text:
John Flood, Professor of Law and Sociology, University of Westminster
Time to cut the silken thread
Readers' comments (23)
Just once, I would like to see a evidence based argument on this point. Sadly, there isn't one here.
Where is the evidence that the selection or monitoring of QCs is not fit for purpose? This distinguished academic says '[b]y all means have a distinction that speaks to expertise, but something as vague as expert at 'advocacy' is woefully insufficient'. Why so? Is he really saying that expertise at advocacy cannot measured, or that it is, in his opinion difficult to measure and therefore due to his perception that it is difficult, attempts shouldn't be made at assessment and quantification? If that is so, perhaps he would like to speak providers of the post-graduate professional qualifications, both of which assess advocacy, and appear to be able to quantify ability.
The writer then moves on to question 'are barristers the only professionals that seek to liken themselves to the clergy by their use of the term 'lay'? There is a very simple reason they do that. Unless a client has utilised the direct access scheme, a barrister has a professional client in his solicitor, and a lay client - rather than use language as a means to have a little pop, why not suggest a reasonable alternative?
The writer then appears to suggest it is 'peculiar' that the application process requires candidates to give evidence of their last two years of practice. While I appreciate that the writer is an academic so therefore is au fait with having his entire body of work judged, in many application processes the assessors only want recent experience. Does it really hamper this selection process that it too limits it by time? If so, again, is there any evidence of that?
According to Mr Flood, the most peculiar part of all is that the 'reward' for advocacy privileges one part of the profession over another. No, really? Might that be because advocacy is the specialism of that profession, and solicitor advocates and Cilex advocates are a fairly new invention, therefore there are not yet enough of them senior and experienced enough to apply? Has the writer assessed the data pertaining to numbers of advocates at the bar, within the solicitors profession and within Cilex; narrowed that to those with the requisite levels of seniority to apply and determined whether the number of applicants from outside of the bar is related to that? I would suggest that is an exercise that needs to be undertaken if one wants to boldly suggest that the 'reward' 'privileges' those from one arm of the profession over another.
And then we get to the over-used point, that always has to find itself in pieces of this nature. The fact that the majority are white and male. Perhaps this is due to the professions being predominately made up of white males 20-30 something years ago, so that those senior enough to earn this rank reflect that. Again, an worthwhile exercise, to determine if this is discriminatory as seems to be suggested, is to look at the call of those holding the rank, determine the make up of the profession at the time they were called, and do comparative analysis of the data. If it shows that the rank is held by anything other than a representative make up, we have a problem. But the issue as it stands is that this is an easy charge to make without any data or other evidence explaining why.
Similarly so, if in 20 years the rank is not held by those representative of the profession now (certainly at the bar, call figures are showing gender equality), then again we have a problem.
We then move to the 'raising cost' argument, with again, a startling lack of evidence. What does the writer base his conclusions on? He states that there is a doubling of resources on cases and raising costs, but does not provide us with the evidence that supports his conclusion. I would be delighted to see it, should there be any.
I have no real stance on the rank of silk; however, before calling for changes that would wipe away many years of tradition, I would like to see some evidence, and I would like to see articles such as this backed up by the same.
"Let's bring the legal services market and its providers fully into the 21st century."
Typical ex-poly bollocks.
This is a thought-provoking piece and I think it is important that thoughts are provoked on this subject.
But my view is that many of the criticisms put forward here have been addressed in the revised QC applications process that was put in place in 2006. The selection process is now demonstrably independent and as transparent as such an inevitably subjective selection process can be.
The letters 'QC' bear clear meaning as far as the consumer is concerned, domestically and internationally, without anyone being under any illusion that their recipients are hand-selected by Her Majesty. And this is not really the point. The point is that the consumer needs to be confident that a QC provides "excellence in advocacy" over and above that provided by a junior barrister. My view - and that of the market, evidently - is that this is being achieved by the current process.
I agree that there is merit in considering ongoing assessment of quality, although it should be remembered that QCs are operating in a referrals market, in which the buyers are generally legal professionals who will not be slow to recognise any shortcomings. In this respect, it is self-regulating to a large extent.
On the diversity points, I agree entirely with Milly's comments above and would only add that the trends (as shown by published statistics) in this respect have in recent years been extremely positive.
Finally, I do not agree with the "doubling of resources" argument. The use of a QC for trial advocacy and strategic advice combined with a junior for drafting, research and preparation is well-proven to be an efficient and cost-effective way to carry out litigation.
I'd like to thank Milly and Jeremy for their interesting and thoughtful responses to my op-ed article. In part I agree with Milly about evidenced-based research--it's what I do! However, this is one area where we lack it. As Jeremy says there is an issue about continuing monitoring of this "kite mark". Unlike doctors, who undergo continuing vetting as to their skills, barristers seem to have to go over this hurdle only once. That isn't good enough.
I don't even disagree with Milly's opinion on the teaching of advocacy. I'm glad it happens. But there is something a little strange where a barrister is expected to be of sufficient seniority to apply and then can only refer to cases of the last two years. Poor Rumpole, he never would have been able to include that classic case the Penge Bungalow murders if he'd applied. Nevertheless, advocacy as a specialism is still too vague. It would be rather like a surgeon being a good surgeon, but I'd like to know who's the best heart surgeon, for example.
Both Milly and Jeremy may not like my bringing up diversity but it is a significant issue in our society and it's not going away. While trends may be improving, I fear if we had to wait on the glacial pace at which they are improving, well something might happen to hell. But don't forget diversity is in the Legal Services Act--it must be improved.
I'm not using language to have a pop but rather to puncture some of the taken-for-granted symbols that the Bar and the legal profession invokes to protect itself. I would actually like to see the Bar much more open to research, which would ultimately benefit it.
Do clients understand? Not all. Some sophisticated ones do (including a raft of Russian oligarchs) but most people haven't a clue what a barrister is let alone a QC. Shall i mention wigs and gowns too? Enough said for now and thank you.
Frankly, I am a transactional solicitor and why on Earth would it make sense to anyone to extend the QC title to transactional M&A lawyers? It is and has always been about advocacy and litigation. Criticising the QC system is apparently a fashionable thing to do on the left wing, but wanting to extend it to transactional solicitors is just plain nonsense and shows a complete lack of understanding of the legal market..
Thanks for the reply John.
I understand why you may think advocacy as a specialism is vague, and I understand why you think it appears it is only tested once. However, that simply isn't the reality on the ground. Advocates are tested every time they get to their feet before a judge - I have seen a judge rip into a poorly performing advocate on many occasion, as has anyone who spends time in court. Aside from that, those who instruct advocates are not daft - an under-performing advocate is not going to find her/him self awash with instructions.
In terms of diversity, I don't disagree with raising it, but we have to deal with the reality of it. We cannot turn the clock back. The profession as was, is as was, and we cannot change that. However, the profession as is, is very different to that, rightly so, which demonstrates at least that the profession has looked to the past, learned lessons, and moved forward in a state of change - I don't think we can ask for more than that.
In terms of clients understanding, I again disagree. Whenever I have made the decision that I need to be lead, the client has welcomed it - if anything, they like to know that their case is felt to be so important!
You miss out two critical elements of the selection process: (i) evidence-based proof of several 'competences'; (ii) the wide consultation among judicial and other referees. The scrutiny of applicants is extremely rigorous and thorough. Appointment is most definitely not a pat on the head for members of a dominant social-economic-ethnic group. Blame past recruitment practices into the legal profession for the demographic of appointments.
As for re-assessment: the new QASA system of accreditation for all advocates in publicly funded criminal law (my field) will probably have periodic reviews; and advocates are under permanent scrutiny by judges, juries and clients in every case. In an all too C21 way, advocates including Silks are in the market, and if the market thinks they aren't good enough, they won't get any work. Academia is a very safe haven by comparison.
It is a shame to rant beneath such well argued points (Messrs Flood, Milly and Jeremy) but, really, when is English society going to get off the bandwagon of knocking those at the top. We should be levelling up - not down. The QC system has done nothing wrong. It is a tried and tested institution that works and has demonstrated its quality world wide. The Bar and Silks in particular are quality tested by their reputation and their skill. I am a Solicitor. The very best Silks are instructed by the very best Solicitors. Those Solicitors won't call if the Silk is constantly getting battered by other Silks or if the client service or quality of advice is not good enough. What on earth does a wig and gown have to do with anything? It is unimportant - although it does show a level of prejudice against the Bar and an implication that everyone should find such traditional garments offensive. Well we don't. I am sorry but this just smacks of inverted snobbery and levelling down for the sake of levelling down. The notion appears to be that we should get rid of any perceived form of grandeur or tradition simply because it is not understood properly. Isn't that the same reason we got rid of splenid public buildings in the 60s and replaced them with ghastly tower blocks? Surely, only change something if you have an excellent idea to make it much better. I this case the Bar and Silks are first rate. World class. Elite in their performance not in their attitudes.
Always wondered if it didn't exist you'd struggle to create and sell it.
Isn't the main argument for QCs that "this is how we've done things for centuries!!"?
No other profession seems to need a "mark of excellence" issued by the Queen. It is an odd and arcane system out of pace with modern law practice, and with a strong old boys' network flavour that is hard to eliminate. Goes very well with the wearing of wigs, though.
'Trendy' left wing drivel that belongs in the Guardian.
Milly has already pointed out the defects of this piece far more patiently than I could and the proffered defence only serves to highlight its flaws.
To pick up on just one point; "advocacy as a specialism is still too vague. It would be rather like a surgeon being a good surgeon, but I'd like to know who's the best heart surgeon, for example" - this simply revals the author's lack of understanding of the legal profession.
Advocacy is of course always conducted in the context of a case that can be classified within a particular legal specialism, but that does not prevent an assessment of the quality of the advocacy in a particular case. More importantly, if a barrister has risen to become a QC by doing mostly, say, landlord and tenant cases, then the market will understand perfectly well that that is the field in which a high level of competence as an advocate has been demonstrated. It cannot seriously be suggested that, simply because he is a QC, our landlord and tenant barrister will thereby be showered by solicitors with instructions in other fields. Going back to the analogy with surgeons, it seems to have escaped the auhor's notice that there is a single Royal College of Surgeons and the accolade of a fellowship of the RCS (which is comparable to being a QC) is granted to surgeons who demonstrate a high level of expertise in all fields of surgery. The analogy with surgeons fails even on its own premises.
"It is an odd and arcane system out of pace with modern law practice." But this comment doesn't explain why something that is "odd" and "arcane" and "out of place" is necessarily bad, needs reforming or doesn't work. Rather, the view reflects a degree of prejudice and a lack of understanding. Indeed, the bar is not odd to me at all. I instruct them regularly and they serve a valuable purpose. I work in a US company and am constantly proud that the English Bar are amongst the very best lawyers in the world and, in some respects, can be equated to the Special Forces of the legal world. Perhaps reforming is not what the Bar needs. What the Bar needs - desperately and quickly - is rebranding. If there is one criticism that sticks it is that the Bar is woefully out of touch in a marketing sense. They need to spend more on their collective branding. If you want one example, just go and look at most sets websites ......awful. Just awful. Once the Bar rebrands then the socialists will be partially deprived of their political arguments.
I'd like to pick two points that miss the mark, in my view. Milly says every time a barrister appears in court he/she is evaluated by judges. This is not a systematic process. There was some research some years ago that showed the standards of advocacy weren't that great among the Bar. I suspect they have improved but our measures of these may well lag. After all it is the clients and state who pay for these services that need to be reassured. The granting of a QC is insufficient guarantee as it stands.
Secondly my comparison with the medical profession, as Eurolawyer picks up, does work. The Royal Colleges are involved in the development of curricula for specialisms but they are not the sole evaluators. That is mix of the GMC, colleges, NHS working collaboratively. Nothing of that sort exists in law. Moreover, these systems are based around "specialties" not the vague category of "good surgeon" or "good psychiatrist". At the moment we let the market determine the quality of the specialism, but we could do with a more rigorous, analytical and sustained system.
"After all it is the clients and state who pay for these services that need to be reassured." Who is complaining that they do not receive sufficient reassurance? Where is the evidence for this?
"The granting of a QC is insufficient guarantee as it stands." Why not? Where is the evidence for this statement?
"...we could do with a more rigorous, analytical and sustained system." But where is the evidence of this need? Simply because it would be "better"? That does not seem a compelling reason.
Prof Flood is a highly distinguished academic (look at his CV), but this article has the ring of a commissioned op-ed piece designed to stir up debate, but lacking in any real arguments to back it up. The basic points appear to be (1) it's odd and arcane; (2) although there is no evidence of dissatisfaction, one could design a better system.
Not good enough really, and the citation in the article of one QC's misguided notion of a silk acting in a quasi-judicial role serves only to reinforce the view that Prof Flood is engaged here in rhetoric, not reasoned analysis.
I would also add that nobody outside of left-wing academia uses "privilege" as a verb. Perhaps that betrays the political views underpinning the article. Nothing wrong with that (I too am a left-winger) but at least call it what it is.
There is also a mistaken impression running through the article that taking Silk is a gateway to glittering prizes and wealth.
For some it is. For many, it is not.
There are many, many QC's out there with incomes far below that of senior barristers who have not taken silk.
The article may have some resonance with a readership who are not completely au fait with the process.
But the readership of the Lawyer is rather more discerning and can therefore see this article for what it is - someone critisising a system they haven't troubled themselves to research properly and therfore doesn't really understand.
No doubt the Daily Mail will reproduce it soon.
I love the Dickensian aspect of the English legal system!
Let me correct a couple of misapprehensions in the last couple of comments. First, yes this is an op-ed piece. It is designed to stimulate debate. In that it's been a success. Second, it is not a research piece. Most of my research--see www.johnflood.com--is empirically based and is rigorous. Yet what is clear from the comments is that we do need good research on this topic in order to come to a proper policy position. I've been unable to find much research in this area. The paper by the QC I refer to was submitted to the Ministry of Justice as a Bar response to the issue of QCs. I do think it's flawed. But believe me I've searched for good, empirical research on the QC system and it's not there.
There are far too many assumptions in the arguments put forward in these comments. The one which disturbs me the most is the implicit assumption that the public interest and professional interest coincide. They do not. Nor are professionals the best decision makers on the shape of the market for legal services. Self-interest soon takes over. One of the reasons for the Legal Services Act was that professional interest distorted the market.
I would urge the Bar to institute rigorous research on QCs. The system needs it.
It's good to see Dr Who speaking out on social issues.
John, please provide a citation for where we might find the paper by the QC you refer to. You suggest it speaks on behalf of the Bar - I'd like you to back up that assertion, please.
View results 10 per page | 20 per page | 50 per page


text:
If you have any questions about the web site, please contact Tim Dale (see Committee page under Information)
Friday 7th August 2009
Welcome to our web site.
We are a small non-affilliated duplicate bridge club situated at the Friends Meeting House in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. The towns of St. Albans and Luton are to the South and North of us respectively. We meet every Tuesday night at 7:20 p.m.
Although there is a waiting list for new members, we welcome newcomers to visit and play in a friendly atmosphere. Please contact the Club Secretary who will provide more information.
There will be a change, this year, to our usual social bridge events.
It has been decided that there will not be an Easter Bridge event this year.
The AGM will take place on 8 July at 7 p.m., followed by an evening of Chicago Bridge.
As previously agreed, the bridge dinner will be a bi-annual event, and will henceforth alternate with the Christmas event. This year there will a dinner, for which we have a provisional booking for 2 December. More details to follow.
From Tuesday 27th May until further notice we will meet at the Harpenden Seniors Centre behind Park Hall in Leyton Road
To see the current list of directors for the next few weeks, click on "Membership", log on and then click on "Members only Notices".
The latest list up to December 2014 is now available.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
If you know of an important Milestone please let us know about it here.
Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole to Step Down, Take Job in Private Sector
The Justice Department is about to lose another high-ranking officials.
Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole, second-in-command, announced Thursday that he's taking a job in the private sector, the Washington Post reports.
The Post said possible successors include Sally Quillian Yates, who is U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, and Loretta E. Lynch, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York.
Cole's job was to run the Justice Department's daily operations.
Cole spoke to the Washington Post about the difficulties of balancing security with civil liberties.
"If you just want to keep people safe and you're willing to sacrifice people's constitutional rights and their civil liberties, that's not so hard," he said.
"If you just want to protect people's constitutional rights and their civil liberties and you're willing to sacrifice their safety, that's not so hard either," Cole said. "The hard part is to do them both."
Print This Post
Posted: 10/17/14 at 9:07 AM under Milestone, News Story.
Tags: civil liberties, Deputy Attorney General, James Cole, Justice Department
Comments: none
TSA Administrator Pistole to Retire After More Than 4 Years at Helm
John Pistole, head of the TSA, will retire after leading the agency for more than four years, Reuters reports.
Pistole was in charge of 60,000 employees and security operations at more than 415 airports nationwide.
Pistole "has been integral in leading TSA's transformation to a risk-based, intelligence-driven counterterrorism agency dedicated to protecting our transportation systems," Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said in a statement.
"Because of his efforts over the past four and a half years, our country's transportation systems are more safe and secure," Johnson added.
Johnson did not say what prompted the retirement.
Print This Post
Posted: 10/17/14 at 9:06 AM under Milestone, News Story.
Tags: Homeland Security, John Pistole, retirement, TSA
Comments: none
President Obama Chooses New Head of DOJ's Civil Rights Division
A top lawyer for the ACLU is President Obama's choice to head the civil rights division of the Justice Department, a position that has been without a permanent leaders for more than a year, the Washington Post reports.
Vanita Gupta, 39,will become the acting head of the division Wednesday.
A longtime civil rights lawyer, Gupta brings a lot of experience with her. She is the deputy legal director for the ACLU.
The Post reports that Obama plans to nominate Gupta to be the permanent assistant attorney general for civil rights.
It's an important position that oversees voting and civil rights investigations.
Born in the Philadelphia area to immigrant parents, Gupta has been lauded for her civil rights work, especially on prison reform, the Post wrote.
Print This Post
Posted: 10/16/14 at 8:27 AM under Milestone, News Story.
Tags: ACLU, civil rights division, President Obama, Vanita Gupta
Comments: none
Veteran FBI Agent with Doctorate in Physical Chemistry to Take Over San Diego Field Office
FBI agent Eric S. Birnbaum, a 26-year-veteran of the bureau, will take over San Diego's field office.
The Times of San Diego reports that Birnbaum has been named to succeed Daphne Hearn, who retired in August.
Birnbaum has a bachelor's degree in math from Miami University in Ohio and a doctorate in physical chemistry from Stanford University in Palo Alto.
Since beginning his FBI career in 1988, Birnbaum has worked in the FBI Laboratory, the Inspection Division and the field offices in Washington, San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Birnbaum supervised a white-collar squad in San Diego.
Print This Post
Posted: 10/15/14 at 10:05 AM under FBI, Milestone, News Story.
Tags: director, eric birnbaum, FBI, field office, San Diego
Comments: none
FBI Director Names Donald Alway As New Special Agent in Charge of Jackson Division
The FBI has a new special agent in charge of the Jackson Division.
MS News Now reports that FBI Director James B. Comey named to the post Donald Alway, who began his career with the FBI in 1996 when he was first assigned to investigate drug violations in the Los Angeles Division.
Since then, he worked counterterrorism and supervised a Joint Terrorism Task Force in New York.
Alway also investigated Iraq under former leader Saddam Hussein when he worked for the Regime Crimes Task Force.
In 2011, he was promoted to assistant special agent in charge of the Cincinnati Division.
Print This Post
Posted: 10/7/14 at 8:59 AM under Milestone, News Story.
Tags: Donald Alway, FBI, Jackson, Los Angeles, terrorism
Comments: none
Longtime New York FBI Mob Buster Gerard Conrad Retires
Longtime mob buster Gerard Conrad, who helped put scores of wiseguys behind bars working as a grunt agent on the FBI's Gambino crime family squad and later as the hands-on supervisor of a revamped squad that now investigates two crime families, retired last week after a quietly illustrious 25 year career as a G-man.
A CPA, Conrad began his FBI career in Chicago and worked organized crime cases there for five years, three under John O'Neil, the counter-terrorism expert who died in the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center.
Conrad, a New Jersey native, transferred to New York in 1994, working white collar crime cases for four years before joining the Gambino crime family squad in 1998.
Since then, Conrad played important roles in every major case the squad has made, including two racketeering indictments against Peter Gotti and 23 codefendants, three other racketeering cases involving mobsters in New York and Italy, and a huge 62-defendant case that included the Administration of the Gambino crime family in 2008.
Two years later he shared the podium with Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara and New York FBI boss George Venizelos when they announced a racketeering indictment that charged powerful Gambino capo Daniel Marino with the murder of his nephew and 13 codefendants with a litany of other crimes, including sex-trafficking charges involving a minor — a 15-year-old girl.
Conrad, who supervised two major Mafia Takedown Day cases — racketeering against capo Alphonse Trucchio and 20 cohorts and the murder indictment of consigliere Bartolomeo (Bobby Glasses) Vernace for the 1981 Shamrock Bar murders — supervised the FBI squad that currently investigates the Gambino and Luchese crime families for six years.
"Gerry was one of the finest agents I have ever worked with," said retired FBI agent Philip Scala, whom Conrad succeeded as squad supervisor in 2008.
"The squad will miss him. He's profoundly humble, with an unlimited willingness to sacrifice for his people and their mission."
Conrad also knows that it's always a good idea to keep your eyes open, and pay attention to what's going on around you, because sometimes when you least expect it, you may come across some evidence that can help put a murderous mobster behind bars for life — even on a walk in the park.
That's what happened to him at about 3:45 pm on August 15, a warm and lazy afternoon when he took a break from his FBI duties and spotted three very familiar faces sitting at a table and chatting behind a cyclone fence in Forest Park, a short stroll from his Kew Gardens office.
"I saw Bobby Vernace, JoJo Corozzo and Alphonse Trucchio," Conrad recalled last year as one of the final witnesses at Vernace's racketeering and murder trial in Brooklyn Federal Court. That's Vernace, in the blue shirt on the left. Corozzo is in the middle. Trucchio on the right.
He wasn't close enough to hear what they were saying but he knew that putting the three mobsters together just might be relevant at some point, so, he testified, "I immediately called back to the office to get some agents there with a camera" to record the session for posterity.
Conrad kept his eyes peeled on the trio, "from across the park" until agents Robert Herbster and William Johnson got there, and took photos of the trio, still talking to each other at 4:22 pm. Ten minutes later, they took one of Vernace, 65, and Corozzo, 72, who were speaking privately, as Trucchio, 37, stood out of earshot about 20 feet away.
The discussion between the two older mobsters lasted "just a short while," said Conrad, "two to three minutes."
The photos weren't smoking gun evidence. But prosecutors were able to use them, along with Conrad's detailed account, to tie Bobby Glasses to two powerful Gambino mobsters some 25 years after he had gunned down two bar owners and convince the jury that the killings were related to Gambino family activity and that Vernace was guilty of racketeering and murder.
Print This Post
Posted: 10/5/14 at 7:03 AM under Milestone, News Story.
Tags: FBI, gerard conrad, Mob, New York, wiseguys
Comments: none
Ex-Fed Prosecutor Alan M. Gershel Who Helped Convicted Detroit Police Chief is Named Head of the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission
Alan M. Gershel, a law school professor and ex-federal prosecutor whose high-profile cases included the prosecution of Detroit Police Chief William L. Hart, has been named grievance administrator for the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission.
The commission is the investigative and prosecutorial arm of the Supreme Court for allegations of attorney misconduct.
"Mr. Gershel has a focused vision for the future, decades of experience successfully managing a team of attorneys, and a reputation for professional integrity that will be a credit to the AGC," Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young, Jr. said in a statement.
Gershel resigned from Cooley Law School last Friday.
Gershel replaces interim administrator John Van Bolt. Bolt was filling in after administrator Robert Agacinski, was fired earlier this year. Agacinski is suing Young and the Grievance Commission, alleging he was fired for reporting illegal misconduct of commission staff members.
Gershel was one of three prosecutors who convicted Chief Hart in May 1992 for embezzling funds earmarked for undercover operations. Gershel also helped oversee an FBI sting involving local Detroit judges that resulted in a number of them pleading guilty in the late 1980s.
Gershel, a 1978 graduate of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, taught at Thomas M. Cooley Law School from 2008-2014. Before that, he worked for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit for nearly 30 years, and was chief of the Criminal Division from 1989-2008.
Print This Post
Posted: 9/22/14 at 2:10 PM under Milestone, News Story.
Tags: Alan Gershel, chief william hart, thomas cooley law school, U.S. Attorney
Comments: none
Retired FBI Agent Charles McGinty, Who Went After Public Corruption, Died at Age of 67
Charles McGinty, a retired FBI agent with an impressive resume, died Thursday of unknown causes, NOLA.com reports.
He was 67.
McGinty was supervisor of a public corruption squad in the FBI's New Orleans office when he retired in 2004.
After retiring, McGinty became a security director for Fidelity Homstead Savings Bank, where he was teaching a class when he collapsed.
McGinty, whose older brother also was an FBI agent, became one of the last agents hired by J. Edgar Hoover.
McGinty investigated public corruption and white-collar crime, and at the time of his retirement, he was finishing up a case that sent two Jefferson Parish judges to prison.
Print This Post
Posted: 9/19/14 at 9:04 AM under Milestone, News Story.
Tags: Charles McGinty, New Orleans, public corruption
Comments: none


text:
Innovators & Icons of Design: Round Two
Presented by Dyson
What makes a design iconic? Using the criteria that design icons must be innovative, stylish, functional and instantly recognizable, we chose great designs and pitted them against each other, tournament-style. The Apartment Therapy team voted on the early rounds, and it looks like we made some controversial choices!
Watch the video to see which icons made it through to Round 2 –
and why!
The Apartment Therapy team voted on the first round - what did we get right, and what did we get wrong? Which are your favorites? Which do you think should go all the way to the championship round?
Stay tuned for the next rounds of the Innovators and Icons of Design Tournament, brought to you by Dyson!
More posts in this series
Dyson Innovators & Icons of Design Tournament
(Image credits: Our icons were illustrated by Samantha Hahn; I LOVE NEW YORK logo is a registered trademark/service mark of the NYS Dept. of Economic Development, used with permission.)
16 Comments
I just love the bug. It should go all the way!
I'm completely befuddled by the fact that the Sydney Opera House was beaten by the Chrysler Building despite it winning in the vote. Such an American I centric notion of design...
Agree with NNoor. Also, why did levis beat out sneakers, when sneakers seems to have more votes?
Also agree with the American-centric, even New York-centric bias. How could I [heart] NY beat the London Underground? That's pitiful.
How are are things that did not get the most votes moving up in the contest? Is there a panel of "iconic design expert judges" that gets to override the reader's votes?
Apparently, yes. It's the "Apartment Therapy Team," not site visitors, who decided.
I'd say the London Underground beats I heart NY.
Then why does AT even bother to set this up for us to vote???
I agree with NNoor and Dulcibella. The Sydney Opera house is an iconic design. The Chrysler building is one of how many skyscrapers in NYC? And the London Underground symbol is timeless. The I <3 NY is so middle-of-the-20th-century.
On that note, what's the purpose behind this 'tournament' anyway? Why did Dyson come up with this, or was it AT? It seems pretty gimmicky to me. Maybe marketing filler.
Love the graphics. Love the concept. Love the descriptions.
Whole lotta fun!
I disagree about the London Underground being more inconic than the I heart NY. Just look at the logos from a purely design POV; I heart NY is so strong. You can't even read the London Underground to understand what it is unless you get in close. I suspect that the folks who are peeved about the decision have a personal connection to London and the experience of taking their metro.
I think the reason that more people prefer the London Underground to I heart NY is that the whole I heart stuff is so overdone and used everywhere for anything. The London Underground is iconic and has tremendous appeal even if you have never taken it. One can always dream....!
Yes, the Apartment Therapy Team got to vote in these early rounds - we were amazed at how controversial the choices were! In a couple weeks, though, readers will have the final say in deciding the 'top design icon.' We hope it's fun to watch the videos and get a little more familiar with some of our favorite designs of all time!
Why so snarky everyone? Turtle Tracks just made the case for I heart NY winning. The fact that it's been overdone establishes it as an icon. I agree with suspicions that Underground lovers are London lovers. That's great, but they're missing the goal of identifying which design is more iconic. I plead total bias in the case of the Chrysler Building, but I will say, to Fool4Jazz, that as many skyscrapers as NYC has, none have ever or probably will ever, look so distinguished. The ESB is equally identifiable, but nowhere near as beautiful. It's a really tough call against Sydney and will almost always come down to one's personal preference.
Agree with the US bias comments... Sydney Opera House is a truly innovative design solution.
If we're looking for a true icon known (and valued) worldwide, then it would have to be jeans as much as I love the VW Bug. When you see constantly see photos of people wearing jeans in Africa, in Asia, in the Pacific Islands, you know it's an icon.
Oh no--please don't presume my judgement of design is based on sentimental attachments to one city or country. This is nothing to do with New York vs. London.
I like the Underground sign because it's clear, clever and functional.
The circle evokes a tunnel. The blue line evokes the horizon. Together, a subtle reminder of going under the ground. It's easy to see from a distance, unlikely to be confused with other signs, and one need not read English to recognize what it means.
I <3 the London Underground sign! ;-)


text:
Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai ,10/22/2014, 11:30 (IST)
Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur ,10/25/2014, 09:00 (IST)
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi ,10/12/2014, 16:30 (IST)
Australia beat Pakistan by 1 run
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala ,10/17/2014, 14:30 (IST)
Kishore Biyani is the Chairman of the Company. He is a commerce graduate with a post-graduate diploma in marketing management. He has over 25 years of experience in the field of manufacturing and retailing of ready-made garments. He is the Managing Director of PRIL. Over the years, he has led the emergence of Pantaloons Retail as the leading retailer in the country. He has received several awards including the CEO of the Year - 2001, the most Admired Retailer of the Year 2004, the Retail Face of the Year - Images Retail Awards 2005 and the E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year Services 2006.
Which is a better Consumer Durable stock to invest in?


text:
Get Free Job Alerts on your Mobile by SMS- Subscribe now
NHRC Recruitment 2014 – Sr Research Officer & LDC Posts: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) invites applications for the recruitment of Senior Research Officer & LDC Vacancies. Eligible candidates can apply on or before 30-06-2014. Other details like age limit, educational qualification and other information details are given below…
NHRC Vacancy Details:
Total No of Posts: 02
Name of the Posts:
1. Senior Research Officer: 01 Post
2. Lower Division Clerk: 01 Post
Age Limit: Candidates age should not exceed 40 years for Sl no 1 Post, between 18 years to 27 years for Sl no 2 Post. Age Relaxation is applicable as per instructions issued by the Central Govt.
Education Qualification: Candidates should possess Masters Degree in Political Science, History, Statistics, Sociology of a recognized university or equivalent, Degree in Law of a recognized University or equivalent for Sl no 1 Post, Matriculation or equivalent qualification from a recognized Board/ Universities with yping speed of 30 wpm n English or 25 wpm in Hindi.
How to Apply: Eligible candidates can send applications in prescribed format to National Human Rights Commission, Manav Adhikar, 'C' Block, GPO Complex, INA, New Delhi – 110023 on or before 30-06-2014.
Last Date for Submission of Application: 30-06-2014.
For more details regarding educational qualification, how to apply and other, click on the following link….
Click here for Recruitment Advt & Application Form
Tags:nhrc 2011, nhrc recruitment 2011, nhrcrecruitment
4 Responses to "NHRC Recruitment 2014 – Sr Research Officer & LDC Posts"
I am post graduate in computers but I would like to work in human rights commission am I eligible to this department?
At present there are no posts related to your profile in NHRC.
1.To get latest recruitment updates visit regularly http://www.freejobalert.com
2.To get daily E-mail alerts on Jobs enter your E-mail ID at right side top corner of the page and click on SUBSCRIBE button.
Dear Sir, I am retiring from Govt. Service as Sr. PPS in the Ministry of Power, CEA. I have good working knowledge of Computer, Shorthand and Typing. I have worked with very senior officers in the GoI throughout my career. Previously I worked with SG, NHRC when Shri N. Gopalaswami was SG.
please let me know whether selection is complete or not?


text:
At the end of last year Donna wrote "Some Days I Wish This Blog Were Private So I Could Share More" giving some vague but interesting hints as to how certain links can give a site a boost, and how the benefit of those links decreases if they are removed at a later date.
Bidvertiser Feed Advertising For WordPress & Blogger
It looks like Bidvertiser have worked fast to address the problems many bloggers noted about their new feed advertising solution a short while ago and have come up with a way so that you can now use Bidvertiser using your existing feeds, and still use Feedburner as before, so that it doesn't affect your stats, and most importantly your feed readers.
IzeaRanks & RealRank – How Many Lies Can You Tell Your Advertisers?
Lets face it, bloggers love stats and rankings, even if they are based upon meaningless data. For some it is an ego thing, or just a measure of their own worth or progress to achieve whatever goals they have set for themselves, and for others it is monetary. If you want to sell advertising on your blog other than PPC or CPM based, you need to have some kind of carrot to wave at advertisers to encourage them to part with their advertising dollars.
The Pied Piper Of PayPerPost?
Over the last year I have given a fair amount of coverage to PayPerPost, who now house the service along with other endeavours under the name Izea.
There are multiple reasons why I have supported PayPerPost and similar programs so strongly, and yet at the same time have never reviewed a link buying / selling service.
Monopoly Buxx With Hidden Links – WidgetBucks Review
OpenAds Preview
One of the best ways to get my attention is to link to me, or link to some of my content. Actually linking to my content and using a trackback is more likely to be seen than a blogroll link, because I actively check out trackbacks just in case something slips through Spam Karma which shouldn't, or there is some interesting conversation to respond to.
Bidvertiser Review
This is a paid review for Bidvertiser, which is something highly relevant to my blog and my audience. Bidvertiser have however asked to have any links to them with a nofollow, even though I would be quite happy to give them an editorial link. They are paying for my time, not the links. I actually respect them for requesting this, although it is a shame they felt the need with the current climate.
Sponsored Reviews Pays Up
It is great theorising that you can monetize your blogging activities with various forms of advertising, and possibly some affiliate reviews, but blog visitors often don't click contextual advertising, and affiliate marketing is most effective when you have a large amount of traffic to a small number of sites, or a small amount of traffic to a huge number of sites. Your relationship with your audience is also extremely important, as Scott Jangro was recently discussing in relation to Google's new CPA offerings.
Sponsored Reviews Now Live – In Depth Review
Yep this is a sponsored review, though it was something I was intending to write about anyway, to announced that Sponsored Reviews is now live and available for both advertisers and bloggers.
AuctionAds Review – AuctionAds Partially Solves Two International Affiliate Problems
Shoemoney Media and Mediawhiz (The parent company of Text Link Ads and ReviewMe) have released an innovative new monetization model, based upon Ebay Auctions – AuctionAds.com
Mainstream media will no doubt not even think let alone write about the 2 core advantages of this system for a large segment of the affiliate marketplace.


text:
Get Your Gay Access Now!
Category Anal Sex
Added September 04, 2013
Viewed 21,719 times
Favored 8 times Add to favorites
Duration 18m, 7s
Tags Anal Sex, Ass To Mouth, Blowjobs, Cum on Chest, Cum on Stomach, Hardcore
- This scene does not have any comments yet!
Three horny guys hook up after sports practice for some hot man love. They lie on the couch in a line, each guy sucking the cock of the guy next to him. They swap around a few times so everyone gets a taste of everyone else's penis. One guy is clearly the youngest and most submissive, so he is nominated as the fuck toy of the evening. Both of the other guys take turns hammering him in the ass hole while he whimpers on the couch. Finally both guys blow their massive loads into his mouth and the poor guy is left to jack himself off alone. This is a hardcore threesome scene that you don't want to miss if you love big gay cocks!
You're Viewing
Ass Raiders
September 04 2013
More Scenes From DVD
- Scene 1 - Three Studs Have Circle Jerk And Suck
- Scene 2 - Uncut Twink Spit Roasted by Gay Friends
- Scene 3 - Cute Guys Next Door in Gay Threeosme
- Scene 4 - Horny Jocks Getting Into Threesome
- Scene 5 - Cute Gay Coeds in Intense Threesome
You might also like...
Gay Army Guys Giving...
Man Driller August 16 2014
Horny Big Cock Stud...
Fuck My Hot Ass 3 May 12 2014
Gay Military Men...
Man Driller August 16 2014
Solo Shoot Turns To...
Bowser Makes A Porn May 16 2014
Bradley Stimulates...
Bowser Makes A Porn May 16 2014
Porn Watching Turns...
Arouse May 15 2014
Hot Tub Turns Ito Gay...
Full Force November 01 2013
Soldiers At Work Get...
Man Driller August 16 2014
Blue Collar Studs in...
Fuck My Hot Ass 2 June 16 2014
Vlada And Duki Take...
Drunk Dudes 2 September 09 2014


text:
Email Us
Get To Know Us:
Yes, You Can Wear Heels When You're Eight Months Pregnant
we headed to Scandinavian candy shop Sockerbit with stylist Sarah Clary to talk maternity style (she made our white maternity toothpick jean her own with a dip-dye DIY)—and to indulge her sweet tooth a little, of course.
Sarah wears a
J.Crew men's cashmere V-neck sweater
, her own DIY
J.Crew stretch maternity toothpick jean
in chalk and
J.Crew falsetto printed leather pumps
How has your style changed since becoming pregnant?
I've learned to keep it simple. Pattern doesn't always work for my new shape, so I stick to basic colors with maybe a stripe here and there. Clothing that shows off my belly makes me feel more beautiful.
Do you have a go-to maternity outfit?
Dresses with stretch! For me, dresses that show off my belly rather than hiding it make me feel more confident about all the changes I'm going through. To create more outfit options, I pair crop tops or blouses that are too small over the dress, so it looks like a high-waist skirt.
How did the maternity toothpick work out for you? What do you like about it?
This maternity jean is a great fit and slimming. I have carried low throughout my pregnancy and most pants would slide south midday, but this one hugs perfectly under my belly.
Any nonmaternity clothes that ended up working really well for you during your pregnancy?
I've become very good at shopping my husband's closet. I love his button-down shirts, sweaters and even pants. Don't be afraid to go to the men's department; some items can help when you are in between sizes.
What about shoes? We always see you wearing heels…
I love heels, so yes, I do continue to wear some of my favorites—but in moderation. And never so high that I feel uneasy walking. Kitten heels are a great balance, I feel sexy and low to the ground!
We love how you made the denim your own! Tell us about the DIY process you did on these.
I cut the bottom of the jeans off so they hit above my ankle and slit one knee. Then, I frayed the fabric with sandpaper and scissors and washed the jeans so they appeared more destroyed. I wanted an ombré-dyed look so I held the bottom of the pants in a cup of dye to the height I liked, holding the ends in longer so the dye was darker. They are far from perfect, but that's what I love about them.
1. Foundling™ elephant
Baby Petit Bateau® sun hat
Coola® Organic Suncare Baby SPF 50
Weleda™ Baby Calendula Body Cream
Baby sleeveless one-piece in dot
Baby bloomers in stripe ruffle
Baby Easy Peasy® Bomok leather booties
Uncle Goose® classic ABC blocks
Baby Oeuf® peeking cat sweater
Photography by Bryan Derballa.
Special thanks to
To shop our maternity toothpick jeans, click
Beauty Notes: A Fresh-Fruit Mask from Tata Harper
the Colombia native and beauty entrepreneur talks to us about starting her own line, the secret behind her glow (hint: We think her Vermont surroundings have something to do with it) and gives us a DIY fresh-fruit face mask that will have you dreaming of summer…
How did growing up in Colombia affect your attitude toward beauty?
I grew up in a house with a lot of women, including my two sisters, mother and grandmother—and sharing beauty rituals was a way for us to spend time together. On Saturday mornings, we would make homemade beauty concoctions and do skin and hair masks…
What inspired you to create your own line of natural products?
After a family member of mine became ill, I was inspired to purge my home and beauty closet of ingredients that I couldn't trust. I started swapping everything out for natural, nontoxic alternatives, but I couldn't find a replacement for my high-performance anti-aging skin care. It didn't exist, so I realized I had to create it myself.
Why did you decide to manufacture your products in Vermont?
Most beauty companies don't manufacture their own products, so what we're doing is pretty unusual. With 100 percent natural products, we're dealing with very delicate ingredients that need extra care. We source natural ingredients from around the world, as well as our own farm in Vermont, and create our products by hand in small batches.
Is there any one product you swear by?
The Elixir Vitae serum. It works wonders for my skin.
Beauty icons?
Christy Turlington and Carolyn Murphy.
To shop our assortment of Tata Harper, click
In the Kitchen with…The New Potato
sisters Danielle and Laura Kosann are the charming duo behind foodie site the New Potato, which regularly profiles the eating habits of everyone from fashion editors and bloggers to celebrities. we decided to turn the tables and ask them to cook for us this time around…
Laura (left) wears a J.Crew keeper chambray
Danielle (right) wears a J.Crew Collection boyfriend
Tell us a bit about the site and how it came about.
We saw a void in the market for a site that approached food in an editorial way. We thought, "How cool would it be to create a destination where on the one hand you can see what Jessica Alba is having for breakfast, and on the other explore what a restaurateur is doing in Brooklyn?"
So, what are we cooking today?
We're big Michael White fans. Osteria Morini is our go-to when craving Italian, and he's perfected the classic meatball—a recipe we've featured on our site. So we decided to cook it today because it's a great cold-weather meal.
What are some of your earliest memories in the kitchen?
I would insist on making my "famous fruit salad" for my mom's dinner parties. I would take any fruits in the house (whether they went together or not) —oranges, apples, peaches, pineapples, grapefruits, grapes, bananas—put them all in a big bowl, douse them with apple sauce and cinnamon. It would sort of brown throughout the day. But no matter whom my mom was having over for a dinner party, the fruit salad would be at the center of the table come dessert.
The famous fruit salad was the best. My earliest memory was making Linzer torte with our Austrian grandmother.
When it comes to cooking, are you clean-up-as-you-go girls?
I try to clean up as I go but fail miserably at it. I rarely go by the recipe, so I'm always taking tons of different things out, to the point that, by the end of the process, the kitchen looks more like a scene from Hoarders.
I'm lucky that I have a husband who is much better than I am at keeping things neat while we're in the kitchen.
What do you wear when you cook?
Boyfriend jeans, barefoot, with a comfy tee or sweater.
Anything that isn't white!
Ultimate comfort food?
Jonathan Waxman's roast chicken.
Pizza and red wine.
What's always in your fridge(s)?
Lemons, white wine, almond milk and a good cheese.
Almond milk, almond butter, Sriracha, coconut water, blueberries, cherry tomatoes and white wine.
Favorite places to eat when you're not cooking?
It's always hard to narrow things down to a few places, but here are some of our go-tos for certain things: Barbuto for roast chicken, Osteria Morini for pastas, Empellon for soft tacos, ABC Kitchen for pizzas, the Spotted Pig for a burger, Jeffrey's Grocery for brunch, Balthazar for steak frites and Blue Ribbon Sushi for sushi.
Recent splurge in the kitchen?
When I watch old movies, I always love how the wineglasses were much smaller. I came across this cool vintage wineglass set a while back. When I try to use it with friends who come over, though, they look at me like I'm crazy and ask for a "real glass."
A great knife set from Wüsthof. Good knives make such a big difference.
What's your go-to hostess gift when you're going to a dinner or cocktail party?
A great bottle of wine.
A Diptyque candle.
What's the last dish you cooked?
Strip steak with matchstick fries.
Chicken curry. It's supereasy and a perfect one-pot winter dish.
Photography by Bryan Derballa.
Makeup by Moani Lee (using Hourglass Cosmetics) and Lauren Berrones (using Oribe).
For chef Michael White's meatball recipe, click
Beauty Notes: A Hot Cocoa Scrub
california-based beauty wiz Sara Happ is no stranger to whipping up a homemade recipe in her kitchen, so we asked her to tell us a bit about how she got her start—and share a winter-ready DIY scrub recipe she created just for us.
What inspired you to start your own line?
My love of all things lip, plus the fact that certain products simply didn't exist. In 2005, lip exfoliation was a hole in the market that I got to fill with the Lip Scrub. For the Lip Slip, I set out to create the glossiest, most hydrating balm conceivable and didn't quit until it was perfect.
Do you have any good beauty tips?
Exfoliate and hydrate, from your scalp to your toes. That's the foundation of lasting beauty. Once your skin is prepped and nourished, you have the ideal canvas. It's so simple but crazy effective.
Tell us about this hot cocoa foot scrub…
It's both cozy and invigorating. The organic cocoa smells delicious and is an antioxidant. Grape-seed oil is a skin superhero in my book; it's really gentle and hydrating. The sugar is exfoliating and the oils are both calming and rejuvenating. It's a spa night at home that's best served up with a cup of the real thing!
To shop The Lip Slip® by Sara Happ, click
To see more of our beauty tips, click
In the Kitchen with…Flour Shop
we're pretty partial to dessert, so when we were thinking about holiday baking none other than cake boss Amirah Kassem, of the Brooklyn-based bakery Flour Shop, came to mind. we met up with her in her Williamsburg kitchen for a little (edible) arts and crafts hour…
What are you making today?
A snowberry tree! But I can't take credit for it entirely because it's something I've been making with my mother since I was young. Chocolate-covered (or drizzled) strawberries are so simple—and the two taste amazing together. I love the idea of turning fruit into a treat that's naturally sweet and colorful.
Your background is in fashion and you were working in retail when you started Flour Shop 13 months ago. Tell us a bit more about that.
For a year I ran a business purely based on social media with no storefront and no real website. It started with a rainbow cake and then evolved into quirky, custom cakes created for brands and friends. All of Flour Shop's growth has been organic and built by friends and word of mouth more than anything else.
What are some of your earliest memories in the kitchen?
I grew up in Mexico and learned to bake from my grandmother and my mom. I always looked forward to the holidays because it meant we'd decorate cookies. But I helped my mom in the kitchen on a daily basis, and she had a custom-cake business when I was younger.
What do you like to wear when you're baking?
Apart from my Mickey Mouse oven mitt! I love the idea of baking in white button-down shirts—it makes me feel a bit more official. But you can usually find me baking in Wu-Tang T-shirts and sneakers!
What's always in your fridge?
Hot sauce, limes and leftover frosting. Most importantly, there is always ice cream in my freezer! I have ice cream for breakfast most days.
Ultimate comfort food?
Mac and cheese.
Recent splurge in the kitchen?
A cotton candy machine!
Recent splurge for your closet?
Shoes. Specifically, Céline pony hair loafers and Dior Homme sneakers.
Fill in the blank: My favorite thing about the holidays is…..
All the sweet scents. Waking up to fresh cinnamon rolls, caramel hot cocoa, peppermint milk shakes and lots of pies.
What's your favorite thing to make that's not a dessert?
Pizza. Making pizza is similar to baking a cake because you can decorate it with your favorite toppings.
Photography by Bryan Derballa. Hair by Lauren Berrones (using Oribe) and makeup by Imane Fiocchi (using Hourglass Cosmetics) both for Beauty Exchange New York.
Beauty Notes: Urban Heidi
we think these messy braids from our Collection photo shoot might just be our new go-to hairstyle (dubbed the "urban Heidi" by our stylist Gayle). the best part? it takes less than five minutes to do. here's how to get the look.
1. Brush out hair using a bristle brush, then spray with
Lavett&Chin® original sea/salt texturizing mist
to add texture and grip.
2. Create an off-center part with your fingers (this is a messy style so it doesn't have to be perfect).
3. Separate the front midsection of hair and pull it back, loosely twisting the ends. Push section forward to create height and secure in place with bobby pins.
4. Separate the remaining hair into two sections and loosely braid each, leaving about an inch of hair at the ends.
5. Secure braids with elastic bands and wrap a section of the loose ends around each band, then tuck them underneath the bands.
6. Pull out a few strands from each of the braids for an undone look, then spray lightly with
L'Oréal Paris Elnett satin hairspray
to hold in place.
To see more of our beauty how-to's click
. Shop our women's collection, and pick up our Lavett&Chin original sea/salt texturizing mist
In the Kitchen with…Caroline Issa
the Montreal native turned Londoner very kindly had us over to try her favorite British dish—bangers and mash. though she assures us it's usually her boyfriend who does the cooking at home, we think she grilled, peeled and mashed like a pro. (and that red lip while she chopped away? perfect.)
Caroline, photographed in her Marylebone loft, wears a J.Crew merino Tippi sweater in stripe monarch (similar
) and J.Crew
toothpick jean
So, tell us what you love about bangers and mash.
I love what a comfort food they are. We eat out most nights of the week, so I tend to go for a full English breakfast or bangers and mash on the weekend. I started eating them 11 years ago when I moved to London, and the habit never quite died…
While growing up, did family time happen around cooking together?
My parents are amazing cooks and the kitchen tended to be the family hub. I was always a baker, though—I'd make brownies, peanut butter brittle, s'mores and all sorts of sweet things. No wonder I still have a sweet tooth—and I'm still a terrible cook!
What do you wear when you are in the kitchen?
I must admit I don't cook that often, so when I do, I don't wear my fanciest clothes. I know I'll inevitably spill or splash something on me!
What's your go-to hostess gift?
A bottle of champagne. One can never have enough champagne in the fridge!
What's the best hostess gift you've ever received?
A print. My guest was an amazing artist and sent me a print for my walls.
What's always in your fridge?
Champagne. Or cheese.
Recent splurge in the kitchen?
A fancy-schmancy lemon zester.
Recent splurge in your closet?
Two pairs of this fall's Prada shoes.
Favorite place to get a meal when you're not cooking?
My local Afghan restaurant. They do the best lamb with wild rice.
Photography by Bryan Derballa.
For the bangers and mash recipe Caroline used, click
Our London flagship at Regent Street opens November 8th. For more on our opening in London, click
Mark Your Calendar: D.I.Y. with Lulu Frost
hey, New Yorkers, stop by our Soho store this weekend to meet Lulu Frost designer Lisa Salzer and her design team, and customize your own bracelet or necklace. (and get a first look at the new J.Crew holiday jewelry collection while you're at it…)
To shop our newest assortment of Lulu Frost jewelry, click
The Close-up: Beauty Notes
sporting fresh faces and tousled locks, the models at our spring/summer 2014 presentation were the epitome of easy everyday beauty. sure, you may have to wait a little to get your hands on the clothes, but you can try this hair-and-makeup look right now. here's how…
The Face: Minimal Yet Dewy
1. Prime skin by mixing half
Laura Mercier Radiance Primer
and half
Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation Primer
with moisturizer and applying evenly over the entire face.
2. Touch up with concealer where needed for a flawless, smooth finish.
3. Apply
Stila Convertible Color
to the hollow of the cheeks and slightly lower to accentuate the cheekbones.
4. Brush on
rms beauty™ Living Luminizer
in a C-shape, starting at the temple and working along the cheekbone for extra definition.
The Eye: Subtle Shimmer
1. Lightly apply
Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Luminous Eyeshadow
in #89 Vision to the crease of the eyelids.
2. Brush rms beauty™ Living Luminizer liberally on the inner corner of each eye. Continue brushing along the top and bottom lid toward the center of the eye.
3. Curl lashes and apply two coats of
to the top lashes only. Curl lashes again between applications.
4. Brush brows with
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel
for a full look.
The Lip: Pink Pastel
1. Make sure lips are well moisturized by applying lip balm (we're partial to
Eucerin Aquaphor Lip Repair
2. Apply rms beauty™ Living Luminizer liberally along the lip's bow at the center of the mouth.
3. Brush a light coat of
Mac Lip Erase in Dim
over the entire mouth.
4. Lightly blot Troi Ollivierre Lip Color in #1, starting at the center of the mouth and blending outward with the fingers.
The Hair: Easy, Textured Waves
1. Spray hair with
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray
and blow-dry straight.
2. Separate hair either into a center part or a deep side part.
3. Use a medium-size curling iron to curl loose waves into the hair, starting below the ears only.
4. Use fingers to soften the curls and create loose pieces, then secure with
L'Oréal Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray
5. Use a small amount of
Kiehl's Creme with Silk Groom
to smooth hair from the roots to ears.
6. Loosely tuck hair behind both ears for a relaxed, tousled look.
Pinterest fans, be sure to check out our
Pinterest page
for a how we prepped for our show and some of our favorite looks.
And, as always, be sure to follow us with #jcrewnyfw on
@jcrew to see what we're up to.
For more on our New York Fashion Week presentation, click
Bottled Genius
a few spritzes of Lavett&Chin® Original sea/salt texturizing mist, and
suddenly these ladies in our office have Greek goddess-y, beachy waves—without
a shoreline in sight.
The Backstory
Hairdresser-turned-stylist Brent Lavett is one half of Lavett&Chin (the other half is his
partner, Nan Chin), and he knows great hair when he sees it. He grew up in Southern
California and began surfing at a young age, so that just-out-of-the-waves hair is
something that has a permanent place in his mind. "I've always loved the texture you get
from being in the ocean, so I wanted to bottle that and create something that's actually
beneficial to the hair and scalp." Brent produced the first batch of sea-salt texturizing
mist back in 1999 and has reintroduced it just for us, using specially sourced ingredients
like rose flower water, Maris sea salt and algae extract. (It should also be said that Brent
is something of a J.Crew veteran, having worked on our Style Guide shoots for the past
14 years.) And if these gorgeous J.Crew ladies' goddess-y locks above are any
indication, it's clear that his motto—"If something is important, do it perfectly"—applies
to this wonder texturizing spray as well.
Photography by Bryan Derballa.
To shop Lavett&Chin Original sea/salt texturizing mist, click
© 2014 by J.Crew. All Images and materials are copyrighted by J.Crew unless otherwise noted.
To Top


text:
NC College Admission and Open House Information
School Improvement
Team Meeting
August 28th at 3:15pm
NLHS Media Center
Order Your Hawks
Gear Now!
Check Out the SPRING 2014
Real Hawks
S.O.A.R. with P.B.I.S.
S = Strive for Excellence
O = Offer Peer Support
A = Achieve Success
R = Respect Yourself and Others
NLHS Calendar


text:
there's good medical reason why homos are prohibited from donating blood or organs.
the CDC says that over 50% of new HIV cases in the US are in a group that is less than 2% of the population; male homos. Then there are all the OTHER diseases homos contract at far higher rates than normals.
it is not to be accommodated,enabled,or encouraged.
The current conundrum regarding the legalization of same-sex marriage is what happens when church and state are mixed -- the topics become confusing and confused.
When I married my husband almost 15 years ago, I did so out of love and out of a desire to witness before God my commitment to him and his to me. The legal and tax ramifications did not enter into my head.
But for couples of the same sex, the legal and tax ramifications can be very important because their legal rights differ from those of heterosexual couples in a number of ways,...


text:
Register & Book Housing
Explore Your Industry
Industry Alliances
Our Partner Program brings industry-leading organizations and their resources, connections and advances to PACK EXPO. Look for them in the Association Pavilion.
Free educational sessions are right where you need them to be—on the show floor—and will keep you current on key trends and hot issues.
Check out the latest coverage of PACK EXPO International in press releases and more.
My Show Planner
My Show Planner combines planning and logistics into one easy-to-use tool. Find exhibitors, sort by location and add conference sessions to make the most of your visit.
PACK gives BACK™ Presents Jay Leno — Live!
Monday, November 3 | Reception at 4:30 pm, Performance at 5:30 pm
South Building Grand Ballroom, McCormick Place | In support of K9s For Warriors
Title Co-Sponsors: DuPont and Pro Mach | Gold Sponsors: International Paper and Bemis


text:
Related Photo Galleries
Thanks to the reduced Chevy rod journal dimensions the only clearance work required is a small notch on the oil pickup tube boss. Also, the tube is moved away from the reciprocating assembly by offset drilling the stock 3/8-inch diameter pickup tube hole to 1/2-inch. SVE designed a special fixture for this modification. No windage tray is used. The simple, but effective Milodon oiling system consists of a 1/2-inch pickup tube, 7-quart pan, and high volume oil pump.


text:
Heart Disease Health Center
Heart Disease Glossary of Terms
Beta-Blocker: A drug that slows heart rate, lowers blood pressure, controls angina, and protects patients with prior heart attacks from future events.
Bicuspid Valve: A valve with two leaflets (cusps) instead of three.
Biopsy: Removal and analysis of a tissue sample.
Blood Pressure: The force exerted in the arteries by blood as it circulates. It is divided into systolic (when the heart contracts) and diastolic (when the heart is filling) pressures.
Body Mass Index (BMI): A number that reflects body weight adjusted for height. Numbers between 18.5-25 are normal, 25-30 is overweight, and greater than 30 is obese.
Bradycardia: A slow heart rate.
Bundle Branch: Part of the electrical pathway of the heart that delivers electrical impulses to the ventricles of the heart. Normally, electrical impulses start in the sinoatrial or SA node and travel to the atrioventricular or AV node. Then it goes to the bundle of His. The bundle divides or branches into a right bundle and the left bundle. The bundles take the impulse through the ventricles (bottom chambers) to cause them to contract.
Bundle Branch Block: Normally, the electrical impulse travels down both the right and left bundle branches at the same speed and the ventricles contract at the same time. If there is a block in one of the branches, it's called a bundle branch block. A bundle branch block causes the electrical impulse to travel more slowly through the blocked bundle. As a result, one ventricle contracts just after the other ventricle.
Calcium-Channel Blocker: A drug that reduces spasm of the blood vessels, lowers blood pressure, and controls angina; acts by selectively blocking the uptake of calcium by the cells.
Capillaries: Tiny blood vessels connecting arteries to veins. These blood vessels carry oxygen and nutrients to individual cells throughout the body.
Carbohydrate: An organic compound, found in food substances such as sugar, grain products, fruits, and vegetables, which provides fuel for the body.
Carbon Dioxide: A gas created during metabolism, when the cells use oxygen to burn fat and release energy. The lungs release carbon dioxide when you breathe out.
Cardiac Arrest: When the heart stops beating suddenly and respiration (breathing) and other body functions stop as a result.
Cardiac Catheterization: A heart procedure used to diagnose heart disease. During the procedure, a catheter (inserted into an artery in your arm or leg) is guided to your heart, contrast dye is injected, and X-rays of the coronary arteries, heart chambers, and valves are taken.
Cardiac Output: The amount of blood pumped by the heart each minute.
Cardiac Rehabilitation: A structured program of education and activity guided toward lifestyle modification, increasing functional capabilities, and peer support.
Cardiologist: Doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.


text:
The Hunt for the Marvel Cinematic Universe Infinity Stones
With two of the all-powerful Infinity Stones accounted for, where will the remaining four pop up in the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe?
With two of the all-powerful Infinity Stones accounted for, where will the remaining four pop up in the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe?
Marvel Studios' Comic-Con International presentation is less than two weeks away, but a new report may have already pinned down who Karen Gillan, Benicio del Toro and Lee Pace will be playing in Guardians of the Galaxy. Warning: Potential spoilers!
The star-studded cast of Savages discusses the film's complex relationships and the experience of working with three-time Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone. The crime drama opens today nationwide.
Set against the violent backdrop of America's drug war with Mexico, director Oliver Stone's Savages boasts a great cast and some good action, but ultimately fails to deliver the goods.
Outspoken director Oliver Stone sat down with reporters to discuss the importance of preserving film as well as the politics involved in his latest crime drama Savages.
Carlos star Edger Ramirez is reportedly the frontrunner to play the villain in Paramount Pictures' Star Trek sequel, replacing Benicio del Toro, who withdrew from talks last week.
Benicio del Toro has dropped out of talks for J.J. Abrams' Star Trek sequel, but rumors continue that, despite the director's denial, Khan will be the film's antagonist.
As news surfaces that Peter Weller has joined the cast of the Star Trek sequel, J.J. Abrams shoots down rumors that Benicio del Toro could be playing Khan.
Director J.J. Abrams has selected She's Out of My League star Alice Eve to play an undisclosed role in his Star Trek sequel, which begins production in January.
J.J. Abrams would like Benicio del Toro to play an unspecified role in the 3D Star Trek sequel, which will land in theaters May 17, 2013.
Director J.J. Abrams reportedly wants Benicio del Toro to play the villain in Star Trek sequel.
The studio is rumored to be abandoning plans for a sequel to the poorly received 2010 remake and will instead start fresh with an original film that has ties to the 1941 horror classic.