigale, stunt coordinator Mike Madda, and actors Statham, Jennifer Lopez, Emma Booth, and Nick Nolte. The disc also features trailers for other Sony releases.
Parker had early promise, but falls into boring territory at the top of the second act and never recovers. Fortunately, the potential hasn't really been squandered – there are still a handful of good-to-great films based on Donald Westlake's Parker novels (I highly recommend Boorman's Point Blank if you haven't already seen it) and there are even more acceptably entertaining movies where Jason Statham plays a charming rogue. Nothing is gained and nothing is lost (unless you haven't seen Point Blank). If you think you can handle the indomitable mediocrity, you are in for a very nice 1080p transfer, a continuously busy DTS-HD audio track, a solid commentary, and a series of mostly worthless advertising featurettes.
* Note: The images on this page are not representative of the Blu-ray image quality.
Review by Gabriel Powers
Chris Gould Editor Join Date: May 2001 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 7,171
That's at least three marks more generous than I would have been for the film.
Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian
Disc Details
Release Date: 21st May 2013
Discs: 1
Disc Type: Blu-ray Disc
RCE: No
Video: 1080p
Aspect: 2.40:1
Anamorphic: No
Colour: Yes
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Extras: Director Commentary, Bringing the Hunter to Life: The Making of Parker, The Origin of Parker, Broken Necks and Bloody Knuckles, Who Is Parker?, Trailers
Easter Egg: No
Feature Details
Director: Taylor Hackford
Cast: Jason Statham, Jennifer Lopez, Emma Booth, Nick Nolte, Michael Chiklis, Wendell Pierce, Clifton Collins Jr.
Genre: Crime and Film-Noir
Length: 118 minutes
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text: Now I am glad that I didn't hold off on replacing my dying blackberry with the Bionic on launch day. Unless I missed something, the iPhone 4S on Verizon will still not be able to do simultaneous voice and data. I live in an LTE area and have grandfathered VZW unlimited data and an unlimited tethering plan. My Bionic will serve me well until the LTE iPhone (which may not even come out until my 20 month wait for another upgrade is available (or I can use my son's upgrade which is available now or my wife, daughter or mother in law's which are available in May 2012). Long live LTE (and let's hope the Nov. update fixes the camera performance from horrible (low light) to passable).

subset: commoncrawl


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Amélie Silvert's comment, June 21, 2013 1:08 PM
you can also create your own quizzes, sounds like fun
timsbox's curator insight, June 4, 2013 4:52 AM
Le principe est génial !
Vous lisez un texte en anglais (n'importe quel texte trouvé sur le web qui vous intéresse), vous cliquez sur les mots difficiles pour avoir une traduction immédiate, puis vous pouvez réviser les mots sélectionnés !
Ce n'est pas très ludique mais très efficace.
En plus, c'est gratuit...
Adapté pour adultes et collégiens ...
Steve Ridout's comment, June 4, 2013 5:06 AM
Hey, Steve here, creator of Readlang. Very happy to see it shared here! It is already somewhat mobile friendly, in that the design adapts to smaller screens, and I use it on my iPad all the time. I hope eventually to develop iOS and Android applications too.
Patricia Daniels's curator insight, June 4, 2013 9:35 AM
Students, I've just tested this myself and it's a useful tool. Apparently it's also becoming more mobile compatible, which will be a postive development. There's an introduction video so watch it first and see if it's a tool that you'll put to use. I've added the extension to Chrome.
You can upload webpages for reading and if you're unsure of a word, click on it for the translation. This will appear in your word bank as a flashcard with some text ( this provides you with the context which is an intelligent feature). You can then run through your list of flashcards and learn the words. Remember to put them in context when you are doing your practice as this will help you retain them.
Try it for yourself.
Ricard Garcia's curator insight, April 22, 2013 2:26 AM
Always useful to learn on how to do it better :-)
Tatiana Kuzmina's curator insight, April 30, 2013 8:49 AM
Not all ideas seem to be easy to implement.., but interesting
Maria Valdes's comment, October 15, 2012 7:11 AM
It does work with Mac, I've just checked. It might be a problem of the browser, not the app.


text:
BERNINA Halloween 2011 - Cabbage girl and Pieris brassicae (...
Added Oct 17, 2011
Baloži, Latvia
This dress was made of real purple and green cabbage. It was not easy – purple cabbage made my hands blue, but green cabbage was very weighty – the weight of this costume was almost 15 kg!
My inspiration for this dress was:
1) Lady Gaga meat dress – it is so exciting to make something wearable from something eatable!
2) Discount on cabbage in supermarket MAXIMA. Very inspiring price – 9 santims for 1 kg :)
I hope you like it.
P.S. Halloween is not very popular in Latvia. We prepare harvest fest or Mārtiņi as it is called in my country. So, I can say, that my costume is based on Latvian traditions too.
P.S.2 After wearing this dress, it was donated to local goats :) (3rd picture)
Material Notes
Cabbage, paper, love…
2 Comments Sign in to add a post
Feb 25, 2013, 09.36 AMby byVA
Great Idea, great cosutme, and fantastic donation :)
Oct 18, 2011, 07.26 AMby bubbley74
Clever name ; didnt get it till i opened up the page.nice one.
Add to Favorites no one added it


text:
There are no Upcoming Shows listed for this comedian.
Anthony Irons
Anthony Irons (Ensemble) is a Congo Square Theatre ensemble member, where his credits include Elmina's Kitchen, Top Dog Under Dog, with Amercian Theatre Company and Brother's of the Dust, which garnered six 2011 Black Theatre Alliance Awards. Anthony directed BarackOlypse Now! for The Second City Outreach & Diversity Department and The Colored Museum for Congo Square Theatre. He wrote and directed I Know What You Did Last Election. Anthony has performed with The Second City in Atlanta, Louisville, Denver and Montreal.
Anthony Irons's Upcoming Shows
Anthony Irons is Known For


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Pictures painted by Nairobi slum children about the school meals they receive from WFP will soon be auctioned in Europe to help raise funds and awareness for the Kenyan school meals programme.
NAIROBI – Pictures painted by Nairobi slum children about the school meals they receive from WFP will be auctioned in Europe by one of WFP's corporate sponsors to help support the school meals programme in the future.
Thirty children from the Kibera and Mathare slums in Nairobi participated in an art workshop organised by WFP at the Ramoma Museum of Modern Art, one of the prominent art facilities in Nairobi.
Ramoma's James Mbuthia facilitated the workshop free of charge and advised the children on how to mix colours and use various materials in their paintings.
Nutritious meals
The pictures produced at the workshop will be sent to International Paper, a global paper manufacturer which provides funding for nutritious meals for children in Kenyan schools. The company will use them to help raise funds for the Kenyan programme.
The children, who came from six different schools, all gave different perspectives of what the school meals mean to them. Learn more about school meals
The budding artists were also treated to a tour of the Ramoma Museum where they saw different kinds of art work. "I am so awed by all the artwork here and I hope that one day I can have my work displayed here," said 14-year-old Francis Mutua of Stara Rescue Centre.
Mural picture
Three pupils who participated in the workshop assisted Mr. Kim Young Kee, Chief Relations Officer and Executive Vice President of LG Electronics (LGE), in reproducing one of their pictures as a mural. They also presented him the original painting when he visited with other senior executives.
International Paper was the first private donor to support the school meals programme in Kenya. Currently, out of the almost 104,000 pupils in informal settlements in Nairobi who are benefitting from WFP school meals, 43,141 are supported by IP.
LGE joined WFP as a private partner in 2009 and is supporting school meals for 8,200 children in Nairobi.


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By: Mark McGrouther, Category: Science, Date: 17 Jun 2010
The big news for the week was the starring role that Mr Blobby played on the opening show of The Gruen Transfer. Additions to the site include some pretty 'nasty' images of damage inflicted by a Smalltooth Cookie Cutter Shark, new fieldwork galleries and finally an image of the mouth of a lamprey.
Blobfish, Psychrolutes microporos (aka Mr Blobby)
Photographer: Kerryn Parkinson © NORFANZ Founding Parties
You just have to look at this fish! The famous Mr Blobby was the star of 'The Pitch' on The Gruen Transfer.
The Smalltooth Cookiecutter Shark, which grows to no more than 50 cm leaves distinctive scars on the bodies of larger fishes and mammals. You may not want to look at this gallery if you are squeamish or about to eat...
A new fieldwork gallery has been made for the NORFANZ expedition. It was during this trip that Mr Blobby was caught. The gallery contains images of many of the strange deepsea fishes that were collected. The Central NSW fieldwork gallery has been migrated from the old site.
Juvenile Choat's Wrasse (Dave Harasti)
Mouth of a Lamprey (Mark McGrouther)
Spotted Wobbegong below Old Man's Hat (Erik Schlögl)
Zebra Lionfish at Fly Point (Jonathan Regan)
Small fish, large wall! A Tale of Climbing Galaxias shows fish climbing the wall of Winburndale Dam. The page has been migrated from the old site.
We took receipt of a large Smoothnose Wedgefish, Rhynchobatus laevis, from Sydney Aquarium. The head only is now in the Fish Collection.
Tags Mr Blobby, Gruen Transfer, fishes, ichthyology, dam, Smalltooth Cookiecutter Shark,


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|International Space Station Imagery
high res (1.3 M) low res (118 K)
|ISS027-E-008679 (28 March 2011) --- Backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth, the unpiloted Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kounotori2 H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV2), filled with trash and unneeded items, departs from the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Cady Coleman and European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli, both Expedition 27 flight engineers, used the station's robot arm to grapple the HTV2 and unberth it from the Earth-facing port of the Harmony node. The cargo craft was released at 11:46 a.m. (EDT) on March 28, 2011.
Curator: JSC PAO Web Team | Responsible NASA Official: Amiko Kauderer | Updated: 10/30/2012


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STRATFORD, ONTARIO — It's not easy for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival to accommodate the beautiful mess. Its costs and budgets are massive, its theaters imposing — in its current configuration, Tanya Moiseiwitsch's famous Festival Theatre still has more than 1,800 seats — and the weight of auspicious history hangs heavy. Shows must run, in repertory, for up to four months and play well to the theater's passionate group of supporters, many of whom are retirees who journey here from Toronto, Detroit and, in their many thousands, from Chicago, taking in as many as eight different shows in a week, debating what they see fiercely in seminars and on the terraces of bed-and-breakfasts.
And, after this year, change is a-coming: Des McAnuff, the director of "Jersey Boys" and a fierce, intellectually potent populist, even when tasked with William Shakespeare, is exiting the job of artistic director. Replacing him is Antoni Cimolino, the former general director who grew up around the festival and whose directorial sensibility (to date, anyway) has been less abrasive and lyrical — depending on your point of view, it's either more in keeping with what this festival should be, or less exciting.
We can't yet judge Cimolino's artistic stamp on this festival (we'll start with that next year), but his current production in the mid-sized Tom Patterson Theatre, "Cymbeline," is the best Cimolino production I've seen to date and a very moving and clear take on one of William Shakespeare's last plays. With its themes of family, mistakes, snap judgments, the wisdom of age and, ultimately, redemption, "Cymbeline" plays uncommonly well when simply told. It is, justifiably, one of the bigger hits of the summer, not least because of the pain you can read on the face of the great actor Geraint Wyn Davies, playing the titular English king. "Cymbeline," like "Much Ado About Nothing," rests on the idea of a malevolent someone poisoning a relationship by making one party believe the other has been unfaithful. In this production, you believe that manipulation utterly, because the villain of the piece, Tom McCamus' Iachimo, is so darn oily and persuasive.
Last year with "The Grapes of Wrath," Cimolino's narrative sweep was hijacked by a rain machine; this year, his storytelling propels the show just as it should, accommodating intimacy and yet keeping these lives in constant motion, perennially subject to the consequences of their errors. If only Cimolino and his actors, especially the young performer Cara Ricketts, who plays Innogen, had dug deeper and leaned more heavily into the agonies of loss and the joys of rediscovery. The story is clearly told, but "Cymbeline" also demands that the audience feel more of the mud splattered by the wheel of fortune.
John Hirsch, the Hungarian-born artistic director of this very festival between 1981 and 1985, kicked up a lot of mud. He liked to aim it at meddling board members and lazy actors.
Hirsch is hardly a household name — outside of Stratford and high-end theater circles, anyway — so the idea of doing a one-man show about his life and times might seem quixotic. And, by any standards, the show in question, performed by Alon Nashman (and directed by Paul Thompson), is a messy affair that's as much about the actor's quest to know the subject as it is about the subject itself.
But "Hirsch," as it turns out, is a hugely compelling 90 minutes. Hirsch hardly had a conventional directors' life: he was one of the only survivors from his village of 800 Jews and, left wandering alone, with his parents lost to the Holocaust, he headed to Canada to get as far away from trouble as possible.
From the agony of that youth came, of course, much of the fire in Hirsch's work, along with his intolerance for mediocrity. Nashman doesn't claim to understand his man — few did — or even know how to tell his story, really, but he and Thompson (also the co-author) are smart enough to zoom in on the bigger issue here. Hirsch, Nashman tells us, during one of the show's many sudden and awkward lapses into first person, was "an exotic." Which is to say he was a gay Jew with demons. And Stratford — and, by extension, Canadian culture in general — has been locked for years in a kind of Cold War between the Anglophile traditionalists and, well, the various exotics who've knocked on the door from time and time and tried to gain a foothold. Hirsch had the right mix of passion, talent and anger to knock it down, but AIDS knocked him down in 1989. Such are the turns of life.
Conceptually, "Hirsch" is probably the biggest mess I've ever seen in Startford, which could be why I liked it so very much.
Chris Abraham's production of "The Matchmaker," another solid hit here, could use more pace on occasion but it has one crucial quality above all: It feels far closer to Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" than to "Hello Dolly," the musical made from "Matchmaker" that subsequently has eclipsed it in popularity.
Abraham's lively, free-wheeling, smart and very funny production features a raft of performances that feel much less pre-packaged than elsewhere in the festival: McCamus, Skye Brandon, Mike Shara, John Vickery and Seana McKenna are all exuberantly amusing in a show that delights in audiences and captures Wilder's fundamental belief in the vitality of the human spirit.
This was not a banner year for musicals, which are supposed to do the same. After last season's hit production of "Jesus Christ Superstar," McAnuff took a lot of the A list of Canadian musical talent to Broadway, and that took a toll. Indeed, one of the shows, a production of the 1967 musical "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" is a total disaster, a rarity in Stratford.
The problem is not, as some around here have said, the material; there is nothing wrong with Clark Gesner's songs, nor, of course, the vignettes based on Charles M. Schulz's beloved comic strip. The issue is that the director, Donna Feore, misses the tone of the show, which must be gentle, wry and, above all, truthful. Here it's encumbered with a video backdrop (presumably a consequence of misguided worries about relevance), a children's theater sensibility (a terrible idea when you want to appeal to families) and a group of young actors who play into the cloying and overwrought archetypes of young kids (and one dog) when, in fact, the kids are actually doing the complete opposite, which is to say they are all desperately trying to act like adults. Snoopy, one of pop culture's triumphant nerds, is retooled as a kind of smug hipster, which is about as far from what works as Charlie Brown is from nirvana with that little red-headed girl.
Both "42nd Street" (directed by Gary Griffin) and "Pirates of Penzance" (directed by Ethan McSweeny) are much better than that, although neither are fully satisfying. The main issue with "42nd Street," one of the great dance shows that needs spectacular tap numbers to compensate for its stiff book, is that Griffin didn't figure out a way on the Festival Theatre's thrust to deliver such moments. It's strange: His brilliant "West Side Story" in the same theater two years ago had no such problems. But "42nd Street" is a different beast; its dance numbers remain in a performance context, and, in this challenging instance, they don't pop as they should. And none of the principals are especially likable. Jennifer Rider-Shaw, who plays Peggy Sawyer, is chirpy and pleasant enough but insufficiently complex. There's no sexual tension between Rider-Shaw and Sean Arbuckle, who plays Julian Marsh, the tough director (and "Smash" prototype). And yet you don't root for Sawyer to land with the leading juvenile, Billy Lawlor, either. That's because Kyle Blair has a fine voice and an assertive personality but not much vulnerability. He doesn't seem to need Peggy, and thus she has nowhere firm to land.
McSweeny's "Pirates" comes with a fancy framing device — we're watching a theater troop put on this famous Gilbert and Sullivan operetta — that takes a lot of work but never quite pays off. Certainly, McSweeny's generally enjoyable show (which features Arbuckle and Blair again) is bursting with ideas and potential amusements. But you don't feel that these two men have enough to lose to make you root for their happiness or salvation. The show, which is very well sung and imaginative, is neatly wrapped with a bow. But that means you can't access its messy satirical insides, which need to spill out for the really big fun to start.
If you're going
A quick guide to shows at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival:
"Henry V": Don't miss
"A Word or Two": Don't miss
"Cymbeline": Well worth seeing
"Hirsch": A mess, but don't miss (and tickets are tight)
"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown": Skip at all costs
"42nd Street": You'll see better
"The Pirates of Penzance": Fair
"The Matchmaker": Well worth seeing
Reviews of Christopher Plummer's "A Word or Two" and Des McAnuff's "Henry V" are also posted on Theater Loop. For more information on the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, visit stratfordfestival.ca or call 1-800-567-1600. Performances run through Oct. 28.


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Opinion: $200,000 Sick Pay
Assistant OpinionJournal.com editor Allysia Finley on public workers' out-of-control pay and benefits.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the most ... ago by a pension benefits ... would give the private sector looking at the public sector of ... the one on this next story is two hundred thousand dollars said hey ... no I think you're just earlier today as I was ... sure that most of them a typo ... and no it's not my entire or Christians Hindus and who actually were tired when team getting hundred thousand dollars in ... being sick pay and the are now casting couches and clear this is still on top of the pension whatever the hundred thousand dollar pensions and so ... these are ... days that they could've taken sick but went to work as you would hope everyone does when they're not sick and out over time this a day ... two hundred thousand dollars ... that's right the baby and the lady concerns based on whether their ... final highest year's salary just like pensions are ... so even if you start working on the thirty thousand earning thirty thousand dollars ... an and he he paid sick leave well it's been passed down at the dinner hundred fifty thousand homes ... okay now wary of Porto advances in the context of of ... of ... generally what it was been warned all fairly generous retirement benefits I we've been talking about the San Jose is an example the study from the California Public Policy Center ... aam ... the compensation of two ... these are essentially average employees is that when the average compensation Minardi in the high it's a bright so average copper odd that so obviously well above the average Americans paid the average Californians pay ... now the next chart is ... a ... private sector workers in ... in San Jose and these are not this is not averages is actually above average these are among people and it is ... what we consider a strong ... benefits of package in the private sector that science and am over four thousand dollars is for one K ... six percent match compare that to ... fifty three thousand dollars that were talking earlier that of the suffering its engine is ... an ever tighter group at the low stable when the study this they understand on some level that the of the compensation the public sector workers particularly in places like California cannot be sustained ... the workers and their unions maintain that this is essentially a ... a a a a holy obligation that ... that can never change ... there's a court case examining some of this this was with a woman due out ... it demanded twenty eight thousand sick day that not the two hundred ... enjoyed by some to pile into our twenty one half of two thousand and six it still seems like a lot ... of ... what the case ... tell us or what is it telling us about the idea that you might have reform you might ... rain in the growth of these benefit programs on and so on the downside then central Baghdad this city cannot eliminate say he tried to commit saying ... he can cash out anymore ok and that was a sum so is this it was a was is just an assistant of that ... but on the ... books I had the judge also ruled that going forward they can win in the amount of play time place or it could be going for the doors of learning additionally know that they haven't they can win that ... and soley while a few I'd seen blocking pensions well ... and sure if you know that government Quinn to add to claw back what workers Verrier benefits of the very near ... the blame or why not change that promote our way not change how much they can earn ... in pension benefits claimed for it okay so it projects we're probably still really writing that is clear that twenty eight thousand but didn't have to pay the one person and say they've bought ... that may be a sign of hope that ... that this thing isn't one that lists that you can ... you can reform the systems of ways for of benefits going forward Jack and Daddy and is Kyle are so okay I won't have a ... job or are even while the rest of us ordered or ... possibly open solution and thinking


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Police save fawn from icy waters off Fire Island
Quick action by two Suffolk County police officers, assisted by a
family of deer, helped save the life of a fawn caught in the icy waters
off Davis Par Marina in Fire Island Thursday.
Marine Bureau
Police Officers Robert Femia and Peter Bogachunas were on their way back
to Davis Park Marina on Marine Mike when they noticed a deer in the
water approximately 30-yards from shore at 1:04 p.m. The officers pulled
the baby deer from the water, which was seven to eight feet deep, onto
the boat and covered it with a blanket. The deer was not moving and
appeared to be in shock.
Upon docking, the officers began
to dry the fawn off. As they did, a family of deer came over and started
to lick the fawn and it slowly started to move around.
officers guided the injured deer to the police booth and fed it popcorn.
The deer became more alert and ran off with the other deer.


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Battle rounds on "The Voice" wrapped up Tuesday night with a few more stunning performances and one last-second steal before next week's high-stakes knockout rounds.
First up were two Shakira team members with serious rock and roll sensibilities: 45-year-old Nashville veteran Shawna P, tired of putting in her dues, and 19-year-old college student and troubled kids counselor Brandon Roush.
Shakira paired the two on a cover of the Janis Joplin classic "Piece of My Heart" — a challenge for each, with Brandon hampered by his inexperience and Shawna needing to learn to make the song her own. Their performance, though, impressed their coach.
"I feel like I have eagerness on this side and experience on the other one," Shakira said. She chose experience, and Brandon headed home, asking Shakira to keep in touch.
Next up were two very different performers from Team Adam, Hawaiian crooner Duncan Kamakana and music student Sarah Simmons, whom the Maroon 5 frontman paired for the Lady Antebellum song "Wanted You More" — with Lady Antebellum frontwoman Hillary Scott as their guest mentor.
Despite her undeniable talents — she had prompted all the coaches to turn their chairs during blind auditions — Sarah struggled in rehearsals with keeping control of her voice, tending to trail off at the ends of the song's lines, Hillary Scott noticed. Adam warned Duncan not to overcompensate for his laid-back attitude in their duet.
But onstage, the chemistry the pair had lacked in rehearsals was there in spades, and they shared a hug of relief after they finished their song. That hug was for good reason, given the coaches' enthusiasm.
"You're one of my favorite singers I've ever heard in my life," Blake told Sarah, praising the ease with which she moved between a clear tone, a falsetto and a rasp.
In a tough call, Adam chose Sarah as the winner and forecast great things in her future. "Sarah is probably one of the better singers this competition's ever seen. She could win this whole thing," he remarked.
In another Team Adam battle, singer-pianist Amy Whitcomb bested Agina Alvarez at "Heartbreaker."
Also Tuesday, Michelle Chamuel beat out Carmen M with a take on "Titanium" for a chance to stay on Team Usher.
And on Team Blake, the Morgan Twins proved two heads aren't better than one, at least not when they're up against country singer Justin Rivers singing "Easy."
But a final epic battle — and another last-second steal — were still to come Tuesday night, with two Shakira protégées battling each other on a song by their very own coach, "Antes De Las Seis."
Shakira wanted to see which of her two young aspiring Latin pop stars, Bronx-bred 19-year-old Cathia or Havana-born teen Mary Miranda, could put the most heart and personality into a song she knew all too well.
Despite studying the song more intently than Mary, Cathia got tripped up on some of the song's other details — and blamed Mary, who had been singing on a chorus when she wasn't supposed to.
The pair's ego clash in rehearsals was one befitting of the divas both wanted to become, and it led to one of the battle rounds' most dramatic showdowns on stage.
Blake said he would have gone with Cathia, while Adam said he preferred Mary's performance. But it was Shakira's opinion that counted.
"I like you both equally. I enjoyed your performance from top to bottom," she told the young performers, before declaring Mary the winner, calling her "extremely charismatic."
Cathia headed off the stage battle tears, but she got an unexpected reprieve when Usher hit his button to steal her, ensuring that she'd be hearing back to "The Voice" next week in the knockout rounds.
"The Voice" airs Mondays and Tuesday at 8/7c on NBC.


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Conley, Grizzlies edge Kings
Sacramento, CA – Mike Conley poured in 25 points and his go- ahead score with 30 seconds left helped lift the Memphis Grizzlies to an 89-87 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
Marc Gasol had 15 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks, and his rejection of Marcus Thornton's 3-pointer on the last play of the game preserved the victory.
Quincy Pondexter scored 17 off the bench and Tony Allen had 12 points for the Grizzlies, who moved to a game-behind idle Denver for the three-seed in the Western Conference.
DeMarcus Cousins had a team-high 22 points along with nine rebounds for the Kings, who have dropped the first four of a five-game homestand. Isaiah Thomas followed with 18 points and eight assists, while Toney Douglas and Jimmer Fredette scored 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Memphis was up by eight with just under four minutes to play, but Sacramento surged ahead, 85-84, with nine unanswered points. Cousins capped the surge with a long jumper to give the Kings the lead with 44 seconds left.
Conley, though, answered right back with a running jumper to put the Grizzlies ahead for good. After Cousins missed a layup at the other end, Pondexter sank a pair of free throws to create a three-point edge.
Thomas converted a layup with seven seconds left and the Kings trailed by just two after Conley only split a pair from the line. However, Thornton couldn't finish off the comeback, as his attempt from beyond the arc was went straight into Gasol's hand.
"He pump-faked and I didn't jump," Gasol said. "I'm not much of a jumper anyway. The switch worked out."
Memphis trailed by one with 3:45 left in the third, but pulled ahead 66-58 after Conley's 3-pointer capped a 9-0 surge. The Kings then trailed up until they took the lead with under a minute left in the game.
Pondexter had nine points 14 minutes through the game, with his slam putting the Grizzlies ahead 29-17. The Kings, though, countered with a 19-7 run and tied the score at 36-36 on a layup from Douglas.
Neither team led by more than two over the last four minutes of the half, and the Kings held a 44-43 edge at the break after Fredette's driving score in the final seconds.
"It came down to execution," Kings forward Chuck Hayes said. "They got a block and Conley hit a floater. You can tell they are getting ready for the playoffs and they are in playoff form."
Game Notes
Memphis improved to 22-17 on the road ... The Kings were 7-for-25 from 3-point range ... The Grizzlies' Zach Randolph finished with nine points and seven rebounds.


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Free flash games have evolved greatly in the past couple of years: action, adventure, sports flash games and many more. Everyone likes to play from time to time, whether it is about going out with a dozen of friends for a hot football or basketball game or staying in and playing on the PC, Xbox, and GameCube, Play Station or online free flash games. Others build plane or ship models. There are people who like to play an instrument, paint, go to or even take part in theater shows.
Each of us has his or her own way of relaxing and forgetting about all the troubles and worries for a couple of hours a day. Next, we will see how the Internet proves itself as useful in entertainment as it does in business, news and all other matters and how it could give you a good time with a couple of clicks: action, adventure, sports flash games and many more.
Initially, flash applications consisted in presentations (products, projects) and came in handy as online ads as they one could easily post them on websites. Flash is a really balanced and accessible design program and is superior to similar software, such as Microsoft PowerPoint as it gives one the ability to conceive more complex graphics and action scripts like free flash games.
Flash also provides you with a frame controller so that you can practically edit every frame of the clip in instance and so on. That is why free flash games are so popular besides the attractive graphics, they are user friendly and the design possibilities are limitless. Let us take for example a few games (like action, adventure, arcade and sports flash games) found on dedicated websites, such as ours, flashgamesbreak.com.
Galactic tennis the idea is simple and classical. Do you remember the old Pong game? Well, with modern software it became one of the hundreds of flash free games out there. The basic idea remained the same but the designer added more attractive graphics (like 2 spaceships instead of simple straight bars as players, a couple of tribunes and a futuristic field) and sounds, thus giving the player an improved experience.
Turning to sports flash games, let us mention Jet Ski. This is a common idea: the user takes control of a surfer towed through an obstacle course. The only thing is that a jet fighter plane is towing you! It inevitably makes you think about how it would be to do that in real life and this brings us to another main idea of free flash games: most of them have such a design, that they will make you laugh or at least smile. Whether it is about the colors or the caricature-like characters, the ridiculous ideas that the games propose the purpose is the same: to give you a good time and bring you in a good mood.
Details are also a key factor of sports flash games and flash games in general no one would have fun facing a blank screen, controlling a line with a circle on top (the surfer), being dragged around by a triangle (the plane), all in a disturbing and monotonous blue environment (the water). Instead, the designer provides the player with plenty of details, such as a few gauges, a compass and a radar (with no particular in-game function, just for aesthetics) to give you the cockpit feeling.
Creating flash games is not such an easy job and requires well-grounded flash knowledge, specific action script (for the game to actually work), but it is all worth it, given the knowledge you acquire for yourself, which may prove useful later on if you decide to take up a job in the online field. You could also earn a lot of money doing a pleasant job. Nevertheless, the best part is the warm feeling that you have when you think about all the people whom you have helped smiling, which is not something about which anyone can brag.


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Expert Reviews
2008 Jeep Commander
The Jeep Commander offers more capability over rugged terrain than most drivers will ever need. It can haul up to seven people and a lot of stuff just about anywhere it can fit. If you're expecting an unrefined vehicle with sluggish performance, however, you'll be surprised. It's surprisingly smooth and spry.
As suggested by its slab-sided styling, the Commander offers utility and a roomy, airy cabin. The rear seats are progressively stepped up, theater style, giving back-seat riders a view of the road. This feeling of airiness is enhanced by a pair of glass roof panels, though the third row is best reserved for 10-year-olds.
Utility comes in the form of a perfectly flat cargo floor when the rear two rows are folded down, providing 68.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Those in the front seats enjoy a comfortable cabin, much of which is shared with the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Belied by the utilitarian styling, however, is the Commander's responsiveness and ride quality. It rides surprisingly well for a tall, seven-passenger SUV. On the highway, the Commander is a notably smooth and comfortable cruiser. It's reasonably quiet, allowing easy conversation, a pleasant surprise given the squared-off styling and all-terrain tires. The tall ride height and off-road capability make the Commander handle poorly, though. While not tippy, the Commander is prone to body lean in turns and heavy braking, and isn't as nimble as the latest crossover SUVs.
A choice of V6 and V8 engines is available. The mid-level 4.7-liter V8 is upgraded for 2008, gaining 70 horsepower for a total of 305 while also gaining slightly in fuel economy performance. With its responsive acceleration and 6,500-pound towing capacity, the 4.7-liter V8 is a fine choice in the Commander. The top-line 5.7-liter V8 Hemi makes the Commander downright quick and is best for those who need to tow trailers up to 7,400 pounds.
Two-wheel-drive models are available, though that seems a curious choice because it loses the benefits of Jeep's highly capable four-wheel-drive systems, one of the Commander's most compelling features. Buyers who don't need off-road capability might be better served by something else.
In addition to the upgraded 4.7-liter V8, Commander gets new entertainment and off-road features for 2008, as well as an available five-passenger version. The entertainment features consist of Sirius Backseat TV with three child-oriented channels and Jeep's MyGig, a 20-gigabyte hard drive that holds songs, pictures, and navigation system map information. Hill-start assist holds the brakes when the driver lets off them on a hill to allow smooth launches. Hill-descent control uses the ABS to control the rate of speed when driving down steep hills. Commander is available with an optional trailer sway control system that helps stabilize trailers during towing.
Model Lineup
Jeep Commander Sport 2WD ($27,415); Sport 4WD ($29,415): Limited 2WD ($36,305); Limited 4WD ($38,925); Overland 2WD ($40,385); Overland 4WD ($43,850)
Walk AroundBased on the Grand Cherokee, the Jeep Commander is the second-largest civilian-production Jeep in history. (The largest was the J-120/J-130 Gladiator pickup of the 1960s and '70s.) The Commander is two inches longer and 3.2 inches taller than the Grand Cherokee. The Commander's stepped roofline makes for excellent headroom for the rear-seat passengers, and the stepped effect is camouflaged by a roof rack rail.
The Commander is instantly recognizable as a Jeep, thanks to liberal use of Jeep design cues, such as the seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel openings, and squared-off lines with flat surfaces. Exposed Allen-head bolts along the wheel openings and in the headlamp module are decorative, intended to create a technical look.
Its body sides are more vertical than those on most SUVs, consistent with Jeep design heritage. From the rear, the flat hatch helps define a boxy space that reminds us of the Hummer H2. Jeep literature points instead to boxier ancestors within the Jeep family, including the 1946-65 Station Wagon, the 1963-91 Wagoneer, and the 1984-01 Cherokee.
The roof rack rail has three integrated tie-downs on each side. On Limited and Overland, assist handles extend from the roof rail down the back of the D-pillars, adding to the rugged, utilitarian appearance of the vehicle. The assist handles are black with chrome inserts on Limited, and black with platinum inserts on the Overland. On top of the rear bumper is a diamond-plate-texture step pad. The pad's nonskid surface is helpful when stepping on the rear bumper to gain access to the roof of the vehicle for tying down kayaks, bicycles and other gear.
Jeep has reached deep into its heritage to revive the Overland name. First built in 1903, the Overland automobile was the earliest ancestor of the Willys. Willys played an instrumental role in the development and production of the World War II-era Jeep, but was also the first automaker to seriously envision a civilian market for a military-style utility vehicle. The Willys Jeep debuted in 1946 and had its name shortened to just-plain Jeep in the early 1960s. Although the Jeep brand has passed through several owners since then, its lineage remains unbroken.
InteriorThe cockpit of the Jeep Commander has a cozy, cocoon-like feel to it. The seats are nicely shaped and padded, and the steering wheel, a four-spoke design with cruise control buttons at the thumb positions, has the substantial feel of leather and exposed stitching on higher line models. The Commander has a tangible sheltering quality that immediately appealed to us. It's the kind of vehicle we'd like to get into on a cold, windy day.
At the same time, the Commander offers a sense of spaciousness. Overhead skylights add an airy feeling for passengers in the second row. The skylights are fixed and don't open, but they have pull-out shades to filter light and reduce heat. The Commander's raised roof permits use of stadium seating; each row is higher than the one in front of it, giving second- and third-row passengers enhanced forward visibility.
Up front, occupants enjoy a commanding view of the road. Head and leg room are plentiful. From the driver's seat, the controls are all within easy reach and are logically placed. The materials are decent for the price, but there are more hard plastic surfaces than top-line buyers might like. Commander offers good storage space, with a large center console, a decent-sized glove box with an open cubby above it, plenty of cupholders and other thoughtful cubby holes here and there.
The second-row seats are comfortable but are tight on leg room for taller passengers. The third-row seat will accommodate an adult, but seems designed for children in the eight- to 10-year-old range. To access the rear, the second-row seat flops forward, providing a careful adult with a reasonably easy path to the rearmost bench seat, which is split 50-50. Those of average size and weight should be able to make their way into the third row with minimal effort. Still, the Commander is only a few inches bigger than a standard Grand Cherokee, so back-row seating is not ideal for taller adults or for longer trips. The third row does have available rear heating and air conditioning controls, and nearby power points. In addition to providing comfort for children, the rear HVAC can be a relief to dogs on hot days.
Both the second- and third-row seats fold to create a perfectly flat load floor, and there is an L-shaped storage bin located behind the third-row seats. The arrangement means that there will always be a practical way to configure the Commander for either more passenger seating, or added cargo and gear. It strikes us as versatile, with few tradeoffs. The load floor height is relatively high, however, at 36.2 inches, meaning it requires extra effort to lift cargo up and in.
Jeep says the MyGig Multi-Media Infotainment system can hold 1600 songs. The MyGig Entertainment system doesn't have a navigation system and all its associated map information, so it hold twice as many songs. The rear-seat DVD package is now offered with Sirius Backseat TV. The TV has three channels, all aimed at kids: Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, and Nickelodeon. Two sets of headphones are provided, so front passengers can listen to Sirius radio while rear occupants watch the TV. With the car in Park, front passengers can watch TV on the MyGig screen.
Driving ImpressionsThe Jeep Commander is remarkably responsive around town for a seven-passenger SUV, a trait we noticed while driving them in Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Its rack-and-pinion steering feels more precise than in many truck-based SUVs. Driving in rush-hour traffic reveals the Commander to be quicker, better balanced, and a little more conducive to aggressive driving than the average truck-based SUV, and far more so than its appearance suggests.
Still, the Commander is a tall and heavy and it suffers from copious body lean during heavy braking and in turns. When driving a Commander, you'll want to slow down more for turns than in most vehicles. Many car-based SUVs offer more stable carlike ride and handling than the Commander, and better fuel economy, too.
The Commander's 4.7-liter V8 engine delivers good throttle response around town, and with its 2008 upgrades is better than ever. The five-speed automatic transmission enhances the engine's responsiveness and features two second-gear ratios. Punching the throttle signals the automatic to kick down into the lower second gear to supply greater acceleration. Otherwise, a taller ratio with a smoother upshift is used. The effect is an energetic surge when you call for it, and a sense that you can control the transmission with your right foot.
We found the 4.7-liter V8 to be a fine all-around performer, leaving us to consider the 5.7-liter Hemi as a requirement only for those who plan to tow heavier loads. The Hemi is rated to handle up to 7,400 pounds vs. 6,500 pounds for the 4.7-liter V8.
The 3.7-liter V6 uses the same electronic throttle control as the V8s, but its EPA-ratings are only 14/19 mpg City/Highway, compared to 13/18 mpg for the 4.7-liter V8 and 13/19 (13/17 with 4WD) for the 5.7 V8. Given its fuel economy and power limitations, we would not recommend the V6.
The 4.7 offers the additional advantage of Flex-Fuel Vehicle (FFV) capability, meaning it can run happily on gasoline or up to 85 percent ethanol (E85). Except, that is, in Maine, New York, Vermont, Connecticut and California, where the 4.7 remains a gas-only unit.
On the highway, the Commander is a notably smooth and comfortable cruiser. Jeeps are not the most aerodynamic vehicles in the world, but wind and tire noise seem unremarkable, well within the range of the average SUV and something less than in bigger, square-bodied truck-based 4X4s. It is easy to maintain a conversation using normal tones of voice, and easy to imagine this would be a fine vehicle for cross-country touring.
The advanced Quadra-Drive II system and a 2.72:1 low-range gear gives the Commander excellent capability, something we learned on rocky forest trails in the Pocono Mountains. This system supplies lots of traction, and the Commander has quick steering that makes it maneuverable in tight quarters.
The Goodyear Fortera tires, with their all-terrain tread, proved their worth as traction devices and suspension components, helping to soak up the lumps from rocks and logs, and maintaining a grip clearly enhanced by the Commander's electronic traction control.
Ground clearance is sufficient to negotiate rocky terrain, but the trail was challenging enough to create a few clangs and clunks when we touched the underbody. We found the Commander capable of going anywhere it will fit. The limitation would come if the Commander were used to cross steep, narrow gulches that call for extreme angles of departure because its longer body has more rear overhang than a Grand Cherokee. Nonetheless, for most people, there is probably more rough terrain capability built into the Commander than they will ever need or use.
The 2008 Jeep Commander should be attractive to families that need four-wheel-drive capability for vacations, camping, or challenging winters. Its seven-passenger seating capability is complemented by seats that fold flat for big cargo capacity. With a wide range of engines, options and prices, the Commander is versatile enough to appeal to a broad array of buyers. On the road, it's far more quick and quiet than its slab-sided styling suggests. Those who don't need off-road capability may want to consider one of the larger crossover SUVs now available from a variety of competitors.
Off-road expert John Stewart filed the original report, with NewCarTestDrive.com editor Mitch McCullough reporting from Los Angeles and correspondent Kirk Bell reporting from Chicago.


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Corazon de Vida Foundation
Saturday, January 18, 2014 at 5:30 AM (PST)
Event Details
Saturday, January 18, 2014 Casa Hogar Sion Orphanage Trip
Los Angeles, Irvine, San Diego Departures
This bus is sold out. Please add yourself to the wait list and if a seat becomes available, we will contact you. Next trip is February 15 to the Hacienda Orphanage, please register soon as this bus will also sell out. See our calendar of events for more information.
Corazon de Vida trip to the Casa Hogar Sion Orphanage in Tijuana Mexico on Saturday, January 18, 2014. Pickup locations in Los Angeles at 5:30 AM, return approximately 7:30 PM, Irvine at 6:15 AM, return at approximately 5:30 PM & San Diego at 8:15 AM, return approximately 4:00 PM. There will be a break stop after the Irvine pickup.
CDV will provide lunch and craft activity.
Click HERE for photos of past trips. Trip overview VIDEO & ARTICLE.
ID Requirements: USA citizens MUST have a valid passport. Non USA citizens must have a passport, visa and proper forms for re-entry. Each volunteer is responsible for providing the proper ID to USA customs agent for USA return. For more information:
Trip Cost: $50.00 per person - includes transportation, lunch, craft project to share with the kids, and registration fees. Children under 18 years old and not travelling with a parent or guardian, must register using this online form AND complete a PARENT CONSENT FORM. Fax completed form to 949-296-0449.
Trip Fee is NON REFUNDABLE. If you need to cancel, CDV will use the fee as a donation to help us continue to feed and support the children.
FUNDRAISING: You must help us feed the children after our trip. We have created an ONLINE TRIP DONATION PAGE for this trip. Let's make sure the kids have enough to eat after our trip. AS A GROUP, THIS BUS HAS A GOAL TO RAISE $2,000 FOR THE CHILDREN.
Please view this video for a message from the kids.
Would You Like To Sponsor Lunch or Craft Project?: Lunch Sponsorship is $250, Craft $100. If interested, please email email@example.com
You are welcomed to bring supplies to the orphanage: Toilet Paper, Detergent, Bleach, Dish Soap, Mops, Brooms, Large Trash Bags, Toilet Paper, Diapers, Feminine Products, Shampoo, Hair Conditioners, Deodarent, Toothpaste, Baby Wipes, Pine Sol Type Cleaners, Toilet Paper, Large restaurant size cans of tuna, turkey, chicken, beef, tomatoes, apple sauce, fruit cocktail - Anything you buy at the store, multiply by 10 for an orphanage need. We can also use COSTCO GIFT CARDS. PLEASE, NO CANDY, TOYS, USED CLOTHES OR USED SHOES.
LOS ANGELES PICKUP LOCATION: Pickup at 5:30 AM - Park & Ride lot off the 105 Freeway, Crenshaw exit. Going east on 105 from the 405 Fwy, exit on Crenshaw Blvd. Turn left at 120th Street, turn left into parking lot. Going west on 105 from the 110 Fwy, exit Crenshaw Blvd. Turn left on Crenshaw, turn right on 120th St, turn right into lot. Park & Ride lot is across the street from Hawthorne airport. Meet bus on left side of lot.
IRVINE: Pickup at 6:15 AM - 2062 Business Center Drive, Irvine 92612 - Park in rear.
SAN DIEGO: Pickup at 8:15 AM ~ 8:30 AM - Traveling either north or south on the 5 freeway in San Diego, exit the Clairemont/East Mission Bay ramp in Mission Bay. At the stop sign, turn left, heading west towards the bay. Turn right at the next street, Mission Bay Drive. Turn left next driveway where there is a Boat Ramp sign Park in spaces closest to Mission Bay Drive. Do not park in the middle spaces as they are reserved for boat trailers.
Corazon de Vida Foundation
Mailing Address:
14252 Culver Drive, Suite A-800
Irvine, CA 92604
949-476-1144 x 7
949-296-0449 Fax
When & Where
Casa Hogar Sion
Baja California
Saturday, January 18, 2014 at 5:30 AM (PST)
Add to my calendar
Corazon de Vida Foundation
Founded by Hilda Pacheco-Taylor in 1994, Corazon de Vida (CDV) is committed to empowering and changing the lives of the orphaned and abandoned children in Baja. To learn more, please visit www.corazondevida.org Corazon de Vida is a 501 c3 nonprofit organization, tax id #33-0707788. All donations are tax exempt to the fullest extent of the law.


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Ariel Castro faces 977 charges in Cleveland kidnappings
Ariel Castro faces hundreds of new charges in the Cleveland kidnappings of Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight. If convicted on all counts, he could be sentenced to more than 21,000 years in prison. VPC
Ariel Castro, the 52-year-old former school bus driver accused of holding three Cleveland women captive for more than a decade, faces nearly 1,000 rape, kidnapping and sexual abuse charges as he goes on trial next month.
A Cuyahoga County grand jury indicted Castro on 977 charges Friday, prosecutor Timothy McGinty said.
In addition to the 512 counts of kidnapping, 446 counts of rape and seven counts of sexual abuse, Castro is also charged with two counts of aggravated murder for allegedly beating one of the women so severely that she lost a pregnancy. He also faces six counts of assault, three counts of child endangerment and one count of possessing criminal tools.
The two aggravated murder charges stem from a single instance during the fourth pregnancy of Michelle Knight, who was the first woman to disappear. One aggravated murder charge alleges premeditation. The second murder charge alleges that the murder took place during a kidnapping.
The state could seek the death penalty for the two counts of aggravated murder. The prosecutor's Capital Review Committee is scheduled to evaluate the case later this month.
The indictment covers the entire period of captivity, from the Aug. 22, 2002, disappearance of Knight to May 6, when Amanda Berry, missing since April 21, 2003, and her child escaped Castro's Cleveland house and led police to Knight and Gina DeJesus, missing since April 2, 2004.
The charges lodged Friday replace an earlier indictment, which charged Castro in June with 329 counts and covered the first four years of the women's captivity.
"Today's indictment moves us closer to resolution of this gruesome case,'' McGinty said in a statement. "Our investigation continues, as does our preparation for trial."
Castro, who had pleaded not guilty to the earlier charges, will be arraigned on the new charges July 17. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Aug. 5.
Follow @DonnaLeinwand on Twitter.


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Anand Mahindra, of Indian truck manufacturer Mahindra, recently tweeted a question indicating his interest in Saab and asking followers their opinion of the brand. Curried gravlax? Delicious. But wait — when did Twitter become how businesses do due diligence?
As we reported earlier, Indian truck manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra Limited is planning to bring its T40 pickup to the United States. Now Anand Mahindra, the company's vice chairman and managing director, is expressing interest in Saab. The tweet below — a retweet of another user's question, along with Mahindra's answer — popped up on Friday.
This may seem a bit random, but consider the possibilities: Mahindra wants to establish a commercial presence in the United States. Thanks to a partnership with Navistar International (the Indian company builds International trucks in India under license), it has a business connection here but no significant foothold. Purchasing Saab would give it something resembling an infrastructure, including a dealer network, staffing, and a small amount of brand equity.
Also, you know, it would let Saab end up in the hands of someone who isn't the son of weirdo gun-target Russian mafia money and/or a dinky-ass supercar shop. Long live capitalism, dost!


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Our talented Chefs have whipped up a batch of recipes to inspire your holiday gift-making. Through the months of November and December, look for fun recipes for a variety of sewing levels and for all types of recipients. The gift recipes are classified by difficulty level: the "Easy" recipes take about 30 minutes to make, the "Moderate" recipes will take you about an hour, and the "Ambitious" recipes will take a couple of hours. All bets are off when it comes to quilts, though, so if you are inspired by one of the quilting recipes this month, maybe think about giving it to your loved one next Christmas. 😉
Happy sewing and gifting,
Oda May
Pre-cut Guru at Moda Fabrics/United Notions
The Moda Bake Shop is a division of Moda Fabrics that provides online recipes which you can use with the wide range of Moda Pre-cuts. All sizes and types of projects will be featured from various designers and shops. Tutorials for various Moda projects sheets will be illustrated with step by step pictures. Some techniques and products will also be featured throughout, so check back often for what is "baking" here at Moda Fabrics.
Latest posts by Oda May (see all)
- Building Blocks: 4-Patches - September 26, 2018
- National Sew a Jelly Roll Day - September 15, 2018
- How to Make: Continuous Bias Binding - September 2, 2018


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Ed Sheeran LX1E Little Martin
Ed Sheeran LX1E Little Martin
If You Want To Know More About Ed Sheeran's Gear
Ed Sheeran Gear Guide: Featuring 'THE' Loop Pedal and Pawed Guitar
Ed Sheeran recently delivered the news about a signature LX1E guitar that he designed in conjunction with Martin. They're open for Pre-Order now (ship in Autumn) and are proving massively popular already. So get yourself a nice, compact Martin and that sweet but punchy tone Ed has made his own.
While dreadnought guitars are great for big, ballsy strumming and deep tone there is a lot to be said for a tight and mid focused sound. Plus a smaller guitar let's you pull off some of the neat tricks that are so popular with live loopers like Mr Sheeran. We can help you get the right instrument but only practice will give you the techniques for that inventive, articulate and soulful songwriter style. Luckily Total Guitar have broken down Ed's technique into a number of lessons, tide yourself over waiting for the release of the LX1E by developing your playing.


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News of stronger sales for U.S. car makers may cheer investors, but analysts said the news also means car buyers searching for great deals might want to wait.
GM's GM, -0.20% profit in North America rose 23% at $1.7 billion, helped by tight control on inventories. The company expects profitability to remain steady in the second and third quarters as it focuses on a new range of light trucks, luxury Cadillacs, and the new version of its Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan.
Some families are forgoing pricey student loans in favor of alternative strategies. Photo: AP.
Credit cards, credit scores and more
• Why prepaid cards aren't for everyone
• 5 best credit cards for vacation travel
• How to fire your bank
• The credit cards with the best travel rewards
More Consumer Advice
• Payday loans could spur costly debt cycle
• Goodbye new-car discounts, hello perks
• Insurance you don't need: skip this, buy that
• What it costs to lose your smartphone
• How to switch elite status to another airline
• Want to get out of jury duty? Here's how
• 8 tips for finding cheap airfares
• What car mechanics don't want you to know
• What not to say when pulled over by a cop
scam alerts
• Smartphones hike your risk of ID fraud
How to spot debt collection scams
• Watch for ATM skimming
But buyers looking for a car should hold off until auto makers roll out their new stock, analysts say. The Chevy Traverse, Nissan Altima, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave will soon be replaced by the 2013 line. "There will be some discounting on older models when those new models arrive," said Chintan Talati, spokesman for TrueCar.com.
As sales have picked up, auto makers scaled back incentives on new cars in recent months in a move to boost their profit margins, analysts said. Incentives fell nearly 5% to an average of $2,446 during April, according to a survey by TrueCar.com, and have dropped by nearly 10% for Ford.
"I wouldn't expect much in the way of incentives," said Joe Wiesenfelder, senior analyst at Cars.com. He said U.S. car makers needs to keep profit margins higher here partly due to weakness in Europe.
"The days of incredibly amazing deals are probably behind us," said Carroll Lachnit, features editor at Edmunds.com. The one exception may be Japanese auto makers, which have kept incentives up. (Tom Henderson, a spokesman for GM, said incentives will rise and fall, and says transaction prices don't take account for the high trade-in prices for used cars.)
It's also a busy time of year for the auto industry, so there are fewer reasons for dealers to cut prices. "If you can wait for the fire to be off the market that's a good idea," Lachnit said. The average transaction price for light vehicles in the U.S. was $30,303 in April 2012, up 4.2% ($1,219) from April 2011, according to TrueCar.com.
"Typically more people buy cars as the weather gets nicer," said Brian Moody, industry analyst at AutoTrader.com. Deals for leases may be more enticing at the moment, he said. GM, for instance, is offering $159 per month leases on a Chevy Cruze, with a $1879 down payment.
Get a daily roundup of the top reads in personal finance delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to MarketWatch's free Personal Finance Daily newsletter. Sign up here.


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Ridgway wins dual over Chucks
Ridgway wrestling continued its strong march through the season with a 43-17 dual win over Punxsutawney Thursday night at Ridgway Area High School. Ridgway's middle and upper weight wrestlers continued to pick up winning results, the Elkers won every match from the 145-pound weight class until the 285-pound weight class. "Just a total team effort, I'm really pleased with what we had," Ridgway coach Gary Gerber said. We had some big matches. They've (the middle and upper-weight wrestlers) been coming on strong, they've been the solid point of our team all season. They've been doing really well.The dual opened at 170 pounds as Jake Himes picked up an 8-3 decision over Carl Langley. Himes opened the first period with a takedown and then added a set of two back points with 30 seconds left to take a 4-0 lead. Langley was able to reverse Himes with 10 seconds left in the opening two minutes to halve the margin at 4-2. Langley was in the down position to start the second period and escaped with 43 seconds left to make the margin 4-3. Himes hit a 4-point move with a takedown and two back points to take an 8-3 lead. That score would prove to be the final as Himes took an 8-3 decision in the dual opener. Kyle Caggiano pinned Ryan Marshall in the 182-pound weight class in a time of 1:36 as Ridgway took a 9-0 lead. Seth Stahl added a pin for Ridgway at 195 as he stuck Josh Neal to the mat in a time of 3:37. "Seth Stahl was pinned by that kid last year," Gerber said. "That's a big win for Seth."Chad Quail picked up the Elkers' third pin in a row as he downed Tyler Titus in a time of 4:31 in the 220-pound bout. Chris Woods won via forfeit for Ridgway at 285 pounds. In the latter stages of the dual, Zac McKnight picked up an 18-7 major decision over Punxsutawney freshman Perry Arrington in the 145-pound bout. A turning point of the bout came when McKnight held a slim 4-3 lead in the second period. McKnight hit Arrington with a 5-point move, a takedown and three back points, as McKnight was able to build on a cushion en route to the four team points. "Zac McKnight did a good job for us," Gerber said. "That kid's a really talented freshman that they have." Steve Mitchell won a 14-1 major decision over Caesar Maruca at 152 pounds. Mitchell led 9-1 after the first and second period, then had a long 3-point near fall in the third period as he was close to getting a pin but was able to secure four team points for Ridgway. Gerber said Mitchell wrestled a strong match even though Mitchell was not "feeling 100 percent." Slade Horner handed Seth Spack an 11-7 setback in the dual's final bout at 160 pounds. After a scoreless first period, Spack was in the down position to start the second period and escaped to take the lead. Horner then hit a takedown and a set of two back points for a 4-1 lead. After a Spack escape, Horner added a takedown and another two back points to lead 8-2. At 9-4, Spack was able to flip Horner around on his back and nearly pinned the Ridgway senior but Horner was able to get back on his stomach and avoid the pin, giving up three back points in the process and still holding a 9-7 lead. A Horner reversal with 37 seconds left gave him some breathing room as he took the decision, 11-7. "Slade Horner was phenomenal in that match," Gerber said. "That kid's a lot bigger than Slade but we put Slade up to get a good match for him and he wrestled tremendous for us."Andy Bullers of Punxsutawney won by forfeit for the Chucks at 106 pounds. After there was no match at 113 pounds, Joel Bowers scored a technical fall over Cody Stahl of Ridgway, 17-1 in a time of 3:46 in the 120-pound bout. Corey Bush answered for Ridgway in the 126-pound match with a technical fall of his own, 19-4, in a time of 1:48 over Devan Snyder. Josh Schuckers won an 8-5 decision for the Chucks over Brett Himes in the 132-pound bout. Schuckers was up 7-1 after the first period but Himes was able to make a rally and was within three at 8-5. Near the end of the third period, Himes was close to earning back points at the edge of the mat against the Punxsutawney sophomore but could not turn him enough. Neko Cappella won a close 3-1 decision over Ridgway's Dakota Dahler at 138 pounds. After a scoreless first period, Cappella was able to escape in the early stages of the second period to take a 1-0 advantage. Cappella took down Dahler with six seconds left in the period to up the margin to 3-0. Dahler was able to earn an escape in the third period to pull within a takedown of a tie. Dahler and Cappella locked up in the neutral position for the majority of the third period but Dahler was unable to score the equalizing takedown in the late stages of the third period. "Dakota Dahler did a tremendous job against one of their better wrestlers and it's only his fourth match back," Gerber said. "He's going to get stronger and better as the year goes. We get him 100 percent, we'll be in good shape. I'm real pleased with what I saw."Ridgway (11-1 dual record) is at Curwensville next Thursday for a dual meet. Ridgway then will be at the Clearfield Duals on Saturday, Jan. 21."There are a lot of big teams down there, a lot of AAA schools that will be tough," Gerber said. "We need the competition to see what we can do."


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There were 63 bookings at the San Joaquin County Jail in the 24 hours ending at 8 a.m. Sunday. At that time, there were 1,405 people held at the jail, which has an official capacity of 1,411.
There were 63 bookings at the San Joaquin County Jail in the 24 hours ending at 8 a.m. Sunday. At that time, there were 1,405 people held at the jail, which has an official capacity of 1,411.
Shooting into an occupied vehicle: A 24-year-old man and his 2-year-old son were inside a parked vehicle in the 500 block of Howard Street when an unknown assailant shot into the vehicle at about 6:45 p.m. Saturday. The vehi cle and garage were struck several times by bullets, but no one was injured. There is no information on the shooter.
Shooting: A 56-year-old man reported at 7:23 p.m. Saturday that he was walking inside a resident in the 100 block of South Union Street, when he heard a gunshot. Then, he realized he had been shot. He saw a gray Ford Mustang leave the area, but the suspect is not described in detail, The man was treated at a local hospital and is in stable condition.
Attempted robbery: A 47-year-old woman reported at 7:24 p.m. Saturday that she was walking near El Dorado and Church streets when someone approached her, brandishing a small black semi-automatic handgun. The suspect bypassed her and instead attacked a 29-year-old man, grabbing him by his throat and placing the gun to his head. The attacker demanded money, and hit the man with the gun after hearing the man didn't have money. He is described as a Latino in his 30s, long black hair, wearing a red 49ers T-shirt and a tan hat.
Shooting: A 23-year-old man arrived at St. Joseph's Medical Center with a gunshot wound at 1 a.m. Sunday. He had been searching people before they entered a party in the 1400 block of East Channel Street. A black car pulled up in front of the location and an occupant asked if anyone wanted to buy some marijuana. When the victim replied "no," he said they shot at him. He was treated for a non-life-threatening wound. The assailants were not described in detail.
Arson: Officers responded to the 3500 block of Queensland Court at 1:58 a.m. Sunday on a report of a house fire. A gasoline can was found in the house, and the blaze was determined to be caused by arson, according to a police report. Two suspects dressed in black were not described in detail.
Resisting arrest: A security officer asked a man to leave Weberstown Mall around 3:59 p.m. Saturday but he refused to obey the request. He resisted when police officers attempted to take him into custody for trespassing. After a short struggle, Delcon Andrews, 19, was arrested for trespassing and resisting arrest.
Weapons arrest: Officers from multiple agencies attempted to check out a man in the are of Estate and Stanfield drives at 9:50 p.m. Saturday in response to a call. As officers chased him on foot, he removed a handgun from his clothing, officials said. Officers tackled and arrested Gary Lawless, 18, for weapons charges.
The California Highway Patrol responded to 15 noninjury accidents and nine injury accidents in the 24 hours ending at 8 a.m. Sunday. CHP officers also arrested eight people on charges of driving under the influence and recovered three stolen vehicles.
The Stockton Fire Department responded to 85 calls for service in the 24 hours ending at 8 a.m. Sunday, including four vehicle accidents, 68 medical calls and three structure fires.


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Semi-skilled Operatives Haverhill
Salary: £21,372 Per Annum Sector: Warehouse / Logistics, Forklift Driver Contract Type: Full time
Forklift Driver jobs from the Warehouse / Logistics sector in Essex and East Anglia from Just Recruitment. Just Recruitment are the leading recruitment agency covering the whole of Essex and East Anglia, from Chelmsford, Colchester, Southend and East London to Norwich, Lowestoft, Felixstowe and Ipswich. Just Recruitment - Placing People First Across Essex & East Anglia.
This section enables you to customise your search and return those jobs that fit the criteria you have selected. Visit regularly to search for new opportunities or alternatively register for jobs by email and receive new vacancies direct to your inbox.
Search Results Page 1 of 1. Total Results: 3
Search Results Page 1 of 1. Total Results: 3


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COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- With Kellie Cook hitting from long range,
Tacarra Hayes driving the lane for layups and everyone pounding the
glass, the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team earned a
key Ohio Valley Conference victory Thursday night in Eblen Center,
downing Murray State 80-67 in front of 3,180 pink-clad, happy
In avenging a 10-point loss at Murray a month ago, the Golden Eagles improved to 10-14 overall and 5-9 in the tight OVC race. Murray State left town with the same 10-14 overall mark and a 5-8 league worksheet.
With five league victories, the Golden Eagles are just one game out of fourth place in the win column.
The Golden Eagles answered the league's highest-scoring offense with a variety on offense, led by Cook's career-high 26 points. The freshman from Madison, Ala., was 5-for-9 from long distance and 9-for-17 overall.
Hayes finished the contest with 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while freshman Tiara Hopper added 10 points and seven rebounds.
The Golden Eagles owned a 41-29 advantage in rebounds, with Kylie Cook grabbing seven misses and Krystal Stirrup adding six boards and six points.
Kayla Vance was Murray's leading scorer with 27 points, while Mallory Luckett added 12 points and four assists. Mariah Robinson had a solid effort with eight points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots for the Racers.
The win snapped a six-game win streak by the Racers over the Golden Eagles, and gave Tech a 55-13 all-time margin in the series.
Tech allowed the Racers to take a 2-0 lead, then took control and never trailed after Kellie Cook tied the contest and followed with a 3-pointer for a 5-2 TTU lead. Tech led by as many as nine in the opening half before taking a seven-point, 38-31 lead into halftime.
Tech's lead reached double digits for the first time when Hopper hit a jumper with 15:58 remaining to make it 46-36. The Racers pulled within six points twice after that, the last time at 48-42 on two free throws by Kayla Lowe.
Hayes hit a driving layup and Cook a 3-pointer and the margin was back to two figures. Tech's largest margin, a 16-point lead, came with 6:28 to play on a jumper by Hayes.
Tech will host UT Martin Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. to open another OVC doubleheader in Eblen Center. Tickets are available at the Athletic Ticket Office in Eblen Center or by calling (931) 372-3940.


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PRINCETON — Two contests from Tuesday's election remain too close to call.
Preliminary results from the circuit clerk race show Mary Romanelli Dremann ahead of challenger Dawn Reglin by only 97 votes.
In an even tighter race for the Bureau County Board, incumbent Mike Maynard leads Republican challenger Weldon Wilkinson by 275 to 272 votes for the District 15 seat.
On Thursday, Bureau County Clerk Kami Hieronymus said both races are too close to call, and the winners will not be announced until the Nov. 20 deadline is reached and all absentee ballots have been received and counted by her office.


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Regal Colors, Updated: Purple & Gold in Today's Homes
Purple and gold are a pair with a lot of history. Purple was the exclusive color of royalty, and gold detailing and accessories were a true display of wealth. A warm reddish plum or a deep aubergine are bold statements, yet I'm loving the fresh twist of an airy lilac or lavender paired with gilt accents. It's a modern twist that can work in any home, nobility or not.
Here are some of my favorite pairings of lilac and gold from around the web:
1. The Lenoxx via Curbly
2. House Beautiful
3. Elle Decor
4. From the Desk of Lola
5. Drake Design Associates
Do you pair purple and gold in your home?
Images: As linked above.


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Incorporating Southwestern Inspiration
If you're looking for a way to add a bit of texture, color, and pattern while incorporating a piece with cultural significance, these looks integrating Navajo rugs and blankets might be right for you.
This look works great when used to punch up a clean modern vibe, and looks seamless when included in a eclectic, travel-oriented or southwestern setting. You can pick up knock off versions at places like Urban Outfitters but I prefer searching sites like ebay for vintage versions or picking up originals while traveling.
1. Image via Design Sponge
2. Image via Design Sponge
3. Image via Little Green Notebook
4. Image via DJA West
5. Image via House Beautiful
6. Image via Elle Décor
7. Image via Old Brand New
8. Ace Hotel Palm Springs via The Frugal Materialist
9. Image via The Brick House
10. Ralph Lauren's Ranch via Architectural Digest
(Images: as credited above)


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cool 18 September, was this announced with the schedules and things I am not sure??
Thanks to survivorphoenix .......... :sucks[/quote Before i forget what a cool logo for the new season!
Hundgen said he has no problem signing the show's strict confidentiality agreements and is content not sharing spoilers with anyone, including family members. But people who watch the televised version of the show with him get a different kind of insight: "I feel like they're trying to watch the show, and every time something comes on, I go, 'Oh! I helped build that.' "As of Wednesday, Hundgen said he still didn't know where he would be lodging in Gabon, an African country bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the equator. In China and Palau, he stayed in hotels, but there's a chance he might be camping outside for the show's 17th season."They've had to do that before in Fiji, and they said that wasn't too good," he said. "But I think I'll be all right."
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