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Wednesday, October 26, 2011
LITQUAKE 2011: My Evening with Jeffrey Eugenides, or Some Days It Doesn't Pay to Get Out of Bed
There have been several allusions on the blog to some recent health woes. I'm fine now, but two weeks ago, not so much. I'd been at home in bed for days, and Friday the 14th was my first day back at the office and back on my feet. I was weak. I should not have even been considering going out after work that evening. But it was Jeffrey Eugenides! The awesome Jeffrey Eugenides, out with his first novel in eight years! And I'd already read and loved The Marriage Plot. I wanted to be there.
Litquake. That means it was on the radar of thousands more people than the average bookstore event. Just thinking about the potential mob scene made me want to pass out. So, this is what I did… I called the bookstore, explained that I was recovering from a medical procedure (true), that I was very weak (true), and was it possible to have a seat reserved for the reading? I said, "I know it's a lot to ask." I was pretty embarrassed to be asking for special consideration. And Corry at the Books, Inc. at Opera Plaza simply could not have been kinder. His response, "It's nothing to ask." He was so sweet. He made me want to be a customer for life. Really, such genuine kindness.
I was chilling out, reading a book, when I was approached by my friend Sue. What a happy surprise! We kibitzed until start time, and then went out for food and drinks next-door afterwards. By that time, there was plenty to postmortem. As expected, the store filled to a capacity crowd, and the event started right on time. Now, you know that whenever possible, I try to grab video for the blog. My excellent seat put me in a position to do just that. I was four feet away from the man, so for once, I had fantastic footage!
Mr. Eugenides started the evening with a few introductory remarks, including him telling the crowd that he spent his first several post-college years living in San Francisco, shopping in that very store. He then further ingratiated himself with the audience by explaining that it was the worst time of his life. He told a funny story about a psycho-roommate. I think we all have a story like that. He spoke for just about five minutes before he began reading from Madeleine's narrative at the beginning of the book. He read well, and he read for a long time—nearly 25 minutes—in one long sequence. The novel is very funny, and he got a lot of laughs along the way.
After the reading, Mr. Eugenides spent about 15 minutes answering questions, many of which were unusually good questions. One that particularly impressed me came from a woman who noted that Mr. Eugenides had published a short story years earlier with a character with a name and story very similar to one of the three main characters in The Marriage Plot. She asked about the relationship, if any, between the earlier and more recent character. Mr. Eugenides did acknowledge that the earlier Mitch was a sort of prototype of the character in the current novel's love triangle, and further acknowledged the relationship between that character and himself.
Middlesex. He was contacted for permission, and he said he wanted to see how much humor at his expense was written in to the screenplay. And this also is what forced him to listen to the audiobook for the first time. He was quite surprised by some of the choices made by actor and director. Anyway, it was an awesome story, and I wish you could hear it in its entirety, but the reason you can't will soon be clear. (Oh, but you will hear the Middlesex audiobook in the Streisand movie.)
I do not habitually ask questions at literary events, but sometimes I do. I had a question, and I was not trying to ambush Mr. Eugenides in any way. I was certainly not trying to make him feel uncomfortable. And I did not have an agenda. I just had a question. I thought it was a legitimate question then, and I still think so now. Let me back up a moment. As noted earlier, it was likely that I was one of the few people in the room that had read the novel which had only been on sale for a few days. I had enjoyed it immensely! The Marriage Plot is beautifully written, but it bears some resemblance to (I hope you'll forgive me for saying) literary chick lit. The rich, flawed characters are beautifully drawn, the writing is gorgeous, and the story has plenty of substance and its share of pathos. But still, at its heart, it is a comic novel about young 20-something's in a love triangle. You see my point?
So, the trouble started before I even got my question out. I was holding the microphone in my right hand, as the left had been balancing my little FlipCam propped against my knee all evening. I opened with a comment about how much I'd loved the novel, to which Mr. Eugenides responded, "Are you filming me?" I said, "Yes. Is that a problem? I'm happy to turn it off." The visibly uncomfortable author replied that it was fine. It was just that technology had really changed. That he's arrived at his first book signing in a horse and buggy. (Laughter.) He noted that I was lucky that he wasn't Stephen Sondheim, cause he'd seen the octogenarian almost "rip someone's head off" recently for a similar offense. I admitted that I'd actually filmed him at BEA, too (laughter) and again offered to turn off the camera. Again he declined and urged me to ask my question.
This is what I asked: When Jonathan Franzen published Freedom last year, there was a brief buzz in the media about male novelists writing about traditionally female subject matter (i.e. families and relationships) getting more review attention, press, and general acclaim than their female counterparts. I said that as another acclaimed male author, did he have an opinion on this matter? I asked this question in a friendly and positive manner, not because I already knew the answer, or I was presuming that the very premise of the question was correct, but because I was genuinely curious to hear his thoughts on the subject—which, whether a true premise or not, seems to me to be a subject worthy of discussion.
At that point, Mr. Eugenides looked significantly more uncomfortable. I again offered to turn off the camera, and he again declined. He said, "That was Jodi Picoult, right?" And I answered that it was a broad-ranging public dialogue that went far beyond any comments made by Jodi Picoult. Mr. Eugenides then noted, though, that there had been one or two very best-selling female novelists that had been outspoken on the subject. (And his memory was correct. Jennifer Weiner and Jodi Picoult were much quoted.) Mr. Eugenides continued that given the number of books they sold, he really didn't know what they had to complain about. And besides, he has plenty of female writer friends (he named Lorrie Moore and Jumpha Lahiri) who get plenty of attention when they publish. He supposed it really just depended on the writer and the quality of the work. So, he answered the question, looking incredibly uncomfortable the entire time, and noted at the very end of the evening that Jodi Picoult "would hate him now."
Now, had I had the opportunity to respond to Mr. Eugenides' answer to my question, I would have pointed out that by necessity the most successful and best-selling among female authors must broach these questions, because for anyone less successful to do so looks like sour grapes. So, frankly, I find that part if his response to be somewhat naive. The second part of his answer is more legitimate, because he did name two highly acclaimed female literary novelists who do make a very large splash when they publish—although, two token women do not exactly prove parity. Nor do they disprove it. Like I said, I just think it's a subject worthy of consideration and discussion. And finally, regarding his comment that it just depended on the quality of the work, it did come off as slightly condescending in my opinion.
I waited for quite a while for my friend Sue to make her way through the long signing line. While I was waiting, several people approached me and told me that it was a good question I'd asked, including a bookstore employee. It was nice of them because I was really quite bummed out. Writers always like me. I'm a serious, appreciative reader. I think that is possibly the first and only negative encounter I've ever had with a novelist on tour. Lovely Sue and I went out afterwards, and she did her best to make me feel better, and life moved on.
So, that's what happened between Jeffrey Eugenides and me. I'm still a huge admirer of his work, and I don't have significantly bad feelings about the man. Book tours are brutal. I think we were both having an off night. Probably I should just keep my big mouth shut. But you know what? This is my blog, and my life. I'm allowed to write about what happens to me, and so I get to tell my story. There you have it.
6 comments:
I sympathize. Just reading this makes me uncomfortable. It is a legitimate question and great question. Too bad.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousOctober 26, 2011 at 6:12 PM
Susan, you know most writers are socially awkward, and generally quite uncomfortable in front of a crowd. It sounds to me like he's just an awkward uncomfortable guy.ReplyDelete
What a shame that the encounter turned out so uncomfortable for both of you. I've only read The Virgin Suicides so far, but I was so impressed by it that I definitely plan to read more.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousOctober 27, 2011 at 1:42 AM
I think you shouldn't feel guilty. If you did what you did with good intentions, that what could you have done differently? As you say, the author was a bit uncomfortable with it all, and that probably influenced the way he talked to you. It's not you, it's him! :-)ReplyDelete
Hey, thanks ladies for the nice, supportive comments. I don't think either Mr. Eugenides or myself were too permanently scarred by our encounter. Everyone meant well. It was just unfortunate. As I said, I have no lingering animosity towards the man.ReplyDelete
I asked Eugenides a question once (he came and spoke at Harvard when I was in college). he was incredibly rude and dismissive. ugh.ReplyDelete


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As you look at kayak designs, canoe designs, and decked canoe designs; several designs and designers rise to the top of the list.
Of all of those, I doubt any of them design better than Gary. I have not met Gary, except through his writing. But, I was impressed by some of the things he wrote.
He wrote about the history of outrigger canoes; the advantages and disadvantages of weight; the advantages and disadvantages of the outrigger; etc.
And he didn't seem to be focused only upon the profit he could make. In other words, he was approachable.
His Wa'apa design is a favorite for many people.
But, Gary offers more than just great boats which have stood the test of time, he also works with others to help the Philippines recover from the devastating Typhoon.
People who help others are always better than those who do not.
Don't you agree?

subset: commoncrawl


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Thursday, 30 September 2010
The first roll of my forties..........
Gis are everywhere. On the washing lines. Poolside. On backs of chairs. Anywhere there is space there is a gi. Oh and rash guards as well. Gi's of all makes and designs are lying about getting dry in readiment for the next training session, all decked out in club and sponsor patches from all four corners of the globe, makes you feel that BJJ is truly global in its popularity and practice.
After a fun filled afternoon, with a trip to the beach and a surprise birthday cake singsong from everyone at the house, it was time to go to the evening class. My first class of BJJ as a forty year old. How would it differ from the day before as a sprightly 39 year old? They say age is just a number, a state of mind etc etc so I stepped onto the mats and enjoyed every single second of the session. For a true BJJ addict, what better place to be on the planet than in the heart of jiu jitsu, in Brazil for your fortieth birthday?
The class was packed with black belts and all colours in between and after the usual warm ups and techniques it was down to free training and onto my first roll in a new decade and who better to start with than the Gerbilmeister himself, Jeremy Arel, decked out in a eye catching canary yellow gi. The ten minutes passed way too fast as we had a good technical roll, with Jeremy sweeping me at will time and time again, this guy knows his sweeps!
Round 1 over and three more rounds followed with a number of black belts and I was toast for thrity minutes with these guys, but what a way to begin training at 40, with high level guys all night. Glad to say no injuries, just a sore hand from tapping out, but that's what it's all about, if you ain't tapping, you ain't learning.
The end of the class drew upon us and after the handshakes, all the guys wished me a happy birthday, so all that remains now, is to log off from here, have a shave and shower and hit the bars and restaurants to refuel and party with the rest of the guys from the house, so until next time folks, keep training hard and keep reading the Blog :)
The last roll of my thirties.......
So my last rolls as a 39 year old lay ahead and I had a motley crew of opponents (only kidding guys); I rolled with a few blue belts, two purple belts and the last roll of the night was with a brown belt by the name of Leonardo Paciello and we had a right royal tear up, photo below taken after we clashed on the mats :)
A fine way to end a decade of training, I wonder what's in store for me tomorrow..........
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Brazilian adventures - end of weeks 2 and 3....
Fast forward nineteen weeks and I am now on my last week of my BJJ adventures and now it seems like yesterday that I was sat back in the UK, pining for sunnier climes. The weekdays here in Rio follow the same pattern, training at 2pm in Dennis's class and then training in Gordo's class at 630pm. The house has filled up in the last week and there are people from all over the world living their dreams and all training hard. The weather has been hit and miss the last two weeks, with a few damp days in a row, which makes drying training gear a nightmare on the washing lines. That said, as I type up these notes in the early morning, the sun is making an appearance, so hopefully we'll all have dry gi's and rash guards to train in today - HOORAH!!
There's a great mix of people at the house, from all corners of the world, including Russia, Sweden, Norway, Holland, Australia, USA and more and at all belt levels; two days ago Carlos Rocha arrived here to prepare for his upcoming UFC 122 bout against Kris Mc Cray and made himself a popular house mate in no time.
As for my own training, I am still doing two classes a day, the 2pm class and the evening class at 630pm; in the afternoon class, most of the housemates are in attendance, which makes for great training and bonding new friendships between each other, as well as lots of japes and general mickey taking.
The evening classes are the ones I look forward to, as there many senior grades on the mats and is the ideal chance for me to put into practice, the techniques learned in the afternoon class with Dennis, as well as all the other helpful hints from other senior grades, such as Jeremy Arel, founder of Gerbil Jiu Jitsu and in the photograph below.
Jeremy is training here full time and has vowed to stay here in Rio until he gets his black belt and is not shaving until he gets the job done; Jeremy has shown me a number of little pointers to help improve my game, as well an unstoppable guard pass (which remains a secret for a while lol) that I've been using with high success in the evening classes against the purple and brown belts. I've yet to try it out on the black belts, because they don't usually let me get that far down the line in the first place!
Two days ago saw the arrival of Teta, who teaches at Frontline Academy in Oslo and is here for one week visiting family and friends and marked the beginning of my cauliflower hand. I've rolled with many black belts, but Teta seemed and felt a breed apart and at least five steps ahead of the game, well my game that's for sure. With a smile on his face after each submission, it was a long and tortuous ten minutes on the mats with Teta, but I'm sure I learned a lot, aside from tapping out that is.
Other memorable rolls have been with the purple belts at the club; some have been all out wars for the whole round, whilst others have been one sided traffic, both for them and myself and some have been technical from start to finish. Of the brown belts I've rolled with, Jeremy feels like a steam roller, as he applies the pressure game, leaving no openings at all and Rafael never ever breaks a sweat and taps you out time and time again, making you wonder if you really deserve your purple belt at all! As for the black belts, well they ain't a black belt for nothing as they give you a thorough going over, but never hurting you and after every submission, they came back with a few words on where you went wrong and tips on improving your positions.
For the time I have been here, I haven't seen anything groundbreaking regards the techniques shown (although I have seen a few slick sweeps and passes), it's more the little gems of advice from the senior grades that have made all the difference to my game. Rather than showing me new ways to move and execute techniques, they have shown me tweaks and pointers on the things I do in every roll, as well as pointers on keeping my positions tight and from this I go back to each session and try them out in the afternoon class and in the evening classes against the purple belts and I'm not doing a bad job if I may say so myself, which I'm sure is what it's all about :)
So, that's been the last two weeks out here in Rio; training hard through the week and R+R at the weekend, taking in the sights, sounds and beers of Ipanema and Copacabana, as well as all the touristy stuff such as visiting Sugar Loaf and Cristo Redemptor, keeping the yin and yang in equal balance. Tomorrow (Thursday) will see me embark on a new chapter in my life, as I turn the big four zero and only then will I know that if indeed, life does truly begin. From where I am sat in Rio, with a fine view of the Pedra de Gavea, the sun in the clouds and training a few hours away, I think I already know the answer.........
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Kyra Gracie mini interview
Kyra Gracie chats with the Fighting Photographer
When did you start teaching here Kyra?
I have two places where I teach, one is also here in Vargem Grande and I started the first one about eighteen months ago and this one where we are now a year ago.
How did you get into this work Kyra?
I was always helping people at Christmas time, we have a children's day here and on special days I'd help them out and I felt there wasn't enough here for the children; I realized that jiu jitsu could help the children both on and off the mat and everything they learn here can help them with their lives, so that's the main reason I started teaching here.
Have you seen a change in the children since you started?
Oh yes, a hell of a lot; when they first started they were very hyper (laughs) and didn't have any respect, but after a short time they are more respectful and humble and we see an improvement at school, all the teachers have thanked us for the changes they have seen in the children, they couldn't believe that they were doing their homework and doing well at home as well and doing everything right. They love to train and enjoy the training and we very serious about the teaching and want every child to do well here at the school.
How many classes do you teach?
We have six classes a day and six at the other school and I split my time between the two schools, I can alternate morning and afternoon classes and teach at both.
When you've finished for the day where do you train?
I train at Gordo's
Have any of the children done any competitions?
Yes they have, we have competed in four tournaments and we have some medals and they have a lot of fun, it's a big thing in their lives every month, something for them too look forward to, we spend the whole day there and have lunch and they always come back with a medal (laughs). Next month we have the State championships here in Rio and the kids will be competing and a competition in November as well, all the tournaments are with the gi.
How does it feel for you as their coach to see them do well at these tournaments?
It's great to see them do well, to see the shy kids at the schools come out of their shells and do well in the tournaments; we have kids here that have a hard time getting the moves and then we see them improving and doing well and at the other schools we have a few yellow belts so I feel very happy to do this and some thing I want to give back what jiu jitsu gave to me, everything I am today is because of jiu jitsu.
Is there anyone else that help out with you?
I am the only one that takes care of the jiu jitsu part at the schools; I take care of the structure and I have a few people that help me out with the classes and we have Judo classes here as well.
Do you receive any financial help with the projects?
No, this is my project, I get money from my pocket and pay the salaries of the instructors.
What are your plans for the future?
I wanna have my own place and organization, so I can have everything in one place, the Judo, the Jiu Jitsu, classes, everything in one place all for the children.
How does this all fit in with your normal training and competition training?
I am always here every week, no matter what even when I am sick (laughs) during competitions if I don't train on the Tuesdays I get extra training at the weekend to balance things out.
What is the maximum age for the children here?
Here it's fourteen but at the other place some of them are nineteen and twenty, not children anymore (laughs)
Do any of the older children train at Gordo's?
Some of them when they have free time go along to Gordo's and do some extra training but most of the children are very busy with school work, so they don't have much free time.
Do you get girls training here as well?
Yes we do, I wanna get more coming in to train and it's my goal to make it more accessible for the girls and show them that it's not only a sport for the boys (laughs)
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Rafael dos Anjos interview - online!
Kyra Gracie and the Acao Social Project
On the first week of my trip, Dennis Asche arranged for me to go out and see one of the many social projects in the area; this particular project is the brainchild of none other than Kyra Gracie and every Tuesday you can be sure that Kyra is at the Acao Social project in Vargem Grande, near Recreio. She has two projects in the area and divides her Tuesdays between both schools, teaching three classes in the morning and three in the afternoon.
I headed over there with Aldir, Max and Leozinho who all help at the schools and teach jiu jitsu to the children; the projects started by Frei Gaspar, a monk who owned some land and started with a soccer court thirty years ago and then began to build extra buildings and from an initial student base of a handful of kids, there are now over 120 children at the school today.
Frei Gaspar died in 2003 but his legacy continues thanks to the help of Bruno and Renato who manage the school and have a staff of twenty three to help them run music and PC classes, as well as aerobics and capoeria classes. Kyra runs the BJJ classes and Judoka Flavio Canto teaches Judo on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.
Also on the site is a chapel for the children that was built thanks to the financial donations from local actor Oscar Niemeyer in August 2008 and the children have a service once a month.
I arrived early in the morning and stayed all day at the school and joined in six jiu jitsu sessions; I don't think the children had seen many gringos until now and what a treat they had in store for them with my good self. They flocked around me and spoke to me in babbling Portugese, all laughs and smiles and were very taken with my tattoos on my calf and foot. After the excitement the children trained jiu jitsu and started with basic self defence moves, a few technqiues then rolling and there were some very able young children all loving jiu jitsu and it was a pleasure to watch the kids enjoy training and pick up jiu jitsu skills at the same time.
The children have also been enjoying success at BJJ competitions and will be competing in October and November this year and who knows maybe some of them will be at the Mundials in years to come??
Huge thanks to Dennis for sorting the trip out and to Bruno and Renato for their hospitality throughout the day.
More pix on my Facebook account :)
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
Brazilian adventures - end of week 1.....
Weekends in the UK for me usually comprises of long hours on the doors dealing with idiots and getting in at crazy hours, which plays havoc with me through the weekdays, as my body tries to make up for all the lost hours of sleep at the weekend.
A weekend off was just the tonic I needed and I hit the mats with renewed vigour on Monday, training twice a day and Tuesday I missed the afternoon class, as I was out for the day at the Acao Social project in Vergam Grande, where Kyra Gracie gives up her Tuesdays to teach the local school children for free, giving something back to the community. A more detailed report, plus pix will follow.
Evening class last night was packed out with black belts, purple belts, blues and whites, over thirty guys and we were treated to a guest session from Mamazinho, who covered for Gordo.
So what are the classes like I hear you cry?
I must admit I was very apprehensive about the reception a 'gringo' would receive out here; I've trained all over the world but this is the first time I was to walk with the Brazilians on their home ground, so I was nervous and excited at the same time. Anyway, all the doubts and fears were soon laid to rest in the first afternoon class with Dennis Asche; Dennis is a black belt with Gordo and runs Connection Rio and is one of the most helpful people you could wish to meet. After meeting me at the apartments, we walked round the block to Gordo's academy and started the class; Mad Jack Magee was also at the class and we started with grip defence into takedowns and uchikomis, before moving onto guard passing drills.
Dennis showed a couple of technique 'series' which were really cool and a great way to fully warm up, before specific training and of course, rolling. The rolls were seven minutes long and we rolled with everyone on the mats, which at the time equated to six rolls in total. The afternoon class has two purples (Jack and myself) and a few other white belts and Dennis and my first roll was with Jack, a very technical and flowing roll, then I was on with Dennis. Dennis is a very technical and precise roller, with great movement on the ground, but at the same time allows you to relax and open up your game, which in turn helps you improve.
So that was the first session, the weather wasn't too hot but still worked up a sweat, so it was back to CR and a quick shower and all that was required was to kick back and wait for the six thirty class with Gordo.
Gordo's class was a lot busier and had more coloured belts, so this was it, in with the big boys; the warm up was no different from what we're used to back in Blighty and Gordo stepped in and showed a few techniques from open guard and then it was onto specifics and rolling and this is where training here comes into its own.
Based and training in Bolton, there aren't a lot of higher grades to roll with on a daily basis, but on this first session, there were three black belts, five brown and purple belts and a handful of blue belts and so the fun began and my worries eased. To say the guys were laid back is an understatement; all the training from here on was relaxed yet competitive and once again, relaxation was the name of the game and from that I had some awesome rolls with the browns and blacks (ten minute rounds) and my last roll was with black belt Mamazinho, how cool is that?!
It was the best ten minute roll I have had in a long time, I was pulling off guard passes and sweeps like a man possessed and was encouraged all the time with a large smile and then was brought back down to earth with the sneakiest of submissions. I even threw in a few of my own, but yes you've guessed it, I didn't get the tap, just a cool escape and an even cooler submission, but I still learned heaps about getting the submissions on in the first place. There were no egos on the mats from all the guys, everyone was helping each other improve and just sitting watching the black belts go at it was an education in itself.
And that has been the way of training since I arrived; training twice a day (2pm and 630pm) has exposed me to the technique and drill-driven classes with Dennis and the high class rolling in the evening session with Gordo, a perfect combination.
Whilst here, my journalistic desires are being fed to the max by Dennis, who has an eye watering amount of contacts and I've already bagged an interview with Wallid Ismail, that can be seen at the Kombat Clinic dot com website, the first of many, together with a mini interview with Kyra Gracie, to join my write up on the Acao Social project. More BJJ and MMA legends will be given the FP treatment, so keep 'em peeled on here for the links.
All in all a great first week, hard training and no injuries, which can only be a good thing, so with that said, it's time to log off and get ready for the six thirty class - no rest for the wicked!
Wallid Ismail interview
The first of many interviews from sunny Rio!
Friday, 10 September 2010
MMA legend Wallid Ismail in Connection Rio!
Thursday, 9 September 2010
Greetings from Rio!
As of writing, the sun has made an appearance and in two and a half hours time, the 2pm class will be upon me, so until then, I'll hit the road and go for some Acai and protein and fuel up for the fun that lies ahead of me.


text:
We are long time fans of this site. After looking at everyone's pictures, we were inspired to make our own contribution.
A few weeks ago my boyfriend and I went camping. Nearby was a "boulder field" located in a large state park. The day we went had beautiful weather and lots of visitors came out to enjoy the park. We decided this was the perfect place to see if we could get away with our dare.
We started with just flashing for the camera (although I probably held up my shirt much longer than was necessary for the picture). Then we started getting more adventurous and found a slightly more secluded spot. I took off all my clothes and got out the camera. It was thrilling to hear all the voices of others enjoying the park as we pursued this.
We're always looking for other couples who like the same kind of fun as we do! E-mail us at:
youngandadventurous1 @ gmail.com
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text:
UCSB alumni, Alex Graham and Justin Segal joined us live to talk about the newest breakfast bowl trend.
Its all about Acai and Pitaya. Breakfast bowls filled with super foods like acai and pitaya as well as goji berries, hemp seeds, cacoa nibs, almonds and honey—all on top of granola or steel cut oatmeal. Paradise Bowls and its roots stem from two great friends, Justin Segal and Alex Graham, whose first days together evolve on the baseball field at the University of California at Santa Barbara. These two proud Gaucho alums experienced UCSB life and all its glory working hard on and off the field to accomplish their dream of playing Major League Baseball. Upon graduation, both Justin and Alex continued their early careers within baseball as members of the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres organizations respectively.
For more information, you can follow @ParadiseBowls or visit their website.
Paradise Bowls – Manhattan Beach Paradise Bowls – Hermosa Beach
919 Manhattan Ave., Suite D 1246 Hermosa Ave.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
This segment aired on the KTLA 5 Morning News on April 8. 2014.


text:
Ombre hair remains one of the hottest hair color trends not only because it has so many different options, but because they are ridiculously low maintenance. The variety of this trend can be seen in every magazine and on nearly every runway. Go bold, soft, colorful or natural with endless color choices.
1. FIND AN EXAMPLE: Have an example of exactly how you want your hair to look and study it before dying your hair. Sure, you've seen ombre on celebrities and friends, so you have a general sense of what the style looks like, but it's best to have an exact role model to follow. Do you want a more Khloe Kardashian style or Lea Michele? There are so many variations on ombre that you shouldn't go in blind, or else you might end up with a style you don't love.
2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT HIGHLIGHT: Once you've decided how you want to dye your hair and are relatively educated on how to do it, head over to the store in search of the perfect highlight kit! Make sure you buy one designed for dark hair, because that really makes a difference! Also, try to find a dye with bleach built-in, so that you don't have to bleach and dye your hair separately, which damages your hair a lot.
3. USE FOIL: One of the most important tips for a DIY ombre you'll be proud to show off is to apply your bleach and dye generously and use tin foil to prevent them from drying while doing the magic on your hair. Failing to fully saturate your hair will produce a patchy, uneven result and the same will happen if the product is allowed to dry.
4. SEPARATE YOUR HAIR: Don't try to tackle all of your hair at once, especially if you have thick or long hair. Separate your hair into at least two layers. Then, highlight the ends of your bottom layer of hair, taking your time and remembering to cover each highlight with foil. Once your bottom layer is complete, move on to the top layer.
5. PILE ON THE DYE TOWARDS THE ENDS: The very end of your hair should be the lightest part. At the top of each highlight, lightly brush on the dye, however, once you reach the bottom of a highlight, really pile on the dye. That way you get the full ombre effect.
HIGHLIGHT & BLEND: Your DIY ombre hair will look professionally done if you add a few random highlights around your face. Use a weaving technique (pointy tip of your dye-brush/teasing comb) to pry tiny strands above your ears, on your hairline or any other spot.
7. DON'T WASH YOUR HAIR: Of course, you should wash your hair right after you dye it. However after that, for at least 24 hours, leave your hair unwashed. After you've exposed your hair to so many chemicals, it's a good idea to give your hair a chance to restore itself. That way, the ends can get replenished by your hair's natural oils.


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1. I have succeeded to teach my post employee why I am giving less pay for more time. If I appointed him out side city. He has spent more time for reaching there and returning home
8 hrs duty
+ 2 hrs going to duty
+ Returning 2hrs
This point will be help full for me for making strategy for appointing employee at less pay .
2. I have also succeeded to open the heart of my past employee. It he will work setting job for 12 hrs and if he will not hard work . then he will be lazy for hard – work . This point will be helpful for making strategy about how can I help him to our come his fear after leaving my Job .
3. '' Give the pressure of more time work slowly to employee like drugs . He will be addicted of it .and he will do more work lose money ." Because this is good habit. More time for learning and job will make him successful. It is my achievement.


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As many of you would be aware, GT rods have evolved in the recent past to more manageable rods with more forgiving tapers for casting and fighting the fish. The Monster Hunter and Endless Passion ranges has been leaders in that field.
There has, however, been a gap in the market as result of these innovations being an extra heavy rod. While the has been a shift to lighter more manageable rods, there are still areas that require the blunt power of being able to really go hard on a fish as well as meeting the needs of anglers who want to work larger poppers.
We recognised that gap and specifically asked Carpenter to build a rod to these specifications.
As a result, together with Carpenter we have been developing over the past 18 months an extra heavy rod that still provides the benefits of its new style of rods. The intention was to build a rod that is more manageable but still provides that absolute low down power that is necessary to give an angler a chance of stopping a big fish in difficult terrain and having the capability of working big poppers.
After testing our way through a number of prototypes, we settled on one for production. As a result, we are very pleased to introduce the Monster Hunter 79 Extreme.
Below is short comment from Brandon Khoo who has been testing this rod since beginning:
This is the granddaddy of the Monster Hunter range of rods. It shares the same characteristics as its two brethren except it is again, an even heavier duty rod. This rod has enormous stopping power down low and I regard this rod as a PE10 -12 rod. It is best for poppers from about 160g to 200g although it will handle bigger poppers and it can handle casting lures up to around the 300g range.
Notwithstanding its power, the rod is actually very useable. Previous generations of PE10-12 rods were extremely powerful but impossibly demanding on the angler but the Extreme has changed that.
We will keep you updated once we know delivery time.


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When you want to lay yourself open for the divine,
like a snare that is hollowed out to its depth,
like a canopy that projects a shadow
from the divine heat and light
into your soul,
then go into your inner place physically,
or to that story or symbol that reminds you of the sacred.
Close the door of your awareness to
the public person you think yourself to be.
Pray to the parent of creation, with your inner sense,
the outer senses turned within.
Veiling yourself, the mystery may be unveiled through you.
By opening yourself to the flow of the sacred,
somewhere, resounding in some inner form,
the swell of the divine ocean can move through you.
The breathing life of all reveals itself
in the way you live your life.


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In the merry month of May
Seven sisters swore a secret pact
To bind them night and day
They packed the pact up tight and good
Within a pact-box made of wood
Seven sisters thought that that was that
Or so they thought they understood
Each went about her daily life
In which misogyny was rife
Forgotten was the deadly pact
Until the first became a wife
Their tragic story must be told
Six sisters bought but one was sold ...
We all hate poetry, right? But we might make an exception if it were sufficiently hellgrown, twisted and wicked. This devil's banquet of adults-only offal features 53 satanic sonnets, vitriolic verses and odious odes.
NIGHTMERRIES: THE LIGHTER SIDE OF DARKNESS. This so-called "book" will chew you up, spit you out, and leave you twitching and frothing on the carpet. More than 60 dark and feculent fictions (read 'em and weep) copiously and grotesquely illustrated.AWAREWOLF & OTHER CRHYMES AGAINST HUMANITY (Vot could be Verse?). We all hate poetry, right? But we might make an exception for this sick and twisted stuff. This devil's banquet of adults-only offal features more than 50 satanic sonnets, vitriolic verses and odious odes. MANIC MEMES & OTHER MINDSPACE INVADERS. A disturbing repository of quirky quotes, sayings, proverbs, maxims, ponderances, adages and aphorisms. This menagerie holds no fewer than 184 memes from eight meme-species perfectly adapted to their respective environments.MASTRESS & OTHER TWISTED TAILS. An unholy corpus of oddities, strangelings, bizarritudes and peculiaritisms, including but not limited to barbaric episodes of herring-flinging and kipper-kissing. A cacklingly bizarre read that may induce fatal hysteria. Not Recommended! FIENDS & FREAKS and serpents, dragons, devils, lobsters, anguished spirits, hungry ghosts, hell-beings, zombies, organ-grinders, anti-gods, gods and other horse-thieves you wouldn't want to meet in a dark cosmos. Immature Content! Adults Maybe.HAGS TO HAGGIS. An obnoxious folio featuring a puke of whiskey-soaked war-nags, witches, maniacs, manticores and escapegoats. Not to mention (please don't!) debottlenecking and desilofication, illustrated. Take your brain for a walk on the wild side. Leave your guts behind.


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Friday, 11 March 2016
Rainbow :)
25 comments:
WOW what a unique rainbow ideaReplyDelete
Dr Sonia
Awesome card, Suchi. I loved your technique of partial colouring. :) so effective .ReplyDelete
Suchi!!! YES I did miss you! This is FANTASTIC and cute as anything at the same time! What a wonderful technique! Those Jane's Doodles are darling!ReplyDelete
Lovely card!! The horizontal strip coloring is awesome!!ReplyDelete
Moxie Craftie
What an awesome card. I love the bright colors and all the masking you did paid off.ReplyDelete
What a fun way to color, I like the way you did this card.ReplyDelete
Wow suchi.. Awesome technique dear ..loved the way u created this rainbow ..superb !!ReplyDeleteReplies
Thank you for joining us @ Peek-a-boo designs this month but our current theme is to create anything but in pair/set so sorry to say that a single card can not mark for entry !! Hope u understand but there is still plenty of time to join us n we would love to see you !!Delete
Thank you for joining us @ Peek-a-boo designs this month but our current theme is to create anything but in pair/set so sorry to say that a single card can not mark for entry !! Hope u understand but there is still plenty of time to join us n we would love to see you !!Delete
Awesome take on the rainbow colors Suchi!ReplyDelete
That is one absolutely awesome card!ReplyDelete
Your idea is the very creative. Loved the card.ReplyDelete
Such a clever idea, love it!ReplyDelete
This is so awesome! Love your card, Suchi. :)ReplyDelete
Have a lovely day...
YES! I missed you Suchi! Good to hear that just work was the reason for your absence!ReplyDelete
What a lovely cute card with this nice critters and how you layered colors is absolutely wow!
Happy new week - good luck that it will be quieter for your to have more crafting time!
Very pretty Suchi! It's a different idea :)ReplyDelete
I missed this one ! Loved the masking n rainbow inspired colors..creates so much interest !ReplyDelete
This card is so cool!!!ReplyDelete
Thanks for following my blog! Following yours, too! =)
The Leaf Studio
Brilliant idea...love this image and the creation looks awesome... {aNNie}ReplyDelete
This is really unique! Such a fun, colorful card.ReplyDelete
Hi suchi , cute creationReplyDelete
The color board for this month is the RAINBOW .. And as we know the rainbow is just not complete without rain or a bunch of clouds .. So along with the colors we have a twist too - to make to make a SET OF CRAFTY STUFF (could be a pair or a triplet and more) and use atleast FOUR out of the seven colors from the Rainbow.
Sharada Dilip
DT Peek-a-boo designs
Really cute card. Love the row of cute animals and the way you colored them. Thanks so much for joining us at Seize the Birthday.ReplyDelete
I had to really look at this card and read your details! Incredible job and so unique! Thanks for sharing your talents with us over at Seize the Birthday!ReplyDelete
Wow, this is cool card!!!ReplyDelete
Thanks for playing along at Paru's Card Making challengesSuchi! The little animals are too cute! Please display the logo in your sidebar dear, so that others may find their way to Paru's Card Making challenges!ReplyDelete


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HOA Blog
Rose Creek Crossing
Friday, February 27, 2009
Dear Home Owners
This blog will allow our neighborhood a chance to get information about the goings on at anytime. You can notify the blog contributors to add important information to the blog. We will post when meetings will be held and meeting follow up details. Members will be allowed to comment on posts. This is inteneded to help communication be more clear and more readily available to home owners.
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Here we review various apologetics resources such as debates, books, interviews and articles that we find important to the discussion. We also seek to publicize quality apologetic resources such as websites, debates, books, etc. If you come across any resources that you believe are especially meaningful, please let us know so that we may share them with others. We are especially interested in first-hand audio or video of events that might not otherwise have been recorded.
We solicit your feedback on the various debates and books that are linked on this site. What do you think about the issues that were discussed and how would you have argued differently than the presenters? Any important missed opportunities in the exchange? Obvious contradictions or gotcha's?


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Love is in the Air!
The rose is red, the violet's blue
The honey's sweet, and so are you
Thou are my love and I am thine
I flew thee to my Valentine
The lot was cast and then I flew
And Fortune said it shou'd be you
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions.The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 500 AD. It was deleted from the Roman calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI, but its religious observance is still permitted. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.


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I received the following emails from Dave AB7E (reproduced here with his authorization). Think he is saying interesting things...Hi, Pat. Wow ... what a rigorous and interesting analysis. Very impressive.
My first reaction, though, is that an antipodal path (ZL-F) is possibly not the most valid for comparing VOACAP predictions to real life propagation. VOACAP assumes a single direct path (either SP or LP), whereas the actual path for an antipodal target could be almost any direction. VOACAP might render its calculation based upon a path over Asia while the actual signal might not take that route at all. As a real life example, my Optibeam OB16-3 has a pretty narrow beam width on 20m (I can easily hear the difference in 20 degrees of beam heading), yet when working VQ9RD recently (close to antipodal for me), it was almost impossible to find a "best" beam heading within about a 70 degree spread. VOACAP, of course, is based upon heaps of experimental observations taken decades ago, with extrapolations based upon theoretical models of the ionosphere. It doesn't even come close to being a valid predictor of real-time conditions, a fact that the authors were very quick to point out but which hams have conveniently ignored.
It is especially weak in predicting the effects of takeoff angles, which can have a large impact. So overall I'm not surprised that your analysis would find large discrepancies between predicted and actual SNRs, but I suspect that the results would have been closer for a non-polar path of roughly 1/3 the circumference of the earth instead of 1/2. 73, Dave AB7E
pat_f6irf wrote: Yes David agree... I think Jari that OH6BG summarized it very well in the part 4. The purpose of this article was to draw the attention of contesters and DX-men, on the fact that VOACAP is not suitable at all for low-band DX'ing... What the designers accept, but most hams ignore (including me b4 looking at it !); see http://www.voacap.com/lowband.html
Even the 10degrees vertical angle forecast may be wrong...
Hi again, Pat. Yes, I think VOACAP is quite poor for low band use, especially since so much of it is gray line dependent. I'm convinced that much of gray line propagation is chordal hop, which is supported by the comments from K3LR and others (as well as my own observations) that high angle antennas often work better for such openings. When you draw a picture of the earth showing an F2 gradient at sunrise/sunset it is easy to see why that would be true. I don't think that VOACAP even considers chordal hop propagation mechanisms at all. I certainly hope you keep up the excellent work, and I think the diversity experiments should be very interesting as well. 73, Dave AB7E
Thanks Dave...
Your email reminded me that already ZL at long path (audio recording) was something for my "Cizirf-special" antenna, which was not designed to be a DX antenna.
Promised, I'll come back with the same type of analysis for shorter distance paths.
By the way, I have updated the blog "best of" , an easy way to find articles...
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The VOACAP mystic, an interesting comment...
Posted by Patrick at Tuesday, November 18, 2008
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Hello All,
I'm very new to VB, and excited to learn it. I have a problems with my conditional logic that I have written which compares the field value DateTime from my table to the system time, and return a different background color. Here is my logic..
if scheduledTime is 0-15mins late, then background color red
if scheduledTime is 15mins-30mins late, then background color yellow
if scheduledTime is 30mins-2hours late, then background color green.
Here is my code so far...
Thanks for the help!Code:Dim systemTime As Date = Date.Now Dim fieldTime As Date = SCHD_DTM.CurrentValue Dim result As Double = (fieldTime - systemTime).TotalMintues if result <= 0.25 Then RowATTrs("style") = "background-color:red;" Else If result > 0.25 & result <= 0.5 Then RowATTrs("style") = "background-color:yelow;" Else If results > 0.5 & result <= 2 Then RowATTrs("style") = "background-color:Green;" End If


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OTTAWA – Days after the auditor general's sharp warning about Canada's search-and-rescue capability, the Harper government announced largely symbolic changes but promised more substantive reform later.
Rescue bases will have more flexibility to adjust their hours of operation to better match incident times, and the government will spend up to $16.2 million in improvements to satellite search systems, said Defence Minister Peter MacKay.
The air force could improve its response times by slightly adjusting hours of operation, auditor general Michael Ferguson said in his spring report this week.
Currently, the military promises to scramble aircraft within 30 minutes between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, and within two hours outside of that window.
Instead of instituting a wholesale revision, MacKay said he's "encouraging" local commanders to adjust their hours to reflect seasonal events, such as the opening of fishing season — something the auditor says is already taking place informally.
In fact, the national search-and-rescue manual already gives commanders that authority, "to realign SAR standby periods" so that they coincide with periods of greatest search-and-rescue, particularly during the summer months.
The new satellite project, known as the medium earth orbit search-and-rescue system, is still on the drawing board and has not developed a prototype, associate defence minister Kerry-Lynne Findlay acknowledged.
Findlay and MacKay couldn't say when the new eyes in the sky would be available, but said the project is expected to cut rescue-beacon location time to five minutes from the current one hour.
MacKay also promised to review the whole system every four years to identify changing needs.
"Let's not forget for context, the auditor general did say the existing provision of search and rescue is adequate. Adequate is not good enough; we need excellent," MacKay said.
"That will require further investments. That will require the improvements we have announced today. It will require investments in equipment."
MacKay — who said the announcement was in the works long before the auditor general's report — didn't address Ferguson's key complaint that the air force is strapped for pilots and crews and needs new aircraft.
Findlay said the procurement of new aircraft, started in 2002, is on track with a call for tenders by the end of this year.
"These are sophisticated, modern pieces of equipment. You can't get them at Canadian Tire," MacKay said.
"There is sometimes a very long and protracted procurement process. Anybody who thinks I have not been pushing to get fixed wing search-and-rescue aircraft since I became minister in 2007 hasn't been paying attention."
The government also plans to set up a website to register rescue beacons and ordered the air force to report the status of each of their aircraft to rescue centres daily, in order for co-ordinators to have a better real-time list of what's available.
The government was eager to showcase $2 million in infrastructure upgrades and renovations to the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Halifax.
The auditor general warned that the case management system, which that centre and two others across the country rely on, is near the breaking point and has crashed in the past.
Rear Admiral Dave Gardam, rescue commander for the Atlantic region, agreed the system needed to replaced, but in the meantime rescue officials make do.
"If the … system goes down, we can still do it by phone," Gardam said in Halifax.
"We can still do it by all the integrated systems in the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre. If it went down right now, we'd be managing every SAR case without an issue."
Gardam said the centre could use more staff.
Ferguson's report also recommended the federal government invest more in rescue prevention and training, noting the $8-million annual budget has not increased in 20 years.
The national association representing ground search-and-rescue volunteers says it has been struggling to stay afloat, subsisting on revolving grants, rather than sustained funding.
In a later interview, MacKay said whether the organization gets the $400,000 annually that it says it needs will depend on the results of the first review.
Ground search-and-rescue is a provincial responsibility and the minister said the Conservative government is loath to infringe, he said.
Outside the legislature in St. John's, N.L., Newfoundland Premier Kathy Dunderdale said the federal changes don't go far enough, and that her faith in the search-and-rescue system has not been restored.
"It's not good enough," Dunderdale said.
"You know, the auditor general has identified very clearly a number of areas where we could have immediate action and that is truly what we need. We need something around task times, we need something around scheduling," she said.
"There needs to be an immediate improvement to communications and we need a plan for replacing aging vessels and aircraft, and having enough capacity in human resources so that people have up-to-date training."
The federal Liberals described the measures announced Thursday as "hollow."
"Yet again, we have a Conservative announcement that is nothing more than window dressing," said MP Lawrence MacAulay, the party's coast guard critic.
— With files from Michael MacDonald in Halifax and Sue Bailey in St. John's, N.L.


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Continental Airlines said today it would trim half its flights to cities in Mexico, making it the first major airline to respond to traveler worries and flight cancellations due to swine flu, according to a report on MarketWatch.com.
The Houston-based airline with major operations at Newark Liberty International Airport said it would reduce available seat miles to Mexico by 50 percent cut flight departures to the country by 40 percent."Given the swift changes we are seeing in the marketplace, we need to react prudently but quickly to bring our capacity more into line with demand," CEO Larry Kellner said in a statement. "We were already experiencing soft market conditions due to the economy, and now our Mexico routes in particular have extra weakness.
The airline didn't mention swine flu in its formal announcement. It reportedly has caused a significant drop in travel to and from Mexico where but the global outbreak was first reported.


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Looking for supports or service providers that work with men to support mental health, reduce gender-based violence, and maintain healthy relationships? Our directory is a user-submitted list of organizations that work with or support men. Please note that exact physical addresses may vary, so please contact the organization, group, or individual directly.
Are we missing something? Complete the below form to request we add someone to the directory! Please allow 3-5 days for changes to be made.


text:
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Maritime Arbitration (Maritime)
Venue: London
Location: London, United Kingdom
|Event Date/Time: Nov 22, 2007
Traditionally, maritime arbitration in England has been perceived as offering the advantages of speed, economy, informality, and confidentiality. Is this perception more an illusion than a reality?
Are any changes and updates necessary for the Arbitration Act 1996?
About the programme
Maritime Arbitration looks at the key issues involved in the arbitration of disputes in England. This programme will be of great interest, and relevance to arbitrators, legal practitioners and the maritime industry at large. Major figures with unrivalled expertise examine the key issues and challenges faced by London arbitration in the 21st century, and explore a number of myths in what will be a lively and stimulating conference.
To register or request more information please contact Jeremy Weston at email@example.com, call +44 (0)20 7017 4167, or visit www.ibclegal.com/maritimearbitration.
Please quote reference: ONL.


text: Category Events - United Kingdom, Gosforth Food Intolerance Testing sessions: 100 foods test including gluten, wheat, dairy, sugars, alcohols, yeast, meats, eggs, fish, fruits & vegetables, nuts, E numbers and food additives. Includes Vitamin & Mineral analysis and advice on dietary changes/the elimination diet and nutritional supplements. Results are immediate and no blood tests are required. 45 minute session - £50 Sessions by appointment only. Contact Rachael direct via private message (Nutrition Element) or on 07545569270 to book. Reviews of my service available on my Facebook page: Nutrition Element - Food Intolerance Testing.


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Film Review: "Murder She Said" (1961), "Murder at the Gallop" (1963), "Murder Most Foul" (1964) and "Murder Ahoy!" (1964)
with Margaret Rutherford (Miss Jane Marple), Stringer Davis (Mr. Stringer) and Charles 'Bud' Tingwell (Inspector Dermot Craddock)
To Americans, Margaret Rutherford has long been Miss Marple, her film series a regular presence on television, and her plucky, quirky portrayal synonymous with the name of Agatha Christie's spinster detective. The rest of us, of course (and many Americans, I'm sure, lest I be accused of generalising) know that Rutherford's Marple shares very little with the books' character of the same name. She's a far cry from Joan Hickson, Geraldine McEwan, even from Angela Lansbury or Julia McKenzie. But, having said that… these films are really quite lovely, aren't they?
Rutherford made four films from 1961 to 1964, as well as a follow-up cameo appearance in Tony Randall's The Alphabet Murders. Only one of them is actually based on a Marple book. Murder She Said (1961) is a fairly faithful recreation of 4.50 from Paddington. I say "fairly" because much is changed, but if one saw this first, and then read the book, it wouldn't seem that grievous an adaptation. The major change is that Marple not only witnesses the murder, she also investigates it directly, thus eliminating two supporting characters, and hurtling Rutherford right into the centre of the action. Rutherford is damn fine as Marple, even if she's kind of a fever dream version of the character. Her Jane Marple is a plucky, boisterous woman who refuses to stand on ceremony, is certain of herself at all times, and has no qualms about joining a travelling theatre group or dueling with the killer (literally!) if need be. There's a bundle of charm here, even if it is separate from the books.
Murder She Said is a light, frothy, comedy-of-manners style film with some good performances from Arthur Kennedy, Muriel Pavlow and James Robertson Justice (forever Lord Scrumptious from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in my mind), and a cameo from a very young Richard Briers. It's no surprise, then, that the film soon got a sequel, Murder at the Gallop (1963) which is based on the Poirot novel After the Funeral, and is an even better film. This novel may not have suited the real Miss Marple, but it sure suits this one. The murders are increasingly cruel – one person locked in a stall with a crazed horse – and Rutherford manages to perfectly convey her creation: a nosy-parker who is happy to be so. In the most hilarious (and admittedly ridiculous) moments of the film, Marple – who finds both of the bodies – literally climbs up a ladder to look in a window, so that she can witness the crucial will-reading scene which sets the plot in motion! The dance sequence at the climax is very clever, and it's odd but invigorating to see Marple (let alone anyone of Rutherford's age) dressed in evening wear and bopping to early '60s music. The cast standouts in this film go to Flora Robson, and to Charles 'Bud' Tingwell who plays Inspector Craddock throughout the series.
One unusual element of the film is Mr. Stringer. Rutherford apparently insisted that her real-life husband, fellow actor Stringer Davis, be given the role as her confidante. Mr. Stringer rarely contributes much to the plot, but serves well as an exposition device, and by the end of the series, he's become an expert at giving bemused-but-resigned looks every time Marple does something quirky.
In Murder Most Foul (1964), Marple goes undercover and joins a theatre troupe to find the answer to a murder. The film is based on Poirot's Mrs. McGinty's Dead, although only very loosely. This was the point at which the film's producers must have decided to carry on their own path, and – since Christie was never a fan of these films – clearly they weren't too worried about faithful adaptation. I don't actually mind 'based on' stories, provided there's a solid reason. Some of the recent Marple episodes seem content to retain all the story's individual elements but contort them around to fit a new theme or idea (which to me seems like a lazy excuse not to write your own story!). Here, as with the more imaginative Poirot short story adaptations, the loose adaptation was deliberately chosen to showcase the best elements this series had to offer, and it succeeds.
Murder Most Foul is probably the best of the four. Marple and Craddock's relationship reaches its adversarial height here. While the two are respectful, even pleasant, colleagues throughout, we also appreciate both sides of the argument, with Craddock hoping to retain some of his dignity as an investigator and not simply be at the mercy of one spunky spinster. The film looks and feels so vibrant in all its monochromatic glory, and the cinematography is astounding (check out the shadows in the scene where Marple auditions). The theatre troupe are wonderfully realised – props to the casting director on this front. Marple is alt her best here, as she and Mr. Stringer schlep into the city to stay at a YMCA until she can go on tour with the troupe. What other incarnation of Marple could happily chug beer and then sit down to do her make-up at her dressing table, actually taking up a career as an actress to solve a murder? Rutherford effortlessly portrays a worldly vibe, and so she feels much more at home in the everyday world than Poirot – or any, more genuine, Marples – ever have.
The films feature a number of sly references to Christie's novels: characters routinely read her work, and fake Christie novels are occasionally evoked. The play Marple finds herself performing in is a fake Christie work, Murder She Said. There are also a few early appearances from later Christie interpreters: the 'supreme' Miss Marple, Joan Hickson, has a small role as a town gossip in the first film, while Francesca Annis – young and vibrant, although she's still quite so forty years later – appears in Murder Most Foul.
Provided you can get past the discrepancies between this character and the novels, there's only one real flaw to these films: all four use roughly the same technique at the climax. Marple is inevitably more risky than the denouement of any Christie novel, which means the films can eschew the standard drawing-room solution, and let her tackle things like the hero of a spy film. However, each of the films follows the same formula: Marple presents herself as alone (and, in some cases, disabled), coaxes a confession out of the killer (usually whilst they are gloating and preparing to kill her), only to reveal that Craddock or his equivalents were listening in.
The final film, Murder Ahoy! (1964) is credited as "based on [the writer's] interpretation of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple". (The credits, with the lilting music, zooming close-ups and sudden freeze frames are very cute and 'period', but tend to take a very wacky approach to murder, incidentally!) This somewhat verbose credit is very, very true. Murder Ahoy! isn't really based on any Christie work, and – while it moves along well – I don't think it's quite as good as the other three. Marple goes undercover (somewhat) aboard a ship on which quite a lot of murder occurs, and – to no one's surprise – saves the day. Lionel Jeffries puts in a great guest performance, and the film bubbles along with some very amusing comedy. Rutherford's Marple may be a fish out of water (so to speak) onboard this vessel, but she looks damn fine doing so. The climax – in which the actress, well into her 70s, proves why Marple was the 1931 Ladies' National Fencing Champion – is smashing.
All in all, the Margaret Rutherford films are a delight. There's a lot to be said for faithful adaptations, but 'faithful' can lead ever so easily to 'slavish'. I for one am glad to have such a wealth of different interpretations of both Poirot and Marple, and, more than four decades after they were made, these films remain gleeful, if inconsequential, confections.


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146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854 | T: (732) 562-1990 | F: (732) 562-1399 | email@example.com
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Education Calendar
Klix Certification Class
July 24, 2017
About the Event
Our certification requires a five hour (approximately) hands-on class during which each stylist will apply a full head of Klix Hair Extensions to a model that the stylist provides. The class fee includes everything you need to apply and maintain Klix Hair Extensions. Klix patented system dramatically reduces application time, allowing the stylist to apply a full head of extensions in 60 minutes or less! The unique application process is simple, fast and easy for both the experienced stylist, as well as, the first time user. Klix application requires no heat, no glue, no tape, and no removal chemicals leaving behind no breakage.


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Our biggest, baddest fiberglass Deep V is built tough to give you the tools to compete in the heaviest chop the largest lakes can whip up. The aggressive Deep V hull, gelcoated stringer system and deck are chemically unitized to form a one-piece structure that will ensure a lifetime of rugged durability.
And for the sprint back to the weigh-in, you'll be powered by up to 350 horses leading the charge. So when it comes to huge northern waters (or even the big lakes of the south), choose the NITRO ZV21. It's got the muscle and the performance to make you a champion.
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Construction & Exterior
Livewell System(s)
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Local Miracle-Ear Franchisee Purchases Erik Wahl Painting for $21,000
Julie Beall-McKelvey Supports Better Hearing at Miracle-Ear Foundation Fundraising Auction
Camp Hill, PA (PRWEB) June 30, 2014 - Julie Beall-McKelvey, Miracle-Ear franchise owner from Camp Hill, PA, attended the Miracle-Ear annual convention in Dallas, TX last week. The convention consisted of workshops, keynote speakers, and networking events; most notably closing Saturday night with a record breaking auction.
In partnership with the Miracle-Ear Foundation, a Minneapolis based non-profit, the second annual Miracle-Ear Foundation Auction was held to raise funds for underprivileged Americans with hearing loss. Items were donated from Miracle-Ear preferred vendors, franchisees, staff, and from world renowned speaker and graffiti artist, Erik Wahl. After a thought provoking and innovative keynote session, three of the paintings Erik created on stage were donated to the auction.
The paintings, along with other generous donations were the highlight of the live auction, but the last item up for bid was the most exciting: Erik Wahl's Statue of Liberty painting. Two individuals went back and forth outbidding one another until Julie was the final donor, purchasing it for $21,000.
"The paintings Erik Wahl donated to the Miracle-Ear Foundation were remarkable," said Beall-McKelvey. "But most importantly was my ability to bid for an item where proceeds are donated to such a great cause. The Miracle-Ear Foundation supports under served Americans with hearing loss in all communities, including those in need right here in Pennsylvania."
Julie's family has been part of Miracle-Ear for 46 years. In 1968 her father started the business with a small office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He went on to sign the very first Miracle-Ear franchise agreement in the country and he helped found what is today one of the most well-known and trusted hearing healthcare companies in the world – Miracle-Ear. In 1993 Julie joined the business as a hearing consultant and now owns and operates 34 Miracle-Ear offices across the state of Pennsylvania.
The Miracle-Ear Foundation Auction rose over $100,000, which is a 123% increase from 2013. All proceeds will go towards providing hearing aids free of cost to underprivileged adults and children across the country, as well as, help spread awareness about the importance of hearing loss conservation.
"I'm proud to support better hearing," said Beall-McKelvey. "When given the chance to improve lives through the gift of sound, I will happily give my time and resources to support it."
For more information about Miracle-Ear, please visit http://www.miracle-ear.com or call 1-800-604-3591 Toll Free.
About Miracle-Ear Foundation
The Miracle-Ear Foundation, a Minneapolis-based non-profit organization, supports underserved adults and children across the country with their hearing healthcare needs. The Miracle-Ear Foundation, working with Miracle-Ear centers across the country, has donated more than 6,500 hearing aids to over 4,100 individuals nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.miracle-earfoundation.org.
About Miracle-Ear
A trusted resource for hearing solutions for over 65 years, Miracle-Ear uses state-of-the-art technology to remove the barriers of hearing loss. The Plymouth, Minn-based company specializes in customizable hearing solutions that feature discreet, comfortable products designed to meet each individual's hearing loss needs. Free hearing tests are available at all of the company's 1,200 franchised locations across the U.S.. Franchise opportunities are available for those interested in running their own Miracle-Ear business with the support of a nationwide industry leader. For more information, visit http://www.miracle-ear.com.
Meghan Lynch
Miracle-Ear, Inc
+1 763-268-4132


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Moonlight actors Ashton Sanders and Jharrel Jerome have won the 2017 MTV Movie And TV Award for Best Kiss.
They took the stage at the Shrine Auditorium to accept their 'golden popcorn' statue and gave powerful acceptance speeches.
This award is bigger than Jharrel and I. This represents more than a kiss. This is for those who feel like the others, the misfits… we love ya'll and thank ya'll. — Ashton Sanders
Ashton portrayed Chiron in Moonlight while Jharrel played his close friend Kevin.
I think it's safe to say that it is okay for young performers. Especially us minority performers, to step out of the box. This award is for that. It's for artists who need to step out of the box and do whatever it takes to tell a story and whatever it takes to make a change, to get people to wake up. — Jharrel Jerome


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Have you ever wondered …what would happen if? …if say …say
…if say you decide to plug that unknown loose wire into say …some open port on that switch that is conveniently close by? …well let's just pretend even if you wouldn't – I mean you are a mere copier printer tech guy …why should you be sloppy and leave loose wires sitting around unplugged? …you remembered unplugging it from the business machine you worked on moments ago and so you know it shouldn't be loose …its like extra bolts when working on your engine – they gotta go somewhere – that machine is a network aware device and logic might dictate that a network cable should plug into the port on the side that magically happens to have a matching shape to that thing at the end of the loose cable …but that switch has lots of other wires in it – that looks like a better place …right? I mean it does look inviting. [DOH!]
…so if you take a mini-switch that expands your limited one port wall plate in the corner to use a couple of printers, an IP phone, scanner …etc. you have a time-bomb waiting to detonate your network with ARP traffic. Perhaps labeling the switch exactly as it is to be used would help to idiot proof it …or maybe taping over the unused ports. The above fun was done at the expense of a real scenario but the names were changed to protect the guilty. Unplugging all hosts from the main relay rack switches and adding them back one at a time was the methodology that first brought relief and ultimately led to the conclusion that a spanning tree loop condition existed somewhere out in the office. The pain of seeing a network go berserk and not know why was unsettling for many hours of down-time until the client remembered that a copier/printer guy had done work the previous day. It was a matter of minutes then to get things rectified.


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(via shooby.com)
Shooby Taylor – Lift Every Voice and Sing
Shooby Taylor – Tico Tico
READ :: for more detailed information, including interviews and photos of Shooby Taylor's re-discovery, see "Meetings with the Legendary Scat Man" by Irwin Chusid.
An animated film score to Tico Tico performed by Shooby 'The Human Horn' Taylor who claimed to play the 'air saxophone'. His quirky rendition of Tico Tico is matched by the quirky animation.
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Trackback link: http://ashbeesfragments.com/2010/04/i-blow-me-shooby-the-human-horn-taylor/trackback/


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[Update 4:22AM CST] It appears the applied resolution is holding and at this time we believe this issue to be fully resolved.
[Update 3:45AM CST] Our datacenter provider believes that a resolution is in place and are currently monitoring to be sure this resolution is a long term solution.
[Update 2:04AM CST] Our datacenter provider is working with their upstream provider to resolve a routing issue, which is causing the connectivity issues some are experiencing from this datacenter.
At this time one of our 3rd Party Datacenters in the US is experiencing intermittent connectivity which may show sites as down in some locations while they may load in other geographic locations. We're currently working closely with our datacenter provider and will update this post with further information as it becomes available.


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Solid Mario RPG fun
Mario first jumped into the RPG genre with Squaresoft's classic Super Mario RPG: Legend of the 7 Stars for the Super Nintendo. Many of the developers that worked on that title, including its director Yoshihiko Maekawa, formed the company AlphaDream, and they've retooled the general formula with Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. This was the first game to allow direct control of both Mario and Luigi simultaneously. It would prove popular enough to warrant a pair of sequels on the Nintendo DS.
An emissary from the neighboring BeanBean Kingdom arrives at the Mushroom Kingdom Palace, and quickly reveals herself as Cackletta, a horrible witch who promptly steals Princess Peach's voice. Unfortunately Cackletta has also stolen the legendary Beanstar, which grants unimaginable powers to whomever possesses it. With their reputations at stake, it's up to Mario & Luigi to once again save the day. They'll have to travel to the strange BeanBean Kingdom to sort things out.
The BeanBean Kingdom is just as diverse as the more familiar Mushroom Kingdom, and will set the stage for a variety of entertaining scenarios. You'll traverse mountains, forests, deserts, underground and underwater passages, castles and dungeons, and a number of towns populated by a strong cast of memorable characters with personality to spare. The story and dialog has been expertly translated and is surprisingly funny – perfectly suited to the melodramatic adventures that await you. Even small details, like the names of places or items, match the mood of the game perfectly (a favorite of mine are Luigi's Scandal Workpants, named so because they allow Luigi to take his turn ahead of Mario).
Game Play
As the title suggests, the game stars gaming's two most recognizable characters, and at first it can be a little tricky. Players control both characters at once – Mario leads and Luigi follows, but both are assigned to the A & B buttons respectively, allowing them to perform specific actions (such as jumping) individually. They'll gain a pair of hammers to knock down walls (or each other), as well as special combination moves allowing them to navigate increasingly complex mazes.
Luckily the game sports a standard overhead perspective and not the sometimes annoying isometric view as seen in the original Mario RPG, facilitating all the platforming you'll be doing. As usual Mario or Luigi can get the upper hand in a battle by preemptively bopping an enemy on the map screen, and likewise enemies can flummox the heroes with an unexpected sneak attack. Battles require more interaction than standard RPGs, because players must tap buttons assigned to Mario or Luigi with precise timing to score critical hits or dodge enemy attacks.
It's an easy game to pick up and play and will last about 20-25 hours with little or no level grinding, which is just about right for this type of game. If the humorous dialog and animations don't keep you playing, the enjoyable mixture of platforming and action-based battles surely will. The only problem is a somewhat uneven difficulty and lengthy battles (especially bosses, which go on for several turns too many). Still, it's rare to see such a unique RPG and it's one of the best available in the GBA's library, making it a must play for fans of the Mario Brothers.This review is a repost from my site: www.plasticpals.com


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Settlement saves Tahoe fireworks
A lawsuit settlement has been reached allowing Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority to continue its Fourth of July and Labor Day fireworks shows.
"The parties are pleased that a settlement to dismiss the lawsuit was reached that will allow the Fourth and Labor Day shows to continue with increased local agency oversight of the post show cleanup of fireworks debris and a hotline for residents to contact if they see fireworks debris from the shows that needs to be cleaned up," Joan Truxler wrote in an email Monday evening.
Truxler and her husband, Joseph, filed a Clean Water Lawsuit against the authority and Pyro Spectaculars North last November, alleging large amounts of fireworks debris washed up on beaches near their PineWild home following last year's shows.
The lawsuit alleged that fireworks debris is a pollutant under federal law and sought to require the authority to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit for its shows.
Potentially facing tens of millions of dollars in civil penalties and high costs to defend itself against the lawsuit, authority threatened to pull the plug on this year's fireworks shows if a deal could not be reached by April 4. The fireworks shows are a 35-year tradition on Lake Tahoe's South Shore.
The parties met for settlement talks in U.S. District Court in Sacramento. Carol Chaplin, director of authority confirmed the settlement.
"We wanted to thank everyone for their efforts toward conclusion and we feel this is a big win for our community in more ways than one," Chaplin said.
The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, in an emergency board meeting last week, unanimously voted to cancel this year's and future fireworks celebrations unless the lawsuit was settled.
"Our highest priority is still the health of the Lake," Joan Truxler said last week.
The Truxlers were harshly criticized at the meeting last Thursday by various officials as well as numerous citizens. The couple reported getting threatening calls, and security was increased at PineWild as a result.
Many people lined up to speak at the meeting in support for the fireworks shows. They ranged from local business owners and long-time residents to city, county and California and Nevada officials. They all encouraged the authority to continue its fireworks shows, stressed the economic and community importance of the shows.
Alleging the debris is a pollutant under federal law, the lawsuit sought to require the authority to acquire a national pollutant discharge elimination system permit for its fireworks shows — something not required anywhere else in the country, proponents said.
"There is not a court in the country that has issued an opinion that the Clean Water Act is applicable to intermittent fireworks shows," authority attorney Lew Feldman said.
In the past, the visitors authority has asked both the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control board if it needed such a permit and was told it did not, Feldman said.
Nevada Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki offered to personally help pick up after this year's fireworks shows if needed. It was an offer shared by nearly 200 other people who attended Thursday's meeting.
"This event is so important economically that we must do all we can to preserve it. Our family will volunteer July 5 to walk up and down the beach to make sure remnants are fully cleaned up," Krolicki said. "It would be a tragedy, travesty and financial disaster if these fireworks were canceled for the Fourth of July."
The authority estimates visitors over the two holiday periods contribute upwards of $35 million in lodging, retail sales, activities and attractions.


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Consumer finance regroups: Promise to be good?
Last month the consumer finance company Promise started closing some of its retail outlets, specifically those that still feature human beings. Thirty percent of the company's staff will be laid off by the end of the year. Promise is currently the biggest of the consumer lending companies that were making so much money at the beginning of the last decade, with 1,361 unstaffed branches and 148 staffed. It was also the first to announce the closing of branches, though according to an article in the Asahi Shimbun all consumer finance companies are following suit. Acom started whittling away at its 118 branches last September and will have only 45 by March. Aiful will have reduced its original 96 stores to 28 by the end of February. And Takefuji will have reduced its 180 outlets to 100 by the end of the year.
Several years ago the consumer finance industry was hit with multiple lawsuits from customers who said the companies were charging too much interest. Courts agreed and awarded large settlements, and in 2006 the government changed regulations to get rid of the so-called gray area that allowed for such exorbitant interest rates. In June, the Money Lending Business Law will start to be enforced, greatly restricting loan extensions. Almost all of the consumer loan companies declared bankruptcy after 2006 and have had to reorganize in order to stay alive. In most cases they've gotten back on their feet thanks to their partnerships with major banks, many of which predated their bankruptcies.
So if you see fewer signs for these companies lately, that's why, but they're making a comeback and still charging pretty high rates. They've even started advertising again though not quite at the same pitch they were famous for around the turn of the millennium, when they practically owned the airwaves after 10 p.m. Now they're pushing more cautious, responsible borrowing habits. In one Takefuji ad a young man runs into a florist and says he wants to fill his girlfriend's apartment with flowers, and the salesperson gives him a small bouquet in a basket, saying that this "size" fits his situation better. In other words, calm down or you'll end up in the doghouse.
But, of course, consumer credit companies rely on people getting into debt for their profits. Before the bankruptcies there was a system the industry called "cascade." A person who needed case would first go to his or her bank for a "card loan" since the interest was fairly low, between 8 and 12 percent. If the bank refused, he could then go to the bank's own consumer finance unit (SMBC's @ Loan, former Tokyo Mitsubishi's DC Cash One, former Sanwa's Mobit, to name three) for a slightly higher interest loan, between 15 and 18 percent; and if they refused they would refer the person to whichever consumer loan company – Promise, Acom, Takefuji, Aiful – the bank had hooked up with, for interest rates between 18 and 25.5 percent.
That system is still being used, though in many cases the middle finance company has been eliminated. Promise, for example, works with SMBC and has basically replaced @ Loan, which Promise absorbed. As part of the restructuring and in line with the new law, Promise will be stricter about the criteria used for granting loans. Upper limits for loan amounts will be no more than one-third the borrower's annual income, and the borrower will have to provide more documents to prove his credit-worthiness. But Promise's goal is to eliminate all face-to-face loan contract services by March 2013, though it is planning to establish 20 new regional "bases" for face-to-face loan "counseling." According to the Asahi, at present 60 percent of all consumer loan customers make contracts using ATMs and 20 percent use the Internet. Only 8 percent do so after discussing their situation face-to-face with lenders. Essentially, the industry wants to make everything even more automated and impersonal in order to save money.
Tags: loans


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SNAP Food Assistance Program Faces Dramatic Cuts in Farm Bill
On Monday, June 10th, the Senate will vote on the Farm Bill. The 2008 Farm Bill effectively expired in 2012 but was granted an extension until September 2013 to the tune of $650billion. In zealous efforts to reduce the federal deficit in agricultural related funding, Congress has amended sections of the bill to dramatically reduce or eliminate funding to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP).
SNAP, the modern-day equivalent of food stamp program, has existed in various forms since the 1930s as a means of providing Americans who are facing financial hardships with a way to provide themselves with basic foodstuffs. The majority of the recipients of this program are children and youths. Although SNAP is an expense, economists have noted its positive effects on economic stimulus; according to Moody Analytics, every dollar increase in SNAP generates $1.72 in economic activity. SNAP was designed to serve as a temporary means of assistance to Americans in need; USDA statistics show that half of new participants only remain the program for nine months or less.
Since 2008 financial crisis, food stamp applications have increased by 70 percent, and some estimates figure 47.8 million Americans are recipients of food stamp benefits. In a time where there is an obvious need for the SNAP program to continue– if not expand– the amendments to SNAP would drastically reduce funding and eligibility parameters. The amendments would seek to cut funding by $4billion in the Senate version and $20billion in the House version over the next decade.
These new cuts would cause up to 2 million people to lose access entirely and prevent more than 200,000 children from receiving free school meals. In addition to direct access to meals, funding for nutrition education is also at risk in the sectors where it is most needed.
Among the new guidelines, any person convicted of a violent crime at any point in his or her life would automatically be ineligible for SNAP benefits; a provision that is certain to have a negative impact in many urban communities.
Check out the amendments to the Farm Bill (House and Senate) and contact your local representative (House and Senate) to let them know how essential SNAP for a robust economic recovery.
The Pew Research Center recently released a survey indicating that nearly a quarter of Americans (24%) report that they had trouble putting food on the table in the past year, up from 16% in 2007.
Several organizations that fight hunger in the USA, including Bread for the World, Feeding America, Food Research and Action Center, and No Kid Hungry, have banded together to circulate a petition to urge Congress to preserve SNAP funding.


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- News
- Community
- Column 1
- Column 2
- Patient Resources
- Column 1
- Column 2
- Column 3
- About
- Employment
We offer surgical services for a variety of problems listed below. Surgery may be an in-office procedure, or a larger operation might be conducted at the nearby local hospital, typically with no overnight stay.
Most people will suffer from cataracts in their life time. A cataract is the cloudiness of the once clear natural lens of the eye. It usually occurs slowly over time, becoming visually interfering in later years of life. Symptoms may include blurring of vision, glare from bright light and dulling of colors. Surgery can be undertaken to remove the cataract and replace it with a clear plastic lens implant in order to improve vision. There are a few options available for patients when considering the lens implant. These include monofocal, multifocal and astigmatism correcting lenses. We will help you determine which lens is right for you.
Read more about cataracts here.
Similar to a tire on a car, the eye needs to be pressurized in order to work properly. Glaucoma is a disease in which the pressure inside the eye is too high and may result in damage and permanent vision loss. More often than not, patients do not realize they are having this problem because the vision loss may be subtle and silent early on, happening without the patient knowing it. For this reason it is important to have a routine eye exam to detect glaucoma early. We are highly trained in the detection of glaucoma utilizing clinical exam findings along with high tech screening and monitoring tools. Timely treatment and observation is the key to success in stopping or slowing the loss of vision. Treatment may include eye drop medications, laser therapy or surgical intervention.
If you have concerns about glaucoma or have a family member with glaucoma you should come in for a thorough eye exam.
Read more about glaucoma here.
Proper eyelid function and position are critical in maintaining the health and vision of the eyes. Problems may include a lump on the eyelid (chalazion or stye) drooping of the upper eyelid (ptosis), excessive skin, malposition of the eyelid and benign skin tags or cancer. If you are experiencing any problems related to the eyelids, we may be able to treat you with an in office procedure or outpatient surgery.
Read more about ptosis here.
Read more about chalazia and styes here.
Proper alignment of the eyes is needed for the brain to see one single image. When the eyes are misaligned, blurred or double vision may result. There are several causes of this problem and it is important to have an eye evaluation if you are experiencing such changes. In children, timely attention is required in order to prevent permanent vision loss. We are experienced in evaluating and diagnosing the causes as well as treating the misalignment if required. Surgery is performed on the muscles that control eye movement in hopes of improving both visual function and appearance.
Read more about strabismus here.
The retina is similar to the film of a camera in that it is the element which captures light to form an image. If the retina is not healthy, the vision will suffer. There are several problems that require surgical attention, commonly these may include retinal tears and detachments, irregular retinal membranes and chronic bleeding. At Central Ohio Eye Surgeons, a retinal specialist is available to evaluate and treat patients with these types of conditions.


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The Rubik's Speaker is the one item that is bound to cause envy around the office. This puzzling speaker from Spinning Hat doesn't spin or twist, but it does pump out high-quality tunes from either a computer or an MP3 player.
One of the great features of the Rubik's Speaker is its ability to camouflage itself as any ordinary Rubik's Cube. Your boss/coworkers will never know where the Lady Gaga or midday Michael Jackson is coming from!
All excitement aside, the Rubik's Speaker is one of the most useful Rubik's Cube reincarnations I have seen, and believe me, I have see a lot. If you're in the market for a quirky and portable desk speaker, look no further than the Rubik's Speaker. Looking any further would put you at risk of overlooking the Rubik's Speaker, and we wouldn't want that.
Glamtastic Geek Games
57 Rubik's Cube Creations
Sight-Free Brain Teasers
Rubik's Cube Storage
Search Engine Enigmas
The Rubik's Speaker Solves Your Audio Issues
- By: Michael HinesMar 9, 2011
References: spinninghat & walyou
References: spinninghat & walyou