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Illuminatus is a world class CGI production studio specialising in CG imaging, animation and VFX for the global entertainment and advertising industries.
Founded by Ben Robins, Illuminatus creates beautiful imagery for leading brands, working collaboratively with our clients to produce creative campaigns of the highest standard. Our ethos is to listen to the individual needs of our clients and work together to deliver high-impact imagery.
We bring to life creative ideas for print, digital and broadcast media.
More about our founder...
Ben is a traditionally trained illustrator with a keen eye for detail and finishing. After studying Technical Illustration in the early 2000s, Ben spent a decade working at some of the UK's top CG studios and Production Companies such as The Mill, Framestore and Nexus Productions, where he contributed to high-profile campaigns for leading Agencies & Directors.
During this time Ben was able to develop and nurture his own client base and as a result founded Illuminatus in 2011, a creative CGI studio supplying high end creative production services for Agencies, Brands & Photographers.
We are currently in an exciting period of growth, working on some amazing projects, and we are keen to develop our client-base further. With an amazing team of artists, photographers and re-touchers, we can bring your ideas to life!


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In Native Gardens, an ambitious young couple moves into a fixer-upper in an affluent DC neighborhood. Husband Pablo (Gabriel Ruiz) is a lawyer, his pregnant wife Tania (Paloma Nozicka) is working on her doctorate dissertation. Their nice and lively, albeit politically incorrect, neighbors are a defense contractor Virginia (Janet Ulrich Brooks) and her retired gardening-loving husband Frank (Patrick Clear). Shortly after moving in, Pablo has a bright idea to invite his entire law firm (all sixty people) to a barbeque in their embarrassingly unfinished yard, so the young couple gets to work. The old wire fence separating the neighbors' properties (very nice design set by William Boles) has to go, but it soon becomes evident that Frank has been gardening on extra 23 inches of land that actually belongs to the new couple, according to the property plans.
Upon further calculations Pablo realizes that those 23 inches along the old fence translate into extra 80 sq feet of land which goes for "about $15,000 at a current market price". Well, it's a war then! Frank refuses to let go of his lovingly raised flowers right up against the ill-placed fence, while the young couple is on a mission to re-claim what's rightfully theirs.
Who knew that an incorrectly placed fence would cause so much commotion? We all did, we saw it coming before the play even started. But despite its predictability, this comedy is still entertaining and somewhat thought provoking. Written by Karen Zacarias and directed by Marti Lyons, Native Gardens is more about generation clash, stereotypes, ageism and racism rather than the property lines. The older couple is from the pre-self-censorship era, and in their ignorance, they don't always choose words carefully; they say what's on their minds rather than hide behind politically correct words and ideas. But those words are often offensive to the delicate ears of Tania, whose proper opinions, frankly, make for sterile conversation, enough to put one to sleep. All in all, the two couples can't effectively communicate, so they threaten each other instead. Will their peace be restored?
Native Gardens runs through July 2nd at Victory Gardens Theater. To find out more about this show visit www.VictoryGardens.org.
Following the lives of Charlotte and Jonny, The Mystery of Love and Sex cleverly explores a variety of subjects including sexual identity, race, political correctness and family undercurrents. Charlotte and Jonny have grown up together and have become the very best of friends. Charlotte is a white girl who had lived with her parents, her father Jewish and her mother converted, while Jonny, an African American had lived with his mother just next door.
The story starts off with Charlotte and Jonny living together while attending college. They wonder if their longtime friendship can develop into something more. The two are stressed when Charlotte's parents, Howard and Lucinda, come by for dinner unsure of what they might think of their living relationship and their possible future together. Howard, a successful crime novelist accused of writing with racist and sexist overtones by Jonny ("Why are all black men able to dance? Why are most found victims women with no clothes on?"), is direct, concerned and, at times, a bit skeptical. "What is this? Like Bohemian?" He says referring to the couple's table setting. It doesn't help matters that Charlotte and Jonny are serving just salad and bread. But we quickly see how much Howard cares for both his daughter Charlotte and Jonny, who he considers his son, despite his oft coarse exterior.
As the story progresses, Charlotte and Jonny show trepidation in pursuing a future together even questioning their own sexuality. Howard and Lucinda, who consider themselves liberal parents, just want their daughter to be happy. We are then taken on several plot twists and turns in both Howard and Lucinda's marriage and the lives of Jonny and Charlotte that keep the story highly engaging.
Keenly directed by Marti Lyons and smartly written by Bathsheba Doran, The Mystery of Love and Sex provides four main characters that are each appealing in their own ways. The interactions between the four is fulfilling, as it is humorous, touching and true to life. Doran's story is that of love, whether it be unconditional or the lengths taken to find it. It is a journey into life's most sought after desire and a tribute to accepting those for who they are.
"I have had the pleasure of following the impressive rising careers of playwright Bash Doran and Director Marti Lyons for the past few years and I am delighted to find a project that suited both their considerable talents so perfectly," says Artistic Director Michael Halberstam.
Hayley Burgess leads the way as Charlotte with a bold performance in her Writers Theatre debut. Charlotte has many layers that are revealed throughout the play and Burgess gently takes the audience by the hand into her character's depth one step at a time. Best friend and confidant Jonny is well-played by Travis Turner who is also able to play up to the complexities in his role with much aplomb. Lia Mortensen is just fantastic as Lucinda, delivering her witty lines to perfection and getting several laughs in the way her character struggles to quit smoking. Cast in the role of Howard is Keith Kupferer. However, Kupferer had taken ill and was unavailable for the performance I had attended thrusting Mark David Kaplan into the role, who is simply remarkable. Kaplan steers his role with grit and finesse offering the clear predictability of Howard's stereotype, but is also able to throw in a handful of surprising moments filled with a genuineness than can catch us off guard. Kaplan and Mortensen are terrific as Charlotte's parents, bringing forth plenty of funny exchanges and throwing several well-timed darts at each other.
There is a lot to like in Doran's The Mystery of Love and Sex from its tantalizing script to its well-executed performances. The play delivers a solid message in a uniquely crafty way that is entertaining from beginning to end.
The Mystery of Love and Sex is currently running at Writers Theatre (325 Tudor Court, Glenview) through July 2nd. For tickets and/or more show information click here.
*This play contains frontal nudity.
In the current political climate, where the political left and right are more divided than ever in their world view, Northlight Theatre's The City of Conversation provides a glimpse at an elite class of Washington, DC, power players and how they charted the course of this country from behind the scenes for many decades.
The play, which opens Northlight's 42nd season, centers on the relationships of a liberal socialite and her powerful but understated influence. The show's title is a nod to British author Henry James' famous view of Washington, DC, and the impact of its parlor games, and women in particular, on politics.
Written by Anthony Giardina and directed by Marti Lyons, The City of Conversation takes place in an exclusive Georgetown enclave and spans more than 30 years (from President Carter to the inauguration of President Obama) of socialite Hester Ferris' (played by Lia D. Mortensen) political maneuverings over cocktails and posh dinners.
The play kicks off in 1979 during the twilight, and what Hester calls the malaise, of Carter's term. She is hosting a very important party for her longtime, married partner Senator Chandler Harris (played by Tim Decker). Through the power of gentle persuasion, filtered through a catered meal and cocktails, Hester hopes to wrangle the vote of Republican Senator George Mallonee (played by Tim Morrison) for an important piece of legislation that will buoy Senator Teddy Kennedy's chances in a primary bid against Carter.
Things take an unexpected turn when Hester's son, Colin Ferris (played by Greg Matthew Anderson), shows up a day early from London with his fiancé Anna Fitzgerald (played by Mattie Hawkinson) who is not only an outsider from a small Minnesota town but also extremely ambitious, which Hester is quick to notice, and is a supporter of Governor Ronald Reagan.
The events of that evening set a course resulting in family division as both Hester and Anna wrestle with the rising tide of Reaganism and the resulting power shifts from liberal elites to the "Barbarians at the Gate," as Anna calls the new crop of conservative outsiders, like herself, taking power.
Things come to a head for the family during the second term of Ronald Reagan's presidency as Hester, Anna and Colin, now a staunch republican, spar over the controversial Supreme Court nomination of Judge Robert Bork.
Though Hester's influence has declined over the years she is still working behind the scenes to stop the momentum of Bork's nomination. Colin, who works for Republican Senator Gordon Humphrey, begs his mother not to embarrass him by intruding in the process. However, Anna, who is now in a powerful position within the Justice Department overseeing Bork's nomination, discovers Hester's attempts to derail him and sparks fly as the two women, who are similar in their ambition and that they were once both outsiders who fought their way into the centers of power, engage in a heated argument culminating in an ultimatum and an irreconcilable break.
This scene is the strongest of the entire play and certainly generates the most excitement as Hester and Anna throw sharp barbs at each other. Perhaps the one drawback is that there is so much dialogue that both actors feel a little rushed in their delivery so the lines don't always land as powerfully as intended.
A theme running throughout The City of Conversation is that Northeastern elites forgot the plight of the common man whose eventual political rise, however, lead to the decline of their Georgetown class along with the toney parties, described by Hester as an arm of the government. And gone with that brand of cocktail diplomacy are the civility and the mutual respect across the partisan divide that made political battles more of a chess match than the blood sport they are today.
The City of Conversation is being performed at the Northlight Theatre through October 23. Tickets are available at northlight.org.
What do you do when you receive a call from God? How do you even know if in fact it was a call from God? Could such a happening be a figment of the imagination stemming from one's ego or a desire wanted so badly that a sign is unconsciously created? In Body and Blood now, currently running at Gift Theatre in Jefferson Park, Dan shocks his live-in girlfriend, Leah, when what she hopes is the beginning of a marriage proposal is instead an announcement that he is leaving her to become a priest. Dan, who has a history of not following through on most anything he does and is fortunate to even have a job at his brother-in-law's luggage store, claims God appeared to him in an oak tree finally filling him with the purpose he so desperately needs to find fulfillment in life.
Of course Leah, hurt and stunned, suspects this is just another one of Dan's misinterpreted impulses and possibly just a way of ending their relationship. It gets even better when Dan's sister, Monica, and her husband, Mick, join the two on their backyard deck for an evening of dinner and drinks. Two devout Catholics, both Monica and Mick are also skeptical of Dan's new "epiphany", his sister absolutely livid thinking Dan is copping out on responsibility once again. The play gets even more interesting when the father of Dan's parish stops by and breaks down the possibilities of Dan's vision, leaving the available option that such a happening may have certainly happened and that only time will tell. Ultimately, we wonder – is Dan following his heart or creating a new excuse to shirk his current obligations.
Body and Blood is a thought-provoking story that also explores blind devotion to a faith and the hypocrisies, or contradictions, of Catholicism. How much are gays really accepted in the church even though so many priests have been outed in recent times?
The cast puts forth a well-rounded effort. Lynda Newton, one of The Gift Theatre's founding members, is strong as Monica, dishing out the appropriate humor in her character when necessary and also very believable as one who is experiencing such conflict. In his first performance at The Gift, Nicholas Harazin also delivers a heartfelt performance as Dan and Cyd Blackwell as Leah compliments him well as his girlfriend, Leah.
There are plenty of moments in this play that will make you laugh and many that will make you really feel for the struggle each character is going through. The story moves with ease, the dialogue smooth as silk, and there is just enough intrigue to keep one wondering what will happen next. However, playwright William Nedved's ending is somewhat flat and anti-climactic, leaving a bit to be desired after such a build up. Still, with solid acting performances, flowing interchanges with bite, emotion and humor and topic matter that might be found thought-provoking by some, there are enough reasons to make this a show worth checking out.
Soundly directed by Marti Lyons and aptly presented in an intimate storefront playhouse Body and Blood is being performed at The Gift Theatre through August 9th. For tickets and/or more show information visit www.thegifttheatre.org or call 773.283.7071.
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Tonight's episode hosts Roberta Radovich and William Hosea interview Dr.Bruce Rose and Liz Mitchell on the renovation of the First Baptist (Colored) Church of West Baden Springs. The Church of West Baden Springs is on the National Register of Historic Places. The goal of the renovation project is to enable the enhancement of faith, hope, and love through educating and …Read More »
Tag Archives: Liz Mitchell
Bring It On! – October 31, 2016
A full lineup on Hallow's Eve with ever popular "Mama Gitcha Goomee", a special conversation with Indiana Gubernatorial Candidate John Gregg, and finally perspectives on the recently completed play "Resilience" from the playwrights. Adding to the mood Bring It On's customary musical interludes, eerily chosen. Join hosts William Hosea, Cornelius Wright, and Leila Randle. PART ONE Mama Gitcha Goomee PART …Read More »
Bring It On! – June 13, 2016
Leila Randle and Cornelius Wright enjoy a discussion of juke joints, dancing, good food and community with tonight's guests Liz Mitchell and Gladys DeVane. Liz and Gladys also share news on their soon to be produced play "Resilience: Indiana's Untold Story." Resilience tells stories from Indiana's 200 years with an African American perspective, and of importance to all state residents. …Read More »
Bring It On! – March 7, 2016
William Hosea and Liz Mitchell premiere the launch of "Dark Past, Bright Future- a regular feature segment on historical perspectives commonly omitted in mainstream media. They are joined by special guest Jay Thompson, owner of Hoosier Barber Shop in Bloomington, Indiana. Our show's executive producer is Clarence Boone, with help from WFHB News Department director Joe Crawford. Our news editor …Read More »
BRING IT ON! – February 22, 2016
Clarence Boone and Floyd Hobson welcome Liz Mitchell as part of Black History Month. PART ONE Clarence Boone and Floyd Hobson welcome Liz Mitchell as part of Black History Month – Bloomington Style: Reclaiming the next 100 years. Liz is the award winning producer for "Dark Past, Bright Future", a historical feature not heard on main stream media. Her features …Read More »
Bring It On! – October 26, 2015
Clarence Boone and William Hosea welcome Dina Kellams, Leon Parker Taylor, Liz Mitchell and Dr. Gladys DeVane PART ONE On tonight's show, Clarence and William welcome back Dina Kellams, director of Indiana University Archives and Records Management, along with Mr. Leon Parker Taylor, the son of Carrie Parker. They both join us along with B.I.O. contributor Liz Mitchell, for a …Read More »
Bring It On! – August 17, 2015
Clarence Boone and Jacinda Townsend welcome Liz Mitchell. PART ONE On tonight's show, Clarence and Jacinda welcome B.I.O. contributor Liz Mitchell.She joins us by phone to shed light on her annual pilgrimage through the deep south to research America's dark past with an eye toward a brighter future. You'll hear more of her commentary during future airings of "Dark Past, …Read More »
Bring It On! – January 19, 2015
William Hosea and Doris Sims welcome Bennett Singer, Jacinda Townsend & Liz Mitchell. PART ONE For our yearly MLK Day episode of Bring It On!, William and Doris welcome Bennett Singer, the keynote speaker for the 2015 Martin Luther King Jr. day celebration's. He is the producer and director of the 2003 film Brother Outsider, a documentary about Civil rights …Read More »
Bring It On! – December 23, 2013
Bev Smith and William Hosea joined Eric Love, Liz Mitchell, and Leila Randle PART ONE It's Christmas time and while last week's temperature climb and torrential rains melted away all vestiges of snow, we at Bring It On still wanted to gather around the ol' Yule log and talk about our favorite memories and family traditions for the season. Joining …Read More »
Bring It On! – December 9, 2013
Clarence Boone and Cornelius Wright joined Frank Motley of the IU Maurer School of Law and BIO contributor Liz Mitchell PART ONE Nelson Mandela passed away at the age of 95 on December 5, 2013. Though not a total surprise, the world was nevertheless saddened to learn of the recent passing of this legendary and iconic South African anti-apartheid leader …Read More »


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This program simulates a Subway car traveling from station to station. At each stop, the doors open and close. Click on a button to make the car stop there or wait for random stops to occur.
This program is both an Applet and an Application.
Java Web Start: Launch the Subway simulation by clicking here.
JWS Applet: Click here to view the Subway simulation as an Applet via Java Web Start.
Applet: Click here to view the Subway simulation as an Applet.
Download: Click here to download the jar file.
Verify: Check the certificate fingerprints.
See also these related Java Web Start documentation links.
Copyright © 2008 John B. Matthews. Distributed under the terms of the GPL


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Bridge of Spies 2015 BRRip XviD AC3 5 1-eXceSs
File Size: 1.36 GiB
Duration.: 02:21:19
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Audio....: ac3, 48000 Hz, 5:1, 384 kb/s
Video....: 720x304, 23.98 fps(r)
Genre: Biography / Drama / History / Thriller
Provider: Lori.Yagami
In the cold war, A lawyer, James B. Donovan recruited by the CIA and involved in an intense negotiation mission to release and exchange a CIA U-2 spy-plane pilot, Francis G. Powers that was arrested alive after his plane was shot down by the Soviet Union during a mission- with a KGB intelligence officer, Rudolf Abel who was arrested for espionage in the US.
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• This monthly series explores the food traditions of the various cultures within the Capital Region.
"Did you get enough to eat?" That's the common phrase heard after spending time with Marie LaMorte, who moved from Italy to America with her family when she was 5 years old. While she was quick to assimilate to American life (her given name is Maria, but growing up she introduced herself as Marie to sound "more American," she says), the culture of traditional Italy hasn't escaped her, especially in the kitchen.
That wasn't always the case. "My mother would send me to school with chicken cutlets on bread. I just wanted a PB&J like everyone else," LaMorte says, but with time, she began to appreciate the eating habits of her homeland. Her grandfather, who moved back and forth between the Calabria region of Italy and America several times before settling the family in the Bronx, was her earliest food influence. "He always had a knife and salt shaker in his pocket," she says, and would show LaMorte the simple pleasure of a sun-warmed tomato straight from the garden.
"He said, 'Here, eat this. You'll live forever.'"
That mentality is the hallmark of Italian cuisine, much lauded as part of the Mediterranean diet that many hail as the key to health and longevity. Fresh produce is the basis of the diet, with sugar and red meat consumed in limited quantities. "We had very little meat. If we had meat, it was pork, because we had our own pig," says LaMorte. The hillsides of Calabria, covered in wild-growing oregano and thyme, were a prime classroom for a healthy eating education.
"We would go out on Sunday and pick the salad," says LaMorte. She has applied those lessons to her own home and kitchen. Her lawn in Slingerlands has been transformed into a lush suburban example of fresh, seasonal eating. Pockets of herbs, vegetables and tomatoes create an array of delights just outside the kitchen door. An arbor of beans climbs high above LaMorte's patio — beans descended from some her grandfather brought over from Italy 75 years ago. She dries and saves a few beans to replant each year, continuing her grandfather's eating legacy.
Not all foodstuffs are as easily procured from LaMorte's motherland. Imports of many Italian cured meats, like sopressata, were banned for decades until 2013, due to a contagious swine disease, and finding quality product from Europe can be challenging. LaMorte and her husband, Robert (also of Italian descent), get their sopressata from a woman in Boston who makes hers using peppercorns found in LaMorte's Italian hometown of Saracena.
Pride in local food traditions is strong in Italy. "It took Garibaldi to unite Italy," LaMorte says, but, "Italians are the most fractious people." The existence of marked regional variations on the Italian language is one example, but the tendency also shows up in food. LaMorte puts a Calabrese spin on a traditional Caprese salad by substituting salty shavings of Parmesan cheese for the creamy white mozzarella commonly found nestled between layers of basil and sliced tomato. Grass for grazing cattle is scarce in southern Italy, and sheep (which produce milk for Parmesan cheese) are the more common livestock. The ability to improvise on a classic recipe using what is available locally is a cornerstone of Italian cooking.Read Full Article
The Italian love of food has rubbed off on American eaters. Forbes.com reports that Ragu pasta sauce alone sold $1.2 billion worth of product globally in 2013, while private-label pasta sauces have doubled market shares over the last decade.While classic Italian dishes were served in restaurants for decades prior to World War II, American servicemen serving in the southern European theater brought home a taste for pasta and sauce. The 1950s saw the popularization of dishes like spaghetti and meatballs in America, and our national love affair with Italian food boomed.
But just as the war affected American palates, so to did it affect Italian palates. Aid in the form of canned, processed food from America introduced convenience food to many Italians. The 1960s and 1970s saw a rise in fast food in Italy, and today, Italy has one of the highest rates of obesity in Europe, with more than a third of children considered overweight or obese.
LaMorte says that a "slow food" movement is growing in Italy, just as it has in America. People are starting to return to the Mediterranean diet, and LaMorte does her part to share what "real" Italian food means — fresh ingredients and simple preparations, like beans cooked in garlic and olive oil — with her Italian language classes, which she teaches at the Italian American Community Center in Albany. Students are exposed to Italian language and culture, as LaMorte offers a classic Italian feast for students at the end of each course.
"There are women at the IACC who are real cooks; they outshine me," says LaMorte, noting that many women (and men) members at the center prepare elaborate meals for other members and visitors alike. The IACC hosts many festivals and eating events throughout the year, alongside its year-round, open-to-the-public Italian restaurant Treviso.
For LaMorte, as with many Italian-Americans, food is a means to gather family, share a communal history, and keep tradition alive. LaMorte says pastamaking with a bunch of Italians is a boisterous affair.
"We're arguing and yelling at each other, but we roll it all out." The only ingredient that is used more heavily that olive oil and garlic in LaMorte's cooking is the love she infuses for any guest at her table. But when asked why it is that Italians really cook, she says the answer is simple.
"Because we're hungry!"
More Information
Where to find it
Treviso at the Italian American Community Center: www.trevisoalbany.com; 456-0292; 257 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany
Cardona's Market: www.cardonasmarket.com; 434-4838; 340 Delaware Ave., Albany
Bella Napoli Italian American Bakery and Cafe: www.bellanapolibakery.com; 783-0196; 672 New Loudon Road, Latham
Villa Italia Bakery: www.villaitaliabakery.com; 355-1144; 226 Broadway, Schenectady
Cappiello Foods: www.cappiellofoods.com; 382-9045; 510 Broadway, Schenectady
Garofalo & Co. Sausage: www.garofalosausage.com; 374-1478; 16 N. Center St., Schenectady
Italian Beans with Garlic
Makes 4 servings
2 pounds Italian flat beans, ends trimmed
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons butter
2 garlic cloves, minced or thinly sliced
1 tablespoon lemon zest
Salt, to taste
Fresh black pepper, to taste
Blanch beans in a large pot of salted boiling water until bright green, about 2 minutes. Drain and shock beans in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
Heat a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the oil and butter. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the beans and continue to saute until coated in the butter and heated through, about 5 minutes. Add lemon zest and season with salt and pepper.
From Marie LaMorte
Deanna Fox is a frequent contributor to the Times Union. Read more at blog.timesunion.com/eatlocal.


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News in the licensing business is that Saban, best known for adapting Super Sentai into Power Rangers, is preparing to showcase something called Gangnam Girls, described as a "music and fashion-driven animated series about five teenage girls chosen to protect Earth and a fanstastical land."
Of course, that thumbnail has driven some wild anime fan speculation... specifically that it sounds like last year's Smile Precure, about five girls protecting Märchenland from the Big Bad Wolf, Wicked Witch and Red Oni from Bad End Kindgom.
Scott Green is editor and reporter for anime and manga at geek entertainment site Ain't It Cool News. Follow him on Twitter at @aicnanime.


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NINE DRAGONS by Michael Connelly
Book Quote:
"He came to fully realize that his relentless pursuit of the killer had put others in jeopardy…. The burden of guilt he would now carry would be the heaviest of his life and he was not sure he was up to it."
Book Review:
Review by Eleanor Bukowsky (OCT 13, 2009)
In Michael Connelly's Nine Dragons, Detective Harry Bosch, who works in the Robbery-Homicide Division of the Los Angeles Police Department, is sent with his partner to investigate a "rob job" at a liquor store that resulted in the shooting death of the proprietor, John Li. After speaking to Li's family and viewing surveillance discs, Bosch comes up with two theories. Either a teenage shoplifter who was banished from the liquor store committed the crime, or a member of the Chinese Triad (thugs who extort money and engage in other illegal activities) killed Li for refusing to pay protection money. For a variety of reasons, Bosch leans towards the second explanation. When he realizes that his ignorance of Chinese language and culture might impede his investigation, Harry enlists the aid of Detective David Chu to interview witnesses and provide him with relevant background information.
This case becomes personal when someone close to Harry is abducted. Bosch suspects that the kidnapping may be retaliation for the arrest of a Triad member who is suspected of killing Li. Harry flies to Hong Kong, where he tries to track down a villain about whom he knows next to nothing. He has no name or physical description, just a photograph of a room from a video sent to him via cell phone. Without police backup, Harry attempts to nab the bad guy. At one point, his ex-wife, Eleanor, chastises him, "Harry, enough with the one man army! Don't run off like that again." Her words of wisdom, unfortunately, fall on deaf ears.
This is a dispiriting novel that is filled with mistaken assumptions, betrayal, and needless tragedy. Bosch is in way over his head; his impulsiveness and poor judgment prove very costly. Nine Dragons is a plot-driven book with plenty of action, cool forensics, and a number of twists and turns, some predictable, others not. However, since it lacks well-nuanced characters and themes, this somewhat disjointed and overly complicated novel does not rise to the level of Connelly's best work. Harry learns the hard way that that behaving like a desperado may work in old westerns, but in real life, it is prudent to have backup and a sensible plan before rushing into dangerous situations. In spite of his good intentions, Bosch's usually unerring instincts fail him with disastrous results. He must settle for picking up the pieces after selfishness, greed, and recklessness damage innocent lives.
|from 374 readers
|Little, Brown and Company (October 13, 2009)
|Eleanor Bukowsky
|YES! Start Reading Now!
|Michael Connelly
|Harry Bosch reviews:
Michael Haller:
Stand-alone mysteries:
LAPD Hieronymus (Harry) Bosch Series
- The Black Echo (1992)
- The Black Ice (1993)
- The Concrete Blonde (1994)
- The Last Coyote (1995)
- Trunk Music (1997)
- Angels Flight (1999)
- A Darkness More than Night (2001) *
- City of Bones (2002) /
- Lost Light (2003)
- The Narrows (2004) ***
- The Closers (2005)
- Echo Park (2006)
- The Overlook (2007)
- Nine Dragons (2009) ****
- The Drop (2011)
- The Black Box (November 2012)
Mickey Haller:
- The Lincoln Lawyer (2005) /
- The Brass Verdict (2008) **
- The Reversal (2010) **
- The Fifth Witness (2011)
- The Poet (1996) ***
- Blood Work (1998) *
- Void Moon (2000)
- Chasing the Dime (2002)
- The Scarecrow (2009)
* Terry McCaleb is in these novels
** Harry Bosch is in these novels
*** The Poet is in these novels.
****Mickey Haller is in this novel
Movies from Books:
- Blood Work (2002)
- The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)
October 13, 2009
· Judi Clark · No Comments
Tags: Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Michael Connelly · Posted in: California, China, Sleuths Series, y Award Winning Author
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I'm a lightweight when it comes to cough drops. The industrial strength menthol ones are intolerable to me. I've always felt like such a weinie about it, but I can't understand how so many people willingly put those things in their mouths. For a dare, maybe. For money, certainly, if the price were right. Voluntarily? Not me.
So I'm left with the ones that are essentially candy. I was introduced to Luden's cherry cough drops as a child, and it was almost worth the pain of a sore throat to get a bag of those. I love them still. But, they're made of sugar, of course, and artificial color.
I know honey is good for the throat, and I've tried sipping on a teaspoon of honey from time to time, but it's just gone too soon, so I thought I'd try to make that teaspoon of honey last a bit longer. Here's the result:
Honey Cough Drops
1/2 cup honey
candy thermometer
Put honey in a small saucepan over low heat. Stirring constantly, bring the honey to a boil.
Put in the candy thermometer and continue stirring until the honey reaches a temperature of 300 to 310 degrees F. Honey burns fast, so don't leave it, reduce heat to a simmer if necessary (if the honey seems to be heating up too fast, or you get a whiff of scorched honey).
(Almost there . . .)
Immediately remove from heat.
Check for the right consistency by dropping a few drops of the cooked honey into a cup of ice water. Let it get cold, then feel the drops. They should feel like hard candy. If the honey is still soft, return to the heat and cook a little while longer, and do the ice water test again. Do this until it's right.
Continue to stir, off heat, until the honey cools enough to drop by teaspoonfuls onto a well-greased solid surface. It still needs to be runny, but a little less runny than when you first took it off the heat. Don't wait too long or the honey will be impossible to remove from the pan. Work quickly.
Don't skimp on the greasing or you will have a permanently cough drop-coated surface.
If you have a flexible, non-stick mat like a Silpat or something similar, it will help to release the drops from the surface once they are cooled.
If you are a candy-maker you probably have some non-stick molds for this, but for the rest of us, a mold isn't necessary.
Allow the drops to cool completely. Don't do what I did and put some in the refrigerator to hurry them up. They got too hard and cracked when I tried to release them from the plate. Room temperature is good. When they are cool, take a dinner knife and pop them loose.
They can be individually plastic wrapped. They stick to waxed paper, so stay away from that. They also stick to each other. Store in a cool, dry place.
P.S. Use your imagination to come up with add-ins. I've thought of crushed, powdered vitamin C, perhaps, or herbal infusions.
Disclaimer: This post may contain a link to an affiliate.


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Saturday, June 24
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Come to the Lab and work on a Scratch project with some friends, get some help learning HTML, Javascript, or another programming language, learn how to create your own Minecraft mods, write mobile apps, make things with Arduino, or bring something you've been working that you'd like to share!
You can learn to create your own robots. We'll experiment with different methods for designing, building, and coding robots with LEGO EV3 MINDSTORMS kits. We will have options to design robots for speed, navigating terrain, incorporating sensors, and other challenges. Or try WeDo robotics, integrating motors and sensors with LEGO pieces, creating alligators that snap at your fingers, monkeys that play drums! Or something you imagine!
If you've never tried programming or robotics before, we'll help you get started. If you're an experienced maker, come share your ideas with others!
This will be an unstructured opportunity for you to come explore, play with things, ask questions, and meet people.
All ages are welcome. Please register the total number of people that are coming with you since space is limited. Also, you can include a comment with anything you are particularly interested in doing at the Lab.
Ages: All ages
Bookings are closed for this event.
Help Support Holyoke Codes
Holyoke Codes workshops are always free for participants. Your support will help us to continue to offer these opportunities for kids in our community. Thank you!


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Panalpina, one of the world's leading forwarding and logistics service providers, announced new appointments to its Board of Directors and reports further revenue and earnings growth in the first half of 2005.
At its general assembly of August 23, the sole shareholder has approved an extension of the Board of Directors from five to seven members. Apart from the resignations of Heinz Kuhnlein and Heinrich Walti, both of whom have been thanked for their longstanding valuable cooperation, four new board members were elected.
The new Board of Directors of Panalpina World Transport (Holding) Ltd. constitutes of Gerhard Fischer (Chairman), Wilfried Rutz (Vice Chairman) and Roger Schmid as well as of the four new members Gunther Casjens (CEO Nordcapital Holding, Hamburg), Rudolf W. Hug (Consultant, Zurich), Yuichi Ishimaru (Special Advisor of Marubeni Corporation, Tokyo) and Glen R. Pringle (Development Director of Retirement Systems of Alabama, Montgomery, USA).
According to Chairman Gerhard Fischer, "...the new members will further enhance the industrial competency of the board and will help to ensure that the group's leadership stays in experienced hands in view of the further growth strategy."
Despite a slow start in the first quarter, Panalpina succeeded in raising its net forwarding revenue by 11.3% in the first half of 2005 (14.1% excluding currency impact) compared with the same period in the previous year.
Gross profit grew by 5.9% (7.7% currency adjusted) to CHF 684.0 million in spite of increasing shipment costs as a result of a cyclical supply-demand imbalance. EBIT for the first six months increased by 14.7% compared to the same period in 2004 to CHF 70.5 million. Consolidated net earnings amounted to CHF 55.6 million, growing 22.5% compared to the previous year.
CEO Bruno Sidler commented: "We are very pleased with the double digit growth we have achieved by gaining market share in our fragmented and steadily growing industry, as well as with the substantial increase in net profits. Although we are confident regarding the rest of the year, we will consequently follow through with our on-going cost optimization program."


text: Hoyer Spokeswoman Statement Regarding Rep. Massa For Immediate Release: March 3, 2010 Contact Info: Katie GrantStephanie Lundberg(202) 225 - 3130 WASHINGTON, DC – Katie Grant, spokeswoman for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, released the following statement today: "The week of February 8th, a member of Rep. Massa's staff brought to the attention of Mr. Hoyer's staff allegations of misconduct that had been made against Mr. Massa. Mr. Hoyer's staff immediately informed him of what they had been told. Mr. Hoyer instructed his staff that if Mr. Massa or his staff did not bring the matter to the attention of the bipartisan Ethics Committee within 48 hours, Mr. Hoyer would do so. Within 48 hours, Mr. Hoyer received confirmation from both the Ethics Committee staff and Mr. Massa's staff that the Ethics Committee had been contacted and would review the allegations. Mr. Hoyer does not know whether the allegations are true or false, but wanted to ensure that the bipartisan committee charged with overseeing conduct of Members was immediately involved to determine the facts."


text: This hotel is located a few miles south of downtown on the MacLeod Trail. The service was efficient and helpful and nothing was too much bother. There is a $20 flat fee to ride in the taxi from the airport (YYC) - you need to phone the number the hotel gives you and on arrival they will pay the rest... More


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|Wall Street Journal:
|Jillian D'Onfro / Business Insider:
|Wall Street Journal:
|Jason Del Rey / Re/code:
|Steve Ragan / CSO:
|Patrick Tucker / Defense One:
|Kareem Anderson / WinBeta:
|Kevin Tofel / ZDNet:
|Andy Greenberg / Wired:
|Ed Bott / ZDNet:
|Stuart Dredge / Guardian:
|Wall Street Journal:
|Mark Bergen / Re/code:
|Conor Dougherty / New York Times:
This is a Techmeme archive page. It shows how the site appeared at 7:55 PM ET, January 17, 2016.
The most current version of the site as always is available at our home page. To view an earlier snapshot click here and then modify the date indicated.
|Natalie Gagliordi / ZDNet:
|Julian Sanchez / Just Security:
|Don Clark / Wall Street Journal:
|Jacob Gershman / Wall Street Journal:
|Wall Street Journal:
|Brad Sams / Petri:
|Associated Press:
|Charlie Osborne / ZDNet:


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Former Manchester United [2] boss Sir Alex Ferguson [3] has admitted that watching British tennis ace Andy Murray [4] at Wimbledon got him going more than United ever did.
Although the Scot saw Murray lose last year's Wimbledon final to Roger Federer, he was also there when fellow Scot Murray claimed his first Grand Slam title at the US Open, The Sun reports.
According to the recently retired United boss, he got more emotionally involved and more worked while watching Murray at Wimbledon than his former team, adding that for any sportsman, more than ability, it requires inner belief, a passion and desire to get over the line.
Ferguson further said that until the end, he had thought that Murray was going to win the Wimbledon.
Ferguson and fellow Scot knight Sean Connery then gatecrashed Murray's press conference after he beat Novak Djokovic to win the US Open, the report added. (ANI [5])
[1] http://www.syndigate.info
[2] http://www.manutd.com/
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Ferguson
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Murray
[5] http://www.aninews.in


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Thermal blinds
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If you're happy to take care of the measuring and fitting yourself and you don't need the specialist advice our team offers, visit our sister site web-blinds.com for a great range to buy online.
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You can have a thermal lining fitted to any Roman blind in our range. Or, choose a ThermaShade™ Pleated blind. These innovative Pleated blinds incorporate clever honeycomb cells that actively trap heat and prevent it escaping through your window, giving you a lovely snug feel. There are no operating cords either, so look neat and are very safe, especially for homes with children.
And with such exceptional choice, you're sure to find a design that ticks all your boxes and keeps you warm.
Find your perfect Thermal blind during an in-home appointment
During an in-home appointment, you'll have the very best chance of finding the perfect Thermal blinds for your window. That's because you'll benefit from having one of our expert advisors on hand while browsing the range.
Your expert advisor will give you style tips and practical know-how – everything you need to find the exact Thermal blinds your window is longing for. What's more, your advisor will measure up and give you a quote to consider.
Your choice, made-to-measure for your window
Of course, our Thermal Roman blinds and ThermaShadeTM Pleated blinds are made-to-measure. This bespoke approach offers you a finish that fits fabulously. And that's doubly important with Thermal blinds, as having a snug fit improves insulation levels and is best for stopping draughts.
Also, our expert advisor will return to fit your Thermal blinds, guaranteeing you a tailor-made look with zero hassle.
The BBSA is the British Blind and Shutter Association research.


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We knew that the tablet industry was booming, but now we know how much – IDC predicts that Media tablets will experience a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 54% in Asia/Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region, multiplying nearly ten times to 21 million units from 2 million units shipped in 2010. In stark contrast, eReaders will carry a lower 18% CAGR as eReader are limited to a single function, one that media tablets cover anyways. The lack of localized content is one of the main reasons why eReaders have failed to take off as well as tablets, says Dickie Chang, Senior Market Analyst for Client Devices Research at IDC Asia/Pacific. In China for example, some consumers are still relying on pirated Internet downloads. Online bookstores haven't been earning device vendors wide margins on content, and face aggressive iPad pricing, squeezing them further."
Further delving into the report, IDC predicts that Apple will set the pace of the market for the next five years, and with competitors facing a stiff battle moving forward. Competitors to iPad must innovate ways to differentiate their products though, lest consumer interest wanes in favor of the next tech gadget. Some of this demand may be driven by the education sector, such as the Thai government's recently announced plan to distribute 800,000 Android tablets to primary school students. While this latest announcement has not been yet factored into IDC's forecast, there are certainly opportunities out there to keep driving media tablet growth," adds Melissa Chau, Research Manager for Client Devices Research at IDC Asia/Pacific.


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You Said: Yes to Lace
December 22nd, 2008
We asked: Would you wear Lace?
You said: Yes to Lace, with an overwhelming 77% to 23% vote.
Style tip? No matter what your personal style, there's a lace for you. If your style is flirty and feminine, try a light colored lace blouse or skirt paired with other light, bright colors. If your style has a harder edge, try a dark colored lace paired with tougher fabrics.
Next question: Shawl Collar Sweaters are all over the place–for both men and women. But what do you think? Tell us, would you wear a Shawl Collar Sweater? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Lace Skirt | $65.99 (sale) at Banana Republic.
Entry Filed under: Trend,Trend Predictives,What's In and What's Out,Women
7 Comments Add your own
1. deka | December 22nd, 2008 at 9:23 am
i can see why people find lacy sexy and feminine
but it also reminds me of those little socks i wore on easter as a child
and then i think about men liking those
and then i think about child molesters…
so my boyfriend enjoys no lacy lingerie on me
2. Mimi | December 22nd, 2008 at 11:42 am
I like the black lace over beige lining look.
One day I'll get a sheath dress like that.
3. Sal | December 22nd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Way ahead of ya – already sporting a shawl collar, especially on the weekends. It gives the flattering shape of a v-neck, but is far more interesting and seasonally appropriate.
4. Trisha | December 22nd, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Mimi – a sheath dress would be stunning in lace. Finish off the look with patent leather Mary Jane heels.
Sal – Glad you're feeling Shawl Collars too! I love the look, and you're right – it is more visually interesting than a vanilla v-neck.
5. Down Comforter | January 5th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
I am a huge fan of lace – as long as it's good quality lace. If the quality is poor, it can really cheapen a look.
6. Daisy | January 5th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
I thought I would share this little bit of information with you because I'm loving the whole lace thing, especially the Banana Republic Lace Skirt shown. It has such a romantic feel to it, but it is a little expensive for my taste. Due to the cost, I found a very similar lace skirt for much less at everyone's favorite store, forever 21, for $19.80. It's called the lace overlay skirt and it comes in black lace overlaying a choice of a taupe, purple or grey lining.
7. Trisha | January 5th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Great tip, Daisy! Thanks for sharing your much more affordable find.
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Ms. M is three. At the start of this year she was my baby and now twelve months later she has grown into my little girl. She has been planning and dreaming of her birthday party since February.
Pink and yellow, her favourite colours, bunting decorated the party area along with pink balloons. There was a plastic Dora table cloth and blue paper cups labelled with every child's name with a custom made Dora sticker. (Thanks Posie for that fantastic idea) There were also Dora party bags filled with some lollies but mostly plastic jewellery, stickers, and balloons.
Of course there was party food and a Dora cake. There was party craft involving obscene amounts of glitter too.A party just isn't a party without pass the parcel, an egg and spoon race (real unboiled eggs people!), musical statues and good ol' hide and seek.
The birthday girl wore a pink dress with a yellow ribbon that I made the Friday night before the party and by the end of the event it was stained all over with evidence of lots and lots of fun.
Me thinks she enjoyed eating her Dora birthday cake! The cake is a Beetroot Chocolate Party Cake – my go-to party cake as it is dairy free and makes a large quantity to feed the masses. It is lovely and moist too and keeps well so it can be made a couple of days ahead of the party.
On the actual day of her birthday I made her a sponge cake. It was ok but I don't think I'll be winning CWA awards any time soon. I certainly need to keep practising the art of baking sponge cakes – I don't think the family will mind if I do.
So my gorgeous girl had a couple of lovely days celebrating turning three. She received some fantastic gifts too, including her very first bike.
Afterwards I've been feeling pretty wiped out, overwhelmed with tiredness - hence the impromptu bloggy break. I'm back now and ready for Christmas. Let the adrenaline pump through my veins because I have a lot to do, including assisting my man lay a floating floor in the main living area so that we can hopefully get our Christmas tree up in time for the big day.


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The company works since 1970 in the sector of precision mechanics for third parties with a vast array of traditional and computer assisted machineries. We create details on projects on medium and small series.
Computer assisted milling on 3-5 axis
In addition to vertical working posts with a maximum stroke of 600x600x2000, since last year we have this new milling machines:
Mobile standard milling machine I.M.PARPAS Mod. ML 90
* working area: 4000x1500x1200
* double universal rotating head TU 600 indexed on the level at 45°
144 different positions interspaced by 2.5° fully computerized
* speed of mandrel: 5000 rounds/minute - 12 bars
* size of the base: 3000x1500x300
* computerized rotating base of 1320x1500 with a carrying capacity
of 10 tons
* number of utensils: 30 changeable both vertically and
- equipped with 2 cubes and 2 squares 800x700x600 and 4 magnetic bases
- controlled by SELCA 4000
2-4 axixs Computerized lathing
In addition to traditional lathes:
Nr. 4 computerized lathes with a maximum diameter of 550 mm
Nr. 1 lathe BIGLIA mod. B1200 controlled by Fanuc, maximum diameter of 720 with a stroke of 1300 mm
Nr. 1 lathe BIGLIA mod. B659YS controlled by Fanuc, with an opposite mandrel of 250-165 mm. and a pushing barrel with a maximum diameter of 52 mm.
Steel tubes cutting
- Cutting and drilling of steel tubes by robotic plasma machines with a maximum diameter of 610mm, thickness 15 mm, length 610mm.
- well furnished warehouse of steel tubes ranging from 20 to 610mm in ST and ASTM
-nr 2 sandblasters
Buratti Roberto Officina Meccanica
Via Pietre di Sopra,127-36026 Cagnano di Pojana Maggiore(VI) tel.0444764060 fax 864019
New Site:Via del Lavoro n.22,Cagnano di Pojana Maggiore(VI) tel.0444-764673 fax 764949
type 1 processing
base for utensil machine of 2000x1000
type 2 processing
mould support of 500x600
Contact:Mr. Fabio Tel 0444-764673


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Section XI champion Lindenhurst (Suffolk County) posted a 15-2 victory over Guilderland the state Class AA baseball title game at Binghamton University.
Guilderland starter Eddy Pierce walked five in the first inning, including walking in the first run. The Bulldogs made it 2-0 on a wild pitch and extended the lead to 4-0 on a two-run single by junior third baseman Ryan Manning.
Pierce, who worked the last inning of Guilderland's 8-3 semifinal win over McQuaid, has been replaced to start the second inning by junior lefty Christopher Gareau. Pierce threw 37 pitches in the first — just 14 for strikes.
Guilderland senior first baseman Matt Zanotta, who delivered two home runs (extending his Section II-record total to 18), one triple and drove in six runs in the semifinal, doubled sharply to right with two outs and was stranded there.
Lindenhurst has erupted for eight runs in the second against Gareau to widen the lead to 12-0 with two outs. Zach Caplan has come in with two outs. Steve Skon greeted Caplan with an RBI double. The Bulldogs scored nine runs on eight hits in the second — including five doubles.
The Bulldogs added a run in the top of the third on a two-out RBI single by sophomore No. 9 hitter Vin Valela.
Lindenhurst senior starter Tom Bammann allowed two hits and struck out six through four innings. The Dutchmen finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth. Guilderland loaded the bases with one out and Jimmy Quinn's grounder was played into a two-base error — allowing Jeremy Tobin and Harry Brodsky to score. He stranded the bases loaded by getting Luke Stark to line out to left.


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MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE Live Music at Christ Church every Tuesday in April CSO: Barber & Bernstein - Apr 25-26 Sweet Honey in Rock at Aronoff - Apr 27 Boyz II Men at Music Hall - Apr 29 VNV Nation at Taft Theatre - Apr 29 International Jazz Day at Public Library - Apr 30 Diamonds & Debauchery at CAC's 75th - May 16 Below Zero DJ's Every Friday and Saturday Eddie Izzard at Aronoff - May 28 Celtic Woman: The Emerald Tour at Aronoff - May 13 Bunbury Music Festival - tix on sale Macy's Music Festival Line-Up - July 25, 26
VISUAL ARTS CAC @ 21c - Free docent tours on Saturday Folk Art at its Finest at YWCA - to May 3 Final Friday at Venue 222 - Apr 25 CMC: Treasures in Black & White - opens Apr 25 Rookwood Pottery Spring Open House - Apr 26, 27 Art on Vine at Rhinegeist - Apr 27 Balancing Two Worlds at 5th Street Gallery CAC celebrates 75 years with solo and group shows Donna Talerico at 5th St. Gallery - now Story Quilt Exhibit at Freedom Center - to Sept 1 Small Paintings at Taft Museum - to June 22 Threads of Heaven at Taft Museum - to May 18 Weston Art Gallery at Aronoff - new exhibits Cincinnati Museum Center:Diana, A Celebration - to Aug 17 Art Show at Main St. Yoga - now Member Art Show at Covenant-First Presbyterian - May 9
Public Library Poetry Month Events Venus in Fur at Playhouse - Opens Apr 24 Artist and Author Speak at Freedom Center - Apr 24 Other People's Money at Aronoff - to Apr 26 Mandela's Legacy Panel at NURFC - Apr 25 Aziz Ansari at Horseshoe Casino - Apr 25 Bill O'Reilly and Dennis Miller at Taft Theatre - Apr 25 Cincinnati Ballet & Over the Rhine Live, Aronoff - Apr 25, 26 The Color Purple at Aronoff Center - Apr 25, 26 Sweet Honey in the Rock at Aronoff discounts - Apr 27 Diogenes Theatre Company: Bibi at Aronoff - Apr 29 Opera - single tix now on sale Mercantile Library Upcoming Events Twentieth Century at Know Theatre - to May 3 Peter Pan at Aronoff - May 9 to 17 The Emerald Tablet at Lloyd Library - to May 17 Bye Bye Liver at Below Zero Lounge - to Jun 7 Solomon Northup Tour at NURF - thru Sept Phantom of the Opera at Aronoff - Apr 30 The Two Noble Kinsmen at Cincy Shakes - to May 25 Jim Jefferies:Day Streaming -tix on sale Bill Cosby:Far From Finished Tour- tix on sale Cincy in NYC - May 6 to 12 SHOPPING SPECIALS Saks Friends & Family Sale w/ extended hours - to Apr 28 Bond No. 9 event at Saks - to May 3 Now open! Roosters for Men in Queen City Square Now open! Bang and Olufsen at 6 W. 4th St. Hunt Club Clothiers - End of season 50-75% off 4th Street Boutique - Designer Sale, Apr 23-26 Rookwood Spring Open House - Apr 26 & 27 Girls Night Out at Sarah Center - Apr 30 Jim Brofft: Beach Wave Perm Special Article Menswear - Now open in OTR Cincinnatian Hotel & Shopping Packages 4th St. Boutique drop off donations on Thursdays Downtown Gift Cards - Buy now
Music: Live Jazz at Palm Court - Fri & Sat Dine: Pasta Bar & Buffet at Palm Court - M-F Dine: Hathaway's Diner Serves Comfort Food Enjoy: Abby Girl Cupcakery: Orange Creamsicle Shop: Hunt Club Clothiers end of season 50-75% off Martz Jewelers replaces watch batteries Shop: Elite Nails Now Open On 1st Floor Fitness: The Gym at Carew Tower Eyecare: Thoma & Sutton Eye-Care Shop: The Shoe Haus 50% off all boots Dine: Subway now open Happy Hour: Boi Na Braza weekdays 4:30 -7 pm
FAMILY Flying Piglet Kids' Fun Run & Festival - May 3 Free family fun at Smale Park Build it! Architecture for Kids at Betts House 2014 Summer Learning Program at Public Library FOUNTAIN SQUARE Trivia Night - Apr 28 Strauss Troy Market - Apr 29 Cincinnati Reds Watch Party - Apr 29, 30 Salsa on the Square - May 1
WASHINGTON PARK Yappy Hour - Apr 24 Weekend Workout Boot Camp - Apr 26 Workout on the Green - Apr 29 Cult Classics Karate Kid - Apr 30 Where the Wild Things Play - April 27 Closing the Health Gap - Apr 26 Summer Celebration OTR 5K - May 17 HEALTH / FITNESS / SPORTS YWCA - Half-off 1 month at the YWCA-TriHealth Fitness Center Yoga with Art at 21C - Every Sunday Reds Home Stand - Apr 28 - May 4 16th Flying Pig Marathon - May 4 Cyclones Conference Quarterfinals - Apr 25, 26 Kings of the Queen City at Reds HOF Mercy Healthplex - Free Trial Membership UC Primary Care - Open at US Bank Tower, 425 Walnut St. Iams Flying Fur Run, May 3 - Register now, help SPCA
DINING & SPECIAL OCCASION Half-Cut Beer Cafe - NOW OPEN! 1/2 off for Ladies in April at Boi Na Braza - Mon & Sun Patio now open at Prime 47 Prime 47 Happy Hour - 4 to 7 pm Nicholson's: The Phantom's Labyrinth Libations - Apr 30-May 11 20% off food from 4 to 7 pm at Cricket Lounge Igby's Studio 54 Tribute Party - Apr 26 Mystery Dinner at Palomino - Apr 27 Oyster Festival at Washington Platform - to May 3 Breakfast lecture at Masonic with Chief Blackwell - May 14 Theater menu at Palomino NEW! KIJI Teppanyaki open at 126 E. Sixth St. Blues, Brews, and BBQ at Morelein Lager House every Monday Champagne Tuesdays at Obscura Findlay Market Food Tours- Wednesdays and Saturdays Abby Girl Sweets Cupcake of the Week: German Chocolate Nicholson's: Sunday Brunch The 'wich on Sycamore - BYOB J. Gumbo's Daily Specials Moerlein Brewery Tours - Friday To Sunday Pre-Theater dining at Palomino Happy Hour at Red Roost Tavern at Hyatt Ladies Night at Horseshoe Casino - Wed Weekly Wine Tasting at Everything d'Vine Top of the Park at Residence Inn - open Tue to Sat
Books by the Banks - Submissions now being accepted Support the Cincinnati Library with your KrogerPlus Card Bella Wine Event on FS needs volunteers - May 10 CDF's 25th Celebration - May 1 State Roadway Clean-up volunteers - Apr 26 CONSTRUCTION / TRAFFIC /UPDATES Metro Self-Service TicketVending Machine Metro Updates Streetcar: Updates and Alerts City of Cincinnati Traffic Alerts 3CDC Project Updates Main Street between 6th and Court reduced to one lane SURVEY / UPDATES / CONVENTIONS / MEETING SPACE Purchase Metro Stored Value Cards Online Now Help shape future of NKY - take survey Great Home School Convention - Apr 24-26 BrainStorm Event Space - now open at 815 Main
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text:
FutureMark updated its Peacekeeper benchmark recently, so we only have a few competitors for the Timeline in that test. Not that it matters, though. The CULV-powered Aspire systems easily outgun the competition.
Turning our attention to the GUIMark results, only the MSI X-Slim X340 comes close to the Timeline's performance. The X-Slim uses the very Core 2 Solo processor that we've tried to simulate with our SU3500 Timeline config.
Interestingly, neither of our browser benchmarks seems to take much advantage of the Timeline's second CPU core. The dual-core config is faster, of course, but not by a whole lot.
Next up we have 7-Zip's built-in benchmark, which tests file compression and decompression performance. We used the 32-bit client and let the test run up to 10 iterations.
7-Zip is multithreaded, giving the Timeline's dual-core CPU a chance to show off a little. None of the system's rivals even come close, although the Timeline does fall a few places when we scale back to a single CPU core.
Video playback
Our next batch of tests highlights the Timeline's video playback performance. The chart below includes approximate CPU utilization percentages gleaned from the Vista Task Manager alongside subjective impressions of actual playback.
I used Windows Media Player to handle our DivX video, QuickTime for the others, and Firefox for our windowed YouTube HD test. QuickTime doesn't exploit the GMA 4500MHD's video decoding capabilities, so the CPU will be doing all the work there. Acer does ship the Timeline with a copy of PowerDVD that takes advantage of the 4500MHD's decode assist, but with the three QuickTime videos I used for testing, PowerDVD didn't output any sound. For what it's worth, PowerDVD playback did use fewer CPU cycles than QuickTime; it's just hard to listen for a proper audio sync when there's no sound.
|Aspire 3810 Timeline
|Aspire 3810 Timeline (SU3500)
|CPU utilization
|CPU utilization
|Star Trek QuickTime 480p
|Star Trek QuickTime 720p
Hot Fuzz
QuickTime 1080p
|Dropped frames, loss of AV sync
|DivX PAL SD
|YouTube HD windowed
|Regular dropped frames
With two processor cores, the Timeline easily handled every video I threw at it. Even the notoriously demanding YouTube HD trailer for Moon played back perfectly. Our single-core config wasn't up to the task, though. YouTube HD pegged our simulated SU3500 CPU at nearly 100%, resulting in regular dropped frames that sullied the viewing experience. The SU3500 config also had some problems with our 1080p QuickTime movie trailer, dropping frames and losing the audio sync.
I suspect that the Timeline will be even more comfortable playing back video in Windows 7. That operating system's version of Windows Media Player can handle QuickTime files, and it supports hardware decode acceleration that should smooth out 1080p playback on single-core configs. If only decode acceleration could be applied to Flash-based web video playback.


text:
Out to make his Mark
Melancon sees himself as closer
Credit: Matt Stone
Credit: Frank Gunn
CAP CANA, Dominican Republic — After a largely forgettable season, Mark Melancon just wants to avoid becoming the Red Sox' forgotten man.
It was nearly a year ago that the Sox traded for Melancon from the Astros with the intention of making him their primary eighth-inning reliever. But he didn't earn manager Bobby Valentine's trust during spring training, and after a horrendous start to the season in which he gave up five homers and got only six outs, he was demoted to Triple-A Pawtucket.
Melancon didn't return for two months, by which time the Red Sox were sputtering, and although he closed the season by allowing just one run over eight appearances, barely anyone noticed.
"I had a last month and a half or so of quality, kind of who I am," Melancon said from David Ortiz' celebrity golf fund-raiser. "I learned a lot throughout the year, and I think I showed that to people who understand what goes on."
It remains unclear, however, where Melancon fits in the Red Sox' plans.
Andrew Bailey is expected to reprise his role as closer, while new manager John Farrell is impressed by the emergence of right-hander Junichi Tazawa. The Red Sox also agreed to terms Friday with 37-year-old right-hander Koji Uehara on a one-year deal reportedly worth $4.25 million. Over the past two seasons, Uehara posted a 2.14 ERA and 128 strikeouts and 12 walks in 101 innings for the Rangers and Orioles.
The Sox have three lefty relievers (Franklin Morales, Andrew Miller and Craig Breslow), and for now, enigmatic right-hander Alfredo Aceves. And pitching coach Juan Nieves' pet project will be trying to restore Daniel Bard to his once-dominant form as a set-up man.
So, where exactly does that leave Melancon?
"I still feel like I can close and do all that," said Melancon, 20-for-25 in save chances for the Astros in 2011. "Sometimes I think that's my role, that's where I'm fit to be."
Late in the season, Melancon looked capable once again. He picked up nearly two miles per hour on his fastball, which routinely climbed into the mid-90s, and posted a 20-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 17 innings after Aug. 13.
"Nobody wants to go through a bad, rough reason," said Melancon, who can't return to the minors without being exposed to waivers, a status that could put him in a favorable position to earn a job. "I was just glad I could finish strong. That can tell you about somebody more than a lot of other things, when you go through those hard times."
Pedro loves Shane
Pedro Martinez said he was "extremely happy" last week to hear the Red Sox reached an agreement with Shane Victorino on a three-year, $39 million contract that will become official once the switch-hitting outfielder takes a physical.
"Fun guy. Leaves it all on the field," said Martinez, who teamed with Victorino in 2009 with the Phillies. "That guy can bring it. He makes the plays."
But Martinez also sounded one tongue-in-cheek note of caution about Victorino that had nothing to do with the fact that he's coming off a career-worst season. Turns out, they call Victorino the "Flyin' Hawaiian" for a reason.
"Got to be careful with him," Martinez said. "He'll run into a wall and you'll miss him for four days. I don't know how he's going to pace himself. He's maturing a little bit. But that guy will run through a wall. That's the kind of player Victorino is."
Second to none
While second baseman Dustin Pedroia likely will be approached by the Red Sox in spring training about a contract extension, his Yankees counterpart figures to test free agency next winter.
But Robinson Cano also can imagine facing Pedroia at the vortex of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry for most of the next decade.
"It's like you go back in the day and see (Derek) Jeter and (Nomar) Garciaparra," Cano said. "It's going to be fun if you see him again for the next 10 years with the Red Sox, especially the kind of guy he is and what he brings to the team."
Cano said he was vaguely aware that Pedroia played the final series of the season with a broken left ring finger and a torn ligament in his right pinky finger that required surgery.
"I mean, he's tough," Cano said. "He's a great player, a guy that I like to watch. Those are the kind of guys that you want to be on the field and see him at second base or at the plate because they play hard, they play the game the right way."


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When 7:30am rolls around I'm really only semi-conscious. While I need to make sure all four kids get their breakfast, medicine, coats, mittens, hats, homework, lunch, and backpacks before the bus comes at 8:08, I still find myself hitting that snooze button, repeatedly. So I am perpetually trying to get the house organized ahead of time…
I would have loved some built in cubbies in the entry-hall, but space by the door is scarce. Instead I mounted hooks in a piece of square trim and anchored it to the wall. It's great because I can easily walk by and SEE which kid hasn't put their stuff away- you know, if I haven't already tripped over it.
While that handled the backpacks & coats, it still left hats & mittens to deal with. The hallway is too narrow for a shelf, and besides- shelves just tend to collect more stuff than needed. I had tried using an attractive little basket, but hats & mittens would get all jumbled. I've lost several nice pairs of gloves after handing them off in the mad rush because we were missing one half of a pair.
And then today, I had an epiphany: warm and fuzzy hats & mittens + adhesive velcro = no more mitten pile of doom!!
Admittedly it took a little longer than two minutes, because I had to run to the fabric store. But once I got home- I just had to trim it to the length of the board and press it on. POOF! Hats & mittens are now right where they've left them- and you can barely see the velcro when there's nothing attached- so it keeps the hallway looking neat & tidy.
If any of the polar fleece/nylon gloves don't want to stick well, I'll just sew a little inconspicuous circle of fuzzy velcro on them.
Let me know if you try it out! Can you improve on it?


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Okay... while I am publishing presentations today, here is the one that I am doing…
Adopting Agile PresentationWRITTEN BY Mike Cottmeyer
Last night I had a great opportunity to deliver this slide deck to the Turner Agile User Group here in Atlanta. The talk was on Adopting Agile in the Enterprise. I am still working on the overall message and consider the presentation in beta. This will end up being the deck that I do for the Oredev conference in Malmo later this year.
Adopting Agile
Adopting Agile
View more OpenOffice presentations from Mike Cottmeyer.
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3 comments on "Adopting Agile Presentation"
Thanks again for giving the talk! I've gotten some positive feedback from several folks. Wish more of our upper management could have come…
Mike Cottmeyer
Your welcome… let me know if you'd like me to come back and give the talk to your execs.
Kevin E. Schlabach
Nice… definitely a few nuggets in here that are new/helpful!


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Eyes will be glued to launch pad 41 at Cape Canaveral as the clock ticks down and the planets shift into alignment Monday, opening up the launch window for NASA's next Mars mission that was conceived and developed in Colorado.
The gripping launch moment for MAVEN — Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN — is the culmination of 10 years of scientific work and a half decade of design and engineering work done at the base of the Rockies.
MAVEN is an orbiter and the first mission dedicated to studying the Red Planet's upper atmosphere, looking to understand how its life-sustaining qualities escaped.
Colorado gains prestige and economic payout from this $671 million NASA-funded mission — with the vast majority of funds directly infused into the state's economy.
At every point along the way, from the birth of an idea through scientific discovery, someone in Colorado holds a primary role.
The idea
The science began in the mind of Bruce Jakosky at the University of Colorado at Boulder's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics.
Jakosky's proposal won NASA's approval in 2008 when the agency handed CU a $485 million award. The institution kept about $50 million of that money — the largest amount it has ever received — and then doled out the rest to its partners and contractors, with an estimated $400 million being spent by local companies.
Not only is Jakosky running the mission, CU helped develop three of the spacecraft's eight scientific instruments. More than 100 students and other university scientists worked on the program over the years.
But LASP isn't taking a back seat during the mission's 10-month journey and one-earth-year orbit around the Red Planet. The lab will serve as the science-operations and data center where the commands that will dictate MAVEN's instrument activity while in orbit will be originated.
"It's really good for the university to lead the effort, and what is great about Boulder is that we incorporate students into all phases of the work," said Nick Schneider, a co-investigator on MAVEN and lead on the mission's remote sensing package. "It is the opportunity of a lifetime. We give the students the keys to the spacecraft."
Those commands are then sent down the road about 50 miles to Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Jefferson County.
Flight operations
Less than an hour after liftoff, mission operations are volleyed back to Lockheed's Waterton Canyon facility, where MAVEN was built.
"About 52 minutes after launch … we have a mission-support area in Denver that is going to be taking over control of the spacecraft," said Guy Beutelschies, Lockheed Martin MAVEN project manager.
The facility near Littleton will monitor and test the spacecraft on its cruise to Mars and will prepare it for orbit insertion next September. Additionally, Lockheed will work in concert with CU's LASP to determine and dictate movements of the spacecraft.
"There is something kind of special about working with CU-Boulder because so many of us grew up in Colorado," said Beutelschies, a CU graduate.
At peak production, MAVEN employed the equivalent of 200 people at Lockheed Martin. As the prime contractor on the mission, the space company had several Colorado-based subcontractors do work for the program.
For instance, SEAKR Engineering — a fast-growing supplier of space electronics in Centennial — provided a power supply to the avionics, which control the spacecraft's movements.
"We love the fact that we can do interplanetary work. Those programs are relatively rare," said Dave Jungkind, director of business development at SEAKR.
Launch window
Centennial-based United Launch Alliance was awarded $187 million for providing the ride through the sky, which is the riskiest phase of the mission.
When the launch window opens at 1:28 p.m. EST on Monday, the rocket has a two-hour period when it can leave Earth's surface. If weather or other conditions are not suitable, the team will repeat the process each day until the conditions are right. The launch window closes after 20 days, and the team would be forced to wait at least two years for planetary alignment.
While ULA's Atlas V rocket has had 40 successful launches, each one is tailored to its mission.
"There are some unique requirements, but the main one is that being a planetary mission involves some unique trajectory design," said Jim Sponnick, vice president of ULA's Atlas and Delta programs. "In this case, every five minutes into a launch opportunity, we switch to a slightly different trajectory design. So we had to design 1,000 different trajectories for MAVEN."
All of those trajectories, along with engineering design and the other mechanical and electrical systems, were designed in Centennial by about 300 employees.
ULA also subcontracted work to three local companies — Precision Industrial Contractors, Reyco Precision Machining and Davis Manufacturing — for about $1 million per contract.
"I don't even know what the multiplier is, but it has to be huge," said Edgar Johansson, president of the Colorado Space Business Roundtable, referring to the project's economic impact. "The absolute magnitude of how important missions like MAVEN are to the state is something that everyone can get behind."
Kristen Leigh Painter: 303-954-1638, email@example.com or twitter.com/kristenpainter


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I used to think blow-drying was for wimps and, as far as Afro hair was concerned, a Bad Thing, rendering it dry, broken and lifeless. But then, a few years ago, someone introduced me to the wonders of a good hairdryer and, more importantly, a decent diffuser. Suddenly, with just a quick tip of my head and a couple of minutes' blast, my hair looked perky and my Afro no longer dropped the moment I left the house. Three years later, and without realising it, I have developed a serious daily blow-dry habit and become one of those women who takes her hairdryer on holiday, lest I be reliant on a hotel issue one.
But just over a week ago, my hairdryer had an accident and I have been drying naturally ever since. Obviously, January isn't the best time to leave the house with slightly damp hair, but you know what? Not only have I not caught pneumonia (it's a fallacy, all that "wet hair leads to colds" business), but my hair has loved the break. It's softer, shinier and generally feels grateful.
If leaving your hair to dry naturally isn't practical, "wearing your hair curly and diffusing it is the least damaging routine you can have", says Carole Michaelides, consultant trichologist at the Philip Kingsley clinic in Mayfair, central London. Blow-drying, if done correctly, isn't too bad; it's the combination of procedures - colour, straightening, plus daily blow-dry - that leads to trouble. "Afro hair is very vulnerable because of its shape," says Michaelides. "The hair is flat, and where it twists it is thin and the cuticle is vulnerable to damage; it breaks easily and is less elastic than Caucasian hair."
So how do you dry your hair without damaging it? Take it easy. Don't hold the dryer too close (keep it four or five inches away) and, most importantly, stop drying once the hair is dry - it's blow-drying hair that is already dry that causes it to burn and break. Make sure you apply a moisturising conditioner in winter, and always use a protective serum or a blow-dry gel, which makes the hair less likely to break.


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By staff reporters Wang Shanshan, Qin Xudong, Liang Dongmei, Dong Lingxi and Zhao Hejuan, and Washington correspondent Li Zengxin
(Caijing Magazine)The
president of Huiyuan Juice Group, Zhu Xinli, bet a friend that
Zhu won the wager the next day, March 18, when the ministry turned thumbs down on the proposed takeover, two days before the scheduled end of a six-month antitrust review.
Zhu wishes he'd lost the bet. Now his company is struggling and his investment plans are in disarray.
And while Zhu licks his wounds, other Chinese companies seeking overseas acquisitions fear a backlash. They worry that antitrust regulators in other countries may view Coca-Cola's failure as an example of Chinese government protectionism, and decide to follow suit.
Zhu's juice company – the largest in China -- and the American beverage giant had planned their marriage for months. Anticipating a happily-ever-after, Huiyuan had shifted its focus and finances into upstream juice business channels. The company even replaced some of its managers with Coca-Cola executives.
But the ministry's Anti-monopoly Department rejected the proposal on grounds it would negatively impact market competition.
Moreover, the government defended the decision. Responding to criticism in foreign media such as The Wall Street Journal and The Financial Times, which cited possible trade protectionism by the Chinese government, Commerce Minister Chen Deming said the nation's policy toward foreign investment has been proactive.
Chen also said it would be "a huge mistake" to think China would restrict the inflow of foreign capital.
A ministry spokesperson, using the official Web site to answer media queries, said the Huiyuan decision was based on the strength of China's new anti-monopoly law, and denied policymakers had been motivated by politics, protectionism or public opinion.


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Carrots Braised in Beer and Carrot Juice
Top Chef Season 6 winner Michael Voltaggio cooks these carrots in carrot juice and a hoppy beer to emphasize their savory depth, not their sweetness.
Total Time:
Level: Easy
Serves: 4
- 8 medium carrots
- 1 c. fresh carrot juice
- ½ c. hoppy beer
- 1 tsp. sugar
- 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
- salt
- Peel the carrots so that the thick ends are roughly the same width as the thinner ends; cut each carrot in thirds crosswise. Put the carrots in a medium skillet with the carrot juice and beer and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over moderate heat until the liquid is reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Add the sugar, cover, and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer the carrots to a plate.
- Whisk the butter into the sauce and simmer until thickened, 1 minute. Return the carrots to the skillet, season with salt, and toss to coat. Transfer to plates and serve.
More From Recipes


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FBI Response to Associated Press Article Alleging Sentinel "Late and Over Budget"
|Washington, D.C. December 23, 2008
Today Assistant Director John Miller, Office of Public Affairs, submitted the following letter to the Washington Bureau Chief of the Associated Press in response to a December 19, 2008, article titled, "FBI Computer System: Late and Over Budget":
I am concerned that this weekend's wire story, "FBI Computer System: Late and Over Budget," is simplistic and misleading. The story reports on an audit of the FBI's Sentinel case management system that was completed by the Justice Department's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) in December 2007, nearly a year ago. This report is part of a series of audits requested by the FBI and our oversight bodies. As the OIG reports, the total estimated costs and the expected completion of the Sentinel project have increased by approximately six percent and six months, respectively, for the six-year program (which includes two years of operations and maintenance). Of note: This comes after a lengthy evaluation of the overall project after the completion of Phase 1 last year. During Phase 1, through constant assessment of performance, the FBI and the primary contractor, Lockheed Martin, were able to redesign Phase 2 to be more efficient and deliver more tools faster to our employees.
Other important recommendations that were implemented came from the Inspector General's audits. For instance, the OIG recommended that further dividing the remaining phases, 2-4, into smaller segments would provide mission-enhancing services to the user more frequently. This more flexible and agile approach was thoughtfully planned, and further reduces the risk by shifting more of the requirements forward into the program's development.
Since completion of the audit last year, Sentinel Phase 2 is now more than halfway complete, and is on schedule and within cost. It will also deliver administrative case management services well ahead of the original schedule, services not originally planned until the fourth and final phase. As the audit noted, the first segment of Phase 2 has delivered the initial version of the enterprise portal and reduced the number of information technology systems Sentinel will interface with or replace.
It is important to note, especially in the context of a story that implies inefficiency or ineffectiveness, that the strategic plan that resulted in these advances has been embraced by stakeholders at the Department of Justice, Capitol Hill, the Director of National Intelligence, the General Accountability Office, as well as by the OIG, with whom we will continue to work closely throughout the entire process.
Among the original goals of the Sentinel program were agility and the ability to make adjustments during the multi-phase, four-year period—both to account for expected advances in technology and to implement lessons learned along the way. By any measure, the "replan" following the successful completion of Phase 1, which this audit addresses, has made Sentinel stronger and more responsive to the needs of users—those FBI employees who rely on cutting-edge technology to help keep America safe.
John Miller
Assistant Director, Office of Public Affairs
Federal Bureau of Investigation


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Zambia coach Herve Renard says that these days there are no easy games on the African continent yet maintains Zambia are never scared of their opponents.
Chipolopolo found that out the hard way when on Monday they drew 1-1 with Ethiopia.
At subsequent press conferences, some journalists suggested that Zambia are a spent force and are no longer hungry to succeed.
But Renard does not see this as the case.
"It's a challenge to compete with any team in Africa. The level in Africa is very, very tough, it's not like before when you can see which one or two teams will go through.
"We have to keep our humility because football is up and down. Even some of the best coaches have problems [at some stages of their careers]. Look at Jose Mourinho, if he is struggling, then the same can happen to me."
That said, Renard says his team are up for the challenge of playing Nigeria at the Mbombela Stadium tonight.
"We are never scared of our opponents. The strength of the team spirit is to be confident and to think we can compete with anyone.
"We showed in the past we can compete with anyone in Africa. Nigeria is a very good team but we are good enough to beat them."


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I logged into Lightroom last week and noticed there was a new feature in the develop module. Adobe Stock is now part of the develop module allowing photographers to upload images to the stock site within the Lightroom application. On a whim, I registered with Adobe Stock and submitted a photo. Today I received an email letting me know my file is up for sale on Adobe Stock. Yay!
More information on the Adobe Stock update can be found in this video. If you have Lightroom make sure you update to version 6.7 or CC version 2105.7 in order to add Adobe Stock to your develop module.
Does anyone sell stock photos on Adobe Stock or any other stock photography site? Let me know in the comments below.
Happy Snapping!
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text: The ibis budget Luxembourg Aéroport is very close to the Findel airport (served by LuxAir) and is ideal for both tourists and business travellers. Discover Luxexpo and Kirchberg, the European District, the museum quarter in Luxembourg and the world famous Opera House. This low budget hotel combines comfort with the best services: air-conditioning, free WiFi internet and a breakfast buffet. Free airport shuttle service and free parking are provided!


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Dallas' Most Stylish Couple Hosts an Unplugged Rock Concert in their Stunning Home
Inside the Best House Party EverBY Christina Geyer // 07.08.16
Heather Wiese Alexander & Scott Alexander
Aperol spritz
The Alexanders listen to the band play a set.
Nothing For Breakfast's concert drew an intimate crowd of Dallas socials.
Julie Lloyd, Donald Fowler, Terry Loftis
Nothing For Breakfast concert
Piano details
A trombone rests next to the band's equipment.
Guests indulged in Cavalli's Pizza.
Nothing For Breakfast
Heather Wiese Alexander and her husband, Scott Alexander (they own Knox-Henderson shop Nest and fine stationery line Bell'Invito), have developed a bit of a reputation for throwing some of the best house parties in town. Of course, when you have impeccable taste and a circle of friends that spans the globe and consists of talented creative types — most notably, the couple has a posse of famous and emerging musician pals — it makes putting everything together a fun adventure.
For several years now, the couple has hosted acoustic concerts featuring said music-makers inside the chic living room of their University Park home. They clear out the furniture, leaving only the seating and the musicians' instruments and equipment. I have been lucky enough to attend many of these casual, effortlessly perfect evenings, so when an e-mail landed in my inbox from Heather recently inviting me to a "last minute concert" for Italian band Nothing For Breakfast, I promptly replied, confirming my attendance.
"I just found out yesterday they would do an unplugged session for us," Heather's e-mail said. "These guys are more rock than the usual suspects, so I was surprised they would come play at the house without all the amps. Love them — they are friends from Italy doing a small U.S. tour … I'm imagining an intimate group of true music lovers, since it's such short notice!"
Undoubtedly, the best part about the concerts Heather and Scott host is their relationship with the musicians — their friends. It makes attending the concert all the more intimate. You're not just being invited to listen to great live music in a small, private setting. You're being invited to share in the friendship Heather and Scott share with the artists.
So, how did this Italian band land in Dallas? And how did the dots connect between Nothing For Breakfast and Heather and Scott, I wondered. Here, the full story, in Heather's own words:
"I've known Jonathan since he was a kid. I met his parents during a study-abroad trip in college and we have remained close.
"Jonathan, who is the lead singer, and his brother David are the little brothers I claim, which I know sounds a little silly, but my husband truly calls them my Italian family. For well over a decade, with my frequent trips to Italy for work, and their frequent trips to the U.S. for family, we have spent the kind of time with each other that makes them feel like home.
"Both boys have lived with Scott and me for extended periods of time. They know about the concerts we have had at the house, and we had discussed having friends over to hear them. My feeling was that the rock was too hard for an intimate house venue — or at least mine.
"When the tour started, like a handful of bands we host, they were our house guests and we had no plans to have a house concert.
"(I have to tell you, these guys are full-on Florentines. They love great food and hate air conditioning (oy!), but five nights of coming home from work to fabulous Italian food and an Aperol spritz shoved into my hand was enough to get me used to a balmier-than-normal home for a little while.)
"The house concert idea came about very quickly on the third or fourth night of their stay. Two of the four band members play amazing jazz, and I had asked for a few jazz songs. The bass player picked up the trombone and out came some beautiful jazz. About two songs in, the drummer was on guitar, the bass player was on a trombone, a lead guitarist was on a trumpet and there were two guys on my piano — which if you are doing the math is one extra guy who is classically trained on piano, and who just joined in.
"Somehow, the jazz morphed into an acoustic revisit of their own rock music. I perked up and said, 'This! Seriously?! You have to play this, here, for people. This is amazing.'
"They only had one slot open during their tour, which was the coming Sunday night, so I used my closest friends to get the word out and to find a food truck. (It ended up being Cavalli's Pizza, which I now adore!) Coming up with a signature cocktail was a no-brainer: Aperol spritz. Mona, Jonathan's mother, was with us and made a delicious sausage bruschetta, which we had the privilege of devouring, along with my favorite pasta from Francesco Farris (owner of Zio Cecio).
"I'm not sure how it all came together. All I know is that on both sides of the pond, Italians have always made great parties."


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Double Wrap Morse Necklace
Contact seller $ 160.00 Sold by Music Today
Imported 1 year ago
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Part of our capsule collection with George Frost, a unisex jewelry and accessories maker. The Double Wrap Morse Necklace employs one of George Frost's signature design methods, using multicolored beads to spell out messaging in Morse Code. This piece mea


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Toledo Bend Fishing Report for July 27, 2012
Updated 10:06 am, Friday, July 27, 2012
Hello, Anglers. We still have some more hot weather yet to go but July 2012 so far, in this area at least, has not been as bad as July 2011 so just maybe August want be so bad either. However, either way Toledo will still give up some big fish as we are midway through the summer season. So far July has resulted in several over 10 pounds and one over 14 pounds which is a great month especially for mid-summer. In addition, the Toledo lake record (15.32 pounds) was also caught in July (2000) so when you cast a lure on Toledo during the summer just know that there is that possibility of catching a mega bass. Sure, the odds of catching a bass over ten pounds are greater in the spring with lots of big bass shallow for the spawn but no matter the season on Toledo, there is always that possibility of a huge bass so be prepared with sharp hooks, fresh line, proper knot(palomar) and proper drag setting on your reel. It is so easy for even the most experienced angler to get careless or lazy and fail to cover the basics.
LAKE CONDITIONS: The lake level has been steady and at midweek is at 169.45 ft with both generator units shut down. We still have plenty of grass with milfoil, pepper grass and lily pads plentiful in 1 to 12 feet in many areas of south Toledo. Hydrilla also is growing in depths of 6 to 22 ft in numerous locations from the dam north to Indian Mounds. Mill Creek, Six Mile, Toro and Housen all have plenty of shallow and deep grass.
BASS FISHING REPORT: We continue to have a buffet of patterns with a good top water bite early morning and late afternoon and there is often some cloud cover from sun-up till mid morning which extends the top-water patterns. For quality bites up-top it is hard to beat Stanley's Ribbit both in regular size and also the larger size Bull Ribbit. I rig Ribbits with Stanley's Double Take hooks and 50 lb Spider Wire. I also like to work poppers (Pro Pop(Norman), Yellow Magic and Chug Bugs on grassy points with deep water nearby. At depths of 6 to 22 feet a Texas rigged Berkley Havoc Bottom Hopper (6.25 inches) and Trick Worms are very effective as is a wacky rigged version of the same. I do weight wacky rigs currently unless I am fishing a 5 inch Senko wacky(w.m. blue and baby bass) with light winds. I like shady w.m. candy and w.m. red colors of Bottom Hoppers and Berkley Havoc has added a new color, cherry seed, which is excellent in bright conditions and clear water. I have also used it(cherry seed Bottom Hopper Havoc) on drop shot with good results.
In the deeper patterns we continue to throw DD22s in shad patterns, Stanley Bug Eye jig (1/2 and 3/4 oz), Carolina rigs and drop shot in depths of 18 to 30 feet. We are also throwing some jigging spoons in schooling and suspended bass. Schooling bass have been moderately plentiful this summer with lots of 12 to 13 inch fish but occasionally we are finding some bigger schools of fish. They have been fairly aggressive and will take a lure if you get it to them asap. I make it a practice to throw my lure just past the "boil" about 2 feet and slowly work it back to where the bass hit. This seems to work better for me than tossing the bait on top of the fish. In schooling bass, I often use a small spoon this time of the year (1/4 to 3/8 oz) rigged with 10 lb test Berkley Big Game(Green) on a Abu Garcia Ora Series spinning reel/7' Veritas. With this set-up I can throw the small spoon a mile(almost) and can often reach the schooling bass that always surface just out of reach.
AUTHOR INFO: Joe Joslin is a syndicated outdoor columnist, tournament angler and pro guide on Toledo and Sam Rayburn. Website http://www.joejoslinoutdoors.com/. Contact him at 337-463-3848 or firstname.lastname@example.com


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NRHA's product knowledge training
programs for employees are designed
to give store associates the information they need to be productive right from the
start. We offer training programs in core hardware and building materials categories
and it's free to all NRHA members.
August 6, 2010
More than 60 cyclists from around the world took part in the 2010 STIHL Tour des Trees, America's largest fundraiser for tree research, raising more than $365,000 so far during this year's tour to benefit the Tree Research and Education Endowment (TREE) Fund, according to a company press release.
The weeklong cycling event launched from Chicago's Millennium Park on July 18 and the 65 cyclists traveled 500 miles through northern Illinois in six days.
Since its inception in 1992, the Tour has generated more than $4.8 million and has funded a host of diverse projects to address invasive pests, urban planting challenges, tree biomechanics and worker safety.
"We received a warm hometown welcome from Illinois, and we were so pleased that so many here care about the health of America's urban trees," said Janet Bornancin, executive director of the TREE Fund, which is based in Naperville, Ill. "With the money raised from the Tour, we can continue to fund the research needed to maintain and care for our urban forests."
For more information, visit www.treefund.org.
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