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CFP: Literary/Historical Mash-ups and Remixes and the Fantastic (10/31/10; ICFA, 3/16/11 – 3/20/11)
Participants are being sought for paper sessions or discussion panels on Literary/Historical Mash-ups and Remixes in the Fantastic for the 32nd annual International Conference on the Fantastic in the Arts.
The focus of ICFA 32 is on the humorous and ridiculous in the fantastic, and while papers relating to this theme are welcome, proposals on any topics related to this call will be equally welcome. The conference will be held in Orlando, Florida, from March 16 - 20, 2011 at the Orlando Marriott Airport Hotel. Guests of Honor are Connie Willis and Terry Bisson, and the Guest Scholar is Andrea Hairston. For more information and updates about the conference, please visit www.iafa.org.
Possible topics include (but are not limited to) the following topics:
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters
Mansfield Park and Mummies
Jane Slayer
Zombie Haiku
Vampire Haiku
Werewolf Haiku
Abe Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter
In order to be considered for the 2011 program, your proposal to (1) read a paper, (2) recruit and chair a paper session, or (3) organize and chair a panel discussion should be date-stamped no later than October 31, 2010; electronic correspondence is preferred. You may not submit proposals to more than one Division. Proposals must include a 500-word abstract and appropriate bibliography indicating the project's scholarly or theoretical context. Be sure to include current/working contact information (snail mail AND email addresses). Presenters must be members of IAFA at the time of the conference. Be sure to indicate all audio-visual equipment needs in this initial proposal; later A/V requests cannot be guaranteed.
Barbara Lucas, Division Head
Participatory and Convergence Studies in the Fantastic
5925 Cabot Parkway
Alpharetta, GA 30022
The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2010. However, proposals will be reviewed and accepted as they are received. Electronic submissions are preferred.
You can review all conference information and sign up for the IAFA listserv at www.iafa.org. Bookmark the site to keep checking back for updates.
We encourage work from institutionally-affiliated scholars, independent scholars, international scholars who work in languages other than English, graduate students, and undergraduate students.
Please feel free to forward this call to other listservs, organizations, and individuals who might be interested.


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Journaling: This picture was taken right before your second high school dance. Sigh. I don't know where the time goes. Thank you for letting me capture these moments even though I know it isn't "cool". You do it for me and I treasure it.A closeup of each page.....Another two page spread on Alex's birthday....sorry for the bad pic! Alex had 15 clues to solve during his scavenger hunt to find his birthday present (an electric guitar)
What else? My birthday was Monday. I had so much fun. My hubby and I went to dinner and then to see the Sex and the City Movie....SO GOOD! I am wanting to see it again already! :) When I got home that night, my hubby and son got me this. I also got a stereo system to play it from my scrapbook studio. I LOVE it!
Well, off to get the house clean before Jennie picks me up for Jennifer's card class tonight. More soon...thanks for stopping by!

subset: commoncrawl


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Spreeder is a free service provided by 7-Speed-ReadingTM. If you like this site, please have a look at our powerful 7 Speed Reading Software.
elt, english, case study, msupe, e-tools, tech, edutech
Online-resource to study the English language with Bob Dylan
программа профессиональной переподготовки для психологов, педагогов, менеджеров и лингвистов
- скорая репетиторская помощь!
"A different language is a different vision of life". Federico Fellini
The teaching foreigners the Russian language
An adventure through Spenser's Faerieland
-the near-unconsciousness of possible meanings -
art design & oddities
Explore ideas worth spreading
Current & Breaking News | National & World Updates
Learn how to write poetry, fiction, personal essays, and more.
Explore the best in free web learning.
The TED Blog shares news about TED Talks and TED Conferences.
Gedanken in Fetzen
Reading my way through Time Magazine's 100 Greatest Novels since 1923 (plus Ulysses)
Monitoring news related to open education around the globe


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Book a 'Fall Escape' vacation with a 30-percent discount
You can book a "Fall Escape" in one of the Appalachian Mountain Club lodges by Aug. 30 and receive a 30 percent discount.
The deal is being offered at any combination of AMC's lodges in New Hampshire and Maine with a three-night stay, Sunday through Thursday, from September 3-19 and Oct. 13-31, 2013.
It is valid only during full-service season and dinner and breakfast are included.
Reservations with this deal can be made at AMC's Joe Dodge Lodge and Highland Center Lodge in New Hampshire's White Mountains, Cardigan Lodge in New Hampshire's Lakes Region, and Gorman Chairback Lodge & Cabins and Little Lyford Lodge & Cabins in the Maine Woods. It does not include the high mountain huts.
All of the AMC's lodges included in this deal are located with doorstep access to nature walks and hiking trails.
Nearby adventures range from New Hampshire's Presidential Range and Mt. Washington to Mt. Cardigan's summit with its 360-degree views. AMC's Maine Wilderness Lodges offer secluded vantage points of Mt. Katahdin along with numerous ponds for canoeing, kayaking, and fly fishing.
Nightly rates start at $58 per person for adult non-members, based on three nights at Joe Dodge Lodge or Cardigan Lodge in a private bunkroom with shared bath, assuming double occupancy. Further discounts apply for AMC members, teens, and children. Lodge accommodations vary and include bunkrooms with shared and private bathrooms and private cabins.
Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is America's oldest conservation and recreation organization.
Reservations must be made by August 30 using the promotional code FOLIAGE1.
For full details, and to request reservations, visit
http://www.outdoors.org/falldeals or call (603) 466-2727.


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This appliance can be used to trim beards. Do not use it for any other purpose.
Why not?
The cutting element of a beard trimmer is usually smaller than that of a hair clipper. The comb is smaller, to allow you to easily reach under the nose. Beard hairs are usually stiffer than scalp hairs. They therefore don't need to be lifted in the same way as scalp hairs. This is reflected in the comb design.
If you use a beard trimmer to trim hair on other body parts, you may experience reduced performance or even skin damage.
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If you're not among the 30 million people who already own a copy of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy, here's what you should know:
It has sold more than Stephenie Meyer's Twilight books had before they were made into films;
The big screen adaptation of part one of The Hunger Games was recently voted the most anticipated film of 2012 in a poll by MTV;
And it's going to make its star, Jennifer Lawrence, a bona fide A-lister.
'It's called The Hunger Games, but I was constantly eating,' the 21-year-old says in a throaty Kentucky drawl. 'I play a warrior. I can't be skinny. You know, Kate Moss running at you with a bow and arrow isn't scary.'
Last month Lawrence was on the cover of Vanity Fair's annual Hollywood issue (photographed by Mario Testino) flanked by the Oscar nominees Jessica Chastain and Rooney Mara, with Mia Wasikowska, the star of Jane Eyre and Alice in Wonderland, lounging at her feet.
Two years ago Lawrence was nominated for a best actress Oscar herself for her performance in Winter's Bone.
'It was really strange,' she says of the experience. 'Because one minute nobody knows who you are – I was just this girl in indie movies [Lawrence had won an award for her role in The Burning Plain, directed by Guillermo Arriaga].
'And then all of a sudden all these people who used to ignore me at parties were sucking up to me.'
She sits with her legs apart, relaxed but straight-necked, shoulders squared, giving her a fearless, almost challenging look.
She is remarkably plain-speaking.Reflecting on the celebrities whom she now encounters at work and at awards ceremonies, she says, 'I've met so many weirdos. So many famous people who've gone off the deep end. I was getting worried.'
She glances up with a look of dread. 'Thinking, "Will I be the same?"'
In the midst of Lawrence's concerns came a role in Jodie Foster's film The Beaver, starring Mel Gibson.
He was mired in controversy throughout filming thanks to an acrimonious divorce, a domestic battery charge by his mistress and an endless stream of revelations regarding his drink driving arrest in 2006.
Was he one of those people?
'He was great.' She hesitates. 'A terrific actor.' And with that her mouth is pressed closed. Lawrence may be candid, but she's not a blabber-mouth.
As for Jodie Foster, she and Lawrence have commented on how much of themselves they saw in one another. 'I would say we bonded,' says Lawrence a little bashfully. 'I hope she would say the same.'
Meeting Foster was a reassuring experience . 'Jodie gave me hope because she's not only sweet and nice and great, she's also the most normal and down-to-earth person. It's like she has no idea that she's famous.
'I remember looking at her and thinking, "Thank God! It can happen!"'
Lawrence is over in Britain staying with her boyfriend, the actor Nicholas Hoult (Skins, About a Boy), in Wokingham but we meet in an elegant London hotel.
The suite is so excessively heated that, despite freezing temperatures outside, Lawrence is wearing a black T-shirt, which she's teamed with grey skinny jeans and black ankle-boots.
With her plump cheeks, rosebud lips and slanted grey eyes she resembles a young Renée Zellweger, though her no-nonsense demeanour is a million miles from the ditzy charms of Bridget Jones.
Lawrence was a fan of The Hunger Games trilogy before she'd heard of the film. 'I read all three in four days,' she says, testifying to their addictive quality.
At the time of our interview, just before Christmas, it was still unclear whether the second and third instalments would make it to the screen.
But the hype has grown so frantic (the credit-ratings agency Standard & Poor's has even issued an upgrade for the company releasing the film, in anticipation of its expected profits) that Lawrence is now scheduled to begin shooting book two, Catching Fire, this summer.
Mockingjay will follow in 2013.
The story is set in a post-apocalyptic America, now called Panem and divided into 12 districts.
Its totalitarian government requires each district to give up an adolescent boy and girl – called 'tributes' – to take part in the annual Hunger Games, in which they fight each other to the death on live television.
The tributes are given survival training, so it's not over too quickly, and stylists, so they look good while killing each other.
'I don't read it as that much of a science-fiction story,' says Lawrence. 'Gladiators used to fight in an arena for entertainment.
'Humanity has watched other humans die as entertainment before. It can happen again.'
Suzanne Collins came up with the idea while channel-surfing one night. She found herself flicking between reality-television shows and coverage of the Iraq war.
'The lines began to blur in this very unsettling way,' she told an interviewer last year.
There are echoes of Koushun Takami's novel Battle Royale as well as the myth of Theseus (in which Crete made the Athenians send their children to fight the Minotaur) in her story.
'Crete was sending a very clear message,' Collins has said. 'Mess with us and we'll do something worse than kill you. We'll kill your children.'
Lawrence plays Katniss Everdeen, who volunteers as a tribute to spare her sister. (The cast also includes Donald Sutherland, Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz and Stanley Tucci.)
It's a return to meatier fare for Lawrence after her role as the blue-skinned shape-shifter Mystique in X-Men: First Class last year. She bursts out laughing as she describes her X suit.
'The platform shoes were the funniest part. But also, you can't move in 'em! We joked: the only thing [the suits] are is tickle-proof. Yeah, I can save the world and kill mutants, but I can't bend my knees to do up my own shoelaces.'
Katniss is a virtual orphan, not unlike Lawrence's character Ree in Winter's Bone, who is struggling to raise her younger siblings in the Ozark mountains in Missouri.
In that film she delivers a layered portrait of silent heartbreak, grit and unassailable resolve. Yet, she says, she was laughing and joking between takes.
'It's acting,' she says. 'I'm not going to trick myself into thinking, "This is real, it's really happening to me." I'm not crazy! This is just a job. I won't let it ruin my day, let alone my life.'
Ree is a distinctly unglamorous character, dressed in dirty, baggy clothes with a scratchy hat pulled low over her brow. After her Oscar nomination, Lawrence was sent endless scripts for similarly androgynous, hard-up roles.
'Like it or not, the film industry is mainly run by men and men aren't the best at seeing past appearances. If they see me with chapped lips, beat-up face and wool hat, they're never going to cast me in a womanly, feminine role.
'Men are stupid when it comes to things like that,' she says with a shrug.
So Lawrence stripped off, oiled up and did a sexy shoot with Esquire magazine. Was she nervous? 'No, I was counting on Photoshop,' she says, with a laugh.
But it's clear she feels ambivalent about it .
'A critic said, "Finally a real actress comes along but even she can't make it unless she shows her, you know – her tits."' She shifts uncomfortably.
'I dress like an old woman in my real life. If you're having conversations with people you don't want them to remember you as the girl with the tits. You want them to pay attention to what you're saying.'
But, she concludes, 'it was absolutely necessary. I still get flak for it, but I don't regret it for anything.'
As a child, Lawrence was 'a bit of a tomboy'. She was a surprise baby, 10 years younger than the elder of her two brothers.
They nicknamed her 'Ugs – short for ugly. We all get on now but the middle brother and I were just awful. I think my parents thought he would murder me.'
The family had a farm and Lawrence's most vivid memories of Kentucky are of horse-riding. Her father had a construction business while her mother ran a summer camp on the farm.
'As kids it was a blast. I was a really sporty child. I still like to win a race.' (She and Hoult were photographed surfing and playing basketball together when he visited her in Los Angeles last month.)
It was an outdoorsy life, they were 'a really loud, big family', and she always had female friends.
'Girls that don't have girl friends worry me,' she says. 'Because girls don't like bitches. Whenever I hear girls who say,' she puts on a brattish Californian accent, '"Girls just don't like me," I'm like, "Well, girls don't like bitches, so…"'
None the less, says Lawrence, 'I spent a lot of time alone. My mum used to worry about me,' she says. 'She was prom queen, always socialising, and I never wanted to go to parties and that scared her.'
Even now, she says, 'I have to be alone to recharge. I've only ever been able to live by myself. I can be at a party for two hours and be the loudest person there but then I have to go be by myself.'
Lawrence left home at 14 after being spotted by a model scout during a weekend in New York. She did a few modelling jobs – including a campaign for Abercrombie & Fitch – and auditioned for film and television roles, too.
One of her earliest was for the lead in a new Disney series. '[In one audition I was] asked if I could sing, and I was like, "No. To be honest I don't think I'm a Disney kind of kid."
'When my parents picked me up they yelled at me so badly. They were spending a lot of money giving me the chance to do this – and I had the potential to be on a television show that would obviously pay for everything and I was like, "Nah."'
Fortunately, she landed a part in the television series The Bill Engvall Show a few months later and, the year after, was cast in her first film role in The Poker House.
As to the future, her next film is The Silver Linings Playbook, starring Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper as a man who has 'just got out of a mental institution where he was sent because he almost beat a man to death for having an affair with his wife'.
Lawrence plays 'a recovering sex addict and the two of us form this explosive pair'.
She'll be seen opposite Cooper again in Serena, an adaptation of Ron Rash's novel set in 1929 Carolina.
And there is the rest of The Hunger Games trilogy, already talked about as the franchise to fill the hole left by Harry Potter and the Twilight series.
She tells me that hanging in her parents' home is a framed photograph of the moment she found out about her Oscar nomination for Winter's Bone.
'My mum has her arms up in the air, my dad's hugging me, my brother's clapping – everybody's happy. Except me. I just look aghast.' They've jokingly labelled it 'The worst moment of Jennifer's life'.
Chances are, there will be another picture on that wall before long. And maybe second time around, she'll remember to smile.
Source: Telegraph UK


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Harold D. Tallant
Clay, Cassius Marcellus (19 October 1810–22 July 1903), antislavery politician and diplomat, was born in White Hall, Kentucky, the son of Green Clay, a land speculator, and Sally Lewis. Green Clay was one of the wealthiest landowners and slaveholders in Kentucky, and young Cassius was raised in comfort and affluence. He attended Transylvania University (1829–1831) and Yale College (1831–1832), where he received his bachelor's degree. After returning to Transylvania to study law in 1832–1833, Clay married Mary Jane Warfield in 1833. The marriage produced ten children....


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Denial of Service (DoS) Document
|1. A paper or electronic Artifact that is composed of symbols and/or media, such as ASCII characters and images, that are arranged to address various topics and forms of context, where such an Artifact is used to record Data, Information and Knowledge that is directly related to one or more Denial of Service (DoS) Items.
Read More
|1) The Semantic Root Noun for this term is: Denial of Service (DoS)
2) Semantically Related Terms: The "Denial of Service (DoS) Management Glossary"
3) The Denial of Service (DoS) Management Home Page covers much more about other related terms and concepts associated with this term or phrase.


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Hope College has received a $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for a project that is linking three Hope departments and three institutions in developing computer models for genetic research.
The support will enable faculty and students in the departments of biology, computer science and mathematics to expand an ongoing research effort at Hope to develop software to model microbial metabolism based on information encoded in microbial genomes. The resulting package will ultimately become part of the RAST (Rapid Annotation using Subsystems Technology) genome analysis service available to researchers internationally through Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois.
The goal of the Hope project is to provide integrated, automated tools that can assist researchers internationally to analyze the genomes, model the way the metabolism works and provide tools for analyzing regulatory data.
"The pace of genetic sequencing is increasingly exponentially, and there's more data than can be analyzed manually," said Dr. Matt DeJongh, who is an associate professor of computer science and leading the project with Dr. Aaron Best of the biology faculty and Dr. Nathan Tintle of the mathematics faculty. "By putting all three pieces together, we're hoping to be able to make predictions about metabolism and regulation in bacteria, and to do so more efficiently than would be possible using disparate tools in different locations with different interfaces."
The work is in the field of bioinformatics, which blends biology and computer science in managing and analyzing genetic data compiled through projects such as the Human Genome Project.
The RAST server is a major component of the SEED project, a nationwide, open-source effort to develop and share genomic data. Its services are available at no charge and are used by more than 200 external institutions to annotate 150 to 200 genomes per month. It is accessible through a Web interface, with researchers uploading genome sequences and receiving functional annotations and other data in response.
The Hope researchers have most recently been working through a three-year, $235,022 NSF grant that they received last fall. The new $1,267,183 grant will provide support for two years beginning in September, and will further expand the project by enabling Hope to partner with the Fellowship for Interpretation of Genomes (FIG) of Burr Ridge, Ill., and the Burnham Institute for Medical Research of La Jolla, Calif.
Best, DeJongh and Tintle are also all supported in their research individually with four-year Towsley awards from Hope, funded through an endowment made possible through a grant from the Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation, presented to them in 2007, 2005 and 2008 respectively. In addition, they have also been supported through a grant that Hope received in 2004 from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for several initiatives in the sciences, including collaborative research with students in computational modeling.
Hope's emphasis through the new NSF grant, as through the previous one, will be on developing the modeling software, with additional focus on some of the analysis tools. The Burnham Institute will also be working on analysis tools, and FIG will work at integrating the software into the RAST system.
Students in all three of the Hope departments will be working on the project in collaboration with Best, DeJongh and Tintle. A total of seven students will conduct research full-time each summer through the two NSF grants, with two working part-time during the school year.


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There is an accepted premise among us: The "rebbe" status is one thing and the rabbinate is another, and one does not wear both crowns simultaneously. For the "rebbe" is a wonder worker, a performer of miracles and a guide to the common people. The rabbi, on their other hand, is a teacher of law, a father and a leader for scholars. One realm does not infringe on the other.
Historical facts, however, contradict the above premise. There have been several great and revered personalities in whom there were combined the traits of the rebbe, good-hearted and concerned with the problems of the individual and the community - and those of the learned rabbi, the epitomy of scholarship, building spiritual worlds and destroying them. These personalities come and rebuke our premise about the "rebbe" and the "rabbi".
Even before the Baal Shem Tov, we had such luminaries as Rabbi Yehuda Hechassid, the Maharal of Prague and others who combined in themselves the fine traits enumerated in the "rebbe" and the rabbi After the spread of Baal Shem Tov influence there were revealed here and there great crowns of a good name, such as R. Zekiel Leib Wormser (Baal Shem of Mitchaelstaadt), R. Joshua Gottmacher of Greiditz and others.
A rabbi of this category was R. Pinchas Michael O.B.M., who combined in himself the proficiency and keen analysis of the Talmud as one of the great, and at the same time diffused through his noble personality fight and warmth to everyone created in the image of G-d, drawing to himself thousands of people, Jews and Gentiles, who flocked to him to enjoy the light of his countenance and to receive his blessing.
R. Pinchas Michael was born about 1808 to his father R. Yitzhok Isaac and his mother Braina Henia in the city of Shereshov (Grodno County). R. Isaac was a grandson of R. Joshua of Pinsk, a descendant of R. Elazar of Amsterdam, author of "Maasay Rokeach." On his mother's side he was a descendant of the author of "Ponim Meiros."
R. Pinchas Michael was an only son, but he did not behave like one. An only son tends to become spoiled and seek to escape the burden of Torah. But this was not the way of the boy Pinchas Michael. From his earliest childhood he dedicated himself to Torah and good deeds. The ideals of his parents were not secular in nature, to increase wealth and material possessions, but to increase Torah and wisdom. They, therefore, exempted him from worries of a livelihood and the burdens of life. The boy Pinchas Michael spent day and night over the Torah and thirstily drank the words of the sages.
Of the teachers who impressed him we know only one whose influence was great. He was R. Asher Ha-Cohen, author of "Birchas Rosh." R. Pinchas Michael tried to go in the footsteps of this teacher in his humble behavior. From R. Asher he learned the trait of being content with little, and he refused to accept the crown of the rabbinate until he was close to fifty, as was the case with his teacher R. Asher.
Also in authorship he followed the path of his teacher.The latter authored a commentary on tractate Nazim - so did he write a commentary on this tractate. Like his teacher, he attained the height of constancy in study and deprived himself of sleep, until his father used his paternal prerogative to get him to nap one hour in the afternoon. From his father R. Yitzhok Isaac he inherited his great love for Israel and his dedication to matters of charitableness.
In accordance with the custom of those days, his parents married him off at an early age. He married Mushka, daughter of the well-to-do R. Yahiel Michal of Pavsal, a descendant of the author of "Seder HaDoros." His wife operated a store and managed the household, and thus removed from him the burden of livelihood so that be could devote himself to Torah.
Even in those days, when he was still a youth, R. Pinchas Michael became renowned as one of the great negotiators of the sea of the Talmud. At that time he began to correspond with the luminaries of Torah in matters of law and the comments of the early and later sages. They all saw in him a keen mentality and an expert analyst in coming up with the correct conclusions. These innovations - in the Shas, Rashi, Tosefos, Rif, Rosh and Ran, he began to note down until they accumulated to a heavy tome. But all this he did with modesty and without fanfare.
And not only in matters of jurisprudence did R. Pinchas Michael demonstrate his prowess, but be also favored matters of legendary nature.
Shereshev, the birthplace of R. Pinchas Michael was known for its rabbis, outstanding in Torah and wisdom. Among those who served there were R. David, author of the book "Ramparts of Jerusalem." It is said about this rabbi that be planned to appoint three days of Rosh Hodesh and that he also used to read the Megillah on Shushan-Purim as well. The rabbinical chair in this town was also occupied by R. Pinchas Halevi, son of Azriel of Amsterdam, author of the book 'Nachlas Azriel" on "Yoreh De'oh." Another who served there was R. Isaac HaCohen, author of the book "Shaaray Yitzhok."
In this town also served R. Asher HaCohen, a pupil of R. Chayirn of Wolosin, author of the book "Birchas Rosh" on the Tractate of Brochos and editing of the interpretations of Rashi and Tosephos, and "Birchas Rosh" on the Tractate Nazir and editing and commentaries on Rashi, Tosephos and Maimonides.
At first R. Asher HaCohen refused to make a livelihood from Torah. To his fiftieth year he was a merchant in Shereshev, and during his free time be sat and studied Torah. Finally at the insistence of her town's leaders be agreed to occupy the rabbinical post. He did not serve there long, for the leaders of the community of Ticktin (Grodno County) turned their attention to him and in 1853 he was appointed Rabbi of Ticktin.
When R. Asher HaCohen became Rabbi of Ticktin the community leaders of Shereshev began to look for a rabbi who could continue the rabbinic tradition of Shereshev. Finally they selected R.. Pinchas Michael to fill the place of R. Asher HaCohen. They saw in him the counterpart of their rabbi greatly proficient in the Talmud, in the first and latter sages, a modest man of high virtue.
When the crown of the rabbinate was placed on the head of R. Pinchas Michael he did not change his former behavior and he conducted himself with the same modesty as prior to his assumption of the rabbinate. As always he was a close friend of the masses. He gave heed to their conversation, be participated in their sorrow and helped them in their hour of trouble. He was particularly beloved by the children, whom he treated with respect and addressed as he did their elders.
Despite his democratic behavior R. Pinchas Michael became renowned for his Torah knowledge and be became the cynosure of all eyes. On the one band he received response in theory and fact from famous rabbis, and on the other the masses flocked to him for advice in matters of daily living. His home was open wide to every pauper and misery-stricken individual.
Thus he conducted his rabbinical post for six years in Shereshev until 1864. This year marked a milestone in the life of R. Pinchas Michael for on that year be left his native town of Shereshev where be grew up and struck roots and went to the town of Antipolia, (Antopol in Russian) Kobryn County, in the State of Grodno.
Antopol, or Antipolia as it was known among the Jews, was famous not only in the State of Grodno but outside its confines as well. It is true that this town had practically been ,overlooked by the Russian Government, but the Jews regarded it highly because of its rabbis, famous for Torah and Kabalah. In town lived the famous Kabalist R. Moshe Zvi for forty-four years, from 1818 to 1862. R. Moshe Zvi was known not only for his vast erudition in matters known as secret but also for his generous soul and for his sensitive heart. He was sought after in spiritual and mundane matters, in problems of livelihood as well as matters of healing body or soul.
Following the death of R. Moshe Zvi, the rabbinical post was occupied by R. Chayim. Zalman of Breslav, a descendant of the illustrious R. Yosef David of Mir. Evidently there was some argument about this post and after two years R. Chayim. Zalman was forced to leave Antipolia and settle in Mir. The post of Rabbi of Antipolia waited its rightful heir Several rabbis, renowned in Torah and teaching, were candidates for the rabbinical post in this small town, but none satisfied its Jewish residents, for the rabbi who was to occupy the rabbinical post would also have to continue the tradition of Antipolia's rabbis and to be ,acceptable to all the segments of the people because of his paternal attitude to everyone created in the image of G-d.
It was not an easy matter to be acceptable to the Jews of Antipolia, who at that time numbered more than a thousand souls, for almost all of them were scholars and men of erudition, instructors in Gemora, such as R. Yekusiel the blacksmith, etc.
The beads of the community of Antipolia could not find a rabbi more suited to this post than R. Pinchas Michael, who was thoroughly imbued with Talmudic erudition and was also devoted to every human being in distress. The heads of the community paid no attention to the "fault" that he had, namely his impaired speech. They knew that this was not a physical imperfection but the result of the quick thinking and lightning-like grasp that R. Pinchas Michael had. They saw his simplicity, both in study and in daily life, and his broad heartedness and his tremendous knowledge in the Talmud. These virtues recommended R. Pinchas Michael as the occupant of the rabbinic post in Antipolia.
Before accepting the rabbinate in Antipolia, R. Pinchas Michael stipulated with the heads of the community that he would not gain anything- materially from the rabbinate, and that he would live on the sale of yeast by his wife.
On Rosh Hodesh Heshvan 5624, the residents of Antipolia. were blessed with the arrival of R. Pinchas Michael. The entire town rejoiced in welcoming its new rabbi. At last Antipolia was privileged to a rabbi worthy of two crowns, the crown of Torah and the crown of good repute. Everyone was eager to hear his inaugural sermon, which would certainly be of the first magnitude, as was the. custom of the Torah greats in those days. But R. Pinchas Michael's sermon was nothing like that. They heard not words of legalism but words of legendary and moralistic nature. Only as a matter of course did he add words of jurisprudence, for this was the way of the- Holy One, who spoke naught to the children of Israel on the first day of their arrival at Mt. Sinai because of the toilsome way. Such was also the course of -the commandments that the Lord gave. First he gave the light commandments, such as Chalah and the Omer, and later offering tithe, seventh year and jubilee which are weightier. "When the Lord gave us His commandments He taught us the ways of righteousness gradually, how to behave in ways of grace". From legendary material he goes on to speak of moralistics. He repeatedly admonishes concerning the light commandments, such as -praying on time and the value of Torah study. At this point he expanded his speech and almost his entire sermon centered on this theme. And these were his words: "Everyone, even if he is busy with his work or business, must set aside a definite time for study, more or less as be is able, or to listen to others, each according to his own mentality. The Holy One comes to no one with a demand that he study involved matters, only as G-d has endowed him. Only let him not go about idle. Let him also beware of idle conversation, especially in the Beth Hamisdrosh and the Synagogue. Great is the importance of Torah study and the woman who helps her husband and lightens his burden of livelihood, her reward is very great, as was the reward of Isaachor and Zebulun.
The first sermon that R. Pinchas Michael delivered in Antipolia set the program for his behavior during his stay in that town. In it be explained the principles of his procedure in Torah and general matters, for first and foremost in everything was the study of Torah. And these thoughts he would repeat in almost every sermon. The study of Torah had to be done simply, without undue sophistry. One had to direct the heart in study, and to learn outwardly with the lips and every individual had to study according to his nature. "One may be able to study more before retiring and another may find it easier earlier in the morning,. when a person's mind is more at rest."
In addition to the pillars of Torah there are two other pillars: prayer and acts of consideration. On these three pillars he would build his sermons and his private conversations. R. Pinchas Michael veered away from the accepted custom that the rabbi sermonized twice a year, on the Great Sabbath and the Sabbath of Repentance. He delivered a sermon on every holiday. On the Sabbath of Repentance he would ascend the pulpit, envelop himself in the Talit and burst into tears, and the congregation would follow. This was his "sermon," designed to awaken the hearts for repentance and good deeds.
Most of his sermons were not studded with disputation and argument, but with words of moralism and admonitions about daily affairs, such as the observance of the Sabbath, act of consideration, provision of food for the poor and proper weights. These things he would stress every opportunity he had.
R. Pinchas Michael approved the method of explanation and kept away from disputation. In his reply to one individual he says: "Continue with your good method of study, my dear man, and see to it that you make your mark in Shas. And this you will not be able to achieve unless you drop the method of disputation and stick to proficiency."
The study according to the elucidated text was his course. He studied and taught others according to this method; in other words, to elucidate the hidden meaning without disputation and an overflow of words, but with logical explanation and the correct norm briefly stated. R. Pinchas Michael followed this course in his brief commentaries on the Tractates of Nazir, Temura, Meila and Tamid. And this is what he says: "I have seen that this tractate (of Nazir) is more hidden and impenetrable than all the other tractates in the Shas, in that even the commentary of Rashi is not like the Shas Rashi Commentaries, and it is likely that it is not Rashi's commentary at all, in that it is not his customary language - because of the paucity of interest in this tractate, the bulk of which does not apply to the present, it suffers from many errors of omission and superfluity - even though it has had many commentators who dwelled on it at great length, nevertheless many chapters are still obscure - and one must teach his pupils intensively because of the lack of time - I have set my goal. to set forth the chapters of the Talmud explicitly and to abandon disputation." And he adds with great humility: "I have not made the compilation for the luminaries of our age, but for people of my level."
Whoever peruses his "Leket Hakotzrim" sees that R. Pinchas Michael does not compile indiscriminately. This commentary though brief includes a great deal. He knew the secret of conciseness. He knew what to include and what to exclude.
He thus also acted with his commentary on Temura, Meilah and little of the Tractate Ta mid and in the case of his preface to "Nazir", so does he say apologetically in this commentary: "I appreciate the paucity of my attainment and of my intellect. I have other shortcomings no doubt of which I am not aware."
Evidently R. Pinchas Michael kept this manuscript with him for several years, probably because of the lack of funds, until he was notified "from above" (see the story of the dream) that he was duty bound to publish the manuscript in question. He then placed it for publication, and immediately his commentary on these tractates received wide circulation, because it was brief but outstanding.
Directly and indirectly R. Pinchas Michael influenced thousands of Jews, both those who were privileged to hear from him words of moralism and wisdom and those who merely knew him by reputation. When still among the living he became a legend which was passed on from father to son and from grandfather to grandson. All spoke about the righteous one, who lent his ear to every one who turned to him, and who did not differentiate between Jew and Gentile, for "a Gentile also has to live." He was a father and patron for every embittered soul and downhearted that came to him even from far away. Among these were scholars, merchants, artisans, women and children. If a tragedy occurred in a home, immediately they ran to the righteous one. If the "overlord" refused to renew the lease, R. Pinchas Michael was asked for advice. When an individual became seriously ill, they called on the righteous one for aid. And he would say: "I know not, but the Lord will bless you." R. Pinchas Michael became the emissary of whoever turned to him, and when he prayed the "Shmoneh Esreh" he added prayers for those who had handed in notes of supplication.
He did not handle these notes like the Chassidic rabbis. He did not accept "redemption money." At most he accepted a few coins for the poor students. He had a purse tied about his neck into which he put these coins, which he spent for charity. The act of charity is one of the foundations on which the Jewish world is built. He continually admonished about this commandment.
He was concerned not only with problems which demanded immediate solution. His keen eye penetrated into the life of our people which had just began to take shape in distant America. At that time, when the Jewish community was yet small and Judaism there was weak, he would advise those who asked him about emigrating to America: "Go to America. You will make a living there." And he would add: "Observe the Sabbath."
Like R. Israel Salanter, his contemporary, his heart ached for the condition of his people, and he sided with the idea of immigration to America, for his vision foresaw the wave of pogroms about to inundate the Jews of Russia. As for himself, he yearned to go to the Land of Israel, but his townspeople would not let him go. With deep longing he would send off whoever went up to the Land, whether it was a tailor, a shoemaker or a merchant and an investor. He would accompany them on foot a mile outside the town.
Settlement in the Holy land was very important in his eyes. Not only residence itself, but even he who desired to return to the land was entitled to redemption and thus he comments in the passage: "Because of four matters were our forefathers redeemed from Egypt - that they did not change their tongue and name." For he who intends to settle permanently in another land changes his language, name and attire and becomes accustomed to the ways of the land. But "he who intends to return to his father's house is the opposite. They therefore had this great merit, that during the entire harsh enslavement they did not lose their faith to return to their land, and therefore they emerged from slavery to redemption".
R. Pinchas Michael had a formula for redemption from the harshness of slavery and from all oppressors - the observance of the Sabbath. He would therefore ask his audience to hasten and inaugurate the Sabbath early. In instance, the artisans and their employees. should leave their work benches early so that they may be through at the bath house in time. R. Pinchas Michael would himself take the trouble to be in the bath house a good hour before sunset every Friday eve, and in his hand he had a switch with which he prompted those who were late in leaving.
This switching was one of affection, since R. Pinchas Michael objected to corporal punishment. Once he slapped a boy of fourteen Meir Utenof, the Cantor's son - for having beaten his companion, he regretted his act and his prayer became confused. R. Pinchas Michael approached the stricken boy several times and asked his forgiveness. When the boy forgave him, he grasped his hand with great joy.
By nature R. Pinchas Michael was forgiving, foregoing upon the honor and respect due to a man of his station. Many exploited this "weakness" of his and used it for their own ends. One instance of this sort is told by R. Pinchas Michael himself. One crook forged his signature and travelled about from town to town to collect funds for the Talmud Torah in Antipolia. R. Pinchas Michael reacted to this matter in the press and asked the rabbis in the towns where the crook might appear to take away the document and the forged letter and burn them.
Evidently this crook perpetrated his act following the conflagration that took place in Antipolia in the summer of 1885. Some eighty houses went up in flames at that time. On the 20th of Sivan of the same summer a second conflagration broke out and 120 homes burned down. The Jews of Antipolia became completely impoverished and emissaries went forth to gather contributions for the victims. This situation was fertile ground for acts of deception.
Antipolia was "famous" for its conflagrations. The elders of the town used to tell about the first one, about 1860, as though it were an historic event in the life of the town, for at that time almost the entire town went up in flames. In that year R. Pinchas Michael together with R. Natanel Chayim Pappe, one of the foremost townspeople, went forth long distances in behalf of the victims. They went as far as St. Petersburg. Everywhere they were cordially received. Thanks to these distinguished men the town was rebuilt and Jewish life began to pulsate there again, with all its light and shadows.
R. Pinchas Michael returned to his town and its Jews. He cared not only for his congregation but also for the problems of the entire Jewish community. Once he said to R. Jekutiel, the husband of Beila Hannah: 'You are better off than I am, for the world is not upon you." From all corners-of the earth people turned to him and gave him no rest, neither repose for the soul nor rest for the body. His wife, Mushka, would drive away those who besieged the rabbi's home saying, 'He is not able and be does not know. Let his alone."
The more she drove them away, -the more they came. And what about the study of the Torah? After all, one had to carry out "thou shalt dwell on it day and night."
He therefore followed the dictum of the Talmud "The night was not created but for study" (Erubin 55). He wanted to sleep intermittently, and spent almost the entire night studying, and as a result his proficiency in Shas and Poskim was marvelous, "so that all his distinguished contemporaries had the greatest respect for him."
Lack of sleep, his innumerable burdens and his strong concentration on his studies begot R. Pinchas Michael a severe case of Hemorroids, and on orders of his physicians he went to Berlin for an operation. On leaving for Berlin be prepared for a journey to the hereafter, for who knows what the next day might bring? One must issue his testament to his household. R. Pinchas Michael then wrote his will. Ostensibly the -will was for his sons, but whoever reads it with open eyes would see that this will constituted R. Pinchas Michael's credo, and witness thereby his inner, higher world, one of harmony and equity for one and all. Here we see his democratic attitude and viewpoint towards the status of the poor and the artisans, for in his day the artisan was looked down upon. All important in his eyes was the Scholar. He therefore orders his sons to marry off their sons to the daughters of scholars "and do not seek out the wealthy - and for your daughters provide good and scholarly men, even from families of artisans. For this is no stigma at all, as the fools would have us believe. It is a greater stigma for those of wealthy families who lose other people's money. But the artisans who enjoy the fruits of their labor are precious in the eyes of the Lord."
As it has been said, R. Pinchas Michael gave priority to scholars. He therefore orders his sons to purchase Shas and Poskim and all the other sacred books, for sometimes it is the lack of books that hampers study. R. Pinchas Michael also possessed a sense of the esthetic, for he asks. them to bind the books handsomely, "for this brings glory to those who do so in this world and in the world to come."
R. Pinchas Michael admonishes 'let not any curse come from your lips, even against gentiles or animals and raise your children gently, not by beatings, only goodly words and beware of being inconsiderate toward anyone, and especially the maid servants, for they like you are descendants of our forefathers. Be careful with their respect and you will merit much goodness.
He also admonishes at great length about peace in the household. A man must be easy going with his spouse, even though she may at time embitter his spirit. He advises not to argue with her, since it is difficult to vanquish them, and they should be judged affirmatively and kindly. He also admonishes his daughters and daughters-in-law to be careful to respect their husbands and not to irritate them "even with slight speech."
Concerning moodiness and anger he warns several times, "for with aggravation you will not in any way repair the matter" and "remove the traits of aggravation and anger, and trust in the Lord in all your dealings." He therefore cautions concerning the giving of tithe for the benefit of the poor and the relatives and other sacred matters. Such funds should be kept in -trust as though they did not belong to the giver.
If conditions of livelihood are not so good, there should be no journeying for the aid of a tzaddik in another town "for in every town there are G-d-fearing people" who would intercede with the Lord for the needy. The same applies to physical matters. One must ask the grace of the Lord for himself first and then turn to others to request grace for him.
And as be was the emmisary of every pauper and downhearted in his lifetime, so he promises to intercede for those who seek his help in the hereafter.
Reading the admonitions of R. Pinchas Michael O.B.M. we are reminded of the admonitions of R. Asher of Stolin O.B.M., the son of R. Aaron of Karlin, founder of the Karlin Chassidism. He too cautions several times about the observance of the Sabbath and the extention of the secular into the sacred, about the appointment of time for Torah study, about the contribution of tithe, etc. And one asks, was R. Pinchas Michael influenced by the Baal Shem Tov Chassidism, was he inclined toward Chasidism?
The latter question can be definitely answered in the negative. On the contrary, from the numerous tales told in his name we learn that he was a strong opponent of the ways of Chassidim and its leadership. How then can two extremes exist in one entity?
In truth, both opinions are correct. In his youth R. Pinchas Micheal was a strong opponent of the system of Chassidim, especially where it concerned the belated hour of prayer. But during his last years he came near to Chassidism, and at times prayed in the Chapel of the Stolin Chassidim.
For more than twenty-six years R. Pinchas Michael occupied the rabbinic chair of Antipolia. Not all of them were years of peace and serenity. More than once someone was offensive and R. Pinchas Michael passed over the insult in silence and in his heart he forgave the offender. And the truth must be said that not all the residents of Antipolia recognized the greatness of their rabbi. This is a psychological truth: The townspeople do not give their rabbi recognition. An anecdote told in the name of R. Pinchas Michael reflects the attitude of the Jews of Antipolia toward him. Once he was asked: "Why is he not as important in Antipolia as elsewhere?" R. Pinchas Michael replied: The sedra "Pinchas" in its place and season is not especially important since it is read during the season of depression. But when it is read outside its environment, as in the case of Maftir on the festivals, which is taken from "Pinchas", one pays a large sum for this "Aliyah." For Pinchas in its place is not so noteworthy, while Pinchas outside its place is more important.
Only after his demise did people begin to recognize the great importance of their "Zaddick rabbi" who lived like a saint and left the world in holiness. It is said that on Rosh Hodesh Adar 5650 (1890) R. Pinchas Michael was stricken with typhoid. For two weeks he did not leave his bed, but his mind was clear. When prayer time came he woke up and prayed. On the last Sabbath of his life he -went up to the Torah, saying to his household: "I am a guest, and a guest must receive an Aliyah." On Sabath night after Havdalah he sent a card by messenger to the Rabbi of Pinsk informing him about his death and inviting him to his funeral, and in the same card he asked for his forgiveness. He also notified him that in the case of one place in the Rambam the law was according to the writer of the card. On the eve of the 17th of Adar his soul departed in purity.
Immediately the entire town went into mourning. Messengers were dispatched to Horodetz and Kobrin to announce the bad tidings about the death of the Zaddik. Many inhabitants of these towns, Jews and gentile alike, came to the funeral. And these rabbis eulogized him: R. Joshua Jacob Rabinowitz, rabbi of Horodetz, Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Rabinowitz and R. Moshe Berman, son-in-law of R. Pinchas Michael, the later rabbi of Antipolia, eulogized him at the synagogue. At the Beth Hamedrash in Pinsk Street be was eulogized by the dayan of Antipolia, R. David Rushkin and R. Pinchas, son of R. Elijah of Lida, dayan of Kobrin. Then they went to the old Beth Hamedrash where the deceased used to pray and the eulogy was delivered by the Gaon R. Joseph Saul Epstein, Rabbi of Kobrin.
Thus came to an end the history of R. Pinchas Michael O.B.M. With his passing there closed a bright chapter in the history of Antipolia, whose Jews participated in its writing.
In Antopol he married Breine-Henie, grand-daughter of Rabbi Pinchas Michael, and following the wedding he spent some time in Kobrin. When the R.P.M. died, and following the Grand Dispute, about his successor, Rabbi Moshe became Rabbi together with Rabbi Hersh. After that Rabbi Hersh passed away, Rabbi Moshe continued as the only successor.
Rabbi Moshe was a quiet man, always at study and the interests of the community close to his heart. He was a Zionist and also alert to worldly affairs. He tried once a business partnership with Reb Avraham-Moshe, son of the R.P.M., but he used to return his profits to the customers, for he would not take "extra money" from them. Eventually he sent back the merchandise to his partner, and went out of business.
After the end of World War One he was brought over to the U.S.A. by his devoted sons, who had long before preceded him: Dr. P. Berman, and Mr. P. Berman.
In 1921 Rabbi Moshe was appointed Rabbi of the Agudath Achim Congregation in Los Angeles. He soon received recognition from most of the orthodox Jewry, and was elected to be Chief Justice of the orthodox rabbinical court of Los Angeles. Being aware of the special circumstances in keeping Judaism in America, he was an understanding Judge in religious matters. He himself sat all day long studying in the synagogue, and upon coming back home he continued till late at night.
Rabbi Moshe carried a continuous correspondence with many rabbis in the U.S.A. and was respected by all who knew him.. Ten years he sat on the rabbinical chair in Los Angeles, Until he was called to Heaven on Heshvan 22, 5691 (1930).
For many years after his death they used to hold a special mourning meeting in his honor on the day of his Yorzeit, even after the synagogue had moved to another suburb.
His blessed memory will always be with us.
The Jews suffered pogroms, looting, requisitions, hard labor etc. Eventually the Poles remained and the front moved away from Antopol. There remained only a bakery which supplied bread to the military.
One evening when I was at the prayer house I was summoned to the military. On my way home I was met by Belachovitz soldiers who told me that their commander called for me. The town was in panic. Everybody knew that in a nearby town these Belachovitz soldiers took the rabbi as hostage until they received the contribution and supplies which they requisitioned, and in another town they killed everybody.
I came to the commander, who stood in the middle of the market place, surrounded by soldiers. He introduced himself as commander of those who killed in Kamin-Kashirsk over 300 Jews. His batallion camps not far away waiting for the fulfillment of their requisition. Otherwise they will come down to extinguish everything. I asked him for his requirements and he gave me a list of meat, corn, boots, salt, etc. which made me shiver.
While we were thus talking he shouted: "Why are we talking like this in the middle of the market? let us go into my office." Upon arrival he sat down and added to his list more and more provisions. In his office we were joined by the town mayor and leaders of the community. He then demanded that the whole requisition should be in his office within 4 hours. We pleaded for more time but to no avail.
In the meantime came in the owners of the cattle which he had confiscated and offered to replace them with meat. He finally agreed to exchange them for an additional ransom of 60,000 marks. They asked my advice, and I told them that he would take both the money and the cattle. They did not listen to me and found out later that I was right.
We collected the items which he demanded and we realized that we have robbed ourselves of everything after the completion of this task.
It all ended unexpectedly. When the owners of the cattle came asking
for their cattle, the Belachovitzes began shooting at them, and when the
soldiers stationed at the bakery heard the shooting, they started shooting
at the robbers, who fled and left town to our great relief.
The little town was still lying under the dirt of the heavy winter, which had kept the few alleys, as if under siege for full five months. Now it looked as if it has just started breathing again. The people themselves felt as if they had just grown a new skin, and accepted the deep marshes patiently.
In the prayer-houses Jews have been predicting an early spring, but the favorable predictions caused some of them to worry about provisions for the coming holidays Purim and Pesach and they relied on the Almighty help them solve their problems.
It was quite late after the third morning service. Shloime had participated in all three, after which he also took in a chapter of Psalms, and went home for breakfast. The street was quiet. The sun had just emerged, and was biting mercilessly into every hiding piece of ice. Birds were singing in the clear air and Shloime was overwhelmed with the beauty of God's world.
He was nearing the Kobriner Street, when he observed a cart approaching towards him out of the marshes.
The man travelling in the cart was Mordche, who greeted Shloime wholeheartedly.
Shloime returned the greeting, adding his own wishes for a happy good month, meanwhile indicating that he was not working these days.
Mordche then spoke up, saying:
As a matter of fact, I wanted to call you, Shloime You see, my roof is getting rusty.
- What did you say? !, exclaimed Shloime as if smitten with a club. What did I hear you say? Only about two weeks ago I went by your house and saw your roof shining like a mirror. As a matter of fact I enjoyed seeing it, after that the weather and the sun had brought out its true color of shining copper.
- Yes, this is true about the front of the house, answered Mordche, but it did corrode on the other side.
Shloime could not refuse the invitation to come and see what could be done to repair the roof, and the two men bade each other farewell.
Continuing on his way home, Shloime became gloomy, on account of "his" roof needing repair. Coming home, he kissed the mezuza, greeted the family and waited for his wife to call him to breakfast.
His wife came towards him right out of the kitchen, where she was preparing a special breakfast in honor of Rosh-Hodesh (First day of the month) - cut herring, skinned potatoes and sweet chicory, plus a white pletzl from Raphael the baker.
Noticing the breakfast table, Shloime praised the Lord for His kindness, and later told his wife about Mordche's roof. But Leine Feigl never claimed any understanding in mending roofs, and consequently Shloime put on his coat and left the house, on his way to examine the roof.
Shloime was walking with sure steps, encouraged by his wife's farewell blessing. While walking he remembered his childhood days when he and Mordche went to the same Cheiders and later to the same Russian school. Both of them stood up bravely against the Russian boys. He, Mordche, was of the Sheinboin family, and Shloime was himself known for being of a good family.
Later in life they separated. Mordche travelled over the world, seeking his fortune, which he did not find neither in America, nor in Africa. His fortune turned out to be right at his door, and he became a millionaire. But Shloime neither pursued his fortune, nor did fortune seek him out. Still he thanked God for everything and did not begrudge Mordche and felt equal to him in this mundane world...
Walking like this, deep in thought, he did not feel the road, or the deep marshes. He approached the gate of Mordche's courtyard, the dogs greeting him in a friendly manner. He remembered the saying: When dogs play in town, it is a good omen. He is thankful for the friendly welcome, and his eyes begin to examine the roof. He goes around once and twice. The roof smiles at its master. There is no sign of rust.
The gardener sees Shloime and greets him wholeheartedly :
- Panie Shliomka, what brings you here ?
- Tell me, have you noticed any rust on the roof ?
The gentile put away his gardening tools and gazed at Shloime :
- Who was kidding you?
- The landlord himself told me about it.
- Oh! Panie Shliomka, you are a great friend of the landlord, and you drink tea with him. Don't you know that he is a kidder?
Now the driver approached, and he remembered the meeting on the road between his landlord and Shloime. Although he did not understand Yiddish, he knew what they talked about.
- What do you say, Stepan Stepanowich, is the roof rusty?
- I do not know what goes on the roof. You have to see for yourself, - meaning:
- We all see there is no rust.
Shloime came near the steps leading to the kitchen, cleaned his boots and entered the house.
Somebody had told Mordche about Shloime's arrival, and he came towards his guest to greet him and invited him for a glass of tea.
- Well, have you examined the roof?
A smile appeared on Shloime's face as he was staring at Mordche. But Mordche did not let up, waiting for a reply.
- Why do you kid me? Do you think that I have enjoyed your kidding these last few hours? - Never mind. Listen to me. The roof did come out beautifully, and therefore, come summer, I want you to go over it for protection.
Bless you, exclaimed Shloime in relief, there is no need for it.
-'But I am the landlord here, and I want to have it painted.
- It won't make it any better. You will throw away your money.
- Here, put some brandy in your tea, suggested Mordche.
- Well, in honor of Rosh-Hodesh it is nice to have a drink, but still I will not paint your roof.
- Listen, in order to be sure that you will paint the roof, here is an advance payment of 25 Rubles.
- I won't take it. If you insist, I will paint your roof, but I won't take any payment in advance. I trust you.
- Today I have it, maybe tomorrow I won't.
- Leave me go. I won't take it.
Mordche could not control himself any longer, and with a fraternal impulse stuffed the banknote into his friend's hand.
Here Shloime froze, and like in a haze looked at Mordche as at an angel from heaven...
He could not utter a single word of all he had wanted to say. They both finished their tea and Shloime left the house with a mere "Good Day, Mordche".
Upon leaving the house, and being a little further away from the aristocratic courtyard, Shloime envied his friend Mordoche for the first time in his life.
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text:
CDAF understood that the Robinson case was an issue that a lot of people felt invested in, and that the case received international attention. As such, we expected the Forum on Academic Freedom to draw a crowd that would exceed the occupancy capacity of the sizable auditorium we reserved, and that there might be plenty of people who could not make the event due to, but not limited to, matters of sheer distance. Thus, we made arrangements to film the event, with the ultimate goal of posting footage of the event on Youtube so that anyone and everyone could still experience the forum at their own convenience.
As such, please find below footage of our event, which took place on May 21, 2009. Our speakers included the following:
- Professor Geoff Raymond, who spoke on the mishandling of the case by the Academic Senate;
- Professor Lisa Hajjar, who spoke on the history, definitions of, and debates surrounding academic freedom;
- Professor Richard Falk, who placed the Robinson case within the historical context following Israel's Operation Cast Lead, where criticisms of said operation have been stifled;
- Professor Harold Marcuse, who spoke on how the Holocaust has been understood and deployed in the public sphere, as well as the analytical and pedagogical use of historical comparisons.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7


text:
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Karen Griffin's Story
Helping Phonics Flower in the Elementary Classroom
As a student teacher in a first-grade classroom, I struggled with ways to make phonics fun. I was thrilled to find the lesson Phonic Generalizations in Chrysanthemum. This lesson uses -ow words from the book Chrysanthemum to point out the two sounds this letter combination can make. The lesson plan includes hands-on activities that allow students to use a whole-brain approach to learning. I created a sheet that the students used to write their words on after they created them with the letter tiles. Students were able to create words using letter tiles, read the words, write the words, and then read them again. This allowed them to notice that while spelling patterns in words might look the same, they do not always sound the same. Students were then asked to write one or two sentences using two -ow words. Volunteers were asked to read their sentences aloud. This lesson not only provided me with a way to make phonics fun for my students, but it also allowed me to enjoy teaching phonics!
Related Resources
Grades K – 2 | Lesson Plan | Minilesson
Phonic Generalizations in Chrysanthemum
Students learn about word families by reading Kevin Henkes's book Chrysanthemum, identifying words with certain vowel pair endings, and reading words with similar endings.
Grades K – 2 | Student Interactive | Learning About Language
Word Wizard uses themes from four popular U.S. children's books to create word puzzles that students solve by unscrambling letters and considering related clues.
|Story Highlights
A Phonics Lesson With Chrysanthemum
Students learn the different sounds that -ow can make.
Assessment of /ow/ sounds
Assess student mastery of the sounds made by "ow" through oral and written formats.
Worksheet for /ow/ sounds
Students write the words they created with the letter tiles.
I am a 37-year-old who, after feeling unhappy in my previous profession (nursing), decided to take a hiatus and work in a local preschool. It was at that time I fell in love with teaching and decided to return to school to obtain my bachelor's degree in elementary education. I graduated in May 2011 and have recently been hired as a second grade teacher for the 2011-2012 school year. I am looking forward to having my own classroom to put ideas from ReadWriteThink.org into practice. My husband, Geoff, and I have been married for 16 years and have two beautiful children.


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Yasin Sewell's Pop up Shop – Beach in the East
Yasmin Sewell is the kind of girl that everyone wants to be best friends with: she's smart, sophisticated and fun – and she knows how to throw a good party! Yasmin with Paper Mache Tiger launched the pop up shop Beach in The East this week. It's a pool party celebrating Californian nostalgia in EastContinue reading


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Now that the kitchen is unpacked (mostly), I was able to cook again. Hooray! We had gone to Wholefoods, where they had a great local-seasonal produce section. We got ramps, spring onions, fresh garbanzo beans, and fiddleheads. Yum. I also found some gluten-free (and vegan!) gnocchi, for $4. I cooked everything together and made the most delicious dinner.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
It's spring!
Now that the kitchen is unpacked (mostly), I was able to cook again. Hooray! We had gone to Wholefoods, where they had a great local-seasonal produce section. We got ramps, spring onions, fresh garbanzo beans, and fiddleheads. Yum. I also found some gluten-free (and vegan!) gnocchi, for $4. I cooked everything together and made the most delicious dinner.
19 comments:
I love fiddleheads although I pick my own locally. When my husband tried steaming them I thought they came out bitter. I usually boil them in chicken broth and then saute with melted butter and this year some wild onions we found growing with them.ReplyDelete
I have a recipe for gluten free butternut squash gnocchi. Easy to make a large batch and freeze for later use.
What brand of gnocchi have you found that is gluten-free? This would be such a time saver for me. ThanksReplyDelete
- PattyBoots10:22 PM
Are ramps not the most delicious thing? I did some deep fried in a beer batter this week (the first deep fried food of the year, so it's okay :)). There's a festival in Elkins, WV, where they grind them into hamburger and cook burgers. They're a bizarre shade of booger green but oh, are they good!ReplyDelete
Amy- Nuovo. I linked to them in the post, but http://www.flickr.com/photos/jillelise/4579304868/in/photostream/ReplyDelete
GF and Vegan Gnocchi, cool! Did you find this at WF? Tried the Sunshine burgers you posted on last week. They are so good!ReplyDelete
Those Gnocchi look ammazing. We went 100% plant based end of February and I do not miss it. I feel better and have lost seven pounds. There are so many ways to cook veggies. Can't wait to see some more vegan recipes :)ReplyDelete
- Travels4Food10:11 AM
What do you think of fiddleheads flavor-wise? I've always been underwhelmed, but maybe I didn't make them to their best effect. And welcome to CT! Don't know if you're anywhere near Fairfield, CT, but there's a really good natural supermarket called Mrs. Green's that has a fair amount of gluten-free stuff and really good prepared foods.ReplyDelete
I am also very concerned about your 'gluten-free' tagging of this post.ReplyDelete
Gnocchi, though made with potato are rolled in flour. It is possibel to make GF gnocchi, but I have never seen a packaged version. What brand did you use?
~Lori Janreau, RD.
I have never seen GF gnocchi! How interesting. I still wish to make my own, but this packaged version would probably be great in a time when you're busy! Love how fresh this all looks. You know I've never had a fiddlehead? Never even seen one. Must be a Northern thing, LOL! They are pretty though!ReplyDelete
ooohhhh GF gnocchi!!ReplyDelete
Thanks for the link, I've never seen Nuovo before, I'll definitely be on the lookout!
I grew up in CT - enjoy!
I understand your concern, however this is a totally gluten free blog. There is a link, both in the comments and in the post to more info about the gluten-free gnocchi that I used here. The brand is Nuovo, they are carried in wholefoods and gluten-free.
I'm thrilled to hear about GF gnocchi; that's something I've really missed and have been unmotivated to make my own. I'll definitely look for it at Whole Foods! :)ReplyDelete
I got the gf gnocchi and they were awesome! We sprinkled fresh just a little fresh grated parmesan cheese over them and it was heaven! Also served gf cheesecake for dessert so it was a good night! Thanks for sharing and helping to make our dinner fantastic and gluten free! The sunshine burgers are fantastic and a must have now!ReplyDelete
I have never had fiddleheads, but have always wanted to try them! This looks delicious! Good luck on the unpacking!ReplyDelete
Lovely post! I love the gnocchi and the fiddlehead ferns.ReplyDelete
Hey! I'd love to send you a press release! Our bakery is now selling Gluten Free Cupcakes in Ohio. We also ship Nationwide.ReplyDelete
Please email your contact info at email@example.com
- juli8:29 AM
that does look delicious! and GF gnocchi? what a find! enjoy your vegan month! look forward to seeing your new recipes/experimentsReplyDelete


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OK, I got a really weird problem. I have a cubic bezier curve in 3d space and a sphere. The bezier curve is static, the sphere moves. Given the curve's definition a, c1, c2, e, each of which is a 3d vector, and the ball's position and movement vector, I need to find out the closest the bezier and the ball ever get to each other.
This is probably confusing.
FindCode:Ball { Vector3d center; Vector3d movement; } Bezier { Vector3d start; Vector3d control1; Vector3d control2; Vector3d end; }
1) the least distance between any point on the bezier curve and any point on the line segment (Ball.center, Ball.movement).
2) the point on the line segment that is closest.
3) the bezier parameter t of the point on the bezier that is closest.
Given these three, I can achieve the other things I need to do.
Any ideas are GREATLY appreciated! I've been sitting on this for 2 days, and it has mostly given me a headache.


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Capitals Get Value in Two Year Extension with Matt Hendricks
Photo by RMNB's own Chris Gordon
The Washington Capitals announced Wednesday that they have signed forward Matt Hendricks to a two-year contract extension worth $800,000 per season. The Blaine, Minnesota native has become a fan favorite this year — his first as a Capital. After coming to training camp on a professional try-out, Hendricks signed a one-year deal with the Caps in September. He has made a name for himself in DC with his enthusiasm, grit and willingness to drop the gloves and fight blindfolded.
After breaking into the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche in 2009 on a two-way contract, Hendricks has finally inked himself to his first career one-way deal. The signing caps off a productive week for the 29 year-old. Blaine High School — Hendricks' alma mater — retired his former number 10 jersey over the weekend.
Concerning Hendricks' contract itself, it provides a good value to the Capitals with little downside. We can evaluate the deal using the Goals Versus Salary (GVS) metric, which measures a player's offensive and defensive contributions in goals relative to what the team should expect given the player's salary.
By 10 years ago


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Designing a Cordova, Alaska Bowpicker
As a boat builder, I'm always looking for new markets and potential customers. The market for new bowpickers for fishermen who fish out of Cordova, Alaska appears to offer such an opportunity.
The Copper River flows for approximately 300 miles through the Wrangell and Chugach mountains. Every mid-May, the first salmon of the season return to the Copper River to swim upstream and spawn. The Copper River is a large and swift moving river. As the fish approach spawning season, they decrease their feeding and rely on stores of extra fat and oils to survive the trip upstream. The high fat and oil content is why many people consider the Copper River salmon some of the best-eating salmon in the world.
Approximately 500 fishing boats converge in Cordova every May to fish the 35 mile wide delta of the Copper River. The natural environment the fishermen operate in has influenced the design of the Cordova bowpickers. The fishermen have a 35-50 mile run from the harbor in Cordova to the river delta area. Due to the relatively long run, the fishermen prefer a vessel with a top speed in the 35-40 MPH range. The fishermen are keenly aware of fuel costs and expect operating efficiency. The delta area is referred to as the "flats", as the water is very shallow. Due to the shallow water conditions, jet drives have evolved to become the propulsion system of choice. The delta is exposed to the Gulf of Alaska and, as a result, the sea conditions can become fairly rough and therefore the fishermen require a seaworthy vessel. Due to strong winds, the fishermen prefer a vessel that has minimal windage.
Cordova Bowpickers
The design of the Cordova Bowpicker has evolved over the years, as fishermen learned what does and does not work. During the last 25-30 years, the fleet has evolved toward a vessel of approximately 32 feet in length and 11 to 11.5-foot beam. The boats are characterized by a cabin in the aft third of the vessel with twin gas or diesel engines powering twin jet propulsion units sequestered under the cabin. The vessels are typically bowpickers with a bow roller mounted on the bow and a gillnet reel mounted on the deck approximately seven to eight feet aft of the bow roller. Aft of the gillnet reel, there are typically six fish holds that will hold approximately 7,200 pounds of fish. Fishermen place a netted bag, called a brailer bag, in each hold and use the bags to quickly offload their catch to waiting tenders.
The majority of new vessels are constructed of marine grade aluminum, but several builders are offering fiberglass vessels. Most of the shops that build Cordova bowpickers are relatively small and will deliver two to six vessels per year.
There appears to be three different groups with opinions on the size and general configuration of the vessels. One group prefers vessels that are as light as possible. To achieve their goal of reducing weight to the minimum, these builders typically build a smaller vessel with less overall length, less beam, and less fullness in the bow. They also minimize structural framing and interior accommodations that add weight to the finished vessel. These vessels are known for their speed with a given size engine and better fuel efficiency.
Another group prefers a larger, more robust vessel. These vessels tend to be larger than the norm, with greater overall length, beam, and freeboard. While these vessels are less efficient than their lighter competitors, they have an excellent reputation for being able to handle rough water and providing a more secure vessel to fish from.
The third group aims for moderation in size and weight. They build vessels that are approximately 32 feet long and usually about 11 feet in beam. In comparison to the lighter vessels, they sacrifice somewhat in operating efficiency to gain a more robust construction and more comfortable platform to fish from. One of the reasons some of these builders limit their beam to 11 feet is because they build in Anchorage and then truck the vessel to Whittier. To make this delivery, they have to go through a tunnel with a width restriction of 11 feet. Therefore, they design the vessel to the tunnel, not to the mission.
Improving the Breed
As a builder who is attempting to cultivate a share in the market, my two main objectives are to improve the design and construction of the vessels. To help achieve these goals, I asked Steve Pollard, owner of Specmar, Inc., to co-develop the vessel design. Steve has more than 40 years' experience in building and designing aluminum boats.
In round numbers, a Cordova Bowpicker will weigh approximately 13,000 pounds with no fuel, hydraulic fluid, water, crew or gear. This is called "light ship." When a fisherman prepares to leave the dock to journey to the fishing grounds, he will add approximately 200 gallons of fuel (about 1,400 pounds), 30 to 40 gallons of hydraulic fluid (about 250 pounds), 20 to 40 gallons of fresh water (about 250 pounds), crew (about 200 to 400 pounds), and gear (about 500 pounds). Thus, the vessel weighs approximately 14,500 to 17,000 pounds as it leaves the dock. This is referred to as "performance ship." Once a vessel starts to fish, the total weigh of the vessel and fish increase to 21,000 to 25,000 pounds. This is called "heavy ship."
The challenge facing the designer is to create a vessel that will operate efficiently and safely within these weight ranges. There are three basic considerations that must be addressed in the design – deadrise, bottom loading, and dynamic stability.
Deadrise is a measurement of the angle, or V, to the bottom of the vessel. Deadrise measures the angle the bottom of the vessel goes up from the keel to the chine. A jet powered vessel needs sufficient deadrise to help provide directional stability. However, excessive deadrise needs to be avoided because lift, generated by the hull bottom for planing, decreases as deadrise increases. Experience suggests a good compromise for deadrise at the transom is approximately 12 degrees.
Deadrise at the bow is equally important. The entry must have sufficient deadrise to cut the water and prevent pounding. However, excessive deadrise must be avoided because of the tendency for a Bowpicker to trim bow down with a full load of fish and to help prevent the bow from digging into the water when running in a following sea. If the bow digs in (called bow steering), the vessel loses directional stability and may broach. Or, worse case, the bow may bury into a wave and the vessel could pitch pole.
Bottom loading is a measure of how many pounds of weight are being supported by each square foot of the running surface. If the bottom loading is too light, the vessel will have poor handling characteristics and become skittish or even, in some cases, unsafe. If the bottom loading is too heavy, the vessel will fail to plane and lose significant speed capability. Under extreme conditions of overloading, the vessel will become unsafe, exhibiting very poor handling characteristics, and may be subject to flooding and potentially, sinking. The objective of properly bottom loading is to design a vessel that will operate at optimal conditions with the best possible fuel efficiency under "normal" operating conditions.
Dynamic stability is the ability of a vessel to operate safely at speed with the vessel to maintaining its intended course without the helmsperson having to constantly steer to maintain course stability. Dynamic stability is important for two reasons, the safety of the vessel and ease of steering and operation by the helmsperson. Dynamic stability is determined by the design of the running surface of the hull and the lateral center of gravity of the loaded vessel in comparison to the centroid (the center of the hull's bottom) of the running surface. Fishing vessels are difficult to design, as the loading of fish will significantly alter the center of gravity of the vessel and may negatively impact the dynamic stability of the vessel.
As Steve Pollard and I begin the design process, one of the first variables we consider is deadrise. Based on experience, we judge the optimal deadrise at the transom is approximately 12 degrees. This deadrise angle will help to ensure directional stability, minimize pounding, promote excellent jet power operation, and provide the hull with the ability to carry heavy loads and still remain on step.
In a review of the existing fleet, our conclusion is that most vessels do not have adequate deadrise forward. We conclude an optimal deadrise angle at the cutwater is approximately 45 degrees. This deadrise forward allows the vessel to cut through the water without excessive pounding. Yet, it retains enough fullness and buoyancy in the bow to minimize the tendency for the vessel to bury its bow which leads to broaching, or worst case scenario, pitch poling.
Chine Flats
Next, we consider the width of the chines flats. Chines are the intersection of the hull bottom and hull side. Most planing hulls have a flat chine running from the bow to the transom. The chines serve three purposes. First they separate the flow of water from the hull bottom and hull side, resulting in more efficient operation. Second, they knock down spray, making for a dryer boat. And third, they provide a flat running surface that provides hydrodynamic lift, resulting in a faster and more fuel-efficient vessel. Many of the vessels currently in operation or being built have what I consider to be an excessively narrow chine flat.
Based upon experience, I judge bowpickers will benefit from a wider chine. Many vessels have a chine width of four to six inches at the transom. I have elected to increase our chine width to nine inches. I believe wider chines will provide more lift, resulting in a slightly faster and more fuel efficient vessel. I have limited the chine width to nine inches, as a wider chine would adversely affect the deadrise angle. Everything in boat design is a compromise!
Bottom Loading and Size
I conducted an extensive analysis of bottom loading to help determine the optimal size vessel considering the anticipated weights for an operational vessel. I consider three weights, first "light ship" with no fuel, hydraulic fluid, water, crew, or gear; second, "performance ship" with fuel, hydraulic fluid, water, crew, and gear; and third, "heavy ship" with a load of 8,000 to 10,000 pounds of fish.
For purposes of analysis I estimated light ship at 13,000 to 14,000 pounds, performance ship at 16,000 to 17,000 pounds, and heavy ship at 20,000 to 24,000 pounds. To determine bottom size, I assumed the length of the vessel from the transom to the chine/stem intersection and the chine beam. I used the Blount Dynamic Stability program as developed by Donald Blount and Lou Codega, two very highly regarded naval architects who specialize in high speed planning hull designs.
My analysis of bottom size ranges from a transom to chine/stem intersection length of 28 feet to 31 feet and chine beam of 10 feet to 11 feet. For the purpose of bottom loading analysis, I have constructed three tables. The first table reflects bottom-loading capacity for 10-foot chine beam vessels ranging in length from 28 to 31 feet. The second table reflects bottom-loading capacity for 10.5-foot chine beam vessels ranging in length from 28 to 31 feet. The third table reflects bottom-loading capacity for 11-foot chine beam vessels ranging in length from 28 to 31 feet.
If I assume the average weight of a vessel as it leaves the dock to be 16,500 pounds and our objective is to achieve maximum fuel efficiency at this weight, my analysis suggests I consider a 31-foot by 10-foot, 30-foot by 10.5-foot, or a 28-foot or 29-foot by 11-foot vessel.
Keeping in mind the design of a vessel represents intelligent compromise; I want to avoid excessive length, as that increases construction costs. I want to avoid excessive beam, as that makes it more difficult to efficiently operate the vessel due to greater drag. And, I want to avoid too narrow of a vessel, as that reduces stability and limits room for the fishermen. Based on the above considerations, I consider a 29.5-foot long by 10.5-foot chine beam vessel as the "ideal" compromise:
I estimate lightship at 13,500 pounds and the above noted vessel size is best suited to a lightship of 14,300 pounds. But, the reality is a fisherman will never operate the vessel at lightship weight, as he needs fuel, gear, and crew at a minimum. I estimate performance ship weight when leaving the dock at 16,500 pounds, plus or minus 500 pounds. If the fisherman burns 35 gallons of fuel, then his weight will reduce to 16,250 pounds. The above noted vessel size delivers optimal performance at approximately 16,250 pounds. We are spot on for optimal performance and fuel efficiency. I estimate heavy ship weight at 20-24,000 depending upon the weight of the catch. This above noted vessel should continue to plane with a fish load of approximately 7,200 pounds, which is equal to six 1,200 pound brailer bags. If the vessel is loaded heavier than 7,200 pounds, it will most likely continue to plane in shallow water, as these vessels tend to have an ability to carry heavier loads in two to three feet of water.
Based on the above analysis, I conclude the "ideal" Cordova bowpicker should have a transom to chine/stem intersection length of 29.5 feet and a chine beam of 10.5 feet. This is slightly larger than the moderate size vessels that are currently popular with many fishermen. I anticipate our size vessel will provide more efficient fuel economy and better fish carrying capacity than the moderate size vessels.
With a reasonable rake to the bow, our "ideal" bowpicker will be approximately 33 feet long on the deck. This is about one foot longer than the current moderate size vessel. This additional length will add slightly to the weight and cost of the vessel, but should make for a more fuel-efficient vessel and a better sea boat that is less sensitive to sink and trim as fish are loaded.
Dynamic Stability
Dynamic stability is determined by the hull shape and the center of gravity of the loaded vessel in relation to the centroid of the bottom. As previously mentioned, we will have a transom deadrise of approximately 12 degrees and a cutwater deadrise of approximately 45 degrees. This hull design should prove to have excellent dynamic stability. If we assume the centroid of the bottom is approximately 40 percent forward of the transom, or 11.8 feet, then we need to maintain the center of gravity of the loaded vessel aft of the centroid for dynamic stability. Our dynamic stability program recommends a center of gravity for a performance vessel of 10 feet forward of the transom and a center of gravity for a heavily loaded vessel of 10.43 feet forward of the transom. Considering that Cordova bowpickers are naturally stern heavy due to engine and cabin placement, these center of gravity guidelines are very reasonable and easily achieved. Our design should be very dynamically stable and therefore safe in adverse sea conditions.
Cabin Space
One advantage to the extra foot of hull length is that the cabin can be increased in size from the standard 10-foot length to 11 feet. Due to a 6-inch wider beam than normal, the cabin width is increased from 9.5 feet to 10 feet. This results in a 15.8 percent increase in interior room, making the vessel more comfortable and easier to live on.
Computer Aided Design and Router Cut
The final step we have taken to improve the breed is to utilize computer aided design and router cutting of the material. Many boat builders design their vessels on the proverbial back of an envelope. They are reluctant to invest the time and money required to have professional design. Computer design enables the designer to conduct hydrostatic calculation, calculate performance estimates, and design an efficient hull structure that provides needed strength with minimal weight. By utilizing computer aided design, the designer always knows exactly what he is dealing with and he can make changes to the vessel to optimize performance, seaworthiness, and strength. Computer design has the additional advantage that aluminum used to build the vessel can be router cut. Router cutting makes for an accuracy measured in the thousandths of an inch compared to hand lofting and material cutting with a Skill Saw that will produce accuracy typically within plus or minus a quarter-inch. Router cutting is more expensive, due to the need to have computer design and to pay for the cutting costs (which average about $.85 per pound for the fabricated hull). However, increased costs are quickly recovered by the builder with more efficient fabrication of the vessel and the elimination of time-consuming hand fitting and repeated fitting and cutting to achieve a reasonable material fit.
Presenting the "Ideal" Design
A lines drawing is shown. Note the 45 percent deadrise angle at the cutwater for a better entrance. Note also the deadrise aft and the wider than normal chines for optimal performance. And note the straight buttock lines on the aft section of the hull bottom. Buttock lines are the longitudinal sections of a vessel's hull parallel to the keel. Straight buttock lines make for a better performing planing hull.
A profile and plan drawing is shown. Note the internal framing for this vessel. We will utilize a well-proven concept – aircraft style box construction with transverse frames and longitudinal girders. Box construction makes for a light but incredibly strong vessel.
A cabin drawing is also shown. The larger than normal cabin provides a roomy and comfortable retreat while fishing or overnighting on the vessel. Note the large head, which can be equipped with a shower and also used for hanging wet clothing to dry. There is a large galley (4.5 feet long) and two extra-large bunks, each measuring 6 feet, 9 inches long and 36 inches wide. Standard is a forward facing dinette for one man. An optional dinette with two seats may be specified. And there is a large recessed area just forward of the head for a propane or diesel cabin heater.
The goal of our design process was to create a superior vessel for the Cordova-based fishermen. By utilizing computer-aided design, we have a high level of confidence in the performance of the vessel. We know a router cut vessel will be easier, faster, and more accurate to fabricate than a hand lofted and cut vessel. We will have the ability to offer engine choices and many choices regarding equipment and accessories.
Should you have comments or questions regarding this design or the design process, please feel free to call Jim Bower at 425.301.6016.


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CLARKSTON -- Union AdWorks has moved into the former Independence Township Hall, which has been upgraded and remodeled to suit 75 employees.
The project is one of Curt Catallo's, a Clarkston resident who founded several businesses in the area. Catallo is creative director/owner of Union AdWorks as well as president of Union Joints, which operates three restaurants in the area and the Union General store in Clarkston.
Built in 1910, the two-story brick building originally housed schools including the Henry Ford apprentice school. In 1950, local residents purchased the building to use it as a community center that later became the township hall. There are three buildings on the property at 90 N. Main St., which have been vacant for about five years, Catallo said. The main building is about 8,840 square feet; The Annex, which Henry Ford built as a power plant, is 4,829 square feet, and the former Independence Township library is 1,030 square feet.
Catallo and his wife, Ann Stevenson, purchased the buildings late last year, although he did not want to disclose the sale price. They spent about seven months rehabilitating the site for AdWorks as well as five staff members who work for Union Joints.
The couple upgraded the infrastructure for technology, renovated the power plant and did extensive interior design work in the buildings. Catallo did not disclose the cost of the renovations.
"We have a soft spot for re-purposing buildings," he said. "It was a unique opportunity to move the ad agency and our restaurants' back office operations onto a really groovy campus.
"To restore this means the world to us. The building was in such good shape, it really deserved the commitment."
AdWorks moved to downtown Clarkston from an industrial park in Rochester Hills last week. The company is a full-service advertising agency that focuses on design; Clients include Chrysler Group. Besides 60 AdWorks employees, there are 10 employees from ES3, AdWorks' strategic partner, on the site.
"Any updates around here and job opportunities is great," said Christina Calka, a member of the Clarkston-based Village Retailers Group, who owns Village Fashion Boutique on Main Street. "If you're bringing people in, they'll stop for lunch and drive through town. Hopefully, they'll check us out or stop into stores. Growth is good.
"It's nice that (Catallo) stays local with his investments. That always helps add to the town as well."
Union Joints operates the Clarkston Union restaurant, which opened in 1996; Union Wood Shop, which opened in 2009; Vinsetta Garage restaurant in Berkley as well as Union General store. In addition, Catallo is working on opening a restaurant in the former Fenton Fire Hall later this year. The business in downtown Fenton will feature menu items similar to those at the Clarkston Union such as the infamous Mac & Cheese.
"I think, for us, we love the opportunity to use a great old structure to create a unique culture," Catallo said. "That's something we've always done with our restaurants."