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Seth Grahame-Smith is becoming the go-to guy for genre projects. After writing a number of tongue-in-cheek comedy books, Grahame-Smith broke big with his novel Pride and Prejudice and Zombies in which he mixed a zombie plot into Jane Austen's classic novel. He followed that book up with another mash-up, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, and now both properties are getting the big screen treatment. Grahame-Smith wrote the screenplay for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, and was tapped by Tim Burton to write his adaptation of the cult soap series Dark Shadows. Burton was so impressed with Grahame-Smith's work that he hired him to write a sequel to the horror-comedy classic Beetlejuice (read Grahame-Smith's update on that project here).
Steve recently got the chance to speak with Grahame-Smith at WonderCon where he was promoting the upcoming release of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. The scribe gave an update on the long-in-development feature adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, his next book Unholy Night (which is also getting the movie treatment), talked about the tone of Dark Shadows and fan response to the trailer, and more. Hit the jump to see what he had to say.
A feature adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has been in the works for a few years now. David O. Russell (The Fighter) was originally set to direct with Natalie Portman in the lead before Russell dropped out completely and Portman moved back to a producer role. Next Mike White (Year of the Dog) signed on to direct, only to leave the project over scheduling conflicts. The latest director to come and go was Craig Gillespie (Fright Night 3D), but he vacated the project late last year over casting disputes. Speaking of which, a number of actresses have been offered—and turned down—the lead including Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, Scarlett Johansson, Emma Stone and Blake Lively. The project is now without a director or star, but Grahame-Smith seems confident that the film will see the light of day eventually:
"The status of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies right now is to be determined. I think there's still a will at Lionsgate to do it. What I'm hoping is that Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter comes out, does well, and there's more of an appetite for this kind of thing. But then again, Snow White and the Huntsman should come out and do well and that should renew an appetite for Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I'm pretty confident that sooner or later that movie's gonna see the light of day, frankly it's just waiting for the right combination of director and star to come together."
He seems to insinuate that director/cast concerns aren't the only thing holding the project up, as Lionsgate may be wary of the audience appeal of the zombie-infused Jane Austen story. Despite the gut reaction to blame the script for the coming and going of so many directors, Grahame-Smith maintains that the screenplay for the film is solid:
"Definitely the script is there. David O. Russell wrote a great draft, Marti Noxon revised that draft, so right there you have two great writers from different backgrounds. One is very in tune with the Buffy universe, one with more of an indie sensibility and everything. The script is great; this is not a script issue at all. I think it's a timing issue. I think that sooner or later the right director and the right star are gonna get their hands on that script and that movie's gonna go."
Russell's got a fantastic track record and while Noxon may be hit or miss, the infusion of her work with Russell's is promising. Still, why have so many actresses turned down the role if the script is top notch? Maybe the director(s)' vision is to blame. Whatever the case, we should have a better idea of the chances of a Pride and Prejudice and Zombies movie after this summer's genre fare tests the waters.
Switching gears to Dark Shadows, Grahame-Smith revealed that he attended a test screening recently and it went very well. He talked about how the film differs from Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and addressed fan reaction to the trailer:
"[Dark Shadows] is a completely different type of movie [from Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter]. It's much more overtly funny, it's PG-13 it's not R, I would say it's probably a little more family-oriented than Lincoln in its R-rating gore fest. I think the trailer has kind of confused a couple people because they're like, 'Wait, is this not dark? Is it not shadowy? Is it all humor?' That's not the case; we have a very funny movie which has some very dark, gothic elements in it."
Grahame-Smith went on to say that though the film is lighter than Vampire Hunter, it's still dark when compared to Burton's recent output:
"To me it's more of a harkening back to the Sleepy Hollow or Beetlejuice Tim [Burton] movies. It's not as broadly family as Alice in Wonderland is, or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it's a little darker than that. It's very different, and it's epic."
Finally, Grahame-Smith talked briefly about Unholy Night, his next book that's set to be released next month. The story is am action-oriented reimagining of the story of the Three Wisemen of the Nativity and pits them as heroes rescuing baby Jesus, Joseph and Mary from King Herod's army:
"It's the next screenplay I'm gonna write. I'm finishing an assignment right now, and in the next month or so I'm gonna start writing the Unholy Night adaptation… So we are waiting for a screenplay from me, then we'll go out to directors."
Warner Bros. has optioned the property and Harry Potter producer David Heyman is onboard, so it'll be interesting to see how this one shakes out. You can watch the portion of Steve's interview with Grahame-Smith concerning Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Dark Shadows, Unholy Night and more below, followed by a full time index.
- :02 Dark Shadows. Says he was onhand for a test screening and talks about the tone of the movie and the fan reaction to the trailer. Says it's not as family-oriented as Burton's Alice in Wonderland.
- 2:01 The music for Dark Shadows. Says it's a lot of period music from the early 1970s.
- 2:31 Gives update on Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Says the script is ready, they're just waiting for the right combination of director and star.
- 3:46 Talks about Unholy Night, which is his action take on the Three Wisemen.
- 4:41 Talks adaptation of The Scorpio Races, which he's producing. Says they're currently out to screenwriters.
- 5:52 Says he's currently using his time to become a better writer with each project he takes on and he doesn't have any interest in starting a "Seth Grahame-Smith Presents" factory.
- 6:50 Does he write towards a certain budget? Says when he's writing a book he doesn't take "budget" into consideration at all, but when working on a screenplay he has to make sure everything he writes can be executed.


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I began winding-up to comment on a post and a response. I was going to take a third-look before putting pen-to-paper (or keyboard to bytes) but no electronic traces were left… I dont' know if it was self or other-censored — it really doesn't matter.
A while back I authored a long-winded post suggesting that, despite the use of a common language, an abject failure to communicate exists because each of us has a different interpretation of what we see and hear.
I first saw what I perceived to be a justified expression of outrage. I next saw what I perceived to be an near-total misinterpretation of that expression, followed by a uni-focal perspective on indoctrination-on-one-side versus indoctrination-on-the-other encapsulated within a "this is how you must address an issue" framework.
I wonder if those authors were communicating at all. I wonder if "the framework" is corrupt and corrupting.
I wonder if I am too much a phenomenologist, and if I simply misinterpreted what I think I saw…
Please help me out here — Did you see what I saw? Do I Need New Glasses? Should I re-grind my lenses?

subset: commoncrawl


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Jane on Fillmore
Overall Rating: 8.250
|Notes: Coffee Sales; Coffee Accessory Sales
|Opening in 2011, Jane took over the former Bittersweet space and changed a few things with the design. There's an area dedicated to baking and baked goods in the back. There's still limited seating upstairs, now just above a mounted buffalo head with an SF Giants cap. Otherwise it has retained its sunny glass storefront, several caf� tables and chairs, and added a large mirror behind the service area. They formerly served Four Barrel beans but have since switched to Stumptown (and sell the beans retail, along with Baratza grinders and Kalita drippers). They serve Hairbender and a single origin espresso option (Costa Rica Valle de Los Santos at our time of visit). Plus Chemex offerings of Panama Duncan Estate and Ethiopia Nano Challa in multiple grinders, and a drip/brew bar with a scale and dueling Baratza Virtuoso grinders. Using a red, two-group La Marzocco FB/80, they pull shots with a darker to medium brown, even crema of decent thickness and density. The cup is no Hairbender brightness bomb, but rather a mellower yet full-flavored soft melding of cocoa powder and a melding of spice and herbal elements. Served in EspressoParts black cups (and a mismatched ACF saucer). Their milk-frothing shows decorative latte art and even bubbles, however the foam is of minimal thickness and the resulting cup is more than a little milky with little integration between the foam and the espresso. Unless you like your caps closer to a caf� au lait, the espresso is the star here.


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Showing all 9 results
Gift Sets
My husband and I love this stuff! It is pretty sweet, so we only use a little at a time. Our favorite thing is to mix it in with fresh chopped tomatoes and basil for bruschetta! It's just heavenly!
At what point do you add the pumpkin puree? With the cream cheese? Or with the powdered sugar? It's in the ingredients list but not the recipe. Thanks! I always appreciate gluten-free options. This sounds delicious!
I LOVE this vinegar. I originally purchased it in the store, and now get it shipped to me. I have several of their vinegars and olive oils, but this one is outstanding. I have given it often as gifts, and everyone loves it.
what recipe can I use the chocolate balsamic vinegar in?
You should add a funnel to your bulk products. Like Flat Funnel. It is a compact, plastic funnel great with food items. FlatFunnel.com
Maybe as an addition to your gift baskets with your label on it.
Great! Thanks for all the recipe information, can't wait to try them. I look forward to joining the summer classes!
This is my favorite olive. I love the aroma and it seems more delicate to me than others I've tried. I bought my daughter a bottle so that when I visit I can make truffle fries for her. I have converted her and her roommates and they use it for everything from fries and veggies to mac and cheese and popcorn
This is very nice and spicy. I love to use it for cooking shrimp after I toss them in some of the Ras El Hanout Spice Blend. Its hot and spicy and very good
Hi Jessica – in June, my girl group had a great time at our tasting, that benefited Peace House. Thank you for donating the event at the bling fling silent auction. At our event you served brownies made with blood orange olive oil – and they were delicious. Do you substitute the same amount of oil that the recipe calls for – I.e., 1 cup of Wesson Oil = 1 cup of blood orange?
Thanks in advance!


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Michael Giacchino did a wonderful thing when naming all the tracks on his Dawn of the Planet of the Apes score. The whole thing is just one pun after the next, including our personal favorites "Gibbon Take" and "Enough Monkeying Around." Check it out.
Thanks to Nerdacy, we now have the full listing for Giacchino's Dawn soundtrack, voila:
1. Level Plaguing Field
2. Look Who's Stalking
3. The Great Ape Processional
4. Past Their Primates
5. Close Encounters of the Furred Kind
6. Monkey to the City
7. The Lost City of Chimpanzee
8. Along Simian Lines
9. Caesar No Evil, Hear No Evil
10. Monkey See, Monkey Coup
11. Gorilla Warfare
12. The Apes of Wrath
13. Gibbon Take
14. Aped Crusaders
15. How Bonobo Can You Go
16. Enough Monkeying Around
17. Primates for Life
18. Planet of the End Credits
19. Ain't That a Stinger
And that is just the best. This only gets us more excited for his future work on Jurassic World. Think of the dino puns!


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Icelandic electro-pop group FM Belfast made their album debut in 2008 with How to Make Friends. Founded in 2005 by Árni Rúnar Hlöðversson and Lóa Hlín Hjálmtýsdóttir, the group expanded in 2006 with the addition of Árni Vilhjálmsson and Örvar Þóreyjarson Smárason (the latter of the experimental electronic group múm) for a live performance at that year's Iceland Airwaves festival. The size of the group varies from performance to performance, with anywhere from three to eight members comprising FM Belfastat any given time. Other members associated with FM Belfastinclude Sveinbjorn Hermann Pálsson, Haraldur Agnar Civelek, Björn Kristjánsson, Birgitta Birgisdóttir, and Eiríkur Orri Ólafsson. The group made its commercial recording debut in 2007 with a guest feature on Kasper Bjørke's Back & Spine EP. In 2008, primary group members Hlöðversson, Hjálmtýsdóttir, and Vilhjálmsson founded World Champion Records and released FM Belfast's full-length album debut, How to Make Friends. The album included "Lotus," a cover version of Rage Against the Machine's "Killing in the Name" that was released as a promotional single. After two years of touring, the group started work on its sophomore album, Don't Want to Sleep, which was released in the summer of 2011.
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Classic Rectangular Hot TubSeating Capacity: 4-5
Jets: 23
Dimensions: 84 in x 76 in x 34.5 in
Spa Volume: 354 US gal, / 1340 Liters
While you'll find there's plenty of room to comfortably accommodate four adults, this portable hot tub features a compact profile, so you can conveniently place it indoors or outdoors. With an ergonomic seat design and pivot bench seating you'll experience added flexibility and easier movement. Among the many classic jets, the J-125™ model boasts whirlpool jets and foot mound jets for a full-body hydro-massage. The spa doesn't require any electrical upgrades, just plugs into a normal wall outlet, keeping set up very simple. The J-125™ model is low maintenance and energy efficient, making it easy on your wallet. Contact us today to get a great quote on this classic hot tub.
OverviewSeating Capacity: 4-5 Adults
Dimensions: 84 in x 76 in x 34.5 in / 213.36 cm x 193 cm x 87 cm
Average Spa Volume: 354 US gal, / 1340 Liters
Dry Weight: 562 lbs. / 255 kg
Total Filled Weight: 2954 lbs. / 1340 kg
Total Jets: 23
Pump 1: International 2 speed, 2.0 continuous hp (3.0 brake hp*)
Water QualityFiltration: Classic Filtration
Filters: 1 - 50 sq ft filter (hydro)
ElectricalElectrical North America: 120 VAC 60 Hz 15A / 240 VAC 60Hz 30A or 40A
AppearanceCabinetry: Brazilian Teak, Roasted Chestnut, Silverwood
Shell: Silver Pearl, Silverwood, Platinum Mahogany
Cover OptionsProLast: Black, Siena, Gray
Vinyl: Bordeaux, Silverwood
5 Years Shell Structure: Jacuzzi® spas are warranted against water loss due to defects in the spa shell for up to five years from the original date of purchase.2 Years Shell Surface: Jacuzzi® spas are warranted against blistering, cracking, or delaminating of the interior surface of the spa shell for two years from the original date of purchase.2 Years Plumbing Components: Jacuzzi® spas' plumbing components are warranted against leaks due to defects in workmanship or materials for two years from the original date of purchase.2 Years Equipment and Controls: Jacuzzi® spas' electrical equipment components (specifically limited to pumps, heater, and control system) are warranted against malfunctions due to defects in workmanship or materials for two years from the original date of purchase.1 Year Cabinetry: Jacuzzi® spas' ProEndure™ synthetic cabinets are warranted against defects in workmanship or materials for one year from the original date of purchase. Normal wear and weathering of the finish will occur naturally over time, and are not defects.


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Courtesy of NMU Athletics
SOLDIER HOLLOW, Utah – The Northern Michigan University Nordic ski teams began competition at the 2013 U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships on Wednesday (Jan. 2) with the classic sprint races on the Olympic trails at Soldier Hollow. Soldier Hollow was the cross country and biathlon venue for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
"We had a pretty good day," NMU coach Sten Fjeldheim said. "It's always a fun event here at US Nationals and we hope to have a great week."
The men sprinted 1.3 kilometers as senior Chris Bowler was the top finisher in 23rd place overall in 2:58.11, 9.09 second behind the first place skier. He was fifth in the men's under 23 age group (MU23). Junior George Cartwright was just over 3:00 in 37th overall and 11th in MU23.
Junior Ben Hugus finished 64th (24th; MU23) while junior Erik Soderman was 73rd (30th; MU23). Sophomore Kyle Bratrud was 81st overall and 16th in the men's under 19 age group (MOJ) and freshman Sam Elfstrom finished 103rd and 26th in MOJ.
The women sprinted the same course with junior Jordyn Ross finished 51st overall and 19th in the females under 23 age group (FU23). She finished in 3:43.81, 23.35 seconds behind first place. Sophomore Elizabeth Simak was 79th overall and 30th in FU23.
Freshman Hannah Boyer placed 84th overall and 19th in the female under 19 age group (FOJ). Freshman Mary Kate Cirelli placed 87th and 32nd in FU23. Junior Rosie Frankowski was 96th and 35th in FU23.
\Felicia Gesior, a sophomore on the NMU women's team who is redshirting, finished eighth overall and first in FOJ.
Action continues Friday at Soldier Hollow with individual start freestyle distance racing.


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| SQL*Module for Ada Programmer's Guide
Release 8.0
Part Number A58231-01
This appendix contains a complete list of the features of the SQL*Module compiler and its libraries that are system specific.
The Ada compiler that you can use to compile the code generated by SQL*Module is platform specific. See your system-dependent documentation.
Operating systems differ in case sensitivity. See "Case of Package and Procedure Names" for more information.
The location in the directory hierarchy of the SQL*Module executable, the system configuration file, and the SQLLIB and OCILIB libraries can differ from system to system. See "Invoking SQL*Module" and "Configuration Files".
The default filename extensions that SQL*Module generates for output files might vary from platform to platform. See "Output Files".
The default filenames and filename extensions for Ada depend on the supported compiler for your system. See "Source Code Output File" and "Listing File".
The command line interpreter makes assumptions about defaults that are system specific. See your system-specific Oracle documentation.
The SQL_STANDARD package that is shipped with the Ada version of SQL*Module can differ from system to system, depending on the requirements of your Ada compiler. See your system-specific Oracle documentation.
Copyright © 1996-2001, Oracle Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.


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Congo's M23 rebels hold Goma despite army offensive
Issued on: Modified:
M23 rebels stayed entrenched in Goma on Thursday as they faced an offensive by the Congolese army and despite calls from the UN and African leaders to withdraw. The rebels say they will not retreat until President Joseph Kabila holds talks with them.
Congolese troops were fighting back on Thursday against rebels who rejected calls from African leaders to quit the eastern city of Goma, captured earlier this week.
Thousands of people fled the area of clashes around the town of Sake, as M23 rebel fighters rushed from Goma to reinforce their positions there against a counter-offensive by the army.
The rebel movement, widely believed to be backed by Rwanda, has vowed to "liberate" all of the vast, resource-rich country after taking Goma, a provincial capital on the Rwandan border, ramping up tensions in a fragile region.
The head of M23's political arm said the rebels would not retreat despite the call to do so from governments in central Africa, preferring to hold their ground until President Joseph Kabila opens direct talks with them: "We'll stay in Goma waiting for negotiations," Jean-Marie Runiga told Reuters in the city.
"They're going to attack us and we're going to defend ourselves and keep on advancing."
Rebel fighters seized the sprawling lakeside city of a million people on Tuesday after government soldiers retreated and U.N. peacekeepers gave up trying to defend it.
The next day the rebels moved in unopposed to Sake, a strategic town about 25 km (15 miles) west along the main road. It was there that government troops and allied militia were hitting back in fighting the flared up late on Wednesday.
Regional and international leaders have been scrambling to halt the fresh conflagration in the Great Lakes, a region of many colonial-era frontiers and long a tinderbox of ethnic and political conflict, fuelled by mineral deposits.
On Wednesday, foreign ministers from the states of the Great Lakes region demanded the rebels leave Goma and halt their advance, and Kabila - in a concession to the rebels that fell short of opening talks - promised to look into their grievances.
"I'm not confident, because I've already waited for three months in Kampala for talks," Runiga said of a recent spell in the capital of Uganda, which has tried to mediate in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Neighbouring Uganda and Rwanda had no right to make demands of M23, added the group's political chief, who styles himself Bishop Runiga, a post he holds in several Congolese churches.
He said M23 wanted aid groups to return to Goma, after they evacuated during the fighting. Reuters correspondents in the city saw some aid workers driving in the town on Thursday.
Renewed clashes
Thousands of residents fled the town of Sake on Thursday, a Reuters correspondent in Sake said, as gunbattles continued.
"It's no problem, its just war," Vianney Kazarama, an M23 spokesman, said by telephone, adding that the clashes had begun late on Wednesday.
Several truckloads of M23 fighters sped toward Sake from Goma as the fighting raged on Thursday afternoon.
M23 takes its name from a peace deal, signed on March 23, 2009, that was meant to bring former rebels into the national army, but which the group says the government has violated.
The group has since sought to broaden its support in Congo by tapping into popular frustrations over the government's slow pace of reform in one of the world's least developed and most turbulent nations.
But the effort has faced hurdles amid mounting evidence of Rwanda's involvement in the insurgency.
Kabila's government insists the M23 rebellion is a creation of Rwanda, which has intervened repeatedly in Congo over the past 18 years - and the claim is backed by U.N. experts who say Kigali is both commanding and supporting the insurgency in part to control the region's minerals.
Many of Rwanda's international allies, including the United States, Sweden, the Netherlands and the European Union have suspended some aid over the allegations.
Britain, which unblocked part of its frozen aid in September citing Rwandan efforts to solve the crisis, said it was now considering new evidence that could affect future aid.
"We judge the overall body of evidence of Rwandan involvement with M23 in the DRC to be credible and compelling," British Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a statement.
"These allegations will necessarily be a key factor in future aid decisions to the Government of Rwanda."
The United Nations on Wednesday defended its failed effort to prevent rebels from seizing Goma, saying its helicopters had fired hundreds of rockets at rebels but were unable to beat them back as their ranks swelled dramatically.
Runiga said M23 had the capacity to hang on to Goma, after its force was bolstered by mutinying Congolese soldiers from Kabila's army, the FARDC.
"Absolutely," he said. "Firstly we have a disciplined army, and also we have the FARDC soldiers who've joined us.
"They're our brothers, they'll be retrained and recycled then we'll work with them."
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Mustang MonthlyHow To Interior Electrical
How To Restore A Classic Mustang Steering Wheel
Though we will focus on the wheel for our '70 Mach 1 project, the principles will apply to all vintage wheels
Where the interior is concerned, the steering wheel is the focal point. Because it's one of the first things you see while driving, it's in constant view. With that being the case, an ugly or cracked wheel is nothing but an ocular annoyance when you're driving your Mustang. At each revolution, you get a good view of that bothersome crack or gapping chunk that was the result of the plastic shrinking over the years.
What to do? In this arena, there are a couple alternatives. One is to redo the wheel yourself, using a wheel resto kit such as the one from POR-15. The other is to send the wheel off to one of many parts houses for a rebuild. If you're lucky enough to have a '65-'69 Mustang with the standard wheel, you also can buy a reproduction. All three options have pros and cons. Obviously, if you try to do it yourself and fail, you will still have to send the wheel off and pay for the work. If you send the wheel off, you will be out some bucks, but the job will be correctly performed by pros who know the job because they do it every day. As for the third choice, if you have a Rim-Blow or Deluxe wheel, then you have only the first two choices.
The wheel we are planning on restoring is the Rim-Blow from our Project '70 Mach 1. The wheel on this car is actually missing. Luckily, I dug around in the "I-might-need-that-someday" pile and snagged the original Ginger Rim-Blow from our '72 Lazarus Project. After some POR-15 putty, black and brown paint, new center pad, and Rim-Blow switch from Perogie Enterprises, the wheel will be ready to install after we locate the correct column.


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More than 300,000 children are in danger of dying because of drought and famine in the Horn of Africa. The United Nations reports that tens of thousands have already died in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. On August 19, World Humanitarian Day, the United Nations urged the world to give more to the relief effort, which has already garnered $1 billion in aid. In Somalia, insurgents are attempting to block aid and prevent people from fleeing the famine. The situation is grim, but aid groups are scaling up their operations. Many Western aid groups are working with local organizations and Somali relief workers.
New resources that will be added to the ipl2 are noted NEW! All other resources are already listed in the ipl2 collections.
World Food Programme (find it on ipl2)
This resource provides information from the UN organization that distributes food aid throughout the world. The Food Programme includes information about the organization and its donors (government, business, and individual), an interactive world hunger map, updates about areas needing food aid (such as the countries in the Horn of Africa), news, photographs, videos, publications, and more. Some of the materials offered are available in several languages.
World Hunger Notes – Africa (find it on ipl2: Social Sciences — Social Issues and Social Welfare)
World Hungers Notes is a publication of the nonprofit organization World Hunger Education Service. The goal of this resource is to educate people about the issues of hunger and poverty. Information is provided about the current droughts and famine in some African countries, as well as many other places in the world that are affected by hunger and poverty. Learn about the causes of world hunger and what is being done to end it.
NEW! Famine in Somalia
The New York Times features two slide shows about the famine in Somalia: Fleeing to Kenya (July 2011) and Dangers Hinder Aid (August 2011). Thousands of Somalis are fleeing to refugee camps in Kenya every day. Many people, particularly children, die along the way; malnutrition puts them at increased risk for contracting deadly diseases. Insurgents have tried to block much of the aid intended for the starving people; however, aid organizations continue to try to find ways to help those in need.
NEW! World Humanitarian Day
August 19, 2011 was World Humanitarian Day. This resource describes the crisis in the Horn of Africa and tells the story of a humanitarian aid worker there. People interested in supporting the relief effort can learn how to help and connect with reliable aid organizations.
Thanks for your continued support of ipl2. We hope these resources help satisfy any questions you may have about famine and drought that is ravaging Somalia and other countries in the Horn of Africa.
Reminder: You can now subscribe to ipl2's newsletter and weekly blog posts via email as well as RSS. The "Email Subscription" feature appears prominently in the upper left-hand side of the page on the ipl2′s News and Information WordPress blog. Subscription is free and open to all!


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My little Fundraiser: marathon game. Advice wanted
Get help with running Ponyfinder or Pathfinder games.
4 posts • Page 1 of 1
My little Fundraiser: marathon game. Advice wanted
So I'm currently one of the officers of the UNT brony club and we're thinking of doing a live stream pony finder event to raise money for the club. While this is a bit of a plug for that, it's more for advice. I'm going to be the DM for one of two parties for this event and I'm going to be running pony finder (or a modified version of it.) It's going to be a 12 hour long game (no date yet) so I'll need something big. I'm thinking of running one of two games and would like input from you guys. Either a standard pony finder game based around the civil war starting on the day of Illian's death. Lots of fighting urban combat, not too much plot. The other game that's tempting me is running a pony finder version of a Call of Cthulhu campaign. This would be fun and unique and take place in basically 1920s version of Evergleam. Comparing the two choices I've found a few pros and cons. For the civil war it would be using regular pony finder and we'de have a few players who know how to play. But some members will probably be first timers. Downside, I'd have to put the game together a bit more from scratch. With the Cthulhu game it would be tougher and no one would know exactly how to play from start, but I could just use a call of Cthulhu module to run it. Also it would be an experience to remember! So what do you guys think?
Re: My little Fundraiser: marathon game. Advice wanted
Just off the top of my head, the civil war event is likely to be easier to fill up a twelve-hour block, simply because combat in Pathfinder tends to be quite a time-sink (just in case you're worried about making it twelve hours).
Re: My little Fundraiser: marathon game. Advice wanted
Alternative idea. You could run through Royal Decree, followed by Tower of Misery as the newly graduated students march off to their first adventure outside the academy. Depending on the time left, you could have an elemental unbalance erupt in Arcysus, requiring the brave warriors to mount a defense and safeguard the panicked populace against the elemental assault.
Re: My little Fundraiser: marathon game. Advice wanted
Not bad ideas. I've been looking through all of my 3rd edition and pathfinder modules I could find for something close to the civil war idea, unfortunately I'm not finding anything useful enough. I'm going to go back a bit further into my 2nd edition modules and see if there's anything good there. But not too likely. The closest I found was the Crimson Throne path, which involves a capital city. The death of a King, and struggle for power. Unfortunately, it immediately swerves DEEP into murder mystery and avoids any thing even approaching what I was hoping for. At the moment my old DM and I are looking over the Call of Cthulhu stuff and thinking we could come up with something really cool by just using the d20 Cthulhu books and splicing their stuff into ponyfinder. I ran the idea by a few people in the group that will be involved (most of them) and they seem really fascinated by the My Little Cthulhu option. Of course if that doesn't pan out, I really like your idea David, as those two adventures would probably work well for an extended session if I can't pull this ponyfinder with call of cthulhu off. If I succeed I'd be happy to share any sort of sanity/madness or rules we come up with among you guys.
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text: What are you listening to right now ? ... Reply #25 – 2002-07-28 17:14:40 QuoteOriginally posted by rjamorim BTW: mijj has a hell of a great taste for music!... why - thanks, rj - but it's not suprising you think that given your choice of avatar.hmmm ... let's break up the relentless tasteful music with ...Adam Faith - Lonely Pup (In a Christmas Shop).mp3


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Recently, I've been transferred to a shop that hosts a refurbished Synesso Cyncra. Prior to that, I was being trained on a La Marzocco Strada.
The Cyncra worked great on the first day. Velvety microfoam. Great texture. Loved it.
Second day, issues started to arise. The steam boiler was building up too much water, so consequently when you turned on the steam wand, it was just spraying water everywhere. I was the first to notice this, and I brought it up to the owner, who took some convincing to finally acquiesce.
Third day, a technician came to the shop and apparently fixed it. Although water isn't blasting out of the steam wand anymore, I've noticed another problem. The milk texture is horrible. No matter how perfect your technique and form, there are always tiny visible bubbles in the milk.
It's okay if you're making mediocre rosettas and hearts, but if you want really sleek, glossy, detailed art work, it's almost impossible.
I've brought it up to the owner, but he's sort of just brushing it off. Personally I was seriously embarrassed with the milk texture we were serving to customers today.
Anybody have ideas as to why the machine is yielding fizzy microfoam? One of my theories is that the pressure might be set too low... I notice the pressure's not as strong, anymore. I don't necessarily ever crank the lever the entire way when I'm steaming, because I only get to steam about 5 ounces of milk, but I'm cranking the lever back about 3/4th of the way. Prior to the technician's visit, I only had to crank the lever about halfway for the milk to develop a dynamic roll.
Also, I noticed that the machine starts squealing towards the end of the steaming process. Now I don't really understand why steam boilers start squealing, but I generally associate it with the beginning of the steaming process, as opposed to the end... the only times the steam boiler on my Silvia has ever squealed towards the end, is when the steam pressure plummeted.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. I feel that if I can present a more specific theory to the owner, he may be inclined to have the technician take a look. Otherwise, I fear I'm gonna be stuck with a faulty steamer for the duration of my employment...
PS: Bubbles in my microfoam has never been a problem. On the LM Strada, the steamer produced consistently velvety microfoam. And at home, the microfoam from my Silvia is very smooth.
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Hey Dustin,
Yeah, we have some competent baristas have given it a whirl, and it's been pretty inconsistent.
Recently though, we've the boosted the temperature by 5 degrees - as recommended by Synesso - and so far, it's back to what it was on Day 1. I'm praying that this'll be the fix.
Otherwise, we'll probably purchase the low flow tips, which was also suggested by Synesso.
Dustin DeMers said:
Hey Andy, is everyone creating crappy foam all the sudden? or is it just you? that would be a pretty big indicator if it was just you or the machine. You said there were competent baristas in the store right? So have they said anything to you about the wands sucking at certain times of the day?
Thanks Brady,
It's totally fine. I completely understand where you're coming from.
Actually, the owner just hired a couple new guys who have zero experience with dedicated coffee, and let's just say I can relate to your frustration.
When I originally suggested that the steamer was spewing too much water, the owner brushed it off as an excuse. I don't blame him. I'm the new guy, so the faith/trust factor/credibility isn't there. Fortunately, there was also a proven barista, who I was able to convince. Once he came over, it was a lot easier for the owner to acquiesce.
As far as what the tech did, we weren't around when he was taking it apart, so I have no idea what was done. The owner had us read about coffee outside the patio, while the repairs were taking place.
I did however get to speak with the tech, and he seemed technically knowledgeable and down to Earth. It was nice, because I consider myself the only true coffee geek at the job, and for the first time, I was talking to someone who actually knew beyond basic barista duties, such as the technical/mechanical side of espresso. Afterward, he asked the owner if he could teach me how to change gaskets and perform other periodical maintenance duties on his next visit. I thought that was a really cool gesture.
The other night, the owner bumped up the temp 5 degrees - as suggested by Synesso - and the machine worked wonderfully again. That said, I'm gonna need more consistency to deem this issue 100% resolved. If it gets bad enough, I guess we can always get the low flow steam tips, which Synesso also recommended for steaming small quantities of milk.
Brady said:
Hey Andy,
Sorry to be such a jerk. I've recently had issues with my job being made harder by over-confident new guys on bar, and I was lumping you in with them.
Yes, a sightglass clear full of water is a good indication that there is a machine problem. Sounds like that tech call was warranted... though if that was the case I'm surprised that took so much convincing to get your owner to agree to have it serviced.
Any time you bring a possible machine issue to us, the more specifics you can detail the better. Pressure settings, sightglass observations, etc. Also, if you have any details as to what the tech did (he probably left a copy of his work order) that will help us. You did provide a good bit of detail, and its good to get Ricky's thoughts on your situation.
Do you notice a difference in machine pressure between times when it works properly and times it doesn't? How about water level in the sightglass?
If it were happening on only one side, I'd suspect that you had a steam valve issue. Happening on both sides rules that out to me.
As far as the boiler water level thing, that is controlled by an autofill circuit. Overfill situations are usually caused by mineral buildup on level probe or a fill valve (auto or manual) leak. If the water gets too high, the steam will get wetter and wetter, and will just shoot out pure water once the level gets too high. I'm not sure why the owner would take apart the steamwand due to water "buildup".
This is a puzzle. Let us know what you find out.
Andy Kwon said:
Thanks Brady,
I understand what you're trying to say.
As far as the LM Strada is concerned, I never once felt the machine was faulty. I just felt that I hadn't fully figured out the texture it produced. Latte art is all about timing. You need to figure out how the milk is gonna react with the espresso. Once you get the timing down, it's a lot easier. I never really got to try out many pours on the Strada, unfortunately. The opportunities just weren't there. My last training session with the Strada however, I felt I figured out the timing, but then again, I only poured one cap... that said, I never got the feeling the machine was faulty.
As for the Cyncra, the tech was called because the sight glass was full of water. There was too much water buildup, and the steamer was gushing out water, as opposed to dry steam. You have to realize that I'm not the owner. I don't get to call the shots. If I spot a problem, I need to convince my trainers and owner. Not quite sure what kinda system you're envisioning here. It's like any other place. One new employee doesn't get to decide when there is and isn't a problem. If a tech is called, it's because everybody - including experienced baristas and the owner - unanimously agreed.
It's the same deal with the Cyncra's inconsistent steaming. One hour, everybody's making great latte art. The next hour, it's fizzy and jagged-edged. Again, if it's just me, I'm the one with the problem. But when everybody else - including experienced baristas - agrees that there's something going on with the Cyncra, I think it's worth considering.
I know how these posts may come off. I seem a bit neurotic and questionable. I'm just really obsessed about my craft, and if you got to work with me, I think you'd understand. I'm sorry my posts rubbed you the wrong way.
So yeah... I went in this morning, and the bubbles are back.
I was there with one of the guys who trained me, and it was ironic, 'cause he was able to create really nice microfoam.
Yet when I steamed the milk, it was giving me bubbles. It was very confusing for a while. I asked him to demo for me a few times, and here's what I realized...
When he steams milk, he doesn't completely purge all the water out of the steam wand. He does a split second purge, whereas I purge for a good 1 or 2 seconds to get the steam as dry as possible.
With my method of purging, you get bubbles.
With his method of purging, you get smooth microfoam. According to a Synesso tech, some water will actually mask microfoam issues.
Unfortunately, I wasn't around long enough to convince him that it wasn't technique, but the purging disparity. By the time I figured it out, my shift was pretty much over...
Again, I don't understand why there are certain days where the steaming is perfect, and then days where you need to try to mask the issue by not fully purging the wand... it's really inconsistent and frustrating.
BTW, the bubbles are not around when you steam larger quantities of milk in a 20 oz pitcher. It's just with the 12 oz pitcher... I don't quite understand the science of it. All I know is that Synesso sells a flat tip, low flow tip for a reason.
Thanks Troy, yes, that was exactly the problem.
Fortunately, it's already been fixed. I didn't see the repair myself, but now that you break it down, I'm assuming they tightened up the bolts.
Troy J Mallett said:
Hey Andy. Just to step aside the mink steaming part of your topic for a second, you mentioned that the right steam arm would get caught half way through the action. Next time you work on the machine, take a look if the side panel (and the arm) get pushed out while pulling down the arm. Saw it before that the bolts were loose and the arm would catch.
Okay, back to steaming.
So the low flow tips arrived promptly, and the owner luckily replaced the preexisting high flow tip with the new low flow tips.
I've only tried steaming on two separate shifts, since the change, and so far, so good.
There are some employees who actually preferred the older, high flow tip - because it steamed faster - so they reverted back to the high flow tip for one of the steam arms. Best of both worlds. It's fine by me.
Glad that worked out. I like that setup, since it gives you the capability of perfectly steaming 3oz for a capp OR 10 oz for a couple of lattes. Plus it keeps one side from getting all of the action.


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Now here's a really interesting idea — from Neal Stephenson and others — for a book . . . or rather an app . . . or a service . . . sort of a wiki or a game . . . oh heck, just read it:
The Mongoliad stand out as a possible way forward for post-print publishing. PULP makes this book into something that's truly the product of our collective imaginations. When you're reading a chapter of the book, you always have the option to pull up a an interactive discussion window and leave a note or enter a discussion about the book. You can write your own additional storyline. Or add to the pedia to explain more about the historical setting. You can also rate every aspect of the book, rating any page on a scale of one to five stars.
The Mongoliad isn't just a story; it's a platform for collaborative worldbuilding. The question is, how do you prevent such an endeavor from degenerating into chaos? "We have the concept of canonicity – if we like it we'll tag it as canon," Bornstein says. "We'll have ways of reflecting people's community standing in our forums. So some people will be able to help curate the canon, and we'll be the ultimate arbiters." The book will become a thicket of fanfic, but there will be a clear, canonical path marked through it by the creators of the story.
So how will you buy The Mongoliad? It won't be like getting a traditional ebook, which is usually wrapped in some kind of format or digital restriction management software designed to prevent people from sharing it. Subutai is devoted to selling this book without DRM. You'll get it in an app store, and you'll pay what Bornstein calls "a relatively low price" for it as a six-month service, where you get new content every week. At the end of those six months you can renew for "a lower price." Bornstein hinted that the book will eventually contain "a few games too."
I have to say, this sounds really interesting — except I don't like the idea of having the experience locked in to the iPhone/Pod/Pad world. That wouldn't be the venue I'd choose anyway.
(Thanks to Adam Keiper for the link.)


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This isn't lost in the myths of history, but on behalf of the bloggers here, congratulations
to one of our contributors, Val, on the birth of her little girl, Alexandra!
It's lovely to post some happy news and all good wishes go to Val and Jasen, and to Alexandra's 'big' brother, Nicholas! (How lovely to have a Nicholas & Alexandra in one family!)


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June 2007
"We know that nothing helps a child learn as much as a great teacher. And we must start rewarding teachers who get great results."
-- Secretary Margaret Spellings
Good teachers are the key to improving student achievement. The No Child Left Behind Act calls for schools to show academic improvement each year. It also calls for a highly qualified teacher in every classroom so that every student can achieve at grade level or better in reading and math by 2014. As a result, the share of classes taught by a highly qualified teacher has risen to more than 91 percent.
Unfortunately, many schools suffer from a lack of qualified educators, especially those in high-poverty areas. Studies show that half the math teachers in high-poverty middle and high schools did not major or minor in the subjects they teach. Partly as a result, only half of African American and Hispanic students graduate on time. And a recent study found that half of the nation's dropouts are produced by just 15 percent of our high schools.
Teachers who improve student achievement in challenging circumstances deserve to be rewarded. That is why President Bush proposed and signed into law the Teacher Incentive Fund. The Fund provides support to school districts that provide financial incentives for teachers and principals in high-need schools who have succeeded at raising student achievement levels. Consideration is also given to educators who take on additional responsibilities and receive strong individual performance evaluations.
Funding and Purpose of Teacher Incentive Fund
The U.S. Department of Education's $99 million Teacher Incentive Fund supports grants and other activities that help selected schools and districts recognize and reward good teachers in high-poverty schools that do a great job for their students, schools and nation. As Secretary Spellings said, "If we expect results for every child, we must support teachers who are getting the job done in America's toughest classrooms."
A total of 34 grantees have received funding under TIF to align school and district efforts to recruit and reward teachers with the goals of the No Child Left Behind Act.
The Fund is designed to:
- Enable teachers and principals to be more effective at improving student achievement toward meeting Adequate Yearly Progress goals;
- Reform compensation systems to reward teachers and principals for improvements in student achievement;
- Increase the number of dedicated and effective teachers in high-poverty classrooms who teach disadvantaged and minority students in hard-to-staff subjects; and
- Create sustainable, performance-based compensation systems.
The grantees were selected based on the awardees' proposals to design new teacher compensation systems that would:
- provide educators in high-need schools with differentiated levels of compensation based on student achievement gains;
- provide educators with incentives to take on additional responsibilities and leadership roles; and
- rigorously evaluate teacher performance multiple times during the school year.
Other Support for Teachers
President Bush has made support for teachers a national priority. In addition to the President's support for a $100 million increase in funding for the Teacher Incentive Fund, his budget supports the following:
Teacher Quality—the President's FY 2008 budget includes nearly $4.4 billion to help states meet NCLB teacher quality requirements, and to help ensure that all teachers are effective. In addition, school districts are required to use at least five percent of their Title I funds to support highly qualified teachers in every classroom.
Students With Disabilities—the President's FY 2008 budget includes $10.5 billion for the Special Education Grants to States Program, a 66 percent increase over 2001 funding levels. On October 5, 2006, Secretary Spellings announced the awarding of $11.6 million in grants to help train specialists and ensure qualified teachers for students with disabilities.
Reading First Program—to help children learn to read by grade three, more than 100,000 teachers have been trained in proven, scientifically-based instructional methods, benefiting more than 1.8 million students. Since taking office, President Bush has increased federal support for proven reading methods by 300 percent.
Advanced Placement / International Baccalaureate [AP-IB] Incentive Program—the President's FY 2007 budget proposes $122 million to train 70,000 additional teachers to lead AP-IB math, science and critical-need foreign language courses over the next five years.
Adjunct Teacher Corps—the FY 2007 budget proposes $25 million to encourage 30,000 qualified math, science, engineering, and technology professionals to share their knowledge as adjunct high school teachers.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness—working with Congress, the President made permanent up to $17,500 in student loan forgiveness for highly qualified math and science teachers who choose to work in high-poverty communities and classrooms.
Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative—this initiative has enabled more than 300,000 teachers learn and share effective strategies for raising student achievement. All 50 states and the District of Columbia grant professional development credit for participation in the Teacher-to-Teacher program.
Classroom Discipline—the No Child Left Behind Act ensures that teachers, principals, and school administrators may take reasonable steps to maintain order and discipline in the classroom without fear of lawsuits.


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South Shore storefronts to get a new look
South Shore storefronts to get a new look
Storefronts lining portions of Alameda South Shore Center could adopt a more varied, Main Street look under new design guidelines approved by the Planning Board on Monday.
The new guidelines are intended to make it easier for the shopping center's owners, Jamestown Properties, to fill vacancies in the center's interior, contract planner Kathleen Livermore told the Planning Board on Monday. Design review for the portions of the shopping center covered by the guidelines will be conducted by city staff, rather than the Planning Board.
"The point was to provide flexibility and certainty to new tenants," Livermore said.
Alameda South Shore Center's vacancy rate is at about 9 percent, Jamestown's chief operating officer said during an interview, though the center's managers are planning to bring locally owned restaurants into some of the spaces.
"We're putting in a couple of restaurants to activate the area, make it more interesting," Jamestown's chief operating officer, Michael Phillips, said during an interview Monday afternoon. Phillips said he's not yet ready to name the restaurants.
The shopping center has pulled in a half dozen new tenants over the past year, filling a space once occupied by defunct bookseller Borders with a ULTA Beauty store and Total Woman Gym & Day Spa. The center attracted an additional long-term tenant – Daiso Japan – through a pop-up program that allows retailers to "test the waters" before making a long-term commitment.
The guidelines call for "dramatic and theatrical" storefronts intended to create an "eclectic, dynamic" environment in the heart of the shopping center – within the parameters they set. Phillips said they're intended to allow "a little more individualization of the storefronts" that could include more creative signage
"Tenants are encouraged to express their own unique design statement within the parameters of the design criteria as outlined in this manual," the 42-page design guidelines say.
The new guidelines will offer retailers and restaurant owners who set up shop at the center more of an opportunity to express a unique identity than they have now, Phillips said. He said that in revamping the center, prior owner Harsch Investment Properties "contemplated space before there were tenants," which led to a more uniform look.
Jamestown's properties include Chelsea Market, The Newbury Line in Boston and a smattering of other urban retail and mixed-use centers, all of which offer similarly varied looks, and the guidelines point to Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek and the Corte Madera Town Center – and Park Street – as examples of how they can work here.
In addition to changing façades, windows and building heights, the guidelines allow tenants to change common areas, adding furniture and play areas, seating, fire pits and bike racks.
Kiosks, food carts, children's rides and other features could also become part of the landscape under the new guidelines.
Members of the Planning Board said they supported the changes, though they asked that any proposed changes to some major storefronts – including Old Navy – still come to the board for approval along with others that line the exterior of the shopping center.
"I think the center has done a great job of looking more attractive," Planning Board president Lorre Zuppan said, recalling earlier days when the shopping center was a mass of stone and concrete.
Zuppan said retail vacancies in the Bay Area are dwindling and expressed hope the new guidelines and process would attract additional tenants to the shopping center.
"Our hope to attract and upgrade, and this would be an effort to attract those tenants," she said.


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Like many photographers I prefer to shoot outside, the backgrounds are far more interesting and people more natural.
But shooting outside (and controlling the light) becomes more of a challenge and that is where reflectors and diffusers come in handy.
The bigger the light modifier, the more difficult it is to control, and if you throw in a breeze it will flop in the wind like a sheet drying on a clothes line. At that point you are no longer modifying light but having a good laugh watching your assistant becoming airborne.
Even without any wind, if you try to hold a diffuser by the end, up and over your subject, chances are 100% that it will flop down. It's simply not rigid enough to maintain its shape.
These are just some of the reasons why I like the Infinity ProScrim from Savage. It has a sturdy, light weight aluminum frame that maintains its shape, is rigid, and far easier to control, which may be less entertaining, but way more useful in getting the shot.
Two things were important to me, the quality of the construction and it's affordability (available at Adorama for $142).
A comparable 5 in 1 portable reflector, one full foot shorter than the Infinity ProScrim, will cost you $110.
My suggestion is to spend your money once and get the right tool the first time.
Please take just two minutes to watch the video below and I think you will come to love the Infinity PoScrim as much as I do.
For our subscribers, you will need to return to the blog or head over to YouTube to view the video as it is not be pushed through with your subscription
Review of the Infinity ProScrim...
Posted by Scott at 7:05 AM
4 comments:
- Carolyn said...
Articles and videos like this are SO helpful!! I can't thank you enough!
- January 8, 2010 at 8:59 PM
- Scott said...
Large sums of cash would be thanks enough!
Glad you found it useful and thanks for coming to Weekly Photo Tips.
- January 9, 2010 at 6:31 AM
- Miguel Palaviccini said...
Collapsible with the bungee cords was a great idea by Savage. I can't imagine you could go wrong with these.
I wonder how far back would you have to place a speedlight to cover the entire area (even set at the 14mm setting).
- December 29, 2010 at 12:58 PM
- Miguel Palaviccini said...
It looks like this version of the item is no longer carried by Adorama. Instead the links redirect you to what I believe are newer versions. Cool!
- May 31, 2012 at 1:17 PM
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Illinois Continuing Education Requirements:
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12- Hr. IL Broker CE Package #1 (with Ethics course)
12-Hr. IL Broker CE Package #2
Illinois Requirement Details for Real Estate Continuing Education – Broker
All current licensees under the IDFPR's jurisdiction whose license renewal deadlines fall within the period beginning March 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020 shall have up to, and including, September 30, 2020 to complete their continuing education coursework. This in no way affects the requirements to complete CE prior to the extended renewal date. All licensees will need to complete their CE requirement in order to successfully renew their license. You can find more information regarding these extensions and educational requirement changes via this press release from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Broker Continuing Education and License Renewal Date:
4/30 every even-numbered year
License renewal date now extended to September 30, 2020 due to COVID-19.
Broker Hours Required By The State:
12 hours
- 4 Mandatory Core Hours
- 8 Elective Hours
- Includes a 1-hour IDFPR-mandated Sexual Harassment Prevention Training requirement, which goes into effect on 1/1/2020.
First Time Renewals for Brokers
2020 Broker Renewal Information from the IDFPR.
The CE Shop is an approved real estate CE school in Illinois:
License number 515.000004
The CE Shop's Offering:
12 hours
- 4 Mandatory Core Hours
- 8 Elective Hours
- Includes a course that meets the 1-hour IDFPR-mandated Sexual Harassment Prevention Training requirement, which goes into effect on 1/1/2020.
Real estate course completions are reported to the Illinois Division of Real Estate. The state requires schools to report course completions within ten days from the course completion date. Course completions will be reported within this time frame.
Expiration Date of Course:
Course expiration dates vary by course but are generally one year after order date. Each course has an individual expiration date which is listed in your account.
Final Exams:
Final exams must be passed with at least a 75% and may be taken as many times as necessary in order to pass.
Max Hours Per Day:
No more than 12 hours of CE credit may be taken or earned in one calendar day.
Upon completion of the course, The CE Shop will provide students with an electronic Certificate of Completion. Certificates will remain in your account for a minimum of five years, should you need additional copies. Please refer to your license renewal application to determine if you need to submit your Certificate of Completion with your license renewal request. Course completion dates are recorded using Central Standard Time. Please note that the date of your Certificate of Completion will reflect this.
Additional Illinois Licensing Information:
License Renewal Process:
The process to renew in this state is to log in to the licensing system online and follow the prompts to renew.
Post-Licensing: Brokers are required to complete two 15-hour Post-Licensing courses and pass an exam prior to their first renewal of that license.
Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation-Division of Real Estate
Street Address: Springfield Office - 320 West Washington St, Springfield, IL 62786
Street Address: Chicago Office - 100 West Randolph, 9th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601
Telephone: 217.782.3414 or 888.473.4858
Fax: 217.782.7645
Rules for the Real Estate License Act of 2000
Contact IL Division of Real Estate


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Jack Sparrow Costume
Rate this costume:
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the jAcks
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|Costumes for Boys
This homemade costume for boys entered our 2012 Halloween Costume Contest.
A word from Viviana, the 'Jack Sparrow' costume creator:
My children are have a huge imagination, such that it becomes almost impossible not to turn into a kid myself when it comes to Halloween costumes. We plan all year what creative-most thrifty-unique transformation we can come up with, & then we work for months waitingr with great anticipation. Our inspiration almost always comes from Disney, but I honestly think that my boys must have such huge love for their mother – I mean they must love me tremendously to allow me to do with them as I please (to secretly fullfill some childhood desire of my own).
Christopher is 10 yrs old & Jullyan is 6... & I fear the day that will come when this tradition we have will no longer be something we all do and enjoy.
Similar costumes:


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Posted by Editoress on 01/7/12
The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc. and organizers of Mardis Cyclistes de Lachine bicycle races have come to a three year agreement. As such, the pharmaceutical giant becomes the new title sponsor of the Mardis series for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 seasons.
"A corporation like ours is always much sought after," declared Alain Lafortune, Executive VP, Purchasing and Marketing at PJC. "We therefore have specific budgets which are accorded to sponsorships. The proposition from the Mardis people caught our ear because we have many similarities. Of course it is an important sporting event. But even more importantly, this is an organisation which promotes health, the family and general well being. This is why we have gone forward to associate ourselves with les Mardis Cyclistes de Lachine."
The president and founder of the Mardis series, Tino Rossi, is excited about the idea of presenting the 35th edition of this event with the support of Jean Coutu. He notes that since the beginning of the Mardis series, only a very select number of sponsors have been associated with these bicycle races.
"The companies which associate with the Mardis stay with us for a very long time," underlined Rossi. "I am extremely proud to be able to work with the people of Jean Coutu for the coming seasons. I strongly believe that all parties will benefit from this association. I have had the chance to discuss this agreement with many athletes, and all of them said that they are delighted with this association. It will allow us to continue our activities and to innovate over the course of the next three years."
The sportswear company Apogée is now also associated with the Mardis Cyclistes for the presentation of the 35th edition. Companies renewing their partnership with the Mardis series include: Specialized-Quilicot, Samson Groupe Conseil, LaSalle Fiat, Molson, Bacardi, Assurances Morin, la caisse Desjardins Provost de Lachine and the McDonald's restaurant in Lachine.
In 2012, the organisation of the Mardis Cyclistes can again count on unconditional support from the borough of Lachine. The borough mayor, Claude Dauphin, provided crucial support during the search for a new title sponsor.
"I am very happy with this new agreement. The Jean Coutu Group is a first-rate partner for a major event like the Mardis Cyclistes. The residents of Lachine, cycling and Jean Coutu will all be winners from this partnership," concluded the mayor.
The first race on the 2012 calendar will be take place on Tuesday, June 5th. Record prize winnings of $30,000 will be up for grabs this summer.
About the Mardis series... Since 1978, bicycle races (called 'criteriums') have been held on Tuesday evenings each summer in the borough of Lachine. The youngest cyclists start at 5:30 pm, followed by Juniors and by the women at 6:00 pm. The elite men begin at 7:00 pm for a 50 kilometre race around LaSalle Park. There are 10 stages in the series, meaning that races continue over 10 weeks. The Mardis speed record was established in 2009 by Guillaume Boivin, when he won the 50 kilometre 'crit' with a time of 58 minutes 52 seconds. It is free for spectators to watch these exciting races.
For more information, visit www.mardiscyclistes.net .
photo: (from left) Alain Lafortune (PJC), Tino Rossi (Mardis) & Claude Dauphin (Mayor of Lachine)
Press release
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can someone help me
Feedback to the Blender Foundation and the moderators of this website
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can someone help me
when i try running blender on my windows xp computer the python console fails to load, thus blender dosent load. the python console will pop up, but then crash after it poped up, this computer hasent got internet and hasent been updated since 2005, i can bring an update to this computer via a flash drive, but i dont know what to try. can someone please help me
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The first Windows Phone 8 handsets have hit the market in the US, with AT&T stores selling the Nokia Lumia 820 and Lumia 920 as well as the HTC Windows Phone 8X. Verizon has opened pre-orders for the HTC Windows Phone 8X and the Nokia Lumia 822, its curvier variant of the Lumia 820.
AT&T is selling the Lumia 920 in five colors: red, yellow, cyan, white, and black. Yellow handsets won't ship until the 12th of this month, but the others can be had today for $99 on a two-year contract, or a surprisingly low $449 with no commitment. Customers will also receive a free wireless charging pad, but they'll have to wait until an unspecified "later date" for it to be delivered.
The Lumia 820 is available in black only, for $49 on a two-year contract, or $399 with no commitment.
The AT&T 8X is available in the rather delightful "California Blue" in both 8 and 16GB sizes. The 8GB handset is available for $99 on a two-year contract, $449 with no contract; the 16GB handset is $199 and $549 (contract/no contract). The phone will also be available in the striking yellowish "Limelight" with 8GB of storage, again for $99/$449, but AT&T says that model won't ship for another 7-14 business days.On Verizon, pre-orders are now open for the 8X. The Verizon unit is a 16GB model, available in "California Blue," red, and black. All models have the same 16GB of storage, sell for $199 on a two-year contract, and $549 without—matching AT&T's pricing. The black and blue models have a shipping date of November 13th; red will take longer, not arriving until the 21st of the month. Uniquely, Verizon's 8X will support wireless charging, unlike the AT&T version.
The company is also taking pre-orders for the Nokia Lumia 822, a rounder, curvier sibling to the Lumia 820. The 822 is available in black, white, and grey, costing $99 on a two-year contract, $449 without. These too are scheduled to ship on November 13th.
T-Mobile, which will sell the HTC Windows Phone 8 X and Nokia Lumia 810 (another of the 820's siblings), isn't yet showing prices or availability.
The phones are also available to buy in Microsoft Stores, both the permanent ones and the 30 or so "pop-up" stores. We're hearing mixed reports about availability, both from Microsoft's retail sites and the carriers'. AT&T stores are reportedly out of stock of the 8X, and selling out of the 920. Best Buy reportedly has units in stock.
We'll have our review of Windows Phone 8 out soon, and will be following that up with a closer look at what Microsoft's use of the Windows NT kernel means for developers.


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FARMINGTON � An expert in calamity preparedness, Dave O�Connor, (known as Dr. Tomato in other situation) talked to an audience in Farmington Woman�s Club, last week, that comprised a combination of local gardeners and folks seeking knowledge on how to survive worst case scenarios from economic collapse to catastrophes like Hurricane Katrina.
Referring to his life experience enabling him to talk extensively on the subject, O�Connor said he was a Dartmouth graduate, who had spent 10 years in law enforcement, another 10 years as a professional bounty hunter, and had experience in foreign conflict zones. He has taught high angle vertical rescue, has rock and ice climbing experience, is a wire walker and a power-lifter. He omitted to mention that he also plays the bagpipes.
Noting the familiar gardening faces among the audience, he said, �Self sufficiency doesn�t equate to survival.�
He also noted that people have to decide on their own level of preparedness, and then started off with the 72-hour disaster, usually caused, in this area, by blizzards or floods, causing the power to go out.
�Then there are forest fires, Seabrook (nuclear plant), and we are near a military base. Here we enter into the area of risk analysis,� he said.
In all cases, food, shelter, water and warmth have to be planned for.
O�Connor recommends people have a jump bag put together for 72-hour emergencies in case they have to leave their homes, and this should include medications, important papers, money, and a list of items for insurance purposes. A jump kit kept in a vehicle should include water, a first aid kit, a source of light, matches and more. He passed out a sheet containing an extensive list.
For longer range disasters that might occur in the future, such as a breakdown in civil order or a serious interruption to the power grid, O�Connor said people had to decide, �Do you get out of the situation or survive it at home? Make a long-range plan, but don�t dwell on it, or it will drive you nuts,� he said.
�There is only a two-day supply of food in the food stores,� said O�Connor, stressing the importance of stocking up on supplies.
He said that some people, with this in mind, favor setting up a community somewhere else.
�They need an agricultural-based society that has to be more than one full gas tank away from a city. It takes over a year to get such a place set up, and meanwhile, what do you do for work? It is almost out of the realm of practicality,� he said.
O�Connor then pointed out the difference in public attitudes between a short-lived catastrophe and one lasting longer.
�Up to 72 hours, people band together,� he said, but with a longer event, people start changing,� said O�Connor, giving the chaos that ensued during the Katrina aftermath as an example.
�That was the survival of the fittest and most street savvy,� he said.
For extended periods of deprivation, he urged people to develop a low cost family food system, keeping in mind that around 1,500 calories per day per person are needed to sustain body weight for the average person.
He suggested items like beans, rice, vitamins, olive oil and powdered milk, as well as comfort foods like chocolate. He recommended varied meals, and added the tip of stocking toilet paper.
�The longer the crises lasts, the higher your skill level has got to be,� he said.
When facing violence, O�Connor said that people had to decide if they wanted a weapon.
�How you deal with people is more important than walking around with an assault rifle. There is always someone who has a bigger one,� he said.
He recommended to the audience that they get a copy of a book like �How to fix everything,� and also to consider how they would negotiate with other survivors of a crisis, using barter items such as booze, ammo, matches and even aspirins.
�The mind is the most important tool to keep you alive. You have to develop a survivor mind-set,� he said, adding The Deep Survival by Laurence Gonzales to his books to read list.
To counteract the natural instinct of panic in a dire situation, O�Connor recommended that people test themselves with bungee jumping or icy showers.
�Bring it back. Bring it back. Bring your breathing down. You have to be able to work and focus when you are cold, tired and wet,� he said.
He then went on to discuss the �hardening� of one�s home, to make it more resilient to any attempted invasion by outsiders, and he talked about the ethical dilemma that someone might face when approached by a starving neighbor for food.
�I don�t care about neighbors, only my family,� said a woman from the audience, echoing the sentiment of others in the room envisaging their prepared larders being quickly depleted by generosity.
�Keep your larder out of sight,� said O�Connor, suggesting that if the mother across the street asks for food, she should be shown a cupboard with just a few cans in it.
�Give her a couple, and she will think you are in the same boat,� he said.
O�Connor (who actually lives in a castle) said that the more fortified a home looks, the more it seems to people on the outside that you have stuff in there.
�Try to look like everyone else, melt into the neighborhood and never leave your home unguarded,� he said.
Getting back to firearms, O�Connor recommended people read On Killing by Dave Grossman.
�I am not a fan of Stand your Ground laws, having been involved with weapons for 30 years. When you carry a weapon it puts your mind in a different place. The decision about using a weapon becomes blurred. They have the potential to do good but also a tremendous amount of harm,� he said.
Asked about forming alliances, in extended dire situations, O�Connor said there were pros and cons.
�They can work well if you know the people, but there has to be shared responsibility,� he said.
Farmington audience gets tips on surviving Doomsday situations
FARMINGTON � An expert in calamity preparedness, Dave O�Connor, (known as Dr. Tomato in other situation) talked to an audience in Farmington Woman�s Club, last week, that comprised a combination of local gardeners and folks seeking knowledge on how to survive worst case scenarios from economic collapse to catastrophes like Hurricane Katrina.


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Traditionally, the last Sunday in June is reserved for Gay Pride in New York City. This year, there was a major reason to celebrate. On Friday night, New York State legislators voted to legalize same-sex marriage, allowing New York to become the sixth and largest state to pass such legislation. The news sent thousands of happy revelers into the streets throughout the weekend.
On Sunday, crowds once again returned to the streets of New York City for the 2011 Gay Pride Parade. With the marriage vote to celebrate, an aura of renewed vigor led the day's festivities.
New York City based photographer Edward Keating photographed the weekend events for TIME. Documenting both the colorful (and flamboyant) parade and the partying afterward, Keating spent hours in the excited crowds and in packed bars and restaurants in the West Village.
MORE: The Bittersweet Victory: Why Gay Marriage Still Isn't Marriage.
Previously, Edward Keating photographed the aftermath of May's tornado in Joplin, Mo. for TIME.


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Here are just a couple of reasons why your baby will benefit from sleeping beside you in their own sleeping space:Close proximity betwen you and your baby is safer. SIDS and KIDS in Australia recommends that your baby should sleep in the same room as their primary adult caregiver for at least the first 6 to 12 months.
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You and your baby will both Sleep Better, Sleep Closer, Sleep Safer in an Arm's Reach® Co-Sleeper®. More...
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Finally, that is starting to change. Linux is still the preserve of geeks, many of whom showed up last week at LinuxWorld in San Francisco. But some of those geeks have realized there's money to be made from selling user-friendly versions of this powerful and supremely stable software to those who yearn for something better than Windows. Now Wal-Mart's website is selling $299 PCs that run on an operating system called Lindows (Microsoft is suing over the name), while another Linux brand called Lycoris Desktop LX is about to hit the shelves at CompUSA. The ubiquitous Linux logo, a penguin, is already a hit at places like IBM and much of the U.S. government. Should the rest of us tune him in too?
The best bet right now is Lycoris Desktop/LX, which costs a mere $29. Lycoris has done an excellent job of hiding all the scary jargon usually associated with Linux, and its desktop looks like Windows' identical twin. This is pretty amazing, given that it was created by five guys with no funding working around the corner from Microsoft in Redmond, Wash. Yet most basic needs are met right out of the box: programs compatible with Microsoft Office, Outlook, AOL Instant Messenger, Adobe Photoshop and, of course, Tetris.
Lycoris is an ideal Windows alternative for anyone buying a PC for the first time. Alas, if you already have Windows and want to switch, it's a little harder. To save all your old files, you have to create a partition on your hard drive, which is just as difficult as it sounds Powerquest.com's Partition Magic will do it for an additional $59). Maybe when Lycoris hires its sixth employee, it can start making this part easier.
Lindows, launched by dotcom veteran Michael Robertson with the millions he made selling MP3.com, has a few more problems. The bargain-basement $299 Microtel PC comes without a monitor, which will cost you $128 more. If you have a PC, you can pay $99 to download Lindows (at lindows.com). If you have Windows 95 or 98, you can choose to install Lindows without wiping out your original operating system. But here's the catch: Lindows comes into the world pretty much naked. You must download most of the software you'll need through a program called Click-N-Run.
At dial-up modem speeds, however, it's more like Click-N-Crawl. Lindows tries its best to act friendly and look Windows-like, but right now it's hard to use for half an hour without a lot of jargon about the root directory and other comp-sci stuff appearing on the screen. It will run a lot of Windows programs games being the major exception. (Robertson has backed off earlier claims that his system is entirely Windows compatible.) Basically, Lindows is a work in progress. Stand by for the final release.
On the whole, Linux is still something of an acquired taste. You have to be wary of your peripherals (getting some older printers to work is quite a headache). And tech support can be hard to find in a Windows world. But what you get in return is a very fast, very cheap, crash-free system that can be installed on as many computers as you like. Pay attention to the penguin: he's going places.
Questions for Chris? You can e-mail him at email@example.com


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Anne Hathaways Cottage
© Tony Hisgett
- Anne Hathaway's Cottage is in Shottery, a hamlet within the parish of Stratford but just over a mile from the town centre. Today much of the land between the hamlet and town has been built over, but in Shakespeare's day they were two very distinct settlements, separated by open fields. The cottage was the childhood home of Shakespeare's wife, Anne, the daughter of a yeoman farmer, Richard Hathaway. Richard died in September 1581, bequeathing Ann £6 13s 4d 'atte the day of her maryage': this marriage, to William Shakespeare, took place in November of the following year. Richard's widow, Joan, lived until 1599. She seems to have been a second wife: thus there were two sets of children in the household, three (including Anne) by his first wife and at least five by the second. The term 'cottage' hardly does justice to the Hathaway family home, which, by the standards of the day, was a substantial residence of a well-to-do yeoman farmer. It appears to have been built in two stages. The lower part, adjoining the road, has been conclusively dated to the early 1460s and consisted of a cross passage, where the visitor enters today, with a hall to the left and kitchen to the right. The hall, when originally built, would probably have been open to the roof. On the first floor, above the cross passage is a space of matching size where the early construction of this part of the house is clearly visible. The evidence for this is a cruck, a pair of large and matching curved timbers reaching from the ground to the apex of the roof, a characteristic of medieval timber-framed buildings. On either side are bedchambers, the one to the west created when a floor was inserted into the open hall. The chimney stack, which runs up through this part of the house, probably dates from the time of this alteration. Outside, this stack bears a plaque, with the date 1697 and the initials I.H. (for John Hathaway): this would seem rather late for the alterations to the hall and may just record repairs or rebuilding of the exterior stonework. Early in the seventeenth century, when the premises were owned by Bartholomew Hathaway, Anne's brother, a taller section was added to the house at the orchard end. This is now divided into three small rooms on the ground floor, with two bedchambers above. The house remained in the Hathaway family for several generations. The male line became extinct in 1746 on the death of John Hathaway, but the property then passed, through his sister Susanna, to his nephew, John Hathaway Taylor, whose son, William Taylor, lived there until his death in 1846. Financial problems had forced him to sell the house six years earlier, but he had remained in occupation as a tenant, as did his daughter, Mary, the wife of George Baker. She was still living there in 1892, when the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust purchased the property. With it came various items of family furniture, including the Hathaway Bed, dating from Anne's time. Mary Baker was appointed first custodian. She died in 1899.


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Last summer we started an occasional topic here at Life with MS: "MS Money Matters." Our blogs on this subject have dealt with drug prices, gas prices, insurance prices etc. However, what happens when we just can't pay those bills?
Medical bankruptcy is a dilemma more and more Americans are facing every day. A study titled, "Medical Bankruptcy in the United States, 2007: Results of a National Study" published in the American Journal of Medicine stated, "Based on the current bankruptcy filing rate, medical bankruptcies will total 866,000 and involve 2.346 million Americans this year – about one person every 15 seconds."
In a multi-institution survey published last week, not only was this rate disturbing, but the "who" and "why" of it all made me wince.
Over 62 percent of all personal bankruptcies in America are now medical bankruptcy (medical bills/illness related). Most medically bankrupt families came from the middle class, attended college and owned a home. Most had health insurance!
The boding does not look in our favor as I continue to look at the results.
The average out of pocket medical expenditure for a medically bankrupt family was $17,943 from the time of onset. That's a lot of money!
Neurologic disorders like multiple sclerosis, however, average $34,167… almost double the average!
I've heard numbers bantered around that the "economic impact" of our disease (depending on drug therapy regiment) can be as much as $75,000 per year. That idea of economic impact includes, but is not limited to lost wages/work time, insurance reimbursements, medical expenses, drug costs, family member lost work time, etc. The "out of pocket" number of $34K plus feels more tangible to me…and painful.
We've heard some of the horror stories (or bits of them) from some of our community. Living with MS is a financial burden to all. For a growing number of people with MS, it has forced them into this most-undesirable situation.
As we look to the week ahead and fret about the little things, know that every 15 seconds, some family has run out of options.
Your comments, as always, are hereby solicited.
Wishing you and your family the best of health.
Important: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not Everyday Health.


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The world depends on mariners. Mariners depend on SCI. And we depend on you.
Photos of SCI chaplains, vessels, mariners and river scenes taken in November 2011.
Photos by the Rev. David Rider, President & Executive Director.
SCI maintains a staff of professional chaplains with interfaith and cross-cultural backgrounds. Chaplains and volunteers assist thousands each year, extending a hand of friendship and hospitality.


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Explore the possibilities
Le Monastère des Augustines offers a broad range of innovative activities in holistic health and culture within an authentic and inspiring setting.
These activities are offered by friendly, qualified professionals, either with accommodations or as part of a package. Truly an adventure within!
Le Monastère des Augustines reserves the right to cancel any workshop when the minimum amount of participants requested by the workshop facilitator has not been attained. In the event of a cancellation by Le Monastère, we will refund the entire cost associated with the workshop. The participant is responsible for the costs related to their means of transportation. Thank you for your understanding.


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Analyzing the Purpose and Meaning of Political Cartoons
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Bellingham, Washington
Westfield, Massachusetts
The decisions students make about social and political issues are often influenced by what they hear, see, and read in the news. For this reason, it is important for them to learn about the techniques used to convey political messages and attitudes. In this lesson, high school students learn to evaluate political cartoons for their meaning, message, and persuasiveness. Students first develop critical questions about political cartoons. They then access an online activity to learn about the artistic techniques cartoonists frequently use. As a final project, students work in small groups to analyze a political cartoon and determine whether they agree or disagree with the author's message.
Its No Laughing Matter: Analyzing Political Cartoons: This interactive activity has students explore the different persuasive techniques political cartoonists use and includes guidelines for analysis.
Ciardiello, A.V. (2003). "To wander and wonder": Pathways to literacy and inquiry through question-finding. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 47(3), 228239.
- Question-finding strategies are techniques provided by the teacher, to the students, in order to further develop questions often hidden in texts. The strategies are known to assist learners with unusual or perplexing subject materials that conflict with prior knowledge.
- Use of this inquiry strategy is designed to enhance curiosity and promote students to search for answers to gain new knowledge or a deeper understanding of controversial material. There are two pathways of questioning available to students. Convergent questioning refers to questions that lead to an ultimate solution. Divergent questioning refers to alternative questions that lead to hypotheses instead of answers.
- Question-finding is based on the curiosity theory of psychologist Daniel Berlyne. His theory is known as the epistemic theory. The term refers to a behavior exhibited by individuals wanting additional information. Berlyne's theory is designed to encourage students to discover their own critical questions, and this skill will initiate critical thinking and inquiries throughout their lives.


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31 artists...31 days. Spend every day of March with me at The Altered Page to meet the 31 spotlight artists in my book The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed. See their beautiful faces, read their 'quirky' bios written in their own words, see some of their art that led me to invite them to be a part of my book, and hear my story of what they each mean to me. Then click on over to their sites and see what they have to say about The Pulse of Mixed Media.
I like to see what one color looks like next to another; how the presence of a line here or a shadow there changes everything.
I like to experiment...
I think of Lynne as the type of artist so many of us want to be. She paints and creates simply for the pleasure of doing so. There are no agendas and no grand schemes. I have said before that creativity is at its most pure when making art is for the sake of creating, rather than for a specific goal, such as publication, exhibition or sale. And I feel this from Lynne from both her artwork and her essence, which comes through loud and clear on her blog.
I have had the luck and pleasure to have collaborated with Lynne, along with Julie Prichard, on two art projects: Graffiti Wall 2009 and 2010. I also own a piece of her artwork, which hangs front and center on my inspiration board. Seeing her work in person confirms my sense of her work as organic, elemental and original. For me, her series of faces are endlessly fascinating and filled with personality, charm, and just the right amount of quirkiness. One day I hope to meet Lynne in person. It might happen during this book tour but if it doesn't, I will patiently wait to see the face behind the faces in person.


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This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.
NEW YORK — Sesame Workshop says Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash has resigned from "Sesame Street" in the wake of allegations that he had sex with an under-aged youth.
Last week a man accused Clash of having sex with him when he was a teenage boy, a charge Clash denied. A day later, the man recanted his charge. A lawsuit by a second accuser was filed Tuesday, according to attorney Cecil Singleton.
Sesame Workshop called the controversy surrounding Clash's personal life "a distraction that none of us want" and led to his decision to leave the show.
Clash created the voice and persona for Elmo, who has become one of "Sesame Street's" most popular characters.