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Celebrating illustration, design, cartoon and comic art of the mid-20th century.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
NORMAN ROCKWELL'S ILLUSTRATIONS FOR THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN Comments by Tom Watson
Four years after Norman Rockwell illustrated "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" written by Mark Twain, he illustrated "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", also written by Mark Twain and published by The Heritage Press in 1940. The following scans are directly from the pages of my original edition collection. I grew up seeing reproductions of Norman Rockwell illustrations in magazine ads, story illustrations, calendars, posters, a book on his life, both Mark Twain books and of course his Saturday Evening Post covers. His drawings and paintings were the major source of inspiration and influence on my early desire to be an illustrator. The illustrations below represent some of my favorite Norman Rockwell illustrations, and this is how I see them.
Illustration #1.
Norman Rockwell often used a more or less monochromatic color scheme (one major overall tone) for both his Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn illustrations, adding accents of bright color in key locations.. and this illustration is no exception. Using oil paint on canvas, it appears Rockwell first stained his canvas with a yellow ochre or perhaps a raw sienna tone, letting it show through his thick over painting.. especially along the bottom edge. Establishing the overall warm amber and golden tones of the finished painting. He then allowed his brushstrokes to show where he loosely applied thicker paint. He resolved the character and enough detail of the two figures, but let the rest of the painting be more loose and suggestive.
Huck tentatively enters his own bedroom, as his estranged father arrogantly awaits Huck's arrival in a "confrontational mood".
Rockwell shows a strong sense of depth through his composition.. the bed spread, the carpet and the floor boards lead our eye toward the two figures. The door and hat on the floor stop our eye on the right side, and the bedpost and diagonal ceiling stop our eye on the left side, directing our attention to the two figures. Rockwell was very clever at using props that greatly helped develop the composition and color accents, as well as create authenticity and interest.. like the round table with books, paper and candlestick, and the hand quilted bedspread. The hat on the floor and the book were mentioned in the story, but Rockwell chose where they would be placed to in the composition. Rockwell mentioned in his book "My Adventures As An Illustrator", that illustrating Mark Twain's stories were relatively easy for him, because Twain was very descriptive. This well connected and strongly organized composition leads us from the red book and the table top, up the candle holder to the bedspread, up the bed post and over to Huck's father, who is also visually connected to Huck. We then follow the door down to the hat, which has a hint of a red feather (another color accent) in the band.
And then, almost as an exclamation point, Rockwell signs his initials below the hat, ending a nearly complete circle.
Every element of the painting, including the shadow and light pattern from the candle, is carefully planned and executed to create a strong visual story telling painting. Even the white framed rectangle on the wall helps contain Huck's father's head. The attitude and character of his father, slouched in the chair in a casual manner, is typical of Rockwell's attention to attitude and gesture of his subjects. Rockwell always fleshed out the essence of the reality of his characters.
Illustration #2
Almost every element and line in this composition is vertical, emphasizing the vertical direction of the page. With a similar approach as the first illustration, we look into a door opening at the center of interest. The light colored door on the left, and the door frame with a small portion of the wall on the right, isolate the two figures in contrasting dark tones inside the closet.
Rockwell effectively adds a white cat, curiously peering into the closet, with his tail curled around and pointing back towards the subject. He used dogs and cats, not only to add authenticity and charm, but as important design elements. The cat also compliments the profiles of the two figures, and gives an added touch of humor to the scene.
Rockwell had a motive for every choice he made in his illustrations, and applied intellectual logic to create his well thought out compositions. The strong diagonal lines in the carpet relieve the vertical and horizontal lines of the door, molding and wall. And, also helps direct our eye toward the two figures in the closet. The play of geometric (architectural straight lines) and organic (curved freeform) shapes are quite evident in this illustration. Notice the subtle decorative wallpaper design.
Again, he used a simple limited color scheme, blues and greens with a few soft complimentary red accents. A touch of white describes Huck's shirt, and to a lesser degree his socks, and the woman's sleeve and collar.
A life long student of the art of picture making, Rockwell used many effects he studied from the great old masters in museums. After the 1940's, he was accused by some critics and artists alike, as being old fashioned and not "inventive" or "creative enough". I smile when I witness the immense popularity, understanding and appreciation of his work today.. while virtually all those early critics have vanished with little trace.
* Tom Watson is a retired West Coast illustrator, art director and educator. He has been a frequent contributor to Today's Inspiration and his storyboard work for film was a subject of a post on my other blog, Storyboard Central.
This week's images are © MBI/Heritage Press, 1940 and are used with the permission of the Norman Rockwell Museum. This past summer the museum featured the grand opening of a traveling exhibition, American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell.
Stephanie Plunkett, Chief Curator of the Museum would like readers to know that the Museum does travel an exhibition of signed lithographic prints from the Tom and Huck series to other museums and cultural centers. Stephanie writes, "We do have two upcoming bookings for that exhibition that are listed below, so perhaps your readers will have the opportunity to visit if they live in the region."
Here is the information about the traveling exhibition:
Norman Rockwell's Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn
Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale-Davie, Florida
November 14, 2009 through January 29, 2010
Averitt Center for the Arts, Statesboro, Georgia
March 12, 2010 through May 7, 2010
"It also might be interesting to note that the original paintings for the series are in the collection of the Mark Twain Museum in Hannibal, Missouri. The originals are beautiful. A study from the series will be on view in our upcoming exhibition, Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera, which opens on November 7, 2009."
6 comments:
Thank you for sharing this post. I really enjoy Norman Rockwells work but did not think about the details...interesting and so beautiful...sharonReplyDelete
Anyone who is anywhere in the East coast area - RUN, do NOT walk, DRIVE at top speed - to the Rockwell museum in Stockbridge, Mass. Seeing the originals will CHANGE YOUR LIFE, artist or not. All the recent hoo haa about the 100 things to do before you die- this is one of them. And when your done there, go to Boston for Sargent and Abbey, and then to Chadds' ford for the Wyeths, and then Wilmington for Pyle. All doable in a few days vacation!!ReplyDelete
- Rich2:07 PM
These are two outstanding examples of Rockwell's work. He really rocks well.ReplyDelete
Thanks for the show and your eloquent canvas or canvass.
Sharon, I'm glad you enjoy his work for its beauty. It's easy to overlook the core of why his illustrations are so solid, which makes them visually work so well. With all the books out on him, most focus more on his relationship to American social trends, and much speculation on what he was really trying to communicate to the viewer, etc. Unfortunately, the real merit of his work kinda gets lost in all the psycho babble.ReplyDelete
Scott, I couldn't agree more. Seeing originals by these great illustrators and fine artists is a breathtaking experience, and worth the time effort and expense. For those that have never been to these places, it will "blow your socks off"!.. as it did me. Watching them work on a painting, from start to finish, is my secret fantasy. ;-)
Tom Watson
Rich, more excellent Rockwell illos to come.. eight total for the Huck Finn novel.ReplyDelete
What to do when you got a rejection mail? Here is https://paper-writer.org/blog/rejection-email a few tips from me.ReplyDelete


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We will get to Gwyneth in a minute. Of course, she'll have her own dedicated article. This article however is about Robert Downey Jr, and, more specifically, RDJ, his wife Susan, and their cinematic mirror, Pepperony.
But first... look at this badass arriving in a Stark Audi at the Hollywood premiere of Iron Man 3 last night. He seems almost... relieved, non? It's been 6 years of Iron Man for him. And an extensive press tour. It's almost like he's ready to let it go for a while. They say he'll be back for The Avengers 2. And he would have to be because how could it be the same? But he's been hinting that that's it for him. His contract with Marvel expires after this movie. That could obviously be a big money play. It could however also be, as he told GQ, a desire to explore a different kind of filmmaking. It might be time to see him in a non-franchise film.
Enjoy it while you can then. I already saw Iron Man 3 at the junket last weekend. And I plan to see it again when it's released in North America on May 3. Totally for Tony and Pepper. It's not just me. Shane Black and RDJ have both said that the relationship between Tony and Pepper is the heart of the story. And many people have already noted that Iron Man is, at least, partly autobiographical. The similarities between Tony and RDJ are undeniable. In real life, RDJ has acknowledged that it's all been Susan. That Susan is everything. And so in moving ahead with Tony Stark's narrative, he insisted that that be reflected in Pepper Potts. Pepper is Tony's motivation now. Susan saved RDJ. Pepper saves Tony. (This is not a spoiler as you see it in the trailer when she puts on the suit.) There is no Tony without Pepper now. There Is No Tony Without Pepper. It's why RDJ wanted Pepper to have a part in The Avengers. If there's no RDJ without Susan, how could there be a Tony and not be a Pepper? And what happens if Tony doesn't have Pepper? Look at this.
G's the work wife, see? And, you know, she really doesn't get enough credit for what she brings to Pepper. RDJ and Tony Stark are so overwhelming, it would be easy to disappear underneath all that charisma. And she doesn't. Their chemistry is one of the strongest features of this movie, of all the Iron Man movies, actually. OMG, Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts might be irreplaceable too.
Pepperony and the Downeys forever. I need a t-shirt for this.


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News & Notes: Game 102
Follow the Herd:
Listen to the Game Live: CLICK HERE!
Bisons Baseball Network: CLICK HERE!
Email the Broadcast Team: CLICK HERE!
Everything about the Herd: CLICK HERE!
Get to a Bisons Game: CLICK HERE!
TODAY'S GAME: Tonight, the Buffalo Bisons face the Pawtucket Red Sox in the final game of a four-game series at Coca-Cola Field (7:35 p.m.). The Herd has taken the first three games of the series (2-1, 3-0, 4-1), and would collect their first four-game series sweep of the season with a win tonight. The Bisons have now won five of their last six games. After tonight's series finale, Buffalo heads to Ohio for an eight-game trip in Toledo and Columbus.
vs. THE RED SOX: The Bisons are now 7-6 against Pawtucket this year. The Herd has won the last five games against the PawSox, having only allowed three total runs in this streak of wins. Buffalo swept a two-game set in Pawtucket, July 9-10 (3-1, 1-0) and leads 3-0 in this current four-game series. The Bisons have a .534 winning pct against the PawSox since 1998 (101-88).
THE HITS KEEP COMING: OF Jesus Feliciano enters tonight's game on a seven-game hit streak, averaging .357 (10-28) since July 24. The outfielder has been great this month, with a .333 (34-102) average in 26 games. The Bisons slugger is 5th in the IL in batting (.312) and 4th in the league in total hits (109).
TOBI LIVE: RHP Tobi Stoner gets the start tonight. The Triple-A rookie was dominating his last time out. On Sunday in Indianapolis, Stoner allowed just one run on four hits in a season-high eight innings of work. The righty also fanned a season-high eight batters and did not issue a walk.
PITCHING STAFF ON A ROLL: The Bisons' pitching staff has really excelled recently. The team has posted a stellar 1.62ERA in its last nine games, helping the team to a 6-3 record since July 22. Herd hurlers have allowed just 14 earned runs in their last 78.0 innings of work and now have the 5th lowest team ERA in the International League (3.71). The group has only walked nine batters while striking out 63 in the nine-game stretch.
McNAB'N VICTORIES: RHP Tim McNab enters today's game with a 12.2 consecutive scoreless innings streak. The stretch is the longest on the year for a Bisons reliever. He also leads the bullpen with five wins, the fifth coming yesterday with 1.1 innings of relief. McNab is now 5-2 with an impressive 1.90ERA in 42.2 innings of work with the Bisons for the season.


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Photographer "Luis Santana" Thats Suing Chris Brown & Rihanna Speaks Out On Orlando and the Freakshow Radio [Audio]
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2012-06-25: Information Station Column
Be on the lookout for signs popping up around the neighborhood! That's right – it's not time to campaign but you will still see yard signs popping up around Sioux Center. These are signs for STAR READERS! Every reader in our summer reading program that fills up their reading log (app. 12 hours of reading) will get to take a sign home to put in their lawn! We are excited to see Sioux Center fill up with star readers! Children can lose up to 2 months of their reading achievement by taking a break over the summer and we are here to make sure kids keep reading and keep those skills up! So be on the lookout for our Star Readers!
We are so excited to let you know that our library is now offering Mango languages. Here is a great way to learn a new language or brush up on an old one! Mango languages offers more than 40 foreign language courses and 16 English as a Second Language courses. You can take in depth courses or just learn some conversational skills – both come with pronunciation tips and interactive content. To access it, just go to our homepage and click on the link – there are also iphone and android apps available as well! Just one more way your library can help you be a better you!
Book Review:
Emma Donoghue has written Room, a haunting fiction tale that is like nothing I have ever read. It is the story of Jack, a five year old boy, that is being kept in an 11 x 11 foot room with his mother – against their wills. Their captor has created this tiny room for them and only gives them weekly rations of food and necessary clothes, etc. Wow – does this ever make you think – not only how you would survive – how they DID survive – but it broaches questions like "What would you be like when you did get out?" or "What is ok to survive?" I thought the book was very readable – I could hardly put it down and that's saying something since we were even on vacation! I thought the characters were strong – you honestly feel sometimes like you are right inside Jack's little 5-year-old mind. And yet you feel so strongly for his mom as well – she is all Jack has and she does the best she can with her limited resources. It is quite a psychological read – I would highly recommend it!


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This year instead of making all the typical New Year's promises to myself about diet and exercise, I decided to do three simple things to make my life better: Read, Play, and Drink. It's sort of like the novel Eat, Pray, Love, but without all the travel.
1.Read.To those who know me, this may seem like an odd resolution, because I pretty much have a book going at all times. Typically, more than one. But not long ago I realized that I was reading more and more books that are work-related and fewer books simply for pleasure. I resolved to change that this year, and I've loaded my To-Be-Read Pile with a ton of titles that are purely for fun.
So far, I'm loving this resolution. Amazing how much time I can find to read when I'm actually looking forward to the story! I've already read half a dozen books since January 1. My favorite so far is the brand-new one by Robert Crais, Suspect. This story features two wounded protagonists: an injured LAPD police officer and a German shepherd that was hurt in combat in Afghanistan. This story roped me in on page one, and I recommend it to anyone who likes suspense, especially if you happen to be a dog lover.
2. Play. My second resolution is to play. With my family, that is. As our lives get busier and busier, I am finding less time to simply hang out and enjoy my family's company. It seems like we are constantly rushing around everywhere, scarfing down meals before soccer practice, racing to finish homework, hustling out the door. This year I vowed to make more time to put work aside and simply "hang" with everyone. I'm loving this resolution, too. The other night, in the midst of a crazy deadline, I spent an hour sitting on the floor in my den playing Legos with my daughter. It was so fun! Legos are good for the soul.
3. Drink. This is on the advice of my doctor. Last time I visited him, he advised me to drink water like crazy. So I am. I have never been one of those dutiful eight-glasses-a-day people. I'm more the guzzle-caffeine-and-diet-soda-all-day person. But I'm making an effort to drink water now, and I've been amazed how something so simple could make a difference in how I feel. Do you drink enough water? Try it and see what you think.
Did you make any unusual resolutions this year? Have any 2013 book recommendations to share? If so, I'd love to hear it!


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As noted in an earlier post 'Fat Duck and Little Chef', gastroboffin (and direct descendant of Dr Bunsen Honeydew) Heston Blumenthal was roped in to boost the ailing fortunes of the Little Chef chain of eateries. Now The Good Food Guide has acknowledged his effort by including the Popham branch in the 2010 edition.
Awarded a magnificent two out of 10 (for Good Food, which is a relief given the context), the apparently popular Popham site gained plaudits from punters according to this BBC article.
Having just returned from a smashing holiday weekend on the Kent coast, and having broken our fast at one of the 180 Little Chef emporia spotted about the UK on the way back, I am pleased to relate that, as in my previous report, most of the rest of the UK can still enjoy white bread toast and fried produce prepared au plaque en fonte, and precious little else for your free lolly.
We also had the novelty of the chef (approximately 15 years old) bring the food which the waitress/manageress (maybe thrice her lackey's age) had had to go and help to prepare… The lady in charge was actually really sweet and funny, muttering something (half to herself) after I had paid and collected the three free lollies, about 'going to see what the kids were doing' as she stalked off towards the kitchen.
Meanwhile, 'The Sound of the Lay-by' drifts inexorably towards York and Kettering West, where it is noted that a minimum of 35 local jobs may be created. Imagine that as a business plan, employing people in your restaurants so there was more than one person to do everything. Astounding.
If Little Chef keep this dizzying recruitment process up, we may just be able to do something about this dangfarn unemployment rise after all!
(That link is a pdf, btw… go here if you want it explained in Grauniad speak why we'll all be marathon dancing by Christmas).


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Property transactions
Joshua M. and Christina M. Greenhoe to Thomas M. and Kristin A. Grimes, 1153 Foxchase Ridge, Foxcroft, $295,000.
Jessie C. Somers to Joseph N. and Dolly H. Purvis, 1242 Gazebo Court, Branchlands, $179,900.
Haunted Hollow LLC to Jeffrey C. Thomas, 5.416 acres at 3405 Haunted Hollow Road, $20,000.
William L. and Deborah Angel to Ina E. Arnold, 1 Ridgeview Circle, Mill Creek, $151,800.
David E. Dresner and Nancy Kozlowski to Lindsay and Wendy J. Ellis, 79.23 acres on State Route 640, $280,000.
Vladimir F. and Galina V. Yamshchikov to Gregory and Tracy Turk, 2065 Tavernor Lane, Forest Lakes, $259,900.
John Q. Wagner to Joseph H. and Diane S. Cobb, six parcels at Lake Albemarle, $30,500.
Canterbury Building Co. to Steven W. Bullock, 2.004 acres at 1704 Lindsay Road, Gordonsville, $138,000.
David N. Mitchell to Nancy L. Mitchell and Walter C. Morris II, 2.01 acres at 376 Bluebird Lane, $225,000.
Deborah M. and Bruce E. Prum Jr. to Richard P. and Judith R. Warner, 103 Bennington Court, Hessian Hills, $281,900.
Alan J. and Daisy McTeague to Joan Rudel, unit in Brookmill condominiums, 593 Pebblecreek Court, $177,900.
James H. Wood to Lisa H. Atwell, 5.0 acres on State Route 719, $45,000.
Joseph C. and Sue A. Driscoll to Panteleimon Oikonomides, 1246 Clifden Green, RiverRun, $144,000.
William D. Tucker IV to Michael Paschall, 1210 Chatham Ridge Road, RiverRun, $87,650.
Ralph C. and Florence M. Steger to John H. Knight Jr., 1512 Lake Forest Drive, Four Seasons, $237,500.
Dirk Stevens and Saskis Cremers to John C. and Tracey V. Hill, 192 Blackthorn Lane, $245,000.
Bruce E. Alayof to Eugene and Angelia Baime, 2126 Timber Pointe Road, Forest Lakes, $205,000.
John G. Desmond, Trustee, Belvedere Station Land Trust, to Alfred A. and Mary Elizabeth Norelli, 2247 Shepherds Ridge Road, Dunlora, $287,300.
GGB Corp. to John A. and Catherine C. Kern, 1440 Plains Drive, Church Hill West, $965,000.
Barry Meade homes LLC to James E. and Jennifer S. Igo, 506 Rolling Valley Court, Foxcroft, $268,013.
Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge to Pantops Group LLC, 2.63 acres on Pantops Mountain, $1,150,000.
Sallie M. Motch to Jack G. Steinberg and Theresa A. McClanahan-Steinberg, 4.687 acres at 210 Campbell Road, Keswick, $495,000.
Mary C. Grilli to Nicholas S. Waters, 202 Westbrook Place, Woodbrook, $262,000.
RJR LC to Redlands LLC, parcel in Highlands at Mechum's River, $65,000.
Redlands LLC to M. Gabrielle Hall, parcel in Highlands at Mechum's River, $274,723.
Michael A. and Cindy C. Sheffield to Felipe C. Mendoza, 3000 Proffit Road, Jefferson Village, $199,000.
Patricia H. Werhane to Robert E. and Ivy F. Weitzner, 1.630 acres at 104 Falcon Drive, Colthurst Farm, $530,000.
Carolyn D. Smullen to Wallace M. Forloines, 1019 Amber Ridge Road, Highlands at Mechum's River, $196,000.
Stephanie D. Debruhl to M. Julia Kelly, parcel in Four Seasons, $107,000.
Timothy M. and Jennifer E. Tisler to James T. and Thelma M. Belcik, 312 Leaping Fox Lane, Foxcroft, $267,000.
Rin Ran Associates to Jeffrey Carleton, 3596 and 3544 Rin-Ran Farm Road, Esmont, $2,100,000.
Edward T. and Suzanne D'Elicio to BL Ventures Inc., 3028 Proffit Road, $192,000.
Rosemary Tyler et al. to Clark and Erin Nesbit, 926 Henry Avenue, $130,000.
John T. and Helen S. Laury to Anne E. Albright, 305 Second Street NW, unit C, McGuffey Hill condominiums, $415,000.
Keith Woodard to Camden Plaza, 304 14th Street NW, no price given.
Maura Duffy to Matthew W. Shields, 803 Bolling Avenue, $172,000.
Alan and Ashley P. Zapata to Bernard L. Seward Jr., 112 Locust Lane Court, $218,833.
Craig Littlepage et al., Trustees of Mount Zion Baptist Church, to Main Street Associates, 105 Ridge Street, $500,000.
Fannie E. and Mitchell J. Williams Sr. to Mitchell J. Williams Jr., 621 Booker Street, gift.
Christopher P. and Melissa Burtner to Sarah L. Peale, 513 Avon Street, $255,000.
Carroll S. Leathers to Paul H. and Nancy T. Blaney, 915 King Street, $165,000.
John D., John W., and Jeanne A. Collier to Betty L. McClanahan, 210 Fifth Street SW, $78,000.
Charlotte E. Biern to Christopher E. and Rose B. Keane, 1625 Greenleaf Lane, $196,000.
Steven E. and Renae A. Kavlock to Julie I. and Stephen T. Basic III, 106 Village Court, $190,000.
William L. and Kristie L. Bader to Sean L. Barnes, 10 Waterbury Court, $154,600.
R. Wayne Thomas and Mary A. Durrer to Great Point LLC, 705 Graves Street, $175,000.
Craig D. and Natalie M. McClain to Robert J. and Krista L. Schneider, 1704 Cherry Avenue, $165,000.
Allen A. Baidley to Robert Sack, unit in Lewis & Clark condominiums, 250 W. Main Street, $200,000.
Keamer B. Wetzel to Scott McCool and Samara Landers, 2720 McElroy Drive, $180,000.
John F. McVea and Laura C. Dunham to Noreen and Thomas W. Fruscello Jr., 945 Rosser Lane, $377,000.
John and Donna M. Coogan to Thomas G. Selinger, 1039 Fifth Street SW, $78,000.
Terry W. and Nancy E. Sisk to Andrew Boninti et al., 612 Wine Cellar Circle, $150,000.
Petar and Danica Dobric to Geraldine R. Henderson, unit in Charlottesville Towers condominiums, 511 N. First Street, $96,000.
Daniel J. Miller to Ronald P. Reyes, 2223 Greenbrier Drive, $239,000.
Kristen T. and James H. Corvan III to Michael and Amalie S. Durdeyn, 102 Peterson Place, $389,000.
Robert L. Porter and Leslie P. Rittenberg to Linda Noble, 701 Highland Avenue, $181,500.
Ernest P. and Melissa M. Richardson to Petar and Danica Dobric, 1204 Holmes Avenue, $184,000.
Matthew Dawson to Andrew B. Shurtleff, 775 Ridge Street, $167,500.
John C. and Amy A. Paschold to Ilona O. Kastenhofer, 107 Amherst Commons, $291,000.
James D. East to Peyton Tochterman, 1104 Sycamore Street, $180,000.
DTMP LLC to Keith Woodard, 101, 105, 107, 111 East Main Street and two lots on East Market Street, $1,800,000.
Martin and Raynor, Substitute Trustees, to ZeMac Properties LLC, 1231 Agnese Street, $164,000.
Brian Bouton to Brian Bouton and Maryann S. Sobhany, 1527 Oxford Road, gift.
Nancy E. Carter and Norma J. Bailey to Overlook Ventures LLC, 1155 Kensington Avenue, $266,000.
Pangean Properties LLC to Capstone Properties LLC, 936 Henry Avenue, $79,900.
William G. Baldwin to Scott E. Abbott, 1231 River Vista Avenue, $145,000.
Avon Street LLC to James W. Walker II, 401 Avon Street, $430,000.
Catherine H. Graves to Bozana, Panto, and Anja Cetic, 401 Fairway Avenue, $143,000.
Lenwood A. and Ida B. Johnson to Jack F. and Margaret S. Thompson, 301 Old Lynchburg Road, $175,900.
Ellen Inez Drakeford to Joseph Mallory, 315 Six and l/2 Street NW, $75,000.
Daniel J. McGarry to Paul M. Madden, 210 Sixth Street NW, $247,500.
Shawn H. Schooling to Katherine Kelly, 2607 Jefferson Park Avenue, pursuant to separation agreement.
Katherine Kelly to Katherine Kelly and William K. Williams, 2607 Jefferson Park Avenue, gift.
Jane K. Riew to Ralph and Phyllis P. Feil and Peri S. Wentworth and Bethany W. Feil, 1403 Hazel Street, $185,500.
R. L. Beyer Construction Inc. to Peter L. and Kathleen J. Rodriguez, 103 Kelsey Court, $339,900.
Larry R. and Lynne J. Pilot to Stephanie K. and James K. Herndon Jr., unit in Jefferson Park condominiums, 1910 Jefferson Park Avenue, $104,000.
Gary W. and Eileen Gallagher to Gary W. Gallagher, 2033 Hessian Road, Medowbrook Hills, pursuant to separation agreement.
Laura L. Settle to Milton and Esther M. Mozie, 315 Six & l/2 Street SW, $175,000.
Bank of America and Eunice M. Jackson to Cyndra Flynn, Trustee, 410 Seven & l/2 Street SW, $80,000.
William M. and Kelley Hunt to Michael J. and Karin M. Dunn, 201 Palatine Avenue, $185,000.
Marjorie D. Williams to John and Amanda Worozbyt, 1114 Sherwood Road, $195,000.
Maurice J. and Elizabeth D. Noelle Davis to Gregory W. and Mary E. Roberts, two lots at 907 Martin Street, $269,500.
Priscilla P. and F. Wyatt Shields III to Trienet P. Coggeshall, 1804 Chesapeake Street, $287,500.
Bruce R. and Susan M. H. Shifflett to Kalina L. Tanner, 410 Arbor Circle, $122,300.
W. Scott and Caroline C. Megahan to Heather Clements, 1706 E. Market Street, $118,300.
Ronald G. and Libby J. Woodson to Susan Lee Schiffer, 709 Nalle Street, $130,000.
Andrew P. and Avril V. Somlyo to Carol F. Innes, condominium unit in Queen Charlotte Square, 225 East Jefferson Street, $280,000.
Rebecca Baird and Dedris Brill to Thayer A. Reback, 1341 Chesapeake Street, $155,000.
David G. Wiesler and Julia W. McCrae to Adam P. and Rebecca P. Peters, 1008 Glendale Road, $181,500.
Glenda F. and David E. Walton to Kevin P. and Amber Lynn Rowland, 1320 Hampton Street, $139,900.
Elizabeth W. Saft to Christie K. Lee, 1108 Welford Street, $295,000.
Hilary M. Alger and Chris W. Sanchirico to Henry F. and Mary W. Oakey, 1801 Rugby Place, $425,000.
Page Street LLC to Allyson N. Crawford, 1117 Page Street, $127,950.
Mary L. and Theodore M. Early Jr. to Richard J. Brewer Jr. and Denise Y. Lunsford, 708 St. Charles Avenue, $80,000.
John J. and Donna M. Coogan to Gloria R. Walker, 1017 Fifth Street SW, $80,000.
Rin Ran Associates to Jeffrey Carleton, 3596 and 3544 Rin-Ran Farm Road, Esmont, $2,100,000.


text:
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text: Check the image I attached above. I need to design a different logo. But need to draw it like this one because both the logos will be placed together (they need to match). So, anyone know how to draw the smooth line which is small in some places and large in others? How to add that effect? Im using Illustrator CS5.


text:
Visit Our Sites
A Sacramento County Superior Court judge heard arguments last week about what legal remedies should be imposed on the agency responsible for planning and construction of the California high-speed rail project for violating funding and environmental requirements of Proposition 1A, the rail bond measure approved by voters in 2008.
In a case brought by Kings County farmer John Tos, Hanford landowner Aaron Fukuda and Kings County officials, Judge Michael Kenny previously determined the California High-Speed Rail Authority "abused its discretion by approving a funding plan that did not comply with requirements of the law." Plaintiffs argued before the judge last Friday about whether to bar the rail authority from spending or committing any state bond funds for construction until the agency has complied with Proposition 1A.
One of the plaintiffs' attorneys, Stuart Flashman of Oakland, argued that construction contracts approved by the authority commit bond funds without a proper funding plan, which violates a requirement under Proposition 1A.
"An obligation is an obligation," Flashman said. "These are commitments that have been made. They have been obligated and committed."
On behalf of the authority, Supervising Deputy Attorney General Michele Inan argued that it has not spent any state bond money for construction and that otherwise it has so far used only federal funds not subject to the bond requirements. She added that obligating state funds for future use does not mean the funds have been spent, and therefore does not violate the bond measure at this time.
Flashman responded that the committing of funds obligates the authority to pay.
"When you find yourself in a hole, it is time to stop digging, and the authority doesn't seem to understand that," Flashman said. "The problem is that the authority has committed bond funds improperly. Those are violations because they haven't done a funding plan."
After hearing arguments from both sides, Kenny took the case under submission for a later ruling.
Doug Verboon, chairman of the Kings County Board of Supervisors and a walnut grower, attended the court hearing and said, "It is hard to say what the judge is going to do.
"It seems to me if you sign a contract to do some work, you are obligated," Verboon said.
Tos, who said he would like Kenny to place an injunction on the high-speed rail project and let voters decide its fate on the ballot in 2014, said, "This is typical of what's been going on for the past three or four years. The authority pays no attention to what they've been mandated to do. Whatever they want to do, they do."
In another development, the authority has recommended its preferred route for the Fresno-to-Bakersfield section of the project. Known as "Hanford East," the 114-mile segment would travel east of the city of Hanford. Previously, authority officials had recommended a route traveling west of Hanford. The authority noted last week that the route was revised in part to avoid planned development west of Hanford.
But Fukuda, chairman of the grassroots organization Citizens for California High-Speed Rail Accountability, described the eastern route as just as damaging to farmland and the community as the previous route.
"This new route is no different than the western alignment for our community. Nothing changed from the day after or the day before (the new alignment was announced)," Fukuda said. "They gave us two bad alignments and expected us to choose."
Opponents of high-speed rail in Kings County say they would have preferred for the rail system to remain on existing transportation corridors, such as Interstate 5 or Highway 99.
Meanwhile, on another portion of the new Fresno-to-Bakersfield alignment the authority decided to table a proposed Wasco-Shafter Bypass concept in Kern County. Instead, the track would follow the existing Burlington Northern/Santa Fe railroad right-of-way. This new alignment, which agricultural representatives in the Wasco-Shafter area prefer, was selected, at least in part, to avoid impacts to a new oil-well field along the formerly proposed bypass.
To the north, land acquisition is beginning for the Merced-to-Fresno section of the high-speed rail project.
Madera County Farm Bureau Executive Director Anja Raudabaugh said she is aware so far of only one purchase offer made to an agricultural landowner in Madera County, and that the offer had been rejected.
As a resource for landowners with property along the proposed alignment of the rail line, the California Farm Bureau Federation has posted on its website detailed information about the eminent-domain land acquisition process, as well as information on the tax implications of eminent-domain takings. To find the information, see the Issues and Regulations page at www.cfbf.com/issues/index.cfm and look for the Eminent Domain subheading.
(Christine Souza is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at email@example.com.)
Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau Federation when reprinting this item.


text:
Beautiful chapter image by aconite @ tda :D
My mother told me many things as a child: "Don't touch this Spencer," "Don't do that Spencer," "Don't put that in your mouth, Spencer," – the list went on and on. And it worked. I didn't touch anything without being previously permitted to do so; I didn't do anything without looking to her for permission; and I didn't eat anything that wasn't served to me for a meal. Because believe it or not, I wasn't always like this. I was actually an extremely well behaved, quiet kid, conditioned into tranquility and obedience until the age of seven when I finally mustered the nerve to defy my mother and taste Play-Doh for the first time. And that was it for me; I was a goner – a very wild, spastic goner. I mean, if you really think about it, Play-Doh ruined my life. I could have been normal. I could have been a Non Word Vomit Extraordinaire.
I call it bad genetics but my Grandmum likes to claim this major turning point in my life to be a result of my parents' divorce, and thus being completely my mother's fault. Since, you know, she was the one that filed the divorce in the first place. But then again, it's not like my mania wasn't entirely inevitable. I mean, have you met my parents?
But anywho, law, basic etiquette, rules, social conduct – I was taught all of those things. And then that year, when I was seven, I swiftly forgot it all in an average of 11.94 seconds with one taste of a non-toxic modeling compound. But sometimes, sometimes, these rules will randomly come back to me – usually, that is, when I'm breaking one of them. Which is most of the time – so not that randomly at all, actually.
For example, I was doing it right now, right in the middle of this dingy, no-name coffee shop. And I was in too much awe to even care.
You see, my mum always told me that it was rude to point.
And I suppose then that in that very moment I was, like, rude to the max because that was literally all that I could do.
With a wild look in my eye, I pointed my index finger accusingly at James, my mouth opening and closing as I spluttered complete and utter nonsense. I just couldn't believe it.
Wizard, he'd said. My boyfriend was a wizard. Wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard wizard. I couldn't get it out of my head. And it was driving me positively mad.
And James. He was staring at me, eyes just as wide as my own and his lips slightly parted. Then he swallowed hard, as if there was something in his throat, but remained otherwise silent, his breathing a bit on the heavy side.
I wanted him to say something; I wanted to say something. But nothing seemed to come out – I knew I had to though. His eyes…they were practically pleading me to speak.
"James," I finally gasped out, half out of my seat and still pointing. "James, I – " I cut myself off, unsure of where I was even going with that statement. I tried again, "You," – My eyes widened further if that was even possible – "You – you…you."
I shut my mouth. For the first time in my entire career as a Word Vomit Extraordinaire, I, Spencer Olive Lockwood, could not speak. I just couldn't. Plain and simple. It was almost as if I was in shock – catatonic or something. So I continued doing the only thing that I seemed remotely capable of at the moment: pointing. Rudely and unabashedly, I might add.
If only my mum could see me now.
The following moment was unbearably quiet despite the low murmurings of chitchat from the other occupants of the shop and the hum of music from the speakerphones on the ceiling. I was debating whether or not I should take another stab at, you know, actually speaking. Cuz, you know, normally I'm so good at that and all. Except, I didn't really get that far because before I could open my mouth, James was grabbing me by the hand and pulling me to my feet.
I was still too dazed to even ask where we were going as he pulled me along, but it didn't seem like he really knew either; we initially started towards the door but then he stopped and changed course when he saw that a bunch of baked hipsters were blocking the exit.
Before I knew it, he was dragging me into the loo.
Yes. I know. The loo.
It was then as James was hastily locking the door that my vocal chords decided to finally work. "James!" I objected, utterly scandalized as my cheeks bloomed a rather embarrassing shade of red. He stooped down to my eye level, running a hand through his hair, but I avoided his gaze, my face getting redder and redder by the second. "W-we can't be in the loo together!"
"Look at me, Spencer, just look at me, will you? Listen, I –"
But once I had opened my mouth, I couldn't seem to close it.
"Are you bleeding mad, dragging me in here?" My eyes were wide, scanning the chipped and grimed tiles of the restroom that seemed to shrink as the seconds passed, my breathing borderline hysterical as the fear of small spaces that I didn't have washed over me.
I mean, James and I were in there. Together. And otherwise alone. In the loo. Together. Very, very alone and very, very together. Like, just think of the implications.
James rolled his eyes. "It's just the loo. Now c'mon, would you calm down and listen, I –"
"I mean, there were loads of people out there."
James grabbed ahold of my shoulders. "Spencer, listen to me –"
It didn't hurt or anything but his touch made me all tingly and all the more nervous and panicky, more aware of the fact that we were both, you know, alone and together in the loo. And of what couples that fancy each other something crazy usually do when they're alone and together in the loo. And just the mere thought of that made me blush. "And – and – and what if one of 'em old harpies knows my mum and says something to her –?"
"Spencer!" He clamped a hand over my mouth, his other hand still clasping my upper arm. "Would you forget about all that? Look at me. Please."
My gaze reluctantly left the off-white porcelain of the sink to look into James' intense brown eyes. I swallowed hard. Slowly, he removed his hand from my face and took a step back so that there was at least half a meter of space between us.
"Well?" he demanded. He reminded me a bit of an oversized little kid as he stood there waiting for me to say something, his hands shoved deep into his pockets and his posture less than perfect.
I cleared my throat. "Well what?"
"Well, what do you think?"
I stared at him motionless for a moment. I couldn't stall anymore. While I was legitimately self-conscious about our currently location, I knew it shouldn't have been the first thing on my mind. And now that it wasn't anymore, my thoughts were racing again – as they had been before we left our table. I felt almost lightheaded, as if the room were spinning. "You – you're a – a – you're a –" I stopped, almost unsure. I mean, what if I had heard him wrong? Misunderstood? This had to be a mistake – or at least a joke. I mean, seriously.
James nodded at me encouragingly. "I'm a –?" he prompted.
I took a deep breath. There was only one way to find out, I guess. "A w-wizard."
He nodded slowly. "Yeah."
"As in a person who can do…who can do magic."
"Yeah." He paused and then added, "Loads of it, actually."
If it weren't so unsanitary, I probably would have keeled over right there on the loo floor. I mean, were we really talking about this? I knew that James was a "Non-Muggle" or whatever after all the conversations we'd had; I mean, I had theorized over what that could mean for hours, coming up with the most absurd ideas. But to actually know? Well, it all just seemed so far out, so ridiculous. It just wasn't possible. All my life I had heard stories about this sort of thing from my dad, watched fantasy and science fiction shows on the telly with him, but that was all make believe. I knew that. I had watched my dad waste his whole life on the private hope that it was all within his reach, more than a far away dream.
But I knew better than that.
Biting my lip, I shook my head. "There's no such thing," I whispered.
James didn't actually speak, but his eyes said it all, 'I think you and I both know that isn't true.'
I tried to swallow but found that I couldn't; my tongue kind of felt like it was too big for my mouth. "So you've got a wand and everything?" It wasn't exactly a question.
He allowed himself a small smile. "Yeah. Yeah, I do."
I couldn't help it, I laughed. Throwing my hands up in the air, I let out the laugh of a mad woman who had finally escaped her confinements. "This is insane! You – you can't be a – a...that! This can't be real…"
James took a step forward, completely eliminated the space between us. He placed two hesitant hands on my waist. That felt nice. My own hands had somehow found his chest and decided to rest there for the time being. Which, you know, felt nice too. "It is. I know it sounds mad, but it is. I swear." He had leaned in so that his forehead was touching mine; butterflies had taken residence in my stomach from all the closeness that still felt very, very nice. "Are you alright with that?"
I murmured something that slightly resembled a yes and soon his eyes were closing and my eyes were closing and I could feel that his lips were getting closer and closer to mine –
Snapping out of it, I pushed him away.
And proceeded to kick him in the shins.
"Oi!" James jumped in surprise, holding me back at an arm's length so I couldn't kick him again. "What was that for?"
"You're such a liar, you know that?" I fumed, trying in vain to break free from my restraints. It was bizarre, even for me, this sudden shift in mood, but I was too furious to even care. I mean, how could he?
James looked at me as if I had three heads. "What? What are you on about?"
"A warlock!" I spat, finally ceasing all of my squirming and accepting defeat. "I asked you weeks ago if you were a warlock and you said no you prat!"
James stood there frozen for a moment with his jaw dropped before he spluttered, "I can honestly say that never in my life have I ever been called a bleeding warlock!"
Unbelievable. Scoffing, I cried out, "Oh so I get lied to because of a technicality? I guessed right and you know it!"
He rolled his eyes, which only seemed to infuriate me further. "Oh hush up, you know what I am now. Isn't that enough?"
"No, actually it isn't you arse – mmm."
My insult got lost in his lips. And I wasn't exactly complaining. Ever since the whole incident with Robyn, I was in a bit of a rut and hadn't really allowed myself to completely lose myself in James' kisses. But this was different. And I mean, we were in the loo of all places. But as his lips moved against mine, I couldn't possibly care less.
His teeth lightly scraped against my bottom lip, fingers danced along my cheek, tangled themselves in my hair; I tugged at the fabric of his shirt along the neckline, ran my fingers along the contours of his chest. Our breathing was equally heavy and there was an urgency to the kiss that had never been there before. I was soon backed into the door. And it was almost as if it had knocked some sense into me.
"Wait. Stop. Something's not right."
James pulled away, eyes furrowed and his hands still in my hair and resting on my shoulder blade. "What? What do you mean?"
I shook my head; I couldn't believe that I hadn't picked up on it before and yet it seemed so obvious now. "You're too calm; you're not panicking."
"What –? Why should I be panicking?"
"No, I know you. This isn't right. You'd be – you should be ripping your hair out, racing around, mumbling to yourself like a mad man. I mean, you just told me what a Non-Muggle is and you seem so okay with it…" I trailed off as it suddenly dawned on me. "Oh my God. Oh my – you – you told me on purpose…didn't you?"
The thought sounded even more absurd out loud than it did in my head, but I knew it had to be true – there was no other explanation. James looked absolutely appalled, his jaw dropped and eyes wide.
I had caught him.
Er…I think?
But as soon as the shock was there, it was gone, leaving his expression nothing short of composed. He stood up taller, almost as if challenging me. "Yeah? So what if I did?"
My hands shot up to cover my mouth and I gasped, complete shock washing over me. I mean, I know I had just accused him and all of telling me on purpose – but to actually be right? It was a bit unsettling and unexpected, to be honest. I mean, after all he had done to cover his tracks, to keep his little secret from me, he had just thrown that all away and told me on purpose? More than a bit surprising if you asked me. "W-what? But why?"
To my complete and utter dismay, James' face turned a light shade of pink. I couldn't possibly imagine why he would suddenly be so uncomfortable around me, but it was a good change of pace, I thought. I couldn't always be the awkward, embarrassed one in this relationship.
That would be just plain cruel.
And I mean, I probably wouldn't have a boyfriend for very long if that were the case. I'd imagine that my little word vomit problem and tendency to humiliated myself would lose its already scathingly low level of Cute Factor in a few weeks time and thus be Not Cute and rather obnoxious instead.
With a sigh, James ran a hand through his hair, and when he spoke, his words were more addressed to his trainers than to me. "My, uh, my mum said that if you knew what we are in time for my dad's birthday party, you could come. You know, i-if you want to, that – that is."
Whatever I had thought he was going to say, it certainly was not that.
I was pretty sure that my heart had stopped beating all together. I swallowed hard, my throat feeling suddenly dry and itchy. I mean, I wasn't entirely sure how to even respond to that. James' dad…he was some sort of, like – what was it? – savior of his world, or something like that? Didn't James ramble on about something like that before he dragged me in here? So, like, a party for his dad – Holy Mr. Big Shot Savior Potter – would have loads of people at it, I'd imagine. And I mean loads, and loads, and loads, of people. That would be a lot of people to potentially embarrass myself in front of – too many, in fact. My cut off is at "loads" and unfortunately "loads, and loads, and loads" would be far too many loads for my taste. Just thinking about it, imagining all of the loads, made me want to throw up – and I mean actual vomit, not just of the word variety.
And that would not be a very pretty sight.
Especially in the loo. With my boyfriend. My boyfriend who I fancied very much and would rather that he wasn't covered in my puke. And covered in my puke…in the loo.
Why exactly were we in here again? Was there a specific reason why we couldn't politely ask the stoned hipsters to remove themselves from the path of the exit? Because I'm fairly certain that would have only taken us a few extra seconds. And we wouldn't currently be taking residence in this dodgy loo with only a few centimeters of space between us while discussing things that made me incredibly nervous and hazardous in the non-word vomit department. Things like his apparent wizardness and the prospect of being in the presence of the people that raised him along with their loads, and loads, and loads of guests.
And like, wow, did it suddenly get really hot in here or what?
I couldn't meet his eyes. I didn't know why, but I felt like he probably could smell my fear as it was so the mere act of eye contact would only make it worse. So I followed his fine example by staring at my own shoes. And unfortunately, I was not blessed with the universe's sympathy that allowed me to blush only a light pink. No, unlike James Potter, the universe did not particularly like me at all, and this was confirmed by the heat that was radiating off of my face. So, yeah, knowing my luck, I was probably the color of a tomato.
Oh, well, how lovely. I'm sure every bloke dreams of dating a fucking tomato.
But, again, I didn't know what to say. So I blurted out the first thing that came to mind; I mean, it's not like I haven't done that before. The results tended to be on a scale of Slightly Disastrous to Full-Blown Disaster and I don't know, I guess I was feeling like the odds were in my favor.
"You, um, want me to meet your family?" I finally exclaimed a bit too loudly.
…It seemed that the odds were in fact not. In my favor, that is.
I mean, it could have been worse – really, it could have. But the way that it was phrased and the way I kind of screamed it in his face made it seem like I didn't want to meet his family – which I totally didn't, but it wasn't because I didn't think his parents were quality people or something. I, like, totally did – think that they were quality people, that is. I mean, if these were the individuals that created James, then, well, they were most definitely the bee's knees. But, like, here's the problem: I wasn't. I was so not the bee's knees. I was, like, the polar opposite of the bee's knees. In fact, I was the back of the bee's knees. You know what I'm talking about. That part of the body that no one in the history of ever has had any idea what they're called. That one. Like it's so un-bee's kneesy that no even bothered to name it. Or even worse, I was the funny bone – because everyone knows that when you hit your funny bone, it is so not funny despite its very misleading and very fun sounding name.
And that was me. I sure as hell sounded fun. But I was not. I was just a mess. A mess that no one would ever be daft enough to let near their son.
James seemed to deflate at the sound of my words. Which made me sad. Because I liked it much better when he smiled. And when I was the cause of that smile. "Well, I mean, you already know Freddy and you sort of met my parents and my brother and sister on the platform, but, er, yeah. I want you to meet them."
He gave me a smile that looked like it was an even mix between nervous and hopeful. I don't think what I said next made him feel any less anxious.
"That – that's a horrible idea!"
"I kn – wait, what?"
I threw my hands into the air in exasperation. "I'll totally muck it up – I just know it! And don't give me that look, you know it too!" I pouted, letting out a groan. "You're laughing at me."
And he totally was. Resting his chin on the crown of my head, he snickered like the arsehole that he was – especially since I could practically feel the chin-on-head action making my hair frizz. Which, in addition to the laughter, was not appreciated.
I poked him in the chest. "Um, excuse me, a bit of sympathy here? I'm about to make the fuck up of the century and you're laughing at me and messing up my hair simultaneously."
"So that means you'll come?"
"I – well…yeah."
James hummed in appreciation, the sound of which vibrated through my entire being, and then planted a kiss on the top of my head, causing me to feel very, very tingly and very, very warm. "Thank you."
Sighing, I leaned forward to rest my forehead against his chest. "I'm not sure if you'll be thanking me when I throw up all over your dad's birthday cake. Or accidently sit on your cat and crush his little kitty skull – oh gosh, do you even have a cat? I have a cat. Have I mentioned that? His name is Chester and he didn't really appreciate it the last time I sat on him but I didn't mean to, he blends in with the couch so there was literally nothing I could have done about it."
"I don't have a cat."
"Well then, I guess that's one less thing to worry about."
We were still for a moment and it was nice. We were just leaning on one another and lost in our own thoughts. It suddenly occurred to me that someone could be standing outside the door at that very moment in despite need to use the loo. And yet here we were, occupying the loo but not exactly using it for its intended purposes. I was about to voice this, when suddenly James spoke up.
"If you didn't tell Robyn that I told you all this, it would be much appreciated, by the way."
"Mmm, told me what?"
James pulled back so that he could look at me directly; his eyebrow raised a little bit too judgingly for my taste. "Seriously? In the midst of all the 'meeting the family' and 'sitting on cats' crises, you forgot every bloody thing I told you? Have you gone mad?"
I think what I liked most about that sentence was the fact that he had acted as if I was ever sane to begin with.
But I stared at him for a few seconds, trying to remember what had been said. I mean, there had been a snog somewhere in all of this, and then –
"Oh!" My hands flew up to my face to cover my mouth as the memory and the shock came over me once again. And shit, it was overwhelming. "Oh my God, you're a – a wizard, fuck, like a real fucking wizard, and holy shit that means your family is comprised of a bunch of wizards so, like, this party is going to be filled with loads of them. And they're, like, people who can do magic and they can Abracadabra the shit out of me if I do something wrong, and I, uh, you can't make me go, you – you can't do that to me."
I stood there wide-eyed just shaking my head. This was too much, like, way too much. I mean it was cool and all that James was a wizard – I didn't have a problem with that – but he just couldn't drop something like this on me and then expect me to go to a party where I was supposed to act like everything was all hunky dory. Like this was all normal. Because it wasn't, it absolutely wasn't.
James looked torn between laughing and asking if I needed to have my head checked. He opened his mouth as if he were going to say something when I suddenly gasped. I shook my head. "Robyn goes to school with you. And you go to a school for wizards. So that means she's a…and she never told me…" I trailed off, suddenly feeling small – very, very small. And incredibly foolish. Like I wasn't good enough or something; like she didn't think I wasn't worthy enough to know her secret.
James rested a hand on my shoulder, rubbing comforting circles on my collarbone. My eyes followed his blazing touch, certain that I would never get used to such a feeling. "You just can't tell her that you know all this, okay? I kind of, maybe, sort of swore that I wasn't going to say anything."
I looked up to meet his gaze. "When did you speak to her?"
He shrugged. "Last time you did. Right before I went after you, she told me that it wasn't my place to say anything – which is bollocks, if you ask me. But I wasn't gonna bring this whole thing up until the end of summer anyway so I agreed. But then my mum said you could come to the party and, well, I know this is all new and kind of intimidating and whatnot, but I want you to be there. Do you?"
My heart pounded. I mean, as much as it scared me, I would be there; I was going to meet his family that just so happened to be wizards, and I was more likely than not going to say something stupid, and we would ultimately have a nice day together. And that was something I could do, something I could do for him. And something I could do for me, as well.
I stood on my tiptoes and leaned forward to place a kiss on the bit of skin that I could reach, which just so happened to be the side of his neck. "I want to be there," I hummed into his skin, which seemed to relax the moment the words left my lips. I hadn't even realized that he had been so tense.
His arms snaked around my waist to pull me close and he pressed his lips against my temple. "Good. I'm glad." He paused. "Do you wanna get out of here? Go someplace else?"
I sighed, my breath tickling against his neck. "You know as romantic as being in the loo is, I would very much appreciate it if we relocated."
He laughed into my hair and removed his hand from my waist to unlock the door.
My heart gave a jerk in my chest. "Wait!" I spluttered, grabbing onto his wrist to stop him. "We – we can't be seen leaving the loo together!"
James' eyebrows furrowed together. "Er, why not? We were both seen entering it."
"Alright, alright, I just don't what the big deal is."
I rolled my eyes. "Just think about it for a minute, will you? We walked into the loo together, like, what? Fifteen minutes ago? Twenty? And then we just leave together? I mean, what do you think that looks like?"
"It looks like I got really lucky."
And that is when I began to choke on my own spit.
I mean, that was exactly what it looked like, but I had intended for my question to be rhetorical. Because, you know, saying something like that would only lead to me blushing profusely like never before.
Which is exactly what I did.
"You get all cute and red when you're embarrassed, you know," James said rather casually, cheeky grin in place while tucking a loose hair behind my ear.
"It's not cute and you're being a jerk," I mumbled to the floor.
"How exactly am I being a jerk?"
"You're embarrassing me on purpose."
"Which brings me back to my original point about you being cute when you're embarrassed."
I felt my face heat up even more. "Erm, thanks, I guess. But, um, how exactly are we getting out of here?"
"I think I've got an idea."
I looked up in time to see James reach into his pocket and pull out a long and slender stick. It had a dark, almost reddish wood and looked polished and smooth.
"Is that your wand?" The question sounded so odd coming out of my lips, but I knew that must have been what it was. I vaguely remembered people carrying them around when I had fallen through the barrier at Platform Nine and Three Quarters several weeks ago; at the time I had thought they were just wooden sticks. Now I knew better, I guess.
James nodded in response to my question. "I have to warn you, since it's your first time, this is gonna feel really weird and uncomfortable, but it's totally safe, I swear. I have my license and everything."
"That sounds like a really bad opening line to a porno."
"You know you're absolutely right."
Letting out a nervous giggle, I said, "So what is this exactly?"
"Apparation. Kind of like teleportation. It's how wizards get from one place to another in only a matter of seconds, but like I said, it's a weird sensation that you definitely won't be prepared for since you've never done it. But don't worry, it'll be over before you know it and no one will see us leaving here together. Sound good?"
It took me a moment to pick my jaw up off the floor. "…I'm sorry, I'm still stuck at the whole teleportation bit."
James took a step back and offered me his hand. "Do you trust me?"
I stared at him for a moment but then nodded slowly. "Of course."
And while this was really scary and while I was incredibly and equally fascinated and uncertain about this whole teleportation thing, I knew I could do this. Because this was James and I trusted him. So before I could change my mind, I placed my hand in his, threading my fingers through his.
He smiled, then suddenly paused as if he was remembering something and then proceeded to disentangle his fingers from mine to move his grip from my hand to my bicep. "Ready?"
My returning smile was a bit more uncertain. "As ready as I'll ever be, I guess."
"Okay. Here we go."
Giving my arm a little squeeze, James took a step forward and then multiple things seemed to happen all at once. I felt James' arm twist away from me and his grip on my arm forced me to follow. It didn't seem so bad at first but then everything went black – and I don't mean the kind of black you see when your eyes are closed or the sun has gone down. It was literally pitch black, as if all color had been erased and this was all that was left. And I couldn't breathe; I didn't feel like I was suffocating or anything but I felt like all of the air had suddenly disappeared. Pressure was all around me – as if I were being compressed into a small space – and it made me feel like I was being pushed into many different directions at once. It was extremely unpleasant and it was all happening at once and yet it was happening so slowly.
And then just like that, it was over.
We landed in the grass of a little field just outside of a village I had never seen before. I didn't get much time to really take a look at it or to marvel over the fact that we were standing in grass rather than on bathroom tiles because I suddenly felt really nauseous. The sensation had hit me like a ton of bricks and I leaned over a bit, placing my hands on my knees.
"Alright there, Spencer?"
"I think I'm gonna hurl."
James didn't say anything, just placed a hand on my back as I collected myself.
Thankfully I didn't actually throw up; I had just needed to stand there and breathe for a bit. And after a few minutes, I felt a bit better, not quite as queasy as before and was able to stand up to my full height. I looked around, taking in my surroundings, my jaw shamelessly dropped.
"We're not in the loo anymore," I said breathlessly.
"That, we are not," James confirmed, giving my side a little poke and a smile on his lips.
This was just unbelievable. We had actually traveled from one place to another in only a matter of seconds – we went from being inside to outside. We went from being in a little coffee shop in London to – huh. I actually didn't know where we were. I turned to James, suddenly plagued with a fit of giggles. I just couldn't wrap my head around all of this; I was stunned, impressed, amazed. "Where are we exactly?"
James' grin widened as he sent me a wink.
"Welcome to Hogsmeade, Spencer."
A/N: *Hides* I am so so so so so so SO SORRY THAT THIS TOOK ME SO LONG TO UPDATE. Things with school have just been really busy and the beginning of this chapter was giving me a bit of trouble. But I made sure that this chapter was longer than usual so hopefully that make up for the wait. Did you like the chapter? I hope that you all did; this wasn't exactly the direction that I had originally planned for this story to go in regards to James telling her his secret, but I really like it and I hope you do too. Just please, if I have any readers left, leave me a review to let me know what you think; I honestly value each and every one of your opinions and I reivews just make my day! (Just remember to keep the language 12+)
A few annoucements: I have made a Meet the Author's page on the forums so check it out if you want to leave me questions. Also, on my author's page, there's a link to the newly made Wonderland Blog if you'd like to take a gander and leave me questions there as well. I also have two new oneshots out and be on the look out for a few more coming up; it would really mean a lot to me if you checked them out because I'm experimenting with different styles and characters so I'd like to hear what you think.
So I will be on break from college until late January so I'm hoping to get a lot of writing done and to give you all an update for this at some point.
Thanks for reading and reviewing!!!
~Jess :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Play Doh. Play Doh is owned by Kutol, Hasbro, and Rainbow Crafts. It's non-toxic but I do not recommend eating it.
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JAMPACT's mission is built on COLLECTIVE efforts and our goals can only be achieved with
your help. Join the movement to impact Jamaica in a positive and uplifting manner. There are
many ways you can get involved:
Our goal is to build an extensive network of young Jamaican professionals, students
and friends of Jamaica who are interested in strongly impacting Jamaica.
Become a member and be a part of the change you would like to see. Our members are
our most valued asset and you can benefit from interacting with like-minded individuals.
If you want to learn more about what we do before you decide to join, come to our next
General Body Meeting held in and around New York City! Please see our events calendar
for our next meeting date and a listing of other events.
We need your support! In addition to the many ways you can contribute, you can simply
help by making a donation. Your support can make a world of difference, no matter how
small it seems.
JAMPACT's key initiatives and activities are primarily implemented through
several committees. Each of these committees is currently recruiting members.
To join any of the following JAMPACT committees, simply send your inquiry to the
e-mail address provided:
Education Committee
Chairperson: Tassie Scarlett
Contact: email@example.com
Early childhood and teacher training are two crucial issues facing Jamaica's education system.
Hence, JAMPACT's Education Committee has gravitated towards these two areas. Our goals are
twofold: to provide financial support and maintain strong ties with institutions and persons
representative of these two areas. This includes, among other things, promoting literacy,
adopting basic schools in Jamaica and building a scholarship fund for students at various
teachers colleges.
Fundraising Committee
Chairperson: Not available at the moment
Contact: firstname.lastname@example.com
Fundraising is one of the many ways in which JAMPACT achieves its mission. Throughout the year
a series of fundraisers are held to raise money for our core mission objectives including our
Adopt-A-School program and other charitable initiatives as well as our various think-tank
related initiatives. Our charitable activities support the development of our adopted basic
schools, fund continuing education programs for basic schoolteachers and provide grants to select
not-for-profit organizations in Jamaica.
Membership Committee
Contact: firstname.lastname@example.com
JAMPACTs mission is to use our collective energies, intelligence and resources, to make
positive contributions towards the improvement of social and economic conditions in
Jamaica. In order to do this, we need a diverse membership. The Membership Committee
of JAMPACT will recruit, retain and engage members through the planning and
implementation of socially progressive activities year round.
Think Tank Committee
Contact: firstname.lastname@example.com
One of JAMPACT's goals is to contribute to the ongoing public debate on critical issues
facing Jamaica. The Think Tank Committee facilitates this debate by researching current
topics of relevance to Jamaica, and organizing various panels and forums for discussing
these issues. The current dialogue will focus on ways to achieve solutions to the many
problems facing Jamaica today.
Communications Committee
Contact: firstname.lastname@example.com
The goal of the Communications Committee is to manage the public relations and marketing
activities of the organization. As such, the Committee expects to work closely with the
other committees in assisting and guiding with the promotion of their programs and
events. The committeeÂ's work includes the following key areas:
Looking for a way to give back? Always wondered how you may use your skills set for
good, while improving on them?
JAMPACT hosts a range of events (fundraisers, forums, mixers, outings) throughout the
year in which you have an opportunity to take part and lend your time and support. Your
help is always welcomed. Ask us how YOU can contribute. Email us at
email@example.com for more details.
Below are some of the many ways you can serve:
We have made it easy for our members to
pay their dues online. Our dues help to sustain the administration of the organization and to continue the service to our community.
To pay membership fees, please click here.
For more information on membership fees, please click here.


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Bisons, Bats double-dip
Thursday's game between the Buffalo Bisons and the Louisville Bats at Coca-Cola Field has been postponed due to rain. The teams will make up the game as part of a doubleheader on Friday, May 1. The teams will play two, seven-inning games on Friday with the first game starting at 5:30 p.m.
Friday's game will remain a fridaynightbash!®, sponsored by Seneca Gaming Corporation, with a pre-game plaza party at 5:00 p.m. – Live music by the Boogie Monsters – and post game fireworks.
*FREE FOOD NIGHT will be rescheduled for a future game. That date is to be announced, but will not be this homestand.
Fans holding tickets to Thursday's game can exchange them for a comparable ticket to any future 2009 Bisons games (excluding special events). All ticket exchanges must be made at the Coca-Cola Field box office. Please note that these exchanges do not have to be made on Thursday, April 30. Fans with tickets can exchange them throughout the remainder of the 2009 season.
For more information regarding the exchange policy, fans can visit Bisons.com.


text:
- About Us
- Join/Renew
- Donate
- Online Store
- Publications
- Research
- AHSGR Library
- Ancestral Villages
Share |
If you wish to join an AHSGR Chapter in your area, write or call any of the Chapter presidents for information on how to join.
Local Chapter meetings are a great way to meet other Germans from Russia and to find out more about your heritage. Many chapters have their own libraries of books, maps, and research material. Check out your local chapter today, or check out your District Councils for "area wide" activities. For more information on your area chapter, follow the links below:
The upcoming calendar is currently empty.


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July 12, 2011 Recall Election -- All Candidates
Please see the attachment links below for the list of candidates on the ballot for the Recall Election ordered for July 12, 2011.
In addition to the list of all candidates, the other documents contain all candidates who registered with the Board, as well as nomination papers tracking and supplemental filings of nomination petitions.
The deadline for filing petitions was 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 14.
The deadline for filing challenges to petitions was 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 17. There were no challenges received.
The deadline for filing a Statement of Economic Interests was 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 17.


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Charles Hamilton - Word? Aight [Soulja Boy Diss Vid]
Charles Hamilton goes at Soulja Boy in his video "Word? Aight" Video presented by http://CharlesHamilton.blogspot.com
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In molecular biology, a base pair is any of the pairs of nucleotides connecting the complementary strands of a molecule of DNA or RNA, that are held together by weak chemical bonds, which make up the "rungs" on a DNA "ladder" – known as the double helix.
The base pairs in DNA include: adenine – thymine and guanine – cytosine in DNA. (TNG: "Unnatural Selection")
In 2153, Doctor Phlox analyzed the genetic profile of the Xindi finger Jonathan Archer was given by the alien foreman of the trellium mining planet. From his analysis, he found that the DNA was "nearly identical to the tissue samples taken from the corpse found on Earth. Their base pair sequencing is far closer than, say, Humans and chimpanzees. Nearly identical, but not quite." Learning this, Archer suggested they were more "like Humans and Neanderthals." (ENT: "The Xindi")
While the USS Enterprise was in orbit of Terra 10 in 2269, it encountered the spiroid epsilon waves that were emanating from the planet. Upon further analysis, it was discovered that the waves tend to wind tight spiral molecules, such as dilithium or the double helix of DNA. Because there are limitations to how far DNA can compacted, they were able to calculate the limits to how much the crew was going to shrink. (TAS: "The Terratin Incident")
When the Drayans were given a tour of USS Voyager's sickbay in 2372, The Doctor explained that "we are fully equipped to provide a wide variety of treatments here, from removing a splinter to re-sequencing the base pairs in a strand of DNA." (VOY: "Innocence")
The Srivani possessed a form of sub-molecular technology, more advanced than anything developed by Starfleet. In 2374, Srivani scientists placed these microscopic genetic tags in the DNA of the some of Voyager's crew, which caused genetic mutations to several individuals. It was not until The Doctor discovered what appeared to be contaminant on Chakotay's base pair sequence, that he realized what the devices were. (VOY: "Scientific Method")
When Captain Kathryn Janeway attempted to "make conversation" with Crewman Mortimer Harren, in 2376, to get to know him better, such as asking about where he grew up, he explained to her that "I am a product of my nucleic acids. So if you're trying to understand me better, questions about my home planet are irrelevant." In response, Janeway humorously asked him, "how's your 13th chromosome? Missing a couple of base pairs in gene 178?" (VOY: "Good Shepherd")
In 2377, Icheb began tutoring Naomi Wildman in her study of genetics. Taking the creative approach, he had her learn by putting together a jigsaw puzzle featuring an image of a strand of DNA. After nearly completing the portion of the puzzle showing the DNA helix, Icheb congratulated Naomi for having "recognized the complementary base pair," she admitted to him that "actually, I just found two pieces that fit together." (VOY: "Shattered")


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Albert Oehlen: A Vanguard With Decorum
May 14 5-9pm
May 14-June 27, 2009
Corbett vs Dempsey
1120 N. Ashland
Chicago, IL 60622
"This show will unveil Oehlen's stunning new series under the banner A Vanguard with Decorum. The exhibition will include 15 intimate, graceful drawing-collages on paper, a huge drawing based on the title of the show, and a spectacular new painting. Clearly related in their reduced palette and graphic quality to the computer works, these new pieces introduce an unforeseen modernist architecture while amping up the looping, curvaceous, linear intensity." via the website
Manifest Urban Arts festival
Various locations, between Roosevelt and Congress and State and Michigan. Map it here.
Circus punk marching band Mucca Pazza kicks off the event at 640 S Wabash Ave at noon!
"Experience Manifest. Columbia College Chicago's urban arts festival celebrates the work of seniors and graduate students from every department on campus. Manifest 2009 will feature an artwalk & sale, music on four stages, screenings, readings, live radio, Web casts, the TICTOC Performance Art Festival, the Transmission art car exhibition, Spectacle Fortuna's parade of creativity." via the website
Check out the insane schedule of music, workshops, performances and exhibitions here. Get a pdf version of the schedule here.
Weiner Takes All: A Dogumentary
Chicago premier!
Friday, May 15, 6:15 pm
Saturday, May 16, 5:45 pm
Monday, May 18, 8:15 pm
Gene Siskel Film Center
164 North State Street
Chicago, Illinois 60601
"The little-known world of wiener-dog racing is investigated with humor and charm in a film that appears to have (ahem) legs, based on the ecstatic audience response generated by its numerous festival screenings around the U.S." via the Gene Siskel website
You can check out the trailer here.
Grand opening of the Art Insitute's Modern Wing
Free admission May 16-22
Grand opening May 16, 9am-5pm
Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL
"Celebrate the Modern Wing's public unveiling with AIC on Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Good times include a dedication with architect Renzo Piano at 9 a.m., a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., and live music/dancing from acts like Swing Gitan, Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. The grand opening exhibit is Cy Twombly's "Natural World", which will be on display through September 13 at The Abbott Galleries-the Modern Wing's special exhibition space located on the first floor." via the chicagoist
- I feel better already, or at least I think I do @ GOLDEN - December 3, 2009
- Nate Powell's PLEASE RELEASE - November 12, 2009
- DOUBLE FANTASY @ Noble and Superior Projects - October 29, 2009


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* Amelia Island -- The Elizabeth Pointe Lodge is offering a three-night Thanksgiving package including a Thanksgiving dinner; social hour in the evening from 6 to 7 p.m. with light hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine and soft drinks; and newspaper delivered to the room each morning. Rates start at $918.59 for a sunset room with a king bed; from $1,105.58 for an oceanfront room with a king bed. Visit www.elizabethpointlodge.com.
The Amelia Island Plantation will celebrate Thanksgiving with a Grand Buffet at the Sunrise Cafe/Ocean Grill on Nov. 26. The feast will be served from 12:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. and will consist of a traditional holiday dinner of turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings. Guests will then pose for a free 5" x 7" family photo to take home. The buffet is $50 for adults and $19.95 for children 12 and under. For seating times, call restaurant reservations at 904-321-5050.
* Boca Raton -- The Boca Raton Resort & Club is offering a Best of Boca pakage including accommodations at the resort's Boca Beach Club starting at $199 per night. In addition, the package provides a 50 percent discount on Camp Boca for children ages 3-12, a 50 percent discount on services at the Spa Palazzo, plus unlimited tennis at one of the country's top tennis centers, unlimited golf on 36 holes just ranked among "North America's Top 75 Courses" by Golf Digest magazine (cart fee is additional), daily breakfast and other features. The Best of Boca offer is available through December 23. Thanksgiving options abound and include the resort's annual Thanksgiving Gala Buffet in the Royal Palm Ballroom ($90 adults, $50 for ages 13-17; $25 for ages 5-12) and a variety of holiday activities. Package rate is subject to availability. Visit www.BocaResort.com.
* Melbourne Beach -- The Port D'hiver Bed & Breakfast is offering a Thanksgiving at the Beach! Package that includes three-nights, breakfast, a special VIP Thanksgiving dinner for two at the Melbourne Harbor Chart House and a present of a Port d'Hiver holiday ornament. Prices start at $285 per night. For more information or to make reservations please call 866-621-7678 or visit www.portdhiver.com.
* Miami -- The Four Seasons Miami is featuring both a Thanksgiving Brunch ($80 per person) and dinner ($70 per person). Highlights from the Brunch menu include mulled apple cider with heirloom apples, Cara Cara orange mojitos and Acai smoothies; dulce de leche glazed leg of lamb; Latin-style charcoal roasted suckling pig; sage and butter basted turkey with sourdough bread and apple stuffing, giblet gravy and cranberry mango relish; Peruvian potato mash and slow roasted acorn squash and Dijon mustard and sugar cane glazed ham with grilled pineapple; paella valenciana and a dessert station with about 30 types of desserts. Dinner is a three-course menu featuring pancetta, leek and goat cheese tart, frisee and grape tomato jam or Hubbard squash soup with Maytag blue cheese crackers; roasted sage turkey with sourdough bread and apple stuffing, sweet yamps, parsnip, carrots and Brussels sprouts and cranberry pecan relish or butter basted tenderloin of beef with Pomme Anna and bourguignon trimmings; and a Great Pumpkin Souffle, caramel anglaise and spiced pear ice cream or a sampler of Chef Marko's holiday selection. Call 305-358-3535.
* Naples --The Naples Grande Beach on Southwest Florida's Paradise Coast has announced a 2009 Thanksgiving Family Package starting at $149 per night. Up to two kids 17 and younger stay free in the same coastal view room with up to two adults. Package features include free Frisbee spin art for up to two children ages 4-12; one free admission to NG Kids Club session with one paid admission (full day is $69; $44 for morning session; $39 for afternoon session); complimentary use of kayak or canoe (one per reservation, subject to availability); complimentary frozen drinks for four at the poolside Palm Terrace Cafe (adults may choose from alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks); 25 percent off golf tee times at Naples Grande Golf Club, the private 18-hole Rees Jones-designed championship course for play after 12 p.m. daily (valid for up to two guests sharing a room, once per day); 15 percent off spa treatments at Golden Door Spa (for ages 16 and older; ages 12-15 when accompanied by adult). The package is available for stays Nov. 22-30, a savings of 45 percent, subject to availability. Visit www.naplesgranderesort.com.
* Orlando -- Universal Orlando Resort's Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel are featuring Stay More, Save More at Universal Orlando: five nights for the price of three and more for Halloween and guests who want to stay longer can enjoy seven nights for the price of four. Rates are valid for booking through Dec 21, 2009 and travel most days from Oct 8 - Mar 25, 2010. More information about these offers, including some restrictions, is available at www.universalorlando.com/hotels. Among the dining and entertainment offerings: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel will feature a Thanksgiving champagne buffet at Trattoria del Porto from noon to 8 p.m., serving herb-brined turkey and apple chestnut stuffing, New York strip, stuffed veal breast, baked red snapper, chilled seafood, omelets and crepes made to order, plus pastries, pies, cakes, tortes and desserts in a glass. Entertainment includes a children's craft table, Universal Orlando characters, face painting, balloonist and strolling musician. Cost is $46 for adults, $23 for children.
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort is featuring Thanksgiving meals at several of its dining venues. Among them, the Garden Grove restaurant is offering a special Thanksgiving Day buffet featuring such favorites as roasted turkey, glazed ham, roasted butternut squash soup, mash potatoes, sweet potatoes and more. Disney characters will make an appearance. Cost is $35.95 for adults; $15.95 for children. Call 800-227-1500.
Fiorella's Cucina Toscana located at The Westin Imagine Orlando, will offer a Thanksgiving Day feast on Nov. 26. The menu will feature an antipasto station, made-to-order interactive entree creations from the open kitchen, a carving station and decadent desserts prepared under the direction of Executive Chef Robert Mason. Cost is $45 for adults, $14 for children. For reservations, call 407-233-2950. Visit www.fiorellasorlando.com.
Norman's at The Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes features chef Norman Van Aken's New World cuisine, a fusion of Latin and Caribbean recipes. The restaurant is now accepting reservations for Thanksgiving dinner ($85 for adults and $35 for children). For reservations call 407-393-4333. Visit www.Normans.com.
The Rosen Plaza, Rosen Centre and Rosen Shingle Creek are serving Thanksgiving Holiday Buffets. Among the offerings is the Grand Thanksgiving Holiday Buffet at Rosen Plaza's Cafe Matisse on Thanksgiving Day. Featured as Mom's favorites such as sliced roasted turkey with cranberry sauce, sausage cornbread dressing, sweet potato cakes, holiday pot roast with pan gravy, Virginia ham basted in brown sugar, seafood selections, chilled salads, soups, and desserts including pumpkin pie, pumpkin pound cake, New York cheesecake and chocolate mousse cake. Price is $31.95 plus tax and gratuity for adults; $15.95 plus tax and gratuity for children. For parties of six or more the restaurant offers their traditional turkey carved tableside. Cafe Matisse is at 9700 International Drive. Call 407-996-0256 or visit www.rosenplaza.com.
* Palm Beach -- The Four Seasons Palm Beach is featuring a Thanksgiving Holiday Dinner highlighted by traditional roasted turkey with sage-scented giblets gravy, chestnut apple and cornbread stuffing, honey glazed holiday ham, traditional pumpkin pie, mini pecan pies, and an array of other delights. For the children there will be a special pumpkin patch station with turkey and gravy, roasted chicken legs, mashed potatoes, cut corn and green beans, mini sandwiches, pumpkin pie, holiday cookies, treats and more. Cost is $70 per adult; $20 per child exclusive of tax, gratuities and beverages. Call 561-582-2800.
* Palm Coast -- South of St. Augustine in Palm Coast, Hammock Beach Resort is offering a Thanksgiving special rate priced from $235 per night. Families can opt for a full turkey dinner delivered to their multi-bedroom-suite including soup, salad, whole or carved turkey, four side dishes and two pies for dessert for $270 (meal feeds up to six adults). Thanksgiving morning, guests can work up an appetite by participating in the Hammock Beach Turkey Trot, a 5K run/walk event around the resort. All weekend long, Kids' Crew activities are holiday-themed and complimentary for children under 12. After dinner, families can flock to the indoor pool for a complimentary dive-in movie, Elf. Visit www.hammockbeach.com.
* Ruskin -- The Resort & Club at Little Harbor -- Tampa Bay will feature a Thanksgiving Buffet with all the trimmings and live action and carving stations plus salads and desserts at the Sunset Grill on Nov. 26. Cost is $25. The resort is at 611 Destiny Drive. Call 813-645-8119.
* St. Cloud -- Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida will have a Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 26. They spare the wild turkeys on location but there will be plenty of bird available along with stuffing, cranberries and other items in a country-style spread. Cost is TBD. Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida is at 4755 North Kenansville Road. Call 866-854-3837.
* St. Pete Beach -- The Thanksgiving Togetherness package at the TradeWinds Island Grand is featuring a three-night package including tickets to a Thanksgiving buffet with roast tom turkey with giblet gravy and traditional sage stuffing and a bounty of other choices on Nov. 26. Also included is a value coupon book for local attractions with $250 in savings. Additionally, the resort amenity fee which includes beach cabanas, complimentary self-parking and more is included in the package price. Prices for two adults begin at $414 and increase depending on room type and number of people in the party. Visit www.JustLetGo.com.
Also, for those who'd like to contribute to a good cause, the TradeWinds Island Resorts --the Island Grand Resort and the Sandpiper Suites -- along the Gulf of Mexico on St. Pete Beach, are offering the Give Thanks and Give Back to All Children's Hospital Rate. The promotion offers a room for $50 for one night, more than a 75 percent savings off regular rates, and All Children's Hospital will receive $35 from each room booked on the promotional rate Nov. 20-30. Additional nights are $79 each. The promotion is subject to availability. Call 888-377-0026.
* Vero Beach -- Want to share your Thanksgiving with Goofy and Donald Duck? Disney's Vero Beach Resort features a Thanksgiving Buffet on Nov. 26 with such goodies as cold seafood and charcuterie display, salads and soups, spit fire turkey with giblet gravy and cranberry citrus relish, maple glazed ham with spiced apples, " Cinderella" pumpkin risotto, pumpkin pie plus an assortment of the Chef's house-made desserts. Children's options include chicken fingers will assorted dipping sauces and macaroni and cheese. Families can pose for pictures with Goofy and Donald during character meet-and-greets several times during the day. Cost is $28.99 for adults; $16.99 for children. Tax and gratuity are not included. The resort is on the beach at 9250 Island Grove Terrace. Advanced reservations are required. Call 772-234-2180.