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Making Disciples, Raising Up Saints & Transforming Communities for Christ
About 75 area Episcopalians and various other clergy gathered in Sacramento at Crocker Park and marched to the state Capitol to support those whose lives have been impacted by gun violence. Bishop Barry led prayers before the march. Photographs from other marches in cities around the diocese are in the second video.
Besides the March for Our Lives in Sacramento to the state Capitol, there will be others in Santa Rosa, above, and in the northern part of our diocese.By the Rev. James Richardson, Priest-in-Charge, Incarnation, Santa RosaThe epidemic of mass shootings, as horrific as they are, have felt distant to me. They have been in someone else's town, someone else's state, someone else's church, someone else's school.I must confess after every mass shooting, that without realizing it, I hav...
by Paula Schaap, Director of Communications, Episcopal Diocese of Northern CaliforniaYouth from the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California begin their journey toward reconciliation in northern California on Sunday, July 31st with the Pathways pilgrimage. The group will be on the road until August 6th, learning strategies for reconciliation, as they visit sites in our diocese where injustices have been committed in society's name. This pilgrimage is especially timely as it occurs on th...
by Jeptha Rogers, Senior Warden, St. James' Episcopal Church, Lincoln On April 30, 2016, the Rev. William 'Bill' Rontani retired as Rector from Saint James' Episcopal Church in Lincoln.
by the Rev. Christine Leigh-Taylor, Chaplain to Retired Clergy and Surviving Spouses, The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California Bishop Invites Retired Clergy, Spouses and Partners to Lunch April 29th Retired clergy in our diocese are a cherished resource. They and their spouses and partners are invited to join Bishop Barry Beisner for a special luncheon at St.
by The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California The second Bishop & Ordinand Holy Land Pilgrimage, in collaboration with the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, is in full swing. On January 12th, pilgrims from The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California, led by the Rev. Canon Andrea McMillin, left California and met the full group in Tel Aviv, before traveling north to the Galilee.
by Margaret Dunning, Diocesan Disaster Coordinator; Member, Epiphany Episcopal Church, Vacaville I would like to thank our diocese and congregations for completing and submitting their Disaster Preparedness Plans to the Office of the Bishop. I am very happy to have worked with you this year to fulfill Resolution R7-14: Disaster Preparedness. For those congregations who have not yet submitted their completed plans, Bishop Barry Beisner has extended the due date to February 14, 2016.
by the Rev. Lucretia Jevne, President, Episcopal Community Services Episcopal Community Services Announces the Advent Appeal December 13, 2015 Bishop Barry Beisner has designated the third Sunday in Advent as Episcopal Community Services Sunday. Everyone is invited to participate in the work of ECS by donating to the Ministry Development Fund, which is used to help congregations develop, strengthen and support social outreach and health ministries in their communities.
by The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California In the November 12, 2015 issue of the Aurora Clergy e-Newsletter, Bishop Barry Beisner addressed the financial challenges currently facing Camp Noel Porter. "This is a complex matter that will receive focused effort, as we work to discern what the partnership between the diocese, Camp Noel Porter and St. Nicholas', Tahoe City will look like," said the Bishop.
by Deborah Smith, Senior Warden, St. John's Episcopal Church, Lakeport St. John's Episcopal Church in Lakeport has begun our Valley Fire Relief Effort with donations from around the state, and even visitors from Texas.
by The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California Bishop Barry Beisner and the Rev. Bayani Rico, President of the Episcopal Asiamerica Ministries Council and Rector at Ascension Episcopal Church in Vallejo, joined Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori at the Episcopal Asiamerica Ministries (EAM) International Consultation in Seoul, South Korea from September 30th - October 5th. During this time, Korean Anglicans also celebrated 125 Years of Mission and Ministry, with a special Eucharist...
by Lynn Zender, Member, Episcopal Church of St. Martin, Davis On August 20, 2015, Bishop Barry Beisner met with the newly formed Welcoming the Stranger Task Force of The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California. The task force grew out of a resolution passed at the 2014 Diocesan Convention. Resolution R6-14: Welcoming the Stranger was a response to the humanitarian crisis at the southern border of the United States, involving children and women fleeing from pervasive violence in the countri...
by Anne Clarke, Co-Leader, 2015 Freedom Ride; Lifelong Christian Faith Formation Coordinator, The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California It was a fantastic experience to accompany nine young people from around our diocese, along with the Rev. Sarah Quinney and Bishop Barry Beisner, to North Carolina for the Lift Every Voice 2015 Freedom Ride Pilgrimage. We learned so much about slavery, discrimination and the Civil Rights movement, and visited key sites related to them all.
by the Rev. Andrea Baker, Assistant Rector, Faith Episcopal Church, Cameron Park Bishop Barry Beisner asked me to represent The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California at The Episcopal Diocese of Honduras' annual convention in Tela, Honduras on May 23, 2015. This was my first visit to Honduras in four years, and it was a wonderful reunion with old friends and colleagues, as well as an opportunity to rekindle our partner diocese relationship.
by Anne Clarke, Co-Leader, 2015 Freedom Ride; Lifelong Christian Faith Formation Coordinator, The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California Freedom Ride pilgrims visited historic Stagville Plantation on Wednesday, July 15th. Built in 1851, it was one of the largest plantations in the pre-Civil War South. It was also home to hundreds of slaves who lived in four room houses on the property, with one family living in each room.
by Anne Clarke, Co-Leader, 2015 Freedom Ride; Lifelong Christian Faith Formation Coordinator, The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California On July 14th, Freedom Ride pilgrims visited Greensboro and the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, with Presiding Bishop-Elect Michael Curry, Bishop Barry Beisner and Joseph McNeill (pictured here at center, between the bishops). McNeill is one of the four students that began the movement of lunch counter desegregation sit-ins on Feb 1, 1960. Thes...
by Anne Clarke, Co-Leader, 2015 Freedom Ride; Lifelong Christian Faith Formation Coordinator, The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California One of the texts used in preparation for the pilgrimage has been the movie Selma, which tells a 50-year-old story of people uniting against discriminatory voting practices. Unfortunately, that story is not over. While we are in North Carolina, citizens have again united to protest laws that seek to block people of color from voting.
by The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California
On June 22nd, members of The Episcopal Church from across the nation and the world will begin their descent on Salt Lake City, Utah for the 78th Annual General Convention. Among them will be members of the NorCal Deputation, representing The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California.
Pictured here, from left to right, are members of the NorCal Deputation, starting with the back row: Jim Jordan, the Very Rev.
by The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California The Rt. Rev. N.T.
by The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California A lively group of lay and clergy leaders gathered at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka on Saturday, April 11th for the northwest Congregational Leadership Conference. Bishop Barry Beisner welcomed attendees and led Morning Prayer in the beautiful nave of Christ Church, and introduced the 2015 Bible Challenge. The Rev.
by the Rev. Christine Leigh-Taylor, Retired, The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California No one asked us explicitly. But the large attendance at a February 25th Clergy Lenten Quiet Day at Mercy Center Auburn, with Bishop Barry Beisner and Bishop Brian Thom, of the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho, attested that a time of collective solitude resonated well with diocesan clergy in the Sacramento Valley area.
by The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California 110 attendees filled Grace Episcopal Church in St. Helena on Saturday, March 7th for the Southwestern Congregational Leadership Conference (CLC). Bishop Barry Beisner and the Rev.
by the Rev. Harry Allegree, St. John's, Lakeport Well over 100 people gathered at St.
by Pat Harik, Living Stones Coordinator for The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California and the Rev. Kay Rohde, Ministry Development Coordinator for The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California The annual Living Stones Meeting was held in San Antonio, TX on February 7-10, 2015. Representing The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California at this year's very interactive and engaging Living Stones Meeting were: Bishop Barry Beisner; the Rev.
by Elizabeth Harper-Lawson, member, Christ Church, Eureka Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka is hosting a reading and book signing of The Soul's Journey: An Artist's Approach to the Stations of the Cross, written by and illustrated by Trinidad artist, Kathrin Burleson. It will take place on Sunday, March 1st at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Our Merciful Savior, located behind Christ Church, Eureka.
by the Rev. Nancy Streufert Associate, Christ Episcopal Church, Eureka On Saturday, January 31st, I was ordained by Bishop Beisner to the Sacred Order of Priests at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka. Being consecrated a priest – saying "yes" to God – within the beautiful liturgy, music and setting of my faith community was a glorious affirmation of my understanding of God's call to me.
By God's Mercy: Lenten Reflections on Vocation With Bishops Barry Beisner and Brian Thom Bishop Barry Beisner is hosting a Lenten Clergy Quiet Day with Bishop Brian J. Thom, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho on February 25th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
by The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California Bishop Barry Beisner joined bishops from Province VIII for their Annual Meeting and Pilgrimage to The Episcopal Church in Navajoland on January 5-9, 2015. This pilgrimage included visits to churches and scenic areas of worship in the Four Corners region where Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah meet. Navajoland is part of Province VIII and is a missionary diocese of The Episcopal Church.
by The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California On January 22-25, 2015, Mercy Center Auburn was the setting for diocesan leadership planning and discernment for The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California. The Deans of the diocese met on Thursday and Friday with Canon Andrea McMillin who facilitated their conversation, and the diocesan Board of Trustees, including the Deans, Canon Andrea and Bishop Barry Beisner, met with the able guidance of consultant Caroline McCall (pictured here) from Frid...
by The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California Artist and writer Kathrin Burleson has released a new book titled The Soul's Journey: An Artist's Approach to the Stations of the Cross. Kathrin is a founding member of Saints Martha and Mary Episcopal Mission in Trinidad, California and is an associate of the Community of the Transfiguration, a religious community for women in The Episcopal Church. Walk the historic tradition of the Stations of the Cross in new ways.
by Clif Hill, Chair, Discernment Committee of St. John's, Petaluma So, what's going on these days at St. John's Episcopal Church in Petaluma?
by the Rev. David Bridges, Deacon, St. Clement's, Rancho Cordova I am blessed to announce that my Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate of The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California took place on Saturday, November 1, 2014 at St.
by Bobbie Keill, People's Warden, St. Clement's, Rancho Cordova The Vestry of St. Clement's, Rancho Cordova is pleased to announce that our discernment process has resulted in the appointment of our new Priest-in-Charge, the Rev.
by the Rev. Dan Boeger, Deacon, St. Timothy's, Gridley "Every congregation should have two deacons, at least!" These are the words of Bishop Barry Beisner.
by Saint Francis, Fair Oaks On Friday, May 16, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at Saint Francis Church in Fair Oaks there will be a concert to celebrate the 30 years that Saint Francis has committed to their recovery ministry. The concert is free, with a free-will offering to their Fair Oaks neighbor Clean and Sober Living.
by St. James Church, Lincoln On February 16, 2014 Bishop Beisner visited and offered blessings to the congregation (and building and grounds) at St. James' Episcopal Church in Lincoln.
by the Ven. Cookie Clark Several ordinands gathered at Mercy Center for a retreat before their respective ordinations. The Rev.
by the Ven. Beatryce "Cookie" Clark, Archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California The Rev. Cindy Long, RN, deacon at St.
This article first appeared in the The Mendocino Beacon and the Fort Bragg Advocate. by Patricia Karch Episcopal Bishop Barry Beisner, & Lutheran Bishop Mark Holmerud It is no surprise that churches are facing the same economic problems as other governmental and private institutions.These hard economic times call for changes from "business as usual" to exploring the possibilities of something unique. Saint Michael's Episcopal and Trinity Lutheran Churches are beginning the process of ad...
by St. Augustine of Canterbury, Rocklin "That's why they call it Rocklin!" exclaimed Bishop Barry Beisner, as he wielded a golden spade and struggled to lift a shovel full of cobble, marking the site of the altar of St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church's first building.
Roanridge Trust Awards Grant For Diaconal Ministry Development In late December Bishop Barry Beisner and Deacon Phina Borgeson received word that the diocese has once again received a grant from the Roanridge Trust, this time for diaconate and community ministry development in the Semper Virens Deanery. The award of $7,050 will be used to bring trainers in community organizing and diaconal spirituality to work with a community of leaders from the congregations of the deanery. The project continu...
by Nicole Baxley The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California welcomes the newly ordained priests, the Rev. Brad Helmuth and the Rev. Matt Warren!
Bishop Beisner Presides Over Steve Paul Moore's Reception Into Holy Orders by St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Napa The Right Reverend Barry L. Beisner led a number of priests and deacons and a church full of parishioners, in rites receiving the Rev.
New Dollars/New Partners Conference Kicks off New Diocesan Opportunity by The Rev. Phil Reinheimer, Priest in Charge, St. John's Episcopal Church, Marysville An enthusiastic and inquisitive group of 18 churches and 50 persons participated in the first informational meeting of a New Dollars/New Partners proposal for our diocese.
Dear Friends in Christ: Grace and peace to you. It is good to be home again, after twelve days away for General Convention. I trust that you have been getting all the up-to-the-minute information and analysis you may have been looking for from the combination of the Diocesan and Episcopal Church websites, and the several postings there.
by Barbara Woolman, Communications Committee Member, St. Augustine of Canterbury, Rocklin On Sunday, February 19, 2012, Bishop Barry Beisner officiated at the Installation and Celebration of a New Ministry for the Rev. Elizabeth Armstrong as the new Vicar at St.
© 2013 The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California.
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West Coast Songwriters - 12/16/19
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West Coast Songwriters Competition at Freight & Salvage!
Check out the future when the West Coast Songwriters present their monthly Songwriter Competition, where members take the stage and perform their material live on the Freight stage. Performers sign up from 7:00 to 7:20, and at 7:30 the house lights go down and the show goes on! Guest judges award a "Best Song" and "Best Performance." The most active association of songwriters in the country, WCS is dedicated to providing the environment, opportunities, and tools to nurture and promote successful songwriters. The talent on display is worth checking out, and you might hear a future classic.

subset: commoncrawl


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| 1.3°C Belfast
Julia Roberts has opened up about how her family are struggling to cope with the recent death of her half-sister.
Nancy Motes, 37, died in February of an apparent drug overdose and shortly afterwards Pretty Woman star Julia was interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, with her thoughts published in the magazine's May issue.
She said of Nancy's death: "It's just heartbreak. It's only been 20 days. There aren't words to explain what any of us have been through in these last 20 days. It's hour by hour some days, but you just keep looking ahead.
"You don't want anything bad to happen to anyone, but there are so many tragic, painful, inexplicable things in the world.
"But [as with] any situation of challenge and despair, we must find a way, as a family. It's so hard to formulate a sentence about it outside the weepy huddle of my family."
Julia, 46, has three children, Henry, six, and twins Hazel and Phinnaeus, nine, with husband Danny Moder and spoke about how she managed her work and home life: " By the time we had kids, I had accomplished things and felt secure about that part of my life.
"I was so joyful moving into the family phase of my life in a sincere way. We're just grateful for the sense we have of being like any other family down the street. I don't question it."
The August: Osage County actress continued: "For a long time, they weren't even aware I had a job because I was home so much. Now they get it."
Talking about fame, she revealed: "I don't consider myself a celebrity, [at least not] how it is fostered in our culture today. I don't know if I'm old and slow, but there seems to be a frenzy to it.
"I think there is a dehumanisation that goes with fame, especially in the present culture of it, which isn't the culture I started off in.
"There wasn't this analysis of every iota of every moment of every day. Nobody cared about what you wore, nobody cared what haircut you had, if you had on make-up or didn't - it's become this sort of sport."


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Completely New 2015 Cadillac ATS : When Will Completely New 2015 Cadillac ATS Be Released
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From One North Carolina Prison, Reports of an Eight-Month Lockdown
From Solitary Watch/ by Lisa Dawson
Across the United States, even prisoners who have not been placed in solitary confinement or any form of "segregation" can be subjected to a "lockdown" in which they may be held in solitary-like conditions, confined to their cells nearly round-the-clock. Brief lockdowns are a common occurrence, and lockdowns lasting months or more are not unusual. Individuals subjected to lockdown are generally denied even the pro-forma review processes afforded to most others placed in solitary confinement.
In the "Close Custody" unit–a single celled, high-security unit–at North Carolina's Scotland Correctional Institution, nearly 800 men have been on indefinite lockdown since December 28, 2013. Individuals subjected to the lockdown have been confined to their cells for 22 to 23 hours a day for eight months and counting.
When asked by Solitary Watch about the status of Scotland, North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NC DPS) spokesperson Keith Acree stated that he was unaware that the prison was on lockdown. (more…)


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The timetables of history: a horizontal linkage of people and events, based on Werner Stein's Kulturfahrplan
Simon and Schuster, 1982 - History - 676 pages
Unique, classic, global, indispensable, and entertaining . . . there is no en d to the attractions of this remarkable volume. It brings alive the vast, rich history of human civilization for a very diversified readership through the ages from 400 BC to 1978 AD.
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LibraryThing ReviewUser Review - auntieknickers - LibraryThing
The early years of human history seem to have less information than might be available, particularly spotty in Asian history and pretty much nothing about Africa south of the Sahara. Still, an interesting browse and a good place to see what was happening in a given year. Read full review
LibraryThing ReviewUser Review - Diwanna - LibraryThing
I'd be lying if I said that I read this book, but it is an interesting reference to peruse from time to time. Read full review
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Andy winter of Winds and Age of Silence
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Topic: Andy winter of Winds and Age of Silence
Posted: August 16 2006 at 17:02
This was initially on whoresofchaos.com, where I have done reviews and interviews.
Andy Winter Interview 1-13-06
The FRIDAY THE 13th Interview!
First, I would like to say thanks again to Andy Winter of Winds and Age of Silence for giving me the time to talk to him in this most improvised of interviews. He is really a very nice and friendly person and I enjoyed our conversation, which filled the better part of two hours. As I was unable to record the session, both Mr. Winter and I decided to best approach the interview in an article form rather than in the usual interview fashion.
One of the first subjects brought up in the conversation was what future projects are in the works for Winds and Age of Silence, as well as Andy Winter's solo project. While Age of Silence is a parallel project to Winds, Winds is the main band. Currently, he is working mostly on Winds' next big project, of which he had recently a big session in the studio. He also has been working another project for three years, but says it is hard to find time to do everything, "You meet people and say 'oh, let's do that' and then you never get together."
I had noticed that Winds and Age of Silence had some of the same members, but two different approaches to music. Winds is the first of the two bands, Mr. Winter explained, and was created out of an interest to combine classical with "inferences to metal". Not many bands have combined the two and he said it was "hard to find something unique."
"Lots of bands become popular and everybody copies them," he said, further explaining there were a lot of different elements going on in Winds, making it hard to recreate.
Mr. Winter wrote most of the songs for Winds on piano or keyboards while the guitar player did the "heavy parts" afterward. As for Age of Silence, it was completely opposite. He was playing around with some guitar bits that he recorded and auditioned for some friends, and there was an idea on doing something with them, so he spoke to the guitar player (Joacim "Extant" Solheim) and Jan Axel Blomberg ("Hellhammer"). Mr. Blomberg was already the "permanent drummer" for both projects and "works on everything" Mr. Winter is involved in. Carl August Tidemann, while right for Winds, was not the kind of guitarist needed for Age of Silence, plus he was always too busy, so Helge K. Haugen ("Kobbergaard"), who had worked on the first Winds ep, Of Entity and Mind, was approached. While he had a different style than what was needed for Winds, he was the "right person" for Age of Silence.
Lars Nedland ("Lazare") was brought in "by coincidence", Mr. Winter explained. They had wanted to involve another "very well-respected" vocalist, but he "fell out" due to being busy elsewhere. A studio guy who worked on Winds and Age of Silence played some Solefald tracks. Mr. Winter then got in touch with Lazare to do vocals for Age of Silence, "Not a bad decision to include him."
Lazare was the last to join on with Age of Silence.
"There is a lot more disagreement in Age of Silence than in Winds," Mr. Winter commented, "Everybody has their own ideas."
He also noted that when some people see Winds and Age of silence, they tend to think that both bands are similar, when in actuality they are two separate and completely different bands. There is a different approach and mindset to Winds than Age of Silence. In Age of Silence, Lazare writes the lyrics and Mr. Winter writes the music, and they "fit together like a puzzle...It's more of a coincidence of how things come together."
Mr. Winter does not try to be self-analytical with the lyrics for Winds and thinks Lazare might feel the same, but gives "cryptic lyrics". While Mr. Winter puts deep thought into music, he finds it hard to sit down and start into a deep conversation about lyrics right away. A German intellectual magazine once invited him to write a "deep" article. When he wrote about Winds' lyrics and thoughts behind his music, they said it was not what they wanted, but rather something "intellectually deep".
One interview faux pas he pointed out was when someone asks "What kind of style do you play?" He does not think much about style or genres, noting how it gets ridiculous with the genre labeling of music, and really does not "follow music or listen to music" that much: "I'm not my own ideal customer."
Another subject we discussed was the difference between European music and American music, especially on how the Europeans tend to have more diverse influences and styles. Mr. Winter agreed, pointing out how it seemed that American musicians tend be more about attitude and lyrics and not so much into the music itself, while in Europe, most bands tend to have a solid musical foundation.
The music industry, I said, in the USA was more about money, what with pay-to-play and such things. "The music industry comes down to money," Mr. Winter commented, "How can we profit off of people who want to make music?" He compared it to watching American television and seeing commercials about training schools during the daytime shows, "There's more profit in making people take the classes than in the actual education." There is also a lot of money in advertising and selling gear, instruments and such, but the only person who can make music good is the musician. "In the end, it's doesn't matter what kind of gear...it's the musician", such as experimenting "which is what Age of Silence is about."
One other thing that impressed Mr. Winter were the older music journalists who were into "early Yes and Rush", such as one guy for METAL MANIACS, who also were into the newer European metal, such as Winds and Age of Silence. He found them interesting to do interviews with and I believe he was flattered that his music reached people such as the more mature progressive rock fans.
Again, I would like to thank Mr. Winter for the interview and conversation and look forward to hearing his future projects.
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|Posted: August 16 2006 at 21:41
Very interesting read, thanks!
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|Posted: August 19 2006 at 16:20
Winds is one of my favorite prog metal bands,awesome!
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|Posted: August 19 2006 at 16:57
Andy Winter is one of the nicest guys I ever talked to. We talked for , like, two hours on his dime and he was wonderful. If he ever wanted to do it again, I'd be more than happy to.
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|Posted: October 06 2006 at 16:09
Very nice
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Registered address: The Spire Hospital Bristol, The Glen, Durdham Down, Bristol BS6 6UT


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Ellis E. and Nina S. Good to George D. Miller, 1.377 acres at 1092 Hunter's Ridge Road, Earlysville Forest, Earlysville, $246,000.
Dana L. and James B. Ross Jr. to Dana L. Ross, 1143 Raintree Drive, Raintree, gift.
Michael J. and Karen M. Yuhasz to Linda Tournade, 3.64 acres at 4933 Sugar Hollow Road, Crozet, $320,000.
Keswick Corp. to John A. Crocker, 2.647 acres at Keswick Estates, $195,000.
Harold R. Dempsey to Wayne T. and Mary C. Stinnette, 5.169 acres on State Route 766, 2903 Pea Ridge Road, Barracksdale, $338,000.
Jeffrey D. Crane to Jason Lund, 1020 Huntwood Lane, Huntwood Townhouses, $203,550.
Stephen J. and Suzanne O'Grady to Gregory R. and Susan C. Anderson, 0.311 acres at 2758 Fernleaf Road, Forest Lakes South, $398,000.
Brandermill Investments Inc. to John E. and Kimball E. Gilmer, 1249 Clifden Green, LeParc, RiverRun, $183,000.
Freddie Sun to John Bollington, 1711 Solomon Road, Barterbrook, $288,500.
Sigrid Anderson and Jeffrey Corcell to Helga R. Hiss and Frank D. Pickett III, 1255 Maple View Drive, Willow Lake, $182,000.
Ruth E. Schmitz to Jeffrey S. and Amy L. Lowell, trustees, 67.821 acres in White Hall district, $800,000.
Eric T. and Francine Jensen to Laura Kane and Matias Cammino, 0.603 acres at 670 Ridgemont Road, Earlysville Heights, $240,000.
Karen L. Christopher to Local Oak LLC, 11.04 acres at 9753 Warren Ferry Road, Keene, $190,000.
Bernard A. and Martha B. Newcombe to Stephen B. Henry, 1861 Scottsville Road, Carnahan Estate, $132,000.
Roger B. and Norma L. Smith to James Longshaw and Theresa Drought, 647 Gillums Ridge Road, Ivy Woods, $350,000.
R.D. Wade Builder Inc. to Thomas S. and Margaret G. Granberry, trustees, 3369 Darby Road, Glenmore, Keswick, $517,980.
Mary John Smith, trustee, to Blenheim Ridge LLC, 30.469 acres at Blenheim, Scottsville district, $85,000.
Dennis and Janice Fryer to Patrick R. and Margaret F. Sheehan, 602 Nettle Court, Redfields, $339,900.
William G. and Wilton M. Gale to Freddie Y. and Dorothy C. Sun, 0.232 acres at 1576 Old Brook Road, Raintree, $271,000.
Skyline Home Builders LLC to Kurt W. and Kristi K. Kolasinski, 0.233 acres at 3110 Moorewood Lane, Highlands at Mechums River, $271,000.
Fluvanna Land and Development Ct. to Brian C. Belyea and Andrianne N. Stump, 155 Jordan Lane, Clover Lawn Village, $199,900.
Jen Chun and Fay-May Hwang to James E. Mitchell, 0.096 acres at 311 Bennington Road, Bennington Woods, $154,000.
Steven L. and Codie C. Peters to Brian A. Pertillar, 43 acres in Scottsville district, $98,000.
Lone Oak LLC to Murcielago LLC, 1382.83 acres at 2210 James River Road, Scottsville, $4,000,000.
Gregory J. and Cheryl Kim Briehl to Gregory C. and Virginia R. Sieminski, parcel in Chimney Rock, $200,000.
Redfields Development Corp. to Craig Enterprises Inc., lot in Redfields, $60,607.
James E. and Joann S. McMahon to Edward J. and Eva K. Wasserman, 11.008 acres at 2335 Saddle Hollow Road, Crozet, $525,000.
Margo M. Jones to Carolyn Jean, Kathleen M., and Edward J. Czarski Jr., 2.0 acres at 3250 Flannigan Branch Lane, $250,000.
Donald O., Carolyn S., and Suzanne Schultz to David B. Smith and Maria Victor-Smith, 952 Huntwood Lane, Huntwood Townhouses, $207,500.
Attilio H. and Virginia B. Cenedella, trustees, to Laura W. and Jhong Lee, lot in Glenmore, $205,000.
William M. Cole to Aaron and Andrew Wallo III, 905 Stonehenge Road, Stonehenge, $157,500.
Debra S. Cash to Jennifer L. Evans, 4742 Wren Court, Briarwood, $169,500.
Brane Strom LLC to Barbara F. and Orvin H. Kiser Jr., 44.03 acres in three parcels in Samuel Miller district, $96,000.
Legend Development Co. to Christopher N. Fitch, 1714 Clay Drive, Wayland's Grant, Crozet, $247,900.
Lenwood A. and Ida P. Johnson to William S. and Sara T. Johnson, unit in Turtle Creek condominiums, 114 Turtle Creek Drive, $139,900.
Jennifer L. Gray to Matthew Caduff and Lori C. Stahl, 5530 Stump Town Lane, North Garden, $114,500.
Robert M. Hauser and T. Blake Hurt to Ian C. and Anne P. Binns, 1970 Arbor Lake Drive, Forest Lakes Townhouses, $189,900.
Dawn E. Hunt to Raymond J. McGrath, 317 Stribling Avenue Ext., $59,900.
James E. Marsh to Ricky L. or Dana L. Gibson, 1.234 acres on State Route 627, Scottsville, $30,000.
Gary E. and Annie P. Coles to Lenwood A. and Ida B. Johnson, 1632 Townwood Court, Townwood, $153,500.
Hydraulic LLC to Richard L. Perrault, 2527 Hydraulic Road, Solomon Court condominiums, $89,500.
Craig Enterprises Inc. to Roger L. and Patricia A. Henry, 1341 Courtyard Drive, Redfields, $261,272.
Tamara L. Wheeler to Sorrel F. Barnes, 994 Towne Lane, Village Square, $170,000.
Robert E. Davis and Wendy M. Novicoff to Robert E. and Charlotte S. Wilcox, 1059 Autumn Hill Court, Western Ridge, Crozet, $279,900.
Daniel J. and Sandra Paymar to Chet N. and Joanne H. Seapy, trustee, 1125 Raintree Drive, Raintree, $265,000.
Wilfredo D. and Deanne M. Delapena to Donald M. Harrison, 1555 Ingleside Drive, Ingleside, $755,000.
Arlene L. Walton to Louise M. Dean, 2366 Ravenswood Court, Ravenswood, $239,900.
William Randolph Corley to Gleenwood J. and Myrtle B. Boykin, 3.568 acres in North Garden, gift.
Church Hill Development Co. to Ronald K. and Stefanie A. Saunders, 1096 Foxvale Lane, Foxcroft, $295,350.
Charles W. Hurt Jr., trustee, to Vernon A. and Barbara R. Batten, parcel on Wakefield Road, Northfields, $60,000.
Southland Homes Inc. to Sam S. Kiana, 0.128 acres at 109 Boxwood Court, Village Homes, $232,950.
James P. and Jacqueline J. Holley to Paul M. and Jeanne N. Guiliano-Dunn, 0.965 acres at 1325 Chippendale Court, Candlewyck, $356,000.
Harold and Peggy M. Moats to Rita R. Morrow, 2124 Loring Circle, Rivercreek of Dunlora, gift.
Thomas J. McGowan to Route 20 Investment LLC, 21 acres on State Route 20, $225,000.
Skyline Home Builders LLC to Nicholas B. and Angela Lynn, lot in Beaver Creek subdivision, $799,000.
Susan M. Powell to Roger L. and Sean K. Jenkins, 37 Creekside Circle, Village Homes of Mill Creek, $205,000.
Bryan E. Thomas to Quatia A. Watkins, 2488 Whtiney Court, Briarwood, $135,000.
Collison F. Royer to Kevin C. and Jennifer L. Woodward, 0.43 acres on State Route 726, 109 James River Road, $237,000.
John T. Sorly to Nancy E. Gillespie, 0.92 acres at 11 Ridgeview Circle, Village Homes of Mill Creek, $199,000.
Brandermill Investment Inc., to S. Lowell Kahn and Carrie Turban-Kahn, 1465 Willow Lake Drive, Willow Lake, $240,500.
Roberta P., Charles C., and Robert P. Boyle Jr. to Roberta P., Charles C., and Lynne C. Richards, l/3 interest in 6.533 acres at 2010 Spottswood Road, $15,000.
Shirley W. Watkins to Duana M. Harris, 3.22 acres at 2587 Emerys Lane, Esmont, $1,600.
Bret E. and Michiko Aker to Seung Hun Lee and Despo Louca, 2984 Cove Trace, Forest Lakes, $375,000.
Ryan L. Bryant to Kennedy Brown, 536 Jester Lane, Camelot, $148,000.
Michael W. and Valerie R. Gibson to Marjo M. VanDijck, 6223 Cling Lane, Orchard Acres subdivision, $139,900.
Denise S. Spathos to George W. and Lourdes D. VanEron, et al., trustees, 1284 Maple View Drive, Willow Lake subdivision, $195,000.
Marcus T. and Charemon E. Billingslea to Thomas F. and Susan M. O'Connell, 380 Blacks Lane, Scottsville, $185,000.
Gregory R. and Susan C. Anderson to Susan M. Murphy, 1780 Tinkers Cove Road, Hollymead, $237,500.
Haley Chisholm & Morris Inc. to Fred and Carol E. Weismiller, lot on Indian Ridge Drive, Indian Springs, $295,000.
Erica L. Woolheater to Donald R. and Tamara H. Spencer, 2.02 acres at 2202 Martin Kings Road, Woodridge, $163,000.
Thomas C. Williams to Jonathan D. and Tara L. Woodson, 5.0 acres at 505 Debenham Court, $49,000.
Sarah P. and James A. Dean to Pearl W. and James E. Nowell Sr., 131 Woodlake Drive, Four Seasons, $143,000.
Bertha B. Jackson to Weather Hill Homes Ltd., parcel in Albemarle County, $138,000.
John H. and Linda D. Cotton Jr. to Dallas A. Allen and Catherine A. English, 208 Westminster Road, Canterbury Hills, 328,000.
Seth W. and Erin B. D. Clabough to Claude V. Worrell II and Kathryn S. Laughon, 1.18 acres at 149 Irish Road, Scottsville, $177,000.
Ezra G. Bowen to Matthew W. Bowen, 6 Old Farm Road, gift.
Max M. and Irene V. Honn to Irene V. Honn, trustee, 3.237 acres at 1429 Burchs Creek Road, gift.
Donald A. and Beverlie F. Wissner to Robert B. and Robin J. Goldstein, 3470 Devon Pines, Glenmore, Keswick, $610,000.
Joseph W. Richmond Jr., trustee, to Anthony J. Morano, unit in University Village condominiums, 500 Crestwood Drive, $275,000.
Erik S. and Elisabeth T. Greenbaum to Roger T. and Marilyn P. Millard, 2.019 acres at 3152 Beau Mont Farm Road, Beau Mont Farm, $678,500.
Paul H. and Patricia N. Neuroth to Lancaster LC, 2558 Old Lynchburg Road, North Garden, gift.
Liberty Land Ltd. to R. L. Beyer Construction Co., lot in Ashcroft, $164,500.
Denise M. Forster to Daniel G. Schleifer and Rebecca A. Dill, 2.058 acres at 2858 Randolphs Orchard Lane, Esmont, $174,900.
R. D. Wade Builder Inc. to Ronald and M. Anita Rash, 3524 Glasgow Lane, Glenmore, $694,666.
John W. Frick Jr. and Marsha VanBenschote to Jeffrey Z. and Danielle L. Qureshi, 2915 Lamkin Way, Hollymead, $220,000.
Joseph W. Wright Jr. to Pines Group LLC, 10.795 acres, $2,600,000.
Michael K. Wright, trustee, to Pines Group LLC, 1.502 acres, $400,000.
Mary Jane Frank to Richard C. and Cami Lyn Slaughter, trustees, 1067 Highlands Drive, Highlands at Mechum's River, $172,000.
Benjamin A. F. and Susan Margaret Brewer to Madison I. and Dorothy L. McCall, 1787 Lambs Road, Ivy Farm, $419,000.
Frederic D. Zimmerman to Joseph T. and Margaret W. Noonan, 1633 Stonecrop Court, Lake Reynovia, $256,000.
Christopher M. Bowen to Linda D. and John J. Cotton Jr., 6195 Laura Lane, Waylands Grant, Crozet, $250,000.
John F. and Motana K. Gaffney to Andrew L. and Beth K. Fraser, 3373 Worth Crossing, Forest Lakes Townhouses, $178,500.
American Telephone Hardware Inc. to Full Monterey LLC, 1468 Monterey Drive, Four Seasons, $189,000.
Cobblestone LLC to Denise M. Forster, 1225 Taylor's Gap Road, Rush Estates, $190,000.
Wayne A. and Patricia T. Marthaler to Erik S. and Elisabeth T. Greenbaum, 2011 Piper Way, Glenmore, Keswick, $715,000.
Robert T. and Holly M. Gloff to Donna G. Fredrick, 2920 Hollymead Drive, Hollymead, $217,000.
R. E. Harman to PBK Real Estate LLC, lot in Running Deer subdivision, $103,000.
Big Deal
Lone Oak LLC to Murcielago LLC, 1382.83 acres, $4,000,000.


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Beloved choir director dies minutes after students sing on doorstep
ALVIN, Texas – A beloved choir director couldn't have asked for a sweeter sendoff as her battle with cancer came to an end.
Mariana Walker was Alvin Junior High School's longtime choir director. She left school and went home for hospice care as her illness progressed.
"She would take the shirt off her back for you at any time," said Denim Fields, one of Walker's students.
"She was a very special teacher to us," said Holly Darnell.
Students who wanted her to know just how much they cherished her, delivered their heartfelt message just in time.
They gathered at her home to sing Hillsong's Oceans.
"They had this beautiful song to sing for her," said Laura Sammons, Walker's best friend who was there at the time. "We opened the doors and just let the sound float in there."
Walker died minutes later but her students vowed to always remember her.
"She was the person I could go to if I was having a bad day," said Lauren Collins. "She'd let me sit with her and we would be able to just sit there and talk."
Videos capturing the students' tribute were posted online. Some of them have been shared thousands of times over.
"We wanted our last words for her to be special," said Darnell.
Source: Beloved choir director dies minutes after students sing on doorstep | khou.com


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Jugos, bebidas, vinos y licoresAgo. 26, 2013
Manzanas/EE.UU: producción 2013 crecería 13%
CHICAGO – Despite a smaller crop from industry leader Washington, U.S. apple production is expected to rise 13% in 2013.
Andy Nelson
About 243 million bushels are expected to be produced this season, up from 216 million bushels in 2012 and 9% above the 5-year average, according to the annual estimate from the Vienna, Va.-based U.S. Apple Association.
The association released its annual estimate Aug. 23 at the U.S. Apple Outlook Marketing Conference .
Big comebacks in Michigan and New York, which were devastated by late freezes in 2012, helped make up for the smaller Washington crop.
Washington growers are expected to produce about 140 million bushels this year, down from 155 million bushels in 2012 but 4% higher than the 5-year average.
New York, the No. 2 producer, is expected to produce about 32 million bushels in 2013, up from 17 million bushels in 2012 and 15% above the 5-year average.
Production in Michigan, the third-largest U.S. apple shipper, should rise from 2.7 million to 30 million bushels.
In Pennsylvania, the No. 4 U.S. producer, about 10.5 million bushels are expected, down from 11.8 million bushels in 2012 and 8% below the 5-year average.
Production in Virginia, at an estimated 5.5 million bushels, should be similar to last year and 3% above the 5-year average.
California is expected to produce about 4.8 million bushels in 2013, down from 7.1 million bushels last year and 32% below the 5-year average.
Source: thepacker.com


text: Just saying hi! I've been a Eastman's Bowhunting Subscriber for quite some time just never signed up to the forum. Here's a little info about me. I've been bowhunting for 30 years and have hunted all over the West, Canada, and Alaska. I grew up in western Oregon and retired from the Air Force after 25 years of service. Really looking forward to the helpful info posted on this site concerning gear and hunting.


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Color Machine Film-Orange-20" X 5000' X 63 Ga-1 Roll
USD 63.95In stock
You'll benefit greatly from our Colored Machine Grade Stretch Film because it offers your packages an advertisement feature that allows your product to be easily noticed! Available in 20" or 30" heights 5000'/roll and 70 and 80 gauge thickness, this tough and durable film will guard shipments superbly and disguise your shipment if desired. Similar to our blown stretch film, this colored machine stretch film will have a noisy unwind aspect, but besides that, you'll be satisfied with its puncture resistant, and tamper proof security.


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Microfinance has lost its first love and lost its way. A focus on investor incentives over borrower incentives led to 6 shifts in in the practice of microfinance that changed its face and left it looking more like a for-profit bank and less like a pro-poor innovation.
SKS Microfinance, one of the world's largest microfinance institutions (MFI) just raised an estimated $350 million in a stock offering which closed yesterday. The very successful IPO was oversubscribed by nearly 14 times. The founder, Vikram Akula, who has already sold shares worth $13 million, holds shares that after today will be worth an estimated $55 million. Perhaps its time for the old adage of social enterprise "doing well by doing good" to be updated. With these numbers, "getting filthy rich by doing good" seems more fitting. But one has to wonder if the "doing good" part still fits.
In 1999, I designed and led a microfinance program with World Concern in rural Bolivia. I had written my undergraduate IPE thesis at UPS on microlending in 1996 and used that research as the basis for the design. The key at the time was understanding the incentives of the borrowers – how do you get very poor borrowers who have neither a credit history nor collateral to offer to borrow and repay in good faith so that you can recover your capital and re-lend to other poor? (And how do you cover your lending costs on interest from tiny loans ranging from $20-100?) The answer was a relatively new banking model, developed originally in Bangladesh by Muhammad Yunus, an economics professor who received the Nobel Peace price in 2006 for his work. Dr. Yunus had solved the incentives problems that kept the banking industry from being able to lend to the poor. The new model worked very well and the poor demonstrated an ability to repay loans at rates that often beat highly-collateralized commercial borrowers in the formal sector. Long story short, the previosly unbankable poor were finally granted access to reasonably priced credit and the flow of capital to poor entrepreneurs helped launch and grow millions of small businesses.
The early success of microfinance led to a massive scale-up and everybody from NGOs to banks to foundations to private investors began launching MFIs in every corner of the globe. The problem then became how to finance this scale-up and so the key shifted from understanding the incentives of the borrowers to understanding the incentives of investors. At some point, a good part of the microfinance movement got hooked on the hubristic notion that we had to provide credit access to every poor person on earth and in order to do this we'd have to access the formal capital markets, which were driven solely by financial incentives. And so, without hardly a look ahead at what it would mean, profitability became the leading indicator of success. Instead of talking about how many people had been helped to move out of poverty, MFIs began bragging about low rates of portfolio at risk and high rates of ROI. Healthy assets were prized over healthy borrowers.
The new focus on investor incentives over borrower incentives has led to a number of dramatic changes in the industry. Here are six shifts in the face of microfinance that make it almost unrecognizable to someone like me.
1. shift from poorest of poor to the moderately poor
There are two fundamental problems with lending to the poorest of the poor when you are concerned more about profit than poverty alleviation. One is that they are very vulnerable to external shocks. A late rain, a death in the family, a run-over pig – these are economic catastrophes for the poorest of the poor. They have a very limited ability to rely on savings (stored grain, fattened pig) or other sources of credit (equally poor relatives and neighbors) to smooth out these frequent bumps. When faced with a choice of surviving or repaying their loan, these will survive. Second is they don't have a huge appetite for credit. They generally want really small loans. They are incredibly risk-averse (see point one) and don't want to become highly indebted. Even if you charge 3% a month on a loan, when that loan is $40, you need both really low operating costs and lots and lots of borrowers to make any money. The solution was to abandon the very poor and begin lending the moderately poor – a safer and more profitable lot. We lost our first love.
2. shift from rural to urban
To lower the operating costs many MFIs began operating exclusively in places with a higher population density – i.e. cities. This limited the time and cost required for a loan officer to service his caseload. It also changed the nature of the loans from agriculture to commerce. Agriculture loans are slow to turn-around as the capital is tied up for some fixed amount of time in something like corn stalks or goat kids. And these investments don't generate any cash until the very end (i.e. harvest or slaughter). Most agriculture borrowers only pay interest until the very end when all the principle can be returned. Commerce loans on the other hand have a fast turn-around and generate principle payments throughout the cycle since the new business asset or inventory begins generating new income immediately. This keeps capital cycling quickly through the loan portfolio which generates more cash for the lender. But it also means that the rural poor, who already had the least amount of access to financial services, were further abandoned.
3. shift from starting businesses to growing businesses
To decrease risk and increase repayment rates, MFIs began shifting away from start-ups and toward business growth. When they worked with the poorest of the poor, they were providing seed capital that gave the poor entrance to income generating activities. But, most new businesses fail, especially when led by inexperienced entrepreneurs, whereas established businesses have a better shot at profiting from an influx of additional capital. So, those who already had some capital and income generation were given access to more, while those who had none lost the opportunity.
4. shift from peer lending to individual collateralized lending
A few months ago I was in Nicaragua visiting a branch office of a local non-profit MFI. The offices were stuffed with a crazy assortment of household appliances. Loan officers' desks were wedged between refrigerators and stacks of radios and microwave ovens. It turned out this was all the stuff the "pro-poor non-profit" organization had taken from the homes of the poor. They had collected their collateral on at-risk or defaulted loans. I thought, "What business is this NGO in?How in the world do they measure success as they sit in the middle of all this capital they've collected from the poor?"
The anonymity and mobility of city dwellers coupled with the difficulty of getting established business owners to risk their capital by co-signing on loans with mobile strangers made this shift almost necessary. It turns out that it is also a lot less time consuming to work with a bunch of individual lenders than it is to manage the complexity of peer lending groups or community banks. So this had the additional benefits of permitting an increase in the caseload of each loan officer. This has been the saddest shift for me. Peer-lending was the key to solving the incentives puzzle in the first place. It was a practical way to value the relationships people had in their own communities as an asset you could bank on. In many ways, this was the final capitulation to becoming a niche in the banking market rather than an anti-poverty social movement.
5. shift away from auxiliary services
As the focus shifted toward making profitable loans and away from alleviated poverty, the ability to justify expenses to investors that were unrelated diminished. Quasi-related services like literacy and health training were the first to go. These may empower someone and increase their well-being, but they don't directly help them repay a loan. And as loans became increasingly collateralized and borrowers increasingly business experienced, the cost of providing even the most related auxiliary services like small business and financial management training soon outweighed the benefits (in terms of loan repayment rates.) It was cheaper to threaten to seize collateral than provide business training. This helped further drive down operating costs and increased the caseload capacity of loan officers, which is a critical driver of profitability. It also discontinued some really good anti-poverty activities, many of which had nice synergy with the peer lending model.
6. shift from the poor as the primary beneficiary to the investor
And now we see the end game. Microfinance is becoming at once more complex as MFIs develop new products like microinsurance and remittance mechanisms, and more simple as many have become more comfortable and unabashed about their profit motives. While more and more impact studies conclude without rejecting the null hypothesis on the new breed of microfinance programs, their investors and founders are raking in huge profits.
While investors pat themselves on the back, stuff their pockets with cash, and cynically declare that they're just "doing well by doing good", I wonder how their clients feel. Afterall, it is the interest charged to the poor that generate profits in the first place. It would be one thing if this new kind of MFI could prove they are helping the poor, but there are almost no studies these days that provide such evidence. So it is on the backs of the poor that these MFIs derive their profit. The industry has done more than lose its first love, it has turned on them and devoured them.
Perhaps this is why Dr. Yunus had this to say about the recent spate of MFI IPOs:
"This is pushing microfinance in the loansharking direction. It's not mission drift. It's endangering the whole mission.""By offering an IPO, you are sending a message to the people buying the IPO there is an exciting chance of making money out of poor people. This is an idea that is repulsive to me. Microfinance is in the direction of helping the poor retain their money rather than redirecting it in the direction of rich people."
I couldn't have said it better.
Here's some links to other views on all this:
"A Guide to the SKS/Unitus Story" by Tim Odgen at Philanthropy Action
"Ironies in Yunus Attack on SKS IPO" by David Roodman at the Center for Global Development.
Interview with Dr. Yunus at Microfinance Focus
"How to provide for sustainable development AND a Social Mission" by Jerome Peloquin at Microfinance Focus.
"What is a Socially Responsible Investor?" by Jerome Peloquin at Microfinance Focus
"SKS IPO: Bringing Wall Steet to the Slums of India by Katherine Chasmar at Ashoka US
A repost of July 16 Wall Street Journal article with comment at Wokai Blog


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Add a touch of soft styling to your home with our range of home accessories. Use our handmade rattan or felt baskets to house our cushions and throws when not in use, perfectly positioned beside a sofa or bed. Our classic clocks and magazine racks can be used throughout the home to keep track of time and ensure your home stays organised.


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Bobby's Outfit Details:
jacket - Topman
shirt - J.Crew
glasses - Bonlook Jungle Chic
Bobby is forever on the go. Working as a bartender at two different locations means he's mixing drinks and being social day and night; he often works from the early afternoon until the wee hours of the morning. His busy schedule even keeps him from going home for the holidays, so I give him his gifts early, and it often includes a new fragrance, since he likes to switch it up a lot. HUGO BOSS asked us to participate in their #ReadyIs campaign, test out their BOSS BOTTLED and BOSS BOTTLED.NIGHT. fragrances and show how they can keep a man ready day and night. I took that literally and documented Bobby's shift from day to night - from casual and fuss free to buttoned up and ready for work. He paired the BOSS BOTTLED fragrance, which is fresh and light with a hint of warmth, with a more casual look for day. This one is my personal favorite of the two; it can work for day or night.
Outfit Details:
Bartending isn't just about mixing drinks - it's a must to be hyper-social and active throughout the night. BOSS BOTTLED. NIGHT. has a deeper, overtly masculine scent that can permeate a crowded bar scene without being overpowering.
Share what #ReadyIs on twitter or with HUGO BOSS on their #ReadyIs site - we'd love to hear your thoughts!


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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug called Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) to treat chronic hepatitis C infections.
It's the first drug approved to treat certain types of hepatitis C without the need for interferon too, a drug which can cause severe side effects.
"Today's approval represents a significant shift in the treatment paradigm for some patients with chronic hepatitis C," said Dr. Edward Cox, director of the Office of Antimicrobial Products in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
The hepatitis C virus can lie silently in the body for decades, then suddenly cause life threatening liver failure.
Several years ago, professor Onaiwu Ogbomo found out he had hepatitis C during a routine screening. He developed liver failure and was saved by a liver transplant, but when the hepatitis C recurred with a vengeance, his doctors broke some hard news.
"There's every likelihood I might die, and in fact, they clearly informed me that I should get go home and get my things in order," said Ogbomo.
Because he was dying, Ogbomo's doctors were working behind the scenes to try and get him the then investigational drug sofosbuvir on a "compassionate use" basis.
"We were able to get the drug," said Dr. Dilip Moonka, a liver specialist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. "We honestly feel if we had waited two or three more days that would have been too long."
Moonka said the drug sofosbuvir will revolutionize the treatment of hepatitis C.
"We expect to have cure rates of over 95 percent. We expect the treatments to be shorter, and we expect there to be fewer side effects," said Moonka.
Sovaldi is a nucleotide analog inhibitor that blocks a specific protein needed by the hepatitis C virus to replicate. Sovaldi is intended to be used as a component of a combination antiviral treatment regimen for chronic hepatitis C infection. Depending on the type of infection a patient has, the treatment regimen could include Sovaldi and ribavirin or Sovaldi, ribavirin and peginterferon-alfa.
The most common side effects in the various treatments regimens were fatigue, headache, nausea, insomnia and anemia.
While anyone can get hepatitis C, according to the CDC, more than 75 percent of adults infected are Baby Boomers, people born from 1945 through 1965. Baby Boomers are encouraged to be tested, since most people with hepatitis C don't know they are infected.
Currently there are between 3 and 4 million cases of hepatitis C in the United States, but that number could increase as more people get screened.
Experts said knowing there is what amounts to a cure for some patients will come as a relief to those battling the virus and those to come.
"They literally pulled me out of the grave," said Ogbomo.
To read the FDA approval of Sovaldi (sofosbuvir), click here.
To learn more about hepatitis C, click here.


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The South of Italy is summery, even in October. The lemon and olive groves are fragrant, and seasonally flavored gelato is available everywhere you turn. (I recommend the Ricotta Pear at Davide.) Sorrento is the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the area.
We began our day with a Azamara Shore Excursions Tour, to have wine and cheese at the Michelin Restaurant Quattro Passi.
Our tour was small an intimate – a group of twelve guests, a local guide, and Anita from the Azamara Shore Excursions team here onboard. We drove along the Sorrento peninsula, stopping for a photo opportunity along the way. The views were breathtaking. This part of Italy is famous for winding cliffside roads, and our journey did not disappoint. I was just relieved to be merely a passenger, and not behind the wheel!
A view of the island Capri in the distance, with fragrant lemon and olive trees immediately below.
Olives are harvested in October, and everywhere I looked along our route, I saw trees with netting strung beneath. Olives are harvested two ways: using a machine to shake tree branches, or manually, beating the branches with sticks. The olives fall into the nets, ready to become delicious Extra Virgin Olive Oil! Many small farms in this area grow olives, lemons, oranges and grapes.
Quattro Passi is a two-star Michelin restaurant located in Nerano, Italy. We first toured their fascinating wine cellar – I easily could have spent a whole day in there, listening to the knowledgeable maître de talk about the restaurant's wide selection of wine, grappa, whiskey and more.
Next, we were seated in the restaurant, overlooking the sparkling blue sea. We tasted two local wines – a white and a red – and enjoyed cheese, charcuterie and bruschetta. The tour was a fantastic way to experience Calabrian cuisine at one of the region's most renowned restaurants.
Quattro Passi was also our Hide & Tweet secret location of the day! Congratulations to Lindsay, who's been passionately playing along all week and correctly identified today's spot! Lindsay will receive a Moleskine Voyageur Notebook – perfect for keeping a diary during an Azamara cruise! (Lindsay tells me she'll be on the Journey next month!)
After lunch, our group parted ways to explore the quaint streets of Sorrento. This is an ideal place for shopping. Shoes, handbags, souvenirs, food - they're all displayed along cobblestone pathways.
I went all in on la dolce vita, enjoying pizza margherita, gelato and sampling limoncello at a lemon grove.
After a filling and fulfilling day in Sorrento, I returned to the Azamara Quest to enjoy a glass of wine and the great views. Tomorrow, we'll be in another part of Italy: Sicily! Stay tuned for another round of Hide & Tweet and live updates from our AzAmazing Evening.
Sorrento becomes less crowded and more relaxed in October. This 7 Night Sicily & Malta Voyage in 2016 is perfect for travellers who enjoy a slower pace.
from $1,999 USD
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MotorStorm Pacific Rift Update Detailed
Among other fixes and enhancements, the patch will remove restrictions on the copying of saved data, while also decreasing the chance of saved data corruption. Click through for a full list of updated features:
- Restrictions to the copying of Saved Data have been removed. This will make it possible for Saved Data to be backed up and then restored to the User Account it was created under (whether that's on the same PLAYSTATION 3 or not).*
- Changes to the way the game handles data. These changes will help to prevent Saved Data corruption.
- Visual notification of critical save progress has been added. A 'MotorStorm Helmet' icon will be displayed on-screen to warn users that critical data is being saved. This is in addition to the HDD Access light which currently flashes while the game makes a critical save.
- The glitch which enables a player to exploit the Boost system has been removed. The development team are working to identify which times have been achieved using this glitch; Action will be taken to ensure that the Leaderboards become genuinely competitive again.
- Time Attack times and Rank information will update correctly for all players. Any pending Time Attack times will begin to filter through systematically and the online Ranks should display correctly once the update is released.
- Additional fixes and improvements to gameplay. Many thanks for your feedback on these and other issues so far; we are still investigating the other issues that have been brought to our attention.
From The Chatty


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Federal Work-Study
Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) allows SJSU students to gain valuable work experience while earning money to help pay for college. A focus is placed on providing community service jobs both on and off campus.
One of the advantages of the FWS is that earnings are excluded when re-applying for financial aid. Thus, FWS earnings do not affect future financial aid eligibility. However, FWS earnings are taxable. The minimum work study award is $5,000.
Who is Eligible?
Students who indicate interest in Federal Work Study on their FAFSA are eligible for FWS. However, students who have financial aid awards with unmet need can request FWS by contacting a financial aid representative. Students may also request to have loans converted to work study. Submit the Student Information Update form to the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office to request loan conversion.
Eligibility does not guarantee employment. Actual employment is contingent upon availability of jobs, skill level, work hours, etc. Students who need internet access on campus can visit the Career Center in the Administration Building, room 255.
Jobs are available with on-campus employers such as Spartan Shops, University Housing Services, Student Union, Event Center, and various academic and administrative offices. Work Study jobs are also off-campus with school districts, social service agencies, city and county government, etc.
- Visit the Career Center for job listings. It is important to know that if you do not work an authorized work-study job, you will not receive any portion of your FWS award.
- Locate advertised FWS jobs (via the internet or hard-copy job listings)
- Call the specified employers and schedule a job interview
- Print your Financial Aid Award Notice from MySJSU and bring it with you to each job interview. Print your award notice by accessing: MySJSU>Self Service>Student Center> under Finances, select "View Financial Aid" and click on the appropriate aid year.


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Will WA Follow OR's Lead on Salmon-Saving Approach?
SEATTLE - Federal agencies, conservation groups, fishermen and sportsmen, Native American tribes and dam managers have rarely all been in the same room - unless it's a courtroom - in the long battle over how to restore native salmon and steelhead populations in the Northwest.
However, one leader in the region is voicing his official agreement with what conservation and business groups have been saying for years: that a whole new approach is needed to save the endangered fish species. In an editorial, Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber calls for all sides to sit down together, at the negotiating table instead of in the courtroom.
Kitzhaber says the latest federal review of salmon numbers shows some species are not recovering quickly enough. At the Northwest Energy Coalition, Sara Patton says his vote of confidence in a roundtable approach is an important step toward making it happen.
"We're excited: We think having Governor Kitzhaber take this stand is going to help a lot of folks in the region say, 'Yeah, this is worth it. It's time to do this, and we don't want to just keep on having the same old arguments in court.'"
Federal agencies have less than 18 months to improve or replace the last salmon recovery plan, called a Biological Opinion, that was already rejected in court. But whether a roundtable discussion of this magnitude can take place in the hectic weeks before a major election is anybody's guess. Bill Arthur, deputy national field director for the Sierra Club, thinks it is possible.
"The federal agencies are, in fact, still doing work, still convening meetings on any number of issues all around the country. Other Northwest leaders, whether it's the governor of Washington or whether it's other U.S. senators, could also lend their voice. So actually, no, I don't think it does have to wait 'til after the election."
Kitzhaber points out that all sides in the long salmon debate are working on projects for habitat improvement. But after about two decades of legal battles, and three federal salmon plans that have been ruled illegal, he says there could be more collaboration.
A call was made to Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire's office for her opinion, but it was not returned by deadline.
Read Governor Kitzhaber's editorial at www.oregonlive.com.


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Disney's Rose Bowl-Winning Ad for "Monsters University"
Boy, would it have been nice if Wisconsin had beaten Stanford in the Rose Bowl yesterday — overachievers with a good sports team are way more annoying than the run-of-the-mill kind. Alas, I have to settle for this highlight: Disney's sly send-up of the gauzy/clumsy ads each school runs during big-time college sports games.
In case it's taking you a second or two — the spot is a winking teaser for "Monsters University," the Pixar/Disney prequel to 2001's awesome "Monsters, Inc."
And here it's worth pointing out that Pixar does a particularly great job with Web promotions for its stuff (see, for instance, its viral-retro campaign for "Toy Story 3"). In this case, the entire Monsters University site is quite clever — note the "edu" suffix.
And we should also note that the Rose Bowl was broadcast on ESPN, which means that either one arm of Disney paid another arm of Disney to promote a movie on super-valuable airtime, or one arm of Disney got free, super-valuable airtime from another arm of Disney. Either way: Powerful arms!


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A Giant Axe to Grind with the Archeological Museum of Herakleionby S8intcom, copyright 2008
So, let me axe you something?
If you were a world famous and unique museum featuring ancient Minoan and Cretan artifacts, and in your collection had giant double headed axes of stupendous size—wouldn't you include something in a photo of the artifacts for scale? Wouldn't you provide the dimensions of the objects in the official descriptions of the artifact?
Is the fact that these ancient axes are much taller than a human being desciptions I've read about the artifacts, even the one from the museum housing them fails to provide that detail.
Now, the fact that these objects are very large, does not prove that they were wielded by giants; perhaps as the museum and other sources claim, they were just votive or worshipful objects. However, the fact that the size detail is often omitted and the objects shown without anything that could provide scale makes me slightly paranoid. We get a sense of their size primarily from tourist photographs.
In a "prior article, Ted Twietmeyer wrote about giant sledgehammers that had been found in an ancient copper mine. Clearly those hammers were wielded by very large men for purposes that were anything but votive. The point is, the notion that giant implements were wielded by giants in the past has been demonstrated over over again--to the open minded.
Returning to the giant double headed axes from up to 1700 years before Christ; there are reasons to at least consider the idea that they could have been made to be used by men of large stature. That information follows.
"The Archeological Museum of Herakleion contains a unique collection of ancient objects from excavations carried out in all parts of Crete including the archeological sites of Knossos, Phaistos, Gortyn and many others. The exhibits come mainly from the prehistoric Minoan era which takes its name from the legendary Cretan king, Minos. The museum is divided into 20 galleries containing finds from palaces, houses, tombs, and caves, arranged in groups according to period and provenance.
The exhibits cover a period of 5,000 years, from the Neolithic era to the Greco-Roman period and include examples of pottery, stone carving, seal engraving (one of the miniature arts at which the Minoans excelled), gold work remarkable for the excellence of its technique and the variety of its subjects, metal work (household utensils, tools, weapons, and sacred axes, carefully and ingeniously made), and frescos.....
Photos:Museum versus tourist:Bronze double axes from the megaron at Nirou. The double axe in Crete, once the instrument of sacrifice of the sacred bull, became the main religious symbol of the Cretans (it is most often depicted together with the head of a bull). The Minoan name for the double axe is "labrys", thus the word labyrinth may originally have meant the "house of the double axe". They date to the Second Palace and Post-Palace periods (1700 - 1300 BC)". Archeological Museum of Herakleion
Item: 1
Iraq: "The Sumerian culture might be the oldest in the world - where civilization was born. You can still find Sumerian statues and carvings showing their gods/kings - with six fingers. Their gods taught them everything - even mathematics based on the six digits system.
No wonder - since they had six fingers! The sumerian believed that their gods came from stars - the Pleiads. Numerous Sumerian seals depict them as men of gigantic stature.
They are often taller than members of their courts, even when depicted seated on thrones. In the numerous seals that show them standing, they tower above those standing next to them.
Note, the reason that this author makes a big deal of the six fingers is that the Bible connects them;
2 Samuel 21:20
"In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha."
Item 2
"At Agadir in Morocco, reports Peter Kolosimo, the French captain Lafanechere "discovered a complete arsenal of hunting weapons including five hundred double-edged axes weighing seventeen and a half pounds, i.e. twenty times as heavy as would be convenient for modern man.
Apart from the question of weight, to handle the axe at all one would require on to have hands of a size appropriate to a giant with a stature of at least 13 feet."...original source; Peter Kolosimo, Timeless Earth (New Hyde Park, NY: University Books, 1968), p. 32.
Now, according to Ragnar's Thrown Weapons Catalog, the ideal weight for a throwing axe today would be around 16 ounces or 1 pound. I found replicas of double headed axes similar to those at Crete, in the five pound range. This would seem to indicate that axes of the size and weight described would indeed be dificult to deploy in battle--for me of ordinary stature.
Image:Ancient tablet showing seated Sumerian King and court.
The official story re the giant axes (labrys)of Crete: "The term, and the symbol, is most closely associated in historical records with the Minoan civilization, which reached its peak in the 2nd millennium BC.
Some Minoan labrys have been found which are taller than a human and which might have been used during sacrifices. The sacrifices would likely have been of bulls.
The labrys symbol has been found widely in the Bronze Age archaeological recovery at the Palace of Knossos on Crete.
According to archaeological finds on Crete this double-axe was used specifically by Minoan priestesses for ceremonial uses. Of all the Minoan religious symbols, the axe was the holiest. To find such an axe in the hands of a Minoan woman would suggest strongly that she held a powerful position within the Minoan culture."..Wikipedia
Were these giant labrys made to be used either in battle or perhaps ceremoniously by men of giant stature? We can only speculate and we have. But we have shown that axes and other "tools" have been found that indicate that such items were built for use by men who could utilize them. There were giants in the earth in those days!
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