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In an early scene in Roland Joffé's newest film, "There Be Dragons," the camera offers the audience an unusual point of view. A shot, angled upward, encompasses a room in which two boys sit in chairs, side by side. In the foreground, a pair of glasses rests on a table, and each lens frames one of the boys.
One is a young Josemaría Escrivá; the other is Manolo, a foil and fictional childhood friend of Escrivá. In the film, as one might expect of a future saint, Escrivá takes to heart the values of faith, community and forgiveness. Manolo takes a different path, one of revenge, betrayal and solitude. As symbolized by this shot, each boy views life through a distinct lens, and these vastly different perspectives will shape the men they become.
Fast forward a few decades, and we find Manolo (Wes Bentley) an old, wrinkled man, angry and estranged from his son, Robert. Robert is a journalist researching the life of Escrivá (Charlie Cox). In the course of his reasearch, Robert learns more than he expected about the sins of his father and is forced to face his own demons. These internal struggles are what is referred to by the titular dragons. Joffé makes clear that although they are not fire-breathing, internal demons can be just as perilous.
The phrase "There be dragons" is a loose translation from the Latin Hic suntdracones, which appeared on ancient maps to warn travelers of potential dangers in unexplored waters. Although the title is hard to parse and sounds more like the name of a sword-filled fantasy flick than a fictionalized historical drama involving the Spanish Civil War and a saint, the message is an apt one for this film, thick with symbolism.
Manolo is the film's most conflicted character and often represents humankind at its most fearful or selfish. Yet his name is the Spanish equivalent of Emmanuel, "God with us," which shows how close to him God actually is despite his sins. Mirrors and lenses play a significant role in the film's imagery. Often, the aged Manolo is seen first through a distorted reflection, as if to demonstrate the change that takes place over a lifetime of violence and regret and the difficulty he has seeing himself clearly.
Using many long, fluid takes, the narrative moves back and forth between Robert's present-day storyline and scenes from the lives of Manolo and Escrivá as young men. The bulk of the story occurs in 1930s Spain, then a country in the midst of civil war. Escrivá serves as a priest during a time when many Communist rebels saw the clergy as part of a system that caused only pain and despair. Despite the hostility, Escrivá pushes on and tries to continue "God's work" by building the first Opus Dei community.
Years later, the real-life Escrivá would encourage Catholics to to lead a rebellion of a different sort: "But you and I, we have to be rebels, the kind that give solutions, solutions based on justice and charity, Christian solutions," he said. In the film, Escrivá's attempts to live out this advice in his own time are met with suspicion and anger by many. Even his fellow Opus Dei members, a cheerful bunch, criticize Escrivá's pleas to refrain from retaliation against the persecution. The surrounding tensions are evident as a priest is hunted down and killed before his eyes. Manolo, on the other hand, takes up as a Fascist spy among the Communists and has trouble straddling the two worlds.
Joffé looks closely at the issues and emotions that divide us, the paths that separate us, those that create internal and external wars. But he does not leave viewers without a remedy. Forgiveness and reconciliation are prevalent themes, even in the most difficult of circumstances. And nearly all the characters must decide whether or not to forgive themselves and those who have hurt them.
Just as perspective plays a key role in the lives of the characters, it plays a role in the viewer's experience as well. Those viewers who are already supportive of Opus Dei and Escrivá will likely have few complaints about the portrayal of either. The Opus Dei of the film is small, with less than a dozen members, which reflects the slow start of a group, now a prelature, that claims close to 90,000 members today. There are no signs of the controversies to come and, thankfully, no references to any albino monks. Those with skepticism toward Escrivá might see the film as an entry point for learning more about the saint and his early motivations and a chance to examine the film's larger themes.
Escrivá's real-life emphasis on the holiness of ordinary life is not lost in the film. It portrays both the priesthood and the lay vocation as valid and holy, showing the joys and struggles of each. When Manolo dismisses his time in the seminary, saying "I wasn't priest material," Escrivá replies, "That doesn't mean you're not saint material." Escrivá is extraordinarily conscious of his own strengths and weaknesses and, in one scene, cheerfully admits his failed attempts to teach Latin and trades tasks with a fellow Opus Dei member, handing over his chalk and taking up the washing of a large stack of pans.
The alleged faults of Escrivá—temper and vanity—are not portrayed, nor are common criticisms of him directly addressed—like his supposed sympathies for Francisco Franco. And despite Escrivá's alleged distaste for the changes that accompanied the Second Vatican Council, the early days of Opus Dei, as shown in the film, seem to exemplify a Vatican-II mentality, encouraging the full, conscious and active participation of the laity.
Escrivá works diligently to keep peace within his small community. When Escrivá himself grows angry at the Communists who have killed a fellow priest, his guilt over this anger is such that in a brief but difficult scene, he uses self-flagellation during prayer to show his repentance.
Yet Escriva's story is only one portion of the film. Every scene involving Manolo and Ildiko (the stunning Olga Kurylenko), a rebel, propels the film forward. Both actors are as beautiful as their characters are conflicted. The battle scenes are compelling without being graphic or gratuitous. And Unax Ugalde is more than convincing in his role as the rebel leader Pedro.
Roberto's internal battles in the film often mirror the physical ones of the war. But when placed side by side, the pace of his interior conflict does not always keep up with the fight scenes and chase scenes involving Manolo and Escrivá.
As in Joffé's earlier film "The Mission" (1986), about Jesuits in South America, the characters in "Dragons" face the challenges of war and choose to fight their battles, both interior and exterior, using very different methods. Manolo recoils from suffering and turns away from the support of others, isolating himself, while Escrivá does his best to accept his struggle, finding refuge from it in community, service to others and faith.
Both "Dragons" and "The Mission" are aimed more at achieving an emotional impact than at historical accuracy. Still, both offer enough real history to pique the interest of viewers and inspire them to learn more about the events described, and enough spiritual material to enable viewers to think more deeply about their own choices and spiritual paths.
Even as he encourages others, Escrivá sometimes has difficulty making sense of his world. He hides in an insane asylum to escape persecution, and there he is counseled by an insane woman, who complains that God stays silent. It seems the priest might be on the verge of believing this himself until he receives a sign. In the end, the character of Escrivá, though faced at times with deep doubts and internal struggles, is more accessible because of these struggles.
In the church today it is easy to lionize those whom we admire or to write off those whose spirituality does not resonate with our own. But after watching "Dragons" or "The Mission," Catholics may find reasons to rethink their prejudices.
In one of the film's final scenes, Escrivá is fleeing with friends through the mountains to a safer region in an attempt to escape from the civil war's violent anticlericalism. But in the midst of the journey he suffers deep pangs of guilt for leaving his loved ones behind. Alone, he spends time praying and receives the sign he needs. Returning to the group, he grabs a cup of coffee and says, "Haven't we further to climb?" Their answer is yes, a response conveyed not with words but with actions. Step after step, they move forward together.
Read an interview with director Roland Joffé.
But underneath the veneer of Catholicism lies, in Escriva's spirituality, a Gnostic self-serving theology of cheating, mixed in with navel-gazing pantheism that has little to do with Christianity, imo. Work is important, always was (cf St Paul), but not most important, contrary to Escriva's dogma. Prayer is the most important, as Christ taught Marta. St Benedict defined Opus Dei as prayer, in direct opposition to human work.
And what about this "holiness" accessible to "every one". Again, Christ Salvation is what counts and is for every one, since the moment He died on the Cross. But according to Escriva "The standard of holiness that God asks of us is determined by these three points: Holy intransigence, holy coercion and holy shamelessness."("The Way, maxim 387"; where in the Bible does that come from??)
OD tried to spread this "holy shamelessness" when in power during Pope JP2. In 1983, the whole saint approval process was undermined by the removal of the office of Promoter of Faith. This was done a year after Escrica's beatification candidature was presented, so it could go ahead unchecked. This "holy shamelessness" explains in large part attitudes that permeated the Curia and allowed abuse of children to also go unchecked. Instead, this "shamelessness" protected those that brought "good fruits" (e.g. $$$), like Fr Maciel. Just look at statements and lack of action by OD members such as Cardinal Herranz, or spokesperson Navarro Valls. This new version of casuistry explains in large part the mess the Catholic Church is in now (no wonder Pope Innocent XI was removed from the Vatican recently). But there is nothing like a little fictional propaganda to try to fix things.
@Tom,I know many people in Opus Dei and I promise you they would pray you under the table any day of the week.
No priest from Opus Dei to my knowledge was involved in pedophilia.Holy Shamelessnes is nothing like you portray it to be and instead asks for a lively honesty.St Josemaria and Opus Dei are not perfect but your only contact with either has been very limited.
Yes, it is true that allegations of abuse are rare. It is sad that an order that has not allegedly abused children physically is considered "heroic". This does not excuse their active part in the abuse cover up during the time of JP2, despite positions of power. In the last few years they have shown (some) ability to make (some) changes. Lets hope this continues for the better, and that they adopt: "The standard of Holiness that God asks of us is determined by these seven Virtues: Holy Love, Holy Faith, Holy Hope, Holy Prudence, Holy Justice, Holy Temperance and Holy Fortitude". Lets hope they return the term "Opus Dei" to what it is has meant for more then 1000 years: "Prayer Life of the Church". Instead, they gave a new meaning: "work to make money that you will give all to the "movement", this is the only way to really become "holy"". This is a good example of cult-like loading of language technique, where one changes meaning of established terms, to better control members to the cult's advantage.
I am not asking for a rare allegation against this group but only one.
Can you point to one bishop or Priest involved in the cover-up of pedophilia?.If not then you are being slanderous and breaking the 2000 year christian law of not bearing false witness.
On Prayer,I think you should read the letters of St Ignatius where the Jesuit founder completely destroys your view on the subject.
In All Things was the work of and charism of St Ignatius and his letters explain why.
I agree that to be involved in the last Papacy should be a black mark against anybody , and Opus dei need to accept criticism but this is a group loved and approved by at least 5 Popes and approved by the Magisterium.If you are of a different opinion and continue to call them a cult then maybe you are unaware of How the church works.Bishop Morris will tell you.
2) Cardinal Herranz, who was head of the interpretation of legislative texts (Vatican attorney general), said in an interview to the New York Times in 2002, that he was against Bishops reporting abuse, and that this was all media sensationalisms.
3) Over the last 18 months, OD prominent members have repeatedly made retrograde comments about abuse, including Fr Wauck, Navaro Valls (again), Mr Gotti Tedeschi. They were even out of sink with the Pope's much more contrite statements.
4) Just a few months ago, OD thinker Vittorio Messori said about the Berlusconi scandal, which involves underage prostitutions: "A politician that uses prostitutes, but makes good laws, is surely better then a good Catholic who makes laws contrary to the Church."
I will have to check up on those comments.Comments however are still not a cover-up.In the case of Navarro-Valls I agree with you.He was kneedeep in the corrupt outlook of the old Pope.
He is one member not the entire organization.What I wrote was that 5 popes have judged the teaching of Opus Dei not to be contrary to catholic teaching.
There was an investigation in the 40's under Pope Pacelli and they were given the green light.
The spirituality of Opus Dei is not for me and I could give many criticisms but I think you are very one-sided in your view.
It was Pope John Paul who started the Saint factory not Opus Dei. I agree one hundred percent about the "Pope loves us" argument.BTW most catholics of a conservative inclination were well behind the Pope in terms of contrition. In defense of Navarro-VALLS maybe the Pope told him to not say anthing or else Sodano.Then he would be going against higher authority for the sake of conscience.Once again ,not everybody is a Bishop Morris.
In the previous message I gave another bad argument.There was an investigation under a previous Pope should not satisfy anybody.
The Church has been run under a perverse logic for a long time,and I dont believe it will be Opus Dei that will have the courage to change that.However, I think we should see the movie first and then decide.If you have already made up your mind the arguments for or against are useless.
Take care
Not sure this is entirely true. The time line indicates otherwise. Canons regulating to office of Promoter of Faith were removed in 1983. This was a year after the start of Escriva's beatification process, and the year Cardinal Herranz became secretary of the office for legislative texts. Once the office of Promoter of Faith was removed, this allowed for the saint making process to go full steam ahead (for the record, I admire some of the new saints, I still admire JP2 accomplishments, just hope that "Faith and Reason" is no just talk; I admire less people that took advantage of JP2 and now are covering up their tracks..)
we are more or less on the same page.The things you have said,I have said in far harsher language here on America.I know people in the Neocats and Opus Dei and could tell you stories that would make Steven King look a novice but also believe that there is great good in both.
I would only say "Forgive them for they know not what they do".There is an innocence to all heresy and that which is backed by a charismatic Pope is all the more enticing.
You haPaddve no idea how many friends I have lost over the fact of pedophilia. If a person does not show a true disgust and abhorrence for it I cannot consider them of Christ.
I have also seen people from Opus Dei go the distance over pedophilia,that is to speak honestly and without hedging their bets and for that I am inspired.I spare nothing in my speech on this matter.
Paedophilia was the challenge of the last few decades ,as an Irishman I know this.Those who ducked that challenge should never be considered holy.Those whose ideals put image above children should be seen for what they are.
Sorry, but to be honest, I am not sure I want my full name posted.
I have friends and family involved (some quite adversely) in OD.
Contrary to the film, OD is not known to be very "forgiving".
These relatives and friends have suffered enough.
I am emailing you my full contact, if there is any need.
PS: sorry for the typos in the above posts (not good...for Jesuit magazine!)
Would it be considered a "fault" if St. Josemaria had sympathy for the Republicans? I imagine since the Falangists were not shooting priests and desecrating churches with Soviet orchestration there might be some sympathy for them. It makes sense to favor someone who is not seeking to wipe you out. There is also the Masonic connection with the Republican war on the Church and the war against the Church in Mexico in the 20's: birds of a feather. There needs to be more focus on the Masonic impresarios in the drama of the Spanish Civil War.


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Shochiku unwraps Kinoshita biopic
Japanese studio Shochiku is launching a biopic of Keisuke Kinoshita, written and directed by Crayon Shin-chan director Keiichi Hara, at EFM.
The Keisuke Kinoshita Story (working title) delves into unknown stories in the life of the Japanese master director and was made to commemorate the centennial anniversary of his birth. Five Kinoshita classics are screening in Berlinale Forum to mark the centennial.
The Shochiku biopic marks the live-action debut of animation director Hara, who in addition to working on the popular Crayon Shin-chan series has credits including
Colorful and Summer Days With Coo. Ryo Kase (Like Someone In Love) plays Kinoshita, while Yuko Tanaka plays his mother and Gaku Hamada plays his assistant.
Shochiku is also introducing Fune Wo Amu, a new project from hot up-and-coming Japanese director Yuya Ishii, at EFM. Based on a best-selling novel by Shion Miura, about an eccentric young man in charge of compiling a new dictionary, the film stars Ryuhei Matsuda, Aoi Miyazaki and Joe Odagiri.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Chris Matthews, reportedly considering run for PA Senate seat, repeatedly gushed over PA governor on MSNBC in 2008
Research ››› ››› MORGAN WEILAND
Noting news reporting that MSNBC's Hardball host Chris Matthews is considering running for a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania, Democratic strategist Phil Singer asserted in a blog post, "If Chris Matthews is seriously considering a run ... he shouldn't be on the air right now." Singer went on to ask: "How could he do an interview with [Democratic Pennsylvania Gov.] Ed Rendell?" Indeed, Matthews has repeatedly gushed over Rendell during interviews with the Pennsylvania governor or when speaking about him on MSNBC throughout the past year.
Numerous media outlets have recently reported that MSNBC's Chris Matthews has "met" with party officials in Pennsylvania to discuss a potential run for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Arlen Specter. In a December 4 article, Politico reported Matthews "is dead serious about running for the Senate in Pennsylvania -- and is shopping for a house in the state and privately discussing quitting MSNBC as proof of his intense interest, according to NBC colleagues, political operatives and friends." Blogger and Democratic strategist Phil Singer asserted in a December 1 blog post, "If Chris Matthews is seriously considering a run ... he shouldn't be on the air right now." Singer, who was communications director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in 2006 and deputy communications director for Sen. Hillary Clinton during her presidential campaign, went on to ask: "How could he do an interview with [Democratic Pennsylvania Gov.] Ed Rendell?" Noting the interview question raised by Singer, Huffington Post political reporter Jason Linkins wrote the same day that "Singer should take a peek at some of Matthews' interviews with Rendell from over the past year! They are highlighted by a lot of gooey ass-kissing."
Indeed, examples over the past year of Matthews' gushing over Rendell during interviews with the governor or when talking about him are numerous, and include the following:
- During the 6 p.m. ET hour of MSNBC's November 4 presidential election coverage, during an interview with Rendell in which Rendell said, "We're doing especially well in the Philadelphia suburbs, which you know have always been a swing area," Matthews replied: "Well, that's the Rendell strength you've just described. That's where you've always done incredibly well: the suburbs of Philly, the city itself, of course, where you were mayor." Matthews later said, "Well, you're the best political analyst in Pennsylvania, Governor."
- During the 8 p.m. ET hour of MSNBC's November 4 presidential election coverage, after MSNBC called Pennsylvania for President-elect Barack Obama, Matthews said, "I think it's a big victory for the young people who ran the Pennsylvania campaign -- Craig Schirmer, Sean Smith, Leslie -- no, I feel like the Academy Award giving out the awards here. Of course, the Philadelphia organization led by Bob Brady and Michael Nutter, of course, the mayor. And, of course, the big winner here, besides the candidate: Ed Rendell, who delivered. This was not his favorite candidate, Barack Obama."
- During the 9 p.m. ET hour of MSNBC's November 4 presidential election coverage, Matthews said, "You know, you're going to see, perhaps, the emergence of Cabinet material already tonight. Of course, [New Mexico Gov.] Bill Richardson could fill almost any role in the new government, and [Gov. Ted] Strickland of Ohio and, of course, Rendell of Pennsylvania. These are big governors, big wins, essential wins, but big wins. They're going to play a part in this next administration."
- During an interview with Rendell on the October 23 edition of MSNBC's Hardball, Matthews prefaced a question by saying, "I want to run this by you because you're the best pol in the state."
- During the April 2 edition of MSNBC's Race for the White House with David Gregory, Matthews said of the Pennsylvania governor: "I think Eddie Rendell is the smartest politician in this state, as we know."
- During an interview with Rendell on the March 31 edition of Hardball, Matthews asked Rendell: "Would you be available ... to be a running mate with [then-Democratic primary rivals Sens.] Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton?" Matthews later went on to say, "I think you'd be a great running -- I understand the situation at home and your responsibilities to the commonwealth. Anyway, I'm here to build you up because I do think you're the best pol around." He added: "[Y]ou're running a hell of a campaign for Hillary Clinton."
- During the opening of the February 13 edition of Hardball, during which he teased an upcoming interview with Rendell, Matthews said: "We'll ask one of the smartest people in politics, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, who's on Senator Clinton's side in this fight."
- During the 8 p.m. ET hour of MSNBC's January 8 presidential primary election coverage and during an interview with Rendell in which Rendell and Matthews discussed potential vice-presidential choices for the Democratic ticket, Rendell said: "[T]here are a wealth of good candidates. I mean, if Barack Obama was our candidate for president, I think Joe Biden with his foreign policy and terrorism experience would be perfect. I mean, we've got a whole host of good candidates." Matthews replied: "No, you'd be actually better, because you're very good at slicing up the opposition." He went on to say, "You'd be a great VP running mate."
Media coverage of Matthews' potential Senate run dates back at least to April of 2008. On the April 14 edition of Comedy Central's The Colbert Report, host Stephen Colbert said, "There's a lot of talk that you might be running for Arlen Specter's seat." Matthews responded, in part, "I want to be a senator." Around that time, other reported rumors of Matthews' possible run for U.S. Senate emerged. In the May 2 edition of the Politically Uncorrected Column, titled, "Chris Matthews: Ready to Play Hardball in PA," Dr. G. Terry Madonna, professor of public affairs at Franklin & Marshall College, and Dr. Michael Young, managing partner of Michael Young Strategic Research wrote:
Now no longer the center ring for the traveling Democratic presidential nomination circus, Pennsylvania's inventive political community has discovered a new favorite political parlor game to while away the brisk springtime evenings: will Chris Matthews, the irrepressible host of MSNBC's Hardball, step down from his pundits perch to run for the US Senate against Arlen Specter in 2010? To a remarkable degree, speculation abounds over this possibility in the Keystone State.
In a May 6 post to the Pennsylvania Avenue blog titled "The Chris Matthews rumor gets legs," Josh Drobnyk reported that "two of the state's [Pennsylvania's] top political scientists, G. Terry Madonna and Mike Young, have now weighed in. They think the 'Hardball' host is likely to do it." The post continued:
A Matthews candidacy has been the stuff of rumors so far -- and it is likely to stay that way for the next several months -- but the 62-year-old Pennsylvania native fueled talk when he told Stephen Colbert last month that he wants "to be a senator."
"The indications that Matthews will run are abundant," Madonna and Young wrote. "His MSNBC contract runs out next summer, and both he and the network show signs they might be ready for a break from each other. In addition, journalists are reporting that Matthews has been seeking advice privately from key Democrats across the state about his chances against Specter. Reportedly these contacts have included discussion with Governor Rendell concerning campaign resources."
Then, in a May 9 post to the Chicago Tribune's blog The Swamp, Drobnyk reported that Matthews' brother, "Republican Jim Matthews, a Montgomery County Commissioner," said of Chris Matthews' potential run for Senate: "It is kind of neat to see a guy at the top of his game contemplating a complete change in direction." Drobnyk wrote:
"His intrigue with the idea is certainly on his mind," Jim Matthews said of a Senate run. "That is real."
But Jim said his older brother isn't yet taking any formal steps towards a run.
"Of course he has had dialogue with friends," he said. "He has friends he has dialogue with about the Phillies too. ... You talk with friends and it comes up now and then."
In an April 13 article, Mark Leibovich suggested in The New York Times Magazine that Matthews has been talking with Rendell about a possible Senate run. From the article:
The more intriguing notion is that Matthews could challenge Senator Arlen Specter, who is up for re-election in Pennsylvania in 2010. This has been rumored before, but Matthews has been particularly obsessed with Pennsylvania of late, devoting hours on and off the air to the state's upcoming Democratic primary, staying in close contact with the state's party apparatus. "I talked to Eddie Rendell today," Matthew [sic] told me on the phone a few weeks ago, urging me again to call the Pennsylvania governor.
I asked him about the Senate rumors. He thinks Specter has hung on way too long, he said, but running would require Matthews to give up a career he loves. Still, "I get a great feeling when I go home," he told me. "Is Thomas Wolfe right? Can you go home again?
"Really, you should talk to Eddie Rendell."
Additionally, a July 27 Patriot-News article quoted Matthews' wife as saying, " 'I think the idea of being a U.S. senator is one of the most romantic things he can think about, so he's got to make a tough decision.' " Moreover, the article quoted Rendell saying that he had given "advice" to Matthews about his potential bid. From the article:
"I told Chris that I think it's going to be tough," said Gov. Ed Rendell, a Matthews favorite on "Hardball."
"I said that if Arlen Specter is the candidate -- and I have every reason to believe he will be -- it's going to be a tough battle for anybody," Rendell said. He said that the only advice he has given Matthews is: "Go into it with your eyes wide open. This isn't going to be a slam dunk."
Matthews has previously denied that he intends to run. In an April 22 Philadelphia Inquirer piece (accessed via Nexis) by columnist Jonathan Storm, titled "10 questions to Chris Matthews, and the uninterrupted answers," Matthews was asked if he was "really going to run for the Senate against Arlen Specter in 2010?" He responded, "I am still honoring the commitment I made in 1987 to cover politics, not engage in it."
Media outlets, including Politico and Roll Call, have reported that several other Democrats are considering running in the primary. According to a November 29 report on The Patriot-News' website, "If Matthews decides to run, he could face a fight for the Democratic nomination." The Patriot-News added: "Three other Democrats are believed to be interested in the Senate seat: two-term U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak of Delaware County, state Rep. Josh Shapiro of Montgomery County, and three-term U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz, who represents parts of Montgomery County and Philadelphia."
In his December 1 blog post, Singer wrote that "when one of the network's most visible anchors is reported to be exploring a run for elected office, the network has an obligation to remove that person from its airwaves." Singer continued, providing "a few reasons why":
If Matthews is going to run as a Democrat in what will likely be a contested primary, will he be willing to play hardball when his fellow Democrats are in the news? How could he do an interview with Ed Rendell? How could he be trusted to cover the Obama transition and other political issues without fear or favor? More to the point, will viewers think he is covering politics without fear or favor? [emphasis in original]
From the November 4 edition of MSNBC's presidential election coverage:
MATTHEWS: You know, you're going to see, perhaps, the emergence of cabinet material already tonight. Of course, [New Mexico Gov.] Bill Richardson could fill almost any role in the new government, and [Gov. Ted] Strickland of Ohio and, of course, Rendell of Pennsylvania. These are big governors, big wins, essential wins, but big wins. They're gonna play a part in this next administration.
From the November 4 edition of MSNBC's presidential election coverage:
DAVID GREGORY (NBC chief White House correspondent): And so, here we are. This is a look at the national vote. You see it's Obama with the lead, 103 electoral votes, McCain now with 34. He needs 270 to win. Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, Chris Matthews.
MATTHEWS: I thought it might happen tonight. And I have to say right now that the McCain campaign strategy for victory has crashed. Their plan to win was to go through Pennsylvania, to get to the White House through that state. The second battle of Gettysburg has gone the same as the first one, a failure for the Republicans.
I think it's a big victory for the young people who ran the Pennsylvania campaign -- Craig Schirmer, Sean Smith, Leslie -- I feel like the Academy Award giving out the awards here. Of course, the Philadelphia organization led by Bob Brady and Michael Nutter, of course, the mayor. And, of course, the big winner here, besides the candidate: Ed Rendell, who delivered. This was not his favorite candidate, Barack Obama.
GREGORY: Right.
From the November 4 edition of MSNBC's presidential election coverage:
MATTHEWS: Let's go to the action now. Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania joins us now. Governor Rendell, you've playing -- you've been playing defense in those blue states. The number one target, it seems to me, of the Republicans has been to take Pennsylvania away from the Democrats. How does it look tonight?
RENDELL: Well, Senator McCain and Governor Palin spent so much time here the last five weeks, Chris, I was thinking of charging them state income tax. But -- but they really made a terrific effort here, and I congratulate them for trying to convert retail campaigning into a victory. They did a good job, and I think they energized their base. But I think we're gonna win.
The turnouts are exceptional statewide. I think we're gonna break the record that -- for modern-day voting that we had in the Kennedy-Nixon election. We're doing especially well in the Philadelphia suburbs, which you know have always been a swing area. I think Barack Obama may come out of the Philadelphia suburbs 200,000 votes up, out of the city at least 400,000 votes up, out of the Lehigh Valley 25,000 votes up. And if he puts together that string, and he's 625 to 650 up, he can't be caught in any other part of the state, regardless of what happens.
MATTHEWS: Well, that's the Rendell strength you've just described. That's where you've always done incredibly well: the suburbs of Philly, the city itself, of course, where you were mayor. How does it look out west? I know that has been a troubling area, Westmoreland County. It's culturally conservative, Jack Murtha's area. What's it look like out there?
RENDELL: Well, my guess is it's gonna be a lot closer out there, and we'll know pretty fast. I'm gonna try to get some divisions reported to me in the first 10 or 15 minutes. Take Beaver County, 51-49 for Kerry. That's right north of Pittsburgh. It's white working class predominantly. If Barack Obama can stay close to the Kerry total -- 50, 51, 49 percent -- he's going to win the state and win it handily. If he gets down into the 40s -- 43, 44, 42 -- then there could be -- it could be a long night here in Pennsylvania. That's Beaver and Washington, Westmoreland, as you said, those counties.
It's gonna be interesting to watch. I think Barack's gonna do better in central Pennsylvania than a lot of people give him credit for. The northeast, he's helped mightily by Joe Biden. So it's a tough road to hoe for the McCain forces. But again, give them credit, the retail campaign, they did it well. They fired up the base. There was so much red meat going around, it was unbelievable.
MATTHEWS: How was Hillary -- Senator Clinton was up there a lot with you. You're very close to her and, of course, the former President Bill Clinton. He has been campaigning, I saw the other day, for Murtha and for [Rep. Paul] Kanjorski [D-PA]. How powerful were they in delivering their vote today?
RENDELL: I think you'll get -- of the women supporters for Hillary Clinton, I think close to 95 percent will vote for Barack Obama. Hillary did an extraordinary job with her presence throughout the state. She was in Pittsburgh yesterday. Bill Clinton was in Wilkes-Barre, Johnstown, and Erie yesterday. So, I think the Clinton feminist voters are all for Barack.
The working-class, blue-collar white voters who Hillary did so well with and, really, became the champion of, they're gonna split. I think Barack's gonna maintain a significant hunk of them, a good enough hunk to win. Obviously not going to do as well as Hillary did among that group, but I think he's gonna surprise some people.
MATTHEWS: Well, you're the best political analyst in Pennsylvania, Governor. Thank you. You really split it there. I think you're -- that was very interesting, what he just said. The fact that the women who care about women's issues -- of choice, of minimum wage, the concerns women want for equal employment, equal pay -- Hillary delivered the vote. It is very hard to deliver some of the vote, however, it's very culturally conservative, that liked Hillary because she was a traditional Democrat, and to bring them all over was a hard job for her.
From the October 23 edition of MSNBC's Hardball (accessed via Nexis):
RENDELL: Well, I think their theory is that most of the undecided votes will break for them and that there are some people who are not answering the question when pollsters ask them, "Who are you voting for?" Some people refuse to answer, and they're finding solace in that.
But as you know, Chris, the polls have been almost exclusively double digits. Susquehanna had a poll beginning of the week that said it was 8 points, but the polls have -- other polls have consistently held it at double digits.
But look, I'm nervous, and I'm nervous for no other reason than they're making a great effort here. Senator McCain and Governor Palin are here a lot. Governor Palin back again today, Senator McCain in three spots yesterday. So they're pulling out all the stops here, and we've got to be ready to defend. And you know, we're doing a good job defending. The issues speak for themselves. And most Pennsylvanians are targeted on the economy and health care, and those issues break strongly for the Obama campaign.
MATTHEWS: I know you've been very supportive of Governor -- of Senator McCain, and you were very supportive, extremely supportive of Senator Clinton and Bill Clinton before that. I'm trying to figure out what's missing in this campaign that would bring it home for the Democrats in Pennsylvania. And I just wonder if there's something that hasn't been said by either candidate, including by Barack. I want to run this by you because you're the best pol in the state, and ask this question.
When you talk to the average guy out there, especially the guy -- and let's be blunt, the white guy because he's in play right now -- he takes pride in being a provider. My dad -- you know, my dad was like that. You take pride in bringing the food home, getting the kids something for Christmas, maybe a week vacation somewhere at the shore. You take pride in being able to take care of your family, and that's the crisis everybody faces right now, taking care of your family.
Do you think Barack Obama has done a good enough job of talking to that average guy out there about how he will be of some modest help and will not get in the guy's way by raising taxes on him?
RENDELL: Yes. I think in the last six, seven weeks, since the economy became in a crisis mode, I think he's done a terrific job speaking to what the average person is worried about -- their own pocketbook, their own budget. I think he's been enormously effective. He's driven home the fact that for working families that make less than $250,000, he's going to give them a tax cut bigger than McCain. He's not going to raise taxes. I think he's driven that home.
From the April 2 edition of MSNBC's Race for the White House with David Gregory:
MATTHEWS: That said, I think Eddie Rendell is the smartest politician in this state, as we know, and he said the lead is shrinking. I think Eddie would like us to think going into this that it's going to be about three points for Hillary Clinton, his candidate. It ends up being about eight. The confetti comes down, they say they beat the spread. I would say that's the game they're playing right now.
From the March 31 edition of MSNBC's Hardball:
MATTHEWS: Would you be available, Governor, to be a running mate with Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton?
RENDELL: No. No. I said, Chris, I'm going to finish my term here. And who in their right mind would want someone like me to be their running mate? You know, if they came up and said, "What do you think of the presidential candidates' environmental policy that he released today?"
MATTHEWS: Oh, yeah, I'll tell you -
RENDELL: I'd say, "Fair, you know, fair." You know, I have this problem of telling the truth all the time and --
MATTHEWS: Well, I think you'd carry Pennsylvania and save it for the Democrats 'cause it is a little bit precarious with John McCain running. And I think you'd bring back in -- you'd bring Ohio in. And I think you'd make Hillary competitive -- or Barack competitive in Florida. I think you'd be a great running -- I understand the situation at home and your responsibilities to the commonwealth. Anyway, I'm here to build you up because I do think you're the best pol around. Hey, thank you, Governor --
RENDELL: Thanks, Chris.
MATTHEWS: -- you're running a hell of a campaign for Hillary Clinton.
RENDELL: And we're gonna --
MATTHEWS: If she doesn't win by 10 points, it's not your fault.
RENDELL: There you go.
MATTHEWS: OK, thank you, sir.
RENDELL: See you.
MATTHEWS: Thank you, Governor Ed Rendell of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
From the February 13 edition of MSNBC's Hardball:
MATTHEWS: So how will the Clinton campaign stop Obama? Put another way, can the Clinton campaign stop Obama? We'll ask one of the smartest people in politics, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, who's on Senator Clinton's side in this fight.
From MSNBC's January 8 primary election coverage:
MATTHEWS: You know, everybody would have said, maybe even a couple weeks ago, the idea of the first woman president and the first African-American vice-president serving together was unbelievable, incredible. But you know, when you look at the excitement for Barack Obama, as I and the other reporters have seen up there in New Hampshire, and you look at the results out of Iowa and the unclear results tonight, but yet the fact that the national polls now show Hillary and Obama very close, you begin to think maybe this could be a ticket. Why not? Why do we think so traditionally and say one has to win and one has to go home?
RENDELL: Well, you're absolutely right, Chris. Remember, when Bill Clinton picked Al Gore, that was political heresy. You don't pick two guys from neighboring states. Never done before. And yet it turned out to be a pretty dynamic ticket that energized Democrats and independents throughout the country. So, I'm not saying that's impractical, but my hope is -- and I've been listening to you guys for a couple days now -- my hope is if this is close tonight and if it has a long length, this primary battle, that it doesn't turn nasty. Because if it turns nasty, that would be hard to construct a ticket based on Obama and Clinton.
OLBERMANN: Governor--
RENDELL: You know, there's a -- there are a wealth of good candidates. I mean, if Barack Obama was our candidate for president, I think Joe Biden with his foreign policy and terrorism experience would be perfect. I mean, we've got a whole host of good candidates.
MATTHEWS: No, you'd be actually better, because you're very good at slicing up the opposition. You know, the Democrats have not been well-served by their last two vice-presidential nominees. Neither Al Gore -- or, rather, neither Joe Lieberman, certainly, who seemed to be wanting to join the club that Dick Cheney was the boss of, or John Edwards, who was running for his own campaign four years hence -- neither wanted to play that role of the VP nominee, which you know is to take apart the nominee for the presidency of the other party. And if you don't do that job, you really don't deserve to get the big one, do you?
RENDELL: Well, I think that's right, Chris. Politics is obviously a contact sport. But you've got to take them apart fairly and on substance. I think if you look at the poll, the Romney poll from tonight, that 30 percent of -- of the people who voted in the Republican primary were turned off by those ads. The ads have got to be substantial, they've got to point out real problems. I mean, you've got to be able to say, "Hey, guys, do we want to go back to the days when a woman who wanted an abortion was forced to have it in the back alley with a, you know, a hanger?" You don't want to do that. Do you want to have health care for all Americans and contain health care costs? Those are the type of things you've got to point out. And there are weaknesses in what I believe the approach has been of the Bush administration, and I haven't heard any difference among any of the candidates about a different approach. Tell me, has anybody said --
MATTHEWS: You're making my point, Governor. You're making my point. You'd be a great VP running mate.
RENDELL: There you go. There you go.
OLBERMANN: All right, Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania. Great thanks. We're going to cut away and go up to Romney headquarters, where the man who is going to finish second tonight in New Hampshire is about to address his supporters.
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text:
Sold Out $19.97
2013 vintage is available for $18.99
Antinori Villa Toscana 2008
Other Red Blends from Tuscany, Italy
Winemaker's Notes
Intense ruby red in color. The wine opens with intense aromas of ripe cherries, spice, chocolate and hints of mint. The wine is full-bodied with a palate of rich fruit and spice. The tannins are round and velvety and lead to a lingering finish.
Blend: 55% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Syrah
Critical Acclaim
Wine Spectator - "A red with depth and richness, boasting black cherry, blackberry and tobacco notes. Requires some time to absorb its tannins, yet this is well-proportioned. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Best from 2014 through 2022.
Smart Buy"
The Wine Advocate - "The 2008 Villa Antinori comes across as richer, darker and weightier than the 2007 tasted alongside it. Black cherries, smoke, licorice and tar are some of the notes that emerge from this powerful entry-level red. A long, intense finish rounds things out nicely. Villa Antinori is predominantly Sangiovese, with some Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014."
Antinori Winery
The Antinori family of Florence, one of the world's oldest and most distinguished wine producers, has lived in Tuscany since the 14th century and celebrated its 625th anniversary as wine makers in 2010. The current company president, Marchese Piero Antinori, believes in the tradition that the primary role of wine is to accompany food and enhance the dining experience. In Florence, the Antinori family has led a "Renaissance" in Italian wine making by combining long traditions, a love of authenticity and a dynamic innovative spirit. View all Antinori Wines
About TuscanyView a map of Tuscany wineries (TUSS-can-ee) Sangiovese. Most of the wine coming from Tuscany is made from some clone of this varietal, but a growing trend, started by the renegade winemakers of those Super Tuscans, is to incorporate more international varietals.
Notable FactsThe most well known sub-districts of Tuscany are Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (note that Montepulciano here refers to the local village, not the grape variety found in the Italian region of Abruzzi). Wine labeled from these regions is DOC-regulated and Sangiovese-based blends. Quality wine from these DOC areas has been on the rise for decades, with top-notch winemakers and wineries shedding the low-quality image once held for Tuscan wine by producing consistently outstanding bottlings that range from deliciously drinkable to highly ageable. Newer to the scene are regions like Bohlgeri and the Maremma, home to of what are now termed "Super-Tuscans," named for the wine coming from the Tuscany area, but not following all of the DOC or DOCG laws required in Italy. In the 1970's, some pioneer winemakers began buying land outside of Chianti and Montalcino, and planting not only Sangiovese, but also international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The wine they produced only fit into the lowest Italian category of "vina da tavola," but the winemakers sold the wine for high prices, creating an almost cult following, and spurning a new wine category called IGT.
About Italy
A little ditty about Italy...This country has about as many wines as its had governments. With 20 different regions, hundreds of DOCs and even more indigenous varieties, the amount of wine made in Italy is mind-boggling. Most of the juice, however, remains in the country for thirsty Italians. Wine is food in Italy and its rare that a meal is consumed without a glass of vino. That said, it's not common to find many folks drinking wine without food either. In turn, it's a match, and a mighty good one at that. In fact, it's safe to say that Italian wine is a foodie wine – one that goes on the table for a myraid of meals.
For regions, the most popular are Tuscany (home of Chianti), Piedmont and the Tre-Venezie, which includes Veneto, Trentino Alto-Adige and Friuli. Other communes of note are in Southern Italy, and a few good wines are made elsewhere in the country. The islands of Sardinia and Sicily are members of the Italian winemaking community as well.
Customer ReviewsSign In to Add Your Review44.1 out of 5 stars
10 ratings, 6 with reviewsAnonymous - El Dorado Hills, CA17/3/2017Anonymous - Millersburg, OH16/2/2017Mmonsters - Austin, TX15/31/2017ChristineG - Cincinnati, OH55/9/2016gatorbait38 - Mobile, AL411/19/2013
A nice deep red Tuscan blend. Black cherry, smoke and licorice dominated the palate. Served this at a get together and even those who don't favor red wine enjoyed this Tuscan.controller1 - Pineville, LA410/6/2012
- Style
- Smooth & Supple
Recently held a wine tasting party. Based on the number of bottles consumed, this wine was #2 with my guests. A very good wine. Smooth. A great blend.walktard - Tahoe City, CA44/7/201342/15/2013very nice IGT, full bodied.Steve Gagliardi - Scio, OH411/20/2012Excellent Tuscan blend. A great buy under $20Wine Freak - Elmer, NJ48/15/2012
- Style
- Smooth & Supple
Villa Antinori continues to produce fabulous wines for the money. I enjoy this wine with a meal or just alone with a good cigar.Jim Dunaway - Temecula, CA58/3/201244/30/201234/14/2012Nice Italian wine. More tanin than I was expecting. Needs to rest a couple years to balance out. I hope my second bottle holds up.
- Style
- Earthy & Spicy
- Pair With
- Pork


text:
Thirty Seconds To Mars serenades iHeartRadio Grand Prize Winner backstage!
Thirty Seconds To Mars serenaded James Nieto, the winner of the iHeartRadio Grand Prize Experience package, with an intimate cover of Rihanna's "Stay." The band walked Nieto back to their dressing room where Jared Leto, Shannon Leto and Tomo Miličević all took part in the acoustic rendition.
PHOTOS: Thirty Seconds To Mars perform at the iHeartRadio Music Festival.
VIDEO: Thirty Seconds To Mars cover Rihanna's "Stay" at the iHeartRadio Music Festival.
Frontman Jared Leto ended the cover by saying how he likes to perform a "low quiet version" to warm up his voice before a show. Nieto described the once-in-a-lifetime performance with one simple word, "Incredible!"
Check out a few photos of Nieto and the band below:
Photos: Stephen Eckert for iHeartRadio
*Follow the author, Stephen Eckert, on Twitter @S_Eckert


text:
California Cascades > Mount Shasta > Climber's Log
Mount Shasta Climber's Log
[ Sign the Climber's Log ]
|unforgettable 1st 14er
Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2009
|Been to the top twice now, opened the door to much more mountain madness for me!
|Posted Aug 2, 2010 3:17 pm
|Mt. Shasta - Hotlum-Wintun Ridge
Date Climbed: Jul 31, 2010
|Climbed Shasta at the end of a three week hiking extravaganza. Despite being less than 100% after so much time on the trails and mountains, climbed the Hotlum-Wintun ridge in about 9 hours car to car. Started late but actually made coming down easier without having to worry about slipping on ice. Make sure you know where to find the trail coming back down.
|Posted Aug 2, 2010 11:17 am
|Avalanche Gulch solo
Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2010
|From Horse Camp 7+ hours to summit. Hot temps but totally clear weather. Fun climb up and snow conditions great for sliding down (only safe way to get down the chimney). Chimney was steep, narrow, and icy in the morning shade and Misery Hill was miserable scree but beautiful mountain in general!
|Posted Aug 1, 2010 12:06 am
|Brad Mastros
|West Face
Date Climbed: May 24, 2009
|Great weather on our second attempt
|Posted Jul 31, 2010 1:41 pm
|3rd Summit
Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2010
|Third summit, this time on the Hotlum Wintun Ridge, at 9:10am. Left camp at 8900 feet at 2:45am. I highly recommend this route, a lot of fun. On a hot day, you need to get up there early, as the snow remained fairly unconsolidated and deep up high this late in the season and postholing was a serious issue for me. Almost didn't make it.
|Posted Jul 27, 2010 12:07 pm
|David Naylor
|1st 14er
Date Climbed: May 15, 2009
|Able to summit despite aggravating altitude sickness that got worse from 12000 onwards. Snow the whole way from Bunny Flat. Ideal conditions!
|Posted Jul 27, 2010 1:33 am
|Avalanche Gulch
Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2010
|24 hr trip with a little shuteye at Lake Helen before starting at 3:30am. Cool mountain, cool route.
|Posted Jul 23, 2010 6:19 pm
Date Climbed: Jul 22, 1989
|Posted Jul 3, 2010 11:53 am
|Shasta Video Documentary
Date Climbed: May 24, 2010
|Check out this video documentary about climbing Mt. Shasta: Summiting the Volcano
It is 20 minutes long and gives a good sense of what it is like to climb up Avalanche Gulch. Check out the last three minutes, that is the coolest part.
|Posted Jun 30, 2010 10:10 pm
Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2011
|26 Jun 2010 - Hotlum-Bolam Ridge
Climbed and skied the route with Jason in a day. Left the lot at midnight, took a break at dawn to let the snow soften some, but it didn't until noon. Headed to the summit finally, but found poor conditions on western aspects, so tried to ski down the Hotlum from the summit. Poor snow convinced us to traverse back to our ascent route, where we enjoyed an awesome descent!
19 Jun 2011 - Hotlum-Bolam Ridge/Bolam Glacier
Two day trip with Jeannie and a big group of Bay Area folks, camping somewhere below 10,000'. Did a couple of fun laps on the slopes above camp. Next day climbed to the summit plateau where the winds were sustained at 60+ mph. Turned around there, although several other people in the group summited on hands and knees. Skied the Bolam Glacier - chalky at first, then icy, then smooth corn down to camp.
21 Jun 2011 - Avalanch Gulch/Trinity Chutes
Climbed from Bunny Flat to the summit in 5hr 45min, waited for the snow to soften up a little more, then headed down to the top of the Trinity Chutes. Skied the central chute in perfect conditions - 45 deg at top, then about 40 down to Avalanche Gulch where endless perfect corn turns were made. Back to the car in a little over 7 hrs. One of the best ski descents I've done!
|Posted Jun 28, 2010 6:28 pm
|Venture Crew 491 Summits via Avalanche Gulch
Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2010
|We had a successful summit via the Avalanche Gulch route with SWS Mountain Guides, after a delay at Helen Lake base camp due to 50-75 mph winds the day before. We had 2 adults and 4 teenagers from Venture Crew 491 summit along with guides JB and Casey, and photogrpaher for Boys' Life, Beth Wald. There were 7 people helicoptered off the mountain the weekend before, and 3 the week after so we had timing, training (ours and the guides), and some luck on our side.
|Posted Jun 25, 2010 12:09 pm
|Avy Gulch Hangover
Date Climbed: Jun 20, 2009
|Managed to bring a bottle of red wine up to Helen Lake. While this was a tasty treat with dinner on a clear evening in the gulch it further reduced my hydration level to the point of waking up with one of the most wicked hangovers I've ever had. Starting early on the 20th the air temp was still below freezing when we set out, thus my drinking tube was completely frozen till we crested the Red Banks and entered the sun exposed portion of our summit day.
From now on, I'll plan to celebrate a climb post descent.
|Posted Jun 17, 2010 1:59 pm
|Whitney-Bolam Ridge Solo
Date Climbed: Sep 5, 1977
|Used up four days for this very leisurely trip. Had enough time to explore the region a little as well as make it to the summit. Great conditions; wonderful view.
|Posted Jun 14, 2010 7:57 pm
|Mike Lewis
|Shasta Via Avalanche Gulch
Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2010
|I made an ass out of myself. Summited but descended shamefully. Good memories on the summit. Not so much at Bunny Flat...
|Posted Jun 10, 2010 8:42 pm
Date Climbed: Apr 5, 2010
|... with Caltech Alpine Club on their annual advanced mountaineering trip, on 04-05 Apr' 2009, via the Casaval Ridge (class 4)
|Posted Jun 9, 2010 12:25 pm
|Casaval Ridge
Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2010
|Great day on Casaval Ridge. Started at 2:30 am from BunnyFlats and was able to climb on the ridge with just the light of the stars and the cresent moon...epic! Summitted around 10:00 and desended via Avalanche gulch and was at the Trailhead by 1:00. As EastKing mentioned the gulch is icey so don't plan on glissading the whole thing. I used about 4 1/2 liters of water and don't forget the sunscreen and sunglasses! Also snowshoes were absolutley needed on the way out, unless you enjoy 2000 feet of postholing!
|Posted Jun 8, 2010 1:47 pm
|Avalanche Gulch
Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2010
|We were very lucky to get this peak. It was very icy in the Red Banks area. Lots of blue ice mixed with a dusting of powder. You could not glissade until 1200 feet above Lake Helen. That be said it was great to honor Tom on the summit. Posthole galore below Lake Helen.
|Posted Jun 8, 2010 12:43 pm
|Avalanche Gulch
Date Climbed: May 30, 2010
|Certainly fortunate to catch a break in the weather, we postponed our original start date of Friday 5/28 to Saturday. Good call that was! We made it to Helen and set up among the masses - and the solar oven of UV - and went to bed at sundown for a 1:30 am wakeup call. Our group of 6 made great time up to and through the Red Banks. By Misery Hill, the wind was biting cold, but we kept a steady pace up to the summit by 7 am. Clouds were rolling in as we descended, but cleared by the time we made it back to Lake Helen and camp. Great trip, great group!
|Posted Jun 2, 2010 1:08 am
|weathered off
|Good times and fun turns with Matt and Robin but no summit to be seen. we tried the ridge route but was not meant to be.
|Posted May 26, 2010 1:44 pm
|Casaval Ridge
Date Climbed: Apr 25, 2010
|Camped near first window ~9800'. Windy and cold, but great snow conditions, firm and consolidated. Catwalk was in great shape. Descended Avalanche Gulch and traversed back to camp.
Route climbed: Hotlam-Bolam Ridge
Date climbed: 21-June-2009
Climbed with Justin and Anastasia, their first time on the Great Snowy One.
Camped at Marine's Camp (10800') on Saturday .. whiteouts, thunder and light snow overnight. Sunday awoke to 0.5 inch of new snow and chilly temps (20's) but clear conditions and good snow cover on the route. Beautiful day to be on the mountain !
Route Climbed: Green Butte -> Sargents Ridge
Date Climbed: 16-March-2009
Camped on Green Butte. Route above 11600' wasn't really in condition, so I did a lot of scrambling in crampons (class 2-3 mostly) and some steep snow traversing on the west (left) side of the ridge. Fantastic views.
Glissaded down Avy Gulch to Helen Lake, then traversed back to Green Butte Ridge and postholed for 2 hours.
Unseasonably warm and calm weather.
Date climbed: 13-April-2008
Route climbed: West Face Gully
Camped in Hidden Valley on Saturday, then did WFG on Sunday. Started around 3:30am, reached gully exit around 8:30. Atop summit ~10-ish.
Partly cloudy weather, very windy from the W or SW above 13500', even on the summit !
Summer trail to Hidden Valley was about halfway melted out above ~8900' and wanded.
Route Climbed: Hotlum-Wintun Ice Chute
Date Climbed: 3-Sept-2006
Climbed with Calvin Kilcrease. Started from high camp around 10000' below Hotlum-Wintun snowfield, got to 13000' and thought about crossing to climber's right into left Hotlum ice gully, but decided to just go straight up instead, since there looked to be a lot of blue ice up there.
Started simulclimbing around 13000' with Calvin in the lead. I led the simulclimbing after about two rope lengths, and then Calvin did the rest. Around 13700' or so we got back on the scree and scrambled to the summit.
The ice was mostly about 35-40 degrees, perhaps 40-45 at the most, with a lot of features. Highly aerated near the surface, but with some digging good ice for screws could be found. Fun easy climbing.
Descended the Hotlum-Wintun Ridge route, which was mostly suncupped and a bit hard above the moraine crossing, but nice and soft for standing glissades back on the Hotlum-Wintun snowfield - fun !
Weather was partly cloudy and breezy at times. Snow was nice and hard in the morning for cramponing. By 11-ish as we topped out the chute I could see meltwater forming on the ice from the morning sun - the chute faces east - glad we started early !
Route Climbed: Whitney Glacier
Date Climbed: 25-June-2006
Climbed with Steve Larson, Kris, and Sean Robbins (from CMC). Great company, good conditions, fantastic trip.
Camped Saturday at Marine's Camp (10700') to climber's right of Northgate high camp area. Alpine start on Sunday at 4:30am, traversed lower Bolam glacier (didn't bother to rope up here) to about 10650' overlooking Whitney glacier.
Roped up at 6am, headed out across a minor and well-frozen debris-laden icefall to center of glacier and headed up. Glacier conditions good after about 11000' or so. Around 11500 - 12000' was perhaps the steepest and most heavily-crevassed area (40-45 degrees) but it was short and the snowbridges were still well frozen.
Upper section was mild, and we decided to veer left and head up the 'direct finish' - the backside of Misery Hill. This section was sustained 35-40 degrees. We exited onto the summit plateau around 9:30am.
Descended back to camp via Hotlum-Bolam Ridge and back to cars around 2-ish. Hot weather in general. We were frying Saturday afternoon, but found some bouldering and shade amid the pinnacles. Camp was on dry ground with snow slopes nearby for brewing water. Apparently lots of great bivy / tent sites in that area.
Route climbed: Casaval Ridge (catwalk variation)
Date climbed: 10-June-2006
Started from 10300' high camp on the ridge at 4:25am, atop Casaval Ridge by 8. The catwalk was in fine shape due to a late season snowstorm a couple weeks prior.
Met up with cp0915 and his friend Mark on the summit plateau (they had come up Avy Gulch from Horse Camp). Saw thebeave7's summit register entry from the previous day.
Descended West Face Gully to 11500 or so, then traversed over to lower Casaval back to my camp.
Lots of rime ice above 12000'. Weather was a bit breezy, but otherwise pleasant. Some clouds moved in around 10-ish but the wind died down. Most people I talked to traversed to the west face instead of the going up the catwalk in the mistaken belief that it was melted out.
Route climbed: West Face Gully
Date climbed: 13-May-2006
Went up the West Face Gully from high camp in Hidden Valley with Andrea D. Robert O. made the trip from Bunny Flat with us but didn't go up the route. John organized the trip via CMC initially, but couldn't join us due to illness. Get well soon John !
It was as perfect a day on Shasta as I have ever seen it - cloudless, mild temps, good snow, not much wind at all, and a full moon for climbing. We started at 2am, attained the top of the west face by 7:30, atop summit by 9:30. Met people who had been up Avy Gulch, Casaval and even Sargent's Ridge. The air was clear - Lassen and McLoughlin could be clearly seen.
Downclimbed gully to about 11500', then glissaded a bit. Took the variation to the climber's right of the gully, traversing just above a large pointed rock where the slope was easier and glissaded as much as the slushy snow allowed. Back in camp by 1pm.
Route Climbed: Hotlum-Bolam Ridge to Avy Gulch north-south traverse
Date Climbed: 10-July-2005
Climbed Hotlum-Bolam Ridge with Mark Wetters, ascending to the summit plateau, where we decided that the summit pinnacle (which we had both seen multiple times) was not of much interest. Descended Avy Gulch (car shuttle). Clear but windy weather.
Got a late start from northgate (5am) and had originally intended to go place some pickets, discuss rope handling, etc. after some funky weather Saturday night, but at a break near high camp decided to just go for it when we saw that things were clear. So we carried rope, pickets, and glacier gear up to 14000' and back down again. Miserable postholing on, ahem, Misery Hill, but conditions in the Gulch were dreamy for glissading.
The Thumb Rock route is probably inadvisable right now - almost fell into the Konwakiton moat. Plenty of snow in the chutes through the Red Banks though.
btw Talked to party near northgate who climbed the right Hotlum ice gully, but reported that it was packed with snow - looked it, too.
Route Climbed: Left Hotlum Headwall Ice Gully
Date Climbed: 29-August-2004
Alpine ice seminar with Shasta Mountain Guides. High camp around 12000' was near one of the icefalls and the snowfield between the Hotlum and Wintun glaciers. Spent time reviewing crevasse rescue, running belays, ice screw placement, various ice axe / crampon techniques, and even toproped some crevasses. Final day climbed 6 pitches of 55 degree alpine ice. Great fun and very useful for later adventures ...
Route Climbed: Hotlum Glacier to the Step
Date Climbed: 24-July-2004
Took a glacier travel / crevasse rescue seminar with Shasta Mountain Guides that included a summit climb. Started from the northgate high camp at 4am, roped up around sunrise (5:30-ish), climbed the west Hotlum glacier route, crossed two snow bridges, then up The Step to the rocky area above, and summitted at 11:30. Usual crowds present. Returned via Hotlum-Bolam ridge, which had patches of blue ice exposed, making for a hairy descent. Views of the crevasses, headwall, etc. were excellent. Fantastic weather, though predictably it clouded up in the afternoon. Nice boot-skiing on the low-angle snowfield just above camp. Interestingly, many dragonflies were out in this area.
Route Climbed: Avalanche Gulch
Date Climbed: 20-June-2004
Started at 3am from Horse Camp, arrived at 5 or so at Helen Lake, and the summit by 10. Most folks went up through the Red Banks. Misery Hill was mostly a scree trail. Fantastic weather - only 20-30mph winds on the summit plateau and calm/sunny on the summit itself. The glissade chute through the Banks looked a bit too steep & icy so downclimbed in the softening snow and then glissaded a bit below, which was excellent.
|Posted Apr 26, 2010 11:16 am


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Message Board
Patricia Grasso Message Board
Talk about the novels, new and used books that Grasso has written!
Author Grasso's Book Reviews
Seducing the Prince
Regina Bradford's father forces her to marry a man she does not love or even like, in order for her children to be of noble blood. Although Regina just wants to be novelist. At a house Party she meets Prince Viktor Kanzanov, a Russian Prince, and start talking about their respective mates who are having an affair with each other. The Prince is impressed by Regina's wit and her beauty with flaming red hair. When Regina's husband and viktor's wif...
To Catch a Countess
High-spirited Victoria Douglas is shocked to discover that she has been betrothed to Alexander Emerson, the Earl of Winchester and the son of the man who impoverished her family, for over a year. Just the day before, she had decided to practice her flirting skills on the handsome lord. Throughout the story, Victoria struggles to exemplify a lady worthy of the Earl of Winchester before the eyes of the ton. She valiantly presents herself to society whil...
To Charm a Princess
Zebra, Jun 2003, 5.99, 352 pp. ISBN: 0821774727 In 1812 England, Samantha Douglas knows that the carriage accident that left her with a notable limp makes her inferior to her aristocratic peers. Yet for some reason Russian Prince Rudolf Kazanov enjoys her company. However, he knows nothing can come of this because he fled his homeland, accompanied by his young daughter and his mother, after allegedly stealing one of his country's heirlooms. He...
To Love a Princess
Zebra, Nov 2004, 5.99 ISBN: 0821777092 In 1820 Miles Montgomery's wife and unborn child died in a fire and his face become's scarred while failing to rescue them. Later, Prince Rudolf Kazanov and Duke John Saint-Germain visit on business. John informs Miles that his wife who is Miles' sister insists he remarry and sire an heir or Terrence the Weasel will inherits the estate. In Moscow, Princess Amber Kazanov overhears her guardian Uncle Fed...


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Data Services
Data is an increasingly important element in a wide array of disciplinary, scholarly, and professional communications. Data and spatial literacy is growing as an important as skill that will support effective problem-solving, innovation, collaboration, and other activities for faculty and students.
The Data Services program revolves around the discovery, exploration, creation, and sharing of data via technology, consultation, collaboration, and pedagogy in support of Cal Poly's mission, programs of learning, and research.
The Open Studio
The Open Studio is the center of Cal Poly's Data Services program. Located in Kennedy Library's Hub24, the space facilitates interdisciplinary exchange of ideas surrounding data as the new text. Learn more at the Data Services research guide.
GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is a type of software that helps people think spatially and approach problems from a geographic perspective. Spatial data reveals patterns, illustrates problems, and shows connections that are not otherwise evident. It can be used in business, history, environmental science, agriculture, civil engineering, architecture and many other areas of study.
Kennedy Library's GIS program includes providing GIS software, supporting GIS-related events and outreach, and providing GIS consultative services. Learn more at the GIS research guide.
Map collection
The Library's map collection emphasizes maps of the Central Coast Region and the West Coast of the United States. General maps for other geographic areas and subjects are also available. For more information, consult a college librarian, a research help desk staff member, or the maps research guide.
Data management
The Data Services program includes data management resources in response to the emerging need for library-based data consultative and archival services, helping scientists meet scholarly expectations and research funding agency requirements for sharing, reusing, and managing or archiving digital data. Learn more at the data management research guide.


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Ok, so where is it? Where is the best place to be a surfer in the large coastal state of Florida.
North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, and should I dare say West Florida or the Panhandle?
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Ok, so where is it? Where is the best place to be a surfer in the large coastal state of Florida.
North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, and should I dare say West Florida or the Panhandle?
It's the most consistent, north florida sometimes misses north swells and south florida has the damn bahamas in the way so if it's big there it's big in central too. It also stays pretty warm through the winter. If Palm beach is picking up more swell you can get there in reasonable time or if the west coast is going off its a few hours to get there. I like Indialantic.
I would Say sebastion (exuse spelling) it is consistent and not as mushy as say Cocoa Beach. however alot of people surf there, so you better be good at people dodging...
And someone said that they have the closest thing to a point break anywhere near here
Cocoa beach is supposed to be really good on monday (the day school goes starts)
i always travel down to sebastian when its good i live in jacksonville so its not that far (like 3 hours) but whats so good about jax is 1). we are blessed with the poles witch has a large jetty that is PERFECT on a heavy NE wind/ground swell--had some of the best waves of my life their2)im at the new jax pier almost everyday that im not down south or at the poles and it has some of the most productive sand bars in NFL forsure and anyone around knows it-i check the reports every morn for the entire east coast and it seems that the pier is consistently bigger and/or more/just as powerful and fun as any other high tide break in the vacinity3)and the third reason why j-ville beach is a great place to live is that it is about 20 minutes away from St. Aug and great breaks such as Blowhole-V-land-micklersSt. aug pier
PS______i love surfing Ponte Vedra during the wintertime on low tide--- its a good break and the huge hot tubs make it!!!!
someone top that!! jk
not trying to correct you or anything but in my opinion ive surfed both sebastian inlet many of times and caught 1st peak great --but i think that on a strong east swell blowhole in St. Aug is by-far the best wannabe point break because it has a "point" that sticks out and grabs swell that sends a filthy left down the beach-given----it had to be just right though--and its kinda like a spot that nobody goes to now so its cool cause you have to go into anastasia state park and years ago you could drive on the beach north all the way to the inlet across from V-land--but now after so many run-overs they stopped cars on the beach---ive walked it a bunch and its pretty gnar man like about 2 and 1/2 to 3 miles maybe a little less little more-or you can just go on vilano and pattle across ive done that to with buddies but its kinda far and creppy because everyone knows that thats where the mnost sharks reside and if you get attacked you got a long pattle with nobody around besides the occasional boat but im just trying to scare yall away brah lol
Yeah, but i was talking about somewhere that was a reasonable distance for someone to travel who lives in the cocoa beach area
I don't think i'd drive to St. Augustine to catch a small point break, but if i'm ever over there, i will be sure to check it out because i hear good things
my friend is gonna go to Teahupo this summer!
thats what he says...
thats where real surfers are made
New Smyrna is the most consistant wave I have ever found in florida. The inlet breaks on both sides but the south side seems to work best. Lived close for two years and have rarely been let down by the drive. You can drive on the beach at low tide or park in the state park for three bucks and take the 1/2 mile boardwalk hike to get there. Love the wave but beware of fish with teeth, big teeth. Watch it when the rip is pulling north those rocks come at you faster than you think, and the current does weird things if you get too close. I live near Sebastian now and although there have been exceptional days here it seems flatter than New Smyrna. Spanish House seems to break sometime on the right tide, when all else round here is flat. Thats my 2 cents, happy hunting.
I would have to agree on New Smyrna being the most consistent Wave on the FL EC. I don't Surf up there, but I know it gets good, a lot. I don't like the teeth, or the drive to it. I stick with the Cocoa to S.I. area. Occasionaly hitiing Playa Linda, but only on the "right" Swell directions , and Swell periods.
Kelly Slater is from Cocoa Beach and the Hobgoods are from Satellite Beach and we have a 5 star event coming up January 4-11th, the O'Neil Sebastian Inlet Pro.
The O'Neill Sebastian Inlet Pro Presented by Ron Jon includes many of the world's best competitive surfers.
2007 event champion and 2001 ASP World Champion C.J. Hobgood and his twin brother and 2006 Sebastian Inlet Pro Champion, Damien, will be among the field of more than 200 entrants. Additionally, the contest will host other big names such as 2005 SI Pro winner Cory Lopez, Roy Powers, Timmy Reyes, Gabe Kling, Ben Bourgeois, Aaron Cormican and Shea Lopez.
Also on tap will be emerging stars like Nathaniel Curran, Ola Eleogram, Jon Jon Florence, Eric Geiselman, Evan Geiselman, Alex Gray, Dane, Tanner & Patrick Gudaskus, Mike Losness, Clay Marzo, Dusty Payne, Brett Simpson, Adam Wickwire, and Dane Reynolds. ( Adam Wickwire also from Satellite Beach ).
If that tells you anything about Florida's East Coast.
I am hoping to be able to make it over for a couple of days of that event.


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Obama May Be Ready to Let Bernanke Go
President Barack Obama has subtly suggested he's ready to let Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke step down from the central bank when Mr. Bernanke's term ends in January.
In an interview with television host Charlie Rose conducted Sunday and aired Monday, Mr. Obama said that Mr. Bernanke "has already stayed a lot longer than he wanted or he was supposed to."
Mr. Obama reappointed Mr. Bernanke for a second term...


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Joan Rivers Moved Out Of Intensive Care Unit As Medical Crisis Continues
Joan Rivers has been moved out of the ICU at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.
"My mother has been moved out of intensive care and into a private room where she is being kept comfortable," her daughter Melissa said in a statement on Wednesday. "Thank you for your continued support."
Whether the move is a sign of improvement remains to be seen.
The 81-year-old comedy icon has been hospitalized since going into cardiac arrest last week during a minor medical procedure.
There have been conflicting reports about her condition as doctors slowly bring her out of a medically induced coma and hope Rivers improves.
Photo: Getty Images