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Live like a local: Rome
Once seen as Europe's most provincial capital, Rome is finally allowing more hip, cosmopolitan pursuits to flourish alongside its ancient traditions. Wednesday, 22 May
Head to Rome and you'll find family-run trattorie, bossy nonnas, and independent artisans are thick on the ground. But so too are many of the problems that have traditionally plagued Italy's capital city, from traffic to corruption. However it's increasingly easy to find yourself in a corner of the city that seems almost, well, cosmopolitan. In the midst of economic crisis, Rome's most determined entrepreneurs are managing to open boutiques, galleries, and restaurants, while trends long taken for granted in other cities (artisanal beers, vintage stores, cafes with wi-fi, for instance) have started to break through Rome's ancient Aurelian Walls. For that matter, some of the ruins themselves are even getting a facelift: most famously, Tod's, the luxury shoe company, has agreed to sponsor the restoration of the Colosseum.
None of that's to say the essence of Rome has changed — thankfully. If anything's eternal about the Eternal City, it's that it will always be as chaotic, messy and, yes, occasionally backwards as it is stunning, inspiring, and full of art and history. But it's proof the city can be a little more dynamic than many think.
For a sense of that energy, just take a stroll through Monti. This ancient quarter is a stone's throw from the Colosseum, bursting with hip galleries, cool bars, vintage boutiques as well as old-school enoteche (wine bars) and restaurants. Every couple of months, there's a new opening — which, for a neighbourhood this small and a country this deep in economic crisis, is pretty impressive.
In the evening, the area bustles with its diversity of residents: elderly grandmothers finish their shopping for la cena, youths gather and gossip around the fountain of the little piazza, trendy locals spill out of hip enoteche, and artisans stand outside their stores for a break, greeting the passersby they know by name.
So, to see Rome as the locals do, you must experience both the up-and-coming cool quarters and the ancient sites. Be awed by art — not only in the Vatican and the Borghese Gallery, but in Rome's contemporary MAXXI and MACRO, too. In one of the city's many independent boutiques, pick up a purse or coat that's on the cutting edge in terms of style, but handcrafted in a workshop in the back of the store. Or eat timeless tortellini recipes in a chic cafe.
Right now, Rome offers a little bit of (almost) everything. So enjoy la dolce vita — just as the locals do.
Food glorious food
From cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper pasta) to coda alla vaccinara (oxtail stew), traditional Roman cuisine remains a staple of the city's restaurants. Locals still flock to family-run trattorie hoping for a carbonara just like their grandmother used to make. These days, though, Rome's restaurants boast more than cucina romana.
A series of restaurants have brought Rome's cuisine to new heights of creativity (and price), including All'Oro, which reopened near Piazza del Popolo in January, and Il Pagliaccio, one of just three Rome restaurants to have been awarded two or more Michelin stars. But it was the opening of Romeo last year that really whipped Rome's foodies into a fervour. The chefs behind two of Rome's most-revered institutions, Roscioli and Glass Hostaria, have joined forces to produce a menu that could include, say, ravioli filled with Castelmagno cheese, pumpkin mousse and hazelnuts, or a panino of foie gras with mango ketchup.
Of course, Rome's classic cuisine is still going strong — best picks are Ristorante Matricianella and Armando al Pantheon in Centro Storico (historic centre). The tiny trattoria Trattoria da Danilo continues to serve what many locals call the city's finest carbonara, while it's hard to beat the bucatini all'amatriciana (tomato sauce) at Osteria Fernanda, over the Tiber in Trastevere, or at Da Bucatino, in the old slaughterhouse neighbourhood of Testaccio. For traditional Roman pizza (crispy, thin-crust) try La Montecarlo, next to Piazza Navona, or Li Rioni, near the Colosseum.
Take authenticity a step further and shop at one of Rome's best outdoor markets. The Nuovo Mercato di Testaccio, open daily except Sundays, is good, while the weekend market around the corner from the Circus Maximus, run by the association Campagna Amica, sells produce from Rome's Lazio region.
Places mentioned
Roscioli: Via dei Giubbonari 21. T: 00 39 06 687 5287. www.salumeriaroscioli.com
Glass Hostaria: Vicolo del Cinque 58. T: 00 39 06 5833 5903. www.glass-restaurant.it
Romeo: Via Silla 26/a. T: 00 39 06 3211 0120. www.romeo.roma.it
All'Oro: Via del Vantaggio 14. T: 00 39 06 9799 6907. www.ristorantealloro.it
Il Pagliaccio: Via dei Banchi Vecchi 129a. T: 00 39 06 6880 9595. www.ristoranteilpagliaccio.com
Ristorante Matricianella: Via del Leone 4. T: 00 39 06 683 2100. www.matricianella.it
Armando al Pantheon: Salita dè Crescenzi 31. T: 00 39 06 680 3034. www.armandoalpantheon.it
Trattoria da Danilo: Via Petrarca 13. T: 00 39 06 772 00111. www.trattoriadadanilo.it
Osteria Fernanda: Via Ettore Rolli 1. T: 00 39 06 589 4333. www.osteriafernanda.com
Da Bucatino: Via Luca della Robbia 84. T: 00 39 06 574 6886. www.bucatino.com
La Montecarlo: Vicolo Savelli 13. T: 00 39 06 686 1877. www.lamontecarlo.it
Li Rioni: Via dei Santissimi Quattro 24. T: 00 39 06 7045 0605.
Nuovo Mercato di Testaccio: Via Galvani and Via Aldo Manuzio.
Mercato di Campagna Amica del Circo Massimo: Via San Teodoro 74. www.campagnamica.it
Party people
Although Rome isn't a 24-hour city, its nightlife is much more varied than it looks at first glance. To take on the city as the locals do, ignore the touristy Campo de' Fiori and head instead toward Piazza Navona. On warm nights, the crowd at Bar del Fico spills out onto the tiny piazza of the same name. Further down the road, the wine bar Etabli feels a little more grown-up — and its fireplace and cosy couches make it a better bet come winter.
Even more popular with the locals for drinks and dancing is Monti, near the Roman forum. Hotspots include the funky Casa Clementina and the Black Market 'cultural association'. But Monti's real institution is the ever-crowded enoteca Ai Tre Scalini, with its convivial atmosphere and great wine list. Further up the street, hole-in-the-wall jazz lounge Charity Café is great for live music (a rarity in Rome).
Undoubtedly, though, Rome's coolest crowd finds itself in off-the-beaten-path, graffiti-splattered Pigneto — especially at Circolo degli Artisti. Gigs, usually of alternative music, take place nearly every night. Another cult favourite, a bit closer to the centre, near Porta Maggiore, is Micca Club, which hosts themed parties — think cabaret nights with 1950s and '60s music, live burlesque shows, and vintage markets — with excellent cocktails and a gourmet aperitivo spread.
There are still plenty of places in Rome where you can grab a quiet glass of wine. Local favourites include Testaccio's L'Oasi della Birra, with its wide variety of aperitivo (included with your drink for €10/£8.50); Enoteca Provincia Romana, with wine and food sourced from Rome's environs; and Il Goccetto, a cosy, wood-panelled enoteca, home to around 800 Italian and foreign wine labels.
All of those options aside, in the summer, there's only one real destination: the river. From mid-June to the start of September, the annual Lungo Il Tevere Roma means the Tiber is lined with more than a kilometre of stalls, many of which are bars and clubs.
Places mentioned
Bar del Fico: Piazza del Fico 26. www.bardelfico.it
Etabli: Vicolo delle Vacche 9. T: 00 39 06 9761 6694. www.etabli.it
Casa Clementina: Via Clementina 9. T: 00 39 33 4709 6385.
Black Market: Via Panisperna 101. T: 00 39 33 9822 7541. www.black-market.it
Ai Tre Scalini: Via Panisperna 251. T: 00 39 06 4890 7495. www.aitrescalini.org
Charity Café: Via Panisperna 68. T: 00 39 06 4782 5881. www.charitycafe.it
Circolo degli Artisti: Via Casilina Vecchia 42. T: 00 39 06 7030 5684. www.circoloartisti.it
Micca Club: Via Pietro Micca 7a. T: 00 39 0 06 8744 0079. www.miccaclub.com
L'Oasi della Birra: Piazza Testaccio 41. T: 00 39 06 574 6122.
Enoteca Provincia Romana: Via del Foro Traiano 82-84. T: 00 39 06 699 4023. www.enotecaprovinciaromana.it
Il Goccetto: Via dei Banchi Vecchi 14. T: 00 39 06 686 4268. www.ilgoccetto.com
Lungo il Tevere Roma: www.lungoiltevereroma.it
Piles of style
Steer clear of Via del Corso, a central thoroughfare that's become choked with chain stores you can find anywhere. Instead, head to those neighbourhoods where independent boutiques and artisans still abound.
In the heart of the centre, explore the side streets around Piazza Navona, down to Campo dei Fiori, like Via del Governo Vecchio and Via dei Cappellari. Admire Italian creativity at PaolaVolpi Gioielli, where recycled objects like bolts, nuts, and even industrial oil filters transform into funky and surprisingly pretty jewellery; find the perfect plate or vase for your mantelpiece at Le Tre Ghinee, where artist Susy Pugliese handcrafts modern, not-your-traditional-Tuscan-style ceramics; or poke through vintage men's and women's clothes and accessories at itty-bitty Bohemienne.
For those craving a taste of la dolce vita-style shopping, the Spanish Steps quarter is ideal. Top designers (Chanel, Fendi, Gucci) are mixed in with smaller boutiques and shops. And not all prices are sky-high. Handmade suede flats or wedges at Via del Babuino's Barrila Boutique, for example, start at about €60 (£51). But for the ultimate insider experience, ring the bell at Armando Rioda, a leather workshop where artisans have been making belts, purses, wallets and more for nearly 65 years; you can design your own, and prices (starting at €50/£43 for a simple wallet) are more than fair.
In Monti, meanwhile, you'll hardly recognise a single shop name; instead, streets are chock-a-block with independent artisans and boutiques. Favourites include Le Gallinelle, where chic dresses, pants, jackets and more are handcrafted in the onsite workshop for very reasonable prices; Nora P, with stunning furniture and homeware that would give any flat the perfect Boho-chic feel; or Blue Goose, with a lovely collection of designer vintage clothes and accessories. On most Sundays, some of Rome's best young designers and vintage dealers sell their wares at MercatoMonti — with everything from retro sunglasses to handmade jewellery on display.
Places mentioned
PaolaVolpi Gioielli: Piazza dei Satiri 55. T: 00 39 06 687 3366. www.paolavolpi.com
Le Tre Ghinee: Via del Pellegrino 90. T: 00 39 06 687 2739. www.letreghinee.com
Bohemienne: Via dei Cappellari 96. T: 00 39 06 6880 4011.
Barrila Boutique: Via del Babuino 34. T: 00 39 06 324 5046.
Armando Rioda: Via Belsiana 90, 2nd floor. T: 00 39 06 6882 4406.
Le Gallinelle: Via Panisperna 61. T: 00 39 06 543 543. www.legallinelle.it
Nora P: Via Panisperna 220/221. T: 00 39 06 4547 3738. www.nora-p.it
Blue Goose: Via del Boschetto 4. T: 00 39 06 4890 6738.
MercatoMonti: Via Leonina 46. www.mercatomonti.com
Top 10 local tips
01 Many restaurants close on Mondays, while independent shops and artisans often shut on Sundays, and on Monday from 12:30pm until 4:30pm.
02 Visit the Borghese Gallery, then stroll through the Villa Borghese, Rome's Hyde Park. www.galleriaborghese.it
03 Buy a BTI pass (€16.50/£14) for three days' unlimited travel on trams, Metro and buses. www.atac.roma.it
04 Visit the Basilica of San Clemente, a 12th-century church, built on top of a fourth-century church built on Roman ruins. www.basilicasanclemente.com
05 Plan your sundowner — try the glass-roof bar of the Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese, gazing down at terracotta rooftops and spires. www.sofitel.com
06 Hire a bike or stroll along the scenic Appia Antica. www.parcoappiaantica.it
07 Skip the line at the Vatican museums and Colosseum by booking online. www.coopculture.it mv.vatican.va
08 Refill water bottles at the city centre's nasoni drinking fountains — cheaper and greener than buying.
09 Visit Aventine Hill's churches, peek through the keyhole at the Piazza of the Knights of Malta and get a framed view of the dome of St Peter's Basilica.
10 Pick any of around 100 creative gelato flavours at Il Gelato di Claudio Torcè. www.ilgelatocentrostorico.com
More info
On screen: 1953's Roman Holiday, Fellini's La Dolce Vita and Woody Allen's To Rome With Love.
Books: Rome: The Biography of a City, by Christopher Hibbert. RRP: £20.
Rome: A Cultural, Visual, and Personal History, by Robert Hughes. RRP: £10.99.
Websites and blogs: www.coopculture.it www.turismoroma.it
Good local blogs in English include: www.parlafood.com www.revealedrome.com www.younginrome.com www.elizabethminchilliinrome.com
Promotional Listing:
RomeEscape Short Term Apartments and Vacation Rentals in Rome
Rome Escape – Via Antonio Salandra, 18 Rome – Phone +39 0662207182 | www.romeescape.com
WorldEscape – Phone +1-(646) 233 1537 | www.worldescape.com/rome-hotels-apartments/
Click here for more information
Published in the May/Jun 2013 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)


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|at the top of Carstensz Pyramid, West Papua.
Showing sponsors logo to say 'Thank you'.
(with Levi N)
This sponsorship challenge is very true in countries like Philippines where brands are economy-ruled and highly demand market exposure from partners. Basketball or boxing or other spectator and televised sports may be more promising to invest on – who would want to spend on a crazy dude/dudette braving the arctic storm trying to test his/her mortality in a sub-freezing, man-eating polar bear-inhabited and back-wrecking traverse through the North Pole?
But there's always hope, it may not be a sure-shot, but worth investing on a few things to hopefully get that much-needed attention and funding. Some thoughts:
1. Sponsorship is a win-win deal. It's not a 1-way charity. As climbers / adventurers/ travellers – we have to dig deeper/ research / be creative on what we can offer especially in terms of brand exposure. A print magazine story? Televised documentary? Web posts with your sponsors' logo? An event where brand can merchandize their goods? Value will depend on how much / how well one can help promote a brand. Most adventurers don't like managing this 'stuff'. Get help from friends!
2. Building your equity. Ask yourself, how can a brand or company believe/trust/ like your proposal? As adventurers/climbers/etc.. we sort of 'sell ourselves and our adventures'. I think what helped me get an Everest climb sponsorship was my little successes on Aconcagua and Cho Oyu – both of which were 'highest Filipino climb altitude at that time". It's sort of sending a message that 'you can trust this guy to deliver a promise'. So start investing on your equity – be creative in your 'record-setting' not to brag or sugar-coat anything, but to send a strong 'can-do'/'trust me' / 'worth your dime' message to your would-be sponsors.
3. We all have to invest time, money, sweat and blood to build our equity! No short-cuts, unfortunately. If you want a sponsored 8000m climb – for example, advertise (and do) it as a new/unique 'product' like non-O2 supported climb. But before that, climb some self-funded 6 and 7000m peaks first. Expensive, but necessary. Manny Pacman would not have been able to attract sponsors if he didn't risk getting hit and knocked down first – his initial fights were hard/ body-aching investment. Sometimes, a plan is needed to build one's equity. Adventurers are explorers and are very 'variable' in so many ways - building equity means giving a bit of focus on one's chosen field (i.e. if you want to be a 'sponsored climber', do more climbs, set more 'records', and less on other stuff (paddling, surfing, etc.).
4. Product or adventure-output wise, offer something unique, like the non-O2 8000m climb mentioned above. Many others in adventure world- sailing across oceans? Polar expeditions? Crossing channels using plastic-bottle-made boat? First Pinoy couple in Everest? Youngest or oldest to do this and that?
5. Don't limit target sponsors to brands/companies. Ask your own club's officers, your family, network of friends, even strangers for support. If they truly believe in your plan – they might just give a little support. While I chose not to do this, I've seen others got a bit of success in this approach, may be limited – but hey, help is help.
6. Do what you love doing without 'future sponsorship' in mind. Sponsors are helpful bonuses. The lack or absence of which should not be a limitation to following one's dream or pursuing one's passion. Sometimes, it's a matter of making life choices, of choosing what to sacrifice and what to focus on.

subset: commoncrawl


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"Nah," I replied. "We're all Schengen states. We don't need visas to travel to each other's countries as tourists."
And he trusted me. Silly boy.
It turns out, I was sort of right. But also very wrong. First of all, the Schengen thing only applies to travel in Europe. Second, Australians don't need a visa to travel to the US. But they do need a visa waiver. "What's a visa waiver?" you ask. It's kinda like a visa. It's something you have to apply for and pay for, and it allows you to travel to the US for 90 days. But get this: it counts both Mexico and Canada as "the US." So if you spent 85 days in Mexico and then tried to spend 10 days in the US, you wouldn't be allowed to. I'm sorry, but since when were Mexico or Canada territories of the United States?
Anyway, luckily, you can apply at the airport and it only costs $14. Good thing we arrived early, though!
We flew Qantas, which is a pretty great airline if you can afford it. It was my first A380 journey! When I lived across from the Airbus factory in France, I got to see some of the first test flights of the A380s. They seemed to take to the air just fine, but Hugh doesn't like them. He has a fear of flying, and the larger the airplane, the more he worries that it'll fall out of the sky.
To be honest, we couldn't really tell we were on a two-story plane. The cabin felt just like any other airplane cabin (cramped, screaming children, queues for the bathroom). But the food was pretty good quality and the entertainment selection was fantastic. We watched loooots of films.
Our arrival was uneventful, and Mama, Amy, and D picked us up from the airport. It's always wonderful to be welcomed home! We introduced them to some emu and kangaroo jerky we picked up at the airport, and then we went for dinner with Pops and Michele. After dinner, even though we'd been awake for I-don't-know-how-long and the room was starting to shudder and spin around me, we met Mama, Amy, and D for cocktails in a bucket! I just can't resist them. I must find somewhere in Melbourne that serves such a thing...though it's unlikely, because Australia has rules to stop you from overdrinking and having fun.


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Fountain in "Old Louisville">
Have a great massage in your room with a licensed massage therapist.
Housed in an 1889 cotton mill at 900 Goss Ave, the Louisville Antique Mall contains a large selection of antiques and collectibles, as well as a great place for lunch!
The Speed Art Museum is just 8 blocks from our Inn. It has a wonderful collection and another great place for lunch!
Whether you are here on business or just visiting, you deserve to stay some place quiet, comfortable and safe. Our bed and breakfast will pamper you while you take care of business. Sink down in one of our Queen or King beds, wrapped in a soft down comforter. Sip a refreshing cup of herbal tea while you watch the evening news. Fill up on crunchy Belgium waffles, fresh orange juice and plump red strawberries with whipped cream before you start off to that early morning meeting. Or, if you prefer, get started with heart healthy yogurt, granola and fresh fruit. And, by the way, we can make arrangements for you to have a relaxing massage in the comfort of your own room...just ask!
Spacious, comfortable rooms in quiet, safe surroundings
Available suite with working fireplace & video/literary library
In-room phones, TV/VCR, refrigerator
Private baths, down comforters & Terry Cloth robes
In-room hair dryers, coffee-makers, irons & ironing boards
Fresh baked cookies and beverages always available
Masseuse available for in-room massage
Innkeeper on premises
Take advantage of the following :
*Corporate rates
Flexible cancellation policy
Near airport, downtown and convention centers
Late check-in/Express check-out
Computer hook-ups and fax machine available
Major credit cards accepted
In-room spacious desks with phones
Flexible Continental breakfast times
Highly personalized service
Daily newspaper
(All Packages based on Double Occupancy)
Sweetheart package #1
-Spacious Victorian room with Queen 4-poster bed
-Private bath
-Bottle of wine, champagne (or non-alcoholic beverage)
-Cheese and fruit tray
-Sweetheart roses
-Gourmet breakfast
Cost: One night: $150.00 Two nights: $240.00
Sweetheart Package #2
-Lovely, spacious suite with Queen bed
-Private bath
-Working fireplace,sitting area, TV/VCR
-Video library & many other amenities
-Bottle of wine, champage (or non-alcoholic beverage)
-Cheese and fruit tray
-Sweetheart roses
-Gourmet breakfast IN-YOUR-ROOM
Cost: one night: $210.00 Two nights: $295.00
(reserve at least 3 weeks ahead)
spacious guestroom with all amenities
Bottle of wine
Gourmet breakfast
One-two nights (with two 1/2 hr massages): $170-250 for two.
One-two nights (With two one hr massages): $240-320 for two.
Suite available:two ngts:(two 1/2-1 hr massages)$290-375 for two
Extra persons: $20 each per night plus massage
licensed massage therapist available
-Guest room
-Private bath
-Gourmet breakfast daily
-Three Antique malls
-One Antique shop
-One Garden shop
-Lunch daily at or near Antique Malls
For two:$250.00
-Guest room
-Private bath
-Gourmet breakfast daily
-Two tickets to JB Speed Art Museum
-Two tickets to Actors Theater
-Lunch at the Museum
For two:$275.00
(in the privacy of your rooms)
-Suite/private bath
-Great videos/25 inch TV/VCR
-Comfort food (Pizza, Pop Corn)
-Terry cloth robes
-Bedtime Cookies and Milk
Cost: 4-6 persons, without massages:$395.00
........With Massage:$35-70 extra pp


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So, I totally missed my first Blogaversary!! I started this blog on 3 March last year mainly as a business blog- to support Tessie Design Company, which I had just started with my mum.
Since then, I have expanded the content of this blog to include more of my life and also my other creative pursuit, outside of fabric and handbags (like Flowcharts. Apparently, people go crazy in the coconut for flow charts!!)
I also changed the blog name to Tessiegirl. I kinda see Tessiegirl as an alter ego.... like Beyonce and Sasha Fierce, but less lame.
I love my blog like it's one of my kids. The birth of this little blog baby has been awesome. I look forward to my little Tessiegirl growing into a surly teenager and telling me that I am "Like, Soooo embarrassing right now!"
To celebrate, I'm gonna do my first ever GIVEAWAY!!!
|Tessie Design Company Mini Bag featuring originally designed fabric printed via spoonflower.com and a cute felt flower brooch.
To enter,
1) Just follow this blog and like me on facebook (if you haven't already)
2) Leave me a comment and tell me something funny. That is all.
I'll choose a winner at random next Wednesday.
I heart blogging, dude.


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Rating: I REALLY LIKED IT
Series: The Legend of Drizzt #1
Genres: Epic, Fantasy, Fiction
Pages: 329
Published by: Wizards of the Coast
Publication Date: 2004
Author Website • Goodreads
Best Place to Buy • Barnes&Noble • Amazon • Kobo •
Book Blurb: Drizzt, a Dark Elf, finds adventure, peril, and awesome magical power as he confronts the underground civilization of the evil race of Drow elves.
Overall, I liked this book. I loved the main character and was rooting for him the entire time. The world is well developed and pulled me right in. Looking back, some of the creatures and places were barely described, yet I somehow walked away with a clear picture in my head. If you like detailed descriptions, going into every characteristic of someone/thing, then be warned. You will not find it here, but I doubt you'll miss it. The story will make you forget you're missing all those details.
So as I've mentioned, the world and characters were great. Now the not so great. It's not written in closed POV. So one paragraph you're in the mind of one character and the next you've switched. I think this would have been so awesome if the POV shifts were separated by a chapter or some formal break. It kept throwing me out of the story and sometimes I felt like i was being hand-fed the story. This is the sole reason I rated this as 4 instead of 5 stars.
With all that said, I would recommend this book to anyone that likes fantasy.


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Unexpected Lessons You'll Learn from Changing Careers
Sure, you might change jobs a few times here or there. But did you see yourself changing careers entirely? Maybe not. You go to college, you pick a major, and even if you change jobs here and there, chances are you went in thinking you'd do at least something related to your major. But every now and then, as a professional, you stand at a crossroads where you're staring down the conventional path on one side and….a career change on the other.
What might you experience? What might you learn? If you decide to take the path of changing careers and pursuing something you weren't sure you'd ever want to do. Well, Brazen Careerist answers that question in "4 Unexpected Lessons You'll Learn from Changing Careers." Their four lessons include:
- You're more than you went to school for.
- Your imperfect job background is valuable.
- You have a lot to learn.
- There's more to life than work.
I recommend reading all of BC's article, as it outlines and explains these four lessons fabulously. And in the spirit of expansion, as someone who has changed careers twice – from a political science geek who started her career as a lobbyist to a nonprofit marketing and fundraising professional to a tech entrepreneur – I'd like to give you the four lessons I learned from changing careers:
- Careers are fundamentally all the same. Whether you're a lawyer, a teacher, or a fundraiser. There are certain skills universal across the board. Your attention to detail will be evident in any job you have, your communications skills will be necessary, and your ambition will be clear. Sure, you're learning and exercising different skill sets all the time, but "working" in general has the same principles whether it's in a factory, an office, or from a coffee shop. Work hard, work smart, and you'll be fine.
- Teams are better. You are not an island. It might take you one career change to learn this, it might take you five. But you'll learn it. Especially now, as a solopreneur, I value teams more than anything. You realize how much you want to turn to the person next to you to ask a question when there is no person next to you to ask a question. Value teams and build them well.
- Jack of all trades will serve you well. What you'll learn in a career change is that while you're learning a skill set, what will help you is to be an expert in many things. For me, being the person who knows everything about Excel has served me well, even when it's clear I'm flailing in other areas. Be ok with being a jack of all trades, it makes you useful even when you feel like you know nothing.
- "I don't know" are the most powerful three words you have. Changing careers is hard. You have to start sometimes from the bottom of the totem pole, you have to learn an entirely new industry and skill set. Be willing to say "I don't know' and admit you have to learn something before moving forward. Your willingness to be honest about what you know and what you don't will show others you are authentic and trustworthy, and they will teach you.
Career changes are never easy. They're never simple. But they can show you something about yourself you may not have learned by following just one path your entire career. Food for thought.


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Sometimes they do it for economic reasons. Or perhaps they don't want their children to be raised by baby sitters.
Whatever the case, some couples find it makes more sense for the dad to be a stay-at-home parent. And sometimes-as with the couples in this story-that decision has helped enable the moms' careers to soar.
Debra Minott, director of the Indiana Personnel Department, was working for Eli Lilly and Co. in San Diego when she had her second child in 1990. Her husband, Paul, had his own window-cleaning business in Indianapolis before they moved. But he couldn't find a job he wanted out there, so he took an hourly position as a darkroom technician for a radiology group.
When Paul realized the baby sitter's rate for two kids was as much as he was making, he suggested that he become a stay-athome dad.
"I figured it would last three months at most," said Debra, 49. "But the longer he did it, the more he liked it."
And Paul, 52, is still a stay-athome dad for Emily, 17, and Tony, 14. "It's been an absolutely wonderful solution for our family," he said.
There have been obstacles, such as when locally based Lilly moved them back here and the moms in their Carmel neighborhood shunned Paul. But they had a very positive experience when Debra's career took them to Fort Wayne, where the moms in their neighborhood embraced him.
It's interesting to see the reactions from people when they ask what he does, Paul said. "When I meet men over 50, they're absolutely clueless as to what the heck to do with me ... whereas men under 50 say, 'If my wife could replace my income, I would stay home in a heartbeat.'"
The arrangement has been perfect, Debra said, because they've been able to move around for her jobs, and it's enabled her to take demanding assignments that include heavy travel. "Having that element of stability allowed my career to really progress and make more money for the family."
And it's been a fantastic opportunity for him, Paul said. "If anybody had told me when I graduated from college that I was going to walk away from that to be a traditional stay-at-home parent, I would have laughed," he said. "But it's an unbelievable privilege to be able to do this."
A partnership that works
It was early 1996 when Janet Allen got promoted to artistic director of Indiana Repertory Theatre and found out she was pregnant-all within about a month. Meanwhile, her husband, Joel Grynheim, was the head of programs for the Artsgarden-a job he was ready to leave.
Grynheim has a son from a previous marriage (Daniel, now 22), and he missed much of Daniel's early years because he was working full-time as the stage manager at IRT. He didn't want that to happen again, so he offered to be a stay-at-home dad for the baby's first six months.
Allen initially resisted. "I thought I might be jealous of the time he had with the kids," she said. But she agreed to a sixmonth trial.
Nine years and another child later, Grynheim, 55, is still a stay-at-home dad about 90 percent of the time for Leah, 8, and Nira, 5.
"It quickly became the only real way for me to do the work I do," said Allen, 49, who has to work nights and weekends.
And Grynheim, who's able to do some free-lance theatrical work, said he feels very lucky. "It's worked out very well. But our partnership is what made it work. When she comes home, she is involved and active with the kids' lives from the moment she steps into the house."
'Better than I ever
Jane Niederberger and her family were living out East in 1997 when she first took a job with Anthem Inc. (now Indianapolis-based Well-Point Inc.), where she is vice president of operations for the central region.
"Our kids were small-second grade and fifth grade-and we didn't have
anybody we knew [in Indy] who could take care of them," said Jane, 45. And her husband, Mark, 44, was an accountant who was ready to leave the company he was with. "So he said, 'I'll stay home for a while and we'll see how that works.'"
Eight years later, daughters Sarah, 18, and Amy, 15, still have a stay-at-home dad.
"It's worked better than I ever dreamt," Jane said. "I thought he would become bored, but that didn't happen. He has done a phenomenal job of getting involved in school and sporting activities with the girls and the community. He's creating a relationship with our kids most dads just dream about."
And Mark's opinion? "It's been great."
'There were no patterns'
Sarah Evans Barker, a U.S. district judge for the Southern District of Indiana, and her husband, Ken, were truly pioneers when Ken decided to be a stay-at-home dad nearly 30 years ago. "There were no patterns," Sarah said. "We had to make it up as we went."
Ken was a partner with the Indianapolis-based Bose McKinney & Evans law firm, and Sarah was a lawyer in the U.S. attorney's office here. "It became readily apparent after we started having a family that we couldn't both be in fast-track jobs," Sarah said.
When Ken decided he didn't want to practice law full time, he became of counsel to the firm and gradually started spending more time caring for the kids. He eventually became a full-time dad to Kate, Susan and Grady, who now range in age from 30 to 25.
"Ken was never enamored of the practice of law, and I love my work, so we each were able to do what made our hearts sing in terms of professional activities," said Sarah, 61.
It was terrific, said Ken, 62. "It was great to be with them and help them lay foundations for success in their own lives." He also enjoyed the freedom to pursue his own intellectual interests.
They see positive personality traits and behaviors in the kids that reflect the arrangement, Sarah said. "They're independent, they're very at home with their dad as an authority figure, and he's not a stranger to them. They also see that both sides of the husband-wife equation have to be given enough freedom to be who they are."
In hindsight
When asked if she would do anything differently in retrospect, Judge Barker said, "It worked so well, I might have another kid."
Mark Niederberger said he has no regrets, but Jane said he gave her a good excuse to work even longer and harder. "I probably should have taken a little bit more time at home," she said. "But there were tradeoffs all along, and I'm not sure how realistic that would have been, considering how fast [Anthem] was growing."
Janet Allen learned the difference between the kids needing her to do something and just wanting her to do something-"and that's just as important," she said. "Our kids do complain I work too much, and I say, 'I hope someday it will matter to you that I work at something I'm really passionate about and that I think helps other people.' I think it makes me a better parent when I'm there, that I have the blessing of that kind of work."
Joel Grynheim regrets not making a concerted effort to meet with other stayat-home dads, but he has no other remorse. He recently saw a videotape he made of his daughter Leah napping as an infant. "I wouldn't have traded those images for anything," he said.
Debra Minott wishes she had nudged her husband to begin looking at part-time jobs sooner to ease back into the work force, since he won't need to be a stay-athome dad in a couple of years. "Paul feels like the job world has moved on and left him behind," she said.
Keep communicating
For other couples thinking about trying a stay-at-home dad arrangement, Debra said: "The key is making sure you don't force-fit the roles, and allow them to take shape based on what a person is good at."
Allen recommended re-evaluating the arrangement as often as either spouse feels that's necessary.
Jane had similar advice. "Figure out what are the ground rules, where is that point you don't want to go beyond, and how to signal each other if one is violating that."
Her husband, Mark, said dads need to consider whether it's something they can be satisfied doing, because it's a job where "a good evaluation would be a smile or a hug from one of your family members."
The success of the arrangement rises and falls on your ability to communicate with each other, Judge Barker said. It also helps to have a thick skin.
"I know there were a lot of people who thought this was not right, that Ken was squandering his Harvard education, and I must be overbearing and impossible to live with, because I'm making him do the stuff at home while I'm out doing the business world," she said. "So ... if it seems right to you and it looks healthy for the kids-who are your primary obligation-then don't be afraid. Have enough courage to try it."
Source: XMLAr03100.xml


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It looks like pupils from Howdenburn Primary in Jedburgh will not be able to return to their school until after the Easter holidays.
Damage was sustained to the school's assembly hall during Storm Desmond in early December. Scottish Borders Council staff are continuing to examine the structural design of the hall.
The design solution for the walls within the existing hall is proving to be complex and additional design time is required to produce the most effective solution.
The Council is also taking this opportunity to review and enhance the hall structure, as required, at the same time as undertaking the wall replacement.
The aim is to have an architectural and structural solution by the end of January and works will be instructed and will commence on site at the earliest opportunity.
Independent structural engineers are also undertaking a structural survey of the entire school. SBC says it is aiming to ensure pupils can return to the school after the Easter break.
Councillor Sandy Aitchison, Executive Member for Education, said: "There is no option for the return of pupils to the primary school prior to all works being completed as a large part of the school would be a building site and it would not be a safe space for children.
"Until Howdenburn pupils can return, they will continue to be educated at Parkside Primary and Jedburgh Grammar schools, under the same arrangements as before the Christmas holidays.
"We have taken on board the comments of parents, teachers and ward members and will continue to liaise with them to ensure that these arrangements are as effective as possible."
Both Parkside Primary School and Jedburgh Grammar School have the physical capacity to accommodate the Howdenburn pupils under the current arrangements and all educational and facilities requirements are being met.
Due to the long-standing traffic issues at Parkside Primary School the Council continues to appeal to parents to avoid travelling to the school by car wherever possible, and if absolutely necessary ask them to drop-off/collect pupils without waiting in the area of the school.
Since the decamp of Howdenburn pupils the traffic issues at Parkside have been closely monitored and the Council appreciate the ongoing support of parents of pupils at both schools.
There will be continued engagement with parents and pupils around traffic management and safe routes to school.
Due to the increase in the number of pupils walking to and from Parkside Primary and Jedburgh Grammar schools, the Council wants all drivers in and around the town to avoid routes around these schools if at all possible around school opening/closing times, and ask them to take particular care if driving in and around the town during these times.


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I have seen several versions of this, both as owner built, and for sale items.
In short, the idea is to have a little "table" that gets strapped to a tree trunk and allows you to use your cat food can stove up off of the ground. This proof-of-concept is a little narrow at only 6 inches, but I'm figuring that in a final size of about 8″w x 10″l, in aluminum stock and with a 4′ pull-thru tensioning strap and buckle, it ought to be good to go.
I am also wondering if a version could be made using standard carabiners. This doesn't have to support significant weight.
More dollar store stuff taking the place of expensive materials…


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Datsun 280 ZX V8 Parts
Stealth Conversions
The Parts Division of JTR (Jaguars That Run)
All prices include shipping within USA. Please Note: Shipping addresses outside continental United States,
including Alaska and Hawaii, may incur additional shipping fees. Click here for more information.
Please scroll down to order using our secure shopping cart.Prices & specifications are subject to change without notice.
280 ZX Headers (rack
& pinion steering). 1-1/2" primary, 2-1/2" collectors. (price is per pair),
#ZX-401 - mild steel
#ZX-401C - ceramic coated
Will work with stock heads, but may not fit all aftermarket heads (e.g., Dart).
280 ZX Headers. 1-5/8" primary, 2-1/2" collectors,
(price is per pair).
#ZX-402 - mild steel
#ZX-402C - ceramic coated
Please also indicate if heads have a D-Port,
when adding this item to cart
(d-port usually found on LT1, ZZ3, ZZ4…)
Back to the Top
JTR engine swapping manuals are available directly from JTR Publishing,
As well as through a number of retailers, including:
• Summit Racing (S-10: Part #JTR-S10; Jaguar: Part #JTR-JAG),
• JEGS (S-10: Part #116549; TPI &
TBI: Part #117942),
• Steve Smith Autosports (S-10: Part #S212; TPI & TBI: Part #S195), and
• Classic Motorbooks (S-10: Part #116549; TPI & TBI: Part #117942;
Jaguar: Part #118438; Datsun Z: Part #115501; Volvo 200: Part #122587).
last updated 02/17/2016


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Alanna Kazdan – Piano, Flute
"I am unabashedly passionate about getting students to share my love of music - I approach each lesson with good humour and patience, and it's always great when students come in the same way. All lessons are tailored to the needs of each individual student, with the end goal always being a newfound appreciation and enjoyment of music-making!"
Alanna Kazdan is a performer, teacher, and scholar – she is a transplanted Torontonian currently undertaking graduate studies in music at the University of Victoria. Before moving to the west coast, Alanna completed her Grade 10 RCM in piano, and graduated from the Concurrent Education program at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. She has earned a Bachelor of Music (specializing in flute) in 2015 and Bachelor of Education (specializing in music and history) in 2016.
Alanna has been playing piano since the age of 4, and has continued to advance her piano career as a performer and a collaborative pianist. She has worked with all varieties of solo instruments and vocalists, as well as working extensively as a choral accompanist since 2010. For the past 5 years, Alanna has worked at helping develop and eventually running a successful city day camp in Ontario that teaches beginner piano to children ages 7-12.
As a flute player, Alanna has played in numerous ensembles and chamber groups, exploring both classical and contemporary genres over the course of her studies. Completing the Double Credit Performance program at Queen's University unlocked her love of solo flute repertoire, and she is currently pursuing an MA in musicology and flute performance.


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Monitoring vital signs, such as someone's blood pressure, pulse rate and respiration rate, is an important component of patient care and can be done in a medical setting or even at home. Respiration rate is one vital sign that can actually provide insight into one's general state of health and can also be a valuable indicator of underlying medical conditions.
In today's health market, we're seeing a shift from treatment to proactive monitoring with an abundant amount of self-tracking and monitoring devices available. As people are becoming more and more aware of their health and are taking the extra measures to stay healthy, these convenient products can help them monitor their state of health throughout the day.
Respiration rate is the number of breaths a person takes per minute, and is best measured when a person is at rest. The rate may however increase with fever, illness, and with other medical conditions. The most common method for respiration rate measurement is by physical assessment, observing a person's chest and counting the number of breaths for one minute.
While measuring respiration rate alone provides only limited information, it is actual respiration patterns that reveal valuable data such as rate, amplitude, and other characteristics.
With an increased focus on self and at-home health diagnosis, the XeThru respiration monitoring solution can be integrated into numerous commercial applications.
Drugs are introduced into the body by several routes such as breathed into the lungs through the mouth (by inhalation). Few drugs are administered this way as inhalation must be carefully monitored for correct dosage, given at the right time, and specialized equipment may be needed as well. The sensor notifies medical personnel when to exactly administer the drug (only during inhalation), hence allowing significant medicine cost savings. It can also be used for medical imaging of chest and for radiation treatment of chest.
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or instances of shallow breathing during sleep. Many people live with sleep apnea without them knowing, posing potential risk to their health. Respiration monitoring can help in the detection of certain sleep disorders such as apnea by identifying abnormal breathing patterns and irregularities.
Elderly people suffering from illnesses and being cared for at home can benefit from a respiration monitoring device that can monitor their vital signs (respiration) around the clock. The monitoring system can then give caregivers early warnings of any deteriorating cases and can even be used in a hospital setting.
In a prison setting, it is time consuming for wardens to manually check on each inmate several times during the night. Cells can be equipped with sensors that would monitor inmates' respiration and vital signs and output data directly to a single monitor. Wardens can then remotely check on all inmates without ever leaving their post.
The X4M200 respiration sensor is a new module available that offers both non-contact sleep and respiration monitoring in a single sensor. The respiration monitoring profile provides breathing frequency and pattern tracking, together with distance, movement, and signal quality information.
Non-contact respiration monitoring for people at rest
Provides breathing pattern tracking, inhale/exhale, and RPM data
Totally non-invasive with remote tracking, no devices attached to the body
Discriminates noise sourvces like curtains, fans, blinds, wind
See through capabilities, module can sense through light building materials and obstructions such as furniture and walls
Multiple sensors can operate in the same space
There are many opportunities to use our X4M200 respiration sensor module in your next monitoring product. Buy yours today and start prototyping your next application.


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Harmony and spa experiences waiting you in newstyle hotel
- Voucher validity in ground package
3 days / 2 nights
- number of adult guests
2 guests
- reduction for children
available for 1 child(ren): from 0 till 3 years free of charge, from 3 till 12 years 11 666 HUF
- catering in grundpackage
breakfast buffet
- Package includes services as follows
internet access, parking lot, Salt-room (1 hour daily), wellness, wifi
- Other services incl. in the package
* Valid at the weekends too without extra charge!
* Valid in the summer (01.07. - 31.08.) too for 5.000 HUF/night extra charge
* 1 bath-ticket per guest to Spa and Wellness Centre Sárvár
* We provide dinner too: 2.500 HUF/guest/meal
* bathrobe
* Discounted prolongation doesn't contains entry ticket to the Spa!
* Free usage of the wellness section (adventure showers: shower tray, tropical rain shower ; wellness- spa pool with built in-adventure elements and lighting ; Panoramasauna ; Panoramic infrared sauna ; steam cabin)
* We provide dinner too: 2.500 HUF/guest/meal
- Validity / expiry of voucher
for 1 year after purchase
- Exception times in the "Buy it now" package
bank holidays and,
Bank holidays including long weekends.
- Discounted prolongation
12 000 HUF / package / night
Additional EXTRA pay-services to the
"Buy it now" package
Harmónia Termál Hotel *** Superior
Sárvár, Hungary
Our hotel is directly by the Sárvári Gyógy- és Wellness Spa entrance. Our guests should make just a few steps, and enjoy one of Hungary's most beautiful spas, relax, enjoy wellness, health care and recreational services.
Our slogen: "If you are closer to the spa, you are sitting in the water"
The intimate athmosphere, the friendy stuff, the delicious hungarien cousin and the location make our hotel to a beloved place among the guests of the spa
We are waiting for you with our 27 family athosphere rooms with new internal design
For families with children we can ensure a baby bed, baby tud, baby chair, pram and other child-friendly stuff for our little guests.
Ask your questions
If you have questions, our colleague helps.
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Harmónia Termál Hotel *** Superior, Sárvár
Harmony and spa experiences waiting you in newstyle hotel
Buy It Now
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Q1. What is the time of delivery ?
Lunch will be delivered from 10:00am to 1:00pm and dinner, from 3:30 to 7:00pm.
Q2. What kind of utensil is being used ?
Two bags are allocated to each customer. Please be reminded the thermal bags are to be returned to our delivery personnel on a daily basis.
Q3 Can I opt to replace some of the dishes ?
Yes, you can choose to replace the dishes in the menu. Please indicate your requirement on the order form so that we can customize the menu to serve you better.
Q4. How do I make reservation ?
Please complete the order form online or mail a completed (duly signed) order confirmation form together with a deposit of the selected package. An order confirmation will be sent upon receipt of the order form & deposit.
Q5. When should I place the order booking ?
We strongly encourage customer to place the order at least 4 weeks before your EDD so as to take advantage of our Early Bird's Discount.
Q6. But my due date is only an estimate. What happens if I deliver much earlier or later ?
Once your have a confirmed booking, we will deliver the meal upon your request, even if it is much earlier or later than the expected due date.
Q7. How do I activate the service delivery ?
Please contact us at 6755 4747 one day in advance between 9am to 4pm.
Q8. When is the balance payment collected ?
Balance payment is to be made on the 1st day of delivery. We reserve the right to terminate the service if payment is not paid on time.
Q9. What happens if I change my mind after booking ?
The deposit will be forfeited. The deposit cannot be offset against our other services. Once the order is cancelled, it cannot be re-instated.
Q10. What happens if I wish to pre-terminate the service halfway through the course ?
Customer must contact us at 6755 4747 one working day in advance before 4pm. The last meal of service will be served on the next working day ( depending on the package selection ). Each consumed meal will be pro-rated @ $30 and an administrative fee of $50 will be imposed.
Q11. Can I choose to upgrade or downgrade my package subsequently ?
For upgrading, customer must top up the difference between the existing and new package price ( without the early bird discount ).
For downgrading, each consumed meals and remaining meals will be charged @ $30 and an administrative charge of $50 will also be imposed. Any early bird or promotional discount will not be applicable.
Q12. How do I cancel my meal ?
Customer must contact us at 6755 4747 one working day in advance before 4pm. All cancelled meals will be replaced and no cash refund is allowed.


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How it started
How it started
I spent 10 years as an army wife and over the years I found there were gaps in the support system for the wives. Like everyone else when we moved I used the facilities of the Families Office. I can't fault in their services when it came to moving and answering the day-to-day questions about living abroad and schools etc but I always used to think that the best people to talk to before you get there are other wives who have first hand experience. People who have been there and done it!
My first home as a WAG was in Catterick Garrison so it wasn't such a big deal, no kids to worry about but I had no experience of the Army or what life would be like as a wife and no real idea as to how much of an impact on my life it would all have. Although, nothing could have prepared me for life abroad as a WAG. I was pregnant with my first son and having just had suffered 3 miscarriages it all felt a bit daunting when we moved to Fallingbostel. I spent my first handover standing stationary on a stain on the carpet trying to look pregnant and uncomfortable in the hope that he wouldn't ask me to move!!!!! I was only about 14 weeks gone and wearing a huge maternity dress to look further on so that the Housing Officer would be lenient and take pity on us! It worked! I was so nervous it was bordering on hysterical. Of course I quickly learnt over the years all the tricks and tips other WAGS had learnt over the years. When we arrived in Germany it all seemed so confusing at times, and being away from family at a time when I needed them seemed to make it all the more harrowing. It seemed that as soon as we arrived my hubby was away all the time and I suffered several scares throughout the pregnancy which resulted in a life-threatening condition, being rushed to a hospital in Bremen from Fallingbostel, and a stay in intensive care and a premature baby. At that time the nearest hospital that was used was Rhintel which the docs deemed too far away and Walsrode was not equipped to deal with my condition and at that time in 1995 there was no English speaking facilities within the hospitals as there was when I had my second son in Hanover. So, as you can imagine it was all a bit scary! And so the saga continues to finding out about the schools if you have kids at school age. Where are the best shops, what the heck is a brattywagon and come to that… what the heck is a bratty??? And so the list goes on and on!
I was lucky in that I had always travelled with my parents as a kid but I soon realised that there were lots of wives who really did find it hard being away from home. There were many girls who became lonely and struggled when their men were away and found it difficult to deal with the kids, bills and in some cases lack of friends. Even way back then I had the idea of a website that each regiment could have its own info pages and there could be a chat room that could allow wives the ability to chat and share some of their problems and stresses with other girls that could relate to what they were going through. There were always some good moments to be shared like the baby taking his first steps, or saying his first word. Fun on a night out! Gossip and tips needing to be shared for getting through the proverbial handover. Crikey, if I had known about the toothpaste in the picture hook holes, how easy it would have been.
Unfortunately, my marriage broke down just after a posting back to Bovington in Dorset and I found myself in the unfortunate situation of facing life alone with two boys. The Army unfortunately had changed rules and regulations and I found that they were no longer helping with final moves and it was totally up to me! So, what was I supposed to do? I suppose it kind of felt like they were saying, "Thank you for supporting your husband for the last ten years but that's it over now, you're on your own." My family was no where near me and I had no money. Luckily I bumped into someone who told me about how SSAFA could help me! And they did – they were fabulous and helped me get moved and settled and even called me after to ensure I was ok and settled and coping ok! Their service was fantastic and without them I shudder to think how it would have been. But, again, this was something I knew nothing about.
My youngest brother served with the Engineers and was in the Gulf and then Afghanistan and my poor mother and his girlfriend were beside themselves because they did not have the use of the Families Office or the regular updates that we, as wives, had. When my husband was in Kosovo and Bosnia it was up to me to keep his mother updated and again I thought wouldn't it be nice to have somewhere that girlfriends and mothers can also meet and chat? And that no-one ever thought about them in the whole big picture.
So, basically, I want to try and create a space where we can chat and meet other people who can relate to life as a WAG and where mums can hop on and chat and find out what's happening where their sons or daughters are. To give tips and advice about moving from schools to shops to handovers and life abroad and in the UK! To share the highs and lows, find out what's on where you are and also find other WAGS that have come and gone throughout your life in the Army. I often wonder where some of my old friends have ended up so it would be great to have a reunion area where we can post names and see if anyone knows where they are. There are many wives who are not British, that have married a soldier and for them the trip to the UK can be just as daunting and scary. This will be a place for them to meet and chat to others from their home country.
So, this is your space use it, let's keep it friendly and fun and make it grow and be everything that you want it to be.


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Donaldsonville Area Chamber of Commerce President Allison B. Hudson and Citizen of the Year Becky Katz
In 1981, Ronald Reagan was President, Jessie's Girl was on the radio, and Raiders of the Lost Ark was on the big screen.
That was also the year that Becky Katz began a new job with the Donaldsonville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Now, 34 years later, she retires after leaving quite an imprint on the community she served.
Wednesday night, the Chamber of Commerce honored Katz by recognizing her as its Citizen of the Year.
During festivities at Palazzo Bernardo, she graciously thanked everyone for their continous support over the years.
She also expressed appreciation for the united front demonstrated when she and late husband Roy fought the battle of their lives. While fighting cancer, she said cards of encouragement, pies at the door, and offers of assistance were abundant.
"The love and caring of this community will never be forgotten," she stressed.
Originally, her family move to Donaldsonville when she was six years old. Over the years, her love for the area only grew.
"We had several opportunities to leave, but how can you leave something that has become a part of you? Donaldsonville is my home!" Katz said.
Teenager of the Year nominees
As in the past, the Chamber also honored six outstanding teenagers in the community.
The nominees all had extensive and impressive backgrounds. They also were interviewed previously by Chamber directors.
Jordan Zeringue, an Ascension Catholic High School student, was named the Teenager of the Year.
Nominees from both Donaldsonville High School and Ascension Catholic included Shaun Brown, Zachary Capello, Dominique Thomas, Emily Villa, and Jason Williams.
Guest speakers Leia Scott, Dr. Jennifer Straney, and Wanda August
Three special guest speakers were on hand for the evening: Wanda August, Dr. Jennifer Straney, and Leia Scott. August and Straney are past Teenager of the Year Award recipients. Scott serves as a teacher at Donaldsonville High School.
Mayor Leroy Sullivan gave the invocation and benediction.
The 2015 Chamber Board of Directors include: Allison B. Hudson, President; DeRon Talley, Vice President; Malissa Boudreaux, Treasurer; Marvin Gros, Karen Hartman, Brent Barbier, Missy Jandura, Paul Landry IV, Rick Bergeron, John Daigle, Tamiko Garrison, Jake LeBlanc, Donna Gaignard, Lydia Hambrick, and Daryl Comery.
For more photos from the event, see: http://www.michaeltortorich.com/donaldsonville-chamber-awards-2015.


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Politics & Government
House honors Fresno State's champion baseball team
WASHINGTON -- The House on Tuesday barked its approval for the Fresno State Bulldogs, with passage of a resolution honoring the university's national champion baseball team.
Putting party labels aside, for the moment, lawmakers unanimously approved the resolution following a 15-minute debate that was both short and sweet.
"Go 'Dogs!" whooped Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno.
The resolution offers congressional congratulations and declares that the team "concluded an unprecedented season and championship that captivated baseball fans across America." Lawmakers elaborated on the House floor, particularly stressing the team's underdog status.
"Without regard for the doubters and the critics, Fresno State baseball exhibited an uncompromising commitment to success," said Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Visalia.
After posting a 47-31 regular season record, the Fresno State team became the lowest-seeded baseball team ever to win a college championship. In doing so, players set multiple records, including 14 home runs pounded out during the course of the College World Series.
"Fresno State, what they accomplished, has all the makings of a movie," enthused Costa, himself an alumnus of the state university. "This is a great time we share for the Valley."
The Senate already commemorated the team's victory, in a resolution passed without public comment or debate on June 26. For Capitol Hill, that was astonishingly quick work. The Senate had acted only one day after Fresno State beat the University of Georgia to secure the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I baseball championship.
The House took longer, for several reasons. The House's Fourth of July recess interfered, while staffers insisted on screening the language to clarify several questions including what the resolution meant by the team's seeding.
The House also erects several procedural hurdles to make sure lawmakers don't spend all their time renaming post offices and commemorating local sports teams. San Joaquin Valley lawmakers had to rally 25 House co-sponsors before the measure could be brought to the floor, though that only took two days once the resolution was formally introduced last week.
"It is, without a doubt, a Cinderella story," said Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa. "The Bulldogs captured baseball fans' hearts, as college baseball fever spread."
In the kind of personal touch not always heard on Capitol Hill, Radanovich recalled how he would e-mail the College World Series results to his son, King, who was away at camp.
The Fresno State resolution was one of a number of sports-related high-fives offered Tuesday by the House, as lawmakers honored everyone from the Hamilton College women's lacrosse team to the Arizona State University women's softball team. Even here, though, raw politics intruded, as Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., interrupted the Arizona State praise to denounce congressional Democrats for failing to support more oil drilling.


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Headlines at a glance
Pro-Am Series
Birdie bonanza gets Burdett the win
Victorian Adam Burdett has won in the west with a standout round of 5-under 67 at the Kwinana Pro-Am.
Japan Golf Tour
Consistent Kennedy a contender at Kansai Open
Wherever the Kansai Open Golf Championship happens to be played, Brad Kennedy emerges as a contender.
European Tour
Gaunt returns to European Tour in Denmark
Four years after banking the biggest cheque of his professional career, Daniel Gaunt has accepted an invitation to tee it up in this week's Made...


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This Course Is All About How You Guys Can Rank Your YouTube Videos On Google | YouTube's First Page In Just After Uploading It In 5 Minutes! Even Without A Single Back-link To It! Isn't That Amazing?
You'll Find My Course Using These Keywords In Udemy:
1) How To Rank Videos On YouTube's First Page
2) How To Rank Videos On Google's First Page
3) How To Rank YouTube Videos On YouTube's First Page
4) How To Rank YouTube Videos On Google's First Page
5) How To Rank YouTube Videos On YouTube And Google's First Page
In This Course I've Included 10 Video Lectures In HD Video | Sound Quality. I'll Be Updating This Course With New Tips / Tricks As Well.
It'll Take Your Some Hours To Be Completed, All The Content Is Unique | Tested By ME!
You Should Take This Course, Because You Need Rankings, Views, Sales, Exposure And Traffic To Your Websites Or Landing Pages To Get People Opt-In.


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Bill Ayers
by Justin Tucker
In the wake of the election Donald Trump, the opposition to the President was immediately emboldened, and a movement coalesced. Thousands of folks took to the streets and became involved in political activism for the first time.
The election of Donald Trump also provoked Facets Multimedia to action by hosting a series of Teach-Ins featuring provocative films that explore particular topics. The first film of the series was director Michael Radford's adaptation of George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, starring the late John Hurt. After the screening, there was a discussion led by the controversial activist and retired UIC professor Bill Ayers, best known as a leader of the Weather Underground.
I recently had a conversation with the proud dissident to discuss the impact of Orwell, the election of Trump, and the American tradition of radicalism. What follows is an edited transcription of our discussion.
UR Chicago: Why is Nineteen Eighty-Four important, and why is it still as relevant today as it was the day it was published?
Bill Ayers: It's been relevant ever since it was published, and it's picked up in massive numbers whenever people feel the hot breath of authoritarianism breathing on them, and that's exactly what happened here since the election. 1984 is once again a bestseller. Kind of amazing when you think about it and yet not amazing at all because people are looking something — for guidance or for help. They're looking for clarity. They're looking for a context, and certainly George Orwell provides a chilling context for understanding how authoritarianism works and how autocracy comes to power.
Combine 1984 with Brave New World, you actually get a fairly powerful picture of the world that we've been living in for a long time, but its intentions are much clearer, much cleaner than what they've been. So, I think that reading those two books together is a must. I, myself, picked up both books right after 9/11 because we were having conversations then about all the issues that mattered so much to Orwell and to Huxley.
Right after 9/11 the PATRIOT Act, which was anything but, [used] words like "special rendition" for people being put into torture chambers and "extraordinary interview techniques" [for] torture. That's just doublespeak, and it's doublespeak that we all should be aware of.
UR: Your latest book is Demand the Impossible: A Radical Manifesto. What is it about?
BA: In some ways, Demand the Impossible is relevant to this moment, but I wrote it over the last couple of years, so it was well before Donald Trump was on my radar and on most other people's. The idea was to write a book that tried to articulate what progressives, what radicals, what revolutionaries are fighting for in this country. I was empowered or motivated by the fact we are pretty good at making a critique of what is, but sometimes we are on much less stable ground when we say this is what we want.
So, I set out to write a bit of a utopian manifesto… unapologetically utopian, and yet Demand the Impossible is an ironic title for two reasons. One, is [that] it's taken from a slogan that was written all over the walls of Paris in 1968 attributed variously, but often, to Che Guevara, and the slogan was "Be realistic: demand the impossible!" So, it was meant to be striking in its contradictoriness. And I wanted to also, as I wrote, point out that everything that I was positing as impossible, given the framework of the political discourse that we have going on in this country, was in fact infinitely possible.
Let me give you just one example: universal, fully accessible healthcare for everyone is completely possible. In the current conversation, of course over the last decades, it's been posited as impossible. "We can't afford it. It'll make us broke. It's socialism. It's totalitarianism." But that's all nonsense. The fact is that universal healthcare is easily available... It's something that can very, very easily exist if we had the political will to do so.
So, the book is very much like that. It posits what we're fighting for, but everything we're fighting for is possible. But in the current context, it seems wildly utopian. Wildly beyond our reach. But in my mind, things like world peace, the United States becoming a nation among nations, the end of mass incarceration, universal healthcare, a tax code that is fair and reasonable... All these things are completely possible.
UR: You mentioned discourse. As an academic, what are your thoughts on the recent riot at UC Berkeley?
BA: You're referring to the student demonstrations that blocked this fascist speaker, correct?
UR: You might call them demonstrations. Other people might call it a riot, but yes, that is the incident.
BA: I've forgotten the alt-right, Breitbart guy's name.
UR: Milo Yiannopoulos.
BA: I don't know. I wasn't there. I know people who were there.
I think it was a continuation of an aroused public that is saying, "We are actually now [rethinking] our participation in the political realm, and we're going to come out in large numbers." After Donald Trump was elected, it was anybody's guess what would be the response of large numbers of people, but the reality is that the first test happened the day after the election. And I've been an activist for over 50 years and I have never seen anything rivaling that in terms of outpouring, in terms of spontaneity, in terms of creativity. It was a brilliant, brilliant mass reaction to the fact that this new president ran on a campaign that was explicitly toxic... and he moved pretty rapidly to implement a government that is fascistic. So, I was very encouraged by that.
And then the outpourings at the airports as a continuation of that. The outpourings at town halls...And the outpouring at Berkeley, too…
Now you're asking me about the folks that broke windows, I assume?
UR: And set things on fire among other sorts of acts.
BA: Again, I don't have any real knowledge of it except that I think it's a distraction for people to get caught up in that and [think] that's the story. The real story is a fascist came to campus and massive numbers of [people] and students decided that was unacceptable and decided to demonstrate against it. That some people broke and set trash cans on fire... it's not the nature of what happened. It's not the main energy of what happened. It's a reaction to a fascist coming to Berkeley and the community...was disapproving of that invitation and they, I think, rightfully went up against it.
And of course the alt-right, Breitbart News people [painted] themselves as victims of brown shirts who prevented free speech. It's just bizarre that they promulgate discrimination and white supremacy [and] suddenly paint themselves as the victim in that scenario, and that gets picked up and carried forward by different forces... But I think the demonstration was the right thing to do, and it was a brave thing for people to participate in.
UR: You've called Milo Yiannopoulos a fascist. What has he said or done that can be considered fascist?
BA: Well, let's get a working definition of fascism, you and I. I think fascism begins with attentive authoritarian rule. It's powered by spectacle. It involves the targeting and criminalizing of entire populations, the stirring up of scapegoats to explain every problem that exists, the fateful intertwining of corporate and military and government power; at the same time it involves eclipsing the public.
Breitbart News has stood for those things for a long, long time, and the fact that it's being normalized, that it's moved into the West Wing of the White House should be alarming for everyone.
UR: Merriam-Webster defines terrorism as "the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion" and "the use of violence as a means of achieving a goal." You've described the actions of the Weather Underground as "extreme vandalism." Is there a difference between "extreme vandalism" and the definitions of terrorism I just described?
BA: Yeah, I would say there's a huge difference. That Merriam-Webster [definition] has a tautology in it. Terrorism is "the use of terror." I don't exactly know what that means, but I've defined terrorism many, many times. I've written about it.
Terrorism is the use of random violence against people, against human beings to forward a political agenda through fear and intimidation. The audience for terrorism is much larger than the victims of terrorism. So, we have lots and lots of examples right in front of us.
One example is the World Trade Center. The act was not only a crime against humanity but an act of pure terror. Dylan Roof was an act of pure terror. He had a political agenda; he decided to shoot a bunch of people randomly and kill them... to further that political agenda and his audience was much larger than the victims themselves. So, that's what terrorism is.
If you look at the last century and a half you will notice that, while terrorism can be carried [out] by political groups, religious groups, random individuals, cults, sects, political parties, overwhelmingly terrorism is carried out by governments, and governments have been the main perpetrators of terrorism in the 20th century and beyond.
The word as it's used in America today...it's a word that's racial. It's a word that is used distinctively about a certain religion and a certain race. That's why FBI Director Comey would refuse, even when pushed, refused to call Dylan Roof's action a terrorist action. When a random crime occurs, it's not called terrorism until it turns out that it's somebody from the Middle East... Otherwise it's just a crime or a mental health problem.
When somebody throws a rock through a window, that's not terrorism. That's actually something else. And if you do it for political purpose and you call it terrorism is to paint with a pretty broad brush. So, the United States government... likes to say that somebody commits arson against a car... that's terrorism. And that's ridiculous... and at the same time to say Dylan Roof is not a terrorist is absurd.
UR: Do you endorse using such tactics you performed as member of the Weather Underground?
BA: Well, I'm not a tactician so I don't endorse nor condemn a tactic in the abstract. I'm sure you think of yourself as nonviolent, correct?
UR: I do consider myself nonviolent, yes.
BA: And yet you live in the most violent country every constructed by Earth, correct?
UR: There is a good case to be made there. I haven't looked at the empirical evidence.
BA: Then ask yourself, "Since I live in a violent country and I'm a nonviolent person, what am I willing to do to stop my violent country from committing the violence that it commits all over the world? What am I up to doing?"
So, let's just take a couple of examples... If you had lived in the United States in the days of slavery, you can certainly see from the perspective of a hundred and fifty years later, that you were living in a violent society, right?
UR: Yes.
BA: In the violent society, whether anybody rose up or not, it was society maintained by violence. So, when John Brown or Harriet Tubman — who incidentally carried a pistol in their pocket — or Frederick Douglas or Nat Turner rose up against that violent system, you would be in favor of that rising up against the violence, right?
UR: Yes, I would. I support people taking the means necessary to protect their own lives and to fight back.
BA: You're saying it's okay for people to protect their own lives... So, Harriet Tubman with a pistol is okay, but John Brown attacking Harpers Ferry is not okay?
UR: There's a little difference between those two things. Definitely we can say at the time John Brown would be considered a terrorist.
BA: He was! He was! And not only was he, he was executed for his crime. But notice two things. One is that W.E.B. Du Bois wrote a book called John Brown. That Henry David Thoreau, who I'm sure you admire, wrote a book called A Plea for Captain John Brown and considered it his best book.
Let's think about the reality of what was going on at the time. Yes, many people including the government, including Abraham Lincoln, condemned John Brown and killed him. Many other people defended him because they said the system was so violent and so oppressive and exploitative that it had to be opposed.
On the other hand, I think you probably think Nelson Mandela was a world figure of heroic proportions? I'm just guessing.
UR: I'm not a communist, but I support Nelson Mandela in the sense that he was sticking up for his people and trying to combat the oppression that was going on in South Africa.
BA: And you know what Nelson Mandela was in jail for all those years?
UR: It was terror or conspiracy, wasn't it?
BA: Yeah, it was for conspiracy to overthrow the government. He was charged as a terrorist and went to prison for life...for organizing sabotage against the South African government. And most people in the West today are okay... with Nelson Mandela because he's proven to be on the side of justice. At the time the US government called him a terrorist, banned him from the country. His organization was on the terrorist watchlist.
I'm only mentioning that because we're talking about violence, and you were asking me if I think tactics are called for. Yes, I do. In Nat Turner's case, in Harriet Tubman's case, in John Brown's case, in Nelson Mandela's case.
I'll give you one more case. If you look closely at the pictures of Martin Luther King in 1956 during the Montgomery bus boycott, you will notice two men with shotguns are sitting in their living room. Is that okay with you? It's okay with me... Not that history has moved on, we all see...they were protecting him from being murdered.
UR: When you go into the nuances of it, I guess I'm not so much a pacifist. You don't want to be passive to allow people to hurt you. I'm against initiating aggression. That's a more accurate way of describing myself.
BA: So, you're against the US government, as I am. So, we agree. The initiator of the violence should be stopped and that, in the modern world, is the US government, which has the largest military ever assembled on Earth, which has seven wars going on at the moment.
UR: You've spoken of American tradition of radicalism being one of the great things about America. Why is that?
BA: Because everything you and I take for granted today was brought to us by the activism of radicals, and that includes the abolition of slavery, a woman's right to vote, the eight hour work day, clean water, clean air. None of this came because of the sudden awakenings of power. It came because of from fire down below, and fire down below is what I believe in, and it's the only place I know to organize.
Let me give you two examples. One, Abraham Lincoln's first inaugural address was a law and order speech which reassured the slaveholders that he was fine with slavery. Four years later, the second inaugural speech — the one reprinted in civics text books and could have been written by Frederick Douglas — says, "For every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword."
So, what happened to Lincoln? Did he just suddenly get a good idea? No, a lot happened to Lincoln. The abolitionists wouldn't stop and they wouldn't give up and they kept pressing through the Emancipation Proclamation and onward.
UR: If you could pick your own films to screen at Facets, which would it be and why?
BA: If I were staying in the realm of totalitarianism, I think Fahrenheit 451 is a valuable film, a brilliant film. I think The Handmaid's Tale is brilliant, and there are many, many others. I think Triumph of the Will is an amazing film to look at from its period.
But if I were to go pick a film in education, I might go with The Class, the French film about a French teacher to immigrant children in Paris. Or I might go with Half Nelson.
If I were talking about film that could explain the 1960s without being didactic, I would go with What Happened, Miss Simone? Or I might go with The Trials of Muhammad Ali by the great Bill Siegel, that just came out last year.
In other words, I'm a film nut just as I am a book nut. Don't get me started because we'll end up with about 200 films!
How about V for Vendetta? That's another one that I think is a brilliant. And since the Wachowski siblings live here in Chicago, I hope they do screen V for Vendetta.
Facets Teach-Ins continues with Triumph of the Will on April 2nd, A Face in the Crowd on April 23rd and Sicko on May 1st. Tickets can be reserved at facets.org. The screenings are free with a $10 suggested donation.


text: > If the state can outlive the process holding it (which is possible > for example if the state is stored in ets (and another process > owns the ets table, as explained above), then it can make sense > to use the registered name of a process. Otherwise, using the > pid seems quite sensible, except for the issue of having to > serialize the pid and present it in the external protocol. > Using a symbolic name migh look a bit better there. initially i had thought to use pid_to_list, but was discouraged from using it because of the warning in the documentation: "This BIF is intended for debugging and for use in the Erlang operating system. It should not be used in application programs." > You might even want to use another kind of registry than the > built-in one, since you'd otherwise have to call list_to_atom/1 > based on information in the http message. This is a potential > memory leak, as atoms are never garbage collected. thanks for the reminder: i'd forgotten that, or rather, remembered it elsewhere but not here. it seems best, then, to create a table that stores symbolic name / PID associations, returning the former to the client. thanks for your response.


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For properties with water storage tanks and are in need of bulk water deliveries, the California Department of Public Health publishes a list of Licensed Water Haulers by County*. Please consider both Fresno County and Tulare County water haulers.
*California Health and Safety Code, Section 111120, requires operators of water haulers operating in California to obtain a Water Hauler License issued by the Department of Public Health's Food and Drug Branch. The Water Hauler License is required to haul water in bulk for drinking, culinary or other purposes involving a likelihood of the water being ingested by humans.
Non-potable water haulers do not need to be licensed, but the water provided must not be ingested. Such water may be used for agriculture, irrigation, flushing toilets, or laundry. Non-potable water carries a serious health risk if ingested as the water may contain dangerous contaminents and/or microorganisms.
For a list of drillers, please check this list of Tulare County Water Well Drillers. The drillers will need to complete and submit a Well Permit Application to:
Tulare County Environmental Health Services
5957 S. Mooney Blvd.
Visalia, CA 93277


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kids patterns Sewing For Kids
A Trip to the Nutcracker9:50 PM
Wondering where I've been all week? Sewing as fast as I could for today's great post! There is a LOT of content in today's p...
Wondering where I've been all week? Sewing as fast as I could for today's great post!
There is a LOT of content in today's post so take your time, read the reviews and browse the photos for several different patterns and fabric sources (I'll be sure to mention each one as I go).
For the last 2 years, we've taken my girls to see the Nutcracker right before Christmas. Its a great family tradition. We get all dolled up and then head off to the theater. I even let my girls wear make up for this special day and they just love it.
When I envisioned us at the theater this year, I was thinking a trio of sugar plum fairies. SO CUTE, right? Then 2 days before the Nutcracker my eldest reminded me she won't wear tights or leggings... WHAT?! Ok, so no trio of sugar plum fairies. But still sweet angelic faces and I'm ok with that.
So the base of all these outfits started with the JUST released Max and Meena Yacht Tee. I received a free copy of the pattern in exchange for testing. The timing couldn't be more perfect.
Please note that while testing, I did not have access to the instructions. I can not vouch specifically for the instructions BUT can say that since I've sewn up the Max & Meena All Ear's Hoodie and can say the instructions are acceptable for a newbie to finish the pattern.
The 3 Yacht Tee's are sewn up in a beautiful cotton/rayon/spandex blend from Cali Fabrics. Cali Fabrics is a new obsession of mine and I'm happy to share their shop with you. They have great ADULT fabrics. There is so much variety here in choices for fabric types and prints. Its nice to not have to sift through 100's of childish prints for a change.
So for my sweet little sugar plum fairies I actually bought the Made For Mermaids Alyssa. As my deadline was quickly approaching I needed fast and easy sewing. The Alyssa is a "no pattern pieces" pattern. All rectangles. The cutting out of pattern pieces was FAST. The ironing, was not, LOL. I probably could have sewn up a lined bodice dress in the same amount of time. That said, all the pieces went together exactly as expected and if you can't print (for whatever reason) this is a great pattern.
And these Alyssa's are so glittery and sparkly. I LOVE the entire line of the Michael Miller Winter Frost fabrics. I bought a little bit of each of the fabrics from Whimsy Quilts and Fabrics and mix and matched them into these beautiful creations.
Simple Life Pattern Company Emilyas. Because my eldest won't wear tights or leggings, the closest thing to "real" pants are these Emilyas. I apologize for no pictures, but just know they get 2 thumbs up from me. :)
And finally a great little photo of my youngest waiting for the show to start.


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VIDEO: Daily Zap for games played April 25
Will Nene and/or Gortat play? | LeBron seeks equal treatment | Lakers sticking with D'Antoni | Westbrook's brother still rankled
No. 1: Will Nene and/or Gortat play? — Losing Nene down the stretch of Game 3 was bad enough for the Washington Wizards. It very well might have cost them the game, a 3-0 advantage in the best-of-seven series and so much momentum heading into Sunday's Game 4 that the Bulls might have licked their wounds and started planning for summer. Instead, Chicago didn't have to worry about the big guy who had been the Wizards' X factor in the first two games and its own bigs, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson, had an easier time navigating foul trouble. The biggest concerns now for Washington are whether a) Nene's ejection ended it or whether he'll face a suspension from Game 4, and b) center Marcin Gortat will get whacked for leaving the bench area in the heat of the moment. In the immediate aftermath, Brandon Parker assessed the situation in the Washington Post's Wizards Insider blog:
What happened after that and how the NBA office will levy punishment has now become as great of a concern as how the Wizards respond following their first loss of these young playoffs.
It's a given that Nene will at least be fined for his inflammatory role in Friday's altercation, but whether or not he is suspended is up to the NBA. But Nene might not be the only one in trouble. There was some debate as to whether Marcin Gortat left the bench area during the scuffle. Since the Bulls were charged with calling a timeout immediately following Nene's basket, Gortat, along with all the bench players and coaches, would be allowed to come onto the floor. But should the NBA deem that Gortat was making his way onto the court before or during the moment the timeout was called, the Wizards center would automatically be suspended for one game, according to NBA rules.
Both are judgement calls but by comparison, take the case of Charlotte's Josh McRoberts. In Game 2 versus Miami, the Bobcats forward threw a forearm to the nose of LeBron James but rather than being whistled for a flagrant foul during the game or being suspended afterward, McRoberts was fined $20,000.
Playing without one or both of their starting big men could obviously be catastrophic for the Wizards in what's now a must-win Game 4. Playing with one or both of them still doesn't leave the Wizards in the clear, as the Bulls are apparently intent on trying to mentally rattle and discourage Washington's players in what's sure to be an intense environment.
No. 2: LeBron seeks equal treatment — Retaliation is officially off the table, at least according to what the Miami Heat players and coaches are saying in the wake of Josh McRoberts' flagrant-2 foul against LeBron James in Game 2 of the Miami-Charlotte first-round series. McRoberts didn't get ejected after putting an elbow to the throat of the Heat superstar as he attacked the rim, but the foul was upgraded the next day with a $20,000 fine attached. Instead of retribution, James spoke about getting a fair shake from the referees. His view, as related by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, is that he takes more hits because of his ball dominance and foes get away with more because he is so big and strong. Instead of "star treatment," in other words, James feels he has been enduring Shaq treatment:
James wouldn't say Friday whether McRoberts should have been suspended, but said "it should have been a Flagrant 2 at that point in the game."
"What frustrated me is when I watch other games. [In Thursday's Warriors-Clippers game], it was three flagrant fouls called that got checked [on replay]. My foul didn't even get checked, and it was a crucial point of the game. … I don't cry for fouls. If the game is played and [called] how it's supposed to be, I'm OK with it."
James added: "I take a lot of hard fouls. I understand that. Guys try to stop me from getting three-point plays. We all know the difference between a basketball foul and a non-basketball foul."
"I already know there's going to be a headline tomorrow: 'LeBron is crying for fouls.' I don't want that. It's not about me wanting fouls or wanting to be pampered. I'm going to be my aggressive self and get to the free-throw line and put pressure on their defense."
So does he simply want to be treated like everyone else?
"I'm not going to be treated like everyone else," he said. "It's been a long time since I've been treated like everybody else."
Retaliating is not an option for two reasons, James said: "Every time we hit back, we get suspended or get fined. We tried that tactic. It don't [work] for us."
And also: "The game is different. If this was the 1980s, I would come out swinging. It's not. I mean too much to our team. I can't do that. Me being out of the game hurts us more than it would hurt the other team. I get frustrated at times."
No. 3: Lakers sticking with D'Antoni — While their former coach and ring-collecting leader, Phil Jackson, settles in and sifts through his coaching candidates in New York, the Los Angeles Lakers face a situation of their own involving coach Mike D'Antoni, who just lead the team through a forgettable failed season. According to Mark Heisler, venerable NBA columnist who has relocated from the Los Angeles Times to the Orange County Register, that situation essentially has been resolved: D'Antoni will be back next season. Heisler writes with authority about the Lakers' mess and their limited options for 2014-15 overall – basically a strategy of signing players to one-year deal and keeping their salary-cap powder dry for the free-agent classes of 2015 and 2016. He does include one juicy tidbit about L.A., if it gets lucky in the lottery, possibly offering their first-round pick this spring to Minnesota for All-Star forward Kevin Love. Here's some Heisler:
Ready for Mike D'Antoni III? After 10 days of soul searching, the key figures in Lakers management are agreed on bringing back D'Antoni for a third season as coach, a source with knowledge of the deliberations told the Register.
Keeping D'Antoni, of course, would be unpopular among Lakers fans, united in their desire to see him fired and Jim Buss resign.
The Lakers aren't commenting, but Jimbo's not planning on leaving. With Pau Gasol making no secret of his dissatisfaction and Kobe Bryant reportedly in favor of a change, D'Antoni was widely expected to be fired.
But one thing you've got to love about the Lakers – I do, anyway – they don't always do the easy thing.
D'Antoni took himself out of the running for the Marshall University coaching job last week, which went to his brother, Dan.
However, reports from West Virginia that the Lakers told Mike he was returning are incorrect.
D'Antoni decided he didn't want to return to Marshall, where he once starred, in any case.
The Lakers have yet to inform D'Antoni of anything, but they intend to keep him, absolving him of blame for the 27-55 finish without Bryant and Steve Nash for 141 of a possible 162 games.
Nor are they discomfited by Gasol's announcement on his website. ("I've never concealed the fact that D'Antoni's style doesn't suit my game. … I don't know if my decision will be swayed by whether Mike stays or leaves. Obviously, the coach is a very important factor for any team.") Jeanie Buss, who noted recently, "I'm the boss," is continuing her preference to leave basketball decisions to the basketball people.
Jim is aligned with GM Mitch Kupchak, a steadfast D'Antoni defender emerging as an ever-stronger figure with a multi-year extension in the wake of their misadventures.
No. 4: Westbrook's brother still rankled — While Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook prevailed on his brother Ray to delete a Tweet from late Thursday night suggesting Thunder head coach Scott Brooks be dumped, he didn't exactly change his younger sibling's mind. After practice Friday, Westbrook told reporters: "I took care of that. We don't conduct business like that. Scotty and me got a great relationship." But Ray Westbrook, while complying, wasn't necessarily on board with the damage control, according to a blog by The Oklahoman sports columnist Barry Tramel:
[We] got back to our hotel after the game, probably around 1:30 a.m., and decided to get something to eat. So we walked the few blocks to Blues City Cafe, which is open from 11 a.m. to 5 a.m. And on the way, we ran into a certain Ray Westbrook.
Yes, the same Ray Westbrook whose big brother plays a little hoops for the Thunder, and the same Ray Westbrook who in the middle of Game 3 tweeted that the Thunder needed a new coach.
Ray is a friendly fellow, and we asked him about the tweet. He said the Thunder already had reached out to him to express its displeasure, but he was unapologetic. "That's how I felt," he said. "If you don't like it, don't follow me."
Of course, by the next morning, Ray Westbrook had apologized for the outburst. But it's pretty safe to assume he didn't mean it.