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It's morning on the Fourth of July in conservative Greeley, Colorado, and along 10th Avenue, the town's residents are staking out choice spots from which to watch the parade. A man in a "Got Freedom?" T-shirt claims a piece of sidewalk. A family with young kids dressed in patriotic hues sits along a curb. An elderly woman sets up under a shade tree with her oxygen tank at her side and a tiny American flag stuck to its valve.
A few blocks away, in the backyard of a small brick house, the Weld County Democratic Party ("Real People, Real Issues") is holding its annual Fourth of July breakfast. By the standards of this year's more notable political gatherings, it's what you might call an intimate affair. This is Weld County, after all, an agricultural area about an hour's drive north of Denver that belongs to Colorado's 4th Congressional District. That's the district in which Republican Marilyn Musgrave has won three consecutive terms in Congress by decrying same-sex marriage and gun-control laws and pushing for a "National Year of the Bible." In other words, this is not normally a place where one expects to see signs of a Democratic resurgence.
Then again, these are not normal political times. A few years ago, only about 30 people attended this gathering. This year, close to 100 showed up. It could be nothing, this increased turnout at one Democratic breakfast in a tiny conservative town, or it could be yet another sign that Democratic fortunes are improving in areas of the Western United States that the party used to write off.
It's not just the tea leaves in Greeley that suggest something is happening for Democrats out West. In almost all of the states touched by the Rocky Mountain chain, a tide of Republican dominance that began in the Reagan era seems to be rapidly ebbing. These "Mountain West" states--Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico--used to appear indelibly red, and not just on presidential election nights. With few exceptions, the governors of these states were Republican, their congressional delegations were Republican-dominated, and their state legislatures were Republican-controlled. Now, as governorships, congressional seats, and state houses across the region have steadily flipped into Democratic hands over the last decade, several of these states have turned purple, and a number seem on the verge of becoming blue. To take just one leading indicator: In 2000, not a single governor in the Mountain West was a Democrat. Today, the majority of the governors in the region are Democrats, including the governor in Dick Cheney's home state of Wyoming.
This dramatic turnabout is rooted in a complicated mix of demographic changes, new economic realities, improved Democratic candidates, and a general disenchantment with the direction of the country. But it is reverberating up the political ladder and resulting in some unusual political moments this year, such as when Barack Obama decided to spend his Fourth of July in Montana, a state with only three electoral votes, and arrived there to news of a poll that showed him with a surprising five-point lead in the state.
This year's Democratic National Convention was placed in Denver precisely because of the sense of opportunity in the region. With memories of a record-shattering pro-Obama turnout in Colorado's Democratic caucuses fresh in their minds, some political analysts are predicting Obama will win the state in November, an outcome that--along with other potential Obama wins in Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona--could completely alter the electoral map.
"There's one word that explains most of it," said John Straayer, a professor of political science at Colorado State University. "And that's 'Republicans.'" Voters in the Mountain West still have a conservative bent, but, Straayer and others told me, they've become tired of the wedge issues, the cultural crusading, and, most of all, the war. They're independent thinkers by nature, and they want answers from pragmatists, not pabulum from ideologues. "James Dobson and Grover Norquist don't get your highways paved," Straayer told me. "They don't get your universities funded. They just tear it apart and elevate other issues."
Pat Williams, the nine-term Democratic congressman from Montana who now watches trends in the region as a senior fellow at the Center for the Rocky Mountain West, said that Republicans used to count on the high peaks of the Rockies as a kind of magic barrier--not just the marker of the Continental Divide but also a kind of cultural and political divide that would keep liberal successes contained to the Pacific Coast. "For Republicans, the Rockies are like a levee," Williams said. "The levee on the left bank. It's been leaking. Republicans have been doing a lot of sandbagging out here, but it's starting to break, and if it does, it's going to flood Republicans out for a long time."
I was in Greeley on the Fourth of July to watch Congressman Mark Udall, a Colorado Democrat, as he stumped for votes in his race for the Senate seat that's being vacated by retiring Republican Wayne Allard. I wasn't alone. The New York Times had a reporter there and so did the Bloomberg news service. A few years ago it would have seemed like a waste of time for any out-of-state political writer to be following a Democratic Senate hopeful to a place like Greeley, and certainly a waste of time for the candidate himself to be there.
Yet there was Mark Udall, tall, sure of step, fit and handsome in his cowboy casual and with his steely gray hair, standing on the back porch of the home that was hosting the Democratic breakfast, talking up his campaign. He ticked off the issues he believes voters care about these days: Renewable energy. Universal health care. An honorable exit from Iraq. Taking care of veterans.
The picnic-goers in Greeley gave hearty applause only to the line about veterans. These are the kind of people that the Democratic Party has been working hard to better relate to in the Mountain West--voters supportive of green energy in theory but worried that it somehow means higher gas prices, voters who favor better health care in the abstract but are wary of big government initiatives, voters who are fed up with the Iraq War but are susceptible to the argument that withdrawal means surrender. By fielding candidates that look the part and speak with the direct and sometimes gritty tones of a rugged region, Democrats have found that they can now be heard long enough to, for example, disabuse a group of voters of the notion that any investment in cleaner energy is going to make it even more expensive to fill up their pickups.
I watched Jon Tester do this in 2006 in Montana during his run for Senate. Here was a third-generation farmer in a Carhartt jacket, his left hand missing three fingers from an accident with a meat grinder. Montanans, it turned out, were eager to listen as he made the connection between Republican fiscal priorities and the fact that it was increasingly difficult for working families to find time to "go out fishin'." Tester won that race, sending the corrupt Republican incumbent Conrad Burns into retirement and helping to give Democrats their current one-vote margin in the Senate.
One doesn't necessarily have to be a farmer familiar with meat grinders to win in Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico, the three most coveted swing states in the region. But a love of the region's spectacular lands, and a pragmatism about utilizing their vast natural resources are prerequisites. So is a respect for people's desire not to be interfered with too much and a tolerance for the fast-growing diversity that is reshaping many of these states.
A fundamental dynamic of the region is that the farther south one goes, the less white the states become. Montana is almost 90 percent white. Colorado is 70 percent white, with Hispanics making up by far the largest minority group. And by the time one reaches New Mexico--which, with its huge Hispanic population and large Indian tribes, has been majority-minority for decades--one is solidly out of the areas of the Mountain West where the nativist language of, say, a Tom Tancredo, has any large-scale political utility. In fact, it seems appropriate that Tancredo announced last year that he will be retiring when his current term expires, as it's becoming clear that both dispositionally and demographically, the future of the Mountain West is not with people such as himself.
In Greeley, in the back of a campaign van shuttling us from the Democratic breakfast to the Fourth of July parade and the cattle drive that was about to kick it off, Mark Udall explained his core message to Coloradans: "Pragmatic environmentalism, a new energy economy, libertarian social policies, and tax policies that are right-sized and explainable, where the voters can see a return on their investments." What he doesn't talk about? Divisive social issues.
"The citizens in the West," he told me, "have said, 'Here are our priorities: We're libertarians with a small L. We're "live and let live" on the social issues. There are bigger challenges and more important opportunities in front of us than telling people what their personal behavior should or shouldn't be. That includes things like firearm ownership. ... Where you worship is nobody's business. Who you have a long-term relationship with is nobody's business. The choices you make about your family's reproductive future are nobody's business.'"
It's a message not likely to be welcomed at the Focus on the Family headquarters in Colorado Springs, but one smartly calibrated to appeal to prickly rural Democrats and also, and perhaps more important, to the huge mass of independents (or "unaffiliateds" as they're called in Colorado) who now make up a bloc significantly larger than registered Democrats in the state. The Colorado case is an extreme example of a phenomenon found all over the region: In several Mountain West states, independents and independent-minded Republicans make up a group that Democrats must reach in order to win.
Naturally, Colorado Republicans want to cast Mark Udall as a scary liberal out of touch with the state's values. His opponents refer to him derisively as "the congressman from Boulder" (which, in Colorado-speak, is similar to saying he's on the faculty at Berkeley). They say his ideas about the environment will mean higher gas prices. And they point out that Mark Udall is the descendent of a storied liberal political dynasty that goes back more than 100 years in the Western United States. After all, the Western ethos of rugged individualism doesn't exactly mesh with the idea of dynasties and their attendant entitlements.
Which is probably why Mark Udall told me that he doesn't like the word "dynasty" much. But whether or not he acknowledges it, his famous relatives are important to his political history. Mark Udall's father, Morris Udall, represented Arizona in the House for 30 years and helped to double the size of the national parks system. His uncle, Stewart Udall, served as secretary of the interior under Kennedy and Johnson and is credited with passage of landmark environmental legislation such as the Clean Air Act. And his cousin, Tom Udall, Stewart Udall's son, is a congressman from New Mexico who is currently running for the Senate seat being given up by Republican Pete Domenici.
There's a certain synchronicity to the fact that both of the younger Udalls, Mark and Tom, are now running for Senate. They were both elected to Congress in the same year, 1998, and then, as now, their success or failure was seen as an important barometer. Back then it was a question of whether the region that once sent an earlier generation of Udalls to Washington had become far too Republican to ever do so again. In a dispatch from the campaign trail in 1998, James Brooke of The New York Times writes: "Elected Democrats have become in the West similar to the endangered species that the Udalls once championed in Washington." The victories of Mark and Tom Udall in 1998 showed that significant Democratic wins were, in fact, possible in the Republican-dominated Mountain West.
This year, if both of the Udall cousins win their Senate races, as polls in New Mexico and Colorado suggest could happen, it will again be seen as a sign--this time as a strong indication that the region's politics have so fundamentally shifted since 1998 that an era of Republican dominance is now in the past tense.
Tom Udall is standing at a rural gas station in New Mexico. He's tall like his cousin Mark but with a rounder face and a lot more brown than gray atop his head. Sagebrush and sun-baked earth recede into the distance behind him, and he's walking toward the camera with a gait that suggests he might have just ridden up to the pumps on a horse. As he walks, he explains to the viewers at home what he intends to do about high gas prices.
Here's what you don't hear Tom Udall say in this campaign commercial: "more drilling." His opponent, the oilman and former congressman, Steve Pearce, is more than happy to utter such words, but Tom Udall plays a different set of cards. "First, stop hedge-fund speculators from driving up the price of oil," he says. "Get oil companies to build new clean refineries in the U.S. to increase supply, or take away their tax breaks. And get serious about alternative energy." He sounds tough-minded and sure of himself, and he sounds angry about the price of gas, but he's channeling that anger toward faceless businessmen manipulating the energy market (read: Republicans).
That an aspiring Mountain West senator is addressing the energy issue in this way is notable and indicative of the changing issue matrix in the region. It's a complicated shift, but to broadly summarize: As economic and environmental issues have come to the fore in recent years, social issues have receded in importance in voters' minds. At the same time, as the Iraq War and other unpopular strategies backed by Republicans have sapped confidence in the Republican Party's ability to lead, more people have become interested in hearing Democratic solutions.
"Republicans have believed ever since Reagan that Westerners care more about corporate extractive jobs than they do about landscape and clean places to hunt, fish, and camp," Williams of the Center for the Rocky Mountain West told me. "That's a mistake." Or, at least, it has become a mistake for Republicans over time.
Swing states in the Mountain West have had some of the fastest-growing populations in the nation over the past decade, and these populations have grown, in large part, due to an influx of young college graduates, urban professionals, and well-educated retirees who move to places like Boulder and Missoula and Taos seeking a better quality of life. Unsurprisingly, these new arrivals do not tend to have a huge soft spot for the old extractive industries like oil and natural gas. They relocated to enjoy the area's natural beauty, and presented with a choice between the environment and the economic imperative to drill, they choose the former. There's also a growing recognition in the Mountain West that it's a wise investment to protect the natural beauty that so many tourists pay to experience. On top of all this, Democrats have simply become much more savvy about finding ways to draw independents and conservatives to their side in defense of the land.
That process is key to the changing political fortunes in the region, and it almost always has to begin with disarming the gun issue. Successful Democrats in the Mountain West tend to be vociferous defenders of the Second Amendment--and often hunters or gun owners themselves. In Colorado, on the day after the Fourth of July, I followed Mark Udall to an event he was holding in a shotgun-shell-covered clearing in the Pike-San Isabel National Forest, located in the foothills of the Rockies just 40 miles southwest of Denver. The event was intended to promote a new initiative he has launched to fund and improve shooting ranges on public lands.
Mark Udall may have arrived in a black Prius, but he is far from the caricature of the Prius-driving lefty, desperate to bend your ear about the plight of polar bears and the need for trigger locks. Instead, Udall bent my ear about his mother's sharpshooter and marksman certificates from the National Rifle Association, his own experience hunting doves and quail, and his proposal to let hunters help cull the overgrown elk herd in Rocky Mountain National Park (an idea that has raised the ire of many environmentalists). His spokeswoman, Tara Trujillo, who sometimes spends her weekends with a 20-gauge shotgun and a bunch of fellow trap and skeet shooters, stood nearby listening carefully. After the event was over, Udall's deputy political director, Gaspar Perricone, stayed behind to shoot with the sportsmen who had come to hear the Senate candidate speak. As I drove away, I saw him knock a clay pigeon out of the air with one quick shot from his 12-gauge Browning.
Steve Cobble, once an aide to former Gov. Tony Anaya of New Mexico and a longtime observer of the region's politics, describes events like these as part of a process of helping conservative-leaning outdoorsmen "realize who their real enemies are."
Mark Udall would never put it quite in those terms. But, he told me, "we've heard for years and years from the Republican Party that Democrats are going to take away your guns. Well, in the West, everybody still owns firearms, but what's been happening is the places where you hunt and fish are being taken away, whether it's through the privatization of public lands, or widespread oil and gas drilling, or other uses that take precedence. ... I mean, it's pretty tough to go hunting in the Pinedale Anticline in Wyoming now where you have thousands of gas wells. ... The Democrats are saying, 'Wait, there's a balance here. Yeah, we need fossil fuels, but let's go slow, let's protect the activities which are historically how we identify ourselves.'"
The simple idea expressed in his last sentence, that Democrats represent an authentic us that is tied to the region's natural heritage and sense of itself, and that Republicans represent a corporate them more interested in money than in preserving the West as Westerners enjoy it, is perhaps the most powerful play the Democratic Party is now making in the region.
It's clearly working. The big question is how well it will have worked by Nov. 4.
Barack Obama, whose calm pragmatism is a perfect dispositional match for the region but whose "otherness" and urbaneness could pose a significant challenge, will have to invest heavily in the Mountain West if he's to take enough states to really alter the electoral map. And Mark and Tom Udall, who both seem well positioned to make the jump to the Senate, still have months of campaigning ahead of them. Will voters still be open to the Democratic talk about the environment if gas prices keep rising all the way through to November? We may very well find out.
We may also find out next year, in the event of a double-Udall victory, what it means to have a few more gun-shooting Western pragmatists in the Senate. In thinking about this, the case of Jon Tester--who helped give Democrats control of the Senate in 2006 but can't always vote like a coastal Democrat if he wants to be re-elected--is instructive. The Udalls would face a similar challenge in the Senate, and too many party-bucking Western pragmatists could create another point of fissure in the majority.
But for now that's all hypothetical, and in any case, after the last eight years, it's a comparatively good problem for the Democrats to have.
What's certain is that the Mountain West is moving in a new direction and that this movement is favoring Democrats in a big way. "The change out here is significant and real," Williams told me.
"But," he added, with a warning note in his voice, "it's no more permanent than it was for Republicans."


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Priced at $8.99, they were a steal. But yellow tags were a dollar today, which is a downright un-heard-of bargain. That's pretty nearly 99% off the going retail price. Even better, they're model "M2", which is the trim cut version. Perfect.
I've read a lot of raves about Bill's on the Internet these past few years, but being a total cheapskate, I'll never pay the better part of a hundred bucks for khakis. Guess I finally have my chance to see what all the hype is about.

subset: commoncrawl


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October 15, 2009 by Jon Alain Guzik, Editor-in-Chief
2010 Audi S5
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2010 Audi S5
DriverSide Overview
If you're buying a car based purely on style, look no farther than the
2010 Audi S5
. According to Audi, much like the
SUV, the S5 was designed with the intention of invoking an aggressive and emotional style in buyers. With beauty being in the eye of the beholder, whether or not you buy into that philosophy is up to you; but there's no doubting the S5's ability to turn heads. The S5 experience is more than skin deep though; it's got some attitude to it as well, with a new supercharged V-6 powerplant in cabriolet form that offers up brisk pace whenever you feel the desire to move at a faster clip. With its sleek, contemporary lines, high-quality interior and powerband that doesn't need to be revved to the redline to deliver plenty of grunt, it's difficult not to be won over by Audi's new performance cab.
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2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet
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2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet
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2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet
What's to Like
Interior quality is amongst the best in the industry. The fast-folding roof means you don't have to pull over to deploy the tonneau. Quattro all-wheel drive makes the S5 the sports convertible of choice in snow-laden locales – just keep the heater cranked.
What's Not to Like
North American buyers are likely to want the V-8 that remains present in the S5 coupe, regardless of the increase in fuel economy provided by the V-6. Lack of a manual transmission option is mildly disappointing, although we do appreciate the use of a dual-clutch gearbox over a traditional slush-o-matic.
The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
Once behind the wheel of the S5, you'll find if difficult not to mash the throttle, over and over again. Sudden acceleration is paired with a six-cylinder soundtrack and supercharger whine, but you have to listen closely to detect it. The S5 doesn't accelerate with rampant violence, but with a fluidity of power that's perfectly balanced with the car's dimensions and upscale demeanor. Get the S5 out on a back road and the brakes quickly dispatch any straightaway acceleration, and the steering is direct and predictable, though there's a minor delay between your turn-in and the car's. Feedback at the helm is somewhat vague, though the prodigious grip offered by Quattro all-wheel drive makes the S5 an easy car to drive at speed.
Engine and Drivetrain
Audi's new convertible is powered by a a supercharged and direct injected V-6, which makes 333 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque at a low 2,900 rpm. The only transmission offered is a fast-shifting 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, driving all four wheels via Quattro all-wheel drive.
Interesting Vehicle Features and Options
Audi Drive Select controls the engine, suspension, transmission and steering characteristics of the S5 and has four modes: comfort, auto, dynamic and a customizable individual mode. This system allows the driver to custom tailor the responses of the chassis and new sport differential to any driving situation. The MMI media control system system uses a scroll wheel interface, making iPod integration very simple and intuitive. A Bang & Olufsen 14-speaker, 505-watt premium sound system is also on offer.
Key Technology Evaluation
Audi offers a navigation package with a 7-inch screen, which includes a rear parking system and a rearview camera. Audi Advanced Key, included standard with Prestige trim S5 models, lets you open the doors and start the car with the push of a button while the fob remains in your pocket. Servotronic speed sensitive steering gauges road speed and weights up as speed increases, making low-speed maneuverability less work for the driver.
Green Evaluation/Gas Mileage
Audi's new 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 shines in the fuel efficiency deparment, especially when compared to the 4.2-liter V-8 used in the S5 coupe. The V-6 returns 17 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, making the 14/21 mpg 4.2-liter V-8 look very thirsty indeed.
A Closer Look: Vehicle Details
The S5's interior is a typically ergonomic Audi affair, with the center stack navigation screen flowing down into the thermostat controls and MMI buttons. We'd recommend the Black/Tuscan Brown Milano Silk Nappa leather, as it contrasts beautifully against the S5's dark interior trim, especially for those opting for carbon fiber inlays.
Like all S-Model Audis, the S5 has a sophisticated and visually passive exterior, the model's performance upgrades only hinted at by its 19-inch five-spoke alloys, massive brakes, lower front-end spoiler, S5 badges and V6T logos which sit below the aluminum accented mirrors.
Market Segment and Pricing
While The S5 isn't what one would classify as affordable, it's hard to argue that it's not well priced for what it is – a sophisticated German convertible. With an MSRP of $58,250, the S5 goes directly up against the
Mercedes-Benz CLK350 Cabriolet
BMW 335i Convertible
. With a few options, the S5 reaches into the mid-sixties, putting it in line with the base prices of the
Mercedes-Benz CLK550 Cabriolet
BMW M3 Convertible
What We Think
The Audi S5 offers up an enticing blend of modern design, neck bending looks, outstanding comfort and stomp-on-the-throttle performance. The steering might be a bit numb in the corners and its thirst for fuel is enthusiastic, but few cars in this price range will get you so many looks and return such driving pleasure. As far as sleek cabrio lines go, it currently has the best on the market.
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Aside from annoying weather, the apple tree is bursting with fruit. The bees have certainly done their work and it looks as though we will be heavily laden with apple pies, applesauce, apple whatever, and hopefully cider and cider vinegar. The husband is planning to make an apple press, but I'm not sure if he will be able to get to it in time. We should be wading through barrels upon barrels in less than two weeks.
Ethel says I need to repair this fence as the chicks keep escaping through this hole.
Speaking of the chicks, they have graduated to the big girl coop though are not so happy to spend their days with the full grown ladies. Sweet Pea is showing her not-so-sweet side by giving each chick a bit of what for. So they have taken to wandering under the apple tree for some daytime peace and weed munching. Today five of the six made it back to the pen while one of the Dark Cornishes cowered behind a piece of plywood. I think her legs are too big for her to get airborne. Two of the chicks even made it into the coop. That's a first and a good sign that I will spend less time in the evenings chasing recalcitrant chooks around the yard trying to get them to bed.
I'm really proud of the hoop house I set up in my neighbor's yard. Using only rebar, 1/2 inch PVC pipe, 6 mil plastic sheeting, and rubber-tipped clamps, I built the thing for less than $100. The neighbors only use the space to dump trash so I struck a deal with them that if I could use it to grow vegetables, I would keep the area neat and tidy. Thus far it's been an ideal arrangement and I plan to give them a good portion of the harvest.
The plants are absolutely ecstatic to be out of the wind and in some heat. The temperature is usually at least 10 to 15 degrees warmer than anywhere else on our lots. I've even rigged up the drip irrigation in there.
Look at these tomatoes! I was concerned that I might have to buy transplants again this year as I had left the seedlings out in the wind a few too many times. But once I popped them in the poly tunnel, all changed their tune.
I'll keep you updated as to how it works out. I've got more than a dozen varieties of tomatoes, several types of squash, a few cucumbers, beans, and melons growing in there. To think, I might produce a melon in San Francisco! If I'm successful, I will have defied the bounds of growing in a cold, foggy summer micro-climate. Good luck to me, eh?
Baby Bird Update - I'm pretty sure he found his mother. He flew out the window and has not been heard from since. I wish him the best.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone


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Murder convictions upheld against vegans in baby's death
By Bill Rankin
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday unanimously upheld murder convictions against an Atlanta couple who allowed their 6-week-old baby to starve to death.
Jade Sanders and Lamont Thomas, both vegans, were convicted in 2007 by a Fulton County jury. Living in the Darlington Apartments, they chose to have their son, Crown Shakur, born in a bathtub with no medical aid.
When they took the infant to nearby Piedmont Hospital on April 24, 2005, the baby was emaciated, weighing 3 1/2 pounds. He died of extreme malnourishment. Police said his diet consisted of only soy milk and apple juice. Read More
This is certainly a tragic case but hopefully because of the death of this baby more people will realize the importance of a balanced diet.


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text:
By Tami Vigilante
I read an article recently that said small business optimism levels were down during the last quarter of 2012 after reports from the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) showed slow sales were holding back job growth and expansion plans.
Whether these reports were true or just political propaganda surrounding Election Day in November, I can honestly say we are not seeing any signs of slow sales at Centralized Vision. We grew our revenues 30 percent in 2012 during our company's fifth year of existence. My husband, Tom, and I are optimistic about the video security monitoring industry because of the efficiencies and inexpensive costs we can provide our clients looking to enhance their security needs.
We are so excited about our future at Centralized Vision that we recently have begun expanding our footprint at our corporate headquarters in Phoenix. We have already started construction on adding 400 square feet of office space that will house our new tech center, allowing us to increase to a total of six work stations for our techs to monitor our clients' properties and assets from. Each tech can comfortably monitor 40-50 clients at each work station while also completing online logs from our centralized location that is manned 24 hours a day.
Construction will be completed during the first half of February, allowing us to serve the many clients we will be taking on in the near future. If we keep growing at our current rate, we will probably have to add additional space in a few more years.
Hopefully other small businesses in Arizona and throughout the U.S. will be able to say the same in the near future.
Tami Vigilante is Executive Vice President & Co-Founder at Centralized Vision. For more information on real-time video verification services or GPS monitoring, go to centralizedvision.com or call 855-888-8094. 1717 West Northern Avenue #200. Phoenix, Arizona 85021


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Friday, December 7, 2007, 11:29 - Events
BrooklynAre you getting excited yet? My birthday is only a few days away! I know, its hard to imagine that I will soon be 29 but we must face the future with open arms, not fear!
Childhood Dreams. © Damaso Reyes
So if you happen to be in NYC next Tuesday let me know and we can have drinks. Otherwise feel free to visit my Amazon.com Wish List for gift ideas. You can be sure I will be thinking about you on my special day!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007, 14:18 - Travel, Commentary
BrooklynIts like slipping on a pair of old gloves, being back in New York. As I mentioned to a friend its nice to walk around a city where you dont need a map to find your way. Seeing friends and family has been a lot of fun and I feel that I am right back into my comfort zone after spending the better part of a year as an auslander.
In living color. © Damaso Reyes
The night before I left I was describing New York to someone who has never been there.
Fast paced
Occasionally smelly
Self assured
After listing the various attributes of my home town I suddenly realized that many of these same adjectives apply to me. While it shouldnt have been it was a little surprising but I really am a child of this city. My rough edges annoy many people; my directness is sometimes seen as being rude; my self assuredness is mistaken for arrogance. Much like the city most people have very strong feeling about me, usually love or hate, there is very little in between.
And like New York I am okay with all of this. This is me, this is who I am. Yeah, I have my faults but I dont want my life to center around pleasing other people. I think it is important for us to be who we are, after all wasnt it Shakespeare who wrote:
To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.
I remember first reading Hamlet in high school and how much my English teacher emphasized this line. The reason why we are still reading this more than four hundred years later is because the truth in it is so elemental. Its not just that this is who I am; this is who I have to be. Like it or not I hope that you respect it.
Monday, December 3, 2007, 21:02 - Commentary
BrooklynStill adjusting but it feels good to be back! More later but here are your Monday Photo Jobs & Opportunities!
German dreams... © Damaso Reyes
The AOL Photography Department is seeking a Photo Editor to support the AOL News and AOL Sports websites. We are seeking a skilled expert who can provide AOLs viewers with the best in visual content. The person selected for this job will be experienced in interactive storytelling and have an extensive knowledge of visual content on the web. The position is located at the AOL offices in New York City.
Job Description: This position for Photo Editor requires the applicant have the ability to procure, edit and publish compelling photography that will bring a larger audience to AOLs News and Sports web sites. The photo editor coordinates the acquisition of images from vendors outside of AOL, including wire services, stock agencies, freelance photographers, royalty free corporations, partners and various other sources. The selected person will edit photography for use in daily promotional spots, photo features, photo galleries, news, sports and entertainment stories. This person must demonstrate the ability to articulate editing choices and be mature in their communications within the company. This person will meet regularly with programmers, designers and other photography editors throughout AOL and must have the ability to work in a fast-paced team environment. This is a full-time job, and will include some night and/or weekend hours. This person must understand the legal, ethical and aesthetic use of photographs across AOL in build, redesign and publishing. Photojournalism experience is necessary.
Years of Experience Required: 3 years minimum editorial photography experience
Computer Skills: Candidates should be familiar with both Mac and Windows operating systems and have strong skills with Adobe PhotoShop and all Microsoft Office applications. A general knowledge of HTML is preferred. Experience with Digital Asset Management systems is also a plus.
Email resume to: firstname.lastname@example.com
The Alfa Fellowship Program is a high-level professional development exchange program placing 10 qualified American citizens per year in work assignments at leading Russian organizations in the fields of business, economics, journalism, law, public policy, and government. Key goals of the Alfa Fellowship Program are expanding networks of American and Russian professionals, developing greater intercultural understanding, and advancing US/Russian relations. The program includes language training, seminar programs, and extended professional experience. Fellows receive travel, free housing, monthly stipends, and insurance. Russian language proficiency is preferred though not required at the time of application.
Eligibility Requirements: -U.S. citizen between the ages of 25 and 35; -Graduate degree and professional experience in business, economics, journalism, mass communications, law, international relations, political science, government, or public policy. Candidates without a graduate degree must demonstrate extensive and equivalent professional experience in their field; - Outstanding professional achievement and academic qualifications; - Active involvement in community or public service; - At least two years of post-secondary Russian language or equivalent; - Evidence of leadership potential. Application Informaton: The application deadline for the Alfa Fellowship Program is December 15. Applications can be completed online. Program information and application forms can also be downloaded or requested by mail from the CDS website at: www.cdsintl.org/fromusa/alfa.htm.
For more information about the Alfa Fellowship Program or application process please contact: CDS International, Inc. Alfa Fellowship Program 871 United Nations Plaza, 15th Floor New York, NY 10017-1814
Tel. (212) 497-3510 Fax. (212) 497-3535 Email. firstname.lastname@example.com Web. www.cdsintl.org
The Islamic Republic of Irans Academy of Arts is about to hold The First International Biennial of Photography in the Islamic World, in line with its research and artistic programs for Contemporary Arts of Islamic World.
Organizer: The Islamic Republic of Irans Academy of Arts
Celebrators: Saba Cultural and Artistic Institute Palestine Contemporary Arts Museum Bonyad-e Shahid va Omur-e Isargaran
Contributors Visual Arts Center of the Culture and Islamic Guidance Ministry Tehran Contemporary Arts Museum
Aims of the biennial - To identify and provide the characteristics of Islamic atmospheres; - To promote the basis of communications and the exchange of artistic experiences between the artists of the Islamic World; - To take notice of the artistic experiences of young photographers in Islamic communities; - To examine cultural and spiritual identity in Islamic societies; - To introduce contemporary photographers active across the Islamic World.
Subject of the exhibition The Muslim Family (in Islamic and non-Islamic countries). Works submitted to the biennial should be related to the Muslim family and deal with the following issues: - Living environment (architecture, rhythm ); - Daily life (leisure time, education, work, travel, immigration ); - Religion and traditions (ceremonies, poles of attraction ); - Resistance (dedication, martyrdom ); - Social issues and familial culture (interaction between tradition and modernity, impact of mass media, influence of worldwide ideas ); - Natural and man-made disasters (impact of floods, earthquakes, etc.)
Sections 1- Collection Photographs 2- Single Photographs
Calendar of the biennial - Works submission deadline: December 22nd, 2007 - Selection of works and judgment: December 31st, 2007 - Opening of the exhibition: May 5th, 2008 - Closure ceremony: June 11th, 2008
Prizes 1- A statuette and a plaque of honor of the Iranian Academy of Arts and 2000 euros () for 3 artists of distinguished works in the section of Collection Photographs. 2- A plaque of honor of the Iranian Academy of Arts, a statuette of the Saba Cultural and Artistic Institute and 1000 euros () for 3 artists of selected works in the Collection Photographs section; 3- A statuette and a plaque of honor of the Iranian Academy of Arts and 1500 euros () for 3 artists of distinguished works in the single photograph section; 4- A plaque of honor of the Iranian Academy of Arts, a statuette of the Saba Cultural and Artistic Institute and 800 euros () for 5 artists of selected works in the Single Photograph section.
Address :
Saba Cultural & Artistic Institute No 53, Mozafar St, Taleghani Ave, Felestin Square, Tehran, Iran Tel: 0098 21 66487534 Fax: 0098 21 66487534 email@example.com email@example.com Web Site: www.caiw.ir
Saturday, December 1, 2007, 21:46 - Commentary
BrooklynWow, hard to believe Im back but here I am. Its been a long trip so we will have to catch up later but heres your HCB Quote of the Week!
Tender Moments. Schömberg 2007. © Damaso Reyes
To photograph is to hold one's breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It's at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy. -Henri Cartier-Bresson
Thursday, November 29, 2007, 11:38 - Commentary
StuttgartMy time here at Solitude and in Germany is quickly drawing to a close. It is hard to believe that it has come and gone so soon. I remember boarding that plane in January with little idea of what to expect. Who could have imagined all of the interesting people Ive met, all the friends Ive made and all of the images that I have taken. For me this was The Year of Yes and it truly has been. Ive accomplished so much its hard to believe sometimes but I am grateful to the staff and fellows here for all of their support.
Good times, good friends... © Damaso Reyes
Having the opportunity to live and work in this unique community of artists has given me much more than I can express in words; I hope that you can see it in my images. I have found a process which I think will continue to serve me for years to come. In terms of The Europeans, I feel this year has been extremely productive and I have a firm foundation on which to proceed in 2008. I leave here reluctantly but knowing that I am a better artist and that I have done as much as I can with the time I have been given.
I am very much looking forward to being in New York; seeing my friends and families and doing a bit of recharging. If 2008 is anywhere close to as good as 2007 then I will be a very lucky man indeed. I look forward to writing you from the other side of the Atlantic, until Saturday: Aufwiedersehen !!!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007, 13:31 - Project News
StuttgartI know that you have been waiting patiently, in some cases for months, for me to upload some nice new galleries to my website. Well the wait is over! I have already posted some new galleries including of the Congregation of Hameln, Berlin, CERN and from Leipzig. I still have more coming but enjoy these images in the meantime.
Let us now praise famous men. Switzerland 2007. ©Damaso Reyes
Monday, November 26, 2007, 13:40 - Commentary
StuttgartWell it has been a busy weekend but I am almost done editing and I will be posting new images online later today! Of course I still have a bunch of film still left to process and scan but thats life!
In other news I have decided that Saturdays should not get to have all the fun and in addition to my weekly HCB quote I will start posting photography related jobs and opportunities every Monday. I have been doing this regularly on Lightstalkers.org but I figure why not do it here as well for those photographers who happen to visit my website. Good luck!
The Mayor of Stuttgart. © Damaso Reyes
Knight Fellowships at Stanford
Deadline for international applicants is: December 15, 2007
Eight international journalists win several Knight Fellowships at Stanford each year. The fellows get nine months of study, intellectual growth and professional change at one of the worlds great universities, right in the middle of Silicon Valley in classes, independent study and research and special forums with academic and journalism leaders. At the end of the year they return to the rapidly changing journalism landscape with a renewed sense of purpose, deeper knowledge and tools to tackle the challenges ahead.
Fellows receive a stipend of $60,000 plus tuition, and supplements for health insurance, books, housing and childcare. All benefits and activities of the program are open to spouses and partners of Fellows. Were looking for: Reporters and editors and anchors Photographers and producers and news directors Editorial cartoonists and multimedia producers and more We want journalists who have already accomplished a lot and are ambitious to do more. Candidates must have five years professional, full-time experience. To apply, go to: http://knight.stanford.edu/application/index.html and complete the application form. Applications must be postmarked by December 15, 2007 to be considered for the 2008-2009 academic year. For more information, please visit: http://knight.stanford.edu/ or email firstname.lastname@example.com
The New Jersey Herald seeks Photojournalist
Were preparing to expand our photography department for the third year in a row, and were seeking a journalism-minded photographer to help us capture life in Sussex County and uphold our high standards of photo reproduction.
Theres more to the position than simply shooting and toning photos. Our photojournalists are prized for their efficiency, versatility, and attention to accuracy. That work ethic is rewarded with interesting assignments, a generous newshole, abundant color positions, and the opportunity to explore individual projects and create photo essays.
The Herald provides a Canon Mark 2 and lenses, as well as a company vehicle for most assignments.
The New Jersey Herald is part of a privately held media company that has owned the newspaper for almost 40 years and just invested nearly $1 million in renovating the building and upgrading the newsroom computer system. Located in northwest New Jersey, The Herald has the Delaware Water Gap and the Appalachian Trail in the county and New York City entertainment an hour away.
We offer a competitive salary, medical, dental, and life insurance, profit-sharing and 401k plans, tuition reimbursement, and other benefits.
To apply, please e-mail a resume, references, and samples of your work to Anna Murphey, chief photographer, The New Jersey Herald, 2 Spring Street, Newton, N.J. 07860. Please indicate if you need your samples returned.
You may also e-mail your application to firstname.lastname@example.com, but please send your photos as screen-quality attachments, not links.
Photographic Center Northwest seeking an Executive Director
The Photographic Center Northwest is a dynamic organization eager to offer ever-improving learning opportunities to a growing community of members. We are seeking an Executive Director who can lead us in the fulfillment of this mission.
PCNW Board Executive Director Search Committee Photographic Center Northwest
900 12th Av E Seattle WA 98122
206-720-7222 email@example.com
Saturday, November 24, 2007, 09:36 - Commentary
StuttgartThis time next week I will be back in New York, can you believe it? Of course I have more work than time but it will all be okay, even if I dont finish everything I want to do. I am almost done with this batch of images, which feels good. Hopefully I will at least process, if not scan the rest of the film I shot this year. We shall see. As always, here is your HCB Quote of the Week, this time accompanied by a new photo. Enjoy!
Babylon System. © Damaso Reyes
As far as I am concerned, taking photographs is a means of understanding which cannot be separated from other means of visual expression. It is a way of shouting, of freeing oneself, not of proving or asserting one's own originality. It is a way of life. -Henri Cartier-Bresson
Tuesday, November 20, 2007, 13:13 - Project News, Commentary
StuttgartIts true, I hate editing.
Now you might wonder why, after all, this is the real first chance that I get to sit and look at my new images. Editing also takes a lot less time than scanning and is at least more interesting. So why do I hate it so much?
I blame the one percent rule.
More on that in a moment. The first reason is that when you look at a rough scan, or a rough print for that matter, you are basically looking at a naked photograph. No adjustments, contrast all out of whack and it doesnt help that the editing program I use tends to make all my black and white images look super grainy. So even if I am looking at a good image they all too often look like some of our better known celebrities when they go to the store for some milk without makeup: ugly.
Of course I know all this but the one percent rule makes it damn hard to remember. The one percent rule is basically my own rough editing guide that I have developed over the years. It states that only about one percent of all the images that I shoot end up being really good and what I would consider usable. What does this mean? Well lets do some simple math.
Say I go out on a shoot and take about 12 rolls of film, not uncommon for a day or two of shooting. Now each roll of film has 36 images so multiply that times 12.
12 rolls x 36 exposures = 432 images
Now when I process my film and then look at it on the light table I usually end up selecting roughly ten to fifteen percent of these images to scan, or if I have a darkroom to make test prints from to see how they look when they are enlarged. That equals about 45 images.
Now once I get them into the computer or for that matter have the test prints made, only about 10% of these images will have any interest for me. Often when an image is enlarged you see some small flaw or it turns out the photo just wasnt as interesting as I thought it was.
So from the initial 432 images I would select 4-6 as being up to my own standards, roughly one percent.
This is the good photo. Berlin summer 2007. © Damaso Reyes
Lets have a rare glimpse into my editing process! Here you can see that I scanned four frames of the same scene before deciding on this fifth frame as the one I liked the best. Of course there are several other images of this scene that I didnt scan but this example gives you an idea of what I go through to deliver what you see on the screen.
Nope, not this one. © Damaso Reyes
Not this one either. © Damaso Reyes
Are you kidding me? © Damaso Reyes
Close but no cigar! © Damaso Reyes
Of course our friend Henri Cartier-Bresson once said that you need a lot of milk to make a little cream. Truer words have never been spoken!
Now I just got through editing nearly 700 selects from over sixty rolls of film. The vast majority of these images are crap and when you look at one bad image after another it does something to your pride. I am constantly seeing my mistakes, which of course is a very good thing since I can apply it to the next shoot but unlike shooting digital where you can instantly see if there is a problem, there are no do overs in film. Which makes it more challenging and more frustrating.
So this is what I did yesterday and today: wade through the crap to find the pearls. Now of course I have to tidy them up in Photoshop and put them online, which will take another few days.
And people ask me why I dislike post-production
Saturday, November 17, 2007, 14:02 - Commentary
StuttgartAnother week, another quote by HCB. Only 14 days until I land back in New York. Too much to do, too little time
© Damaso Reyes
Thinking should be done before and after, not during photographing. Success depends on the extent of one's general culture, one's set of values, one's clarity of mind one's vivacity. The thing to be feared most is the artificially contrived, the contrary to life. -Henri Cartier-Bresson
Thursday, November 15, 2007, 12:45 - Project News
StuttgartAlmost done scanning, the end is in sight! By tonight I should be done, thank goodness. Tomorrow and over the weekend I will edit and start the process of putting some new images on my website, can you believe it?
Lovely, dark and deep... © Damaso Reyes
The snow has continued off and on, here is the view from my window
Tuesday, November 13, 2007, 15:17 - Project News
StuttgartSo after a nice relaxing day at the sauna, it is finally time to get down to work! I have started to scan my negatives, ten down, a whole bunch to go! Just so you know how exciting my upcoming days will be, here is a blow by blow of my day.
© Damaso Reyes
9:30 I woke up and decided that I needed to think a little more about my life.
10:10 I finally get myself up and down into the studio.
10:40 After emailing and chatting with some folks I start setting up the scanner.
11:15 First scans look good!
12:30 Start writing this blog entry!
13:00 Break for lunch, after all, man cannot live on scanning alone
14:05 Back from lunch, back to scanning.
14:45 While scanning watched clips of Barack Obamas speech last weekend on YouTube.
16:02 75th scan completed, God only knows how many left
17:00 Scan number 100! Woohoo!
17:03 One of the other fellows has a birthday today so time to take a break for cake. Mmmm cake .
18:37 Got sucked into a massive ping-pong game, of course I was victorious back to scanning ;(
20:42 Time for a dinner break. On the menu tonight rice and Asian stir fry.
21:48 Ate dinner. It started snowing heavily and I had a snowball fight with some of the fellows. It was a draw. Going to do a little more scanning
23:35 Calling it a day. I scanned 193 images. Sounds good but I have around 240 left to go. Pray for me
Saturday, November 10, 2007, 16:07 - Commentary
StuttgartI know it seems like forever but here is your HCB Quote of the Week. Take it in
Summer in Amsterdam. © Damaso Reyes
Photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again. -Henri Cartier-Bresson
Friday, November 9, 2007, 11:52 - Shooting, Commentary
StuttgartOne of the issues I struggle with the most is post production. It is so much fun to be out in the field, shooting roll after roll, enjoying the world around me that I rarely spend as much time as I should in the darkroom processing that same film or in front of the computer scanning and editing. So this week as supposed to be all about catching up on some much needed post production but alas, I have failed. I did manage to process the film from my trip to Hameln as well as some rolls from Paris. I even went through all 48 rolls of my processed film and edited them down to what I would like to scan, but after that things kind of stalled.
Sure the late night drinking and discussions with the other fellows in the house didnt help, but I just have a hard time motivating myself to do repetitive work like scanning. Once I start I am okay with it but getting the motivation to begin in the first place is very difficult for me. So next week, I promise I will start scanning, editing and posting new work online!
Missed Connection. © Damaso Reyes
It didnt help that I had a bit of a distraction the past two days: the sheep have returned! As you might remember this spring I met a local shepherd who was grazing his flock on the grounds of Solitude. Well I shot a roll or so and was all set to spend a day with him when our plans fell through. I did get at least one memorable image but I longed for more.
Traffic Jam. © Damaso Reyes
Two days ago I passed one of the other fellows in the hall who asked me Have you seen the sheep? I looked outside and lo and behold the sheep, and shepherd were back! I vowed not to miss my chance again and went out to do some more shooting and I ended up talking with Reinhold, who is a very nice guy by the way. Yesterday on my way back from the supermarket he was here again and motioned me to come over. In German he asked if I had some time today. Thinking about how little I actually wanted to sit in front of the computer I said yes. He told me that he would be taking his flock home in a little while and if I wanted to walk with him I was welcome. I had mentioned to him that I was interested in buying a sheepskin so I was eager to get the goods. Half an hour later we were walking down the road, blocking traffic with me as assistant shepherd bringing up the rear and making sure none of the baby lambs, one of which was just two days old, got lost.
Into the Woods. © Damaso Reyes
It was a lot of fun, playing shepherd and getting to see a little more of the countryside. We wound our way through the woods and a small town, everyone amazed to see so many sheep walking by. One of the things I have enjoyed about my time here is the chance to take a more in-depth approach and for me the shepherd is just one example. After spending most of the year here I have come to realize that this is the way that I want to work: at my own pace and on the topics that interest me. Now of course I have to figure out a way to pay for it all!
Our Friend Reinhold. © Damaso Reyes
Monday, November 5, 2007, 11:36 - Shooting
StuttgartSo last week I returned to the German Cancer Research Center to photograph in the lab of Dr. Frank Rösl. It was a very interesting visit and all of the researchers and students welcomed me, even if they thought it was strange that I would come to photograph them doing what they think of as mundane tasks. Over and over again I was asked why I had come and I suppose you want to know that as well.
Hard Science. © Damaso Reyes
Well much like a scientist I suppose I am collecting data for a long term study of How Europe is changing. Still, you ask, how does this trip exemplify these so-called changes? Well first I would like to point out that change is often very subtle and not every shoot, let alone every photograph, is going to explicitly talk about this grand theme. Part of the goal of the project is also to photograph things as they are now so that when change does occur we have a reference point.
Looking for Gold. © Damaso Reyes
Results. © Damaso Reyes
But the Cancer Center is a great example of change itself, having grown more than tenfold in the last twenty years. More importantly is how international the researchers are coming not just from different parts of Germany, including the former East, but throughout Europe and the world. I had lunch with two Columbians and in the lab I visited there were a multitude of nationalities. Europe is becoming increasingly diverse and science is at the forefront of this trend.
The Queen. © Damaso Reyes
Knowledge=Freedom.© Damaso Reyes
What do you think of when you imagine what a German research lab must be like? Bearded men in long white coats nodding seriously perhaps? Well the long white coats are still there but the lab was filled with young people, the average age must have been well under thirty. As well there were many more young women than I expected.
Face of the Future. © Damaso Reyes
Given how much energy has been spent trying to get young girls interested in the natural sciences it seems like the work has begun to pay off. There were lots of smiles and joking around even as they conducted their experiments. Pop music played in the background as results were studied. The atmosphere was focused but relaxed and the communications between colleagues was cordial and open. While serious science was being conducted people were having, of all things, fun. Scientists even have a sense of humor.
© Damaso Reyes
E.coli, our servant. © Damaso Reyes
Can you believe it?
A Little Note. © Damaso Reyes
Daydreaming. © Damaso Reyes
Cleanliness is next to... © Damaso Reyes
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On Saturday, June 16, more than a thousand Scientologists, guests, and state and city dignitaries assembled in Lower Downtown Denver to dedicate a new Church of Scientology.
The Church stands one block from Coors Field in the heart of the Ballpark Neighborhood Historic District. The building, originally constructed in 1916 for the American Radiator Company, is a renowned example of Denver's urban revitalization. The Church meticulously preserved the landmark's original features, including the distinctive neo-classical entrance crafted from pure-white Colorado Yule Marble. Presenting all facilities and services of a 21st century Church of Scientology, the new Denver Church is designed to serve parishioners as well as the city and county of Denver long into the future.
The greater significance of the inauguration was prominently underscored by the presence of Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion.
Addressing the thousands of Scientologists, Mr. Miscavige said: "The moment you elected to take responsibility for Denver—to become Denver in the most meaningful sense—you invoked the very essence of that word responsibility. And consequent to that, it now becomes your responsibility to bring all our programs and technology to bear: To not just teach kids how to read, but to read with such passion it sparks a cultural renaissance. To not just cut drug consumption, but to end the misery once and for all. And to not just provide a moral compass, but a full-fledged technology for living based on a reverence for life. So, yes, some might say our goals are impossibly high. But as all great things must begin somewhere, then let it begin mile high—at your Ideal Church of Scientology Denver!"
Dignitaries joining in the dedication ceremonies were Denver Chief of Police Robert White; Denver City Council Member Albus Brooks; Lower Downtown (LoDo) Neighborhood Association President Josh Davies; Historic Denver Executive Director Annie Levinsky; and Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives Executive Director, Reverend Leon Kelly.
In his salutatory address, Denver Chief of Police Robert White said: "From training our youth on drug prevention, to supporting us as part of Denver Police Department community outreach efforts, there are many roles I know I can depend on the Church of Scientology and each of your members to play. Collaboration is what will make this city stronger. I look forward to working with you and having the Church of Scientology as part of the team."
Denver City Council Member Albus Brooks spoke of the Church's progressive approach to education: "Education is at the core of all your humanitarian initiatives, your literacy and tutoring programs. Your programs are impressive, and the fact that they are universal demonstrates their value to the community. There's plenty of talk out there, but you are one of those groups doing the work."
Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives Executive Director, Reverend Leon Kelly, highlighted the Church's dedication to helping others: "I want Denver's kids to know real freedom. I want to witness a partnership to build a better community and a better future. Together we will achieve this. And I know this is just where the work begins for you. Well let's together help Denver find freedom—and let's take it right to the mountaintop! God bless each and every one of you."
Historic Denver Executive Director Annie Levinsky commended the Church of Scientology for its restoration work: "This building has already seen nearly a century of activity—and thanks to your church it is poised to endure for at least another 100 years. We commend you for your efforts to rehabilitate not only this historic structure but so many others nationwide—and your responsibility for rejuvenating the sense of community in the process. So congratulations on opening a new chapter in the long story of this place and the evolving Renaissance of our city."
And finally, LoDo Neighborhood Association President Josh Davies acknowledged the significance of this opening to downtown Denver: "There are many reasons I'm excited to see the Church of Scientology moving into the neighborhood. The philosophies of the church are universal and welcoming. I'm so pleased that this will be a communal gathering space where we can discuss ideas, form new relationships, and get involved in a variety of projects that will benefit our residents, business owners, visitors and friends. We look forward to seeing all of Denver walking through these doors."
The new, 44,000-square-foot Church provides Denver with an introduction to Dianetics and Scientology, beginning with the Public Information Center. Its displays, containing more than 500 films, present the beliefs and practices of the Scientology religion and the life and legacy of Founder L. Ron Hubbard. The Information Center also offers a detailed overview of the many Church-sponsored humanitarian programs—including a worldwide human rights education initiative; an equally far-reaching drug education, prevention and rehabilitation program; a global network of literacy and learning centers; and the Scientology Volunteer Minister program, now comprising the world's largest independent relief force. The Center is open morning to night for visitors to tour at their leisure and return as often as they wish.
The new Church further includes dozens of classrooms and rooms for Scientology auditing (spiritual counseling), while the Chapel seats hundreds for congregational services as well as banquets, seminars and events in the name of community collaboration.
The opening of Denver's new Church of Scientology marks the fifth Scientology Ideal Organization (Org) to open in 2012. Others opened this year include: the Church of Scientology of Orange County on June 2; the Church of Scientology Greater Cincinnati on February 25; the Church of Scientology Sacramento on January 28; and the Church of Scientology Hamburg, Germany, on January 21.
Ideal Orgs realize the fulfillment of Founder L. Ron Hubbard's vision for the religion. They not only provide the ideal facilities to service Scientologists on their ascent to greater states of spiritual awareness and freedom, but are also designed to serve as a home for the entire community and a meeting ground of cooperative effort to uplift citizens of all denominations.
Further Ideal Orgs opened in recent years include Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota; New York, New York; Washington, D.C.; Tampa, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Seattle, Washington; Las Vegas, Nevada; Los Angeles, California; Pasadena, California; Inglewood, California; as well as Quebec City, Canada; Mexico City, Mexico; London, England; Melbourne, Australia; Brussels, Belgium; Madrid, Spain; Rome, Italy; and Berlin, Germany.
Eight new Ideal Orgs are additionally scheduled for grand opening in 2012.
For a complete list of new Churches of Scientology, visit Scientology.org.
The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church of Scientology was formed in Los Angeles in 1954 and the religion has expanded to more than 10,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 countries.


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§15-12-10. Address and online information verification.
All registrants, including those for whom there has been no change in registration information since their initial registration or previous address verification, must report, in the month of their birth, or in the case of a sexually violent predator in the months of January, April, July and October, to the State Police detachment responsible for covering their county of registration and must respond to all verification inquiries and informational requests, including, but not limited to, requests for online information made by the State Police pursuant to this section. The State Police shall verify addresses of those persons registered as sexually violent predators every ninety days and all other registered persons once a year. As used in this section, the term "online information" shall mean all information required by subdivision (8), subsection (d), section two, article twelve, chapter fifteen of this code. The State Police may require registrants to periodically submit to new fingerprints and photographs as part of the verification process. The method of verification shall be in accordance with internal management rules pertaining thereto promulgated by the superintendent under authority of section twenty-five, article two, chapter fifteen of this code.


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Who We Are
The Michael Late Benedum Chapter is a local association of the American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL) comprised of land professionals engaged in the oil, gas, and mineral industries throughout the Appalachian Basin.
Who We Serve
The Michael Late Benedum Chapter of the AAPL is dedicated to serving its members in the land profession, students from our AAPL accredited land management programs, as well as our community as a whole through regular charity events.
What We Do
Our mission is to serve our members by maintaining the highest ethical standards, providing relevant educational opportunities, social networking and contributing to the needs of our community through annual charity events.
Silver Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor


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Investing 101: a Primer for Beginners
InvestmentMany of us have heard the term "investments" used in many ways - and it's a concept most of us are familiar with to some degree. But unless you've really taken an interest in the markets or set aside time to study them, you may not have a total understanding of what investing is, everything involved with investing or what different types of investments are out there. But before you do a deep dive into theories, past performances or principles, we'll get you up to speed with the basics of investing and what you should know as you look to grow your financial knowledge.
What Is Investing?
This is Investing 101, meaning we're going to start by defining what exactly investing is. In its simplest form, investing is the process of giving money to another entity (such as the government or a company) with the hope that they will return more money to you (a profit) at a later time. While it sounds simple enough, giving money to another with the expectation of gaining more in return introduces the idea of weighing risk versus reward.
Why Do People Choose to Invest?
Due to inflation, the value of a dollar in your hand (or under the mattress) is continuously deteriorating - which is what makes investing an appealing choice for many. The idea is to put a certain amount of your dollars in a place where they're expected to earn more in the future (assuming a positive return is earned) than a dollar left sitting in savings.
Common Types of Investments
While there are more out there, below are a few of the most common types of investments along with a brief description of each.
- Stocks: Giving your money to a specific company, earning you a share or piece of the company in return.
- Bonds: Loaning your money to a government or other issuer, with the agreement that you will receive that amount back with interest at a later date.
- Mutual Funds: Using a professional money manager, pooling your money together with other investors and purchasing a group of stocks, bonds or a mix of both in a single transaction.
- Index Funds: A type of mutual fund that doesn't use the services of a professional manager, index funds aim to mirror the performance of the index they're tracking (such as the S&P 500).
- Exchange-traded Funds: Index funds that can be traded on an exchange throughout the day, as the prices of stocks fluctuate.
- Real Estate: Typically broken down into four categories: residential, commercial, industrial and land, real estate investment is purchasing, owning, leasing and/or selling land with the intention of gaining a profit.
What Is Risk?
According to the Securities and Exchange Commission, risk refers to "the degree of uncertainty and/or potential financial loss inherent in an investment decision."1 How does this relate to investments? In general, the higher the risk of an investment, the greater the potential reward. Every investment vehicle and product comes with its own set of risks, from determining how quickly an investor will be able to access their money when they need it, to figuring out how fast their money will grow where it is.
Everyone's tolerance for risk is unique to them. A common determining factor may be a person's time horizon, such as how far away they are from retirement, or how close they are to needing access to the money invested. Another factor could be considering how much money you're willing to risk losing without affecting your lifestyle or jeopardizing your needs.
Whether you're new to the world of investing and interested in taking a do-it-yourself approach or you're looking to work with an advisor to develop a tailored portfolio, it's important to understand the basics of what investing is, how diverse your options are and the risks involved with seeking returns.
Questions about this post? Please complete the form below.
This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information, and provided by Twenty Over Ten. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.


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Our Hot Dog Party
Last week was a fun week in kindergarten. It was the end of our drawing unit in Writing Workshop so we celebrated all week! On Monday we spread out all of our drawings and picked our two favorites. On Tuesday and Wednesday we went out to the Butterfly Garden to share our favorite drawings and on Thursday we had our "Hot Dog Party!" At our party I read the book Don't Let the Pigeon Stay up Late, we did a hot dog craft and we ate hot dogs!!!! Thanks to Maggie's dad, who teaches second grade, for the idea for our craft! Thanks to all the parents that sent in everything to make our parties a huge success!


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It has often come up in discussions with friends and former co-workers as to what type of job progression is better for career development. Is it better to stay in the one organisation and try different roles or is best to hone one skillset and apply it at various organisations?
The job I had whilst finishing university (and beyond) was the place I wanted to spend the rest of my career in. This was because the organisation of 5000 could offer various opportunities throughout my career without needing to change. The other reason of perhaps equal weighting was that this organisation provided a good working environment and my loyalty to it would reflect my gratitude for having been given the opportunity while I was still an undergraduate student. This notion eventually changed when after two years of service, I decided it was time to move onto a role that matched my profile and aspirations.
Whilst I had at one stage envisaged working there for many years, why did I decide to leave?
This was mainly due to my desire to validate the choice I made at university and to put to use the learnings in my field of study. The best way to achieve this was to pursue the role of business analyst so that I could utilise my strengths and interests to add value to organisations. So in pursuing a specific role, my career has become one where I will work for various organisations but always inside a defined role and skills set. My former colleagues on the other hand stayed on at the organisation however, they've since tried their hand at various roles. We are all happy with our decisions and realise there is no way to really conclude what is the best path for career development.
On the one hand, staying inside one organisations allows for the trajectory to senior management to be attainable faster. There are several advantages such as cultivating constructive relationships both within and outside of one's section which allows for lateral movements and even promotions when the opportunity arises. Staying in the one organisation also allows you to develop a deeper understanding of the organisation's subject matter as well as culture. Thirdly, persisting at one organisation provides a level of assurance to the employer that you are likely to stay around and add value.
In my experience, working at various places has forced me to prove my skills and worth to all employers at each role. Building rapport with stakeholders is a constant requirement and I think over time, I've been able to extend my natural tendency of being an introvert to a learned extrovert. Whilst I haven't been exposed to work other than business analysis, it has allowed me to further hone my skills in this role and achieve depth in skills rather than depth in one business context.
So in the end, was it worth it?
I think it's too early to tell but I relish knowing that I'm more confident in my adaptability and the skills I've developed so that I can continue to adapt to new environments or stay at one place for a while if the circumstances are favourable. Having said that the BA path is one of constant learning to the extent that it can never be mastered.


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France first to recognise Libyan rebels as "legitimate representatives of the people"
Friday, March 11, 2011
France became the first country to formally recognize a newly formed Libyan opposition council as the "legitimate representative of the Libyan people." The office of French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Thursday it will send ambassadors to the rebel stronghold in Benghazi, and in return the Libyan opposition council will set up an embassy in Paris.
The decision was made after President Sarkozy met with two representatives of the opposition group, the National Transitional Council, in Paris. Mustafa Gheriani, a representative for the Libyan opposition, said he expected other EU members to follow Sarkozy's lead. Other EU members expressed uneasiness, and declined to meet with the two representatives.
Although the EU has approved tighter sanctions in response to Muammar Gaddafi's bloody crackdown on the opposition, EU members held back from endorsing a specific opposition group. Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal, whose government still maintains an embassy in Tripoli, cautioned, "There is not yet enough clarity about these opposition groups in and around Benghazi". Baroness Ashton, spokesman for the EU foreign affairs chief, stated: "We cannot unilaterally rush into recognising groups." Other members expressed the need for the EU to speak in a unified voice.
Contact between EU officials and opposition leaders is occurring. British Foreign Secretary William Hague said he had spoken by telephone with Mahmoud Jabril, special envoy of the Libyan Transitional National Council, before he left for NATO talks in Brussels on the Libyan situation. The talks planned to include a discussion of a no-fly zone over Libya.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said she plans to meet with Libyan opposition members on her trip to Egypt and Tunisia next week.
- "Libya: France recognises rebels as government" — BBC, March 10, 2011
- David Gauthier-Villars, Adam Entous, Charles Levinson. "France, U.S. Reach Out to Rebels" — Wall Street Journal, March 11, 2011
- Sapa-dpa. "France recognizes embattled Libyan rebels" — Times Live, March 10, 2011
- Don Melvin and Raf Casert (Associated Press). "France recognizes Libya rebels, to surprise of EU" — Forbes, March 10, 2011


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Product Number:AM-59492785
Size (L×W×H): - cm × - cm × - cm
Weight: - kg
Packing(m³): m³
MOQ:1 pcs
Shipment Terms:By Sea, By Air
Price terms:EXW, FOB, CFR are optional
Payment Terms:L/C, T/T, Western Union, PayPal, Cash, Money Gram, Bank Account
Production Time:Stock items can be shipped immediately after receipt of payment. Non-stock items normally need 10-15 days to produce. The final delivery time needs to be checked before placing an order.


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M: Mountain Voices - Vocals, guitar, banjoy & autoharp by John McCutcheonFarm & Prairie - Vocals by Annie Patterson, guitar by Wendi Bourne
Explore features & content or buy copies of our songbooks - designed to create hope & change through singing.
Learn how to use our songbooks & find additional links & information on individual songs
Using singing to empower, build community & have fun - in lots of different settings
Please join us in our efforts to build a better world through singing.
Buying our songbooks directly from us supports our work! We also sell 3 of Annie's CDs and over 20 Pete Seeger CDs.
Pete is still with us - we all are carrying on his work
Find out about Annie's music, tours, and recordings


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Blogger relations – you're doing it wrong
I don't usually write posts outing other PR folks, but a pitch I received this morning from another PR agency roused my blogging tendencies from their slumber.
Here's how it read:
From: […]@gmail.com
Sent: Wed, Aug 15, 2012 at 3:02 AM
PR Firm […] Sends Small Businesses to the Top of Social Media for $790 Per Month
On Monday, August 13, [PR agency] announced three new SEO / Social Media / Press Release Packages starting at $790 per month, bringing an affordable solution to businesses needing a strong online presence via Facebook, Twitter, WordPress blog and press releases. The smallest package which includes a number of posts, tweets, articles and press releases each month, costs little more than sending one press release through a service.
To view this release on PRWeb, click the link below:
If you would rather not receive future communications from […], please go to […].
Let's see…
- Pick your audience: If this person had done any research they've have known from posts like this or this that I'm not a fan of spray and pray tactics or services. If I'm going to write about something like this, it's not going to be in a positive way, and I'll firmly argue that $790 per month will not get you to the "top of social media". It's not going to get you to the top of anything, in fact.
- Don't spray and pray: They sprayed and prayed. At least I was in the "to" line, but there was no effort whatsoever to address me personally – even a "Dear Blogger", which still triggers the "delete" button for me, would be a step up from this. There's absolutely no customization, either, or even an effort to do anything beyond copy/paste the first paragraph (I assume – I didn't click through) of the release.
- Offer a call to action: I have no idea what this company wants from me. Do they want me to write about their announcement? Do an interview with a spokesperson? Try it out? Offer a trial? It's not clear, which means most people will do nothing.
- Avoid free email services: The email came from a Gmail account; one with the word "guru" in the account name, no less. You're a PR agency and your pitches are coming from a Gmail account? And one with the word "guru" in the account name, no less?
- Don't make me opt-out when I didn't opt-in: How did I make it onto this list of yours? Why do I need to say "no, I don't want to automatically receive your pitches"? If you were researching and tailoring the emails to me I'd be much more open to it, but signing me up for your automatic spam? No thanks.
This really is the worst kind of PR – the kind that actually makes me angry about people who claim to work in the same space as me. It's lazy, it's unprofessional and, if it's anything like the way this company goes about conducting PR activities for its clients, it's not a great testimonial for the firm.


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Sister cities of Vaux-sur-Mer
Angles →
Vaux-sur-Mer is a commune in the Charente-Maritime department in southwestern France.
Content on this page is licensed under CC-BY-SA from the authors of the following Wikipedia pages: List of twin towns and sister cities in France, Vaux-sur-Mer. Note that the data on Wikipedia is highly unreliable. In many cases, sister cities are missing or wrongly listed. Some cities also have different levels of partnership. If you find an error, please make a correction on the relevant Wikipedia pages and cite your sources.


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Contract manufacturing
Some countries and regions collect plasma locally but do not yet have the capacity – or sufficient capacity – to fractionate it and develop medicinal products. Kedrion offers fractionation and manufacturing services to such countries and regions, receiving locally collected plasma and returning derivative products. Kedrion's global manufacturing network includes six state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, in Italy, Hungary and North America.
Because Kedrion actively supports community self-sufficiency, this service is sometimes part of a broader effort to establish fractionating and manufacturing capacity locally. Kedrion collaborates with national and regional organizations to support plasma collection and offers a wide range of other services and consultation in many areas, including:
- Planning
- Logistics
- Production
- Testing
- Validation
- Development


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PARK(ing) Day Dallas 2014 .
Summer is almost here! Schedule your FREE DWU irrigation system check-up today/ conserve water! http://bit.ly/1i7srEU @savedallaswater
Vote for @DallasZoo as the best in U.S. at @USATODAY! #10best
Check out @wfaagmt today at 9, live from @dallaslibrary Central branch, highlighting available programs/resources. #dallaslibrary
Dallas Zoo Fair Park Dallas Museum of Nature & Science Dallas Aquarium Dallas Arboretum Sixth Floor Museum State Fair of Texas


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Diamondback DB15 YPB 5.56mm Rifle
The Diamondback DB15 YPB 5.56mm Rifle is made entirely in the USA! Starting with the tried-and-true, U.S. Military-proven gas-impingement system and using only the highest quality components machined in Diamondback's CNC facility. The DB15 raises the bar when it comes to features and performance when compared to others. Diamondback DB15 represents value and versatility all at a very affordable price.
16″ 4150 Chrome-Moly, Melonite Coated Barrel
1:8 Barrel twist
Carbine Length Gas System
Azimuth 5.56 Sporter Model, Shot-Peened, Magnetic Particle Inspected Mil Spec 8620 carrier
Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum A3 Flat Top Upper Receiver
Forged 7075 T6 Aluminium Lower Receiver
Diamondback 15″ M-LOK Aluminum Handguards
Six Position Stock
One 30rd Magazine
Diamondback Limited Lifetime Warranty


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Ringing in 2014
Chéri and I had a fun intimate party for New Years Eve, at our place with Lisa of Ella Coquine with her chéri and our good friend Sophie. It was nice to just have a small group of good people gathered together to laugh, drink some bubbly, eat decadent delights and be silly until well past the pumpkin hour.
I served some of my remaining champagne from Mon Champagne, Hediard foie gras (splurge!), Lisa brought smoked salmon bites with a totally amazing dairy/soy free creamy dill dip, and amazing sweet marrons marinés from Sophie, and then of course one of my favorite foods, nêms!
We downed 5 bottles of bubbly between the five of us (actually four of us because Chéri spent most of the evening drinking red wine, he isn't a big bubbly fan)… so yeah, you do the math. Good thing there was so much food to eat!
Two fabulous things, no three, fabulous things came to my attention from this little soirée :
1. Ginger snap cookies are great to use as improvised toasts for foie gras, which when shaved is so much more fun and delightful! I made (and ate) too many of these! I sprinkled on either a little sea salt, or a dollop of onion confite. Sooooo decadent! So good! So Parisian!
2. Chéri and I are awesome as a charades team! May 2014 be full of charade parties with friends (and us winning…yeah, I've got a little Grace Adler in me!). In fact I probably look like a crazed blond version of Grace when playing charades. But man, Chéri is good at the miming part. Maybe it's because he's French. LOL!
3. I can still wear the sexy black cocktail dress I bought when I was 18! My twin sister and I both bought the same little black dress, and took ourselves out to the fanciest restaurant in town for our 18th birthday when we were living on Cape Cod. It's one of my most favorite memories with my twin. So this year for NYE, I donned the dress and put on some sparkly fashion pearls that she gave me a few years ago for Christmas. Spending holidays without her year after year is hard, so I try to make her feel present in any way I can. (I also called her at 3am and let her in on my tipsy ramblings and general silliness). But, to make a long story short, my 18 year old self wouldn't have known what to think if I told her I was well into my 30's, still wearing that little black number, living in Paris, married to a Frenchman and totally awesome at charades! (oh well, no, the charades part my 18 year old self would not have been surprised in the least!)
Happy New Year to you all!!!
May you all have as many blessing and joys as I am so very lucky to enjoy.